The year was 1980 and I was going to the game with my Dad. The game was still being played at Legion Field in Birmingham. Even though we had lost two games already, one to Mississippi State and the other to Notre Dame; we were good. I don't remember what Auburn's record was that year, but fourth year coach Doug Barfield was walking on thin ice. Alabama won. I don't remember the score and I don't think it was a real nail-biter.
We had parked at what was the old Big B Warehouse at the corner of Eighth Avenue and Highway 11/the Bessemer Super Highway. Walking to the car after the game, Daddy and I got to the intersection of Hwy 11 and Eight Avenue where a policeman was in the middle of the intersection directing traffic. We were standing right at the curb and there were some folks right behind us. The light changed for us to walk, but the policeman had not stopped traffic on Hwy 11 for us to cross. So, we were a little hesitant to begin crossing.
Well a couple of Auburn fans behind us started yelling for us to go on ahead and cross and said, "it looks like we're going to have to teach these Alabama fans how to cross the street." The policeman did stop traffic and we crossed. When we got to the other side I turned around to the Auburn fans and said, "You can teach us how to cross the street and we'll teach ya'll how to play football". The guys, who were cute, started laughing and said, "you got yourself a deal". They were very anxious to get rid of Barfield and talked to us for a minute or two before we went our separate ways.
In the car, Daddy laughed and said he thought for a second that I was going to get us in fight. Well, Daddy had to call everyone he knew and tell them about that.
Daddy's been dead for a while now, but that is a memory I will always cherish.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
WHAT SOME PEOPLE THINK
I’m sitting here in front of the TV watching a re-run of a Sean Hannity show that first aired this past week. Frank Luntz, the pollster was his guest along with fifteen to twenty voters from New Jersey. They were primarily discussing the upcoming New Jersey gubernatorial election between democrat incumbent John Corzine, republican Chris Christie, and an independent whose name escapes me.
The fifteen to twenty voters appeared to be middle class voters just like me. With the exception of one or two, it appeared that the group felt that the government owed them cradle to grave benefits and distribution of wealth is a good thing. Again, this is New Jersey a known liberal/democrat state. I was born and raised and currently live in Alabama, a conservative/republican state. I was taught to work hard and “take care of my own back yard.”
One woman admitted to Sean that she was in favor of, “from each according to his ability, to each according to his need.” When Sean told her this concept originated from Karl Marx, she seemed unaffected. I’m not so sure that she knew who Karl Marx was. I was taught about “from each according to his ability and to each according to his need” in ninth grade civics. I was also taught that it doesn’t work. And I believe that.
A lot of the folks in the group were concerned about the millions of dollars that are going to pay bonuses to high-level executives these days. One guy opined that this was capitalism; in other words, some get it, and some don’t. I do admit it’s frustrating to hear about these bonuses when I’ve gotten anywhere from nothing to one week’s salary as bonuses throughout my career. You don’t have to do business with those companies; nor do you have to work for them. You might say, that company or that business is the only game in town and you have no choice but to accept their employment and to purchase their goods/services. You do have a choice, but you’re not willing to make that choice. You could quit that job and do something else, but you don’t want to. It pays the bills and may allow you to have a somewhat comfortable life and that week’s salary sure helps with some of those expenses. You have a choice, but you choose to stay with your company. This makes me not so sure that you have a right to gripe about large bonuses.
A few years back, the University of Alabama found itself in need of a good football coach to bring back its once proud football program. As many of you may know, Athletic Director Mal Moore went out there and hired Nick Saban, the best; and agreed to pay him what was then the highest salary for a head football coach in NCAA Division 1 football. Well, the media and the Auburn fans had a field day with this. How could we pay that kind of money for a football coach? Well, if anyone objects to it, quit supporting the University and quit going to ballgames. To date, I don’t know of anyone who has done that. In fact, most of us have just reached further into our pockets and are thoroughly enjoying watching our top five football team win Saturday after Saturday. We’ve got a tough one this weekend, though. If Coach Saban’s salary was so objectionable to the folks, just quite purchasing football tickets or even go to school somewhere else.
The point I’m trying to make is that if you find something objectionable, you don’t have to participate. Don’t purchase the products, don’t work for the company, don’t pump in money.
You and I certainly have the ability to make a difference; but do we want to, especially if substantial risk is involved?
The fifteen to twenty voters appeared to be middle class voters just like me. With the exception of one or two, it appeared that the group felt that the government owed them cradle to grave benefits and distribution of wealth is a good thing. Again, this is New Jersey a known liberal/democrat state. I was born and raised and currently live in Alabama, a conservative/republican state. I was taught to work hard and “take care of my own back yard.”
One woman admitted to Sean that she was in favor of, “from each according to his ability, to each according to his need.” When Sean told her this concept originated from Karl Marx, she seemed unaffected. I’m not so sure that she knew who Karl Marx was. I was taught about “from each according to his ability and to each according to his need” in ninth grade civics. I was also taught that it doesn’t work. And I believe that.
A lot of the folks in the group were concerned about the millions of dollars that are going to pay bonuses to high-level executives these days. One guy opined that this was capitalism; in other words, some get it, and some don’t. I do admit it’s frustrating to hear about these bonuses when I’ve gotten anywhere from nothing to one week’s salary as bonuses throughout my career. You don’t have to do business with those companies; nor do you have to work for them. You might say, that company or that business is the only game in town and you have no choice but to accept their employment and to purchase their goods/services. You do have a choice, but you’re not willing to make that choice. You could quit that job and do something else, but you don’t want to. It pays the bills and may allow you to have a somewhat comfortable life and that week’s salary sure helps with some of those expenses. You have a choice, but you choose to stay with your company. This makes me not so sure that you have a right to gripe about large bonuses.
A few years back, the University of Alabama found itself in need of a good football coach to bring back its once proud football program. As many of you may know, Athletic Director Mal Moore went out there and hired Nick Saban, the best; and agreed to pay him what was then the highest salary for a head football coach in NCAA Division 1 football. Well, the media and the Auburn fans had a field day with this. How could we pay that kind of money for a football coach? Well, if anyone objects to it, quit supporting the University and quit going to ballgames. To date, I don’t know of anyone who has done that. In fact, most of us have just reached further into our pockets and are thoroughly enjoying watching our top five football team win Saturday after Saturday. We’ve got a tough one this weekend, though. If Coach Saban’s salary was so objectionable to the folks, just quite purchasing football tickets or even go to school somewhere else.
The point I’m trying to make is that if you find something objectionable, you don’t have to participate. Don’t purchase the products, don’t work for the company, don’t pump in money.
You and I certainly have the ability to make a difference; but do we want to, especially if substantial risk is involved?
Sunday, October 25, 2009
SO TWENTIETH CENTURY
I hope I don’t make anybody mad with this post, but I probably will.
As I started getting older, I made three pledges to myself. I would never quit listening to rock music, I would wear the latest fashion trends to the extent that I could, and I would keep up with technology and new products.
As far as music goes, I have flipped to modern country and become an official Jimmy Buffett fan (a parrot head). I don’t identify with Top 40 any longer. Modern country has become more like 80s rock. Have you listened to Rascal Flatts lately? So, I’m modern country and classic rock. That’s a little bit of a switch, but at least I haven’t gone to Streisand and Manilow.
For fashion, if I can wear it, I do. If I can’t I don’t. I am glad that most clothing items contain at least 1% spandex.
Next comes technology/new products, something near and dear to my heart. I don’t have a flat screen TV, but that may change soon and I mean real soon. My TV in the living room is not working this morning. Not being a big TV watcher, I’m putting off TV purchases until I absolutely have to and that may be this afternoon. However, if I don’t have flat screen TVs, it affects no one but me.
Just as soon as cell phones became affordable, I bought one. It was a portable and a little heavy, but I thought I was hot stuff. Most of my friends did not have them or had one of those bag phones. Eventually everybody got one and I know of very few folks that don’t have them. With my cell phones, I have had text messaging for several years. I didn’t use it much initially, but now I couldn’t live without it. However, only a handful of friends have it and most turn their nose up at text messaging. There are times when a simple text is sufficient to communicate. Why waste time calling and talking when you can text? With cell phones, you can store numbers through your contact list, set up speed dials, and take advantage of voice recognition to make calls. Not long ago, I observed a friend calling her next-door neighbor by punching in the number. I asked her didn’t she have Dot’s number in her contact list and on speed dial. The friend retorted that she didn’t know how to do all that. So every time my friend makes a call, she punches in the numbers. The only time I punch in a number is when I’m calling someone that I don’t know for the first time.
Another friend of mine only has a work email and refuses to purchase a home computer system so he can have a personal email or check his work email on the weekends. He has a cell phone, but won’t get text messaging. If he needs to tell someone something, he just calls them. He doesn’t care if he’s connected or not.
I recently upgraded to a blackberry where I can check my email and get on the Internet. I’ll probably upgrade out of that blackberry in due time. Now I can’t imagine not having instant access to my email and being able to get on the Internet when I’m away from my computers. The same friend who punches in numbers on her cell phone recently made comment that all she wants out of her cell phone is to make calls. That’s so twentieth century!
I quit taking the newspaper years ago and haven’t watched that evening news or the 10:00 news in years. Why do you need to? Reading the newspaper and scheduling around broadcast news is so twentieth century.
Something else, I’m being “green”. Trees are being saved since I don’t take the newspaper. Uh-oh! I’m not into being “green”. I want my carbon footprint to be as large as possible. Should I subscribe to the newspaper or perhaps several newspapers? Nay.
So as I get older along with everyone else on the planet, I listen to music I like, wear clothes that make me feel good without making too many fashion errors, and stay up to date with technology to the extent my wallet will allow it. Would someone 19 years old call me an “old fogey”? Probably. Do I care? No. Do I wish some of my friends would get out of the twentieth century? That would be nice.
As I started getting older, I made three pledges to myself. I would never quit listening to rock music, I would wear the latest fashion trends to the extent that I could, and I would keep up with technology and new products.
As far as music goes, I have flipped to modern country and become an official Jimmy Buffett fan (a parrot head). I don’t identify with Top 40 any longer. Modern country has become more like 80s rock. Have you listened to Rascal Flatts lately? So, I’m modern country and classic rock. That’s a little bit of a switch, but at least I haven’t gone to Streisand and Manilow.
For fashion, if I can wear it, I do. If I can’t I don’t. I am glad that most clothing items contain at least 1% spandex.
Next comes technology/new products, something near and dear to my heart. I don’t have a flat screen TV, but that may change soon and I mean real soon. My TV in the living room is not working this morning. Not being a big TV watcher, I’m putting off TV purchases until I absolutely have to and that may be this afternoon. However, if I don’t have flat screen TVs, it affects no one but me.
Just as soon as cell phones became affordable, I bought one. It was a portable and a little heavy, but I thought I was hot stuff. Most of my friends did not have them or had one of those bag phones. Eventually everybody got one and I know of very few folks that don’t have them. With my cell phones, I have had text messaging for several years. I didn’t use it much initially, but now I couldn’t live without it. However, only a handful of friends have it and most turn their nose up at text messaging. There are times when a simple text is sufficient to communicate. Why waste time calling and talking when you can text? With cell phones, you can store numbers through your contact list, set up speed dials, and take advantage of voice recognition to make calls. Not long ago, I observed a friend calling her next-door neighbor by punching in the number. I asked her didn’t she have Dot’s number in her contact list and on speed dial. The friend retorted that she didn’t know how to do all that. So every time my friend makes a call, she punches in the numbers. The only time I punch in a number is when I’m calling someone that I don’t know for the first time.
Another friend of mine only has a work email and refuses to purchase a home computer system so he can have a personal email or check his work email on the weekends. He has a cell phone, but won’t get text messaging. If he needs to tell someone something, he just calls them. He doesn’t care if he’s connected or not.
I recently upgraded to a blackberry where I can check my email and get on the Internet. I’ll probably upgrade out of that blackberry in due time. Now I can’t imagine not having instant access to my email and being able to get on the Internet when I’m away from my computers. The same friend who punches in numbers on her cell phone recently made comment that all she wants out of her cell phone is to make calls. That’s so twentieth century!
I quit taking the newspaper years ago and haven’t watched that evening news or the 10:00 news in years. Why do you need to? Reading the newspaper and scheduling around broadcast news is so twentieth century.
Something else, I’m being “green”. Trees are being saved since I don’t take the newspaper. Uh-oh! I’m not into being “green”. I want my carbon footprint to be as large as possible. Should I subscribe to the newspaper or perhaps several newspapers? Nay.
So as I get older along with everyone else on the planet, I listen to music I like, wear clothes that make me feel good without making too many fashion errors, and stay up to date with technology to the extent my wallet will allow it. Would someone 19 years old call me an “old fogey”? Probably. Do I care? No. Do I wish some of my friends would get out of the twentieth century? That would be nice.
Friday, October 23, 2009
A COUPLE OF DAYS IN THE USA
After the alarm went off this morning, I turned on the light and the TV with Fox and Friends on. My kitty, Twister, was right beside me. They ran a story about findings that dogs and cats have rather large carbon footprints. In fact their carbon footprints, in some cases, rival that of evil SUVs. As a result, environmentalists are recommending that if you own dogs and/or cats, get rid of them and get a pet that you can eventually eat. Suggestions for pets included chickens or rabbits.
Well, rabbits are cute and cuddly; they are generally kept in cages outside. They’re probably affectionate, but can they be potty trained and kept in the house? Chickens generally go to the bathroom anywhere. Can chickens be potty trained? I kind of doubt it. Also, I don’t think I could eat a rabbit or even a chicken after having them as pets for a while. I never met the chicken that I bought at the grocery store earlier and that’s just fine with me.
Now this is just silly and I laughed my head off. Of course, what’s not ridiculous these days? What do the environmentalists suggest that you do with your CO2 emitting canine or feline? PETA may not be too cool with this. Maybe the environmentalists and PETA can battle it out and beat each other down.
In Washington, one of the current president’s top economic advisors has indicated that the stimulus package implemented by the house, senate, and the current president has probably done most of what it’s going to do and will do very little in 2010. Talk about a major boondoggle? What a flop!
Healthcare reform gives me such a headache that I don’t want to write about it. Besides, there are plenty of other folks out there giving their opinions. Speaking of headaches, I wonder if I’ll still be allowed to get my migraine medicine if healthcare reform passes. The current president will probably suggest that I just take a couple of aspirins. Yea, right!
Well, rabbits are cute and cuddly; they are generally kept in cages outside. They’re probably affectionate, but can they be potty trained and kept in the house? Chickens generally go to the bathroom anywhere. Can chickens be potty trained? I kind of doubt it. Also, I don’t think I could eat a rabbit or even a chicken after having them as pets for a while. I never met the chicken that I bought at the grocery store earlier and that’s just fine with me.
Now this is just silly and I laughed my head off. Of course, what’s not ridiculous these days? What do the environmentalists suggest that you do with your CO2 emitting canine or feline? PETA may not be too cool with this. Maybe the environmentalists and PETA can battle it out and beat each other down.
In Washington, one of the current president’s top economic advisors has indicated that the stimulus package implemented by the house, senate, and the current president has probably done most of what it’s going to do and will do very little in 2010. Talk about a major boondoggle? What a flop!
Healthcare reform gives me such a headache that I don’t want to write about it. Besides, there are plenty of other folks out there giving their opinions. Speaking of headaches, I wonder if I’ll still be allowed to get my migraine medicine if healthcare reform passes. The current president will probably suggest that I just take a couple of aspirins. Yea, right!
Friday, October 9, 2009
An Award I Didn't Deserve
A number of years ago I received an award from an organization that I belong to that I really didn't deserve. I took no pleasure in it and don't display it. I have received some other awards that I felt I deserved and I proudly display those.
I'm wondering if the current President is really taking pleasure in his Nobel Peace Prize that he knows he didnt' deserve.
I'm wondering if the current President is really taking pleasure in his Nobel Peace Prize that he knows he didnt' deserve.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
ONE PARTICULAR WEEKEND
Last month when I found out that my favorite singer, Mac McAnally, was going to be in concert in Gulfport, MS on Saturday night, September 12; my first thought was “can’t do it”. Alabama’s hope opener is that night. Then I thought…Well! I went to the season opener in Atlanta and this is Florida International, not the “real Florida”. Then I said, maybe. Then I said, “why not”. I’ll be attending the Alabama games for the rest of this season and it’s not that often that I get to see Mac up close and personal. Besides, Mac’s career is really taking off and who knows how long he will be doing small venues where he meets and talks to his fans. Also, I’ve never hung out at the Mississippi coast and here was the opportunity. Enough said, I’m going to see Mac. It wasn’t hard to talk my friends Myrna and Kay into making the trip with me.
Mac was actually the headliner for the “Phlock at the Dock” event held at the Dock Bar and Grill in Gulfport, following three exceptional acts.
Plans were made to drive to Gulfport on Saturday morning, show up at “the Dock” about 5:00 when first act, Brent Burns was to begin. Then on Sunday, we would hit the casinos for a little while and head home. Then I got to thinking, New Orleans is not that far from Gulfport, why not drive to New Orleans and spend the day there on Sunday, drive back to Gulfport Sunday evening, then hit the casinos on Monday. I have some vacation time left. Now that was a plan…seeing Mac and the others, getting my New Orleans fix, and visiting the casinos.
The only problem that we were facing was bad weather. A tropical low was spinning in the northwest Gulf of Mexico, bringing lots of rain to the area. But we didn’t let that stop us.
We left at approximately 8:30 Saturday morning under cloudy skies. As we traveled south on I-65 in my comfy SUV, we were amazed at the amount of road kill that we saw. There was a fox, a fawn, a dog or two, and some armadillos. In fact, there was so much road kill that we decided to make a list. So every time we saw something, Myrna would write it down. I was laughing so hard, I was crying. I hope Myrna still has the list so I can publish it. The armadillos, of course, won out. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a live armadillo except maybe at a zoo.
We arrived at the Dock around 5:00, just in time for the music to start. Of course, the Alabama game began at 6-ish. Friends at the game were to keep me informed. I also had my fairly new blackberry so I could get updates from the Internet, if necessary. My old college roomie, Sandy, was leaving me voicemails, I had to go to the restroom to hear them, and they weren’t too good. Alabama was struggling. They were doing a little better in the second half when Mac took the stage. I was still, though, running to the restroom to hear Sandy’s voicemails. Sorry Mac, I chose you over Alabama Football, but I still want to know what’s happening at the game. About 1/3 of the way into Mac’s concert, I got the voicemail from Sandy that we had won 40-14 and that the game was mercifully over. That put a smile on my face and I could now really enjoy hearing Mac sing and tell stories. When I got back to the table (we were sitting right under Mac’s feet), I signaled to Kay that we had won and mouthed the final score to her. Well, when Mac finished his song, Kay looked up at him and told him that Alabama had won its game. Then Mac announced to the audience that Alabama had won its game. I thought that was so cool. Thank you, Mac.
Mac was fabulous. Just when you think he can’t get any better, he does. After he finished singing, he greeted his fans. He signed some CDs for me and I had my picture made with him for the “upteeninth” time. When I apologized for leaving so many times to check on the game, he said to me, “I heard it was a little scary at times”.
Next day, New Orleans! As I indicated earlier, the weather was not good and we had to dodge rain on Saturday and on Sunday. As we were nearing the eastern side of New Orleans, I didn’t like looks of the clouds up ahead and to my left. These tropical lows have much of the same characteristics as hurricanes without the strong winds. They can drop a tornado, and we were on the side where tornadoes just might drop. There were no tornadoes, but the bottom fell out and I mean fell out. I was blinded by the rain and had to pull over on the side of the road. I generally won’t pull over in heavy rains. It’s an ego thing. I’ll say that this is the hardest rain in which I’ve ever tried to drive. When the it slacked up a bit, we drove on into New Orleans and to the French Quarter. After enjoying a lovely jazz brunch at the Court of Two Sisters, we made our way to other favorite haunts including Pat O’Brien’s, the Evans Candy Company, Margaritaville, the French Market, and Café Dumonde. Then we headed back to Gulfport to spend our last night.
While Kay and I are “night people”, Myrna is a morning person and is usually up by 6:00 or 7:00. When Kay and I were still sleeping, she was up walking on the beach both Sunday and Monday mornings. On Monday, I woke up at 8:30, pulled back the curtains and saw that it was pouring down rain. So, I decided to text Myrna to see if she was on the beach. Well she called me back and indicated that she was walking on the beach at the waters edge when, in the blink of an eye, sunk up to her knees in the sand. She was able to get out, but the sand sucked up her flip-flops. She then started back to the hotel and it began raining hard. We were laughing, but then it wasn’t so funny. What if she had sunk really deep into the sand? No one was on the beach at the time. We’re all in a funk about this and probably will be for a while. We all like to walk on the beach at the water’s edge and have the waves cover our feet, but we probably shouldn’t do that if we’re alone. Instead, we should walk on the dry sand. God is good and we’ll all be careful from now on. In addition to losing her flip-flops, Myrna broke a fingernail.
After checking out of the hotel, we did a little shopping and then headed to Biloxi. Because it was lunch time, we decided to stop at Snapper’s, a restaurant right on the beach that specializes in seafood. Before heading to Beau Rivage, we decided to use the facilities. Well, I got locked in one of the ladies’ bathroom stalls. I also happened to be in the restroom alone. After what seemed to be a long time (it was probably about a minute), I was able to get the latch to cooperate and was a free woman. We made it to Beau Rivage where Myrna and Kay came out ahead and I didn’t. You win some and you lose some.
Got home about 9:30, played with my kitty and went to bed. What can I say, it was a great weekend. Hey, when you have road kill, Mac McAnally, an Alabama victory, New Orleans, shopping, and gambling; “ya can’t help but have fun”, and we did.
Mac was actually the headliner for the “Phlock at the Dock” event held at the Dock Bar and Grill in Gulfport, following three exceptional acts.
Plans were made to drive to Gulfport on Saturday morning, show up at “the Dock” about 5:00 when first act, Brent Burns was to begin. Then on Sunday, we would hit the casinos for a little while and head home. Then I got to thinking, New Orleans is not that far from Gulfport, why not drive to New Orleans and spend the day there on Sunday, drive back to Gulfport Sunday evening, then hit the casinos on Monday. I have some vacation time left. Now that was a plan…seeing Mac and the others, getting my New Orleans fix, and visiting the casinos.
The only problem that we were facing was bad weather. A tropical low was spinning in the northwest Gulf of Mexico, bringing lots of rain to the area. But we didn’t let that stop us.
We left at approximately 8:30 Saturday morning under cloudy skies. As we traveled south on I-65 in my comfy SUV, we were amazed at the amount of road kill that we saw. There was a fox, a fawn, a dog or two, and some armadillos. In fact, there was so much road kill that we decided to make a list. So every time we saw something, Myrna would write it down. I was laughing so hard, I was crying. I hope Myrna still has the list so I can publish it. The armadillos, of course, won out. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a live armadillo except maybe at a zoo.
We arrived at the Dock around 5:00, just in time for the music to start. Of course, the Alabama game began at 6-ish. Friends at the game were to keep me informed. I also had my fairly new blackberry so I could get updates from the Internet, if necessary. My old college roomie, Sandy, was leaving me voicemails, I had to go to the restroom to hear them, and they weren’t too good. Alabama was struggling. They were doing a little better in the second half when Mac took the stage. I was still, though, running to the restroom to hear Sandy’s voicemails. Sorry Mac, I chose you over Alabama Football, but I still want to know what’s happening at the game. About 1/3 of the way into Mac’s concert, I got the voicemail from Sandy that we had won 40-14 and that the game was mercifully over. That put a smile on my face and I could now really enjoy hearing Mac sing and tell stories. When I got back to the table (we were sitting right under Mac’s feet), I signaled to Kay that we had won and mouthed the final score to her. Well, when Mac finished his song, Kay looked up at him and told him that Alabama had won its game. Then Mac announced to the audience that Alabama had won its game. I thought that was so cool. Thank you, Mac.
Mac was fabulous. Just when you think he can’t get any better, he does. After he finished singing, he greeted his fans. He signed some CDs for me and I had my picture made with him for the “upteeninth” time. When I apologized for leaving so many times to check on the game, he said to me, “I heard it was a little scary at times”.
Next day, New Orleans! As I indicated earlier, the weather was not good and we had to dodge rain on Saturday and on Sunday. As we were nearing the eastern side of New Orleans, I didn’t like looks of the clouds up ahead and to my left. These tropical lows have much of the same characteristics as hurricanes without the strong winds. They can drop a tornado, and we were on the side where tornadoes just might drop. There were no tornadoes, but the bottom fell out and I mean fell out. I was blinded by the rain and had to pull over on the side of the road. I generally won’t pull over in heavy rains. It’s an ego thing. I’ll say that this is the hardest rain in which I’ve ever tried to drive. When the it slacked up a bit, we drove on into New Orleans and to the French Quarter. After enjoying a lovely jazz brunch at the Court of Two Sisters, we made our way to other favorite haunts including Pat O’Brien’s, the Evans Candy Company, Margaritaville, the French Market, and Café Dumonde. Then we headed back to Gulfport to spend our last night.
While Kay and I are “night people”, Myrna is a morning person and is usually up by 6:00 or 7:00. When Kay and I were still sleeping, she was up walking on the beach both Sunday and Monday mornings. On Monday, I woke up at 8:30, pulled back the curtains and saw that it was pouring down rain. So, I decided to text Myrna to see if she was on the beach. Well she called me back and indicated that she was walking on the beach at the waters edge when, in the blink of an eye, sunk up to her knees in the sand. She was able to get out, but the sand sucked up her flip-flops. She then started back to the hotel and it began raining hard. We were laughing, but then it wasn’t so funny. What if she had sunk really deep into the sand? No one was on the beach at the time. We’re all in a funk about this and probably will be for a while. We all like to walk on the beach at the water’s edge and have the waves cover our feet, but we probably shouldn’t do that if we’re alone. Instead, we should walk on the dry sand. God is good and we’ll all be careful from now on. In addition to losing her flip-flops, Myrna broke a fingernail.
After checking out of the hotel, we did a little shopping and then headed to Biloxi. Because it was lunch time, we decided to stop at Snapper’s, a restaurant right on the beach that specializes in seafood. Before heading to Beau Rivage, we decided to use the facilities. Well, I got locked in one of the ladies’ bathroom stalls. I also happened to be in the restroom alone. After what seemed to be a long time (it was probably about a minute), I was able to get the latch to cooperate and was a free woman. We made it to Beau Rivage where Myrna and Kay came out ahead and I didn’t. You win some and you lose some.
Got home about 9:30, played with my kitty and went to bed. What can I say, it was a great weekend. Hey, when you have road kill, Mac McAnally, an Alabama victory, New Orleans, shopping, and gambling; “ya can’t help but have fun”, and we did.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
I WAS SCARED THIS WOULD HAPPEN
When the current president was elected, a man who is half black and half white and considers himself a black man, I was concerned that those who disagreed with his governing philosophies would be accused of racism. Of course, it’s not racism.
I live in Pelham, Alabama, a suburb of Birmingham, Alabama. Furthermore, I was born and raised in Cullman, Alabama. I know a lot of people who despise the current president, but it’s not because of his skin color. It’s because they don’t like his policies. These same people didn’t like Bill Clinton’s policies or Jimmy Carter’s policies. It has nothing to do with race and I believe that with all my heart.
Now, the second worst president in my lifetime is announcing that anyone who doesn’t agree with the current president’s policies is a racist. I’M FED UP WITH THIS BALONEY AND I DON’T CARE IF I’M LABELED A RACIST. The next time racism is alleged; I’m going to say, PROVE IT! I’m not going to try to plead that I’m not a racist by meekly saying that one of my best friends is black and that I regularly patronize a couple of small businesses that are black owned and operated. If you want to accuse me of racism, you’re going to have to come up with some facts that indicate such.
Jimmy Carter is a/an …(fill in the blank with your own words). He obviously hates this country. Even if he’s so backwards, still lives in the fifties, and sincerely thinks that people disagree with the current president because he’s half black, making his comments stirs the pot and can potentially cause great harm to the United States of America. Why couldn’t he have kept his mouth shut? Because he’s a/an…(fill in the blank with your own words).
I do remember when he was running for president. Folks thought of him as an ordinary guy, a nice guy. WRONG! Jimmy Carter is a disgusting individual whose actions are nothing but evil.
There, I’ve said it and didn’t hold back. Bama Nancy’s mad tonight.
I live in Pelham, Alabama, a suburb of Birmingham, Alabama. Furthermore, I was born and raised in Cullman, Alabama. I know a lot of people who despise the current president, but it’s not because of his skin color. It’s because they don’t like his policies. These same people didn’t like Bill Clinton’s policies or Jimmy Carter’s policies. It has nothing to do with race and I believe that with all my heart.
Now, the second worst president in my lifetime is announcing that anyone who doesn’t agree with the current president’s policies is a racist. I’M FED UP WITH THIS BALONEY AND I DON’T CARE IF I’M LABELED A RACIST. The next time racism is alleged; I’m going to say, PROVE IT! I’m not going to try to plead that I’m not a racist by meekly saying that one of my best friends is black and that I regularly patronize a couple of small businesses that are black owned and operated. If you want to accuse me of racism, you’re going to have to come up with some facts that indicate such.
Jimmy Carter is a/an …(fill in the blank with your own words). He obviously hates this country. Even if he’s so backwards, still lives in the fifties, and sincerely thinks that people disagree with the current president because he’s half black, making his comments stirs the pot and can potentially cause great harm to the United States of America. Why couldn’t he have kept his mouth shut? Because he’s a/an…(fill in the blank with your own words).
I do remember when he was running for president. Folks thought of him as an ordinary guy, a nice guy. WRONG! Jimmy Carter is a disgusting individual whose actions are nothing but evil.
There, I’ve said it and didn’t hold back. Bama Nancy’s mad tonight.
YOU MIGHT BE A RACIST IF
You work hard to make sure that you and your family have access to good healthcare and would like to keep that good healthcare plan.
You just work hard and make a good salary, then spend some of that money; therefore, strengthening the economy and not becoming a pig at the government trough.
You believe that global warming is a bunch of you know what and continue to drive that SUV.
You believe that the lives and well being of the human race are more important than saving an endangered species that is of no use to anyone.
You’re pro-life.
You believe that the U.S. Constitution entitles U.S. citizens the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness and not much else.
You think that Michelle Obama is ugly and her clothes are hideous.
You cringe at the thought of late-term abortion.
You believe in judging people by the content of their character and not the color of their skin.
You believe that those getting the jobs should be the applicants most qualified regardless of the color of their skin.
You believe that admission to college should be based on grades and test scores regardless of skin color.
You believe that loans should be given to those who have a good credit history and have the ability to make the payments regardless of skin color.
You get into a bit of hot water, admit your mistakes, and then take steps to get back on the right path without help from the government. You’re supposed to blame your parents, your teachers, George Bush, and anyone else you can think of for your problems. Then you should seek government assistance whereby you don’t have to make any changes in your lifestyle because the government will take care of you.
And last, but not least, a liberal democrat labels you a racist. That’s it! You’re a racist. The liberal democrat does not have to prove his/her point and you’re wasting your time if your try to prove your point. If you’re a conservative and/or a Republican, abandon all hope.
You just work hard and make a good salary, then spend some of that money; therefore, strengthening the economy and not becoming a pig at the government trough.
You believe that global warming is a bunch of you know what and continue to drive that SUV.
You believe that the lives and well being of the human race are more important than saving an endangered species that is of no use to anyone.
You’re pro-life.
You believe that the U.S. Constitution entitles U.S. citizens the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness and not much else.
You think that Michelle Obama is ugly and her clothes are hideous.
You cringe at the thought of late-term abortion.
You believe in judging people by the content of their character and not the color of their skin.
You believe that those getting the jobs should be the applicants most qualified regardless of the color of their skin.
You believe that admission to college should be based on grades and test scores regardless of skin color.
You believe that loans should be given to those who have a good credit history and have the ability to make the payments regardless of skin color.
You get into a bit of hot water, admit your mistakes, and then take steps to get back on the right path without help from the government. You’re supposed to blame your parents, your teachers, George Bush, and anyone else you can think of for your problems. Then you should seek government assistance whereby you don’t have to make any changes in your lifestyle because the government will take care of you.
And last, but not least, a liberal democrat labels you a racist. That’s it! You’re a racist. The liberal democrat does not have to prove his/her point and you’re wasting your time if your try to prove your point. If you’re a conservative and/or a Republican, abandon all hope.
Monday, September 7, 2009
THINGS ON MY MIND TODAY
I haven’t posted in a while, so it’s about time. With so much going on, what do I talk about? We’ll see!
The current president’s speech to the AFL-CIO in Ohio is on the TV. I’m trying not to listen because I’ll just get upset. I hope it’s over soon.
I’m not going to talk about healthcare reform today because enough has been said about and you all know where I stand. All I can say is that we can’t let it happen because this one single issue will transform the country that you and I grew up in to one that we all have seen in the movies and it would be one in which we would have to live. The town halls are continuing with most of the democrat congressman getting flack from their constituents and then telling the constituents that they don’t care what they think, we’re going to pass healthcare reform one way or the other. I’m so blessed to live in one of the most conservative areas in the country.
I’m very happy that Alabama won its opening game on Saturday night. We pulled it out in the fourth quarter in spite of not playing well at times. One thing on my mind about the game is Rolando McClain’s “loss of composure” that resulted in two personal fouls called against Alabama when we had just dropped Va. Tech for a loss that would have led to a probable field goal attempt as opposed to scoring a touchdown. Rolando’s two penalties gave Va. Tech new life and they scored a touchdown. What would Coach Bryant do? Under Coach Bryant, Rolando would be relegated to nth string and probably wouldn’t play another down. But would any player have done such a thing under Coach Bryant. NO! That was then and this is now. Coach Saban’s not happy about it, and Rolando did apologize to the team at half time. He’s a great player and loosing him on first string will affect play. Was Coach Bryant too strict? If Coach Saban continues to play him, is he too lenient? Will Rolando ever do something like this again? I think the chances are about 99.999% that he won’t. Should he continue to be a starter or should he not? I don’t know.
The current president’s speech to the AFL-CIO in Ohio is on the TV. I’m trying not to listen because I’ll just get upset. I hope it’s over soon.
I’m not going to talk about healthcare reform today because enough has been said about and you all know where I stand. All I can say is that we can’t let it happen because this one single issue will transform the country that you and I grew up in to one that we all have seen in the movies and it would be one in which we would have to live. The town halls are continuing with most of the democrat congressman getting flack from their constituents and then telling the constituents that they don’t care what they think, we’re going to pass healthcare reform one way or the other. I’m so blessed to live in one of the most conservative areas in the country.
I’m very happy that Alabama won its opening game on Saturday night. We pulled it out in the fourth quarter in spite of not playing well at times. One thing on my mind about the game is Rolando McClain’s “loss of composure” that resulted in two personal fouls called against Alabama when we had just dropped Va. Tech for a loss that would have led to a probable field goal attempt as opposed to scoring a touchdown. Rolando’s two penalties gave Va. Tech new life and they scored a touchdown. What would Coach Bryant do? Under Coach Bryant, Rolando would be relegated to nth string and probably wouldn’t play another down. But would any player have done such a thing under Coach Bryant. NO! That was then and this is now. Coach Saban’s not happy about it, and Rolando did apologize to the team at half time. He’s a great player and loosing him on first string will affect play. Was Coach Bryant too strict? If Coach Saban continues to play him, is he too lenient? Will Rolando ever do something like this again? I think the chances are about 99.999% that he won’t. Should he continue to be a starter or should he not? I don’t know.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
THEY REALLY THINK WE’RE STUPID, DON’T THEY?
I’ve indicated in previous blogs that liberals really think that we regular folks are stupid and therefore, we need them to run our lives for us. Our liberal government leaders, in their push to justify the massive resistance to healthcare reform, have accused those citizens, who are taking time to attend the attend the town hall meetings and make their feelings known, of being part of an organized protest effort implemented by right wing zealots.
I’m sure some of the folks show up because of an organizer and there are probably a few “right wing zealots” involved. But so what? Were there no left wing zealots involved in protests against Bush administration policies? Were those protesters not organized? Of course, they were. This brings me back to point. Liberals think we’re too stupid to think for ourselves and make decisions for ourselves. They think that we’re not capable of showing up at a town hall meeting asking intelligent questions, and making our feelings known, on our own volition. This is sad, but true.
There is much more prosperity in a capitalistic society that there is in a socialist society. However, in a capitalist society, there are going to be some have-nots, and generally these have-nots will be folks who just haven’t tried to be prosperous or don’t want to be prosperous. The point I’m trying to make is that there will be those who “slip through the cracks” and at one time or another most of us probably thought we might be slipping through the cracks. The bottom line is that more people are better off in a capitalistic society than in a socialist society where no one really wins. This can be a little tricky when talking to a liberal because a conservative might come off as callous. It can be done, though. Of course the liberals don’t seem to care about the possibility of folks having to wait six months for a hip or knee replacement or even chemotherapy. So, who’s actually callous after all?
My congressman, Spencer Bacchus is having a town hall meeting this coming Monday at a location that’s not far from where I work. Congressman Bacchus’ district is probably one of the most conservative districts in the U.S. and most of us do not want any part of healthcare reform or socialized medicine. So, I’ll be very interested in how this shakes out. Spencer, I mean Congressman Bacchus, is against this also. Will there be liberals attending who will confront Spencer or will he be preaching to the choir?
I’m sure some of the folks show up because of an organizer and there are probably a few “right wing zealots” involved. But so what? Were there no left wing zealots involved in protests against Bush administration policies? Were those protesters not organized? Of course, they were. This brings me back to point. Liberals think we’re too stupid to think for ourselves and make decisions for ourselves. They think that we’re not capable of showing up at a town hall meeting asking intelligent questions, and making our feelings known, on our own volition. This is sad, but true.
There is much more prosperity in a capitalistic society that there is in a socialist society. However, in a capitalist society, there are going to be some have-nots, and generally these have-nots will be folks who just haven’t tried to be prosperous or don’t want to be prosperous. The point I’m trying to make is that there will be those who “slip through the cracks” and at one time or another most of us probably thought we might be slipping through the cracks. The bottom line is that more people are better off in a capitalistic society than in a socialist society where no one really wins. This can be a little tricky when talking to a liberal because a conservative might come off as callous. It can be done, though. Of course the liberals don’t seem to care about the possibility of folks having to wait six months for a hip or knee replacement or even chemotherapy. So, who’s actually callous after all?
My congressman, Spencer Bacchus is having a town hall meeting this coming Monday at a location that’s not far from where I work. Congressman Bacchus’ district is probably one of the most conservative districts in the U.S. and most of us do not want any part of healthcare reform or socialized medicine. So, I’ll be very interested in how this shakes out. Spencer, I mean Congressman Bacchus, is against this also. Will there be liberals attending who will confront Spencer or will he be preaching to the choir?
Thursday, August 13, 2009
AND ONCE AGAIN, WE LOOK TO THE GREATEST GENERATION
While a cross-section of America is attending the healthcare town halls, senior citizens who are participating and speaking out against the proposed healthcare reforms dominate. While most of the greatest generation still alive would probably not be physically able to attend a town hall meeting, much less be an active participant, I have to think that some of the participants are indeed part of the greatest generation. Many WW2 veterans joined the military when they were fifteen and 16 years old. A fifteen or sixteen year old that joined up in 1943 would be in his or her early eighties and many folks stay active well into their eighties.
The greatest generation saved this country from the Nazis, the Fascists, and the Imperialists. Now it looks like they just might save us from the socialists that have been elected to power in this country.
The only negative thing that I can say about the greatest generation is that they spawned people like me. I look at myself and think, “I’m not fit to wipe their boots.” When I was growing up, I depended on my parents, my aunts and uncles, and other members of the greatest generation for guidance and protection. Now that so many of them are gone, I find myself totally lost. I’m the adult and supposed to be responsible. What a scary thought!
They lived through the great depression and fought for our freedoms in WW2. Now they are fighting once again to preserve the American way of life. When the next crisis rolls around, they’re probably not going to be around. What will we do then?
The greatest generation saved this country from the Nazis, the Fascists, and the Imperialists. Now it looks like they just might save us from the socialists that have been elected to power in this country.
The only negative thing that I can say about the greatest generation is that they spawned people like me. I look at myself and think, “I’m not fit to wipe their boots.” When I was growing up, I depended on my parents, my aunts and uncles, and other members of the greatest generation for guidance and protection. Now that so many of them are gone, I find myself totally lost. I’m the adult and supposed to be responsible. What a scary thought!
They lived through the great depression and fought for our freedoms in WW2. Now they are fighting once again to preserve the American way of life. When the next crisis rolls around, they’re probably not going to be around. What will we do then?
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
MY NAME IS NANCY AND I’M AN ADDICT
Whether or not I’ve truly kicked the habit remains to be seen, but I’ve quit. What am I addicted to? PLASTIC! No I don’t inhale the fumes of burning plastic; I do it with the wrist. With a quick snap of the wrist the card comes out of my wallet and with another quick snap of the wrist, the card is swiped in the machine. Instant gratification! Who says I can’t have things when I want them?
Ya’ll, I was drowning in credit card debt. I started a job a couple of years ago making a really good salary; and while I was trying to limit my charges on revolving credit cards, the balances were not going down because I was only able to pay a little more than my minimums. I was also charging more on American Express. Of course, that has to be paid in full every month. So, I was having large American Express bills. Making ends meet was getting more difficult every month and I was drawing out of savings. While I stopped short of maxing out my credit cards and never got to the point that I was charging groceries, my situation was bleak. My credit never got bad because I did pay my bills on time and (knock on wood), I have never been behind in my mortgage payments.
While the only things I’m physically addicted to are carbonated beverages (I can’t go more than two days without that fizz in my mouth) and high fat/high calorie foods, I have never experienced an alcohol or a drug addiction. There are similarities between drug/alcohol addictions plastic addictions. When the alcoholic takes that first drink of the day, I’m sure he or she feels somewhat guilty, but rationalizes just this once because he/she has a stressful day ahead and needs the buzz to get through it. I have to have that pair of shoes, so I’ll charge just this once. Besides if I wait until pay day, they may be sold out in my size. The alcoholic goes on vacation and decides to imbibe. I’ll quit when I get back home. It’s time to buy football tickets and I don’t have the extra money because the tax refund I just got has vaporized. I wonder how that happened. Okay, I’ll charge them and pay extra for the next few months. Yea, right!
Another characteristic of addicts is that they tend to lose interest in things such as family, friends, house maintenance, and physical appearance. I had a friend once that loved clothes and taking care of her appearance. Then she became an alcoholic and lost interest all together in those things. As one of the planet’s most vain and shallow human beings, I can’t image losing interest in clothes and my appearance, but I have been known to go without exercising and lately I’ve been eating too much. Also, I have not been watching things too well at the house. Then last spring during a storm, a huge tree fell on my house. At that time, a water problem was discovered that, if left alone, could have meant serious problems. Luckily, it was caught and God is good. But I should have been watching stuff like that.
Another thing that I had lost interest in was my financial situation. I do have a little bit of money socked back, a lot of which is for retirement. I didn’t care about it, though. My plans were to work as a software engineer until I became too stupid; then I was going to work as a Wal-Mart greeter. When I was no longer able to do that kind of work, I would go into the nursing home under Medicaid or be euthanized, depending on the whim of the government. With all that debt, there was not much hope for a good life.
I would go to bed with this debt on my mind; then I would wake up with the debt on my mind. I would go out and laugh a lot, but in the back of my mind, there was the debt. Earlier this year, I was in New Orleans. One afternoon, friends and I were shopping in the French Quarter. We had our bags of stuff and while we were laughing and having a good time, I was really feeling guilty because I had just given my credit cards a workout. But I would think about that when I got home. In other words, a cloud followed me everywhere I went.
Also, what would happen if Mr. Right came along? I haven’t totally given up on that happening. The amount of my credit card debt would have surely turned him off even though my credit score wasn’t bad. Remember, “I married my dream girl, I married my dream girl, but I didn’t know that her credit was bad…If I had gone to freecreditreport.com, I’d be a happy bachelor with a yard and a dog.”
Today, I paid off my credit card debt by refinancing my house. I got a lower interest rate and the increase in my house payment in minimal. Buying a house and making my payments was one thing that I did do right, and when I needed the equity, I had it.
Now the hard part begins because the very last thing that I want to do is charge back up again. I make a good enough salary that I should be able to buy that pair of shoes when I see them now that so much of my money won’t be going toward credit card payments. Also, I should be able to buy larger ticket items by saving up. However, being credit card debt free is not a license to spend. I actually have enough clothes and shoes to choke a horse, so I’m not going there for a while. I’m going to the beach for a long weekend in a couple of weeks and I don’t plan to charge a thing. My hotel is guaranteed on American Express and one night is already paid for. If I keep it on American Express, I’ll have to pay it off in full when the bill comes in. If I put it on my debit card, it will be paid for right then. Either way, it’s not going to become debt and accrue interest.
Right now, the thought of pulling out a credit card to pay for something nauseates me and I’m hoping that I don’t have some sort of emergency to arise such as having to replace an appliance or the heating/cooling system. I’m holding my breath. I am incurring a small, but unexpected expense. In the back, water was backing up in one of the gutters above the deck whenever it rained hard. As a result the water was spilling out of the gutter onto the deck. My contractor, who installed the gutters when making the repairs to my house after the tree incident, checked the situation out and told me that squirrels were living in the downspout. You would think that the water would drown them and then their bodies would decompose. Well, I guess the nasty things use their butts to block the water, so it the dams up and overflows. I’m going to have to pay for having the downspout cleaned out and for guards to be installed so the squirrels can’t get in there. It’s always something.
Is this one of the best days of my life? Probably! Thanks for allowing me to share it with you.
Ya’ll, I was drowning in credit card debt. I started a job a couple of years ago making a really good salary; and while I was trying to limit my charges on revolving credit cards, the balances were not going down because I was only able to pay a little more than my minimums. I was also charging more on American Express. Of course, that has to be paid in full every month. So, I was having large American Express bills. Making ends meet was getting more difficult every month and I was drawing out of savings. While I stopped short of maxing out my credit cards and never got to the point that I was charging groceries, my situation was bleak. My credit never got bad because I did pay my bills on time and (knock on wood), I have never been behind in my mortgage payments.
While the only things I’m physically addicted to are carbonated beverages (I can’t go more than two days without that fizz in my mouth) and high fat/high calorie foods, I have never experienced an alcohol or a drug addiction. There are similarities between drug/alcohol addictions plastic addictions. When the alcoholic takes that first drink of the day, I’m sure he or she feels somewhat guilty, but rationalizes just this once because he/she has a stressful day ahead and needs the buzz to get through it. I have to have that pair of shoes, so I’ll charge just this once. Besides if I wait until pay day, they may be sold out in my size. The alcoholic goes on vacation and decides to imbibe. I’ll quit when I get back home. It’s time to buy football tickets and I don’t have the extra money because the tax refund I just got has vaporized. I wonder how that happened. Okay, I’ll charge them and pay extra for the next few months. Yea, right!
Another characteristic of addicts is that they tend to lose interest in things such as family, friends, house maintenance, and physical appearance. I had a friend once that loved clothes and taking care of her appearance. Then she became an alcoholic and lost interest all together in those things. As one of the planet’s most vain and shallow human beings, I can’t image losing interest in clothes and my appearance, but I have been known to go without exercising and lately I’ve been eating too much. Also, I have not been watching things too well at the house. Then last spring during a storm, a huge tree fell on my house. At that time, a water problem was discovered that, if left alone, could have meant serious problems. Luckily, it was caught and God is good. But I should have been watching stuff like that.
Another thing that I had lost interest in was my financial situation. I do have a little bit of money socked back, a lot of which is for retirement. I didn’t care about it, though. My plans were to work as a software engineer until I became too stupid; then I was going to work as a Wal-Mart greeter. When I was no longer able to do that kind of work, I would go into the nursing home under Medicaid or be euthanized, depending on the whim of the government. With all that debt, there was not much hope for a good life.
I would go to bed with this debt on my mind; then I would wake up with the debt on my mind. I would go out and laugh a lot, but in the back of my mind, there was the debt. Earlier this year, I was in New Orleans. One afternoon, friends and I were shopping in the French Quarter. We had our bags of stuff and while we were laughing and having a good time, I was really feeling guilty because I had just given my credit cards a workout. But I would think about that when I got home. In other words, a cloud followed me everywhere I went.
Also, what would happen if Mr. Right came along? I haven’t totally given up on that happening. The amount of my credit card debt would have surely turned him off even though my credit score wasn’t bad. Remember, “I married my dream girl, I married my dream girl, but I didn’t know that her credit was bad…If I had gone to freecreditreport.com, I’d be a happy bachelor with a yard and a dog.”
Today, I paid off my credit card debt by refinancing my house. I got a lower interest rate and the increase in my house payment in minimal. Buying a house and making my payments was one thing that I did do right, and when I needed the equity, I had it.
Now the hard part begins because the very last thing that I want to do is charge back up again. I make a good enough salary that I should be able to buy that pair of shoes when I see them now that so much of my money won’t be going toward credit card payments. Also, I should be able to buy larger ticket items by saving up. However, being credit card debt free is not a license to spend. I actually have enough clothes and shoes to choke a horse, so I’m not going there for a while. I’m going to the beach for a long weekend in a couple of weeks and I don’t plan to charge a thing. My hotel is guaranteed on American Express and one night is already paid for. If I keep it on American Express, I’ll have to pay it off in full when the bill comes in. If I put it on my debit card, it will be paid for right then. Either way, it’s not going to become debt and accrue interest.
Right now, the thought of pulling out a credit card to pay for something nauseates me and I’m hoping that I don’t have some sort of emergency to arise such as having to replace an appliance or the heating/cooling system. I’m holding my breath. I am incurring a small, but unexpected expense. In the back, water was backing up in one of the gutters above the deck whenever it rained hard. As a result the water was spilling out of the gutter onto the deck. My contractor, who installed the gutters when making the repairs to my house after the tree incident, checked the situation out and told me that squirrels were living in the downspout. You would think that the water would drown them and then their bodies would decompose. Well, I guess the nasty things use their butts to block the water, so it the dams up and overflows. I’m going to have to pay for having the downspout cleaned out and for guards to be installed so the squirrels can’t get in there. It’s always something.
Is this one of the best days of my life? Probably! Thanks for allowing me to share it with you.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
DICTATORSHIP, HOW CLOSE ARE WE?
As close as we’ve ever been in my lifetime. A democrat has been elected president and both houses of congress are democratic. Furthermore, the democrats hold sixty senate seats therefore making it filibuster proof. As a result, a united democrat party can put through anything it wants to and we Republicans can do very little about except try to educate the folks about what is going on and make plans for a vigorous attempt to get back the house and senate in the 2010 elections.
We are not actually a dictatorship because we still have free elections. However the disdain for their constituents by certain congressional representatives is truly reeks of a dictatorship. Elected representatives are supposed to be interested in the concerns of their constituents. These are the people who put them in office and these same people have the power to kick them out of office. Have any of the democrat elected officials from the current president on down ever considered the fact that the American people just don’t want socialized medicine? Do they even care? No, they don’t care. All the democrats care about is taking control over as much our lives as possible. That’s all its about and nothing more. I’ve expressed this in previous posts and will continue to express it.
Of course, the town hall attendees are being demonized and ridiculed by the democrats/liberals who are calling them angry mobs and accusing them of organized conspiracy. Both senators from Alabama are republicans and so is my congressman; and of course, they will vote against this. However, if my representative was a democrat, I would be the first at the town hall meeting and not hesitate to make my feelings known. I wouldn’t be beyond shouting. As someone who is not a senior, but realizes that it’s coming, I am concerned about healthcare as I get older. I’m also concerned about the almost assured rationing of healthcare. Should I become seriously ill, would the feds consider me a productive enough citizen to get treatment? As a conservative, I also don’t want to see the federal government grabbing 14% of the nation’s economy and putting it under its umbrella. Yes, turn me loose in a town hall meeting and I will be passionate.
We are not actually a dictatorship because we still have free elections. However the disdain for their constituents by certain congressional representatives is truly reeks of a dictatorship. Elected representatives are supposed to be interested in the concerns of their constituents. These are the people who put them in office and these same people have the power to kick them out of office. Have any of the democrat elected officials from the current president on down ever considered the fact that the American people just don’t want socialized medicine? Do they even care? No, they don’t care. All the democrats care about is taking control over as much our lives as possible. That’s all its about and nothing more. I’ve expressed this in previous posts and will continue to express it.
Of course, the town hall attendees are being demonized and ridiculed by the democrats/liberals who are calling them angry mobs and accusing them of organized conspiracy. Both senators from Alabama are republicans and so is my congressman; and of course, they will vote against this. However, if my representative was a democrat, I would be the first at the town hall meeting and not hesitate to make my feelings known. I wouldn’t be beyond shouting. As someone who is not a senior, but realizes that it’s coming, I am concerned about healthcare as I get older. I’m also concerned about the almost assured rationing of healthcare. Should I become seriously ill, would the feds consider me a productive enough citizen to get treatment? As a conservative, I also don’t want to see the federal government grabbing 14% of the nation’s economy and putting it under its umbrella. Yes, turn me loose in a town hall meeting and I will be passionate.
Friday, August 7, 2009
MOBSTERS AND RIGHT WING FRINGE
I guess that’s me along with middle class America. With Congress in recess, representatives have traveled to their respective districts to conduct meetings with their constituents to discuss, through town hall meetings, various issues with the proposed health care reform being the main issue.
With seventy to eighty percent of Americans happy with their current health care, lots of folks just don’t want the government messing with it. Furthermore, folks are leery of adding so much spending to what we’ve already seen in the current president’s administration. A lot of older Americans are concerned about possibly being denied medical procedures because of their age. The concerns go on and on.
Of course the far-left is doing what it can to demonize and belittle the folks. Even the White House is involved in teaching Democrat leaders how to handle angry mobs. When George Bush was being protested for the country’s involvement in the Iraqi war, not one time did he belittle the protesters. He did, however, acknowledge that they had the right to their own opinion and to make it known if they wished to do so. I also don’t recall any elected officials belittling those who disagreed with them. I’ll admit that when Cindy Sheehan and Code Pink were doing their thing, friends and I had some choice words to describe them, but we always acknowledged their rights.
Who can forget the “deer in the headlights” look on the faces of Arlen Specter and Kathleen Sebelius at their town hall meeting conducted in Philadelphia? All in all, the democrat representatives seem really stunned at the reaction of “the folks”. Except for calling them names, the dems don’t seem to know what to do.
The elections of 2006 and 2008 swept the Democrats/liberals into power and we elected as President of the United States, the most liberal individual ever to hold that office. As a result our elected officials have assumed that the American people want bigger government, more social programs, a more passive approach where foreign policy is concerned, and are willing to have their taxes raised and let the government provide them with womb to the tomb benefits. Now that people are pro-actively expressing their disagreements with the actions of the folks in power, the folks in power are shaking their heads thinking you elected us and now you’re resisting us. They may be thinking, “what did you elect me for”? “I stand for higher taxes, more spending on social programs and less spending on national defense, more governmental control, etc. You put me in office, I’m promoting all of these things and you’re balking. What gives”?
The people of the United States of America did elect these people and we’re getting what we voted for, pure and simple. How these people got elected is another story. In 2006, the Iraqi war was in a quagmire. Even though we had taken out our generation’s most brutal dictator, the weapons of mass destruction were not found. Americans were restless and wanted a conclusion to the war. So, this was a vote against Bush and the Republicans, not necessarily a vote for the Democrats. Then in 2008, the current president campaigned on change, but was very vague in stating exactly what those changes might be. This person was young, energetic, and had a nice looking family. The Republicans, on the other hand were running 70-something moderate John McCain. The summer before the elections gas prices hit an all time high and the stock market was tanking. Many blamed it on the oil companies and accused President Bush and Vice President Cheney for “being in bed” with them. While naming of Sarah Palin as McCain’s running mate seemed to give a much needed jump start to his campaign, things quickly deflated in September with the failure of some large financial institutions and the continuing decline of the Dow Jones. Things had stabilized in Iraq and the war on terror, so folks weren’t so much concerned with foreign policy; besides, we had not had an attack on American soil since 9/11. The drive-by media portrayed the economic situation as being the fault of the Bush Administration when it really had its roots in the sub-prime mortgages with Freddie and Fannie. This began in the late nineties under the Clinton administration because former President Clinton felt like everyone living in the United States had the right to a home whether they could afford it or not.
In my opinion, the Democrats were put in power because folks were overall dissatisfied with the Bush Administration and Republicans in general. They felt we were going in the wrong direction and wanted a change. Well, we got it.
An ex-boss of mine used to say that a “known evil” was better than an “unknown”. I’m not saying that the Bush Administration was evil. I was a big supporter of President Bush. What I’m saying is with McCain, we knew pretty much what we would be getting. Raising taxes on anyone would not happen; there would be no threat of socialized medicine, no out of control spending on social programs, and no “cap and trade”. Also, we would not have had the take-over of the automobile industry. This would be the case even if the Democrats had maintained control over the house and senate. This ties in with another old saying, “be careful what you wish for, you just might get it”. People were unhappy with what they had and went for the new shiny wrapped package. When they opened their new shiny wrapped package, the rattle snake inside quickly struck burying its fangs and pumping its venom. The question now is, can the greatest nation on earth free itself from the serpent’s fangs, and detoxify itself to get rid of the effects of the venom? All I can say is that these things had better get done fast or the greatest nation on earth will surely die a slow painful death.
With seventy to eighty percent of Americans happy with their current health care, lots of folks just don’t want the government messing with it. Furthermore, folks are leery of adding so much spending to what we’ve already seen in the current president’s administration. A lot of older Americans are concerned about possibly being denied medical procedures because of their age. The concerns go on and on.
Of course the far-left is doing what it can to demonize and belittle the folks. Even the White House is involved in teaching Democrat leaders how to handle angry mobs. When George Bush was being protested for the country’s involvement in the Iraqi war, not one time did he belittle the protesters. He did, however, acknowledge that they had the right to their own opinion and to make it known if they wished to do so. I also don’t recall any elected officials belittling those who disagreed with them. I’ll admit that when Cindy Sheehan and Code Pink were doing their thing, friends and I had some choice words to describe them, but we always acknowledged their rights.
Who can forget the “deer in the headlights” look on the faces of Arlen Specter and Kathleen Sebelius at their town hall meeting conducted in Philadelphia? All in all, the democrat representatives seem really stunned at the reaction of “the folks”. Except for calling them names, the dems don’t seem to know what to do.
The elections of 2006 and 2008 swept the Democrats/liberals into power and we elected as President of the United States, the most liberal individual ever to hold that office. As a result our elected officials have assumed that the American people want bigger government, more social programs, a more passive approach where foreign policy is concerned, and are willing to have their taxes raised and let the government provide them with womb to the tomb benefits. Now that people are pro-actively expressing their disagreements with the actions of the folks in power, the folks in power are shaking their heads thinking you elected us and now you’re resisting us. They may be thinking, “what did you elect me for”? “I stand for higher taxes, more spending on social programs and less spending on national defense, more governmental control, etc. You put me in office, I’m promoting all of these things and you’re balking. What gives”?
The people of the United States of America did elect these people and we’re getting what we voted for, pure and simple. How these people got elected is another story. In 2006, the Iraqi war was in a quagmire. Even though we had taken out our generation’s most brutal dictator, the weapons of mass destruction were not found. Americans were restless and wanted a conclusion to the war. So, this was a vote against Bush and the Republicans, not necessarily a vote for the Democrats. Then in 2008, the current president campaigned on change, but was very vague in stating exactly what those changes might be. This person was young, energetic, and had a nice looking family. The Republicans, on the other hand were running 70-something moderate John McCain. The summer before the elections gas prices hit an all time high and the stock market was tanking. Many blamed it on the oil companies and accused President Bush and Vice President Cheney for “being in bed” with them. While naming of Sarah Palin as McCain’s running mate seemed to give a much needed jump start to his campaign, things quickly deflated in September with the failure of some large financial institutions and the continuing decline of the Dow Jones. Things had stabilized in Iraq and the war on terror, so folks weren’t so much concerned with foreign policy; besides, we had not had an attack on American soil since 9/11. The drive-by media portrayed the economic situation as being the fault of the Bush Administration when it really had its roots in the sub-prime mortgages with Freddie and Fannie. This began in the late nineties under the Clinton administration because former President Clinton felt like everyone living in the United States had the right to a home whether they could afford it or not.
In my opinion, the Democrats were put in power because folks were overall dissatisfied with the Bush Administration and Republicans in general. They felt we were going in the wrong direction and wanted a change. Well, we got it.
An ex-boss of mine used to say that a “known evil” was better than an “unknown”. I’m not saying that the Bush Administration was evil. I was a big supporter of President Bush. What I’m saying is with McCain, we knew pretty much what we would be getting. Raising taxes on anyone would not happen; there would be no threat of socialized medicine, no out of control spending on social programs, and no “cap and trade”. Also, we would not have had the take-over of the automobile industry. This would be the case even if the Democrats had maintained control over the house and senate. This ties in with another old saying, “be careful what you wish for, you just might get it”. People were unhappy with what they had and went for the new shiny wrapped package. When they opened their new shiny wrapped package, the rattle snake inside quickly struck burying its fangs and pumping its venom. The question now is, can the greatest nation on earth free itself from the serpent’s fangs, and detoxify itself to get rid of the effects of the venom? All I can say is that these things had better get done fast or the greatest nation on earth will surely die a slow painful death.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
WHAT IS THIS COUNTRY GOING TO BE LIKE IN A YEAR?
On Greta a few minutes ago, I just heard the most sinister thing that I’ve ever heard in my life. In spite of the first amendment, our country’s leaders are demonizing the folks that don’t agree with their policies. I was always told that I had a right to disagree and say I don’t like what the government is doing without fear. Well, it seems like that’s changing. On whitehouse.gov, not whitehouse.com, visitors are asked to report those folks whose speech and actions appear “fishy”. So, what is the purpose of this? Could the United States government be compiling a list of folks who don’t agree with the policies our country’s leaders are promoting?
Those of you that read my blog regularly know that I’m hung up on having my door knocked down in the middle of the night where I would be drug out of bed, never to be heard from again. Do I think the current president and his cronies can get away with something like this in the next couple of years? I don’t think so, but there are other ways to destroy a person or make their life miserable. Someone who doesn’t agree with them could easily be audited every year by the IRS. If they make a mistake on their tax return and owe a little money, the IRS could seize their assets. There are other things that the feds could do to someone who doesn’t agree with them.
A few weeks ago, I was watching the TV in a local sandwich shop while having lunch. The current president was saying that he wanted every American to get out of credit card debt and he announced the establishment of a 1-800 number that folks could call to get help if they had over $10,000 worth of credit card debt. If you make $25,000 and have a mortgage and a car payment, $10,000 worth of credit card debt is bad. But if you make $75,000, have a modest house payment, a modest car payment with no other debts, $10,000 is manageable and could probably be paid off in a year or so.
I heard on the news tonight that pretty soon the government could have access to your financial records as well as your medical records. Since this $10,000 seems to be some kind of a focus figure, could it be possible that sometime soon, the feds may sink another fang into your skin if you have more than $10,000 in credit card debt by forcing you to go to credit counseling or cutting off your credit all together. Having a boatload of credit card debt is bad and nearly impossible to pay off with the abominable rates that some cards carry. If you have a lot of credit card debt, you need to quit using them. This is something your mother ought to tell you or maybe your best friends should tell you. But do you want the federal government taking control of your credit card debt? It’s one thing for your credit card companies to lower your limits, raise your interest and minimum payments, because there are always other credit card companies that will take you on if you pay your minimums on time. But do you want the federal government involved in this aspect of your life? If you’re one of those who do not mind if the government controls your health care, I guess you’ll be okay with the government controlling your finances. And if you’re on their list of dissonants whose speech appeared to be fishy, there’s no telling what they will do to you.
Those of you that read my blog regularly know that I’m hung up on having my door knocked down in the middle of the night where I would be drug out of bed, never to be heard from again. Do I think the current president and his cronies can get away with something like this in the next couple of years? I don’t think so, but there are other ways to destroy a person or make their life miserable. Someone who doesn’t agree with them could easily be audited every year by the IRS. If they make a mistake on their tax return and owe a little money, the IRS could seize their assets. There are other things that the feds could do to someone who doesn’t agree with them.
A few weeks ago, I was watching the TV in a local sandwich shop while having lunch. The current president was saying that he wanted every American to get out of credit card debt and he announced the establishment of a 1-800 number that folks could call to get help if they had over $10,000 worth of credit card debt. If you make $25,000 and have a mortgage and a car payment, $10,000 worth of credit card debt is bad. But if you make $75,000, have a modest house payment, a modest car payment with no other debts, $10,000 is manageable and could probably be paid off in a year or so.
I heard on the news tonight that pretty soon the government could have access to your financial records as well as your medical records. Since this $10,000 seems to be some kind of a focus figure, could it be possible that sometime soon, the feds may sink another fang into your skin if you have more than $10,000 in credit card debt by forcing you to go to credit counseling or cutting off your credit all together. Having a boatload of credit card debt is bad and nearly impossible to pay off with the abominable rates that some cards carry. If you have a lot of credit card debt, you need to quit using them. This is something your mother ought to tell you or maybe your best friends should tell you. But do you want the federal government taking control of your credit card debt? It’s one thing for your credit card companies to lower your limits, raise your interest and minimum payments, because there are always other credit card companies that will take you on if you pay your minimums on time. But do you want the federal government involved in this aspect of your life? If you’re one of those who do not mind if the government controls your health care, I guess you’ll be okay with the government controlling your finances. And if you’re on their list of dissonants whose speech appeared to be fishy, there’s no telling what they will do to you.
A BREAK FROM POLITICS
I’m suffering from political overload and need a break. How about you? I just received my Alabama football season ticket package. There are seven game to be played in Bryant Denny Stadium, four games will be played at opponents’ stadiums, and one game will be played at the Georgia Dome, a neutral site. That game is with Virginia Tech and even though the site is considered neutral, there will probably be many more Alabama fans present than Virginia Tech fans.
I order my tickets in the spring and generally pay for them with my income tax refund or put them on plastic. I have three seats and pay $260 per seat up front for the privilege of ordering tickets. Then I purchase the tickets. By the time I get through paying for everything, I’ve spent almost $2,000. Part of the up front money is tax deductible and I sell my extra tickets to friends for regular price. I haven’t scalped tickets in a long time.
I shouldn’t have to tell you that Alabama football tickets are expensive with the cheapest ticket being $40.00 for the UT Chattanooga game. Tennessee tickets are $70.00 a piece. North Texas State and Florida International are $45.00 a piece while LSU, Arkansas, and South Carolina tickets are $55.00 a piece. I’m very surprised that LSU tickets are not $70.00 like the Tennessee tickets.
As a season ticket holder, I am required to buy all of the games in Bryant Denny and attend virtually all of the games. However, if I were buying them piece-meal, I’d probably pay $70 or a little more for a Tennessee ticket; but no way would I pay $45 for Florida International or North Texas State.
The Iron Bowl is in Auburn. Am I going to try to get tickets? I don’t know. If I do get tickets, I’m not driving my vehicle down there because I don’t want it to be vandalized and I don’t want to deal with the nightmarish traffic. We’ll just have to see as time draws nigh.
I live for football season, and eat and sleep Alabama football. We haven’t had a national championship since 1992; the year Bill Clinton was elected president for the first time. It’s been seventeen years! Can you believe it’s been that long? I’M READY!
I order my tickets in the spring and generally pay for them with my income tax refund or put them on plastic. I have three seats and pay $260 per seat up front for the privilege of ordering tickets. Then I purchase the tickets. By the time I get through paying for everything, I’ve spent almost $2,000. Part of the up front money is tax deductible and I sell my extra tickets to friends for regular price. I haven’t scalped tickets in a long time.
I shouldn’t have to tell you that Alabama football tickets are expensive with the cheapest ticket being $40.00 for the UT Chattanooga game. Tennessee tickets are $70.00 a piece. North Texas State and Florida International are $45.00 a piece while LSU, Arkansas, and South Carolina tickets are $55.00 a piece. I’m very surprised that LSU tickets are not $70.00 like the Tennessee tickets.
As a season ticket holder, I am required to buy all of the games in Bryant Denny and attend virtually all of the games. However, if I were buying them piece-meal, I’d probably pay $70 or a little more for a Tennessee ticket; but no way would I pay $45 for Florida International or North Texas State.
The Iron Bowl is in Auburn. Am I going to try to get tickets? I don’t know. If I do get tickets, I’m not driving my vehicle down there because I don’t want it to be vandalized and I don’t want to deal with the nightmarish traffic. We’ll just have to see as time draws nigh.
I live for football season, and eat and sleep Alabama football. We haven’t had a national championship since 1992; the year Bill Clinton was elected president for the first time. It’s been seventeen years! Can you believe it’s been that long? I’M READY!
Monday, August 3, 2009
IT’S NOT ABOUT YOU, THEY DON’T CARE
On Greta tonight, a video clip was shown of a town hall meeting hosted by Kathleen Sebelius and Arlen Specter. Sebelius, of course, is Secretary of Health and Human Services and Specter is a senator from Pennsylvania, once a Republican, now turned Democrat. It was ugly! The attendees were outraged by the health care reform legislation that is being proposed by our country’s leaders and let Sebelius and Specter know it. Both had that “deer in the headlights look” and I loved it.
The American people don’t want nationalized healthcare and they are further outraged at the costs and that the bill is being pushed through without lawmakers having read it. As I said above, the town hall meeting with Sebelius and Specter got ugly and I suspect there will be more ugly town hall meetings. We’ve already had a protest by senior citizens outside of Diane (roller-do) Feinstein’s office in California.
The Democrats have the presidency and Congress with the numbers to push anything through that they want to push through. Do they care about the American people, both insured and uninsured? NO, they do not. All they care about is grabbing everything they can and putting it under the federal government’s umbrella. They just want total control over every aspect of your life. “From each according to his ability, to each according to his need.” And the government gets to decide what to take and what to give.
I noted in a previous blog that insurance companies are now the whipping boys for our country’s leaders. Blue Cross Blue Shield is a major employer in the Birmingham, Alabama area and the current president and his cronies are out to destroy private health insurers. If BCBS goes down, this area will take a hit. Then if the current president goes after life insurers and property & casualty insurers, so many people will be hurt. It’s sinister and when I think about it, I get a knot in my stomach. What’s going to happen to me? I don’t know. What’s going to happen to everyone else? I don’t know. I don’t think anyone that works in the private sector is safe.
These people were elected to power and they will remain in power until at least early 2011. Our only hope is to fight against our current president’s policies tooth and nail and pray that the Republicans take back the House and Senate if 2010.
I’m sorry to be so morbid tonight folks, but our leaders have the numbers to do anything they want and their agenda is to totally control every aspect of our lives by transforming the United States of America into a weakened socialized country vulnerable to attacks by terrorists and rogue nations.
The American people don’t want nationalized healthcare and they are further outraged at the costs and that the bill is being pushed through without lawmakers having read it. As I said above, the town hall meeting with Sebelius and Specter got ugly and I suspect there will be more ugly town hall meetings. We’ve already had a protest by senior citizens outside of Diane (roller-do) Feinstein’s office in California.
The Democrats have the presidency and Congress with the numbers to push anything through that they want to push through. Do they care about the American people, both insured and uninsured? NO, they do not. All they care about is grabbing everything they can and putting it under the federal government’s umbrella. They just want total control over every aspect of your life. “From each according to his ability, to each according to his need.” And the government gets to decide what to take and what to give.
I noted in a previous blog that insurance companies are now the whipping boys for our country’s leaders. Blue Cross Blue Shield is a major employer in the Birmingham, Alabama area and the current president and his cronies are out to destroy private health insurers. If BCBS goes down, this area will take a hit. Then if the current president goes after life insurers and property & casualty insurers, so many people will be hurt. It’s sinister and when I think about it, I get a knot in my stomach. What’s going to happen to me? I don’t know. What’s going to happen to everyone else? I don’t know. I don’t think anyone that works in the private sector is safe.
These people were elected to power and they will remain in power until at least early 2011. Our only hope is to fight against our current president’s policies tooth and nail and pray that the Republicans take back the House and Senate if 2010.
I’m sorry to be so morbid tonight folks, but our leaders have the numbers to do anything they want and their agenda is to totally control every aspect of our lives by transforming the United States of America into a weakened socialized country vulnerable to attacks by terrorists and rogue nations.
Friday, July 31, 2009
EVERY MORNING IT’S SOMETHING NEW TO BE FRIGHTENED ABOUT
The following is from Reuters.com:
U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Thursday ramped up her criticism of insurance companies, accusing them of unethical behavior and working to kill a plan to create a new government-run health plan.
"It's almost immoral what they are doing," Pelosi said to reporters, referring to insurance companies. "Of course they've been immoral all along in how they have treated the people that they insure," she said, adding, "They are the villains. They have been part of the problem in a major way. They are doing everything in their power to stop a public option from happening."
First of all, do any of us think that the government is going to treat the people it’s taking steps to insure any better that it claims that the insurance companies are doing now? If you do, that swamp land in Louisiana has your name on it. Hey, if you like your state’s DMV!
Two things scare me about the Reuters.com article. First of all, the speaker makes it more obvious than ever that she and her democrat cronies are just looking to snatch 14% of the nation’s economy and put it under the government umbrella. It’s not about creating a better more cost effective healthcare system and providing healthcare for those who do not have it. It’s about total governmental control. This is being taken step by step from the playbook of Hugo Chavez.
Now that the federal government is heavily involved in the banking industry and the automobile industry, and is roaring full speed ahead to take over the medical industry, do you think they will stop there? ABSOLUTELY NOT! They will then go after another sector of the economy, which brings me to the second thing that I am scared about.
I work for an insurance company, not a health insurance company, but a property and casualty insurance company. My employer pays me well and provides me with exceptional benefits and a well above average working environment. Since insurance companies are the villains du jour, I’m concerned that perhaps they might come after P&C insurers or life insurers next. If that happened, I would probably be out on the street along with the rest of the IT Department. The government would probably implement its 1980s state of the art systems to run the newly nationalized P&C insurance business.
I need to go…I think my breakfast is coming up in my throat.
U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Thursday ramped up her criticism of insurance companies, accusing them of unethical behavior and working to kill a plan to create a new government-run health plan.
"It's almost immoral what they are doing," Pelosi said to reporters, referring to insurance companies. "Of course they've been immoral all along in how they have treated the people that they insure," she said, adding, "They are the villains. They have been part of the problem in a major way. They are doing everything in their power to stop a public option from happening."
First of all, do any of us think that the government is going to treat the people it’s taking steps to insure any better that it claims that the insurance companies are doing now? If you do, that swamp land in Louisiana has your name on it. Hey, if you like your state’s DMV!
Two things scare me about the Reuters.com article. First of all, the speaker makes it more obvious than ever that she and her democrat cronies are just looking to snatch 14% of the nation’s economy and put it under the government umbrella. It’s not about creating a better more cost effective healthcare system and providing healthcare for those who do not have it. It’s about total governmental control. This is being taken step by step from the playbook of Hugo Chavez.
Now that the federal government is heavily involved in the banking industry and the automobile industry, and is roaring full speed ahead to take over the medical industry, do you think they will stop there? ABSOLUTELY NOT! They will then go after another sector of the economy, which brings me to the second thing that I am scared about.
I work for an insurance company, not a health insurance company, but a property and casualty insurance company. My employer pays me well and provides me with exceptional benefits and a well above average working environment. Since insurance companies are the villains du jour, I’m concerned that perhaps they might come after P&C insurers or life insurers next. If that happened, I would probably be out on the street along with the rest of the IT Department. The government would probably implement its 1980s state of the art systems to run the newly nationalized P&C insurance business.
I need to go…I think my breakfast is coming up in my throat.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
A MOST PECULIAR JULY
In central Alabama, July is probably the hottest month of the year. I don’t think August is quite as hot as July. In July we celebrate Independence Day and my mother’s birthday. According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, the period from July 3 to August 11 is known as “Dog Days”, the hottest, most sultry days of summer. A line in a song by the 70s group known as the Atlanta Rhythm Section goes, “the dog days are scorchers, southern torture.” When I think of dog days, I think of hot, humid, hazy days with afternoon thunderstorms. These thunderstorms pretty much always occur just when you are leaving the office and on days when you’re grass is getting a little high and you need to mow. Of course you can’t mow when it’s wet and the grass just grows more. The storms are generally short lived, and after they pass through and the sun comes out, steam can be seen rising from the asphalt, creating sauna-like conditions. Also, these storms are very isolated. It may rain like the dickens at work and when I get home, I haven’t had a drop; and vice-versa. It also might be raining at my house and not raining across the street. I work in a long building and I remember one time that it was raining at one of the building and not raining at the other. Also, by this time, we have usually had a few named tropical Atlantic storms/hurricanes. To date, we have had none.
While there have been some hot days this year, we haven’t had the day-to-day scorchers with the afternoon thunderstorms. We’ve had quit a bit of rain, but very few of the afternoon storms that are so prevalent during dog days. On the night before my Mom’s birthday, I was sitting out on my deck and it was slightly cool. For July, that’s a little abnormal for central Alabama.
What happened to global warming? According to “The Goracle”, the planet is getting hotter and we’re going to be toast by 2025 if we don’t quit driving our SUVs and do something about cattle passing gas. In fact, the term “global warming” is not used much anymore. Instead, the term “climate change” has been adopted. So a cooler than average July in central Alabama coupled with a very active spring tornado season is the result of overweight individuals, SUVs, George Bush, and the poor defenseless cows. While we humans do have control over our body weight and what we drive (we do now, but the government may be controlling that soon), cows have no control over their bodily functions.
Is the overall weather warmer now that it was when I was growing up? You know, it is; but it also now appears to be getting a little cooler than it was in the 90s. It used to turn cold for my birthday on November 4 (yea, I know about my birthday), but now it may be cool or it may be balmy. In 2005, we were running out of Atlantic hurricane names and had Katrina. Now, it’s July 29 and we haven’t had a named storm. The enormous number of hurricanes in 2005 was, according to liberals, George Bush’s fault. Well, the fact that this year is so different from 2005 and is a little abnormal is still George Bush’s fault along with the poor cows, overweight people, and SUVs.
After reading some of my earlier posts, I might be construed as an “angry white female”, Therefore, I decided to post something a little more comical and light-hearted. I hope you enjoy it and please remember to pray for our country and for our brave men and women of the armed forces.
While there have been some hot days this year, we haven’t had the day-to-day scorchers with the afternoon thunderstorms. We’ve had quit a bit of rain, but very few of the afternoon storms that are so prevalent during dog days. On the night before my Mom’s birthday, I was sitting out on my deck and it was slightly cool. For July, that’s a little abnormal for central Alabama.
What happened to global warming? According to “The Goracle”, the planet is getting hotter and we’re going to be toast by 2025 if we don’t quit driving our SUVs and do something about cattle passing gas. In fact, the term “global warming” is not used much anymore. Instead, the term “climate change” has been adopted. So a cooler than average July in central Alabama coupled with a very active spring tornado season is the result of overweight individuals, SUVs, George Bush, and the poor defenseless cows. While we humans do have control over our body weight and what we drive (we do now, but the government may be controlling that soon), cows have no control over their bodily functions.
Is the overall weather warmer now that it was when I was growing up? You know, it is; but it also now appears to be getting a little cooler than it was in the 90s. It used to turn cold for my birthday on November 4 (yea, I know about my birthday), but now it may be cool or it may be balmy. In 2005, we were running out of Atlantic hurricane names and had Katrina. Now, it’s July 29 and we haven’t had a named storm. The enormous number of hurricanes in 2005 was, according to liberals, George Bush’s fault. Well, the fact that this year is so different from 2005 and is a little abnormal is still George Bush’s fault along with the poor cows, overweight people, and SUVs.
After reading some of my earlier posts, I might be construed as an “angry white female”, Therefore, I decided to post something a little more comical and light-hearted. I hope you enjoy it and please remember to pray for our country and for our brave men and women of the armed forces.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
JUST WHO JUDGES PEOPLE BY THE COLOR OF THEIR SKIN?
In the 1960s, Dr. Martin Luther King had a dream that people would be judged by the content of their character and not the color of their skin. As a result, the color of people’s skin has never really mattered to me. Growing up and going to high school in Cullman, Alabama where no blacks lived, I didn’t know any. However, when I started college at the University of Alabama, I made many black friends. A substantial portion of the football team was black and skin color just really didn’t matter to me anymore than eye color or hair color.
Fast-forward to today and I still don’t care about the color of your skin, I judge you by the content of your character. Now there are some cultural differences between blacks and whites, and that’s okay. There are also cultural differences between those of us who live in the southeast and those that live in the northeast and other parts of the country for that matter. There are also cultural differences between states in the United States. For instance, in the state of Alabama, college football is huge and a very big part of our culture. So when we cross paths with someone who appears to not give a rat’s you know what about the Alabama/Auburn rivalry, we purse our lips and shake our heads. Again that’s a cultural difference between the state of Alabama and let’s say, the state of Georgia. While Georgia certain has the Georgia/Georgia Tech rivalry, it’s not as intense as the Alabama/Auburn rivalry and there are professional sports in Georgia that we don’t have here. The point I’m trying the make is that cultural differences do exist, but do they really matter?
I was watching Geraldo at Large on the Fox News where Governor Mike Huckabee, Ann Coulter, and Dr. Lamont Hill were his guests. They were discussing the now infamous Cambridge incident. Geraldo asked Governor Huckabee how would he react if he were a policeman being asked to investigate a call that two black men were breaking into a house. When conservative Governor Huckabee indicated that the skin color of the alleged perpetrator’s didn’t matter, liberal Geraldo balked.
It seems to me that liberals are the ones that are hung up on skin color. When the industrial canal levy broke, flooding the ninth ward in New Orleans following hurricane Katrina in 2005, many people who lived in the ninth ward and in surrounding areas were in peril. These were human beings, these were our fellow Americans, and for me, these were people that lived only a half day’s drive away. Then some liberal just had to make the comment that majority of the folks in peril were black. Then all hell breaks loose. The perceived slowness of the actions of FEMA was then blamed on the racist Bush Administration/Federal government. Then we started hearing that white people somehow deliberately caused the breach of the levy because they wanted to harm the black folks that lived in the area. There was no proof of any of this, but the liberals got by with the accusations. Of course, they were helped along the way by a left leaning media.
With respect to the Cambridge incident, it does not appear that there is any proof of racism on the part of the white police officer that responded to the call of the alleged break-in at the Harvard professor’s house. However, because the black professor accused the white police officer of racism, the white police officer is automatically guilty of racism. In other words, if you’re white and especially if you’re conservative, and someone decides to accuse you of racism, you are guilty of the same.
A black man that was a good friend of mine and passed away last year at a much too early age was working at his office one Saturday. The work he was having to do involved packing boxes and other manual labor tasks. Other folks were working also. However, on Saturday night, Sam found himself the only one left at the office. The last person to leave had mistakenly set the burglar alarm to go off when the door opened. When Sam was ready to leave and opened the door, the alarm went off. Sam told me that he stood there thinking “oh great”. I’m the only one here, I’m a black man that’s dressed scruffy, I didn’t bother to shave this morning, I’ve been doing manual labor all day, I probably don’t smell good, and the police are on their way. Well, the police arrived, Sam told them what happened and that he worked there. The police made their report and left. Sam then went home. When Sam was telling me the story, I asked him, just out of curiosity, what color skin the officers had, and they were both white.
The current president in his press conference on July 22 indicated that far too many blacks and Hispanics are stopped by the police because of racial profiling. I want some proof of this. I want some blacks and Hispanics to come forward and say that they were stopped by white police officers when they weren’t breaking any laws. If this is happening, I want to know because police officers should not stop you unless there is probably cause. Now if a brunette with long curly hair and blue eyes has robbed a bank and escapes in a dark red SUV, and I’m pulled over because of that, I’m perfectly okay with it. I’ll do what it takes to prove I’m not that person and be happy that the policemen are doing their jobs. Okay, you liberals, should I be offended and cry sexism? Should I anguish mentally for months or even years? Why wasn’t the blonde driving in front of me in the silver Mercedes stopped also?
Before I started driving my SUV, I drove a fire engine red camaro. When I bought it, I was told by my mother and others that I had better behave or I would get stopped. A little red sports car is a police magnet. Well, shortly thereafter, I was headed to the beach and was stopped in the little south Alabama town of Brantley. Was I going over the speed limit? Yes! Would I have been stopped if I had been driving a forest green Ford LTD? I don’t know! The officer was very young and told me that he hoped that he could afford a car like mine one day and to please be careful. Could the officer have been jealous of my car? Maybe. Could he have been an Auburn fan that hated Alabama? Maybe. But bottom line, I was very anxious to get to the beach and was speeding in Brantley. I paid the ticket and for months after that I really watched my speed while driving. Was I profiled in any way? I don’t know and it really doesn’t matter because I was speeding.
I have a good friend, a black woman that’s very into race and being black. If she goes into a McDonald’s and a white teenager at the cash register acts like he or she is not really into waiting on her, she gets all in a thither that the white cashier is prejudice. She will let it bother at her for the rest of the week and will make a note to never go to that McDonald’s again. On the other hand, if I go to a McDonald’s and there is a black teenager at the cash register who acts like he/she doesn’t want to wait on me, I don’t care as long as I get my food in a reasonable period of time, get to eat it, and get out of there and on my way to wherever. Do I care about the little teenager at the register and whether or not he/she is racist? NO! I wasn’t there for a fine dining experience, I just needed something to eat and quick.
If you don’t like the current president’s policies, you are a racist. If you don’t like collard greens, you are a racist. If you think the people of New Orleans were stupid for re-electing Ray Nagin as their mayor, you are a racist. If you think Joselyn Elders was a big embarrassment, you are a racist. If you like county music, you are a racist. If you feel that the death of Michael Jackson didn’t deserve the attention that it got, you are a racist. If you felt that the all of the adulation/praise that Magic Johnson received after revealing that he was HIV positive was not a good thing, you are a racist. If you think O.J. Simpson killed his wife, you are a racist.
At this point I’m very fed up with the fact that if you are accused of racism, you are a racist. You are guilty and all it takes is one little accusation. Next time racism is alleged against me or anyone else, I’m going to ask for proof. It's liberals who are the real racists in this country. I don't care what color your skin is and the way I treat you is not because of your skin color and pretty much all conservatives feel the same way that I do. Liberals are another story. Would a white liberal who doesn’t like collard greens be called a racist?
Fast-forward to today and I still don’t care about the color of your skin, I judge you by the content of your character. Now there are some cultural differences between blacks and whites, and that’s okay. There are also cultural differences between those of us who live in the southeast and those that live in the northeast and other parts of the country for that matter. There are also cultural differences between states in the United States. For instance, in the state of Alabama, college football is huge and a very big part of our culture. So when we cross paths with someone who appears to not give a rat’s you know what about the Alabama/Auburn rivalry, we purse our lips and shake our heads. Again that’s a cultural difference between the state of Alabama and let’s say, the state of Georgia. While Georgia certain has the Georgia/Georgia Tech rivalry, it’s not as intense as the Alabama/Auburn rivalry and there are professional sports in Georgia that we don’t have here. The point I’m trying the make is that cultural differences do exist, but do they really matter?
I was watching Geraldo at Large on the Fox News where Governor Mike Huckabee, Ann Coulter, and Dr. Lamont Hill were his guests. They were discussing the now infamous Cambridge incident. Geraldo asked Governor Huckabee how would he react if he were a policeman being asked to investigate a call that two black men were breaking into a house. When conservative Governor Huckabee indicated that the skin color of the alleged perpetrator’s didn’t matter, liberal Geraldo balked.
It seems to me that liberals are the ones that are hung up on skin color. When the industrial canal levy broke, flooding the ninth ward in New Orleans following hurricane Katrina in 2005, many people who lived in the ninth ward and in surrounding areas were in peril. These were human beings, these were our fellow Americans, and for me, these were people that lived only a half day’s drive away. Then some liberal just had to make the comment that majority of the folks in peril were black. Then all hell breaks loose. The perceived slowness of the actions of FEMA was then blamed on the racist Bush Administration/Federal government. Then we started hearing that white people somehow deliberately caused the breach of the levy because they wanted to harm the black folks that lived in the area. There was no proof of any of this, but the liberals got by with the accusations. Of course, they were helped along the way by a left leaning media.
With respect to the Cambridge incident, it does not appear that there is any proof of racism on the part of the white police officer that responded to the call of the alleged break-in at the Harvard professor’s house. However, because the black professor accused the white police officer of racism, the white police officer is automatically guilty of racism. In other words, if you’re white and especially if you’re conservative, and someone decides to accuse you of racism, you are guilty of the same.
A black man that was a good friend of mine and passed away last year at a much too early age was working at his office one Saturday. The work he was having to do involved packing boxes and other manual labor tasks. Other folks were working also. However, on Saturday night, Sam found himself the only one left at the office. The last person to leave had mistakenly set the burglar alarm to go off when the door opened. When Sam was ready to leave and opened the door, the alarm went off. Sam told me that he stood there thinking “oh great”. I’m the only one here, I’m a black man that’s dressed scruffy, I didn’t bother to shave this morning, I’ve been doing manual labor all day, I probably don’t smell good, and the police are on their way. Well, the police arrived, Sam told them what happened and that he worked there. The police made their report and left. Sam then went home. When Sam was telling me the story, I asked him, just out of curiosity, what color skin the officers had, and they were both white.
The current president in his press conference on July 22 indicated that far too many blacks and Hispanics are stopped by the police because of racial profiling. I want some proof of this. I want some blacks and Hispanics to come forward and say that they were stopped by white police officers when they weren’t breaking any laws. If this is happening, I want to know because police officers should not stop you unless there is probably cause. Now if a brunette with long curly hair and blue eyes has robbed a bank and escapes in a dark red SUV, and I’m pulled over because of that, I’m perfectly okay with it. I’ll do what it takes to prove I’m not that person and be happy that the policemen are doing their jobs. Okay, you liberals, should I be offended and cry sexism? Should I anguish mentally for months or even years? Why wasn’t the blonde driving in front of me in the silver Mercedes stopped also?
Before I started driving my SUV, I drove a fire engine red camaro. When I bought it, I was told by my mother and others that I had better behave or I would get stopped. A little red sports car is a police magnet. Well, shortly thereafter, I was headed to the beach and was stopped in the little south Alabama town of Brantley. Was I going over the speed limit? Yes! Would I have been stopped if I had been driving a forest green Ford LTD? I don’t know! The officer was very young and told me that he hoped that he could afford a car like mine one day and to please be careful. Could the officer have been jealous of my car? Maybe. Could he have been an Auburn fan that hated Alabama? Maybe. But bottom line, I was very anxious to get to the beach and was speeding in Brantley. I paid the ticket and for months after that I really watched my speed while driving. Was I profiled in any way? I don’t know and it really doesn’t matter because I was speeding.
I have a good friend, a black woman that’s very into race and being black. If she goes into a McDonald’s and a white teenager at the cash register acts like he or she is not really into waiting on her, she gets all in a thither that the white cashier is prejudice. She will let it bother at her for the rest of the week and will make a note to never go to that McDonald’s again. On the other hand, if I go to a McDonald’s and there is a black teenager at the cash register who acts like he/she doesn’t want to wait on me, I don’t care as long as I get my food in a reasonable period of time, get to eat it, and get out of there and on my way to wherever. Do I care about the little teenager at the register and whether or not he/she is racist? NO! I wasn’t there for a fine dining experience, I just needed something to eat and quick.
If you don’t like the current president’s policies, you are a racist. If you don’t like collard greens, you are a racist. If you think the people of New Orleans were stupid for re-electing Ray Nagin as their mayor, you are a racist. If you think Joselyn Elders was a big embarrassment, you are a racist. If you like county music, you are a racist. If you feel that the death of Michael Jackson didn’t deserve the attention that it got, you are a racist. If you felt that the all of the adulation/praise that Magic Johnson received after revealing that he was HIV positive was not a good thing, you are a racist. If you think O.J. Simpson killed his wife, you are a racist.
At this point I’m very fed up with the fact that if you are accused of racism, you are a racist. You are guilty and all it takes is one little accusation. Next time racism is alleged against me or anyone else, I’m going to ask for proof. It's liberals who are the real racists in this country. I don't care what color your skin is and the way I treat you is not because of your skin color and pretty much all conservatives feel the same way that I do. Liberals are another story. Would a white liberal who doesn’t like collard greens be called a racist?
Saturday, July 25, 2009
THE CAMBRIDGE INCIDENT
We all know about the Cambridge incident where a black Harvard professor accused a white police officer of racism because the officer, while responding to a 911 call to report a break-in at the professor’s home. Well, it turned out that the perpetrator was the professor himself. When asked to show id to prove that he was the owner of the house, the professor balked and started yelling at the policeman, calling him a racist. The foregoing statements are a composite of facts heard on various news programs.
For some reason, a question was asked to the current president during his, July 22, 2009 press conference about the Cambridge incident, which was supposed to be about health care and the economy. The current president appeared to take sides stating that he knew the Harvard professor personally and opining that the police officer acted stupidly. It has been indicated that the current president took sides without knowing the facts. It has also been indicated that the journalist who asked the question was a plant.
Now that there has been so much publicity about this incident, the current president has invited both the professor and the police officer to the White House to have a beer, and kiss and make up. According to news reports, both have accepted.
The current president definitely stepped off into it. An appropriate response by the him might have been, “I don’t have all of the facts and know the professor; therefore, it would not be appropriate for me to comment at this time.” But oh no, the current president couldn’t let that one go. So, he went on a mini tirade about racial profiling by the police.
It looks like, in one press conference, the current president showed his disdain for doctors and policemen. Let’s face it, the current president has disdain for all law abiding citizens who are somewhat successful. Of course he loves those who are not capable of providing for themselves and have to depend on government programs to survive. Of course, these folks tend to vote Democrat.
Do I think the current president should be spending his time hosting a kiss and make up party for the Harvard professor and the Cambridge policeman. Heavens no! But wait! When he’s hosting this “touchy feely” party, he’s, at least, not doing things to screw up the country.
For some reason, a question was asked to the current president during his, July 22, 2009 press conference about the Cambridge incident, which was supposed to be about health care and the economy. The current president appeared to take sides stating that he knew the Harvard professor personally and opining that the police officer acted stupidly. It has been indicated that the current president took sides without knowing the facts. It has also been indicated that the journalist who asked the question was a plant.
Now that there has been so much publicity about this incident, the current president has invited both the professor and the police officer to the White House to have a beer, and kiss and make up. According to news reports, both have accepted.
The current president definitely stepped off into it. An appropriate response by the him might have been, “I don’t have all of the facts and know the professor; therefore, it would not be appropriate for me to comment at this time.” But oh no, the current president couldn’t let that one go. So, he went on a mini tirade about racial profiling by the police.
It looks like, in one press conference, the current president showed his disdain for doctors and policemen. Let’s face it, the current president has disdain for all law abiding citizens who are somewhat successful. Of course he loves those who are not capable of providing for themselves and have to depend on government programs to survive. Of course, these folks tend to vote Democrat.
Do I think the current president should be spending his time hosting a kiss and make up party for the Harvard professor and the Cambridge policeman. Heavens no! But wait! When he’s hosting this “touchy feely” party, he’s, at least, not doing things to screw up the country.
Friday, July 24, 2009
IT’S ABOUT TIME I POSTED SOMETHING
So many things have gone on this week making it imperative that I post some more of my thoughts.
I guess the most important thing that happened this week was the current president’s very lame press conference. This press conference was to be about the health care and the economy. Well, I counted ten questions that he took (Sean Hannity said it was eleven) with two of those ten not being about health care or the economy.
I tell you, his press conferences are very hard to follow. When he can’t use a teleprompter, he’s morose.
It was my understanding that this press conference was supposed to answer the many questions that Americans have about his proposed nationalizing of the medical industry aka socialized medicine. However the words of the current president appeared to be the same old rhetoric that he’s been saying for months. Socialized medicine will not add to the deficit; instead, health care costs will be lowered and therefore the deficit will decrease. Because all but about three percent of Americans will have access to the new government run health care, we should not worry about losing our health care should we lose a job.
When asked if he and Congress would be willing to go under the same plan, he “hemmed and hawed”. He said that he wanted the best health care for his family and would go into his pocket to see that they got it. He doesn’t want this for himself and his family no more than we want this for ourselves and our families. When asked about the rationing of health care under his proposed new system, he once again gave a lame answer indicating that under government run health care, physicians would only be allowed to treat a patient using the most cost-effective/necessary means. I think he used the red pill/blue pill scenario for this. If the blue pill costs twice as much as the red pill and the red pill was just as effective, then the doctor would be obligated to subscribe the red pill. He also said that the proposed plan would keep doctors from doing more expensive procedures when not necessary. I think this was the “tonsil” example. If someone’s doctor recommends a tonsillectomy for a chronic sore throat, this procedure might be denied if the real cause of the problem was just allergies that could be treated with less expensive medication. Sounds like rationing to me. It also sounds like the government will play a major part in making health care decisions for you.
I have talked to folks that say surely the government would not force something like this upon the American people. Surely, members of Congress wouldn’t pass such a bill if they have not read it. Surely, they will wait to vote. I then tell folks that not only do our country’s present leaders not care about the forty-seven million uninsured; but guess what? They don’t care anything about whether or not you have access to adequate health care. It’s all about taking 14% of the nation’s economy and placing it under government control. If our country’s leaders were really concerned about providing the best in health care for us Americans, wouldn’t they be more than willing to allow time for every congressman to read the bill before putting it to a vote? Wouldn’t they be willing to answer any and every question and respond to every concern that us Americans have about the bill? Well, they aren’t willing to do any of the above. Instead, Nancy Pelosi says to Congress, let’s go on ahead and vote on this, it’s a good bill.
We should all know the reason why this vote before summer recess is so important. Americans by the droves have indicated that they want no part of such a thing. Seventy percent of Americans are happy with their present health care and don’t want the government involved. When the conservative/blue dog democrats return to their homes, they will be getting an “ear full” from their constituents. Then when it comes time for re-election, they probably won’t get re-elected. So, Nancy Pelosi, the current president, and company plan to do a lot of threatening and intimidating to the blue dogs before they take their summer vacations, effectively throwing them under the bus. They’re in a lose/lose situation. If they don’t vote for the bill, their lives will be made miserable and perhaps some skeletons they may have might be exposed. And yes, I do believe that Nancy Pelosi, the current president, and Democrat leaders would do something like this in a heartbeat. If they succumb and vote yes, the will probably not be re-elected.
Again, this is not about the American people and what is best for them. It’s about the Democrats’ desire to grab fourteen percent of the nation’s economy and have the government run it. So, if you have a parent that is on Medicare and like dealing with it, you might not mind socialized medicine and you probably really like your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles.
I guess the most important thing that happened this week was the current president’s very lame press conference. This press conference was to be about the health care and the economy. Well, I counted ten questions that he took (Sean Hannity said it was eleven) with two of those ten not being about health care or the economy.
I tell you, his press conferences are very hard to follow. When he can’t use a teleprompter, he’s morose.
It was my understanding that this press conference was supposed to answer the many questions that Americans have about his proposed nationalizing of the medical industry aka socialized medicine. However the words of the current president appeared to be the same old rhetoric that he’s been saying for months. Socialized medicine will not add to the deficit; instead, health care costs will be lowered and therefore the deficit will decrease. Because all but about three percent of Americans will have access to the new government run health care, we should not worry about losing our health care should we lose a job.
When asked if he and Congress would be willing to go under the same plan, he “hemmed and hawed”. He said that he wanted the best health care for his family and would go into his pocket to see that they got it. He doesn’t want this for himself and his family no more than we want this for ourselves and our families. When asked about the rationing of health care under his proposed new system, he once again gave a lame answer indicating that under government run health care, physicians would only be allowed to treat a patient using the most cost-effective/necessary means. I think he used the red pill/blue pill scenario for this. If the blue pill costs twice as much as the red pill and the red pill was just as effective, then the doctor would be obligated to subscribe the red pill. He also said that the proposed plan would keep doctors from doing more expensive procedures when not necessary. I think this was the “tonsil” example. If someone’s doctor recommends a tonsillectomy for a chronic sore throat, this procedure might be denied if the real cause of the problem was just allergies that could be treated with less expensive medication. Sounds like rationing to me. It also sounds like the government will play a major part in making health care decisions for you.
I have talked to folks that say surely the government would not force something like this upon the American people. Surely, members of Congress wouldn’t pass such a bill if they have not read it. Surely, they will wait to vote. I then tell folks that not only do our country’s present leaders not care about the forty-seven million uninsured; but guess what? They don’t care anything about whether or not you have access to adequate health care. It’s all about taking 14% of the nation’s economy and placing it under government control. If our country’s leaders were really concerned about providing the best in health care for us Americans, wouldn’t they be more than willing to allow time for every congressman to read the bill before putting it to a vote? Wouldn’t they be willing to answer any and every question and respond to every concern that us Americans have about the bill? Well, they aren’t willing to do any of the above. Instead, Nancy Pelosi says to Congress, let’s go on ahead and vote on this, it’s a good bill.
We should all know the reason why this vote before summer recess is so important. Americans by the droves have indicated that they want no part of such a thing. Seventy percent of Americans are happy with their present health care and don’t want the government involved. When the conservative/blue dog democrats return to their homes, they will be getting an “ear full” from their constituents. Then when it comes time for re-election, they probably won’t get re-elected. So, Nancy Pelosi, the current president, and company plan to do a lot of threatening and intimidating to the blue dogs before they take their summer vacations, effectively throwing them under the bus. They’re in a lose/lose situation. If they don’t vote for the bill, their lives will be made miserable and perhaps some skeletons they may have might be exposed. And yes, I do believe that Nancy Pelosi, the current president, and Democrat leaders would do something like this in a heartbeat. If they succumb and vote yes, the will probably not be re-elected.
Again, this is not about the American people and what is best for them. It’s about the Democrats’ desire to grab fourteen percent of the nation’s economy and have the government run it. So, if you have a parent that is on Medicare and like dealing with it, you might not mind socialized medicine and you probably really like your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles.
Monday, July 20, 2009
AN INTERESTING DAY, TO SAY THE LEAST
It seems as though the current president has decided to come off of his directive that Congress pass a health care reform bill by the end of the month. Now he’s giving them until the end of the year. It looks to me like the current president may be stuck between a rock and a hard place. If he pushes the bill though early, people are going to be unhappy or even furious because most of our lawmakers will have not read a bill that will affect every man, woman, and child in the United States, and that is sure to increase the deficit and perhaps bankrupt this nation. However, every day he’s loosing support for his totalitarian scheme to take over a substantial sector of the nation’s economy and further control the lives of you and me. It looks like it is lose/lose for him and I hope he loses.
Also adding to special day when we are celebrating the fortieth anniversary of the moon landing, The Speaker of the House seems to have changed her definition of “rich”. It was couples making over $350,000 per year. Now she may have changed those figures to $500,000 for a single person and $1,000,000 for a family. These are the unfortunate segment of our society that is targeted to pay for health care reform. As most of us know, San Francisco is a pretty expensive place to live and to visit. In fact, if I was living in San Francisco, doing for a living what I currently do now, and married to someone doing the same thing for about the same money, our combined salary could be around $350,000. In other words, this is middle class. I wonder if her office has been getting some calls.
How in the world did we elect such a bunch? Some of my friends and followers may frown at what I’m about to write. In the state of Alabama, the University of Alabama football team has historically been superior to its cross-state rival, Auburn University. While Auburn has had some success, it has pretty much been while the Alabama was having difficulties. For most of this young twenty-first century, Auburn has dominated as a direct result of the “nightmare in Memphis.” The NCAA handed down horrific sanctions to Alabama that included substantial scholarship losses. During the period when the probation/scholarship losses were affecting Alabama, Auburn seized the day, recruited well, and won. With this behind us, Alabama is getting its groove back. Can you say 36-0, 12-2, champions of the SEC West, the only team to come close to beating eventual national champion, Florida? And Auburn? I can’t remember their record, but they had a losing season and changed head coaches. Who is the world is Gene Chizik?
Back to politics, the democrats got elected and they are in power. They took back the House and Senate in 2006 and took the presidency in 2008. Most mainstream Americans believe that a government that governs less governs best. They also believe that “stuff” should be handled in the private sector or the lowest level of government possible. Most also want a strong national defense and adhere to Judeo/Christian values. Again, how in the world did this bunch get elected? I refer you back to the Alabama/Auburn analogy that I wrote about above. Auburn enjoyed success when Alabama was having problems. The Republicans lost in 2006 and 2008 because they had problems, appearing to lose their way and compromise their principles. With the mainstream media playing this up, folks decided that they wanted a change and voted democrat. So, the Democrats came into power because of problems, perceived or real, that were plaguing the Republicans. If Republicans will stick to their principals and if they don’t have any catastrophes, their fault or not, occurring under their watch, I believe they are elected every time.
It’s beginning to look like the Republicans have a chance to take back the House and Senate in 2010. The Democrats are being Democrats and mainstream America doesn’t like it.
Also adding to special day when we are celebrating the fortieth anniversary of the moon landing, The Speaker of the House seems to have changed her definition of “rich”. It was couples making over $350,000 per year. Now she may have changed those figures to $500,000 for a single person and $1,000,000 for a family. These are the unfortunate segment of our society that is targeted to pay for health care reform. As most of us know, San Francisco is a pretty expensive place to live and to visit. In fact, if I was living in San Francisco, doing for a living what I currently do now, and married to someone doing the same thing for about the same money, our combined salary could be around $350,000. In other words, this is middle class. I wonder if her office has been getting some calls.
How in the world did we elect such a bunch? Some of my friends and followers may frown at what I’m about to write. In the state of Alabama, the University of Alabama football team has historically been superior to its cross-state rival, Auburn University. While Auburn has had some success, it has pretty much been while the Alabama was having difficulties. For most of this young twenty-first century, Auburn has dominated as a direct result of the “nightmare in Memphis.” The NCAA handed down horrific sanctions to Alabama that included substantial scholarship losses. During the period when the probation/scholarship losses were affecting Alabama, Auburn seized the day, recruited well, and won. With this behind us, Alabama is getting its groove back. Can you say 36-0, 12-2, champions of the SEC West, the only team to come close to beating eventual national champion, Florida? And Auburn? I can’t remember their record, but they had a losing season and changed head coaches. Who is the world is Gene Chizik?
Back to politics, the democrats got elected and they are in power. They took back the House and Senate in 2006 and took the presidency in 2008. Most mainstream Americans believe that a government that governs less governs best. They also believe that “stuff” should be handled in the private sector or the lowest level of government possible. Most also want a strong national defense and adhere to Judeo/Christian values. Again, how in the world did this bunch get elected? I refer you back to the Alabama/Auburn analogy that I wrote about above. Auburn enjoyed success when Alabama was having problems. The Republicans lost in 2006 and 2008 because they had problems, appearing to lose their way and compromise their principles. With the mainstream media playing this up, folks decided that they wanted a change and voted democrat. So, the Democrats came into power because of problems, perceived or real, that were plaguing the Republicans. If Republicans will stick to their principals and if they don’t have any catastrophes, their fault or not, occurring under their watch, I believe they are elected every time.
It’s beginning to look like the Republicans have a chance to take back the House and Senate in 2010. The Democrats are being Democrats and mainstream America doesn’t like it.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
YOU CAN’T JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER
I know the title of this post is a mundane one and something we’ve heard all of our lives. But please continue reading because I think you will find the following paragraphs very interesting.
The current president of the United States believes in big government and that this big government should reach into pretty much every aspect of our lives. He believes that the best way to go is to tax everyone heavily and then provide womb to tomb necessities for the American citizenry. He attended a church for twenty years where many sermons by the minister were distinctly un-American and associated with a domestic terrorist who was responsible for various bombings in the seventies, including the Pentagon, and today regrets not having done more bombing. His wife did not become proud of her country until her husband became the nominee for president of the Democratic Party. There is also some mystery surrounding his birth. In order to run for president of the United States, one must be a natural born citizen. The current president won’t produce a birth certificate. If he’s a natural born citizen, why doesn’t he just produce his birth certificate and say here it is, now let’s move on?
It’s unfathomable that the American people could elect such a person as described above to the office of the presidency. But they did! I know that not everyone is as politically astute as I think I am. A lot of good people just don’t pay any attention. Also, a lot of good people think that politics is a dirty business and that both sides are crooked. Therefore, no matter whom we elect, we’re screwed. A lot of people still get their news from the networks and newspapers. These media outlets do lean left, along with CNN and MSNBC. Because these outlets never reported good news from the Iraq war while putting the bad news on the front pages or as the main story lines. Many times during the eight years of president George W. Bush, there was good news about the economy that never got reported or got buried next to the obits. If I didn’t follow political happenings and only got my information from the networks and newspapers, I would probably have been disgusted with President Bush and the Republican Party in general. Therefore I might have been infatuated by a young man with a nice looking family who promised change. Another plus for this man may have been that he is half black. We haven’t had a black president and it’s about time we did. My point is that some good people may have voted for the current president because of his cover, not realizing what this man is all about inside.
Now that this man is the President of the United States, he passed a stimulus that he said was designed to jump start a sagging economy and create jobs. To date it has done neither and employment has gone up. Now the current president says that the stimulus package was designed to be effective two years from now and that unemployment is going to go up. The current president has also traveled to various countries, apologizing for the past actions of the United States. He apologized for the same United States that fought back the Nazis during World War II, the same United States that brought an end to the Soviet Union in the 1980s, the same United States that has pumped billions of dollars into the nations of the African continent for the prevention and treatment of the AIDs virus, and the list goes on.
Does the man that I have described above sound like an American president should sound? Of course not! I sincerely believe that the current president is un-American. He does not have the best interest of the American citizenry at heart and he does not want the United States to continue to be super power. Instead, he wants us to become more like a European socialist nation. He continues to ignore the fact that this nation was founded on Judeo Christian principles. He refused to participate in the National Day of Prayer and demanded that Christian symbols, such as the cross, be covered before he would speak at Georgetown University. What a piece of work, this current president is!
Because of all of the above, I think it’s so important that we talk to people about what’s going on in our country. I hope the TEA parties continue and attendance increases. I hope that the message can be gotten out that the direction in which this country is being taken by its leaders is a path to the destruction of the United States America as we know it.
Everyday I think about what can I do in Birmingham, Alabama to alert the good people of this nation as to what is going on with its leaders. My congressman and our Senators are going to vote against all of this stuff. I can contribute some money, but my current monetary situation will not allow me to contribute very much. Every little bit helps, though. I can also try to make contact with other people’s senators and congressman. I was actually able to email Ted Kennedy’s office a few years ago. I tried to email Hillary one time, but wasn’t able to do so. Only residents of New York were able to contact her. I can pray and I will.
If I were to suddenly become independently wealthy, I would like to travel to the blue states and just talk to people face to face. Since that’s not likely to happen, I will do what I can and hope ya’ll will also.
The current president of the United States believes in big government and that this big government should reach into pretty much every aspect of our lives. He believes that the best way to go is to tax everyone heavily and then provide womb to tomb necessities for the American citizenry. He attended a church for twenty years where many sermons by the minister were distinctly un-American and associated with a domestic terrorist who was responsible for various bombings in the seventies, including the Pentagon, and today regrets not having done more bombing. His wife did not become proud of her country until her husband became the nominee for president of the Democratic Party. There is also some mystery surrounding his birth. In order to run for president of the United States, one must be a natural born citizen. The current president won’t produce a birth certificate. If he’s a natural born citizen, why doesn’t he just produce his birth certificate and say here it is, now let’s move on?
It’s unfathomable that the American people could elect such a person as described above to the office of the presidency. But they did! I know that not everyone is as politically astute as I think I am. A lot of good people just don’t pay any attention. Also, a lot of good people think that politics is a dirty business and that both sides are crooked. Therefore, no matter whom we elect, we’re screwed. A lot of people still get their news from the networks and newspapers. These media outlets do lean left, along with CNN and MSNBC. Because these outlets never reported good news from the Iraq war while putting the bad news on the front pages or as the main story lines. Many times during the eight years of president George W. Bush, there was good news about the economy that never got reported or got buried next to the obits. If I didn’t follow political happenings and only got my information from the networks and newspapers, I would probably have been disgusted with President Bush and the Republican Party in general. Therefore I might have been infatuated by a young man with a nice looking family who promised change. Another plus for this man may have been that he is half black. We haven’t had a black president and it’s about time we did. My point is that some good people may have voted for the current president because of his cover, not realizing what this man is all about inside.
Now that this man is the President of the United States, he passed a stimulus that he said was designed to jump start a sagging economy and create jobs. To date it has done neither and employment has gone up. Now the current president says that the stimulus package was designed to be effective two years from now and that unemployment is going to go up. The current president has also traveled to various countries, apologizing for the past actions of the United States. He apologized for the same United States that fought back the Nazis during World War II, the same United States that brought an end to the Soviet Union in the 1980s, the same United States that has pumped billions of dollars into the nations of the African continent for the prevention and treatment of the AIDs virus, and the list goes on.
Does the man that I have described above sound like an American president should sound? Of course not! I sincerely believe that the current president is un-American. He does not have the best interest of the American citizenry at heart and he does not want the United States to continue to be super power. Instead, he wants us to become more like a European socialist nation. He continues to ignore the fact that this nation was founded on Judeo Christian principles. He refused to participate in the National Day of Prayer and demanded that Christian symbols, such as the cross, be covered before he would speak at Georgetown University. What a piece of work, this current president is!
Because of all of the above, I think it’s so important that we talk to people about what’s going on in our country. I hope the TEA parties continue and attendance increases. I hope that the message can be gotten out that the direction in which this country is being taken by its leaders is a path to the destruction of the United States America as we know it.
Everyday I think about what can I do in Birmingham, Alabama to alert the good people of this nation as to what is going on with its leaders. My congressman and our Senators are going to vote against all of this stuff. I can contribute some money, but my current monetary situation will not allow me to contribute very much. Every little bit helps, though. I can also try to make contact with other people’s senators and congressman. I was actually able to email Ted Kennedy’s office a few years ago. I tried to email Hillary one time, but wasn’t able to do so. Only residents of New York were able to contact her. I can pray and I will.
If I were to suddenly become independently wealthy, I would like to travel to the blue states and just talk to people face to face. Since that’s not likely to happen, I will do what I can and hope ya’ll will also.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
WHITE MALES UNDER ATTACK
It looks like white males are under attack. Not long after I graduated from college, I read a quote from some publication that went as follows: “A woman has to do something twice as well as a man to be thought half as good. Luckily, this is not difficult.” I love this quote and I’ve used it and abused it. I once worked in a small business unit where a co-worker was the manager’s pet. I used to think to my self that I had to do something twice as well as “blah blah” to be thought of half as good. And that was not difficult, believe me! It seems like Alabama has to do something twice as well as Auburn to be thought of half as good in connection with the sports writers in the state of Alabama. What woman hasn’t made remarks about being able to do things much better than a man. I’ve commented many times that if you want something done right, you had better get a woman to do it. You can sure tell that a man did this. I’m also sure that men say the same things behind our backs. I can remember some of the stuff that my Dad used to say. This is all tongue in cheek, of course. It’s banter between the sexes and there’s nothing wrong with it.
Supreme Court Justice nominee Sotomayor has had to answer many question with regard to her comment, “a wise Latino woman…”. I don’t know whether her comment was made “tongue in cheek” or not, but she would be smart to say it was, and that it was just “banter”. Then we could all move on to the real problems with her that have nothing to do with her gender or ethnicity.
Back to white males under attack, I don’t think that the “white people with blues eyes” comment made by the president of Brazil (I think that’s who made it) was harmless. Certain groups that are definitely under attack include white males, conservatives, and Christians. I fall into the white conservative Christian category. I’m also southern and like country music. Can you see Maureen Dowd and me doing lunch? I wonder if that woman ever has any fun.
I used to laugh and tell my liberal friends, and I do have some, that they better not be too anxious to do away with southern white conservative Christians. If we’re extinct, who will they have to poke fun at, because all other groups are “protected”. Ya’ll, I think we will continue to be demonized and degraded as time passes. Years from now, things might not be too pleasant for us, but I don’t intend to change. If you’re reading this and you fall into any of these categories, please don’t change either. We are the good guys.
Supreme Court Justice nominee Sotomayor has had to answer many question with regard to her comment, “a wise Latino woman…”. I don’t know whether her comment was made “tongue in cheek” or not, but she would be smart to say it was, and that it was just “banter”. Then we could all move on to the real problems with her that have nothing to do with her gender or ethnicity.
Back to white males under attack, I don’t think that the “white people with blues eyes” comment made by the president of Brazil (I think that’s who made it) was harmless. Certain groups that are definitely under attack include white males, conservatives, and Christians. I fall into the white conservative Christian category. I’m also southern and like country music. Can you see Maureen Dowd and me doing lunch? I wonder if that woman ever has any fun.
I used to laugh and tell my liberal friends, and I do have some, that they better not be too anxious to do away with southern white conservative Christians. If we’re extinct, who will they have to poke fun at, because all other groups are “protected”. Ya’ll, I think we will continue to be demonized and degraded as time passes. Years from now, things might not be too pleasant for us, but I don’t intend to change. If you’re reading this and you fall into any of these categories, please don’t change either. We are the good guys.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Oh say does that Star Spangled Banner yet Wave?
“Oh say does that Star Spangled Banner yet wave, o’re the land of the free and the home of the brave?” The last phrase in our national anthem is a question and I don’t think that it’s just a coincidence. I think this phrase was put in there so that we Americans, every time we sing the national anthem, will ask ourselves, are we still the land of the free and the home of the brave?
Are we? I can still put my thoughts down on this blog without fear that my door will be knocked down in the middle of the night and I will be taken away, never to be heard from again. I guess I’ve watched a lot of WW2 holocaust movies. However, can some liberal activist happen upon my blog and proceed to run a background check on me and expose any skeletons I may have? That could very well happen, remember “Joe the Plumber”. So, do I have freedom of speech? No, I don’t. I’m taking a chance when I post to my blog for all the world to see.
Do I have freedom of religion? As a Christian, my freedom of religion is disappearing. I can still go to church or not go to church, but I am subject to ridicule. Our current president refused to participate in the National Day of Prayer. Also, when our current president visited Georgetown University to speak, Christian symbols, including the cross were covered. What’s this all about? It certainly appears that our current president is not a Christian and does not want to be reminded that our country was founded on Judeo/Christian principles because he wants to change all of that. So, will we still have freedom of religion? For everyone except Christians, yes. For Christians, no. We are headed for persecution.
Do I have freedom of expression? Right now, yes. However, I fear that if I keep doing what I’m doing now, I will be stopped. What will happen to me? Who knows? Will I be taken from my home in the middle of the night and subjected to a slow, painful death? I’m not concerned that this will happen tonight. But again, some liberal activist may read this blog, do a background check on me and reveal any skeletons that I may have.
Do I have freedom of assembly? At the present time, yes. I attended a TEA party on July4. Nothing happened to me, but I’m of course called names, such as redneck racist. “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.”
So, do I still live in the land of the free and the home of the brave? For right now, I still live in the land of the free. Do I still live in the home of the brave? Yes, our brave men and women are fighting in the name of freedom in Iraq and Afghanistan. Are the liberal pantywaist leaders of this country brave? NO. Are they poised to take us down to the level of a socialist/passificist nation? ABSOLUTELY!
Enjoy your day, because it won’t get any better. If the republicans are not able to take back the House and the Senate in 2010, I’m afraid we are doomed.
Are we? I can still put my thoughts down on this blog without fear that my door will be knocked down in the middle of the night and I will be taken away, never to be heard from again. I guess I’ve watched a lot of WW2 holocaust movies. However, can some liberal activist happen upon my blog and proceed to run a background check on me and expose any skeletons I may have? That could very well happen, remember “Joe the Plumber”. So, do I have freedom of speech? No, I don’t. I’m taking a chance when I post to my blog for all the world to see.
Do I have freedom of religion? As a Christian, my freedom of religion is disappearing. I can still go to church or not go to church, but I am subject to ridicule. Our current president refused to participate in the National Day of Prayer. Also, when our current president visited Georgetown University to speak, Christian symbols, including the cross were covered. What’s this all about? It certainly appears that our current president is not a Christian and does not want to be reminded that our country was founded on Judeo/Christian principles because he wants to change all of that. So, will we still have freedom of religion? For everyone except Christians, yes. For Christians, no. We are headed for persecution.
Do I have freedom of expression? Right now, yes. However, I fear that if I keep doing what I’m doing now, I will be stopped. What will happen to me? Who knows? Will I be taken from my home in the middle of the night and subjected to a slow, painful death? I’m not concerned that this will happen tonight. But again, some liberal activist may read this blog, do a background check on me and reveal any skeletons that I may have.
Do I have freedom of assembly? At the present time, yes. I attended a TEA party on July4. Nothing happened to me, but I’m of course called names, such as redneck racist. “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.”
So, do I still live in the land of the free and the home of the brave? For right now, I still live in the land of the free. Do I still live in the home of the brave? Yes, our brave men and women are fighting in the name of freedom in Iraq and Afghanistan. Are the liberal pantywaist leaders of this country brave? NO. Are they poised to take us down to the level of a socialist/passificist nation? ABSOLUTELY!
Enjoy your day, because it won’t get any better. If the republicans are not able to take back the House and the Senate in 2010, I’m afraid we are doomed.
Monday, July 13, 2009
It's Closer than You Think
According to Newsmax.com, former Vice President Al Gore told a British conference on the environment that the energy tax under the so-called cap-and-trade legislation in Congress would bring about global governance. Gore, whose film documentary, "An Inconvenient Truth," on the claims of global warming won him praise from environmentalists, told the forum that Obama had secured billions of dollars from Congress for renewable energy work. But, “It is the awareness itself that will drive the change,” he said. “And one of the ways it will drive the change is through global governnance and global agreements.”
This should give everyone of us chills. It’s just the next step to a one-world government. We’re heading that way and I’m afraid that it’s going to be sooner rather than later. This one-world government will control every aspect of your life. Not only will it control your healthcare, it will control what you eat, what you drive, if you are indeed allowed to drive, what kind of house you live in, what news you get, and the list goes on.
Our country’s leaders, including the current president, the speaker of the house, and the senate majority leader do not want the citizens of the United States of America to prosper. They want to take this economy down, they want as many of us to loose our jobs as possible. When we loose our jobs and face financial ruin, we won’t have healthcare. Therefore, when the socialized medicine carrot is dangled in front of us, we’ll be so desperate that we’ll bite. We’ll then be willing to turn over everything we have to the government in exchange for health care and other necessities. “From each according to his ability, to each according to his need.” And who decides our abilities and our needs…the government of course.
If you haven’t read the Book of Revelation, I suggest you do so.
This should give everyone of us chills. It’s just the next step to a one-world government. We’re heading that way and I’m afraid that it’s going to be sooner rather than later. This one-world government will control every aspect of your life. Not only will it control your healthcare, it will control what you eat, what you drive, if you are indeed allowed to drive, what kind of house you live in, what news you get, and the list goes on.
Our country’s leaders, including the current president, the speaker of the house, and the senate majority leader do not want the citizens of the United States of America to prosper. They want to take this economy down, they want as many of us to loose our jobs as possible. When we loose our jobs and face financial ruin, we won’t have healthcare. Therefore, when the socialized medicine carrot is dangled in front of us, we’ll be so desperate that we’ll bite. We’ll then be willing to turn over everything we have to the government in exchange for health care and other necessities. “From each according to his ability, to each according to his need.” And who decides our abilities and our needs…the government of course.
If you haven’t read the Book of Revelation, I suggest you do so.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
A Little More on Nationalized Healthcare
It’s been a week since I’ve posted something; and when I began writing this blog, I indicated that I would try to post something every day. Well, we know that’s not happening. It’s not that I don’t have anything to say. With so much going on in the world, there is certainly enough to post about, but I think I’ll talk about healthcare.
According to former Clinton advisor, Dick Morris, in a July 9 article in NewsMax.com, the current president’s proposal for health care reform will repeal Medicare as we know it. Senior citizens, a group that currently has the best access to healthcare, will now have the least access to healthcare.
With the rationing of healthcare and the government making the ultimate decision on what procedures you can have or not have, could the government deny a sixty year old woman treatment for breast cancer in favor of a thirty-five year old woman. It looks that way. Could an eighty year old with a broken hip be denied therapy that would make him or her mobile again? Shortly before my Dad died, he had hip replacement surgery and had excellent therapy afterwards that allowed him to walk like he was twenty years younger. Would he have been able to have the same care under a nationalized healthcare system? Probably not, and he would have experienced pain and immobility for the rest of his life.
In his same article Dick observes the irony of the facts that the elderly hounded George W. Bush when he proposed changes to Social Security that would have no effects on their benefits, but are strangely silent about the current president’s proposed healthcare reform doing away with Medicare. AARP, the liberal senior citizens group has been silent. What gives with these folks? Of course we know “what gives” with this group who claims to look out for the best interests of the elderly. It’s the same thing “that gives” with NOW in not coming to Sarah Palin’s defense when she was so viciously attacked during her Vice Presidential campaign or in not coming to the defense of Paula Jones and Juanita Broderick when they alleged sexual harassment by former President Bill Clinton. It’s the same old double standard that we conservatives live with day in and day out. I get frustrated, very frustrated.
Because this southern white conservative Christian woman has no one to help her fight her battles, I’ve had to fight them myself and that is what has made me strong.
By the way, Senator Finestein, do something with your hair. That fifties “roller-do” needs to disappear and never be seen again. In the twenty first century, who does hair like that anymore? Maybe she does it herself. I might be willing for a few of my tax dollars to go to finding her a hair stylist that will give her a new “do”. Looking at her is really painful.
According to former Clinton advisor, Dick Morris, in a July 9 article in NewsMax.com, the current president’s proposal for health care reform will repeal Medicare as we know it. Senior citizens, a group that currently has the best access to healthcare, will now have the least access to healthcare.
With the rationing of healthcare and the government making the ultimate decision on what procedures you can have or not have, could the government deny a sixty year old woman treatment for breast cancer in favor of a thirty-five year old woman. It looks that way. Could an eighty year old with a broken hip be denied therapy that would make him or her mobile again? Shortly before my Dad died, he had hip replacement surgery and had excellent therapy afterwards that allowed him to walk like he was twenty years younger. Would he have been able to have the same care under a nationalized healthcare system? Probably not, and he would have experienced pain and immobility for the rest of his life.
In his same article Dick observes the irony of the facts that the elderly hounded George W. Bush when he proposed changes to Social Security that would have no effects on their benefits, but are strangely silent about the current president’s proposed healthcare reform doing away with Medicare. AARP, the liberal senior citizens group has been silent. What gives with these folks? Of course we know “what gives” with this group who claims to look out for the best interests of the elderly. It’s the same thing “that gives” with NOW in not coming to Sarah Palin’s defense when she was so viciously attacked during her Vice Presidential campaign or in not coming to the defense of Paula Jones and Juanita Broderick when they alleged sexual harassment by former President Bill Clinton. It’s the same old double standard that we conservatives live with day in and day out. I get frustrated, very frustrated.
Because this southern white conservative Christian woman has no one to help her fight her battles, I’ve had to fight them myself and that is what has made me strong.
By the way, Senator Finestein, do something with your hair. That fifties “roller-do” needs to disappear and never be seen again. In the twenty first century, who does hair like that anymore? Maybe she does it herself. I might be willing for a few of my tax dollars to go to finding her a hair stylist that will give her a new “do”. Looking at her is really painful.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
JULY 4th TEA PARTY
On the evening of July 4, I attended a TEA party that was held at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Pelham, AL. It was quite an experience for me since I have not been politically active in a while. Was this a protest? If so, I think it may be the first protest in which I have ever been involved.
Protest or not, this was a great event and I hope that these events will continue and more individuals will take the opportunity to attend. The only review that I have read about the TEA party was on a local TV station’s website. This website indicated that several hundred had attended when indeed it has been over 3,000. The attendance was announced because it was anticipated that the press would downplay the event in any manner that it could.
Conservatives have an undeserved reputation of “being angry”. Not last night’s bunch! Everyone was smiling and having a good time. Sure the crowd expressed its angst at the mention of nationalized healthcare, the new energy tax recently passed by the house, our current president’s apologetic attitude when visiting European countries earlier this year, etc. There was one attendee who was carrying a confederate battle flag, but when he was asked to not display it, he complied. For a bunch if “red neck racists”, I thought we were a pretty sophisticated crowd.
Speaking of race, one of the speakers was a black man who gave an excellent speech, and at one point alluded to the fact that conservatives generally don’t care about one’s skin color, with the crowd expressing its agreement. Remember, these are conservatives that mostly live in the greater Birmingham, Alabama area. If there’s any TV coverage, what do you think will be on the tube, the one confederate battle flag, or the crowd agreeing with Kevin that conservatives don’t care about skin color? I think you already know the answer to that.
I’m looking forward to more TEA parties and I would definitely like to get involved in this movement because I’m very concerned about the direction that out nation’s leaders are taking us.
Protest or not, this was a great event and I hope that these events will continue and more individuals will take the opportunity to attend. The only review that I have read about the TEA party was on a local TV station’s website. This website indicated that several hundred had attended when indeed it has been over 3,000. The attendance was announced because it was anticipated that the press would downplay the event in any manner that it could.
Conservatives have an undeserved reputation of “being angry”. Not last night’s bunch! Everyone was smiling and having a good time. Sure the crowd expressed its angst at the mention of nationalized healthcare, the new energy tax recently passed by the house, our current president’s apologetic attitude when visiting European countries earlier this year, etc. There was one attendee who was carrying a confederate battle flag, but when he was asked to not display it, he complied. For a bunch if “red neck racists”, I thought we were a pretty sophisticated crowd.
Speaking of race, one of the speakers was a black man who gave an excellent speech, and at one point alluded to the fact that conservatives generally don’t care about one’s skin color, with the crowd expressing its agreement. Remember, these are conservatives that mostly live in the greater Birmingham, Alabama area. If there’s any TV coverage, what do you think will be on the tube, the one confederate battle flag, or the crowd agreeing with Kevin that conservatives don’t care about skin color? I think you already know the answer to that.
I’m looking forward to more TEA parties and I would definitely like to get involved in this movement because I’m very concerned about the direction that out nation’s leaders are taking us.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
REMEMBER THIS DAY 6-30-09
Take “6” alone. Then add “3” plus “9” and you get 12. Divide 12 by 2 and you get two 6’s. Could this leave us “666”?
U.S. troops have now pulled out of Iraqi cities and have turned over the protection of those cities to the Iraqis. This should be a good thing, but will it? Will violence escalate? Probably. Will the Iraqis be able to hold down the violence? I certainly hope so. Our American troops are waiting in the wings should they be needed. I have a feeling they will be.
In addition to issues in Iraq, we just had a terrible thing to happen here in the United States. Hate-monger, far-left loon, Al Franken has just been declared the winner of the contested Senate race in the state of Minnesota. How could anyone in their right mind vote for Al Franken, but it looks like almost half did. I don’t really believe that Franken won, but the vote was so close, and Franken pulled out all the stops to insure that he came out on top. From now on, I will do my best to avoid purchasing anything that would benefit the state of Minnesota. People who put Al Franken in office are idiots. I do buy Land O’ Lakes products. I will switch brands.
Not only do we have another evil person in the United States Senate, this could very well allow the Democrats to push through any of their anti-middle class, anti-family values legislation that they please. So, we could have our taxes raised astronomically with the energy tax increase just passed by Nancy Pelosi’s House of Representatives. Then, we could have our health care taken away from us with the nationalization of the healthcare industry.
What does this mean for us hard-working middle class folks? It looks like we will have everything we’ve worked for taken away from us. We’re loosing our healthcare just when many of us baby-boomers are aging and need good healthcare. I see us having nothing, and suffering greatly because we can’t get the healthcare that we need and have worked for all of our lives. I am concerned about the extent of the suffering that we may have to endure. A lot of people in my age group are dying. A lot of men are dropping dead as a result of heart attacks. In addition, a lot of folks are coming down with cancer and dying way to young. On both sides of my family, men die young and women seem to live forever. So unless I’m in an accident, I’ll probably live past 100. I’m not sure that I like these stats.
Keep this day in mind for this may be the day that ends the United States of America, as we know it.
U.S. troops have now pulled out of Iraqi cities and have turned over the protection of those cities to the Iraqis. This should be a good thing, but will it? Will violence escalate? Probably. Will the Iraqis be able to hold down the violence? I certainly hope so. Our American troops are waiting in the wings should they be needed. I have a feeling they will be.
In addition to issues in Iraq, we just had a terrible thing to happen here in the United States. Hate-monger, far-left loon, Al Franken has just been declared the winner of the contested Senate race in the state of Minnesota. How could anyone in their right mind vote for Al Franken, but it looks like almost half did. I don’t really believe that Franken won, but the vote was so close, and Franken pulled out all the stops to insure that he came out on top. From now on, I will do my best to avoid purchasing anything that would benefit the state of Minnesota. People who put Al Franken in office are idiots. I do buy Land O’ Lakes products. I will switch brands.
Not only do we have another evil person in the United States Senate, this could very well allow the Democrats to push through any of their anti-middle class, anti-family values legislation that they please. So, we could have our taxes raised astronomically with the energy tax increase just passed by Nancy Pelosi’s House of Representatives. Then, we could have our health care taken away from us with the nationalization of the healthcare industry.
What does this mean for us hard-working middle class folks? It looks like we will have everything we’ve worked for taken away from us. We’re loosing our healthcare just when many of us baby-boomers are aging and need good healthcare. I see us having nothing, and suffering greatly because we can’t get the healthcare that we need and have worked for all of our lives. I am concerned about the extent of the suffering that we may have to endure. A lot of people in my age group are dying. A lot of men are dropping dead as a result of heart attacks. In addition, a lot of folks are coming down with cancer and dying way to young. On both sides of my family, men die young and women seem to live forever. So unless I’m in an accident, I’ll probably live past 100. I’m not sure that I like these stats.
Keep this day in mind for this may be the day that ends the United States of America, as we know it.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
People Everywhere Just Want to be Free.
Hip Hip Horray to the Iranian people. They're protesting what they believe to be a corrupt and rigged election.
I recall that some liberals questioned whether or not the Iraqi people were suited for a democratic style government. Former President Bush and Regan believed that freedom was right for every human on the planet.
The Iranian people on their own are protesting the re-election of you know who (I'm not going to try to spell his name). It appears that they desire a more western form of government. I'm so impressed with the Iranian people and I wish I had the means to assist them. When I see them being clubbed in the streets, I just want to cry.
Of course, the current President won't stand up for the Iranian people, but I will. These good people just want to be free and I want them to be free.
I want so bad to be able to take back our country and assist everyone one on the planet to be truly free.
What can a middle class female who needs her decent job do to take our country back and help to free those people who so desperately want to be free. do. I trust that God will show me the way.
I recall that some liberals questioned whether or not the Iraqi people were suited for a democratic style government. Former President Bush and Regan believed that freedom was right for every human on the planet.
The Iranian people on their own are protesting the re-election of you know who (I'm not going to try to spell his name). It appears that they desire a more western form of government. I'm so impressed with the Iranian people and I wish I had the means to assist them. When I see them being clubbed in the streets, I just want to cry.
Of course, the current President won't stand up for the Iranian people, but I will. These good people just want to be free and I want them to be free.
I want so bad to be able to take back our country and assist everyone one on the planet to be truly free.
What can a middle class female who needs her decent job do to take our country back and help to free those people who so desperately want to be free. do. I trust that God will show me the way.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
The South Just Might do it Again
I made a comment on facebook that if we're to survive, the south just may have to rise again. After thinking things over, it might not be a bad idea. We would, of course, include red states that aren't technically "in the south".
First of all, I think we can call ourselves the United States of America and let them call themselves the Socialist States of America. We'll take the pledge and the national anthem because the Socialist States of America are trying to do away with them anyway.
We'll be lowering taxes on everybody and I mean everybody. As a result, corporations will be leaving the SSA and relocating to the new and improved USA. We're not about to nationalize health care, so we'll attract the best doctors, hospitals, clinics, etc. Majority of our military personel are from the south, so we should be able to take the military. SSA doesn't want anything to do with the military anyway. Also, we have oil down here and we'll drill for it.
We have lots of good food down here...friend chicken, barbque, homemade ice cream, and red meat. We believe that global warming is a hoax, so we're not worried about having too many cows that pass too much gas. We don't care what you eat. You can get pretty much what you want. We all enjoy a good reuben every now and then and there are places where you can get a Philly Cheese Steak. You can definitely drive what you want and we encourage you to make your carbon footprint as large as possible.
However, the most important thing that the new and improved USA will do is to keep God in our society. You will have freedom of religion plus freedom to worship or not to worship. We will be a Christian nation, but will be respectful to non-Chistians. School prayer will be re-instated and you will be allowed take you Bible to work and read it on breaks without harrassment. Marriage will be between a man and a woman.
We we will have the corporations, the best in health care, the military, oil, and Christian/Judeo values. What does that leave the Socialist States of America? Well, lots of government, smart cars, tofu and bean sprouts, and some institutions of higher learning. They'll still have Harvard, Yale, Notre Dame, UC Berkley, and others. Along with my Alma Mater, the University of Alabama, we have Ole Miss, the University of Georgia, Vanderbilt University, Auburn University, and others. (Can't believe that I'm acknowledging that these schools are actually good academically. We rule in football,though.) We'll run the commie-libs out of Duke and UNC and take over. We'll leave NPR to the SSA. The media will serve to keep our government accountable to its citizens and will be fair and balanced. There will be no such thing as the fairness doctrine. If you host a talk show and no one listens, you'll be off the air.
So there you have it, the new and improved USA will have lower taxes, a strong military, good health care, successful businesses, oil wells, limited government, and most importantly, God.
I should be pumped and ready to start forming the new and improved USA, so why am I crying?
First of all, I think we can call ourselves the United States of America and let them call themselves the Socialist States of America. We'll take the pledge and the national anthem because the Socialist States of America are trying to do away with them anyway.
We'll be lowering taxes on everybody and I mean everybody. As a result, corporations will be leaving the SSA and relocating to the new and improved USA. We're not about to nationalize health care, so we'll attract the best doctors, hospitals, clinics, etc. Majority of our military personel are from the south, so we should be able to take the military. SSA doesn't want anything to do with the military anyway. Also, we have oil down here and we'll drill for it.
We have lots of good food down here...friend chicken, barbque, homemade ice cream, and red meat. We believe that global warming is a hoax, so we're not worried about having too many cows that pass too much gas. We don't care what you eat. You can get pretty much what you want. We all enjoy a good reuben every now and then and there are places where you can get a Philly Cheese Steak. You can definitely drive what you want and we encourage you to make your carbon footprint as large as possible.
However, the most important thing that the new and improved USA will do is to keep God in our society. You will have freedom of religion plus freedom to worship or not to worship. We will be a Christian nation, but will be respectful to non-Chistians. School prayer will be re-instated and you will be allowed take you Bible to work and read it on breaks without harrassment. Marriage will be between a man and a woman.
We we will have the corporations, the best in health care, the military, oil, and Christian/Judeo values. What does that leave the Socialist States of America? Well, lots of government, smart cars, tofu and bean sprouts, and some institutions of higher learning. They'll still have Harvard, Yale, Notre Dame, UC Berkley, and others. Along with my Alma Mater, the University of Alabama, we have Ole Miss, the University of Georgia, Vanderbilt University, Auburn University, and others. (Can't believe that I'm acknowledging that these schools are actually good academically. We rule in football,though.) We'll run the commie-libs out of Duke and UNC and take over. We'll leave NPR to the SSA. The media will serve to keep our government accountable to its citizens and will be fair and balanced. There will be no such thing as the fairness doctrine. If you host a talk show and no one listens, you'll be off the air.
So there you have it, the new and improved USA will have lower taxes, a strong military, good health care, successful businesses, oil wells, limited government, and most importantly, God.
I should be pumped and ready to start forming the new and improved USA, so why am I crying?
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