Michaels,
This was my point in the blog before....which everyone jumped on me. No matter what the abuse Jodi Ann has taken from the parents, or her lover, she has freedom of choice. To rectify the wrong on her own and lead a better rewarding life, or choose to wallow in her past & present miseries? She chose the latter. Her criminal act (how she killed/murder Travis) is beyond compassion. So why do you feel, life in prison will justify her action? Why, because you are being compassionate...Jodi Ann does not have that. She was brutal. My point in her case before was, this is a child who only knows what abuse is, felt no love, no proper guidance and direction, not being accepted by her peers or the people around her, crying out for affection she could not find, and choose to accept her lot in life, like it's customary, and this is all she knew. And we are to be blame for all these? Professional help is something she could not afford so she choose what she thought is right by her. Her entire life was hell bent on Travis, the anger and rage, shows it all the way she murdered Travis. Her lawyers are trying to save her from death penalty, i doubt if they can.

Thanks everyone for giving me insights how I'd view the Tea Party versus the Republicans (GOP). Sort of complicated but I will learn to chew the philosophies of both Parties. I would admit though, I have more respect for the ole Republican Party. Briefly, depending of my comprehension of what I have read through all this, it seem the Tea Party is the devil's advocate to all these. When Tea Party is mention, comes to mind are Rand Paul, Marco Rubio, Paul Ryan, Ted Cruz, Eric Cantor, McConnell, Graham and many more. Now I understand why Boehner is having the hardest time of his life. He can not influence The true Republicans with the interference of the Tea Party. Question(s) again, if there are conflicting ideas, head butting on the so-called "Republican Party" in account of the Tea Party, how in the world will we (USA) move forward to a more progressive and effective country? It looks like the Tea Party is in the negative side of the equation and the Republicans trying to be positive. Or....that the Republicans are now infected with the Tea Party Ideology. So why not drop the Republican Party and just call it the Tea Party. We the citizens will be more clearer what each other Party stand for. We say Republican but always, its the Tea Party ideologies that is adhere to. So what are we to do?

Altair13 & Annerev .....I share your sentiments. Did the Congress had a recess not too long ago? And now they are again in recess?
I believe I read somewhere that Congress has more time off than working their jobs.
What we, the constituents need to endeavor to do is find out....out of the 52 weeks we have in a year how many weeks does these Representative and Senators work in a year and how many weeks are their recess in a year and how much are they being paid by the taxpayers to pay their salary....then we can break down their pay versus the time they work....at least average their paycheck to the number of weeks they work. Then we can take a look at their health benefit and retirement pay at the end of their service. How many times does this congress convene to discuss the nations concern? How many Laws has they produce in how many days? Citizens like us need to start questioning the work requirements of these people....in our jobs we have job descriptions, we have time limit on every thing, we have dead lines to meet...our time is allocated one hour lunch, 15 minutes break one in the morning and one in the afternoon. And how many holidays we have, versus the holidays of these Congresspeople and Senators..I mean physical time off the job....they are now in recess how long is that? It is time off for them. Rubio is going to Israel and other countries with our tax money, not his money, OURS. We want to know why he's going there, for what reason, and why is he going alone and not all the Senators? As far as the Congress is concern all the Senators can go to Israel, why only Rubio? Rubio has not outline why Congress is allowing him to go there with our Tax Money? What important business does he have with Israel that the President, the Vice President, the Secretary of State can not do? What are these Republicans trying to prove? Is Rubio on Official business or what? Who has the say so for him to go or not? Whose the Boss that will give that order? Speaker of the House Boehner? Are you serious?
Citizens must UNITE TO DEMAND the work load and works days of these Congresspeople and the Senators and what their pay level are. And when they travel. We citizens is entitled to know what Rubio's concern is from Israel beside stirring more Sh*t.

Micahels,
I confess up until now I do not know the difference between Republican Party (GOP) and the Tea Party. What sets them apart? and what bridge them to be called Republicans? Or it is safe for me to presume the Tea Party is somewhat a Third Political Party in this nation which is still not acknowledge as a viable Party in this country? Other countries are asking the same question as I am. I could not answer because I am in the dark as well. Can you tell me comparative elements of the two? Who are the Republican Party and who are the Tea Party? Oh gush! someone help.
OK talking about Barbour, I'm confuse. Democrats are trying to cut taxes for the middle class but what the Republican Party does not want to do is add more taxes on the Rich. The delineation has been established between the 250 below and 250 above. The 250 below will enjoy tax cut and the 250 above will have to pay more. What Barbour is talking about is more tax cut for the RICH and Obama is not going for it and this is what Republicans blood pressure is in a boiling point. Is this the "WE NEED TAX CUTS" philosophy that Barbour is talking about ? More tax cut for the Rich & Wealthy? Not a chance as long as Obama is President in the next 4 years.

Gee Michaels, you're about the only one who endeavored to read this crime. Everyone was getting on my case thinking that I pity Jodi Ann and that I am defending her. I read so many replies to this trial and I read the entire story of the crime....though indeed that the situation of the girl is pitiful I took into consideration how she murdered Travis, her lover. I was sure that she shoot him first with the gun and stabbed him 27 times and then slit his throat in intense anger. That is barbaric. There is a legal term (I just could not remember what the term was) when someone intend to kill with a gun and kill him over again (stabbing) or vice versa, that is a crime which carries death penalty automatically, if the state has one. I can emphatize with Jodi Ann, whatever she went through. But this young lady will get what she deserve.
Reading through the case of Jodi Ann Arias it is a sad story of a young girl with so much potential but was misdirected and misguided. When kids grow up to reach the threshold of adulthood, it is my belief that a child who was nurtured in love and disciplined out of love, grows up to be loving themselves with dignity & appreciation of their own. I have two girls (the oldest is a lawyer the young one a Software Engineer) both grew up successfully in their own rights...respected, very loving, BUT ferrocious when you step on their toes. Jodi grew up with none but self pity, revengeful inside, very low self esteem easily swayed by others and victim of her own desire and lack thereof. Then you wonder when this young girl commit a heinous crime, you're speechless like I am right now. Jodi is highly aware she was sexually used & abused by a lover, she could not feel love but the affection she felt for Travis was ambivalent. She love the man (so she thought) but hated him more. As a child she does not know love She has raged inside but tried to control it the best way she knows how. She most likely will get the death penalty and that is the most unfortunate ending for a young girl who have had enough of herself and of others. The hate for herself and others was hell bent on Travis. Someone need to write a story book on the life of Jodi Ann Arias. I would like to read them in full details...not hear them in court.

Thanks Michaels (smile)
OK...you're added if truly I deserve to have influenced you. What I am trying to say is, people need to look deeper how we comprehend what we ought to believe....in our hearts. Remember Christ when he said "let the first one who have not sinned throw the first stone to this woman" I believe as I recall no one dare throw those stones on that woman. What was Christ saying to us?
Same way as these politicians think they are hollier than thou...telling you about how they would like you to deal with abortion. How their men created laws need to be adhere to because they said so. They are now playing God...OK, the law(s) of men are created for your safety and well being, it is not something to restrict your freedom. When men create law(s) they should remember they are creating it for the good of mankind not for their own benefit...benefit that they see fit for their own whims and caprices, which is what is happening in our political world. No one bothers to search their own soul anymore, it's now free for all. My only consolation on this regard, I prayed so hard for God to bless us the man whom He see fit to be our President. The answer I received, Obama won the election. They say when a prayer is answered, comes the blessing with it too. No matter how hard times they throw on our President, I still believe the Power that be is on his side to complete the job he was bless to do. I do not worry anymore, I just look for the blessing(s) that went along with my prayers being answered. Am I in my fantasy world? say I am but in the end, I have faith I will see the fruits of my prayers. We pray for our leaders because by doing so we give him blessings to do what is right by the people and with God's blessing we will be in a better shape. Amen is all I can say to what I've just said.

This discussion is out of topic in the Political Spectrum. I am not aware if this is acceptable in this Forum
I do not know if anyone is even familiar with this Crime Scene Investigation which is now on trial.
I just happen to stumble on this news at the Huffington Post and would like to expand everybody's view on the matter.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/14/jodi-arias-sherry-stephens_n_2687947.h...

I was butting heads with everyone on this scenario and here is my final say on the matter:

Whether all what I read is true or not....the child, Jodi Ann do deserve the death penalty. Her act itself (the killing of Travis) is horendous. I don't feel sorry for her as you think I am, just that when something like this happens, I think of a child growing up. What was it that made this young lady kill...and the way she killed Travis is beyond cruelty...very CRUEL. I love children, and I love to teach them how to love themselves as well as others. Like I said in my previous reply to someone here, I have two girls (one is now a lawyer and the other a Software Engineer) and we had fun bringing them up. We, (and the rest of our entire family) miss those days because now they have their own lives and the role has reversed. They are now like the parent and we are the children. (smile) And as much as they listened to us when they were kids, we MUST do as well. I hope I made myself clear to you and for the others.

Hello Michael (smile)
I had wondered when Pope John Paul II favored Pope Benedict to be his successor. I had bet everybody that Pope Benedict is far from the holy status of Pope John Paul II. Whatever that means I don't know. What I said then just dawn on me now. Anyway, yes, the world is changing and the Catholic Church it seem is between a hard place & a hard rock. Should we or should we not change? Hard to say.
I just mentioned Jesuits because I was around Jesuits a lot. I like them for many reasons. They do not condemn me when I say some things off the wall comment about my Faith. They would explain things to me in the religious sense about my comment(s) then agree with me in the philosophical things I see fit about my comment(s) Example of which, quote, "Father, the bible say, if someone throw you a rock, throw a bread in return" and I said, "yeah! I will? not a chance. If they throw me a stone, a boulder will return back to them" and he,the priest nearly burst into laughter. Then I second it with a comment such as, "and also Father, bible said, if someone slap me on the right cheek, give the left too" My response, "oh yeah! I'm not that stupid to get hit the second time around" and the priest was just shaking his head. This conversation took place in front of my Dad who was apologizing to the priest because he was shock himself to hear what I got to say about my religion. The priest told my Dad no apologies was required on his part and my part. In, fact he explained to my Dad what I really meant in my heart, and quoted scriptures of John in the bible. Boy! can I kiss that priest. I am so unconventional when it comes to my Faith. I am different from my Dad but my Dad never infringed on my freedom to express myself, which I so love about my Dad.
My Dad is a pious Catholic, boy! in so many sense very religious.....and so am I only in a different way. Because I majored in Philosophy my outlook is not one of tradition when it comes to my Faith. After all, all my professors in theology and philosophy are Jesuits.
When I read the Bible, and before opening it and reading it, I ask the Holy Spirit to enlighten my understanding reading those scriptures. I don't take the Bible literally, I take them in the light of my human existence & experiences. The Bible to me serves as the green & red lights in my life. When in doubt, I stop at the yellow light.
My church really should not prescribe that which is impossible. The Ten (10) Commandment is always my argument on this regard. But, what do I know about my Faith running its business. In my faith, I would be considered as heretic, blasphemer, non-believer, etc...but you see my discipline in Meta-Physics (one of my Philosophy Courses) opened my eyes to the true meaning of my religion. Others would hardly accept me as Catholic the way I view my Faith..God forgive me, and God, grant me the Serenity to accept the things I can not change, Courage to change the things I can, and the Wisdom to know the difference.

Schmidt, your quote "It does seem that the decks are stacked for electing another conservative pope. And the Italians would like to see an Italian pope." Unquote, you think?
I am not familiar with WHO are the Cardinals who would be elected to be the next Pope. And I am not sure if Pope Benedict's portrait would be added to the Portraits of Popes hanging up the ceiling of St. Paul Church in the Vatican City of Rome. There are about five (5) I believe, blank frames hanging up there when I visited that church...and I was told that when those frames are completely filled, it would be the ending of the world, the coming of Christ in due Judgment. How true? not sure.
Anyway, I hope to see a Cardinal who belongs to the Society of Jesus, Jesuit, who I would like to see become a Pope (Italian or otherwise). As such, the whole Catholic Faith will truly see the light of our purpose here on earth. Jesuits are known to be Pious, yes, but they also believe in the Philosophical way of approaching the Faith base also in human reality. Jesuits, like St. Thomas Aquinas & St. Agustin are Philosophers who believe that we are not Christ, we are not God, we can only imitate the goodness but not be like one. My Faith as a Catholic believes (like the Jesuits), in the human frailty, sinning & forgiving, it can not be Gospel Truth. Sorry, my fellow Catholics, but my being a Catholic does not mean I am against the dogmas of my Faith. The Seat of Wisdom, which in human term is the Brain inside our head must be used in terms of Wisdom....our Free Will. Not even God can dictate upon our free will, because after all God gave us that one freedom. Anything else after thatl, is between you and God alone, not between you and human kind and its criticism. Men (humankind) will be judge accordingly not by humans standards but God himself.
Everyone knows where Philosophy thrives, theology dies and vice versa, when Theology thrives, Philosophy dies. We live in the material/physical world, we must act according to the demand of our human perception. Philosophy (reason & logic) will guide us to meet those demands without infringing on our spiritual nature. Like Christ said "do not pull the bad weeds, let them grow and thrive along with the good weeds for at the end Judgment prevails." So who are we as humans be the force dictators of our human needs. God gave the Ten (10) Commandments, it is the most violated Law on the face of the Earth. As for God, ( to those who believe He exist) human can do as they well please, but at the end humans has dues to pay...'tis all.
I hope the next Pope will Shepperd my Faith not basing only to my spiritual needs but will see me through overcoming the obsolete and present by me my physical needs as well as my spiritual need of my TIME.

Michael.....
I hope your wish for the GOP cooperation will indeed happen....but I doubt it.
I hated Marco Rubio and I sure abhor Rand Paul the derange lunatic.
Paul Ryan can hang it up, he is a lost cause. He still harping on that abortion thing.
They need to vote out Eric Cantor, this asinine is a pain in the butt.
Christie sure is socking it to his fellow GOP, Jindall the hypocrite trying to follow Christie's lead
I have more to say...but got to go....
talk later

best
sabrina