An Obituary

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Mr. Common Sense.Mr. Sense had been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.He will be remembered as having cultivated such value lessons as knowing when to come in out of the rain, why the early bird gets the worm and that life isn't always fair. Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn) and reliable parenting strategies (adults, not kids, are in charge).His health began to rapidly deteriorate when well intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. - Reports of asix-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.Mr. Sense declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer aspirin to a student; but, could not inform the parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.Finally, Common Sense lost the will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband; churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims.Common Sense finally gave up the ghost after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot, she spilled a bit in her lap, and was awarded a huge financial settlement.Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust, his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason.He is survived by two stepbrothers; My Rights and Ima Whiner.Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember him, pass this on; if not, join the majority and do nothing
Author unknown

Educator In Chief

I have watched three days of President Bush talking to the nation. I am energized to post once again as I see President Bush talk both to various citizens and the white house reporters. He has done a good job of explaining his decisions, current concerns and his optimism. The non reporter groups belie the numbers cited in the polls that indicate the majority of the public no longer support the president. A standing ovations is not usual if you have no faith in the speaker. Of the attendees at his speeches and press conferences I could not help but note the civility and quality of the questions asked by the general public. At least some people really want to elicit a truthful response from the questions and not merely attempt to embarrass the president or somehow work their personal agenda into the questioning. My only regret is that the meetings are not aired in prime time when the working public would have a chance to watch. The clips on the news are far too limiting for the viewer to sense the total response of the persons attending the speeches

Iran Wants To Talk To US

Who's really in the swamp?
'According to this BBC report and this AP story, AbdulAziz al-Hakeem called for talks between Iran and the US over the situation in Iraq in what I view as an armature maneuver from Tehran to find an escape from her conflict with the international community.'

Mohammed, of Iraq The Model, shares his insight on Iran's call for talks with the US. READ MORE

What Happened To Betsy's Page?

I have had a link to Betsy's Page in my favorite links for months. When I clicked to read today's post, I got Betsy Page. I went to Google and clicked on her link and again got Betsy Page whick has no posts, just Betsy Page. Author Sam. Why has blogsport given her URL to someone else? Is this an attempt to silence her free speech?

If anyone knows why this occured, please enlighten me.

Amnesty For All????

Hillary Clinton's Immigration Flip-flop: "'I am, you know, adamantly against illegal immigrants,' Clinton said in a Feb. 2003 radio interview."It appears she has changed her mind.

Senators John McCain (R.-Ariz.) and Hillary Clinton (D.-N.Y.), the current frontrunners for their parties’ 2008 presidential nominations, joined Senators Teddy Kennedy (D.-Mass.) and Charles Schumer (D.-N.Y,) in rallying a group of illegal aliens who came to Washington, D.C., on March 8 as part of a lobbying effort funded by a foreign government to push for amnesty for illegal aliens.
HUMAN EVENTS ONLINE - Conservative News, Views & Books --: "This kind of reception is enough to make a guy want to run for President of the United States," said McCain, after the illegal aliens gave him a standing ovation.

Clinton and McCain may think their pandering will appeal to Irish-American voters. But when they run in the United States of America in 2008, they just might find that their fawning words for a foreign-government-funded lobby that flouts U.S. immigration law sounded more like fighting words to many plain, old-fashioned, red-blooded voters�even if they happen to be proud, law-abiding Irish-Americans. "

An Awesome Experience

As a member of a Soldiers Angels letter writing team, I receive many positive responses from our military. In fact, I have yet to receive a letter complaining about serving in Iraq. The following are excerpts of a letter I received.

"Thank you so much for the letter. I have received letters, cards and a box from many soldier’s angels. Each time I hear from a soldier’s angel it brightens my day and renews my faith that America still cares.

In my dealings I have been able to meet many Iraqis and speak directly with them about their individual situations. Through this contact, I see that bringing freedom to these people was the right thing to do. It is an awesome experience to be a part of a life changing experience for a whole nation of people. I pray that God helps them stay on the right path."

What Kind of Soul Are You?

You Are an Old Soul

You are an experienced soul who appreciates tradition. Mellow and wise, you like to be with others but also to be alone. Down to earth, you are sensible and impatient. A creature of habit, it takes you a while to warm up to new people. You hate injustice, and you're very protective of family and friends A bit demanding, you expect proper behavior from others. Extremely independent you don't mind living or being alone. But when you find love, you tend to want marriage right away. Souls you are most compatible with: Warrior Soul and Visionary Soul

What Kind of Soul Are You?

Thought For Today

Silence is often misinterpreted but never misquoted.

Semantics And Polls

I saw a clip on TV of Dr. Dean castigating President Bush for lying to the American people that he did not know the levees might be BREACHED. President Bush had been informed that there was a possible danger of the levees being OVER TOPPED, indicating that if the lake filled too much, the water could potentially flow over the top of the levees. Dr. Dean is an educated man and surely knows there is a vast difference between flowing over the top of the levee and the levee actually developing holes which allow vast amounts of water to flow through the breach as opposed to flowing over the top. He demands truth from the president, calls President Bush a liar while he himself is unable to speak truthfully.

Much ado about sagging polls which indicate public support for the Bush Administration is falling. Strange that the even lower poll numbers of the congress is barely mentioned. The Democrats practice obstructionism instead of offering what might be better solutions to problems. The Republicans lack courage to lead. There are times when I think we should elect a totally new congress despite some individuals who may have Americas best interests at heart--as opposed to the majority who seem to hold their own interests and views as more important than what the electorate wants. Two things I would like to see is term limits for congress and that their extravagant retirement program would be scrapped with Social Security being their retirement package. Perhaps then, they would function in the best interests for Americans and fail to gain so much personal power through longevity.

I for one continue to support our President. All his decisions may not please all of the people, his public relations people may fail him too often but he is our elected leader and he keeps working. How many of us would be able to function with all of the hateful rhetoric which never lets up?

Sheesh!

Stars & Stripes: "Sheehan to protest at U.S. posts in Germany in March " Mudville Gazette has more links.

Port Security?

I admit to being alarmed at the news of our port security being turned over to tha AE company. Now, as information comes out, it appears to be just another political storm that allows those who want to be in the forefront of news to bask in publicity rather than present the truth. This is not the first time a port is to be managed by foreign based companies. Security is not changing. The U.S. will remain in control of security.We will still establish rules and policies pertaining to security and our Coast Guard and Customs Service will provide it. American longshoremen will continue to perform their jobs as in the past when the firm from Britain managed the ports.

Who in America knows better the level of cooperation our government ( homeland security,intelligence and military services) has received from the leaders in the Arab Emirates? Why did the all knowing politicians wait to bring this months old negotiation of sale to the American public? If the investigation by the various government departments followed the congressional rules pertaining to foreign business, why are congressional leaders in an uproar?

I know the AE had citizens involved in anti-American activites including some involved in the 9/11 attacks. Does this mean we must tar the entire country with the same brush? Should we now alienate the people who have been cooperating with our government? This makes as much sense as alienating an entire city or state in the USA because it has been determined that some inhabitants and citizens have plotted against our national interest.

Todays WSJ Opinion Journal has a good article.
LINK

IRAQ: SHIITE MILITANT LINKS IRAN TO BASRA DEATH SQUADS

Omar of Iraq The Model writes,And they say they don't interfere with Iraq's internal affairs.
Iranian foreign minister Manoucheher Mottaki calls on Britain to pull its troops out of Basra because those troops are "destabilizing the city". Omar supplied the following link
IRAQ: SHIITE MILITANT LINKS IRAN TO BASRA DEATH SQUADS: "

IRAQ: SHIITE MILITANT LINKS IRAN TO BASRA DEATH SQUADS


Basra, 17 Feb. (AKI) - The former leader of an Islamic militant group in Basra admitted on Friday that his movement 'took part in death squads which operated in this city' with input from the Iranian secret services. Abu Kazem, who declined to name his group, told Adnkronos International (AKI) the 'members' of his political movement 'were part of a group tasked with carrying out murders in Basra'. Iraq's interior ministry on Thursday set up an inquiry into on-going allegations from the Sunni minority of death squads within the police force, after a US general revealed the arrest of 22 policemen allegedly on a mission to kill a Sunni. "

USA Gored

In his blasting of America to the Saudis, Al Gore states, “I do want you to know that it does not represent the desires or wishes or feelings of the majority of the citizens of my country.”

Well Al, I do believe that you do not represent the desires or wishes or feelings of the majority of the citizens of my country. You do not show any love for my nation as you posture against my country on foreign soil. Shame on you. Your bitterness has eaten away whatever allegiance you had to my country.

A Good Question

TUNKU VARADARAJAN reports "On Tuesday, Antonio Villaraigosa, the Democratic alcalde (or mayor) of Los Angeles, delivered to his city a "Respuesta al Estado de la Nación"--a response in Spanish to President Bush's State of the Union address. This alternative discourse, this act of ethno-political affectation, should lead us all to think upon some questions: What, and where, are the limits to civic Otherness in America?
Why not a gay response? A Teamster response? A vegan response? A gangsta response? More nitty-grittily: Why not a response in Farsi or Korean--languages spoken by people toward whom Mr. Villaraigosa has no fewer mayoral duties than he does toward his Hispanophones? There is, also, a radical question from which there should be no glib escape: If response there must be from the mayor of Los Angeles, why not one in plain old English?"

If we desire "one nation" in which immigrants assismilate and become Americans, why are we not enforcing a common language so that all may understand?



LINK

Valentine For Troops, 2nd Request

Congratulations! And thanks for your support. Your special Valentine’s
message to our troops has helped us reach our initial goal of 5,000
messages for Operation Love Our Troops.

We’re so excited about the tremendous response we’ve received in just a few
short days that we’re raising the bar. We hope to get millions of
Valentine’s Day messages to show the troops how big America’s heart is.

We’re asking for your help. Please encourage your family, friends and
contacts to send a message at LINK It only
takes a minute and it means so much.

The Math of Life

From a strictly mathematical viewpoint:

What Equals 100%? What does it mean to give MORE than 100%? Ever
wonder
about those people who say they are giving more than 100%? We have all
been in
situations where someone wants you to give over 100%. How about
achieving 101%?
What equals 100% in life?

Here's a little mathematical formula that might help you answer these

questions:

If:
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Is represented as:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26.

Then:

H-A-R-D-W-O-R- K
8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11 = 98%

and

K-N-O-W-L-E-D-G-E
11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+5 = 96%

But,

A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E
1+20+20+9+20+21+4+5 = 100%

AND, look how far the love of God will take you

L-O-V-E-O-F-G-O-D

12+15+22+5+15+6+7+15+4 = 101%

Therefore, one can conclude with mathematical certainty that:
While Hard work and Knowledge will get you close, and Attitude will get
you
there, it's the Love of God that will put you over the top!

from an Email

Valentine For Our Military

Please join in sending the largest ever Valentine to our troops. Go to the web page
Send Valentine and write a short Valentine message to our troops. They deserve the love of our nation.

Outlaw Lobbyists aka I Can Dream Can't I?

Lobbyist Jack Abramoff will plead guilty to corruption and other charges in a plea deal, He is one who has been caught in dishonest dealings. How many lobbyists from both parties are guilty of using favors, campaign finance, trip expenses etc. in order to sway our elected congress members. Outlaw lobbyists and allow campaign donations to be given only by those individuals who have a legal right to vote for or against a candidate. Representative candidates would raise money in their own district, senators in their own state and federal office holders from a national committee. Lobbying in Washington would cease and the elected officials would be beholden only to their own district or state. They would look to the people they represent to support a vote on matters at hand. This would return the right of self government to the people who live in the area the congress person represents. Big money would only effect the outcome in the district, state in which they are eligible to vote. It would cut down on the endless temptation for congressional leaders to vote according the the lobbyists to garner perks and listen to their own voters if they want to be re-elected. Those who support a particular cause now being touted by lobbyists would be limited to presentation of their views to the nation and encouraging voters to contact their elected officials as a way of gaining support for their views. They can do mailings, local or national TV etc as a means of enticing voters to support their cause. The voters would then have some power to hold candidates to their promises to be responsive to their constituents instead of the bearers of favors of any and all types.

Happy New Year Everyone

It is hard to believe another year has passed into history. May America continue to be the land of the free and the home of the brave. God bless our troops for their willingness to serve. We all owe them a debt of gratitude for the great job they have been doing.