Wednesday's Weeping

It's another hot, sticky day here in Podunt. As hot as it is I know I have so much to be thankful for. I know in the past I've been rather flippant about hurricanes and even chatted up how much I love the wind and rain they bring our way. Never again will I see things with such levity and such a glib attitude.
They call it the Redneck Riviera, but it's MY south. I've spent many a happy hour in "that incredibly grubby, sweaty and unbelievably gorgeous & beautiful city", called New Orleans. Now, I sit stunned, in tears as I watch her slowly being drowned. There for a few brief hours after the storm passed, it appeared the city herself had been spared. Then, the levies begin to break. And the gradual destruction of our nations 35th largest city began. So many people are losing everything. Their homes, their possessions, lifetimes of memories gone. Their jobs, their cars, all gone. And nowhere to go. When your poor, which most of New Orleans poplulation is, you can't afford hotels. Even if you could, how do you get there?
And what of their pets? Can you imagine having to leave your precious animals behind? When you live in a city, have no car, and your told 'you can't bring your animals' to the shelters, what do you do? The helplessness of knowing their fate is out of your hands. The gut wrenching feeling of having to choose between their life and your own. Which might explain some of why so many stayed behind.
How do you begin to rebuild your life? And where?
Then there's Biloxi, and Gulfport, and all the small communities along the coast. Wiped out. My daughter-in-law Amie's entire family is from Gulfport. Fortunately they all evacuated and got out safely. But what will they have to go back to? When will they be able to even go home to what is left of their homes? Their lives?
My heart and my mind cries out WHY? But there are no answers. There is no evil terrorist to blame this on. No one to hunt down and punish. No one to blame. It simply is what it is.
I know I should be thankful that the loss of life wasn't any greater. And I am. But we may not know the true toll for weeks to come.
Last night I heard this man on one of the news programs make the comment that he didn't think tax dollars should be used in the cleanup and assisting of the victims of these hurricanes. His theory is, if you choose to build and live in these high risk areas you do so at your own risk, why should tax monies be used to help you offset your losses? I wanted to scream at him, because that's what we do! We parade ourselves all over the world 'helping' everybody else, why shouldn't we help our own. And speaking of helping, why aren't other nations pitching in and sending help our way? We sent billions of dollars to help out in Thailand. We're in the middle of a damned war for Pete's sake, trying to 'help' other's out. Where's the helping hand when we need one? As I sit and watch the devastation as it plays out before me I can help but think, it's time this country started looking inward. It's time we start taking care of our own, and let the rest of the world do the same. Because folks they damned sure aren't coming to OUR rescue.
If I sound bitter, angry and disillusioned, that's because I am. I am so sick of our government being more concerned with 'worldly affairs' while we here at home struggle to survive. My heart goes out to the people of the world. I know there is much pain and anguish out there. But right now, I believe we need to step back, and do some home maintenance. The billions of dollars we are spending throughout the world can be well used right here at home. One only need turn on the television and see the devastation along the Gulf Coast to understand that.

Monday, Monday....

We've only just begun...
Wasn't there a song by the Carpenters that started out that way? Speaking of carpenters, looks like they'll be needing quite a few of them down around Gulfport, Mississippi. What I gather from the news New Orleans dodged the bullet yet again. As of midnight last night I was sure the storm was going ashore west of the city. Instead sometime during the night, she took a slight shift and came ashore at Grand Isle. Meaning the worst part of the storm hit the Mississippi coast and west Alabama. Not to say Nawlins didn't suffer some serious damage. Just not as bad as was predicted. The potential was there for catastrophic damage.
The problem now is a good many folks along the coast and around Gulfport, Biloxi, and Hattiesburg that didn't evacuate, thinking the worst of the storm was going to be west of them. They now could be in dire straights. We may not know for days how seriously this area has been affected.
We have friends who live in east Mobile. I talked to them this afternoon and they said it is terrible there. The downtown area is flooded, the part of I-10 they can see is completely underwater, the bridges and tunnels are flooded. Lots of wind damage. Of course no one has power. Although their cell phones are now working.
All this just goes to show, even with all our modern equipment, there simply is no predicting what Mother Nature can do and where she'll do it. All we can do is hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.
Here in Podunt we've gotten a bit of rain, a few gusts of wind, but nothing substantial.
Katrina appears to be headed for northern Mississippi and northwest Alabama. That's TW & Joe's part of the country. I hope their hunkered down and staying safe. Looks Brenda and her family will be getting some wind and rain as well. Hopefully they too will be safe. Of course in the south there's always the threat of tornados. Especially up around Brenda's part of the country.
It also appears there was no major damage to any of the oil rigs or the port. Which hopefully will mean not such a heavy impact on oil prices. That at least is good news! And since good news seems to be in short supply these days, I'll take what I can get.

Katrina

giving a new meaning to the word 'terrorist'

It's 2:30 AM on Monday morning. Being awake as this time of morning is nothing new for me. In fact it's pretty much par for the course. The only difference is that on this Monday morning I'm dividing my time between the computer and the television. Katrina has plowed her way across the Gulf and is making a dead aim for the city of New Orleans. All predictions say this is going to be 'the big one'. The one that people in Nawlins have been talking about for years. Talking about and fearing. I'm sure everyone's heard the story. New Orleans is a city that sits in a bowl. A bowl surrounded by a lake (which is really a bay), a river, and the sea. Something in my bones tells me that bowl is going to be filled with a whole lot of water today. Having witnessed, Betsy, Camille, Andrew, Opal, Ivan, and Dennis, I know all too well the damage hurricans can deliver. It's not a pretty sight.

It's not just the people of New Orleans that will be impacted by this lady monster.

"This storm is going to pass through the meat of the oil and gas fields. The whole country will feel it, because it's going to cripple us and the country's whole economy," said Capt. Buddy Cantrelle with Kevin Gros Offshore, which supplies rigs via a fleet of large crew vessels."[ source]

It was already getting to the point where I could hardly afford to put gas in our Jeep. Remember back when I said if the price of gas kept rising I was going to be looking into those little scooters? Well it looks like I better get started looking. Either that or put a paypal link on my page and start taking donations for buying gas.

I suggest we all put our heads together and pray. I always knew 'terrorist' came in all shapes and sizes. I just didn't know there would be one named Katrina and she'd be called the Perfect Storm.

Saturday Surprise

Oh yeah baybeeee! That's me alright!



You're Angelina Jolie.You're strong and
mysterious.You're not scared of trying new
stuff


which actress are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

Remebering Iraq

remembering the WAR
Would you be surprised to learn that more Iraqi civilians have died in just the last two months than Americans have died since the beginning of the war? The Baghdad morgue does 5 times more business than it ever did under Saddam's rule? Five times as many Iraqis NOW live in poverty than ever did under Saddam? [ source] This is what war has wrought. I would dare say we need to rethink our current strategy.
Apparently I'm not alone. As of today 56% of American's polled think the war is going badly and are questioning it's validity. [source] Many are wondering why we're in Iraq? Is it really for freedom and democracy? Are our troops over there fighting to help establish a government where the people can speak up about their government and it's leaders? If so, maybe someone needs to remind people like this guy , who wants to "use whatever means necessary" to ensure that everyone just shuts the fuck up."
And, folks it's not just the 'extremist' (yes there are those who would consider "me" and extremist, although, Bill O'Reilly isn't one of them)on the left anymore. Senator Chuck Hagel (R/Nebraska) has stepped up to the podium and took a stand ("stay the course" is not a policy. By any standard, when you analyze 2 1/2 years in Iraq ... we are not winning ).[source]Not even close. The insurgencyensy is NOT in it's last throes. If anything it's growing stronger every day. Many of the Iraqi's that have been trained by American troops have deserted the Iraqi army and joined up with the opposition. In effect we've trained them to fight,...US!

Of course the young republicans Yellow Elephants have been quick to label this war veteran (two Purple Hearts, a Bronze Star, and numerous citations of meritorious honor) as being "out of touch" and uninformed. Much the same as they did John McCain, Max Clelland, and John Kerry. Apparently anyone who's actually seen battle has no idea what this war is all about. Or how to win it. Then again, it's fairly apparent neither does anyone in the current administration.

Cindy Sheehan has taken a lot of flack for her stand on the war. I know full well it's an unpopular subject on this side of the blogosphere. But, much like the war, neither of us is going away. Here in this blog, in this place, is where I will show my support for the troops. By demanding that we not forget there is a war going on. By not allowing 'stay the course' to become the catch phrase for easing the conscience of this country. There are people paying the price for this 'strategy' and it's not you and I. Not yet anyway. But how many of us have sons and daughters who could be at risk should there be a need for a draft? This very week, 1500 more troops are on their way to that hell-hole.[ source] With the age for enlistments being raised to 35, I'd say most of us have at least one child who'd be eligible. So no, I will not go quietly into the dark night. I will rage on against the dying of the light. The light we so desperately need to see at the end of this long dark tunnel.

The HIGH PRICE of War .

To Blog or Not To Blog

Ah that is the question. Like Brenda I too have noticed that a good many of our blogging community are suffering with a bit of angst over their blogging. No one wants to out right give it up, but for several it's beginning to get in the way of life in the 'real' world. The reasons are as varied as the folks experiencing the 'growing pains/burnout'. I myself have had more than a few days when I found myself hard put to find something to write about. For some reason I've had this insane idea one MUST blog everyday. How moronic is that? Leave it to me to think it has to be all or nothing.

I started blogging to vent. Didn't we all? Mostly I wanted to vent about the crappy state of politics. I quickly found most folks (at least folks who's blogs I enjoyed) weren't the least bit interested in politics or my opinions of politicians. So, I started blogging about my family. That worked out fairly well until my son stumbled upon my blog and was quite put out with me. "I can't believe you wrote all that stuff about our family," he said "angrily." Then Kasey (who now has her OWN blog) let me know in no uncertain terms she wasn't thrilled with me bitching to the blogosphere about OUR ups and downs. So much for that idea. So, you can see why I was sorely tempted for a while to just give it up all together.
To make a long story short (the ending which you already know) I opted for a different route and now have two blogs. I will admit Just Breathe is the more difficult of the two to keep up. There are days when I have to dig deep to find things to write about. Which is why of late, I've gone days without posting. But give it up altogether? I don't think I could. Because you see, you all have become like family to me and I can't imagine letting these relationships fall into disrepair.
However, I have the luxury of large quantities of free time. I don't work full time. I have no small/school age children. I also have a grown daughter who lives at home who does most of my housework. So, ablogging I will go. Maybe not as often as in the past. Maybe sometimes I'll mix things up a bit and post about an issue that is very important to me, even if it is politically oriented. I guess that means, you all are stuck with me.
FYI, here's an update on the family. Daniel is back in Texas, doing his 'I'm nobody's Daddy/son/brother, I have no responsibilities' thing. Zach is back at his Mom's,in school and at this point in time doing well. Josh, Amie, & kids are all doing fine. I don't see much of them but Amie talks to Kasey on MSN messenger and she keeps me updated. Kasey is once again job hunting. Sporadically, but any attempt is better than none. Rob has taken a leave from his work at the county jail is working with a state wide utility company. The pay is almost double and he gets to travel. Which he sorely needed with Andrea gone off to college. Robert is still dividing his time between home and his brother's in the 'upcountry'. I live for those mini vacations of his. There is peace in the valley homestead, when he's away. As for 'Moi', I'm doing about average. I don't work out, but I do a bit of volunteer work so that offsets the lazy (a wee bit???). Some days are good, some days are not so good. But that's the way the cookie crumbles.
I'm thinking of going on a self improvement campaign. Maybe get back into a halfway decent shape for that trip to Washington next summer. Hey, a girl can dream can't she?

_
Harry Potter Personality Quiz by Pirate Monkeys Inc.

Now does that sound like me or what?

A Crisis of Faith

As I sit here tonight, I am experiencing emotions and misgivings I haven't had in years. Maybe ever. I'm wondering if all that I have ever believed about the inherent decency and goodness of people is nothing more than wishful thinking. My faith, not just in my fellow man, but in God is being sorely tested.

Earlier today I received an email that contained the following,
"...Well it's over for your friend Cindy. She's leaving her "Camp Casey" not as the victor, but with her coattail between her legs. Defeated as she deserved to be. Hopefully she has learned her lesson, not to cross the President and not to cross God. In his wisdom God has struck down Ms Cindy's mother with a stroke. She claims this is her reason for leaving and returning home. We know better. It is because she knows she cannot win because she is on the side of the devil. Soon you and those like you will know too the wrath of God."

How can I express the pain and heartache I feel? First of all Cindy Sheehan has suffered the loss of her child, her marriage has fallen apart, for many reasons one of which is her inability to simply 'get over it already' and get on with her life. She has witnessed her own family (well cousins at least) betraying her by writing letters making false claims about her mental and emotional wellbeing. She's seen the right wing media takes these false statements and plaster them all over the news. Now, she is faced with going home to her dear Mother who has suffered a stroke and she may loose her as well. All of this she has endured and still there are those who are so filled with hate, that they would find joy and glee in her heartache.

The writer of the above email made a point of reminding me that God is on the side of the "right" and George Bush is his appointed messenger. "Why else," he asks "would God allow them to win wars and elections?" "Have you not noticed," he says "that Republicans and Christians are taking back the country you Godless infidels have stolen?" "Soon," he adds "you too shall know the wrath of God."
This brave soldier of God however did not have the courage to attach his/her name to the email, and it was sent from a some anonymous email account.

Here's the thing. If this is an example of being Christian. If this is Christianity at it's pinnacle, then God help me, because I want no part of it.
The God I grew up knowing was a God of love. Of compassion. He promised the meek shall inherit the earth . My Bible said to go forth and be a beacon, to let my light shine so that the lost might see. It taught me to not just care for the poor and lost but to serve them. The brand of Christianity I see being paraded about today is NOT the what I was raised to believe in.
So now I have to wonder. Am I wrong? Has all I believe been wrong? Why are the people I see as being cruel, judgmental, and hateful, winning? Why was Cindy's mother struck down at a time when Cindy needed to be strong and stand up for what she believed was the right thing? Why do family and friends betray us when we most need their support? Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people? Where is God in this dark hour? Or have I simply had the wrong idea all along of what God is?

Okay people I'm almost over my need to vent. Well, here anyway. I still strongly support Cindy, and will be helping hold a candlelight vigil, along with millions of others nationwide, this coming Wednesday evening, at 7:30 PM.

I think what happened a few days ago was disgusting and reprehensible Crosses vandalized at antiwar mom's Texas camp site . Anyone who would do something so disgusting is beyond cruel and should be arrested. We here in south bama have the same practice of putting up little white crosses on the side of the highway. No one would ever purposely drive over one. To do so is to be disrespectful of the those who died. No matter where their death took place.
As for Bush's neighbors who are being inconvenienced by the protestors, well, that's the price you pay for being neighbors with the President. He is the PRESIDENT after all. Did they really think he'd serve 8 years and there wouldn't be an snafu or two? Of course the fact that most of them didn't vote for him (well according to voting statistics from the last election) is irrelevant. That's just the price you pay for living so close to such a great guy [NOT].

Now, for another important subject. Does ANYONE have any idea what happened to TW (Tightly Wound)? Her blog just up and disappeared. I don't have her email addy so I can't write her and folks I'm kinda worried. I know she'd been going through some rough times. I just want to know if she's okay. If anyone can find out, I'm sure there are lots of us who'd like to know.

Okay, carry on!!

One Soldier's Point of View

Sat Aug 13th, 2005 at 12:11:52 PDT

Hi. I used to post here quite a lot, and some of you might remember me (I joined the Army last year).

Anyway, I'm one of the soldiers from Fort Hood who went to visit Cindy Sheehan yesterday. Basically I was moved enough by what she is doing that I wrote her a letter and determined that I would hand-deliver it to her yesterday (it was a training holiday here at Fort Hood).

In my opinion if you are coming to visit Camp Casey and you want to talk about the Supreme Court, or gay marriage, or the illegitimacy of the current President, you have the wrong idea. It also plays right into the hands of media outlets wanting to portray Mrs. Sheehan as a mere tool of the left.

But anyway, I wanted to share with you folks the letter I gave to Mrs. Sheehan. I've excised things which may identify me. I'd like to remain just one of four soldiers at Fort Hood who visited her - my life could be made very difficult if my name were to get out, and I am leaving for the sandbox very soon.

You can think of me as just one of the troops you support.

Fort Hood, Texas 12 August 2005 Dear Mrs. Sheehan: I am a Soldier stationed at Fort Hood who is scheduled for deployment to Iraq (soon). Like you, I do not support the war because I believe it represents a horrible waste of lives and lucre that is bankrupting our nation. However, I am sworn to obey my orders and I will serve to the utmost of my ability when called upon. Your actions in Crawford have served to galvanize the American people and to remind them of the sacrifices being made by its Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines during what seem to be prosperous and lazy times here at home. It is too easy for the average American to forget that the seemingly low casualty figures seeping in from Southwest Asia are represented by human faces - like the face of your son. While the nation dozes, ones and twos turn into hundreds and thousands of young lives forever squelched - 1,846 thus far, to say nothing of those whose lives have also been forever changed by being wounded and maimed in the conflict. Whatever the rationale for the war in Iraq was and is, I cannot tolerate the sight of the huge quantum of vehicles I see on the highways with yellow "Support our Troops" magnets on them. Citizens who support us in the military don't need to buy a magnet. They can contribute to causes benefiting soldiers and their families. They can inform themselves about the conflict in the Middle East and ask themselves what role, if any, the United States needs to play there. Most importantly, they can drive less, and drive smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles. That would reduce our dependency on foreign oil by which, ultimately, the desert wastes of Arabia and Mesopotamia are transformed into "vital United States interests." Lately you have attracted the attention of the right-wing smear machine, wielded by those who use the people's innate sense of patriotism and loyalty to serve its own selfish interests. This is a sign that you are awakening the sensibilities of decent Americans everywhere to the bloody-minded folly of the war in Iraq. Now more than ever, you must find your strength, a strength which you must have given young Casey in spades, and I am equally sure that today his strength of his spirit is animating and reawakening yours. As a soldier, I am asking you to stand fast, and to stick to what you know is right and true. For me, those are the principal duties every civilian citizen owes to his or her nation. For my part, I am not allowed to participate directly in the political process. But I wrote this letter to you today to let you know that on Fort Hood, and on military installations across the United States and around the world, there are simple servicemen and servicewomen like myself who are praying for you, and who wish you well. The duties of a soldier are a little bit different than those of civilians. Mostly they center around living the Army Values. Those values are: LOYALTY DUTY RESPECT SELFLESS SERVICE HONOR INTEGRITY PERSONAL COURAGE I have no doubts that your son Casey lived those values to the fullest measure. I will remember him as I begin my own trial by fire in Iraq. Please accept my deepest condolences for your loss and my prayers for you and all of your entire family circle. Also, please accept my thanks for awakening the conscience of our nation. In deepest sympathy, OREGON GUY (RANK), USA

Yeah, I know everybody hates it when I get all political, but hey it's my blog right?
Besides I thought it important to know what some of those soldiers think. You know, the ones we all so strongly support.
Anyway (yay, Piggy's favorite word) have a good week and all that stuff.

Friday Five

Cindy (see post below) hasn't been arrested. Smart move on Dubya's part.
Kaysar is BACK! (with a whopping 82% of the votes in AMERICA'S CHOICE!
Jenn is HOH.
Jenn is lying, backstabbing, beotch.
I'm addicted to Big Brother.

So, how's your week been?

Every Mother's Son

George W. Bush hauled stakes for Texas and a vacation a few days ago. Cindy Sheehan followed. She got off a bus Saturday afternoon and started walking to the Crawford ranch. She wanted some answers and was going to get them.


Mrs. Sheehan had met Mr. Bush once before. On April 4, 2004, just shy of a year after Bush stood on an aircraft carrier beneath a banner that read "Mission Accomplished," Cindy Sheehan's son, Army Specialist Casey A. Sheehan, was killed in Iraq when his unit was attacked by rocket-propelled grenades and small-arms fire. He was 24 years old.

After Casey's death, Cindy Sheehan was invited to the White House for a visit with Mr. Bush in June of 2004. Her first memory of Bush's appearance that day was when he walked into the room and said in a loud, bluff voice, "Who we'all honorin' today?"

"His mouth kept moving," Sheehan later recalled of her meeting with Bush, "but there was nothing in his eyes or anything else about him that showed me he really cared or had any real compassion at all. This is a human being totally disconnected from humanity and reality. His eyes were empty, hollow shells." Bush called her "Ma" or "Mom" throughout the whole meeting, and never got around to learning her name.

"The whole meeting was simply bizarre and disgusting," Sheehan said later. "designed to intimidate instead of providing compassion. He didn't even know our names. I just couldn't believe this was happening. It was so surreal and bizarre. Later I met with some of the other fifteen or sixteen families who were at the White House the same day and, sure enough, they all felt the same way I did."
[ source]

Update: Fallen Solider's Mother Becomes National Security Threat
"Cindy Sheehan phoned me (David Swanson) from Texas a few minutes ago to say that she's been informed that beginning Thursday, she and her companions will be considered a threat to national security and will be arrested.
Coincidentally, Thursday is the day that Rice and Rumsfeld visit the ranch, and Friday is a fundraiser event for the haves and the have mores. Cindy said that she and others plan to be arrested."

To say I am even more disgusted (didn't think that was possible) with our President and this administration would be the ultimate understatement.
I know this is political. But it's also personal. We all live in this country and we can't keep ignoring what is happening in Iraq. Just because you don't have a family member over there, or know anyone personally who's serving doesn't mean this isn't your problem too. Because it is. The situation is NOT getting better. The insurgency is NOT in it's last throes. It's a disaster and it's time we demand answers and some idea of how we are going to get our men and women home, from the people who sent them there. I am sick of hearing we must 'stay the course'. Clearly 'staying the course' isn't working. I'm sick of politicians taking their happy asses on vacations and having parties while our men and women are dying in that dust filled hell-hole.
Maybe it's time to join Mrs Sheehan in her Impeachment Tour . I don't want to see Bush impeached, because God knows I darn sure don't want to see Cheney in the President's seat. But I do want some real, genuine answers. Which is all Cindy Sheehan is asking for.
Would it be so hard for the President and Laura to invite Mrs Sheehan up to the ranch, sit down over glass of iced tea and listen to her? Of course not. But they know she won't settle for that tired old line (we must stay the course) and will want real honest and sincere answers. I can see why they think it will be easier to simply have her arrested.
But it will only be easy if we let it.
Can you take the time to contact your Senator or Congressman and tell them how you really feel? It only takes a few minutes to dash off an email.
Here's a link ...
Contact your Congressman/woman ...

Contact your Senator

As for me, I'm thinking a trip to Crawford Texas might be just what I need. If only I can get there before Thursday.

Monday Mourning

Peter Jennings

1938-2005

Peter Jennings, a high school dropout from Canada who transformed himself into one of the most urbane, well-traveled and recognizable journalists on American television, died yesterday at home. He was 67 and lived in Manhattan.

At last you have slipped the surly bonds of earth
And now you dance the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Godspeed Peter!

Go Ahead, Make My Day!!

Every year Big Brother has what is called America's Choice . The general public is allowed to vote for their favorite houseguest to receive something special. Usually it's a phone call or letter from home. Not this year. This year we get to vote to bring back an evicted houseguest. How cool is that???
Now it's no secret who MY favorite is. When he was evicted last night, I just wanted to cry. SOOOOOOO if you really love me and you really want to make me a happy camper, go to the CBS website and vote for Kaysar to be the returning houseguest.
You want me to be happy right?

Vote : BRING BACK KAYSAR

Perceptions

Fat or Phat

Seems some folks have their knickers in a bunch over these ads by Dove. They're part of a campaign called Real Women Have Curves . Apparently there are fools out there who actually think these women are FAT!



What kind of blooming idiot would think these beautiful women are anything other than PHAT (Pretty, Hot, And Tempting)? Chunky? Do you see an ounce of fat on these beauties? Has our society gotten so accustomed to bone freaks like Ally McBeal (Calista Flockart) and Lara Flynn Boyle (Helen/The Practice) that they can no longer appreciate a REAL woman? Why do the words shallow, superficial, and pig come to mind?

I apologize if I offend anyone here, but I happen to think those bone-skinny women are every bit as unattractive and unsexual as the gross fat ladies at the carnivals that pass through out towns every year. I mean seriously what is sexy about bones and no breast? It's like their 10 year olds. How pervaded is that? The way I see it guys who prefer these breastless, hipless, bony bodies are either looking for little girls they can legally molest or they secretly have a thing for skinny boy bodies. Either way it's not a guy I'd wanna be gettin down with .

In fact I find super skinny guys unattractive as well. Don't get me wrong I don't want a Schwarzenegger, all those pumped up muscles disturb me as well. But give me a guy like Andy Sipowicz (Dennis Franz/NYPD Blue) or Garret Macy (Miguel Ferrer/Crossing Jordan) any day. A real man. Physically fit is not nearly as important as a beautiful heart, mind, and soul.

Of course this is all just my opinion. And we all know about opinions, don't we?

Monday Madness

or,be careful what you ask for

For the past few weeks I've been working ardently in conjunction with some online friends on a project that's very important to me. Before I share what that project is, let me start with a little background.
Sometimes late at night when I can't sleep, my mind drifts back in time to the dark days of Monicagate. I remember the relentless pursuit of the press (both written and broadcast). There wasn't an hour that went by when reporters and media pundits weren't reveling in some new (or rehashed) sorted detail of 'sex in the oval office'. It was, no doubt, the blowjob heard round the world.
The republicans were rabid in their determination to bring down this man who'd dared to allow an 'innocent' young woman wank his willy in the sacred office of THE PRESIDENT. And then had the audacity to LIE about it. Imagine, lying about sex! The shock! The scandal!
While the rest of the world laughed at us, an Independent Counsel was appointed (the devil himself was Mr Ken Starr). An investigation was launched. Heads rolled. Blue dresses were subpoenaed. God forbid this small indiscretion by THE PRESIDENT be allowed to be forgotten or swept under the rug (or off to the dry cleaners). It was imperative that dignity be returned to the office of THE PRESIDENT.
In the end, the claim was, it wasn't about the sex, it was about the LIEs. Lying to the American people, lying to the Grand Jury, lying to obstruct an investigation. So what if the investigation was about sex, it was the LIE that mattered.
Now lets move forward to 2005. To a man entrusted by THE PRESIDENT, and by extension the American people. A man who has used his power,and position to abuse and betray that very trust. His actions may have endangered countless lives and has certainly inhibited the ability of an agent of the CIA to fully perform her job. In fact her exposure was so great, she had to leave her job. He participated in a game of phone tag that resulted in the publishing of the name of an agent of the CIA. While she may not have been a 'covert' agent, she was working on very super-secret (their words not mine) information. And then, he LIED about having done so.
Where is the outrage? Where is the righteous indignation? Where is the demand for swift and just retribution? Where is the party of higher morals and values? They seem to have lost their way to forum.
Instead we hear "But what is it that somebody did wrong if they didn't break the law?" ["Victoria Toensing, a lawyer and longtime Republican who helped write the Intelligence Identities Protection Act of 1982, which is at the center of this case, said Bush is now saying what he probably meant to say when the leak investigation was launched."]
Well excuse me, but if you're going to claim to be the party of higher morals, and old fashioned values , I damned well shouldn't have to point out to you that whether or not one broke the law , there are still some things that are just outright wrong . True being unethical isn't illegal but it's still wrong . What happened to "it's about the lie? Or does that only apply if sex is what your lying about?
Any parent understands the importance of teaching their child about right and wrong. About ethics and morals. So what part of what Rove did was NOT wrong, immoral and unethical? What about the LIE?
For the past few weeks I have been involved in a letter writing campaign demanding that Mr Rove be held accountable for his actions and that the President be held to his promise to fire anyone involved [ source ] in this affair. Anyone INVOLVED, not anyone who committed a crime.
If the President won't hold Mr Rove accountable, then we feel it's time for the people to hold the President accountable. For too long we have tolerated lie after lie (do I even need to mention WMD's) and done nothing. It's time to stand up and be counted.
We (the people) are writing letters to every Congressman/woman and Senator in Washington. We are sending out emails to their state offices and their offices in Washington. Demanding that the President honor his word and hold Mr Rove (and anyone else involved) accountable. As you can imagine this is a very lengthily and involved process. There are letters to be printed, envelopes to be filled, stamps to be applied, then letters to be carted to the Post Office. Yes, I've been quite busy.
I am well aware this may be a pipe dream, but I refuse to continue to sit back while this administration continues to commit the same crime they so passionately went after Bill Clinton for.
This isn't a Democrat-vs-Republican issue. This is an issue about holding people to their word.
I for one, want to see some of that dignity they claim they were going to return to the White House.