May 8, 2004

Sure, having a baby can be the best thing that's ever happened to you. It can also be the most challenging experience of your life. I'm looking for moms and dads willing to share their experiences and parenting advice.

Interested? Just e-mail MaidenFate@aol.com with the subject heading "Interview Request - Baby." Each interview contains 14 questions, and must be completed by May 16th. If you've already answered one of my other interview requests, feel free to participate again. Thank you!

"One tenth of 1 percent of the people in the world make change happen, 9.9 percent of the people in the world watch change happen and 90 percent of the people, after change has taken place, ask 'What happened?' You have to be up there in that small percentage making things happen."
--Marvin Runyon

May 6, 2004

Did you know that dinosaurs were in the "Bible"? That's what one Florida minister believes. He says God created the gigantic reptiles on the Sixth Day (6,000 years ago), and he's launched an amusement park to indoctrinate kids into believing it.

"There are a lot of creationists that are really smart and debate the intellectuals, but the kids are bored after five minutes. You're missing 98 percent of the population if you only go the intellectual route," said Kent Hovind, who runs Dinosaur Adventure Land and his own ministry, Creation Science Evangelism.

The park also teaches kids about the power of faith and the Christian belief system. One exhibit involves shoving a suspended bowling ball at a child's head to see if he will flinch. If he doesn't, he has "faith in God's laws."

So Pat Tillman was an atheist as well as a fallen Army Ranger and former NFL football player. Does that make him less of a hero?

I don't think so.

May 4, 2004

Thousands of immigrants are trafficked into America each year, and mistreated by their employers.

These slave laborers work 80 hours a week and make less than minimum wage, but they're afraid to quit because the employers who snuck them into the U.S. have taken their passports. Threats of calls to the INS keep most of these terrified workers in line.

A 2004 CIA report estimates that 14,500 to 17,500 people are recruited or transported into the U.S. each year through fraud or coercion for sexual exploitation or forced labor. To combat this problem, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has launched a campaign to rescue and restore victims of human trafficking. FMI, click here.

You are most like Galadriel. There's just something about you that people like. A sort of aura. You're very kind to people, and you like to help others succeed.

What LoTR Character Are You?

A new Jaded Writings column has been posted. This week, I offer an inside look into the life of a full-time freelancer.

* Jacob Riis - 5/3/1849
* Karl Marx - 5/5/1818
* Nelly Bly - 5/5/1856
* Robert Browning - 5/7/1812
* J.M. Barrie - 5/9/1860
* Richard Adams - 5/9/20

May 2, 2004

If you sent a package to Germany last summer but it failed to arrive, check on eBay. Your items may be up for sale.

A 37-year-old letter carrier recently admitted to stealing packages and offering their contents on the auction site. Police found more than 100 items in his apartment, worth $23,700.

To get their point across, two Texas prosecutors reenacted a sexual assault in court last week. Over the defense attorney's objections, Assistant District Attorney Kelly Siegler played the part of the alleged victim while ADA Paul Doyle pretended to be the defendant.

If he is convicted, James Tucker, the 53-year-old former pastor at the Abundant Life Church in north Houston, could face up to 20 years in prison. He claims he and the woman had a consensual affair.

Past Afterthoughts