Phillip Garrido: Another Argument For Capital Punishment

The Axiom Of Realistic Expectations

Individuals Demonstrate Valid Behavior

By Having Realistic Expectations

For Themselves, Their Lives, And Others

Frequently, when society learns of brutal violence and crime, such as the Columbine High School Massacre, there is considerable outcry for the creation of new laws to stop tragedies like these from happening again. This reaction is completely understandable because it is quite unsettling to accept that there are individuals out there who would and do actually commit such atrocities, and we want to make sure that no one else ever does anything so horrible.

We reach the conclusion that with more laws, crime will be prevented. Unfortunately, most of the time, there are already sufficient laws in place outlawing these disturbing criminal acts, which are committed in spite of the law. Therefore, instead of creating new laws, what our society must do in order to prevent these ghastly crimes is institute harsher punishments, specifically capital punishment, more often.

We need to face the fact that there are some crimes so egregious, so ruthless, that their perpetrators do not deserve the opportunity for rehabilitation, starting with those found guilty of sexual assault.

Currently flooding the news is the case of Phillip Garrido: “Phillip Garrido and his wife, Nancy, will face 29 felony counts after being accused of kidnapping Jaycee Lee Dugard when she was 11 and keeping her in their backyard since 1991.” (“Couple Faces 29 Felony Counts, Life In Jail In Kidnapping“) Their charges include “kidnapping someone under 14 years of age, kidnapping for sexual purposes, forcible rape and forcible lewd acts on a child. The maximum penalty for both defendants would be life imprisonment.”

What makes this case so horrendous is that Phillip Garrido had already been convicted for kidnapping and raping Katie Calloway Hall in November of 1976, “but was released after serving just over 10 years of a 50-year sentence. He was labeled a sex offender and put on lifetime parole.” (“Garrido Victim: ‘He Had Me For 8 Hours. He Had Her For 18 Years’“)

Sadly, Hall’s terror lasted a lot longer than the 10 years of Garrido’s incarceration:

“For years, I walked around like a zombie,” she said. “I had to tell everyone I met what had happened to me — because I didn’t feel like myself. It was as if I had to explain why I wasn’t ‘normal.’” For her, that’s the biggest pain Garrido put her through. “I was a good person. I lived right, and treated others well,” she said. “He changed my life in an instant. I don’t feel like I can ever be that person again. Being victimized is something that only a victim can understand. I hate that he did this to me, and I doubt I’ll ever get over it.”

Why does our society give sex offenders a second chance? How many times does an innocent victim have to die or suffer through years of captivity before we start saying enough is enough? Haven’t we learned our lesson by now?

• Jessica Lundsford’s murderer, John Evander Couey, was a registered sex offender before he kidnapped her from her bed, raped and held her for three days, and buried her alive.
• Dru Sjodin’s murderer, Alfonso Rodriguez, Jr., was a registered sex offender before he kidnapped her, raped her, stabbed her, and left her dead, face down in a ravine.
• Elizabeth Smart’s abductor, Brian David Mitchell, was “found guilty of exposing himself to a child” at 16 and later accused by his second wife of sexually assaulting her daughter and their 3-year-old son before he kidnapped Elizabeth, raping and holding her for nine months. (About.com: “Brian David Mitchell“)
• Dylan Groene’s murderer and Shasta Groene’s abductor, Joseph Edward Duncan III, was sent to a juvenile home as a teenager for “[raping] a 9-year-old boy at gunpoint,” where he told his therapist “he estimated that he had raped 13 younger boys by the time he was 16.” (Wikipedia: “Joseph E. Duncan III“) He continued to be in and out of jail before he beat Shasta and Dylan’s mother, older brother, and mother’s fiancé to death with a hammer, kidnapped the children, raped and held them for six weeks, and killed Dylan.

The list goes on and on.

America, the price our nation is paying is much too high to give perpetrators of sexual assault a second chance. They should be put to death after their first conviction, not let out on parole, not given the opportunity to ruin more people’s lives.

You can now post comments on The Magna Sententia Official Site, and we would truly appreciate hearing your position on this subject. Please give your reasons why you agree or disagree so that as a society, we can begin an open dialogue about this issue and put a stop to such senseless violence.

Anna and Ellie Sherise
Creators of Magna Sententia
Authors of Magna Sententia: The Logical Cure for Our Society

Teens Who Commit Murder Don’t Deserve A Second Chance

The Axiom Of Realistic Expectations

Individuals Demonstrate Valid Behavior

By Having Realistic Expectations

For Themselves, Their Lives, And Others

Convicted of first-degree murder, Quantel Lotts, 23, is in prison for life without parole because when he was 14, he murdered his 17-year-old older stepbrother with a knife. When interviewed for “Teens Locked Up For Life Without A Second Chance,” Lotts didn’t mention the future he stole from his stepbrother, but rather focused on his own, contesting that his “life without parole” sentence is too harsh: “‘They locked me up and threw away the keys.’ [. . .] ‘They took away all hope for the future.’” He does not seem to have a clue as to the devastating impact of his crime.

True, Lotts did come from an extremely dysfunctional home with negligent parents: “He grew up in a crack house with a mother who used and sold drugs,” “he was sexually abused as a child,” and “when child welfare officials took [him] from his mother at the age of 8, they noted that he ’smelled of urine and had badly decayed molars as well as numerous scars on his arms, legs and forehead.’” If we had our way, his parents would be in prison for child abuse.

Nevertheless, the fact remains that Lotts murdered his stepbrother: “At a friend’s house in St. Francois County, Mo., [Lotts] and his stepbrother Michael Barton started fighting. [Lotts] chased Michael [. . .] with a bow and arrow before an adult stepped in. Not long after, while they snacked, one of the younger children noticed [Lotts] holding a knife and reported him to Michael. ‘Let’s take this outside,’ Michael told [Lotts]. In the yard, their shoving match ended in Michael’s death.” (“Harsh Crimes, Hard Time: When Juveniles Are Sentenced To Life Without Parole“) Moreover, Lotts “turned down an offer to plead to second-degree murder just before his trial began,” which would have given him the possibility of parole.

The specifics of Lotts’ case aside, the real issue here is whether we as a society should be lenient toward murderers who are juveniles, in particular juveniles who came from bad homes. And the logical answer is absolutely not. There are troubled teens who get into drugs and steal, but when you murder someone, you cross a line. Just ask Maggie Elvey, “a California activist whose husband, Ross, was beaten to death in 1993 by two boys, ages 15 and 16. ‘My theory is when Ross can walk the face of the Earth again, that’s when [the perpetrators] can get out,’ [she] says.”

Our laws are meant not only to protect our society, but also to provide justice for victims and their loved ones, and there is no justice when we start making up excuses on a case by case basis for murderers who have taken away the life of another human being. No matter what your age, if you choose to commit murder, you are choosing to pay the consequences. (Magna Sententia’s Realistic Expectation One: “The ending always begins at the beginning.”)

We feel badly that Lotts had terrible parents, and if we could have helped him when he was younger, we would have. However, as a society, we must keep our eye on the victims of violence, not the perpetrators. There must be justice.

Anna and Ellie Sherise
Creators of Magna Sententia
Authors of Magna Sententia: The Logical Cure for Our Society

Staying Involved: President Obama To Have Online Town Hall-Style Forum On Thursday

The Axiom Of Realistic Expectations

Individuals Demonstrate Valid Behavior

By Having Realistic Expectations

For Themselves, Their Lives, And Others

This morning, President “Obama will make himself ‘Open for Questions’ from regular Americans through a town hall-style meeting with an unusual twist – all of the questions will be submitted via the internet.” (“Obama To Hold Digital News Conference“) “Already over 70,000 Americans have sent in over 80,000 questions for the president.”

You can watch President Obama’s “digital news conference” at www.whitehouse.gov or ABCNews.com at 11:30 A.M. ET this morning.

Magna Sententia’s Realistic Expectation One states, “The ending always begins at the beginning,” and whether you agree with President Obama’s policies or not, decisions are currently being made that will affect all of our futures.

Every American needs to stay involved, and this online forum may prove to be a useful way to make your voice heard. Submit your question, vote on other questions, and watch to see if your concerns are answered.

Anna and Ellie Sherise
Creators of Magna Sententia
Authors of Magna Sententia: The Logical Cure for Our Society

Convicted Nebraska Teacher Kelsey Peterson: Today’s Choices Can Ruin Tomorrow

The Axiom Of Realistic Expectations

Individuals Demonstrate Valid Behavior

By Having Realistic Expectations

For Themselves, Their Lives, And Others

Please take six minutes to watch Kelsey Peterson, a former Nebraska middle school mathematics teacher who is now serving six years in federal prison, discuss how decisions she made led her to having a sexual relationship with her then 12-year-old student Fernando Rodriguez and fleeing with him to Mexico. (“ABC News Exclusive: Kelsey Peterson Opens Up In Jailhouse Interview“) While this case is extreme, her experience can be a lesson for all of us.

As she relates the events surrounding her incarceration, Peterson admits she “made choice after choice after choice” that contributed to her downfall, and albeit on a much smaller scale, many people do this in their own lives as well. Even though our daily choices may seem insignificant at the time, they can dramatically impact our future. In our hurry to meet life’s constant challenges, it is easy to forget how our day-to-day behavior snowballs into the rest of our lives, especially if our actions are not conducive to an honorable, productive, and peaceful life.

Following Magna Sententia, having realistic expectations means inwardly acknowledging and accepting the most probably outcome of our actions. This requires us to objectively analyze our inner thoughts and outward behavior. Granted, the vast majority of us would never go so far as Peterson, but we all have our areas of weakness that could put us in an undesirable position if we do not watch ourselves carefully:

• Do we allow ourselves to lose control of our emotions, hurting our co-workers, friends, or loved ones with our words? (The most likely outcome: damaged or ruined relationships, extreme loneliness.)
• Do we ignore our budgets (or not have one), charging more purchases on our credit cards than we can pay off at the end of each month? (The most likely outcome: deep debt or bankruptcy.)
• Do we forget to exercise and watch our diets, gaining weight and losing fitness? (The most likely outcome: diabetes, heart disease, or any of the many other illnesses that are directly related to how well we take care of our bodies.)
• Do we drive too fast, even running red lights on occasion because we are always rushing from one place to the next? (The most likely outcome: an accident in which we severely injure or kill ourselves or, worse yet, someone else.)

Unfortunately, Kelsey Peterson did not stop herself before it was too late. But we can. Stop and think about your actions, the words you use, and your life. If you are ignoring the signs of devastating consequences to come, now is the time to change. Don’t wait until you are so deep in trouble that there is no way out.

Anna and Ellie Sherise
Creators of Magna Sententia
Authors of Magna Sententia: The Logical Cure for Our Society

Disclaimer
Anna Sherise and Ellie Sherise are not licensed or trained healthcare professionals, counselors, or financial advisors. This article is provided for informational purposes only, and is not intended to take the place of the care and advice given to you by your physician, counselor, other healthcare professional, or financial advisor. Sherise Media LLC, its members and representatives, specifically disclaim all responsibility for any liability, loss, or risk, personal or otherwise, which is incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use and application of any of the contents of this article and/or website.

No One Should Get Romantically Involved With Drew Peterson, Much Less Marry Him!

The Axiom Of Realistic Expectations

Individuals Demonstrate Valid Behavior

By Having Realistic Expectations

For Themselves, Their Lives, And Others

Once again, former Chicago Police Sergeant Drew Peterson is in the headlines, and surprisingly, it is not because he is under investigation in another woman’s disappearance or death. It’s because apparently another woman has fallen victim to his charms and agreed to marry him. (“Peterson Plans To Wed Mystery Bride, 23“) (For those of you who are unfamiliar with the case, Peterson “is a suspect in the disappearance of his fourth wife, Stacy, and the homicide of his third wife, Kathleen Savio.”) According to Derek Armstrong, author of Drew Peterson Exposed, Peterson’s “future bride was a former fan of his who first introduced herself to him through handwritten letters.”

One of the goals of Magna Sententia is to teach individuals that they are the only person on Earth who is responsible for their own life. An important element in successfully meeting this responsibly is to have realistic expectations for your life, relationships, and decisions. Realistic Expectation Four, “Touch the flame once. Touch the flame twice. Only a fool would touch the flame thrice,” is specifically designed to guide you as you think through the ramifications of your choices before you act so that you can learn from past mistakes, as well as avoid the negative consequences of others who have taken similar actions.

Drew Peterson’s new flame would serve herself well to look at the facts surrounding his past, instead of only considering her experience with his confident and persuasive personality. (“Peterson’s Second Wife Recalls Threats“) For her own safety and well-being, she must rationally acknowledge that even if he didn’t kill his last two wives, marrying him is an extremely risky choice: He has already been married four times, one of his wives is missing, another died under suspicions circumstances, and the first two maintain that he cheated on them and was abusive and controlling. Why take the risk when there are so many other men out there whose backgrounds are pristine compared to Peterson’s?

This story takes “love is blind” to an entirely new level. (She sent him handwritten fan mail?!)

Always consider all of the information you have before making decisions. Remember that bad people rarely change, and poor choices generally produce consistently negative results. Use the lessons you and others have learned to make your life better.

That said, this advice is not to be confused with situations in which family and friends discourage a romantic relationship on grounds that are entirely subjective. Consider my own experience: I met my husband when I was just 18 years old. We started out as friends who enjoyed one another’s company, but as the story goes, one thing led to another, and we grew to love each other. Only, there was a problem (some thought, anyway): I was 22 years his junior. I received advice from everyone I knew, many of them telling me that even if I was happy now, some day in the future I was really going to be sorry if we married, not because of him, but because of our age difference.

I’m sure glad I refused to listen to what others said since today we are still married, we have three wonderful grown children, and I love him more now than I did way back then. The point is that the advice I received was subjective and based on superficial traits, whereas the advice to steer away from Drew Peterson is based on facts and others’ direct experience with him.

Anna Sherise
Co-Creator of Magna Sententia
Co-Author of Magna Sententia: The Logical Cure for Our Society

Disclaimer
Anna Sherise and Ellie Sherise are not licensed or trained healthcare professionals, counselors, or financial advisors. This article is provided for informational purposes only, and is not intended to take the place of the care and advice given to you by your physician, counselor, other healthcare professional, or financial advisor. Sherise Media LLC, its members and representatives, specifically disclaim all responsibility for any liability, loss, or risk, personal or otherwise, which is incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use and application of any of the contents of this article and/or website.

Handling Life’s Stickiest Situations Is Much Easier When You Have A Plan

The Axiom Of Realistic Expectations

Individuals Demonstrate Valid Behavior

By Having Realistic Expectations

For Themselves, Their Lives, And Others

It is commendable that Oprah has an “ethics dream team” to help teach her audience how to handle complicated social situations, but given the differing opinions of her experts Faith Salie and Randy Cohen, we believe Oprah’s viewers would receive a much greater benefit if they learned to follow Magna Sententia when responding to “life’s stickiest situations.” (“How To Handle Life’s Stickiest Situations“)

Magna Sententia is based on a system of logic and founded on the values of responsibility, respect, and realistic expectations. This makes your decision-making process smoother and important life judgments much easier to reach because when you weigh all of your decisions against a set of core values, you know that your decisions are consistent and have clear reasoning behind them and that the way you are running your life is rooted in principles that make the world a better place.

Let’s add Magna Sententia to the mix of Salie’s and Cohen’s opinions and see what you think:

Should Mary have told her friends that their spouses/significant others propositioned her? Magna Sententia’s Axiom of Respect includes three concepts: treating yourself respectfully, treating others respectfully, and respecting only those who earn it. In Mary’s case, she must focus on treating herself respectfully. When her friend’s spouse or significant other crossed the line and propositioned her, he treated her disrespectfully, putting her in a very uncomfortable position. Pretending that it didn’t happen, ignoring him, or avoiding him in the future are all extremely weak responses that will only make her feel badly about the situation and herself.

On the other hand, if she tells her friends about the inappropriate propositions, she can feel good knowing she is a person who is honest and straightforward in her friendships. (Note: this answer assumes her friends are really friends, not acquaintances.) Her being a true friend is more important than whether or not her friends want to know about their partners’ behavior. If her friends dislike her or treat her poorly because she “force[s] them to confront something formally” about their partners that they’ve already suspected, then they are not good friends. Treating yourself respectfully means forming genuine friendships that are based on honesty, trust, and open communication.

Should Michelle call the “12-year-old girl’s mother and let her know what’s going on”? Magna Sententia’s Axiom of Responsibility insists that you take responsibility for your children. Therefore, you are not responsible for other people’s children, and Michelle is not responsible for the 12-year-old girl. It is imperative for her to understand that her obligation is solely to her son:

If she were to call the girl’s mother, a myriad of difficulties could (and probably would) occur in her son’s life. Children, and parents who protect them no matter what they do, can be extremely cruel, and Michelle’s son could suffer mercilessly at the hands of the girl’s mother and “friends.” Furthermore, if she calls and her son faces backlash, he may never confide in her in the future. Michelle should take responsibility for her son by teaching him to protect himself and the importance of choosing his friends and girlfriends wisely, as well as working to maintain a close relationship with him. As he grows up, he will need to know how to handle this type of situation on his own, without direct parental involvement.

How does McAulay “put [her customers] in their place and still not lose them as clients”? Magna Sententia’s Axiom of Realistic Expectations teaches that we must have an accurate outlook on the consequences of our actions. Since McAulay is responsible for her own actions and not responsible for the behavior of her clients, it is not her job to try to “put them in their place.”

In fact, confronting them will most likely only hurt her business for nothing, as she will probably lose them as clients and anything she says will have no effect on whether or not they continue to make sexist comments. Realistic Expectation Six states, “Never ask the moon to brighten your day,” meaning McAulay should not expect her clients to be something they are not (polite), and she must realize that it is up to them, and only them, to change their behavior. Moreover, if she is extremely uncomfortable day in and day out working with the customers in her current field, she may be well-served to find a different line of work with more polite and respectful clients.

How does Kristen recover from her e-mail mishaps, namely “accidentally replying to the person [she's] gossiping about in the e-mail” and sending a “company proposal directly to [her] competitors”? This is another instance in which the Axiom of Respect directly applies. Treating others respectfully definitely does not include gossiping about them, whether or not they find out about it.

Kristen doesn’t just need to stop gossiping in e-mails, she needs to stop gossiping period. Gossiping is not only treating others disrespectfully, it is destructive and mean. As far as sending valuable information to her company’s competitors, she needs to slow down and concentrate so that she treats her employer respectfully in her work.

Should Patti tell her girlfriends the truth when they ask her opinion about their “bad boy” boyfriends? Should Lindsey tell her friend that she has bad breath? And should Sarah tell her friend “she’s wearing clothes that are completely inappropriate for her size”? All three of these ladies are in basically the same position as Mary. (Note: this answer also assumes their friends are really friends, not acquaintances.) In order to treat themselves respectfully, their friendships must be based on honesty and trust. As long as they are delicate and discrete in expressing their opinions, their girlfriends should understand that their thoughts are well-intentioned. Who else can be honest about these things, if not your girlfriends?

Life and the decisions it requires are much easier when you have a bottom line that makes sense and allows you to feel good about yourself. You can have confidence in core values, and as Rev. Dr. Peter Marshall (1902-1949) said, “Give to us clear vision that we may know where to stand and what to stand for – because unless we stand for something, we shall fall for anything.” Magna Sententia provides you with clarity and something to stand for: The Axioms of Responsibility, Respect, and Realistic Expectations.

Anna and Ellie Sherise
Creators of Magna Sententia
Authors of Magna Sententia: The Logical Cure for Our Society

Disclaimer
Anna Sherise and Ellie Sherise are not licensed or trained healthcare professionals, counselors, or financial advisors. This article is provided for informational purposes only, and is not intended to take the place of the care and advice given to you by your physician, counselor, other healthcare professional, or financial advisor. Sherise Media LLC, its members and representatives, specifically disclaim all responsibility for any liability, loss, or risk, personal or otherwise, which is incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use and application of any of the contents of this article and/or website.

The Presidential Election & Economic Bailout Won’t Rescue A Nation Without Character

The Axiom Of Realistic Expectations

Individuals Demonstrate Valid Behavior

By Having Realistic Expectations

For Themselves, Their Lives, And Others

Since everyone is talking about the economy and the bailout, as well as the upcoming presidential election, we thought we would join the discussion with a perspective that is perhaps a bit different:

People following Magna Sententia work so that they are individuals of character, something that is not always easily achieved and usually requires more than a few bumps and bruises along the way. According to Magna Sententia, character is the internal desire to act ethically, and it has three outward manifestations: cordiality, appreciativeness, and conscientiousness.

Cordiality is simply having manners so that family life and social interactions are more pleasant and meaningful. Appreciativeness involves acknowledging when others go out of their way to make your day (or life) better and clearly expressing your gratitude. Conscientiousness is the most challenging: it is being trustworthy, even when no one else is looking; it is treating property respectfully, even when it is not yours; and it is being an honest, hardworking employee, even when there are temptations to do otherwise. In essence, it is being a decent human being.

Clearly, the bailout is only a band aid to stop our nation’s bleeding, and contrary to all of the differing versions of the blame game, deregulation, predatory lenders, and corrupt executives are not at the root of our bleeding. It goes much deeper than that.

The true cause of America’s bleeding is our complete lack of character as a nation.

Yes, there are still some among us who have character, but in the aggregate, we are a nation that cares about the superficial more than substance. We care about what people think of us more than what we think of ourselves. We care about our children being the quarterback of the football team and getting into the “right” college more than the quality of our children themselves. We care about satisfying today’s desires more than living within our means and saving for our family’s future. We care about our girlfriends more than our husbands, about our reputations at work and within our communities more than our wives and children. We care about playing dirty politics more than the truth behind the issues.

We have no one to blame for our country’s current state but ourselves . . . and if we don’t change, our country will only get worse.

We all have the power to rise up and change America. We don’t need Sen. John McCain or Sen. Barack Obama to get this job done. In fact, we would be remiss in fulfilling our own responsibilities if we relied on either one of these men to do for us what we can only do for ourselves.

We must start by making our homes and families our priority, our most significant responsibility. Not the size of our house, the car we drive, or the vacations we take, but our homes. Homes don’t have to be fancy; rather, they need to be filled with love and direction and a place where children develop character and adults work to maintain their own.

Then, we have to live our lives with character, demanding that company executives, teachers, police officers, politicians, and all other authority figures are held to the highest standards of behavior. Most importantly, when we exercise our right to vote, we must never support measures or candidates just because they will “make life easier for us.” We have to vote for what is right, for the good of the country, even if that means we will have to sacrifice.

Character is the only solution to our nation’s problems, and with it, there is hope.

Anna and Ellie Sherise
Creators of Magna Sententia
Authors of Magna Sententia: The Logical Cure for Our Society

The World Gone Mad: Panhandler Shoots Innocent Man For Not Giving Her Change

The Axiom Of Realistic Expectations

Individuals Demonstrate Valid Behavior

By Having Realistic Expectations

For Themselves, Their Lives, And Others

Yesterday in Sacramento, CA, “a bus stop panhandler [Audrey Jackson, 47] shot a [54-year-old] man who turned down her request for money.” (“Downtown Panhandler Shot Man, Left On Bus“)

Jackson was begging for change at a public bus stop in the middle of the afternoon. “Several people turned [her] down, police said, and she shot the last man who did so.” According to a witness, the victim “first told Jackson ‘no,’ and then said, ‘get a job.’” She shot the victim “once in the stomach” and then “aimed the second time at the man’s head and pulled the trigger but the gun malfunctioned.” (Watch “Witness: Man Told Panhandler ‘No,’ Got Shot” for more details.)

Unfortunately, fear has been the general reaction to Jackson’s crime: People are considering not riding the bus anymore and/or always having change available for panhandlers. This reaction only takes power away from the innocent and gives it to the criminal. Alternatively, the more effective reaction to this crime is outrage! The American dream is that we can accomplish anything with hard work, and to allow some lowlife to threaten us into giving away our hard-earned money is a disgrace to that dream.

Abiding by Magna Sententia, individuals take responsibly for their financial well-being, which implies that they work hard and live within their means. Charities and governmental programs are in place to help those in their time of need, but utilizing these resources should not be a way of life: Continuing to give money to individuals who are physically and mentally able prevents them from learning how to take care of themselves. Those who are capable yet still live off of other people’s generosity drag on our economy and weaken our society.

Furthermore, this crime is a case in point that even when there are restrictive gun laws, as in California, bad people still acquire weapons. Jackson was carrying a concealed weapon, and she obviously was not doing so legally. In Sacramento County, you must have “good cause” to receive a concealed carry permit (CCW). (“Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department Concealed Weapons Permit Issuance Policy And Application Process“) This means that unless you or an immediate family member has a “history of victimization” or threats, works for the justice system (police officers, lawyers), or has a job in which there is “exposure to harm” (private detectives), you will not get a CCW. (The Policy clearly states, “The mere fear of victimization, or desire to carry a firearm, shall be insufficient” to establish good cause.)

Restrictive gun laws do not serve the innocent: Jackson had a handgun, but all of the law-abiding citizens waiting in line for the bus did not. We cannot stress enough that when you disarm the people, you allow them to become victims!

The victim and his family are in our thoughts and prayers, and we wish him a swift and complete recovery. (As for Audrey Jackson, we hope that justice prevails.)

Anna and Ellie Sherise
Creators of Magna Sententia
Authors of Magna Sententia: The Logical Cure for Our Society

Presidential Debates: The Way To Vote For Policies, Not Dirty Politics

The Axiom Of Realistic Expectations

Individuals Demonstrate Valid Behavior

By Having Realistic Expectations

For Themselves, Their Lives, And Others

From fake quotes to name-calling, the 2008 Presidential election is continuing to prove that politics is a dirty business.

Among all the muck, Americans have to remember that the candidates’ policies are really what is relevant: not their age, race, or gender, but their ability to govern and where they stand on issues that are important to the future of our country. As we said in a previous post, “Magna Sententia advocates voting for the Presidential ticket you feel will be the best for our country, not just based on their surface attributes, but on their political principles.”

One of the best ways to truly discern and compare the political beliefs of all the candidates is to watch the Presidential and Vice-Presidential debates. Here is the debate schedule, as found on “You Decide 2008: Official 2008 Obama/McCain Presidential Debate Schedule”:

2008 Presidential Debates
Friday, September 26th	Jim Lehrer	Foreign Policy & National Security
Tuesday, October 7th	Tom Brokaw	Audience Q&A
Wednesday, October 15th	Bob Schieffer	Domestic & Economic Policy
2008 Vice-Presidential Debate
Thursday, October 2nd	Gwen Ifill	TBA

All of the debates will “begin at 9 PM ET, and last for 90 minutes,” and they will air “on the major broadcasting networks, including CBS, NBC, ABC, and FOX,” as well as “CNN, MSNBC, FOX News, and C-SPAN.”

Please watch the Vice-Presidential debate and at least one of the Presidential debates!

Anna and Ellie Sherise
Creators of Magna Sententia
Authors of Magna Sententia: The Logical Cure for Our Society

Historic Presidential Tickets For Both Major Political Parties!

The Axiom Of Realistic Expectations

Individuals Demonstrate Valid Behavior

By Having Realistic Expectations

For Themselves, Their Lives, And Others

With Sen. Barack Obama running for President and Sen. John McCain choosing Alaskan Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate, we can all be very proud of the great strides our country has made this year in equality!

Nevertheless, when you vote this November (and it is important that every eligible American citizen do so!), please keep in mind that Magna Sententia advocates voting for the Presidential ticket you feel will be the best for our country, not just based on their surface attributes, but on their political principles and ostensible character.

Here are links to more information about the Presidential candidates and their platforms. The order of this listing is alphabetical by party and is not meant to give preference to one candidate over the other. We strongly encourage everyone to take a serious look at both tickets and their party’s agenda:

Democratic Party Presidential Ticket

President: IL Sen. Barack Obama

Vice-President: DE Sen. Joe Biden

Obama – Biden 2008 Official Website

Democratic Party Official Website

Republican Party Presidential Ticket

President: AZ Sen. John McCain

Vice-President: AK Gov. Sarah Palin

McCain – Palin 2008 Official Website

Republican Party Official Website

Anna and Ellie Sherise
Creators of Magna Sententia
Authors of Magna Sententia: The Logical Cure for Our Society