Cassy has posted an article regarding Marines receiving the Navy Cross. I do appreciate her support of the Marines; yes, I know, her guy is a Marine.
As I read her post, I was reminded of the eleven general orders every Marine ingests, and makes an integral part of their being. For those who are not aware, I have them below.
1. To take charge of this post and all government property in view.
2. To walk my post in a military manner, keeping always on the alert, and observing everything that takes place within sight or hearing.
3. To report all violations of orders I am instructed to enforce.
4. To repeat all calls from posts more distant from the guardhouse than my own.
5. To quit my post only when properly relieved.
6. To recieve, obey, and pass on to the sentry who relieves me, all orders from the Commanding Oficer, Officer Of the Day, and officers, and noncomissioned officers of the guard only.
7. To talk to no one except in the line of duty.
8. To give the alarm in case of fire or disorder.
9. To call the corporal of the guard in any case not covered by instructions.
10. To salute all officers, and all colors and standards not cased.
11. To be especially watchful at night and, during the time for challenging, to challenge all persons on or near my post, and to allow no one to pass without proper authority.
After being in the Corps for a while, and having walked guard duty, other than recruit fire watch, I, for one, came to embrace the unwritten second general order:
To walk my post from flank to flank and take no shit from any rank.
There really is no ranking over the Marine sentry, that is, until you have been allowed to demonstrate you have authority to be there.
As an aside, when on the carrier, I had the responsibility of the repair locker forward third deck. After setting dog zebra, the rule was no one could enter or exit through the water tight doors without permission from damage control central.
Well, third deck is crew living quarters, and inevitably there would be watch standers from CIC breaking dog zebra to go to their racks after their watch.
Hello!?!
Last time I checked, we were at general quarters, we got people laying in the rack? OK, yes, my Marine training is kicking in. Can you believe my fellow chief's took umbrage at my not allowing troops to break dog zebra, nor go to their racks?
Sheese!!
Bravo Zulu to Yale and Haerter, two Marines who demonstrated what it means to be a Marine, on guard duty, and chose not to endanger their fellow Marines.
They are now standing guard duty within the gates of heaven...you didn't know God was a fan of the Marine Corps?
Shame on you.
When I reach the gates of heaven, to St. Peter I will tell,
another Marine reporting, Sir, I've served my time in hell.
Semper Fi!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
OK, it is the last Sunday of the year 2008.
More and more, I am realizing the old adage is quite true: "Too soon old, too late smart!"
Thus, life really is too short...so always eat dessert first; cuz you may not have time after eating the meal.
I commented to a cashier one time that life is kinda like a roll of toilet paper, the closer you get to the end, the faster it goes. She informed me that she thought that was a gross idea; and didn't appreciate me telling it to her.
I haven't been posting the past number of days, cuz, I kinda been on the road. Spent Christmas day, and the day after with my two children in Kansas. Had a wonderful time.
Today, I am holed up in the transient quarters at the Air Force base outside of Omaha. Really not in any hurry to get back up north...
So, historically {or perhaps hysterically} we generally take the end of the year, and the beginning of the new year to reflect on how we did; and where we want to be this time next year. Some do new year's resolutions...hoping they will be able to change something about their life they either don't like, or have found out others don't like. And usually, within the first month of the new year, they have forgotten about the resolutions; and their list is laid aside until next year.
Methinks it was Dr. Glasser who said something to the effect, that a person will continue to do destructive things in their life, until the pain becomes greater than the pleasure.
While in the Marine Corps, I was provided the opportunity to attend a drug counselor's training session at UCLA. It was considered to be cutting edge training. The course was two weeks long, and we were taken out on some field trips. One field trip I attended was down to Venice Beach. There were a number of people there who were, or had been pretty hard core drug addicts. One woman, I had the privilege of talking with, was 30 years, and had been a heroin addict for ten years. She related that she woke up one morning, and said to herself, that she was sick of doing heroin, and what it was doing to her, and she decided she had had enough.
In the movie, "The Bucket List" we find the two stars' lives brutally interrupted by cancer. The bucket list is merely a list of things they have always wanted to do, but never had the time to do them.
And, I guess it is true, that when you are facing eternity, you do reflect on your life, and where you are going.
There is not one person living on God's green earth, that has a written guarantee they will live to be a certain age. I am not talking about life after this life. Some even go so far as to say, that when we are born, we begin the dying process.
And methinks, this brings us right back to the idea of new year's resolutions. To my military mind, it seems more appropriate to act on a desire to change your life, rather than making a list.
You know: making a list, and checking it twice, trying to find out what's naughty or nice.
So, with that piece of information, I extend to one and all, a heartfelt wish for a great, healthful, prosperous year; and that you will be all you truly wish to be.
More and more, I am realizing the old adage is quite true: "Too soon old, too late smart!"
Thus, life really is too short...so always eat dessert first; cuz you may not have time after eating the meal.
I commented to a cashier one time that life is kinda like a roll of toilet paper, the closer you get to the end, the faster it goes. She informed me that she thought that was a gross idea; and didn't appreciate me telling it to her.
I haven't been posting the past number of days, cuz, I kinda been on the road. Spent Christmas day, and the day after with my two children in Kansas. Had a wonderful time.
Today, I am holed up in the transient quarters at the Air Force base outside of Omaha. Really not in any hurry to get back up north...
So, historically {or perhaps hysterically} we generally take the end of the year, and the beginning of the new year to reflect on how we did; and where we want to be this time next year. Some do new year's resolutions...hoping they will be able to change something about their life they either don't like, or have found out others don't like. And usually, within the first month of the new year, they have forgotten about the resolutions; and their list is laid aside until next year.
Methinks it was Dr. Glasser who said something to the effect, that a person will continue to do destructive things in their life, until the pain becomes greater than the pleasure.
While in the Marine Corps, I was provided the opportunity to attend a drug counselor's training session at UCLA. It was considered to be cutting edge training. The course was two weeks long, and we were taken out on some field trips. One field trip I attended was down to Venice Beach. There were a number of people there who were, or had been pretty hard core drug addicts. One woman, I had the privilege of talking with, was 30 years, and had been a heroin addict for ten years. She related that she woke up one morning, and said to herself, that she was sick of doing heroin, and what it was doing to her, and she decided she had had enough.
In the movie, "The Bucket List" we find the two stars' lives brutally interrupted by cancer. The bucket list is merely a list of things they have always wanted to do, but never had the time to do them.
And, I guess it is true, that when you are facing eternity, you do reflect on your life, and where you are going.
There is not one person living on God's green earth, that has a written guarantee they will live to be a certain age. I am not talking about life after this life. Some even go so far as to say, that when we are born, we begin the dying process.
And methinks, this brings us right back to the idea of new year's resolutions. To my military mind, it seems more appropriate to act on a desire to change your life, rather than making a list.
You know: making a list, and checking it twice, trying to find out what's naughty or nice.
So, with that piece of information, I extend to one and all, a heartfelt wish for a great, healthful, prosperous year; and that you will be all you truly wish to be.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Pertinent thots at holiday time
Woe is me!
This morning, I did a search for Barbara Johnson, she of the many books on how to cope; and founder of Spatula Ministries.
I have all her books, and have read them more than once. I loved her, even tho I never met her: other than in her books.
I was linked to the website, and learned that she had died July 2 of last year. May she rest in peace, and know that she has touched many, many lives with her wit and candor.
I was thinking about her this morning, cuz, I found a copy of something from her book, Splashes of Joy In The Cesspools of Life, Word Publishing, Dallas, TX, 1992, pgs 128, 129.
So, I thought I would post this wonderful thought, in remembrance of a classy lady.
Calories that DON'T count
When you're dieting, there is nothing easier than rationalizing why it might be okay to eat "just one" and then a few more, even though you know the stuff is loaded with grams of fat and tons of calories. In my own collection of dieter's rationalizations is the following list of "calories that don't count."
1. Food on Foot. All food eaten while standing has no calories. Exactly why is not clear, but the current theory relates to gravity. The calories apparently bypass the stomach flowing directly down the legs, and through the soles of the feet into the floor, like electricity. Walking appears to accelerate this process, so that an ice cream bar or hot dog eaten at the state fair actually has a calorie deficit.
2. TV Food. Anything eaten in front of the TV has no calories. This may have something to do with radiation leakage, which negates not only the calories in the food but all recollections of having eaten it.
3. Uneven Edges. Pies and cakes should be ciut neatly, in even wedges or slices. If not, the responsibility falls on the person putting them away to "straighten up the edges" by slicing away the offending irregularities, which have no calories when eaten.
4. Balanced Food. If you drink a diet soda with a candy bar, they cancel each other out.
5. Left-Handed Food. If you have a glass of punch in your right hand, anything eaten with the other hand has no calories. Several principles are at work here. First of all, you're probably standing up at a wedding reception (see Food on Foot). Then there's the electronic field: A wet glass in one hand forms a negative charge to reverse the polarity of the calories attracted to the other hand. It's not quite known how it works, but it's reversible if you're left-handed.
6. Food for Medicinal Purposes. Food used for medicinal purposes NEVER counts. This includes hot chocolate, malted milk, toast, and Sara Lee cheesecake.
7. Whipped Cream, Sour Cream, Butter. These all act as a poultice that actually "draws out: the calories when placed on any food, leaving them calorie-free. Afterward, you can eat the poultice, too, as all calories are neutralized by it.
8. Food on Toothpicks. Sausage, mini-franks, cheese, and crackers are all fattening UNLESS impaled on frilled toothpicks. The insertion of a sharp object allows the calories to leak out the bottom.
9. Children's Food. Anything produced, purchased, or intended for minors is calorie-free when eaten by adults. This category covers a wide range, beginning with a spoonful of baby-food custard, consumed for demonstration purposes, up to and including cookies baked to send to college.
10. Charitable Foods. Girl Scout cookies, bake-sale cakes, ice-cream socials, and church strawberry festivals all have a religious dispensation from calories.
11. Custom-Made Food. anything somebody makes "just for you" must be eaten regardless of the calories, because to do otherwise would be uncaring and insensitive. Your kind intentions will not go unrewarded.
{Barbara endnotes this passage as coming from Old Towne Press, 227 E. Chapman Avenue, Orange, California.}
This morning, I did a search for Barbara Johnson, she of the many books on how to cope; and founder of Spatula Ministries.
I have all her books, and have read them more than once. I loved her, even tho I never met her: other than in her books.
I was linked to the website, and learned that she had died July 2 of last year. May she rest in peace, and know that she has touched many, many lives with her wit and candor.
I was thinking about her this morning, cuz, I found a copy of something from her book, Splashes of Joy In The Cesspools of Life, Word Publishing, Dallas, TX, 1992, pgs 128, 129.
So, I thought I would post this wonderful thought, in remembrance of a classy lady.
Calories that DON'T count
When you're dieting, there is nothing easier than rationalizing why it might be okay to eat "just one" and then a few more, even though you know the stuff is loaded with grams of fat and tons of calories. In my own collection of dieter's rationalizations is the following list of "calories that don't count."
1. Food on Foot. All food eaten while standing has no calories. Exactly why is not clear, but the current theory relates to gravity. The calories apparently bypass the stomach flowing directly down the legs, and through the soles of the feet into the floor, like electricity. Walking appears to accelerate this process, so that an ice cream bar or hot dog eaten at the state fair actually has a calorie deficit.
2. TV Food. Anything eaten in front of the TV has no calories. This may have something to do with radiation leakage, which negates not only the calories in the food but all recollections of having eaten it.
3. Uneven Edges. Pies and cakes should be ciut neatly, in even wedges or slices. If not, the responsibility falls on the person putting them away to "straighten up the edges" by slicing away the offending irregularities, which have no calories when eaten.
4. Balanced Food. If you drink a diet soda with a candy bar, they cancel each other out.
5. Left-Handed Food. If you have a glass of punch in your right hand, anything eaten with the other hand has no calories. Several principles are at work here. First of all, you're probably standing up at a wedding reception (see Food on Foot). Then there's the electronic field: A wet glass in one hand forms a negative charge to reverse the polarity of the calories attracted to the other hand. It's not quite known how it works, but it's reversible if you're left-handed.
6. Food for Medicinal Purposes. Food used for medicinal purposes NEVER counts. This includes hot chocolate, malted milk, toast, and Sara Lee cheesecake.
7. Whipped Cream, Sour Cream, Butter. These all act as a poultice that actually "draws out: the calories when placed on any food, leaving them calorie-free. Afterward, you can eat the poultice, too, as all calories are neutralized by it.
8. Food on Toothpicks. Sausage, mini-franks, cheese, and crackers are all fattening UNLESS impaled on frilled toothpicks. The insertion of a sharp object allows the calories to leak out the bottom.
9. Children's Food. Anything produced, purchased, or intended for minors is calorie-free when eaten by adults. This category covers a wide range, beginning with a spoonful of baby-food custard, consumed for demonstration purposes, up to and including cookies baked to send to college.
10. Charitable Foods. Girl Scout cookies, bake-sale cakes, ice-cream socials, and church strawberry festivals all have a religious dispensation from calories.
11. Custom-Made Food. anything somebody makes "just for you" must be eaten regardless of the calories, because to do otherwise would be uncaring and insensitive. Your kind intentions will not go unrewarded.
{Barbara endnotes this passage as coming from Old Towne Press, 227 E. Chapman Avenue, Orange, California.}
Monday, December 22, 2008
Cognitive dissonance, again
Just visited Mamacita and read her post reposted from last year.
Gotta say, she is definitely able to put voice to her thoughts.
No wonder she is a professor, and an instructor of persons.
She is quite right you know. What a change we have seen in this country over the past decade or two.
I am reminded of books I have read by Elie Wiesel, Corrie ten Boom, Richard Wurmbrand, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn and others, that have detailed life in places where gummint has been oppressive. If you ain't been there, you really cannot appreciate it.
When I look around me, at what America is becoming, I am alarmed, to say the least!
Now, for some reason, the smoke from the smokers in the apartment below me, seems to come up into the bathroom through the holes in the wall where the water pipes run. If we lived in New York, or California, and were I of the bent, it would be instructive for me to call the police, and have the residents arrested for violating the law of smoking inside a building, or where someone could be offended by the smell. Sheesh!!
I find it really hard to believe that gummints would make laws outlawing wood burning fireplaces in homes, or barbecuing/grilling in your backyard.
To my military mind, there are some people in this country that need to get a life; instead of being too personally involved in their own life. Except, you know, there really is a movement to turn over our lives to the gummint, and sadly, there are enuff sad people in gummint who are only too willing to take control of our lives and tell us what to do, where to go, and when to do it.
The truly sad aspect regarding those sad people in gummint that want total control over us, is that if they were to go to a country where gummint is totally in control, they would not have the opportunity to get into the halls of power.
Well, enuff ranting and raving...Christmas is a time for love and reconciliation, not for hating, and alienation.
Wishing the merriest of Christmas' to anyone and everyone who takes the time to read this.
Oh, please go over and read Mamacita, and take the time to say hi, she really is nice.
Gotta say, she is definitely able to put voice to her thoughts.
No wonder she is a professor, and an instructor of persons.
She is quite right you know. What a change we have seen in this country over the past decade or two.
I am reminded of books I have read by Elie Wiesel, Corrie ten Boom, Richard Wurmbrand, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn and others, that have detailed life in places where gummint has been oppressive. If you ain't been there, you really cannot appreciate it.
When I look around me, at what America is becoming, I am alarmed, to say the least!
Now, for some reason, the smoke from the smokers in the apartment below me, seems to come up into the bathroom through the holes in the wall where the water pipes run. If we lived in New York, or California, and were I of the bent, it would be instructive for me to call the police, and have the residents arrested for violating the law of smoking inside a building, or where someone could be offended by the smell. Sheesh!!
I find it really hard to believe that gummints would make laws outlawing wood burning fireplaces in homes, or barbecuing/grilling in your backyard.
To my military mind, there are some people in this country that need to get a life; instead of being too personally involved in their own life. Except, you know, there really is a movement to turn over our lives to the gummint, and sadly, there are enuff sad people in gummint who are only too willing to take control of our lives and tell us what to do, where to go, and when to do it.
The truly sad aspect regarding those sad people in gummint that want total control over us, is that if they were to go to a country where gummint is totally in control, they would not have the opportunity to get into the halls of power.
Well, enuff ranting and raving...Christmas is a time for love and reconciliation, not for hating, and alienation.
Wishing the merriest of Christmas' to anyone and everyone who takes the time to read this.
Oh, please go over and read Mamacita, and take the time to say hi, she really is nice.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Mind over matter, u don't mind, it don't matter
Winter has come to the south...South Dakota, that is.
Weather guessers have been prognosticating 5 to 10 degrees below zero, with wind chill down to minus 38 degrees.
We got a coupla inches of snow on Thursday, and a coupla more on Friday.
Saturday started out with snow and strong winds, spelled, blizzard.
Up until about noon, visibility was only about quarter mile.
Then it cleared up, and we were able to attend the company's Christmas dinner/party.
Well, as sometimes happens, the big boss, opened the dinner with some remarks, and in the course, shared a poem I had written, and had etched on a mirror that I had given him for Christmas.
Now I knew that I prolly shoudn'ta gone to the dinner.
After the dinner/party broke up, a number of us went to the American Legion to do a little dancing and listen to the band.
Well, I walked in, and took off my coat.
I was standing next to a table, when a woman came up behind me, and wrapped her arms around me and started whispering in my ear, "Santa, will you give me what I want?"
She had prolly been drinking pretty heavy, and was acting out her drunken behavior.
Finally got her off me, and a few minutes later, I was sitting down at the table, and she came back over, to entice me some more. Took a few minutes, but she finally got the message that I wasn't interested, and had no use for her drunken antics...thus she went away, and found someone else to play with.
Oh how that reminded me why I had stayed away from clubs and bars for so many years.
Well, obnoxious people have a right to existence too.
Anyway, a little later, I left and went to the VFW where the band was playing oldies from the 50s and 60s, yeah, my kinda music.
All in all, I guess it was a pretty good nite.
Weather guessers have been prognosticating 5 to 10 degrees below zero, with wind chill down to minus 38 degrees.
We got a coupla inches of snow on Thursday, and a coupla more on Friday.
Saturday started out with snow and strong winds, spelled, blizzard.
Up until about noon, visibility was only about quarter mile.
Then it cleared up, and we were able to attend the company's Christmas dinner/party.
Well, as sometimes happens, the big boss, opened the dinner with some remarks, and in the course, shared a poem I had written, and had etched on a mirror that I had given him for Christmas.
Now I knew that I prolly shoudn'ta gone to the dinner.
After the dinner/party broke up, a number of us went to the American Legion to do a little dancing and listen to the band.
Well, I walked in, and took off my coat.
I was standing next to a table, when a woman came up behind me, and wrapped her arms around me and started whispering in my ear, "Santa, will you give me what I want?"
She had prolly been drinking pretty heavy, and was acting out her drunken behavior.
Finally got her off me, and a few minutes later, I was sitting down at the table, and she came back over, to entice me some more. Took a few minutes, but she finally got the message that I wasn't interested, and had no use for her drunken antics...thus she went away, and found someone else to play with.
Oh how that reminded me why I had stayed away from clubs and bars for so many years.
Well, obnoxious people have a right to existence too.
Anyway, a little later, I left and went to the VFW where the band was playing oldies from the 50s and 60s, yeah, my kinda music.
All in all, I guess it was a pretty good nite.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
U had ta a been there...
Well, the area is under a major winter storm, situation; blizzard conditions. Looking out the window, the wind is blowing prolly about 30 or more mph, snow is trying to come down, but is caught by the wind.
The grassy area outside my apartment is clear in the open area, and the protected area is still snow covered.
Ah, good day to just stay in and read a good book, or add something to the blog.
A retired minister, his wife and I have kinda gotten into a routine where we go to Cracker Barrell on Friday night to partake of their fish dish: cod or catfish, and two sides.
Anyhooo, about a month ago, we were in CB for our weekly feed, when I happened to walk past six women seated at a table just inside the dining area door.
My minister friend had said something and one of the women thot that I had said "ho, ho, ho!", and stopped me.
One of the other women in the group also works at the school bus place, and she said hi to me.
Well, the conversation quickly deteriorated as the first lady mentioned that she thought I looked like Santa, and asked if I had a santa suit; to which I replied, "no".
Move forward a couple of weeks, and again we are at CB for our weekly fare, and all six women are again there, and we begin intercoursing.
The woman who had stopped me before, said that it would be fun, if I had a santa suit, and came in on a Friday nite; she said, she would even sit on my knee and tell me if she had been good or bad, and what she wanted for Christmas.
Well, I now have a santa suit, and I did wear it to CB last Friday nite.
It was a hoot!
The children were excited...none were invited to sit on my lap, but I stopped at their table and spoke with them.
One little girl kept turning around to look at me with lotsa smiles.
A man, about my age, sat down at the table next to us, and asked me why I wasn't back working on the toys.
So, we ate our dinner, I had catfish with fries and okra, thank you!
My retired minister friend, thot it would be nice if I had some candy, to go around and give to the kids.
He went out to the sales area, and came back with some bags of candy cane sticks. I informed him that the sticks were not individually wrapped and that parents would probably not allow their children to accept them.
He had been talking to the assistant manager on duty, and the guy gave him three boxes of individually wrapped candy cane balls.
So, santa went around to all the tables, and handed out the candy, and wished everyone a Merry Christmas.
Wouldn't you know it, the older adults were the ones who appreciated the gesture the most, and almost every one of them told me how good they have been this past year.
Did I mention that the six women whose idea this was, never showed up?
Oh, well, best laid plans of mice and men...
The grassy area outside my apartment is clear in the open area, and the protected area is still snow covered.
Ah, good day to just stay in and read a good book, or add something to the blog.
A retired minister, his wife and I have kinda gotten into a routine where we go to Cracker Barrell on Friday night to partake of their fish dish: cod or catfish, and two sides.
Anyhooo, about a month ago, we were in CB for our weekly feed, when I happened to walk past six women seated at a table just inside the dining area door.
My minister friend had said something and one of the women thot that I had said "ho, ho, ho!", and stopped me.
One of the other women in the group also works at the school bus place, and she said hi to me.
Well, the conversation quickly deteriorated as the first lady mentioned that she thought I looked like Santa, and asked if I had a santa suit; to which I replied, "no".
Move forward a couple of weeks, and again we are at CB for our weekly fare, and all six women are again there, and we begin intercoursing.
The woman who had stopped me before, said that it would be fun, if I had a santa suit, and came in on a Friday nite; she said, she would even sit on my knee and tell me if she had been good or bad, and what she wanted for Christmas.
Well, I now have a santa suit, and I did wear it to CB last Friday nite.
It was a hoot!
The children were excited...none were invited to sit on my lap, but I stopped at their table and spoke with them.
One little girl kept turning around to look at me with lotsa smiles.
A man, about my age, sat down at the table next to us, and asked me why I wasn't back working on the toys.
So, we ate our dinner, I had catfish with fries and okra, thank you!
My retired minister friend, thot it would be nice if I had some candy, to go around and give to the kids.
He went out to the sales area, and came back with some bags of candy cane sticks. I informed him that the sticks were not individually wrapped and that parents would probably not allow their children to accept them.
He had been talking to the assistant manager on duty, and the guy gave him three boxes of individually wrapped candy cane balls.
So, santa went around to all the tables, and handed out the candy, and wished everyone a Merry Christmas.
Wouldn't you know it, the older adults were the ones who appreciated the gesture the most, and almost every one of them told me how good they have been this past year.
Did I mention that the six women whose idea this was, never showed up?
Oh, well, best laid plans of mice and men...
Saturday, December 13, 2008
A teachable moment
A Teachable Moment: An Open Letter to The Onion is quite an open letter to the satirists...
Think about it...what do the average person on the street know about loyalty, and honor these days?
Our elected officials, and judges and lawyers, have forgone honor and loyalty and are hell bent to change this great nation.
Con-gress is no longer considered to be an honorable place. Our English heritage supports our addressing con-gress critters as "Honorable", yet, look at all the disreputableness of the ones sitting in the saddle.
And people have the cajones, no, I guess it isn't cajones...its just plain ignorance, and stupidity, to make fun of wounded warriors who have professed their undying support of the country and constitution that is the greatest history has ever made notice of.
We have a president elect who will shortly be taking the oath to protect and defend the people and the constitution; who was elected on the premise of changing our country.
Now, I am starting to see how it was possible for someone with no experience, but lotsa Marxist-Leninist training could be elected by a free people.
Anyway, if you have not made acquaintance with the sweet thing over at Villainous Company please make a mad dash over there and say hi, and see what she has to say.
Think about it...what do the average person on the street know about loyalty, and honor these days?
Our elected officials, and judges and lawyers, have forgone honor and loyalty and are hell bent to change this great nation.
Con-gress is no longer considered to be an honorable place. Our English heritage supports our addressing con-gress critters as "Honorable", yet, look at all the disreputableness of the ones sitting in the saddle.
And people have the cajones, no, I guess it isn't cajones...its just plain ignorance, and stupidity, to make fun of wounded warriors who have professed their undying support of the country and constitution that is the greatest history has ever made notice of.
We have a president elect who will shortly be taking the oath to protect and defend the people and the constitution; who was elected on the premise of changing our country.
Now, I am starting to see how it was possible for someone with no experience, but lotsa Marxist-Leninist training could be elected by a free people.
Anyway, if you have not made acquaintance with the sweet thing over at Villainous Company please make a mad dash over there and say hi, and see what she has to say.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Revisiting cognitive dissonance
Have we reached the point in history where the labor unions are to be the governing body of our country?
Seems to me when unions got their start it was to basically end a type of slave labor; what are commonly referred to as sweat shops.
The intent was to make sure employees received fair wages for their employment.
Today, we have a federal minimum wage law that sets the lowest amount an employer can pay an employee; and unbeknownst to many on the street also sets the point at which unions start for setting their wage scales.
And because the unions keep their members up in the higher pay grades, they exact higher dues, which in turn places a lot of money in the hands of union lobbyists.
As we look at the upcoming bailout for the BIG THREE automakers, we do need to keep in mind that what is eating up their capital is the unions.
That is the dirty little secret no one wants to let out.
And so, as time marches on, the con-gress critters have learned to bow to the union leaders, and we have a gigantic bailout planned so the unions can make sure they meet deadlines on employee retirements and medical plans.
You know Kruschev was right so many years ago, when he said they would bury us...can't you feel the dirt falling on your back?
There ain't a whole lot left except the shoutin.
Beam up Scotty, there really is no intelligent life on this planet!
Seems to me when unions got their start it was to basically end a type of slave labor; what are commonly referred to as sweat shops.
The intent was to make sure employees received fair wages for their employment.
Today, we have a federal minimum wage law that sets the lowest amount an employer can pay an employee; and unbeknownst to many on the street also sets the point at which unions start for setting their wage scales.
And because the unions keep their members up in the higher pay grades, they exact higher dues, which in turn places a lot of money in the hands of union lobbyists.
As we look at the upcoming bailout for the BIG THREE automakers, we do need to keep in mind that what is eating up their capital is the unions.
That is the dirty little secret no one wants to let out.
And so, as time marches on, the con-gress critters have learned to bow to the union leaders, and we have a gigantic bailout planned so the unions can make sure they meet deadlines on employee retirements and medical plans.
You know Kruschev was right so many years ago, when he said they would bury us...can't you feel the dirt falling on your back?
There ain't a whole lot left except the shoutin.
Beam up Scotty, there really is no intelligent life on this planet!
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Passing thots on the times
For some time now, I have been aware of the fact that Satan is the Prince of the Air.
Some would even say this includes up to the seventh or tenth heaven.
You know, we have been given the alarm that the ozone is being deleted, and it is all our fault.
The major flaw, in it being our fault, is that man had no hand in creating this planet, or the universe, for that matter; and I don't think, nor believe, that man is capable of doing anything to destroy it.
I have also heard Satan referred to as the Great Deceiver.
Now, as the Prince of the Air, I am convinced it is well within his powers to affect the ozone, or any part of the atmosphere.
Tradition tells us that Satan is also a tool that God uses from time to time.
Now, to my military mind, it has been pretty well established that God is going to destroy this ole world in a ball of fire; cuz He promised to never again use the flood.
So, what I see happening, is that Satan has been instrumental in causing a depletion of the ozone, and as the Great Deceiver, has imparted the understanding that we are destroying this planet, and causing the temperature to rise, perhaps causing the poles to warm up and thaw, which would cause the oceans to rise and flood the entire world.
Heh, heh, heh! Yes, fans n friends, there really are people who would embrace a lie in a moment if it was possible to have control over other's lives.
That is also a trick of Satan. He is interested in usurping God, and is permitted to speak to us his lies.
Without a complete spiritual revival among the people of this ole world, we will, soon enough, see the total destruction of all that we have been a part of.
And the subtle part of it? Without the total and complete spiritual revival, we will continue to put our trust and confidence in those who are willing to be proponents of Satan's plans.
May God have mercy on our souls, and may His day come soon.
Some would even say this includes up to the seventh or tenth heaven.
You know, we have been given the alarm that the ozone is being deleted, and it is all our fault.
The major flaw, in it being our fault, is that man had no hand in creating this planet, or the universe, for that matter; and I don't think, nor believe, that man is capable of doing anything to destroy it.
I have also heard Satan referred to as the Great Deceiver.
Now, as the Prince of the Air, I am convinced it is well within his powers to affect the ozone, or any part of the atmosphere.
Tradition tells us that Satan is also a tool that God uses from time to time.
Now, to my military mind, it has been pretty well established that God is going to destroy this ole world in a ball of fire; cuz He promised to never again use the flood.
So, what I see happening, is that Satan has been instrumental in causing a depletion of the ozone, and as the Great Deceiver, has imparted the understanding that we are destroying this planet, and causing the temperature to rise, perhaps causing the poles to warm up and thaw, which would cause the oceans to rise and flood the entire world.
Heh, heh, heh! Yes, fans n friends, there really are people who would embrace a lie in a moment if it was possible to have control over other's lives.
That is also a trick of Satan. He is interested in usurping God, and is permitted to speak to us his lies.
Without a complete spiritual revival among the people of this ole world, we will, soon enough, see the total destruction of all that we have been a part of.
And the subtle part of it? Without the total and complete spiritual revival, we will continue to put our trust and confidence in those who are willing to be proponents of Satan's plans.
May God have mercy on our souls, and may His day come soon.
Oh boy!
Some years ago, I was introduced to an ice cream that I had never heard of.
Spumoni.
Are you aware of it?
I think it is just about the bestest bit of ice cream to come on the market.
Sadly, I think we only see it around Christmas time, and then not necessarily in every city or town.
Well, last nite I was in one of the local grocery stores, and just for grins n giggles, thot I would look thru the ice cream section.
Yassir ubetcha!! It was right there in the third or fourth freezer door.
Now, how much better could the Christmas season be, then to have plenty of Spumoni ice cream on hand, and have a Turduken waiting in the freezer for the chance to jump in the oven, and treat everyone?
Yup! gonna be a great time.
Spumoni.
Are you aware of it?
I think it is just about the bestest bit of ice cream to come on the market.
Sadly, I think we only see it around Christmas time, and then not necessarily in every city or town.
Well, last nite I was in one of the local grocery stores, and just for grins n giggles, thot I would look thru the ice cream section.
Yassir ubetcha!! It was right there in the third or fourth freezer door.
Now, how much better could the Christmas season be, then to have plenty of Spumoni ice cream on hand, and have a Turduken waiting in the freezer for the chance to jump in the oven, and treat everyone?
Yup! gonna be a great time.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Katherine keeps me smilin
Special friend Katherine has posted a great post regarding Holiday Eating Tips.
If you haven't been to her site before, go now, and visit, even say hi; do not pass go, and do not collect $200.
If you haven't been to her site before, go now, and visit, even say hi; do not pass go, and do not collect $200.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Cogitating on the commercialization of Christmas.
Christmas has the distinctive identity of being the day God humbled Himself and became in the likeness of man. Many say the greatest gift that was ever given; next to the salvation that was proffered at the Cross.
I suppose, because the Biblical narrative shows the three "wise men" bringing gifts to the baby Jesus, we have all come to see christmas as a time of giving gifts, and so often gifts of greater value.
Many people set store by sending many Christmas cards each year. OK, you send me a card this year, you get put on my list, and next year I gotta send you a card. I don't do Christmas cards, just like I don't do valentines day. I have a real problem with sending someone something only once a year.
Yeah, I take my mother out for dinner on Mother's Day, cuz I know my brother and sister will not, but you know what else? I also take her out to dinner on her birthday.
OK, guess I am getting a little sidetracked here.
I want to spend a moment or two, talking about lists, and Christmas.
There are many who say life is too short, and we should let those people we love know that we love them. I truly do not believe, nor think for one minute, that putting someone on a list shows them how much I love them.
I believe when someone is important to me, I don't need to wait until someone tells me to give them a gift. When I see something that reminds me of someone, and I truly appreciate, or love, that person, I buy it and give it to them.
So, when I get these emails, and snail mails telling me about last minute gifts for the people on my list, I usually just delete them.
And, along that line, just because I give you a gift, for whatever reason, does not necessarily mean you have to give me a gift in return. If you need to reread my priority for gift giving please do so.
And, I think, if you are truly happy about the gift God gave, are you willing to give yourself to God, as a living sacrifice?
To my military mind, when I give myself to God, totally, I find a different spirit within me regarding gift giving.
Hallmark doesn't have a corner on the market, they just borrowed an age old adage: "When you care enough to give the very best".
God gave the very best He had, when He created this world, and when He came into this world in the likeness of man: Immanuel, God with us!
I suppose, because the Biblical narrative shows the three "wise men" bringing gifts to the baby Jesus, we have all come to see christmas as a time of giving gifts, and so often gifts of greater value.
Many people set store by sending many Christmas cards each year. OK, you send me a card this year, you get put on my list, and next year I gotta send you a card. I don't do Christmas cards, just like I don't do valentines day. I have a real problem with sending someone something only once a year.
Yeah, I take my mother out for dinner on Mother's Day, cuz I know my brother and sister will not, but you know what else? I also take her out to dinner on her birthday.
OK, guess I am getting a little sidetracked here.
I want to spend a moment or two, talking about lists, and Christmas.
There are many who say life is too short, and we should let those people we love know that we love them. I truly do not believe, nor think for one minute, that putting someone on a list shows them how much I love them.
I believe when someone is important to me, I don't need to wait until someone tells me to give them a gift. When I see something that reminds me of someone, and I truly appreciate, or love, that person, I buy it and give it to them.
So, when I get these emails, and snail mails telling me about last minute gifts for the people on my list, I usually just delete them.
And, along that line, just because I give you a gift, for whatever reason, does not necessarily mean you have to give me a gift in return. If you need to reread my priority for gift giving please do so.
And, I think, if you are truly happy about the gift God gave, are you willing to give yourself to God, as a living sacrifice?
To my military mind, when I give myself to God, totally, I find a different spirit within me regarding gift giving.
Hallmark doesn't have a corner on the market, they just borrowed an age old adage: "When you care enough to give the very best".
God gave the very best He had, when He created this world, and when He came into this world in the likeness of man: Immanuel, God with us!
Sleigh bells ring, r u listenen?
Some of the blogs I read religiously are mentioning Christmas music, specifically, Mannhiem Steamroller.
I have been a fan of MS since way back in the days of "Convoy".
Two or three years ago, I made the trek down to Omaha to see the live Christmas show. I was well pleased with every aspect of the show.
I have on occasion listened to Trans Siberian Railroad's music, and find it to be right up there with MS.
Course, I just truly enjoy listening to good Christmas music.
Yeah, I started listnen to Christmas music a coupla weeks ago, so what!
There is a reason for the season, tho sometimes totally obscurred, but I do like the Christmas season.
I have been a fan of MS since way back in the days of "Convoy".
Two or three years ago, I made the trek down to Omaha to see the live Christmas show. I was well pleased with every aspect of the show.
I have on occasion listened to Trans Siberian Railroad's music, and find it to be right up there with MS.
Course, I just truly enjoy listening to good Christmas music.
Yeah, I started listnen to Christmas music a coupla weeks ago, so what!
There is a reason for the season, tho sometimes totally obscurred, but I do like the Christmas season.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Ongoin rantin n raven
I have posted about my dealings with Sprint PCS, and how I have become more aware of their brazen lack of customer loyalty. Now comes this little bit of news, that does seem to support my concern.
Sprint Nextel: New Sprint Nextel CEO Dan Hesse appears to have inherited a company bleeding subscribers by the thousands, and will now officially be dropping the ax on 4,000 employees and 125 retail locations. Amid the loss of 639,000 postpaid customers in the fourth quarter, Sprint will be cutting a total of 6.7% of its work force (following the 5,000 layoffs last year) and 8% of company-owned brick-and-mortar stores, while remaining mute on other rumors that it will consolidate its headquarters in Kansas . Sprint Nextel shares are down $2.89, or nearly 25%, at the time of this writing
Sprint Nextel: New Sprint Nextel CEO Dan Hesse appears to have inherited a company bleeding subscribers by the thousands, and will now officially be dropping the ax on 4,000 employees and 125 retail locations. Amid the loss of 639,000 postpaid customers in the fourth quarter, Sprint will be cutting a total of 6.7% of its work force (following the 5,000 layoffs last year) and 8% of company-owned brick-and-mortar stores, while remaining mute on other rumors that it will consolidate its headquarters in Kansas . Sprint Nextel shares are down $2.89, or nearly 25%, at the time of this writing
Happy days are here again
Yeah! Cassy's back!!!
It is good to know that she was not deep-sixed, and that while she was missing, she was having a great time.
Go and take a look at her site, she gots some really good things to say
It is good to know that she was not deep-sixed, and that while she was missing, she was having a great time.
Go and take a look at her site, she gots some really good things to say
Monday, December 1, 2008
Feast fit for a king, or queen
Ms Katherine at Smoky Mountain Cafe has posted about the Thanksgiving day gettogether her and her family were a part of...seems I was born in the wrong part of the country.
Wonder if it is possible to get an invitation to one of her gettogethers sometime...I know then that I would have been transported to heaven, and at least left this crazy world behind. Would it be too shameless to say, that I would willingly wait until everyone had their fill to go through the line?
If you have not become acquainted with Ms Katherine, go and pay her a visit, you shan't be dissapointed; I guarantole you it gonna be somekinda good!
Wonder if it is possible to get an invitation to one of her gettogethers sometime...I know then that I would have been transported to heaven, and at least left this crazy world behind. Would it be too shameless to say, that I would willingly wait until everyone had their fill to go through the line?
If you have not become acquainted with Ms Katherine, go and pay her a visit, you shan't be dissapointed; I guarantole you it gonna be somekinda good!
After feast snack
Wanna get a good read, to fill your gullet with some great food for thought?
Sharp Knife has posted a couple of dyn-o-mite posts, that really need to be looked at and digested...I know we just had Thanksgiving day feast, and many are still feasting on leftovers, but you need to go and chew on what is said.
It may help any indigestion.
Sharp Knife has posted a couple of dyn-o-mite posts, that really need to be looked at and digested...I know we just had Thanksgiving day feast, and many are still feasting on leftovers, but you need to go and chew on what is said.
It may help any indigestion.
Friday, November 28, 2008
Bcuz I kin
Thanksgiving is over for another year...and beginning today, we are privileged to view the crass commercialism that has become the holy day of Christmas.
The media calls it black Friday. Stores open their doors hours earlier than usual, in hopes of people going there before going to work. Starting today, many stores will be extending their hours to accommodate the shoppers looking for that one of a kind gift for someone special.
Perhaps I am getting old, and crotchety...I find more, and more, a difficulty in getting into the season because of the craziness the media seems to enjoy whipping up in the masses.
To my military mind, Christmas is a reminder of the great gift God gave to this world by laying down His right as Almighty God, creator and sustainer of this world, to be made in the likeness of man, and to come to this earth to bring salvation to mankind.
In its inimitable way, the Church, trying to win more people, infused Christian holy days with pagan celebrations, giving us the ability to turn the holy days into crass commercialistic crazy days.
So many people look forward to Fat Tuesday, and Mardi Gras, or Carnival, as a high holy day. A day of gluttony, and drunkenness, and wanton sexual acting out.
Yeah, it is the day before Ash Wednesday...go ahead and get all the sinning out of your system cuz, tomorrow, you have to pray, and repent, and go to church and receive the ashes to demonstrate that you are devoted to following God and being a godly person.
What a teeming bucket of hog wash...
Holy Scripture informs us that God neither sleeps nor slumbers, and He looks upon the heart and the intents of our thoughts. The Christmas tradition tells us that Santa Claus is watching... he knows if you've been bad or good, so be good for goodness' sake.
We have effectively transferred deity to a manmade effigy.
Jesus said that the truest test of love is that a man lay down his life for a friend...and today we expect others to give it all up, to benefit me, me, me!
I have found, through my long and few years on this earth, that there is common conception that delineates, if I buy you a gift, then you must reciprocate with a gift of at least the same cost if not more expensive.
Bah, humbug!!
You want to impress me with a gift? Come and give your life to Christ, and dedicate the rest of your life to serving God Almighty, and bringing His love and salvation to this tired, needy planet.
The media calls it black Friday. Stores open their doors hours earlier than usual, in hopes of people going there before going to work. Starting today, many stores will be extending their hours to accommodate the shoppers looking for that one of a kind gift for someone special.
Perhaps I am getting old, and crotchety...I find more, and more, a difficulty in getting into the season because of the craziness the media seems to enjoy whipping up in the masses.
To my military mind, Christmas is a reminder of the great gift God gave to this world by laying down His right as Almighty God, creator and sustainer of this world, to be made in the likeness of man, and to come to this earth to bring salvation to mankind.
In its inimitable way, the Church, trying to win more people, infused Christian holy days with pagan celebrations, giving us the ability to turn the holy days into crass commercialistic crazy days.
So many people look forward to Fat Tuesday, and Mardi Gras, or Carnival, as a high holy day. A day of gluttony, and drunkenness, and wanton sexual acting out.
Yeah, it is the day before Ash Wednesday...go ahead and get all the sinning out of your system cuz, tomorrow, you have to pray, and repent, and go to church and receive the ashes to demonstrate that you are devoted to following God and being a godly person.
What a teeming bucket of hog wash...
Holy Scripture informs us that God neither sleeps nor slumbers, and He looks upon the heart and the intents of our thoughts. The Christmas tradition tells us that Santa Claus is watching... he knows if you've been bad or good, so be good for goodness' sake.
We have effectively transferred deity to a manmade effigy.
Jesus said that the truest test of love is that a man lay down his life for a friend...and today we expect others to give it all up, to benefit me, me, me!
I have found, through my long and few years on this earth, that there is common conception that delineates, if I buy you a gift, then you must reciprocate with a gift of at least the same cost if not more expensive.
Bah, humbug!!
You want to impress me with a gift? Come and give your life to Christ, and dedicate the rest of your life to serving God Almighty, and bringing His love and salvation to this tired, needy planet.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
R U in an attitutde of gratitude or platitude?
Thanksgiving day...
As happens periodically, my birthday falls on Thanksgiving day, as it is this year.
Primarily, I give thanks to God Almighty for:
Creating and sustaining this world we live in;
Making me the person I am;
Watching over me through 63 years, including 29 years active duty, and 5 years as a pastor;
Giving me beautiful children, who have become strong contributing adults;
Providing for the internet where I can interact with so many wonderful people.
In the Marine Corps, we had a saying that God watches over drunks, idiots and Marines; I have been all three, and am truly grateful that God was watching over me.
There is nothing in this world that can compare with the change that comes over a person when Jesus Christ is allowed to come into their life, and heart, and clean house, repair the broken heart, and give strength to their legs to continue on. Thank You Jesus, for the privilege of having received new life.
I give thanks for my children, and their remarkable ability to stay on their feet.
As happens periodically, my birthday falls on Thanksgiving day, as it is this year.
Primarily, I give thanks to God Almighty for:
Creating and sustaining this world we live in;
Making me the person I am;
Watching over me through 63 years, including 29 years active duty, and 5 years as a pastor;
Giving me beautiful children, who have become strong contributing adults;
Providing for the internet where I can interact with so many wonderful people.
In the Marine Corps, we had a saying that God watches over drunks, idiots and Marines; I have been all three, and am truly grateful that God was watching over me.
There is nothing in this world that can compare with the change that comes over a person when Jesus Christ is allowed to come into their life, and heart, and clean house, repair the broken heart, and give strength to their legs to continue on. Thank You Jesus, for the privilege of having received new life.
I give thanks for my children, and their remarkable ability to stay on their feet.
There is a time for leisure
Mostly Cajun put it out there, so, if he can do it, guess me can too.
Things I’ve done are in bold.
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii Visited and lived there for three years.
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked In the days before every hitchhiker was a potential axe murderer.
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice .
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise three years on an aircraft carrier.
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelos David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day
Okay, that’s it. You can do it if you want…
Things I’ve done are in bold.
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii Visited and lived there for three years.
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked In the days before every hitchhiker was a potential axe murderer.
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice .
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise three years on an aircraft carrier.
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelos David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day
Okay, that’s it. You can do it if you want…
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Thanksgiving going?
Chuck Norris takes a whack at the whackos running loose in this great country.
Go take a look...
Comments really show how much whackos read and understand...
May God have mercy on our souls.
Go take a look...
Comments really show how much whackos read and understand...
May God have mercy on our souls.
Are the menehunes restless?
Cassy Fiano has disappeared...
Wattup??
Was she hacked and ditched?? Was her site dropped by the provider??
Where oh where has Cassy gone?
Wattup??
Was she hacked and ditched?? Was her site dropped by the provider??
Where oh where has Cassy gone?
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Selected quotations for Sunday
The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26
Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139: 23, 24
The Eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. Deuteronomy 33:27a
The glory of God and our own happiness are so connected that if we regularly seek the one, we must attain the other. Grant me wisdom. Matthew Henry
And he said to the judges: "Take heed to what you are doing, for you do not judge for man but for the LORD, who is with you in the judgment. 2 Chronicles 19:6
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
Happiness is "like a young deer, fleet and beautiful" which after the kill becomes "a piece of stinking flesh. Malcom Muggeridge
My son, fear the LORD and the king; do not associate with those who are given to change. Proverb 24:21
Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed quickly, therefore the hearts of the sons of men among them are given fully to do evil. Ecclesiastes 8:11
A wise man's heart directs him toward the right, but the foolish man's heart directs him toward the left. Ecclesiastes 10:2
Fear is a deadly enemy. Let us remember, when we are tempted to tremble, that "God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind" (II Tim. 1:7). Mrs. Charles E. Cowman
The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. for God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil. Ecclesiates 12:13,14
Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139: 23, 24
The Eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. Deuteronomy 33:27a
The glory of God and our own happiness are so connected that if we regularly seek the one, we must attain the other. Grant me wisdom. Matthew Henry
And he said to the judges: "Take heed to what you are doing, for you do not judge for man but for the LORD, who is with you in the judgment. 2 Chronicles 19:6
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
Happiness is "like a young deer, fleet and beautiful" which after the kill becomes "a piece of stinking flesh. Malcom Muggeridge
My son, fear the LORD and the king; do not associate with those who are given to change. Proverb 24:21
Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed quickly, therefore the hearts of the sons of men among them are given fully to do evil. Ecclesiastes 8:11
A wise man's heart directs him toward the right, but the foolish man's heart directs him toward the left. Ecclesiastes 10:2
Fear is a deadly enemy. Let us remember, when we are tempted to tremble, that "God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind" (II Tim. 1:7). Mrs. Charles E. Cowman
The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. for God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil. Ecclesiates 12:13,14
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Silliness Saturday
Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Of course, only if I am dreaming of a white Christmas.
Still, there are some places where there will be a blue Christmas, cuz Santa Claus is comin in a stage coach, and gramma got run over by a reindeer.
For those who remember, there was a Christmas where we were serenaded by three chipmunks: do you remember? There was Theodore and the ham Alvin; but do you remember who the other one was?
No, it won't be a blue Christmas if I don't hear who the other chipmunk was... you see, we are already building up our white Christmas.
And truth be known, I got my quilted Christmas stockings being created by Mamacita.
Still, there are some places where there will be a blue Christmas, cuz Santa Claus is comin in a stage coach, and gramma got run over by a reindeer.
For those who remember, there was a Christmas where we were serenaded by three chipmunks: do you remember? There was Theodore and the ham Alvin; but do you remember who the other one was?
No, it won't be a blue Christmas if I don't hear who the other chipmunk was... you see, we are already building up our white Christmas.
And truth be known, I got my quilted Christmas stockings being created by Mamacita.
Today in history...
Mostly Cajun reminds us that 45 years ago, President John F. Kennedy was killed; he says he was in the eighth grade math class.
I remember, as if it was just yesterday: I just finished qualifying on the rifle range in boot camp. I was on the 500 yard line, when I jumped up and shouted, "I did it!"
Then someone yelled, "shut up!! The President was just shot."
Then I realized that the DIs and the PMIs were standing near the center of the firing line listening to a radio.
Later, after returning to the depot, we were in the rec room, time for letter writing and wind down debrief.
Our junior DI, CPL Rizzi, spoke to us about the incident, and presented some interesting methods of dealing with the perpetrator.
Who could have known, that the assassination of the President would give us such a large step into socialism?
Yeah, I remember, just like it was yesterday!
I remember, as if it was just yesterday: I just finished qualifying on the rifle range in boot camp. I was on the 500 yard line, when I jumped up and shouted, "I did it!"
Then someone yelled, "shut up!! The President was just shot."
Then I realized that the DIs and the PMIs were standing near the center of the firing line listening to a radio.
Later, after returning to the depot, we were in the rec room, time for letter writing and wind down debrief.
Our junior DI, CPL Rizzi, spoke to us about the incident, and presented some interesting methods of dealing with the perpetrator.
Who could have known, that the assassination of the President would give us such a large step into socialism?
Yeah, I remember, just like it was yesterday!
Friday, November 21, 2008
Christmas shoppen ain't over with yet
Are you looking for a special Christmas gift? Would you like to have something that is hand made, and sewn with love? And doesn't have "made in China" imprinted on it?
My dear friend Mamacita is sewing quilted Christmas stockings.
I ain't gettin no renumeration for this, just tootin my horn for something that is made in the USA and is good quality.
My dear friend Mamacita is sewing quilted Christmas stockings.
I ain't gettin no renumeration for this, just tootin my horn for something that is made in the USA and is good quality.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Regrets?!?!
As I sit here, in front of my notebook, looking around the blogosphere, I see many articles memorializing the young Marines who have stepped up and stepped out to be a buffer for this country against terrorism, and ideologies that run counter to ours.
It ain't everybody that can be a Marine...if they could, it wouldn't be the Marine Corps.
Permit me an aside, right here.
When I was a counselor with the Marine Corps drug rehab unit, I was informed of something that I guess I knew intuitively, but I had not been aware of cognitively.
The secretary, one day at lunch was telling us about the plants in her office.
It seems that the Chief corpsman (medic to you non-naval service types) had been dumping left over blood into her pots.
And the plants were growing, and blooming like never before.
It has been said, that a nation only grows when it is nourished by the blood of its patriots.
The Bible tells us that the life is in the blood.
And the blood that has been being spilt around the globe by our patriotic youth, continues to give life to this great nation; in spite of the nefarious disease and parasites that we are infested with.
With that aside, aside, let me continue with the thought I began with.
Here I am, in my 60s, divorced, all my children are grown, and living their own lives, and I sit here wondering how can I contribute to the betterment of this great nation.
I could be wrong, but I keep thinking, how much different it would be, if a bunch of us retired military guys {non pc} that were sitting around wondering about life, were to be back on active duty, specifically for the purpose of being in the combat zone. Would we be enough to relieve some of these younger ones from the burden?
Would it make a difference?
You know, now that I think about it, how great would it be, if some of us older geezers could be over there, and have some leadership like Kerry or Murtha to be leading us on patrol.
Well, that b enuff for this line of thinking. My brain is starting to hurt.
It ain't everybody that can be a Marine...if they could, it wouldn't be the Marine Corps.
Permit me an aside, right here.
When I was a counselor with the Marine Corps drug rehab unit, I was informed of something that I guess I knew intuitively, but I had not been aware of cognitively.
The secretary, one day at lunch was telling us about the plants in her office.
It seems that the Chief corpsman (medic to you non-naval service types) had been dumping left over blood into her pots.
And the plants were growing, and blooming like never before.
It has been said, that a nation only grows when it is nourished by the blood of its patriots.
The Bible tells us that the life is in the blood.
And the blood that has been being spilt around the globe by our patriotic youth, continues to give life to this great nation; in spite of the nefarious disease and parasites that we are infested with.
With that aside, aside, let me continue with the thought I began with.
Here I am, in my 60s, divorced, all my children are grown, and living their own lives, and I sit here wondering how can I contribute to the betterment of this great nation.
I could be wrong, but I keep thinking, how much different it would be, if a bunch of us retired military guys {non pc} that were sitting around wondering about life, were to be back on active duty, specifically for the purpose of being in the combat zone. Would we be enough to relieve some of these younger ones from the burden?
Would it make a difference?
You know, now that I think about it, how great would it be, if some of us older geezers could be over there, and have some leadership like Kerry or Murtha to be leading us on patrol.
Well, that b enuff for this line of thinking. My brain is starting to hurt.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
EXCUSE ME!!
Should I/we be concerned? Here we are in the 21st century, and poli-tic-al pundits are telling Christians how they should be living.
EXCUSE ME!
The crux of Christianity, as I understand it, has to do with turning the world upside down.
History is replete with stories of Christians taking governments to task.
The dirty little secret, that pundits try to keep hidden from the citizenry is that this great country was founded on the principle that God had led.
This country was founded upon the ideal of personal ownership of property, of the individual's right under God to be the best they could be.
Over the years, many have expressed the idea that gummint was the problem and not the solution... and here we are a coupla centuries down the road, and we are being told that we are the problem, and that only gummint has the solution.
WELL, EXCUSE ME!!
Have we not learned yet, that gummint cain't do nothing good? How much clearer do it need to be for people to see that gummint running our lives is like the inmates running the assylum?
Oh, yeah, the Bible speaks to sluggards, and how they can influence those around them if given enough time.
It goes way beyond any comprehensive ability of my military mind to figure out why anybody living in this country would want to change her. She is the greatest nation to ever traverse the pages of history; and some wish to make her no more than ashes on the ashheap of history for the desire to be like everyone else.
EXCUSE ME!!
So many of our ancestors left Europe to get away from oppressive gummint, and to be able to live a life well able to pursue life, liberty and happiness.
How sad that there are people who have come to hate this way of life. I don't understand it; but I do understand that if you don't have to work for what you get, and you know that someone is ready and willing to give you whatever you want, you will relinquish your individual power, to not have to lift a hand.
How pitiful the people of this nation have become... soon there will be no body to provide income for the gummint, cuz everybody will be expecting the gummint to take care of them, and then, there will be no more.
You never realize how sweet something is, until you give it up, and realize you will never have it again.
EXCUSE ME!
The crux of Christianity, as I understand it, has to do with turning the world upside down.
History is replete with stories of Christians taking governments to task.
The dirty little secret, that pundits try to keep hidden from the citizenry is that this great country was founded on the principle that God had led.
This country was founded upon the ideal of personal ownership of property, of the individual's right under God to be the best they could be.
Over the years, many have expressed the idea that gummint was the problem and not the solution... and here we are a coupla centuries down the road, and we are being told that we are the problem, and that only gummint has the solution.
WELL, EXCUSE ME!!
Have we not learned yet, that gummint cain't do nothing good? How much clearer do it need to be for people to see that gummint running our lives is like the inmates running the assylum?
Oh, yeah, the Bible speaks to sluggards, and how they can influence those around them if given enough time.
It goes way beyond any comprehensive ability of my military mind to figure out why anybody living in this country would want to change her. She is the greatest nation to ever traverse the pages of history; and some wish to make her no more than ashes on the ashheap of history for the desire to be like everyone else.
EXCUSE ME!!
So many of our ancestors left Europe to get away from oppressive gummint, and to be able to live a life well able to pursue life, liberty and happiness.
How sad that there are people who have come to hate this way of life. I don't understand it; but I do understand that if you don't have to work for what you get, and you know that someone is ready and willing to give you whatever you want, you will relinquish your individual power, to not have to lift a hand.
How pitiful the people of this nation have become... soon there will be no body to provide income for the gummint, cuz everybody will be expecting the gummint to take care of them, and then, there will be no more.
You never realize how sweet something is, until you give it up, and realize you will never have it again.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Valour IT
About 41 years ago this was taken while on my summer break at Cua Viet, Republic of Vietnam.
With that in mind, may I invite you to Donate to the Marine Corps Team.
Project Valour-IT is a simple idea with profound impact. It's grateful Americans, providing laptops with voice-activated software for severely wounded troops. Project Valour-IT offers a way for us to tell them we have not forgotten their sacrifices, and that is truly priceless. In many, many ways what we are trying to do is reconnect them to the world; remind them that they are not alone. That they still have something to contribute, that they are still a vital part of this nation, and that even though they may have lost parts of themselves that they can never recover, though they may temporarily be feeling hopeless, helpless, even alone, they aren't.
Someone remembers. Someone still cares. And when they get out of the hospital, America will find a way for them to rejoin the community and be useful again. For a wounded vet facing traumatic and painful injuries, that knowledge alone is beyond price.
Someone remembers. Someone still cares. And when they get out of the hospital, America will find a way for them to rejoin the community and be useful again. For a wounded vet facing traumatic and painful injuries, that knowledge alone is beyond price.
Friday, November 14, 2008
IMAHO
To my military mind, having any dental work done is cruel and unusual punishment: add to that, having to pay to go through it, you have the ultimate in corporal punishment.
Though I would rather take a butt whuppin than to go to the dentist, sometimes it just cannot be avoided.
So, today found me back in the dentist's office, thinking I might be getting a molar or wisdom tooth pulled, only to find that there is no infection, nor any real problem in the tooth, so, we decided to crown the tooth, to keep from having to remove it, and to keep it from gettine worser.
Yeah, I realize the ideal is to keep your own real teeth for as long as you can... but you know, I just get tired of all that being in the dentist's office brings about.
Though I would rather take a butt whuppin than to go to the dentist, sometimes it just cannot be avoided.
So, today found me back in the dentist's office, thinking I might be getting a molar or wisdom tooth pulled, only to find that there is no infection, nor any real problem in the tooth, so, we decided to crown the tooth, to keep from having to remove it, and to keep it from gettine worser.
Yeah, I realize the ideal is to keep your own real teeth for as long as you can... but you know, I just get tired of all that being in the dentist's office brings about.
Wandering...
When I was a youngun, I fell in love with Rosemary Clooney. What about her did I like? I dunno!
She was beautiful...to my young mind, she was the most beautiful creature that had ever been created.
And I guess I have been a sucker for a strawberry blonde ever since.
I have only known one strawberry blonde personally; and she was/is a beautiful person...am i detecting a pattern here?
Too often, I have wondered what the fascination is with changing hair color. The strawberry blonde lady I knew, did not like strawberry blonde color, and would often use a blonde rinse to try to cover the tinge.
The Preacher, the son of David is quoted as saying, "all is vanity".
Is not a vanity, a piece of furniture that has a mirror attached? Could it have gotten its name from the idea that the mirror was a place to sit and look at yourself, and frump and fard until you were satisfied with what you saw?
Until we come to the point where we are comfortable with what we know is inside, we will not be able to be comfortable with what is on the outside.
I have long been fascinated with the Johari Window. You know, this is the demonstration of our psyche...it contains four windows: The you you know, and others know; the you you know and others do not know; the you you do not know that others know; and the you you do not know and others do not know.
Think about it...how often have you had someone say something about you, that you didn't realize anyone knew?
Ah, but the bottom line, it seems, is that only God knows what those things are that I do not know about me, and others do not know; for you see, God sees the heart and the inclinations of our thoughts.
He alone knows what is buried deep within the darkest recesses of our being. And it is only through Him that we are able to bring wholeness to our being, so that we are aware of who we are, and what we are doing.
Casey would dance with the strawbery blonde, and the band played on...
She was beautiful...to my young mind, she was the most beautiful creature that had ever been created.
And I guess I have been a sucker for a strawberry blonde ever since.
I have only known one strawberry blonde personally; and she was/is a beautiful person...am i detecting a pattern here?
Too often, I have wondered what the fascination is with changing hair color. The strawberry blonde lady I knew, did not like strawberry blonde color, and would often use a blonde rinse to try to cover the tinge.
The Preacher, the son of David is quoted as saying, "all is vanity".
Is not a vanity, a piece of furniture that has a mirror attached? Could it have gotten its name from the idea that the mirror was a place to sit and look at yourself, and frump and fard until you were satisfied with what you saw?
Until we come to the point where we are comfortable with what we know is inside, we will not be able to be comfortable with what is on the outside.
I have long been fascinated with the Johari Window. You know, this is the demonstration of our psyche...it contains four windows: The you you know, and others know; the you you know and others do not know; the you you do not know that others know; and the you you do not know and others do not know.
Think about it...how often have you had someone say something about you, that you didn't realize anyone knew?
Ah, but the bottom line, it seems, is that only God knows what those things are that I do not know about me, and others do not know; for you see, God sees the heart and the inclinations of our thoughts.
He alone knows what is buried deep within the darkest recesses of our being. And it is only through Him that we are able to bring wholeness to our being, so that we are aware of who we are, and what we are doing.
Casey would dance with the strawbery blonde, and the band played on...
Thursday, November 13, 2008
unawares
Katherine of Smoky Mountain Cafe tagged me to share 7 random facts about myself.
Katherine is a super friend, and always, always has really good recipes. As the old chef would say, I guarantole you it gonna be some kinda goooooood!
The rules are, you have to provide the link of the person who tagged you, and you have to tag 7 others to do the same.
On with the facts!
I fought the dust, and the dust won.
I think champagne tastes like vinegar with alka seltzer.
My favorite color is lavender.
I have been a clown, and have composed a sermon on clowns for Christ.
I have mellowed a lot in the last few years.
I enjoy listening to the music of my youth, more than anything that is being offered today.
I prefer reading a book to watching television.
I tag:
Jane from Scheiss Weekly - Just As It Says
John at John's" Egocentric World
Pamela at Atlas Shrugs
Linda at Something... and Half of Something
The cool Cajun at Mostly Cajun, All American and Opinionated
Doctor Helen at Dr. Helen
Katherine is a super friend, and always, always has really good recipes. As the old chef would say, I guarantole you it gonna be some kinda goooooood!
The rules are, you have to provide the link of the person who tagged you, and you have to tag 7 others to do the same.
On with the facts!
I fought the dust, and the dust won.
I think champagne tastes like vinegar with alka seltzer.
My favorite color is lavender.
I have been a clown, and have composed a sermon on clowns for Christ.
I have mellowed a lot in the last few years.
I enjoy listening to the music of my youth, more than anything that is being offered today.
I prefer reading a book to watching television.
I tag:
Jane from Scheiss Weekly - Just As It Says
John at John's" Egocentric World
Pamela at Atlas Shrugs
Linda at Something... and Half of Something
The cool Cajun at Mostly Cajun, All American and Opinionated
Doctor Helen at Dr. Helen
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
CrEePy
I am truly amused to hear how much Rush is using the term "creepy" in reference to B Hussein O and what all he is currently involved in.
Seems to me Halloween was over a week ago, and I thought "creepy" stuff was put away already since most major stores have clearanced Halloween goods, and replaced them with Christmas items.
"Creepy" has been my estimation of this individual, since he first stepped onto the public scene. Of course, he and Monica Lewinski's boyfriend's wife, are in the same category, to my way of thinking.
Seems to me Halloween was over a week ago, and I thought "creepy" stuff was put away already since most major stores have clearanced Halloween goods, and replaced them with Christmas items.
"Creepy" has been my estimation of this individual, since he first stepped onto the public scene. Of course, he and Monica Lewinski's boyfriend's wife, are in the same category, to my way of thinking.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Birthday wishes
HAPPY 233rd BIRTHDAY to my beloved Marine Corps.
How fitting that an entity with its beginnings in a tavern, should be the number one security force in the world, esteemed and feared by the best of them.
May the Corps continue to be force in reckoning and a home of the brave.
How fitting that an entity with its beginnings in a tavern, should be the number one security force in the world, esteemed and feared by the best of them.
May the Corps continue to be force in reckoning and a home of the brave.
Deja vu to you too
We are not a nation of laws!
We are a nation founded on the principle of freedom and liberty.
Laws constrain freedom, and liberty. Want to see a nation of laws? Go look at the USSR. look at communist China, look at Cuba.
I am so tired of hearing "high-powered" pundits reminding us we are a nation of laws.
We were not, until we started getting career poli-tic-ians into office across this great nation.
It appears to my military mind, that we have enjoyed freedom and liberty for perhaps too long, and now we disdain it.
We want laws telling our neighbor he has to mow his lawn; that he cannot have a wood burning furnace in his house; he cannot smoke in his back yard.
We want laws telling us how fast we can drive our vehicle on the open highway; telling us we have to buckle our seat belt, or wear a helmet.
I guess that is what happens when you grow to disdain any freedom or liberty you may have been born into.
Then there are the elites, whose family's have been able to amass wealth prior to all these modern laws being written, and now they believe they have a God-given mandate to order our lives aright.
And like good little sheeple, we follow right up to the slaughter house, trusting that these men (generic) know what is right for us.
Lest we forget:
7. And the LORD said to Samuel, "Listen to the voice of the people in regard to all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being king over them...
9. Now then, listen to their voice; however, you shall solemnly warn them and tell them of the procedure of the king who will reign over them."
10. So Samuel spoke all the words of the LORD to the people who had asked of him a king.
11. And he said, "This will be the procedure of the king who will reign over you: he will take your sons and place them for himself in his chariots and among his horsemen {military draft?} and they will run before his chariots.
12. And he will appoint for himself commanders of thousands and of fifties, and some to do his plowing and to reap his harvest and to make his weapons of war and equipment for his chariots.
13. He will also take your daughters for perfumers and cooks and bakers.
14. And he will take the best of your fields and your vineyards and your olive groves, and give them to his servants.
15. And he will take a tenth of your seed and of your vineyards, and give to his officers and to his servants.
16. He will also take your male servants and your female servants and your best young men and your donkeys, and use them for his work.
17. He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his servants.
18. Then you will cry out in that day because of your king whom you have chosen for yourselves, but the LORD will not answer you in that day." (I Samuel 8, NASB).
Yeah, those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.
We are a nation founded on the principle of freedom and liberty.
Laws constrain freedom, and liberty. Want to see a nation of laws? Go look at the USSR. look at communist China, look at Cuba.
I am so tired of hearing "high-powered" pundits reminding us we are a nation of laws.
We were not, until we started getting career poli-tic-ians into office across this great nation.
It appears to my military mind, that we have enjoyed freedom and liberty for perhaps too long, and now we disdain it.
We want laws telling our neighbor he has to mow his lawn; that he cannot have a wood burning furnace in his house; he cannot smoke in his back yard.
We want laws telling us how fast we can drive our vehicle on the open highway; telling us we have to buckle our seat belt, or wear a helmet.
I guess that is what happens when you grow to disdain any freedom or liberty you may have been born into.
Then there are the elites, whose family's have been able to amass wealth prior to all these modern laws being written, and now they believe they have a God-given mandate to order our lives aright.
And like good little sheeple, we follow right up to the slaughter house, trusting that these men (generic) know what is right for us.
Lest we forget:
7. And the LORD said to Samuel, "Listen to the voice of the people in regard to all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being king over them...
9. Now then, listen to their voice; however, you shall solemnly warn them and tell them of the procedure of the king who will reign over them."
10. So Samuel spoke all the words of the LORD to the people who had asked of him a king.
11. And he said, "This will be the procedure of the king who will reign over you: he will take your sons and place them for himself in his chariots and among his horsemen {military draft?} and they will run before his chariots.
12. And he will appoint for himself commanders of thousands and of fifties, and some to do his plowing and to reap his harvest and to make his weapons of war and equipment for his chariots.
13. He will also take your daughters for perfumers and cooks and bakers.
14. And he will take the best of your fields and your vineyards and your olive groves, and give them to his servants.
15. And he will take a tenth of your seed and of your vineyards, and give to his officers and to his servants.
16. He will also take your male servants and your female servants and your best young men and your donkeys, and use them for his work.
17. He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his servants.
18. Then you will cry out in that day because of your king whom you have chosen for yourselves, but the LORD will not answer you in that day." (I Samuel 8, NASB).
Yeah, those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Randomly thimkin agin
Shades of the desire for the nanny state continue to show up in the darndest of places.
This morning's Argus online poll asks the question: "Do you support a legislative effort to ban smoking in bars, restaurants, casinos and all other indoor workplaces in the state?" As of 8:42 am the result of 985 votes is: 645 - Yes and 340 - No.
Well, to my military mind, the more we depend on gummint to dictate what business can and
cannot do, the more we are decreasing our freedom. This country became great due in part to the openness of businesses to cater to the needs and wants of the public.
It is truly a sad day, when people are so lazy they would rather see new laws passed, than allow businesses to change on their own.
Should the 65.5% who desire the law to prohibit smoking in public establishments let those establishments know they prefer the non smoking ambiance, who knows what would happen.
It would certainly be instructive to go to some of these public places and find out what the break down is of people there who smoke and do not smoke.
Having been to one of the bigger casinos here in the area more than once, I have seen the majority of the people, with gaming club cards, smoking. At any given point of time, you will find that just about everyone in the place are smoking.
I personally do not smoke, and have not since 1974. Would I like to exist in a smoke free environment? I don't really know. I do know I am never gonna expect someone else to live the
way I do. And I will never call upon gummint to force someone to live the way I choose.
We used to have a saying: "All you have to do is pay taxes and die". To me, that means, I am free to live as I wish as long as I pay my taxes and understand that one day I am gonna die.
That in itself is an interesting thought. I have been in a head-on collision at 80 mph, and have lived, I have spent my thirteen months in Vietnam and survived. I was a drunken alcoholic for ten years, paying no attention to my physical or mental health. I have been in places where men
have pointed handguns at my head and threatened to shoot me.
Yet, here I am getting ready to enter into my 63d year of life. And not once have I called on the gummint to do anything...I am told that had I used the seat belt I might not have endured the injuries I did - but I didn't stand up and say, better make it mandatory that every one hook their seat belt.
OK, nuff ranten...
I am really tired, no, really sick of so many people crying out to gummint to come to their aid.
How did we come to be such a pussified community?
Now I begin to see how the old country songs have such a draw.
This morning's Argus online poll asks the question: "Do you support a legislative effort to ban smoking in bars, restaurants, casinos and all other indoor workplaces in the state?" As of 8:42 am the result of 985 votes is: 645 - Yes and 340 - No.
Well, to my military mind, the more we depend on gummint to dictate what business can and
cannot do, the more we are decreasing our freedom. This country became great due in part to the openness of businesses to cater to the needs and wants of the public.
It is truly a sad day, when people are so lazy they would rather see new laws passed, than allow businesses to change on their own.
Should the 65.5% who desire the law to prohibit smoking in public establishments let those establishments know they prefer the non smoking ambiance, who knows what would happen.
It would certainly be instructive to go to some of these public places and find out what the break down is of people there who smoke and do not smoke.
Having been to one of the bigger casinos here in the area more than once, I have seen the majority of the people, with gaming club cards, smoking. At any given point of time, you will find that just about everyone in the place are smoking.
I personally do not smoke, and have not since 1974. Would I like to exist in a smoke free environment? I don't really know. I do know I am never gonna expect someone else to live the
way I do. And I will never call upon gummint to force someone to live the way I choose.
We used to have a saying: "All you have to do is pay taxes and die". To me, that means, I am free to live as I wish as long as I pay my taxes and understand that one day I am gonna die.
That in itself is an interesting thought. I have been in a head-on collision at 80 mph, and have lived, I have spent my thirteen months in Vietnam and survived. I was a drunken alcoholic for ten years, paying no attention to my physical or mental health. I have been in places where men
have pointed handguns at my head and threatened to shoot me.
Yet, here I am getting ready to enter into my 63d year of life. And not once have I called on the gummint to do anything...I am told that had I used the seat belt I might not have endured the injuries I did - but I didn't stand up and say, better make it mandatory that every one hook their seat belt.
OK, nuff ranten...
I am really tired, no, really sick of so many people crying out to gummint to come to their aid.
How did we come to be such a pussified community?
Now I begin to see how the old country songs have such a draw.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Thinkin outloud
OK, so, the plot thickens...I thot I was having complications from an accident I had a coupla years ago, when I lost my rotator cuff. So, my regular doc scheduled a consult with the orthopedic people at the hospital; I saw them today.
First, they xrayed my shoulder four different angles. The doc looked at the pix and did some things with my arm and shoulder.
Said, he didn't think my problem was with the shoulder, itself, per se, but perhaps there was something else going on. So, back to xray for a coupla xrays of my neck. Doc looked at xrays and showed me where the vertebrae (or whatever the things are called) did not have the regular amount of clearance, and was perhaps pinching the nerve that would cause numbness in my entire arm and pain in my shoulder.
So, I am being processed for an MRI of my neck to give a clearer view of the situation, so doc can make a decision on what to do.
Well, I have always heard that bad things come in threes, so, perhaps now, I am done with receiving bad things for a while...you have to ask what three? Why my half a day in ER on Monday, now this possible spine problem, and the worst presidential election in my lifetime.
Come on Scotty, can't you at least beam me up? There ain't a lot of intelligent life on this planet.
First, they xrayed my shoulder four different angles. The doc looked at the pix and did some things with my arm and shoulder.
Said, he didn't think my problem was with the shoulder, itself, per se, but perhaps there was something else going on. So, back to xray for a coupla xrays of my neck. Doc looked at xrays and showed me where the vertebrae (or whatever the things are called) did not have the regular amount of clearance, and was perhaps pinching the nerve that would cause numbness in my entire arm and pain in my shoulder.
So, I am being processed for an MRI of my neck to give a clearer view of the situation, so doc can make a decision on what to do.
Well, I have always heard that bad things come in threes, so, perhaps now, I am done with receiving bad things for a while...you have to ask what three? Why my half a day in ER on Monday, now this possible spine problem, and the worst presidential election in my lifetime.
Come on Scotty, can't you at least beam me up? There ain't a lot of intelligent life on this planet.
Monday, November 3, 2008
So, how was your morning?
Spent half a day in the ER today.
It was one of those nites when sleep seemed to elude me; toss n turn, roll over, roll back.
About 3:00 this morning, I got out of bed, and was dizzy, my head was full of congestion, my face was burning, and I didn't feel right at all.
Well, went out and got a drink of water out of the fridge, and made a potty break, and climbed back in bed. Still not able to get comfortable, felt like I was hyperventilating, and tried to settle my breathing down.
About 4:00 I got out of bed again, and debated if I should go in to ER, or crawl back in bed and see if whatever would pass. So, I crawled back in bed, only to realize that I wasn't getting any better, and the hyperventilating seemed to bother me, since I couldn't get it under control.
Finally decided to go to ER and see if they could figgure out what was going on.
Walked into ER and was immediately asked what I needed help with. I asked them if this was the place I should come to die, cuz if they couldn't figgure out what was wrong, I would need to die just to feel better.
Finally got walked back to an exam room, and got the backless gown and directions to put it on.
While still getting undressed and putting on the gown, the nurse came in and started talking with me. That's ok, after 29 years in the military I ain't got a lot of concern bout modesty in a hospital.
Next came the temp taking, seems it was 97.? Placed the blood pressure cuff on my arm, and activated it, when alarms started going off; seems my heart rate was up to 103.5, and the nurse was concerned I was having a coronary.
So, called in the girl with the EEG, who dutifully stuck the stickys all over my chest and legs, did the EEG, and announced everything was alright.
Then the doctor came in, and introduced herself to me, and said she wanted to take my temp, just becuz that was how she worked. She reported a temp of 99.? but was alarmed because my skin was red hot, and heat waves were rising off every part of my body. Eventually, the doc decided we needed to do a rectal temp and came up with a temp of 135.
Now she knew something was up.
Somebody set me up with an iv needle, and then took blood for blood test and a culture.
Next, I was taken to xray where pictures were taken of my lungs to see if there was anythihg going on there. Negative.
Next on the agenda was a trip to the CAT scan to find out why my face was burning and what was happening with the major congestion. That showed a major sinus infection on the right side.
After being returned to the exam room, I was notified that the doc wanted a urinalysis, and of course, I guess I was dehydrated, and the trip I made to the bathroom at 3 that morning, seemed to have taken care of anything in the holding tank.
The nurse I had, was really nice, she was a refugee from Lafayette, LA. We talked some about the crazy stuff going on in LA, and she was of the mind that if O. Hussein B, does not get elected there will be a lot of unhappy blacks in the south. Anyway, her shift was ending, so she left.
Doc came in while I was peeing in the bottle, she said she was waiting for the urinalysis results to come back, and I informed her, that the sample had not been taken down yet. So, she took a sample and left.
Well, the doc came back in and informed me that she was worried becuz the high temp and the headache, and the white cells in my blood, told her there was something else going on.
Wouldn't you know it, she was concerned that I might have meningitis, which would cause white cells to activate, and temp to spike and headache. So, she discussed doing a spinal tap, lumbar poke, to test the fluid in the spine to rule out meningitis.
Well, her shift was over too, so, two male docs came in and splained to me what was gonna happen.
Well, finally, about 11:15, the doc came in and told me the spinal fluid was clear and there was no meningitis there.
I was free to go home, but I would need to get a Rx filled for antibiotics (spelled horse pill).
Well, I am home now, and still out of sorts, guess it gonna take a while for everything to work its way out of my system.
So, how was your morning?
It was one of those nites when sleep seemed to elude me; toss n turn, roll over, roll back.
About 3:00 this morning, I got out of bed, and was dizzy, my head was full of congestion, my face was burning, and I didn't feel right at all.
Well, went out and got a drink of water out of the fridge, and made a potty break, and climbed back in bed. Still not able to get comfortable, felt like I was hyperventilating, and tried to settle my breathing down.
About 4:00 I got out of bed again, and debated if I should go in to ER, or crawl back in bed and see if whatever would pass. So, I crawled back in bed, only to realize that I wasn't getting any better, and the hyperventilating seemed to bother me, since I couldn't get it under control.
Finally decided to go to ER and see if they could figgure out what was going on.
Walked into ER and was immediately asked what I needed help with. I asked them if this was the place I should come to die, cuz if they couldn't figgure out what was wrong, I would need to die just to feel better.
Finally got walked back to an exam room, and got the backless gown and directions to put it on.
While still getting undressed and putting on the gown, the nurse came in and started talking with me. That's ok, after 29 years in the military I ain't got a lot of concern bout modesty in a hospital.
Next came the temp taking, seems it was 97.? Placed the blood pressure cuff on my arm, and activated it, when alarms started going off; seems my heart rate was up to 103.5, and the nurse was concerned I was having a coronary.
So, called in the girl with the EEG, who dutifully stuck the stickys all over my chest and legs, did the EEG, and announced everything was alright.
Then the doctor came in, and introduced herself to me, and said she wanted to take my temp, just becuz that was how she worked. She reported a temp of 99.? but was alarmed because my skin was red hot, and heat waves were rising off every part of my body. Eventually, the doc decided we needed to do a rectal temp and came up with a temp of 135.
Now she knew something was up.
Somebody set me up with an iv needle, and then took blood for blood test and a culture.
Next, I was taken to xray where pictures were taken of my lungs to see if there was anythihg going on there. Negative.
Next on the agenda was a trip to the CAT scan to find out why my face was burning and what was happening with the major congestion. That showed a major sinus infection on the right side.
After being returned to the exam room, I was notified that the doc wanted a urinalysis, and of course, I guess I was dehydrated, and the trip I made to the bathroom at 3 that morning, seemed to have taken care of anything in the holding tank.
The nurse I had, was really nice, she was a refugee from Lafayette, LA. We talked some about the crazy stuff going on in LA, and she was of the mind that if O. Hussein B, does not get elected there will be a lot of unhappy blacks in the south. Anyway, her shift was ending, so she left.
Doc came in while I was peeing in the bottle, she said she was waiting for the urinalysis results to come back, and I informed her, that the sample had not been taken down yet. So, she took a sample and left.
Well, the doc came back in and informed me that she was worried becuz the high temp and the headache, and the white cells in my blood, told her there was something else going on.
Wouldn't you know it, she was concerned that I might have meningitis, which would cause white cells to activate, and temp to spike and headache. So, she discussed doing a spinal tap, lumbar poke, to test the fluid in the spine to rule out meningitis.
Well, her shift was over too, so, two male docs came in and splained to me what was gonna happen.
Well, finally, about 11:15, the doc came in and told me the spinal fluid was clear and there was no meningitis there.
I was free to go home, but I would need to get a Rx filled for antibiotics (spelled horse pill).
Well, I am home now, and still out of sorts, guess it gonna take a while for everything to work its way out of my system.
So, how was your morning?
Friday, October 31, 2008
Rantin n ravin, cuz i kin
As much as I have disdained and detested the goings on of this presidential election cycle, I want to go on record here with a coupla thots.
We have been treated in the past to the idea that the dems are interested in passing a law that will assist the unions in getting into workspaces.
I am retired military, and I drive a skool buss, on a part time basis. There are a number of people who also drive and there are a number who provide services as aides.
Again, all of these positions are part time. And, because they are part time, there is no consideration for benefits; although there appears to be a connection with a well known insurance company to provide medical insurance to the employees.
I would never have considered it, but I can see, where there could be people in this status who would like to see the drivers unionized.
I can see, the need for these part timers to have a little more stability in their job. Funny, should they unionize, there would be very little that could be done to keep them from demanding additional benefits, and maybe even being considered for full time work, rather than part time.
It is my understanding that the dems are waiting for B Hussein Obama to get into office, and to gain veto proof control of both houses of con-gress so they can pass the legislation giving the unions this access.
Add to this, the dems insistent desire to reenact the "fairness doctrine".
It still escapes me, how the elitest dems can complain about fairness, when we have seen in the past twelve years how the major TV and newspaper outlets are totally in the tank for the dem side of the canal. Add to this the NPR and PBS stations that receive taxpayer funding, that have no qualms about supporting and going overboard for the dem and liberal point of view. Where is fairness in this instance???
Of course, fairness demands that O.N.L.Y. the liberal, dem point of view be proferred. Any other point of view is considered to be heresy, and punishable by death.
I have written before regarding taxation, and still believe that the dem/liberal position would be different if we were to make the death tax, and the income tax retroactive to the conception of this great country.
How would Teddy Kennedy, and John Scarry like to find the money they ben sitten on is being confiscated to meet the law? Of course they would scream to highest heaven.
A long time ago, someone advised me of an analogy: Any surgery that is being done on someone else is considered to be minor surgery; but any surgery being done on yourself is automatically major surgery.
I have an idea.
For every person in this country that thinks/feels like Europeans live a better life, and have better benefits, I suggest we give them a one way ticket to Europe, and revoke their US citizenship.
For every citizen, who refuses to work, I suggest we give them a one way ticket to a socialist country, and revoke their US citizenship.
For every naturalized citizen, I propose that we ensure they adhere to the part of the oath that says they relinquish all obedience and allegiance to their former country and leadership. If they are not willing, then we ship them back to their former country, and revoke their US citizenship.
Does this sound harsh?
I love this country, and my 29 years in the Naval Service of our Armed Forces gives me a pretty good handle on what is really good about this country.
For those who do not like the fact that this country was founded under God, and was established for religious freedom, and the freedom to own property, then they should go and find a country that provides them with their hearts desire, and quit screwing with this country.
We have been treated in the past to the idea that the dems are interested in passing a law that will assist the unions in getting into workspaces.
I am retired military, and I drive a skool buss, on a part time basis. There are a number of people who also drive and there are a number who provide services as aides.
Again, all of these positions are part time. And, because they are part time, there is no consideration for benefits; although there appears to be a connection with a well known insurance company to provide medical insurance to the employees.
I would never have considered it, but I can see, where there could be people in this status who would like to see the drivers unionized.
I can see, the need for these part timers to have a little more stability in their job. Funny, should they unionize, there would be very little that could be done to keep them from demanding additional benefits, and maybe even being considered for full time work, rather than part time.
It is my understanding that the dems are waiting for B Hussein Obama to get into office, and to gain veto proof control of both houses of con-gress so they can pass the legislation giving the unions this access.
Add to this, the dems insistent desire to reenact the "fairness doctrine".
It still escapes me, how the elitest dems can complain about fairness, when we have seen in the past twelve years how the major TV and newspaper outlets are totally in the tank for the dem side of the canal. Add to this the NPR and PBS stations that receive taxpayer funding, that have no qualms about supporting and going overboard for the dem and liberal point of view. Where is fairness in this instance???
Of course, fairness demands that O.N.L.Y. the liberal, dem point of view be proferred. Any other point of view is considered to be heresy, and punishable by death.
I have written before regarding taxation, and still believe that the dem/liberal position would be different if we were to make the death tax, and the income tax retroactive to the conception of this great country.
How would Teddy Kennedy, and John Scarry like to find the money they ben sitten on is being confiscated to meet the law? Of course they would scream to highest heaven.
A long time ago, someone advised me of an analogy: Any surgery that is being done on someone else is considered to be minor surgery; but any surgery being done on yourself is automatically major surgery.
I have an idea.
For every person in this country that thinks/feels like Europeans live a better life, and have better benefits, I suggest we give them a one way ticket to Europe, and revoke their US citizenship.
For every citizen, who refuses to work, I suggest we give them a one way ticket to a socialist country, and revoke their US citizenship.
For every naturalized citizen, I propose that we ensure they adhere to the part of the oath that says they relinquish all obedience and allegiance to their former country and leadership. If they are not willing, then we ship them back to their former country, and revoke their US citizenship.
Does this sound harsh?
I love this country, and my 29 years in the Naval Service of our Armed Forces gives me a pretty good handle on what is really good about this country.
For those who do not like the fact that this country was founded under God, and was established for religious freedom, and the freedom to own property, then they should go and find a country that provides them with their hearts desire, and quit screwing with this country.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Country musicians come thru
I have fallen in love with Cassy at http://www.cassyfiano.com/.
Go and pay her a visit if you ain't never ben there.
Today, she has posted a really energizing article regarding an article she found in Redbook magazine.
Truly inspirational and hundred n eighty degrees out of phase with what we are being bombarded by today.
Go and pay her a visit if you ain't never ben there.
Today, she has posted a really energizing article regarding an article she found in Redbook magazine.
Truly inspirational and hundred n eighty degrees out of phase with what we are being bombarded by today.
It's the economy, stupid
"How can John McCain fix the economy. When he doesn't think it's broken?"
Guess we are reverting to Monica Lewinsky's boyfriend's mantra..."it's the economy stupid!"
I hear pundits decrying the pitifulness of the economy, today, but you know, I don't see that.
The best selling vehicles up here appear to be SUVs, and not necessarily the little ones.
I am also aware of the number of large SUVs running around with after market chrome wheels and tires.
I guess the old adage that if you tell a lie enough people will begin to believe it, is still true.
Everywhere I look, these days, I am overwhelmed with the lies of the poli-tic-ians, in order to bring this country to her knees.
My oath of enlistment covered enemies foreign and domestic...how long are we gonna allow the enemy of our livelihood and all that we hold sacred to run amok?
Guess we are reverting to Monica Lewinsky's boyfriend's mantra..."it's the economy stupid!"
I hear pundits decrying the pitifulness of the economy, today, but you know, I don't see that.
The best selling vehicles up here appear to be SUVs, and not necessarily the little ones.
I am also aware of the number of large SUVs running around with after market chrome wheels and tires.
I guess the old adage that if you tell a lie enough people will begin to believe it, is still true.
Everywhere I look, these days, I am overwhelmed with the lies of the poli-tic-ians, in order to bring this country to her knees.
My oath of enlistment covered enemies foreign and domestic...how long are we gonna allow the enemy of our livelihood and all that we hold sacred to run amok?
Excerpt from Sgt Grit newsletter
To my military mind, this is a great letter...
When you stop and think about it, "Semper Fidelis" means "Always Faithful"...and it goes way beyond just being faithful to the Corps...the words I remember from my sixteen years there were: "God, country and Corps".
Remember the words of JFK? Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country. How different that sounds than what we are hearing, today, from presidential and con-gressional wannabees.
Here is the letter...if you want more, please go to http://www.grunt.com .
Dear Sgt. Grit
Marines seldom lose their composure and are inclined to be rather stoic in general. I include myself in that group, but I need to confess to losing mine twice in the same day.
I work as a deck hand (Combination boatswain's mate and machinist's mate) on some of Chicago's architectural cruise boats during the season, and last weekend we had two of the days you wish you could bottle up and then open again in mid- February. We were sailing nearly full each trip, so we were on the lookout for wheelchairs and how to handle their logistics.
I looked up from tearing tickets, and I spotted a young man seated in wider model. He was missing one leg below the knee and the other above the knee. He had three other guests with him.
The woman who was obviously his mother was wearing a gray USMC sweatshirt. When I tried to get him down our usual rampway, chair was too wide for the ramp, so I had to put in the wider one.
While I was wheeling him down the wide ramp, I asked if he was a Marine. He said: "That's right, 2/3." I said "1/4" and asked him if he was an 0311. He said "Yeah, what's your MOS?" I told him "0302." He wasn't familiar with that one, so I told him I was an infantry officer.
I wheeled his chair up to the place that had the best view, and I noted that he only had a t-shirt on. After we seated all the guests and pulled away from the dock, I got my jacket out of the pilot house and went up to give it to him to wear: after all, it gets chilly out there in the concrete canyons. When I went to hand him my jacket, I realized he was also blind in both eyes.
After I checked on the rest of the guests, I went back to talk to Eric, our bartender. He asked me if I was OK, and I told him about the guy in the wheelchair and how he was younger than my son. Eric was surprised to watch me try to keep from losing it. "Wow" was about all he could offer. What could he say, anyway?
Then we started discussing what a guy like that can do for a living. After the cruise, I helped get the Marine ashore, and he held out my jacket. "Semper Fi", I said: he smiled and said "Oorah."
That's when it hit me. This guy didn't want pity, or even compassion. He was ready with neither eyes nor legs to take on the world again on his own terms. All he wanted was a chance to prove it. What can a guy like that do for a living? Nearly anything he sets his mind to.
Later on, I was again boarding passengers when a neatly dressed lady wearing a small blue-bordered white pin walked up. I was wearing my sunglasses, so the colors weren't too clear. I asked if she had a son in the military.
"Had", she said, "Actually, that's a gold star." Sure enough, along with her gold star pin, she was wearing a tiny Eagle Globe and Anchor. She appeared to be a typical Marine Mom: you know, "Return with your shield or on it." She obviously didn't want anybody to feel sorry for her either. I lost it again.
So where do we get people like this? I think they come from America's very heart and soul. They're everyday Americans who had a job to do and did it to the best of their ability. These Marines, their families, and their friends deserve our good cheer, and our commitment to helping them make it on their own again. Handouts? What for? Pity? Why? So if you're in the position to hire folks for your business, don't forget the Vet. Especially, don't forget wounded Vets like that 2/3 Marine.
Semper FidelisKB
When you stop and think about it, "Semper Fidelis" means "Always Faithful"...and it goes way beyond just being faithful to the Corps...the words I remember from my sixteen years there were: "God, country and Corps".
Remember the words of JFK? Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country. How different that sounds than what we are hearing, today, from presidential and con-gressional wannabees.
Here is the letter...if you want more, please go to http://www.grunt.com .
Dear Sgt. Grit
Marines seldom lose their composure and are inclined to be rather stoic in general. I include myself in that group, but I need to confess to losing mine twice in the same day.
I work as a deck hand (Combination boatswain's mate and machinist's mate) on some of Chicago's architectural cruise boats during the season, and last weekend we had two of the days you wish you could bottle up and then open again in mid- February. We were sailing nearly full each trip, so we were on the lookout for wheelchairs and how to handle their logistics.
I looked up from tearing tickets, and I spotted a young man seated in wider model. He was missing one leg below the knee and the other above the knee. He had three other guests with him.
The woman who was obviously his mother was wearing a gray USMC sweatshirt. When I tried to get him down our usual rampway, chair was too wide for the ramp, so I had to put in the wider one.
While I was wheeling him down the wide ramp, I asked if he was a Marine. He said: "That's right, 2/3." I said "1/4" and asked him if he was an 0311. He said "Yeah, what's your MOS?" I told him "0302." He wasn't familiar with that one, so I told him I was an infantry officer.
I wheeled his chair up to the place that had the best view, and I noted that he only had a t-shirt on. After we seated all the guests and pulled away from the dock, I got my jacket out of the pilot house and went up to give it to him to wear: after all, it gets chilly out there in the concrete canyons. When I went to hand him my jacket, I realized he was also blind in both eyes.
After I checked on the rest of the guests, I went back to talk to Eric, our bartender. He asked me if I was OK, and I told him about the guy in the wheelchair and how he was younger than my son. Eric was surprised to watch me try to keep from losing it. "Wow" was about all he could offer. What could he say, anyway?
Then we started discussing what a guy like that can do for a living. After the cruise, I helped get the Marine ashore, and he held out my jacket. "Semper Fi", I said: he smiled and said "Oorah."
That's when it hit me. This guy didn't want pity, or even compassion. He was ready with neither eyes nor legs to take on the world again on his own terms. All he wanted was a chance to prove it. What can a guy like that do for a living? Nearly anything he sets his mind to.
Later on, I was again boarding passengers when a neatly dressed lady wearing a small blue-bordered white pin walked up. I was wearing my sunglasses, so the colors weren't too clear. I asked if she had a son in the military.
"Had", she said, "Actually, that's a gold star." Sure enough, along with her gold star pin, she was wearing a tiny Eagle Globe and Anchor. She appeared to be a typical Marine Mom: you know, "Return with your shield or on it." She obviously didn't want anybody to feel sorry for her either. I lost it again.
So where do we get people like this? I think they come from America's very heart and soul. They're everyday Americans who had a job to do and did it to the best of their ability. These Marines, their families, and their friends deserve our good cheer, and our commitment to helping them make it on their own again. Handouts? What for? Pity? Why? So if you're in the position to hire folks for your business, don't forget the Vet. Especially, don't forget wounded Vets like that 2/3 Marine.
Semper FidelisKB
Monday, October 27, 2008
Token gun stuff
Saturday, I went out and threw some lead down range.
The Glock 32 is getting better used to me, and I am pretty much staying in the black. Only down point is the grip seems too small. I have been told there are extensions available, just haven't gotten a round tuit yet.
Then ran a hundred rounds thru the Rock Island .38 Super. What a surprise, I didn't really think I was gonna like this gun, cuz, I didn't get along with the 1911's they issued in the Corps.
The sights are a little small for this ole cuss, but she is steady, and keeps them rounds in close proximity to the center of the target.
The other day, Kim du Toit ran a post on the Taurus Thunderbolt, .357. Its a rifle chambered in .357, and .38 special, with a fourteen round capacity.
Now, that is right up my alley. With a Smith & Wesson 686, I can stock up lotsa ammo for .357 and .38 and can use it with either weapon.
The Glock 32 is getting better used to me, and I am pretty much staying in the black. Only down point is the grip seems too small. I have been told there are extensions available, just haven't gotten a round tuit yet.
Then ran a hundred rounds thru the Rock Island .38 Super. What a surprise, I didn't really think I was gonna like this gun, cuz, I didn't get along with the 1911's they issued in the Corps.
The sights are a little small for this ole cuss, but she is steady, and keeps them rounds in close proximity to the center of the target.
The other day, Kim du Toit ran a post on the Taurus Thunderbolt, .357. Its a rifle chambered in .357, and .38 special, with a fourteen round capacity.
Now, that is right up my alley. With a Smith & Wesson 686, I can stock up lotsa ammo for .357 and .38 and can use it with either weapon.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Polls, damn polls
This morning's fare on the front page of online Argus Leader definitely shows the bias of the left leaning mindset, with a poll that asks the question:
"Do you think a new president can turn the economy around?"
As per usual, the question is posed incorrectly... the question should be asked:
"Do you think a new president can have an affect on the economy?"
Think about it...
Ronald Reagan showed us how the economy could rebound by reducing taxes. Unfortunately, con-gress increased social spending to outstrip any benefit gained by the tax reduction, and today, President Reagan is reviled as having grown the deficit.
Jimmy Carter showed us how a president could affect the economy. If you lived through his presidency, you will remember well.
B Hussein O has promised to raise taxes, PERIOD!
He is on record as saying he would like gasoline to cost $5.00 a gallon at the pump.
He has put us on notice that he is inclined to redistribute wealth, so the non-producers have as much as the producers.
How long will it be, when O Hussein becomes president before those of us who do, decide not to do anymore?
Well, I guess the president has some impact on the economy, but the nasty little secret that no one wants to discuss is how much con-gress critters affect the economy.
In ten days we will learn how our future will be playing out.
Will we continue to be a country where everyone has the possibility of being the best they can be, and bettering themselves and their environment; or will we become another good idea that has become another layer on the ash heap of history?
"Do you think a new president can turn the economy around?"
As per usual, the question is posed incorrectly... the question should be asked:
"Do you think a new president can have an affect on the economy?"
Think about it...
Ronald Reagan showed us how the economy could rebound by reducing taxes. Unfortunately, con-gress increased social spending to outstrip any benefit gained by the tax reduction, and today, President Reagan is reviled as having grown the deficit.
Jimmy Carter showed us how a president could affect the economy. If you lived through his presidency, you will remember well.
B Hussein O has promised to raise taxes, PERIOD!
He is on record as saying he would like gasoline to cost $5.00 a gallon at the pump.
He has put us on notice that he is inclined to redistribute wealth, so the non-producers have as much as the producers.
How long will it be, when O Hussein becomes president before those of us who do, decide not to do anymore?
Well, I guess the president has some impact on the economy, but the nasty little secret that no one wants to discuss is how much con-gress critters affect the economy.
In ten days we will learn how our future will be playing out.
Will we continue to be a country where everyone has the possibility of being the best they can be, and bettering themselves and their environment; or will we become another good idea that has become another layer on the ash heap of history?
Moment of reflection
Every now and then, I receive an excellent blessing through my morning Bible reading and devotions.
This morning is one of those days, and I would like to take the liberty of sharing what caught my attention today from Mrs. Chas E. Cowman's "Streams In The Desert, Vol 2", Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, MI, 1966.
October 25
We believe and know that Jesus is the Christ. (John 6:68.)
Dr. W. B. HINSON speaks from one of his memorable sermons regarding the fact of Jesus in history.
"I seem to stand on the top of a hill up which I have been climbing all my life; and I seem to be about to tell you that which I have been all my life learning. He is a fact and not a fiction on the pages of history.
"Tacitus, a Roman historian in the first century, spoke of Jesus in this fashion: 'There appeared one Jesus.' He incidentally alluded to the Christ. But nineteen centuries have emphasized the adjective there, and they have spoken of one Jesus.
"In the second century, Lucius, a Greek satirist, gave his brief mention of Jesus when he satirically said - 'Jesus the Great.' But those same nineteen centuries have underscored again and again the adjective in that phrase, and they call Jesus the Great.
"And in century one, four men - Matthew, Mark, Luke and John - wrote the story of Jesus, an altogether wonderful story. they tell of His birth, babyhood, boyhood, young manhood. They tell how He talked, indeed how He looked. They tell how He acted, walked, and gestured, sat down, stood up. They tell all about Him. It is the most intimate story of a life. They tell how He died, how He was buried and where, how He rose again, how He ascended to heaven. And the wonderful record of that life that occupies only one-fourth of my New Testament has done more in the world than all the other books that were ever written.
"The historian Lecky, certainly an unprejudiced man, has told how there has more good come from this story than from all the words ever spoken by all the others who ever talked. Those gospels are history.
"John Stuart Mill, of England, said, It is no use denying the historical Christ.' Not it is little use; but it is no use denying it. and the greatest of all French skeptics said, 'It would take a Jesus to forge a Jesus.'
The Apostle Paul has written some history about Jesus. We call them his Epistles. And he stands at the head of an army so large I cannot stop even to mention the names of its officer, who eulogize the Christ. For if you go to Shakespeare, who they say is the greatest uninspired man who ever lived, Shakespeare talks about 'the acres over which walked the blessed feet of Him who for our advantage was nailed to the bitter cross.'
"And if you listen to Gladstone he tells you how in the New Testament the soft note swells to a mighty paen affirming that Jesus is God's Son and the world's Saviour.
"And if you listen to the great German you will find him saying, 'Christ is the holiest among the mighty, and the mightiest among the holy.'
"But most of all I think I love to remember Charles Lamb, the gentle and much afflicted soul. He said, 'Yes, if Shakespeare came in, we should all stand up, but if Jesus Christ came in we should all kneel.'
"Ah, yes, He is a fact. It does not matter what some little professor in some little school says to the contrary. He is a fact and not a fiction, on the pages of history!" (Adapted from "The Christ We Forget," by W. B. Hinson.)
This morning is one of those days, and I would like to take the liberty of sharing what caught my attention today from Mrs. Chas E. Cowman's "Streams In The Desert, Vol 2", Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, MI, 1966.
October 25
We believe and know that Jesus is the Christ. (John 6:68.)
Dr. W. B. HINSON speaks from one of his memorable sermons regarding the fact of Jesus in history.
"I seem to stand on the top of a hill up which I have been climbing all my life; and I seem to be about to tell you that which I have been all my life learning. He is a fact and not a fiction on the pages of history.
"Tacitus, a Roman historian in the first century, spoke of Jesus in this fashion: 'There appeared one Jesus.' He incidentally alluded to the Christ. But nineteen centuries have emphasized the adjective there, and they have spoken of one Jesus.
"In the second century, Lucius, a Greek satirist, gave his brief mention of Jesus when he satirically said - 'Jesus the Great.' But those same nineteen centuries have underscored again and again the adjective in that phrase, and they call Jesus the Great.
"And in century one, four men - Matthew, Mark, Luke and John - wrote the story of Jesus, an altogether wonderful story. they tell of His birth, babyhood, boyhood, young manhood. They tell how He talked, indeed how He looked. They tell how He acted, walked, and gestured, sat down, stood up. They tell all about Him. It is the most intimate story of a life. They tell how He died, how He was buried and where, how He rose again, how He ascended to heaven. And the wonderful record of that life that occupies only one-fourth of my New Testament has done more in the world than all the other books that were ever written.
"The historian Lecky, certainly an unprejudiced man, has told how there has more good come from this story than from all the words ever spoken by all the others who ever talked. Those gospels are history.
"John Stuart Mill, of England, said, It is no use denying the historical Christ.' Not it is little use; but it is no use denying it. and the greatest of all French skeptics said, 'It would take a Jesus to forge a Jesus.'
The Apostle Paul has written some history about Jesus. We call them his Epistles. And he stands at the head of an army so large I cannot stop even to mention the names of its officer, who eulogize the Christ. For if you go to Shakespeare, who they say is the greatest uninspired man who ever lived, Shakespeare talks about 'the acres over which walked the blessed feet of Him who for our advantage was nailed to the bitter cross.'
"And if you listen to Gladstone he tells you how in the New Testament the soft note swells to a mighty paen affirming that Jesus is God's Son and the world's Saviour.
"And if you listen to the great German you will find him saying, 'Christ is the holiest among the mighty, and the mightiest among the holy.'
"But most of all I think I love to remember Charles Lamb, the gentle and much afflicted soul. He said, 'Yes, if Shakespeare came in, we should all stand up, but if Jesus Christ came in we should all kneel.'
"Ah, yes, He is a fact. It does not matter what some little professor in some little school says to the contrary. He is a fact and not a fiction, on the pages of history!" (Adapted from "The Christ We Forget," by W. B. Hinson.)
Recently read
Last night I read Vince Flynn's latest book, "Extreme Measures".
WOW!!!
I am a fan of Vince's but this tome has to be one of his very best.
It isn't nice, or right, to tell the story here, but I can guarantole you, if you read it, you gonna be enthused.
My favorite author in this genre is still Tom Clancy, tho I don't know if he has gone into retirement or not.
In "Extreme Measures" Vince Flynn takes an enormous step toward unseating Tom Clancy as my favorite author.
WOW!!!
I am a fan of Vince's but this tome has to be one of his very best.
It isn't nice, or right, to tell the story here, but I can guarantole you, if you read it, you gonna be enthused.
My favorite author in this genre is still Tom Clancy, tho I don't know if he has gone into retirement or not.
In "Extreme Measures" Vince Flynn takes an enormous step toward unseating Tom Clancy as my favorite author.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Sometimes my mind does wander...
It would appear that summer is most likely over...
The past couple of days have been rain and 30 - 40 degree temperatures.
Latest word from the radio weather guessers is prolly some snow tonite or tomorrow, tho tomorrow's temp is sposed to be in the 40 - 50 range.
My thought was, hurray, the humiditty is gone, but then I realized, that rain is 100% humiditty...
Okay, so, there is a difference...specially when you realize that 89% humiditty and 95 degree temps spells humongous creature uncomfortableness, yeah, speaken for myself, here.
And so, life goes on, one season continues to follow another, and day continues to follow night, day after day, week after week, month after month, ad infinitum...
How interesting to wake up and realize, that next month I will be 63, and my baby, in another week will be 23...the old adage of failing to see the forest for the trees, seems to say something to me here.
Ah, well, just a little mind wandering to take a break from the cacophonous electioneering that has been banging on our sensibilities for the past eight, twelve years. Yeah, familiarity does breed contempt.
But, you know what?
Winter is again following autumn, and soon the spring rains and new life will begin sprouting, and we will again realize that our days are in God's hands.
It is the Almighty, who has created this world, created us, and all the creatures we are familiar with, and it is this same Creator God, that sustains this old creation day after day, week after week, month after month, ad infinitum.
I am reminded of the song that says:
There is peace in the midst of my storm tossed life;
There's an anchor, there's a rock to cast my faith upon...
Jesus rides in my vessel, so I'll feel no alarm,
He gives me peace in the midst of my storm.
Thank You Jesus, for the new life, and the blessing of the Holy Spirit.
The past couple of days have been rain and 30 - 40 degree temperatures.
Latest word from the radio weather guessers is prolly some snow tonite or tomorrow, tho tomorrow's temp is sposed to be in the 40 - 50 range.
My thought was, hurray, the humiditty is gone, but then I realized, that rain is 100% humiditty...
Okay, so, there is a difference...specially when you realize that 89% humiditty and 95 degree temps spells humongous creature uncomfortableness, yeah, speaken for myself, here.
And so, life goes on, one season continues to follow another, and day continues to follow night, day after day, week after week, month after month, ad infinitum...
How interesting to wake up and realize, that next month I will be 63, and my baby, in another week will be 23...the old adage of failing to see the forest for the trees, seems to say something to me here.
Ah, well, just a little mind wandering to take a break from the cacophonous electioneering that has been banging on our sensibilities for the past eight, twelve years. Yeah, familiarity does breed contempt.
But, you know what?
Winter is again following autumn, and soon the spring rains and new life will begin sprouting, and we will again realize that our days are in God's hands.
It is the Almighty, who has created this world, created us, and all the creatures we are familiar with, and it is this same Creator God, that sustains this old creation day after day, week after week, month after month, ad infinitum.
I am reminded of the song that says:
There is peace in the midst of my storm tossed life;
There's an anchor, there's a rock to cast my faith upon...
Jesus rides in my vessel, so I'll feel no alarm,
He gives me peace in the midst of my storm.
Thank You Jesus, for the new life, and the blessing of the Holy Spirit.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Ranting n raving again
This morning's Argus online poll asks: "Do you support a second stimulus package?"
Here we go again...supposedly conservative South Dakota responds with (at 5:15 am) 62% yes; 38% no.
I really would like to find out just where these people think this money is coming from...
NO!
Even better yet, here is my idea of a "stimulus package".
Reduce taxes, immediately, by 35 to 50 percent. Let us have the money in our pocket, and that will stimulate the economy in more ways than one.
Reduce con-gressional pay by two-thirds, immediately. Why does a con-gress critter need that kind of money anyway?
Repeal con-gress' non-participatory retirement program. The founding Fathers never anticipated having career poli-tic-ians in the government.
Unfederalize department of education. This is supposed to be a state thing anyway.
Suspend all federal gummint social spending. Let the lobbyists depend on encouraging the people to support their programs and ideas, not the con-gress critters who have no qualms about giving away other people's money.
Do away with the National Endowment for the Arts as a budget line item. Let the people who wish to further the arts in this country support it.
Privatize NPR and PBS, allow them to be user supported like the rest of the air waves.
Privatize social security, take it completely out of the hands of gummint bureaucrats.
And, you know what would really be a stimulus?
Make the inheritance tax retroactive to when the federal gummint started. Yes, let's go and get our pound of flesh from the fat cats, whose families amassed their fortune before the socialist/communist taxation began.
And then, let's just let the American people do what they do best...take care of themselves, and those around them.
Here we go again...supposedly conservative South Dakota responds with (at 5:15 am) 62% yes; 38% no.
I really would like to find out just where these people think this money is coming from...
NO!
Even better yet, here is my idea of a "stimulus package".
Reduce taxes, immediately, by 35 to 50 percent. Let us have the money in our pocket, and that will stimulate the economy in more ways than one.
Reduce con-gressional pay by two-thirds, immediately. Why does a con-gress critter need that kind of money anyway?
Repeal con-gress' non-participatory retirement program. The founding Fathers never anticipated having career poli-tic-ians in the government.
Unfederalize department of education. This is supposed to be a state thing anyway.
Suspend all federal gummint social spending. Let the lobbyists depend on encouraging the people to support their programs and ideas, not the con-gress critters who have no qualms about giving away other people's money.
Do away with the National Endowment for the Arts as a budget line item. Let the people who wish to further the arts in this country support it.
Privatize NPR and PBS, allow them to be user supported like the rest of the air waves.
Privatize social security, take it completely out of the hands of gummint bureaucrats.
And, you know what would really be a stimulus?
Make the inheritance tax retroactive to when the federal gummint started. Yes, let's go and get our pound of flesh from the fat cats, whose families amassed their fortune before the socialist/communist taxation began.
And then, let's just let the American people do what they do best...take care of themselves, and those around them.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
An American Carol
Went to the theater last nite and watched "An American Carol".
What a HOOT!
Yeah, I laughed a lot...
but you know, I had a little trouble seeing the screen at one point, seems there was some fog, or moisture came up, and obscured the screen at one point.
Yeah, coulda ben my military mind reflecting on something personal.
Fun movie, think I am gonna have to go see it again.
What a HOOT!
Yeah, I laughed a lot...
but you know, I had a little trouble seeing the screen at one point, seems there was some fog, or moisture came up, and obscured the screen at one point.
Yeah, coulda ben my military mind reflecting on something personal.
Fun movie, think I am gonna have to go see it again.
I AM JOE
I am Joe
No matter how we look at it...we are either JOE, or we are dingbat dimmocrats or RINOS who have lost sight of what is important in and to this country.
May Almighty God have mercy on our souls, as we allow this great nation to dissolve into nothingness like so many other great nations before it.
We have met the enemy, and he is us!
S.T.A.N.D. U.P. for the U. S. of A.!
No matter how we look at it...we are either JOE, or we are dingbat dimmocrats or RINOS who have lost sight of what is important in and to this country.
May Almighty God have mercy on our souls, as we allow this great nation to dissolve into nothingness like so many other great nations before it.
We have met the enemy, and he is us!
S.T.A.N.D. U.P. for the U. S. of A.!
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Blowen a little steam
Recently, I have heard Mamacita speak out about "stupid" people in restaurants, and fast food drive thrus, and in grocery store check out lines.
Not sure if they are peet peeves or not, I do know she has some cats, but I don't know about any other pets.
Alas, I digress, Mamacita does that too, did you know that?
Anyway, I thought I would take a moment and rant a little bit about a pet peeve I have, that has really come to the forefront since I have been driving school bus.
I am a firm believer, that if gummint ever instituted a "stupidity" test for anything, there would be a lot less licensed drivers on the road, and maybe, nah, better not go there...
There was a time in my adult life, that i believed that if stupidity cost money, there would be a lot less stupid people around: I don't believe that anymore...
Rush Limbaugh sez the most expensive commodity we have in this country is ignorance; I echo that with the caveat, that stupidity is just as costly.
I guess a lot of stupidity is a direct offshoot of ignorance... I just can't believe there is that much inbreeding going on in this country.
So, there!
Don't think Mamacita gets to have all the fun all the time...
Not sure if they are peet peeves or not, I do know she has some cats, but I don't know about any other pets.
Alas, I digress, Mamacita does that too, did you know that?
Anyway, I thought I would take a moment and rant a little bit about a pet peeve I have, that has really come to the forefront since I have been driving school bus.
I am a firm believer, that if gummint ever instituted a "stupidity" test for anything, there would be a lot less licensed drivers on the road, and maybe, nah, better not go there...
There was a time in my adult life, that i believed that if stupidity cost money, there would be a lot less stupid people around: I don't believe that anymore...
Rush Limbaugh sez the most expensive commodity we have in this country is ignorance; I echo that with the caveat, that stupidity is just as costly.
I guess a lot of stupidity is a direct offshoot of ignorance... I just can't believe there is that much inbreeding going on in this country.
So, there!
Don't think Mamacita gets to have all the fun all the time...
Dear John Letter Advice from a Marine Wife
Pretty astute post over at Villainous company...
The first part may not be the best safe for work language, but when you get to her actual response there is much to touch your heart.
Having been a Marine, in Vietnam while married, and having been married and divorced a number of times, her thoughts definitely resonate with me.
The first part may not be the best safe for work language, but when you get to her actual response there is much to touch your heart.
Having been a Marine, in Vietnam while married, and having been married and divorced a number of times, her thoughts definitely resonate with me.
good insight
Zendo Deb helps us to get a little idea of what we can look forward to in a "changed" gummint and country.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Senitmental ole you
I received an email from my high school alumnus coordinator (?) with a link to a slide presentation, with music entitled:
remembering the 60s.
If you remember, may be a little reminiscent for you, if you don't, may be interesting for you...
I personally spent the first two and a half years in hi skool, and the rest of the decade was in the Marine Corps with a year in Vietnam.
remembering the 60s.
If you remember, may be a little reminiscent for you, if you don't, may be interesting for you...
I personally spent the first two and a half years in hi skool, and the rest of the decade was in the Marine Corps with a year in Vietnam.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Not ready for primetime foodnetwork
A few years ago, someone posted a recipe for Brownies with a Difference...so, I copied it knowing it would/could come in handy some day.
Here it is as I copied it...sorry, I don't remember who posted it, but I am not the lucky one who penned it.
Many parents are hard pressed to explain to their youth why some music, movies, books, and magazines are not acceptable material for them to bring into the home or to listen to or see.
One parent came up with an original idea that is hard to refute.
The father listened to all the reasons his children gave for wanting to see a particular PG-13 movie. It had their favorite actors. Everyone else was seeing it. Even church members said it was great.
It was only rated PG-13 because of the suggestion of sex - they never really showed it. The language was pretty good - the Lord's name was only used in vain three times in the whole movie.
The teens did admit there was a scene where a building and a bunch of people were blown up, but the violence was just the normal stuff. It wasn't too bad. And, even if there were a few minor things, the special effects were fabulous and the plot was action packed.
However, even with all the justifications the teens made for the '13' rating, the father still wouldn't give in. He didn't even give his children a satisfactory explanation for saying, "No." He just said, "No!"
A little later on that evening the father asked his teens if they would like some brownies he had baked. He explained that he'd taken the family's recipe and aded a little something new.
The children asked what it was.
The father calmly replied that he had added dog poop. However, he quickly assured them, it was only a little bit. All other ingredients were gourmet quality and he had taken great care to bake the brownies at the precise temperature for the exact time. He was sure the brownies would be superb.
Even with their father's promise that the brownies were of almost perfect quality, the teens would not take any.
The father acted surprised.
After all, it was only one small part that was causing them to be so stubborn. He was certain they would hardly notice it.
Still the teens held firm and would not try the brownies. The father then told his children how the movie they wanted to see was just like the brownies.
Satan tries to enter our minds and our homes by deceiving us into believing that just a little bit of evil won't matter.
But, the truth is, even a little bit of poop makes the difference between a great treat and something disgusting and totally unacceptable.
The father went on to explain that even though the movie industry would have us believe that most of today's movies are acceptable fare for adults and youth, they are not.
Now, when this father's children want to see something that is of questionable material, the father merely asks them if they would like some of his special dog poop brownies.
That closes the subject.
Here it is as I copied it...sorry, I don't remember who posted it, but I am not the lucky one who penned it.
Many parents are hard pressed to explain to their youth why some music, movies, books, and magazines are not acceptable material for them to bring into the home or to listen to or see.
One parent came up with an original idea that is hard to refute.
The father listened to all the reasons his children gave for wanting to see a particular PG-13 movie. It had their favorite actors. Everyone else was seeing it. Even church members said it was great.
It was only rated PG-13 because of the suggestion of sex - they never really showed it. The language was pretty good - the Lord's name was only used in vain three times in the whole movie.
The teens did admit there was a scene where a building and a bunch of people were blown up, but the violence was just the normal stuff. It wasn't too bad. And, even if there were a few minor things, the special effects were fabulous and the plot was action packed.
However, even with all the justifications the teens made for the '13' rating, the father still wouldn't give in. He didn't even give his children a satisfactory explanation for saying, "No." He just said, "No!"
A little later on that evening the father asked his teens if they would like some brownies he had baked. He explained that he'd taken the family's recipe and aded a little something new.
The children asked what it was.
The father calmly replied that he had added dog poop. However, he quickly assured them, it was only a little bit. All other ingredients were gourmet quality and he had taken great care to bake the brownies at the precise temperature for the exact time. He was sure the brownies would be superb.
Even with their father's promise that the brownies were of almost perfect quality, the teens would not take any.
The father acted surprised.
After all, it was only one small part that was causing them to be so stubborn. He was certain they would hardly notice it.
Still the teens held firm and would not try the brownies. The father then told his children how the movie they wanted to see was just like the brownies.
Satan tries to enter our minds and our homes by deceiving us into believing that just a little bit of evil won't matter.
But, the truth is, even a little bit of poop makes the difference between a great treat and something disgusting and totally unacceptable.
The father went on to explain that even though the movie industry would have us believe that most of today's movies are acceptable fare for adults and youth, they are not.
Now, when this father's children want to see something that is of questionable material, the father merely asks them if they would like some of his special dog poop brownies.
That closes the subject.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Way 2 much time on someone's hands
I just received an email with one of those silly change each line to fit you, and pass it on: here it is.
1. YOUR REAL NAME: gunny pink
2. YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (first 3 letters of real name plus izzle.) gunizzle
3. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color and favorite animal) lavender dog
4. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (your middle name and street you live on) No name Brookshire
5. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first name) Pingu
6. YOUR SUPERHERO/CRIMINAL NAME: (your 2nd favorite color and favorite drink) Black Wild Cherry Diet Pepsi
7. YOUR WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (parents middle names): James Lucille
8. YOUR GOTH NAME: (black, and the name of one of your pets) Black Blackie
So, you see...somewhere, someone, somehow has way too much time on their hands, and they ain't sittin on their hands neither.
1. YOUR REAL NAME: gunny pink
2. YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (first 3 letters of real name plus izzle.) gunizzle
3. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color and favorite animal) lavender dog
4. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (your middle name and street you live on) No name Brookshire
5. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first name) Pingu
6. YOUR SUPERHERO/CRIMINAL NAME: (your 2nd favorite color and favorite drink) Black Wild Cherry Diet Pepsi
7. YOUR WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (parents middle names): James Lucille
8. YOUR GOTH NAME: (black, and the name of one of your pets) Black Blackie
So, you see...somewhere, someone, somehow has way too much time on their hands, and they ain't sittin on their hands neither.
I think, therefore I am...
I just participated in a poll I found at Dr. Sanity the website that is "Shining a psychological spotlight on a few of the insanities of life".
The poll question is: "How concerned are you about the number of mammals that are on the endangered species list?"
The responses are: 5 - Very Concerned; 4; 3 - Somewhat Concerned; 2; and 1 - Not at all Concerned.
As with any poll, the question is ambigious enough to get whatever answer the poller is looking for.
For instance: I am very concerned about the number of mammals that are on the endangered species list because I think we have gone too far and the list is now being used to hammer property owners, and take away their property or fine them.
Secondly: I am very concerned about the number of mammals that are on the endangered species list because I think we have to be cognizant of every living creature that is on this earth, to ensure they last forever. Survival of the fittest be damned; we are the more intelligent breed, and it is our responsibility to make sure that every living critter has the opportunity to live as long as possible.
So, you see, either way, whatever my bias is, I can support my thesis by saying this many people agree with me, whether or not they actually do.
You see, it ain't the fault of the poller if you don't unnerstan the question!
The poll question is: "How concerned are you about the number of mammals that are on the endangered species list?"
The responses are: 5 - Very Concerned; 4; 3 - Somewhat Concerned; 2; and 1 - Not at all Concerned.
As with any poll, the question is ambigious enough to get whatever answer the poller is looking for.
For instance: I am very concerned about the number of mammals that are on the endangered species list because I think we have gone too far and the list is now being used to hammer property owners, and take away their property or fine them.
Secondly: I am very concerned about the number of mammals that are on the endangered species list because I think we have to be cognizant of every living creature that is on this earth, to ensure they last forever. Survival of the fittest be damned; we are the more intelligent breed, and it is our responsibility to make sure that every living critter has the opportunity to live as long as possible.
So, you see, either way, whatever my bias is, I can support my thesis by saying this many people agree with me, whether or not they actually do.
You see, it ain't the fault of the poller if you don't unnerstan the question!
city thots
I would not consider Sioux Falls, South Dakota to be a megalopolis, but consider:
We have a Sam's Club.
We have two Wal Mart stores.
We have two Shopko department stores.
And this morning I see in the morning Argus, that Target is considering building a second store to the tune of $6.5 million on the east side.
Funny, K Mart used to have two big stores here, but one of them was shut down.
Would anyone be surprised to find out that K Mart's liberal leadership helped to kill customer loyalty?
Well, anyway, I don't see that many people living here, but, perhaps there are some pretty astute seers here who have seen the future, and are getting everyone prepared.
Well, no matter how you look at it...this place is just too big for me!
You know, there seem to be a lot of cool people living in Knoxville, TN; but I am willing to bet that that is an even bigger place than here...may be nice to visit, but don't think I could ever live there.
We have a Sam's Club.
We have two Wal Mart stores.
We have two Shopko department stores.
And this morning I see in the morning Argus, that Target is considering building a second store to the tune of $6.5 million on the east side.
Funny, K Mart used to have two big stores here, but one of them was shut down.
Would anyone be surprised to find out that K Mart's liberal leadership helped to kill customer loyalty?
Well, anyway, I don't see that many people living here, but, perhaps there are some pretty astute seers here who have seen the future, and are getting everyone prepared.
Well, no matter how you look at it...this place is just too big for me!
You know, there seem to be a lot of cool people living in Knoxville, TN; but I am willing to bet that that is an even bigger place than here...may be nice to visit, but don't think I could ever live there.
Bout time!
Well, October has arrived, and the respite from the heat and humiditty is incredible!
Had a considerable amount of rain, nite before last, and last nite was dry, but weather guessers anticipated temps in the 30s.
I have heard some say, that this is gonna be a wicked winter...but for now, my tired ole body is ready for a break from the high humiditty.
Had a considerable amount of rain, nite before last, and last nite was dry, but weather guessers anticipated temps in the 30s.
I have heard some say, that this is gonna be a wicked winter...but for now, my tired ole body is ready for a break from the high humiditty.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Good Word for the day
But also some of the Jewish exorcists, who went from place to place, attempted to name over those who had the evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, "I adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches."
And seven sons of one Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. And the evil spirit answered and said to them, "I recognize Jesus, and I know about Paul, but who are you?"
And the man, in whom was the evil spirit, leaped on them and subdued both of them and ovepowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
And this became known to all, both Jews and Greeks, who lived in Ephesus; and fear fell upon them all and the name of the Lord Jesus was being magnified (Acts 19:13-17, NASB).
Then the people rejoiced because they had offered so willingly, for they made their offering to the LORD with a whole heart, and King David also rejoiced greatly (1 Chr 29:9, NASB).
And seven sons of one Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. And the evil spirit answered and said to them, "I recognize Jesus, and I know about Paul, but who are you?"
And the man, in whom was the evil spirit, leaped on them and subdued both of them and ovepowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
And this became known to all, both Jews and Greeks, who lived in Ephesus; and fear fell upon them all and the name of the Lord Jesus was being magnified (Acts 19:13-17, NASB).
Then the people rejoiced because they had offered so willingly, for they made their offering to the LORD with a whole heart, and King David also rejoiced greatly (1 Chr 29:9, NASB).
Well said, well said!
BIGGUN6969 has a post up entitled "Cell phone vs. Bible.
I am shamelessly appropriating it for this blog; but you need to go see him anyway.
Cell phone vs. Bible
Ever wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phone?
What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?
What if we flipped through it several time a day?
What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?
What if we used it to receive messages from the text?
What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it?
What if we gave it to Kids as gifts?
What if we used it when we traveled?
What if we used it in case of emergency?
This is something to make you go....hmm...where is my Bible?
Oh, and one more thing.
Unlike our cell phone, we don't have to worry about our Bible being disconnected because Jesus already paid the bill.
Makes you stop and think 'where are my priorities.
Later.
posted by Biggun6969 at Thursday, October 02, 2008 0 Comments
I am shamelessly appropriating it for this blog; but you need to go see him anyway.
Cell phone vs. Bible
Ever wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phone?
What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?
What if we flipped through it several time a day?
What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?
What if we used it to receive messages from the text?
What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it?
What if we gave it to Kids as gifts?
What if we used it when we traveled?
What if we used it in case of emergency?
This is something to make you go....hmm...where is my Bible?
Oh, and one more thing.
Unlike our cell phone, we don't have to worry about our Bible being disconnected because Jesus already paid the bill.
Makes you stop and think 'where are my priorities.
Later.
posted by Biggun6969 at Thursday, October 02, 2008 0 Comments
No mas! no mas!
Ah, surprise, surprise, S.U.R.P.R.I.S.E.!
When we look at the results of the voting on the "bailout" package, is it not interesting to find that the two democrat senators from South Dakota both voted against the bill; yet the lone republicrat voted for it?
Actually, it did not come as a surprise.
You see, both of them are up for reelection this year.
Add to that, the fact that con-gress critter Johnson is recovering from a major stroke, or a brain aneurysm, that could be bringing his perceived worth to the state down a little.
I had to laugh at his current radio ad..."There are show horses and there are work horses. Senator Tim Johnson is a work horse."
He is, and always has been a bleeding spend and tax liberal. Whatever legislation he has been involved in getting passed has been to enhance his resume to keep him in the throne room of washington dc.
I was also amazed to read in the latest VFW magazine that the VFW supports Tim Johnson and Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin for con-gress.
Well, it has taken me some time to get to know the VFW; I have been a life member since 1974.
I find the VFW is not much different than AARP (the old teachers union); both are interested in con-gress spending more and more money.
They are also interested in con-gress passing laws that give gummint more control over the citizenry.
But, back to the vote on the bailout...con-gress critter John Thune voted for the bailout, cuz, he is a representative of the class of liberal leaning conservatives that have come to power.
He is bought, and owned, by the ethanol crowd, and the corn farmers.
He has learned his lesson well, in his short time in DC. He went there to make a difference, and he is now different.
It is indeed a sad state of affairs, when elected "public officials" are more concerned in how much money they can squeeze out of the average citizen, so they can fill their own pockets.
How many con-gress critters have gone to DC, with not a lot of assets, or wealth, and are now millionaires, or multi-millionaires?
Where do they get all that wealth?
Yeah, from us, the genteel, public who want nothing more than to attain the American dream, raise a family, be the best they can be, and be left alone.
What a difference it would make, if every con-gress critter had to give up their ludicrous salary, their mega worth retirement fund, and their exalted position in society.
Why in the name of sanity, are we paying these megalomaniacs six figure salaries anyway?
They only write more, and more laws, many of which are already on the books. When has one con-gress critter done anything to remove any laws?
Uh, speaking of laws, they also have a propensity for writing laws, that impinge on older laws, in order to make sure they will get more votes by helping certain sections of society.
Guess why con-gress critters want a law that says felons who have paid for their crime should be allowed to vote?
Guess why con-gress critters want illegal alien amnesty, and legal rights for terrorists and criminals that are in this country illegally?
Then they look for ways to transfer wealth from those who work, to those who will not work: because, that gets them votes, which helps them stay in office.
As one of the comic critters used to say, "We have met the enemy, and he is us!"
Yeah, we feel good knowing our con-gress critter is bringing more money back to South Dakota than is paid in taxes. Yeah, we are really getting over on somebody.
B Hussein O has promised us change in our gummint, and our country if he is elected president. What kind of change does he have in mind?
Seems to me, he wants higher taxes, more money paid to the UN, no more limited immigration, no more only English spoken, no more desire for immigrants to adapt to us, no more individual property ownership.
He is a Marxist socialist clear through to his bone marrow. He wants this country to be totally run by the gummint. And sadly, too many of us agree with him, and think it would be a great idea if there was no longer any personal, private, property.
Too bad, that so many of us who want that kind of country, have never been to a country that is run that way.
When you see the poverty of the people who depend on the gummint, and you see the wealth of the "elite" in the sacred halls of gummint; you quickly get an abhorrence of that life.
Well, I guess this has been a lengthy diatribe...not sure where it all came from, other than I am really tired, yes, even retired about the way this country seems to be headed.
When are we gonna jerk our heads out of the sand, and read the writing on the wall?
When it is too late; it is too late...
When we look at the results of the voting on the "bailout" package, is it not interesting to find that the two democrat senators from South Dakota both voted against the bill; yet the lone republicrat voted for it?
Actually, it did not come as a surprise.
You see, both of them are up for reelection this year.
Add to that, the fact that con-gress critter Johnson is recovering from a major stroke, or a brain aneurysm, that could be bringing his perceived worth to the state down a little.
I had to laugh at his current radio ad..."There are show horses and there are work horses. Senator Tim Johnson is a work horse."
He is, and always has been a bleeding spend and tax liberal. Whatever legislation he has been involved in getting passed has been to enhance his resume to keep him in the throne room of washington dc.
I was also amazed to read in the latest VFW magazine that the VFW supports Tim Johnson and Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin for con-gress.
Well, it has taken me some time to get to know the VFW; I have been a life member since 1974.
I find the VFW is not much different than AARP (the old teachers union); both are interested in con-gress spending more and more money.
They are also interested in con-gress passing laws that give gummint more control over the citizenry.
But, back to the vote on the bailout...con-gress critter John Thune voted for the bailout, cuz, he is a representative of the class of liberal leaning conservatives that have come to power.
He is bought, and owned, by the ethanol crowd, and the corn farmers.
He has learned his lesson well, in his short time in DC. He went there to make a difference, and he is now different.
It is indeed a sad state of affairs, when elected "public officials" are more concerned in how much money they can squeeze out of the average citizen, so they can fill their own pockets.
How many con-gress critters have gone to DC, with not a lot of assets, or wealth, and are now millionaires, or multi-millionaires?
Where do they get all that wealth?
Yeah, from us, the genteel, public who want nothing more than to attain the American dream, raise a family, be the best they can be, and be left alone.
What a difference it would make, if every con-gress critter had to give up their ludicrous salary, their mega worth retirement fund, and their exalted position in society.
Why in the name of sanity, are we paying these megalomaniacs six figure salaries anyway?
They only write more, and more laws, many of which are already on the books. When has one con-gress critter done anything to remove any laws?
Uh, speaking of laws, they also have a propensity for writing laws, that impinge on older laws, in order to make sure they will get more votes by helping certain sections of society.
Guess why con-gress critters want a law that says felons who have paid for their crime should be allowed to vote?
Guess why con-gress critters want illegal alien amnesty, and legal rights for terrorists and criminals that are in this country illegally?
Then they look for ways to transfer wealth from those who work, to those who will not work: because, that gets them votes, which helps them stay in office.
As one of the comic critters used to say, "We have met the enemy, and he is us!"
Yeah, we feel good knowing our con-gress critter is bringing more money back to South Dakota than is paid in taxes. Yeah, we are really getting over on somebody.
B Hussein O has promised us change in our gummint, and our country if he is elected president. What kind of change does he have in mind?
Seems to me, he wants higher taxes, more money paid to the UN, no more limited immigration, no more only English spoken, no more desire for immigrants to adapt to us, no more individual property ownership.
He is a Marxist socialist clear through to his bone marrow. He wants this country to be totally run by the gummint. And sadly, too many of us agree with him, and think it would be a great idea if there was no longer any personal, private, property.
Too bad, that so many of us who want that kind of country, have never been to a country that is run that way.
When you see the poverty of the people who depend on the gummint, and you see the wealth of the "elite" in the sacred halls of gummint; you quickly get an abhorrence of that life.
Well, I guess this has been a lengthy diatribe...not sure where it all came from, other than I am really tired, yes, even retired about the way this country seems to be headed.
When are we gonna jerk our heads out of the sand, and read the writing on the wall?
When it is too late; it is too late...
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