Asking For Prayers

My hematologist found an abnormality in my chromosomes so I am having a bone marrow biopsy done today at 1:00.  He is checking to see if I have a blood disorder.  I'm nervous about the procedure and the results.

Supreme Court Upholds Michigan Affirmative Action Ban

The Supreme Court has upheld Michigan's ban on using race as a consideration for college admissions.

From NY Post:

The Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld Michigan’s ban on using race as a factor in college admissions. 

The justices said in a 6-2 ruling that Michigan voters had the right to change their state constitution in 2006 to prohibit public colleges and universities from taking account of race in admissions decisions. The justices said that a lower federal court was wrong to set aside the change as discriminatory.
Justice Anthony Kennedy said voters chose to eliminate racial preferences, presumably because such a system could give rise to race-based resentment.
Kennedy said nothing in the Constitution or the court’s prior cases gives judges the authority to undermine the election results. 

“This case is not about how the debate about racial preferences should be resolved. It is about who may resolve it,” Kennedy said.

I believe this ruling and Michigan's ban is in line with Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream to be judged by content of character, not by the color of skin.  This way the colleges reach decisions of acceptance based on grades, SAT/ACT scores, activities, as well as other considerations but skin color plays no part in whether a student is accepted or not.

In the news -- Wed April 16

I know for a while that I have been sparse with blog posts and visiting blogs.  I hope this is the beginning of the easing of my pain.  I finally was able to see the rheumatologist after waiting five months and so far I know I have fibromyalgia.  Soon I will find out whether the blood tests showed anything else.  Now I am on an anti-inflammatory, a strong one, which seems to be helping out a bit.  Between that and nerve damage from endo my pain has been so extreme over the past year that I am praying I will be able to get the fibro under control.

Onto the news...

In an article in The Daily Mail Edward Lucas makes the case why he believes the Ukraine crisis could be the starting point for WWIII.  That historians will look back and mark this as the starting point for WWIII.  It could be.  I wonder if the turmoil in the Ukraine is being blown out of proportion.  Is Putin really so power hungry to continue on taking over more lands to reestablish a new U.S.S.R.  A priest said that Putin is the most dangerous man right now.  That could be debatable IMO.  Do you think that Putin is the most dangerous leader at the present time?

His target is our inability to work with allies in defence against common threats. The profoundly depressing fact is that the events of the past few months, as Russia has annexed the Crimea and ­suppressed opposition in Ukraine, have shown the West to be divided, humiliated and powerless in the face of these land grabs.We are soon to face a bleak choice. We can chose to surrender any responsibility we have to protect Ukraine and the Baltic states — almost certainly Putin’s next target — from further Russian incursion. Or we can mount a last-ditch attempt to deter Russia from furthering its imperial ambitions.

According to this article FBI counterterrorism agents are making special visits to gun shops in South Carolina  to look for "suspicious purchases" and anyone mentioning big government.  You know because according to the federal government anyone who doesn't sing the praises of big government is considered "dangerous."  People for limited common sense government just might be so "dangerous" to want to stop all the money Congress spends on frills, useless programs, and bribes used to pass bills.  Of all the gall we conservatives want to make sure taxpayer money is allocated responsibly.  How dare!  Ya know why would we want to reduce the budget deficit? Or reduce the debt?  This isn't surprising since conservatives, pro-lifers, and Veterans have been targets since being labeled "right-wing extremists" by the Dept. of Homeland Security in 09'.  The FBI agents in South Carolina have classified "paying with cash" and "purchasing long guns" as "suspicious purchases."  As you can see the federal government just likes to make our lives as much of a living hell as possible.  The Obama government trying to make something out of nothing, bothering average citizens who enjoy taking advantage of rights accorded to them by the second amendment.



Here is an ad from Matt Rosendale, a congressional candidate in Montana.


Bravo! Totally love the ad!!

During his general audience today in St. Peter's Square Pope Francis stopped in his open-air car to greet a group of fifth graders from Perugia.  The students gave the Pope a t-shirt.  Then Pope Francis asked if anyone wanted to take a ride with him and the students shouted "Me! Me! Me!"  Pope Francis picked two students to ride with him and they hopped aboard.  Cool!!

Help Save Eliza's Life - Donate and Be Part of a Miracle

"Eliza O'Neill has a curable disease. The question is, will that cure come during her lifetime. See the amazing efforts to turn their hope into a reality!"

Eliza O’Neill Story

"Last July, our 4-year-old daughter Eliza was diagnosed with a rare terminal genetic disease called Sanfilippo Syndrome-Type A. In one terrifying instant, we were told that we would have to watch her fade away before our eyes.

"Eliza and other children with this disease are missing an essential enzyme for normal cellular function. Over time, a toxic material called heparan sulfate builds up in their brain and body leading to severe disability and death before they even reach their teens.   This disease affects both genders, all races, all countries and continents.  It is everywhere and the world needs to know."

There is a gene therapy trial scheduled for late 2014 but unfortunately it is lacking funding which means the trial will be delayed.  Eliza will start to experience symptoms soon so time is of the essence for the trial to happen asap.  Please go here to donate and help fund a cure for Eliza and other children who have this horrible disease. 

I can't even imagine what this family is going through right now.  Eliza, this precious little girl is happy, care free, and playful now but the future will be stark for this cute, precious little one if the funding needed for the cure doesn't come in time for Eliza.  I will be remembering Eliza and her family in my prayers.  Praying for a miracle - that a cure is found in time to save Eliza.