WE JUST DON’T ACT LIKE THAT DOWN HERE

There was a blurb on the news a few days ago about looting and rioting taking place in Los Angeles after the Lakers won the NBA championship. For quite a while now, we’ve been hearing about rioting, looting, etc. whenever a community’s sports team wins a championship. Not only is such buffoonery taking placed at the professional level; it has also taken place at the college level. I seem to remember some issues in Columbus Ohio, College Station, Pennsylvania, and others.

The University of Alabama football team is the national champion for the 2009 NCAA football season. Was there any rioting, looting, etc. in Tuscaloosa, Birmingham, or any other place in Alabama? There was not. If there was, believe me, we would have heard about it. When the BCS Championship game came to a close on January 7, 2010, Alabama fans were hugging each other and yelling Roll Tide. And yes, a few were doing the Rammer Jammer cheer.

Alabama ended a six game loosing streak against it’s cross-state rival, Auburn, by beating AU 36-0 in Tuscaloosa in 2008. As far as I know, there was no rioting in Tuscaloosa or anywhere else. The wife of an Auburn assistant coach complained that a group of Alabama fans blocked her from entering the visitor’s dressing room. When that game was over, I couldn’t find any Auburn fans to thumb my nose at because they had all left.

There are some heated college football rivalries here in the southeastern United States: Alabama/Auburn, Alabama/Tennessee, Auburn/Georgia, etc. After these games, I’m sure there are some bloody noses, fat lips, and black eyes. I’ve even heard about flat tires, damaged cars, and other things. Of course, none of this should happen, and I’d like to think these incidents are few and far between with alcohol excessively consumed.

I’ve been going to Alabama games for years and have had minimal problems. At an Alabama Georgia game one year, an upset Georgia fan threw a whiskey bottle into a crowd and I was in close proximity. Also, I had some Auburn fans try to block me from getting out of Legion Field a number of years ago when the Iron Bowl was still being played at Legion Field in Birmingham. Again, it’s just minimal.

But breaking into stores, stealing, looting, and setting fires? NO. We just don’t do that sort of stuff down here.

HIGH SCHOOL REUNION

Not about to say what year it was, but on the morning of my high school graduation I awoke with a temperature of 102. This was very unusual because this “healthy as a horse” seventeen year old never really got sick except for the occasional migraine headache. Rehearsal was later that morning and the ceremony was to take place that night. Even though I had a fever and didn’t feel all that great, I wasn’t bedridden by any means.

When I was pulling out of the high school parking lot after the morning’s rehearsal, I thought to myself, in a few hours, this part of my life is going to end. Two days later, I was to start summer school at the University of Alabama and I couldn’t wait. Bigger and better things were surely in store for this high school grad. I’m out of here!

After marching out of the school auditorium, singing the alma mater and doing the class cheer on the steps, I walked to the gym and turned in my cap and gown. I hugged a few classmates, but was anxious to meet up with Mama, Daddy, and some family friends. We then went to the house, had pizza, and I drank my first beer. Well, it was only a half beer. A friend of Mama and Daddy’s brought it to me. After everyone had left the house, Mama pulled me over and said, “Now Nancy, that beer tonight was okay, but don’t you make a habit of it. Your Daddy didn’t want you to have it all.”

Two days later, I was moving into the Tutwiler dormitory on the campus of the University of Alabama. I made lots of friends, went out with lots of guys, and discovered that I was a pretty good partier. I also had to change my study habits. How I studied in high school to make all A’s wouldn’t cut it at Alabama. Never the less, I did manage to get my degree in 3-1/2 years. I was also able to go to all of the Alabama football games, a love of mine that still continues and will continue until I am either too old to go to the games or too poor to pay the ever increasing ticket prices.

Let’s fast-forward to April 30, 2010, a Friday. I was planning to work a half-day then travel to Nashville for the Jimmy Buffett concert that was taking place on May 1, a Saturday night. I was in the garage putting my bags in the car when the telephone rang. Well, the only calls that I ever get on my landline are either telemarketers or the local charities wanting my discards; so I didn’t rush into the house to answer it. But when I got back in the house, the message light was blinking. Thinking it was a telemarketer or politician (it is primary season), I was poised to hit the delete button. I didn’t even check the caller id first. Well, it wasn’t a telemarketer or a politician. It was one of my best friends from high school calling to tell me that there was a reunion this year. She gave me the dates and the website that had been set up for information. She also kept saying that it was so good to hear my voice.

There was going to be a Friday night event and a Saturday night event. My first reaction was this isn’t gonna happen. On that Friday night, I had tickets for the Zac Brown Band concert and I wasn’t about to miss that. And I thought I had something to do on that Saturday as well.

When I got to work, I immediately pulled up the website. Classmates could upload information about themselves, including current pictures. A number of folks had already forwarded their information. I have to say that thoughts about the reunion and my classmates were with me during the weekend.

As it turned out, I actually didn’t have anything planned for that Saturday and could indeed attend the Saturday night function. After much deliberation, I decided to attend. Hey, I have a good job, good hair, and my looks are pretty much still intact. While not exactly brand spanking new, my comfy SUV is not an embarrassment. It’s go now or go never. Subsequently, I uploaded my information and a current picture for the website. Then I sent in my registration for Saturday night. I was officially going. All I had to lose were a few bucks and a few hours. I told very few friends about my reunion plans.

The Friday before, I was talking to a couple that were friends (the wife went to the concert with me) and saying that if I wasn’t having a good time, I’d just leave. My friends said just text us and we’ll meet you somewhere.

In spite of the oppressive heat and humidity that is so common to the southeastern United States in the summer months, my hair looked decent and I put on that a little black dress with lots of chunky silver jewelry and silver platform sandals. The dress for the occasion was casual, and black and silver pretty much transcend.

So, I got in my comfy SUV and drove a little over an hour to Cullman, found the place, parked the car, said a little prayer, and walked in. In just a few seconds, I was hearing my name called and lots of folks were rushing up to me to give me a hug. Two girls/women that I was in Sunday school with were some of the first. I soon found myself trying to talk to everyone and then I realized that I would be here for a few hours and there would be plenty of time. I went up to people and people came up to me.

The pictures were made and the buffet had been put out, but I really wasn’t that interested in eating, I wanted to mingle. I did eat, though, and the food was really good. My close friends will tell you that I’m not much of a mingler. I’ve even been accused of being a snob at times. Like my mother says, I’m reserved. But I wasn’t that night. Furthermore, everyone looked like they were having a great time as well. There were a few like me who were going to a reunion for the first time and I hope all of them had as great a time as I had.

One of the guys that I had been in church, kindergarten Jr. High and High School with asked me if I colored my hair. The Nancy of two hours ago would have said no and acted a little insulted. But this Nancy chose to tell the truth and say yes; it’s colored. I have the most strikingly dark hair that money can buy. Thank you Ginger!

Before I knew it, it was time for us to be out of the building and there were a few people that I hadn’t had a chance to speak to. I tried to get to as many as I could, but there were about five or six that I didn’t get a chance to speak to and I hope I’ll get the chance soon. I think I smiled all the way back to Birmingham. I knew there was a chance that I might have a good time, but I never expected this. I’m really looking forward to new old friendships. There was some talk about getting together this fall and going to one of our high school games. I’m definitely on board for that.

Am I sorry that I ignored the folks that I went to high school with for so long? Yes I am! I missed out on years of friendships, some of which were only an hour away. The only thing that I can say for myself is “better late than never”. There’s still plenty of time to cultivate and enjoy these friendships. Besides, we have FaceBook, Internet, email, etc. We can keep in touch with one another.

Previously, when someone would express no desire to attend their high school reunion, I would nod my head and say, “I hear ya.” Not anymore, I’m going to tell anyone with an attitude to please go to his or her reunion. Your missing out if you don’t. Just go to it!

Again, to the great folks in my high school graduating class, I love you. And to the Lord above, thank you for steering me back to Cullman to friendships that I came so close to missing.

LIVING IN A DEMOCRACY AND BEING FREE ARE NOT TO BE TAKEN FOR GRANTED

I was blessed to have been born in the United States of America and have lived in this democratic republic all of my life. Living in a democratic republic means that our country’s leaders are elected and if they prove to be not so good at what they were elected to do, we vote them out at the next election. I’ve never really felt as though our freedom was threatened UNTIL NOW.

The three most powerful government officials, the current president, the speaker of the house, and the senate majority leader are far left democrats. There is also a democrat majority in the U.S. House of Representatives. The 2008 elections resulted in a 60-40 democrat filibuster proof majority in the U.S. Senate. This came about because far left Minnesota Senator Al Franken narrowly beat the incumbent republican senator after a box of ballots was found in the trunk of somebody’s car. Democrats seem to have a knack for finding votes when they need them. Of course the democrats no longer enjoy a filibuster proof majority with the election of republican Scott Brown who is currently filling the Massachusetts Senate seat formerly held by the late democrat senator, Ted Kennedy.

With the election of Senator Brown, one would think that the republicans could filibuster the senate and put a stop to all of this toxic, freedom threatening legislation that the democrats are cramming down our throats. But no, there is a little tool called reconciliation that will allow the Senate to pass certain legislation under certain circumstances with a simple majority. I won’t get into reconciliation because I don’t fully understand it. So, the senate is passing legislation with simple majorities.

When you pair all of the above with a far left leaning media, Anything that the far left wants to do, it can do. The far left, of course, believes that government can and should provide everything for its citizens. Generally being against capitalism and the free market, the far left believes in very extensive regulation of businesses and higher taxes for all. Just give us your money and we will provide for you womb to the tomb. This is, of course, is communism…”from each according to his ability and to each according to his need.”

I have no reliable source for this, but I have heard that there is a plan in the works that will allow presidents to serve an unlimited number of terms. Now a president is limited to serving two terms and that’s it. Once you have served your two terms, you can never run for president again.

Let’s just say the above happens and the current president can seek as many terms in office as he wants. Then we give amnesty to some twelve million illegal immigrants. Hey let’s not stop there, let’s now allow convicted felons to vote. These groups, of course, will vote democrat. When you combine the votes of former illegal aliens, convicted felons, folks that haven’t a clue about the issues, but vote for the current president because he’s half black, and the other folks in this nation that truly believe big government is the best way to go; you get an environment pretty much like the environment that has been created by Hugo Chavez in Venezuela.

I know I’ve posted some things that are somewhat far-fetched. However, I don’t think the above is. Folks, this could happen and it could happen real soon. The republicans must get majorities in the house and senate. Then we have to take steps to undo the unpopular things that the Congress and the current president have crammed down our throats. We can’t let the beating we’ll take in the media stop us. With God on our side, maybe, just maybe, we can wrestle this country away from those who want to destroy the American way of life.

This blog, as simplistic as it is, has been picked up. As a result, there are links to it on some political sites out there. I laughingly tell my co-workers that one of these days I might not show up for work with no trace of my existence left. It happened in Venezuela, it happened in Germany, and it could very well happen here. We have to continue to nurture our democratic republic. Just because we live in a democratic republic, doesn’t mean that that democratic republic is invincible.

WHAT ABOUT THE SNAKES AND THE ALLIGATORS

I’m watching the news and am really moved by the birds that are covered in oil from the BP Deep Horizon oil spill. These birds are fighting for their life. I then watch these birds being washed gently with hopes of saving their lives. If I lived closer to the gulf coast, I would be volunteering to do whatever is necessary to nurse the birds back to health. I don’t know if a layman like me would actually be allowed to handle the birds, but I would certainly be willing to assist in the process.

The birds, though, are not the only inhabitants of the gulf coast area. There are lots of snakes and alligators down there. Unfortunately, these animals are not ones that lay people should be attempting to handle. They’re also not animals that most of us like. I’m deathly afraid of them.

They are, though, part of the delicate ecosystems on the gulf coast and they can’t help it that they are snakes and alligators and not beautiful birds. Are the snakes and alligators able to “hunker down” and hide or are they just as vulnerable as the more attractive wild life of the gulf coast? All those creatures, loveable and cute, and not so lovable and cute, work together to maintain the ecosystems.

Let’s say we save a lot of birds, but a lot of snakes and alligators die. There are not enough alligators and snakes to eat the birds, resulting in an over population. Some of the birds die of starvation because there is not enough food for them. In desperation, they may enter your backyard and find the puppies that your family dog just gave birth to a tasty treat.

While it may appear that I’m trying to be humorous, I’m really not. The ecosystems on the gulf coast may be imbalanced for a long time. On TV, folks are seeing the birds covered in oil and tearing up. The snakes and alligators that are covered in the same oil are not portrayed on TV, but they are still important to the ecosystem.

This is just something we all should think about. What about the animals that are dangerous for us to handle, but are just as important to the gulf ecosystems.

JUST WHEN I THINK IT CAN’T GET ANY WORSE

The first and foremost responsibility of the United States is to keep this country and its people safe. This doesn’t appear to be the first priority of the current president. I really believe that this president is carrying out the wishes of certain powerful people on the planet and will be doing his best to “take this country down” and make us as much like France and other socialist nations. He doesn’t care about the American people or making this, as of now, great country, greater. He wants to destroy the United States of America, as we know it. I truly, truly believe this.

The president of Mexico is invited to the White House and the first couple throws a state dinner in his honor. Then the Mexican president is allowed to criticize and find faults with the United States of America, particularly the Arizona’s new immigration law. The current president fully agrees with the Mexican president and is apologetic with respect to the state of Arizona. I won’t get into the fact that no one in the current administration has even read the law. Can this be happening?

According to the news, the border area of Arizona is a very dangerous place to be. American citizens, yes, American citizens fear for their lives. On TV, the governor of Arizona was pleading with the administration to do their jobs and secure the Mexican border. Is this president going to do anything to protect those Americans in danger? Of course not! He’s ready to let everyone in that wants to come in, giving them everything they need as long as they vote democrat.

As I’ve previously indicated, we are sandwiched between disasters here in central Alabama; the oil spill in the gulf and the Nashville flood. The good people of Nashville continue to clean up and put their lives back together. I’ve heard nothing about looting; although I’m sure there’s been a little of it. No one appears to be screaming for their government help; instead they are helping themselves and each other. Furthermore, it appears the folks on the northern gulf coast are preparing as best as they can for the oil. Of course, the current president doesn’t care about any of these things. After all, most people in Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, and the Florida panhandle didn’t vote for him.

NOW THEY WANT TO TAKE THE NAMES OF OVERWEIGHT CHILDREN

On Fox and Friends a week or so ago, it was reported that in Michelle Obama’s crusade to eliminate childhood obesity, a plan was underway to test all children in the United States for an excessive fat to muscle ratio (not sure if I got this exactly right). In other words, the government wants to determine if your child is too fat according to their standards. And if they think your child is, the child will be reported to the state, which in turn, will report you child to the feds. This is really going too far, and I think that even the staunchest supporters of the current president will step up and say no to this totalitarian measure.

So, your child gets tested and his or her “fat ratio” exceeds government standards and the child gets report to the state and then to the feds. Then, what? You have, let’s say, six months to get your child on a diet/exercise program to lose the weight. Anyone that’s ever had to loose weight and struggled with it knows that you have to want to loose the weight. In other words, you have to have the right mindset. So, if your child is not really into this, all the exercise you do with him or her at home and all the healthy meals you prepare may not do any good. If you child is school age, he or she may cheat when away from the house. Getting weight off of a child is difficult. It’s usually when a child gets to high school and wants to be attractive to the opposite sex that he or she will make an effort to get the extra weight off.

Why is the child overweight in the first place? It could be a number of reasons. Being overweight may run in the family or it may be the home environment. The parents may be overweight and live their life around the kitchen table. When I was very young, I picked at my food and tended be sick at my stomach a lot. Mama and Daddy were not pleased by my eating habits and I could sense their dissatisfaction when I didn’t want to eat. So, in an effort to please them and other family members, I started eating a lot. I can remember not really wanting to eat a lot, but did it anyway thinking it would please them. I then gained too much weight and that didn’t please anyone either. So, my environment led to my weight gain as child. When I got to high school and became interested in clothes and boys, and sure enough, I when on a diet, exercised, and took the weight off. Keeping my weight down has been a battle that has been both won and lost.

So much for drama! What do the feds plan to do about your overweight child? Let’s say they give parents six months to get the weight off, but it doesn’t happen. When they return to re-test your child and the ratio is not within their standards, could they possibly order your child to attend a weight-loss camp? Would they keep your child at the camp until he or she looses the required weight? Let’s say that after the first testing that your child loses the weight and is now acceptable with respect to government standards. Is you child branded until he or she becomes an adult. Will your child continue to be tested at regular intervals? Will all children, over weight or not, be tested at regular intervals. Under certain circumstances, could you child possibly be taken away from you because you can’t keep the weight off? Children are taken away from their homes and put in weight loss camps that also serve as government schools where the children are indoctrinated to the ways of the government. Not only will they learn to eat properly and exercise; they will be taught tolerance to all groups except southern white conservative Christians. They will also be taught to minimize their carbon footprints. If the child is white, he or she will be made to feel guilty. Because you were born white, you must undergo additional suffering to compensate for your whiteness.

Since this is such a great program, let’s extend it to everyone, not just children. Isn’t all obesity a problem? Anyone that the government considers overweight will be given some time to get the weight off, meeting standards for body size set by the government. Those who fail will be rounded up and placed in camps where they will be put on diet and exercise programs. While eating healthy and exercising, these individuals can also receive indoctrination to the ways of the government. Capitalism is evil and must be done away with. For Christians, isn’t it God that made you fat? The government is now making you thin? You will be shown film after film of polar bears drowning as the polar ice caps melt because in addition to being overweight you drove an SUV. Baby polar bears are separated from their mothers and die. Oh the horrible things that you caused by enjoying your food and driving an SUV.

But now we’ve transformed you. Now, you spit your food out if it tastes good, you spend time repenting because you were born white, and you strive to be a good comrade for the United Socialist States of America, minimizing your carbon footprint and happily working hard for the government, giving over any compensation paid to you, so that the government can give to you what it determines you should have.

Suppose I don’t meet the government standards for being fit and trim and get carted off to a “fat camp”. I’m all of the above and driving a Chevy Volt, I’m still a Chevy girl from a Chevy family. My wardrobe consists of two skirts, two pairs of pants, and four tops that I can mix and match. I’m also really excited that the government has given me a voucher so that I can buy a fourth pair of shoes. I was awarded a fourth pair of shoes because I have maintained government standard weight for a year. My hair’s salt and pepper and what color I have left is dull. But that’s okay because for many years, I spent money on my hair. Oh how shallow! I’m so thankful that the government is letting me keep my hair, instead of shaving my head. As long as I continue to cry myself to sleep because I’m white, I’m hoping they will let me keep it.

The manicures and pedicures that I used to get have become illegal acts. Our government run stores do not sell nail polish, although I’ve heard there is black market for it. But how could anyone have a desire to polish their nails or even worse, pay someone to do it. Before I evolved, I had well over twenty-five pairs of shoes, mountains of clothes, bottles containing many types of cologne, and lots of jewelry. I spent a good bit of money maintaining my thick mane of dark curly hair. I also got regular manicures and pedicures. I loved wearing different colors or eye shadow and lipstick. But not anymore! How could I possibly have spent money on such things, even though I worked very hard for the money? Now I’m thin, have salt & pepper hair that is getting more and more gray as the weeks and months go by. I have clothes to hide my nakedness and protect me from the elements, and healthy food to eat. None of this would have happened had it not been for the government of the United Socialist States of America and its current leader (I still can’t say his name), and the very lovely and svelte first lady.

Okay, okay, I guess I’ve gone a little too far or have I? Adolph Hitler’s desire was to create a master race of white people with blonde hair and blue eyes. Is it Michelle Obama’s desire to create a master race where all people are fit and thin; with fat folks as the cause of all of the world’s problems?

WHAT ABOUT NASHVILLE

Being from the Birmingham, Alabama area, I’ve spent some time in Nashville, but not as much time as I’ve spent in places like Atlanta, New Orleans, and the northern gulf coast. I like Nashville; hey what’s not to like? It’s home to America’s music, country music, that originated in the USA, not off in Europe somewhere.

This past weekend I traveled to Nashville to attend the Jimmy Buffett concert, that took place on May 1 in the Bridgestone Arena in the heart of downtown Nashville. From the weather reports on the Internet, I knew that it was going to be raining, with some thunder and wind; and that was perfectly okay since the concert would be indoors.

After arriving in the Music City late Friday afternoon, we walked to dinner at one of Nashville’s classic restaurants, and then walked to the Broadway area where many clubs are located. It was a beautiful evening with a nice breeze blowing. While the weather Friday night was a perfect, my friends and I knew what was coming and we hoped it would be just some rain, which is not going to hurt anybody.

It was between 1:00 and 2:00 am when I returned to the hotel and went to bed. When I awoke about seven or eight hours later, it was raining and raining hard with some thunder and lightning moving through the area. Through the weather channel, I determined that we were under a tornado watch, which really doesn’t scare me much because I grew up with it. Early afternoon, our group ended up at the Big River Grill on Broadway, close to the Cumberland River. Our table was on the covered patio, built so that rain could not get in. So, we watch the downpours come and go, with the occasional tornado siren in the mix.

About 2-1/2 hours before the concert, we gathered in the hotel room of a couple that was in our group. Martha and John were hosting a pre-concert party. Because their hotel was next door to the Bridgestone arena, all we had to do was walk next door. Cool! The concert was great and I had straight-on view of a certain Coral Reefer band member on whom I have a “celebrity” crush. About the only thing that gets better than that is a big Alabama victory.

After the concert, when we were making our way back to John and Martha’s hotel room, a policeman that was directing traffic indicated that we had all better get indoors soon because the bottom was getting ready to fall out. Well, at exactly the time I walked through the door into the hotel, the bottom did fall out, and did it ever? The wind was blowing like a “you know what” and the rain was going horizontal. I though that we just might be in a tornado, but it was heavy wind and rain. Thank goodness every one in our group arrived at the hotel safe and sound. After a post-concert party, those of us staying in other hotels made our way back. The bad storm was over and there was moderate rain in the area.

The next morning, we checked out of the hotel shortly before noon and made it back to Birmingham just fine, traveling through some hard rains. Before we left, we knew there was major flooding in the area and I was glad to see Nashville in my rearview mirror. Little did I know that the rain would continue and the waters would continue to rise and devastate the great city of Nashville, Tennessee and surrounding areas. We’ve all seen the pictures and we all know the story.

“And ya know what?” The current president hasn’t even mentioned the devastation in Nashville and other areas of Tennessee and Kentucky. This is unfathomable. The current president certainly has time to comment on the immigration law passed in Arizona without bothering to get his facts straight. The state of Tennessee didn’t vote for the current president and I it’s my opinion that this could have been a factor in him ignoring the city of Nashville and it’s people. As I mentioned earlier, Nashville is home to America’s music, country music, composed for and about the working man and woman in the United States of America. Furthermore, a lot of the country music singers, songwriters, and musicians are conservative, along with the rest of the citizens of the state of Tennessee. So, are the people who have been affected by this tragedy not worth the current president’s time? Could be.

One thing I’m sure of, the good people of Nashville and the other affected areas in Tennessee, Arkansas, Kentucky, etc. are drying out and rebuilding their lives without the moral support of the current president. I have yet to see anyone yelling, “where’s our government help.” In fact, most probably would prefer that he stay the “you know what” away.

I cried when the Alabama gulf coast was devastated by Hurricane Ivan, and I cried when I saw New Orleans flood in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. And once again I’m crying at what is happening in Nashville. My neighbors three hours north of me are in peril. Also, my neighbors on the northern gulf coast are awaiting their fate as the oil creeps nearer to other places that we all love. Yes, I’m sandwiched in between disasters.

Bottom line, the current president, along with others that lead this nation, do not care about any of us here in the southern United States. We’re just drivel to them, as we hang on to our guns and our bibles. Again, the people of Nashville and the other areas affected by the May 1 weekend storms will rebuild their lives, and the people of the northern gulf coast will do the same with or without the support of the current president and other leaders.

Alright, I just have to throw this in. If something akin to the Nashville flood had happened in someplace such as Berkley or Palo Alto when George Bush was president and he chose not to comment, we all know what would have happened.

The above reflects my personal opinion only and represents pure speculation on my part, gleaned from my observations of the behavior and attitudes of certain leaders of this nation. As of this writing, there is no evidence that my speculations are fact.