Adding fuel to the fire of confusion is the fact that it is not uncommon for the medical field to hold positions that are at odds with each other (and new discoveries). Once thought to be transmitted only via the bite of a deer tick, further studies have shown Lyme can be spread by a variety of biting insects and bodily fluids. In fact it is common for entire families to be infected with this debilitating disease: passing from spouse to spouse and mother to child.

Amendment II

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

The message of Christmas.

"The Constitution was written to be understood by the voters; its words and phrases were used in their normal and ordinary as distinguished from technical meaning." United States v. Sprague, 282 U.S. 716, 731 (1931).

We humans have long made good use of tools in our quest to simplify the tasks one must undertake in everyday life. While a telescope is a fine tool for discovering the details in a small slice of a larger object; it isn’t a good choice if the job at hand requires a broad outlook.

“We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.” – preamble to the Constitution of the United States of America.

A medieval law – corruption of blood – held the belief that those convicted of major crimes had corrupt blood which could be passed onto their children. As a result, punishment extended to the children (and relatives) of the convicted as well.

As government rushes – on behalf of those seeking to curtail individual rights – to decrease security while insuring an unimpeded target for those unwilling to comply, we ought to be questioning the motives behind such actions. After all, if you won't fight for your rights, who will?

As his predecessors did, President Bush has made good use of his granted powers to safeguard this nation via timely wiretaps on foreign enemy communications. Likewise, the president has complied with the ridiculous FISA court's specifications by communicating executive office actions to Congressional oversight – a fact that the media seems determined to overlook. Prior to yet another New York Times leak, the democrats (on the Congressional oversight committee) had filed no objections and had willingly participated in the actions to garner necessary intelligence.

In answering a question posed at the closing of the Constitutional convention, Benjamen Franklin uttered the famous words “A Republic if you can keep it.” That day, September 18, 1787, marked an important date in this nation's history; a summer spent in a particularly hot Philadelphia had seen compromise form the backbone of these United States of America.

War is always a hot issue; open to much public debate as differing opinions are offered forth in an attempt to influence policy. While such discourse can be healthy (for freedom) - efforts must be made to insure emotions don't flare to the point of overstepping the boundaries of dissent.

Lyme disease has been called the "great imitator." The disease mimics numerous other diseases, with hundreds of possible symptoms and untold numbers of symptom combinations.

The debate over the issue of gay marriage is sure to be a big issue in this election season. The recent ruling by the California Supreme Court has thrust the issue back into the national spotlight.