I am a headline news reader.  I rarely bother to read the whole story unless the headline really, really grabs me.  I think I am, sadly, typical.  But in my defense, I have to say that the headlines have been screaming doom and devastation for so long that it’s very difficult for me to summon up the courage to look past them, into the actual articles.

Tonight’s headlines on Yahoo! illustrate my point perfectly:

Haiti hit by largest earthquake in over 200 years
AP sources: Employer health mandate may be dropped
AP Exclusive: Obama wants $33 billion more for war
Cold weather and growing sales mock death of fur

Okay, I actually read the article about the earthquake in Haiti.  Those poor, poor people!  As if their very existence was not suffering enough.  My heart goes out to them.

The healthcare thing has begun to sound like a permanent droning in my ears. “Obama” wants this and that (yet they keep showing pictures of Pelosi. . . ewwww) and they keep changing their minds.  At first, I was really concerned.  Now I’m beginning to think they’re going to carry on for years, and accomplish nothing.

Obama wants more for the war.  Of course he does.  He totally lied about getting our military home.  Change?  Yeah. Sure.

Now, the “death of fur” thing is funny to me.  All of those self-righteous people who condemned others for wearing fur must have forgotten about how furs were one of the key ingredients to surviving  winters all over the globe throughout history.  And, when people get really cold, they want what works best.

So, I’ve come to the conclusion, yet again, that the world has gone mad.  I just hope everybody else can see it, too.  Sometimes it gets a little old being the only one to proclaim that the emperor has no clothes!

This absolutely cracked me up!!!  If you homeschool, then you’ll love it.  If you have issues with homeschooling, please watch closely. . . twice.

Wow, this guy is really eloquent in a very simple way.  I don’t know who he is, but I like him!!  He owns a car dealership in Missouri, and is giving away FREE AK-47s with the purchase of a new car.  Now THAT’S what I call stimulus!!!

Once again, it is “Independence Day”, and our family will, like we have so many years before, drive down the road to celebrate our Freedom with our friends by eating lots of wonderful food and setting off a ton of fireworks.  But this year, for some reason, it seems more important, more meaningful, perhaps because our Freedom is more endangered now than ever before.

I have been reading headline news, and feel sick.  Honestly, I couldn’t care less if Sarah Palin just resigned as governor of Alaska.  And I think it’s stupid that Obama and McCain are still being compared to one another. (“Obama, McCain Invoke Nation’s Founders in Dueling Independence Day Speeches“).  I personally don’t care what either of them has to say, and am quite convinced that neither of them has any insight or understanding, whatsoever, about our “Founders”.  Well, I suppose that if McCain had been alive at the time he would have been at those secret meetings of the Sons of Liberty, but he would have been the one they would have been worried about blowing their cover, due to his fiery temper!

Our “Founders” were brave men, Patriots, one and all, who were not only willing to give their lives for FREEDOM, but DID give their lives! They did not sell us out to other countries.  They would have died before bowing down to a Muslim leader!!!!!!!  They fought hard, soaking our fields and filling our rivers with their blood, that we might have the freedom to sit here today and kill unborn babies, promote special interest groups above the greater good of the rest of the country, that we might give away our wealth to lazy, no-good losers who have no intention of ever getting a job or to illegal immigrants who would be more than happy to work, but no longer have to. Today, we are taking the coward’s way of closing our eyes, and hoping it will all be okay in the end.  Our “Founders” knew better!

Our “Founders” fought for freedom, for states’ rights, for God.  They believed in prayer, and lots of it.  Not prayer to Allah, either, or to the ‘goddess’.  But prayer to the Almighty God of the Bible.  They went to church, and they protected their families.  They had integrity and dignity.  They were men (and women!) of strong moral character.  Please do not talk to me about  un-American men like Obama on the day we celebrate the freedom that he is working so very hard to destroy.

Today I will remember our Founders, and I will remember that they died for our freedom.  And I will pray, very hard, for our country, and for everyone who thinks freedom means being able to do whatever they want with no accountability.  Freedom is anything but “Free”, and our Founders understood that very well.

Props to Matt Archbold over at Creative Minority Report for his incredible parody of Lord of the Rings!

Click this link to read it:Lord of the Czars

Absolutely brilliant!

I’ve been reading a lot of really good blogs lately, and can’t help but think that there are so many ways that I could improve this one.  I could make it look more “professional”, somehow.  I could focus on just one of the things that interest me, like political commentary, or family life & homeschooling, or genealogy (which I think I will still just make an entirely separate website for that), or Catholic Issues/Apologetics, or, or, or. . . .

The problem is, my brain goes in too many directions at once, all the time.  And I can’t even blame the children for that, I’ve always been this way!  For example, last week, I wanted to blog about so many things that I wound up not blogging about anything.  For example, I had a really great blog post floating around in my head entitled “Dude!  Where’s My Plane?” about Obama pretending he didn’t know that someone took AF-1 and did a low flyover of NYC, terrifying the people of Manhattan and causing them to evacuate buildings and have major PTSD flashbacks of 9/11!!  All for a “Photo Op”????  I hope Obama is smarter than that, but at the same time, that would simply mean that he really is that sinister, to intentionally terrify his own people like that.  (Good thing he didn’t try a stunt like that over Dallas or Houston!)

Or I could talk about homeschooling.  About Faith, and how she’s been so busy lately digging up herbs in our yard and woods, and drying them, chopping them and making herbal remedies!  Our kitchen smells kinda funny from time to time, but I am so proud of her! Or about Alex, and how he did so well in school this year, and how funny he was co-hosting the HCHA Talent Show last week (see pictures all over Facebook!!), or about how Kendall is finishing up his first year at UNC-A, and how much he is enjoying studying Journalism, and how cute he is running around with a digital microphone and interviewing everyone he can.  I could say that Gaylon is still in Texas, and that we’re still in North Carolina, and it still stinks!  Our house hasn’t sold yet (duh.) and we are going to move to Texas at the end of the summer anyway, to be with him and get the kids plugged in.

Then I thought about how I’d like to discuss how well my genealogy research has gone lately, and how much I have enjoyed getting in contact with cousins I didn’t even know about down in Central Texas on the Adams side.  We’ve exchanged pictures and information and it’s just been incredible! And did I mention I’m building a website just for genealogy?   That way I can not only separate my genealogy from my political and religious views, but I can keep from boring to death the few readers I have who are not related to me!

And then there is my Catholic Faith, which I am usually pretty low-key about, because I have so many friends who are not only Protestant, but have been taught that Catholics are not Christians, and must be ’saved’!!  My Jewish friends are much more understanding of me being Catholic, probably because of that whole persecution thing.  But I absolutely LOVE being Catholic, and there are so many things I could ‘blog’ about, that might help people understand our faith, our beliefs, our Christianity.  That would probably be best in a separate site, as well.

So, what to do?  What to blog about??  It’s not like there are all these people reading my blog, and hanging on the edge of their chairs waiting for my next post!  Most of my close friends don’t read my blog at all, and of my family, I think only Gaylon, Kendall, Mom and occasionally Faith read it.  And of course, Lishi, (Kendall’s fiance) who is one of the only people who ever leaves me a comment. (And of course, Laura R. and Laura S.!!  I love my Lauras. . .)  I know there are a few folks scattered across the country who read it, but they never comment.  I tried a Poll once, and only a few folks participated in that, so perhaps the bottom line is this:  I blog for me.  If someone doesn’t like what I have to say, they certainly don’t have to read it.  Lishi’s brother, Steve Skojec, always has really great taglines for his blog, like “Cogito, Ergo Blog” (I think that was it. . . . I don’t remember exactly, and now he’s changed it) or his current one “You Didn’t Ask, But I’ll Tell You Anyway”.  Okay, that one really fits my situation, as well. LOL.  I’ve never met Steve, but I love his blog!

So, yeah.  My blog will probably continue to be a collection of randomness, and my title, “Chasing Thoughts” is probably very appropriate.  Maybe someday I will actually be able to focus on one thing for a great length of time.  But then, I will finish writing those books I’ve started, and not worry about blogging!

So, tonight we shall bid a final adieu to “The King”.  No, not Elvis!  Grissom.  Finally, after weeks of putting it off, CBS is going to finish what they started with Laurence Fishburne before Christmas!!!

William Petersen’s fellow cast members refer to him as “The King”, because he is truly an amazing actor, and Gil Grissom is truly an amazing character.  I will even venture to say that there has never been another character on TV like Grissom.  We have been inundated with characters who think they are “all that” in some fashion or another.  Gil Grissom never tried to be tough or sexy or all-knowing.  As a result, he was all of those things!!

Can Fishburne replace Petersen?  Of course not.  I doubt he’ll even try.  He will create his own unique character.  And, while I like Laurence Fishburne, I don’t think CSI will ever be the same again. *sigh*  We’re gonna miss you, Grissom!

Thanksgiving is next week.  Based on the results of the recent presidential election, most Americans have nothing to be thankful for.  Over fifty percent of us voted for Obama, because he promised change.  I keep wondering, and indeed, have wondered all along, what “change” it is that everyone is so desperately seeking.

Well, my friend, Angela, sent me a link to an article that was written two years ago, but still applies today.  A few statistics are off, but the point is well made.  Even in this shaky economy, Americans have more tangible blessings than they can count.  And that, I believe, is what is wrong with most of us.  We are spoiled rotten.  And like all spoiled rotten brats, we always think we need “more”.   I think Craig R. Smith of WorldNetDaily says it far better than I could, so I am quoting his article below, in full.  To view the site, visit: Made in the USA: Spoiled Brats.

The other day I was reading Newsweek magazine and came across some poll data I found rather hard to believe. It must be true given the source, right? The same magazine that employs Michael (Qurans in the toilets at Gitmo) Isikoff. Here I promised myself this week I would be nice and I start off in this way. Oh what a mean man I am.

The Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed and 69 percent of the country is unhappy with the performance of the president. In essence 2/3s of the citizenry just ain’t happy and want a change.

So being the knuckle dragger I am, I starting thinking, ”What we are so unhappy about?”

Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 days a week? Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter? Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job? Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time and see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year?

Maybe it is the ability to drive from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through each state? Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter? I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough. Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all involved. Whether you are rich or poor they treat your wounds and even, if necessary, send a helicopter to take you to the hospital.

Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home, you may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of having a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames thus saving you, your family and your belongings. Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes; an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss. This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where 90 percent of teenagers own cell phones and computers.

How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world? Maybe that is what has 67 percent of you folks unhappy.

Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the U.S. yet has a great disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we are. The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don’t have and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here.

I know, I know. What about the president who took us into war and has no plan to get us out? The president who has a measly 31 percent approval rating? Is this the same president who guided the nation in the dark days after 9/11? The president that cut taxes to bring an economy out of recession? Could this be the same guy who has been called every name in the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled brats safe from terrorist attacks? The commander in chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there defending you and me?

Make no mistake about it. The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have volunteered to serve, and in many cases have died for your freedom. There is currently no draft in this country. They didn’t have to go. They are able to refuse to go and end up with either a ”general” discharge, an ”other than honorable” discharge or, worst case scenario, a ”dishonorable” discharge after a few days in the brig.

So why then the flat out discontentment in the minds of 69 percent of Americans? Say what you want but I blame it on the media. If it bleeds it leads and they specialize in bad news. Everybody will watch a car crash with blood and guts. How many will watch kids selling lemonade at the corner? The media knows this and media outlets are for-profit corporations. They offer what sells. Just ask why they are going to allow a murderer like O.J. Simpson to write a book and do a TV special about how he didn’t kill his wife but if he did … insane!

Stop buying the negative venom you are fed everyday by the media. Shut off the TV, burn Newsweek, and use the New York Times for the bottom of your bird cage. Then start being grateful for all we have as a country. There is exponentially more good than bad.

I close with one of my favorite quotes from B.C. Forbes in 1953:

‘‘What have Americans to be thankful for? More than any other people on the earth, we enjoy complete religious freedom, political freedom, social freedom. Our liberties are sacredly safeguarded by the Constitution of the United States, ‘the most wonderful work ever struck off at a given time by the brain and purpose of man.’ Yes, we Americans of today have been bequeathed a noble heritage. Let us pray that we may hand it down unsullied to our children and theirs.”

I suggest this Thanksgiving we sit back and count our blessings for all we have. If we don’t, what we have will be taken away. Then we will have to explain to future generations why we squandered such blessing and abundance. If we are not careful this generation will be known as the ”greediest and most ungrateful generation.” A far cry from the proud Americans of the ”greatest generation” who left us an untarnished legacy.

I read this morning that Obama has raised a record $150 million for his campaign.  Of course, that’s the money we know about.  I’m sure it doesn’t count everything he’s gotten from sources he doesn’t want his fellow Americans to know about.  I don’t know how much money McCain has raised, but I am sure it’s a lot, too.  Now, do they really need all of that money?  Of course not!  And we, the American people, would certainly be grateful to see fewer campaign ads, right?  Everybody I’ve ever talked to, in any campaign, has made up their minds fairly early on about who they will vote for, and definitely by this point in the campaign.

So what is my idea?  Feed all that extra money into the economy!  Now, I am no good with numbers, and don’t have a clue about economics, but even in the face of trillions of dollars of debt, I’m sure a few million dollars could help!  After all, when I have a debt to pay, I’m expected to start small and work my way up.  Why don’t these candidates prove how dedicated they are and prove to us that they will lead by example?  I know it’s not technically their debt.  It ain’t mine, either, baby!  But I have to help out, whether I like it or not.  I think they should have to, as well.

I am not good with numbers. Anyone who knows me very well at all can attest to this. In fact, my friends won’t even let me keep score when we play Spades!! So, this whole bail-out thing with AIG and all is very confusing to me. The way I understand a free market society is that you take a risk, and if you succeed, you are successful and make money. If you do not succeed (or at least not to the point you hoped for) then you shut your doors and try something else. But apparently, if you can manage to get far enough into debt to sufficiently freak everybody on Wall Street out, then you are eligible for the government to come and bail you out. To the tune of BILLIONS OF DOLLARS!!! (So, Jill, here’s my rant!!!)

Last night, on the news, I actually heard Obama say something I agreed with. He proposes that the companies being bailed out should be held accountable, and made to pay back, with interest, the amount they receive from the government to stay afloat. Yes, that is a great idea, but my friend, Angela, sent me an email this morning that outlines an even better plan. At least to my non-mathematical mind! Let me know what you think:

Good afternoon my fellow Americans,

I’m against the $85,000,000,000.00 bailout of AIG. Instead, I’m in favor of giving $85,000,000,000 to America in a We Deserve It Dividend.
*To make the math simple, let’s assume there are 200,000,000 bonafide U.S. Citizens 18+.
*Our population is about 301,000,000 +/- counting every man, woman and child.
*So 200,000,000 might be a fair stab at adults 18 and up..
*So divide 200 million adults 18+ into $85 billion that equals $425,000.00.
*My plan is to give $425,000 to every person 18+ as a We Deserve It Dividend.
*Of course, it would NOT be tax free.
*So let’s assume a tax rate of 30%.
*Every individual 18+ has to pay $127,500.00 in taxes.
*That sends $25,500,000,000 right back to Uncle Sam.
*But it means that every adult 18+ has $297,500.00 in their pocket.
*A husband and wife has $595,000.00.
What would you do with $297,500.00 to $595,000.00 in your family?

*Pay off your mortgage – housing crisis solved.
*Repay college loans – what a great boost to new grads
*Put away money for college – it’ll be there
*Save in a bank – create money to loan to entrepreneurs.
*Buy a new car – create jobs
*Invest in the market – capital drives growth
*Pay for your parent’s medical insurance – health care improves
*Enable Deadbeat Dads to come clean – or else

Remember this is for every adult U S Citizen 18+ including the folks who lost their jobs at Lehman Brothers and every other company that is cutting back. And of course, for those serving in our Armed Forces.

If we’re going to re-distribute wealth let’s really do it…instead of trickling out a puny $1000.00 ( “vote buy” ) economic incentive that is being proposed by one of our candidates for President.

If we’re going to do an $85 billion bailout, let’s bail out every adult U S Citizen 18+!

As for AIG – liquidate it. Sell off its parts. Let American General go back to being American General. Sell off the real estate. Let the private sector bargain hunters cut it up and clean it up.

Here’s my rationale. We deserve it and AIG doesn’t. Sure it’s a crazy idea that can “never work.” But can you imagine the Coast-To-Coast Block Party!

How do you spell Economic Boom?

I trust my fellow adult Americans to know how to use the $85 Billion We Deserve It Dividend more than I do the geniuses at AIG or in Washington DC. And remember, The Hoover plan only really costs $59.5 Billion because $25.5 Billion is returned instantly in taxes to Uncle Sam.

Ahhh…I feel so much better getting that off my chest.

Kindest personal regards,

Thomas J. Hoover — A Creative Guy & Citizen of the Republic

PS: Feel free to pass this along to your pals as it’s either good for a laugh or a tear or a very sobering thought on how to best use $85 Billion!!

Okay, here are some very random thoughts that I have been chasing lately. I am in “rant mode”, so reader beware!

1.  Nancy Pelosi (and if you don’t know who she is, shame on you!) claims to be an “ardent, practicing Catholic”, yet she wants us to believe her when she says that the Catholic Church is not decisive regarding their stance on abortion? Pelosi Lies About Catholicism and Abortion Gimme a break!  The Catholic Church, from it’s earliest days (ca. 33 AD) has been adamantly opposed to abortion!!  This is a classic example of a politician trying to twist the truth to make her views seem acceptable.  Her own Archbishop was unable to turn a blind eye to this, after several other Archbishops made powerful public statements against her.  Too bad he didn’t confront her sooner.  Pelosi Agrees to Meet Archbishop

2.  I know it’s been a couple of weeks since the Republican National Convention, but this really bothers me.  What in the world has our society come to when mobs of people can abuse their right to peaceably assemble and attack people who simply disagree with with their beliefs???? Mass Arrests of Protestors at Republican National Convention Let me get this straight:  these are the same people who are so passionately against the war in Iraq, who are always going on about “tolerance”, and yet the minute they are faced with a group of people who simply disagree, they become an angry mob?????  What hypocrites!!!  And honestly, is it still safe for our children out on the streets, or in the public malls anymore?  What if they disagree with someone?  Will they be beaten to death by an angry mob of tolerant peacemongers???

Apparently the Liberals feel justified in violently lashing out at anyone who opposes them.  It would probably come as a huge shock to them that most Republicans oppose the war, as well.  I do.  But we are, generally speaking, able to see past the ends of our noses and cast our votes based on educated decisions, and realize that trying to negotiate peace with militant Muslims is a ridiculous exercise in futility. And we usually don’t find it necessary to physically assault those who disagree with us. Of course, we are talking about the same demographic of people who believe it’s perfectly okay to murder preborn children, so what, really, can we expect?

3.  For thousands of years, since the Fall in the Garden of Eden, there have been hurricanes on this planet.  Yet now, if there is a hurricane, gas stations think they can get away with hiking prices (read: GOUGING), even to the tune of $1 more per gallon?  Right. . . guess they’ll be explaining that one to the NC State Attorney General.  (And who wants to cross an AG named Roy Cooper???)  Gas Stations to be Subpeonaed in Gas Gouging Investigation

4.  And to round out my “Soapbox” today, I just want to get one last thing straight:  I am PROUD to be an American, a Christian, and a Conservative!  I am so sick and tired of trying not to offend anybody.  I do not blindly hold to any belief.  Everything I believe and stand for has come at some price.  I check my sources and don’t just believe something because I want to, or it sounds good, or it’s popular.

I remember years ago, my dad had forwarded an email poking fun at a liberal candidate (Gore, perhaps?) to one of his cousins, not realizing that his cousin was extremely liberal.  His cousin promptly emailed him back, rebuking Daddy for his email, and telling him that he proudly supported that candidate and to not send anymore such nonsense to him.  Well, Daddy thought about it for a minute, then sent one last email to his cousin.  It stated:  “Please forgive me.  I had no idea you were that stupid.  Love, Buddy.”  Needless to say, Daddy never heard from his cousin again.

Okay, I’m done for now.  Although I can feel some random ideas forming into at least a Category 3 Thought Storm regarding the endless foolishness of people who stay in the path of a hurricane and then feel resentful and neglected!  Stay tuned. . . .

Most newspapers give endorsements to particular candidates during election times.  So, here at “Chasing Thoughts. . .” I have decided to unveil my endorsement for the presidential race.  I know, everybody has been dying to know who I will endorse, hanging on the edges of their seats in . . . . . . anticipation.  Well, today is your lucky day.  Today, we have learned not only that John McCain has chosen Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin as his running mate, but you will also learn who I am endorsing for the presidency.

If you have ever read my blog before, then you know that I am very much AGAINST Obama.  For more reasons than I can really list in one post.  His pick of Joe Biden as his running mate is not exceptional.  Biden seems like a nice guy (I saw him on Leno months ago) but I cringe every time the man calls himself a Catholic.  Catholics do not support abortion. Ever.  Biden does.  Okay. . . I’m not going to continue down that rabbit trail at this time.

And, you may have guessed by now that I’m not a huge fan of Hillary, either.  It would be safe to say that I will never be able to support anyone who is pro-choice or who advocates a national healthcare system.  Hillary’s mistake, by-the-way, was not letting ol’ Bill campaign for her.  That man definitely has the gift of gab.  I don’t like his politics, but he’s easy to listen to.

And McCain . . . nope.  I don’t much care for him, either.  I just don’t understand why the Republican party couldn’t come up with someone more charismatic.  Like Napoleon Dynamite, for example.  Or his buddy Pedro.

So, I know everybody is absolutely dying to know who I am endorsing.  Okay, at first I considered Bill and Opus (If you don’t recognize those names, see the  “Bloom County” comics by Berke Breathed, 1980’s).  But, since it really probably is futile to cast my vote for actual cartoon characters (although it is often difficult to tell the difference) I realized my only choice was to vote for Dave Barry.  Yep, good ol’ Dave.  He is the only man in the country, who, at the end of every year, has actually kept track of the year’s events and takes the time to document them.  Sounds like he’s more than qualified, to me!  My family even has bumper stickers that say: “2008.  Dave Barry for President.  Yes, of the United States.”

Care to join our cause?  Visit Dave’s website. (I’ve included that link right here for your convenience, however it has always been in my sidebar links section under “Fun”.) If you want to buy a bumper sticker of your own, visit Dave’s Online Store.  Want to know where Dave stands on the issues?  Don’t miss Dave’s Q & A.

And, for those of you who just are dying to see what the bumper sticker looks like, here ya go:

I am sure that everybody is excited by this new option for presidency!  Hang in there, November is just around the corner, and you’ll have your chance to vote then.  See you on the campaign trail!

In our country, Independence Day has been reduced to barbeque and fireworks.  At least for those of us who were born and raised in the United States.  We have always had it so good that we don’t appreciate how very good we have it.  This year’s Presidential Campaign drives that point home painfully for me.

There are a lot of campaign ‘issues’.  Everyone wants to know where the candidates stand on things like abortion, same-sex marriage, the war in Iraq, the economy, and last but not least, immigration.  I personally believe that the government should stay out of legislating morality.  Obama’s slogan is “Change we can believe in!”.  Well, I’d like to talk about that a bit.

I’ve mentioned before that I’m not sure what change, exactly, he thinks we need, or how he’s going to pay for it.  That still really concerns me.  But here is what I really want to know:  if this country is in such bad shape, if we are in such dire need of a complete overhaul, then WHY IS IMMIGRATION AN ISSUE????

Think about it:  people from all over the world risk life and limb just to get into this country!  And once they are here, they are willing to live in conditions that most Americans would be appalled by.  Why are the Mexican people willing to cram themselves into dangerously hot and cramped car trunks and trucks just to get to the other side?  Why are they willing to risk their lives dashing across the freeways in San Diego during rush hour traffic?  Why do people in Cuba hop onto anything that looks like it might float just to try to get across the water to Florida?  Why do people from all over Europe spend every last dime to get here?

Let me give you a hint: it’s not because we are so screwed up!!!  It’s because the United States of America is STILL the greatest country on this planet.  We are STILL the land of opportunity and hopes and dreams!  My mom got to talk to a lady at our church last weekend who was born in Poland.  During the Russian occupation in WWII, her family was rounded up and taken to Siberia, to live in hideous conditions, and left to die. (This was the experience of thousands of Poles, btw.) Finally, they were rescued, and taken to the Middle East. Mom didn’t ask, but it was probably Jerusalem, where, for some reason, many of the Polish people were taken after they were able to get out of Siberia.  This woman, who is now 82  years old, has since lived in Egypt and all over Europe.  About 20 years ago, some friends convinced her and her husband to move to the United States.  She told my mother the same thing our own Polish Babcia used to tell us:  “This is the greatest country in the world!”

But it is so popular to be ungrateful today.  It is all the rage to complain about our world.  So, even when there is NOTHING to complain about, people still do.  And so we end up with wide-eyed liberal socialists as front-runners for the Presidency!  Perhaps we should listen to the voices of those all over Europe who are crying out for us to not follow in their footsteps.  Voices of those who understand exactly what our 4th of July celebrations are supposed to be about, and long for the Independence we scorn.

So the Olympics are going to be in China, and that sounds wonderful to me. My great aunt got to visit China once, and she loved it. We have some friends who adopted a baby girl from China earlier this year, and she is an absolute doll! I’ve always thought it sounded like a really neat place to visit. But, based on the information I received today, I’m thinking anyone who goes, might want to consider smuggling in their own sack lunch!! Click on the link below to see what I’m talking about!

“Beijing Fast Food (PDF)”

Yum. . .

Yep, I’m quoting Marx!  After all, it’s apparently the “in” thing to do these days!!!  Barack Obama is quoting him, so I figured I didn’t want to be left out.  Now, I am not very original, because I’m using the same quote Obama used, more or less.  He seems to think that people in economic stress cling to guns, religion and racism.  Say what?  Wow.  I’ve read a lot of stuff today about this, from Joe Nobody blogs to Wallstreet Journal articles.  They all seem to agree that he has pretty much hanged himself with that quote. (Oh, I hope so!!)  But I am going to say what nobody else has yet said (at least that I’ve found yet):  The man is a brazen idiot!!!! The more I hear about Obama, the more the hair on the back of my neck begins to stand straight up. First, he was talking about ’shared prosperity’, now he’s quoting Karl Marx!! For those of you who slept through history class, let me bring you up to speed here:  Communism and Marxism failed miserably!!!

Hello? Is there anybody out there? (Direct quote from Pink Floyd not intended.)  This is a very dangerous man, and he wants to lead our country?  He doesn’t have the skill, the experience, or the common sense to lead a dog through the park, much less lead our country.  So, it truly begs the question:  WHO is behind him?  I’m not talking about all the empty-headed young girls who are drooling all over him, or all of the racist blacks in our nation who are hoping for a public forum to express their views.  I mean, WHO is BEHIND him?  “What rough beast, his hour come round at last, slouches towards Bethlehem to be born?”  (W.B. Yeats)  Perhaps it’s Ted Kennedy.  Perhaps it’s some terrorist group looking to secure a strong foothold in our government, and bring the infidels at last to judgment.  Or maybe it’s some secret socialist society connected to the UN.  I don’t know.  What is painfully, frighteningly apparent to me, however, is that this man is not bright enough to get to this point on his own.  Somebody is working his strings behind the curtain.

And his wife?? Wow. She’s quite possibly more dangerous and deceitful than her husband. When she talks to black women’s organizations, she presents herself as the modern-day Aunt Jemima, who, in spite of insurmountable odds and dire poverty, managed to scrape and claw her way through college and marry an up-and-comer in the political scene. When she’s not busy spinning a false-memory childhood, she dresses like she just stepped off the cover of Vogue, not out of some hovel ruled by an oppressive, racist, bigoted ‘cracker’. Upon closer examination, we see that Michelle Obama actually grew up in a very nice home in Chicago. Yes, it was a ‘black neighborhood’, but a darned nice, upscale one. Far better than many ‘white neighborhoods’. Her parents were wonderful, and worked hard to make sure she and her brother got the best start in this world. Hmmm. . . my daddy didn’t send ME to Princeton!!

Do folks want a black president?  A woman president? Okay by me.  I suggest Colin Powell, or better still, Condoleeza Rice.  She’s black AND female!!  I would work my tail off campaigning door-to-door for either one them.  But with Obama as a possibility, I’m thinking maybe I need to update my passport!!