From Sci-fi to Sci-Fact

Panel Releases New Embryoic Stem Cell Research Guidelines

No longer just a plot in the movies, scientists can now merge species, such as Alba the florescent bunny. Not only that, but they can merge man and animals, man and machine, reproduce outside of the womb, and clone humans as well as their cats. To some these are exciting break-throughs in bio-technology, to others it's like a sci-fi thriller or nightmare.

As reported in the San Francisco Chronicle on Wednesday, April 27, 2005, a 20-member panel picked by the National Academies, a Congress commissioned independent organization, released their 131-page report with guidelines for human embryonic stem cell research "offering a system of institutional self-policing as a way to move the politically contentious research forward." These guidelines, while applying to all stem cell research, would be voluntary.

The guidelines include:
1) Consent needs to be obtained from the donor before an embryo can be used to produce stem cells.
2) Human embryos used for research should be discarded after 14 days.
3) Human stem cells should not be introduced into other humans or non-human primates.
4) Human stem cells can be introduced into non-human mammals when no other experiment can provide the information needed.
5) No animal into which stem cells have been introduced should be allowed to breed.

The panel also addressed two aspects of cloning recommending that cloning for reproductive purposes is unethical and should not be done, however, a cloning technique used to create embryos for therapeutic purposes, called nuclear transfer, could be used which "may be needed to cultivate a patient's own stem cells". Read the Full Story

© Sharon Hughes 2005


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::BREAKING:: New rules on Human Embryo Stem Cell Research

Expect to see in tomorrow's news a story about the new rules for governing embryonic stem cell research, which include no animal breeding if they contain human cells; that human embryos used for their stem cells can only live for two weeks...and so it goes.

But remember, as we've talked on the show about this subject, this step will take us down the slippery slope. Did you get it? We can kill human embryos now in the interest of science. The truth is that adult stem cells have the same benefits and even more. Too much to get into here, but you can see my article on the subject at The Full Story, or go to my broadcast archives for our show with Wesley J. Smith. Other shows specifically about stem cell research which are no longer archived are available in CD or tape form with Jennifer Lahl of the Center for Bioethics and Culture and several doctors. If you are interested, send an email request to info@changingworldviews.com and we'll send you more information. Please stay on top of this issue and help get the information out into the public square.

© Sharon Hughes 2005


Hear the show Now (See 3/7/05)


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Point to Ponder: To Our Vietnam Vets - Giving Honor Where Honor is Due

I have received more responses to my article, "To Spit or Not to Spit on Jane Fonda" (see 4/23/05) than to any other article I've written. It is such a blessing to hear especially from our Vets. Surprisingly, this article hasn't received any hate mail yet, which I think speaks to the overwhelming respect Americans have for our troops and veterans.

However, about 1/3 of those who responsed voiced their reasons for not supporting the war in Iraq, and only one person stuck up for Jane Fonda. One woman wants to send thank you notes to all the Vietnam Vets we hear from! Having said all this, let me say here, as I've said on the show and in a letter that is going out to the Vets who have responded:

THANK YOU SOLDIER, FOR SERVING IN VIETNAM. Though not everyone treated you with the honor you were and are due, please know that the overwhelming majority of Americans do in fact appreciate you. And while I can't speak on behalf of our country, let me speak on behalf of Changing Worldviews and our family, that we are sorry for any mistreatment, disrespect or lack of acknowledgment you suffered as a Vietnam soldier. You deserved and deserve more. Words fall short, but please know - we are grateful! God Bless you.

Here is just one example of the feedback we've received:
Sharon, I'm a Korean vet - remember the forgotten war? Called that for a reason, but we did not get spit at. I think the reason Jane's issue will never go away, is because to me - a vet is a vet. If you do it to one, you do it to all. We are brother's and sister's. A vet signs up originally in order to serve his country, where ever and when ever. We do not set policy, and we do not determine our areas of service. But people who do what Jane did, in addition to being treasonous, incites the immature, and emboldens the enemy. And denigrates all who have served. We were maybe not as politically correct or sensitive during WW2 and Korea. I'm afraid if somebody had spit on me when I returned, the response would have been immediate. Glad I wasn't tested as the Vietnam vets were. That vet maybe should not have spit on Jane, but I can well understand why he did so. Al

Thank you Al, and God Bless you.

© Sharon Hughes 2005

Related:
"Worth It" Says Vet


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HOT OFF THE SHOW: Eco-Imperialism Losing Some Ground

Today was Earth Day, an observance that is about more than just planting a tree. What isn't commonly known is that Earth Day represents saving the environment...even at the risk of human life, as my guest today pointed out on the show. Paul Driessen, author of Eco-Imperialism, and senior policy advisor for the Congress of Racial Equality, talked about why he left his affiliation with environmental groups such as the Sierra Club and Zero Population Growth, and why Patrick Moore, co-founder of Greenpeace who said, “The environmental movement I helped found has lost its objectivity, morality and humanity. The pain and suffering it is inflicting on families in developing countries must no longer be tolerated,” did the same. USA Today reported this morning that environmentalists are wondering about the future of their movement, because they appear to be losing the battle for public opinion. YES! The public is realizing there's been too many "cry wolf" incidents and are no longer automatically taking their word for it regarding the true condition of the environment. The real tradegy yet to be realized, however, is the tremendous toll their policies have taken in the lives and deaths of millions of people in developing countries. I urge you to to listen to the show online if you missed it. Paul also exposes the rich, liberal ideological environmentalists who are responsible.

© Sharon Hughes 2005


Hear the show Now (See 4/22/05)


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Friday Nite @ the Movies: Could this Happen in our Schools Today?

When we're home and able, Duane and I like to get a pizza and watch a good movie together on Friday nights. We like all kinds with Duane favoring action/adventure and me, well, romatic comedies or futuristic or true to life...as you can tell from my "Movie Picks" site. As a matter of fact I've picked "Lean on Me" with Morgan Freemon as my recommendation this week. It's a true story about a New Jersey high school principal who used very unconventional means (carrying a baseball bat and a bullhorn throughout the halls) to turn an out of control school where drug dealing, gang fights et al were the norm, into a place where even under-achievers could do well. Would he get away with this today? Absolutely not. Am I advocating that all principals carry around bats and horns? No. But I am advocating courage and character in doing what needs to be done.

© Sharon Hughes 2005

See Sharon's Movie Picks


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To Spit or Not to Spit, on Jane Fonda - That is the Question

The Vietnam Vet who spit on Jane Fonda as she was signing her new book was the topic of debate in the news this week - should he have done it? Everyone said no, and I agree. However, I understand the anger behind it. Many of our troops experienced the same thing when they came home from the war. Just last year my husband, Duane, who is a decorated Vietnam Vet, was speaking to a group about the war in Iraq as compared to the Vietnam war and one man shared during the Q & A that he was one of the soldiers who had been spit on by Americans when he got home. As Duane expressed his sorrow and understanding, the man wept. Needless to say, you could hear a pin drop in the crowd. Everyone got it.

I don't think Jane Fonda gets it. I know she said she's sorry recently for some of the things she did, but she didn't apologize to Vietnam Vets, especially the POWs who suffered longer as a result of her anti-war activities. She says she still hasn't changed her view of that war.

I don't know if this generation gets it either, except for those whose dads were in Vietnam perhaps. Our whole country needs to be reminded about our shameful treatment of these soldiers. Reminded about things such as their having to build their own memorial wall. That the first year's observation was not attended formally by our government. That many of them still roam the street, homeless, having never recovered from the effects of the war and their 'homecoming'.

Can you imagine putting your life on the line for your country and coming home to this? These veterans did not choose to serve in an unpopular war. They were soldiers just like the soldiers who fought in wars past or are fighting today...serving their country.

Vietnam Vets have never really been thanked adequately by our country, with the kind of national apology that can help healing come to many. While I do not condone the action of the Vet who spit on Fonda, I believe it shows there are wounds that still have not healed. Until this happens, make it more than just a slogan on a bumper sticker - Thank a Vietnam Vet every chance you get.

© Sharon Hughes 2005


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HOT OFF THE SHOW: Even More Compelling Video Clips of Terri Schiavo

We all will have to face end-of-life issues whether they are with our parents or spouces or ourselves. With the courts ruling and reigning in the land today as we all watched in the Schiavo case, not the only case like this and why the Schindler family has taken up the cause to prevent the same tragic outcome for others, we need to get our houses in order. We talked about this on the show with Jennifer Lahl, Executive Director of The Center for Bioethics and Culture, and Randy Thomasson, President of Campaign for Children and Families today. It's serious. I want to encourage you again, if you haven't already done so, to go to CCF's website and get the free, user-friendly 'Will to Live' form for yourself and your loved ones, now. Be prepared.

I also want to encourage you to view some of the video clips not shown by the media of Terri responding to music, reacting to a swab and more. America, we made a big mistake. I feel pretty strongly about this as you'll hear on today's show when I shared personally about my sister who was in worse condition than Terri Schiavo and how our family handled it. Being pro-life is not just about abortion now.

© Sharon Hughes 2005

Related:
Get the 'Will to Live' Form
More Compelling Video Clips of Terri Schiavo not shown on TV


Hear the show Now (See 4/20/05)


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Today's Top News: New Pope & Bolton

BOLTON
Sitting down with a cup of coffee to catch the latest news on FOX after recording our show this morning, I watched as Senate Foreign Relations Committee members got strong with words (Biden, Kerry and Boxer)and then delayed their vote on John Bolton for Ambassador to the UN. It was a couple of Republican members of the committee who turned the tide when they agreed with Democrat members to delay. Senator George Voinovich, R-Ohio, said. "I've heard enough today that I don't feel comfortable about voting for Mr. Bolton." What they heard were allegations that Bolton intimidated and fired intelligence analysts who disagreed with him or wouldn't do what he wanted. Of course, the liberals don't want him in because of his anti-UN/globalist mentality. Whether it's Bolton or another, since we're not going to get out of the UN any time soon, I vote for someone who has their eyes wide open about the UN! This will certainly continue to be interesting to watch.

POPE BENEDICT XVI
Even before the ink was dry on the newspaper announcing the new Pope the criticisms kicked in. One liberal blog headlined, "With the Election of Cardinal Ratzinger to the Papacy, Cardinals Are Sailing the Ship Over a Cliff". And of course, the NY Times et al headed the pack. The labeling intensifies. What they won't tell you is that the new Pope was a moderate/liberal in the '60s but came to mistrust the left, saying that time turned into "a radical attack on human freedom and dignity, a deep threat to all that is human." When addressing fellow cardinals before the conclave began this week he said, "We are moving toward a dictatorship of relativism...that recognizes nothing definite and leaves only one's own ego and one's own desires as the final measure." He said the world has gone "from one extreme to the other: from Marxism to liberalism, up to libertinism; from collectivism to radical individualism; from atheism to a vague religious mysticism; from agnosticism to syncretism and on and on." I like these words. But these are not the kind of words liberals want to hear. This too will be very interesting to watch.

© Sharon Hughes 2005

Related:
Find out what the new Pope believes


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HOT OFF THE SHOW: Minutemen at the Border

A strong advocate for national sovereignty, Tom DeWeese passionately spoke about the issue of illegal immigration on the show today. And there's lots to talk about. Something is really happening. This evening WorldNetDaily.com reported that The Minuteman Project in Arizona said they are going to expand its operations in four states putting pressure on employers of illegals. Having started the month with 1500 volunteers, they have been flooded with calls and emails with 15,000 saying they want to volunteer in the "Civilian Homeland Defense," as it is called. The plans are to return in October and cover the entire southern border of the United States. Their demands? "Close down the borders. Return respect to the United States of America as a nation. Make sure that the world stops laughing at us as we undergo a nightly unarmed invasion from Mexico." Gary Deacon told WND that they are simply following President Bush's exhortation in his State of the Union address, when he said, "I call on all citizens to be vigilent and report any activity to the nearest authority." "We're going to keep doing it until the borders are secure," Deacon said. They are gaining the respect of the Border Patrol. Read more.

You can still hear today's show with Tom DeWeese on this citizen volunteer "minutemen" movement, online below.

© Sharon Hughes 2005


Hear the show Now (See 4/18/05)


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Point to Ponder - The Reincarnation of Thomas Jefferson?

Ponder: To give thorough consideration, to think carefully, reflect deeply, cerebrate

As I mentioned last week, the spiritual advisor of the United Nations, yes they have one, kind of like the U.S. Congress has a chaplain, says he's the reincarnation of Thomas Jefferson. Sri Chinmoy, an indian mystic who is in his 23rd year of holding prayer and meditation meetings for anyone to attend on Tuesdays and Fridays at the UN, also says he is the spiritual brother of Jesus. As our friend, Bill Federer, points out in his nationally syndicated American Minute for April 13th, just a few of the things Thomas Jefferson did and believed, it is obvious we are talking about two different Thomas Jeffersons, when you compare what Chinmoy believes, such as "When the power of love Replaces the love of power Man will have a new name: God." See links below for more.

American Minute with Bill Federer

On this day, April 13, 1743, the 3rd U.S. President was born.
He approved the Louisiana Purchase and commissioned Lewis and Clark to explore it.
Best known for drafting the Declaration of Independence, he was also Governor of Virginia.
His name was Thomas Jefferson.
Inscribed on the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, D.C., are Thomas Jefferson's words:
"Can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are of the Gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath?
Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever."

Think about it.

© Sharon Hughes 2005

Related:
Chinmoy Religious Philosophy
Sri Chinmoy on the United Nation's role
Sri Chinmoy Center
Petition to Investigate Chinmoy


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April 17th - Tax Freedom Day?

April 15th, the day and deadline we love to hate. As many of us painfully went through the grueling process of either filing ourselves, or collecting every folder and receipt to give to our accountants, not one of us, I am certain, did so gleefully. No, rather, the effort was more of an "ugh"! Some of us own our own businesses, or non-profit corporations adding to the labor.

Then the day when the task of putting our 'John Henry' on the bottom line arrives, there may be a sigh of relief that no more taxes are due, or perhaps a short-lived excitement that we may get some money back. But for some there is the added step of signing a check to pay even more taxes due. No matter which it is, the bottom line? ... We are paying too much in taxes. The average total is now 40%+ of our earnings, when you include sales tax, property tax, et al.

With all the talk about Tom DeLay paying family members for campaign work still in the headlines, the Tax Foundation reported that the average taxpayer will have to work two days longer this year than last year to reach "Tax Freedom Day". April 17th marks the end of 70 days Americans will work to pay for federal taxes and 37 more days for state and local taxes. That's 107 days, almost one-third of the year working to pay for taxes! Let's hear it, all in unison...UGHHHHH!

Even with all the tax cuts that the Bush administration has passed, Americans will still spend more on taxes than on food, clothing and medical care combined.

As reported in the Sacramento Bee on April 15th, President Bush reported adjusted gross income of $784,219 for 2004, of which $400,000 was from his presidential salary and the balance from trusts that hold his and the First Lady's assets. They paid $207,307 in federal taxes, and gave $77,785 of their income to churches and charitable organizations, which is about 10%. Their contributions went to Evergreen Chapel at Camp David, Md., St. John's Church in Washington, the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army World Service Office, AmeriCares, an international relief organization, and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. They also had $22,158 in state property taxes for their ranch in Crawford, Texas.
President Bush spoke on Tax Day promoting the need to have the tax cuts passed during his administration made permanent. And if Congress allows these tax cuts to expire, he said, "your taxes are going to go up." He also spoke about how tax relief helps small businesses, and the need to simplify the tax code, which eight out of ten Americans favor.

April 17th, 107 days, 3-1/2 months working for taxes. Is it really Tax Freedom Day? Should I even get into all the 'pork' our tax dollars are spent on? No, not today. We need a little relief...a little comfort. Speaking of which I think I'm going to go make a cup of hot chocolate. Oh no, out of soy milk. Where's my candy bar?

© Sharon Hughes 2005

Related:
TaxStats How the Bush Tax Cuts Affect Families
President Bush Pays Taxes
Citizens Against Government Waste - Pork Report
John F. Kennedy Quotes on Taxes


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The UN's Global Gun Grab

More and more people are talking about the U.S. getting out of the UN. And their global gun grab is even more reason to do so. Consider, in the UN propaganda film, Armed to the Teeth, it describes 'legal' weapons as those used by armies and police 'to protect us.' According to William Grigg in his book Global Gun Grab: The United Nations Campaign to Disarm Americas, the film calls civilian gun ownership 'illegitimate'. In Kofi Annan's "We the Peoples" UN report in 2000 he states, "Controlling the proliferation of illicit weapons is a necessary first step towards the non-proliferation of small arms. These weapons must be brought under the control of states and states must be held responsible for their transfer." And a 1995 UN-funded Commission on Global Governance report describes, "militarization" as a "global, social problem to be addressed by the world." hmmmmmm. I'm preparing for tommorrow's show which is "UN - Part 3" on the Earth Charter, and I also talk about the UN's interest in gun control. I encourage you to tune in to our 4/15/05 show, and if you missed my intervies with Howard Nemerov, a gun expert and former gun control advocate, you can catch it online. (See link below under Wednesday).

© Sharon Hughes 2005

Related:
U.N. host of global gun-control event


Hear the show Now (See 4/15/05)


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HOT OFF THE SHOW! Troubled Teens & Guns

On today's show with author and former gun control advocate, Howard Nemerov, we talked about recent murder rampages by teenagers, such as the one in Minnesota where Jeff Weise, a Native American teen, took his grandfather's gun, who was a policeman, killed him, his girlfriend and then went to school and killed two adults and five classmates before killing himself. He did this on Hitler's birthday, which was no coincidence as records show he wrote of his admiration for Hitler on internet forums.

MSNBC reported on this, and that a couple of his friends said he was suicidal and that once when they were watching a movie he said, "That would be cool if I shot up the school." They also reported that his father had committed suicide four years ago, and his mother lives in a nursing home due to brain injuries suffered in a car accident.

What was the cause of this tragedy? Access to a gun? Unhealthy information on the internet? Violence on TV? The effects of his father's suicide? Is gun control the answer? Would it have prevented this incident? If you missed the show today you can listen to it online to get some answers.

© Sharon Hughes 2005

Related:
Howard Nemerov on Gun Control Issues
Violence Policy Center - Teens & Guns


Hear the show Now (See 4/13/05)


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Don't Starve to Death! - Get a 'Will to Live'

Get a Living Will or better yet, a Will to Live. Terri Schiavo's case is an indicator of where we could be heading as a nation, unless we turn around.

While this issue is debated in the weeks and months to come, you can make sure you and your family never have to face what Terri and her family went through by at least getting a Living Will, or even better a Will to Live.

Campaign for Children and Families (CCF), a leading West Coast nonpartisan organization representing children and families, is urging people to utilize the "Will to Live" form, found at www.savecalifornia.com, instead of the inhumane ethics frequently printed in the standard forms for living wills or health care directives.

For instance, California's Advance Health Care Directive form (found in California Probate Code, Section 4701) lumps together food and water in the same category as artificial machinery that keep the heart beating and the lungs working. Californians who use the standard Advance Health Care Directive form could be denied food and water, should they fall into a coma or become incapacitated. Make your will known with the free Will to Live form www.savecalifornia.com.

© Sharon Hughes 2005


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HOT OFF THE A SHOW: Fighting Anti-Semitism

Today's interview with Brigadier General James Hutchens, retired, now President of the Jerusalem Connection brought out both what he is doing to bring Bus 19 to American college campuses (such as UC Berzerkly as we call it here on the left coast) to educate against anti-semitism, and the negative effect the continual conflict in Israel has had on democracy there. We also discussed his take on the war in Iraq, given his service in Vietnam as a Chaplain in the Army with the famous 173rd Airborne Brigade, and later with the celebrated Green Berets. Very interesting.

© Sharon Hughes 2005

Related: The quotes are particularly sobering.
Terrorists in their own words
What part of homicide bombing doesn't the world understand!?
Oil-for-Food Money Went to Palestinian Bombers' Families


Hear the show Now (See 4/11/05)


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Point to Ponder: The Worship of Mother Earth

Ponder: To give thorough consideration, to think carefully, reflect deeply, cerebrate



On this Sunday, I thought you'd be interested to know, if you don't already, that the Ark of Hope, a 500 pound wooden chest created to house the Earth Charter, has traveled throughout the world with its "message of hope." Think this is just silly nonsence? Well, here are a few quotes for you...

In 1992 Maurice Strong, Secretary General of the United Nations Earth conference in Rio, attended by international power-figures from many governments, business, entertainment and the environmental movement, said, "The real goal of the Earth Charter is that it will in fact become like the Ten Commandments."

Mikhail Gorbachev, one of the framers of the Earth Charter, said, "Do not do unto the environment of others what you do not want done to your own environment." and "My hope is that this charter will be a kind of Ten commandments, a 'Sermon on the Mount' that provides a guide for human behavior toward the environment in the next century."

I urge you to tune in to my show this coming week on 4/15/05 "The UN - Earth Charter" Part 3, to hear more of not only what is going on but what is planned for the world through the United Nation's Earth Charter. A one-world religion is on the rise.

Think about it.

© Sharon Hughes 2005


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"Radio" & The Value of all Human Beings

Because of the image-driven 'bent' of our 21st century postmodern culture, I like to look at what the entertainment industry is producing in addition to the news, books and talk radio, because, as we all know, it has a major influence on shaping individual and collective worldview. Whether it's sitcoms, which are continually displaying an anything goes lifestyle, or the movies...sometimes it takes some work to find a movie you want to sit down with a bowl of popcorn and watch on Friday night. It can especially be a challenge to find one I can choose for my Movie Pick of the Week. (see Sharon's Movie Picks) Especially that relates to the guests and topics we have on the show.

I chose the true story of "Radio" for this coming week because after a month of debate on life and death issues since the grueling battle over Terri Schiavo's death, and the dying of Pope John Paul ll, the question of the value of human life is before our nation and world as never before. And let me just be blunt, if we were living in Nazi Germany today, Terri, the aged like the the Pope and "Radio" would eliminated. To think that it couldn't happen again is to be ignorant of the issues.

© Sharon Hughes 2005


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Point to Ponder: The Passing of Pope John Paul ll and Terri Schiavo

Ponder: To give thorough consideration, to think carefully, reflect deeply, cerebrate

Do you think it is an accident that we have just gone through almost two weeks of watching the unbelievable incidents of the Terri Schiavo case, and immediately upon her death we now watch the final days of Pope John Paul ll? I don't. And I think the world, and especially America, will be talking about life and death issues more intently than ever before as a result. As a protestant I am grateful for the immovable stance the Pope has taken on 'Culture of Life' issues as both he and President Bush have referred to them.

There will be plenty of time to debate what all this means and what we can learn from the incidents of this past week, but for now, a couple of verses from the bible as the world contemplates and observes the memorials of both Pope John Paul ll and Terri Schiavo.

"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us... Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?... No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. (Ro. 8:18, 35, 37)

Think about it.

© Sharon Hughes 2005


Related articles:
John Paul II: 1978 - 2005, Most traveled Pope in history dies at 84
The Whole Story of Terri Schiavo


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