Primarily, a place for folks to gather .................. if I {we?} can give you a chuckle, or a bit of hope, GREAT! If I make you think, so much the better ................. and if I encourage you to research for yourselves, to make your own, independent judgments - I will be fulfilled.
DICK ACT of 1902 - CAN'T BE REPEALED (GUN CONTROL FORBIDDEN) - Protection Against Tyrannical Government. It would appear that the administration is counting on the fact that the American Citizens don't know this, their rights and
the constitution. Don't prove them right.
The
Dick Act of 1902 also known as the Efficiency of Militia Bill H.R.
11654, of June 28, 1902 invalidates all so-called gun-control laws.
It also divides the militia into three distinct and separate entities. ** SPREAD THIS TO EVERYONE **
The
three classes H.R. 11654 provides for are the organized militia,
henceforth known as the National Guard of the State, Territory and
District of Columbia, the unorganized militia and the regular army.
The militia encompasses every able-bodied male between the ages of
18 and 45. All members of the unorganized militia have the absolute
personal right and 2nd Amendment right to keep and bear arms of any
type, and as many as they can afford to buy.
The Dick Act of 1902 cannot be repealed;
to do so would violate bills of attainder and ex post facto laws which
would be yet another gross violation of the U.S. Constitution and the
Bill of Rights.
The President of the United States has zero authority without violating the
Constitution to call the National Guard to serve outside of their State borders.
The
National Guard Militia can only be required by the National Government
for limited purposes specified in the Constitution (to uphold the laws
of the Union; to suppress insurrection and repel invasion). These are
the only purposes for which the General Government can call upon the
National Guard.
Met with Old NFO, who duly chastised me for not blogging more - I know, I know, but work issues tend to overload my feeble mind {"How can such-and-such be done BETTER?" - no excuse, just the reality of my world, currently.}
One of the first "things" one notices at the NRA Convention are the good manners - yes-yes, we ALL know an armed society is a polite society. But, I daresay, the majority of attendees are NOT carrying {especially those who had to undergo the indignities of flying in}, and yet, there are no issues of what has become commonplace rudeness that I've observed. There isn't the sense of impatience to which most of us have grown accustomed. It's a very nice respite from what has sadly become our "new normal".
I kind-of met a local newsman, Phil Archer of KPRC, the NBC affiliate. Never having met him before, I was pleasantly surprised at his kindness and down-to-earth demeanor. Lest I'm thought starstruck - I worked in the offices of WTTG-TV in Washington, back when Maury Povich was just starting out there. I've met several 'big name' celebrities over the years - starstruck, I'm not.
The convention is also where one can get some good deals - a LOT of vendors seem to have special pricing for the convention. There are drawings galore, for just about any firearm/hunting item one might want.
For those who've never been here, the George R. Brown is huge - luckily, it's mostly straight lines and 90 degree angles, so one isn't stuffed into a maze.
John Bolton addressed the assemblage - how is it that we are still blessed by such men? Men {AND women} unafraid to tell the truth, and who are unapologetically proud Americans? God knows we could use many more like Ambassador Bolton, Governor Palin and others.
I met former Pennsylvania Senator & Presidential candidate Rick Santorum - he was headed in to address the convention, and I just walked up to him and shook his hand, thanked him from a former resident of Pennsylvania.
There was a get-together at The Ginger Man - nice place, hard as he## to find parking! The high point for me was meeting with LawDog - my co-BlogFather {he shares that dubious honor with Bayou Renaissance Man } - I am SO fortunate to have both these men in my life!
Will try to get more 'man- {woman-} in the street' interviewing done tomorrow; right now, just want to gnosh something & get in a hot tub ...................................... ;-)
Here are the local MSM weather sites .............................. PLEASE bear in mind, though, that Houston's "meteorologists" leave a LOT to be desired - they don't know the difference between sleet & snow ..................................
"Thank
you for submitting your information for the 2013 NRA Annual Meetings
& Exhibits. Your press credentials will be available for pick-up in
the press office beginning on Thursday, May 2 in room 330."
my "Blog Father" got back to me immediately with the info; the problem I'm experiencing is getting the NRA to even acknowledge my existence - so far, I have eMailed THREE {count'em, THREE} requests, with a response of ................................... crickets.
I'm still attending the convention {no worries about travel/accommodations, since it's in Houston in May}, but I would really, REALLY appreciate a response, even if they tell me to kiss their collective fundament for press credentials. Guess being published on FrontPage Magazine, & owing 4 firearms doesn't carry any weight with them .................................. oh well ....................................
On a related but lighter note - finally got to the range today to try out my Christmas gift:
Springfield XD 9 mm, 4" barrel .......................................... it won't replace my Bersa .380 in my affections, but it's one he##uva lot more comfortable for me to use than the FodGuy's Bersa .40
Mr. Muir, as a long-time fan, I must take issue with your strip of 8 November 2012:
AS a woman, as a USMC veteran, as someone who has and is engaged in 'non-traditional' employment, I'd like to remind you that there are a {seemingly} increasing number of males coming of age, without the requisite fortitude to BE 'free men', not least of which is a decided lack of testosterone - they have the parts, but very little idea of what they're for, with a notable exception.
Fortunately for me, my husband is NOT lacking in the skills of 'being a man' - but I could easily direct you to several who choose "security" over "freedom", and just want Mommy to make it all better, not least of whom is readying himself for another 4 years of 4-F'ing* these United States. I've no use nor stomach for such males {they don't deserve the appellation of "man"}.
No, the bra-burning 'feminists' did us no favors, but the males who rolled over & played dead bear THEIR share of the blame.
Sincerely and
Semper Fi'
Diamond Mair
*Old military term, regarding sexual exploits: Find'em, Fondle'em, F***'em, and Forget'em
Sir: Re: Your remarks on the 18 October 2012 Jon Stewart's The Daily Show. Your utter narcissism was on full display. 'If four Americans get killed, it's not OPTIMAL' How DARE YOU? You are not qualified to scrape fecal matter off the shoes of those four men. You parse the language, but wind up in a snit when proven as lying; your "promises" have been exposed as hollow; you treat OUR House as your personal playground; you encourage your "wife's" & daughters many expensive vacations at taxpayer expense; and you have the temerity to encourage your surrogates to accuse Mr. Romney of being 'out of touch' or 'playing politics' with the MURDERS of four Americans? Have you NO shame?
YOU, "Sir", are what is "not OPTIMAL".
Thank God it's only 19 days until the ultimate American poll; I cannot tell you how I look forward to the American peoples' rectification of our worst mistake, I would love to be a fly on the wall when you, your beard and daughters learn that America says not only no, but HELL NO!! to 4 more years of YOU. Semper Fi'
CNN PRODUCER NOTE bkruggel,
whose son participated in the Sea Turtle Tri kids triathlon on Sunday,
was watching the other kids cross the finish line, when 'the race
announcer told everyone over the loudspeakers about the boy's problem
with his prosthetic limb and that the Marines were carrying him to the
finish,' he said. 'As the group came into view, everyone started
cheering louder than usual, and I saw more than a few people crying as
they crossed the finish line.'
The boy was 11-year-old Ben Baltz of Valparaiso, Florida. At six years
old, Ben was diagnosed with bone cancer in his right leg and had his
fibula and tibia removed. He walks with a mechanical knee and prosthetic
walking leg, which he switches out for a running leg to play sports
(including soccer, baseball and children's triathlons). On Sunday, Ben
completed the 150-yard swim and 4-mile bike ride and half the one-mile
run when a screw came loose and his running leg broke in half.
His mom was standing at the finish line, wondering what happened. 'It
was only a mile, I knew he was tired, I was like, 'Where is he, where
is he, where is he,' his mother, Kim Baltz, told CNN iReport. 'All of a
sudden the announcer just said, 'Ladies and gentlemen, I want you to
turn around and look at what's happening on the course' ... Everybody
was crying. It was just very touching that the Marines were there. They
picked him up and everybody was cheering and just giving them support
and Ben support.'
Ben's mom said he was a little discouraged he wasn't able to finish on
his own, and a bit embarrassed that he had to be carried, but his
parents told him that he was an inspiration to a lot of people that
day. 'We want to give him the message that he can do anything, and he
has an inspirational story, and he just needs to be thankful that he is
able to do it because there are a lot of kids out there that are still
fighting cancer. We just want him to get out there and participate in
life.'
The Marine who carried Ben is Matthew Morgan, Private First Class at
Marine Detachment Corry Station, a training command in Pensacola that
brought 22 students to help at the triathlon. Capt. Frank Anderson, the
commanding officer, said everyone is very proud of PFC Morgan. 'It's
great to see what Marines do – not leave anybody behind – is exemplified
in our youngest members of our institution,' he told iReport. 'He's
not a very big guy ... he picked that young boy up quick, threw him on
his back and ran the rest of the course ... We're pumped.'
- dsashin, CNN iReport producer
During the 2012 Sea Turtle Triathlon in Pensacola, a young boy's
prosthetic limb broke during the run. Local Marines who had volunteered
to help monitor the course picked him up and carried him the rest of
the way to the finish line. There weren't very many dry eyes in the
crowd cheering everyone on. The Marines also helped urge on many other
racers and ran with them across the finish line. Semper Fi!
To see accompanying video, go here. ATTENTION: beware of pollen/dust in the air while you view ...................................
answer questions, maybe someone stumbling through here can -APPARENTLY, I can access the "Post" function here through IE, BUT NOT THROUGH FIREFOX ................................ I DON'T *L*I*K*E* IE, therefore my use of Firefox - but when I try to access via Firefox, I get the stupid "Dashboard" and ..................................... I'm NOT a blog author, according to Dashboard!
Any assistance would be appreciated ..................................... please do so in comments, as that comes to my 'instant see' Inbox, rather than my 'when I get around to it' Inbox ...................................
HMH-362, The Ugly Angels, graciously accepted a woman into their Avionics Shop, in 1978; she was one of two women assigned to the squadron {the other went on to become the FIRST woman Crew Chief}, who would occasionally hear that "Women are a waste, if we get deployed, YOU get shore duty" to which she would reply "Contact YOUR Congressional reps - I signed the same document as you, I'm willing to go!"
Some of those birds in the video, yours truly probably worked on .................................. a year or so later, the FodGuy took over the Airframes & Powerplants shop in HMH-362 ................................
recommended theme song
for those of us who take the Constitution seriously - he almost sounds as though he's channeling Ben Franklin in some of his commentary ...................................... GREAT POST, GC!!!
but, I, for one, am getting DAMN sick & tired of Øbama turning everything into something about HIM ............................... HEY,
DUMBA$$!! If YOUR daughters were there, the jerk would have gotten off
MAYBE one shot from his shotgun, and YOUR Secret Service would have
filled him full of lead ......................... maybe, you know, if someone had had their LEGALLY OBTAINED concealed handgun, with the requisite training, with them, there wouldn't be 71 + families dealing with this aftermath ............................
"Ultimately it's how we choose to treat one another and how we love one
another," President Obama said about the shooting in a Colorado movie
theater. "It's what we do on a daily basis to give our lives meaning and
to give our lives purpose. That's what matters. At the end of the day,
what we'll remember will be those we loved and what we did for others.
That's why we're here. I'm sure that many of you who are parents here
have the same reaction that I did when I heard this news. My daughters
go to the movies. What if Malia and Sasha had been at the theater, as so
many of our kids do every day? Michelle and I will be fortunate enough
to hug our girls a little tighter tonight and I'm sure you will do the
same with your children."
"I think is a day for prayer and reflection," Obama said in conclusion.
"I'd like us to pause in a moment of silence of the victims of this
terrible tragedy."
per Prison Planet, Google will no longer "allow" advertising related to firearms, ammunition, accessories - this is their right, as a business, along the lines of 'no shirt, no shoes, no service' - it is also MY right, and the right of every American who values the Constitution of the United States to elect to "take our business elsewhere" ................................. I do NOT appreciate having limitations put on MY choices; I am an adult, I have been making decisions, good, bad & indifferent, for myself, for damn near 40 years. I also do not appreciate Google's lack of contact info, to some amorphous person, to register my disagreement with their new policy.
As old salts of the Marine Corps used to say, "Semper Fi', Mac, I've got MINE"
Recently, a "management type" in a manufacturing firm here was fired; he had implemented changes in a division that, 2 years ago, was offering quarterly bonuses of $500.00 & up to the rank & file workers. Since his 'installation', productivity had plummeted {due to his "ideas" of streamlining - he tried to re-invent the wheel, not listening to workers with a few hundred years of collective experience}, morale was in the toilet, and bonuses might as well have been non-existent. When he was fired, he refused to leave, to the point that local police were called to escort him off the premises. I know, megalomania, much? ;-)
Observing the behavior of Øbama & Co., in light of the above idiot's shenanigans, I have to ask - what happens, on 20 January 2013, if 6 November 2012 doesn't go his way, and Øbama chains himself to the Resolute Desk? WHAT are the options of the Congress, Senate, SCOTUS? Do they dispatch federal law enforcement? What does the Øbama Secret Service detail do? Do they assist Øbama in breaking the law & remaining? {I'm pretty sure that insisting on staying, once one has been voted out, is illegal .................................. } Are U.S. military forces dispatched to remove Øbama? Would that constitute a "military coup"? {"Thinking" like a moonbat, here ;-) } Also, remember the "pranks" pulled by Clinton White House staffers, upon Dubya's swearing-in - does anybody harbor the illusion that Michelle Antoinette wouldn't try to top those, to the point of all toilets in the White House being rendered, at the very least, non-functional?
Really, think about it, folks - Holder is screaming 'Constitutional crisis' because he's been caught lying to Congress - I just envision Øbama channeling the Wicked Witch of the West, crying about destroying "......................................my beautiful wickedness .............................. " when forced to leave the White House. ;-)
Also, since he's expecting folks to give up gifts, for his campaign, how about something similar, but to cover his .................................... relocation costs ........................................ ? ;-)
of the Rainbow Bridge for one of the strays
......................... Curly Joe showed up one day, hungry, and just
stayed. He never bothered anyone, never let anyone get too close - he
got his name from one of his ears having long-ago severe cartilage
injury. A neighbor's 4 dogs got out, and decided 1/10th mile wasn't too
far to wander to find something to terrorize - they started with
ShortSh#t, but I came out in time to keep him from more than
ruffled/slobbered-on fur - they then took off after Curly Joe, chased
him UNDER the house - by the time I could get to him, he was
laying there, covered in mud, minus one lower canine {I hope it ROTS in
whatever dog did the most damage}, bleeding internally. He's in a crate
right now, on egg crate foam. The FodGuy is LIVID - he wants any & every
legal means used against these folks - their dogs get loose regularly,
but this is the first time I'd seen them go after anything
.......................... so, I'm on a death watch
...........................
UPDATE: Curly Joe crossed the Rainbow Bridge around 1854 CT ................................... I SO hope there is a place for you, Curly Joe, where you know love, no hunger, and no fear .....................................
UPDATE II: Animal Control came by yesterday; I received the usual 'if you're feeding the animals, you're responsible', and 'cats have to be contained just like dogs' {like THAT works so well!}. I don't think she realized the distance the dogs had to travel to get here - she did leave either a warning or a citation on the dog owners' front door. Also, I asked about MY rights regarding protecting the animals on MY property - she said for shooting, I'd have to check with the Sheriff's office {we're within 'city limits'} - I said I wasn't talking about shooting, rather beating the dogs with some 1'x2's screwed together - she indicated that was OK. I also mentioned putting my hand/leg where the dogs' teeth just happened to be - she said, no, that will hurt - I just LOOKED at her {for those who may be new, I've been bitten several times by feral cats, and a couple of other peoples' pets - it's no biggie to me}.
Several neighbors were available to validate; Animal Control also wants photos of the dogs running, for evidentiary purposes ............................................ one of the problems we're all facing is that the husband of the dog owner couple is Mexican from Mexico - having lived there, I can tell you that cats are NOT valued - generally, the best cats get is neglected, at worst, they are tortured.
UPDATE III: As I told Gecko in comments, what hurts the most is, when he was alive and mobile, Curly Joe wouldn't allow the FodGuy or me closer than 2 feet, but he had the sweetest, kitten-like meow, sitting at the bottom of the steps, when I'd open the front door to feed the outside cats, and he'd "talk" to both of us. As he was dying in my arms, he gave out with the LOUDEST purr I've ever heard from a domestic cat ...................... the FodGuy says he was saying 'thank you' for the little time and comfort we gave him. Last night, as he parked, the FodGuy said he was looking for Curly Joe, sitting next to the Caliber, waiting to greet him ......................................
{unnecessarily rude & obnoxious} I wouldn't have given them the time of day; the below just solidifies my decision ....................................... link to full article here.
Bailout
recipient Bank of America has severed relations with an American
company because of a reported bias against their industry. McMillan
Group International released an extraordinary statement on Facebook regarding the incident:
McMillan Fiberglass Stocks, McMillan Firearms
Manufacturing, McMillan Group International have been collectively
banking with Bank of America for 12 years. Today Mr. Ray Fox, Senior
Vice President, Market Manager, Business Banking, Global Commercial
Banking came to my office. He scheduled the meeting as an “account
analysis” meeting in order to evaluate the two lines of credit we have
with them. He spent five minutes talking about how McMillan has changed
in the last five years and have become more of a firearms manufacturer
than a supplier of accessories.
At this point I interrupted him and asked “Can I possible save you
some time so that you don’t waste your breath? What you are going to
tell me is that because we are in the firearms manufacturing business
you no longer what my business.”
as y'all know, we feed the stray cats that are abandoned; many have become feral, and won't allow anyone
to touch them. We've been feeding a mama tabby & her progeny when
she brings them to us for ~ 4 years now. The first kitten of hers I
found was RainGirl, who was about 12 weeks old when I caught her, was
never very healthy, and died young - at least she was well-fed and
treated gently. Next time was a clutch of 3 - Mama by this time was
coming regularly to eat, and she brought some 8 week old kittens that
remained feral, and seemed rather inbred {hip joint and neuro deficits};
they lasted longer than RainGirl, but just didn't ever allow us close,
except for one when it was poisoned. Last time, she brought three 6 week
old kittens that I caught, crated & brought in the house {several
bites & scratches later } to socialize - found homes for all 3.
Yesterday, as we were sitting
outside, the FodGuy was working on the Neon, I was providing 'moral support',
Mama comes up with 1 kitten - eyes/ears still closed, umbilical still
attached, & tried to take over the shed as a nursery. I caught her
before she hid the kitten, put it in a crate, and she went off for
another .......................... and another ......................... AND
another - I crated each one & put her in with them whenever she
wanted - let her out to stretch her legs in the afternoon, the FodGuy & I
were sitting there - she wandered out of sight, trusting
us with her babies, while she took care of personal needs
..................... they're now in the second bathroom, Mama seems
content to keep them in the crate {rather than seeking another hiding
place, say, under the sink}.
Then, today: A lot of secondary roads down here
have shoulders almost as wide as the lanes of traffic; today, after I'd
discharged my civic obligation {jury duty, wasn't selected}, I was on my way home when I saw a
tortoise/box turtle on the shoulder, heading into traffic. I couldn't
immediately stop/turn around/backup, so I went ~ a mile down the road
and came back - by that time, this suicidal critter was in the middle of
the eastbound lane - I got it, brought it home & took it to The Progeny,
who's crazy about them - it's already flipped itself on it's back with
her - I'm thinking the name "Painless" as in Suicide is Painless .................
And to any Jewish visitors,
ברוך אתה יהוה שלנו g-d, ריבון העולמים,
מי מקדשת אותנו עם מצוות, ציווה לנו
כדי להדליק את האור (של שבת של) החג.
{ Blessed art thou, Lord our G-d, Master of the universe, who sanctifies us with Your commandments, and commanded us to kindle the light (of shabbat and of) the holiday.}
any more breathtaking, with calls for "civility" in discourse, Team Øbama gives us the WTF campaign, and now the BFD T-Shirt, via Twitter - please, PLEASE send him & his mooching family back to Chicago next January!!
so I'm in the process of draining the California king waterbed ................................. the FodGuy had to go to work, and the Progeny, while off today, has a BK of a "hegg-ache", so I'm doin' the change-the-orientation-of-the-bed solo ................................ nice thing about the new one, it's a firmness-adjustable type {amount of air}, so it SHOULD be a lot easier to maneuver in the future .................................. in the meantime : ;-)
{~ 30-45 minutes should do}, you need to go read She's a Garand Girl - Ruminations - scroll down and read each & every link: Setting the Stage; Taking Action; Shut Up and Go Away; Ups and Downs.
This is one gutsy lady, who went 'Mama Grizzly' long before it hit the media, or she had children of her own ................................ Bravo Zulu to Garand Girl!! .
For whatever reason, I can't get to the video in this link to Michelle Malkin to post; therefore, I strongly urge you to click the link and at the very least, scroll down to the I Am Andrew Breitbart video ....................
I'm sorry, but the followers of Islam REALLY need to get a grip - threatening folks such as BNI & readers/commenters there, should NOT result in surprise that most folks don't trust Muslims/Islamists at all .................................. so far, in THIS country, "we" still have freedom of speech - "we" can say what we like, and take responsibility for same - and yes, I know this goes against all grains in Islam, but that applies to WOMEN, TOO!!
So, loosen the turbans and chill out ..................................
WORK for a living having vacations {that whole 'earning privileges' concept - out of date, I know} ........................... that said, can someone please explain how Michelle Antoinette Øbama's role is so overwhelming that she has required 15 'vacations' in little over 3 years? When she's not embarrassing the nation {think Queen Elizabeth; 'proud for the first time to be American', etc.}, she's busy haranguing Americans about our diets {has she LOOKED at herself in a full-length mirror recently?}
The FodGuy generally works 7 days a week, to keep us "even" financially, nevermind "getting ahead"; with the exception of TWO days down in Galveston last November, for our anniversary, we have not had any sort of 'vacation' since 2004. He doesn't golf; I don't shop extravagantly, we don't "entertain", and yet, were we to be face-to-face with the Øbamas, I'm sure we'd be told how much "sacrificing" they're going through ........................................ nahh, not a lot of sympathy here ............................ and as the Marine Corps teaches, one can find "sympathy" between "shit" and "syphilis" in the dictionary ................................................
clicking on bookmarks that have served for YEARS, in some cases, only to get "URL not found" and a load of GARBAGE from Yahoo! and Google .......................................... STOP interfering with my surfing - I DON'T visit porn sites, I DON'T visit terrorist sites, and even if I DID, it's NONE of your damn business, and I'm STILL an AMERICAN IN AMERICA - get your damned censoring software out of my way!
Patrick Hayes was one of the kindest, most honorable men it's been my pleasure to call "friend". He welcomed me with open arms when I joined a Marine message board 13 years ago.
When we finally met face-to-face {back in 2000}, it was merely a continuation of the friendship we had developed on the 'Net. He showed me his home there in Massachusetts, taking me around an area I had not visited before. We got into some mischief, but laughed about it for years ................................. he told me things, about combat in VietNam, that as a WM, I couldn't fully comprehend, but non-REMFs would surely understand.
He received excellent care via the VA there in Massachusetts; unlike other VAs, the one in Bedford, Massachusetts seems to really care about their Veterans.
He joins my Dad, my uncle, BullDog, Nomad, AWACS, DittyChaser, Darby and others, guarding Heaven's streets, answering to Chesty Puller ........................................
Semper Fi', my noble Costello!
And when I get to Heaven, St. Peter I will tell, "Another Marine reporting, Sir - "I've served my time in Hell!"
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
If the Army and the Navy Ever look on Heaven's scenes They will find the streets are guarded By United States Marines.
I'm Fair Dinkum : Chorus I'm Fair Dinkum, bloody oath I am I've loved the smell of gum leaves, since I was in a pram Some places may be greener, but I don't give a damn 'Cause I'm Fair Dinkum, bloody oath I am. Now I was in the doctor's just the other day He told me take an aspirin, the pain would go away So I pulled out my chequebook, 'cause sickness doesn't pay I said, "Are you fair dinkum?" - what did the doctor say?
He said, "Ah so . . ." (Repeat Chorus with Chinese accent) I said, "Well can you recommend a nice little Chinese restaurant?"
Then I whistled down a taxi cab and headed for the east A bad case of the munchies, I was ready for a feast The driver said "Indian?" - I said, "Oh well, I'd rather not" He said, "Why don't you come around to my place, My curry's rather hot".
I said, "Are you fair dinkum?" He said, "Oh . . ." (Repeat Chorus with Indian accent)
Well, I tipped the nice cabbie so he wouldn't make a fuss I shot out like a bullet and I grabbed a Bondi bus I said, "Take me to the waves mate, I'm dyin' for a dip" He said "Now you be very careful and watch you don't slip.
"Oh, are you fair dinkum?" He said, "Ah by gum . . ." (Repeat Chorus with Pommy accent)
Well everybody's claiming Australia as their own I'm no aborigine, so I won't point the bone It shows good taste mate, so I shouldn't moan If you got a problem, get Al Grassby on the phone.
Bridge Yeah, we're Fair Dinkum, bloody oath we are We all love Koalas and singin' round the bar And con somebody's missus to drive the flamin' car Yeah, we're Fair Dinkum, bloody oath we are.
Now give me a home where life is what you make Where I can walk about, just for walking's sake Where I can tell our leaders to go jump in the lake But I'll never knock Australia, you make no mistake.
Funny thing about that Oath - as a friend notes, it does NOT come with an 'expiration date'; it also has this little bit about 'supporting and defending the Constitution of the United States'.
SOPA/PIPA are bills intended to whittle away at our Constitutionally-guaranteed RIGHTS as American citizens - so, in solidarity with others out here in the blogosphere, nothing further will be posted today.
Oath of office: I, (NAME), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.
A couple of take-aways:
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
Article [I]
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Article [IV] The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized. {Emphases added - DM}
some neighbors moved out before Christmas, left their dog {~ 2 year old, Yorkie/Silky mix} behind, tied up; I'd seen him wandering the neighborhood, so someone set him free, so he could hopefully find something to eat/drink {cat food I put out for the strays} - this morning, he's laying in a patch of sunshine, at his "home", gets up when I approach - right hind leg is dangling {skin intact, but bones turned to mush, probably hit by a car} - I enticed him close enough to lay hands on with the FodGuy's's last hamburger - brought him in & the FodGuy palpated the leg - the dog NEVER EVEN GROWLED, much less bit - WE are just in no position financially to go the distance for his orthopod work {minimum of possibly setting the leg, & the resulting care/rehab, up to & including amputation}, so I gritted my teeth & took him to the shelter - when I told Animal Control his story, they immediately took us over to the surgery, where he was put in a kennel to await a local rescue organization, which will foot the bill for his surgery {-ies} & then find him a forever home. I was in tears on the way to the shelter, 'cause I was certain I was taking him to be euthanized; I was petting him as I was driving, and he'd just look at me with these soft brown eyes, very patient with everything I did with/to him. I've been involved in humane work for 41 years, and this kind of ignorance/apathy/indifference NEVER gets easier to accept.
Now, his "owners" {may they rot in hell!!} got him as a puppy, for an animated toy for their 3 little monsters - several times, when he was no bigger than a kitten, I had to rescue him, because they had him tied on their front porch, and he'd fall off the steps & hang there by his neck. They ultimately moved him from near the front door, and basically ignored his existence. The rescue is going to have to socialize him, because all he expects from humans is apathy or cruelty - his gentleness and patience with me were absolutely amazing, considering what he's known from humans. The veterinary nurse was amazed that he had never snapped/bit at me, after I told her the history. St. Francis of Assisi was truly smiling on my efforts today .........................................
I let it be known, to anyone who may still be in contact with the "owners" that I had better NEVER see them again ........................
know that one of my quotes @ the bottom is "Sammenhold - Danish for Solidarity"; which I started using, thanks to a retired Captain of Marines' bride, who was born & raised in Denmark, who provided the translation during the Cartoon Rage in Denmark. Like the quote "I am John Galt", or better yet, "I am Spartacus", I find myself more & more respectful of Denmark and her people, and wouldn't mind AT ALL were I to be compared to them and their sense of integrity and national pride ..............................................
Marine Master Sgt. Robert Allen sings a song he wrote for his wife for Christmas. Allen joins the thousands of men and women deployed this holiday season in support of counterinsurgency efforts in Afghanistan. He said he hopes his Christmas song "will help people understand that though we're willing to do it, it's still heartbreaking." Master Sgt. Robert Allen, Hometown: Pawnee, Okla. Produced by Cpl. Brian Adam Jones, Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan. Provided by 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward).
Since I'm working now, didn't do a lot of prep for today; {been working a LOT of hours! ;-) } we're having a pork roast {the FodGuy doesn't "do" fowl willingly} - below is a picture snitched from Old NFO that kinda sums up my attitude toward the stinky OWS crowd .......................
Enjoy yourselves today - tomorrow's gonna be a bear for me {security in a retail environment} - but I'm earning and contributing!! ;-)
Don't know if Blogger will permit all the videos, but let's try - this link is very graphic - DON'T click it unless your anger outweighs your 'sensitivities'.
We were living in Monterrey, NL, Mexico, when 9/11 occurred;
I'd had trouble sleeping the night before, so Dawn answered the door to another American expat, Danny from Chicago. He barged on in, to get to our TV, since we had American satellite. Dawn came & woke me up with "Mom, they've attacked New York City."
I headed down to our TV room, where Danny already had CNN on - it was unbelievable, watching the footage over & over again. The three of us were in shock, trying to comprehend it all. Dawn had 3 friends she went to school with, lost that day. Mike came home & he & Danny polished off almost a full bottle of Scotch. Danny was panicking, because he couldn't get through to his family back in Chicago. The grounding of ALL U.S. flights, the barren radar displays, the sight of military aircraft patrolling the skies - was almost incomprehensible. My primary reaction was pure rage - wanting to kill all responsible & let God sort them out.
We were all glued to the TV for the rest of the day; couldn't get through to family back in Pennsylvania, couldn't get over the border {it was closed until Friday, 14 September} - we were impotent.
I didn't cry until the next day, when I saw the changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, and the Coldstream Guards played our National Anthem; it still makes me cry.
The rage is still there; I doubt it will go away as long as I draw breath.
This was the first time I cried over 9/11, at the changing of the Guard on 12 September 2001
Whenever I see firefighters, especially New York firefighters, I think of my friend O'B, retired Philadelphia firefighter - the courage of any firefighter is awe-inspiring:
This just added to my rage:
And these are various tributes and one-time commercials, aired in support of those lost and injured on 9/11, many only "one-time" commercials, because the businesses weren't interested in profits, but in acknowledging our loss.
Here is the complete text of the Declaration of Independence.
The original spelling and capitalization have been retained.
(Adopted by Congress on July 4, 1776)
The Unanimous Declaration
of the Thirteen United States of America
When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security. --Such has been the patient sufferance of these colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former systems of government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over these states. To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world.
He has refused his assent to laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
He has forbidden his governors to pass laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.
He has refused to pass other laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of representation in the legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.
He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
He has dissolved representative houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.
He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the legislative powers, incapable of annihilation, have returned to the people at large for their exercise; the state remaining in the meantime exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.
He has endeavored to prevent the population of these states; for that purpose obstructing the laws for naturalization of foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migration hither, and raising the conditions of new appropriations of lands.
He has obstructed the administration of justice, by refusing his assent to laws for establishing judiciary powers.
He has made judges dependent on his will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
He has erected a multitude of new offices, and sent hither swarms of officers to harass our people, and eat out their substance.
He has kept among us, in times of peace, standing armies without the consent of our legislature.
He has affected to render the military independent of and superior to civil power.
He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his assent to their acts of pretended legislation:
For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:
For protecting them, by mock trial, from punishment for any murders which they should commit on the inhabitants of these states:
For cutting off our trade with all parts of the world:
For imposing taxes on us without our consent:
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of trial by jury:
For transporting us beyond seas to be tried for pretended offenses:
For abolishing the free system of English laws in a neighboring province, establishing therein an arbitrary government, and enlarging its boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule in these colonies:
For taking away our charters, abolishing our most valuable laws, and altering fundamentally the forms of our governments:
For suspending our own legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.
He has abdicated government here, by declaring us out of his protection and waging war against us.
He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burned our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.
He is at this time transporting large armies of foreign mercenaries to complete the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of cruelty and perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the head of a civilized nation.
He has constrained our fellow citizens taken captive on the high seas to bear arms against their country, to become the executioners of their friends and brethren, or to fall themselves by their hands.
He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavored to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian savages, whose known rule of warfare, is undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.
In every stage of these oppressions we have petitioned for redress in the most humble terms: our repeated petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.
Nor have we been wanting in attention to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, enemies in war, in peace friends.
We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name, and by the authority of the good people of these colonies, solemnly publish and declare, that these united colonies are, and of right ought to be free and independent states; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the state of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as free and independent states, they have full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and to do all other acts and things which independent states may of right do. And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.
New Hampshire: Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple, Matthew Thornton
Massachusetts: John Hancock, Samual Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry
Rhode Island: Stephen Hopkins, William Ellery
Connecticut: Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, William Williams, Oliver Wolcott
New York: William Floyd, Philip Livingston, Francis Lewis, Lewis Morris
New Jersey: Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis Hopkinson, John Hart, Abraham Clark
Pennsylvania: Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, George Clymer, James Smith, George Taylor, James Wilson, George Ross
Delaware: Caesar Rodney, George Read, Thomas McKean
Maryland: Samuel Chase, William Paca, Thomas Stone, Charles Carroll of Carrollton
Virginia: George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson, Jr., Francis Lightfoot Lee, Carter Braxton
North Carolina: William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, John Penn
South Carolina: Edward Rutledge, Thomas Heyward, Jr., Thomas Lynch, Jr., Arthur Middleton
Georgia: Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, George Walton
Source: The Pennsylvania Packet, July 8, 1776
Of course, 36 years later ..............................
This year, July has 5 Fridays, 5 Saturdays and 5 Sundays. This happens
Once every 823 years. This is called money bags. So, forward this to
Your friends and money will arrive within 4 days. Based on Chinese
Feng Shui. The one who does not forward.....will be without money.
Kinda interesting - read on!!!
This year we're going to experience four unusual dates.
1/1/11, 1/11/11, 11/1/11, 11/11/11 and that's not all...
Take the last two digits of the year in which you were born - now add
The age you will be this year,
The results will be 111 for everyone in whole world. This is the year of
The Money!!!
The proverb goes that if you send this to eight good friends money will
Appear in next four days as it is explained in Chinese FENGSHUI.
Those who don't continue the chain won't receive.......
translate into Hebrew for me, the phrase I will not submit, with Hebrew letters of this font (?)
I prefer this font, if that's the proper term, because it is similar to that used on the TV program here, Mysteries of the Bible, and, to me, is the Hebraic version of a beautiful script; too many Americans, when they utilize Hebrew writing, use a 'stick figure' version that just isn't as pretty to me.
As I noted to MK's comment below, I don't like myself too much, finding joy in the death of another, but that's between me & my conscience - I am glad that this particular individual will no longer be fouling the air of planet Earth. Now, if 'we' can only do away with whoever fills the void, ASAP, and whoever comes after him, and whoever comes after HIM, and whoever ...................... 'til there are no more willing to lead, THAT will be an accomplishment!
And, just for the record, I know Øbama is receiving all the plaudits & credit - but dammit, George W. Bush put the troops in place, to BE there, to take care of ridding the world of ObL - credit where credit is due, hmmmmmmmmm?
like most everyone who utilizes this marvel of technology {ie, the 'Net} I receive unsolicited eMails regarding 'mystery shopping' @ Western Union/someone's dying & wants me to receive their money/etc.
The latest was a mystery shop at a Western Union outlet; a "check" in the amount of USD $2,680.00 was FedEx'd to me from Gaffney, SC; took it to a local branch of the bank it was presumptively drawn on, & told'em, if it's legit, I want to cash it, if not, I was turning it over to their fraud/security/investigation department. The branch manager, an absolutely lovely lady, did some research - the "check" had the account holder as a lady in south Texas, who is a REAL PERSON, who has a REAL ACCOUNT with this bank, which numbers were being used. {I was to "keep" $250.00 as my pay, the rest, less WU charges, was to be wired to South Africa.}
Soooo, to string the criminals along, I checked with our nearest Western Union facility {local grocery store}, and asked what the characters/sequence of a WU transfer are; I then made up, out of whole cloth, an MTC number, eMailed it to my "contact". Of course, being bogus, his 'cohort' in South Africa was twiddling his thumbs waiting for the transfer. So, my contact started the phone campaign, with a number showing a landline from Stockton, CA. Last Saturday, the Progeny answered my phone, told him I wasn't available - he tried to go all pseudo-ninja on her, because my phone wasn't on me - she told HIM to cool his jets. ;-)
He eMailed me instructions on the use of cellphones; I responded that I DID NOT require lessons on the use of MY cellphone - my child required it's use, and I was making NO APOLOGIES. He responded grovelingly, & chilled for a bit, other than eMails telling me to scan the receipt from WU.
Thursday, I get FOUR calls; checking the numbers, the calls are originating in South Africa. I answered the 3rd & 4th times - silence the 3rd time, the 4th, he speaks - I identified myself as a federal law type, told him that Diamond Mair was under arrest for attempting to negotiate HIS fraudulent check, and that "we" were tracking him as he & I spoke. He hung up before I could mention to keep looking over his shoulder, that the buzzing sound he heard would be a UAV following him. {Hopefully, he's still defecating large pieces of building materials.} ;-)
I got a little concerned afterward, because I'm NOT any kind of law enforcement type, so I called a local field office, to find out how much trouble I might be in {I mean, I was lying to a criminal on the telephone} - all they said was don't do that, call another federal law agency & let them know about this scam, go forth & sin no more. I called the other agency, told them the whole deal, they said I handled it correctly, except for the part about claiming to be an LEO.
My reasoning for doing this is to take up the time of these products of lower intestinal tracts, since I KNOW they are scamming, so they don't have time to target others. Also, it infuriates that they were stealing from someone who had NO IDEA her bank account had been compromised - I just couldn't let them DO that.
As I told a neighbor, nowadays, one HAS to find one's jollies wherever one can ............................. ;-)
I had gone to the doctor on 25 March; just regular visit. I mentioned the FodGuy's reticence, due to 'come in for visit with doc, come BACK for NPO bloodwork, come BACK AGAIN for results' - doc had streamlined procedures, so it was ONE visit NPO, then results phoned to patient. So, I made FG an appointment for the following Tuesday {29 March}. Fortunately, I needed NPO bloodwork too, so I accompanied him.
While I'm waiting, and Waiting, and WAITING for him, the nurse finally calls me back to his exam room, telling me my options were to take him to the ER IMMEDIATELY, or they were going to call an ambulance - his heart rate was hovering ~ 185 beats/minute {we've known of his intermittent atrial fibrillation for years}; blood pressure was great throughout this whole evolution. So, we hie ourselves off to the ER, where he's kept for ~ 8 hours, trying to medicinally stabilize his heart rate. Finally, they moved him to a high level CCU bed. He was there for a couple of days, then transferred to a step-down unit, where he remained for several days. THEN he was moved to a lower telemetry unit. The cardiac surgeon {arrogant A$$} scheduled him for a cardiac cath with possible stent placement for last Monday {4 April}, at 0700; OK, I spent Sunday night there, we head on down to the cath lab, doc calls, he's "stuck in traffic", resched for 1200 - OK, we troop back up to his room, at 1130, nurse comes in, cardio has "clinical time", resched for 1600 - the FodGuy says NO {he's been NPO since the night before}, do it tomorrow, so I get him some chicken & waffles from IHOP {they grilled the chicken for me ;-) }.
Tuesday comes, doc is there, cath is done, no stent needed. SIGH!! So he's discharged the following day, with lifestyle changes the order of the day. He's been REALLY good about going with non-alcoholic beer, is using his electronic cigarette, is still making faces when I mention chicken, but is eating better, is on decaf coffee, and caffeine-free diet Coke.
} to socialize - found homes for all 3.
