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DISCLAIMER: I had to deliver the speech today and have only had 2 hours of sleep and as a result of fighting a cold and standing outside like that in 40 degree weather, I now have a full blown cold, so I apologize that I haven't included a better way to view the video. I may do so at a later time.

According to a July 25th 2006 article in the Arizona Republic, the impacts of illegal prostitution include: sexual exploitation, drug dealing and use, increased incidences of sexually transmitted disease, infiltration of criminals for the purpose of profiting from drug dealing, prostitution, money laundering, ect., and negative impacts on quality of life, property values, and neighborhoods due to plight, litter, etc. This article also states that these impacts have been documented in multiple studies around the nation. An August 13th 2006 article in the San Antonio Express-News supports this assertion by saying, today, prostitution remains a community problem linked to exploitation, violence, and other illegal activity that police spend a great deal of time and resources trying to control. However, it’s today’s laws that only perpetuate the problem, ultimately creating more crimes than those they were created to prevent. From this diagram you can see how something as simple as the act of child shoplifting can be tied to prostitution. Now that’s pretty frightening, wouldn’t you agree?

From a report in the April 1987 edition of the Hastings Law Journal, the average arrest, conviction, and incarceration costs for prostitution amount to nearly $2000.00 per arrest. Cities spend an average of 7.5 million dollars on prostitution control every year, ranging from one million dollars in Memphis, to 23 million dollars in New York. Today, with inflation, those costs are more than doubled and it’s the American taxpayer that is absorbing the more than 750 million dollars a year necessary to handle all those arrests. According to a more recent article in the July 7th 2006 Arizona Republic, “Half the inmates of our jails are guilty of victimless crimes. The cost to keep them there represents an amount larger than the entire income of all but five countries on the face of the Earth.” Legalizing prostitution is more than a means to an end, doing so we’ll reach the furthest levels of crime in our nation.

The same Arizona Republic article discusses the idea that legal activities can be controlled, kept safe. On the other hand, Illegal activities cannot be controlled and are not only unsafe, but often deadly. Once a government outlaws an activity, it cedes the right and the ability to control it. In a world that contains AIDS, outlawing prostitution, rather than controlling, it is the height of irresponsibility. Legalization of prostitution doesn’t only make sense it saves cents. The only way to deal with the crime issues caused by prostitution is to legalize it – and then, make it free to all those in need. In an interview conducted with Sal Paradise, a regular patron of prostitutes and call girls, on November 20th, 2006, He explains, that if you know what you’re doing, and you can find a call girl/guy who has both a clean medical record and a clean physical appearance, the process of soliciting a prostitute can be a very rewarding experience, setting one’s mind at ease and allowing them to relieve some of the stress and tension brought on by their busy lives. Instead of an over-inflated-badly-planned-budget to prevent prostitution, a budget should be created to use those same monies to employ responsible individuals to operate government-subsidized cathouses. Now, I’m sure we’re all thinking the same two things, “Why in the world should the government be in involved and for goodness sakes why should it be free?” Aside from the fact that random free sex with strangers should be an inalienable right for all men and women, the act of making it free is based on the basic economic principles of supply and demand. By making it free we create a surplus of potential sexual activity, thereby decreasing its overall demand. If it were not free, the opportunity for competition both in the general public and private/underground would exist, thus subverting a successful attempt to control the market on sexual related business. Creating a government workplace works two fold by offering prostitutes a safe and hospitable work environment, while at the same time, providing benefits that cover prescription medications for ailing backs, headaches, and repetitive stress injury that would otherwise be treated with illegal substances like crack cocaine or crystal methamphetamine. This is turn helps improve the cities economic welfare by decreasing the unemployment rate and acts as an outreach helping those, who according to a September 27, 2006 article in the South Bend Tribune, fall into a drug-lifestyle and need to spend time somewhere other than behind bars.

Sure there are many a naysayer out there who could try to convince you that free legalized prostitution is immoral, but may I remind you that the first time man attempted to retrieve milk from the teat of a cow, it was thought immoral, or the first time toothpaste was used, or even man’s first attempt at flight. More often than not, change is met with resistance, and the case of free legalized prostitution is no different. Ten years from now, students a lot like ourselves will sit in these same seats, shocked to learn from an informative speech, that at one time prostitution was not only something you had to pay for, but was illegal to boot. To the naysayer I say, “it’s all fun and games until a prostitute gets her arm lopped off”, and according to Ireland’s September 17th 2006 article in The Sunday Herald, that’s exactly what happened. The article goes on to say that it’s common for prostitutes to be robbed, beaten, kidnapped, raped, tortured and maimed. We have a chance to change our communities and once and for all put a stop to prostitute abuse.

Today we all have the opportunity to affect change at a time when our nation needs it the most. According to a Collegiate Times article on September 20, 2006, prostitution has been illegal in the United States since the 1920’s. It’s illegal to become a prostitute, solicit sex, or to operate a brothel. However, these laws have done little to curb the demand. There is a better way and it’s time to make a change. It’s time to say we’re fed up with the criminal world we live in. It’s time we accept our responsibility to our nation and to ourselves. By signing this petition, we can turn the now ethereal dream of free government-subsidized prostitution into a practical reality. If you’re not with us, you’re against us and if you don’t sign the petition today, the terrorists have won.

Today, I’ve discussed a very important issue that can stand to be ignored no longer. Prostitution and its current legal restraints need be adapted to fit our modern time. No longer can we stand by and let crime happen in front of us. If we want our neighborhoods to be clean again and rid of drugs, crime, theft, and hoodlums, we have to fight for them. Today is the day for freedom. Sign this petition and exclaim with me the prophetic words: “Free at last, free at last, thank God Almighty, it’s free at last.”

"When you accept writing as what you are supposed to do, after you've tried everything else--marriage, hippiedom, traveling, living in Minnesota or New York, teaching, spiritual practices--there's finally no place else to go. So no matter how big the resistance, there is one day, there is the next day, and the writing work ahead."

For me, this was very enlightening. I've felt that all those other things WERE my passions. I'm finding out however, those were all things directing me toward my real passion.

Last December, I had just returned from my trip to Europe and was trying to discover in which direction my life was taking me. During this time I was working for a Technical College and had confided in a manager from another department about thoughts for my future. For me, the manager wasn't by any chance randomly chosen. Over that last year he'd become a truly good friend, someone who at the time, I would have considered a very dear and close friend. At work we were often inseparable, if you'd found one of us, the other wasn't too far away. One after another, coworkers would ask if we were brothers....we were good friends.

Over the few months that had led up to December, I had told him about some of the struggles I was dealing with in my personal life and told him that I was considering leaving the company to pursue work on my own. I told him that I hadn't quite decided what I was going to do, but anticipated making some kind of decision after receiving that year's Christmas Bonus, which leaving without, would have been pure stupidity.

Time passed and I waited, still unsure of what I was going to do. Come December, I was doing side projects with a partner of mine and the joint venture was becoming very lucrative. My friend and confidant at work had taken leave to be with his wife as she prepared to have their first child. I continued work as normal. Bonus Day was approaching and I was very excited and a little nervous because I had told myself I needed to make a decision.

Bonus Day came and my manager approaches my cubicle and hands me the envelope containing the $1500.00 bonus check I had waited all year to receive. Upon handing me the envelop she asked if I had an envelope for her. I was a little confused, though in the back of my mind knew someone had told her that I was going to give her my notice. Looking dumbfounded, I told her I didn't know what she was talking about. With a smirk she'd turn, shaking her head, she walked away.

I was furious! Someone had gone behind my back, broke my trust, and told MY manager that I was going to abandon my job. As much as I didn't want to believe that my friend had turned on me I had to. It wasn't possible for my manager to know without him telling her. I felt crushed, totally betrayed. Even more disturbing was that he wasn't there to confront, to ask why, to figure out why our friendship hadn't meant enough for him to keep our conversations confidential. I beat myself up over this for days.

Finally he returned back to work. I thought it was odd because I expected him to come over and say something, anything, even "Hey I'm back from leave, the baby is doing awesome!". Nothing. So, with the day more than half over, I approached him at his desk. I simply asked him "Would you have any idea how (My Boss) would have found out that I was going to give notice after receiving my Bonus?" to which he immediately and nonchalantly replied, "Yea, I told her". Man, I was on fire. I wanted to knock him out on the spot. I leered in to his eyes for a moment and realizing that I was not likely to be able to control my anger, walked away.

Only days before I had been assigned a new manager, a guy who was just hired from the outside, and who coincidentally was best friends with the guy who had just betrayed me. After finding out for certain that I had been betrayed by my friend, I printed my notice, giving my company ONE MONTH to find a replacement, and handed it to my new boss. I told him that I knew he had known what was going on all along and that I was taking the rest of the day off because I had just found out that I had been screwed over. He said okay. I gathered my things and went home.

That night, remembering I had some work to do to address promises I made to the guys I supported, I tried to log in to the servers at work. I found that I had been locked out of the system. At this point I knew it was all down hill. The next day before work I made repeated attempts to call the director of our department and my manager to discuss what had happened and to try and determine why I would have been locked out of the system. Nobody called me back. Finally, an hour after I was supposed to be in, I was able to get my manager on the phone. He told me that I needed to come in and bring anything of the companies I had at home. I did as he asked. Arriving at work, I found my electronic key card did not work as well. Clearly, I was being pushed out. I understood, a lot of companies will allow their employees to leave after they've given their notice as not to allow conflict of interests or sabotage to occur.

Upon being let back to my desk I was greeted by my manager holding an empty cardboard box. He asked me to gather all of my things and prepare to be escorted out of the building. I did as I was asked and left, escorted all the way to my car. This experience had really tore me up inside. Again, I understand being allowed or asked to leave upon giving your resignation, but I had just felt like I was fired. Felt, no I had been TREATED like I was fired. Insane I thought.

On the drive home my blood was boiling. I was seeing it all together in my mind and couldn't understand why what had just happened had happened. Why had my friend betrayed me. Why was I the villain. It is the last question that would play on my mind over the last year. I often find myself questioning what I did, what I didn't do, what caused my friend to turn his back on me. Was I a bad friend? A bad person? Did I do something bad to him? Over and over this has played in my mind and has made me feel like garbage. Although each time these thoughts have entered my mind I've been calmed by the knowledge that it had all happened for a reason. I understand I wouldn't be where I'm at today, a year later, still self employed, working only 10 hours a week, painting, writing, and all around loving life.

The incident that has brought all this back to the forefront of my mind is that for some reason, almost exactly a year after saying "Yea, I told her", the guy that betrayed my trust, has come to my blog and made two comments on two separate blog entries. Of which, both comments containing no real significance other than merely saying "I'm here"; and for what I ask? For what reason does he feel that he should come over and let me know he's here? With all the questions I've had for him, that will be the last.

This was my first experience with Tom Robbins, and as his fans already know, he is an incredibly talented writer who paints with amazing imagery and word choice. His style is uniquely descriptive, drawing you closer and closer to the story allowing the reader to almost taste, touch, and smell what's going on.

I'm now reading an earlier book of his called "Half Asleep in Frog Pajamas", another great work. I'll let you know how that one goes as well.

I highly recommend you run out there and get a copy of "Skinny Legs and All"

Late!

I've not been sick in almost two years and was trying as hard as I could to make it three. It apparently wasn't in the cards for me. I'd forgotten just how miserable it is to be sick.

Man this sucks!!

This is my favorite!!! I hope to be able to produce some paintings with this sort of simplistic elegance.

With McDonalds, Burger Kings, Kentucky Fried Chickens and a host of other fast food franchises popping up daily on corners all over America, it is far from difficult to see supply and demand in action. With the advent of the catchy and affordable 99-cent menus, these fast food giants are exploiting an ever-increasing market of people who truly believe that the grilled chicken sandwich, small French fry, and large Diet Coke they are consuming is healthy, and that it is a good alternative to anything they could have taken the time to prepare at home.

As far as food preparation goes, most Americans have missed the boat. Instead of preparing healthy combinations of food that are actually good for their bodies, they settle for food that meets the requirements of their life load. Remember the Food Pyramid? It was a diagram that showed the proper amount of fruits, vegetables, meats, dairies, and starches recommended for daily nutrition. It was a guide for food preparation with the intent to increase the efficiency of the body and improve overall health and fitness. Although the food pyramid has been resurrected and rebuilt several times over the last decade, it does not seem to fit into the busy lifestyle of Americans today, and therefore is almost forgotten. It is far easier, generally less expensive, and more accepted to stop for a Whopper™ or Big Mac™ than it is to take the time to prepare your own meals.

While food choice is important, it is not the only cause of obesity in Americans. Today’s children and young adults are becoming less and less active and therefore perpetuating the girthing of America. Gone are the days where neighborhoods were filled with children playing baseball in the street. Instead, more and more children can be found indoors, tethered to their Nintendo Game Cube™, Sony Play Station™, or Microsoft Xbox™--where for hours on end, they can play baseball, football, or soccer and even kill a few zombies--all this in the course of one afternoon. For most, the only exercise they will see is to their thumbs and index fingers.

This decline in activity is not exclusively limited to children or young adults. People of all ages are much less active now than their predecessors were years before. In the 50’s, 60’s, and early 70’s, it was common to see people of all ages, riding bikes for both fun and as use as an acceptable and healthy mode of transportation. In Europe, this continues to this day.

However, probably the most significant source of obesity comes from pure laziness. It is not that we do not have time to exercise or be more active; it is that we do not make the time. In fact, we tend to ignore it all together. When it comes to even the simplest forms of exercise, like walking, we often try to avoid as much of it as possible. Don’t believe me? Stand in a parking lot some time and watch the cars circle around, again and again, trying to find parking spots as close to their desired destination as possible—one that ultimately requires the least amount of walking.

It is not just where we park our cars either. It is in every aspect of our lives that we find it necessary to simplify. In every late night infomercial promising the next greatest potato peeler or no-tears appliance for chopping onions, you will lose the opportunity to burn that one extra calorie. That one extra calorie burned from actually getting up off the couch to change the television channel. Or that one extra calorie burned from entering the store to pay, instead of using your credit or ATM card at the gas pump. The fact is that, we have given up on being active. We seek out better ways to be less active, and it is this that contributes to us being the fattest nation in the world.

In conclusion, all the diets in the world are not going to reduce the weight of our nation. Our obesity is a result of the morbid combination of the food we eat and the exercise we ignore. From the famous Atkins Diet™ to the South Beach craze, From Jenny Craig™ to Weight Watchers™, from California to Eastern Europe, the answer is clear—quit eating garbage, send your kids outside to play, and park the car already! It’s only a short walk, and it’s good for you!

Anyhow, back to the point of the post. As of today, I've recorded 60 miles on my mountain bike. Now, that in and of its self is huge (for me), but I've made the 7 mile trek twice a week for the last 3 weeks with a 30 pound backpack. To track my progress I've decided to mark my miles on the top right. 60 and counting -->