Liberals Explained

I know a lot of you may not think you have 47 minutes to watch or learn...but THIS VIDEO is well worth watching. It explains the last 40 years perfectly and how Liberalism has changed and has taken over the mindset and psyche of so many millions. AND it comes from a popular comic in Hollywood! Thanks to Aunty Belle for posting it :)

Undecided Voters

For any of you still undecided on whom to vote for to be the next President in 2008...There is a great non-partisan publication called Quotes & Votes - Presidential Scorebook designed to help you make your choice. CLICK HERE - READ THE ISSUES AND ANSWERS - YOU DECIDE

It NEVER Happened!

WOW... I NEVER expected to write the post below this one and then check my e-mail and get a story from Mom-In Law that was so appropriate to what I'd just said! But...YOU DECIDE...if you believe journalists today...maybe it never happened! (I checked Snopes...found no disagreement...but I'm just printing what was sent...appropo) If the Big D didn't say this...I'd be willing to bet some other observant soldier or German did! General Eisenhower Warned Us It is a matter of history that when Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces, General Dwight Eisenhower, found the victims of the death camps he ordered all possible photographs to be taken, and for the German people from surrounding villages to be ushered through the camps and even made to bury the dead. He did this because he said in words to this effect: 'Get it all on record now - get the films - get the witnesses -because somewhere down the road of history some bastard will get up and say that this never happened!' It is now more than 60 years after the Second World War in Europe ended. Some, like the leader of Iran say the Holocaust is a myth! MILLIONS were murdered, raped, burned, starved, beat, experimented on and humiliated while the German people looked the other way! WHY did the German people look the other way? It WASN'T because normal German people are scathingly inhumane...it's because THEY DIDN'T KNOW...or BECAUSE...they had a mass MEDIA TELLING THEM it was the WAY and the CORRECT THING to do! That was 62 years ago that WWII ENDED! How many years will it take for 9-11 to disappear from our children's textbooks or our next generations' memory? SO MUCH as ALREADY been taken away! How long...when...will YOUR great grandchild as a teen look at you like the old fragile human you will be then and say something like, "Oh...Great Granny!...let's just tuck you in...you are trying to remember stuff now and you are tired...that never happened Great Granny...911 is what you call when you are in trouble! You are in a home now...you'll never have to talk about 911 again :) I LOVE YOU...bye bye...

Burning Down The House: What Caused Our Economic Crisis

Knowledge is power, knowledge is freedom, knowledge makes small men grow large and self sufficient. I feel it to be my duty to share this 11 minute video with you so that you may have the proper knowledge to make an informed decision on November 4, 2008. Whether or not you watch this video to gain knowledge...it's up to you. You Decide...VOTE FOR CHANGE!

Regenerative Medicine - Grow Your Own Organs

Imagine being very ill and needing an organ transplant, but being able to grow your own new organ! Regenerative Medicine is taking on a very real turn for the better. The following video is unbelievable, phenomenal, outrageous,…is there a word big enough for this possibility? Original CBS story here. The McGowan Institute in Pittsburgh, PA, and the Thomas Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia, PA are front runners in the development of this mystical miraculous possibility. The technology has already been used successfully to grow back the fingertip of a man who lost his fingertip in a work accident. Two other people have received bladder growing cells instead of transplants. The military is especially interested in this technology for burn victims, and limb losers from our war. For once, money was well spent on government grants and medical advancement. I was amazed by the possibilities!

Alternative Energy Source

I am SO NOT GLOBAL WARMING...but I do know that $4.35 gas is CRAZY! Other than the freaking OBVIOUS long overdue task of Drill HERE and Drill NOW...Build NEW REFINERIES...our only choice is alternative energy sources. Check this little video out! I didn't find anything online to suggest that Valcent is full of shit, but even if one tenth of what they say they can actually do, they could really do...A BIG PORTION OF THE ENERGY CRISIS IS SOLVED... My only point here is that there ARE people out there with ideas and working solutions to our crisis, but nobody will pull the necessary triggers to let it happen. BUT WAIT!!!...I completely FORGOT!!! If it might be something that COULD HELP, our government will immediately SQUASH IT...because help, happiness, and common sense is no longer what they are about... Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Millennials: The Failed Children - Liberal Influance Has Failed Generations

Millennials: This is the “new word” for our latest generation (I didn’t know that), the generation my children fall into. PEOPLE DON’T WANT TO HIRE THEM; THEY ARE BECOMING A FISCAL NUISANCE, AND A MATTER OF PROFIT AND LOSS NEGATIVES. My niece Rhonda started this ball rolling in my head, and I’m not sure we stand on the same side of the fence on the principle, but as I let it sit for a few days, more things have happened that remind me this is something that needs to be said. The Soap Box is open, so bookmark for later, or read now, this one will be long : ) Thank goodness, neither my niece, nor my boys fall into this category, due to their particular conservative upbringings. However, I’ve seen this coming on for YEARS, and the articles and points made clear in this post are some current events that bring these thoughts to fruition. Having children that are six years apart, I’ve had a total of 30 years of experience of watching our national school systems turn from actually TEACHING our kids what they need to know in life, to helplessly watching the vastly LIBERAL minded MOLD our kids into NEEDY ROBOTS VOID OF THE CAPABILITY TO COPE. Now I know that not ALL kids fall into this category, but the ones that have risen above it really don’t realize that while they are going on about life in a normal and successful course because they DID have good guidance and teaching, there are MANY times more than them that aren’t. And, given a course of 30-50 years, the RESULTS of many years of liberal and “cushy” mentality in the school systems…, the repercussions are finally beginning to show themselves. The repercussions are not good, and we must get a handle on it soon, or the future of America will in no way resemble the easy and sensible successes our founding forefathers intended for this nation. THIS ARTICLE says it. This is the first article I’ve read lately that seems to bring the reality that young people have not been prepared for life in school to the forefront. While I TOTALLY AGREE with Owen Hannay (who fired more than a dozen millennials in 2006), a principal of Slingshot, LLC in the Dallas, TX area (an agency known for its leading edge marketing), I find some real problems with the “solution” he hired. His observations of the underlying problem are correct, but the “cushy” “professional” he hired to solve his problem, or “teach” him how to deal with the Millennials seems to me to be as misconstrued as the Millennials are. How is it that NOW we have professionals to teach us how to deal with a problem that should have never been, and the solutions are as coddling as the basic reason for the original problem were? We have generational experts? We have certified reality therapists? I just don’t get overly liberal minded people that just cannot say NO, or THAT’S WRONG! If we as a nation of adults make it our priority to TEACH correctness and life skills from first grade forward, the current state of affairs would never be. When a “child” is 27, and is still confused, it’s too late. Political Correctness, Spiritual Anonymity, NOT Teaching NO RACE but Creating Racial Chaos, and promoting a Void of Proper Physical Normalcy, has left our children without life skills. I think that “older people” say age 40+ are more able to grasp the young world and market it properly for profit than the “young people” are capable of grasping the discipline necessary to still market and profit, yet keep some decorum within great profits. It is possible to be COOL and RICH, but still RESPECTABLE AND CENTERED, even, and I said EVEN if you combine your efforts with a little risqué and skin. Just keep some basic parameters around your boldness, your attitudes, your work ethics, and your common sense! Oh yeah, this article is about how we don’t teach common sense anymore. If you didn’t read the linked article, here are some quotes, and we’ll continue the story from there. I’ll post comments in between… "They wipe out on life as often as they wipe out on work itself," If we taught them early on that life is beautiful, not chaotic, they wouldn’t be wiped out! It’s the PERCEPTION of life that they’ve been taught that leads them to depression, overt restlessness, and failure. "They've been overparented, overindulged and overprotected," They’ve been UNDERparented, overindulged, and OVERprotected. We used to play OUTSIDE for HOURS. Our parents used to tell us to “shake it off” if we weren’t bleeding. A quarter when we were young and $5 when we were older was a great allowance. Our children today are given too much too early, and even I am guilty of that one. My parents though found time to TEACH me powerful things, they made time to point out life situations when I wanted more attention when they were busy paying bills or having “parent” discussions about life things. Later, when they could, they made up for it. They played with me outside, they took me for a drive and showed me something cool, they educated. There is a HUGE difference between TEACHING and EDUCATING, folks that have been educated know that to be a sure truth. If I could ever change anything about my life, it would be that I was not guilty of NOT spending enough time with my children to just show them the mere beauty of any day the sun rises, and WHY? "They get an apartment and a kitty, and they can't cope. Work becomes an ancillary casualty. They're good kids with talent who want to succeed. That's what makes me nuts." Kids who have been paid to be quiet, by parents who were the FIRST generation to be coddled are used to having it all, and when they get out on their own, they cannot imagine anything less. Kids who had nothing because their parents just worked hard and didn’t have much to give are used to seeing their friends have it all, so either way, indulgence is the norm with today’s young people. WE DON’T TEACH THEM HOW TO SAVE, HOW TO BE HAPPY WITH LESS…we paid for it, they had it when young, and they don’t understand the screeching halt to it all when we magically cut them off at age 18-20 something. "You have to be very careful in how you talk to them because they take everything as criticism." That’s because liberal minded people over years taught us to give everyone that plays a trophy. Elementary aged kids who play soccer, baseball, football or other sports are encouraged to NOT keep score, to make it fairer for everyone. After all, parents PAY for these kids to play, therefore ALL KIDS must be given equal playing time and results must be generic. NO, “Ya pays your money, and ya takes your chances.” Parents should better be teaching their youngsters that “it was worth every penny”, “maybe next year you can work on it and be better”, or “maybe that’s not your sport or strong suit, what do you like?” , “Next year, let’s try another activity that you might be better at.” If the child truly loves the thing that they failed at, then work with them, teach them diligence and hard work. If you love it, then pursue it until you succeed at it. Failures and disappointments will come, but if you really love it, then you have to be willing to do whatever it takes to overcome and surpass the negative. Today, it’s commonly taught that it’s not fair to exclude those that fail; it’s only taught that we must include the failed with the accomplished and give them all the same reward. Therefore, where’s the incentive? “He (the principal of that marketing agency) turned to Dallasite Cathie Looney, a nationally known speaker and generational expert, to help him understand this age group, the oldest of whom are 27 and just entering the workforce. All true, says Ms. Looney, a certified reality therapist and retired director of children and family ministry at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church. And many employers are backing away from hiring them because they're so high maintenance. If you want to get the best out of the millennials, you have to invest in them. You have to give them a mentor to teach them how to navigate the adult world," NO, NO, NO…if I own a business and hire people…they should ALREADY have at the very least life skills to “navigate the adult world”. After all, they are ALREADY adults! I’m ALL FOR paying big bucks for additional training, and even on the job training for adults that are learning the skills for a particular job, but LIFE SKILLS… that should have been taken care of by graduation of high school IF OUR SCHOOLS WERE PROPERLY TEACHING OUR KIDS…OR IF OUR PARENTS WERE PROPERLY TEACHING OUR KIDS. If kids are taught by all of us, parents, mentors, and teachers alike about life, then NOBODY COMES OUT HIGH MAINTENANCE! The funny thing about liberal minded professionals is that they contradict themselves continually just to make them appear “proper” on both sides of a fence. They are the experts of CYA (cover your ass). The only things that Cathie Looney (oxymoronic name I think) the “reality specialist” said that is true or that made sense are these quotes… "You have to tell them in black and white what your expectations are for them and what the consequences will be if they don't meet those expectations." Well, in most circumstances, when you are hired for a job, YOU ARE GIVEN a job description. You ARE told what is expected of you, (it’s in the employee handbook that you probably didn’t read). If I’ve ALREADY TOLD you what your job is, and I mention from time to time what you need to do different…and I’ve told you that if you don’t meet the probationary period expectations of 90 days you will be let go, THEN WHY SHOULD I HIRE A FREAKING MENTOR TO TEACH YOU HOW TO NAVIGATE THE ADULT WORLD? “But parents of millennials also turned into agents who worried about building self-esteem. Unfortunately, such coddling can lead to workplace meltdowns, Ms. Looney says. "Healthy, resilient people learn life skills from failure and frustration.” If parents of millennials were so worried about self-esteem, they would have taught them real lessons to avoid the term “needed self-esteem”. Unfortunately, my point is made here… Parents of millennials were also “victims” of liberal coddling that made THEM incapable of teaching their children. Healthy resilient people learn life skills from failure and frustration, however, our current society teaches our children, and even adults (given every program one after another to “help them and supplement them”) that failure and frustration is a thing we don’t talk about, and by God, our “ever concerned” government just won’t allow. Our liberal minded, want everything given to them, or government subsidized “professionals” teach today’s youth …don’t worry if you fail, “we’ll bail you out.” People of more than one generation have been bailed out, accepted, babied, coddled, and paid for, for too long. We are beginning to see the mass results of coddling. The article that started this rant was part 1 of 2. Part 2 lets part 1 slip away in importance, more liberal and way too muckety-muck. However, in fairness, if you want to read it HERE IT IS. Now, (probably nobody has read this far :) these are the other things that happened lately that brought me to write this. This very morning, on every news channel, a huge riot at a Miami, FL high school was dominating the news. It was like “Kids Gone Wild”. DOZENS OF POLICE CARS AND OFFICIALS WERE PRESENT. Helicopters were shooting live video for us all to see and panic over. Every school has fights, or problems, but THIS was like a prison riot. Teenagers were on the rampage, and many were arrested. I went to work, and during normal work, I kept the “live streaming video” minimized on my toolbar and checked it as I worked from time to time. As the day went, I closed it. Tonight, thinking about how this story was making my point about how our youth is uncontrollable sometimes, and if taught better from childhood they wouldn’t be…I was appalled to find that I had a really hard time finding any mention of the story tonight after hours. “They”, “the powers that be” DON’T WANT US TO SEE…in a mere few hours, it’s all swept under the carpet as a non-story. It’s GREAT to panic us in the moment, but as soon as one story is “non-profitable”, a new story of panic and fear takes its place. I managed to find THIS MENTION of it, but even MORE disturbing was the mention that Miami Edison High School just recently CELEBRATED the movement “upward” from being considered an “F” school due to average grades, to a “D” school on average grades. PEOPLE, this isn’t a reason for CELEBRATION, it’s a reason for CONCERN! Another thing I came across was in the line of OVER political correctness. YES, we need to keep our kids from doing TOO MUCH on the “sexual line”. We should NOT let our kids exhibit OVERT EXOTIC behavior on campus. DUH, don’t let the kids make out in public, don’t let hormonal puberty stricken pre-adults find their way in public. HENCE, if we taught them correctly from childhood, this would be a NON-POINT! Even I, the old chick of 45 once put on a skit in a talent show with my friends (in college) regarding PDA’s (public displays of affection), but in MY DAY, our skit was funny, provocative, but in favor of the establishment, that “some should just get a room”. (It USED to be that the ESTABLISHMENT was RIGHT.) I bet you are expecting me to make some point on high school juniors or seniors aren’t you? NO…MESA ARIZONA made a new school policy PROHIBITING HUGS longer than TWO SECONDS among little JUNIOR HIGH students, at Sheppard Junior High School. Junior High students mind you are of average age from 12-14 years. I’m an adult, and often people I see that I haven’t seen for a while I innocently give a hug to. The OVER political correctness of our liberal society is LITERALLY teaching our kids that NO TOUCHING is allowed. Touching is a vital part of learning human kindness, or human involvement. Inappropriate touching is bad, but it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that SOME TOUCHING is not only vital, it’s normal! Our biggest problem in our schools is that the adults no longer touch. We don’t hug the kids when they do well or touch our hearts in a special way, and we don’t spank their little butts when they do bad and need to learn. Many times the parents of multi-generational failure don’t, and the “knowledgeable, real adults” at school don’t either. Our kids are being failed on two levels. There is a video in THIS LINK, you should watch it! In Mesa, AZ, Kathy Bariess, the “adult spokesperson” for Sheppard Junior High in the video above is in my opinion part of the problem, not part of the solution. Perhaps she was told to say her spichel, but if I was told to make this “non-problem” a problem, I would decline the interview. We are slowly (30 years or so), but surely being “taught” or “molded” to be generic robotic people. Fear, horror, negative, evil…these are the things we are fed. Our schools don’t promote happiness, flowers, beauty, respect, or honor. All the good things are left by the wayside nowadays; therefore, we are all antsy. It’s just so unnecessary. The ability to say or print “something funny”, that IS FUNNY about ANY OF US, is no longer allowed. Humor, is vastly apart from truth. Jokes ARE FUNNY, when generic. If someone is NOT pointing a specific finger at YOU, then categorical jokes of any person, race, creed, hair color, or ANYTHING can be funny. The skin in this country has become FAR TOO THIN! People of the liberal mind like to poke, but JUST CANNOT FATHOM IT, if the poke comes back. We don’t teach funny, we don’t teach happy, we don’t teach natural progression of life with proper control. It’s all become about TOTAL CONTROL of our lives with the fear of being sued, or offended, or “dis-enfranchised”, or “dis-abled”, or “dis-apportionate”, or DIS-SOMETHING! What about PRO or PER? What about PROper? What about PERfect? What about PROfessional? What about PER-child (making sure each American child is taught)? What about PROvidence (divine guidance)? What about PER-diem (by the day for each day)? Let’s do our children a favor. Let’s go BACK a few generations and TEACH our children. Let’s bring common sense back to America and be willing to “suffer” the “consequences” to make it happen. We all want it; it’s just that hardly anyone old enough to make it happen remembers how.

Kitchen Oil Fire

What is the proper way to react if you have a pan with oil catch on fire in your kitchen? This 34 second video might save your life :) Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Personal Safety And Protection

The fact that two Reno people, Doug Henry and Brianna Denison are missing, and the fact that a yet unidentified female body was found in tall grass today in Reno, NV keeps it all on our minds that the crazies are out there, and we all have to be very diligent about our personal safety. I recently received a personal e-mail from Chief Dan Trelka of the Sturgeon Bay, WI police department. Chief Trelka has a blog dedicated to Personal Safety and Protection. Dan Trelka has a BA in police science, a BS in criminal justice administration, and an MBA in organizational behavior. He is a graduate of the FBI Academy, a Marine Corp veteran, and has been in law enforcement for over 20 years. His belief is that if his blog saves one life, then it is material published that has served a grand purpose. I encourage you to look it over, and be ever mindful of your own actions and how you run about life. We certainly don’t need to run around scared, we just need to run around smart. Thanks Dan, I appreciate the e-mail and your concern for our community. Some good links on his site are as follows: From The Criminal Date Rape Sex Offender Registries Personal Safety Basics Identity Theft Predator Internet Safety ALWAYS Be Aware of Your Surroundings Personal Safety for Children Personal Safety Gadgets / Tools Helpful Links True Crime Story #1 True Crime Story #2 Safety Articles

Nevada Caucus Explained

Well, I did it. I’m still not sure if I went to a “caucus”, or if I went to my precinct’s designated polling place “to caucus”. I did learn the definition of the word though. Caucus, is a fancy word for cluster*!+%. And, I suppose depending on one’s imagination, the word cluster*!+% could also be considered a noun or a verb, just as the word “caucus” is considered both :) Now, I can only speak for my particular precinct, and those I witnessed around me. I was both surprised and pleased though at the massive turnout. I really thought more would not show up, and who knows what the real election would look like if everyone had to turn up all at the same time, that’s not happened here in over 20 years. I said in my rant of last evening prior to this “voting” day that I would attend this process and that I would report back as fairly and objectively as I could, based on what I viewed from both sides, and how this new experience affected me. If you wish to not read the rest of the story, let me say this to you. DO NOT EVER VOTE FOR CHANGING YOUR STATE’S PROCESS FROM PRIMARY TO CAUCUS. The procedure per say was fairly painless except for the CHAOS. There were more folks at McQueen High School today than I’ve ever seen parked in that lot at a play-off football game when my son played there. Traffic was at a stand still, and lines were long. I’m a patient sort, so I can live through that sort of thing. I was concerned more about what would happen when I actually got inside. By the way, the rumors of locking the doors after 9:05 were false. It would have been impossible. Ya can’t lock the doors when hundreds of folks are still walking through them. So for folks like me that have a real hard time being anywhere at 9:00am, it was OK to be fashionably late. However, I was back in my car and almost home at 10:45. There was more professionalism and organization in the elections we had for student council in high school. I’m not sure if my “precinct’s leader” was pre-designated or ended up like some others that I heard of. Some said that the first few in a precinct that arrived, were chosen as leaders and took it from there. By the time I got to my special place, the leader had begun and was struggling along like the rest of us. I kid you not, while this photo is not of my leader, it was another precinct meeting in the same place. I saw a LOT of “leaders” and “co-leaders” reading the rules as they went along. So was it in my precinct. Our precinct though got some of it backwards, but to no harm I suppose of the outcome of the whole process. My group fell into the high school cafeteria space. I don’t know the exact number, but I would say probably nine or so precincts were assigned to the cafeteria. Some poor soul from each precinct was holding up a white piece of paper with the precinct number on it…for a LONG TIME. These poor people had aches and pains and burns in their bodies from holding the signs up so long, people had to take turns. If you did not bring your “invitation card” with you, and did not know your precinct number, you were pretty well screwed. There were so many people in this cafeteria that you could not stand without physically touching someone on all four sides of your body. It was about 35* here this morning, so everyone also had on coats and scarves. It got hot really quickly, and folks prone to irritability with a lack of patience were very irritated and impatient. If you had to find your precinct, it was a mission of trial and error to walk through the crowd to find each leader of each precinct and see if your name was on the list. Many not healthy enough to stand in a heavy crowd, or too disgusted to deal with it just left. But as more left, more came in. It was an astronomical impossibility to keep track of the people. The caucus leader had a packet. His packet was a 12”x14” envelope in which held the rules to caucus, “ballots”, and delegate & “chairman” forms. He also had a white 8”x10” envelope, in which to hold the completed ballots. However, they were not called ballots, they were called Nevada GOP Presidential Preference Poll Ballots. How do I have this photo? Well, they were left laying around on the tables at the end, so I took one, knowing that at least one of them would not be used for ill intent. Who knows about the others. The leaders’ white envelopes were not even the kind that licked and sticked, he merely was given a large paper clip to place over the flap when we were done. Our particular precinct ended up unfortunately at the back of the cafeteria by the door. We got caught by all the traffic rushing by to try and get to their place. I think we were all so baffled by the process, we just tried to do it right. There wasn’t much “talk” or “caucusing” going on with us. All of us came there knowing who we were going to vote for, so there weren’t many “speeches”. I did see other precincts though really getting into that process, where when asked, several wanted to speak about why they believed in their candidate of choice. I doubt anybody came there so undecided that some “Joe Blow’s” speech changed their minds one way or another. However, I listened to some of them, and it was intriguing, and a good experience. It’s amazing how some average folks can be really well spoken when put on the spot. Basically though, all anybody wanted to do was fill out the ballot and go. No one knew what to do after they spent their one second to check the box next to their candidate. We had one really knowledgeable lady in our precinct named Victoria (she rightfully got nominated for the TWO year position of “chairperson” of our precinct) that took the bull by the horns. She went among other precincts and finally found someone “in the know”, and an announcement was made to all precincts that if you did not want to be involved in the delegate election and chair election following, you WERE ALLOWED to just fill out your “Presidential Preference Poll” and go. Boy, did the place clear out FAST! You should have seen the mass movement of humans like scurrying cockroaches slithering toward the one door. It was a blessing though, at last some breathable air and room to actually move or sit for some. I wasn’t about to leave. As I saw all the people leaving, I saw the various little white envelopes of the “leaders” lying about while they were reading the rules to see what to do next. I saw some folks just so happy to get out of the crowd, they just stuck their ballots in whatever white envelope they passed first. So, some precincts got a couple of extra ballots in them, and since we didn’t sign them, they were only numbered…no one will ever be the wiser. Who knows what happens to little white envelopes when several hundred people leave in a two minute mass exodus? But my leader did a great job. He was well spoken, and kind, and distinguished looking. He had a tam hat on, a suit…the cashmere jacket look, and a black mustache and beard. He looked just like a college professor, and made us all feel “safe”. I stayed, I wanted to see what this caucus stuff was all about…after all…I got up EARLY on Saturday morning, so I was going to stick it out. Our fearless leader referred back to his neon green or yellow rule sheet that was double side printed. He read verbatim from it and we all listened. There were maybe 20 or so of us left, maybe more. The rule sheet said that our precinct must elect delegates. Delegates? What delegates? What does a delegate have to do? No one knew. The only thing we knew for sure is that the chosen delegates must attend the Washoe County Republican Convention on Saturday, March 15th, 2008. The opinion is, that when the ballots are counted from our precinct, that the eight delegates our precinct is allowed (that’s a lot, some get one or two) will go to the convention to represent the people on the candidate chosen. I raised my hand. Only eight of us raised our hand. So, the leader read from the rules that one is allowed to nominate and vote for themselves, so if we are allowed eight, and eight jumped in, then if we all vote for ourselves, we’re done! So I nominated and voted for myself and won a delegate position at the county convention on March 15th. I asked if I would vote on behalf of the precinct on who actually won, or would, say the top three get a delegate or two, or do the delegates go to the next convention and vote for the candidate of their personal choice? No one knew. I filled out my official delegate form, with my phone number, address, and e-mail address. I Googled it, Google doesn’t know either. However, I do know that I believe in our democratic system, and even when it’s less than perfect, somebody needs to represent the people honestly. That’s why I raised my hand. I will be notified by an official person as to what my delegate duties are. Whatever the Republican Party of Nevada sets forth as rules, I will follow them 100%. I was hanging around looking at the leader’s white envelope mostly to see if we get to break out the ballots and see who won. Usually when you vote, you just leave. A machine counts them. But in the old days, people actually sat together and counted paper ballots…I was hoping to get to do that once, since we were all told that “caucusing” was much more personal, like an old town hall meeting. I’m good at that sort of thing, I’ve been involved in lots of paper vote elections on small scale. I was told that we DON’T count them. They would be delivered to the appropriate place, and I saw the paper, that’s what it said. The idea is that when the county convention comes, then a few less delegates are elected to travel to the State convention. Then, a few less are elected to represent Nevada at the National Convention. I’m sure my caucus experience will end at the County convention, however it would be so interesting to keep on and see how the end result works. At age 45, I’d like to see it through, but I’m sure at next levels, people more in the know and much more into the process will prevail. Hopefully in the mean time I will gain more knowledge and will be contacted by all involved. I will do the best I can to represent my precinct and neighborhood. I believe that the guy that was my leader is a good guy. But, how do we really know that what “somebody” tells us is the real deal? We did not sit together and determine the real winner for our own precinct. We did not “touch” the little white envelope. I have to rely on the fact that some really “seemingly” nice guy, and gal that helped him are honest and above board. They seemed to be, but how do you know when you meet a stranger in a suit? He could have thrown the white envelope out the window of his car and went to IHOP for breakfast, we’d never know. There are big gaps in the Nevada GOP caucus process. I did not vote for the man that won today. However, he was my second choice. But what is most important to me is the knowledge that I have gained so far. There are no laws that I have been given notice of governing a caucus. I’ve heard that delegates are not legally bound to vote for the person they originally represented in the caucus. The doors are wide open for “Tom-Foolery”. However, it is what it is, and what’s done is done. Even if my precinct voted for a man that I despised, as a delegate if required to, I would represent the people. That is the true meaning of a democracy. People vote. You have to be OK with losing the same way you have to be OK with winning. Good luck to the GOP. Some may not like the story that follows, but I just had an in depth conversation with one of my Democratic employees, and BOY…DID HE HAVE A DIFFERENT STORY OF HIS CAUCUS EXPERIENCE. If my caucus would have gone like his, I might have an entirely different opinion of the whole caucus process. I'm not the only one that found the caucus difficult. See these links... Reno Gazette Journal KOLO TV Channel 8 REPUBLICANS…PLEASE GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER SO THAT I DON’T HAVE TO WRITE ANOTHER STORY GIVING THE LIBS CREDIT! I am what I am, but I will not be silent when the opposition deserves credit. Read on my friends. Perhaps the Democrats in Nevada didn’t derive cluster*!+% from their day at caucus. Thanks to the Reno Gazette Journal for the photos I got from their site.

Star Spangled Banner Explained

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books Did you ever wonder how Francis Scott Key was inspired, and how he came to write the Star Spangled Banner which is our national anthem? I've got a very inspirational and educational audio file about 11 minutes long that will clue you in to the exact meaning of all the words of the song, and how Francis Scott Key came to write it. I did not know all the things found in this great little piece, and with the story set to moving music, it made the hair raise on my arms to listen to this great piece of history. I couldn't figure out how to embed an 11 minute file into a post, so I've included this wonderment on my right side bar in the "COOL FILES" box. Feel free to download it, takes mere seconds...and enjoy and share with all your contacts. There are some other really cool files in that box too, help yourself to each and every one :) All files have been virus checked and verified :)

The Great Global Warming Swindle

A big "Thank You" to Don for turning me on to this little beauty. There is a great British documentary out titled "The Great Global Warming Swindle". I prefer to call it the Real Convenient Truth :) Click on the title to watch the movie, a little over an hour. Good stuff Don, and thanks for being a reader :) Contact your conservative friends, radio hosts, politicians, etc. and pay this movie forward. It's important that everyone has all sides of this issue at hand.

People To People - European Discovery

One event at a time our busy summer is beginning to unfold. The boys had their birthday, graduation came and went, and we have “junior” all registered for college. Next…the big trip. Quaid will have his second journey with People to People in less than a week. Not your average “senior trip”, but for him I am both proud and extremely jealous! Tonight was the official “send off” party and pinning ceremony. The kids are all giddy and anxious to board the plane. About 35 students are in my son’s delegation. The photo above was taken on Quaid’s “junior” trip with People to People on the Gateways to China trip. How many 17 year old kids actually have a picture of themselves climbing up an ancient brick stairwell at the Great Wall of China? I like to publish the entire itenerary not only to brag on my son’s accomplishments, but again to encourage ANY PARENTS OF MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL AGE STUDENTS to look into this magnificent program and get your children into it. As a legacy to Dwight Eisenhower’s vision of world peace, thousands of students each year explore the USA and the GLOBE to further that vision. Save your money, and get your children involved. It’s an amazing program and a life changing opportunity. Even after high school graduation, People to People alumni still travel the world. I won’t lie to you though, it’s an expense of about $5500 per trip…but students are encouraged to hold fundraisers, and in larger families where relatives and friends can contribute, it’s possible…and WORTH ANY EFFORT :) PEOPLE TO PEOPLE 2007 – EUROPEAN DISCOVERY DAY 1 - Travel: Greet your fellow Ambassadors in your departure city before boarding your international flight to France! (This year at 4:00am at the airport) DAY 2 – Paris, France: Bonjour et Bienvenue en France! Upon arrival in Paris, known as the “City of Light,” your People to People delegation manager and coach driver will greet you. For a dazzling first impression of Paris, the best place to go is up! Take the elevator to the top of the Eiffel Tower (899 feet), built for the 1889 World’s Fair to commemorate the French Revolution. This evening, journal your first impressions of France. DAY 3 – Paris France: Set out with your French guide for an orientation of the city Ernest Hemingway called “a moveable feast,” because “wherever you go for the rest of your life, Paris stays with you.” Marvel at the white Basilique du Sacré Coeur. Did you know that the dome is the second highest point in Paris? Experience one of the most unforgettable places in Europe, the Notre Dame Cathedral, a building that took two centuries to complete. Point Zéro, the spot from which all road distances are measured in France, is found in the courtyard in front of Notre Dame. Afterwards, enjoy the Opéra Quarter, where cafés and shops line the grand boulevards. Explore this vibrant area in small groups. Later visit the historic Montmartre area, a haven for artists and writers before WWI. Take some time to discover this area’s hidden treasures in small groups. This afternoon, enjoy a guided exploration of one of the most important art collections in the world, the famous Musée du Louvre. Since it would take at least three weeks to see all the wonderful treasures held inside, you will visit only the principal parts of the museum—including a look at Leonardo Da Vinci’s masterpiece, Mona Lisa! Afterwards, have a rockin’ and rollin’ good time at the Hard Rock Café, amidst its fascinating collection of music memorabilia. DAY 4 – Reims, France: In the morning you will have the opportunity to visit the UNESCO, which is a specialized agency of the United Nations established in 1945. Its purpose is to contribute to peace and security by promoting international collaboration through education, science, and culture in order to further universal respect for justice, the rule of law, and the human rights and fundamental freedoms proclaimed in the UN Charter .Later you will explore the magnificent Château de Versailles. Built during the reign of Louis XIV, the Sun King, it was the seat of the royal court from 1682 to 1789, when the French Revolution put an end to the monarchy. Au revoir Paris! Journey to Reims, where you will spend the night. DAY 5 – Strasbourg, France: Today, cross the rolling plains of the Northeast, an area well known for some of France’s finest landscapes. The region of Champagne is also famous for its fine wines. Alsace and Lorraine, regions containing many charming medieval towns, have changed nationality four times since 1871, as Germany and France have fought over the border. Later, explore Strasbourg with your delegation. DAY 6 – Zurich, Switzerland: On the way to Zurich, make a stop in the medieval city of Lucerne, in the heart of Switzerland. For lunch today you will be divided into four smaller groups to buy part of the lunch for the entire group (money will be provided for this activity). Find local shops, decide what to buy, and communicate with the shopkeepers, who may not speak any English! Afterwards, stroll along the picturesque Kapellbrücke, the wooden bridge spanning Lake Lucerne, and have a look at the Lion Monument, dedicated to the Swiss soldiers who died in the French Revolution (1792). Take the opportunity to buy some famous Swiss chocolate for your friends and family back home! Explore downtown Zurich, Switzerland’s most populous city. The Old Town boasts many charming shops, and the lakeside setting can’t be beat! Along the way, see how many of Zurich’s 1,030 fountains you can spot. DAY 7 – Home Stay Germany: STOP THE PRESSES! (The original plan was to stay in a hostel in Austria…but just tonight at the pinning ceremony, there was a surprise announcement that AN EXTRA COUNTRY had been added to the trip…and yes…home stay with an actual family in GERMANY!) Innsbruck (“Bridge over the Inn River”), the capital of the region of Tyrol, and home of the 1964 and 1976 Winter Olympics will be your next destination. Enjoy lunch at the “Villa Blanka” in Innsbruck, where you try your hand at baking your own dessert–the famous Austrian Apfelstrudel! In the evening, meet your Home Stay family near Munich, Germany and get to experience life in Europe. Be ready to try new things! DAY 8 – Home Stay Germany: Spend the day with your Home Stay family, learning about German home life. DAY 9 – Home Stay Germany: Your Home Stay continues with a chance to live everyday life in Germany and meet the locals. This is your opportunity to make lifelong friends! Remember to thank your Home Stay family as this will be your last night with them. Write a thank you note and leave it with them, or mail it right away. Don’t forget to exchange address information so you can keep in touch! (The kids also bring a gift to the home family that represents photos and life from the city in America in which they represent) DAY 10 – Salzburg, Austria: Early today you will journey to Hallein, where you will visit the famous salt mines. Go deep into a mysterious underground world, as you ride a mine trolley or swish on wooden slides into the heart of the mountain. Continue your drive through scenic Austria to Salzburg, the city of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, one of the world’s greatest composers. This afternoon you have the opportunity to investigate Salzburg and uncover its many treasures. Stop at the strange and ingenious Hellbrunn water castle, where trick fountains and water-powered figures have been attracting visitors for four hundred years. Expect to get wet! DAY 11 – Vienna, Austria: Continue your journey to Mauthausen, where you will experience a darker aspect of European history when you visit the infamous Mauthausen concentration camp. Here you will have the chance to learn about the true nature of these camps as you delve into Mauthausen’s terrible past. Later, travel to Vienna and enjoy the Prater Amusement Park, where James Bond had an adventurous ride on the giant Riesenrad (the second largest Ferris wheel in the world) in 1987’s “The Living Daylights.” If you want to ride the giant Ferris wheel or any other rides, you will need to bring your own spending money. Most rides are approximately EURO 5.00. DAY 12 – Vienna, Austria: Explore Vienna, taking in many of the famous sights as you pedal your way through this bicycle-friendly city. Later you will meet and take part in a discussion with a survivor of a concentration camp. This is a unique opportunity and a true honor for Student Ambassadors. This evening, attend a concert at one of the famous concert houses of Vienna. Remember, the concert calls for conservative dress, please. DAY 13 – Sirnitz, Austria: After breakfast, depart for the small castle town of Friesach, once important for its key location on the Venice-Vienna trade route. Enjoy a rousing medieval lunch at the Strassburg Castle, followed by a formal welcome by the residents and town officials of Sirnitz. There will also be a pool party, so don’t forget to bring your swimsuit. DAY 14 – Jesolo, Italy: Before leaving Austria, stop to visit a mill and farm. Work with the local residents to gather all the necessary ingredients to make your own lunch. Afterwards, continue on to Italy. Bon Giorno e Benvenuto in Italia! This afternoon enjoy the atmosphere of a typical Italian beach town including a swim in the Adriatic Sea. DAY 15 – Venice, Italy: If any city in the world can be described as unique, it’s Venice, the one-time gateway to the Orient. Winding through the heart of the city is the Grand Canal, which remains, in the words of a French Ambassador of 1495, “the most beautiful street in the world.” Spend the morning exploring the bustling alleys, quaint bridges and narrow canals of Venice. Why not enjoy one of life’s great pleasures and take a ride in a gondola? If there is one thing Venice is famous for—besides gondolas—it’s glass. Watch a demonstration of Venetian glass blowing in the glass factory, Veccia Murano. Here you will also have an opportunity to buy some wonderful souvenirs for your family. In the afternoon, enjoy some time to investigate the city. DAY 16 – Montecatini, Italy: Leave Venice this morning and travel through the Tuscan countryside to one of the most culturally rich cities in the world: Firenze (Florence). When you arrive, you will meet your Italian guide for an overview of the colorful history of Florence and take a walk through the city center. The Duomo, the famous symbol of Florence, is the tallest building in the city and the fourth largest cathedral in Europe. Look for the bronze doors to the Baptistery known as the “Gate of Paradise.” Then pay a visit to the Accademia Gallery, which houses Michelangelo’s colossal statue, David. Leave Florence and continue your drive through the Tuscan countryside to Montecatini, where you’ll spend the night. DAY 17 – Rome, Italy: See one of the most famous buildings in Europe when you travel to Pisa, whose powerful navy once dominated the Mediterranean. Discover the Square of Miracles, where you’ll see some of the best examples of Romanesque architecture in Italy, including the Leaning Tower. Begun in 1173, the Tower started to tilt even before the third level was finished in 1274; it was finally completed in 1350. Later you will travel to your last stop, the Eternal City of Rome! DAY 18 – Rome, Italy: Discover the sights and sounds of Rome! Pay a visit to the Roman Forum and the Coliseum. The afternoon’s activities include an exploration of the city center. Your group will be divided into teams and you’ll compete against each other to collect information about the Piazza Navona, the Pantheon, the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain. Don’t forget to bring your coins; tossing a coin in the fountain will grant your wish to return to Roma! DAY 19 – Rome, Italy: This morning, you will have a special visit to the world famous “Christian Catacombs of San Callisto”. Learn more about the important meaning of Rome’s history and about the Catacombs .Visit the capital of Catholicism and the world’s smallest state, the Vatican. Marvel at St. Peter’s Basilica, which contains hundreds of works of art, including Michelangelo’s glorious Pietà. Just off the basilica, you’ll find the Sistine chapel, containing what are perhaps the most amazing frescoes in the world. This afternoon you will meet with a priest who will speak about Catholicism in Italy, and the organization of the Vatican or with a nun who will explain what life is like for a nun in a Roman convent. Remember: There is a strict dress code at the Vatican. Girls must cover their shoulders and knees. Long skirts or pants are appropriate. For boys, short-sleeved shirts are okay, but no shorts, please. Sandals are fine for either. You may be asked to leave or be denied entrance if you don’t follow these guidelines. DAY 20 – Go Home: Pack up your suitcase for the last time and board the coach for the airport. Remember to complete your program evaluations and exchange friendship cards with your fellow Ambassadors! Arrivederci, Italia! Goodbye, Europe! There are other amazements not mentioned in the itinerary. Shopping at Louis’ Veton, and Armani for example…the original stores actually in Italy. People, do your kids a favor…get them in this program. If I would have known about People to People six mere years before I did…BOTH MY CHILDREN could have just about seen the entire world by now…(of course I’d be living in a tent somewhere eating potted meat and Top Ramen…but hey…for that experience for them…gladly sacrificed!) All I know is…if I come back in a next life…I want to come back as a People to People Student Ambassador! Viva La France kiddo!