James Watkins on Virginia Tech shootings and much more . . .
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4.09.07

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PHOTO OF VIRGINIA TECH KILLINGS FROM AP

Thursday, April 19, 2007
let's stop killers before they kill

In December 2005, a Virginia court ruled alleged Virginia Tech killer Seung-Hui Cho "mentally ill" and "an imminent danger to self or others"—then let him go! So who was less in touch with reality? The court or Cho? Prescribing "outpatient care" for someone as potentially dangerous as Cho was indeed insane!

In my excerpt on school shootings from The Why Files, the Justice Policy Institute's Vincent Shiraldi argues, "The money spent on surveillance cameras, metal detectors, and armed guards could be better spent on identifying and counseling students who show signs of potential violence." It appears the courts and the university could have prevented this by never letting Cho back on campus.
Warning signs of potential killers
Warning signs of suicidal behavior
[Photo from Associated Press]



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'heavy topics with a light touch'

I hope you'll come back regularly for constantly updated commentary on sex, society, the supernatural and such. (Please save it as a favorite, then tell a friend.)
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Top ten sites from March
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Wednesday, April 18, 2007
is coverage of school shootings over-kill?

KILLER SENDS 'MEDIA KIT' TO NBC

My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of those who lost their lives Monday in the horrific killings at Virginia Tech.

At the same time, I'm wondering if the 24-hour media coverage is over-kill? And does giving the killer his/her fifteen minutes of fame (see pic on left from NBC), encourage potential killers to pursue their sociopathic schemes?
What makes news "news"?



12:30 pm Monday, April 16, 2007
how does one deal with horrific massacre at virginia tech?

At this time, AP is reporting that 21 students have been killed and 28 wounded in shooting at the university. How does one deal with the the worst killing at a school in recent history?
Dealing with school shootings
Dealing with death and grief
Dealing with questions of "why" as a Christian
Dealing with renewed gun control debate (two points of view)
Resources from Gospelcom.net
• 4:00 pm Worst school killing dates back to 1927—for now
• 10:00 pm AP confirms 33 dead including shooter (Click for latest news)



Monday, April 16, 2007
does mother nature have pms?

SNOW-COVERED TULIPS

Winter storms continue to batter the midwest and northeast while tornadoes sweep through the southeast.

In Indiana, where our state motto is "If you don't like the weather, wait a minute," we've had spring temperatures drop from 80 to 40 degrees in less than 24 hours.

It makes you wonder . . .
Does Mother Nature have PMS?
Is God responsible for wicked weather?

Later that day . . .
oreo-meter reads five pounds lost on 'peer pressure' diet

Thanks for keeping me accountable as I attempt to go from 186 to 160. I'm trying to get more exercise and give up Oreos (and other desserts) as well as fries. Unfortunately, this past weekend, I fell off the diet wagon with brownies and an apple dumpling.
Peer Pressure Diet details and 2007 Oreo-meter



Friday, April 13, 2007
while i'm speaking in iowa . . .

. . . visit my wife's "Thursday Thoughts" column on a variety of subjects.
LoisWatkins.com
Quad-City Writers' Conference







April 12, 2007
celebrating ten years of 'heavy topics with a light touch'

Since April 12, 1997 it's been an honor to welcome over five million guests from 120 countries with articles, book excerpts, free .mp3 music, and humor. I hope you'll continue to come back for constantly updated commentary on sex, society, the supernatural and such. (Tag it as a bookmark or favorite.) And thanks for telling a friend about jameswatkins.com!
Ten years of articles, columns, "top ten" lists and more
Five years of blogging (beginning June 9, 2002)
Gospelcom.net congratulates "often amusing, always insightful commentary"
Tell a friend

Later in the day . . .
is solution to iraq—and international—violence spiritual?

It seems clear to everyone—but the White House—that the solution to the never-ending violence in Iraq is political rather than military. But I'm becoming increasingly convinced that the only solution is spiritual.

The violence is simply reemerging from a nearly 1,400-year-old war between two radical elements of Islam: the Shiites and Sunnis. While Saddam Hussein reined over a brutal dictatorship—I'm in no way condoning him—he did serve to keep both sides from killing each other.

And, ironically, the reason for Islamic violence against the west is also spiritual: to wipe out the infidelity they believe threatens their faith.

Will only a change of heart—on all sides—stem the violence?

Why do Shiites hate Sunnis?
Why does al Qaeda hate the west?
What do you think?

Still later in the day . . .
when will imus critics take on rap music?

I'm no Don Imus fan, but when will Jessie Jackson, Al Sharpton, and all the rest of those who called for the shock jock's firing take on rap music? The so-called "music" makes far worse racial and sexual slurs against women than his now-infamous "nappy-headed hos" comment. I believe in choosing your battles. And rap is a far more destructive force than any foul-mouthed talk-show host.
My list of truly "dirty words"



Wednesday, April 11, 2007
harvest stem cells without taking unborn life

The U.S. Senate is once again determined to fund research on embryonic stem cells promising medicals miracles from the adaptable cells. Fortunately, there is a source that doesn't require taking unborn life.

The two possible sources of stem cells, "adult" or post-natal stem cells and those derived from living embryos, have caused a conflict in the scientific community, setting ethics against hoped-for scientific advancement. Now a group of Taiwanese researchers has isolated stem cells from human placenta tissue and has found that their flexibility may be the equal of embryonic cells. The scientists, from National Health Research Institutes and Cathay General Hospital, Taipei, have isolated stem cells from placentas left after full term pregnancy and offer them as a solution to the ethical impasse. LifeSite
A roundup of research findings on post-natal stem cells
When is life "life"?

2:40 pm edt
shield rape suspects as well as alleged victims

Charges have been dropped against the three Duke lacrosse players, but only after months of having their lives and futures ruined by the media exposure of the, now we learn, false allegations. This is precisely why I would like to see the identities of both the alleged victim and perpetrator be shielded until a ruling by a jury or judge. And, I'd like to see the accuser face criminal and civil charges for the irrepairable damage she has caused.
The rest of the rant
Rant on sex crime coverage



this is a sanjaya-free site!



Tuesday, April 10, 2007
irs form 1040-a (schedule 1) table 4 slot b . . .

PHOTO FROM HOW STUFF WORK
CLICK PIC FOR SITE

Just one week until 2006 U.S. income taxes are due. If you're one of the millions of taxpayers who are frantically trying to complete your Form 1040 before the April 17 deadline, here's some helpful advice. Quit reading this blog! Get to your local post office for the fifteen different forms you'll need to send your checking account balance to Washington. Simpler yet, just send them your checkbook.
My plan to eliminate income taxes

Later . . .
i miss imus? not on my nappy-headed life

Neither will NBC's Al Roker miss aging "shock jock" Don Imus after he called Rutger's basketball players—and I quote—"nappy-headed ho's." On
his blog, Roker wrote:

"I, for one, am really tired of the diatribes, the 'humor” at others’ expense, the cruelty that passes for 'funny'. Don Imus isn’t the only one doing this, but today he’s the one in the hot seat."

Amen, Al!

Some thoughts on humor
Some thoughts on stupid remarks
Some thoughts on Mel Gibson's and Michael Richard's stupid remarks



Monday, April 9, 2007
speaking at quad-city writers' conference friday, saturday

Twila Belk—author/speaker/radio personality—is one of the funniest people I know, so I'm looking forward to the conference she directs April 13-14 in beautiful downtown Eldridge, Iowa. Eight other professional writers and speakers will be sharing how to get into print. If you live in the area, join us for "instruction, encouragement, networking, and fellowship with like-minded people." Like-minded meaning whacky writers!
Conference details
Twila Belk's Web site

Later in the day
we subscribe to 'blogger's code of conduct'

I'm glad to see Tim O’Reilly, a book publisher who is credited with coining the term Web 2.0 and Jimmy Wales, creator of the online encyclopedia Wikipedia, creating a set of guidelines to shape online discussion and debate. At this point, the main tenants include:


1. We take responsibility for our own words and reserve the right to restrict comments on our blog that do not conform to basic civility standards.

2. We won't say anything online that we wouldn't say in person.

3. If tensions escalate, we will connect privately before we respond publicly.

4. When we believe someone is unfairly attacking another, we take action.

5. We do not allow anonymous comments.

6. We ignore the trolls. ("I learned long ago, never to wrestle with a pig. You get dirty, and besides, the pig likes it." George Bernard Shaw)

7. We encourage blog hosts to enforce more vigorously their terms of service.

I would add that I attempt to verify all information on this site with at least two reliable sources. It's a good start to add credibility and civility to the Web.
Blogger's Code of Conduct [off site]
Legal Guide for Bloggers (also very good!) [off site]
Some thoughts on blogging and responsibility



April 9, 2007
last issue's hot topics

"Chocolate Jesus" received the most responses for any topic—ever, my past was finally exposed by blogger Crystal Miller, and I filled a whole Easter basket with holiday commentaries and eggs-poses.
Click here to go back in time to April 1, 2007



March 2007
last month's top ten sites

I have in my right hand, direct from my home office, last month's top ten sites . . .

• 1
Home page / blog

• 2 "Adult site" for adults

• 3 "Jim Shorts" on sex

• 4 Quips and quotes of encouragement

• 5 Top ten reasons I'm not divorcing my wife

• 6 Women in ministry issues

• 7 "Jim Shorts" on spirituality

• 8 Is it a life or a choice?

• 9 "Jim Shorts" last column

• 10 I just want to die" (suicide)




And finally . . .
code, copyrights, comments, contributions . . .

We subscribe to proposed 'blogger's code of conduct' I'm glad to see the online community developing a set of guidelines to bring civility and credibility to the blogsphere. I've adapted the proposed tenants (printed in bold) to create my own code of conduct.


1. Responsibility for our own words First, I believe that, as a follower of Christ, I am responsible to "speak the truth in love" and to "let all [my] conversation be full of grace." Jesus never backed away from controversial subjects, but He was "full of truth and grace." Second, I believe plagiarism is stealing and thus a violation of the eighth commandment. All material on my site is original with me unless credited to someone else. And third, as a journalist, I must be objective, accurate (I will verify all facts with at least two reliable sources) and fair (I will quote people in context and strive to present their position accurately).

2. Nothing we wouldn't say in person We must be as responsible and civil we are in the real world. I believe that personal attacks, name-calling, profane or vulgar language, and racist, sexist and ethnic humor have no place in the real or virtual worlds.

3. Encouragement of responses (That's currently not in the code, but it should be!) I include guest's comments at the end of articles and columns as well as encouraging comments on my host's online discussion board.

4. No anonymous comments Commenters must supply a valid email address before they can post, though I allow commenters to identify themselves with an alias, rather than their real name for sensitive issues.

5. Discretion to delete comments I refuse to post comments that do not conform to my own code in point 2.

6. Vigorous enforcement of blog hosts' terms of service

7. Nothing harmful We will not engage in any activity that would cause physical, mental, social or spiritual harm or encourage anyone to do the same.

I'll probably be tweaking this as I go along, but for now, those are the promises I'm making to you as a guest on my site.

Blogger's Code of Conduct [off site]
Legal Guide for Bloggers (also very good!) [off site]
Some thoughts on blogging and responsibility

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