Prestonwood Baptist Preacher Arrested In Sex Sting

In Plano Texas yesterday, one of the largest Baptist churches in the United States accepted the resignation of one of it's pastors that was arrested last week in Bryan, Texas for trying to have sex with what he thought was a teenage girl that he found via an Internet chat room. This Prestonwood Baptist Church minister was arrested by Bryan Texas police when he showed up to meet this underage girl which in reality was nothing more than a sting operation being conducted by the Bryan Texas Police Department. This type of sting operation has been conducted more times than I can count over the years, but some men just can't seem to help themselves and continue to search the Internet for young girls to have statutory rape sex with. While these sexual predators seem to be everywhere in the world today, most of the time it is the same small group of people that continue to re offend no matter what kind of punishment awaits them in the criminal justice system.

That brings up the age old question as to whether some people are addicted to sex in the same way that others are addicted to alcohol, tobacco or narcotics. My personal belief is yes, some people are addicted to sex and that addiction needs to be studied more in the future. While it might seem like I am trying to let these perverts off easy, nothing could be further from the truth. Instead, a better understand of what makes them commit these crimes will be necessary to fully understand how to treat or punish them so they will not re offend and attack other young people in the future. Most laws are passed because law abiding Americans wrongly believe that hard time in prison will discourage criminals from breaking the law in the first place. For hundreds of years the American people have been passing tougher laws against criminal behavior and those laws are not working when it comes to making our streets and neighborhoods safer.

In no area of the modern legal system do laws repeated fail more often than in the area of minor sexual abuse. Only during the past 20 years or so have stronger laws against adults been passed to try and stop the increasing trend of adults taking advantage of young people that are starting to feel the effects of puberty, but at the same time ill equipped to deal with a person years older than them when it comes to sexual experimentation. It is easy for we adult to forget how we felt back during those exiting and scary days when mother nature was making changes to our bodies and to our very being through hormones. Fortunately for most people, they did not encounter a pervert during their early adolescent years and they are instead allowed to grow up and discover the beauty and also the down side to sexual experimentation.

When it comes to the sexual activity of most young people, the vast majority of parents and other concerned adults would rather bury their heads in the sand than deal with this most touchy of issues head on. That shyness about this basic fact of life is leaving millions of young people completely in the dark about the up and downside of sexual behavior. Good and decent moral behavior requires parents to sometimes do things that they are uncomfortable with. When it comes to uncomfortable things that parents are forced to do, an old fashion discussion about 'the birds and the bees' is top on that list of requirements most parents evade at all costs. It is important to remember that our kids depend on us to not only tell them the truth when it comes to sex, but to also warn them about potential predators that will try and take advantage of them if given the opportunity.

Title: Prestonwood Baptist Preacher Arrested In Sex Sting
Written: May 18 2008
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Do Cell Phones Damage Babies In Pregnant Women?

There is a new study that came out of the UK that suggests that pregnant women who talk on a cell phone as few as three times per day could be doing damage to their unborn child.While there are no reports in this new study about potential outward birth defects, the study does suggest that hyperactive behavior could result if pregnant women do not limit the use of cell phones while they are pregnant. Forgive me, but I chalk up this latest British study as just more junk science coming across the pond. To suggest that a pregnant mother is somehow doing damage to her unborn baby by just talking of a cell phone is what I call 'crazy science' and is without any real foundation. The average person has no idea how many radio waves pass through their bodies on any given day, cell phones are just the latest craze, but in addtion to cell phones our bodies absorb and have absorbed millions of radio waves over our lifetime and we continue to absorbed them until the day we die.

For years now, politically correct people around the world have tried to successful link the use of cell phones to every type of illness and cancer on the planet without success. I guess now if they can't scare all of us into giving up our cell phones, they will go after the most worried people in the world when it comes to crazy scientific studies, pregnant women. While science has been trying for over a decade to scare the public into giving up their cell phones, in reality the average human being absorbed more radio frequency waves in the years before cell phones were ever invented than they do today. From the early part of the 20th century there have been radio waves that pulse through the air and invisibly cross through our bodies as well. Just image how many radio waves pass through the bodies of every citizen of a fairly large city each and every day?

Radio waves are emitted from radio and television stations, two way radio and a variety of other commercial uses. There are microwaves and satellite waves that pass through each of us ever second of everyday and do so even while we sleep. Even at home, most people use a cordless phone which uses radio waves to connect to the base unit inside our house and our neighbors houses. When we fly, there are plane to ground radios that transmit information and pilot commands and when we land the taxi we use to take up to our hotel is also filled with radio equipment which our bodies accept without problem. Now, for some scientists in the UK to suggest that a pregnant mothers over use of a cell phone is somehow damaging her baby is worse than junk science it is almost criminal in the way these scientist are trying to give already concerned mothers something new and unimportant to worry about.

Just image where this rational of thinking will head if these UK scientist are able to convince governments around the world that their junk science is indeed real. Not only will this cell phone science be used to prevent pregnant mothers from talking on their personal cell phones, but it will eventually lead to millions of people that might be in the same space as a pregnant woman to stop their personal use of a cell phone as well. Mind you this new cell phone ban will not actually prevent damage to an unborn child as the cell phone signals from base units all over town will continue to be absorbed by the pregnant woman even when she is not using her personal phone. The truth is that the world is not a safe place and it never has been. There are always safety trade offs each of us make everyday in order to do our work and live our lives in a modern way. Before anyone puts any weight into this UK study about pregnant women doing damge to their babies by talking on cell phones, please sit back than think about all the radio waves we all absorb every single day whether we own a cell phone or not.

Title: Do Cell Phones Damage Babies In Pregnant Women?
Written: May 18 2008
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Almost 100,000 People Show Up For Obama Portland Speech

In what looked more like a rock concert than a political rally, between 75,000 and 100,000 people showed up to hear presidential candidate Barack Obama speak in Portland Oregon tonight. Without a doubt today's Senator Barack Obama's event in Portland Oregon was the most attended campaign rally of this campaign season. The news of blockbusters crowds showing up for a Barack Obama rally in Portland tonight cannot be good news for Hillary Clinton who is hoping against hope that something extraordinary will happen that will drive Barack Obama from the race before this summers democratic national convention. However, rather than Obama self destructing the way Hillary Clinton wants him to, instead he is just now hitting his stride and drawing even bigger crowds to campaign events than ever before.

Earlier today I wrote about a lack of excitement in Senator John McCain's campaign. While Senator McCain is doing well in the national polls, in reality very few people are excited about coming out to hear John McCain speak or to open up their wallets to give him the one thing he really needs right now and that is cold hard cash. On the other hand however, Barack Obama's campaign is flush with fresh cash puring in daily and after today's big rally in Portland Oregon, there is little doubt that there will be millions of people showing up to vote for Obama in November that are not considered traditional Democrats or Republicans. The biggest thing that is pushing Barack Obama's campaign forward is the fact that his is a real deal when it comes to talking about changing Washington D.C. for the better. Both Hillary Clinton and John McCain are seen by most Americans as business as usual candidates which will change few things in Washington if they are elected.

Late tonight I saw some areal pictures of the Barack Obama rally in Portland, Oregon today and with the exception of a major rock concert, I have never seen so many people show up to hear any candidate or a sitting President of the United States ever speak before. There is something extra special inside of Barack Obama that is appealing to millions of Americans that have never voted before in the United States. I believe the reason that so many people are coming out to hear and then support Barack Obama is because most Americans are fed up with how Washington is being run right now and Barack Obama seems like the best alternative to see something new come to our nations capitol and change the many problems that arise from there because of corruption and an inability to get along and compromise on important issues.

While large crowds at campaign events like today's massive turn out at an Obama rally in Portland do not guarantee that those same people will show up and vote on election day, when it comes to Barack Obama, I believe most of the people that showed up in Portland to hear Barack Obama this afternoon will show up at the polls to vote for him first in the Oregon Primary and then in November when he runs against John McCain in the general election. For the first time in decades a candidate is running for President of the United States that has a new vision of what this country can accomplish if it is lead by the right kind of person. Senator Barack Obama has started a fire inside the souls of millions of Americans that never gave a second thought or even cared which candidate eventually won a presidential race. While the GOP will work overtime to try and destroy Barack Obama before the November election, it could be that their negative efforts will backfire on them, just like when Hillary Clinton tried the same thing early on in the democratic primary's. The American people want change and more than likely that is exactly what they are going to get when all the votes are counted in this November's general election.

Title: Almost 100,000 People Show Up For Obama Portland Speech
Written: May 18 2008
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High Gas Prices Put Brakes On 'Meals On Wheels' Program

I first heard today about the latest group of people that are being hurt by high gas prices. That group is senior citizens that are shut ins who depend on a charity program called 'Meals On Wheels' to bring them at least one warm meal per day. While millions of other Americans are struggling to keep their financial lives afloat as gas prices rise, for some people the rising price of gas could leave them venerable to possible starvation if Meals On Wheels is forced to stop some of their deliveries. Most people never gave a second though to the price of gas over the past three decades as a steady price for that petroleum fuel was the norm. However, over the past two or three years, all Americans are starting to realize how important cheap gas is to the U.S. economy and also how difficult it is to maintain our high standard of living in this country when gas prices remain over $3 per gallon for an extended period of time.

I am shocked that I did not even consider the hardship that high gas prices were placing on good charities like Meals On Wheels, but once I heard the news of their plight - it made perfect sense that Meals On Wheels would be suffering more than other charities that do not depend on volunteers with automobiles to do their work. My mother-in-law has volunteered to deliver hot meals here in Central Texas for the past few years through Meals On Wheels. While she does not drive, she has found great satisfaction in riding with someone else who does the driving while she takes the hot meals up to the front doors of dozens of people that depend on her and Meals On Wheels to meet their daily nutritional needs. I think it is wonderful that senior citizens are able to give something back to their community through the Meals On Wheels program.

There must be hundreds of good hard working charities that are suffering right now because of rising gas prices. Meals On Wheels is an obvious first thought when it comes to charities that are being hurt by rising gas prices. However, with each passing day it is becoming more clear that the high price of gas and more specifically diesel fuel is causing food costs to rise for all Americans and in return groups like Meals On Wheels are suffering from a double whammy when it comes to the rising cost of them doing business. Of course, average American can and should contribute to charities like 'Meals On Wheels' to help offset their ever increasing cost of doing business. However, it is more important for Americans to let their elected representatives in Washington know, as often as possible, that they are also tired of the ever increasing price of gas.

In so many ways, the United States is quickly moving from a strong market based economy to one where normal businesses and charities will have to tighten their belts just to survive. While middle eastern members of OPEC continue to become more wealthy by the day on the backs of the American people and others around the world, it is so vital that the United States get to the business of drilling and refining more crude oil and gasoline right here at home. For younger Americans they have not experience the full range of pain that goes along with prolonged high gas prices and the ever increasing stress of potential job layoffs that will soon follow, they will soon be forced to grow up fast as this gas price crisis continues. I feel bad that good non profit organizations like Meals On Wheels are suffering from financial stress right now because of rising gas prices and I hope that many of you reading this post will consider making a donation to help Meals On Wheels continue their good work in communities around the country.

Title: High Gas Prices Put Brakes On 'Meals On Wheels' Program
Written: May 18 2008
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Is Anyone Really Excited About John McCain's Campaign?

Millions of Americans have been excited with the campaigns of Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, but is anyone really that excited about John McCain's candidacy? Yes, John McCain will receive millions of votes in November when he challenges either Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama in the general election, but will anyone really be that excited about voting for him? I don't think so, rather than finding millions of Americans that are excited and eager to vote for John McCain in November, instead the people that do show up to vote for McCain in November will most likely do so because they fear what a liberal Democrat will do once he or she is sworn into office.

As a young man, I grew up in a 'yellow dog Democrat' household, what that means is that a person would rather vote for a yellow dog that is a Democrat rather than switching party's to vote for a Republican. In my high school years, a Republican politician by the name of Ronald Reagan caught my attention and soon turned me into the black sheep of the family as I became the only member of my family that supported a Republican candidate for President. I loved the way President Reagan spoke to the American people via television and like myself, many other lifelong Democrats switched party's to vote for Ronald Regan when he successfully ran for the presidency on two different occasions. Now the Republican Party has a candidate in 2008 by the name of John McCain and in my opinion Senator McCain is the furtherest thing from former President Reagan.

When Ronald Reagan successfully ran for the office of President, there were millions of people that were eager to show up on election day to cast their votes for him. However, in 2008 - I find few people that are eager to vote for Senator John McCain and as my political opinions still reside slightly right of center, that concerns me and makes me wonder what will happen in November when people start showing up to vote? If the democratic nominee is Barack Obama, which I find to be likely at this point, then I believe he will soundly defeat John McCain in this Novembers general election. Why? Because Barack Obama has millions of people that are excited about his candidacy and who are also eager to show up to vote for him on election day. There is a big difference in candidates when one candidate is loved by the voters while his opponent is supported more out of fear of the other candidate than an actual appreciation of that candidates values and principles. When it comes to motivating voters in 2008, no candidate has done a better job than Barack Obama.

There is still time for Senator John McCain to create some excitement with voters, but I believe it is unlikely at this late date for many Americans to really get excited about his campaign. With the likelihood of Democrats extending their lead in the U.S House of Representatives and U.S. Senate this election year, a Barack Obama win over McCain in November will turn conservative America on it's ear and move foreign and domestic policy strongly to the political left within a short period of time. I do know from history, that a left leaning United States does not do well in the world, but maybe in the short run it is time for liberal values to help offset some of the corporate greed that has so entrenched itself in the United States today. The American people have always been quick to change direction when and if events in this country are not progressing in the right way. There is little doubt that most Americans currently believe that the U.S. is headed in the wrong direction which does not bode well for Senator John McCain's chances of victory in November.

Title: Is Anyone Really Excited About John McCain's Campaign?
Written: May 18 2008
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The Best And Worst Side Of China Shown

Over the past few months, people around the world have seen what is best and what is worst about this planet's largest country, China. On the best side, the government and people of China have rushed to the aid of thousands of people that suffered after last weeks killer earthquake. The death toll and the numbers of people that were injured is off the scale when compared to some of the most recent natural disasters here in the United States. However, the Chinese government is working overtime and for the first time in decades is even accepting foreign aid from other nations around the world in order to speed up much needed assistance for earthquake victims and survivors. I'm not completely sure, but one of the reason's why China is doing such a good job in helping out it's citizens after this earthquake most likely has to do with the down right pitiful job that the government in Burma has done after a Cyclone there killed upwards of 100,000 people a few weeks earlier.

On the worst side of China is how they treat citizens in Tibet and other parts of their country when those citizens want to have more say so in selecting the people that represent them in the federal government. The die-hard communism beliefs at the top leadership in China is still alive and well, but over the past few years the government in China has been showing signs of weakness when it comes to their staunch communistic stands and eventually they will be forced to give in even further to the wishes of the Chinese people. Unlike the ruling Junta in Burma, China is a mixed blessing when it comes to being a good citizen in this world. Yes, there are bad points to the government in China, but there are positive aspects to it, as well.

On August the 8th, the 2008 Summer Olympic Games will begin in China. Even after protests have disrupted the Olympic flame as it has made it's way around the globe and with a huge natural disaster hitting the mainland of China just months before the games, no one expects the 2008 Summer Olympic Games from China to be anything less than spectacular. On the 'what is best about China' side of this story, is the way that China knows and understands how to put on a good show to the people of the world. Without a doubt, from the opening ceremonies of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games from China to the closing ceremonies, the citizens of the world will be watching with astonishment at the sights and sounds that come out of this summer's Olympic games from China.

For years now, the top leadership in China has been trying to find a way to allow capitalism to flourish inside their country, while at the same time doing all they can to keep tight control of the federal government in an old style communistic way. This battle of wills in China only has one ending and that ending will provide and allow more citizen control over the central government in China at some future date. It is impossible to allow the free markets of the western world to take hold inside of their country while at the same time trying to keep the people of China under the control of an unaccountable government at the same time. The next three days have been designated as a time of mourning for the people that lost their lives in the terrible earthquake that ravaged China this month. Along with all citizens of this world I offer my thoughts and prayers to the victims as they go about burying their dead and trying to find a way to get on with the lives.

Title: The Best And Worst Side Of China Shown
Written: May 18 2008
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Big Brown Looks For Triple Crown At Belmont

I had a lot more hair on the top of my head when the last horse won the triple crown, but unless something terrible happens over the next three weeks, I believe the Big Brown will finally be the horse to pull off what some people have thought would be impossible for years. In modern day horse racing, winning a triple crown is not something that is done that often. In fact you have to go back decades since one horse has been about to win all three of the jewels, 'The Kentucky Derby', 'The Preakness Stakes', and the 'Belmont Stakes' in one year. A couple of years ago there was a beautiful black horse that was poised to win the 'Triple Crown' whose name was Barbaro, but during a tragic accident at the 2006 Preakness Stakes, Barbaro's life was cut short and he never raced again. Now in 2008, the American people are millions of others around the world that love to watch horse racing are putting their bets down on a strong brown horse by the name of 'Big Brown'.

While some U.S. sports like ML baseball and the NFL get more attention from the general public, there is a side of most Americans that comes alive each year as the Kentucky Derby draws near. I call this side of most of our personalities, 'Triple Crown Fever' and most of the time that fever ends when the winner of the Kentucky Derby does not win at the Preakness Stakes two weeks later. However, yesterday as millions of people watched the Preakness Stakes on NBC television, the Kentucky Derby winner, a horse by the name of 'Big Brown' not only won the Preakness Stakes but did so by over five lengths. In a way, today's victory by 'Big Brown' at the Preakness Stakes was a good thing for the spirit of the American people who have been facing hard times ever since gas prices started going through the roof a little over a year ago. 'Big Brown' is the first horse in decades that has a real chance to win the 'Triple Crown' and to do so in 2008.

A few years ago, there was a movie released about a race horse that became popular in the United States during the great depression. The name of that race horse was 'Seabiscuit'. While the United States is not yet in a financial depression, many people that live and work in the U.S. are depressed and looking for something positive to hold onto. Today, in the Preakness Stakes, a huge and dominating horse by the name of Big Brown was welcomed into the hearts of millions of people as he raced easily to a victory over his challengers. It is no secret that the American people look to horse racing as a need place for optimism when worldwide and domestic events start to spin out of control. Like in the movie Seabiscuit, Big Brown is capturing the hearts and minds of Americans that are in desperate need of something positive to cling onto in their daily lives.

Will Big Brown win the Belmont Stakes and the 'Triple Crown' of horse racing in 2008? In my opinion, if Big Brown does not suffer a major injury, finally in 2008 there will be another Triple Crown winner and that victory will come none too soon for the American people who are suffering in their own way right now. Over the short but great history of the United States there have been horse stories that have help the downtrodden and sometimes hopeless souls that call this country home find a way to smile and also to look forward to a brighter day tomorrow. While Barbaro was unable to accomplish his dream of a Triple crown win, another horse by the name of Big Brown is poised to have his name edged into history as the newest U.S. triple crown winner. For some of us the next three weeks will be filled with exciting stories and historical tidbits about Big Brown and then during the first part of June 2008, hopefully the American people will welcome a new Triple Crown winner to the sport of horse racing.

Title: Big Brown Looks For Triple Crown At Belmont
Written: May 18 2008
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Will Indiana Jones Top Iron Man At The Box Office?

Going into the Memorial Day Weekend, people around the country are starting to ask the question, will Steven Spielberg's new 'Indiana Jones' movie beat Iron Man at the box office on that most important movie weekend? In my opinion, it won't even be a contest because Iron Man has already raked in more cash in it's first three weeks than studio executives thought was possible during it full run at major movie theaters around the country. Also, Steven Spielberg's franchise move series of the adventures of Indiana Jones have been a mainstay in movie entertainment for people of all ages now for several decades. I must admit that I have reservations when it comes to watching a 60 year old Harrison Ford trying to act 30 once again in this movie, but I have been disappointed before when older actors have been brought back to reinvent their old movies to a new generation of movie goers.

The first time I was shocked when an older actor remade one of his movie classics was when Sylvester Stallone starred once again as Rocky Balboa about two years ago. At the time that new Rocky movie was announced, I remember writing here about how silly I thought it was to have an older guy like Sylvester Stallone to climb back in the boxing ring to fight a man that was 30 years younger than he was. However, much to my surprise when I finally went to see the movie 'Rocky Balboa' it was well written and Sylvester Stallone did a wonderful job playing the part that made him a household name. Then about a year later, Sylvester Stallone did a remake of another movie series that he stared in decades ago called 'Rambo'. After being fooled by the Rocky movie remake, I decided to withhold judgment on 'Rambo' and I am so glad I did because once again Sylvester Stallone did a great job in reinventing Rambo and bringing it back to the silver screen.

Now it is Harrison Ford's turn to prove that he still has the right stuff as legendary director Steven Spielberg brings Indiana Jones back to the big screen next week. To be honest, I believe that this Indiana Jones movie will be one of the biggest hits of the year and it is possible that it could earn even more money than Iron Man which has taken the 2008 Hollywood box office for a ride now for almost one month. I have yet to see the movie Iron Man, but I will see it sometime over the next 30 days. I have now talked to dozens of people that have been to see Iron Man either once or for some people they have seen it several times and loved it. However, the George Lucas/Steve Spielberg 'Indiana Jones' series of movies have a longevity factor inside of them than Iron Man does not yet have. Also, without a doubt - Steven Spielberg is the best movie director of his generation and there is little chance that this new Indiana Jones movie will have a bad script or substandard production or directing issues.

We are getting very close to the summer movie season and it appears at first glance that Hollywood is going to have a big season if Iron Man and the likely winner Indiana Jones get them off to a strong start. In my opinion, movies will continue to do well as the price of gas continues to rise in the United States. While some people believe that movie prices are too high, in reality going to see a first run movie at a theater that is close to a person's house - is one of the most inexpensive forms of entertainment that is available to most people. In previous times when gas prices were high and inflation was a growing consumer concern, movies have always made good money because high prices for fuel reduce the entertainment opinions for cash strapped families and make movie attendance look like a bargain compared to what it would cost to drive a long distance for some other kind of entertainment. That said, 2008 should be a great year for the Hollywood box office as Iron Man and Indiana Jones get the summer season off to a strong start.

Title: Will Indiana Jones Top Iron Man At The Box Office?
Written: May 17 2008
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Big Brown Reminded Me Of Barbaro In Preakness Stakes Today

As I watched 'Big Brown' easily race to victory in the Preakness States today, I could not help but think back to a few years ago when another race horse by the name of 'Barbaro' broke one of his rear legs at the beginning of the Preakness Stakes and after months of failed rehabilitation it was finally necessary put him down (euthanized) after infection and other side effects made it impossible to save his life. I told my wife this afternoon, that I believe that 'Barbaro' had the right stuff to win the triple crown - but he was denied because of a terrible bone break during the start of the Preakness Stakes race. Just like Barbaro, Big Brown is a huge horse that seems to win races with ease. In fact, I believe that Big Brown will not only compete well in the 'Belmont Stakes' in three weeks – but I also believe he will win that race and give horse racing it's first triple crown winner in decades.

Before the start of today's Preakness Stakes, NBC Sports conducted a long segment on what happened two weeks ago in the Kentucky Derby to the second place horse, 'Eight Belles', as that great horse broke two front legs and was put down (euthanized) soon after, on the track. The past two weeks, horse owners and the general public have started to discuss what the potential causes might be to the string of race track accidents that have lead to the deaths of great horses like 'Eight Belles' and 'Barbaro'. I was shocked to learn for the first time today that the use of steroids in horse racing in not only prevalent, but steroids are given to most race horses on a monthly basis. Without a doubt, starting next year the use of these performance enhancing hormones will be banned in horse racing and it is unfortunate that great horses had to die in order to get real change happening inside of the professional horse racing business.

Another area of concern in professional horse racing today, is the manner in which race horses are genetically created through advanced scientific breeding. The breeding of horsing in a way that creates heavy lean muscles could be putting extra stress on a bone structure that is pushed to the limit during an important race. Add to this genetic breeding the wide use of steroids to even bulk up the horse's muscles even more and you come out with a beautiful horse on the outside the appears strong and invincible, while on the inside the horse's bone structure is ill equipped to handle the stress of running full speed down a race track for several years of it's life. Like in many areas of modern life, science is progressing faster than rules and laws can be written to keep up with it. In most sports, including horse racing, there are people that have a 'win at all cost' mentality. While I do not believe most horse owners fall into that category knowingly, the need and desire to win can sometimes drive even good and decent people to do things that deep down inside they know to be wrong.

As members of horse racing sit down to discuss new rules that will prevent some of the bone breaks that are becoming far too common in the business today, one other rule change is needed to bring horse racing completely out of the dark ages. In the future, I hope that the people that breed, raise and race horses will decide to remove the horse whip from the jockey's arsenal of tools that are permitted during the race. While on one hand horse owners talk about how much they love their horses and also how well they treat them, on race day they allow or instruct their jockey's to use the whip to get the most out of the horse. If a horse is really the best of the best, he will not need to be beaten by the jockey in order to win an important race. If the people that make their living from horse racing really do care so much for their horses, it should be an easy call for them to all give up the use of the whip on those horses that have made many of their owners, multimillionaires.

Title: Big Brown Reminded Me Of Barbaro In Preakness Stakes Today
Written: May 17 2008
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2005-2008 © Hutch Report

Worlds Best Investments, Gold And Crude Oil

When it comes to investments that are really preforming well in 2008, very few of them top Gold and crude oil. As the U.S. economy continues to slow because of high energy prices, investments in Gold and in energy companies that search for, produce and sell crude oil are among the best places to currently invest your money. During the booming years of the late 1990's, one of the worst places to invest capital for a large return was in the Gold and crude oil market. However, just like the price of gas - things have changed in the world and the quickest way to earn a large return on investment capital in 2008 is in the Gold and crude oil market. Most U.S. investments are doing poorly right now because the U.S. dollar has lost so much of it's value. While most Americans dread taking a trip to Europe because of the dollar to Euro conversion rate, Europeans are flocking to U.S. vacation locations because their money is worth 50% more in the United States than in Europe.

For most of my life, 'Gold Merchants' have been trying to preach their message of doom and gloom to the world. For the most part, that message has fallen on deaf ears as modern day investments in stocks, bonds and in foreign currencies have taken the vast majority of investment capital because of their good long term track record of providing profitable returns on invested dollars. However, just like everything else - the world of investing has changed in 2008 and now old dependable and once consider safe investments are now being looked at with new eyes and intense interest. So much of what each of us know and understand about investments has been learned in the past 25 years. If each of us were to use a longer time horizon when investigating, we would learn that at many times during modern history, Gold has been the investment of choice for millions of people - especially when the worldwide economy is suffering from inflation. While inflation is not a current concern in the United States, the ever increasing price of crude oil and gasoline might change that reality, soon.

Just yesterday, President Bush visited Saudi Arabia and asked that government to increase their production of crude oil in order to help American consumers at the gas pump. The Royal Family that controls Saudi Arabia's crude oil production said no and sent President Bush on his way. Then today, President Bush said that it was not Saudi Arabia's fault that gas prices are so high in the U.S. today. Instead, President Bush said the blame for high gas prices in the U.S. today are the result of laws which prevent to the drilling for and refinement of crude oil into gasoline. President Bush is partially right about a lack of drilling in the U.S. because of laws and over regulation being part of the problem - he is dead wrong when it comes to Saudi Arabia and it's role as one of the most influential members of OPEC. When I saw President Bush hugging the leaders of Saudi Arabia on television yesterday, all I could think of was how silly and stupid they must think our President really is for traveling halfway around the world to ask them to be nice to Americans by lowing the price of their crude oil product.

Until there are major changes the the way the U.S. government spends our tax money, investments in Gold and crude oil will continue to be two of the best places to place your extra capital. Of course, like everything else in this world - investments in Gold and crude oil will not stay hot forever and someday soon more traditional investments in stocks and real estate will return to the forefront of investing idol cash. However, the changes that will be necessary for the United States to turn around our bad economy will be very painful and they will be resident by most Americans who have been spoiled by a government that has borrowed from tomorrow in order to make up for the short falls of today on too many occasions. Right now, the U.S. government is broke and while there is still over one trillion dollars per year flowing into the bank account of Congress - for way too many years they have spent more than that that amount on government give away programs and self serving 'Earmarks' that keep them in office rather than doing what is right for the long term interest of the United States. That is why Gold and crude oil are such good investment today and also why they will remain so for many years to come.

Title: Worlds Best Investments, Gold And Crude Oil
Written: May 17 2008
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