Monday, March 31, 2008

God Bless the USA

I hate to admit it, but I am a closet Idol watcher! I am not one of those people who is all into the 'reality' shows. Idol is the only one I watch, or more listen to, I guess. One can read a book, do dishes or be on the computer and still get the same effect. Either the singing is good, or it is not. I know there are some people who become so involved they almost stroke out if their favorite goes into the bottom three or is just plainly eliminated. I have seen times where the better singer goes and the "What were you people thinking when you voted them to stay?" singer stays week after week. This leads Simon to state that people need to remember this is singing contest and not a contest of looks, or whatever. And no, I do not vote..just listen!

Last week, choosing and singing songs from the year of their birth, one of the girls sang Lee Greenwood's God Bless the USA. Now this will show you how much I really pay attention, I have no clue to her name. She has a nice country voice but I doubt she will ever be a Carrie Underwood, who won a couple of years ago. The song always gives me a shiver up my spine and this time was no different. What did disturb me was the comment made that she basically took a chance and was very 'brave' to pick that song.

The more I think about it the more I wonder if we have become a society where we must hide our patriotism. If that is true, why? There are those who are applauded, defended and supported more for trashing, disrespecting the flag and our country than they are for flying the flag and showing the love for our country. Those of us who are patriots are sometimes thought of as racists, warmongers, non tree huggers and the like. Pride in being an American is often met with disdain by those who want to live here and reap the benefits, but who do not want to sacrifice for what they receive. It is sad that we have to be considered 'takers of chance and brave' to show our patriotism.

Webster defines a patriot as one who loves and zealously supports one's own country. I guess that puts me in the ranks of partiots. I cringe when I see flags flown inappropriately; torn and faded and I have been known on more than one occasion to make it known to the person involved the need to replace it. I place my hand over my heart when the flag passes, when I recite the Pledge, when I sing our national anthem. I will give you a dirty look if you do not do the same or remove your hat. I have made my grandkids recite the Pledge so I know they know it. I take what this country has to offer seriously.

" 'Cuz this flag still stands for freedom, and they can't take that away." I pray that remains true. I am having some doubts as we head into this next election. I pray the next president strives to keep us safe and free. I pray the next president remembers what our forefathers were striving for when they penned the Constitution, the Bill of Rights. I pray a lot.

" 'Cuz there ain't no doubt I love this land, GOD BLESS THE USA!

Pray for our troops!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oq0t7ZUwzGA

Saturday, March 29, 2008

Way to Go Bill!

"They're standing on the corner and they can't speak English. I can't even talk the way these people talk: Why you ain't, Where you is, What he drive, Where he stay, Where he work, Who you be...

And I blamed the kid until I heard the mother talk. And then I heard the father talk. Everybody knows it's important to speak English. except these knuckleheads. You can't be a doctor with that kind of crap coming out of your mouth.

In fact you will never get any kind of job making a decent living. People marched and were hit in the face with rocks to get an education, and now we've got these knuckleheads walking around.

The lower economic people are not holding up their end in this deal. These people are not parenting. They are buying things for kids. $500 sneakers for what ? ? And they won't spend $200 for Hooked on Phonics. I am talking about these people who cry when their son is standing there in an orange suit. Where were you when he was 2 ? ? Where were you when he was 12 ? ? Where were you when he was 18 and how come you didn't know that he had a pistol ? ? And where is the father ? ? Or who is his father ? People putting their clothes on backward: Isn't that a sign of something gone wrong? People with their hats on backward, pants down around the crack, isn't that a sign of something ? Or are you waiting for Jesus to pull his pants up ? Isn't it a sign of something when she has her dress all the way up and got all type of needles [piercing] going through her body? What part of Africa did this come from?? We are not Africans. Those people are not Africans; they don't know a thing about Africa . With names like Shaniqua, Taliqua and Mohammed and all of that crap, and all of them are in jail. Brown or black versus the Board of Education is no longer the white person's problem. <>We have got to take the neighborhood back.

People used to be ashamed. Today a woman has eight children with eight different 'husbands' -- or men or whatever you call them now. We have millionaire football players who cannot read.

We have million-dollar basketball players who can't write two paragraphs. We, as black folks have to do a better job. Someone working at Wal-Mart with seven kids, you are hurting us .We have to start holding each other to a higher standard

We cannot blame the white people any longer."


Dr. William Henry "Bill" Cosby, Jr., Ed.D.




It's NOT about color...
It's about behavior!!!

I have heard Bill speak on some news talk shows.....oh yes..he said this! He did not pull any punches, and he is right. The black people who sacrificed so much trying to get rid of racism, what are they thinking now? Having taken beatings, the KKK, the humiliation of being rated as subhuman only to have those they strived so hard to 'free' turn around and slap them in the face. It is a slap in the face to listen to the rantings of Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton and we can add now the Rev. Wright, who do not continue the cause to bring the black race up, but who constantly seem to strive to beat them down by telling them all of their problems are the fault of the white man. Those days are long gone, they need to be gone forever. Nobody can make you be a better person. Nobody can make you learn and educate yourself. It again comes down to responsibility. You can make the best for yourself that you possibly can, or you can sit back complaining that you do not have it as great as the next guy. How did the 'next guy' get there? If you never try to be better or do more, you will never know your potential.

In all reality, this is not just a black issue. Standing in the street corner are blacks, whites, browns...all colors. The rebellion occurs in every generation of youth. The 20's brought about short skirts, bobbed hair and some insane dancing. The 50's had the likes of James Dean, Elvis and his gyrating hips. In the 60's we sported longer hair on men than women, listened to the likes of the Beatles, the Stones, Jim and Janice. We smoked pot, tripped out on LSD, thought uncommited sex was the answer and chanted "Make love, Not war". But in the end, it is time to leave behind the street corner, to 'grow up' and become responsible citizens.

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

The Nose Groweth!

It is rather obvious that politicians believe we are a pretty stupid and gullible lot. I am sure there are many who believe everything that is said by them and many will fall under the spell of certain, well spoken politicians.

The latest has been Hillary and her arrival in Bosnia on 1996. First, does she really think we would believe the fact the First Lady and her daughter would be taken to an area where security is a very possible and dangerous issue? Would security not be so tight the fact of the possibility of gunfire not be known prior to the landing?

I was surprised she did not tell us she grabbed a weapon from a soldier's hands, and while carrying her daughter on her back during her run for cover was able to kill many of the enemy. All of this would have occurred, of course, while being read poetry by the throng of children standing in the back ground. Her recollection is so far from the truth, I worry about her recollection of important and necessary facts while being 'commander in chief'.

Mr. Obama cannot remember, or is not sure if he heard the rants of his pastor of 20 years. So, was he not paying attention while in church, was he asleep, was he not really there? But then, maybe he did remember. Was he too afraid of telling the minister he did not agree with the comments and therefore would need to find a different church? And if that is the case, why? Or, does he really agree but will not tell the public as he knows the response of most Americans would be to shun him and his beliefs. What would he conveniently forget or not hear while 'commander in chief'?

The governor of New York has lied and evidently used public funds for his pleasure. The new governor now admits to affairs and the past use of drugs. At least he is up front. The mayor of Detroit...need I go on?

All in all, these people need to know what they say and do always has the possibility of coming back to bite them in the butt later. If you have to hide it, don't do it. Politicians, like movie stars and professional atheletes are people who are always in the public eye.They are the people our children look to as being 'important'. What message do they send with their lies and deceit? Maybe they need a reread of Pinocchio.

Monday, March 24, 2008

What Happened?

Yesterday was Easter. I did not get to go 'home' for dinner with my family. Being a nurse, and since my place of employment considers Easter one of their paid holidays, I ended up working. Working a holiday is not that big a deal, in this profession. It is one of the things you get used to doing.

I had one of my grand daughters spending a few days with us. She needed to go back south to Illinois yesterday, so my husband took her and had dinner with the family. While there, he was given a box containing many items that belonged to me that have suddenly resurfaced in the house of my ex-husband. In the box are a lot of memories, but I did not get all of them. It seems my grand kids kept the report cards for a closer look. I was a pretty good student for the most part, so I am doubting they will find anything to give me grief about. Well, except that one grading period in a high school social studies class...something to do with a paper that was not turned in on time. Actually, it had been the first paper turned in and when the teacher 'remembered' it, after a lengthy discussion (he never did like me), the grade was changed.

While going through the box this morning, I found many old papers belonging to not only myself, but my own children. Some very old school books, one dating back to 1866. There were old dishes that had been my grandmother's, the paperwork that initiated me into the DAR, my high school diploma and 'those' pictures. Somehow I don't look much different, so I think. Among the graduation stuff, I found a piece of paper that was a nicely done copy of William Tyler Page's American Creed.


I believe in the United States of America as a government of the people, by the people, for the people; whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed; a democracy in a Republic; a sovereign Nation of many sovereign States; a perfect Union, one and inseparable; established upon those principles of freedom, equality, justice and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes.

I therefore believe it is my duty to my Country to love it; to support its constitution; to obey its laws; to respect its flag; and to defend it against all enemies.


I wonder if, and when, our current elected officials in the government have ever read this. At this point, I am thinking it has been some time. I am also thinking it would not make any difference to many of them as they obviously appear to have no intention of following what was written by Mr. Page. What happened to 'of the people, by the people, for the people'? What happened to the fact they were placed into office by 'the people' with the idea they were to serve 'the people' at the people's 'consent'? What happened to supporting the Constitution, obeying the laws, respecting the flag and defending this country against its enemies?

Do these people love their country? It appears that Mrs. Obama does not as she has just recently become proud of her country, midway through her adult life. Finally!? While many in this country appear to hate everything it stands for, they are also the first in line to 'get' whatever they can, because it is their 'right'.

I love this country. I am proud if it and what we stand for in the world. We are always first in line to give help when a disaster happens, and we are the least likely to be thanked. I think there are many like myself, and probably more than not. We are the silent majority, those who go to work everyday and quietly do what is right. We are the heartbeat and the pulse of this nation. The rest, those who seem so loudly unhappy, are the 'bad blimp' that would show up on an EKG strip. They might be few and far between, but eventually they will cause enough trouble to cripple the patient. Maybe it is time for those of us who are truly proud of our country and love her, to be a little more vigorous and loud in letting it known. It is time to stop being quiet, silent. The squeaky wheel gets greased first!

GOD BLESS AMERICA AND THOSE WHO DEFEND HER!

Saturday, March 22, 2008

Helmet Laws

Everyone knows I wear a helmet and will not ride without one. Well, I guess I do if I am the passenger...depending on who is the 'driver'. I know that makes no sense but then I have been told on more than one occasion, "You're not right."
When reading this I thought to myself....WHAT? Why in the world would you want to divert money away from teaching motorcycle safety to people who want to learn to ride and hold that money as a hostage until we are all mandated to wear a helmet? It is again another way of BIG government getting into our 'business'. I can see it being law for children and minors, but not adults. I also always wear a seat belt. Partly because it is the law, but mainly now because I can't even back out of the garage without it on. I feel safer. Again, I do not feel we should be forced to wear one.

Not wearing a helmet probably does not decrease the number of motorcycle accidents. Yes, it might decrease the number of brain injuries or maybe it just keeps the brain matter in one spot instead of splattered all over the highway. My question is if the number of deaths being increased is because of not wearing the helmet or because of an increase in riders? Would it make more sense to make it mandatory to pass a motorcycle safety test in all states before being allowed to have a license? If you do not pass the test you do not get the license and a data base could be set up that could be accessed by each state before giving out a license.

Again BIG government wants to regulate us instead of paying attention to the real matters at hand. Motorcycle awareness and safety for ALL drivers, whether in a car, truck or on a bike would probably be more effective in reducing the number of accidents that bring about the deaths. It is RESPONSIBILITY on both ends that is important. Drive responsible, as if your life depended on it, because it does!

If you are in a state that does NOT have a mandatory helmet law, you might want to consider letting your Congress people know how you feel. If you do not, don't P&M later when you find a helmet on your head, whether you want it there or not.


U.S. Transportation Secretary pushes helmet-use laws.
March 19, 2008US - U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters recently reaffirmed her desire to lobby states for mandatory helmet-use laws in testimony before the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee Transportation Subcommittee, according to a statement March 12 from the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA).
Peters’ testimony follows letters she sent in February to U.S. House and Senate leaders urging Congress to allow states to divert federal money away from motorcycle safety training and awareness programs and instead push for mandated helmet use.
Under federal law, the U.S. Transportation Department is barred from lobbying for or against specific state laws.
“I support giving the information to states so that they can act on those laws,” Peters testified. “And I certainly have made myself available to a number of states, and, in fact, have called governors when I see substantial increases in the number of motorcycle deaths in a state, especially a state that has repealed a helmet law.”
The AMA opposes Peters’ push to divert the funds from motorcycle safety training.
Reprinted with permission from Powersports Business.


A people that values it's privileges above it's principles, loses both. Dwight D. Eisenhower

Only a government that is afraid of its citizens tries to control them.

Connie

Sunday, March 16, 2008

On Being an Angel

It is Sunday morning and I have been sitting here for some time going through e-mails, laughing at some of the jokes, deleting the 'wmv' that just take too long to load for my patience. Some days I get nothing, the next day it is as if the floodgates opened and I am overwhelmed with 'stuff'. A lot of this stuff makes the rounds, time after time. As soon as I recognize something, delete. If I receive too many to have the patience to read, delete. I know I will see them again and again.

I always check first to see what I received from who, or is it whom? Who/whom cares. I read certain people's e-mails first, especially if I can tell it is not just another joke. Three people who will get my undivided attention first are the three soldiers I have adopted through Soldiers Angels, Capt. Gary in Afghanistan and SGT. Anthony in Iraq. I have yet to hear from my other boy, but that is ok. He knows where to find me if needed. Any e-mail from them is front and center. They are busy people and I know time is precious for them. I might be fortunate enough to hear from them on a regular basis, then it might be weeks between. Those are the hardest times, especially the times I know there has been some unpleasant activity in their area.

Today's e-mail was from SGT. Anthony. I had been concerned with activity a week ago and had e-mailed him to be sure he was ok. His response came through last night while I was at work. He was fine, so to speak, but had lost two of his own in a different attack. I could feel the pain and the anger in his e-mail. One of those 'mom' things, I guess.

I remembered the 15 months my son and one daughter spent in Iraq. I remembered the loss of one of their own and the funeral afterwards. I remembered the other military funerals I have attended since then, either as a member of the community or as a member of the Patriot Guard Riders. The brotherhood of these soldiers is what stands out most in my mind. I have seen them stand stalwart guarding the body of their fallen brethern, I have seen the tears of despair. I will probably never experience the feeling they have as a 'band of brothers', but I experience it through them and I feel their pain every time they lose another commrade. I cry as they do, if they so allow themselves to show that part of their despair.

SGT. Anthony stated in his e-mail this, as he is asked the question many times, as are others I hear from: " WHY DO YOU STAY IN THE ARMY AND KEEP RISKING YOUR LIFE?". His answer, "THE SAME REASON THEY DID, FOR THEIR COUNTRY."

There are some things in this world that are not important enough to spend time on, to worry about. Those things can be easily 'deleted' to free up time for that which is important. My soldiers are who fall into the latter. While I enjoy the baking, sending boxes of goodies and fun stuff to make their lives a little more enjoyable, the important part of being a Soldiers Angel to these men and women who fight so bravely to protect me and the rest of us is in being there for them in a time of need. It is about thinking of them daily, of praying for them and their families. It is the uncertainty of not always knowing if they are alright or not, of waiting impatiently for the next e-mail to know so..or GOD help me not. While they are not blood related, they are still my family.

GOD bless them all and may HE be with them at all times.

Friday, March 14, 2008

And the Mad Horseman Rides Again

The political arena is just about killing me. The latest vote to put to rest for a few months the pork barrel filled, earmark spending of....well..that new Democratic 'Transparent' Congress..I just reckon it must be an addiction with politicians. They cannot seem to keep their pants on for anything, and again the American citizen gets a screw job. Only three other Democrats voted with the two Democratic contenders for president to stop the insane spending. Nancy, I guess the rest were NOT listening in class the day you 'promised' a transparent, governing body.



I wrote this many months ago during the back door deal with Teddy Kennedy, McCain and the likes as they tried to ram their amnesty for ILLEGALS down our throats. For some reason, more so the liberal faction, seem to believe the rest of us have no clue as to how to take care of ourselves or our families. We cannot have private accounts for social security or medicare, we cannot handle our own health insurance if tax breaks were given us to do so, etc. We NEED the government to take care of us in every part of our lives. Unfortunately bigger government means less freedom for all of us.



The greed of those who were chosen to serve us is much stronger than their desire to do right. As they watch that mad horseman gallop towards them, breathing fire with red eyes blazing and consuming them in their greed, they see nothing else but a way to increase their ill conceived self worth. "To hell with you fools!", they spout at us as if we are nothing more but serfs placed here to do their bidding. You would think we had not enough common sense to come in out of the rain.

But the 'serfdom' has risen, quietly at first as news trickled down from above of deals done in the dark of night began to come together to start the tightening of the collar around their necks. As the choking started the serfs began to resist, fingers placed between that collar and the air it was trying to cut off. First one finger, then the next and finally the hand that tore it loose. To this, the knights in dark armor and black flowing robes were surprised and returned to the castle in dismay. How could this be? How could these humble people, so needy of the crumbs thrown at them turn against the hand that feeds them? And the people laughed and scoffed back with scornful looks, "Who tends your fields? Who fills your coffers? Who do you find to help you defend your castle when the 'enemy' comes charging to your door?"

The knights and kings and all of their 'folly' men were shocked. How dare these people speak to them this way. We are the power. We have the control. And the serfs shook their heads and turned their backs on the 'all mighty' men of power and returned to their homes. They tended their homes and fields. They fed their herds, helped each other and stood guard over all that was theirs. They grew in numbers as the news spread. The numbers grew and grew. The serfs rose up again and the noise was deafening. It traveled across the land, to the ears of those who quivered behind the castle doors as they were out numbered and all of the foolishness they threw at the serfs was for naught. Some serfs fell, but they fell for a good cause and with this their numbers grew larger. Their cries were so loud it loosened the stones of the castle walls, it began to crumble and all of those inside perished.

The madman on his horse, breathing fire and red eyes blazing crashed from the rubble. He turned away at the sight of the serfs, standing tall, strong and not moving. They were the guardians of what was theirs. They would preserve what was meant to be. They would always remember the castle and those who had lived inside. They would not forget the evil of the mad horseman. And they would tell the story to those who came after them.

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Here I am!

I have been told that I needed to have my own blog. While I have given that some thought, I pretty much figured there are many others out there doing the same thing and cyberspace probably did not really need another one. Besides, an old friend of mine had started one on here and in reading his I decided he presents my issues and thoughts in a fairly precise manner. But then again, as I have been told, why not have a 'mature' woman's slant on things. Ha!

If you so chose to read this blog, you will probably note I certainly do tend to run on the conservative side of thought. I feel that common sense is one our most important attributes, although it appears that many have lost the ability to think using common sense. Somewhere along the line 'he', common sense, was killed and I am beginning to wonder if 'he' will ever be resuscitated. We appear to be more PC than CS.

Too afraid of stepping on some one's toes or causing hurt feelings, we now find ourselves living in a society where being responsible for your actions is not expected. Our children are not expected to behave for fear of any consequences. We allow ILLEGAL immigrants/aliens to cross our borders without fear of consequences. Our athletes, who should be role models for our children, break the law with illegal drug use, gambling, dog fighting, or whatever else and feel they are above the law. Our politicians...do I even want to go here...as over paid as the athletes, for the most part appear to no longer have an interest in "We the People'. They continue to lie, cheat, and steal from us. Their interests are to stay in office for the good of their pocket book. The worst part, we complain, but continue to put them there!

Obesity runs rampant through the country, and it Mickey D's fault for force feeding us, for not allowing us to get up off our duffs and getting some exercise. Families are losing their homes to foreclosure over bad choices of mortgage's. It is felt the government should 'bail them out'. A large portion of the population are in debt over their heads with maxed out credit cards. Should the government also bail out these folks, or should they learn to live within their means? Is responsibility for our choices ours, or does it belong to another?

Just some thoughts, until another day.