tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31938399504850278112024-03-06T00:48:16.777-08:00Knottie ThoughtsKnottiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08760183599344166313noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193839950485027811.post-86721706707869176112010-05-03T22:35:00.000-07:002010-05-03T22:47:27.575-07:00The War is HERE...and its Not a RevolutionIn November of 2008 when my son’s brothers came home from Iraq I wrote this<br /><br />“As we drove on Veteran’s Day I thought about how lucky the people in this country are to have the men and women of our military. Between it being Veterans day and where we were heading I had no choice but to see things from a perspective most Americans fail to look at. We drove without fear of IEDs. There were no check points. We could stop along the way and not fear snipers or suicide bombers. When we were hungry we had a multitude of options. And I knew without a doubt that these freedoms and this security are due fully to the fact we have such an outstanding group of people who made the choice to wear the uniform and defend these things.” <a href="http://knottiesniche.com/2008/11/16/theyre-home/">http://knottiesniche.com/2008/11/16/theyre-home/</a><br /><br />This past Saturday there was an attempted car bombing in New York. If they had succeeded the results would have been devastating. This is not the first attempt to set off a bomb in the US. There was the Underwear bomber last December. There was an attempt in Dallas last fall. There have been 2 shootings I know of that have cost lives carried out on US soil in the name of jihad in the past year. The Little Rock recruiting station shooting cost Pvt. Long his life. And 13 members of our military fell victim at Ft Hood last fall. <br /><br />“Federal authorities arrested a U.S. citizen of Pakistani descent Monday night on New York's Long Island in connection with the attempted Times Square car bombing, Fox News has learned.<br /><br />The man was identified as Shahzad Faisal of Connecticut.” He was a naturalized citizen..not home grown as some may say. He was what some call a sleeper cell. <br />Tomorrow the DHS will say the system worked because he was arrested. The TSA stopped him trying to leave the country. But that is a lie. If the system had worked he would have been stopped returning from his recent trip to Pakistan and the bomb he failed to detonate properly would never have been parked in Times Square. The system failed once again… inept terrorists are not a success of our National Security system. How long before one of these "unsophisticated" terrorist get lucky and manage to detonate their bomb? <br /><br />I can no longer have the mind set I have in November of 2008. I can no longer feel secure that the war is not on our shores because our military has kept it contained. I don’t blame the military for this. I understand that their ability to do their job has been very limited in the past year. I also understand that in the name of diplomacy that our government has emboldened our enemy. I know also that the American public at large is so oblivious to the reality of the threat against our nation they do not demand that actions be taken to better protect us and stop our enemy. <br /><br />It’s a sad day when we in the US have to start worrying about car bombs, suicide bombers, IEDs, and EFPs . It’s a sad thing that so many other countries already do but I never thought I would see the day that the US became so weak that we would allow an enemy this much free reign in on our own soil.<br /> <br />At what point do we as a nation realize this is no longer a war being fought “over there”?Knottiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08760183599344166313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193839950485027811.post-90750425470369592962010-04-05T15:14:00.001-07:002010-04-05T17:17:03.993-07:00Wake up.. 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font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} .MsoPapDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; margin-bottom:10.0pt; line-height:115%;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:100%;" >One good thing has come out of the past year of politics, more and more people are getting involved and educated.<span style=""> </span>But when I read something like “</span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:100%;" >I was unaware that Obama appointed a Commander in Chief.” (Made in all seriousness) I understand why this country is in the mess it is in.<span style=""> </span>People have absolutely no clue how this nation’s political system works.<span style=""> </span>They don’t understand that as far as making laws the President has NO POWER other than to either sign or not sign laws the Congress passes and puts on his desk. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:100%;" >I hear about Executive Orders a lot lately. Again these are not laws. Executive Orders do have the force of law but have much more limited jurisdiction than Congressional statutes. Executive Orders can only govern executive branch activities. For example, mandating federal agencies use cleaner fuels for their vehicles or regulating the status of gays in the military. The president could not raise or cut taxes through executive orders or directly regulate the activities of the American public at large the way Congress can.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:100%;" >The judicial branch is the check and balance for the other two branches and is there to decide whether a law passed by Congress and signed by the President is Constitutional.<span style=""> </span>They are not suppose to make laws with their rules although some judgments have done that. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Ok All that said we as a nation need to focus more on who our Congressman is and how they will vote on the laws presented in Congress. That is where and how we are going to make the real changes in this nation.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:100%;" >For far too long the American public has skipped merrily along the path believing everything it was told or waiting for someone else to take care of what every issues arise. We can’t do that anymore. We have to stop allowing ourselves to be fooled and we have to stop being complacent. If we don't know how our government then we don't know when we are being lied too, conned or abused by it. If you don't know the rules and someone tells you "That's how it suppose to be." how can you debate it? How do you know for sure they are wrong? But if you know the rules and how it is suppose to work you are less like to be lied too or conned. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Lots of people are yelling “wake up” but they are also milling around in circles waiting to be told what to do. And then merrily doing it without even questioning who is telling them or why they are telling them to do it because they are not paying attention and learning for themselves how the government is suppose to work and within what guidelines. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:100%;" >There are lots of groups in the political realm today. Some of them on the surface have a great message but when you peek behind the curtain of them they are not what they represent themselves to be. We have to stop taking everything and everyone at face value. Don’t just research your Congressional candidates but investigate thoroughly the group you are listening to and involving yourself with.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:14pt;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">Waking up in not enough.. you have to pay attention also. </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> Knottiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08760183599344166313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193839950485027811.post-29030111864192004572010-04-01T12:33:00.000-07:002010-04-01T12:40:31.349-07:00Crash the Tea Parties!? 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mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} a:link, span.MsoHyperlink {mso-style-priority:99; color:blue; mso-themecolor:hyperlink; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed {mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; color:purple; mso-themecolor:followedhyperlink; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} .MsoPapDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; margin-bottom:10.0pt; line-height:115%;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">I know it’s April Fools day<span style=""> </span>but this is no joke.<span style=""> </span>And well I saw this coming for awhile now and in fact have seen it happen.<span style=""> </span>Some of those showing up at tea parties are blatant about their dislike of the message and counter protest. I actually respect those people. The hold up their counter message protest signs and are using their freedom of speech in the same manner as the tea partiers. Others come and start fights so they can point fingers at the tea party goers.<span style=""> </span>And then there are still others who have become active members of the tea party in order to under mind the movement from within. And then there are the ones who jumped on the band wagon to make money off the movement.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">On April 15<sup>th</sup> a large group of Americans are planning on going to DC to use their right of free speech and protest the ever increasing taxes and re-distribution of wealth going on in this country.<span style=""> </span>Hopefully it will remain a peaceful protest for those attending opinions.<span style=""> </span>I somehow doubt that though after reading this<span style=""> </span><a href="http://news.infoshop.org/article.php?story=crash-tea-parties">“Crash the tea Parties”</a><span style=""> </span> at infoshop.<span style=""> </span>It’s a detailed plan on how to disrupt and even incite violence at the April 15<sup>th</sup> tea party.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Not sure what most amuses me, the list of tea party links.. “So you can spy on them” as if the movement is so covert. <span style=""> </span>Or that this group at Infoshop call themselves anarchist. Maybe my dictionary is broken because I always thought anarchist wanted no government influence but these idiots are supporting a administration that has created more government influence in the private sector and private lives than any before. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">There is a positive to this reaction of the left.<span style=""> </span>It means they are scared that so many Americans are becoming informed and involved in how their government is abusing its power.<span style=""> </span>Keep that in mind if you attend the Tea Party on April 15<sup>th</sup> and don’t allow others to lower you to their standards. Stay peaceful and stay on the message of limiting government influence.<span style=""> </span>Keep your video cameras handy so we can show these thugs for what they are. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Don’t allow others to paint you with their brush.<span style=""> </span>The tea parties are not about hate or violence but about a righteous anger over the growing control of government of our lives. </p> Knottiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08760183599344166313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193839950485027811.post-17691123291819711472010-03-30T10:11:00.001-07:002010-03-30T10:24:29.077-07:00Marine’s Dad Ordered to Pay Funeral Protesters’ Court Fees<p>As an American I have always been sickened by the disrespect and cruelty of the behavior of Westboro Baptist Church. I will uphold their right to their opinion no matter how evil and sick I think it is but I cannot allow the picketing of Funerals.. Anyone's funeral not just our military. Funerals are not for the dead but for the living and a very private personal time that should never been intruded upon.</p><p> Well a while back a Father of a Fallen Marine sued those who intruded upon his son's funeral. And he won. But in an appeal the decision was overturned and now the group that protested his son's funeral are to be paid legal fees by him adding insult to injury. (Story Below) </p><p>I am sending a donation in to help this Man. He has given enough to this nation... the very least we owe him is a few dollars to help with this. I have not confirmed this link to make donation at but it has come to me through reliable sources <a target="_blank" mce_href="http://burnpit.legion.org/2010/03/put-yourself-in-his-dad%E2%80%99s-shoes/" href="http://burnpit.legion.org/2010/03/put-yourself-in-his-dad%E2%80%99s-shoes/">American Legion Burn Pit </a><br /></p><p><br /></p><div><i>Associated Press<br /> <a mce_href="http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=69020" href="http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=69020">Stars and Stripes online edition</a>, Tuesday, March 30, 2010</i></div> <p><i>BALTIMORE — The father of a Marine killed in Iraq and whose funeral was picketed by anti-gay protesters was ordered to pay the protesters’ appeal costs, his lawyers said Monday.</i></p> <p><i>On Friday, Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit ordered Snyder to pay $16,510 to Fred Phelps. Phelps is the leader of the Westboro Baptist Church, which conducted protests at Marine Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder’s funeral in 2006.</i></p> <p><i>The two-page decision supplied by attorneys for Albert Snyder of York, Pa., offered no details on how the court came to its decision.</i></p> <p><i>Attorneys also said Snyder is struggling to come up with fees associated with filing a brief with the U.S. Supreme Court.</i></p> <p><i>The decision adds “insult to injury,” said Sean Summers, one of Snyder’s lawyers.</i></p> <p><i>The high court agreed to consider whether the protesters’ message is protected by the First Amendment or limited by the competing privacy and religious rights of the mourners.</i></p><p><br /></p>Knottiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08760183599344166313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193839950485027811.post-13886617926963345952010-03-25T16:56:00.000-07:002010-03-25T16:57:20.043-07:00Anti-war Protests…Next Time Just Slap me<p>Cross posted from <a href="http://knottiesniche.com/2010/03/25/anti-war-protests-next-time-just-slap-me/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">http://knottiesniche.com/2010/03/25/anti-war-protests-next-time-just-slap-me/</span></a></p><p>It’s one thing to hear about or even see pictures and video of something, it’s something completely different to actually experience it. I have read about anti war protest.. I’ve seen the videos and pictures. .. and yes they were upsetting. I have listened to others talk about their experiences at antiwar protest and thought I understood how bad they were… but it was not until this past Saturday that I truly understood how devastating they are to the families of the Fallen.</p> <p>Saturday was our 6<sup>th</sup> day of vacation in California. ( great vacation by the way) and we decided to go to Santa Monica Pier. We started with the promenade and did a little shopping. We enjoyed the street performers and was having a really nice time.. till we hit the pier. Not sure why but I knew something was up. I felt it. I looked down on to the beach when we hit the pier and there it was.. the anti war protest.. hundreds of crosses.. the flag draped coffins. I knew somewhere down there in the mist of it my son’s name was on one of the crosses. I felt as if someone had slapped me and punched me in the gut. My first instinct was to go down onto the beach and confront those putting this display on. I thought better of it. I knew if I did in the emotional state I was in I would end up in jail and those asshats were not worth it.</p> <p>I wanted to go and ask those holding this event if they could name just one name on the crosses they displayed.. I wanted to know if they cared so much for the Fallen they claimed to care about if they ever considered the affect on the families of those who they claimed to care so much about their display had. I wanted to ask if a single penny they raised went to take care of my son’s brothers or their families.</p> <p>I knew my son better than anyone and I know he would have been mortified to have his name used in such an manner. I was physically affected seeing this anti war protest. It is an experience I never want to go through again but I know I will. And I know that in the future I need to be prepared to deal with it in a less emotional manner.</p> <p>Fact is these anti war protesters who say they care so much about the troops don’t give a shit about them. If they did they would take in consideration the people those who serve loved and who love them. All I can say to them is next time you want to hurt the families of the fallen just slap us.. it hurts less.</p> <p><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-263" title="442" src="http://knottiesniche.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/442-300x225.jpg" alt="442" height="225" width="300" /><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-264" title="443" src="http://knottiesniche.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/443-300x225.jpg" alt="443" height="225" width="300" /></p>Knottiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08760183599344166313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193839950485027811.post-53154318870725419772010-02-19T19:07:00.000-08:002010-02-20T17:46:46.963-08:00Democrats, Republicans and Moderates… Oh MY!At what point will the political parties wake up and get it? Most Americans are Moderate, one click left or right of center. At times flowing back and forth depending on the issue. The republican party was long ago taken over by the religious right and the extremely conservative and the democrats were long ago taken over by the liberal left and it’s socialist thinking. Both parties are extreme in their ideology and completely out of touch with most of Americans. Neither party is upholding the Constitution but instead push for control by installing their agenda.<br /><br />I am told moderates are people who won’t get off the fence and stand for nothing. This makes me so very angry. There are those who don’t care and don’t stand for anything.. those are the ones who are not involved in politics at all. Moderates are those who are listening to both sides and trying to find some compromise or find a way of explaining things to those who are simply doing what they’re told without any thoughts or questions of their own. You know the type… the ones who simply regurgitate what they hear others saying. Both sides of the political spectrum has those types.<br /><br />I hear quite often that we cannot compromise.. it’s UN American. I can’t help but think back to 1878 and the Great Compromise made by our fore fathers when building this nation. This nation s built of listening to both sides and coming to some sort of compromise. We’ve become so determined in pushing our personal agendas we have forgotten to listen to other ideas and perspectives. I know we as a nation are mad as hell but that is no excuse to begin attacking each other and stop listening to each other. And I know there are certain issues you can’t compromise on. That said… yes I know there are issues you must stand your ground on. .. like following the Constitution.<br /><br />Why am I ranting on in this topic? Today at CPAC ( Conservative Political Action Conference) a young man by the name of Ryan Sorba made some hateful statements regarding the fact that <a href="http://goproud.org/">GOproud.org </a> A gay conservatives organization had been invited to attend CPAC. (Yes Gay people can be conservative.) I was pleased to see the bigot boo’d off stage. Maybe, just maybe, there is a chance for this Nation to survive the extreme political agendas that have done so much damage.<br />(<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ldnn8KwTPUk&feature=player_embedded%20">Video here</a>)<br /><br />I think our first step in getting more Americans on board in un-doing the damage the extremes have done is defining Conservative.(or we need to take over the Moderate label). To me, conservative means less government. Conservative means less government in ALL our lives. Not just for a certain few. It means Freedom .. true freedom, which is what we are suppose to have in this country according to the Constitution, is allowing others to do things you do not approve of. Liberal Left or Religious Right, asking government to favor your ideology, is not upholding freedom of the individual, it's demanding control.<br /><br />At this time the term Conservative holds visions of the neo conservatives who want to impose religious rules on this Nation, very similar to the Taliban. I’m all for religious freedom by the way. FREEDOM being the key word.<br />We have a lot of issues to deal with in this nation. Before anything is going to change we have to do a few things though.<br /><br />• Stop allowing the extremes on both sides be the voices.<br />• Listen to those who are moderate and be willing to make compromises.<br />• Stop following the talking heads blindly and start questioning and educating ourselves.<br />• And above all else we must realize we cannot take freedom from others and expect to keep ours.Knottiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08760183599344166313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193839950485027811.post-85672410489846031832010-02-10T19:02:00.000-08:002010-02-11T08:09:19.053-08:00Fixing This Nation<meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CAngelia%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><link rel="themeData" 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class="MsoNormal">One of the arguments I often hear in political discussion is why don't you come up with answers instead of just complaining. Ok here is how I think we can fix this nation. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">We understand that freedom is allowing others to live lives we do not approve of.. but we cannot expect anyone else to pay for the choices we make in how we live our lives. Fact is The Religious right scares me as much as the liberal left. We need to get back to Iconic Freedom as defined by the Constitution. That means if you have 6 kids you pay for them or give them up for adoption. If you want to do drugs you pay for your own rehab.<span style=""> </span>And don’t expect someone to hire you because your life style is dangerous and may cost others their freedom of safety and well being. If you buy a house you pay the mortgage. If you want an abortion you pay for it because I have a moral issue with it, but won’t impose my moral yardstick on you. WE need to wean this nation off entitlement programs that serve to do nothing more than make people weak, helpless and irresponsible. <span style=""> </span>We need to stop blaming others for our own bad choices and standing around waiting for someone to come save us from ourselves. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">We put our foot down on government spending and tell them enough of taking the money WE EARN and spending it on nonsense. Such as: Congressional parties and travel of their families. Saving outdated arts that can’t maintain their own value. Researching the sexual habits of the common housefly. CONSTITUTIONALLY the government is responsible for DEFENSE spending and nothing more.<span style=""> </span>And yes that means schools become privately funded (and competitive) or state funded. But I won’t get started on State Rights and Responsibilities. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Basically it comes down to ….. if you want to fix this nation stop waiting to be taken care of and get off your backside and take care of yourself. We can take a lesson from the Amish. <span style=""> </span>A few years ago tornadoes went through Southern Indiana.<span style=""> </span>The roads were closed because trees were down across them but here came a band of Amish men and women with food and tools in hand. They didn’t need electricity or cars to do what had to be done. Trees were cut up and moved off the road way. Made into fire wood.<span style=""> </span>As they came across a barn or home that needed work they stopped and went to work. And not only the Amish worked. As one home was repaired those people joined the others and moved on to the next house.<span style=""> </span>By the end of the week or so not only were all the Amish farms repaired but all of their neighbors who were not Amish. No one waited for FEMA or the Government… they just did what had to be done. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">We as a Nation have to stop looking for the answers and waiting to be told what to think and do and just do it. Start with yourself.. take responsibility for your choices. 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gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:11pt;" >If enough of us set a higher standard others will meet them and this nation will begin to heal and be fixed. </span><span style=""> </span></p> Knottiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08760183599344166313noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193839950485027811.post-48300407400986479422009-12-03T08:59:00.000-08:002009-12-03T09:14:19.690-08:00The "Proper" Seasonal Greeting??Every year about this time the Merry Christmas vs Happy Holidays debate begins. As I sit here watching the overreaction of many I am reminded of the commercial that was shown a few years ago. “I’m not touching you” You remember it right? The little boy has his finger about 3 inches from his sister a keeps repeating “I’m not touching you” over and over. Technically he’s not doing anything wrong but he knows he is annoying the crap out of his sister and does so to get a reaction.<br />I see the whole “Happy Holidays” controversy and the same thing. There really is NOTHING wrong with saying Happy Holidays. It’s been an acceptable seasonal greeting for many many years.. till someone decided it was offensive to those who want to say “Merry Christmas. Then the Politically Correct crowd found a way to annoy people without really doing anything wrong. I’m sure they are quite amused at the reaction of those on the right which is why they keep it up. Fact is when people stop being annoyed and reacting they will stop with the whole “happy holidays” thing. But getting that reaction is FUN for them so they keep it up. But then reaction to the 'Happy Holidays" PC crowd is the same behavior. Fact is trying to force everyone to say "Merry Christmas" is just as bad as others trying to make everyone not say it and only say "Happy Holidays". Both sides are behaving EXACTLY the same on this.<br />Now am I saying you should stop saying Merry Christmas if that is how you chose to greet people this time of year? NOPE. But I am saying stop reacting as if you are offended by the greeting “Happy Holidays” if that is how someone chooses to greet you. And yeah I know some business require their employees to say “Happy Holidays” but it’s still a free country and if you feel that strongly about being able to say Merry Christmas at work… look for another job that allows it.<br />This time of years is full of celebrations of many kinds and of many faiths. No one faith owns the season. And again it goes back to what I have said for years… you do NOT have a right to not be offended. So stop acting like you do by trying to change how others believe, celebrate or what greeting they use. That goes for BOTH sides of this stupid debate.<br />It comes down to as long as people have heading spinning “I’m a victim” fits they will keep up the “I’m not touching you” behavior. The solution is simple. Smile and accept whatever greeting you are given in the spirit it is given.<br />Season Greetings!!Knottiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08760183599344166313noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193839950485027811.post-48214191938852274982009-11-30T17:31:00.000-08:002009-11-30T17:36:47.727-08:00Conservative Thugs<meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CAngelia%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><link rel="themeData" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CAngelia%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_themedata.thmx"><link rel="colorSchemeMapping" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CAngelia%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_colorschememapping.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> 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font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">In the past I have heard it often said that those of the Muslim faith who do not speak out against the terrorism and violence are just as guilt of it. Well the same holds true for Americans.<span style=""> </span>As a conservative, albeit not a traditional one, when I hear stories of extreme behavior in the name of Conservatism I feel I must speak out and condemn that behavior.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Recently I was made aware of an incident in Chicago.<span style=""> </span>Midge Hough lost her daughter in law and grandchild to illness and now speaks out in favor of the Obama HealthCare plan. Now I disagree with this woman’s stand. No one in this country is denied medical care. And it is sad that her daughter in law waited too long to seek medical care.<span style=""> </span>But I would never shout her down and call her story a lie. I would never attack a grieving mother or grandmother.<span style=""> </span>I would possibly try to engage her in a conversation and help her see that her view of the facts are shaded with her grief and anger. Sometimes a kind and caring conversation does more good than any other tactic.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">But the head of the Chicago tea party felt it was ok to verbal attack this woman. Then this tea partier decided that following her home and invading her privacy was ok.<span style=""> </span>Well I’m sorry it is NEVER ok to treat others in such a disgusting manner.<span style=""> </span>After doing a little research on the head of the Chicago tea party movement I am appalled that I may be associated with such a person. She has turned her anger on those in the conservative movement who did not fall into step with her skewed thinking to the point of making threats on other tea party members lives.. publicly at that. <span style=""> </span>It is these types of extreme behaviors that alienate the general public.<span style=""> </span>How is this different from the SEIU attacking a tea partier? Does her claim to be a conservative make it acceptable?<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">As much as those in the Conservative movement hate to admit most Americans are moderate. One or two clicks left or right of center.<span style=""> </span>And when extreme behaviors are allowed to define a political party it encourages those moderates to vote and support the opposite party.<span style=""> </span>It’s easy to say these people are fringe groups and don’t represent me… but if we do not actively and publicly denounce these behaviors then we are condoning them.<span style=""> </span>We cannot be passive on these issue. Passive violence is the worst kind. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">So here I am… a somewhat moderate conservative American who is speaking out.</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family:Symbol;"><span style="">·<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7pt;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style=""> </span>It is NOT ok or justified to attack other people whether you disagree with them or not. Argue the facts, discuss and debate the topics but stop attacking and threatening individuals!<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family:Symbol;"><span style="">·<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7pt;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Stop spreading the crazy conspiracies…it makes you no better than the 9-11 truthers. <span style=""> </span>Yes I am speaking of the birthers.<span style=""> </span>Let it go already and deal with what we have in front of us.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family:Symbol;"><span style="">·<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7pt;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Stop trying to force your personal life choices on others and calling it conservative.</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family:Symbol;"><span style="">·<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7pt;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Stick to the topics and do not stoop to the level of others. </p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family:Symbol;"><span style="">·<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7pt;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->If you see someone speaking out for Conservatives who is giving them a “black eye” <span style=""> </span>and giving the liberals ammo.. speak up and denounce the behavior. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">We are judged by the company we keep… do you want to be associated with people who chase down, threaten and attack anyone who disagrees with them?<span style=""> </span>Do not be passive.. take a stand to anyone<span style=""> </span>liberal or conservative who uses extreme and morally reprehensible behaviors. <span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://chattahbox.com/us/2009/11/23/unruly-teaparty-mob-heckles-couple-who-lost-grandchild/">http://chattahbox.com/us/2009/11/23/unruly-teaparty-mob-heckles-couple-who-lost-grandchild/</a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.streetwisepundit.com/chicago-tea-party-leader-threatens-to-shoot-blogger.php">http://www.streetwisepundit.com/chicago-tea-party-leader-threatens-to-shoot-blogger.php</a></p> Knottiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08760183599344166313noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193839950485027811.post-47302580102424939922009-09-14T20:56:00.000-07:002009-09-14T21:03:46.895-07:00Supporting the Troops at Walter Reed Hospital (9-11-09)A link to this video made it's way to me via a good friend. He was at this event...<br /><br />As I watched this video a few things struck me. Simple things like no one was blocking traffic to make their point. No one was fighting and screaming. I hear thank you's ringing out as cars honk their support. At a 1:22 you see a group of people crossing the street... using the crosswalk with the light. <br /><br /><object width="305" height="265"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Iy2PE8NxP6g&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Iy2PE8NxP6g&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Knottiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08760183599344166313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193839950485027811.post-39266776033371653932009-09-12T16:27:00.000-07:002009-09-12T16:28:03.992-07:00How hard was your day??<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggX0URkNZLgfK5QBtGpvO-VC-0FiHkAmdL7B0LW5bN_gt7vqMJrfXjx6REiBPsaGn_ldZzKzVX_BgsWKJtgObHHxKR6UzDkcR67sVdrwtrtk2oumgzDAEjcmbyAt0ssuRVE-0hogjxdqU/s1600-h/dressed+to+kill.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggX0URkNZLgfK5QBtGpvO-VC-0FiHkAmdL7B0LW5bN_gt7vqMJrfXjx6REiBPsaGn_ldZzKzVX_BgsWKJtgObHHxKR6UzDkcR67sVdrwtrtk2oumgzDAEjcmbyAt0ssuRVE-0hogjxdqU/s320/dressed+to+kill.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380726710845129410" /></a>Knottiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08760183599344166313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193839950485027811.post-2364322959946246732009-09-11T13:57:00.000-07:002009-09-11T13:58:05.468-07:00Did Pres. Obama Lie?Did Pres. Obama Lie as Rep. Wilson said?<br />Share<br /> Yesterday at 2:09pm | Edit Note | Delete<br />I'm sure you have all heard that Rep. Joe Wilson from S.C. called out Obama last night by saying "you lie." You may agree with him or you may not. That's not the issue. Here is an excerpt from the exact copy of HR 3200 if you would like to do your own research.<br /><br /><br />1. Does Not Require Proof of Citizenship to Obtain Health Services: While Section 246 (page 143) of the bill expressly prohibits illegal aliens from receiving government-run healthcare, the bill does not include a specific requirement that a person prove his or her citizenship in order to obtain affordability credits, which means that illegal aliens could obtain coverage.<br /><br />Section 152 states that "all health care and related services (including insurance coverage and public health activities) covered by this Act shall be provided without regard to personal characteristics extraneous to the provision of high quality health care or related services". This provision has the potential to include illegal immigrants because it may interpret "personal characteristics" to include legal status (Pages 50-51, 143).<br /><br />2. Requires That If One Family Member Is Covered, All Members Covered: Another provision states that if one member of a family is afforded coverage all members would have coverage, thereby creating another loophole to give taxpayer-subsidized health care to illegal aliens. If a child of illegal aliens is born in the United States, then the entire family becomes eligible for coverage (Page 133).<br /><br />3. Requires Free Translation Services: Sections 1222 of the bill will provide free translation services and interpreters to those who are not proficient in English. Section 1728 amends SCHIP to provide translation services to children of families and other individuals for whom English is not the primary language (Pages 408-418 and 782).Knottiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08760183599344166313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193839950485027811.post-4226234595703674442009-09-11T13:20:00.000-07:002009-09-11T13:21:55.476-07:00House Democrats Break President Obama’s Promise<span style="font-style:italic;">From the House Republican Conference. Via Rep. Tom Cole (OK -R) office</span><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />House Democrats Break President Obama’s Promise<br /><br />Why Not Require Individuals to Verify Their Identity?</span><br /><br /><br /><br />President Obama promised in his address to Congress that, “There are also those who claim that our reform effort will insure illegal immigrants. This, too, is false—the reforms I’m proposing would not apply to those who are here illegally.” However, the facts indicate that actions by Democrats in Congress do not comport with the President’s own pledge:<br /><br />· While Republicans offered common-sense amendments at both the Ways and Means and Energy and Commerce Committees requiring applicants for taxpayer-subsidized benefits to verify their citizenship and identity—thus allowing the bill to meet President Obama’s pledge—Democrats rejected these proposals on a party-line 26-15 vote at Ways and Means, and a 29-28 vote at Energy and Commerce.<br /><br />· Section 245 of House Democrats’ government takeover of health care (H.R. 3200) includes language requiring verification of income for individuals wishing to receive federal health subsidies under the bill. However, the bill includes no requirement for individuals to verify their citizenship, immigration status, or identity before enrolling in federal government programs, potentially allowing ineligible individuals, including undocumented immigrants, to receive taxpayer-subsidized health benefits.<br /><br />· In fact, nothing in any of the Democrat bills would require individuals to verify their citizenship or identity prior to receiving taxpayer-subsidized benefits—making the President’s promise one that the legislation itself does not keep.<br /><br />· In its preliminary score of the House bill, the Congressional Budget Office noted that, “By 2019…the number of nonelderly people without health insurance would be reduced by about 37 million, leaving about 17 million nonelderly residents uninsured (nearly half of whom would be unauthorized immigrants).” Thus, unless the number of undocumented immigrants is projected to be fewer than 8 million individuals in 2019, the CBO score presumes some of the undocumented would have health coverage—raising further questions as to whether or not said coverage would be taxpayer-funded.<br /><br />· Given town hall events during the August recess—where Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA) asked to see one constituent’s drivers license before letting him ask a question, and Rep. Gene Green (D-TX) limited his town hall meetings to constituents with identification—some may ask an important question: Why should the process to ask a question of one’s Congressman be more rigorous than policies to ensure ineligible individuals do not receive taxpayer-subsidized health care?<br /><br />The President’s address included a tacit admission that the number of uninsured Americans is overstated, citing a statistic that “there are now more than 30 million Americans without health coverage”—a much lower number than the Census Bureau’s figure of 46.3 million uninsured. According to the Politico, White House aides admit that as many as 10 million of the uninsured are undocumented immigrants—and his use of the lower figure means the President believes the undocumented should not be considered part of the target population to receive assistance. Republicans agree with the President that federal taxpayer subsidies should not be provided to undocumented immigrants—and question why House Democrats opposed the President’s own position in multiple House Committees.Knottiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08760183599344166313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193839950485027811.post-34614676515881937662009-09-11T09:39:00.000-07:002009-09-11T09:43:38.664-07:00Remembering Elaine Myra Greenberg<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNNgpkrvtGSkhNPlnpPatbErLfMTeRyGPIUBtXaN4udaqw5TfcZdKMekHhQx7uwQj5fEmKp8bRmYaudFc2tuqv7yJGuQ1gFmxhlEnSMC4-cDh-uMU8b1x17MZRsuXPGG3IfkRIxfEQQs0/s1600-h/1042-ElaineMyraGreenberg.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 151px; height: 151px;" 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mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> </div><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Elaine Myra Greenberg</span></strong></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal">
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{mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">On Sept. 11<sup>th</sup>, 2001 Elaine went to work as financial services consultant for Compaq. <span style=""> </span>Like so many others that day she did not come home.<span style=""> </span>She had gone to a meeting at the World Trade Center that morning. As I read through the remarks left on her legacy page I was struck at the repeated statements of those who knew this lady. Consistently she was described as happy witty and full of love ad consideration of others. <span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I have decided to let those who knew her best share who she was with you. I can only say I wish I had met her. And though I haven’t she has touched my life. Following are quotes left on her legacy page and from interviews of those who knew this lady.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“Her boisterious laugh lingers in the heart of those she knew. “<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“Elaine, you embodied all the love one could have from a sister.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“Elaine managed to get to every family event, the sad as well as the happy.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“Elaine, I still hear your hearty laugh!”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“She was a wonderful woman, who was cordial and thoughtful and witty and sophisticated.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“This is a woman who consistently thought of others first. Funny, kind and ever thoughtful, once she knew your taste she would try to find things for you she thought you would appreciate. It saved her boss's life on that black day. That morning, Elaine pulled a box out of a shopping bag and gave it to him. He was surprised because it wasn't his birthday or other gift-giving day, but he opened the box and found a tie. It was an "art" tie,that she had seen in a museum. Monet or Manet, one of the Impressionists- she thought he would like it, which he did. He said, can I put it on now? She told him he couldn't wear it with the shirt he had on, so he said, well, I have a white shirt in the hotel, but it needs ironing. I'll be a few minutes late, but... I really want to wear this tie."
<br />
<br />So she went upstairs to the 106th floor and he went to his room. He hadn't ironed anything in some time, so it took him a while to do the ironing. Meantime, Elaine called to say, take this bank of elevators upstairs. OK, he said, and shortly left for the meeting. He was in the lobby when the plane hit.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">“She loved sending people postcards.She would call you up to tell you she had sent you one. Then she would call you up when you got it. She wanted to see if you were enjoying it."<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">“She was known as the "cool aunt" in her family. And why not? How many aunts teach their nieces and nephews to drink and gamble?”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<br /><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></strong><p></p>
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{mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--><p><span style="font-size:14;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> Knottiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08760183599344166313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193839950485027811.post-74331079716970358852009-08-14T10:21:00.000-07:002009-08-14T10:36:00.226-07:00Shelia Jackson Lee Just Doesn't Get ItA couple of days ago I linked to the video of <a href="http://knottiethoughts.blogspot.com/2009/08/arrogance-of-rep-shelia-jackson-lee.html">Rep. Shelia Jackson Lee talking on her cell phone </a>during a townhall meeting while being asked a question by one of the people she WORKS FOR! And I commented on her arrogance. Well last night Ms. Lee was on Greta Van Susteren and once again should her holier than thou arrogance. and the phone call that was SO IMPORTANT was to a hotline set up for her constituents, recorded calls she could have listen to anytime... then way was she talking into the phone??<br /><br /><br />Ok Here is the line that got me..<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Shelia Jackson Lee:</span> <span id="intelliTXT">But I, Shelia Jackson Lee, I remain steadfast, ready to hear, and <span style="font-style: italic;">trying to convince them.</span></span><br /><br />So she is not listening she is just trying to convince people. This woman simple does not listen!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.foxnews.com/video/index.html?playerId=011008&streamingFormat=FLASH&referralObject=8167958&referralPlaylistId=playlist"><br />Video Here:</a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,539349,00.html"><br />Fully Story Here</a><br /><a href="http://www.foxnews.com/video/index.html?playerId=011008&streamingFormat=FLASH&referralObject=8167958&referralPlaylistId=playlist"></a>Knottiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08760183599344166313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193839950485027811.post-36121353847218571642009-08-14T09:06:00.000-07:002009-08-14T09:09:20.137-07:00Funding the Taliban<p>Wow... talk about aiding the enemy. Sadly this in no way surprises me. Now I understand having to win the hearts and minds of the people of Afghanistan through projects and aid but there has to be a better way to accomplish it without funding the enemy!<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="font-style: italic;">KABUL — It is the open secret no one wants to talk about, the unwelcome truth that most prefer to hide. In Afghanistan, one of the richest sources of Taliban funding is the foreign assistance coming into the country.</p> <p style="font-style: italic;">Virtually every major project includes a healthy cut for the insurgents. Call it protection money, call it extortion, or, as the Taliban themselves prefer to term it, “spoils of war,” the fact remains that international donors, primarily the United States, are to a large extent financing their own enemy.</p> <p style="font-style: italic;">“Everyone knows this is going on,” said one U.S. Embassy official, speaking privately.</p><p style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://blogs.reuters.com/global/2009/08/13/who-is-funding-the-afghan-taliban-you-dont-want-to-know/"><br /></a></p><p style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://blogs.reuters.com/global/2009/08/13/who-is-funding-the-afghan-taliban-you-dont-want-to-know/">Full Story Here</a><br /></p>Knottiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08760183599344166313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193839950485027811.post-54341491716938241192009-08-12T17:07:00.000-07:002009-08-12T17:58:05.509-07:00Health, Wealth and HappinessHealth, wealth and happiness is a toast we make on many occasions. Weddings, Birthdays, and New Years. These three things are not guaranteed in life these are things that are earned. So how is it that the government is trying so very hard to give us these things?<br /><br />Wealth is earned through hard work and careful management of the money you earn. Of course there are types of wealth that are not of monetary value but these too are earned through learning to appreciate them... like your family and friends.<br /><br />Health too is earned through our lifestyles. Granted getting sick and dying are two of the four things we can not control in life. But honestly we all know that eating well, exercising and not allowing ourselves to become overly stressed so we can rest well is key to good health. If we choose to drink too much, smoke, and do drugs we all are aware of the consequences and therefore responsible for them ourselves.<br /><br />Now some people my not agree with me that happiness is earned. But by making the choice to find the silver lining and "turning the poison into medicine" we can be happier in life. I'm not saying even when we make the effort to be happy we are going to be all the time. No one dances around singing in happiness 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Life brings sadness and anger. But without those we could not fully appreciate the joys and be happy.<br /><br />So back to my question.. How can the government "give" and regulate through law things that are earned and must be earned to be fully appreciated? If a person is going to be lazy and not work then they are not going to have wealth of any kind. Why should others give it to them? If a person is sick or injured and can't work and has the wealth of family and friends that they've earned then they are the ones who would and should step up to help them. If a person goes out and lives a lifestyle that is dangerous to their health knowing then why should others be made to pay for fixing their health? They choose to destroy it. And if a person wants to be angry and wallow in unhappiness instead of working to create happiness in themselves and their lives then no one else is going to change that.<br /><br />The Government needs to get out of the business of taking care of people. That is in no way it's job. In this nation we are free... free means that people get to do things we don't like as long as they aren't involving others. Free means you have to take on the responsibility for how you live your life. free means when you see someone else doing well who has health wealth and happiness.. you don't get to be jealous and demand the same for yourself. It means you should be inspired to go EARN it for yourself!Knottiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08760183599344166313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193839950485027811.post-69588330601597184122009-08-12T16:35:00.000-07:002009-08-12T16:51:00.417-07:00Your Laptops Are Not Private Anymmore...Department of homeland security has done it once again... Forgetting about that pesky little document our nation is based on. Now when you travel and carry on your laptop they can confiscate it and go through all your personal and business files with no cause at all. This is a clear violation of the 4th Amendment. Hey you folks at DHS... Have you ever heard of "probably cause"? How about "unlawful search and seizures"? Where the line be drawn? I understand having my baggage x-rayed and having to walk through a metal detector before i board an airplane. But when you have absolutely no indication of wrong doing there is no reason to take the safety procedure any further. at some point you are simply being nosy and infringing on the rights of the people that are secured in the 4th Amendment. In case you are unsure what exactly what the 4th Amendment of the Constitution of the United States says I have posted it below.<br /><p></p><b><br />FOURTH AMENDMENT [U.S. Constitution] - 'The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.'</b><p style="font-style: italic;" align="justify">"Congress recently forced the department to admit it has assumed authority to take an air traveler's laptop computer (or any other electronic device) to an undisclosed location for an unspecified time to check for suspicious files - even "absent individualized suspicion" of wrongdoing."</p><p align="justify"><a href="http://www.nypost.com/seven/09062008/postopinion/opedcolumnists/now_theyll_take_your_laptop_127723.htm">Full story</a></p>Knottiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08760183599344166313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193839950485027811.post-8421317743398020522009-08-12T14:27:00.000-07:002009-08-12T17:00:37.614-07:00Stand To, Marine Supporters! Our Marines Need Help!Hat tip to <a href="http://jdlong.wordpress.com/2009/08/12/stand-to-marine-supporters-our-marines-need-help/">Alamo City Pundit</a><br />Republished<br /><br /> <div class="posttitle"> <p class="post-info">August 12, 2009 by <a href="http://jdlong.wordpress.com/author/johndlong/" title="Posts by Johnny Alamo">Johnny Alamo</a> </p> </div> <div class="entry"> <div class="snap_preview"><p> </p><em><a rel="attachment wp-att-1846" href="http://jdlong.wordpress.com/2008/12/27/obama-drops-in-on-marines-on-christmas-marines-try-hard-not-to-bitch-slap-president-elect/marines1/"><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-1846" title="marines1" src="http://jdlong.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/marines1.jpg?w=211&h=291" alt="marines1" width="211" height="291" /></a></em><p><script language="javascript"> PDRTJS_settings_114219_post_5593 = { "id" : "114219", "unique_id" : "wp-post-5593", "title" : "Stand+To%2C+Marine+Supporters%21+Our+Marines+Need+Help%21", "item_id" : "_post_5593", "permalink" : "http%3A%2F%2Fjdlong.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F08%2F12%2Fstand-to-marine-supporters-our-marines-need-help%2F" } </script><a href="http://www.patriotroom.com/article/care-package-time-3rd-btn-11th-marines-need-some-love-from-us"><strong>Patriot Room Blog</strong></a> has this appeal to help out some Marines overseas:</p> <blockquote><p>Time to make our men and women in Afghanistan know we are proud of them. Just got alerted to this from PR Friend American Genie … the text below is a cut-and-paste. There is nothing more important than thanking the men and women that are defending our lives with theirs. Thanks for your help!</p> <blockquote><p><em>I have had a request from a friend to ask for some volunteers to send care packages to a particular Marine unit that is currently in Afghanistan (3rd Btn 11th Marines). <strong>They are desperately in need of some basic “non-military” supplies and could definitely benefit from hearing some words of support from home accompanying these items.</strong> In particular, some items they would like to receive would include:</em></p> <p><em>– “<strong>Boot Socks: Black or Tan </strong>(white seems to be popular with it being so hot)</em></p> <p><em>– <strong>Underwear:</strong> All Sizes (either boxers or briefs or some of each)</em></p> <p><em>– <strong>Baby Wipes</strong></em></p> <p><em>– <strong>Soap/Body Wash</strong></em></p> <p><em>– <strong>Deodorant</strong></em></p> <p><em>– <strong>Razor Cartridges</strong> (All Brands)</em></p> <p><em>– <strong>Drink Mixes</strong> (Crystal Light, Propel, Sugar Free type stuff)</em></p> <p><em>– <strong>Solar Shower Bags </strong>(you can find these in camping stores or the internet/ebay or look here</em></p> <p><em>– Any type of<strong> fitness equipment or gadgets</strong></em></p> <p><em>From previous experiences with sending care packages, <strong>please do not send edible stuff that will melt </strong>(e.g. chocolate). Feel free to include any other types of items you think our Marines might enjoy. Please DO send a personal note of encouragement and thanks to them. Please box up whatever items you wish to send and send them directly to:</em></p> <p><em>1st Sgt Jason Hanson<br />3/11 HQ Battery: HBO<br />Unit 41630<br />FPO AP 96427-1630</em></p> <p><em>1Sgt Hanson is the HQ Battery 1Sgt and will distribute items within the Btn. There are about 150 Marines in 3/11, so the more you send, the more they can be taken care of and know that we at home care about what they are doing and care for them.</em></p> <p><em>For anyone who’s interested in some background, they deployed this spring as part of the surge. This is their official unit web page. This is the Marine Parents page for the unit. And this is the most recent news article I could find on the unit.</em></p> <p>This is entirely voluntary and I thank you in advance for those of you who choose to act on this request.</p></blockquote> </blockquote> <p>And I can vouch from my time in Desert Storm that the Drink Mixes are the most efficient and most appreciated things you can send. <strong>Energy bars, granola, and other type “mix” bar</strong>s are also appreciated.</p> <p>It sounds to me like these guys were already on a deployment when they got diverted to Afghanistan and have been out there a Long, Loooong time without being able to get to a PX — which is a bad way to go. So these are the guys desperately in need right now. Even something as simple as<strong> a newspaper, a magazine</strong> would be greatly appreciated. And you can never have enough<strong> Hot Sauce, Fruit snacks, or cookies</strong> — trust me on this.</p> <p>This is my plan, which I’m going to do tomorrow morning:</p> <ol><li>Got To Post Office.</li><li>Buy 2 or 3 of those new “Flat-rate Shipping” Boxes they have now. No Weighing, just fill and mail.</li><li>Take boxes to Wal-Mart.</li><li>Fill ‘em up!</li><li>Mail those suckers.</li></ol> <p>I’m making a list right now for Wal-Mart tomorrow. <em><strong> Let’s get this going on, people!</strong></em></p> <p>~Johnny~</p> </div> </div>Knottiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08760183599344166313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193839950485027811.post-25614201501888504962009-08-12T11:17:00.000-07:002009-08-12T11:24:46.422-07:00Arrogance of Rep. Shelia Jackson LeeThis pretty much says all there is to say about how most of our Congress representatives think. The absolute arrogance of Rep. Shelia Jackson Lee to talk on her cell phone instead of listening to this woman's real concerns. It is quite obvious she does not listen to her constituents. I would really like to know what is so important that she couldn't wait and call the person back.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><object width="305" height="265"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/-L3FnWNkIzU&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/-L3FnWNkIzU&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Knottiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08760183599344166313noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193839950485027811.post-65783469154518531652009-08-01T22:17:00.000-07:002009-08-01T22:21:49.409-07:00PA to CUT National Guard Active-Duty Stipends Because of Budget ImpassOk I can understand needing to cut cost.. but cutting the pay of our military men and women come on... Are you seriously telling me there is no other areas of the budget to cut.. like real wasteful spending??<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Over 500 members of the Pennsylvania National Guard -- many of whom have served in Iraq and Afghanistan -- are also state employees out a gratuity stipend due to the budget impasse, a spokesman with the state department of Military and Veterans Affairs confirmed Friday. </span><p style="font-style: italic;">The stipends, due to members of the National Guard on active duty, are payments of $520 a month on top of the federal salary paid to active military members, said Kevin Cramsey, a spokesman with the state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.</p><p style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2009/08/members_of_the_pa_national_gua.html"><br /></a></p><p style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2009/08/members_of_the_pa_national_gua.html">Full Story Here</a><br /></p>Knottiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08760183599344166313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193839950485027811.post-76242469684037145522009-08-01T22:07:00.000-07:002009-08-01T22:15:12.044-07:00Rep. Duncan Hunter Questions the Limited Number of Medal of HonorsRep. Duncan Hunter of CA has officially asked the question I myself have been asking. Why are there so few recognition of heroic acts during this war? And why have the 6 Medal of Honors that have been awarded gone to those who have fallen? I do not want to take anything from those men because I know they deserve the honor and so much more. I remember them and say their names daily. But I have heard the stories of other heroic acts that are all to similar.. but those men came home to hug their families. Dying doesn't make you a hero.. it is the acts of selflessness to protect others that does.<br /><br /><p></p> <p style="font-style: italic;"> </p> <p style="font-style: italic;">WASHINGTON – Eight years of <span style="background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; cursor: pointer; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1249171060_0">war in Afghanistan</span> and <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1249171060_1">Iraq</span>. About 4,000 members of the <span style="background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; cursor: pointer; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1249171060_2">U.S. military</span> killed in action. More than 34,000 wounded. Just six considered worthy of America's highest military award for battlefield valor.</p> <p style="font-style: italic;">For some veterans and members of Congress, that last number doesn't add up.</p> <p style="font-style: italic;">They question how so few Medals of Honor — all awarded posthumously — could be bestowed for wars of such magnitude and duration.</p><p style="font-style: italic;">Those explanations don't tell the whole story, said <span style="background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; cursor: pointer; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1249171060_3">Rep. Duncan Hunter</span>, a first-term lawmaker who served combat tours as a Marine in Iraq and <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1249171060_4">Afghanistan</span>. He has sponsored legislation that directs the defense secretary to review current trends in awarding the <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; cursor: pointer; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1249171060_5">Medal of Honor</span> to determine what's behind the low count.</p> <p style="font-style: italic;">The bill passed the House. If Senate negotiators go along, <span style="background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; cursor: pointer; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1249171060_6">Secretary Robert Gates</span> would have to report back by March 31.</p> <p style="font-style: italic;">"It seems like our collective standard for who gets the Medal of Honor has been raised," said Hunter, R-Calif.</p><p style="font-style: italic;"><br /></p><p style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090801/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_congress_medals_of_honor">Full Story Here</a><br /></p>Knottiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08760183599344166313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193839950485027811.post-19339434703526058952009-07-28T17:37:00.000-07:002009-07-28T17:41:35.724-07:00Wounded Veteran Wins Seventh Title at Lumberjack World ChampionshipsWounded warriors are such an inspiration to me. To have life changing injuries received in the line of duty, and to continue to accomplish so much.. well even on my worst day I have no right to even consider quitting....<br /><br /><br />HAYWARD - People came from across the country to watch at the 50th annual Lumberjack World Championships in Hayward. Sunday was the finals, and a wounded veteran was in the competition. It's an international world class competition. <br /><br />This year, wounded Iraq War Veteran JR Salzman came back to compete and he made it to the finals. "Regardless of my injuries, I can still log roll, I can still win, I can still accomplish things and I'm alive, I'm still here, I'm going to enjoy life," said Salzman. <br /><br /><a href="http://fox21online.com/news/wounded-veteran-wins-seventh-title-lumberjack-world-championships">Full Story Here</a>Knottiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08760183599344166313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193839950485027811.post-14421940590749484612009-07-28T17:19:00.000-07:002009-07-28T17:35:01.109-07:00Basebook.com Helps Reconnect Military MembersOne of the best thing about military life is the friendships and bonds that are created. Not only among those who serve, which is a bond that only they truly understand, but between the spouses and children of those who serve. But as it is with the military people move a lot to new post or back into civilian life and loose touch with each other. the internet and social media outlets make it easier to keep in touch with sites like facebook, myspace and twitter and now military members have a social media outlet dedicated just for them making it easier than ever to re-acquainted with long lost friends. <br />Josh Kayser has created <a href="http://www.militarybasebook.com/">www.militarybasebook.com</a>. Members can log in via their facebook account. Basebook lets members post and search for others, such as those who served on the same bases, or who might share similar interests or military experiences, he said. Members can also set up their profile information to include which medals, badges and ribbons they’ve been awarded.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=63898"><br />Full Story Here</a>Knottiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08760183599344166313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193839950485027811.post-48540760142212301362009-07-28T17:10:00.000-07:002009-07-28T17:16:41.493-07:00Iraq Veterans Find Afghan Enemy Even BolderAll too often those of us who are not in the military would like to think we are fighting the most stupid of men. The problem is in thinking the enemy is stupid we underestimate them and give them a advantage. <br /><br />The enemy in Iraq was well armed but not skillful in the ways of war. Unlike those in Iraq our enemy in Afghanistan has been fighting wars for many many years.<br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br />“They’re not stupid,” said Lance Cpl. Frank Hegel. “You can tell they catch on to things, and they don’t make the same mistake twice.”</span><br /><br />They are very skillful in fighting as coalition forces have found out first hand. Thankfully though they are not well armed. <br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">“If they had better weapons, we’d be in real trouble,” said Lance Cpl. Vazgen Matevosyan.</span><br /><br />We can not continue to assume the war in Afghanistan is going to be easy and that we are fighting some overly religious dumb farmers. We are fighting an army with many many years of experience in fighting. Not only on the battle field but in the ways of controlling and gaining the support of the people in Afghanistan ( <a href="http://knottiethoughts.blogspot.com/2009/07/taliban-code-of-conduct.html">See Code Of Conduct Story</a>) <br /><br /><br /><a href=" http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/26/world/asia/26marines.html?pagewanted=2&_r=2&ref=world"><br />Full Story Here</a>Knottiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08760183599344166313noreply@blogger.com0