A happy Memorial Day to every one. My father and his father both did what they had to do in World Wars II and I. My brother, sister and were fortunate enough to not have to go through the human agony of war. I wish all who have gone before and all those serving for the United States armed forces at this time the best and especially those severely injured or the families of those lost in battle. Many suffer in the extreme long after they have left the battlefield and some do not receive all of the care they need and deserve.
I offer the following places I have donated to as possible places you could assist in helping our soldiers and their families. Disabled American Veterans can be reached at P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, Ohio 45250, or at http://www.dav.org/spring.
The Freedom Alliance helps the children of fallen soldiers, and features concerts at theme parks in the U.S. each summer. Sean Hannity and Oliver North host the events, which will be held at Houston, Dallas, San Diego, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Cincinnati, Atlanta and Jackson, NJ (Six Flags) this summer and feature performers such as Lee Greenwood, Michael W. Smith, Charlie Daniels and Billy Ray Cyrus and the cost, at Six Flags New Jersey at least, includes a day in the amusement park. You can donate, even without attending the concerts at Freedom Alliance, 22570 Markey Court, Suite 240, Dulles, Virginia 20166 or at http://www.freedomalliance.org/.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Saturday, May 16, 2009
What's missing from this salad?
Hey, how did I miss planting cucumbers? I think I realized cucumbers were missing from my garden when I helped my nephew, Nathan, transplant his cucumber plants which he had raised in little pots inside his house. I love cucumbers, so this is unforgivable, except that I can now plant them in mid-May and still have them. With lettuce, tomatoes, onions, peppers and cucumbers, the basics are covered, and my continuing love affair with soups and salads can continue.
Like puzzles?
Though I'm not a puzzle solver by nature, I found a site which could be interesting.
http://statspuzzles.blogspot.com/
I think the reason I'm not a puzzle solver is much like why I prefer certain types of computer games; I am not a person who likes to go through a maze, which is what most preformed games amount to. I like a game where you have many options and possible approaches, which I feel is most like real life, rather than a path, which must be traveled successfully. In computer games, most are the latter, where you must travel down a chute, with minor variations, and a relative few allow you the freedom to try an unlimited number of approaches which may lead to victory. Still, there are many ways to be challenged, and most articles I've read about avoiding Alzheimers speak of trying new things to keep your brain active to stay healthy.
http://statspuzzles.blogspot.com/
I think the reason I'm not a puzzle solver is much like why I prefer certain types of computer games; I am not a person who likes to go through a maze, which is what most preformed games amount to. I like a game where you have many options and possible approaches, which I feel is most like real life, rather than a path, which must be traveled successfully. In computer games, most are the latter, where you must travel down a chute, with minor variations, and a relative few allow you the freedom to try an unlimited number of approaches which may lead to victory. Still, there are many ways to be challenged, and most articles I've read about avoiding Alzheimers speak of trying new things to keep your brain active to stay healthy.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
What I've sown, will I so reap?
Nothing deeper intended here than a one-inch planted seed and some dug in potting soil and plants, as my garden is all planted and growing. I finished this morning with some bell peppers and three kinds of hot peppers, some more tomatoes, yellow squash, okra, pole beans and radishes. Things are looking good, but the proof is in the output.
My problem in my small backyard is getting enough sun, but I think that should be okay. I did some minor weeding today and will try to mulch soon as the plants grow a little bigger. The lettuce and collards are growing well, thanks to all of the rain we've had recently. It will be nice to go out and pick some things to eat.
My problem in my small backyard is getting enough sun, but I think that should be okay. I did some minor weeding today and will try to mulch soon as the plants grow a little bigger. The lettuce and collards are growing well, thanks to all of the rain we've had recently. It will be nice to go out and pick some things to eat.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
My new found political correctness
In reading another blog, which I have had a link to under my "exit stage left" section on the side of my page, I found that the author of the Daggatt Blog was chastising those who would dare question global climate change, evolution, his torture opinion or whether our approaches to economic depression in the 1930's or now were for the best. His posting suggested that those who hold opposing opinions are doing so without any facts and only a few kooks disagree with what is obviously the truth about these subjects.
This is truly what I have been talking about in my comments about political correctness and an unwillingness to engage in honest debate. Anyone who disagrees is an idiot and should be quiet.
Therefore, I left the following comment on his blog.
I must apologize for not having paid attention when the theory of evolution was declared gospel and, oh, that's right, Al Gore did tell me there could be no further discussion about 'global climate change'. Didn't the word warming have something to do with that at one time? Therefore, I must also be wrong about having the right to debate things such as the best way to combat economic depressions, etc.
Since it is now obvious to me that you have all the answers and can determine when everyone else is no longer permitted to dissent, I'll just check in with your blog and our new government when I need to know what to think. Thanks for correcting my objectionable behavior.
This is truly what I have been talking about in my comments about political correctness and an unwillingness to engage in honest debate. Anyone who disagrees is an idiot and should be quiet.
Therefore, I left the following comment on his blog.
I must apologize for not having paid attention when the theory of evolution was declared gospel and, oh, that's right, Al Gore did tell me there could be no further discussion about 'global climate change'. Didn't the word warming have something to do with that at one time? Therefore, I must also be wrong about having the right to debate things such as the best way to combat economic depressions, etc.
Since it is now obvious to me that you have all the answers and can determine when everyone else is no longer permitted to dissent, I'll just check in with your blog and our new government when I need to know what to think. Thanks for correcting my objectionable behavior.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Some thoughts
I would think that most people have thoughts from time to time about their own mortality or why they are here or even questions about the universe, all creatures great and small and the meaning of it all. What comes after we close our eyes for the last time is something I've thought about often and, though I believe in God and Jesus Christ, I have struggled over the years with what I really believe beyond that.
Perhaps in pursuit of an answer to the question of what I believe, I have spent a good deal of time these past few years in discussions with people about their beliefs, their religions. I respect all who have come to a belief for what they hold to be good reasons. I do not happen to respect those who feel it is their job to force their opinions or beliefs on others.
Occasionally, moments of rare feelings have occurred. Though I have often felt I have much to be thankful for, just the other day I experienced a full blown feeling of appreciation for God having given me the opportunity to have lived my life. It is difficult to explain what this felt like, but the feeling reinforced both my beliefs and my awe of a universe which defies understanding.
Perhaps in pursuit of an answer to the question of what I believe, I have spent a good deal of time these past few years in discussions with people about their beliefs, their religions. I respect all who have come to a belief for what they hold to be good reasons. I do not happen to respect those who feel it is their job to force their opinions or beliefs on others.
Occasionally, moments of rare feelings have occurred. Though I have often felt I have much to be thankful for, just the other day I experienced a full blown feeling of appreciation for God having given me the opportunity to have lived my life. It is difficult to explain what this felt like, but the feeling reinforced both my beliefs and my awe of a universe which defies understanding.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Life's lessons
This is something I thought you might like to read.
There was a Chemistry professor in a large college that had some Exchange students in the class. One day while the class was in the lab the Prof noticed one young man (exchange student) who kept rubbing his back And stretching as if his back hurt.The professor asked the young man what was the matter. The student told him he had a bullet lodged in his back. He had been shot while fighting communists in his native country who were trying to overthrow his country's government and install a new communist government.
In the midst of his story he looked at the professor and asked a strange question. He asked,'Do you know how to catch wild pigs?'The professor thought it was a joke and asked for the punch line.The young man said this was no joke. 'You catch wild pigs by finding a suitable place in the woods and putting corn on the ground. The pigs find it and begin to come everyday to eat the free corn. When they are used to coming every day, you put a fence down one side of the place where they are used to coming. When they get used to the fence, they begin to eat the corn again and you put up another side of the fence. They get used to that and start to eat again. You continue until you have all four sides of the fence up with a gate in the last side. The pigs, who are used to the free corn, start to come through the gate to eat, you slam the gate on them and catch the whole herd. Suddenly, the wild pigs have lost their freedom. They run around and around inside the fence, but they are caught. Soon they go back to eating the free corn. They are so used to it that they have forgotten how to forage in the woods for themselves, so they accept their captivity.
The young man then told the professor that is exactly what he sees happening to America.The government keeps pushing us toward Communism/Socialism and keeps spreading the free corn out in the form of programs such as supplemental income, tax credit for unearned income, subsidies, payments not to plant crops (CRP), welfare, medicine, drugs, etc. while we continually lose our freedoms- just a little at a time.One should always remember 'There is no such thing as a free Lunch!' Also, 'You can never hire someone to provide a service for you cheaper than you can do it yourself.
My thanks for the above to Stormin' Norman at http://normanhooben.blogspot.com/
There was a Chemistry professor in a large college that had some Exchange students in the class. One day while the class was in the lab the Prof noticed one young man (exchange student) who kept rubbing his back And stretching as if his back hurt.The professor asked the young man what was the matter. The student told him he had a bullet lodged in his back. He had been shot while fighting communists in his native country who were trying to overthrow his country's government and install a new communist government.
In the midst of his story he looked at the professor and asked a strange question. He asked,'Do you know how to catch wild pigs?'The professor thought it was a joke and asked for the punch line.The young man said this was no joke. 'You catch wild pigs by finding a suitable place in the woods and putting corn on the ground. The pigs find it and begin to come everyday to eat the free corn. When they are used to coming every day, you put a fence down one side of the place where they are used to coming. When they get used to the fence, they begin to eat the corn again and you put up another side of the fence. They get used to that and start to eat again. You continue until you have all four sides of the fence up with a gate in the last side. The pigs, who are used to the free corn, start to come through the gate to eat, you slam the gate on them and catch the whole herd. Suddenly, the wild pigs have lost their freedom. They run around and around inside the fence, but they are caught. Soon they go back to eating the free corn. They are so used to it that they have forgotten how to forage in the woods for themselves, so they accept their captivity.
The young man then told the professor that is exactly what he sees happening to America.The government keeps pushing us toward Communism/Socialism and keeps spreading the free corn out in the form of programs such as supplemental income, tax credit for unearned income, subsidies, payments not to plant crops (CRP), welfare, medicine, drugs, etc. while we continually lose our freedoms- just a little at a time.One should always remember 'There is no such thing as a free Lunch!' Also, 'You can never hire someone to provide a service for you cheaper than you can do it yourself.
My thanks for the above to Stormin' Norman at http://normanhooben.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Torture? Really?
Simply put, this is a prime example of a sliding scale..... Not only is flipping a lit cigarette butt in your direction and uncomfortable positions and situations now considered torture, but techniques long considered "rough handling" are now called torture by those who are really either trying to reap political hay or have been against the U.S. war stature all along. In addition, lawyers are suddenly threatened with criminal prosecution for giving their opinions to the President and a sitting judge on the ninth circuit of the Federal Appeals Court finds himself threatened with the same for his opinions when he was a lawyer for the President.
This is not only the work of fanatics, who have only political ends in mind, but also the fantasies of those who have not thoroughly thought out the results of their actions..... namely the undermining of our defenses, for no good purpose. To actually consider our actions during the last eight years, when we were dealing with non-uniformed illegal combatants, to rise to the level of Nazi concentration camps or other countries' true butchery or tortuous activities is, to my thinking, a farce not to be taken seriously. The fact that our country is taking these accusations seriously and airing them publicly is either a desperate attempt to discount the accusations or a foolish move which will weaken our ability to defend against enemies who will not appreciate our apologies and would never respond with decent treatment of our troops who are captured. This is not a war against countries or leaders who share any of our higher values. It is a war against non-uniformed illegal combatants; terrorists.
Abu Ghraib was an example of stupid and silly treatment of prisoners, who were ill treated and embarrassed without any legitimate purpose, and those who participated in the mistreatment were prosecuted. Those who act in obviously illegal ways should be dealt with. Otherwise, we now seem to think we must look at every action of every individual while at war, and look back at those actions to determine whether they should be prosecuted. Whether this is done to soldiers' battle actions or lawyers' opinions, it is guaranteed to intimidate many from performing their duties to previous levels of excellence. So we are doing this for what purpose?
This is not only the work of fanatics, who have only political ends in mind, but also the fantasies of those who have not thoroughly thought out the results of their actions..... namely the undermining of our defenses, for no good purpose. To actually consider our actions during the last eight years, when we were dealing with non-uniformed illegal combatants, to rise to the level of Nazi concentration camps or other countries' true butchery or tortuous activities is, to my thinking, a farce not to be taken seriously. The fact that our country is taking these accusations seriously and airing them publicly is either a desperate attempt to discount the accusations or a foolish move which will weaken our ability to defend against enemies who will not appreciate our apologies and would never respond with decent treatment of our troops who are captured. This is not a war against countries or leaders who share any of our higher values. It is a war against non-uniformed illegal combatants; terrorists.
Abu Ghraib was an example of stupid and silly treatment of prisoners, who were ill treated and embarrassed without any legitimate purpose, and those who participated in the mistreatment were prosecuted. Those who act in obviously illegal ways should be dealt with. Otherwise, we now seem to think we must look at every action of every individual while at war, and look back at those actions to determine whether they should be prosecuted. Whether this is done to soldiers' battle actions or lawyers' opinions, it is guaranteed to intimidate many from performing their duties to previous levels of excellence. So we are doing this for what purpose?
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