Update Below

If you are regular readers of my blog you will have heard about a diabetic man's recent encounter with Amtrak. There is an update below.

Saturday's Super Site

First and foremost, thank you to everyone who nominated a site this week for Saturday's Super Site! How exciting! At least for me. I appreciate it. I really do. If you made a nomination, and the site you nominated was not chosen this week, please rest assured that I am keeping those nominations for further review, and possible use on future Saturday Super Sites. Again, a great big thank you to all of you.

Without further ado, I am happy to announce, that this weeks Saturday Super Site belongs to Texas Freds. Texas Freds was nominated by Monty at Smoke Signals.

Monty's message was short, and to the point, and after perusing Texas Freds myself, I have to say, very accurate. Monty listed the following as his reasons for nominating Texas Freds:

"Content is great, schedule keeps it fresh, and just a great blog."

All are true. I found Texas Freds to be full of insight, and honesty. I can't say that I agree with all points made there, but I can say that I will have no fear of posting comments, even if they might be viewed as possible opposition. A free exchange of ideas seem to be more than welcome. Respect is mandatory though, but I have the same rule here. Not that any of you, my readers, are ever disrespectful (I have the best readers).

Now don't get me wrong, there are many things at Texas Freds that I do agree with. In fact, more that I agree with, then disagree. I find the opinion expressed there to be a "no holds barred" kind of approach, something I have always admired because it shows a writer to be unafraid to broach the tough subjects and stick to their guns. Intelligent thought is put into what is written, arguments are weighed, and facts are cited with links to original news stories.

On another, related note, Fred is a very helpful person who goes out of his way to assist fellow bloggers with tasks they are presented with. He does what he can to help, and that speaks volumes as well. I know this from personal experience, and this portion of his character shows through in many of his posts.

I hope you will all visit Texas Freds, and congratulate him on the hard work he does. Please also stop and see Smoke Signals and give then a big high five for a great and very deserving nomination.

Until next week!

You can learn about how to nominate a site by clicking on the graphic above. I would love to start seeing some nominations.

Amtrak Doesn't Like Diabetics! (UPDATED)

This story is just sad.

A 65-year-old St. Louis man is missing after Amtrak personnel, mistaking his diabetic shock for drunk and disorderly behavior, kicked him off a train in the middle of a national forest, according to police in Williams, Ariz.

The man has not been found. What a horrendous thing to have happen. It sickens me that Amtrak employees, or any human would do this. Maybe it was an honest misunderstanding, and I could understand why they would want an unruly passenger off a train, but this was a bit too much. An elderly man in the middle of the woods? I am hoping and praying for the best, but I fear the worst.

I sincerely hope that Amtrak makes this policy of leaving people in the middle of nowhere, one that disappears, and I strongly suggest that there is some informative training that starts taking place for Amtrak employees. I also think it wouldn't be a bad idea to see some disciplinary action take place.

More importantly, I just hope they find the man before it is too late.

Another article has this to say:

As far as Amtrak, officials tell me they followed the company policy and are not looking into this matter. Amtrak issued this statement late Thursday.

I think company policy needs to be revised a bit. You? Someone also needs to remind Amtrak that the "I was just following orders" defense never works.

The rest of that article is here.

**UPDATED**

Thank God! He was found alive after four says in the wilderness without food and water. He was severely dehydrated, barefoot, disoriented, and two miles from where he was left by Amtrak, but he is alive.

Amtrak is still standing behind their decision to boot the man from the train. I have never been a patron of Amtrak, but I don't think I will ever be now.

I Am Moving!

My husband saw this photo on-line and sent it to me in an email. The subject line said "We are moving".


Shot at 2007-06-28

Can anyone tell me where Crestwood is and how to get there?

I don't think my boss is going to like this decision. :P

To Catch A Predator

I have watched the NBC show "To Catch a Predator" or a few occasions. I really feel that they are doing the right thing. They are getting child predators, helping gather evidence to prosecute them, and publicly humiliating them all at the same time. How can this be bad?

Evidentially, in a small Texas town, there are those that think it is a very bad thing. One of the 25 men caught was a prosecutor from a neighboring county, who shot himself and committed suicide when he was found out, and the police were knocking on his door after he failed to rendezvous at the preappointed house to meet the 13 year old boy he had been having a very sexual talk with on-line. The city manager who approved the operation no longer has a job, and the district attorney won't prosecute any of the others apprehended. If I lived in this town, I would seriously consider moving very far away to a town that actually wanted pedophiles off the streets and away from the children.

You can read the entire article here.

Don't Mess With The Elderly

All I can say after reading this is don't mess with the elderly.

The 27 year old thief had no idea what he was getting himself into when he tried to pick-pocket a 72 year old former marine, former golden glove boxer, and former iron worker. He had no idea that this 72 year old man had lived his life gaining experience and skill enough to kick butt at 72. He had no idea that his "easy mark" had been trained to end a human life with his bare hands, worked one of the toughest jobs I have ever heard of, or had other men try and beat the snot out of him repeatedly in the ring.

Now I am not going to go into how stupid or wrong trying to steal is. I have often said that if thieves had any other marketable skills they would probably have a normal job like the rest of us. Instead I will say don't mess with the elderly. Here is why:

1. In all the years they have walked God's green Earth, they have probably learned a thing or two about how to survive.
2. In their life, you probably aren't the first who has tried whatever you are about to try.
3. They may have raised children far worse than you are, and in their day you could still beat the snot out of a kid when they were bad without dealing with CPS.
4. They come from an era when life wasn't so easy and they hard to bust their humps to get what they got, and they will hold onto it with both hands.
5. The come from the very same era that was comprised of Americans who fought for what they believed in, didn't wimp out or take anything lying down, and prided themselves on fixing what was wrong with the world. At this moment in time, you are probably what is wrong with the world.

With the above in mind, you may want to rethink messing with the elderly.

Wednesday's Hero

This Weeks Soldier Was Suggested By Jenn

Staff Sgt. Darrell R. Griffin Jr.
36 years old from Alhambra, California
2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division
March 21, 2007


"He was a really patriotic young man", said Darrell Griffin Sr. "He said that the people there really needed us and he felt it was the right place to be. He wished we didn’t have to have wars, but since that’s the way mankind is, he felt he was contributing an important part to his country".

SSgt. Griffin lost his life in Balad, Iraq when his unit came under fire as it was returning to base after conducting security operations in the Iraqi capital.

The eldest son of six children, SSgt. Griffin worked as an EMT before joining the California Army National Guard in 1999. He enlisted in the Army two years later, and in July 2001, was assigned to the 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, in Ft. Lewis, Washington. He served with that unit in Iraq from October 2004 to September 2005.

On his second tour of duty, SSgt. Griffin had been awarded the Bronze Star for valor in 2005 when he was credited with saving the lives of three U.S. and two Iraqi Army soldiers injured during battle in Tal Afar. He had also received the Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Combat Infantry Badge, Expert Infantry Badge, Parachute Badge, and the Meritorious Unit Citation.

"Griff was the type of man you want to have by your side in a fight," Maj. Brent Clemmer, his former company commander, wrote from Iraq. "He was the type of squad leader every young soldier wants to have".

"Darrell was my husband, my Soldier, my gift from God who was also the love of my life and always will be." Said his wife, Diana. "He was also 'a Soldier's Soldier of Strength and Honor' whose commitment to duty, honor and loyalty will be forever remembered by all who know and love him. The news of his death saddens us deeply and we ask for your prayers in our time of grief. Please also continue to keep our Soldiers in your prayers

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. To find out more about Wednesday Hero, you can go here.

Stupid Or Murder?

I ran across this article and couldn't believe what I read. I was in shock. It seems that a teen from the UK, who was hospitalized in Germany after an earlier car accident, was having trouble sleeping due to the noise being made by the life support machine his roommate was on. What did he do? He turned it off! The hospital contacted the local police who are now investigating.

I will say that this had to be the stupidest, or even most self-centered individual I have ever heard of. I am not sure what exactly the police are investigating, or if the teen will be brought up on charges of some kind. Could he be charged with attempted murder for this action? If so, that might not be a fitting charge, as I have a sneaking suspicion that this is a case of stupidity at best.

For those of you curious, who don't read the original article linked to above, the 76 year old patient did survive.

I would hate to be known as this child's parent...

Woo Hoo!

My brother-in-law and future sister-in-law sent this link to me today. We heard about this a week or so ago, and we were very excited then, but I was even more trilled now, as it is in the paper! You can see the article here, but I am posting the full text and their photo below. Congratulations Alex and Wendy! We will be there, and can't wait!

LAS VEGAS WEDDING DREAMS COME TRUE

BY KIRSTY PUGH K.PUGH

10:40 - 22 June 2007

A couple from Speedwell will be able to fulfil their dream of getting married in Las Vegas after winning a competition in the Evening Post.

Alex Leggate and his fiance Wendy Bristow won a trip to the gambling capital of America to see the hit musical Mamma Mia! before it comes to Bristol later this year.

The show is set around the wedding preparations of a young woman who is searching for her father.

And Alex and Wendy, who got engaged on Wendy's birthday last year, decided that their VIP trip would be the perfect opportunity to get married themselves.

Alex, 35, who works for Bristol City Council, said: "We were planning on getting married this year but when we saw this competition we thought it was the perfect opportunity.

"We also really wanted to go and see the show, and to see it in Vegas is just going to be incredible. I could not believe it when I found out that we had won. It is beyond our wildest dreams.

"While we are there we want to be able to see the sights, as the atmosphere of Las Vegas really appeals to us. There is nowhere else like it on earth. We do not want our wedding to be too fancy or over the top, we just want to get married in a nice little chapel."

Alex and Wendy will jet out to Las Vegas in November and spend two nights in the Mandalay Bay Hotel.

As well seeing Mamma Mia! the couple will receive passes to the hotel's spa and VIP admission to the House of Blues Music Hall.

Wendy, 30, who met Alex three years ago at a friend's wedding, said: "I still cannot take it all in. It is completely unbelievable and I am so excited.

"It was Alex's idea to enter the competition but we never thought for one minute that we might actually win it.

"We have both always wanted to go to Las Vegas and we were going to save up our pennies to try and go there and get married next year. It is going to be something we will remember for the rest of our lives."

Mamma Mia! features the songs of supergroup Abba and has broken box office records since it opened in London seven years ago.

The musical is set to come to the Bristol Hippodrome in November for a nine-week run.

The original London production opened in 1999 and has grossed more than £155 million at the UK box office and more than £1 billion worldwide.

Shot at 2007-06-24

Stereotypical Map

I found this at my friend Malinda's page today, and thought it too funny to pass up. Thanks Malinda!


Shot at 2007-06-24

Ask Captain Dramatic

During a long phone conversation with Captain Dramatic, while he was visiting family in California, I discovered that is entirely possible for an eight year old to be an art critic. According to CD "It ain't art unless it has flames". Interesting concept isn't it?

To learn how you can submit your questions to Captain Dramatic, click here.

Saturday's Super Site

Well all, I am sorry to announce that I do not have a Saturday's Super Site this week. It is very sad, but I haven't been seeing any nominations, and I have put up the vast majority of my favorites. Not all, just the vast majority. Several that I would have liked to honor do not have email addresses present for me to contact them by either. My apologies to all of you who enjoy this weekly trip through the blogosphere. Maybe I will have a few nominations or I may possibly stumble across a new favorite that has an email address before next Saturday. Here's hoping.

You can learn about how to nominate a site by clicking on the graphic above. I would love to start seeing some nominations.

The Importance Of Initiative

Many of you realize that to be successful in life you have to have a certain amount of initiative. If you don't, then you are delegated grunt work, and will have no opportunity for advancement above your current station. The problem, as I see it, is that so many, do not have any initiative. It is a constant thorn in my side at work for example.

In the case of one co-worker, whom I love dearly, her story may be that she has been in a place that stifled her initiative so long that she has forgotten how to use it. We are working on that, and it is getting better. Prior to working with her on it, she was unable to make any decision on her own. If the computer wasn't doing what she wanted it to, she would call me. At first I thought it was a lack of computer knowledge, or a fear that she would break it, but when I was called to fix the same problem (one our systems seem to like to throw our direction almost daily), after showing her numerous times, I finally broke down and said something. It went something like this:

"You have watched me do this several times right?"
"Yes"
"You think you can do it this time and see how well you do?"
"I don't think I am allowed to."
"Hon, you are only quiting out of the program and reloading it. You quit every night before you leave, and restart every morning when you come in..."
"I know..."
"You can do this, and no one is going to get mad at you. Sometimes you have to take the initiative and just do things"
"Ok"

That was a very simplistic example, but one that surprised even me. Another, is one that really makes it known that initiative is lacking. We work as customer service representatives for a international distribution company. When the customer calls, and has a problem, you have to take care of it. You have to make decisions sometimes without speaking to management. I have no problem with this. If I make the wrong decision, I only make it once, and I will tell management well, none of you were present at the time and the decision only seemed fair. Since I never promised the customer anything too extravagant, this has never been a major issue. I have been trying to impart my so-worker with a lot of this as well. We are getting there.

Again that was a small issue in the scheme of the world. There are other places in the world where initiative is something needed to handle much larger problems. These are the times when it is needed most, but times when it seems to be sorely lacking. Take for example, the events that were written about by Michael Yon, who is currently in Iraq. He writes:

I have been with LTC Fred Johnson for several days. LTC Johnson seems to recharge on sunlight or moonlight and can run a man into the ground. After seeing the humanitarian need building with no action to abate it underway, Johnson was very unhappy. He immediately started jerking choke chains on the people who are supposed to be handling humanitarian need, trying to avert having it build into a crisis.

This is where the inept local Iraqi commanders come in. I’ve seen them in meeting after meeting, over the past few days, finding ways to be underachievers. The Iraqi commanders have dozens of large trucks and have only to drive to our base to collect the supplies and distribute those supplies to the people displaced in the battle. Our troops are fully engaged in combat, yet the Iraqi leaders were not able to carry that load without LTC Johnson supplying the initiative.

You see the problem here? Michael goes on to say, that in other places in Iraq where he has been this has not been a major problem.

I also saw a video the other night at Hot Air that had a video up of American troops in Afghanistan that were have the same trouble with the locals. You can go here to watch the video. Watch for the part regarding building flood walls in villages. It is interesting to see that the local people don't care to take the initiative to build them, even when the supplies to do so are given to them. The simply say, we are poor. I particularly like the response from the American on the matter.

The point is, people lack initiative, or maybe it is partly entitlement, but which ever it is, it doesn't work. People need to be able to become informed, and do for themselves. This, in my opinion, needs to occur no matter what the circumstances. If you don't feel you are informed enough to make the decision or take the first steps, then get that way. You will a lot better off.

Earlier I Had Mentioned That....

Earlie I had mentioned that maybe the Vatican had better things to worry about that the ten commandments of driving that the drafted. Maybe this is one of those things?

Nuns and priests attack each other in convent
By Nassos Stylianou

Scuffles lead to two arrests

TWO PEOPLE were injured and another two were arrested after scuffles broke out between two rival factions of nuns residing in an Old Calendarist convent in Avdellero late last night.

Nuns and priests from both sides confronted each other after unrest broke out at around 10pm.

The church was covered with blood as nuns and priests from both sides attacked each other using sharp objects.

Police confirmed that they would be looking into the incident, which is believed to be part of a long-running dispute between the two groups of nuns.

It has been reported that the convent is segregated, with Archimandrite Sevastianos’ followers occupying certain buildings and the resident nuns staying in others. At nightfall, Sevastianos and his nuns barricade themselves inside the chapel, as a precaution, with friends and relatives of the two groups taking turns at patrolling the premises.

According to reports, Archimandrite Sevastianos yesterday had attempted to bring in a group of bishops from Greece in order to take control of the convent, while it is also suggested that supporters of the two groups from all over the island were involved in last night’s confrontation.

Police have been discreetly monitoring the situation since an altercation back in December that resulted in a minor injury to one of the nuns. At the time, a group of nine nuns living in a nearby retreat under Archimandrite Sevastianos stormed the premises after breaking the gate locks with iron cutters. Scuffles broke out, and the trespassers locked themselves in the chapel, allegedly after being attacked by the resident nuns.

Archimandrite Sevastianos and his supporters say the management of the convent’s finances rightfully belongs to them, according to a will made by the deceased Old Calendarist Bishop of Kiti, Epiphanios, who died nearly two years ago.

The resident nuns, led by Mother Superior Markella, have been living in the main body of the convent for decades and refuse to give up their financial rights.

Sevastianos was placed temporarily in charge until the Old Calendarist Synod in Greece elect a new bishop while former Attorney-general Alecos Markides, who represents the resident nuns, said after the incident in December that he would be seeking a restraining order that would force Sevastianos’ faction off the premises.

Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2007

The New Ten Commandments

To my utter and complete surprise, I found that a very prominent organization has released a new set of driving rules. To my even greater surprise, that organization was the Vatican. My first reaction was to ask myself, out loud, "Doesn't the Vatican have anything better to do?", and then I proceeded to answer myself, "They should!"

(I know that most don't deem this a healthy practice, but on occasion I do talk to myself, and even worse, I answer myself sometimes.)

After a few minutes I decided that maybe the Vatican making up a set of commandments to govern driving wasn't such a bad idea. Catholicism after all was, and may still be, the largest religion in this country. If the Vatican reaches all of it's parishioners, and half of them follow the new commandments, maybe my drive to and from work will become less nerve-racking. Wishful thinking you say? Probably, but it sure would be nice.

So for those of you who are now curious about the new commandments, here they are, along with my interpretaition.

1. You shall not kill.
DUH!

2. The road shall be for you a means of communion between people and not of mortal harm.
I think this one means be nice to those you share the road with, and don't do harm to others.

3. Courtesy, uprightness and prudence will help you deal with unforeseen events.
Pay attention, more being nice, and obey the rules of the road.

4. Be charitable and help your neighbor in need, especially victims of accidents.
Offer aid to those stranded, and don't honk at the car in front of you that was just in a wreck.

5. Cars shall not be for you an expression of power and domination, and an occasion of sin.
Quit with the road rage already, and no sex in the car.

6. Charitably convince the young and not so young not to drive when they are not in a fitting condition to do so.
When you are too young or too old to drive, don't. If you know someone who fits in the above to categories, hide the keys well.

7. Support the families of accident victims.
Be there in any way possible for anyone involved in hardship related to an accident, and their family.

8. Bring guilty motorists and their victims together, at the appropriate time, so that they can undergo the liberating experience of forgiveness.
Get over it! Move on! Forgive and Forget!

9. On the road, protect the more vulnerable party.
Drive defensively! (You are always the most vulnerable)

10. Feel responsible toward others.
Again! Be nice (do you see a recurring theme here)! The other person is someone's family after all.

Ok, so the Vatican probably has more important things to do, but then again, how many people does driving affect? What I found interesting is that people are so dim-witted when driving that the Vatican felt the need to make a set of rules and have them published. Probably in hopes that the portion of the world that felt the need to ignore the currently posted rules of the road would, maybe, just maybe, listen to the Vatican.

I did find an article about it when I got home from work, and you can read it here.

Wednesday's Hero

Lance Cpl. Hatak Yuka Keyu M. Yearby
21 years old from Overbrook, Oklahoma
3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force
May 14, 2006


Hatak Yuka Keyu Martin Yearby was remembered in funeral services as a small town boy who balanced his Choctaw tribal heritage and his military life.

He did traditional American Indian dances with grace, compassion, discipline and free spirit — "the way he lived his life," the Rev. Timm Emmons said Monday.

"He had a desire to be in the military since he was a young boy. And he believed in what he was doing. He was a warrior, and he was a hero and he finished the course."

Yearby was killed by a roadside bomb, along with fellow Lance Cpl. Jose S. MarinDominguez Jr., in the Al Anbar province of Iraq, two months after he arrived in that country.

Friends and family, fellow American Indians, teachers and classmates filed past his open casket for an hour after the funeral while a U.S. Marine Corps honor guard stood at attention.

About 1,000 people attended a funeral service meant to celebrate the life of the 21-year-old newlywed from Overbrook in southern Oklahoma’s Love County.

Those who spoke in the packed Marietta High School auditorium talked of how he loved to hunt, but never came back with anything. He played tricks, won dancing awards at powwows and appeared on a recruiting magazine for Upward Bound because of a headdress he made from a T-shirt.

Nine of his friends stood on stage to remember Yearby. Jake Barber spoke for them, pausing several times to regain his composure.

"Many great words describe Hatak. The only real word you need to say is 'brother'. He will always be known to us as the ace of spades, the most important card in the deck. He touched us so dearly that words cannot explain,".

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. To find out more about Wednesday Hero, you can go here.

Military Motivator

The site Military Motivator was brought to my attention today, and after g what was posted there I had to share it with all of you. I really hope the owner of the site does not mind too terribly, but I took his work and created a slide show of it to showcase it for my readers. Please stop by Military Motivator and tell him what you think of his work. I was very impressed and had a great time there during my visit.



Go to ImageShack® to Create your own Slideshow

Now you will have to go to the blog to be able to rad half of these, and that is the fun part. I couldn't get the stinking zoom function to turn off on my slide show....

It Is A Good Day

If nothing else goes right today, this did. A little team work via many nations and their law enforcement agencies yields a great catch.

LONDON — British police, aided by U.S. authorities, have smashed a global Internet pedophile ring that broadcast live-streamed videos of children being abused, investigating more than 700 suspects worldwide and rescuing 31 children in a 10-month probe, officials said Monday.

Some 200 suspects are based in Britain, said the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Center, a government agency. Of the 31 children, some only a few months old, more than 15 were in Britain, the center said. British authorities would not give a breakdown of where the other suspects or children came from, but said more than half the suspects in Britain were already being prosecuted.

This is just very good news. Teamwork always gives the best results, but these were amazing results and I couldn't be happier about it. It is sad that it was too late for some these children, but maybe many others will be spared.

Happy Father's Day To My Father

This was the hardest post for me to write, which struck me as odd, considering that anyone who knows me, knows that I never stop bragging about him. My father is an amazing man. A man who served his country in Vietnam and came home to father two daughters. Two daughters that he loves unconditionally.

My father was stern when he needed to be and loving at all times. He was my spider killer and my great defender generally. He has always been there for me, and I know in my heart he will always be there for me.

He taught me to fish, and to shoot. He took us camping and taught us to play baseball in the street. He taught me to ride my bike, and that was no small challenge as I am about as uncoordinated as they come. He killed countless spiders and various other bugs that scared the bejeezus out of me, and taught me many important lessons regarding life. Some of those would be:

"If you don't come home from work tired, you weren't working"
"Half-ass don't cut it"
"In the real world, you are guilty by association"
"If you kill it you have to eat it"
"Be nice to your sister, because one day you will realize that family is all that you got. That and she will get bigger and beat the snot out of you"
"You get what you give"
"Nothing in life comes easy, and if it does, it ain't worth having"
"Keep your guard up"
"No matter how big the man, if you kick him in the knee he is going down"
"Sometimes you have to stand up for yourself, because some days there isn't anyone else around to do it for you."
"If it doesn't kill you it makes you stronger"
"Never start the fight, but be prepared to finish it"
"Home is where your heart is, and now-a-days that is a phone call away"
"You can do anything you set your mind to and don't let anyone tell you different"
"If you fall of the horse get right back on it"
"If it can't be fixed with a hammer it ain't broke"
"Nothing in life can't be fixed with duct tape and bailing wire, or as your mother would say, a band-aid and a hug"
"You don't need to be dating yet, and trust me I know. I was one of those boys once"
"Stick to your guns, but don't be afraid to say I was wrong and I am sorry."
"You live in the greatest country in the world, and if you take care of it, it will take care of you"
"Always fight for what you love"
"Always fight the good fight"
"What goes around comes around, and sometimes you are lucky enough to see it happen."

There are a ton more if I sat here long enough. I have always looked up to my dad. He was my super hero. He still is. If it is broken, dad can fix it. Even when it is your heart. He does it is his own gruff manner, but he fixes it.

He is a man long on love, and short on patience, but one of the most giving you will ever meet. He was a provider of many things in my life, and one of the greatest men in the world. He knew that his girls could be anything and everything they ever wanted, simply because they were his. He had more faith in me than I did, and he pushed me, and still does at times, to remember that, and not to give up. He never accepted less than our best, which sometimes felt unfair, but something I am glad he did.

They don't make them like my daddy anymore, and to be honest, maybe they never did because he has seemed one of a kind to me.

I love you dad, happy father's day.

Still A Favorite

In my travels through you tube today I found this video, and I just had to post it. Yes, I was in tears, but that is what I do.

I remember the first time I heard this son, and the immense amount of pride that swelled up inside when I heard it. That hasn't gone away when I hear it today.

I hope you all enjoy this song as much as I do, and I hope all of you can appreciate the reactions of our men and women in the video. I know I did, and I feel much the same way.



Here is another song that speaks volumes. Another of my favorites, and another that brings tears to my eyes without fail. I have no idea how I missed this on Memorial Day...

Happy Father's Day To The Man That Didn't Have To Be

My son and I didn't always have it this good. My current husband is my second husband and not my son's biological father, but he is a good father to him none the less. Dad-E didn't have to be, but being the wonderful man he is, he realized that Captain Dramatic, who had no control over his circumstances, was just a child, and deserved his love. This song is a tribute to father's like that, and one that means a great deal to me and CD.

This isn't the best video, but I am glad there at least was one to share with all of you.



The Lyrics:

"He Didn't Have To Be"

When a single mom goes out on a date with somebody new
It always winds up feeling more like a job interview
My momma used to wonder if she'd ever meet someone
Who wouldn't find out about me and then turn around and run

I met the man I call my dad when I was five years old
He took my mom out to a movie and for once I got to go
A few months later I remember lying there in bed
I overheard him pop the question and prayed that she'd say yes

And then all of a sudden
Oh, it seemed so strange to me
How we went from something's missing
To a family
Lookin' back all I can say
About all the things he did for me
Is I hope I'm at least half the dad
That he didn't have to be

I met the girl that's now my wife about three years ago
We had the perfect marriage but we wanted somethin' more
Now here I stand surrounded by our family and friends
Crowded 'round the nursery window as they bring the baby in

And now all of a sudden
It seemed so strange to me
How we've gone from something's missing
To a family
Lookin' through the glass I think about the man
That's standin' next to me
And I hope I'm at least half the dad
That he didn't have to be

Lookin' back all I can say
About all the things he did for me
Is I hope I'm at least half the dad
That he didn't have to be

Yeah, I hope I'm at least half the dad
That he didn't have to be
Because he didn't have to be
You know he didn't have to be

Happy Father's Day Dad-E!

Happy Father's Day To Our Men Overseas

Happy Father's Day to our men overseas.



Some of the lyrics that I think speak volumes:

I'm just trying to be a father
raise a daughter and a son
be a lover to their mother
everything to everyone

Up and at em bright and early
I'm all business in my suit
yea I'm dressed up for success from my
head down to my boots

I don't do it for the money
there are bills that I can't pay
I don't do it for the glory
I just do it anyways

Providing for our futures
my responsibility yea I'm real
good under pressure being all that I can be
I can't call in sick on Monday
when the weekend's been to strong
I just work straight through the holidays
sometimes all night long

Ask Captain Dramatic

Last week I opened up Ask Captain Dramatic to our readers. I actually got a few people who wanted to ask Captain Dramatic a question. Captain Dramatic and I were thrilled. This weeks question may come as a surprise, as there is no mention of bodily functions, but it is a very serious question all the same. I always try to keep Captain Dramatic very light hearted, but since this question comes from another child CD's age, I thought it very imporant to post.

This weeks question comes from Alina, who is seven and a half and living in Newberg, Oregon. She reads Captain Dramatic with her mother Maria. You can find Maria's blog here. Here is Alina's email to CD.

Hi my name is Alina and I have a question for you on a situation that happened to me. I had my coat stolen from a teacher who then gave it to another girl. I cried and tried to let the teachers know and the principal know that it was my coat, but it seemed that no one wanted to believe me. The fourth grader then took it home and I know for a fact because she rides my bus. When I got home I told my mom and dad what had happened. And they started to get thing taken care of. I got my coat back thanks to my mom and dad, but I am upset and do not know what to do. My parents want to change my school and I am in mix emotions. I like my school because of my friends, but I don't like the girl who stoled my coat, nor the grown ups who did not believe me. My mom says I will be able to see my friends even if I don't go to that school. She said my friend Brooklyn you will see because she is on your swim team, Brownies, and soccer, along with she just lives up the street. Mom says that I have a test at CSLA and that with the test I could go into third grade and skip second grade, but that is all up to how the test comes out. I think it would be cool to be in third grade if I made it, but I am also going to miss my friends and don't want to leave my old school because of my friends. What do you think I should do?

Captain Dramatic came up with some very good advice for Alina. I have written it in a narrative below as I had to ask a few questions to keep the answer flowing.

(After I read CD the letter, as he is out of town right now, and we did this over the phone.)

Me: So, what do you think?

CD: A teacher stole her jacket, and gave it to someone else?

Me: Yes.

CD: That is so stupid.

Me: I agree, but she wants to know if she should go to the other school like her parents think she should.

CD: I think she should go the other school because those teachers are dumb for stealing from a kid and not believing her.

Me: What about her friends? She is worried about having to leave them.

CD: She said she will see them at swim team, brownies, and soccer. They live near her too, so she will see them then. She's also going to make new friends at the new school.

Me: So she should listen to her mom and dad and go to the new school?

CD: Yep!

Me: You don't think her parents might be wrong? (Yes, I am playing devil's advocate here.)

CD: No. They are older than her and have probably been through it before. They know what to do. Duh!

Thank you Alina for your thought provoking email, and CD and I wish you the best. IT sounds like mom and dad have things under control now, but we are sorry you had a horrible teacher try and steal from you. I think it was a very good thing to go to your parents and ask for their help. Evidentially CD does too.

To learn how you can submit your questions to Captain Dramatic, click here.

Saturday's Super Site

This weeks Saturday's Super Site distinction goes to Black Five. Black Five is a blog written by nine different authors, all of whom, have a great deal to offer.

You can get video like this:


Or videos like this:


There are jokes:
The Differential Theory of the U.S. Armed Forces (Snake Model)

And there are stories of all types:
HEAR THAT?
Happy Father's Day - The World's Strongest Dad
Lance Corporal Daniel Kim - Someone You Should Know

My point? There is something for everyone, and a blog you must read. To the writers of Black Five I send my thanks for hours of honest opinion, entertainment, and news. Keep up the good work!

You can learn about how to nominate a site by clicking on the graphic above. I would love to start seeing some nominations.

Too Funny!

I am not sure what city/town this was photographed in but I thought it was too funny to pass up.



Thanks Black Five!

Just Plain Sick!

This is just plain sick!

INDIANAPOLIS -- Sixth-grader Matt Porter didn't enjoy getting "Most Likely Not To Have Children" and "Sir Clowns-a-Lot" awards from two teachers at his school.

Matt said he received the awards in front of classmates during a ceremony at the Decatur Intermediate Learning Center at the end of the recently finished school year.

What king of teachers are these? Are these the kind of people you want your children spending six hours a day with? How disgusting! I expect that behavior (almost) from other children, but grown, supposedly educated adults? Grown, supposedly COLLEGE educated adults, employed by the county, to teach our children? Thankfully not mine, but it still sickens me. How grotesque a human can you be to publicly ridicule a child? You have to be a pretty small, and empty individual to do this to a little boy.

Poor little guy. I remember being picked on mercilessly as a child by other children. That hurt bad enough. I can only imagine how he felt being picked on by two adults who are supposed to be teaching him, and guiding him, and protecting him while he is away from his parents. Here is a picture of Matt.

His mother and his stepfather have asked the Decatur Township school system to reprimand the teachers, and they want an apology.

If I were them I would demand far more. I would start with their public humiliation, followed with a lot of "HOW DO YOU LIKE IT!", and then go after their jobs. I would not stop until I had them fired either. They have no place in education. They have proved that they are teaching all of the wrong stuff.

Unlike me, this is what the mother requested and what has been done.

Amy Sims, Matt's mother, said she met with a school official over the matter but was not satisfied with the response.

"She just told me that the teachers would call and apologize to him, and we've not heard anything at all," Amy Sims said.

Gary Pellico, spokesman for the school system, declined to say whether the teachers have been disciplined. He said system officials regret the incident.

"We don't feel like it was an appropriate awards ceremony at all," Pellico said. "It wasn't part of the school's award ceremony, and it will not happen again."

Amy Sims said her son needs counseling because of the awards. The school has offered it, but an agreement on who will provide it has not been reached, Thomas reported.

I sure as hell hope they don't want the parents to accept counseling from a member of the school's staff. They have already proven how effective their staff is at screwing children up, but not how effective they are at solving problems. I certainly would not agree to having my child counseled by a member of their staff. I wouldn't agree to having my child near to anyone on their staff after this incident.

In case any of you are as outraged as I am, and care to put in your two cents, you can find information on how to contact the school here:

Decatur Intermediate Learning Center

More On Bert Brady

The following video is about this past Wednesday's hero. I have seen it numerous places lately, and thought that just in case many of you aren't reading the same blogs I am that I would post it here as well. I felt that it is that important, and it truly is that heartwarming. Please watch:



Thank God we have Americans like him, an the soldiers he welcomes home. We are truly a lucky nation to have both.

Miss me?

Well, I hope a few of you have. I am very sorry that I have been absent from my blog for a few days, and more importantly absent from most of yours. Things have been busy around here. I hope you can forgive me, and I will try to do some catch up today.

Wednesday's Hero

This Weeks Hero Was Suggested By Malinda

69-year-old Bert Brady has never stepped foot in Iraq or Afghanistan, yet many soldiers who have know who he is and appreciate what he's done for them. You see, for the past year Mr. Brady has made a trip to the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport nearly every morning to welcome home returning American troops. Bert Brady, along with fellow veterans, is a member of the Welcome Home a Hero program. They make sure that every soldier who steps off a plane in Dallas gets a special homecoming.

Brady shows up each day with the goal of making soldiers feel appreciated and proud of their service. He's often joined by veterans of the Vietnam and Korean wars who did not get a warm reception when they returned from battle.

"We are not going to forget them like a lot of Vietnam soldiers have been forgotten," Brady said. "We are not going to forget the soldiers of today."

To read more about Bert Brady, you can go to ABCnews.com

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. To find out more about Wednesday Hero, you can go here.

Paris Talks To Barbara Walters From Jail

Paris called Barbara Walters from jail and said,

"I was severely depressed and felt as if I was in a cage."

Could that be because you are?

Read the whole this here.

Off To Iraq!

No, no, not me! I have a child I am trying to raise here! One of my favorite bloggers/free lance journalists is off to Iraq to embed with the troops. His name is Michael Totten and, he needs to raise a bit of money since he is not bank rolled by a major news firm, and isn't a trust fund recipient. You go here to learn more as to why he needs to raise the money, and what he needs it for. You can also read some of his work, which in my opinion needs to be read.

Marijuana Doesn't Cause The Loss Of Brain Cells?

Marijuana doesn't cause the loss of brain cells you say? Well, after watching this you would be hard pressed to convince me...



Should Paris go to jail for violating her probation? Tommy Chong thinks Paris wasn't thumbing her nose at the law? Oh yes she was! NEWS FLASH! If you violate probation that is exactly what you are doing.

Then there is obligatory blame placed on the evil Republicans who are causing Paris Hilton all this trouble simply because they are trying to divert the headlines. Are you serious? Scarily, I think he is.

I loved the part when he talked about his own jail time. He was incarcerated for nine months for selling a marijuana pipe across state lines, and served his full sentence. Somehow he managed to compare that to Scooter Libby and Martha Stewart's time for perjury and Paris Hilton's arrests for DUI. All are very different offenses, but I think Paris' may have posed the greatest threat to other's lives. Maybe that is the comparison he should be drawing instead.

Is anyone else sick of hearing all the Paris Hilton garbage? Me too, but I think this little interview irritated me more than all of that. One good thing did come out of all of this though. We now have video proof that Marijuana kills brain cells and impairs an individuals ability to participate in rational thought which directly affects their ability at good decisions and adult conversation.

Kudos to Contessa Brewer by the way. She did well.

Dennis Miller On Harry Reid (UPDATED)

I could very possibly be one of Dennis Miller's newest fans. Hot Air poster a video today in which Dennis Miller goes nuclear on Harry Reid. It is a must watch.

**UPDATE**

Here is the transcript of Dennis Miller's tirade.

"Senator, only in the off-the-rack culture we currently have could a whiny hack like you somehow rise to a position of leadership. The bad guys look to you to reinforce their belief that we are the weak horse and imminently conquerable. You are making that assertion so easy for them that they no doubt view you as the derrier of said horse.

Harry I hate to be the one to break this to you but trust me there are millions of people who concur with this and don’t have the opportunity that I do.

You are a vague, translucent living shade who barely matters and if you really want to serve the country that affords a trifle like you the opportunity to delude himself into thinking he matters, you must never ever speak out loud in public again."

**UPDATE**

YouTube now has the video.

A Friend's Request

A very good friend of mine recently had some trouble involving her daughter's school and her daughter. She is asking advice regarding the events. I thought I would send a few readers her way that have an unbiased eye on the matter. To help her out please click here.