Mental Health Issues

What the U.S.A. really needs is improvement and support of inpatient mental health facilities.  Every time there is a shooting many people start crying for gun control.  The problem with that mentality is that you only make it harder for law-abiding citizens to obtain firearms, you'll never, I repeat, NEVER get the guns out of the hands of the criminal elements of society.  One of the REAL problems is the deinstitutionalization of the mentally ill.  For example, in the Gabrielle Giffords shooting in Tucson, AZ, the shooter's family actually attempted to get help for their son - but until he actually DID something to prove he was a danger to society, the institutions would not take him.  Rather than getting him help and having him prove himself safe, he got no help and ended up proving himself quite unsafe.

Under President Kennedy, may he rest in peace, there were attempts to bring attention and support to the needs of the mentally ill.  Eunice Shriver went on to found the Special Olympics, which to this day does a lot of good for that community.(1)  However, the funds and attention contributed more toward deinstitutionalization.  Funds raised went to institutions which cared for the mentally ill - but primarily to those which did outpatient treatment. 

Reducing costs (2)
As hospitalisation costs increased, both the federal and state governments were motivated to find less expensive alternatives to hospitalisation. The 1965 amendments to Social Security shifted about 50% of the mental health care costs from states to the federal government, motivating the government to promote deinstitutionalisation.

The increase in homelessness was seen as related to deinstitutionalisation. Studies from the late 1980s indicated that one-third to one-half of homeless people had severe psychiatric disorders, often co-occurring with substance abuse. (3)(4)(5)

A process of indirect cost-shifting may have led to a form of "re-institutionalisation" through the increased use of jail detention for those with mental disorders deemed unmanageable and noncompliant. When laws were enacted requiring communities to take more responsibility for mental health care, necessary funding was often absent, and jail became the default option, being cheaper than psychiatric care.

In summer 2009, author and columnist Heather Mac Donald stated in City Journal, "jails have become society's primary mental institutions, though few have the funding or expertise to carry out that role properly... at Rikers, 28 percent of the inmates require mental health services, a number that rises each year."(6)

So, what we really need is better funding for the mentally ill - which would help with the homeless situation as well as potentially heading off some of the violent incidents previously discussed. 


(1) http://www.jfklibrary.org/JFK/JFK-in-History/JFK-and-People-with-Intellectual-Disabilities.aspx and http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=9546

(2) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deinstitutionalisation

(3) Rubin, Lillian B. (Fall 2007). "Sand Castles and Snake Pits: Homelessness, Public Policy, and the Law of Unintended Consequences". Dissent. 

(4) Friedman, Michael B. (8 August 2003). "Keeping The Promise of Community Mental Health". The Journal News.

(5) McQuistion, Hunter L.; Finnerty, Molly; Hirschowitz, Jack; Susser, Ezra S. (May 2003). "Challenges for psychiatry in serving homeless people with psychiatric disorders". Psychiatric Services 54 (5): 669–76. doi:10.1176/appi.ps.54.5.669. PMID 12719496.

(6) Mac Donald, Heather. "The Jail Inferno". City Journal. Retrieved 27 July 2009.

2015 Pi Day is coming!

Baptist Pastor Calls for Execution of Homosexuals

A Baptist "pastor" in Tempe, AZ made a comment: 

"If you execute the homos, you wouldn't have all these AIDS running rampant."

Well, if that quote is accurate - not only is this "pastor" quite irresponsible - he also needs a lesson in grammar.  Executing all homosexuals would, indeed, reduce the number of AIDS cases in the world since the majority of AIDS is still found amongst the homosexual community, but to say that is morally reprehensible, especially for one who claims to be a "pastor."  The equivalent would be to say, "If you executed everyone in north-western Africa, you wouldn't have all these cases of Ebola running rampant."  Again, a true statement, but is it moral to kill everyone in that portion of Africa to eradicate a disease which exists among part of their population?

http://www.fox10phoenix.com/story/27569506/2014/12/07/tempe-pastor-remains-unapologetic-in-his-call-for-christians-to-kill-gay-people

Where is the Christian outcry against this "pastor?"  A friend of mine points out:

The thought came to me today that executing gays was once an idea that the Church tolerated when it was introduced by the Christian Emperors Justinian & Theodosius.

My response was "the Church tolerated a lot of things which were culturally acceptable throughout history."  Case in point, the Church today tolerates the homosexual community!  Considering that homosexuality is an abomination to the Lord, as declared in several places by Scripture, the Church could easily "justify" supporting this Baptist "pastor" and the outlandish statement - but instead she offers a welcome to them, and yes, prays and hopes for their conversion and rejection of the sinful lifestyle, but does not outright reject homosexual persons.

My friend added:

I thought it interesting that locally Fr. (now excommunicated) Vernon Myers spoke up against what the Baptist pastor was saying.

Meyer (now affiliated with the Sun Lakes Church of Christ) was excommunicated from the Catholic Church (automatically, he actually excommunicated himself by the act he took) when he rejected Church authority and "ordained" a woman to the priesthood.  
Perhaps a better rendition of this Baptist "pastor" if found here:

"Because if you executed the homos, like God recommends, you wouldn't have all this AIDS running rampant," http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/12/04/pastor-calls-for-killing-gays-to-end-aids/19929973/

Grammatically, that is better - but still an outrageous statement.  In that article it also mentions Meyer speaking out against the Baptist "pastor."   From what I could find, here is what Meyer said:

"I see a lot of drama," said Pastor Vernon Meyer with Sun Lakes United Church of Christ. "That's very offensive when he says 'homo'."
Anderson does more than use the disparaging term. In his sermon, he stated, "All homos are pedophiles. There, I said it, they're all pedophiles."
"He's a liar," Meyer said.   http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/tempe/2014/12/04/12news-tempe-pastor-calls-for-killing-gays-to-end-aids/19903409/

More later on this story...
  

Windows 10 - No Windows 9

So, Microsoft is proposing to just skip Windows 9 and is talking about going straight to Windows 10.  Why?  Windows 9 isn't even out yet!  Why not just call the new iteration "Windows 9" anyway?

On the preview page on MSN there is a picture of the "new look" which apparently is a combination of the tiles or "metro" screen along with the familiar start button.

Frankly, Windows 8.1 is not a problem.  The backend is still Windows 7, it is purely a cosmetic change to get the "metro" look.  I'll grant you, a touchscreen makes it much easier to navigate, but 8.1 gave us back the start button (with the right and left clicks reversed...  why?!).

And... do any of you remember?

Ron Reagan, Jr. Lies about Founding Fathers and Religion

Ron Reagan, Jr. announces that he's an "unabashed atheist" and "unafraid of burning in hell," but also erroneously states that the Founding Fathers (of the USA) were supportive of "freedom FROM religion" (emphasis added).  Sorry Mr. Reagan, but the Founding Fathers actually actually supported "freedom OF religion."  THAT is what is protected by the US Constitution, specifically the Bill of Rights and other founding documents.
From the Bill of Rights:

Amendment One: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

John Adams, our second president:

1788 - A Defence of the Constitutions of Government of the United States of America: The experiment is made, and has completely succeeded: it can no longer be called in question, whether authority in magistrates, and obedience of citizens, can be grounded on reason, morality, and the Christian religion, without the monkery of priests, or the knavery of politicians.

1798 - Address to the militia of Massachusetts:  We have no government armed in power capable of contending in human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate for the government of any other.

Benjamin Franklin, Constitutional Convention Delegate and signer of the Constitution and Declaration of Independence:

1787 - Address at the Constitutional Convention:  I have lived, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth -- that God Governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid?

Alexander Hamilton, first US Secretary of the Treasury,

1802 - Letter to James Bayard:  In my opinion, the present constitution is the standard to which we are to cling.... Let an association be formed to be denominated 'The Christian Constitutional Society,' its object to be first: The support of the Christian religion. Second: The support of the United States.

Patrick Henry, Member of First Continental Congress; Governor of Virginia,

Letter to Archibald Blair:  The great pillars of all government...[are] virtue, morality, and religion. This is the armor, my friend, and this alone, that renders us invincible. 

George Washington, First President of the United States, Commander of the Revolutionary Army,

1796 - Farewell Address:  Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports.

In short, completely contrary to what Mr. Reagan, Jr. attests to!   The Founding Fathers were quite fond of supporting religion!  What they not support was a state established religion and there are some out of context quotes which people like Ron Reagan, Jr. like to cite, but in context the Fathers are saying there was to be no "Church of State" as in the European model.  The American experiment was founded upon laws which protect religion, specifically Christian religion, and officially opposes ANY restriction of the free exercise thereof.  If the people wish to assemble, even on "public" ground, and recognize God - the First Amendment absolutely protects that RIGHT.  What Mr. Reagan, Jr. supports is the creation of laws which are in direct opposition to the Bill of Rights.  Does Mr. Reagan, Jr. believe that the majority of Americans are so stupid they would just accept him at his word?  Sorry "Little Ronny," but you're only fooling the foolish and those who want your paradigm to be true.

I would not be so proud to announce your lack of fear of burning in Hell, while you may not believe in it - that does not change the reality of it.  May God have mercy on your soul and give you the grace to see the folly of your ways.


Scott Windsor<<<

Definitions Washington Post Style

 1. Cashtration (n.): The act of buying a house, which renders the subject  
 financially impotent for an indefinite period of time.                     
                                                                            
 2. Ignoranus : A person who's both stupid and an butt.                  
                                                                            
 3. Intaxication : Euphoria at getting a tax refund, which lasts until you  
 realize it was your money to start with.                                   
                                                                            
 4. Reintarnation : Coming back to life as a hillbilly.                     
                                                                            
 5. Bozone (n.): The substance surrounding stupid people that stops bright  
 ideas from penetrating. The bozone layer, unfortunately, shows little sign 
 of breaking down in the near future.                                                                       
                                                                            
 7. Giraffiti : Vandalism spray-painted very, very high.                    
                                                                            
 8. Sarchasm : The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person  
 who doesn't get it.                                                        
                                                                            
 9. Inoculatte : To take coffee intravenously when you are running late.    
                                                                            
 10. Osteopornosis : A degenerate disease. (This one got extra credit.)     
                                                                            
 11. Karmageddon : It's like, when everybody is sending off all these       
 really bad vibes, right? And then, like, the Earth explodes and it's like, 
 a serious bummer.                                                          
                                                                            
 12. Decafalon (n.): The gruelling event of getting through the day         
 consuming only things that are good for you.                               
                                                                            
 13. Glibido : All talk and no action.                                      
                                                                            
 14. Dopeler Effect: The tendency of stupid ideas to seem smarter when they 
 come at you rapidly.                                                       
                                                                            
 15. Arachnoleptic Fit (n.): The frantic dance performed just after you've  
 accidentally walked through a spider web.                                  
                                                                            
 16. Beelzebug (n.) : Satan in the form of a mosquito, that gets into your  
 bedroom at three in the morning and cannot be cast out.                    
                                                                            
 17. Caterpallor ( n.): The color you turn after finding half a worm in the 
 fruit you're eating.                                                       
                                                                            
The Washington Post has also published the winning submissions to its      
 yearly contest, in which readers are asked to supply alternate meanings    
 for common words.  And the 2009 winners are:
                                                                                                              
                                                                            
 1. Coffee , n. The person upon whom one coughs.                            
                                                                            
 2. Flabbergasted , adj. Appalled by discovering how much weight one has    
 gained.                                                                    
                                                                            
 3. Abdicate , v. To give up all hope of ever having a flat stomach.        
                                                                            
 4. Esplanade , v.. To attempt an explanation while drunk.                   
                                                                            
 5. Willy-nilly , adj. Impotent.                                            
                                                                            
 6. Negligent , adj. Absentmindedly answering the door when wearing only a  
 nightgown.                                                                 
                                                                            
 7. Lymph , v. To walk with a lisp.                                         
                                                                            
 8. Gargoyle , n. Olive-flavored mouthwash.                                 
                                                                            
 9. Flatulence , n. Emergency vehicle that picks up someone who has been    
 run over by a steamroller.                                                 
                                                                            
 10. Balderdash , n. A rapidly receding hairline.                           
                                                                            
 11. Testicle , n. A humorous question on an exam.                          
                                                                            
 12. Rectitude , n. The formal, dignified bearing adopted by proctologists. 
                                                                                                                                       
 13. Pokemon , n.. A Rastafarian proctologist.                              
                                                                            
 14. Oyster , n. A person who sprinkles his conversation with Yiddishisms.  
                                                                            
 15. Frisbeetarianism , n. The belief that, after death, the soul flies up  
 onto the roof and gets stuck there.                                        
                                                                            
 16. Circumvent , n. An opening in the front of jockey shorts worn by       
 Jewish men