Am I Really Being Supportive?

Soldiers' Angel-Holly Aho has a very thought provoking post. Are we really being supportive of our troops, or just a cheerleader, or are we doing what we think is right for everyone? I know that I am a cheerleader (never thought I would say that). I would like to believe that I am being supportive, but I know that I could do more and now Holly has inspired me. Here is a bit of her post, but go and read the whole thing here.

"So what am I saying? That you must be for the war in Iraq? That you must cease lobbying Washington to bring our troops home? That only then can you support our troops? No. What I am saying is this - if you are supporting our troops with actions such as letter writing, carepackages or whatever, you have to realize you are aiding the mission you oppose. If you are supporting our troops merely with lip service (saying the words but you have yet to actually DO
anything supportive) then you have to realize you are not really 'supporting' our troops (you are a cheerleader...you are 'supportive'). "

Good Story

I call it a story simply because I wasn't able to confirm whether or not this was true or an email urban legend. But, since there is so little good news and the MSM prints inaccurate information, I thought this was a wonderful story to read among when all the lies the MSM "reports" gets to you. Oh, and yes, I loved that the woman's name was Anna!

"I just returned from New Jersey. While enroute there, I was stuck in traffic on Interstate 81, just below the Virginia state line, (Bristol, Tennessee), due to a traffic accident with a fatality involved. This accident involved a tanker truck hauling a hazardous material load that developed a leak, which meant that we weren't going anywhere for several hours.

After being told by the Tennessee state troopers that we would be sitting still until the clean up was completed, I set my brakes on the truck and got our to stretch my legs. Other truck drivers did the same, and at one point there were 5 of us standing there by my truck, complaining.

Sitting right beside me in the left lane, were two elderly people in a Silverado pick up truck, which was loaded quite well. The man, (Joe), lowered his window and asked what was going on regarding the traffic situation.

Soon we were all talking with this couple. I mentioned that if I had known about this, I would have brought something to drink, (water), for I was becoming thirsty.

The lady (Anna), said that they had plenty of water, and sodas in the cooler in the bed of the truck, and offered everyone present something. While she was back there, she said that she had plenty of tuna salad made up, and asked if we would be interested in a sandwich.

After some urging from Joe, we agreed to a sandwich. While Anna was making the sandwiches on the tailgate of the truck, she was singing like a songbird. To be close to 70, (I guess), she had a remarkable voice.

When she finished making the sandwiches, and putting everything up, Joe raised the tailgate of the truck to close it. I noticed a Mississippi license plate on it. I inquired as to what part of Mississippi they were from. Joe said Biloxi. Knowing that Biloxi had been ravaged also by hurricane Katrina, I asked if they sustained any damage. Joe said that they lost everything but what they had on and what was in the pickup.

All of us drivers tried unsuccessfully to pay them for their drinks and the sandwiches. They would have nothing to do with it.

Joe said that their son was living around Harrisonburg, Virginia and that they were going there. He was in the real estate business and that there was a home that became open, and that they were going to start all over
there. Starting over at their age would not be easy.

I will soon be 48 years old, and I have say that I have never eaten a tuna sandwich with side orders of reality and humility. These people lost everything except the pictures, important documents, and some clothes.
Joe had managed to get their antique heirloom grandfathers clock into the bed of the truck and Anna got her china and silverware, but that was all. These wonderful people lost practically everything they owned and still would not accept any money for their food and drinks. Joe said that "it was better to give than it is to receive."

They sought refuge behind a block wall that he had built years ago, and they watched their belongings and their home disappear in the winds of Hurricane Katrina. Joe said that during all this he had one hand holding
onto Anna and the other holding on to God. Their truck and themselves came out of Katrina unscathed.

As I stated before, Anna was singing a song while making the sandwiched. The song is titled "I know who holds tomorrow," an old gospel song. She knew every word, and was quite a gifted singer of it. Have you ever heard it?

The chorus of this song is, " Many things, about tomorrow, I don't seem to understand. But I know who holds tomorrow, and I know who holds my hand."

There is no doubt, in my mind, who was holding both their hands. I know there have been many, many email that have circulated over the years about things that will touch your heart, but this one I personally was
involved in.

Forget all of the politics that the news is striving on, and think about people just like Joe and Anna. If you can, help out with the victims relief funds.

If you cannot, at least offer a prayer for everyone.

I know that these two elderly people got to this old boy. I will always remember them. Joe and Anna, if by some strange way you, or someone you know gets this, and shows it to you, God Bless you!

Mike Dowdy-Hartselle, Alabama

(Note: there is a Mike Dowdy listed in Hartselle, Alabama)

Yea or Nay-Time Will Tell

These are the Senators up for election in '06. I do wonder if the way they voted on John Roberts' confirmation will tip the scales. It probably won't make a difference one way or another, but there are definitely several Senators on this list that need to get a one-way ticket back to their home states (or another country) because they are "Stuck on Stupid"!

AZ Jon Kyl-R
CA Dianne Feinstein-D
CT Joseph Lieberman-D
DE Thomas Richard Carper-D
FL Bill Nelson-D
HI Daniel Akaka-D
IN Richard G. Lugar-R
MA Edward "Ted" Kennedy-D
MD Paul Sarbanes-D
ME Olympia Snowe-R
MI Debbie Ann Stabenow-D
MN Mark Dayton-D
MO James Talent-R
MS Trent Lott-R
MT Conrad Burns-R
ND Gaylord "Kent" Conrad-D
NE Ben Nelson-D
NJ Jon Stevens Crozine-D
NM Jeff Bingaman-D
NV John Eric Ensign-R
NY Hillary Clinton-D
OH Michael DeWine-R
PA Richard Santorum-R
RI Lincoln Chafee-R
TN William "Bill" Frist-R
TX Kay Bailey Hutchinson-R
UT Orrin Hatch-R
VA George Allen-R
VT James Jeffords-I
WA Maria Cantwell-D
WI Herbert Kohl-D
WV Robert C. Byrd-D
WY Craig Thomas-R

17 Dems, 15 Reps, and 1 Indy

List courtesy of Vote Smart

Patriotism

Not too long ago, my oldest daughter had a band show. For those who have never been involved in high school marching band, this is a show that is hosted by one high school and has multiple other schools performing their marching band rountines. Well, this particular one is at a high school with a beautiful stadium and it is quite a privilege to be asked to participate. This is our high school's third year to be invited.

One thing that I love about these shows is the enthusiasm of the kids, whistling and cheering and giving each other standing ovations. This isn't a competition, it is a chance for the schools to show off what they are doing this year in marching band and also to get new ideas from each other for next year's routine. The kids just have a great time and it shows in their performances.

Another thing that I love is that there is almost always a patriotic piece from each of the schools. Our high school performed the Ray Charles version of America the Beautiful. Even now, just thinking about it brings tears to my eyes. Another school performed God Bless America and another school suprised us all.

This wonderful school brought in a military color guard who stood at attention on the edge of the field as the director of this band presented a folded flag to the director of the host school's band. That would have been nice enough, but this particular flag was actually flown in Iraq and brought back especially for this presentation. There were two soldiers flying two flags in their camp. One was an alumni of the host school and the other was an alumni from the presenting school. When they found out when the band show was to be performed, they sent the flags home with a doctor whose tour of duty was up.

I cannot express the swelling of pride everyone in that stadium felt. The director then asked anyone who served in the military or has a loved one in the military to stand, while the rest of us applauded like mad. The band then brought out a giant flag, unfurled it, and performed Lee Greenwood's

God Bless the U.S.A.

If tomorrow all the things were gone I’d worked for all my life,

And I had to start again with just my children and my wife.

I’d thank my lucky stars to be living here today,

‘Cause the flag still stands for freedom and they can’t take that away.

And I’m proud to be an American where at least I know I’m free.

And I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.

And I’d gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today.

‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land God bless the U.S.A.

From the lakes of Minnesota, to the hills of Tennessee,

across the plains of Texas, from sea to shining sea,

From Detroit down to Houston and New York to LA,

Well, there’s pride in every American heart,and it’s time to stand and say:

I’m proud to be an American where at least I know I’m free.

And I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.

And I’d gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today.

‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land God bless the U.S.A.

Copyright1984 by MUSIC CORPORATION OF AMERICA, INC. & SONGS OF POLYGRAM INTERNATIONAL, INC.All Rights Controlled and Administered by MUSIC CORPORATION OF AMERICA, INC.International Copyright Secured All Rights Reserved

This band show gave me hope. Hope that patriotism isn't going by the wayside. Hope that patriotism is alive and well in our children. And it also gave me a great feeling to know that in "small town America" it is still okay to say the pledge, to sing the National Anthem, and that we still take off our hats and put hands on our hearts when we do these things.

ARGH

Haloscan commenting and trackback have been added to this blog.

I kept saying I wanted to add Haloscan, so I did, not realizing that it would dump my comments! Sorry to anyone who commented and did not get my reply comment. I know I will be glad that I added it in the long run, but that was aggravating!

Anna

UPDATE: Thanks to GBfan pointing me in the right direction and the actual directions from Bad Example I now have my old comments back! Thank you!

Message from Iraq

Okay, this time it really is a post from Beth (sorry MacStansbury!) over at MY Vast Right Wing Conspiracy She received an email from her "email pal" who is a Marine serving in Iraq. It is important...go read it! What we do does make a difference!

(Hmmm, I seem to be having a love fest with MVRWC lately!)

UPDATE: Here are some other places to check out to for notes and emails from our guys and gals in uniform!
Marine Corps Moms
Blackfive
Soldiers' Angel-Holly Aho
Among many others...

Haloscan commenting and trackback have been added to this blog.

Conservative Qualities

Beth over at MY Vast Right Wing Conspiracy wants everyone to remember what the conservative message is and what conservatives stand for.

For me, it is smaller government, fewer taxes and government programs, and personal responsibility. I cannot say that I am a staunch Republican because I have some opposing views, but I am definitely more conservative than liberal!

So, what is a conservative?

A patriot: A conservative is proud to fly the flag and proud of our country even when things are not going well. It seems that when the going gets tough, liberals just complain and worry about what other countries will say.

Self reliant: Conservatives do not need government programs to take care of them. They prefer to stand on their own two feet and take responsibility for themselves, including the blame when it is warranted. It is rather amusing that the liberals use the reference of "cowboy" when speaking about George W. Bush, as if it were an insult. What they don't understand is that cowboys are the epitome of self-sufficient, self-reliant, personally responsible, and independent people. How can that be an insult?

These are just two qualities that I think of when I think about conservativism. What does conservative mean to you?

On Blaming Bush

It gets so frustrating when it seems that the only news is about how screwed up our country is and how it's all Bush's fault. Why can't the MSM be honest and spread the blame around, like to the liberals? Or why can't they report about the amazing things that are happening, like freedom in Iraq, people pulling together across the nation, more donations pouring into the Red Cross and Salvation Army than ever before, patriotism, soldiers' pride? It wears me down day-after-day. But a got a bit of a laugh and a little perspective when I read this quote:

"Once upon a time my political opponents honored me as possessing the fabulous intellectual and economic power by which I created a world-wide depression all by myself."

--Herbert Hoover, 31st President of the United States

Voices Not Heard

I watched the Support The Troops Weekend rally in Washington on C-Span today and it hit me that we really don't hear from the soldiers. We know the MSM would never print their letters so I thought I would post some here so that people will know just how our soldiers feel serving around the world. If you have a letter you'd like to share, link it here, or let me know and I will link to you. People need to know how important the mission is to our soldiers and to support them in that mission until it is completed! Or see the sites listed in my "Support Those Who Serve" list to send letters to our Armed Forces or to find other ways to support them. They are too important to take for granted!


"Thank you all for your support as we defend our great Nation during the Global War on Terrorism! Nothing compares to the caring messages from home. Every bit matters to our soldiers deployed to danger zones like Iraq and Afgahnistan, but the best feeling in the world is returning home as I did from Iraq this past spring and seeing the support from our friends and families. Thank you!"
CPT Mark Zimmerman, Forksville, Pa.


"I really appreciate all those out there who support us and what we're doing. We all signed up and volunteered to do our job and I know that what we're doing is right regardless of the political excuse for going in. I spent time in Qatar and am now in South Korea for a year and regardless of the price I want the entire world to be able to experience the freedoms that we all enjoy as Americans. It really does help though knowing that good people like you are behind us and supporting us. It just makes it that much easier. Thank You for all your support and may we always 'Let Freedom Ring.'"
SSgt Charles Foster USAF, Roosevelt


"Support means the world to the people in uniform. The men and women all over the world from Korea to Iraq couldn't carry out their mission without strong community support. Thank you for supporting Americans in uniform."
Robert Martin-Magee, A1C, USAF, Springfield, Va.


Letters "borrowed" from America Supports You

UPDATE: Dr. Phat Tony's offering an "anonymous vent space" for soldiers. See this post.

Porkbusters

Instapundit and The Truth Laid Bear are working to "mobilize the blogosphere" to get our representatives and senators to cut the pork from the states' budget. The purpose of this? To help pay for the rebuilding in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

A tax hike would kill the economy, so we really don't want the politicians to go that route and it would be so much easier for them the cut some of their unnecessary budget requests and pet projects to free up millions, possibly billions, of dollars to pay for the reconstruction of the Gulf Coast.

Unfortunately, "easy" is not a word that goes with politics and money matters, so everyone is needed to really bombard our representatives and senators with our requests to CUT THE PORK. Get them to unclench their fists from the purse-strings and help! Click on the links above to find out what pork projects your state may have, who to contact, and how to reach them. I have already sent an email to my representative and if I don't hear from him in the near future, I will send another email and another until I get an answer!

Please help in the rebuilding of our Gulf Coast by telling your politicians to cut the pork!

Families for Peace ad

I am really bothered by the ad Families for Peace and their friend, Cindy Sheehan have concocted. Cindy and her ilk have based much of their diatribe on what Cindy calls the fact that there was no link between Al Qaida and Iraq, that there were no weapons of mass destruction, and that Bush lied to America. They hate Bush so much they cannot see that their beloved liberals made the same assertions. They are getting lied to, that is true, but they are not Bush's lies. We can give that distinction to Clinton, Gore, Kerry, Kennedy, Pelosi, I could go on, but it would get rather boring. Here are several pieces of information showing that it wasn't just Bush, that he was using the information he was given, and that was confirmed by many who now call him a liar. May they all see the facts in front of their faces.

"If Saddam rejects peace and we have to use force, our purpose is clear. We want to seriously diminish the threat posed by Iraq's weapons of mass destruction program." -President Bill Clinton, Feb. 17, 1998 source

"Saddam Hussein has been engaged in the development of weapons of mass destruction technology which is a threat to countries in the region and he has made a mockery of the weapons inspection process." -Nancy Pelosi December 1998 source

They could read: here, here or better yet here

What did they say later? See here

I also found this letter to be very interesting. As well as this site.

As if it isn't horrendous enough...

These poor people. A bus on its way from Houston to Dallas has exploded. Apparently there was a spark from the brakes that caused the gas tank to blow. The bus was carrying elderly evacuees and they think that the oxygen tanks may have caused more explosions.

Less than half of the passengers have been accounted for. They believe there may be as many as 20 dead. Will update as more info is given. See Fox News

Update:
There are at least 24 people killed in that bus explosion. The fire was caused by a brake spark and overheated bus. Once on fire, the elderly patients' oxygen tanks began to blow as well. So very tragic. They were trying to reach safety.

Just the Facts Ma'am

Here is something that I wish the lefties would realize. They have got this delusional look at what is really going on right in front of their faces. I know that there are some questionable righties, but by far the left outnumber them in ignoring facts.

"Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence."

-- John Quincy Adams (1767-1848), 6th US President

Stalking Gets a Whole New Look

Gee Dubya found a great story by James Taranto about how the lefties are the ex-boyfriend stalking the former girlfriend (The United States of America).

Here's a nibble to enjoy but go read the whole thing:

"When you think about it this way, you realize why hate-harpy Cindy Sheehan is the perfect symbol of today's Democratic left. She spent the month of August literally stalking the president, and her various rantings on far-left Web sites reflect the same sort of narcissism and delusion that characterize someone in the grips of a romantic obsession."


Thanks to Gee Dubya

Ohio is a Great Place to Live

With the destruction along the Gulf Coast and more to certainly happen due to Rita, it has made me think about how very thankful I am for living in Ohio. It makes reminds me of all the times people have said "You live in Ohio, but why?" (especially when they hear that I lived first in California and then in Washington) Here's why...

We have no hurricanes, no typhoons, no major tornadoes where we are in NE Ohio, no major earthquakes, no mudslides, no canyon fires, no lightning fires, the only flooding we have is when we lose power and the sump pump goes out, and though we have snow, it is not the kind that shuts down cities for days at a time. We are also next to part of the largest source of fresh water on the planet.

I am so glad to be living here. Ohio is beautiful and there is plenty of room. For those who have been displaced, come on up. Our doors and hearts are open!

Congratulations!

Wonder Woman at A North American Patriot has great news! Not only has she been invited to join the ladies of The Cotillion, but she has also been asked to be a contributing blogger for Western Standard's online blog called The Shotgun. Drop on over and congratulate her. That is some exciting news and it couldn't happen to a better blogger!

Personal Opinion

This may make me sound like a witch, but I do not see the need to rehash the disappearance of one 17-year-old girl night after night. Greta van Susteren on Fox News has spent an inordinate amount of time going over the same facts about Taylor Behl's disappearance. I feel very sorry for her mother. I can only imagine what she is going through, my oldest daughter is just a year younger than Taylor, but enough is enough. I felt the same way about the Natalee Halloway coverage. If there is a break in the story, by all means, show it, but to spend 15-minute segments talking to a neighbor and another segment grilling her mother, that just isn't necessary.

There is a much bigger story going on right now. There are hundreds of thousands of misplaced people scattered across the country and thousands of them are looking for their children or other family members who were separated from them by the nightmare of Katrina. Now many of those people are being moved once again because of Rita. Wouldn't it be better for Fox News and all the other cable news channels to show the faces of those lost children and loved ones so that the families can be brought back together?

I, for one, would like to see some good things happening in the news rather than the blame game and the political slamming. I know that is a lot to ask, especially of the MSM, one can always hope, though. But that is just my opinion...

Quotable Quotes

As you can see from several of my recent posts, I enjoy a good quote. I have been collecting quotes for as long as I can remember. Unfortunately, I didn't write all of them down, but I seem to be making up for that recently in my internet perusing. I hope you enjoy the quotes that I have posted.

It is amazing to me how many of the quotes from our Founding Fathers are still relevent today. I suppose that is becauses we have not learned from their lessons, but I hope not.

My new quote, though is from a current "celebrity" Lt. Gen. Honore. When asked by one of the reporters about why they are so prepared for Rita and not for Katrina he said something like, "That's yesterday's news. Don't get stuck on stupid." and went on to the next question. This time he was asked something similar, apparently in an attempt to get him to say the government screwed up. His reply, "You are stuck on stupid. Next question." I can only hope that the question came from someone at MSNBC or CNN.

Okay, so "stuck on stupid" is his favorite line, but it was nice that he used it on an MSM reporter!


Update: Went over to Bookworm Room and read a much more detailed post on this same news report and her hat tip was to Powerline. Guess a lot of us thought it was funny!

Regarding the Press

President Bush is not the first nor the last to suffer the prejudice of the press, but that prejudice has its own consequences.

"During the course of administration, and in order to disturb it, the artillery of the press has been leveled against us, charged with whatsoever its licentiousness could devise or dare. These abuses of an institution so important to freedom and science are deeply to be regretted, inasmuch as they tend to lessen its usefulness and to sap its safety."

Thomas Jefferson, Second Inaugural Address, December 9, 1805

Another Quote

"I am for doing good to the poor, but I differ in opinion of the means. I think the best way of doing good to the poor, is not making them easy in poverty, but leading or driving them out of it. In my youth I traveled much, and I observed in different countries, that the more public provisions were made for the poor, the less they provided for themselves, and of course became poorer. And, on the contrary, the less was done for them, the more they did for themselves, and became richer."

Benjamin Franklin, On the Price of Corn and Management of the Poor, November 1766


I just can't elaborate on this one as it says it all.

Gleeful MSM

I don't know, maybe it's just the mood I'm in at the moment, but I read this and it sure seemed that the tone of the piece was gleeful that Bush was having such low popularity numbers. Something that they don't take into consideration is that Bush has never really cared about popularity numbers. He just wants to get the people displaced by Katrina taken care of and he wants to finish the job in Iraq.

When the pollsters only call 300-500 people and the results are more negative than you hear anywhere, it makes me wonder where they are getting that 300-500 people. Maybe they are calling people at the DNC, Code Pink, and Hollywood to get their responses? Why would that not surprise me? And even then they are still running into people who don't answer the questions as negatively as they would like.

I know that Bush's numbers would go up and Democrats would have to shut up (wishful thinking) if there was a way to cut some of the pork right now to help pay for Katrina damages. Right off the top of my head; there are millions of dollars that are awarded for such things as "A study on the mating rituals of the tsetse fly," or "Will growth increase in corn and wheat if the crops are planted at 11:52 pm on the night of the first full moon of spring." Okay, so there aren't studies exactly like that, but they are just as ridiculous and they could easily be cut. You know the Dems will scream no matter what, but there is absolutely so much waste that something has to be done. Hm, maybe we should send a copy of this book so they can get a better idea of what they are throwing money away on!

With Hurricane Rita churing towards the Gulf, there will probably be millions more in damages. How will it be paid for? Can we get the purse strings away from some of these Democrats so that waste programs and pork can be dumped? Viewing from our side, what do you think could be cut or even trimmed to help rebuild? I would love the gleeful MSM not to have anything to even remotely gloat about. Of course, they would probably just make something up...hasn't stopped them before!

An Interesting Quote

Mull this one over. It still applies. Is this because we did not learn from previous mistakes, therefore we were destined to repeat them?

"Repeal that [welfare] law, and you will soon see a change in their manners. St. Monday and St. Tuesday, will soon cease to be holidays. Six days shalt thou labor, though one of the old commandments long treated as out of date, will again be looked upon as a respectable precept; industry will increase, and with it plenty among the lower people; their circumstances will mend, and more will be done for their happiness by inuring them to provide for themselves, than could be done by dividing all your estates among them."

Benjamin Franklin, letter to Collinson, May 9, 1753

Same Old Song

Bob Beckel was just on Fox News stating that it was not Mayor Nagin's responsibility to get the people out of New Orleans, but the responsibility of the Department of Homeland Security. What is it with these people? He essentially said that none of the problems after Hurricane Katrina hit were the mayor's fault! Give me a break! It may have been the responsibility of the Louisiana office of Homeland Security, but not the federal office.

1) First responders-police and firefighters at the discretion of the mayor.
2) Second responders-state police, state agencies, National Guard all at the discretion of the governor.
3) Third responders-federal departments and agencies including FEMA, and those emergency responders, Red Cross, Salvation Army, etc. But these are also at the discretion of the governor. A federal agent or officer cannot enter into a state or local problem without permission.

US Department of Homeland Security-Emergencies & Disasters Planning and Prevention

Why is this so difficult to understand?

In Support Of Our Soldiers

I was going through my favorite blogs and Tom over at Conserva-Puppies has an update on the "ladies" (I use the term loosely) of Code Pink aka Pinkos. Check it out because it's really disturbing. These people, whoever they are, say they are for the soldiers, yet they call the soldiers killers...really, see it here! They stand outside Walter Reed Hospital with their signs so that the wounded soldiers can see them! They think this is okay! That showing their distain to the wounded soldiers shows they support them?? There is also this lovely bit of propaganda.

It is impossible for these people to say they are "for the soldiers" when everything that they are doing and saying states just the opposite. Do they not understand that by saying the war in Iraq is killing innocent women and children, that they are really saying our soldiers (who they say they support) are the ones killing innocent women and children? Yes, they want to bring the soldiers home and that's fine. We would all like the soldiers home, but many of us, including the soldiers, know that the mission is not complete, and the job must be done first. But they slam the President, the soldiers' Commander-in-Chief. They use flyers and posters that state "Innocents are being killed everyday." They call the troops helping to save people in New Orleans, "occupiers!" Are these the words and actions of someone who is supporting the troops? They are spitting in the faces of the soldiers and the Iraqi people, telling them that they are the ones who are bad, evil, killers. It really makes me sick.

The soldiers are in Iraq, Afghanistan, and around the world doing a job that needs to be done. And they are proud of the work they are doing. Go read the letters on the military websites. The soldiers know that the people of Iraq will be free and that they will have helped them to achieve it. It is an important mission, one that they will see through. Even Casey Sheehan knew this. Would a soldier re-enlist to fight for a cause that he didn't believe in? Would he risk and ultimately give his life in a battle for freedom if he didn't believe that it was important? That it was a job that had to be done? And here is his mother and these people stomping on what he believed in, what he fought and died for. If anyone should feel shame and disgrace, it is his mother and her Code Pink commies.

If you want to let the soldiers know that you care about them and truly want to support them then, donate money, or write letters, or send care packages. Here's a few places to start:
Soldier's Angels
Adopt-A-Platoon
Any Soldier
G.I. Bracelet Show you care with this "purple heart" For Those Who Serve (TM) bracelet. I wear mine with pride!

If you want to know how the soldiers feel, what they think of the missions they are performing, the work that they are doing around the world and even here in the U.S., go read the military sites.
United States Air Force
United States Army
United States Army Reserve
United States Coast
United States Marine Corps
United States Navy
and of course, The Mudville Gazette

And if you should see a soldier, no matter where you may be, thank them! Because we all know: Freedom Isn't Free!

Gitmo Hunger Strike

The Alliance has another Precision Guided Humor Assignment question: "What's the real reason the terrorists at Guantanamo are engaging in a hunger strike?"

Personally, I think they are waiting for Martha Stewart to get off of house arrest because the Julia Childs menu just isn't working for them!

What do you think? Go on over to The Alliance and let them know!

Pooch Parade/Carnival of Dogs

Regal pose


This is Sadie. I thought I'd post a couple pictures of our pup as Ith-over at Absinthe & Cookies-has the Carnival of Dogs, or as she calls it Pooch Parade!

See all the pups at Mickey's Musings"

Issue burnout

I think I have reached maximum capacity in the frustration department. The more I read, the more frustrated I get. Just a few issues that are making me crazy because I am actually trying to understand why people are doing these things...

1) Katrina fraud: Multiple arrests of people posing as hurricane victims in order to get money. The DOJ had to create a task force to combat this issue!

2) Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, et. al and their need to pursue the race issue. If Bush and everyone else not on the left, didn't care about blacks, they would still be in New Orleans. We wouldn't have opened our hearts, homes and wallets if we were all racist and Bush would not have vowed to rebuild New Orleans. And this does not even address the issue that the first responders in this disaster were the police and emergency workers directed by a black mayor!

3) A major cause of the poverty issue is the perpetuation of the welfare state. Welfare, a program in which the Dems were and still are the leading proponents. Those of us who see it as the trap it really is, are called, say it with me, "racists."

4) Palestinians destroying the land and buildings that they fought so hard to gain, including the greenhouses that would have given them an agricultural income.

5) Cindy Sheehan: "occupation of New Orleans". What more can I say?

6) Nagin's refusal to admit he screwed up. Can you say personal responsibility?

7) MSM-whatever happened to reporters who reported the facts and left personal opinions to those writing letters to the editor or the society columnists. 7a) Their absolute hatred of Bush and anyone else with the "-R" behind their name.

8) The poor and Democratic voting. Why do people vote for a party that is keeping them in poverty? Welfare was instituted by Democrats and perpetuated by them while Republicans are called racist and anti-poor because they want to have the poor get out of the rut of welfare by becoming self-reliant. (Did you know that Bill Cosby is racist because of this issue, too...how crazy is that?)

9) The need for some to believe that global warming is the cause of all things bad. Do they not know that weather patterns are cyclical? That there were more hurricanes and more deadly hurricanes between 1941 and 1950? See here

10) Lastly, at the moment anyway, the ACLU. Why are they allowed to change everything including history?

These are just some of the things that are frustrating me at the moment...

Kids of Katrina Update

Just wanted you to know that if you donated to the Kids of Katrina School Supply Drive, Michelle over at a small victory has the latest news including that it has been shipped out. Thanks Michelle!
Kids of Katrina

Media Bias

I used to work with a woman who avidly read The National Enquirer and The Star. We would tease her that it was all tabloid trash and she would say that she just liked to read the stories because they were usually funny. She knew the stories weren't true, at least that's what she said at the time. A week or so would pass, then she would state something that she had read in one of those tabloids and she would be adamant that it was true just because she had read it!

Unfortunately it is no longer just the tabloids that are based on false information. The major newspapers across the country are so biased that they print easily refutable information on page one above the fold, and refuse to retract information that has been proven to be false. Or, if they do retract it, the notice will show up on page 3 of the C section where they hope no one will see it.

The networks aren't any better. But ABC got quite a shock when they thought they would get some anti-Bush propaganda out there by interviewing evacuees. To their chagrin the evacuees blamed the city and state governments and they were happy about what the President was saying and offering them. See the whole story via News Busters. I think the funniest part of this story is that when I went to the ABC News website, there is no mention of the interviews that I could find.

So, like London, we will have to take what is printed in our newspapers and shown on the major network news with a very large grain of salt. I have found that if I want factual information, I have to go to the source if that is possible. I went to the City of New Orleans website and read their Emergency Preparedness Plan. Yes, Nagin should have gotten the people out and yes, he and the governor really fell down on the job. The federal government is the third responder.

So before you take a story at face value, make sure you have the facts. The ABC story, though, has given me a little hope that the MSM has not contaminated all of the population with their lies.

h/t: Atlas Shrugs

Thinking Too Much

Too many ideas flying around like bats in my belfry. They must be sorted and disentangled so that they will make some kind of sense. Once again, a small bit of story popped into my head, but after struggling to get it out of my brain and onto my computer, the dratted blogger dumped the post. I tried to recover it...but alas, it could not be resusitated. An attempt will be made again on the morrow...

{Can you tell I have been spending much time with my daughter who is learning very interesting writing terms in her AP English class? Not to mention discussing another of my favorite authors, Shakespeare.}

Where's that bat?

GBfan, get that bat ready! Nancy Pelosi is now claiming that President Bush and the Republicans in congress are trying to cover-up Bush's ineptitude following Katrina! Altogether now...

MOONBAT!

(See "Word of the Day", definition #3)

Word of the day was: delusion/delusional- #3) a false, persistent belief maintained in spite of evidence to the contrary.

Pets and Children

The most vulnerable of the victims of Katrina are the young ones and the old ones. But there is also all the pets that had to be left behind. Hopefully the children are all accounted for and doing fine with their families (or soon with their families) and that they won't find anymore situations like St. Rita's, but the pets are still in the city. I was just watching some of the soldiers trying to entice a dog to come with them. It was so scared and so thin. I hate to think about how many pets will be lost because of the contaminated water and having to fend for themselves for so long. All of it just breaks my heart. Sorry, I have children and a dog and I don't know what I would do without them!

Need a laugh?

IMAO has a couple of great humor pieces filed under "A Precision Guided Humor Assignment."

Hurricane Relief from the UN. The only thing I could add would be:
From Italy - 2,000 boxes of Barilla pasta and a bottle of chianti.

There is also the Top Ten Differences of the Chief Justice from Regular Justices. Now he just needs the ever handy secret decoder ring!


Update: The laugh part is that I can't do a trackback correctly, so just go on over to www.IMAO.us . There are a lot of good laughs over there!

9th "Circus" Court

Seems a federal judge on the infamous 9th Circuit Court has ruled in favor of Michael Neudow (remember him...the atheist who used his young daughter in this fight?) on the question of the constitutionality of the pledge of the Alligence as it is said now with "under God." I'm sure that there will be an appeal and could eventually go before the Supreme Court again. (They kicked it out the first time.)

This is yet another example of how political correctness and the ACLU are hurting this country. "Under God" does not support any religion. I realize that this jerk is an atheist, but it could represent the god of the cookie jar if you don't like or practice religion. What does it hurt? They are words and you don't even have to say it and neither does any child in school!

Other things that don't hurt anyone but have been banned by or squashed by people like Neudow and the ACLU: "Christmas" break, caroling at school, a creche, menorah, or any other religious symbol displayed in public, the banning of the 10 commandments from being displayed anywhere but your own home (watch out that might change!) or a church, the wearing of religious symbols by public school teachers (yes, they went that far) and so on.

Why is it that the small minority is allowed to impose their views on the majority? Isn't that taking political correctness too far? I am not a particularly religious person, but I don't have the right to tell my child's teacher that she can't wear her star of David, or the Muslim student can't pray to Allah during school hours. Isn't that imposing sanctions on their freedom of expression AND freedom of religion?

I will not state the town where I live because I don't want the ACLU messing with anything here, but the kids have a moment of silence every morning at school. They can pray, they can do homework, they can think about their boyfriends/girlfriends, it doesn't matter, it is just a moment of silence there is nothing religious about it.

Okay, I'll get off the soap box, but I sure don't think it's right that a very small minority can tell the majority what they can and cannot do especially when it is something that is a Constitutional Right of expression or religion.

Will Someone Please....

Will someone please smack Ted Kennedy upside the head? Same song as yesterday. Can he not comprehend that John Roberts worked for Reagan twenty years ago and it was the Executive's opinion that Roberts was expressing as the Executive's lawyer?

Am I a Right-Wing Fanatic?

While watching Mary Landrieu on a blurb of news last night, I made a comment about how she needed to stop blaming Bush and look at her own state. My daughter asked me why I hate it when people express their own opinion. I told her that what she said wasn't an opinion, but a blatant ignorance of the facts on her part. But that got me thinking: Am I a right-wing fanatic?

In college, I will admit that I leaned left as students are oft to do because of the inherent liberal bias of the college professors. Although I did vote for the first time for Reagan in '84. I did not feel connected to either party, so I did not declare a party on my voter registration. Later I realized that I really was more moderate because there were things liberal and things conservative that I agreed with and so I would vote according to who I thought would be the better person for the job.

Yes, I voted for Clinton in '96, and I must admit that I voted for Gore in 2000 more so because he was a known quantity. The "better the devil you know than the devil you don't" philosophy. But starting with the multiple recounts in Florida and the whining and crying and gnashing of teeth mostly on the liberal side, I realized that I really didn't like how liberals represented themselves thus representing those of us who voted for them. The whole situation seemed to degenerate into a children's fight on the playground. When Bush was finally proven to be the winner I thought, "Okay, what is this guy all about?"

Before I could really get an answer to that question, 9/11 occurred. Politics took a back seat. I was stunned, angry, grief-stricken, and I soon wanted to make the people who had done this to us to pay, and pay just as dearly. This is when I found out what kind of man George W. Bush is. He was just as angry, and just as grief-stricken as I was, yet he kept a cooler head and did not amass troops on 9/12 (I would have!). He said that we could not allow the terrorists to get away with this and that we would not let them change our lives. He told us to go on, lead a normal life, do not lock yourself away in fear, and show those terrorists they would not bring us down. He was very inspiring. Then he and those he trusted planned the attack.

Once a plan was established and congress approved it, the divisiveness of the liberal party really showed itself...What is Bush really up to? Why is he so secretive? Why hasn't he caught bin Laden? Iraq? Okay. What do you mean there are no WMDs? Bush did this! Bush got us into this! This supposed "war on terror" is a quagmire! (always a favorite cry) Complaining to the world that they certainly didn't agree to this.

Wait, wait, wait...yes, you did. It may not have been handled the way you would have liked and there may not have been the WMDs that were expected, and yes, maybe bin Laden hasn't been caught yet, but that did not make freeing first Afghanistan and then Iraq and capturing Saddam any less necessary. Would they rather have the Taliban running one country and Saddam still in power with his degenerate sons wreaking havoc on those innocent people? Would that be better? No, I thought not. They did agree to Bush's plan, but they want to run the show, call the shots.

But I digress. Did all these feelings and realizations make me a fanatical right-winger? No, I don't think so. There are fools and idiots on both sides of the aisle. (Lord knows I didn't vote for Taft for governor!) And since I do still agree with some things liberal and some things conservative and I still have not declared a party on my voter registration, I don't think the right-wing fanatics would accept me in their number! I'm still pretty much a moderate....but I'm sure leaning way over to the right!

Next Nominee

It seems that despite the pontificating of some and bloviating of others, John Roberts will be confirmed. This is all just show, but pity the next nominee because their turn in the hot seat will truly be hell.

Planned Parenthood

Brit Hume was just reporting that Planned Parenthood said Roberts is unfit to be Chief Justice because he is evasive and misleading about the Roe v. Wade and right to privacy issues. They announced this opinion at 9:58 this morning. All of 28 minutes into the hearings.

Charges of Negligent Homicide

St. Rita's Nursing Home owners in Louisana are being charged with 34 counts of negligent homicide. They were told to evacuate the patients because of the hurricane and they refused. The patients subsequently died because they were unable to care for themselves when all the able bodied people left the home.

By the way, the death toll in New Orleans is has jumped from just over 270+ to over 400. This includes the 20+ patients in the hospital died and then they (Fox) said rescuers found 23 people lashed together who apparently were trying to get out through the flooded streets.

Going to double check the details. So sad...and horrible.

Update: The owners are claiming it was a difficult decision to make but they thought the patients would be okay. Their decision was supposedly based on what happened with hurricane Ivan. They had evacuated the patients that time and had several die when they were stuck in traffic for 12 hours.

I'm speechless!

Judicial Hearings: Part 2 again

This is what I have noticed.

1) Roberts will answer questions regarding decided cases, but only on the basis of the decision. He isn't interjecting his personal views on it. Trying to keep his personal views to himself.

2) Roberts pointed out that when he was a lawyer he was representing his client and the arguments were based on the facts as known from the clients' side. Because isn't that what lawyers are supposed to do...argue for their client? He did not come out and say whether that view was his or not, though.

3) Kennedy and Biden are both pontificating. They are both talking over Roberts and not allowing him to answer their long winded questions. Biden even went on to state that he knew what Roberts was trying to say. He must be a mind-reader.

I don't even want to think of what Schumer is going to come up with...

Judicial Hearings: Part 2

Maybe it's me, but it seems that Joe Biden would rather hear himself talk than to hear what John Roberts has to say. He has stated twice when being reprimanded for talking over Roberts, that "he (Biden) knows what he (Roberts) is trying to say" and that he's "running out of time here." How can he know what Roberts is saying if he never lets him answer the question. Or is it rather that he doesn't want to hear the answer because the answer hasn't tripped Roberts up?

Update: Biden answered my question. He is talking over Roberts because "his answers are misleading." Okay...

Argh!

I had a post all ready to go, but took too long to finish it. It was dumped when I went to post it because I had to verify my user name and password again! Will try again...

Judicial Hearings

Picture courtesy of FNC
I don't know how John Roberts is staying awake. The hot air blowing from the pompous windbags in that room could dull anyone's senses and cause them to become comatose!

Bye-bye Brown

Seems that Michael Brown has resigned as director of FEMA. (Fox News via AP)

What Famous Leader Are You?

Went to see what Spottedhorse was up to and he had this test over there. Had to try it out. This is me:

What Famous Leader Are You?
personality tests by similarminds.com

The height is definitely right!

Kids of Katrina

I've removed the link to Kids of Katrina simply because Michelle over at a small victory is trying to get the resources to the kids now. Please feel free to use the link on the sidebar for her web blog to see what's happening with the donations. It's wonderful!

Never Forget

Do not stand at my grave and weep

I am not there.

I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow

I am the diamond glints on snow.

I am the sunlight on ripened grain

I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken in the morning's hush,

I am the swift uplifting rush

Of quiet birds in circled flight.

I am the soft stars that shine at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry.

I am not there:

I did not die.

~ Mary Elizabeth Frye

What Classic Movie Are You?

I'm:

What Classic Movie Are You?
personality tests by similarminds.com

Hmmm, that fits.

Great Post

Going through my favorite blog sites today and Baldilocks has a thought provoking post:
Looking Even Further Ahead

It never feels like enough

I sent a small box of things to Mississippi today and had an enlightening conversation with the mailman. He, like most of us, feel that no matter what we do, no matter how much we may donate to the charities, no matter how many little things that we may send, it just doesn't feel like it's enough. And we feel guilty that it is such a small thing.

Those closer to the Gulf Coast, whose hometowns are taking in evacuees, have a unique opportunity to help hands on. Those of us who live further away only wish that we could be there to comfort someone, to ease the burden in a small way so that these people, who have lost everything, know that we care and that we are there for them. Even holding someone's hand...it is the being there that makes a difference.

In a way it is survivor's guilt. So easily it could have been us, but we were spared. And so we wish to help because it could have been us and also because we care.

So to those people who are holding someone's hand, or helping to rebuild, or simply delivering goods to the evacuees, thank you. Know that I, for one, appreciate what you are doing.

To those who are without homes, loved ones, seemingly everything, please, please know that we are with you and would lend a helping hand physically if we could, but that we are with you in spirit and wish you and your loved ones the very best the future has to offer....a new start.

Michael Brown sent back to DC

Seems that Michael Brown is still the director of FEMA, but in an administrative sense and will "control" from Washington, D.C. while Vice Admiral Thad Allen of the US Coast Guard has been appointed to be in charge of recovery in the Gulf Coast.

No word as to how all this came about, but I wonder if the rumors of his padded resume and the demand by Democrats to fire him are a part of why this has happened. I suppose that we shall find out soon.

To Kill An American

This email has been making the rounds for some time, but it seems fitting for today. You can try to beat us down, but we always rise again!


You probably missed it in the rush of news last week, but there was actually a report that someone in Pakistan had published in a newspaper an offer of a reward to anyone who killed an American, any American. So an Australian dentist wrote the following to let everyone know what an American is... so they would know when they found one. (Good on ya, mate!!!!)


An American is English, or French, or Italian, Irish, German, Spanish, Polish, Russian or Greek.

An American may also be Canadian, Mexican, African, Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Australian, Iranian, Asian, or Arab, or Pakistani, or Afghan.

An American may also be a Cherokee, Osage, Blackfoot, Navaho, Apache, Seminole or one of the many other tribes known as native Americans.

An American is Christian, or he could be Jewish, or Buddhist, or Muslim. In fact, there are more Muslims in America than in Afghanistan. The only difference is that in America they are free to worship as each of them chooses.

An American is also free to believe in no religion. For that he will answer only to God, not to the government, or to armed thugs claiming to speak for the government and for God.

An American lives in the most prosperous land in the history of the world. The root of that prosperity can be found in the Declaration of Independence, which recognizes the God given right of each person to the pursuit of happiness.

An American is generous. Americans have helped out just about every other nation in the world in their time of need. When the Soviet army overran Afghanistan 20 years ago, Americans came with arms and supplies to enable the people to win back their country!

As of the morning of September 11, Americans had given more than any other nation to the poor in Afghanistan.

Americans welcome the best, the best products, the best books, the best music, the best food, the best athletes. But they also welcome the least.

The national symbol of America, The Statue of Liberty, welcomes your tired and your poor, the wretched refuse of your teeming shores, the homeless, tempest tossed. These in fact are the people who built America.

Some of them were working in the Twin Towers the morning of September 11, 2001 earning a better life for their families. I've been told that the World Trade Center victims were from at least 30 other countries, cultures, and first languages, including those that aided and abetted the terrorists.

So you can try to kill an American if you must.Hitler did.So did General Tojo, and Stalin, and Mao Tse-Tung, and every bloodthirsty tyrant in the history of the world.But, in doing so you would just be killing yourself. Because Americans are not a particular people from a particular place. They are the embodiment of the human spirit of freedom. Everyone who holds to that spirit, everywhere, is an American.

Author unknown



Pass this around the World

Hattip: Nickie Goomba via North American Patriot

Disgusted update

Here is the transcript from the CNN interview with Nancy Pelosi.

Pelosi Interview on CNN 9/8

Disgusted

Nancy Pelosi and her venomous vitriol just blow me away. So blind, so deluded by her absolute hatred of anything having to do with Republicans in general and President Bush in particular. In her eyes, Bush and FEMA would be wrong no matter what they did. What does it solve to throw out Michael Brown in the middle of a disaster?

I've been trying to find the transcript from today's interview with her on CNN by reporter Kyra Phillips, but it is not up yet. I don't usually watch CNN, but I thought I would see what the other channels were saying. Surprisingly, Ms. Phillips pointed out the facts that have surfaced about who did and did not do what they were supposed to, but Ms. Pelosi did not want to hear it...it is Bush and FEMAs fault period!

I hate hospitals

I know that in a way the above statement is somewhat selfish because there are so many people who really need medical care. People on the Gulf coast who would love to be able to go to a nice clean hospital for real medical care. I can't help it though, I still hate hospitals.

In 1999 I quit my job, quit smoking, turned 35, moved to a new house (a good story in itself), and my Mom was diagnosed with cancer. A slightly stressful year. Over the next four years I spent a lot of time waiting in hospitals while she went through her chemo and radiation treatments. I watched her bravely battle this disease, certain that she was going to beat it. And she might have had it not been for the damage her body sustained from the radiation treatments...but that's another story.

She had the most amazing attitude. She would wear different wigs depending on her mood, sometimes the blond one, sometimes the red one. It was always a surprise to her co-workers as to what she would look like each day. She had dozens of baseball caps and bandanas, too. She loved to tell the story about a hot afternoon when she was driving home from work. She just couldn't take the heat from wearing the wig anymore. She glanced around her and when she didn't see anyone too close, she grabbed the wig, whipped it off, and tossed it into the back seat of her car. Unbeknownst to her, someone was coming up on her left side and saw the whole thing. The man just about wrecked his car trying to figure out what she had just done! I'm sure it would have been a rather disturbing sight to see! I only saw her once without a wig or cap or bandana and I couldn't stop staring at her. When she noticed that I was staring, she asked me if I was bothered and wanted her to put on a cap. I told her no, and went on to say that I just couldn't get over how much she looked like Grandpa! Amusingly enough, she had thought the same thing!

She always felt that she needed to do things for the other people, especially the women in the chemo room. She often gave her phone number to them and they would talk, meet for coffee, and generally help each other through the rough spots. It was a sad day a year later when she found that she was the only one left of the five women who had started chemo together. But she just went on and still believed that it was better to help someone else than it was to dwell on herself or her illness. She didn't want anyone to treat her any differently so she didn't act any differently. She was a real smart ass, too and would let you know if you started treating her like an invalid! ;)

When she became too sick to work she thought she would go crazy because she hated being idle. She found ways to fill her time, though. She knit tiny little blankets in bright colors that she donated to the local hospital's NICU unit. Each blanket went with a premie when they were finally able to go home. Since that didn't seem to fill enough time, though, she joined her church's quilting circle. It was a skill she had learned from her mother and she found that the hours spent there were very soothing. The women always had a good time chatting while they sewed away on these quilts. Quilts that were often donated to someone in need or that were be auctioned off to raise money for the church. She also joined her local Curves so that she could try to build up her stamina and do something that was "normal."

The one thing that she hated more than anything was when she became to sick and weak to participate in choir anymore. She had been in one choir or another her whole life. Her father, a natural musician, had a PhD in music, was an orchestra conductor, and a member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, so music was a large part of her life. Though not standing with the choir, she did continue to sing...right up to the week that she died. And even then, we heard her sing, her voice came through with the choir when they sang at her funeral.

Her battle ended in an intensive care unit after surviving a surgery that removed most of her intestines and should probably have killed her. Her body, so tired and frail by this point that I don't think she weighed more than 95 pounds, couldn't take anymore though and she knew it. She begged us to go home. After we did, she pulled the respirator tube out. Fortunately, or unfortunately depending on your view, that didn't do it. She was so angry. She wanted to call the shots and her body, sick as it was, wouldn't let her go just yet. The next day she mumbled good-byes through her damaged vocal chords to her grandchildren and then pushed us all away. That night she went into a coma...dying in the very early morning hours. She was not alone, though. Her husband was there, and her sister, and I was there. We shared stories about her through the night as we held her hands and stroked her brow. Then at about 5:30 a.m., she took her last breath. I thought my heart would break as the awful machine blared that single tone until a nurse came in and turned it off. Mom was only 60 years old.

So that is why I hate hospitals.

And now, in a horrible twist of deja vu, I find myself spending more time in hospitals. This time I am waiting while my mother-in-law goes through chemo. Until 1999, there was no cancer in either family, yet here are two women, bound by married children, and a friendship that lasted 17 years, and a cancer that kills 28,000 women a year. My fear now, though, is for my daughters. Their risk for cancer has more than doubled.

God, I hate hospitals...

He's my hero....NOT!

Sean Penn...what a piece of work!
Talk about a photo op...he brought his own personal photographer!










Photo courtesy of A Soldier's Perspective
via Network News.com.au

Donations

If you would like to do more than just donate to the larger charities and you have new, or gently used clothing, toys, books, etc. Here are locations taking donations in the different states housing the evacuees. I wish I lived close enough to be a hands-on volunteer!

If You Want to Help, Here's Where to Send Donations For Katrina

Great read

I have enjoyed friendships with people of all colors, creeds and orientations. I do however, abhor ignorant people who bully others. For once I felt like someone understood my way of thinking. I know there are some who will hate what is said in the post "Tribes" by Bill Whittle, but it sure struck a note with me. Grab something to drink, find a comfortable place to sit and enjoy....

Eject! Eject! Eject!

The Bad News

The stress has become too much for some of New Orleans' men in blue.

In addition to the lawlessness, civilian deaths and uncertainty about their families, New Orleans' police have had to deal with suicides in their ranks. Two officers took their lives, including the department spokesman, Paul Accardo, who died Saturday, according to Riley. Both shot themselves in the head, he said.

Full story at FoxNews.com

The Good News

Despite it all love still lives on.

Couple Weds in Shelter

Donations

I was at the library with my daughter yesterday and it got me thinking about the book sales the Friends of the Library do twice a year. I have a lot of books that I was going to donate to the sale this month, but I am tempted to send them to one of the shelters instead. I know that when I get overwhelmed with life I will often pick up a book to just escape for a little while and if anyone could use a little escape, it's the hurricane survivors. I also have a few children's books. I'm definitely going to have to look into this idea.

ABC News

Is anyone else bothered by ABCs use of the title "A National Disgrace" for their photo essay? How is an act of nature a National disgrace? Is it the Nation's fault that the hurricane hit where it did, or that the levees failed, or that the people didn't get out? I think this is the ultimate case of finger pointing and ABC needs to get a grip and start reporting facts not accusations.

And now the search begins

Photo from AP

Now the true sadness begins as the rescuers go from house to house looking for survivors and finding the dead. There is no telling how many people lost their lives in their own homes when they tried to get above the flood water and ended up trapped in their attics. It will take quite some time to get through every house and every building in just one parish, much less the entire flood area of Louisiana. A similar search will be going on in Mississippi, Alabama, and even the Florida panhandle and Tennessee. Looking for the lost within the wreckage that is left of so many lives.

I don't understand Part II

Something else that bothers me is the blame game that is going on right now. Hurricanes are a force of nature and it does nothing to blame someone for not doing this or not doing that. It is too late. It is done. It cannot be undone. We must come together and move forward from here and hopefully make things better for everyone. Okay, so that sounds really naive and probably wishful thinking, but without hope we will only wallow in misery and die in bitterness.

The people who have lost everything must feel as if their world has ended and they have gone through the lowest depths of hell only to be confronted in Houston or Baton Rouge, San Antonio or Atlanta by kind and loving people of all denominations holding out their hands to help. I have heard and read story after story about people giving of themselves for the sake of their neighbor, stranger or friend. People opening their homes to survivors so that they can have a home to live in until they can get back on their feet.

Why can't we spend more time talking about what is now going right than rather what went wrong and who is to blame? On way brings more misery and anger while the other brings us all hope that we, as a nation, can survive these dark days?

I don't understand

I cannot comprehend the hatred that some people have for everyone and everything. I have been rummaging around the different blogs here at blogspot and came across the most vitriol rant against America and Americans. From inferences, the person is an American. I suppose that they should be really grateful that they live here where they have the right to speak freely, but I have a feeling they don't care about that either.

School Supply Drive

A blog that I visit often, "A Small Victory," has organized a school supply drive for the kids displaced by Hurricane Katrina. The link is on the sidebar if you would like to donate.

To sleep, perchance to dream...

Photo from Fox News.com

The sleep of the innocent. May angels watch over them.

Definitions

Webster's:
Ref`u`gee´
n. 1. One who flees to a shelter, or place of safety.

Encarta:
Refugee, person who has fled or been expelled from his or her country of origin because of natural catastrophe, war or military occupation, or fear of religious, racial, or political persecution.

WordNet:
Noun 1. Refugee: an exile who flees for safety.

A synonym is evacuee.
It isn't the "dirty" word that many would like to make it.

New Orleans is burning

In front of the TV again. New Orleans is burning. Seems one of the fires last night was a police substation that was vandalized and then set on fire. The fires are suspicious, though they had put them off to open gas lines or people using candles, but it seems that they could all be the vandals.

A reporter was at the scene of one of the fires and said that the police and firefighters were just standing there. They could do nothing. There is no water pressure. He also watched as fully armed men went by in trucks and described it as looking like a Mad Maxx movie. Come to find out, some of the armed men are actually off duty policemen. Sometime later the National Guard came rolling in.

Here I sit in my nice air conditioned home, drinking ice water, eating whenever I get hungry, living in my nice neighborhood...such a contrast. Makes me feel almost guilty.

Horrible people

Photo from Fox News.com

As if life in New Orleans wasn't bad enough...now there are horrible people who have taken it upon themselves to rape, murder, loot and basically pillage any and all areas of the city. A doctor who had tried to treat people in the Super Dome said that there were 6 rapes and 2 murders last night and about the same the night before along with a suicide. He said he wouldn't go back...he's too scared and even the National Guard can't guarantee the safety of those forced to stay there.

There are disgusting people who are stealing the flat boats from the volunteers (like those in the above picture) who are out there trying to rescue people still trapped in their homes and apartments. They were going after the paramedics who were trying to get the patients out of the hospitals, too.

How people can be so brutal? Have they no feelings for their fellow human beings? Is there something missing in their chemistry that takes away all semblance of humanity? Does raping and murdering these helpless people make them feel more powerful?

I have to believe that they will be duly punished either here or karma will stomp them down in the future.