You're right Casooner.. so here goes:

1) My Grandfather (mom's father)  was a minister for a small protestant denomination called the Moravians (technically pre-date Luther's 95 Thesies by about 100 years), and I believe much of his spiritual belief is reflected in my current ideology.  My father was raised Roman Catholic (like any good Italian-American).  Therefore, my parents made a compromise and joined the Episcopal church - where I was raised.  I would say I still identify most with that denomination.

2) I consider any person who willingly lays down their life for another to be the most heroic - whether that be a soldier in battle, a police officer, a first responder - I could not do the jobs that they do, and I respect and support them for everything they sacrifice.

Edit - as an addition, I feel that most of my family are my personal heros, but I would make special note of my Aunt who is a breast cancer survivor, who then had a brain tumor (survived that, but the later found out that the tumor ate away part of her eye socket, so now her eye moves a bit too freely, thereby making it difficult to do anything without feeling dizzy), and was recently diagnosed with Lukemia.  Despite all that hardship, she still remains strong and vigilant.  That strength has helped me persevere through some of my own hardships.

3) Health Care - so long as we treat the health and safety of our citizens as a profitable commodity, we will have a flawed system. Foreign Policy - we have always meddled in the affairs of sovereign nations to further our own agenda, whether it be right or wrong.  I believe it's time to reflect back on how things have been in the past, and how they should be in the future.  We've created a lot of our own problems in this arena.. and I'm not saying we should apologize for anything, but we should work towards righting our wrongs, and reinforcing our position of global power, using said power for positives instead of negatives.  We should still have the most powerful and the best military in the world, but we should reserve use of that military for times of extreme situations. Civil Rights - I believe much of the civil rights fight currently is not about government involvement, but instead, revolves around stigmas and misperceptions that people on all sides of the fence have about each other. As we continue to diversify as a nation and society, I think civil rights issues will continue on a path of progress. Energy - I support the end of reliance on foreign energy through research, development and application of alternative, renewable energies. Education - I think education in our country is poor, at best.  Our students need to learn concepts and understand how to apply them, instead of regurgitating a list of facts for standardized exams.  We should also open up academia to be more free to explore fact, and not doctored fiction, as is seen in many textbooks.

4) Shindler's List is one of the most powerful movies I've ever seen.  If you haven't seen it, it is essential to understand the Holocaust on a more personal setting.

5) I'm a dog person.. allergic to cats anyway.

6) I went to Honduras for 9 days when I was 16 on a Church mission trip.  I saw real poverty, but I also saw real happiness.  I saw a people who prioritized based upon life, and not a slavery to merchandise.  I'm not perfect and oftentimes find myself dreaming about material wealth, but I'm almost always reminded of this trip, and it forces me to remember what my real priorities should be.

1) Are you spiritual?  Do you follow a specific religion? If so, what sect/denomination?

No, I'm not.  I grew up in a religious home but I don't have a religion that I practice (I am an ordained minister in the Universal Life Church, though).  I took a religion class in college and it opened my eyes to the similarities in religions.

2) Who is someone you would consider a hero of yours, and why?

I Don't have a hero.  Everyone is human, feels pain, and fails.  I am intrigued by people who go against the grain or social norms and have lasting impacts (Malcom X, Fidel Castro, Hugo Chavez)

3) What are the top five most important political or social issues to you? 

Health Care ( I think everyone should have it), Education (I think it should be affordable), Latin American/African politics (I think they need to be more autonomous in their affairs), International Corporate influence (They rule the world and are the modern day feudal lords), military policy (It's a parallel universe to America)

4) If you had to recommend one movie to watch, which would it be, and why?  It's a tie-

Forrest Gump.  It gives you faith in that hard work and trying to be a good person will result in making the world a beter place and a good life.

Color Purple- Shows how strong the mind and spirit can be in bad times.

5) Here's a serious one: Dogs, or cats?

Dogs are loyal cats are finnicky but I love them both.  I name my pets after famous black people, btw.  I had a dog named James Brown.

6) .. Rounding out this "round" of questions: Define an influential moment in your life that has shaped you into the person you are.

Becoming a father at 20 years old (with a girl I barely knew in a foreign country) began the process of me growing up and wanting to have a life of substance.

1) Are you spiritual?  Do you follow a specific religion? If so, what sect/denomination? 

No

2) Who is someone you would consider a hero of yours, and why? 

My husband.  He's beat smoking and alcoholism, controls his bi polar disorder, and has put up with me bossing him around for 40 years.

3) What are the top five most important political or social issues to you? 

Air quality, equal rights for gays, separations of church and state,  preservation of our forests, prohibition of drugs, alcohol and tobacco.

4) If you had to recommend one movie to watch, which would it be, and why? 

The PBS series of Pride and Prejudice.  Why?  Colin Firth, naturally.

5) Here's a serious one: Dogs, or cats?

Both unfortunately.  4 cats 1 dogs and 7 stray cats from next door making my life miserable

6) .. Rounding out this "round" of questions: Define an influential moment in your life that has shaped you into the person you are.

Someone told me once that I have a lot of inner strength.  Once he said it, I realized it was true and started acting on that knowledge.

1) Are you spiritual?  Do you follow a specific religion? If so, what sect/denomination? No. Atheist.

2) Who is someone you would consider a hero of yours, and why? Anyone who wears a uniform and serves their country or community with honor. Why...because they do. (I'm serious about this. I hold these people up as heroes, and I treat them as such. I also show that to my kids when we meet Police, Firemen or Soldiers out in public.

3) What are the top five most important political or social issues to you? National security, domestic energy production and fair trade.

4) If you had to recommend one movie to watch, which would it be, and why? Well, a mini series actually, but HBO's John Adams. It is cool to see all those parts of history recreated, but leaves me a bit depressed over how far we have strayed from the "free country" they envisioned. 

5) Here's a serious one: Dogs, or cats? Ok, seriously...DOGS. Cats can go extinct for all I care. Hate cats.

6) .. Rounding out this "round" of questions: Define an influential moment in your life that has shaped you into the person you are. I think the first time I was in a serious (10th of a second from being killed) aviation incident, in this case a near mid air collision, made me really think about things. I have had a few other incidents since, and they seem to act as a 'reset' button, and make you a better person (or worse) depending on your attitude, I suppose.

1) Are you spiritual?  Do you follow a specific religion? If so, what sect/denomination?

I was raised Southern baptist.  Went to christian schools from the pre-k to 8th.  My family never really went to church but was very religious.  Now, I claim to be more agnostic than anything.  In other words "I don't know."  I dated a guy, who wants to be an episcopal priest, who would beat me over the head if i said "spiritual."  in other words, I look at the complexity of life and the universe and I can't in good conscience think it was by accident.

2) Who is someone you would consider a hero of yours, and why?

george Lucas, because that man knows how to MARKET! C.S. Lewis.  My little buddy max.  

3) What are the top five most important political or social issues to you? 

Equal rights under tha law (aka gay marriage), Stricter guidlines for welfare, global warming, seperation of church and state, education, especially in the arts damn it!

4) If you had to recommend one movie to watch, which would it be, and why?

Oh god!  Just one!  I can't do just one. I am a movie junky!  So you'll get 4 or 5.  American Beauty, because it's my all time favorite. Shawshank Redemption. Garden State. Lars and the Real Girl. Shelter.  And all of these because there is a growth of character and a desire for something more.

5) Here's a serious one: Dogs, or cats?

Very much a dog person, have two myself.  but there is one cat in particular I love.  My cat.  She is the only cat I could ever love.

6) .. Rounding out this "round" of questions: Define an influential moment in your life that has shaped you into the person you are.

I sound like a broken record some times but, in third grade we read 'The lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.'  From that moment on I knew i wanted to be a writer.

American Beauty is an awesome movie, gravity.  I can really relate to the protaganist in that film.  Shawshank Redemption is also one of my favorites.

 The World According to Garp has always been an entertaining moive for me.

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

--virgil

1) Are you spiritual?  Do you follow a specific religion? If so, what sect/denomination?

No, but I *AM* writing my own religion.  I'll get back to you.

2) Who is someone you would consider a hero of yours, and why?

My late wife.  Had more reason than anyone I know to be bitter, and was the least bitter and most generous person I ever met.

3) What are the top five most important political or social issues to you? 

a)  Global warming
b)  US economic stability, including a return to more equitable income distribution
c)  Health care for everyone, including access to abortion for anyone who needs it
d)  Separation of church and state, ensuring that national issues are determined by science and not superstition
e)  Equal rights for everyone, including legalization of same-sex marriage

4) If you had to recommend one movie to watch, which would it be, and why?

Here's an obscure one:  "The Man in the White Suit," starring a *VERY* young Alec Guinness.  My dad's second-favorite movie, it's a very funny comedy with a very social message:  what do we do when technological progress threatens the status quo?  Plus, if you look closely, you can see (again very young) Michael Gough, the guy who played Batman's butler until recently.

For pure entertainment value it's a close race amongst "Raiders of the Lost Ark,"  "Love, Actually" (be sure to see the added material on the DVD) and "Blade Runner."  (I was lucky enough to see the *REAL* director's cut in a theater in Santa Monica about 20 years ago.  Incredible.)  And DefyingGravity is right about "American Beauty."  I've described that movie as "totally twisted--like origami."

5) Here's a serious one: Dogs, or cats?

I like dogs, have owned dogs, but cats rule.

6) .. Rounding out this "round" of questions: Define an influential moment in your life that has shaped you into the person you are.

June 5, 1968:  RFK's assassination.  Good Roman Catholic like me, killed by a nobody despite the prayers of millions, leaving my generation and my country much the poorer.  Hit me much harder than his brother's death.  First time I realized that there really *WASN'T* a god, there was no "divine plan," that if the world was going to get any better *WE* were going to have to do it ourselves.

I wasn't going to do these for the reasons Shwaine mentioned earlier, but oh well:

1) Are you spiritual?  Do you follow a specific religion? If so, what sect/denomination?  Not sure.  No.

2) Who is someone you would consider a hero of yours, and why?  Mother Theresa.  Because I think the rest of us are pikers compared to her.

3) What are the top five most important political or social issues to you?  Abortion rights, Civil rights (including gay marriage,) Protection and Funding of Scientific Research (including stem cell research,) The End of the Two-Party System, and Economic Stability (of California in particular, which can only be achieved with increased taxes, IMO.) 

4) If you had to recommend one movie to watch, which would it be, and why?  Lonesome Dove, because everyone who's ever seen it said they loved it.

5) Here's a serious one: Dogs, or cats?  Cats, natch.

6) .. Rounding out this "round" of questions: Define an influential moment in your life that has shaped you into the person you are.  The nervous breakdown I had when I was 22 changed me materially as a person and significantly altered the course of my life, until I had kids 10 years later at 32, when life became beautiful again. 

1) Are you spiritual?  Do you follow a specific religion? If so, what sect/denomination? I have faith in the ancient pagan beliefs of the power of nature. IMO, there is no form of organized religion that rings true at all.

2) Who is someone you would consider a hero of yours, and why? My father. He was raised by an alcoholic abusive mother in a two room flat under the el train in Chicago, left home at fourteen, supported his sister, and pulled himself up with no help from anyone (except my mom). He is a successful entrepreneur, put himself through college, and earned two master's degrees, all because he refuses to ever give in to adversity.

3) What are the top five most important political or social issues to you? Illegal immigration (reverse discrimination against citizens in favor of illegals), health care, education (I agree that our education system is far behind other nations) economy issues (gas price gouging by oil companies) and animal welfare.

4) If you had to recommend one movie to watch, which would it be, and why? There are quite a few, but I would say Legends of the Fall, because it shows the importance of family.

5) Here's a serious one: Dogs, or cats? I love both but I am most definitely spiritually connected the most with cats. I currently have one dog and six cats, not including my foster babies.

6) .. Rounding out this "round" of questions: Define an influential moment in your life that has shaped you into the person you are. After my son was killed, I became the person I am now. The woman I was before died with Jordan. That is unfortunate, because I was a much stronger, better person before.

1) Are you spiritual?  Do you follow a specific religion? If so, what sect/denomination?

Very, but not "religious".  I was on staff at my Foursquare church for many years- led the 18-25 year olds.  I was on the worship team for 7 or 8 years too.  Non-Denominational Christian.  When the hubby left, I stepped down.  Single mom with 3 little kids has a hard time balancing a personal life with ministry.

2) Who is someone you would consider a hero of yours, and why?

Without a doubt my dear deceased father.  He made me who I am today.  Miss him terribly.  I consider any Soldier to be hero status as well.

3) What are the top five most important political or social issues to you? 

Health care for sure.  Unlawful immigration chaps my hide.   This California State budget B.S.  Actually all the budget B.S. now that I think of it.  It really irritates me that we are facing letting scumbags out on the streets if the jails are downsized.  Less LE on the streets?  Isn't is bad enough as it is without handing out "get out of jail free" cards???

4) If you had to recommend one movie to watch, which would it be, and why?

I really can't come up with just one.  Sorry.

5) Here's a serious one: Dogs, or cats?

I love me some puppies!  I have two cats right now because I don't have a yard for dogs.  My neighbor lets me love on her puppies though!

6) .. Rounding out this "round" of questions: Define an influential moment in your life that has shaped you into the person you are.

Birth.  Geez, I don't know.  So much of my path has formed me into the being that I am now.   Wouldn't change any of it though.  I think the abusive relationship was pivotal however.  That whole experience opened my eyes to a lot of things that I wasn't seeing.  Made me a better parent.  My kids were so influenced by those surroundings.  I knew I had to leave or they would be damaged for life.  Since then I have dedicated my life to raising them properly.  I could not be any prouder of my kids than I am.  They are amazing young people!

BTW, fsg...GREAT idea!

Cat

I hate to disappoint you but Mother Theresa wasn't the "saint" she's been made out to be.

I agree FSG!

1) Are you spiritual?  Do you follow a specific religion? If so, what sect/denomination?

Catholic. Believe in the rite and tradition, don't much trust the American buerocracy. The Vatican's done better in the John Paul years, but the American Bishoporics... well, we all know the scandals and cover ups.

2) Who is someone you would consider a hero of yours, and why?

Chuck Yeager and Eric Clapton, both for the same reason: preserverence. Yeager suffered horrible burns when his test plane went down (as shown in the closing sequence of The Right Stuff) and endured a painful regimen of treatments to heal himself, and then went back up into planes for the next 40 odd years. Eric Clapton, on the other hand, fought an internal fight. After giving up drugs and turning his life around, he lost his child in that horrible balcony accident. It would have been *so* easy for him to crawl back into a bottle or needle.

3) What are the top five most important political or social issues to you? 

A) Cooperation and compromise
B) Economy, internal to America
C) Ecomony, trade balances
D) Energy independance
E) Infrastructure

4) If you had to recommend one movie to watch, which would it be, and why?

Like many, I can't pick one, so let's top five it:
A) Blade Runner, dir. Ridley Scott; Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, Brion James
B) 2001: A Space Oddyssey, dir. Stanley Kubrick; Kier Duella, Gary Lockwood, William Sylvester
C) The Secret of NimH, dir. Don Bluth; Derek Jacobi, Elizabeth Hartmann, Dom Deluise
D) The Right Stuff, dir. Phillip Kaufmann; Scott Glenn, Sam Shepard, Ed Harris
E) The Quiet Man, dir. John Ford; John Wayne, Maureen O'Hara

5) Here's a serious one: Dogs, or cats?

Cats.

6) .. Rounding out this "round" of questions: Define an influential moment in your life that has shaped you into the person you are.

The first time I read the novel "Warday: And the Journey Onward" by James Kunetka and the pre-insane Whitley Strieber. It brought home to me just how insidious and nefarious nuclear weapons truely were.

1) Are you spiritual?  Do you follow a specific religion? If so, what sect/denomination?

I am a sinner saved by grace. I believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God. I choose to fellowship with like minded believers.

2) Who is someone you would consider a hero of yours, and why?

Not a "someone" but a collective "someones" - as many pp ~ those who fight to preserve my liberties.

3) What are the top five most important political or social issues to you? 

Education, sanctity of life, ecomonic autonomy, health care, current genocides

4) If you had to recommend one movie to watch, which would it be, and why?

Hmmm 1? How about 2...The Color Purple ~ Beautifully illustrate the resiliency of the human spirit. and The Passion of the Christ ~ Emotional depiction of Jesus Christ

5) Here's a serious one: Dogs, or cats? I actually don't like either. We have a gold fish "Nemo"

6) .. Rounding out this "round" of questions: Define an influential moment in your life that has shaped you into the person you are. The week  my daughter was in the hospital~ an addition to #2..she is my hero

1) Are you spiritual?  Do you follow a specific religion? If so, what sect/denomination?
Yes. I am a spiritual hobo~ I try to give thanks,  send out love and see the Divine in all things everyday.
2) Who is someone you would consider a hero of yours, and why?
Kelsey my son~ like RF’s wife, Kelsey had more reason than most to be sad, bitter. He taught me to look beyond the obvious, he taught me the value of my love, how to be vulnerable, how to be open to mystery. How to be brave.
3) What are the top five most important political or social issues to you?
Civil equality, environment, civil discourse, science and Peace. If we could improve all of these areas, we might just be able to really get someplace.
4) If you had to recommend one movie to watch, which would it be, and why?
Hamlet, the one with Kenneth Branagh. Shakespeare was a genius in the ways of the human condition and this play has got most of the bases covered.
5) Here's a serious one: Dogs, or cats?
Cats.
6) .. Rounding out this "round" of questions: Define an influential moment in your life that has shaped you into the person you are.
Tough question~~ I have quite a few. The lessons they have all taught me can be boiled down to you can choose to learn from anything. All you can really control is yourself and that is quite enough.


 

This one's a lot tougher.  The other was where we've been, this one is who we are..  I'll give it a try...

1) Are you spiritual?  Do you follow a specific religion? If so, what sect/denomination? I'm protestant by heritage. 

Non denominational although I'd say if any of the older relatives practiced anything it would be Baptist.  My Dad was self taught.   Defiinitely a Christ believer so that makes me a Christian..maybe not the best example, but a Christian non the less.

2) Who is someone you would consider a hero of yours, and why?

My Mother.  She battled cancer many times a battle she ultimately lost) along with all manner of females problems, lost a son, raised a brat like me and a lady like my sister.  Other than my brothers loss, if she ever felt lonliness or sadness she bore it well and kept it form me.  Or I was too self absorbed to see it.    I wish I could be more like her in gentlness and kindness and wisdom.  People who knew her said she was the finest woman they ever knew.  She was like a mother to my kids dad (who had lost his as a child) and he never stopped loving her for it.

3) What are the top five most important political or social issues to you? 

The ecomomy of course, NOto universal health care, non legalization of MJ and other drugs, our legal system, Big Brother government along with illegal immigration. I snuck an ectra one in.  (edited)

4) If you had to recommend one movie to watch, which would it be, and why?

The new Star Trek modern (Twelve Angry Men..old)

5) Here's a serious one: Dogs, or cats?

No question...DOGS.  Although right now I wouldn't give you a plugged nickle for them either.

6) .. Rounding out this "round" of questions: Define an influential moment in your life that has shaped you into the person you are.

Aside from the birth of my children and my grandchildren, a monumental moment (two actually) was the birth of my great grandsons.  I was on the phone at work while Cassie was giving birth to Aidan and Mark stayed on there with me.  He hung up and called right back the second the baby was born so I got to be a part of it even long distance (Las Vegas).  The other was when Logan was born.  I got to be one of the first to hold him and it brought tears to my eyes.  These two tiny creatures, the fourth generation for me and the thread that ran through me to them.  Our future.

They're one and two now and the light of my life.

Now, you have me sniveling so knock it OFF!

Slow day today. The sane people took the day off.   lol

1) Are you spiritual?  Do you follow a specific religion? If so, what sect/denomination?

I consider myself to be somewhat spiritual, although I’m not a church member. I do some church hopping from time to time.

I find modern western society to be generally intellectually arrogant. Each age of history is convinced that the solid answers have been found, while the ultimate truth will remain out of reach. Three pounds of recently evolved gray matter is just a rudimentary beginning of discovery and intelligence. Faith fills the gap.

2) Who is someone you would consider a hero of yours, and why?

Any person that considers his fellow man to be at least as important as the self will be a hero at some point in their life. 

3) What are the top five most important political or social issues to you? 

Energy is top priority, while all other social issues remain secondary now, since all of the other social, economic, and political issues and institutions are tied to the outcome of the coming power down of western culture,our response to the change, and the ramifications for the world in general.

Complex social issues are soon forgotten when three meals per day become a luxury for most. It’s vitally important for society to recognize our past mode of living was historically temporary, and to embrace the coming transition to an energy scarcity future. This would prevent,(or help mitigate) disruption of social institutions, and disintegration of social norms.

If we come to understand that gross materialism does not provide long term happiness or stability, then a positive outcome can’t be ruled out.

However, history shows that complex societies tend to party to the last drop.

We are sleep walking into the future.

4) If you had to recommend one movie to watch, which would it be, and why?

Never could answer that question.

5) Here's a serious one: Dogs, or cats?

Love ‘em both.

6) .. Rounding out this "round" of questions: Define an influential moment in your life that has shaped you into the person you are.

Fathers death when I was 18.  

Taught me to be self reliant far faster than I might have otherwise. He was a P-51 pilot during the war, and a very charitable man. His early death was because of war related injuries. Still miss him a great deal. Thanks Dad!

Wow Casooner, it's great that you admitted you're a Christian out of fear, but I find there's something seriously off about following a tenet because you're afraid you might be wrong if you don't. But there are the fire and brimstone and damnation clergy who have wielded fear like a sword to sway and control the masses, so I'm not suprised it is one of your reasons.

Which leads me to my answer about #1: I don't follow any one denomination because of the influence, and dare I say the corruption, of man on religions of all types. No religion is divine enough to escape the corruption of man, because it is rare to find a continual series of humans who are above the temptation that such power brings. About the only organized religions, past or present, that have some appeal to me are ones that limit the influence of man by limiting the organizational tenets and instead provide a framework from within which a person can find their own path to the divine. But even those can be prone to corruption. I see spirituality as a personal matter, with a variety of religious sources used as a foundation, but not as a confining box. I also don't discount the possibility of a divine as some here do, but I do suspect our limited three dimensional brains keep us from truly comprehending its nature and also color our perceptions of its actions and motives in a more anthropomorphic visage than may truly exist.

#2 I've never really thought about this. To me, all people have the potential to be heroes, should the situation arise and they be around to do something. I suppose then my heroes would be those ordinary people who do the right thing even if it's difficult and dangerous, such as the construction worker who lowered himself on a crane to save a woman from flood waters earlier this week.

#3 I don't really put any one social or political issue above the other. There's a whole mess of problems, and I prefer to take a big-picture approach than just focus on a few. This isn't to say I don't have a view on hot political topics, because obviously I do. I just don't limit my focus and instead try to learn about each hot topic as it comes up to form an opinion.

#4 Movies aren't my thing. They never really have been either. I think I go to maybe one movie every other year on average at the movie theatre and view only a handful a year at home. I still have several DVDs given to me in shrink wrap (like Happy Feet) because I just haven't got around to watching them. I once dated a movie buff and he got to the point where he'd say "I bet you haven't seen this" instead of "Have you seen this?" when he'd pop a movie on.

#5 For me, cats are the thing. I just don't have the time and energy a dog would require. All that walking and exercising and yard duty.... just not my thing.

#6 There's not really any one moment that stands out. It's more like a series of little moments that have all cumulated into the person I am now.

1) Are you spiritual?  Do you follow a specific religion? If so, what sect/denomination?

Spiritual, yes. Religous, no.

2) Who is someone you would consider a hero of yours, and why?

My mother. If you ever met her, you'd never need to ask why. She is strong, brave and a rockin' cool human being --- the best of what we wish people were. If I can be half the person she is, I'd be grateful.

3) What are the top five most important political or social issues to you? 

Healthcare for all. Better access to quality education for all, including the arts and vocational education. Alternative energy. Gender pay equity. Marriage equality. Abortion rights. Animal welfare. Dismantling factory farming practices to create a safer/better food supply. Sorry --- I know this is more than five, but I'm a multi-issue kind of cat.

4) If you had to recommend one movie to watch, which would it be, and why?

A movie recommendation is too hard...if you'd gone book I could have been all over that.

5) Here's a serious one: Dogs, or cats?

I'm a cat junkie who always needs a dog to help keep them in line. As it turns out, they've banded together to make us their benevolent wait-staff.

6) .. Rounding out this "round" of questions: Define an influential moment in your life that has shaped you into the person you are.

The day I stopped waiting for "someone" to do something about the wrongs I saw in the world, particularly as they related to domestic animals, and started being the person I was waiting for.

1) Are you spiritual?  Do you follow a specific religion? If so, what sect/denomination?

Spiritual? I don't really understand that word. I believe in God and His son Jesus. I believe the Bible to be the Word of God. I am a deacon in the Lord's church. Denominations are not Biblical.

2) Who is someone you would consider a hero of yours, and why?

Mrs. Witbee. She faced cancer at 31 and laughed. She puts up with me (17 years last week). She is an awesome mother and wife. She is Godly and feminine and feminist.

3) What are the top five most important political or social issues to you? 

I don't have 5. Politics is so trivial and useless in my eyes. Guess what? I peaked at the end and the bad guys win over and over until the ast page when they get their comeuppance. I tend to vote conservatively if that helds.

4) If you had to recommend one movie to watch, which would it be, and why?

From the Earth to the Moon seriesw from a few years ago put out by HBO. A great example of what can be accomplished when people set a goal and let nothing get in their way.

5) Here's a serious one: Dogs, or cats?

The only good cat is a dead cat.

6) .. Rounding out this "round" of questions: Define an influential moment in your life that has shaped you into the person you are.

Probably when Mrs. Witbee was fighting cancer. It made me a stronger Christian, a better husband and a better father. Could there have been a REASON she got it?

 1) Are you spiritual?  Do you follow a specific religion? If so, what sect/denomination? -I believe in the human spirit, and the connectedness of all life here on our little planet circling the sun. All life comes from the same stardust and is destined to return to that same stardust. Do your best with the time you have.

2) Who is someone you would consider a hero of yours, and why?- My in laws. Their courage, tenacity and humor in the face of many of life's cruel turns are what heroes are made of. I aspire to their grace, which always shines best under enormous pressures.  

3) What are the top five most important political or social issues to you? A. Health Care Reform in America. B. Eliminating the current American Gulag System. A system today that has turned this nation from the land of the free to  the home of the imprisoned. C. Restoring competition in the marketplace by breaking up cartels that control all industry and services in the world.  D. Energy transformation from fossil fuels to a variety of components that are planet friendly. E. Saving the planet from the factory processes that have caused so much ruination and misery to all forms of life.

4) If you had to recommend one movie to watch, which would it be, and why? -"McCabe and Mrs. Miller"- The story is true and the soundtrack by Leonard Cohen is the sublime reinforcement of the themes within the film. 

5) Here's a serious one: Dogs, or cats? People need both. Dogs exalt you while cats humble you. They are the perfect balance in life.

6) .. Rounding out this "round" of questions: Define an influential moment in your life that has shaped you into the person you are. Forty years ago, when I grew out my hair past shoulder length, I discovered that many people were alarmed and frightened by hair. I was stopped repeatedly by police. I was refused service at many locations that I formerly had no problem with. I was threatened by guys who hurled all sorts of insults and had to fight sometimes just to get out of places that had been regular hangouts. I have never forgotten how miserable and ignorant the authorities and many of these hair bigots were. Things really haven't changed all that much over forty years, other than new scapegoats came along as people got bored with the old ones who would not cower and go away. I have always tried to stand up for people who are different, or who embrace different types of thinking. These are the people that make life special and interesting.  

Shwaine -  it's great that you admitted you're a Christian

You picked my weakest reason for being a Christian.  Actually, I throw that out to non believers as a thinking point.  Many don't believe that there is a God and thinks that we actually evolved from a single cell.  The stronger reasons of my Christianity were ignored, but should not be and those are the staples of my belief.  I just wanted to clarify that. 

1) Are you spiritual?  Do you follow a specific religion? If so, what sect/denomination? 

Spiritual, yes. I believe in a higher power but think that organized religion is a means of controlling the masses, and I don't care WHAT religion we're talking about. I will say, however, that churches take better care of their members than the government does. I attended a private Christian school until the 8th grade ... it was a good thing. 

2) Who is someone you would consider a hero of yours, and why?

My dad. He came from nothing, absolutely NOTHING. Dirt poor, born to a 16 year old mother in Oklahoma, 1940. Sheer determination, pride, and a will to succeed made him a very successful businessman. He didn't need any "fancy college degrees" (his words) to make it happen. He slept on potato sacks in the back rooms of the grocery stores where he worked for 75 cents an hour, at the age of 14. He wanted a better life, and knew he had to work for it. 

3) What are the top five most important political or social issues to you? 

Trade, national security, preserving our sovereign nation, illegal immigration, second amendment.

4) If you had to recommend one movie to watch, which would it be, and why?

To whom am I recommending the movie? LOL. That makes a difference. I know it's a lame chick flick, but one of my favorites will always be Terms of Endearment. I watched that as a kid and wished my own mother bugged me as much. Also, anything with Jack Nicholson is worth a look, especially in his younger days. 

5) Here's a serious one: Dogs, or cats?

Dogs. I admire cats, but have a horrible allergy. I love to watch them laze around, flicking their tails, and, if they even bother to look at you it's an expression of "And your point is???"

6) .. Rounding out this "round" of questions: Define an influential moment in your life that has shaped you into the person you are.

Watching my mother completely lose it when I was a child. I had to call an ambulance. I'll spare y'all the rest of the story.

1) Are you spiritual?  Do you follow a specific religion? If so, what sect/denomination?

Yes...in my own way. I don't follow a particular religion.

2) Who is someone you would consider a hero of yours, and why?

Alex Jones: I respect him for his tireless effort to expose hardcore corruption on this planet & steering folks in the right direction.

3) What are the top five most important political or social issues to you? 

1.Exposing the New World Order agenda

2.Preserving the United States Constitution & Bill Of Rights

3. Exposing the modern day eugenics movement

4. Helping homeless folks

5. Helping young kids avoid a criminal life style

4) If you had to recommend one movie to watch, which would it be, and why?

Shooter would be my pick for a Hollywood production. For a doc, I would choose Endgame.

Watch both films & find out why....

I know you said choose one FSG but I couldn't help myself.

5) Here's a serious one: Dogs, or cats?

I tolerate cats because my wife is the 'official' cat lady but I prefer Dogs.

6) .. Rounding out this "round" of questions: Define an influential moment in your life that has shaped you into the person you are.

The day my daughter was born.

1) Are you spiritual?  Do you follow a specific religion? If so, what sect/denomination?
I'm an atheist.  That being said, I do believe in an "afterlife" if you want to call it at, just not some deity sitting on high judging us for who we are.  I believe there is "karma" but only in the sense that it is deeply rooted in (most) of our consciousness and helps us determine the difference between right and wrong.  I think that if you are a bad person who does bad things then your own actions will come around to bite you in the butt.  Despite my reputation from a lack of understanding my admittedly warped sense of humor I am a nice guy - respectful to older people, assisting strangers in need and following the "live and let live" philosophy.  Although I may not agree with many Christian's beliefs, I have the utmost respect for them.  The sanctity of marriage (1 man / 1 woman) being one because I think that if Christian's don't swim in my toilet I have no business peeing in their pool.  All of my Christian friends accord the same respect for to me and my beliefs (or lack thereof) as I give to theirs.

2) Who is someone you would consider a hero of yours, and why?
My grandmother, because she helped me out the most in my life and was always there for me through thick and thin.  She not only helped my mom raise me and my siblings after Bartley Senior hit the road but she is the glue that held our family together.  Despite leading a difficult life growing up she worked as a single mom and nurse to raise 11 children, 4 of whom were adopted, plus four grandchildren and countless friends of her children who were kicked out of their home.  Despite suffering the loss of two husbands, four children and a two grandchildren she has never given up or become bitter, jaded or angry.  She cared for her sick kids for years while in her late 60's as she took care of others as a nurse while in her early 30's.  She's non-judgmental, always listens, and will speak her mind.  One of my uncle's told me that there's a place in Heaven for people like her, and I'd like to think he's right.

3) What are the top five most important political or social issues to you? 
 3-1) The economy, because it determines the well-being for all of us.  It galls me to see how politicians on both sides of the fence have turned the strongest economy in the world into shambles with their tinkering and out of control spending.  Most of the social and political issues I am concerned with directly impact our economy.
3-2) Illegal immigration, because just like every home owner has a right to decide who enters their home every country has a right to establish and protect it's borders and ensure that those entering it are doing so by the rules established by the people in that country and the US is no different  We also have to ensure that basic laws of the US are abided by and that US citizens are not being overrun by those entering illegally no matter how innocent their reasons.  We should do this with solid determination and not give a hoot about what other countries think of our policies because we are answerable to ourselves, not them.  So far our politicians done nothing but use the illegal immigration platform to get elected either by promising to do something about it or by appealing to those who don't want anything done.  They bleed taxpayers through the nose, mouth and eyes to pay for services offered to illegals, and on the flip side they offer no alternative to granting a path to citizenship for those who would make valuable and contributing members to our society by putting them on the path to legal citizenship.
3-3) Healthcare is important to me, because a healthy and robust workforce is a productive workforce, and yet we have yet developed a system where affordable healthcare is not available to everyone willing to pay into it without bleeding to death those businesses and individuals who pay taxes to support those receiving healthcare who do not.  We need to reign in the out-of-control cost of healthcare - things like an $8,000 doctor's bill a friend of mine paid last month for an out-patient trip to the ER for some x-rays and vicodin for a kidney stone. 
3-4) Convincing our politicians that there is a "stop valve" to reduce the amount of money going out of a system and not a bigger "on valve" that just brings more taxpayer money in.  It galls me to see hard working taxpayers hand over more and more of their money to these crooks in Sacramento so they can distribute it to the lazy masses who refuse to work or for various pet projects.  While the working stiff struggles just to get buy there are people out there who still have the gall to want to give more to those on welfare, disability, and aid to benefit illegals.  All of this economic hemmoraging needs to stop if we are to rebuild the economy which is made, driven, and sustained by a hardworking taxpayer.
3-5) Reforming the disability system so drug addicts, fat people, people with AIDS (etc.) do not qualify for disability because of a lifestyle choice and then receive more money and services than hardworking folks with legitimate disabilities who only get the minimum amount after working their entire lives because they own a house, a car, or something else of value they are afraid the state will take after their death to pay for those who often never contributed a dime to the system and are only the wards liberal groups who would sell our state's future for a few votes.  I'd pull the plug on the free ride and watch these people toil in the fields for their food as the rest of society is forced to.  Too fat to work?  Try it out you might lose some weight.  Too high?  Double the dose, do us a favor and try to do it someplace where you won't stink up the joint.  Bi-polar?  Get on a blog and write about it with the rest of us!

4) If you had to recommend one movie to watch, which would it be, and why?
Titanic, because it's about love and change.  The love of money with the 1st class, the love of freedom of being on a ship at sea heading home, and the love between two people of different social classes.  It's about change on so many levels - the drive toward industrialization, the immigrants going to begin new lives in America, the belief at the time that men could in fact do the impossible "God Himself could not sink this ship!", and the change that takes place in society itself between the haves and have nots when it came down to basic survival.

5) Here's a serious one: Dogs, or cats?
Cats, because they are independent, cuddly, and need love too.  I honestly like dogs just as much because they are loyal, protective, and you can take them places, but they bark way too much.

6) .. Rounding out this "round" of questions: Define an influential moment in your life that has shaped you into the person you are.
When I was in the Valley Plaza "a long time ago" some goth kid told me I looked cute and I said "thanks, so do you".  It was sudden, and an epiphany.  All of the conflicting feelings I had had made sense, and I can honestly say my life has never been the same ever since.  For those who have disagreed with me over the years, I have quoted Shakespeare's Hamlet, Act I, Scene II:  "This above all:  to thine own self be true."  Friends and family will come and go throughout the years, and in the end I have only myself to live with and answer to, and if I'm to burn in Hell for it (as some have suggested) then I will burn in Hell for who I am, and not for being a hypocrite.