World Congress of Families 24 January 2014World Congress of Families  Managing Director Larry Jacobs decried President Obama recent assertion that marijuana is no more of a danger than alcohol. “What makes him an expert, besides admitting that he smoked pot in college?” Jacobs asked.In 1971, responding to lobbyist pressure for marijuana legalization, the U.S. Congress established a National Commission on Marijuana and Drug Abuse. After two years of research studying the many negative health effects of marijuana, the Commission’s report to the Government urged the President and Congress to discourage use of the drug. Dr. John Howard, Senior Fellow at The Howard Center for Family, Religion, & Society, and the World Congress of Families) was appointed a member to that first commission. And now, 42 years later, the dangers of marijuana legalization are only more apparent.Patrick Kennedy, son of the late Sen. Ted Kennedy and a former eight-term Democratic Congressman from Rhode Island, disputed the president’s claim, noting that his own director of the national institutes of Health “would tell the president that, in fact, today’s modern, genetically modified marijuana,, so it’s much higher in THC levels, far surpassing the marijuana that the president acknowledged smoking when he was a young person.” The Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, Gil Kerlikowske, calls marijuana legalization (of which the president seems to approve) “a dangerous social experiment.”“The president seems to be addicted to pushing dangerous social experiments, like the morning-after pill for children, and same-sex ‘marriage,’” Jacobs observed.“Even if the president was correct about the effects of marijuana being no more dangerous than alcohol, that’s a poor argument for legalization,” Jacobs said. According to the Centers for Disease Control, in the U.S. each year, 88,000 deaths are attributed to excessive alcohol consumption. “Because one drug is legal, is that a compelling reason to legalize every recreational drug? What kind of message does this promotion of drug use send to our children?,” Jacobs asked. The president’s comments were reported in a New Yorker article published last weekend. “  What is the Howard Center? The Howard Center for Family, Religion and Society (www.profam.org) is located in Rockford, Illinois and is an independent, non-profit research and education center that provides sound scholarship and effective strategies to affirm and defend the natural family, thus renewing a stable and free society. The Howard Center is the publisher of the journal, “The Family In America” and is also the organizer of the World Congress of Families (WCF) project which is an international network of pro-family organizations, scholars, leaders and inter-faith people of goodwill from more than 80 countries that seek to restore the natural family as the fundamental social unit and the ‘seedbed’ of civil society (as found in the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948). The WCF was founded in 1997 by Dr. Allan Carlson, President of The Howard Center. To date, there have been five World Congresses of Families – Prague (1997), Geneva (1999), Mexico City (2004), Warsaw, Poland (2007) and Amsterdam, The Netherlands (2009). World Congress of Families VI was held in Madrid, Spain in May 25-27, 2012. World Congress of Families VII was held in Sydney, Australia, May 15-18, 2013, www.wcfsydney2013.org.au. WCF VIII Moscow 2014 will be held September 10-12 in the Kremlin.www.worldcongress read more

A Kenyan judge  has been elected the first Vice President of the International Criminal Court.Justice Joyce Aluoch who joined the ICC as a judge 5 years ago, was elected  to serve in that position for the next three years.Following the elections done on Wednesday Argentinean Judge Silvia Fernadez de Gurmendi was elected President of the Court and Judge Kuniko Ozaki from Japan elected the Second Vice-President. ICCThe three judges will serve in those positions for the next three years.The presidency consists of the President and the two Vice-Presidents and plays a key role in providing strategic leadership to the ICC as a whole.Justice Joyce Aluoch joined the ICC as a judge 5 years ago. Her election comes at a moment when Kenya is at crossroads with the ICC as the countries deputy president faces a case of crimes against humanity.The case against president Kenyatta on similar allegations was dropped last year due to lack of evidence to sustain allegations against him.The Presidency of the ICC coordinates with the other organs of the ICC and seeks the consensus of the Prosecutor on matters of mutual concern.The Presidency also oversees the activities of the Registry and provides input into a broad range of administrative policies affecting the Court’s overall functioning. Furthermore it conducts judicial review of certain decisions of the Registrar and concludes Court-wide cooperation agreements with States and international organizations. Justice Aluoch has worked at the ICC since 2009 read more

The Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton accompanied her husband, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, to the state bouquet hosted by Queen Elizabeth II in honor of visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan.In her own way, the Duchess of Cambridge showed her respect for the visiting Chinese leader. Analysts have given possible reasons for her choice of dressing at the event, where she donned a red dress.Her choice of red is said to have been a statement to show her respect for the Chinese leader since red is the dominant color in the Chinese flag. Red is the traditional color of the Chinese people, and Kate Middleton’s decision to wear the color to the state bouquet where she was to meet President Xi and first lady Peng Liyuan showed her appreciation for their visit, as well as their importance.President Xi Jinping is on a four-day state visit to the UK, a period in which he is expected to seal a series of deals between China and the UK. read more

This week when Batesville plays Lawrenceburg in football, it will be a good chance for you to see their new “turf” football field.  It is a beautiful orange and black color pattern around a green field which replaces the old “Mud Bowl”.   It should be a good long-term investment for Lawrenceburg.Hopefully, their new gymnasium will also be open for viewing.  There is a large display in the entrance honoring Lauren Hill.  If you don’t get to see it this week, be sure to take in the next Bulldog basketball game at Lawrenceburg whether it be boys or girls.The old gym and football field certainly were in need of upgrades, and it appears to me that they did a great job! read more

Indianapolis, In. —  Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch has unveiled six regions as finalists for the 2018 Stellar Communities Program.Launched in 2011, the Stellar Communities Program is a multi-year, multi-million dollar investment initiative led by the Office of Community and Rural Affairs, which is overseen by Crouch. The program works with communities to develop their strategic community investment plans, promote local and regional partnerships and implement comprehensive solutions to challenges facing Indiana’s rural communities.“The Stellar Communities Program has helped so many areas across our state, and I am inspired by the collaborative efforts of these six regions,” Crouch said. “Working together, and heading towards a common goal will allow for a better, stronger Indiana.”Representatives from the Stellar partner state agencies began examining the letters of intent following the April 6 deadline.After a thorough review, the following regions have been chosen as finalists:A Region Plus — comprised of the cities of Vincennes and Bicknell and Knox County;Health and Heritage Region —comprised of the city of Greenfield and the town of Fortville;Eastern Indiana — comprised of the cities of Richmond, Rushville and Union City, and Randolph County;Marshall County Crossroads – comprised of Elkhart and St. Joseph counties, Marshall County leaders and leadership from the towns of Argos, Bremen, Bourbon, Culver, LaPaz and Plymouth;Mt. Comfort Road Corridor – comprised of the towns of Cumberland, McCordsville and New Palestine; andNew Allen Alliance – comprised of Allen County, the town of Grabill, Leo-Cedarville and Monroeville and the cities of New Haven and Woodburn.“The responses we received demonstrates that our communities understand our vision for the program and the importance of regionalism,” said Jodi Golden, Executive Director of OCRA. “Communities are stronger when they partner with one another in planning for the future, determining economic development investments and improving the quality of life for residents.”As finalists, regions will receive a planning grant to build upon their regional plans. Each region will begin working with Ball State University’s Indiana Communities Institute to discuss project alignment and continued planning efforts. Final designees are selected at the end of the year.Through the annual designation, the Stellar Communities program provides resources for transformative quality of place community improvements by utilizing previous planning efforts, leveraging existing assets, fostering regional investments and stimulating continued growth. Visit in.gov/ocra/stellar for more information. read more

Decatur County EMS Report (16)Decatur County Fire Report (19)Decatur County Incident Report (18)Decatur County Jail Arrest Report (18)

Vevay, IN —The Switzerland County Sheriff’s Office received an automated call from “Apple Alert” stating one or more of our Apple devices has been compromised.At the end of the recorded message, a call representative answered and then immediately disconnected when told this was the Sheriff’s Office they called.The SCSO warns citizens to always be aware and please don’t give any personal information out to these scammers.

A fake video depicting President Trump shooting, stabbing, and assaulting media personalities and political opponents was reportedly played in the vicinity of a conference for his supporters at his Miami resort recently. So far it’s not clear who was responsible for the video that was not played in the main ballroom. Donald Trump Junior, former White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis were all scheduled to speak at the conference hosted by American Priority at Trump National Doral Miami. None has seen the video.This was shown at Trumps Doral resort… Time to take America back from republicans cold dead hands… https://t.co/38Sp6H1Q1r— Buddy Ray Williams S (@s_buddyluv60) October 14, 2019 Screen shot of alleged videoAccording to the New York Times:The video, which was shown at Trump’s National Doral Miami during a three-day conference held by American Priority, includes the logo for Trump’s 2020 reelection bid and showcases a series of internet memes, the Times reported. One part of the video, the Times said, shows a fake Trump’s head edited onto the body of a man opening fire in the “Church of Fake News” on a group whose faces were edited to appear as a group of Trump critics and news organizations.According to the Times, the clip ends with Trump driving a stake into the head of a person who has the CNN logo for a face before standing and smiling as he looks around. The clip appears to be edited from a church massacre scene in the 2014 movie “Kingsman: The Secret Service,” the Times reported.So far the video has not been independently verified as of Sunday night and the contents have not been shared.“Sadly, this is not the first time that supporters of the President have promoted violence against the media in a video they apparently find entertaining — but it is by far and away the worst. The images depicted are vile and horrific,” CNN said in a statement Sunday night. “The President and his family, the White House, and the Trump campaign need to denounce it immediately in the strongest possible terms. Anything less equates to a tacit endorsement of violence and should not be tolerated by anyone.” read more

Town report wins award – October 11, 2014 Bio Fenceviewer Staff This is placeholder textThis is placeholder text Schoodic Grange hosting sale – October 30, 2014 Latest posts by Fenceviewer Staff (see all) Fitness trainer is now cancer-exercise expert – October 12, 2014 Latest Posts CRANBERRY ISLES — Islesford resident Jim Parrish has once again built a miniature golf course in his front yard at the “fork in the road” near the elementary school. The course opened June 15.A round of golf costs $4, with all proceeds going to the island’s volunteer fire department, library and two churches.Find in-depth coverage of local news in the Mount Desert Islander. Subscribe digitally or in print. read more

(REUTERS) – Shikhar Dhawan and Ajinkya Rahane compiled an opening partnership of 132 for India against West Indies before rain washed out the first one-day international in Trinidad yesterday.India advanced to 199 for three off 39.2 overs before the skies opened over Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain.The match was drawn, but not before the Indian batsmen looked generally comfortable at the crease in the first of a five-match ODI series in the Caribbean.Dhawan was particularly strong on the leg-side, scoring 87 off 92 balls before departing lbw to leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo, while Rahane made 62, caught at mid-on when he miscued a slower ball from pace bowler Alzarri Joseph.Virat Kohli (32) and M.S. Dhoni (9) were unbeaten when the weather intervened, while Bishoo, Joseph and captain Jason Holder picked up one wicket each for West Indies.The second match is on tomorrow at the same venue. read more