She's A Pain

I am a lousy mother

When we bought this house,  I thought about family gatherings, laughter, memories to be made. We thought about how we could take care of our mother's if they needed us. We have already talked about how we could convert the garage into living space and build a detached garage for all the tools, muscle car.

This house is quite large for just the two of us.  Even with two cats and two dogs there is still room to spare.  There are times I wish I had insisted on a smaller home, something easier on me to keep clean.

I use to keep all the wood sparkling, the floors swept up nice and neat.  All in the hopes that the children would want to come and visit, work out our differences, and start those memories.

I am a fool.

I have made too many mistakes and my hope is fading away. 

OH MY! What a summer!

Earlier this year Mother started to show signs of anemia. Quite a puzzling ordeal for her. She didn't feel well, was very pale and come the first of July she lands in the hospital with a hemocrit of 5. After four units of blood she is back up on her feet and feeling better...

...that is for a while.

Come the first of August a appt was made for her to have a scope done of her stomach and colon. Another CBC is done to find out that her hemocrit was again at 5. She didn't leave the hospital that day but entered in and given another 3 units of blood.  The test reveled that she had some bright red blood in there so another scope was done after 2 more units of blood was given to her. Sure enough she was loosing blood from her stomach. The doctor patched her stomach up, gave her an antibiotic treatment for a bacterial infection.  I am happy to say that Mother is back to her old spunky self.

My siblings, who now live in the East were so upset. They were not near enough to come see her and drove me a bit crazy with their worry.  I understand completely what they were feeling, don't get me wrong. But I tend not to get too panic-struck about these things until there is a reason to get panic-stricken. I have learned the hard way that with medicial problems things take time, doctors are just people, and there is no reason to jump the gun with these things.

Next: My best friend was taken off their medicine for a short peroid of time. During this time he felt nearly crazy. His g/f is a witch about the whole thing. I felt really bad for him.

Then: A very special family, I love to pieces, is facing the breadwinner going to trial and if the worse case happens over 15 years in jail. 

During all of this I find out why a couple of my daughters have been wick to me.

I am getting sick from all this stress. Damn IT. Living with an Orthostatic Intolerance Disorder SUCKS!

Oh that Letter...

Oh boy, oh boy... For your reading enjoyment! 

Those in power do not rule for ever: history will judge our presidencies

How can US global policy be reconciled with the teachings of Jesus and other prophets of the monotheistic religions?

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Thursday May 11, 2006
The Guardian

To George Bush, president of the United States of America

For some time now I have been thinking how one can justify the undeniable contradictions that exist in the international arena. Can one be a follower of Jesus Christ, respect human rights, present liberalism as a civilisation model, announce one's opposition to the proliferation of nuclear weapons and WMD, make "war on terror" one's slogan and work towards the establishment of a unified international community - but at the same time have countries attacked, lives, reputations and possessions of people destroyed and, on the slight chance of the presence of a few criminals in a village, for example, set the entire village ablaze?

Or because of the possibility of WMD in a country, it is occupied, around 100,000 people killed, its water sources, agriculture and industry destroyed, and the country pushed back 50 years. At what price? Hundreds of billions of dollars and tens of thousands of men and women - as occupation troops - put in harm's way, their hands stained with the blood of others. On the pretext of the existence of WMD, this great tragedy came to engulf the peoples of the occupied and occupying countries. Later, it was revealed no WMD existed.

Of course, Saddam was a murderous dictator. But the war was not waged to topple him - the declared goal of the war was to find and destroy WMD. Throughout the many years of the war imposed on Iran, Saddam was supported by the west.

There are prisoners in Guantánamo Bay who have not been tried and have no legal representation, and their families cannot see them. There is no international monitoring of their conditions and fate. European investigators have confirmed the existence of secret prisons in Europe too. I cannot reconcile the abduction of a person, and him or her being kept in secret prisons, with any judicial system. For that matter, I fail to understand how such actions correspond to the teachings of Jesus Christ, human rights and liberal values.

Mr President, I am sure you know how - and at what cost - Israel was established: many thousands were killed in the process; millions of indigenous people were made refugees; hundreds of thousands of hectares of farmland, olive plantations, towns and villages were destroyed. This tragedy is not exclusive to the time of establishment; unfortunately, it has been ongoing for 60 years now.

A regime has been established that destroys houses while the occupants are still in them; announces beforehand its plans to assassinate Palestinian figures; and keeps thousands of Palestinians in prison. Is support for this regime in line with the teachings of Jesus Christ or Moses, or liberal values? Or are we to understand that allowing the original inhabitants of these lands - inside and outside Palestine - whether they are Christian, Muslim or Jew, to determine their fate runs contrary to principles of democracy, human rights and the teachings of prophets?

The newly elected Palestinian administration recently took office. All independent observers have confirmed that this government represents the electorate. The elected government has come under pressure and has been advised to recognise the Israeli regime, abandon the struggle and follow the programmes of the previous government. If the current Palestinian government had run on the above platform, would the Palestinian people have voted for it? Mr President, the people of the region are becoming increasingly angry with such policies. Why is it that any technological and scientific achievement reached in the Middle East is portrayed as a threat to the Zionist regime? Is not scientific R&D one of the basic rights of nations? Lies were told in the Iraqi matter. What was the result?

I have no doubt that telling lies is reprehensible in any culture, and you do not like to be lied to. Don't Latin Americans have the right to ask why their elected governments are being opposed and coup leaders supported? Why must they constantly be threatened and live in fear? The people of Africa are hardworking, creative and talented. Don't they have the right to ask why their enormous wealth - including minerals - is being looted? The people of Iran too have many grievances, including the coup d'etat of 1953 and the toppling of the legal government of the day, opposition to the Islamic revolution and support for Saddam in the war waged against Iran.

September 11 was a horrendous incident. The killing of innocents is deplorable and appalling in any part of the world. All governments have a duty to provide security and peace of mind for their citizens. After 9/11, instead of healing and tending to the emotional wounds of the survivors and the American people, some western media intensified the climate of fear and insecurity. Some believe that the hype paved the way - and was the justification - for an attack on Afghanistan. Will the truth not be lost in a contrived and deceptive climate? Those in power do not rule indefinitely, but their names will be recorded in history. The people will scrutinise our presidencies. Did we intend to establish justice or just support special interest groups, and by forcing many people to live in poverty and hardship, make a few people rich and powerful? Did we defend the rights of all people around the world or impose wars on them, interfering illegally in their affairs? Did we tell the truth to our nation and others around the world?

How much longer can the world tolerate this situation? If billions of dollars spent on military campaigns were instead spent on investment and assistance for poor countries, the establishment of peace, mediation between states, and extinguishing the flames of ethnic and other conflicts, would not your government and people be justifiably proud? Would not your administration's political and economic standing have been stronger? And, I am most sorry to say, would there have been an ever-increasing global hatred of the American government?

If the prophets Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Ishmael, Joseph or Jesus Christ were with us today, how would they have judged such behaviour? Is there no better way to interact with the world? Today there are hundreds of millions of Christians, hundreds of millions of Muslims and millions who follow the teachings of Moses. All prophets speak of peace and tranquillity - based on monotheism, justice and respect for human dignity. Do you not think that if all of us abide by these principles, we can overcome the world's problems? Will you not accept this invitation?

History tells us that repressive and cruel governments do not survive. The people of the world are not happy with the status quo. The people are protesting at the increasing gap between the haves and the have-nots, and the rich and poor countries. The people are disgusted with increasing corruption. The people of many countries are angry about the attacks on their cultural foundations and the disintegration of families. They are equally dismayed by the fading of care and compassion. The people of the world have no faith in international organisations, because their rights are not advocated by these organisations.

Liberalism and western-style democracy have not been able to help realise the ideals of humanity. Today, these two concepts have failed. Those with insight can already hear the sounds of the shattering and fall of the ideology of the liberal democratic systems.

We increasingly see that people around the world are flocking towards a main focal point - that is Almighty God. Undoubtedly, through faith in God and the teachings of the prophets, the people will conquer their problems. My question for you is: "Do you not want to join them?" Whether we like it or not, the world is gravitating towards faith in the Almighty, and justice and the will of God will prevail over all things. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is the president of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

· Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is the president of Iran. This is an edited extract of a letter he has sent to George Bush.

Here is why I don't hang with the ANTI Crowd

I just found this at yahoo news:

Madonna radically altered her music to attack US President George W Bush during her appearance at California music festival Coachella, yesterday. The Hung Up singer thrilled fans with a six-song set in the Sahara Dance Tent, and took a cheeky swipe at the US leader by changing her song lyrics.During an energetic rendition of her song I Love New York, Madonna roared, "Just go to Texas and suck George Bush's d**k."

  I may not like the sitting president much but this kind of stuff just turns me off. And before you go nuts and start leaving messages that the Pro-Bush groups is just as bad, the same thought applies to that crowd too. 

It is just too easy to spat ugly words that mean nothing.

CU/LU/DU/NU/PTC and a Teen

I am a lurker.  Oooh, that sounds kind of naughty.  No, seriously, I do a lot of lurking at forums like the Conserative Underground, Liberal Underground, Democratic Underground, Neutral Underground and Peace Takes Courage Forums. There are others but for this post these five are topic. 

In the last few days I have been catching up on threads about Ava Lowery, an Alabama teenager who created a site for a contest The Huffington Post is/was running. Ava is fifteen-years old. She is also anti-Bush and against the Iraqi war.  “I was just so mad about it,” she explains. “And the media are not showing the real images of the war, so I did a lot research and started my own website.”

You can see Ava's contest submission here. But a warning before you click, the animation has pictures of small children that have been ravaged by the conflict that surrounds their lives. IF you are sensitive I wouldn't bother watching it.

It is NOT clear who is responsible for the damage to these young people. All that is clear that these children have been injuried. It could of been anyone. Ava says, “The object of the animation is to get the following point across: Jesus loves Iraqis, too.”

Ava's messages of "What Would Jesus Do" with quotes from Beatitudes is in itself a good message. I am sure the Good Lord would embrace the children who have been injured and give their little hearts peace. Here is the catch, many of those children probably do not believe in Jesus the Christ. The children are probably not taught to have a personal relationship with Jesus and that he is a prophet. Interesting, isn't it?

Back to the forums.  As I mentioned, between my daily chores I have been reading the threads at the above forums about Ava and her animations, the article at the Progressive, Ava's Mother, and the other adults who have decided to discuss this message from a teenage peace activist.

Boy what a deal that has been.  Ava's mother has posted an open apology. In this apology she states that "i might have made things worse with my 'lioness protecting her cub' day- "  Oh ya think Ma?

Gee whiz, you daughter enteres a contest, has an article written about her submission and your child posts her submissions on forums where there are adults who have the opposite opinions of the anti-whomever crowd, that engage in name calling and in the end you get involved to include using suggestions that lawyers are going to be involved.

Let me tell you Ma, your emotions did get the better of you. You should of handled this one a whole lot differently than you did.  Some of these people have screen capture utilities that proved their point.  Seriously, did you really think that something else would of happened on these forums?  If you post something on CU that has a DU line of thinking don't expect roses and candy and visa versa.

People are still entitled to their own opinions no matter if you are Pro-Bush, Anti-Bush, a Moonbat, Neutral or what not.  There are very few public forums where you won't find name calling and a strong opinion if it differs. So when you post at these forums you SHOULD expect the members to tell you what they think in terms that probably not used at your kitchen table.  Heck that stuff is why I go and read at those forums, it is cheap entertainment.

Edited to add:  It has been pointed out to me that young Ava is posting with her actual picture as an avatar.  Anyone else think that MA should be monitoring the child's internet activities closer and remind her that using her actual picture as an avatar is inviting trouble from the ugly factor?  Just not smart. No indeed.

Ava, dear young woman, I admire your effort. It would be hard for me not to admire your efforts. I was once 15, I learned about I learned about Kent State, watched too many Billy Jack movies and nearly drove my dear mother nuts with all my ideas.  I would suggest that you get your nose out of the Anti-crowd and do a bit more research.  I think it is time for your eyes to be opened a bit more on how the real world actually works. Don't stop thinking about world peace, once we forget that is the main goal then it might not ever come true.  But in the meantime, there is so much you can learn about the world that the ANTI-crowd just won't teach you.

My mother asked me often just what could I do about it, being one little girl who lived in Kansas. Oh how I tried and tried to will the world into peace. My mother then sat me down and taught me about WWII, Hitler, Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh, Communism, guerilla warfare. She did it in a way that I learned pretty fast that you can believe in peace, struggle for peace and even fight for peace but peace might not come in our lfetimes.  That it takes the whole of the people to change their minds, their hearts and their desires.  And if this happened, would be still be people or just robots with no emotions. 

My mother also taught me that peace starts within ourselves, the choices we make and how we contribute to our communities. Living a peaceful life is more important than anyone puts value upon. By the time the Iranians took hostages, my mother's lessons sat down hard upon me.  It just seems that with humans there will always be someone out there to make choices that do not contribute to the idea of peace.

It would be wonderful if the world was at peace.  That there were no wars, conflicts and everyone got along.  But today there is no peace. There are people in need and there are things we can do to help. It matters not if it is in your own community or overseas.  But learn.  Learn about people like Gulsoma, who is so young to have so many scars.  The world is a tough place to be in. 

I am lucky that I am an American.  That in this country I have more chances in my life than if I lived in many regions of this world. I am grateful that when I was born I was born right here in the Good Ole USA. This is not a flippant statement either. Everyday I am greeted with this gratitude, when I  pray, take my medicine, use the phone, have food to eat, a bed to sleep in, a house to live in, my children are educated and healthy.  All this is because of the opportunities we have here.  I do not take it lightly or for granted.

The United States of America is an idea that came to pass. Even if it is not perfect.  I find people who look for perfection in this idea to be a bit foolish. There is nothing perfect in this world. I don't think the world was meant to be so perfect. Maybe when more people stop looking for the perfection and start working with what we got available to us, things might just get done.

National Anthem

The Star Spangled Banner should be sang in English.  It is a shame that so many have not learned the lyrics to this wonderful song. I challenge you to learn the lyrics of this and other important historical items.  Do it instead of watching a mindless TV show.

The Star-Spangled Banner

—Francis Scott Key, 1814

O say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro' the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watch'd, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof thro' the night that our flag was still there.
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore dimly seen thro' the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected, now shines on the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner: O, long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,
A home and a country should leave us no more?
Their blood has wash'd out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

O thus be it ever when free-men shall stand
Between their lov'd home and the war's desolation;
Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land
Praise the Pow'r that hath made and preserv'd us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: “In God is our trust!”
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Where have I been?

Things have been busy around the house.  I am determined to get organized and make keeping a house easier on me. My goal is to be more frugal and learn to spend our money more wisely, to make housekeeping easier with my Fibromyalgia, and have more time for family and friends. 

I have been working on a website for a friend for her Ragamuffin Cats.  She wanted a simple site and I think I might have accomplished it, despite how many years it has been since I have fooled around with a website.  Thank Goodness for Homestead!  I can get the pictures of the new kittens up for a reasonable price.  Check out GW Muffins to see the new kittens!

One of the kittens! 

I am also going to resharpen my skills in HTML so I can host her site myself.

It has rained a bunch here!  We needed it but I miss the warm sun.

Watch out for ticks this year, with the mild winter they might be out in hoards!  I was bitten by a Lone Star Tick.  Mmm..ewww!

Thanks for stopping by!

McKinney Cont.

Best Ever Pic of Rep McKinney!

Rep. McKinney Press Conf.

I am sitting here waiting for a press conference from Rep. McKinney about the incident with the Capitol Police incident.  I just heard that she might bring with her Danny Glover and Harry Belfonte with her.

Lord have mercy and keep me sane while I watch this press conference.

This woman has made a mountain out of a mole hill about this incident!  All she had to do was give her credentials or show her lapel pin and all would of been well.  BUT NO!  She is inviting more trouble and I hope it slaps her hard in the face. Like five years for slapping a federal officer!  Oh that was mean of me I know, but I am tired of this constant circus of race when there is so many more things that need attention by those who are elected to the House and Congress. Especially when a simple act would of stopped all of this mess...just showing her ID!

LawHawk has more about the incident.

Okay, that was fast.  The bottom line was that the incident happened because she is black, a woman and in Congress?  Give me a break.  Yet another grand waste of time and money by a representive of Congress.

Oh, How I agree!

Banning smoking because of the threat of second-hand smoke is as baseless as the hype about gas guzzlers causing global warming.

The nanny state has arrived, and nannies - or should they be termed ninnies - are crawling out of the woodwork like maggots from decaying meat.

They disgust me.

If there were any basis for these officious bastards to overthrow the precedent of hundreds of years of tobacco use, they would agitate to make tobacco growth ilegal!!

Instead, these anti-Constitutionalists want to infringe on everyone else's freedom for their own personal comfort.

OOOOOH, I can't stand smoke. Makes me nawshess!! Herman, lets go to another restaurant. One where they SHOOT smokers on sight.

OOOOOH, I can't stand the mere odor of tobacco smoke. It causes a knee-jerk response where I instantly faint dead-away.

OOOOOH, we can't go over to Sol's house. He smokes cigars, and the whole house smells of it. I might die from the odor alone.

OOOOOH, I can't stand tobacco smoke. I have asthma. It's better if there were no smokers, or at least the hundreds of them should be hounded to placate my PERSONAL irritation.

Sheeeeeit. There's no solid research unequivocally supporting ANY health consequences of second hand smoke.

Except now, more and more asinine sissies are determined to void yet another personal freedom - for unsupported social benefit.

And perhaps the most hypocritical, if you die of cardiovascular disease - and have EVER smoked - it will be listed as a smoking-related death.

Inflating the number of deaths in that category to nearly half a million a year.

Protruth