I've taken statistics in College, and I know that they can be "Skewed" or "Cooked" to reflect any Stat that is desired, depending on who is performing the task.

Does anyone think that the new "higher" unemployment rates could be the result of the recent graduates, both from College and High School entering the Job Market?

With that in mind, are the "higher" unemployment rates something to worry about or is it a trend that will historically pass?

I've heard that this trend is the same this time of the year, every year.

Is this a democratic scare tactic?

Comment me plz :-)

 

obama rulwsFree speech is king

This isn't mine, but I wish it was - THIS should be on your mind as you celebrate the 4th

Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of  Independence?

Five signers were captured by the British as traitors and tortured before they died.

Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned.

Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army, another had two sons captured.

Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War.

They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor.

What kind of men were they?

Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners; men of means, well educated. But they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured.

Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags.

Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his reward. 

Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton.

At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson, Jr., noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt.

Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months.

John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was  dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year, he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished. A few weeks later, he died from exhaustion and a broken heart.

Norris and Livingston suffered similar fates.

Such were the stories and sacrifices of the American Revolution. These were not wild-eyed, rabble-rousing ruffians. They were soft-spoken men of means and education. They had security, but they valued liberty more.

Standing talk straight, and unwavering, they pledged: "For the support of this declaration, with firm reliance on the protection of the divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor."

They gave you and me a free and independent America. The history books never told you a lot about what happened in the Revolutionary War. We didn't fight just the British. We were British subjects at that time and we fought our own government!

Some of us take these liberties so much for granted, but we shouldn't.

So, take a few minutes while enjoying your 4th of July Holiday and silently thank these patriots. It's not much to ask for the price they paid. Remember: Freedom is never free!

I hope you will show your support by please sending this to as many people as you can. It's time we get the word out that patriotism is NOT a sin, and the Fourth of July has more to it than beer, picnics, and baseball games.

Anyone who thanks God for dead soldiers will most probably never see our fallen heros because their is no place open in Gods Kingdom for them unless they repent. I pray everday for our soldiers and their families and I thank them for what they sacrifice for me and country. 

Parade Magazine has essays from both Presidential candidates about patriotism. 

I pulled two of the most poignant quotes.

What do you think of them.

Happy Blogging,

Mike

 

"Patriotism in my mind — not just a love of America in the abstract, but a very particular love for, and faith in, one another as Americans"

---Senator Barack Obama

 

 

 If we are to be genuine patriots, we must remember also that we are patriots because we love the countrymen we will never know, who will be born after we are gone.

---Senator John McCain

 

 

With our economy going straight down the toilet you would think McCain and Obama would be using all the free media attention they are getting to outline just how they are going to "fix" things. I try and stay informed and I have yet to hear details come out of either canidate. Obama has the "run out the clock" plan going in full swing and he ain't saying squat. McCain is touring central & south america promoting Free Trade (huh)? One of the very things that has put us in this mess!!! What kind of knucklehead is running his campaign? Is McCain trying to lose votes? Please, someone share some ecouraging news with us concerning either canidate and what they will do when it comes to issues that really matter.

Dick Morris, ex Clinton Whitehouse advisor, busted Obama in his latest ad "claiming HE... OBAMA worked on Welfare reform... and eliminated 80 per cent of the welfare roles.

Morris was livid that McCain didnt jump on this lie TODAY... Not only was Obama TOTALLY committed to everything BUT welfare reform, he now lies in his latest AD. In fact Clintons welfare reform was a GOP welfare reform that Clinton fought 3 times and finally signed at the behest of Dick morris in a or else thing.... (www.dickmorris.com )   And Obama hated it but must have forgot his hate for work to welfare alllll of a sudden.  But to the Obama kool aid drinkers or those politically lazy, he figures no one checks.

OBAMA, we checked and you lied straight up bubba.   Looks like you better stay away from the former Carter-Kerry-Gore-Clinton CaM paiN advisors.  THey dont care if THEY lie.

.

If Obama is a christian, as he says he is, why didn't he take the oath of office for congress and the senate by placing his hand on a bible?? He chose the Koran because he believes in that religon. Another question I have is,  his TV add states he made laws helping the poor and helping wounded G.I."s. What laws were these?? He has never  even proposed a new law in congress. Why doesn't the liberal news call him on these mistatements. 

 

  It takes 9 minutes to listen to this. Tell me if you think it was worth it. JS
  This guy sure makes a lot of sense !!!!!     You've got to see this You Tube about presidential candidates. -
http://www.youtube.com/user/joeamericanus

---

Louisiana Politicians Flee in Terror



Politicians in Louisiana are suddenly discovering a sudden, hitherto unnoticed, urge to retire from public life and become private citizens once again. This eureka moment for about 140 (and growing by the hour!) politicians just “happens” to coincide with the approach of the date when Louisiana’s new ethics laws will come into effect. Perhaps the politicians are nervous—and for good cause.

A 1996-2007 study of all states with a population greater-than 2 million found Louisiana to be the most corrupt state, based on public official convictions. The average between the 35 states surveyed was just under 3 convictions per 100,000 population. Louisiana had 7.67.

Indeed, even before the debacle of Hurricane Katrina, the state had a reputation for high-profile corruption. Which may help explain why, in a recent poll, 75 percent of Louisiana residents responded “no” to the question, “In your opinion, does the state government spend tax dollars wisely?” Even the most unobservant Louisianian likely doesn’t equate padding a politician’s pockets with spending tax dollars wisely.

Enter Bobby Jindal. Riding into office on a wave of popular support, Governor Jindal pushed through the legislature a massive ethics reform measure. It would require greater accountability and transparency on the part of government officials, by forcing them to disclose their personal financial information. Any politician affected by the measure (and that’s most) who chooses to remain on the job after July 1st will have to comply with the new full disclosure regulations.

And so the panic-stricken politicians are dropping like flies.

Already, the Emergency Response Network Board, Garden District Security District, Louisiana States Art Council, Louisiana Geographic Information Systems Council, Louisiana Education Television Authority, Louisiana Board of Ethics, Millennium Port Authority, and the New Orleans City Park Improvement Board have all seen multiple members resign. In some cases, such as the ethics board, nearly all have left. A member of the University of Louisiana Board of Supervisors—and former union leader—resigned. Even the Culture, Recreation, and Tourism Secretary has left office (perhaps to avoid the risk the cultural and recreational pitfalls of a lengthy tour of the state prison).

Granted, it’s possible that some of these politicians simply consider their financial information personal, and do not wish to disclose it. That might be plausible, if there were only a handful of resignations. But not when the numbers hit the triple-digits. Maybe, just maybe, the resignations are indicative of the depth of corruption in the state. Too bad Gov. Jindal wasn’t in charge of evacuating New Orleans.

ALG Perspective: Whatever Louisiana just passed, Congress needs to do the same thing on the federal level. Then, the next session of Congress can be held in a bread box.

ALG News praises Governor Jindal and the LA Legislature for passing these much-needed ethics reforms. While perhaps not perfect, they go a long way towards ensuring real accountability of the taxpayer money that so many crooks have squandered, and transparency in the dealings of these politicians. .

The timing of the resignations is proof that the reforms are working: The anti-corruption measure is sending the money-grabbing politicians scurrying for cover, lest their dastardly deeds be exposed for all to see. And that’s good news for the people of Louisiana.

Like I've always maintained The Politicians will respond to your wishes only when they are scared into it   --LQQKING--

PS As I am originally from New Orleans It is funny to watch this

Check this out. I enjoy watching the polls, but do not take them to heart. This poll was done well.

 

http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/PPP_Release_
Florida701.pdf

Obama, McCain close in Florida; Martinez vulnerable

 

Raleigh, N.C. –

to the newest survey from Public Policy Polling.

It’s a marked improvement from PPP’s last Florida poll, taken in March at the heart of

the Jeremiah Wright controversy, which showed him trailing 50-39.

Party unification is the key to Obama’s improved standing in the state. At that time he

was getting the support of only 60% of self identified Democrats. In this survey he’s

polling at 74% with them, and also leading 45-33 among independent voters.

PPP surveys over the last two weeks have shown Obama with leads in the swing states of

Ohio, Virginia, Michigan, and now Florida.

“It’s a long way until November, but Barack Obama would be looking at an Electoral

College landslide if the election was today,” said Dean Debnam, President of Public

Policy Polling. “Our polls in Florida and Michigan over the last two weeks have also

served as confirmation that controversy over the seating of the two states’ delegations at

the convention is not causing the Democratic Party any long term issues.”

PPP also took a look ahead to the 2010 Senate election and found that Mel Martinez is

quite vulnerable. His approval rating is only 23%, with 43% of the state’s voters

disapproving of his performance.

In a possible contest against the state’s Chief Financial Office, Alex Sink, Martinez trails

37-31. Against Congressman Robert Wexler, it would be a 33-33 draw.

PPP surveyed 723 likely voters from June 26

3.6%. Other factors, such as refusal to be interviewed and weighting, may introduce

additional error that is more difficult to quantify.

Complete results are attached and can be found at www.publicpolicypolling.com.

NOV. 4, 2008 the Day of Reckoning The Declaration of Independence Phase II Win back America! THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE PHASE II IS A UNITED STATES OF AMERICA PROBLEM. WE CAN SOLVE IT IN THE AMERICAN WAY WITH CONVICTION, GUTS, DEDICATION AND THE HELP OF ALMIGHTY GOD. The colonist in June of 1776 America wrote the Declaration of Independence. It has served us well and it will serve us now; it is of more importance now than it was then. How many people have read it? The preamble reads ….. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these rights are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. – That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends – it is the Right of the People to alter or abolish it, and to institute new Government.” For the majority of Americans, we believe that the present Government is destructive of our rights and the guarantees of freedom given to us by the Declaration of Independence. It is the right and the obligation of the United States Citizen to alter and to change our abusive government. The PLAN is for the Citizens of this nation to take back control of the nation. The government derives its powers from the governed. The government does not derive its power from its elected officials. When the citizen’s lose control of their government, the Government controls its citizens. The proposal is simple. Change government by changing the faces in government. NO RE-ELECTIONS FOR ANYONE IN A FEDERAL ELECTIVE OFFICE for the next two National Elections, 2008 and 2012. It has been stated and I have no reason to question it – that 90 percent of all the lawyers that have ever lived are alive and well and are living and working in Washington, DC. A lawyers task is to practice law not make the laws. Point One: no re-elections. Point Two: no more lawyers in Washington, DC. The revolution to regain America by its people has already started; the troops are gathering. The first battle will be fought on Nov. 4, 2008; in just one day we can win back America or forfeit the war. All that will be required of you is that you vote on Nov. 4, 2008 – make it the largest turn out of voters in history. Do not vote for an incumbent; do not vote for a lawyer. Your future and the future of the United States of America are riding on what you do on Nov. 4, 2008. You can be part of the problem or part of the solution. It’s your choice. An unprecedented voter turnout on Nov. 4, 2008 will put the fear of God into every aspiring politician, every Cartel, every Monopoly. The American voter is to be feared by everyone who would do us an injustice or denies us our God given rights as they are manifested in our Declaration of Independence. Every citizen can write their name on that Document. If they are willing take up the pen and vote. Every American no matter his race, creed, religion or sex, has the opportunity to get this nation back on the right track. We can win or we can lose in a one day battle. Spread the word; get out the vote, it’s now or never for America. American’s are the only people in the world who have fought and died for other nations’ freedom and all that we ever asked of those nations was enough land in which to bury those who made the ultimate sacrifice for another person’s freedom. Has it all been in vain? Let’s fight for our own freedom; we have not done that since the American Revolution. You can be part of the solution or part of the problem. Send this message to everyone on your Email list and ask them to do the same. If any one asks for a donation for the PLAN- they are part of the problem not part of the solution. Our only tool is the Internet. The only power this PLAN has is what you give it. MAY GOD BE WITH US ALL: AMEN! Rev. Charles F Sousa D.D. Congregational Minister Captcfs@comcast.net 2825 Lorado Ave Panama City Fl, 32405 850-872-1534

 

Today Iran has threatened to “use every toll at its disposal” to counter any attack (including self defense in their own country) by Israel including using “its” control over the Gulf Straights ...40% of all the world oil goes threw this region , so Iran has just threatened to cut the world off if it does not “tolerate” its invasion of Israel

So what response do you think we should make to this threat ? Perhaps Obama should take a moment and go and “talk” to them NOW ...I mean he is the “dictator whisperer” right ? He knows magic words that will bring peace instantly ...Hell IF (and only IF) he could disarm Iran before November I would vote for he ! LOL

I've been researching an Idea that I heard the other day.  Do Tax Cuts actually increase Tax Revenue?   Leave me a comment. 

Thanx

~RileY~

High-Stakes Courts

SOURCE:The Conservative Voice

By Thomas Sowell

Recent landmark court decisions are reminders that elections are not just about putting candidates in office for a few years.

 

The judges that elected officials put on the bench can remake the legal landscape, change fundamental social policies and even affect the way wars are fought, long after those who appointed them have served their terms and passed from the scene.

The Supreme Court recently created a new "right" out of thin air for captured enemy soldiers and terrorists-- the right to seek release in the federal courts, something that neither the Constitution nor the Geneva Convention provided.

The High Court has also struck down gun control laws as violations of the Second Amendment. Whatever the legal merits or the policy merits of that decision, it is a major change, created by judges.

The point here is that federal judges, including Supreme Court justices, wield enormous-- and growing-- power. What that means is that when we vote for the candidates who will nominate and confirm judges, we are making decisions not only for ourselves but for generations yet unborn.

Recent momentous decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court have been decided by 5 to 4 votes, including the votes of justices appointed by presidents who are no longer living-- Justice John Paul Stevens, appointed by President Ford, and Justice Anthony Kennedy, appointed by President Reagan.

Whoever is elected to the White House this November is expected to appoint two or three new members of the Supreme Court-- justices who will be making major decisions affecting the future of American society, long after that president is gone.

Your children will be living during the lifetime tenure of those justices, and your grandchildren will be living in a world shaped by the precedents that those justices set.

In a year when dissatisfaction has been expressed by both Democrats and Republicans with the presidential candidates chosen by their own parties, it is worth keeping in mind the high stakes involved in judicial appointments-- and therefore in presidential elections.

This is especially important to be kept in mind by voters who are thinking of venting their frustrations by voting for some third-party candidate that they know has no chance of being elected.

There will be a president chosen this November, and he will appoint Supreme Court justices during his term, regardless of whether you stay home or go to the polls.

His choices for the High Court will have a major impact on history, whether you vote after a sober consideration of many facts or vote on the basis of the candidate's rhetoric, style or demographics.

Even more important than the particular issues that courts will decide is the more fundamental issue of what a judge's role is in our system of Constitutional government.

In the gun control decision, for example, there were justices who read the history and meaning of the Second Amendment differently. What was most dangerous, however, was Justice Stephen Breyer's opinion that it was up to judges to weigh and "balance" the pros and cons of gun control laws.

If we have Constitutional rights only when judges like the end results, we may as well not have a Constitution.

Is the right to free speech to be put aside, and a journalist put behind bars, whenever a judge thinks that journalist went "too far" in expressing an opinion about some politician or bureaucrat?

Is someone to be tried over again for the same crime, even after having been acquitted, if judges regard the Constitutional ban on double jeopardy as just a suggestion to be weighed and "balanced?"

We have already seen what happens when a 5 to 4 majority decides that politicians can seize your home and give it to somebody else, if judges don't think your property rights "balance" whatever politicians choose to call "the public interest."

When deciding which candidate you want in the White House for the next 4 years, it is worth considering what kind of judges you want on the federal courts for the next generation.

How is it that someone who kidnaps a child and rapes them deserves to be included in the cruel and unusual act? What's cruel and unusual is the fact that sympathy is given to the creeps that prey on kids. What's also cruel and unusual is what parents go through in a situation like this. I believe an eye for an eye. For those who oppose. Let this tragedy occur to your child and let's see how you feel.

Vets for Freedom Support Allen West

Source Vets for Freedom

Vets for Freedom is proud to announce its support of Allen West for United States Congress in the 22nd District of Florida. With a 20 year career as an officer in the Army, LTC West proudly served with distinction in Operation Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom, earning a Bronze Star, three Meritorious Service Medals, three Army Commendation Medals (one with Valor), and a Valorous Unit Award. Vets for Freedom applauds Allen’s commitment to continue his public service as a member of the United States House of Representatives........................................
MORE

You may not recall LtCol West but I'd bet you remember his story. LtCol West was the Officer that discharged his pistol alongside the head of an enemy terrorist. Causing fear,  but NO INJURY to the terrorist

 By doing so he obtained information that surely saved his men's (and your sons and daughters) lives .He also earned himself an article 32 hearing.......a prelude to a Courts Martial for the act.

Please read the full story here at nationalreview.com

 

We blog here every day with little hope of actually changing anything. Please spread the word on LtCol West and if you know anyone down in the Boca Raton - Oakland Park - Cooper City area of Florida an extra good word never hurts.

We are always whining that their are no good politicians in Washington it  appears our southern neighbors have a chance to make a correction to that.

 

--LQQKING-- 

 

 

Somebody posted the following email making the rounds among the right wing zealot web sites. Hilariousy, whoever wrote this doesn't think that their fellow right wingers have enough intelligence to even prepare a Form 1040EZ, & sadly, from the cut & pastes & the comments posted they are correct. Yes, the dumbing of America can be humorous.

Taxes...Whether Democrat or a Republican you will find these
statistics enlightening and amazing.

http://www.taxfound ation.org/ publications/ show/151. html

Taxes under Clinton                            Taxes under Bush 2008

Single making 30K - tax $8,400                Single making 30K - tax $4,500
Single making 50K - tax $14,000             Single making 50K - t ax $12,500
Sing le making 75K - tax $23,250              Single making 75K - tax $18,750
Married making 60K - tax $16,80 0            Married making 60K- tax $9,000
Married making 75K - tax $21,000            Married making 75K - tax $18,750
Married making 125K - tax $38,750          Married making 125K - tax $31,250
Both democratic candidates will return to the higher tax rates

It is amazing how many people that fall into the categories above
think Bush is screwing them and Bill Clinton was the greatest
President ever.  If Obama or Hillary are elected, they both say they
will repeal the Bush tax cuts and a good portion of the people that
fall into the categories above can't wait for it to happen. This is
like the movie, The Sting with Paul Newman; you scam somebody out of
some money and they don't even know what happened.

 

This is nothing more then normal typical right wing zealot BS - throw out crap & hope someone believes it.   Whoever wrote this is either a lame little liar, or is just plain stupid enough to write about a subject he knows nothing about. 
  The writer of this crap certainly showed his complete lack of knowledge concerning income taxes. He listed a link: www.taxfoundation.org/publications/show/151.html



  knowing that some will blindly believe that his following calculations are shown on that web site. What the link actually brings you to is a report titled “Federal Individual Income Tax Rates History“ from 1913-2008. It shows all the tax brackets for each year, but it does not, for example, say how much tax a single taxpayer making 30K actually paid any year.     Here is where the laughs really take off. He claims:
Taxes under Clinton 1999                     Taxes under Bush 2008  

Single making 30K - tax $8,400            Single making 30K - tax $4,500
Single making 50K - tax $14,000          Single making 50K - tax $12,500
Single making 75K - tax $23,250          Single making 75K - tax $18,750
Married making 60K - tax $16,800        Married making 60K- tax $9,000
Married making 75K - tax $21,000        Married making 75K - tax $18,750
Married making 125K - tax $38,750      Married making 125K - tax $31,250  

ALL OF THESE AMOUNTS ARE INCORRECT!  

Let’s examine one of the claims - that in 1999, a single taxpayer making 30K paid income taxes of $8,400. The writer looked at the 1999 tax brackets showing that 30K for a single taxpayer was in the 28% bracket. So he multiplied $30,000 times 28%, and claimed $8,400 of taxes was paid. FUNNY, FUNNY STUFF!  

First, the writer doesn’t even know that tax brackets are based on taxable income, not what someone makes. In 1999, the single standard deduction was $4,300 & 1 personal exemption was $2,750. So this single taxpayer making 30K had taxable income of $22,950.  

So this single taxpayer who made 30K in 1999 was actually taxed on $22,950 (or less if he itemized deductions) which was taxed @ 15%.   Therefore his tax was $3,446, not $8,400.  

Secondly, the writer thinks that if your total income figure is within a higher tax bracket, then all your income is taxed at that rate. MORE FUNNY, FUNNY STUFF!

The reality though is that even if you make a $million, your taxable income is taxed progressively up the brackets.  

Take the claim that a single taxpayer making 50K paid $14,000 in taxes in 1999. The writer took this whole $50,000 & multiplied it times 28%   This taxpayer actually had taxable income of $42,950 (even less if he itemized). Even though this $42,950 falls in the 28% bracket, the first $25,750 was taxed at 15%. His income tax was $8,686, not $14,000 as claimed.  

ALL of the numbers in his BS are not even close to reality. He claims the single taxpayer making 30K is paying $3,900 per year less than in 1999 ($4,500 in 2008 compared to $8,400 in 1999), as I said - NOT EVEN CLOSE.

Are the numbers for the same income less in 2008, than in 1999? YES. For example, the single taxpayer making $30,000 paid $690 less in 2008 than in 1999. Anyone who thinks this taxpayer isn’t paying back more in increased local or state taxes or fees or rate increases, think again. For example, when U.S. Treasury revenue declined due to the tax cuts, less federal money was sent to the states. One of Jeb Bush’s solutions was to reduce the percentage of local school taxes that the state paid. You now make that up by paying a greater percentage of local school taxes. In other words your property taxes increased to help offset your income tax cut. The politicians want you to disregard everything else, & just see what happened on your 1040. Sadly, some are fooled this way.  

The BS continues with:
“If Obama or Hillary are elected, they both say they will repeal the Bush tax cuts and a good portion of the people that fall into the categories above can't wait for it to happen.”
 
Now either the writer just blindly believes any propaganda that sounds good to him, or he is simply mistaken, or he’s an outright liar. Neither of the Democratic candidates are saying they will repeal the tax cuts “of the people that fall into the categories above” (This nonsense specifically stated income of $125,000 or less).

Clinton’s plan for income taxes is to “Increase on income over $250,000. Make the current (Bush tax cut) rates for "middle class" families permanent.” Also “Would create a matching refundable tax credit for contributions made to 401(k)s.”

Obama’s plan is “"Repeal Bush's tax cuts for top 1%. Eliminate income taxes on seniors earning $50,000 per year or less.”

So the reality is “the people that fall into the categories above” would do better under Clinton’s or Obama’s plans, not worse as the scare tactic propaganda claims.

BTW - Clinton’s & Obama’s plans are also on the Tax Foundation’s web site @ http://www.taxfoundation.org/candidates08/compare/a>



  Guess the writer just happened to miss that page.

McCain is seriously looking at Romney being his VP.  His second choice is John Thune of South Dakota; just incase he can't stomach Romney.  I like his second choice better then his first choice. 

John Thune - Issues

I wanted to share something my Uncle (Naval Man) sent to us kids (even though I'm over 25) for everyone to read here, hope you don't mind!

Sometimes we may forget, why we have the day off.  We would have no independence were it not for our servicemen and women who secured and kept us independent.  Freedom is not free.  We need to appreciate the sacrifices many have made.  Remember Daniel 5:21, 1 Cor 2:5 and Hebrews 13:8 to keep everything in perspective.

When a soldier comes home, he finds it hard...

...to listen to his son whine about being bored.

...to keep a straight face when people complain about potholes.

...to be tolerant of people who complain about the hassle of getting ready for work.

…to be understanding when a co-worker complains about a bad night's sleep.

...to be silent when people pray to God for a new car.

…to control his panic when his wife tells him he needs to drive  slower.

…to be compassionate when a businessman expresses a fear of flying.

...to keep from laughing when anxious parents say they're afraid to send  their kids off to summer camp.

…to keep from ridiculing someone who complains about hot weather.

…to control his frustration when a colleague gripes about his coffee being cold.

…to remain calm when his daughter complains about having to walk the dog.

...to be civil to people who complain about their jobs.

...to just walk away when someone says they only get two weeks of vacation a year

...to be forgiving when someone says how hard it is to have a new baby in the house.

...The only thing harder than being a Soldier...

...is loving one.

 

REMEMBER TO HONOR THEIR FAMILIES TOO! 

Each above quotation is captions with photo's featuring our soldiers in Iraq.  I think you will enjoy seeing the slide show in my photo albums which I made specially for this blog.  The album name is Independence Day...enjoy and please let me know what you think afterward!

http://community.myfoxorlando.com/photos/ShowPhoto.
aspx?aid=35098&un=BornToBeWild&ss=1

Have a very safe and HAPPY 4th of July!  ENJOY!!! 

BoopBoopADoop

I am SO sick to death of this.

I go to work, to work.  As a programmer, I work in an industry that is desperate for people so, if you can program, you're pretty sure to get a job.

I have no problem with this.  We are a nation of immigrants.  My grandparents would have LOVED to have been able to take a class, apply themselves and get a job, and I laud anyone who does.

However, it is utterly obnoxious when you sit there speaking Spanish or Hindi in a room full of English speakers, clearly because you don't want other people to be included in your conversation.

Especially when it turns into a loud conversation, and ESPECIALLY if you're going to play the race card the moment anyone comments on it.

What REALLY gets me angry is when you speak to someone about a work-related issue, and they can't understand you because their English isn't good enough, however they're making no effort to improve it.  Why should they?  As the Salvation Army found out, if you let them go for that, you better have a good lawyer.

You come here, you work here, you better be willing to contribute.  You can't do that if you can't understand the people around you, and they can't do that if they can't understand you.  Whether it seems 'fair' or not, English is the language of the land.

D.C.'s gun-ban, banned. The recent Supreme Court ruling threw out the gun control law fosteres by those in Washington D.C.  It is a victory and once again the ordinary law-abiding man or woman can legally protect themselves as guarenteed by the Second Amendment in the Constitution, right ? That's right, but did the justices did a little two-step shuffel as well ? In that ruling, they struck down D.C.'s ban and then stated that the Second Amendment Right to bear arms is not ABSOLUTE. I fully understand what that word means , it means your rights, as a law-abiding citizen, by this ruling are conditional.  It is my belief  this wording opens the door and allows further litigation and dissent. , Suppossedly we have a system of checks and balances, has anything been " checked " ? Has  " balance " been restored ?  Does this ruling state " conditions " ?  Does this ruling state who has the specific authority to set  " conditions " and under what circumstances ?

I understand the need for " martial law " , that authority, and those conditions. I understand the "need " to deny convicted felons the right to bear arms. I understand the " need " to deny those that are mentally ill the right of possession.

But what about those that abide by the law ? Will this word " absolute " , it 's use in this case, and some unfinished bussiness open the door and leave MORE VICTIMS ?

Your thoughts, your comments, do you care ?

 

Michelle, honey, I have a pounding headache.
Would you get me a glass of deuterium,
and a pellet of uranium?
Oh, and while you're at it, darling,
would you plug me into
the DNC Downlink Core?
My Memory is about scrambled.

Ah, yes! Thank you!

That's my little lovie-dovie.

ORL

With the recent decisions of the Supreme Court I have been thinking a lot about the Justice's that are filling those 9 chairs. With the upcoming election there is the possibility that the new President could be faced with the task of filling at least 2 of those seats during his term. Both Stevens (88), and the oldest member of the court and Ginsburg (75) could very well retire leaving either Obama or McCain to make the appointments.

 Should Obama win the election should he be faced with this task he really doesn't have a chance of changing the political makeup of the court, but should McCain win he would have this advantage and that makes me wonder just what impact that kind of thing would have on us as a Nation. While we have had in the past, Supreme Courts that have been fairly one sided in political stance, I believe that there is a crucial need for a more balanced court if we expect there to be real justice applied to the cases it hears so would McCain keep this balance or tip it further in favor of his party?

 The age make up of this sitting court being in the majority of late 60's to late 80's has always traditionally been a major factor in the decisions they hand down but now with the inclusion of 3 who are in age (Thomas 60, Alito 58 and the youngest Roberts 55) there also exsists the possibility of creating a much younger court and could that have as much of an impact as, political party? I ask that question because one might tend to believe that the younger Justices might be more in favor of a "modern thinking" court but yet in this last round with the Hand Gun issue we saw both Alito and Roberts on the Affirming side, while Breyer, Ginsburg and Souter joined Stevens in Dissenting. There seems to be a common thread here to consider as well. Scalia, Thomas and Kennedy traditionally find the same way, while Breyer, Ginsburg and Stevens stay together as well. This leaves us with Souter, Alito and Roberts as the swing votes and they just happen to be the three youngest Justices.

 What ever this new Presidential term brings to the Supreme Court we must keep a vigilant and questioning eye on the future it could establish. I think we could risk a great deal if that balance is lost. I believe we are entering a new age and with it the possibility for either greatness or complete disreguard for the Constitution.

 

 

  It is called “Hanuman” , it is a Hindu god and Obama carries it in his pocket for good luck. Funny that no American Media has noticed this item because the eastern world has , in India and parts of the far east prayer meetings in support of Obama are now under way because he is considered a “believer” and a “lord” in the way of the Monkey god Hanuman. Funny that he would have a symbol of possibly the most violent Hindu God of them all (look him up in the Ramayana ) ...leave it to Obama to find the Malcolm X in a pacifist religion .

So what do you think about having a President that fallows the “path” of the monkey war god ? LOL

  It will be interesting to see Obama supporters rationalize this one away by stating that he does not “believe” in this or that ...but as we have already seen him state that he did not pay attention to what was going on in his church for 20 some years we he is open to speculation about what (if anything) he does believe in.

A good friend called me and told me that while in Dallas on I-35 there's a blinking sign...the sign is signed BY "GOD" and it reads like this.........imagine this sign changes to read the following:

Tell the Kids I love them

FOLLOW ME

THAT "LOVE THY NEIGHBOR THING" I MEANT IT

LOVED THE WEDDING - INVITE ME INTO THE MARRIAGE

NEED DIRECTIONS

HAVE YOU READ THE #1 SELLER - THERE WILL BE A TEST

I LOVE YOU, AND YOU AND YOU AND YOU

WILL THE ROAD YOU ARE ON GET YOU TO MY PLACE

BIG BANG THEORY? YOU GOTTA BE KIDDING ME

KEEP USING MY NAME IN VEIN - I WILL MAKE RUSH HOUR LONGER

DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHERE YOU ARE GOING

YOU THINK ITS HOT IN HERE

C'MMON OVER AND BRING THE KIDS

After a wonderful conversation and my friend telling me all this..I couldn't help but to laugh and be serious as it made so much sense THAT OUR LORD would be that witty to have a sing on a major highway to get the attention  HE DESERVES.  Funny everytime, I need a certain peace in my life to take away frivolous and hurtful distractions, I get a call that just made my evening BRIGHTER...Hope you enjoy this ITS A SHAME WE DON'T HAVE SUCH SIGNS IN OUR HIGHWAYS perhaps the world would be a better place to be.

John McCain met Sunday with evangelist Billy Graham and his son, Franklin, at the family's mountaintop retreat. The Republican presidential candidate is actively courting religious voters and conservatives.  He visited privately with the Grahams at their home in western North Carolina.

"We had a very excellent conversation. I appreciated the opportunity to visit with them," McCain said after the 45-minute meeting. McCain's visit to North Carolina was his first sit-down with Billy Graham, 89, and with Franklin Graham.

Do you think John McCain should do more to win the support of religious voters and conservatives, who have had long running questions about him?  Is he playing his cards right with these two groups?  Blog it here.

  There are multiple factors for calculating who is to blame for America's Mortgage Disaster.  I agree with many that there has to be personal responsibility.  "Financial Risks" and/or "Speculation" in the beginning were more than likely the most to blame. However, now that the economy is feeling the "domino affect" from investment risks that have gone bad and now for the past year, and probably for the next year to come, other factors will be seen.  And now because of the economy suffering, the question still remains, how many more people will loose their homes before the domino affect of the housing mess comes to an end?    

 

Who's to Blame for America's Mortgage Mess? http://www.freemoneyfinance.com/2007/08/whos-to-blame-

f.html  

There's been a ton of finger-pointing going on in regards to the sub-prime mortgage mess here in America. Banks are to blame -- investors are to blame -- the government is to blame -- individuals are to blame. No one wants to take responsibility for their own actions (what's new about that?) but sure can tell you why it's someone else's fault.   All financial planners, advisors, brokers, investment advisors, tax planners -- all the groups set up to "help" you with your money -- are compensated for doing so. Some (most?) are knowledgeable and fair (that's not to say their services are worth the cost, but that's a different post). But because money is involved, many will do close to whatever it takes to get you to buy whatever they are selling. And if that means setting up a deal that's good for them and bad for you, they'll do it. That's why you need to educate yourself about personal finances -- so you can at least understand the basics of what any advisor might recommend.  As such, I have no doubt that some mortgage holders were "duped" into signing up for a bad mortgage. Maybe even a good amount -- 20% or so (this number is a big guess on my part -- it's just my sense of how high this part of the problem could be.) But who's fault is that?

 

Clearly, lenders, investors, and homeowners should step up to the plate here -- not taxpayers. In a hearing on the crisis in March, Schumer said families were "teased into unsuitable subprime loans."  "Teased into"? What kind of language is this? When did we transform from being a culture of opportunity to a culture of victimization? Taking out a mortgage is a choice, and choices have consequences. If we want to own our financial successes, we also have to own our financial mistakes.  And what kind of message does a government bailout send to Americans who did things the right way? People who had a job, paid their bills on time, built solid credit scores, saved for a down payment, read their loan terms, and scrutinized their budgets to make sure they could afford not only the mortgage payments, but the taxes, insurance and maintenance on their homes?

  - House Foreclosures - The Main Causes - Have They Changed?   http://opportunitiesaplenty.com/Debt_Blog/2008/01/_hou

se_foreclosures_the_main_causes_have.html      

It doesn't take a rocket scientist or an economist to realize that the economy (which has recently, to a significant extent, been supported by the rapidly appreciating housing market and rising home equities) as a whole is going to be affected in a negative way when real estate appreciation stops, and worse, the foreclosures rise. According to RealtyTrac, the leading experts on real estate foreclosures, there were about 600,000 foreclosures filed in the United States in Q4 of 2007. That represents approximately a 250% increase foreclosure filings during the prime of the residential real estate boom, Q4 of 2005. By any standards, 250% is not an inconsequential number.     What are the causes of this dramatic increase in house foreclosures, and house foreclosures in general? Traditionally the top 3 causes of foreclosure for residential mortgage holders have been medical problems, divorce, and unemployment. Has this changed as foreclosure numbers continue to do their Sir Edmund Hillary impersonation? If the causes of foreclosure have changed, does this also change what the average troubled homeowner can do to prevent them? According to statistics released from Countrywide financial in the summer of 2007 the traditional top three causes of foreclosure are still at the top. Interestingly, the Countrywide statistics attribute adjustable rate mortgage payment adjustment as the cause of only 1.4% of foreclosures. Weather or not the increased mortgage payments were contributory in any of the other foreclosures was not revealed.

  Countrywide did attribute 6.1% of foreclosures to investors who were unable to sell their properties in a softening real estate market. Presumably such investors would be more likely to let properties fall into foreclosure than would homeowners facing a similar situation with their primary residence. That could possibly account for part of the relatively high percentage of foreclosures experienced by these investors. As an aside, Countrywide indicates they have modified approximately 81,000 mortgages to help prevent mortgage holders from falling into foreclosure, while the Mortgage Bankers Association just reported that 54,000 such modifications took place industry wide in Q3, 2007. Do these numbers add up? Countrywide may be counting some of the 180,000+ mortgage holders who restructured their payment plans with lenders in the same Q3 of last year. The MBA indicated that the difference between a payment adjustment and a modification is that modifications include interest rate adjustments.  

If you do need a mortgage however, times have never been better to get one, if you can pry the money from your lender’s clammy fingers, as mortgage interest rates have dropped to near record lows. As this is written, Bankrate.com is reporting the average interest rate on a 30 year, fixed rate mortgage is an attractive 5.31%, while a 15 year loan will reward you with an average 4.82%. This points to the importance of refinancing an ARM, if in fact you still have one. Most people who have an ARM have already been frightened into converting to a fixed rate mortgage by the voluminous press regarding foreclosures and other mortgage problems.

If you have not done so, and you’re not planning on selling your house soon, it would be prudent to take advantage of these low rates. Not to sound like one of those ads we all hate for mortgage lenders, but it really is a good idea. It amazes me that so many people bought well over their heads using one of the plethora of creative mortgage products that were introduced in the first 6 years of this decade. If you were one of these folks, take advantage of the silver lining that our current economic fears have spawned, historically low mortgage interest rates (that we thought would never be back).

 

Marriage Problems Due to Foreclosures

 

http://www.foreclosuredataonline.com/blog/foreclosu

res/marriage-problems-due-foreclosures/

 

With the current economic situation, married couples are facing additional financial pressures when it comes to making the ever increasing house payments and the very real possibility of foreclosure couples. Experts are saying that these factors are beginning to play a role in the ending of marriages. The current housing crisis in the United States has created problems in the banking industry, the real estate industry, and the mortgage industry. These problems have consumers facing an increase in mortgage payments and in the near future these payments and the inability to pay them may cause foreclosures to go higher than they are now. All of these financial problems are also bringing about more and more divorces. Typically, the three main reasons for  foreclosures are health problems, loss of job or a divorce. Though experts say that it is too soon to conclusivel