Troupes of city monkeys explore the rooftops and play with puppies that use the high terrain for exercise. Cute animal video from BBC natural history show Monkey Warriors.

US Air Force personnel walk to their aircraft for an in-air refueling mission over Iraq, on August 11, 2014 (AFP Photo/Staff Sgt. Vernon Young Jr.)

AFP, September 9, 2014

Washington (AFP) – The US Air Force has told a sergeant he will have to leave the military unless he agrees to take an oath with the phrase “so help me God,” officials said Tuesday.

In the latest religious controversy to roil the air force, the atheist airman last month was denied his request to re-enlist because of his refusal to swear to God — and he is now poised to take the military to court, his lawyer said.

“We have not received word from the Air Force regarding our letter. It has not indicated a willingness to settle out of court,” said Monica Miller, an attorney for the American Humanist Association, which has taken up the service member’s case.

With the deadline for re-enlisting expiring in November, the technical sergeant at Creech Air Force base in Nevada — whose name has not been released — will be forced to sue the government in a federal court, Miller told AFP.
In the past, an airman could opt for an alternative phrase and omit the words “so help me God,” but the US Air Force changed its policy in October 2013.

The other branches of the American military do not require the reference to God and make the phrase optional.

“This is the only branch to my knowledge that’s actually requiring everyone in all instances to use the religious language,” Miller said.

The requirement violates the US Constitution, which bars religious tests to hold office or other positions, Miller said of the case, which was first reported by the Air Force Times.

“The government cannot compel a nonbeliever to take an oath that affirms the existence of a supreme being,” she said.

The sergeant’s service expires in November and he has until then to re-enlist and take the oath, said US Air Force spokeswoman Ann Stefanek.

In the meantime, “a written legal opinion is being requested” from the Pentagon’s top lawyer, she said.

The air force has been plagued by controversy for years over religion and the role of Christian evangelists.

The US Air Force Academy in Colorado faced accusations several years ago that evangelical Christians exerted a dominating influence over the institution.

But attempts to counter the perceived bias in the service have sparked criticism from Christian activist groups, who allege a new rule stifles the religious expression of troops.

The disputed rule bars commanders from promoting their religious convictions to their subordinates.

Advocates of the policy say it protects troops who worry their careers could be jeopardized if they do not take part in their superior’s Christian activities.

There are moments when troubles enter our lives and we can do nothing to avoid them. But they are there for a reason. Only when we have overcome them will we understand why they were there. ~Paulo Coelho

Respect everyone and earn the respect of others. Respect your friends, your family, and your lovers by validating their opinions and experiences. Try to understand them deeply, on a personal level. Ask them questions, have long discussions, and open your heart. Understand that the other person has their own wishes and desires, and rights to privacy and dignity. If you can’t allow this for another person, then you can’t love them. ~wikiHow

Don’t expect perfection in the person you love
or in yourself. This sets incredibly unrealistic
expectations. Neither of you will be able to live
up to these standards and you both will end up
hurt and disappointed. Even if you feel that you
only expect perfection for yourself, this will give
you the mindset that people can be perfect and you
will subconsciously expect the same from the person
you’re with. ~wikiHow

We often think of peace as the absence of war, that if powerful countries would reduce their weapon arsenals, we could have peace. But if we look deeply into the weapons, we see our own minds- our own prejudices, fears and ignorance. Even if we transport all the bombs to the moon, the roots of war and the roots of bombs are still there, in our hearts and minds, and sooner or later we will make new bombs. To work for peace is to uproot war from ourselves and from the hearts of men and women. To prepare for war, to give millions of men and women the opportunity to practice killing day and night in their hearts, is to plant millions of seeds of violence, anger, frustration, and fear that will be passed on for generations to come. ~Thich Nhat Hanh

If you are feeling blue, then this rose is for you…
If you are happy, you may have this blue rose too.
Well, if you are in love, I guess…this gorgeous rose is also for you
because blue rose has a certain charm and unique mystery
that does not reveal itself freely.
Never give up hope. Never stop dreaming.
Things never are as bad as they seem…

~Jendhamuni

_______________________

The meaning of the blue rose

The lighter shade of the blue rose, which is almost akin to lilac, expresses the first flush of love. Enchantment, a feeling of being completely bowled over in the very first instance is another delightful meaning of the blue rose. Lavender and lilac have both been associated with romance since time immemorial.

The blue rose is also used as a symbol of caution. It expresses a need to be discrete. Again, there is a whiff of secrecy and mystery as expressed by the blue color.

New opportunities and new possibilities are also some other meanings of the blue rose. The blue rose denotes the excitement and the possibilities that new ventures bring. The mysterious beginnings of new things and the excitement therein are very nicely expressed by this flower.

The blue rose is a flower that seeks to convey a message of mystery, enchantment and a sense of the impossible. One should never forget that as a flower that is not found freely in nature, the blue rose has a certain charm and unique mystery that does not reveal itself freely.

Source:  Rose For Love

Never seek to force love. You can try but you’ll find fear,
neediness and insecurity, not love. Love will come if you’re
willing to share love, to give of it freely and to expect nothing in return.

~wikiHow

The idea of romantic love is often fueled by fantasies and much of the romantic love shown in movies and romance novels is unrealistic and causes real mortals to feel inadequate. Be aware that creatively written or filmed romantic love is a thing of art in its own––mere mortals are recommended to see that romantic love has warts. The more expansively you view romantic love, the more accepting you are that romantic love isn’t always ideal and the more certain you are about who you are and what matters to you in life, the more likely you’ll be to find happiness in romance. Leave those rose colored glasses slightly lifted at all times! ~wikiHow