Trentino- Italia 

SOCIAL JUSTICE

To fight is to stand

To regret is to mistake

And to jump is risk

To see is to know

To smile is to make amends 

And to think is wise

To sing is happy

To sin is unforgiven

And to try is bold

To soar high is proud

To be yourself is unique

And to be alive

To dance is vibrant

To fear is the enemy

And to give is kind

To feel is caring

To seek is the adventure

And to win is strength

To aim high is brave

To understand is clever

And wonder is pure

To dream is to rest

To break is to be broken

And faith brings spirit

To play is to live

To focus brings ambition

And to stare is speech

To trust is secret

To have faith is courageous 

And loss takes you down

"...And these children that you spit on as they try to change their worlds are immune to your consultations. They're quite aware of what they're going through..." -David Bowie, Changes

Poetry Preview #1

If I could transform my thoughts into art, I would create a masterpiece beyond what has ever been created, because with my imagination and my dream for fantasy, I am able to imagine peace and no suffering, love and no violence, happiness and no hatred. If I could transform my thoughts into art, I would create a masterpiece beyond what has ever been created. 

And Aubrey was her name,
A not so very ordinary girl or name.
But who's to blame?
For a love that wouldn't bloom
For the hearts that never played in tune.
Like a lovely melody that everyone can sing,
Take away the words that rhyme it doesn't mean a thing.

And Aubrey was her name.
We tripped the light and danced together to the moon,
But where was June.
No it never came around.
If it did it never made a sound,
Maybe I was absent or was listening to fast,
Catching all the words, but then the meaning going past,

But God I miss the girl,
And I'd go a thousand times around the world just to be
Closer to her than to me.

And Aubrey was her name,
I never knew her, but I loved her just the same,
I loved her name.
Wish that I had found the way
And the reasons that would make her stay.
I have learned to lead a life apart from all the rest.
If I can't have the one I want, I'll do without the best.

But how I miss the girl
And I'd go a million times around the world just to say
She had been mine for a day.

This is the ending of a very beautiful movie, "La Vie est Belle."

This movie, despite its title, is tragic, but warms ones heart, 

because of the innocence and purity the characters in the movie reveal.

Only so many fathers would go to those lengths to savour the innocence in his son...

Only so many fathers would pretend war is just a game, where prizes and points are given...

Only so many fathers would smile and laugh, while they sacrifice their life for their family...

“There's nothing half so pleasant as coming home again.”

--Margaret Elizabeth Sangster

The Music Of Love. This picture was taken in Tenganan Village, Bali (2010). Tenganan is the most famous Bali Aga (original Balinese) village and is located close to Candi Dasa in East Bali. A man was playing bamboo music to entertain a disabled child which is not his son, but he loves this child likes he loves his own son. (Photo and caption by Ario Wibisono)

Drawing Autism

Drawing Autism is an incredible collection of artwork by people diagnosed with autism, from teenage amateurs to established artists.

http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/30tR4U/50watts.com/1375518/Drawing-Autism

Michelle Bachmann brands Planned Parenthood a criminal enterprise

GANNETT NEWS SERVICE Jun 3, 2011 8:24PM

WASHINGTON -- Sounding every bit like a candidate on the campaign trail, Rep. Michele Bachmann scorched President Barack Obama’s Israel policy Friday, urged conservative activists to block the new health care law in their states and branded Planned Parenthood a criminal enterprise.

Speaking to scores of conservatives at a Faith and Freedom Coalition conference in Washington, Bachmann gave a sample of what her key themes are likely to be if she enters the race for the 2012 Republican nomination as expected. She said 2012 presents a prime opportunity for conservatives to take make headway on the abortion issue and a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage.

Bachmann, R-Stillwater, called for defunding of Planned Parenthood, which provides family planning programs and other services for women, such as cancer screenings, breast exams and HIV testing.

“We’re giving money to corrupt groups like Planned Parenthood,” an organization that she said is “committing crimes and enabling young, minor girls. This organization has by their own records performed 324,008 abortions in 2008 and 2009, and that’s in addition to the trafficking of underage girls that has gone on under Planned Parenthood’s nose.”

Planned Parenthood said in a statement that the organization has an excellent track record of providing care to millions of women and teens.

“The health and safety of patients is our No. 1 priority and Planned Parenthood has a zero-tolerance policy for any staff member who does not comply with the law in reporting threats to the welfare of a minor,” the statement said. “Planned Parenthood takes very seriously the trust placed in us by the public.”

Having won a third term to the House of Representatives last November, Bachmann, 55, is weighing a presidential bid. Political experts expect the tea party champion to enter the fray, and there have been more signs recently that she’s preparing to announce her candidacy.

On Wednesday, Bachmann’s chief of staff, Andy Parrish, notified staff via e-mail that he was taking a leave of absence to work for Bachmann in a different capacity. And CNN announced Friday that Bachmann would be among seven Republican 2012 prospects participating in the first presidential debate in New Hampshire, on June 13. Bachmann has said she intends to reveal her decision this month.

If she enters the race, Bachmann would join fellow Minnesotan Tim Pawlenty, the former governor, in a GOP field that includes former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, a 2008 candidate who is considered the frontrunner. The field also includes former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, Georgia businessman Herman Cain and Texas Rep. Ron Paul.

While Bachmann did not announce her candidacy during her speech Friday, she reiterated her goal of making Obama a one-term president. She harshly criticized the president’s recent remarks on settling the territorial dispute between Israel and Palestinians and declared her support for Israel.

“President Obama speaks for a very tiny minority,” Bachmann said. “He may be president of the United States, but he doesn’t speak for us on the issue of Israel.”

Bachmann also repeated her assertion that Obama and Democrats hid $105 billion in funding for the health care law, a charge that several fact-finding organizations have debunked. She urged the activists in the audience to “work in your states to prevent the early implementation of ObamaCare.”

“I will not rest until we repeal ObamaCare,” Bachmann shouted, bringing many in the crowd to their feet with applause.

On the issue of gay marriage, Bachmann said she was encouraged by what she sees happening at the state level, citing the Minnesota legislature’s recent decision to put the question of gay marriage before voters in a 2012 referendum.

“This is the time,” Bachmann said. “If you don’t have an amendment in your state, consider it.”

Bachmann pointed out she and her husband have raised five children and 23 foster children and will celebrate their 33rd anniversary this year. But, she added, the latest U.S. Census data offers depressing statistics on marriage. The bureau’s latest survey found that the percentage of people in their late 20s who have been married was 53 percent in 2009, compared to 73 percent in 1986.

“Marriage is under siege like no other time in America,” Bachmann said.

In closing, Bachmann led the audience in prayer. Afterward, she declined to expand on her charge about the alleged trafficking of young girls as she was being whisked away from reporters. But she did reiterate that she believes Obama is vulnerable.

“He’s at a very low ebb right now,” Bachmann said, “as far as public opinion polls are concerned.”

Yet, a recent Suffolk University poll found Obama’s favorability rating at 51 percent, compared to 42 percent who had an unfavorable view. The favorable-unfavorable results for Bachmann were 20 percent and 28 percent, respectively.

Music is the mediator between the spiritual 

and the sensual life.  -Ludwig van Beethoven

Little Girl Can't Let go as Sergeant Daddy Leaves For Iraq

by Tom Henderson 
Oct 7th 2009 3:30PM

Paige Bennethum, 4, holds her daddy's hand as he lines up in formation before heading to Iraq. Credit: Abby Bennethum

Some things are just not allowed when soldiers are standing in formation. One of them is 4-year-old girls.

However, there was no soldier stern enough to pry Paige Bennethum of Laureldale, Pa. from her father as he prepared to leave last July for a year-long deployment in Iraq.

Abby Bennethum captured her daughter's emotions in a photograph that she passed along to the Reading Eagle, the newspaper in Berks County, Pa. The image immediately captured many other people's emotions.

Army Reserve Staff Sgt. Brett Bennethum was preparing to depart from Fort Dix, N.J., for Iraq, leaving behind his pregnant wife and two little girls. His family was there to see him off. His commanding officer didn't have the heart to tell Paige she had to let go of her daddy.

"I didn't want to let go of him," she told NBC Philadelphia.

Sgt. Bennethum, 30, is scheduled to return home next July. Until then, he's transporting supplies across the Iraqi border. He serves with the 733rd Transportation Company based in Reading, Pa.

Abby Bennethum said she got pregnant right before her husband left for Iraq. "I've heard of deployment babies, but I never thought I'd be having one," she told the Reading Eagle. The couple's other daughter, Lena, is just 10 months old.

Staff Sgt. Bennethum got a four-day pass so he could spend some quality time with his family and they could make the two-hour trip to Fort Dix to see him off. Almost immediately upon arrival, his commanding officer ordered the soldiers to fall in.

"Gotta go," he told his family. But Paige walked up behind him in formation, grabbed his right hand and would not let go.

"I called her a couple of times, but she wouldn't budge," her mother said. She still wishes she was holding her father's hand.

"I just miss my dad right now," Paige told NBC.

http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/1A4ggh/www.parentdish.com/2009/10/07/little-girl-cant-let-go-as-daddy-leaves-for-iraq%253Ficid%253Dmain%257Cmain%257Cdl3%257Clink3%257Chttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.parentdish.com%25252F2009%25252F10%25252F07%25252Flittle-girl-cant-let-go-as-daddy-leaves-for-iraq%25252F

Babies are a link between angels and man.

Genesis: The Beginning

 ¹ In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. ² Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. ³ And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. ⁴ God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. ⁵ God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.
 ⁶ And God said, “Let there be a vault between the waters to separate water from water.” ⁷ So God made the vault and separated the water under the vault from the water above it. And it was so. ⁸ God called the vault “sky.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the second day.
 ⁹ And God said, “Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear.” And it was so. ¹⁰ God called the dry ground “land,” and the gathered waters he called “seas.” And God saw that it was good.
    ¹¹ Then God said, “Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds.” And it was so. ¹²The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. ¹³And there was evening, and there was morning—the third day.
 ¹⁴ And God said, “Let there be lights in the vault of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark sacred times, and days and years, ¹⁵ and let them be lights in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth.” And it was so. ¹⁶ God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. ¹⁷ God set them in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth, ¹⁸ to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good. ¹⁹ And there was evening, and there was morning—the fourth day.
 ²⁰ And God said, “Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the vault of the sky.” ²¹ So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living thing with which the water teems and that moves about in it, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. ²²God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth.” ²³ And there was evening, and there was morning—the fifth day.
 ²⁴ And God said, “Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: the livestock, the creatures that move along the ground, and the wild animals, each according to its kind.” And it was so. ²⁵ God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.
    ²⁶ Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”
 ²⁷ So God created mankind in his own image,
   in the image of God he created them;
   male and female he created them.
 ²⁸ God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”
    ²⁹ Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. ³⁰ And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.” And it was so.
    ³¹ God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.

Joe: Do we get a balloon with these? 

Shoe Salesman: ...Yeah 

Robert: All of us or just her? 

“I think people who can truly live a life in music are telling the world, "You can have my love, you can have my smiles. Forget the bad parts, you don't need them. Just take the music, the goodness, because it's the very best, and it's the part I give”

“The story of life is quicker than 

the blink of an eye, 

the story of love is hello, goodbye.”