The central branding message of the United States encapsulating freedom, democracy and capitalism is the American Dream, says historian and researcher Merrilyn Richardson.

"Clearly, our country and the world in which it resides have seen better days, but we have a roadmap for getting back on track, and it starts with the individual," says Richardson, author of "You ARE God: The Challenge to Achieve Christ Consciousness in the Modern Era."

"Violence is more than perpetrating physical harm - it can also be mental, emotional and spiritual coercion. The root of the word 'terrorism,' for example, is terror, a mental state. I believe we have been violently coerced, as individuals and as a society, into straying from what is essential to our well-being."

On the individual level, if we are more truthful to ourselves as spiritual beings, we will bring more generosity and kindness into the world every day, she says. On a larger scale, societal obstructions include misguided government policies and agencies at home, dictators abroad, terrorism and deceitful preachers, she says.

Winning back the American Dream starts on the individual level, says Richardson, who provides four ways in which we may be truer to our spiritual nature, and better off as a society:

• Choose to act out of love, not fear. When our true spiritual nature is not dictating our actions, it's readily apparent to any reasonably attuned individual. Various fear-based bad ideas, however, blind individuals and prevent them from connecting cause (fear) and effect (violence, selfishness, etc.) When we make choices that are truly based in love, we are connecting to the good of our souls, which, in turn, connects to the benefit of greater society.

• Use your inner "GPS guidance system" - intuition. Flesh, blood, material possessions and money - these are things you cannot take with you when you die. This should remind us that though money may be necessary in life on Earth, it does not buy happiness, as several studies indicate. Peace and goodwill are the coordinates of our beings that are, sadly, often blocked in today's world. Individuals tend to resist the things they most desire in life - peace and goodwill.

• Embrace suffering as a guide to higher purpose. Often, we are told that suffering is something to be avoided. Pain and suffering on a personal level, however, is an indication that something is wrong. At the same time, there is provided a spiritual healing grace to one's vulnerability. Let this sensation reassure you that there is a pull of purpose within you, and the pain felt can be overcome en route to a life filled with meaning.

• Blend spiritual being-ness with human doing-ness. Euripides, one of Athens' great tragedians from antiquity, wrote, "The best and safest thing is to keep a balance in your life, acknowledge the great powers around us and in us. If you can do that, and live that way, you are really a wise man." Just as our U.S. Constitution includes a system of checks and balances so, too, must each of us establish checks and balances between the spirituality within us and the actions of human beings around us. Living without balance, we risk extremism on the spiritual or worldly level.

About Merrilyn Richardson

Merrilyn Richardson received a degree in journalism from Texas Tech University and was editor of Air Force Bases newspapers. At 89, she has spent decades searching for truth and found that studying spiritual subjects provides a basis for understanding our human condition. Her latest book, "You ARE God: The Challenge to Achieve Christ Consciousness in the Modern Era," is a concise glimpse of American history and other events that have affected individuals worldwide. She is a founding member of the Center for Spiritual Living in Midland, Texas. Her two previous books were "Initiation of the Master"  and "The Master's Quest, an End to Terrorism."

1 in 5 High School Students Crosses the Street While Distracted by Technology

New study finds 39 percent of distracted teens are texting while crossing

August 29, 2013 - Quad Cities -- One in five high school students and one in eight middle school students crosses the street while distracted, according to a new research report released today by Safe Kids Worldwide.

The report, "Teens and Distraction: An In-Depth Look at Teens' Walking Behaviors," made possible with support from FedEx®, presents an observational study that recorded more than 34,000 middle and high school students crossing the street in a school zone. Conducted in 17 states and 68 schools, the study looked at whether teens are crossing the street while distracted, and if so, what devices they are using.

According to the research, 39 percent of the students who are crossing the street while distracted are typing on a cell phone and 39 percent are listening to headphones. The remaining students are talking on the phone (20 percent) or using another electronic device, such as a tablet or game (2 percent).

The study was developed to explore findings from a 2012 Safe Kids report that found pedestrian injuries among 16-19 year olds increased 25 percent over the previous five years. Teens now account for half of all pedestrian deaths among children 19 and under.

"We suspected that the increase was due to distraction by mobile devices, but there was not much data to support that conclusion," said Keene Hart Safe Kids Quad Cities. To understand the scope of the problem, we activated our network to observe 34,000 students crossing in school zones. The findings were alarming."

In addition to the observational survey, the study also describes findings from discussions with more than 2,400 students. Almost half of the students (49 percent) say they use a cell phone while walking to school. Four out of 10 say they listen to music while walking. Interestingly, while teens are at the greatest risk for pedestrian crashes, only 22 percent of students say it is kids their own age who are most likely to be hit by a car while walking.

The report includes public policy measures that would protect walkers, like investments by government in making roads around schools safer.

"Distraction is a big problem, both while driving and walking," said Keene Hart

"Parents, talk to your kids to make sure they are paying full attention when crossing the street. And we adults need to follow our own advice. If we put our devices down, our kids are more likely to do the same."

Safe Kids Quad Cities and FedEx are launching a national effort calling on parents and teens to join the Moment of Silence Campaign and stay safe while walking.

Moment of Silence Campaign

In 2012 Christina Morris-Ward was killed while crossing the street. She was wearing headphones and carrying a cell phone. While mobile devices are part of everyday life, we should remember that putting them down when crossing the street can be the difference between life and death. In memory of Christina and all those who have been killed or injured while crossing the street, Safe Kids is launching the Moment of Silence campaign. It's easy to participate: simply commit to putting your device down and paying attention when crossing the street. Watch the video and learn more about the Moment of Silence campaign at safekids.org.

Tips for Parents

• From the first conversation you have with young children about crossing the street safely, talk about the dangers of distraction.

• Talk to teens about putting down mobile devices while walking and remind them of the importance of looking up, listening and making eye contact when crossing the street.

• Set a good example by putting devices down when you are driving or walking around cars.

Tips for Teens

• Put devices down, look up, listen, and make eye contact with drivers before crossing the street.

• Remember to watch out for cars that are turning or backing up. Walk on sidewalks or paths and cross at street corners with traffic signals and crosswalks when possible.

• Be aware of others who may be distracted–and speak up when you see someone who is distracted.

• If you need to use a cell phone, stop on the sidewalk and find a safe area to talk.

• If you are wearing headphones, pull them down before you cross the street or turn the volume off.

• Driveways and parking lots can be especially dangerous because we are walking close to moving cars. Turn off devices in places where cars are going in unexpected directions, like backing out of a parking spot or turning out of a driveway.

Tips for Drivers

• When driving, look both ways for bikers, walkers or runners who may not be immediately visible or may step into the street unexpectedly.

• Slow down and be especially alert in residential neighborhoods and school zones.

• Eliminate any distractions inside your car so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings.

About Safe Kids Quad Cities

Safe Kids Quad Cities works to prevent unintentional childhood injury, the number one cause of death for children in the United States. Safe Kids Quad Cities is a member of Safe Kids Worldwide, a global network of organizations dedicated to preventing unintentional injury. Safe Kids Quad Cities is led by Genesis-Illini Hospital. For more information, visit safekids.org or Quad Cities Safe Kids on facebook.

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Says the Need to "Let Freedom Ring" as Great Today as in 1963

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today joined millions across the globe in a simultaneous bell-ringing to commemorate the 50th anniversary, to the minute, of Dr. Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech.

Governor Quinn was joined by other bell-ringers at Chicago's historic Quinn Chapel AME Church, home to Illinois' oldest African-American congregation. Dr. King once spoke from the Quinn Chapel pulpit.

"This week we commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington and Dr. King's 'I Have a Dream' speech, and we honor the courage and patriotism of all who marched," Governor Quinn said. "Standing here at Quinn Chapel - which played a key role in the abolitionist movement and from which Dr. King delivered his message of justice, equality and peace - we ring a bell to celebrate the joyous noise of freedom."

At the same moment Governor Quinn rang a bell at Quinn Chapel, bells were ringing simultaneously from the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. - where President Obama rang bells with former Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton - to such faraway places as Japan and Switzerland.

"Dr. King knew that the struggle for equality often requires mass action, so this global bell-ringing would have pleased him. But he would also see that there is much more work to do before his ideals of social justice are fully realized," the Governor added.

Organized by the Martin Luther King, Jr., Center for Nonviolent Social Change, the 15-second bell-ringing was intended to remind everyone of the stirring lines of Dr. King's speech: "So let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire...Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee... Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi..."

The Senate Judiciary Committee has oversight jurisdiction over the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) and the intelligence courts that fall under the act's authority.

"The American people are questioning the NSA and the FISA court system.  Accountability for those who intentionally abused surveillance authorities and greater transparency can help rebuild that trust and ensure that both national security and the Constitution are protected," Grassley said.

The text of Grassley's letter is below.

August 27, 2013

Dr. George Ellard, Inspector General

National Security Agency

Office of the Inspector General

9800 Savage Road, Suite 6247

Fort Meade, MD 20755

Dear Dr. Ellard:

I write in response to media reports that your office has documented instances in which NSA personnel intentionally and willfully abused their surveillance authorities.

For each of these instances, I request that you provide the following information:

(1)               The specific details of the conduct committed by the NSA employee;

(2)               The job title and attendant duties and responsibilities of the NSA employee at the time;

(3)               How the conduct was discovered by NSA management and/or your office;

(4)               The law or other legal authority - whether it be a statute, executive order, or regulation - that your office concluded was intentionally and willfully violated;

(5)               The reasons your office concluded that the conduct was intentional and willful;

(6)               The specifics of any internal administrative or disciplinary action that was taken against the employee, including whether the employee was terminated; and

(7)               Whether your office referred any of these instances for criminal prosecution, and if not, why not?

Thank you for your prompt attention to this important request.  I would appreciate a response by September 11, 2013.  I also request that you respond in an unclassified manner to the extent possible.

Sincerely,

Charles E. Grassley, Ranking Member

cc:  Honorable Patrick Leahy, Chairman