Did you know every year more than four million Americans need blood transfusions? By taking just a little time, Americans can help each other. Donating blood is fast, simple and most importantly, it saves lives. Donate in Port Lavaca at Calhoun County Offices, 211 S. Ann St., Wednesday, Aug. 24; 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Anyone 16 years old weighing 120 pounds (with a parental consent form), or at least 17 years old weighing 110 pounds, and in good general health can donate blood. It is recommended to eat iron rich foods before donating and to drink plenty of fluids to keep the body hydrated. Donors must present identification.

Visit www.southtexasblood.org for more information.

Asia Bibi, a Christian wife and mother in Pakistan, was arrested by police on June 19, 2009, and charged with blasphemy after she engaged in a religious discussion with co-workers. Many of the local women, including Asia, worked on the farm of Muslim landowner Muhammad Idrees. Her family was one of only three Christian families in a village of more than 1,500 families. During their work, many of the Muslim women had pressured Asia to renounce Christianity and accept Islam.

On June 19, 2009 there was an intense discussion among the women about their faith. The Muslim women told Asia about Islam, and, according to VOM sources, Asia responded by telling the Muslim women that Jesus is alive. “Our Christ sacrificed His life on the cross for our sins…Our Christ is alive.” She told them. Upon hearing this response, the Muslim women became angry and began to beat Asia. Then some men took her and locked her in a room. They announced from mosque loudspeakers that she would be punished by having her face blackened and being paraded through the village on a donkey.

Local Christians informed the police, who took Asia into protective custody before the Muslims could carry out their plan. Christians urged the police not to file blasphemy charges, but the police claimed they had to go forward because of pressure from local Muslim leaders.

After a lengthy trial, on Nov. 8, 2010, Asia Bibi was sentenced to death by a judge. The judge also fined Asia $1,190 (U.S.) and told her she had seven days to appeal the decision. Her attorneys filed the appeal promptly, and now wait for the Lahore High Court to rule. If the appeal is rejected, Asia would be the first woman to be lawfully executed under Pakistan’s blasphemy laws. She remains in prison, waiting to hear the high court’s ruling.

On Jan. 4, 2011 the governor of Punjab province, where Asia lives, was assassinated by a member of his security team. Though a Muslim, Salmaan Taseer had spoken out repeatedly in favor of a pardon for Asia Bibi and for a reexamination of Pakistan’s blasphemy laws. Governor Taseer also met with Asia in prison. On March 2, 2011, Shahbaz Bhatti, the only Christian member of Pakistan’s cabinet and another person who had spoken out on behalf of Asia Bibi, was also assassinated for his support of her.

The Voice of the Martyrs has supported Asia Bibi and her family since the time of her arrest. In July, 2011, VOM launched www.CallForMercy.com in an effort to gather 1,000,000 signatures from around the world asking for Asia’s release.

The Voice of the Martyrs is a non-profit, inter-denominational Christian organization dedicated to assisting the persecuted church worldwide. VOM was founded in 1967 by Pastor Richard Wurmbrand, who was imprisoned 14 years in Communist Romania for his faith in Christ. His wife, Sabina, was imprisoned for three years. In the 1960s, Richard, Sabina, and their son, Mihai, were ransomed out of Romania and came to the United States. Through their travels, the Wurmbrands spread the message of the atrocities that Christians face in restricted nations, while establishing a network of offices dedicated to assisting the persecuted church. The Voice of the Martyrs continues in this mission around the world today. Voice of the Martyrs website address is: www.persecution.com

Hebrews 13:3: Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.

The August meeting of the Bunco Group was held Tuesday evening, August 2nd, and unfortunately, without my presence! Although my plans that morning had been confirmed to attend the Bunco Party, fate (as usual) intervened. So, this totally eclectic group of women had their fun —- and without me! Oh, well, September is coming. But the best part of this evening was the absence of Elvira!

Hostesses for the night were Pat Ekstrom and Mary Ann Claiborne. Their choice of gastronomic delights were an astonishing fruit salad set in a watermelon with honeydew and cantaloupe balls blessed with blue berries and pineapple. Enuf said but delicious cookies and a veggie tray with dip accompanied this. As the coolness of these desserts met with the over heated palates of the guests, food was consumed rapidly. And then play started.

Winner of the most buncos was: Sally Jones. Winner of the most games was: Cha Cha Milne. And the total loser was: Shirley Gordon – but not really a loser

And I missed it all! So, POC Ladies, don’t be like me and miss an evening of fun. Make plans to attend the September 6th Bunco Party at 7:00 p.m. We meet in the back room of the Community Center, and we promise not to make the newbies hostesses immediately as the gals who will be serving as hostesses in September are Sally Jones and Biddie Hileman, and they also have a huge SURPRISE!

Hope to see you there!

During the 82nd Texas Legislature, a number of bills were filed and eventually passed with the objective of combating criminal activity in the State of Texas. As criminals have adapted, so must the laws that are designed to control, limit and ultimately punish them for their criminal activities. These types of laws are necessary to maintain what most of us understand to be a civilized society which is dependent on laws that protect each of us from individuals infringing on our person, property or personal safety.

Those bills that passed the 82nd Legislature range from bills that were intended to close existing loopholes to those aimed at accounting for new technologies and tactics. Below are some of those bills:

• SB 844 – Under the law prior to the passage of SB 844 a loophole existed in the Texas Penal Code. Under the Penal Code, an individual commits an offense if that individual were to evade a peace officer attempting to place them under arrest or who escapes from custody after they have been arrested. Additionally, under the Penal Code, a peace officer has the ability to lawfully detain a person based on a reasonable suspicion that the person has committed an offense. However, if the person who is lawfully detained escapes, there is little legal basis for charging that person with an offense of escape from custody or evading if the escape occurs outside the peace officers sight. SB 844 makes it an offense for an individual to escape while they are being lawfully detained.

• HB 1116 – Over time numerous devices have been created to help prevent speeders from being ticketed. The most common device that we are all accustom to is the radar detector which is designed to pick up radar signals out of the air. These radar detectors have become less effective, as law enforcement have become familiarized with how they work. This has spawned the usage of Lidar/radar jamming devices. Unlike traditional radar detectors, the jamming devices emit a radio frequency signal that interferes with the operation of police Lidar/radar by saturating its receiver with noise or false information. These devices have the potential to damage police equipment, as well as prevent the police from not only measuring the speed of the vehicle equipped with the jamming device but also those vehicles around it. HB 1116 makes it illegal to have a radar jamming device in your vehicle.

• SB 1416 – Law enforcement officials in South Texas have been tasked with overcoming a device now being utilized by fleeing suspects. Tire deflation devices are often used by law enforcement officers to end a police chase. Recently individuals being pursued by law enforcement officers have begun throwing down homemade tire deflation devices intended to take out the police cars tires. These devices pose a danger to not only law enforcement but also the general public. With the passage of SB 1416, these devices are now illegal to possess, manufacture, transport, repair or sell.
It is important to note that each of these laws will go into effect on September 1, 2011. Though these laws may not directly impact you, it is important to learn and know about the new laws that were passed by the 82nd Texas Legislature. If you would like to view any of the other legislation that was passed during the 82nd Regular Session and the first called special session, these websites are great resources:

• The Texas Legislature

• The Texas House of Representatives

• The Texas Senate

If you have questions regarding any of the information mentioned in this article, please do not hesitate to call my Capitol or District Office. As always, my offices are available at any time to assist with questions, concerns or comments (Capitol Office, 512-463-0672; District Office, 361-949-4603).

Calhoun County Republican Party members met on August 1 to discuss fund raising plans and to introduce candidates for the 2012 election.
Republican candidates present were Wade Wilson, candidate for Commissioner Precinct #1; Troy Baxter, candidate for County Sheriff; and Dallas Chambless, who will be running for the U.S. Representative District 27 position.