Philanthropy

These past few weeks have been filled with several of this nations richest men donating their monies to charitable organizations. Not much one can say about the good Bill Gates has done for this world in giving back. I used to listen to the folk chide him with all his wealth and they had no clue of the amounts he gave to charity.

Then in the past week or so we had Warren Buffet give 39 billion to the Gates Foundation also. Sounds good right? Does to me, except I had one little thought in the back of my mind that kept nawing at me. Gates and Buffet are friends. Have been for years. They have talked about their political views on occasion, mostly in the area of taxation. 'They' believe our taxes are not high enough... they are against the repeal of the inheritance tax, they are for higher in come taxes blah blah blah.

Again, I doubt anyone can speak against what the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is accomplishing... I just wonder why, for someone in favor of higher taxation for the rich, they find a way to NOT be taxed. The problem is the definition of the rich. Who decides who is? Just find it interesting.

Global Warming

Just wondering - did any of you, like me, learn about the Ice Age??? I'm thinkin it was waaay back there... so far back that there were not any cars, factorys, buses and all the other 'stuff' that causes this heah global warming.... umm, so as a dumb kid from North West Iowa, I'm jus wonderin what warmed the earth enuff to git rid of the ice age.... umm, could it just be that we have cycles? Hmmmm????? Just wondering and a wandering down life's path.

Gitmo Hangings

The recent hangings at Gitmo will probably, in the end, result in our closign the facility. I am against closing it, and in fact could care less if they all hanged themselves. Here are a couple of interesting 'facts'.
1) There were/are curtains hanging over the door windows at the facility. Why do you ask would that be? Couldn't the openness of the windows prevent someone taking their own life? Umm, yas it could, B U T - the International Red Cross 'demanded' the prisioners be afforded privacy so as to give dignity. So, "I" say, as for me? I hope they hang themselves one at a time until it is prudent to close because there are no more prisoners or until the International Red Cross DEMANDS the curtains come down.
2) The soilders [accused - not even charged] with the atrocities in Haditha are, or I should say, 'were' being held in shackles until very recently. Not even charged. Where 'is' that Red Cross when one needs them.

IRAQ

No matter the outcome, I am proud of my president - methinks we really got one with gonads and sticktuitiveness here. When his time is done, he will go to the ranch knowing he did what he thought was right.

Obviously I as most get impatient with the situation. "MY" frustrations are more pointed towards the Iraqi people than anything else. I guess in the final analysis, I thought they would hunger to do 'more' for themselves. By that I specifically mean, not allowing the insurgents et al. to get alway with all they do without turning them into authorities. ( : To me, that has been the biggest disappointment.

Katrina Graft

Imagine the most hysterical laugh you can ever remember hearing... that's me thinking of this and knowing it was going to happen. The press, with tears in their eyes [and no proof] demanded the government 'DO SOMETHING' for these people. Soooooo, ole uncle sugar threw money and continues to do so. And, when we begin throwing money with a B as in Billions of dollars, there is and always will be graft.

Me? Oh yes, at this point someone is supposed to remind me I am fortunate to pay taxes and umm, oh yes, those taxes go to pay the graft. Welp, I am smiling, and I am paying. And the congressmen holding their meetings of 'discovery' regarding this event make me wanna puke. They can NOT be surprised at this.

Me? Still smiling, absolutely grateful I can pay for the graft. Luv it!!!

Haditha

Whatever went on there is anyones guess - here is what "I" know - the men and women who fight in war develop a camraderie we civilians can never fathom. When you are counting on someone to watch your back in a life or death situation (daily), one has feelings we commoners can not imagine. Does this mean I condone the alledged atrocities? Heavens no - what it means is, I believe just like I did during the Mai Lai (sp) massacre in Viet Nam - I could never bring myself to condem Lt. Calley then, nor now because I can not imagine what went through their heads.

I thank my lucky stars and My God above I never had to fight in a war. I did have buddies while serving in the military... I simply can not imagine how I would have reacted had I seen some of them slaughtered. I also know if the investigation reveals there were atrocities committed, those that committed them will be punished. That is our way; the story will come out, and even if the investigation confirms ill deeds, I still will never condemn the soilders. I will 'feel' for them, no doubt, but war is hell.

Gay Marriage Issue

I see The President is raising this issue again. If he had kept it on the front burner during his tenure it might not be such a blatant political manauver, but it seems so very obvious to me. I dunno if they are just trying to take people's minds off the immigration issue at the border or what, but I don't think it is going to work. It is becoming more and more apparent that the republican base is peeved - I guess it is time for the pendulum to swing the other way. There are even at this time, quite a few Republicans I would not vote for holding my nose. Too bad, they coulda had it all, and for along time.