April Fools Started 2 Months Ago

In listening to all the various comments of the past couple of months since the new president has been in office, it feels like every day is April Fools day. Doesn't it to you? Don't you feel like you'll wake up in the morning and it will all be a bad dream?

The latest in this stream of Foolish Days...is the whole bit about the bonuses given to AIG. In retrospect, it's not their fault. The bonuses were written into the contract with the government in the bailout package. So why is the government now throwing a fit and asking these people to give the money back?? They knew about it in the first place.

It's getting to where I don't recognize the government that is in place. I'm afraid of what my children are going to grow up in, and I don't know that the world is going to think any better of us.

Let's face it...this great nation of ours is suffering, and the answer is not what's being done for it. There needs to be a change of heart, a change of leadership and an influx of patriotism.

We are currently free -- but I'm not sure how long that will last. I pray that as long as possible.

The Answer to Our Crisis?? Not Money...

I was reading on Glenn Becks internet site the other day about a book named Meltdown by Thomas E Woods jr. Apparently he postulates that there was a depression in 1920 as well as the big one in 1929, and the government didn't do anything about it -- it fixed itself. They didn't pour a whole bunch of money into the economy, they didn't try to bail anyone out -- we survived.

He also talks about a man who is an economist, who is afraid our government is going to collapse in 10 years. Was so sure of this that he moved his family out of the country so that they could see a thriving economy. I think that's the saddest thing I've ever heard.

I haven't read this book, but I figure I might have to -- it does have merit. What I'm afraid of is that after the president does his little rallying tour, he'll have talked the nation into going with his stimulus plan, and bail everyone out, while heaping tons more debt on us and it will be the straw that broke the camels back.

Literally.

Glenn made a statement that it's interesting how the general public is having to cut back, big companies are having to cut back, but government and large corporations are building and spending like there is no tomorrow. Where's the responsibility? Where's the acknowledgment of fiscal intelligence? It would probably be best if you read his article because I'm probably not putting it very clearly...

A stray thought that came to me was how did this guy get this book together so quickly and have it published when it's only been headed this direction for the past year or so? Did he see it coming? Apparently he did. There have been a couple of people who have tried to warn of this situation, and no one has believed them.

I am thankful we have leaders in our church who guide us and direct us. In our meeting on Sunday, one of the Seventy was visiting family in our ward. (yes, Elder Packer has a son that lives in our ward, so the brothers were visiting) At the end of our meeting, he got up and said it was nice to spend a weekend not traveling, but he knew there was much to prepare for the following weekend -- and that he had just met with the brethren in the temple for their weekly meeting. He said there was no anxiety expressed by them. They are not worried. They are anxious that we know they love us and are praying for us, but there is not the fear that so many would have us feel.

We are guided by men of God, men who know the steady and sure influence of the spirit.

"If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear."

I may not be as prepared as I'd like to be, but I have less fear than perhaps many in our country because I know there is more than the fiscal problems we are facing. I hope you have that peace too.

Farewell to a Hero

Many view President Bush as an idiot -- a man who lost his focus, betrayed a nation and led us into the current financial crisis. Those are the ones who believe the media, the press and the current Democratic machine.

I'm not one of them.

I'm ashamed of my state -- which dropped him in the polls to less than 50 percent...I'm ashamed of my nation that forgot the war he waged with terror that they wanted 7 years ago. I know he wasn't perfect -- he was just a man, dealing with the world fighting with itself and a nation that rapidly wanted the government to step in and solve all their problems. Many didn't know that he was an active man who loved to mountain bike, leading the Secret Service on a merry chase...I read an article about his ranch in Texas, where they have a shirt that can be won by the employee who does the most in the over 100 heat -- which he works in and loves. Did you know that?

He was a pillar of strength in his beliefs, he was an example of determination and morality. That's why the press didn't like him. They sought every excuse to malign his character, depict him as a monkey with big ears, and belittle his policies.

I know his presidency was a struggle, and that he made a few mistakes -- I'm not blind or totally naive. But I also feel he was the man for the job. He was handcuffed by the media and congress. He couldn't win.

There are a few of us left in the country who applaud his efforts over the past 8 years. Thank him for his sympathy to those who have lost loved ones in this battle, appreciate his efforts in trying to save a nation who didn't want to be saved.

There was no way he could win. It breaks my heart.

He has been gallant in turning the reigns over to Obama, and his incoming presidency. I would hope that sometime in the future, history books will be kinder to him than they've been so far. I would hope they remember his leadership after 9/11 and how he kept the nation together during a frightening time.

I will never forget.

Thank you, President Bush.

Voting --The Morays of Marriage and Society

I was all set to write a sad, yet scathing blog about Steve Young Sunday night when I went to bed. I didn't write it Sunday, because I try not to do any writing on the Sabath. Monday, I get up and lo and behold -- he's got a press statement out. Changed the whole thing...and my viewpoint.

I still have something to say, but it's more in sympathy now. My husband imagines that there is quite the domestic disagreement going on in the Young household. I don't know -- I'm impressed with how he backed her up, regardless of the fact she drug his name into this whole mess.

Let me recap for those of you who weren't getting the newsfeed from KSL.com. Sunday it was announced that among the celebrity sports figures who were encouraging everyone to vote NO on Prop 8 in California (among them Magic Johnson) Steve Young and his family were going to vote no.

I was very upset. One on hand, he's LDS and the church has specifically come out and asked the members to help vote for this proposition. It highlights everything in the Proclomation to the World. It strengthen families. It puts a finality on what the state already voted for in the past. And the reason it affects the rest of the nation is how the other states have to view marriages from California should the thing fail. It's not pretty. On the other hand, he is a famous athlete as well, and many people look up to him and respect him. He's liable to have influenced a great many in the wrong direction.

Well...it turns out it wasn't him -- it was his wife. She has a brother who is Gay, and I guess wants to support him in any way she can. This was not the way to go about it -- though I hope he appreciates what she has done for him. I was glad to hear Steve Young come out and say that he has NOT lent his name in support of anything political, and while his wife is active in political and social things, he is not and would keep his views private.

I thought it was a good save...though probably a bit late. She got her bit of fame out of the moment, and people had a good night to think about the ramifications of Steve Young in opposition to the church's stand.

There was no way to win.

So -- today is voting day. Time to get out there, cast your vote, tell the world you appreciate the free democracy that you live in and who it is you want to be president for the next 4 years. Roust out your neighbors...do a car pool if you need to, but get everyone out there. It drives me crazy when they say we actually had a good turnout with 40% voters showing up, or it was outstanding to have 60% come to the polls...What? It takes too much effort to lift your hand? To walk down the street? To find out where you vote?

I guess it takes too much effort to turn on the switch or push on the gas pedal then. It takes too much effort to live where you have the chance to proclaim your choice. People just have no idea how much the rest of the world envies our position in being able to vote. There are many who would die for the chance.

Exercise your rights.

VOTE.

Words of Wisdom in a Dark Era

Those of you who have never read this part of my blog before will probably wonder at the title. Stupid is as Stupid does...but that's how I feel about politics. So, that's what this blog is devoted to. From time to time when I'm especially frustrated about an issue, I write about it here.

I know it doesn't have much viewing -- sa la vi (or however you say it) lol, but I still feel the need to express myself. Now not only am I a non registered party member, I am a Mormon, and as such, my views tend to be different from main stream.

I tend to vote Republican because I know voting Independent will end up no where. sigh. Perhaps one day...

But for now, I see which candidate has the most potential and vote that way. Unfortunately, for a long time with this election I wondered where to turn when Romney lost the nomination. I didn't really like McCain, though I thought he was better than Obama.

When he picked Sarah Palin, I wrote a blog about it I was so excited. Finally a choice with merit -- a woman I could put my belief in.

Well...that doesn't mean our country is in safe hands. They have to be elected first, and we are in dark times right now. Anyone who doesn't think so, hasn't been listening.

They have probably been reading the newspaper though, and believing what they read.

Such is the way journalism has gone. One of my fellow members is a great writer who is also a blogger and writer of some renown. Orson Scott Card has written two great blogs that deal with today's issues. I debated trying to put my own twist on them, or just trying to shed light on them to further his view, but I figured in the end -- his words express it far better than mine.

So I beg you -- anyone who happens to chance on this blog -- go read these. Especially the one on journalism. Somehow we've got to get America to wake up!

This one is about honest reporters -- is there such a thing now? -- and this one is about the constitution and the threat it is under today. Take a gander and think about what is going on.

My husband has been going on about this for some time -- he will perhaps feel somewhat vindicated that someone else feels the same way.

There are lots of us out there -- aren't there??

Learn From History? Not a chance...

My husband told me about a strange moment he'd had the other day. He was driving home from work and listening to one of the many popular talk shows and suddenly heard his old high school history teacher in his head. It was all about the depression and what had caused it.

He got home and told me:

"It was almost like I could see him. He told us about how the general population had over extended themselves because they had discovered credit and then when the market failed, their money was gone."

Since he works in a high school, he asked a teacher who taught history about what he'd remembered. Had it happened as he thought it had? The teacher (who was impressed someone had actually remembered a history lesson) said in essence, what my husband remembered was correct, only it was margins, not credit. I guess margins are something more to do with the stock market, but it's still the same idea -- buying with something you don't have, hoping to make up the difference and pay off what you owe.

Sound familiar?

It seems like we, as an American public, are not learning from the past and neither are the legislators. Apparently, back then, black Monday was the year prior to an election year -- similar to now. Congress had suggestions for how to improve it, Hoover had suggestions -- but everything was held off for almost a year so that the president wouldn't get any credit and the American people were really suffering.

Once again, really familiar.

It looks like that when the economy is having issues, we all feel the only ones to fix it are Democrats. Unfortunately, it also looks like most of the creation of those problems come from the same source...so who fixes it? The Republicans. Only now, the Democrats aren't letting things go easily again.

Everyone talks about this 700 Billion Bail out, and how it's going to effect the big picture -- I'm not thrilled with the idea of government handouts (again) any more than the next person. That's not what our government is here for. But, in hearing this bit about The Depression, it makes me wonder if there might be something to it. Our country is a little different today than it was 79 years ago -- we are not a farm based economy any longer. We have less farmers than we have anything else, and our food needs are much more dependent on other factors, like gas, transportation, stores, etc.

My hubby figures it's all been planned out by the Eco-terrorists to tear our nation apart from the inside.

There have been wilder schemes...

But here we sit, plot or no plot, with a country struggling on where to go, who to depend on and wondering what is going to happen. If it were possible, we'd leave and find a peaceful island that didn't answer to anyone. Since that can't happen, we're gonna ride it out -- we are patriots. It's just scary...

Do you have a generator and food and water?? You might need it soon...

I'm Liking HER!!

This whole political year took an upswing for the better for me this last week. Here I was, (like most American's I know) wondering who in the heck I was going to vote for when I wasn't sure I liked either candidate, and McCain ups and picks an amazing woman for vice president. If ever there was hope in our political process, it is now!!

I was so thrilled with his choice of Alaska's Governor, Sarah Palin as running mate. I feel sorry for the woman in one aspect, because her family is going to be under a microscope now (even though Obama claims the family should be left out of this whole thing, they wasted no time in discovering problems in her family) and will make things very hard for her and her hubby.

But it brings hope to this nation! This woman has done a great job as governor of the biggest state in the union, and I've been impressed with her before she was even thought of as vice president. It's a breath of fresh air in this stale voting year, and I hope everyone else gets a chance to breath it!

Who Does She Think She Is?

I heard the most amazing thing on the radio this morning. Speaker of the house, Ms. Pelosi refused to have a bill to the floor to even VOTE on about repealing the ban on drilling for oil. She turned off the lights and told everyone to go on August break. WHAT???

I also heard that when they were proposing the idea of this bill, another senator refused to accept the idea that they would lift the ban, even if fuel prices reached $10 a gallon!! They wouldn't care.

It blows the mind. How is it they think they know what's best for the American people? Are they TRYING To send us into a deeper recession? Well, it's gonna happen if we have to continue paying the kind of prices we are right now. Businesses are already suffering and our economy is going to continue to suffer -- and it's NOT President Bush's fault.

Now it's theirs. I wonder how history will view their actions.

I hope we're all around to see it and not enslaved to a third world nation that has all the fuel...

And then the bit with Paris Hilton (ugh...I can't believe I even typed her name...) with the stupid add to McCain...I'm a celebrity? Like I care! Like I think she's worth listening to?? She's a spoiled debutante who likes to walk around in skimpy bathing suits and high heals...sigh. As if... I heard that Britney Spears had made the same kind of add...I'm a celebrity type thing? As if she's a role model!?? It kills me. What are these people thinking? and what about the people that listen to them???? It's a sad state we're in, people...

A sad state.

Modern Day Slavery? Yeah

My family watched Amazing Grace last night, and as usual when we watch it, got into a discussion about slavery.

We are of the opinion that slavery exists today, mainly in terms of the illegal immigrants and the wages they are forced to live with working for companies that are too cheap to hire legal citizens.

What was ironic...or funny? about it, was that on Glenn Becks radio show today, he was talking about the same thing! I thought it was very interesting.

We totally agree with him -- what about the people who hired the illegal aliens??? What about them? How can they stand to sleep at night knowing what they are doing to another human being? Of course, what about the black slave trade and how they were treated...people seemed to sleep just fine during that too...so where is their soul?

Apparently they don't have them.

I have no problem with people wanting to come to America legally. I know that the red tape is insane, and the costs are there too...but if you want to be here -- what's the price? What are you willing to pay for freedom? We live in the greatest country in the world...

Just ask the illegals.

Obama Vs McCain

Okay...I only use this post for political or other frustrations that have to do with the society in which we live. I've managed to keep my mouth shut for a while here, but this latest bit with Obama makes me want to scream.

He reminds me a LOT of Rev Jackson when he was touring around the world and trying to make a name for himself so he could run for office. What business does Obama have touring the war zones and ignoring the troupes?? We got an email from a friend who's son sent her a letter just after he was there. It said he seemed to go out of his way to ignore the men in line to greet him, shaking hands only with the Mucky mucks and putting on a grand show for the cameras and all that media that he invited to go with him.

Such a show. He should have been an actor. I wonder sometimes what his reality is compared to ours.

I'm not really excited about McCain, but at least he's had some experience. sigh.

Moral Center

My husband told me about a news item on the radio yesterday. He usually tells me because when I'm at home, I don't listen to the radio or watch the news...(like I need more negativity?)

Anyway, he told me that someone in Edwards presidential campaign made a statement while giving a speech at the Gay Parade in San Fran, that we needed a government based on science and not on religion. That wasn't the whole statement, and I'm afraid I haven't been able to find anything about it on the internet, (other than the speech happened - they made a bigger deal out of the gay bit instead of government) but the whole thing gives me chills.

The idea that we need a national government that has no moral center, is worse than what we have now. And...leads to anarchy. It's a scary thought. There are so many people that want to be free FROM religion and all the 'rules and regulations' that are involved with religion. I want to ask those who are parents what they are thinking? Don't they want their children to know right from wrong? Don't they want a government that has rules and expectations for each member of society?

Our nation was founded on the belief in God. Not in the absence or avoidance, but the belief. It was founded on the Freedom OF Religion. I know I've remarked on this before, but it really gets me. I love this nation.

I would advise anyone who hates it so badly to go live somewhere else for a while and see how bad it is then. Go on - go live in England. At lease they are a democracy (sort of). Or...better yet, go live in some South American country and see how you like the government there.

Everyone hates it here, everyone complains about taxes and benefits...no one thinks about what they could be doing about it, or how they have the ability to even complain about it all!! Try doing that in some other countries and see where it gets you.

I have an acquaintance who's daughter is in Argentina. She has discovered first hand that the government there could care less about the family or what they are doing. It wants it's rules followed, and if not, you can leave.

Sometimes I think that's what we need to do here. We've been the only country in the world that has welcomed those who wanted freedom. Unfortunately, there are many who say it's time to end that. And...there are many who would create a mini country of their own here.

Welcome to America. We speak English. We welcome you as long as you desire to learn our language and contribute to society.

That's what we should be saying. I realize I went from one subject to another, but that's life as I see it.

I'm very thankful to be here. God bless the USA.

Farewell to Amnity

Well..I read yesterday that Cindy Sheehan decided to give up her stand as an activist and go home to live 'normal' for a while. I guess we can all take a big breath of relief, right? We don't have to worry about her anymore?

Just because Mr. Rocky A decided to stand with her, I don't think I was really worried about her - it was more what she was saying to the soldiers that are currently serving. It was like another Vietnam - only bigger because she got so much press out of it.

My biggest sorrow is for her son. He must feel sooo badly, knowing that she has done this for the American soldier. He is probably broken hearted. And what kills me, is that she says 'the land I no longer love'...well, then move. You can go somewhere else where the government doesn't care about you, and the soldiers won't fight for you and find out what life is like. I'm sure there will be loads ready to help you pack.

But you are going home to peace and relative immunity to your actions. What does that say about the country you no longer love?

I think your son is crying for you. Are you ever going to hear him?

Way to Go...

Well...I realized I hadn't posted anything here for quite awhile. Partly because there hasn't been anything I wanted to waste my time with politically, and partly because I've been busy. I have to say though...the debate last week was quite the example of the problems facing this country. If anyone outside of Utah watched it, I'm sure they were wondering what was up with the whole thing.
I thought Hannidy did a great job, but I also thought the Mayor had good points. Unfortunately, the audience was very ill mannered, and I'm embarrassed for us. How could we be so rude to people who came to debate in our state because we asked them to???
Anyway, there was a statement in the paper afterward that the person was worried about our country, because it definitely showed a division. I think she was right. I think it showed a greater problem than just politics, although I think that is the biggest part.
It gives me shivers of the civil war, and that's really scary. So many people are so sure their opinion is what's right...on both sides of the issues. Everyone is so sensitive to what is being said, they aren't listening or doing what needs to be done.
Just Monday some preacher made a comment in a debate he was in that those who 'believed in God' would win the day over Mit Romney. Well...apparently no one understood that he was talking about believe in God generally, not that he was saying Mit Romney didn't believe in God. He might not believe in the same God, but everyone knows he believes in God...sigh. it's crazy.
I'm really worried about our country and where it's headed.
If everything is politics, and nothing is about the country or the people the politics are supposed to serve, what purpose does the politics serve? None. It becomes a mute point that should be addressed.

Can we Impeach a Mayor?

Okay...I've given this a lot of thought, and due to his own words, I think we can impeach our state's largest city's Mayor. What do you think? The guy is a dweeb, doesn't do anything for our state except draw negative attention, and likes to use the taxpayers money to flout the office of the President of the United States. I mean...get a life.. Preferrably outside of the state, if you know what I mean. I think Nevada could use you, don't they like Hilary? Or wait...maybe that's some state back east...

The man has even been re-elected. I don't know how he got elected in the first place, we didn't vote for him. We were really thankful to move after he got there, I promise. I figure I'm just as open minded as the next person, but I'm also very patriotic.

When this guy takes taxpayers money and flies back east to bash the President, that just peeves me a little. I realize that President bashing is popular right now, in fact, that's probably the most popular thing you can do.

From what I understand, his approval rating is at the lowest any president has ever been...like bar none. If anyone cares to remember, his approval rating was also the highest any president ever was right after 9/11. How quickly we forget.

You know, I feel so bad for the man. He has made a few mistakes, but you know, everyone seems to forget he does not have all the power!! He is only 1/3 of it in washington, and he doesn't always get his way. There are a lot of people out there trying to thwart his every move and every thought. There are many media people out there slandering and mocking and downgrading everything he tries to do. Especially what's going on in Iraq. I had the pleasure of listening to a man who lived there for a while and helped set up the different city organizations after 2001.

He wrote a book called The Enigma of Iraq, and it looks mighty interesting. I know a lot of people don't read this, and I guess I don't care - I write it to spout off and get things off my chest. But if anyone chances to read this and looks up this book, I'll have done at least a small service to my country. This man has been there - he knows what is really happening. And he could tell you all about it, in much better language than the leading newspaper. Seek the truth...you might find it. It just might not be the truth your looking for - especially if you are a Democrat.

Well...at least he didn't shoot her...

On the way to work this morning, I listened to a short blurb about a coming talk show that was going to be discussing last nights speech by President Bush. The commentator was expressing his frustration with the general press, and how they reacted. He said one guy that he usually admires, made totally off the wall remarks. He was saying "did he watch the same speech I did?"

It has come to the point where the President can't win--no matter what he does. Everyone is all saying how low he is in the polls...as if he cares. (I think if he really cared about the polls, he would be doing what everyone wants him to be doing and nothing would be getting done. ) Everyone is all up in arms about what is happening with the War.

I thought the speech went well. No, it was not some history making memorial thing like John F. K's was...and I would much rather have George W. Bush than JFK any day; he was scary and no one knew it until he was dead. (I mean this in a morality way...somehow he managed to lead the country well..)

It was depressing to watch and know that people were being watched for which part of the speech they stood up for, clapped for, and it was obvious when it was a subject the Republicans were excited with and when the Demos weren't happy. It was hilarious to watch ol' what's her face-speaker of the house-sit next to the Vice Pres. She kept swallowing as if she was going to have dinner come back any minute--I wondered if it was a tick of some kind.

It was a typical thing to have the people honored at the end of the speech and have outlined how they represented all that is good in our country. It was fun to actually see the guy that dove under the train. I keep feeling like it's a real live While You Were Sleeping moment. It was great to see the guy from Africa that was doing his part for his native land while becoming a US citizen.

All in all...I'm still for the guy. I think he has done loads for this country, and that the guys in the senate and congress are the ones that have mired the legal and governmental aspects of our country in muck. They refused to work with the man--party lines and all that. I say throw out the parties. There needs to be more than two. Those two parties have gotten to the point where they have lost the idea of what made this country great and what is the GOOD FOR THE COUNTRY!! President Bush tried to get both parties to work together, but they were biased against him from the start. So...here we sit, worried about what befalls us in a year.

I'm scared to death that Hilary Clinton might actually make it to the white house. I thought one Clinton was damaging enough. And I actually read a blurb that said she thought her husband would be an 'asset to her presidency'!! ARGH Perhaps that was mislabeled... I'm sure he was more like a donkey than any help while in office.

Anyway...I didn't mean to get off on the subject of past painful episodes of the leaders of our country, I just wanted to say that I thought he did well. I thought he covered all the bases, and I think it's time for the press to get off their biased buts and report the truth (like what's really happening in Iraq and how much good is going on) instead of what they get paid to print...

But that's just me.

Happy New Year...ya Wild Animal

One of my favorite Christmas movies is Home Alone. The first one. This kid just cracks me up. What really amazes me is what he is able to do at 8 years old. MY children would never have dreamed up half the stuff he does at that age. It would be more accurate in my family if they were teenagers and having a war with burglars. I can see it now...LOL.
I don't know why he is so drawn to the old movies of gangsters...but it seems to serve him well. I figured the little expression used by the old man in both movies worked well here too. All of us have animal natures inside. They are either tamed or wild...or should I say domestic or not? grin. But the point is, most of the time, New Years is celebrated by the wild animals.
This is going to be a strange year for me...I have lots I'm planning on doing. How about you? lots of New Year resolutions? I stopped making resolutions a long time ago. I make goals as I need them through the year. I have enough to deal with without the thought that I have some yearly goal hanging over my head.
So...I'm wishing you a Happy New Year...and I hope you are able to accomplish all you want...you wild animal, you!

Elections come and go--please!

Well...it's that time again. Yes...I'm talking about elections. Where everyone divides into camps (well...they usually do anyway) and try and convince everyone to vote for their favorite person. That person usually tries to convince everyone that they are the best choice--depending on what the issues are.
But does everyone really know the issues? And what does it matter what party anyway? My husband had a great idea--let's get rid of all parties and just have people vote. The party thing is getting totally out of hand. If you don't agree with the two major parties, your vote goes no where. There is no chance for an Independent, for example, to get elected president. That was proven out several years ago when one man came pretty darn close...but close only counts in handgrenades and horseshoes, right?

I happened to see a list of all the parties available in my state to vote under. I was amazed! There were actually 18 different parties! What in the world? And most of those people will never see print anywhere in the city paper. But they believe in their position enough to try another course.

Personally, I was raised Independent. My parents voted however they felt the candidate was best for the position. Usually Republican, but whatever. I remember when Nixon was running. I was soooo for him...it's embarrassing to remember that now. I pushed for him with everyone else in my neighborhood. California didn't know what they were doing, huh? Sigh.

There are times when I think the presidency is only a figurehead. A scapegoat when things aren't going the way you want, and a banner boy for when they are. Most presidents don't get the credit they deserve because what they have accomplished is something that doesn't take effect or you don't see the fruits of until they have been replaced. Their replacement gets the credit. (ugh...like Clinton got the credit for Bush)

I guess you'll find I lean more toward Republicans...simply because I don't have much of a choice otherwise. No one has convinced the rest of the republicans that an Independent is going to get anything accomplished in the white house. The pure fact of religion is against you too.

If you are anything other than protestant, catholic or a main stream religion, it's going to hound you during your campaign, and unless you are extremely charismatic, honest to the core, and great with talking---it's not going to happen.

Well...the word is that the Dems have taken control of the house. I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing, but I don't think it's great either. My husband is desperately afraid that they will ruin the last two years of Bush's presidency...push a Democratic president in there, end the war in Iraq at ALL or ANY cost, and cause us to be at war again because the terrorists will find no reason not to attack us at home again. We'll have a 9/11 again, and this time the whole 18 year old male thing will come into play and our son's will be called to fight. It's not a pretty picture.

I'm hoping he's wrong. But, I hate to say it, he's generally right.

Stupid is as stupid does... politics.

New AND Improved???

Okay...does the flashy title New and Improved bother anyone else? I got to looking at a bottle of mouse the other day, and had to shake my head. If it was new in the first place, how could it be improved already??? And if it wasn't new and just improved, why not just say newly improved or like I've seen...new improved formula type thing. But new AND improved? That's just scary. Makes you wonder what is going on in people's minds. Of course we buy it anyway...

I will Never Forget

Well...on this 5th anniversary of 9/11, I am going to send forth my voice into the void to join the many thousands other who are voicing their opinions. Not just on this day, but every day. I feel that even though it's likely my voice will not be heard above the rabble and the craziness, I still need to exercise the privilege of this country and express myself.

I have to say these things, because I would be doing my father a disservice by remaining quiet. I wrote a short story for a contest a couple of months ago, and I am putting the link here so that if anyone would like to read it, they can access it. I wrote this story of fiction, using memories of my family as background.
http://www.writing.com/main/view_item/item_id/1101204

My father was a Ranger in WWII. He survived D-day to become a hero in my eyes. My grandfather was in WWI in the Navy. He was some sort of rank, but other than a photo of him in uniform with lots of medals on his chest, I don't know what it was. I currently have two nephews serving in the armed forces, one of which has been to Afghanistan and been in the 'hot zone'.

What I am trying to say, is that I come from a military background. I probably have a different perspective than others on war and the military. I do not seek war, I wish and pray for peace. But, I realize that our freedom came at a cost, and it's a cost that is needing to be continually paid. Whatever be the current rumors and misleading newscasts...despite what might end up being the true story behind 9/11--the top thing we must always remember is how our firefighters and police and emergency personnel responded in an emergency within our nation. How they shored up our faith and showed courage and determination in the face of overwhelming odds.

There was an article in the paper on Saturday that talked about a group call the Truth Commission (or something to that effect) and how they have uncovered a plot (or conspiracy theory) by the government to cause the greater tragedy on 9/11 by bombing the lower portion of the towers so that they would fall. There was no reason (in this article, proclaimed by this group) for the towers to fall in such a way. They should have toppled over, not collapsed in on themselves.

I am not an engineer. I do not know anything about buildings. However-I have seen several demolitions of buildings and watched how they came down. I have seen the films of 9/11 several times, including last night's special on channel 2 (NBC?) and I have come to the conclusion in my inexpertness, that they could not have been bombed in such a way...but that's a side issue.

What I wanted to proclaim in my small blog on this memorial day, is that we are doing the right thing. That we should never forget this day or December 7th because these were days that mark tragedy in our country. These were days that brave men and women died to save others--in an attack by foreign countries on our soil. These were courageous people who died trying to save innocent ones and we should never forget. The flag should always be flown, not just on today. Our great nation might be struggling at this point to find itself amid the chaos of politics, but the people are still great. We still have a fight to fight. We must still keep our freedoms. We have to strike out against those that would destroy those freedoms and the innocents in our country. There could still be a strike on our country at any time, despite the security measures which have given us a measure of safety.

Yes, I can understand where people are confused, but perhaps I never knew the whole facts. I had no idea that they were going after Saddam himself, it was Osama from the beginning. And despite what the news tells you, there is much that has happened that most will never know because it's not being let out. They will never broadcast that WMD have been found in Iraq, despite being old and perhaps no longer useful, they are still there. They were found. And despite the fact that everyone thinks we are only there because of the oil--we have been able to free a people that haven't known freedom in generations. My nephew has told us of how thankful people are that we are there! Is that something you've heard on the news? Of course not! That would say that we are doing something good. All we hear about is the soldiers that die.

I happen to live in a state that is rather conservative. Our capitol city, however, has a mayor that has decided to make a name for himself, despite the damage it does to our state, and has spoken out against the President. He has suggested that he needs to be impeached--that this war against terror is a crime.

The crime is what is being fed to the nation by the media. The crime is that those who enjoy our nation of free speech would try and silence those who speak out against them.

These are the times that try the hearts of men. That is an old quote and I'm sorry I don't know who said it, but it's as true now as it was then. We were united as a nation after 9/11. We were strong. We knew what needed to be done. But time fades the sharpness of the pain, the fear that we lived with, the empty skies for almost a week afterward. We are human, and as such, tend to forget things, or lessen them with time.

THAT CANNOT HAPPEN!! WE must never forget!

Now suddenly our patriotism is slack...there aren't as many flags flying as there were that fall, are there? Do you have a flag in the front of your house? On your car? Are your children proud to be called an American? More importantly are you???

You live in a nation where you can do pretty much anything you want to do for a living. You can travel anywhere within it's confines without worrying about being searched or asked questions (unless you choose to fly, and there is no problem on my part with that). You have the right to question the leaders and ask them to account for what they do. You have the right to criticize those around you. You have so many rights and privileges that many people only dream about. Remember what they say about our nation (or used to) -- The land of dreams???

Well...for many, it still is. We still have sooo much, while others do not, and they are always going to be jealous of those things. We are always going to have to defend our rights. There are times when the politics gets in the way of what is right, and what needs to be done. The majority of our nation is good. The greater part of our leaders (I think) are good. I think President Bush has done an amazing job in the face of all the negative publicity and name bashing. Think of what the press has done to this man and our nation. What other country in the world would allow such slander??? (Okay...slander is if it's in print?)

I do not align myself with any particular political party. I was raised to be an independent thinker. Right now, both the major political parties are mixed up and messed up. They do NOT think of what's good for the people, only what's good for the party...what is good politics. My husband made a suggestion the other day, that we should dump both parties and start over. Everyone is so power hungry, they forget what is important.
WE THE PEOPLE.

I've already gotten far more carried away than I meant to. But this is an important issue--one which I think every American needs to take note of. WE Can NEVER Forget!!! Once we start forgetting, we do not place the value on things that need to be. We don't give freedom such a rating as it should have.

I hope everyone takes a moment to honor those who have gone before us, either in war or tragedy and silently give thanks for their sacrifice. That we can be where we are, doing what we are doing with the freedoms that we have.

Never Forget.

Ignorant Sales People Beware

I had the most obnoxious experience last week. I was trying to get a picture framed for the upcoming county fair that I was entering, and they messed up the mat for it. Twice. First, I went in and they said there was no way they could frame it for me within the time limit. They were looking at outwards of a week.
I gulped and figured I'd framed my own pictures once upon a time, I could do it again. Fine. How long would it take to cut the mat? They could do that by the evening. I said fine. Then I saw the cost. 4 cuts and it was $18???? Expensive paper...
Anyway, I go back the next morning (trying to be a gas saving consumer and be efficient in my errands...grin) and pick up the mat. I get to looking at it later that day, and realize that it is TOO BIG FOR THE FRAME. We are not talking about just a little...but WAY too big to fit in the glassed area. I couldn't believe it. I mean, THEY measured it! So, I take it back, pretty steamed, wanting to just return the whole thing and go to a different craft store, which has told me they could frame it for me before Saturday!
Of course not. I take it to the customer service area, and they call the manager who then takes me to the back. We talk to the person who cut it, and wow...no problem, they'll just trim it for me, it will take no time at all. Sure....
So, he cuts it again for me. Hey, I'm sorry, ya know? yeah.
I get home, and the next night get ready to put it together, since I hadn't had a minute before then. It's still too big. By a mere 1/8th of an inch... I couldn't believe it. We had to go back the first thing Saturday morning (I had to get it in there before noon) and show them the mat. The lady was the rudest I have ever seen. Like it was an imposition for her to have to cut it! I'm thinking, you know what??? You guys just lost my business.
At least at this point they could have offered to put it together for me for free!
I used to deal with customers on a daily business when we owned our own pizza store. There were rude ones, and there were sweet ones. I tried to be nice and civil to all of them....with the moto "The customer is Always right" as my goal. I know I never treated anyone like I was treated that day. I was barely able to think about a come back...let alone voice one.
We went to the customer service desk and asked to see the manager, who was of course not in the store. At that point, we left. I do not plan on going back, no matter how much closer they are than the other store. I like the other store better anyway. I only went to the one store because it was more convenient.
I think I'm still going to send their management a letter. I was the customer this time, and I WAS right.