Section Seven

2007-10-30T10:01:00.001-04:00

Chuck Norris Made the List!

From the list of 100 most influential conservatives, Chuck Norris is #71. I can only wonder why he's not higher on the list....

71. CHUCK NORRIS Actor

One of those rare birds, a Hollywood conservative. The martial artist and action star is a frequent financial contributor to Republican candidates and causes and recently declared his support for Mike Huckabee, a conservative Baptist minister, in 2008. An evangelical Christian, Norris has filled in for Sean Hannity as the conservative co-host on the Fox News talk show Hannity and Colmes.

2007-02-15T15:27:00.000-05:00

We Interrupt this Message to Bring You .... A Miracle!

Despite my obsession with continuity, I'm going to interrupt my boring (so I'm told) Nepalese story to relate an honest to goodness miracle. The set up is that about five years ago, my parents took my younger sister, Deb, and I to Spain and to Fatima, in Portugal. It was an amazing pilgrimage. Upon my return, I gave a small bottle of the water we obtained from a spring adjacent to the apparition site to our UPS driver, Rick (who is also Catholic). My father, who is an ordained deacon, had blessed the water. Two days ago, Rick called me at 6:00pm to tell me that as his father lay dying in the hospital, Rick poured the water from this bottle all over him. Rick's father is completely healed, and the doctors are calling it a miracle. The story goes on... I was chatting with a client, George, on the telephone, today, and I told him the story. After a moment of silence on the other end of the phone, George began to tell me that he had left the Catholic Church, but that he really needed to hear about God's working in our present lives. Please say a prayer for George. Please also remember that February 20th is the feast of Jacinta and Francesco.

2007-02-13T10:58:00.000-05:00

"Don't go to the Zoo, It's Dirty..."

Nepal... the ongoing saga....

On my second day of visiting the factory site (Deb stayed in the hotel pretending to be sick, and watched Bali-wood movies, all day), the only truly remarkable item was that I caught a glimpse of an emerald rat snake, crawling along the stone wall that encloses the factory courtyard. It was the movement that attracted my attention, when I saw this majestic, beautifully brilliant, green snake slide silently under the wall. From 20 feet away it looked like it was about 5-6 feet long; about as thick as my wrist, with a large, bright eye. Of course, my camera wasn't ready, so I had to pull this image off of the web.

While I was thrilled with my wild-life encounter, (still hoping to see a tiger or leopard in the wild), the factory personnel were very concerned that I would be upset by it. So, just to mess with their minds, I kept bringing it up in conversation.

Since, we were told that it wasn't the right season for leopards or tigers to come down from the heights, Deb and I decided to visit the zoo. Our suggestion was met with abject horror. Our host cautioned us that we wouldn't like the zoo, because "it is dirty." I was stunned and amazed. Daily, we drove through the city streets where goats are butchered on the side-walk, while the wild dogs fight over the offal. Dead animal carcasses are on display everywhere. Trust me, you would never eat chicken again, if you had seen what I've seen. It's hard to imagine that anything could be "dirtier" than real life in the city, so our passion for zoos won the day.

Our host was right, it was dirty. But, we spent a pleasant afternoon. Here are some of the photos we took:

The hyena (or is it a jackal?) was only about five feet away from me, when I took this picture. The fence that he was in wouldn't hold my cat (if I had one).

Unfortunately, the selection of animals was pretty limited, but they had some amazing birds.

Guessing that these are a chicken and a condor, but couldn't tell you for sure. Unfortunately, the man-eating tiger didn't make an appearance, but the leopard was pretty lively.

Next time... The Ancient City, and The Feast to end all Feasts!

2007-02-09T16:20:00.000-05:00

What about Nepal...

The reason that Deborah and I ended up going to Nepal is because everyone from the client company bailed, and because of State Department warnings of Maoist Insurgency surrounding the capital city of Kathmandu, no one else from the engineering company working on the project would go. I think when I asked my boss if I could go, she thought I was kidding.

If you've never been to a third world country, it is truly indescribable. The entire country is a juxtaposition of the lowly to the sublime. From the heights of the beautiful Himalayas you can see the entire Kathmandu valley, but from the valley itself, the smog blots out the majestic peaks except in the late evening. Even in this picture to the left, taken on our second day there, you can barely make out the peaks. We were at 9,000 feet about 12 kilometers outside the city when this picture was taken.

We stayed at the Crowne Plaza in Kathmandu. Looking at this picture, our room was somewhere in the middle on the top floor. Every morning a crew hand-swept (yep, using a homemade whisk broom type thing) the lawn and gardens. The marble palisade was buffed to a high-gloss shine, and there were at least two or three door-men to greet you with a "good morning, madame" and a salute. I really could have gotten used to that. The hotel attracts a large clientele from nearby India, and the holiday and party saris that were worm by the majority of the female guests were beautifully dramatic. For the week that we stayed, there was a wedding reception held in the hotel function hall, every night. I think we may have looked a little out-of-place in our jeans and sweaters, but it wasn't like we could (or wanted to) hide the fact that we were American, anyway.

Our days were spent working (visiting the factory site), and/or resting, but on our second day, our host took us to the Monkey Temple in Kathmandu. It was busy and crazy, and really neat, but of course, our luggage hadn't arrived yet, so we couldn't take pictures. Our host took pictures, and nothing demonstrates the difference between the Eastern mind-set and the Western mind-set more dramatically than the way we take pictures. NO PICTURES OF MONKEYS! Although, they were everywhere. I was leaning on a railing looking down, when a large monkey swept right by my face. It was startling to say the least. Then, we took the walk down the 365 steps, back to the city. Our host informed us that his grandfather used to climb up and down these steps at least once/day. I was going to tell you all that we had climbed UP these steps, but as adventurous as I am, you at least know I'm not crazy!!

As far as our sightseeing went, I really have to say that this was the high point. Unfortunately, the only other ancient and historic surviving structures are creepy temples, and broken down palaces. I cannot stress how tired one gets of temples, after temples, after temples. The religion in the Kathmandu valley is a weird amalgam of Hindu and Buddhism, where they worship "all gods" (just not the one True God). Christianity and evangelization are still illegal in Nepal, although this law hasn't been enforced since about 1995.

Next... My wildlife encounter, and a trip to the zoo!

2007-02-07T13:38:00.000-05:00

It's Been a Long Time...

I know, I know, it is with some embarassment that I once again take up my keyboard, and foray into the world of blogging. Is anyone still out there? LOL! Anyway, So much has happened since my last post, that I don't even know where to start. The nature of my job, project manager for a consulting firm, is such that I have to work 60 hour weeks from November through January. This year, I had to work even longer hours, because I was invited to travel to Nepal for a client in December, and had to squeeze two extra 60 hour work weeks in sometime else. Wait..., it gets better! At the eleventh hour (literally!), the client called to say that no one from their company could make the trip, but since I already had the ticket, I may as well go. And, they would pay for a traveling companion of my choice!! So, I guess this first post will be about that trip. Let me just preface it with the following:

Yup, it's like that!

Anyway, I was able to clear the time off with my younger sister's (Deborah's) boss, and we managed to get Deb's flights (for two days later). We left from Boston on an all-night flight to London on Friday. From there, after a layover of about 5 hours, we went on to Doha, Qatar. It was about a three hour layover, there. Our final flight to Kathmandu lasted an agonizing five hours (after a short stop in Bahrain during which we didn't deplane). The only real drama that occured during the trip was that in Doha, the airline was going to refuse to let Deborah fly because she hadn't received a paper ticket. We had booked that part of the flight on Thursday night, and left on Friday. I just love the efficiency of Qatar Air!! My dilemma, at the airport, do I stay or do I go? (Just kidding). We finally had to buy another ticket for her (the only seat open being "business class", of course), and made the final leg.

It took us 27 hours from Boston to Kathmandu. Tired, hungry, and bedraggled, we were greeted at the airport by the owner of the business we were investigating. He had brought one car for us, and one for our luggage. Unfortunately, our luggage had decided to stay the night in Doha because it was too tired to make the rest of the trip. Have I mentioned how much I love Qatar Air! Once we were at the hotel, it was about 2-3:00pm then, we went to bed, and slept the blissful sleep of the exhausted traveler for the next fourteen hours.

Our next exciting edition.... Visiting the country!

2006-10-17T13:37:00.000-04:00

Chuck Norris... and other Warriors

The only difference between Chuck Norris and the American Soldier is that Chuck Norris just plays one on TV!

There are no races, only countries of people Chuck Norris has beaten to different shades of black and blue.
The grass is always greener on the other side, unless Chuck Norris has been there. In that case the grass is most likely soaked in blood and tears.
Chuck Norris invented his own type of karate. It's called Chuck-Will-Kill.
Chuck Norris invented black. In fact, he invented the entire spectrum of visible light. Except pink. Tom Cruise invented pink.
Nobody doesn't like Sara Lee. Except Chuck Norris.
The show Survivor had the original premise of putting people on an island with Chuck Norris. there were no survivors and the pilot episode tape has been burned.
Chuck Norris does not "style" his hair. It lays perfectly in place out of sheer terror.
Along with his black belt, Chuck Norris often chooses to wear brown shoes. No one has DARED call him on it. Ever.
There is no theory of evolution. Just a list of animals Chuck Norris allows to live.
Chuck Norris does not sleep. He waits.
The chief export of Chuck Norris is Pain.
Chuck Norris has two speeds. Walk, and Kill.
The leading causes of death in the United States are: 1. Heart Disease 2. Chuck Norris 3. Cancer
Chuck Norris drives an ice cream truck covered in human skulls.
Chuck Norris is my Homeboy.
Chuck Norris doesn't go hunting.... CHUCK NORRIS GOES KILLING
When the Boogeyman goes to sleep every night, he checks his closet for Chuck Norris.
Chuck Norris doesn't read books. He stares them down until he gets the information he wants.
Outer space exists because it's afraid to be on the same planet with Chuck Norris.
Chuck Norris is currently suing NBC, claiming Law and Order are trademarked names for his left and right legs.
Chuck Norris is the reason why Waldo is hiding.
Chuck Norris counted to infinity - twice.
There is no chin behind Chuck Norris' beard. There is only another fist.
Who let the dogs out? Chuck Norris let the dogs out... and then roundhouse kicked them through an Oldsmobile.
When Chuck Norris does a pushup, he isn't lifting himself up, he's pushing the Earth down.
Chuck Norris is so fast, he can run around the world and punch himself in the back of the head.
Chuck Norris' hand is the only hand that can beat a Royal Flush.
There is no such thing as global warming. Chuck Norris was cold, so he turned the sun up.
Chuck Norris can lead a horse to water AND make it drink.
Chuck Norris doesn't wear a watch, HE decides what time it is.
Chuck Norris gave Mona Lisa that smile.
Chuck Norris can slam a revolving door.
Chuck Norris does not get frostbite. Chuck Norris bites frost
Remember the Soviet Union? They decided to quit after watching a DeltaForce marathon on Satellite TV.
Contrary to popular belief, America is not a democracy, it is a Chucktatorship.
After taking a steroids test doctors informed Chuck Norris that he had tested positive. He laughed upon receiving this information, and said "of course my urine tested positive, what do you think they make steroids from?"
When Chuck Norris was denied an Egg McMuffin at McDonald's because it was 10:35, he roundhouse kicked the store so hard it became a Wendy's.
The quickest way to a man's heart is with Chuck Norris' fist.
If Chuck Norris kicks you, your relatives will feel it.
Contrary to popular belief the Lottery numbers are not random. They are just the number of people Chuck Norris killed that given day.
There are no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, Chuck Norris lives in Oklahoma.
In an act of great philanthropy, Chuck made a generous donation to the American Cancer Society. He donated 6,000 dead bodies for scientific research.
Fear is not the only emotion Chuck Norris can smell. He can also detect hope, as in "I hope I don't get a roundhouse kick from Chuck Norris."
It is believed dinosaurs are extinct due to a giant meteor. That's true if you want to call Chuck Norris a giant meteor.
That's not Chuck Norris doing push-ups -- that's Chuck Norris moving the Earth away from the path of a deadly asteroid.
Chuck Norris once went skydiving, but promised never to do it again. One Grand Canyon is enough.
If Chuck Norris round-house kicks you, you will die. If Chuck Norris' misses you with the round-house kick, the wind behind the kick will tear out your pancreas.
To be or not to be? That is the question. The answer? Chuck Norris.
Chuck Norris once ate four 30lb bowling balls without chewing.
We live in an expanding universe. All of it is trying to get away from Chuck Norris.
The pen is mighter than the sword, but only if the pen is held by Chuck Norris.
Chuck Norris once got into a fight with a one-armed Ninja. Seeing that he had an unfair advantage, Chuck Norris ripped both of his arms off and one of his legs. He then roundhouse-kicked the ninja in the head, killing him instantly, and proceeded to sow his limbs back on using only a rusty tent spike and bailing wire.
Remember The Ultimate Warrior? He quit wrestling because Chuck Norris wanted his nickname back.
In Desert Storm the reason why the Iraqi army surrendered so quickly because they knew Chuck Norris was coming.
The United States could save billions in defense funding if they trade the Military for Chuck Norris
When Chuck Norris was born, the only person who cried was the doctor. Never slap Chuck Norris.

2006-10-12T10:08:00.000-04:00

It's a Beautiful Day

Well, despite the accusation that this blog doesn't reflect my true personality (it's too much goodness, and light - while I'm... well... think Raskolnikov, and you've got it), I thought I'd share some photos I took on my way in to work. I love my commute, especially this time of year. I was discussing with a client why people live in the Northeast. We both decided that it's because of the second week in October. Yup, that's the only reason. There's nothing but snow and ice from November through February; mud from March through May; flies and mosquitoes (west nile virus, eastern equine encephalitis, etc.) from June through August. September isn't too bad because it begins to cool, but in October... well, October is magical. Enjoy:

2006-10-10T13:31:00.001-04:00

In God We Still Trust
Video

2006-10-10T13:16:00.001-04:00

Semper Gratis to all of the service men and Women who have sacrificed for our Freedom:Click here for a beautiful tribute

2006-09-20T10:07:00.000-04:00

Twenty facts about Islam every infidel should know.

(hijacked from http://www.againstallheresies.blogspot.com, comments section, made by "Religion of Pieces". Thanks, whoever you are!)

Islam ...

Is a mind-control and information-control cult founded by a murderer, torturer, brigand, rapist and pedophile called Mohammed. The mind-control and information-control aspects require that all criticism be silenced.

Is Mohammed's personality cult. Has no foundations other than Mo's murderous rantings (Koran and Hadith). The Koran consists of two conflicting parts - Meccan and Medinan (peaceful and violent respectively). The Medinan stuff supersedes ('abrogates') the Meccan stuff. Muslims act Medinan, but quote Meccan verses to the gullible infidels.

Claims to worship the same God as Christians and Jews, but in fact worships Allah - a demonic channelling through Mohammed's psychopathic ego. The Death Cult mixes garbled versions of Christian and Jewish scriptures with pagan practices such as moon and meteorite-worship, and cut-throat blood sacrifice of animals and non-believers.

Has no rational, philosophical nor theological basis, and the whole belief-system is contradicted by science, philosophy, commonsense, human decency and internal inconsistency.

Cannot withstand rational criticism. Can only spread and maintain itself by ignorance, illiteracy, war, terrorism, and intimidation. Islam has bloody borders and cannot co-exist peacefully with other belief systems. Winston Churchill said that Islam in a man is as dangerous as hydrophobia (rabies) in a dog.

Has a superstitious dread of images of pigs, crosses, Buddhas, Saint George (and his flag) and of course Motoons.

Regards Islamic women as semihuman. Wife-beating, incest and child abuse (including mufa’khathat or 'thighing' - the ritual abuse of infants) are encouraged.

Regards all unbelievers (Kaffirs, Kuffar, Kufrs, Kafirs) as ritually unclean subhumans to be killed, subjugated, enslaved, exploited or parasitised. Kafirs are described by the Arabic word 'najis' - literally 'filth'. That's why Muslim hatred of Kafirs is intrinsic to their 'religion'. A Kafir doesn't need to DO anything to offend a Muslim, his very existence is enough of an affront.

The ethical system applies only to Muslims. Allah encourages rape, pillage, extortion and enslavement of non-Muslims. Morality does not extend beyond the global gang (ummah). Muslim ethics are the ethics of the Mafia.

Allah's followers are motivated by hatred, greed and lust. There is no love, mercy or compassion. Allah is vindictive, unpredictable, capricious and devious - "Allah leads astray whom he pleases".

The only religion NOT founded on The Golden Rule. Morality is based on Mohammed's example. If Mohammed did it then it's OK for all Muslims. Hence the encouragement of rape, pillage, subjugation and murder of non-believers and the institutionalised pedophilia prevalent throughout Muslim society (justified by Mohammed's activities with Ayesha, his child sex-slave).
All human relations are defined by Dominance/Subjugation. Muslims have schizoid inferiority/superiority complexes. (A well-balanced Muslim is one with a chip on each shoulder). They respect strength but despise compromise as weakness. Appeasement invites more aggression. The only political system which has been strong enough to subjugate Islam is Stalinism.

Polygamy ensures alpha-males get extra women, leading to a shortage of women for the betas. Beta-males must either jerk off (a sin leading to hell), or form dog-packs and rape or capture kafir women as booty in a razzia, or else self-destruct in the presence of infidels then they can screw 72 mythical virgins in Allah's bordello in the sky. Beta-males are often encouraged by their relatives to become suicide bombers because of the belief that such murderous 'martyrs' will be able to intercede with Allah to take 70 of their relatives to paradise with them.

Lying and deception of infidels (taqiyya) is encouraged. This may take many forms, including outright lies, feigned moderation, and condemnation of terrorist attacks to the Kaffir while rejoicing with fellow Muslims. All Muslims are victims of some group of Kafirs and harbor grudges against them and against Kafirs in general. Individuals may appear law-abiding and reasonable, but they are part of a totalitarian movement, and must be considered potential killers who can flip in an instant (SJS -'Sudden Jihad Syndrome').

Muslims are forbidden to befriend Kaffirs except for purposes of deceit or where conversion may be possible.

The Koran is Allah's final word and cannot be changed or challenged. To do so is punishable by death. Consequently, the Death Cult can never change or be reformed. The instructions to murder and rape infidels are just as valid now as the day they were written. Since Islam cannot be modernised, the Muslims are attempting to Islamise modernity. This requires spreading Islam in the West and simultaneously preventing any criticism of the cult by intimidation and PC legislation to curtail freedom of expression.

Treaties and agreements with Kaffirs are made to be broken (Hudna). The word of a Muslim to a Kafir counts for nothing in the eyes of Allah.

The world is divided between Dar-al-Islam and Dar-al-Harb (the domain of war, the Kufr lands). Muslims living in Dar-al-Harb must work to disrupt their host nations until these can be brought into Dar-al-Islam.

Muslims have no obligation to their host nations and in fact are encouraged to parasitise them. Welfare fraud, identity theft, forgery etc are endemic in Western Muslim populations, and serious crime against Kaffirs is regarded as normal and justified. Extortion rackets against Kafirs are mandated by the Koran ('jizya' is the Arabic term for 'protection money' payable by Jews and Christians to Muslims).

The attack on the host nation isn't just against its religion and economy, but is aimed at its very cultural identity. Islam is a complete system, including a culture, which Muslims regard as superior (despite all evidence to the contrary) to other cultures. Muslims are therefore required to destroy the symbols of 'Jahiliya' (sometimes sp. Jahiliyya) - non-Muslim culture. In the East this has included destruction of Hindu temples and Christian churches and replacement with mosques, and destruction of Buddhist artwork and universities and replacement with heaps of rubble. This process of cultural replacement is now beginning in the West..

2006-09-18T14:24:00.000-04:00

Martyr for the Faith

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached."
~14th-century Byzantine emperor, Manuel II Paleologos~

I think I found my new favorite quote.

Ardent members of the "religion of Peace" responsed to this "slander" by gunning down a nun who worked in a children's hospital (Read the story, here); so humane and holy of them. Muslim clerics are also calling for the execution of the Holy Father. While the world is blaming the Pope Benedict XVI for stirring the current Muslim ire against the Catholic Church (because Heaven knows, we've always gotten along so well before!), I am reminded of another man whose remarks incited people to seek his death, and the death of his followers.

I've also heard other Muslim clerics express their regret over the "ignorance" and "misunderstanding" that would cause a man as learned as Pope Benedict XVI to repeat such a quote. I have yet to hear these same clerics express their regret over the "ignorance" and "misunderstanding" that causes the Muslim "extremists" (that would be anyone who actually practices their religion) to seek the death of "non-believers;" (that would be the Holy Father, Religious Sisters and Brothers, People who work in the World Trade Center, etc.).

I do have to admit that I wish we were more like the Muslims in one thing, fervency for the Faith. Why, when Islamists are killing Catholics, blaspheming the Holy name of Jesus, and desecrating the symbols of our Faith, is the Pope apologizing? Jesus didn't.

2006-09-15T14:12:00.000-04:00

Rosie O'Donnell's "Views"

My sister-in-law forwarded the following note to me. Frankly, I'm not at all surprised at Rosie O'Donnell's comments. She is one of the most bitter, American-hating, liberal wackos out there. Really, does anyone even watch "the View?" That show would be an embarrassment to women everywhere if it were indeed hosted by women, but, well... you know... Anyway, ABC, that bastion of family values, yet again, chooses to give these people a forum from which to spew their vitriol.

I'd almost rather people didn't respond to Rosie's tirade, because the more these people talk, the more they reveal how they truly feel about Christians, and about America. They can't hide behind a facade of patriotism (or intelligence), because they lack both.

Donald E. Wildmon
Founder and Chairman

September 14, 2006

Please help us get this information into the hands of as many people as possible by forwarding it to your entire email list of family and friends.

ABC's Rosie O'Donnell told a nationwide audience this week that "radical Christians" are the same as radical Muslims who piloted hijacked jetliners into New York's Twin Towers, who chop off the heads of individuals and who bomb innocent children in suicide attacks. O'Donnell made her comments as host of ABC's "The View."

"Radical Christianity is just as threatening as radical Islam in a country like America where we have separation of church and state," O'Donnell said. She had been saying that America was attacked "not by a nation." She continued: "And as a result of the attack and the killing of 3,000 innocent people, we invaded two countries and killed innocent people." Even her liberal co-hosts were shocked by her comments.

Co-host Joy Behar otested that Christians are not trying to impose mass murder on America. "This group (radical Muslims) is threatening to kill us." Replied O'Donnell: "No, but we are bombing innocent people in other countries. True or false?"

O'Donnell was saying there is no difference between the radical Muslims who kill in the name of Allah and Bible-believing Christians who follow the teachings of Jesus.

Neither O'Donnell nor ABC apologized for the comments. Had she made similar comments about minorities or homosexuals, there would have been an apology, and she would have probably been fired.

The message from ABC is that bashing Christians is acceptable, even comparing them with murderers who kill in the name of Allah.

Take Action. Tell ABC that O'Donnell's comments deserve an apology and a reprimand.

1. Send the email to ABC asking for an apology and a reprimand.
2. Forward this to your friends and family, and ask them to send the email to ABC.

Brian Frons, President, ABC Daytime ABC 77 West 66th St.New York, NY 10023-6298 Primary Phone: 212-456-7777Fax: 212-456-1424E-Mail: Brian Frons, ABC

Sincerely,
Donald E. Wildmon, Founder and Chairman
American Family Association

2006-08-24T09:39:00.000-04:00

Why the South Can't get over the Civil War

Admittedly, most of the Civil War battles were fought in Southern territory, but I've always wondered why the South just can't let it go. My sister, who went to college in Virginia told me that every year they have a campus-wide football game between the East and the West. I asked why they didn't do a North-South game, and she told me that they had tried it, but it always ended in a fight.

While I was at the Kentucky State Capitol Building, last weekend, I snapped a photo of this plaque. Do you think the fact that the Southern states are riddled with this type of memento might be contributing to the situation?

Text of the plaque:

Near here, on Nov. 7, 1864 four innocent Confederate prisoners were excuted in reprisal for the murder of Union Supporter Robert Graham of Peaks Mill, Franklin Co. All Kentuckians, Elijah Horton of Carter, Thomas Hunt and John Long of Mason, Thornton Lafferty of Pendleton Counties. Hunt's body reburried at Marysville, others in the Frankfort Cemetery.

2006-08-23T16:54:00.000-04:00

Introducing 2nd Lieutenant John G. XXXX
(Last Name withheld to preserve the annonymity of the innocent who may be mentioned here - and me)
I was proud and honored to attend the commissioning ceremony (and pin the bar onto his left shoulder), this weekend, for my brother, John, who received his commission in the Kentucky Army National Guard on August 19, 2006 at the Kentucky State Capitol Building. Southern hospitality coupled with military formality is just my cup of tea, or shot of whiskey (whichever you prefer).

In addition to receiving his commission, John was awarded the Physical Fitness award for his class:

"Presented to the graduates who have attained the hightest composite score in several Army Physical Fitness Tests, which measure speed, strength and endurance."

Below are some pictures of the weekend's activities:

Friday, we attended a briefing by CPT Bobbie J. Mayes, while the Sr. Class Candidates rehearsed the ceremony. We were promised a chance to "smoke" the candidates, but alas, we had to leave early. John's wife, Angela assured me that she saw CPT Mayes "smoking" John for us.

Dang, that was probably the only chance I'd ever have to make him do push-ups. Oh well. Maybe some day, if he receives a promotion (do they do that to commissioned officers?).
To the left, John receives his diploma.

Below, he poses with his family: Angela, Elijah, Gabriel, Joseph and Grace Ann.(missing: daughter, Hayley):

After the ceremony, there was a brief reception held on the lawn of the Kentucky Capitol Building. That evening, the newly commissioned officers, official party, and their families attended the "dining in." Unfortunately for you all, the videotape from that event is highly classified. If I could, I would show it to you (believe me!).

Below, is a picture of John and his beautiful wife, Angela on their way out.

For those of you wondering, I (the intrepid aunt) spent the evening with the nephews, neice and a dog. The videotape from that event is also classified ;)

2006-08-23T10:05:00.000-04:00

On the Road Again

When my blog is silent for several days it may be for one of two reasons: I'm extraordinarily lazy, or because I'm mortally ill, however, this time I had a really great excuse. I drove to (and back from) Kentucky, this weekend. My next (and more important post) tells why. My odyssey begins in New Hampshire, where I left for Delaware at approximately 8:30 am on August 17th. The original plan included driving with my sister, Jessica, however, she and another sister (Kathleen) were called away to my aunt's house to help take care of her after knee replacement surgery resulted in a bad infection (we're like our own personal red-cross service).

So, due to trepidation about making the trip alone, I took along my other sister's (Deb's) fierce watch-dog, Bonnie. Bonnie was a great companion, and never complained when it was her turn to drive. However, she does have slight issues with road rage… Oh well, that’s what happens when you put a canine behind the wheel. It took me about four hours to get to New York, where traffic started getting rough.

As I was crossing the Tapan Zee bridge in New York, going at a steady 10 mph clip, I was thinking that it would be amazing if I were to see someone I knew driving on the Interstate. Wouldn't you know it; I came up on the left of a car with many, many pro-life bumper stickers on the back of it. As I passed the car, I glanced over to see world-renowned pro-life lawyer John Broderick, driving in his car. What are the odds??? So, I snapped a quick picture of the car's bumper, just for kicks. (Don't worry, it wasn't dangerous, did I say I was going only 10 mph?).

After experiencing a 1 and 1/2 hour tie - up on the NJ Turnpike due to an accident, I made it to my other brother's house in Delaware at around 7:30 pm. It was really, really nice to relax, and have a hot meal. The boys (except for the newest) and I (including their Dad, Patrick) took a walk in the neighborhood to get some fresh air, and stretch our legs before continuing on. I wanted to get at least twelve hours of driving in, and about 700 miles before stopping for the night. I got back onto the road, and right back into a traffic jam, at about 9:00pm, somewhere in Maryland.

As an aside, normally, when I hear about an accident, I say a brief prayer for those involved, and for the rescue crews, but I have to admit that those Memorare's were said through gritted teeth.

After that, things were going well, until my "check engine" light came on at about 1:00 am, somewhere in Maryland. (Pay no attention to the speedometer, Mom and Dad J. The Speed limit is much, much higher in the Mid-Western, and Mid-Atlantic States than in New England J ). I was in the mountains, praying for a rest area, but the outlook was pretty bleak. It finally dawned on me that there were no dang rest areas anywhere in Maryland. Of course not, why would those tight-fisted legislators, senators, etc. who live in that state shell out their tax money for the convenience of their constituents? I pulled off to get gas, and was just about determined to just find a road somewhere to camp out on, when I came into West Virginia.

Glorious, beautiful West Virginia! Not five miles into the state, I found a lovely little parking area overlooking a charming Appalachian valley at about 2:00am. I parked with the rest of the truckers. If you do a close-up, of the picture below, you can see the fierce watchdog staring menacingly out of the back window.

We got an early start (around 7:00am) on Friday, and cruised the rest of the way through West Virginia and into Kentucky. The weather was mostly sunny, although a freak thunder and lightning storm on the Purple Heart Memorial Highway” made me pull over due to zero visibility, when I was only 30
miles from Frankfort. I made it to the hotel at about 3:00pm on Friday afternoon.

After the weekend activities, I left on Sunday morning at around 11:00am. Drove through to West Virginia, and stopped at around midnight, in another (slightly less charming) rest area for the night. Of course, I felt completely safe knowing that Bonnie was on watch. Here’s a picture of her guarding against infiltration through the floorboards. I never would have thought of that.

The rest of the trip was uneventful. I saw a couple of neat things on the way. The “Trucker’s Museum” and the “Museum of Water Purification are both located somewhere in West Virginia and/or Connecticut, but I just didn’t have time to stop. I did make myself this promise that some day, yes some day, I would visit an obscure little museum; but alas, it was not to be this weekend.

At one rest area, there were a whole bunch of thistles covered in butterflies. So I took this picture.

I also saw this truck. I don’t know if it was because I was tired, but for the longest time, I just didn’t know what was wrong with it, but had the feeling that something was. When I finally figured it out, it made me laugh for a good half hour.

See my next post for exciting details of the weekend!!!

2006-08-16T09:22:00.000-04:00

Old Time Radio

I'll admit it, I'm a classic radio show junkie. That's right, "The Shadow Knows" that "X Minus One" is not a "Dragnet." My first exposure to old time radio shows was driving back from college through upstate New York at about 1:00am, when I hit an FM station that was playing the old "Lone Ranger" radio shows. I instantly fell in love with the genre. I've been a junkie, ever since. It's especially great, while driving at night, if you have a scary radio program on, say "The hitchhiker," for instance.

Anyway, in preparation for my summer road trip (more about this, later), I've been downloading some great old time radio shows. In the past, I had been suckered into buying these shows from the giant book store chains for an outrageous amount of money, not realizing how readily available and how cheap you could get these shows on the internet. So, I thought I'd pass some of these links along:

http://www.radiolovers.com (for FREE program downloads)
http://www.rusc.com (membership is only $7.50/month for unlimited downloads)

I'm sure there are many more, but I downloaded all 166 Dragnet programs, yesterday, and am starting to work on my "Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar" collection. ('Lest this post make me seem older than I am, I'm under 40!). If you've never tried it, you should, but be warned, you'll be hooked.

2006-08-11T14:49:00.000-04:00

Whoohooo! I'm quitting my job and buying a Winnebago!!!
I get these "you are in a position to receive $100,000,000" letters about twice a week, but this one really made me laugh. It doesn't contain the usual "Spanish Prisoner" gimmick (If you've never seen the move, you should). Seriously, does anyone fall for this stuff?? I've included the e-mail of the sender (ostensibly the "Secretary to the Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria.") So, for kicks, I responded with the following:

Dear Kevin;

I was very excited to receive your letter detailing how I might be in receipt of $1,500,000, so I quit my job, and told my boss exactly what I thought of her, and this whole company. Unfortunately, I did not calculate how little money I had in the bank to cover expenses in the interim between my last paycheck and receipt of my money from you.

Please send me, immediately, an advance of $10,000 through non-diplomatic channels (Moneygram) would be fine. I will be communication with you later, to arrange for full transfer of all outstanding funds. Thank you very much in
advance for your assistance.

Regards,
Madeline

The text of the letter is below. I'll update you with any responses I receive. (I just hvae waaaay too much time on my hands, today).

FROM: OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA.

SUBJECT: FUNDS DELIVERY
REPL ONLY ON THIS MAIL:

THIS INTERVENTION IS AS A RESULT OF NUMEROUS APPLICATIONS AND ATTEMPTS BY SOME GROUP OF PEOPLE HERE AND OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD TO ABUSE THE INTERGRITY AND REPUTATION OF OUR APEX BANK, THE CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA. HOWEVER, IN ORDER FOR THE BANK TO PROTECT HER IMAGE AND THAT OF THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE, THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND THE GOVERNOR OF CBN) HAS BEEN MANDATED TO INFORM YOU THAT WE ARE IN RECEIPT OF AN APPLICATION FOR FUND RELEASE/DELIVERY TO YOU.

FURTHERMORE, BE INFORMED THAT COMMERCIAL BANKS IN THIS COUNTRY,INCLUDING OTHER OFFSHORE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS WHO CLAIM TO HAVE THE MANDATE OF THE CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA TO TRANSFER FUNDS TO HER BENEFICIARIES ARE NOT AUTHORISED TO TRANSFER ABOVE ONE MILLION, FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS OUT OF THIS COUNTRY WITHOUT DUE CLEARANCE FROM MY OFFICE IN THE CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA. SO IF EVENTUALLY YOU ARE IN CONTACT WITH SUCH GROUP OF PEOPLE IS GOOD YOU FURTHER COMMUNICATION FOR YOUR OWN INTEREST.

ALSO, TO ACCOMPLISH THE ABOVE,I HAVE STARTED UPDATING YOUR FILE/APPLICATION FOR THE RELEASE/DELIVERY OF YOUR FUND TO YOU WHICH WAS EARNED THROUGH INHERITANCE/CONTRACT PAYMENT. MY OFFICE IS WORKING ON THE INSTRUCTION FROM THE PRESIDENCY, FEDERAL EXCUTIVE COUNCIL,AND THE NATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR BANKERS FORUM THROUGH MY OFFICE TO DELIVER THE FUNDS IN CASH DIRECTLY TO YOUR DOORSTEP BY DIPLOMATIC MEANS. THE MONEY WILL BE CONCEALED IN TWO METAL BOXES AND WILL BE LABELED AS PERSONAL BELONGINGS SO AS TO OBTAIN FULL DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY COVERAGE TO ENSURE A HITCH-FREE DELIVERY. THIS ARRANGMENT IS BEING IMPLEMENTED IN ORDER TO BEAT THE ACTIVITIES OF FRAUDSTERS. I SYMPATHISE WITH YOU FOR THE LONG DELAY IN RECEIVING YOUR MONEY DUE TO YOUR INABILITY TO LOCATE THE PROPER INSTITUTION RESPONSIBLE FOR SUCH SERVICES IN THIS COUNTRY.

THE MODE OF OUR OPERATION IS AS FOLLOWS:-

1.YOU ARE TO INFORM THIS OFFICE THE NAME OF YOUR NEAREST INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO ENABLE US ENROUTE THE DIPLOMATIC TICKET CORRECTLY, YOUR CURRENT ADDRESS ANDYOUR PERSONNAL TELEPHONE NUMBERS [CELL PHONE].

2. YOUR PRESENCE WILL ALSO BE NEEDED AT THE AIRPORT TO RECEIVE THE DIPLOMAT ON ARRIVAL SO THAT BOTH OF YOU WILL MOVE STRAIGHT TO YOUR NOMINATED BANK TO LODGE THE FUND INTO YOUR ACCOUNT. ALSO YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO ENDORSE CERTAIN VITAL DOCUMENTS CONFIRMING THE INTACT RECEIPT OF YOUR FUNDS, AS THIS WILL ENABLE US TO WRITE REPORTS BACK TO THE OFFICES INVOLVED IN PASSING THE BILL THAT HAS RESULTED IN YOUR BEING PAID. MY OFFICIAL I.D SHALL BE SENT TO YOU FOR DOUBLE ASSURANCE OFTHE SOURCE OF THIS LETTER.

3. FINALLY, UPON CONFIRMATION OF YOUR READINESS TO RECEIVE YOUR MONEY, WE SHALL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE START PROCESSING THE NECCESSARY DOCUMENTATIONS TOWARDS THE SAFE DELIVERY OF THE CONSIGNMENT TO YOU IN YOUR COUNTRY AND THE KEYS OF THE BOXES THAT CONTAIN THE FUNDS SHALL ALSO BE SENT TO YOU VIA COURIER SERVICE.

AWAITING YOUR PROMPT RESPONSE ONLY ON THIS EMAIL ADDRESS

:kevin_oyib1962@yahoo.gr

REGARDS,
KEVIN C. OYIBO

SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNOR, CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA
Email: kevin_oyib1962@yahoo.gr

2006-08-10T16:48:00.000-04:00

Massachusetts has failed to pay for the tuition waivers under Gov. Romney's "Welcome Home" Bill.

Yet, again, Massachusetts proves it's dedication to "supporting the Troops" Oh, oops. I mean, NOT supporting the troops. Read the article here. However, we can all rest assured that Massachusetts IS providing "support" for illegal immigrants. See excerpt below:

Lashing out at the “wrong priorities” of lawmakers, Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey said, “The Legislature has made the appalling decision to vote on things like tuition breaks for illegal immigrants, but they couldn’t take the time to take a vote to help our Massachusetts war heroes . . . I find it deeply disturbing.”

I propose that we make illegal immigrants fight in our military. That would solve all problems, wouldn't it?

2006-08-09T11:55:00.000-04:00

Land of the "Enslaved by Dependency," Home of the "Meek"
~ forwarded by a friend who would be appalled to have her name mentioned here ;)

2006-08-08T22:18:00.000-04:00

Back from the cyber-grave:
Well, yup. I've been out of it for the last two weeks, at least. I finally dragged my sorry carcass to the doctor's office, where I was pronounced alive, but with a bad case of bronchitis. "Ohh! Is that what all of this not being able to breath, and lethargy is about," I thought? (I was still too weak to talk). Anyway, I really, really hate going to the doctor because they're always pushing unecessary female-type exams. I'm sorry, I know it's a gross subject, but when I tell the woman (of course it has to be a woman doctor) that I do not do drugs, and live a chaste life (I had to explain the term "chaste" to her because it's not found anywhere in her medical dictionary), she gives me that doubtful look, like, "sure, honey. That's what they all say."

I'm pretty darn insulted every time she asks me if I need to renew a birth-control prescription, whenever I go in for a throat culture. I'm thinking, why is "virgin" a dirty word, yet you can assume I'm a slut, and I'm not supposed to be offended? I finally asked her to write "VIRTUOUS, NON-DRUG ADDICTED WOMAN" at the top of my chart so that everytime I go in, I don't have to have the same discussion. It didn't work. She still asked.

It reminds me of the time that I went in for a work physical during my summer-job, (that's right, the "exam" they give you to verify that you're not about to drop dead on the assembly line floor, costing the fortune 500 company millions, that consists of a pulse rate, blood pressure, temperature and weight), that the nurse insisted on "putting me on the pill" because even though I wasn't "active" at the time, you never know. Well, I have to disagree with that. You do know. At least, I know, and I finally convinced the company nurse of that.

Anyway, as you can probably tell from my rant, I'm still not feeling all that well, and it makes me cranky. Pity my poor sisters, with whom I live.

2006-07-26T14:52:00.000-04:00

Another Murderer Found Innocent:

Fox News just announced that Andrea Yates, the Houston area Suburbanite, was found “not guilty by reason of insanity” for systematically drowning her five children. Not only am I disgusted; I just don’t understand. There’s no doubt that Yates was mentally ill, but is this an adequate “excuse” for committing such heinous acts? For rejecting God as a society, must we now reject the possibility of evil? Wouldn’t someone who was evil appear insane to those who aren’t?

No doubt many will think me callous for not having compassion for Ms. Yates. My very humble reply to that is, “Who the Hell cares what you think?” I’m afraid my compassion in this instance is all for the children. I can’t even muster any compassion for the father of these poor victims, after reading his remarks, as reported here :

“Rusty Yates said he and his ex-wife are "good friends" and that he likely will visit her in prison later Wednesday. He said she was "very nervous" leading up to the verdict, and that she expected to be found guilty again. He thanked the jury for "rising above superficial facts" and said that in a mental institution, she can have a "better quality of life for herself."

That’s nice. He and the woman who “… filled the tub with water and beginning with Paul, she systematically drowned the three youngest boys, then placed them on her bed and covered them. Mary was left floating in the tub. The last child alive was the first born, seven-year-old Noah. He asked his mother what was wrong with Mary, then turned and ran away. Andrea caught up with him and as he screamed, she dragged him and forced him into the tub next to Mary's floating body. He fought desperately, coming up for air twice, but Andrea held him down until he was dead. Leaving Noah in the tub, she brought Mary to the bed and laid her in the arms of her brothers.”are “good friends;” and he’s glad she’ll have a “better quality of life for herself.” Apparently Yates’ “insanity” didn’t prevent her from assisting in her own defense; or from rejecting a plea deal that would have netted her only 35 years in prison, as opposed to 77.

I guess what really convinces me that Yates is responsible for the death of her children is that millions of women every year make an appointment to have their children killed, and men like Peter Singer (the Ira W. DeCamp Professor of Bioethics at Princeton University, and laureate professor at the Centre for Applied Philosophy and Public Ethics, University of Melbourne) advocate the killing of children up to several days after birth; as well as performing “experiments” on infants of “diminished capacity.”

Andrea Yates and Peter Singer, Dr. Mengele would be proud.

2006-07-24T15:38:00.000-04:00

Congratulations & Welcome!!

I apologize for not having blogged in so long. Life (non-cyberlife) has been very, very busy. At any rate, I just wanted to give a quick congratulations to my brother Patrick and his wife, Christina, on the birth of their baby boy, Nicholas Patrick!!

I find the timing poignant, in relation to President Bush's veto of the bill passed by the legislature to expand stem-cell research. In browsing some of the articles on-line, I was more than amused to see one "reporter" decry the use of adopted children as the "back-drop" for the president's statement on the sanctity of human life.

I guess they objected to his using children in this way, as much as the president objects to researchers using children their way. Ironically sinister, isn't it?

2006-07-18T14:05:00.000-04:00

Why Are We Trying to Silence the Churches?

It appears that the IRS has decided to ramp up efforts to shut down, and shut up, priests, clergy, rabbis, and anyone else who may have an opinion based upon the Word of God (oh yeah, and whose organizations may have been granted tax exempt status).

Read the Whole Article here.

"... Since 2004, the IRS has investigated more than 200 organizations, including All Saints Church in Pasadena. Two days before the 2004 presidential election, the Rev. George F. Regas, the church's former rector, delivered a guest sermon that pictured Jesus in a debate with George W. Bush and John Kerry. Although Regas didn't endorse a candidate, he said Jesus would have told Bush that his pre-emptive war policy "has led to disaster." The church drew national attention when the Rev. Ed Bacon, rector of All Saints, disclosed the IRS investigation and later said the agency believed the church had violated federal tax code barring tax-exempt organizations from intervening in political campaigns and elections..."

This leads me to believe that all future sermons may be limited to "sin is bad," or something like it.

It reminds me of something dear old Father McCarthy once said. He had been called in to the bishop's office for making a statement to the effect that it is a mortal sin to vote for a pro-abortion politician. To add insult to injury, the "politician" to which Father McCarthy referred was John F. Kerry. The bishop explained to Father McCarthy that if he continued to make such statements from the pulpit, the Church may lose its tax exempt status. Father McCarthy agreed that that may be the case, and also said that Jesus didn't "give a damn" about tax exempt status, and that HE never told him not to preach about politics.

We need more (many more) Father McCarthy's.

2006-07-11T15:36:00.000-04:00

Local Balloon Festival

Dad and I went to the balloon festival and fair, last weekend. The horse pulling (as always) was the highlight. A brief flurry of excitement occured when a helicopter landed in the baseball field, and they annouced that there would be helicopter rides. Followed, immediately, by an announcement that there would not be helicopter rides that night, or the next day, or the day after that. As a matter of fact, you will never ride in a helicopter, or ever see one again. Apparently somebody forgot to get FAA clearance and permits. It was darned near more exciting than a helicopter ride.

Dad and I looked into the price of balloon rides, and at a $175.00/person, we decided we'd rather have a $0.99 photograph (cost of the film for my digital camera printer) from the ground. However, as a matter of fact the balloons didn't go up the day we were there, because the wind wasn't blowing in the right direction. Looks like somebody screwed up with the National Weather Service, again.

But, the next night, while Dad and I were on our way to pick up pizza, we caught the final balloon lift off of the festival. Dad took the great picture posted above. You just have to love small-town America.

2006-07-11T12:52:00.000-04:00

Vernon Robinson for Congress!

Watch his advertisement here. This guy makes way too much sense. Kind of leaves me with a "too good to be true" sort of feeling.

2006-07-10T09:44:00.000-04:00

NEW PREAMBLE TO THE CONSTITUTION

The following has been attributed to State Representative Mitchell Aye from GA. This guy should run for President one day...

"We the sensible people of the United States, in an attempt to help everyone get along, restore some semblance of justice, avoid more riots, keep our nation safe, promote positive behavior, and secure the blessings of debt-free liberty to ourselves and our great-great-great-grandchildren, hereby try one more time to ordain and establish some common sense guidelines for the terminally whiny, guilt ridden, delusional, and other liberal bed-wetters. We hold these truths to be self evident: that a whole lot of people are confused by the Bill of Rights and are so dim they require a Bill of NON-Rights."

ARTICLE I: You do not have the right to a new car, big screen TV, or any other form of wealth. More power to you if you can legally acquire them, but no one is guaranteeing anything.

ARTICLE II: You do not have the right to never be offended. Thiscountry is based on freedom, and that means freedom for everyone -- not just you! You may leave the room, turn the channel, express a different opinion, etc.; but the world is full of idiots, and probably always will be.

ARTICLE III: You do not have the right to be free from harm. If you stick a screwdriver in your eye, learn to be more careful, do not expect the tool manufacturer to make you and all your relatives independently wealthy.

ARTICLE IV: You do not have the right to free food and housing. Americans are the most charitable people to be found, and will gladly help anyone in need, but we are quickly growing weary of subsidizing generation after generation of professional couch potatoes who achieve nothing more than the creation of another generation of professional couch potatoes. (This one is my pet peeve...get an education and go to work....don't expect everyone else to take care of you!)

ARTICLE V: You do not have the right to free health care. That would be nice, but from the looks of public housing, we're just not interested in public health care.

ARTICLE VI: You do not have the right to physically harm other people. If you kidnap, rape, intentionally maim, or kill someone, don't be surprised if the rest of us want to see you fry in the electric chair.

ARTICLE VII: You do not have the right to the possessions of others. If you rob, cheat, or coerce away the goods or services of other citizens, don't be surprised if the rest of us get together and lock you away in a place where you still won't have the right to a big screen color TV or a life of leisure.

ARTICLE VIII: You do not have the right to a job. All of us sure want you to have a job, and will gladly help you along in hard times, but we expect you to take advantage of the opportunities of education and vocational training laid b efore you to make yourself useful.
(AMEN!)

ARTICLE IX: You do not have the right to happiness. Being an American means that you have the right to PURSUE happiness, which by the way, is a lot easier if you are unencumbered by an over abundance of idiotic laws created by those of you who were confused by the Bill of Rights.

ARTICLE X: This is an English speaking country. We don't care where you are from, English is our language. Learn it or go back to wherever you came from! ( lastly....)

ARTICLE XI: You do not have the right to change our country's history or heritage. This country was founded on the belief in one true God. And yet, you are given the freedom to believe in any religion, any faith, or no faith at all; with no fear of persecution. The phrase 'IN GOD WE TRUST' is part of our heritage and history, and if you are uncomfortable with it, TOUGH!

2006-07-07T09:47:00.000-04:00

SENATOR JOHN GLENN SAID:
Things that make you think a little.......

There were 39 combat related killings in Iraq during the month of January..... In the fair city of Detroit there were 35 murders in the month of January. That's just one American City ,about as deadly as the entire war torn country of Iraq.
When some claim President Bush shouldn't have started this war,state the following;

FDR...led us into World War II. Germany never attacked us: Japan did. From 1941-1945, 450,000 lives were lost, an average of 112,500 per year.

Truman...finished that war and started one in Korea, North Korea never attacked us. From 1950-1953, 55,000 lives were lost, an average of 18,334 per year.

John F. Kennedy....started the Vietnam conflict in 1962. Vietnam never attacked us. Johnson...turned Vietnam into a quagmire. From 1965-1975, 58,000 lives were lost, an average of 5,800 per year.

Clinton...went to war in Bosnia without UN or French consent, Bosnia never attacked us.

He was offered Osama bin Laden's head on a platter three times by Sudan and did nothing.

Osama has attacked us on multiple occasions.

In the two years since terrorists attacked us President Bush has liberated two countries, Crushed the Taliban, Crippled al-Qaida, Put nuclear inspectors in Libya, Iran and North Korea, without firing a shot, and captured a terrorist who slaughtered 300,000 of his own people.

The Democrats are complaining about how long the war is taking, but...It took less time to take Iraq than it took Janet Reno to take the Branch Davidian compound. That was a 51-day operation.

We've been looking for evidence of chemical weapons in Iraq for less time than it took Hillary Clinton to find the Rose Law Firm billing records.

It took less time for the 3rd Infantry Division and the Marines to destroy the Medina Republican Guard than it took Ted Kennedy to call the Police after his Oldsmobile sank at Chappaquiddick, killing a woman.

Wait, there's more......................

Some people still don't understand why military personnel do what they do for a living. This exchange between Senators John Glenn and Senator Howard Metzen baum is worth reading. Not only is it a pretty impressive, impromptu speech, but it's a lso a good example of one man's explanation of why men and women in the armed services do what they do for a living.

This is a typical, though sad, example of what some who have never served think of our military.

JOHN GLENN ON THE SENATE FLOOR Date: Mon, 26 Jan 2004

Senator Howard Metzenbaum to Senator Glenn: "How can you run for Senate when you've never held a real job?"

Senator Glenn: "I served 23 years in the United States Marine Corps. I served through two wars. I flew 149 missions. My plane was hit by antiaircraft fire on 12 different occasions. I was in the space program.

It wasn't my checkbook, Howard; it was my life on the line. It was not a nine-to-five job, where I took time off to take the daily cash receipts to the bank. I ask you to go with me .. as I went the other day... to a veteran's hospital and look those men - with their mangled bodies - in the eye, and tell THEM they didn't hold a job! You go with me to the Space Program at NASA and go, as I have gone, to the widows and orphans of Ed White, Gus Grissom and Roger Chaffee... and you look those kids in the eye and tell them that their Dads didn't hold a job.

You go with me on Memorial Day and you stand in Arlington National Cemetery , where I have more friends buried than I'd like to remember, and you watch those waving flags. You stand there, and you think about this nation, and you tell ME that those people didn't have a job? I'll tell you, Howard Metzenbaum; you should be on your knees every day of your life thanking God that there were some men - SOME MEN - who held REAL jobs. And they required a dedication to a purpose - and a love of country and a dedication to duty that was more important than life itself. And their self-sacrifice is what made this country possible.

I HAVE held a job, Howard! What about you?"

For those who don't remember - During W.W.II, Howard Metzenbaum was an attorney representing the Communist Party in the USA

2006-07-04T17:23:00.000-04:00

Happy Fourth of JulyThanks to the Men and Women of the United States Armed Forces for keeping our Land Free. See this link for a beautiful tribute to our soldiers, sailors and airmen: Video

2006-06-30T12:54:00.000-04:00

An Oldie but a Goodie!

This is actually a true story and the account of the investigation makes it even better...
The Dam

This is an actual letter sent to a man named Ryan DeVries by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Quality, State of Pennsylvania. This guy's response is hilarious, but read the State's letter before you get to the response letter.

SUBJECT: DEQ File No.97-59-0023; T11N; R10W, Sec. 20; Lycoming County

Dear Mr. DeVries:
It has come to the attention of the Department of Environmental Quality that there has been recent unauthorized activity on the above referenced parcel of property. You have been certified as the legal landowner and/or contractor who did the following unauthorized activity: Construction and maintenance of two wood debris dams across the outlet stream of Spring Pond. A permit must be issued prior to the start of this type of activity. A review of the Department's files shows that no permits have been issued. Therefore, the Department has determined that this activity is in violation of Part 301, Inland Lakes and Streams, of the Natural Resource and Environmental Protection Act, Act 451 of the Public Acts of 1994, being sections 324.30101 to 324.30113 of the Pennsylvania Compiled Laws, annotated. The Department has been informed that one or both of the dams partially failed during a recent rain event, causing debris and flooding at downstream locations. We find that dams of this nature are inherently hazardous and cannot be permitted. The Department therefore orders you to cease and desist all activities at this location, and to restore the stream to a free-flow condition by removing all wood and brush forming the dams from the stream channel. All restoration work shall be completed no later than January 31, 2006. Please notify this office when the restoration has been completed so that a follow-up site inspection may be scheduled by our staff. Failure to comply with this request or any further unauthorized activity on the site may result in this case being referred for elevated enforcement action.. We anticipate and would appreciate your full cooperation in this matter. Please feel free to contact me at this office if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
David L. Price
District Representative and Water Management Division.

Here is the actual response sent back by Mr. DeVries:

Re: DEQ File No. 97-59-0023; T11N; R10W, Sec. 20; Lycoming County

Dear Mr. Price,

Your certified letter dated 12/17/02 has been handed to me to respond to. I am the legal landowner but not the Contractor at 2088 Dagget Lane, Trout Run, Pennsylvania. A couple of beavers are in the (State unauthorized) process of constructing and maintaining two wood "debris" dams across the outlet stream of my Spring Pond. While I did not pay for, authorize, nor supervise their dam project, I think they would be highly offended that you call their skillful use of
natures building materials "debris." I would like to challenge your department to attempt to emulate their dam project any time and/or any place you choose. I believe I can safely state there is no way you could ever match their dam skills, their dam resourcefulness, their dam ingenuity, their dam persistence, their dam determination and/or their dam work ethic. As to your request, I do not think the beavers are aware that they must first fill out a dam permit prior to the start of this type of dam activity. My first dam question to you is: (1) Are you trying to discriminate against my Spring Pond Beavers, or (2) do you require all beavers throughout this State to conform to said dam request? If you are not discriminating against these particular beavers, through the Freedom of Information Act, I request completed copies of all those other applicable beaver dam permits that have been issued. Perhaps we will see if there really is a dam violation of Part 301, Inland Lakes and Streams, of the Natural Resource and Environmental Protection Act, Act 451 of the Public Acts of 1994, being sections 324.30101 to 324.30113 of the Pennsylvania Compiled Laws, annotated. I have several concerns. My first concern is, aren't the beavers entitled to legal representation? The Spring Pond Beavers are financially destitute and are unable to pay for said representation -- so the State will have to provide them with a dam lawyer. The Department's dam concern that either one or both of the dams failed during a recent rain event, causing flooding, is proof that this is a natural occurrence, which the Department is required to protect. In other words, we should leave the Spring Pond Beavers alone rather than harassing them and calling their dam names. If you want the stream "restored" to a dam free-flow condition please contact the beavers -- but if you are going to arrest them, they obviously did not pay any attention to your dam letter, they being unable to read English. In my humble opinion, the Spring Pond Beavers have a right to build their unauthorized dams as long as the sky is blue, the grass is green and water flows downstream. They have more dam rights than I do to live and enjoy Spring Pond. If the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection lives up to its name, it should protect the natural resources (Beavers) and the environment (Beavers' Dams). So, as far as the beavers and I are concerned, this dam case can be referred for more elevated enforcement action right now. Why wait until /31/2006? The Spring Pond Beavers may be under the dam ice then and there will be no way for you or your dam staff to contact/harass them then. In conclusion, I would like to bring to your attention to a real environmental quality, health, problem in the area. It is the bears! Bears are actually defecating in our woods. I definitely believe you should be persecuting the defecating bears and leave the beavers alone. If you are going to investigate the beaver dam, watch your step! The bears are not careful where they dump! Being unable to comply with your dam request, and being unable to contact you on your dam answering machine, I am sending this response to your dam office.
THANK YOU. RYAN DEVRIES & THE DAM BEAVERS

2006-06-29T12:22:00.000-04:00

New Hampshire Enacts Meaningful Eminent Domain Reform

SB 287 Prohibits Kelo Takings and Tightens Definition of Blight

Arlington, Va.—On Friday, June 23, 2006, exactly one year after the U.S. Supreme Court decided the Kelo v. City of New London eminent domain case, New Hampshire Governor John Lynch signed into law Senate Bill 287, legislation that provides citizens with meaningful protection against eminent domain for private profit.

SB 287, which sailed through both legislative houses, explicitly states, “Public use shall not include the public benefits resulting from private economic development and private commercial enterprise, including increased tax revenues and increased employment opportunities.” While the bill continues to allow the use of eminent domain for the elimination of so-called “blight,” SB 287 requires that an individual property, as opposed to an area, be a menace to health and safety.” Thanks to the efforts of State Sen. Bob Odell and State Rep. Maureen Mooney, who chaired Senate and House study committees on eminent domain, the bill passed with overwhelming support.

“We commend New Hampshire lawmakers for providing citizens with meaningful and comprehensive protection against eminent domain abuse,” said Institute for Justice Senior attorney Dana Berliner, who authored Opening the Floodgates, documenting more than 5,700 filed or threatened condemnations in just the one year since Kelo. “This common sense reform is exactly what the Live Free or Die state needed. Blight no longer means whatever a bureaucrat or planner wants it to mean.”

IJ Senior Attorney Scott Bullock, who argued Kelo before the U.S. Supreme Court, agreed and added, “This is one of the strongest reform bills passed in response to Kelo. New Hampshire legislators understand what defenders of eminent domain abuse still do not—that Kelo created a big problem for the states to fix, that economic development will undoubtedly continue without eminent domain, and that every home, business, farm and place of worship needed protection against condemnation for private gain.”

Since Kelo, legislators in 47 states have introduced, considered or passed legislation aimed at curbing eminent domain abuse. Twenty-five states have passed reforms.

In addition to SB 287, the House and Senate put a proposed constitutional amendment on the November 2006 ballot. If passed by the voters, the amendment would prohibit the use of eminent domain “if the taking is for the purpose of private development or other private use of the property.”

Berliner concluded, “This statutory reform, combined with the constitutional amendment, will no doubt stop the abuse of eminent domain in New Hampshire.”

the full text of the bill can be found here

I was very disappointed when the town of Weare decided against seizing SCJ Souter's home for private development, a couple of months ago. I guess most people give an apathetic shrug of their shoulders and consider that "it wouldn't happen to me, so why be concerned?". Thanks to Rep. Mooney for patching a leak in the dam that holds back the tide of tyranny.

2006-06-28T09:18:00.000-04:00

Why the Senate is Wrong...

A thoughtful mind, when it sees a Nation's flag, sees not the flag only, but the Nation itself; and whatever may be its symbols, its insignia, he reads chiefly in the flag the Government, the principles, the truths, the history which
belongs to the Nation that sets it forth.

~ Henry Ward Beecher

He is a poor patriot whose patriotism does not enable him to understand how all men everywhere feel about their altars and their hearthstones, their flag and their fatherland.

~Harry Emerson Fosdick

"The things that the flag stands for were created by the experiences of a great people. Everything that it stands for was written by their lives. The flag is the embodiment, not of sentiment, but of history."

-- Woodrow Wilson

These thirty-four senators have poured the lighter fluid, and lit the match for every terrorist, and enemy of the U.S. to desecrate her flag:

Arkansas: Pryor (D); California: Boxer (D); Connecticut: Dodd (D), Lieberman (D); Delaware: Biden (D), Carper (D); Hawaii: Akaka (D), Inouye (D); Illinois: Durbin (D), Obama (D); Iowa: Harkin (D); Kentucky: McConnell (R); Maryland: Mikulski (D), Sarbanes (D); Massachusetts: Kennedy (D), Kerry (D); Michigan: Levin (D); New Jersey: Lautenberg (D); New Mexico: Bingaman (D); New York: Clinton (D), Schumer (D); North Dakota: Conrad (D), Dorgan (D); Oregon: Wyden (D); Rhode Island: Chafee (R), Reed (D).
Utah: Bennett (R); Vermont: Jeffords (I), Leahy (D); Washington: Cantwell (D), Murray (D); West Virginia: Byrd (D); Wisconsin: Feingold (D), Kohl (D).

2006-06-26T18:14:00.000-04:00

THANKS...
To the guy who flashed his headlights to me, the other morning. Sure, it was a 35 mph zone, and I was... pause while I plead the 5th... but you saved me. Not 100 yards down the road, there was the bear, drinking his coffee, reading the paper, and clocking the cars. This particular occurance made me start thinking about two things: 1) the appalling lack of common courtesy while driving (except for this one instance) ; or 2) the blatant ignorance with regards to "rules of the road."

I recently saw a headline (somewhere) that stated "road rage on the rise!" I have often (not to say unjustly) been accused of road rage. I'll admit to being a little tightly wound (at times), but as one of my sisters said, "the rise in road rage may be inversely related to the decline in drinking and driving." - for those of you who know me, this is all in good fun. For those of you who don't, I do not endorse drinking and driving. However, I digress. I can honestly say, my "rage" is always as a result of some numbskull doing something that is either disrespectful or downright dangerous. I'll admit the first is a much lesser offense than the second. But, who is addressing the "rise of driving discourteously and/or dangerously."

For the record, I always make an effort to drive courteously. For those of you out there who aren't certain about what this entails, see the following list:

Yield the right of way, when you're not entitled to it. This means, if you're pulling onto the highway, and there's a car in the entrance lane, do not try to beat them or to push them over into the middle lane. Your visibility is not as good as the driver already on the highway, and you don't know what you may be pushing them into.
If you are at a multi-way stop sign, the person who was there first is entitled to pull through first. If you arrive at the stop sign at the same time that another car arrives at his stop sign, the car to the right has the right of way.
If you are making a left-hand turn, oncoming traffic has the right of way. Wait for all cars to pass, before making the turn.
Indicate to cars behind you that you intend to turn by using your turn signals BEFORE slamming on your brakes. What's the use of using your turn-signal AFTER you've slammed on your brakes, to let me know why?
Take the right of way, when you're entitled to it. It's frustrating to be at a stop sign and after a lot of pantomining gestures between drivers, take a chance that they really ARE yeilding. Thanks, but we would both be through the stop by the time we worked it all out.
If you are going inordinately slow (below the speed limit), pull over and allow other cars to pass you. In Washington state, it is the law that any car with a five car line behind them, must pull over and allow those cars to pass (I just loved that, while I was there). In Arizona, the drivers just did it out of courtesy (Thanks, Arizona drivers!).
If the driver in front of you is going (at least) the speed limit, do not tailgate them, just because you're a little more daring. Wait for a legal chance to pass, and well... always obey the laws of the road ;)

Now, say some jerk decides that he DOES own the road, and to heck with everybody else on it? Are the rest of us just supposed to "take it?" Perhaps a better man (woman) would. But, I'm afraid I am not a better woman. With regards to discourtesy, what is the appropriate reaction to the guy in the left lane who just won't pass, and won't get over? Usually, I'll flash my headlights a couple of times, just to let them know I'm there. BTW, for all of you ignorant drivers out there, this IS considered a courteous way of letting you know I'm there, and would like to use the passing lane for the purpose for which it is intended! If that doesn't work, I'll pass on the right, pull up in front of them, and go even slower. Invariably, it makes THEM get into the right hand lane, after which time I, and the many cars lined up behind him can continue on our way.

If a driver cuts me off, I'll honk the horn (length of time is directly related to how far I skidded after slamming on my brakes to keep from plowing into the guy). Or, I will confess (blushingly) to tail-gating for a while. My rationalization being that they MUST want me to be that close because why else would they have pulled out RIGHT in front of me? What really gets me mad, though, is when a driver does something that is really stupid, putting me and/or my passengers in danger. Here's my question, what is an appropriate response? Does anything do any good? Do those of us who are courteous and safe drivers just diminish into oblivion because more and more people are ignorant of basic driving courtesy? I invite comments.

2006-06-23T18:05:00.000-04:00

Totally Random: He or She? For those of you who have a yahoo e-mail address, you may have seen this image on their mail login screen. It's been bothering me for months... but, is this a man or a woman? The manicure, the hair, the sunglasses, the way she/he holds the drink and the tank top tell me it's a woman; but, the eyebrows, and the five o'clock shadow tell me it's a man. Is this a cruel joke to drive me insane?!!

2006-06-22T18:41:00.000-04:00

Gun owners accuse UN of July 4 conspiracy
By Irwin Arieff

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Americans mistakenly worried the United Nations is plotting to take away their guns on July 4 -- U.S. Independence Day -- are flooding the world body with angry letters and postcards, the chairman of a U.N. conference on the illegal small arms trade said on Wednesday.

Firstly, are Americans "mistakenly" worried about the date? Becuase it's always been pretty darn clear about the intentions of the UN. They've been more concerned with disarming the free American public than with disarming Al Qaeda for decades.

"I myself have received over 100,000 letters from the U.S. public, criticizing me personally, saying, 'You are having this conference on the 4th of July, you are not going to get our guns on that day,"' said Prasad Kariyawasam, Sri Lanka's U.N. ambassador.

So What? Is Mr. Kariyawasam objecting to free speech, now?

"That is a total misconception as far as we are concerned," Kariyawasam told reporters ahead of the two-week meeting opening on Monday. For one, July 4 is a holiday at U.N. headquarters and the world body's staff will be watching a fireworks display from the U.N. lawn rather than attending any meetings, he said. For another, the U.N. conference will look only at illegal arms and "does not in any way address legal possession," a matter left to national governments to regulate rather than the United Nations, he added.

Lies, lies, lies...

The campaign is largely the work of the U.S. National Rifle Association, whose executive vice president, Wayne LaPierre, warns on an NRA Web site (http://www.stopungunban.org/) of a July 4 plot "to finalize a U.N. treaty that would strip all citizens of all nations of their right to self-protection."

Kariyawasam said, "The U.N. conference will not negotiate any treaty to prohibit citizens of any country from possessing firearms or to interfere with the legal trade in small arms and light weapons."

Well, according to the UN Firearms Protocol document posted here, "By ratifying the Protocol, Member States of the United Nations commit them selves to adopting a series of crime-control measures and to introducing into their legislation provisions to criminalize the manufacture and trade of firearms,..."

U.N. CONSPIRACY -- OR STRONGER CONTROLS?

LaPierre, who also uses the site to pitch his new book, "The Global War on Your Guns," asks NRA members to send letters to Kariyawasam and U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan warning that "the American people will never let you take away the rights that our 4th of July holiday represents."

The group also asks members to write to John Bolton, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, urging him to "ensure the defeat of this treaty." Bolton's office confirmed he had received tens of thousands of cards from concerned Americans.

"We understand their concerns and will work during the conference to communicate their concerns," Bolton spokesman Richard Grenell said.

At the same time, 1 million people around the world -- symbolizing the number of people killed by guns since the last U.N. small arms conference in 2001 (I would like to see the number of people who have been saved by guns since the last U.N. small arms conference in 2001, represented. Thus far, I think we can count the majority of the people in Iraq. Is that over 1 million?)-- have signed a petition backing stronger controls on arms deals in a campaign organized by Oxfam International, Amnesty International and the International Action Network on Small Arms.

Hmmm... This would seem to contradict Mr. Kariyawasam's assertion that the UN has no interest in controlling legal arms trade.

The June 26-July 7 U.N. conference was called to review a 2001 U.N. action plan aimed at stemming the illegal global trade in small arms, which, as defined by the United Nations, range from pistols and grenades to mortars and shoulder-fired anti-aircraft and anti-tank missiles.
The action program set out broad guidelines for national and global measures to track arms sales, promote better management of government arms stockpiles and encourage the destruction of illicit arms.

Wow, prevent the proliferation of illegal weapons, by governing legal weapons... That would be like stemming the tide of illegal immigration by putting tracking collars on every U.S. Citizen. Now why didn't we think of that?

06/21/06 17:35 © Copyright Reuters Ltd. All rights reserved. The information contained In this news report may not be published, broadcast or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of Reuters Ltd. (yeah, whatever)

Disarming the civilian population has always been the first step towards fascism and tyranny. Tracking arms has always been the first step towards disarming the civilian population. Have we learned nothing from history, or are we doomed to repeat the same mistakes every five generations? Every citizen has not only the right, but the duty, to protect themselves from aggression. They must be given the tools to excercise that right.

2006-06-19T12:37:00.000-04:00

Connie Chung and Madeline Albright Should Take it on the Road...
For those of us who fondly remember Connie Chung for her betrayal of Newt Gingrich's Mom by playing an "off the record" snippet from an interview where Mrs. Gingrich called Hillary Clinton a b*tch, here is a farewell performance that you simply can't miss. Click here for the video. It reminded me of Madeline Albrights re-vamped version of "Don't Cry for Me Argentina." If these two teamed up, they could be the next Andrews Sisters.

2006-06-19T09:50:00.000-04:00

Just another attack on the second ammendment, and the rights of the individual...
MOONEY URGES SENATE TO OVERRIDE LYNCH VETO ON SB 318

MERRIMACK - Rep. Maureen C. Mooney (R-Merrimack) a co-sponsor SB 318 (relative to the use of deadly force to protect oneself) publicly urged the State Senate to override Gov. Lynch's veto. SB 318 passed in the Senate and the House earlier this year but Governor John Lynch vetoed the measure on May 12, 2006.

Rep. Mooney stated, "Under current law, citizens have a 'duty to retreat' from an aggressor anywhere but in their own homes. This means that if we are confronted by a robber, mugger or rapist in a store, on the street or in any other public place, we have to run away from them if we can do so safely, before we may use certain lethal and potentially lethal measures to defend ourselves." Mooney continued, "For many women and elderly citizens who may not be capable of defending themselves with non-deadly force, lethal and potentially lethal force are often our only means of defense against violent attacks--and the criminals know this."

Mooney noted that because violent criminals know about the duty to retreat, more often than not they choose to attack their victims in public places. SB 318 would have broadened the areas where victims could defend themselves by excluding the "retreat rule" from "any place where the actor has the right to be."

Mooney continued, "The Governor's veto of this bill is very disappointing. I co-sponsored SB 318 to allow law-abiding citizens to protect themselves and their families from violent criminals wherever they may be. The Governor, through his veto, is actually empowering the most loathsome of criminals who would prey on society's most vulnerable members. In reality, criminals would think twice before committing crimes if they knew that the victims could defend themselves with every lawful means available. I am disappointed that Governor Lynch would veto this important protective change in New Hampshire law."

Representative Pete Hinkle (R-Merrimack) is also a co-sponsor of SB 318, along with Senators Peter Bragdon (R-Milford) and Robert Letourneau (R-Derry), and Representatives Stephen Stepanek (R-Amherst) and Tony Soltani (R-Epsom). The State Senate will likely take up the Governor's veto when they reconvene at the Call of the Chair in June. The full text of SB 318 can be found online at:

http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2006/SB0318.html

2006-06-14T16:24:00.000-04:00

I am completely swamped at work, right now; and, I live right next to a lake with a whole lot of fish just aching to be caught (or to eat the worms off of my hook!), so blogging will be sporadic until the end of June. However, I thought this one was funny....

ETHICS QUESTION

This test only has one question, but it's a very important one. By giving an honest answer, you will discover where you stand morally. The test features an unlikely, completely fictional situation in which you will have to make a decision. Remember that your answer needs to be honest, yet spontaneous. Please scroll down slowly and give due consideration to each line. Answer honestly!!!

You are in Florida, Miami to be specific. There is chaos all around you caused by a hurricane with severe flooding. This is a flood of biblical proportions. You are photojournalist working for a major newspaper, and you're caught in the middle of this epic disaster. The situation is nearly hopeless. You're trying to shoot career-making photos. There are houses and people swirling around you, some disappearing under the water. Nature is unleashing all of its destructive fury.

Suddenly you see a woman in the water.

She is fighting for her life, trying not to be taken down with the debris. You move closer. Somehow the woman looks familiar. You suddenly realize who it is.

It's Hillary Clinton!

At the same time you notice that the raging waters are about to take her under forever. You have two options-

1) You can save the life of Hillary Clinton, or 2) You can shoot a dramatic Pulitzer Prize winning photo, documenting the death of one of the world's most powerful women.

So here's the question, and please give an honest answer.......

Would you select high contrast color film,
or
would you go with the classic simplicity of black and white?

I'm hoping I've got a DVR with audio at the time, and I'd throw her an anvil, but I'm kind of mean, that way.

2006-06-08T10:49:00.000-04:00

Fort Lewis Soldier Says He'll Refuse To Go To Iraq
June 6, 2006 By Keith Eldridge

An Army lieutenant based at Ft. Lewis has such serious objections [Maddie: See below for Lt Ehren watada's "serious" objections] to the war in Iraq, and is refusing to deploy, the soldier's lawyer said. Soldier Says He'll Refuse To Go To Iraq

SEATTLE - As thousands of Fort Lewis Army troops prepare to head back to Iraq, one of their officers is making a stand. A lieutenant says he is going to refuse to go, saying it's an unjust war [Maddie: "Just War" principles include: 1) defense against wrongful attack, 2) retaking something wrongly taken, or 3) punishment of evil. Even if you don't agree that Iraq was at least complicit in 9/11, Anyone at all familiar with circumstances surrounding Sadam Hussein's reign of terror, must acknowledge that the current War on Terror satisfies the third prinicpal]. Anti-war groups are rallying to his defense. [Duh!]

Lt. Ehren Watada of the Stryker Brigade writes, "I refuse to be silent any longer. I refuse to watch families torn apart, while the President tells us to ‘stay the course.’ I refuse to be party to an illegal and immoral war against people who did nothing to deserve our aggression." [Maddie: Emphasis mine. Apparently, Lt. Ehren Watada does not consider the insurgency rebellion that has claimed hundreds of the lives of his "fellow troops" as deserving of aggression. Or, Lt. Watada intends to imply that the War on Terror applies to non-combatant Iraqi civilians. Lt. Watada has been ill-informed as to who exactly his "fellow troops" are fighting against.]

I wanted to be there for my fellow troops. But the best way was not to help drop artillery and cause more death and destruction. It is to help oppose this war and end it so that all soldiers can come home." - signed LT. [Maddie: Unfortunately, what Lt. Watada fails to understand is that bringing his "fellow troops" home will cause precisly what he says he wants to avoid, "More Death and Destruction." Take a lesson from the suppression of the Kurds in the 1990s.]

His name had been kept a secret until now, but Lt. Watada's father confirms that his son is taking this bold step and told the Honolulu Advertiser newspaper that he's proud of his son.

Fort Lewis says since the lieutenant hasn't done anything official yet, there's no violation. But should he decide to go ahead with this, he could be charged with 'desertion' or more likely with 'missing the movement' of his unit. [Maddie: Is execution still an option for punishing deserters in time of War? Just asking.]

It's happened before with a sergeant who refused to go. Sgt. Kevin Benderman was sentenced to 15 months for refusing to go to Iraq. [Maddie: Wow, light sentence. See question above.]

Lt. Watada asked for reassignment and tried resigning his commission, but the Army refused. His attorney tells us from Hawaii that Watada is not against all wars, just this one. [Maddie: Well, well, well. Is Lt. Watada only against wars in which he would have to fight?]

"I've been doing this for nearly 40 years and I'm somewhat astounded that in the context of a war that is becoming increasing unpopular that they are relatively unsophisticated in addressing these issues," said attorney Eric Seitz from Hawaii.

This doesn't sit well with fellow soldiers.

"We're here to serve our country and fight and that's his job," said Private Nathan Hanson. "It's his duty."

Anti-war protestors, many of which demonstrated at the Port of Olympia recently, are rushing to his aid. They have put up a Web site believing he's the first commissioned officer to refuse to go. [Maddie: Ironically, the anti-war protestors are "rushing to the aid" of someone who is refusing to "rush to the aid" of his fellow troops, and the Iraqi people.]

The lieutenant says he'll make his intentions official Wednesday at noon and that's when his defense team will kick into gear.

For More Information:
www.thankyouLT.org

For an excellent essay on the "justice" of the current war on terror. Please visit: http://www.cpjustice.org/stories/storyReader$595.

2006-06-06T09:26:00.000-04:00

You See the Strangest Things...
What really bothers me is, what was he doing at Home Depot? Thanks to Jess for the photograph.

2006-06-05T10:27:00.000-04:00

X-Men, The Last Straw…

I made a mistake, this weekend; not a big mistake, just a mistake. I went to see X-Men, the Last Stand. The first two X-Men movies, while not dramatic works of art, were just fun, action-adventure movies, with the usual romantic angst between a Level 5 mutant, and the two male mutants who love her (talk about art reflecting life!). However, after seeing it, I’ve decided that a more appropriate sub-title for this movie is “The Last Straw.”

Sure, I’d heard the rumors that the whole superhero thing had been co-opped by the gays as a metaphor for their own lives (talk about self-aggrandizing!), but I thought they were just reaching. I mean, they’ve co-opped the color purple and rainbows, for Pete’s sake; where I don’t think either of those things is inherently “gay” I won’t be painting rainbows on my SUV. But, Hollywood, in their infinite wisdom, and in case those of us who are not gay hadn’t been clued in, introduced the following sub-plot:

The anti-hero had developed a formula that would “cure” mutants so that they became fully human. The first person to be “cured” would be the anti-hero’s gay (oops! I mean “mutant”) son. The son wants to be “cured” for his father’s sake. When the son hesitates before taking the injection, his father encourages him by telling him, “It’s a better life, etc.” At the last moment, the son bursts through the closet door (oops! I mean the straps on the chair), and, for the first time, stretches his snow-white wings from tip to tip. Then, to dramatic music, and the setting of the sun, he rushes through the window of the high-rise to soar above the clouds. In case you’re wondering, the wings weren’t gossamer and translucent, like you’d expect “fairy” wings to be, but that would be a little too obvious, don’t you think?

Okay, okay, those of us who didn’t realize before, get it now. In addition to that rather obvious bit of propaganda, the female element of the mutant love triangle kills off her boyfriend, and then she gets killed by the third element of the triangle (see? Straight relationships are bad, bad, bad). To make it worse, the still shot for the dramatic “I have to kill you to save the world scene” is the hero (sans shirt), holding the heroine’s dead body (dressed in some sort of gothic, maroon, shiny medieval dress), against a backdrop of an exploding building. I’m afraid that at this point, in the stillness and silence of the theater, I burst out laughing, and couldn’t stop.

I truly think that this might be the last movie I ever see in a theater. I’m sick and tired of Hollywood twisting every decent concept to justify their own pathetic “life choices.” I believe that it is a common literary theme for every hero to have a tragic or fatal flaw. The basic idea is for the hero to overcome the flaw, or to triumph despite the flaw, not to embrace the flaw, and so lower the standards for heroes everywhere. Guess what Hollywood. If it comes to a choice between rejecting heroes and rejecting Hollywood, Hollywood, out the door you go.

Yeah, seeing the movie was a mistake, but at least it was a matinee.

2006-06-02T16:21:00.000-04:00

Ahhh... Weekends !
To catch you all up on what us girls are doing...

Last weekend we bit the bullet and bought a kayak to accompany the canoe. It's red, white and blue for the USA NOT France. My last trip down the river with three dogs and a sister taught me a lesson I'll never forget: Kathleen can't keep her balance.

Anyway, it's just a one-seater, but Bonnie loved it. Here she is with Deb (my vantage point from the canoe).

Then, Deb and I decided to dock, while Jess took Bonnie for a spin around the island in the background. Deb cast (barely missing my face with the hook and worm - it's not the hook that bother's me, as you all know) and said, "There's no fish h.... Oh look I've got one!" Then, Deb reeled in a whopping (to hear her tell it) Sunfish. She threw it back, at the same time that I was casting, and I swear I caught the same fish! The sunfish eventually learned to just eat the worms, and leave the hook, and must have taught all of his friends the same trick, 'cause we lost a lot of worms.

We met Jess on our way back to shore. Here Jess is with Bonnie:

I trolled on the way back to shore, and found out that I had hooked... you guessed it... the SAME sunfish. Oh well. Nothing but pizza for dinner that night. This weekend it's raining, so I guess it's another "Band of Brothers" Marathon, or maybe "Pride and Prejudice." Have a good one!

2006-06-02T12:14:00.001-04:00

Army Dog Handler Gets 90 Days Hard Labor

By DAVID DISHNEAUAssociated Press Writer FORT MEADE, Md.

A military jury sentenced an Army dog handler to 90 days hard labor and a reduction in rank Friday for allowing his Belgian shepherd to bark within inches of an Iraqi detainee's face at Abu Ghraib prison. Army Sgt. Santos A. Cardona was the 11th soldier convicted of crimes stemming from the abuse of inmates at the prison in late 2003 and early 2004.

He was found guilty of dereliction of duty and aggravated assault for allowing his dog to bark in the face of a kneeling detainee at the request of another soldier who wasn't an interrogator. The military jury acquitted him of other charges, including unlawfully having his dog bite a detainee and conspiring with another dog handler to frighten prisoners as a game. It wasn't clear where Cardona, who was based at Fort Bragg, N.C., will serve the sentence or what sort of hard labor he will be require to do. He won't be confined during the sentence. Cardona's rank was reduced to specialist and the court ordered him to forfeit $600 a month in pay for 12 months.
You can read the rest of the article at Breitbart.com

I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm disgusted. The Army is fighting a war; a war against people who want to kill you, your brothers and sisters, husbands, wives, and children. It's not a Sunday School picnic, it's a bloody war! and we're punishing our soldiers for "allowing a dog to bark within inches of a detainee's face"? When a case like this is prosecuted to a conviction, the terrorists are laughing up their sleeves at us. It's sad to see that "shock and awe" has evolved into "tail between our legs."

2006-06-01T10:52:00.000-04:00

What other Impact are Illegal Immigrants having on our Culture?

A Study by the Violent Crimes Institute yeilded some very disturbing facts with regards to the number of violent sex crimes committed by our "undocumented immigrants" and/or potential "guest workers" every year:

"There were 1500 cases analyzed in depth. They included: serial rapes, serial murders, sexual homicides, and child molestation committed by illegal immigrants. Police reports, public records, interviews with police, and media accounts were all included. Offenders were located in 36 states, but it is clear, that the most of the offenders were located in states with the highest numbers of illegal immigrants. California was number one, followed by Texas, Arizona, New Jersey, New York, and Florida. "

I guess in addition to contributing to our economy, we can count on them to contribute in other ways:

"it is consistent to find sex offenders comprising 2% of illegals apprehended. Based on this 2% figure, which is conservative, there are approximately 240,000 illegal immigrant sex offenders in the United States."
"This translates to 93 sex offenders and 12 serial sexual offenders coming across U.S. borders illegally per day. The 1500 offenders in this study had a total of 5,999 victims. Each sex offender averaged 4 victims. This places the estimate for victimization numbers around 960,000 for the 88 months examined in this study."

Do the math. We can't afford to leave our borders open.
Thanks to AgainstAllHeresies for the lead. Go to here for the full article.

2006-05-30T16:58:00.000-04:00

LETTER FROM A POW

Following is the transcript of a letter that the father of our company president wrote to his mother, after she had been informed that he was "missing in action." The letter is dated "November 22, 1944."

Dear Mom,

This is the first chance I have had to write since being a POW. I suppose you were quite worried when you received word from the govt. that I was missing in action, well now your worries are over for the duration. I am find and in good health. The Germans treateded us fine. I guess the good lord has been with me all right and taken care of me or else I have the luck of a cat. The red cross really does a grand job for the POW. They supply us with new clothes and all the toilet articles you can use and best of all are the food parcels. They really hit the spot. About sending me parcels I believe you can send me all yo uwant (5 lb), but you better contact the red cross and fined [sic] out for sure. Things I want are: fruit cakes, candy, gum, pancake mix, pudding mix, ect. [sic] and plenty of ciggeretts [sic] they are use for money over here. Be writting [sic] next week. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Love to all,
Phil

I don't know how much of the letter was coerced, but it sure is a lot different than the kind of thing you hear from a lot of teenagers, today. Check out this story.

2006-05-25T10:09:00.000-04:00

"Persistent Vegitative State" - those chilling words used to describe Terri Schiavo (by those who wanted to kill her), and to describe Senate and Congressional Democrats (by anyone whose brain is fully functioning). The condition is described here. Because Terri Schiavo's husband, and other members of the Hemlock Society, wanted her dead, the condition was described as incurable (which is still no justification for murder, and echoes the Nazi disregard for life). However, even that "justification" is weakened with the news that researchers in South Africa may have found a drug that reverses a vegetative state, at least temporarily. This research may lead to something more permanent in the way of a cure. One would hope that this discovery would stay the hands of the executioners intent on starving people to death, or injecting them with lethal doses of pain killers. Too bad it's too late for Terri. (photo: Courtesy of http://www.terrisfight.org ).

2006-05-24T17:05:00.000-04:00

Jeb Bush and the NFL:
It's like peanut butter and chocolate without the calories, pizza and beer without the tab, Reagan and JPII (nothing bad there)... Rumor has it that JB has been approached to consider the position of Commissioner of the NFL. Football, the one sport where the men are men, and women aren't...

2006-05-24T09:56:00.000-04:00

Border problems?
It's worse than we thought... Click Here.

2006-05-22T16:28:00.000-04:00

Remember when Hollywood wasn't sooo Dense?
My Sister-in-law forwarded this clip to me. Bob Hope, tellin' it like it is: one of the greatest, wouldn't you say?

2006-05-22T12:17:00.000-04:00

With hymns of praise to honor Our Lady, the brothers and sisters, as well as the school children, followed by members of the Third Order and the faithful processed to the shrines of Our Lady on the monastary grounds to crown the statues with May flowers. The procession was led by three altar boys carrying the crucifix and candles. Followed by the flower girls, casting rose petals before the statue of Our Lady of Fatima.At each shrine, a decade of the rosary was said.
The girls from the Senior class, accompanied by an honor guard, carried flowered wreaths with which they crowned the the pilgrim statue of Our Lady of Fatima and the statues of Our Lady at the four shrines.

There is something truly beautiful about children paying tribute to our Lady in this way. The pictures say it all:

2006-05-18T10:54:00.000-04:00

The Aftermath of the flood

It was a dark and stormy night. Then it was a dark and stormy day. Then it was another dark and stormy night; followed by another dark and stormy day... Here's the river through town a full three days after the flood waters crested. Thanks to my trusty, evil gas-guzzling, Ford Explorer XLT, and to Deb saying a prayer to St. Christopher we had no problem navigating across the washed out road. Just one of the joys of living in the Northeast!

2006-05-11T16:51:00.000-04:00

The Myth of the Ugly American

Following is the opening paragraph to an article that accompanied this picture:

"WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Alarmed by the relentless rise of anti-Americanism around the world, a business-backed group is trying to change the behavior that spawned an enduring stereotype of Americans abroad -- loud, arrogant, ill-dressed, ill-mannered and lacking respect for other cultures."

If I'm not mistaken the "loud, arrogant, ill-dressed, ill-mannered" and behavior "lacking respect for other cultures" being displayed in this picture isn't exactly being displayed by Americans. However, one can gather from the quote below that whatever insult or injury other cultures and countries would like to inflict on the U.S. (flag-burning, kidnapping and beheading U.S. Citizens, dragging the mutilated remains of U.S. servicemen around, flying planes into civilian buildings, etc.) are justly deserved by Americans. The article quotes Mr. Keith Reinhard, Business for Diplomatic Action Inc. (BDA), as saying:

"our collective personality is one of the root causes of anti-Americanism."

I have traveled extensively, overseas: Portugal, Spain, Belgium, Ireland, England, Poland, and Italy, and am usually met with the courtesy and respect that my behavior deserves (Except for once in Ireland in 1992 when a gentleman from Dingle complained that "the U.S. was able to get Iraq out of Kuwait, why couldn't we do the same for the North?"). I suspect that nowhere is anti-Americanism more prevalent than at Business for Diplomatic Action Inc. and CBS news (even with Dan Rather gone).

I'm just wondering why, when we are a country so filled with loud, ill-dressed, and ill-mannered people, we have 12,000,000 illegal aliens clamoring to stay? Please note that I am by no means including these 12,000,000 illegal aliens in the group of people exhibiting the offensive behavior mentioned above. As demonstrated by the mass gatherings of these illegal immigrants, in recent weeks, all other cultures are clearly more refined and humble than our own. If I hear of one more person describe Americans as "loud, arrogant, ill-mannered, ill-dressed," or "lacking respect for other cultures" I'm going to softly, and in a very diffident, polite (and well-dressed) manner kick his sorry sed (see the Latin translation) back to whatever third world latrine he came from.

2006-05-10T10:31:00.000-04:00

Here's a picture of my brother and Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas (Clarence Thomas is on the right). For those of you interested, I also have a picture of my brother and Pope John Paul II. Yeah... he gets around.

2006-05-08T16:28:00.000-04:00

“Flight 93” Is it too soon?

On June 25, 2004 Michael Moore’s anti-American propaganda film, “Fahrenheit 911” was released in movie theaters all over the United States. I don’t recall anyone asking the question “is it too soon,” then. It “stirred debate,” was “controversial, and "thought provoking” as well as less palatable than raw sewage, but never too soon . Now, two years later, with every media mention of the film “Flight 93,” we’re left with the final musings of the commentator… “But is it too soon ?”

What about “Flight 93” makes it too soon whereas “Fahrenheit 911” (issued almost two years earlier) was lauded and honored by media and entertainment types across the board? I guess for the John Kerry, George Clooney, Ted Turner, Jane Fonda, Susan Sarandon, and Tim Robbins types it’s never too soon to exploit a human tragedy for political gain, as did Michael Moore, with his flick in 2004. However in the collective opinions of these same mental giants it might be too soon for a movie like “Flight 93.” Besides lacking the incompetence and paranoia, not to mention the necessary political bias of the “Fahrenheit 911” film producer, the producer of “Flight 93” simply tells the story of how some individuals acted when confronted with terrorists threatening their lives, and their country.

I guess it comes down to that… individuals acted. Individuals acted without prompting from the news media, from their legislators, or from those oh so revered entertainers. While it may not be the intention of the film maker, it is possible that “Flight 93” has the potential to inspire admiration for not only the passengers of Flight 93, but for the men and women who are currently fighting against terrorists in Iraq and in Afghanistan? It has the potential to remind us of that great American value; individual responsibility to fight evil. Might the masses who choose to see the film have (“gasp!”) an emotion or thought that has not been generated or sanctioned by the liberal media?

Too soon ? I think it’s long overdue.

2006-05-05T16:25:00.000-04:00

The DaVinci Code Controversy...
The following was contained in a note sent by a friend. I'm not sure who the originator is, but it sounds like a good idea. I would only add that if you opt for the fourth choice, try to make it a theater that ISN'T showing the Da Vinci code. I also add that I'm not a fan of the "Over the Hedge" type movie, as it usually involves some pretty raunchy "humor." "Poseidon" opens up the week before the 19th, and if you've ever seen the original this promises to be a great re-make.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING MAY 19TH? May 19th is the date the Da Vinci Code movie opens. A movie based on abook that wears its heresy and blasphemy as a badge of honor. What can we as Christians do in response to the release of this movie? I'mgoing to offer you the usual choices -- and a new one.

Here are the usual suspects:

A) We can ignore the movie...
The problem with this option: The box office is a ballot box. The onlypeople whose votes are counted are those who buy tickets. And the ballotbox closes on the Sunday of opening weekend. If you stay home, you havelost your chance to make your vote heard. You have thrown your vote away,and from Hollywood's point of view, you don't count. By staying home, youdo nothing to shape the decision-making process regarding what movies willmake it to the big screen.

B) We can protest...
The problem with this option: It doesn't work. Any publicity is goodpublicity. Protests not only fuel the box office, they make all Christianslook like idiots. And again, protests and boycotts do nothing to help shapethe decisions being made right now about what movies Hollywood will make inthe next few years. (Or they convince Hollywood to make *more* movies thatwill provoke Christians to protest, which will drive the box office up.)

C) We can discuss the movie...
We can be rational and be ready with studyguides and workshops and point-by-point refutations of the lies promulgatedby the movie. The problem with this option: No one's listening. They think they knowwhat we're going to say already. We'll lose most of these discussionsanyway, no matter how prepared we are, because the power of story alwaystrumps the power of facts (why do you think Jesus taught in parables?!).And once again: rational discussion of history does nothing to affectHollywood's choices regarding what movies to make.

But there's a fourth choice. On May 19th, you should go to the movies. Just go to another movie. Save the date now. May 19th, or May 20th. No later than Sunday, May21st -- that's the day the ballot box closes. You'll get a vote, the only vote Hollywood recognizes: The power of cold hard cash laid down on a boxoffice window on opening weekend. Use your vote. Don't throw it away. Vote for a movie other than DVC. Ifenough people do it, the powers that be will notice. They won't have achoice. The major studio movie scheduled for release against DVC is the DreamWorksanimated feature Over the Hedge. The trailers look fun, and you can takeyour kids. And your friends. And their friends. In fact, let's all go seeit. Let's rock the box office in a way no one expects -- without protests,without boycotts, without arguments, without rancor. Let's show up at thebox office ballot box and cast our votes. And buy some popcorn, too.

May 19th. Mark your calendars now: Over the Hedge's opening weekend. Buy a ticket. And spread the word. Forward this e-mail to all the Christians in youraddress book. Post it on your blogs. Talk about it to your churches. Andlet's all go to the movies.

To read more on The Da Vinci Code, see: http://www.catholicexchange.com/vm/index.asp?vm_id=2&art_id=32199

2006-05-04T15:29:00.000-04:00

Global Warming Warning...
You may or may not already be aware of the very real danger of global warming.

Are you scared?

Scientists predict an increase of 10 degrees F, around the equator, while the poles will get colder.

Are you scared?

What is the effect that this will have on our agriculture and economy??

Are you scared?

Well, we probably won't suffer any effect (those of us who choose to vacation on Earth, this year), since it's happening on Jupiter. I wonder if it's the SUVs or the Oil companies that are causing the global warming there?

See the following link: http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/060504_red_jr.html

2006-05-04T14:25:00.000-04:00

True Story:

My father and mother live in Ireland. My father wanted to take some money out of his savings account, so he called his bank. The following conversation took place:

TELLER: Hello?
DAD: I'd like to transfer some funds from my savings account.
TELLER: How much?
DAD: (unspecified amount)
TELLER: And what do you propose to do with this money.
DAD: I'd like to put it into my IRA accout.
TELLER: What!!?

2006-05-04T11:21:00.000-04:00

The following quote was passed on to me by a client. It was from a speech his son gave. I love the irony.

"We all have the opportunity to feel horribly inadequate, but thankfully through a very specific combination of confidence, ability, skill, and delusion we have the equal opportunity to feel otherwise." [JA CASTANEDA]

2006-04-27T11:35:00.000-04:00

Ellie is a 125 lb. Landseer Newfoundland"puppy." She spends most of her time fighting crime and napping. While she IS a bonafide superhero, her fears include not getting enough of the table scraps, being left behind if the "other" dogs are being taken out, loud noises, strange places, strange people, and little dogs; especially little dogs. Let's face it... we're ALL afraid of little dogs.