Cute And Cuddly, Or A Messenger Of Death?

Cute and cuddly, or a messenger of death? I can't decide if this cat can be both, and I am not really sure how to feel about this one.

Oscar the cat predicts patients' deaths

By RAY HENRY, Associated Press Writer Fri Jul 27, 5:33 AM ET

Oscar the cat seems to have an uncanny knack for predicting when nursing home patients are going to die, by curling up next to them during their final hours. His accuracy, observed in 25 cases, has led the staff to call family members once he has chosen someone. It usually means they have less than four hours to live.

"He doesn't make too many mistakes. He seems to understand when patients are about to die," said Dr. David Dosa in an interview. He describes the phenomenon in a poignant essay in Thursday's issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

"Many family members take some solace from it. They appreciate the companionship that the cat provides for their dying loved one," said Dosa, a geriatrician and assistant professor of medicine at Brown University.

The 2-year-old feline was adopted as a kitten and grew up in a third-floor dementia unit at the Steere House Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. The facility treats people with Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease and other illnesses.

After about six months, the staff noticed Oscar would make his own rounds, just like the doctors and nurses. He'd sniff and observe patients, then sit beside people who would wind up dying in a few hours.

Dosa said Oscar seems to take his work seriously and is generally aloof. "This is not a cat that's friendly to people," he said.

Oscar is better at predicting death than the people who work there, said Dr. Joan Teno of Brown University, who treats patients at the nursing home and is an expert on care for the terminally ill

She was convinced of Oscar's talent when he made his 13th correct call. While observing one patient, Teno said she noticed the woman wasn't eating, was breathing with difficulty and that her legs had a bluish tinge, signs that often mean death is near.

Oscar wouldn't stay inside the room though, so Teno thought his streak was broken. Instead, it turned out the doctor's prediction was roughly 10 hours too early. Sure enough, during the patient's final two hours, nurses told Teno that Oscar joined the woman at her bedside.

Doctors say most of the people who get a visit from the sweet-faced, gray-and-white cat are so ill they probably don't know he's there, so patients aren't aware he's a harbinger of death. Most families are grateful for the advanced warning, although one wanted Oscar out of the room while a family member died. When Oscar is put outside, he paces and meows his displeasure.

No one's certain if Oscar's behavior is scientifically significant or points to a cause. Teno wonders if the cat notices telltale scents or reads something into the behavior of the nurses who raised him.

Nicholas Dodman, who directs an animal behavioral clinic at the Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine and has read Dosa's article, said the only way to know is to carefully document how Oscar divides his time between the living and dying.

If Oscar really is a furry grim reaper, it's also possible his behavior could be driven by self-centered pleasures like a heated blanket placed on a dying person, Dodman said.

Nursing home staffers aren't concerned with explaining Oscar, so long as he gives families a better chance at saying goodbye to the dying.

Oscar recently received a wall plaque publicly commending his "compassionate hospice care."

How would you, or do you feel?

Public Service Announcement!

VideoJug: How To Avoid Trapped Arm Whilst Cuddling In Bed

An who said this blog was informative!

Chris Cooper

Today I am mailing the first check off to Laura Cooper, mother of Chris Cooper, Jr. Again, my thanks to all of you. Please feel free to pass the information regarding our effots on to others you know.

Eye For An Eye

It seems that there is no shortage of sickos in the world today.

NEW YORK -- A pit bull who was found on fire while tied to a tree on Long Island died on Tuesday.

That was the first line a story I found on the WNBC website on the 16th. It was updated on the 17th. It is a story that is very sad, and it includes pictures that are accessible through a link, but they are very graphic. Both Captain Dramatic and myself were in tears. Yes, I let CD see them, as I felt they sent a very strong message. In that few minutes I was able to ascertain that my CD isn't capable of this kind of act, and will speak out if someone else he encounters is. Now I am slightly off the topic now, but before I go on you can find the entire article here.

It seems that a Pitt Bull dog was found tied to a tree, had been doused in gasoline, and lit on fire, and left there to burn by whomever had done this. He was a boy, and was named Maximus by emergency personnel. Maximus, who suffered burns over 60% of his body, died shortly after the incident despite efforts to save him. His caretakers, in his finals days, said that despite what he had been through, Maximus continued to try and wag his tail when they entered the room. That folks, tells me that this was indeed a very sweet and trusting dog, right up until the end.

I don't understand how any human can treat an animal like this. I don't understand it when they treat other humans like this for that matter. It happens though, and it shouldn't. It is wrong in ever sense of the word. Plain wrong. It breaks my heart to know that this animal suffered needlessly, and only offered some sick SOB a thrill, and it makes me worry for the world when things like this happen, as I know that this represents nothing but evil.

I am not sure how many of my readers hail from the great state of New York, but just in case, I wanted to post the necessary information, to be used by anyone with information, regarding this horrific event.

If anyone knows anything regarding this horrible turn of events, please contact:

The Suffolk County SPCA.
1-(631)-382-SPCA
http://www.suffolkspca.org/index.html

From what the article states there is a $1,000 reward for information that would lead to the conviction of the persons responsible. I would not need a monetary reward myself. Just the satisfaction of knowing that they couldn't do this to any other animals or any other people.

Finally, I wanted to let all of you know that I am much kinder than CD would be about this, should he have any say in what would happen to the perpetrators. CD would have them tied to a tree, doused in gasoline, and set ablaze as well. I did ask him how that made him better than them, and he pondered that for a few seconds. He said it wouldn't, but that sometimes you had to hit back to make people stop hitting you, and if he was in the same situation and couldn't hit back himself he would want someone to do it for him, and maybe this was one of those times. I couldn't argue with that reasoning as I know all too well that he is right. I think my son will be an ok addition to society as an adult if he stays on his current path...

Here's Hoping.

Ask Captain Dramatic

This week was a rough one for Captain Dramatic. Numerous times over the last month, month and a half, Dad-E and I have been asking CD to clean his room. We have taken away privileges, we have tried to reward him for the slightest progress, and we have threatened him with everything under the sun. Nothing seemed to work. Every time we went by his room, he would be lying amidst a huge disaster playing with something instead of cleaning. After threatening to, countless times, Dad-E and I went in there with garbage sacks, and hauled everything out that was on his floor Thursday evening. Today I asked CD a question regarding this turn of events:

Me: CD what have you learned about cleaning your room?

CD: That unless I want my toys taken away I need to just clean my room it instead of playing with a paper airplane. My Gameboy was more important than that stupid paper airplane, but I still have the paper airplane, and not the Gameboy. You weren't kidding when you said that if you had to clean it, I wouldn't like it...(insert a very sad face here.)

Nope, he didn't like it. Hysterics were involved.

To learn how you can submit your questions to Captain Dramatic, click here. Don't be shy!

Saturday's Super Site

This week's Saturday's Super Site is surprisingly only a day late. I am finally catching up! This week we honor Right Truth.

Right Truth is a political minded blog that is conservative in nature, and I have found I truly enjoy. It focuses on the news of the world today, and it's impact on all of us. It is a well written blog, and it is obvious that the author, Debbie, puts a great deal of thought into what she writes.

One post on her blog was of great interest to me, and it dealt with an email she received telling gun owners what they should do if they ever have to discharge their firearm to protect themselves. It is a must read for all gun owners, and you can find it here. The informative posts don't stop there however, so you must stop in and take a look for yourself.

Thank you Debbie for all of your hard work.

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

Chris Cooper, Jr. Update

I received an email today from Laura Cooper, Chris Cooper, Jr.'s mother. Chris Cooper, Jr. is in Iraq, and well. I asked if we could have an update on their progress to raise money for the burial for Chris Cooper, Sr. Here is what Laura had to say.

"Hi, well we are up to $6,600.00 so far that is great huh ? so we are not far from $7,700.00 it has taken a great deal of burden off of chris jr ,he is so thankful and he is doin ok ,he never complains he just says mom I just do what I gotta do,and he says when he gets back maybe we can get chris sr a headstone , we are hoping he comes back in november. I pray he does so I can have thanksgiving with both my boys. thanks again so much love and prayers Laura"

As you can see, help is still needed, and every little bit really does count. I appreciate all that you have done this far, as I am sure that the Cooper family does as well. Please feel free to spread the word.

Camping With The Cub Scouts

Anyone who read last weeks, very late, Ask Captain Dramatic, knows that we went camping with some of our Cub Scouts. We went to Davis Creek, had a close up of very large wild life in the middle of the night, and enjoyed ourselves immensely. I decided to post some of the other pictures from our trip and a video.

This is our tent. I love this tent.




This is some of the surrounding vegetation. I was a beautiful camp site.




And another view.




And here is my trusty ice chest being scoped out by smaller wild life. The boys took to feeding this squirrel just so they could then squirt it with the super soakers when it approached. Boys are such brats. aren't they?




After an all day water gun fight with the adults against the children, we had the boys begin working on their stuff for the talents show for that evening. Here is my favorite videos of the boys and their talent show. They did all their own writing, rehearsing, and choreography. Captain Dramatic is in the white shirt and black shorts. They were really proud of themselves, as they should be.

Talent Contest 1

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As you can see, we all had a great time.

Saturday's Super Site

This is a very late post. I hope you were all sitting on the edge of your seats eagerly awaiting it's arrival. Last weeks Saturday Super Site was nominated by me and is Web Gamin.

Web Gamin is a site that I have been keeping tabs on for quite some time, much to the dismay of the author, I am sure. I enjoy it tremendously as there is all kinds of fun stuff there for me to do. I get to add captions to random pictures, and try my hand at humor. I also get to guess what song and artist are responsible for seemingly random lyrics. The name that tune segment is my favorite by the way, as I love music.

There are many other articles available at Web Gamin as well. For example, I have been learning quite a bit about editing photos on my PC, and which are the best programs to use when doing so. You can also find a great video there about the Russian Mafia. There are countless other topics of interest, and I am sure there will be many more to come, so stop in and take a peek. There truly is something for everyone.

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

Green Belt Test

I had mentioned in a previous post that there have been several things that have occurred recently that have kept me away from my regular blogging. One of those things was my sons Green Belt Test. Captain Dramatic has been taking Tae Kwon-Do for almost two years now and has finally made it to his green belt, or 7th grade. After they complete their test, which requires memorization and a skill test, they can then participate in the awards ceremony where they get to break a board and receive a certificate. Below is a video of Captain Dramatic breaking his board.

Chris Has Acheived His Green Belt

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The boards come in two sizes and "Sir" will judge the skill level of the child or adult, and also take into consideration their size and strength, and decide what thickness to use or what combination of boards to use. They are either a quarter inch thick, or an inch thick. This particular board was a quarter inch thick and giving one of the other children a hard time. Sometimes the boards just don't want to break. I have seem a few (very few) that have been passed through all of the student at various belt ranks only to be broken by the instructor who is a sixth degree black belt.

Update On Fund Raising For The Family of Chris Cooper

I have more thank you to dole out this morning! After my post yesterday regarding my fund raising efforts for Chris Cooper a few more of you have stepped forward. Many thanks to The Count in Texas, and to Carlos in Kansas! I know this will mean the world to Chris Cooper, Jr. and his family. Keep those donations coming and feel free to spread the word!

Wednesday's Hero

This Weeks Solider Was Suggested By Robert

Lt. General Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller
June 26, 1898 - October 11, 1971


Lieutenant General Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller was a colorful veteran of the Korean War, four World War II campaigns, and expeditionary service in China, Nicaragua, and Haiti. He is the only one to win it five times for heroism and gallantry in combat earing him the distinction of being the most decorated Marine in the history of the USMC.

A Marine officer and enlisted man for 37 years, General Puller served at sea or overseas for all but ten of those years, including a hitch as commander of the "Horse Marines" in China. Excluding medals from foreign governments, he won a total of 14 personal decorations in combat, plus a long list of campaign medals, unit citation ribbons and other awards. In addition to the Navy Crosses, the highest honor the Navy can bestow, he holds its Army equivalent, the Distinguished Service Cross. A list of his awards can be found here.

Born 26 June 1898, at West Point, Virginia, the general attended Virginia Military Institute until enlisting in the Marine Corps in August 1918. He was appointed a Marine Reserve second lieutenant 16 June 1919, but due to force reductions after World War I, was placed on inactive duty ten days later. He rejoined the Marines as an enlisted man to serve with the Gendarmerie d'Haiti, a military force in that country under a treaty with the United States. Most of its officers were U. S. Marines, while its enlisted personnel were Haitians.

After almost five years in Haiti, where he saw frequent action against the Caco rebels, Puller returned in March 1924 to the United States. He was commissioned a Marine second lieutenant that same month, and during the next two years, served at the Marine Barracks, Norfolk, Virginia, completed the Basic School at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and served with the 10th Marine Regiment at Quantico, Virginia.

In July of 1926, Puller embarked for a two-year tour of duty at the Marine Barracks, Pearl Harbor. Returning in June 1928, he served in San Diego, California, until he joined the Nicaraguan National Guard Detachment that December. After winning his first Navy Cross in Nicaragua, he returned to the United States in July 1931 to enter the Company Officers Course at the Army Infantry School, Fort Benning, Georgia. He completed the course in June 1932 and returned to Nicaragua the following month to begin the tour of duty that brought him a second Navy Cross.

In January 1933, Puller left Nicaragua for the United States. A month later he sailed from San Francisco to join the Marine Detachment of the American Legation at Peiping, China. There, in addition to other duties, he commanded the famed "Horse Marines." Without coming back to the United States, he began a tour of sea duty in USS AUGUSTA of the Asiatic Fleet. In June 1936 he returned to the United States to become an instructor in the Basic School at Philadelphia. He left there in May 1939 to serve another year as commander of the AUGUSTA's Marine Detachment, and from that cruiser, joined the 4th Marine Regiment at Shanghai, China, in May 1940.

After serving as a battalion executive and commanding officer with the 4th Marines, Puller sailed for the United States in August 1941. In September, he took command of the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, at Camp Lejeune. That Regiment was detached from the 1st Division in March 1942 and the following month, as part of the 3rd Marine Brigade, sailed for the Pacific theater. The 7th Regiment rejoined the 1st Marine Division in September 1942, and Puller, still commanding its 1st Battalion, went on to win his third Navy Cross at Guadalcanal.

The action that brought him that medal occurred on the night of October 24-25 1942. For a desperate three hours his battalion, stretched over a mile-long front, was the only defense between vital Henderson Airfield and a regiment of seasoned Japanese troops. In pouring jungle rain the Japanese smashed repeatedly at his thin line, as General Puller moved up and down its length to encourage his men and direct the defense. After reinforcements arrived, he commanded the augmented force until late the next afternoon. The defending Marines suffered less than 70 casualties in the engagement while 1400 of the enemy were killed and 17 truckloads of Japanese equipment were recovered by the Americans.

After Guadalcanal, Puller became executive officer of the 7th Marines. He was fighting in that capacity when he won his fourth Navy Cross at Cape Gloucester in January 1944. There, when the commanders of the two battalions were wounded, he took over their units and moved through heavy machine-gun and mortar fire to reorganize them for attack, then led them in taking a strongly fortified enemy position.

In February 1944, Puller took command of the 1st Marines at Cape Gloucester. After leading that regiment for the remainder of the campaign, he sailed with it for the Russell Islands in April 1944. He went on to command it at Peleliu in September and October 1944. He returned to the United States in November 1944, named executive officer of the Infantry Training Regiment at Camp Lejeune in January 1945, and took command of that regiment the next month.

In August 1946, Puller became Director of the 8th Marine Corps Reserve District, with headquarters at New Orleans, Louisiana. After that assignment, he commanded the Marine Barracks at Pearl Harbor until August 1950, when he arrived at Camp Pendleton, California, to re-establish and take command of the 1st Marines, the same regiment he had led at Cape Gloucester and Peleliu.

Landing with the 1st Marines at Inchon, Korea, in September 1950, he continued to head that regiment until January 1951, when he was promoted to brigadier general and named Assistant Commander of the 1st Marine Division. That May he returned to Camp Pendleton to command the newly reactivated 3rd Marine Division in January 1952. After that, he was assistant at division commander until he took over the Troop Training Unit, Pacific, at Coronado, California, that June. He was promoted to major general in September 1953, and in July 1954, assumed command of the 2nd Marine Division at Camp Lejeune. Despite his illness, he retained that command until February 1955, when he was appointed Deputy Camp Commander. He served in that capacity until August, when he entered the U. S. Naval Hospital at Camp Lejeune prior to retirement.

In 1966, General Puller requested to return to active duty to serve in Vietnam, but was turned down because of his age. He died 11 October 1971 in Hampton, Virginia, after a long illness. He was 73.

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.

Chris Cooper

As many of my regular readers know, I started collecting money with my website to assist a soldier who needed some help. His name was Chris Cooper, and you can read about him here.

I didn't see a lot of interest in helping him in the form of donations, but I did get one. My single and only donation came from Dean in Oklahoma. My heartfelt gratitude goes out to Dean. Thank you my friend.

Within this week (no later than Friday) I will be sending the money donated by Dean, as well as what I planned to give off to Chris Cooper and his family.

Ask Captain Dramatic

Dad-E, Captain Dramatic and myself were all camping this weekend with the cub scouts at Davis Creek. It was a beautiful camp ground that is frequented by many people every year, as well as two male bears. The park rangers were sure to warn us of this as it was a given that the bears would wander into our camp at some point this weekend. All of the food had to be locked up in bear boxes for safety reasons, and as an added precaution tent checks were done nightly to ensure that the children hadn't decided to hide snacks in their tents.

On Saturday night we were all around the camp fire. Well, ok, not a camp fire. Campfires were prohibited due to the high fire danger, but bar-b-q's weren't as charcoal doesn't snap, crackle, and pop and send embers into the air. We were all around the bar-b-q, singing songs and playing games, and roasting marshmallows when we heard a a noise. A loud noise that sounded like twigs snapping (maybe even branches by the sound it put off) under the feet of something heavy. We all got really quiet, and started shining flashlights and lanterns in the direction of the noise. In the dark, all you could see were the glow of eyes as the light hit them. It was one of the parks bears. He was not really close, but he must have been closer than Captain Dramatic wanted him to be. The communal silence was broken by:

CD: Mom?
Me: What?
CD: Can we go to bed now?
Me: You can go anytime you want, the tent is right there.
CD: No, can WE go to bed now? I am not going by myself.

I chuckled a little, and explained that the bear didn't want him, just our food. That is when most of us got up to make sure that the bear box was secured.

Later that night when we were all in our tents and asleep the bears were back. None of the parents woke when they were, but all of the children did. Two boys, who were in their own tent, had their tent tripped on and knocked over, but got out and re-pitched their tent while the bears were still roaming the campsite. Captain Dramatic, who was in the tent with Dad-E and myself, had renewed bravery from the false sense of security the tent gave him, looked a bear right in the face out the window of the tent and shined his light at the bear for a while, but decided against trying to get over me and out of the tent. When I woke in the morning was was still clinging to his flashlight.

Everyone one of the boys got up the next morning excited about the bears, and all were sharing their individual stories about the bears and their visit into camp. All laughing about the tent that got knocked over, and eager for yet another water gun fight, but sadly we had to tear our camp down and start the hike back to the cars, and say our goodbyes before it got any hotter.

Pictures and video of everything (but the bears, sorry) are to come.

To learn how you can submit your questions to Captain Dramatic, click here. Don't be shy!

Catch Up!

After a week end camping trip with the cub scouts, that was a lot of fun, and which we escaped with no fatalities of injuries, I have a lot of catch up to do. I will get my weekly posts up as soon as I can, as well as some pictures of recent events that had kept me on the go. I hope you will all forgive the tardiness, because as we all know, life happens for time to time.

Wednesday's Hero

Cpl. Clinton Warrick (Soldier On The Left)
Medic with the 2nd Platoon, 300th Military Police Company


Even after having been thrown several meters, knocked unconscious, set aflame and buried under rubble all as a result of a suicide-vehicle-borne IED, a Fort Riley medic braved small-arms fire to save the lives of fellow Soldiers and Iraqi policemen last year.

Cpl. Clinton Warrick received the Army's third highest award for valor during a June 18, 2007 ceremony at Riverside Park for his actions during a Sept. 18, 2006, insurgent attack at the Al Huryia Iraqi Police Station.

Maj. Gen. Carter Ham (soldier on the right), commanding general of the 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley, present Cpl. Warrick the Silver Star and other awards before his family and friends, and his former 300th MP Co. platoon leader, company commander and first sergeant.

"This is one of Fort Riley's great Soldiers - one of our real, no-kidding heroes," Maj. Gen. Ham said at the ceremony. "It is right and proper that we come here to present you this award for valor. It is heroes like this who make our Army the best in the world and our nation so strong."

You can read the rest of Cpl. Warrick's story here.

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.

How It Should Be!

My mother-in-law sent me an email that really struck a cord with me. The email outlined a lot of things that I have already been thinking, but never bothered to write about because there really wasn't any "delicate" way to word what I have to say. It wasn't a topic that I could delve into without a great deal of emotion. I have decided however, that I better start writing, and screw the idea of being "delicate". Anyone who knows me, knows I have never been "delicate" a day in my life anyway...

Have you heard about how a member of the Australian government has voiced his thoughts on how Muslims of that country, who wish to live under Sharia Law, should be handled? If not, you need to. You can read an article about it here.

The article states that The Federal Treasurer of Australia, Peter Costello, believes that there is no room in Australia for Sharia Law, as it is a secular State much like our own, and that those wanting to live under Sharia Law need to leave Australia and pursue this lifestyle elsewhere. As immigrants to Australia, they need to adjust to an Australian way of life. Australia doesn't need to adjust to theirs.

To all of you who read this blog, all I can say is, IT IS THAT SIMPLE! This shouldn't be up for discussion in Australia, The United Kingdom, or in the United States, or any other country that governs with a secular body. This is our home, it is what we made it to be, and from what I gather, the MAJORITY of us would like, very much, to keep it free of Sharia Law. If Sharia Law is something that this particular group of people want, they shouldn't come to the United States, the United Kingdom, or Australia looking for it, to have it, or to create it. They should go to a place that already lives and governs by it.

By it's very nature, Sharia Law is not secular, as our government is.Sharia Law doesn't believe in a separation of church and State. Also, Sharia Law is not conducive to the freedoms we enjoy, of which we all pride ourselves in having. It is also not a bedfellow to the religious tolerance the United States was founded on. It is completely against tolerance of anything different, or contrary to the religious teachings of this one religion, and more probably one mere sect of this one religion. (After all, there are a number of Muslims who have lived here peacefully, and without incident in the past.)

Some may argue that my above statements weren't too tolerant toward to Muslim religion, but I would disagree. The Muslim religion isn't where I have a problem. I have a problem when my religious freedoms, or any of my other freedoms, are taken away from me, and that is exactly what would occur if Sharia Law was one I would have to live under. Hear me when I say this, Your freedoms stop where mine begin! In other words, you can have all the freedom you want, as long as you aren't infringing on my rights and freedoms. The minute you start to get in the way of my freedoms of religion, and/or speech, and my right to pursue happiness as see fit, we are going to have a problem.

This concept doesn't just apply to Muslims wishing to live under Sharia Law. This applies to any immigrant. If you come to this country, do not expect us to bend to your ways. You can keep you culture, share your culture, do the same with your language, and pray to whatever god you like or no god at all, but don't expect the rest of us to do this too.

There also needs to be an attempt to acclimate to our society if you wish to survive. Learn the language, and realize, to survive here you may have to make some life changes. For example, if you can't eat pork due to your religious practices, then you need to pack a lunch for your kids, and start reading labels at the store, not petition the school board to ban pork. Not only that, but if you work in a grocery store, and can't handle alcohol, tobacco, pork, or something eles that store may sell, maybe you to rethink your occupational choice. This goes for you taxi cab drivers too.

Another example, if your religion doesn't allow you to recite the pledge of allegiance, then teach your kids to respect the fact that the rest of us will do so, and that they need to show respect while we stand, put our right hands over our hearts and recite the words. After all, you would want us to show your children respect by not making them do so.

Don't think that you can never learn English, and have the rest of the country cater to your needs. I will tolerate a reasonable learning curve, and be the first to encourage you to hang on to your language and teach your children, but don't walk into my place of employment and ask me for a job application in Spanish and then proceed to look at me like I have three eyes when I haven't the first clue what you are saying. I wouldn't got to Mexico, Spain, Iran, Germany, France or any other country to LIVE, and expect them to learn English for me.

You chose to be here, and if you don't like the way we are, or can't adapt well enough to survive, then you can always return from whence you came. Am I drawing the proverbial line in the sand? You bet I am. If you know what is good for you, don't cross it. As long as you stay on your side, I will stay on mine.

Ask Captain Dramatic

While stopping for coffee at a local Denny's Restaurant last weekend, with Dad-E's parents, Dad-E, Captain Dramatic, and myself all in attendance, Captain Dramatic had asked a question. His question's answer led us to a conversation of immunity and heredity. The conversation that he started with a simple question bored him to tears. That is when he said:

CD: Did I start this conversation?
Me: Yes.
CD: Can I end it?
Me: (following a round of laughter from all at the table) No.
CD: Darn it!

To learn how you can submit your questions to Captain Dramatic, click here. Don't be shy!

Saturday's Super Site

Welcome to this week's Saturday Super Site. Sorry this installment is coming to all of you late this week. I was "forced" to attend the Cub Scout day camp with my son all day yesterday in 100 degree heat. 100 degrees may have been tolerable, but there was a lack of shade, and we were on blacktop and sand. By the time we got home last night I was exhausted and went straight to bed, after a cold shower. I am done whining now, so without further ado...

This weeks Saturday's Super Site comes to us from Nee Betchel. Nee doesn't have a blog, yet. I am very happy to see readers nominating their favorite blogs! Thank you Nee! Nee nominated PA Pundits.Nee has this to say about PA Pundits:

"It has different writers. There's Humor, Satire, Cartoons, the Unexpected, News and views, Political, rants without being vulgar. I love the "Grumpy Old Man" when he gets wound up. Scooter is funny and off the wall. Scooter is the token Liberal in this conservative blog."

I, of course, had to see for myself. Scooter is indeed hysterical. Satire is at this blog in abundance, and the stories are reported and backed up with facts. I have to post one of my favorites:

New Message From Al Qaeda
July 12th, 2007 — Sniper One

It seems that Musharraf has managed to piss off Dr. Ayman al Zawahiri. I guess that’s fair, as I think anyone who has seen the duplicity of Musharraf has been pissed off at him.

Musharraf’s minor little battle with the Jihadis recently was a nice start, however it is far from enough. Pakistan is still very much an ally of the Jihadi in my opinion. They seem to do just enough to make people think that they are an ally against terror. However it would not surprise me if Musharraf paid Zawahiri to make this statement.

The post then goes on to quote another author and then continues:

Salvation through Jihad, I guess that’s like promiscuity for virginity.

Color me unimpressed.

Remember you can get up to a 25 million dollar (US) reward for information leading to the capture or death of this asshole.

You gotta love that! I did.

I hope you will all stop by and congratulate PA Pundits. I know you will enjoy your visit!

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

Gun Facts

Here are some important gun facts I received by email the other day.

1. An armed man is a citizen. An unarmed man is a subject.

2. A gun in the hand is better than a cop on the phone.

3. Colt: The original point and click interface.

4. Gun control is not about guns; it's about control.

5. If guns are outlawed, can we use swords?

6. If guns cause crime, then pencils cause misspelled words.

7. "Free" men do not ask permission to bear arms.

8. If you don't know your rights you don't have any.

9. Those who trade liberty for security have neither.

10. The United States Constitution (c) 1791. All Rights reserved.

11. What part of "shall not be infringed" do you not understand?

12. The Second Amendment is in place in case the politicians ignore the
others.

13. 64,999,987 firearms owners killed no one yesterday.

14. Guns only have two enemies: rust and politicians.

15. Know guns, know peace, know safety. No guns, no peace, no safety.

16. You don't shoot to kill; you shoot to stay alive.

17. 911 - government sponsored Dial-a-Prayer.

18. Assault is a behavior, not a device.

19. Criminals love gun control -- it makes their jobs safer.

20. If guns cause crime, then matches cause arson.

21. Only a government that is afraid of its citizens tries to control
them.

22. You only have the rights you are willing to fight for.

23. Enforce the "gun control laws" we ALREADY have, don't make more.

24. When you remove the people's right to bear arms, you create slaves.

25. The American Revolution would never have happened with gun control.

26. "A government of the people, by the people, for the people..."

Wednesday's Hero

This Weeks Hero Was Suggested By Sunni Kay

Ryan Rahe has been active in the Special Olympics since he was in Middle School. The now 25-year-old has won quite a few medals over the years, but not all of his medals are at his Tennessee home. Some of them have been sent, by Ryan, to soldiers fighting the War On Terror for "good luck".

Jayne Rahe, Ryan's mother, said the idea of sending support to the soldiers in harm's way came about when she and Ryan were talking about news coverage of the war in Iraq. Jayne visited www.anysoldier.com and discovered how she and Ryan could let the men and women in Iraq know their efforts are appreciated.

Ryan, named 2006 Special Olympics Athlete of the Year for the Blount County Sports Hall of Fame, said he felt good when he received the box from the soldiers. He said if he could talk with them face to face, he would say, "Thank you."

The Rahes plan to continue sending care packages to soldiers, including the medals.

"Ryan is a pretty generous fellow," Jayne said. "He doesn't mind giving things to people."

In a letter that Ryan received, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Anthony W. Grillett wrote:
"I and the Battalion can never thank you enough for sending us your medals. They have brought us luck and good fortune, and now as we prepare to deploy home we send them back to you with our eternal gratitude.

That you would send us something so precious is a reflection of your character. As you called us heroes; to me you are the hero. For I believe it is not who you are, or what you are that makes you a hero, it is the ability to give all especially when it is never asked.

Your courage to face the challenges required earning those medals and then so freely send them to us here in Iraq will forever make you a hero to me. I will never be able to truly express in words how honored I was when I read the letter from your Mother. It truly humbles me and shows me that what I fight for in our country will always be worth the small sacrifices asked of me. Thank you again."

Sometimes a hero is one who sacrifices everything in their life to help others. And sometimes a hero is one who sacrifices nothing more than their time.
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.

Justice Will Be Served

Do all of you remember Judge Pearson who sued his local dry cleaners, owned by Jin Nam and Soo Chung, for loosing a pair of pants? Do you remember how much he sued for? I will refresh you memories, $67,292,000 in damages. I thought it was absurd then, and I think it is absurd now. I doubt my opinion will change.

The judge in the original suit seems to have agreed, but Judge Pearson is still after an exorbitant amount of money, and it doesn't seem that he is done trying to accomplish his goal. This of course is a huge expense to a small business and the family of Jin Nam and Soo Chung. I am sure they have their entire life invested in this case at this point. They are trying to raise money to help pay the legal fees they have incurred.

You can read more about what they have been through already here.

I wanted to post the links to their site because Judge Pearson may just be out of his mind, and at this point I think he is blatantly trying to destroy Jin Nam and Soo Chung, who have no doubt, worked very hard to start and maintain their business.

I am sure that even the littlest amount will be appreciated as ever little bit counts in the end. I hope you will consider sending a little support their way. You can learn how you can help justice be served in this case by clicking here, or here.

Live Earth Concert

I am not going to say much about the Live Earth Concert. You have all heard about it, and maybe even watched it. I couldn't be bothered.

Personally, in my view, the jury is still out on global warming, what we can do about it, what truly causes it, and if we can even stop it, or even if we want to. That being said, even if I am undecided, there are many who aren't. Many loved the idea of the Live Earth concert. To me it was a dog and pony show that showcased the hypocrisy of the "famous" in our culture. It showed complete short-sightedness, and a complete disregard for all that they were supposedly speaking out to save. It was a "practice what I preach, but not what I do" event.

I was supposed to buy into that? Give me a break. Grow up, and lead by example, and for God's sake, get over yourselves.

Depraved Indifference

In my travels so far today there was a post up at the Blogway Boys, titled Depraved Indifference, that I had to share with all of you.

The news very seldom pisses me off to the extent that this little incident did. On June 23rd, as a stabbing victim lay bleeding to death on the floor of a Wichita, Kansas convenience store ... 5 shoppers stepped over her body and just kept shopping. To make matters worse, one of these fine citizens stopped to take a picture of the dying woman with his cell phone.

Please go read the whole thing.

I truly hope there is something legal that can be done to the five shoppers, and especially the one who took a picture. How horrible to be lying there dying with no one at least trying to help you in any way. People like this disgust me.

Ask Captain Dramatic

Here is a recounting of a recent conversation that took place in our home between Captain Dramatic, Dad-E and myself.

CD: Dad-E, can you come play Wii with me while mom watches Dr. Who and catches up?

Dad-E: Yes, but I have to change this light bulb first.

CD: OK. I will go play with myself until you are done.

Dad-E: *hysterical laughter*

Me: Uh, CD?

CD: Yeah?

Me: Don't say that anymore.

CD: Why?

Me: Because some people will think you mean that you are going to play with your ding-dong.

CD: Oh. OK. (runs off to the living room)

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

Saturday's Super Site

This week's Saturday's Super Site is brought to us by Malinda at Blah Blah Blog - The Soap Box. Malinda nominated Big White Hat. Malinda states that she had been reading the Big White Hat blog for over a year, that it was a true Saturday's Super Site, and suggested I take a look. I did, and I can see why she has been a reader for over a year.

Big White Hat is not a blog that focuses on memes. It focuses on life and it's interpretation though the author's eyes. It is a blog full of lessons regarding courtesy, integrity, understanding, faith, and family, just to name a few. Many of the posts are spiritual in many ways, and quite moving. It is a blog full of real life experiences and what a person could and should take away from those experiences. More importantly, the author is a person who leads by example, and someone who can teach others a great deal about taking the "high road".

Thank you Malinda for nominating Big White Hat, and my thanks to the author at Big White Hat for his writings that help reassure me that they are still some good guys, in big white hats, left in this world. Whoever it was that said they were a dying breed wasn't counting on the few that refuse to give up. That person was wrong, and boy am I glad.

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

Hysterical! Absolutely Hysterical!

Hysterical! Absolutely hysterical! What else can I say?


Shot at 2007-07-06

Poetic justice my friends.

Wednesday's Hero

On this Fourth Of July, a day in which we celebrate the birth of this great nation, we must also remember the brave men and women who made this day possible. To everyone who has and are currently serving in the United States Military I say Thank You. What you do day in and day out are what make this country great and me proud to live here. The sacrifices you've made for people whom you will never meet face to face will never be forgotten.

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.