Little Fish                                                          

 

 

Welcome to “Little Fish”, as she expounds on Patriotism in her own way.  DebV

 

I became familiar with this site thru the Big Kahuna.  He has become a friend and mentor.  My goal is to someday become as eloquent in writing as he is.  I shall sign myself "little fish riding in the Big Kahuna's wave".

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Updated 12/24/08

 

CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?????

Imagine that; Chicago and the state of Illinois has some crooked politicians? Who would have imagined that?  Now maybe Obama might be involved? Who knew?

If Obama was guilty of something corrupt, would he not be the president in January? Would Biden get sworn in? If that happened and then Biden messed up Nancy Pelosi could end up being the president.

 

WOW. I haven't even had my surgery drugs yet. What is in my Kool-Ade?

Told you to vote for McCain. He is just a Viet Nam war hero and we all know how the communists, press, Hollywood wanna be stars, and future terrorists and future terrorist followers  treated our Viet Nam vets.  Remember the spitting on our returning troops and burning of the American flag?

What comes around, goes around.

Little Fish

 

 

To All My Democrat Friends:

Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low-stress, non-addictive, gender-neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasion and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all. I also wish you a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2009, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make America great. Not to imply that America is necessarily greater than any other country nor the only America in the Western Hemisphere. Also, this wish is made without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith or sexual preference of the wishee.

To My Republican Friends:

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

 

 

A REASON TO DOWNSIZE

Those who wanted McCain to win will appreciate this little, AMAZING but, TRUE story that was sent to me.

My 20 yr old niece works for a little insurance company in San Francisco.
This is an actual email the CFO of the company sent out to all the employees.

 

Fellow Business Executives:

As the CFO of this business that employs 140 people, I have resigned myself to the fact that Barack Obama is our next President, and that our taxes and government fees will increase in a BIG way. To compensate for these increases, I figure that the Clients will have to see an increase in our fees to them of about 8% but since we cannot increase our fees right now due to the dismal state of our economy, we will have to lay off six of our employees instead.

This has really been eating at me for a while, as we believe we are family here and I didn't know how to choose who will have to go. So, this is what I did. I strolled thru our parking lot and found 8 Obama bumper stickers on our employees' cars and have decided these folks will be the first to be laid off. I can't think of a more fair way to approach this problem.

These folks wanted change; I gave it to them.

If you have a better idea, let me know.

Sincerely,

Aaron Templeton
Providence Property & Casualty

 

 

I can only hope those of us that are Republicans were wrong this time and those of you that voted Democrat are right.  Obama is walking into a mess but the lazy Republicans and most of the Democrats hated President Bush and would not even try to do anything for we the people. When is the Cess Pool D.C. ever going to think of all of us, Republicans and Democrats and every color of skin and get this Country back on track???
Rose

 

"Poverty Level"

 

 Interesting information! 
 
City, State, % of People Below the Poverty Level 
1. Detroit , MI 32.5% 
2. Buffalo , NY 29.9% 
3. Cincinnati , OH 27.8% 
4. Cleveland , OH 27.0% 
5. Miami , FL 26.9% 
5. St. Louis , MO 26.8% 
7. El Paso , TX 26.4% 
8. Milwaukee , WI 26.2% 
9. Philadelphia , PA 25.1% 
10. Newark , NJ 24.2% 
U.S Census Bureau, 2006 American Community Survey, August 2007 
 
What do the top ten cities (over 250,000) with the highest poverty rate all have in common? 
 
Detroit, MI (1st on the poverty rate list) hasn't elected a Republican mayor since 1961; 
Buffalo, NY (2nd) hasn't elected one since 1954; 
Cincinnati , OH (3rd)...since 1984; 
Cleveland , OH (4th)...since 1989; 
Miami , FL (5th) has never had a Republican mayor; 
St. Louis , MO (6th)....since 1949; 
El Paso , TX (7th) has never had a Republican mayor; 
Milwaukee , WI (8th)...since 1908; 
Philadelphia , PA (9th)...since 1952; 
Newark , NJ (10th)...since 1907. 
 
Einstein once said, 'The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.' 

It is the disadvantaged who habitually elect Democrats---yet they are still disadvantaged...

 

DUH!!!!!

 

 

A site for resting in peace By Raymond M Lane, Special to the Chicago Tribune October 26 2008.

At the Arch Street Quaker Meeting in Philadelphia one of the most unusual veterans ceremonies unfolds at first light every Nov 10 at what has to be one of the most obscure of tourist sites.  A handful of US Marines and Marine Reserve Officers Training Corps cadets from the nearby University of Pennsylvania assemble before an unmarked marble slab rising out of the grass according to Navy Lt. Cmdr. Andrew J McNiven.  In silence as they have for nearly 20 years the young Marines place a wreath before the stone salute and walk off as quietly as they came.  "Samuel Nicholas is buried here," explained Helen J. File, for 28 years the facilities director at the world's largest Quaker meeting house.

He was the Quaker who organized the Marines.  Nicholas was a wealthy Quaker when president Alexander Hamilton of the Continental Congress commissioned him on Nov. 28 in 1775 as the first Marine officer and by extension the first commandant of the Marines said his great-great-great-great-granddaughter, Diana Spies Pope, a medical researcher at a Veterans Hospital in Washington state.  The problem then was that his desire to support independence from England conflicted with the Quaker peace testimony against all wars.

File said, "They threw Nicholas out when he went to lead the Marines."  "And when the college ROTC Marines in 1991 asked for permission to hold public ceremonies on Nov. 10, which the Corps regards as its founding day, the Quakers refused because there were strong feelings against soldiers on the grounds," File said.  "So, I told [the Marines] to come early and do it quietly," she said, acknowledging that her husband, John, was a 20-year Marine and both were concerned that there is no recognition of Nicholas in Philadelphia, no statue or guided tours of his home site just around the corner from Independence Hall.  "What's the harm in letting the youngsters come as long as they're quiet and don't bring guns?" she asked.  "When Nicholas died, the Quakers took him back and buried him here.  So, the truth is that he built the Marines even if that makes people uncomfortable."

For more on Arch Street Meeting see www.archstreetfriends.org .

The Samuel Nicholas' stone lies unmarked in the grass near the far northeastern gate across from the Betsy Ross House.

 

Let us hope this was a fear factor letter and not history repeating itself. I was scared before the election and for the past two days, just looks like problems occurring already. Misquotes or not? Bail outs or not? now i have slept since Nov.4th.was it Obama or Pelosi that won or both????
Rose

 

An elderly German woman's perspective, interesting parallels whether you agree or not:

 

Hymn to Hitler
by
Lori Kalner

 

In Germany, when Hitler came to power, it was a time of terrible financial depression. Money was worth nothing. In Germany people lost homes and jobs, just like in the American Depression in the 1930s, which we have read about in Thoene's Shiloh books.

In those days, in my homeland, Adolph Hitler was elected to power by promising 'Change.'

He blamed the 'Zionists' around the world for all our problems. He told everyone it was greedy Zionist Bankers who had caused every problem we had. He promised when he was leader, the greedy Zionist bankers would be punished. The Zionists, he promised, would be wiped off the face of the earth.
So Hitler was elected to power by only 1/3 the popular vote. A coalition of other political parties in parliament made him supreme leader. Then, when he was leader, he disgraced and expelled everyone in parliament who did not go along with him.

Yes. Change came to my homeland as the new leader promised it would.
The teachers in German schools began to teach the children to sing songs in praise of Hitler. This was the beginning of the Hitler Youth movement. It began with praise of the Fuhrer's programs on the lips of innocent children. Hymns in praise of Hitler and his programs were being sung in the schoolrooms and in the playyard. Little girls and boys joined hands and sang these songs as they walked home from school.

My brother came home and told Papa what was happening at school. The political hymns of children proclaimed Change was coming to our homeland and the Fuhrer was a leader we could trust.

I will never forget my father's face. Grief and fear. He knew that the best propaganda of the Nazis was song on the lips of little children.

That evening before he said grace at the dinner table, he placed his hands upon the heads of my brothers and me and prayed the Living Word upon us from Jeremiah 1:4-5.

'Now the Word of the Lord came to me, saying,
'Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I
consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to The nations.'

 

Soon the children's songs praising the Fuhrer were heard everywhere on the streets and over the radio. 'With our Fuhrer to lead us, we can do it! We can change the world!'

Soon after that Papa, a pastor, was turned away from visiting elderly parishioners in hospitals. The people he had come to bring comfort of God's Word, were 'no longer there.'

Where had they vanished to while under nationalized health care? It became an open secret. The elderly and sick began to disappear from hospitals feet first as 'mercy killing' became the policy. Children with disabilities and those who had Down syndrome were euthanized.

People whispered, 'Maybe it is better for them now. Put them out of misery. They are no longer suffering. And, of course, their death is better for the treasury of our nation. Our taxes no longer must be spent to care for such a burden.'

And so murder was called mercy.

 

The government took over private business. Industry and health care were 'nationalized.' (NA-ZI means National Socialist Party) The businesses of all Jews were seized. (Perhaps you remember our story in Berlin on Krystalnacht in the book Munich Signature)

 

The world and God's word were turned upside down. Hitler promised the people economic Change?

Not change. It was, rather, Lucifer's very ancient Delusion leading to Destruction.
What began with the propaganda of children singing a catchy tune ended in the deaths of millions of children. The reality of what came upon us is so horrible that you in this present generation cannot imagine it.

Our suffering is too great to ever tell in a book or show in a black and white newsreel.

When I spoke to Bodie about some of these things, she wept and said she could not bear to write them. Perhaps one day she will, but I asked her, 'who could bear to read our suffering?'

Yet with my last breaths I warn every Christian and Jew now in the name of the Lord, unless your course of the church in America is spiritually changed now, returning to the Lord, there are new horrors yet to come.

 

I trembled last night when I heard the voices of American children raised in song, praising the name of Obama, the charismatic fellow who claims he is the American Messiah.

Yet I have heard what this man Obama says about abortion and the 'mercy killing' of tiny babies who are not wanted.

 

There are so few of us left to warn you.

I have heard that there are 69 million Catholics in America and 70 million Evangelical Christians.

Where are your voices? Where is your outrage? Where is passion and your vote?

Do you vote based on an abortionist's empty promises and economics? Or do you vote according to the Bible?

Thus says the Lord about every living child still in the womb.  'Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you.'

 

I have experienced the signs of the politics of Death in my youth. I see them again now.

Christians! Unless you stand up now, you will lose your freedom of religion.

In America priests and preachers have already lost their freedom to speak openly from their pulpits of moral danger in political candidates. They cannot legally instruct you of which candidate holds fast to the precepts of scripture! American law forbids this freedom of speech to conservative pastors or they will lose their 'tax exempt' status.

And yet I have heard the words of Obama's pastor Damning America! I have heard the words of Obama damning and mocking all of you in small towns because you 'Cling to your religion.'

But I am a woman whose name is unknown. My life is recorded as a work of fiction. I have no fear of reprisal when I speak truth to you from the pages of a book. (Though the Zion Covenant books are mocked and condemned by the Left in America.)

I am an old woman and will soon go to be with my Lord. I have no fear for myself, but for all of you and for your children, I tremble.

I tremble at the hymns to a political leaders which your children will sing at school. (Though even now a hymn or a prayer to God and our Lord Jesus is against the law in public school!)

Your vote must put a stop to what will come upon America if Barrack Obama is elected.

I pray you will personally heed this warning for the sake of your children and your grandchildren. Do not be deceived.

The Lord in Jeremiah 1:7-8 commands every believer to speak up!

'Do not say, 'I am only a youth,' for to all whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them for I am with you, declares the Lord!'

 

I am in Prayer for you, and for the Church!
Spoken to you in the authority of Jesus the Christ,
The Name Above All Names,

Lori Kalner

 

 

From a Dear Friend

 

I like the fact that if you are a self-declared enemy of America, that
 running into a Marine outfit in combat is your worst nightmare... and
 that your health record is either about to get a lot thicker, or be
closed out entirely! 
  
I like the fact that Marines are steadfast and consistent in  everything
 they do... regardless if you agree with them or not. 
  
I like the fact that Marines hold the term 'politically correct' with
 nothing but pure disdain. 
  
I like the fact that Marines stand tall and rigid in their actions,
 thoughts, and deeds when others bend with the direction of the wind and
 are as confused as a dog looking at a ceiling fan! 
  
I like the fact that each and every Marine considers the honor and
 legacy of the Corps as his personal and sacred trust to protect and
 defend. 
  
I like the fact that most civilians don't have a clue what makes us
 tick!  And that's not a bad thing.  Because if they did, it would
 probably scare the hell out of them! 
  
I like the fact that others say they want to be like us, but don't have
 what it takes in the PAIN-GAIN-PRIDE Department to make it happen. 
  
I like the fact that the Marines came into being in a bar, Tun Tavern...
 and that Marines still gather in pubs, bars and slop chutes to share sea
 stories and hot scoop! 
  
I like the fact that Marines do not consider it a coincidence that there
 are 24-hours in a day and 24 beers in a case.  Because Marines know
 there is a reason for everything that happens! 
  
I like our motto... SEMPER FIDELIS... and the fact that we don't shed it
 when the going gets tough, the battlefield gets deadly, or when we hang
 up our uniform for the last time. 
  
I like the fact that Marines take care of each other...in combat and
 time of peace. 
  
I like the fact that Marines know the difference between 'Chicken Salad'
 and 'Chicken Shit' and aren't afraid to call either for what it is! 
  
I like the fact that the people of America hold Marines in the highest
 esteem and that they know that they can count on us to locate, close
 with, and destroy those who would harm them! 
  
I like the fact that people think we are cocky.... yet we know that we
 have confidence in everything we do and the fact that they don't know
 the taste of that... makes them look at us as if we are arrogant! 
  
I like that fact that we know the taste of freedom and would give our
 very lives for it!  And that it is a taste that the protected will never
 know! 
  
I like the fact that Ronald Regan said... 'Some people spend an entire
 lifetime wondering if they made a difference... Marines don't have that
 problem!' 
  
I like the fact that we are brothers to the end... 
  
I like the fact that a couple of years ago an elected member of congress
 felt compelled to publicly accuse the Marine Corps of being 'radical and
 extreme'.  And, I also like the fact that our Commandant informed that
 Member of Congress that she was absolutely correct and that he passed on
 his thanks for the compliment! 
  
I like the fact that Marine leaders - of every rank - know that issuing
 every man and woman a black beret - or polka-dotted boxer shorts for
 that matter  - does absolutely nothing to promote morale, fighting
 spirit or combat effectiveness. "OOOOHHHHRRRAAAHHH" 
  
I like the fact that Marines are Marines first... regardless of age,
 race, creed, color, sex, and national origin, or how long they served,
 or what goals they achieve in life! 
  
I like Marines... and I love the fact that I am humbled to walk among
 the ranks of other Marines! 

I like the fact that you always know where you stand with a Marine!
 With Marines, there is no middle ground or gray area. There are only
 Missions, objectives, and facts. 
  
In closing...If you aren't a Marine, the next best thing is to have a
Marine
 for a friend.


 Freedom isn't free............but our Marines and Sailors are willing to
 pay most of your share.
  
"SEPIUS EXERTUS, SEMPER FIDELIS, FRATERS INFINITAS"

 "Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever"

 

 

 

This was sent to me today by a dear Republican friend.
Love, Rose

Dear All,
 
Here is a very special thought for today.  Hope it will comfort each of you not just today but all days.
 
Robert Strauss, was a Washington insider who advised presidents from Lyndon Johnson to the first George Bush.  He once said:
"Everybody in government is like a bunch of ants on a log, floating down a river.  Each one thinks he is guiding the log, but it's really just going with the flow."
 
The truth is--the Lord holds sovereign sway over the currents of history.  Let's pray for our leaders, intercede for our nation and world, and trust Jesus Christ as Lord of the future.
 
Corrie ten Boom said:  Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.
 
God Bless Each of You and God Bless America.

 

 

'I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around the banks will deprive the people of all property until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered.'
Thomas Jefferson 1802

 

 

This, my friends, is why I can't vote for Obama and Biden. Even when they get caught, they have to deny, deny, deny.
Joe Biden likes to portray he is just a goon old boy, working hard in Congress to help us. Okay Joe, say it's so. Then let's keep you in the Senate so you can keep being just a good ole boy.
As for Obama, everyone knows the president comes up with the ideas for this or that and then he has to go to the House and Senate to get approval. They seldom will vote for the idea. Ask our current President Bush. He had some great ideas and no one wanted to cooperate, Republicans and Democrats. Of course, he was kind of busy, dealing with terrorist attacks, attacks of Mother Nature and attacks of Democrats. For six years most of the Republicans were taking a long nap. For the last two years the Democrats have been totally uncooperative because they want President Bush to look like a lame duck and they are not going to vote for anything to make him look good., no matter how good it might be for you or me. Personally, I don't know how he can stand to be in D.C. I think I would be down at the ranch. At least he has been a President that loves his wife and children and has been faithful to his wife and has not desecrated the White House by being unfaithful with a young woman half his age and just a couple of years older than his daughters. Oh some of you guys think Slick Willy was lucky. Get real. The lucky man is the one that is married to a woman that only has eyes for him and he is smart enough to know it and appreciate her and only have eyes or anything else JUST for her. Granted some marriages are not meant to be. People do make mistakes. Then get a divorce and move on with someone else. Don't hurt your partner.

The difference between the two parties is this IMHO. For instance, there was the gay guy from one of those Eastern states, New Jersey I think. It came out and he was not removed from office. The Democrats screamed "it is personal". Then there was the Republican that played footsy with someone in an airport in Minneapolis/St. Paul. Enough pressure was put on him that he resigned. Then there is old Barney Frank. We all know and some accept. Speaking of Barney Frank and lets add Chris Dodd, why is President Bush taking the heat when these two clowns were head of the committee that was supposed to be in control of Fannie/Freddie, Lehman Brothers and such? Google them. They received more money than anyone else, plus Barney got an extra perk, and no punishment. Obama got a healthy donation and to be fair, as I try to be, McCain got some money too. Not quite as much but still some. Maybe if I had a whole bunch of money I would give some away. I guarandamntee you, it wouldn't be to some idiot in D.C. My family, friends and church would see my dollars. The only money I would spend in D.C. would be maybe to spend some time there to visit some great friends that live just west of D.C. and would we probably would stay at the Maison Orleans Bed and Breakfast, run by the son of the great Big Kahuna. By the way please remember the Big Kahuna in your prayers as his back hurts too.
I usually do vote Republican as they tend to have the same standards that I have and want. Not to say they haven't had some bad apples in the bunch. We should start with Nixon. I don't want to even think about him. He was a disgrace.
But folks, you really need to go out and vote. Whatever your party is you might not like everything about your candidate is saying but Google them and go on line and check the voting records and then vote the party closest to how you feel. None of us are perfect, but what do you want? Don't go to Obama or McCain's web site as it is doctored up to try to make it sound perfect for everyone. That is impossible. I know some of you are really tired of hearing from me and politics. I understand as I am getting tired of all the commercials. I am more tired of the 'dirty politics" that seem to be going on now. Read about red lining and Acorn on Google. You might be surprised.
Personally I am for an Armed Forces to protect us and an administration that will honor them and provide for them and their families, rights of unborn babies, will keep our right to choose our own religion, our right to speak and write what we feel, marriage is and should be between a man and a woman but you can leave your money to anyone and make anyone a benefactor of your insurance policy, equal pay for equal work, cleaning up Welfare to make it an organization for people that need it on a temporary basis and help people when they are down (due to illness, loss of their job) and try to help the unfortunate get some education to provide for themselves, and first baby, we will help, second baby, you are on your own.
I could go on but the truth is I am more to the right, so you get the idea.
Take care and hopefully I won't be annoying you too much more!!!
VOTE...........IT IS YOUR RIGHT AND DUTY.
Anyway thanks Wendy for sending this.
Rose, aka The Gunny aka  Little Fish

The Left Declares War On Joe the Plumber

By Michelle Malkin

 

 

I DON'T CARE IF YOU ARE PRO-LIFE OR PRO-CHOICE. THAT IS A DECISION BETWEEN YOU AND YOUR LORD. I KNOW WHAT I THINK I WOULD HAVE DONE IN MY CHILD BEARING YEARS. I OFTEN SAY I AM GLAD MY MOTHER WAS PRO LIFE, ARE YOU? BUT I REALLY LIKE THIS STORY BETTER. I AM SURE SOMEONE MADE IT UP. GOOD IMAGINATION. IS IT REALLY A PERSONAL CHOICE OR GOD'S CHOICE?
EVER WONDER WHY COUPLES WHO TEST OUT OKAY AND YET NEVER HAVE A KID AS TO THOSE WOMEN THAT POP OUT A KID A YEAR AND COLLECT WELFARE? I OFTEN WONDER WHAT IS GOD THINKING? THEN I REMEMBER I AM NOT SUPPOSED TO ASK. ABORTION IS SUCH A HOT TOPIC. IF YOU FIND YOURSELF, OR A LOVED ONE, IN THIS SHAPE, JUST FALL TO YOUR KNEES AND ASK GOD FOR HIS HELP FOR YOU OR A FRIEND.

A Doctor's Wisdom

 

A worried woman went to her gynecologist and said:

'Doctor, I have a serious problem and desperately need your help! My baby is not even 1 yr. old and I'm pregnant again. I don't want kids so close together.'

So the doctor said: 'Ok, and what do you want me to do?'

She said: 'I want you to end my pregnancy, and I'm counting on your help with this.'

The doctor thought for a little, and after some silence he said to the lady: 'I think I have a better solution for your problem. It's less dangerous for you too.'

She smiled, thinking that the doctor was going to accept her request. 

Then he continued: 'You see, in order for you not to have to take care of 2 babies at the same time, let's kill the one in your arms. This way, you could rest some before the other one is born. If we're going to kill one of them, it doesn't matter which one it is. There would be no risk for your body if you chose the one in your arms.

The lady was horrified and said: 'No doctor! How terrible! It's a crime to kill a child!
 
'I agree', the doctor replied. 'But you seemed to be ok with it, so I thought maybe that was the best solution.

The doctor smiled, realizing that he had made his point. 
 
He convinced the mom that there is no difference in killing a child that's already been born and one that's still in the womb. The crime is the same!

 

 

I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS A TRUE LETTER OT NOT BUT IT COULD BE. IN FACT I WISH I COULD LAY CLAIM TO BE THE AUTHOR AS IT IS HOW I FEEL.

Something to consider.

 

Dear Mr. Obama,
 
It is August 30, 2008.  My name is Mark Gregg.  I am a 50 something
 conservative white male.  I have followed your campaign closely, including
 the speeches you and others made at the democratic national convention.  I
 am respectfully providing you with seven simple (probably shallow) reasons
 why I could never vote for you.  I believe my opinion is shared by many
 people.  While there may not be quite enough to prevent you from becoming
 president of this nation, I do think there is an awakening to the fact that
 you are not a (the) messiah that the media and liberal Hollywood
 entertainers are trying to portray you.
 
  
 1. I hear your mantra of change, change, change.  Yet, you picked a long
 term, liberal, Washington insider (Joe Biden) to be your running mate.  This
 is NOT change.  It is a move that hypocritically refutes the very thing you
 supposedly stand for.  Your campaign then slammed McCain for picking Sarah
 Palin, apparently, because she is NOT a Washington insider.  She is a
 maverick who cleaned-up Alaska 's quagmire of political scandals.  Which way
 is it, Barack?  Is it okay for you to pick a Washington insider under the
 mantra of "change", but not okay for John McCain to pick a smart,
 aggressive, reformer?
 
 2. You have the single most liberal voting record in the senate.  This
 indicates to me and others like me that you may very well be an angry black
 man seeking to punish our country for sins of a different generation.  I am
 not racist. I have some biases just like you and every other human alive.
 Unlike the democratic party who claims to be for the minority (but their
 record heavily refutes this), I will give any person who truly needs help,
 help.  I married a "minority" girl 35 years ago (she is Hispanic) and have
 seen the evils of prejudice first hand.
 
 However, I have also seen my wife and my children and others in her family
 throw off the veil of self imposed prejudicial bondage and move ahead.  They
 love our country and do not view themselves any different than I view myself
 as a citizen of this country. Your lovely wife so disappointed people like
 me during this campaign when she stated it was the first time she had ever
 been proud of this country. 
 
She apparently never noticed the massive aid we give dozens of other
countries. 
 
She apparently never noticed the sacrifice of literally millions of veterans
who helped make this country a free nation and helped liberate other nations
from brutal dictators such as Adolf Hitler. 
 
She apparently does not remember that she attended ivy league universities
with scholarship money that ultimately (at least some of it) was paid for by
our taxes. This troubles me more than you know.  She is an angry black woman
who appears to not like her country very much.  I don't want her
representing me to the rest of the world.
 
3. You claim Christianity but apparently do not realize that the Bible
teaches that he who does not work, does not eat.  The Bible does not say or
even suggest that he who CANNOT work, should not eat.  Yet, your liberal
policies reward people who are capable of working, but choose to not do so.
This bothers me. I know that if you are elected our taxes will spiral
upwards.  You should heed the words of Winston Churchill: "We contend that
for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in
a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle."  If I like anything
about you, it is your campaign promise to balance the federal budget.
Unfortunately, we have heard this a huge number of times from a number of
different politicians and we realize that when you energize the very liberal
Nancy Pelosi, Robert Byrd, Ted Kennedy, etc, etc, and the many other
democrats like them, a balanced budget will never, ever happen on your
watch.
 
4. During your question and answer session with Rick Warren of Saddleback
Church your answer concerning the question of where does life begin, stunned
me:  "Above your pay grade?"  Does this mean when something bad happens as
President of this nation that you are going to look at your salary to
determine if you can respond?  I am sorry, but this was the most serious
gaffe I have seen you make.  Frankly, it shows me that you are pandering in
the most obvious manner.  You will choose your words not from your heart,
but from an agenda that I believe is still hidden from the American people.
  
5. If anything stands out about you it is probably your appeasement
mentality.  In this era of rampant, radical Islamic extremism and with the
latest stunt pulled by the re-energized Russian government, I am not sure
appeasement is healthy.  I again revert to the words of Winston Churchill:
"An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last."
  
6. You and your party tacitly believe that a 13 or 14 year old girl must
have the parents approval to have the school nurse provide them with a
Tylenol when they have a headache at school.  Yet, this same girl can become
pregnant and the school can skirt her off to a clinic and abort the child in
her body without the parents knowing or being notified.  This scares the
hell out of me.  You have two little girls. Would you be upset if this
happened to them and you were not informed? Then why do you stand for this?
It makes no sense to me.
  
7. My seventh and final point (for now) is your supporters.  I have watched
the Hollywood entertainers that support you, systematically embrace Hugo
Chavez of Venezuela and others like him.  I see the continuous smut and
garbage produced by Hollywood , the very people who promote you the most
vigorously.  It is not a positive point to me and others like me to see
these over-paid, bizarre, poor examples of human existence fawn over you and
push you and your liberal agenda as hard as they do. The way I see it; When
the devil is for you, we should question whether or not we should be against
you.
 
In closing, I just want you to know that you scare me.  I cannot vote for
you.  It is not because of your skin color.  It is because these items I've
listed and many, many others like them.  Do not claim that my dislike for
you is race based.  It is because I do not feel you have the best interests
of this nation at heart.
 
Respectfully,
 Mark A. Gregg
 

 

 

Again, I don't know if this is true or not but most of the context of the letter is, as either I have heard it or read it.
Anybody heard any good jokes as I am kind of tired of politics..........oh wait politics is the joke for a couple iof more weeks.

 

This is a lengthy, but worthwhile read regarding Barack Obama.  Please read and forward on to others whom you feel are considering voting for him.  It might very well crystallize their thinking in the way they vote; in my view, it should!

J Buford Langston

Brenham,  Texas

 

I know that many of you are sick and tired of all this political BS but if you read just one more thing between now and next month's election, I urge you to read the following open letter. I don't know who 'Michael Masters' is or what he does; but he does write cogently and well. A Google search turns up a Michael Masters who is a lawyer in Philadelphia but I don't believe that he is the author of this open letter. There is a 'Michael C. Masters' who lives in McLean ,  VA - I presume, but do not know for sure, that he is the author. However, he didn't show up in any Google searches that I conducted, so I guess he isn't 'notorious' enough to be found. I look at that as a good thing, however. On the surface, that suggests he is just another citizen like the rest of us and has no particular ax to grind... However, he HAS done his homework before writing this piece.

 

To Barack Hussein Obama,

 

The New York Times carried a story on Saturday, October 4, 2008 that proved you had a significantly closer relationship with Bill Ayers than what you previously admitted. While the issue of your relationship is of concern, the greater concern is that you lied to America about it. 

 

The Chicago Sun reported on  May 8, 2008 that FBI records showed that you had a significantly closer relationship with Tony Rezko than what you previously admitted. In the interview, you said that you only saw Mr. Rezko a couple of times a year. The FBI files showed that you saw him weekly. While the issue of your relationship is of concern, the greater concern is that you lied to America about it. 

 

Your speech in Philadelphia on March 18, 2008 about 'race' contradicted your statement to Anderson Cooper on March 14 when you said that you never heard Reverend Wright make his negative statements about white America. While your attendance at Trinity Church for 20 years is of concern, the greater concern is that you lied to America on March 14. 

 

In your 1st debate with John McCain, you said that you never said that you would meet with the leaders of Cuba, Venezuela, Iran, and North Korea without 'preparations' at lower levels ... Joe Biden repeated your words in his debate with Sarah Palin ... while the video tape from your debate last February clearly shows that you answered 'I would' to the question of meeting with those leaders within 12 months without 'any' preconditions. While your judgment about meeting with enemies of the USA without pre-conditions is of concern, the greater concern is that you lied to America in the debate with McCain. 

 

On July 14, 2008, you said that you always knew that the surge would work while the video tapes of you from more than a year ago show that you stated that the surge would not work. While your judgment about military strategy as a potential commander in chief is of concern, the greater concern is that you lied to America on July 14. 

 

You now claim that your reason for voting against funding for the troops was because the bill did not include a time line for withdrawal while the video tapes of you from more than a year ago show that you voted against additional funding because you wanted our troops to be removed immediately ... not in 16 months after the 2008 election as you now claim. While your judgment about removing our troops unilaterally in 2007 is of concern, the greater concern is that you lied to America about your previous position. 

 

You claim to have a record of working with Republicans while the record shows that the only bill that you sponsored with a Republican was with Chuck Lugar ... and it failed. The record shows that you vote 97% in concert with the Democrat party and that you have the most liberal voting record in the Senate. You joined Republicans only 13% of the time in your votes and those 13% were only after agreement from the Democrat party. While it is of concern that you fail to include conservatives in your actions and that you are such a liberal, the greater concern is that you distorted the truth. 

 

In the primary debates of last February, 2008, you claimed to have talked with a 'Captain' of a platoon in Afghanistan 'the other day' when in fact you had a discussion in 2003 with a Lieutenant who had just been deployed to Afghanistan. You lied in that debate. 

 

In your debates last spring, you claimed to have been a 'professor of Constitutional law' when in fact you have never been a professor of Constitutional law. In this last debate, you were careful to say that you 'taught a law class' and never mentioned being a 'professor of Constitutional law.' You lied last spring. 

 

You and Joe Biden both claimed that John McCain voted against additional funding for our troops when the actual records show the opposite. You distorted the truth. 

 

You and Joe Biden claim that John McCain voted against funding for alternate energy sources 20 times when the record shows that John McCain specifically voted against funding for bio fuels, especially corn ... and he was right.... corn is too expensive at producing ethanol, and using corn to make ethanol increased the price of corn from $2 a bushel to $6 a bushel for food. You distorted the truth. 

 

You and Joe Biden claim that John McCain voted like both of you for a tax increase on those making as little as $42,000 per year while the voting record clearly shows that John McCain did not vote as you and Joe Biden. You lied to  America . 

 

You and Joe Biden claim that John McCain voted with George W. Bush 90% of the time when you know that Democrats also vote 90% of the time with the President (including Joe Biden) because the vast majority of the votes are procedural. You are one of the few who has not voted 90% of the time with the president because you have been missing from the Senate since the day you got elected. While your absence from your job in the Senate is of concern, the greater concern is that you spin the facts. 

 

You did not take an active roll in the rescue plan. You claimed that the Senate did not need you while the real reason that you abstained was because of your close relationships with the executives of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Countrywide, and Acorn ... who all helped cause the financial problems of today ... and they all made major contributions to your campaign. While your relationship with these executives and your protection of them for your brief 3 years in the Senate (along with Barney Frank, Chuck Schumer, Maxine Waters, and Chris Dodd) is of concern, the greater concern is that you are being deceitful. 

 

You forgot to mention that you personally represented Tony Rezko and Acorn. Tony Rezko, an Arab and close friend to you, was convicted of fraud in Chicago real estate transactions that bilked millions of tax dollars from the Illinois government for renovation projects that you sponsored as a state senator .. and Acorn has been convicted of voter fraud, real estate sub prime loan intimidation, and illegal campaign contributions. Tony Rezko has contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to your political campaigns. You personally used your political positions to steer money to both Tony Rezko and Acorn and you used Acorn to register thousands of phony voters for Democrats and you. While your relationships with Rezko and Acorn are of concern, the greater concern is that you omitted important facts about your relationships with them to America . 

 

During your campaign, you said: 'typical white person.' 'They cling to their guns and religion.' 'They will say that I am black.' You played the race card... You tried to label any criticism about you as racist... You divide America. 

 

You claim that you will reduce taxes for 95% of America, but you forgot to tell America that those reductions are after you remove the Bush tax reductions. You have requested close to $1 Billion in earmarks and several million for Acorn. Your social programs will cost America $1 Trillion per year and you claim that a reduction in military spending ($100 billion for Iraq) can pay for it. While your economic plan of adding 30% to the size of our federal government is of concern, the greater concern is that you are deceiving America. 

 

The drain to America 's economy by foreign supplied oil is $700 Billion per year (5% of GDP) while the war in Iraq is $100 Billion (less than 1% of GDP). You voted against any increases to oil exploration for the last 3 years and any expansion of nuclear facilities. Yet today, you say that you have always been for more oil and more nuclear. You are lying to America. 

 

Mr. Obama, you claimed that you 'changed' your mind about public financing for your campaign because of the money spent by Republican PACs in 2004. The truth is that the Democrat PACs in 2004, 2006, and 2008 spent twice as much as the Republican PACs (especially George Soros and MoveOn.org). You are lying to America. 

 

Mr. Obama, you have done nothing to stop the actions of the teachers union and college professors in the USA. They eliminated religion from our history. They teach pro gay agendas and discuss sex with students as young as first grade. They bring their personal politics into the classrooms. They disparage conservatives. They brainwash our children. They are in it for themselves..... Not America. Are you reluctant to condemn their actions because teachers/professors and the NEA contribute 25% of all money donated to Democrats and none to Republicans? You are deceiving America. 

 

Oh Mr. Obama, Teddy Roosevelt said about a hundred years ago that we Americans should first look at the character of our leaders before anything else. 

 

Your character looks horrible. While you make good speeches, motivating speeches, your character does not match your rhetoric. You talk the talk but do not walk the walk. 

 

1. You lied to America. You lied many times. You distorted facts. You parsed your answers like a lawyer. 

 

2. You distorted the record of John McCain in your words and in your advertisements. 

 

3. You had associations with some very bad people for your personal political gains and then lied about those associations. 

 

4. You divide America about race and about class. 

 

Now let me compare your record of lies, distortions, race bating, and associations to John McCain: War hero. Annapolis graduate with 'Country first....’ Operational leadership experience like all 43 previously elected presidents of the USA as a Navy Officer for 22 years. 26 years in the Senate. Straight talk. Maverick. 54% of the time participated on bills with Democrats. Never asked for an earmark. The only blemish on his record is his part in the Keating 5 debacle about 25 years ago.

 

Mr. Obama, at Harvard Law School, you learned that the end does not justify the means. You learned that perjury, false witness, dishonesty, distortion of truth is never tolerated. Yet, your dishonesty is overwhelming. Your dishonesty is tremendously greater than the dishonesty that caused the impeachment and disbarment of Bill Clinton. Your dishonesty is tremendously greater than the dishonesty of Scooter Libby. You should be ashamed. 

 

Mr. Obama, it is time for us Americans to put aside our differences on political issues and vote against you because of your dishonest character. It is time for all of us Americans to put aside our political issues and vote for America first. It is time for America to vote for honesty. 

 

Any people who vote for you after understanding that you are dishonest should be ashamed of themselves for making their personal political issues more important than character. Would these same people vote for the anti-Christ if the anti-Christ promised them riches? Would they make a golden calf while Moses was up the mountain? Would they hire someone for a job if that someone lied in an interview? Of course not. So why do some of these people justify their votes for you even though they know you are dishonest? Why do they excuse your dishonesty? Because some of these people are frightened about the future, the economy, and their financial security.... and you are praying on their fears with empty promises ... and because some (especially our young people) are consumed by your wonderful style and promises for 'change' like the Germans who voted for Adolf Hitler in 1932. The greed/envy by Germans in 1932 kept them from recognizing Hitler for who he was. They loved his style. Greed and envy are keeping many Americans from recognizing you ... your style has camouflaged your dishonesty.... but many of us see you for who you really are ... and we will not stop exposing who you are every day, forever if it is necessary. 

 

Mr. Obama, you are dishonest. Anyone who votes for you is enabling dishonesty. 

 

Mr. Obama, America cannot trust that you will put America first in your decisions about the future. 

 

Mr. Obama, you are not the 'change' that America deserves. We cannot trust you. 

 

Mr. Obama, You are not ready and not fit to be commander in chief. 

 

Mr. Obama, John McCain does not have as much money as your campaign to refute all of your false statements... And for whatever reasons, the mainstream media will not give adequate coverage or research about your lies, distortions, word parsing, bad associations, race bating, lack of operational leadership experience, and general dishonest character. The media is diverting our attention to your relationships and ignoring the fact that you lied about those relationships. The fact that you lied is much more important than the relationships themselves.... just like with Bill Clinton and Richard Nixon ... Monica Lewinski and Watergate were not nearly as bad as the fact that those gentlemen lied about the events ... false witness ... perjury ... your relationships and bad judgments are bad on their own .... But your lies are even worse. 

 

Therefore, by copy of this memo, all who read this memo are asked to send it to everyone else in America before it is too late. We need to do the job that the media will not do. We need to expose your dishonesty so that every person in America understands who you really are before Election Day. 

 

Mr. Obama, in a democracy, we get what we deserve. And God help America if we deserve you... 

 

Michael Master, McLean, Virginia

 

 

 

A pilot's perspective on Obama

 

 

                  Do I Have This Straight?

 

His father was a black African Muslim from Kenya

We have seen pictures of his African family.

 

His mother was a white American atheist from Kansas

Where are the pictures of his American family?

 

His father deserted his mother when he was only two years old and went back to Africa by way of Harvard University. How?  Was his father wealthy?

 

His mother married an Indonesian Muslim and then moved to Jakarta where he was enrolled in a Muslim school.

 

When he reached high school age his mother sent him to Hawaii to be with his white grandparents and he was put into an expensive private school.  He later went to Harvard University. How?  Were his grandparents rich?

 

He lives in a $1.4 million house obtained through a deal with a wealthy fundraiser.    How?

 

He 'worked' as a civil rights activist in Chicago.  He has never held a productive job or received a paycheck that was not government-funded and/or taxpayer supported.

 

The presidency is not a civil rights position, nor is it subject to affirmative action set asides; on-the-job training won't cut it.

 

He entered politics at the state level and then the national level where he has minimal experience.

 

He is proud of his 'African heritage'  (a father who got a white girl pregnant and deserted her).

 

Where is the pride in his 'white heritage'? (a mother who flaunted convention and did not believe in god).

 

Some might think there was not much to be proud of either way.

 

He belongs, and has belonged for over 20 years, to an 'Afro-centric' church in Chicago that hates whites, hates Jews, and blames America for all the world's perceived faults.  (including creating the aids virus in order to inflict it on Africans).

 

He repeatedly whitewashes the pastor, his church and the members who cheered after hearing vitriolic tirades against America.

 

He could not confront his pastor but he wants us to believe he can confront North Korea and Iran?

                               Yeah  right!!

 

During his very brief time in the United States Senate he has managed to amass the number one ultra liberal voting record out of the one hundred members.

 

He has voted consistently for bigger government and higher taxes.  He has voted for big entitlements and legislation that would severely curtail America's ability to fight terrorism and to protect our borders and our national interests around the world.

 

But, he is a good orator.  Isn't that a comfort?

 

Yeah,  I think I see how well he could unite the country.

 

I think the truth is that he hopes no one will put the pieces together.

 

Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce you to our new chief pilot. He has never flown an airplane, in fact he has never even sat in the cockpit, but he says he has ridden on planes before. We are sure he will guide us safely through the storms we may encounter on this flight.

 

People what are you thinking? Have you never heard the story about the wolf hiding in sheep's clothing so he can destroy them from with-in? The hand writing is on the wall, do you not have eyes to see it?

Think long and hard before you vote for this guy!  Consider your kids & grandkids.

Their future is in our voting hands.

 

 

 

TRIBUTE TO NAVY CORPSMAN

From Gyrene Doc

<><><><> 

Navy Corpsman

 

Let us not forget that there was in fact a Corpsman with the Marines as they raised the flag on Mt. Suribachi. Hospital Corpsman John Bradley was there and was one of the three survivors from the raising to leave Iwo Jima. John Bradley died January 11, 1994 at the age of 70.

 

I felt compelled to pay respect to those who serve with and treat those Marines in their time of suffering.  For those of you that don't understand the love-hate relationship with the Navy, I can only say that at no time and in no place will you need to worry about the medical care received by Marines. There are only three kinds of doctors – corpsmen, Corpsman, and CORPSMAN.

 

One might ask for a definition of a Corpsman and while I was setting this page up, I ran across a mighty fine site called what else "Navy Corpsmen", where I found what can only be described as the best definition of a Corpsman anywhere. It reads as follows:

 

CORPSMAN – Usually a young, long haired, bearded, Marine-hatin' Sailor with certain medical skills, who will go through the very gates of Hell to get to a wounded Marine.

 

It may surprise some, but the Navy Corpsman has a long proud tradition of serving with the United States Marine Corps. They have fought with us, fought alongside of us, and sadly have made the ultimate sacrifice for us. Their Medal of Honor citations read like they were Marines….and by God, I will honor them like the Ma4rines they so proudly served!

<><><><> 

Corpsman

 

In August of 1942, the first major USMC assault landings against the Japanese Empire occurred in the Solomon Islands, Pacific. The island chosen for the invasion was Guadalcanal.

 

As they moved inland, four Marines were walking point into the jungle. Advancing into an open area without cover, they came under heavy fire from the entrenched Japanese. All four Marines were wounded, but managed to crawl into a shell crater, about fifty yards from where they had emerged from the jungle.

 

A Hospital Corpsman ran from cover into the crater with the wounded Marines, and ran back to cover, under fire. Having dressed the wounds of the Marines, he sprinted back for another, only this time he was hit. Not stopping to dress his own wounds, he carried the second Marine to cover receiving a second wound. After giving aid to the Marine, the Corpsman was hit the third time going into the crater. Staggering toward the treeline with the third Marine, he was again struck by enemy fire.

 

When the third Marine's wounds were dressed, the Corpsman started after the last Marine in the crater. The Corpsman still had not stopped to care for his own wounds. In a final valiant effort, he stumbled toward the crater, where he was brought down by concentrated enemy machine gun fire. He lunged forward into the crater, falling across the fourth Marine, finally giving up his life.

 

Reaching up to his own bleeding wounds, the Marine wrote on the back of the Corpsman's bullet riddled shirt,

 

"WHERE ANGELS AND MARINES FEAR TO TREAD, THERE YOU'LL FIND A

CORPSMAN DEAD."

 

This was that dying Marine's final tribute to his shipmate's supreme sacrifice in fulfilling his oath,

"TO AID THE WOUNDED, IN THEIR MOMENT OF NEED."

<><><><> 

A Corpsman's Prayer

 

Grant me, oh Lord, for the coming events;

Enough knowledge to cope and some plain common sense.

Be at our side on those nightly patrols;

And be merciful judging our vulnerable souls.

Make my hands steady and as sure as a rock;

When the others go down with a wound or in shock.

Let me be close, when they bleed in the mud;

With a tourniquet handy to save precious blood.

Here in the jungle, the enemy is near;

Even the corpsman can't offer much lightness and cheer.

Just help me, Oh Lord, to save lives where I can;

Because even out there is merit in man.

If it's Your will, make casualties light;

And don't let any die in the murderous night.

These are my friends I'm trying to save;

They are frightened at times, but You know they are brave.

Let me not fail when they need so much;

But to help me serve with a compassionate touch.

Lord, I'm no hero – my job is to heal;

And I want You to know Just how helpless I feel.

Bring us back safely to camp with dawn;

For too many of us are already gone.

Lord bless my friends If that's part of your plan;

And go with us tonight, when we go out again.

 

Author Unknown

<><><><> 

The Corpsman's Oath

 

I SOLEMNLY PLEDGE MYSELF BEFORE GOD

AND THESE WITNESSES

TO PRACTICE FAITHFULLY

ALL OF MY DUTIES AS A MEMBER OF

THE HOSPITAL CORPS.

I HOLD THE CARE OF THE SICK AND INJURED TO BE A

SACRED TRUST

AND WILL ASSIST THE MEDICAL OFFICER

WITH LOYALTY AND HONESTY.

I WILL NOT KNOWINGLY PERMIT HARM TO COME TO

ANY PATIENT.

I WILL NOT PARTAKE OF NOR ADMINISTER

ANY UNAUTHORIZED MEDICATION.

I WILL HOLD

ALL PERESONAL MATTERS

PERTAINING TO THE PRIVATE LIVES OF

PATIENTS IN STRICT CONFIDENCE.

I DEDICATE MY

HEART, MIND, AND STRENGTH

TO THE WORK BEFORE ME.

I SHALL DO ALL WITHIN MY POWER

TO SHOW IN MYSELF AN

EXAMPLE OF ALL THAT IS

HONORABLE AND GOOD

THROUGHOUT

MY NAVAL CAREER.

<><><><> 

The Real Heroes

 

The mortar shell lobs its way in;

It lands with its usual thud.

The crack of a sniper's rifle,

Makes you wish you were buried in mud.

 

The exploding shell does its damage;

The Marine in the sniper's sights lies shot.

Suddenly, frantically, the call goes out,

"Corpsman! Corpsman! DOC!"

 

He knows he must enter the target area,

Where his chances of survival are thin;

But he never hesitates to answer the call,

Knowing a Marine's life depends on him.

 

An FMF Corpsman is a Navy man,

Trained to help the wounded and sick;

He may be called to treat a private or colonel,

For an amputation or just a nick.

 

Many times he is completely unarmed,

With only his medicine and bandages in his kit;

His "secret weapon" is his courage,

Which brings him to wherever a Marine is hit.

 

Fourteen corpsmen have received the Medal of Honor,

Seven of them, their lives they did give;

They lingered where no one else would go,

So that other Marines might live.

 

But for the capture of Iwo Jima,

Airman fatalities would have continued to mount;

Thus, the number of lives saved by corpsmen's dedication,

Perhaps, are too numerous to count.

 

I know a corpsman, who after the heat of the Pacific,

The bitter cold Chosin Reservoir became his beat";

He continued to attend the wounded and suffering,

Until, he too, was hospitalized with frozen hands and feet.

 

Hollywood has portrayed as heroes,

Pilots, submariners and commanders of tanks;

But to combat Marines, the real heroes are the corpsmen,

And it's about time we all said thanks!

 

We thank you for patching us up;

Some of us might not be here today without you.

We thank you also for our buddies you tried to save;

We know, with each one died, so did a part of you…

 

PFC John Murphy

3rd MarDiv, WW II

<><><><> 

Marine Corps Green

 

From the halls of Montezuma

First words of a famous song.

When Marines go into battle,

A Navy corpsman goes along.

 

From its very beginning

The Corps has steadily grown,

And the attitude of Marines is,

"We take care of our own."

 

Marines may give up their water

Or even their last bean,

But never their Navy corpsman

Wearing Marine Corps green.

 

When Marines and their corpsman

Are standing side by side,

The first thing yu notice

Is the sharing of their pride.

 

If you are looking for trouble

Of a kind you've never seen

Attack their Navy corpsman,

The one in Marine Corps green.

<><><><> 

The last paragraph of the above poem reminds me of when I was stationed at Naval Air Station, North Island, San Diego, CA, when boarding a "ferry boat" at the dock to go from San Diego to North Island with a few of my USMC buddies. A few of the Navy "flyboys" had the nerve to call me a "turncoat pecker checker" in hearing range of the Marines. Gunny sent me up to the pilot's cabin, and when Gunny said go, you went, no questions asked. Soon Gunny called me back down and I asked where the "flyboys" were. He pointed to some guys swimming not far behind the ferry. Gunny's reply was: "They got hot and decided to swim over to North Island." Hummm. Semper Fi. Hooooooooorrrrrrrraaaaah

<><><><><><> 

 




--
Semper Fidelis,
Gerald T. Pothier
Capt. USMC (Ret)
1951-1988
Mustang

Being a Marine isn't everything...it's the ONLY thing.

"Some people live an entire lifetime and wonder if they have made a difference in the world. Marines don't have that problem."
President Ronald Reagan , 1985

 

 

'Good morning ladies and gentlemen and as your Captain for today's flight I would like to welcome you all to BHO-BS airlines.'

 

While this is my first flight as Captain I want to assure everyone to rest easy and trust me that all will be well with me at the controls. Yes it's true I have no experience in this particular aircraft, or any aircraft for that matter, but please remember that I have been voted 'Most Likely to Succeed' by millions of mindless Americans who really don't care as long as I tell them what they want to hear and make promises I have no intention of keeping. They understood that the most important was to have 'Change' and get me at the controls.'

 

'I'm sure they would not have entrusted me with this position as your Captain if they had any doubts about what I told them about me. You see, while I have no experience, I am highly educated and a darn good talker. I could talk the undies off a nun.'

 

'I am sure I will be able to handle any emergency we might encounter during our flight today. There are lots of buttons up here and I know eventually I will find the right one. Besides if I unconditionally become 'One-with-the-engines' I think they will be fine. You should feel secure in the fact that I raised a lot of money from people who know absolutely nothing about me in order get control of this aircraft. A few doubters have said, 'You have no experience to run this aircraft'. But look, here I am! Besides, I think experience is very overrated; don't you? I mean how hard could it be? Lot 's of people have taken just a few hours in flight schools and most of them ended up where they wanted to go. And except for some unruly passengers they all would have reached their destinations. Remember, you all knew before you boarded that I had no experience and you, like guilt ridden sheep, came on board anyway. Aren't you happy we have gotten beyond that stereotype that all pilots should have experience before they fly commercial aircraft?'

 

'But enough of that.'

 

'You will note there are headsets available for you all so you can listen to RFFF, Radio Free Flip-Flop. And best of all you can listen in 27 different languages; (Hebrew & Yiddish not available) Yes, you can listen to whichever of my ever changing positions you like best.

 

Conservatives should tune into channel 1, moderates channel 2, liberals channel 3 and everyone will hear what they want to hear.

 

I'm sorry about those of you who actually think for yourselves but there are so few of you it just wasn't cost effective to add a channel just for you. You know, you just can't please everyone!

 

The flight attendants will come by shortly to serve you breakfast, then lunch and later dinner. And guess what, it's all free. You heard me right; thanks to the generous, if somewhat unwilling, 'contributions' to BHO-BS airlines we are going to take care of you to the end, the very end.'

 

'They will also be serving complimentary drinks as well, strawberry, raspberry, grape; Be sure to drink the Kool-Aid!'

 

'You just sit back, relax and tune into channel 4 on RFFF to hear Rev. Wright say a thoughtful blessing for our trip. He was supposed to be on our flight but he very thoughtfully gave his seat to a little old lady when he heard I was Captain today. He told her she would enjoy the flight more than he would. (Disregard his language; he, like me, is just misunderstood due to some radical realists. I mean, really.

 

Now, sit back, relax and trust your pilot. This is even more exciting for me than it is for you. I intend to take you places you could never have imagined.

 

Thank you again for flying BHO-BS Airlines where we are proud to have put the S back in BS and thank you for buying into it.

 

'My name is Barack Hussein Obama and I approve this message before we head off into who knows where.

 

( Awhile later...)

 

Hello everyone, we are finally airborne; no one is more surprised than me. Now that we are successfully in the air I have an announcement to make: Guess What: We are going to a different destination! Surely you didn't believe that stuff on your ticket that led you to believe you could choose your destination. Look at your ticket where it says in the fine print: BHO-BS Airlines reserves the right to change anything at anytime and we are not bound to keep any promises you may have inferred prior to take-off.

 

'Don't worry, be happy. Sit back and relax; when I decide where we are going you will be among the last to know. Isn't this exciting?

 

Oh, those of you on the left side of the aircraft look out your window and you will see the newest monument on the capital mall dedicated to the struggle of those heroic 24 million illegal immigrants who just yesterday became U.S. citizens; look close and you will see a replica of the sign-up office which we now have in every state in the USA and Mexico that gives each of them 3 free meals a day, free education, free health care, a new car, a home and amnesty for any crime they may have committed or will ever commit. There is also a toll free telephone there to call all their relatives and have them join them here in America , at U.S. government expense of course. You can see they must go through the voter registration line first where they can register for any party they choose as long as it is the Democratic Party. (Instructions are in Spanish, Arabic, Farsi, Chinese and Swahili. All others who wish to appl y must learn one of these languages to qualify.

 

Those on the right side of the Aircraft look out and you will see all those people going to work in order to pay for all the things I have just told you about. Suckers!

 

Ooops, another one of those pesky red lights. Gotta go! Have a very nice flight!

 

Uh Ted, where is the cancel all warning lights circuit breaker?

 

You think you would never fly in an airplane with a captain who has no experience. But wait awhile: You may have no choice!

 

 

I checked this out on Snopes.com and they didn't even recognize it. Also Googled it. Google says,according to a Fox site, in a speech Biden was making he was praising Hillary and said she might have been a better choice than he was. Check it out, Google Biden will resign for Obama. From there the bloggers ran with that changing it to, he said he would resign and Obama would pick Hillary. Also, ask yourself  would Hillary take it? If Obama fails , she has a good shot in 4 years.

Politics being politics, it wouldn't surprise me if that did happen. Obama , Biden and Hillary want the Democrats in the White House. It is about what they want and if it benefits the good people of this Country fine, if not to bad. Now Barbra Streisand is singing for them again.
Be assured it is going to be a close election. All the candidates have some good attributes. 0ne thing I do like about this election is the candidates all seem to love their mates, children and have high principals about that. Not like that worm Bill Clinton and what he did to his wife, daughter, family, friends and also desecrating our White House with Monica. Don't write back and tell me to get over it. I NEVER WILL. He could have met her in a motel, like John Edwards did and I would think he was a cad, like Edwards is. But that WHITE HOUSE is yours and mine and I am not a madam pimping out my rooms!!!!

I am getting tired of it. Especially when they talked about Sarah Palin's pregnant daughter and baby with Downs Syndrome and so many other things. Attack her service record until their faces turn blue, fine But leave the children out of it, especially since they are minors. Let us look in our own back yards. Has there been an unwed pregnancy in your family or a child with birth defects?

Also why is everyone being so quiet about Biden? If you watch Fox News, especially Fox News Sunday, you know Joe. I have heard him say things I like and not like. I think we should review  McCain, Palin, Obama and Biden. Palin or Biden could become the president in the next four years. I hope not as I do not wish  death on McCain or Obama. None of the four candidates are so bad to die for their beliefs. God help this nation if we start killing politicians because of difference in policies, gender, race, religion or money. Don't go to their web sites. Go to their voting records if you want to know about the senators and I am sure their is something about Palin on her decisions in running Alaska Then vote for the person that comes closest to what you want in a president and vice president.  It is your choice and your right. Use it to the best of your ability.

Understand this is just my humble opinion, except for the research facts.

 

 

My name is Dan Frost. I live in Kokomo, Indiana . I'm 45 years old, a Christian, a husband, a father, a veteran, and a homeowner. I don't consider myself to be either conservative or liberal, and I vote for the person, not Republican or Democrat. I don't believe there are 'two Americas ' -- but that every person in this country can be whomever and whatever they want to be if they'll just work to get there - and nowhere else on earth can they find such opportunities. I believe our government should help those who are legitimately downtrodden, and should always put the interests of America first.

The purpose of this message is that I'm concerned about the future of this great nation. I'm worried that the silent majority of honest, hard-working, tax-paying people in this country have been passive for too long. Most folks I know choose not to involve themselves in politics.. They go about their daily lives, paying their bills, raising their kids, and doing what they can to maintain the good life. They vote and consider doing so to be a sacred trust. They shake their heads at the political pundits and so-called 'news', thinking that what they hear is always spun by whomever is reporting it.

They can't understand how elected officials can regularly violate the public trust with pork barrel spending. They don't want government handouts. They want the government to protect them, not raise their taxes for more government programs.

We are in the unique position in this country of electing our leaders. It's a privilege to do so. I've never found a candidate in any election with whom I agreed on everything. I'll wager that most of us don't even agree with our families or spouses 100% of the time. So when I step into that voting booth, I always try to look at the big picture and cast my vote for the man or woman who is best qualified for the job. I've hired a lot of people in my lifetime, and essentially that's what an election is -- a hiring process.. Who has the credentials? Whom do I want working for me? Whom can I trust to do the job right?

I'm concerned that a growing number of voters in this country simply don't get it. They are caught up in a fervor they can't explain, and calling it 'change'.

Change what? I ask.

Well, we're going to change America, they say.

In what way? I query.

We want someone new and fresh in the White House, they exclaim.

So, someone who's not a politician? I press.

Uh, well, no, we just want a lot of stuff changed, so we're voting for Obama, they state.

So the current system, the system of freedom and democracy that has enabled a man to grow up in this great country, get a fine education, raise incredible amounts of money and dominate the news and win his party's nomination for the White House -- that system's all wrong?

No, no, that part of the system's okay - we just need a lot of change.

And so it goes. 'Change we can believe in.' Quite frankly, I don't believe that vague proclamations of change hold any promise for me.

In recent months, I've been asking virtually everyone I encounter how they're voting. I live in Illinois, so most folks tell me they're voting for Barack Obama. But no one can really tell me why -- only that he's going to change a lot of stuff.

Change, change, change. I have yet to find one single person who can tell me distinctly and convincingly why this man is qualified to be President and Commander-in-Chief of the most powerful nation on earth-other than the fact that he claims he's going to implement a lot of change..

We've all seen the emails about Obama's genealogy, his upbringing, his Muslim background, and his church affiliations. Let's ignore this for a moment. Put it all aside. Then ask yourself, what qualifies this man to be my president? That he's a brilliant orator and talks about change?

CHANGE WHAT?

Friends, I'll be forthright with you -- I believe the American voters who are supporting Barack Obama don't have a clue what they're doing, as evidenced by the fact that not one of them -- NOT ONE of them I've spoken to can spell out his qualifications. Not even the most liberal media can explain why he should be elected. Political experience? Negligible. Foreign relations? Non-existent. Achievements? Name one. Someone who wants to unite the country? If you haven't read his wife's thesis from Princeton, look it up on the web. This is who's lining up to be our next First Lady? The only thing I can glean from Obama's
constant harping about change is that we're in for a lot of new taxes.

For me, the choice is clear. I've looked carefully at the two leading applicants for the job, and I've made my choice.

Here's a question - where were you five and a half years ago? Around Christmas, 2002. You've had five or six birthdays in that time. My son has grown from a forth grade child to a high school freshman. Five and a half years is a good chunk of time. About 2,000 days. 2,000 nights of sleep.. 6,000 meals, give or take.

John McCain spent that amount of time, from 1967 to 1973, in a North Vietnamese prisoner-of-war camp.

When offered early release, he refused it. He considered this offer to be a public relations stunt by his captors, and insisted that those held longer than he should be released first. Did you get that part? He was offered his freedom, and he turned it down. A regimen of beatings and torture began.

Do you possess such strength of character? Locked in a filthy cell in a foreign country, would you turn down your own freedom in favor of your fellow man? I submit that's a quality of character that is rarely found, and for me, this singular act defines John McCain.

Unlike several presidential candidates in recent years whose military service is questionable or non-existent, you will not find anyone to denigrate the integrity and moral courage of this man. A graduate of Annapolis, during his Naval service he received the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Distinguished Flying Cross. His own son is now serving in the Marine Corps in Iraq. Barack Obama is fond of saying 'We honor John McCain's service...BUT...', which to me is
condescending and offensive -- because what I hear is, 'Let's forget this man's sacrifice for his country and his proven leadership abilities, and talk some more about change.'

I don't agree with John McCain on everything -- but I am utterly convinced that he is qualified to be our next President, and I trust him to do what's right. I know in my heart that he has the best interests of our country in mind. He doesn't simply want to be President -- he wants to lead America , and there's a huge difference.

Factually, there is simply no comparison between the two candidates. A man of questionable background and motives who prattles on about change can't hold a candle to a man who has devoted his life in public service to this nation, retiring from the Navy in 1981 and elected to the Senate in 1982.

Perhaps Obama's supporters are taking a stance between old and new. Maybe they don't care about McCain's service or his strength of character, or his unblemished qualifications to be President. Maybe 'likeability' is a higher priority for them than trust'. Being a prisoner of war is not what qualifies John McCain to be President of the United States of America -- but his demonstrated leadership
certainly DOES.

Dear friends, it is time for us to stand. It is time for thinking Americans to say, 'Enough..' It is time for people of all parties to stop following the party line. It is time for anyone who wants to keep America first, who wants the right man leading their nation, to start a dialogue with all their friends and neighbors and ask who they're voting for, and why.

There's a lot of evil in this world. That should be readily apparent to all of us by now. And when faced with that evil as we are now, I want a man who knows the cost of war on his troops and on his citizens. I want a man who puts my family's interests before any foreign country.

I want a President who's qualified to lead.

I want my country back, and I'm voting for John McCain.

Semper Fi, Daniel L. Frost Jr. GySgt USMC Retired Kokomo, IN

 

 

We have enjoyed the redneck jokes for years. It's time to take a reflective look at the core beliefs of a culture that values home, family, country and God. If I had to stand before a dozen terrorists who threaten my life, I'd choose a half dozen or so rednecks to back me up. Tire irons, squirrel guns and grit -- that's what rednecks are made of.

 

You might be a redneck if: It never occurred to you to be offended by the phrase, 'One nation, under God.'

You might be a redneck if: You've never protested about seeing the 10 Commandments posted in public places.

You might be a redneck if: You still say ' Christmas' instead of 'Winter Festival.'

You might be a redneck if: You bow your head when someone prays.

You might be a redneck if: You stand and place your hand over your heart when they play the National Anthem.

You might be a redneck if: You treat our armed forces veterans with great respect, and always have.

You might be a redneck if: You've never burned an American flag, nor intend to.

You might be a redneck if: You know what you believe and you aren't afraid to say so, no matter who is listening.

You might be a redneck if: You respect your elders and raised your kids to do the same.

You might be a redneck if: You'd give your last dollar to a friend.

 

 

I AM CONCERNED

By: Paul Marx

Owner of " Louisiana Proud" KBON 101.1FM

 

NOTE: Just so this is not interpreted to be a "racist" observation, let me make it clear that this writing refers to ALL races!!

 

What is going on? Why do some people feel that everyone else, including the government, owes them?? It seems that there are some people who think that is cases of emergencies they automatically become everyone else's responsibility and have none of their own? That needs to change!!

 

For Hurricane Gustave, I saw the vast majority of the people who were getting on evacuation buses, knowing there was a few hours of bus ride ahead of them, do so EMPTY HANDED! Not even a bottle of water for themselves or even their little children! They've had days to prepare, but they prepared nothing! How about a couple of sandwiches for the trip? No.

I watched the news and saw people complain about the place they had been evacuated to being "filthy" with trash! Many of those complainers are sitting or lying on cots furnished to them. Well, I'm sure it's not the volunteer workers who dirtied the place. My advice is get off your asses and clean up!!

 

For one of the past hurricanes, I received a phone call at KBON 101.1FM radio from an evacuation center in Opelousas . Keep in mind, this center had several hundred evacuees housed there for their safety. Well, the caller explained to me that there was an 18 wheeler that arrived with water, meals and other supplies, and asked if I would announce that they needed volunteers to help unload the truck. I have to tell you, I lost it. "You mean to tell me that you have hundreds of evacuees in that building and you want me to ask someone to leave their house and their family to come and unload THEIR truck?", I asked. Before the person could answer I recommended "I'll tell you what to do. Go inside and tell them the truck is there and needs to be unloaded and that you need volunteers. If no one offers to help, you simply lock up the back of the 18 wheeler and tell it to go somewhere else where it will be more appreciated".

 

I had another situation (I don't recall from where) that troubled me just as much. I recall this was a place with a couple hundred people. I received a call and was asked to announce that they needed volunteers to help serve meals. My advice again to that caller was to get some volunteers among the evacuees and if they refused, then simply don't serve food.

 

I am concerned that the day will come when we will have a lot of trouble finding anyone willing to open it's doors to the people who need to evacuate, and I cannot blame them if they choose to not make evacuees welcome. They have nothing to gain by doing so. People come into centers, halls, etc. and practically trash the place. They complain to the press about not being comfortable, the place being dirty, not liking the food, not getting water often enough, and more. Then they leave the place in filth!!

 

I am concerned that the day will come when people will not volunteer to leave their home and families to go and "wait on" people who have absolutely no appreciation of them and what they are doing to help. Imagine volunteering to help someone out of the goodness of your heart and not only, not being appreciated, but being criticized for your service. Personally, I'd rather stay home with my family then=2 0give my time to such ungrateful people and would not blame anyone for feeling the same way.

 

I saw on the news recently where the Red Cross was having problems getting donations to help the people hurricane Gustave victims in our area. Could it be that people around the country are seeing the "whiners" and the "unappreciative" and just don't feel like giving to such people, knowing it will not be appreciated? It's my belief that the American people are great, kindhearted and generous people, and are very willing to help people who are trying to help themselves but I think more & more of us Americans are feeling less & less generous to people who just don't appreciate it. It's important to know that no one owes you anything. It's important to know that people will help you a lot faster when they see you trying to help yourself.

 

I am concerned, and you should be too.

 

God bless America, God bless Louisiana and God bless you!

Paul Marx

KBON 101.1FM

www.kbon.com

 

 

Worth a review.

 

Proud of the GOP
By Bill Whittle

Two masterstrokes were accomplished in the last two days of this year’s Republican National Convention. In her first appearance on the national stage — which can only be called a tectonic event — Sarah Palin secured the conservative base for maverick John McCain, while also reaching out to Democratic women. Then on Thursday night, John McCain struck again, making a play for the rest of the Democratic party.

When John McCain was sewing up the nomination in the early spring, I spent a lot of time in many comment sections defending him in as many ways as I knew how. He wasn’t my first choice (Fred) or my second (Rudy), but he was the GOP nominee, fairly elected, and looking at the table I thought he was the only man who had a chance to win in November — because frankly, we Republicans don’t deserve to be this lucky.

Many conservatives were arguing that it would be better to sit his one out, and let the country go to hell, so that we could send the Republican party a message and re-emerge from the ashes in 2012 with “the next Reagan.” I pointed out that there were two problems with this theory:

First, you may not like the fact that Grandma smokes in bed, and you may indeed want to get her attention. But if that message consists of letting her set the bed, the house and the grandchildren on fire, perhaps there was a better way to “send a message.” Second, it pained me to point out that there was no “next Reagan.” Ronald Reagan was on the political scene for almost two decades before he became President. Who was waiting in the wings to magically fill this role? No one.

Newt Gingrich’s fire-breathing army of young reform Republicans who stormed congress in 1994 grew, in about a decade, into the party of Duke Cunningham, Trent Lott, and the Bridge to Nowhere. I watched this unfold — especially after 2004 — and time and time again, the core conser vative values of discipline and responsibility were betrayed, mocked, and ignored. Restraint is not an easy sell in a society this affluent — not compared with the view of government as a bottomless bag of candy. That’s why we’re supposed to be the party of adults.

Power corrupts, and I believe there is no power more intoxicating and corrosive than the ability to spend other people’s money at will. If Newt’s Army could go so far astray, you can bet the country was disillusioned, disappointed, and furious — not just ready for change, but eager for it, even change as ethereal and diffuse as what Senator Obama has been peddling. We lost the Senate and the House in 2006 because of this. We were going to lose the presidency in 2008 for it. And we deserved to lose it.

And so — prior to this week — all we had was a grim determination to vote against a dangerous, socialized vision of the future. We were portrayed — largely accurately — as old, tired, out-of-touch, out of idea s, out of candidates . . . too white, too male, too square. It doesn’t matter how true or false that caricature was. That was the narrative, and there was enough of it that fit.

And then the earthquake came.

Sarah Palin is the anti-Obama: not a victim, not a poser, not riding a wave but rather swimming upstream — and most of all, not having run for president her entire life. She is the first politician I have ever seen — and I include Ronnie in this, God bless him — who strikes everyone who sees her as an actual, real, ordinary person. Immediately came T-shirts saying I AM SARAH PALIN. HER STORY IS MY STORY. There is a lot of Obama swag out there, too, but none of it says HIS STORY IS MY STORY. Hold that thought till November 5.

She is so absolutely, remarkably, spectacularly ordinary. I think the magic of Sarah Palin speaks to a belief that so many of us share: the sense that we personally know five people in our immediate circle who would make a better presid ent than the menagerie of candidates the major parties routinely offer. Sarah Palin has erupted from this collective American Dream — the idea that, given nothing but classic American values like hard work, integrity, and tough-minded optimism you can actually do what happens in the movies: become Leader of the Free World, the President of the United States of America  (Or, well, you know, vice president.)

Sarah Palin has done more than unify and electrify the base. She’s done something I would not have thought possible, were it not happening in front of my nose: Sarah Palin has stolen Barack Obama’s glamour. She’s stolen his excitement, robbed his electricity, burgled his charisma, purloined his star power, and taken his Hope and Change mantra, woven it into a cold-weather fashion accessory, and wrapped it a round her neck.

A candidate who is young, funny, well-spoken, intelligent, charming, drop-dead gorgeous — and one of ours? Is this actually happening?

I have personally seen hundreds of crusty, old-school paleocons who despised McCain now saying “He finally listened to us.” By picking Palin — instead of Lieberman, who we all know he wanted — he has told conservatives that he gets it. They’re not holding their noses and voting any more. They want yard signs and bumper stickers — they can’t wait to vote GOP. And the proof of the pudding is in the tasting, folks: they are writing checks.

I’ve seen post after post on Hillary forums about how much they love Sarah, how they are energized and lifted out of depression by her (and the sight of an actual Roll Call made some of them weep). They gush about how she reminds them of their hero, how tough and savvy and unafraid she is. And I have seen these women, hard-core, feminist Democrats for 30 years and more, sit in sla ck-jawed amazement at Palin and at how fiercely Republicans — Republicans! — are defending her, backing her, and cheering her to the rafters. These Clinton supporters say they don’t know what to think any more: The Republicans are behaving like Democrats and the Democrats are behaving like Republicans!

If you think that’s an insult, you’ve got it exactly backwards. That is not only a huge compliment from these abandoned, centrist Democrats who bemoan the loss of their party to the radicals, it is an early rumbling of a tectonic shift in American politics which we are only dimly beginning to grasp. Who are the real feminists? A significant portion of our former hard-core opposition is now rethinking in a fundamental way who it is that actually does what their former allies only talk about.

That, my long-suffering and now giddy and sleepless friends — that is the smell of victory. That is conservatism with a future. And we started on that path not by nominating a Democrat-lite, but the polar opposite. The nomination of a woman with perfect conservative credentials is causing some significant number of Democrats to re-examine everything they believe. I say: Welcome Home. Welcome to the party of individual achievement, regardless of race or gender.

And, finally . . . what of John McCain? I’ve read many comments about his speech being a disappointment. I don’t know how it looked or played from the floor. But I know how it played from my Los Angeles living room. I believe — and we’ll know soon enough if I’m right — that John McCain did something Thursday night more powerful and astonishing than Sarah Palin did the previous evening. Sarah stole Obama’s glamour. McCain stole his message. (Granted, that may not be a lot, apart from the glamour, but it was all Obama had left.)

Sarah played to the base, who loved he r. McCain played to the middle that we will need to win. Put his rhetorical ticks, the green background, the protestor interruptions — put all that away. No one really cares about that.

We in the opinion trade lose track of how little the American public actually knows about candidates, because they — very sensibly, in my view — have the much more important task of actually getting on with life until right . . . about . . . now. For many Americans, this was their introduction to John McCain.

From the video, we learned that John McCain is a . . . momma’s boy? That was inspired. It was unexpected, charming, and real. And McCain’s great single weakness, his age, gets considerably less worrisome seeing his 96-year-old mother — who is more than spry and lucid, but a veritable firecracker. That’s a subtle move — an elegant and brilliant move.

I knew McCain’s father and grandfather were admirals. I did not know his grandfather was on the USS Missouri, came home, and d ied the next day after giving everything he had for his country. That’s powerful. And the image of his father standing on the North Vietnamese border, looking out toward his missing son as he orders the bombing of the city where he is being held? McCain reminded us that there are things far more important than politics.

As for the speech: yes, it was stilted. Awkward in places, true. Ugly background, cheesy flagpole, lack of polish — got it. But as the northerners said of Abraham Lincoln in the first days of the war, when he was mockingly compared to the effortless grace of Jefferson Davis: “We didn’t get him for ballroom purposes.” Damn right we didn’t.

John McCain got me to believe tonight what I never really believed about him before: he is serious about changing Washington . He is serious about getting the GOP back to basics. John McCain wants to repair the brand. Claiming to want to do something is talk. What I think will cause many to believe him is something more than talk: McCain decided to man up. It’s our fault. We lost the confidence of the American people. We said we’d be true to our principles, and we weren’t. The Democrats didn’t make us do it. We did it to ourselves.

That has the ring of truth to it. It is a grownup accepting responsibility for a mistake not of his making and asking for the chance to rectify it. I don’t know how much of the country will believe him. But I did.

If McCain can get close — just close — to convincing the American people that real reform is possible with Republicans and not just the Democrats, then they are left with a decision of who they feel safest with, and who actually walks the walk. The GOP owns that ground. That’s victory in November, and it’s the only way to victory in November. We are an optimistic, hopeful country. We will not prevail by convincing people why they should not vote for the other guy. People need to vote for something . I think John McCain gave us that on Thursday night.

And a final thing: I had heard before that John McCain had been beaten in prison, and I admired him for it. But when he said he had been broken . . . I gasped. When this sometimes cocky, arrogant old man told me he had once been a cocky, arrogant young man until he was “blessed by hardship,” until he had been broken and remade — and in that remaking discovered a love of country so fierce and pure that even as a patriot myself I will never approach it — well, in that moment John McCain won my heart, to add to the respect and admiration he had already had.

When John McCain told me what I and untold millions of Americans have always believed, what others tell me to be ashamed of and mock me for — that I live in the greatest country in the world, a force of goodness and justice in dark places, a land of heroism and sacrifice and opportunity and joy — to me that went right to the mystic chords of memo ry that ultimately binds this country together. Some people don’t know what it is, but there is such a thing as patriotism — pure, unrefined, unapologetic, unconditional, non-nuanced, non-cosmopolitan, white-hot-burning patriotism. John McCain loves this country. I love it too. Not what it might be made into someday — not its promise, always and only its promise — but what it was and what it is, a nation and an idea worth fighting and dying for.

I was lukewarm on McCain Thursday night, but after that close I will follow that man to the ends of the earth with a smile on my face and a song in my heart.

And I don’t know whether or not we will win in November, but for the first time I feel like we deserve to win more than they deserve to lose. And I find myself at peace for the first time in . . . well, it seems like forever. Because now I know that we will win or lose based on what we love and what we believe in, and that we have managed to find two politicians who have lived those values through good times and bad.

 — Bill Whittle lives and works in Los Angeles .

 

 

Count on the media to miss this:

As usual, the good news goes unreported. Tremendous re-enlistment in Baghdad .......never made main stream media...guess it doesn't fit
with their reporting of the hollow force, poor morale, etc. For those who have been in the Al Faw Palace you'll have a better estimation of the number of people crammed in the rotunda. Here is a reenlistment ceremony from Baghdad on the 4th of July. Somehow this did not make it onto network news broadcasts. Here is a picture of what is reputedly the 'largest re-enlistment ceremony ever held in military history'. The ceremony was held July 4, 2008 at Al Faw Palace, Baghdad , Iraq . General Petraeus officiated. A pizzeria in Chicago donated 2000 pizzas that were made (frozen), shipped on Sunday, arrived in Baghdad Wednesday and were fed to the troops on the 4th. Oh, by the way, the media did report on the 2000 pizzas...just not what they were for.

 

 

USS New York

It was built with 24 tons of scrap steel from the World Trade Center.

It is the fifth in a new class of warship - designed for missions that include special operations against terrorists. It will carry a crew of 360 sailors and 700 combat-ready Marines to be delivered ashore by helicopters and assault craft. 

Steel from the World Trade Center was melted down in a foundry in Amite, LA to cast the ship's bow section. When it was poured into the molds on Sept 9, 2003, "those big rough steelworkers treated it with total reverence," recalled Navy Capt. Kevin Wensing, who was there. "It was a spiritual moment for everybody there."

Junior Chavers, foundry operations manager, said that when the trade center steel first arrived, he touched it with his hand and the "hair on my neck stood up. It had a big meaning to it for all of us," he said. "They knocked us down. They can't keep us down. We're going to be back." 

The ship's motto? "Never Forget"

 

Click here for pictures

 

 

 

It is so great to know our troops still have a wonderful sense of humor.
By the way, for those of you that worry, the attachment was screened for viruses on my computer and there aren't any viruses. So you can feel free to click. It is worth seeing. Almost makes me want to go there. I have always said you can't take away someone's imagination and one must never lose it!!
Also please remember no matter how you feel about the war, don't ever forget to pray, support and be grateful to the guys and gals that are protecting your rear end.

 

http://www.tom-phillips.info/images/funny.military.htm

 

 

Advice from Snopes.com

1)   Any time you see an E-Mail that says forward this on to '10' of your friends, sign this petition, or you'll get bad luck, or whatever, it has either an E-Mail tracker program attached that tracks the cookies and E-Mails of those folks you forward. 

The host sender is getting a copy each time it gets forwarded and then is able to get lists of 'active' E-Mails to use in SPAM E-Mails, or sell to others that do. 

 

2)   Almost all E-Mails that ask you to add your name and forward on to others are similar to that mass letter years ago that asked people to send business cards to the little kid in Florida who wanted to break the Guinness Book of Records for the most cards. All it was, and all any of this type of E-Mail is, is a way to get names and 'cookie' tracking information for telemarketers and spammers - - to validate active E-Mail accounts for  their own purposes.  



You can do your friends and family members a GREAT favor by sending this information to them; you will be providing a service to your friends, and will be rewarded by not getting thousands of spam E-Mails in the future! 
If you have been sending out (FORWARDING) the above kinds of E-Mail, now you know why you get so much SPAM!   
  
Do yourself a favor and STOP adding your name(s) to those type listings regardless how inviting they might sound! 
You think you are supporting a GREAT cause, but you are NOT in the long run.  Instead, you will be getting tons of junk mail later in life! 

Also:  E-Mail petitions are NOT acceptable to Congress or any other organization.  To be acceptable, petitions must have a signed signature and the full address of the person signing the petition. 

           Read the full story here

 

 

Except for the dates, my daughter's mother-in-law could have written this. This is the same story I have heard from her.
If you are in favor of Obama and vote for him, let's all hope and pray that he is not another Castro.
By the way, Niva is a citizen of the United States now. A few years ago she went back to Cuba for a visit. It nearly broke her heart as the Cuba she knew was gone.
Little Fish

Melissa McDaniel wrote:

Letter to the Editor from a Cuban . . .


From Richmond Times-Dispatch, Monday, July 7, 2008 ~

Dear Editor, Times-Dispatch:
 
'Each year I get to celebrate Independence Day twice.  On June 30 I celebrate my independence day, and on July 4  I celebrate America's. This year is special, because it marks the 40Th anniversary of my independence.
 
'On June 30, 1968, I escaped Communist Cuba, and a few months later, I was in the United States to stay.  That I happened to arrive in Richmond on Thanksgiving Day is just part of the story, but I digress.
 
'I've thought a lot about the anniversary this year.  The election-year rhetoric has made me think a lot about Cuba and what transpired there.  In the late 1950s, most Cubans thought Cuba needed a change, and they were right.  So when a young leader came along, every Cuban was at least receptive.
 
'When the young leader spoke eloquently and passionately and denounced the old system, the press fell in love with him.  They never questioned who his friends were or what he really believed in.  When he said he would help the farmers and the poor and bring free medical care and education to all, everyone followed.  When he said he would bring justice and equality to all, everyone said, 'Praise the Lord.' And when the young leader said, 'I will be for change and I'll bring you change,' everyone yelled, 'Viva Fidel!'
 
'But nobody asked about the change, so by the time the executioner's guns went silent, the people's guns had been taken away.  By the time everyone was equal, they were equally poor, hungry, and oppressed.  By the time everyone received their free education, it was worth nothing. By the time the press noticed, it was too late, because they were now working for him.  By the time the change was finally implemented, Cuba had been knocked down a couple of notches to Third-World status.  By the time the change was over, more than a million people had taken to boats, rafts, and inner tubes.  You can call those who made it ashore anywhere else in the world the most fortunate Cubans.  And now I'm back to the beginning of my story.
 
'Luckily, we would never fall in America for a young leader who promised change without asking, what change?  How will you carry it out?  What will it cost America?
 
'Would we?'
 
Manuel Alvarez, Jr.

 

 

I wish I could say I wrote this but I didn't. It was sent to me by a dear friend whose career choice was to serve his Country in the United States Marine Corps.
Someone sent it to him.

Little Fish

NO ONE LIKES WAR:

No one likes war. War is a horrific affair, bloody and expensive. Sending our men and women into battle to perhaps die or be maimed is an unconscionable thought.  

 

 Yet, some wars need to be waged, and someone needs to lead. The citizenry and Congress are often ambivalent or largely opposed to any given war. It’s up to our leader to convince them. That’s why we call the leader, “Commander-in-Chief.”  

 

 George W.’s war was no different. There was lots of resistance to it. Many in Congress were vehemently against the idea. The Commander-in-Chief had  to lobby for legislative approval.  

 

 Along with supporters, George W. used the force of his convictions, the power of his title and every ounce of moral suasion he could muster to rally support. He had to assure Congress and the public that the war was morally justified, winnable and affordable. Congress eventually came around and voted overwhelmingly to wage war.  

 

 George W. then lobbied foreign governments for support. But in the end, only one European nation helped us. The rest of the world sat on its hands and watched.  

 

 After a few quick victories, things started to go bad. There were many dark days when all the news was discouraging. Casualties began to mount. It became obvious that our forces were too small. Congress began to drag its feet about funding the effort.  

 

 Many who had voted to support the war just a few years earlier were beginning to speak against it and accuse the Commander-in-Chief of misleading them. Many critics began to call him incompetent, an idiot and even a liar. Journalists joined the negative chorus with a vengeance.  

 

 As the war entered its fourth year, the public began to grow weary of the conflict and the casualties. George W.’s popularity plummeted. Yet through it all, he stood firm, supporting the troops and endorsing the struggle.  

 

 Without his unwavering support, the war would have surely ended, then and there, in overwhelming and total defeat.  

 

 At this darkest of times, he began to make some changes. More troops were added and trained. Some advisers were shuffled, and new generals installed.  

 

 Then, unexpectedly and gradually, things began to improve. Now it was the enemy that appeared to be growing weary of the lengthy conflict and losing support. Victories began to come, and hope returned.  

 

 Many critics in Congress and the press said the improvements were just George W.’s good luck. The progress, they said, would be temporary. He knew, however, that in warfare good fortune counts.  

 

 Then, in the unlikeliest of circumstances and perhaps the most historic example of military luck, the enemy blundered and was resoundingly defeated. After six long years of war, the Commander-in-Chief basked in a most hard-fought victory.  

 

 So on that historic day, Oct. 19, 1781, in a place called Yorktown, a satisfied George Washington sat upon his beautiful white horse and accepted the surrender of Lord Cornwallis, effectively ending the Revolutionary War.  

 

 What a beautiful reminder of how tenuous things were when our nation was trying to emerge...to be born!   

 

 It also reminds us how little some things have changed in the last 227 years or so... 

 

 

A Christian

Several years ago, a preacher from out-of-state accepted a call to a church in Houston, Texas. Some weeks after he arrived, he had an occasion to ride the bus from his home to the downtown area. When he sat down, he discovered that the driver had accidentally given him a quarter too much change.

As he considered what to do, he thought to himself,  'You'd better give the quarter back.

It would be wrong to keep it.' Then he thought, 'Oh, forget it, it's only a quarter. Who would worry about this little amount? Anyway, the bus company gets too much fare;

they will never miss it. Accept it as a 'gift from God' and keep quiet.'

When his stop came, he paused momentarily at the door, and then he handed the quarter to the driver and said, 'Here, you gave me too much change.'

The driver, with a smile, replied, 'Aren't you the new preacher in town?'

'Yes' he replied.

'Well, I have been thinking a lot lately about going somewhere to worship. I just wanted to see what you  would do if I gave you too much change. I'll see you at church on Sunday.'

 

When the preacher stepped off of the bus, he literally grabbed the nearest light pole, held on, and said,  'Oh God, I almost sold your Son for a quarter.'

Our lives are the only Bible some people  will ever read. This is a really scary example of how much people watch us as Christians, and will put us to the test! Always be on guard -- and remember – You carry the name of Christ on your shoulders when you call yourself 'Christian.'

Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.

 

 

For the record Little Fish is married to, in technical terms, a former
Marine. In our hearts, he is still the Marine and I am the Marine's
dependent!!!
Some of our email friends have affectionately named me the Gunny and Sam
is the Sarge. I outrank him based on my meanness!!
I love the Marines.
Little Fish

Jeremiah Wright - A Marine
Once a Marine ...
By Gary Anderson

 

Jeremiah Wright Jr. had quite a month for himself in April. He single handedly left the campaign of his long-time friend and parishioner Barack Obama with damage-control problems that the captain of the Titanic might have recognized. But his bridge burning did not stop there.

Mr. Wright also alienated the United States Marine Corps. He hides behind the fact that he once wore the uniform of the Corps when people impugn his very questionable patriotism, while he compares the Marines who have served, and are serving, in Iraq to the Roman soldiers who crucified Jesus. This has caused many among even his former supporters to wonder what he was thinking.

To say his statements incensed current and former Marines would be a monumental understatement. The Marines like to say, "Once a Marine, always a Marine." One is well advised never to call someone an ex-Marine. Marines call people who have been honorably discharged from the ranks, "former Marines." People who received less than a fully honorable discharge are called ex-Marines. Lee Harvey Oswald was an "ex-Marine."

There is an unwritten code among former Marines that they will do nothing to dishonor the Corps. Most Marines believe that they belong to a special fraternity that precedes the birth of the nation itself. The vast majority of us credit much of whatever success we may have gained to what we learned in its ranks. Former Marines as diverse as both of Virginia's senators and comedians Drew Carey and Jonathan Winters credit the Corps with giving them the self confidence to take on daunting challenges.

Most of us former and serving Marines are legitimately outraged when someone uses his service in the Corps to hide behind his misbehavior. To use one's service to justify something ill-advised that he has done is one thing, but to go on to insult the Corps is incomprehensible.

Marines are not only dying in Iraq, but they are simultaneously conducting humanitarian and nation-building operations under conditions unprecedented in American history. Better still, they are showing results to the point where they are bored and looking for new challenges in Afghanistan. This makes Mr. Wright's remarks particularly odious.

I recently offered a panhandler (or, to be politically correct, "homeless person") who hangs out near my place of employment $100 to remove his Marine Corps baseball cap and not put it back on while engaging in whatever passes as a job for him. His response was at least honest, "No way, buddy: This thing is worth fifty bucks a day." Unlike Mr. Wright, he at least seems to have a rational reason for his behavior.

I have no idea what kind of Marine Mr. Wright was. I assume that he received an honorable discharge, as he was subsequently allowed to enlist as a Navy corpsman (medic). I understand that he passed up a student deferment to serve in Vietnam. That is to his credit, but it is not an excuse.

I am a Republican and do not like most of Mr. Obama's policy opinions; however I am fairly certain that he did nothing to deserve what Mr. Wright has done to his campaign. The same goes for the Marine Corps. One has to ask how Mr. Wright would have felt in Vietnam to be compared to a servant of Roman tyranny.

It remains to be seen whether Mr. Obama's campaign will be fatally hurt by the reverend's rants. The Marine Corps certainly will not.

However, this modern-day rainmaker has almost certainly further damaged the reputation of the charismatic branches of Protestantism that have been rocked in recent years by the likes of Jim Bakker and other faux men of the cloth who preach salvation for the poor while bilking them of their money in order to retire to mansions in gated subdivisions.

It is easy to make too big a deal of an individual willing to make a spectacle of himself merely to sell a book. But Mr. Wright has a following.  Some of them are young and impressionable African Americans, as Mr. Obama was when he first fell under Mr. Wright's influence. He is a questionable role model to say the least.

There is an irony here. No matter what kind of backstabbing narcissist Mr. Wright may be, if he indeed did receive an honorable discharge, Marines will show up if his family requests it to help put him in the ground when he checks off the net for the last time.

 

What God does with him is God's business.

 

Semper Fi, Reverend Wright.
Gary Anderson is a retired Marine Corps Officer.

 

 

Just to update, our granddaughter ended up winning the American Legion Flag Essay Award at the District level. The boy from her school also won. They were each awarded a total of $150 in savings bond for their work. The Legionaries came to the school to present the original award.  The children were also invited to a dinner at an American Legion dinner.  The Legionaries also came to their school and presented them another award on the last day of school at the School's Award Day Ceremony. They were also honored and were asked to read their essays at our official Memorial Day Ceremony. It was a lot of recognition.

 All Katie's family were so proud of her. We hope all the rewards and honor and prestige will stay with both children so they continue to love
this country. We hope this gives them an insight to be responsible Americans into their adulthood. Now for a "Grandma" that is moving way
too fast.
Congratulations, Katie. I am so proud of you.
Little Fish AKA Grandma

 

 

 

Just how much Senate experience does Barack Obama have in terms of actual work days? Not much.

From the time Barack Obama was sworn in as a United State Senator, to the time he announced he was forming a Presidential exploratory committee, he logged 143 days of experience in the Senate. That's how many days the Senate was actually in session and working.

After 143 days of work experience, Obama believed he was ready to be Commander In Chief, Leader of the Free World, and fill the shoes of Abraham Lincoln, FDR, JFK and Ronald Reagan.

143 days -- I keep leftovers in my refrigerator longer than that.

In contrast, John McCain's 26 years in Congress, 22 years of military service including 1,966 days in captivity as a POW in Hanoi now seem more impressive than ever. At 71, John McCain may just be hitting his stride.

      Think about IT!!!

 

Posted by Cheri Jacobus

 

 

Is anyone besides me confused about the gas problem? Watching the weekend news and listening to different opinions, I don't know what to believe. Some say higher prices will help eventually bring the price down. Some say that isn't the answer. I say, will we all live thru this until the right answer is found? I don't understand how people can afford the gas to go as high as $7.00 a gallon. Will it get so expensive people will not be able to drive to work? What happens to the Nation then? They say to car pool, walk, take a bus, etc. What if you live in an area that that isn't possible? We live in a town, 20 miles from Indianapolis and there is no public transportation to get to Indianapolis. Well, perhaps the Greyhound Bus line, but i don't think it runs 8-5 everyday!!!
 Sam had an idea the other day. Set the price at say $3.00 a gallon or less and never let it go higher. Also your local gas station manager or owner must be sold that gas at a cost that they can afford to live. if somebody takes a hit, let it be  the gas cartel people give up some profits. We manage to live on an income that does not net millions. How is your bank account?
Little Fish

 

 

I agree...................What about you?

        545 People
        By Charlie Reese -- former columnist of the Orlando Sentinel Newspaper
        
        Politicians are the only people in the world who create problems and then campaign against them.

        Have you ever wondered why, if both the Democrats and the Republicans are against deficits, we have deficits?

        Have you ever wondered why, if all the politicians are against inflation and high taxes, we have inflation and high taxes?

        You and I don't propose a federal budget.  The president does.

        You and I don't have the Constitutional authority to vote on appropriations.  The House of Representatives does.

        You and I don't write the tax code, Congress does.

        You and I don't set fiscal policy, Congress does.

        You and I don't control monetary policy, the Federal Reserve Bank does.

        One hundred senators, 435 congressmen, one president, and nine Supreme Court justices -- 545 human beings out of the 300 million -- are directly, legally, morally, and individually responsible for the domestic problems that plague this country.

        I excluded the members of the Federal Reserve Board because that problem was created by the Congress.  In 1913, Congress delegated its Constitutional duty to provide a sound currency to a federally chartered, but private, central bank.

        I excluded all the special interests and lobbyists for a sound reason.  They have no legal authority.  They have no ability to coerce a senator, a congressman, or a president to do one cotton-picking thing.  I don't care if they offer a politician 1-million dollars in cash.  The politician has the power to accept or reject it.  No matter what the lobbyist promises, it is the legislator's responsibility to determine how he votes.

        Those 545 human beings spend much of their energy convincing you that what they did is not their fault.  They cooperate in this common con regardless of party.

        What separates a politician from a normal human being is an excessive amount of gall.  No normal human being would have the gall of a Speaker, who stood up and criticized the President for creating deficits.  The president can only propose a budget.  He cannot force the Congress to accept it.

        The Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land, gives sole responsibility to the House of Representatives for originating and approving appropriations and taxes.  Who is the speaker of the House?  She is the leader of the majority party.
        She and fellow House members, not the president, can approve any budget they want.  If the president vetoes it, they can pass it over his veto  if they agree to.

        It seems inconceivable to me that a nation of 300 million can not replace 545 people who stand convicted -- by present facts -- of incompetence and irresponsibility.  I can't think of a single domestic problem that is not traceable directly to those 545 people.  When you fully grasp the plain truth that 545 people exercise the power of the federal government, then it must follow that what exists is what they want to exist.

        If the tax code is unfair, it's because they want it unfair.

        If the budget is in the red, it's because they want it in the red.

        If the Marines are in IRAQ , it's because they want them in IRAQ ..



        If they do not receive social security, but are on an elite retirement plan not available to the people, it's because they want it that way.

        There are no insoluble government problems.

        Do not let these 545 people shift the blame to bureaucrats, whom they hire and whose jobs they can abolish; to lobbyists, whose gifts and advice they can reject; to regulators, to whom they give the power to regulate and from whom they can take this power.  Above all, do not let them con you into the belief that there exists disembodied mystical forces like "the economy," "inflation," or "politics" that prevent them from doing what they take an oath to do.

        Those 545 people, and they alone, are responsible.

        They, and they alone, have the power.

        They, and they alone, should be held accountable by the people who are their bosses -- provided the voters have the gumption to manage their own employees.

        We should vote all of them out of office and clean up their mess!

 

I could be wrong, but IMHO I look for Hillary to take Indiana. From what I am hearing from people. They are voting for her because they don't want Obama. They don't want Hillary either but McCain will automatically win the Republican vote.
  Many of these people will vote for McCain in November. It is the same way Hillary won Texas and some of Ohio. A few don't want McCain because of his age. Also the anti Bush campaign. Employment is down in Indiana in our factories and President Bush is getting blamed. Also the gas prices. I am not sure if it is in the President's power to lower the gas prices or not at this time, like a state of emergency or marshal law thing or removing the taxes. Like McCain suggested. Like HELLOOOOO, what happened to that plan???? It would be nice to see the price of gas go down. I keep putting a small amount of gas in the tank in hopes that tomorrow the price will be down. Can't remember when I actually filled the tank!!! Everyone has a plan, but I see no action. I just think Congress needs to get off their behinds, write and present a bill to the President ........ASAP. Guess I could start working out and walk to Wal-Mart!! Oh, come on people, get on with your big bad selves!!!
  Like Obama and Hillary or not, they both can sing a pretty song. My Hit Parade list will be for McCain in November. Some of my favorite people are 60+. I think that includes me!!!

 

I received an email today from a friend warning me of an email with the title "TAGGED". It appears real - a friend's  address. Says it is from your friend and says something about am I your real friend. If you click on it to open. it has a virus or worm or something. SO BEWARE. Fortunately my friend found out about it in time to notify people, including me. Sure enough I did receive the Tagged email. So I deleted it
immediately. I know sometimes these things are hoaxes but this one must be real.
I don't know why some evil people want to make time to do this kind of crap.


Also will take the time to tell you about an experience yesterday. Tuesday night I checked out gas prices in my town. They were running about $3.64 a gallon. Wednesday on the way to an appointment (cortisone shot in my shoulder.....OUCH) the price was still the same. After my appointment, I stopped at the Shell station for gas. I swiped my bank card, punched in the debit # and nothing happened. I checked my "secret card #" and I used the correct code, so I lifted the handle and the voice from inside came on the speaker and said "You will have to wait. I am changing the price". I responded with a very UN-ladylike, "THAT SUCKS". Then I waited and he changed it. .Now the new price
was now $3.84. I looked at the speaker and said, "That is so ridiculous and I am not paying that much". i cleared the pump and got in my car and drove away. Went down the road to Swifty's and got gas for $3.63 a gallon and I put in $50.00 worth of gas, which filled it. Should have seen the line there!! Last night I took Katie to her dance lesson and went thru town, usually go a back way. All the gas was $3.84, except Swifty. It was $3.83. The cheapest was Wal-Mart at $3.79 and they were the highest in the morning. This is so stupid. I don't know how but we all must revolt. Anybody got any good ideas? Evidently Congress doesn't. Oh they have ideas, but guess their writing hands don't work or they are too busy out on the campaign trail. Hey, what would happen if nobody voted in November? That would never happen but wouldn't it be funny??? Where is my medicine? Did I take it this morning?

 

 

Just to share part of an email with you between Sam and I. People have lost jobs, including Sam last year, and it's all Bush's fault??? Just read on about one company in Indiana that used to be one of Sam's customers. My darling friends, yes things are a mess, but not everything is the President's fault. Don't take my word. Check on how your senators and congressmen are voting.

Remember during Clinton's run for office and how we all heard it was Reagan's trickled down REAGANOMICS that was at fault? Well, so we must be fair then and call this Clintonomics???? Or could it be the reign of Clinton has caught up? Hey, I don't know this stuff. I just know what I hear, read and how bad our bank account got and how many of Sam's customers started closing and what Sam said was the reason. Maybe Sam was lying and Hillary and Obama are telling the truth???? All I know for sure is God Bless the soldiers protecting me and those in this Country that aren't soldiers but still doing a job protecting us that is not making the news. You know who you are. I will vote for McCain because if we get nuked will any of these other issues matter? Also because Hillary and Obama have promised us they will raise taxes. Raise taxes.....we are just now starting to catch up and save money again. If more money is taken from Sam's check, will Wal-Mart close because I can't go there anymore? I mean, it is within walking distance from me.........well for those walkers. I try only to do that when we are in Gatlinburg!!! The Democrats wouldn't lie, would they?

 

READ ON:

 

Sam, didn't Magna -Quench used to be a customer of yours? Hillary accused Bush of being able to stop them from moving to China and didn't. According to Fox, Bill Clinton could have and didn't stop the selling of the company in the 90's and they didn't move until the 2000's.

 

Answer:

Hillary is full of crap as usual. They were owned by Delco and were sold off when the whole Delphi thing happened (95-96). The fact of the matter is that their largest customer was China and that is why they were sold to them. Nobody here wanted to buy them. Oh, by the way the President of the United States cannot stop the sale of a company unless it threatens national security in time of war. That is the job of the Federal Trade Commission and the U.S Congress.  

 

 

I don't know if this made the national news or not or in your home town but this happened in the Indianapolis area recently.

 

First of all it is illegal for a woman to abort a child in her 5th month of pregnancy. She can be charged with murder. A guy was robbing a bank and shot a teller. She was 5 months pregnant with twins. She had to have surgery to save her life and in the process, after they were removed from her, the babies died within a couple of days of each other. The mother lived. If they ever catch the thief, he will not be charged with murder or even attempted murder. I forget the crime but it is low on the scale of crimes. In a pregnancy, the mother has to be 7 months or more before he could be charged with murder of the babies. Now the Indiana Congress is talking about changing the law next session. That would not affect this case or any case before the law. Certain groups are waiting on this to be sure the accused rights will not be violated or that is doesn't effect any abortion laws or rights of a person who wants an abortion.

 

 

Test your knowledge - Do you remember what to do?

What If There's An Earthquake? 

Not a joke ...what to do in case of an earthquake . You may be surprised. I was.
 

Click here: quake2

 

 

McCain's Heritage

Regardless of your political persuasion, this from a man who wants to be our president, is WELL worth the read.

    
Meridian, Miss - 
U.S. Senator John McCain delivered the following remarks during the first stop of his "Service to America" tour.
 

Thank you. It's good to be back in Meridian. As you might know, I was once a flight instructor here at the air field named for my grandfather during my long past and misspent youth. And it's always good to be in Mississippi, which you could call my ancestral home.

Generations of McCain's were born and raised in Carroll County, on land that had been in our family since 1848.   The last McCain to live on the property, which the family called Teoc, was my grandfather's brother, Joe McCain.  I spent a couple summers here as a young boy, and enjoyed it immensely.

I had never had a permanent address because my father's naval career required us to move frequently. But here, in the care of my very likeable Uncle Joe, I could imagine, with a little envy, what it must have been like for the McCain's who came before me to be so connected to one place; to be part of a community and a landscape as well as a family.

By all accounts, the McCain's of Carroll County were devoted to one another and their traditions; a lively, proud and happy family on the Mississippi Delta. Yet, many McCain's left here as young men to pursue careers in what has long been our family's chosen profession -- the United States Armed Forces.

My great-grandfather was the sheriff and never left. But his brother, Henry Pinkney McCain, was a major general in the Army, and organized the draft in World War One. Camp McCain in Grenada, Mississippi is named for him. My great uncle, William McCain, was known as "Wild Bill" for his "dynamic" personality -- he was reputed to have ridden his horse onto his future father-in-law's porch to ask him for his daughter's hand.

He chased Pancho Villa with General Pershing, was an artillery officer in World War One, and retired a Brigadier General. Both men are buried at Arlington National Cemetery, as are my father and grandfather.

We trace my family's martial heritage back to the Revolution. A distant ancestor served on General Washington's staff, and it seems my ancestors fought in most wars in our nation's history. All were soldiers -- both Henry and Bill McCain were West Pointers -- until my grandfather broke family tradition and entered the Naval Academy in 1902. He was succeeded there by my father, then me, and then my son.

As I noted, the naval air field here is named for my grandfather, who had an illustrious career in the Navy, and who remained proud of his Mississippi roots until the end of his life. I have only very early memories of him. I was just nine when he died.

But he was an unforgettable man, a lively, colorful, though infrequent, presence in our lives. To spend time in his company was as much fun as a young boy could imagine. He loved his family, and we were spellbound by him. He was a slight man and gaunt, but he filled any room with his deep voice and high spirits.

He was devoted to the Navy, but in personal comportment, he was anything but regulation.

He was a rumpled, informal man, who wore a crushed cap with the crown removed that the wife of one of his aviators had given him; kept his shoes off when he worked in an office; tobacco leavings were always scattered about him, as he rolled his own with one hand; possessed a mischievous sense of humor, and was unusually close to sailors and junior officers who served under him, and revered him. They called him, "Popeye;" his family called him, "Sid;" and his fellow officers, "Slew," for reasons I never learned.

After graduating from the Naval Academy, he sailed around the Philippine Islands on a gunboat captured from the Spanish, the executive officer to the great Chester Nimitz. He returned to the United States on the U.S.S. Connecticut, the flagship of Teddy Roosevelt's Great White Fleet.

He served on an armored cruiser in the First World War, escorting wartime convoys across the U-boat infested Atlantic.

 In 1935, after the Navy ordered that all aircraft carrier skippers must themselves have earned their wings, he trained as a pilot. He was 52 years old at the time, and a Navy Captain. By his own admission, he never learned to fly well. A subordinate recalled later, "the base prayed for his safe return each time he flew." But he managed to earn his wings, and left Pensacola to command the naval air station in the Panama Canal Zone, where I was born.

My father, Jack McCain, was an officer at a submarine base there, one of the few occasions in his adult life when he lived in close proximity to the man he admired above all others. Though they lived far apart for decades, no father and son could have been closer. My father described his father as "a very great leader and people loved him. ... the blood of life flowed through his veins& a man of great! moral and physical courage." He had learned everything about leadership from his father, he said.

Both were highly individualistic men with outsize personalities, but were completely dedicated to the United States Navy. Neither ever wanted any other life, and while both were guilty of more than a few regulation infractions, and shared a few vices, they adhered strictly to the code father had taught son: never lie, steal or cheat.

Both took a great interest in the views and well-being of the men who served under them. They believed military leaders learned as much from the people they commanded as they taught them. They were demanding, but fair and compassionate commanders.

"We are responsible for our men," my father once said, "not the other way around. That's what forges trust and loyalty." They shirked no duty, braved extraordinary dangers, and were exceptional leaders. They were the first father and son to become four star admirals.

My grandfather commanded the fast carrier task force in the Pacific under Admiral Halsey, and devised many of the tactics that were employed by carriers for many years after. He was instrumental in Japan's defeat, and was given a privileged place on the deck of the U.S.S. Missouri to witness the signing of the unconditional surrender that ended the war.

My father commanded a submarine in the Pacific during the war, survived several harrowing experiences, and had brought a Japanese submarine into Tokyo Harbor at the time of the surrender ceremony.

Both were exhausted at war's end, but happy to have the opportunity for a brief reunion. They met onboard a submarine tender, and spent a couple of hours together. My grandfather was worn out and obviously ill. Years later, my father recalled the last words my grandfather had ever spoken to him. "Son, there is no greater thing than to die& for the country and principles that you believe in."

After father and son parted that afternoon, my grandfather began the long trip home to Coronado. Not long after he arrived, at a homecoming party, he turned to my grandmother, and announced he did not feel well. He died a moment later of a heart attack. He had fought his war and died in service to the country he believed in.

My father could not return to the States in time for the funeral. My mother found him waiting for her to return to California from the funeral in Washington, weeping on the airport tarmac.

In time, my father, the son of a legendary naval leader, would rise to an even greater command than his father had. During the Vietnam War, he commanded all U.S. forces in the Pacific, at the top of a chain of command that included, near the bottom, his son, a naval aviator on Yankee Station in the Tonkin Gulf, and later a prisoner of war in Hanoi. My father seldom spoke of my captivity to anyone outside the family, and never in public. He prayed on his knees every night for my safe return.

He would spend holidays with the troops in Vietnam, near the DMZ. At the end of his visit, he would walk alone to the base perimeter, and look north toward the city where I was held. Yet, when duty required it, he gave the order for B-52s to bomb Hanoi, in close proximity to my prison.

I have lived a blessed life, and the first of my blessings was the family I was born into. I had not only the example of my distinguished male relations, and their long tradition of military service. I was fortunate to grow up under the influence of strong, capable, accomplished women.

First among them, my mother, the formidable Roberta McCain; her identical twin, Rowena; my strict and imposing paternal grandmother, Catherine; and equally impressive maternal grandmother, Myrtle.

For much of my childhood, my mother was the parent who raised me, my sister and brother. My father was often at sea, and she bore all the responsibilities of both parents. She moved us from base to base, often driving us across country on her own; managed our household; paid the bills; saw to our education and religious upbringing; and made of our itinerant childhood, an interesting, exciting time, rich with fascinating experiences.

She was and is a resilient woman, extroverted, uncomplaining, forthright and determined, who greets every challenge as an opportunity to measure one's strength of character and learn about the wider world beyond our immediate environment.

The family I was born to, and the family I am blessed with now, made me the man I am, and instilled in me a deep and abiding respect for the social institution that wields the greatest influence in the formation of our individual character and the character of our society.

I may have been raised in a time when government did not dare to assume the responsibilities of parents. But I am a father in a time when parents worry that threats to their children's well-being are proliferating and undermining the values they have worked to impart to them.

That is not to say that government should dictate to parents how to raise their children or assume from parents any part of that most personal and important responsibility. No government is capable of caring for children as attentively and wisely as the mother and father who love them.

But government must be attentive to the impact of its policies on families so that it does not through inattention or arrogance make it harder for parents to have the resources to succeed in the greatest work of their lives -- raising their children. And where government has a role to play, in education, in combating the threats to the security and happiness of children from online predators, in helping to make health care affordable and accessible to the least fortunate among us, it must do so urgently, effectively and wisely.

Tax policy must not rob parents of the means to care for their children and provide them the opportunities their parents provided them. Government spending must not be squandered on things we do not need and can't afford, and which don't address a single American's concern for their family's security.

Government can't just throw money at public education while reinforcing the failures of many of our schools, but should, through choice and competition, by rewarding good teachers and holding bad teachers accountable, help parents prepare their children for the challenges and opportunities of the global economy.

Government must be attentive to the impact on families of parents who have lost jobs in our changing economy that won't come back. Our programs for displaced workers are antiquated, repetitive and ineffective. Many were designed for a time when unemployment was seasonal or a temporary consequence of an economic downturn, not for a time when systemic changes wrought by the growing global economy have, while promising undreamt of opportunities for ourselves and many historically poor societies, have cost too many parents the jobs they had assumed would be theirs for life.

With the loss of work and the resources it provides families, come just as injurious losses to the emotional health of families. Work provides more than an income. It is a source of self-worth, pride and sense of purpose. Children learn as much from observation as instruction. The mother or father who has lost hope along with their job can unintentionally impart that hopelessness to their children. A welfare check can't give a parent a sense of purpose. And among the most important things children can inherit from their parents is a sense of purpose, and an aspiration to be part of something bigger than themselves.

My parents taught me that, and I will always be indebted to them. But like many young people, I didn't understand the lesson very well until later in life when I needed it most. As a boy, my family legacy, as fascinating as it was to me, often! felt like an imposition. I knew from a very early age that I was destined for Annapolis and a career in the Navy.

In reaction, I often rebelled in small and petty ways to what I perceived as an encroachment on my free will. I concede that I remember the unruly passions of youth, and how they governed my immature sense of honor and self-respect. As I grew older, and the challenges to my self-respect grew more varied and serious, I was surprised to discover that while my sense of honor had matured, its defense mattered even more to me than it did when it was such a vulnerable thing that any empty challenge threatened it.

Like most people, when I reflect on the adventures and joys of youth, I feel a longing for what is lost and cannot be restored. But though the happy pursuits of the young prove ephemeral, something better can endure, and endure until our last moment of life. And that is the honor we earn and the love we give when we work and sacrifice with others for! a cause greater than our self-interest.

For me that cause has long been our country. I am a lucky, lucky man to have found it, and am forever grateful to those who showed me the way. What they gave me was much more valuable and lasting than the tribute I once paid to vanity.

I am the son and grandson of admirals. My grandfather was an aviator; my father a submariner. They were my first heroes, and their respect for me has been one of the most lasting ambitions of my life.

They gave their lives to their country, and taught me lessons about honor, courage, duty, perseverance and leadership that I didn't fully grasp until later in life, but remembered when I needed them most.

I have been an imperfect servant of my country for many years. But I am their son, and they showed me how to love my country, and that has made all the difference for me, my friends, all the difference in the world.

 

 

This is one I haven't heard before. Might have to try it. Isn't it nice to know if a "skeeter" does bite you, he died with good smelling breath!!!

Mosquito spray.....

I can't wait to try this in the summer! 
 
I was at a deck party awhile back, and the bugs were having a ball biting everyone. A man at the party sprayed the lawn and deck floor with Listerine, and the little demons disappeared. 
The next year I filled a 4-ounce spray bottle and used it around my seat whenever I saw mosquitoes. And voila! That worked as well. It worked at a picnic where we sprayed the area around the food table, the children's swing area, and the standing water nearby. 
During the summer, I don't leave home without it.....Pass it on. 
------------------
OUR FRIEND'S COMMENTS:
I tried this on my deck and around all of my doors. It works - in fact, it killed them instantly. I bought my bottle from Target and it cost me $1.89. It really doesn't take much, and it is a big bottle, too; so it is not as expensive to use as the can of spray you buy that doesn't last 30 minutes. So, try this, please. It will last a couple of days. Don't spray directly on a wood door (like your front door), but spray around the frame. Spray around the window frames, and even inside the dog house

 

 

Editor’s Note:  I received this from multiple sources – Rose was the first to send it.  After researching the original source, I did indeed discover a link to the first portion of the article on the New York Sun’s website, but due to the article’s age and the way the Sun handles its archives, finding the rest of it proved fruitless.  I did not pursue it beyond this original source.  Since the article appears to have “different” endings in those received from my own sources, I will not attribute the whole article to Mr. Blackwell, but I agree that it is important enough to publish it here.  DebV

 

Rose included the following disclaimer:

 

This one can't be proven false or true as it is one man's opinion and the man is Ken Blackwell, a columnist for the New York Sun. He is also black which doesn't really shouldn't make a difference...

Original Source

Beyond Obama's Beauty

By KENNETH BLACKWELL
February 14, 2008

"[C]ivilizational war is real, even if political leaders and polite punditry must call it by another name."

— Robert D. Kaplan in the December 2001 issue of the Atlantic Monthly

It's an amazing time to be alive in America. We're in a year of firsts in this presidential election: the first viable woman candidate; the first viable African-American candidate; and, a candidate who is the first frontrunning freedom fighter over 70. The next president of America will be a first.

We won't truly be in an election of firsts, however, until we judge every candidate by where they stand. We won't arrive where we should be until we no longer talk about skin color or gender.

Now that Barack Obama steps to the front of the Democratic field, we need to stop talking about his race, and start talking about his policies and his politics.

Continued

The reality is this:  Though the Democrats will not have a nominee until August, unless Hillary Clinton drops out, Mr. Obama is now the frontrunner, and it’s time America takes a closer and deeper look at him.

    Some pundits are  calling him the next John F. Kennedy. He's not. He's the next George McGovern. And it's time people learned the facts. 

    Because the truth is, Mr. Obama is the single most liberal senator in the entire U.S. Senate. He is more liberal than Ted  Kennedy, Bernie Sanders, or Mrs. Clinton.  Never in my life have I seen a presidential frontrunner whose rhetoric is so far removed from his record. Walter Mondale promised to raise our taxes, and he lost. George McGovern promised military weakness, and he lost. Michael Dukakis promised a liberal domestic agenda, and he lost. 
    Yet Mr. Obama is promising all those things, and he's not behind in the polls. Why?
Because  the press has dealt with him as if he were in a beauty pageant. 
   Mr. Obama talks about getting past party, getting past  red and blue, to lead the United States of America. But let's look at the more defined strokes of who he is  underneath this superficial "beauty."

    Start with national security, since the president's most important duties are as commander-in-chief. Over the summer, Mr. Obama talked about invading Pakistan, a nation armed with nuclear weapons; meeting without preconditions with Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who vows to destroy Israel and create another Holocaust; and Kim Jong II, who is murdering and starving his people, but emphasized that the nuclear option was off the table against terrorists - something no president has ever taken off the table since we created nuclear weapons in the 1940s.

    Even Democrats who have worked in national security condemned all of those remarks. Mr. Obama is a foreign-policy novice who would put our national security at risk. 
    Next, consider economic policy. For all its faults, our health care system is the strongest in the world. And free trade agreements, created by Bill Clinton as well as President Bush, have made more goods more affordable so that even people of  modest means can live a life that no one imagined a generation ago. Yet Mr. Obama promises to raise taxes on "the rich."
How to fix Social Security? Raise taxes.
How to fix Medicare? Raise taxes.
Prescription drugs?  Raise taxes.
Free college? Raise taxes.
Socialize medicine? Raise taxes.
His solution to everything is to have government take it over. Big Brother on steroids, funded by your paycheck.
     
    Finally, look at the social issues. Mr. Obama had the audacity to open a stadium rally by saying,  "All praise and glory to God!" but says that Christian leaders speaking for life and marriage have "hijacked" - hijacked - Christianity.
He is pro-partial birth abortion, and promises to appoint Supreme Court justices who will rule any restriction on it unconstitutional.
He espouses the abortion views of Margaret Sanger, one of the early advocates of racial cleansing. His spiritual leaders endorse homosexual marriage, and he is moving in that direction. In Illinois, he refused to vote against a statewide ban - on all handguns in the state.

These are radical left, Hollywood, and San

Francisco values, not Middle America values. 
    The real Mr. Obama is an easy target for the general election. Mrs. Clinton is a far tougher opponent. But Mr. Obama could win if people don't start looking behind his veneer and flowery speeches. His vision of "bringing America together" means saying that those who disagree with his agenda for America are hijackers or warmongers. Uniting the country means
adopting his liberal agenda and abandoning
any conflicting beliefs. 
 

    But right now everyone  is talking about how eloquent of a speaker he is and - yes - they're talking about his race. Those should never be the factors on which we base our choice  for president. Mr. Obama's radical agenda sets him far outside the American mainstream, to the left of Mrs. Clinton. 
    It's time to talk about the real Barack Obama.
In an election of firsts, let's first make sure  we elect the person who is qualified to be our president in a nuclear age during a global civilizational war.


    According to The Book of Revelations the anti-christ is: 

The anti-christ will be a man, in his 40s, of MUSLIM descent, who will deceive the nations with persuasive language, and have a MASSIVE Christ-like appeal....the prophecy says that people will flock to him and he will promise false hope and world peace, and when he is in power, will destroy everything. Is it OBAMA?? 

    I STRONGLY URGE each one of you to repost this as many times as you can! 
Each opportunity that you have to send it to a friend or media outlet ... do it!
 
    If you think I am crazy… I’m sorry but I refuse to take a chance on the "unknown" candidate.

 

 

Yeah, let's all beware of the big bad wolf, George W. Bush. I am really going to miss my Texas cowboy. I think he has done a great job considering all the problems his administration took in the first years. The biggest problem I do believe was the beating he took by all the anti Bush haters and his lazy Republican Congress he had for 6 years. But what do I know? I am just an old woman living in a red state and consider myself a right wing conservative. They only thing I seem to get so radical about is the lies the leftist like to say about us.

The biggest argument I seem to find myself in is the war and abortion. I guess I just like feeling the troops are protecting me and if not for them would I be here to care about the economy, taxes, or any of the other issues??? I am glad my mother and I did believe in pro life. How about you?

 

Here are some statistics you might just find interesting..I'm really not sure of there validity but if they are accurate it is pretty stunning..I got this off a blog site for a survey about the democratic battle for the Whitehouse..Pass it around......

 Do you really think the Dems do better?
You think we were better off before Bush?

These are some rather eye-opening facts:
Since the start of the war on terror in Iraq and Afghanistan, the sacrifice has been enormous. In the time period from the invasion of Iraq in March 2003 through now, we have lost over 3000 military personnel to enemy action and accidents. As tragic as the loss of any member of the Armed Forces is, consider the following statistics:
The annual fatalities of military members while actively serving in the armed forces from 1980 through 2006:
1980 .......... 2,392
1981 ......... 2,380
1984 .......... 1,999
1988 .......... 1,819
1989 .......... 1,636
1990 ......... 1,508
1991 .......... 1,787
1992 .......... 1,293----------------------------------------------------
1993 ......... 1,213
1994 .......... 1,075
1995 ...........2,465
1996 ......... 2,318 8 Clinton years @13,417 deaths
1997 .......... 817
1998 ......... 2,252
1999 .......... 1,984 -------------------------------------------------
2000 .......... 1,983
2 001 ......... 890
2002 .......... 1,007 7 BUSH years @ 9,016 deaths
2003 .......... 1,410
2004 .......... 1,887
2005 ......... 919
2006.......... 920 ------------------------------------------------------------
If you are confused when you look at these figures...so was I.
Do these figures mean that the loss from the two latest conflicts in the Middle East are LESS than the loss of military personnel during Mr. Clinton's presidency; when America wasn't even involved in a war? And, I was even more confused; when I read that in 1980, during the reign of President (Nobel Peace Prize) Jimmy Carter, there were 2,392 US military fatalities!
These figures indicate that many of our Media & Politicians will pick and choose. They present only those 'facts' which support their agenda-driven reporting. Why do so many of them march in lock-step to twist the truth. Where do so many of them get their marching-orders for their agenda?
Our Mainstream Print and TV media, and many Politicians like to slant; that these brave men and women, who are losing their lives in Iraq, are mostly minorities! Wrong AGAIN--- just one more media lie!
The latest census, of Americans, shows the following distribution of American citizens, by Race:
European descent (White) ...... 69.12%
Hispanic ...................................... 12.5%
Black.............................................. 12.3%
Asian ............................................... 3.7%
Native American ......................... 1.0%
Other ............................................... 2.6%
Now... here are the fatalities by Race; over the past three years in Iraqi Freedom:
European descent (white) ..... 74.31%
Hispanic ..................................... 10.74%
Black ............................................ 9.67%
Asian .......................................... . 1.81%
Native American ......................... 1.09%
Other .............................................. . 33%

Like i said eye opening huh???

 

 

This is the financial ranking of all the different countries in the world from the CIA. Interesting! A negative sign means the amount of debt the country has.
 Congratulations! You are a citizen of the most indebted nation in the world!
 

Source: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2187rank.html  

 

 

 

Based on using the actual tax tables (see link below), here are some examples on what the taxes were/are on various amounts of income for both singles and married couples. So let's see if the Bush tax cuts only helped the rich.... 

www.taxfoundation.org/publications/show/151.html 

Taxes under Clinton 1999                 Taxes under Bush 2008

Single making 30K - tax $8,400           Single making 30K - tax $4,500

Single making 50K - tax $14,000         Single making 50K - tax $12,500

Single making 75K - tax $23,250         Single making 75K - tax $18,750

Married making 60K - tax $16,800       Married making 60K- tax $9,000

Married making 75K - tax $21,000       Married making 75K - tax $18,750

Married making 125K - tax $38,750     Married making 125K - tax $31,250  

If you want to know just how effective the mainstream media is, it is amazing how many people that fall into the categories above think Bush is screwing them and Bill Clinton was the greatest President ever.  If any democrat is elected, ALL of them say they will repeal the Bush tax cuts and a good portion of the people that fall into the categories above can't wait for it to happen.  This is like the movie The Sting with Paul Newman; you scam somebody out of some money and they don't even know what happened.

 

This is our granddaughter, Katie. She won the American Legion Essay Award at her school for writing about the American flag. The American Legion offers this to one girl and one boy in the fourth grade in each of the county schools. Then the winners are picked to be the county winner and I think it goes up to the national level and then that winner receives a savings bond. Right now Katie is just very happy to win at her school.   She's smart, she's talented and she's pretty. I think she got the best chromosomes of every one on both sides of her family!!! But what I love most about her is the way she says " I love you, Grandma" followed by a sweet hug and kiss!!!

 

JUST LIKE A MARINE - Semper Fidelis 


As I came out of the supermarket that sunny day, pushing my cart of groceries towards my car, I saw an old man with the hood of his car up and a lady sitting inside the car, with the door open. The old man was looking at the engine. I put my groceries away in my car and continued to watch the old gentleman from about twenty-five feet away. I saw a young man in his early twenties with a grocery bag in his arm, walking towards the old man. The old gentleman saw him coming too and took a few steps towards him. I saw the old gentleman point to his open hood and say something. The young man put his grocery bag into what looked like a brand new Cadillac Escalade and then turn back to the old man and I heard him yell at the old gentleman saying, "You shouldn't even be allowed to drive a car at your age." And then with a wave of his hand, he got in his car and peeled rubber out of the parking lot.
 
I saw the old gentleman pull out his handkerchief and mop his brow as he went back to his car and again looked at the engine. He then went to his wife and spoke with her and appeared to tell her it would be okay. I had seen enough and I approached the old man. He saw me coming and stood straight and as I got near him I said, "Looks like you're having a problem." He smiled sheepishly and quietly nodded his head. I looked under the hood myself and knew that whatever the problem was, it was beyond me. Looking around I saw a gas station up the road and told the old gentleman that I would be right back. I drove to the station and went inside and saw three attendants working on cars. I approached one of them and related the problem the old man had with his car and offered to pay them if they could follow me back down and help him. The old man had pushed the heavy car under the shade of a tree and appeared to be comforting his wife. When he saw us he straightened up and thanked me for my help. As the mechanics diagnosed the problem (overheated engine) I spoke with the old gentleman. When I shook hands with him earlier he had noticed my Marine Corps ring and had commented about it, telling me that he had been a Marine too. I nodded and asked the usual question, "What outfit did you serve with?" He had mentioned that he served with the first Marine Division at Tarawa, Saipan, Iwo Jima and Guadalcanal.  He had hit all the big ones and retired from the Corps after the war was over.
  
As we talked we heard the car engine come on and saw the mechanics lower the hood. They came over to us as the old man reached for his wallet, but was stopped by me and I told him I would just put the bill on my AAA card. He still reached for the wallet and handed me a card that I assumed had his name and address on it and I stuck it in my pocket. We all shook hands all around again and I said my goodbye's to his wife. I then told the two mechanics that I would follow them back up to the station. Once at the station I told them that they had interrupted their own jobs to come along with me and help the old man. I said I wanted to pay for the help, but they refused to charge me. One of them pulled out a card from his pocket looking exactly like the card the old man had given to me. Both of the men told me then, that they were Marine Corps Reservist. Once again we shook hands all around and as I was leaving, one of them told me I should look at the card the old man had given to me and I said I would and drove off. For some reason I had gone about two blocks when I pulled over and took the card out of my pocket and looked at it for a long, long, time. The name of the old gentleman was on the card in golden leaf and under his name......... "Congressional Medal of Honor Society."
 
I sat there motionless looking at the card and reading it over and over.  I looked up from the card and smiled to no one but myself and marveled that on this day, four Marines had all come together, because one of us needed help. He was an old man alright, but it felt good to have stood next to greatness and courage and an honor to have been in his presence.
 
America is not at war. The U.S. Military is at war. America is at the Mall.
 
Semper Fi

 

 

Let it be known I have NO problem with ANYONE believing in Christ, as I do. Community is important because you worship there or live there and you want the best for yourself and friends and family. As for heritage (culture), church heritage, yes, I want to know the history of my church. As for the heritage of the membership that doesn't matter to me. Sometimes it is interesting. Like our son-in-law, Carlos was born in Cuba. His mother has told me some history of before and after Castro. It is interesting but did not determine what feelings I have for the Garcia family. The other two guys have more of a German background. As for our daughters, there is so many different bloodlines, I just call them mutts. Sorry ladies!!! Their strongest bloodline, one fourth, would be Italian. Also some German. So are they descendants of Mussolini and Hitler? Only their dad is when I am angry with him!!! Your parents gave you a birthright. Use it wisely.

Rose

 

Also why is the CCC okay but not the KKK......oh just joking!!! No one should like hate and  violence. Well unless it is a Clint Eastwood movie!!!

When our youngest daughter was in kindergarten, I helped the teacher with a fund raiser to try to raise money for her to get a carpet in her room and we succeeded. I named it the Kindergarten Karpet Kaper. I was not allowed to use the abbreviation even then in 1978. My true belief is to worship where you are comfortable and the church that believes most like you do. Same as electing politicians. Vote for the candidate that believes in things the most like you do, if you can find one in this upcoming election or as I like to say

2008 ****** The Run For The Outhouse.

I have friends that are white, friends that are black and friends that are Spanish and I would not trade any of them for anything. They are my friends because of who and they are, not because if the color of their skin or their heritage.

 

Obama’s Church:

 

Obama mentioned his church during his appearance with Oprah.  It's the Trinity Church of Christ.  I found this interesting.

 Please read and go to this church's website and read what is written there. It is very alarming.
 Barack Obama is a member of this church and is running for President of the U.S. If you look at the first page of their website, you will learn that this congregation has a non-negotiable commitment to! Africa. Nowhere is AMERICA even mentioned. Notice too, what color you will need to be if you should want to join Obama's church... B-L-A-C-K!!! Doesn't look like his choice of religion has improved much over his (former?) Muslim upbringing. 
Are you aware that Obama's middle name is Mohammed? Strip away his nice looks, the big smile and smooth talk and what do you get? Certainly a racist, as plainly defined by the stated position of his church! And possibly a covert worshiper of the Muslim faith, even today. This guy desires to rule over America while his loyalty is totally vested in a Black Africa!
I cannot believe this has not been all over the TV and newspapers. This is why it is so important to pass this message along to all of our family & friends. To think that Obama has even the slightest chance in the run for the presidency, is really scary.
 Click on the link below:
 This is the web page for the church Barack Obama belongs to: 

http://www.tucc.org/about.htm  

 

On the church's web site in their magazine there is an article glorifying Louis Farrakan which enforces my concern about Obama's Muslim ties.

 

 

 

Don't forget to remember and honor our troops fighting the war for us at Christmas and every day.

 Perhaps someday it will come to light how many other attempts there were before and after 9-11 to attack this country. It didn't start with President Bush. Have people forgotten the Clinton disasters??? He had chances to catch Bin Laden. Certain people of certain agencies need to spill the beans. So many of them know truths and honor their jobs and will never talk, which I respect. At this point it would just be an accusation of someone trying to smear Hillary or the Democrats.

 Anyone running for office that says the troops have to come home and we have to get out and stay out of other countries, scares me. Did they not learn from history????

 Actually, I think if George H.W. Bush had stayed in Iraq longer and went after Saddam back in the early 90's, we might not have had a 9-11. I also can't believe people don't realize those WMD  could be hidden in tunnels in the sand or Saddam had plenty of time to get rid of them, thank you United Nations. Don't people remember the pictures of the semi trucks? I think Colin Powell was not as smart as people think. He wanted out of the Gulf War too early. Schwarzkopf should have been listened to. There have always been war protestors. We used to lock them up for treason. Now why in the hell did we quit doing that?????

 My husband says I am a war monger. OOO-RAH. He says with pride, that is not a bad thing. Sally Field can stand up before the people who watch the Emmys and shout and nearly cry all she wants, but she forgot about the mothers that had a fallen child from war and proudly buried their child or children. Those are the mothers that DO rule the world.

 I don't think I am a war monger. I do think I am smart enough to realize freedom comes at a cost. Sometimes the cost is someone's death. That I honor as I honor anyone that has a job that protects me, soldiers, policemen. firefighters, special government agencies, etc.

 I also believe in Jesus Christ. I believe His hand is in all that happens and sometimes we just don't know why yet, if ever.

 Be thankful and kind. Have a Merry Christmas readers and a great New Year.

 Deb, I am so happy your site is back. You are someone who gives us a chance to air our feelings and opinions as humble as they might be. Thank you.

                                                      Little Fish

 

 

 

Our friend, a retired Marine sent this. Might have to read this on Christmas Eve!!!

 If my printer were working I would need to copy this and send it out next Christmas instead of cards!!! Well come to think of it, to those I don't send cards to, consider this your card and Sam and I say

               

          Merry Christmas

                 

      OOO-RAH

 

To: ALL Marines 

From: Goode, U. B., Commanding Officer

Reference: Operation Order 12-15-07 for: Official Visit of Lieutenant General Santa Claus

1. An official staff visit by Lieutenant General Claus is expected at your house on 25 December. The following directives govern activities of all Marines, during the visit.

a. Not a creature will stir without permission. This includes warrant officers and mice. Marines may obtain special stirring permits for necessary administrative action through the Battalion S-1. Officer stirring permits must be obtained through the Deputy, Post Plans and Policy Office.

b. All personnel will settle their brains for a long winter nap NLT 2200, 24 December. Uniform for the nap will be: Pajamas, Cotton, Light Weight, General Purpose, OG, and Cap, Utility woodland pattern, with e ar flaps in the extended position. Equipment will be drawn from the supply room prior to 2130. While at supply, all personnel will review their personal hand receipts and sign a Cash Collection Voucher, DD Form 1131, for all missing items. Remember, this is the "season of giving."

c. Personnel will utilize standard "MRE" ration sugar plums for visions to dance through their heads. Sugarplums are available in "MRE" ration sundry packs and should be eaten with egg loaf, chopped ham, and spice cake to ensure maximum visions are experienced.

d. Stockings, Wool, Cushion Sole, will be hung by the chimneys with care. Necessary safety precautions will be taken to avoid fires caused by carelessly hung stockings. First Sergeants will submit stocking handling plans to S-3, Training prior to 0800, 24 December. All Gunnery  Sergeants will ensure their subordinate personnel are briefed on the safety aspects of stocking hanging.

e. At first [sign] of clatter, all personnel will spring from their racks to investigate and evaluate the cause. Immediate action will be taken to tear open the shutters and throw up the window sashes. On order OPLAN 7-2006 (North Pole), paragraph 6-8 (c)(3), dated 4 March, this office, takes effect to facilitate shutter tearing and sash throwing. Staff Noncommissioned Offices and Noncommissioned Officers will be familiar with procedures and are responsible for seeing that no shutters are torn or sashes thrown in house prior to the start of official clatter.

f. Prior to 0001, date of visit, all personnel possessing Standard Target Acquisition and Night Observation (STANO) equipment will be assigned "wandering eyeball" stations. The Company Gunnery Sergeants will ensure that these stations are adequately manned even after shutters are torn and sashes are thrown.

g. The Battalion S-4, in coordination with the Nationa l Security Agency and the Motor Pool will assign on each Sleigh, Miniature, M-24 and eight reindeer, tiny, for use by Lieutenant General Claus. The assigned driver must have a current sleigh operator's license with roof top permit and evidence of attendance at the winter driving class stamped on his DA Form 348. Driver must also be able to clearly shout "On Dancer, On Dasher, etc."

2. Lieutenant General Claus will initially enter house through the Company Office.

a. All houses without chimneys will draw Chimney Simulator, M6A2 for use during the visit. Draw chimney simulator on DA Form 2765-1, which will be submitted in four copies to the S-4 prior to 23 December. Personnel will ensure that chimneys are properly cleaned before turn-in at the conclusion of visit.

3. All Staff Noncommissioned Offices and Noncommissioned Officers will be rehearsed in the shouting of "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year" or "Merry Christmas To All and To All a Good Night." This shout will be given upon termination of the visit. Uniformity of shouting is the responsibility of each Company Gunnery Sergeant.

Semper Fidelis,
GOODE, U. B.,
Commanding Officer

 

 

Tidbit of Knowledge

There is one Christmas Carol that has always baffled me.  What in the world do leaping lords, French hens, swimming swans, and especially the partridge who won't come out
of the pear tree have to do with Christmas?

Today, I found out.

From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics.  It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality, which the children could remember.

-The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.

-Two turtledoves were the Old and New Testaments.

-Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.

-The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.

-The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.

-The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.

-Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit--Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.

-The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.

-Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit--Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.

-The ten lords a-leaping were the Ten Commandments.

-The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.

-The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.

So there is your history for today. This knowledge was shared with me and I found it interesting and enlightening and now I know how that strange song became a Christmas Carol...so pass it on if you wish."

Merry (Twelve Days of) Christmas Everyone.....


 

Support them, honor them, love them and for the sake of God and this Country do not vote for anyone who does less.

Please do not say I don't believe in the war but I support the troops. Hello, no decent American believes in war but if you believe in freedom and support the soldier then realize the war is real and it is his/her job to fight to preserve that freedom.

While I am on a tear, President Bush, yes, went to Congress and most of them voted for us to be in the war. Now it is so easy for those that voted yea, and want to be the next president to scream no more war. For those that are running and didn't get a chance or didn't vote for it, ask yourself and what would they do when terrorist or the animals connected to the people who killed our citizens on 9-11 and before, do to protect us?

Little Fish

 

 

 

Holiday Eating Tips

1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls.

2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. Like fine single-malt scotch, it's rare. In fact, it's even rarer than single-malt scotch. You can't find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an eggnog-alcoholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!

3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy . Eat the volcano. Repeat

4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.

5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Christmas party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello?

6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.

7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like Frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you're never going to see them again.

8. Same for pies. Apple. Pumpkin. Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?

9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards.

10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention. Re-read tips; start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner.

Remember this motto to live by:

"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, martini in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!"

Have a great holiday season!!

 

 

If this becomes true. Bye bye retirement funds!

Read the last paragraph even if you skip the rest ~ this woman is a nut case!

House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi, wants to put a Windfall Tax on all stock market profits (including Retirement funds), 401Ks and Mutual Funds - all to help the 12 million illegal immigrants and other unemployed minorities!

Nancy Pelosi condemned the new record highs of the stock market as "just another example of Bush policies helping the rich get richer. First Bush cut taxes for the rich and the economy has rebounded with new record low unemployment rates, which only means wealthy employers are getting even wealthier at the expense of the underpaid working class"

She went on to say "Despite the billions of dollars being spent in Iraq our economy is still strong and government tax revenues are at all time highs. What this really means is that business is exploiting the war effort and working Americans, just to put money in their own pockets."

When questioned about recent stock market highs she responded "Only the rich benefit from these record highs. Working Americans, welfare recipients, the unemployed and minorities are not sharing in these obscene record highs.  There is no question these windfall profits and income created by the Bush administration need to be taxed at 100% rate and those dollars redistributed to the poor and working class. Profits from the stock market do not reward the hard work of our working class who, by their hard work, are responsible for generating these corporate profits that create stock market profits for the rich. We in congress will need to address this issue to either tax these profits or to control the stock market to prevent this unearned income to flow to the rich"

When asked about the fact that over 80% of all Americans have investments in mutual funds, retirement funds, 401Ks, and the stock market she replied, "That may be true, but probably only 5% account for 90% of all these investment dollars. That's just more "trickle down" economics claiming that if a corporation is successful that everyone from the CEO to the floor sweeper benefit from higher wages and job security which is ridiculous. How much of this 'trickle down' ever gets to the unemployed and minorities in our county?  None, and that's the tragedy of these stock market highs."

"We democrats are going to address this issue after the election when we take control of the congress. We will return to the 60% to 80% tax rates on the rich and we will be able to take at least 30% of all current lower income taxpayers off the rolls and increase government income substantially. We need to work toward the goal of equalizing income in our country and at the same time limiting the amount the rich can invest."

When asked how these new tax dollars would be spent, she replied: "We need to raise the standard of living of our poor, unemployed and minorities.  For example, we have an estimated 12 million illegal immigrants in our country who need our help along with millions of unemployed minorities. Stock market windfall profits taxes could go a long ways to guarantee these people the standard of living they would like to have as 'Americans.'"

 

 

Letter from Jesus about Christmas -- 
 
   Dear Children, 
 
   It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season. Maybe you've forgotten that I wasn't actually born during this time of the year and that it was some of your predecessors who decided to celebrate My birthday on what was actually a time of pagan festival. Although I do appreciate being remembered anytime. 
 
  How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER. 

  Now, having said that let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town. 

  Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15: 1 - 8. 

  If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list. Choose something from it: 

   1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time. 


   2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them. 
 
   3. Instead of writing George complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up. It will be nice hearing from you again. 

   4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them. 

  5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her. 

  6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless?  Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference. 

  7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families 

 

   8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary--especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name. 
 
   9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity, which believes in Me, and they will make the delivery for you. 

 

  10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of Mine. 
 
   Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the 
list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and remember : 

  I LOVE YOU,

    JESUS

 

 

 

This is American ingenuity and enterprise at work. ..Snopes confirms (http://www.snopes.com/politics/crime/arpaio.asp)

 

 

Maricopa County was spending approx. $18 million dollars a year on stray animals, like cats and dogs. Sheriff Joe offered to take the department over, and the County Supervisors said okay. The animal shelters are now all staffed and operated by prisoners.  They feed and care for the strays.  Every animal in his care is taken out and walked twice daily.  He now has prisoners who are experts in animal nutrition and behavior.  They give great classes for anyone who'd like to adopt an animal.  He has literally taken stray dogs off the street, given them to the care of prisoners, and had them place in dog shows. The best part?  His budget for the entire department is now under $3 million. 

  
The prisoners get the benefit of about $0.28 an hour for working, but most would work for free, just to be out of their cells for the day.  Most of his budget is for utilities, building maintenance, etc.  He pays the prisoners out of the fees collected for adopted animals. 

  
I have long wondered when the rest of the country would take a look at the way he runs the jail system, and copy some of his ideas. He has a huge farm, donated to the county years ago, where inmates can work, and they grow most of their own fresh vegetables and food, doing all the work and harvesting by hand.  He has a pretty good sized hog farm, which provides meat, and fertilizer.  It fertilizes the Christmas tree nursery, where prisoners work, and you can buy a living Christmas tree for $6-$8 for the Holidays, and plant it later.  We have six trees in our yard from the Prison. 

  
Yup, he was reelected last year with 83% of the vote. Now he's in trouble with the ACLU again.  He painted all his buses and vehicles with a mural, that has a special hotline phone number painted on it, where you can call and report suspected illegal aliens. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement wasn't doing enough in his eyes, so he had 40 deputies trained specifically for enforcing immigration laws, started up his hotline, and bought 4 new buses just for hauling folks back to the border.   

 

He's of a "Git-R Dun" kind of Sheriff. 

Update on Joe Arpaio 

TO THOSE OF YOU NOT FAMILIAR WITH JOE ARPAIO, HE IS ARIZONA'S MARICOPA COUNTY SHERIFF, AND HE KEEPS GETTING ELECTED OVER AND OVER. HERE'S ONE OF THE REASONS WHY: 
Sheriff Joe Arpaio, created the "Tent City Jail".   


He has jail meals down to 40 cents a serving and charges the inmates for them. 

He stopped smoking and porno magazines in the jails. Took away their weights, cut off all but "G" movies. 

He started chain gangs so the inmates could do free work on county and city projects. 

Then he started, "Chain Gangs For Women", so he wouldn't get sued for Discrimination. 

He took away cable TV until he found out there was a Federal Court Order that required cable TV for Jails, so he hooked up the Cable TV again , only allowing The Disney Channel and The Weather Channel.
When asked why the weather channel, he replied, "So  they will know how hot it's going to be while they are working on my chain gangs.


He cut off coffee since it has Zero Nutritional Value. 

     
When the inmates complained, he told them, "This Isn't The Ritz/Carlton If You Don't Like It, Don't Come Back." 

He bought Newt Gingrich's lecture series on videotape that he pipes into the jail cells. When asked by a reporter if he had any lecture series by a Democrat, he replied that a democratic lecture series might explain why a lot of the inmates were in his jails in the first place. 
 

More On The Arizona Sheriff: 

With temperatures being even hotter than usual in Phoenix, (116 Degrees just set a new record), the Associated Press Reports: "About 2,000 inmates living in a barbed-wire-surrounded tent encampment at the Maricopa County Jail were given permission to strip down to their government-issued PINK BOXERS.

    
On Wednesday, hundreds of men wearing boxers were either curled up on their bunk beds or chatted in the tents, which reached 138 Degrees inside the week before. Many Were Also Swathed In Wet, Pink Towels As Sweat Collected On Their Chests And Dripped Down To Their PINK SOCKS. 

"It feels like we are in a furnace," said James Zanzot, an inmate who has lived in the TENTS for 1 year. "It's Inhumane." 

Joe Arpaio, the tough-guy Sheriff who created the tent city and long ago started making his prisoners wear pink, and eat bologna sandwiches, is not one bit sympathetic. He said Wednesday that he told all of the inmates: "It's 120 Degrees In Iraq And Our Soldiers Are Living In Tents Too, And They Have To Wear Full Battle Gear, But They Didn't Commit Any Crimes, So Shut Your Damned Mouths!" 

Way To Go, Sheriff! 
Maybe if all prisons were like this one there would be a lot less crime and/or repeat offenders. Criminals should be punished for their crimes - not live in luxury until it's time for their parole, only to go out and commit another crime so they can get back in to live on taxpayers money and enjoy things taxpayers can't afford to have for themselves. 

 

 

 

You could have heard a pin drop!


When in England at a fairly large conference, Colin Powell was asked by the Archbishop of Canterbury if our plans for Iraq were just an example of empire building' by George Bush.  He answered by saying, "Over the years, the United States has sent many of its fine young men and women into great peril to fight for freedom beyond our borders. The only amount of land we have ever asked for in return is enough to bury those that did not return."

It became very quiet in the room.

Then there was a conference in France where a number of international engineers were taking part, including French and American. During a break one of the French engineers came back into the room saying "Have you heard the latest dumb stunt Bush has done? He has sent an aircraft carrier to Indonesia to help the tsunami victims. What does he intended to do, bomb them?"

A Boeing engineer stood up and replied quietly: "Our carriers have three hospitals on board that can treat several hundred people; they are nuclear powered and can supply emergency electrical power to shore facilities; they have three cafeterias with the capacity to feed 3,000 people three meals a day, they can produce several thousand gallons of fresh water from sea water each day, and they carry half a dozen helicopters for use in transporting victims and injured to and from their flight deck.. We have eleven such ships; how many does France have?"

Once again, dead silence.

A U.S. Navy Admiral was attending a naval conference that included Admirals from the U.S., English, Canadian, Australian and French Navies. At a cocktail reception, he found himself standing with a large group of Officers that included personnel from most of those countries. Everyone was chatting away in English as they sipped their drinks but a French admiral suddenly

complained that, 'whereas Europeans learn many languages, Americans learn only English.' He then asked, 'Why is it that we always have to speak English in these conferences rather than speaking French?' Without hesitating, the American Admiral replied 'Maybe it's because the Brits, Canadians, Aussies and Americans arranged it so you wouldn't have to speak German.'

You could have heard a pin drop.

 

 

SAD, BUT TRUE!! YOU AND I ARE PAYING FOR THIS!! A conversation between a Customer and Bank of America bank:

 

The Bank: Bank of America , can I help you?

 

Customer: Yes, I want to cancel my account. I don't want to do business with you any longer.

 

The Bank: Why?

 

Customer: You're giving credit to illegal immigrants and I don't think it's right. I'm taking my business elsewhere.

 

The Bank: Well, Mr. Customer, we don't want to see you do that, but we can't stop you. I'll help you close the account. What is your account number?

 

Customer: (gives account number)

 

The Bank: For security purposes and for your protection, can you please give me the last four digits of your social security number?

 

Customer: No.

 

The Bank: Mr. Customer, I need to verify your information, but in order to help you, I'll need verification of who you are.

 

Customer: Why should I give you my social security number? The reason I'm closing my account is that your bank is issuing credit cards to illegal immigrants who don't have social security numbers. You are targeting that audience and want their business. Let's say I'm an illegal immigrant and you've given me a credit card. I have a question about it and call for assistance. You wouldn't be asking me for a Social Security number, would you?

 

The Bank: No sir, I wouldn't.

 

Customer: Why not?

 

The Bank: Because you would have pressed '2' to speak in Spanish. We don't ask for that information when calling in on the Spanish line.

 

I provided "snopes" for doubters:

http://www.snopes.com/politics/immigration/bankofamerica.asp

 

 

 

An elderly woman had just returned to her home from an evening of church services, when she was startled by an intruder.  She caught the man in the act of robbing her home of its valuables
and yelled: "Stop! Acts 2:38!"  (Repent and be Baptized, in the name of Jesus Christ, so that your
sins may be forgiven.)


The burglar stopped in his tracks.

The woman calmly called the police and explained what she had done.

As the officer cuffed the man to take him in, he asked the burglar:
"Why did you just stand there?  All the old lady did was yell a scripture to you."

"Scripture?" replied the burglar. "She said she had an Ax and Two 38s!"

Send this to someone who needs a laugh today and remember: Knowing scripture can save your
life - in more ways than one!

 

 

This morning, I was in a huge hurry and on my way to work. I was preoccupied with what my day held and I rear-ended a car at a stop light because I was not really paying attention. I had hot coffee in my lap and I was running late.

"Great, just great", I moaned.

The driver opened his door, leaned out of his car and stared at me. He was a dwarf. He got out, studied the damage on his bumper, and walked towards me as I rolled down my window.

He said, "I am not happy."

To which I replied, "Well..... which one are you then?"

 

A veteran - whether active duty, retired, National Guard or reserve, is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to "The United States of America," for an amount of "up to and including my life."

 

 

 

If memory serves me right, this agenda is pretty much the same as 2004. One thing about it, you can always depend on a democrat, to screw up that is.      

The scary part is the Republicans are ALMOST starting to act like them.

Anybody want tickets????

Little Fish

 

2008 Democratic Convention Schedule

7:00 P.M. Opening flag burning.

7:15 P.M. Pledge of allegiance to U.N.

7:30 P.M. Ted Kennedy proposes a toast

7:30 till 8:00 P.M. Nonreligious prayer and worship. Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton.

8:00 P.M. Ted Kennedy proposes a toast.

8:05 P.M. Ceremonial tree hugging. 

8:15- 8:30 P.M. Gay Wedding-- Barney Frank presiding.

8:30 P.M. Ted Kennedy proposes a toast.

8:35 P.M. Honoring Saddam Rally. - Cindy Sheehan -- Susan Sarandon.

9:00 P.M .Keynote speech. The proper etiquette for surrender - French President Jacques Chirac

9:15 P.M. Ted Kennedy proposes a toast.

9:20 P.M. Collection to benefit Osama Bin Laden kidney transplant fund

9:30 P.M. Unveiling of plan to free freedom fighters from Guantanamo Bay. - Sean Penn

9:40 P.M. Why I hate the Military, A short talk by William Jefferson Clinton

9:45 P.M. Ted Kennedy proposes a toast

9:50 P.M. Dan Rather presented Truth in Broadcasting award, presented by Michael Moore

9:55 P.M. Ted Kennedy proposes a toast

10:00 P.M. How George Bush and Donald Rumsfeld brought down the World Trade Center Towers - by Howard Dean and Rosie O'Donnell

10:30 P.M. Nomination of Hillary Rodham Clinton by Mahmud Ahnadinejad

11:00 P.M. Ted Kennedy proposes a toast

11:05 P.M. Al Gore reinvents Internet

11:15 P.M. Our Troops are War criminals - John Kerry

11:30 P.M. Coronation of Mrs. Hillary Rodham Clinton

12:00 A.M. Ted Kennedy proposes a toast

12:05 A.M. Bill asks Ted to drive Hillary home

 

I don't know if this is a chain letter hoax or not. I didn't bother to check it out as I think it might be a good idea to do. I don't know if we all have to pray at the same time, that sounds like a hoax to me but I do think we all should be praying if we like our lives as they are because I fear trouble is right around the corner. So do as you like. 

                                                                          Little Fish

Actually, we should be praying every day anyway for strength. thankfulness and all things good and/or bad. If you don't already know it, I am here to tell you God does listen.

 

 Someone has said if Christians really understood the full extent of the power we have available through prayer, we might be speechless. Did you know that during World War II there was an advisor to Churchill who organized a group of people who dropped what they were doing every day at a prescribed hour for one minute to collectively pray for the safety of England, its people and peace?

There is now a group of people organizing the same thing here in America. If you would like to participate: Every evening at 9:00 pm Eastern Time (8:00 PM Central) (7:00 PM Mountain) (6:00 PM Pacific), stop whatever you are doing and spend one minute praying for the safety of the United States , our troops, our citizens, and for a return to a Godly nation. If you know anyone else who would like to participate, please pass this along.

Our prayers are the most powerful assets we have.

 

Rose’s Funnies

 

Heard this on a T.V. show ;

 

 If you always do what you've always done, then you will always get what you have got.

 

 

HOW TO SAVE THE AIRLINES

Dump the male flight attendants. No one wanted them in the first place. Replace all the female flight attendants with good-looking strippers! What the hell -- They don't even serve food anymore, so what's the loss? The strippers would at least triple the alcohol sales and get a "party atmosphere" going in the cabin.

And, of course, every businessman in this country would start flying again, hoping to see naked women. Because of the tips, female flight attendants wouldn't need a salary, thus saving even more money. I suspect tips would be so good that we could charge the women for working the plane and have them kick back 20% of the tips, including lap dances and "special services."

Muslims would be afraid to get on the planes for fear of seeing naked women.  Hijackings would come to a screeching halt, and the airline industry would see record revenues. This is definitely a win-win situation if we handle it right a golden opportunity to turn a liability into an asset.

Why didn't Bush think of this? Why do I still have to do everything myself?

Sincerely,
Bill Clinton

 

 

Little Tony was staying with his Grandmother for a few days.  He'd been playing outside with the other kids for a while when he came into the house and asked her, "Grandma, what's that called when 2 people sleep in the same room and one is on top of the other?"

She was a little taken back, but she decided to just tell him the truth. "It's called sexual intercourse, darling"

Little Tony just said, "Oh, OK," and went back outside to play with the other kids.

A few minutes later he came back in and said angrily, "Grandma, it isn't called sexual
intercourse. It's called bunk beds. And Jimmy's mom wants to talk to you."

 

 

I was just thinking:

 

I know that the two government bodies may have different agendas but they are equally important in their own way. Considering that our congress has not accomplished squat since they have been in session, and the Iraq congress has apparently decide to shorten their recess to one month, why is it OK for our congress to take a 5-week recess while they criticize the Iraq congress? (talk about your run on sentences!)

 

Point No. 2

For those of you that think we are making a mountain out of a mole hill about immigration and our borders;

 

If you think it is not important to control and limit immigration at our borders maybe you should get the opinion on that matter from the American Indians. I am sure they have rethought that issue many times in the last 400 years!

 

Just a thought

Sam (Little Fish's humble husband)

 

 

BIRD FEEDER

Author Unknown

 

I bought a bird feeder. I hung it on my back porch and filled it with seed. Within a week we had hundreds of birds taking advantage of the continuous flow of free and easily accessible food. But then the birds started building nests in the boards of the patio, above the table, and next to the barbecue. Then came the poop. It was everywhere: on the patio tile, the chairs, the table... everywhere. Then some of the birds turned mean: They would dive bomb me and try to peck me even though I had fed them out of my own pocket. And others birds were boisterous and loud: They sat on the feeder and squawked and screamed at all hours of the day and night and demanded that I fill it when it got low on food.

 

After a while, I couldn't even sit on my own back porch anymore. I took down the bird feeder and in three days the birds were gone. I cleaned up their mess and took down the many nests they had built all over the patio.

 

Soon, the back yard was like it used to be... quiet, serene and no one demanding their rights to a free meal.

 

Now let's see... our government gives out free food, subsidized housing, free medical care, free education and allows anyone born here to be an automatic citizen. Then the illegal came by the tens of thousands. Suddenly our taxes went up to pay for free services; small apartments are housing 5 families: you have to wait 6 hours to be seen by an emergency room doctor: your child's 2nd grade class is behind other schools because over half the class doesn't speak English: Corn Flakes now come in a bilingual box; I have to press "one" to hear my bank talk to me in English, and people waving flags other than "Old Glory" are squawking and screaming in the streets, demanding more rights and free liberties. Maybe it's time for the government to take down the bird feeder

 

 

Okay family and friends, I have had it. I admit I am not politically correct about many things, blame my mom, if you dare.

 But I am here to make a statement, ask a question and need and want your answer. I would get me a blog but don't know how. Here goes...........

 I AM A HETEROSEXUAL FEMALE. I LIKE SEX WITH MEN, O0PS MAN, MY MAN SAM.WE ARE MARRIED IN THE EYES AND LAW OF THE STATE OF INDIANA AND IN THE EYES OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND MOST IMPORTANT IN THE EYES OF GOD. THERE I SAID IT.

 Now do you think I should go on Fox News or the newspapers or the radio and tell everyone? Now you know my sexual preference. Should everyone?

 You see Coach Dungy of the Indianapolis Colt's said to a group discussing family values he believed in God and a marriage, according to the Bible is a marriage between a man and a woman and a whole bunch of people are up in arms about it. He is not supposed to say that Huh? Why?

 If homosexuals want the right to say they are homosexual and want all these other rights, marriage, state recognition, etc. then WHY CAN'T I SAY I AM HETEROSEXUAL AND THAT IS MY BELIEF? ALSO DID I MENTION I AM WHITE AND A BORN UNITED STATES CITIZEN? My parents blood lines come from so many different countries, I just refer to myself as an American Mongrel.

 I await your reply with bated breath.

 

 

(Following is the winning entry from an annual contest calling for the most appropriate definition of a contemporary term.) This year's term: Political Correctness - a doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical liberal minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end.

 

E-mail from Afghanistan by a US Army Captain John Hunt

Hi everyone. 

I'm still alive but freezing my tail off.  We got 8 inches of snow last week and it reached 5 degrees below zero that night.  That's not why I'm e-mailing though. 

You may have heard about a suicide car bomb attack in Kabul last Thursday.  It was at one of our FOB's (Forward Observation Bases) about 27 miles from here.  But the real story is why no one was killed. 

We employ several thousand Afghans on our various bases.  Not to mention the economy that is fed by the money these locals are making.  Some are laborers and builders, but some are skilled workers.  We even have one Afghan that just became OSHA qualified, the first ever.  Some are skilled HVAC workers. 

Anyway, there is this one Afghan that we call Rambo.  We have actually given him a couple of sets of the new ACU uniforms (the new Army digital camouflage) with the name tag RAMBO on it.  His entire family was killed by the Taliban and his home was where our base currently resides.  So this guy really had nowhere else to go. 

He has reached such a level of trust with US Forces that his job is to stand at the front gate and basically be the first security screening.  Since he can't have a weapon, he found a big red pipe.  So he stands there at the front gate in his US Army ACU uniform with his red pipe. If a vehicle approaches the gate too fast or fails to stop he slams his pipe down on their hood.  Then once the gate is lifted the vehicle moves on the 2nd gate where the US Army MP's are.  So he's like the first line of defense. 

Last Thursday at 0930 hrs a Toyota Corolla packed with explosives and some Jack Ass that thinks he has 72 Virgins waiting for him approached the gate.  When he saw Rambo he must have recognized him and known the gig was up.  But he needed to get to that 2nd gate to detonate and take American lives.  So he slams his foot on the gas which almost causes the metal gate to go up but mostly catches on the now broken windshield. 

Rambo fearlessly ran to the vehicle, reached thru the window and jerked the suicide bomber out of the vehicle before he could detonate and commenced to putting some red pipe to his heathen ass. He detained the guy until the MP got there.  The vehicle only exploded when they tried to push it off base with a robot but know one was hurt. 

I'm still waiting for someone to give this guy a medal or something.  Nothing less than instant US citizenship or something. 
A hat was passed around and a lot of money was given to him in thanks by both soldiers and civilians that are working over here. 

I guess I just wanted to share this because I want people to know that it's working over here.  They have tasted freedom.  This makes it worth it to me.

JOHN W. HUNT, CPT, US ARMY

 

 

Tampons to the rescue in Iraq!! Don't worry, it's a good story - and worth reading - it's even humorous in parts. It's from the mother of a Marine in Iraq.

    My son told me how wonderful the care packages we had sent them were and wanted me to tell everyone thank you.  He said that one guy we'll call
Marine X, got a girl care package and everyone was giving him a hard time.  My son said, "Marine X got some really nice smelling lotion and everyone
really likes it, so every time he goes to sleep they steal it from him."  I told my son I was really sorry about the mistake, and if he wanted I would send Marine X another package.  He told me not to worry about Marine X because every time I send something to him, Marine X thinks it's for him too.  He said when my husband and I sent the last care package Marine X came over to his cot picked up the box, started fishing through it, and said, "What'd we get this time?"

    My son said they had the most fun with Marine X's package.  He said he wasn't sure who we were sending the pack to, but the panties were size 20,
and he said one of the guys got on top of the Humvee and jumped off with the panties over his head and yelled, "Look at me, I'm an Airborne Ranger!!!!"
One of the guys attached the panties to an antenna and it blew in the wind like a windsock.  He said it entertained them for quite awhile.  Then of
course.......they had those tampons.

    When he brought this up, my imagination just went running, but he continued.  My son said they had to go on a mission and Marine X wanted the
Chap-Stick and lotion for the trip.  He grabbed a bunch of the items from his care package and got in the Humvee.  As luck would have it he grabbed
the tampons too, and my son said everyone was teasing him about "not forgetting his feminine hygiene products."

    He said things went well for a while, then the convoy was ambushed and a Marine was shot.  He said the wound was pretty clean, but it was deep.  He
said they were administering first aid but couldn't get the bleeding to slow down, and someone Said, "Hey! use Marine X's tampons!"  My son said they put
the tampon in the wound.  At this point my son profoundly told me, "Mom, did you know that tampons expand?"   ("Well....yeah!")

    They successfully slowed the bleeding until the guy got better medical attention.  When they went to check on him later The surgeon told them, "You
guys saved his life.  If you hadn't stopped that bleeding he would have bled to death."  My Son said, "Mom, the tampons sent by the Marine Moms by
mistake saved a Marine's life."  At this point I asked him, "Well, what did you do with the rest of the tampons?"  He said, "Oh, we divided them up and
we all have them in our flak jackets, and I kept two for our first aid kit."

    I am absolutely amazed by the ingenuity of our Marines.  I can't believe that something that started out as a mistake then turned into a joke, ended
up saving someone's life.  My sister said she doesn't believe in mistakes. She believes God had a plan all along.  She believes that "female care
package" was sent to Marine X to save our Marine.

    Either way, our efforts have boosted the morale of many Marines, provided much needed items for our troops, AND saved the life of a Marine!
God bless every one of you for your efforts and hard work, and God bless our Marines, Army, Navy, Air Force and all our military service personnel.

GOD BLESS AMERICA AND KEEP IT SAFE!

 

 

Sent to me by a friend. Sometimes we don't know how well our lives are until we read someone else's story.

                                               Little Fish

 

 

Subject: Thoughts from a Navy doctor in Iraq

 

Every once in a while, something crosses the desk that is truly worthwhile and heart-rending at the same time.  The following is one of those letters and I thought I should share this with you. The preamble is written by Col. Otto Lehrack (Bridge at Dong Ha) a truly great Vietrnam era hero!

 Semper Fidelis,  John

 This email is from a good friend of mine who is a Navy psychiatrist and former flight surgeon who is currently deployed.  She has been sending periodic updates that have been very well-written and poignant.  She was the doc who stayed with PFC Phelps (recommended for the Medal of Honor for jumping on the grenade) before he was shipped to Germany and then the US where he died in route.

 Otto Lehrack

  

Greetings all from hot, hot, hot Iraq ,

 

We are short indeed...although not quite as short as we had originally thought...our flight home has been posted and is showing up 3 days later than planned.  The good news is that we leave in the middle of the night and arrive (all admin complete, including turning our weapons into the armory) ! around dinnertime at Pendleton on the same day we leave (11 hrs time difference).  The other good news is it appears we've got commercial contract air carriers taking us home...so we don't have to worry about sleeping on the cold steel deck of an Air Force C-17.

 

So...we turned over authority of the surgical company last week to our replacements, who had a serious trial by fire here in multiple ways, including multiple traumas, surgeries, increased risk to their personal safety, power outages, water outages, and camel spiders in the hospital...all in their first 4 days.  But a few days ago, we heard the helicopters coming and knew they were dealing with multiple traumas, several of which were going to the OR...and we sat in our barracks and waited for them to call us if they needed us.  They never did.  Last week was the ceremony to mark the official end of our role here.  Now we just wait.

 

As the days move very slowly by, just! waiting, I decided that one of the things I should work on for my own closure and therapeutic healing...is a list.  The list would be a comparison:  "Things That Were Good" about Iraq and being deployed with the Marines as one of the providers in a surgical company, and "Things That Were Not Good."  Of course, it's quite obvious that this list will be very lopsided.  But I thought I would do it anyway, hoping that somehow the trauma, the fear, the grief, the laughter, the pride and the patriotism that have marked this long seven months for me will begin to make sense, through my writing.  Interestingly, it sort of turned into a poem.  To be expected, I guess.

 

Most of all it's just therapy, and by now I should be relatively good at that.  Hard to do for yourself, though.

 

So here goes...in reverse order of importance...

 

Things That Were Good

 

Sunset over the desert...almost always orange

  Sunrise over the desert...almost always red

 The childlike excitement of having fresh fruit at dinner after going weeks without it

 Being allowed to be the kind of clinician I know I can be, and want to be, with no limits placed and no doubts expressed

 But most of all,

 The United States Marines, our patients...

 Walking, every day, and having literally every single person who passes by say "Hoorah, Ma'am..."

 Having them tell us, one after the other, through blinding pain or morphine-induced euphoria..."When can I get out of here?  I just want to get back to my unit..."

 Meeting a young Sergeant, who had lost an eye in an explosion...he asked his surgeon if he could open the other one...when he did, he sat up and looked at the young Marines from his fire team who were being treated for superficial shrapnel wounds in the next room...he smiled, laid back down, and said, "I only have one good eye, Doc! , but I can see that my Marines are OK."

 And of course, meeting the one who threw himself on a grenade to save the men at his side...who will likely be the first Medal of Honor recipient in over 11 years...

 My friends...some of them will be lifelong in a way that is indescribable

 My patients...some of them had courage unlike anything I've ever experienced before

 My comrades, Alpha Surgical Company...some of the things witnessed will traumatize them forever, but still they provided outstanding care to these Marines, day in and day out, sometimes for days at a time with no break, for 7 endless months

 And last, but not least...

 Holding the hand of that dying Marine

 

Things That Were Not Good

 Terrifying camel spiders, poisonous scorpions, flapping bats in the darkness, howling, territorial wild dogs, flies that insisted on landing on our faces, giant, looming mosquitoes, invisible sand flies that carry leischmaniasis

 132 degrees

 Wearing long sleeves, full pants and combat boots in 132 degrees

 Random and totally predictable power outages that led to sweating throughout the night

 Sweating in places I didn't know I could sweat...like wrists, and ears

 The roar of helicopters overhead

 The resounding thud of exploding artillery in the distance

 The popping of gunfire...

 Not knowing if any of the above sounds is a good thing, or bad thing

 The siren, and the inevitable "big voice" yelling at us to take cover...

 Not knowing if that siren was on someone's DVD or if the big voice would soon follow

 The cracking sound of giant artillery rounds splitting open against rock and dirt

 The rumble of the ground...

 The shattering of the windows...

 Hiding under flak jackets and Kevlar helmets, away from the broken windows, waiting to be told we can come to the hospital...to treat the ones who were not so lucky...

 Watching the helicopter with the big red cross on the side landing at our pad

 Worse...watching Marine helicopters filled with patients landing at our pad...because we usually did not realize they were coming...

 Ushering a sobbing Marine Colonel away from the trauma bay while several of his Marines bled and cried out in pain inside

 Meeting that 21-year-old Marine with three Purple Hearts...and listening to him weep because he felt ashamed of being afraid to go back

 Telling a room full of stunned Marines in blood-soaked uniforms that their comrade, that they had tried to save, had just died of his wounds

 Trying, as if in total futility, to do anything I could, to ease the trauma of group after group...that suffered loss after loss, grief after inconsolable grief...

 Washing blood off the boots of one of our young nurses while she told me about the one who bled out in the trauma bay...and then the one who she had to tell, when he pleaded for the truth, that his best friend didn't make it...

 Listening to another of our nurses tell of the Marine who came in talking, telling her his name...about how she pleaded with him not to give up, told him that she was there for him...about how she could see his eyes go dull when he couldn't fight any longer...

 And last, but not least...

 Holding the hand of that dying Marine.

 Lieutenant Commander Heidi Kraft, MD, USN

A member of Alpha Surgical Company, 1st Med Battalion, 1st MEF.

John F. Thornell, PhD
a64ever@verizon.net
“Integrity - When you do the right thing even though no one is watching.” 

 

 

Fact vs. Opinion

 

 I usually don't watch 60 Minutes since they have become so biased in their reporting. Tonight I noticed they were going to have an interview with President Bush so I decided to watch it. I will say Scott Pelley did a half way decent job. Perhaps he was raised to respect the President of the United States. It was one of the best interviews I have seen in awhile on CBS.

I am a Fox Network News junkie.

 Mr. Pelley did a good job in letting the President speak his feelings. I thought the President did an excellent job of letting us see the George W. Bush that cares deeply for people. The President that is strong and I believe trying to protect this wonderful land of freedom we so proudly call the United States of America. I believe he is also doing what he can to achieve some world piece. I also believe him to be a Christian man that loves his Country, the people and his family and last but not least his wife and daughters. He has not disgraced this Country by desecrating OUR White House, with his adulterous sexual acts. Nor do I believe he ever would.

 I used to work for a marketing research company and learned the difference between facts and opinions. The President tries to share facts with us and his opinion. I can not for the life of me understand why it is so hard for many people to not understand why he can not give us every detail of his plans. Face it, if he tells us on television or radio, most of the world has access also. Then our enemies would know the plan.

 I also believe the far leftist groupies do not know the difference between opinions and facts. They like to spout their opinions and most of the time do not know the facts from a hole in the ground.

 I do believe the majority of the press and most of the Democrats and some Republicans have been disrespectful to the President. Too many Congressmen have become rapacious men and women watching out only for themselves and the people to fill up their bank accounts, professionally and personally. It is okay to have a difference in opinion and even policy. But to attack a man for his accent and blatantly lie about him, is shameful. They call him stupid. No, he has achieved to many things in his life to be stupid. They call him the killer. I have seen tears in his eyes and remorse in his voice and in theirs I have heard whining and complaining.

 So many slam him for being in the National Guard and not in combat. You ask a National Guardsman how much his pay is for what we expect them to do and how many have fallen. Ask a Guardsman if he is a real soldier or not . Ask him or her if they are just trying to get some money without being a real soldier. Call me first or have a newsman on hand because I want to see you land on your derriere. I know some National Guardsman. 

 Besides that, where was the amoral Bill Clinton during Viet Nam? Where was Ted Kennedy during Korea? Where was John Kerry? Oh right, filling up the river with his cry baby tears. My husband was awarded a Purple Heart from Viet Nam. He will gladly compare scars. He still has his shrapnel scar to prove his merit for his award. He would have gone and fought for his Country with or without an award ribbon. He even signed a waiver to go to Viet Nam because he is an only child. He did it with pride for the Corps.

 So I say to you, tell your friends about this wonderful sight of Deb's. Ask a leftie to read it. They don't have to agree. After all it is only our OPINION.

                                                   Little Fish

 

 

 

Made in the USA : Spoiled brats

The other day I was reading Newsweek magazine and came across some poll data I found rather hard to believe. It must be true given the source, right?  

The Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed and 69 percent of the country is unhappy with the performance of the president. In essence 2/3s of the citizenry just ain't happy and want a change.

So being the knuckle dragger I am, I starting thinking, ''What we are so unhappy about?''

Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 days a week? Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter? Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job? Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time and see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year?

Maybe it is the ability to drive from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through each state? Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter? I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough. Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all and even send a helicopter to take you to the hospital.

Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home. You may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames thus saving you, your family and your belongings. Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes , an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss. This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where 90 percent of teenagers own cell phones and computers.

How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world? Maybe that is what has 67 percent of you folks unhappy.

Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the U.S. , yet has a great disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we are. The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don't have , and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here.

I know, I know. What about the president who took us into war and has no plan to get us out? The president who has a measly 31 percent approval rating? Is this the same president who guided the nation in the dark days after 9/11? The president that cut taxes to bring an economy out of recession? Could this be the same guy who has been called every name in the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled ungrateful brats safe from terrorist attacks? The commander in chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there defending you and me?  Did you hear how bad the President is on the news or talk show?  Did this news affect you so much, make you so unhappy you couldn't take a look around for yourself and see all the good things and be glad? Think about it......are you upset at the President because he actually caused you personal pain OR is it because the "Media" told you he was failing to kiss your sorry ungrateful behind every day.

Make no mistake about it. The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have volunteered to serve, and in many cases may have died for your freedom. There is currently no draft in this country. They didn't have to go. They are able to refuse to go and end up with either a ''general'' discharge, an ''other than honorable'' discharge or, worst case scenario, a ''dishonorable'' discharge after a few days in the brig.

So why then the flat-out discontentment in the minds of 69 percent of Americans? Say what you want but I blame it on the media. If it bleeds it leads and they specialize in bad news. Everybody will watch a car crash with blood and guts. How many will watch kids selling lemonade at the corner? The media knows this and media outlets are for-profit corporations. They offer what sells , and when criticized, try to defend their actions by "justifying" them in one way or another. Just ask why they tried to allow a murderer like O.J. Simpson to write a book about how he didn't kill his wife, but if he did he would have done it this way...... Insane!

Stop buying the negativism you are fed everyday by the media. Shut off the TV, burn Newsweek, and use the New York Times for the bottom of your bird cage. Then start being grateful for all we have as a country. There is exponentially more good than bad.

WE ARE THE MOST BLESSED PEOPLE ON EARTH, WE SHOULD
THANK GOD SEVERAL TIMES PER DAY.

 

 

 

 

Remember the song "You Talk To Much"? It surely does apply now. Everyone is talking......Politicians, voters, newscasters, supporters and candidates of favorite politicians. I am about to the point of looking for the cartoon channel because I am so tired of the SAME talk. Either you get it or you don't and you will vote accordingly.

 

Now John Kerry is just one of those people who should be quiet. He said what he said. He was talking to college students and someone has come up with this idea that they lean to the left so he is going to speak accordingly. Our troops and EVERYONE that supports them should be offended. If that liberal wants to talk and demean and maybe even be close to treason about President Bush then so be it. Leave the troops alone. No matter what you might or might not think of our President Bush at least he had the courage to say Kerry's name when calling for an apology to the troops.

 

I could write so much about President Bush, pro and con, but I can't write much pro about any democrat, especially John Kerry and his band of coconspirators in Washington, D.C. I hope Hillary sends him a nice thank you note for paving her way to 2008.

 

Next Tuesday vote your own way. It is your right. Please go on line and check out the candidates and look at their voting records , not their lying mouths and their friends lying mouths. Only believe your own mind, heart and soul. Be proud to be an American. Also be prepared to live with who you vote for.

 

According to Webster: Treason: n. violation by citizen of allegiance to country or ruler; treachery; disloyalty.

                                                        Little Fish

 

 

Speak Softly and Carry a Big Surf Board/Sail

 

Poor old John Kerry. He can't even get the apology correct. It wasn't he messed up the joke, it is: he is a messed up joke. He needs to speak softly (if at all) and keep wind surfing.

Just hope he stays out of the Big Kahuna's wave and Little Fish's waters.

 

It is really bad when you get a scolding from Hillary Clinton,  New York Senator and believe it or not Mary Landrieu, Louisiana Senator!!!!

                                           Little Fish 

 

 

 

Thought this was a nice change from all the negative stuff on TV these days and puts things back in perspective.
 
Almighty God,
Your Word tells us, "The eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His." You see past our appearance, our education, our occupation, our experience, and You see into our hearts. And those whose hearts are completely Yours find uncommon strength from You.

Lord, as we enter into the upcoming congressional elections, we ask that You would give us leaders who are men and women after Your own heart.
Give us leaders who will lead with integrity and truth. May they be men and women of conviction who are more concerned about doing what is right than about securing a high approval rating.

Guide us to candidates who are honest in the midst of what is often a jaded political process. Although no one is perfect, show us which candidates have been tainted the least and who desire what is best for all Americans.

Please lead us to vote for people who not only have deep seated morals but are grounded in a relationship with You. May these people seek direction from Your Word and from godly advisors. May they be men and women of prayer who don't usurp Your authority but understand that they are answerable to You. And may they be courageous enough to walk in obedience to what You have required of them.

Equip our leaders with the skills to craft and pass laws with knowledge and understanding. Give them the wisdom to know how to achieve consensus.
Lord God, You are the one who sets up leaders and deposes them. You are the one who gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. This November, open the eyes of the American voters so we will see past the appearances and into the heart. Through our leaders, may You turn our hearts toward you.
Adapted From: We Will Pray for Election Day by Tom Freiling and Mike Klassen. Allegiance Press.

 

 

 

The Land of Sandra Dee

Long ago and far away in a land that time forgot,
Before the days of Dylan or the dawn of Camelot.

There lived a race of innocents and they were you and me,
Long ago and far away in the land of Sandra Dee.

Oh, there was truth and goodness in that land where we were born,
Where navels were for oranges and Peyton Place was porn.

For Ike was in the White House and Hoss was on T.V.
And God was in His Heaven in the land of Sandra Dee.

We learned to gut a muffler, we washed our hair at dawn,
We spread our crinolines to dry in circles on the lawn.

And they could hear us coming all the way to Tennessee,
All starched and sprayed and rumbling in the land of Sandra Dee.

We longed for love and romance, girls waited for their prince,
And Eddie Fisher married Liz and we haven't seen him since.

We danced to "Little Darlin'", and sang to "Stagger Lee",
And cried for Buddy Holly, in the land of Sandra Dee.

Only girls wore earrings then and three was one too many,
And only boys wore flat-top cuts, except for Jean McKinney.

And only in our wildest dreams did we expect to see,
A boy named George with lipstick, in the land of Sandra Dee.

We fell for Frankie Avalon, Annette was oh, so nice,
And when they made a movie, they never made it twice.

We didn't have a Star Trek Five, or Psycho Two and Three,
Or Rocky Rambo Twenty, in the land of Sandra Dee.

Miss Kitty had a heart of gold and Chester had a limp,
And Reagan was a Democrat, whose co-star was a chimp.

We had a Mr. Wizard, but not a Mr. T.,
And Oprah couldn't talk yet, in the land of Sandra Dee.

We had our share of heroes, we never thought they'd go,
At least not Bobby Darin or Marilyn Monroe.

For youth was still eternal and life was yet to be,
And Elvis was forever in the land of Sandra Dee.

We'e never seen the rock band that was Grateful to be Dead,
And airplanes weren't named Jefferson and Zeppelins weren't Led.

And Beatles lived in gardens then and Monkees in a tree,
Madonna was a virgin in the land of Sandra Dee.

We'd never heard of microwaves or telephones in cars,
And babies might be bottle fed, but they weren't grown in jars.

And pumping iron got wrinkles out and gay meant fancy free.
And dorms were never co-ed in the land of Sandra Dee.

We hadn't seen enough of jets to talk about the lag,
And microchips were what was left at the bottom of the bag.

And "Hardware" was a box of nails, and bytes came from a flea,
And rocket ships were fiction, in the land of Sandra Dee.

Buicks came with portholes and side shows came with freaks,
And bathing suits came big enough to cover both your cheeks.

And "Coke" came just in bottles and skirts came to the knee,
And Castro came to power, in the land of Sandra Dee.

We had no Crest with fluroide, we had no Hill Street Blues,
Girls all wore superstructure bras, designed by Howard Hughes.

We had no patterned pantyhose, or Lipton Herbal Tea,
Or prime-time ads for condoms, in the land of Sandra Dee.

There were no golden arches, no Perriers to chill,
And fish were not called Wanda, and cats were not called Bill.

And middle-aged was thirty-five, and old was forty-three,
And ancient were our parents, in the land of Sandra Dee.

But all things have a season, or so we've heard them say,
And now, instead of Maybelline, we swear by Retin-A.

And they send us invitations to join AARP,
We've come a long way baby, from the land of Sandra Dee.

So now we face a brave new world, in slightly larger jeans,
And wonder why they're using, smaller print in magazines.

And we tell our children's children of the way it used to be,
Long ago and far away in the land of Sandra Dee.

 

 

Re: Another Ridiculous October Surprise - Great article, Deb. I saw this report on FNN, the only news station, I trust. Michael J. Fox has also had surgery to try to control his Parkinson's. My heart goes out to anyone with this disease. However Mr.. Fox has been able to recently do some acting roles with his condition. He also can still play ice hockey on some days. I do believe he probably hadn't taken his medication and was acting to a certain degree.

  I know someone that died from this disease six years ago and he never shook like that. Yes, he shook but not like he was about to have a seizure. This disease attacks the body to the point of sometimes not even being able to eat. Our grandson's great grandfather on his father's side died of this disease, the day our grandson was born, He was in a nursing home and his mind was still so alert, that he understood the baby had been born and was named after him. He died 11 hours later and unfortunately never got to see the baby. Never was he like Fox on the ad.

  Let us also not forget Pope John Paul 2. He too suffered for years with this. We saw his hands and head shake as he performed Masses, but not like Fox. These people shake but towards the end, their bodies and muscles become so disabled, they have problems breathing, eating and all other body functions, except the brain. They still know things.

  I have mixed feelings about stem cell research. If it is used and it can help find answers, yes. If innocent babies are used for research or cloning was started then I do have a  problem. Who should be in charge? Doctors or hospitals or labs or drug companies, all who always want or need money therefore could be dishonest for those purposes? Or the government, who we all know will be dishonest for money or votes, all parties are guilty.

  It is a mixed bag of beans.Toot-Toot.

                                                            Little Fish

 

 

Halloween, what a fun time of the year - or it was. I remember as a kid how much fun Halloween was. We seldom had store bought costumes. Most of us found something in our parents’ closet. Parents sent us off with friends and family on our own to collect our candy. We all had a bar of soap to soap those windows, too. Our "uptown" was a whole two blocks long with lots of windows to soap. A house with no lights on was fair game.

 

One year as my cousins, friends and I headed for the south side of town (as they had more money and better treats), we went to a very nice house. As the man of the house opened the door he gave us one gold coin. There used to be a penny candy that was solid chocolate wrapped in gold foil. We all walked away griping what a cheap treat. Soon one of the kids yelled as he had opened his gold coin. Inside was not a piece of chocolate but a nickel. We all ran to the nearest street light, dumped our candy on the ground and hunted for that "gold coin". A nickel was a lot of money then. It could buy a WHOLE candy bar!!!

 

Oh. I am afraid those times are over. It is not to safe to send the kids out alone. Parents have to drive and go only to those homes of people they know. In some areas, treats have to be x-rayed. Parties are starting to happen as opposed to door to door. Store bought costumes are a must. Theme parties are in ....like Halloween isn't enough theme?

 

We used to have a pumpkin on the porch for decoration. Now our yard looks almost like Christmas. Our power company loves this new trend. In our yard we have bales of hay decorated with real pumpkins and flowers and an arch of lighted plastic pumpkins over it, an air blown up vampire coming up and out of a casket, lighted ghost, pumpkins and such on the deck and along the sidewalk, wooden and plastic scarecrows, ghost and such and ghost hanging from the trees, three to represent the three little ghouls in our life. Some say Granny and Gramps have been partying too early. No, just trying to make some fun of an old tradition. For you see a nickel will now only buy you one piece of penny candy.

 

Will we ever have safe streets again? Will we ever be a happy and safe feeling society again? Will there ever be an unfortunate tragic plane accident and we will not wonder if our Nation is under attack again? Will we ever believe in a Congress again? Will the President of the United States ever get any respect and faith and trust in his job again? Will nuking stay inside the microwave?

 

Will you feel safe to open your door on Halloween? Will Halloween ever be fun and safe again?

 

Now Little Fish must jump back into the Big Kahuna's wave where she always feels safe.

                                                           Little Fish

 

 

 

 

CHEAP LABOR?

Isn't that what the whole immigration issue is about?

 

Business doesn't want to pay a decent wage.

 

Consumers don't want expensive produce.

 

Government will tell you Americans don't want the jobs.

 

But the bottom line is cheap labor.

The phrase "cheap labor" is a myth, a farce, and a lie ~ there is no such thing as "cheap labor."

 

Take, for example, an illegal alien with a wife and five children.

He takes a job for $5.00 or $6.00/hour.

 

At that wage, with six dependents, he pays no income tax, yet at the end of the year, if he files an Income Tax Return, he gets an "earned income credit" of up to $3,200 free.

 

He qualifies for Section 8 housing and subsidized rent.

 

He qualifies for food stamps.

 

He qualifies for free (no deductible, no co-pay) health care.

 

His children get free breakfasts and lunches at school.

 

He requires bilingual teachers and books.

 

He qualifies for relief from high energy bills.

 

If they are or become, aged, blind or disabled, they qualify for SSI.

 

Once qualified for SSI they can qualify for Medicare.

All of this is at that taxpayer's expense.

He doesn't worry about car insurance, life insurance, or homeowners insurance.

Taxpayers provide Spanish language signs, bulletins and printed material.

He and his family receive the equivalent of $20.00 to $30.00/hour in benefits.

Working Americans are lucky to have $5.00 or $6.00/hour left after paying their bills and his.

The American taxpayers also pay for increased crime, graffiti and trash clean-up.

Cheap labor?
YEAH RIGHT!
Wake up people!

 

 

 

This was sent to me in an email. We sure could use the Cowboy about now. I was so hoping President Bush would be our Ronald Reagan of the 21st century. I think he did, too. Perhaps too much happened too fast for him. I keep hearing his words but not seeing much action. However, it isn’t enough to fight the Democrats - he is also fighting so many Republicans. I really can't remember when a president in the last century faced so many tragedies in two terms.

 

We, as people of this nation, need to get behind President Bush and take back our Country and all our freedoms we are losing. Unless, of course, you are a Democrat in Washington D. C. Then you appear to be allowed to make your own rules if life gets tough.                 

                                               Little Fish

 

WISDOM: Quotes by Ronald Reagan

 

 God rest his soul.

 

"Here's my strategy on the Cold War:

 

We win, they lose."

 

- Ronald Reagan

 

~~ 

"The most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the government and I'm here to help."

 

- Ronald Reagan

 

~~

"The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant: It's just that they know so much that isn't so."

 

- Ronald Reagan

 

~~

"Of the four wars in my lifetime none came about because the U.S. was too strong."

 

- Ronald Reagan

 

~~

"I have wondered at times about what the Ten Commandment's would have looked like if Moses had run them through the U.S. Congress."

 

- Ronald Reagan

 

~~

"The taxpayer: That's someone who works for the federal government but doesn't have to take the civil service examination."

 

- Ronald Reagan

 

~~

"Government is like a baby: An alimentary canal with a big appetite at one end and no sense of responsibility at the other."

 

- Ronald Reagan

 

~~

"If we ever forget that we're one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under."

 

- Ronald Reagan

 

~~

"The nearest thing to eternal life we will ever see on this earth is a government program."

 

- Ronald Reagan

 

~~ 

"I've laid down the law, though, to everyone from now on about anything that happens: no matter what time it is, wake me, even if it's in the middle of
a Cabinet meeting."

 

- Ronald Reagan

 

~~

"It has been said that politics is the second oldest profession. I have learned that it bears a striking resemblance to the first."

 

- Ronald Reagan

 

~~

"Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving,
subsidize it."

 

- Ronald Reagan

 

~~

"Politics is not a bad profession. If you succeed there are many rewards, if you disgrace yourself you can always write a book."

- Ronald Reagan

 

~~ 

"No arsenal, or no weapon in the arsenals of the world, is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women.

 

- Ronald Reagan
 

 

 

Are Looks Deceiving?

 

Being on vacation this summer took me thru several states from Indiana to Florida. I often found myself riding along the interstate looking at housing. I could not help but notice, no matter what state, when the houses and yards were less than standard, most of the time I would see a person of dark skin in the yard. I thought how sad this is still happening. With all the opportunity offered to minorities of color or finances, these people can still be picked out by their housing.

 

Well, why? What happens to all that free money? Why don't they apply themselves in schools and take advantage of all the educational opportunities and improve their life styles?

 

I found myself thinking my sympathies are overrun by their laziness.                                        

                                                               Little Fish

 

 

Clean Up Or Shut Up

 

Around the time of the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, there was quite a bit of news coverage of the disaster. Most of the coverage was about New Orleans. There was little coverage about Mobile, Al. They too were hit and had some extensive damage. There was a little more coverage of the Mississippi coast line, which was hit the hardest, especially Homestead, MS.

 

Then there is New Orleans. They were in good enough shape to have Mardi Gras, which though I did not attend am happy for their economy. A lot of people forget that the problem in New Orleans was not so much of the hurricane but of the levees breaking. For years the powers in New Orleans knew those levees were going to break and not be able to hold from a hurricane of a level 3, maybe 2. The state and city officials took the money they had and did other things with it. The big question is what? However we did not see any improvements made in the past year. We were shown the houses and interviews from people who still had nothing and the areas where nothing had been done. Of course, we all still had to hear how this was President Bush's fault for not responding sooner. It couldn't have been the fault of the governor or even the mayor.

 

The people of parts of the Alabama and Mississippi cost line had to wait for their FEMA checks and insurance checks, if covered, just like the people from Louisiana. So what is the difference? The people in the good states of Alabama and Mississippi applied themselves and got off their duffs and started cleaning up their own messes. Volunteers from other states that went in 2005 and are still going are welcomed when they go to help. They are not sitting around in FEMA provided trailers and blaming the government in Washington D.C.. Some of those FEMA trailers are nicer than what these people were living in, also.

 

To the whiners, get off your rear ends and go out and start cleaning up. Welcome the volunteers. Let the good people that come to help teach you skills, carpentry, electrical, construction, and whatever else it takes. Instead of just a check, let's send in people and employ these unfortunate people and teach them  how to clear the land and build new homes. These people also have to be fed, so let's teach them to cook. When it is all finished there could be a whole new group of educated self respecting people able to have a good life for themselves. Alas, then there would be no free checks to them, no president to blame and what would Mayor Nagin have to talk about as he runs around this country, from city to city.

 

I wonder if Mayor Nagin is donating any of the money he is making doing theses speeches to the unfortunate people of New Orleans? You know those good folks that reelected him? I am told by a friend who resides in the area, Nagin was the best choice for mayor. My friend and confidant is an intelligent and well informed Republican. Now that is sad.

                                                           Little Fish

 

 

 

Southern English

 

We are very lucky to live in a land where we are free to worship of our choice, speak a language of our choice, pick our own occupation and many other choices. English is the most spoken language although not legally the official language. Too much commitment for Congress I guess. Currently there is a lot of talk about the Spanish language. Well, if you don't think it is true, just visit southern Florida, for instance. It is almost hard to find a person who speaks English.

 

Has anyone besides me noticed that the packaging on our food products are now in English and Spanish? Is not a picture on a can of beans, peas or corn enough? It is not just food. I am seeing the Spanish words on other products and at gas stations and other businesses.

 

Recently I was in eastern Tennessee, in the Gatlinburg area. I have been going there for the last 15 years. It is now to the point if I hear a clerk use a Southern accent , I feel the desire to ask them to come over to the house and have a bowl of grits with me. Most of the shops are now being run by people from the Middle East.

 

If you ride into the Smokey Mountain National Park and stop at the Tennessee and North Carolina state line, there are plaques there explaining the history of the national park. It explains how the "hill people" the residents of the area were asked to leave to make this area a National Park. They left for their Country as asked. You can still find specialty shops where people still make items made as their ancestors did. Pottery, leather goods, candles and Indian crafts. A lot of these shops are in the country. Too much of Gatlinburg has become nothing but one shop after another selling items made in some other country. They are taking a lot of this beautiful land and filling it with more motels and condominiums. It can take an hour now to drive thru Pigeon Forge to get to Gatlinburg. Dolly and her DollyWood and her Rodeo Stampede are no longer the only game in town. The argument is this is good for the economy. I could agree with that if I could hear a little more ya'al and a lot less no speaka English.

                                                               Little Fish

 

 

 

Thanks and Good-bye, Steve

 

Little Fish really likes to flip her tail and dive in and out of the waves a lot, but on this piece Little Fish would just like to quietly float as a special tribute to Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter. He was crazy, funny and a showman . Mostly he was a humanitarian that really cared about the animal planet on this earth. He called himself a warrior, but he was a hero.

 Thanks , Steve and deepest condolences to Terri,Bimbi, baby Bob and the rest of the family and friends of Steve Irwin. He will be missed by all in the human and animal kingdom.

                                                               Little Fish

 

 

 

 

I’ll Care If. . .

 

I got this email today and I had to check it out on Snopes.com

Well, I don't care if Pam, Bob or a soldier wrote it or how long it has been going around the net, I do agree with it.

 

I listened to the blowhards on Sunday talk shows and thru the week quite a bit this week. Sort of got out of touch, with all that was going on around here. Guess what? I still love, support and am grateful to that soldier in the sand. If we leave, will Iran take over Iraq? If we leave, will all the Middle East kill each other? Will it be a Viet Nam, if we pull out now? Is Korea going to kill all of us anyway with their nuclear power weapons? I never heard an answer I could agree with one way or the other.

 

Besides will Paris Hilton buy Brittany Spears' new baby an expensive baby present?

Gotta go, almost time for Joan and Melissa on the T.V. GUIDE CHANNEL.

 

I thought you might find the following article from snopes.com interesting: http://www.snopes.com/politics/soapbox/foster.asp

 

 

 

IT IS STILL HERE

 

 There are a lot of comments and doubts today about patriotism. I believe most of us still have it.

 On the 4th of July, my husband, 3 grandchildren, one daughter and two sons-in-law went fishing. Have you ever read James Whitcomb Riley poetry? He speaks of the "old fishin' hole". That "old fishin' hole" is in my town. Now it is surrounded by a beautiful park. We fished and had a great time. The only granddaughter caught the most fish!! I looked around the park and saw families cooking out, big families and little families. I saw babies being pushed in strollers, children riding bikes and playing on playground equipment and our family fishing and eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches or bologna and cheese sandwiches. The "family" is still here, traditions are still here, patriotism is still here and thank God the old fishin' hole is still here.

I hope your 4th of July was wonderful, too. God bless the U.S.A.  

                                                                Little Fish

 

 

 

Truth is stranger than fiction

 

 I am proud to be an American and believe this is the greatest Country in the world. However, we do have some really strange set of values, tastes and ignorant politicians.

 

First I was shocked that the Academy Awards would select for song of the year for 2005, a song called "It's Hard Out Here For A Pimp".

 

I then had a good chuckle over Charles Grassley, Senator from Iowa, thinking and proposing a bill that would force pimps to file income tax and would then allow the IRS to catch them and break up the sex slave rings. Now that might be a good idea. BUT what pimp is going to be honest enough to list his profession, be honest about income and give his "employees" their W-2 Earning Summaries, and they and the pimps file 1040 forms? The worst part, Mr. Grassley is a Republican, I say with my head down.

 

Then as reported by Brit Hume of Fox News, Mayor Nagin of New Orleans refused a deal with K&L Auto Crushers of Tyler, Texas to come in and crush vehicles "as is" and "where at" for $100 a vehicle. This would have cost the city about $5 million.  Instead Nagin's proposal was to spend $23 million for clean up. The vehicles are still there.

 

Hey, I don't make this stuff up. It all can be verified. You can find it on the Internet.

 

I find my biggest problem is, I don't know if I am anxious to wake up tomorrow to see what else is going to happen or am I dreading it??? Perhaps, I will just get my fishing pole and go down to the old fishin' hole and just relax.                  

                                                               Little Fish

 

 

Trickery by RNC

 

 For years now I have been a staunch Republican, especially the last two elections. I sent a campaign donation. Since then I have received many pieces of mail asking for more and from people in other states and especially the RNC. That is to be expected.

 A couple of weeks ago, I received an email from the RNC asking if I would like to be part of sending President Bush a Happy Birthday Greeting. I filled out the form and wrote my personal greeting and then the screen for donations to the RNC came up. Not wishing to give any money that day or in the near future, I went on. Well, guess what? No donation, no greeting. I wrote to Mr.. Ken Mehlman, chairman of the RNC, informing him how unhappy I was. If you want a donation, ask. Don't use the President's birthday as a trick to just get some money. I haven't received a reply and didn't think I would.

 

If the Republicans are as scared of the results of the 2006 election as the media would have you believe, perhaps they should change their tactics and be more honest, at least with we registered Republicans!! Are they getting as corrupt as the Democrats? Have they always been and it is coming out? I have to ask if Mr.. Mehlman and others in charge are the right people to be running the Party. I am seeing more begging for money and less support. In fact, I haven't seen any Republican I would want to vote for, especially in 2008. It is time for the Republicans to pull up the boot straps and get busy or be prepared to see this Country to go back to the Democrats. Can you live with that?

                                                        Little Fish

 

 

 

Patriotism

 

My maternal grandfather was one of the fairest men I ever knew.  He believed in finding goodness in people, was a devout Catholic, patriotic and always made time to listen to a person.  However there were two times in his house we were not allowed to talk.  One was when the president of the United States was speaking.  We listened and we showed respect to the president, even if that president was not grandpa's choice.  The other was when the Grand Ole Opry was on the radio.

 

I wonder what he would think of the Dixie Chicks’ comments about being patriotic.  He might just borrow Toby Keith's big boot, put it on Charlie Daniels' foot and let it meet up with Natalie Maines’ derriere!!!

 

Her husband is an actor, so perhaps Ms. Maines has been bitten by the Hollywood Bush hater bug.  Country singers come and go, but the great ones stay in our minds and hearts forever.

 

Patriotism has been part of this country's backbone since the beginning and will be in our hearts and soul, even if our candidate of choice is not elected, or so my grandfather taught me.  When President Bush's term in office is over, I shall miss him.  I pray our country will find another leader that loves his country and people as President Bush does.

                                      

 

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