The Stories of 2005

I'm joining in with everyone else in picking the stories of 2005 that I thought were most important.

1. Disasters: The tsunami a year ago, Hurricane Katrina and the Kashmir Earthquake. These disasters showed how generous Americans are. We've been accused of being a uncaring, rich, capitalistic country. But the outpouring of money and help has shown the world who we actually are. It has even changed some people's attitudes towards us. In Kashmir, a miniature Chinook helicopter, has become a favorite toy among Kashmiri children because it's associated with relief.

2. Deaths: Pope John Paul II. Although I'm not Catholic, John Paul has been the only Pope I remember. I've not always agreed with him, but I have admired him. Chief Justice Rehnquist. His death is going to allow President Bush to change the current liberal Supreme Court to a conservative, constitutional Court.

3. Iraq: The successful elections in Iraq makes the steps the U.S. made to get rid of Saddam worthwhile. While WMD's were not found, the birth of democracy in the Middle East if allowed to flourish, will in the long run make us safer.

4. The Economy: This has got to be the most unreported or mis-reported story. In spite of rising gas prices and the losses from Katrina the economy has been doing well. If you watched the news you'd think everything was going badly. It's too bad that President Bush doesn't get out more often and brag about the economy. Great article here!

5. Democrats and MSM. These people have gone so far left that they've disappear into la, la land. Their mantra, "the military is broken, a bunch of failures destined to lose, and going into the homes of Iraqis in the dead of night, terrorizing kids and children, and women" is going to haunt them. Then there's the MSM's effort to topple the U.S. by handing out our intelligence secrets. I'm sure glad that the Justice department is going to investigate this.

Eli's Waiting

Eli is waiting for me to sit in the chair. He also looking for the stack of magazines or books that are suppose to be on the table. How is he going to play his favorite game of "push the books off the table" if there's nothing there? Eli has been disappointed all week. I haven't felt good and have been going to bed as soon as I can. Fortunately I am feeling better, just in time for the New Year's weekend.

Bush - Protecting America

Newsweek has been calling it Bush's Snoopgate. It says "Finally we have a Washington scandal that goes beyond sex, corruption and political intrigue to big issues like security versus liberty and the reasonable bounds of presidential power." Story
The real scandal is the stupidity of the MSM and the Democratic Party. The fact that the government listens in the phones and e-mails is not new. Remember, after 9/11, the stories about Al-Qaida "chatter"? Just search the internet and you will find tons of stories. Newsmax, 11/15/02 Al-Qaida 'chatter' hit an all-time high. CNN, 8/7/04 Slowdown in 'chatter' worries officials. SPIKED, 1/5/04, nicely defines it : Unlike human intelligence -which collects information through human contact with a terror group or enemy state, usually through infiltration - 'chatter', or signal intelligence, is collected by technical means, by using satellites to eavesdrop on phone conversations and email correspondence between suspected terrorists. At the same time SPIKED chides Britain and the U.S. for scaring us poor citizens about it.
How did it get from "stop worrying us about all the chatter that may or may not be a threat" to "Bush is a evil dictator that the MSM and the Democratic Party must stop"? We are promised a full congressional investigation next month. Well, go ahead Democrats! Show us the full glory of your stupidity and your willingness to jeopardize us for your own conceit and power. We'll learn who's serious about protecting us, President Bush and the Republican Party.

Merry Restful Christmas

My only goal this Christmas weekend was to relax and to catch up on my sleep. I can honestly say that I accomplished it. I didn't make it to church. I still need to be able to get to the bathroom real quick. There'll be next year.

I did make a special treat for Christmas morning. Saturday night I made potato dumplings. My mom made these when I was kid and it was one of my favorite dishes. She didn't make them very often because they took a lot of time to make and with eight in the family she had to cook a lot of them. The very best part we all loved was the fried dumplings that were made the next morning from the leftovers. Mmmmm!



Casey is enjoying one of his Christmas presents a friend gave him.



The weekend was cold and wet, but today was beautiful. So I went to see the geese that are wintering at the WRMC's pond. I get to see these every day going to and from work.


This is Sam the duck. All he's after is the food you're suppose to bring him.

Ozarks Lights

Tonight I am feeling really good. For the past two weeks I have been careful not to stray too far from a bathroom. The radiation has affected my stomach and bowels, so I've either been hugging the toilet or sitting on it. Once in a while I was sitting with a bowl in my hand. Yeah, I know, really disgusting and you really didn't want to know that.
Since I was feeling good I ,along with Trixie, went to see the Lights of the Ozarks on the Square. The atmosphere was festive. There were pony rides for the kids and horse carriages for the adults. I managed to get Trixie in one of the carriages and we rode around the Square. The kids were delighted to see a dog riding in a carriage. I tried to get pictures but my camera doesn't like night shots. This is a picture using the auto feature.



This is a picture using the night feature. Trixie is sniffing out something in the bed. I have to figure out how to get good night pictures.



New York has the New Year's Eve Count Down with an apple. We here in Arkansas have a Count Down with a Razorback.



Wooooooooooooo. Pig. Sooie!
Wooooooooooooo. Pig. Sooie!
Wooooooooooooo. Pig. Sooie!
Razorbacks!

Bring in the Violins

I'm trying real hard to be sympathetic to those poor abused NY Transit workers. It's just not real easy when you learn this:

**The average salary of a unionized New York City Transit employee is $48,000. The salary of a New York City police officer with five years experience is $44,100.

Average salary $48,00? What are the top earners making? For driving a bus or train? And they're earning more than the NY police?

**Transit workers pay exactly zero out of their paychecks for health care benefits. This would not change for existing workers — only new hires would, under the MTA's current offer, pay (an apparently unconscionable) 1% of their wages for health insurance.

Earth to TWU, most people with health insurance are footing part of the bill from their salary. That cost keep going up every year too.

**Unlike the rest of the country, which is awakening (albeit slowly) to the realization that retirement should be pushed back to reflect both economic and life expectancy realities, the transit workers, who are already able to retire with full pension at age 55, now think that's somehow unfair and want to be able to retire at 50.

Good Lord, I'm thinking that I'm going to be retiring at age 70. Heck, I'll probably be a Wal-Mart door greeter at age 75.
Now you know why Wal-Mart is so anxious not to have unions in their stores. The unions will have those door greeters earning $48,000 a year.

An Arkansas Christmas

Arkansas version of The Night Before Christmas

A Hero Comes Home

Lance Cpl. Aaron Mankin was seriously wounded by an IED in Iraq on May 11. Lance Cpl. Mankin suffered second- and third-degree burns to his hands, arms, upper neck and face. He was riding in an amphibious assault vehicle when the bomb went off. After multiple surgeries and daily rehabilitation Mankin has come home for a holiday visit with his family.

A boy who has always set goals and timelines for
those goals, Mankin isn't stressed or disconcerted
when asked about his plans for the future. Instead,
his face is full of obvious wonder as he talks about
the fact that he can walk. Despite a future of
as-yet-uncounted surgeries to rebuild his nose, mouth
and ears and to repair damage to his hands and arms,
Mankin talks of his amazement that he didn't suffer
any broken bones or lose a leg that could affect that
future.

"From the start, I knew I'd get better," he said Friday.
"I always knew that it was a part of God's plan. God's
been very faithful to me even though I don't deserve it."

This is said over and over by those whose faith is in God. No matter how difficult or terrible the circumstances may appear, we always know that God is near, God love us, God is always good, God is always faithful, God will take care of us. This give us courage to go forward.

Aaron Mankin supports the effort in Iraq and is proud of the freedom that the United States has helped bring to the Iraqi people, despite his severe injuries and his fear for the safety of his fianc/e.

"It's not that I know more, but I understand more than what the major media kicks out," Mankin said.
He understands the difference between an Iraqi village where family life is still apparent and one where insurgents are likely hid away. He understands the joy a child feels when his village is safe and he again can play outside and con candy from the Americans.

He also understands a deep commitment that lets him say "in a heartbeat" he would go back.

Mankin plans to ask the military medical review board to allow him to return to duty after his recovery, although he knows that if he returns, it will likely be a different type of position. If that doesn't work out, he wants to finish his education and become a teacher. He was a substitute teacher in Bentonville prior to his military service.

I love hearing stories like this. It always encourages me to not to give up. Lance Cpl. Mankin, Thank you for your service! You are what American is all about. What we hope our children grow up to be. What ever you do, I know that God will richly bless you!
Blue for bravery. White for honor. Red for sacrifice.
Semper Fidelis

Full Story

Bitch, Bitch, Bitch!

This morning I was suppose to get some blood drawn. I was really good and didn't eat anything past midnight. I showed up to the doctor's office hungry and really wanting my coffee. So now I'm waiting, waiting, waiting, a half hour while the **^&&* tech gossips around. Finally she calls me in and looks through my chart. The doctors orders, my doctor forgot to leave orders of what she wanted and she's out of town. O.K. Fine! How about another doctor submitting the orders. Well, they haven't seen you.
AH, SH**! &*(^!! CRAP!!
Got back to my office, griped to my co-workers and calmed down. Actually, it was a good thing that I didn't get my blood drawn. While I was waiting I observed the tech. She didn't wear any gloves while she was pulling blood from tubes or while she ran tests. She never washed her hands after she completed her tests and called me in. When my doctor returns I'm giving her an earful and letting her know that I won't have my blood done there. If the tech is not doing something basic as wearing gloves, who knows what else is going on in the lab.

Christmas Cats

The Christmas tree is just another toy for the cats. I think they believe I put it up just for them. Tigger and Eli mostly poke around the presents on the floor. It's a great place for them to hide and sneak attack one another.


Bows, on the other hand, is fascinated by the ornaments. I keep catching her pawing at them. To date she had broken two ornaments. Fortunately they're cheap and easily replaced.

Was it a Promise?

There is a question about whether or not Tom Terminella, developer of Mountain Ranch Development on the west side of Fayetteville, had actually promised to build and pay for the widening of Rupple Road and Persimmon Street. I have been to several Ward 4 meetings where this development was presented and discussed by Mr. Terminella. I, like the council members, came away with the impression that Mr Terminella was going to paying for some of the cost of improving those streets. I hope that City Council really looks into this. I'd like to know if Mr. Terminella said he'd pay for those roads just so that the council would approve his development. The Council also needs to make sure that the next time they hear a developer say they will pay for a street they get it in writing. Story

Election Results

Question #1 failed 40 percent in favor and 60 percent opposed. I'm not surprised that it failed. People weren't about to give a government agency that much power. Question #2 also failed, but only by 600 votes. I actually thought this one might pass. People usually pass bonds that affect education. I wonder why people voted it down? Are people feeling the pain in their wallets and aren't going to be passing bonds?

Question #1

Tomorrow Arkansans go to the polls to vote on two bond proposals. The proposal that has been generating controversy is Question #1. This proposal would give the Highway Commission power to issue bonds up to $575 million without the vote of Arkansans. The bonds would be paid from a 4 cent diesel tax that is currently collected.
I will be voting NO on this proposal. One reason: there is no limit on how many years the Commission would have the authority to issue bonds. I think there should be a limit of something like 5-10 years. At the end of bond issuing term they can bring it back to the people of Arkansas to renew their authority if they feel the need. I think a suggestion like this would eliminate the biggest issue about Question #1.

Anti-Christian Democrats

Blogger DunnerMeister preserved the web page

that the Democratic Party of Washington state last week was offering for sale car magnets showing the familiar Christian fish symbol--only inside the fish appears the word HYPOCRITE and a cross against a background of red-orange flames.

I knew that Democrats didn't like Christians very much (although they adore their money). They've been hiding their dislike of the Christians. They've mostly spewed scorn at the Conservative Christian Right. The Democrats have finally come out of the closet and shown their true colors.

via JAMES TARANTO

The Weekend

I've been busy this weekend. Baking cookies and bread, cleaning the house, shopping, picking up the dogs' little gifts in the backyard and filling up the bird feeders. This morning I sneaked in a little hike in Devil's Den. Hiking in winter is not only really cold, but with the leaves gone, you see a different side of the woods. This section of the woods has a little waterfall. When it freezes, it looks beautiful.


This year, however, we haven't had a lot of rain so there isn't a lot of water running over the rocks. The icicles aren't as spectacular.


We did catch this little surprise. A white possum crossing frozen Lee Creek. It allowed me to get fairly close to it. I wonder how rare white possums are?

Fayetteville HS Choir's Madrigal Feast

A Madrigal Dinner is a feast with four or five courses tied together with music, pageantry and humor.

Friday evening began with me being escorted to my seat by a page and my name herald to the other diners. The church's parish was decorated in candles, garland, wreaths and a Christmas tree. The menu:

Wassaile Bowele, Florentine Salade, Ham, Baked Potatoes, Glazed Carrots, Bread, Flaming Plumme Pudding

Each course was herald in by the Lords and Ladies (choir) singing one or two songs. Ah, yes, all the singing by choir was done a cappella.
As for the humor portion of the evening. Well, you decide. One of the knights rode around the room on his horse(stick) yelling "December 24th." He was the "Knight before Christmas." Another knight rode around the room on his horse(stick) with two people behind him holding signs that said "Quiet" and telling everyone to "Ssshush". Yeah, that's right, "Silent Knight." Then, someone screams. Someone has stabbed the "Silent Knight." At which point the jester quips "he's a Holy Knight now!" >>Groans!<<<
The gem of the evening was the Carol Concert at the end. A truly wonderful performance by the Fayetteville HS Choir.

Will do Windows

I have been trying to get a picture of Casey for a long time. It's difficult because he just doesn't cooperate. Serves him right that I have to use this embarrassing one of him. I don't know why he's licking that window. This isn't the first time he's done it. I just don't see the attraction and I don't exactly appreciated him smearing up the window. I think I'll spread some soap on it. Heh, Heh!

Updates

Boy, is it cold! I mean really freezing! It's suppose to be 6 degrees tomorrow morning. I definitely am going to be wearing my thermals tomorrow. The snow this morning was nice. Too bad it didn't last long. I've been finishing up my family Christmas letter. It's a bit longer than previous years. This year wasn't quite the "same old same old".
I've gotten some updates on a few items.

"Winning Iraq: The Untold Story." If you want to see it in it's entirety, we're re-running it on Sunday December 11, at 9p and midnight, eastern time.

Brian Gaffney
Executive Producer

Then there's the Christmas Card to the ACLU. People at work got a kick out of the idea.

MERRY CHRISTMAS,

We are excited to be able to announce the creation of our "Merry Christmas ACLU E-Card" You can now send several E-cards a day to the ACLU as well as send your actual phyiscal Christmas card to their national offices.

You can now see the E-card and send it from http://muscleheadrevolution.com!

What I need you to do is forward this information to as many people as is possible. All of the details, address, and instructions are found at this link: http://muscleheadrevolution.com.

Please send it to as many people as you can think of who may help us, and encourage them to check it out once a day every day between now and Christmas - there will be additional ways that everyone can be involved!

Thanks, and MERRY CHRISTMAS
Kevin McCullough
Host/Executive Producer
"The MuscleHead Revolution"
AM 570 WMCA - New York City * Connecticut * Rhode Island
AM 970 WMCA - New York * NewJersey * Pennsylvania * Delaware
kmc@WMCA.com
http://muscleheadrevolution.com

Recovering

I reviewed my Friday post and was amazed at all the errors. I must have been really tired. Which is probably why I spent most of Saturday sleeping. I didn't really intend to, it was such a nice day. My body protested and forced me to sleep. I felt much better on Sunday. Although I still had problems eating.
I've manage to finished reading a book. Michael Crichton's State of Fear. It's a good adventure story. He has put in a lot of good data on the myth of global warming. I found the most intriguing part to be a discussion between one of the main characters, Peter Evens, and a professor.
The professor states:

The requirement of every sovereign state is to exert control over the behavior of its citizens, to keep them orderly and reasonable docile. Social control is best managed through fear. Pgs 454-455

The professor said we use to have the fear of nuclear war, the Communist Menace, the Iron Curtain. With the fall of the Berlin Wall we no longer have that fear. It needed to be replaced. Enter the environmental crisis. We had the Kyoto Agreement and Al Gore screaming about a deepening global climate crisis. That all changed with 9/11. We now fear terrorism.
As a Christian why should I fear anything? God is sovereign and God is good. I trust God with the control of the universe. I believe that God controls all things for my good. If God is working everything for my good why should I be afraid. So, I don't have to fear the future, the unknown.

Fun Time!

In case you have nothing better to do, try this.

My score was: 96% , Ave error 3 miles, Time: 246 secs

via Grouchy Old Cripple

Merry Christmas!

Yes! I proudly say Merry Christmas! So There, ACLU!

If you've been paying any attention you've notice that Christmas has been disappearing. Christmas is becoming a forbidden word. A legal assault by the ACLU combined with the MSM that blatantly promotes secularism has succeeded in convincing some Americans that the words Merry Christmas are inappropriate while celebrating the national holiday of Christmas! So, those of us who still believe in Merry Christmas are fighting back.
Kevin McCullough is organizing a very special Christmas card campaign. Between now and Christmas he is asking you to send the ACLU direct "Merry Christmas" cards. Heh, heh, heh, hah, hah!

And we aren't talking about these generic "happy holiday" (meaning nothing) type of cards...

Go get as "Christmas" a Christmas card as you can find... something that says.. "Joy To The World", "For Unto Us A Child Is Born", but at least "Merry Christmas", put some of your own thoughts into it, sign it respectfully and zip it off in the mail to

ACLU
"Wishing You Merry Christmas"
125 Broad Street
18th Floor
New York, NY 10004

via Michelle Malkin

UPDATE:

4:36pm EST
MERRY CHRISTMAS ACLU - FOX NEWS TONIGHT: We're thrilled to get the news that the "Merry Christmas ACLU" campaign was picked up by Fox News Channel's BIG STORY Weekend Edition. It airs at 10:00pm EST and we're slated to debate a member of the ACLU/law professor from Nebraska.

Great!

We will also be given the chance to explain the campaign to flood the National Offices of the ACLU with "Merry Christmas Cards". Please make plans to join us. Tonight on the Fox News Channel, 10:30pm.

I'm also scheduled to appear on the RightMarch.com radio show at roughly 5:20pm tonight as well.

Fox

Last night I watched a program on Fox "Winning Iraq: The Untold Story". Unfortunately, I tune in at the last part of it. What I saw was really good. I e-mailed a request to the network to re-air it. I hope they do. It's rare to see what's really happening in Iraq on T.V. I mostly get the "real news" from bloggers.
This is the first war where we've had unprecedented first hand coverage of the war. We've have embedded journalists and blogs from soldiers fighting the war. So why is it that Fox's program is a rare thing? What the soldiers are doing in Iraq should be covered more by the MSM. But, nooo! The MSM get upset with the U.S. military's practice of paying Iraqi papers to run articles emphasizing positive developments in the country. Heck, why should the military be paying newspapers to run positive stories. The MSM should have been doing it all this time. Another reason why I watch Fox and not those other news channels.

I'm Tired!

I've been feeling ill the last couple of days. I haven't been sleeping well since I had my surgery. Once I recovered from the surgery I started getting hot flashes. I really don't mind them during the day. They aren't severe and don't last long. Heck, since the days have been getting colder a hot flash has been a good way to get warmed up. The flashes keep waking me up several times during the night. I really want a night of uninterrupted sleep. I've an appointment with my doctor in a week. I'm going to beg for some sleeping pills.
On top of that I've been nauseated again. Actually I typing with a bowl in front of me, just in cause. Yeah, I know, thanks for sharing. Only 6 more weeks of radiation to go!


Eli was playing in the grass last week while I was hanging up the lights last week. Bows is finally eating the "special" food. My basic plan was "you'll eat it when you get hungry enough".