VACATION

"For everything there is a season..."

-The Bible-

(Jan looks somewhere over the rainbow to find that... well, it's wet.)

I just got back from vacation. A whole week away from the hustle and bustle and all the other mess of my everyday life. My elder daughter and I spent a week in Fischer, Texas. It is discreetly located between Austin and San Antonio and San Marcos and Blanco.

We stayed at a Bed and Breakfast known as "The Fischer Haus." http://www.thefischerhaus.com/

The Hill Country is stunningly beautiful. I had always heard "Texas has it all," I just had not realized I hadn't seen it all. Leaving from San Marcos to Fischer we crossed the "Devil's Backbone." Essentially it's a ridge. Between the trees we could catch glimpses of gorgeous landscape that even an artist would be hardpressed to duplicate. The only thing that bothered me about it was that I couldn't see more through the treelines.

(A glimps of the awesome scenery to be found in this part of the state.)

The Fischer Haus has history that reaches back to its settlement days by the Fischer Family in the mid to late 1800's. In particualr, the Fischer Haus was built in 1908 by Max Wilhelm "Willie" Fischer. Within the last five years a new owner, Jan Parrish (and her newlywed hubby, Dennis, great people!) and they have done extensive work restoring the property to its original grandeur with themed rooms.

They currently have the Victorian, Bavarian, and Southwest rooms. All rooms open to a porch. I had the Bavarian and my girl the SW. Those rooms are conjoined, which made my baby feel better.

(Ok, obviously I swiped a couple of these pics from her website. I didn't realize the text was attached. Ah well, ya get a better picture.... and it doesn't include my laundry pile.)

The Fischer Haus is nestled away on a hillside and is centerally located from most anything you could want to do. You get to enjoy the fresh country air away from all the noisy traffic. Once yer ready to get out and go, nearly eveything is about 30 minutes away. A few minutes away is Canyon lake where picnicing, swimming, and boating in the clear waters is a pleasure. There are many places to join in tubing on the Guadalupe River.

(Canyon Lake... and some lucky schlub who is now posted online! He wasn't happy about our "cruising speed." He was waiting to cross the road.)

Also nearby is Gruene. We enjoyed a meal at the Gristmill. It was good, but a tad pricey. We paid $22 for a coke, burger, fries, and a grill chicked salad. Be forewarned, their fries are not traditional. They're more like floppy tater chips. Good though, with the seasoned salt. You can also see Natural Bridge Caverns, the Schlitterbaun Water Park, the old Fischer Dance Hall and 9-pin bowling alley, and the Fischer Store Antiques and Museum. In Gruene they also have the oldest operating dance hall in Texas. Many stars have been there and even John Travolta's dance scene in the movie "Michael" was filmed there!

Not to forget that San Antonio and Austin are also close by, so you can get out to see what all they got to offer.

The pix above, what's so interesting about them is they are of the same "canyon." A baby canyon, if you will, each side of the road. What's more interesting is that 3 or 4 years ago (don't recall which) it didn't exist at all. A tropical depression settled over the region and caused Canyon lake to flood over the dam (yeah, that's a lot of water.) One of the results is the pix you see above. Jan told me that before the flood, the land was even with the top of the bank. Gee, if my memory on science and evolution serves me, doesn't stuff like that take something like 40 billion years to evolve, not 2 or 3 days? Hey, people may not have been around to prove the "big-bang" or "creation," but they were around to witness this one!

While I was there, I also went to Blanco. It's a cute lil historic town. I also got to meet a man that I e-mail. He bought our meal at Oso's Mexican Restaraunt. Pretty good food, eat there if ya go. Thanks again, Steve!

All-in-all it was a good trip, well worth the time. Also, I have to add that it was in large part made possible by my boss's generousity. Thanks Marcus!

With all that said, perhaps by the next time I blog on, perhaps I'll be back to my good ol' moody self and will rant on about another social issue. Until then, have a good day.

Today's History: 1832; Benjamin Bonneville leads the first wagon train through the Rockies at Wyoming's South Pass.

"Rights"

"If we all did things we were capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves."

~Author Unknown~

Today the topic I am thinking of is RIGHTS.

In this day and age we have all kinds of "rights:" black rights, hispanic rights, gay rights, Muslim rights. Just where do all of these "rights" come from, I wonder? Well, in what I prefer to think would be a better world, these "rights" would be totally abolished, wiped out, done away with never to be thought of again. Now, read on before you start judging, it's only fair that you hear me out.

Here in NE Texas, I'm a 30-something, heterosexual, white-boy. Note that: even tho I'm 30-something, I'm not offended by the term "white boy." Why? I AM white, and I AM male. Whereas "boy" may typically be a reference to age, the slang (referring to male) means little to nothing and it doesn't hurt my feelings. I don't "boo-hoo" on the sleeve of "Madam Political Correctness." If anything, I laugh at her. What th hell, she's entertaining.

Now, we as a society (albeit not as a whole) have decided to try to appease some people whose history is unsatisfactory. (Note now that I will NEVER EVER use the term "African American unless I am referring to someone with dual citizenship or immigrated from Africa. "African American" does NOT refer to a black person BORN in the USA. If so, then I'm a Native-Texan-American-Irish-Hungarian-African {all life began in Africa}... American... or somethin like that.)

In the example of black people, well, we have a LONG DEAD show of slavery. Even though the WHITE MAN agreed to KILL SLAVERY LONG AGO, there is agreeably a length of time where there was still civil injustice. This has BEEN FIXED. Actually, in many cases, it has been fixed to the extreme. But, not just in the case of blacks, but for hispanics (which are prevelant in my part of the country. May be a different race in another part of the US.)

Anytime a white person applies for government assistance and is rejected, the typical response is "I'm the wrong color." Now, why do you think that response would be? Is the rejected person simply pissed? Are they racist? Does it have anything to do with the black guy that lives in the PJ's but drives the brand new Caddy with the spinners and annoying boom-boom [so-called] "music?" What gives?

(I know this chart isn't exactly "current," but neither is ...mmm.... say, "slavery" to those of yall who still demand "slave reparations!)

I'll tell you, though I probably don't have to. Our US Government is predominately white. They want to show us "good (voting) citizens of the USA that" they stand to help everyone (legal or not.) Who whines the most? Jesse Jackson, Louis Farrakhan, maybe? After all, they can find more race cards in every situation than casinos can find pick-pockets. So, the US has made it a point to give public assistance to MORE MINORITIES than white folk. That way, it doesn't look like white folk are only helping white folk. Meanwhile, the white folk who need help don't get it.

Why would I think that? Because a couple years ago I was unemployed: meaning WITHOUT A JOB. (fired ... I mean RIF'd after a union campaign.... standing up for workers rights!) Though I was unemployed, guess what, I was turned down for food stamps. Yes, I had unemployment payment. The bring home of that was much less than the bring home of my former job. But, they told me I had something coming in and that was all that mattered. That means, it didn't matter that I lost everything I had. It all looks good on paper.

Now granted, so far this seems like a racist debate. It's not. Let's move on and I'll "pick on" someone else.

HOMOSEXUALS. Ya know what, I got nothin against homos. I got a couple very good friends that are "funny." (Now, what I say next doesn't apply to ALL homosexuals. It's a generalization thanks to our beloved media. I learn from our good friends at CNN. ;) ) I hear tell that some businesses have written rules against hiring homos and that it's perfectly legal. So with that, homos want a law that states homos can do everything NON-homos can do, even marry. Hmmmm... what do we do about that?

I say piss on it. BUT, piss on it equally. Look here, If I own a business and I say, "I own this place. I don't like black folk, I don't like Chinese folk, and I don't like homos. If you're any of those, you get no job here." To be quite frank, since I own the place, I think that's my right to say "I'll only hire those who I want to hire." What can happen? Obviously I'm an asshole to start with. So, I'll only have straight white folk workin for me? That'll make me happy until my business fails (IF it does.) All the same, it's still MY BUSINESS, fail or not. Who the hell are you to tell me who I can and can't hire?

If I own a Christian bookstore, obviously it's against my faith (in most cases) to hire gays. How many Muslim Bookstores ya think hire Catholics? I dunno, but I'm betting not too many? Why? Again, I dunno, but I suspect it's cause Muslims consider Catholics infedels and not worth living. But that's just a guess.

Now, on the flip-side, let's say I'm a homo half-black-chink. If you own a business and let people know that you don't like homo half-black-chinks, why the hell would I want to work for you in the first place? The only reason I would make a fuss about it is I wanted to cram it down peoples throats that homo-half-black-chinks are here and in your face. That will only serve one master: ANIMOSITY.

So, what I say is we abolish the individual "rights." Killing someone that is gay doesn't make it any more illegal than killing someone who is stupid. Murder is murder, period! Your intent will come out in the trial and your punishment set accordingly. What's the difference if I kill you because you are gay or just that you simply piss me off because you're ugly?

There's no time to debate THAT much here, sorry. Granted, there are some people who are provoked into manslaughter or crime of passion that would not normally react violently. That is fine. And in MOST cases that is easy to ascertain before trial and charges set accordingly. But to lay claims that murdering someone based on genetic differences is worse than "murder" is just plain dumb.

All "rights" should be scrapped and we all be umbrellaed under "HUMAN RIGHTS!" No individual concerns are greater than the rest!

The UN Declaration of Human Rights, Est. December 10, 1948: http://www.un.org/Overview/rights.html

No white, nor black, nor any other color, no homo, no straight gets any more public privlidges than anyone else. If I don't like straight black boys, I don't hire them. That's private enterprise and MY rights (to be a dick) are protected. If I only hire gay Muslim girls, sorry rednecks, yer out.

(Not sure who number 3 is, but it must suck to not be number 1! I dunno, maybe it sucks worse to have my number shaved into some imbeciles back hair.)

BUT, as I would have it, when I go to fill out a public assistance form, there's not a single question that refers to my race, sexual preference, gender, nada. Basically, the only questions that need be asked are who are you, what do you want, and why should we give it to you?
As for public offices (and not necessarily elected or high-profile ones, just government jobs) the same applies. Since it is NOT a private enterprise no discrimination should apply in any capacity. Nor should it apply if you are employed by any nationalized industry.

TODAY'S HISTORY: Live Aid

Today, July 13, 1985.... The first "Live Aid" concert was held to aid the relief of African famine. Most predominatley was at JFK Stadium at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Wembley Stadium in London, England. They hosted stars such as Mick Jagger, Bob Dylan, Tina Turner, and Modonna. The also boasted crowds of about 162 thousand and another 1.5 billion on TV. It ran for 16 hours and claims to have raised over $100 million.

That's a lot of Whopper's that never got to it's intended location thanks to warlords who hate us while they hog all the cash and wait for us to negotiate with them in their own civil war.

HEALTHCARE

"The Republicans have a new healthcare proposal: Just say NO to illness"

~Mark Russell, political commentator and satirist~

Today I have decided to bring up the ever growing concern of healthcare. There is not a single person in this country that doesn't think there is a healthcare problem that needs to be fixed. Well, perhaps I should recant somewhat. If you are rich and money is no concern, perhaps healthcare is not something you worry about.

As for the rest of us Americans, let us take a gander at some workings surrounding this situation. A liberal co-worker of mine (and good friend, I might add) occasionally likes to point out that "America is the only industrialized nation in the world that does not have universal healthcare."

First off, for those not familure with the concept of universal healthcare (UHC,) essentially it means that every benefit of modern medicine is offered to every living citizen regardless of age, race, or income.

Now, there are pros and cons to this concept as it exist. Personally, I believe everyone deserves the very best medical attention possible. I subscribe to UHC. But let's look here: Our neighbors to the north, Canada, has UHC, as Michael Moore pointed out in one of his cute lil documentaries.

The problem with UHC is that you may have to wait in line for treatment. If you need a hip replacement, you go on a waiting list. Depending on the severity of your condition depends on where you go on the list. It's called "triage." If the idea of triage upsets you, stay out of the ER, every patient is subjected to it.

(American Triage)

It is to my understanding that docs in Canada have been arrested for performing procedures on patients outside of the triage system. "Illegal operations:" essentially, the doc took cash from the patient to perform the operation rather than the patient going through the system.

Mexicans constantly come across the border to America for various benefits, not least of which is medical attention at the expense of the American taxpayer. We have cleaner facilities, advanced technology, better trained docs, etc. Canadians also come to America for procedures to avoid the Canadian system of having to wait. We have people on BOTH SIDES of the border wanting our med care.

On the flip-side: Americans are increasingly becoming disgusted with the FDA and the lack of treatment options for such things as cancer. Therefore; they want the cheaper Canadian Meds and those (who can afford it) go to, interestingly enough, Mexico, where they HAVE NO FDA deciding what meds are manufactored by greedy pharmeceutical companies. Also, we know how Mexicans rather enjoy dollers to pesos, so they try a lil harder. Yes, believe it or not, the Mexican medical field is in competetion (and not doing too bad, I hear) with American treatment options.

We have an interesting paradox. So what do we do? I believe we ALL deserve EQUAL treatment. But, what if you can afford to have treatment sooner? Should your well qualified physician risk his license and livelihood to treat you outside the system? I don't think so. I think UHC should be in full force. And if you have the money to not wait, then by all means, spend it. But for those of us who don't have the money, well, at least we know we WILL get treatment. Not just treatment, but the same as the guy that just dished out $20K.

One personal example I have: a good friend who is diabetic. He's been told by his doc that new kidneys will eventually be needed, sooner rather than later. Just to get ON the donor list, he needs something in the neighborhood of $75K. Note: That does NOT include the procedure. Well, George Soros he aint. Under UHC, someday he WILL get what he needs. Under the present system, he's S.O.L. So, it's not that he CAN'T be helped, it's the system that, in effect, is killing him.

(Systematic killing. Think of this as your loved one WITHOUT healthcare!)

Also, I must point out that I do understand the reason for triage and the waiting list. Doc's offices across the country would be flooded with people once they found out they could now have treatment for something they were previously suffering from.

Now, there's the arguements. There are some valid ones, but pale in comparison, I think. "I don't want MY tax dollers going to treat someone who has cancer from smoking." Well, think of it this way, the way they are putting stiffer "sin-taxes" on tobacco, I think they will be paying for treatment themselves. Think of it as a savings account on future treatment. As for you, you'll get treatment all the same, you just didn't pay the "sin-tax" that the smoker, dipper, drinker, whatever paid.

I've also heard the arguement that there's just too many people in America. France, England, Canada, etc, they have a smaller population to care for so it's feasible. America has too large a population to be able to do it. Ummm... hey, Mr. Capitalist, isn't THAT your very arguement of why Wal-Mart can afford to "do it cheaper?" There's MORE people to drive the COST DOWN?!?! So, explain to me again why MORE people in America can NOT get affordable healthcare? Oh yeah, we're paying to treat and educate all those millions of illegals who are NOT paying into the system that helps them.

But wait, not only are we paying into our OWN system, remember, we have Canadians coming here to be treated. And the Canucks are actual PAYING customers.

We hear that people in England pay something close to $5 a gallon for gas and we shudder. Yeah, that's high. But it helps pay for UHC. They don't pay $600 a month in insurance costs. So with that in mind, say you buy 120 gallons of gas a month @ $5 a gallon. That's $600 a month in gas. Ummm... ok, that sounds pretty crappy. I spend about $80 a month (I don't drive much.) Nevermind. (plus, I dunno the state of their economy. $5 may not be much to them. After all, they still have traffic probs and a well used mass transit system.)

(THEY buy the gas! YOU buy the ride!)

Seriously, there are ways it can be done. We're gonna end up with high gas prices anyway. The more hybrid cars produced the higher gas is gonna go. But, on topic, you may say, "Well, I have Medicade/care, so I'm good." Yay for you. But ya know what, if I get sick, I have to tough it out because I can't afford incurance. At my job (considered hi-risk,) Iwould pay at least $500 a month! (for ME.. NOT family plan!) That's more than my friggin rent! So, I can NOT go to the doc unless it's an emergency. Even still, I don't go. Thank God so far it's worked out well for me. But hey, I aint gettin any younger either.

So, I say we go with UHC. We also allow people to bypass (Buy-Pass) if they elect to pay for earlier procedures and the money used goes into the pot to pay into the UHC system for everyone's good. Also, the monies appropriated to Medicare/cade goes into it as well, so we still have that cash. Maybe we could... oh.. I dunno... quit spending money on countries that hate us to help pay for it. That's just a thought.

(I've heard rumor that some of these countries {where $Billions are spent} don't care much for us.)

Today in History: July 9, 1755.... In the war we know as "The French and Indian War," British and Colonial troops suffer an amazing defeat at the hands of French troops and... well... American Indians (naturally the French can't win on their own.) British General Edward Braddock dies while Colonel George Washington survives to go on to bigger and better things.

Medical Marijuana

"Why is marijuana against the law? It grows naturally upon our planet. Doesn't the idea of making nature against the law seem to you a bit... unatural?"

~Bill Hicks~

Today's topic: MEDICAL MARIJUANA!

Who Bill Hicks is, I have no idea. His name just happen to be attached to the quote.

Ok, so, we all know the question: Should marijuana be or not be legal for medical purposes?

Personally, I have said "no" for quite a while. But, when I got to thinking about it, I think "why not?" For the longest I feared the slippery slope of what legalizing it for med reasons would bring. Then I got to thinking, "What slippery slope? The one where lots of people do it... like they do now?" (For the record, I do NOT smoke pot.)

We all know that at one point in time alcohol was illegal in the USA. But, do you realize that it WAS LEGAL for use in medicine? I didn't realize that until I did a college research paper on prohibition. You can find the info in the book "How Dry We Were."

But seriously, if a person is in serious pain and doctors can verify that m/j can help ease that pain, who am I to say they can't have it? After all, if I'm hurting that bad, I don't care what it is, hook me up!

(These girls are in obvious pain and in need of .... well, SOMETHING)

Slippery slopes: what about doctors who give prescriptions to those NOT in need, either by not giving a proper exam or just because someone spotted them some cash or for a friend, etc. Ok, yer gonna have that no matter what. They do it for oxycontin, valiums, etc. I understand, don't add something else to the list. But, would you rather it come from a clean government authorized pharmacy or a street punk? After all these years, it is established that people will do it anyway. But, that leads away into legalizing for recreation. The medicinal reasons, it can be gotten from a clean place.

Now, along that line, I can give you a more exact reason WHY it has NOT been approved regardless of doc's claims that it would be beneficial. The reason: The USFDA. According to the guidelines of the FDA, all medicines must be manufactored synthetically. That is why you can get a docs book for home remedies that tell about herbs and what-not that actually DO work. And the stories of meds from grandma that still work. They always have. Only, a doc can't prescribe it because it's not man-made.

This is where greedy, capitalistic pharmaceutical companies cash in. After all, thousands upon thousands know how to grow m/j in your own neighborhood. Merck Medco and Glaxo would have a hard time competing with the guy on the corner. So, they can manufactor meds that have cannibis included, but it can't be pure cannibis. To make it "legal" it has to be diluted.... of course, it won't be diluted with drano like some twisted hood might do. Then again... who knows?

(Almost reminds me of the Dreamworks logo: "SKG")

Now, according to "Penn and Teller's: BS, the war on drugs," there is not one recorded fatality directly linked to m/j, as opposed to the thousand per year linked to tobacco and alcohol. I have not verified that myself, that's according to their own study. But with that thought in mind, one might mention pot smokers and driving.

I'm not too qualified to speak on that, but, according to people I have talked to, some have said they would rather meet a pot smoker on the road than a drunk. On the flip side, pot smokers I have talked to said they'd prefer to drive high than drunk. Their reason and the other's were basically the same, they're too paranoid to drive recklessly, therefore they drive slow and careful.

Now, I have heard of a car accident where pot smokers and people in the other car were killed because the smokers were driving too slow. It was on an interstate and we all know from passing "granny" that slow driving on the I/S can get people killed. But, still the concern with people smoking and driving; what of the many prescription meds out there that say, "Do not drive or operate machinery while taking this drug?" There's no difference, really. People will take the meds given to them and do what they want when they want. So what do we do- outlaw meds that include that warning label?

So, I have yet to come up with a real reason not to allow it. My previous stance was somewhere along the line of, "Well.. it's just bad. It's wrong." Birth defects? Mmm... yeah, maybe. That's why I'd bet a doc wouldn't give a prescription to a preg woman. Lung cancer? Well, I tell ya what, if I'm smokin pot to ease the pain of cancer, I'm really not gonna worry to much about getting lung cancer from my medicine.

On that thought, it would be rather ironic to get a pot-prescription to ease the suffering of lung cancer. Just keep the snacks handy.

Also, did you ever notice that a lot of men get beer bellies from drinking? Also, did you ever notice that pot smokers (who have the munchies) are normally thin people? Explain that one to me. As much as Shaggy eats.....

(Skinny muncher)

Well, I'll conclude with that. I suppose we'll just have to wait and see what happens next. I noticed a headline today that said California was suspending it's med. m/j program because of the Supreme Court. Apparently it's been tough on Cali have a state law that violates Fed drug law. I can't help but wonder what made them suspend the program. Did the feds threaten to cut highway funding like they did the states that didn't want to raise the drinking age to 21? Perhaps. After all, cuttin Cali's highway funding would hurt bad since they are losing tax money from those darn ecology-minded drivers buying hybrids. (That only makes sense to those who are aware that funding comes from taxes when you buy gas. Owning hybrid means buying less gas, therefore fed hiway funding is crucial.)

Today's History:

July 8, 1776. The Liberty Bell, only rang on special occasions, was tolled this day in 1776 for the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence.

London Bomb

"If I make friends of my enemies, am I not destroying my enemies?" ~Abraham Lincoln~

Well, today is a sad day for our ally, England, for us as their friends as well. My alarm clock is set to a local news talk station and the first words I awoke to was news of the bombing. I heartily thought to myself, "How sad..." then hit the snooze button.

It has given me pause for thought. Had the news I awoke to been a bombing in some place closer to home, say Dallas, would I have reacted the same way? Dallas is 100 miles from here. Would I have simply thought, "how sad" and went back to sleep?

Like many people, I can vividly recall 9/11. Our initial reactions, I believe, are who we really are as a person. On 9/11 I was not in a sleepy state. I was not engulfed in a conversation about politics. I was just getting off break-time at work, almost 9:20 AM CST.

I was excited by news of such magnitude because it was such a big event, but at the same time confused and horrified. My first thought was the Palestinians had actually done something ferocious. The guy telling me had no idea.... not even who "Palestinians" were, so he told me it was them, he "guessed." I wanted to know if it was still happening, if it was over, if my family here in a small town were still safe. Those were my thoughts. I worried that the world may be engulfed in a war as I stood there holding a piece of 3 inch pipe. Was this the beginning of a new world war? How will affect my kids? I had an unquenchable thirst for knowledge about said event.

Every time a foreman walked by I asked for the latest news. On my lunch break, I did the unusual: I went home and turned on the TV. I called my X-wife for news of anything I may have missed and asked about the kids, even though they were in school. I watched, live on TV as Tower 7 fell. I had never even heard of "Tower 7," yet I felt like I was falling with it. My mind told me, "This is real. How do you handle it?" But my person argued that "It's just like the action movies you see where things blow up and people die. No big deal." That was unacceptable to me. I wanted to cry... even several days later.... for some unexplained reason, I never did.

In the following days worry overshadowed our country. Our initial reactions began to fade. Congress no longer sang at the White House. Debate began. The "heros" are recognized, now time to move on and think again. What do we do? Do we fight or look to the cause and stop that? Do we do both: fight for "justice" AND stop what may have started this?

Personally, I have changed in many ways, even how I view foreign policy in some aspects. But, no matter, is the bloodshed of innocence ok? The obvious answer is "no." Even to Al Qaeda. The difference is: "What is 'innocent?'"

To the Muslim extremist: only Muslims are "innocent." That's the way my understanding sees it. Our country is split in many ways, ways that I'll deal with later on. But for now, let's break it down to this: WHAT is "innocent?" Simply "innocent" is a perspective. I think no one can argue that. It is what you percieve it to be. The only thing that makes it mainstream is when a majority says it is. Well, supposedly. Perhaps it is what the mass media says it is.

Anyway, any group can call anything they want to "innocent." According to atheist, we're all innocent because there is no judgement. According to socialist, only those FIGHTING FOR capitalism (be they rich or the worker) are guilty. According to Christians, we are all guilty but are capable of forgiveness. According to Islam, unless you are Muslim, you should die.

Now, I understand the last statement is quite unfair. There are MANY Muslims that are anti-Al Qaeda and the extremist. I have heard they even have a group against Muslim terrorism. I'm very sorry I can't recall the name because they DO deserve recognition. But hear this: When it comes to terrorism when Muslims claim the responsibility, how about the so-called mainstream Muslims speaking out against them.

Sure, we all hear, "Islam is a religion of peace." But the question comes, "So, you think these acts of terrorism are evil and should be shunned?" And they respond with some crap like, "Well, they are acting of their own accord." "Ok, so you say they are wrong and should be punished?" And the cleric says something like, "We are a peaceful people. Allah ackbar! Allah judges all!" And the next Q may be something like, "So, the Muslim's that just beheaded the American on TV while screaming 'Allah Ackbar' and the writings in your mosque that say 'everyone NOT a Muslim should die' are wrong? Is THAT what you are saying?" And the cleric says something to the effect of, "Allah is good. He means peace. He wants what is good for all. What? Excuse me, my Koran is calling..... can we talk later?"
Yeah, I tell ya what, NON-Muslims want to hear more Muslims say that TERRORISM against ALL is BAD... even against NON-Muslims!

So, in any case, when a major event happens, do I simply hit the snooze button and roll over for details later? Well, in a sense, why not? What can *I* do about it? Nothing. If it hits close to home, here in my own town, what can I do? Absolutely nothing. All I can do is try to get to my family, my kids, and hope they are well. Also, I can hope that neither of us die in the process. Once I have hold of them, I can try to get us to safety and hope we come to no harm in that process. But that's still no garantee.

So, when do I NOT hit the snooze button? When do I wake up and do something? I suppose that depends on what ideas I have that CAN be effective and who with power will listen to them?

With that, let us all think seriously for a moment. Do you REALLY think that Bush, Blair, and other world leaders are NOT concerned about terrorism? Their families are targets too. Just because you think hiding under a rock makes you safe does not make you right. Bin Laden's extremists hate you because you are who you are, not because of where you hide.

Really, it has nothing to do with what country has people where. That is a farce, a distraction. They will use that as long as it works. The REAL TRUTH is, the Mid-East is the EXACT reason we have seperation of church and state. They have their church running the state and they are executing their "jihad" on non-believers the same as the Christians once did on "non-believers" in the Crusades. It's the very same difference. What, then, is the answer?

This is long enough. I'm about to quit writing. Send me your comments and we can share the thoughts and ideas together. I'll get into mine later on. For now... God bless England.... and her friends; my country, America; my state, Texas.

Another quick thought not related, but of note. This was brought to me recently by a dear co-worker. It hit home and shut me up. Most Americans believe we should allow prayer in school. Yet, most Americans do NOT pray with their own kids. Are we a hypocrite against ourselves? I do believe prayer should be allowed in school. Yet, I do not pray with my kids.... nor alone. I am proud to have a Christian upbringing and to be knowledgable about the Bible, yet I do not exercise the practices. If and when I DO pray, it is for others, not for myself, because to pray for myself seems selfish to me.

So, there's a thought for you.

Todays History: Sandra Day O'Connor is nominated by Pres. Ronald Reagan to be the first female Supreme Court Justice. She will be approved unanimously on Sep. 21. And now she has resigned.

QUICK UPDATE

I'm still learning about this Bloggin bidness. Perusing through functions, I realized that my default setting was to only allow "registered users" to post comments. This has now been corrected and anyone may post a comment.

JEEZ.... Can't win!

"Oh my God.. you killed Kenny!"... -Dunno where I may have heard that one-


I LOST IT... ALL OF IT..... everything I had JUST FINISHED typing. GONE!

It had been suggested to me to write something personal. I did and it wasn't a rant like my first post, which may live in infamy. But now I'm ticked. I added a pic and was wondering "How can I delete this and make it smaller?" Well, I found out. I learned not to jack with it. It seems to delete it is to delete everything. I right-clicked on it searching for a way to delete the pic. I clicked something that changed the page and then clicked "back." POOF! All of it all for not!

With that, I'm not gonna relive all that again right now. Sheesh, I'm just gonna make something up. How abooouut...

A movie review? Yes, I'd like to do a movie review..... NOT!

A fake news article? Hmmm.... ok, I can do that. I enjoy satire. I'll make up a news story. Forgive my lack of creativity, but deal with it.

"US Tracks Mad Cows not Aliens"

It's becoming a difficult time for the Cattlemen's Association. Recent reports of Mad Cow Disease sent tremors through the beef market as consumers heeded "Chik Fil'A" calls to "Eat Mor Chikin."

According to USDA Secretary Gov. Michael O. Johanns of Nebraska, "Tracking upset bovine has always been a concern of ours. Listening to the complaints of the primary contributers of one of the nations largest food sources is not something to be taken lightly. The cattle are mad, and rightly so. There have numerous reports of disgruntled bovine activity in Europe and we want to prevent the gerneral disdain from spreading to our greener grasses. It is MY job, as the head of the USDA, to take note and right the wrongs. And by golly-wolly, I'll do just that!"

In the meantime, the people of the US are not only concerned about disgruntled bovine, but also about our semi-open border policy. According to border protection activist, William Robert "Billy Bob" Smith, "What we got ourselves here is a gummit that don't give a damn. Them fools can track a chicken through the jungles of Saigon all the way to a Wal-Mart shelf in Piddlepee, Californey, but they can't seem to keep up with 3 million illegals crossin the border and shootin up agents along the way. Thar's sumpin wrong here and they gotsta fix it! I tell ya, it just aint right for my mammy and kids to get anal probed at th airport while illegals walk across that thar bone dry river!"

US Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michale Chertoff remarked, "I wish the rednecks and hillbilly's would back off the anal probing of the kids and elderly. They need to step back a realize that it's for their own protection. You never know when you will have a terrorist board a plane in Santa Fe... no... ummm..(to secretary, "Santa Fe's close to the border isn't it?") let's say Boise and might be hiding a bomb in a kids diaper. You just can not be too safe. The one's crossing the border are only looking for work and harm few people in the long run. What's a few dozen wounded/dead border guards and citizens in the long run of the help to our economy? Have you any idea what benefit doctors get from helping drug addicted patients? Or how about the money the printing companies make from printing anti-drug literature? No, we can definately tell why the 'little man' doesn't get to run things."

With that, it is easy to see that dissent is on the rise between the so-called little-man and the well educated and informed gentlemen in the elected offices.

================================

THIS DAY in history: 2001, HIPA (Health Insurance Portability Act) releases new guidance measures on protecting health patients privacy. 4 years later my kids insurance company does something about it. I won't mention names because... well.. we're progressing.

http://www.hipaadvisory.com/regs/finalprivacy/guidance.htm

Change of Pace

"I brought you INTO this world and I can take you OUT!" -Bill Cosby-



HI YALL.....

Well, it's only been mere hours since I posted last, but I wanted to hurry and get something else on here. I mean really, who wants to hear constant whinin, right? So, I got to thinkin about a couple minor things I'd like to add. One, is an opening quote. Another is a "Today in History" footer. For example: Yesterday, July 5, 1935, the US passed into law the Natl. Labor Relations Act, thereby making it legal for workers to organize unions and bargain collectively.

I READ this joke yesterday:
Jim and Bob are a couple of rednecks sittin in a bar. Jim says, "Ya know Bob, I'm tard of bein an uneducated man. Ima gonna go tuh school an learn me sumpin."
So, he heads to the local college and speaks with the admissions officer. The A/O tells Jim, "That's great. It's always good to see someone willing to learn. I'll start you off with some basics in math, English, history and logic."
Jim says, "Logic? Wuzzat?"
The A/O replies, "Well, Jim, logic is rational thinking. For example: Jim, do you own a weed eater?"
"Yeah, I do."
"Well, Jim, then I can logically deduce that you have a yard..."
Jim says, "Wow, yeah I do......"
"Wait, Jim, there's more. Since you have a yard, logically I can assume that you also have a house. If you have a house, I can logically assume that perhaps you have a family."
Again, an amazed Jim says, "That's right... I do..."
"Hold on Jim. If you have a family, then by using logic, I would think that you are a heterosexual man with an interest in females, family, household responsibility.... a man who is concerned about what goes on in his life."
Flabbergasted, Jim says, "That's right... all of it! Wow, I can't believe you got all that outta me havin a weed eater! Sign me up."
Jim went back to the bar and told Bob what courses he was taking. Bob replied, "Wut's logic?"
Jim says, "Well Bob, logic is proper thinkin. I'll show ya: do you own a weed eater?"
Bob says, "No."
With that, Jim says, "Yer queer, aintchya, Bob?"

I thought that was pretty funny... until I realized that *I* don't have a weed eater. Mmmm.. but hey, I DO have a lawn mower... that counts, right?

Hmmm.. skimmin over Google news this morn, it says that ahead of the G8 Summit, Bush meets with the Danish PM. Ya think they ate a Danish for breakfast?

Another artical shows where some bad guy in Idaho has a history of doing bad things to many people even before he was 16. I find that rather interesting. On one hand people say that records of minors should be wiped out because "they're just kids. Give em a fresh start." On the other hand.... heh... I guess the records are just hidden until a news org wants them.

Cute.... this other talks about protests breaking out as leaders arrive for the G8. There's a pic of Bush and the link on the pic goes on about how Bush is determined to continue to be bad. That was from Canada. The link to the headlined article starts in about Blair flying in. Interesting that they are the only 2 leaders mentioned by name amidts the hundreds of protesters wearing masks of leaders from several different countries. Hey, I wanna know what the leader of Scotland has done to make protesters wear a mask of HIM. I mean c'mon....

What I DON'T understand, maybe I just hafta be a protester to get it, but what's with the violent protests? I mean, if ya wanna wave a sign sayin "YOU SUCK!"... well, fine. But, according to this article, protesters were smashing cars and tearing up a Burger King. Ok, I can kinda understand wantin to smash a BK. When my (then 9) year old daughter takes it upon herself to go to the counter THREE times to get her order corrected... somethin aint right.

Aiight, I gotta go. I would have some pix, but my upload aint workin right. It goes well until I come to the "complete" screen. Ya hafta click "done" to get the pic posted. Since I never see a "done" button.... well, I aint done.

Later.

Today in history: 15 year old Paul McCartney met 16 year old John Lennon. Personally, I don't care bout the Beetles, but there ya have it. Source: http://www.historychannel.com