~SURELY THEY HAVEN'T FORGOTTEN ~

As a concerned citizen and a former member of our armed services I watch the news with growing concern for the safety of our troops throughout the world. Our news media and the hollywierd moon bats seem to have zero awareness of the harm they are doing to our military. They are compromising their safety and their effectiveness daily. By claiming that the majority of the American public don't support their effort, they are making huge strides towards de - moralizing our military. As a former Navy photographer in Viet Nam I will tell you folks that there is nothing more difficult than trying to maintain a good attitude about doing the almost impossibly difficult job that was set before you, when all you hear from our media is that we are not being effective and that no one supports your efforts and your sacrifices. That the very people who you are laying all on the line for,don't want or need you and your efforts to help them. I find it almost impossible to believe that not even a handful of media grabbing liberals, who wouldn't understand the difference between freedom and living under the iron fisted rule of a brutal dictator like Saddam was.They seem to promote the wrong assumption that the terroristic acts that are still going on in Iraq,is a direct result of the general citizenry of Iraq. IT IS NOT. They fail to realize that what is going on is a direct result of terrorists. Terrorists that are NOT Iraqi nationals. These people are from as many different nations as you can imagine.
The moon bats try to play on our sympathy for our military and the pain we share when we hear of a loss of life for our military personnel. That is a normal and expected reaction to that sort of terrible news. What kind of person would NOT respond with sadness and dismay when hearing of a untimely death of a brave man or woman that gave their life,their most prized possession to bring freedom to a oppressed nation.

Please America, support our troops. They are doing a almost impossibly difficult job without adequate supplies, in a extremely dangerous area, and coupled with the awareness that our general public seems to not support their efforts, it is more than anyone should have to bear. This issue hits home for me. When I was in Nam the news from home was the Vietnamese didn't want us there, our very own fellow Americans didn't want us there, and perhaps worst of all,what we were trying to accomplish there, had no real value to anyone. It was crap then and it is crap now. Honor our troops there are no finer people in the world. At least that is how I see it hear on Arathorn's Alley!

~ I'M BACK ~

Somewhat like General Mac Arthur, well,minus the corn cob pipe,steely glare,commanding presence,and being run out of town, I am finally back and feeling quite well. I am now nearly two weeks post surgery and have had my first check up and doing quite well. After 11 days I have lost 12 lbs and I feel nearly as fit as a fiddle.The rate of weight loss with the banding process is slower than the more radical procedures, but my deteriorated health demanded that I have the banding. The surgeon determined that I would not survive the more radical process called the ROU- EN- Y. I honestly think that I am better off with the banding because the weight loss is more gradual and therefore more healthy.There are many stories of people loosing their hair,and even malnutrition. I truly don't need any of that.
Before I sign out of here for today I want to thank all of you kind readers for your well wishes,thoughts, and of course prayers. I am so very lucky to be alive and be able to be here to tell you folks of my experience. I will truly make a more concerted effort to post more frequently and not disappoint those kind people who have become my readers.

~ THE DAY BEFORE ~

Well folks ,here we go......it is less than 24 hours till my scheduled surgery time and I must admit while I am excited about the outcome I am a little apprehensive about the process. I am confident that it will all work out just fine. I am trying to keep in mind that there are a lot of folks who are in worse shape than me who has survived more serious stuff than what Iam scheduled for. I will post asap probably not till Monday though......Be well.

~ FINALLY ~

Hello my friends...... I know if you are still here you must in fact be my friends because there has been nothing of any merit posted here for some time. The reason for that is I have been out of sorts for some time and once I regained my vigor my PC went kerplooie????? I hope that is a word ..if it isn't it should be. I finally have resolved both of those issues, hence todays posting. I am scheduled this Friday, the 13th of April for my by - pass. I am very excited about the possibilities that this is going to present to me. After a few months recovery I will be able to begin a much heallthier life style and will be able to rejoin the human race again instead of being isolated due to my constant need to be hooked to a oxygen line and unable to walk without the use of a cane. All these things, along with the majority of my medications, will become a thing of the past. I am SO looking forward to this. If ,for some reason or another, I pop into your head on Friday morning....say a little prayer for me....I know it works. Untill I get back home.......SEE YA !!!!