We, The People, Have Been Sold Out!

by the Senators of this great nation! Strange thing to say? Well listen to this, my friends. By a vote of 56 - 41, the United States Senate passed an amendment :

(Amendment Number: S.Amdt. 4188 to S. 2611 (Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006 )
Statement of Purpose: To improve the bill. )

What does this amendment to improve the bill say? Well, among other things it says this:

"Consultation Requirement.—Federal, State, and local representatives in the United States shall consult with their counterparts in Mexico concerning the construction of additional fencing and related border security structures along the international border between the United States and Mexico, as authorized by this title, before the commencement of any such construction in order to—

(1) solicit the views of affected communities;

(2) lessen tensions; and

(3) foster greater understanding and stronger cooperation on this and other important security issues of mutual concern."

Wanna protect the security of the United States at her southern border? Well, you'll have to ask Mexico what she thinks about it first. That's right! Our United States Senators, who we pay, who work for us, decided that Mexico has a say in what we do.

Believe that the US government gives a rat's ass about you, or what you want? Guess again. Think they care about the illegal immigration problem? Think they're going to fix the problem? Maybe even address it with some intelligent ideas for once? Don't hold your breath!

We, the people, of the United States, have been sold out by our elected representatives in the United States Senate. Can the House of Representatives be far behind?

As Moonbattery has said: "The last issue to face America that was as critical as the Mexican invasion was slavery. In the years before the Civil War, Democrats had no interest in putting an end to slavery. The well-established Whig Party didn't have the guts to address it. So those Whigs who did have the guts formed the Republican Party, which produced Lincoln, and put an end to both slavery and the Whigs.

It's time for history to repeat itself. As before the Civil War, nothing good is going to come out of the Democratic Party. It is diseased down to the tips of its roots. Many Republicans understand that America is worth preserving, not just until we get ours, but until our children get theirs, and on for the next generation, and the next and the next. But there are many other Republicans who do not have the integrity to hold to this view, and with Democratic support, they have the leverage to betray us by refusing to defend the country from foreign invasion.

Unless we are able to get the likes of Specter, McCain, and W out of the driver's seat in the immediate future, it's time to get off the bus and find some other form of transportation — a new party that will serve the country's interests."

How about the American Liberty Party? Anyone care to start the new party off with a candidate? I can think of a few things to create the first platform:

1) Small Government based solely on the US Constitution. If it's not authorized by the US Constitution, then it is illegal for the Federal Government to do.

2) Adoption of the Fair Tax. See Representative Linder, or Neal Boortz for more information.

3) English is the Official language of the United States of America and shall be the language used for all government transactions. No ballots shall be printed in any language but English.

4) Elected Officials who leak information, outside government channels, for the purpose of party agrandizement, shall be considered to have committed Treason and shall be charged and tried.

5) No Judge in the United States shall legislate from the bench. This is a violation of the US Constitution and shall be prosecuted as malfeasance.

6) All laws regarding Immigration shall be enforced throughout the United States. Any municipality, or State to fail to enforce these Laws shall be considered to be in Rebellion and shall be subject to Martial Law.

How's that for a start? Harsh? Probably. And after I sleep on this I may regret the tone. But right now, I am angry at my government. I am livid at the self-serving cowards who would sell our birthright for the chance to be re-elected by people who don't belong here, and should not be able to vote here, and wil find a way to vote, with the cooperation and connivance of Democrats and Republicans now holding elected office. I want them all to be voted out!

Start with Arlen Specter, and Dennis Hastert, throw in Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi, and Ted Kennedy just for a rousing beginning.

I have no illusions that this is going to happen, but it ought to!

It ought to!

May GOD Bless this Nation and watch over her, because she is being betrayed!

Not Free? Try Surrendering.

Commitment. Something we’re told Men are afraid of. Commitment. A word signifying the willful decision to do something. Often, in Christian circles, particularly evangelistic or fundamentalist groups, commitment means the acceptance of Christ as the guiding Light in our lives.

“I am committing my life to Jesus,” they might say. And the Congregation is happy and hymns are sung welcoming the person into the Body of Christ. Nice, huh?

The Dictionary defines commitment thus:
1. The act or an instance of committing, especially:
a. The act of referring a legislative bill to committee.
b. Official consignment, as to a prison or mental health facility.
c. A court order authorizing consignment to a prison.
2. a. A pledge to do.
b. Something pledged, especially an engagement by contract involving financial obligation.
3. The state of being bound emotionally or intellectually to a course of action or to another person or persons: a deep commitment to liberal policies; a profound commitment to the family.

So, when we say we are committing our lives to Christ we are making a pledge, we are binding ourselves, to Jesus. And that’s a fine sentiment for us. Indeed, if more people actually would commit themselves to Christ the world would be a far better place than it is now.

But I don’t care for the word when we use it to define what we Christians do in relation to the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords. Commit? What, like we commit to sell one hundred boxes of cookies? Like I committed to quit smoking just before Christmas? [A hint to smokers contemplating quitting … don’t do it three days before Christmas! It’s utter Hell!] We commit to give $20 each month to PBS, don’t we? Well, I don’t, but you know what I mean.

So why commit? It’s like those eternal prayers to GOD, you know the ones: “Please let me pass this test and I will never goof off again!” That’s a commitment, too. And how binding is it? Not a bit. We know that, don’t we? We can commit to any number of things, pledge our best efforts for good, and still we will come up short. And when it comes to the Kingdom of GOD, do we, any of us, want to come up short?

So what’s the point here? You’re still here? Wow! I thought you’d disappear a few sentences ago. Okay, here’s what I want to say:

You cannot commit to GOD. You cannot commit to Jesus Christ, Our Lord. For human commitment means less than nothing. We surrender.

Surrender! That’s what we must do. Can you imagine the chutzpah of any man or woman who thinks they can throw an arm over Christ’s shoulder and say, “Hey, Lord, I’m committing to you!” Can any human think they are of equal stature with GOD so that they can bargain with Him?

No! You cannot. To reach Heaven, to attain that Paradise we all seek, you cannot bargain. You must surrender to the Almighty. Down on your knees. Acknowledging your unworthiness. Begging forgiveness, and … surrendering to Him. Each one of us has to realize in our hearts and in our minds that we are completely unworthy of GOD's trust, His love, His Grace. We are deserving of nothing good from GOD. All of us are sinners. Don't sit there shaking your head! You are a great big sinner! You know it. I know it! If you have even the slightest belief in GOD the Father, you know there is but one price that is paid for sin. Death. And that's what each one of us has earned. And I don't want Death, but Life! I want to be free of Death!

Only through our complete and total surrender to GOD and Christ can we be free. Liberty does not come through wrestling with the Creator. It is not a payment for our audacity in arguing the finer points of Scriptural Law with Christ. True Liberty is only granted to those who surrender, completely, irrevocably, to the One True GOD.

Commitment is for Bake Sales. It is for Christmas Christians who have no belief in the Almighty but call themselves Christians because Mom and Dad were.

Surrender is for believers in the Divine. Surrender is for the freeing of the Spirit.

Surrender is For Ever!

Say What?

Yeah, as I catch up on my favortie Blogs, and read the posts on many sites - Egad! A lot of 'em! - I find quite a few which are absolutely great. And, being the lazy oaf that I am, I steal them! Like this one. Now originally this was posted at 'Oh, How I Love Jesus' by COGirl on Monday. Now that I've caught up reading over there, you can read this, and then head right on over to see what that site is like. You may have noticed that I have a button link to them on my sidebar. That's how you know I recommend them. Okay?

Read on!

'Who Made These Statements?
See if you can guess the person quoted here. Jeanette and Kathy know, so they can’t cheat.

“Here’s my strategy on the Cold War: We win, they lose.”

“The most terrifying words in the English language are: I’m from the government and I’m here to help.”

“The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they’re ignorant: It’s just that they know so much that isn’t so.”

“Of the four wars in my lifetime none came about because the U.S. was too strong.”

“I have wondered at times about what the Ten Commandment’s would have looked like if Moses had run them through the U.S. Congress.”

“The taxpayer: That’s someone who works for the federal government but doesn’t have to take the civil service examination.”

“Government is like a baby: An alimentary canal with a big appetite at one end and no sense of responsibility at the other.”

“If we ever forget that we’re one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under.”

“The nearest thing to eternal life we will ever see on this earth is a government program.”

“I’ve laid down the law, though, to everyone from now on about anything that happens: no matter what time it is, wake me, even if it’s in the middle of a Cabinet meeting.”

“It has been said that politics is the second oldest profession. I have learned that it bears a striking resemblance to the first.”

“Government’s view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.”

“Politics is not a bad profession. If you succeed there are many rewards, if you disgrace yourself you can always write a book.”

“No arsenal, or no weapon in the arsenals of the world, is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women.”

If no one guesses, I’ll give the answer later on.'

Hey! If you don't know, you fail! Loser! Booooo! *Hiss!* Shame! LOL

Go check out 'Oh, How I Love Jesus'. You will be pleased you did. :D

"Guy's Rules"

This is copied, verbatim, from Here, there, and back, where the macbean gene holds forth:
The Guys' Rules


At last a guy has taken the time to write this all down. The guys' side of the story, Finally!

(I must admit, it's pretty good.) We always hear "the rules" from the female side.
Now here are the rules from the male side.
These are our rules!


Please note.. these are all numbered "1" ON PURPOSE!

Take a deep breath and read on!

1. Men ARE not mind readers.

1. Learn to work the toilet seat.
You're a big girl. If it's up, put it down.
We need it up, you need it down.
You don't hear us complaining about you leaving it down.

1. Sunday sports. It's like the full moon or the changing of the tides. Let it be.

1. Shopping is NOT a sport. And no, we are never going to think of it that way.

1. Crying is blackmail.

1. Ask for what you want. Let us be clear on this one:
Subtle hints do not work!
Strong hints do not work!
Obvious hints do not work!
Just say it!

1. Yes and No are perfectly acceptable answers to almost every question.

1. Come to us with a problem only if you want help solving it. That's what we do. Sympathy is what your girlfriends are for.

1. A headache that lasts for 17 months is a problem. See a doctor.

1. Anything we said 6 months ago is inadmissible in an argument. In fact, all comments become null and void after 7 Days.

1. If you won't dress like the Victoria's Secret girls, don't Expect us to act like soap opera guys.

1. If something we said can be interpreted two ways and one of the ways makes you sad or angry, we meant the other one.

1. You can either ask us to do something or tell us how you want it done. Not both.
If you already know best how to do it, just do it yourself.

1. Whenever possible, Please say whatever you have to say during commercials.

1. Christopher Columbus did NOT need directions and neither do we.

1. ALL men see in only 16 colors, like Windows default settings.
Peach, for example, is a fruit; Not a color!! Pumpkin is also a fruit. We have no idea what mauve is.

1. If it itches, it will be scratched. We do that.

1. If we ask what is wrong and you say "nothing," We will act like nothing's wrong.
We know you are lying, but it is just not worth the hassle.

1. If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, expect an answer you don't want to hear.

1. When we have to go somewhere, absolutely anything you wear is fine...Really.

1. Don't ask us what we're thinking about unless you are prepared to discuss such topics as baseball, the shotgun formation, or golf.

1. You have enough clothes.

1. You have too many shoes.

1. I am in shape. Round IS a shape!

1. Thank you for reading this.
Yes, I know, I have to sleep on the couch tonight;

But did you know men really don't mind that? It's like camping.

Now get yourself over there. mac has some tremendous tales of his travels, and his blog is worth the visit.

G.W.Bush: Better Than You Thought

The Anchoress has an amazing, and well-thought-out piece on our President:

'...I thought of a line from Pride and Prejudice, in which Elizabeth Bennett says in new appreciation of Mr. Darcy, “In essentials, I believe, he is very much what he ever was.”

Perhaps I am a dim bulb, but President Bush has never surprised me, and that is probably why I have never felt let down or “betrayed” by him. He is, in essentials, precisely who he has ever been. He did not surprise me when he managed, in August of 2001, to find a morally workable solution in the matter of Embryonic Stem Cells. He did not surprise me when, a month later, he stood on a pile of rubble and lifted a broken city from its knees. When my NYFD friends told me of the enormous consolation and strength he brought to his meetings with grieving families, I was not surprised. When the World Series opened in New York City and the President was invited to throw the first pitch, there was no surprise in his throwing (while wearing body armor) a perfect strike.'

You simply have to read the entire, thought-provoking piece. This one is one to keep in your favorites folder, print out, bind, and put on your bookshelf, email to your liberal friends. Y'know, The Anchoress just keeps on writing interesting stuff, deep stuff, good stuff until I'm stuffed!

And all this after she gave up on political blogging for the time being. Why? 'Cause she was burned out with it. LOL

If you thought you knew what George W. Bush was all about, if you thought you remembered what's gone on with GW since the 2000 elections, if you thought you were a supportive member of the President's base, then I challenge you to read this enthralling trip down Memory Lane, and see how many of these things you'd forgotten ... just as I had.

Go on! Click on that link and go read! You won't be sorry!

GOD Bless The United States Armed Forces!

From Angel at Woman Honor Thyself comes this reminder:

"Once, however……..
Each branch of the military had their own day of celebration.
But, on August 31, 1949 ,Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson announced the creation of Armed Forces Day.

President Harry Truman also announced the holiday in a presidential proclamation on February 20, 1950.

All branches of the military were asked to celebrate on this day and they complied on the first Armed Forces Day which was held the following year on May 20, 1950."

For most Americans, and most of those who wish to become Americans, this nation's Men and Women in uniform reperesent the very best that America has to offer. They are not drafted into the Armed Forces, they are not ordered into the Service. Nobody on Earth can point to a single one of them and say, with any honesty, "This person was coerced! They were forced to fight!"

Out Armed Forces, unlike in much of our our past, are Volunteers. Not like Civilian Volunteers. No, the military Volunteers are paid to do a tough job. The pay is never commensurate with thier duties, and the risks of performing those duties. Thier families undergo untold-of hardships - not only in times of conflict, but during peacetime as well.

And those serving right now, in uniform whether in Alaska, or Fort Benning, or Baghdad, or even on tiny Diego Garcia in the middle of nowhere, are honored with their own Official American Holiday this very day!

Remember one thing, if you think of those people at all: They are the ones who protect the Liberty of Americans. Not the Press, not the Politicians, not the 'dissenters' and protestors. The Men and Women in Uniform are responsible for protecting us while Evil is plotting our destruction. Don't dare forget that the next time some politician gives you lip service about honoring our Armed Forces.

They are the ones whose lives are risked so that you may sleep soundly at night.

May GOD bless and guide each and every member of the United States Armed Forces!

See A Rose By Any Other Name for more, also ABFreedom for more on Armed Forces Day.

Some Links: Good Articles, Good Friends

From Right Wing News:
America Did Not Squander What It Never Had

"This old yarn has been in circulation since 9/12/01: the USA squandered the world’s goodwill after 9/11. It irritated me then, and now it enrages me. Not because it’s untrue - that, at least, I could forgive with a little education. No, it angers me because it says something about our enemies that nobody is willing to say:

If it takes a terrorist attack to make countries feel beneficent toward the USA, those countries are not your friends."

From The Anchoress:
“Losing, to win” - pretty shortsighted

"I can’t think that embracing the negative, “let’s lose this year” is the way to go. It didn’t exactly work out for us in ‘92, did it?

Good heavens, I was a Democrat in ‘92, and no, it didn’t work out well, for me…"

From Oh, How I Love Jesus!:
Silver

"I have no idea why the pastor chose to wear a PLAID coat. I think he imagined a golf wedding. It’s here I will note that had it been a golf wedding - I would have CLUBBED him for his outfit.

Also, my aunts got an enormous kick out of the ducks in the pond conjugating their relationship while my husband and I took vows. I thought they were giggling at us. I wondered about it, but tried to focus. My poor groom began his poem to me, a poem by Robert Herrick that contained the words “Bid me love and I will love or bid me die and I will die, I will dare even death to die for thee.” Except all he could say was 'Bid me, bid me, bid me…'"

From Cuban-American Pundits:
The castro Publicity Machine...

"I don't understand why his statements are picked up by the media. There's incontrovertible evidence of the Human Rights abuses and repression in Cuba yet he still maintains that there's no dissent on the island. He's the Cuban version of Baghdad Bob, the Iraqi information minister that denied that the Americans we controlling Iraq while the U.S. tanks were rolling behind him."

From Sister Toldjah:
Nah, they’re not trying to indoctrinate kids about sexual orientation, are they?

"If you’re a Republican who has ever gotten into a debate with an staunch advocate of teaching sexual education - including sexual orientation - in public schools, I’m sure you’ve heard the excuse of “the schools aren’t trying teaching kids to be homosexuals, they’re just teaching tolerance of the homosexual lifestyle.” It’s not an accurate statement, but it’s one they make nevertheless."

Visit these folks, look around! Post some comments, and put them on your list of Daily Blog visits. These are but a few of my favorites, and my regular visits. Others are:

GINA COBB

Sigmund, Carl and Alfred

And an online comic favorite: PVP Online

Don't forget the link buttons I have on this blog's sidebar. Good places to visit, good folks to say, "Hello" to. Y'all come back!

And The Screams Erupted!

Alright, now. The President has given his speech on the Illegal Immigration problem facing this country. The networks had their talking heads to give an instant (they had the speech for, what, a day or two? Instant, huh?) analysis, the newspapers had the evening (they had the speech, too, so they’ve been sharpening their quills for awhile!) to fashion their response, and the blogs have had all night and day (and they, too, have had the speech for a day or two, and have been screaming about it that long.) to formulate their thoughts and post them on the Net.

So, what exactly did GW have to say last night? ‘Cause, Lord Knows, you won’t figure that out from most of the reactions (more on that in a bit). Well, thanks to Flopping Aces I have a handy list of the Man’s words as points:



"1. Tonight I am calling on Congress to provide funding for dramatic improvements in manpower and technology at the border. By the end of 2008, we will increase the number of Border Patrol officers by an additional 6,000. When these new agents are deployed, we will have more than doubled the size of the Border Patrol during my Presidency.

2. We will construct high-tech fences in urban corridors, and build new patrol roads and barriers in rural areas. We will employ motion sensors … infrared cameras … and unmanned aerial vehicles to prevent illegal crossings. America has the best technology in the world - and we will ensure that the Border Patrol has the technology they need to do their job and secure our border.

3. So in coordination with governors, up to 6,000 Guard members will be deployed to our southern border. The Border Patrol will remain in the lead. The Guard will assist the Border Patrol by operating surveillance systems … analyzing intelligence … installing fences and vehicle barriers … building patrol roads … and providing training. Guard units will not be involved in direct law enforcement activities — that duty will be done by the Border Patrol. This initial commitment of Guard members would last for a period of one year. After that, the number of Guard forces will be reduced as new Border Patrol agents and new technologies come online.

4. This practice, called “catch and release,” is unacceptable — and we will end it. We are taking several important steps to meet this goal. We have expanded the number of beds in our detention facilities, and we will continue to add more. We have expedited the legal process to cut the average deportation time. And we are making it clear to foreign governments that they must accept back their citizens who violate our immigration laws. As a result of these actions, we have ended “catch and release” for illegal immigrants from some countries. And I will ask Congress for additional funding and legal authority, so we can end “catch and release” at the southern border once and for all.

5. I support a temporary worker program that would create a legal path for foreign workers to enter our country in an orderly way, for a limited period of time. This program would match willing foreign workers with willing American employers for jobs Americans are not doing. Every worker who applies for the program would be required to pass criminal background checks. And temporary workers must return to their home country at the conclusion of their stay.

6. I believe that illegal immigrants who have roots in our country and want to stay should have to pay a meaningful penalty for breaking the law … to pay their taxes … to learn English … and to work in a job for a number of years. People who meet these conditions should be able to apply for citizenship — but approval would not be automatic, and they will have to wait in line behind those who played by the rules and followed the law."




Okay, this is definitely middle-of-the-road. Not as hard-nosed as I wanted, but not as surrender-to-the-Left as I had feared.

1 - The funding for increased BP agents is a good start, but only a start. 6000 more men and women will hardly be sufficient to cover the entire border. But, again, it’s a start and a good one.

2 - High-tech fences? Okay, that’s more like what I wanted. Not that they will cover the entire border – they won’t. But acknowledging that this is a good way to protect the borders to the south is also a start. How well the high-tech parts work, and whether they will be easily sabotaged by those seeking illegal entry, will have to wait, too, for time. We cannot tell what works and what doesn’t until they’ve had time.

3 - The idea of training new BP while covering the border is something that has worked. As long as the funding remains the BP will get the job done. ‘Vietnamization’ didn’t work, because we were too eager to pull out, and did so before the job was done and the troops ready. Congress added insult to injury by stopping funds that we had promised to the Saigon government. (Thanks, Dems!) If de-funding occurs after this, and the BP gets downsized, we ought to march on Washington, D.C. and string up the traitors from the nearest lampposts! And, no, I’m not kidding. Enough is enough! If it quacks like a traitor, waddles like a traitor, and craps like a traitor, it’s a Traitor.

4 - I don’t believe ‘catch and release’ is over. Not for a moment. If the officials in places like San Francisco can refuse to follow and enforce the Law, then catch and release remains the order of the day. Time to arrest those who continue to return illegals to the streets. But I don’t see that happening. ACLU, and all that, you know.

5 - I don’t like the ‘temporary worker’ idea. It smacks of Amnesty, which Presidential supporters insist it isn’t. But it sort of is. Americans won’t do the work because it pays lousy wages. If the growers, construction companies, etc have to raise their wages to attract American citizens to the jobs, then they’d better do so. If the prices rise because of that, good! That’s a free economy at work. But don’t blame lazy Americans for the cheap pay policies of some employers. Time to jail them when they break the law! Temporary workers? I don’t support, but I will suspend judgement until I see the results.

6 - Who decides how long is long enough within our borders? Who decides which illegals are deserving of remaining here, and which must return to their home countries? I predict this goes nowhere. Why? The ACLU will tie up the courts for decades over this, the Libs will, too. What sort of punishment is the President proposing as a ‘payment’ for their crime of illegally entering this country? There are too many questions I have over this.


In fact the biggest sticking point I have over the entire plan is the mistaken notion that mass deportations are wrong, or mean, or hurtful, or … whatever! Deportations are simple. And they are the accepted action in response to illegal entry. To say that it’s too hard to do is stupidity, and simply a lie. To say it’s too draconian to do to people who have lived here, worked here, and paid their taxes for years is simply a lie.

Look, any man, or woman, who sneaks into the USA is a criminal. Everything he does here while here illegally compounds the offense. And most of these people do not pay taxes, they suck up the taxes in emergency room visits, and crime. Not to mention the large number of them who vote!

Voting is a right of Citizenship! It is not a right allotted to the entire world, to all of humanity. Every single individual who has voted illegally should be arrested, charged, and tried. They are criminals! And a frightening lot of illegal aliens are voting. We need to put a stop to that. By leaving these illegals inside our borders, we are leaving illegal voters in place.

Not to mention the huge number who are receiving education monies they do not deserve. American taxes meant to pay for American students are being spent on South American children of illegals. If Liberals want those children paid for, then they need to open their own bulging wallets and fork over the bucks.

So, I have problems with GW’s plans on Illegal Immigration. But I will wait and watch to see how things work.

As for the all those folks red-faced in fury, screaming about Bush’s betrayal of his base, yada, yada, yada, well … they need to grow up. They are beginning to sound exactly like the Leftist Fringies they so abhor. Give the plan a chance! This isn’t Bush’s problem alone, you know. As others have noted, this has been a problem for a very long time. Reagan did nothing positive, Carter was laughable, Clinton was a vast joke, GHWB did nada, so why is this suddenly the hot-button issue for George W. Bush? He may be too slow to the table, but at least he’s actually at the table. Something our previous Presidents have not been.

Close your mouths, sit back, and give your keyboards a rest. If you claim to be nothing like the screaming Meemies on the Left, then show it by showing some restraint. Give the Man a chance here, okay?

For a reaoned response by a tired-of-the-political blogger, see The Anchoress. She's still on top of the blogging world, in my estimation.

A Borrowed Observation, Humorous!

From The MacBean Gene, comes this, which I have borrowed!

The New Theory of Evolution
Our friend, Lena, who has no blog and still suffers living in Baltimore in a house continuing to skyrocket in value sent me this.

In the beginning, God created the Heavens and the Earth and populated the Earth with broccoli, cauliflower and spinach, green and yellow and red vegetables of all kinds, so Man and Woman would live long and healthy lives.

Then using God's great gifts, Satan created Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream and Krispy Creme Donuts. And Satan said, "You want chocolate with that?" And Man said, "Yes!" and Woman said, "and as long as you're at it, add some sprinkles." And they gained 10 pounds. And Satan smiled.

And God created the healthful yogurt that Woman might keep the figure that Man found so fair. And Satan brought forth white flour from the wheat, and sugar from the cane and combined them. And Woman went from size 6 to size 14.

So God said, "Try my fresh green salad." And Satan presented Thousand-Island Dressing, buttery croutons and garlic toast on the side. And Man and Woman unfastened their belts following the repast.

God then said, "I have sent you heart healthy vegetables and olive oil in which to cook them." And Satan brought forth deep fried fish and chicken-fried steak so big it needed its own platter. And Man gained more weight and his cholesterol went through the roof.

God then created a light, fluffy white cake, named it "Angel Food Cake," and said, "It is good." Satan then created chocolate cake and named it "Devil's Food."

God then brought forth running shoes so that His children might lose those extra pounds. And Satan gave cable TV with a remote control so Man would not have to toil changing the channels. And Man and Woman laughed and cried before the flickering blue light and gained pounds.

Then God brought forth the potato, naturally low in fat and brimming with nutrition. And Satan peeled off the healthful skin and sliced the starchy center into chips and deep-fried them. And Man gained pounds.

God then gave lean beef so that Man might consume fewer calories and still satisfy his appetite. And Satan created McDonald's and its 99-cent double cheeseburger. Then said, "You want fries with that?" And Man replied, "Yes! And super size them!" And Satan said, "It is good." And Man went into cardiac arrest.

God sighed and created quadruple bypass surgery.

Then Satan created HMOs.

I think you should go take a lokk at his blog, "Here, There, and Back" and you might enjoy this post, too!

A Borrowed Chuckle

From Anne, over at Boker Tov, comes this chuckle:

Mimi writes that "with all the negative news you have to print on your blog, I thought you'd appreciate some humor." Yes, todah rabah! And here is part of what she sent:


Saddam Hussein called President Bush and said, "George, I had a wonderful dream last night. I could see America, the whole country, and on each house I saw a banner."

"What did it say on the banners?" Mr. Bush said.

Saddam replied, "Long Live Saddam Hussein."

Mr. Bush responded, "You know, Saddam I am really happy you called. Last night, I had a similar dream. I could see all of Baghdad, and it was more beautiful than ever. It had been rebuilt completely, and on each house flew an enormous banner."

"What did the banners say?" Saddam asked.

"I don't know," replied Mr. Bush, "I can't read Hebrew."
:)

"Apologies? We Don't Give No Stinkin' Apologies!"

Do the newspapers have nothing pertinent to say?

I ask because I seem to see the same garbage as headlines and above-the-fold stories, that are interesting, but hardly news. At least not news by normal standards. What I see, for instance, from the self-proclaimed ‘Best Newspaper in Florida’ and ‘10th Best Newspaper in America’ is pretty much standard fare for a tabloid.

Not that The St. Petersburg Times is as entertaining as ‘The Globe’, or ‘The National Enquirer’. Even ‘The Star’ is more enjoyable. But when we read the tabloids we aren’t actually expecting to read ‘news’, now are we? No. When we read tabloids we expect the odd, the weird, and the downright nonsensical. And when we read the morning newspaper, we expect to read news: information about what happened in the town, state, Nation, and World yesterday. We expect to read updates on that information as they occur, and we do expect to read analysis of some news items. We also expect to read Editorials – Opinions! – and Letters to the Editor.

What don’t we expect in a morning newspaper, or shouldn’t we expect? Sensationalism masquerading as vital news of the day. Editorializing on the front page called Analysis, when it is not analysis except in the greatest stretch of the imagination. We don’t expect to read headlines that take shots at one political or religious group, while we also read headlines that stroke another political or religious group.

Sound sensible? Does it remind you of the kind of newspaper you read? Or one you wish you read?

The MSM is constantly re-examining itself to discover why the readership is down, why the Network viewership is falling, why listeners are not supporting the Radio programs they think we should be supporting (NPR anyone?). This happens so often that it is difficult if not impossible, to take these ‘mea culpas’ seriously anymore.

When the MSM lost their minds and any semblance of fairness during the Katrina fiasco, they seemed to realize that something had gone terribly wrong, didn’t they? Did any of the Networks apologize for their huge mistakes? No? What about the newspapers, such as the Washington Post, or the NYTimes? Not really, huh? No, they just put their heads down and kept on with the Party line, didn’t they?

And haven’t they done precisely that each time they have failed in such a spectacular way? Yep. They have.

“Oh, how did we get the election projections so wrong?”

“How could the polling have been so far off?”

“How could ragtag, under-fed, ill-equipped soldiers of the US Armed Forces possibly defeat the 10th most powerful armed forces in the World?” – (They did that one twice, Folks!)

And so on and on.

The local newspaper here, The St. Petersburg Times, is owned by The Poynter Institute, “The Poynter Institute is a school for journalists, future journalists, and teachers of journalists.” And what does a school of Journalism turn out? Socialists. Who write for newspapers, magazines, news networks, and so on.

If you doubt that, consider this: most journalists (we used to call them reporters, when they reported what was happening) consider it their job and duty, to shape – mold – public opinion. And the molding they push is that of World Socialism. Sounds like the products of Teaching Schools, doesn’t it?

I know when I read the newspaper – I don’t read one daily anymore, nor do I subscribe any longer, I’ll be damned if I’ll put money into the pockets of A$$Hats like those at the SPTimes! – I get very frustrated by the innuendoes that get by the editors, the boosterism of a particular political party – and a particular wing of it – that are acceptable to the editors, the misleading headlines – that say A, but describe M, thus attempt to mislead the readers who just skim articles – that are never corrected (not in big type, right?), pictures of those they dislike (hate) taken in bad lighting or in embarrassing detail, while showing pictures of those they support(love) in heroic poses, and favorable lighting.

Boosterism is fine in the Sports pages. Don’t have a problem with that at all. I don’t live in Cincinnati. I don’t expect to read in depth articles about the starting pitcher of the Reds, or the make-up of the offensive line of the Bengals. ‘The Sporting News’ is for that kind of fanatic. Even the mild pushing of projects that benefits the local community or the State has its place. That’s how parks, playgrounds, The Pinellas Trail get built.

But pushing the political agenda of some tiny, Leftist, minority group with big mouths and threats to match is unconscionable. That isn’t news. Not unless that group is being arrested, investigated, or paid off. We need to know that.

Boosting – cheerleading – a National Political Party, and denouncing, in blanket terms, another Political Party is not news. It is pushing an agenda. Increasingly it is pushing a decidedly anti-American agenda. At times, in my opinion, it borders, and even crosses the line, on treason.

Think I’m paranoid? Well, I may be. But the MSM has cozied up to Communists and Communism for nearly a century. The love affair the MSM has held with Fidel Castro and Che Guevara has continued despite the facts of those individuals bloodthirsty nature, their heinous crimes, their truly malevolent activities since 1958. The lies Castro told, which the MSM reported, breathlessly, as truth, have long since been exposed. Indeed, they were exposed at the time! Yet the MSM ignored the truth and continued with their favorite “Hide The Commie” labeling. Fidel was an ‘Agrarian Reformer’, just as was Mao before him, as was Ho Chi Minh, and every other bloody dictator of the Left.

Has the MSM ever apologized for their own roles in the furtherance of the destiny of these horrid men and their regimes? Nope.

Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe (Rhodesia)? Another one. Agrarian Reformer? Yep! Has the media ever told the whole truth about what has happened in Zimbabwe since Mugabe and his Communists took power? No. Of course not. We don’t expose the bloodshed and outright state-sanctioned murders of our heroes, do we?

*sigh*

The MSM can trumpet BS (Barbara Streisand, as Rush says! LOL) such as the Gospel of Judas, push the value of ‘The DaVinci Code’ as it attacks the very foundation of Christianity, and demand apologies for imagined slights and imagined insults from those they wish defeated in the public arena, or dead and forgotten. But apologize? For absolute errors on their part?

Never! Because to apologize, in any sincerity, means the very foundation of the modern MSM must be examined, for all to see. And that rotten base of lies and distortions would never hold up under public scrutiny.

Thus, when I read the newspaper, I know they have nothing pertinent to say. Yet, like most Americans, I keep on hoping!

Buy My Book!

Yeee-Hah! Guess what? "Benning's War" is finally available in Print! That's right! You can order the book I slaved over, for years, in paperback! Ohhhh, I am so excited I can hardly believe it!

Hehehee!

"Benning's War" is my very first literary 'child', and I am proud of it. I think it works real well as an adventure tale, as a love story, as a story of sibling rivalry and of growth. In my opinion it also works fairly well as History. No, it's no text book. But it hits enough important points, in relating a story of the American Revolution, that any reader can learn something about our Founding Fathers.

You see, as important as the Washingtons, Jeffersons, Adamses, and such were, the Revolution was won by ordinary Americans. Men and Women much like you and me, living in a simpler, but harder time. Men and Women who wanted freedom, and could only find it by throwing off their British parents. And my book doesn't celebrate the 'Greats' of the Revolution so much as the ordinary people who fought, died, suffered, won, celebrated.

I hope you will go buy the book! Please do! I can use a winner, you know? ; )
And remember that it is also available as an ebook: Buy "Benning's War" in ebook!

The ebook is now available at ePress-online.com! Buy other epress ebooks there, too! I know the writers, and they are very talented, and their work is impressive! Go! Buy!

See? Excited! Can you imagine what would happen if a producer saw the book? Hehehee! Movie Rights?

*sigh*

Okay, I'm calmer now. ; )

Please go buy my book. Notice I didn't use an exclamation mark? Impressive control, eh?

It's Available in PRINT! YaaaaaHOOOOOOO!

Catching The Flow? 866 words here!

When we set up this Novel Writing Month as a feeble, yet personal copy of NaNoWriMo, I expected to have one hell of a struggle. I like the idea of this, because it's a way to push writers to write. What better way for the weakest among us to get pushed to be productive than to gather a gaggle of writers to push? Is that a gaggle or a giggle? *shrug*

But I did not expect to be productive. And I have the excuses all ready, too! You betcha! 'Cause the excuses for not writing are so damned easy.

"Well, the power went off, and my computer is dead." *shrug*

"Ahhh, well, every pen I own is dry! Really! Nothing but torn paper when I try to use 'em" *shrug*

"I caught the most awful virus, and I can't write. I just keep vomiting on the keyboard." *shrug*

"My grandmother/father died. So sad." *shrug*

Get the picture? Yeah, I know, it's a grand waste of imagination, isn't it? But then, it never does take much imagination to come up with an excuse. And that's just sad. Even at your darkest moments, there's nothing keeping you from pulling pad and pencil from a pocket. Nothing keeping you from writing.

Good golly, look at all the emotions you could be describing - from the inside! The reactions around you, the physical feelings and accompanying descriptions. *sigh* And you could waste all that for actual problems, that keep you from sitting quietly at your computer, and typing.

Yeah, as if logic keeps any of us from acting stupid.

Well, as I say, I was ready to slap a few excuses down. But a funny thing happened after the start. I got interested in this. I wanted to write for this. I wanted to make the 50,000 words. I wanted to be successful!

And then the river started up. You writers know what I mean. The words start as a trickle, and they come to you faster and faster. Soon enough they are a torrent, a flood! They actually come faster than you can write them down. Type them. They are a river in flood. And you get swept along. Happily, I might add.

Is this how a painter feels? Do the brush strokes come to mind like that, the image of the finished work filling the mind before the painter can even mix his pigments? The Composer? Does she find the notes flowing through her mind at a pace she cannot catch? Do the sounds of the music fill her head in such a profusion that she can scarce write them down?

Does the Actor suddenly attain that special insight into his character that he worked for weeks to accomplish? Does it come to him in a wave?

Wish I knew. But I don't. I only can describe what happens to the Writer who suddenly breaks through those nasty walls, sees the Promised Land beyond, and flies through, wings beating, chest swelling with happiness ..... *sigh*

Today, aside from this post, I managed to write, in three sessions, some four thousand words of prose. All parts of a Science Fiction novel I am working on. All flowing from a few thoughts, thoughts I sparked by re-reading a paragraph in a file I saved long ago.

Four thousand words! Hey! That's a lot! A bundle of consonants, and a herd of vowels! And the sad thing is it's been years since I had this feeling of ...Wordiness'. The feeling that all I need do is start typing, and the words will eb there at the end of my fingers.

That's what went on with 'Benning's War' so many years ago. The time came when the story flowed from me, with little conscious thought on my part. Okay, I know that sounds weird to some, and a tad scary to others. But it's not. Not really. It's an experience I know other writers have. Some not very often; some often enough to be almost boring. Almost! But not quite. Why? Because when it isn't there, when the words are not flowing from your fingertips, you become the most frustrated human on Earth.

Constipation of the writer is horrifying. You have this need to write, to tell stories, to relate epic adventures, to lay out poetic imaginings. When the mind shuts down the words, cuts the flow, you can almost feel the block. And it's frustrating. So we rejoice when we have the flow going for us.

And when the flow of words is with us, we dare not stay the flood for long. To refuse to type, or scribble, chances the end of the flood. It is almost like deliberately walking under a ladder. Almost as silly as spilling salt, and not tossing a pinch over your shoulder. Only a fool would risk missing the flood of words, the flow of the river.

Because we never know when it's coming again, do we? It may never return for us. So the smarter among us writers catches the flow, dives right in, and rides the river of words as far as they'll take us!

Funny how that happens, huh?