I'm just all skippy happy seeing how normal words are having their meanings being changed out of political correctness or out of trying to be saccharine tutti-fruity "positive."

These days, everybody is a FRIEND....but never an acquaintance...

FRIEND (noun)
1. A person whom one knows, likes, and trusts.
2. A person whom one knows
3. A person with whom one is allied in a struggle or cause; a comrade.
4. One who supports, sympathizes with, or patronizes a group, cause, or movement: friends of the clean air movement.

ACQUAINTANCE (noun)
1. Knowledge of a person acquired by a relationship less intimate than friendship.
2. A relationship based on such knowledge: struck up an acquaintance with our new neighbor.
3. A person whom one knows.
4. Knowledge or information about something or someone: has a passing acquaintance with Chinese history.


Or everything is an "issue" -- not a "problem." A computer doesn't start or crashes -- then it is always an "issue." A person has cancer and then it becomes somehow lessened when the idiom "health issue" is used. Or maybe it should be a "health situation." Or maybe when you have flat tire things suddenly become an "issue" with the car as though getting stuck on the side of a freeway is being made somewhat more pleasant.

ISSUE (noun)
1. A point or matter of discussion, debate, or dispute: legal and moral issues.
2. A matter of public concern: debated economic issues.
3. A misgiving, objection, or complaint: had issues with the plan to change the curriculum.
4. The essential point; crux: the issue of how to provide adequate child care.
5. A culminating point leading to a decision: bring a case to an issue.

PROBLEM (noun)
1. A question to be considered, solved, or answered: math problems; the problem of how to arrange transportation.
2. A situation, matter, or person that presents perplexity or difficulty: was having problems breathing; considered the main problem to be his boss. See Usage Note at
3. A misgiving, objection, or complaint: I have a problem with his cynicism.

(adjective)
1. Difficult to deal with or control: a problem child.
2. Dealing with a moral or social problem: a problem play.


The funniest thing was when a person of "African American" descent got mad at me when I didn't refer to him as a "black" American. Or how supposedly one can't use the word "oriental" in referring to a person from Asia without getting their knickers all bloodied.

I had a somewhat interesting experience this evening going to my local VONS (Safeway) store. There was a white middle class guy who could have been 18 or 19 years old, was expanding his earlobes with some rather large earlobe plugs, wore a pair of black/white low cut Chuck Taylor basketball shoes, and a pair of Dickies shorts which he was precariously trying to keep up wearing them so one could see a potential "plumbers crack." He was also wearing a baseball cap cocked to the side. He was trying to be so ghetto. Yet I could only think here he was trying to do a so-called "hip=hop" style

All I could think was....."sheesh, he's so early 2004."

Meanwhile the Republicans go around saying that Americans have a right to drive their behemoth SUVs...or what political pundit Bill Maher aptly called, "FUVs."

Senate Backs Drilling in Alaska Refuge

By H. JOSEF HEBERT
Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON

Senate opponents to drilling in an Alaska wildlife refuge failed Thursday to strip the measure from a massive budget package as supporters of exploration argued that the oil is needed to help break America of its import habit.

Environmentalists, who believe strongly the refuge should continue to be off limits to oil companies to protect the area's wildlife, had acknowledged that it was a long shot to get the provision killed and now are concentrating on defeating the overall
budget bill.

A vote on the budget measure, which includes a myriad of spending cuts from food stamps to welfare funds, was expected later in the day.

An amendment offered by Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., that would have removed drilling authority for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), was defeated 51-48. She called the drilling proposal a gimmick that will have little impact on oil or gasoline prices, or U.S. energy security.

Later the Senate in an 86-13 vote, required that none of the oil from ANWR can be exported. Otherwise "there is no assurance that even one drop of Alaskan oil will get to hurting Americans," said Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., a drilling opponent who nevertheless sponsored the no- export provision.

It is really nice to hear when politicians "cut to the chase" on a particular issue ailing a society. Las Vegas mayor Oscar Goodman (a democrat) has gone on the record suggesting that grafitti "artists" should have their thumbs cut off on television. Of course some university academic got their tampon stuck in the wrong direction at this rather "cutting" suggestion by Mayor Goodman. These academics are typically people who when you ask them what time it is will tell you how to build a clock.

Mayor: Sever Thumbs of Graffiti Artists



RENO, Nev. (AP) - Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman has suggested that those who deface freeways with graffiti should have their thumbs cut off on television. Goodman, appearing Wednesday on the ``Nevada Newsmakers'' television show, said, ``In the old days in France, they had beheading of people who commit heinous crimes.``You know, we have a beautiful highway landscaping redevelopment in our downtown. We have desert tortoises and beautiful paintings of flora and fauna. These punks come along and deface it. ``I'm saying maybe you put them on TV and cut off a thumb,'' the mayor added. ``That may be the right thing to do.''

Goodman also suggested that whippings or canings should be brought back for children who get into trouble. ``I also believe in a little bit of corporal punishment going back to the days of yore, where examples have to be shown,'' Goodman said. ``I'm dead serious,'' said Goodman, adding, ``Some of these (children) don't learn. You have got to teach them a lesson, and this is coming from a criminal defense lawyer.'' ``They would get a trial first,'' he added.

Another panelist on the show, Howard Rosenberg, a state university system regent, responded by saying that cutting off the thumbs of taggers won't solve the problem and Goodman should ``use his head for something other than a hat rack.''

As someone whose car veers slightly to the right of center, it is kind of fun for me to watch Cindy Sheehan bitch slap Hillary, and now rap star 50 cent bitch slap fellow rapper Kanye West. Someone has to start speaking out when stupid people make stupid comments, such as Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan saying that George Bush intentionally had the flood levees blown up so that the inhabitants of New Orleans would be killed.

50 CENT SLAMS KANYE'S 'BUSH IS RACIST' COMMENT

Rapper 50 CENT has lashed out at fellow hip-hop star KANYE WEST for accusing US President GEORGE W BUSH of racism in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

The IN DA CLUB star believes human intervention could not have prevented the effects of the hurricane, which killed over a thousand people in the US gulf states in August (05), and sees no point in reprimanding the President for something which was beyond his control.

He says, "The New Orleans disaster was meant to happen. It was an act of God.

"I think people responded to it the best way they can.

"What KANYE WEST was saying, I don't know where that came from."

I guess it was a shocking experience for all!

Texas Pastor Electrocuted During Baptism

Mon Oct 31,12:42 AM ET

A pastor performing a baptism was electrocuted inside his church Sunday morning after adjusting a nearby microphone while standing in water, a church employee said.

The Rev. Kyle Lake, 33, was stepping into the baptistery as he reached out for the microphone, which produced an electric shock, said University Baptist Church community pastor Ben Dudley. Water in a baptistery usually reaches above the waist, said Byron Weathersbee, interim university chaplain at Baylor University.

Lake was pronounced dead at Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center, nursing supervisor Pat Mahl said. The woman being baptized apparently had not stepped into the water and was not seriously injured. Pastors at University Baptist Church routinely use a microphone during baptisms, said Jamie Dudley, the wife of Ben Dudley and a business administrator at the church.

"He was grabbing the microphone so everyone could hear," she said. "It's the only way you can be loud enough." About 800 people attended the morning service, which was larger than normal because it was homecoming weekend at nearby Baylor University, Dudley said. Lake had been at the church for nine years, the last seven as pastor. He had a wife, Jennifer, a 5-year-old daughter and two 3-year-old sons.

At a remembrance attended by about 1,000 people Sunday night at First Baptist Church, Ben Dudley told the UBC congregation that they would move forward as a church. "I don't know how, when, why, where or what's going to happen, but we will continue as a church in the community because that is what Kyle would have wanted," he said.

America's poster child for the whacked out mental patients is at it again, so says ABC News. One can only hope that maybe Cindy Sheehan will also...

A) Allow someone to tie her mouth shut
B) Some millionaire will donate sessions for her with a psychiatrist
C) Come to the realization that while she acts up and sullies the memories of her son, that nobody really cares: she is now at the 17 minute of her 15 minutes of fame.
D) Could maybe get a job as a circus sideshow
E) All of the above

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Cindy Sheehan, the military mother who made her son's death in Iraq a rallying point for the anti-war movement, plans to tie herself to the White House fence to protest the milestone of 2,000 U.S. military deaths in Iraq.

"I'm going to go to Washington, D.C. and I'm going to give a speech at the White House, and after I do, I'm going to tie myself to the fence and refuse to leave until they agree to bring our troops home," Sheehan said in a telephone interview last week as the milestone approached.

"And I'll probably get arrested, and when I get out, I'll go back and do the same thing," she said. The death toll among U.S. military forces since the March 2003 invasion stood at 1,996 on Sunday

Pres. Ronald Reagan's 11th Commandment was for Republicans "not to eat thy fellow Republicans." It is fun though to see when "liberals" do it, especially in the case of the whacked-out left-wing bird brain she-bitch Cindy Sheehan when she tore into the other she-bitch Sen. Hillary Clinton in an article which appeared on the news website "WorldNet Daily."

By Joe Kovacs
© 2005 WorldNetDaily.com

Cindy Sheehan, the so-called "peace mom" on a crusade to end U.S. involvement in the Iraq war, is publicly blasting Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., for her continued support of the ongoing conflict.

"I think she is a political animal who believes she has to be a war hawk to keep up with the big boys," Sheehan writes in an open letter. "I would love to support Hillary for president if she would come out against the travesty in Iraq. But I don't think she can speak out against the occupation, because she supports it. I will not make the mistake of supporting another pro-war Democrat for president again: As I won't support a pro-war Republican."

"I believe that the intelligent thing for Democrats to do for 2006 and 2008 would be to come out strongly and correctly against the botched, bungled, illegal, and immoral occupation of Iraq," Sheehan added.

During the noon hour I happened to turn on the TV and what to my wonder....Martha Stewart's new TV show is on. It was past ridiculous...Martha extols a new mag she is publishing called "Body+Soul." She talks about it and then says, "It's a wonderful new magazine which all of our audience members are going to receive." The crowd goes delirous...clap-clap-clap, hoot-hoot-hoot. Then she goes into how she washes her face in the evening.... "With all of my media engagements, posing for magazine and book covers, I'm under tremendous pressure on keeping myself looking great." Once again, the crowd goes delirous...clap-clap-clap, hoot-hoot-hoot. The segment ends in about five minutes and then she comes back and says, "We've assembled a gift package of the Johnson's Baby Oil, Galbol-90 from Yon-ka, and a Martha Stewart face cloth from Martha Stewart Everyday from K-Mart." Once again, the crowd goes delirous... yayyyyyyyy.....clap-clap-clap, hoot-hoot-hoot.

I hit the OFF button on my remote....not soon enough.

A true friend

Accepts you the way you are, doesn't doubt you
Won't give up on you, believes in you no matter what
Never judges you, understands you even when you make no sense
Holds you close at heart, picks you up when you are down
Wipes away your tears, offers support and calms your fears.

Is always proud of you, walks beside you with head held high
Warms your soul, values your importance and gives unconditionally
Speaks fondly of you, loves you for the person you are
BUT pulls you back into reality when needed....

I really have to get this off my chest:

By and large my whining and complaints to myself, but I'm past being mad and upset with people who go out of their way to make plans to do something with me, then back out without telling me totally inconsiderate of my plans. This has happened now two weekends in a row.

In that I'm a caregiver, I don't get a lot of opportunities to get out of the house. Getting out of the house most of the time is either being at a doctor's office, going to VONS or Walmart. For over a year I've been chatting with an individual who calls the east coast his home. About 6-7 months ago he announces that he is coming to San Diego on business and makes good and sure that I will be available to do dinner, show him around town and such, to the point that he calls me at 3:45 in the morning on the day he is supposed to show up in town to make sure that I'm available...which I have skewed everything around to follow through. First dinner gets cancelled on Thursday night. Then we work towards getting together on Friday for dinner, keeps me on tender hooks for several hours, and then cancels at the last minute again leaving me high-and-dry without dinner...so I ended up having a late dinner which usually leaves me a bit queasy.... So much for that. Then all of the one hundred and one excuses he gave me why we couldn't get together.

UPDATE ON DRAMA #1: Friendship brought to a quiet close.


Then for a week prior to last weekend I have some new friends who have just moved to San Diego who make sure that I and a friend will be available for dinner. I hear nothing to the contrary that anything would be cancelled, yet when I call to see what time we were supposed to be getting together, I am told that the person's partner is not in town (the one who made the initial arrangement) had left for Palm Springs to babysit a friend's dog....never saying anything to me....

UPDATE ON DRAMA #2: All is well....apologies exchanged, misunderstanding solved and acknowledged all is well again...and I couldn't be happier. It turns out I didn't get the whole story as they assumed I knew about the sudden situation and the ensuing miscoordination. These people are QUALITY people.


The lack of consideration by some people is just galling to me...and really incredibly irritates me....

Although.....my frustration pales compared to this poor bloke's situation:

Man getting tattoo dies after dizziness, fall through glass

ASSOCIATED PRESS

A 28-year-old man getting a tattoo at a parlor in Brooklyn died after getting dizzy, falling headfirst into a glass case and cutting his neck, police said.

Juaquin Leger was pronounced dead at a hospital Thursday afternoon, police said.

Calls to the Buzz tattoo shop that was identified by police as the shop where the man fell went unanswered Friday. Police said the death was under investigation.

Originally published on October 14, 2005

I really getting to the point that I'm sick and tired of "people of the cloth" who impose their views on others. Where did their divine intelligence come from?

I'm way more spiritual than to follow some religious dogma. I have seen how "religion" is used to control people and destroy them if they don't go by the word of one individual by what they believe is the truth, etc. Christiandom with all of its "flavors" a bit like Baskin Robbins...it all comes down to necessarily to goodness but marketing....seeing how one sect tries to lure the sheep from one to another. Just because someone puts on a dark robe with colorful scarves and perhaps sings perhaps a little less out of tune doesn't make them more Godly.

Because of "religion" so many people have to hide who they really are to so many because of the "fear" of "judgement" and reprisal from others which has been inculcated with a certain belief from others.

My relationship with God is a personal one... I live life by the Ten Commandments and my conscience...and that is fine by me.

Oh man, this is sure to get people to watch that STUPID, IDIOTIC ABC-TV new series "Commander In Chief." Again, this is a case of the Hollywood elite thinking the millions of minions who are not boozed up and drugged up really care what they think..... Ah yes, the world according to whacked out Cindy Sheehan, pigged out Barbra Streisand, and now...drugged and drunk over-the-hill actor Donald Sutherland.

'COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF' SUTHERLAND: BUSH WILL DESTROY OUR LIVES

Choking back tears, COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF star Donald Sutherland warned this week: President Bush "will destroy our lives!"

The star of the new ABC drama, which follows the first woman President of the United States, lashed out at the real White House during a dramatic sit down interview with the BBC.

Sutherland ripped Bush and his administration for the war and Hurricane Katrina fallout.

"They were inept. The were inadequate to the task, and they lied," Sutherland charged.

"And they were insulting, and they were vindictive. And they were heartless. They did not care. They do not care. They do not care about Iraqi people. They do not care about the families of dead soldiers. They only care about profit."

At one point during the session, Sutherland started crying: "We stolen our children's future... We have children. We have children. How dare we take their legacy from them. How dare we. It's shameful. What we are doing to our world."

Sutherland went on rip Karl Rove's "methods and means" against people like Cindy Sheehan.

"We're back to burning books in Germany," Sutherland said of NBC's editing out of Kanye West's comment on Bush during a hurricane relief telethon.

"Do what you feel in your heart to be right- for you'll be criticized anyway.
You'll be damned if you do, and damned if you don't."
---Eleanor Roosevelt

Notwithstanding that I'm soooooo Hurricane Katrina'd and Rita'd out, I'm really coming to my own conclusion that it will NEVER rise again.

The time has come that we should simply fill it in and start a new city somewhere else that doesn't take Billions of $'s to create the same mess... Not only that, I see all of the bickering between all of the politicians both Republican and Democrats...and that by itself is going to impede any progress towards a rebuild.

Your Birthdate: September 2

Your birth on the 2nd day of the month adds a degree of emotion, sensitivity, and intuition to your life. The 2 is a very social number allowing you to make friends easily and quickly. Yet you are apt to have a rather nervous air in the company of a large group. You have a warmhearted nature and emotional understanding that constantly seeks affection. You are more prone than most to become depressed and moody, as emotions can turn inward and cause anxiety and mental turmoil. It can be hard for you to bounce back to reality when depression sets in.

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

I really thought better of Bette Midler....and this is why I will NEVER be a Democrat... I do not want to be associated with a party that has no class or sense of modicum in expressing its dissent:

Rolling Stone Magazine website

Political chatter was kept to a minimum at both events, with performers mostly sticking to the program: championing aid for New Orleans. But a few artists angrily denounced government officials for their slow response to Katrina's devastation. "I Wish New Orleans was dry and Washington was underwater," said Tom Waits. Bette Midler had even stronger words: "I got a letter from the Republican Party the other day. I wrote back, 'Go fuck yourself.'" She then added, "George Bush is a fan of mine -- he came to see me in the Seventies. His coke dealer brought him."

Phoooey!

Gov. Schwarzenegger will not sign a measure legalizing gay marriage....and I agree with him. If he would approve of it, he would be going against Prop 22 where the people have already given their vote several years ago.

Secondly, this "marriage" would not be worth the paper it is printed on because the other states would not be recognizing it. Until questions about finances, adoption, alimony, property rights are answered when a couple divorces are answered...then we can talk about "marriage." Right now, gays and lesbians think they can have one right but not the responsibilities which are tantamount to a true "marriage."

FAME! I'm gonna live foooooh---evah!

Upfront I will say that I have not had the biggest regard for the loud breast clubbing chanteuse Celine Dion. I commend her for making a generous contribution to the Hurricane Katrina relief...but after that she should just f***** shut up and sing "My Heart Will Go On" while being dragged mid-air about the Celine Dion Theater in Las Vegas:

Dion slams US authorities over Katrina response

07/09/2005 - 08:52:09

Canadian singer Celine Dion has launched a scathing attack on US President George W Bush's Iraq policy, while criticising his country's slow response to the southern states devastated by last week's Hurricane Katrina.

Dion, who has donated $1m (€7.99m) to victims of the storm, grew visibly emotional as she told of her frustration watching tens of thousands of survivors wait days for aid on CNN's Larry King Live TV show on Saturday.

The Think Twice hitmaker fumed: "I open (sic) the television, there's people still there, waiting to be rescued, and for me it's not acceptable.

"I know there's reasons for it, I'm sorry to say, I'm being rude, but I don't want to hear those reasons."

Dion criticised authorities for arresting looters in New Orleans, Louisiana, saying they should make rescuing the stranded victims a priority.

She said: "Oh, they're stealing 20 pair of jeans or they're stealing television sets. Who cares? They're not going to go too far with it. Maybe those people are so poor, some of the people who do that they're so poor they've never touched anything in their lives. Let them touch those things for once."

Dion referred to Bush's controversial war in Iraq, saying: "How come it's so easy to send planes in another country to kill everyone in a second, to destroy lives? We need to be there right now to rescue the rest of the people."

If the horrific pictures from New Orleans aren't bad enough, you know have the politicians trying to make themselves self important. A case in point are the most irrelevant Reverends Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson grandstanding and trying to incite hatred by saying the delay in Federal help to rescue the residents of New Orleans was because President Bush hates black people, yada, yada, yada.

What about someone calling them on their THEIR racism towards white people?

Now this sounds legitimate through my Yahoo Messenger "left messages" window:

f71k (8/31/2005 12:18:23 PM): Paypal Administrator: We are upgrading out services please Check your account and see if it got problem contact us thank you http://www.geocities.com/paypal_system_reactive/login.htm

If it is printed in the Weekly World News, it must be true...

OOPS! DRUGSTORE CONFUSES SUPER GLUE WITH HEMORRHOID CREAM!
Tuesday August 30, 2005

TURNER JENSEN, a pharmacist in Skyfine, Wyo., got into a sticky spot after he confused Super Glue with hemorrhoid cream, says an E.R. physician who treated several victims.

"All over town, people were sealing their anuses shut, while school kids were crying because they couldn't make their projects stick together," says Dr. Ryan Seasee.

Delroy Montgomery, a 45-year-old rodeo rider, was one victim of the mistake.

"My 'roids were burning, and I was scheduled to ride the bucking bull," says Montgomery. "Dr. Jensen gave me the tube and I took it home and applied it liberally, hoping for that soothing relief."

When it came time for his turn at the rodeo, Montgomery mounted the bull, but quickly blacked out from anal pain. An ambulance rushed him to Our Lady Of Dripping Blood Hospital, where he joined the crowd of perplexed patients.

Mrs. Edna Dalloway was one of them. "I suffer from chronic diarrhea," says the 65-year-old librarian. "After I used the lotion Mr. Jensen gave me, I couldn't even break wind! Before I could get to the hospital my stomach blew up so big it looked like I was nine months pregnant."

Dr. Seasee examined the patients and immediately discovered the problem. He easily dissolved the glue with solvent.

The red-faced pharmacist apologized to the residents.

"I have to keep the glue behind the counter because of the kids huffing it," explains Jensen. "I'm so sorry for the mix-up."

Your Hidden Talent

Your natural talent is interpersonal relations and dealing with people. You communicate well and are able to bring disparate groups together. Your calming presence helps everything go more smoothly. People crave your praise and complements.

What's Your Hidden Talent?

You Passed the US Citizenship Test

Congratulations - you got 8 out of 10 correct!

Could You Pass the US Citizenship Test?

I am: 43% Republican.

"Congratulations, you're a swing voter. When they say 'Soccer Mom', they mean you. Every Democratic ad on the TV set was made just for your viewing enjoyment. Don't you feel special?"

Are You A Republican?

It has been painful for me to watch the coverage about Cindy Sheehan -- the mother who is publicly grieving the death of her soldier son in Iraq. She is now publishing a blog on Ariana Huffington's left-wing gadfly website. They invited comments and I provided the following:

Cindy, it so sad to see you being castigated by the right wingers and manipulated by the leftwingers while you are grieving for the death of your son. You, nor is anyone in a position to say whether the Iraq war was justified, a lie, or whatever. History is 50 years will be the judge. You have no right to demand to meet with President Bush nor to dictate world policy "in a world according to Cindy Sheehan."

The bottom line is that your son was a patriot who heard the calling of his country not once...but twice. Would Casey be happy that you are acting as you are? I think not. In fact, I think he would be very embarrased and hurt. Rather than openly venting your grief, you need to work with a therapist and work through your obvious psychological issues.

Cindy, while you have been in the media spotlight on our TV sets for the past weeks, the fact is that you have reached the 14th minute of your 15 minutes of fame. The press is getting tired of you. The American public is getting tired of you screaming and yelling. In six months you will be an item on a CNN Year In Review program and a mere memory in the back of the public's collective mind. You need to deal with your grief. You will never get over the death of your son. A professional psychologist/psychiatrist with an emphasis in grief counseling will help you deal with your demons.

That's the way Casey would hope that you would remember him.

I'm coming to realize that there are a lot more people upset about the political correctness (read: lack of honesty) when it comes to tolerance about other cultures and their idiosyncrasies. It would almost seem that we are having to respect and kowtow to other cultures while they are allowed not to respect OUR cultures. I received this following e-mail from a friend of mine in England via Australia:

Not very PC, but . . . . . !

This is quite sensible for an Australian, don't you think? What a shame that this sort of thing isn't said in the UK too



Subject: The Right to Leave

Australia - The Right to Leave

Our Country - YOU have the right - the right to leave !

After hearing that the State of South Australia changed its opinion and let a Muslim woman have her picture on her driver's license with her face covered, this prompted an editorial written by an Australian citizen published in an Australian newspaper.

Quote:

IMMIGRANTS, NOT AUSTRALIANS, MUST ADAPT. Take It Or Leave It. I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on Bali, we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Australians. However, the dust from the attacks had barely settled when the "politically correct" crowd began complaining about the possibility that our patriotism was offending others. I am not against immigration, nor do I hold a grudge against anyone who is seeking a better life by coming to Australia.

However, there are a few things that those who have recently come to our country, and apparently some born here, need to understand. This idea of Australia being a multicultural community has served only to dilute our sovereignty and our national identity. As Australians, we have our own culture, our own society, our own language and our own lifestyle. This culture has been developed over two centuries of struggles, trials and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom. We speak ENGLISH, not Spanish, Lebanese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society, Learn the language!

"In God We Trust" is our National Motto. This is not some Christian, right wing, political slogan. We adopted this motto because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, Because God is part of our culture.

If the Southern Cross offends you, or you don't like "A Fair Go", then you should seriously consider a move to another part of this planet. We are happy with our culture and have no desire to change, And we really don't care how you did things where you came from.

This is OUR COUNTRY, OUR LAND, and OUR LIFESTYLE, and we will allow you every opportunity to enjoy all this. But once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about Our Flag, Our Pledge, Our National Motto, or Our Way of Life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one other great Australian freedom, "THE RIGHT TO LEAVE". If you aren't happy here then f#@* off! We didn't force you to come here. You asked to be here. So accept the country YOU accepted. Pretty easy really, when you think about it. I figure if we all keep passing this to our friends (and enemies), it will also, sooner or later get back to the complainers, lets all try, please

No matter how many times you receive it... please forward it to all you know.

Asswipes.

Frist Subject of Anti-Stem Cell TV Ads

By MIKE GLOVER, Associated Press Writer2 hours, 30 minutes ago

An evangelical group has begun a weeklong advertising campaign in Iowa criticizing Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist for backing expanded embryonic stem cell research.

"We know Iowa is a way to get everybody's attention," said Gary Cass, head of the Florida-based Center for Reclaiming America. "Our hope is Senator Frist will hear from Iowans and they are kind of a bellwether state in the heartland."

Iowa is a critical state in the presidential nominating process and Frist is considered a potential candidate for the Republican nomination in 2008.

In the ad, which shows a photo of a smiling baby, an announcer says: "Senator Frist: we cannot save innocent lives by destroying them. Tell Senator Frist to stand with President Bush and oppose research that destroys human embryos."

Cass said the ads began airing Thursday on television stations in the Des Moines area and local radio stations around the state. The group is spending about $50,000 but could expand the campaign if more money is raised. It also sent e-mails to a national listing of 500,000 social conservatives.

Nick Smith, a spokesman for the Tennessee senator, said Frist "understands that there are many opinions on this issue and he respects those opinions. However, after long thought, he has made his decision based on principle and believes it holds great promise in helping many people."

Frist angered many social conservatives when he endorsed legislation that would provide federal funds for expanded stem cell research.

"Senator Frist made a tragic and grave error in endorsing public funding of research that destroys human life," Cass said.

It is news reports and seeing viscious diabtribe coming from the mouths of so-called "liberals" which give liberal-minded folks a bad name....


ANTI-WAR PROTESTERS TARGET WOUNDED AT ARMY HOSPITAL
Wed Aug 2005 24 21:20:05 ET

Anti-war protestors besieged wounded and disabled soldiers at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C, a new web report will claim!

CNSNews.com is planning to run an expose on Thursday featuring interviews with both protestors and veterans, as well as shots of protest signs with slogans like “Maimed for a Lie.”

The conservative outlet will post video evidence of the wounded veterans being taunted by protesters.

And here I thought I was the supreme ruler of Ivarstan.

Turkman president bans recorded music

Aug. 23, 2005 at 4:17PM

Turkmenistan President Saparmurat Niyazov has deemed recorded music a negative influence on society and banned it from public events, TV and weddings. Niyazov has already banned opera and ballet from the former Soviet state, saying they were unnecessary, the BBC reported.
"Unfortunately, one can see on television old voiceless singers lip-synching their old songs, Niyazov told his cabinet regarding music on TV. "Don't kill talents by using lip-synching ... create our new culture." In 2001, Niyazov, the country's president for life, banned gold tooth caps, long hair and beards on young men. He has also banned car radios, closed all hospitals except those in the capital and renamed calendar months after his relatives, the BBC said.

I saw an EXCELLENT bumper sticker yesterday on a car parked at the San Diego Airport:

MORE TREES
LESS BUSH


Thing is who do we replace him with?

HAVE A BAD DAY?

A great card from AVANTIPRESS!

President Shrub is all worried about doctor shopping, but he doesn't give a damn about upholding the laws of the United States when it comes to the border with Mexico. IMPEACH HIS ASS!

WASHINGTON - President Bush signed into law a bill to create electronic monitoring programs to prevent the abuse of prescription drugs in all 50 states.

The new law creates a grant program for states to create databases and enhance existing ones in hopes of ending the practice of "doctor shopping" by drug abusers seeking multiple prescriptions. It would authorize $60 million for the program through fiscal 2010.

Come on-a my house my house, I'm gonna give you candy
Come on-a my house, my house, I'm gonna give a you
Apple a plum and apricot-a too eh
Come on-a my house, my house a come on
Come on-a my house, my house a come on
Come on-a my house, my house I'm gonna give a you
Figs and dates and grapes and cakes eh
Come on-a my house, my house a come on
Come on-a my house, my house a come on
Come on-a my house, my house, I'm gonna give you candy
Come on-a my house, my house, I'm gonna give you everything

As sung by Rosemary Clooney

I like Latino people. I respect their deep cultural ties to So. California. I respect their heritage. Yet I don't understand who these intelligent and passionate people allow themselves to be made into blithering idiots by criticizing those who don't particularly like to see the US/Mexican being violated by illegal immigrants from Mexico.

Where is the self-esteem of these hard working people to build up their own very impoverished country rather than being an uninvited relative? I don't understand why those in Eastern Europe were able to throw off the shackles of Soviet Russian Communism and build vibrant economies, yet the Mexicans tolerate dictatorial rule favoring a few elite rich families.

We as Americans are being asked to tolerate their trespassing into our country, yet, the Mexican authorities don't exactly tolerate Americans trespassing into their country and illegally utilizing taxpayer resources. As far as I'm concerned, these groups such as the "Border Angels" are leading the Latino community down a very treacherous lie...just as the Soviet Russians lied and bled to death socially and economically their own peoples for over 70 years. Meanwhile, President Shrub (Bush) puts on his most irritating silly grin and ignores what is going on here...the first throes of a civil war.

President Shrub is one bulb-short of a 4-pack at Walmart. But the sad thing is, the Democrats have not served any better candidates with much more intelligence than President Shrub. It is all about POWER and EGO on the part of Washington DC politicians with no regard to leadership.

What's wrong with this picture?

Peter Jennings, a member of the club of venerable TV journalists died of lung cancer at age 67 yesterday evening. He didn't die of lung cancer caused by eating Tic Tacs or chewing Double Mint gum. He died of lung cancer as a direct result of smoking cigarettes. Yet, millions of people around the world still smoke cigarettes. Haven't they gotten the message that smoking cigarettes will kill you? Haven't they figured out all of their hard earned money is going straight into the pockets of bagillion dollar corporations?

Yeah, there is something wrong with this picture.

It is so fun to see the Right Wing whacked out Bible Bangers squirm! (Read the original article here)

In another development that could confound Roberts' liberal critics, the Los Angeles Times has reported that he worked behind the scenes, without charge, for gay rights activists in a 1996 case that led to a Supreme Court ruling protecting homosexuals from discrimination. Roberts, who was then in private practice, was asked to join the case by a colleague at his Washington law firm.

If I had a chance to be face-to-face with President Shrub (eh...Bush), I'd tell him he's quickly screwing up on these issues:

Stem Cell research - We know he's not the brightest electric bulb in the 4-pack, but it isn't a matter of faith but about science.

Iraq War - What are we REALLY trying to acheive?

Illegal immigration - Here Shrub is clearly vying with Mexican President Vincente Fox to be co-President, and as much as I'm concerned, is violating the oath of office he took to defend the constitution of the USA by knowingly ignoring this problem. If, heaven forbid, we were to be attacked by terrorists that came from either Mexico or Canada, I'd be the first one to call for his impeachment. Then again...we'd then have Vice-President Cheney as President and that could be even worse!

Sometimes I really understand why some people get so irritated with the lunatic fringe whacked out right wingers (who often are no better than the lunatic fringe whacked out left wingers).

I see how Shrub (Pres. Bush) is trying to repackage the whole debate on the question of whether evolution should be taught by setting forth this new term called "Intelligent Design" -- whereas he says that there are things on this earth which have been created "which were obviously too complicated to have come from evolution." Seeing how he is mucking up so many things these days evolution MUST be how his brain developed through evolution! (Click here to read more about this underhanded way to "sell" the concept of creationism to the unwitting masses from the mouths of these whacked out religious zealots.)

This all goes into the debate about stem cell research. You have these right wing whacked out Bible banger Republican politicians who are questioning scientists and trying to lead the debate whether stem cell research is viable. As someone who is directly affected by a situation by someone who probably won't be helped in time by this type of research which has produced miraculous results, I'm getting very tired of their diabtribe based on scripture rather than fact. My hat is off, however, to Dr. Bill Frist, Senate Republican Majority Leader, who is standing hand-in-hand with former FIrst Lady Mrs. Nancy Reagan now promoting the overturning of Shrub's right-wing Bible banger whacked out policies towards stem cell research. As he is quoted by the Associated Press, "It isn't just a matter of faith, it's a matter of science," Frist, a heart-lung transplant surgeon, said in a Senate speech. "The president's policy should be modified."

While these people preach and pontificate about "life" and try to take control of the debate, these same whacked out right wing Bible bangers will think nothing of blowing up women's health clinics, chaining and abusing their children all in the name of Jesus.

Repeating myself: I am an independent voter who is neither a Republican or a Democrat...albeit my beliefs sway a bit to the left, a bit to the right....

But why do liberals always have to go for the dramatic...I mean between Howard Dean and Michael Moore and the rest of the unwashed masses.... Alec Baldwin and the rest of the Hollywood bagillionaire elite said they would be leaving the country if Pres. Bush was elected. NOw it would seem that UPI reporter Helen Thomas is now joining the fray. My comment: DO IT, DO IT, DO IT! You guys always accuse Republicans of speaking from both sides of the mouth...now don't you be doing the same, huh?


Veteran wire reporter Helen Thomas is vowing to 'kill herself' if Dick Cheney announces he is running for president.

The newspaper HILL first reported the startling claim on Thursday.

"The day Dick Cheney is going to run for president, I'll kill myself," she told the HILL. "All we need is one more liar."

Thomas added, "I think he'd like to run, but it would be a sad day for the country if he does."

Honestly I don't understand some people's fascination with Portland, Oregon, a place in the Pacific Northwest where I was born, raised, and lived for 28 years.

It is a dirty expensive city sometimes referred to as "Little Rock (Arkansas) on the Willamette." What you might not pay in rent you pay in VERY EXPENSIVE utilities. Then it rains, rains, rains and the air pollution is bad (since Portland sits in a bowl such as Denver). Plus you sit in traffic most of the time because the traffic infrastructure has really not been expanded in 25 years because all of the public money for such projects has been invested in a public transportation which less than 8% of the people actually use. Yet the progressive politicians there keep taking the "moon in the sky is green cheese" approach that people are going to use public transportation all the time.

When I live in Portland it was was a beautiful small city. I left in time.

Not only that, Oregon is economically on the same level as Arkansas with a VERY high unemployment rate. Portlanders and Oregonians are on the whole biggoted and small minded. I should know...I got to feel it on my own flesh.

Surely So. Cal and San Diego have their very big problems, ("it has its faults") but when you put everything together this is the BEST PLACE IN THE WORLD TO LIVE!

Eh....let's get real here....and stop denying the truth.

Where else do you have to be scared about the Federales (the Mexican police)?
Where else can you generally not drink water directly from the tap?
Where else is a population is being abused by their government?
Where else do you have violations of clean air and clean water?

Sure it's a shirt I'd never get caught wearing...but let's face it...New Mexico IS cleaner than the Republic of Mexico.

By DEBORAH YAO, Associated Press Writer Fri Jul 22, 3:18 PM ET

PHILADELPHIA - The Anti-Defamation League has asked retailer Urban Outfitters to stop selling a T-shirt that reads: "New Mexico, Cleaner than Regular Mexico."

"This is saying that the country of Mexico is a dirty place," said Barry Morrison, regional director of the civil rights group. "Dirty can be interpreted figuratively and literally."

The group wants the Philadelphia-based retailer to get rid of all its inventory.

Urban Outfitters did not immediately return calls for comment Friday. The retailer, which targets 18- to 30-year-olds, has run into similar controversy before.

Two years ago, it stopped selling a game called "Ghettopoly" after protests by black civil rights leaders. Last year, it halted sales of a T-shirt that read "Everyone Loves A Jewish Girl," surrounded by dollar signs, after the Anti-Defamation League objected.

A "Voting is for Old People" T-shirt angered pro-voting groups.

Urban Outfitters operates 77 stores in the United States, Canada, Ireland and the United Kingdom. This year, first-quarter profits rose by 60 percent to $27.4 million, compared to the same period a year ago.

That's better....

(Riga) A Latvian court on Friday overturned an order from the country's Prime Minister banning a gay pride march scheduled for Saturday.

The march had been approved by the city council in the Baltic nation's capital but on Wednesday Erik Shkapars, the executive director of Riga City, withdrew his permission. (story)

Shkapars said he made the decision following criticism of the event by Latvian Prime Minister Aigars Kalvitis.

Kalvitis said that holding a gay procession near the Riga Dom Cathedral - the 13th century cathedral in downtown Riga - was a sacrilege.

The Gay and Lesbian Support Group, the organizer of the pride event, went to court. A judge Friday ruled that Riga City authorities had failed to demonstrate adequate grounds for withdrawing the original permit.

The judge said that the ban would have been a blatant violation of Latvia 's human rights obligations both as a member of the European Union, and under the European Convention on Human Rights.

The full judgment will be published on August 1.

" It is encouraging that the Latvian court has upheld the rights of the LGBT community in the face of such pressure from the Prime Minister," said Deborah Lambillotte International Lesbian and Gay Association Board Member for Europe.

The march will go ahead Saturday as planned, but there are concerns for the safety of marchers. Open threats have been made to break up the march and a counter-demonstration by an extreme right-wing nationalist organization has been authorized

"Given the way in which the Latvian authorities have given in to homophobic demands, we are concerned for the safety of the marchers, and call on the government to take all measures to protect them," said ILGA Riccardo Gottardi co-chair.

The ban was the fourth attempt by authorities in East Europe this year to prevent Pride marches taking place, but the first initiated by a national government figure. The previous attempts, in Moldova , Romania and Poland , were all instigated by city mayors.

In June, the mayor of Warsaw banned gay pride from the Polish capital city. Despite the edict more than 2,500 people marched anyway

Mmmmmmmmmmm.....could it be true since they put this print?



LOUD ROCK SHOW MAKES TEEN'S HEAD EXPLODE!
Monday July 18, 2005

By CHAD LOWENBRUCK

(WEEKLY WORLD NEWS) WINTHROP, Ind. -- When Gerry Tillis, 17, attended a show by the band Dirt Weasel at the Civic Sports and Arts Arena, he had no idea it would be his last concert.
"It was completely gross," said Tiffany Bonner, 16, Gerry's girlfriend. "The music was really loud during 'In the Dark Hole' and Gerry looked a little scary. Then during the next song his head suddenly exploded." She added, "And don't say I'm, like, his 'former' girlfriend because even though Jerry's skull fell all apart and he's dead, I'll love him forever. I saved a piece of his -- what did they call it? cranieminem? Something?"

Dirt Weasel is a five-man combo known for its towers of amplifiers -- called "Marshall stacks" in the trade -- and ultra-loud delivery. Band frontman and lead guitarist Jake "Snake Eyes" Ballard said nothing like this had ever happened before at a Dirt Weasel show. "It was in the middle of the solo to 'Sit & Spin,' said Ballard, referring to one of the band's songs. "I went out into center stage like I usually do, to just, you know, blaze away. And this kid in a Goth T-shirt starting having like some sort of seizure. I thought he was just trying to start a mosh pit, right? But that's so retro and our auds are cooler than that."

"He was holding Tiffany's waist," said Gerry's friend Esteban. "We both were 'cause we, like, share her. And I thought he was having like this totally rad time when he blew up real good. The thing is, he wasn't the only one. I heard two other melons pop somewhere in the crowd." In fact, five young heads ceased to exist that night according to the Winthrop Sheriff 's Department. The local D.A. is considering manslaughter charges against the band.

Prof. Calvin Mittridge from Indiana Polytechnic Junior College theorizes that the explosions had something to do with loud noise interacting with a specific electrical frequency in Gerry Tillis' brain. "The five victims were 'heavily into' a certain wavelength, to use the vernacular," said Prof. Mittridge. "The music was on the same wavelength and amped the teens up. The result was like having your head in a microwave oven." Local religious groups had picketed the concert, claiming Dirt Weasel was the music of the Devil. They view this as a vindication of their beliefs.

"I see that no churchgoers got hurt," said Beth Norman, a local deaconess. "Only sinners would go to a thing like that, and as you can see several of them were made to reap the whirlwind." "Man, dumb lady don't know diddle," said Esteban. " 'Reap the Whirlwind' -- that's an Angel Corpse song. Anyway, we weren't singing like she said. How could we . . . we didn't even know any of the song's lyrics." Dirt Weasel has no plans to cancel any of its upcoming shows, though they may turn down the volume just a tad. "We're as concerned about the structural integrity of the arenas as we are about individual brain pans," said promoter Kris Robbie.

Tiffany Bonner said she'll attend another show by the band. "Like, just as a tribute to Gerry. And if my head explodes at least I'll be with him. I mean, death is tragic and everything, but life goes on."

Copyright © Weekly World News All rights reserved.

Is this really the best headline the Associated Press could find for this story?

I saw this card at a local department store and started choking up...

It is published by Sunrise Greetings, www.sunrisegreetings.com

It is interesting that these same people who are getting in such a lather over Karl Rove have never questioned current Kennedy family patriarch Sen. Ted Kennedy and his involvement in the murder of Mary Jo Kopechne in his youth. If there was a cover-up, than this is the real kahuna!

WASHINGTON, July 14 /U.S. Newswire/ -- A crowd of more than three hundred joined MoveOn.org Political Action members today in front of the White House to demand that President Bush fire his top political advisor, Karl Rove, for outing Valerie Plame, an undercover CIA operative.

"While it's nearly impossible to believe that Karl Rove didn't know he was outing an undercover CIA agent to a reporter, the fact remains he did reveal her identity as Ambassador Joe Wilson's wife who worked for the CIA," said Tom Matzzie, Washington director of MoveOn.org Political Action. "Rove either broke the law or was grossly negligent. The President should fire him as promised last year."

"Rove may be only the tip of the iceberg: What did the President and Vice-President and their top aides know about any of this, and when did they know it?" asked Matzzie.

"Was Rove a lone actor? Or was he part of a wider group that sought to discredit Wilson because his story undermined the Administration's case for the invasion of Iraq?"

MoveOn.org Political Action, formerly known as MoveOn PAC, demands the administration stay true to its word and fire those responsible for the leak.

Observations:

Why do they lock gas station bathrooms? Are they afraid someone will clean them?

If a turtle doesn't have a shell, is he homeless or naked?

Why don't sheep shrink when it rains?

Can vegetarians eat animal crackers?

If the police arrest a mime, do they tell him he has the right to remain silent?

Why do they put Braille on drive-through bank machines?

Why do they sterilize the needles used for lethal injections?

Why did kamikaze pilots wear helmets?

I have friends and acquaintances of different political spectrums who share with me their opinions, something which I find fascinating as I'm not interested in having my own opinions validated. Nevertheless, I'm so tired of hearing these same people repeat verbatim the rhetoric and half truths driveling from the mouth of the politicians from the left and right. I'm actually insulted by those kinds of speeches...meanwhile these politicians on the left and right pickpocket us while they try to mesmerize us by their empty words.

Heaven to murgatroy!

I hate pomegranate juice.
Pomegranate juice makes me gag and I feel the ends of my hair follicles when I drink it.
It makes me shudder and shiver.
I will not drink pomegranate juice.
Don't make me drink pomegranate juice.
Or else I will spit out out in your face and it will stain your white shirt.
Everybody will laugh at you with a red stain on your white shirt.
I warned you.
I hate pomegranate juice.
Don't make me drink pomegranate juice.
I hate pomegranate juice.

Maybe that's why I am strange.

CHICAGO (AFP) - Drinking pomegranate juice during pregnancy may help reduce the risk of brain injuries in babies.

Decreased blood flow and oxygen to an infant's developing brain during pregnancy, birth and early development is linked to premature birth and can lead to brain tissue loss, seizures and mobility impairments such as cerebral palsy.

The phenomenon, which is called hypoxia ischemia, causes brain injury in approximately two of every 1,000 full-term human births and in a very high percentage of babies born before 34 weeks of gestation.

But researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis found that newborn mice whose mothers drank water mixed with pomegranate concentrate lost 60 percent less brain tissue than mice whose mothers drank sugar water or other fluids.

I'm going through a lot of heartache and worry these days about a personal situation bigger way than I am.

A special old friend wrote me a comforting e-mail. He had read my blog item about hearing the song "Downtown" and the special meaning it had for me. While I put a negative spin on my feelings when I heard the song, he reminded me to make sure to see that the glass is always 3/4 full than being 3/4 empty in the most beautiful way possible.

He wrote, "I saw your blog mention of "Downtown" by Petula Clark. It is an upbeat song, full of promise and hope. Please hold onto both at all times."

Being a man of many, many words, all I can say is, "wow." Petula Clark rules! And my super wonderful friend S. in Portland, OR rules, too....along with those who are holding up this oak tree who is swaying in every direction in this storm.



Downtown

When you're alone and life is making you lonely
You can always go-downtown
WHen you're got worries all the noise and the hurry
Seems to help I know-downtown

Just listen to the music of the traffic in the city
Linger on the sidewalk where the neon signs are pretty
How can you lose?

The lights are much brighter there
You can forget all your troubles forget all your cares
So go downtown
Things'll be great when your-downtown
No finer place for sure-downtown
Everything's waiting for you
Downtown

Don't hang around and let your problems surround you
There are movie shows-downtown
Maybe you know some little places to go
To where they never close-downtown

Just listen to the rhythm of a gentle bossa nova
You'll be dancing with 'em too before the night is over
Happy again

The lights are much brighter there
You can forget all your troubles forget all your cares

So go downtown
Where all the lights are bright-downtown
Waiting for you tonight-downtown
You're gonna be alright now
Downtown

And you may find somebody kind to help and understand you
SOmeone who is just like you and needs a gentle hand to guide them along

So maybe I'll see you there
We can forget all our troubles forget all our cares
So go downtown
Things'll be great when you're-downtown
Don't wait a minute more
Downtown-everything's waiting for you
Downtown (everything's waiting for you)
Downtown etc., etc.

"My face is red and black, the top of my head is tiger spots, my hair are black feathers."

Something has really been bugging me ever since I heard Gwen Stefani's song, "Hollaback Girl."

Her music video by the same name featuring her in a cheerleader's outfit and a marching band makes no sense. A whole in the back? Perhaps until now.

The lyrics in question are, "I heard that you were talking sh** And you didn't think that I would hear it. People hear you talking like that, getting everybody fired up So I'm ready to attack, gonna lead the pack. . . . 'Cause I ain't no hollaback girl,I ain't no hollaback girl"

According to the Urban Dictionary (http://www.urbandictionary.com/) there seems to be an argument as to the real meaning...which means others have just been as confused. The one entry which ties it up perhaps somewhat neatly...

"A holla back girl is a member of a cheerleading squad who repeats – hollers back - words that the squad leader shouts out to them. For example at a Pep Rally, cheerleaders might shout out “S-P-I-R-I-T” and the squad leader asks “What does that spell?” and the holla back girls respond – hollering back “SPIRIT”. In the context of Gwen Stefani’s song “Hollaback Girl”, the term also refers to a girl who has heard about some guy talking bad about her and she isn’t just going to take it – she is going to be the leader, take charge and put an end to his verbal “cheerleading”.

Gwen Stefani lyrics - "I heard that you were talking sh** And you didn't think that I would hear it. People hear you talking like that, getting everybody fired up So I'm ready to attack, gonna lead the pack. . . . 'Cause I ain't no hollaback girl,I ain't no hollaback girl."

The definition which seems to be the one most others agree with (724 to 84)...

A girl that is willing to be treated like a doormat or booty call. She is a girl that will allow guys to do whatever they want with her and will just wait for them to 'holla back' at them.

I definitely will be sleeping more easily now that I know this.

I've been dealing with a VERY stressful situation for the past week. Of all people I figured out the powerful medicine of music when I walked into my local post office and heard one of my all time favorite songs, "Downtown" as sung by Petula Clark. I've always loved the words, the melody, and the wonderful memories of a time when I lived in Portland, OR and life was a lot simpler and the future seemed to be paved only with happy times, etc.

Damn it felt good...

Sigh....

Isn't that special...on the surface an article in the Washington Post reports about a breach of security at a nuclear power plant in Tennessee. Buried in the article is one line that should send shiver up the spine of every American and should make everyone realize that President Bush is Mexico President Vincente Fox's puppy dog. Shame, President Bush!

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Sixteen foreign-born construction workers with phony immigration documents were able to enter a nuclear weapons plant in eastern Tennessee because of lax security controls, a federal report said Monday.

Controls at the Y-12 weapons plant have since been tightened and there was no evidence the workers had access to any sensitive documents, said the National Nuclear Security Administration, which oversees nuclear weapons facilities for the Department of Energy. However, the DOE inspector general's office said in the report issued Monday that its field agents found "official use only" documents "lying unprotected in a construction trailer which was accessed by the foreign construction workers" at the plant.

"Thus, these individuals were afforded opportunities to access ... (this) information," the inspector general wrote. "We concluded that this situation represented a potentially serious access control and security problem." The report, initiated by a tip in 2004, said the workers had fake green cards that certified them to work in the United States. Their cases were turned over to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency for deportation.

THis is how I'm feeling right now....

JOURNEY - TRIAL BY FIRE

treasures in the jars of clay

let the light shine out of darkness

fallen down but not destroyed

it's just another trial by fire

in my song i'll send a prayer

do you know me, do you hear me

where's the will to face this shame

it's just another trial by fire

hello mr moon

can i have some time with you?

trouble keeps me runnin'

you can see it comin'

i know who shines down on you

hello mr moon

i've come back to talk to you

all my life i'm runnin'

from a love that's comin'

saving grace please pull me through

in my doubt i can't believe

like a wave tossed where the wind blows

tears of faith temper my soul

just another trial by fire

just another trial by fire

I support the US invasion of Iraq to topple Saddam Hussein.
I support the Middle East finally getting through its head that we are not a country to be f**ked with....and we are not going to tolerate radical whacked out Muslims to bomb our countries and kill some three thousand of our citizens.

But what about the invasion of US by Mexicans and other societal miscreants on our porous southern (and northern) borders? I want to be calmed about that...not necessarily about a justified war.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Facing growing pressure to bring troops home from Iraq, President Bush is launching a public relations campaign to try to calm anxieties about the war.
Bush scheduled a major address for June 28, the one-year anniversary of the transfer of sovereignty from the U.S.-led coalition to Iraqis. Four days before that, he will meet at the White House with Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari, who heads the transitional government chosen after January elections. The president also plans a series of radio addresses and appearances outside Washington. He will emphasize the importance of democracy in Iraq and elsewhere when he meets with fellow world leaders in Gleneagles, Scotland, in July, White House press secretary Scott McClellan said. The president's campaign comes as the U.S. death toll in Iraq has climbed above 1,700. A relentless wave of suicide bombings, kidnappings and beheadings has killed at least 1,070 just since al-Jaafari's government was announced April 28.

Former Texas Governor Anne King said many years ago about Dubya's dad, "Poor George, he keeps putting his foot in his mouth." It would seem that Dubya has the same hoof-and-mouth affliction when he goes around complaining about the Democratic party so-called obstructionist ways. What about Dubya's obstructionist ways on not dealing with the ballooning health care crisis, the lack of border security where millions of Mexicans are illegally coming into the United States? Huh?

(Washington Times) President Bush last night ripped the Democratic Party as do-nothing obstructionists bent on derailing his reform agenda, saying that on issue after issue, Democratic leaders in Congress 'stand for nothing except obstruction, and this is not leadership.'
At an evening congressional gala at the Washington Convention Center -- which drew $23 million for House and Senate Republican candidates and amounted to the kickoff of the 2006 political campaign season -- the president drew standing ovations from Republican faithful as he hammered Democrats for offering no solutions to the nation's most pressing problems.
'If leaders of the other party have innovative ideas, let's hear them. But if they have no ideas or policies except obstruction, they should step aside and let others lead,' Mr. Bush said to thunderous applause from more than 5,000 supporters.
The president, who has spent the past several months seeking consensus on his Social Security reform package and reaching out to Democrats with nonconfrontational rhetoric, said opposition party leaders are pursuing 'the philosophy of the stop sign, the agenda of the roadblock, and our country and our children deserve better.'
'Political parties that choose the path of obstruction will not gain the trust of the American people,' he said at the event dubbed 'the 2005 President's Dinner.'
Mr. Bush said political parties can take one of two approaches: 'One approach is to lead, to focus on the people's business, to take on the tough problems, and that is exactly what our party is doing.

Well, it looks like old presidents don't fade away....they go senile...

Former President Carter, the one president who should keep on doing his good works by building houses for the downtrodden and writes books about fishing, thinks that the Guantanamo Bay detention center should be closed "to show that the US has a committment to human rights." Well, Pres. Peanut Brain, do the enemy combatants who are being detained there have a similar committment to human rights? The answer is no. These detainees are people who have no regard for human rights when they bomb and kill all in the name of Allah. Perhaps we should then empty the zoos and wild animal parks to show our committment to the rights of animals. Perhaps we should stop spraying for mosquitos who are carriers of the West Nile disease because we are not being kind enough to animal and plant life.

When President Carter was being so totally ignored by Presidents Clinton and Bush during their campaign for tsunami relief tells me that the old peanut farmer is trying to get back into the news headlines.

ATLANTA (AP) - Former President Carter on Tuesday called for the United States to shut down the Guantanamo Bay prison to demonstrate its commitment to human rights. "The U.S. continues to suffer terrible embarrassment and a blow to our reputation ... because of reports concerning abuses of prisoners in "bold reminder that America is determined to promote freedom and democracy around the world," Carter said.

About 540 detainees are being held at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba. Some have been there more than three years without being charged with a crime. Most were captured on the battlefields of Afghanistan in 2001 and 2002 and were sent to Guantanamo Bay in hope of extracting useful intelligence about the al-Qaida terrorist network.

A friend of mind made a really good point: "I'm finding these days that I'm more often trying to point out to people rather than being mad they should analyze why things happened or why the person is the way they are. Often you'll end up just feeling sad for them instead of hating them."

Food For Thought...

Illegal immigration is getting to be a major problem that is getting more out of hand here in San Diego. The news media tries to be very politically correct by referring to the "illegal aliens" as "undocumented workers." As a radio talk show today pointed out, does that make someone who breaks into your house an "undocumented guest"?

Tonight I think I found the mantra by which I have always tried to live by...


To laugh often and much,
to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children.

To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends.
To appreciate beauty. To find the best in others.

To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child,
a garden patch or a redeemed social condition.

To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.


Ralph Waldo Emerson

What's the deal here?

The news media and the NYPD get all upset because they nab "Desperate Housewives" star Cody "Zach" Kasch outside of a NYC bar puffing on a marijuana joint and issue him what is called a "desk appearance ticket." It is OK for Presidents to smoke marijuana yet "not inhale," but we go after regular citizens.... Something is wrong here methinks.

This past weekend was a pivotal mark in history for Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania when President Bush acknowledged the United States' (Pres. Roosevelt) mistake in participating in the Yalta Conference during World War II which divided Eastern European into spheres of influence. This agreement between the US, Britain and the Soviet Union paved the way for the enslavement of the Baltic States. My mother was a refugee -- who along with my grandmother and aunt -- escaped from certain death from the hands of the Russians in Latvia. My grandfather, a high-ranking judge in Latvia, was executed by the Russians. My mother was also on the list to be killed just because she was his daughter. President Bush also acknowledged how the Baltic States have been at the forefront of the democracy movement in Eastern European and the current war on terror, and how Russia must take responsibility for its past occupation and genocide.

It was a very hard decision for the President of Latvia to attend the commemoration of the 60th Annivesary of the end of World War II in Moscow...a celebration which really marked the beginning of the time when the Baltic States magically disappeared from world maps. The end of World War II for us Balts came with the destruction of the Berlin Wall.

You can read more about my Baltic connection (along with two links to two great videos -- a commercial and a music video produced by the Latvian Tourism agency) on my website at www.ivarsonline.com under the "Heritage" link.

A friend will help you move, but a REAL friend will help you move bodies.

Ah spring, when love blooms, and unfortunately so does every damn plant in creation. Ivars shivers and coughs and sneezes piteously.

The dignitaries from 138 countries reflected the extraordinary mix of faiths and cultures that John Paul courted during his 26-year papacy: Orthodox bishops in long black robes, Jews in yarmulkes, Arabs in checkered head scarves, Central Asians in lambskin caps and Western political leaders in dark suits.

In a gesture the pope would certainly have applauded, Israeli President Moshe Katsav said he shook hands and chatted briefly with the leaders of his country's archenemies, Syria and Iran.

Obviously we CAN get beyond politics for at least 2.5 hours....

I really try to make myself look at issues from both liberal and conservative perspectives....which leads me up to the horrible situation with Terri Shaivo.

Pres. Shrub should not have intervened in this horrible family mess. That said, I don't understand liberals who will argue this point and decry the death penalty and call it "cruel and unusual punishment," but had no qualms about TerryShiavo being subjected through a long, gruesome death via starvation. They decry the government intervention into the case, yet yelled and screamed for government intervention in the case of convicted felon Rodney "Can we get along here? Can we all get along?" King.

Law enforcement officials have said they fear the project will lead to vigilante violence. Mexico’s foreign relations department also pledged in the days leading up to the civilian operation to pursue all legal and diplomatic means to stop the volunteers and ensure they do not violate the rights of Mexican citizens.

The volunteers may alert authorities when they see someone cross the border, but are not allowed to detain anyone. The immigrant who complained he was held illegally was later picked up by the Border Patrol, and remains in custody.


I guess what this means is that the Mexican authorities are going to pursue all legal and diplomatic means to stop the American citizens from guarding the border because of the failure of the US Government to protect the sovereignty of the US bordrs, and ensure that they do not violate the rights of Mexican citizens to illegally cross the border into the United States. Meanwhile, George Bush, Mexico's co-President stares into the TV lights like a deer startled by car headlights.

Of course then you have the dimwits who go around carrying placards saying, "NO HUMAN IS ILLEGAL."

Mugger steals bag of dog feces

According to police, an early-evening mugging in San Diego turned out to be a real waste for the crook involved.

San Diego police spokesperson Dave Cohen said that on March 28, an unidentified male suspect approached a woman walking her dog and snatched a plastic bag she was holding.

The suspect reportedly stopped to check the bag and discovered that the bag contained animal waste.

The angry suspect threw the bag to the ground and demanded money from the woman. When she told him that she had none, he pointed his gun at the woman's dog, Cohen said.

The man then allegedly pulled the trigger, but the firearm failed to discharge. The suspect attempted to shoot the animal a second time, but the gun again failed to fire.

Cohen said the man then fled the scene in a waiting silver car.

The suspect is described as Latino, in his 20s, with a stocky build and about 5 feet 8 inches tall. Anyone with information should contact the San Diego Police Department at (619) 531-2000.

Awwwwwwwwww....poor Russia...the rantings of a dying nation...... A nation who lets its senior citizens go hungry, doesn't give them a decent pension, kills off opposition politicians, attempts to influence elections (e.g. Ukraine), yet continues to develop nuclear weapons...

MOSCOW, March 14 (Itar-Tass) - Russia is going to use the rostrum of the United Nations Commission for Human Rights to draw the attention of the world community to the negative humanitarian situation in Latvia and Estonia, the Russian Foreign Ministry stated on Monday in connection with the opening of another session of the Commission in Geneva. The ministry said it would refer, specifically, to the discrimination of the authorities of countries against a non-titullar population in those countries.

“Russia will aim at the session to help remove elements of confrontation and ‘double standards’ so that the international community be able jointly to decide problems in the human rights area,” the ministry noted.

Russia’s priorities at the session include the nomination of typical draft resolutions on the subjects “Totality of the judicial system”, “hostage taking”, “arbitrarily stripping people of citizenship”, “impermissibility of certain kinds of practices leading to the heightening of contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related lack of tolerance.” Russia will also declare for the adoption of a balanced and stringent resolution on “Human rights and terrorism”.

Sooooooooooo true!

This is an improvement?

Who in the heck are we jokin' with?

This is why I take a lot less creedence in the so-called "liberals." They hyperventilate, vent steam, but cannot take on a normal discourse on issues.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Howard Dean, the newly minted leader of the Democratic Party, and former Pentagon adviser Richard Perle made clear their opposing views on the war in Iraq during a debate marred by a protester who tossed a shoe at Perle.

Perle had just started his comments Thursday when a protester threw a shoe at him before being dragged away, screaming, "Liar! Liar!"

Between Hillary and Howard Dean they are SURE to be the saviors of the Democratic party with the election of Howard Dean as DNC Chairman....NOT!

In order for the party to appeal to all of the people in the "red" (Republican) states, they need to figure out how to convince them of their position instead of just preaching to the choir and validating the beliefs of the choir members.

The Republicans and Democrats are one and the same people but with different labels. We need to come together and solve problems rather than following old thoughts and being derisive just to maintain a party label.

We need to take care of social problems, but we have to do so at the least amount of cost.

A friend of mine today said something which really put a smile on my face:

I hate the cold. Could never understand people that live in the snow. Snow is a white icy substance that is shaved and put in a paper cone with flavored syrup, or something that one plays in for a weekend then goes home.

This is the very reason why I don't take a lot of liberal Democrats like Hillary Clinton very seriously. So often that not their actions don't reflect some social ill what they yell and scream about and accuse Republicans perpetrating. Hillary Clinton is on the board of Walmart, yet Walmart is soooooo anti-union...

NEW YORK (AP) - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT) said Wednesday it will close a Canadian store whose workers are on the verge of becoming the first ever to win a union contract from the world's biggest retailer.

Wal-Mart said it was shuttering the store in Jonquiere, Quebec, in response to unreasonable demands from union negotiators, that would make it impossible for the store to sustain its business. The United Food and Commercial Workers of Canada last week asked Quebec labor officials to appoint a mediator, saying that negotiations had reached an impasse.

"We were hoping it wouldn't come to this," said Andrew Pelletier, a spokesman for Wal-Mart Canada. "Despite nine days of meetings over three months, we've been unable to reach an agreement with the union that in our view will allow the store to operate efficiently and profitably."

Pelletier said the store will close in May.


Can we all collectively spell out H-Y-P-O-C-R-I-T-E!?????? Apparently Hillary cannot.