Here is a pic with 2 of my boys. This is for the request for more pics. You have seen my girl. I will try to find one of my oldest (he HATES his picture being taken) Then that is it. No more pics for a while. 
Tuesday, March 29, 2005
Tramps through the ages.....
First Janet Jackson, then Tara Reid, and now Katrina Campins from the Apprentice all having wardrobe malfunctions. (via Wizbang)
But it seems this has been happening throughout history....;-)
Speaking of the civil rights movement, Ace shows us that in that area we have crossed over into the "Twilight Zone."
Have you seen this piece of work? What are they afraid of, the truth?
You gotta love the NRA Chicks. Inside the Beltway has this:
“Heels and Handguns”
“It's the second annual Shooting for Women Conference, which will be held Thursday through Sunday in Arizona and feature "loads of range time, pajama party, self-defense classes, fashion show."
Inside the Beltway also has this interesting piece: (excerpts)
What's a thong? President Franklin D. Roosevelt would be shocked to find the Social Security Act he signed into law in 1935 emblazoned on women's underwear — thongs, no less.
Lisa De Pasquale, program director of the Clare Boothe Luce Policy Institute, issued a memo on behalf of the women's group against "I Love Social Security" thongs. She feels that on the heels of other left-wing groups' hysteria over Social Security reform, the Rock the Vote campaign is misinforming a whole new generation of young people. "How do you make an apathetic generation care about Social Security?" she asks. "Sell trucker hats and thongs emblazoned with 'I Love Social Security.' "
Besides underwear, Rock the Vote has issued a list of reasons why young people should oppose Social Security reform, including that the current system is "retro chic," "politicians want to trick you," and it's better to "visit your grandparents — at their house" because "before Social Security, for most families, all the generations lived under one roof."
"This is how Rock the Vote views their constituency — a bunch of ditsy victims who don't want to live with their grandparents," Miss De Pasquale says.”
I say we fight fire with fire. We sell thongs that say “I want to keep the money I make.” Or even better....."Private accounts Rock!” Or...."I want my money to be there even when I can no longer wear this thong with any dignity.”
Although that may be a tad long for a thong….;-)
Jesse's In The House!
Ok, I am trying to be fair here. But it is difficult. Jesse Jackson shows up at the 11th hour to show support for Terri. Hmmm.... Where has he been for almost 2 weeks?
Lets face it. The longer she hangs on the more gruesome it becomes. The moderates on this are getting queasy. The "natural death' aint happening and the longer she hangs on the more barbaric it seems. The Democrats do not want to be seen as the party of death. Hillary, as usual, stays out of it so she can say what she needs to say when the time comes for her to run for President.
So they send in Jesse Jackson. "We must temper the law with mercy," he says. Where was his mercy last week? Sorry. This isn't cutting it for me.
I used to have a great deal of respect for Jesse Jackson. In the early 70's he brought hundreds of blacks to register to vote for the first time to the court house in downtown Jackson, Mississippi. My Father was Circuit Clerk of Hinds County at the time. (He ran the court house) Jesse didn't get there until 3:00pm. The courthouse closes at 5:00pm. There was no way to get that many registered in that amount of time so my Dad kept the courthouse open and paid his staff out of his own pocket. I handed out registration forms.
Jesse was inspiring then. He was a charasmatic speaker and he was passionate and caring . I met him briefly. Later that year he spoke at the Right To Life march in Washington D.C. He said "Never let them tell you that a fetus isn't a person, that is what they said about the Negro."
He gave up that position when he ran for President. The Democratics don't allow that kind of talk from their candidates. Once in the late 80's, Nat Henthoff, a liberal but pro-life writer for the Village Voice at the time was on a plane with Jackson. He asked him about that quote and if he still believed that. Jesse told him he would get back to him on that with a full explanation. He never did.
I don't like sell outs. I don't like men who cheat on their wives. I don't like people who get so caught up in their own fame they forget what they were fighting for.
I can't know what is in Jesse Jackson's heart. I hope he is sincere about his wanting the world to show compassion for Terri. But it seems a little too well timed. It seems too staged.
It seems too late.
Off-stage, Hillary was seething with rage. "He's strangling all the best kittens himself!" via Caption This!
U.S. Senator John Cornyn, another Texan that rocks, lays out perfectly how our judicial system is ignoring our consitiution. Here is an excerpt:
"I fear, however, that today some judges may be departing so far from American law, American principles, and American traditions, that the only way they can justify their rulings from the bench is to cite the law of foreign countries, foreign governments, and foreign cultures — because there is nothing in this country left for them to cite for support. What's more, citing foreign law in order to overrule U.S. policy is especially offensive to our constitutional democracy, because foreign lawmaking is in no way accountable to the American people.
Last week, I introduced Senate Resolution 92, similar to a resolution introduced by Rep. Tom Feeney (R., Fla.) last month. It expresses the sense of the Senate that judicial determinations regarding the meaning of our Constitution should not be based on the judgments, laws, or pronouncements of foreign institutions, except where such foreign judgments, laws, or pronouncements inform an understanding of the original meaning of our Constitution."
It is truly scary when you read how far the judges veer from our constitution in order to rule as they see fit.
Monday, March 28, 2005
A soldier/blogger is getting out of the military. His resume is impressive. You should check it out.
NEW YORK (AP) - In a case that could set limits on Internet search engines, the French news agency AFP is suing Google Inc. for pulling together photos and story excerpts from thousands of news Web sites.
Agence France-Presse said the "Google News" service infringes on AFP's copyrights by reproducing information from the Web sites of subscribers of the Paris-based news wholesaler.
The issues raised by the case have profound implications for the Internet, where anyone can be a publisher and Web journals, or blogs, are becoming more frequent destinations for seekers of news.
Read the rest.
You have to wonder how long this freedom of blogging will continue. We are making the MSM gods angry you know.
The Nose On Your Face has the new recruitment tools for terrorists. Heh.
He also has Scott Peterson's lovelife update, but sadly I'm not sure it's satirical.
I'm Back!!!!!
Wow! What a weekend I had! I hate to tease you but I don't know if I am going to blog on it or not. Maybe soon.
I had a wonderful Easter. Always great seeing family. There were a few inspiring and interesting things I read over the weekend in Newsweek and Time magazine. We need some inspiring things now, don't we?
One thing I read I might do myself.
Many soldiers have nowhere to put their pets when they are shipped off, especially with little advanced warning. So two organizations are on the web to match those who wish to care for these animals while the soldiers are gone.
www.netpets.org (for all kinds of pets) and www.operationnoblefoster.org (for cats only)
A story on PFC. George Perez, age 21 was very inspiring because he lost a leg in Iraq to a roadside bomb in January 2004. After 19 operations and grueling rehab and a new prosthetic leg, he requested that he not be given a medical discharge, but a reinstatement! The Army relented and assigned him to a desk job at Fort Bragg, N.C. He is still angling to get back to combat duty in Iraq.
Awesome.
Wednesday, March 23, 2005
Tuesday, March 22, 2005
Drudge finds this new HBO docu-drama about Air America's first days funny. I don't though. Just from the excerpts of the people he sites, I find them sad and lost. And I don't mean just politically either.
A Nurse's words.
At Darleen's place she has the affidavit from one of the nurses who took care of Terri. Keep in mind this was taken in 2003 long before all this politics got involved. You can hardly accuse this nurse of any "agenda."
AFFIDAVITSTATE OF FLORIDA )COUNTY OF PINELLAS )
BEFORE ME the undersigned authority personally appeared CARLA SAUER IYER, R.N., who being first duly sworn, deposes and says:
1. My name is Carla Sauer Iyer. I am over the age of eighteen and make this statement of my own personal knowledge.
2. I am a registered nurse in the State of Florida, having been licensed continuously in Florida from 1997 to the present. Prior to that I was a Licensed Practical Nurse for about four years.
3. I was employed at Palm Garden of Largo Convalescent Center in Largo, Florida from April of 1995 to July 1996, while Terri Schiavo was a patient there.
4. It was clear to me at Palm Gardens that all decisions regarding Terri Schiavo were made by Michael Schiavo, with no allowance made for any discussion, debate or normal professional judgment. My initial training there consisted solely of the instruction “Do what Michael Schiavo tells you or you will be terminated.” This struck me as extremely odd.
5. I was very disturbed by the decision making protocol, as no allowance whatsoever was made for professional responsibility. The atmosphere throughout the facility was dominated by Mr. Schiavo’s intimidation. Everyone there, with the exception of several people who seemed to be close to Michael, was intimidated by him. Michael Schiavo always had an overbearing attitude, yelling numerous times such things as “This is my order and you’re going to follow it.” He is very large and uses menacing body language, such as standing too close to you, getting right in your face and practically shouting.
6. To the best of my recollection, rehabilitation had been ordered for Terri, but I never saw any being done or had any reason at all to believe that there was ever any rehab of Terri done at Palm Gardens while I was there. I became concerned because nothing was being done for Terri at all, no antibiotics, no tests, no range of motion therapy, no stimulation, no nothing. Michael said again and again that Terri should NOT get any rehab, that there should be no range of motion whatsoever, or anything else. I and a CNA named Roxy would give Terri range of motion anyway. One time I put a wash cloth in Terri’s hand to keep her fingers from curling together, and Michael saw it and made me take it out, saying that was therapy.
7. Terri’s medical condition was systematically distorted and misrepresented. When I worked with her, she was alert and oriented. Terri spoke on a regular basis while in my presence, saying such things as “mommy,” and “help me.” “Help me” was, in fact, one of her most frequent utterances. I heard her say it hundreds of times. Terri would try to say the word “pain” when she was in discomfort, but it came out more like “pay.” She didn’t say the “n” sound very well. During her menses she would indicate her discomfort by saying “pay” and moving her arms toward her lower abdominal area. Other ways that she would indicate that she was in pain included pursing her lips, grimacing, thrashing in bed, curling her toes or moving her legs around. She would let you know when she had a bowel movement by flipping up the covers and pulling on her diaper.
8. When I came into her room and said “Hi, Terri”, she would always recognize my voice and her name, and would turn her head all the way toward me, saying “Haaaiiiii” sort of, as she did. I recognized this as a “hi”, which is very close to what it sounded like, the whole sound being only a second or two long. When I told her humorous stories about my life or something I read in the paper, Terri would chuckle, sometimes more a giggle or laugh. She would move her whole body, upper and lower. Her legs would sometimes be off the bed, and need to be repositioned. I made numerous entries into the nursing notes in her chart, stating verbatim what she said and her various behaviors, but by my next on-duty shift, the notes would be deleted from her chart. Every time I made a positive entry about any responsiveness of Terri’s, someone would remove it after my shift ended. Michael always demanded to see her chart as soon as he arrived, and would take it in her room with him. I documented Terri’s rehab potential well, writing whole pages about Terri’s responsiveness, but they would always be deleted by the next time I saw her chart. The reason I wrote so much was that everybody else seemed to be afraid to make positive entries for fear of their jobs, but I felt very strongly that a nurses job was to accurately record everything we see and hear that bears on a patients condition and their family. I upheld the Nurses Practice Act, and if it cost me my job, I was willing to accept that.
9. Throughout my time at Palm Gardens, Michael Schiavo was focused on Terri’s death. Michael would say “When is she going to die?,” “Has she died yet?” and “When is that bitch gonna die?” These statements were common knowledge at Palm Gardens, as he would make them casually in passing, without regard even for who he was talking to, as long as it was a staff member. Other statements which I recall him making include “Can’t you do anything to accelerate her death - won’t she ever die?” When she wouldn’t die, Michael would be furious. Michael was also adamant that the family should not be given information. He made numerous statements such as “Make sure the parents aren’t contacted.” I recorded Michael’s statements word for word in Terri’s chart, but these entries were also deleted after the end of my shift. Standing orders were that the family wasn’t to be contacted, in fact, there was a large sign in the front of her chart that said under no circumstances was her family to be called, call Michael immediately, but I would call them, anyway, because I thought they should know about their daughter.
10. Any time Terri would be sick, like with a UTI or fluid buildup in her lungs, colds, pneumonia, Michael would be visibly excited, thrilled even, hoping that she would die. He would call me, as I was the nurse supervisor on the floor, and ask for every little detail about her temperature, blood pressure, etc., and would call back frequently asking if she was dead yet. He would blurt out “I’m going to be rich!,” and would talk about all the things he would buy when Terri died, which included a new car, a new boat, and going to Europe, among other things.
11. When Michael visited Terri, he always came alone and always had the door closed and locked while he was with Terri. He would typically be there about twenty minutes or so. When he left Terri would would be trembling, crying hysterically, and would be very pale and have cold sweats. It looked to me like Terri was having a hypoglycemic reaction, so I’d check her blood sugar. The glucometer reading would be so low it was below the range where it would register an actual number reading. I would put dextrose in Terri’s mouth to counteract it. This happened about five times on my shift as I recall. Normally Terri’s blood sugar levels were very stable due to the uniformity of her diet through tube feeding. It is my belief that Michael injected Terri with Regular insulin, which is very fast acting.
12. The longer I was employed at Palm Gardens the more concerned I became about patient care, both relating to Terri Schiavo, for the reasons I’ve said, and other patients, too. There was an LPN named Carolyn Adams, known as “Andy” Adams who was a particular concern. An unusual number of patients seemed to die on her shift, but she was completely unconcerned, making statements such as “They are old - let them die.” I couldn’t believe her attitude or the fact that it didn’t seem to attract any attention. She made many comments about Terri being a waste of money, that she should die. She said it was costing Michael a lot of money to keep her alive, and that he complained about it constantly (I heard him complain about it all the time, too.) Both Michael and Adams said that she would be worth more to him if she were dead. I ultimately called the police relative to this situation, and was terminated the next day. Other reasons were cited, but I was convinced it was because of my “rocking the boat.”
13. Ms. Adams was one of the people who did not seem to be intimidated by Michael. In fact, they seemed to be very close, and Adams would do whatever Michael told her. Michael sometimes called Adams at night and spoke at length. I was not able to hear the content of these phone calls, but I knew it was him talking to her because she would tell me afterward and relay orders from him.
14. While at Palm Gardens, I became fearful for my personal safety. This was due to Michael’s constant intimidation, including his menacing body language, vocal tone and mannerisms.
15. I have contacted the Schindler family because I just couldn’t stand by and let Terri die without the truth being known.
FURTHER AFFIANT SAYETH NAUGHT.
CARLA SAUER IYER, R.N.
The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this _____ day of September, 2003, by CARLA SAUER IYER, R.N., who produced her Florida driver’s license as identification, and who did / did not take an oath.
Notary Public
If this doesn't at least give you pause, then I just feel sorry for you.
Here are some liberal bloggers that are on Terri's side. Might be interesting to look at things from their point of view. via My Vast Rightwing Conspiracy
Lesbien Cest Moi (most excellent)
Liberals for Terri
Random Thoughts
airmanblog
How about a natural death?
I thought I was done with this because it was depressing me so much. But so far I have seen the Doctor the Shavio's had examine Terri and the nurse who took care of her will be on Hannity and Colmes tonight. But I have not seen or read anything from the doctors who diagnosed Terri as PVS. Where are they? Why aren't they speaking on this? Since I like to hear both sides, I would like to hear what they have to say now. If anyone has seen or read anything from them in the last week or so, let me know. (not the trial notes, quotes from now)
I want to make one thing very clear. I am not for reinserting the feeding tube. Unless that is what everyone wanted or if tests revealed that she could get better. I just think Terri deserves a natural death. If this was 100 years ago her parents (or husband) would be giving her as much sustance as they could orally. Then she could die in loving arms and not dehydrated and starved to death. I have yet to see a valid humane argument against that.
Natural death, that is all I am asking for. Why are some so determined that she die in this manner of dehydration and starvation?
AP: A federal judge on Tuesday refused to order the reinsertion of Terri Shavio's feeding tube, denying an emergency request from the brain-damaged woman's parents.
U.S. District Judge James Whittemore said the 41-year-old woman's parents, Bob and Mary Schindler, had not established a "substantial likelihood of success" at trial on the merits of their arguments.
Whittemore wrote that Schiavo's "life and liberty interests" had been protected by Florida courts. Despite "these difficult and time strained circumstances," he wrote, "this court is constrained to apply the law to the issues before it"
Rex Sparklin, an attorney with the law firm representing Terri Schiavo's parents, said lawyers were immediately appealing to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta to "save Terri's life." That court was already considering an appeal on whether Terri Schiavo's right to due process had been violated." via Wizbang
This certainly isn't a surprise. The law does say that what Michael wants Michael gets. One thing that is truly bothering me is how I read completely different things about the history of Terri's fight from all kinds of news sources. I understand that Michael's and The Shavio's versions are different. But when I hear someone like Mort Kondrake (a democrat commentator) who has been personally very involved in this issue (his wife dying of MS and with a living will) changing his mind after reading the kind of tests that were and were not were done on Terri, it makes me think that we were right. Kondrake would have researched this from a knowing medical perspective.
I might add that although this seems to be a partisan issue on the internet, it was not on Capitol Hill. Only a few Democrats voted no. The news pundits on both sides are saying that this was a bi-partisan bill. I am at least grateful when life issues are brought before us. At least we can take a good look at what we are doing as a society. What we sow, we reap.
It seems Terri will starve to death. Her mother cannot even offer her water. So now, no matter how you feel about this issue, your heart has to go out to Terri's parents. They have already been through hell and now they have to watch their daughter die this horrible death. I pray God comforts them.
Excerpts from news on the floods in Afghanistan:
KABUL, March 20 (Reuters) - Floods caused by torrential rains and melting snow have killed more than 200 people and destroyed thousands of homes in several parts of Afghanistan over recent days, officials said on Sunday.
U.S. military Chinook and Black Hawk helicopters rescued around 250 people in the Deh Rawud District, some 70 kilometres (43 miles) northeast of the U.S. base at Kandahar, after the Helmand river burst its banks
The U.S. military also sent blankets, wheat flour, cooking oil and biscuits, and a spokesman said U.S. forces were on standby, awaiting any further request for assistance from Afghan and U.N. authorities managing the relief effort.
I'm guessing this won't make the front page of The New York times, but for my part....Our Soldiers Rock!!
I seriously think Michael Jackson will have a nervous breakdown before this trial is over. The only thing getting him through it right now is serious pain meds. It is obvious that he is heavily medicated. Perhaps guilt is overwhelming him. He may never have actually faced what he has done. No matter which way this goes, I predict it won't end pretty.
This poor little girl Jessie is raped and murdered by a convicted sex offender and it is barely mentioned in the news. I understand that the media is going crazy over the Shavio case because of the political theatre it is providing, but can't we focus just as much air time to the fact that these monsters keep getting out on parole and hurting our children? This is a right to life issue we can all agree on. Why can't we get anything done about it?
I am beginning to think this world is a circus except there doesn't seem to be anything funny about it.
Monday, March 21, 2005
Wonderduck, this is for you.....or......is it you??????????..LOL!!!! I'm sorry, I couldn't help myself. via massbackwards
Look at what a nice thing a socialist had to say about a rightwinger.
EVERYBODY with me now....."I'd like to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony......."
"I'm as classy as I am beautiful."
Caption This! pretty much sums up the anti-war protesting. Can someone explain to me how Iraqi people being able to vote is wrong? The purple finger, I would think, would be a sign of victory for anyone to see. Not to mock in such a disgusting way.
Sunday, March 20, 2005
UPDATE ON TERRI SHAVIO LEGISLATION.
I decided to put this post at the top as well. It needs to be read.
At 12:35 CT, The Democrats who oppose this legislation started a news conference. Rep. Jim Davis from Florida began it. But the airing of it started before they obviously were aware of it. It started with laughter from the press core. Then Jim Davis says "I'm sure they will." and then more laughter. And one reporter yells out, "yeah right." And then Rep. Davis smiles and says, "We will encourage them to." Small laughter and then they THOUGHT the news conference was starting. Rep. Davis begins by offering his sympathies to the family.
Yeah right.
You were being real sympathetic there when you thought the cameras were not on. I wonder what was so funny? Maybe someone can find out?
They make me sick.
Update: Well, it passed. Bush signed it. We will see how it goes.
This whole situation is just sad. I don't want just the feeding tube put back. I want Terri's parents to be able to care for her. This man, Terri's husband, has moved on to a new life. Nothing really changes if he doesn't let them take care of her.
I know my personal feelings on issues of life color this, but I just saw an interview with Terri's husband from 2003 with Larry King and he came off as very insincere. I didn't get the feeling that he was emotionally involved with her at all anymore. And I can even understand that. He has a woman he loves and children. But as any parent will tell you, that never happens with your child. There is no doubt her parents love her and want to take care of her. They have not moved on. And they never will. It's time for the parents to have guardianship.
I truly got the feeling in listening to Michael, that it was more about NOT letting the parents have their way than anything else. It seems to be about his pride.
One more thing. We need to give some credit to the Democrats that climbed on board here. Sometimes they do the right thing. This was one of those times.
Gannongate continues.
Jeff Gannon gives an interview with Tucker Carlson. And with the New York Times. (this may require registration) Considering what The Jawa Report is reporting about the left trying to "out" RNC chairman Ken Mehlman because he is 38 and never married, the interviews with Gannon seem pretty important on how we allow the left to vilify anyone who disagree with them.
It's time.
If you were watching Fox News last night you saw Geraldo interview Jessie's Grandmother and the statement made by her father. (Jessie is the little 9 year old taken and murdered recently by a convicted sex offender) This particular monster had been given 10 yrs, but had only served two.
At first I was uneasy seeing Geraldo interview a grieving relative. And I was made even more uneasy when they toured Jessie's bedroom. But then I got to thinking that maybe this is what we need to see in order to GET THESE FREAKS OFF THE STREET. What is wrong with us???? Why have we allowed this???
Geraldo interviewed a guy who oversees the agency that is responsible for keeping up with sex offender parolees. He just said frankly that there are way too many for his office to possibly keep up with all the time. What the hell are we doing to produce so many perverts in our society? We really need to consider this question seriously.
Knowing where sex offender's live is of public record. Each state has one. Here is mine. You click on the sex offender search site and you can click on mapping it. You type in your address and it shows a map of where the sex offenders live in your area. It also gives you a name and picture and the exact offense. You will be SHOCKED at how many live near you. Of course, like this monster, they move around and there isn't much law enforcement can do about it.
This grandmother drove her granddaughter 4 blocks down to catch the school bus everyday and picked up there everyday. She was cautious. This little girl was put to bed that night and then he got her somehow. How much more could a parent do to protect their own children?
It is time for us to lock up those who prey on our children FOR LIFE. No second chances.
Saving Terri
Watching the news this morning I am pleased to see so many democrats come on board this bill to save Terri Shavio's life. There are 3 democrats, I understand, who are against this bill. It is clearly a bi-partisan bill. If you saw the plea from Terri's mom, I don't know how you could not be against it. A mother simply wanting to care for her daughter at home until she passes seems a simple request against forcing her to stay in a hospital and starve. There is just no argument you can give me that there is anything wrong with that.
It seems clear to me that a man who has gone on to live with and have children with another woman is not "next of kin." but more like an ex-husband.
This case is also about a judicial bench out of control.
UPDATE: At 12:35 CT, The democrats who oppose this legislation started a news conference. Rep. Jim Davis from Florida began it. But the airing of it started before they obviously were aware of it. It started with laughter from the press core. Then Jim Davis says "I'm sure they will." and then more laughter. And one reporter yells out, "yeah right." And then Rep. Davis smiles and says, "We will encourage them to." Small laughter and then they THOUGHT the news conference was starting. Rep. Davis begins by offering his sympathies to the family.
Yeah right.
You were being real sympathetic there when you thought the cameras were not on. I wonder what was so funny? Maybe someone can find out?
They make me sick.
Saturday, March 19, 2005
News of the Odd.
Well, this is one way to get a date.
Ok, let's say you just won a $27 million dollar lottery. But you don't have to time to chat. Why?....Wonders never cease.
There is a lesson here somewhere, I just can't find it.
There's sick and then there is just repulsive. If there were a word worse than repulsive, I would use it. But I can't think of one. But these come close.
awful, beastly, creepy, detestable, disgusting, distasteful, foul, frightful, ghastly, gross, gruesome, hideous, horrid, horrific, icky, loathsome, lousy, macabre, monstrous, nasty, nauseating, nerdy, objectionable, obnoxious, odious, offensive, outrageous, repellent, repugnant, revolting, rotten, scandalous, scuzzy, shameless, shocking, skank, sleazeball, sleazy, stinking, surfeiting, vile, vulgar, yecchy, yucky.
Yep. That about covers it.
On a lighter note, speaking of man's best friend, if you're so lazy you would buy one of these for your dog, it is time to buy some serious vitamins for yourself. And have you ever seen a dog with a sleep disorder? (Trust me, it's funny) (via The Biomes Blog)
Friday, March 18, 2005
Once again my girl Peggy Noonan hits it perfectly regarding the Ashley Smith and Brian Nichols "meeting" after his killing rampage. Ashley's simple faith led him to give himself up and perhaps find something inside himself other than evil.
"Maybe we should be thinking: God loves all of us, every one of us most tenderly, even convicts, maybe especially convicts, who know what they are and hang their heads and one of whom, so long ago, looked up, and cried out to the man on the other cross, and received from him a promise of forgiveness and a promise that soon, very soon, they would stand together in a place without pain.
Maybe we should think: This is all quite a mystery, too big to be understood, too beautiful to be ignored."
Ours is a world filled with madness. With suicide bombers. With nasty men who take and kill little girls. With parents trying to keep their brain damaged daughter alive.
We can argue all day about what is right and what is wrong. But are we really looking for the answers?
Are we looking in the right place for them?
I think Ashley knew where to look, and that is why the killing stopped and she is alive today.
This is pretty amazing:
"Mike Enzi (R-Wyoming) has requested Terri Schiavo to testify before his congressional committee, the DRUDGE REPORT has learned. In so doing it triggers legal or statutory protections for the witness, among those protections is that nothing can be done to cause harm or death to this individual."
It gives me great satisfaction to know that there are some in Congress willing to do anything to keep this horrible thing from happening. Does anyone doubt that Terri's parents love her more than anything? You may say that Terri's husband does, but why not stay faithful to her then? Why not start rehabilitation immediately when she first was put in this condition? I know all these things have been gone over and over, but as long as her parents want to take care of her and Terri's wishes are not legally known, THEY CANNOT JUST KILL HER. What does that say about us as a society???? I can only imagine the roller coaster of emotions her poor parents are going through when all they want to do is care for their child.
It seems to me that all those on the right are trying to save her and all those on the left support taking the feeding tube out. Why does life mean so much to the left when they are on death row or killed in a war, but it doesn't mean anything here or in abortion???
Guys, this is why we have to keep electing people who value human life.
Just when you think you have seen everything there is to see on sale I bet you haven't seen this.
You know, I never knew what the blue ones meant until I overheard a conversation at a party. I guess that makes me pretty special, doesn't it?....;-) h/t Eric.
Thursday, March 17, 2005
In debating ANWR Wednesday Barbara Boxer held up a picture of a polar bear and said:
"To me, this is a God-given environment. With all the talk about faith-based politics, if you do believe, as I do, that these are gifts, then we have to be careful in what we are doing here today...If you believe this is God-given land, let's protect it. At the end of the day, that is our job." via Ankle Biting Pundits
Pardon me while I puke.
Drilling in the small part of the ANWR that they wish to poses NO danger to the animals whatsoever. Boxer is a piece of work. Protect a bear from nothing, but do nothing to protect an unborn child. (no I don't want to get started on that again, but that is just the way I see it)
It just never ends. They oppose the death penalty and will let Scott Peterson appeal for 20 yrs, but an innocent woman (Teri Shavio) starving to death is just fine.
Stolen from SondraK.
Quote Of The Day regarding the Nichol's killing rampage.
"I think I have an idea that would save money and lives: Have large men escort violent criminals. Admittedly, this approach would risk another wave of nausea and vomiting by female professors at Harvard. But there are also advantages to not pretending women are as strong as men, such as fewer dead people. Even a female math professor at Harvard should be able to run the numbers on this one." Ann Coulter via The Cassandra Page
You have to love how Ann just puts things so perfectly and frankly she is hilarious. If I weren't so darn nice maybe I could write like her.
You win some, you lose some.
I learned a valuable lesson yesterday. Never accidentally forget to put the water in the rice you cook in the microwave. Because in 12 minutes you will have billowing smoke coming out of the microwave and by the time you open it and grab some oven mitts and take it outside your entire house smells like a very stinky forest fire.
It also happened to be cold yesterday and I had to open all the doors and windows so I was freaking cold, which next to having a Democrat in the White House, is about the worse thing there is. After getting dinner done I had to crank up the electric blanket and stay there while everyone ate.
Next to Oreo cookies and eyeliner, electric blankets are just about the best invention ever.
Then I learned that you never play the game Apples to Apples with logic minded people. You know, games are suppose to be fun. And unless they are strategy games, then all you really need is a good sense of humor. In Apples to Apples the "judge," which happened to be me, picks a card that says say "entertaining." Then the 4 or 5 people playing have 5 cards with different names and things on each card. You are suppose to choose the card in your hand that most describes what the judge's card says. Like one might put down the card with "Elvis" on it or another "Nascar driving." You might not have one that fits, so you just put down "surgery." But the fun part is that you get to "convince" the judge why your card should win. The judge picks the winner based on nothing more than his or her satisfaction with the answer. Well, anyone who can make me laugh usually wins. So even if the person with "surgery" convinces me in some funny way that is entertaining, they win.
Well the logic based part of my family CANNOT STAND THIS. They feel the answer should actually best describe the judges card. Well, why have people convince you then? Right? While the "fun" part of my family is laughing and having a blast at some of the ways they try to convince me, the "logic" based part of my family (better known as nerds) is getting annoyed. Which makes it even funnier....;-)
And by the way-- HAPPY ST. PATRICKS DAY!!!
Wednesday, March 16, 2005
Click on picture for larger image. Notice anything? Some of our boys just never grow up....heh. via Argghhh!!! (If you still can't see it well, click on the Argghh!! link to see a better pic.)
"Iraq's first freely elected parliament in half a century began its opening session Wednesday." via Wizbang
This a picture of freedom. Nice.
"Brian Nichols' surrender was vacated today,in the wake of Hostage Ashley Smith's invasive inclusion of "divine purpose" in her attempts to secure a surrender."
The Therapist has more on this shocking development. Heh.
Tuesday, March 15, 2005
Finally.
This is something I have been wanting the Republicans to do forever. Reach out to blacks on a personal level. On a community level. I even wrote a letter to the RNC early in the campaign last year suggesting this. It is WAY overdue.
Here are some excerpts from U.S. News and World Report for March 21:
"In the past month, Mehlman (RNC chair) has hosted town hall meetings with black audiences in Maryland and New Jersey, sat for a PBS television interview with African-American talk-show host Tavis Smiley, and traveled to Atlanta's Martin Luther King Jr. Center. "It's about building relationships," says Mehlman, the high-octane former campaign manager who helped engineer President Bush's victory last fall. "I don't go out and lecture. I listen and learn."
"Black conservatives--and disaffected black Democrats--are preparing a major push to convince African-Americans, first, that they've been taken for granted by Democrats and, second, that the Republican Party might be worth another look, especially if the GOP more directly addresses issues of concern to blacks. It's an effort that Republicans have made before--but this time, partisans on both sides believe it could pay real dividends."
The article describes the 9 to 16 percent jump in black voting during the Presidential election in Ohio that clearly helped push Bush over the top and the 7 to 13 percent jump in Florida. Maybe this is why:
With most African-Americans identifying as churchgoers, some pastors say a new emphasis on "family values," especially opposition to same-sex marriage, is responsible for the shift. Bishop Harry Jackson, a Maryland pastor and registered Democrat, who voted against Bush in 2000 but supported him last year, is leading an effort called the "Black Contract With America on Moral Values." The contract includes pledges to "protect marriages" and "eliminate abortion." Jackson is circulating the document among black clergy through a series of six summits across the country. Jackson hopes to collect a million signatures and says he's in preliminary talks with the White House: "We're dating, and there's tremendous attraction, but we're not married yet."
A conservative black group, the Mayflower Compact Coalition, will also begin collecting signatures next week for its "21st Century Mayflower Compact," a nine-point agenda for black America that includes support for school choice and private Social Security accounts. "We recognize the achievements of the civil rights movement," says Oliver Kellman, the group's chairman. "But we need a civil responsibilities movement." Advised in part by former House Speaker Newt Gingrich's consulting firm, Mayflower is planning town hall meetings in up to 20 states--"
The article continues:
"...analysts agree that the GOP needs only modest gains to make a big difference. "For us, 20 percent [of the black vote] would be the death knell of the Democrats," says Phyllis Berry Myers, a Mayflower founder. It doesn't sound like an outsize goal. For Democrats, that's a sobering thought."
Who would have thought the issues that divide white religious conservatives and Southpark conservatives could be the EXACT issues that bring us more of the black vote.
Interesting.
*WARNING* *WARNING* EXTREME RELIGIOUS CONTENT*
I try not to get too much into my faith and religion here except where it pertains to the political debate. I wanted this to be a political blog. But the 2 abortion debates going on at Beautiful Atrocities and Wizbang have made me think about why I got into pro-life to begin with. It didn't have to do with my Church. I became pro-life before I became Catholic. I have posted on my experiences in pro-life from a political perspective before. Read that here.
When I went to college my goal was to become a trained actress. Growing up in politics, I was sick of it. All I wanted to do was be a movie star one day. I never wanted to even hear the word politics again. When I was 18 my dad made me drive 6 hours from Florida to vote in my 1st Presidential election. MADE ME. And like a good democrat, I voted for Carter.
I had been a Christian for a long time (thank goodness, looking back) by the time I entered college. During my college years I began to be bothered by the abortions my friends were having. Their pain was hard to see. I didn't see relief afterwards. But I told myself that was their decision and had nothing to do with me. Luckily for me, I had decided many years before that I was going to wait until marriage for sex, so I didn't have any worries in the department of pregnancy and abortion. In the late 70's and early 80's the common belief was abortion was performed when the baby was still a clump of cells, not even a fetus. Totally untrue, but everyone believed it. Sonograms were just beginning to be in use in OBGYN offices.
A lot of things happened with friends during those years regarding abortion and none of them good. I finally realized God was trying to tell me something. Now for those of you with faith the following will be probably be something similar that you have been through. For those of you without faith I suppose it will sound silly, but here it is nonetheless.
During my senior year after doing some study into fetal development and other things I finally did decide that abortion was the taking of a life and morally wrong. "There," I said to God, "You have convinced me, thanks for making see the reality of this. I really appreciate it. If I have more friends going through it I will do whatever I can to get them to have the baby. You can count on me. Later."
But God wasn't through with me yet. That Hound of Heaven has always done this to me. I want to go one way, He wants me to go the other. We have argued all my life. Seriously. Most of the time I went His way because I'm smart that way, and He was always right. In fact, all the best things in my life now are a result of having gone into pro-life work. My best friends and my children. But I fought going into it the whole way. The very few times I went my way, I always screwed up.
In my early 20's when it became clear that God wanted me to go into pro-life work, I simply refused. "God," I said, "look, I don't want anything to do with politics and this is political now. Isn't this a woman's choice to sin? Just like anything else? Plus, everyone thinks anyone in pro-life is a fanatic. I don't want to do this. Nope. No way. Let's move on, shall we?"
He would NOT leave me alone so I made a deal with him. I told God I would go do ANYTHING else to help his children. In fact, I will do the hardest thing for me. I will go volunteer in a nursing home. There I will be doing good, and politics is totally out of it. So I did. Many days I came home crying. I told my husband how hard it was to see these old people so lost and alone. Some so sick. Why do they have to live that way? It was so much harder than I ever thought it would be, but I had a deal with God and I kept going back.
One day one of my favorite old ladies, Emily, asked me for a glass of water. I got it for her and was sitting there watching her drink it when I felt God speak to my heart. (for ya'll who are rolling your eyes right now, NO, it isn't an actual voice, ok?, but it is clear just the same) First He spoke of the verse in the Bible where Christ says "For I was hungry and you fed me; I was thirsty and you gave me water...." Christ goes on to say "When you refused to help the least of these my brothers, you were refusing to help me." (Matthew 25:35-45) "Don't you see?" I heard God say to my heart. "These people you help are a burden and unwanted by the world, but I love them. They are my children. The same is true for my unborn children. They may be unwanted, but they are loved and wanted by me. You can be my hands, you can be my voice. Go and help the least of these."
As I sat there with tears rolling down my face, I knew that I was going to do exactly what I did not want to do. Get involved in a controversial political issue. One that I didn't feel have anything to do with me. I was an actress and that is what I wanted to do. Not this. But God had always been my strength, my guide. I sounded like a petulant child, but I said to God, "Oh, alright...."
And I did.
It was never easy to watch girls walk out of the pregnancy crisis center I worked in and know they were going to have an abortion no matter what I said. A boyfriend was usually urging them to, or a parent. It was never easy to see people think you were some sort of fanatic for being in this work. And it was NEVER easy to explain why. My family came around. They are all pro-life now. But there were years when I know they wanted to put duct tape over my mouth to make me shutup about it. President Reagan wrote an essay while in office called "Abortion and the Conscience of a Nation." It was beautiful and expressed perfectly why we should fight for the rights of the unborn. The media largely ignored it and I'm betting you here, all politically aware, have not even heard of it. The media hoped that a blackout of what we were trying to do would make us go away. But we didn't.
Although abortion laws didn't change, abortion rates lowered or stayed steady. Considering that in the last 30 yrs all other societal ills like drug abuse, domestic abuse, suicide rates, ect. have increased 300% and more, I think we have had an impact and that is with NO help from the media or funding.
One night a few years ago, upset at a woman I knew who was pregnant with twins who happened not to be her husband's (who she was separated from but planning on getting back together), was having an abortion that day. I had offered to keep her from her husband until the twins were born and then adopt them ourselves. I cried and cried for those two little ones who would never feel the breeze in their hair, or swing on swing sets. Ones I would never get to hold. In my pain, I asked God what was the purpose here if nothing in the law had changed??? Once again I heard Him speak to my heart. "I never asked you to do anything but what you have done. Men will make and change laws. I wanted you to change hearts and let them know the truth."
You see, God does not care about politics. He cares only for us. Is it just and right that we allow unborn children to be destroyed? No. Of course not. But the truth about abortion was never getting out there and it still isn't in so many ways. I truly don't expect a President to change this law (although I would wish for them to) But I do want a President who understands as I do that what defines who we are is how we treat "the least of these."
Sunday, March 13, 2005
For Monday.
Stem cell research gone wild! Don't think it won't happen here.
Communists Looking to Text Messaging As a Way to Reach Younger Russians and Regain Influence. This should be interesting.
Condi says she will NOT seek presidency. I didn't see it working anyway.
The United States will not support a military strike by Israel against suspected Iranian nuclear sites, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said on Sunday. I'm with Condi on this one. Not a good idea.
Wierd blog of the year-This guy blogs and takes pictures of everything he eats, everyday.
Ending on something sweet. A good reminder of good overcoming evil and life moving on, but never forgetting.
Saturday, March 12, 2005
I found this ad at LGF's for jewlery. Looking at the picture my first thought was "just what are they selling here?" Then I scrolled down. The necklace is made of amethyst ,which the maker tells us is greek meaning "not drunkeness." In ancient times it was believed to protect it's wearers from drunkeness.
They should give these out to Spring breakers this year to help stop the spread of STD's and humilating internet pictures posted later.
Just a thought.
Click on picture for larger image.
A young black man started this thread with this picture and this quote:
"It's not "anti hip hop." It's illustrating that this incessant public rap beef is just a bunch of blacks coonin' for the amusement of a white audience. It's not anti hip hop, it's anti-coonin'.
Sad but true but it is not only The Suburbian kids supporting this nonsense, it is also The black community.
It is like Black people we never learn from anything and we continue to disrespect ourselves over and over. Do you agree with this?" Last edited by BlackX: 03-11-2005 at 10:22 AM. via allhiphop.com
This is a black hip hop site. I think it is interesting that they may be recognizing hip hop for what it really is. If you read the comments on the thread everyone agrees with this guy. And these are young people. Good sign. The messages this music sends out is terrible for black and white kids alike.
Friday, March 11, 2005
My Soldiers.
This is truly awesome. Have your volume on and your hanky handy. Wonderful. Moving. I am so damn proud to be an American.
This and That.
You gotta love this business. Notice where they don't ship to.
Yes, the democrats will tax anything.
Blogging is good for your health h/t The Biomes Blog
Karen Hughes is returning to the White House. YAY! I love her.
This is how I feel everytime I go to Beautiful Atrocities (not his link, but the links he puts up)
This is one of those stories where you just shake your head.
Some Marines were shocked by a decision made by Detroit auto workers about parking recently. Here are some excerpts from the article:
"For a number of years now, dozens of Marine reservists have been thankful to park in the UAW’s lot for weekend training with no problem at all, until now."
"Marines at nearby Marine Corps Reserve Center say on Tuesday morning, the director of security at the UAW told them that while they support the troops, Marines driving foreign vehicles or sporting a President George Bush bumper sticker were no longer welcome to park there."
"A spokesman for the UAW released a statement to Action News which reads: "While reservists certainly have the right to drive non-union made vehicles and display bumper stickers touting the most anti-worker, anti-union president since the 1920s, that doesn’t mean they have the right to park in a lot owned by members of the UAW."
I cannot find the words to describe how appalled I am by this. These are men who fight for our country. These are men who one day could be saving these guy's lives, literally. And they decide that because the Marines there hold a different political view they won't let them park there???? Parking there is a common courtesy and has nothing to do with politics and shouldn't.
My Church lets different organizations use our parking lot when it is not in use. Many Churches do. If say, a men's civic club parked there, and I happened to drive by and see they had Kerry/Edward stickers on their car, it would never even occur to me to call the Priest and demand they not be allowed to park there because they have stickers that support a man that opposes the teachings of our Church. Parking is not political. This is called being nice, being neighborly.
I'm telling you, it is things like this that make the democrats look so bad. And the sad thing is they don't even see it. via RusurrectionSong
Thursday, March 10, 2005
Are We Secure Enough?
Peggy Noonan, one of my favorite girls, has an interesting piece about our ongoing security. She is basically asking why we aren't more prepared for another attack. Here is an excerpt referring to all the new buildings going up in New York:
"We are doing all this building at the same time that various insane and quite evil men are planning on doing away with our city. They won't be happy until those skyscrapers are cinders. And when and if they move, the children playing so happily in our brand new Brooklyn waterfront park are going to get hurt. So maybe we could throw in a fallout shelter? Maybe we could be throwing in a few small health clinics, well stocked for a bad day?"
She also asked a question I have wondered about myself. Since most of our children have never been vaccinated against smallpox, shouldn't we be concerned or getting them vaccinated since we know smallpox is one biological weapon that terrorists may use against us?
Soon after 9-11 I was watching a news show that was telling us ways to prepare ourselves for an attack. It had the usual supply list and such but one thing struck me. They said that if phone lines are down and communication is shut off, your family needs to have a plan on where to meet outside the city you are in. I thought this was a very good idea. I know the agony so many went through in New York when they couldn't find their loved ones. Even though their loved ones ended up being safe, they spent hours, sometimes days in total fear. The program suggested a central e-mail address of a family member in another state to have as a communication station. I realized as I was watching this show how very easy it could be for something to happen where we would need this.
I am a pretty organized person. I always have a plan B. As I was figuring out where we would meet and such, I couldn't help but imagine the worst case scenario. Afterwards I couldn't shake it from my mind. What if there was some sort of chemical weapon or bomb that destroys much of Houston. No phone, no electricity. There is widespread panic. Remember in New York how some daycares that were near the WTC had to be evacuated and for hours some of the parents did not know where their children were? Where are my children? Just the thought of it sends shivers down my spine.
I have to agree with Peggy that I don't think we are prepared. We are hoping that we have done enough damage to the terrorists and that they are so busy blowing things up in Iraq, they will not attack us again. But hope isn't a guarantee. God knows Bush has enough on his plate right now, but where is local government or Congress?
Checking at the at The Homeland Security Site I found this comforting statement under "Emergencies and Disasters."
"Local and State governments share the responsibility for protecting their citizens from disasters, and for helping them to recover when a disaster strikes. In some cases, a disaster is beyond the capabilities of the State and local government to respond."
Perhaps we feel too safe now. Perhaps we feel the battle is being fought far away from us. I'm not sure how we can prepare, but I do think it is far past time for us to think about it.
Rodeo Blogging.
I went to the Rodeo last night. I hadn't been in a few years and I had forgotten how fun it was. It was in Reliant Stadium and we were in one of the evil oil business suites, which is NICE because you have all the food and drink you want served, not to mention a private restroom. The only way to see a concert in my opinion (which is a spoiled one).
The headliner was Kenny Chesney, who was AWESOME! Before he got started though, we watched the bull riding, and the thing were the women ride around the barrels (barrel racing?), and where the cowboys jump off their horse and bring down a bull in the shortest amount of time. The cutest thing was where a bunch of teens compete for scholarships by catching, bringing down, tying up calves and then bringing (pulling, pushing, and begging) the calf to a square drawn in the dirt.
Then the concert started. The place went dark and then 4 big screens lit up with a montage of pictures of our soldiers. At that moment a army humvee drove in the arena and behind it, in a spotlight were men and women, each representing their part of our armed forces. In the background a man was singing "God Bless America." Remember now that this is not our national anthem, yet every single person in the place stood up. The soldiers saluted and fireworks went off and the whole arena erupted in cheers and clapping. I turned to a friend beside me and said, "I bet you don't see that at any damn Rock and Roll concert." No offense to Rock and Roll, I love it and listen to it as well, but country music has this whole patriotic thing down baby. I felt so proud to be born in America.
If you don't listen to country music, I suggest you check out Kenny Chesney, he has a lot of rock in his music and he is just an awesome singer. He got me to dancing that's for sure.
One song I particularly love is "There goes my life." They played the video on the screens while he was playing it. The song is about a young football player in high school who gets his girlfriend pregnant and he sings, "there goes my life," like it's over for his future. Then it shows this precious little 2 year old with her young dad and they are playing around and she runs from him up the stairs and he lovingly sings, "there goes my life," like there IS his life now. Then it shows his little girl grown and going off to college and he sings again, "there goes my life," as she leaves. SO SWEET!!!!!!
Songs like that are why I love country music. Another classic of his is "She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy." Which is funny, but a good dancing song. I like how country music always tells a story. It is also nice that you don't have to worry about the lyrics too much, although there is a popular song out there now called, "Save A Horse, Ride A Cowboy," which is obviously sexual but I have to admit it is a great song and fun to dance to. And hey, if your married to a Cowboy, ride away!....;-)
I also love "I Love This Bar." Even though I never actually go to bars. Anyway, there is my rare night out and it was great. I wore my ropers and a teal blue cowboy hat. In fact I may post a picture of it tonight.
God, I do love Texas.
Wednesday, March 09, 2005
Was Bush Right After All?
It seems a recent Newsweek cover story on Lebanon's so-called Cedar Revolution headlined "People Power,"was followed by a secondary headline that said "Where Bush Was Right."
Michael Barone of U.S. News and World Report seems to think he may have been: (highlights mine)
"Evidence abounds. Consider what is happening in Lebanon, long under Syrian control, in response to the assassination, almost certainly by Syrian agents, of former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri. Protesters have taken to the streets day after day, demanding Syrian withdrawal. The Washington Post 's David Ignatius, who covered Lebanon in the 1980s and has kept in touch since, has been skeptical that the Bush administration's policy would change things for the better. But reporting from Beirut last week, he wrote movingly of "the movement for political change that has suddenly coalesced in Lebanon and is slowly gathering force elsewhere in the Arab world."
Ignatius interviewed Walid Jumblatt, the Druze leader long a critic of the United States. Jumblatt's words are striking: "It's strange for me to say it, but this process of change has started because of the American invasion of Iraq. I was cynical about Iraq. But when I saw the Iraqi people voting three weeks ago, 8 million of them, it was the start of a new Arab world. The Syrian people, the Egyptian people, all say that something is changing. The Berlin Wall has fallen. We can see it."
As Middle East expert Daniel Pipes writes, "For the first time in three decades, Lebanon now seems within reach of regaining its independence."
Minds are changing in Europe, too. In the left-wing Guardian, Martin Kettle reassures his readers that the Iraq war was "a reckless, provocative, dangerous, lawless piece of unilateral arrogance" --the usual stuff. "But," he concedes, "it has nevertheless brought forth a desirable outcome which would not have been achieved at all, or so quickly, by the means that the critics advocated, right though they were in most respects." Or read Claus Christian Malzahn in Der Spiegel . "Maybe the people of Syria, Iraq, or Jordan will get the idea in their heads to free themselves from their oppressive regimes just as the East Germans did," he writes. "Just a thought for Old Europe to chew on: Bush might be right, just like Reagan was."
The people of MoveOn.org, Kos, and Air America have to be tearing their hair out and gnashing their teeth on these quotes. And get the ones here in the U.S.:
"On Nightline, the New York Times 's Thomas Friedman and, with caveats, the New Yorker 's Malcolm Gladwell agreed that the Iraqi election was a "tipping point" (the title of one of Gladwell's books) and declined Ted Koppel's invitation to say that things could easily tip back the other way. In the most recent Foreign Affairs , Yale's John Lewis Gaddis credited George W. Bush with "the most sweeping redesign of U.S. grand strategy since the presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt,"
It takes great political courage to admit when you are wrong. These quotes amaze and gratify me. Whether you were for or against the war, no one doubted that things needed to change in the middle east. Bush is nothing if not a man of action. He was determined to spread freedom and it seems to be having a snowball effect. I am no middle east expert by any stretch of the imagination and I think we all worried, even us on the right, wondering if we had done the right thing. But hearing middle east experts say these things gives me hope for a better world.
Bush said he would shake things up. And, oh boy, did he.
Some Truth about my Church.
Mean Ol Meany has some interesting facts regarding Priests who molest children:
"There have been twenty-two priests charged with the crimes of molestation, fondling, and child abuse in the last three years. Ninety-six percent of the Catholic Dioceses have no record of any of these crimes committed. The overwhelming majority are from the Northeast and we know that they are not part of Jesusland, but rather part of the United States of Canada. More numbers to support some of the things that I spewed: The vast majority of these crimes took place in the late sixties and early seventies. Not to say there have not been some of these crimes committed before or after, but most occurred then."
He goes on to say that out of 148 defrocked priests, 137 of them were ordained in the 1960's. I haven't really commented on this before because frankly the whole thing makes me sick. I hate the way the media portrays it as if this kind of thing is common in our Church when millions of holy and good men have been and are wonderful priests and far far more single and married men not involved in any church are child molesters.
But the 1960's was an insane time for our Church. We in America opened the doors to all sorts of experimentation in who becomes a priest and the direction our Church was going. Needless to say, we screwed up big time. Also needless to say, I feel the priests who did this are perverted evil men and I hope they get what they deserve.
No disrespect to the Northeast, but you have to wonder what the heck goes on there that the majority of cases come from there. My own feeling is the liberal culture of anything goes contributed to men going into the Priesthood who really had no business doing so.
I know that since the early 80's there as been a pendulum swing in the Church back to the conservative values that are important to maintain. My son's school is run by The Legionaries of Christ, an order of young very traditional holy priests that are very dedicated to our faith and keeping our Church on the path of Christ.
I felt a need to post on this since I know that having been a former Protestant there is very little knowledge of the Catholic Church and sometimes the only thing you hear about it is from the media. I just don't want that notion out there that priests tend to be perverts. That is just wrong and clearly not true. I remember the music minister in my Baptist church when I was in Jr High had an affair with a woman in the choir. It was shocking to us, but members of any church do sin and sometime do terrible things. That does not diminish the faith or the truth found within our faiths.
I don't want this to be a debate about Priests or about the differences in our Christian faiths. I find no good comes from those debates in a public way. I just wanted this perspective out there for those interested.
Tuesday, March 08, 2005
Mudville brings us a young new milblogger, A Day In Iraq. He seems sweet and it is interesting to read along with a soldier like a diary of his day.
"Two women bared their breasts at Prince Charles today and a small group of protesters temporarily disrupted his royal visit using a megaphone to call him a parasite as he greeted 500 fans in central Wellington.
The group of six carried placards reading "honour the treaty" and "death to the monarchy".
"Another waved a red flag with a picture of Argentinian-born Cuban revolutionary Che Guevara on it." via Wizbang
Looks like Charles is just getting all kind of boobage lately...Heh. WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE????
UN Backs U.S. Plea for Total Ban on Human Cloning
Tue Mar 8, 2005 01:09 PM ET By Irwin Arieff
"UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday urged governments to ban all human cloning, including the cloning of human embryos for stem-cell research, in a divided vote that handed a symbolic victory to the administration of President Bush."
"The U.N. debate began with a 2001 proposal by France and Germany for a binding global treaty banning the cloning of human beings, a plan that had broad international backing."
Although this ban doesn't seem to be legally binding, it is comforting for once to see The U.N. and other countries you wouldn't expect to step up to the plate and say that this is wrong.
Lesser known duties of the Prince of Wales: Picking out the new Spice Girl. via Caption This!
Why I love eight year olds.
This morning I popped some Eggo waffles in the toaster for my sugar bear (the above mentioned 8 yr old) and decided to put some whipped topping on it. This is the following conversation:
Sugar bear: "Mom! This is the best breakfast ever. You are such a great cook!"
Mom: "Thank you sweetie."
Sugar bear: "No, I mean it. I am so lucky to have you."
The truth, of course, is that I am the lucky one.
Randomness.
The King of all tree huggers. A front view.
This Democrat is dangerous. (because he actually makes sense) Thank God there is no chance of people like Kos , Michael Moore, or even Howard Dean ever listening to a thing he says.
It's confirmed. I have a mental disorder.
Letter from a British wimp.
Once again the left feels a need to attack a member of the media who disagrees with them.
Study: More Using Web for Political News
We have a new stick man warning sign. Just in case you ever feel a need or accidently enter the back of a garbage truck.
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