Articles written by Jim Poulson

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About me - Jim Poulson

My childhood is a jumble of places! Dad was in the Air Force, so I attended six different elementary schools (in NH where I was born, CA, Guam, MI, NH again, and England), two junior high schools (England and Wichita, Kansas), and finally managed to complete

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Politics, News & Issues > News (Other) Judging the ignorance of US citizens in world issues: 3 of 35
I have traveled quite extensively in my life. I have also studied a number of languages, including Russian, with which I worked as a translator for a number of years. In the last 15 years, we have hosted seven exchange students. I have been amazed, even appalled, at the ignorance of Americans on anything outside of their own ... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Family Law The benefits of the government forcing men to pay child support: 5 of 34
I am glad to see there are some people taking notice that sometimes it is the mother who is the "deadbeat". Not all child support judgments are against the father. One major problem with governments enforcing child support payments is that it is under state control. There needs to be some level of federal involvement. I am no... More..
Religion & Spirituality > Christian Beliefs & Culture Christianity and the question of "riches": 15 of 44
The "Prosperity Gospel" is tailor made for western, particularly American, culture. "God wants everyone to be rich", and when they preach this, they mean physical, financial wealth. Certainly, a scriptural case can be made for this. It takes money and other resources to advance the Gospel for the glory of GOD (which is SUPPOS... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Government & Policies Proposals to end poverty in the USA: 10 of 28
There is an old cliche: "Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he will eat for a life time."There are several contributing factors to poverty in the USA, many of which have been addressed in WORDS for decades. Unfortunately, it is too profitable for some politicians and other "leaders" to KEEP p... More..
Religion & Spirituality > Christian Beliefs & Culture Looking for God in the midst of personal pain: 20 of 42
It was a beautiful, sunny July day in Germany. As I left our third floor apartment for work that Monday morning, I slipped into each of the girls' rooms and gave each of them a kiss on the forehead. We had three daughters - 5, 9, and 10 years old. The youngest, Karen, was especially boisterous, often dancing around the house,... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Justice System Jessica's Law: How to punish child molesters: 18 of 30
I agree completely with "Jessica's Law". Someone who is a sexual predator needs to be locked up for a very, very long time. The mandatory MINIMUM of 25 years seems a good start.However, I think there needs to be some definition. What makes one a sexual "predator"? Certainly, Jessica's attacker fits anyone's definition. When t... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Politics, News & Issues (Other) Do people tend to base election votes more on emotion or reason?: 44 of 69
We live in a drive-thru society. Everything has to be instant, right now, and handed to us pre-packaged. The media plays this to near perfection. People in America, by and large, vote (WHEN they DO vote) based on what the media tells them, not on their own careful and thoughtful investigation of candidates and/or issues. The ... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Politics, News & Issues (Other) Voter apathy and its effect on democracy in the U.S.: 33 of 49
Voter apathyLooking at countries such as Iraq, where elections have only just become possible after a high price has been paid, we see that voter turn out is so much higher than our own. Why is voter apathy so prevalent in America? One reason is that, as a nation, we have forgotten the PRICE paid for our democracy, imperfect ... More..
Autos > Driving & Safety Driver safety: Bad habits: 26 of 34
Ten Most Dangerous and Mystifying Driving Behaviors -From the driver's seat of a "big rig"10. Drivers who cut in too closely after passing, then slam on their brakes.9. Drivers who refuse to signal or maybe they aren't aware of that ingenious device.8. Drivers who drive in the pouring rain without any lights on. Especially wi... More..
Politics, News & Issues > US News Virginia Tech shooting: Should America ban firearms?: 50 of 52
Whenever there is a mass murder on this scale, have all kinds of people come out of the woodwork screaming for more control of guns. They refer to them as "gun crimes". Not so. They are PEOPLE crimes.I would like someone to show me how MORE "gun control" would have kept Cho Seung-hui from going on his shooting spree. This you... More..