tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25597197889421411262018-03-07T10:42:23.828-08:00DASTeaPartyNemahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13078298123387407311noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2559719788942141126.post-50599424159622788882011-10-27T16:47:00.000-07:002011-10-27T16:47:48.569-07:00Occupy?Like a lot of people, I have been following the occupy movement in the last month. While I agree and support anyone's right to peacefully assemble and to exercise free speech, I am against breaking laws that protect all of us from public health issues and decency. There is such a thing as civil disobedience but what I see as the problem is those who have "camped" in parks that are not equipped for camping. There are no fire pits, restrooms (in some of them), some even have no picnic benches.<br />The local authorities, in their eagerness to appease the protestors, have put themselves and their communities in an awkward and dangerous positions. Having not set any boundaries, they now reap the consequences. The ecology of some of these parks is either ruined or seriously damaged and will take thousands of dollars to repair, for one thing. The health risks of urination and defecation are huge: exposing all who camp there, other animals, present possibilities of horrid infection in even the simplest wound. At the very least, why were no portable toilets provided? Seems to me that would have been a cheap early solution.<br />Had the city officials set boundaries at the very onset of the protests, I highly doubt that the events in Oakland and other places would have happened. Camping in the parks should have been dealt with immediately. The protestors could be there from 6 a.m. (when most opened) and then left at 10 p.m. (when most closed). What is wrong with that? Since they would be there long hours, portable toilets should have been provided. At least 4 for large crowds. I read where one park provided two for over a thousand protestors. That is not a workable solution and invites people taking care of "nature calls" where they could (local shops, residents nearby or the park itself). I would like to believe that the protestors who resorted to urinating and defecating in the park on the grass would have preferred not to do so.<br />The protestors who provided food/meals had to have known that the homeless would take advantage of the free food. If they (the protestors) didn't want to share, it would be up to them to police the area and ask those "mooching" to leave, I would think. I just think that both the city officials and the protestors could have taken reasonable measures to ensure that violent clashes didn't happen. Instead, some city officials just made supportive statements and then when things got ugly, other citizens complained and general disturbances among the protestors occurred, the city officials reacted with too strong a police presence. I would hope that both sides have learned some lessons here and the protests can take a different direction and mood and the city officials can make the boundaries crystal clear and stand by those boundaries.Nemahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13078298123387407311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2559719788942141126.post-36419105687271562592011-03-31T21:37:00.000-07:002011-03-31T21:59:00.020-07:00Battered Spouse SyndromeOnce again, I seem unable to believe my ears and eyes at the logic and thinking of progressives. I don't know if it was this morning or yesterday morning, but Matt Lauer interviewed Michele Bachmann with regards to the President's actions in sending our military resources to Libya, supposedly to join in with NATO troops. He made this decision unilaterally and, to make matters worse, he was out of the country! So Matt Lauer starts in with Senator Bachmann and, well, you just have to see it:<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/BOjj9gvntWc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br />I could NOT believe my ears!! For some reason I cannot fathom, liberals/progressives think that if we are just nice enough, kind enough, give in enough that our enemies will like us. This is a battered wife syndrome. Having worked in family law for over 20 years, I saw a lot of this syndrome and here is what I saw: a wife gets beaten and the husband tells her it is her fault he hit her. Oh, he apologizes for hitting her, of course....maybe even brings her flowers and/or candy but it is STILL her fault. Besides physical abuse, the batterer verbally and emotionally abuses his/her victim (yes, men are abused too - you just don't hear about it as much due to the feminist movement).<div>The victim convinces herself/himself that if his/her behavior is perfect, the house immaculate, the children quiet and obedient, etc., the batterer won't abuse him/her. So Matt Lauer suggests that IF al-Qaeda is involved with the rebels in Libya, then maybe our helping will help them see how nice we are? Seriously? No, they won't! Unless we convert to their religion, live under Sharia law, we are infidels and only worthy of death. Why won't folks get that? We can give them money, allow them to treat us badly, and our allies badly, but it will not make a difference. We either convert or die. That simple.</div><div>It is a very good question that we need to be asking: who ARE the people rebelling in the streets of Libya? Who is their leader? What are their goals? Who is helping them? Iran? Saudi Arabia? The U.S. cannot jump into every nation's problems. If we are there for "humanitarian reasons", then why did we not help Syria over the weekend? There are atrocities happening all over the world by governments but, truthfully, it is none of our business. It is unconstitutional and on top of it all, we can NOT afford another war!! Our troops who are in places all over the world need to come home and protect our borders not risk their lives for someone else's battle. Innocent citizens are murdered and maimed in this conflict too; just like in Iraq and Afghanistan. </div><div>Mr. Obama's campaign promises were that, if he were elected president, he would pull our troops from Iraq and Afghanistan in his first year of office. He has not done this. Moreover, he has increased the military presence in Afghanistan! </div><div>I am praying that when Congress meets again that the House demand that our troops and military assistance be pulled out and, if Mr. Obama refuses, that Dennis Kuchinich make a motion for impeachment. Mr. Obama is not King Obama and he needs to be reminded of that. </div>Nemahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13078298123387407311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2559719788942141126.post-73136274505259969902011-03-30T20:29:00.000-07:002011-03-30T20:34:11.446-07:00Another war?It has been a while (again) since I have posted here but it was not for lack of topics! There is so much going on in the world and here in our own nation that one knows not where to start. This evening I viewed a You Tube video that I think all of you should listen to and pass on to your friends. Senator Rand Paul (KY) brings up some valid arguments and gives us important items to consider.<div><br /></div><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/UrrV_Txg47Q" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br /><div>The United States cannot afford, first of all, another war. More importantly, sending our military resources to Libya is unconstitutional and our president knows this! I can't really add more to this video without just repeating what he said here. I urge you to pass this video on.</div><div>Thanks for reading.</div>Nemahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13078298123387407311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2559719788942141126.post-81880069885675002282011-01-17T17:07:00.000-08:002011-01-17T17:22:40.058-08:00RhetoricIt has been far too long since I have posted in my blog here and I intend to be better at it with the new year. I titled this post "Rhetoric" because that seems to be all we are hearing on the main-stream media and liberal/progressive blogs and sites. You have to know that things are out of control when a fellow citizen is threatened with death because of his/her political opinions.<br />What happened to civil discourse? What happened to "agreeing that we disagree"? Instead of factual, valid arguments, people resort to name-calling, personal attacks and threats of violence, up to and including death! <br />We are not all going to agree on anything. That is a broad statement but you know it is true. I can say that the sky is blue and there will be someone, somewhere who'll say it is not quite blue but teal or pink or whatever. That is fine! We are ALL entitled to our opinions. However we are not all entitled to disagree and then brutalize the person we disagree with. We will not accomplish a thing but further division and, most importantly, that division will rip this country apart.<br />It has already started with the race card being pulled any time a person of color has someone who disagrees with him/her. "You just don't like what I said because I am black, brown, yellow (or whatever!)". How about responding to the disagreement rather than starting down that road? My skin color should have no bearing in an argument or disagreement about political opinions. <br />Stop and think before you attack someone who disagrees with you. Why are you not coming back with a reasoned argument? Is it because you don't have one or need to think about it? Well, that is fine - you can just say that, can't you? "I am not sure I agree with you but let me think about it" is absolutely an intelligent and appropriate reply but calling the person vile names, using foul language, accusing the person of some ill intention by the statement made is not the way to get your point across at all!<br />I totally understand that it is very easy to get defensive when you are seemingly attacked but as I told my kids when they were growing up, "it takes two to make an argument" and how are we to improve our relationships and our nation by throwing around the negative stuff?<br />Think about it.Nemahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13078298123387407311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2559719788942141126.post-11368579539722335492010-09-23T22:53:00.001-07:002010-09-23T22:53:49.960-07:00We the PeopleFolks, you must see this <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVAhr4hZDJE">video</a> and pass it on to everyone you know. Thank you.Nemahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13078298123387407311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2559719788942141126.post-49634993554562489852010-09-19T22:22:00.000-07:002010-09-19T22:24:54.871-07:00Ten-day GiveLast year I was part of a challenge with Christian Personal Finance called the Ten-Day Give. It is really very simple - give something (money, time, items, etc.) to others every day for ten days. Ask the Lord to give you discernment on who the recipients are. I found that it was an exciting time and I felt really blessed to do this. Click on the link below to find out more:<div><a href="http://christianpf.com/10daygive"><img src="http://christianpersonalfinance.com/images/10daygive01.png" /></a><br /></div>Nemahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13078298123387407311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2559719788942141126.post-85488652388780000682010-08-14T22:07:00.001-07:002010-08-14T22:15:30.991-07:00Proposition 8I am a Californian and I voted FOR the measure but, as time has gone on, I am increasingly aware that this proposition should NEVER had been on the ballot. <br />First of all, there is nothing in the U. S. Constitution about marriage (or abortion, for that matter). The framers of this document knew that the only way to procreate was for a man and a woman to "make a baby". It was a given fact, both socially and especially physically. The entire issue is unconstitutional!<br />Secondly, once again progressives want to mandate morals or the lack there of. As with abortion, the idea of "gay marriage" (an oxymoron if I ever heard one!) can't be a legal issue. I wonder why those who were and are against abortions are not some name like those who believe marriage should be between a man and woman? We hate women because we think abortion is murder? I mean, think about it. We are called bigots and homophobes because we believe that marriage is physically, socially and morally designed to be male/female. I don't quite understand how "they" come up with the names either. <br />I am not "afraid" of homosexual men and women. I have worked and lived in the California Bay Area for over 30 years where we have a community of homosexuals, blacks, Latinos, Asians, and on and on. I never gave the homosexuals any more thought than the rest of them. That doesn't mean I condone their behavior; their CHOICE of lifestyle. I don't understand the bigot label either. How is it bigoted to want to keep private stuff private? How is it bigoted to ask homosexuals to treat me as they would want to be treated? To respect my views and beliefs? <br />I truly resent that their agenda includes forcing their private sexual life into every part of life today. They push their sex life to the kids, on television, on radio, in the movies. They have outrageous parades that disgust any person who chooses to keep their sex life private. Yes, I know that all homosexuals do not act the way we see on the news. The main-stream media has to sensationalize everything so we will watch their network. I understand that. But I have been in public places and I don't like to see groping, french-kissing, humping between ANY couples. It is inappropriate and immodest. Keep it in the bedroom, okay? That goes for everybody!<br />If heterosexuals had behaved (or even now do) in public this way even 15 years ago, we would have been arrested for indecent exposure and/or lewd and lascivious behavior. Yet, we are supposed to think it is acceptable that the homosexuals act this way; print pamphlets for our children so they know how to "do it".<br />None of this should be public: your sex life or mine!! Certainly it should not be a reason for violence, threats, name-calling, etc.<br />As I said at the beginning, this issue should not have had to even be brought to the voters. Not just once but twice? This issue should not have been set aside by an activist judge who has his own agenda either. <br />I can only pray that this nation REPENT of its debauchery before we completely fall apart.Nemahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13078298123387407311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2559719788942141126.post-10105675480957933092010-07-29T22:30:00.001-07:002010-07-29T22:30:28.830-07:00FearI haven't posted here in a long time but feel I need to start doing it more. First, I want to talk about Arizona.<br />To set the tone here, let me tell you that I took 5 years of Spanish in high school and college. I lived in San Diego while in college and had the chance to talk with professionals from Tia Juana. I not only learned the language but studied the culture, particularly books. I read Don Quixote in Spanish a long time ago for sure but the point I am making is that I have no enmity towards Latinos whatsoever. I am not a racist nor am I afraid of Latinos as is the typical accusation.<br />My beef, if you will, is that if you want to come here to live and work, then come in the front door not like a thief in the night! Yes, I know it is hard to do and takes too much time and as far as I am concerned, that is what must change in our current immigration system. You are not going to get my respect or sympathy by coming here illegally. I'll be the first one to support you if you are here legitimately!<br />Our federal government and many of our states are not protecting its citizens. Yes, I know that most of you who come just want to work and make a better life for yourselves. However, there are some of you who are here to murder, rape, steal and generally do whatever law breaking you can do. We currently have an invasion and those in authority are NOT protecting us! How do we know who is who coming across the border? Friend/foe/terrorist? We don't know. The drug cartels are killing each other and us by just being in the area! Do you see why we must first enforce the laws we have then work on a truly comprehensive immigration program? Stop the invasion, Obama and Holder. OBEY the laws! Kudos to Jan Brewer and Sheriff Araipo! I support Arizona and I beg you Latinos to do the right thing. Nemahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13078298123387407311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2559719788942141126.post-36584102782342324842010-05-16T15:37:00.001-07:002010-05-16T15:38:00.823-07:00See this video!We need to get this guy out of the DOJ - he reads newspaper opinions and the hype of the MSM and has concerns? He should just hush!<br /><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5U4tI_qzyH0&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xd0d0d0&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/5U4tI_qzyH0&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xd0d0d0&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>Nemahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13078298123387407311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2559719788942141126.post-14306107702605429172010-04-12T16:02:00.000-07:002010-04-12T16:05:34.228-07:00Unsubstantiated Email Forwarding<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We have all received emails that warn us to share the email with everyone on our email address book since it is vital that the information get to everyone, right? I have a friend who has stopped sending these to me because 100% of the ones she has sent me were hoaxes and I would provide her with the link on Snopes or Truth or Fiction that stated so. She said she "didn't have time" to check these things out that she received so instead she just forwards them on.</span><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I couldn't put my finger on what the hoax emails trouble me so much. In her case, she knows nothing about computers really and I don't expect her to understand that forwarding false information makes her look bad. But it was more than that that troubled me about it and I had to think about it and pray about it before I got understanding. Most of the emails that I am talking about have to do with government, our president, that sort of thing....in other words about people. To me, it is passing a rumor and, even worse, a false one.</span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The progressives already point their fingers at us for being "extremist", "racist", "tin hat jobs", etc. When we pass on hoaxes, this just adds to their derision of us. Further, it makes us guilty of passing on lies and the Bible is quite clear in the Ten Commandments that bearing false witness is a big no-no to our Lord.</span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I recently received an email from a gal in one of my graphics groups that was a complete fabrication that only a tiny kernel of truth in it. Our president had said one thing and whoever started the rumor made a huge thing out of it about the military having to get their own medical insurance that simply wasn't true, If anyone would like the link on Truth of Fiction, please email me.</span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Reading the email would outrage all of us here but it isn't true and to continue to pass it is passing on not just a false rumor but a lie. Folks, we need to appear rational and show the world out there, particularly progressives, that we are not taken in by these false rumors and do the responsible thing and that is check out the information! It literally takes 30 seconds to do it. Simply type in the first few words of the email and do a search, the truth will be revealed! You have the choice to either reply to the sender that it is isn't true and provide the link or just not forward on the email to anyone else. But, please, DO check, verify and be a responsible netizen and Christian Conservative and not forward on false rumors/lies. Remember that is what they are: LIES! Our Lord tells us not to bear false witness or to speak idle chatter.</span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Yes, there are things we need to share that are terribly important that we take action on but let's not be sidetracked by these hoax emails but do our job of seeking truth here on the internet. It is everywhere if you choose to find it. The truth that is verifiable is bad enough without our adding lies to the mix. Let us show the progressives and citizens out there we walk a higher line and seek limited government, righteousness, truth, holiness and government that is not corrupt but serves "we the people". Thanks for reading.</span></div></span>Nemahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13078298123387407311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2559719788942141126.post-90526615201069743172010-01-27T23:22:00.001-08:002010-01-27T23:25:19.712-08:00State of the RepublicI highly recommend viewing Ron Paul's State of the Republic <a href="http://dailypaul.com/node/122355">speech</a>. Then share it on your blogs, in your Tea Party groups, everywhere! If this nation is going to remain free and if our economy is to be turned around, we MUST all do what it takes. Some of Dr. Paul's predictions are depressing and dire but he does offer some positive changes we can make but it will take every one of us hounding our Congress people to do the right thing!Nemahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13078298123387407311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2559719788942141126.post-91575040852724663402009-12-19T21:04:00.001-08:002009-12-19T21:04:11.695-08:00Open LetterThis is an open letter to Senators Boxer and Feinstein and Congressman McNerney. I will send these individually to them too.<br />I wrote all three of you many, many times regarding the health care bill that you recently approved. You, once again, completely ignored not only me, but millions of others. As far as I am concerned, you think you are elitists and work for the president and not we, the people!<br />You are fired! Not only that, you have committed acts of treason against the U.S. Constitution which you swore to uphold upon taking office. There are many Americans who feel the same as I do.<br />Yes, we need health care reform! But, NO, we do not need more entitlement programs nor do we need to be spending 2 trillion dollars to do it. There is absolutely no provision for tort reform which is, in part, one of the reasons for high health care bills. Second, attorneys wrote this bill not health care professionals and that is just plain scary! It would be like having my car serviced by an accountant! What in the world were you all thinking? Have you read this 2000-page boondoggle? I highly doubt it.<br />I will do everything in my power to see that none of you are re-elected to represent me when it comes time for you to make your bid. As I said above, you have committed treason and should be tried and imprisoned for it. Nemahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13078298123387407311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2559719788942141126.post-3344250438295411572009-12-10T21:06:00.001-08:002009-12-10T21:07:57.502-08:00reBlog from timcartersfirepit.com: Alan Ossege - Give Him Liberty, Well, Give It to All of Us<p>I found this fascinating quote today:</p>Tim,<br /><blockquote class="zemanta-reblog-quote" style="margin: 1em 3em;"><p>The argument and offensive strategy is really much simpler; everything that's happening is essentially "unconstitutional"! In other words, we shouldn't get hung up on individual agendas of the Left, because "individual" agendas are nothing more than distractions in large quantities. That being said, everything that is happening is theft of our individual liberties to choose, or defer! And it's happening on a "global" scale.</p>It's a simple argument; and it's the same argument for most ALL their agenda. 100 arguments for 100 oppressive policies are waaay too watered down. They're ALL robbing me, us, everyone of our LIBERTY! One argument!!! One Rally Cry!!! Denial of our Constitutional Rights...Liberty!<br /><p>And any politician who votes for ANY of this crap will be targeted by me as someone guilty of "treason"; consciously acting in violation of our Constitution! That is the topic of my soon to be mailed letter to all in the House and Senate.</p>We have +200 distributors of our products, all with employees, all with customers in the "construction" industry that I will engage in every state by e-mail and broadcast fax with names etc. of our elected leaders who have betrayed the greatest documents ever produced by man...the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, and just as importantly...our trust.<br /><p>NONE of these policy makers have an OUNCE of experience in producing a product, turning a profit, developing competitive 'business strategies", managing personnel, etc, etc; and They're Re-shaping our Future??? Wrong People; Wrong Place; Wrong Time; Wrong Agenda!!!</p>It ALL comes center focus on our "Constitution" that Obama has stated needs to be "radically re-interpreted"! NO!!! They are ALL out of bounds and I'm threatening them with THAT as traitors!<br /><p>I am not going to 'proof read' this so I hope my ramblings made some sense. YOU keep going!!! I'm doing what I can with limited "time".</p>Alan<br /><span class="attribution zemanta-reblog-cite" style="padding: 1em 0pt; text-align: right; display: block; width: 100%;">timcartersfirepit.com, <a href="http://www.timcartersfirepit.com/alan-ossege---give-him-liberty-well-give-it-to-all-of-us.html">Alan Ossege - Give Him Liberty, Well, Give It to All of Us</a>, Dec 2009</span><br /><p> </p><br /></blockquote><br /><p>You should read the whole article.</p>Nemahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13078298123387407311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2559719788942141126.post-81157740012979021002009-12-10T19:05:00.001-08:002009-12-10T19:05:38.098-08:00AfghanistanWell, I have been listening to some very thoughtful speeches on the issue of the war in Afghanistan. If you remember, Obama's campaign promises were that we would end the wars as soon as possible after he was elected. Well, lookie here! It is not almost a year and he has done nothing but lie again. His version of transparency if like a brick wall, if you ask me! We must stop spending money on these illegal wars and do it now. As Congressman Kucinich stated, we need to start spending money here at home: bridges, levees, jobs, health care, etc. We can't nation-build any more and remain a free country!Nemahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13078298123387407311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2559719788942141126.post-82488182930150692022009-10-18T22:41:00.000-07:002009-10-18T22:49:43.652-07:00As a MomYou may have noticed that I have a new item on the side here which states I am a member of "As a Mom". I joined right after I saw the woman who set up the site was interviewed on the Glenn Beck Show. She and two other women were on the show talking about the things they are doing to save America. Dunwreath (creator of site) made a very good point. Changing things start at home; they start with the family and what better than the female (mom) of the household? We are the ones who see first-hand what they government schools are teaching our children (or grandchildren) and what they are NOT teaching! We are the ones who go to buy groceries and figure out that it is now costing us at least 20% more for the same amount of groceries. We read the papers, the editorials, etc. <div><br /></div><div>I am not saying that fathers or men in the family don't do these things at all. Just that, we as women, have a unique perspective and opportunity to hopefully make a difference and make changes in our community and then the county, the state and the federal government. We KNOW what we are talking about since we live it every day! The group that Dunwreath started is comprised of both women and men. Further, she has started sub-groups by state and within the state groups, there are regional groups. Yes, it is a busy site but within one week, over 40,000 people joined "As a Mom" (I don't know what the total is now - it simply went viral!). This shows you how concerned people are about our country!</div><div><br /></div><div>I highly recommend you take a look at "<a href="http://www.asamom.org/">As a Mom</a>" - join and start making a difference with us. </div>Nemahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13078298123387407311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2559719788942141126.post-91197232519759319582009-09-11T23:49:00.000-07:002009-09-12T00:39:35.080-07:00September 11I couldn't let this day go by without posting something here about 9/11/01. How can any one of us forget? It was one of those events where you remember where you were and what you were doing when you learned of it, wasn't it? The entire day ....actually, the entire week!....was reports, video, photos of the events of that day. We were bombarded with so much. First the World Trade Center Buildings 1 and 2 (sorry I get confused about which was hit first), then the Pentagon, then the aircraft that went down. Later that day, we all witnessed Building 7 fall into a heap. My hubby and I and even the rest of my family were just devastated, in shock, afraid even.<br /><br />The first thing I remember thinking the morning of the event was how did the media know right away that the attacks were the handiwork of Osama Bin Laden? That puzzled me. I went to work around ten and at the time, I worked as a Legal Assistant for my son, who is a Family Law attorney. One of his clients worked for United Airlines on the night shift and had an appointment with my son around 4 that afternoon. She called to cancel since United had asked all the employees present to stay to help family members. I asked her about the flight over Pennsylvania and she responded, "oh, the one we shot down?" I really didn't think that was a horrible thing. Sure, it was horrible for those that died and the families they left behind but I understood that the civil defense of our nation sometimes made for heartbreaking decisions. I simply believed that it WAS shot down because it was headed for the Capitol Building or White House. I knew that there were standing orders to defend Washington, right?<br /><br />As the weeks passed, things started to not make sense. The explanations by NIST about the North and South Towers falling didn't explain the collapses which looked like controlled demolitions; the eye witness reports of hearing explosions were completely ignored. When hubby and I happened upon a video on the internet that asked hard questions like why was there a large round hole that supposedly a jumbo jet went through and no wings? No burnt grass? Videos taken immediately by the FBI of any cameras in the area that recorded the event. Why? We also watched <span style="font-style: italic;">In Plane Sight</span> that asked more questions. We both began to seriously doubt the conspiracy theory the government was trying to get us to believe. Things just didn't add up!<br /><br />The report by the 9/11 Commission was a travesty and those who had demanded answers (relatives and survivors of the events that took place) didn't get them. I don't KNOW what happened that day entirely and it is frightening to think that our government replaced aircraft with drones and then murdered the actual passengers? It is horrifying to think that the Bush administration was responsible for over 3,000 lives being extinguished that day. I certainly didn't want to believe that the industrial/military corporations would go this far to stir things up to the point where we marched into Afghanistan and then used the event as an excuse to invade Iraq. There were so many lies that it was hard to keep them straight and those in power didn't. They didn't understand the power of the internet and You Tube to "catch" them lying and publishing/airing them to everyone.<br /><br />Those who questioned the "official story" were called conspiracy theorists, tin hat nuts, wing nuts, etc. Again, they refused to answer questions and just called us names. We still have no answers. I have not trusted government much since the Kennedy assassination but this event was the last straw for me. I know that many of our freedoms and rights were ripped right out from beneath our feet using the Patriot Act and other "Executive Orders". We have warrantless wiretapping now and people hauled off on the pretense of terrorism. I nearly gag when I read quotes from the "neo-con" journalists about jihad, al-qaida (spelled wrong, I know), how we have to give up liberty to protect ourselves from the Muslim terrorists. Yet in the same breath, they have done NOTHING to secure our borders and, in fact, would like Congress to grant amnesty to those 12 million (or more) illegals in this country already. I am sure a great percentage are those who are looking for a better life but I would bet that there are some who came here to do us harm.<br /><br />We were promised "hope" and "change" and "transparency" in government. We have had none of these things. We are still in Iraq and Afghanistan, we still have the Patriot Act in full force and effect and we continue to be lied to. Legislation is passed under the cover of darkness and with this administration, the mainstream media just throws nonsensical stories at us (like Michael Jackson, Britney Spears, other sensationalist stories) instead of telling us what is really going on and calling our government NOW to task! We need to wake up, people! I surely don't know what it is going to take to get people to demand answers for 9/11, to open theirs eyes as to what is happening to their freedoms! All I know is that 9/11 opened my eyes once I had a chance to think about the events logically and I really want our present administration to authorize an independent re-investigation of the events of that day. No, it won't bring the dead back but we just might get some freedom back and certainly gain some trust in leadership today. <br /><br />I wish I could be in Washington tomorrow for the 912 event. I hope that our politicians open their eyes and hearts to those of us in America that still believe in the Constitution, our republic and our sense of right and wrong.Nemahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13078298123387407311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2559719788942141126.post-78411639647588259212009-09-05T20:16:00.000-07:002009-09-05T20:47:23.396-07:00Name-callingHey, I don't get this - somebody explain it to me, will you? You ask Obama, Pelosi, Barney Frank and those of that persuasion a question. You are seriously looking for answers and what do you get? You get called names..."un-American", right-wing extremist, domestic terrorist, etc. Why can't you answer questions? Is the truth so horrible, so far to the left, so socialistic that you don't DARE answer?<br /><br />Glenn Beck has asked questions of late and Obama's supporters have tried to get him off the air! No public debate any more? You just have to agree and spout the party line or you are punished? How about the administration asking fellow citizens to "snitch" on their neighbors if they disagree with policies being pushed on us. What is that about? <br /><br />You who are doing this are shooting yourselves in the foot! It is no wonder more and more people, your OWN people are now saying they are sorry they voted for Obama, angry that they are being lumped with the "right" or "conservatives". We just want information!! Is that so hard to do? You tell us to read the proposed legislation (when we can find it, that is) and it is mind-numbing and so complicated that NO ONE is going to be able to figure it out, and that includes the people who vote for it! All I see is the more and more of our private lives are going to be micro-managed by government. The government has become more and more codependent and enabling of bad behavior. Self-management is out of the question with the present administration...we can't be trusted to do that!<br /><br />I understand that some of that is true to a certain extent (not being trusted to act responsibly, I mean) but we, that is we Americans, need to grow up and start taking steps to act morally and honorably, start caring about our neighbors, admitting our wrongs and making them right. We need to end this addiction to our government! It starts with me and you. It starts in the family, then our town, our state and our federal government. Instead we all sit around and blame somebody else and call each other names. We don't have an adult dialog ...we don't answer questions but instead turn it around and make the other person the bad guy. This simply has to stop, folks!<br /><br />It is no wonder that other countries hate us. I know a lot of people are angry that Obama apologized for America. To some extent, we need to do that. Those who are devout in their religion (whether it is Islam, Buddhist or whatever) are deeply offended by the filth that Hollywood puts out. They think that is us...they think we are ALL like the people portrayed in movies: greedy, sex-crazed, violent, perverted, etc. They don't want our culture influencing theirs and I don't blame them!! Further, we need to get out of Iraq and Afghanistan - we have worn out our welcome there. We have no business interfering the other country's way of life whether it is to our liking or not. I know that some dictators are brutal but is that really the problem of the U.S.? More importantly, is it following the dictates of the U.S. Constitution? There is nothing in the Constitution that gives us authority to get involved in other countries' business! One thing that I surely don't understand is why we have military bases all over the world? What gives us the right to do that? There are no foreign military bases in our country, now is there? So, yes we DO have some things to apologize for. I know that some of you will be angry that I said that but please give it a thought first about the things I said above.<br /><br />So, those who are calling others' names, how about answering questions instead? Let us have real dialog and come to some mutual understandings of both our sides. All this name-calling does is create division and hatred. Let's talk.Nemahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13078298123387407311noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2559719788942141126.post-3021538858303803302009-08-30T21:51:00.000-07:002009-08-30T22:25:38.096-07:00Power Corrupts!It is almost the end of August and I realized that I hadn't posted all month yet I have had many, many thoughts about freedom during the month. My title comes from a small incident a few weeks ago that once again emphasized that power does indeed corrupt us (some of us anyway). I was meeting with 3 other adults at the Starbucks inside Barnes & Noble in Antioch, CA. There were two tiny tables about a foot apart from one another each having a chair one side across from the other chair. All the booths were full. So we pushed the two tables together so we could chat and get to know one another. This was a meeting of the local Paperback Swap group/club...whatever it's called.<br />Like I said, there were four adults sitting there. About 15 minutes into the meeting/get-together, an employee of Barnes & Noble (not Starbucks) walked up and told us that pushing the tables together was "not allowed" because of all the students who came in during the week who would push all the tables together and get rowdy. She told us to sit in a booth. At that point there was a booth available and I told the employee that when we arrived, there were no booths available. She never smiled and she used that expression that I hate which is "you have to..." She didn't say please either. Mind you, it was around noon on a Saturday and if I remember right, there were no students (at least obviously there wasn't) so who would know we had done such a horrible thing to set the wrong example? I didn't respond to her lest I be unkind and un-Christ-like to her. We just gathered up our belongings and moved to the booth.<br />I thought about this incident a lot over the last few weeks and it is an excellent example of why democracy, fascism, socialism and communism don't work well. Let's start with the U.S. The founding fathers were all Christian men who had a vision of creating a nation where each person would govern themselves so that there was little need for state or federal governments to tell them what to do or how to behave. They trusted the premise that if man (or woman!) led their lives in a moral, upright manner, there would be little need for governments to rule or interfere into our lives. The Constitution was written with very strict, limited federal duties leaving state governments to take care of the day-to-day ways of business. Yes, there had to be certain guidelines so that things were standardized just to keep things from getting confused, if nothing else! The problems started almost right away. Although our founding fathers could behave at least publicly in a way that treated their friends, family and neighbors the way they wished to be treated, slowly other men came into power (there is that word!) and businesses created whereby greed and corruption became the way of life not the exemption.<br />An example is the industrial revolution brought into power powerful men who could only see the ability to make untold riches. They hired women and children, paid them pennies for their work, made them work long hours with no breaks, etc. That was wrong. That is also not how these business owners would have liked to be treated (or their families!) but greed got in the way and God was forgotten. Oh, they went to church, I am sure most did anyway. But that was for Sunday...not the rest of the week. Men elected wanted to make sure their wealthy friends weren't bothered either and let their friends do what they wanted.<br />Then unions began forming to stand up for the rights of labor. It was desperately needed and as a result, many laws were enacted that protected children and gave all workers decent hours, breaks and lunch breaks, etc. They demanded that their workers get paid a decent wage too. There was nothing wrong in what they did initially. But, once again, power and greed rose their ugly heads and only the big "union bosses" really benefited from the union. They essentially made more and more demands to the point where the rules were so complicated and silly that no one was really sure what was right or wrong. More importantly, the unions voted the way union management wanted, not necessarily what the members wanted. Again, power and greed were the order of the day.<br />The list goes on and on but the same thing has happened with every other form of government. Each form sounds great on paper but when men (and women!) forget Godly principles, forget to treat others as they wish to be treated and love money more than God or their fellow neighbor, the system falls woefully short and the "little guy" (that is you and me) is none the better.<br />America, we must repent for selfishness! We must get on our knees and ask God's forgiveness for forgetting His Word and His commands and living under "relative morality". We can give all the excuses in the book for what we do, but black is black and white is white (no racial stuff, okay?). In other words, sin is sin no matter how we dress it up with sociological, psychological reasons. I can be late for work and have a really good excuse for running a red light but I am still guilty of breaking the law. That is the part we don't get any more! If we want this nation that God helped our founding fathers to create, then we must get back to and LIVE Godly lives. No more excuses for sin! Just so you know, for the record, I am just as guilty of sin as the next person but I am clear about one thing - to save America, we must as individuals get right with God and love our neighbors as we love ourselves. It is the ONLY way to save our nation.Nemahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13078298123387407311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2559719788942141126.post-80386199394564835272009-07-28T20:37:00.001-07:002009-07-28T20:55:00.224-07:00Hate once againI posted a while back about hate in America and here we are again with this supposed racist cop who was doing his job. Sgt. Crowley answered a call that a house was being burglarized and Professor Gates obviously saw an opportunity to turn the incident into a racist one. Who is the racist here? The police officer was doing his job, protecting private property! He didn't call anyone names; bully, threaten or batter the "intruder" who, incidentally, happened to be the renter, Professor Gates. On top of everything else, our president decides to comment on the incident that he readily admits he knows nothing about! If you didn't know the facts, why did you comment?<br /><br />If you think that racism is helped by this incident, it is not. It has set back the integration of our society by decades. Rev. Martin Luther King must be spinning in his grave at all this travesty. Remember, I lived in the South in the Jim Crow days. I SAW how terrible the blacks were treated there. Now that was as wrong as this incident with Professor Gates except it the black man being the racist! Do you honestly think that a police officer won't hesitate now to answer a call that involves a black family? Who wants the publicity, the lies, the slander? No, this will possibly be disastrous at some point because a white cop hesitates for these very reasons.<br /><br />I just read an editorial by Thomas Sowell, a black man by the way, who clearly states the problems about our president. He encourages racism, hires those who incite division. He is absolutely the biggest mistake this nation has ever made. He is a hypocrite and has not done one single thing he promised to do. Transparency? None. Allowing us to see the text of proposed legislation? No. Allowing Congress time to READ proposed legislation. No. Making an effort to reduce abortions? Absolutely not - he has done everything possible to increase it. Bringing our troops home from Iraq and Afghanistan? Nope. If anything he has increased the troops in Afghanistan. He is scary, folks. We MUST take America back! Stop listening to the feel-good rhetoric. Stop allowing him to hypnotize you when he speaks. Take time to really HEAR what he is saying. If you do, you'll really understand how he doesn't make sense, comes to illogical conclusions and just wants to "soothe" you.<br /><br />Wake up, folks. Racism is getting worse and none of this will help our country in any way. We are all Americans who want basically the same things: peace, prosperity, freedom, acceptance. If this keeps up, we will all be at each other's throats. Maybe that is what "they" (meaning the 535 members at the top) want?Nemahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13078298123387407311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2559719788942141126.post-72836144751820009502009-07-05T17:11:00.000-07:002009-07-05T20:33:45.996-07:00Brentwood TEA PartyI got the photos uploaded and resized from our TEA Party in Brentwood yesterday. I was very pleased at the turnout and would you believe the paper actually had an announcement about the TEA Party? Now we'll see if there is any report on it next week. (We have a weekly here in town) Mike Holoka was a great speaker and I really enjoyed what Sean Ackley had to say. Sean wrote the commentary for the <span style="font-style: italic;">Brentwood Press</span> and you can read it <a href="http://tinyurl.com/qkd9ga">here</a>. I didn't know that two single moms started our Brentwood organization and I am sure proud of them!<br />Here is the view we had from our chairs:<br /><img src="http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh320/punkinstef/teaparty09_1.jpg" /><br /><br /><img src="http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh320/punkinstef/teaparty09_2.jpg" /><br /><br />See the Cub Scouts to the left there? They presented the flag for our Pledge of Allegiance and National Anthem.<br /><br /><img src="http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh320/punkinstef/teaparty09_3.jpg" /><br /><br />There were some great signs there! This is the gazebo at the city park. It was a perfect place for the event since there are lots of trees for shade.<br /><br /><img src="http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh320/punkinstef/teaparty09_4.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh320/punkinstef/teaparty09_5.jpg" /><br /><br /><img src="http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh320/punkinstef/teaparty09_6.jpg" /><br /><br /><img src="http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh320/punkinstef/teaparty09_7.jpg" /><br /><br /><img src="http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh320/punkinstef/teaparty09_8.jpg" /><br />People on our left. More in next few photos.<br /><br /><br /><img src="http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh320/punkinstef/teaparty09_9.jpg" /><br /><br />Even had tea! Just to the right of the tea table was the registration booth. We were given little flags and information if we wanted it.<br /><br /><br /><img src="http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh320/punkinstef/teaparty09_10.jpg" /><br /><br />These are the two gals who organized the Brentwood TEA Party. I apologize for not know catching their names.<br /><br /><br /><img src="http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh320/punkinstef/teaparty09_11.jpg" /><br /><br />I don't know this guy's name either but he gave a short speech that was great!<br /><br /><br /><img src="http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh320/punkinstef/teaparty09_12.jpg" /><br /><br />There were all ages at the event...families with young children up to senior citizens like us!<br /><br /><br /><img src="http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh320/punkinstef/teaparty09_13.jpg" /><br /><br />This is Sean Ackley giving his address. He has been very active in the Ron Paul Meet-Up as well as the TEA Party.<br /><br /><br /><img src="http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh320/punkinstef/teaparty09_14.jpg" /><br />Last, but not least, is Mike Holoka who came out here from Chicago to give us a rousing speech. Mike is a regular contributor at the RE Tea Party.com groups. I like the way he thinks and gives us good information.<br />Thanks for looking and please leave a comment!Nemahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13078298123387407311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2559719788942141126.post-58710814966150245362009-07-01T20:38:00.000-07:002009-07-01T20:43:40.913-07:00Indepence Now and Forever! by Chuck BaldwinI am copying and pasting in this blog page the entire message from Pastor Chuck Baldwin. He says it so well and reminds us of what a sacrifice the early fathers of our country made. Folks, wake up! We must stand together and fight for our independence and freedom!<br /><br />As we approach Independence Day, it behooves us to recall the principles of America's founding, especially in light of the ongoing attempt by today's political and commercial leaders to merge the United States into a<br />hemispheric government. In fact, the clarion call for independence is just as fundamental, just as revolutionary as it was 233 years ago.<br /><br />Regarding the signing of the Declaration of Independence, John Adams said, "[Independence Day] will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding<br />generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the Day of Deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports,<br />guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forevermore."<br /><br />Adams went on to say, "You will think me transported with enthusiasm, but I am not. I am well aware of the toil and blood and treasure that it will cost us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet<br />through all the gloom I can see the rays of ravishing light and glory; I can see that the end is more than worth all the means, that posterity will triumph in that day's transaction, even though we should rue it, which I trust in God we shall not."<br /><br />Indeed, the signers of America's Declaration of Independence endured the sacrifice of both toil and blood. Pertaining to the lives of the signers, David Limbaugh writes, "Of those 56 who signed the Declaration of<br />Independence, nine died of wounds or hardships during the war. Five were captured and imprisoned, in each case with brutal treatment. Several lost wives, sons or entire families. One lost his thirteen children. Two wives<br />were brutally treated. All were at one time or another the victims of manhunts and driven from their homes. Twelve signers had their homes completely burned. Seventeen lost everything they owned."<br /><br />Yes, America's Declaration of Independence, which is our nation's birth certificate, was purchased at a very high price. Rightly did its primary author, Thomas Jefferson, invoke God's name no less than four times in the<br />Declaration. Without God, our struggle for independence and freedom would surely have failed.<br /><br />Jefferson, along with the vast majority of America's founders, knew that freedom was, first, the gift of God, not the accomplishment of men. He further understood that man's law must be subordinate to the natural laws of<br />God.<br /><br />Therefore, with an appeal to Heaven for the "rectitude of [their] intentions," America's Founding Fathers courageously forged a document that would put their own lives at risk, but would also change the course of<br />history.<br /><br />The question now is, "How long can we maintain our nation's independence?" The forces of global government seem to dominate both major parties in Washington, D.C., most corporate boardrooms, and most newsrooms.<br /><br />In fact, hemispheric or regional government never had more powerful and committed allies than former Presidents George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and now President Barack Obama. Mark my words: if and when America loses its independence, it will have been these Presidents that led the way in making it happen.<br /><br />If the United States is going to maintain its independence and freedom much beyond the year 2010, it will only be because millions of freedom-loving Americans (and the governments of the States in which they reside) are<br />willing to fight for it.<br /><br />Both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson died on July 4, 1826. Daniel Webster gave the eulogy for both men on August 2 of that year. Included in his remarks on that notable day were these words: "It [the Declaration of<br />Independence] is my living sentiment, and by the blessing of God, it shall be my dying sentiment. Independence now, and independence forever."<br /><br />To Webster's words, I say a hearty AMEN! I promise no loyalty to the North American Union, the United Nations, or any other brand of global government. When the day comes that I am required to submit to any form of global authority, I will be an outlaw. There is no freedom without independence, and there is no independence without eternal vigilance. To my dying breath I will say with Daniel Webster, "Independence now, and independence forever!"<br /><br />To get your own copy, see this <a href="http://www.chuckbaldwinlive.com/c2009/cbarchive_20090701.html">link</a> on his website.Nemahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13078298123387407311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2559719788942141126.post-38763066950776973692009-06-21T17:29:00.000-07:002009-06-21T17:52:20.753-07:00FathersOne of the things that has been dismissed from our culture is the importance of fathers. Since it is Father's Day in the U.S., I have been thinking a lot about this. My father, Alfred Buell Snyder, Jr., was killed in WWII a month before I was born so I never knew him. In fact, when I was about 5, the kids who lived upstairs (my mother bought a duplex with the insurance money) said they couldn't play with me because I didn't have a daddy. How cruel can children be! They didn't know any better but I didn't know that I was guiltless either. I guess I felt a sense of shame (I don't remember this but my grandma told me).<br /><br />My mother and I lived in Cincinnati from about the time I was a year old. Prior to that, we lived with my paternal grandparents in Dayton, Ohio. My grandfather owned and ran a chicken farm; his life dream finally coming true to be a farmer. Crazy, eh? My grandparents loved me so much because I was the first and the only grandchild from their fallen son. My mother, in her wisdom, knew I would be spoiled rotten if we continued to live with them. :)<br /><br />She got a job at the Veteran's Administration and it was just the two of us until I was 8 when she started dating a man from work. I hated him...he could have been Jesus Himself and I probably would have resented him. After all, I had my mother all to myself and now had to share. He had problems that I certainly didn't understand and those problems came to an ugly head a few years after they married. I lived with my grandparents for a while before they were able to move to Georgia where my step-father got a job. My mother was a stay-at-home mom which was a dream come true for me. He wasn't used to girls, especially ones who resented him the way I did so we didn't get along well. My mother didn't help - she would resent any interference in her disciplining of me whether he was right or not. Then she became ill with multiple sclerosis and things really went down hill. They got into a physical fight right in front of me which terrified me. Apparently he had a problem with drugs and would go on a binge with them.<br /><br />So the father figures in my life just weren't all that good. My paternal uncle and his wife moved back to the U.S. when I was 13 (they were stationed in Japan) and he was the closest thing to a father I ever had. I never felt close to him sadly. I adored him but I felt terribly inferior to him. Maybe all children have this duality about their dads, I don't know. All I know is that I still feel a huge hole where "dad" should have been.<br /><br />My Heavenly Father is what fills that hole today but I am convinced that much of what is wrong today in our society is that men/fathers have been marginalized and ousted out of importance. There has been a campaign to celebrate being a "single mother" rather than encouraging staying together and being committed to one another. It is just too easy to walk away and destroy everyone's lives now. It happened to me after 20 years of marriage and it definitely affected our children even though they were nearly grown. I still don't entirely understand what happened and why we couldn't make it work but I know I had made some very poor choices after he left that also affected my children in a negative way.<br /><br />Along with wanting to kill babies, we really don't want fathers either. A woman can just decide one morning that she is "done" and completely shatter her husband and father of her children and their children. Yes, I know that men do this too - that is what happened in my case - but what happened to keeping promises? Married couples stand before their friends and family and, in most cases, their God and say to each other that they promise to love the other through it all and be committed to the marriage. For the absolute dumbest reasons, those vows are broken. I have heard them all too since I worked in Family Law for nearly 25 years. Yes, there is abuse and that is never right and never a reason to STAY in a marriage. I am not talking about that - most of us were not abused; we just didn't like something about the other person or just got tired of trying. We all of a sudden can't accept the person we married even though he/she has not changed. It is like we wake up one day and say we can't tolerate that person's habits/personality/whatever and nothing has changed...we have!<br /><br />I urge all of you who are married or in a relationship with children to take seriously the job of parenting. It isn't about you once you have children. God has given you a job when you become a parent and that is to parent! Children need both a mother and a father (yes, I know that some of you would stand up and call me homophobic here but I am entitled to my own opinion and am not bullying you - so sit back down, please). Tons of research has been done that only emphasizes this simple fact. We need to be the grown-ups.Nemahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13078298123387407311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2559719788942141126.post-834551472527270622009-05-29T14:56:00.001-07:002009-05-29T16:00:21.809-07:00We need another protected class of citizens!This is probably going to sound ridiculous but bear with me for a moment. In recent months, there has been an unprecedented attack on people of faith. In the past, whenever a group of people is discriminated against, "someone" steps up and says "there should be laws to protect these people against attacks, discrimination, bullying, etc." Am I right? <br /><br />While our nation began as a Christian nation over 200 years ago, in the last 50 years (at least), the elite have pushed and pushed to rid us of that particular notion. Prayer in schools, Ten Commandments on public buildings, nativity scenes in the public square, etc. That was bad enough and ridiculous in the extreme but now, people of faith are targets for bigotry, bullying, name-calling, vandalism and worse. So, I call upon our law-makers to write new laws to protect us! People of faith. Not just Christians either...but anyone religion that takes a "conservative" view of culture such sex within marriage only (how archaic, right?), protection of the unborn, marriage between a man and woman (to each other - lol) only, modest dress, and so on...such as Muslims, Jews, and other religions. Those of us who believe in "moral" behavior must now have the same protections that other protected classes now have. <br /><br />You think I am kidding? I am not! Recently, in Alameda County, hundreds of people came to school board meetings to protest the new curriculum that teaches children as young as kindergarten about homosexuality. There were at least three meetings. Those who spoke against this curriculum were called names, when these folks spoke, those who supported the new curriculum shouted so that those who were protesting could not be heard and THEY were the ones being accused of bigotry and discrimination. In spite of the hundreds of parents and groups that spoke, the school board voted to use this new curriculum and told the parents who were against it that they couldn't even opt out their children...that their values had to be left at home.<br /><br />How about that for narrow-mindedness? We are accused of it? How ludicrous! What happened to peaceful, respectful discussions in the public square? Unless you think and speak politically correct, you are treated disrespectfully and given no voice. For these reasons, we must have laws to protect us from discrimination in the work place and for our children in school. I wish it weren't so but as my mother used to say, "if wishes were horses, beggars could ride." <br /><br />Listen, those of you who support morality, if you think you are the minority, you are wrong. Even if we are, please remember a small percentage of the colonial population wanted independence from England. We must take a stand if America is going to survive. It starts with you and me. We are where we are today in this politically correct stuff due to a small percentage of people (let's say a generous 10%) put their shoulders to the wheel and worked to see that their way became the "in thing". We have to push back. I am not talking about violence or name-calling or bullying or hate or anything like that. We win when we respectfully and forcefully speak the truth; we win with loving our opponents and praying for them. We win with each individual who becomes our friend but disagrees with us. It doesn't have to be ugly, folks. We can only do this in love. <br /><br />Jesus taught us to "love our enemies". People that disagree with us are not our enemies, I hasten to add here, but the point is that THEY think WE are their enemies so love is the only thing that will change minds and set the tone for a respectful discussion. No more hate - again Dr. Martin Luther King's statement comes to mind...let's make our goal to judge a person by his/her character not the color of skin, what they do in the bedroom, not their nationality, not their choices (even if that choice is not one we'd make). Come, let us enter in a spirit of understanding and let the dialogue begin.Nemahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13078298123387407311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2559719788942141126.post-44760428727187072182009-05-27T21:42:00.000-07:002009-05-27T21:59:47.729-07:00The Progress of HateWhen I graduated from high school in 1963, I lived in Toledo, Ohio. I was amazed when I started school there to find the bigotry there. The school population at that time was predominantly Polish Catholics and blacks and Jewish kids were barely tolerated. I went to four different high schools mostly due to moving around with different family members. Two of the high schools were in the south (Virginia and Georgia). In Georgia particularly, the Jim Crow laws were still in effect. If you don't know what they are, here is a brief run-down: the black children went to their own schools, there were "colored" and "white" restrooms, drinking fountains, etc.; The blacks had their own part of town in which they lived and never ever had a house in town. Blacks were sent to the back of the bus. This really happened, folks. If a black person was in line at a grocery store in front of me, I was helped first. <br /><br />It was a shock when I first saw all this. I had lived in Cincinnati, Ohio until I was 9 and although there was bigotry, I am sure, it was not as blatant as it was in the south, particularly Georgia. I started college and totally supported the Civil Rights Movement. I could never understand the thinking that went on then: a black woman could raise a white woman's child and nothing was thought strange about that or that this same black woman couldn't have the same respect and rights that the white child would enjoy. <br /><br />I really believed that Martin Luther King was a hero and I was proud to hear Hanna (my 8 year old granddaughter) tell me the story of Rosa Parks. I had optimism and faith that the hate would stop in my lifetime. Sadly, that is not so. We seem to be more divided than ever. In the name of tolerance and diversity, we are making our differences more important than those things we share that are the same. In the name of "choice", abortion clinics abound in black communities and more black women abort their babies than any other race. To me, it is a subtle way to "ethnic cleanse" our nation. The idea behind equal opportunity caused more division and, frankly, made any other nationality seem a little more "dumb" or "slow", thus we have to bend the rules for them. If I had skin of a different color than white, I'd be insulted!<br /><br />Oh, the hate isn't as obvious as the colored and white restrooms, but it is there nonetheless. Our society and media are not promoting harmony and celebrating our humanity but rather how different we all are. I still agree with Dr. King that we should be judging a person by his/her character rather than the color of our skin. When are we going to do that?Nemahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13078298123387407311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2559719788942141126.post-7476074697174615342009-04-30T15:25:00.000-07:002009-04-30T15:30:46.343-07:00More on Swine Flu hoaxPeople are simply going nuts about this! Please read this <a href="http://www.augustreview.com/news_commentary/general/pandemic_nonsense%3a_flying_pig_flu_20090428118/">article</a> about the agenda of the media and our government using this fear-mongering about this strain of the flu. An entire school district closed yesterday because ONE student, who arrived here not too long ago from Mexico, has the flu. When I was at the hospital emergency room yesterday with my son (no, not the flu but an ulcer), the nurse told us that if you have this strain of the flu, you are really, really sick: 102 fever, nausea, vomiting, extreme upper respiratory symptoms. In other words, there would be no doubt in your mind that you are SICK! People were coming into the E.R. yesterday with runny noses, for heaven's sakes. You know what this does to those folks who are ill and hurt and need immediate care? They don't get it, that is what!<br /><br />Use your heads, read common-sense articles and don't let this fear-mongering get to you. If you feel fear about anything, that is NOT God. He has not given us a spirit of fear but a sound mind and love. Think about it....who benefits from this hysteria? Always ask yourself that question.Nemahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13078298123387407311noreply@blogger.com0