Harry Potter Reference Book

I'm sure we've all heard by now that J.K. Rowlings is suing a fan who has written a lexicon of Harry Potter. She wants the publication of Steven Vander Ark's "Harry Potter Lexicon" to be stopped. Mr. Vander Ark has been running a Harry Potter Lexicon website of which Mrs. Rowlings approves. However; she feels that publishing a book is a "wholesale theft of 17 years of my hard work."

Now, since I haven't read Mr. Vander Ark's book, nor have I visited his website, I have no way of knowing if he has indeed plagiarized the Harry Potter books. However; I do know that Mrs. Rowlings plans on completing a Harry Potter encyclopedia in a couple of years and if a lexicon is all ready out there, it could hurt the sales of her encyclopedia.

I'm glad I'm not sitting on that jury.

On one hand, Mrs. Rowlings has made a lot of money from Harry Potter and she has created an industry of Harry Potter related books, toys, etc. It's not going to hurt anyone to have someone make a couple of bucks. (As a Harry Potter fan, I do have to say that I wouldn't buy the lexicon, nor will I buy her encyclopedia either.) Since she's planning her own encyclopedia it does sound like she's only worried about her business future.

On the other hand, if all Mr. Vander Ark has done is rearrange her words, then that is stealing.

I'm really, really glad I don't have to sit on that jury.
God Bless

Death Sentence for Rape?

Under most circumstances I am against the death penalty. I don't think the state taking someone's life really does anyone any good. The costs for keeping a death row inmate are much higher than a non-death row inmate. If an innocent person is convicted and is put to death, you can't go back and fix that.

All of that said, I do support the state of Louisana in executing Patrick Kennedy for the rape of his 8 year old step-daughter.

Here's my reasons.

First, child molestors can never be rehabilitated. NEVER. They don't get out of prison and lead normal lives. They go on to rape and molest children again.

Second, in a sad way, a murder victim's pain is over right away. No one can ever hurt them again. But, children who are harmed by a sexual predator never forget. Also, studies show that children who have been sexually abused are more likely to be abused in the future. Killing their attacker might make the child feel safer, knowing that the boogey man can never hurt them again.

Finally, do we really want these people around? The average molestor has ten victims before he ever gets caught. That's ten children who never get justice.

Let's hope the US Supreme Court upholds Lousiana's decision to put this rapist to death and doesn't decide to put the brakes on a good idea.

God Bless

As Promised...

Here is the first picture of my new niece and her mommy. We went to see them both this weekend and she is just the cutest little thing!
God Bless!

Something Cool...

Yeah, the world is going to hell in a handbasket. There's never enough time in the day nor enough money in the bank. We all work too hard for what we earn, but once in a while, something cool happens and you forget all that crap and remember what life is truly about.

So, that's what I want to pass on to you today.

On Sunday, the kids returned from visiting Kim's dad and we took them to lunch. Dustin had to return to work and Kim and Cheryl wanted to do some shopping, so that left da boys and me all alone! Cool Beans, as a co-worker of mine said.

Dustin had put Danny in his carseat and I still had Alex in my arms. Well, Alex is turning his head every which way and then he spots Cheryl on the other side of the parking lot. "GRANDMA!!!" he yells, clear as a bell and loud. He yells it again and she waves at us and I put Alex in his car seat.

I get in the truck and put the key in the ignition and put on my seat belt. From the backseat, I hear Alex say, "Go Grandma, Go. Go Go, Grandma!"

Apparently, Alex is going to be a backseat driver like his grandma and great-grandma before him.

Isn't that cool? He called me Grandma -- even if it was during an order -- he clearly said Grandma!

God Bless