Musings of the Chronologically Challenged™ Fourth Generation

 
ISSUES

When my Number 2 Grandson lived with me for several years, I frequently called him "Grasshopper." No, not because he reminded me of the hero in the Kungfu tv show, but because he was a deadringer for the grasshopper in the Aesop fable. #2GS was also a musician, just like the Aesop grasshopper. If you don't remember the story, a google will tell you all about how the grasshopper played his fiddle all summer with not a care in the world. Winter brought cold and hunger, but the grasshopper had procrastinated and literally "fiddled" the summer away. Alas! He died. This was supposed to be a parable for teaching #2GS the value of planning ahead. Yeah, right.

So my Blogson is always telling me "time flies when you're having so much fun" and sure enough, time has flown by and I find myself feeling a whole lot like a grasshopper. Been telling myself for weeks to go ahead and write the two rants fulminating in my alimentary canal, but I was just having too much fun stressing for Christmas, traveling, seeing my doctor, etc., etc. Still, I refuse to carry these issues around in a trouble sack in 2005, so there must be a purge, albeit, there is not enough time now to do a decent job of ranting. Token Readers' Digest versions to follow.

Issue One -- Norton
In an effort to "protect" my computers and myself from the evils of the internet, I installed Norton's $70 package on each pc. The only obvious change I've noticed as a result of this $140 investment is that porn pics are now blocked. Spam is alive and thriving. Out of 50 spam emails, Norton sometimes catches 4 or 5. It seems I am not getting my money's worth. Now the kicker: There is nowhere in the known cosmos that I can find where I may communicate with Norton regarding this problem. No email address. No telephone number. Not even a snail mail address. As a last resort, I'm blogging my dilemma TO THE WORLD in the hope that someone will know someone who will email me at indigoinsightsathotmaildotcom with a suggestion. Any reputable company I've ever done business with would offer a refund or alternate. But any company that goes incommunicado as soon as they get your credit card number is probably not concerned with their reputation. I'm hoping some Norton CEOs are bloggers!

Issue Two -- Nationwide Insurance
This is such a hot item for my BP that I must be brief. Bottom line: Although my darling Rottweiler is eight years old, has lived in the house all her life, sleeps with me, loves children and guests, and hangs out and exchanges face washes with cats, a "surprise" Nationwide representative suddenly appeared at my door and saw a Rottweiler! The woman rep heard barking and saw KJ the Rott thru the glass door. It was heat therapy time when she knocked on my bedroom door and I talked to her through the door. She advised me she was from Nationwide and wanted to do an on site inspection of the property and take some outdoor measurements. I said -fine- and went back to my heat session. Later, after she had left, I noticed a baggie hanging on the door knob. She had left a "report of her findings" for me to see and sign and return. She could find no hazards or anything amiss with my property other than there was a Rottweiler INSIDE MY HOUSE!!! A few telephone calls later with my agent, wherein I refused to "get rid of the dog" accomplished nothing. In the more than 10 years that Nationwide has been my insurance carrier, there has been one claim due to liability: a fender bender in a parking lot. They've about got the coverage down to practically no exposure now, other than the worst possible disaster, since they put a $1,000 deductible on any claim for wind and water damage. I assume the house would be covered for fire unless they could prove the Rottweiler struck the match! Even murderers are considered innocent until proven guilty, but my wussy doggie is perceived as guilty before she even does anything. Blatant discrimination against color! Obviously, Nationwide is prejudiced against black and tan.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________

OK. Thanks for listening. My spleen feels much better and I'm not carrying these thorns over into the new year.

posted by HCL at 7:54 PM

 
INCOMING
from Christina, Swansboro, NC

Received this today from my friend, Christina, whose son-in-law is a USMC officer. Whether authentic or not (I haven't researched) it's an outstanding letter. The heading on the original email was "This will make you proud of your service men and women!!" I would add "AGAIN" to that introduction. --B. Indigo


Letter from an Air Force Reservist:

Gentlemen,

I just wanted to share with all of you my most recent Air Force Reserve trip. As most of you know, I have decided to go back into the Air Force Reserves as a part time reservist and after 6 months of training, I have recently been promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and have been fully mission qualified as an Aircraft Commander of a KC-135R strato tanker aircraft.

On Friday of last week, my crew and I were tasked with a mission to provide air refueling support in order to tanker 6 F-16's over to Incirlik Air Base in Turkey. We were then to tanker back to the states, 6 more F-16's that were due maintenance. It started out as a fairly standard mission - one that I have done many times as an active duty Captain in my former jet - the KC10a extender.

We dragged the F-16's to Moron Air Base in Spain where we spent the night and then finished the first part of our mission the next day by successfully delivering them to Incirlik. When I got on the ground in Turkey, I received a message to call the Tanker Airlift Control Center that my mission would change. Instead of tankering the F-16's that were due maintenance, I was cut new orders to fly to Kuwait City and pick up 22 "HR's" and return them to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.

It had been a while since I had heard of the term "HR" used, and as I pondered what the acronym could possibly stand for, when it dawned on me that it stood for human remains. There were 22 fallen comrades who had just been killed in the most recent attacks in Fallujah and Baghdad, Iraq over the last week.

I immediately alerted the crew of the mission change and although they were exhausted due to an ocean crossing, the time change and minimum ground time in Spain for crew rest, we all agreed that it was more important to get these men back to their families as soon as possible.

We were scheduled to crew rest in Incirlik, Turkey for the evening and start the mission the next day. Instead, we decided to extend/continue our day and fly to Kuwait in order to pick up our precious cargo. While on the flight over to Kuwait, I knew that there were protocol procedures for accepting and caring for human remains, however, in my 13 years of active duty service, I never once had to refer to this regulation. As I read the regulation on the flight over, I felt prepared and ready to do the mission.

My game plan was to pick up the HR's and turn around to fly to Mildenhal Air Base in England, spend the night, and then fly back the next day. This was the quickest way to get them home, considering the maximum crew duty day that I could subject my crew to legally and physically. I really pushed them to the limits but no one complained at all.

I thought that I was prepared for the acceptance of these men until we landed at Kuwait International. I taxied the jet over to a staging area where the honor guard was waiting to load our soldiers. I stopped the jet and the entire crew was required to stay on board. We opened the cargo door, and according to procedure, I had the crew line up in the back of the aircraft in formation and stand at attention. As the cargo loader brought up the first pallet of caskets, I ordered the crew to "Present Arms".

Normally, we would snap a salute at this command, however, when you are dealing with a fallen soldier, the salute is a slow 3 second pace to position. As I stood there and finally saw the first four of twenty-two caskets draped with the American Flags, the reality had hit me. As the Marine Corps honor guard delivered the first pallet on board, I then ordered the crew to "Order Arms" - where they rendered an equally slow 3 second return to the attention position. I then commanded the crew to assume an at ease position and directed them to properly place the pallet.

The protocol requires that the caskets are to be loaded so when it comes time to exit the aircraft - they will go head first. We did this same procedure for each and every pallet until we could not fit any more.I felt a deep pit in my stomach when there were more caskets to be brought home and that they would have to wait for the next jet to come through. I tried to do everything in my power to bring more home but I had no more space on board. When we were finally loaded, with our precious cargo and fueled for the trip back to England, a Marine Corps Colonel from first battalion came on board our jet in order to talk to us. I gathered the crew to listen to him and his words of wisdom.

He introduced himself and said that it is the motto of the Marines to leave no man behind and it makes their job easier knowing that there were men like us to help them complete this task. He was very grateful for our help and the strings that we were pulling in order to get this mission done in the most expeditious manner possible. He then said, "Major Zarnik - these are MY MARINES and I am giving them to you. Please take great care of them as I know you will". I responded with telling him that they are my highest priority and that although this was one of the saddest days of my life, we are all up for the challenge and will go above and beyond to take care of your Marines - "Semper Fi, Sir" A smile came on his face and he responded with a loud and thunderous, "Ooo Rah".

He then asked me to please pass along to the families that these men were extremely brave and had made the ultimate sacrifice for their country and that we appreciate and empathize with what they are going through at this time of their grievance. With that, he departed the jet and we were on our way to England.

I had a lot of time to think about the men that I had the privilege to carry. I had a chance to read the manifest on each and every one of them.I read about their religious preferences, their marital status, the injuries that were their cause of death. All of them were under age 27 with most in the 18-24 range. Most of them had wives and children. They had all been killed by an " IED" which I can only deduce as an incendiary explosive device like rocket propelled grenades. Mostly fatal head injuries and injuries to the chest area. I could not even imagine the bravery that they must have displayed and the agony suffered in this God Forsaken War. My respect and admiration for these men and what they are doing to help others in a foreign land is beyond calculation. I know that they are all with God now and in a better place.

The stop in Mildenhal was uneventful and then we pressed on to Dover where we would meet the receiving Marine Corps honor guard. When we arrived, we applied the same procedures in reverse. The head of each casket was to come out first. This was a sign of respect rather than defeat. As the honor guard carried each and every American flag covered casket off of the jet, they delivered them to awaiting families with military hearses. I was extremely impressed with how diligent the HonorGuard had performed the seemingly endless task of delivering each of the caskets to the families without fail and with precision. There was not a dry eye on our crew or in the crowd. The Chaplain then said a prayer followed by a speech from Lt. Col. Klaus of the second Battalion. In his speech, he also reiterated similar condolences to the families as the Colonel from First Battalion back in Kuwait.

I then went out to speak with the families as I felt it was my duty to help console them in this difficult time. Although I would probably be one of the last military contacts that they would have for a while - the military tends to take care of its own. I wanted to make sure that they did not feel abandoned and more than that appreciated for their ultimate sacrifice.

It was the most difficult thing that I have ever done in my life. I listened to the stories of each and every one that I had come in contact with and they all displayed a sense of pride during an obviously difficult time. The Marine Corps had obviously prepared their families well for this potential outcome.

So, why do I write this story to you all? I just wanted to put a little personal attention to the numbers that you hear about and see in the media. It is almost like we are desensitized by all of the "numbers" of our fallen comrades coming out of Iraq. I heard one commentator say that "it is just a number". Are you kidding me? These are our American Soldiers not numbers!

It is truly a sad situation that I hope will end soon. Please hug and embrace your loved ones a little closer and know that there are men and women out there who are defending you and trying to make this a better world.

Please pray for their families and when you hear the latest statistics and numbers of our soldiers killed in combat, please remember this story. It is the only way that I know to more personalize these figures and have them truly mean something to us all.

Thanks for all of your support for me and my family as I take on this new role in completing my Air Force Career and supporting our country. I greatly appreciate all of your comments, gestures and prayers.May God Bless America, us all, and especially the United States Marine Corps. Semper Fi!

(usma1956) Posted by: LANG Kenneth E 1956 20973 B2 <Bat@ccsi.com>

posted by HCL at 4:26 PM

 
A FINAL CHRISTMAS POEM

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.

Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree, I believe,
completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.

My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep;
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep
in perfect contentment, or so it would seem.
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
but I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know,
then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.

My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
and I crept to the door just to see who was near.
And there, out in the cold and the dark of the night,
a lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.

A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.

"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve.
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"

For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts,
to the window that danced with a warm fire's light.
Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right, I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."

"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
that separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me.
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.

"My Gramps died at 'Pearl on a day in December," Then he sighed,
"That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers.
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam',
and now it is my turn and so, here I am.

"I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
but my wife sends me pictures. He's sure got her smile."
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
the red, white, and blue... an American flag.

"I can live through the cold and the being alone,
away from my family, my house and my home.
I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet.
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.

"I can carry the weight of killing another,
or lay down my life with my sister and brother
who stand at the front against any and all
to ensure for all time that this flag will not fall.

"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright.
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
"But isn't there something I can do? At the least,
give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?

"It seems all too little for all that you've done,
for being away from your wife and your son."

Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget
to fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
to stand your own watch, no matter how long.

"For when we come home, either standing or dead,
to know you remember we fought and we bled,
is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."

UPDATE: Here too. Sorry for oversight, Rivrdog.

posted by HCL at 10:34 PM

 
THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
Original version with musical background


Leaving for a Christmas visit in Greenville. It may be December 27 before I get back.

Wishing all the blessings and love of Christmas for you and your families in this holiday season and throughout the coming new year.

Peace



posted by HCL at 3:58 AM

 
CHRISTMASLANCHE

Thanks again to my friend, John, in New Jersey for e-mailing to me the touching Christmas poem, The Sands of Christmas. It seems bloggers and readers of blogs appreciated it too, John. And thanks to Baldilocks and Sgt.Stryker for the links and the resulting surprise Christmaslanche. But most of all, thanks to the GIs of every service, rank and gender who inspired the poem. As the poem says, "You give the gift of liberty and that we can't repay."



PUSSYFOOTIN'™
with Lynx

>^..^< The DoubleMint twins joined the Marine Corps?

>^..^< Sam's done it again!! Redecorated, that is. Oh, and follow the ongoing saga of the "cute" controversy. This may come to a vote.



REFLECTIONS OF GREAT MINDS

James Bovard, Civil Libertarian (1994): Democracy must be something more than two wolves and a sheep voting on what to have for dinner.

Douglas Casey, Classmate of Bill Clinton: Foreign aid might be defined as a transfer of money from poor people in rich countries to rich people in poor countries.

Will Rogers: I don't make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts.

Mark Twain: No man's life, liberty, or property is safe while the legislature is in session.

Winston Churchill: The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of the blessings. The inherent blessing of socialism is the equal sharing of misery.

Pericles (430 B.C.): Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn't mean politics won't take an interest in you.



SENIOR NEWS FLASH

California vintners in the Napa Valley area that primarily produce Pinot Blanc and Pinot Grigio have developed a new hybrid grape that acts as an anti-diuretic and will reduce the number of trips an older person has to make to the bathroom during the night. They will be marketing the new wine as Pinot More.



JOKES FROM DICK & JANE

During his speech at my cousin's graduation, Bill Cosby was making the point that true wisdom comes not from a classroom but from life. When he was in college, he said, his class endlessly discussed the question: Is the glass half full or half empty? So Cosby asked his grandmother the same question. She had it all figured out: "Depends on whether you're pouring or drinking."


My mother was away all weekend at a business conference. During a break, she decided to call home collect. My six-year-old brother picked up the phone and heard a stranger's voice say, "We have a Marcia on the line. Will you accept the charges?" Frantic, he dropped the receiver and came charging outside screaming, "Dad! They've got Mom! And they want money!"

While she was visiting my home recently, my sister nudged me and pointed to a line of new plants I had placed by the kitchen window. "Look," she whispered, "death row."









posted by HCL at 11:55 PM

 
PUSSYFOOTIN'™
with Lynx


>^..^< Marine for Life Program

>^..^< All Things Southern is a great site, found over at Gone South. Thanks for this one, Janis.

>^..^< Baldilocks had a nice feature on a blog from my only friend in france, Jack of Random Fate. Like I said before, Jack's head is planted firmly. But then, so is Baldilocks'.

>^..^< Deudderson has returned to his blog. Looks like sports has invigorated him. But Philadelphia? Who knew? Hey Deud, I worked with the Eagles in my previous life!!!

>^..^< Mamamontezz uses one of her unique poems, The Twelve Days of Christmas, Baghdad Style to remind us of how great a package from home is. If you have procrastinated and can't make it in time for Christmas, a Happy New Year package would be a wonderful surprise too!

>^..^< "Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared." – Buddha [December 8 marked Rohatsu, the day the Buddha achieved enlightenment. How much do you know about Buddhist enlightenment? Take the quiz.]


INCOMING
from Kristi, Greenville, NC

Buying Stamps for Hanukkah
A woman goes to the post office to buy stamps for her Hanukkah cards.
She says to the clerk, "May I have 50 Hanukkah stamps?"
The clerk says, "What denomination?"
The woman replies, "Oh my. Has it come to this? Give me 6 Orthodox, 12 Conservative, and 32 Reform."


INCOMING
from Karl, Hubert, NC

Subject: Passport
A group of Americans, retired teachers, recently went to France on a tour. Robert Whiting, an elderly gentleman of 83, arrived in Paris by plane. At French Customs, he took a few minutes to locate his passport in his carry on bag.

"You have been to France before, monsieur?" the customs officer asked sarcastically. Mr. Whiting admitted that he had been to France previously. "Then you should know enough to have your passport ready."

Mr. Whiting replied, "The last time I was here, I didn't have to show my passport"

"Impossible. Americans always have to show your passports on arrival in France!"

The American senior gave the French customs officer a long hard look. Then he quietly explained: "Well, when I came ashore at Omaha Beach on D-Day in 1944 to help liberate this country, I couldn't find any Frenchmen to show it to!"









posted by HCL at 8:51 AM

 
Merry Christmas, My Friend

Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone,
In a one bedroom house made of plaster & stone.
I had come down the chimney, with presents to give
and to see just who in this home did live.

As I looked all about, a strange sight I did see,
no tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.
No stocking by the fire, just boots filled with sand.
On the wall hung pictures of a far distant land.

With medals and badges, awards of all kind,
a sobering thought soon came to my mind.
For this house was different, unlike any I'd seen.
This was the home of a U.S. Marine.

I'd heard stories about them, I had to see more,
so I walked down the hall and pushed open the door.
And there he lay sleeping, silent, alone,
Curled up on the floor in his one-bedroom home.

He seemed so gentle, his face so serene,
Not how I pictured a U.S. Marine.
Was this the hero, of whom I’d just read?
Curled up in his poncho, a floor for his bed?

His head was clean-shaven, his weathered face tan.
I soon understood, this was more than a man.
For I realized the families that I saw that night,
owed their lives to these men, who were willing to fight.

Soon around the Nation, the children would play,
And grown-ups would celebrate on a bright Christmas day.
They all enjoyed freedom, each month and all year,
because of Marines like this one lying here.

I couldn’t help wonder how many lay alone,
on a cold Christmas Eve, in a land far from home.
Just the very thought brought a tear to my eye.
I dropped to my knees and I started to cry.

He must have awoken, for I heard a rough voice,
"Santa, don't cry, this life is my choice.
I fight for freedom, I don't ask for more.
My life is my God, my country, my Corps."

With that he rolled over, drifted off into sleep,
I couldn't control it, I continued to weep.

I watched him for hours, so silent and still.
I noticed he shivered from the cold night's chill
So I took off my jacket, the one made of red,
and covered this Marine from his toes to his head.

Then I put on his T-shirt of scarlet and gold,
with an eagle, globe and anchor emblazoned so bold.
And although it barely fit me, I began to swell with pride,
and for one shining moment, I was Marine Corps deep inside.

I didn't want to leave him so quiet in the night,
this guardian of honor so willing to fight.
But half asleep he rolled over, and in a voice clean and pure,
said "Carry on, Santa, it's Christmas Day, all secure."

One look at my watch and I knew he was right,
Merry Christmas my friend, Semper Fi and goodnight.


Here's The Rest of the Story - and yes, it was originally written by a Marine. http://www.snopes.com/holidays/christmas/soldier.asp

posted by HCL at 11:01 AM

 
SURPRISE! SURPRISE!!


A Christmas Elf, who also happens to be a computer geek and MY NUMBER ONE GRANDDAUGHTER, stopped by my house and gave me a blogroll for Christmas! To all of the great bloggers who have so kindly blogrolled Indigo when there was no reciprocation -- JUST THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!!!
I've tried to get recips up in my blogroll, but if I missed any of you, please email me at indigoinsights@hotmail.com and let me know. Many of you have carried me for a long time and I surely do appreciate your cyber friendship.


posted by HCL at 8:53 PM

 
BACK TO BACK POEMS

There won't be much personal writing going on here as long as email this beautiful comes in.


INCOMING
from John, New Jersey


The Sands of Christmas

I had no Christmas spirit when I breathed a weary sigh,
and looked across the table where the bills were piled too high.
The laundry wasn't finished and the car I had to fix,
My stocks were down another point, the Dolphins lost by six.

And so with only minutes till my son got home from school,
I gave up on the drudgery and grabbed a wooden stool.
The burdens that I carried were about all I could take,
and so I flipped the TV on to catch a little break.

I came upon a desert scene in shades of tan and rust;
No snowflakes hung upon the wind, just clouds of swirling dust.
And where the reindeer should have stood before a laden sleigh,
eight hummers ran a column right behind an M1A.

A group of boys walked past the tank, not one was past his teens,
Their eyes were hard as polished flint, their faces drawn and lean.
They walked the street in armor with their rifles shouldered tight,
their dearest wish for Christmas, just to have a silent night.

Other soldiers gathered, hunkered down against the wind,
To share a scrap of mail and dreams of going home again.
There wasn't much at all to put their lonely hearts at ease,
They had no Christmas turkey, just a pack of MRE's.

They didn't have a garland or a stocking I could see,
They didn't need an ornament-- they lacked a Christmas Tree.
They didn't have a present even though it was tradition,
the only boxes I could see were labeled "ammunition".

I felt a little tug and found my son now by my side.
He asked me what it was I feared, and why it was I cried.
I swept him up into my arms and held him oh so near
and kissed him on the forehead as I whispered in his ear.

There's nothing wrong, my little son, for safe we sleep tonight,
our heroes stand on foreign land to give us all the right,
to worry about the things in life that really mean nothing at all,
instead of wondering each day if we will be the next to fall.

He looked at me as children do and said it's always right,
to thank the ones who help us and perhaps that we should write.
And so we pushed aside the bills and sat to draft a note,
to thank the many far from home, and this is what we wrote,

God bless you all and keep you safe, and speed your way back home.
Remember that we love you so, and that you're not alone.
The gift you give, you share with all, a present every day,
You give the gift of liberty and that we can't repay.

~~ Author Unknown


posted by HCL at 8:46 PM

 
Today was going to be a non-blogging day, and then this poem arrived in the morning email from Jimmy of Ayden, NC. Jimmy is retired Air Force of the Korean era. The poem says it all as to how he feels. And me too! Our generation is too close to Normandy not to feel a bit of resentment for the flighty french. -- Indigo...


A FRENCH POEM
WRITTEN BY AN AMERICAN PATRIOT

Eleven thousand soldiers
lay beneath the dirt and stone,
all buried on a distant land
so far away from home.

For just a strip of dismal beach
they paid a hero's price,
to save a foreign nation
they all made the sacrifice.

And now the shores of Normandy
are lined with blocks of white:
Americans who didn't turn
from someone else's plight.

Eleven thousand reasons
for the French to take our side,
but in the moment of our need,
they chose to run and hide.

Chirac said every war means loss,
perhaps for France that's true,
for they've lost every battle
since the days of Waterloo.

Without a soldier worth a damn
to be found within the region,
the French became the only land
to need a Foreign Legion.

You French all say we're arrogant.
Well, we've earned the right--
we saved your sorry nation
when you lacked the guts to fight.

But now you've made a big mistake,
and one that you'll regret;
you took sides with our enemies,
and that we won't forget.

It wasn't just our citizens
you spit on when you turned,
but every one of yours
who fell the day the towers burned.

You spit upon our soldiers,
on our pilots and Marines,
and now you'll get a little sense
of just what payback means.

So keep your Paris fashions,
your wine and your champagne,
and find some other market
that will buy your airplanes.

And try to find somebody else
to wear your French cologne,
for you're about to find out
what it means to stand alone.

You see, you need us far more
than we ever needed you.
America has better friends
who know how to be true.

I'd rather stand with warriors
who have the will and might,
than huddle in the dark
with those whose only flag is white.

I'll take the Brits, the Aussies,
the Israelis and the rest,
for when it comes to valor
we have seen that they're the best.

We'll count on one another
as we face a moment dire,
while you sit on the sideline
with a sign, "friendship for hire."

We'll win this war without you
and we'll total up the cost,
and take it from your foreign aid,
and then you'll feel the loss.

And when your nation starts to fall,
well, Frenchie, you can spare us,
just call the Germans for a hand,
they know the way to Paris.



posted by HCL at 10:11 AM

 
PUSSYFOOTIN'™
with Lynx

>^..^< From time to time it has been necessary for Indigo to remind some people (who shall be nameless!) that Women Marines are to be admired and respected along with their male brothers. Blackfive thinks so too. See his blog The Fewer, The Prouder, The Women Marines. The MSM missed the letter Lance Corporal Jessica K. in Iraq wrote to her parents about her Thanksgiving in Fallujah. Don't know how that could have happened, but you can go to the link and read it. Semper Fi, Ladies!!

>^..^< Jen Martinez posts a letter from USMC and Vietnam Combat Veteran, Joseph Anderson, to Fox News. He opines that they may not be so "fair and balanced" after all. Read it here.

>^..^< A lot of research and effort by Patti Bader makes Iraq War Today another dependable blog for getting timely war news. Also visit the Soldiers' Angels.

>^..^< Pennywit blogged:
Students at the University of North Carolina at Asheville have formed three group blogs. As I understand it, at least two of these blogs (possibly three) have their genesis in a mass media and politics class that, among other things, examined the role of blogs in this year's election. Give them a read. --PW
[Aside to PW: You won't believe this, I know, but I can't remember my password!!! Plus, your email is being returned!]

>^..^< Chris McGehee (Mrs. Kevin) is Catblogging - much to my delight!

>^..^< GOC in Atlanta linked to Mullings a couple of days ago. If you missed it, here's another chance. It's a hoot and I'm rereading and relaughing.

>^..^< Visited Jack at Random Fate lately? Try him. You'll like him. His head is always planted firmly on his shoulders - which is refreshing in bloggers, don't you think?

>^..^< Armstrong Williams on Mfume's "retirement" Via link from Betsy's Page

>^..^< Vote for your favorite blogs in the 2004 Weblog Awards.

>^..^< Another "Help Needed" campaign -- but all that's needed is a little of your time. So little to you, so much to our troops. Read all about it at SlagleRock.

>^..^< indigoinsights[at]hotmail[dot]com (just in case)

REMEMBER PEARL HARBOR!!



REFLECTIONS OF GREAT MINDS

Mark Twain: Suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself.

Winston Churchill: I contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle.

George Bernard Shaw: A government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul.

P.J. O'Rourke: Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys.

Voltaire (1764): In general, the art of government consists in taking as much money as possible from one party of the citizens to give to the other.

* SEVEN DEADLY SINS *
Wealth without work,
Pleasure without conscience,
Knowledge without character,
Commerce without morality,
Science without humanity,
Worship without sacrifice, and
Politics without principle.
~~ Mahatma Gandhi



posted by HCL at 1:06 AM

 
SEASON'S GREETINGS Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines -

An exuberant HAPPY HOLIDAYS wish from Swansboro, NC! Want you to know you're in my thoughts and prayers every day and I am ever so grateful for what you're doing over there for your country, and by extension, me! Incidentally, I've been thanking you guys and gals since WWII! You make us proud!!

B. Manning

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

OK, E-Mail People: That's my letter for the Letters To The Troops campaign. This is a real effort from a fellow blogger, SlagleRock, (active duty) and great guy. Will you take a couple of minutes to send some of your personal words? Here's what it's about:
B.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

December 25, 2004
Letters To The Troops For The Holidays (Help From All Bloggers Part 2)
As I am sure you noticed this post is dated December 25, 2004. It will remain on top of my site until then as that is it's goal to make the holidays brighter for all of our patriots serving abroad. I will continue blogging daily as well so for you regulars please scroll down to the next post each day to see what is new.


Many of you may remember my Letters To The Troops campaign.

I had the opportunity to ensure that the letters I received were personally hand carried to the troops in Iraq.

In the end more than 30 bloggers participated and more than 320 letters were received.

I know we can do better.

A close personal friend of mine is on his way to Iraq. He is replacing another person who was injured in a mortar attack recently.

This friend and I go way back. We attended Basic Military Training (Boot Camp) together at Lackland AFB, TX. We then went on to attend the Security Police Academy together. We went further still and attended Air Base Defense School Level 1 together as well. We have been deployed to various locations at the same time and have occasionally run into one another at various Air Force Training venues. While time and distance have come between us we still manage to stay in contact.

Now he is being called up to once again head off to the conflict in Iraq. He is tentatively scheduled to depart on 24 December. That's right he will leave for the litter box the night before Christmas. His departure on Christmas eve will be only 4.5 weeks after the birth of his fourth child.

He is a frequent reader of my site so this effort will not be a surprise like it was during the first campaign. He saw what we accomplished before and has challenged me to do it again. He is eager to be able to deliver hundreds of letters of support to the troops on the ground!

He is willing to hand carry any letters that I can generate and print to Tallil, Iraq and he will make every effort to forward them on from there.

So here is what we need to do. Bloggers, I urge each and every one of you to write your own letter to the troops overseas. Make it a general open letter to any Soldier, Sailor, Airman or Marine. Keep in mind that the people reading this letters will be both male and female of all ages, ethnic origins and religions. Once your letter is posted, please trackback to this post so that I may find and print your letter. Please direct your readers to this effort as well. Non-bloggers, please leave your open letter of support in the comment section of this post. While it is possible for you to email me your letters, I'd like to see them in the comments so that troops overseas can access and read them online.

Our deadline for this endeavor will be the 17th of December. That will give me the time necessary to print all of the letters and have them ready to go. I will also be printing a sheet with the URL's of all bloggers who participate.

Please forward the link to this post to as many people as you can, both Bloggers and non-bloggers. [Here's the link: http://combatarms.mu.nu/archives/057594.php ]

Let's make this huge.

SlagleRock Out!



posted by HCL at 1:02 PM

 
SGT. RAPHAEL PERALTA
The rest of the story

A Hero's sacrifice
Submitted by: 1st Force Service Support Group
Story Identification #: 2004123102943
Story by Lance Cpl. T. J. Kaemmerer
USMC

A MUST READ!!!
Follow link to entire article

FALLUJAH, Iraq (Dec. 02, 2004) -- "You’re still here, don’t forget that. Tell your kids, your grandkids, what Sgt. Peralta did for you and the other Marines today."
posted by HCL at 9:02 AM

 
ANNIVERSARY GOOD WISHES TO
GROUCHY OLD CRIPPLE IN WINSTON SALEM


PUSSYFOOTIN'™
with Lynx

>^..^< GOC in Atlanta has linked a great site from an old Navy buddy. It's the first Navy site I've seen and the guy covered everything I'd ever need to know!!! Thanks GOC! And thanks Old Blue Jacket.

>^..^< Vote for your favorite blogs in the 2004 Weblog Awards.

>^..^< Mostly Cajun has linked a blog that I had not seen before, but definitely will revisit: Human Race Watch. Go over and take a look, and scroll down to Auschwitz who…? If it's any consolation, U.S. schools are not the only ones lacking!!!



INCOMING
from Jimmy, Ayden, NC

The Assumption
==============A man, exiting a grocery store, was very surprised when a rather good-looking and perky young lady greeted him cheerfully by saying "Good Evening." Her face was beaming. At least she was smiling until he gave her that "Who are you?" look. He couldn't remember having ever seen her before.

Then, she obviously realized that a mistake had been made and apologized. She explained, "Oh, I'm so sorry. When I first saw you I thought you were the father of one of my children." She walked on her way into the store.

The man was left staring dumbfounded after her. More than a bit puzzled, he thought to himself, "What is the world coming to, an attractive woman who doesn't even keep track of what the father of her children looks like."

However, he was also a bit flattered that he might resemble one of her former lovers. But, also hoped that nobody overheard her saying that she mistook him for being the father of one of her children.

A bit panicked, he then thought, "Could I possibly have forgotten a relationship? Could it be that I really fathered a child?"

Stunned, he walked to his car. He still did not realize, of course, that she was a fifth-grade teacher at a local elementary school.




The truth of the matter is that you always know the right thing to do. The hard part is doing it. ~Gen. Norman Schwarzkoff

Conscience is God's presence in man. ~Emanuel Swedenborg

Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be. ~Abraham Lincoln

The reason congressmen try so hard to get re-elected is that they would hate to have to make a living under the laws they've passed. [Anon]
posted by HCL at 1:31 PM

 
MICHELLE MALKIN POSTED:

I am hereby launching the Lump of Coal campaign. Later today, I will box up a lump of charcoal, mark the package "MERRY CHRISTMAS!" and send it to the Denver Mayor in protest of his idiotic policy. Please join me in doing the same (and if you take a photo of your creatively designed package, I will link/post).

Send to:

Mayor John W. Hickenlooper
Denver City and County Building
1437 Bannock Street, Suite 350
Denver, CO 80202


A bonnet tipping for the link to Mike King, who further elaborated:

It seems that Christianity -- which is the religion of the majority of Americans -- is under attack as never before, mostly by PC-types who want to plow it under a wave of politically correct sayings and propaganda. We have a rogue court who has ruled that the phrase "Under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance is wrong, an elementary school principal who prohibits a teacher from using the Declaration of Independance in class because it mentions God (and of course, since the teacher is a Christian, the principal is "afraid" he might use the opportunity to preach in class, right?), and now we've got people insisting that Christmas Carols are wrong because they might "offend" people.

Well, quite frankly, in that instance, I don't mind offending people. Christmas is the celebration of the birth of my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, and I continue to sing and celebrate that fact from the rooftops. You are welcome to agree or not agree with me, but don't tell me that I can't celebrate that fact!

Oh. And the Faith Bible Chapel in Denver? Since they aren't being allowed to participate in Denver's Christmas Parade, they will walk the route an hour prior to the parade, singing Christmas Carols and passing out hot chocolate. God bless them!



INCOMING
from John, New Jersey

PERSPECTIVE

One day a father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the firm purpose of showing his son how poor people live.

They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family. On their return from their trip, the father asked his son, "How was the trip?"

"It was great, Dad."
"Did you see how poor people live?" the father asked.
"Oh yeah," said the son.
"So, tell me, what did you learn from the trip?" asked the father.

The son answered:
"I saw that we have one dog and they had four.

"We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end.

"We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night.

"Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon.

"We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight.

"We have servants who serve us, but they serve others.

"We buy our food, but they grow theirs.

"We have walls around our property to protect us, they have friends to protect them."

The boy's father was speechless.

Then his son added, "Thanks, Dad, for showing me how poor we are."

Isn't perspective a wonderful thing? Makes you wonder what would happen if we all gave thanks for everything we have, instead of worrying about what we don't have.

Appreciate every single thing you have, especially your friends!

"Life is too short and friends are too few."



posted by HCL at 8:21 PM