Controversy At Its Finest....Let Our Voices Be Heard....

Back In The Saddle

2010-03-05T13:04:00.000-08:00

It has been awhile since I have blogged... (almost 3 years!) Life has a funny way of getting in the way...

Has your brain ever taken a hiatus? I believe that is what mine has done, for the past couple of years, my creativity flow has slowed down. Quite often I have days where it feels like there is nothing inside at all!! (perhaps it is just my age showing??)

I hereby promise (maybe) to engage you, the reader, in interesting topics (at least to me), but probably not for another month..:) The hubby is preparing for another deployment, so until he leaves out, I will be otherwise occupied....

Hide And Seek

2007-08-02T15:42:00.000-07:00

This says it all:

The Usefulness Of The Internet

2007-08-02T12:27:00.000-07:00

I have started cleaning out bookshelves.. It was a sad day for me, for anytime I sell a book, I cry. Pathetic, I know... But, I want to take a trip to San Antonio to visit the kids (it's their year with dad) before I head off to Basic training for the Army National Guard, so, you do what has to be done... Sometimes, I wish we lived in a society where our lives don't revolve around money, just using trade as our means of living, but those days are long past.... (I truly belong in another time and place...lol)

That is one good thing the internet is for, helping you place your items in others hands.

My new project? Using Amazon to help earn the money. For years I was addicted to EBay, I still like the site, but I don't much care for Paypal. So, when I started shopping on Amazon and noticed their auctions and storefronts, I was a happy camper.

I have posted the links to my storefront, browse if you feel like it....

I'm going to go have another good cry...:)

Key Phrases and Funny Business

2007-07-31T14:21:00.000-07:00

I had to have a good laugh at some of these when I was looking them over. The ones I found particularly interesting are in bold print.

Search Engine Referrals
cursing bowie
(18 - 17%)
"cursing bowie"
(4 - 4%)
how to get rid of sand fleas
(3 - 3%)
controversy
(3 - 3%)
Controversy
(3 - 3%)
blog resources
(2 - 2%)
tired of excuses from deployed boyfriend
(2 - 2%)
webbys human slingshot
(2 - 2%)
Ivory Coast Prime Minister Mr Soro a couple of ...
(1 - 1%)
georgia controversy court veil
(1 - 1%)
what will you do withoout freedom
(1 - 1%)
political satire
(1 - 1%)
G+8+Meetings
(1 - 1%)
Heiligendamm+%22Group+of+Eight%22
(1 - 1%)
ARAB SUMMITS
(1 - 1%)
technology blog
(1 - 1%)
politics at it's finest
(1 - 1%)
subways bloomberg blogspot
(1 - 1%)
kill the state
(1 - 1%)
shiite sunni controversy
(1 - 1%)
peter geren lyrics
(1 - 1%)
elizabeth perry thinking blogger bob glaza
(1 - 1%)
hate army fiance life
(1 - 1%)
remembrance flanders 2008
(1 - 1%)
jugaad india rural hinterland
(1 - 1%)
edward hale "i am still one"
(1 - 1%)
Florida+English+Program+Mike+Wagner%27s+blog
(1 - 1%)
hate the world
(1 - 1%)
controversy on cucumber
(1 - 1%)
youtube debate
(1 - 1%)
tamil blogging.blogspot
(1 - 1%)
SAND FLEAS ASK JEEVES
(1 - 1%)
controversies science blogspot
(1 - 1%)
katia adams
(1 - 1%)
"sean moffitt" colorado
(1 - 1%)
g+8+summit++georgia
(1 - 1%)
Media Blog Resources
(1 - 1%)
maryam montegue
(1 - 1%)
saving the planet one backyard at a time
(1 - 1%)
order iced cucumber pepsi online
(1 - 1%)
strange world of pretrib
(1 - 1%)
james bevel incest mlk's pal
(1 - 1%)
bevel incest blog
(1 - 1%)
webbys slingshot
(1 - 1%)
Webbys honor human slingshot, cursing Bowie
(1 - 1%)
webbys honor cursing bowie
(1 - 1%)
lil bush controversy
(1 - 1%)
"James Bevel"+incest
(1 - 1%)
human slingshot cursing bowie
(1 - 1%)
word of mouth
(1 - 1%)
cursing Bowie
(1 - 1%)
owen wilson
(1 - 1%)
"james bevel" incest blog
(1 - 1%)
bush pissing off russia
(1 - 1%)
CURSING BOWIE
(1 - 1%)
james bevel incest cnn
(1 - 1%)
cursing bowie webbys
(1 - 1%)
webbys cursing bowie
(1 - 1%)
breeders raise lions
(1 - 1%)
Tokyo expatriate
(1 - 1%)
"mike wagner" blog "new york" malaysia
(1 - 1%)
dialling code foe malaysia
(1 - 1%)
Maryam Montegue
(1 - 1%)
blog, politics, satire
(1 - 1%)
getting rid of sand fleas
(1 - 1%)
admiral donald arthur
(1 - 1%)
azerbaijan missile armenian
(1 - 1%)
poetry hear yop
(1 - 1%)
"world blog collection"
(1 - 1%)
"James Bevel"
(1 - 1%)
the effects of war on divorce rate
(1 - 1%)
jordan behan
(1 - 1%)
blog carissa dallas
(1 - 1%)
Telly Awards "Christine Kane"
(1 - 1%)
lil' bush controversy
(1 - 1%)
chirstianity
(1 - 1%)
soldier blog controversy
(1 - 1%)

After reading through these, I now understand these things:

1)Getting rid of Sand fleas is huge problem somewhere in the world. So, for my readers that are concerned about this, I have dug up the following article:

Sand fleas should not be confused with dog fleas and cat fleas. They do not live in our homes or on our pets. Cat and dog flea eggs can develop in sandy situations and that is why they are sometimes mistakenly referred to as sand fleas.

Sand Fleas are a Crustacean

Sand fleas are one of the most dangerous species of fleas commonly found in the North Pacific region. They are the parasitic crustaceans who attach themselves to the flesh and scale of the other water creatures, and then eat the creatures they are attached to. Various water creatures who are the common targets of these sand fleas are small fish, swordfish, sunfish, flying fish, starfish, and even whales.

The size of the sand fleas can vary in size from as small as a small grain of sand to three or four times larger. Their attack is localized, as one part of the host can be seen to be severely affected by these fleas, while other parts show no damage.

As a first step of their predation on the host’s body, sand fleas first appear to feed off their outer layer of slime. Then the fleas slowly eat away the top layer of the host’s skin. Their presence on the host’s body is made evident by the presence of a non-glossy, whitened appearance on the areas where the skin has been eaten by these fleas. They enter the body of the host mainly through the entrances created by these parasites, and by eating the skin membrane near the eye area, anus, or dorsal fins. Once they enter the skin of the host, the host is assumed to be dead, so deadly dangerous are these sand fleas. They attack the host body and suck and eat everything from the skin to sweet glands to the blood. The chewed remains of the unfortunate sea-creatures afflicted with the sand-fleas may be found in craters underwater.

Unfortunately, it does not tell you how to get rid of them, but you now have a thorough understanding of what they are.

2) James Bevel and incest are a popular subject. It is quite sad that a man who has done remarkable things in his life have now been tarnished by incest charges. But, he is human, and humans are fallible... Click here to read what changes he helped bring about in this country.

3) Sometimes, you just have to look past the weirdos(i.e. the cucumber Pepsi drinkers) in this world, shake your head, sigh and remind yourself, it will all be ok...

About this Faith Hill business, is she an IDIOT or what??? Come on now, her husband, Tim McGraw is a celebrity! Get over it all ready.... He will be groped, and she will... That is a part of fame... Besides that, she was in Louisiana, his home state, what the hell did she think was going to happen? They are coon asses...:) (And yes, I live in this damn state so I can say that!)

Here for your viewing pleasure:

My Thoughts On The CNN/YouTube Debate

2007-07-24T18:26:00.000-07:00

Hope that last blog didn't piss to many people off, sometimes a girl has to write exactly what is on her mind...

I am an avid YouTube junkie, I suppose that would be the proper word, or perhaps addicted might better describe it. :)

I have to say I was impressed with CNN, YouTube & the Democratic candidates efforts in the debate last night. For candidates to walk blindly into a debate, without any prior knowledge of the questions was brave. Oh, I know they probably went on YouTube to see what kinds of video questions were being asked, but it was still refreshing...

I have made it no secret I support John Edwards out of all of the candidates the most. When he was asked the question about gay marriage, I thought it was extremely honest and brutal on his part to answer how he did. Myself? I support them, why not? They deserve the same rights as everyone else. For him to stand there and say No, I do not support them, but I will not allow my religious beliefs to sway me when I am president showed promise. The truth is, it does not matter what faith you are, or how strong your beliefs are, the whole point of the subject is: Do They Deserve To Have The Same Rights And Benefits As Straight People Do? Of course they do! That is what this country is founded upon, everyone has equal rights....

On my more personal blog I posted some clips of the debate, watch them here. I also posted on another blog some of the candidates videos and some spoofs making fun of them, watch those here.

I know our elections are serious, but it is refreshing to see some of these, it's nice to laugh. Let's be honest here, it doesn't matter how many debates are done, how much money is raised, how much airtime is shown, once we read the candidates platform we know who we are going to vote for. The rest is just a dog and pony show...

I only hope we put someone in power that will bring about the change we need... But, I have said that many times before, so there is no use repeating myself.

Enjoy the months to come, as I am sure there will be mudslinging like crazy.... We have just seen the beginning of the madness that consumes them...

To wrap this up, I hope to see all of the candidates in the future allowing themselves to be asked questions by people like us. We are what makes up this great country of ours! Perhaps, just one will listen to our voices.....

Ramblings Of A Woman Gone Mad....

2007-07-22T15:40:00.000-07:00

I could give some bullshit excuse as to why I haven't written in almost a month, but that requires to much effort. So, how about I just tell the truth. I was never one for lying anyways....

I feel alone and abandoned. I suppose I shouldn't write things like that on a public website, but you know what? Fuck it.

Have you ever felt like your heart has been ripped from your chest? I have had that feeling many times over the last month. I hate being constantly disappointed and let down. I had such hopes... But it doesn't matter anymore, I have reached the point to where I just want to tell the world to fuck off.

I get tired of everyone always bringing their problems to me. Sometimes, I just want to scream and say what about me? Do you even fucking care? How about you ask I am, not just assume that I am ok, because I don't talk about my private life other than to give the yes, everything is wonderful line....

Whatever.... If only things were that simple. If only.... If only I could view the world with happiness and joy, instead I glare at it beneath a veil of resentment and anger. Is that what it is like to slowly lose your mind? Your grip on reality? To view everyone with contempt, anger and disgust?

Will I ever find someone that truly gets who I am? Who completely understands me? I thought I had, but this past few months has shown me how horribly wrong I was.

Do you know how I truly feel about most people? They are beneath me, I am better than just about everyone that I know. I am more intelligent and my view on things are rarely wrong. I used to pride myself on following my gut on everything in every situation, but I have been jaded. Allowing my emotions to rule who I am and what I will put up with.

I'm tired. For once in my life I want to ONLY think about ME. Fuck everyone else. I'm tired of feeling like a goddamn puppet on a string. Smiling and saying I'm ok, just so others feel better about themselves. You know what? I'm not ok.

I am angry, I am hurt and right now I could give a fuck what anyone thinks.... I can not and WILL not change who I am. I am me. Love me or Hate me, I don't care. I am not on this earth to appease everyone else. I am here for me and me alone. My happiness comes before anyone elses. I don't care if you are my boyfriend, my kid, my mother, my father, my brother or my sister. I'm fucking tired of pretending I'm ok.

I'm tired of it.

I'm miserable and I hate life right now. If I could I would go crawl in a cave and never come out. I would spend my days with the only person who truly gets me and cares about me... ME.

But that stupid fucking human part of me, cries and screams for just one person to get me, so I don't feel so alone all the time. Even when I am surrounded by people, I am alone. Always alone.... There was one person who changed that, who I thought got me and I never felt alone until recently, but I think I was wrong....

I don't like being wrong, especially with so much time invested, not to mention the fact I made the mistake up opening up more than I ever have. Fuck. I hate someone having power over me....

I hate it, I hate it, I hate.

A song that reflects my mood this past month:

COMA WHITE: Marilyn Manson

Theres something cold and blank behind her smile.

Shes standing on an overpass

In her miracle mile

(coma):You were from a perfect world

A world that threw me away today

Today to run away

A pill to make you numb

A pill to make you dumb

A pill to make you anybody else

But all the drugs in this world

Wont save her from herself

Her mouth was an empty cut

And she was waiting to fall

Just bleeding like a polaroid that

Lost all her dolls

(coma):You were from a perfect world

A world that threw me away today

Today to run away

A pill to make you numb

A pill to make you dumb

A pill to make you anybody else

But all the drugs in this world

Wont save her from herself

I Heard The News Today

2007-06-29T13:57:00.000-07:00

I have to wonder when there will be a bit of good news to read. Violence all over the world. It seems the past few weeks have just been mounting with tension, death and injury.

First story today?

London police find 2 bomb-rigged cars
By DAVID STRINGER, Associated Press Writer

LONDON - Police in London's bustling nightclub and theater district on Friday defused a car bomb that could have killed hundreds after an ambulance crew spotted smoke coming from a Mercedes filled with a lethal mix of gasoline, propane and nails. Hours later, police confirmed a second explosives-rigged car was found nearby.

The first car bomb, found near Piccadilly Circus, was powerful enough to have caused "significant injury or loss of life" at a time when hundreds were in the area, British anti-terror police chief Peter Clarke said.

Clarke said Friday evening that the second car — another Mercedes — was originally parked illegally on nearby Cockspur Street, but had been towed from the West End to an impound lot near Hyde Park.

"The vehicle was found to contain very similar materials to those that had been found in the first car," he said. "There was a considerable amount of fuel and gas canisters. As in the first vehicle, there was also a quantity of nails. This like the first device was potentially viable."
The discoveries came just ahead of the second anniversary of the July 7, 2005, suicide bombings that killed 52 people on three London subways and a bus.

"We are currently facing the most serious and sustained threat to our security from international terrorism," Britain's new home secretary, Jacqui Smith, said after an emergency meeting of top officials.

In Washington, two officials said British authorities found no link between the defused car bomb and any terrorist group during the early hours of the investigation. The officials, who were briefed on the inquiry, said the investigation had yielded no suspects and no definitive description of anyone leaving the vehicle. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the case.

Police were examining footage from closed-circuit TV cameras, Clarke said, hoping the surveillance network that covers much of central London will help them track down the drivers of the cars.

Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., the ranking member of the House Homeland Security Committee who was briefed on the investigation, said British authorities had recovered a cell phone that they believed was to be the trigger for the explosion.

"They found a cell phone and it was going to be used to detonate the bomb," he said.
The events unfolded when an ambulance crew — responding to a call just before 1:30 a.m. about a person who had fallen at a Haymarket nightclub — noticed smoke coming from a car parked in front of the building, Clarke said.

The crew alerted police, and a bomb squad manually disabled the device, Clarke said.
Photographs of the metallic green Mercedes discovered first show a canister bearing the words "patio gas," indicating it was propane, next to the car. The back door was open with blankets spilling out. The car was removed from the scene after a bomb squad disabled the explosives.
The Haymarket thoroughfare is packed with restaurants, bars, a cinema complex and West End theaters, and was buzzing at that hour. "Phantom of the Opera" is playing at Her Majesty's Theater down the street.

It was ladies' night Thursday, nicknamed "Sugar 'N' Spice," at the Tiger Tiger nightclub, a three-story venue that at full capacity can pack in 1,770 people and stays open until 3 a.m.
Police also were investigating the possibility that the planned attack could have been criminal in nature. Authorities closed the Piccadilly Circus subway station for eight hours and cordoned off a 10-block area around the scene.

The incident triggered a series of security scares across central London, and police closed Park Lane, Fleet Street and nearby Chancery Lane to investigate other suspicious vehicles.
Gordon Brown, who only Wednesday succeeded Tony Blair as prime minister, called it a reminder that Britain faces a serious and continuous threat of terrorist attacks: "I will stress to the Cabinet that the vigilance must be maintained over the next few days."

There had been no prior intelligence of planned attacks from the al-Qaida terror network, a British government official told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the investigation.

Londoners were relatively unfazed by the news. People crowded onto buses and subway trains during the afternoon rush hour, shopping streets were busy and sidewalk cafes did brisk business.

"Sure, it's disturbing, and obviously it reminds everyone of 7/7," said Ian Hiskos, 32, eating at a cafe across the block from the police cordon on Haymarket. "I try not to think about these things."

The terror threat level in Britain has remained at "severe" — meaning a terrorist attack is highly likely — since last August.

On Friday, Metropolitan Police said it sent more officers on the streets of central London. Authorities also stepped up security at Wimbledon.

One analyst said the bombers could be trying to send Britain's new leader a message.
"It's a way of testing Gordon Brown," said Bob Ayers, a security expert at the Chatham House think tank. "It's not too far-fetched to assume it was designed to expedite the decision on withdrawal (from Iraq)."

The U.S. government urged Americans abroad to be vigilant but officials said they saw no potential terrorist threat in the United States ahead of next week's July 4 Independence Day holiday.

"At this time we are characterizing this as a localized incident in London," said Laura Keehner, a spokeswoman for the Department of Homeland Security.

New York strengthened its already tight security as a precaution, putting additional police in Times Square and the mass transit system.

"We're going to ramp up a little bit, but nothing dramatic," Mayor Michael Bloomberg said on his weekly radio show. "We'll take a little bit of extra precaution. Some of you will notice, some of you won't — but we have to be cognizant."
**********************************************************
I have to wonder how many more days we will have scares like this. How many more cities will be paralyzed with terror. That is their objective, right? To have us live in a constant state of terror, fear? I, for one refuse to live in that state. I refuse to give them power over me. I refuse! Perhaps if more of us stand up and say, "You don't scare me anymore, Kill me, it doesn't matter, we will never give in to the fear you so desperately want us to feel." then their scare tactics become useless. If they can't instill fear into us, they have no power. NONE. Quit giving them power over your life! What will be, will be. There is not a damn thing we can do to change what will happen. That is the cycle of life. I know that sounds harsh, but it's the truth. If it's your time to go, it's your time....

**************************************************

Plane carrying Ivorian PM attacked
By PARFAIT KOUASSI, Associated Press Writer

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast - A plane carrying Ivory Coast's prime minister came under heavy gunfire as it landed Friday at an airport in the country's north but the leader was not harmed, his spokesmen said.

Three other people were killed by the force of the landing at Bouake airport, roughly 250 miles from the country's commercial capital, Abidjan, two spokesmen for Prime Minister Guillaume Soro said.

"You heard the sound of heavy explosions and then several volleys of shots," Sidiki Konate, who was with Soro on the plane, told French radio. "Many were also injured seriously. The prime minister was unhurt," he said.

Alain Lobognon, another spokesman traveling with Soro, said the prime minister was taken to a safe place after the attack. Lobognon confirmed three were killed in the landing.

Following a brief civil war in 2002, Ivory Coast was divided into a rebel-controlled north and a government-ruled south. Before becoming prime minister, Soro had headed the New Forces rebels from Bouake, while President Laurent Gbagbo governed the south.

Soro became prime minister in April following a peace deal between his New Forces rebels and the government. But Friday's attack could set back the nascent accord under which Soro joined in a government with his former enemy Gbagbo.

About 9,000 U.N. troops and 3,500 French soldiers are deployed in Ivory Coast to ward off all-out civil war. Many used to patrol the giant buffer zone that runs east to west, dividing the country in half.

Since the signing of the peace deal on March 4, Ivorians have begun dismantling the buffer zone, and some of the international peacekeepers stationed in the country were preparing to leave.
The world's largest cocoa producer has embraced a series of peace deals in recent years, but so far none have taken hold. The most recent, known as the Ouagadougou accord after the capital of Burkina Faso where it was signed, has been seen as the most promising.
********************************************************
I only have one thing to say about this, It better not stretch us more thin than what we are. I know 12,500 troops isn't that many, but I surely don't want the "higher" guys deciding we need to send more people in. I think the majority of the U.N. based countries are tapped out enough as far as troop strength. If they want to have a civil war, then by all means let them...
***********************************************

Iraq ambush caps bloodiest months for US
By ROBERT H. REID, Associated Press Writer

BAGHDAD - A huge bomb exploded near an American patrol and five U.S. soldiers died in the blast and the hail of gunfire and grenades that followed, the U.S. military said Friday. The attack came as the Pentagon tallied up the deadliest three-month period for Americans since the war began.

Seven soldiers were wounded in the attack Thursday in the Rasheed district, a mixed Sunni-Shiite area of southern Baghdad where U.S.-led forces recently stepped up pressure on extremists. The commander of U.S. forces in Baghdad suggested the ambush could be part of an escalating backlash by Sunni insurgents.

Those deaths brought to 99 the number of U.S. troops killed this month, according to an Associated Press count. The toll for the past three months — 329 — made it the deadliest quarter for U.S. troops in Iraq since the March 2003 invasion. That surpasses the 316 soldiers killed during November 2004 to January 2005.

Maj. Gen. Joseph F. Fil Jr., who heads U.S. forces in the Iraqi capital, said U.S. casualties had mounted because Sunni extremists are "starting to fight very hard" as U.S. forces press into areas of the capital where militants once had free rein.

"This is a skilled and determined enemy. He's ruthless. He's got a thirst for blood like I've never seen anywhere in my life," Fil told reporters. "And he's determined to do whatever he can."
During a teleconference with Pentagon reporters, Fil described the Thursday attack as "very violent," displaying a "level of sophistication that we have not often seen so far in this campaign."

He said a blast from a "very large" bomb buried deep in the ground triggered the attack, which was followed by volleys of small-arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades. Four soldiers were killed in the attack and a fifth died Thursday night of his wounds, Fil said.

"As far as the assessment, we believe that we are into an area" of south Baghdad "where we're seeing a very strong al-Qaida cell," Fil said. "Those areas are now denied to them ... They are starting to fight very hard and that's what we saw yesterday."

Sunni insurgents have used similar "swarming" tactics for years, mostly in rural areas to the north and west of the capital. Militants have also been burying explosives deep in the ground, making them difficult to detect and triggering them as vehicles pass by.

Such "deep buried bombs" have been especially effective against U.S. vehicles, including Humvees, Bradley fighting vehicles and Strykers, prompting commanders in some areas to shift to foot patrols to avoid losing so many soldiers in a single blast.

U.S. casualties have been rising since President Bush ordered nearly 30,000 more troops to Iraq in a major push to pacify Baghdad and surrounding areas. The goal was to curb the violence so Iraq's Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish leaders can strike agreements to share power in this fractious country.

But progress toward agreements to share oil wealth, provide a greater political role to the Sunni minority and shore up local governments has been slow because of deep suspicions after four years of bloodshed.

In a hopeful sign, radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr called off a July 5 march to a bombed shrine in Samarra north of Baghdad after appeals from the government, which feared Sunni extremists would attack marchers along the way.

Sheik Asad Al-Nassiri, an aide to the cleric, told a congregation at Friday prayer services in Kufa that al-Sadr canceled the march because of "the government's inability to secure the route and many officials' appeals for a postponement."

At the same time, however, anger has been welling up among Sunni Arabs, who complain they are being marginalized in the Shiite-dominated government.

A Sunni political party said Friday that four Sunni Cabinet members will refuse to attend government meetings to protest the way Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki handled legal proceedings against the fifth Sunni minister.

Earlier this week, an arrest warrant was issued for Culture Minister Asad Kamal al-Hashimi and security forces raided his Baghdad home after allegations he masterminded an assassination attempt against a politician two years ago.

Sunni politicians considered the move politically motivated and asked al-Maliki, a Shiite, to do something to stop it. The prime minister refused, saying he would not intervene in the work of the judiciary.

"The ministers have decided to suspend their participation in government meetings because they consider the stance of the prime minister and the government unsuitable," Ayad al-Samarraie, a leading member of the Sunni bloc the Iraqi Accordance Front, told AP.
"Had this minister been a member of his (al-Maliki's) party, would he have dealt with the matter the way he did?" al-Samarraie asked.

Muhannad al-Issawi, a spokesman for Accordance Front leader Adnan al-Dulaimi, said the boycott of the 37-member Cabinet "will continue until a compromise is reached."
Al-Issawi said the Sunnis were also protesting the dismissal this month of the Sunni speaker of parliament, who was voted out by the legislators because of erratic behavior.

In April, six Cabinet ministers loyal to al-Sadr quit the government to protest his refusal to call for a timetable for American troops to leave. They have not been replaced.
The boycotts are likely to complicate efforts to enact key "benchmark" legislation that the U.S. is demanding, since the Cabinet must sign off on such proposals before they go to parliament.
Even if the other Shiite and Kurdish members give their endorsement, the absence of key constituencies from the decision-making process would raise doubts whether such legislation would contribute to the goal of national reconciliation.

Elsewhere Friday, a suicide truck bomber attacked an Iraqi army post 20 miles north of the capital Friday, killing six soldiers and wounding five others, police said. Two civilians were also killed in a barrage of gunfire that followed, they said.

The blast occurred at a railway station in Mishada, an officer said on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to release the information.

Iraqi police said a bomb exploded under a pipeline south of Baghdad, spilling crude oil and sparking a huge fire. The pipeline carries oil from Iraq's southern oil fields to the Dora refinery in the capital.

********************************************************
I can't write much about how Iraq has affected my love these last few weeks, because that is not my story to tell. I have links to his blog on here in a couple of different places. (On the left side menu & in my last blog) I will say this from the perspective of a loved one, everyday you fear, as much as you don't want to fear, that fear remains. Even though, I know in my heart that he will be home safe in a few months, there is always a glimmer of fear that tries to force it's way forward. (As you can tell by my last few posts.)

I just wish, I wish, I wish we could just wipe our hands clean and leave...
~Sigh~
Sweetie, I know you read this, remember you are in my thoughts always, I love you more than words could ever express. Keep your eyes and ears open, and stay safe...

To My Love....

2007-06-28T15:14:00.000-07:00

Thoughts on my mind as I wake up from a restless sleep:

Your face haunts my dreams. I could feel the breath move upon my back, up my neck, sending waves of anticipation through my body. It always feels real, your voice ringing out crystal clear, I hear it and I turn, but nothing. The sound of your laughter fades as soon as I look.
I miss the days laying curled in your arms, whether it be a fever induced sleep or just a much needed nap. I miss the touch of your lips as they brush across my forehead, gently wiping the hair from my face.... How I long for those days again.... I miss the comfort of your touch. I miss the safety of your arms.

"All lovers live by longing, and endure: Summon a vision and declare it pure."

Theodore Roethke

How do I....

When you told me the news the other day that you wrote about yesterday, I felt sadness of course, but you saw how well, I responded. For I can not dwell upon such things. If I did, madness would become me. I can only hold on to the belief that everyone has their time and their place, and I believe with every ounce of being that it just isn't yours yet. You will come home to me.

"At the first kiss I felt something melt inside me that hurt in an exquisite way. All my longings, all my dreams and sweet anguish, All the secrets that slept deep within me came awake, Everything was transformed and enchanted, everything made sense."

Hermann Hesse

I do not want to seem calloused, but I just can not dwell upon it. With you, my step-dad, several friends over there, I just can not think about it. For to think upon it would drive that stark reality home and I am functioning quite well in my dream world.

Of course, I am guilty of the what if scenarios all the time. What if you were kidnapped? I know exactly what I would do. I would be in that country, secure any arms that I may need. Then I would hunt the mother fuckers that took you down. They better hope that you are still alive. Because if I find you dead? It will be a long few days for them, because they will die a slow, painful death. I will not get into the details of what all I would do, as it would probably frighten most.

I can not dwell upon things like this.

Soon, it will be over, the nightmare will end.

Soon, I will wake up and that touch will be real, laughter will ring out once again, and all will be well, because life will be as it should be....

"It is the future that creates his present. All is an interminable chain of longing."

Robert Frost

Does Understanding Our Past, Save Our Future?

2007-06-24T00:09:00.000-07:00

I was reading through some articles earlier and came across one that was essentially laughing at the students of Anthropology. I could only shake my head in dismay at the ignorance of the voice speaking through words.

"Are you as interested as I am in knowing how, when, and where human life arose, what the first human societies and languages were like, why cultures have evolved along diverse but often remarkably convergent pathways, why distinctions of rank came into being, and how small bands and villages gave way to chiefdoms and chiefdoms to mighty states and empires? "
Marvin Harris

The word anthropology itself tells the basic story--from the Greek anthropos ("human") and logia ("study")--it is the study of humankind, from its beginnings millions of years ago to the present day.
Nothing human is alien to anthropology. Indeed, of the many disciplines that study our species, Homo sapiens, only anthropology seeks to understand the whole panorama--in geographic space and evolutionary time--of human existence.

This subject is of great interest to me, as Archeology and Anthropology are my fields of study. It is my passion.... A great quote that I think of when I hear people question the validity of these fields is this:

"I am a human, and nothing human can be of indifference to me."
--Terence, The Self-Torturer

The question that one should ask themselves is this: Does understanding our Past, Save our Future?

How anyone can say no, is beyond my realm of understanding. If we understand why we are the way we are, then that leads to a greater understanding of mankind. Take for instance, our neighbors to the East and the West. Great Civilizations existed there, long before the America's were settled. Generations of war, generations of peace. If we find the answers to the questions, what has molded them into the people they are, then perhaps instead of seeking to change other countries, we can embrace them and the differences that make them unique.

Of course, we have the answers, most of them. We just choose not to embrace the differences, we seek to change them into what we think is beneficial. Even though great men and women seek the keys to the past everyday, searching for answers, their findings have blind eyes turned upon them.

Will we ever learn? It is all cycles, that is the way of life. When one thing ends, another begins. It has been that way since the beginning of time and will continue to remain that way. The question we have to ask ourselves as human beings is this: Will we allow the cycle of war to continue? Or will we finally learn from our mistakes? Will we learn to embrace the differences of our cultures, or will we continue to seek to convert?

I will never understand the greed of man.

Thank You Morons! A Letter To The White House

2007-06-22T15:33:00.000-07:00

I read about this the other day, and have remained silent up until now about this issue.

First of all, I just want to extend a thanks to all you morons in the White House.
Thank you for already extending my love, twice. Thank you for keeping him over there longer. Thank you for robbing his children of their father. Thank you for subjecting him to sights that no one should see, day in day out. Thank you for allowing him to spend over 27 months out of the last 36 months in that land of sand (by the time he gets home). Thank you for underpaying him. Thank you for the stress. Thank you for the stolen time, the stolen memories. Thank you for making it near impossible for him to leave the military if he wanted to, by instituting stop-losses. Thank YOU!

I just want to congratulate you all on your sacrifice and service to this country. I am sure, all of "us" citizens of this great country appreciate the fact that you personally (or a family member) has put on the uniform, has sacrificed your family and put your life on hold. We appreciate the fact that you have missed the births of your children, their first steps, graduations, deaths in your family, birthdays, holidays, anniversaries, etc. We DO appreciate that sacrifice!

And now, now that you are considering extending our loved ones even more than the fifteen months, I just want to say thanks. I really didn't want to see him anyways. I have enjoyed the limited communication, the constant worrying whether he is safe, the loneliness of the night, having my best friend and lover not by my side. I have, no really, I have enjoyed it! Every fucking moment of it.

And let me tell you what else I am going to love, getting reacquainted with him once he gets home. I am just hoping that he will not have changed to much. I hope that he is strong enough to deal with everything he has seen. I just hope that you will actually stay true to your word and allow him to be home for at least a year, before you send him over there again.

Thank you for robbing us. Thank you for forgetting the needs of everyone other than the need to line your pockets. Thank you for your selfishness.

" A Pissed Off American"

Let me just show you how I truly feel:

BUSH

Mental stress of troops in Iraq no bar to longer duty, US says

The Pentagon could extend combat tours in Iraq despite an official report showing that hundreds of thousands of US troops who have been involved in at least one war zone in Iraq or Afghanistan are experiencing serious psychological problems, including post-traumatic stress disorder.

According to the Pentagon's own mental health taskforce, US troops have been undertaking higher levels of sustained combat duty than that experienced by soldiers during the war in Vietnam and in the second world war.

It found that 38% of soldiers, 31% of marines, 49% of national guard members and 43% of marine reservists showed symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder or other psychological problems within three months of returning from active duty. Its report also noted inadequate mental healthcare and facilities, and prejudice over mental health problems.

The US has about 155,000 troops in Iraq, most of whom typically spend 15 months in combat zones with a guaranteed 12 months at home. But that is a breach of the Pentagon's own rules saying equal time should be spent on and off duty.

This week, Peter Geren, acting army secretary, told Congress that extended stints of frontline duty could be ordered if President Bush opted to push the 30,000-strong troop surge in Iraq beyond September. The senate armed services committee heard that while no decisions had been made, plans had to be started.

Yesterday, Vice-Admiral Donald Arthur, co-chairman of the Pentagon's mental health taskforce, said there was "no doubt" that more numerous and lengthier deployments were exacerbating mental health problems. "Not since Vietnam have we seen this level of combat," he said.
The taskforce's report said symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury - the two "signature injuries" associated with service in Iraq and Afghanistan - included anger and substance abuse. And soldiers' reticence meant the problem was probably greater than research indicated. The report also questioned the practice of returning troops to frontline duty while they were taking medication such as lithium or Prozac.

A cut in combat duties to lessen psychological stress was also urged by an army study based on research in Iraq last year. But that proposal was rejected this week by a senior aide to the ground forces commander in Iraq. Brigadier-General Joseph Anderson told USA Today: "We would never get the job done."

Domestic Spying: How Much Scrutiny Are You Under?

2007-06-21T21:36:00.000-07:00

The Article that has inspired this blog tonight.

President Bush signed a secret order in 2002 authorizing the National Security Agency to eavesdrop on U.S. citizens and foreign nationals in the United States, despite previous legal prohibitions against such domestic spying.

Bush's' words about the program: "A program that is in my judgment necessary to win this war and to protect the American people."

You know something Bush, I haven't trusted your judgement since you were the Governor of Texas.

Different groups that have been monitored: Greenpeace, PETA - the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, Catholic Worker, anti-war groups and even bicyclists in New York City.

So what constitutes the government rights to spy on us in their eyes?

Do you have a friend or family member that lives in a country other than the US? Do you correspond with them regularly through phone calls or emails? You might want to be careful as to what you say, chances are you being spied on. You pose a risk to the United States simply because you have ties outside of our borders.

Do you speak out against the president? Question his judgements? His decisions? Be forewarned you may very well be under surveillance.

Yes, we live in the land of the Free, well, as long as what you say coincides with what they want you to think, to say.

Welcome to America!

I Hate The World Today

2007-06-18T15:38:00.000-07:00

You know you are sick, when you are a smoker and you can't even choke down one smoke...... Yes, this has been the reasoning for my absence, the mere thought of out-putting any effort what-so-ever has been tiring in itself.

I do believe, the worst thing about being sick, is it leaves the mind to much freedom to wander. I already have this problem and it does not need anymore freedom... (Trust me on this one.)

Dreamland has been my escape... Although, today's dreams were better left undreamed, kept hidden and locked in a vault somewhere, but alas, they came to play and serve as stark reminders of reality. The very reality I hide from, day in and day out...

~Shrug~

Don't mind me, I am rambling... I was searching through the web for an image, trying to avoid the news, but that can not happen. My eyes and ears have stayed peeled to the screen, searching for confirmation of my strange dream, thank the gods, no such confirmation has happened yet....

Anyways, Onto images.... I found this painting and I cried.... Silly perhaps, I, truly must be sick, for it takes a lot for this gal to cry... But this painting, teased me, playing with my memories, like a jokester, reminding me of memories and days gone past, memories and time that has been stolen for the past nine months and will continue to be stolen for at least six more...

I, truly resent their happiness, their smiles, their joy. Sometimes, I just want to stomp and kick my feet, throwing a tantrum like a child about the unfairness of it all. Can I do that?

~Sigh~
I wish... But, no, I must remain strong, steadfast, unrelenting, unemotional, painted mask upon my face, for that is what is expected. Never allowing weakness or fear to show, never allowing one single sign of neediness to shine through. For that does no one any good.

I hate the world today.

Sometimes you find a song, that can put into words how you feel..... Here is that song for me today:

Avril Lavigne When You're Gone Lyrics

Mama Said There Would Be Days Like This

2007-06-15T11:52:00.000-07:00

Days, where I don't care about anything, anyone. Days where, quite honestly the whole world can just go to hell. Can you tell, I'm in a lovely mood?

What a world we live in..... Yeah, I've kept up with the news the past couple of days... Yay, Western Nations, backing Abbas. I honestly could care less.

I could care less that Kelly Clarkson canceled her summer tour.

I could care less that the Duke District Attorney got "carried" away.

I could care less that "Pace" failed on his Iraq assessment.

I could care less if Angelina Jolie tries to control the media or not.

I could care less that Defense Secretary Gates paid a surprise visit to Iraq. Tell you what Gates, why the hell don't you put on ACU's, carry a rifle and go out on some conveys... Let's see how long you survive, oh, and while you're at it, put your 'Ole boy Bush on that convey with you...

I could care less that Oprah has topped Forbes' list. Take over the world, I don't care.

I really could honestly care less that The Sopranos Fans are pathetic and have no life. It's a television show already, get over it.

I could care less that Bush has decided it's time to push Congress to act on Immigration. I mean, geez, you've been in office how long now? What exactly have you done for us??? Besides, sending thousands of our men and women to their grave?

And the biggest thing I could care less about??? Billy Graham's wife Ruth dying.... Everyone dies sometimes, stop wasting my time...

Welcome to the world baby girl, not a damn good thing going on in the news today...

Pepsi Ice Cucumber: The Latest Craze?

2007-06-14T18:33:00.000-07:00

Bottles of Pepsi Ice Cucumber are on display at a convenience store in Tokyo Wednesday, June 13, 2007. Japanese are staying cool as a cucumber this summer with 'Pepsi Ice Cucumber,' a new soda based on the crisp green gourd, which hit stores here in the day. (AP Photo/Junji Kurokawa)

What do You Think? I'm thinking this is one soda I'll pass on..

US arming Sunni groups in Iraq, report says

2007-06-13T20:18:00.000-07:00

Baghdad/New York - US military leaders are supplying Sunni groups in Iraq with weapons and other armoury to fight al-Qaeda terrorists, The New York Times reported Monday. After a test phase in early 2007 conducted in the western province of Anbar, US military leaders had reluctantly agreed to extend the arms support to four other Sunni-dominated restive provinces in central Iraq, the report added.

The support is going mainly to Sunni groups, who used to back al- Qaeda terrorists, but later turned their backs on them.

They are to receive - mainly through the Iraqi Army - weapons, ammunition, money and other equipment. During initial negotiations, they had agreed to warn US soldiers of booby traps.

The government in Baghdad is sceptical of these plans and so far Shiites have resisted negotiating with Sunni insurgents.

The office of the Shiite government chief said Monday that Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki had met Admiral William Fallon, a commander in the US Central Command who is responsible for the Arab world and Central Asia, on Sunday.

During that meeting, al-Maliki said his government "would never subject itself to terrorists and militias and we have made a great step forward. We would never come to an agreement with those who operate beyond the law."

US officers also fear that Sunni groups could use these weapons against Shiites and later perhaps against US soldiers, The New York Times reported.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Story From The New York Times:

U.S. Arming Sunnis in Iraq to Battle Old Qaeda Allies

BAGHDAD, June 10 — With the four-month-old increase in American troops showing only modest success in curbing insurgent attacks, American commanders are turning to another strategy that they acknowledge is fraught with risk: arming Sunni Arab groups that have promised to fight militants linked with Al Qaeda who have been their allies in the past.

American commanders say they have successfully tested the strategy in Anbar Province west of Baghdad and have held talks with Sunni groups in at least four areas of central and north-central Iraq where the insurgency has been strong. In some cases, the American commanders say, the Sunni groups are suspected of involvement in past attacks on American troops or of having links to such groups. Some of these groups, they say, have been provided, usually through Iraqi military units allied with the Americans, with arms, ammunition, cash, fuel and supplies.

American officers who have engaged in what they call outreach to the Sunni groups say many of them have had past links to Al Qaeda in Mesopotamia but grew disillusioned with the Islamic militants’ extremist tactics, particularly suicide bombings that have killed thousands of Iraqi civilians. In exchange for American backing, these officials say, the Sunni groups have agreed to fight Al Qaeda and halt attacks on American units. Commanders who have undertaken these negotiations say that in some cases, Sunni groups have agreed to alert American troops to the location of roadside bombs and other lethal booby traps.

But critics of the strategy, including some American officers, say it could amount to the Americans’ arming both sides in a future civil war. The United States has spent more than $15 billion in building up Iraq’s army and police force, whose manpower of 350,000 is heavily Shiite. With an American troop drawdown increasingly likely in the next year, and little sign of a political accommodation between Shiite and Sunni politicians in Baghdad, the critics say, there is a risk that any weapons given to Sunni groups will eventually be used against Shiites. There is also the possibility the weapons could be used against the Americans themselves.

American field commanders met this month in Baghdad with Gen. David H. Petraeus, the top American commander in Iraq, to discuss the conditions Sunni groups would have to meet to win American assistance. Senior officers who attended the meeting said that General Petraeus and the operational commander who is the second-ranking American officer here, Lt. Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, gave cautious approval to field commanders to negotiate with Sunni groups in their areas.

One commander who attended the meeting said that despite the risks in arming groups that have until now fought against the Americans, the potential gains against Al Qaeda were too great to be missed. He said the strategy held out the prospect of finally driving a wedge between two wings of the Sunni insurgency that had previously worked in a devastating alliance — die-hard loyalists of Saddam Hussein’s formerly dominant Baath Party, and Islamic militants belonging to a constellation of groups linked to Al Qaeda.

Even if only partly successful, the officer said, the strategy could do as much or more to stabilize Iraq, and to speed American troops on their way home, as the increase in troops ordered by President Bush late last year, which has thrown nearly 30,000 additional American troops into the war but failed so far to fulfill the aim of bringing enhanced stability to Baghdad. An initial decline in sectarian killings in Baghdad in the first two months of the troop buildup has reversed, with growing numbers of bodies showing up each day in the capital. Suicide bombings have dipped in Baghdad but increased elsewhere, as Qaeda groups, confronted with great American troop numbers, have shifted their operations elsewhere.

The strategy of arming Sunni groups was first tested earlier this year in Anbar Province, the desert hinterland west of Baghdad, and attacks on American troops plunged after tribal sheiks, angered by Qaeda strikes that killed large numbers of Sunni civilians, recruited thousands of men to join government security forces and the tribal police. With Qaeda groups quitting the province for Sunni havens elsewhere, Anbar has lost its long-held reputation as the most dangerous place in Iraq for American troops.

Now, the Americans are testing the “Anbar model” across wide areas of Sunni-dominated Iraq. The areas include parts of Baghdad, notably the Sunni stronghold of Amiriya, a district that flanks the highway leading to Baghdad’s international airport; the area south of the capital in Babil province known as the Triangle of Death, site of an ambush in which four American soldiers were killed last month and three others abducted, one of whose bodies was found in the Euphrates; Diyala Province north and east of Baghdad, an area of lush palm groves and orchards which has replaced Anbar as Al Qaeda’s main sanctuary in Iraq; and Salahuddin Province, also north of Baghdad, the home area of Saddam Hussein.

Although the American engagement with the Sunni groups has brought some early successes against Al Qaeda, particularly in Anbar, many of the problems that hampered earlier American efforts to reach out to insurgents remain unchanged. American commanders say the Sunni groups they are negotiating with show few signs of wanting to work with the Shiite-led government of Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki. For their part, Shiite leaders are deeply suspicious of any American move to co-opt Sunni groups that are wedded to a return to Sunni political dominance.

With the agreement to arm some Sunni groups, the Americans also appear to have made a tacit recognition that earlier demands for the disarming of Shiite militia groups are politically unachievable for now given the refusal of powerful Shiite political parties to shed their armed wings. In effect, the Americans seem to have concluded that as long as the Shiites maintain their militias, Shiite leaders are in a poor position to protest the arming of Sunni groups whose activities will be under close American scrutiny.

But officials of Mr. Maliki’s government have placed strict limits on the Sunni groups they are willing to countenance as allies in the fight against Al Qaeda. One leading Shiite politician, Sheik Khalik al-Atiyah, the deputy Parliament speaker, said in a recent interview that he would rule out any discussion of an amnesty for Sunni Arab insurgents, even those who commit to fighting Al Qaeda. Similarly, many American commanders oppose rewarding Sunni Arab groups who have been responsible, even tangentially, for any of the more than 29,000 American casualties in the war, including more than 3,500 deaths. Equally daunting for American commanders is the risk that Sunni groups receiving American backing could effectively double-cross the Americans, taking weapons and turning them against American and Iraq’s Shiite-dominated government forces.

Americans officers acknowledge that providing weapons to breakaway rebel groups is not new in counterinsurgency warfare, and that in places where it has been tried before, including the French colonial war in Algeria, the British-led fight against insurgents in Malaya in the early 1950s, and in Vietnam, the effort often backfired, with weapons given to the rebels being turned against the forces providing them. Maj. Gen. Rick Lynch, commander of the Third Infantry Division and leader of an American task force fighting in a wide area between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers immediately south of Baghdad, said at a briefing for reporters on Sunday that no American support would be given to any Sunni group that had attacked Americans. If the Americans negotiating with Sunni groups in his area had “specific information” that the group or any of its members had killed Americans, he said, “The negotiation is going to go like this: ‘You’re under arrest, and you’re going with me.’ I’m not going to go out and negotiate with folks who have American blood on their hands.”

One of the conditions set by the American commanders who met in Baghdad was that any group receiving weapons must submit its fighters for biometric tests that would include taking fingerprints and retinal scans. The American conditions, senior officers said, also include registering the serial numbers of all weapons, steps the Americans believe will help in tracing fighters who use the weapons in attacks against American or Iraqi troops. The fighters who have received American backing in the Amiriya district of Baghdad were required to undergo the tests, the officers said.

The requirement that no support be given to insurgent groups that have attacked Americans appeared to have been set aside or loosely enforced in negotiations with the Sunni groups elsewhere, including Amiriya, where American units that have supported Sunni groups fighting to oust Al Qaeda have told reporters they believe that the Sunni groups include insurgents who had fought the Americans. The Americans have bolstered Sunni groups in Amiriya by empowering them to detain suspected Qaeda fighters and approving ammunition supplies to Sunni fighters from Iraqi Army units.

In Anbar, there have been negotiations with factions from the 1920 Revolution Brigades, a Sunni insurgent group with strong Baathist links that has a history of attacking Americans. In Diyala, insurgents who have joined the Iraqi Army have told reporters that they switched sides after working for the 1920 group. And in an agreement announced by the American command on Sunday, 130 tribal sheiks in Salahuddin met in the provincial capital, Tikrit, to form police units that would “defend” against Al Qaeda.

General Lynch said American commanders would face hard decisions in choosing which groups to support. “This isn’t a black and white place,” he said. “There are good guys and bad guys and there are groups in between,” and separating them was a major challenge. He said some groups that had approached the Americans had made no secret of their enmity.

“They say, ‘We hate you because you are occupiers’ ” he said, “ ‘but we hate Al Qaeda worse, and we hate the Persians even more.’ ” Sunni militants refer to Iraq’s Shiites as Persians, a reference to the strong links between Iraqi Shiites and the Shiites who predominate in Iran.

An Iraqi government official who was reached by telephone on Sunday said the government was uncomfortable with the American negotiations with the Sunni groups because they offered no guarantee that the militias would be loyal to anyone other than the American commander in their immediate area. “The government’s aim is to disarm and demobilize the militias in Iraq,” said Sadiq al-Rikabi, a political adviser to Mr. Maliki. “And we have enough militias in Iraq that we are struggling now to solve the problem. Why are we creating new ones?”

Despite such views, General Lynch said, the Americans believed that Sunni groups offering to fight Al Qaeda and halt attacks on American and Iraqi forces met a basic condition for re-establishing stability in insurgent-hit areas: they had roots in the areas where they operated, and thus held out the prospect of building security from the ground up. He cited areas in Babil Province where there were “no security forces, zero, zilch,” and added: “When you’ve got people who say, ‘I want to protect my neighbors,’ we ought to jump like a duck on a june bug.”

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I'm not even sure what to say....

Your Political Profile

2007-06-13T17:38:00.000-07:00

I was thumbing through blogs earlier and came across this one: RIGHTWINGBASTARDO . Saw this quiz and Had to take it.

Your Political Profile:

Overall: 50% Conservative, 50% Liberal
Social Issues: 25% Conservative, 75% Liberal
Personal Responsibility: 25% Conservative, 75% Liberal
Fiscal Issues: 75% Conservative, 25% Liberal
Ethics: 25% Conservative, 75% Liberal
Defense and Crime: 100% Conservative, 0% Liberal

I laughed my bum off, it's so true. I don't ever classify myself from one party, although I do lean towards the Democratic side more. But, I DO have very strong opinions on certain issues, as you can tell by the scores. I knw exactly where I stand on all issues, there is never an in-between for me..

Take it, Did you do as you thought you would??

Dear Sunni's & Shiites: Proposal For A New Solution

2007-06-13T10:07:00.000-07:00

I am writing this in response to this article. If you haven't heard a key Samarra Mosque was bombed today, and will probably set off another wave of violence.

So, I have decided to construct a proposal to submit to the two key players in this damn "conflict". The Sunni's and the Shiites.

June 13, 2007

Dear Sunni's and Shiites,

I sit here day after day and watch the telly and see how many innocent lives are being slaughtered. I try to understand the reasoning on turning your backs upon your own people, yet I can't. I do, however understand one thing.

I know that we aren't wanted there, and quite frankly I don't want us there either. If you guys want to kill each other off, so be it. So, I have come up with the following proposal. I believe that you will find it agreeable.

Stop the violence for at least six months. No more IEDS, no mortars, No bombs, No kidnappings, nothing. NONE of that. Now, I realize this is a hard concept, and you must think I am insane for even bringing up such a daring plan, but if you will just hear me out, I think you will see it is quite genius.

If you two will stop fighting, then perhaps Bush will get his head out of his ass, see he keeps sending more troops over there, because you guys won't stop killing each other (and us). If there is no killings for six months, then he can proclaim he was a success, then he will bring our troops home. He won't be in office much longer and I don't foresee the new "President" wanting the stain of your blood upon his/her name.

I know it's a radical move, but I think it just might work! After we leave, by all means, resume the killing, kill each other off. Destroy your nation, I don't care. To be honest, I am completely selfish in my writing of this. You see, the love of my life is over there, and to be quite frank, he doesn't want to be there, but just like you, he has to follow orders. I know he would rather be home, safe and sound with his family, hearing the laughter of his kids, then running for cover because of mortars or hearing the news of lost friends or living in fear that everyday may well be his last.

Six months, that's is all. Six months, hey, think of it this way, it will give you time to get better weapons, to better kill your people off with. This is my proposal to you, I am hoping that you will give it the utmost consideration.

Peace Be with You and Yours,

Leigh

US Needs To Back G8 On Climate Changes

2007-06-12T20:27:00.000-07:00

Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards on Tuesday said the United States should join the Group of Eight in a call to cut global warming gas emissions in half by 2050. Edwards, speaking in the Texas state capital of Austin, said U.S. climate-changing greenhouse gas emissions should be cut by 20 percent by 2020 and 80 percent by 2050, according to a statement released by his campaign.

"Global warming is an emergency that requires immediate action from the world community," Edwards said. "Before the United States can rally the world to take action, we need to show leadership here at home. We should be leading the charge in this area, not turning our back on the world."

The former North Carolina senator and 2004 vice presidential nominee said he favors a cap-and-trade system of emissions credits and requiring developing nations to also aggressively cut greenhouse gas emissions.

Edwards has said previously he wants U.S. automakers to produce vehicles that average 40 miles per gallon by 2016.

So, Kudos to Edwards for pushing for change on this issue. With the G8 summit already passed for this year, what exactly did Bush to help the greenhouse effect? Not a thing... In fact this was said about the meeting on this issue:

"The president came to Germany with a simple message for the G8 leaders: not on my watch," Philip Clapp, president of the U.S.-based National Environmental Trust, told the Times."

In fact all he could give them was "the United States will seriously consider the goal".

But, this doesn't suprise me out of Bush, just another example of who's needs he "truly" looks out for...

Follow the "yellow" brick road and you will find Bush and his stance on issues.....

One Day! One Voice! 30,000 Bloggers

2007-06-11T16:04:00.000-07:00

I lifted this off of My View Of It's blog, click on the title to visit her site, great stuff! I encourage each and every one of you to take up this challenge!

One Day! One Voice! 30,000 Bloggers
Contact: brian@bravehumans.com

Total: 234
Left To Go: 2966
When the list reaches 30,000, a date and a word will be listed on the page. On that date, every weblog on the list agrees to make a single post with the word as the title. The content of the post should be about what you want for the world, whatever that may be. The purpose is not to make a particular political statement, but simply to make a noise. If 30,000 weblogs all post the same unusual word, it WILL be heard.
Send an email to brian@bravehumans.com with the subject: Yop!
In the body of the email list the name of your weblog, and the URL.
Your weblog will be added to the list . [ website ]
Tell your friends who blog about it, and urge them to send in their weblog as well.

A Poem I found online:

The difference

One tree can start a forest

One smile begins a friendship

One handclasp lifts the soul

One star can guide a ship at sea

One vote can change a nation

One candle wipes out darkness

One step must start each journey

One word must start each prayer

One hope will raise our spirits

One voice can speak with wisdom

One heart can know what's true

One life can make a difference

You can make a difference!

Indefinite Imprisonment

2007-06-11T15:01:00.000-07:00

Bush received another blow to his policies today. The court has order the release of Ali Saleh Kahlah al-Marri. He has been held now for 4 years in military detention without any charges being brought up against him.

I understand that in this day and age we ARE all under scrutiny. But, to hold some one for four years without bringing up any charges? How long does it take to find evidence? How long does it take to charge someone?

Is this another example of Bush jumping in first without examining all the evidence?

It just serves to remind me again, of how Bush runs his administration and this country.... He could care less about anything other than his own gain, his own views....

I CAN NOT wait for the day he is out of office....

No Confidence In Gonzales: Will Bush Listen?

2007-06-11T12:17:00.000-07:00

Democratic Senators hope to prod this Man, Gonzales into resigning with a vote of no confidence. The Republicans will attempt to block it, of course, although many of them have expressed their displeasure over his performance. Gonzales has refused to step down and is supported by the Republican president, who is his long-time mentor from Texas.

Bush's response to this? In his words: "They can try to have their votes of no confidence, but it's not going to determine -- make the determination who serves in my government," Bush declared.

The word my, is what I want to focus on today. My government. Hmmm..... I thought that the government belonged to Us, the people, not to one man. The last time I checked it was we, the people, who elected our officials, Our Senators & Congressmen represent us, our President represents us, our needs, our wishes, our concerns. But yet, once again, Bush is refusing to listen to the people.

It is reasons like this, that we, as Americans, need to stand up and raise our voices! No longer do we need to allow ourselves to be bullied by our government. Our voices need to be heard once again, not falling shy upon the ears of our leaders.

How much longer are we going to put up with leadership who continues to turn a deaf ear to the cries and the needs of our nation?

I can not stress enough how important it is to let your voice be heard. It is time our nation rallied together so we can bring this country to where it needs to be. It is time we stand up and declare that WE NO LONGER will be bullied and ignored. We are the ones who make up this country. It is our money that pays their salaries, it is our money that makes this country strong.

Change has to happen, What Role will you play in our Future? Will you sit by and watch us destroy ourselves, or will you stand up and say enough, is enough!

One Life Lost: Is One Life To Many

2007-06-10T18:12:00.000-07:00

The Headline?

Iraq bridge collapse traps U.S. soldiers

I read this article earlier today, and while it saddened me that once again, life has been lost, I didn't know how it would affect me personally. Well, I suppose I should rephrase that, it doesn't affect me personally, it affected someone whom I love very dearly.

Everyday it seems as if the war over there creeps closer and closer to home. My only experience so far with injuries in Iraq have been with a dear friend whose life has been forever altered. He was lucky though, he lived. Even though, half of his face was blown off and he lost an eye, he is alive. It's been two years since that happened and his life is still in limbo. He is still going through surgeries, procedures, etc, with no end truly in sight. His life and his families lives have been forever changed. But yet, they give me hope, for they have prevailed and made the best of the circumstances.

People ask me all the time how can I oppose something that the love of my life is doing. My answer is simply this: It is his job. He is part of our military and he does what he is ordered to do. Does he want to be there? No, I'm sure he doesn't. I know he would rather be here with his family, safe and sound every night, as opposed to wondering if the next mission will be his last, or if his friends will make it back alive and in one piece. It isn't him or the troops I oppose, it is this war. It is our reasoning for being there.

The piece I wrote earlier about those of us who are left behind focused on feelings that I struggle with, anger I deal with. Not directed at him, but at the situation. At this stupid senseless war. At the reckless disregard our government has about placing our men and women in a situation where they can't prevail. The enemy is unseen. The enemy remains hidden behind the normalcy of life. Those who oppose our presence there are many, we are few.

Today's headlines will be the same tomorrow, just as they were yesterday. The same result, just different incidents involving different people. When will it be enough? How many more lives will be taken before this madness ends?

How many more lives will be forever altered?

I sit here, in the comfort of our home, safe from the dangers of the night, but yet my heart bleeds. With every incident that happens, I feel the loss of our sons and daughters, but yet I will never know the true pain, the true heartache. For I have never experienced it. I will never know what it feels like to have a buddy get killed or injured beside me, or have them leave in the morning, never to return. I will never be able to understand. I will never truly know how he feels.

I don't know how many times I have said it (it's never enough), but it's time to bring our troops home.

Saving The Planet: One Piece At A Time

2007-06-10T12:47:00.000-07:00

I was doing my daily news search, when I came across this piece:

American Buys Slices Of South America

The Story? Multimillionaire Douglas Tompkins goal is to save the planet, by buying pieces of it. He owns over a million acres in Chile and Argentina. Of course, as with any news story there is always opposition. There are those in South America that believes the land should belong to foreigners and should be given back to it's government.

He insists that he will turn the land back over one day to be used as nature reserves or parks, but wants to hold on so they see what a private conservation can do.

As I read this, I decide to dig deeper, to find out how many other millionaires were taking part in a "project" like this.

Here are my findings:

Swedish millionaire to help Baltic Sea environment protection:

Bjorn Carlson has donated almost 63 million dollars to help protect the Baltic Sea environment.

Luciano Benetton also owns a vast amount of land in Argentina for environmental purposes.

Ok, that is all I can come up with at the moment. Does anyone else know of examples of this? While researching this, I did come across another article of extreme interest to me. The Title?

Cape Windbags

I'll just summarize the article here, although you can click on the title to read the whole thing. There are plans to build America's first offshore wind farm, located in Cape Cod. It would generate 75 percent of the electricity needs of Cape Cod and Massachusetts’ islands without producing any of Kennedy’s mercury, or greenhouse gas. Yet, the Kennedy's and other affluent families in the area are fighting it being built.

Why? From the looks of it, they simply don't want an "eyesore" in their backyard.

Here we have two very different examples of uses of money. There are some who are doing what they can to ensure resources for our future generations, but others who spend millions of dollars trying to stop the very thing that would benefit them greatly.

I had written a blog last month called A Looming Crisis? It focused on America's water usage compared to other countries. I often wonder how little we do to save our planet. If every person in America could buy half an acre (our population is estimated at 301,139,947 ) to set aside for conservation purposes, think of the effect that would have.

9,161,923 sq km is the amount of land we have in the United States. 1 sq km is equal to 247.1 acres. That equals 2,263,911,173.3 acres of land. Buying half an acre would save 150,569,973 acres. Yes, I realize that this is unrealistic, as I doubt there are that many acres for sale in the US. (and I haven't taken in account National Forests, etc) But when you look at the numbers, it doesn't seem like an impossible task, does it? Each of us doing our part to ensure that our future generations can continue to enjoy this planet of ours. Just think, the US is the Third largest Country by size.

Did you know that the US is the largest single emitter of carbon dioxide from the burning of fossil fuels?

I realize that most of us aren't millionaires and we don't have the capital to do what Tompkins is doing. But, what we can do is use our voice and what resources we do have to make a difference. Use our voice to let our government know that we want to see changes in our environmental laws. Changes that would benefit the world. Changes that would show the world that yes, we want to do our part in protecting this planet, in saving this planet....

The administration is so focused on creating governments that they think will be beneficial, they have forgotten the larger picture. Men will rule, men will fall, men will die. Our Earth, is our source of being. Without her resources, we will all perish and our future generations will have nothing. Use your voice to help our government RE-FOCUS their attention! Do your part in helping heal our planet.

Another Blogging Resource

2007-06-09T17:27:00.000-07:00

Below is a matrix of 120 stars, I have already added a link to my blog onto one of the stars, all you need to do is copy and paste the grid into your blog or website and add your own link to one of the other spare stars, and tell others to do the same!

Viralink

********************
********************
********************
********************
********************
********************

When I receive a ping back once you have added the Viralink to your site, I will add your link to this grid, and each person who copies the grid from this blog`will also link to your site!

Rules:

No Porn Sites

One link per person only! (do not hog the viralink!)

DO NOT change or tamper with other individual url’s.

Enjoy!
Here are how the numbers add up, I will use the term saturation to describe the spread of the Viralink with Zero being your blog 1 being 1 link down, 2 being 2 links down and so on.

Saturation -

Backlinks 0 - 0

1 - 3

2 - 12

3 - 39

4 - 93

5 - 336

6 - 1065

7 - 3252

8 - 9813

9 - 29,496

10 - 88,545

The above numbers rely on 3 people copying and pasting the Viralink onto their blog and that being replicated 3 times continuously 10 times. The numbers are quite staggering, there are 119 spaces left on the Viralink from this page and I expect that there will be allot of clones which begin to pop up. The best strategy with this is to start early and tell all of your blog and online friends! You may be wondering what happens if you are at the end of the chain when the Viralink is full ? What would be the benefit to me? Well there is no reason why you can’t add another line of dots to the bottom and keep the process going. You also can start another form, but please retain a link to this site.

It will be interesting to see how this works!

Take The News Challenge: Can You Find A Positive Headline?

2007-06-09T10:57:00.000-07:00

I decided today that I was going to do the impossible. Well, perhaps not the impossible, but it feels that way at times. What is this I speak of? Finding a POSITIVE news story in the Top Stories headlines. These are the results of my findings:

YAHOO

• Suicide car bomber kills at least 13 Iraqi soldiers

• Russia urges U.S. to freeze missile defense plans

• British police find no evidence to support CIA flights claim

• Democratic president would end Iraq war, Dean says

• Civil rights leader James Bevel charged with incest

• Dinosaurs died agonizing deaths, paleontologists say

• Man accused in Letterman kidnap plot escapes from prison

Nothing there....

CNN

Shuttle engineers eye heat-shield tear Video
Crying Paris Hilton back behind bars Video
Bush urges senators to try again on immigration
Six killed in attack on U.S. prison in Iraq
Cindy Sheehan to sell her protest camp
Records show murder suspect threatened sister
Teen's death blamed on sports cream
Breeders raise lions -- to shoot them
Alleged threat to Letterman's son escapes prison
Mick Jagger joins his brother on pub stage
Elderly drivers race their scooters
Webbys honor human slingshot, cursing Bowie

One there, the elderly drivers racing their scooters. They seemed happy enough in the video.

BBC

Bush calls for action over Kosovo

Russia warns US on missile plan

Iraq condemns Turkish 'shelling'
Australia storm death toll rises
Gaza militants launch Israel raid
Sri Lanka troops 'kill 30 Tigers'
Israel 'tests' Syria peace aims
UK police reject rendition claims
Paris Hilton is sent back to jail

The Israel Story looks promising, although I am doubtful that these countries will find peace.

GOOGLE NEWS

Hispanic Voters Enjoy New Clout With Democrats

Pace out as Joint Chiefs chairman

Russia Wants Freeze on US Missile Plan

Rep. Jefferson pleads not guilty to corruption charges

Bush reassures pope on Iraq's beleaguered Christians

G8 Leaders Pledge $60 Billion To Fight Disease In Third World

Review of Khadr ruling sought

Brownback To Compete In Iowa Straw Poll

If the G8 leaders keep their promise and actually "give" the money that is a good thing.

WASHINGTON POST

U.S. Cities Race Ahead of Feds on Climate Change
In Arctic Ice, Lessons on Effects of Warming
VIDEO: Melting Glacier Draws Scientists
Special Report: The Threat of Climate Change
A Changing French Assembly
Alliance of Last Resort in Iraq
Suicide Bomber Kills 13 Iraqi Soldiers
Bush, Pope Benedict XVI Discuss War in Iraq
Joint Chiefs Chair Will Bow Out VIDEO
Romney Boys Dish on Dad
GRAPHIC: Meet Romney's Sons PostTalk
Twitter Develops a Following
Book World: Two Attempts to Get at the Real Hillary
Iran Confirms U.S. Man Jailed
Paris Hilton's Grim-Reality Show

The first story looks promising! If cities would implement changes, it would be a positive step for our climate!

FOX

Bush Makes Historic Visit To Meet Pope Benedict XVI

Italian Police Fire Tear Gas on Anti-Bush Protesters

Shuttle Fold Causes Concern

MLK's Pal Charged With Incest

Track Star ODs on Muscle Cream
Justine Henin Wins French Open
Jefferson: 'I Am Absolutely Innocent' VIDEO
Cops: Stepdad Drowned Child for Insurance
Woman Sentenced for Starving Stepdaughters
Letterman Kidnap Plot Con Escapes
Tyson Recalls 40,000 Lbs. of Ground Beef
Kelsey Suspect Had Threatened Sister

18 Iraqis Killed in New Wave of Violence

I would say the Bush and The Pope's meeting, but it doesn't look as if anything "positive" really came out of that. So that leaves us with the winner of the French Open.

ABC

Hanging With the Pope: Bush, Pontiff Talk 'Worrisome' Iraq

Thermal Breach? NASA Checks Shuttle

Sports Cream Said to Kill Teen Runner

Crying for Her Mom, Paris Returns to Jail

Will Paris Stay in Jail This Time?

'Sopranos' Swan Song: How Will It End?

6 Die in Attack on U.S. Jail Facility in Iraq

Cover-up of Secret CIA Prisons Alleged

Sanitary State Rep Wages Germ Warfare

Meet France's Sexy, Enigmatic First Lady

Cold Cash Congressman Pleads Not Guilty

Pace Retires As Head of Joint Chiefs

Golfer Daly Claims Knife Attack by Wife

Kate Hudson-Owen Wilson: Fated to Fail?

The Germ warfare looks promising, although it's a shame it will only affect one state....

AFP

Bush reassures pope on Iraq's beleaguered Christians

US missile shield threatens resolution of Iran stand-off: Russia

Iraq protests Turkish bombardment of Kurdish north

Japanese envoy hopeful of saving Sri Lanka peace bid

Atlantis heads for International Space Station

Russia's Ivanov seeks to reassure West at economic forum

Aeroflot signs order for 22 Boeing Dreamliners

Well, at least someone(Aeroflot) in Russia had a good day.

ASIA TIMES

Everlasting US pyramids in Iraqi sands

US eyeing bigger UN role in Iraq

An insurgency beyond the Taliban

Putin's smart Gabala gambit

News of Wen's retirement shot down

Philippines puts on a political show

US ire over trigger-happy North Korea

I like the looks of the UN playing a bigger role, that is something to keep an eye out for.

IRNA

Kuwaiti emir calls for enhanced ties with Iran

Egypt calls for cooperation with Iran

Iran's neighbors not concerned over N-case: Haddad-Adel
Iran's envoy to Mongolia submits credentials
Headlines in major Iranian newspapers
Quake hits northern cities
Haddad-Adel slams Zionists' atrocities
Security official confirms arrest of three Finns in Hormuzgan
Mazandaran province welcomes Italian investors
Mottaki calls for expansion of Iran-Hungary ties

I'm not real sure where to go with this one.... I suppose some of it is good news for the Iranians, although, I think we (US) should be very concerned...

CCTV

Reasonable exam environment created for quake area students
Chinese panda in Washington zoo may be pregnant again
China enhances ties with Indonesia, Barbados
Blue-green algae discovered in another E China lake
China urges intensified prevention and control of blue-ear pig disease
Preparations begin for election of HK and Macau deputies to 11th NPC

Kenyan police kill 11 as crackdown on sect intensifies
S Korea lifts ban on quarantine inspection on U.S. beef
Putin suggests U.S. deploy missile defense system in Azerbaijan
Malaysia detects new outbreak of bird flu
Jews want control of grave in Ukraine
Cyclone Gonu kills three in Iran

Enhancing their ties is a positive thing.

AL JAZEERA

Lebanese army resumes camp shelling

Iraqi troops die in Hilla bombing

Musharraf cancels media decree

Egypt court permits face-veil use

Palestinian groups in border raid

Bush visits pope amid protests

Quelling Iran's thirst for petrol
Kenyans flee sect crackdown
UN 'concerned' about Darfur
Three killed in Pakistan bus blast
Colombo court halts Tamil evictions
The changing face of my Beijing
Dalai Lama warns of 'lost' Tibet
France invites Lebanese dialogue
Tortured by the Palestinian police
Bush firm on missile shield plan
Chile judge orders Fujimori arrest

G8 leaders in $60bn aid pledge
Syrian arms dealer held in Spain

Once again, I think that 60 million dollar pledge is about the best we can do here.

Why this Quest? I did this to prove a point, the world as a whole is wrapped up in reporting the negative. Rarely, does something positive make the headlines. If so much negativity is floating around the world, how do we honestly expect to make the world a better place for future generations? Take the Challenge, see what positive news you can spread. Maybe by one blog at a time, we can introduce something positive in the world, for a change..

Blog Resources

2007-06-08T21:39:00.000-07:00

Z List: Purpose: blogging resources, discovering blogs of interest to you. I hope you enjoy the list! Browse through and visit!

Blog Name
Author
Location
Category
10 Word Description

Calico Monkey
Animation
Focuses on the ToonBoom software to create animation.

Women, Art, Life: Weaving It All Together
Tammy Vitale
Maryland, USA
Art
Art-focused, including thoughts on the art that Tammy produces.

Woolgathering
Elizabeth Perry
Art
Looking, thinking, drawing, being

World Blog Collection
ugyen
Blog aggregator
Blog listings categorized by type; goal to add 1000 links in ’07.

Blogging Secret
Louiss Lim
Malaysia
Blogging
Part personal but mostly blogging related site.

Blogging to Fame
Divya Uttam
India
Blogging
All aspects of online business from SEO to usability and blogging.

Blog-Op
Chris Lodge
Blogging
How to improve your blogging by Chris and others.

Daily Blog Tips
Daniel
Blogging
Tips to improve your blogging from tools to design.

Mike's Money Making Mission
Mike
Blogging
Making money using free blogs.

One Reader at a Time
Bob Glaza
Blogging
One blogger’s experiment in building and engaging with online communities.

Ruminate this site
The Ruminator
Maine, USA
Blogging
Reviews blogs and sites so that we don’t have to.

SMogger Social Media Blog
Linda Bustos
Vancouver, Canada
Blogging
The ethical use of social media for bloggers and other web users.

SuccessCREEations
Chris Cree
Georgia, USA
Blogging
Blog Consultant bringing the twin passions of business and blogging together.

Successful Blog
Liz Strauss
Blogging
The legendary Liz Strauss, blogger extraordinaire and creator of the SOB award.

Troy Worman's Blog
Troy Worman
Jacksonville, USA
Blogging
Focus on writing, ideas and connections

Copywriter's Crucible
Matt Ambrose
UK
Blogging, Copywriting
The importance of copy in corporate blogging

Copywriting Tuneups
Eric Rosen
Blogging, Copywriting
How to measure reading effectiveness and why it is important in the blogosphere

Dipping into the Blogpond
Meg
Sydney, Australia
Blogging, Tech
Blogging about starting an Internet company in the Sutherland Shire.

BrandSizzle
Anne Simons
Branding
Broad and deep insight into the branding process.

Own Your Brand!
Mike Wagner
Iowa, USA
Branding
Blog to help businesses re-imagine their brands.

The Emerging Brand
Anna Farmery
UK
Branding
Corporate branding blog focused on leadership.

The Engaging Brand
Anna Farmery
UK
Branding
Using technology and marketing knowledge to improve business communications.

What is Brand?
Japan
Branding
Japanese readers/speakers? Anyone?

Presentation Zen
Garr Reynolds
Japan
Business
(Site in English) Tips for great presentations, marketing, and business communications.

Bob Sutton
Bob Sutton
California, USA
Business
Discussions of “jerks” in business.

Perspective
Niti Bhan
Asia
Business
Health, wealth and the freedom to choose. Archived blog. New one is jugaad (http://www.nitibhan.com/jugaad).

Ramblings from a Glass Half Full
Terry Starbucker
Connecticut, USA
Business
Views on business life.

Simplicity Mary’s Blog
Mary Schmidt
New Mexico, USA
Business
Business development, marketing troubleshooting

Funny Business
Scrambled Toast
Business commentary
Wide ranging discussion on business with a funny and pictorial approach.

Creative Think
Roger von Oech
California, USA
Business, Creativity
Fun Ideas to stimulate your creativity.

The Copywriting Maven
Roberta Rosenberg
Washington DC, USA
Copywriting
Marketing and SEO copywriting tips.

Brain Based Biz
Robyn McMaster
Creativity
Tips for stirring creativity in business.

Experienceology
Stephanie Weaver
California, USA
Customer Experience
How to create great customer experiences on the web and in the “real” world.

QAQNA
Tom Vander Well
Iowa, USA
Customer service
Business blog on call centers, quality assessment, and customer service.

Shut Up and Drink the Kool-Aid!
Tim Jackson
Cycling, Blogging
The irrepressible Tim MasiGuy Jackson and Co’s slant on bicycle marketing.

MineThatData
Kevin Hillstrom
Database Marketing
Tips for database marketing from the viewpoint of a DM wiz.

Design Sojourn
DT
Sydney and Singapore
Design
How to do good design and create clever products.

aialone
JT (Jon) Winebrenner
Canada
Design, tech
Design, innovation, as well as Jon’s cartoons!

Frozen Puck
Brock Skywalker
Canada
Eclectic
Making cool stuff with expensive toys

Africa Unchained
Emeka Okafor
Economy
Discussing issues and solutions in Africa.

Energy Blog
Energy Industry
News, information and updates on the Energy generation industry.

Movie Marketing Madness
Chris
Entertainment, marketing
Marketing with a focus on Hollywood. No info on About page.

gDiapers
Jason
Oregon, USA
Environment
Corporate blog discussing environmental issues.

Time to Budget
Mona Weathers
Finance
How to gain financial freedom by controlling your finances.

Soloride
Paul Sanchez
California, USA
Fundraising
A project raising awareness and funds for children with dyslexia and learning differences

Girls Swimsuits
Pretty
Girls
The name says it all, new site, small archive.

Home Business Wiz
Barbra Sundquist
Canada
Home business
Collection of resources about home business.

Working at Home on the Internet
Joe Hauckes
Home business, Blogging
Home business entrepreneurs and making money from home

Kristie T
Kristie Tamsevicius
Home business, Online Money Making
Fun, mom-geared work-at-home tips and advice on making money on the net.

Asia Inspection Community
Industrial
Blog for Inspection Engineers based in Asia. Includes job board.

Employment Law Colorado
Peter Mullison
Colorado, USA
Law
Resource for employers and employees on Colorado employment law

Leading Questions
Ed Brenegar
USA
Leadership
Real life leadership, organisational tranformation and practical tips for leaders of all kinds.

Steve Olson
Steve Olson
Life
Chronicling one family’s quest for personal freedom.

Make It Great!
Phil Gerbyshack
Wisconsin, USA
Life coaching
How to take your life from good to great by focusing on relationships.

You Already Know This Stuff
Jodee Bock
Fargo, USA
Life Coaching
Reminding us all that what we need to know is already in our minds and hearts.

HolyMama!
USA
Lifestyle
Funny perspective on life from a stay at home Christian mom.

My Marrakesh
Maryam Montegue
Morocco
Lifestyle
Expatriate American with an eye for style, architecture and good living

Gangster Sonny
Mafia
Fascinated with all things mafia … from movies to weapons.

Talking Story
Rosa Say
Hawaii, USA
Management
Management and leadership, Hawaiian style.

AENDirect
Aen Tan
Singapore
Marketing
Freelance art director’s view on creativity and advertising

Being Peter Kim
Peter Kim
Massachusetts, USA
Marketing
Personal insights from the depths of Forrester (note: this is his personal, not Forrester, blog).

BizandBuzz
Gianandrea Facchini
Rome, Italy
Marketing
Brand building and marketing from an Italian perspective

bizsolutionsplus
Lewis Green
Connecticut, USA
Marketing
A passionate and respected author, marketer and activist.

Blog Till You Drop!
Laurence-Hélène
UK
Marketing
Marketing, advertising, branding, blogging

Branding & Marketing
Chris Brown
Ohio, USA
Marketing
Designed for business professionals with an interest in branding and marketing.

Business Garden
France
Marketing
French readers/speakers?

Buzz Canuck
Sean Moffitt
Toronto, Canada
Word of Mouth
Passionate exponent of word of mouth from Canada.

Buzzoodle
Ron McDaniel
Ohio, USA
Word of mouth, Marketing
Creating buzz with word of mouth marketing.

Christine Kane
Christine Kane
Marketing, Music
A recording artist, Christine harnesses the power of community to reach her audience.

CKs Blog
Christina Kerley
New York, USA
Marketing
Clever strategies, the new best practices, and the smart marketers behind them.

Conversation Agent
Valeria Maltoni
Pennsylvania, USA
Marketing
Connecting ideas and people—how talk can change our lives

converstations
Mike Sansone
Des Moines, USA
Marketing, blogging
Known as the blogging yoda (for insight not looks), Mike is a conversation generator.

CrapHammer
Sean Howard
Canada
Marketing
Marketing using new media.

Customers Rock!
Becky Carroll
California, USA
Marketing, Customer Experience
Marketing the customer experience; its importance for businesses.

Diva Marketing
Toby Bloomberg
Atlanta, USA
Marketing
The Diva herself, aligning technology, marketing and branding for businesses.

Dmitry Linkov
Dmitry Linkov
Moscow, Russia
Marketing, Business
Everyday and business issues

Drew's Marketing Minute
Drew McLellan
USA
Marketing, Eclectic
Where strategy and passion collide

eSoup
Sharon Sarmiento
Alabama, USA
Marketing, Entrepreneurism
Productivity, marketing, web media, small biz development and other stuff entrepreneurs ought to know.

Flooring the Consumer
C. B. Whittemore
New Jersey, USA
Marketing, Customer Experience
Improving the consumer experience, particularly in flooring (carpeting)

Get Shouty!
Katie Chatfield
Sydney, Australia
Marketing, Planning
Digital strategy and thoughts on blogging.

Golden Practices
Michelle Golden
Marketing
Thoughts on marketing for professional services firms, including lawyers and CPAs.

Hee-Haw Marketing
Paul McEnany
Texas, USA
Marketing
There is no box. New media marketing strategy thrown together with a few cuss words and a dash of panache.

Hola! Oi! Hi!
Katia Adams
New York, USA
Marketing, Multicultural
Thoughts of a Brazilian newly arrived in the US with a marketer’s point of view.

Jeremy Latham’s Blog
Jeremy Latham
Vancouver, Canada
Marketing
A marketing-business oriented blog on website development.

John Wagner
John Wagner
Texas, USA
Marketing
News and views on marketing, advertising, media, PR and grass-roots communications

Kinetic Ideas
Wendy Maynard
Oregon, USA
Marketing
Marketing tips, ideas, strategies, and musings for small businesses.

Logic + Emotion
David Armano
Chicago, USA
Marketing
The intersection of marketing, brand engagement and experience design. How to turn your passive consumers into active brand participants.

Marketing Hipster
Cord Silverstein
Raleigh, USA
Marketing
Online oriented blog on marketing and web 2.0 tools.

Marketing Nirvana
Mario Sundar
USA
Marketing
How corporate marketers can leverage the web & social media for better results

Mindblob
Luc
Brussells, Belgium
Markeing
Using alien intelligence to follow the path of ideas as they come to life.

Multi-Cult Classics
HighJive
Marketing, Advertising
Musings on Multiculturalism in the Ad Industry and Beyond.

Nick Rice
Nick Rice
Kentucky, USA
Marketing, branding
Marketing strategy combined with creative thinking and design.

The Marketing Technology Blog
Douglas A. Karr
Indiana, USA
Marketing
A marketing and technology blog

OTOInsights
Jeremi Karnell
Marketing
Corporate blog focusing on using technology to create and sustain customer conversations.

Pardon My French
Eric Frenchman
New Jersey, USA
Marketing
Online strategy and marketing with great case studies of real projects.

Pow! Right Between The Eyes!
Andy Nulman
Marketing
The importance of surprise in business

Purple Wren
Sandy Renshaw
Iowa, USA
Marketing
Tools and techniques for communicating life through print and images.

Servant of Chaos
Gavin Heaton
Sydney, Australia
Marketing
Gavin’s rant on the world of branding and storytelling.

Shotgun Marketing Blog
Chris Houchens
Kentucky, USA
Marketing
Musings on marketing and related ideas.

Small Business Blogging
Andy Wibbels
Chicago, USA
Marketing, Tech
Using web media to market your business

Tell Ten Friends
Jordan Behan
Canada
Marketing
Marketing using new media to make connections.

The Branding Blog
Martin Jelsema
Marketing
Branding principals, opinions and prejudices he's developed

The Experience Curve
Karl Long
California, USA
Marketing, Social Media
Social media and marketing from an experiential point of view.

The Instigator Blog
Ben Yoskovitz
Montreal, Canada
Marketing
Entrepreneurial focus on marketing, ideas and building your business

The Marketing Minute
Drew McLellan
Iowa, USA
Marketing
Expert insight into marketing and branding. And Drew loves Disneyland.

The Viral Garden
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Todd Anthony
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Jas
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The Effects Of War: An Inside Look ThroughThe Eyes Of A Loved One Left Behind

2007-06-08T19:12:00.000-07:00

This is probably as personal as I will ever get in a blog on this site. So enjoy, a glimpse through my eyes.....

The word comes, "Honey I leave for Iraq in a few months." Your first initial reaction is fear, but then that fear turns to anger. The first time I heard these words was when I was married to my ex. It wasn't Iraq then, it was Bosnia...

We had just been stationed in Germany and I was there with two children still in diapers and all alone, without family. Luckily, I've always been a strong person, so I made the best of it. It was hard, being both mom and dad, but I survived. The first one lasted a year. A year passed and when my husband came home, we had both changed. We enjoyed a year with him home, but then came the word again. This time 6-9 months in Bosnia... Luckily, I had the baby before he left, so he was at least able to experience that.

A few years pass by and the world is at peace, somewhat. But, that all changed on that day in September. I knew then that military life would never be the same. Before my ex and I divorced he spent a year in Iraq. During our almost 13 year marriage about 5 of those were spent apart, with deployments and training.

I promised myself that I wouldn't get involved with a military man again. The sacrifices just aren't worth it. But, sometimes the heart doesn't listen to the head. My boyfriend/fiancee (whatever you want to call him) has been gone since Sept. What was supposed to be a 6 month deployment stretched into a year, and now has been extended into 15 months. Sometimes, I hate military life.

We have now celebrated the half-way mark for the third time and I am hoping there is not a fourth time.

I am obsessed with news, my eyes stay peeled to every news source that I can find. Unfortunately, this does not serve well, when a loved one is deployed. This, by far has been the most difficult deployment for me. He handles deployment completely different then anything I have ever experienced. He prefers to deny the existence of his loved one's, only giving enough every once in awhile to temporarily appease. I, on the other hand am a big communicator. I have to have communication. Without that, I have nothing.

I'm not sure why I am writing this, I suppose that I just get tired of it sometimes.... I know that no one who knows me personally reads this.... A girl just needs to vent sometimes...

I understand that they are the ones deployed, and the things they have to deal with are things I will never be able to understand. I know I am here, safe and sound at home. I understand that I am not being shot at, or mortared or dealing with IED's. I understand all of that. But, what I can't understand is when someone has the means to communicate, they don't.

I wonder, do they see how we live? Can they understand it? Do they know what it is like? To be the one, waiting, always waiting. Always writing faithful, everyday, even when there is no response back. Do they see? Do they understand what it is like, to live everyday with the fear that the love of your life may not come home to you? So every opportunity you get to speak to them, whether it be through emails, im's or phone conversations, mean the world to you, because you never know if that conversation will be your last one.

Do They SEE? My laptop has been an extension of self, since he has been gone. I don't like leaving it, out of fear that I will miss an opportunity to talk with him. Sometimes, I feel so pathetic that I do this. I have friends who give me a hard time, they have never been in this situation, so they can't understand it.

I wonder at times, if I can last the remainder of the 15 months. If my sanity will last. If someone says they love you and want to spend the rest of their life with you, how can they do this? How can one treat someone you love like total shit? And not get it? Even when you have told them how you feel...

Don't get me wrong, he is not a bad person. When he is home, we don't have problems like this. His communication is wonderful, when he is here. It is just while he is over there. I have to think realistically though. He has four more years before he retires, chances are he will be deployed at least two more times. Can I live like this again? Am I willing to put up this crap any longer?

Am I being to demanding by asking the person who is supposed to love me to communicate with me? Even if it is as simple as an email that simply states I love you and I am thinking of you....

I know my mindset would be different if he didn't have the means to communicate. But, they have Internet access in their rooms and a free phone line set up for them to use. There is NO excuse.

Writing is supposed to be therapeutic for the soul, I'm still waiting damn it.... I find myself getting more and more frustrated as the weeks go by. I know me, one day I will just say forget it and walk away and never look back. If I am not worth that effort or that compromise, then fuck you....

If you are a military member deployed, I beg of you, please do not forget or ignore your loved one's at home. If you have the means to communicate with them, DO it!

The divorce rate has been on the rise in the military since deployments have begun. I can see why if the loved one's left behind have to deal with the same shit I do....

I'm not sure what I will do, my mind tells me to cut my losses and get on with my life, but my heart won't let me, just yet.....

Globalization: Beneficial or Detrimental?

2007-06-08T12:45:00.000-07:00

What begin as a simple summit meeting in 1975 to discuss the oil crisis has now risen to become one of the most debated 3 days of the year. What is this I speak of? G-8. How simplistic. G-8. What exactly does the G & 8 stand for? G= Group, 8= number of countries allowed to take part.

The countries honored enough to participate are "supposed" to be from the largest economies in the world. Although, apparently Russia is the exception to that. (As of right now, China is the fourth leading economic power in the world.)

So what is the purpose of this group? Each country takes turns every year at the presidency. The country holding the presidency is responsible for planning and hosting a series of ministerial-level meetings, leading up to a mid-year summit attended by the heads of government. The ministerial meetings bring together ministers responsible for various portfolios to discuss issues of mutual or global concern. The range of topics include health, law enforcement, labour, economic and social development, energy, environment, foreign affairs, justice and interior, terrorism and trade.

Before I get into the history of the group, news, players, etc, I want to explore some questions.

Question One: How Beneficial Is This Group?

Question Two: What Purpose Do They Really Serve?

Question Three: How Do They Affect Us?

Question Four: Why Won't They Include China?

I don't know the answers to these questions. What I would like to know is, why is the summit every year surrounded by demonstrators? Why all the controversy? What is the true purpose behind these meetings? If the intention is truly to create a "global" society, then how will that affect us?

I don't see our world being a true"global" society. I don't see how it could work. Is this what the demonstrators are concerned about? There are too many people in this world that are power hungry and would not share this with anyone. That is main reasoning why I don't believe a "global" society will work.

Now, onto the history behind this organization:

Changes They Have Implemented from 1995-2006

The 1995 summit in Halifax, Canada, led to significant changes in the way in which the World Bank, the IMF and other international organizations operated.

The 1996 summit in Lyons launched the first Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative.

The 1997 summit in Denver saw the clearest ever indication that the Cold War had ended with the historic invitation for Russia to join the group.

The 1998 summit in Birmingham saw the first G8 summit and the adoption of the "heads only" policy that separated the summit of the Heads of State and Government from that of their Foreign and Finance ministers.

The Cologne Summit in 1999 saw the Enhanced HIPC Initiative that agreed over $37billion of debt relief to some of the world's most needy countries.

In 2000 at the Okinawa summit, Heads agreed to provide further funding to fight infectious disease and adopted a charter on new information and communications technology and the digital divide.

The 2001 summit at Genova saw the creation of a Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

These representatives worked with the African Leaders and produced a G8 Action Plan at the Kananaskis Summit in 2002 that provided a solid commitment from each member of the G8 to Africa and agreed priority areas for development assistance. At Kananaskis, Leaders also announced important work on the fight against terrorism, (and notably the creation of the Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction and the adoption of transport security measures), sustainable development and education for all. Leaders also examined a number of regional issues (the situation in the Middle East, Afghanistan, and India/Pakistan relations).

Evian 2003. Central to this summit in France was a package of measures on sustainable development. Under the Action Plan adopted, the number of people without access to potable water and sanitation facilities was to be halved by 2015.
Another summit document concerned support for the application of science and technology to questions of global observation, air pollution, climate change, agriculture and biodiversity. At Evian the G8 also took further steps in the fight against terrorism.
The stage was set for the Paris Club to provide tailor-made phased debt-relief to countries not qualifying under the HIPC Initiative.

Sea Island, Georgia, 2004 The Secure and Facilitated International Travel Initiative (SAFTI) was adopted. This provided for measures of different kinds, among them steps:
to improve the security of travel documents,
to improve the exchange of terrorism-related information to counter the threat from man-portable air defence systems (ManPADS),
and measures to promote in-flight security, and the security of ports and sea transport.

At the 2005 G8 Summit in Gleneagles an action plan was signed to increase energy efficiency. Furthermore, it was agreed to work for the increased use of renewable energy in the G8 states, as well as in the large newly industrialising and developing nations.In the summit declaration the G8 committed itself to the climate convention and the continuation of multilateral policies to deal with the problem of climate change.This plan envisages the International Energy Authority (IEA) investigating and developing strategies and scenarios for the sustainable use of energy.

At St. Petersburg in 2006 it was agreed to develop an effective approach to the three interrelated challenges of energy security, economic growth and environmental protection.The St Petersburg Plan of Action on Global Energy Security was agreed at the same time. The G8 hereby recognised the necessity of making sufficient energy resources available at reasonable prices on the world market.

News Reports From this years meeting:

The summit of the heads of government of the G8 (Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, and United States) failed to satisfy its own commitment, made at the 2005 summit in Gleneagles, Scotland, of doubling aid to Africa by 2010. The group also ended the three day meet at this Baltic seaside resort without a compromise on establishing a binding code of conduct for hedge funds, which, with their highly risky speculative operations, experts say, tend to destabilise international financial markets, undermine growth in the real economy, and have the potential to provoke a major crisis among banks and other private financial institutions. In a joint declaration on Africa released Friday, the last day of the summit, the G8 countries promised to "scale up their efforts to contributing towards the goal of universal access to comprehensive HIV/AIDS prevention programmes, treatment and care and support by 2010 for all."

The three-day Group of Eight summit, held in this Baltic seaside resort, ended with two vague, non-binding promises -- more aid for Africa, and negotiations towards a post-Kyoto Protocol international agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions -- and failures in numerous other items on the agenda. This G8 failure in Heiligendamm to pass its self-imposed test of credibility will certainly mark the future of its summits. The leaders of the G8 countries (Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, and the United States) said their farewells without an agreement on international trade negotiations, or on eliminating subsidies for agriculture in the industrialised world, a move that would give development a boost in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. No agreement was reached either on a new regulation of the highly speculative, and therefore risky, hedge funds, nor on the political status of the Serbian province of Kosovo. At the same time, the only accords the G8 leaders reached in Heiligendamm -- on a medium-term reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and new aid for Africa -- are considered as weak compromises, tailored only to avoid the impression that the summit was a total failure.

http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=38104

The Players:

Canada : Prime Minister Stephen Harper
France :President Nicolas Sarkozy
Germany :Chancellor Angela MerkelPresident of the G8 for 2007
Italy :Prime Minister Romano Prodi
Japan :Prime Minister Shinzo Abe
Russia :President Vladimir Putin
United Kingdom :Prime Minister Tony Blair
United States :President George W. Bush
European Union : E.C. President José Manuel Barroso

Decision 2008

2007-06-07T21:25:00.000-07:00

I have finally, after months of research and deliberation, decided on who I will support for the upcoming Presidential elections. So, as my contribution to his cause I have added a couple of things on this site along with my myspace..:)

Why Have I chosen this Man? It's quite simple, really. I like his stance on several issues.

What is his Plan?

1) Restoring America's Moral Leadership in the World
2) Guaranteeing Affordable, Quality Health Care for Every American
3) Eliminating Poverty
4) Strengthening America's Middle Class
5) Leading the Fight against Global Warming and Our Addiction to Foreign Oil

I am not so naive as to believe that any "one" President can implement everything that he sets out to do. But, I do know this, it is time for change. America NEEDS to find her voice once again. Instead of sitting back in the background allowing "money" to decide our countries future, the COMMON man (yes, that means YOU and ME) has to stand up and fight for change.

I get tired of hearing "I am just one person, what kind of change can I possibly bring about?" All I have to say to that is it's a DAMN good thing that Thomas Edison, Alexander Graham Bell, Benjamin Franklin or Henry Ford (just to name a few) didn't feel that way....

I don't care who you support, but I do implore you to FIND your voice and let it be heard....

John Edwards For President 08

Azerbaijan: The New Solution?

2007-06-07T07:57:00.000-07:00

When I read the headlines about Putin's suggestion, I scrambled to find out what information I could on this Unknown country. For those of you who haven't read the news yet today, Putin has proposed a new missile site. He told Bush he would not seek to retarget Russian missiles on Europe if the United States agreed to put the system in the central Asian nation of Azerbaijan, a former Soviet republic. The Russian leader said the proposed relocation would alleviate Russia's concerns about a missile shield based in Europe. Moreover, he said an Azerbaijan-based system would cover all of Europe rather than part it.
What have I found out so far? (thanks to wikipedia & BBC, links to full new story on yahoo at the bottom of the page)

Azerbaijan

Full name: Republic of Azerbaijan
Population: 8.4 million (via UN, 2006)
Capital: Baku
Area: 86,600 sq km (33,400 sq miles)
Major language: Azeri, Russian
Major religion: Islam
Life expectancy: 63 years (men), 70 years (women) (UN)
Monetary unit: 1 manat = 100 qapik
Main exports: Oil, oil products
GNI per capita: US $1,240 (World Bank, 2006)
Internet domain: .az
International dialling code: +994

President: Ilham Aliyev, which his rise to power was steeped in controversy.

Azerbaijan is an active member of international coalition fighting international terrorism. The country is contributing to peacekeeping efforts in Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq. Azerbaijan is an active member of NATO “Partnership for Peace” program.

Azerbaijani land borders is 2,648 km, of which Armenia constitutes 1007, Iran 756, Georgia 480, Russia - 390 and Turkey - 15.

2/3 of Azerbaijan is rich in oil and natural gas .

Azerbaijan is also an important economic hub in terms of the raw materials transportation. 2 pipelines run through the country, transporting crude oil. ON top of that they have a natural gas field that supplies gas to the European market.

The main religions there are: Muslim (Shia & Sunni), Christianity, Judaism, Animism

The questions that are swirling around in my mind, are these:

If, the US complies, how is Iran going to react having it built in a country that borders them?

What will their backlash be?

If they are truly just developing "energy" then they have NO need to be concerned. But, in retrospect, it is still a smear upon them. An insult, if you will. It will be interesting to see what is going to happen with this new proposal and the reaction of the international community as a whole. I still stick to my stance yesterday. I think it's ridiculous that we are going to be spending an exuberant amount of money on this. If we do decide to do this, our country better not be the only one that finances this project, especially if the whole of Europe will be "protected" as claimed.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070607/ap_on_re_eu/bush_116
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/country_profiles/1235976.stm

Political Satire

2007-06-06T19:05:00.000-07:00

Ahhhhh.... yes, the Internet, you have to love it. So many tools at our fingertips, information gathering in a matter of seconds! I was browsing through You Tube looking for videos and ran across these. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did!

Donald Rumsfeld and his "quirky" sense of humor....

A Toe Tapping good time. ;)

"Lil Bush"

Oh, God, I CAN NOT wait!!! Next week is the season opener! These next few are just to funny not to share!

Pilot~ "Hot Dog"

"Nuked"

"Evolution"

How Many More Countries Can We Piss Off?

2007-06-06T08:12:00.000-07:00

Let's take a look at the list so far:

Iraq
North Korea
Iran
Now, Russia?
My question is this: Why in the world are we even contemplating spending THAT much money on building this in FOREIGN countries?

Who gives a flying rip if Iran or North Korea attack the Czech Republic or Poland? I have nothing against these countries, but let them protect themselves. Is this honestly worth pissing off the Russians even more? Bringing us to another Cold War?

A few News bits today:

Bush, in an interview with The Associated Press and other reporters, said no U.S. military response was required after Putin warned that Russia would take steps in response to a U.S. missile shield that would be deployed in Poland and the Czech Republic.

"Russia is not an enemy," Bush said, seeking not to inflame a heated exchange of rhetoric between Washington and Moscow. "There needs to be no military response because we're not at war with Russia. ... Russia is not a threat. Nor is the missile defense we're proposing a threat to Russia."

The president's plan to deploy an anti-missile radar system in the Czech Republic and 10 interceptor missiles in Poland is likely to be a key topic in Bush's meeting Thursday with Putin.

Asked if he anticipated a tense encounter, Bush replied "Could be. I don't think so ... I'll work to see that it's not a tense meeting."

Putin has accused the U.S. of starting a new arms race and said if the U.S. pressed ahead with its plan, Russia would revert to targeting its missiles on Europe as it did during the Cold War. China joined Russia in saying the missile defense plan could touch off a new escalation in nuclear weapons.

The move to put the missile defense shield in former Warsaw Pact nations — purportedly as a defense against a future missile launch from Iran — clearly fanned Putin's anger.

Bush cited Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's declaration that it was "too late" to stop Iran's nuclear program as justification for the U.S. missile defense system. "Therefore, let's build a missile defense system," Bush said, adding that it was time to return to the U.N. Security Council to tighten pressure on Iran to give up its suspected weapons program.

The system, which Washington hopes to install by 2011, comprises a radar station in the Czech Republic and 10 interceptor missiles, which could be split between that country and Poland. The US already has a network of alert satellites and radars, as well as anti-missile shields in California and Alaska. The cost? At least 550 million.

On Monday the commander of Russia's space forces warned that the missile defence system for eastern Europe would pose a "clear threat" to his country.

"Our analysis shows that the location of the US base would be a clear threat to Russia," ITAR-TASS news agency quoted General Vladimir Popovkin as saying.

"It's doubtful that Iranian or North Korean rockets would go across Poland or the Czech Republic... (But) the radar in the Czech Republic would be able to monitor rocket installations in central Russia and the (Russian) Northern Fleet."

Kisliak reiterated Russia's concerns on Tuesday.

"Of course it is the prerogative of every state to guarantee its own security but this must be done without creating a sense of danger in neighbouring states," he insisted.

US, Czech and Polish leaders have rejected Moscow's fears as groundless.

With regards to Iran, I find it quite funny, now that Iraq is weakened and Iran is growing stronger, our issues with Iran are becoming more and more vocalized. Does anyone else see this pattern? All this is about, is who is going to control the "oil"- rich gulf.... That's it.

If we can cast doubt upon their intentions and cause the whole world to eye Iran warily, then our argument becomes more validated. The Power of Fear, that is all that it is.

Instill Fear by means of propaganda and the public will support any measure you want to take.

History behind the facility in question:

An Iranian opposition group first revealed publicly the existence of this site in August 2002.

The Iranian government has announced that over the next 20 years it wants to build several nuclear power reactors for a total capacity of 6,000 megawatts of electricity. Tehran has also stated that it wants to be self-sufficient in the nuclear area, implying that it wants to produce the low enriched uranium it would need for at least some of these reactors. It does not appear to want to produce all its low enriched uranium fuel. For example, it has announced that it will buy low enriched uranium from Russia for the Bushehr power reactor that Russia is providing.

Some words coming out of Iran in the last 48 hours:

"The only way for a nation to realise its rights is vigilant resistance. They should be alert, recognise their rights and insist on it," Khamenei told thousands of people attending Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini's shrine in the southern outskirts of Tehran.

"A nation that wants to reach independence must pay a price. If it wants to preserve its rights against bullies, then it has to pay a price."
Khamenei's speech was interrupted by chants of "nuclear energy is our natural right" and "death to America".

He said: "It cannot sit in a corner and expect development and progress."
"Iranians should not beg for their right to obtain nuclear energy. They should not beg to the domineering world powers. This is not the way of an independent and free nation." Ayatollah Khameini

Tehran insists it wants only to generate energy for a growing population and its leaders have vowed they will hit back hard against any attack on atomic installations.

Read an earlier post that I wrote for my thoughts on Iran's rights to develop Nuclear Energy: http://outofmymindleaveamessage.blogspot.com/2007/05/its-our-right-to-tell-you-what-to-do.html

Our country NEEDS to stop being so concerned with other countries and focus on ourselves, before we get ourselves into a bind.

In Remembrance Of Our Dead And Living

2007-05-28T07:15:00.000-07:00

In Flanders Fields

By John McCrae

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly.

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved, and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

On this day that we have set aside, to honor our fallen comrades, remember the sacrifices that were and are still being made today. Remember the soldier sitting in 120 degree weather, battling the generators, desperately trying to keep cool. Remember him/her as he/she lays in bed at night dreaming of their loved one's left behind. Remember them, as they are awakened in the middle of the night by the whistling of a round attacking them under the cover of darkness. Remember them, as they eat the same food, day in, day out. Remember them, as they weep for their fallen comrades. Remember them, for these are YOUR Sons and Daughters America.

They continue to sacrifice their freedom on a daily basis, so that you may sit here FREE.

I have made my stance on our presence in Iraq very clear in previous posts, but that does not for one minute mean that I do not stand behind our troops. But, I still believe drastic changes should be made there.

As our loved one's sit thousand of miles away, waiting for that day to come home, our voices are the ones that need to be heard here on the home front. OUR voices, crying for change, for time lines, goals, etc are the ones that should be ringing loud and clear across this land.

Where is your voice?

American Revolution (1775-1783)

Battle Deaths ..................................................4,435

Last Veteran, Daniel F. Bakeman, died 4/5/1869, age 109

War of 1812 (1812-1815)

Battle Deaths..................................................2,260

Last Veteran, Hiram Cronk, died 5/13/05, age 105

Indian Wars (approx. 1817-1898)

Battle Deaths...................................................1,000

Last Veteran, Fredrak Fraske, died 6/18/73, age 101

Mexican War (1846-1848)

Battle Deaths...................................................1,733

Last Veteran, Owen Thomas Edgar, died 9/3/29, age 98

Civil War (1861-1865)

Battle Deaths (Union)....................................140,414

Battle Deaths (Confederate).............................74,524

Last Union Veteran, Albert Woolson, died 8/2/56, age 109

Last Confederate Veteran, John Salling, died 3/16/58, age 112

Spanish-American War (1898-1902)

Battle Deaths......................................................385

Last veteran, Nathan E. Cook, died 9/10/92, age 106

World War I (1917-1918)

Battle Deaths.................................................53,402

World War II (1941-1945)

Battle Deaths................................................291,557

Korean War (1950-1953)

Battle Deaths.................................................33,741

Vietnam War (1964-1975)

Battle Deaths.................................................47,424

Desert Shield/Desert Storm (1990-1991)

Battle Deaths......................................................147

Global War on Terror (as of Sept. 30, 2006)

Battle Deaths...................................................2,333

De-Classification.... What's The True Intention Here?

2007-05-22T18:50:00.000-07:00

President Bush decided today that he would make a bold move, what move is that? De-classifying Al-Qaida intelligence.... He claims it will validate his "war strategy". Of course, with that I am laughing my bum off... War strategy, hmmmm.... Didn't he claim that the war in Iraq was finished and won quite some time ago standing upon a Naval ship?

Remember we are just there now to avert a civil war and help train the Iraqi troops... This man.... I would put in words how strongly I feel about this man, but I am trying to keep my language clean here... Here's a descriptive word, IDIOT.

This is just another tactic to make us Americans become interested in something else for the time being, so we don't pay attention to what is really going on... It is nothing new, we already know Bin Laden ordered the terrorist attacks.... I don't know that any of us really disagree with the reason why we went to Afghanistan.

So, why is he trying to divert our attention?? What are his true intentions behind it? That is the question we, as Americans should be asking ourselves. I am not naive enough to believe that it is just for ratings sake...

Another news worthy bit, the Democrats have now decided to pass the funding of the war without a time line...

This is good news for our troops, maybe they will start sending some more over there to replace the one's who have been extended to 15 month tours... (Of course, this interests me a great deal since the love of my life happens to be one of the above mentioned.)

Why is it so difficult for Bush to put a time line on this thing? How hard is it to say, OK, by this date we should have this done, and this done.... The last time I checked goals are a good thing to have, right???

If we had a definite time line in place with goals that need to be met, perhaps our efficiency rating would go up, instead of plummeting. I know it is unrealistic for me to believe that we can just remove all of our troops at one time, but how about making a better plan???

I have yet to do research on exactly what all our money is being spent on over there, quite frankly I am scared of what I might see... I do know one thing though, our troops are not being paid enough, period. If you don't believe me go look it up. And if you dare disagree, I would laugh in your face. I have been involved with the military for over 14 years now, and I know they do not get paid enough.

If you still disagree, let me pose this question to you, How Much is YOUR Freedom worth to YOU?

OK, I am getting sidetracked, sorry...

Back to the plan. Plan = Goals = Success. That formula should work, if it doesn't??? Time to re-vamp the plan. It is obvious that formula isn't working and hasn't been working for quite sometime, it's time to re-vamp.

I've said it before and I will say it again...

Bush, it's time to bring our men and women back home.... Present America with a solid, working, effective plan. We deserve that much, our troops deserve it....

But, who can trust a man, with this face.....

It's Time....

2007-05-12T18:12:00.000-07:00

As the bell rang, the people were summoned, what is this I speak of? Why, one of the most significant days in our History! July 8, 1776, the citizens of Philadelphia were summoned to the reading of the Declaration Of Independence.

Remember? That period in our history where we fought and gained our independence from Britain, so we could run our country the way we wanted to? So we could control our finances, our lives?

Amazing how in a little over 200 years, we Americans have forgotten the steps that we took so we could control this land. And, it's amazing to me how so many people speak out against the French and say they have never done anything to help America...

France played a key role in our success against Britain. Not only did they supply us with money, they organized a coalition, they sent an army and a fleet that played a decisive role in a battle that ended the war at Yorktown. But, we Americans are good at that though, aye? Quick to forget, quick to blame and quick to go to war.

"No Taxation without Representation" was the biggest problem that the colonists had with paying taxes to Britain. What does that mean? Quite simply this: Americans rejected the theory that men in London (Parliament), who knew nothing about their needs and conditions, could represent them.

"... we often ask ourselves here despairingly: “What, oh, what is the use of the war? Why can’t people live peacefully together? Why all this destruction?” The question is very understandable, but no one has found a satisfactory answer to it so far. Yes, why do they make still more gigantic planes, still heavier bombs and, at the same time, prefabricated houses for reconstruction? Why should millions be spent daily on the war and yet there’s not a penny available for medical services, artists, or for poor people?... Oh, why are people so crazy?" Anne Frank

Has anyone figured out where I am going with this yet?

Today, we lost 5 more men and 3 are missing. In that shit hole of a place where we have placed thousands of our men and women in harms way, and for what? Oh, the argument is to put in place a Democratic Government to better the lives of the people. ( So in other words, to ONCE again place who WE want in power to better line the pockets of the men with interest in the resources.)

I wonder if anyone has seriously sat down with an Iraqi citizen and asked them, "Do you want us to help you?" No camera's, no hidden agenda's, just a normal everyday citizen talking to another normal everyday citizen. I wonder what their TRUE answer would be... Do you think it might go something like, you know nothing of our needs and our conditions, how can you truly represent us.

We Americans have never gone through what that country has gone through. Yes, we have had our Revolutionary War, Civil War, etc... But those were brief, not extended out for years upon years.... The only Americans who can possibly began to empathize with them? The Native Americans, for what the first settlers did to them is revolting beyond belief. But, that is a blog for another day.

I'm tired of hearing about another death, one life lost in this war, was ONE life to MANY!

Bush, it's time to send our men and women back home....

Sometimes, the best win, is knowing when to bow out gracefully....

"........in any war a victory means another war, and yet another, until some day inevitably the tides turn, and the victor is the vanquished, and the circle reverses itself, but remains nevertheless a circle. " Pearl S. Buck

Touchy Subject

2007-05-11T00:54:00.000-07:00

When I was working one night, I had the most wonderful conversation.... No, not really..... A girl comes walking in, at first she seemed somewhat intelligent, nice.....But then, the racial slurs began... I was forced to endure her views on why the minorities are the downfall of America and all kinds of good stuff.... I am being tame here, because I will not lower myself and use the words she used.....

I understand I live in the south now..... But if you are in a public place and using racial slurs and someone is obviously uncomfortable, shut up.... Find something else to talk about.... I grew up in a house, (my dad is a good 'ole boy from Alabama) where I heard the term all the time and discrimination was strong... I couldn't stand it then and I certainly can't stand it now...

I don't understand that way of thinking.... Last time I checked life isn't fair for any of us....

Welcome to the world!!! Life isn't fair....So what if there are more programs out there for some groups and not for others, did you ever stop and think that perhaps it is because a group of that minority came together to create some of them? If you don't agree with it, fight is with knowledge and push for change..... But speaking ignorantly ( and yes, using racial slurs is a sign of ignorance) isn't going to cause change....

Racism....What a touchy subject..... Will we ever be truly color blind? As long as there is ignorant people in this world, no, we will not be....

Minorities......Another touchy subject..... (you hear at least something on the news everyday on this issue here in America)

I hate to burst your bubble, but unless you are a STRAIGHT WHITE CHRISTIAN MALE, then you are a minority......

Is that fair? Of course not....But when did life become fair?

I keep thinking, hoping and dreaming that the younger generations will push past these outdated ways of thinking....... Some days, I fear the worst.... We will never be able to live side by side in harmony, regardless of race, religion or sexual preference......

Is it to much to ask that we respect each others differences??? Can we, as adults, not respect each other?

"Respect is not fear and awe; it...[is]the ability to see a person as he is, to be aware of his unique individuality. Respect, thus, implies the absence of exploitation........" Erich Fromm

RESPECT:
Transitive Verb:
To feel or show deferential regard for; esteem.
To avoid violation of or interference with: respect the speed limit.
To relate or refer to; concern

Noun:
A feeling of appreciative, often deferential regard; esteem. See Synonyms at regard.
The state of being regarded with honor or esteem.
Willingness to show consideration or appreciation.
respects Polite expressions of consideration or deference: pay one's respects.
A particular aspect, feature, or detail: In many respects this is an important decision.
Usage Problem Relation; reference. See Usage Note at regard.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition.

Now lets break it down and began with meaning number 2 in the transitive verb: To avoid violation of or interference with.

Hmmmm.....avoid violation of or interference with...... How hard is it, as adults to avoid violating someones personal rights? That is the beauty of becoming adults right? We have the power of choice? We can choose not to violate someone? We can choose to keep our mouths shut???

Now for meaning number 3 as a Noun: Willingness to show consideration or appreciation.
Once again, it all boils down to the power of choice.....As mature adults, we can hold our tongues, we can be considerate to others..... Oh, and here's an idea..... We can TEACH our children to do the same...... So that, their generation can be more open minded and learn how to live side by side with each other....

"Walk a mile in my shoes is good advice. Our children will learn to respect others if they are used to imagining themselves in anothers place." Neil Kurshan

It literally sickens me, when I hear ignorance like this come out of peoples mouth....So, do me a favor, if you are around me (and especially around my children), please refrain from making racial comments, sexual preference comments, or religious comments.....

I don't want to hear it...

Know How To Get Rid Of A Sand Flea? Let A Dog Kill It...

2007-05-11T00:47:00.000-07:00

There has been so much going on in the news lately and I have done well, biting my tongue, not making snide comments, so on, so forth... Hold on one second while I pat myself on the back....

Ok, I'm back....

Now, I am about to let loose the tongue....

I am a self admitted news junkie, I thrive on all the news, I visit several different sites a day, have alerts that come to my phone, etc.... One Headline caught my eye today, and just a forewarning you will probably get mad about what I am going to say, but oh, well, get over it....Ok??? Or better yet, stop reading!

The headline???

"Bush unsatisfied with Iraq war progress "
How the f*** did he think it was going to go??? Honestly? I mean we invade a country that is in a region that has been in conflict for HOW long now??? Hold on, let me find that fact...
God, I love ask Jeeves at times like these, here is what I pulled up:

"For more than 1,000 years, Iraq has served as a battleground for many of the events that have defined the schism between Sunni and Shia Muslims."
"Sunnis and Shias differ in doctrine, ritual, law, theology and religious organisation. It is the largest and oldest division in the history of Islam.
But the origins of the split lie in a dispute over who should have succeeded the Prophet Muhammad as leader of the Muslim community when he died in 632."

And yet, Bush is unsatisfied....Did he honestly believe that we would just be able to go in there with a wham bam thank you mam?? How naive can one be?
Before I go any further on this rant, let me make a quick interjection here, I 100% SUPPORT our TROOPS! They are doing their job, period.

Ok, now that I am done with that...

I am not disputing the fact, that yes, there has been good done over there. My argument is with our reasoning for being there. Why are we so damn ARROGANT as Americans to think OUR way is the right way for everyone???

So effing what, people were being killed...Sorry, that is just a fact of life...This world is a tough place to live in, but you know what? They obviously enjoy their environment because they keep repeating the same cycle OVER and OVER again....Let them kill each other off... Honestly, who the f*** cares....Do you??? I sure as hell don't...

I have reached a conclusion as to why our people care so much...Because the majority of the United States is Christian. Hold your horses, let me explain. What organizations hold the most money in the world? Religious organizations.. They are the drive behind some of the most powerful political campaigns, true? True. What is the one thing that the Christian people as a whole are supposed to do? Find lost souls and bring them to Christ, true? True. Now, how better to make MORE money, than to convert a WHOLE nation to Christianity? (you know that whole tithing thing)

Which us normal, logical folks would understand that, it just isn't going to happen. These people, Muslims, are very steadfast in their beliefs, they are not going to convert.. Period.

Mark this day down in History folks, because I'm going to let you in on a little secret...Democracy is NOT going to work in that country....Period. We can try and try to convert their government, but it isn't going to work in a nation that has so much civil unrest and hatred. All of these American lives that were lost, will be for naught.... And that is what Pisses me the f*** off...

My solution??? Simple, withdraw our troops and let them kill each other off, period....Chalk it up to a lost cause, but that is what it is.... Yes, I know the argument on how women are mistreated, yada, yada, yada...Who the fuck cares...Is it on our Soil? Nope....Then who cares...Does it affect me? Nope. Does it affect my surroundings? Nope.. Does it affect my economy, Nope.. Does it affect my Job? Nope....

Is it affecting our economy while we are there? Hell yeah! In a good way? Hell no!

What Will You Do Without Freedom?

2007-05-11T00:40:00.000-07:00

Has anyone else been keeping up with a site named Polar Rose? Here is a description of what they do, lifted directly off of the site of course. "Polar Rose makes photos search able by analyzing their content and recognizing the people in them."

What their new plug-in does:

"The plug-in detects people in online photos and places our signature rose approximately where the pinhole of their shirt would be. A click on the rose will bring up a tooltip with relevant information, including name and other photos found of the same person. As a user, you help train our engine by tagging names or verifying the data generated by Polar Rose or by your fellow users."

Does anyone else find this disturbing? Anyone can download this plug in, add the names to everyone in their pictures, therefore making it easier for any other picture of you on the web, findable. They are using a innovative photo recognition program to match various features of the face to a name.... This is where the unsuspecting public comes in... If they do no research on it, they just think it's a cool program to keep track of everyone in their photos.... Not realizing by naming everyone in them with this program, they are just tagging that person to be tracked on the web, through photos....

At what point do we say enough is enough? When will we as Americans get tired of our privacy being invaded? Every passing year our freedom becomes more limited. How much longer until we do not have freedom?

A review of some of what has been taken away so far:

1) Our right to choose whether or not we die by flying through a windshield aka Seat belt Law.
2) In some areas the right to smoke in our own homes, vehicles.
3) The right to state our opinion without fear of backlash. (example Dixie Chicks)
4) Under the Patriot Act, we are subjected to our phones being wiretapped, online records being traced, private mail and email being read, our reading habits being monitored.
These are just a few examples I have given.... And it is all in the name of freedom and protection, or so they claim. I could do more research on the matter, but I am running out of steam.

I do wonder though, how much longer will the American people sit by and watch their freedoms being stripped, little by little... How much longer before a rebellion happens? Will our children see it? Or their children? Or will it happen in our lifetime?

It will happen...Mark my words, it will. Citizens will only take so much from their government, before a rebellion starts...

Just a question, why is it we continue to allow ourselves to be bullied? Why is it our troops are fighting in a country, so that they have democracy; with our set-up as an example, when ours continues to fail it's people? Hurting the one's it is designed to protect?

I know there isn't a perfect government and I do not expect ours to be. What I do expect and demand though, is a government who will work for his people and listen to them.

It's Our Right To Tell YOU What To Do!

2007-05-08T19:19:00.000-07:00

So, I was laying bed last night watching the History Channel, I start watching a show called History Declassified, profiling Ayatollah Khomeini and his rise to political power, the steps that took place, so on so forth... After that show was over, another came on about the History of Iran. Very interesting stuff, especially with the tensions increasing in that area.

How many times has it been said, all great empires fall.....Why, do we as men, seek to reinstate that power? I do feel bad for them. Persia was a great empire! Highly enlightened, developed, and well run.Cyrus the Great was an awesome ruler! My opinion of course, take it or leave it...Obviously, he was doing something right, since the empire still continued to run successfully for over a hundred years after his death. But then of course entered Alexander The Great and all came to an end... Of course you have to admire him as well.....

But, I am getting off track here...

Healthy Debate if you will...

Questions: How would you feel if two countries joined together and put our next leader into power so their interests could be protected? What steps would you take to ensure that doesn't happen again? How would you defend your rights?

My response to this is long, so bear with me....

If, I was a citizen of a country and knew that my political leader was a puppet on a string, I would be outraged...(oh, wait, our leader is a puppet on a string, working for the big corporations, not our interests....my opinion folks, take it or leave it) I would want to see that person put out of power. Now, here is the tricky part though, Who is the best to take their place?

Granted, Shah Pahlavi did great things for their industries, but as far the people of the country go, he didn't do much. He was a puppet doing as he was directed to do. Things only can get worse, as we all remember they did....

Enter the Ayatollah Khomeini. Here is a religious leader, who was respected and loved by many, stepping up, causing outcries for change among the people. His goal? To bring Iran back to it's former glory with no outside interference, no one trying to take over, no outside interests pulling the strings. After all, they were once great...Until they were invaded by Alexander and it was all downhill from there.Admirable? Maybe....should we still be concerned? You betcha...Did you know that every Friday after prayers, they still gather to holler Death to America? By the thousands...They blame us for their hardships. Are they validated in doing so? I don't know, you be the judge....

Ayatollah Khomeini, is dead and gone now...but the people still remember him and honor him. His views are still shared by many of the people.

Now, lets move forward to the present.

Ahmadinejad, elected as president August of 2005. He was the only candidate that spoke out against future relations with the US. Once again, should we be concerned?

Just a few news bits lately:

Iranian officials have warned repeatedly that they may feel forced to respond aggressively if the Security Council takes action against them, but their strongest words were reserved for the United States. Ali Asghar Soltanieh, Iran's ambassador to the IAEA, told the gathered ambassadors in Vienna on Wednesday: "The United States has the power to cause harm and pain, but the United States is also susceptible to harm and pain. So if that is the path that the U.S. wishes to choose, let the ball roll out."
When asked if Iran, the world's fourth-largest oil supplier, would use its oil exports as a weapon to punish the West, Javad Vaeedi, deputy head of Iran's National Security Council, said: "We will not do so now, but if the situation changes we will have to review our oil policies." Los Angeles Times, March 9,2006.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said the West could not force Iran to give up its right to nuclear power through "bullying and brutality".
US officials have called for continued international pressure on Iran.
The UN nuclear agency has decided to send a report on Iran's nuclear activity to the UN Security Council.
"Western countries know that they are not capable of inflicting the slightest blow on the Iranian nation because they need the Iranian nation," Mr Ahmadinejad was quoted as saying in a speech. "They will suffer more and they are vulnerable," he said, without elaborating.
BBC NEWS, March 9, 2006.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) March 10, 2006 - President George W. Bush said on Friday he assumed Iran's threat to impose pain and suffering on the United States was related to the U.S. need for imported energy resources.

I only have one response to this.... Hasn't anyone told you about assuming things Bush??? All it does it make an ASS out of U and ME......I think it is very arrogant and naive to underestimate the power of an ANGRY country...

In short, not that any of my writings are that, I can understand the outrage of the Iranian people. I understand the steps that they have taken. I understand their need to be thriving, healthy, and free from all outside influences. But, do I condone war? Hell NO! Do I want them developing nuclear warheads? Hell NO!! But, on the flipside of that, I am not so naive to think that our country doesn't have a few of those armed and ready if necessary....

So, who are we to tell them, that they can't have them as well?

A Looming Crisis??

2007-05-08T19:14:00.000-07:00

Doing my usual, searching the net for news, and I came across this headline:

Water scarcity: A looming crisis?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/3747724.stm

What I want to focus on today is the table that is on this link...Comparing different countries usage of water to one another..

Go ahead, click on the link so we can get started...

Ok, done now??

Americans wonder why so many other countries view us with disdain and are constantly appalled by our lack of respect...Respect for what? You may ask...Oh, let me see.... Our lack of respect for the environment is what I am talking about today...

Yes, we have gotten better in some areas, logging industries are replanting forests, more and more towns are enforcing recycling, etc... But why do we still fight when it comes to tightening up our policies on hazardous waste output, things of that nature? Other countries have been trying to get this administration to come up to their standards for years, but yet we resist. Why? (For more information on this, look up this: Convention on Biological Diversity, an international conservation agreement signed by the 188 countries which are meeting in Brazil Convention on Biological Diversity, an international conservation agreement signed by the 188 countries which are meeting in Brazil, which the United States hasn't signed the treaty...)

In a simple analysis proven to us by the table listed in this link, our water usage far exceeds other countries...If I had time, I would look for our food consumption, waste output, things of that nature to compare, but I don't... maybe another day...

Is it so hard for us Americans to control our water usage? Our food consumption? Are we so stuck in the mentality of having to have things Right here and now, that we honestly can't think ahead to our children's future and our grand children's future?

I, will be the first to admit, I am guilty of such things....(especially when it comes to things of personal pleasure, controlling it, that is). It is time, that we Americans start taking into consideration how our actions, or lack of action, is going to affect those who come after us....If we don't.....

What kind of legacy will leave behind? What will be written about us? What irreversible damage will we cause?

Morality And Science

2007-05-08T19:11:00.000-07:00

I was catching up on some news one day when a story caught my eye about stem cell research.(http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060606/sc_nm/science_stemcells_dc_5). Now, I am, an avid supporter of this very controversial subject and am hoping that the government will get their head out of their asses and focus on the benefits as opposed to buckling to Christian Beliefs.......

Morality has no place in Medical Science, especially when it could treat and save lives......
What I find so funny about it all is, as long as they are using private money they can bypass all the federal restrictions placed on it....

My father, being the conservative Republican that he is, and I , the very liberal person I am, have gotten into this debate time and time again. The only argument that he can provide against it, is the morality argument.....Give me something more than that.....

His stance???? God didn't intend for us to do that.... Really? He has personally stated this to you? Let me guess, it was the burning bush in the backyard, where he set down his 10 rules, and one was NO STEM CELL RESEARCH ALLOWED...... Did he add on to that, no donating blood to save someones life? Or better yet, no life support systems? Or how about Pace Makers? Organ Donation? Transplants????? Yes, I know I am being a total smart ass here, but that is me....

I get so tired of a select people pushing their morality views on society..... In my world, morality is left up to each individual..... What may be right for some, may not be for others... But guess what? We are each equipped with a brain, and I know that at least most people know how to use it. We are adults, we do have that power of choice!!! Imagine that...... Morality, is not for others to decide for us, it is our decision.....

Ok, so I am getting sidetracked again......

Back to the issue, Stem Cell Research if, it does in fact accomplish, what the scientists are hoping that it does, Is a very beneficial addition to the medical field.... How can someone honestly be opposed to all the good they are hoping it will do? Because it involves embryo's??? Big effing deal.... Sacrifices have to be made in order to save lives....... Get over it already, that has been the way it goes from the beginning of time in all aspects of life...

Decline Of Support

2007-05-08T19:07:00.000-07:00

Just some food for thought.....

I was watching a movie earlier about WW2, {I have always been fascinated by this era, since my family comes from Germany}and it led my brain down many, many paths....
I am going to try my damnest to stick to one thought pattern though... (we all know how sidetracked I can get)

My question is this:

When did the American people (as a whole) start losing interest in supporting their troops while at war?

I have done no research on the subject, which I am sure that will change soon, because this question has been bouncing around in my head for an hour or so now....

What led to the decline of support?

During the World Wars, EVERYONE did their part in supporting the war efforts, whether it meant rationing their food, sending extra blankets, food packages, rolling bandages, war bonds, etc....

When did this all change? Is it the fact that the Korean, Vietnam, Gulf Wars( including past and present in this, both regions we are in) are not World Wars? If this is this case, wouldn't it make more sense that we pull together even more so? Since it is more of OUR troops there???
They still need our love and support, no matter if we agree to why they are there.... I know there are a few organizations out there, that do things for the soldiers, and I appreciate that very much so...

But, what do we do? As normal, everyday citizens? What do we do??

Yes, I know some of you offer up your prayers, etc....but what tangible effort do you make? Are you cutting back on your intake of gas? Your intake of food? How are you supporting the families? Where is that sense of support that every town had? The flags hanging, the benefits for the war effort? What changed along the way?

Just some food for thought....

As you are spending this season with your loved one's, in a warm, safe, cozy place, remember our troops that are currently serving in the conflicts, who aren't home, surrounded by their loved one's. Remember their families who are without their loved one......

Remember the sacrifices made in the past, so that you are able to spend these holidays, free.
With these words I leave you....

"... any citizen should be willing to give all that he has to give his country in work or sacrifice in times of crisis." Eleanor Roosevelt

New World Order

2007-05-08T19:04:00.000-07:00

One of my new favorite pastimes is checking out conspiracy theories and trying to approve or disapprove them... Yes, I know most of you understand that I do have strange interests. But, I happen to be a nerd, and quite proud of it, actually. I would rather expand my knowledge as opposed to just be content and blindly follow...

I am getting sidetracked....

Back to the conspiracy theories....

New World Order:
I am not going to go into all of the particulars of it, you can look it up if you are interested.... While studying it though, One thing kept jumping out at me....

Let me back up for a minute.

New World Order in a nutshell:

The theory is there are "interest" groups who are molding the world structure into one. Essentially, one currency, one Government for this planet.

Ok, back to the ONE thing that keeps running through my head as I read various articles on this. I am going to go out on a limb here and assume the majority of you are at least somewhat familiar with Biblical beliefs. If you are not, by all means go pick you up a copy and begin reading...You can never have to much knowledge!! It is better to be armed with knowledge than humiliated by ignorance.

Back on point. The Rapture theorists believe that Jesus will come and take his believers up to heaven, while Satan controls the earth, through the Anti-Christ; non-believers have the choice to choose Jesus or Satan, etc... Meanwhile, his (Jesus) followers sit up there and await the final battle for Earth. What does this have to do with New World Order??

To hear Biblical scholars tell it, New World Order is just one of the signs preceding the Rapture. In fact, if you were paying attention when the Euro came into being, Rapture talk and Books were once again preached with a fervor! The time is Nigh! Not much longer my faithful tithers!! Your patience and commitment will be rewarded!! Sorry, I shouldn't poke fun....
There are so many aspects to this theory, it is quite the interesting read.

Back to the one thought that keeps running through my head as I read through various articles....

The Main opposition of this movement is The Church.

Now, if you think about this, from this point of view, just bear with me here for a minute, Why would the church oppose such a thing? One government, one currency.

If you look at it from the best case scenario, under this, wouldn't conflicts be minimal, better global economy, starvation be non-existent, better health-care. etc??? Just a few positive factors.. In order for it to work and be successful, these are just some key issues that would have to be resolved.

So, why in the world would the church oppose this?? What is their reasoning??? Yes, I know that they have come up with the Rapture theory, that it would mark the beginning of the End Times. (remember it's easier to control people with fear!)

Here's a quick fact for you about the Rapture Theory: The Pre-Tribulation theory originated with a 15 year old Scottish girl name Margaret MacDonald in Scotland in the 1800's. She had a vision. If memory serves me correctly I believe it was around 1825-1830... I don't remember the exact date and am to lazy to look it up. Before this point, no one believed this. In fact it was such a hit that Schoefield ( I think, could have his name wrong) wrote it into the side notes in the bible that he published. It ws accepted as fact. End of Story.

Back to the Churches opposition to New World Order. If a new system, a world wide system were to come into place, how would that affect the Church? How would it hurt their finances, their current control over a majority of the political system?

It would strip away a lot of power. This is the thought that continues to run through my head as I study this. Without that power, the church is essentially nothing. Without that power, people can not be manipulated as easily. I would love to say that the motivator is money, but it's not. It is power, pure and simple....

That is it... Those are the thoughts running through my head at the moment....

There are so many more aspects that go along with this, but I have neither the time nor patience to sit down and write out my thoughts about it all.... I just found that one underlying factor to be interesting.....

Is It A Simple Answer?

2007-05-08T19:01:00.000-07:00

I wanted to explore a subject today.....I was watching a show earlier and it was talking about the differences in the mindset of WWII Vets and Vietnam Vets. I found it extremely interesting.
Growing up, I knew alot of both "groups" of people. Being a preachers daughter I was exposed to many different types of people.

The one thing I have found to be true is most WWII Vets have no troubles talking about what they experienced and saw, whereas there are very few Vietnam Vets who will.
Why is this?

In both Wars, horrible, horrible things were seen and done. I don't think as humans, we can say any one was worse than the other.
What then, is the reason for the mindset difference? Why do more Vietnam Vets struggle with what happened?
Can we simply chalk it up to the differences in the generations? A great part of me wants to say yes, yes we can.

Take a look back with me, if you will.

In the 1940's Farming was the mainstream. From a very early age men were taught to be strong, not only physically but mentally. Farm work is hard work, period. It builds character, strength, determination, among many other things. They were not "spoiled" or "babied" by their mothers, their role models were their fathers. They worked side by side, ensuring that their livelihood remained intact.

When they were sent off to war, it was an honor to fight for their Country. They believed in what they were doing. (perhaps this last sentence hits it right on the head???)
WWII changed America drastically. In every imaginable way, from home life, economics, civil rights, weapons development, the list could go on...

As each generation came along after this one, remember after the war was the start of the baby boomer era, our mindset changed.

By the Vietnam Era, the Civil Rights Movement was in full swing, our Space Program was expanding, the "hippie" culture was flourishing, Freedom of Speech was being exercised, etc. Farming was almost a thing of the past, more and more people were living in cities. American "family" life had completely changed.

But, my question is this, where was the breakdown of the mindset? Perhaps, I am not explaining myself well.Why is it, the WWII Vets were able to better mentally handle what they had seen and done in War time as opposed to the Vietnam Vets?

Please don't misunderstand me, I am not saying that men who have trouble dealing with what they have seen in a War situation are any less of a man, than someone else. My questioning is merely curiosity as to what changed?

Can we truly chalk it up to the differences in how the different generations were raised?
I would love to hear your thoughts on this subject. What do you think is the reasoning? Why do you think that?

The Politics Of War...

2007-05-08T18:48:00.000-07:00

My pops and I had an interesting conversation yesterday about the political state of the world. Me, being who I am, and that being a person that loves to throw chaos upon a perfectly normal situation and sit back and watch the show; provoked him about his boy(GWB)....

I was surprised to hear him admit some things though and I was proud. To hear a die hard Republican admit that Change MUST happen was a good thing.... Personally, my thoughts on this mess is this:

Take our boys out and who we want in power, save back a few "key" members then NUKE them. Send them all to hell because I am tired of sitting here listening to all the politics of it.... I am tired of the media focusing on the bad, especially when they are degrading and demeaning our men and women who defend their right to say what they do.

Media has NO place in a war zone.....Get them the fuck out of there, let our troops do what needs to be done... Mass genocide, etc I don't care.... Something has to change.... Let them shoot upon sight if they feel threatened without putting them through the wringer afterwards....
There IS NO MORALITY in WAR!!! If our people would let us fight this war the way it needs to be fought, this shit would've been under control a long time ago... I could give a fuck less if an innocent man, woman or child is killed. That, my friends is war....

In fact, I think our soldiers should get a bonus for every fucking head they bring back. Let the rage of our people TRULY reign down upon them and lets see how long it will take before they get the message... Quit fucking with us, quit being fucking pussies with your little IED'S and Mortar Rounds, stand up with a gun and fight face to face... Quit hiding in the Shadows.... That is a cowards war.....

I have said it a million times before there hasn't been peace in that region for thousands of years and there will never be. Is there hope for this region?? Hell no, it will never be what our government envisions....

Let them kill each other off or let us do it the right way and that's all I'm going to say about that.

Thats Hot.. NO Paris, That's Stupidity

2007-05-08T18:45:00.000-07:00

I have 5 words to say to Paris,"GET THE FUCK OVER IT!"
Why in this society do we have the misconception that just because someone is famous and rich that means they can get away with anything? They are no better than anyone else on this earth, they just have a little more money is all....

Honestly... If you are that fucking rich, why in the world are you driving yourself anyways??? If I had spent the night on the town drinking, there is no way in hell I would get behind the wheel, especially being a high profile person....

I can hear the press on the phone now, "This is "insert town name here" police department, how may I help you?"

"Yes, if you have any officers over in the "insert name here" area, you may want to have them check out a "insert make/model of vehicle". The driver is weaving in and out of traffic and almost ran me off the road." his/her eyes glazing over with the thought of the photo's and dirt he/she would be getting tonight....

It's 45 days dumb ass... A month and a half, it's not as if she was sentenced to a year, but yet so many people cry out injustice was done! Bullshit, when she got behind the wheel of her car with a suspended license, not ONCE was she pulled over, but TWICE she fucking deserves it... Hell, they ought tack on a extra month for stupidity... Of course, she then fires her manager stating it was his fault, he said it was ok to drive..

That is where the stupidity charges should come into play... But, then again we are talking about the person who wanted to copyright the phrase "Thats Hot".

Geez....I feel as though my IQ has dropped a few points just because I wrote that...