Presidential Pardons and the Auto Industry

I have been reading how President Bush might pardon some people in his administration prior to leaving office. I also read these pardons are absolute and cannot be reversed. I beg to differ.

According to the rules regarding presidential pardons, the following must hold true, otherwise these pardons are null and void.

Before a Presidential pardon is issued,
1) the person must have been convicted of the crime of which they are accused.
2) the person must have been in prison for five years prior to being pardoned.
3) the person must show remorse for their crime.

If President Bush pardons anyone in his administration before these terms are met, the pardon can and should be overturned by the President elect. As there are many people the new President is bringing into key positions, I am sure at least some of them already know the rules governing pardons.

Something Congress should do, before giving any money to the automotive industry, is insist on seeing their entire balance sheet, including stock assets. For years the automobile industry has taken profits and invested in the oil companies. It is time to put that money back into their companies, instead of asking the American taxpayers to bail them out.

The big three have been producing automobiles in Europe that get approximately 75 (seventy-five) miles per gallon. General Motors recalled all their electric cars and crushed them. Then General Motors sold the battery patent to Texaco. This was done to increase the value of their oil stock portfolios. Obviously, their top priority was no longer producing automobiles in America that people wanted, but to expand their other areas of operation. Now they are crying crocodile tears and saying bail us out?

To show the arrogance of the top executives of the Automobile industry, all one had to do was watch their antics before Congress. Not only did they go to Washington in private jets, but when asked what they personally would give up, one said his bonus and another said 'he is all right with the way things were' - in other words, he would give up nothing - not salary, not bonus, not private jet, but he wants tax payer money.

I think it is time for every private industry clamoring for a free hand out, and for Congress, to realize we Americans are not stupid. We have a pretty good common sense idea regarding what is happening in this country and why. The Preamble says - We, the People - not we the corporations. I think it is time for our government to remember that.
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Mayan Caves - A Large Part of Belize's Tourism Industry

The Central American country of Belize gained its independence from Great Britain in 1981. It is in a tropical region, located in between Mexico and Guatemala and to its east is bordered by the Caribbean Sea. Belize is a very culturally diverse nation, and the only Central American country that has English as its official language. Spanish and Belizean Creole or Kriol are also spoken by the ancestors of the Mayan, Spanish, British, African and other ethnic groups in the region, with Kriol being the most popular language actually spoken by the people.

Belize's limestone rich mountains are also home to many caves, and these caves were the home to the religious ceremonies of the Mayans. Archaeologists discovered the use of these caves dates back as far as 1000BC, or more than 3000 years ago. The Mayans believed that the natural karst topography of the region that lends itself toward these types of caves in the sides of limestone or dolomite rock were actually passage ways to the underworld, or the world of the dead.

This tangible ancient history has made Belize a natural tourist attraction for anyone with an interest in the mystical, the ancient, or simply beautiful landscape. The tourism industry in Belize accounts for 25 percent of all employment in there and 18 percent of the country's Gross Domestic Product. The interesting habits of the Mayans during their rituals also makes the goings on inside the caves in Belize so fascinating to many people. There is some evidence that many sacrifices of humans of all ages were likely a typical occurrence.

The Caves Branch Cave System is a very popular tourist destination. Cave tubing tours allow visitors to ride the rivers inside the caves on inner tubes in guided tours of the ancient site. There are also caverns including the Actun Tunichil Muknal, or more easily pronounced ATM, that are accessed on foot. Visitors walk through the river and once inside the cave are able to climb above the water. Inside ATM are many representations of pottery and skeletons.

There is one skeleton of a teenaged female sacrifice victim inside one area of the cave called the Crystal Maiden that has been covered in a sparkling stone over time and who draws a lot of visitors to the cave. Visitors in canoes, on inner tubes, and those swimming and hiking on foot frequently visit Belize to navigate the caves.

Because tourism is such a large part of Belize's economy, there is a lot of attention paid to ensure the safety and entertainment of the tourists that come to this country. The Belizean Tourism Department plays a large role in trying to educate the tourists that come to their country of the rich heritage and long history of the region.

Larry Pudoky frequently produces detailed articles on areas relating to portugal. Through his detailed publications, the writer established his deep knowledge on issues dealing with faro portugal.

Mother’s Day Italian Charms

World’s Greatest Mom Laser Charm

Remember when the circus came around and the title was called, “The Greatest Show On Earth?” Well, instead of that phrase, we made a slight alteration for Mother’s Day. Show your mom that she’s the world’s best mom with this laser charm!

Heart My Mom

Here’s a perfect charm dedicated to the only woman in your life who loves you unconditionally. Wearing this precious picture charm shows the world how much you appreciate and love your mother.

I Love U Mommy Laser Charm

What a cute way to show all the new mommies out there that their young ones love them! Cute and playful phrase I Love U Mommy is laser inscribed into a high-grade stainless steel base. Words are permanently etched into so they will never wear off.

With Love Mother’s Day Laser Charm

This charm couldn't get right to the point any better than what's written on it. Charm features the words "With Love, Mother's Day" surrounded by an array of little black hearts. Mom will cherish this beautiful charm forever.

SUPER MOM Laser Charm

It's no secret that all moms are super, but you just don't go running around every day telling her that. Well now you can tell her with this cute charm boasting the phrase SUPER MOM that almost fills up the whole charm base!

Mom Heart

Elegant and refined Mom Heart Laser Italian Charm will highlight your bracelet. Mom is engraved in a heart outline on a high quality stainless steel link. Very beautiful and elegant charm to show mom your love.

Happy Mother’s Day Laser Charm

Mothers do not get the credit they deserve. We only give them one day out of the year to praise them and show them how much we appreciate them, when we should be doing this all year around. Show your mom how much she means to you with this Happy Mother’s Day laser charm. Words are laser engraving into stainless steel so they will never wear off.

More Mother’s Day Italian Charms at Italian Charms Market

Celebrate Mother's on Mother's Day

Mother’s Day is almost here. This is the time when we take a moment to really appreciate our Mothers. We do love them but how often do we honor and show them with special tokens that we really care.

We could never repay our Mothers for all they have sacrificed for us. My Mother is priceless. Many people will be sad on Mother’s day, but remember that she lives on in our hearts.

Usually on Mother’s Day, there is a barbecue at our house for all the Mothers in our family. Some Mother’s appreciate gifts while others are contented with being feted on Mother’s Day.

Mother’s Day is celebrated on different days in other countries depending on the origination of Mother’s Day. Originally, the US copied the UK where Mother’s Day was a call to unite Mother’s against war. Now they are totally different in that the US celebrate Mother’s day on the second Sunday in May and is an occasion to celebrate Mothers and Motherhood. In the UK, Mother’s Day is related to the Church. The Mother Church is visited by all and is a means for Children and their Mother to unite.

Mother’s Day has now been copied from the US by several other nations. It now represents a Day where we celebrate with our Mothers by taking them out to restaurants, sending them flowers, buying them special gifts or, like us, just having them over for a barbecue.

The Author is a stay at home Mother having been disabled by the disease RSD. She has her own website dedicated to health and wellness and talks about diverse subjects visit www.smahi.com