President Bush was on last evening speaking about our involvement in Iraq and as He said our involvement must continue untill the situation is resloved. NO sane person wants war but when it becomes evident that it cannot be helped it must be carried out to the end......regardless of the cost.
Near the end of his speach the emotion he felt for our militarys sacrifice came to the surface. As he choked back the emotions I to felt A lump that reminded me of the price our military is paying. I knew in the mid sixties that the cost of freedom is not cheap,and I know now it has only become more valuable as time has gone by.God bless our troops!
At least that is the way I see it here on Arrathorns Alley.
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
Monday, June 27, 2005
Five Brief Moments In Time
I was thinking this morning just how many really important, meaningfull moments we have in our long (I hope) lives. I started thinking of my own experiences and and came to realize that there are not all that many moments that change either your outlook or even actually change your life.
I therefore decided to set five of my magical mystical moments on this blog to share with the world. I hope you will share five of your special moments with me.
1. When I took the oath of alligence to the United States of America when I joined the Navy. I learned that when someone takes a oath it is forever and that if you are going to swear you must be ready to live up to it. I served honorably and with pride and I would go again in the morning because my oath didn`t end with my enlistment.
2. The specific moment in time when I realized how little others opinions mean to me.I am the one I must look at in the mirror and I am the one that I must please. Anyone elses opinions mean nothing because I am the one who knows my true motivations.
3. I will combine two moments to make my third entry, when my sons were born. I knew in my heart that there was a greater force in life than me. I knew that there would be the chance at imortality that my offspring would provide me. Their lives provided such joy to me it is impossible to begin to tell even a smidgen of it,but it was as exciting as anything could ever be and went by in a blur.
4. When I saw my baby son graduate Parris Island and become a U.S. Marine. I knew that all that I had done,all that I had sacrificed,came to fruition in his life. He carried on in my tradition and that in and of itself gave value to my earlier sacrifices.
5. I became seriously ill and lapsed into a coma. I woke 5 days later and that time taught me how many cared and how many loved me. I never realized previously how many truly cared. Now I do
Well there are five changing moments in my life if you have a moment leave a comment with yours, or,at least contemplate them and see the great things that have been given you.
I therefore decided to set five of my magical mystical moments on this blog to share with the world. I hope you will share five of your special moments with me.
1. When I took the oath of alligence to the United States of America when I joined the Navy. I learned that when someone takes a oath it is forever and that if you are going to swear you must be ready to live up to it. I served honorably and with pride and I would go again in the morning because my oath didn`t end with my enlistment.
2. The specific moment in time when I realized how little others opinions mean to me.I am the one I must look at in the mirror and I am the one that I must please. Anyone elses opinions mean nothing because I am the one who knows my true motivations.
3. I will combine two moments to make my third entry, when my sons were born. I knew in my heart that there was a greater force in life than me. I knew that there would be the chance at imortality that my offspring would provide me. Their lives provided such joy to me it is impossible to begin to tell even a smidgen of it,but it was as exciting as anything could ever be and went by in a blur.
4. When I saw my baby son graduate Parris Island and become a U.S. Marine. I knew that all that I had done,all that I had sacrificed,came to fruition in his life. He carried on in my tradition and that in and of itself gave value to my earlier sacrifices.
5. I became seriously ill and lapsed into a coma. I woke 5 days later and that time taught me how many cared and how many loved me. I never realized previously how many truly cared. Now I do
Well there are five changing moments in my life if you have a moment leave a comment with yours, or,at least contemplate them and see the great things that have been given you.
Friday, June 24, 2005
This is NOT right.
I want to say in no uncertain terms that the latest decision by the Supreme court Is a affront to the American way. Justice Sandra Day O’Conner stated unequivocally, that this ruling opens wide the door for abuse of regular people by the wealthy. It allows them to have local government to seize your property if they think that the potential to make money is there.
A group of Connecticut residents claim that their property was selected for seizure to facilitate a group of builders plan to raise a office building where their homes stand.
It has always been law that a community could seize property if it were to benefit the community like a site for a bridge or bringing a road through, This new ruling allows for anyone with a plan and the cash to remove you from your homestead and use what used to be your property for their own personnel gain. They don’t even have to give you what you want financially they must simply pay “Fair Market Value”
Cities should not be given the authority to uproot families to simply add to the coffers of the wealthy citizens of the community. In this particular case a couple, in their eighties, are being forced to leave their home of more than fifty years so that they may develop the riverfront area to make more money for the wealthy.
Eminent Domain was never intended to be used as a tool to remove people from the homes to help the wealthy get wealthier it was meant to be used to improve the growth possibilities of a community. At least that is the way I see it here on Arrathorns Alley
A group of Connecticut residents claim that their property was selected for seizure to facilitate a group of builders plan to raise a office building where their homes stand.
It has always been law that a community could seize property if it were to benefit the community like a site for a bridge or bringing a road through, This new ruling allows for anyone with a plan and the cash to remove you from your homestead and use what used to be your property for their own personnel gain. They don’t even have to give you what you want financially they must simply pay “Fair Market Value”
Cities should not be given the authority to uproot families to simply add to the coffers of the wealthy citizens of the community. In this particular case a couple, in their eighties, are being forced to leave their home of more than fifty years so that they may develop the riverfront area to make more money for the wealthy.
Eminent Domain was never intended to be used as a tool to remove people from the homes to help the wealthy get wealthier it was meant to be used to improve the growth possibilities of a community. At least that is the way I see it here on Arrathorns Alley
Thursday, June 23, 2005
It’s happened to me, I’m sure its happened to you. It’s no big deal or is it? I just need milk you shout at the locked door. You can still see customers inside. It wouldn’t be a big deal if they opened for you would it?
Well Herme`s a elegant French store did just that. Oprah who is quite fond of getting her way, failed. Now she is livid because they wouldn’t give in to her “I don’t care if I am here after hours” attitude
Well
In my opinion they both got what they deserved. Oprah tried to wave her money at the store and they obviously didn’t care until they found out it was Oprah for Gods sake. They tried to say they were having problems with other North African Women and that is why they didn’t let her in. They tried apologizing all over themselves when their management found out it was Oprah for God’s sake. (just like the French to change positions when they found out it might be hard on them) Too late Miss O is madder than Hell that she was treated that way and not given preferential treatment. Well Miss O…….how’s it feel to be normal?
I didn’t get my milk well at least not there and you didn’t get your purse and those Oh so loyal French didn’t get a few thousand of your bucks Miss O. So sorry you had to be treated like a normal person for a change.
Factoid---The Great Lakes contain 1/5 of the worlds fresh water
supply.
Well Herme`s a elegant French store did just that. Oprah who is quite fond of getting her way, failed. Now she is livid because they wouldn’t give in to her “I don’t care if I am here after hours” attitude
Well
In my opinion they both got what they deserved. Oprah tried to wave her money at the store and they obviously didn’t care until they found out it was Oprah for Gods sake. They tried to say they were having problems with other North African Women and that is why they didn’t let her in. They tried apologizing all over themselves when their management found out it was Oprah for God’s sake. (just like the French to change positions when they found out it might be hard on them) Too late Miss O is madder than Hell that she was treated that way and not given preferential treatment. Well Miss O…….how’s it feel to be normal?
I didn’t get my milk well at least not there and you didn’t get your purse and those Oh so loyal French didn’t get a few thousand of your bucks Miss O. So sorry you had to be treated like a normal person for a change.
Factoid---The Great Lakes contain 1/5 of the worlds fresh water
supply.
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
Yoi and double yoi. To those of you poor people who are not Pittsburgh Steelers Fans those words ( Yes they ARE words) hold no real significance ,but to the initiated they will always bring a smile of recognition to our faces and a pang of joy to our hearts.
It was announced this week end that Myron Cope is retiring after 35 years as the voice of the Steelers. His sterling career began in 1970 after a W.T.A.E. radio big wig thought his unique voice coupled with his vast knowledge of the game would make a winning combination. Little did he know it marked the beginning of a dynasty.
Myron began his career as a Steeler announcer at age forty, a time when most are settled into their positions. Myron was directly responsible for inventing the terrible towel. For those of you that have faced the power of the towel ……..enough said, but for those who have never seen what it can do, well, it is awesome. It is small in size, just like Myron. It is about 12 inches by 24 inches. It is golden in color with black markings and of course the Steelers logo and trust me there are very few things more distracting when trying to make a play than 10’s of thousands of yellow towels waving in the seats.
\ Myron was famous for his “cope-isms” a few will give you a idea…..Cleve Brownies = Cleveland Browns Da Yonkos = Denver Broncos Cincy Bungles=Cincinnati Bengal’s Cope –A – Nut =A prize for making a valid point on his talk show. Cope –A- Stetic = OK or even the Cope –Ra- Scope Myron’s version of his crystal ball. All of these shouted with a voice that could only be described as making finger nails on a chalkboard sound like the Four Tops. Stillers- okel dokel-Gadzooks (holy cow) –Gorgonzola (hogwash) the Emperor Chas= Chuck Noll There was no bigger fan and we will all miss him terribly.
Jerome Bettis (the Bus) said of Myron…..He doesn’t play, he doesn’t put on the pads, BUT he is as revered as much as Franco Harris or Rocky Blier.
God bless you Myron and thanks for all the great moments that you gave us.
It was announced this week end that Myron Cope is retiring after 35 years as the voice of the Steelers. His sterling career began in 1970 after a W.T.A.E. radio big wig thought his unique voice coupled with his vast knowledge of the game would make a winning combination. Little did he know it marked the beginning of a dynasty.
Myron began his career as a Steeler announcer at age forty, a time when most are settled into their positions. Myron was directly responsible for inventing the terrible towel. For those of you that have faced the power of the towel ……..enough said, but for those who have never seen what it can do, well, it is awesome. It is small in size, just like Myron. It is about 12 inches by 24 inches. It is golden in color with black markings and of course the Steelers logo and trust me there are very few things more distracting when trying to make a play than 10’s of thousands of yellow towels waving in the seats.
\ Myron was famous for his “cope-isms” a few will give you a idea…..Cleve Brownies = Cleveland Browns Da Yonkos = Denver Broncos Cincy Bungles=Cincinnati Bengal’s Cope –A – Nut =A prize for making a valid point on his talk show. Cope –A- Stetic = OK or even the Cope –Ra- Scope Myron’s version of his crystal ball. All of these shouted with a voice that could only be described as making finger nails on a chalkboard sound like the Four Tops. Stillers- okel dokel-Gadzooks (holy cow) –Gorgonzola (hogwash) the Emperor Chas= Chuck Noll There was no bigger fan and we will all miss him terribly.
Jerome Bettis (the Bus) said of Myron…..He doesn’t play, he doesn’t put on the pads, BUT he is as revered as much as Franco Harris or Rocky Blier.
God bless you Myron and thanks for all the great moments that you gave us.
Sunday, June 19, 2005
Sorry I am so late posting today but I had a incredible Fathers day. My birthday was on the 13th and it was kinda downplayed. I should of been supiscious,but you know Dad .he is a trusting sort. The day started early with my wife bringing me coffee in bed, althought that is not a rare occurance it happens less frequently now that it is nearly as hard for her to mount the stairs as it is for me.The door creaked open and the smell of fresh coffee coupled with the chirp of the morning songbirds woke me sweetly.
She sat on the side of the bed as I drank my cup and cleared the nights cobwebs.She said something about a picnic for Fathers day and something about me not being disapointed and some other vague things as I tried to clear my head. I showered and dressed for the day and came downstairs and was soon joined by my granddaughter and my son. I watched as she gave him the Fathers day card she worked on yesterday and his face soften and a smile came to his face as he read her words. I thought for sure My card was forthcomming but as we fininshed that pot of coffee I kinda knew he had forgotten.
The phone had taken up its job of fraying my nerves everytime it rings and it was as if it were working piece work today. I was waiting for my youngest son to call and wish me a happy Fathers day but none of those nerve jangling tones seemed to be from him.I asked my wife well if we are going to have this picnic ......lets get it going on..she said just sit there and cool your heels Mr it is not time yet. I waited as long as I could I was in a tizzy. I had to do something i was being detained in my living room and couldn`t even go on the porch.Suddenly She said oh all right have it your way then,go out in the yard Thinking the pic nic was to begin I went out and not a soul was around. I looked at her as if to say whats going on and she pointed at the river bank and said go down there and they will start showing up. Almost as soon as i got down to the rivers edge, My youngest showed up on a rented pontton boat and took all of us out for a great day on the river. Everyone pitched in and paid the rental for my Fathers Day present. He insisted I drive and I felt like the greatest of all river men Mike Fink. It was great and a Fathers Day I will cherish for ever.
She sat on the side of the bed as I drank my cup and cleared the nights cobwebs.She said something about a picnic for Fathers day and something about me not being disapointed and some other vague things as I tried to clear my head. I showered and dressed for the day and came downstairs and was soon joined by my granddaughter and my son. I watched as she gave him the Fathers day card she worked on yesterday and his face soften and a smile came to his face as he read her words. I thought for sure My card was forthcomming but as we fininshed that pot of coffee I kinda knew he had forgotten.
The phone had taken up its job of fraying my nerves everytime it rings and it was as if it were working piece work today. I was waiting for my youngest son to call and wish me a happy Fathers day but none of those nerve jangling tones seemed to be from him.I asked my wife well if we are going to have this picnic ......lets get it going on..she said just sit there and cool your heels Mr it is not time yet. I waited as long as I could I was in a tizzy. I had to do something i was being detained in my living room and couldn`t even go on the porch.Suddenly She said oh all right have it your way then,go out in the yard Thinking the pic nic was to begin I went out and not a soul was around. I looked at her as if to say whats going on and she pointed at the river bank and said go down there and they will start showing up. Almost as soon as i got down to the rivers edge, My youngest showed up on a rented pontton boat and took all of us out for a great day on the river. Everyone pitched in and paid the rental for my Fathers Day present. He insisted I drive and I felt like the greatest of all river men Mike Fink. It was great and a Fathers Day I will cherish for ever.
Saturday, June 18, 2005
Yippie I Oh Ki Yea
Yesterday was a day that should live in a Grandpa’s heart for the rest of time. The temperature was a nearly perfect 75 degrees and very low humidity and nary a cloud in the sky.
She filled her roll in the day as a little one filled with wonder and amazement at all she encountered. Her world was one of fun and fantasy. All she need do to make it real is imagine it, and there in her fertile mind it happened. The dozens of golden flowers she picked for her Granny (in reality dandelions) showed how much she loved her for every flower. The wild strawberries she picked fed the flock of birds that watched her play in the yard,(and told each other stories about it by their ceaseless chirping) and the time it took to eat her lunch was the longest time in the world.
She ran, she jumped, she flew on imaginary wings high high up in the sky. She raced her motorcycle at breakneck speeds or so the magic sound card Grandpa installed on it told her so.
I simply had the delicious pleasure of watching all of these things happen. I was granted the great privilege of watching a child stretch her imagination as she stretched her muscles. She ran so fast and so hard at 7:30 she wanted Grandpa to take her in so she could watch cartoons.
I have a habit of kinda kneeling in a chair to watch T V. It seems to be the least painful of positions for me. She busied herself by eating dinner and decided to watch T V while riding her favorite pony, me. She hopped on my back and I could feel her carefully fitting her feet to the stirrups and settled in to watch Tom and Jerry cartoons. Before long the gentle kicks in her pony’s side became less and less frequent. During one lull in the cartoons I felt her lay over in the saddle like some trail worn cowgirl. Her breathing became soft and regular. A soft snore came from her and then another and still another I whispered to her Granny to look and see and she smiled and nodded as if to tell me her little cowgirl is dreaming up new adventures. She gently scooped up the sleeping child and put her in her bed and covered her while the imaginary campfire(or so I thought) was keeping her warm and safe from coyotes and other varmints. Get along little doggie……………
She filled her roll in the day as a little one filled with wonder and amazement at all she encountered. Her world was one of fun and fantasy. All she need do to make it real is imagine it, and there in her fertile mind it happened. The dozens of golden flowers she picked for her Granny (in reality dandelions) showed how much she loved her for every flower. The wild strawberries she picked fed the flock of birds that watched her play in the yard,(and told each other stories about it by their ceaseless chirping) and the time it took to eat her lunch was the longest time in the world.
She ran, she jumped, she flew on imaginary wings high high up in the sky. She raced her motorcycle at breakneck speeds or so the magic sound card Grandpa installed on it told her so.
I simply had the delicious pleasure of watching all of these things happen. I was granted the great privilege of watching a child stretch her imagination as she stretched her muscles. She ran so fast and so hard at 7:30 she wanted Grandpa to take her in so she could watch cartoons.
I have a habit of kinda kneeling in a chair to watch T V. It seems to be the least painful of positions for me. She busied herself by eating dinner and decided to watch T V while riding her favorite pony, me. She hopped on my back and I could feel her carefully fitting her feet to the stirrups and settled in to watch Tom and Jerry cartoons. Before long the gentle kicks in her pony’s side became less and less frequent. During one lull in the cartoons I felt her lay over in the saddle like some trail worn cowgirl. Her breathing became soft and regular. A soft snore came from her and then another and still another I whispered to her Granny to look and see and she smiled and nodded as if to tell me her little cowgirl is dreaming up new adventures. She gently scooped up the sleeping child and put her in her bed and covered her while the imaginary campfire(or so I thought) was keeping her warm and safe from coyotes and other varmints. Get along little doggie……………
Friday, June 17, 2005
Good On Ya
According to an e-mail circulating, Denzel Washington and his family visited the troups at Brook Army Medical Center, in San Antonio,Texas (BAMC).
BMAC is where soldiers that have been evacuated from Germany come to be hospitalized in the States, especially burn victims. They have buildings there called Fisher Houses. The Fisher House is a hotel where soldiers' families can stay, for little or no charge, while their soldier is staying in the hospital. BAMC has quite a few of these houses on base but as you can imagine, they are almost completely filled most of the time.
While Denzel Washington was visiting BAMC, they gave him a tour of one of the Fisher Houses. He asked how much one of them would cost to build. He took his check book out and wrote a check for the full amount right there on the spot. The soldiers overseas were amazed to hear this story and want to get the word out to the American public, because it warmed their hearts to hear it.
The burning questions remains, why do Alec Baldwin, Modonna, Sean Penn and other Hollywood types make front page news with their anti-everything America crap and this doesn't even make page 3 in the Metro section of any newspaper except the base newspaper in San Antonio
PHX News Story
It’s about time that patriotic Americans get a little press for acts that they commit. We hear all the negative aspects that other famous people wish to push, therefore, it should be in the interest of fair news reporting to actually cover acts that Patriots commit to benefit our troops instead of criticizing them. We know there are many who have made personal sacrifices in their lives to benefit our military. Let’s hear about them.
At least that is the way I see it here on Arrathorns Alley
BMAC is where soldiers that have been evacuated from Germany come to be hospitalized in the States, especially burn victims. They have buildings there called Fisher Houses. The Fisher House is a hotel where soldiers' families can stay, for little or no charge, while their soldier is staying in the hospital. BAMC has quite a few of these houses on base but as you can imagine, they are almost completely filled most of the time.
While Denzel Washington was visiting BAMC, they gave him a tour of one of the Fisher Houses. He asked how much one of them would cost to build. He took his check book out and wrote a check for the full amount right there on the spot. The soldiers overseas were amazed to hear this story and want to get the word out to the American public, because it warmed their hearts to hear it.
The burning questions remains, why do Alec Baldwin, Modonna, Sean Penn and other Hollywood types make front page news with their anti-everything America crap and this doesn't even make page 3 in the Metro section of any newspaper except the base newspaper in San Antonio
PHX News Story
It’s about time that patriotic Americans get a little press for acts that they commit. We hear all the negative aspects that other famous people wish to push, therefore, it should be in the interest of fair news reporting to actually cover acts that Patriots commit to benefit our troops instead of criticizing them. We know there are many who have made personal sacrifices in their lives to benefit our military. Let’s hear about them.
At least that is the way I see it here on Arrathorns Alley
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
We The Jury..............
I suppose it is not up to me, or anyone of us, but a jury of his peers to determine his innocense or guilt. I think that it may of gotten pushed all out of purportion due to his notoriety, but, I personally heard him say that he slept with over a hundred young boys and could see nothing wrong with it. I think that on summer vacation all crowded in at aunties beach cottage or everyone gathered to celebrate Christmas or what ever it may be ok to share a bed but to look forward to young boys as regular companions in your bed, there is something seriously wrong. Mr. Jackson needs counseling and I don`t mean legal cause it is apparent he has the best money can buy.Come on Mikie, you "BEAT IT" now get some real help before you screw up someone elses life and end up calling you next bunkie Mr. Bubba Sir.
At least thats the way I see it here on Arrathorns Alley
At least thats the way I see it here on Arrathorns Alley
Monday, June 13, 2005
In My Life....................
In my life..........at first blush that seems innocuous enough but today is my 57th birthday and I was thinking over my morning coffee........In my life ,I saw the invention of jet planes. I saw television come into common usage,when i was a kid there were only three stations all in black and white. You were able to buy a plastic sheet that was blue on top , pink in the middle and green on the bottem and that gave the illusion of color.I have seen FM radio come into common usage. When AM ruled the airwaves there was a time limit on the length of songs you could play, three minutes was the upper limit.I have seen the invention of the first computer....Brainiac it was about one city block square and it could do math problems....if you were willing to wait.There are telephones now with P D A 's, wireless hook ups to the internet, cameras, both video and still, all in beautifull living color. Oh did I mention that these devices have more computing power than all of NASA did when it put is first spaceship into orbit.So do most of the video games on the market now.
I have seen the creation of the Berlin wall and its destruction. I have witnessed and participated with my other class mates in a nuclear attack drill where we were required to put our heads under our desks like that was gonna do a damn thing and I remmember how frieghtening the very thought of being melted was to a young child.I have seen a kind of peace come to Euorope with the demise of the Soviet Socialists Republic due to the Viet Nam war a half a world away.Comunisim was delt its death blow.I have seen the beginning and end of our longest war........Korea yet it never attained war status it was a "police action" despite so many valiant peoples sacrifices. I have seen our nation grow from 48 to 50 states, and shamefully be unable to secure our own borders. I have seen disasters of mega porportions occur world wide and our country rush to aid the victems and of course disasters occur right here and not one little offer of help from anyone. I have been a flood victem three times, a fire victem once and always recovered ,always rebuilt. I have seen our country lead the world into outter space, and be the first and only nation to set foot on alien soil. I have seen advances in medicine that seem to make yesterdays science fiction stories be harbingers of what is to come.
I have also and most importantly seen love and its result. I have had a wonderfull family whom I have loved deeply and that very same love has come back to me a hundred fold. I have had friends that I cherish and will always bring a smile to my face. I can honestly say I hate no one and I have never wished harm on anyone. At times i fancied myself as being the result of intervention on Gods part. he just wiggled His finger and there I was due to the fact of my upbringing, but then I realized that not even He has that weird of a sence of humor.I have been allowed to raise two fine sons who have been a fairly constant joy to me. I have been rewarded with a lovely Granddaughter who loves her pappy .I was alo permitted ( along with my family) to see what my little piece of the world would of been like if I had truly died instead of fighting back. I must say I am proud that I am here to love all you people in my life............lets try for another 57
I have seen the creation of the Berlin wall and its destruction. I have witnessed and participated with my other class mates in a nuclear attack drill where we were required to put our heads under our desks like that was gonna do a damn thing and I remmember how frieghtening the very thought of being melted was to a young child.I have seen a kind of peace come to Euorope with the demise of the Soviet Socialists Republic due to the Viet Nam war a half a world away.Comunisim was delt its death blow.I have seen the beginning and end of our longest war........Korea yet it never attained war status it was a "police action" despite so many valiant peoples sacrifices. I have seen our nation grow from 48 to 50 states, and shamefully be unable to secure our own borders. I have seen disasters of mega porportions occur world wide and our country rush to aid the victems and of course disasters occur right here and not one little offer of help from anyone. I have been a flood victem three times, a fire victem once and always recovered ,always rebuilt. I have seen our country lead the world into outter space, and be the first and only nation to set foot on alien soil. I have seen advances in medicine that seem to make yesterdays science fiction stories be harbingers of what is to come.
I have also and most importantly seen love and its result. I have had a wonderfull family whom I have loved deeply and that very same love has come back to me a hundred fold. I have had friends that I cherish and will always bring a smile to my face. I can honestly say I hate no one and I have never wished harm on anyone. At times i fancied myself as being the result of intervention on Gods part. he just wiggled His finger and there I was due to the fact of my upbringing, but then I realized that not even He has that weird of a sence of humor.I have been allowed to raise two fine sons who have been a fairly constant joy to me. I have been rewarded with a lovely Granddaughter who loves her pappy .I was alo permitted ( along with my family) to see what my little piece of the world would of been like if I had truly died instead of fighting back. I must say I am proud that I am here to love all you people in my life............lets try for another 57
Sunday, June 12, 2005
9/11 Revisited
I was flipping through the stations this morning (what did I do before remotes) and happened upon CNN`s coverage. It is their 25 th anniversery. The idea was to show the top news storys of the past 25 years. I happened to tune in at the beginning of the attacks on the Twin Towers on 9/11. It still hurts,these many years later, it still hurts. It brought tears to my eyes and a rage to my heart I had the same stupid idea that American soil was sacrosanct.......I was wrong along with millions of Americans and citizens of other countries also.The idea that innocents can be killed to prove a point is wrong just wrong. Terrorism is brutal and shocking and on the surface it seems like it will actually call attention to your cause. It does all right, not the sort of attention that brings resolution, but the kind that angers a nation and a world and turns all of their resourses towards irradicating this open sore of terrorism from the how to manuals of activists world wide.
At least that is the way I see it here on Arathorns Alley.
At least that is the way I see it here on Arathorns Alley.
Wednesday, June 08, 2005
Tuesday, June 07, 2005
Well, I AM Simple !!
For all of you kind readers out there who have found yourselves having a moment of well, self doubt perhaps, or maybe wondering if your thought processes are normal, I submit for your reading pleasure a short story of how low a person can sink into the depths of stupidity and re-emirge some time later, none the less for wear,well more or less.
I thoughtlessly accepted a job in my youth to help my poor aged auntie and remove some floppy wall paper and repaint her bed room for her. I took her to the paint store( back in the day before super-centers) and after much time she finally selected a color that she could live with, (off white). We then took off for the hardware store where i purchased the necessary tools to complete this job. Some spackeling for the blemishes on the wall and the spackling/putty knives necessary to use that. A razor scraper and extra blades to scrape the wall paper off, a small angled brush to do the trim and a roller handle,some replacement rollers and of course a paint tray to allow me to roll the paint on the walls. Well armed I took her home and told her that I would bring my kiddos on Sturday and she could play with them while i worked in her bed room.
Saturday dawned grey and chilly but I thought little of it since we were to be indoors this day. I loaded the kids (threw them in the bed of the truck) there was no such thing as safety laws back then, kids rode in the bed of the pick -up truck cause there is no room for them in the cab.I loaded the tools and the supplies and off we went.
I arrived a few min later with the kiddos in fine form and we had a little breakfast and coffee and nearly the moment they went outside to play ,it began to rain. It was a frog strangler, not just a little rain but a deluge. As a result the kiddos had to play indoors while i worked. Being a somewhat responsible parent, I realized that the kiddos might migrate to the work site to check out the progress i was making and see if somehow or another they could impeed that. So, in my infinant wisdom i forsaw that the kids would definately get hold of the replacement blades for the razor scraper so I put them in my pocket so I could lay claim to avoiding a disaster.
I am working away.........scraping...........sanding.........filling..............sanding again...more scraping,,,,,,,,,, sweating.................Auntie brings up a cold drink (much needed) I decide it is time to have a ciggie (See I really was stupid back then) shook one out and put it in my mouth and reached in my pocket to get my lighter and a incredible pain shot up my middle finger, through my hand , and up my arm. I pulled my hand out of my jean pocket and my finger was horribly wounded. Blood was pouring out of the tip of my finger, my eyes welled with tears from the pain, I hooked the top of my pocket with the thumb of my seriously wounded hand and slid my left hand into my pocket ( To see what was in there that injured me so) As my hand slid into the pocket of my jeans I had a flash and remembered that I had put my spare blades in my pocket to keep them away from the kiddos. To bad the flash came only after I had injured the left hand also. I stood there rather stupidly ,blood cascading down both elbows and dripping onto the floor, kiddos dancing around me in a circle saying things like "gee Daddy you gonna be ok? " "I never saw anyone bleed that much Daddy" "Oh Daddy aunty is gonna be mad cause you got blood everywhere" Well soon the humiliation passed and I found Auntie and got some bandaids and squelched the blood flow. I drove myself to the hospital and got stitches in both hands and for some reason was asked to tell this story a number of times to different groups of people. For some reason patient privacy
didn`t apply here.
So readers don`t ever feel stupid about something .......you will live long enough to laugh at it....providing you can stop the bleeding
I thoughtlessly accepted a job in my youth to help my poor aged auntie and remove some floppy wall paper and repaint her bed room for her. I took her to the paint store( back in the day before super-centers) and after much time she finally selected a color that she could live with, (off white). We then took off for the hardware store where i purchased the necessary tools to complete this job. Some spackeling for the blemishes on the wall and the spackling/putty knives necessary to use that. A razor scraper and extra blades to scrape the wall paper off, a small angled brush to do the trim and a roller handle,some replacement rollers and of course a paint tray to allow me to roll the paint on the walls. Well armed I took her home and told her that I would bring my kiddos on Sturday and she could play with them while i worked in her bed room.
Saturday dawned grey and chilly but I thought little of it since we were to be indoors this day. I loaded the kids (threw them in the bed of the truck) there was no such thing as safety laws back then, kids rode in the bed of the pick -up truck cause there is no room for them in the cab.I loaded the tools and the supplies and off we went.
I arrived a few min later with the kiddos in fine form and we had a little breakfast and coffee and nearly the moment they went outside to play ,it began to rain. It was a frog strangler, not just a little rain but a deluge. As a result the kiddos had to play indoors while i worked. Being a somewhat responsible parent, I realized that the kiddos might migrate to the work site to check out the progress i was making and see if somehow or another they could impeed that. So, in my infinant wisdom i forsaw that the kids would definately get hold of the replacement blades for the razor scraper so I put them in my pocket so I could lay claim to avoiding a disaster.
I am working away.........scraping...........sanding.........filling..............sanding again...more scraping,,,,,,,,,, sweating.................Auntie brings up a cold drink (much needed) I decide it is time to have a ciggie (See I really was stupid back then) shook one out and put it in my mouth and reached in my pocket to get my lighter and a incredible pain shot up my middle finger, through my hand , and up my arm. I pulled my hand out of my jean pocket and my finger was horribly wounded. Blood was pouring out of the tip of my finger, my eyes welled with tears from the pain, I hooked the top of my pocket with the thumb of my seriously wounded hand and slid my left hand into my pocket ( To see what was in there that injured me so) As my hand slid into the pocket of my jeans I had a flash and remembered that I had put my spare blades in my pocket to keep them away from the kiddos. To bad the flash came only after I had injured the left hand also. I stood there rather stupidly ,blood cascading down both elbows and dripping onto the floor, kiddos dancing around me in a circle saying things like "gee Daddy you gonna be ok? " "I never saw anyone bleed that much Daddy" "Oh Daddy aunty is gonna be mad cause you got blood everywhere" Well soon the humiliation passed and I found Auntie and got some bandaids and squelched the blood flow. I drove myself to the hospital and got stitches in both hands and for some reason was asked to tell this story a number of times to different groups of people. For some reason patient privacy
didn`t apply here.
So readers don`t ever feel stupid about something .......you will live long enough to laugh at it....providing you can stop the bleeding
Monday, June 06, 2005
The Stuff Of Legends
Some 61 years ago the Allied troops began in earnest the invasion of Europe at a place called Normandy Beach. It was the kind of battle that had epic purportions forever fixed to it. The heroism of the Allied troops has been the basis of many movies such as "The Longest Day", "Saving Pvt. Ryan", and " A Band Of Brothers" Also several video games such as Allied Medal Of Honor,Call Of Duty,
The invasion of Normandy began on 6 june 1944 and ended with the liberation of Paris from the German invasion 0n 23 Aug. 1944 (perhaps someone should tell them that little tidbit) The fighting was brutal and in many cases the Germans were well entrenched and were able to booby trap the areas that they knew the Allies would approach from.
The U.S. 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th, 8th, 9th, 28th, 29th, 30th, 35th, 79th, 83rd, 90th Infantry Divisions, The U.S. 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 6th Armored Divisions, and the U.S. 82nd and the 101st airborn divisions along with Brittish and Canadian troops fought in a simultanious invasion of Sword, Juno, Gold, Omaha, And Utah beaches. These stratigic fronts were to have been softened by 82nd and the 102st Airborn divisions. That aspect of the plan did not happen due to bad weather our paratroopers weredropped into the sea or other flooded areas.
All gave some,some gave all..........37,000 American dead , 54,000 wounded, 18,000 missing, 9,387 remain buried there as a constant reminder to Euorope of the gallantry of of men. There were also at least 3 Medals of honor awarded due to heroism in that battle.
The invasion of Normandy began on 6 june 1944 and ended with the liberation of Paris from the German invasion 0n 23 Aug. 1944 (perhaps someone should tell them that little tidbit) The fighting was brutal and in many cases the Germans were well entrenched and were able to booby trap the areas that they knew the Allies would approach from.
The U.S. 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th, 8th, 9th, 28th, 29th, 30th, 35th, 79th, 83rd, 90th Infantry Divisions, The U.S. 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 6th Armored Divisions, and the U.S. 82nd and the 101st airborn divisions along with Brittish and Canadian troops fought in a simultanious invasion of Sword, Juno, Gold, Omaha, And Utah beaches. These stratigic fronts were to have been softened by 82nd and the 102st Airborn divisions. That aspect of the plan did not happen due to bad weather our paratroopers weredropped into the sea or other flooded areas.
All gave some,some gave all..........37,000 American dead , 54,000 wounded, 18,000 missing, 9,387 remain buried there as a constant reminder to Euorope of the gallantry of of men. There were also at least 3 Medals of honor awarded due to heroism in that battle.
Thursday, June 02, 2005
It's A Matter Of Trust
It has been reported today in the everyday media that approximately 39% of all large corporations, like General Motors, Ford Motor Company, Maytag, and even Goodyear are faced with a unacceptable situation. The pensions and trusts that they have entered into ,supposedly in good faith, are under - funded. You may think that this is not much of a problem . The guarantee fund will kick in and make it "all good" well you are wrong..dead wrong. It seems as though the guarantee fund is way in the red also........this was caused by earlier failures such as Enron.
The only way you will be able to tell if your company is in dire straights when it comes to living up to its promise to provide and nurture your pension for you,which incidently was negotiated in good faith is to seriously check out your companys annual report. Look into the funding for your pension. Be sure that there will be enough money set aside from the companys profit margin so that you will have the luxury of picking which brand of cat food you will have for Sunday dinner.
This situation is reported to affect nearly 44,000,000 million Americans and the guarentee fund is nearly 450,000,000,000 (read billion here) in the red. Perhaps it is time to do something about this debacle before it is way to late. Before your golden years are spent picking cans along the roadways for extra cash.
At least that is the way I see it here in Arrathorns Alley
The only way you will be able to tell if your company is in dire straights when it comes to living up to its promise to provide and nurture your pension for you,which incidently was negotiated in good faith is to seriously check out your companys annual report. Look into the funding for your pension. Be sure that there will be enough money set aside from the companys profit margin so that you will have the luxury of picking which brand of cat food you will have for Sunday dinner.
This situation is reported to affect nearly 44,000,000 million Americans and the guarentee fund is nearly 450,000,000,000 (read billion here) in the red. Perhaps it is time to do something about this debacle before it is way to late. Before your golden years are spent picking cans along the roadways for extra cash.
At least that is the way I see it here in Arrathorns Alley
Wednesday, June 01, 2005
Things That Make You Go HMMMMM.......
A mom took photos of her sons 16th birthday party to Walgreens for processing and was arrested as soon as Walgreens employees say what was on the exposures...........A Stripper for the party. It never ceases to amaze me that it is ok to watch someone actually kill someone else or blow their own brains out the backs of their heads or gut themselves in the "Honorable" act of Hari Kari or even pour gasoline on there heads and lite the fire that would burn themselves to a cinder in order to protest a war. All these things are acceptable to view on tv that is made available to the general public. BUT God forbid that we get a glimpse of a human breast the very thing that nurtured and comforted us in the first year or so of our lives. There can be no doubt that America was founded by the Puritans and in most cases we have not progressed one whit. Charges are pending on the Mom who allowed this to occur and in actuality paid the stipper to appear at the party.
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