Musings of the Chronologically Challenged™ Fourth Generation

 
QUOTES TO REVIEW


"I know in my heart that man is good. That what is right will always eventually triumph. And there's purpose and worth to each and every life." - Ronald Reagan

"If you are called to be a street sweeper, sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. Sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, 'Here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well.' - Martin Luther King

"People don't start wars, governments do." - Ronald Reagan

"Our scientific power has outrun our spiritual power. We have guided missiles and misguided men." - Martin Luther King

"If we ever forget that we're one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under." - Ronald Reagan

"The time is always right to do what is right." - Martin Luther King

"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." - Ronald Reagan

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." - Martin Luther King

"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." - Ronald Reagan

"I submit to you that if a man hasn't discovered something he will die for, he isn't fit to live." - Martin Luther King

"Of the four wars in my lifetime none came about because the U.S. was too strong." - Ronald Reagan



PUSSYFOOTIN'™
with Lynx

>^..^< Great grandma in Iraq

>^..^< Chuck updates the Kenneth Walker case

>^..^< FALLUJAH, Iraq — Sgt. Rafael Peralta built a reputation as a man who always put his Marines' interests ahead of his own. Link from Random Fate.

>^..^< Also from Random Fate, Jack gives his usual sensible interpretation to a situation that makes no sense at all. Follow the ABC link for more details.

>^..^< The election behind him, Yellow Dog is now throwing his energy behind children's charities. Go over and read about Victory Junction and you could "get to meet the dog who could have been President!"

>^..^< Following a link from Baldilocks, I found Tortfeasor at The Agony and the Ecstasy and have fallen in love with him!! What could quicker win my heart than THIS POST? And "tortfeasor" is a misnomer. He's obviously a new age Southern Gentleman!

posted by HCL at 6:34 PM

 
Thanksgiving festivities used time normally devoted to blog-surfing, so it's possible the following has been posted elsewhere, or in several blogs. No matter. Read. --Indigo


INCOMING
Subject: A Father's Farewell
I got this from a friend and wanted to share it with you. During this joyous time of year we need to remember those who gave their all for us.
Jimmy
Ayden, NC


A FATHER'S FAREWELL

My son, the soldier, comes home for good.
At last report he had left Iraq and was waiting a flight in Kuwait. With luck he will be in Germany today and then on to Texas. By the way, he is called "remains" but I know better. He is my son.

I want to tell you about him. Not because he is so great a guy - although I think so, but because he represents the thousands of sons and daughters America is sending to far away places to secure our peace and our liberties at home.

Captain Sean Patrick Sims, commanding officer of A Company, 2-2 BN, 1st Infantry Division, was killed in action Nov. 13 in Fallujah, Iraq while clearing insurgent occupied buildings. A tough assignment, clearing an urban area. Dirty, dangerous work. Sean lost his executive officer the day before and I read of the deaths of two Marine Captains who were similarly killed in Fallujah.

It is sad when a father must write his own son's obituary. I don't know what to say. My son, like others falling in that conflict, was a hero who believed in his mission, his unit, and his men. He also believed leaders should be in the front, leading, not following. And that is how he died. He was well liked and respected by his superiors and the men in his company, who sensed his concern for their well being. He was also concerned about the well being of the Iraqi people and did his utmost to guard them from harm.

Sean was a devout catholic, who lived the tenets of his faith on a daily basis. There is no doubt in our minds that Sean is now in heaven and in the hands of our Lord. We grieve for his loss, which is our loss, but not for his soul. If anything, we ask his intercession on our behalf as he is now much better placed for that effort.

I don't know what to say or how to describe the sacrifice of your blood for this country. Having served in Vietnam, twice, having a father who spent 36 years as a soldier through two wars, and a brother who served in Vietnam twice and is now 100% disabled from his injuries there, I am encouraged by the awareness of our countrymen for the sacrifices of our children. I am thankful for the realization by our citizenry that freedom is not free.

My son was not a rampant political supporter for any party, although he was probably more Republican by instinct. But he did have an abiding trust and belief in the United States of America. He felt we are a moral nation, steadfast in our principles; this nation does not take its commitment of its sons and daughters to war lightly. But unlike many nations in the world, we do not shirk our duties to commit our blood to just and necessary causes. Because that is what keeps us free.

I think he understood something which seems to have been lost in the debates over weapons of mass destruction and poor intelligence estimates in this particular war. That is that sovereign nations must be held accountable for their actions. We cannot tolerate nations that hide behind borders and provide support to enemies who are intent on our destruction. We can debate on how this war developed and was executed. It can not be debated that nations now look carefully at their responsibility and accountability before providing such support. America has made its statement. If you support terrorism, we will find you and destroy you, whatever the cost.

My son understood this and believed what he was doing was right. But he also believed that you can't go in and destroy a country and walk away. He was anxious for the insurgents to be quickly defeated so we could start the nation building that Iraq so sorely needs. He chafed at the delays and the debates in implementing aid. He was not a romantic. He understood well the backwardness of the country, the strangle hold of its religion and more challengingly, the social and political pressure of the tribal system. They all looked insurmountable when you add them up. But he had been raised in a tradition of grit and putting one foot forward at a time, so he was not deterred by the challenge. He was faced with a difficult, dirty and seemingly impossible task, but his response was not how do I get out of it but how do I get it done.

I think his sacrifice to his nation can best be summed up in a message I received from a friend expressing condolences for his loss: "His sacrifice was made to keep my family, my sons and my grandchildren as well as all Americans safe and free and for that we will eternally be grateful." That's nice. My son would agree. That's what he thought he was doing.

In retrospect, the true hero here is his wife, who is left a young widow with a young son to raise. She is a woman of grace, and grit. She will do well by her son and her warrior husband.

Tom Sims (COL, US Army Retired)


posted by HCL at 1:55 PM

 
PUSSYFOOTIN'™
with Lynx

>^..^< Chuck's back - and regaling his fans with the story of his latest deer hunt. Didn't get his trophy yet, but - Oh Well. He enjoys hunting for it!

>^..^< There, but for the Grace of God, go our pets! Please read this and be "thankful" this holiday that our animal "children" live in America!!

>^..^< Here's what some of our heroes have to say about America Supports You.

>^..^< From Soldiers'Angels a "Message From Our Founder", plus a preview of the Christmas Project. Also note: We need state managers in the following states: AL, AK, AZ, CT, DE, DC, GA, ID, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MS, MT, NE, NV, NH, NM, NY, NC, ND, OK, OR, RI, SD, WA, WV, and WY.
[Contact Jean Keltner at soldiersangels-md-keltner@adelphia.com]

>^..^< On this Thanksgiving Day remember to give thanks for THEM. Via Jennifer Martinez



It's important the people should know what you stand for. It's equally important that they know what you won't stand for. ~~Mary H. Waldrip

Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty. ~~ John F. Kennedy

"He who knows not and knows not that he knows not is a fool - avoid him! He who knows and knows not that he knows is asleep - waken him! He who knows not and knows that he knows not wants a beating - beat him! But he who knows and knows that he knows is a wise man - know him." -- Proverb
posted by HCL at 1:10 AM

 
PUSSYFOOTIN'™
with Lynx

>^..^< A new "remember our troops" site: America Supports You. Check it out and read testimonies from average Americans who are actively helping on the homefront. You may get some new ideas of how you can be pro-active. I did.

>^..^< Mostly Cajun has posted a Letter from Iraq from a Marine writing to his father about his participation in the Fallujah battle. Please don't miss this!

>^..^< According the ObDrop GOC's research, not much is likely to be SEARED in our memories! Follow his LYNX and learn why.

>^..^< I missed this earlier, but Leslie's Omnibus has a suggestion for protection from the flu, if you can't find flu vaccine.

>^..^< How DO black people think? Baldilocks tells how she and James Taranto think. Very good springboard here.

>^..^< Sailor in the Desert offers an essay by Antonio Williams for another jump off the springboard.





INCOMING
from Jimmy, Ayden, NC

This is not intended to upset fans of tennis, basketball, football or baseball. It is, rather, an attempt to put everything in its proper perspective.

Ever wonder why golf is growing in popularity and why people who don't even play go to tournaments or watch it on TV? The following truisms may shed some light:

> Golf is an honorable game, with the overwhelming majority of players being honorable people who don't need referees.

> Golfers don't have some of their players in jail every week.

> Golfers don't kick dirt on, or throw bottles at, other people.

> Professional golfers are paid in direct proportion to how well they play.

> Golfers don't get per diem and two seats on a charter flight when they travel between tournaments.

> Golfers don't hold out for more money, or demand new contracts, because of another player's deal.

> Professional golfers don't demand that the taxpayers pay for the courses on which they play.

> When golfers make a mistake, nobody is there to cover for them or back them.

> The PGA raises more money for charity in 1 year than the NFL does in 2.

> You can watch the best golfers in the world up close, at any tournament, including the majors, all day every day for $25 or $30. The cost for even a nosebleed seat at the Super Bowl costs around $300 or more unless you buy it from scalpers in which case it's $1,000+.

> You can bring a picnic lunch to the tournament golf course, watch the best in the world and not spend a small fortune on food and drink. Try that at one of the taxpayer funded baseball or football stadiums. If you bring a soft drink into a ballpark, they'll give you two options -- get rid of it or leave.

> In golf you cannot fail 70% of the time and make $9 million a season, like the best baseball hitters ! (.300 batting average) do.

> Golf doesn't change its rules to attract fans.

> Golfers have to adapt to an entirely new playing area each week.

> Golfers keep their clothes on while they are being interviewed.

> Golf doesn't have free agency.

> In their prime, Palmer, Norman, and other stars, would shake your hand and say they were happy to meet you. In his prime Jose Canseco wore T-shirts that read "Leave Me Alone."

> You can hear birds chirping on the golf course during a tournament.

> At a golf tournament, (unlike at taxpayer-funded sports stadiums and arenas) you won't hear a steady stream of four letter words and nasty name calling while you're hoping that no one spills beer on you.

> Tiger hits a golf ball over twice as far as Barry Bonds hits a baseball.

> Golf courses don't ruin the neighborhood.

> And Finally: Here's a little slice of golf history that you might enjoy.
Why do golf courses have 18 holes? - not 20, or 10, or an even dozen? During a discussion among the club's membership board at St. Andrews in 1858, a senior member pointed out that it takes exactly 18 shots to polish off a fifth of Scotch. By limiting himself to only one shot of Scotch per hole, the Scot figured a round of golf was finished when the Scotch ran out.



DON'T YOU JUST LOVE IT? DEPARTMENT

I was in the express lane at the store quietly fuming. Completely ignoring the sign, the woman ahead of me had slipped into the check-outline pushing a cart piled high with groceries. Imagine my delight when the cashier beckoned the woman to come forward looked into the cart and asked sweetly, "So which six items would you like to buy?" Wouldn't it be great if that happened more often?!!!

[thanks to Don, the Mountain Man in Virginia]



MORE SAYINGS BY MAXINE

"If you woke up breathing, congratulations! You have another chance."

"I may be old, but people who look like me always win the lottery."

"How do you prevent sagging? Just eat till the wrinkles fill out!"

"No husband has ever been shot while doing the dishes."

"I don't make snowmen. If I'd wanted to hang around with a cold man with slush for brains, I'd still be married."

"A friend will always tell you exactly what she thinks! So I guess that makes me friends with everybody."

"Women who think about remarrying should just throw some men's underwear on the floor and shove all the blankets on the other side of the bed instead."



posted by HCL at 1:21 PM

 
THE DAFFODIL PRINCIPLE

Several times my daughter had telephoned to say, "Mother, you must come see the daffodils before they are over."

I wanted to go, but it was a two-hour drive from Laguna to Lake Arrowhead. "I will come next Tuesday", I promised, a little reluctantly, on her third call. Next Tuesday dawned cold and rainy. Still, I had promised, and so I drove there.

When I finally walked into Carolyn's house and hugged and greeted my grandchildren, I said, "Forget the daffodils, Carolyn! The road is invisible in the clouds and fog, and there is nothing in the world except you and these children that I want to see bad enough to drive another inch!"

My daughter smiled calmly and said, "We drive in this all the time, Mother."
"Well, you won't get me back on the road until it clears, and then I'm heading for home!" I assured her.
"I was hoping you'd take me over to the garage to pick up my car." "How far will we have to drive?" 'Just a few blocks," Carolyn said. "I'll drive. I'm used to this."

After several minutes, I had to ask, "Where are we going? This isn't the way to the garage!" "We're going to my garage the long way," Carolyn smiled, "by way of the daffodils."
"Carolyn," I said sternly, "please turn around."
"It's all right, Mother, I promise. You will never forgive yourself if you miss this experience."

After about twenty minutes, we turned onto a small gravel road and I saw a small church. On the far side of the church, I saw a hand lettered sign that read, "Daffodil Garden." We got out of the car and each took a child's hand, and I followed Carolyn down the path.

Then, we turned a corner of the path, and I looked up and gasped. Before me lay the most glorious sight. It looked as though someone had taken a great vat of gold and poured it down over the mountain peak and slopes. The flowers were planted in majestic, swirling patterns great ribbons and swaths of deep orange, white, lemon yellow, salmon pink, saffron, and butter yellow. Each different colored variety was planted as a group so that it swirled and flowed like its own river with its own unique hue. There were five acres of flowers.

"But who has done this?" I asked Carolyn.
"It's just one woman," Carolyn answered. "She lives on the property. That's her home." Carolyn pointed to a well kept A-frame house that looked small and modest in the midst of all that glory. We walked up to the house.

On the patio, we saw a poster. "Answers to the Questions I Know You Are Asking" was the headline. The first answer was a simple one. "50,000 bulbs," it read. The second answer was, "One at a time, by one woman. Two hands, two feet, and very little brain." The third answer was, "Began in 1958."

There it was, The Daffodil Principle. For me, that moment was a life changing experience. I thought of this woman whom I had never met, who, more than forty years before, had begun one bulb at a time to bring her vision of beauty and joy to an obscure mountain top. Still, just planting one bulb at a time, year after year, had changed the world. This unknown woman had forever changed the world in which she lived. She had created something of ineffable (indescribable) magnificence, beauty, and inspiration.

The principle her daffodil garden taught is one of the greatest principles of celebration. That is, learning to move toward our goals and desires one step at a time - often just one baby step at a time - and learning to love the doing, learning to use the accumulation of time. When we multiply tiny pieces of time with small increments of daily effort, we too will find we can accomplish magnificent things. We can change the world. "It makes me sad in a way," I admitted to Carolyn. "What might I have accomplished if I had thought of a wonderful goal thirty-five or forty years ago and had worked away at it 'one bulb at a time' through all those years. Just think what I might have been able to achieve!"

My daughter summed up the message of the day in her usual direct way. "Start tomorrow," she said. It's so pointless to think of the lost hours of yesterdays. The way to make learning a lesson of celebration instead of a cause for regret is to only ask, "How can I put this to use today?"

. . . . . Author Unknown

We convince ourselves that life will be better after we get married, have a baby, then another. Then we are frustrated that the kids aren't old enough and we'll be more content when they are. After that, we're frustrated that we have teenagers to deal with. We will certainly be happy when they are out of that stage.

We tell ourselves that our life will be complete when our spouse gets his or her act together, when we get a nicer car, when we are able to go on a nice vacation, or when we retire.

The truth is there's no better time to be happy than right now. If not now, when? Your life will always be filled with challenges. It's best to admit this to yourself and decide to be happy anyway. Happiness is the way.

So, treasure every moment that you have and treasure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time with ... and remember that time waits for no one. So, stop waiting... Until your car or home is paid off. Until you get a new car or home. Until your kids leave the house. Until you go back to school. Until you finish school. Until you lose 10 lbs.. Until you gain 10 lbs..Until you get married. Until you get a divorce. Until you have kids. Until you retire. Until summer. Until spring. Until winter. Until fall. Until you die.

There is no better time than right now to be happy. Happiness is a journey, not a destination. So work like you don't need money, Love like you've never been hurt, And dance like no one's watching.

If you want to brighten someone's day, pass this on to someone special. I just did.

[Thanks and love to Indigo's daughter in Greenville, NC, for this lovely reminder of her Daffodil Garden]


posted by HCL at 2:54 PM

 
YOU ARE THERE
training with the 26th MEU Echo Company

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - (Nov. 18, 2004) Three landing crafts crashed through the North Carolina breakers coming ashore amidst a dense cloud of sand and sea spray. The deafening sound from the massive propellers and gas turbine engines drowned out all other sounds on Onslow beach.

Inside one craft, an anxious 24-year-old Marine wireman from Oklahoma City wished he could see out the window. Training or not, this was an important moment. Surrounded by nearly 90 fellow Marines from Echo Company, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Batt. 8th Marines, it was Lance Cpl. John W. Inman's first amphibious landing. Read more

"The best part of being a Marine is knowing I'll have the life-long acknowledgement that I served with the toughest branch of the military," Lance Cpl. John W. Inman said. "The worst part is about the same."


posted by HCL at 1:17 PM

 
PUSSYFOOTIN'™
with Lynx

>^..^< Thomas Sowell on the Fallujah Marine

>^..^< Agree with Thomas Sowell? Sign here.

>^..^< Mostly Cajun has a thing or two to say as well.

>^..^< You know you've been really derelict in your blogging duties when posting 4 days out of 5 gets you an "attaboy" from your BlogSon. So in order to keep the average up, here's a pastie for perusal. And please don't disregard out of hand because it's a pastie. It's a first rate read, found via Jen Martinez.



The Military's Right To "No!"
Opinion by Don Bendell

I am proud to say that I am a Vietnam veteran and finally have some degree of closure. It occurred on November 2nd, 2004. Like my fellow warriors, earlier this year, I was unexpectedly yanked from that deep dry well of dank dark collective shame, and thrust into the bright sunlight of political overview. Called to fight the great fight once again, we fought and indeed won, and we are now healed and strong. And so, we issue a warning to our old antagonists: Biased media outlets and liberal political strategists looking ahead already, please understand this: We Viet Nam veterans insured that President George W. Bush got re-elected, and now we will also insure that you will stop politicizing the War on Terrorism. You will not traumatize, bastardize, trivialize, or disparage a new generation of honored, fighting men and women in harm’s way like you did to so many of us, so long ago, and for so many years following. You may attack them with your obvious flanking and rear assault maneuvers, but you will not win. You have to go through all of us first. Get used to that idea.

Kevin Sites, freelance embedded photojournalist (ahem) for NBC NEWS, is an anti-war activist with many of his war photos displayed on a German-based anti-war site. Way to go Peacock Network News! Been feeding at the same trough as CBS News, huh?

As a paramilitary guerilla tactic, members of al Q’ueda and other terrorists will play dead, so they can get one last explosion or shot and take out more American GI’s before they go to their version of Paradise and their promised 72 virgin goats, or whatever it is those crazed zealots die for.

But in your more perfect world, please picture this: Terrorist snipers hide in a temple and fire at unsuspecting US soldiers and even newsmen. They do not care who they shoot as long as they are an infidel. Americans return fire and kill or wound most, and then American Marines enter the building to check and clear it. Once inside, an alert young Marine notices that one of the terrorists is still alive, hiding his breathing, and obviously playing dead. Not wanting to be politically-incorrect, un-newsworthy, or insult the sensibilities of those at home who are vehemently against the war, he carefully and slowly turns the wounded terrorist over to administer first aid and comfort. The terrorist, however, has pulled the pin on a high explosive hand grenade hidden under his body. The last thing the young Marine sees is the terrorist’s eyes open wide as he smiles in perverted enthusiasm, yelling, “Allah Akbar!”

The Marine's two closest buddies die in the blast, as well as a third Marine, who being a US Marine, dives in front of the imbedded photojournalist and absorbs the shrapnel, saving the videographer’s life.

I don’t think so. I say, give the young Marine a medal and then shut up about it. I say start showing pictures of Marines and soldiers out-shooting, out-maneuvering, and out-fighting the bad guys, and then getting hugs and looks of true admiration from grateful Iraqi women and children. The way it really happens. I say show the young tough American GI tending to the flowers he planted outside his barracks, or the young bloody Marine later passing out clothes to kids he had his church ship to him, or the green berets, weary of fighting and killing, taking some time to use their expertise to help an Iraqi community rebuild a damaged mosque.

Instead of holding a news Woodstock over Abu Ghraib atrocities or My Lai atrocities, point out that both were actually stopped and reported by other American soldiers. Thanks to you, most Americans do not know that.

Al Jazeerah is an important weapon of our enemies attacking the minds of our citizens with bullets of doubt, mortars of mockery, and the explosive images of very selective horrors of war. Like mindless robotic slaves of conformity, some of you of the America news media, as well as anti-Republican self-serving political tacticians, are their witless ammo bearers. Instead of patting each other on the back for your play to the self-annointed intelligentsia, you really should start looking at your fellow countrymen. They are deserting you in droves, as you have deserted our troops for your liberal cause. You have yet, to “get it” why FOX NEWS leaves you all in the rear with the gear. It is really simple, you see. They are Americans first and foremost, and then professionally, they are actual news people, reporting; not clouding, editorializing, or rewriting our nation’s and world’s history while it is being made.

If you don’t get it. We will help you understand. You see, contrary to the images you planted, we Vietnam veterans never lost one major battle. We won them all, and we will not lose now, nor will we ever retreat. We know that 9-1-1 means “Emergency” not “Complacency,” and we are all more than willing to answer that call.

Don Bendell served as an officer in four Special Forces Groups, including a tour on a green beret A-team (Dak Pek) in Vietnam in 1968-1969, and was in the Top Secret Phoenix Program, is a top-selling author of 21 books, with over 1,500,000 copies of his books in print worldwide, a 1995 inductee into the International Karate Hall of Fame, and owns karate schools in southern Colorado. His pro-Bush/anti-Kerry editorials were widely-published in newspapers and magazines, and circulated by millions all over the world on the internet. He has been interviewed on FOX NEWS LIVE and on many radio shows and speaks all over the country.

Permission is hereby granted to reprint, copy, or pass this on wherever and to whomever you choose. This is posted on my website with other political editorials.

Blessings,
Don Bendell


posted by HCL at 12:15 AM

 



Hurt troops need clothes, toiletries

By Justin Willett
Staff writer

LANDSTUHL, Germany - When wounded troops arrive at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center they often are wearing the same clothes they were wearing when they were injured; usually a dirty desert camouflage uniform, sometimes just a pair of boxer shorts.

The troops receive a $250 voucher from the Department of Defense. But they are often unable to make it to the nearest Army and Air Force Exchange Services store at Ramstein Air Base for clothes or toiletries.

That's where Landstuhl's Pastoral Services Department comes in. Pastoral services runs the Chaplain's Closet, a tiny building packed full of donated clothes, toiletries,! books, movies and other personal items. Lt. Col. Robert Hicks is a chaplain with the Alabama Air Guard. He works with Army, Marine, Navy and Air Force chaplains on getting the troops what they need.

This weekend, volunteers delivered wheelchairs full of items to hundreds of troops who arrived from Fallujah in the past week.

Senior Airman Karly Vogel, who is in the Minnesota Air Guard and is a chaplain's assistant at Landstuhl said the biggest need right now is large and extra-large sweatpants and shirts for Germany's cold weather. "We rely on donations." she said. "There's so many troops that come through here, we have to work quick to get them what they need."

Col. Eric Holmstrom is an Army reservist who was activated for one year and made chief of pastoral services at Landstuhl. He said the hospital is a good place to minister, but there are always needs. "We always have patients," he said. "And we always have a need." Holmstrom said men's shoes sizes nine to 12 are in high demand as is cash.

Pastoral services only accepts new items. Ongoing needs at the Chaplain's Closet include: men's shoes sizes nine to 12, women's shoes size six to nine, men's and women's winter coats sizes medium through extra-large, and backpacks, gym bags and small suitcases.

Send checks to:
USAREUR Chaplains Fund
Commander, Landstuhl Regional Medical Center
Attention: MCEUL-CH/Chaplains Office
CMR 402 APO AE09180

[Thanks to Doc Farmer for the heads-up. docfarmer9999@yahoo.co.uk. ]



PUSSYFOOTIN'™

>^..^< Please visit the Wounded Warrior site and do what you can. It'll really make you feel good.

>^..^< Been wanting to know where to make your voice heard on the Fallujah Marine? Sign the petition here. Link from Iraq War Today. Thanks, Patti.

>^..^< And NC Bloggers, remember these folks! http://www.fayettevillenc.com/story.php?Template=local&Story=6685771



posted by HCL at 9:36 AM

 
UPDATE:

BLOGS ABOUT THE FALLUJAH MARINE
(yes, that one!)


From Rivrdog: Who was right, NBC or the Marine?

From Baldilocks: Note to MSM: the marine did not shoot a prisoner!

From Powerline: I want to pass on this email from a Marine in the 11th MEU:

From SlagleRock: Much more to follow.

From Mamamontezz: "someone in authority needs to make a public statement of support for the young Marine"

From Jennifer Martinez: "received from an old Combat Marine."

[Indigo Note: These blogs were the first I came upon. Each of these will direct your reading to other blogs.]
posted by HCL at 6:38 PM

 
THE SHEEPDOGS

Most humans truly are like sheep,
Wanting nothing more than peace to keep.
To graze, grow fat and raise their young,
Sweet taste of clover on the tongue.
Their lives serene upon Life’s farm,
They sense no threat nor fear no harm.
On verdant meadows, they forage free
With naught to fear, with naught to flee.
They pay their sheepdogs little heed
For there is no threat; there is no need.

To the flock, sheepdogs are mysteries,
Roaming watchful round the peripheries.
These fang-toothed creatures bark, they roar
With the fetid reek of the carnivore,
Too like the wolf of legends told,
To be amongst our docile fold.
Who needs sheepdogs? What good are they?
They have no use, not in this day.
Lock them away, out of our sight;
We have no need of their fierce might.

But sudden in their midst a beast
Has come to kill, has come to feast.
The wolves attack; they give no warning
Upon that calm September morning.
They slash and kill with frenzied glee
Their passive helpless enemy
Who had no clue the wolves were there
Far roaming from their Eastern lair.
Then from the carnage, from the rout,
Comes the cry, “Turn the sheepdogs out!”

Thus is our nature but too our plight
To keep our dogs on leashes tight
And live a life of illusive bliss,
Hearing not the beast, his growl, his hiss.
Until he has us by the throat,
We pay no heed; we take no note.
Not until he strikes us at our core
Will we unleash the Dogs of War
Only having felt the wolf pack’s wrath
Do we loose the sheepdogs on its path.
And the wolves will learn what we’ve shown before;
We love our sheep, we Dogs of War.

Russ Vaughn
2d Bn, 327th Parachute Infantry Regiment
101st Airborne Division
Vietnam 65-66



INCOMING

Four Candles...Peace, Faith, Love and Hope...
[Thanks to Kristi, Greenville, NC]



Your work is to discover your work and then, with all your heart, to give yourself to it. ~~Buddha

We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools. ~~Martin Luther King, Jr.



PUSSYFOOTIN'™
with LYNX

>^..^< To the Marine who shot first and investigated later: Illegitimi non carborundum. UPDATE Been wanting to know where to make your voice heard? Here's the petition. Sign here. Link from Iraq War Today. Thanks, Patti.

>^..^< And also Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas. Looked in HERE lately?

>^..^< Under Construction. Opening Soon.

>^..^< Both GOCs are in rare form today. Check #1 here and #2 here.



SENIOR MOMENT

Six Little Old Ladies

I passed by the nursing home and there were six old ladies lying naked in the front grass. I thought this was a little peculiar, but continued on my way because it's a long walk and I wanted to get it over with before it got truly hot again today.

On my way back, the ladies were still lying in the yard. To quench my curiosity, I went inside and asked to speak to the director of the facility. When I asked him if he knew there were six naked old ladies lying on his front lawn, he replied, "Yes, I know. They're retired prostitutes and they're having a yard sale."




posted by HCL at 8:13 PM

 
PUSSYFOOTIN™
with Lynx

>^..^< Thanks for the "Lynx", BlogSon. Cute.

>^..^< See it here, because it will not be seen on MSM.

Wanted to get those in before the next SM™. More whenever.
posted by HCL at 1:29 AM

 
Oooops!

BIRTHDAY IN AFGHANISTAN

FORWARD OPERATING BASE SALERNO, Afghanistan - Marines carry the ceremonial birthday cake at the Marine Corps' 229th birthday ceremony Nov. 10 at Forward Operating Base Salerno. Photo by: Army Staff Sgt. Bradley Rhen


posted by HCL at 11:37 AM

 
Thanks again, Vets. I'm taking an extended Veterans appreciation weekend. See you next week.
posted by HCL at 1:15 PM

 
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARINES!

Thank you for 229 inspiring years of service to America and the world!
posted by HCL at 8:04 AM

 
VETERAN'S DAY TRIBUTE FROM THE ARCHIVES


THE AMERICAN SOLDIER

The average age of the military man is 19 years. He is a short haired, tight-muscled kid who, under normal circumstances, is considered by society as half man, half boy. Not yet dry behind the ears, not old enough to buy a beer, but old enough to die for his country.

He never really cared much for work and he would rather wax his own car than wash his father's; but he has never collected unemployment either.

He's a recent High School graduate; he was probably an average student, pursued some form of sport activities, drives a ten year old jalopy, and has a steady girlfriend that either broke up with him when he left, or swears to be waiting when he returns from half a world away.

He listens to country, rock and roll, or hip-hop, or rap, or jazz, or swing, and 155mm Howitzers.

He is 10 or 15 pounds lighter now than when he was at home because he is working or fighting from before dawn to well after dusk.

He has trouble spelling, thus letter writing is a pain for him, but he can field strip a rifle in 30 seconds and reassemble it in less time in the dark. He can recite to you the nomenclature of a machine gun or grenade launcher and use either one effectively if he must.

He digs foxholes and latrines and can apply first aid like a professional.

He can march until he is told to stop or stop until he is told to march.

He obeys orders instantly and without hesitation, but he is not without spirit or individual dignity.

He is self-sufficient. He has two sets of fatigues: he washes one and wears the other. He keeps his canteens full and his feet dry.

He sometimes forgets to brush his teeth, but never to clean his rifle.

He can cook his own meals, mend his own clothes, and fix his own hurts. If you're thirsty, he'll share his water with you; if you are hungry, his food.

He'll even split his ammunition with you in the midst of battle when you run low.

He has learned to use his hands like weapons and weapons like they were his hands. He can save your life - or take it, because that is his job.

He will often do twice the work of a civilian, draw half the pay and still find ironic humor in it all. He has seen more suffering and death then he should have in his short lifetime.

He has stood atop mountains of dead bodies, and helped to create them.

He has wept in public and in private, for friends who have fallen in combat and is unashamed.

He feels every note of the National Anthem vibrate through his body while at rigid attention, while tempering the burning desire to 'square-away' those around him who haven't bothered to stand, remove their hat, or even stop talking. In an odd twist, day in and day out, far from home, he defends their right to be disrespectful.

Just as did his Father, Grandfather, and Great-grandfather, he is paying the price for our freedom.

Beardless or not, he is not a boy.

He is the American Fighting Man that has kept this country free for over 200 years.

He has asked nothing in return, except our friendship and understanding.

Remember him, always, for he has earned our respect and admiration with his blood.

posted by B. at 8:43 AM - Friday, March 28, 2003

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN

Any Fourth of July celebration/festivity I’ve ever attended in my life (never mind how many that is!!) pale by comparison to the events held each 4th of July at the Camp LeJeune Marine Base. What makes that one so special, you ask? The United States Marine Corps, of course!!!

The one yesterday was somewhat more inconvenient to civilian visitors than previous years, but that was expected. The long lines of vehicles waiting for registration and license checks was something new; however, Marines at the gates were extremely polite and efficient and everything went smoothly. The fact that they were armed to the teeth may have facilitated admission too! That was also a first.

I have no idea how large the parade ground is. “Several football fields” comes to mind. Whatever the size, it was filled with spectators – estimated as “tens of thousands”. (Wild guess – maybe 50 – 60)

The Piece de Resistance, as always, was the Grand Finale. As the sun set, the Marine Corps Band began a fantastic concert. No toes could remain still! This segment was highlighted by The Marine Corps Hymn, with a moving recitation and re-enactment of the raising of the flag on Mount Suribachi. Every Marine, active and veteran, on the parade ground stood at attention. Military marches and classical selections concluded (perfectly timed with darkness) with the 1812 Overture. The cannons punctuating the Overture were real cannons, actually fired for the performance. These were lined up approximately half a football field away from spectators, so the fire from the ends of the cannons was clearly visible and the noise was deafening.

As the last notes of the 1812 Overture faded with the reverberations of cannons, again synchronized to the second, the fireworks exhibition began. The length and intensity of this display made “awesome” an inadequate adjective.

God Bless America!

posted by B. at 11:42 PM - Friday, July 05, 2002

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


MILITARY APPRECIATION

In perusing the blogs to keep my finger on the pulse of Blogger World, I learned from Misha, the "Nice Doggie" man, that November is National Military Appreciation Month. Please visit this site and say "thank you" to our military, if you're appreciative.

Some of the commenters expressed uncertainties about how to handle a direct contact with military personnel. What would be appropriate? Rushing into the debate to get my two cents in, I posted the following:

Posted by Indigo at November 7, 2002 10:44 AM --
To hug or not to hug? Depends on who YOU are. A handshake may be more appropriate. I'm a grandmother and Saturday night before Mother's Day, I was treated to a lovely dinner at Outback. At the large round table next to ours were about 10 USMC Special Ops. Mean and lean and BEAUTIFUL. They had obviously just returned from the Afghan war zone and were enjoying a celebratory night out. After much toasting and congratulating each other, they settled in to enjoy a raucous and delicious meal. Our party ended before theirs did, and when I arose from the table, I took one step toward the Marines' table and announced: "If anyone will not be getting a Mother's Day hug tomorrow, here's your chance." As a unit, they jumped from their chairs and queued up!! Some of the biggest grins and tightest hugs I have ever received!!!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


THE SOLDIER

Close your eyes and picture in your mind the soldier at Valley Forge, as he holds his musket in his bloody hands.

He stands barefoot in the snow, starved from lack of food, wounded from months of battle, and emotionally scarred from the eternity away from his family surrounded by nothing but death and carnage of war.

He stands tough, with fire in his eyes and victory on his breath. He looks at us now in anger and disgust and tells us this...

I gave you a birthright of freedom born in the Constitution and now your children graduate too illiterate to read it. I fought in the snow barefoot to give you the freedom to vote and you stay at home because it rains. I left my family destitute to give you the freedom of speech and you remain silent on critical issues, because it might be bad for business. I orphaned my children to give you a government to serve you and it has stolen democracy from the people.

It's the soldier, not the reporter who gives you the freedom of the press. It's the soldier, not the poet who gives you the freedom of speech. It's the soldier, not the campus organizer who allows you to demonstrate. It's the soldier who salutes the flag, serves the flag, whose coffin is draped with the flag, that allows the protester to burn the flag!!!

"God, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. Amen."

When you receive this, please stop for a moment and say a prayer for our U.S. ground troops in Afghanistan, and the ones facing deployment to Iraq at this very moment - and all over this world. Of all the gifts you could give a US Soldier, Prayer is the very best one.....

posted by B. at 12:29 PM - Sunday, December 22, 2002

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


FROM THE IN-BOX

This is the most inspiring "Christmas card" I have received this year -- perhaps ANY year. Please take a few minutes to link here and, hopefully, to the other links you will find. Don't miss the Home link. We all know the "reason for the season" but we may need a reminder of the reason we are free to celebrate it.

posted by B. at 1:19 PM - Friday, December 13, 2002

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


I GOT YOUR BACK

I am a small and precious child;
My dad's been sent to fight...
The only place I'll see his face
is in my dreams at night.
He will be gone too many days
for my young mind to keep track.
I may be sad, but I am proud.
My daddy's got your back.

I am a caring mother.
My son has gone to war...
My mind is filled with worries
that I have never known before.
Everyday I try to keep
my thoughts from turning black.
I may be scared, but I am proud.
My son has got your back.

I am a strong and loving wife,
with a husband soon to go.
There are times I'm terrified
in a way most never know.
I bite my lip, and force a smile
as I watch my husband pack...
My heart may break, but I am proud.
My husband's got your back...

I am a Military Man standing Proudly, standing Tall.
I fight for freedom, yours and mine,
by answering this call.
I do my job while knowing the thanks it
sometimes lacks.
Say a prayer that I'll come home. It's me
who's got your back.

posted by B. at 10:39 AM - Tuesday, March 25, 2003

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


WELCOME HOME!

A glorious day on the North Carolina Coast! Our Marines are landing!! They are unloading on Radio Island as I type. Radio Island is about 40 miles from Camp LeJeune and the Marines will be driven home on chartered busses. The highway bringing them home is named "Freedom Way" - which says it all. It says Highway 24 belongs to our heroes. It's their return route back to home and family every time they come back. The entire 40 miles is festooned with flags, yellow ribbons, patriotic signs affixed to telephone polls (These are permanent signs, purchased and maintained by local towns, that go up and down in conjunction with deployments.), and bed sheets. Yes. Bed sheets. A long time ago, some ingenious wife hit on the idea of painting a special "love and welcome home to (fill in rank and name)" on a sheet and attaching it to the chain link fence that runs along Highway 24 for many miles. It seems to be a tradition now. The sheet graffiti covers every possible welcome message. The most touching are from the children. "Welcome Home, Daddy. We love you." The closer the busses get to Camp LeJeune, the closer together the sheets hang on the fence. The linen sections of local department stores flourish, I'm sure, because literally hundreds of hand-painted sheets are up by homecoming day. Even the sun came out in all its brilliance today, after many days of rain, to welcome our wonderful guys and gals back to the Crystal Coast of North Carolina.

The pride and love for the United States Marine Corps and Navy is unabashedly displayed here by family and civilian residents. And we're all so happy they're back. Thanks to all our military personnel for a job well done.

posted by B. at 12:03 PM - Sunday, June 22, 2003

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Saturday, July 05, 2003

The beautiful, blue Carolina sky dawned July 4th with just enough fluffy clouds in the sky to appear to be faces smiling down on the spectacular coast of North Carolina -- home of Camp Lejeune and the United States Marines and Sailors. What a perfect and well-deserved welcome home to military personnel who have been returning for the last several days.

The annual affair is always family-oriented, but this year it was more so. It was Family Reunion day. Children kept touching their daddies, as if to hold on to them and not let them get away again. Last year the crowd was impressive. I had never seen so many people together at one place, other than at a football game. This year it was astounding and outstanding in the palpable love among the people - military and civilian. A real emotion-charged day for all.

A FDNY engine and more than 100 New York firemen were present. The Assistant Fire Chief ceremoniously presented an I-beam from the wreckage of the World Trade Center to Camp Lejeune for a permanent memorial. He said that Camp Lejeune and NYC would be the only places where WTC wreckage would become part of a memorial for New York City Firemen and Camp Lejeune Marines. He shared a moving personal vignette telling that a large percentage of NY City Firemen were previous Marines. And of those, a large number had been stationed at Camp Lejeune, including himself in 1963.

A preview was published July 3 on The Globe site which was quite accurate, other than emphasizing the tremendous size of the assemblage.

"Pulled from the wreckage of the World Trade Center, an I-beam recently began its journey through six states to the base from Manhattan. New York City Fire Department chaplain blessed the beam and more than 100 New York firefighters are accompanying it. The department is presenting the 9-11 “icon” to the Marine Corps Base and II Marine Expeditionary Force commanding generals during scheduled July 4th celebrations Friday at W.P.T. Hill Field."

Watching the five Marines re-enacting the raising of the flag on Iwo Jima, I thought how proud they must be. To be chosen as stand-ins for those heroic and famous Marines on Mount Surabachi will be something to tell for the rest of their lives. Plenty of bragging rights there. The Marine Band Concert was highlighted again this year by the 1812 Overture, accompanied by live cannon fire, culminating with the fireworks exhibition.

God Bless America!

posted by B. at 10:51 PM - July 5, 2003

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Dear Civilians,

We know that the current state of affairs in our great nation have many civilians up in arms and excited to join the military. For those of you who can't join, you can still lend a hand. Here are a few of the areas where we would like your assistance:

(1) The next time you see an adult talking (or wearing a hat) during the playing of the National Anthem---kick their ass.

(2) When you witness, firsthand, someone burning the American Flag in protest---kick their ass.

(3) Regardless of the rank they held while they served, pay the highest amount of respect to all veterans. If you see anyone doing otherwise, quietly pull them aside and explain how these veterans fought for the very freedom they bask in every second. Enlighten! them on the many sacrifices these veterans made to make this Nation great. Then hold them down while a disabled veteran kicks their ass.

(4) (GUYS) If you were never in the military, DO NOT pretend that you were. Wearing battle dress uniforms (BDUs), telling others that you used to be "Special Forces," and collecting GI Joe memorabilia, might have been okay when you were seven years old. Now, it will only make you look stupid and get your ass kicked.

(5) Next time you come across an Air Force member, do not ask them, "Do you fly a jet?" Not everyone in the Air Force is a pilot. Such ignorance deserves an ass-kicking (children are exempt).

(6) If you witness someone calling the US Coast Guard 'non-military', inform them of their mistake---and kick their ass.

(7) Next time Old Glory (the US flag) prances by during a parade, get on your damn feet and pay homage to her by placing your hand over your heart. Quietly thank the military member or veteran lucky enough to be carrying her---of course, failure to do either of those could earn you a severe ass-kicking.

(8) Don't try to discuss politics with a military member or a veteran.. We are Americans, and we all bleed the same, regardless of our party affiliation. Our Chain of Command is to include our Commander-In-Chief (CinC). The President (for those who didn't know) is our CinC regardless of political party. We have no inside track on what happens inside those big important buildings where all those representatives meet. All we know is that when those civilian representatives screw up the situation, they call upon the military to go straighten it out. If you keep asking us the same stupid questions repeatedly, you will get your ass kicked!

(9) 'Your mama wears combat boots' never made sense to me---stop saying it! If she did, she would most likely be a vet and therefore, could kick your ass!

(10) Bin Laden and the Taliban are not Communists, so stop saying 'Let's go kill those Commies!' And stop asking us where he is! Crystal balls are not standard issue in the military. That reminds me---if you see anyone calling those damn psychic phone numbers, let me know, so I can go kick their ass.

(11) 'Flyboy' (Air Force), 'Jarhead' (Marines), 'Grunt' (Army), 'Squid' (Navy), 'Puddle Jumpers' (Coast Guard), etc., are terms of endearment we use describing each other. Unless you are a service member or vet, you have not earned the right to use them. That could get your ass kicked.

(12) Last, but not least, whether or not you become a member of the military, support our troops and their families. Every Thanksgiving and religious holiday that you enjoy with family and friends, please remember that there are literally thousands of sailors and troops far from home wishing they could be with their families. Thank God for our military and the sacrifices they make every day. Without them, our country would get its ass kicked."

"It is the soldier, not the reporter who has given us the freedom of the press.

"It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us the freedom of speech.

"It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who gives us the freedom to demonstrate.

"It is the soldier who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag."


(Please pass this on so I won't have to kick your ass!) :-)

"If you can read this, thank a teacher"
"If you are reading it in English, thank a veteran."

[Thanks to James & Lisa Shelbourne of Jonesville, VA - November 10, 2004]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

posted by HCL at 11:59 PM

 
Pennywit has blogged an open letter to Michael Moore that needs to be read by everyone still wondering "what happened?" PW has been a favorite liberal blogger of mine for quite a while -- mainly because he thinks things out, rather than feels things out! Read his letter here in its entirety. Thanks to Jack at Random Fate for the link.


A Letter to the Carnival Barker of the Apocalypse

Submitted by pennywit on Mon, 11/08/2004 - 10:13. Analysis/Commentary | Book Wars | Internet | Movies | Quality of Discourse | The Eternal Campaign

Dear Michael Moore:

Go away. Go far, far away. You cost us the 2004 election.

Because you decided to stir up the hornet's nest with Fahrenheit 9/11 and your ridiculous "Slacker Tour," not only did John Kerry lose the presidency, but the Democratic Party lost seats in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. There's plenty of blame to go around in this election, and I focus the blame on you. Why?

Let's start with Fahrenheit 9/11. Spinsanity has documented your fabrications and exaggerations in that movie, from your mischaracterization of the Florida recount to your insinuations of a long-term financial relationship between the bin Laden family and the Bush family.

I'm very glad that you made a lot of money from that movie. You're living proof that a man with a camera and a shaky grasp of the truth can succeed in a capitalist society. I'm also sure that you enjoy rubbing shoulders with Democratic hoi-polloi and getting invited to all the best socially conscious parties.

Makes you feel real special, doesn't it? Michael Moore, the new Moses, leading liberals to the Promised Land of multilateralism, national health care, and every other utopian ideal you can think of. Sounds like a great place. I'd like to live there. But there is no liberal Promised Land, and you sure ain't Moses. The role is a poor fit for you, and most people, moderate liberals among them, see you for what you really are.

You're more like the carnival barker of the liberal Apocalypse. You rant about corporations, conspiracies, and nearly everything else that your audience will lap up. You pretend to be a populist crusader leading the charge against Evil Red America, but you're really a fraud. You've made millions of dollars with your movies. You've pocketed plenty of money from your books, and, you have made your money thanks to corporate America. Are those the same evil corporations that compelled the United States to invade Iraq?

But I digress. You have spent the past two years on a crusade against the Conservative, but you've mainly made a spectacle of yourself. With your deliberately shaky grasp on reality, you've also made a mockery of the very people you profess to support: your fellow liberals.

If I try to show my conservative friends that not all liberals are nutballs, I first have to disavow the nutball-in-chief. That's you, Michael. With your antics and the Democratic Party elite's willingness to embrace you, you gave the conservatives a ready-made boogeyman to wave in front of America. See these crazy liberals! They're all just like Michael Moore!

Thanks, Michael. Thanks a lot.

If you want to do your party -- indeed, all liberals -- a big favor, then take your movie cameras, take your Web site, take your millions in book and movie royalties, take yourself, and go away.

Sincerely,

Pennywit


posted by HCL at 5:48 PM

 
JUST IN --
from my friend John in New Jersey

Let's All Shop At Sears!!!!!!

I assume you have all seen the reports about how Sears is treating its reservist employees who are called up? By law, they are required to hold their jobs open and available, but nothing more. Usually, people take a big pay cut and lose benefits as a result of being called up...Sears is voluntarily paying the difference in salaries and maintaining all benefits, including medical insurance and bonus programs, for all called up reservist employees for up to two years. I submit that Sears is an exemplary corporate citizen and should be recognized for its contribution.

Suggest we all shop at Sears, and be sure to find a manager to tell them why we are there so the company gets the positive reinforcement it well deserves.

Pass it on.


So I decided to check it out before I sent it forward. I sent the following email to the Sears Customer Service Department:

I received this email and I would like to know if it is true. If it is, the Internet may have just become one very good source of advertisement for your store. I know I would go out of my way to buy products from Sears instead of another store for a like item even if it was cheaper at the other store.

Here is their answer to my email......................


Dear Customer:

Thank you for contacting Sears.

The information is factual. We appreciate your positive feedback. Sears regards service to our country as one of greatest sacrifices our young men and women can make. We are happy to do our part to lessen the burden they bear at this time.

Bill Thorn
Sears Customer Care
webcenter@sears.com
1-800-349-4358


Please pass this on to all your friends, Sears needs to be recognized for this outstanding contribution and we need to show them as Americans, we do
appreciate what they are doing for our military!!!!!!!!!!

This deserves more exposure than just "my friends." How about the Blogosphere, John? ~~ Indigo



posted by HCL at 9:56 AM

 
BACK FROM THE ABYSS
(sorta)

Thanks to all who stayed in touch, even though I fell off the edge of the earth when I had no email service for two weeks. Trying to pick up some pieces and get going again.

For today, JUST THIS.

posted by HCL at 9:30 AM

 
Learn Something New Every Day!

It took seven hours from beginning to end, but The Indigo Gal voted!!! Actually, "getting ready" to vote was the worse part. Had to get up early (almost two hours) in order to be sure all the pills had kicked in before leaving. A presentable appearance took about two more hours. (Had to wait for the magician to get here. He was late too!) At last we were ready to leave and Dee (Girl Friday who came on Tuesday for the occasion!) drove the van around and picked me up. We only had about one mile to drive to City Hall, but upon arriving discovered the polls had been moved! Who knew? Guess I shouldn't depend on the internet for all my news after all! The people inside the building told Dee that voting would be at "The Recreation Center" this year. (Yes, The Recreation Center. Remember that. It is germane.) Dee asked me where was the Recreation Center. I told her to my knowledge there was no recreation center in the little village of Cedar Point. I mean, this is not Raleigh! There is no WalMart even!! Heck, there isn't even a police department!! Law breakers (read: speeders) so rude as to disturb the peace are transported by a sheriff 25 miles over to the County Seat at Beaufort. Well anyhow, the personnel at the not-voting place told Dee "It's on Highway 58. Turn left at the light." OK.

After turning left and driving down Highway 58 until we were in the next town, Dee observed, "They must have meant OLD Highway 58! And the flashing light." We turned around and went back to the light where we had turned left and retraced the route to the flashing light. Still no signs, arrows, or indications anywhere that there would be any voting today! And not a hint of a Recreation Center. As we rounded a curve, up ahead we saw vehicles parked on each side of the highway (Old 58!) and quite a traffic jam. The "Vote For Joe Sixpack" signs started about there. We turned into the driveway to the place and there, finally, was a sign telling the world that we were at "The Community Building"!!! How that translated into The Recreation Center, I've not yet figured out. More culture shock!

The line outside snaked around and back out the driveway to a distance of what I would consider "first and goal". In the sun. At just about high noon. [aside: Everything is still air conditioned here!] There were five handicapped parking spaces right at the front door. Thankfully, one of them was empty. Dee and I went inside where about an additional 100 people were lined up. An "aide" went by, and since I was about on the 10-yard line, I tackled him! Almost. While waving my cane, I explained to him that I could not stand and would he be so kind as to direct me to a chair to sit and wait. He immediately found a chair for me. That was the good news. Then he told Dee (who was not voting) that she would have to stand in line in my place. That was the bad news. OK. So Dee went back to the end zone and I waited inside on the chair.

Designated "Poll Aides" were darting about, actually helping, and I was able to snag one after about 10 minutes. I asked her what was the estimated waiting time and, seeing the cane, she asked me if I had parked in one of the handicapped parking spaces out front. Yes. "Well, my dear," says she "you can go outside and wait in your vehicle and I will bring the paperwork to you for "Curbside Voting"!!! WELL, I NEVER!!! Fifteen minutes later, we were finished. And the outside snaking line had hardly moved up at all. So today I was a sea gull!! Here at the coast, that's much better than being a convertible! Thank you, Universe.
posted by HCL at 6:59 PM

 
Just because somebody asked - - -

Dear Word Detective: I have been encountering this expression in magazines and on the net. A sample use might be, "Jimmy Carter's most recent diatribe against Bush deserves a thorough fisking." Apparently, "to fisk" means to analyze closely. Formerly, "fisking" meant "scampering about." What can you tell me about the new usage? -- Ronald J. Wieck, via the internet.

Dude, we are so there. I do know what "fisking" is, and even where it came from, but I'm rather ashamed to admit that I do. It's a symptom of spending too much time reading web logs and too little time "fisking" around outdoors.

A "web log," for the benefit of those of you who didn't pay any attention to the Macarena either, is a web page set up as a sort of personal journal, where the proprietor can record his or her thoughts, feelings, hopes, fears, cat pictures, bad poetry, links to other web logs and opinions on world events for a daily audience numbering from one to 100,000, with the readership of most web logs leaning heavily toward the former. Web logging (also called "blogging") was more or less invented back in 1999 by a fellow named Jorn Barger, whose Robot Wisdom Weblog (www.robotwisdom.com) differs from its progeny by actually remaining, after all these years, interesting.

So now there are a gazillion "blogs," and many of them are political, usually maintained by people who care passionately about politics and have all sorts of novel ideas, but for some mysterious reason cannot get published in mainstream media.

Meanwhile, elsewhere on Planet Earth, there is a British newspaper called The Independent, which employs a columnist named Robert Fisk, who reports from all sorts of exotic locales, especially war zones. Mr. Fisk, who holds a very skeptical view of U.S. foreign policy, has, on a number of occasions lately, written things that have aroused the ire of various politically conservative "bloggers." These folks have responded by reprinting his dispatches on their blogs and adding their own paragraph-by-paragraph commentaries dissecting (and purportedly debunking) Fisk's facts and opinions. Those of us who occasionally shout at our television sets will recognize the impulse behind this sort of thing, but few of us go to the trouble of typing out our rants and posting them to the internet.

In any case, this "he said, I say" method of criticism has now become very common on the net, and when applied with large helpings of both vigor and venom is now known as "fisking."



PUSSYFOOTIN'™

>^..^< For the Troops. And for your musical enjoyment.

>^..^< Jeff, a new generation blogger. Go over and welcome this young man.

>^..^< Yellow Ribbons

>^..^< Too late for Halloween, but a good read.

>^..^< Another dog-loving blogger calls her blog One Happy Dog Speaks. VW (naaaaa; too easy) says she doesn't blog in pajamas. She's thinking about this for her blogging outfit.

>^..^< Denny, GOC I, recommends this link because Charlieb asked him to. I recommend it too. And this.

>^..^< Thanks to Dog Snot Diaries and Black Five for spreading the story of Sergeant Joseph Bozik. Can you help?

>^..^< Another kind of hero.

>^..^< A tip of the old sun bonnet to Meanderings for this:

Our Future Is In Their Hands

A college student challenged a senior citizen, saying it was impossible for their generation to understand his. "You grew up in a different world," the student said. "Today we have television, jet planes, space travel, nuclear energy, computers..."

Taking advantage of a pause in the student's litany, the geezer said, "You're right. We didn't have those things when we were young; so we invented them! What are you doing for the next generation??"

Kind of scary when you think about it!




posted by HCL at 11:43 AM