Little Aidan..

I was sitting down this morning and didn't know what to write about. We were out of town this weekend, so I hadn't seen any news reports or read any newspapers. I was pretty much out of touch with the world. So, I went to CNN's website and opened my email. Paris Hilton is out of jail, maybe, I could write about that. Rosie O'Donnell says she won't do the Price Is Right. I could get a couple of paragraphs out of that. There's the war in Iraq and the War in the Capital between the Republicans, the President and the Democrats because of the War in Iraq.

Then, I open my email and there's one from Aidan's Grandmother, Catherine. She's a nice lady I've never met but I know because she sends me emails about Aidan's condition. (I used to work with Aidan's father.) Aidan is three years old and is suffering from acute lymphoblastic leukemia. I feel so bad for the little guy.

This latest update from Catherine tells about this new phase of treatment, Augmented Delayed Intensification. Little Aidan is on steroids that make him irritable all the time. He has a hard time eating and he's obsessed with food.

Anyway, so I figured, the little guy needed prayers more than I need to rip on Paris Hilton. So, right now, I'm asking all of my readers to ask God to help this little guy and his twin brother, Brandon (this is hard on him too) and his parents and family.

I believe the power of prayer can work miracles and I'm pretty sure you do too, so when you're down on your knees praying, throw one in for little Aidan.

God Bless

PS. Aidan is being treated in a Children's Hospital. So, the next time you have the opportunity to donate money to a Children's Hospital, please do so. They do amazing work.

Questions...

I took a survey this morning and I thought some of the questions were quite strange. For example, Do you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree or strongly disagree that people who miss three straight elections should be prohibited from voting? I mean, is some legal body actually considering banning people from voting because they miss three straight elections?

Or, how about this one: Do you believe certain words that denigrate a person's race, gender, or sexual orientation should be banned in America? I don't think people should say the words, but are we really going to take political correctness so far that we ban them? Doesn't that go against free speech?

There's more... Do you believe the U.S. Government should regulate content on the Internet? Please, again, against free speech and what a crazy idea! I can't imagine anyone on either side of the aisle agreeing to that one.

There was also a question about changing the Constitution in regards to natural citizenship. If you are born here, you're an American no matter what the legal status of your parents. Legal status of your parents wasn't a consideration when our founding fathers wrote the Constitution and it shouldn't be now. Can you imagine the mess of having to prove you're a citizen, so your child will be one too?

If these questions are being asked in a survey by a well known company, that means someone is actually thinking we should change our country in these ways. I really hope these things do not get discussed on a national level. It would be a waste of time.

God Bless

Lisa Pond and Anti-Gay Florida...

This morning I really wasn't sure what I should write. Then, I remembered a post I saw on Rosie.com. I don't often read Rosie's website, but Elisabeth Hasselbeck was on Access Hollywood, which I was only watching because the TV was on and one thing led to another and...

Well, that doesn't matter. Anyway, there's this post about Lisa Pond. Lisa died of a brain aneurysm on Feb. 18th, but that's not all. Below is a quote from another blog:

"From The Olympian: ``Langbehn, a social worker, said officials at . . . [JMH] did not recognize her or their jointly adopted children as part of Pond's family. They were not allowed to be with her . . . and Langbehn's authority to make decisions for Pond was not recognized . . .

``Even after a friend in Olympia faxed the legal documents that showed that Pond had authorized Langbehn to make medical decisions for her, Langbehn said she wasn't invited to be with her partner or told anything about her condition. She said she wasn't allowed to see Pond again until a priest arrived to give . . . Last Rites.''"

Situations like this are the very reason gays and lesbians should not be denied marriage. Family values my ass. The mean spirited people who do things like this do not know the meaning of the words family values.

This woman died without her kids and partner, because of hate and bigotry. A social worker, Garnett Frederick, told Langbehn that Florida is 'an anti-gay state.' Well, well, well. Langbehn had a legal right to make decisions for Pond and the hospital denied it to her. I hope she sues, I hope she wins and I hope that hospital has to close its doors for good. (I should note that Mr. Frederick has denied this allegation.)

Cheryl's been talking for years about going to Florida to see the sites and, even though I've never been a fan of Florida, I probably would've given in, but not now. I told her last night that I will never step foot into that hate filled state. I won't take a vacation there, I'll never travel there on business until this kind of foolish stops.

So, here's my final and very UnChristian thought, let's just stop visiting Florida. The whole state only has two things: Oranges and tourists. Let's stop drinking their juice, eating their oranges and visiting their way too hot and humid state. Let's just leave them be.

I think Rosie should sell her house and arrange for her cruise line to pick up passengers somewhere else. No gay person should do business in Florida and no straight person who knows a gay person or is related to a gay person should go there either.

I do want to offer up a prayer for Lisa Pond and her family. May God hold them close to His heart until they can all be together again.

God Bless

Country Music's Top Ten

As a lover of both kinds of music - Country & Western - it just burns my butt watching and hearing all these new "fans" of Country music. They all cheer at the redneck songs, but they don't know the history and they don't have an appreciation of how far country has come. And, BTW, listening to Big and Rich don't make you a Country fan. Wearing boots and a hat, don't make you a Country fan.

So, in order to help this new generation of posers move from just posing to true fan status, I've posting a list of ten country songs that are the litmus test of Country Music. If you don't know the words to these songs and can't sing along when you hear them played on a jukebox or the radio, you are just a poser, son.

1. Crazy. Written by Willie Nelson and sung by Patsy Cline. If Patsy had never gotten up on a stage, there wouldn't be a Faith Hill, Gretchen Wilson or Carrie Underwood. Even the women who sing rock pay homage to the true queen of Country music.
2. He Stopped Loving Her Today. Best song ever. George Jones just tears your heart out and all of us have loved until we die.
3. Walk the Line. Johnny Cash. Enough said.
4. The Devil Went Down to Georgia. Charlie Daniels. A song that races along and drags you with it.
5. Anything by Hank Williams, Sr. No, that's not a song title. I mean any song sung by ol' Hank. Not only could that man sing, but he was the first Superstar in Country Music.
6. The Dance. Garth Brooks. This is the song that showed Garth knows his Country. Just listen to the words.
7. Mamas Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be Cowboys. Waylon Jennings. Another Enough Said.
8. Stand By Your Man. Tammy Wynette. Ah, if you've heard it, you know why.
9. Anything by Loretta Lynn. Just like Hank, Sr., she embodies Country Music. Check out The Pill and don't forget to give a listen to You ain't Woman Enough to Take My Man.
10. I was Country Before Country Was Cool. Barbara Mandrell. The song probably wouldn't make anyone else's top ten, but if you can't sing about your own roots in Country Music, then you're probably just a poser.

God Bless

For Once, some Good News...

Last week, after I read the horrid story about the man who killed his family (including his infant twin boys) and then himself, I read another awful story of a man who's entire family were murdered in the family car.

Just when you think that there is no hope for the world and all is lost, a small miracle occurs and you wonder just how you could doubt that there is a God.

Then, I read the story of Hannah Klamecki. She and her grandfather were missing for two days after last being seen on the Kankakee River. Unfortunately, her grandfather was found dead, but Hannah found the rescuers giving new meaning to the word hope. That's all the proof I need that there is a God.

God Bless

Save the Internet

There are very few things on which every American can agree.  We fight over the War in Iraq, gay rights, abortion, etc.  But, when we fight, we are all practicing free speech. 

 

Free speech is the reason I can post this blog – whether you agree with it or not.  It is the reason you can post your own response, either through adding a comment or writing on your own blog.  Free speech means that we all have a voice (or in theory we should have a voice) in our government.  We can all stand up and show our support or our dissent for a sitting President.

 

To quote Michael Douglas in "An American President", " 'You want free speech? Let's see you acknowledge a man whose words make your blood boil, who's standing center stage and advocating at the top of his lungs that which you would spend a lifetime opposing at the top of yours.'"

 

And, that is what freedom of speech is all about.

 

Except, somewhere along the line, AT&T and Verizon (& I'm sure other companies) have forgotten that this is not just their country.  They want to limit our access to the Internet.  They want to sell bandwidth to the highest bidder.  If you want to view a site, you're not going to get there unless the site's owner has paid an extra fee to a communications company. 

 

That may be capitalism, but it certainly isn't freedom.

 

Sometimes, when things are quiet and I have a few moments to think, I wonder what the greatest threat to our way of life is.  I've come to decide that it isn't terrorists.  We were attacked on 9/11 and America didn't crumble.  We joined together and survived.  It isn't the war in Iraq or abortion or our disagreements regarding gay rights. 

 

No, the greatest threat to America is us.  When I say us, I mean all of us.  If we do not stand up and shout at the top of our lungs that we're not going to stand by and allow companies to hijack the Internet, America will not remain the dissenting, fight among ourselves democracy that it is.  If we sit still and shake our heads, we stand to lose the best of our democracy.

 

And not one shot will have been fired.

 

I write a lot on this blog about what's wrong with our country.  I write about how our leaders have let us down and what we need to do to fix things.  I'm sure that some of my readers agree and some don't and that's the beauty of it.  The freedom I have to voice my opinion and you to voice yours.   We don't have to agree, we don't even have to like each other, but I would defend to my death your right to say what you believe and vice versa (I hope).

 

But, if a communications company stands in the way, who's views will get through?  Only those who can afford the extra fees?  Only those voices that follow the ideology of the companies in charge?

 

I just read somewhere that Clear Channel just cancelled a billboard because they a) didn't agree with it and b) received complaints.  Do you want them controlling what you can and cannot see on the Internet?

 

I don't.

 

Oh, and don't think it'll make surfing the web safer for children.  Porn is over a billion dollar industry.  I'm sure the porn sites will have the money to pay the fees.

 

We need to tell Congress, the President and the FCC that we – all of us – still believe in the freedom of speech.  That we want our right to gather and assemble on the Information Superhighway.  We don't want our voices and words hijacked by corporations.  The Internet is free and it should stay that way.

 

God Bless all of us and God Bless America.

 

author's note:  I will be posting a link to Save the Internet at a later time.  I don't have it handy as I post this.

T-Shirt

I saw an advertisement for a t-shirt that says, "If Hillary is elected, I'm moving to Canada." What kind of jerk would wear a t-shirt like that? You're going to change countries because you don't like the President? If we all thought like that, 49% of us would be in Canada right now.

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for showing your support or your non-support for a candidate or party, but leave the country? Isn't that going a bit too far? Plus, it just bugs me because the guy wearing it probably doesn't know anything about Hillary Clinton except the fact he doesn't like her. He probably can't even tell you why if you asked him.

So, I say, let's all vote for Hillary to get morons who wear shirts like that to leave the country!

:-) It might make the USA a better place to be!

Oh and one last thought, could we try something a little different this election year. Could we try to be civil to one another and make decisions on Candidates based on issues? United we stand, divided we fall and we have been divided for far too long.

Just a thought.

God Bless

Justice is Served...

I was having a conversation with someone who shall remain nameless about a proposal Congress either passed or wants to pass which would give law enforcement $100 million dollars to investigate and prosecute offenders who committed crimes against blacks in the fifties and sixties. You know the ones I mean, where a Ku Klux Klan member or members killed a black man because he looked at him funny or because he (the black man) was working to register voters.

Now, this person with whom I was speaking said that it was just wasting money. Most of the offenders are probably dead or just frail old men (case in point James Ford Seale) and why bother.

Well, speaking of Seale, he was just convicted of killing Charles Eddie Moore and Henry Hezekiah Dee back in 1964. Isn't that worth some money? Finally, after more than forty years, Moore's and Dee's families can feel that there is justice. The closure alone is worth the money.

Further, a lot of these men convicted have gone on to enjoy nice lives. Children, grandchildren and all that goes with being an elder member of a family. Their victims had no such lives. Why should we let murderers enjoy their remaining years? They didn't allow their victims any mercy.

Finally, there is no statue of limitations on murder. (Too bad there isn't on rape, but that's a different article.) Justice may be blind, but she's also patient.

God Bless

Immigration

We've heard a lot about immigration these days. It's on the front page of the paper, top story on the news and the Presidential candidates are all discussing it. President Bush is calling for his way to be passed -- it is stalled in the Senate.

Sometimes, I wonder just what a big deal this is. Why is it that we only worry about illegal immigrants once every twenty years or so? Why aren't we spending as much time on lowering our national debt as we pay lip service to immigration?

Lou Dobbs put this much better than I can regarding what to do about illegals, but basically, he said:

• Secure our borders -- say we're going to secure them and back it up with the money and manpower to do so.
• Make those who hire illegals pay for the crime. Add in stiffer penalities for those employers that hire illegals
• Enforce the existing immigration laws. We all ready have many laws in place, but no one actually enforces them.

I think Lou Dobbs is right on the money. This is a smart man and I wish he -- or someone very much like him -- would run for President.

But, that'll probably never happen. People talk about making tough choices all the time, but they usually think someone else should be making them.

God Bless

Sad Stories...

Yesterday, I was reading the Chicago Tribune and I came across an article called The Chronicles of Ben by David Royko. It is a heart wrenching story about a couple dealing with their son's severe autism. After reading this true story, it just makes one grateful for what they have and want to huge one's children.

The other sad story is from the front page of today's Chicago Tribune Online. It is a picture of Isaiah and Argenis Analco, the two twins that were among the six dead in that house in Delavan Wisconsin. Another sad story that makes you grateful for what you have.

I'm going to work now and hopefully there'll be better and happier stories when I get back home.

God Bless

Paris Hilton...

I was sick of Paris Hilton long before her troubles with the law. I can't stand hearing about this blond wouldn't be anybody if she didn't come from a rich family. Now, I'm really peeved that she has some made up "medical" reason that the Sheriff releases her -- without court permission -- to serve out her 45 days in house arrest.

Then, I heard that the judge ordered her back to jail where she belongs. My hat's off to that judge. It's about time someone takes a stand with this girl and makes her take her punishment as an adult. Except, she whined and cried the whole way back to jail.

Poor Baby.

God help her if the Hilton family ever loses their money and she has to work for a living like the rest of us.

Fred Thompson

I like Fred Thompson. I think the guy is a terrific actor. I can see why the very right wing of the Republican party is courting him -- enough for him to give up his job on Law & Order.

Here's what I've found out about where he stands on the issues:

• Abortion - He voted against abortion on three different occasions.
• Gay Rights - He voted against adding sexual orientation to the hate crimes bill and he is against gay marriage.
• Death Penalty - He's for it.
• Privatizing Social Security - For
• Gun Control - He voted on more than one occasion to eliminate background checks at gun shows.
• Voted for the war in Iraq.
  

Now, I like Fred Thompson. I think he'd be a great guy to sit and chew the fat with over ice tea on a hot summer day on the back porch, but I'm not so sure I want him to be the next president. Although, I think he's got a pretty good shot at winning.

First, the man's from Tennessee. He's a southern boy and southern voters like voting for one of their own. Second, he plays a very likable character on TV. A lot of people associate actors and actresses on-screen characters with their real life character. Heck, even I like the guy based on nothing more than his movie and TV parts. I've never seen him play a character I didn't like. I don't have much else to go on. Third, he's not a Washington insider, which has been a bonus for candidates lately. Finally (but only because I'm running out of time), he's a protestant, which is always good for business for a presidential candidate.

But, you should make up your own mine. Do the research and decide if you'll offer him your support.

God Bless

The Starter Wife...

I know I just posted a serious piece on home sale transfer fees, but then I put my computer aside and started reading this next week's TV Guide (the one with the Sopranos on the cover). I had my choice of three magazines that arrived at the house yesterday -- US News & World Report, Newsweek and TV Guide. Sometimes, a girl doesn't want to read serious news, so I picked up the guide.

Anyway, there's a spoiler in the magazine. I'm sure they didn't mean it. Maybe, they didn't realize that those of us with subscriptions would receive the issue BEFORE we saw the next episode.

So, as a public service announcement, DON'T READ THE JUNE 11TH ISSUE OF TV GUIDE UNTIL AFTER YOU WATCH THIS WEEK'S THE STARTER WIFE!

On other news, they put in 3 pages of Rosie/Elisabeth coverage. Oh, and what a joy that is to read. I didn't even bother reading the whole thing. I used to like Rosie O'Donnell. Really, I did and I still do to a point, but I agree with Elisabeth. She was calling Americans terrorists. Now, it should be stated that I agree with Rosie about 75% of the time -- maybe I don't agree on how she says it, but I agree. I disagree with Elisabeth about 98% of the time. I rarely think she knows what she's talking about. President Bush could announce a new bill that says parents should beat their first born and Elisabeth would blindly follow him. However, based on Rosie's statement, I agree with Elisabeth, she was calling Americans terrorists. I also agree that Elisabeth should in no way feel as if she needs to defend any remark made by Rosie and vice versa. I don't believe the hype that Rosie was fired. People who bring up the ratings by 10% do not get fired.

I only have a couple more things to add to this.

First, even I'm getting sick hearing about all of this and I don't think TV Guide needed 3 pages on a story they've covered and covered.

Second, as far as who should be the next co-host, well, I'd like to sign up for the job, but I don't think Barbara Walters will be calling me. So, here's my choice, Sherri Shepherd. She's funny, she's opinionated and she can hold her own. Next choice would be Whoopi Goldberg. But, since me and Barbara Walters aren't bffs, I don't think she's going to call me up and ask my opinion.

Third, the only reason I still watch the View in any capacity (and I've missed the last few weeks) is for Joy Behar. I just love her!

Finally, I'm done writing on this subject, unless Barbara Walters calls me up and asks my opinion. I think the rest of the world should be done with this subject, too.

God Bless

Home Sale Fee...

On my way to work, I'm listening to 95.7 and I hear this ad from the Wisconsin Homeowners Alliance. (I didn't even know there was such a group.) Apparently in the new budget, they want to raise the home sale transfer fee -- something else I didn't know existed.

Currently, the home sale transfer fee is 3%. That comes to 3.00 for every $1,000. Governor Doyle wants to double it to 6% or $6.00 for every $1,000.

What's the big deal?

First, only 7% of homes sell in Wisconsin every year (According to the JSOnline.) So, we're discussing something that only affects 7% of the people and I don't think the home sale transfer fee is stopping anyone from selling their home.

Second, the home sale transfer fee hasn't been raised since 1982. Raising it now, when the money will be used for things like police officers is not a bad thing.

Third, has anyone noticed that our state is in financial trouble? (Along with almost every other state in the union.) The Republicans (according to the JSOnline article) are against this. Really? They had control of both the senate and the assembly for years, I didn't see them come up with any great ideas to help fund the state. (But, they did bring us the anti-gay amendment and concealed carry, so let's all applaud their efforts.)

Finally, the average person is not going to even notice this. The homeowners alliance group's ad on the radio sounds like we're all doomed if this passes. But, in reality, on a home that sells for $95,000, the fee is only $570.00. Since the last time I checked my house was valued at $95,000, I don't think I'll even notice the $570.00 fee. We're not talking about a huge amount of money. I pay half of that every year in state taxes on the gas I buy.

I read one blog entry that liken this rise in a state fee to the same tax raise that caused the Boston Tea Party. Things were a lot different 200 years ago. We didn't need as many police officers and fire fighters. We didn't have teachers. (Women couldn't vote.) I don't like paying taxes anymore than the next guy, but I like knowing that underprivileged children have access to Badger Care. I like knowing that we don't have to cut state funding to police offices and fire fighters. If that means I have to pay a little more when I sell my home, well that's just the way it goes.

God Bless

Movies...

Last weekend, Cheryl and I enjoyed a very rare weekend with nothing to do. So, we spent most of Sunday watching old movies. One of the old movies we watched with "Stage Door" with Ginger Rogers, Katharine Hepburn, Eve Arden and Lucille Ball. It's a movie I've seen a couple of times and I enjoy it each and every time.

The fast paced speech and one line wisecracks makes one wonder why they don't make movies like this anymore. Why is it that most of the movies advertised have buildings blowing up or families in torment? What happened to good writing?

I think good writing has gone the way of special effects -- meaning that they (the movie makers) are spending so much money on special effects, they don't have any left for character development and writing.

And, that's just a shame.

God Bless

The Upcoming Election Year...

Unless you've been living under a rock, you know that next year is a Presidential election year. It's all over the news.

I'd like to try something different this election. Let's not pick a front runner until all the facts are in. Let's not let the media pick the two people we should like.

Also, let's agree on some basic items with which our next President has to deal. Here is my top three list and I have more, but I'll save them for later.

1. The War in Iraq. Anyone who thinks we'll be out of Iraq by the end of 2008 is fooling themselves. We can't leave this country until it has a stable environment. That means more troops and more money spent. (and, yes, unfortunately, more lives lost). We've started something that we just can't leave. Not winning in Iraq means more terrorists, not less. This isn't like Vietnam. The Vietnamese weren't going to get on boats and planes and attack us. Terrorists trained in Iraq eventually will. Should we have started the war? No, but now that we have, we can't just take our football home and not play anymore because it's too hard to finish the game.
2. Health care. 45 million Americans do not have any form of health care. I'm not necessarily advocating a national health care plan, but let's find ways to reduce costs, while not reducing coverage. The company for whom I work is touting their new health care program for 2008. Smaller premiums, but they are encouraging each employee to put money into a tax free savings account -- that translates to less is going to be covered. We shouldn't have to lose coverage for lower premiums. Also, I'm tired of these rich companies complaining about health care, like it's some great sacrifice to cover their employees. These same companies pay their CEOs so much money that if they got themselves a cheaper CEO, they could put that money into health care for their employees. (You know, the ones doing the work.) We need to offer better tax breaks on the employers' portion of the premiums, maybe even credits (which is better than a deduction).
3. Dependence on Foreign Oil. Enough is enough. We need, since our car companies can't seem to do it on their own, to mandate higher MPG on our cars. If we have to subsidize some of this, take the money back from the oil companies to do it. We need more research into other alternative fuels -- including electric cars. GM (correct me if I'm wrong about the company) had one, but they concluded that it was too expensive to mass produce and there wouldn't be a large enough buying public. Are they kidding?!? I would've purchased the car. Also, let's do real tax credits for buying electric or hybrid cars. Not this only the first so many buyers need apply and that it had to be by a certain date. Further, let's encourage companies that provide company cars to purchase hybrids/electrics -- give them a tax credit for doing so.

There are many other items we can agree upon, but these are a fairly good start. Let's find the candidates that come up with the best solutions to these issues. Let's not care about political parties. And, above all, let's not let the extreme right wing Christians hijack our country for another four years.

God Bless

Top of My Head Thoughts...

Just a random bit of thoughts...

First, I had dinner last night with a friend of mine, Daisy. Really sweet lady and, as usual, we have a wonderful time. We ate at this little place on sixth street, the something I can't remember bistro. (It's where What About Me used to be). I highly recommend the place. Order a High Society -- I just taught the bartender how to make them.

Next, what is up with gas prices? Seriously, why is it that the oil companies are the only company on earth that makes huge profits when they have a shortage? I understand all that supply and demand stuff, but it stands to reason that if you only have so much to sell, even with raised prices, you shouldn't be making billions in profit. Further, I looked it up -- gas prices have risen a dollar since the end of Feb. That's just ridiculous, especially since, last time I looked, the price for a barrel of oil has gone down.

And, why hasn't there been a new refinery built in this country in the last 30 years? That could help them out.

We have a serious issue in Iraq right now, but both sides are completely wrong. We don't need to announce a withdrawal date. I'm sorry, but it just plays into the hands of our enemies over there. On the other hand, when will the administration start listening to the military instead of micromanaging the war? And, here's something to keep in mind... During WWII, we lost approx. 1 out of every 15 soldiers. In Vietnam, it was 1 out of every 1500. Now, it's 1 out of every 15000. That isn't a great comfort to those families who have lost someone (and my heart goes out to them), but we aren't losing as many soldiers as people think...

What we are doing is not taking care of the survivors. Let's stop fighting in Congress and realize what's truly important -- that our VA's are properly staffed and funded to take care of American's wounded heroes. It is disgusting that we do not take better care of our Veterans. I don't want to hear about who's at fault, because we all are, let's just join together and fix it.

On a lighter note, I heard that someone wants to build a waterpark in Racine. Well, let's have at it! What a terrific idea! A nice place for some much needed family fun! Let Kenosha have it's Casino, let's build a waterpark!

God Bless!

Who's in charge?

Sorry I haven't been around lately, I've taken a new job and it's kept me a lot busier than my last job. Anyway, moving on...

This weekend I read an article in the Racine Journal Times about Joe Christensen, a sixth grade social studies teacher at Jerstad-Agerholm Middle School. Apparently, for the last four years (and with permission from the School Board), he has been showing the mini-series, "Roots", to his students. The idea being that then the students trace their own roots afterward. Further, before showing the mini-series, Mr. Christensen requests parental permission. Four years ago, he requested and received permission from the School Board as well to show the film.

But, now, the bullheaded School Board is saying that Mr. Christensen was suppose to request permission every year from the Board to show "Roots". And, they won't let him.

The project seems like a great idea to me.

The sixth grade curriculum is suppose to be geography. I can see how tracing your family's roots can tie in, even if the Racine School Board cannot. For example, my mother's grandfather came to this country from County Cork Ireland in the mid 1800's and settled in New York and eventually Chicago. All places I can find on a map. My father's great-grandfather, Henry, came to this country in the 1840's with three of his brothers. The men settled in Missouri and southern Illinois. Again, places I can find on a map.

Learning your family's history in this day and age of divorces can give a child a sense of pride and belonging. Having an innovative teacher make it an assignment gives a kid a reason to enjoy school. It makes learning more than just rote memorization.

But the Racine School Board is full of people who just don't get it. Just see the articles in the Racine Journal Times about the rules they want to pass to limit dissent and take discussions private.

But, getting back to Mr. Christensen, parents came to the recent School Board meeting and supported him. But, our School Board is going to ignore the people who pay their salaries and stand by their ruling.

So, I say, let's recall them, every last one of them. They -- as a collective group -- have proven in recent months that they don't care what taxpayers and parents want. They want to take meetings private. They don't want us to know what goes on in meetings. They don't want dissent among the members of the board. They don't want to listen to the parents about what they support.

So, here I am, in public declaring my dissent. Let's recall them and put in people who have some common sense.

God Bless

Ann Coulter - Redux... And other thoughts

So, I'm watching Bill Maher's HBO show (Real Time with Bill Maher), which I rarely watch, but it happened to be on while I was awake. He began a discussion regarding Ann Coulter calling John Edwards a faggot. He wanted to know why she would do that.

David Kuo (author of Tempting Faith) said in answer, "He talks about the poor. And for Republicans, Ann Coulter said it, he's weak. The idea of caring about the poor, taking care of the poor and talking about these issues is weak."

How can taking care of the poor mean that you are weak?

Jesus spoke of the poor more than anything else. Would the right wing call Him weak? Does the right wing really think that?

And -- I'm not blaming the right for this entirely -- when did the world get so mean? No one wants to do nice things for other people anymore. Maybe, I'm just in a bad mood tonight, but it seems to me that the world is getting meaner.

On the same program, Maher had as one of his guests, Deepak Chopra. Chopra mentioned that he had lectured in the Soviet Union during the cold war. Maher said, "A lot of money, I bet." Chopra countered with "Oh, yes, of course." Maher said, "You're a spiritual leader, but you like lolly." Again, Chopra came back with a good line, "I'm a prophet, spelled P R O F I T." At least he's honest.

Finally, Dennis Troha. I don't have anything to say about him, but my blogs seem to get more comments and notice if I just mention his name.

God Bless

Ann Coulter

You all know that I can't stand Ann Coulter, so any time the woman opens her mouth, I change the channel. I skip her columns in papers. I try to avoid hearing, seeing or thinking about Ann Coulter...

But, she referred to John Edwards as a "Faggot". And, my email box is full of emails telling me she's said this! Great, so I can't avoid her.

Anyway, "The Mountain Press in Sevierville, Tennessee, The Oakland Press in Michigan and the Lancaster New Era in Pennsylvania said they would stop running Coulter's syndicated column because of the comment she made last week."

Can't say I blame them. Plus, these aren't the most liberal areas of the country as far as I know to drop a conservative, she must've really pissed someone off.

Good for them.

God Bless

57 Chevy vs 07 Impala

So, I'm reading the AARP Bulletin this morning and on the last page there is a comparison between the 57 Chevy and the 07 Impala. The Impala offers the standard features (air conditioning, power steering) that were considered optional on the 57 Chevy (although, that plush pile carpeting sounds pretty good). Anyway, the MPG on a 57 Chevy V-8 was 14. Pretty impressive for 50 years ago. The Impala is only 18MPG on the V-8 model.

How could we only gain 4MPG in 50 years? Shouldn't our technology alone account for more that 4MPG? I would think so.

Admittedly, all I know about cars is how to check the oil and add gas. I'm not a car buff. I'm driving a car that's 7 years old, so I don't have the latest and greatest model. But, I still find it hard to believe that we can only gain 4MPG in 50 years. Maybe that's why the top three car manufacturers in 1957 were Ford, GM and Chrysler and now they're Toyota, GM and Ford.

God Bless

Casinos

Once and for all, here's how I feel about a casino being built in Kenosha.

I don't think it should be built. Period.

Yes, I think there are too many casinos all ready in this state and everywhere. I don't think a casino constitutes family fun just because it has a hotel with a swimming pool and an arcade. Kids don't belong in and around a casino anymore than I think they should be around alcohol. (Yeah, I'm one of those who think you shouldn't drink around your kids.)

Gambling is a vice. I've been known to pull a few handles on slot machines and pick up a lottery ticket now and then, but really, I don't want a casino in Kenosha. Why not a nice indoor waterpark? It might bring in less tax money, but no one is going to lose their rent money there.

I have the right to my opinion. This is my blog and my website and I'm not crazy for thinking that a place that promotes a vice -- and gambling is a vice -- isn't what should get built in place of the dog track.

So, I don't really care if you think I'm being ridiculous, I don't support the idea of yet another casino in this state. And, I'm sorry there are people in this state that think promoting a vice is a good way to raise tax dollars.

God Bless

Wildfire...

Last night, Cheryl and I decided to use some gift certificates we had been given and we went to a restaurant called Wildfire. Man, it was fantastic! You have got to try this restaurant. It's a 1940's supper club -- complete with room names and home made mashed potatoes.

I had Filet Medallions Oscar with the Baked French Onion Soup (Cheryl and I split the soup), brocholli and mashed potatoes. It was awesome. Cheryl had the Filet Migon Wellington. She let me have a taste. The steak melts in your mouth it was so good.

For dessert, we followed up with New York cheesecake which -- no lie -- brought tears to my eyes. It tasted just like my late grandmother's recipe.

The whole meal -- less than $100.00.

You should give it a try.

God Bless

Dennis Troha...

I know I'm probably a little late with this news, but I've been a little busy. Anyway, pretty interesting that Dennis Troha pulled out of the Kenosha casino project less than a week before he was indicted on charges of fraud and making a false statement to the FBI.

That's all I've got to say.

Except, it sounds like I might've been right about him.

God Bless

Jury Duty -- Here I come!

As strange as this is going to sound, I am thrilled about being called for Jury Duty. Since I was a kid, I wanted to sit on a jury. I wanted to weigh in the facts and decide whether the person was guilty or innocent. I wanted to see a trial from start to finish.

You can't imagine how thrilled I am that I've finally received my letter from the Clerk of Circuit Court. This is so cool.

Everyone else around me thinks that I'm nuts (except my sister-in-law, Robyn), but I couldn't be more thrilled.

I hope I get picked.

God Bless

Guest Blog Post: Patriotism Requires Economic Nationalism

If you consider yourself a patriot are not concerned about the ballooning trade deficit, the huge national debt and the loss of 3 million manufacturing jobs since the current Bush first occupied the White House, you are lying to yourself. If you are a political figure, you are likely lying to the American public, as well.

Economic globalization is certainly not inevitable. The inevitability of uncontrolled globalization is deliberate disinformation promoted by the largest international corporations and their academic, media and political lackeys. Economic globalization is the result of deliberate public policy changes by our government and other governments. The policy changes have been pushed by large international corporations seeking to maximize their profits regardless of the cost to the American economy or the American people.

Our very way of life is being undermined by government policies that fail to rein in the unchecked greed of large international corporations. Every American patriot must demand a reversal of American government policies and attitudes toward a people-oriented, economic nationalism instead of government-sponsored international corporatism.

International trade is often a very good thing. However, it should be a managed process that is regulated by the citizens of the nations involved in the form of their governments. Defense and foreign policy considerations should be given significant weight in the establishment of international trade policies. Trade was very helpful during the Cold War with our former international rival, the late Soviet Union.

Trade should not be organized by trade agreements that damage our manufacturing base because our military strength depends on manufacturing. International trade should not lower the living standards of American workers. Our worker safety regulations, wage levels, environmental regulations and product safety requirements should all be enhanced instead of undetermined by our trade agreements. Trade should not create more government debt for our nation. International trade should produce large amounts of government revenue in the form of much higher tariffs. We need more economic nationalism.

It is the patriotic duty of every citizen to demand government policies that serve our citizens and nation instead of the large international corporations. As we move into the 2008 elections, Americans should only support candidates who vote in the economic interests of America.

Citizens should support universal national healthcare because American companies cannot afford to supply healthcare to their workers and compete with foreign businesses. All other major trading nations have governments who provide healthcare to their workers instead of saddling their businesses with this additional costs. American businesses are at a severe disadvantage.

Americans should demand repeal or renegotiation of all current, falsely-named, “free trade” agreements. Presidential “fast-tracking” of these agreements should be ended immediately.

The salaries of top corporate executives should be limited by federal law. It should be illegal to increase executive compensation in corporations that are moving jobs outside our borders. Corporate executives should not be awarded for being bad citizens.

Corporations who move good jobs abroad to cut the pay of workers or to avoid environmental laws should be punished by finding their access to the American market severely restricted. They should pay much larger taxes. Their ability to send money abroad should be restricted.

Our federal government should mandate that colleges and universities teach mandatory courses in Economic Patriotism to all students in business or economics programs. Courses should be offered in all high schools. We need to educate our citizenry on these issues because of their importance to America’s future.

We should strengthen our labor unions to check the political power of large corporations. We should pass the Employee Free Choice Act. We should repeal the restraints on unions passed during the Truman Administration by a Republican Congress over the veto of President Truman.

We need much strong campaign finance laws that will more effectively stop corporations from buying the loyalties of our political leaders. We should only approved federal judges who will protect our economy. If we need Constitutional Amendments to limit corporate power, we should pass them.

America cannot afford 800 billion dollar annual trade deficits if we are remain a real world power. We should not be borrowing from Communist China and Japan to fund our government debt. Our domestic economy remains strong thanks to our small businesses while the large international corporations are working against our national interests.

We need to put real teeth in anti-monopoly laws. Media concentration should be stopped and reversed. Our citizens should not be feed only information controlled by the largest international corporations. We need to break-up the media monopolies, return to the Fairness Doctrine and Equal Time Protection in broadcasting and encourage local media ownership.

Patriotism includes an economic element. The leadership of Wall Street needs to demonstrate in both word and action they are patriotic. The Supreme Court in the 19th Century gave corporations many citizenship rights. These corporations should be required that they are loyal citizens instead of traitors to America’s future.

~~Written by Stephen Crockett

The opinions expressed in this guest blog are not necessarily the opinions of the main author of Top of My Head.

Bush's Energy Plan...

George W. Bush wants Congress to back his energy plan. He wants to cut "gasoline consumption by up to 20 percent over 10 years."* That's a nice start, but how is that going to happen when he opposes setting higher fuel-economy standards?

What he does what to do is require the use of ethanol to the tune of 35 billion gallons a year by 2017. This might not be as the politicians proclaim it to be.

First, while "ethanol industry profited handsomely last year, it continued to benefit from billions of dollars in taxpayer subsidies."** So, basically, we're going to subsidize an industry that's already making money on its own. Is that like the tax breaks we give the oil companies?

Second, ethanol -- as of now -- is made from corn. Have you noticed our rising corn prices? If we rely on ethanol, will it get worse?

Finally, ethanol doesn't make it any cleaner for the environment. Are we not going to lower emissions?

Another reason I'm against Bush's energy plan is that he wants Congress to give his administration the power to set the standards. Is he for real? Hasn't Congress given him way too much power in this nation as it is?

We need to come up with a solution to our current energy crisis, but I don't think Bush's plan is the answer.

God Bless






* -- http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/02/10/Bush.radio.ap/index.html
**-- http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/070204/12ethanol.htm

Save NPR and PBS...

From MoveOn.org:

President Bush just proposed drastic cuts to NPR and PBS. We've stopped similar cuts in the past, but enough is enough: With the new Congress, we can make sure this never happens again.

We need Congress to save NPR and PBS once and for all.

Can you help out by signing this petition to Congress? It's really easy-just click the link below:

http://civic.moveon.org/publicbroadcasting/?referring_id=-1574355-rmyNnMSsZNC3qRZTwXFx.g

Thanks!

I support NPR and PBS.  We need them.  Add in the fact that this country wastes billions of dollars a year on tax breaks for the rich and oil companies.  We can certainly come up with enough money to support Big Bird and friends!

God Bless

Microsoft Vista

I don't have Vista, but my dad just purchased a pc with it. He's having issues, so I went to Amazon and looked up what Vista books are available. Here are a few of them.

Protecting of Citizens Goes Too Far...

The last time I checked, I lived in the United States of America.  THE country on the planet that stands for individual freedoms.  THE country that stands for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Right? 

So, why is New York considering a ban on street crossing while talking on a cell phone or listening to an ipod.  (See CNN article)  Are they serious?

Look, what happened to survival of the fittest?  Now, it should be survival of the smartest.  If you can't cross the street in a safe manner while listening to music or yakking on a cell phone -- who cares if you get run down by a car.  Hey, that's just too damn bad.  And, controlling that with a $100.00 fine is ridiculous.

We're horrible in this country when it comes to stupid laws to protect the dumb ones.  If you're too dumb to put on your seatbelt, we have a law telling you to do so.  When will it end?

Maybe, if some of these not able to multitaskers get run down, we could eliminate some really stupid bloodlines!

What a waste of taxpayer dollars!  I'm glad MY tax money doesn't go to New York to be wasted like that.  We do enough wasting here!

God Bless

Harry Potter Link didn't work...

Breakdown...

So on Friday, I'm driving home from work, singing to my radio and I hear a pop -- like the opening of a soda can, but louder. Then, the engine just stops. Boom, done, just like that!

Luckily, I have roadside rescue on my Sprint phone and I call for a tow truck. It's cold, very, very cold. Gonna be an hour wait, no big deal. I bundle up, take out my DS and start playing to keep my mind off the cold.

Pretty soon, maybe 10 minutes later, here comes a Milwaukee Sheriff. You okay? he asks. Yeah, fine, got a tow truck coming. Not a problem. He suggests I put it in neutral and he'll push me closer to the side of the road. I do this, he pushes. Then, he checks again. You sure you're okay? Yep, I'm fine. I'm toasty and it's all good. He tells me he'll check on me later to make sure I'm still okay.

Well, a forty-five minutes later, I'm now freezing. I can't get a hold of anyone on the phone -- Cheryl's not answering, our friends aren't answering -- and still no tow truck. Here comes another couple of Sheriff deputies. You okay? No, I'm freezing. Come wait in the squad, which I do. Very nice police officers -- all three of them.

Naturally, the tow truck shows up ten minutes later. Thanks for keeping me warm. I greet the driver. Driver takes me and Susie (my car) to shop, which is closed until Monday and we drop off Susie. I slip the key into the shops mail slot and driver takes me home.

Still no Cheryl.

Anyway, Cheryl comes home about an hour after I get there. Sorry, I'm late and where's your car?

Here's the moral of the story: You have a cell phone for emergencies, check it once in a while. :-)

Anyway, now, shop's called, Susie needs a new engine. And, it's going to cost around $2300 and we don't have it. So, if you're planning on ordering any books from Amazon, please do me a favor and order from here. This puts a couple of pennies in my pocket and maybe, I can earn enough to pay for the engine.

If you're planning on pre-ordering the new Harry Potter, please do that here as well. I get a couple of bucks and you were pre-ordering anyway.


Man, I've got to find a job closer to home than the north side of Milwaukee!

God Bless!

Some people have no sense of humor...

Please read this story on CNN for more information.

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah.  We're all in a heighten state of awareness and security since 9/11.  I get that.  I understand that seeing strange objects in strange places puts people on edge.

But, in the words of John Stossel -- Give me a Break!

Here's the skinny:

Two guys put up little electronic boards that flipped you the bird to advertise "ate-night Adult Swim cartoon 'Aqua Teen Hunger Force.'" (quote from CNN)  There's nothing threatening looking about these things, although I can see how people would be upset.  Also, nothing makes these things look like a bomb.  Trust me, if the terrorist are going to blow up underpasses, you probably wouldn't see the bomb first.

Anyway, some people "panicked" and now the men who put the signs up all over Boston (not NY, where I could understand them going a little overboard with the panic) are in trouble for causing a panic.

Even the judge said you have to have the intent to cause a panic to be charged with starting one.

Come on, let's lighten up.  I'm tired of having to be scared all the time.

We've had two foreign attacks in fifty years.  I think that makes us a pretty safe nation.]

Take a deep breath and chill a little.

God Bless

Cops and the morning commute...

We have a lot of nice police officers in this state.  Believe me when I say, I wouldn't want to be out in the cold directing traffic at an accident scene or having to risk my life to break up a domestic dispute.

But this morning, a nice state trooper pulls on the highway from the side of the road.  I'm sure he had been stopped to write a ticket or something, but he had no lights on and there was no reason for any of the rest of us drivers to think he (or she, as I didn't see the officer's face) was gunning to pull someone else over.  We were in a 65MPH zone.

So, someone please explain to me why oh why we have to slow down to 55 MPH in a 65 zone because a cop is on the highway?  Not only does it slow all of us down and cause backups, but it just peeves me to no end.

The police officer is NOT going to pull you over because you did 66MPH, so quit hitting the brakes when you see one and just drive the damn car.  Or, pull over and get out of my way, because I want to do the speed limit.

I'm so glad this officer decided to get off the highway a few miles later.  It meant I could do the speed limit again!

God Bless

Global Warming...

A couple of years ago, I took a science class where we had to write a paper about Global Warming.  Specifically, the paper had to address the question whether or not global warming is caused by man.

I found a page on the Internet that included an experiment to measure how CO2 trapped heat in the air. It involved a gallon glass jar, heat lamp, Alka-Seltzer and foil. There is a major flaw in the experiment in the fact that the amount of Alka-Seltzer used stimulates 700 PPM of CO2 in the air and the Earth's atmosphere actually contains less than 400. Most scientists agree that the rise of CO2 in the air is caused by mankind's influence.

I broke the Experiment down into 3 parts. One testing no CO2, one testing ½ of the original experiments CO2 (stimulating the natural CO2 in the Earth's atmosphere) and the original 700PPM CO2, representing man's additional CO2. In order to recreate the rise in CO2 for this experiment, I first set the standards without any CO2 in the "atmosphere" of the gallon jar, by heating the jar with the heat lamp. It took 4 minutes for the air temperature in the jar to go from 70° F to 85° F.

Once the temperature reached 85° F, I turned off the heat lamp and recorded the progress of the gallon jar returning to 70° F. (See Figure 6.) It took 25 minutes for the Jar's temperature to drop back to 70° F.

Next, to stimulate the amount of CO2 in the air in the year 1000, I dropped ½ of the amount of Alka-Seltzer recommended on the web page to stimulate ½ of the 700PPM of CO2 for which the experiment called (0.00415gm, which admittedly I estimated, as even my balance scale would not measure it properly) . It took 3 minutes for the air in the jar to heat up to 85° F.

Then, I turned off the heat lamp and waited for the temperature to drop. At first, it appeared that the temperature was dropping even faster than it had with no CO2. It dropped three degrees in just three minutes. It took more than 34 minutes for the temperature in the glass jar to drop back down to 70° F. As a matter of fact, I ran out of room on my chart. Good thing I was keeping track on two different pieces of paper.

For the final piece of the experiment , I stimulated an atmosphere of 700PPM. It only took two minutes for the air to rise to 85°. I was pretty impressed. It took me longer than that to write down my findings then it did for the jar to heat up to 85° F.

Then, I turned off the heat lamp and waited. And waited and waited. The air seemed like it was taking forever to cool down. Actually, the initial cool down period of 3 minutes saw a drop in temperature of 3 degrees. After that the drop went about one degree for every two minutes, until the 9th minute. Then, the temperature dropped only one degree for every five minutes and steadily hit this mark until reaching the final cooling point of 70° F at 54 minutes.

So, what's my point?

This is my point.  Apparently, Global Warming exists -- man made and earth made.  So, why is it that when I hear newscasts there's always someone out there that debates this?  Or, ignores it?  Or, just brushes it off?

I don't have the answer to Global Warming, but it seems to me that we need to lower the amount of CO2 we put in the air.  Saving the environment is a pile of crap and we all know it.  Mankind can't save the earth, but we can make the earth inhabitable for all of us.  If we don't stop our pollution, the earth will -- in the worlds of Carlin -- "Shake us off like a bad case of the fleas."

God Bless

Jennifer Hudson, just sounds like an Oscar Winner...

As you probably know, I don't watch American Idol. I didn't even know who Jennifer Hudson was until I saw a layout about Dreamgirls in Entertainment Weekly.

But, as I was reading an article about the SAG Awards winners (Jennifer Hudson won one), I was thinking, "And the Oscar goes to Jennifer Hudson" has a nice ring to it. Oh, sure, she's up against Cate Blanchett, who has more experience than she does. I still think she's deserving.

Although, I would like to see Abigail Breslin win because I believe it would make her the youngest Oscar winner.

And, really, in the scheme of my life, it won't make a difference on who wins, I just think "And the Oscar goes to Jennifer Hudson" has a nice ring to it.

God Bless

Dick Cheney & Wolf Blitzer

I'm probably a day late and a dollar short on this post, but I think Wolf was out of line.

If you don't know, Dick Cheney's lesbian daughter, Mary, is expecting a child. James Dobson's Focus on ourselves and look what good "Christians" we think we are made the following statement:

"Mary Cheney's pregnancy raises the question of what's best for children. Just because it's possible to conceive a child outside of the relationship of a married mother and father doesn't mean it's the best for the child."

First, I'd like to say it's none of their freaking business and that whole group should just fall back into the hole from which they came.

Second, while I believe the group has a right to say whatever they want to say, I don't believe we should all have to listen to it.

Finally, the statement was made in December, which brings me to Cheney and Blitzer. Blitzer reads the quote and then expects Cheney to comment on it. I feel that it was unfair and I believe that Cheney was right was telling Blitzer that he was out of line. I think Dobson's hate group is out of line for commenting on the Vice President's daughter. If you want to make a statement against gays, fine, make it, but leave Mary Cheney and her pregnancy out of it.

God Bless

Little Miss Sunshine

Last night, we onDemanded "Little Miss Sunshine". I really enjoyed the movie and encourage everyone reading this to watch this quirky flick. Truthfully, I don't like Steve Carrell (am I spelling that right?), but he was really good in this role. Much different from any other role I've seen him in. Alan Arkin was wonderful.

I just have one question (and if you haven't seen the movie -- Don't read any farther, I don't want to spoil it for you)

What's the deal with dressing our little girls up sexy and putting them in beauty contests? Why can't we let them be little girls?

Is it me?

God Bless

Speciality Plates

According to an editorial by Eric Zorn, Illinois is in trouble over their speciality plates.   We've all seen them on cars and personally, I don't see the point.  I have plenty of bumper space to use to show off my viewpoints, so why bother with a speciality plate that just costs more money.

The reason Illinois is in trouble is because the state turned down an anti-abortion group from having a "Choose Life" slogan on the plates.  Totally wrong and a judge agreed.  You can't open the plates for only certain groups. 

I agree with Mr. Zorn, these plates have to go and not just in Illinois.  Let's get rid of them here too.  Let's start with those Packer plates (where the extra money goes to fund the statium -- like they don't have enough money to do it themselves) and continue on until their all gone.

That's what I think.

God Bless

PETA has been killing animals...

I've never been a big supporter of PETA.  They always seemed, at least to me, more interested in PR than in animals.  Now, in North Carolina, two of PETA's employees have been disposing of animals behind a supermarket.

Apparently, PETA may care about the ethical treatment of animals, but they weren't interested in finding good homes for them.  According to an article on Court TV, "The Virginian-Pilot reported that the group euthanized more than 6,000 animals between 2001 and 2003, about 83 percent of those it collected."

Just how is that an ethical treatment of animals?

I know that a lot of homeless pets cannot find good homes.  I realize that a lot of them end up in shelters on death row because they're not wanted.  What I didn't expect to hear is that PETA has euthanized 83% of the animals they collected under the guise of finding them homes.

And, that's just wrong.

In hindsight, I'm glad that I've never given one penny to PETA. 

God Bless

Art Buchwald Dies...

I'm bummed.  Art Buchwald died yesterday.  He was 81 and actually lived a lot longer than he should've since he stopped his dialysis treatment in Feb, 2006.  Still, I wish he was still around.  No one wrote a better column.

God speed, Mr. Buchwald.

God Bless the rest of us.

Now, this scares me...

I love my country, but I fear my government.

No saying is more true today than that one.   There is a provision in the poorly named Patriot Act that allows the United States Attorney General to appoint Federal Prosecutors without Senate confirmation.

According to a CNN article (see article here), the Bush administration is forcing prosecutors out so that they can replace them with Republican allies.  Now, the article only offers speculation and no substantive proof, but it still worries me.

Eleven Federal Prosecutors have resigned since the Patriot Act went into effect.  That means 11 people have left their jobs and been replaced -- probably quietly -- by Alberto Gonzales.  Now, I can't imagine him appointing people as political favors or appointing people who really aren't qualified for the job, but shouldn't Federal Prosecutors have to go through the confirmation process?  Why would Congress leave themselves out of this process?

This gives the Attorney General the power to choose his own buddies as prosecutors.  Can this be a good thing?  Gonzales claims that the Administration has no pull or say in this matter, but we all know that the Bush administration doesn't keep it's nose out of any business -- they're reading our mail for Pete's sake!

God Help us all if the Patriot Act doesn't get repealed soon!

God Bless

John McCain

While I understand the need to reach out to conservative religious leaders, I will not be supporting John McCain in his bid to become President in 2008. I like John McCain, but when will the Republican Party stop bowing to the extreme right wing that listens to people like James Dobson?

We do not need a Constitutional Amendment banning gay marriage in this country. Gay marriage won't hurt anybody's marriage. And, we don't need these extreme so-called religious people having such a large say in our political campaigns. Now, I'm not sure, but isn't Dobson's so-called family group considered non-profit? (I could be wrong here) If it is, shouldn't they lose their status once it becomes clear that they are butting in on the political sphere? I think so.

I have to say, that I like John McCain, but I'm very disappointed in him. He should try reaching out to the disenfranchised conservatives who want smaller government, less taxes and more fiscal responsibility than reach out to the extreme who preach hate.

God Bless

In the Womb

This weekend, while we were up visiting da boys, we watched a special called "In the Womb: Multiples". It was on the National Geographical Channel and I'm sure they'll repeat it if you missed it, but it was fascinating. Behaviors that multiples show in the womb can be seen in the multiples once they're out of the womb. The special included the new 4D ultrasound, plus CGI pictures of inside the womb.

Also, this weekend, I let Alex play with my camera and here are a couple pictures he took of his brother.




Not the best pictures ever taken of Danny, but not a bad job. One of these days, I'm going to take a picture of Alex taking a picture.

Here's one I took of Alex, Dustin and Kim. I thought it was cute the way Alex was watching Dustin play on the DS and then both boys looked right up at the same time. Cute.





I had more to say, off the top of my head, but it's late and I'm tired.

God Bless

Lewis Black

I love Lewis Black. I think he's one of the smartest and funniest comedians out there. Comedy Central is holding a contest for the funniest stand up comedian -- Mr. Black is 8th down on the page.

If you like him as much as I do, take a little time to vote for him.




Have a great weekend!

God Bless

The Apprentice

I wasn't planning on watching the Apprentice even before Donald Trump called Rosie fat.  I didn't care for the show the one and only time I watched it late in its first season.  If you've been reading this blog for long, you probably have a good idea that I'm not really into reality shows.

Then, on Friday, I saw an article about the Apprentice and there in gleaming color were this season's contestants -- in their bathing suits.  Woman in bikini's, the one guy I saw in the picture (it wasn't a group shot) in a long tight short suit.

Why do you have to expose your body in order to obtain a position working for Donald Trump?  (Obviously, because sex sells.)

But, hasn't this show gone too far?  Shouldn't this show set itself apart from the sexfilled, dummying down of America, because this is a season long job interview?  Shouldn't some decorum be used?  Afterall, I don't think I'd hold down my job for too long if I showed up in a bikini or even shorts, for that matter.

The idea of the Apprendice was promising when it began.  Pit contestants against each other in business related contests which should lead, hopefully, to the employee with the best abilities.  Now, it's just, well, I'm not sure what to call it, but I for one won't be watching it.

God Bless

White House Visitor Logs -- Can't see them!

Well, excuse me, but if the President thinks it is okay to spy on American citizens by tapping their phones and reading their mail, why can't I -- as a citizen view the Visitor log for the White House (read story here).  How can this be possible?

And, since when are Presidential records off limits?  Didn't see to be that way during Clinton -- when the court ordered him to give up some documents.

And, those records really belong to the secret service -- NOT THE PRESIDENT.

Now, I want him impeached.  This is bullshit.  I want to know just who visited the White House, who did they see and anything else I can find out.  I PAY THAT MAN'S SALARY and just like my employer has the RIGHT to view a list of visitors visiting me, I as the EMPLOYER (as we all are) should have the right to know who is visiting the PRESIDENT, VICE PRESIDENT and ANYONE ELSE WHO'S SALARIES COME FROM OUT TAXES.

If you think I'm mad -- you're right.

God Bless.

Get Your Poll Widget

Writer's Cafe

I found this site that showcases writer's work.  I just wanted to pass it on to my readers.  Check it out.  If you write, you should join.  Below are links to three of my latest stories...

Read My Writing at WritersCafe.org
Read My Writing..

Hello, it's the Government, we're reading your mail...

When I was a kid, my father had a rule that no one in the house was allowed to open anyone else's mail.  I couldn't open his and my mom's and they couldn't open mine and my brothers'.  Dad always said that opening another person's mail was a federal offense.  I don't think he made that big of a deal out of it, but enough of a big deal that it stuck with me.

Now, the President of the United States (see article here) has decided that yes, Virginia, there is a spy reading your mail.

And, that's just wrong.

Period.

Somehow, President Bush seems to think that he is a King and can order just any damn thing he wants.  If the line item veto was considered unconstitutional, just how are Bush's signing statements legal?

He is circumventing the justice system and is spitting on the very consitution thousands of Americans have died to protect.

And, this is okay?

We're not at war -- only Congress can declare a war and they haven't.  So, why is Bush allowed to do these things?

Our founding fathers put together three branches of government to make sure that there were checks and balances.  However; we've lost our way in this country and we're letting the King get his way.

We need to put a stop to Bush's power grab now -- not later -- before unrepairable damage is done to our rights.

Finally, if you disagree, stop and think a moment -- would you want a democrat president reading your mail?

God Bless

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The NFL

Let me start this by saying that I've paid minimal attention to football in the last ten years.  I don't Monday morning quarterback and frankly, I could care...

Except this weekend, my dad informed me that the new NFL network means that some people cannot see the games.  Apparently, the NFL wants to force the cable companies to carry their network.  That got me thinking, why.  I mean, I understand the money aspect, but the NFL makes a lot of money without having a network. 

Plus, what is my cable company going to drop -- or charge me -- for a channel I don't want?

So, at least in my house, NO MORE FOOTBALL.  No games, no talk, no holding up dinner because a game is still on.  We won't be watching the Super Bowl (yes, even it the Bears make it).

Care to join me?

God Bless

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They Really Did It...

Holy cow!  They really hanged Saddam Hussein!  I can't believe it. I'm sure he couldn't believe it either.  I did not think that we would really hang someone or allow someone to be hanged.  Plus, although I didn't see the entire video, CNN has a nice shot of Hussein in his noose.

Are we really that barbaric? 

I guess so.

But, here's what I want to know...

We start a war with Iraq.  We have Iraq's ex-leader hanged for a crime committed 24 years ago.  And, Bin Laden -- who is related to the Saudi royal family and who killed over 3,000 Americans -- is still running free.

We can kill all the Middle East leaders we want, but until we actually capture someone who has directly harmed America, I don't care.

God Bless

Donald Trump

Perhaps, I've missed something. I haven't watched the View all week and my DVR gave out, so I missed it last week, too. I didn't hear Rosie's comments about Donald Trump, except a small snippet played on the radio. I have heard a huge portion of Trump's comments, which I think are out of line.

Now, I see on CNN.com that Trump is saying that Rosie's girlfriend (Donald, they were married a couple of years ago, so Kelly is Rosie's wife) needs to trade up. This disgusts me to no end. Would he get way with this speech if Rosie was a man married/dating a woman? Probably not.

And, why are we giving this blowhard the time of day? (Especially myself, as I should know better).

While I admire Mr. Trump for moving on up, so to speak, I think he's going overboard. Let it go, Donald, just let it go. Continuing this feud is not helping anyone, least of all those of us who didn't want to be in the middle in the first place.

God Bless

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John Edwards for President

I like John Edwards, really I do. In fact, I think I voted for him in the primary when he ran the last time and I really voted for Kerry for just two reasons:
1) I dislike Bush
2) I like John Edwards.

BUT, did he have to throw his hat in the ring this early in the game? Can he really keep the momentum going all the way to the White House? I don't think so. Personally, I don't think anyone can.

Personally, I think discussing the next Presidential race when it is still a year away is just too soon. We have issues that need to be resolved now, not in two years when a new president takes over. I think our politicians spend way too much time campaigning and not enough time running the country, but maybe, that's just me.

God Bless

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