Sloppy Outline on the Reasons to Restrict Abortion

US Law

Declaration of Independence

            *Universal human rights, “All men are created equal and endowed with certain unalienable rights…”

                        -scientific term “all men” which refers to species.

Constitution

            *Citizen rights to persons

                        -undefined, nonscientific term

                        -Blacks were believed to be 3/5 person.

                        -Based on the world-view stated in the Declaration.

Bill of Rights

            *Ammend Constitution in specific application of rights, over time.  Does not shed light on whether the unborn have rights or not.

Roe V. Wade

            *Relative, can be overturned.

            *Made by judicial legislation which is unconstitutional and defies checks and balances.

            *Viability is an arbitrary, relative term which has insufficient scientific or logical support.  Death can occur not only in embryos but also in late term fetuses, infants (sudden infant death syndrome), so no stage of human development from conception to infancy is guaranteed to be self-sustaining.  Legally it is a relative term which depends on the opinions of justices, not a logical conclusion.

Innocent until proven guilty concept declares the zygote to be a innocent of any crime, as well as the potential for any crime, until proven otherwise.  Government is obligated to view every zygote as a positive influence in society as it views all citizens who are innocent of any crime.

Logic

            *Human life is either intrinsically valuable or it is not.

            *Intrinsic value extends value to the unborn as soon as there is an individual organism (known to be present after the first cell division of the zygote).

            *Disbelieve in intrinsic value suggests that there are forms of human life that aren’t valuable because of inability to be utilized by someone else.  Implications: slaves are more useful than employees, so slavery should be legal under this thinking.  Those seen as draining society would be executed.  Genocide for population control would be permissible.

Science

            *Human is a species (homo sapiens).  Species is determined by active DNA.

            *The only known form of life that scientific is biological life.

            *A human is a biological organism, made of cells and the right active DNA.

            *Pre-embryos are not skin cells because of a difference in active DNA.  Skin cells only have the active DNA to be skin cells while Pre-embryos have all of the active DNA an adult does including that which helps to determine personality.  Junk DNA, if counted, would chance species as proven by evolution.  If Creationism is true than science is less important than the will of the Creator (not that there can be no theistic evolutionists).

            *Brain activity is an arbitrary distinction between a zygote and an infant because it doesn’t affect species or life.  The brain only serves the same function as the nucleus in determining whether or not there is a unified organism.  It is used to determined individuality (whether or not the individual is still present) and if the individual is alive as an individual.  A cell’s nucleus serves this same purpose.

            *Functions of the brain used to subjectively classify humans such as “dreams”, “philosophies” etc are emotional arguments for personhood, which is a relative concept.

            *The sperm is aware of the egg as shown by its attraction to it by sensing chemicals in its surroundings and pursuing the egg.  There is no magnetism or chemical reaction that forces the sperm to pursue the egg.  This suggests that the zygote may have an equal level of awareness.

***Research Ectobiology / Artificial womb***

*Rights of the unborn v. rights of the mother.

            -Birth protection is not currently 100% full-proof, but if a 100% full-proof form comes into existence, those who want sex without a risk of pregnancy should use that.  The argument is not against sex, it is against the killing of the unborn.

            -Women who willfully have sex give their tacit consent to possibly become pregnant.  Driving a car gives tacit consent to obey traffic laws and drive responsibly or accept the consequences.  Consent withdrawal when dealing with a life is more like organ donation than consent to sex.  In consent to sex, there is no life on the line and consent may be withdrawn at any time until after the conclusion.  In organ donation, a life is on the line and consent may only be withdrawn until the time of surgery.

-Exceptions: Rape and possible death of the mother.

                        -Solution: 1) Plant the zygote into a different mother such as an infertile mother.  2) Artificial womb*, 3) Determine if rights or life are more important.

4) Adoption and counseling

                                    -Emotional issues v. the value of human life.

Will the child be happy?

            -Adoption/foster care

                        Presents more opportunities for happiness for every individual than death.

                        *Investigate adoption/foster care reform needed and Obama’s plans.

                        *Investigate psychological care given to those in foster care, and reform needed.

-Can someone with disease and/or mental disabilities be happy?

            -Case studies showing it is possible.

            -Biochemical perspective of happiness.

Abortion compared to War

            -More unborn die than casualties of any war.

Illegal abortions

            -Analogous to killing an infant.

                        Case studies of infanticide in comparison to case studies of abortion.

            -Psychological problems.

            -Regulation

            -Education as to the dangers

***Research history of illegal abortions***      

***Research abortion issues across the world***

Cheap,well-worth-it archery using gorilla tape, pvc pipes, a little bit of coat-hanger and polyester

I had this idea and went with it, and now I'm posting to brag about how it worked.  I'm back into archery, using a bow of about 50lb drawback and cheap but well-working arrows.  I was honestly just thinking of what makes a good bow one day- the flexibility with the tension, and the ability to retain its shape after use.  Then it came to me, and I looked it up on YouTube.  I looked up the  PVC bow.  The only video I could find though was of one that did not work very well at all, and it was a small one being used by a kid.  If I recall it was just one pvc pipe.  I decided to build on that idea.

I figured that if you attached pvc pipes together, back to back, forming a bow that is made of 3 pvc pipes (in thickness, not length), it would be stronger and have a better snap.  I used the gorilla tape in an almost instinctual way.  I first wrapped the part that would be the handle, then I wrapped up part, not all of the "wings".  To make the arrow rest, I cut off a little bit of the corner off of a coat hanger, got some pliers and squeezed it until it was a long, narrow U-shape.  I then attached it using the tape.  Finally, the string.  Here is where I initially messed up, but it in now way ruined my bow.  I purchased nylon string.  Its tough, but it has a LOT of stretch to it, which takes away from the power of the bow.  I tried to stretch the nylon to its limit to then use, but it snapped.  So, with the help of the employees of Paul B. Zimmermans, I instead used polyester cord.  It is durable but has almost no stretch to it and has been working great.

Before I give directions, I should note that I have not had time yet to experiment with alternative designs, so there may be a more efficient method, such as possibly using thinner pvc pipes and possible more of them.  I haven't tried taping up the entire bow but I think that would make it very hard to use, but it may end up also having the power of an english warbow (which are usually over 100lbs in draw-back).  I'm not physically ready for a warbow yet though.

Directions:

This project should cost about $10, maybe less.  Its much better in cost than a professional bow of this strength which could cost about $300.

Go to a hardware store, preferrably Paul B. Zimmermans (well its my pref. anyway) and get 3 pvc pipes that are white and about half an inch thick.  Get some gorilla tape, 10 feet in thin (#18 I think) durable polyester rope and then 3 dow rods about the length of the distance between your two hands when standing how you would when you would fully draw back the arrow in the bow.  That should look like this position: http://www.spacejock.com.au/images/SimonArcheryLg.jpg

After you have your supplies, tape all 3 pipes together at the handle.  The top of the handle, where your index finger and thumb will be should be in the exact center of the pipes by length.  That is because the bow should provide equal resistance from the top and bottom side when being used.  Only make tape it enough to cover the area your hand will be touching, and maybe a little extra just for margine of error.  *I think* but have not done this yet- that the bow should be symmetric, and so the same amount of tape should go above the handle, but after you attach the arrow-rest.

For the next step, note that the gorilla tape is what causes the pvc pipes to bend without sliding, so the more gorilla tape you put on, the heavier the draw-back will be.  I taped up the ends of the bow about a foot in length.  Leave a little bit of the very ends untaped because your string will be tied in a loop and be attached to the ends of just one of the pipes!  After you have done this, take a coat hanger, and cut off an inch from both sides of one of the corners.  Just as if you were cutting a solid triangle with a surface rather than a hollow outline.  Next, take the pliers and squeeze the ends together, making a U, or making 3 sides of a rectangle.  Next, bend it at a 90 degree angle, leaving only 1/4 to 1/2 inch for the actual part that the arrow will rest upon.  Tape this to the handle, and wrap what is still exposed in  tape.  Here is a visual guide to give you an idea for what your arrow rest should look like, or rather, what function it should serve.  http://www.woodworkersworkshop.com/graphics8/americanwoodworker-recurve-bow.jpg

Now before putting the bowstring on the bow, you have to wrap some string around the ends of the bow.  The reason for this is that if you just make loops in your string and attach the strings, they will cut through the gorilla tape.  They will not cut through more string though.  So first, take your 10' string and cut it in half.  Take one of the halves and cut it in half again.  Now make a loop in the string and put it around just one of the 3 pipes, and then wrap up all 3 pipes in a nice, strong band of string, and secure the end of the string somehow so it won't come undone.  Do the same to the other end of the bow.

With your 5' string left, tie loops in the ends of the string using a figure 8 knot.  This may take trial and error to end with a loop that is just big enough to attach to one of the pvc pipes.  Make sure that there is little to no slack left after the knot is tied to preserve the length of the string.  Make sure the exact same pipe is used to attach the string on both ends.  Now your bow is done.  If you have arrows already available, use those.  If you want to make your arrows from dow rods, keep reading.

*When making the flights, note that the arrow should have a side that brushes against the bow on its way out without a flight hitting it, so your flights should result in what looks more like the wings of an airplane than an equilateral triangle.

Take your dow rod and basicall do what you can to make flights for it that look like this: http://www.fletcher-family.co.uk/Family_History/Origins/a_My_Arrow_fletching02.jpg

Also, take a saw or something and cut a thin groove in the end of the arrow so it will be able to rest against the string when you pull it back, without slipping off.   This is what a proper arrow looks like: http://i.nuseek.com/images/template/360x318/hk_20080207_archery.jpg

Disclaimer: These bow and arrows are dangerous and can cause injury even without an arrow head!  Only shoot at objects that make suitable targets which will allow the arrow to puncture it, so that the arrow doesn't bounce back or cause the target to shatter.  Never shoot or aim a bow and arrow at another person or an animal that you are not legally able to be hunting while meeting all requirements.  I'm not a physics professor and my design may have flaws to it, so do not blame me if you make this, and are in any way dissatisified or hurt yourself with it.  I suggest wearing gloves while shooting so that your fingers do not get hurt on the bowstring, nor does your other hand and arm get hurt from either the snapping bow string or the arrow flights.  This project should not be attempted before first learning how to shoot a bow and arrow with the proper technique!!

Example of a good target:

Example of a bad target:

Pictures of Autumn

I thought I'd post pictures of autumn in this area of Pennsylvania to help me appreciate where I am more instead of wishing to do impossible travel.  It is beautiful in a unique way here after all.

The design has become puckered but it was an angel.  Nicole and I made this together.  I think this particular pumpkin, a "connecticut field specimen" has a lot of character.

I liked the stem and shape.

The state of the corn field outside of my house.

Jack-o-lanterns of my pets, Cody the cat and Escher the rabbit.

My favorite type of pumpkin, the "Cinderella" pumpkin.

My "welcome" pumpkin.  It is a "Long Island Cheese" pumpkin.  Both this type and the Cinderella make great food because of the sweet taiste and smell.

Escher and Cody chillin out after a pumpkin was carved.

This was what the table looked like at my Autumn party.  One of my favorite things about the season is the food.

I appologize for not having more outdoor photos, especially of the foilage.  Hopefully pics like that will be added soon.

Here are two summer pics, thrown in for free:

A video for Bill Maher

My aunt emailed this to me.  This is a perspective that should change the way we think about what is fair and unfair in the world and how God may give a happy life to one who we think should not be happy because of their circumstances. I hope that Bill Maher somehow will see this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2I0DRk8dFjI

Huckabee and Mauher

I caught the end of an interview which Gov. Mike Huckabee had on his show, "Huckabee", with Bill Maher over the movie "Religilous".  I really think that Huckabee could afford to improvise a bit more, especially when interviewing people who are very quick on their feet as well as intellectual as is Maher.  On Fox News, a major news station, Bill asked the famous question "Why does bad stuff happen to innocent people if God is so good?" (paraphrase).  Huckabee was going in a good direction but probably did not clarify enough for the typical unchurched audience.  Rather than saying what he said, I will try to give a better version, what he, perhaps, should have said.

The world has a lot of bad stuff in it [so far what Huckabee said], but keep in mind that we tend to oversimply every thing in life as either "good" or "bad", and the mind of God would be so much more infinite complex.  Therefore this question can't be adequately answered in 10 minutes, especially in the format of 2-way discussion.

There are basically two different types of things in the world that people lable as "bad".  There is the "bad" that comes from nature such as disease, natural disasters, and sometimes, death.  Then there is the kind of "bad" that is imposed by others, such as rape, murder, torture, insults, and unkindness towards, even perhaps unkind thoughts and opportunism.

In either of these cases it is important to note that we are looking at the situation of earth, often in dispair, because to us, earth is all there is.  If however you believe in life that is spiritually eternal: a belief in Heaven and Hell, you know that 1) it could always be worse, and 2) it will get much, much better.  You may say that this is a placebo, but placebos only work as well as one's ability to fool themselves, as opposed to if God is real and intervenes which would make belief in eternal life more like real medicine.

Now then, the evil that comes from men is not something that God causes.  Rather he allows humans to have moral choices, which are choices to accept God's love and react in obedience because [according to Huckabee], "For love to be forced on you with no choice of your own is the equivallent of rape, so God will not force Himself upon you"[paraphrase].  When people act in their own selfish interest, which is never ultimately for their best, it usually ends up hurting others.

So why does God allow others to be hurt to begin with?  The Bible does not even hide or ignore the fact that good people get struck with pain, suffering, confusion... the book of Job is dedicated to that very concept, as is much of the book of Ecclesiastes!  The message of both, when it comes down to is it 1) we were made by God, with a purpose, and that purpose will lead to the greatest happiness and joy we can receive, and 2) we really need God!  The Biblical perspective of all bad things is that they present a chance for a person to either grow in spiritual strength and maturity, or choose to lose hope.  Bad times simply remind people of God, so the Apostle Paul, who had been imprisoned, beaten many times, and later martyred, according to tradition, says in the Bible that he thanks God for all trials.  Job said that he can not just accept the good from God and not accept the bad, and he lost his family, his livestock, and was struck with boils.  In the end, God promises blessings for those who suffer and remain faithful, and in Heaven, which is eternal, all of the pain experienced on earth will seem so short, it will almost seem trivial.  Its like going to the dentist and having some painful procedure, and for the rest of your life realizing how much better your teeth feel because of that procedure.

Now Maher said that in most of Western Europe, atheism is much more popular than the US and they have "grown up", accepting faith as something from the "Bronze Age".  He claimed that they were better off without God.  I would argue that it is God who helps people to enjoy life more, especially in the hard times, by allowing people to live for something greater than themselves, and belief in Heaven allows people to thrive even more in times of suffering.  Living just for the sake of living only works when there is pleasure or adequate stubbornness.

To quickly answer Maher's other question which I heard tonight, "Do you believe God has ever spoken to you", Mike gave what I thought to be an overly safe, generic answer that could even apply to some atheists: that God speaks through compassion telling us to act when we see suffering.  I would go much further than that with the answer.

I believe that God has often spoken to me, but I do not understand yet even a small percentage of the ways in which God speaks to people.  There are so many stories out there, Bill, that have resulted in the betterment of the individual.  You can write them off as coincidence or lies, but until you personally investigate thorugh first-hand sources the concept of miracles such as healings, and divine interventions, you have no right to assume them to be false.  I would bet that if you read in 3 out of 5 major newspapers that McCain was leading Obama, you would have to do some investigation before you felt comfortable in dismissing the claims.  God has both the significance and the corroborrating stories which would give Him the benefit of investigation.

Then if Maher wanted to ask for my personal story, I could give it, and if not, so be it.

Edit: I think Mike was right about seeing the movie Religilous.  He quoted the Bible as saying that like iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another, and that is why he enjoys challenges like that of Maher.  I agree, because Maher may not do such a great job of investigating faith (from what I saw in commercials) but he bases his oppinions on things he really observes.  So I would not classify this as a heresy film like "Da Vinci Code" because this is non-fiction and based on philosophies that really concern the world, and have since anyone can remember.  Therefore I would like to see Religilous as I think it is probably based on honesty by Maher, and I would pay to see more films based on honesty (not that he is correct, but he's being honest).