My Final Viewpoints on Homosexual Liberties and the Road America and the World Should Take In Order To Amend the Hatred and Prejudice Toward Homosexua

People view America as the land of the free, one in which all cultures, beliefs and groups can come together and live harmoniously. Why then do we still have the problem of discrimination against homosexuals in today’s society? My question is should America and the rest of the world withhold the benefits and privileges of homosexuals? Such benefits as marriage, civil unions, and adoption that many of us take for granted. There are many incidences in which same-sex couples have been discriminated against. The United States of America, the leader of the free world, has 49 states out 50 states that ban same-sex marriages, with Massachusetts as the only exception. Marriage isn’t the only issue same-sex couples are forced to deal with. Florida denies the right for homosexual couples to adopt a child under any circumstances. I believe that the solution for this discrimination in America is to grant homosexuals the same rights and benefits as other citizens are granted. Same-sex couples should be allowed nationwide marriages. All homosexual couples should be able to adopt/ foster children, regardless of their sexual affiliation, as long as they are willing to support and care for the child. Same-sex couples who are in civil unions should be granted the same benefits as married couples receive from their employers and government. People say if there is gay adoption that the child will have no mother or father figure in their lives. People also say that marriage should be considered between a man and a woman, which it has always been that way, and it’s the way God had made it. People also commit that if homosexuals can’t conceive a child naturally then they shouldn’t have one. People are also saying that placing a child in this type of environment will only harm the child. The fact is in the many cases and studies of homosexual adoption, the success rate of the adoption has been higher than that of heterosexual parents. Another fact is that many heterosexual couples cannot conceive a child naturally and no one says a thing to them when they adopt a child. It is ignorant and prejudice to deny a couple the right to raise a child because they are opposite of the traditional sexual affiliation. I believe deep in my heart that homosexuals will become equals in our society someday because there is a new generation coming into the voting age, which has an open mind and an ability to accept others. This new generation, “would one day denounce male- female marriage as mean spirited and bigotry”. The new generation will recognize that stopping homosexuals from getting married, just because they are interested in the same sex is mean and inconsiderate. Also, “younger people, even in conservative churches, are more open to same- sex marriage”. This reveals that even the younger generations in strict churches are allowing themselves to open their minds to new people and new ideas even if at one point it was against their religion. I believe deep in my heart that homosexuals will become equals in our society someday because the State of Massachusetts has recognized same- sex marriage since 2004. If one state in the United States recognizes same- sex marriage, then I believe there is hope for the rest. It shows that there are people out there that do support homosexuals and we believe that number is only growing. I interviewed individuals to see what their response would be to my plan. Their responses were all generally the same as the following commit given by a 17 year old senior who grew up in a strict house hold and a strict church environment. “Unequal treatment based on sexual preference is horrible, but I understand why it happens. We come from a much closed minded area, and most people are unable to accept new changes in society. We need to change the laws, in order to fit everyone’s needs. It is important to create equal treatment for everyone.” This person wished to remain anonymous in order to avoid negative responses to his words. I will respect his wishes. Many conservatives and right wing republicans will criticize my proposal and beliefs. The fact still remains though, homosexuals are human beings and deserve as much civil liberties and rights as any other American, anyone who can’t see this, can’t see the very fabric and heart of America.

A REVIEW ON THE FAILURES OF THE SUPREME COURT AND ACTIONS NEEDED TO CORRECT THE JUDICIAL BRANCH:

Opening Arguments:



The U.S. Supreme Court was created as the highest court in the Unites States of America. The only reason why the Judicial Branch exists in the first place is in part because of the courts. Basically our founding fathers did not want the Executive Branch acting as a king by proposing laws, making laws, and then imposing and interpreting laws all at the same time. This would give to much authority to the Executive Branch and cause a democracy to become a dictatorship or monarchy. In order to prevent this tragedy our founding fathers separated this government into three smaller governments and gave more rights to the individual people than had ever been done before. Our founding fathers also set into law that each State would run their own government similar to the federal government. Each Branch of government is supposed to essentially act as a system of checks and balances. Throughout the history of the U.S. many struggles have came about in the U.S. Many of these struggles increase the level of difficulty for any government to function. The problem the United States has today, concerning its government, is that of many. However, the problem that I would like to address in this review is that of the Judicial Branch. The Judicial Branch no longer provides a system of checks and balances. The Judicial Branch is not in fear of the American people and thus fails to defend the constitutional rights of the people. Lastly the Judicial Branch in general is influenced and controlled by the Executive Branch far too much, which is exactly what our founding fathers were trying to prevent. This can be fixed by simply, but drastic measure.


Case Arguments:



Checks & Balances:

The Supreme Court is suppose to overrule every single actions, laws, or programs initialized of affiliated with the federal or State government that violates the constitutional rights of the individuals in any way. The Supreme Court has failed at this duty primarily because the Supreme Court has become an employee of the President. The State Supreme Courts are more of the same being they have become employees of the Executive Branch of their State. This being said, I offer the following evidence: The Supreme Court has recently made a decision that an abortion bill that was signed into law by President Bush does not violate a person’s constitutional rights. In all actuality the Supreme Court has overruled the Roe versus Wade Supreme Court ruling. The Supreme Court has done this almost immediately following the President’s replacement of a formal Supreme Court Justice. The Supreme Court has now become known as the President’s men and women instead of the people’s men and women. This is exactly what the Supreme Court reflects as well. The Supreme Court no longer protects the people from cruel and bogus bills from Washington D.C. and State Capitals. The evidence of this is all around us. This current administration has allowed for a policy allowing the NSA and other law enforcement agencies to spy on American citizens that they deem as a terrorist threat or suspect. This is definitely a violation of the fourth amendment. The Supreme Court is supposed to protect the people but it appears they are imposing the President’s plans and religious actions onto all of the people. This being said, the Supreme Court is not doing what it was directed to do by our founding fathers. The Supreme Court is not challenging the decisions of the Executive and Legislative Branches and the Supreme Court is no longer serving as a balancer in this government and so this government is no longer balanced. The main problem is that this government is no longer concerned with the people and has lost all fear of the people. This leaves the people with no constitutional rights, as no one in the government is willing to enforce such rights.

Fear of the People:

The greatest government, whether a dictatorship, republic, democratic government, or an empire or monarchy, is a government that works in coherence with the people and one that has total fear of the people. This forces the government to act in the best interests of the people and listen to the people. Thus, the people will have absolute control over the government while still having order and liberty. This no longer describes the government of the United States of America. The evidence of this is too clear. President Bush has vetoed two bills from congress calling for the American forces to pull out of Iraq. The President has ignored the people throughout his administration and is forces his religious beliefs on the people while ignoring the rights of the non religious community. The President has proposed a constitutional amendment to limit the rights of the people. Anyone whom dares to do all of this clearly has no fear and no regards to the people’s opinion, desires, and needs. It is not just the executive branch who is simulating this attitude. Congress has done nothing the stop the President from committing such acts because they fear the President greatly and fear the People not even a little. The Judicial Branch has become so fearful and polluted by the Presidency that they too allows unconstitutional laws and acts, such as the Patriot Act, to be allowed and fails to represent the best interests of the people. This is because the Executive branch of this government controls the legislative and judicial branch far too much. All the branches of this government have lost all fear of the people. This means that the voices of the people will not be heard and the people will not be able to see change in this nation. Government officials are now lying to the American people without consequences. We have seen this from the President, Congress, and the Attorney General. There is no more accountability in this government and no more order and justice in this government and nation. In effect of there being no fear of the people in this government, we have seen the Bush administration and this government step all over the constitutional rights of the people.

No Constitutional Rights:

Currently, in part due to the Bush Administration, in part due to the Congress, in part due to the Supreme Court, and in part due to the American people, the American people have found themselves with no constitutional rights. The American people have seen the Bush administration propose to ban same sex marriages and flag burning. This means that for the first time in United States history this government have suggested and argued to limit the rights of the individuals. This government is more concerned about protecting the reputation and constitutional rights of government officials than protecting the constitutional rights of the American people. This government now believes that it is better to have security than human rights. This government has forgotten what one of our founding fathers, Benjamin Franklin, once said. Benjamin Franklin spoke years ago that a person who is willing to give up even the smallest amount of liberty for security deserves neither liberty nor security. It is not just the Bush administration that feels that security is greater than human rights. In the Democratic National debates the top two democratic candidates, Barack Obama, and Hillary Clinton, both stated that security is more important that human rights. The United States Supreme Court and State Supreme Courts have rejected more cases and petitions than in the history of the United States of America. In the Year of 2007 so far there has been the least amount of petitions and cases brought forth to the Supreme Court since the 1950’s. Yet we see that more cases and petitions have been rejected by the Supreme Court than ever before. This means that this government is no longer concerned about the civil liberties and constitutional rights of the American people. This means that the American people have no constitutional rights as the judicial branch is failing to protect such constitutional rights. This means that this government is no longer a republic. It means that this government is no longer a government created for the people by the people. This government has walked all over the constitutional rights of the American people. This government has lost all order and liberty and is only concerned with themselves. This government no longer is concerned about the American people and this means that the American people have no one to protect their constitutional rights. In order to truly fix this government the judicial branch must be fixed first. Fear must be reinstated in this government and it must start with the judicial branch. The judicial branch should have absolutely no affiliation with the executive branch and both the executive branch and legislative branch should be judged harshly by the judicial branch and all branches of this government should be judged harshly by the American people.

Correcting the Judicial Branch:

The Judicial branch is influence far too much by the Executive branch because the top officials of the judicial branch are nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate. The top figure of the Judicial Branch, the U.S. Attorney General, answers to the President. This is a major problem. In order to provide checks and balances the judicial branch should be completely separate from the executive branch. The U.S. Attorney General and other key figures of the judicial branch, such as the Supreme Court Justices, should answer directly to the people and should be nominated and elected by the people directly. The executive and legislative branch should only nominate and confirm top officials of the judicial branch in extreme and emergency situations as a temporary measure that can be overturned immediately by the people. The Judicial Branch would have more fear of the people and protect the constitutional rights of the people if they answered directly to the people. In order to make this happen constitutional amendments should be proposed for the people to elect such officials and for the people to be able to recall such officials. The executive and legislative branch should only have the authority to suspend the top officials of the executive branch until the people can decide on whether or not such officials will remain in authority. Obviously if there is an emergency situation then the legislative branch should be able to suspend such official and appoint another temporally unit the people can vote on a decision. The Supreme Court Justices’ position should only be a ten year term that he or she can only hold twice. This is obviously not set into concrete but the position should be limited to instill the wrath of the people and the position should be limited to two terms to avoid a monarchy or dictatorship over the position. The Attorney General’s position should be a four year position and should too be limited to two terms. The reason why this position is shorter than the Supreme Court Justices’ positions is because the Supreme Court needs to make decisions based on the constitution and not the people. This being said, the Supreme Court cannot be concerned about elections but at the same time needs to have the fear of the people instilled deep in their hearts. The U.S. Attorney general needs to be concerned with the constitution but also needs to be concerned with the people’s ideas and concerns. All federal and State judges should be elected directly by the people and all top officials of the judicial branch needs to be elected by the people. Each State should run their judicial branch similar to the federal branch of government in order to better deliver justice and order to this nation. By electing all the top officials of the judicial branch and judges of the federal and State government, the judicial branch will be influenced less by the executive and legislative branch and too would fear the people once again. This will force the judicial branch to enforce laws correctly and force the Supreme Court to protect the constitutional rights of the American people 100% of the time. In order to be sure that the best interests of the people is taking place in the judicial branch, a special committee should be put together by the people and elected by the people every year to constantly monitor the top officials of the judicial branch and report all information directly to the people. The committee should also have the authority to suspend the top officials of the judicial branch that can only be overturned by the committee and or the people. Without these drastic measures or similar measures the Judicial Branch will not provide the American people and government with checks and balances. The Judicial Branch will continue to fail to protect the constitutional rights of the American people. The Judicial Branch will continue to not fear the American people, and the Judicial Branch will continue to act on the behalf of the President instead of the American people.


Closing Arguments:



We have seen the Bush administration and this government step all over the constitution of the United States. We have the Judicial Branch ignore the concerns and constitutional rights of the people. We have also seen the President nominate Supreme Court Justices and we have seen the Senate confirm those Justices even thought majority of the people disagreed with this decisions. This means that the people were powerless to stop this from happening. The government and judicial branch no longer is concerned about the people. The Judicial Branch is malfunctioning the only real solution is the give more authority and control to the people through elections. Currently the Judicial Branch no longer provides a system of checks and balances. The Judicial Branch is not in fear of the American people and thus fails to defend the constitutional rights of the people. Lastly the Judicial Branch in general is influenced and controlled by the Executive Branch far too much, which is exactly what our founding fathers were trying to prevent. Our founding fathers knew that ethics, morals, and time would all change throughout history. In order to keep this government up-to-date and protecting the people, our founding fathers allowed for amendments of our constitution. It is time for their to be constitutional amendments to give the people more authority over this government and to protect the constitutional rights and best interests of the people. The judicial branch can be fixed, but only by giving the people more authority over the judicial branch and instilling the fear back into the judicial branch.

ATHEISM REVIEW

-Marquell Garrett

July 5, 2007; Thursday @ 0900hrs EDT

INTRODUCATION:

There are in existence several documents that define the term atheist and several documents that give talks about and point out the discrimination toward the atheists and the negative stigmas of the atheists in the world. However, there is no single document that combines all of these things and attacks it head on as well as addresses the future of the atheist population and what need to be done to further such future. This review is designed to do just that, and serve as a guide to the United States, world, and all atheists of what are the issues of many atheists held down by society and the issue of what it means to be an atheist. As this review will not clear up everything and will not be the sole review or document to bring light to the subject of atheism, it will hopefully bring some light to the subject of atheism and start the long chain needed to correct the role and negative stigmas in society. Many atheists as well as the free thinking society wants to see a change in this world for the better and tired of all the prejudice and hatred toward not only the atheists but toward all that is different. It is ones hope that this review will ignite such transformation. Ultimately it is up to the individual people to respond to this review and act in a way to change things for the better, as stated above; this is only a review and guide of some concerns and facts of the atheists in humanity. The people of this world will do with it what they will.



ATHEIST REVIEW:

DEFINED: Atheism- The lack of a belief in a god, or the supernatural/supernatural being. The absence of a belief in superstitious and witchcraft, magic, EST. The lack of a belief in destiny, and luck. The absence of a belief in religion.

NOTE: ATHEISM IS NOT THE BELIEF IN ANY THING BUT THE ABSENCE OF A BELIEF IN SOMETHING. I.E. ATHEISM IS NOT THE BELIEF IN SCIENCE RATHER THE ABSENCE OF A BELIEF IN RELIGION.



HISTORY: Many theists and non theists have a common belief that atheism is either older than theism or younger than theism. This, however, is not the case. Atheism is clearly not a religion nor can it be considered to be such. Atheism is not the denial or hateful feelings toward theism and so can clearly have no common grounds that can be intelligently considered to be religious in any way. The fact is when the questions is asked, how old is atheism, atheism is being looked at as if it was a religion. Theism can be traced back to a specific era in time; however atheism could have never existed without theism. Before theism there was no religion or spiritual belief, so how is it then the opposite of something that doesn’t exist, can pre-exist. Atheism came into existence only as the opposite of theism. In this since the defining components of atheism is just as old as theism and no more or less. We, however, must commit to memory that atheism is not a religion and serves only as the opposite or absence of religion. The next question then regarding atheism is how long atheism has been coerced under the false pretence to religion or theism? The answer to this may not be as simple as one may anticipate. There are no clear dates or documents/evidence on this matter, however, atheism has been considered to be a religion in the United Stated of America for some time now. In fact there are accounts where atheism has been publicly criticized for being a hypocrite religion to religion as early at the early 19th century. There are also unconfirmed circumstances where atheists in Europe where considered to be apart of one mass religious cult in the late 16th century. Regardless of the reality of these circumstances it is clear that it is not new for atheism to be falsely accused of being a religion or cult. It would be unacceptable to say that uneducated Americans are apart of a religion or cult simply because they are uneducated regardless of there personal beliefs. This is too true when it comes to atheists. Simply because people are absent from a religious belief doesn’t make them automatically apart of a cult or religion. Many atheists have many separate views from other atheists. This is because atheism is not a religion and each atheist are human beings with different ideas and dreams. It is way past time for America and the world to push aside the stereotypical beliefs attached to atheism and accept atheists for who they are, human beings who deserve to be treated as such and not considered to be apart of some cult or religion just because they have an absence in theism. Christians and other theists can only argue their reasoning and belief in a religion and a god by simply reducing atheism to a religion. This, however, is unacceptable for Christians to do because as expressed above, atheism is not and never have been a religion or cult. It is not the responsibility of the atheist to prove the non existence of a god rather the burden of proof must be placed on the person making the claim that a god exists. This means that it is up to the theist to provide evidence that a god or higher power exists which they have failed repeatedly to provide. The next major question that comes to mind concerning the history of atheism is that of, Is there any famous or popular atheists amongst the atheist community and society abroad? The answer may be surprising to many theists and non theists but the answer still remains the same. There are many atheists that have stood out in history and amongst many atheist communities. Some of America’s most famous historical atheists are Benjamin Franklin, who was an U.S. Senator, Ambassador to France during the Revolutionary War, and the inventor of many useful things used stilled today. Thomas Paine, author to the novel Common-Sense, and Age of Reason. Albert Einstein, perhaps one of the greatest contributors to science this world has ever witnessed. And let’s not forget about Robert G Ingersoll, considered to be the “great agnostic”. There are other atheists that are popular amongst the atheist community as well. George H. Smith, author of the powerful novel, Atheism: The Case Against God is one of the most powerful free thinkers ever known to man. Dan Barker is a well known atheist who was a very religious person, and minister to the youth in his church that he founded. Dan Barker lost his faith in faith as he put it and became an atheist and afterwards, became the founder of the Freedom Foundation Institution, a community college in his local neighborhood, as well as the Freedom Foundation Organization, an organization for free thinkers to communicate some common issues. Dan Barker is also an ex-Christian who is the Author of the novel, Losing Faith in Faith, which is a very powerful book. Similar to Dan Barker there is Robby Berry, who was a very strong minded Christian and now a free thinking atheist. Robby Berry is also the author of many documents containing to atheism and life as an atheist in America. There are many other famous atheists throughout history such as the deceased actor Christopher Reed who died an active member of the American Atheist Organization, an organization fighting for the rights of the atheists in America. Do not be conned into believing that atheists are not in this nation’s history or this world’s history because you would be widely mistaking.



Discriminations of the Atheist: Many people discard the idea of prejudice and hatred/discrimination toward the atheist. Many people are sadly and dangerously mistaking. Fact, atheists are discriminated all over the world including the so call leader of the free world, the United States of America. As a well known atheist in America I know first hand of the hatred, prejudice, and discrimination faced by the atheist in America. I have seen first hand intelligent students who could have made a difference in this world expelled from school after exercising there right to not say the phrase, “Under God” in the pledge. I have witnessed personally being given a week of after school detention after refusing to pray at a memorial ceremony held at my old elementary school. I am here to tell you that a great friend of mind who was born in Italy and raised by Roman-Catholics where religion governed ever aspect of their lives moved to the U.S. in order to free himself from religion. Not only did he have to learn and recite a pledge demanding religion over this land but too have to spend currency everyday representing him believing in a God. A nation should not be focused on representing the religious majority rather representing all citizens equally. This nation’s currency should not read “In God We Trust”, rather more on the line of “United We Stand”, “We the People” or something that represents the foundation of this government and the people, not a religion. Many of the discrimination atheists face in this nation is contributed by the false stigmas and rumors about atheists. Until this stigma is controlled and eliminated the atheist in not just America, but the atheist in the world will continue to be discriminated against and hated by many. We must remember as humanity that the most prejudice and hateful person is the one that doesn’t have knowledge that they are indeed prejudice or hateful, this is also the most dangerous of them all. There are in fact people who losses there job due to there lack of a belief in the supernatural. Many atheists find themselves being avoided and even hated just because they are an atheist. Atheists find themselves facing housing and property discrimination. In Greenville, SC property was refused to be sold to a very good buyer based on the reasoning that because the person lacked in a belief in the supernatural it would be hard to explain to the kids in the neighborhood what this meant and who this person was and that the parents of the community should have a right to explain this on there own time and not because of a new buyer of property. What type of reasoning is this? It is the right of every American to pursue there happiness anywhere and anytime they wish to do so. It would be unacceptable to deny a black American that very same property for that very same reason and so it is too unacceptable to deny anyone else such property regardless of their religious belief or lack there of. Atheists have been ignored in the U.S. for many years but will no longer be ignored. It is said that when people are not familiar with other kinds, and become over whelmed with fear they replaces this fear with discrimination. Atheists are human beings like any other Americans. We have the right to be treated as such. There is no need to fear the atheist but only to fear the discrimination of the atheists in America and this world. There was a college professor a few years back who was the director of the science department of some college who lost his position as the director and his job as a professor after the Board of Directors ascertained that he was an atheist and taught evolution in class as he was suppose to. This is the type of nation we live in now. Where the rights of the individual matters none. Where the right to pursue ones happiness matters none. We live in a nation that tells our children that nonbelievers are all bad people and should be hated and avoided at all times. We are telling our children that the rights and feelings of such citizens matters none. To teach such hatred and discrimination to our children is to remove the fabric of this nation and replace it with Death, Slavery, Injustice, Inequality, and Pursuit of evil and destruction. The fact remains that most atheists, I myself being one of them, are only trying to spread Life, Liberty, Justice, Equality, and the Pursuit of Happiness. There are going to be many so call leaders, politicians, religious leaders, and fellow citizens trying to con you into believing that the atheists in America and around the world are not discriminated against for there lack of belief but I am here to tell you today that the people telling you this are sadly, and dangerously mistaking. So why would such citizens tell you a destructive lie? The answer to this is simple, they were told this lie and they believe this lie and so they feel they are spreading the truth. However, let us remember that the worst prejudice/hateful person is the one that lacks the knowledge that they are indeed prejudice/hateful. Be no fool, America as well as the rest of the world is full of prejudice, hatred, and inequality toward several types of people and the atheists is a great bit of them currently. Rest assures that the atheists will not accept this and will continue to push on for our rights not just as Americans and citizens, but as a part of humanity.

The Morals of the Atheists: First off, Christianity or religion does not give you morals. Many people are so quick to say that atheists are ill moral and that you must have some basic belief in a higher power to be at peace with your self and to have good and “righteous” morals. This is the most blankly false statement to ever be made in the history of mankind and it is statements like these that places false and extremist stigmatisms on the atheists and place all atheists in the so call evil circle or evil wing. News flash to all who believe in this false charge that atheists have no morals, there is a guy who was brought up around hate and religion. Religion taught this guy to hate others and the religious way was the only way. Religion taught this person that all non believers had a common theme of evil and betrayal and all was apart of the same circle of evil. The guy eventually broke free from this slavery call religion and became a free minded person. This guy went on to create an organization fighting for equality for all of humanity and the fair and equal protection and representation of each citizen of humanity. This person made several political and financial contributions to many religious communities and non religious communities. This person believe that all people were born equal and should all be treated the same. This person believes that there is nothing greater than the idea of freedom and wishes only to spread Life, Liberty, Justice, Equality, and the Pursuit of Happiness. This person’s morals are of pure love and are of Life, Liberty, Justice, Equality, and the Pursuit of Happiness. This person did not get this from religion or hate; this person gathered his morals from personal experiences in his life time and personal growth not from religion. This person is an atheist; I know this because this person is me. I have a message for the world. A person who is raised completely isolated from religion will still have morals. There morals will not be necessarily evil or ill moral. There morals will not be your morals but there morals. The fact is that most atheists’ morals include Life, Liberty, Justice, Equality, and the Pursuit of Happiness and most theists’ morals include Death, Slavery, Injustice, Inequality, and the Pursuit of Evil and Destruction. The fact is that the ill moral people and negative moral people are not majority non believers, but majority believers. It is an ignorant thing to say that morals come from religion. If that’s the case when you totally isolate a person from a religion forever and never expose them to such religious ways then they should never grow to have morals but the fact is that the cave men prior to establishing a religious belief had morals of taking care of family and the tribe and that they should be strong in nature and the ruler over the world. The fact is this was their morals then and many people’s morals today. These morals originated from how the cave men lived and not from a religious belief because they had yet to establish the idea of a religion or higher power. This proves that even without a religious up bringing and a religious environment one can still have what is concerned by society reasonable and good morals. This is because religion does not make a person full of good morals or good-willed. Religion, if anything, makes a person blind to life, and full of prejudice and hatred. This is not the type of morals I wish to commit to and definitely not the morals I want my children to commit to. When is comes to morals it is crucial that religion is left out of it and that the world’s future, the children, understand that it is not religion in which morals is sprung from but the experiences a person have throughout his or her life and the choices he or she makes based on those experiences. America and the world must realize that religion is full of hate, prejudice, and injustice, and should not be the supreme nor minute governor of anything, let along a government, or the creator of morals and virtues solely. I declare to the world that religion has never been the originator of morals and will never be. Eventually mankind will push aside religion all together and expand their mind far out beyond the universe after achieving unity and harmony. This will only be possible if we realize as humanity the faults in religion and the truth behind morals. Atheists as individuals have already achieved this, but this means nothing unless we can spread such achievement across the world and open the eyes of humanity to this truth and close the eyes of humanity the lies around the world. It is not the sole obligation of the atheist to push the truth that religion is not the original creator of morals but that of the individual person. People must push aside the foolishness and understand that morals originate from the experiences a person encounters throughout life and the way he choices to respond to them.



Atheists In Politics: There are atheists who are politicians; however the numbers of these atheists are very limited. This is because of the stigmas of the ill morals of the atheist and the stigma that atheists are all bad and a danger to society. With this attitude and frame of mind it is no wonder there are a lack of atheist leaders appointed and elected as government officials. The nation to deny such positions to a non believer the most is none other than the “leader of the free world”, the United Sates of America. This is because the United States over the past couple of decades have strayed far away from the great ideas of Life, Liberty, Justice, Equality, and the Pursuit of Happiness and now is a slave to religion and the hatred and prejudice taught by such. The very proof of the matter is in the currency spent in the U.S. and the words of the pledge to the flag representing all the lives sacrificed for this nation, many of which being atheists. As long as such perspective that religion represents this nation exists, it will be hard for the United States to see pass such differences and elect and appoint the best leaders to government positions. There need to be an increase of atheist leaders in the world, however. The fact is that most atheists are good people who will make great leaders and better leaders than the politicians this nation is faced with on a daily bases. Atheists need to rise up and demand to be included in politics. The fact is that the most atheist leaders are outstanding leaders and if the world would pay attention more to leaders who share the identical goals and ideas of those of atheist leaders, one will find that the world would be a better place. One does not have to be an atheist to be a great leader, however, most atheist leaders are great leaders because they have no religious agenda or prejudice/hateful ideas to hold them back from spreading true harmony. The fact is that most atheist leaders wish to spread nothing but Life, Liberty, Justice, Equality, and the Pursuit of Happiness and live like any other human being, as do most atheists in general as well as humanity. The fact is that as long as there is negative stigmas attached to the atheist by society and as long as society sees atheists as the opposite of humanity and the opposite of good and morals, atheists will continue to be discriminated against in elections and continue to be ignored for appointments of government positions and the election of government positions. This is unacceptable. Because of the negative stigmas attached to the atheist and the negative outlook by society on the atheist, causes great leaders to become denied to positions where they can better the world. Atheists are denied such positions because of a lack of belief in a god or higher power. The fact is if an atheist was to run for President or any other political office they would not even make it to the final preliminary stages because of their lack of belief in a god or higher power. This is a very prejudice and hateful virus that is destroying not only the United States of America, the so call leader of the free world, but it is both abruptly and leisurely destroying the very fabric of freedom and good in the universe. Are atheists not humans? Atheists have been discarded from the politics for a long time. This must no longer be stood for. It is time for the United States and the world to know that atheists is no longer asking for the same opportunities and equal rights as any other citizens of this world to be elected to political positions, we have been asking this for far too long. Atheists are now demanding that we are given equal opportunity to such positions and not looked upon as the lesser of society. The fact is that more theists commit crimes and so call immoral sins than the atheist. If you look at the ratio of theists who commits crime versus the ratio of atheists altogether the percentage of crimes per population for theists will still be significantly higher than that of the atheists. So with this fact who is contributing more chaos into society, and who are truly the lesser of society. Society needs to stop trying to decide who’s evil and who’s not base on their religious beliefs but need to focus on the real issue of who best to unite the world behind the ideas of Life, Liberty, Justice, Equality, and the Pursuit of Happiness. The fact is that religion doesn’t spread these ideas; it is the heart of humanity that spreads the idea. It is time for these ideas to rule the world and be set into stone. By electing theists to political positions is not spreading such ideas. Atheist leaders are great leaders, and like any other leaders deserve to be elected and appointed to positions where they can demonstrate their great skills and ideas across the world. The fact remains that the atheists are not going to tolerate the discrimination and prejudice they face everyday by society and should be appointed and more importantly elected to a lot more government and political positions not just in the United States but the world. There is nothing logical or rational that can be said that will justify why there aren’t more atheists appointed and elected to government positions. There are several atheists world wide that are running for such positions and not getting elected based primary because of their lack of a belief in a higher power or a god. Let us remember that the most dangerous person in any society is the one with nothing to loss. You do not need ten such men, one will do. Well there are millions of atheists all around the world and we will not be ignored and will not continue to be discarded from political or government positions.



The Organizing of the Atheists: One of hate’s biggest allies is silence and fear. Atheists must not be silent and must not be afraid to shout to the world that atheists will not be ignored and will not be stepped on. Many atheists, particularly with the youth, refuse to exhibit or declare their lack of a belief in a god because of the knowledge and fear of what will come next. What comes next is the discrimination and hatred. What comes next is the out casting by society and tossed into a society where you are the lesser and the ill moral one. What come next are hard times and a lot of fighting for what is rightfully all of mankind’s’. What comes next is not pretty but what comes when one lives under false identity and declares not there lack of belief is a lifetime of lies and shamefulness. Atheists must not allow this hate to drive one down. Atheists must unite and stand up with one mighty roar that atheists will be heard and will not surrender to hate and prejudice. Concealing ones lack of a belief in a god or higher power is to allow into the society that teaches such lack of beliefs to be evil and a danger to society. There must no longer exist a fear in the atheists when it comes to uniting and standing up against the discrimination and hate in this world. There are millions of atheists around the world and its time for them to take a stand. It is time for atheists to support other atheists. It is time for atheists to protest against the hate and fear in society. It is time for the atheists to vote and elect other atheist leaders to public office. This is the only way the atheists will be respected. This is the only way the atheists will be free. Atheists have been the victims of Christianity, hate, and fear longer than any other group or theme of people in the history of the universe. Atheists are indeed the last minority. But through unity and fearless pride we will break the chains of fear and hate and take our place amongst society as equal citizens. Young atheists must come out of their closets and corners and take their positions on the streets fighting for equal rights and civil liberties. There has always been a need for more activists amongst the atheists. Change does not come by sitting on the side lines shouting for change. Change comes by getting out on the fields and getting dirty. There are too many clean sideline atheists shouting for change and not enough dirty, fighting for changes, atheists demanding for change. America is the worst when it comes to the hate and discrimination of the atheists but even still the great up rising and demands for equal rights of the atheists should not begin in America, rather in the entire world simultaneously. It is the responsibility of the atheists to make this happen. Atheists must unit, regardless of their differences, and attack this plague of discrimination, hate, and fear head on. It is time for this plague to be destroyed. This means that young atheists must stand up as well and join the mighty roar of freedom and equality. There must be, as there will be, a clear message to the American people and the citizens of humanity that atheists will be free as well and will not stand on the sidelines any longer. The wealthier atheists have advantages because they have money. This is not justice nor is it equal. However, it is something the atheists will have to work with. In order to spread Life, Liberty, Justice, Equality, and the Pursuit of Happiness the wealthier atheists will have to put there money on candidates that can best benefit the atheists and will also have to spread the message of change throughout the nation and world. This will be harder to do for the lower class of atheists but the less wealthy of atheists must assists as well in their attitude, performance, and financial ways. The road to peace and harmony will have to be carved by the atheists. It is apparent that standing on the sidelines will not amount to change. It is even more apparent that for the atheists to be free we will have get off of the sidelines and lead the way to Life, Liberty, Justice, Equality, and the Pursuit of Happiness. We will have to lead the way to peace and harmony. Atheists will unit, and this world and universe will finally begin to see the hate and prejudice dissipate and the road to freedom, peace, and harmony begin to become paved. Life, Liberty, Justice, Equality, and the Pursuit of Happiness will come to the atheists, but will only come to the atheists through unity and fearless pride. America has come far from representing freedom and equality. America is the guiltiest of spreading this hate, and prejudice toward the atheists. Soon, however, the atheists will eliminate this plague all over the world and endure this freedom dreamed of for millenniums. It is way past time for change in this universe and way past time for the atheists to unite. With millions of atheists fighting for change this universe will see the biggest event since the big bang. The event of Life, Liberty, Justice, Equality, and the Pursuit of Happiness being spread throughout all of humanity.



CONCLUSION:






Being an atheist is just that. Being an atheist does not make you a part of a religion or cult. Being an atheist does not make you a believer or disbeliever in anything, rather the lack of a belief. It doesn’t matter whether one is an implicate atheist (one who has never practiced religion or have no consciences objection to religion) or if you are an explicate atheist (one who have practiced religion or have a consciences objection), you are still an atheist. A person with out a belief in the supernatural or higher being. Being an atheist does not make a person ill moral. There are many atheists who have their own families and are some of the best and model families in the universe. Atheists have been around for a long time and have contributed a lot to society. Atheists are very discriminated against but that is all about to change. The atheists will rise up and unite, and there will be a change in this universe. Much of humanity is afraid of change, but change is coming. Atheists will no longer be pushed aside and ignored. The atheists must unite and the world must realize that change is coming whether by force or voluntarily. Long live the atheists.

AMERICA IN REVIEW:

After the recent decision of the U.S. Supreme Court to up hold the current ban on abortion and other poor decisions by differnt branches of our government, I have decied to respond to this caos by writing a review of the staus of the whole nation's government. Hopefully this review will show how much this nation has gone down heal and the need to act no in order to correct the matter.



AMERICA IN REVIEW:

-BY, MARQUELL GARRETT

“THE FUTURE LEADER OF AMERICA”:

DATED: April 20, 2007; Friday @ 12:26hrs



Introduction:

America has been around now for more than 200 years, the nation that is. The idea of America has been around a lot longer, long before the existence of the United States of America. America was created under the ideas of freedom, under the five rights and platforms of mankind, the five platforms of Life, Liberty, Justice, Equality, and the Pursuit of Happiness. Such platforms that no longer governs and guides this nation. Such platforms like Life, Liberty, Justice, Equality, and the Pursuit of Happiness should be the sole governor and guidance of all of mankind. It is the rights not of all Americans but all of mankind to have such guidelines. Such rights and guidelines must never be denied or limited to any human. America is currently spreading a so call democracy carrying these virtues. America is spreading false virtues and the opposite of the five platforms. America is no longer America. America has become the opposite of what it use to be and stood for. America is no longer worth the blood shed for it and sweat poured for it and lives sacrificed for it so many years ago. America has surrendered themselves to shame and destruction. America has become that tyrant and anti-liberty nation we have feared for so long. The worst part of the matter is that we do not see or understand this action and consequence. The most dangerous prejudice and racial person is one that does not realize nor accept that they are in fact a racist and/or prejudice against innocent and great citizens of humanity. Such people are adherent to inequality and injustice and should be stricken from not America the nation, but from America the idea. Such people should be stricken from society it self. Such citizens should be stricken from the very fabric of humanity and never looked upon with the same eye again. The ultimate question is not has America failed? America the idea can never fail, because there is nothing greater that the idea of freedom. The question is can America be saved and restored back to its original ideas. The answer to this question is obvious, but the obvious answer is not always the easiest answer, nor the wanted answer. America the nation, the land, can be saved and restored to these ideas but not without time and great sacrifice and efforts from all of humanity. This will not be an easy task, especially because time is not on our side. However, let us remember these words, “the most dangerous man in any society is the one with nothing to loose, you do not need ten such men, one will do”. These words are as powerful and as true today as ever. Let us, the future leaders of this world be that man. Let us change this world and restore the five platforms to this nation call America and spread such ideas across the universe. We must unite as humanity behind the ideas and platforms of Life, Liberty, Justice, Equality, and the Pursuit of Happiness. We must never surrender nor become astray from such ideas. So, ultimately, how deterred is America the land from such ideas? The best way to demonstrate and express this is to review the government branch by branch and the rights of the people of the government individually.



Judicial Branch:

It was decided by our founding fathers that this nation will not become a dictated nation where one branch or form of government can see an idea that should be placed into law, set it as law, and then interpret this upon the citizens of this nation. In order to avoid this they created three separate branches of our government to govern this nation in an attempt to illuminate bias, immature decisions and to protect the American people. The American people no longer hold such protection. The United States of America Court Houses, both federal and state, has ruled repeatedly to deny such protection. The United States of America Court Houses, both federal and state, has ruled repeatedly against the American People. Many states’ court houses have ruled to up hold a limitation to the rights for an individual to marry another person in which they love and share their happiness. To up hold limiting the same rights and liberties as any other American. Many states have ruled on the judicial level that a person should be limited to their right to decide whether or not they want to have a child or not, to choice, a right that was granted to them not because they are Americans, but because they are human beings. Court houses abroad have ruled to limit the rights of the people. The United States Supreme Court who is suppose to protect the people’s constitutional rights have ruled to limit there constitution rights. The judicial branch, a branch created to protect the people and stop the government from limiting the rights of the people has ruled the opposite. The judicial branch has ruled to limit the rights of the woman. The right of the woman to choose based upon her own virtues and beliefs and not that of the majority or the religious community. Neither the government nor religious communities have the right to stick their hands into an individual’s life and take their happiness and rights granted to them not only by the constitution but an unalienable right that must be held by all of mankind. The rights of the majority must never come in conflict with the rights of the minority. It is the responsibility of the government to protect the individual person’s rights and not tradition or religious ideas. The rights of the individual person far out weights the rights of the State and federal government. The judicial branch must never be bias or religiously based, yet a great open-minded Supreme Court Justice was replaced with a not so open minded and religious based Justice. This is unacceptable. America must be very careful at who we allow to represent us in this government. It is my affirmed belief that we as individual citizens should have the right and obligation to directly vote for our Supreme Court Justices. This means amending our constitution to grant such obligation. This means extending the rights of the American people which must never be limited to the five platforms in the first place. The Supreme Court of many States, and the U.S. Supreme Court have failed to take several cases involving the right of homosexual marriages saying there is no grounds to allow such marriage to take place. I call upon the Supreme Court to overturn all decisions in this government of the judicial branch, legislative branch, and executive branch banning and limiting the rights of the American people on the grounds of the constitution of the United States of America, or does that not mean anything anymore. It is not the decision of the local government, State government or federal government whether or not some one has the right to marry the same sex. It is the right and decision of the individual person and no other. It has recently come to light that the executive branch has fried some members of the judicial branch, which is legal and acceptable. It has also come to light that some of these members of the judicial branch fired were fired for reasons such as failure to prosecute specific cases upon the request of the executive branch in order to benefit to leaders of the executive branch. This is not legal and unacceptable. Such actions are un-constitutional and un-American. Such actions should lead to the impeach of the personnels behind the actions and the bringing up of criminal charges. This has not been the case though. The judicial branch out of a three branch government has failed. This means one third of our government has failed causing the protection of the American people to begin to disappear altogether and making America that feared dictated land. This is not the America our founding fathers had in mind when they signed the Declaration of Independence and Constitution of the United States of America.



Legislative Branch:Our founding fathers had in mind a notion that this government would have a separate branch to pass laws governing the government and American people. Such laws that should never come in conflict with the rights of the individual people. This branch would not be a branch to interpret the laws of the land in which it created. This was to again avoid having a dictated nation. Today Congress is doing the total opposite. Today Congress has ignored the many concerns of the American people and has devoted their focus not on the concerns and wellbeing of the American people but that of political gain and distractions away from the concerns of the American people. Today there are many scandals in Congress and too many so call bargains with members of the executive branch in order to benefit the congressman/congresswoman vs. the American people. Congress has decided to devote its focus on things such as banning the burning of the American flag and abortion, fundamentally limiting the rights of the individuals that they have indeed failed to serve, the American people. Congress fails to protect the concerns and ideas of the American people and most of all fails to protect the five platforms that built this nation. It unacceptable when a President fails to get the majority vote of the American people and still becomes the President-Elect, and the President of the United States of America. It is even more unacceptable when the legislative branch makes no efforts or suggestions that such statement in the constitution should be amended at once, that allowed such a terrible disaster to take place from the beginning. It is only obvious that such statement should be amended. When the votes of the American people fails to be considered in a Presidential election, or any other elections, steps must be taken at once to amend the disaster. When the legislative branch allows a President to remain in office after a clear understanding that he or she no longer represents the concerns of the American people, and no longer capable of making intelligent decisions that are of grave benefit to the American people, such congress has become incapable of up holding their own duties and thus making the legislative branch in this nation a failing branch. This is unacceptable and a disaster. When the legislative branch is no longer operational, this means that this nation is no longer operational as the great democracy it once was. It is apparent today that the legislative branch has failed on a variety of basis and primary on its chief purpose. This means that America has now only one third of the nation’s government functional, or does it. The legislative branch has failed us all. It is time to amend this problem and boot out the adherents to inequality and injustice and vote in those leaders who will stand bold and represent the American people. It is time for us as citizens of this nation to vote in the leaders who will fight to up hold the five platforms of Life, Liberty, Justice, Equality, and the Pursuit of Happiness because if we fail to do so the consequences will be the disappearance of the American nation.



Executive Branch:

The executive branch was created by our founding fathers in order to represent the ideas and concerns of the American people and to take these concerns and ideas to Congress and to allow such concerns and ideas to be the agenda of this nation. This is truly the only branch of our government that we can do without. Members of Congress have the responsibility and right to this very same thing. Also the American people have the authority, and obligation to take their concerns directly to members of Congress if they so see it fit. However, the executive branch still has the obligation and right to speak on the behalf of the American people as long as such ideas being spoken represent the ideas and concerns of the American people and the five platforms of Life, Liberty, Justice, Equality, and the Pursuit of Happiness. This does not describe our current executive branch, however. The American President has ruled without regards to the American people and the concerns and ideas of the American people. Majority of the American population, and both houses of Congress, joined with many members of the executive branch and military leaders has decided and demanded that we pull out of Iraq at once. The President has decided to go against the best interest, ideas, and concerns of the American people and continues to send troops to Iraq. This means he is no longer doing the job of the executive branch and now the job only of that of a dictator. America must not have a dictator under the false name of “President”. The President has decided to propose a ban on the rights of individual people by proposing such ideas as in to ban same sex marriages, cloning for any reason, abortion, flag burning, and other rights of individual people. Just because a President has an opinion about something doesn’t mean he should deny another the right to an opinion on the matter and the right of choice. When such things of this matter happens the American President becomes the American Tyrant. The executive branch has ignored the American people altogether and is ruling as if they are KING. This is unacceptable. The executive branch has terminated members of the judicial branch for illicit reasons and un-American reasons. It is clear the executive branch no longer represents the American people and is ruling with an iron fist. The executive branch has failed wretchedly. The executive branch has become something far worst than an executive branch. The executive branch has become a sole government and dictator to the American people. The executive branch does not have the right to dictate to the American people how things are going to go. It is the job of the American people to dictate to the government and executive branch of how things are going to go. The executive branch has failed to serve the American people and thus has become useless. The executive branch has become an adherent to inequality and injustice. The executive branch no longer represents the ideas of Life, Liberty, Justice, Equality, and the Pursuit of Happiness. This means that 100% of the American government has became non functional and represent not the platforms of Life, Liberty, Justice, Equality, and the Pursuit of Happiness but only the platforms of Death, Slavery, Injustice, Inequality, and the Pursuit of Evil and Unhappiness. This must be rooted out of this nation at once and as American citizens we must restore the five platforms of Life, Liberty, Justice, Equality, and the Pursuit of Happiness back in this nation.



Individual Rights:

Our founding fathers understood that nothing is greater than the rights of the individual person. When the initial final draft of the constitution was completed it was refused to be ratified due to the rights of the individual being nonexistent in such document. The American people wanted independent freedom and rights more than what the State and federal government would hold. The Bill of Rights was then added to the constitution to grant individual rights and protection to the people. This was the only way for the constitution to be ratified. Today Americans no longer have some of these individual rights granted to them by the Bill of Rights and no longer have fair and equal rights. Today TV shows and movies are actually censored. Today some students in public schools are actually forbidened to bring and read certain books such as “Harry Potter”. This is outrageous. There is a couple that are great friends of mine living in the State of South Carolina who has been dating for more than six years. They are high school sweet hearts. Usually I’m not a big fan of high school sweet heart marriages but in this case they really do love each other and is mature enough to be wed. So the ultimate question is why aren’t they married? This couple is not married because the government has told them that they do not have the right to pursue their happiness and the American dream. The government, which is supposed to be protecting their rights, has limited their rights and denied them their civil liberties. America has thus failed this couple. Today in the State of Georgia it is illegal for me to smoke a cigarette outside my own café. How is this protecting my civil liberties? It is a crime for me to exercise my first amendment right in some places. It is considered slander and a crime if I give my honest opinion about the current President while serving in the U.S. military. This is unacceptable. The constitution is not limited to those that do not serve in the military. The constitution applies to all Americans, everywhere. If I was to exercise my 2nd amendment right and purchase a gun for my safety I would be arrested. In order to avoid this I would have to register my weapon and practically never have my weapon on me or near me. This is unacceptable and unconstitutional. The legislative branch has no right to interpret the 2nd amendment or set laws to govern the 2nd amendment. It is the job of the judicial branch to interpret the 2nd amendment. There is something out now called the Patriot Act. I like to call it the Invasion of Privacy Act. It is against the fourth amendment for the government to tap into my bank account, my work, and my life in general without the proper measures and due process of law. Just because someone said I was caught going to the movies with a person known for criminal behavior does not give the government permission to spy on me. I have only one thing to say to a government that does this. “Get away from me or I will retaliate with the force of Life, Liberty, Justice, Equality, and the Pursuit of Happiness.” The rights of the individual people in this nation are nonexistent. The people no longer have the basic right to life; the people of this government no longer have the basic medical right to be treated for a disorder or disease because the treatment or cure goes against a religious belief. The American woman no longer has the right to choice because the American government thinks it goes against morals. The only moral it goes against is that of a religious person. What if I am not religious and not of the same morals as you? Isn’t it an American moral that we should all obtain Life, Liberty, Justice, Equality, and the Pursuit of Happiness? The rights of the individual people are the supreme rights, and the government and no person should have the right to limit such rights or terminate such rights.



Summary:

Our founding fathers envisioned a nation of peace, where everyone would be free and equal and the people would hold the power, not the government. Today this envisioned nation does not describe the United States of America but instead the total opposite. Today the American people have little influence on the government and very little individual rights. Today the people only have the rights the government allows them to have. The judicial branch no longer represents and protects the American people. The legislative branch no longer represents and votes on the behalf of the American people. The executive branch no longer represents the American people and no longer focus on the ideas and concerns of the American people. The American people have been failed not just by one branch of our government, but Americans have been failed by all three branches of our government. This is a disaster. It has finally come to past when we can no longer say “America is the leader of the free world”. There isn’t a single branch of this government working properly. Life, Liberty, Justice, Equality, and the Pursuit of Happiness has failed to be demonstrated in this nation. It is way past time for this nation to correct its’ actions and restore the five platforms back in this nation. It is way past time for Americans to get off of the side lines and vote and coerce the five platforms back in this nation’s government. This will not be an easy task. But I am a firm believer that if the task isn’t hard, it is not working doing. We, a united America, shall be able to cross the finish line where Life, Liberty, Justice, Equality, and the Pursuit of Happiness will be waiting on the other side. It will be some tough and long roads ahead of us. But let us remember that if our founding fathers would have given up over 200 years ago, there would be no such thing as America, the nation and America the idea would have never came across this land once more. Let us remember that we are not fighting for land, but for something far greater. We are fighting for the right to life, and the right to live it as we see it fit, and not as the government sees it fit. However, giving all the data on the failure of the government on all branches and nonexistence of individual rights in this nation I still must profess my conviction and dedication to changing this nation for the better. I must believe that there is still hope for America. I vow that as long as there is breath in my lungs and a fraction of an ounce of this idea in my veins I will not settle until there is total equality in America and the five platforms rules America once more. Some people may feel this is stupid or worthless. There is nothing greater than the idea of freedom. If I have to sacrifice my on life, I shall do so proudly. If I have to sacrifice my own liberty, I shall do so expeditiously, because I have no liberty until all have liberty. If I have to sacrifice my justice, I shall do so in honor, knowing that true justice can never be achieved without equality. If I have to sacrifice my equality, I shall do so willingly, knowing that I truly shall not be equal until all are equal. If I have to surrender my right to pursue my happiness, I shall do so smiling, knowing my true happiness is securing the rights and spreading the rights of others. I shall never surrender to Death, Slavery, Injustice, Inequality, and the Pursuit of Evil and Unhappiness. I shall not rest until Life, Liberty, Justice, Equality, and the Pursuit of Happiness controls the world abroad.