Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Who The Hell is Alex Jones and Why Does He Think There Are FEMA Camps in Iraq?
The party of love and peace. Now we know where they sent the FEMA trailers after Katrina.
A hat tip to Pajamas Media for this great, but disturbing video.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Georgia On My Mind
So last week, South Ossetian separatists increased mortar and machine gun against nearby Georgian villages. These separatists are backed by Moscow. When Georgia stood up, Russia sends in tanks, troops, ships, aircraft and troops. Following so far?
Not only did Russia go after the Georgians attacking their funded separatists, Moscow decides to blow up oil pipelines and ships. What rock scientist can't figure out that if they blow up the pipeline, Russia has effectively crippled the economy of the break away Georgia.
It's always about the money.
Hang tough Georgia. Praying a calvery arrives soon.
Not only did Russia go after the Georgians attacking their funded separatists, Moscow decides to blow up oil pipelines and ships. What rock scientist can't figure out that if they blow up the pipeline, Russia has effectively crippled the economy of the break away Georgia.
It's always about the money.
Hang tough Georgia. Praying a calvery arrives soon.
Monday, August 04, 2008
Hey Nan! How's the Vacation Going?
Pelosi turned out the lights on the House of Representatives. She shut down the microphones, turned out the lights, dismissed the press and zipped out, along with Democratic colleagues for 5 weeks of PAID vacation without a debate on the energy bill or an up or down vote. Dismiss the business before the Congress and jump on that airplane paid for by the taxpayer.
Meanwhile, average Americans are balancing rising costs caused mostly by the rising cost of fuel. The average American doesn't take five weeks vacation and certainly doesn't zip around at the expense of others.
Americans have tightened up. We consolidate shopping trips, outings and errands to help stretch the gasoline dollar. Many Americans are foregoing vacations and doing "staycations" to help alleviate the the pain we feel every time we purchase gas. The impact of the rising cost of gas correlates directly into the cost of goods and services everywhere. Thanks Nan.
Add to this pain, the humiliation of buying oil from some nations that would rather see us gone. This Democratically controlled Congress would rather have it's own citizens not only suffer escalating costs but keep us dependent on countries who could give a ruby red rat's backside whether we exist. Where is our sovereignty? Where is our ability to stand on our own two feet and show the rest of the world what makes us great? It's on vacation along with the ELECTED representatives who swore an oath to serve its citizens.
I give the August Rebellion of 2008 members gigantic props. You didn't let Nan & company's highjinx stop you. You stood (and stand) on the floor of the people's house and plead our case. You are fighting and I hope this great nation and its citizens stand with you.
Congressman Cantor (R-VA) has an online petition to get the Speaker to bring back Congress to ACT on this bill. It is a show of solidarity and a show of action. Please sign it and pass along the site to everyone you know and get them to sign it.
http://www.callbackcongress.com/
Americans don't have the luxury of 5 week vacations. In fact, many Americans are planning "staycations" which consist of destinations close to home. The Speaker and the Democratic Congress could learn a lesson from these Americans.
Take a staycation Nan and get some work done for the people.
Meanwhile, average Americans are balancing rising costs caused mostly by the rising cost of fuel. The average American doesn't take five weeks vacation and certainly doesn't zip around at the expense of others.
Americans have tightened up. We consolidate shopping trips, outings and errands to help stretch the gasoline dollar. Many Americans are foregoing vacations and doing "staycations" to help alleviate the the pain we feel every time we purchase gas. The impact of the rising cost of gas correlates directly into the cost of goods and services everywhere. Thanks Nan.
Add to this pain, the humiliation of buying oil from some nations that would rather see us gone. This Democratically controlled Congress would rather have it's own citizens not only suffer escalating costs but keep us dependent on countries who could give a ruby red rat's backside whether we exist. Where is our sovereignty? Where is our ability to stand on our own two feet and show the rest of the world what makes us great? It's on vacation along with the ELECTED representatives who swore an oath to serve its citizens.
I give the August Rebellion of 2008 members gigantic props. You didn't let Nan & company's highjinx stop you. You stood (and stand) on the floor of the people's house and plead our case. You are fighting and I hope this great nation and its citizens stand with you.
Congressman Cantor (R-VA) has an online petition to get the Speaker to bring back Congress to ACT on this bill. It is a show of solidarity and a show of action. Please sign it and pass along the site to everyone you know and get them to sign it.
http://www.callbackcongress.com/
Americans don't have the luxury of 5 week vacations. In fact, many Americans are planning "staycations" which consist of destinations close to home. The Speaker and the Democratic Congress could learn a lesson from these Americans.
Take a staycation Nan and get some work done for the people.
Sunday, August 03, 2008
God and Country
My husband's family worked their way through Virginia late 1700s and settled in North Carolina in the very early 1800s. Generations ago, their farm located on the travelled roads between Winston-Salem and parts unknown, was large and produced everything from tobacco to corn and served most times as a general store to the neighboring areas. A few "greats" back (as in great, great, great-grandad) Pierce made a living trade crops for flour (a working mill on the farm) and Dora sewed the prettiest quilts and bric-a-brac sold to the travelers passing through. The neighbors banded together and took their crops (mostly the corn and tobacco..mostly tobacco) to the big city to be sold. Goods were bartered, goods were sold and life was simple. The town grew up around a few farms in the area.
The farm has passed from generation to generation and remained, for the most part, the same. Generation, after generation, feeling the exotic lure of the big cities, fled from the town and the farm only to return at some point in time. To this day, when my father-in-law, who is almost 77, returns someone will inevitably ask him "Aren't you Guion's boy?" Keep in mind, Granddad Guion died in 1993 at the age of 95 years young. It is an area rooted in tradition and family.
The last weekend in June was our weekend to understand and return. After a particularly intense week around here, we headed down to the farm for the annual 4th of July, a week early, celebration. We live very close to DC and have allowed for the fast paced, sometimes circus-like aura of "the big city" to encroach on our lives. We live in a bubble, fed news on budgets and politics, political correctness, and the trappings of surreal environment to filter into our lives and stand side by side with our reality. We often forget that DC is not the world and there lies a whole other dimension not involved with the screamin' politics of this nation.
Heading into the small town, the first thing we see is the school. One school houses both the grade and middle school and now touts separate wings. It is a simple structure, not too old, not too new, rebuilt somewhere in the 1950s. In front of this public school on their little marquee was the sign "Join us June 28! Celebrate God and Country!" On a public building! It was there with no ACLU noise anywhere.
As we headed down the road to the farm, with each crop we passed, it was like a part of the anal retentive DC mentality was being chipped away. Past the tobacco and soy and grass planted for hay, I was unwinding. As we neared the farm house, we saw one of the Deen brothers who contract farms the land, inspecting the corn crop. We stopped to chat and saw the prettiest corn with leaves green and broad and healthy. We talked about the crops and the weather and how one good rain this coming week will be the best thing for this flourishing crop. He asked us to say a prayer for the rain but he reckoned that if didn't happen, it was what was suppose to be.
The celebration was Saturday. We chose a spot at the beginning of the parade route shaded by 100 year old oak trees and next to a church whose grounds serve as the local playground. We watched the veterans assemble. From recent conflicts to conflicts past, these brave men stood proudly in the uniforms they wore during their service. Many joked that the uniforms had shrunk over time but to us, they were handsome and strong and brave. One Marine, he had to be in his 90s, unable to walk the parade distance, begrudingly accepted a ride in the golf cart. But his eyes had the sparkle of pride and excitement at wearing that uniform. He looked as handsome and as strong as a 19 year old coming straight out of boot camp.
The veterans kicked off the parade and all along the route you could hear the applause and cheers as they passed. They were followed by the float showing the sons and daughters from the area serving their country and that too was met with deafening cheers. The next float paid tribute to those who had given their lives and citizens hands were placed over hearts and heads were bowed in silence as that tribute passed the viewers.
There were tractors and horse riders and classic cars. There were politicans and beauty queens and children riding on homemade floats, all of them celebrating God and Country. There were fire trucks and clowns and candy thrown and waves. Patrotic music was blaring from makeshift sound systems on many of the floats. The fair that followed was a wonderful cacaphony of sounds and smells and children free in a safe environment. There was slow cooked North Carolina barbeque and cotton candy. There was roasted corn on the cob slathered in butter, the husk and the stalk acting as a holder and drip catcher. There were pony rides and petty zoos and crafts and lemonade and the best sweet tea ever made. Local bands, not really great but good, sang gospel and hymns. Local folks had booths set up selling everything from homemade jams and jellies to magnetic jewelry. The fire department shot the hoses straight up in the air and the kids cooled off in the downpour. In the evening, blankets were spread on the ball field and the oohs and aahs of a terrific fireworks show capped the evening. I looked over and saw my two guys fast asleep on the blanket right after the finale. My family was at peace and the only blackberries that were grabbed were those on prickley vines.
Although not epiphany, it dawned on me that for every town with the hustle and bustle of a big city, there are thousands of towns celebrating God and Country similar to this celebration. Which is the real America?
I am thinking it is the latter.
The farm has passed from generation to generation and remained, for the most part, the same. Generation, after generation, feeling the exotic lure of the big cities, fled from the town and the farm only to return at some point in time. To this day, when my father-in-law, who is almost 77, returns someone will inevitably ask him "Aren't you Guion's boy?" Keep in mind, Granddad Guion died in 1993 at the age of 95 years young. It is an area rooted in tradition and family.
The last weekend in June was our weekend to understand and return. After a particularly intense week around here, we headed down to the farm for the annual 4th of July, a week early, celebration. We live very close to DC and have allowed for the fast paced, sometimes circus-like aura of "the big city" to encroach on our lives. We live in a bubble, fed news on budgets and politics, political correctness, and the trappings of surreal environment to filter into our lives and stand side by side with our reality. We often forget that DC is not the world and there lies a whole other dimension not involved with the screamin' politics of this nation.
Heading into the small town, the first thing we see is the school. One school houses both the grade and middle school and now touts separate wings. It is a simple structure, not too old, not too new, rebuilt somewhere in the 1950s. In front of this public school on their little marquee was the sign "Join us June 28! Celebrate God and Country!" On a public building! It was there with no ACLU noise anywhere.
As we headed down the road to the farm, with each crop we passed, it was like a part of the anal retentive DC mentality was being chipped away. Past the tobacco and soy and grass planted for hay, I was unwinding. As we neared the farm house, we saw one of the Deen brothers who contract farms the land, inspecting the corn crop. We stopped to chat and saw the prettiest corn with leaves green and broad and healthy. We talked about the crops and the weather and how one good rain this coming week will be the best thing for this flourishing crop. He asked us to say a prayer for the rain but he reckoned that if didn't happen, it was what was suppose to be.
The celebration was Saturday. We chose a spot at the beginning of the parade route shaded by 100 year old oak trees and next to a church whose grounds serve as the local playground. We watched the veterans assemble. From recent conflicts to conflicts past, these brave men stood proudly in the uniforms they wore during their service. Many joked that the uniforms had shrunk over time but to us, they were handsome and strong and brave. One Marine, he had to be in his 90s, unable to walk the parade distance, begrudingly accepted a ride in the golf cart. But his eyes had the sparkle of pride and excitement at wearing that uniform. He looked as handsome and as strong as a 19 year old coming straight out of boot camp.
The veterans kicked off the parade and all along the route you could hear the applause and cheers as they passed. They were followed by the float showing the sons and daughters from the area serving their country and that too was met with deafening cheers. The next float paid tribute to those who had given their lives and citizens hands were placed over hearts and heads were bowed in silence as that tribute passed the viewers.
There were tractors and horse riders and classic cars. There were politicans and beauty queens and children riding on homemade floats, all of them celebrating God and Country. There were fire trucks and clowns and candy thrown and waves. Patrotic music was blaring from makeshift sound systems on many of the floats. The fair that followed was a wonderful cacaphony of sounds and smells and children free in a safe environment. There was slow cooked North Carolina barbeque and cotton candy. There was roasted corn on the cob slathered in butter, the husk and the stalk acting as a holder and drip catcher. There were pony rides and petty zoos and crafts and lemonade and the best sweet tea ever made. Local bands, not really great but good, sang gospel and hymns. Local folks had booths set up selling everything from homemade jams and jellies to magnetic jewelry. The fire department shot the hoses straight up in the air and the kids cooled off in the downpour. In the evening, blankets were spread on the ball field and the oohs and aahs of a terrific fireworks show capped the evening. I looked over and saw my two guys fast asleep on the blanket right after the finale. My family was at peace and the only blackberries that were grabbed were those on prickley vines.
Although not epiphany, it dawned on me that for every town with the hustle and bustle of a big city, there are thousands of towns celebrating God and Country similar to this celebration. Which is the real America?
I am thinking it is the latter.
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Do The Math
This is a great email from my friend Dove3..(props to you sweetie). Yeah, the war is expensive but so is ignorance.
I hope the following 14 reasons are forwarded over and over again until they are read so many times that the reader gets sick of reading them. I have included the URL's for verification of the following facts:
1. $11 Billion to $22 billion is spent on welfare to illegal aliens each year. http://tinyurl.com/zob77
2. $2.2 Billion dollars a year is spent on food assistance programs such as food stamps, WIC, and free school lunches for illegal aliens. http://www.cis.org/articles/2004/fiscalexec.html
3. $2.5 Billion dollars a year is spent on Medicaid for illegal aliens. http://www.cis.org/articles/2004/fiscalexec.html
4. $12 Billion dollars a year is sp ent on primary and secondary school education for children here illegally and they cannot speak a word of English! http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0604/01/ldt.0.html
5. $17 Billion dollars a year is spent for education for the American-born children of illegal aliens, known as anchor babies. http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0604/01/ldt.01.html
6. $3 Million Dollars a DAY is spent to incarcerate illegal aliens. http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0604/01/ldt.01.html
7. 30% percent of all Federal Prison inmates are illegal aliens. http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0604/01/ldt..01.html
8. $90 Billion Dollars a year is spent on illegal aliens for Welfare and Social Services by the American taxpayers. http://premium.cnn.com/TRANSCIPTS/0610/29/ldt.01.html
9. $200 Billion Dollars a year in suppressed American wages are caused by the illegal aliens. http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0604/01/ldt.01.html
10. The illegal aliens in the United States have a crime rate that's two-and-a-half times that of white non-illegal aliens.. In particular, their children, are going to make a huge additional crime problem in the US . http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0606/12/ldt.01.html
11. During the year of 2005 there were 4 to 10 MILLION illegal aliens that crossed our Southern Border also, as many as 19,500 illegal aliens from Terrorist Countries. Millions of pounds of drugs, cocaine, meth, heroi n and marijuana, crossed into the U. S from the Southern border. Homeland Security Report. http://tinyurl.com/t9sht
12. The National Policy Institute, 'estimated that the total cost of mass deportation would be between $206 and $230 billion or an average cost of between $41 and $46 billion annually over a five year period.' http://www.nationalpolicyinstitute.org/pdf/deportation.pdf
13. In 2006 illegal aliens sent home $45 BILLION in remittances back to their countries of origin. http://www.rense.com/general75/niht.htm
14. 'The Dark Side of Illegal Immigration: Nearly One Million Sex Crimes Committed by Illegal Immigrants In The United States .' http://www.drdsk.com/articleshtml
Total cost is a whooping ... $338.3 BILLION A YEAR!!! If this doesn't bother you then just delete the message, but on the other hand, if it does raise the hair on the back of your neck, then forward it. Snopes is provided for doubters: http://www.snopes.com/politics/immigration/bankofamerica.asp
Social Security Change For 2008 The United States Senate voted to extend Social Security Benefits to Illegal Aliens beginning in 2008. The following are the senators who voted to give illegal aliens Social Security benefits. They are grouped by home state. If a state is not listed, there was no voting representative. Alaska : Stevens ® Arizona : McCain ® Arkansas : Lincoln (D) Pryor (D) California : Boxer (D) Feinstein (D) Colora do : Salazar (D) Connecticut : Dodd (D) Lieberman (D) Delaware : Biden (D) Carper (D) Florida : Martinez ® Hawaii : Akaka (D) Inouye (D) Illinois : Durbin (D) Obama (D) Indiana : Bayh (D) Lugar ® Iowa : Harkin (D) Kansas : Brownback ® Louisiana : Landrieu (D) Maryland : Mikulski (D) Sarbanes (D) Massachusetts : Kennedy (D) Kerry (D) Montana : Baucus (D) Nebraska : Hagel ® Nevada : Reid (D) New Jersey : Lautenberg (D) Menendez (D) New Mexico : Bingaman (D) New York : Clinton (D) Schumer (D) North Dakota : Dorgan (D) Ohio : DeWine ® Voinovich® Oregon : Wyden (D) Pennsylvania : Specter ® Rhode Island : Chafee ® Reed (D) South Carolina : Graham ® South Dakota : Johnson (D) Vermont : Jeffords (I) Leahy (D) Washington : Cantwell (D) Murray (D) West Virginia : Rockefeller (D), by Not Voting Wisconsin : Feingold (D) Kohl (D)
I hope the following 14 reasons are forwarded over and over again until they are read so many times that the reader gets sick of reading them. I have included the URL's for verification of the following facts:
1. $11 Billion to $22 billion is spent on welfare to illegal aliens each year. http://tinyurl.com/zob77
2. $2.2 Billion dollars a year is spent on food assistance programs such as food stamps, WIC, and free school lunches for illegal aliens. http://www.cis.org/articles/2004/fiscalexec.html
3. $2.5 Billion dollars a year is spent on Medicaid for illegal aliens. http://www.cis.org/articles/2004/fiscalexec.html
4. $12 Billion dollars a year is sp ent on primary and secondary school education for children here illegally and they cannot speak a word of English! http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0604/01/ldt.0.html
5. $17 Billion dollars a year is spent for education for the American-born children of illegal aliens, known as anchor babies. http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0604/01/ldt.01.html
6. $3 Million Dollars a DAY is spent to incarcerate illegal aliens. http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0604/01/ldt.01.html
7. 30% percent of all Federal Prison inmates are illegal aliens. http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0604/01/ldt..01.html
8. $90 Billion Dollars a year is spent on illegal aliens for Welfare and Social Services by the American taxpayers. http://premium.cnn.com/TRANSCIPTS/0610/29/ldt.01.html
9. $200 Billion Dollars a year in suppressed American wages are caused by the illegal aliens. http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0604/01/ldt.01.html
10. The illegal aliens in the United States have a crime rate that's two-and-a-half times that of white non-illegal aliens.. In particular, their children, are going to make a huge additional crime problem in the US . http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0606/12/ldt.01.html
11. During the year of 2005 there were 4 to 10 MILLION illegal aliens that crossed our Southern Border also, as many as 19,500 illegal aliens from Terrorist Countries. Millions of pounds of drugs, cocaine, meth, heroi n and marijuana, crossed into the U. S from the Southern border. Homeland Security Report. http://tinyurl.com/t9sht
12. The National Policy Institute, 'estimated that the total cost of mass deportation would be between $206 and $230 billion or an average cost of between $41 and $46 billion annually over a five year period.' http://www.nationalpolicyinstitute.org/pdf/deportation.pdf
13. In 2006 illegal aliens sent home $45 BILLION in remittances back to their countries of origin. http://www.rense.com/general75/niht.htm
14. 'The Dark Side of Illegal Immigration: Nearly One Million Sex Crimes Committed by Illegal Immigrants In The United States .' http://www.drdsk.com/articleshtml
Total cost is a whooping ... $338.3 BILLION A YEAR!!! If this doesn't bother you then just delete the message, but on the other hand, if it does raise the hair on the back of your neck, then forward it. Snopes is provided for doubters: http://www.snopes.com/politics/immigration/bankofamerica.asp
Social Security Change For 2008 The United States Senate voted to extend Social Security Benefits to Illegal Aliens beginning in 2008. The following are the senators who voted to give illegal aliens Social Security benefits. They are grouped by home state. If a state is not listed, there was no voting representative. Alaska : Stevens ® Arizona : McCain ® Arkansas : Lincoln (D) Pryor (D) California : Boxer (D) Feinstein (D) Colora do : Salazar (D) Connecticut : Dodd (D) Lieberman (D) Delaware : Biden (D) Carper (D) Florida : Martinez ® Hawaii : Akaka (D) Inouye (D) Illinois : Durbin (D) Obama (D) Indiana : Bayh (D) Lugar ® Iowa : Harkin (D) Kansas : Brownback ® Louisiana : Landrieu (D) Maryland : Mikulski (D) Sarbanes (D) Massachusetts : Kennedy (D) Kerry (D) Montana : Baucus (D) Nebraska : Hagel ® Nevada : Reid (D) New Jersey : Lautenberg (D) Menendez (D) New Mexico : Bingaman (D) New York : Clinton (D) Schumer (D) North Dakota : Dorgan (D) Ohio : DeWine ® Voinovich® Oregon : Wyden (D) Pennsylvania : Specter ® Rhode Island : Chafee ® Reed (D) South Carolina : Graham ® South Dakota : Johnson (D) Vermont : Jeffords (I) Leahy (D) Washington : Cantwell (D) Murray (D) West Virginia : Rockefeller (D), by Not Voting Wisconsin : Feingold (D) Kohl (D)
I Miss Your Chicken
Brandon called from Iraq this morning. He sounded weary and homesick. We gave him an upbeat account of the happenings here, the little guys talked to him and gave him an abbreviated account of their sports and school. He and I talked about if he was eating, if he was getting sleep, his living conditions and his general well being. He assured me he was fine and that all way well. I could tell he was just a bit homesick. After telling him I loved him a gajillion times and how proud I am of him, he was starting to sound more like Brandon. I was signing off and he said "Mom, I miss your chicken". It surprised me since Brandon has been a vegetarian since high school. I told him I wished I could send him some but I didn't think it would be eatable when it got there. We signed off with more I love yous and be safes and promises of even more letters.
After taking the little guys to school, I was driving home thinking about his comment, "I miss your chicken".
During the week, life here has always been chaotic. It is filled with work, clubs, meetings, sports, music lessons and homework. Monday through Saturdays are alway a blur. Sundays are and were spent with the family, cocooned away from the rest of the world and it is the time we reconnected with each other. As Brandon and Cameron got older, with jobs, and girlfriends, they understandably stretched it, but Sunday dinner with the family was mandatory. The menu was always pretty much the same, roasted chicken, vegetables and dessert. Nothing fancy, just a Sunday dinner.
This few hours spent over the dinner table and the chicken cemented our foundation. We talked, we laughed, we discussed politics, foreign affairs, sports, music, you name it. Our dinners were known to last about 2 1/2 hours sitting at the table. After each dinner, the boys would always make the comment "Thank you. I do believe that is the best dinner I have ever had". It was not only a Southern show of respect but it also let me know they appreciated the company if not the food.
Now my son is in Iraq. This is his third time in the Middle East fighting for freedoms and security and I am proud of him. I am proud of the man he has become and I am honored to call him my son. He's a warrior with a tender heart and no Mother could be prouder of her child.
Come home soon son....I will have chicken ready.
After taking the little guys to school, I was driving home thinking about his comment, "I miss your chicken".
During the week, life here has always been chaotic. It is filled with work, clubs, meetings, sports, music lessons and homework. Monday through Saturdays are alway a blur. Sundays are and were spent with the family, cocooned away from the rest of the world and it is the time we reconnected with each other. As Brandon and Cameron got older, with jobs, and girlfriends, they understandably stretched it, but Sunday dinner with the family was mandatory. The menu was always pretty much the same, roasted chicken, vegetables and dessert. Nothing fancy, just a Sunday dinner.
This few hours spent over the dinner table and the chicken cemented our foundation. We talked, we laughed, we discussed politics, foreign affairs, sports, music, you name it. Our dinners were known to last about 2 1/2 hours sitting at the table. After each dinner, the boys would always make the comment "Thank you. I do believe that is the best dinner I have ever had". It was not only a Southern show of respect but it also let me know they appreciated the company if not the food.
Now my son is in Iraq. This is his third time in the Middle East fighting for freedoms and security and I am proud of him. I am proud of the man he has become and I am honored to call him my son. He's a warrior with a tender heart and no Mother could be prouder of her child.
Come home soon son....I will have chicken ready.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
The Name Game
Have you heard that song from the sixties, The Name Game? It is a verbal exercise we do around here to help with Kai's speech. However, he has taken it to the political level. Earlier today he announced that Obama or Hillary won't be President because people couldn't sing that song with their names.
Hmm, I think he is on to something. We have George, had Bill, another George, a Ronald, a Jimmy, a Dick, and so on. You can put all their names smoothly into that song and it works.
Maybe we should make the Name Game adaptability a requirement when electing Presidents.
Hmm, I think he is on to something. We have George, had Bill, another George, a Ronald, a Jimmy, a Dick, and so on. You can put all their names smoothly into that song and it works.
Maybe we should make the Name Game adaptability a requirement when electing Presidents.
Sunday, October 07, 2007
Great shoes
I had the honor of supporting and working for Congresswoman Jo Ann Davis. A tough cookie with a heart as big as Virginia, I admired her for ideals, her strength, her compassion and her protective nature of the people of her district. She believed "First District First". Her constituents were her top priority, often breaking ranks to protect First District residents.
On a personal note, I always noticed her shoes. She wore the most amazing shoes. Be they cowboy boots or high heels, they were always on the mark. They were first rate, coordinated well and stylish. Her shoes, in my mind, were legendary. No bigger than a New York minute, this woman could walk in 4 inch heels at the pace that would put speed walkers to shame. Her cowboy boots while gorgeous, were functional, practical and beautiful. Her shoes always, always went well with her outfits.
It dawned on me today, the shoes, in a small way, represented who she was. They were selected with care, made a statement without screaming and told the world who she was. Like her shoes, Jo Ann thought out her position on issues, she made her statements without screaming and she stood by her convictions. She coordinated her career, her family and her life. Some days it was running in 4 inch heels, some days it was cowboy boots. She wore life well and it showed.
I was always impressed by the love and support shown to her by First District voters. Clearly they knew who she was. I think the most powerful time was a barbeque she threw at her home in the Northern Neck. It was not a fund raiser, she didn't want to make a speech, she just wanted to say thank you to her supporters. A very class act. At that barbeque, I saw hundreds of people from every walk of life. I saw veterans that she had personally assisted to get their benefits straight, I saw regular Joes who she had helped cut through the red tape of Washington. I saw people who enthusiastic supported her work for Virginia.
The barbeque was on a blistering hot day soon after her first round of chemo. For over four hours, Jo Ann stood and talked with constituents one after another. No chairs, no "I need a break", she stayed until each on had been greeted, pictures taken, thanked and talked to. She brushed off a chair, a break, anything except water. She was in her element, with her friends, family and supporters.
Jo Ann's legacy of work will live on, she stayed true to herself and her district.
Whoever replaces her has a massive pair of shoes to fill. I don't think it can be done.
Godspeed Jo Ann. May your family find strength and comfort at this time. You will be missed.
On a personal note, I always noticed her shoes. She wore the most amazing shoes. Be they cowboy boots or high heels, they were always on the mark. They were first rate, coordinated well and stylish. Her shoes, in my mind, were legendary. No bigger than a New York minute, this woman could walk in 4 inch heels at the pace that would put speed walkers to shame. Her cowboy boots while gorgeous, were functional, practical and beautiful. Her shoes always, always went well with her outfits.
It dawned on me today, the shoes, in a small way, represented who she was. They were selected with care, made a statement without screaming and told the world who she was. Like her shoes, Jo Ann thought out her position on issues, she made her statements without screaming and she stood by her convictions. She coordinated her career, her family and her life. Some days it was running in 4 inch heels, some days it was cowboy boots. She wore life well and it showed.
I was always impressed by the love and support shown to her by First District voters. Clearly they knew who she was. I think the most powerful time was a barbeque she threw at her home in the Northern Neck. It was not a fund raiser, she didn't want to make a speech, she just wanted to say thank you to her supporters. A very class act. At that barbeque, I saw hundreds of people from every walk of life. I saw veterans that she had personally assisted to get their benefits straight, I saw regular Joes who she had helped cut through the red tape of Washington. I saw people who enthusiastic supported her work for Virginia.
The barbeque was on a blistering hot day soon after her first round of chemo. For over four hours, Jo Ann stood and talked with constituents one after another. No chairs, no "I need a break", she stayed until each on had been greeted, pictures taken, thanked and talked to. She brushed off a chair, a break, anything except water. She was in her element, with her friends, family and supporters.
Jo Ann's legacy of work will live on, she stayed true to herself and her district.
Whoever replaces her has a massive pair of shoes to fill. I don't think it can be done.
Godspeed Jo Ann. May your family find strength and comfort at this time. You will be missed.
Monday, June 25, 2007
Bone Tired
It has been a very long and tiring month. I am spent. My Mom's health has taken a very bad turn for the worst with the onset of viral encephilitis that doesn't seem to be responding to medication. We fly to Phoenix tomorrow to be with her. I am still coming to grips with our relationship....it is definitely one for the books.
I worry about Brandon. The impact of where he is and what is happening hit home so hard last week. One of the soldiers (and a local boy) was killed. May his family find peace and strength and know that there are those of us who appreciate and are humbled by his service. I say my prayers every hour for my son and his troops...may God protect them and bring them home safe.
I thought about whining tonight but I just can't. (Other than the above paragraphs.) There is so much in my life I am thankful for. I am thankful for my husband. I am thankful for my children. I am thankful that we taught them to be true to themselves and to be who they are. I am thankful for my friends, my health, my home, my life. I am thankful that I have a decent brain and a better sense of humor.
Yes I am worried about my son and my Mom. Yes, it preoccupies a lot of my thoughts but I also know that I need to be patient and need to believe in the best outcome.
I owe it to them and to myself.
I worry about Brandon. The impact of where he is and what is happening hit home so hard last week. One of the soldiers (and a local boy) was killed. May his family find peace and strength and know that there are those of us who appreciate and are humbled by his service. I say my prayers every hour for my son and his troops...may God protect them and bring them home safe.
I thought about whining tonight but I just can't. (Other than the above paragraphs.) There is so much in my life I am thankful for. I am thankful for my husband. I am thankful for my children. I am thankful that we taught them to be true to themselves and to be who they are. I am thankful for my friends, my health, my home, my life. I am thankful that I have a decent brain and a better sense of humor.
Yes I am worried about my son and my Mom. Yes, it preoccupies a lot of my thoughts but I also know that I need to be patient and need to believe in the best outcome.
I owe it to them and to myself.
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Deliver Us From Politicians
I watched the Republican debate last night. The two things that I took away were the lightning strike when Rudy was answering the abortion question and the sonic boom of the candidates speed distancing themselves from the President and the war.
As a military wife and mother, I am disappointed. As a thinking American I am disturbed. To watch these pandering politicians wax on and justify their positions why they stand against the war and the sitting President just amazes me. They insult the men and women who fight this war and they show no bounds of respect or dignity for the office that they seek. It's definitely the destination, not the journey on this one. Glad handing, sniping and puffery....look at the polls...look at the media...tell them what they want to hear to get to the Oval Office.
Think I am kidding? Take the latest immigration bill. Lo and behold they come out with this disastrous immigration bill and very few stood up and said "You know, this bill sucks. We need to do better." Nope, not until the conservative base expressed their discontent with the bill did most of them start changing their tunes. Stick your finger in the wind, read the polls and then switch your stand.
Most Americans don't want perfection. What we want is someone who stands by their convictions and can explain their positions on issues with intelligence, articulation and resolve. We want a leader. This latest crop of politicians on both sides of the fence show none of those characteristics. Just win the race to the White House.
Can't we have a write in line that says "None of the above"?
As a military wife and mother, I am disappointed. As a thinking American I am disturbed. To watch these pandering politicians wax on and justify their positions why they stand against the war and the sitting President just amazes me. They insult the men and women who fight this war and they show no bounds of respect or dignity for the office that they seek. It's definitely the destination, not the journey on this one. Glad handing, sniping and puffery....look at the polls...look at the media...tell them what they want to hear to get to the Oval Office.
Think I am kidding? Take the latest immigration bill. Lo and behold they come out with this disastrous immigration bill and very few stood up and said "You know, this bill sucks. We need to do better." Nope, not until the conservative base expressed their discontent with the bill did most of them start changing their tunes. Stick your finger in the wind, read the polls and then switch your stand.
Most Americans don't want perfection. What we want is someone who stands by their convictions and can explain their positions on issues with intelligence, articulation and resolve. We want a leader. This latest crop of politicians on both sides of the fence show none of those characteristics. Just win the race to the White House.
Can't we have a write in line that says "None of the above"?
Monday, May 21, 2007
¿Dónde está nuestra razón?
This new handy dandy, in the knick of election time, super duper immigration deal is a mess. I wish politicians would stop and use the brain God gave them to figure out that the majority of American people DON'T WANT TO GIVE AMNESTY TO ILLEGALS. What they want is exactly the same thing that is required of them, to obey the laws. But noooooo, in order to not piss off a block of voters, we in turn are selling away breaking the law to pander to pontential future voters.
It really bugs me that amnesty (put as much lipstick as you want on that pig...it is still amnesty) will be granted for basically a felony charge should you or I commit the same act.
So where does it end? Is the next group begging for amnesty bank robbers?? They too, have committed felonies. Can they pay $5000 and be forgiven? Then it will be muggers, and con artists, and murderers and rapists. Just pay your $5000 fine for committing a felony and go about your merry way. Don't respect the law, just buy your way out of the punishment.
I think we should set up a charity. A charity for the bone heads in Washington that really think this new plan is palatable to the American public. If we raise $5000 we can send it to them. Maybe they will use it to buy a clue.
Saturday, April 21, 2007
We Are All Hokies
The tragic events that unfolded at Virginia Tech this week broke my heart. I shed countless tears for 32 people that I never met. I know I will shed more.
I will not rant in this post. All I want to do is send prayers to their families for strength and comfort. May God comfort them now and always.
I am saddened by this horror not only for the rampage that occurred but also for what we lost.
We lost 32 of the very brightest minds. Would one of them have found a cure for cancer, new engineering principles, compose a sonnet or musical score that would have brought the world to its knees?
I hope their lives were filled with love and laughter during their earthly time and they found joy in everything around them.
This week and for a very long time to come, we are all Hokies.
I will not rant in this post. All I want to do is send prayers to their families for strength and comfort. May God comfort them now and always.
I am saddened by this horror not only for the rampage that occurred but also for what we lost.
We lost 32 of the very brightest minds. Would one of them have found a cure for cancer, new engineering principles, compose a sonnet or musical score that would have brought the world to its knees?
I hope their lives were filled with love and laughter during their earthly time and they found joy in everything around them.
This week and for a very long time to come, we are all Hokies.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Everyone who has fired ALL federal prosecutors, raise your hand
The Dems are screaming for Gonzales' head over firing 8 DOJ prosecutors. They are screaming it came from the White House, these poor lawyers, how could you fire 8? On and on.
On March 24, 1993 Slick Willie and Jammin Janet Reno did one better...Reno sacked ALL Federal prosecutors...all of them...everyone. Did anyone complain (well, besides the sacked lawyers)? Noooooooo, it was Wild Willie and Waco Wrangling Reno. The press lauded the move as a diligent effort to keep the process honest.
I swear to heaven that the media is about as far left as it gets or has the attention span of a gnat.
And they wonder why no one relies on the mainstream media these days.
On March 24, 1993 Slick Willie and Jammin Janet Reno did one better...Reno sacked ALL Federal prosecutors...all of them...everyone. Did anyone complain (well, besides the sacked lawyers)? Noooooooo, it was Wild Willie and Waco Wrangling Reno. The press lauded the move as a diligent effort to keep the process honest.
I swear to heaven that the media is about as far left as it gets or has the attention span of a gnat.
And they wonder why no one relies on the mainstream media these days.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
7055 Miles
That's how far away my son is.
I woke up this morning to the news of the suicide bomber cowardly blowing himself up in front of Bagram Air Base. I also woke to the news that there had been American casualties. Now I play the wait game. The wait and see if the Casualty Assistance Officer shows up at the door. Along with thousands of other mothers, I wait. The wave of relief felt when you know it is not your child is tempered by the pain you feel for the mother that has.
I think that this is the second hardest part about being a military family. The uncertainty magnified by the distance. I no longer can protect my son, I have to put my faith in God to do that. But it is hard and it wears on you very quickly.
Most of the time, I keep a very upbeat and positive attitude. My son believes in what he is doing, he has been there and seen results. He has put shoes on a child who has never had a decent pair in her life, he has been in firefights with bad guys, he has visited orphanages and arranged food drives for refugees, he has seen the face of evil there. But he believes with his whole heart that this is the course we need to be on. This is the course that may provide the next Mozart or Einstein or the cure for cancer...if only the people are given the chance. He believes in the will of a free Afghanistan.
The dark side of me surfaces every once in awhile. It is a darkness born of fear. The fear of helplessness for my child. Is he warm? Did he eat in the past couple of days? Has he slept? Is he hurt? Does he know how much I love him? Does he know how proud I am of him?
So I wait. And I pray. And I believe in my son's beliefs.
I woke up this morning to the news of the suicide bomber cowardly blowing himself up in front of Bagram Air Base. I also woke to the news that there had been American casualties. Now I play the wait game. The wait and see if the Casualty Assistance Officer shows up at the door. Along with thousands of other mothers, I wait. The wave of relief felt when you know it is not your child is tempered by the pain you feel for the mother that has.
I think that this is the second hardest part about being a military family. The uncertainty magnified by the distance. I no longer can protect my son, I have to put my faith in God to do that. But it is hard and it wears on you very quickly.
Most of the time, I keep a very upbeat and positive attitude. My son believes in what he is doing, he has been there and seen results. He has put shoes on a child who has never had a decent pair in her life, he has been in firefights with bad guys, he has visited orphanages and arranged food drives for refugees, he has seen the face of evil there. But he believes with his whole heart that this is the course we need to be on. This is the course that may provide the next Mozart or Einstein or the cure for cancer...if only the people are given the chance. He believes in the will of a free Afghanistan.
The dark side of me surfaces every once in awhile. It is a darkness born of fear. The fear of helplessness for my child. Is he warm? Did he eat in the past couple of days? Has he slept? Is he hurt? Does he know how much I love him? Does he know how proud I am of him?
So I wait. And I pray. And I believe in my son's beliefs.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Mother Nature and The Birthday Gift
It really isn't a big whoop that today is my birthday. I have long ago gotten past the thrill of the day. :-)
What was great was the unexpected surprise I got last night. Brandon called! It was so good to hear his voice. The better surprise was his travails for the past few weeks. I swear God is smiling on me.
He left for Combat Readiness training a couple of weeks ago. He was to fly from CRC to somewhere on the East Coast (after training) and then fly from there to his destination. Mother Nature had other plans. He was scheduled to fly on Valentine's Day to JFK. Of course, that didn't happen with the wicked storm we had. The flights were rescheduled and he is going to be in Baltimore today! What a great birthday surprise....I get to see my first born before he leaves.
The call was kind of comical. He called me at work and I immediately said "Gosh, this is a great connection." LOL. I had no clue he was in Atlanta!
I am so excited to see him. Little does he know the whole family is coming up to have an dinner with him. He thinks it is just going to be me. Turning the tables will be fun.
So thanks to God and Mother Nature, I get a great birthday gift...unexpected and cherished.
What was great was the unexpected surprise I got last night. Brandon called! It was so good to hear his voice. The better surprise was his travails for the past few weeks. I swear God is smiling on me.
He left for Combat Readiness training a couple of weeks ago. He was to fly from CRC to somewhere on the East Coast (after training) and then fly from there to his destination. Mother Nature had other plans. He was scheduled to fly on Valentine's Day to JFK. Of course, that didn't happen with the wicked storm we had. The flights were rescheduled and he is going to be in Baltimore today! What a great birthday surprise....I get to see my first born before he leaves.
The call was kind of comical. He called me at work and I immediately said "Gosh, this is a great connection." LOL. I had no clue he was in Atlanta!
I am so excited to see him. Little does he know the whole family is coming up to have an dinner with him. He thinks it is just going to be me. Turning the tables will be fun.
So thanks to God and Mother Nature, I get a great birthday gift...unexpected and cherished.
Sunday, February 11, 2007
A Poke In The Eye With A Sharp Stick
While getting ready for work today, I once again poked my eye with my mascara wand. I think I have done this about 19 million times in my adult life. Mascara and make up in general, kind of go against all those things we are taught when we are growing up.
"Don't wave anything sharp around your face. You might put your eye out." Uh, yeah...about every third time I put on mascara, I manage to poke my eye. Of course, going without mascara is a bit more scary than the Tammy Faye Baker look I manage to always pull off when I use the stuff.
"Let everyone see the real you. Beauty comes from the inside." Probably true but it is kind of hard getting past my pastey face when I don't wear make up.
I don't mind make up, it's just not one of my favorite things to do. It is a requirement, kind of like flossing and wearing my stupid night retainer. But I can't put it on a list of my favorite things to do.
I wonder if this makes me a slave to face fashion?
"Don't wave anything sharp around your face. You might put your eye out." Uh, yeah...about every third time I put on mascara, I manage to poke my eye. Of course, going without mascara is a bit more scary than the Tammy Faye Baker look I manage to always pull off when I use the stuff.
"Let everyone see the real you. Beauty comes from the inside." Probably true but it is kind of hard getting past my pastey face when I don't wear make up.
I don't mind make up, it's just not one of my favorite things to do. It is a requirement, kind of like flossing and wearing my stupid night retainer. But I can't put it on a list of my favorite things to do.
I wonder if this makes me a slave to face fashion?
Saturday, February 10, 2007
The Mind of a Six Year Old
I love my youngest one's mind. I always forget how literal they are at this age. He was helping me cook dinner tonight and asked about adding salt. I told him to just add a pinch. He wanted to know who he was suppose to pinch.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
The Elephant Stomp and the UnCola
Hahaha...kudos to the Republicans in office. They effectively blocked a bid for a pay raise by the Democratic controlled Congress.
After making campaign upon campaign upon campaign promises not to accept a pay raise until the minimum wage increase was enacted and blasting Republicans during the campaign trail about pay raises and blocking minimum wage increase, the Dems blew it and ticked off Republicans let them know.
The Republicans refused to sign off and agree to the annual Cost Of Living Allowance adjustment (COLA) that Congress blesses itself with every year. There is no up or down vote on this, just an obscure procedural move tucked into the recesses of everyday Capitol life. This year's raise would have been $2,800 per member. Because the Dems attacked Republicans on the issue during campaigns, the usual no-brainer brokered deal fell apart with Republicans making the Dems pay the piper and live up to their promise of no raises until the minimum wage is enacted.
Poor widdle wawmakers...their pay is frozen at $165,200 a year. I think we should have a telethon to help them out.
Aaah...life eez good.
After making campaign upon campaign upon campaign promises not to accept a pay raise until the minimum wage increase was enacted and blasting Republicans during the campaign trail about pay raises and blocking minimum wage increase, the Dems blew it and ticked off Republicans let them know.
The Republicans refused to sign off and agree to the annual Cost Of Living Allowance adjustment (COLA) that Congress blesses itself with every year. There is no up or down vote on this, just an obscure procedural move tucked into the recesses of everyday Capitol life. This year's raise would have been $2,800 per member. Because the Dems attacked Republicans on the issue during campaigns, the usual no-brainer brokered deal fell apart with Republicans making the Dems pay the piper and live up to their promise of no raises until the minimum wage is enacted.
Poor widdle wawmakers...their pay is frozen at $165,200 a year. I think we should have a telethon to help them out.
Aaah...life eez good.
Monday, January 29, 2007
The Daffy Duck Liberal Look
This isn't a great missive or even a decent piece of writing...it is what it is, a rant.
I don't have a great deal of respect for liberals. While they wrap themselves in the cloak of free speech, very few have a grasp of the cost of that speech.
My son is leaving for his second tour in Afghanistan soon. His twin brother was in Iraq for a year and my husband just had his orders to Iraq canceled. As you can see, our home is kind of a revolving door of call to colors. And we wouldn't have it any other way.
When I told my liberal friend that Brandon was heading back to Afghanistan, the response began. (And they all do it.)
First, there is a noise...somewhere between a sigh and a condescending cluck.
Then the face screws up in this Daffy Duck, "poor pitiful you" look.
Followed by the perfunctory, "Oh man, I wish this war was over." Note to liberals...so do we.
My favorite comment though is "I support the troops but not the war." Um, 'scuse me but do you realize how stupid that makes you sound? Saying you support the troops but not the war is tantamount to saying you support bathtubs but not bathing. What's the point? No troop in their right mind believes for a nanosecond that you think they are any brighter than pond scum or that you care one whit about their welfare....They humor you because it is your right of free speech. The little thing they protect...remember?
To all the troops out there, to all the veterans, to all those who remember the words to the Star Spangled Banner, I offer my deepest and purest of thank yous. You are all my heroes, I believe in you and what you stand for.
For the rest of you, you can kiss my red, white, and blue right wing backside. You exercise your right to free speech, I am now exercising mine.
I don't have a great deal of respect for liberals. While they wrap themselves in the cloak of free speech, very few have a grasp of the cost of that speech.
My son is leaving for his second tour in Afghanistan soon. His twin brother was in Iraq for a year and my husband just had his orders to Iraq canceled. As you can see, our home is kind of a revolving door of call to colors. And we wouldn't have it any other way.
When I told my liberal friend that Brandon was heading back to Afghanistan, the response began. (And they all do it.)
First, there is a noise...somewhere between a sigh and a condescending cluck.
Then the face screws up in this Daffy Duck, "poor pitiful you" look.
Followed by the perfunctory, "Oh man, I wish this war was over." Note to liberals...so do we.
My favorite comment though is "I support the troops but not the war." Um, 'scuse me but do you realize how stupid that makes you sound? Saying you support the troops but not the war is tantamount to saying you support bathtubs but not bathing. What's the point? No troop in their right mind believes for a nanosecond that you think they are any brighter than pond scum or that you care one whit about their welfare....They humor you because it is your right of free speech. The little thing they protect...remember?
To all the troops out there, to all the veterans, to all those who remember the words to the Star Spangled Banner, I offer my deepest and purest of thank yous. You are all my heroes, I believe in you and what you stand for.
For the rest of you, you can kiss my red, white, and blue right wing backside. You exercise your right to free speech, I am now exercising mine.
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
Excuse me but you seem to have left your knife in my back
It was a bit of a rough night here. I found out that one of who I thought was my dearest friends betrayed me. The grief that I feel is not the betrayal, it is the loss of the friendship. Yes betrayal is bad, but the cost of that betrayal is higher.
Even if we get past this event, the friendship will never be the same. Nor will it be stronger and that is a character flaw of mine. I am a loyal person, much to a fault and in friendship, I expect loyalty (and tolerance :-) ) in return.
If you remove the loyalty factor, what do you have? Kind of a void with maybe a few good time bumping around in it. I do have better ways of amusing myself looking into the nothingness to see if something is there.
I don't know if I will miss my friend. I will miss what was.
Even if we get past this event, the friendship will never be the same. Nor will it be stronger and that is a character flaw of mine. I am a loyal person, much to a fault and in friendship, I expect loyalty (and tolerance :-) ) in return.
If you remove the loyalty factor, what do you have? Kind of a void with maybe a few good time bumping around in it. I do have better ways of amusing myself looking into the nothingness to see if something is there.
I don't know if I will miss my friend. I will miss what was.
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