~ When Are They Going To Learn ? ~

I want to rant a little about the main stream media. It is the primary information source for most of our country. As much as myself and my fellow bloggers want to think that we are reaching out and touching a lot of people it is a fly spec in proportion to those who turn on Wolf Blitzer or Charlie Gibson .
In light of that, our media has a obligation to report as accurately and as truthfully as humanly possible to inform the general public of the facts in each and every news story.
Dan Rather did not, and it cost him his career and his network their credibility to some degree. It cost the public the ability to believe what they see or hear on the news. More importantly it has made a nation of cynics out of us. How many times are we charged with the admonition to believe nothing of what you hear and only half of what you see.
We are in a situation now where we are engaged in a brutal war to help a nation rid itself of tyrant whose likes have not been seen since Adolf Hitler. The media reports as its agenda dictates as opposed to the truth of what is really going on. We hear stories posted in the msm of how our troops murdered citizens in cold blood. Well as far as I know our troops have not given up their right to be considered innocent until proven to be guilty. Storyies like this turn our peoples minds from the reality of what is going on. The Insurgents will lie to serve their own agenda and have more insurgents swear that it is true.We have been accused of mis- treating our prisoners of war. Perhaps we shoud have Sen. McClain exactly what mistreatment in a POW camp is really like. We have been acused of being ruthless in our dealings with the Iraqi's. I have not heard how ruthless and against the Geneva Convention is the way the two soldiers who were just kidnapped, brutalized, and beheaded the way the insurgents are behaving.
And yes Virginia there were Weapons Of Mass Destruction found in Iraq they were trucked to Lybia and are hidden there or somewhere else for use by the terrorists.
And how long will it take before the good people of the world understand that it won't be long before the terrorists strike in their homeland. Killing their familys. Our media needs to get their heads all the way out of their collective asses and start telling the truth...... the whole truth .....not just some version that suits their agenda or their bosses agenda or perhaps their owners wallet.
We have had two attacks on American soil with nearly 3,000 fatalitys. We better wake the hell up before 3,000 looks like a mere drop in the bucket. Surely the terrorists will go where it is easyest to do the most damage and if our media is willing to convince the public that there is in reality, no problem and the terrorists are really freedom fighters, fighting against all forms of oppression, we better invest in a coffin company cause the body count right here in America will go through the roof.

~ UPDATE ~

As promised......I said I would keep everyone informed and I will. The Endoscopy went very well and posed no problem at all. The medical staff was considerate and informative each step of the way. I realized absolutely no pain and the scope never bothered me at all. I suppose it was from the novacain I was given to gargle with prior to insertion of the tube. They also ( as a matter of routine ) did a biopsy of my stomach tissues and the Doc said he expected no problem but still was required to send the sample for analyses. All in all it was painless and easy. I am scheduled the 17 of July for the proctoscope and I hope that goes as well. I understand the worst part of that test is the preparation. Before they let me go home, they gave me two photos with 4 images on each of my innards......talk about introspection....

~STEP 987 ~

Well tomorrow is what seems like step 987 in what must be the worlds longest journey.I am scheduled up for a endoscopy tomorrow. I am waiting on the hospital to call and let me know what time they want me, but, regardless of the time I will be there so that I can step one process closer to my goal. Some time in early July I will also be scheduled for the EWWWWWW, the much dreaded.....Proctoscope. I suppose regardless of needing clearence for my surgery, the proctoscope should be performed on everyone at age fifty to help protect from the possiblitity of colo-rectal cancers.So having dodged this rather blunt bullet and all my aprehension this long I suppose it is time I take it like a a stout heart. I will post on my results as soon as I know them. I`ve heard that you can actualy order a DVD I suppose to show with the rest of the family albums....................... 

One Small Step For Mankind....A Hell Of A Leap For Me

As I have posted previously one more step has been taken towards my by-pass surgery. I passed my stress test (I'm not sure if that means I have plenty of stress or my stress levels are low)regardless though, I have scheduled for the Endoscopy and Proctoscope .By mid July ,as far as I can tell all i will have to do is get through the physcological evaluation and I will be ready for the surgery. I truly had no idea that it would of taken as long as it has.
I will never look like the guy in the photo that I have posted,nor do I want to . Geeze the guy is as bald as a Q ball!! I have come to terms with the fact that I will never have a athletic body. As a matter of fact I would look silly if I did. But the dream of being fit enough to be able to do things for myself is certainly starting to come into my mind. Perhaps walk the 300 feet or so to the river and fish a little or be able to tie my own shoes. I don't know how I got this fat but I do know that it will be nice being a little smaller. A man can dream can't he?

~ MEMORIAL DAY ~

As we approach this day to remember our brave sons and daughters,brothers and sisters,uncles or aunts that have fallen in battle to protect our nation,or perhaps to bring freedom from tyrany or even to bring a better life to most of the peoples of the world, I must ask myself why.
Oh not why we do it but why those who we do it for don't appreciate it. Most aren't even aware of the basic knowledge that a citizen of our nation should.
I was listening to talk radio yesterday and the radio personality was talking to five college grads or seniors. Out of that lot of obviously intellegent folks only one knew knew who the vice president was, he also knew who the sec. of state was. he was not able to either sing or recite the words to the National anthem or the pledge of allegience. One person got as far as "and to the publik that it stands for and was stymied.
So I ask my self why do we keep on ? Why do men and women try and keep the American way of life? Why do we give up our sons and daughters for a bunch of people who never bothered to take the time to learn the most rudimentry aspects of our history. Maybe we would be better off being ASSIMILATED by the mexican horde at least they have some ethnic pride, they at least are aware of their history.I truly don't understand how I can be so proud to be a American ..........and so ashamed at the same time. 

~ WORLDS WORST MOM ~

Once more, the worlds worst mother has come to my attention. Her disrespect for her fallen hero son is way past anything that could be imagined. Cindy Sheehan is too busy out and about to bother to mark the grave of her son. Casey Sheehan was killed in the line of duty. He gave the ultimate sacrifice to protect and defend the United States Of America. He swore an oath and held to his pledge till he drew his last breath. His mother was properly notified and was given a quarter of a million dollars in insurance money that she refused to part with to mark his final resting spot can understand that it may of been a financial hardship to part with any of that cash BUT the Veterans Administration would pay for a marker that would be appropriate to the other markers in the cemetery. All she need do is authorize it and pick it out. She seems too busy to do even that for one of Americas finest. God Bless you Casey Sheehan. You didn't have a mom but at least you had a country that loved you and will remember you.

When Yer Wrong Yer Wrong

Dear Mr. President, I hate to give you this thumbs down because I have been one of your biggest supporters. You missed a perfect opportunity to show the Chinese a life lesson yesterday. When Pres. Hu Jintao was with you at the brief press conference and a documented press representative from the Epoch Times, a New York based newspaper, spoke out,her name is Wang Wenyi and is obviously a chinese national. She was quickly whisked away and you apoligized for the incedent you would of been better served by stating that this is America Mr. President, and we believe in free speech. Sometimes its difficult but in all the world there isn't a finer system. You must not ever let a chance to shine go by.

Brad and Angelina Is Pleased to Announce~~~~~

Thank God that Brad and Angie finally decided where, their as yet unborn son, is to be born.............Nambibia. Finally a movie star of his caliber and I might point out huge resourses, has decided to take all precautions in the birth of his son and cause him to be close to all possible medical resourses in a forward thinking,technically advanced country like Nambibia. I must say that I am a little jealous of Brad and Angies finances. If I lived in Nambibia I wouldn`t need to jump through all these hoops the doctors here in America are making me go through in order to get my gastric - bypass.I would venture to say that it probably wouldn't even be necessary in the first place. Oh and further kudos to the happy couple for making sure that the newborn is taken care of in the future.....He will be given a African name to go along with his Nambibian citizenship. Sometimes the sun surely seems to shine on certain folks.....

OH YEA ? WHAT WOULD you DO?

Well come on.......... Tell me........... Just tell me...................What would YOU do? What would you do if you were President Of The United States Of America? Understand there are tens of thousands of things that more than likely require the attention of POTUS on a daily basis. Bear in mind that each decision could have the potential to cost lives, win or lose large sums of money,and or effect peoples lives in extraordinary ways. What are the top five things you would do, and in what order?Oh BTW don`t allow your personal feelings, or family members,Or friends situations figure into your decisions,determine what five things you would do based totally benefiting the greater number of people,oh did I forget to say that,you being the President ofUnited States, must also consider the world wide ramifications of each seemingly small thing.
On the surface the above seems a daunting task,well it is. But I'm a generous kind of fellow. I will gleefully throw in the patience of Job, the wisdom of Solomon, the determination of Attilla, the strength of Hercules, the foresite of H.G. Wells.Still quite the task isn't it? What would you do? What would you mandate? Please help me tell me ? I wanna know? or maybe I wanna see if you know,or if anyone knows OR are we are as a nation,turned into a bunch of whiners will complain regardless of who is doing the job or even how well he/she is doing that thankless task.

Another follow - up on my road to a thinner, trimmer, movie star type body. Hah like any of that could ever be. I was set back last week due to the med staff neglecting to tell me to quit my meds 48 hours prior to testing time,so it was re-scheduled for this Wed. & Thur. I reported as requested at 7:00 A.M. and was promptly told that I was too debilitated and my breathing was so labored from not being on my meds for two days prior to my test,that they were afraid to do the test because there was a real danger of going into respiratory arrest. I was carted to the Emergency room for further evaluation and the ER doc concurred that I needed admitted and some intesive treatment on my breathing. I spent the next two days getting breathing treatments and huge doses of steroids which, although ultimately bad for you, really work wonders for aches and pains and to restore capabiltys for breathing . I can actually walk without groans and moans now till the seroids wear off, about a week they say.
So much for the news report, but for my impression of the medical arena I am sorely tried to keep from screaming at these people. I was admitted to a nice room on the sixth floor of our local hospital and that is as far as my satisfaction went. I had no hot water to clean my self with or to shower. Their solution is to give me a zip lock bag with about 6 or 8 washcloths soaked in some sort of soapy solution and some water and put in a microwave till steamy. I asked what this was and the told me with some pride..............a bath in a bag. Grrrrrrrrr I want a hot steamy shower and hot water and soap to wash my hands after using the toilet.My bed was a good quality hospital grade bed, BUT it had some sort of sheet material that was horribly uncomfortable. It stuck to your body but wouldn`t stay tucked in, it slipped off the pillows exposing the plastic pillows so a good nights sleep was impossible. I think it is probably a moot point due to the fact that they come in and check on you at least hourly. If all you need is rest I reccomend a four star hotel, you will feel a hell of a lot better and not spend near as much money. So all this means that I must wait another two weeks as per my doc before I can get the stress test and once through that on to the next aspect of the qualifying process for the Gastric By- Pass surgery that I need so badly.Wish me well!!! 

~ One More Step ~

As promised another update on my gastric by-pass path. I ask myself sometimes why people get frustrated about things and it is a process like this that brings clarity to me. I was scheduled for the stress test part of the process on Wednesday and was to call in on Tuesday for instructions. As per my directions I did so and was told that I could not take the test because they neglected to inform me at my Doctors office that I was to not take my breathing medications for the two days prior to the test and my diabetic med the day of the test. This translates into another week lost till I can reschedule. OK get over it no big deal. I am rescheduled for this week coming up for that. I had that aspect resolved and could move on to getting a colonoscopy and a endoscopy performed. I show up at this doctors office, and the doctors wife is his secretary and receptionist.....1st warning sign was they called four hours before my scheduled apt. Time and rescheduled me six hours later because the doctor had a emergency. As far as I am concerned those things happen but usually not six hours in advance. 2nd warning sign...... I am the only patient there,hmmmmmmmmm. The receptionist / secretary / wife / concubine,shows me to a exam room where I spend the next hour waiting for the good doctor to show up. Being a observant type I check out the room and it's furnishings and supplies. I notice only one exam glove left in the box. A trash receptacle that is over flowing with the somewhat disgusting traces of prior exams and worst sin of worst sins ,the trash can liner is a simple trash bag like you would use at home as opposed to a red bio - hazard bag as required by law, considering what is contained in this vessel. The exam room in general ,has a palor of a over used,run down ,cheap motel. 3 rd warning sign..........Doc finally shows and wants to know before even even exchanging niceties how do I intend to pay, and was I aware that he only accepts cash for my co-pay.I am beginning to doubt that this physcian and his obvious dedication to upholding the Hippocratic Oath is going to be appropriate for me. He will do I believe, for these testing processes, but I am so glad that the caregiver I have selected to do my surgery, is clearly superior to this poor excuse for a doctor. He may even be the poster boy for malfeasence.

The Beginning Of The Process

As I promised, I would keep everyone updated as to my progress in the ordeal to get the gastric by-pass surgery that hopefully will allow me to get my life back. Next week the testing begins in earnest. I have been on a supervised weight loss program for the last six months, and now that that aspect has been completed next week seems to be filled with the testing process. I have to go to the hospital for two consecutive days to get a stress test. This will be a chemically induced stress situation as my damaged leg will not allow me to actually walk the dreaded treadmill.They will inject me with some sort of stimulant to mimic physical effort on my part and then take x - rays of my heart. I will have to return the next day for another injection and more heart x - rays. They day after that, I must report to a Gastro-Enterologist to get examined for a colonoscopy and a endoscopy. I hope they can do them both in the same day,but needless to say, I trust different scopes.Once these are completed they will decide if moving along is warranted and if so, the next step is a physcological evaluation to see if i'm doing this for all the right reasons. I am sure that they will not mistake me for a annorexic wannabe. I must also get extensive blood work prior to the surgery and then I can finally get on with the process. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers.......I will post more as soon as I know more.

BY GONE ERA

It came in one of my decreasing moments of lucidity.......Things that are no more........Soft drinks in bottles made from glass, penny candy, and if you were a frugal child you could sometimes find two for a penny. Drive in movies and barber shops. The one that I visited in my youth was a three chair shop. There was Tony and Joe and that extra chair towards the back of the tonsorial emporium belonged to Tony senior who passed long before I was even born,but they kept his area in a respectful tribute to Tonys father. You would come in and the smells told you you were in the right place. The smell of cigar and cigarette smoke.The sweet smell of tonic water that Tony would sprinkle on you liberally when he was done. You sat in the row of leather upholstered chairs that ran along one wall and took a magazine even if there was no one in the chair. Sooner or later ,when he was ready Tony would give you the nod and you would go and settle into the most comfortable chair imaginable. It had a leg rest and a foot rest and even a head rest.It was made from stainless steel,wood and soft leather. Tony would get out a fresh paper neckband and wrap it around your neck and then he would get the cape from its place on the back of the chair and place it tightly around your neck to protect your clothing from the hair that he cut . He would ask you "what can I do for you today young man?" You told him "a shave and a haircut please Tony" he would gently recline you and take a hot steaming towel from its cabinet and wrap it round and round on your face and let it soften your beard while he stropped his straight razor. He would remove the towel and apply warm shaving cream from the dispenser, and shave you as clean as a new born baby's bottom. He would then set you upright and cut your hair the way he thought it should be cut. Then another hot towel to clean the remnants of the shaving cream off your face. He would then take a little tonic and shake it on your scalp and comb your hair with a fine toothed comb, dry your neck and your ears with another dry clean towel, and spin you around so you could see your haircut in the panoramic mirror as he removed the cape with a theatrical flair like to say........."Here he is folks" That would be $1.75 please. I would always give him two bucks because my Dad said that is what you should do. You would walk out of there looking and smelling like a new man.Those days are I'm afraid, long gone. You are not forgotten Tony....thanks for making me feel like the King of the world so many times.

~ BLACK HISTORY MONTH ~

Our local newspaper is celebrating "Black History Month" by having a open forum on famous black people in history. The newspapers invitation was "Area students are being asked to take a journey through the history of the world we live in and choose a famous Black American leader that has made a impact on all of our lives".
Our youth came up with influential people of color who made significant impacts on our lives. These people ranged from Brianna Scurry, who is currently a goal keeper for the Olympic soccer teams. To the old standard of George Washington Carver, who was a accomplished horticulturist.
There were 13 outstanding students who entered this competition, and in actuality it taught me things I didn't know. What puzzeled me was that of all the people who entered this contest NONE were black. ZERO ~ZED ~ZILCH ~NOT NARY A ONE. Is black history month only to be celebrated by white people or do none of the blacks in this area care about their fore fathers 

~ LOSS ~

Loss. It comes in hundreds, no, thousands of varieties. Some are insignificant like your team losing the big game or perhaps losing a few bucks on the lottery. Some are very important ones like you just lost your job, or perhaps you lost your temper with someone who means a lot to you.The worst kinds of losses are ones that can never be made right again. This is the kind of loss that unfortunately paid me a visit yesterday. One of my friends passed to the other side. He had been sick but everyone expected him to recover. There will be times that I will think of him and perhaps a tear will come or even a smile but there will never be a time when I won't feel the loss of this good man. Friends like him don't come often but when they do they leave a impression. He has left a impression even bigger than he was. May God rest his weary soul.

~ Hate Crimes ~

It has come to this feeble little brain after reading a story about nearly 600 prisoners in the Los Angeles County jail system wanting to transfer all of these prisoners into the state system to prevent further fighting and rioting amongst the reported 600 inmates. I was appalled,but not surprised to hear that the ACLU was called in and is attempting to turn all these situations into "HATE CRIMES".
First off I never saw a crime that was committed against someone you "LIKED" . They were particularly concerned when rioting broke out between two Hispanics and four Blacks who by the way were all locked in the same cell. Who were they gonna fight...The Chinese down on the next cell block>? Damn people gimmie a break.......When people are locked up in cages they do not have a tendency to settle disputes with diplomatic efforts. Whoever is stronger has their way in all things.......A good incentive to stay out of jail,or prison, or any other sort of incarceration. At least that is the way I see it here on Arrathorns Alley.

~ NATURAL DISASTERS ~

Michael Brown is expected to give sworn testimony today regarding the federal governments less than timely response to the effects of Hurricane Katrina. First off, I think that what they are looking for is a whipping boy,someone to point at and say hey it wasn't me it was HIS fault.
I have some experience in flood matters, some years ago we were flood victims right here in my little town. The rains came and wouldn't stop it rained for nearly a week steadily.At times heavily. We live along the banks of a lovely and usually benign river, but after these ceaseless rains, the banks were swollen with flood water. There is a large dam and another river at the headwaters of the river I live on. Some one at this dam, decided to open the wickets a little and let off some of the water pressure because they were afraid that the dam would burst. They did and debrie from that river clogged the wickets and they couldn't`t close them. On our river we have a series of locks and dams to control the water level and promote navigation. They held back as much water as they could to protect Pittsburgh which is downstream from us. Now the interesting part is Pittsburgh is at the bottom of the glass and simple physics dictates that the glass will fill from the bottom up unless the dams intentionally hold back the water.So in light of that we filed a class action suit to recover our damages. It went through the court system and they found the power company and the operators of the upstream dam were guilty of malfeasance BUT they could not be held culpable. This, very simply , means yeah they did it but they don't have to pay . Thank you very much so instead of the help we thought we would get, we were permitted to borrow money from the federal government and repair our homes. Lesson learned? If you live in a area that is lower than the water level..Expect a flood. If you get flooded ..Shut up about it cause it will not matter how vociferous you are no one is going to give you anything for nothing and the truth of it is, you deserve nothing . Fema or any other group is not responsible for your mis- fortune. If you qualify and get a loan take it and repair your homes or move out of the flood zone and start over like so many of us have. They took us out of our home by boat and as soon as the water went down we shoveled our way back in and started the re-build it was hard ,brutal work that often times was heart breaking when somewhere in the mud and debri you found a treasure you held dear and it was destroyed. A trinket your children made in school gone. Human nature says you suck it up and move on. That in and of its self is what New Orleans needs to do. They want to be a first class American city then act like first class Americans and get the job done. At least that is the way I see it on here Arrathorns alley.

~ WHAT DO THEY KNOW ~

Don't eat bacon.....It has carcinogens that can potentially cause cancer. Don`t drink coffee it may be harmful to your health. Don't eat butter .....use margarine .............Don't use margarine use butter it is better for you. Don't ever drink milk when you are dieting it has way too many fats in it. .....Oh wait you need four glasses of milk per day when your dieting it helps you shed the pounds faster.
It turns out that the government has just spent about fifty bajillion bucks to find out that a fat free diet is not at all good for you. you must have some fats in your diet.
It seems to me that our government should be in the business of repairing our infrastructure, supplying our military with what they need to wage this war in Iraq. Providing the necessary police and fire departments the training and finance needed to protect our citizenry and staying the Hell out of the pork barrel funding of all these unnecessary and ultimately mis-begotten studies. As far as I know not one of them has ever proven out to be factual and the recommendations they made to be in vogue for more than a few months,before another study, equally inaccurate, divulges what the previous study stated as absolute gospel truth. At least that is the way I see it here at Arrathorns Alley

~ EXCUSE ME? ~

What on earth was this Dimocrat thinking at Mrs. Coretta Kings funeral? Her funeral was attended by no less than four presidents and by any standards it was a impressive tribute to this womans ceaseless efforts to bring racial equality to America. She worked tirelessly untill she had a National holiday named for her husband. This is a honor that has only been afforded two other men in history ,George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, mighty fine company if you ask me.
Former President Carter went on to say that racism still exists in America and to prove that all one has to do is look at the color of the faces of those who were victims of Hurricane Katrina. Is he going to sit there with a straight face and say that this hurricane only affected people of color?This this giant rainstorm somehow only fell on areas where people of color lived?"
It is a good damn thing that the only thing he is allowed to touch now a days is a hammer and nails. When I think of it ,in all of the many pictures of Jimmy in a habitat for humainty setting, I have never seen a saw in his hand, perhaps they knew all along he couldn't be trusted with anything sharp. It is people like him that give Southerners and Democrats a bad name. At least that is the way I see it here on Arrathorns Alley.
 

A RELIGION OF PEACE

.
I suppose that a picture is worth a thousand words and it appears as though this one has said even more.The Muslim religion is purported to be a religion of love and peace. I must ask myself who it is that these Muslims love and wish to live in peace with. They kill their own in the name of a Jihad,and this helps how? They send children wearing explosives in the midst of a crowd and then blow them to smithereens in order to make some sort of convoluted point that no one but themselves understands. They kidnap and kill in a most detestable way (beheading) the much hated westerners in their country to ensure that we will leave them as soon as humanly possible.I wish someone would tell these booger eating morons the reason we are there is to bring them a bit of peace and tranquility and to improve their standard of living. We are actually building hospitals,bridges,highways,schools,ensuring electricity, water,and fresh potable water is availabe throughout their country.We do not seek to have a presence there,instead we are trying to help them establish their own governing body in free and unbiased elections.
Now one more thing for these sorry excuse`s for humanity is doing is committing violence on another nations soil (Danish Embassy ) in Beirut,Lebanon.Demonstrators attacked police withstones and even went so far as to destroy life saving equipment that belonged to their own nation,several firetrucks.
Security officials claimed that at least 18 people were injured and at least ten transported by ambulance to area hospitals took to the streets in Afghanistan,Iraq,the West Bank,and even New Zealand.
You may ask what horrible thing was committed against the Muslims to warrant such a wide spread reaction? Well believe it or not someone actually poked fun at Mohammed. I know no one ever made fun of Jesus,or that chubby little fella Buddha, but come on Muslims show a little tolerance. If you folks didn`t want people to use you as the brunt of jokes quit acting so freakin stupid. Quit telling the story that if you go into the midst of that crowd of Christians and blow your self up and kill a number of them in the name of Allah then there will be many virgins waiting for you in heaven. In my opinion the surest way straight to Hell with a first class ticket non- stop is to take another human life and you are going to try to say yer gonna get virgins for it........Hahahahaha you guys ARE funny.......Well at least that is the way I see it here at Arrathorns Alley.

~ GIVE IT A REST ~

I had hoped that we had heard the last of this moonbat that has quit supporting her son's cause,and went so far as to join the the very terrorists that were responsible for her sons untimely demise. She has attempted all sorts of actions to disrupt the general publics impression of what is going on in Iraq. She has stooped to calling the President of our great nation such things as..." A lying Bastard,Evil Maniac,Fucking hypocrite,and the worlds biggest terrorist." She went on to even greater heights and out and out lied by stating that President Bush is committing blatant genocide and is waging a nuclear war.
Well last night she reached new heights by attempting a lame protest at the State Of The Union Address . She was invited by a dimocratic congresswoman and as soon as she got in the chamber she revealed her real reason for being there....To further disrupt the workings of our country and to attempt to embarrass the President of these United States. If her son could, I know he would be screaming from his grave to "shut the fuck up and quit dishonoring our sacrifice here in Iraq and Afghanistan. This fine young man V-O-L-U-N-T-E-E-R-E-D for this service. It is because of her sons sacrifice and many others that Saddam Hussein ,and his two out of control sons, are no longer raping school girls, feeding people to the lions, pulling the tongues out of peoples mouths and even attacking his own people (Kurds) and killing 5,000 or more of those with poison gas.
Her family has turned against her, even her husband has filed for divorce. Even worse than anything else she has done is attempting to have her sons sacrifice mean nothing at all by trying to have us leave Iraq prematurely and there by allowing Iraq to fall back into the wrong hands. In my opinion this woman wants to act like a terroist let her go live with them.

~ WHAT IS YOUR POINT ~

News Flash........ Some time through the night ABC anchorman Bob Woodruff and camera man Doug Vogt and a unamed Iraqi soldier were grievously wounded by what has become known as a IED (improvised explosive device). Their wounds were called serious and they have been already medi-vaced out of the war zone and transported to Landstull Germany. There they will recieve further treatment and when they are asolutely stable, they will be airlifted to probably Walter Reed Hospital out side our nations capitol. This major news story took up the greater portion of the first hour of "Good Morning America" today. The anchor people were all dutifully serious in light of the situation
Here is the rub............ those people were there by choice it is their job. They chose to do it. In exchange for their services they are compensated, at least, richly. I am positive that a network anchor earns as much in a year as I had earned in my mispent life.That is in no way to say they are overpaid just thatI was not much of a achiever.There has been quite the hooplah over these people being injured,the hooplah has been forthcoming in direct porportion to the "importance" of the person. Lots of conversation about the "news anchor" Bob Woodruff....... some about the camera man...... only called Doug for most of the show............ and a unamed Iraqi soldier.
What about the American or allied soldier who is there because they believe in the cause? They will probably earn upwards of $900.00 bucks a month. It is highly recomended that if they are not married, to not get married because there will not be enough money to live on. Why isn`t the first hour of "Good Morning America"dedicated to these brave men and women? Just because the folks at ABC know these people it is a big deal but in reality thier sacrifice is no greater than any one who has been wounded or killed trying to bring freedom to Iraq.The news team was there by choice and were riding in a Iraqi army convoy to further the networks position to belittle the efforts of our troops. Well sometimes irony kicks in and it happens like this. Perhaps there will be a "breaking story" as to how good the medical treatment is that our troops recieve. You can be sure they will never point out our militarys sacrifices so they can present the news story in whatever skewed fashion they choose. 

NEWS FLASH.......BAHRAIN

Date Line Bahrain 1/252006 Pop star Micheal Jackson now vilified as a child abuser was spotted roaming the mean streets of Bahrain. He was dressed as a woman and wearing a Burka.It is unknown at this time if he was secretly trolling for young Bahrainian boys or scouting the area for what his supporters are calling "NEVERLAND ~EAST.. More on this breaking story as soon as a translator is made available to translate from Towel To Jive to English . This may take some time being what the study of linguistics has morphed to today. 

~ How bout DEM STEELERS ~

Pittsburghs going to the Superbowl !!!! Wooooo Hooooo. I was pleased to not have to eat a previous posting when Pittsburgh soundly beat the Denver Broncos. This man had a lot to do with it, not just his personel efforts but his leadership on the team inspired the rest of the team to new heights. This very well may be Jeromes last year on the team but he will remain a valued community member,and a integral member of the future of Pittsburgh.
WAY TO GO STEELERS!!!  

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

I was saddened to hear of the passing of Willson Pickett. He was a inovater in early soul music and influenced many of todays younger artists. He will be sadly missed by many.

HOW BOUT DEM STEELERS !!!!!!

I am going out on a very thick and secure limb and picking the Steelers over Denver Bronco`s on Sun and I think Those mighty Steelers will Face North Carolina in the Superbowl,where the Steelers will have their hands raised once again and we will get the one for the thumb this year!

Excuse Me??????

Excuse Me ???? Could someone please tell me how the Iraqi terrorists come to the conclusion that holding the young female journalist hostage helps their position? Please explain to me how this can have anything but inflamatory results for them. Since we have neglected to give in to their demands the plan is now to execute this young woman,please tell me how this is going to further the terrorists position. We have stated without reservation that we do NOT negotiate with terrorists PERIOD. What makes them think that this is any different.How stupid are these people to keep trying a tactic that has been proven to NOT work. The United States needs to hunt down these offenders and give them more than they ever afforded their hostages, a fair trial and a stout rope at the end of it. Oh yeah I will volunteer to build the scaffold,tie the knot and pull the lever.

One Step Further

For the kind readers information I have had a horrible ending of 2005 and I pray fervently that 2006 will be a much better year. To that end..............I am stepping out of the house today and going to the doctor for a check up. I am planning to have my weight reduction surgery as soon as possible and I am trying to get the ball rolling towards that end. So wish me well,it is only twenty nine degrees and blowing snow and I pick this as my first day out in nearly six months. I kinda feel like a prisoner here who has gotten a notice that the courts will in fact here my plea for a new trial. I`m hoping the docs will help me start a new life..........Woo Hooooo I may be dancing soon !

He Said WHAT??????????????

I could NOT believe my ears and eyes as i lay complacently in my bed. While watching the evening news. The mayor of New Orleans had claimed that he was having a conversation with Dr. Martin Luther King who, if I remember correctly, is as dead as my great great grandmother. He went on to say the Dr MLK told him that God is angry with the United States for being in a immoral war in Iraq and that is why he has brought all these hurricanes to our shores and caused so much destruction. He went on to say that New Orleans should from here on out be a chocolate city, peopled by chocolate people, and rebuilt with chocolate money( I hope this last part is true) Dr MLK is also very angry about the way the black people were neglected during Katrina. I thought I had somehow slept the week through and it was Saturday Night Live,but it wasn't. This idiot was REALLY saying these emmensly stupid things. I think I understand why New Orleans had so much difficulty during Katrina. Mayor Ray doesn't have the sence that God gave a goose. He neglected to call help in untill the situation was so bad that no one could get out of New Orleans and no one could get in either. This once great city was not neglected it simply was mishandled by this bufoon. As a responsible official he should be mandated to promote unity and a a team spirit in rebuilding the city. It is a huge job and it can't be done over night or even with all possible help and unlimited funds New Orleans could never be restored in less than five years. I have some experience in this field. My home was flooded in 1985 and as yet I am not fuly restored. The house is fixed so that it is usable but I have not recovered some of the things that I lost. I never will and I didn`t blame it on anyone........... The rain came down ,the water rose. No ones fault. Shit happens. Did I call out for my comunity to be a white bread town? No that would of marked me as next in line for the looney bin. I think that is where Mayor Ray needs to be put and the key thrown away. At least that is the way I see it here at my end of Arrathorns Alley.

Hello Again

I suppose it is time for me to stop feeling the unspeakable loss of the so called holliday season and assume the normalcies of life again.
I began this blog initially to give me a place where I could vent and perhaps even a forum to speak to some issues that I felt were important at least to me.I feel as though I have done this up till this past Christmas season when I recieved news that rocked my belief system down to its very core. I can't speak freely of it due to legal issues,but I can say that in all of my many experiences in life this was undoubtably the very worst one to try to cope with. I had my heart ripped from my chest and stomped on like it was a roach on someones kitchen floor.I commited the ( I suppose ) unforgivable act of loving someone wholeheartedly. In truth more than I loved myself. I would of gladly given my life to help her in the smallest way. I placed all my hopes for the future on her tiny little shoulders.
In exchange she loved me so hard I felt like her hero. I knew that when she would get here I could hear her squeeling to be let out of her car seat so she could play with Happy(her name for me). I would happily do anything she wanted at anytime,and she knew that and ruled gently from her throne. I felt immortal and I thought I looked like a giant in her eyes as she smiled my way.
It turns out that this child has been taken from my life without so much as a days warning. I don`t know when I will heal or even if,but I do know that she would want to see Happy smile again and for my little princess I will try.I will always remember the gentleness of her hands on my face as she kissed me goodnight or how warm it was in her arms when she gave me a good morning hug.If you ever read this thanks for loving me, I will NEVER forget you. You are the creme de la creme.

Happy New Year

I wanted to take a moment and wish all my readers and friends and family a happy and prosperous new year. It gotta be better than it has been this year or I don`t wanna know about it.

~ SO THIS IS CHRISTMAS ~

So, this is Christmas. I haven't posted anything for some time and I hope I can get through this posting. I am sooooooo not emotionaly prepared for this holiday. I have always been strongly tied to my family and that has not changed,nor will it ever.
I have had a rocky familial beginning and when I started with my very own family I swore that I would hold them all dear and close to my heart. I have and they have responded in kind. As a result we have become a very tight knit family,wanting no more than to share the company of one another.As often happens the best laid plans of mice and men at times don't pan out the way you think ,or would like.
This Christmas,the sole reason for "the magic" will not be here. I am so upset about this I have lost my joy about celebrating our Saviors birth. I will reflect appropriately on the birth of Christ and the Christmas story but I`m so sorry to tell you Virginia..........there really isn't a Santa. After nearly sixty yearsof my believing and seeing the miracle happen,this year santa really isn't comming.As a matter of fact i'm not sure that he will ever come again. My entire innocence has been lost this holiday season and I truly feel like this has been a set back that I will never get over.
For all of you out there who still believe.........Merry Christmas enjoy the holiday and all that it represents. As for me and my broken spirit...........Bah Humbug.

~ BROKE ASS MOUNTAIN ~

John Wayne,Gary Cooper,Tom Mix,The Lone Ranger, the list goes on forever it seems. How many of the heroes we grew up with would embrase broke back mountain as a viable cowboy storie? How many kids are going to get off their hobby horses and start riding their playmates? What in the world has these times come to? Hollyweird keeps pushing the envelope. All of a sudden rules have changed and not for the better. Language standards have changed. Films are a gamble now a days ...not if they are entertaining or not but if they are offensive or not. Can you just take anyone to a movie and not worry whether or not they will be offended?No No No. Even pg 13 rated movies has some sort of distastefull content. As a general rule of thumb there is so much nudity in todays films they far exceed what used to be a pornographic film is now no more than a rated r movie. I think it is time we start checking films content again. I am not in favor of censorship just more accurate labeling. Call em what they are.At least that is the way I see it.

~ N MEMORY ~

I would be remiss if I didn't note the passing of one of the funniest men who ever lived. I wish I knew how many times he had me in stitches over his situations or observations . He was downright funny and he had a amazing youth. His Momma was a prostitute and he lived with her in the whorehouse. I think this is where he developed his inate ability to observe people and touch their funny bones. He transended all of the things that most people would consider a hindrance to becomming a succesfull comedian. He survived a horrible accident when he was burned severly and later developed MS and fought that valiantly. Hats off to you Richard Prior you was one funny motherfucker man!!!!!!

~ SPIN ~

It seems that the spin doctors are hard at work trying to discredit all of the accomplishments of the coalition forces so far in Iraq. They try to show that we were there under false pretenses and although there were no weapons of mass destruction found it in no way shape or form means that there are none in the country. It is a land mass about the size of the state of California. It takes no huge imagination to figure that say 95 % of the country is a over grown sand dune,easy enough to hide anything . A few good buldozer operators and I promise you I could make a aircraft carrier disapear. Or perhaps those weapons of mass destruction were simply moved to Siria or Egypt or any number of countrys who percieve America as the Satan of the world.

Why isn't our news people interviewing the average Achmed in the street ? Most of the Iraqi people knew Sadam as what he is, a murderous animal not deserving of basic human kindnesses. He killed and tortured and raped his way through the Iraqi public like shit through the proverbial Christmas goose. Why aren't they telling how hospitals are open and operating,schools functional where there were never schools before,Highways are open or being repaired.Water is being ditributed to areas that never had clean running water before. The citizens are happy we are there and are trying to help every way they can.Children are approaching,giving our military valuable info,they are glad to have us. It is time that the media tells it like it is and not worry about who is gonna pay them or promote them or let them keep thier cush jobs. Do as our troops are doing..their duty.

~ MORE SHENANAGINS ~

Once more they are attempting to bring Sadam to trail for his crimes against humanity. How is this any sort of suprise? Sadam has never ever had anyones intrests at heart other than his own. He even went so far as to abuse his own family memebers to gain power along the way, or perhaps to hear a bit of gossip that was being said against him at the last family gathering."Either tell me Achmed or will have your whole family killed and make you watch"

He wants to feel once more that he is in charge,and in a way the judge is allowing him to proceed in that manner. He is disruptive and the judge in intrest of a fair and orderly trail grants a recess. Sadam uses these times to think up how to be more disruptive. He shouts orders at the judge telling him what to do. He complains of being handcuffed in transit.He complains about anything if he thinks it may work and he even has his Generals trying to do the same thing.

Sadam will only understand ONE thing the way he ran ramshackle over his countrymen and familys and even his own family. If I were the judge I would give all of these defendants this one chance. Stop being disruptive and quit complaining as to your treatment when you know full well that is fair and even handed. Either stop this or I will take measures. I will bind and gag,I will shackle, I will tie you firmly to a chair if you can't be silent enough to let the due process of law happen. I will go so far as to have you removed to a remote location and have your trail piped in so that only you can see it and hear it and regardless of what you do the trial will proceeed by Hell or highwater I will see that you have a fair trial before you are hung by your neck till your death.Now Sadam you may of been dictator of a third world nation but you gotta know............................................HERE COMES DA JUDGE !!!!

~ The Benefits Of Supporting Our Troops ~

It is about time that the American puplic learns that to support our troops is a good, no, a great thing. One that should be embrased by each and every one of our citizens.We are a financially motivated society and I am going to attemp to motivate all of our citizens with money. Thats right cash,greenbacks,Georges in large quantitys.

How am I gonna do this? How am I gonna motivate all these good people? By waving profit under their noses. First a little background...The Coca Cola Co. You see there has been a old saw about paying attention to history and it will profit you. And to finnish the saw for those who don't pay attention to history it will come back to you and bite you on your butt. Sometimes a really huge bite like the U.S.S. Cole or The World Trade Center (you may take your pick here it WAS attacked by similar groups only a few years apart)You may insert your favorite terrorist action here.

Now for the motivational part.......The gentleman who owned Coke at the onset of World War Two was in fact a strong supporter of our troops and was so touched by our troops sacrifices that he vowed that he would make damned sure that where ever they were in the world that our brave men and women in the military would be able to get a iced cold coke for what they paid for it at home .....5 cents. Thats right 5 cents. not only was coke cheaper then, most other things were also. Still it posed a problem for the board of directors of Coke. It would cost a lot more to make it here at home and ship it to them, also the manpower was lacking because most of America's young men were in reality fighting to bring freedom to the rest of the world once again. (It seemed like everyone had forgotten our earlier attemp.... .World War One.)So being the great business people they are, the folks at Coke decided to build Coke factories in all of the theaters of war so that our troops could have a iced cold coke when the oppourtunity presented itself.Well today we know that that worked out well for our favorite soft drink company because you see they got to keep the factorys that Coke had built all over the world which gave them a handle on a world market for a refreshing soft drink when the war was over.Today they are a multi national company with profits in numbers you and I can't understand.

So wake up folks....SUPPORT OUR TROOPS and perhaps someday you too will reap the rewards of a greatfull military and live in a land that has unlimited freedoms for you and yours,who`s standard of living is better than anyplace I have ever been.

Hiya !!

I'm so sorry I haven't had much to say in the last week. My time was full of taking preperations for Thanksgiving and still trying to watch my food intake. It is very hard trying to act as I always have but still watch the calories. Oh well ....if I wanna keep on blooging I must do this deed,regardless how distastefull I find it.I know I have knocked off a few pounds although I am not sure how much..........wish me luck I NEED re-inforcement.

I saw on the news this morning that there was a new law passed by the local government for the area of Texas where Mr. Bush makes his home. It seems that they have banned road-side camping. Good on em I say !!!! Mrs Cindy Sheehan is now forced to change her plans from spending Thanksgiving loitering outside President Bushs' home to spending it in some non specific campground. Instead of Miss Cindy staying home with her family and enjoying one of the holidays her son WILLINGLY gave his life for, She chooses to continue disgracing the gift of freedom that her son so valiently gave. There ya go cindy lets see ya get the turkey and fixins in the camp stove you unappreciateive bitch.

Are You As Fed Up As Me?

I have had a occasion to contact one of my utilities and I am in such a state of anger about it that I finally had to bring it to the blogworld and see if it is just me or is anyone else as fed the hell up with the answering process used by most utilities and big bussiness.
Here in Pennsylvania I have the sad misfortune to have my electricity supplied by Allegheny Power. I am very satisfied with the level of service they provide and the dependability of service BUT just try and get them on the phone and my friend you will jump through hoops trying to get human to speak with.
I have been on the phone for a total of 2 hours and five min already counting both phone calls. I called 1-800- blah blah and a automated system kicks in and you must answer three hundred or so questions before you get to the point where you can punch in that I will hold for a live representitive. Along the way I put my phone on speaker so that I don't have to hold it to my ear. Occasionally a voice breaks in saying that everyone is to busy to talk to me and if I still wish to hold please press #1 if I want to leave a message please press 2 and if you would like to start over please press 3. Before I could believe my ears on that option it was to late to press option 1 ...continue to hold. A generated voice came on and said goodbye ......click.
I am really ticked off now and still not having resolved my problem this freakin machine hung up on me . So i called back and weaved my way through the process again and I am waiting till someone answers so that I may apprise them of my opinion of the quality of service. I know at the first sign of @%$#^*&&&(*))*%%##%^^%#$^%^ that they so hartily deserve that they will hang up on me but by golly I am gonna abuse that poor persons ears.

A Continuing Saga

As you folks all know I am attempting to get my health issues under control. I am in the process of getting bi-pass surgery done so that I can lose weight and get back to a normal life style. For those who aren't aware I had a serious fall about five years ago and due to the enforced inactivity during my recovery I had little to do other than eat. I was unable to exercise due to the damage my body recieved from the fall, and before I knew it, I was in the condition that I am in.

Last week I had to travel to Pittsburg and see the surgeon for a preliminary exam to determine if I were a viable candidate for the bi- pass. There are a number of different proceses available for the physcian to use and after a nearly three hour exam, it was determined that I would probably not survive the most radical process which is called a Roux-en Y Gastric Bypass . This is called this because it has meaning as to which sections of the stomach and the intestine are cut and how they are re-attached. This process gives the fastest results and is most effective in helping get rid of almost all of the bodys stored fat.

The evaluating surgeon determined that I would be best served by a banding by-pass which has had 100 % success rates with no fatalities but it is only approximately 80 % as effective as the Roux-en Y. She does not do this process though but someone else in her group does and it seems that I am going to b accepted as a patient.

I must complete the following.....6 months of nutritional counseling,a psychological evaluation, I must be seen by a internalist for a complete history and a physical and this must be documented and submitted to the surgeon, A complete work up by a cardiologist, A sleep study test, clearence from a pulmanologist, a gang of blood work, an ekg, upper endoscopy, colonoscopy, chest- x ray , and all pertenant medical records from the last ten years must be faxed to the surgeon. I also will be required to continue dieting and if I gain any weight at all I will be removed from the program

I must do this but it seems to me that it is a lot of hoops to jump through. If I would need say.............. heart surgery ,no problem, hop on the table and we will have you home by the end of the week. I hope it is done this way to keep it from becoming a dieting process and it is only doled out to those who are in trouble but six months is long damn time and six months of carrying this extra weight is even further debilitating me.Send those prayers and well wishes I 'm afraid I'm gonna need them.

Missing In Action

Sorry folks I have been very busy trying to take care of some things as well as being not even being home for a few days . Sure home to sleep but up and running again so ........please forgive I should be back to my self soon/ And for those who worried that I was ok.............Thank you

 

~HAPPY HALLOWEEN ~

Today is a day that children throughout America consider one of the most incredible days of the year. All you gotta do is knock on someones door and when they answer shout out....."Trick or treat " and chances are they will give you a candy bar or "treat " you instead of the alternate "Trick" wich might include soap on your car windows or perhaps toilet paper strung through your trees or some tricks that I won`t even mention.
There is more to this day than the quaint picture I set out in the last paragraph. Throughout time it has been a magical sort of day when perhaps your predicessors in death may come to re - visit you . To perhaps settle a score or to prepare you for following them. Who can know the reasons,who can know if they are true?
Science has been trying to prove that there is no such thing as spirits or ghosts or goblins with no success. They can no more disprove it as the "Believers" can prove it.All I know this is my tale and I swear on my childrens lives that it is all 100 % true.
Being Irish in ancestry I love Celtic things. I have a dear friend on the internet whom I asked a huge imposition of and she complied willingly and cheerfully. I was greatfull for her effort then and even more so now.I asked her if she could find a metalsmith and ask him if he would craft a Celtic cross for me that I could wear, something, that would reflect my heritige.Very soon she had found the man for the job and he crafted a fine cross out of pewter and in its center it had a small green unpolished stone about the size of a green pea. She felt it should be unpolished since my being a manly man sort of man, if it were polished it would be more like jewlery as opposed to it's being a symbol of my deep and abiding faith.
She accomplished this task and would not take a penny for it which made it all the more valuble to me. She said anything that a man would use to get closer to his God should be given free, gratious. That if money were tied to it it would somehow spoil it.She sent it to me as soon as it was done and I put it round my neck and there it stayed untill the chain broke and I removed it from my inside my shirt and held it as I took a leather boot lace off my boot and strung it up gain and put it round my neck till I could find another chain. I had it fixed on the next trip to town and it stayed around my neck ever since and has not ever left ....BUT............. The stone fell from it and was lost somewhere. It was a dull stone with no luster and a natural color so that it would blend in anywhere and how it pained me I can never let you know because it was a lovely gift given by a dear friend and it had importance to me.
About a year later we bought new living room furniture and I will be the first to admit my chair is a great place to nap.It is overstuffed and it is brown corduroi and very comfortable. Very. I stress that because as I was sitting in my chair one afternoon . I was all alone and the house was quiet I was watching my favorite John Wayne movie, "THE QUIET MAN" and I had a habit of fondeling my cross absent mindedly. I fell asleep and as I heard the VCR begin to rewind I woke up and had a great need to use the bathroom. I extended my hands to the ends of the arms of the chair and I felt something under my left hand. I raised it carefully and there on the arm of my new furniture was the stone from my cross. How it got there I will never know. Ido know I am greatfull it has been returned to me .Very . I stress this very also because I found out a few days later that my friend who had my cross made for me had passed on at the same moment I was sleeping in my chair. Are these things related? I don't know But I wish I did. One of these days perhaps I will see her again and if I do I am sure gonna ask her if she did this for me.

IN MEMORY 

~ 2000 ~

News has been recieved from Iraq of the 2,000th soldier killed in Iraq. While 2,000 lives being snuffed out with so much life left to live and promises to give is horribile and should make any Americans blood run cold, I must call on you Mothers and Fathers and Sisters And Brothers to not enter into why we either stay or go from Iraq. I need each and evry one of you to stay strong. To stay the course. Your family member was doing what they believd to be the right thing for the right reasons. They so believed in what they were doing it cost them their lives and it cost each and everyone of you their presense in your lives.
Please support the continuance of our efforts in Iraq. Make their sacrifice mean something. Do NOT cheapen it by calling for our withdrawal. We all feel that one death is too many but reality bites as as it tells us to honor our loved ones who were killed in service of their nation.
2000 Deaths, 4,000 Mothers and Fathers grieving, unknown brothers sisters cousens and aunties.
Who knows the number of loved ones who are affected by this, their friends, co-workers-people who somewhere in the future their lives paths will cross. The untold contributions to medicine,music,poetry,art, or just being a friend.
Listen up America 33,000 men made the roles as casulties of war on the first day of the invasion of France on just Normandy beach. Was Euoropes freedoms more important than those of todays Iraqi? Was the horror of torture and the brutality of Auswietz more horrific than what was commited in Saddams torture camps?
Please America support our troops . Don't make them come home to what I was greeted with when I left Viet Nam . A nation who thought we were bad guys for all we gave A Nation who thought we were crazed killers and drugged out freaks. We weren't. We were your sons and daughters whose family was made to feel ashamed of what we tried to do.We weren`t wanted in Viet Nam and we weren"t wanted here. Don`t do that to these awesome Americans that are giving their all. You didn`t help us .......help them.

~ IT JUST AIN"T FAIR ~

I could barely believe my senses this morning as I looked out on my deck. We have already accumulated almost two inches of snow. Although that is no great shakes it is pretty incredible because our trees are still green and we are still cutting the grass. Even my neighbors flowers look great with their little white borders of snow. Guess I gotta go find the sled.....hehehehehe

~ For Good Health ~

To all you wonderfull readers out there in Bloggerland, If you want to stay healthy avoid Drs. visit like the plague. I think sometimes they pay the nurses a little overtime to spray a handfull of germs in the waiting room before the patients start coming in. That way regardless of why you are there to see the Doctor, you will have to make another appointment to get rid of the cold or flu or sniffles or what ever sort of malady the nurses were able to set out to keep em commin Doc.
Of course I know that is false, they dump the germs in the hallways and foyers. That way everyone can share in the wealth of our misery.Well I am sure you get my jist seems like every time I go I catch sumpin in the waiting room. I have sent out a request for permission to use dangerous and addictive drugs so that I can shake this dreaded malady and I am earnestly praying that someone will bring me that noxious bottle of vile tasting but works so good medicine so I can rest. Hope to post more tomorrow or maybe later if the meds don`t wipe me out.

EUREEKA !!!!!!!!

Just a brief posting to let my friends and family know.... I recieved a phone call yesterday informing me that on Nov. 8 th I will have to travel into the city and I will have my first appointment with the surgeon and they say it will last nearly three hours. They will want some nudes and I hope I am not too embarrassed considering my doc is a female.. I am sure I will get through it with no problem. I will post more after the exam and let you know the particulars.


And to a matter that has absolutely NO significance it is really easy to remove a comment from a individual posting or if I deem it worthy I can have the offending ,mis-informed, maladjusted scum sucking example of pond scum, banned for life with a simple key stroke.........Hmmmm shall I press or not? Only the shadow knows Bwahahahahahaha

~ One More Step ~

Yesterday was a truly wasted day. I went to the Doctors for a 8:30 Am appointment and he showed up around 11:00 and considering that I wasn't first I had to wait even after that.Finally He came into my room looking suprised to see me. "what brings you in today ? I wondered why on earth he would ask that when written on my chart in his own illegible chicken scatch follow up apptment in two weeks.He asked me to weigh in again apparently he had forgotten his scale wasn't up to the job.He cleared his throat in his most docterly manner and asked "well, are you ready to start on a licquid diet? " Appearently he forgot that I told him the time before last that I was there that I couldn't afford the nearly 200 bucks a month that that would cost. I informed him as much and he told me that He is ready for me to partake in a six month supervised dietary program. I informed him that I didn't think that I would still be alive in six months and he nodded and said to his nurse get him fixed up with the nutrishinist They informed me at the desk that I should return on the 11 of November to begin my 6 month diet. and todays visit will be 25 dollars thank you very much.I think it will be a miracle if I live long enough to even see a freakin surgeon. Wish me luck I need to learn patience and I mean NOW

~ Dearest Sheba ~

I wondered at first just what you were going on about and then I realized that I am in the presence of a intellect far far greater than my own. In light of this fact, please E~Mail me and I will give you the necessary permissions to also post on my blog so that all these good people no longer need to read my clap trap and can give your wittisims all the considerations they deserve.I look forward to your responce. OR You can kiss My ass you worthless piece of festering crap. Do you think I give a rats ass as to your opinions? I blog cause I am a pompus ass and I don`t give one whit as to what anyone thinks.

~ Mans Inhumanity To Man ~

I was appalled yesterday to see our local news report about a terribly appaling story. It seems that there was a lady in a trailer park that was pregnant and her neighbor and friend decided she wanted her baby. She knocked her friend in the head with a baseball bat and tried to remove the unborn fetus from its mother with a razor knife. The mother recieved a six inch deep cut in her attempt to steal the child. Fortunately a young man riding his quad came upon the scene and seeing immediately what was happening went and got his Dad and told his Mom to call 911. Thanks to this young man Mother and child are alive and doing ok and their attacker is being held in jail till her trial. I am so proud of him to survey what was going on and then do the right thing, required nerves of steel and he is to be commended for his responce.

~ Things That Make You Go HMMMM ~

As I sat this morning in the exquisite calm and quiet of my kitchen , slowly sipping that elixer of the Gods that help me make it through the day, I reached for the remote control (funny now that things have remotes that it is considered broken and unusable because you would have to get up and manually adjust it ) and absently pressed the power button. It hummed and whirred and brightened the room and before I could get another sip of coffee the news story flashed to the hospital room of a 38 year old woman who had just given birth to her sixteenth child. Her family encircled her bed and I realized that it would be decades before she would ever have the ultimate treat of a quiet morning and a good hot cup o joe. The poor dear said they were considering having more children in the future but damn just damn aint that enough? My mother in law always said that you can eat sugar till it tastes like salt and I imagine that she should have a pretty salty taste in her mouth by now.

A Deck With Built In Live Music

It was a great delight to find my neighbors having a live band on their deck this afternoon. I was able to sit on my deck and enjoy a Sunday afternoon concert !!!!!! Again many thanks to the band. You guys are soundin great !!!

A Change I Could Live With

This came to me in a E ~ Mail and was so good I wanted to share it with you "We the sensible people of the United States, in an attempt to help everyone get along, restore some semblance of justice, avoid more riots, keep our nation safe, promote positive behavior, and secure the blessings of debt free liberty to ourselves and our great-great-great-grandchildren, hereby try one more time to ordain and establish some common sense guidelines for the terminally whiny, guilt ridden, delusional, and other liberal bed-wetters. We hold these truths to be self evident: that a whole lot of people are confused by the Bill of Rights and are so dim they require a Bill of NON-Rights." ARTICLE I: You do not have the right to a new car, big screen TV, or any other form of wealth. More power to you if you can legally acquire them, but no one is guaranteeing anything. ARTICLE II: You do not have the right to never be offended. This country is based on freedom, and that means freedom for everyone -- not just you! You may leave the room, turn the channel, express a different opinion, etc.; but the world is full of idiots, and probably always will be. ARTICLE III: You do not have the right to be free from harm. If you stick a screwdriver in your eye, learn to be more careful, do not expect the tool manufacturer to make you and all your relatives independently wealthy. ARTICLE IV: You do not have the right to free food and housing. Americans are the most charitable people to be found and will gladly help anyone in need, but we are quickly growing weary of subsidizing generation after generation of professional couch potatoes who achieve nothing more than the creation of another generation of professional couch potatoes. ARTICLE V: You do not have the right to free health care. That would be nice, but from the looks of public housing, we're just not interested in public health care. ARTICLE VI: You do not have the right to physically harm other people. If you kidnap, rape, intentionally maim, or kill someone, don't be surprised if the rest of us want to see you fry in the electric chair. ARTICLE VII: You do not have the right to the possessions of others. If you rob, cheat, or coerce away the goods or services of other citizens, don't be surprised if the rest of us get together and lock you away in a place where you still won't have the right to a big screen color TV or a life of leisure. ARTICLE VIII: You do not have the right to a job. All of us sure want you to have a job, and will gladly help you along in hard times, but we expect you to take advantage of the opportunities of education and vocational training laid before you to make yourself useful. ARTICLE IX: You do not have the right to happiness. Being an American means that you have the right to PURSUE happiness which, by the way, is a lot easier if you are unencumbered by an over abundance of idiotic laws created by those of you who were confused by the Bill of Rights. ARTICLE X: This is an English speaking country. We don't care where you are from, English is our language. Learn it or go back to wherever you came from! lastly.... ARTICLE XI: You do not have the right to change our country's history or heritage. This country was founded on the belief in one true God. And yet, you are given the freedom to believe in any religion, any faith, or no faith at all; with no fear of persecution. The phrase IN GOD WE TRUST is part of our heritage and history and if you are uncomfortable with it, TOUGH!!!! If you agree, share this with a friend. No, you don't have to, and nothing tragic will befall you if you don't. I just think it's about time common sense is allowed to flourish. Sensible people of the United States speak out, because if you don't, insensible people will.

A Ongoing Tale........

It seems so long ago when I told you good people that I had decided that I would undergo gastric by-pass surgery in a effort to help me lose some weight and become once more, a productive member of society and more importantly my family. Finally I have been able to talk my primary care physcian into helping me accomplish this very thing.
I had a doctors appointment on Wedensday morning and as always, his office was crowded. He has a tendency to overbook,God forbid he should have a five minute gap between patients, we wouldn't want him to be unproductive even for a moment. It probably means the difference between him driving the basic Cadilac sedan or that hottest new edition Porshe that has been on all the commercials. At least he has the decency to install a high def TV with souround sound in the waiting room and a smaller version in each of the exam rooms. I thought it was very considerate of him to go to that expense for his patients, but I came to find out that it was to provide better patient privacy so he isn't looking at the business end of a law suit. I guess as my mother in law always said "what you see may not always be the fish you are being sold."
After a 1.5 hour wait I was pleased to see his nurse hang a sign on my door that said simply~ doc next ~ I am so much more at ease knowing that he has to be told who is up next.As is his custom he came in and asked what was the reason I was here today and what was bothering me. I had to refresh his memory as to my reason for being there is to get his referral for gastric by- pass surgery. You would think that somewhere in that weighty file placed on the door for his perusal that he would notice that I can not even weigh on his scale any longer.Perhaps he sould get one of those really attractive freight scales with the LED display. That always is patient friendly when he dosen't have to yell out to his staff to see if I can go over to the meat market accross the street for a accurate weight.
After much cajoling I finally convinced him that I could wait no longer and that if I don`t get on with this process damned soon He could just as well come to the funeral and after a decent time has gone by, make the wifie a decent offer on the property.He had his staff pull out all of the surgens in this area who do this surgery and will accept my insurance and it was whitled down mearcefully to three groups. I recieved instructions to call them all and attempt to make my appointment as soon as humanly possible and that he would do all he could by way of letters and recomendtions to help me get this going on. Wooooo Hooooooo On the way !!!!!!!!!!!
Well enough of that jocularity reality sat in when I called the top one on the list and his staff said sorry he no longer accepts that insurance. Undaunted I called #2 on the sheet. His staff said he only does a not really good version of the proceedure . He uses a banding method and it in reality is fraught with peril.On to good ol #3. Her staff tells me she only will accept patients that have been on a 6 month supervised diet. Well I have been on with my primry care guy and the staff tells me he would have to confirm that in writing . No problem he said he would so I am still hopefull. Next they wanted almost a complete history over the phone and of course ,desperate now I complied. They told me that they will send out a packet of information asap and to look for it in the mail. True to their word it came today. I eagerly tore this weighty document open only to find about fifty pages of info about the process and its indications for doing it and possible problems and expected stages of recovery and almost every thing you could want to know including 10 web sites,where I could get almost any question answered at any time of the day.That I'm sure will come in very handy good to be informed about things.
IT ALSO HAD a 34 page questionair about what drugs i am on and why and the dosages and how long and pevious surgeries and othe problems and how my ancestery has helped me be in this pedicament in the first place. It took two and a half hours to gather all this information and record it dutifully in each of the little boxes they provided. I folded it carefully and put it in the envelope they so thoughtfully provided and licked the awfull tasting glue,sealed the flap and even spread the brass tab for additional security. I turned it over in my hands to be certain that their label was adequately affixed when i n o t i c e d t h a t
t h e a d d r e s s w a s ......................Magee Womans Hospital. Imagine my chagrin when I saw that. I called ,holding my breath, and the staff member informed me that it is ok that they work on men also now.
So I guess I am under way now .......I will keep you posted as to what where when and how. I thought this would make for some interesting reading ,if you dear readers think not please tell me.

Be Back Soon

Hello good people ! I'm not sure that anyone has noticed or even cared for that matter but I have been under the weathr for a bit and am feeling much better now. I will return to a regular posting (Of sorts) soon. Perhaps as early as tomorow. Scary huh????????????

Just Where Do You Draw The Line?

I would venture to say I am a mostly ordinary average white guy. I wake in the morning and have my coffee and my breakfast, I take my daily dose of meds that cost waaaaay too much and try to have some semblace of a "NORMAL" life.I turn on the television and I hear people accusing my leaders of doing horrible things to people because of their color,I hear stories of available aid not delivered because it is a seriously democratic constituancy and we have in place a republican government.I hear the suits tell me that there is anarchy in the streets. Young able bodied people are raping,looting,killing, people of their own race and any others. I hear stories about help being availabe and it was turned away because it was not ordered by the appropriate people. Food and drink and being witheld from starving, dying people by a government that is supposed to bring aid in times of strife.I hear these stories at every turn of the channel at every twist of the dial at each page I turn. these horror stories are being shouted at me.
I can`t believe it ..........I WON'T believe it. I live in a ethnicly mixed neighborhood and in the space of time that I have lived hereI have been through two major disasters, I have been evacuated from my house by boat. I have had a fire that could of cost us all our lives . I point this out to show you that I am no stranger to calamity . No newcomer to the twists of fate that are delt us.I have not seen in my personell experiences what they are showing me on the tv. I have not heard what they are shouting at me on the radio.
I have HEARD genuine offers of help, I have SEEN my neighbors show up and help all day in horrible jobs like shovelling the muck of the river mud out of my basement.I have personally FELT the pats on my back reassuring me that although it seems impossible things will return to normal. I have had my FAITH in man boosted to the point where I no longer sweat anything. The help,the neighbors, the family, the government,the red cross, the salvation army will be there. They will do as good a job as they can with what they have.
So why the discrepancy? Why the blatent differences in responses to a citizens need? I don`t want to say it is racisim, because it isn`t, I don`t want to say it is politics, because it isn't.I don`t want to sa it is unpreparedness because it isn't. What I will say is we got hit with a horrible storm. It was way beyond anything we were/are/will be prepared to cope with.Man in his over abundance of ego cannot hope to stand up to Mother Nature. If a flood is what she wants a flood she will have, or a fire ,or a earthquake, or a volcano erupting.We are visitors here at her willingness to suffer us.
Now forget all the name calling/finger pointing crap and lets help our brothers and sisters get over this latest of calamitys.

ENORMOUS 

I Couldn't Believe My Eyes.

When you take in the enormity of the special venom of Katrina,it is mind boggeling when you realize that the area affected is larger in square miles than Great Britton,it kinda sinks in how intimidating getting much needed aid to the area truly is.There are almost 1,ooo,ooo homeless people.These people are spread over a large area so it is extreemly difficult to set up a concerted response to a specific need.Not only do the victims need a variety of services the responders have need of shelter and food and transportation to and from the affected areas.There is also a huge requirement for service vehicles and the fuel to run them, the operators with the skill set to use them properly, and the ancillary support system to make sure they don't break down and if they do, the people to tow, repair,supply the parts must be in place.All this and more moved from God knows where to the area to help these people.
I am chagrined to hear people play the race card and suggest that the respose was less than it could of been because the victims were black.I wish you folks would open your eyes and realize the enormity of what has happened here and realize that no one could of responded faster than what was evident in Katerinas' wake.
I've heard people say that George Bush didn't act fast enough. The truth of the matter is that it is up to the Governors of the affected areas to solicit the aid of the Federal Gov. Otherwise it would be interfering with the states rights.
This job is huge and there are going to be errors in many areas of this recovery but please people, don't cry race on this .We are all Americans . We are all helping Americans, and we will all come out of this a stronger Nation.