Former U.S. Senate Candidate Offers Practical, Spiritual Tips

Even with the onslaught of terrible daily news reports - from mass killings to natural disasters, to government shutdowns -- there are some who deny that the world is becoming increasingly chaotic, says Zane Lawhorn.

"You'll hear people rationalizing what's going on in the world as 'not all that different' from earlier times. The claim is that 24-hour global news programs magnify bad news in a way that's unprecedented. But I tend to view the bad news as just that - bad news," says Lawhorn, a doctor of optometry, former U.S. Senate candidate, a presidential elector for West Virginia in the 2008 presidential election and biblical scholar who has published multiple titles, including "The Messiah Is Here!" (www.zanelawhorn.com).

"Our leaders can't work together; the government seems always on the verge of shut down - or is shut down; spending is out of control; socialist tariffs dictate what's to be our health-care system; maniacs with deadly weapons target public places on what seems to be a regular basis - and that's just what's going on within our borders ... we're seeping into an era of chaos, just as foretold in the Bible."

Now is the time for individuals and families to prepare for deepening chaos, he says.

• Make a checklist for essential goods. Our three essentials will not change in an increasingly chaotic world, and that is the fact that we all need food, water and shelter. Grocery stores have stocks that will last no longer than a week in the event of a complete shutdown of commerce. Resources will be plundered as soon as the population realizes that society's mechanisms have failed. Now is the time to stock up on canned goods, sufficient water, and shelter that can withstand the worst of times.

• Have a plan to convert your money into usable goods or currency. When financial institutions devolve into utter chaos, your money will be worthless. It makes no sense to hold onto it, but you may not be ready to convert your bank account into a pile of gold or useable goods. If that's the case, you should, at the very least, have a plan to efficiently turn money into something useable. Be very vigilant, however, because the window of opportunity will quickly close once everyone realizes anarchy has overtaken civil society.

• Be spiritually solvent. Lawhorn believes these ripples of chaos we are already experiencing are no mere coincidences - they are prophetic signs of change, or End Times. "Common-sense preparation will improve your odds of survival exponentially for whatever comes your way," he says. "Only God knows his will, but we are told in the Bible to prepare for what is already happening, and nothing will be more important during the tough days ahead than the hope available from a righteous relationship with God."

About Zane Lawhorn, OD

Zane Lawhorn has been a doctor of optometry for nearly 30 years. He was raised in a humble household deep in the heart of southern West Virginia and was repeatedly told he wouldn't realize his dreams. Today, he is happily married to his wife for almost 25 years, Donna, and has raised two children, Mitchell and Megan. Lawhorn is a church elder, Sunday school teacher, committee chairman and a real-estate entrepreneur. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in biology from West Virginia University. He was a presidential elector for West Virginia during the 2008 presidential election; Lawhorn's duty was to vote for his state in the election for Republican candidate John McCain and his running mate Sarah Palin, who carried the state.  In 2006, he ran in the Republican primary for the U.S. Senate in West Virginia, and he plans to run again.

Software Developer & Paramedic Reviews Biological
Warnings Many Sadly Ignore

Each year, about 600,000 Americans - one in four -- in the United States die from heart disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Of the 715,000 Americans who have a heart attack each year, about 525,000 are first-timers, says the CDC, and those individuals may not know what's happening. Sadly, many people do not get to the hospital on time, says paramedic Dale Hemstalk.

"If someone is having a heart attack, for example, they should get to the hospital without delay upon the initial onset of symptoms," says Hemstalk, who is also a software developer with Forté Holdings, Inc., a provider of health-care software that works closely with paramedics, emergency medical technicians and firefighters to speed delivery of medical services. The company's newest software, iPCR, (www.ipcrems.com), takes electronic patient-care reporting in the field to new levels of portability and affordability.

"We live in an age in which we should be taking greater advantage of our technology for health purposes - but you have to call for help first!" Hemstalk says.
He shares warning signs that it's time dial 9-1-1.

• Symptoms for a heart attack: Men and women frequently report different symptoms. Men tend to have the "classic" signs, such as pressure, fullness, squeezing or pain in the center of the chest that goes away and comes back; pain that spreads to the shoulders, neck or arms; chest discomfort with lightheadedness, fainting, sweating, nausea or shortness of breath.
For women, symptoms tend to be back or jaw pain; difficulty breathing; nausea or dizziness; unexplainable anxiety or fatigue; mild flu-like symptoms; palpitations, cold sweats or dizziness. Triggers tend to be different between the sexes, too. In women, it's often stress; in men, it's physical exertion.

• Symptoms for a stroke: There are clear, telltale characteristics of a stroke, including sagging on one side of the face, an arm that's drifting down and garbled speech. But there are also more subtle signs from the onset, such as sudden numbness of one side of the body, including an arm, leg and part of the face; sudden confusion, trouble speaking and understanding; sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes; sudden loss of balance; sudden headache for no apparent reason. Risk factors include diabetes, tobacco use, hypertension, heart disease, a previous stroke, irregular heartbeat, obesity, high cholesterol and heavy alcohol use.

• Symptoms for heart failure: This is not the same as a heart attack, which occurs when a vessel supplying the heart muscle with oxygen and nutrients becomes completely blocked. Heart failure is a chronic condition where the heart can't pump properly, which may be due to fluid in the lungs. Warning signs include shortness of breath, fatigue, swollen ankles, chest congestion and an overall limitation on activities. Just one of these symptoms may not be cause for alarm; but more than one certainly is. Risk factors include various heart problems, serious viral infections, drug or alcohol abuse, severe lung disease and chemotherapy.

"At no point should anyone be discouraged from calling 911; the bottom line is, if you feel it's an emergency and you need to call 911, call 911!" Hemstalk says. "There are many reasons to seek assistance from emergency responders, and they are not limited to those that I've mentioned."

About Dale Hemstalk

A United States Air Force Veteran and Career Firefighter Paramedic, Hemstalk has been providing emergency care for over 20 years. During his tenure in EMS, Hemstalk has been an educator, Paramedic Preceptor and Field Training Officer. Working for government agencies and private companies alike, Hemstalk relies on his experiences to help design product features that improve efficiency, speed and accuracy while keeping the field provider's needs his highest priority. Joining Forte Holdings' team was a natural progression combining his love of the Emergency Medical Services industry and new technology along with his commitment to providing the best possible documentation on each and every call for service. To stay current in the industry, Hemstalk remains active in EMS, is still a full time Firefighter/Paramedic and continues his passion for treating those in need.

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No. 12-0283

PAMELA SUE HOOK vs. TITO TREVINO, Individually, and TITO TREVINO d/b/a TREVINO LAW OFFICES

No. 13-0856

IOWA SUPREME COURT ATTORNEY DISCIPLINARY BOARD vs. ATTORNEY DOE NO. 762

Signing Ceremony to Take Place November 20 at UIC Forum 

SPRINGFIELD - Governor Quinn today announced that he will sign historic legislation in the days ahead that will make Illinois the 15th state in the nation to embrace full marriage equality. The signing ceremony will take place at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) Forum on November 20, 2013 at 3:30 p.m.

"Marriage equality is coming to Illinois," Governor Quinn said. "I look forward to signing this landmark legislation on November 20 and celebrating a big step forward with the people of Illinois."

The legislation, which was approved by the Illinois House this week in a historic vote, will permit all couples in Illinois to receive the rights and protections of marriage. As part of his agenda to ensure Illinois embraces all people, Governor Quinn made marriage equality a top legislative priority this year, featuring it in his 2013 State of the State address.

For the second year in a row, UIC was recently named among the nation's top 25 campuses for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students. UIC is the only institution in Illinois among the top 25 campuses. The UIC Forum is located at 725 West Roosevelt Road, Chicago‚ IL 60608.

UIC houses the historic Hull House, now a museum, which opened Chicago's doors to the world's immigrants and became the national center for innovative social and educational programs. In the fall of 2013, the university experienced record-breaking enrollment of 27,589. For the second year in a row in fiscal year 2013 more than 3,800 baccalaureate degrees were awarded, and more graduate and professional degrees were awarded than last year as well.

 

This momentous celebration will be free of charge and open to the public. For more information, including how to attend this historic event, please visit Equality.Illinois.gov.

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Q:       Why is National Adoption Month observed in November?

A:        During this season of thanksgiving, millions of American households open their homes to friends and family from near and far.  We come together to celebrate cherished traditions that have been handed down for generations.  Hospitality, hearth and harvest come to mind as families gather at the table and give thanks.  As Americans make plans for the holiday feast, we can quibble about giblets in the gravy or whether to roast, deep fry or brine the turkey.  Each family enjoys its own unique traditions and family favorites on the Thanksgiving menu.  When it's all said and done, there's really no place like home.  That's why it's especially fitting to commemorate National Adoption Month in November.  Tens of thousands of foster children in America long to have a permanent place setting at their very own family's table on Thanksgiving Day and every other day of the year.  Last year, nearly 400,000 children lived in the U.S. foster care system.  Of those, nearly 102,000 awaited adoption.  More than 26,000 aged out of the system before ever securing a permanent place to call home.  Since 1990, National Adoption Month has helped to raise awareness for children awaiting adoption and appreciation for those who have answered the call to serve as foster or adoptive parents.  So many of us look forward to celebrating the homecoming of friends and family on Thanksgiving Day.  Just consider the hope-filled anticipation of a child longing to be welcomed home for good to a forever family.

 

Q:       What can be done to help more children awaiting adoption to find a permanent, loving home?

A: As co-founder and co-chair of the bipartisan Senate Caucus on Foster Youth, I've worked to raise public awareness and educate policymakers about the challenges facing foster youth, especially those who age out of the system with no long-term support structure in place.  Children and adolescents need stability, certainty and constancy in their lives.  A permanent, loving home provides the most nurturing foundation to help youth reach their fullest potential in society.  We should acknowledge foster youth throughout the year, not just November, and give thanks to parents who heed the call to adopt a child.  And, we can always do more to ensure that children who await adoption get the assistance they need, including support to stay in school and sustain their education.  Earlier this year, I introduced the Foster Youth Stamp Act of 2013 that would provide for the issuance and sale of a postal stamp by the U.S. Postal Service.  Revenue generated from the stamp would support state-based programs, including the Adoption Opportunities Program - which seeks permanent outcomes for foster care youth through adoption, guardianship or kinship care - and the State Court Improvement Program - which seeks to improve legal representation for youth and addresses caseloads and the court's role in achieving safe, stable, permanent homes for children in foster care.

 

Q:       What other legislative provisions have you championed to promote adoption?

A: As an outspoken advocate for "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" at the policymaking tables in Washington, I believe these founding principles apply especially to vulnerable children in our society.  I've worked with Iowa families, foster youth, child welfare advocates, court representatives and social workers to help identify financial, legal and bureaucratic roadblocks that make it difficult for kids to find a permanent, loving home through adoption, guardianship or reunification with their birth family.  Through congressional hearings and legislation, I've worked to raise awareness about the stability that adoption can bring to a child in need of a loving home as well as the public good adoption brings to society.

•         In 1997, I worked to advance the Adoption and Safe Families Act that is credited with doubling adoptions from foster care in many states.

•         As then-chairman of the tax-writing Senate Finance Committee, I secured an expansion of federal tax credit assistance in the 2001 tax law that increased qualified expenses for adoption from $5,000 to $10,000.  Today the tax credit is indexed for inflation and was made a permanent provision of the federal tax code earlier this year. Adoptive parents this year may apply $12,970 in qualified adoption expenses to their 2013 federal tax return.

•         In 2006, congressional hearings in the Senate Finance Committee led to the passage of the Child and Family Services Improvement Act that improved programs designed to help troubled families and increased caseworker visits for foster care youth.

•         In 2008, I authored the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions law which increased federal incentives for states to move children from foster care to adoptive homes; made it easier for children to be adopted by relatives; made children with special needs eligible for federal adoption assistance; and, established new educational opportunities for youth who age out of foster care at age 18.

Q:       What is National Adoption Day?

A:        Since 2000, 44,500 families have finalized adoptions on National Adoption Day. Organizers single out the Saturday before Thanksgiving to raise public awareness and honor adoptive families across the country.  As Iowans count our blessings and celebrate family on Thanksgiving Day, let's remember the children in our communities who dream to find a family to call their own once and for all.  Have you, a family member, friend or neighbor considered adoption?  On behalf of the thousands of foster children whose single-most important wish upon the turkey's wishbone would be to take a seat at their very own family's Thanksgiving table, I encourage you to prayerfully consider the call if you're in a position to do so.

Thursday, November 7, 2013
She Says Jehovah's Witness is Just One Faith Group that Fosters Religion-Based Child Abuse

Lee Marsh, president of Advocates for Awareness of Watchtower Abuses, urges the public to tune in Nov. 8 to a ground-breaking conference focused on ending religion-based child abuse.

Child-Friendly Faith Project's first conference brings together religion, legal and other experts including Texas Supreme Court Justice Debra H. Lehrmann, "Prophet's Prey" author Sam Brower, Christian theology professor Dr. David H. Jensen, child advocate Dr. Rita Swan, and family law expert Ann M. Haralambie, JD. There will also be a survivors panel discussion moderated by cult expert Steven Hassan.

You can watch the conference during a live stream beginning at 9 a.m. Nov. 8 at ChildFriendlyFaith.org. The goal is to end all religion-based child abuse and cover-ups that protect abusers.

"There are a number of practices that hurt children," says Marsh, who was raised a member of Jehovah's Witness. "Some faiths encourage spanking and other physical abuse - even for small babies. Some forbid their followers from seeking medical treatment, relying instead on faith to heal, which has led to the deaths of children. And some allow child sexual abuse to go unchecked and unpunished."

Religion-based child abuse is more prevalent than many believe, she says.

"It neither started nor stopped with the infamous Roman Catholic Church scandal," says Marsh, who says as a child, she and her 13-year-old aunt were sexually abused by the same man.

"Instead of calling the police, the leaders of the Jehovah's Witness congregation I attended were told to deal with the problem," Marsh says.

"In both cases, the elder in charge suggested that we girls go to live at another home away from our families. The issue was kept quiet and the accused person remained in the home and in the congregation."

Among those expected at the conference is another Jehovah's Witness, Candace Conti. She's one of the few members of the faith who successfully pushed for legal prosecution of the church for protecting her abuser. The Watch Tower Society, which oversees Jehovah's Witnesses,  was found guilty of covering up child sexual abuse to protect a molester, and she was awarded $28 million in damages.

"It's important for everyone to be allowed to practice the faith of their choice, and to draw the strength, support and instruction from it that they need," Marsh says. "However, we have to protect the most vulnerable in our society from the practices that cause physical and emotional harm - practices that are not tolerated in any other area of civilized society."

Lee Marsh is a retired trauma counselor and president of Advocates for Awareness of Watchtower Abuses and the director of Support Services. AAWA is an international organization established to educate the world about some of Watchtower's most shocking practices.

DAVENPORT, IA - On November 6, 2013, McFerry Tolbert, Jr., age 30, was sentenced by United States District Judge John A. Jarvey to 240 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute,  280 grams or more of cocaine base, announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt. Tolbert was also  ordered to serve five years of supervised release following the imprisonment, and to pay $100 towards the Crime  Victims Fund.

Beginning in approximately June 2012 and continuing until about November 27, 2012, Tolbert purchased cocaine base, also known as "crack," and conspired with others to redistribute the drug in the Davenport, Iowa area. As part of the investigation, Davenport police conducted several controlled purchases of cocaine base from Tolbert in October and November 2012. Law enforcement officers also executed a search warrant at Tolbert's Davenport residence and seized, among other items, cocaine base and a digital scale. When Tolbert was arrested he had 14 individually packaged pieces of cocaine base on his person.

This case was investigated by the Davenport, Iowa, Police Department, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Iowa Department of Public Safety - Division of Narcotics Enforcement. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

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DAVENPORT, IA–Waste Commission of Scott County facilities will be closed Monday, Nov. 11 in observance of Veterans Day. Normal hours of operation will resume on Tuesday, Nov. 12. Facilities closed include the following:

  • Scott Area Recycling Center, 5640 Carey Ave., Davenport
  • Scott Area Landfill, 11555 110th Ave., Davenport
  • Household Hazardous Material Facilities, Davenport and Buffalo
  • Electronic Demanufacturing Facility, 1048 East 59th St., Davenport

Waste Commission of Scott County is an intergovernmental agency whose mission is to provide environmentally sound and economically feasible solid waste management for Scott County. For more information about the Commission, please call (563) 381-1300 or visit www.wastecom.com.

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Honor Recognizes Governor's Advocacy for Ensuring All Residents Have the Option of Community Living

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today was presented with the Outstanding Advocate Award from the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities (ICDD) for his work to offer people with intellectual and developmental disabilities the opportunity to live in their community of choice. Since taking office, Governor Quinn has worked tirelessly for people with developmental disabilities by investing in community care and signing legislation that breaks down barriers to increase opportunities for employment. This legislation was first introduced by the Governor in his 2013 State of the State Address.

"Everyone deserves the opportunity to chase their own dreams and reach their full potential," Governor Quinn said. "We are making Illinois a better place to live for all people as we continue our mission of creating more choices and improving care for people with disabilities."

Governor Quinn has been recognized both nationally and locally as a champion for people with disabilities. Two years ago, the Governor launched his Rebalancing Initiative to improve the state's system of caring for those with disabilities and mental health challenges. The initiative has successfully moved hundreds of people with disabilities out of institutions and into community-based care.

"We are very appreciative of the leadership Governor Quinn has shown in the Rebalancing Initiative," Executive Director of the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities Sheila Romano said. "More than 500 people with developmental disabilities applaud the Governor's advocacy."

The Arc of the United States recently named Governor Quinn the Advocacy Matters! Award recipient for 2013, which is The Arc's most prestigious, national honor. The award is presented annually to proven leaders who advocate and protect the civil and human rights of people with disabilities and increase resources, services and supports that promote their full inclusion and participation in the community. In July, the Governor signed the "Employment First Act," a new law which requires Illinois state agencies to work together to make employment for people with disabilities a priority.

The Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities (ICDD) summit for people with developmental disabilities promotes self-confidence and enhances skills enabling participants to become more self sufficient. The Arc of Illinois represents more than 220,000 people with disabilities and their families and is committed to empowering persons with disabilities to achieve full participation in community life through informed choices. In 2012 Governor Quinn received The Arc of Illinois 2012 President's Award for his leadership to improve life for people with developmental disabilities by rebalancing Illinois' approach to providing care.

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WASHINGTON, DC - In an effort to protect taxpayers, hold corporate wrongdoers accountable, and deter future fraud and abuse, U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) are introducing legislation to rescind tax write-offs for illegal corporate behavior.  The bipartisan Government Settlement Transparency & Reform Act would close a loophole that has allowed some corporations to reap tax benefits from payments made at government direction stemming from settling misdeeds.

Corporations accused of illegal activity routinely settle legal disputes with the government out of court because it allows both the company and the government to avoid the time, expense, and uncertainty of going to trial.

Federal law prohibits companies from deducting public fines and penalties from their taxable income.  But under current law, offending companies may often write off any portion of a settlement that is not paid directly to the government as a penalty or fine for violation of the law.  This allows some companies to lower their tax bill by claiming settlement payments to non-federal entities as tax deductible business expenses.

The Reed-Grassley bill would require the government and the settling party to reach pre-filing agreements on how the settlement payments should be treated for tax purposes.  The bill clarifies the rules about what settlement payments are punitive and therefore non-deductible and increases transparency by requiring the government to file a return at the time of settlement to accurately reflect the tax treatment of the amounts  that will be paid by the offending party.

"A penalty is supposed to deter others because it causes pain to a company's bottom line.  If a company is paying thousands, millions, or even billions in fines, it shouldn't save money for those same misdeeds, it should be held accountable.  The law needs to change to ensure the punishment fits the crime.  Congress needs to close this settlement loophole," said Reed.

"A penalty should be meaningful or it won't have the deterrent effect it's supposed to have," Grassley said.  "This issue comes up regularly, and this bill would make deductibility clear going forward."

Summary: The Government Settlement Transparency & Reform Act (S. 1654)

Closes tax loophole that allows tax write-offs for corporate violations.

The bill would amend the tax code to deny tax deductions for certain fines, penalties, and other amounts related to a violation or investigation or inquiry into the potential violation of any law.

It amends subsection (f) of Section 162 of the Internal Revenue Code.  Amounts paid by corporations, which constitute restitution for damage caused by the violation of any law are exempted and remain deductible.  This section requires that nongovernmental entities which exercise self-regulatory powers be treated as government entities for purposes of disallowing deductions under this section. The bill requires the government to stipulate the tax treatment of the settlement agreement.

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