Stop Questioning Palin

Okay, I'm confused. Sarah Palin has been selected by John McCain to be his Vice President candidate. Until McCain picked her, 90% of this nation never heard of her. No one knew her name -- for the most part -- outside of Alaska. Yet, McCain's campaign engine has "declared heatedly it was time to stop questioning her background."¹

Are they kidding?

The woman is running for Vice President of the United States of America. I think she needs to answer some questions. Like, how is she going to do in energy meetings when her husband works for an oil company? According to "Tucker Eskew, a senior McCain advisor"² she is "someone with both hands on the steering wheet of America's energy economy."³ Probably because she sleeps with someone who works for an OIL COMPANY.

The campaign is trying to play the sex card because the media is just out to "destroy the first female Republican nominee."⁴ When Hillary tried to play the sex card, the media and the GOP just made fun of her, but I guess you can play it when the female is a Republican and it is okay. If she isn't tough enough to answer questions now before she's even officially nominated as Vice President, how the hell is she ever going to be tough enough to be Vice President?

And, by not asking her questions, by not looking into her background, is the GOP just wanting us to accept four more years of secrecy and lies? Are we as a nation supposed to just lie there and blindly agree with our government? Haven't we had enough of that?

And, another thing, I don't think people should have us ignore Palin's inexperience and then knock Obama's. That's being a hypocrite. And, if you're wondering, Yes, I'm talking directly to you, Fred Thompson. (But, if you're reading this, I loved you on Law & Order.)

God Bless

I've looked far and wide and all I see are hypocrites...

Sarah Palin's seventeen year old daughter is pregnant. Now I know that Obama states that Palin's family is off-limits, but I disagree. Palin supports abstinence education, hmmm, how's that working out for you, Sarah? The Palin's are going to compound the issue by having their 17 year old daughter marry the father of the baby. Well, that sounds like a match made in Heaven.

What really burns my butt on this is the wrong-wing Christians who are rallying behind Palin. Oh, this just shows she's human. This can happen to any family. Blah, blah, blah. This is BS because you and I both know if the shoe was on the other foot and it was a Democrat's child, they would be all over it like white on rice. This, also burns my butt because this is a clearcut example of how abstinence education DOESN'T work.

I'm sorry this seventeen year old girl is going through a pregnancy the whole world knows about. I can only imagine how thrilled she must be that her mother's running for VP, so this is no longer a private family matter. I wonder if she even loves the guy she now has to marry to help her mother save face?

And, on top of all this, I have to hear from my mom that: 1) Palin should resign, so she can take care of her family and 2) if she wasn't governor, her daughter wouldn't be pregnant out of wedlock. Like somehow working mothers are to blame when their children are pregnant out of wedlock and the fact that my mom was a stay at home mom is the only reason I didn't end up being a pregnant teenager. (Trust me, Mom, that had nothing to do with it.)

God Bless

Musings Off the Top Of My Head

Yesterday, on my way home from Green Bay, I was thinking about my blog and what I would write about this week. First, I should offer up some prayers for those affected by Hurricane Gustav, especially those who lost their lives. I should probably offer up a prayer for the Republican Party, as Gustav has messed with their convention plans.

Second, if you know any servicemen or women heading for Iraq, my cousin - Tiffany (her husband has just been sent back) - let me know that they could use body wash and shampoo, as the BX runs out of these items regularly. Also, bottle water drink mixes are welcomed as well as calling cards. So, if you know someone who is sending a care package over to the troops, drop some of these items in. I'm going to do some research on different charities and organizations that support our troops and I'll post about them here. As Americans, we can't do enough for our men and women in uniform.

Third, on the more humorous side, why is it that when I get off at my exit in Green Bay and head for Kim and Dustin's that it seems to take forever to get to their house, but when I'm driving home, Highway 43 is just a matter of a few short minutes away?

Fourth, have you ever noticed that there are two types of drivers from Illinois: those who can only drive under the speed limit in the left lane and those who think that the starter gun for the race has been shot and they have to get there before you?

Fifth, my mother is all up in arms that Sarah Palin's seventeen year old daughter is unwed and pregnant, but it doesn't seem to bother her that Palin's husband works in the oil industry, which to me is the larger problem with voting for her.

Finally, why is it that summer is so short and winter is so long?

God Bless

McCain's VP Choice

I was going to blog today about something to think about when you're voting, but then John McCain took the wind out of my sails (and Barack Obama's) by making his VP choice: Sarah Palin.

Who?

Yeah, I've never heard of her either. She's Alaska's Governor. (Alaska, that cold state to the Northwest.) All I know is that it is her first term and she's the mother of five.

I, also, know that she's a very smart choice.

Paul Begala -- some guy who writes for CNN and is a Democratic strategist -- disagrees and that explains why the Republicans won with Bush two elections in a row. The Democrats don't really know how to win elections if they're using thinkers like him.

His article states that someone, given McCain's age, as inexperience as Palin is a bad choice. Hey, Paul, I hate to bring this up, but Obama is in his first term, too. Now, I know my father was rooting for Condelezza Rice, but she would've been a bad choice, as are the men Begala mentions in his article.

Begala thinks it was a mistake for McCain to have "passed over Tom Ridge." Are you kidding me? Choose the head of Homeland Security? A man who is very much in line with the Bush regime? That would be like killing his election chances right now.

Mitt Romney? Too scary to even consider.

Joe Lieberman? Someone who didn't win in the primary, so he left his party to be an Independent. How many Republicans are going to trust he will come over to their way of thinking and how many Democrats are going to trust a turncoat?

McCain has taken some wind out of Obama's sales by choosing a woman as his running mate. It shows he still has some maverick left in him. Now, we have a Black Man and a White Man running against a White Man and a White Woman. McCain has put some of the women's votes that were 99% likely to vote for Obama back into the unknown category. A woman VP? History in the making on both sides.

Now, on a personal note to Mr. Begala: In case he's reading this: You moron. My dad's 71 years young and he isn't going to croak in the next four years and I'm betting neither will John McCain (also 71). Where do you get off making an assumption that being over 70 suddenly makes one old?

In case you're wondering, however; I've changed my mind about McCain and will NOT be voting for him. But, I promise you, his AGE has nothing to do with my decision.

God Bless

You Don't Have to Say You Love Me

Rate this performance at The Sims On Stage

Ring Of Fire

GOP On Democrats and other thoughts...

Why is any news outlet interviewing Republicans about the Democratic convention? This isn't the week of the Republicans -- it is the week of the Democrats. Who cares what the other side has to say this week. They'll have their chance during their convention. Now, so no one can say I'm being unfair, I'll just state it now: I don't care what the Democrats have to say during the Republican convention. Can we hear the messages and speeches without hearing the twisting of words from the opposite side?

Why do people still think Al Gore said he invented the Internet? How come that sticks in people's minds, especially when it isn't true?

And, speaking of Al Gore, why do people still believe that Global Warming is fake, even when there is a mound of evidence to the contrary? Plus, how could anyone be against making air safer to breath and water safer to drink? What are these people thinking?

And, why is it that when I'm in the shower, I get great ideas for things to write, but the minute my feet hit the tile floor, the idea is gone? How could I do my best thinking in the bathroom?

Why do people think that because they attend church they're good Christians? I can stand in my garage, it doesn't make me a Buick.

One last thing: why is Halle Berry the first Black woman to receive a Best Actress Oscar and Barack Obama the first Black nominee for President when both of them are each 1/2 white? Why aren't they the first mixed race Best Actress Oscar winner and the first mixed race nominee for President?

God Bless

Godspeed, Del Martin

I just saw on the CNN Wire that Del Martin passed away at the age of 87. She and her wife, Phyllis Lyon, co-founded the Daughters of Bilitis, as well as the Alice B. Toklas Democratic Club. Because of Mrs. Martin and Mrs. Lyon, I have rights in Wisconsin I wouldn't have had without those who came before me. We still have a long way to go, but we're moving in the right direction.

Mrs. Martin and Mrs. Lyon exchanged vows of matromony on June 16th of this year, becoming legally married. However; apparently the copy writer didn't refer to Mrs. Lyon as Mrs. Martin's wife, the article refers to her as partner -- like it was some sort of business relationship.

I've posted the article below.

So, Godspeed Mrs. Martin and thanks for all you did for me. Bless you, Mrs. Lyon. I can't imagine what it must be like to lose your wife of 55 years.

And, to the small minded people who can't seem to type wife and type partner instead, kiss my lesbian ass.

And, if you're waiting for the normal God Bless, I don't feel like sending blesses to straight people today.

So, God Bless the Lesbians and Gays who came before me.

SAN FRANCISCO, California (CNN) - Lesbian activist Del Martin, at the forefront of the battle for same-sex marriage in California, died Wednesday in San Francisco. She was 87.

Martin's partner of 55 years, Phyllis Lyon, was by her side at the UCSF hospice, the National Center for Lesbian Rights said. Martin and Lyon, 84, tied the knot on June 16 in a ceremony officiated by San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom.

Long before Massachusetts and then California legalized same-sex marriage, Lyon and Martin were integral parts of the early movement for lesbian and gay rights.

In 1955, they founded the nation's first lesbian organization, the Daughters of Bilitis, and launched the first lesbian publication, The Ladder. Martin co-founded the Council on Religion and the Homosexual, and was also a founding member of several other organizations, including the Lesbian Mother's Union, the San Francisco Women's Centers and the Bay Area Women's Coalition. She and Lyon were co-founders of the first gay political group in the United States, the Alice B. Toklas Democratic Club, named for author Gertrude Stein's long-time partner.

Race

This week -- for the first time in history -- a black man will become a major party's candidate for President of the United States of America. Forty years ago, another black man stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and spoke about his dream. With Obama's nomination, you would think that Martin Luther King's dream has come true.

It hasn't.

Last week, a young white woman (20 years old) was talking to me and said (and I'm quoting): There's two sides to every story, unless they're black. They always lie.

Yesterday, a white 40 year old male said to me (and I'm quoting, again): If Obama wins, blacks will start thinking they have power.

Now, I'm ashamed to admit that I didn't say or do anything that would counter these quotes. Truth be told, I was shocked speechless. Racist remarks, especially by someone younger than I am, still stuns me. I cannot believe that in the year 2008 that people still feel this way about other races.

I'm not going to proclaim that a great many of my friends are black because it isn't true. I have a couple black friends. I attended a mixed race schools and the one thing I've learned about blacks is they're really just like whites. So, how could it be that there are still people - under the age of 60 - that do not believe in the equality of the races?

With Barack Obama making history, you would think that Martin Luther King's dream of a world where the races lived together in harmony would be reality.

Too bad it isn't.

God Bless

Times have changed

I'm going to admit something I'm not too sure many people know. My parents were NOT happy campers when I came out to them almost 20 years ago. My mother used to make comments like "straighten up" when we'd get off the phone and my father didn't have too much to say to me for a long time. Now, I don't want anyone thinking I'm complaining because they never sent me away to be "cured" or stop letting me talk to my brothers. I know gay people who haven't spoken to their parents since they came out. But still, it wasn't easy.

My parents love Cheryl -- sometimes I think more than they love me -- and they love her kids and, of course, they're thrilled with da boys.

But, something happened this weekend I just never thought would happen in a million years. Two friends of ours, Barb and Karen, were married last month. We missed the wedding because our cousin, Jeff, was married to his bride, Jen, on the sameday. And, I couldn't miss Jeff's wedding and wouldn't have considered missing it. Anyway, we met up with Barb and Karen at Ren Faire this weekend and caught up on news. I introduced them to Dad and told him that they had just gotten married. Dad offered his congradulations. I mean, it was so cool. Twenty years ago, I don't think that would've happened.

He's come along way. He's still voting Republican this November, but he's still come a long, long way.

God Bless

For Danny and Alex

This is me, the one below is my mom.

a new Karaoke performance

Record a Karaoke song at The Sims™ On Stage!
Choose a song from Rock, Pop, Country, Hip-Hop,
'80s, or All Genres.

I said No...

I don't write much about my work. I don't mention my company or co-workers very often, but this morning something so ridiculous happened that I just have to blog about it.

I have this co-worker whom I might have mentioned before and she's a big pain in the rear. In fact, no one really likes her, everyone complains about her -- both in my division and out of my division and yet, she gets to keep her job. I wonder about that. Either someone higher actually does like her or my company likes to keep dead wood around.

Anyway, this morning Tootsie (since I don't want to use her real name) comes over to my desk looking for work for a different co-worker. I tell her I don't have anything for him to do and try to politely send her on her way. I was busy with a hot report I needed to code in a grand total of two hours. She insists that I must have something for him and I again tell her no, but in a more firm voice.

Does she take the hint? In a word, NO.

She says, "I'll talk to John" (fake name for our boss), like when she says it, I'm going to say, "Oh, yes, I do have something for him to do!" Don't threaten me with our boss's name. Are we a couple of five year olds on the playground who need the help of our teacher? Please.

So, my first comment is this: why do companies keep people like this on the payroll? I know there are more Tootsies in this world, I've met them before. They live in their own little world, they don't care what you think or what you need to do, they want you to do what they want you to do. Why do we put up with people like this? Why is it that they are allowed to keep working?

My second comment is why is it that she can't take no for an answer? I had a run in with her last year because she wanted to keep the air conditioning on full blast while the other 29 people in the office were freezing. What is fundamentally wrong with her that NO doesn't exist in her world? I said NO and I'm not changing my mind.

And, finally, a request, Please pray that I don't snap her little skinny bony neck.

God Bless

Marriage Rights

So, I'm on the phone with my mother and I mention that Cheryl needs to pick up one of her prescriptions that costs $50.00. My mom says why does it cost so much and I explain that Cheryl's insurance doesn't cover this particular drug at which point my mother says, "Why isn't she on your insurance?" This I find humorous because my mother wrongly assumes since I make more money and work for a larger company that I have better insurance, which is not the case.

So, I explain to my mom that my company doesn't offer domestic partner benefits -- and she asks me why not -- and even if it did, we wouldn't use them. Which leads me to the reason for this column.

My mom goes back and forth on gay marriage. On one hand, she doesn't understand why gay people would want to get married. Afterall, if straight people can't get marriage right (i.e., the 50% divorce rate), what makes gay people think they can? Then, she thinks that there isn't any benefit to gay marriage. In her mind, if Cheryl and I separate, everything's much easier because one of us can just move out. But, it isn't easier and thanks to that stupid amendment, a court wouldn't hear our case against one another.

It is with my mother in mind that I write this column.

• Domestic Partner Benefits: These are a wonderful idea. It is a way for one gay person to cover their spouse. And, actually, this covers unmarried straight people, as well, which I don't agree it should. If you want these rights, get married and get them. But, gay or straight, the same problem remains: The Federal Government taxes the benefit as income. So, if your employer pays $100 a month for your partner's healthcare, that's added into your salary for the government to tax. When you think about it, this is really crazy because if you cover your uninsured partner this way, it means the government isn't doing it.
• Social Security: My social security benefits will be higher than Cheryl's and she will never be able to claim them. Ever. On the marriage side of this, if a man marries four women, stays married to each one of them for 11 years, all four women are entitled to one half of his social security. And this NEVER reduces his payout. Does that seem fair and just?
• Health Issues: If Cheryl goes into the hospital and is unable to make decisions for herself, I do not have an automatic legal right to make decisions for her. I do have a Power of Attorney of Health, which is only valid in Wisconsin. If we're on vacation in another state, there's no guarantee that a hospital in another state would honor it. This doesn’t happen to a married couple.

These are just three main reasons why gay people want the right to marry. There are hundreds more and I'm sure I'll write about them from time to time.

God Bless

Interesting Politics -- Possible Running Mates

I went to log into my Roadrunner account and there's a bunch of headlines at the bottom. One of them says, "Sen. Joe Lieberman to speak at GOP convention." Well, that's an interesting way to start the day. If you know your recent history, you know that Lieberman ran for VP in 2000. When he lost the Democratic primary in his home state of Connecticut, he ran as an Independent and won. Now, there's talk that he might be McCain's VP choice. Lieberman certainly would be an attention-grabbing choice. And, McCain could use a little more attention.

On the other side of the fence, yesterday, I received a public email from Michael Moore to Caroline Kennedy begging her to consider becoming Barack's running mate. I don't know a lot about Caroline Kennedy. I remember a picture from her wedding day where she was standing outside the church -- looking radiant and beautiful as all brides do -- and she's trying to get the crowd of well wishers to be quiet. She looked really poised for someone holding her finger to her lips.

I wasn't alive nor were my parents married or even knew each other when John F. Kennedy was President. I didn't watch Caroline grow up like so many of my friends did. She doesn't feel like an old friend. Now, her brother, John, that was different. He was everywhere when I was growing up. He was like the older brother I wish I had. When he died in that horrible tragedy, it was the only time in my life I said a prayer for a famous person -- an honest to goodness down on my knees, please God, let him be okay prayer. I could see an Obama/Kennedy ticket if John were still here.

But, Caroline? She's never -- that I've noticed -- shown any interest in politics . She's written books and I know she's heading up the selection committee to help find Obama's running mate. She might be a good choice. She's the only one left from Camelot. She's shown in very hard times that she's level headed. (I don't think I could've been that poised on my wedding day if I had a bunch of people disrupting my service.) And, Caroline doesn't come with a lot of the baggage a different running mate might have. Also, because she hasn't held a political office, she would represent a big change.

Maybe, Michael Moore is right and Caroline should become the next Vice President of the United States.

God Bless

Celebrity and Campaigning

I haven't seen many campaign ads this year. Come to think of it, I've only seen one campaign ad - McCain's Celebrity ad. Have you seen this ad? He compares Obama to Paris Hilton and Britney Spears, claiming that like Spears and Hilton, Obama has no substance.
Let the negative campaigning begin.
You know what ad I'd like to see? I'd like to see an ad where McCain blows smoke up my skirt to tell me how he's going to make my life better. I'd like to see the samething from Obama. I don't want to see negative ads.
But, as Bush proved in 2004, you don't win an election without negative ads. They resonate. Do you know there are still people in this country who believed the pack of lies sold by the Swift Boat attack ads on Kerry?
Couldn't we try something different? Couldn't we get a real understanding of our candidates?
Because based on this one ad, my understanding of McCain is that he has nothing to offer, so he's going on the attack.
God Bless

Energy, the Environment and my pocketbook...

Cheryl and I received a letter from WE Energies a couple of weeks or so ago outlining a plan to purchase the energy to run our home from environmentally friendly alternatives.  So, we got out our calculator and figured that purchasing 100% of our power from environmentally friendly alternatives will only raise our energy bill around $10.00 a month.  This is probably because we all ready do our part to conserve and try to keep our usage down.

Then we received our bill -- we're on the budget plan -- and our bill (without the new higher charge) went up $14.00!  Sure, in the scheme of things, $14.00 isn't a lot of money, but when you add on the new higher rate in, our bill will end up $24.00 higher per month.  <sigh>  I might've pushed to only purchase 50% of our energy from this program if I had known our budget plan was going to be raised.  Then, Cheryl was full of good news this morning and she mentioned that she heard energy prices were going up even higher. <sigh>

Well, I guess we're all in the same boat!  :-)

On that note, Amazon is launching a new Amazon Green program.  So, I thought I'd put up some of the banners in case anyone is interested in purchasing Green products.

God Bless

For Aaron Rodgers

This is for Aaron Rodgers.

Aaron,

Tonight when you start against the Bengals, I'll be cheering you on.  Win or lose, you're my new quarterback and I've got your back.  You're in a tough position sitting in the QB seat in Lambeau field.  No matter what you do, fans won't be happy because you're not Saint Brett.  I can't imagine what you must be thinking.

So, Aaron, give it your best.  We're all Packer fans in Wisconsin and the rest of the fans, they'll come around.  We love our Packers and pretty soon, I know you're going to be so good, we're all going to be saying, "Brett who?"

Go get 'em #12 and know someone in Racine will be cheering you on.

The rest of you naysayers, shut up and let the kid play.

God Bless

Awesome American

I've always thought of myself as a pretty darn good American.  I vote.  I support Veteran's causes.  I stand for the National Anthem -- even at home in my living room.  I give money to the USO.  I know the Pledge of Allegiance.   I make sure the flag never touches the ground. I've taught my son-in-law the proper way to fold one and I give my father old ones to burn in the proper ceremony, so they're not sitting in a landfill.  I add soldier's names to those on my prayer list, even when given to me by a stranger on a plane.

But, I really suck as an American, when compared to Keela Carr.  You haven't heard of her?

Keela Carr sold everything she owned so she could walk across America to personally thank Veterans for all they've done.  (Read older story here)  I just saw on CNN she's completed most of her journey and arrived at Walter Reed Hospital.  Next, she'll be going to Arlington to lay a wreath on the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. 

The woman is amazing!  I've been too lazy to go to the store to find the piece so I can hang my flag off my front porch and this woman has walked across the country to thank Vets.

Like the saying goes, if you can read this -- thank a teacher. If you read this in English, thank a soldier.

God Bless

 

Public Service Announcement...

Two years ago, I wrote a blog stating that I felt we don't do enough in this country to support our troops.  Putting my money where my keyboard is, has been a goal of mine since I started this blog.  So, every year, I give money to the USO and various veteran groups (although, I admit, giving it down this year, as I don't have much to spare) and last year at Christmas I came across the best of both worlds.  I found BOGO - buy one, give one.  I purchased three BOGO lights and requested that the give ones were given to servicemen and women in Iraq or Afghanistan.  The three lights went out as Christmas presents to my father, youngest brother and son-in-law.

Well, this week, I received an email from Mark Bent, CEO and founder of SunNight Solar, announcing yet another program.  Since I'm not big on forwarding messages to friends and family, I thought I'd post his letter (see below).  This is a good program and I know economic times are hard right now for all of us, but if you can, please show a little love to our troops.

God Bless

Greetings,      We do not send many e-mails out to our customers; however, I wanted to bring this new initiative we have developed to get lights to our men and women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, to your personal attention.  I would appreciate you consider forwarding this e-mail on to your friends, contacts and colleagues, so together, we can help them, and the people of these countries.  Our website for this new endeavor is www.warlights.com.        Additional information about developments at SunNight Solar, and the original of the blog text below, can be viewed at http://www.sunnightsolar.com/blog/   Thank you,   Mark

Bin Laden's Driver Convicted.

Am I really supposed to believe that the guy who drove Bin Laden's tank or truck or whatever it is an evil terrorist rides in was privy and -- AND -- could DO something to stop the attacks of Sept. 11?  Is my country crazy?  Maybe, here in the US I take a job with someone and I hear they're going to bomb the White House, I could turn in my boss, but just whom was Salim Hamdan going to tell?  There isn't an FBI office on every corner.

May God have mercy on our souls because we have surely gone crazy.

God Bless 

Stay At Home Wives

According to an article on CNN, 10% of the women who do not work outside the home do not have children.  Meaning that they're staying home to take care of their husband and their house and not because they're rearing children.  These women are, usually, educated -- some of them have MBAs.  They have chosen to get off the career track to take care of their husbands. To some women, who lived through the women's lib movement, this could be regarded as a smack in the face.  In fact, one woman who was interviewed actually said, "I thought about the feminist movement -- all those women who worked so hard so that I could go out and have a good career, and I was kind of saying 'no thanks.'"

And, when I first started reading the article, that's what I was thinking.  How dare you stay at home when so many women fought for equal pay and equal respect.  I'm too young for the full force of the discrimination for women in the workforce, but when I was working for a campus police department in the mid to late 80's, I was often asked what it felt like to be doing a man's job.  (My mother taught me my standard response:  If it was a man's job, they would've given it to a man.)  My point is that it hasn't been all that long since women working is the standard -- although for women in the lower economic classes, it has always been the standard.  And, now, some young hotshot wants to stay home and stand by her man?!?  What's that all about?

Then, it dawned on me.  It was about having choices.  For some couples, that means a stay at home wife.  For other couples, that means a stay at home husband.  Some of the stay at homes will be rearing children and some will just be taking care of the home.  Whatever works for them should be just fine with the rest of us.

God Bless

Internet Postings and Job Searches

I'm sure you've all seen the same articles I've seen about how someone posted a picture from their trip to Mexico or some other occasion where they had too much to drink and they lost their chance at a job. Well, I've recently joined Facebook in order to help promote my t-shirt designs. Turns out a lot of my family members are on there, so I'm spending more time on Facebook than I had anticipated.

At first, when I put up my profile, I kept it short and sweet. No book listings, no movies, etc. I was thinking of my future -- in case a future employer checks up on me none of my movie or book choices could possibly offend. Then, I thought, wait a second, do I really want to work for someone who would be offended by my choice of movie or book? Do I really want to work for someone who wouldn't hire me because I'm a lesbian who likes to post pictures of my grandsons? Do I really want to work for someone who can't look past my political leanings and realize that I'm damn good at my job?

I realized that the answer is no, no I don't want to work for someone who isn't going to see the best Data Analyst on the planet and only see the grandmother (admittedly, the very young and beautiful grandmother). I don't want to work for someone who hates lesbians and would hold that against me when I need to take a day off because Cheryl needs me to go with her to the doctor. I don't want to work for someone who doesn't notice that I can write SQL code better than anyone else I've ever met, but notices the grey in my hair.

Now, you'll never see a picture of me on any site where I'm drunk and half out of my mind, because I don't drink that much. But, you might -- you just might -- see a picture of me singing Karaoke with my lovely wife at a bar and, you know what, if that bothers you, then don't hire me.

God Bless

Again with the Economy

Perhaps, I'm missing something. I'm reading this week's Time magazine and they've included a voter's guide to Obama and McCain's plans for the economy. Under Obama's plan, he would end Bush's tax cuts for families making more than $250,000 (with which I agree), raise the capital gains tax and give tax credits to singles and families. McCain wants to make Bush's tax cuts permanent (which I oppose), reduce the corporate tax (as I mentioned last week) and here's a new one -- "He may be open to the possibility of a higher Social Security payroll tax." What does that mean?
8% of my salary goes to Social Security. Is he going to raise that? And, with that raise, is he going to guarntee that Social Security will be there when I retire? Or, is he going to lift the cap, so that those earning more than $92,000 a year pay on their whole salary? I would support lifting the cap.
Think about it. If you make $50,000 per year, you pay Social Security on that whole amount. That comes to $4,000 or 8%. If you make $100,000 a year, you pay only on $92,000, which comes to $7,360 or 7.36% of your salary. So, percentage wise, the person who earns less pays more than the person who earns the most. Does that seem fair to you?

God Bless

Rude People

Last night, Cheryl and I go to Grayslake, IL to sing Karaoke with my mom and dad. Okay, truth time, Dad and Cheryl don't sing. Dad doesn't sing because, well, I love him, but he sucks at singing. And, Cheryl is too shy. She has a pretty voice, but no confidence.
Anyway, turns out the Last Chance Saloon is holding qualifiying rounds for their Karaoke contest. Mom and I sign up and -- I won't hold you in suspense, we qualified. Not to brag, but I didn't really have much doubt that we would. We're pretty good singers.
What I couldn't understand is what was up with the crowd. They were pretty loud and obnoxious -- even by bar standards. You could hardly hear yourself sing, much less whomever was up there singing. What I really couldn't understand is how rude the friends of the singers were. They would make so much noise during everyone else's performances it was unbelievable, but they didn't even quiet down for their own friends. You'd think they'd be a little quiet so you could hear the person they came to hear, wouldn't you?
Well, I'm sure it'll be a little better once the finals get underway next month.
God Bless

It's Still the Economy

John McCain wants to cut corporate taxes by 10% -- taking the corporate tax rate down from 35% to 25%. He believes this will convince companies not to go off shore for workers. It'll keep them here. Too bad he's wrong.
Publicly traded companies care about one thing -- their stock prices. Giving them a tax cut won't guarantee any company will keep jobs here, especially if it'll make their stock price go up to locate jobs overseas.
McCain, also, wants to take the burden of insurance off the backs of our corporations and have individuals pay for it themselves. He's really working the business side of things, isn't he? He believes that we'll keep prices down if we have to pay for the insurance ourselves. He wants to give a tax credit to us, so we'll buy our own insurance. ($2500 for singles, $5000 for families)
That'll work.
You know what will happen? People will buy the insurance and those with a lot of money will buy the good insurance. The insurance that'll cover everything and they'll stay off the public rolls when a serious illness comes along -- most likely. People with middle incomes will buy middle cost insurance. They'll risk losing their homes if a serious illness comes along. And, the people at the bottom of the income levels will buy exactly the amount the credit covers and when it isn't enough to cover their needs, we'll all be supporting them.
McCain, also, wants to make the Bush Tax Cuts permament. Well, that'll help those on top and leave nothing for the others on the bottom.
Here's an idea:
Instead of just granting businesses a huge tax cut, give them the credits. For each single employee, give the employer a $2500 credit to help offset the cost of insuring them. Give a $5000 tax credit to ensure an employee and their dependents. That would ease company's burdens -- limit the tax credit to only Americans working in America. Place a cap on how many overseas employees a company can have to keep the credit.
Don't make the Bush cuts permament -- restructure the income tax tables. Right now, it's 10%,15%,25% and 33%. Let's keep the top spot and rearrange the others. We need 20% and 30% brackets. If I had more time this morning, I'd tell you why.
Well, it's off to work for me. I'm still reading on Barack Obama's ideas for the economy and I'm sure I'll have something to say about them, too.

God Bless

The Candidate For Whom I would Vote...

I'm tired of all these campaign promises that really mean same old same old for the next four years.  I want to have some true action in my government.

First, I want a Federal -- not state -- law that says, You harm your child and the child lives, you go to jail for the rest of your life and someone else gets to raise your child -- in another state, far away from you so they NEVER have to see your disgusting ass again.  And, I don't mean someone who paddles their kid's behind, I mean, trying to poison them with salt or leaving them alone in the car on a hot summer day.

Second, if said child dies, you die.  Period, end of story.  And, I think that women who cannot have children should be allowed to be the ones to pull the trigger.  I believe that the punishment should fit the crime, so however horrendous your child's death was, yours should be just as bad.

Catherine's and Fashion Bug

Let's get a little personal -- all right, who am I kidding? I always get personal.

So, my cousin is getting married this weekend. I have an outfit to wear, but I don't like the top -- it's too heavy for a July wedding -- so I need a new top. Yesterday, I went to Catherine's - over on Washington in Racine. The saleslady's name was Cheryl. She was very nice and very helpful. I didn't find a top, but I found a new pair of jeans and I needed a new pair of jeans.

Tonight, I went to Fashion Bug, where I was waited on by Alfie and Chantel, also on Washington in Racine. Alfie was supposed to be leaving, but she stayed late so that I would have the perfect top for my cousin's wedding. And, now I do.

So, if you need clothes, I suggest Fashion Bug and Catherine's. If you go by Fashion Bug and see Alfie, tell her Julie told you to come by.

God Bless

Boys

Little boys are made of snips, snails and puppy dog tails. I have seen two little boys take Nana's clean home and demolish it in a matter of seconds. Boys need to have the freedom to romp and play (and, so do girls). I just read in a two week old Time magazine that 75% of American school children do not have a physical education. So, I wonder, how does anyone expect rambunctious boys to sit and learn without a physical education class to burn off some of their energy?

Plus, I was reading in the same magazine and it stated that America has an epidemic of obese kids. So, I'm wondering, when kids come home from school to play World of Warcraft, how do we cut PE from their schooling?

Our school systems are cutting a lot from the curriculum's -- art, music -- PE shouldn't be added to the list, but judging from the article, I'm just howling at the wind because it's all ready too late.

God Bless

Church of England changes rules to ordain Women Bishops -- Vatican has a cow

According to the CNN article, the Church of England has voted to allow women to be Bishops. The Vatican is all up in arms because this means the Church of England and the Roman Catholic Church will not be able to join forces. Is anyone else questioning this? The Roman Catholic Church and the Church of England were never going to become one giant Church under God.

My favorite part of the article was this: "The General Synod passed a resolution Monday night that allows women to become bishops, acting over the objections of traditionalists who argued that Jesus only wanted men in leadership positions." Yeah, that's what my Bible says -- Jesus only wanted men in leadership positions. I'm really getting pretty sick and tired of the moronic men who claim only men should be in power, aren't you? They thump their Bibles and claim that they know what Jesus would do or what Jesus wants. (I'm betting he just wants to be left alone.)

How can anyone of us here on earth know what Jesus would do? Really? Sure, be nice to your neighbor, I get that. But, when the boy who knocks up my friends' daughter isn't supporting the baby, does Jesus want me to be nice to him or kick some sense into him? What should I be doing? Shoving him up against the house and telling him to grow up or patting the little bastard on the head and saying, "Oh, poor little guy. He's had a rough life."

Where would Jesus be standing then? Behind me with that rod His Father said we shouldn't spare and patiently waiting for his turn in the butt kicking or standing next to the kid comforting him?

Personally, when I even think some butt kicking might be involved, I leave Jesus at home. I don't want Him to have to make a choice.

But, getting back to the women in leadership roles, I think the Vatican is going a bit far in all of this. Who died and made the Vatican the database of record for what Jesus thinks and wants?

I wish He'd come back, so He could set this record straight.

God Bless

Obama's Dog

I love this little piece of gossip I heard.

Barrack and Michelle Obama made a deal with their two young daughters that if they would support their father's bid for president, they could have a dog. Now, the dog issue is constant dinner time discussion. One of their daughter's has allergies, so the American Kennel Club has a list of five dogs the Obamas should consider and they are holding a vote about which one the family should get. Now, I understand the reasoning behind the list of five dogs -- these are hypoallergenic, but I think they left one dog off their list -- the American Eskimo Dog.

Now, I have allergies to both cats and dogs. I own Skywalker an eleven year old Eskie. He's a beautiful dog, as well as spoiled. He barks a little too much, but he's good with kids. He loves car rides and being with his family. When my grandsons were born, he took a great interest in them. There are very few people who can grab his tail -- Danny and Alex are on that list. He's studier than any of the other foo foo breeds the AKC picked.

So, here's my personal invitation to the Obama family. Before picking one of these dogs picked out by the AKC, come check out Skywalker. If not him, make sure you meet someone else's American Eskimo Dog. They are the most loving creatures on the planet and would make a perfect pet for your girls. Even the AKC agrees:

The American Eskimo Dog is intelligent, alert, and friendly, although slightly conservative. It is never overly shy nor aggressive, and such dogs are to be severely penalized in the show ring. At home it is an excellent watchdog, sounding a warning bark to announce the arrival of any stranger. It is protective of its home and family, although it does not threaten to bite or attack people. The American Eskimo Dog learns new tasks quickly and is eager to please.

Sounds like the perfect dog for two growing little girls. Might be nice to have a couple of youngsters in the White House again. :-)

God Bless

Pat Buchanan and World War II

There are but a few things in the world that I know with absolute certainity.

1. My dad's a hero for fighting in Vietnam.
2. My grandfather's a hero for fighting in WWII.
3. And, finally, Hitler was a horrible man and the US had to fight WWII in order to stop his reign of terror.

Pat Buchanan doesn't know my father and grandfather, but I wouldn't expect him to know them. However; I would expect him to know the final point. Apparently, he does not.

Now, I haven't read Buchanan's book and I have no intention of doing so. However; I have read a very interesting critique of the book in last week's Newsweek by Christopher Hitchens. The critique is well written. Apparently, Buchanan wants to rewrite history and ignore the true reasons we went to war. According to Hitchens critique, Buchanan twists facts to make it look like we picked on poor Hitler, who was doing nothing more than taking on the evil Russians who needed to be destroyed.

I'm not exactly sure why reading that Buchanan thinks WWII was a waste of time upset me so much, but it did and that's why I've written this post.

God Bless

New Design - Eve Was Framed

Hot off the presses -- and cooly done -- My new Eve Was Framed designed. This hot seller needed an redesign and here it is!

Another Video

Buy American

I realize that not all of us can afford to buy American. The call to buy American products has long passed us by. I can remember commericials where Barbara Mandrell sang about buying American and look for the American label back Wal-Mart products actually were American. However; I drive a foreign car. Cheryl drives a foreign car. We went looking at American cars this year and we couldn't find one in our limited budget.

However; I was just reading somewhere that the flags flown over our federal buildings aren't made in America. They're made somewhere else. How can that be? Shouldn't our national symbol only be made here?!? Okay, for the average American, make them somewhere else, but the feds should NEVER buy a flag made in a different country.

Furthermore, nothing our federal government purchases should be made outside of this country -- NOTHING! If our own government doesn't support our economy, we have a serious, serious issue in this country. One reason for government purchases is to stimulate the economy, so nothing made for the feds or purchased by them should have foreign parts.

NOTHING! End of story.

God Bless

Charlie Wilson's War

If you have not seen Charlie Wilson's War, stop reading. I don't want to have someone find out the ending when they didn't want to.

I just now finished watching Charlie Wilson's War. It was an entertaining movie and told a story I didn't know a lot about. I knew the Soviet's invaded Afghanistan and I knew we helped throw them out, but I didn't know how it was done. I liked the movie, but I felt that the ads for it played up much more humor than what was present.

The thing that kept running through my mind was once we kicked out the Soviets, we left room for the Taliban, which led to the terrorists that flew planes into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. This thought bothered me, because I was thinking should we really be idolizing Charlie Wilson and his CIA pal, the late Gust L. Avrakotos, knowing what we do now?

And then the movie came to the end and you see Charlie struggling -- and failing -- to obtain funding to rebuild the Afghan schools. We helped kick the Soviets out, but we didn't follow through and help the Afghan put their nation back together again. We did nothing. It wasn't on the radar, it wasn't important.

Which leads me to my next thought: What are we going to do in Iraq? Are we really just going to pull out our troops and leave the country devastated? Are we going to finish what we start and rebuild the nation? While we're all fighting over here about the war in Iraq, there are people in Iraq who don't have clean water. And, the reason they don't have clean water is because we wanted to get Saddam Hussein.
So, what are we going to do? Pull out prematurely? Or, fix up the country and perhaps stop the next generation of terrorists?

Something to think about.

God Bless

Hypocrisy - If it harms you, who cares? If it harms me, the government should fix this.

The other day I was talking to someone I know -- we'll call her Anne* -- who is a hardcore Republican.  She firmly believes that the Republican party still stands for individual rights and responsibilities.  Anne believes that laws protecting consumers are not needed because companies will do the right thing and people should be able to think for themselves.  In other words, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is and you shouldn't be taken in.  She believes that there shouldn't be laws to protect people from scams because it is just your own damn fault you got into the mess in the first place. 

However; on this particular day, Anne was telling me about her son -- Mitchell*, who purchased a home that was overpriced a few years ago with a three year ARM.  Mitchell is like millions of Americans who have recently purchased overpriced homes using a low interest rate ARM.  He needs to refinance, except here's the catch.  Mitchell refinanced not very long ago and was convinced that using the equity in his home to pay off some bills would be a smart thing to do.  Plus, the interest rate went even lower, so he borrowed another $20,000* on his $200,000* home.

Guess what?  Mitchell's home has now been valued at $175,000 and he owes -- on a three year ARM -- $195,000.  He can't refinance to get out from underneath the ARM because no reputable bank will loan you $195,000 on a home worth $175,000.  The ARM is coming up soon and his interest rate -- from what I've been told -- is going to skyrocket, making his monthly payment jump too high for him to pay.

So, I say "Gee, that's too bad.  I guess he should've thought about the situation he was in and made a better decision.  He certainly shouldn't have taken out a second ARM when he refinanced."  I mean, we're a country where individuals need to take responsibility for their lives.  I didn't buy a home that was overpriced.  I didn't take out an ARM -- and when I refinanced, I didn't borrow more than I thought my home was worth -- EVEN THOUGH the mortgage lender kept saying my home was worth X and didn't I want to borrow more money. 

Anne's response is that the mortgage lender should be put in jail and there should be laws against this sort of thing.  The government should step in and help Mitchell save his home.

Isn't that hypocrisy?  If I had called Anne and told her the above sob story about someone she didn't know, she'd be saying, well, that's too bad, but Mitchell's an idiot and should lose his home.  Might teach him a lesson.

But, since Mitchell's Anne's son, the government needs to step in and save him from his own stupidity.

Now, I don't really know what to think about the current housing market crash.  I think something needs to be done because if everyone defaults on their loans, we're going to have a much larger issue than Mitchell losing his home.  There's a lot of Mitchell's out there.  I, also, think why don't we teach this stuff in school?  When we're teaching Algebra, why aren't we teaching kids how to read loan papers?  Would it be too hard to teach kids real world applications for their thought processes?  Something theyr'e really going to use in life?  Because I don't know about you, but I still haven't used Algebra.  I could've used some help when making decisions about my refi.

Getting back to the original issue, I know it is really too much to ask and it happens on both sides of the political spectrum, but I just wish we didn't have so many hypocrites in our nation. 

God Bless


* - I'm using assumed names and changing information that would allow people to know who these people are for their privacy.  The numbers aren't exact either, but you get the general idea.

Supreme Court Rulings

This is totally off the top of my head, but what the HE double hockey sticks is the Supreme Court thinking? Executing a child rapist is cruel and unusual, but allowing handguns is constitutionally sound? I expected the second decision to go down that way, but I thought with a conservative court executing despicable torturers would be their thing!

Something to wonder about, isn't it?

God Bless

Don't Mess With Tim McGraw

During his Auburn, Washington concert on Tuesday, June 24th, Tim McGraw saw a "fan" attack a woman in the audience. Apparently, Tim doesn't need any security, he reached down and grabbed the unruly concert goer. When security came, they lifted a guy who makes me look small on to the stage and ejected him. The man made a move to charge at Tim and he answered the move with a closed fist. There's video at CNN.

Oh and the song Tim was singing at the time? Indian Outlaw. He started right back up at the "I ain't looking for trouble..."

I've always liked Tim McGraw and now, I like him a little more.

God Bless

So-called Family Groups

I went back and reviewed one of my old posts regarding the American Girl stores and a group called Girls, Inc. In the post, I mentioned that the American Family Association was boycotting them. (Read the original post here) Anyway, I noticed that the American Family Association only had 2.2million members as of the posting (Oct. 2005). It got me to thinking, just how many people are actually a part of all these "family" groups that supposedly support the American Family as they see fit. Because in a country of 365 million people, 2.2 million is .6% of the population.

I wonder how many members of the American Family Association belong to Focus on the Family and how many Focus on the Family members belong to any other right wing group. In other words, how many extreme right wing conservatives do we really have in this country? Probably not many.

On the flip side, Move On has 3.2 million members and the ACLU has 550,000 members, so the extreme left isn't very large either. Between these two groups, we're talking 1% of the population.

My point is that the extremes in this country are the ones who get all the air time. Their opinions make headline news. (Case in point, Dobson's remarks against Barak Obama made the front page of CNN all yesterday afternoon.) We really need to shut the extremes up and tune them out. There are compromises that will need to be made no matter whom is made President in November.

While Focus on the Family is worried about the homosexuals in this country and furthering their own agenda, we're not noticing anything else. What about the economy? What about the environment? What about our children's future?

What about making America the country we've been before? The respected world leader? What about securing our future to continue being a beacon of light in a world gone wrong?

Oh, well, what do I know?

God Bless

James Dobson Needs to Read Both the Bible AND the Constitution

As you can imagine, I don't particularly care for James Dobson. I've never heard the man make one statement with which I agree and I think he has a very limited view on God and Jesus that belongs back in the stone age. Further, I believe that Dobson, his Focus on the Family and other right-wing Christian groups have such a limited knowledge of that which is good for the country that they miss the big picture, which is why they supported George W. Bush.

That said, Dobson came out today and made comments about a speech Barack Obama made in 2006. You read that right. In order to find a statement that he can jump on and use as a reason good Christian people shouldn't vote for Obama, Dobson had to reach back into 2006.

Here's what Obama said:

"Which passages of scripture should guide our public policy? Should we go with Leviticus, which suggests slavery is OK and that eating shellfish is an abomination? Or we could go with Deuteronomy, which suggests stoning your child if he strays from the faith? Or should we just stick to the Sermon on the Mount?

"So before we get carried away, let's read our Bible now. Folks haven't been reading their Bible." -- quoted from CNN.

He said this in a speech in front of the Christian group Call to Renewal. Nothing he said was wrong or even unreasonable. If we take the Bible literally, as evangelical Christians wish us to do, then we have to take the WHOLE Bible and not just the parts we want.

However; James Dobson said (and I'm quoting from the CNN news article) "Obama should not be referencing antiquated dietary codes and passages from the Old Testament that are no longer relevant to the teachings of the New Testament." I find that humorous since Focus on the Family is against gay marriage based on Old Testament beliefs (before you write, I don't believe St. Paul mentioned gays. The passage was about men loving boys, which is sick.).

In closing, I'd like to just say that this just shows that the right wing Christians are running scared. Someone who doesn't pander to them just might be elected President and their outdated views of the Bible and a just society might die with this election. The tide is turning against them and they now just have to ruffle feathers so we don't forget that they're there.

God Bless

Testing Amazon Video

This seemed like a way to easily post a video of Alex with an ad. So, I'm testing out Amazon's video widgets. Tell me what you think.

Music, Music, Music

Amazon now has MP3 music widgets -- so I'm testing this out here. Here's a list of some of my favorite songs.

If you enjoy any of them, please consider buying them via Amazon. It helps me pay the bills.

Thanks for stopping by today!

George Carlin

On my way into work this morning, I heard the news that George Carlin passed away yesterday from a heart attack.  I can't tell you how bummed I am.  I love George Carlin and quote him often -- even when I didn't realize it was him I was quoting!  (Case in point:  Everyone who drives slower than me is a moron and everyone who drives faster is a manaic.  I always thought I came up with that, but it was Carlin.)

I remember listening to Class Clown when I was around 15 or 16.  The album changed my life and made me a Carlin fan.  I loved watching him in anything he chose to do -- stand up, movies or TV. 

He will be truly missed.

God Bless

Law & Order

I know that there are a lot more things to think about in the world than a Dick Wolf TV show, but sometimes your mind just wants to deal with fluff.

Why is it that on the other two L&O's, the person in charge (PID) holds the rank of Captain, but on the original show the PID is only a Lieutenant -- the only show that has a woman as the PID I might add? Is this an oversite? Isn't it time to promote Lieutenant Van Buren to Captian?

Just a thought.

God bless

E-Bay and Elvis' Former Home

I know I haven't been around much in the last couple of months, but we've been dealing with some family issues -- illness, death and another illness -- then da boys' birthday and, finally, I was out of town (in Pittsburgh) on business.  So, I know that my first post back should be about something more important than Elvis Presley's old house, but it isn't.

The story in a nutshell is that the owners of Elvis' first Memphis home auctioned it on E-Bay.  The winning bid was under a million dollars and they reneged on the deal.  The winning bidder sued them and lost.  (See full story here)  "On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Jon McCalla ruled that the eBay auction was more of an advertising vehicle than a binding sale."  Really?

I've purchased things on E-Bay, not a lot -- just stuff here and there -- and I seem to recall that warning that my bid is legally binding.  I would assume on the flipside that the seller's bid is also legally binding.  Hasn't Judge McCalla just taken the legally binding out of all of E-Bay's auctions?  Doesn't this mean that I as the buyer can say, "Oh, I just thought it was advertising" ?  And, the seller can do the same?

I don't understand how it can be thought that if you put a home up for sale on E-Bay, that it is any different than selling it in the paper.

Of course, if this was my home or yours, no one would give a rat's butt about the case, but it is Elvis' former home and that makes all the difference, I guess.

God Bless. 

California Supreme Court Overturns Gay Marriage Ban

That yell you hear is a collective "Oh, Shit!" from the southern states (and a couple of backward sections of the northern ones)!

Gays are now thisclose to be able to marry.

That ought to scare them wrong wingers.

God Bless

Mario Kart for the Wii

I was going to blog about the election or gas prices, but this past weekend, I was in Green Bay visiting my grandsons and dropping off Cheryl for the week. Kim had purchased Mario Kart for the Wii, so naturally, I had to play it, too! Well, I had a blast, so I purchased my own version and I've been playing it ever since I got back.

All I can say is my employer should appreciate the fact that I bother to come in when I could be home mastering Mario Kart! I love the fact that you can play with friends online. So, if anyone would like to trounce me in Mario Kart, send me an email and we can exchange friend codes and arrange a time to play.

Happy Playing!

True Story -- Under the better late than never category...

My dear gentle readers, I know this AP news story is going to seem like something I made up, but I assure you I found it online at Roadrunner's News Section.  All I did was copy and past it here (emphasis is mine).  Please read:

Woman Pays Off 1976 Parking Ticket Issued in Mich.

CALUMET, Mich.(AP) Police in this Upper Peninsula town had forgotten about the $1 parking ticket written on Sept. 1, 1976. But the woman who had found it on her windshield hadn't.

The ticket, a $20 bill and a note arrived at police headquarters last month in a plain white envelope with no return address.

The note read: "I always had good intentions of paying it. I put it aside and every once in a while I would come across it and said `someday I'm going to pay it.' Now I think it's time."

The fine for an unpaid meter violation increased to $5 after 72 hours, said Police Chief David Outinen, but it hadn't increased beyond that. He told The Daily Mining Gazette of Houghton that he couldn't remember someone making good on an unpaid ticket after so much time.

The woman apparently hopes her payment closes the matter. "Please don't try and track me down. I am a respectable lady," she wrote.

You absolutely have to love that last line, I'm a respectable lady.  Like because she had a parking ticket and didn't pay it, she wasn't respectable.  Well, I'm sure we all have debts we believe should be paid that we haven't paid (and, yes, my student loans are all paid off).  In this day and age of people just shrugging off their responsibitities, this woman should be appaulded.  Although, I wonder about that respectable lady part, don't you?

Do you think she's now a grandma and wants to set a good example for her grandkids?
Do you think maybe she's running for office somewhere and needs to pay the fine before the press finds out about a 22 year old parking ticket?

I just wonder.

But, anyway, good for her.

God Bless

They Ride Deer, Don't They?

Make sure to turn up the sound -- it is hard to hear!

God Bless!

Translation Assistance

We found a document in Cheryl's family trunk that starts off like this:

PANOWANIE SPOLECZNE NAJSW. SERCA JEZUSA
Now the L has a line (/) going through it and the S in NAJSW has a link above it.
If you can translate this or identify what language this is, I would be very grateful.

Thanks in advance!

God Bless

Funeral Arrangements

Cheryl's mother passed away Tuesday morning. The news was devastating to the both of us, despite the fact that Mary had been sick for the past month. But, I think even more difficult than coming to terms with our grief has been making the funeral arrangements.

The funeral director, Mike, is a nice man. He remembered Cheryl from her father's funeral nearly twenty years ago. And, we're lucky because our brother-in-law, Charlie, was on the ball and wrote the obituary with Mike right away. All we needed to do for that yesterday was proofread it.

No, the real hard part came with picking out the casket and then Mom's dress. We even had to pick out what vault. Did you know that linings in caskets are not interchangeable? I liked the roses that were embordered on one lining, but we liked a different casket better. You can't take one lining out of one casket and put it in another. In any case, it's hard trying to decide just what casket someone would like to have.

This morning, we'll be meeting with the Priest to go over the Mass arrangements.

So, my whole reason for this post is simply this:

Sit down and plan your funeral. Go take a look at caskets -- many funeral homes offer pre-planning. And, if you're thinking, well, I might not live where I'm at the rest of my life -- that's okay. Don't make anything official. Just pick out the color and style and write it down. Trying to make serious and expensive decisions through the tears of grief is the hardest thing your family members will ever have to do. So, do something for them and plan it out. Write down your favorite hymms and if you want a full Mass (if you're Catholic) or not. Do you want a viewing the night before? Do you want your funeral to be at a church at all?

My father recently said that he was writing out what he wants for his funeral. At first, I really didn't want to think about it. But, now, I'm thinking Dad's giving Scott, Brian and me the best gift he possibly can. I just wish he could convince Mom to do the same.

God Bless

Today...

Today, I could write about how I wish Pennsylvania had voted for Obama and not Hillary so that Hillary would drop out of the race, but I won't.

Today, I could write about how I hated filling up this morning at $3.69 and how I think the stations that are charging $3.75 and $3.79 are just being greedy, but I won't.

Today, I could write about how we're in a recession and wouldn't it be nice if the government could figure that out, but I won't.

Well, why not?  I hear all of you asking...

Well, I'll tell you...

Today is my wedding anniversary.  We've now been married seven years.  And, for at least today, I just want to forget about the country's issues and enjoy the day...

Happy Anniversary, Baby.  Here's to seven more!

God Bless

Florida's New Plate...

Florida is considering a Christian License plate.  The plate has a cross in front of a stain glass window and the words I Believe.  The plate looks colorful enough.  Now, would I get one of these plates if it were available in Wisconsin -- no way. The extra $25.00 to have one goes to Faith in Teaching Inc. which supports faith-based schools activities.  I don't have anything against faith-based school activities per se.  I attended Bible study at my grade school on Thursday afternoons from 2nd or 3rd grade (I don't remember which) all the way until 6th grade.  However; back when I was a kid, this consisted mostly of teaching about Jesus and how He loves us, etc.  It wasn't the right-wing stuff like the faith-based learning is now.

Anyway, my only problem with this plate is because of this (and I'm quoting directly from the CNN article):

Simon, of the ACLU, said approval of the plate could prompt many other groups to seek their own designs, and they could claim discrimination if their plans were rejected. That could even allow the Ku Klux Klan to get a plate, Simon said.

Bullard, the plate's sponsor, isn't sure all groups should be able to express their preference. If atheists came up with an "I Don't Believe" plate, for example, he would probably oppose it.

Now, that would be wrong.

If you want to prove that the state isn't supporting one religion, then I would say you have to let the atheists have their plate.

Now, I should say right here that I don't believe in any of these plates.  I don't have a Packer plate or the wild animal fund one or any of those plates.  First, I have bumper stickers to show what I believe and second, I don't announce to whom I give money.  (Remember, Jesus said to give to charity secretedly and I'm sure he meant don't put it on your license plate!)  However; everyone has the right to their own opinions and if people like these plates, they should get them.

But, if you offer a Christian plate, you really need to offer the alternative.  If you offer an anti-abortion plate, you need to offer a planned parenthood one.  If you offer one supporting straight people, you need to offer one for gay people.  It's all about fairness.

At least it is in my book.

God Bless