Quote of the Day

"Fathom the hypocrisy of a Government

that requires every citizen to prove

they are insured...but not everyone

must prove they are a citizen."

HAPPINESS

HAPPINESS is not based on POSITION, POWER, OR PRESTIGE

 but on the RELATIONSHIP with other people that you LOVE AND RESPECT.

 Author Unknown

Cantaloupe outbreak is deadliest in a decade

 Health officials say as many as 16 people have died from possible listeria illnesses traced to Colorado cantaloupes, the deadliest food outbreak in more than a decade.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Tuesday that 72 illnesses, including 13 deaths, are linked to the tainted fruit. State and local officials say they are investigating three additional deaths that may be connected.

The death toll released by the CDC Tuesday — including newly confirmed deaths in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Texas — surpassed the number of deaths linked to an outbreak of salmonella in peanuts almost three years ago. Nine people died in that outbreak.

The CDC said Tuesday that they have confirmed two deaths in Texas and one death each in in Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska. Last week the CDC reported two deaths in Colorado, four deaths in New Mexico, one in Oklahoma and one in Maryland.

New Mexico officials said Tuesday they are investigating a fifth death, while health authorities in Kansas and Wyoming said they too are investigating additional deaths possibly linked to the tainted fruit.

Listeria is more deadly than well-known pathogens like salmonella and E. coli, though those outbreaks generally cause many more illnesses. Twenty-one people died in an outbreak of listeria poisoning in 1998 traced to contaminated hot dogs and possibly deli meats made by Bil Mar Foods, a subsidiary of Sara Lee Corp. Another large listeria outbreak in 1985 killed 52 people and was linked to Mexican-style soft cheese.

Listeria generally only sickens the elderly, pregnant women and others with compromised immune systems. The CDC said the median age of those sickened is 78 and that one in five who contract the disease can die.

Dr. Robert Tauxe of the CDC says the number of illnesses and deaths will probably grow in coming weeks because the symptoms of listeria don't always show up right away. It can take four weeks or more for a person to fall ill after eating food contaminated with listeria.

Some bad news for some old friends - including myself

I received this from a dear friend today, who lives in California, he keeps me up on the news, I had not seen this and it was not on the evening news ...................
To save the economy, on September 30, 2011, Obama will announce that he is ordering the immigration department to start deporting old people (instead of illegals) in order to lower Social Security and Medicare costs. Old people are easier to catch, and will not remember how to get back home!

I started crying when I thought of you.

.....see you on the bus.

Indian Wanting Coffee

An Indian walks into a cafe with a shotgun in one hand and pulling a male buffalo with the other. He says to the waiter: "Want coffee."

The waiter says, "Yes Sir. Coming right up."

He gets the Indian a tall mug of coffee.....

The Indian drinks the coffee down in one gulp, turns and blasts the buffalo with the shotgun, causing parts of the animal to splatter everywhere and then just walks out.

The next morning the Indian returns. He has his shotgun in one hand, pulling another male buffalo with the other.

He walks up to the counter and says to the waiter: "Want coffee."

The waiter says, "Whoa, just a minute, we're still cleaning up your mess from yesterday. What was all that about, anyway?"

The Indian smiles and proudly says, "Training for position in United States Congress. Come in, drink coffee, shoot the bull, leave mess for others to clean up, disappear for rest of day."

NOVEMBER 2012 VOTE WISELY!

A Blue Rose

I received this in an email today from Lisa, one of my favorite people. Read it and remember it.

Having four visiting family members, my wife was very busy, so I offered to go to the store for her to get some needed items, which included light bulbs, paper towels, trash bags, detergent and Clorox. So off I went.

I scurried around the store, gathered up my goodies and headed for the checkout counter, only to be blocked in the narrow aisle by a young man who appeared to be about sixteen-years-old. I wasn't in a hurry, so I patiently waited for the boy to realize that I was there. This was when "Mommy, I'm over here."

It was obvious now, he was mentally challenged and also startled as he turned and saw me standing so close to him, waiting to squeeze by. His eyes widened and surprise exploded on his face as I said, "Hey Buddy, what's your name?"

"My name is Denny and I'm shopping with my mother," he responded proudly.

"Wow," I said, "that's a cool name; I wish my name was Denny, but my name is Steve."

"Steve, like Stevarino?" he asked.

"Yes," I answered. "How old are you Denny?"

"How old am I now, Mommy?" he asked his mother as she slowly came over from the next aisle.

"You're fifteen-years-old, Denny; now be a good boy and let the man pass by."

I acknowledged her and continued to talk to Denny for several more minutes about summer, bicycles and school. I watched his brown eyes dance with excitement, because he was the center of someones attention. He then abruptly turned and headed toward the toy section.

Denny's mom had a puzzled look on her face and thanked me for taking the time to talk with her son. She told me that most people wouldn't even look at him, much less talk to him.

I told her that it was my pleasure and then I said something I have no idea where it came from, other than by the prompting of the Holy Spirit. I said, "There are plenty of red, yellow, and pink roses in God's Garden; however, "Blue Roses" are very rare and should be appreciated for their beauty and distinctiveness. You see, Denny is a Blue Rose and if someone doesn't stop and smell that rose with their heart and touch that rose with their kindness, then they've missed a blessing from God."

She was silent for a second, then with a tear in her eye she asked, "Who are you?"

Without thinking I said, "Oh, I'm probably just a dandelion, but I sure love living in God's garden."

She reached out, squeezed my hand and said, "God bless you!" and then I had tears in my eyes.

May I suggest, the next time you see a BLUE ROSE, don't turn your head and walk off. Take the time to smile and say Hello. Why? Because, by

the grace of GOD, this mother or father could be you. This could be your child, grandchild, niece or nephew. What a difference a moment can mean to that person or their family.

Sent to you by an old dandelion!


If this story blesses you today, please consider forwarding this blog.

See that sparkle? It could be the caffeine

For many of us, coffee is the first thought of the day. Just thinking about it gives us the buzz, the energy and the power to ask ourselves the next question, do I make it at home or shell out another $4 at the local Starbucks as I race to work?

Well, you may decide to do both if you've seen new research that suggests women who drink more than one cup a day may decrease their risk of depression.

The more coffee women drink, the greater we reduce our risk of depression, according to the study. And since one in five women are diagnosed with depression at some point in life, it may be worth contemplating that double shot of espresso.

A study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine finds women who drank two to three cups of coffee a day reduced their risk of depression by 15 percent, compared to women who consumed only one cup or less per week.

Those who drank about one cup of coffee per day also reduced their depression risk, although not by nearly as much

Who would you put on a stamp?

Hoping to boost sagging revenue, the U.S. Postal Service on Monday abandoned its longstanding rule that stamps cannot feature people who are still alive and is asking the public for suggestions.

It's a first that means living sports stars, writers, artists and other prominent — or not-so-prominent — people could take their places in postal history next to the likes of George Washington, Martin Luther King Jr., and Marilyn Monroe.

"This change will enable us to pay tribute to individuals for their achievements while they are still alive to enjoy the honor," said Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe.

But it seems to be at least as much about money as admiration.

China Buys Its Chopsticks From A Small Georgia Town

It seems everything we buy these days says “Made in China.” But millions of the Asian nation's iconic chopsticks are proudly made in the U.S.A.

Two hours south of Atlanta lies the source of millions of Chinese chopsticks. Who would have thought? It's hard to imagine a place more quintessentially red, white and blue – the town, nestled firmly in the heartland of Georgia, is called Americus.

And their luck runs as deep as their love for country: Americus has the ideal type of wood for making chopsticks. The abundant forests of poplar and sweet gum trees in the area strike the perfect balance between hardness and softness, making a comfortable yet sturdy eating utensil for many across the world.

What's more, the region is no stranger to wood harvesting, with pine manufacturers and paper corporations – think Georgia-Pacific – helping to ease the industry's barriers to entry. Jae Lee created Georgia Chopsticks in November and is already producing 2 million chopsticks each day. They're selling their craft primarily to Chinese supermarkets but also are helping hungry people in Japan, Korea and the U.S.

Lee has seen a huge increase in demand over the past few months as the Chinese look to America – and specifically, Americus – for a product so natively associated with their culture.

The company had the resources and the labor pool, and an entrepreneur to enter into this business. I understand they hope to expand the business in a year or so. They were able to do this because they could get "LABOR at a REASONABLE cost." People are working here that have been out of work for a number of years, and are happy to be working. ...... jbd

Words of Wisdom from Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson knew because he himself studied the previous failed attempts at government. He understood actual history, the nature of God, his laws and the nature of man. That happens to be way more than what most understand today. Jefferson really knew his stuff. A voice from the past to lead us in the future:


John F. Kennedy held a dinner in the white House for a group of the brightest minds in the nation at that time. He made this statement: "This is perhaps the assembly of the most intelligence ever to gather at one time in the White House with the exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined alone."

"When we get piled upon one another in large cities, as in Europe, we shall become as corrupt as Europe." -- Thomas Jefferson

"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not." -- Thomas Jefferson


"It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes. A principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world." -- Thomas Jefferson

"I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them." -- Thomas Jefferson

"My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government." -- Thomas Jefferson

"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson


"The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government." -- Thomas Jefferson

"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." -- Thomas Jefferson


"To compel a man to subsidize with his taxes the propagation of ideas which he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical." -- Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson said in 1802: "I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies.

If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around the banks will deprive the people of all property - until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered."

THOMAS JEFFERRSON - A Remarkable Man

Thomas Jefferson was a very remarkable man who started learning very early in life and never stopped.

 

• At 5, began studying under his cousin's tutor.
• At 9, studied Latin, Greek and French.
• At 14, studied classical literature and additional languages.
• At 16, entered the College of William and Mary.
• At 19, studied Law for 5 years starting under George Wythe.
• At 23, started his own law practice.
• At 25, was elected to the Virginia House of Burgesses.
• At 31, wrote the widely circulated "Summary View of the Rights of British America” and retired from his law practice.
• At 32, was a Delegate to the Second Continental Congress.
• At 33, wrote the Declaration of Independence.
• At 33, took three years to revise Virginia's legal code and wrote a Public Education bill and a statute for Religious Freedom.
• At 36, was elected the second Governor of Virginia, succeeding Patrick Henry.
• At 40, served in Congress for two years.
• At 41, was the American minister to France, and negotiated commercial treaties with European nations along with Ben Franklin and John Adams.
• At 46, served as the first Secretary of State under George Washington.
• At 53, served as Vice President and was elected president of the American Philosophical Society.
• At 55, drafted the Kentucky Resolutions, and became the active head of Republican Party.
• At 57, was elected the third president of the United States.
• At 60, obtained the Louisiana Purchase, doubling the nation's size.
• At 61, was elected to a second term as President.
• At 65, retired to Monticello.
• At 80, helped President Monroe shape the Monroe Doctrine.
• At 81, almost single-handedly created the University of Virginia, and served as its first president.
• At 83, died on the 50th anniversary of the Signing of the Declaration of Independence, along with John Adams

Sad, isn't it?

This was sent to me, I am posting it because it does touch a nerve in me. This is another example of what Rick Perry called "TREASON in high places" !!! Get angry and forward this blog on!

Remember, not only did you contribute to Social Security but your employer did too. It totaled 15% of your income before taxes. If you averaged only $30K over your working life, that's close to $220,500.

If you calculate the future value of $4,500 per year (yours & your employer's contribution) at a simple 5% (less than what the govt. pays on the money that it borrows), after 49 years of working you'd have $892,919.98.

If you took out only 3% per year, you'd receive $26,787.60 per year and it would last better than 30 years (until you're 95 if you retire at age 65) and that's with no interest paid on that final amount on deposit! If you bought an annuity and it paid 4% per year, you'd have a lifetime income of $2,976.40 per month.

The folks in Washington have pulled off a bigger Ponzi scheme than Bernie Madhoff ever had.


Entitlement NO, I paid cash for my social security insurance!!!! Just because they borrowed the money, doesn't make my benefits some kind of charity or handout!!

Congressional benefits ---- free health care, outrageous retirement packages, 67 paid holidays, three weeks paid vacation, unlimited paid sick days, now that's welfare, and they have the nerve to call my social security retirement entitlements?

We're "broke" and can't help our own Seniors, Veterans, Orphans, Homeless

In the last months we have provided aid to Haiti , Chile , and Turkey . And now Pakistan ......home of bin Laden. Literally, BILLIONS of DOLLARS!!!

Our retired seniors living on a 'fixed income' receive no aid nor do they get any breaks while our government and religious organizations pour Hundreds of Billions of $$$$$$'s and Tons of Food to Foreign Countries!

They call Social Security and Medicare an entitlement even though most of us have been paying for it all our working lives and now when it’s time for us to collect, the government is running out of money. Why did the government borrow from it in the first place? Imagine if the *GOVERNMENT* gave 'US' the same support they give to other countries.

Thanksgiving Memory

I wrote this last year for a Spoof site I am on. With the holiday season speeding upon us, someone wanted it reposted.
Harry Caster, through his attorney C. Brewton Collier revealed today that a family Thanksgiving Dinner was ruined when a "breast implant" was discovered in their turkey.

"It was devastating for the family," Collier stated, "You can just imagine, that after a lengthy pre-dinner Thanksgiving Prayer, given by their cousin, the Reverend Dennison Sanker, Pastor of the Fourteenth Avenue Church of the Open Book, in Highland Park, which was offered right after the grand entrance of the platter carrying the tastefully prepared and deeply browned bird being carried in by the family cook, Estelle Patrone, that the discovery, needless to say, ruined the day.

Caster had meticulously sharpened his carving knife, and with a grand gesture, took his first cut into the breast of the bird, which penetrated the breast implant and squirted the heated contents over all the fourteen relatives in attendance.

Collier went on to say, "The stuff in that thing was over heated and the material had expanded and when Harry just touched it with that sharp knife of his, it exploded. It apparently wasn't implanted too deep because it shot out of that turkey and did one circle around the room like a balloon. It finally ended up in Aunt Sarah Morton's cranberry and walnut sauce.

Caster ended up taking the group to The Family Buffet for dinner.

It is anticipated that Judge Brenda Carlson will eventually hear the case. No court date has been set.

The origin of the elective surgery has not been determined.

Texas prisons end special last meals in executions

HOUSTON (AP) — It's a tradition with roots that can be traced far back in history: Before being put to death, a condemned prisoner can choose his last meal.

Not so anymore in Texas.

Officials who oversee the country's busiest death chamber stopped the practice on Thursday after a prominent state senator complained about a hefty request from a man executed for his role in a notorious dragging death. Now, inmates get to eat only what the kitchen serves.

The controversy began after Lawrence Russell Brewer, who was executed on Wednesday for the hate crime slaying of James Byrd Jr. more than a decade ago, asked for two chicken fried steaks, a triple-meat bacon cheeseburger, fried okra, a pound of barbecue, three fajitas, a meat lover's pizza, a pint of ice cream and a slab of peanut butter fudge with crushed peanuts. Prison officials said Brewer didn't eat any of it.

"It is extremely inappropriate to give a person sentenced to death such a privilege," Sen. John Whitmire, chairman of the Senate Criminal Justice Committee, wrote in a letter Thursday to Brad Livingston, the executive director of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

Within hours, Livingston said the senator's concerns were valid and the practice of allowing death row offenders to choose their final meal was history.

Hard to believe - IT'S FALL Already

WHAT A DIFFERENCE - Hubris

George W. Bush speech after capture of Saddam Hussein:

?The success of yesterday's mission is a tribute to our men and women now serving in Iraq . The operation was based on the superb work of intelligence analysts who found the dictator's footprints in a vast country. The operation was carried out with skill and precision by a brave fighting force. Our servicemen and women and our coalition allies have faced many dangers in the hunt for members of the fallen regime, and in their effort to bring hope and freedom to the Iraqi people. Their work continues, and so do the risks. Today, on behalf of the nation, I thank the members of our Armed Forces and I congratulate 'them."

Barack Hussein Obama speech, Sunday, May 1, 2011:

And so shortly after taking office, I directed Leon Panetta, the director of the CIA, to make the killing or capture of bin Laden the top priority of our war against al Qaeda, even as I continued our broader efforts to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat his network. Then, last August, after years of painstaking work by my intelligence community, I was briefed on a possible lead to bin Laden. It was far from certain, and it took many months to run this thread to ground. I met repeatedly with my national security team as we developed more information about the possibility that we had located bin Laden hiding within a compound deep inside of Pakistan . And finally, last week, I determined that I had enough intelligence to take action, and authorized an operation to get Osama bin Laden and bring him to justice. Today, at my direction, the United States launched a targeted operation against that compound in Abbottabad , Pakistan .

Hubris ( /Ë^hjuËbrɪs/ ), also hubris, means extreme haughtiness, pride or arrogance. Hubris often indicates a loss of contact with reality and an overestimation of one's own competence or capabilities, especially when the person exhibiting it is in a position of power.

A practical suggestion ............... for the Elderly

Place the elderly in prisons.

They will get a shower a day, video surveillance in case of problems, three meals a day, access to a library, computer, TV, and a gym.

Put criminals in nursing homes.

They have cold meals lights off at 10, one bath a week, live in a smaller room and pay $ 5,000 a month !!!!!

I was in a nursing home for a week or so after my open heart surgery. I walked out on Christmas Eve. I found out that their Christmas dinner was going to be hot dogs. so, such a shame that there is some truth to this.

REPLACEMENT WINDOWS

Candy, our gorgeous blond neighbor, replaced all the windows in her house with that expensive double-pane energy efficient kind, and today, she got a call from the contractor who installed them. He was complaining that the work had been completed over a year ago and he still hadn't been paid,

"Hellloooo," she said, "just because I'm blond doesn't mean that I am automatically stupid."

So, she  told him just what his fast talking sales guy had told her last year, that in ONE YEAR those windows would pay for themselves!

"Helllooooo, it's been a year,"  she told him.

There was only silence at the other end of the line, so she finally just hung up. He never called back. I bet he felt like an idiot.

My birthday on the 30th

The 30th of this month, I will have a birthday, number 79, I am old.

One of the problems of being 78, I found, was when people asked, "How old are you?" my best answer, was often, "high seventies." It is difficult to remember many things at this advanced age, and trying to remember a number is one of the hardest. I often just replied, "Still above ground."

Many people don't make it to 79, perhaps I shouldn't brag, I still have a week or so to go before that day.

I am assuming that ALL of my children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren are saying to themselves, "What can I/we get for Dad, Grandfather and Great Grandfather." Quite a dilemma.

Pills would be nice, we spend a fortune on pills each month. I don't need any clothes, I just wear this sweatshirt and a pair of shorts, in the Winter months I wear sweatpants and already have one pair. Dr. Franks Joint and Muscle Pain Relief would be nice, I squirt a lot of that under my tongue, three times a day, and it does seem to help. It cut my Joint and Muscle Pain Relief in half.

I am not incontinent, as of today, so diapers are out of the question. Who wants to hear, "Oh, gosh, diapers, just what I needed."

I don't wear socks much, shoes are hard enough to get on, socks are a real problem. They have long shoe horns and things for shoes, but nothing to help putting on socks, so I just don't wear them much. My feet feel like they have them on all the time anyway, I forget what the Doctor called that.

We have four blood pressure taking machines, two walkers and a porta-pot, and most precious of all, a lot of  good memories to look back on, combined with "Easy Listening" on the TV (listening to that right now), great listening music, 939 on our remote.

So, while I still have some "health" left, and can walk, I saw an ad the other day for an "ElderWheeler," remote four wheeling for the elderly, that's what I want. I wrote to them, the mailman just left, and their brochure should be here today. I don't have much to look forward to in the mail anymore, my Wife gets Direct Deposit on my SS check, so don't have that to look forward to anymore. She still gives me my $20 allowance on the "third," but it's just not the same.

OK, back from the mailbox, envelope from "ElderWheeler," .... I tear open the envelope, a letter thanking me for the inquiry, photograph enclosed ........... anticipation to see the unit .......

Kindergartener brings crack pipe, meth for show-and-tell

By Bruce Olson

A kindergartener in rural Sweet Springs, Missouri, brought a bag of crystal meth and a crack pipe to school for show-and-tell, but an alert teacher kept the boy from sharing his treasure with others at the school, an official said on Tuesday.

"He was very excited when he got to school," Superintendent Donna Wright said of the September 6 incident. "But I don't think he knew what he had."

A teacher recognized the drugs and pipe and police were called to the elementary school. "It didn't ever get into the classroom," Wright added.

"That was a first for show-and-tell in this town," Police Chief Richard Downing said. He added that the boy's mother, Michelle Cheatham, 32, was arrested later on drug charges and released on bail.

"It was shocking," Wright said. "We're not experienced with dealing with this."

The town, located 66 miles east of Kansas City on the Blackwater River, has 1,500 residents and about 425 students in its school system.

Another Ponzi Scheme - Why can't I think of these things?????

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. prosecutors made new allegations on Tuesday in a probe of the Full Tilt Poker website, accusing self-styled "Poker Professor" Howard Lederer and professional poker champion Christopher Ferguson and others of paying themselves more than $440 million while defrauding other players.


In a motion filed in federal court in New York to amend an earlier civil complaint, the prosecutors accused Full Tilt Poker of running a Ponzi scheme that continued even after the original charges were filed.

Prosecutors unsealed the earlier charges on April 15, accusing three Internet poker companies -- Full Tilt Poker, Absolute Poker and PokerStars -- and 11 people, including Full Tilt director Raymond Bitar, of bank fraud, illegal gambling and money laundering offenses.

Lederer is described on his website as "The Poker Professor" and Ferguson has won five World Series of Poker events. The men are directors and owners of Full Tilt Poker.

"In reality, Full Tilt Poker did not maintain funds sufficient to repay all players, and in addition, the company used player funds to pay board members and other owners more than $440 million since April 2007," the office of Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said in a statement.

"Full Tilt was not a legitimate poker company, but a global Ponzi scheme."

A Ponzi scheme is usually one in which early investors are paid with the money of new clients and it collapses when funds run out.
 
As we used to say in Reno, "If you're gonna be a sucker, be a silent one."

Fridays At The Pentagon

IT HAPPENS EVERY FRIDAY! WERE YOU AWARE?

By JOSEPH L. GALLOWAY
McClatchy Newspapers

Over the last 12 months, 1,042 soldiers, Marines, sailors and Air Force personnel have given their lives in the terrible duty that is war. Thousands more have come home on stretchers, horribly wounded and facing months or years in military hospitals.

This week, I'm turning my space over to a good friend and former roommate, Army Lt. Col.. Robert Bateman, who recently completed a yearlong tour of duty and is now back at the Pentagon.

Here's Lt. Col. Bateman's account of a little-known ceremony that fills the halls of the Army corridor of the Pentagon with cheers, applause and many tears every Friday morning. It first appeared on May 17 on the Weblog of media critic and pundit Eric Alterman at the Media Matters for America Website.

"It is 110 yards from the "E" ring to the "A" ring of the Pentagon. This section of the Pentagon is newly renovated; the floors shine, the hallway is broad, and the lighting is bright. At this instant the entire length of the corridor is packed with officers, a few sergeants and some civilians, all crammed tightly three and four deep against the walls. There are thousands here.


"This hallway, more than any other, is the `Army' hallway. The G3 offices line one side, G2 the other, G8 is around the corner. All Army. Moderate conversations flow in a low buzz. Friends who may not have seen each other for a few weeks, or a few years, spot each other, cross the way and renew.


"Everyone shifts to ensure an open path remains down the center. The air conditioning system was not designed for this press of bodies in this area.


"The temperature is rising already. Nobody cares. " 10:36 hours: The clapping starts at the E-Ring. That is the outermost of the five rings of the Pentagon and it is closest to the entrance to the building. This clapping is low, sustained, hearty. It is applause with a deep emotion behind it as it moves forward in a wave down the length of the hallway.


"A steady rolling wave of sound it is, moving at the pace of the soldier in the wheelchair who marks the forward edge with his presence. He is the first. He is missing the greater part of one leg, and some of his wounds are still suppurating. By his age I expect that he is a private, or perhaps a private first class.


"Captains, majors, lieutenant colonels and colonels meet his gaze and nod as they applaud, soldier to soldier. Three years ago when I described one of these events, those lining the hallways were somewhat different. The applause a little wilder, perhaps in private guilt for not having shared in the burden ... Yet.


"Now almost everyone lining the hallway is, like the man in the wheelchair, also a combat veteran. This steadies the applause, but I think deepens the sentiment. We have all been there now. The soldier's chair is pushed by, I believe, a full colonel.


"Behind him, and stretching the length from Rings E to A, come more of his peers, each private, corporal, or sergeant assisted as need be by a field grade officer.


" 11:00 hours: Twenty-four minutes of steady applause. My hands hurt, and I laugh to myself at how stupid that sounds in my own head. My hands hurt. Please! Shut up and clap. For twenty-four minutes, soldier after soldier has come down this hallway - 20, 25, 30.. Fifty-three legs come with them, and perhaps only 52 hands or arms, but down this hall came 30 solid hearts.

"They pass down this corridor of officers and applause, and then meet for a private lunch, at which they are the guests of honor, hosted by the generals. Some are wheeled along. Some insist upon getting out of their chairs, to march as best they can with their chin held up, down this hallway, through this most unique audience. Some are catching handshakes and smiling like a politician at a Fourth of July parade. More than a couple of them seem amazed and are smiling shyly.


"There are families with them as well: the 18-year-old war-bride pushing her 19-year-old husband's wheelchair and not quite understanding why her husband is so affected by this, the boy she grew up with, now a man, who had never shed a tear is crying; the older immigrant Latino parents who have, perhaps more than their wounded mid-20s son, an appreciation for the emotion given on their son's behalf. No man in that hallway, walking or clapping, is ashamed by the silent tears on more than a few cheeks. An Airborne Ranger wipes his eyes only to better see. A couple of the officers in this crowd have themselves been a part of this parade in the past.


"These are our men, broken in body they may be, but they are our brothers, and we welcome them home. This parade has gone on, every single Friday, all year long, for more than four years.

Did you know that? I didn't.

Progressive Insurance .... some interesting data

PROGRESSIVE INSURANCE is owned by Peter Lewis: Who is he? Read this...


You've seen and smiled at the Progressive Insurance TV commercials. Well, as Paul Harvey would say, you're about to learn the rest of the story:

PROGRESSIVE AUTO INSURANCE
You know their TV commercials, the ones featuring the ditsy actress all dressed in white. What you might not know is that the Chairman of Progressive is Peter Lewis, one of the major funders of leftist causes in America ..

Between 2001 and 2003, Lewis funneled $15 million to the ACLU, the group most responsible for destroying what's left of Americas Judeo-Christian heritage.

Lewis also gave $12.5 million to MoveOn.org and America Coming Together, two key propaganda arms of the socialist left.

His funding for these groups was conditional on matching contributions from George Soros, the America-hating socialist who is the chief financier of the Obama political machine.

Lewis made a fortune as a result of capitalism, but now finances a progressive movement that threatens to destroy the American free enterprise system that is targeting television shows on Fox News.

Peter Lewis is making a fortune off of conservative Americans (who buy his auto insurance) that he applies to dismantle the very system that made him wealthy. He's banking on no one finding out who he is, so, STOP buying Progressive Insurance and pass this information on to all your friends..

Chairman Lewis' gift helps the ACLU promote their anti-Christmas agenda such as:

· Removing nativity scenes from public property
· Banning songs such as Silent Night from schools
· Refusing to allow students to write about the Christian aspect of Christmas in school projects
· Renaming Christmas break Winter break
· Refusing to allow a city sponsored Christmas parade to be called a Christmas parade
· Not allowing a Christmas tree in a public school
· Renaming a Christmas tree displayed on public property a Holiday tree

In addition to their war on Christmas, the ACLU uses gifts like that from Chairman Lewis to:

· Sue states to force them to legalize homosexual marriage
· Force libraries to remove porn filters from their computers
· Sue the Boy Scouts to force them to accept homosexuals as scout leaders
· Help legalize child pornography
· Legalize live sex acts in bars in Oregon
· Protect the North American Man Boy Love Association whose motto is "sex by eight or it is too late"
· Censor student led prayer at graduation
· Remove "under God" from the Pledge of Allegiance
· Remove "In God We Trust" on our currency

FYI - 1% tax on all bank transactions HR 4646

ON JANUARY 1 ST 2012, THE GOVERNMENT IS REQUIRING EVERYONE TO HAVE DIRECT DEPOSIT FOR SS CHECKS.

Watch for this AFTER November elections; remember this BEFORE you VOTE in case you think Obama's looking out for your best interest.

1% tax on all bank transactions HR 4646

This government just cannot think of enough ways to hurt the American people! I sure hope this dies!!!!!

1% tax on all bank transactions HR 4646 - ANOTHER NEW OBAMA TAX SLIPPED IN WHILE WE WERE ASLEEP. Checked this on snopes, it's true! Check out HR 4646.

President Obama's finance team is recommending a one percent (1%) transaction fee (TAX). Obama's plan is to sneak it in after the November elections to keep it under the radar.

This is a 1% tax on all transactions at any financial institution - banks, credit unions, savings and loans, etc. Any deposit you make, or even a transfer within your account, will have a 1% tax charged. ~If your paycheck or your social security or whatever is direct deposit, it will get a 1% tax charged for the transaction. ~If your paycheck is $1000, then you will pay Obama $10 just for the privilege of depositing your paycheck in your bank. Even if you hand carry your paycheck or any check into your bank for a deposit, 1% tax will be charged. ~You receive a $5,000 stock dividend from your broker, Obama takes $50 just to allow you to deposit that check in the bank.. ~If you take $1,000 cash to deposit at your bank, 1% tax will be charged.

Mind you, this is from the man who promised that, if you make under $250,000 per year, you will not see one penny of new tax. Keep your eyes and ears open, you will be amazed at what you learn about this guy's under-the-table moves to increase the number of ways you are taxed.

Oh, and by the way, if you receive a refund from the IRS next year and you have it direct deposited or you walk in to deposit that check, you guessed it. You will pay a 1% charge of that money just for putting it in your bank. Remember, any money, cash, check or whatever, no matter where it came from, you will pay a 1% fee if you put it in the bank.

Some will say, oh well, it's just 1%. Are you kidding me? It's a 1% tax increase across the board. Remember, once the tax is there, they can also raise it at will. And if anyone protests, they will just say, "Oh,that's not really a tax, it's a user fee"! Think this is no big deal? Go back and look at the transactions you made from on year's banking statements. Then add the total of all those transactions and deduct 1%. Still think it's no big deal?

The Talking Dog

A guy is driving around the back woods of Montana and he sees a sign in front of a broken down shanty-style house:


'Talking Dog For Sale"

He rings the bell and the owner appears and tells him the dog is in the backyard.

The guy goes into the backyard and sees a nice looking Labrador retriever sitting there.

'You talk?' he asks.

'Yep,' the Lab replies.

After the guy recovers from the shock of hearing a dog talk, he says 'So, what's your story?'

The Lab looks up and says, 'Well, I discovered that I could talk when I was pretty young..

I wanted to help the government, so I told the CIA.

In no time at all they had me jetting from country to country, sitting in rooms with spies and world leaders, because no one figured a dog would be eavesdropping.'

'I was one of their most valuable spies for eight years running...

But the jetting around really tired me out, and I knew I wasn't getting any younger so I decided to settle down. I signed up for a job at the airport to do some undercover security, wandering near suspicious characters and listening in. I uncovered some incredible dealings and was awarded a batch of medals.'I got married, had a mess of puppies, and now I'm just retired.'

The guy is amazed. He goes back in and asks the owner what he wants for the dog.

'Ten dollars,' the guy says.

'Ten dollars? This dog is amazing! Why on earth are you selling him so cheap?'

'Because he's a liar. He's never been out of the yard."
 

XM25 Individual Airburst Weapon System (IAWS)

This weapon is fondly referred to as “The Punisher.” This air-burst grenade launcher fires a 25mm projectile using a remarkable laser-finder targeting system to explode above– or behind– a pre-programmed target. The grenade detonates after a set number of aerial rotations, and is capable of hitting a target at 500 meters.

Basically, you can set this thing to blow up right above a foxhole, or right behind some sandbags. It brings an anti-personnel capability to our soldiers in Afghanistan that helps erase the advantages of terrain in an ambush scenario. It also has door-breaching and non-lethal capabilities when used with different rounds.

Newt Gingrich: Capital gains tax deters investment in U.S.

September 16, 2011

Encouraging work, economic growth, entrepreneurial innovation and the revitalization of our manufacturing base are the answers to the unemployment and poverty crises confronting America.

This is why I have proposed a tax policy that maximizes private capital investment to create jobs. It starts with eliminating the capital gains tax and the death tax, reducing the corporate tax to 12.5%, and 100% expensing of all new capital equipment purchases.

Eliminating the capital gains tax would liberate private capital to move quickly to the most productive investments, thereby accelerating economic growth. This is the opposite of the failed model practiced by the Obama administration, which is bureaucracies steering taxpayer stimulus dollars to allegedly “shovel ready” jobs and politically connected firms such as Solyndra.

Many don’t realize that the capital gains tax is not the only tax on capital income. First, the business in which one is investing must pay a 35% corporate tax on all income. Second, any dividends distributed to shareholders are taxed as individual income. Third, when the investor sells his share, he has to pay any capital gains taxes. Finally, if there is anything the individual has left at death, then this capital income is taxed again — a whopping fourth time — by the death tax.

All these taxes discourage investment in the United States and encourage it in foreign markets. This directly affects every American through lost jobs, lower wages and a weaker economy as the capital investment that creates jobs and bids up wages goes to another country, leaving American workers behind.

When we cut the capital gains tax in 1997 during my tenure as speaker of the House, venture capital funding increased from $10 billion in 1996 to $53 billion in 1999; the stock market, as measured by the Dow Jones industrial average, rose 40% from under 7,000 in 1997 to over 10,000 in 2000; and nearly 10 million jobs were created from 1997 to 2000.

And we balanced the federal budget for four straight years for the first time since the 1930s and paid off over $400 billion in debt.

Let’s do it again, and more.

Former House speaker Newt Gingrich is seeking the Republican presidential nomination.

I think this is funny ............................

Carville to Obama: Panic

By Newsmax Wires

Political strategist and former Clinton adviser James Carville thinks it's time for President Barack Obama to . . . panic.

Following the results in two highly watched U.S. House elections Tuesday — a stunning upset with a Republican win in New York and and another GOP victory in Nevada — Carville says he can think of only one word of advice for the president: Panic.

"We are far past sending out talking points. Do not attempt to dumb it down. We cannot stand any more explanations. Have you talked to any Democratic senators lately? I have. It's pretty damn clear they are not happy campers.

"This is what I would say to President Barack Obama: The time has come to demand a plan of action that requires a complete change from the direction you are headed."

More on Walmart

Did you ever wonder why there are so many things on the intetnet devoted to Walmart, photographs, incidents, well, perhaps this is one of the reasons WHY?

About 140 million Americans shop at Walmart every week. "That's half the adults in the country, going to Walmart every week." If each shopper only spends 30 minutes at Walmart, on average, that's 70 million hours of time Americans spend at Walmart each week — that's kind of incredible."


* With 1.5 million employees in the U.S., Walmart is the country's single largest private employer. "Walmart has added more employees in the United States in the last year than Google or Amazon actually employ total," Fishman says. "In many states — at least half the 50 states, Walmart is also the No. 1 employer."

* There are 3,140 counties in the United States and some 3,822 Walmart stores of every kind — Walmarts, Supercenters, Sam's Clubs. That averages out to more than one store per county. So there are roughly 500 Walmart employees per county.

* Of the 3,822 Walmart stores, 2,939 are Supercenters, which means they are open 24 hours a day. So in virtually every county, 500 people work at Walmart, and there is a Walmart open every hour of every day, and every one of those Walmarts is being visited by 37,000 people a week — that's 220 people an hour, in every Walmart, in virtually every county in the whole country, every hour of the day.
 
And one of my "pet peeves," 1 our of every 3 Walmart customers will select a product, decide they do't want it, and just leave it somewhere in the store, where it DOESN'T belong.

School board hopeful admits to past kidnaps

(AP) FAIRFIELD, Calif. - A candidate for a Northern California school board acknowledged she was once arrested for abducting four girls from a bus stop, but said she was under "mental duress" at the time and meant no harm.

Alvina Sheeley, 70, is one of eight candidates on the November ballot for a Fairfield-Suisun school board seat. She was found not guilty by reason of insanity in the abduction in 1998, and spent more than a year in a federal psychiatric hospital.

Lindsey McWilliams, assistant registrar of voters for Solano County, said Sheeley is eligible to run for the school board seat, despite her background. The requirements say candidates must be 18 or older and registered to vote, must not be a convicted felon or on felony parole, and must live in the jurisdiction.

Sheeley, a former high school Spanish teacher, told The Daily Republic of Fairfield that she had meant no harm. She was on leave from her job at Fairfield High School when she tried to gain custody of a girl whom she knew through family in her hometown of Alton, Ill.

The girl's mother refused to give custody to Sheeley, who then took four other girls, ages 8 to 12. She told the girls she was taking them to California for a better life.

Sheeley was released from the federal psychiatric hospital in June 2000 and put on probation. She was placed under the watch of a state officer and a doctor until her discharge eight years later.

"I am sorry that I did it," Sheeley told the newspaper. "The counseling that I received and the medical care helped me to understand why I did what I did."

Some of her former colleagues were dismayed that she could still run for the office.

"I think it's horrendous that someone arrested for kidnapping kids is running for school board," teacher Frank Billecci said.

GOP: White House May Have Rushed Solar Firm Loan

by The Associated Press

The Obama administration's eagerness to deliver economic stimulus may have influenced a federal review of a loan to a now-bankrupt solar panel manufacturer, a move that may have left taxpayers on the hook for a $528 million debt, House Republicans said Wednesday.

The panel examining the loan disclosed e-mails that appear to show senior staff at the White House Office of Management and Budget chafing about having to conduct "rushed approvals" of federal loan guarantees designed to help jumpstart the nation's renewable energy industry.

GOP lawmakers said the White House had scheduled a groundbreaking for Solyndra Inc. even before the Department of Energy had submitted its final paperwork on the terms of the loan to the OMB.

"We would prefer to have sufficient time to do our due diligence reviews and have the approval set the date for the announcement rather than the other way around," said one of the emails from an unnamed OMB aide to the office of Vice President Joe Biden.

Solyndra was cited by President Obama as an example of how the economic stimulus bill would increase employment through investments in renewable energy. But it couldn't compete with foreign manufacturers of solar panels in the U.S. and the European market dried up. It has filed for bankruptcy, laying off 1,100 workers. Shortly after the filing, FBI officials raided the company's headquarters in Fremont, Calif. The company said the FBI was seeking records on the loans.

Republican lawmakers on the House Energy and Commerce Committee's investigations panel are questioning why there was a rush to approve the loan and whether the entire loan guarantee program is warranted.

Trump on NY Upset: Obama 'Just Doesn't Get It'

By Newsmax Wires

Following is a statement that New York businessman Donald Trump released exclusively to Newsmax today regarding Republican Bob Turner’s stunning victory in the special election in the 9th Congressional District Tuesday.

“I must admit that I have done a lot of promotion throughout my career, but my foray into robo-calling this past week on behalf of Bob Turner in the congressional district where I grew up was a unique first experience which I am happy to see helped produce a historic result.

“I was honored when candidate Bob Turner came to meet with me to discuss his campaign this past month. During our meeting in Trump Tower, Bob discussed his pro-growth platform of low taxes, protecting Social Security and Medicare, and his plan to promote small businesses both within his district and nationwide during his term in Congress.

“I was impressed that Bob got 40 percent against an entrenched Anthony Weiner a year ago based on hard work and a clear pro-job growth message. Bob Turner is the kind of guy we need in Congress if we are going to make America great again.

“This time Turner, a successful private businessman, was running against a career politician who could never make it in the private sector and has no idea how jobs are created. I was also pleased that Bob’s message on protecting our national security put a strong emphasis on our relationship with Israel in a predominantly Democratic district that gave Barack Obama 55 percent of the vote in 2008.
“From the time of our meeting, Bob piqued my interest not only in his campaign but the larger message that this race could send to Barack Obama. As I stated in my robo-call, which was primarily played to Democratic households because campaign polls showed I had very high favorable ratings with these folks, “If you don’t like what’s going on in Washington, if you don’t like what’s happening with Israel, because Israel is being treated very badly and very unfairly by the Obama administration, vote for Bob Turner. Trust me, they’ll notice. Electing Bob Turner on Tuesday will be a shot heard ‘round the country.”

2011Easy-Bake loses its bulb

By ERIKA NIEDOWSKI - Associated Press

The latest version of the famous toy oven first marketed in 1963 with a carrying handle and a fake stove top is now all curves and purple and snazzy graphics. And — perhaps most shocking of all — it comes with a new instruction: No light bulb necessary.

Chalk it up as an unintended consequence of the federal government's move to phase out the incandescent light bulb. The compact fluorescents that are becoming the new standard for household use are so energy efficient that they're useless in baking a brownie — or any of the other miniature treats the Easy-Bake has been cooking up for nearly 50 years.

Initially, news of the death of the 100-watt bulb prompted rumors that the Easy-Bake might be going the same way. Instead, the toy got its 11th redesign, at the heart of which is a new heating element much like that of a traditional oven.

The forced re-engineering also handed Hasbro an excuse to give the Easy-Bake — which in the 1960s and 1970s came in the era's popular kitchen décor colors — its most modern makeover yet.

"This gave us a reason to do it completely differently," said Michelle Paolino, a vice president of global brand strategy and marketing at Hasbro.

"We wanted it to look more like a real appliance, not a plastic toy," she said.

About the size of a big bread box, the Easy-Bake Ultimate Oven is clearly designed to fit on any kitchen counter, assuming a parent is willing to shell out $49.99, a steep hike from the last model's price tag of $29.99.

GOP Win in NY Is 'Stunning Rebuke' to Obama

By David A. Patten

The GOP victory in the heavily Democratic New York City's 9th Congressional District once held by former Rep. Anthony Weiner touched off a political earthquake and offered a “stunning rebuke” to President Barack Obama as he gears up for his re-election bid in 2012, political pundits and pollsters say.

Bob Turner's election is described as a "wake-up call that every Democrat is potentially at risk."
Republican businessman Bob Turner stunned the establishment by defeating David Weprin, a New York state assemblyman who was the handpicked choice of the city's Democratic machine, in a special election fight to fill Weiner's seat.

The defeat had Democratic stalwarts reeling, as the party holds a 3-to-1 advantage over Republicans in the district's voter registrations. President Obama won the district in 2008 handily, beating Sen. John McCain there 55 percent to 44 percent.

Democratic pollster and Fox News commentator Doug Schoen told Newsmax the GOP win in the heart of Democratic liberalism represents a “stunning rebuke” to President Obama and his policies.

“It will be at the very least a wake-up call that every Democrat is potentially at risk,” Schoen tells Newsmax. “And it will be a message to the president that his policies at least for the time being have gotten a resounding rebuke by reliably Democratic voters.”

Turner, a former Multimedia Entertainment television executive, drew broad-based support for his candidacy, gaining endorsements from former Mayors Rudy Giuliani and Ed Koch.

Koch, one of the city's most popular and influential Democrats, played a pivotal role in the race by embracing Turner.

In late July, Koch urged Democratic voters to back Turner to send a message to Obama, as well as the two parties.

Koch wrote that the special election should serve as a "a referendum that will allow the voters of this district, the largest Jewish district in the country, to register a protest against the positions of President Barack Obama and the Republican leadership on a number of key issues."

Koch also has been dismayed with Obama's Mideast policies that demonstrated "open hostility to the State of Israel."

National Democratic organizations pulled out all the stops to counter Turner and supporters such as Koch, pouring more than $600,000 into advertising buys in the waning days of the campaign to help Weprin.

In car chase scenes, especially in old movies, why does the driver always turn around and look out of the back window instead of looking in the rear view mirrors? I would think that in such high speed chases one would keep their eyes on the road.

It is a gorgeous day in Ohio, sitting here with the window open, a nice breeze is filtering in, the sun is shining, there are a few leaves blowing around in the driveway, nice.

If Obama had the solutions to all of our problems, why did he wait until his approval rating was so low, and this close to the election. Just a coincidence, or what?

Let's face it, we are a second rate nation, behind China. We are not the "world leader" that we used to be, we just try to act like one.

I would really like to know what the cost has been to the American Taxpayer, for supporting the life style of our president. All the extra staff, extra crews on his airplane, the bus, all the trips, the fuel, and all expended to satisfy the needs of an inflated ego. Obama reminds me of someone who hit a multi-million dollar lottery, or the old "kid in a candy store."

I also predict he will win the next election, IF, he is the Democratic Candidate. I still feel that Hillary might someone, sneak in there. One pole indicated that if Obama ran today, unopposed, he would lose. But, this is not election eve, and in my opinion, by election time, the majority that he needs to win, will think he is "godlike." Democrats have never opened doors so that Republicans could walk in. Remember, "it ain't over till it's over."

Remember what old Al Einstein said: Insanity: Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results  -  and that is exactly what we are doing.

But let's not worry about the country, we have the NFL to watch and worry about, baseball, auto racing, Charlie Sheen, Lady Ga Ga, (or whatever her name is), college football, just toooooo many other things to consider, hopefully, life and the country will go on, and don't forget politics.



HOW can you realistically put people back to work, when there are no jobs?

Charlie Sheen.

Do you know how much cocaine Charlie Sheen used?
















Enough to kill Two and a Half Men.

WHY? - Good Question ..........

The conclusion: The Arabs are not happy!!!

· They are not happy in Gaza.

· They are not happy in the West Bank.

· They are not happy in Jerusalem.

· They are not happy in Israel. (There is no equality)

· They are not happy in Egypt.

· They are not happy in Libya.

· They are not happy in Algeria.

· They are not happy in Tunis.

· They are not happy in Morocco.

· They are not happy in Yemen.

· They are not happy in Iraq.

· They are not happy in Afghanistan.

· They are not happy in Syria.

· They are not happy in Lebanon.

· They are not happy in Sudan.

· They are not happy in Jordan.

· They are not happy in Iran.

Where are the Arabs happy?

They are happy in England.

They are happy in France.

They are happy in Italy.

They are happy in Germany.

They are happy in Sweden.

They are happy in Holland.

They are happy in Denmark.

They are happy in Belgium.

They are happy in Norway.

They are happy in the U.S.

They are happy in Canada.

They are happy in Romania.

They are happy in Hungary.

They are happy in Australia.

They are happy in New Zealand.

They are happy in any other country in the world that is not under a Muslim rule.

And whom do they blame?

· Not Islam.

· Not their leadership.

· Not themselves.

But the same countries in which they are happy to live.

This is so true... Democracy is really good for them:

In a democracy they can live comfortably,

Enjoy the high quality of life which they did not build nor work for,

They don’t have to be productive and earn a living,

They can be wild,

And break the law,

Exploit the social services,

Wear Burka’s and make a mockery of our Police and Courts

And

Generally bite the hand that feeds them.

The question is why do they always try to bring their failed system with them, why do they want to turn our Country into the country they left for a better life....?

While our Government is fixated on pandering to them... Why??

Worth many words .......................

USS New York and 9/11

What sets the USS New York apart? Its construction incorporates 7.5 tons of steel salvaged from the ruins of the World Trade Center which fell on September 11, 2001, the victim of terrorist attack. The steel was melted down and poured into a mold to form the bow stem of the USS New York. The idea for using recovered steel from the World Trade Center is not credited to any one person but it is known that then Governor George Pataki was instrumental in seeing that the steel made its way to the Amite Foundry and Machine, Inc., Amite, La., as a gift from the citizens of New York to the Navy.


Shipbuilders who worked on the USS New York feel a special bond with her. The USS New York was in the area, just a few miles up the Mississippi river, when Hurricane Katrina hit. They weathered the storm together and some of the shipbuilders' lives were impacted dramatically. Many of them lost their homes and had to live in an onsite bunker to keep working on the USS New York. Some have said that the USS New York represents resurrection to them.

I sometimes WONDER ...............

9/11, in my mind, is the worst disaster that has happened to this country, and has had more impact on the country than any other event in our history.

I suppose it is human nature that we like to "relive" disasters, I just don't know why? It seems like we invest tons of money to keep these events alive in our memories, especially, while we have so many citizens hungry, out of work, homeless. Will some homeless, hungry child be aware of all that is going on this weekend, and wonder why he is hungry and homeless. "How much did that memorial cost, daddy?"

I can't imagine the mega amounts of money that have  been absorbed by the event, the compensation for loss, the money "stolen," and now the money spent in the name of another memorial. I wonder if China has expended tons of money on "memorials?"

Memorials satisfy a comparatively small number of our population, and cost billions or trillions of dollars that perhaps could be put to better use. At sometime, someone in power is going to have to become more of a realist and get our priorities straight.

I, for one, don't need a memorial, or any reminders of 9/11, it will never fade from my mind, many daily incidents trigger that day in my mind.

AFTER we get everyone working, no one homeless, no one hungry, no one fighting wars overseas, or anywhere for that matter, then let's remember.

We never LEARN from the past.

Food for Thought - Something to Digest

I received this from a number of sources, material to stimulate THINKING .........


The folks who are getting the free Stuff, don't like the folks who are paying for the free Stuff,
Because the folks who are paying for the free Stuff,
Can no longer afford to pay for both the free Stuff and their own Stuff,

And,

The folks who are paying for the free Stuff,
Want the free Stuff to stop.
And the the folks who are getting the free Stuff,
Want even more free Stuff on top of the free Stuff they are already getting!

Now... The people who are forcing the people who Pay for the free Stuff,
Have told the people who are RECEIVING the free Stuff,
That the people who are PAYING for the free Stuff,
Are being mean, prejudiced, and racist.

So... The people who are GETTING the free Stuff,
Have been convinced they need to hate the people who are paying for the free Stuff,
By the people who are forcing some people to pay for their free Stuff,
And giving them the free Stuff in the first place.

We have let the free Stuff giving go on for so long that there are
Now more people getting free Stuff than paying for the free Stuff.

Now understand this. All great democracies have committed financial suicide somewhere between 200 and 250 years after being founded.

The reason?

The voters figured out they could vote themselves money from the treasury by electing people who promised to give them money from the treasury in exchange for electing them.

The United States officially became a Republic in 1776, 231 years ago.

The number of people now getting free Stuff outnumbers the people Paying for the free Stuff.

We have one chance to change that in 2012. Failure to change that spells the end of the United States as we know it.

ELECTION 2012 IS COMING

A Nation of Sheep Breeds a Government of Wolves!

Michael Vick gave Cam Newton advice

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Panthers rookie quarterback Cam Newton says when he picked up the phone, he was surprised to hear Michael Vick on the other end.

He says the Philadelphia quarterback gave him advice last week on what he thought Newton needs to do.

Newton, the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft, says "whatever he says right now is golden."

He says Vick has been in this situation and that he idolizes the former Virginia Tech star who was the top pick in the 2001 draft.

Vick wasn't thrown into the fire as a rookie the way Newton will be Sunday, when Carolina opens against the Arizona Cardinals, but he has seen -- and overcome -- his share of adversity.
 
Would loved to have heard that conversation .............. Advice on HOW NOT to get caught, HOW to live a better life in prison ......... HOW did he get his phone number? "Hi Operator, do you have a listing for a Cam Newton?" Maybe they just talked about the MILLIONS they are making. "They delivered my Bugatti last week." .......... "I be gonna get one to, what is it?"

9/11

Five days away from 9/11. In some respects it was the most "monumental" moment in the history of our country. Just think of what that day caused to happen, in some ways in created a whole new way of life for many Americans, and those changes are still  in effect, and probably always will  be. We have never slept soundly since that day.

A year ago, I was at my Son Brad's wedding in New York. We had not met his fiance or any of her family. I was introduced to her Brother, and instantly liked, and was impressed with him. Later on we learned that he was a retired New York City Detective, even more impressive, and he had become a Detective after not too many years on the police force. He instantly went high on my list of "impressive" people.

Then, during a conversation after the ceremony, it came up that he was a responder on 9/11. He mentioned that the clothes he wore that day were still piled in his closet, they were untouched since he took them off. At that point, I was in awe of him, I was in the presence of ............. someone who was there. During my lifetime, I have had the occasion to meet a  number of "famous" people, from all walks of life. Early on in my life, I met a Catholic Cardinal, on a flight to Charleston, S.C. I met J. Strom Thurman in Columbia, S.C. one day, Governor Grant Sawyer of Nevada, Harry James, Walt Disney, Henry J. Kaiser, Magic Johnson, some other Governors and "celebs."

But to meet someone who was "THERE," was a part of it, lived through it, first hand, put him on a higher level, he has all of my respect for all he did on "that day." .... December 7, 1941 was a historical day, and will always be remembered, but not remembered as 12/7. 9/11 will never have to be explained, and least not for many years. 12/7, 7/4, 12/25, all well known dates, but none of those conjure up the memories like 9/11, it opens layers and volumes of memories.

Gil, you will be in my thoughts this coming Sunday.

FBI, Homeland Security Warn of Small Airplane Terror Threats

The FBI and Homeland Security have issued a nationwide warning about al-Qaida threats to small airplanes, just days before the anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks.

There is no specific or credible terrorist threat for the 10-year anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, authorities said. But they have stepped up national security as a precaution.

Al-Qaida was considering ways to attack airplanes, as recently as earlier this year, according to a five-page law enforcement bulletin issued Friday.

The alert, issued ahead of the summer's last busy travel weekend, said terrorists have considered renting private planes and loading them with explosives.

Are we a GREAT Country, or WHAT? The LAND of opportunity ...

Ten years after the Sept. 11 attacks, ex-city worker Natarajan Venkataram says he’s sorry he stole millions of dollars meant for identifying the remains of trade center victims.

He’s just not sorry enough to turn over $400,000 sitting in his bank account in India.

The city has recovered $7 million of the $10 million he and an accomplice stole, but he went to court to hold onto this final portion of his ill-gotten gains.

In a phone interview from the federal prison camp at Fort Dix, N.J., Venkataram, 46, whined about jail conditions and apologized repeatedly for his crime.

Asked about the disputed cash, Venkataram said: “All the issues are still pending in the court.”

The city medical examiner’s office got millions of dollars from the feds to help identify the remains of nearly 3,000 victims.

Venkataram, then a manager dealing with the medical examiner’s computer system, and his girlfriend, Rosa Abreu, siphoned off millions via shell companies and fake contract bids.

When Venkataram learned probers were on to him, he transferred $1 million to his Indian bank accounts, prosecutors say.

Arrested in 2005, Venkataram pleaded guilty to embezzlement and money laundering. He got 15 years in jail; Abreu got six.

Venkataram also was ordered to pay $2.9 million in restitution. Hoping to retrieve even more, the city sued him and won an $8 million judgment in 2009.

“We’ve been using that judgment to collect any other money that we can find of his,” city lawyer Eric Proshansky said.

The city — led by the Department of Investigation — has recovered nearly $7 million from the scheme, including $6 million from an overseas company.

“DOI’s work helped identify how the funds were routed so they could be recovered,” DOI Commissioner Rose Gill Hearn said.

Probers discovered a bank in India containing about $700,000. The bank froze the money in 2006, but Venkataram’s sister sued in India to get the money.

In September 2010, U.S courts barred Venkataram and his reps from touching the money.

Venkataram’s court filings have ranged from “contradictory” to “misleading,” Manhattan Federal Judge Naomi Reice Buchwald wrote in July.

He claimed much of the money deposited in his name belongs to relatives and “should not be seized or forfeited.”

He said the money was in his name because India forbids “native residents” from keeping U.S. money in state banks.

In June, the bank transferred $223,000 to the city, records show; approximately $400,000 remains in the account.

Wisdom from the Wise

Warren Buffett, in a recent interview with CNBC, offers one of the best quotes I've heard in all this drama about the debt ceiling:


"I could end the deficit in 5 minutes," he told CNBC. "You just pass a law that says that anytime there is a deficit of more than 3% of GDP, all sitting members of Congress are ineligible for re-election."
 

Ed and Carolyn .... a true love story

Ed and Carolyn met while on a singles cruise and Ed fell head over heels for her.


When they discovered they lived in the same city only a few miles apart Ed was ecstatic. He immediately started asking her out when they got home.

Within a couple of weeks, Ed had taken Carolyn to dance clubs, restaurants, concerts, movies, and museums. Ed became convinced that Carolyn was indeed his soul mate and true love.Every date seemed better than the last.

On the one-month anniversary of their first dinner on the cruise ship, Ed took Carolyn to a fine restaurant. While having cocktails and waiting for their salad, Ed said, "I guess you can tell I'm very much in love with you. I'd like a little serious talk before our relationship continues to the next stage. So, before I get a box out of my jacket and ask you a life changing question, it's only fair to warn you, I'm a total golf nut. I play golf, I read about golf, I watch golf on TV. In short, I eat, sleep, and breathe golf. If that's going to be a problem for us, you'd better say so now!"

Carolyn took a deep breath and responded, "Ed, that certainly won't be a problem. I love you as you are and I love golf too; but, since we're being totally honest with each other, you need to know that for the last five years I've been a hooker."

Ed said, "I bet it's because you're not keeping your wrists straight when you hit the ball."

DAH .............

Listening to the eleven o'clock news ..... people  passed out and/or were overcome with heat at the Ohio State football game today  ....... DAH ,,,"Let's go to the game today, almost one hundred degrees or more, hot and high humidity, but, We be OK."

I don't feel sorry for any of them, they knew what they were getting in to. Plus, if at an OSU game they filled up on beer before the game.

First time I can recall seeing games delayed and/or "called" because of weather.

Lot of STRANGE things going on in this old world recently, and I don't think it's over yet. I hate to think what this Winter is going to be like.

If stupidity doesn't get us, the weather will ...............

61-year-old Vietnam vet makes the cut as a small-college kicker

Way to go, Alan...............

By Nick Bromberg

At an age when many start thinking about retirement, Alan Moore is restarting his football career.

Moore, a 61 year-old Vietnam veteran, will kick this fall for Faulkner University, a small Christian school in Montgomery, Ala., 43 years after his initial college career was cut short by Vietnam. When he takes the field against Ave Maria on Sept. 10, Moore will be the oldest player ever to take the field for a four-year university.

Moore was only able to play his freshman year at Jones County (Miss.) Junior College before heading off to Vietnam for 11 months [in 1968]. Watching a football game in 2009 inspired him to purchase footballs, build goal posts in his daughter's back yard, and practice kicking.

Last year Moore was turned away in an attempt to try out for Jones' team but did end up making the team at Holmes (Miss.) Community College after being referred by the head coach's aunt. Ironically, he made an appearance for Holmes against Jones County.

Moore is the first sexagenarian football player on record at any level. George Blanda was 48 when he retired from the NFL after his career as a quarterback and kicker. In 2004, 39-year-old Tim Frisby successfully walked on at South Carolina as a wide receiver. "Pops" Frisby was also a veteran, spending time as a U.S. Army Ranger in the first Gulf War. Even on television, Gerald "Major Dad" McRaney was only in his 40s when he guest-starred as a veteran giving college football one last shot in the old sitcom "Coach."

However, Moore still has 13 years to go to top Ken Mink, who was 73 when he played for the Roane State (Tenn.) basketball team in 2008 in the Tennessee Junior Community College Athletic Association. Has there ever been an official verdict on social security as an "improper benefit"?

Driver in fatal NY bus crash indicted

By COLLEEN LONG - Associated Press

A law enforcement official says the driver of a tour bus that crashed on a New York City highway, killing 15 people, has been indicted on criminal charges.

The official says driver Ophadell Williams has been indicted on several counts of manslaughter. The indictment has not been made public and the official spoke to The Associated Press Thursday on condition of anonymity.

The bus was headed back to New York from an all-night casino trip. Williams has said he was alert and the bus was clipped by a tractor-trailer. Federal regulators found no evidence the bus was clipped.

Williams' attorney did not return a call to The Associated Press. He told The New York Times his client would surrender to authorities.

The Bronx district attorney's office did not return calls.