I finally found the solution to this at last.

For whatever reason, I've had this problem with Suse since 10.x days, it might be all the multi-lingual packages I install, but even removing them does not stop it from defaulting all my "New Writer" and "New Sheet" pages from being Czech Language! I don't have this problem with the OS or other office applications (kword, etc.).

Finally, I found out how to resolve:

To set the default language for OpenOffice.org2 not changing the UI language you need to create a template:

1. Change the language for the current document

Tools -> Options -> Language Settings -> Languages -> Default languages for documents

2. Save it as a template (.odt) (best place is ~/.openoffice.org2/user/template)

3. Go to File -> Templates -> Organise

4. Choose your template from "My Templates" (the folder .../user/template) an choose Command -> Set As Default Tempalte

5. Do the same thing with a spreadsheet template (.ods) with the desired language

Here is the link I found this from:

http://ubuntuforums.org/archive/index.php/t-267444.html

I am posting it here both for my archives, and for others who may run into this issue.

Cheers!

I keep forgetting the exact syntax of this command, so thought I would post it to myself (and anyone who could benefit from it) here, where Iknow I can find it anywhere.

to chmod just directories, recursively:

find ./ type d -exec chmod 755  {} \;

To chmod just files recursively (all):

find ./ type f -exec chmod 644 {} \;

To chmod just directories (or files, just change "-type d" to -type f")with a specific string match:

find , -type d -name '*bin*' -exec chmod 755 {} \;

find . -type f -name '*.htm*' -exec chmod 640 {} \;

On a barely related note, to get a cound of files in a directory (recursively):

ls -1R | wc -l

Enjoy!

I'm going to just make short bullet-listings of where I stand on each issue. Later I may explain why I stand there, if I can find the time, but this will help at least in my process of trying to figure out which presidential candidate for pencil in (if necessary) for November 5th, 2008 election.

I _do_ know I can't vote for Barrack Hussein "Spread the Wealth Around" Obama with Joe "Patriotic to Pay More Taxes "Biden. Nor for McCain with Palin.

I was considering Bob Bar, but hesitant for a number of reasons, and there are very few other promising prospects "officially" on the ballot. I have to vote my conscience, and I have to vote. Hopefully this process of complex multivariable tracking will help me find at least the closest candidate to vote for (for me). I hope others find this useful as well, even if different decisions are made.

This will go into a complex spreadsheet, alongside all the people I am thinking could be voted for, and then map the matrix to the closest match. I hope I can get this done in time before election day, with everything going on.

Role of government - Should be limited to only infrastructure and protection. This is clarified throughout in specific topics.

Family Planning funding - Not against "family planning', but I do not believe the government should be funding it. Private parties fine.

Partial-birth abortions - Against it, only because it's so unnecessary to kill a viable baby after it's already being delivered.

Any abortion - I believe it is each individual's decision, though it should be an informed decision. I think it has become "too easy" in one respect to dissociate from the potential life-form there, but at the same time, until the baby is past it's "non-viable" (unable to survive outside of the womb without extreme life support, if at all), then each woman has to decide what they will do. The government should not be involved beyond making certain there is a safety factor maintained, since it is a medical procedure.

Earmarks - wasteful, and overly complicates bills, and buries and hides issues, and too easly prone to corruption. Should be limits placed.

Balance budget - should be achieved and maintained, through slashing spending, NOT through raising taxes.

Line item veto - I am undecided on this issue.

Homosexual rights  - should be treated as equals in both directions. This means there should not be any descrimination against, but neither should there be descrimination for either.

Homosexual marriage - I am fine with such a "marriage". I think people are too hung up on the word "marriage", what is wrong with a "civil union" as long as it is 100% equal from a government perspective. It is however an indication of a deteriorating society, as it becomes more accepted, throughout history, it's a precursor to a society's downfall. I don't see it as a cause, only a symptom however.

Habeas Corpus for Guantanamo - "Suspending" habeas anywhere is a serious violation, and a downward spiral that should never have been allowed there, or anywhere else under US purview. the "Patriot" Act should be repealed.

Intellectual Property RIghts - DMCA - The DMCA should be completely scrapped, and started over. These periodic updates keep proving how fundamentally flawed it is, but prolonging the abuses unnecessarily. The new "Piracy" act is making things even worse. Giving an oligarchical entity more power. The photos of the RIAA "Swat Teams" are very disturbing. The quote I use for IP is that of Jefferson's "Taper and Flame".

Nanny-state intrustiveness - agree, that it is out of hand, and that less government involvement in how we live our lives, and raise our families is needed.

Gay Adoptions - I am fine with it, as long as meets (same) stringent requirements of non-gay adoption.

Preferential treatment based on race in college admissions - This had it's place, and should be watched carefullly for any backsliding, but I believe currently it should be stopped and is no longer necessary.

Anti-flag descretion bill - I don't think such a bill is necessary. Yes the flag is a symbol for our country, but it is only a SYMBOL.

Privacy Impact Statement bill sponsored by Bob Barr - I don't know, I would like to research this though, sounds right my alley of expertise.

Corporate "welfare" - I think subsidies across the board in almost every sector should be stopped unless it is directly related to what I think the two roles of (federal) government should be restricted to, infrastructure and protection. Tax breaks to encourage businesses, I think is fine however, but generally that should be handled by the states for the most part.

Alternative sentencing instead of prison - This depends heavily on each case, and may need more research on my part, but my initial response is that for non-violent/sexual-assault crimes, alternative sentencing, if done in a far less expensive and effective way, would be far more preferable to more prisons.

Death penalty - for, but only just barely. I have conflicting views on this in many ways, for many reasons.

"Luxurious conditions"in prisons - I think this should be handled in some ways like the Arizona nut-job did with tents and all. The more miserable (but without abuse), and the more hard work (without abuse), the more likely it is to discourage the "prison is no big deal"and "at least it's 3 squares and shelter" attitude. But should be done in a way that can be more therapeutic for those with any potential of recovery, such as skills development (even if just hard labor skills), that can actually be used in the "real world" (carpentry building houses, road construction, etc.)

Legalization of Marijuana/Drugs - For. Prohibtion has never worked,and never will. Take away the funding for the black market significnatly by legalizing, but limiting. Quit having a double standard for "drugs" vs. alcohol and cigarettes. Either ban them all, or legalize them all but with age and other restrictions. Use part of the taxation of these products (but not so high that re-grows the black market) for education and treatment programs.

Military border patrols - Yes. One of the two priorities of federal government (in my view) is infrastructure and protection. Protecting our borders from criminals (anyone sneaking over, whether or not already a criminal, becomes one by sneaking over). The primary job of the military is to protect American Citizens and US sovereignty.

Home schooling - for. Remove any bans against it. BUT have strict requirements to be met, including testing, just as the public and private schools need to meet at a minimum. As should all teachers. Teachers should meet minimum requirements with their students within 3 years (or so, based on William Gates Senior proposals), or else the teacher is "out". Much higher pay for teachers to compete with non-academic jobs. Remove any non-right-to-work demands of unions taking non-union-members paychecks for dues.

"God" publicly - I think this has gotten carried away, considering this country's original background. Not being allowed to say it in the pledge of allegience, or at a school. I'm non-religious, and it does not offend. This country should be encouraged to be more tolerant of everyone's beliefs and differences, not try to eliminate all of them. Formalized prayer in public schools thought, I think crosses the line in impact.. A workable balance would be a "moment of reflection" where anyone who wants to, may pray silently to themself, or meditate, reflect, or whatever (silently).

Bio-fuels - idiotic stop-gap. focus on electric vehicles.

Civilian Nuclear power - very much for it, use hydrogen storage for off-peak stores, and other uses. Increase level significantly, and improve technologies to deal with the waste effectively, this needs to reach a critical mass (pardon the puns) to make affordable and effective. Keep safety standards VERY high of course, but remove much of the red-tape that has hamstrung them for decades being built.

Normal trade relations with China - China's civil rights record is deplorable. I have huge respect for the people and culture of China, but their communist, government is brutal, and funding it just prolongs that brutality and oppression. If we had opened up such trade with Russia, then likely it's communist party would have maintained control. We need to stop funding them, Of course, they now carry so much of our debt, we've setup ourselves in a nasty trap. All americans should stop buying their products for safety, quality, and supporting america reasons. Until their communist party rule falls and they fit the standards of UN mandates at the very least.

Guns - very much in support of 2nd amendment right to bear arms. Any government restriction is anethema, except in the case of violent offenders. Concealed carry permits should be allowed federally (protection), so that no state can restrict a US citizen from carrying.

Subsidizing private insurance - the government should focus only on infrastructure and protection NOT all the necessities of life.

Medicare/Medicaid - Only a VERY small few should be receiving this. And only under very concise circumstances (extremely disabled MR, CP, etc.). yes, this is VERY harsh and draconian.

Physician assisted suicide - with VERY strong controls to prevent abuse, a coherent, able-minded citizen should be allowed to let their life end painlessly.

Real ID - no federal government ID, too much big brother abuse.

SDI (Space Defense Initiative) - For it. Anything to increase our DEFENSIVE capabilities, and also anything to get the human race off dependency on the single point of failure that is Earth, and scaterred to other planets, solar systems, and galaxies, I am for.

Securing borders, wall/fence - For

More immigrant Visas for skilled workers - For.

English as "official language" - For. China is a perfect example of the break down that occurs without such mandates, between it's 51 provinces.

Farm price subsidies - Against.  yes I'm aware of the consequences, but this is not the responsbility of federal government.

Social Security - Should be phased out completely! I am willing to pay for SS so that my parents receive what they expected, and meanwhile I expect NOT to receive any in my old age. Instead, i will plan my own retirement (and suffer the consequences if I fail in those plans, and/or turn to family to help support each other). I do NOTwant the burden and curse of SS to be inflicted on my children or grand children, It must end the dependency and entitlement vicious circle.

Income tax - repeal the 16th amendment (research this more), and eliminate income tax, or else at least make it a set tax rate for everyone above the poverty level, at one rate, No higher rates for higher income earners, just a set percentage, stop the class warefare of taxes.

Estate "Death Tax" - eliminate

Welfare - Cut welfare spending drastically, and set very strict conditions and limits.

There is much more, but it is late, and I need to call it a night. More later.