A Story

These are 'not' my words but the seem so very appropriate to me I thought I'd share. : )

"Recently large demonstrations have taken place across the country protesting the fact that Congress is finally addressing the issue of illegal immigration. Certain people are angry that the " U.S. Might protect its own borders, might make it harder to sneak into this country
and, once here, to stay indefinitely. Let me see if I correctly understand the thinking behind these protests.

Let's say I break into your house. Let's say that when you discover me in your house, you insist that I leave. But I say, "I've made all the beds and washed the dishes and did the laundry and swept the floors; I've done all the things you don't like to do. I'm hard-working and honest (except for when I broke into your house)."

According to the protesters, not only must you let me stay, you must add me to your family's insurance plan and provide other benefits to me and to my family (my husband will do your yard work because he too is hard-working and honest, except for that breaking in part).


If you try to call the police or force me out, I will call my friends who will picket your house carrying signs that proclaim my right to be there. It's only fair, after all, because you have a nicer house than I do, and I'm just trying to better myself. I'm hard-working and honest ... Um,
except for ... Well, you know.

And what a deal it is for me!! I live in your house, contributing only a fraction of the cost of my keep, and there is nothing you can do about it without being accused of selfishness, prejudice and being anti-housebreaker.

Did I miss anything? Does this sound reasonable to you? If it does, grab a sign and go picket something. If this sounds insane to you, call your senators and enlighten them because they are stumbling in the darkness right now and really need your help.

Not much to add to this - common sense !! Watching elected officials trying to defend what is and has happened is one of the most revealing things "I" have ever witnessed. Courage? Ya gotta be kidding.

The Lonliness of Command

A term given to me as a staff sargeant in 1968 while stationed on Okinawa. The senior NCO who coined that phrase to me was referring to my responsibilities as a new NCO who would now become a leader. His name was Loren L. Brown from McCook Nebraska - his emphasis was on making the right, and yes, hard decisions... those that would not be popular amongst the troops, but that were based on principle.
I thought of this as I watched President Bush the other day - not much The President has done has surprised me. He has stood his ground while the poll numbers have fallen. Since I have for years belly-ached about presidents who make their decisions based on polls, I have always cherished President Bush for making decisions based on conviction vice what the polls are saying.
So recently, I guess I have gotten worn down by all the negative press, and interestingly, while the press is basically on The President's side on this immigration issue, I am / have been violently against President Bush on this specific issue. Upon reflection, and taking into consideration 'The Lonliness of Command' - [perhaps] I should be grateful our president is doing what he thinks is right. For that, I applaud him. I will go so far as to say this... "IF" the congress were to 'enforce' the law I would not be dead set against the Mexican policy. To me, it is not immigration policy, it is in fact Mexican policy... may as well be honest about these things. It is afterall called The Lonliness of Command.

The Morning After

So, after listening, I don't think he's serious. Serious about controlling the situation at our southern border... my days of giving President Bush the benefit of the doubt have passed. If we can put troops on the Syrian border, if we can put troops on the Iranian border, what in the sam hill is wrong with putting troops on our southern border?
What 'really' happened is, the American people gave Mr. Bush notice that he had better address the issue. I personally doubt if too many will be pleased with his effort.... at least those that he counts on, of which I am one.
I read a statistic that 90% of the murders in LA County this past year were committed by illegals. Ooops, there is that word again... I L L E G A L !!!! Can you read it Mr. President? I said along time ago in these spewings that immigration would be the issue of the upcoming elections. It is coming to fruition; all someone has to do is convince me they are serious about that pressing issue - they will win in a landslide. Methinks The President did not convince too many last night, sadly.

The President's Speech (Before Hand)

"IF" The President tries to B.S. the public with his immigration speech tonight, it will quite possibly be the end of anything he wants to even attempt doing... methinks the people want something concrete done regarding [illegal immigration], one more time, illegal.

The Status

So OK, I guess I am getting beat down. Does not matter what the president does nor anyone in his administration... it is wrong. The thing is, I think I've lost the will to fight it anymore. Let the opposition party have a crack at it... it can't be any worse can it? Hmmmm???? I think we know the answer to that, but frankly I don't care anymore. I now know what it means when they say the base is gonna sit on their hands.
I am more miffed at the congress and the senate than the president. They are supposed to be a co-equal branch of government; alas they do not act like they are even equal to the task(s) at hand. I say throw them all out and begin anew. Doesn't matter who's in there it would seem so let's go for it. I
I stand in awe of the way the opposition can manipulate things. For one thing, gas prices are NOT at historical highs in relation to the value of the dollar. Joe Blow american can't seem to get that through his head and the opposition knows how to play it to the hilt. In fact, the opposition should exult in high gas prices. It the prices 'were' as high as they make out in relation to the value of the dollar, useage would go down and their precious green house gases would reduce etc.
I'm just worn out from now almost six years of the constant drumbeat... I no longer care. May git in my vehicle and just drive. My 'give a damn' is busted to coin a phrase. I guess nature will carry me through. :(

Life's Changes

It occurs to me that one's perspectives on life change as they travel down 'the path'. Take for example a simple task of mowing the lawn. For the past several years, I have had my lawn 'done', feeling I was getting up in years and the hill in back did not need conquering by me each and every week, sometimes twice a week. I retired 1 March, my regular mower called me towards the end of March and wanted to know if he was still 'my man'. Told him I wuz gonna give it a whirl myself since I did not have to report to the office anymore.

Here's the point - now as I mow, I literally think about the fact I 'can', and I appreciate being able to do so. Sure, I get sore, having said that, I am stronger than before because I have been exercising with regularity, and it surely does make a difference. I think about those that couldn't mow my grass but wished they could. Just changes one's perspective, this getting older. Appreciation for life itself. :) I like this retirement stuff. Gives one a chance to plant new flowers. :)

Stuff

So I've been waiting for 'someone' in the media to begin talking about Bolivia, their new president, and his 'take-over' of his countries natural gas fields. We think we are having problems with oil and its byproduct gasoline. Well strap yourselves in cause come winter things are gonna heat up (pun intended), when there is a natural gas shortage.
I suppose part of the reason there is no mention here is because our [big oil] companies are down there pulling the freaking gas out for the Bolivians... and oh BTW, Exxon has invested better than three BILLIION dollars in the effort to do so... ahhh, but who cares, they are a big company. Yup, been waiting for several days... not a word in the media. And it may just be one of the biggest stories of the year... we just don't know it yet. But rest assured, we will.
And the congress??? They sit, jaw a little, bring up things like giving me a hundred bucks to buy a leetle gas - made me feel like a hoooouuuurrrrr... a dirty one at that - alas, that idea died on the vine when they realized how utterly absurb it actual was.
Anyway, Bolivia has joined Chavez's country in their disdain for the United States. By the time people realize who really IS benefiting from oil profits, it may well be too late for this country of ours.... think about these names, and whether or not they are friends of ours - Russia - Mexico - Iran - Venzuela - Bolivia - The Saudis - ...... and then think about drilling in Anwar, in The Gulf of Mexico, off California. Here's the issue - I am FOR alternative fuel, I am FOR increasing gas mileage standards - I am FOR building new refineries - but for crying in the sink... we have been saying this for 30 years minimum.... when these yaybirds in congress say there is no short term fix... think how long they have been saying that to the same solutions.... COME ON!!! Either drill, find an alternative or git outta da way!!!