MEAN PEOPLE SUCK ROTTEN LEMONS

This happened tonight - it's not pretty and neither is the language - sorry ahead of time - I'm relating it as it happened so people can see how insane and inappropriate people have become. 

(*Language warning*)

Leaving the chiropractor this evening, called David to see if he wanted to pick up dinner or come home & cook.  He opted for take-out BBQ since it was just the 2 of us.  I went to Marty B's take-out.

Parked, hung my HC placard and ordered - rather than sit in there for 20 minutes wasting gas, thought I'd get a matcha across the MB venue.  Got in my truck - still getting used to it - put away the placard and put 'Rebel' in "R".  Saw a setting I'd meant to change - put her back in "P" to change it.  Guy has pulled next to me and he was yelling something - couldn't hear him, windows were closed.

Got the setting set, back in "R".  Guy comes out and is still yelling -  I opened the window - thought he was mad about something to do with my truck?  Nope.

I said "Is there a problem?"  

He looked at me with pure hate and said (*warning* - his words) 

"You stupid f'ing b**ch c*nt - you're so f'ing lazy you parked in a HC spot - you stupid f'ing c*nt someone should slap your ugly f'ing face."

I was dumbfound.  I looked - he had a kid in his vehicle watching the whole thing.  I said "Excuse me, WTF did you say?" Same time pulled my HC placard out, said "it's right here, jack*ss."

He said "you stupid dumb f'ing c*nt, can't you f'ing hear?  Someone should beat your dumb c*nt ass bloody. You don't even need that f'ing card - you're just too f'ing lazy and ugly to walk a little further.  You should go shoot yourself, you're a useless dumb c*nt."

I'd about had it - and said "I guess your wife keeps your balls with her b/c you have none."

He stepped toward my truck and said "GFY c*nt" got in his truck, backed up, shouted one more "dumb f'ing b*tch" and drove off.

I was stupified.  I've never been talked to like that.  I had tears in my eyes when I went back in - the girls asked what happened - I told them.  One of the girls went and got the manager (no, I didn't ask)  - he asked what happened.  He looked the guy up (they have your name & phone # for takeout) and said he'd make a note to speak to him next time.

People are not right in the head out there - there is really something wrong with them.  Be careful out there.

Yes, I am still upset.

#MeanPeople

The FBI Raid of Mara Largo

Last night was an attempt to intimidate ALL of the political 'Right'. For many years, the left has been aggressive and vicious - and the status quo GOP were mamby-pamby - and 'took the high road', never hitting back, never calling foul. Every time the right was in power they paid lip service to their constituents but never really rocked the boat.

The Tea Party was a first foray at getting the GOP to take action. They made some progress - not enough really. There was no "leader" to head the charge of freedom - it was a diverse movement - a start, but too disjointed. What I think they did accomplish was galvanizing Trump to step into the ring. The billionaire who loves his nation - I think he needed to see that there were people out in the nation to stand with him.

Now, there are a LOT of "America First" people across this nation - they know they are not alone - they know we are really the majority - Trump's term showed us there is a LOT we can do. Energy independence, low unemployment, higher wages, lower taxes, secure borders - all this and more was possible - and people began to dream again. To dream of Reagan's 'shining city on a hill' - of JFK's vision of freedom.

Now, we terrify the left. With Trump as the harbinger of change - the masses have been activated. They know this nation is supposed to be a bright light of abundance and hope - and we were on that path - the left stole it from us. But, Twitter, independent news reporters, political activists like Scott Pressler, Project Veritas, etc - have made it easier to raise awareness.

Trump's momentum is growing - so the left tried to slap us all back - and last night was supposed to scare the bejeezus out of us all - scare us back into submission and subservience while the left and the RINOs run roughshod over the nation - with their globalist buddies to enslave humanity.

They miscalculated - and they over played their hand. It's time - they have pulled the tail of the sleeping lion. It's time to stand as patriots, as Americans - and say "No - the left will not cow us any longer - and we will not allow you to corrupt our children, their futures or our lives any longer."

Time will tell if last night was 'the shot heard 'round the world' or less - but I think this will not end well for the left.

Gas Price Woes? Everything Rolls Up to Biden

 

If anyone is in doubt about who is causing the spike in gas prices. If anyone says "presidents don't set gas prices" - please share this.

Also - while presidents don't set the price at the pump directly, they do make massive impacts on the gas and oil prices. Biden DID cause it. Directly. With his attack on energy sector starting on day 1:

• Keystone pipeline cut (830,000 barrels per day cut)
• Oil and gas leases on public land shut down
• ANWR leases shut down
• Fracking canceled
• Offshore drilling canceled

How are gas prices set? Gas prices are set on the Futures Markets where the prices of commodities are bid on for investments. How did Biden affect that? The list above shows how. When he made those changes, he signaled the Futures Markets that the US was attacking it's own energy production and that industry segment would be impacted. That caused prices to start rising on Jan 22, 2022. They haven't stopped, because he keeps attacking the energy sector.

"Well, Oil companies are greedy and raising prices." Actually, they raise prices to be able to afford to put product out in the coming 6-months.

Think about it this way - a gas station owned by an American citizen buys gas to sell at the pumps. Let's (for the sake of discussion) say he pays $10,000 for the load. He charges enough to make a fair profit and sells the gas for a price. When he's done selling that load, he needs to be able to pay for the refill - and have a profit at the end to pay his employees and himself.

Now, let's say that the next load costs $20,000 and he didn't charge enough to set aside that much $$. So, he has to cut the delivery back to what he can afford or raise the prices to cover his loss for the next time - plus make up his short fall.

These deliveries are on a contract - usually a year long. So, they contract to get a set amount of fuel delivered each term (week, 2-weeks or whatever) they have to take that amount of fuel or they are in breach of contract.

So, when prices are spiking, he's trying to assume what he will need to be able to pay for that next delivery of gas. If he doesn't have enough to pay, he has to shut down.

The same thing happens to the oil companies. They have to be able to refine the fuel and get it delivered to the gas stations. The truckers are raising their prices b/c the costs for diesel is also rising. The refining costs are also rising b/c the cost for a barrel is rising ($30/barrel under Trump; $120/barrel today)

So, no - oil companies and gas station owners aren't gouging people - they are trying to keep themselves ahead of the costs coming the next delivery.

The issue is Biden's policies. It ALL rolls up to Biden.

Hey - Climate Cultists - Oil IS Green. . .

 

I'd love someone to state - with specifics - why we need to "get off of oil" and "switch to green energy".

First - oil is green, it's not a "fossil fuel" - that's an old propagandist lie - it's a hydrocarbon, created by the earth by processing decomposed bio-mass through the rotation and thermal heat of the planet's core. How can you get more 'green'than something that WAS green before dying and decomposing?

Second - it's plentiful - the US alone has over 1,000 years of oil sitting under our feet - with more created with each rotation of the planet. We have more than that of coal and natural gas. Plentiful.

Third - it's efficient. Hydrocarbon energy is more efficient than wind or solar. It makes better use of surface land area than either solar farms or wind farms.

So - please - without hyperbole about "dirty oil" - tell me WHY we "need to get off of oil"?

THIS SHOULD BE TERRIFYING TO ALL.....

 

• 1/3 of American High School graduates never read another book in their lives.

• 42% of college graduates never read another book after college.

• 80% of US families did not buy or read a book last year.

• 70% of US adults have not been in a book store in 5 or more years.

• 57% of new books are not read to completion.**

**Source Simon Schuster 2012

Can you imagine this?  This is terrifying.  Our brains, as humans, are wired to learn and gather knowledge our entire lives. If we aren't growing our minds, what are we filling them with?

Reality TV?

Social Media?

TikTok videos?

Make it a point in 2022 to READ A BOOK!  Or two!

  

SLAVERY, HISTORY, and TODAY

 Yeah - I'm wading into the thick of it again today. Call me crazy - maybe it's just that. I like to think it's because I am wired to find solutions - and solve problems.

Today, I am looking at solutions and positive actions. Today, let's focus on what the protestors this spring - are actually 'protesting'. These protests are supposed to bring attention to the "oppression" and "systemic racism" of blacks.

Throughout the history of this great nation, we have had some chapters that were less shining than others. Slavery is one of those chapters. When we speak about Slavery in the US, most often it refers to slavery of blacks from the Caribbean or Africa. There were also other slaves in the 'New World'. Indeed, the Irish were enslaved - in Europe and the Americas earlier and longer than African blacks - past the Civil War years, by way of conscription, kidnap and indentured servitude. It is historical fact, and can be researched as such. The Irish were treated viciously in our nation - no less than Africans. We will, however, keep that topic for another day.

Slavery started in the colonies in 1612 and was first legalized in the Massachusetts Bay colony in 1625. Slavery was ended as an institution in the US in 1865. In that 240 year span, many blacks of Caribbean and African descent were held as slaves. There is nothing to say on this topic other than slavery and enslaving of another human is abhorrent and evil.

When slavery ended, there was a time that blacks were considered to be less intelligent, less capable than whites - and that view is also abhorrent. We had Jim Crow, discrimination, segregation, desegregation, and civil rights movements and laws that helped usher in equality for all in the US. It seems crazy, to us, that our forefathers would hold these beliefs - but there it is. And, in fact, there are still sects of the KKK and White Supremacists in existence - though those beliefs will die out with those throwbacks to a darker time.

I think then, based on the previous information, we can all agree that no one alive today - in the US - has been held as a slave as part of that institution in the US. In fact, no one has been held a slave as part of that institution in the past 152 years.

Today, black Americans have nothing in law or legislation that prevents them from being anything they want to be - indeed - up to and including the President of the US. The only limit is your ambition and the only method of getting there is hard work.  Anything is achievable.

**One note - slavery still exists today in our world.  Today - as we speak - Africans and Christians are enslaved, bought, auctioned, sold and traded in the Middle East and Africa.  I would ask where the outrage is for these people from those who think looting and burning businesses is an effective means of "change".

TRANSGENDERISM - AND REALITY

 As we approach "The Olympics" - and as the topic of "transgenderism in sports" is in the forefront of news and talk, I wanted to share some thoughts.

Sorry for the bluntness if it offends any 'sensitivities' - but some common sense and logic is needed here - and less "feels" and emotion. People can live as they choose to live - provided it doesn't harm others. This is one of those places where harm is huge. No matter what hormone, drug, surgery people have - they will continue to have the physiology they were born with. 

Specifically - medical science cannot change the skeletal, muscular, endocrine, circulatory systems and DNA. The physical body of an XY person will always be XY. And the same for XX.  Yes, hormones will affect size of muscle - but not the attachment points and placements. No - bone will not change - an XY pelvis will not ever 'flex' for giving birth like an XX one. That's just facts and medical science. 

A man or woman can simply NEVER in full fact change to the opposite sex. 

If that's upsetting to some - that is just life and facts. Live as one chooses - but don't think to force the world to embrace all of that in the same way the person does - it's just not reality. 

That said - letting people who have a natural, biological, physiological advantage and difference in capabilities compete with those who don't will never be fair, equitable - or morally correct. 

Why then, is there not a separate category for trans sports? This is truly the only way to ensure that all the strides made in women's sports over the past 100 years is not lost and women themselves are not erased from competition?

This isn't about actual science of sex and gender. Those are binary - as we see in nature. There are male and female - period. In language - there is also neutral; that is a language construct - not science, but social science.

In nature - we don't see 58 genders - we see 2, binary. And, that's it.

What trans and others are actually talking about is something mutable - and sex/gender is not mutable. So, it's personality characteristics - not gender - that are mutable. We have girls who are rough and tumble - or tomboys and we have so many variations and flavors of that. And, we have guys who are more feminine and many variations there.

This is more "social science" than medical or physical science. 

If people wrapped their heads around that - it would make things a lot more sensical. As people mature - they go through different phases and changes of exploring their person, character, self - and that can and does shift through time and even days. But, having surgery or taking hormones to permanently affect ones person isn't the best approach. And, they will never be the "other" that they think in a moment is wanted.

I think this is a better - more realistic take on things. 

Oh, and......Men shouldn't compete with women. Period.

GOVERNMENT'S PLACE - Get Out of Our Liberty! (Or, Gov't, YOU work for US)

 

My ancestors - by that I mean my "Great-Greats" - grandmothers, fathers, aunts, and uncles - all had a MUCH healthier distrust of the federal government than people today.

.

People who came before us came from places where government ran roughshod over people's very lives. They were serfs - not much more than slaves really - or subjects, and were at the whim of those in government or the "peerage".

.

When they came here - they held a strong arm straight out at the government - because they embraced what we have here - our freedom - and they didn't want those politico types getting their talons into the lives citizens built for themselves.

.

Our Founders formed a Republic - not a democracy or aristocracy or any other type of government - it was the first of its kind - and is still materially different than any other place on earth - and our very existence changed the lives of the common people in every other place on earth.

.

Sorry to say this - but people have been "dumbed down" by our "government" school systems to think such ridiculous things as "the US is a democracy" (it's not) or "a democracy and our Republic are the same and interchangeable terms" (no, they aren't )

.

We need to return to that healthy distrust of federal collective power - and we need to stop relying on the government as some benevolent nanny. They aren't our parent - and they are NOT benevolent.

.

Stop thinking they are some cuddly entity with our best in mind - and realize that government - all government - is a leviathan that wants to gobble up more and more power and control - and start understanding that we must force them to work - ONLY - in the ways we TELL them to work.

.

America and the entire world depends on this.

.

The more we take from government - the more they have their hand in our private business.

The reality with this entire pandemic - government had no business forcing any of the things they did.

.

They had responsibility (which they botched badly) to quantify the virus, and determine the risks, characteristics and WHERE it came from. And, to find out what types of medicines we had in the tool chest that would work on it.

.

What they did NOT have was the authority to force everyone into 1-size fits all mandates and other. No one but an individual should determine if they wrap a cloth around their faces and restrict their breathing or not - and sure as Hell not forcing people to be test subjects in some global medical Frankenstein experiments.

.

WE - as a people - need to be a heck of a lot better at TELLING government where they are and are NOT welcome.

.

And most Americans need a clear and deeper understanding of the fact that government works FOR us - not the other way 'round.

Trump's Third SCOTUS Pick - Fill the Seat!!

So people are clear - because there has been a lot of debate and incorrect assumptions, arguments and false statements made since RBG died.

First - this is Trump’s SCOTUS pick. It is freely and clearly his to make.

I know - many are saying “but -Obama and Merrick Garland....” Nope. Sorry. Totally different situation.

How so? Because historic precedent sets out that when the Senate and WH are same party (as now) the president freely makes a SCOTUS (or other) appointment as he chooses - even late in an election year.

In the case of a Senate and WH of opposing parties (as in Obama’s case) the Senate has no compulsion to seat a justice and late in election years, especially with a lame duck president (Obama was not running for re-election- so it was absolute there would be a new president)

Second, people are saying “oh, RBG last wish”. Nope. Just stop. It wasn’t RBG’s seat to determine. She held it while living. It is now Trump’s to pick.

If RBG was so determined that a liberal seat her replacement - she should have retired when Obama was president. She’d already had cancer more than once. She was clearly in her 80’s during Obama’s term. She had the ability to control that choice had she retired. She didn’t.

Third - It is not Biden’s place to say Trump should or shouldn’t seat a judge. He is just a candidate- and not really a very strong one either. He needs to concentrate on the debates and shut up about current policies - they aren’t his to make.

Biden has had close to 50 years to make his mark on America - and the marks he has made have been racist, classist and generally horrible. He is a liar, a plagiarist, a cheat who used position to garner money for his family, and if people can’t see he has issues with small children...well - open your eyes. What he doesn’t get to do is make this court choice - or influence it.

Fourth, and last (for now) - if the left chooses to throw a temper tantrum as we’ve seen from Schumer, Reza, and other so called “prominent” leftist leaders in the past 14 or 15 hours and decides to riot - again..., you really have to ask yourself - what is mentally wrong with these people, why would someone think they were a good choice to lead this nation - and why have so many bought into their lies, innuendo and propaganda?

Our nation started as an idea that a free people should be free to govern and rule themselves. The assumption was that those people chosen from the people would be levelheaded, honest and mentally stable. We’ve seen this summer that the far left leaders (Pelosi, Schumer, et al) have moved far, far away from the likes of liberal greats such as JFK, RFK, Tip O’Neill etc.

Bottom-line - this is Trump’s SCOTUS pick. If the left doesn’t like that - they should have put forth a better candidate that Hillary Clinton in 2016.

Introduction - What is a "Keltic Witch?" - (Repost - Updated )

*Repost with updates - original from 2005

So what, you may ask yourself, is a “Keltic Witch”? And, for that matter, how did she come to be? Well, that is a somewhat long story so sit back and enjoy the ride – it is a meandering one.

I was born and raised in Massachusetts. I spent most of my “growing up” years in the Waltham/Watertown area and lived the typical “small town near a big city” life. My brother is 3 years younger than me and we always tried to “out do” each other. Most of our extended family was within an hours ride – if not ½ hour and we spent a lot of time with family while young.

My maternal Grandfather, Da, was a super great cook. He could go out and have a meal and come home and recreate that same meal. It was amazing to watch him at work. He made fantastic dishes in what has to be the smallest kitchen I have ever worked in. Much of my spare time was spent at his knee and so I learned a great love of cooking and creating recipes.

I went to college in Worcester, MA at the College of the Holy Cross, a Jesuit school. I studied Political Science at a time when we were the biggest superpower in the world, the Soviet Union was still our major rival, and terrorism was something that happened only in the Middle East and Ireland.

I tried my hand at everything I thought I wanted to do. I was a banker, office worker, personal trainer, teacher, and finally found that I was good with computers. I made a career out of managing large-scale software implementation projects. I liked what I did and was good at it. It afforded me the ability to travel and see the country.

I fell in love with a man in the U.S. Navy. He was dashing and handsome. We eloped and planned a great life while he was on leave. He went back to his duty station in Japan and we found I was pregnant. Not a huge obstacle, we could handle it! After 3 months, he was killed while out to sea in a training accident and I was alone. Six months later, I had my son and vowed he would have the best I could provide.

For four years, I scraped and sold myself to the company with the highest bid so I could raise my son. I landed in Texas and met the one man I was born to love forever. My husband, my friend. He smoothed all my rough edges and polished my hurts. It has been nineteen of the best years I could hope for. We have our oldest son and our “bitty boy” too. Our lives are so peaceful.

In a few years, we will move out of the big city and have land and a ranch to enjoy with our boys out of the mess of the city. God Bless my family, please.

It's Not the Guns........

I’m going to be blunt - some won’t like it. Florida wasn’t the fault of the gun. It’s the fault of society. Everyone who wanted to be their kid’s “bestie” rather than their parent - you bear some responsibility. Everyone who raised a little brat, but figured someone else would fix it; who shoved a pill rather than applied a spanking - look in the mirror.

It’s not the gun in the hand that is the problem. It’s what is in the heart (or isn’t depending on how you look at it)

Guns haven’t changed. They’ve been in our nation and part of our lives for over 200 years. They are a tool. A tool like a hammer or a saw.

Some people in America don’t need that tool for their lives. Some people do need it. Depends on the lifestyle you’ve chosen - urban, suburban, rural, country, city - or other. Or, your choice - because we live in a nation where liberty and freedom have a cost and that cost is being responsible.

What has changed is the problem.

Pills instead of parenting - “Ritalin makes Johnny behave so I don’t have to be mean.”

Violent media - music, videos, movies, games - desensitize kids to the value of life.

Erosion of the community - we couldn’t do bad stuff, because some neighbor would tell our parents - no one wants to step in today.

Not supporting teachers - “my kid wouldn’t....” or not supporting other role models. Rewarding losing - failure is a great teacher - but, we didn’t get a medal for failing, we got the lesson.

Not teaching morals, values or faith in something more than ourselves. Right and wrong exist - they are black and white. Evil exists - you don’t have to believe in Satan or the devil - but, he sure believes in you. When you don’t have rock solid foundations of right and wrong, evil slithers in and says “it’s ok....it feels good, doesn’t it - so it’s ok then...”.

It’s not what is in the hand that needs to change. It’s the hearts. We can do it and it doesn’t even take one more law on the books.

Start parenting. Stop shoving pills down the throats of young people. Be your parents - and teach the things your parents taught - right and wrong, good and evil, morals and values. Discipline kids. Don’t let them play GTA or other games where it’s ok to shoot people in the head. Teach that life is precious.

Then, you’ll see a change for the better.

Go down the other road and in 10 years we will be arguing about banning knives, then hammers, next rocks.

Make the right choice - but that requires self-examination and admitting that maybe values aren’t relative. Maybe everything permissive isn’t good for us.  Maybe fantasy or fiction shouldn’t be celebrated as truth.

I have faith in people. We can do this.

Thoughts on Las Vegas...........

I have a general note about Las Vegas. It's actually the same note I have whenever something heinous like this is carried out by some Godless, soul-sucker. It's a good note - so I will reuse it until we need a new one. 

There has been evil in the world since the fall. There will always be evil in the world. It is an active force. It seeks out the cold, empty hearts of men who have no faith in God or anything larger than themselves. It is easy for evil, in its insidious way, to snake in and plant roots in those sad hopeless souls. 

Guns have been - and will continue to be - tools. Tools of the huntsman, outdoorsman, sportsman, rancher, farmer, vet, stockman. Tools of the solider, defender, LEO, and myriad others. They are tools. They serve distinct purposes. 

Currently, in the media of the American left, they serve the purpose of being a target (pun intended). These hapless, uninformed talking heads push more misinformation on an ignorant, sycophantic, worshipful audience who absorb and readily 'lather, rinse, repeat' every word. 

It's not their fault - not really. The left are programmed that "guns are bad". In a world where morals are relative and nothing is off limits - guns are unequivocally bad. This programming - in the progressive cities of the coasts - begins at birth. 

As a result, progressives and left-minded people of all ages have never held, touched, and many times even seen a real fire arm. If they have fired one, it was probably a scout camp and was one small experience in a world of others where reinforcement of the fact that 'guns are bad' was the lesson that was pushed. 

Now, we know guns are tools and we know hammers are tools; a gun is no more evil than a hammer in the right hands.  A gun is no more capable of getting up and killing someone than a screwdriver or a knife. 

I would recommend that people learn about the tools they seek to ban others from having. Learn actual facts - not NPR biased facts or CNN biased facts. Actual facts. 

How do we stop it?  Honestly, we can't stop evil. If he wasn't able to get guns to kill, he would have used bombs or some other thing.  That is my word on Vegas. 

Oh, in another report, a man, in London mowed down a bunch of innocent people with a car.   Another tool.

Racism - Worse or......Not?

I have spent the better part of the past 2 days being told that I am a racist - because I want to know what racism or oppression successful, strong, athletes at the top of their game are suffering in a nation where a black president just finished his second term. 

I don't see racism as a burgeoning problem in the US. I don't because the people I know, work with, associate with and meet don't count their friends, interactions or acquaintances by the color of their skin. 

When you read articles about the "growing problem of racism" in the US, or look at polls about racism, these are all subjective. They all say racism is getting worse, because people feel that racism is getting worse. 

But, there isn't any quantifiable evidence, empirical, measurable studies that show that racism is worse today than in the past. In fact, everything that can be measured shows that racism is at its lowest rate than ever before. 

So how is there a disconnect this big between what is real and what people feel is real?

All the articles point to blacks being shamelessly targeted by police and that this is one factor that makes it clear that racism is growing. Yet, when actual numbers and statistics are analyzed, we find this narrative false. 

So why the divide?  Because we are being told more and more often, in news and print media, on radio and by pundits, that this is the case. 

Why would the people we trust for news and information push and present this type of lie?  Indeed, that is an excellent question. One I have been asking for a while. 

I can only extrapolate, given the numbers, the facts, and the polls, that the false narrative serves the purpose of someone or ones who are powerful and who wants the US to be in a state of racial and civic unrest. 

You have to ask yourself a couple of questions: first - are you a cruel, callous racist who would see your neighbor fail? And, if not that - then who would this unrest serve? 

Stop buying the lies you are being fed and look at true facts and numbers. Look it up. 

http://www.nationalreview.com/article/451466/police-violence-against-black-men-rare-heres-what-data-actually-say

Let's start our world turning again....how about it?

"Where were you when the  world stopped turning, on that September day...."  so begins Alan Jackson's song commemorating the loss Americans faced on September 11, 2001.

I was driving to the barn this morning to tend my horses when this song came on the radio and sent my thoughts back through the years to that morning almost thirteen years ago.  

I was working from my home office that day.  Coming across the living room, I could see the MSNBC Home Page on my PC.  It looked like a building fire and the headline said a plane had hit the WTC Tower.  I thought a small plane like a Cessna had crashed and turned on the TV to see if people were okay.  As I sat to watch the report, the world changed forever....

Now, Americans can see the changes that were wrought that day.  Some for the better and some not so.  If we, as Americans, want to pass on the traditions of our childhood to the generations to come, we need to stand up now and make some changes in our lives.

There are so many groups that are separated from other groups by ideology.  There are groups that hate other groups because they are different.  There are groups that want to win so badly that they will lie about those who disagree with them....this HAS to stop.

We ALL have too much at stake to continue on with this acrimonious environment.  America has for centuries been the shining example.  The one bright light held up for all to reach for across a world that was ever changing.  Americans were the bravest, the best, heroes larger than life.

Today, we have become "R" or "D"; white or black or brown; Christian or Jew; left or right; straight or gay.  No more.  We have more in common that brings us together than we have to drive us apart.  America's best days and best citizens are before her.  Look at your neighbor, your colleague, your friend and think about the gifts of Liberty we have that others only wish for.

America is the "land of opportunity" and we have the ability to work for the life we want.  We can dream of what we want our life to be and then work to create for real, that picture in our heads.  We don't need "universal health-care" or a "welfare state".  We don't need bailouts or handouts or an "escape" - we have the freedom to be whatever we want.  That is a great gift - a miracle for some.

With that possibility and promise of success through hard work comes responsibility too.  Because we have opportunity and the ability to rise above circumstance, we also have risk.  We might fail.  We might not reach our ultimate goal.  That is true.  

Some will fail to reach their goal.  Some may be hurt by that failure.  Some may be crushed.  Some will be galvanized by that failure to even greater success.  It all depends on YOUR attitude. 

You can fail and say "poor me, it isn't fair.  I should have won and someone should make it okay for me".  You can wallow in that for your lifetime.  A bitter, angry shell of what you were meant to be.

You could, instead, use that failure to learn from and pick yourself up from your fall to move forward - smarter, stronger - and more empowered than before.  Consistent action and persistent will can lead to achievement.

Which path will you choose for your life?  Remember - it's not just you and your dreams on the line - you are reaching for your goal - but you are also forging a stronger country - one successful American at a time.

A Thanksgiving Wish

****REPOSTED - See Bottom

November 22, 2012
Happy Thanksgiving

As some of you may be aware, I'm not exactly known as the 'hope' guy around the office. I tend to have what some would describe as a 'negative' outlook on certain things such as the economy. Hope and I have sort of a tumultuous relationship. Some days we get along great, other days we fight. While sometimes hope vanishes entirely and I don't see it again for a while - as was the case just a few days ago on November 6th. I found it hard to get my mind wrapped around the fact that Obama was going to have another four years to work on destroying - or fundamentally transforming, as he would say - America.

But here's the thing about hope - it always comes back. And it didn't take long after the election for me to gain the proper perspective. While the current President may be one of the most astoundingly incompetent, radically left, Eurocentric & egomaniacal presidents America has ever had - I still have hope because he is not bigger than the people. And he's certainly not bigger than God.

Just like we understood the folly of Obama's faithful followers placing all their hope in one human being, we have to understand the folly of pinning all our hope in beating that one human being in an election.

Don't get me wrong, we definitely need to keep fighting the good fight. But we cannot afford to lose sight of who is ultimately in control. And through the ups and downs we must remember to give thanks to Him for everything that has been given to us.

So today I want to share with you a few of the things I'm thankful for & I encourage you to take note of your blessings and share them as well.

I'm thankful for my wife and her utter disregard of all standards when she decided to marry me.
I'm thankful for my children.
I’m thankful for my sisters.
I'm thankful to live in America, a land so rich our worst struggles would be a paradise for most foreigners.
I’m thankful for my friends, who have been there for me at my best and my worst.
I'm thankful for the ability and means to help those in need.
I'm thankful for turkey. And stuffing. And gravy.
I'm thankful we have a forgiving God and a loving Savior.
I'm thankful for Texas, a sliver of sanity among growing madness.
I'm thankful the camera only adds 10 lbs.
I'm thankful for the amazing men and women of our military.
I’m thankful for the blessings that have allowed me to achieve more than I ever thought possible.
I’m thankful for the failures that have kept me humble.
I’m thankful for my staff, who show me everyday what it means to dream.
I’m thankful for my fans, and the opportunity to come into their homes each and every day. I am truly inspired by each and every one of you. YOU are the force protecting America’s founding ideals and it’s truly an honor to stand shoulder to shoulder in defense of liberty and freedom.

Truth is, I'm not as pessimistic as everyone makes me out to be. I know that even on our darkest days, I am joined by people across the country who are working every minute of every day to make sure our neighborhoods and our local communities are on the right track. I know that parents are out there teaching the lessons that will one day grow the next George Washington, the next Abraham Lincoln, and the next Martin Luther King, Jr. I know that people are waking up, and that the embers of freedom will never be extinguished as long as some of us are willing to keep the fires burning.

And I know that even on nights when I am far away from home, I can hear my wife’s voice and remember that real answers will only be found through family and faith.

I hope you and your family have a happy Thanksgiving.

Laus Deo,

Glenn Beck

 ****Republished from Glenn Beck on glennbeck.com  (C) 

 

 

 

Wolf Meaning and Totem Symbolism of the Wolf

To understand totem wolf symbols, one must first understand the heart of the Wolf. This takes time because the Wolf has had to endure many false stereotypes, misconceptions and misunderstandings. 

Not at all the picture of ferocity or terror, the Wolf is a creature with a high sense of loyalty and strength. Another misconception is that of the “lone wolf.” To the contrary, the Wolf is actually a social creature, friendly, and gregarious with its counterparts. 

The Wolf is an incredible communicator. By using touch, body movements, eye contact as well as many complex vocal expressions – the wolf makes his point understood. Those with totem wolf symbols are of the same inclination – they are expressive both vocally and physically. Those who have the wolf as their totem animal are naturally eloquent in speech, and also have knack for creative writing. 

A quick-list of totem wolf symbolic attributes include:

• Intelligence
• Cunning
• Communication
• Friendliness
• Loyalty
• Generosity
• Compassionate

Totem wolf symbols belong to those who truly understand the depth of passion that belong to this noble creature. The Wolf is a representative of deep faith, and profound understanding.
Further, the Wolf possess a high intellect, and have been observed using strategies about hunting, habitat and migration. 

In history, the totem Wolf symbol appears with the founders of Rome, Romulus and Remus. Legend has it that the two founding brothers were raised and suckled by a she-wolf.
In Norse mythology, the Wolf is a symbol for victory when ridden by Odin and the Valkyries upon the battlefield.

As a Celtic Symbol the Wolf was a source of lunar power. Celtic lore states that the Wolf would hunt down the sun and devour it at each dusk so as to allow the power of the moon to come forth.


When this gracious creature appears to us, and serves as a totem in our lives, the Wolf beckons us to ask these questions:

• Are you thinking about a different form of education?
• Are you being a true friend, and are your friends being true to you?
• Are you communicating yourself clearly to others?
• Are you being loyal to yourself?
• Are you incorporating strategies and planning to achieve your goals?
• Are you spending enough quality time with yourself, friends and family?

Easter - A Season of Renewal

Easter is late this year.  So, in many ways is my own "season of renewal".  Though I think mine has been growing for more than just 40 days...and new, things are starting to flower and take root!

For Catholics, in February - deep in the cold and dark of Winter's long time of snow and ice, we celebrate Ash Wednesday - the beginning of Lent - it always brings me the promise of Spring - that knowledge that even in the deepest part of winter's hold, God wants us to feel the spark of warmth that comes with rebirth of all things.

The long 40 days of Lent - when we focused on "giving up" something for Lent.  That sacrifice is not meant to deprive us of something we like, but rather as a focal point for the bigger work of becoming a better person in faith.  By focusing on that one small sacrifice, we can use thoughts of that to strive to be a better mother, wife, friend, person.  For me, it has always been a struggle of my passionate nature - the quixotic, red-headed temperament that has always been my area of weakness, the one, big place to focus improvements.  Over years (YEARS), I have gotten a tight rein on my harsher tendencies and become....more - patient. (perhaps)  I try.  Every year.  Something new.

Then, with the bright little shoots of green, everywhere it seems all at once, it bursts to the surface - my desire to have new, green, growing things all around.  I love the change of seasons and all the different and new flowers, plants, fruits, vegetables, promises of things to come....Easter and growing - personal growth and growth of what seeds you planted.  The rebirth and promise of our Lord, Jesus and His gift to us - and the gifts that come from the earth.  They all seem tied together now.

In the Spring, I am always pulled by the earth to plant new, beautiful things to watch and nurture and grow.  I love this time of year and seeing what new things will bloom - just around the corner.  This year, I have planted my herbs and some flowers, my trees have budded and small pears and apples are on the branches.  Grapes have returned - and look to produce this year!  We will see what the harvest provides later in the summer, but for now - everything is coming up....roses.  :-)

So, Happy Easter...Happy Spring, Happy Renewed You!

A Few "Facts" About Taxes....

Some folks out there doubt what The House Leadership - lead by Mr. Ryan's Budget Plan have to say about Federal Spending and Taxes.  Let's take a look at some government tax and budget facts then so you can see why conservatives say America doesn't have a tax shortage, it has a spending problem:

Fact: In 2009, the Federal government collected 2.1 trillion dollars in taxes.
Fact: In 2009, the Federal government spent 3.52 trillion dollars.
Fact: In 2009, the Federal government spent 678 billion dollars on Social Security.
Fact: In 2009, the Federal government spent 676 billion dollars on Medicare.
Fact: In 2009, 38.47% of the entire budget went to Social Security and Medicare and the two programmes consumed 64.48% of all Federal tax revenues.
Fact: The 2009 Social Security and Medicare Trustees Reports show the combined unfunded liability of these two programmes has reached nearly 107 trillion dollars in today's dollars and Laurence Kotlikoff, a well-known professor of economics at Boston University, puts the real figure over 200 trillion dollars!

Fact: In 2010, the Federal government collected 2.16 trillion dollars in taxes.
Fact: In 2010, the Federal government spent 3.618 trillion dollars.
Fact: In 2010, the Federal government spent 701 billion dollars on Social Security.
Fact: In 2010, the Federal government spent 793 billion dollars on Medicare.
Fact: In 2010, 41.29% of the entire budget went to Social Security and Medicare and the two programmes consumed 69.17% of all Federal tax revenues.

Fact: Discretionary spending under Bush was 6% when he left office. Obama increased discretionary spending by 11% in 2009 and 14% in 2010.

Fact: Under the baseline scenario, for example, the CBO has determined that the federal government can restore fiscal balance by raising all taxes and cutting all transfer payments immediately and for the indefinite future by 35%.

Fact: The CBO also found that if federal income tax rates are adjusted to allow the government to continue its current level of activity and balance its budget, the lowest marginal income tax rate of 10% would have to rise to 26%.

Fact: The CBO has found that if federal income tax rates are adjusted to allow the government to continue its current level of activity and balance its budget, the 25% marginal tax rate would increase to 66%.

Fact: The CBO also found that if federal income tax rates are adjusted to allow the government to continue its current level of activity and balance its budget, the current highest marginal tax rate on 250,000 dollars (35%) would rise to 92%.

Fact: If the CBO doesn’t do it for you, then try the IMF, which has said that the US has a “critical” fiscal problem and is “not serious” about addressing it. According to the IMF, were the US government to repeal the tax cuts enacted in the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 (EGTRRA), the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003 (JGTRRA), and were the IPAB to succeed in curbing healthcare spending growth as provided in the IPAB mandate, reining in the fiscal gap would still require an immediate and permanent increase in all taxes and cut in all transfers of 26%.

Fact: According to the IMF, there is an alternative to the Paul Ryan Plan -- an 88% flat tax on everyone. Further, that would be in addition to FICA taxes, which would be 37% on gross income in 2054. [Yes, you read that correctly. 37% payroll taxes on gross income + 88% flat tax on everyone. And, yes, I realize that 37 + 88 = 125. Even if employers were to pay 50% of the 37% (18.5%), you are still left with 88% + 18.5% = 106.5%. Not only would you be working for free, you would also have to pay the government for the privilege of getting to work for nothing. And, you think the Madison labour fight was bad?]

Fact: If you raised taxes to 90% on the wealthiest Americans, forget about debt reduction. You wouldn’t be able to eliminate the budget deficit.

Fact: If you confiscated every penny owned (not just earned) by the 400 wealthiest Americans – 1.36825 TRILLION DOLLARS – you would still have a 300 BILLION DOLLAR BUDGET DEFICIT IN FY 2011.

Fact: If you confiscated every penny owned (not just earned) by the 400 wealthiest Americans – 1.36825 TRILLION DOLLARS – you would still not have enough money to fund Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid for one year.

Fact: Under the Obama tax plan, the Bush rates would be repealed for the top brackets. Yet the "cost" of extending all the Bush rates in 2011 over 10 years was about 3.7 trillion dollars. Some 3 trillion dollars of that was for everything but the top brackets—and Obama says he wants to extend those rates forever. According to IRS data, the entire taxable income of everyone earning over 100,000 dollars in 2008 was about 1.582 trillion dollars. Even if all these Americans—most of whom are far from wealthy—were taxed at 100%, it wouldn't cover Obama's 1.65 trillion dollar deficit for this year.

Once again, America has a spending problem. Not a revenue problem.

Are you Tired Too?

Robert A. Hall is the actor who plays the coroner on CSI if you watch that show. He also is a Marine Vietnam War veteran. 

This should be required reading for every man, woman and child in the United States of America.


"I'm  63 and I'm Tired"
by Robert A. Hall

I'm 63. Except for one semester in college,when jobs were scarce and a six-month period when I was between jobs, but job-hunting every day, I've worked hard since I was 18. Despite some health challenges, I still put in 50-hour weeks, and haven't called in sick in seven or eight years. I make a good salary, but I didn't inherit my job or my income, and I worked to get where I am. Given the economy, there's no retirement in sight, and I'm tired. Very tired. 

I'm  tired of being told that I have to "spread the wealth" to people who don't have my work ethic. I'm tired of being told the government will take the money I earned, by force if necessary, and give it to people too lazy to earn it. 

I'm tired of being told  that I have to pay more taxes to "keep people in their homes." Sure, if they lost their jobs or got sick, I'm willing to help. But if they bought Mc Mansions at three times the price of our paid-off, $250,000 condo, on one-third of my salary, then let the left-wing Congress-critters who passed Fannie and Freddie and the Community Reinvestment Act that created the bubble help them with their own money.

I'm tired of being told how bad America is by left-wing millionaires like Michael Moore, George Soros and Hollywood Entertainers who live in luxury because of the opportunities America offers.  In thirty years, if they get their way, the United States will have the economy of     Zimbabwe, the freedom of the press of China, the crime and violence of Mexico, the tolerance for Christian people of Iran, and the freedom of speech of Venezuela.

I'm tired of being told that Islam is a "Religion of Peace," when every day I can read dozens of stories of Muslim men killing their sisters, wives and daughters for their family "honor;" of Muslims rioting over some slight offense; of Muslims murdering Christian and Jews because they aren't "believers," of Muslims burning schools for girls;  of Muslims stoning teenage rape victims to death for "adultery," of Muslims mutilating the genitals of little girls; all in the name of Allah, because the Qur'an and Shari'a law tells them to. 

I'm tired of being told that "race doesn't matter" in the post-racial world of Obama, when it's all that matters in affirmative action jobs, lower college admission and graduation standards for minorities (harming them the most), government contract set-asides, tolerance for the ghetto culture of violence and fatherless children that hurts minorities more than anyone, and in the appointment of U.S. Senators from Illinois.  

I think it's very cool  that we have a black president and that a black child is doing her homework at the desk where Lincoln wrote the Emancipation Proclamation. I just wish the black president was Condi Rice, or someone who believes more in freedom and the individual and less arrogantly of an all-knowing government. 

I'm tired of being told that out of "tolerance for other cultures" we must let Saudi Arabia use our oil money to fund mosques and mandrassa Islamic schools to preach hate in America, while no American group is allowed to fund a church, synagogue or religious school in Saudi Arabia to teach love and tolerance. 

I'm tired of being told I must lower my living standard to fight global warming, which no one is allowed to debate. My wife and I live in a two-bedroom apartment and carpool together five miles to our jobs. We also own a three-bedroom condo where our daughter and granddaughter live. Our carbon footprint is about 5% of Al Gore's, and if you're greener than Gore, you're green enough. 

I'm tired of being told that drug addicts have a disease, and I must help support and treat them, and pay for the damage they do.  Did a giant germ rush out of a dark alley, grab them, and stuff white powder up their noses while they tried to fight it off?  I don't think Gay people choose to be Gay, but I #@*# sure think druggies chose to take drugs. And I'm tired of harassment from cool people treating me like a freak when I tell them I never tried marijuana. 

I'm tired of illegal aliens being called "undocumented workers," especially the ones who aren't working, but are living on welfare or crime.  What's next? Calling drug dealers, "Undocumented Pharmacists?"  And, no, I'm not against Hispanics.  Most of them are Catholic, and it's been a few hundred years since Catholics wanted to kill me for my religion. I'm willing to fast track for citizenship any Hispanic person, who can speak English, doesn't have a criminal record and who is self-supporting without family on welfare, or who serves honorably for three years in our military.... Those are the citizens we need. 

I'm  tired of latte liberals and journalists, who would never wear the uniform of the Republic themselves, or let their entitlement-handicapped kids near a recruiting station, trashing our military.  They and their kids can sit at home, never having to make split-second decisions under life and death circumstances, and bad mouth better people than themselves.  Do bad things happen in war?  You bet.  Do our troops sometimes misbehave? Sure. Does this compare with the atrocities that were the policy of our enemies for the last fifty years and still are? Not even close. So here's the deal.  I'll let myself be subjected to all the humiliation and abuse that was heaped on terrorists at Abu Ghraib or Gitmo, and the critics can let themselves be subject to captivity by the Muslims, who tortured and beheaded Daniel Pearl in Pakistan, or the Muslims who tortured and murdered Marine Lt. Col. William Higgins in Lebanon, or the Muslims who ran the blood-spattered Al Qaeda torture rooms our troops found in Iraq, or the Muslims who cut off the heads of schoolgirls in Indonesia, because the girls were Christian. Then we'll compare notes. British and American soldiers are the only troops in history that civilians came to for help and handouts, instead of hiding from in fear. 

I'm tired of people telling me that their party has a corner on virtue and the other party has a corner on corruption.  Read the papers; bums are bipartisan. And I'm tired of people telling me we need bipartisanship. I live in Illinois, where the "Illinois Combine" of Democrats has worked to loot the public for years. Not to mention the tax cheats in Obama's cabinet.  

I'm tired of hearing wealthy athletes, entertainers and politicians of both parties talking about innocent mistakes, stupid mistakes or youthful mistakes, when we all know they think their only mistake was getting caught.  I'm tired of people with a sense of entitlement, rich or poor. 

Speaking of poor, I'm tired of hearing people with air-conditioned homes, color TVs and two cars called poor. The majority of Americans didn't have that in 1970, but we didn't know we were "poor." The poverty pimps have to keep changing the definition of poor to keep the dollars flowing. 

I'm real tired of people who don't take responsibility for their lives and actions.  I'm tired of hearing them blame the government, or discrimination or big-whatever for their problems. 

Yes, I'm tired. But I'm also glad to be 63.  Because, mostly, I'm not going to have to see the world these people are making.  I'm just sorry for my granddaughter. 

Robert A. Hall is a Marine Vietnam veteran who served five terms in the Massachusetts State Senate.