Happy New Year!

¡Próspero Año Nuevo! to my Spanish speaking readers. Also, Glückliches Neujahr, Anno Nuovo Felice, Feliz Ano Novo, Het Gelukkige Nieuwjaar, с новым годом, Glad Nytt år, Καλή χρονιά, Cung Chúc Tân Niên / Cung Chúc Tân Xuân, Aam Saiid / Sana Saiida, Ath Bhliain Faoi Mhaise, Seh Heh Bok Mani Bat Uh Seyo, and .... .- .--. .--. -.-- / -. . .-- / -.-- . .- .-. (for my more nautical minded readers). If I happened to miss you I'm sorry, but feel free to have a HAPPY NEW YEAR anyway!

Now, I'm off to start my black-eyed peas to soaking. Tomorrow we have black-eyed peas, ham hock, and greens. We eat poorly on New Years that we may eat richly for the rest of the year. I wish everyone a happy, healthy, peaceful New Year!

Just in the US?

I've read an awful lot lately about how the US media is turning the effects of the recent, and very deadly, tsunami into a "how it affects Americans" article. There has been a major amount of mud slung about how Americans are nasty, un-feeling, self-centered...And I'm tired of it! Yes, there are some that are, but surely the BBC and Sky News deserve just as much vitriol poured on them for the same thing. Or, do we as Americans get held to a different standard?

Don't think this is just a mild case of a few others doing it. The Daily Mail for Oxford, to which I subscribe, was carrying a massive front page of just how this Tsunami affects Britain. Sweden, Germany, Norway, Finland, Italy,...They're all up in arms about THEIR Dead. Japan, South Korea, Belgium, Taiwan, New Zealand, Australia...They're all in mourning for lost citizens.

Do not misunderstand me, they ALL have the right to mourn their dead, to report how this disaster affects them. I just get extremely upset when I see how my nation has scorn heaped upon it from afar for reporting US dead, while the very nations that attack us do the exact same thing. I believe we should all play by the same rules...ie the Rules the 'international community' demands the US play by. When there are those among that body that hold a double standard, I will cry FOUL, as loudly and as long as possible.

I applaud the number of people attempting to raise money and aid for those affected. I urge you to do what you can, if you can, to help. The Command Post has drawn up an extensive list on where you can send aid too. Please, help if you can.

Peugeot = POS

Yes folks, it is official. Peugeot means French Piece of SHIT!!

I had to take my stupid little beater in to the shop today. They want £360 just for parts. That doesn't include the labor to put them on, or to actually FIX the problem. I've opted not to repair it (it isn't anything really life threatening, or even an immediate concern). We're only going to be in the UK another 6 months, the MOT runs out in 6 months, as does my Road Tax. So, says I, what's the point? The car isn't coming with us, the truck needs to be checked out (oil leak from the engine), and we need to make sure the caravan is road-worthy. Caravans are tow-along campers for Americans.

The truck, a Dodge Dakota Quad-Cab, is higher up the list of "needed" than the stupid little beater I drive. Sure its nice to have 2 cars, but seriously...We don't have to have two. I'll drive it until its tax and MOT run out or it dies, which ever is first. It has seriously become more trouble than it is worth. Come PCS time, it is going to the breaker.

What's Up

First an apology to my constant readers...I think I've got about 9 now. I've been lazy, running around hitting sales, vegging out, eating WAY too many left-overs, playing the new PS2 game I got...Is short being lazy.

We went to the ASDA/Wal-Mart Super Center today in Swindon. It is an ASDA, not a Wal-Mart (thought it's a 'proud member of the Wal-Mart family). Man, I'm really missin' WallyWorld. That's sad y'all, that's real sad. It is even worse when you realize we won't be back stateside for atleast another 2 years, so I'll have to settle for ASDA and Die Werkauf (German Wal-Marts) until then. Mind, I loved, LOVED Die Werkauf.

I did get my replacement lens ordered. Yeah, my glasses broke, or specifically my left lens got broken. They've ordered a new lens, and I only had to pay £20 for it. I was expecting to have to buy all new glasses, but they saved me a bundle by just replacing the one lens. Save me money, and fix my stuff and you make me very happy!

Anyway, spent $80 on discounted Christmas stuff. Mainly Christmas Crackers...Cool beans if I do say so myself. I've got enough goodies to make about 3 dozen myself, but I'm stocking up before we PCS so I can take them with us. They're the neatest little Christmas goodies I've see in awhile. For anyone interested in getting hold of some stateside, have a look here, or if you can stand the annoying music feel free to get some from these fine folks.

The girls got a Barbie Christmas tree/Advent calendar. They can add an ornament a day, so they no have their "OWN TREE!!"...Yeah! Or, in mommy-speak "Oh no, another fight!" I did get a really cool singing Scooby Doo, though. Yes, I am a Scoobyaholic. I don't know what it is about that dumb ol' Great Dane, but I love 'im! I'm quite partial to Velma, too.

The girls all got to ride in the little cars, too. Lousy cheapskates. Brits, well Europeans in general, will pay for anything. They even pay to park at the Emergency Room (A&E over here)!! Anyhoo, you have to pay for the little car-baskets. Worse yet, you have to spend £2 per car, to buy a "token". That's $4 per ride! Well, if you return the token you get £1 back. Well, we go to ASDA pretty regularly, so we didn't return the tokens...Any wonder why?

Over Christmas I found out the EU is being anal...Its regular state these days. The bureaucrats in Brussels have succeeded in making Stevia Rebaudiana illegal to sell in the EU. Some rot about "no proof its safe for human consumption". The indians in Peru have been using it for sweetener for thousands of years, but the EU must have PROOF! Sheesh, bureaucratic overkill if ever there was any. I wanted to get some for a friend that likes mine...I'm nice, but not nice enough to give up my plant you see. Well, hopefully Burpees can import the seeds. We shall see.

Well, night all.

Mobilize the Troops!

I blogged about Sgt Rafael Peralta a few posts back. Well, I want to bring him to the top of the page again. I was going through my posts, checking comments and I ran across THIS trackback. I'm sorry it took me awhile to get to it, but I want to publicize it now.

Specifically I want YOU to read that article, and then I want YOU to contact your elected officials in Washington. E-mail your Senators and Representatives. Let them know just what Sgt. Peralta did for his country. Let them know you want them to push for a posthumous Congressional Medal of Honor.

The Marines in Fallujah didn't leave Sgt. Peralta behind, please help me insure we at home don't either.

A Great Find

I recently stumbled across a great little blog called Jewish in a Gentile World. There aren't many posts yet, but from the ones there this is a blog to watch. Smart, well worded, and some interesting takes on the world.

I really recommend you stop by and have a look. I like it so much I've blog rolled it, and I hope you get as much food for thought out of it that I have.

Happy New Year to us all!

Feliz Navidad

Happy Christmas and Merry New Year from England

Comments Down

It appears Haloscan is having a few problems this morning. Hopefully commenting will be back up shortly. Until then...talk to yourself. ;)

NORAD to Track Santa

We've got 1 day until NORAD tracks Santa. To help celebrate the season, and get you ready before hand, you can check your computer for Santa compatibility.

So, HOHOHO, and MERRY CHRISTMAS...from England, by way of Cheyenne Mountain!

Suicide = Sue Wal-Mart!

In the most incredible leap of logic I've seen in a while, the parents of a woman that committed suicide are suing Wal-Mart. They blame Wal-Mart for not checking its own security records and medical records before selling their daughter a gun.

It is AGAINST FEDERAL LAW to use medical records without the patient's consent. Wal-Mart did the required background checks through the FBI's system, and it turned up nothing. This is also a federally mandated search before selling a weapon. Now, the reason they didn't check the security records is that the woman purchased her gun at a different Wal-Mart than the one where she had a 'record'.

So this case rests on the premise that Wal-Mart, and all gun sellers, should violate Federal law to illegally gain access, and then share access, to private medical records. While I'm sorry their daughter committed suicide, I do NOT want my medical records shared with anyone unless I sign the waiver. I do NOT want a store to be able to look my name up, find out what I've been diagnosed with, find out what prescriptions I receive, and then deny me the right to purchase something because of it.

There is no indication that mentally ill persons are more dangerous than their 'sane' counterparts. Too many that are 'sane' try to claim illness in an attempt to avoid justice for their actions, but this is no reason to penalize those that take medication, or see a doctor, in an attempt to regulate their behavior to fit societal norms. In short, I doubt this family would have been happy one way or the other. If their daughter wanted to kill herself, Wal-Mart not selling her a gun wouldn't have prevented it. The real loser in this case is the daughter who seems to have been failed by Texas' mental health programs. Getting Wal-Mart to violate Federal law in the future won't bring their daughter back, and will only make Wal-Mart criminal in checking medical records they have no valid reason to access, and no permission to view.

Cashing in on Patriotism

In a disgusting turn of events, Shelly Wright's fan club has been posing as military members and dependents to get her song played. I will not link to her site, for I will not aid her despicable attempts at using the lives of the men and women in uniform, and their families, to make money and sell her crap.

I seriously hope the USO will in future ban her from all tours. The troops need to be supported, not abused and used behind their backs so some woman in Tennessee can make money and sell records. If she can't make it on her own merits, she should fade away not take to using tactics of lying, abuse of trust, and degradation of the military.

I will never again listen to her songs, and I have sent a letter of offence to the USO, requesting they never allow her to take another Morale Trip. I have also sent a letter to the Stars and Stripes (both editors and Commanders for the Pacific and European editions), as they have given her good publicity for her music. I urge you to do the same if you feel that the military should not be used to make a little cash for someone that claims to support them.

I'm including the text of both e-mails for use by you, or for some ideas on how to word your own.


USO letter:

I am writing you to register my offence at the fact the lives, and family, of US military members being used by Chely Wright. Please read the full article about this despicable, abusive use of USO touring, and the men and women you support here:
http://www.tennessean.com/local/archives/04/12/63065885.shtml?Element_ID=63065885

The article in short is about how Ms. Wright's fan club has been calling, writing, and e-mailing radio stations around the nation to get her song played. They do so by pretending to be US military or military family members. From the e-mails that have surfaced, Ms. Wright knew all about what was going on and only chose to act once her behavior, and that of her subordinates was going to be publicized. This is not in holding with the high sense of duty and devotion one would expect from a supporter of the troops.

I request, as an actual military spouse, that you no longer allow this woman to make money by using the US military men and women in uniform. Surely you can do more shows with Robin Williams, the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders, Sawyer Brown, Rob Schneider, or Gary Sinise rather than trade to the basest motivation of sheer greed.

I highly respect the USO, but if I see that you continue to support this woman, and her quest to use my husband's service to make money, I will never again attend a USO tour, or use a USO canteen. I will never against support, or recommend the USO to anyone. In short, I will loose all respect for your organization and will view any “good works” for the military as nothing more than promotion work to try to abuse the service and commitment of those you claim to serve.

Please, I'm asking your organization to demonstrate their commitment to the men and women in uniform, not those that would trade so willingly upon their lives and families for cheap, quick monetary gain.

Thank you,


PS I am sending this letter on to the Commanders, and Editors of the Pacific and European editions of the Stars and Stripes as well as my family and friends.



Stars and Stripes letter:

Dear Sirs,

I am writing to express my outrage at what a self-styled supporter of the troops is getting up to. The woman in question is Ms. Chely Wright, a country singer that your news organizations have done articles about.

She has been caught having her fan club members call, write, and e-mail radio stations around the US pretending to be US military personnel and their family members. I am deeply offended at this, as she is doing it to make money and sell her records. There is nothing motivating her and her subordinates other than sheer greed and the desire to reach fame.

While I can not say she is a bad musician, she is what I would deem a bad person. Anyone that attempts to make money and sell products on the back of the US military is beneath my contempt. From the e-mails made available Ms. Wright knew exactly what was going on, and decided to act only when her little scam was exposed. She has been caught in a series of lies, as have her underlings. They all amount to a concerted effort to trade on the patriotism of Americans in an attempt to pander to the basest motivation of greed. For the complete article, and details, please view:
http://www.tennessean.com/local/archives/04/12/63065885.shtml?Element_ID=63065885


Ms. Wright recently made a USO tour touting her devotion to the US military and playing a recurrent song "The Bumper of My SUV". This is the very song her minions are pushing to be aired, and bought by masquerading as the concerned members of the military and military family at large.

I thought this deserved to be brought to your attention as you are the "home town" paper for the US military overseas. The troops, and their families, need to know that someone who pledges her support to them is in fact using them to make money while they suffer through long deployments and separation from their loved ones. This is not how someone claiming to support the troops should conduct themselves or their business.

Thank you for your time, and effort spent to serve the troops overseas. Please, use this opportunity to re-affirm your dedication to the troops and their families.

Sincerely,


PS I have sent a copy of this letter to the USO, as well as my family and friends.


Thanks to Owen at Boots and Sabers, and Fuzz Martin for making me aware of this.

An Electronic Tempest in a Teacup

There is a storm brewing about Secretary of Defense (SecDef) Donald Rumsfeld using an electronic signature on letters of condolence to military personnel family. I do not understand this in the slightest. Thankfully, I'm not the only one, as Boyd takes exception to this little hissyfit, too.

I can honestly say if my husband was killed in action, the SecDef sending me a Letter of Condolence would not be a high priority for me. I also wouldn't expect the man to sign it in ink himself. Hell, I wouldn't even expect General Fogelsong, our European Theater Commander, to sign a Letter of Condolence himself. I would expect it of my husband's Commanding Officer or his SNCO, but none higher than that. While it would be nice to have someone like Rumsfeld do so personally, I wouldn't ever expect it nor would I pout and whine if it didn't happen.

The officers demanding such are behaving like spoilt little children that want an excuse to have a fit. They seem like spurned brats that want to "get even" with Bush via Rumsfeld. They've made clear their opposition to Bush's plans for the military and restructuring. Their behavior cheapens the very lives sacrificed that earned those Letters of Condolence. In short, they're behaving like the stereotypical officer looking out for themselves and their future jobs instead of their troops. That is what is most upsetting in this fiasco, not anything Rumsfeld has done or not done to their liking. So, to them I say...Shut up and do your JOB! Take care of your troops, don't treat their lives with such contempt to think they're political paws in your chessgame against the administration.

Soccer is Sexist?

That would appear to be the case, following a ban on mixed matches by FIFA (the world governing body of Soccer to us Americans and Football to every other nation on Earth). It appears because there are male leagues and female leagues, you can not have women playing a match with men. Why is that?

I love Football (American-style and real Football), but this just smacks of idiotic. Why deny a woman the slot to play with men? Is the other team afraid she'll kick their butts? Is FIFA afraid to admit mixed games could score big money, and a higher fan base (the US is the only place it would need to expand, I promise)? I'd love to know what "laws of the game" FIFA is going on about. They're the ones that make them up, pretty much as they go along.

I hope Maribel Domínguez gets her professional league for women in Mexico. She is a great player at the top of football's ranking. Scoring one goal per game is extraordinary in football, especially at the professional level. She would have been a great addition to any team, I'm just sorry to see FIFA crawling out from under their rock to slap down her chance to exhibit her skills. There are serious problems in the governing body when they won't allow players of certain groups to show how good they are. I think they may have their eye on the bottom line, and that's a pity for all us soccer fanatics and players alike.

A True American Hero

With all the news lately about our "honorable" servicemen that refuse orders, abscond to another country, abuse and degrade the uniforms they wear and the oaths they took, I thought it high time to bring the truth of the matter to the fore. There are still heroes, and one doesn't have to look long or hard. You've only got to ask what your men and women in uniform are capable of, and the depths of love and devotion they are willing to shed on you, to grasp the magnitude of the military that defends and protects you.

I'd like to introduce you to Sgt. Rafael Peralta. Sadly, I can not introduce you to him in person, but you should know and remember his name. You should also know and remember his sacrifice.

He sacrificed himself for his fellow Marines in the battle of Fallujah. He threw himself on a live grenade to save his fellow Marines. He gave his life's blood to his adopted nation, and saved 4 fellow Marines in the process.

He's up for a CMH for it, and I truly hope he is given one. More importantly though, he thought highly enough of our nation to become a Marine on the very day he got his Green Card.

How great a nation do we have that men like Sgt. Peralta are willing to die for her? How much devotion does it take to lay down your life for a nation you weren't born in? Sgt. Peralta, and the millions in uniform like him, think highly enough of you to sacrifice themselves, their dreams, their desires, and sometimes even their lives that you might live free. Don't waste it, don't squander their gift to you.

The next time you see a service member, say THANK YOU! The next time you see an elderly veteran, remind them of how grateful you are to breath the air of freedom they fought to keep. The next time you pass a military cemetery, spare a thought for all those that felt called to your service, and the service of America, and that sacrificed everything they had to offer in your service. The next time you see Old Glory waving, salute her. Countless men and women have died to protect her, and all she stands for.

To Sgt. Rafael Peralta, his family, his friends and his brothers and sisters-in-arms...THANK YOU! I owe you a debt I shall never be able to repay.

$1 BILLION Fine for Spammers

A Federal Judge in Iowa recently handed down a fine of $1,000,000,000 for spamming. As much as I wish this judgment will stand, I can pretty much guarantee a "free speech" appeal will be launched. I delete at least 100 spams a day from my box, and those are the ones that get through my e-mail program's filters.

I don't think this guy will ever see a penny, and I think the spammers will find some way of getting the ACLU involved to protect their 'rights' to spam people. Sad world we live in...

I am Woman, Hear me Blog!

**Warning, oncoming expletive laced rant with meandering thoughts...**

"Why don't Chicks blog"? Joe Gandelman, filling in over at Dean's World, brings us that very question. In short, there is a thriving discussion about the reasons WHY women don't blog, and HOW to go about changing this. I've left some opinions about this apparent state of affairs in the blogosphere, but I wanted to expand on them here...Mainly to not take up Dean's comments section with my meandering thought train.

First, let me state I fully agree with the belief held that most women do NOT take an active interest in politics. They don't. I don't say 'we' because I do not consider myself within this group, though I am a woman. I have always been outside the 'norm' for my sex, and I continue to take pride in the fact I am not stereo-typical. Basically, I enjoy being unique, and have no desire to become just another cookie-cutter mold of what society believes women are, or should be. I do however, concur with Dean in the belief more women vote than men. They just won't talk about it. At best you'll get "I'm voting for ....", but no reasons behind it. That is the think I would most like to change.

Second, I'd like to show you a few glimpses of what I remember from growing up, and how I think they affect why women don't take as active a role as men do in governing our nation. I was born and raised in a Podunk little shithill just south of San Antonio, Texas. I despise that town, and all of its good 'ol boy behavior. I hate being addressed as "little lady" or "darlin'" by 30 something year-old men. (I am quite flattered if a man in his 60's or older does it, because they were raised that way, younger men do it to be assholes and dismissive for the most part.) It is a town so rife with corruption it is now the second most corrupt in Texas, behind Houston. That's just the shitte that made the papers, or the courthouse!

Being raised in such an environment, most women stayed quiet, barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen. I kid you not. Women did not stand up for themselves. Hell, the church I was raised in recently had a "member" say women should stay quiet in the church and only ask questions of their husband at home, in private. Needless to say, I am NOT, nor will I ever be, that kind of a woman.

I have been labeled any number of nasty names by the hicks and dumbasses of that town. From being called a heretic by a Catholic priest (I was raised Southern Baptist), to bitch from any number of my classmates, and whore...Which is really funny all things considered...Because I have an interest in sex. Basically, if you aren't a slimeball willin' to kiss a Cardinal's ring, or a Polock, you ain't shitte in that town. Suited me just fine, I didn't want to be crap in that town. All the people that were popular or powerful are still in that little shittehole, while I've gotten to live in foreign countries. Which would you rather be...A big fish in a mud hole, or a little fish in a vast ocean? I'll take the ocean, thanks.

I was the one willing to go tooth and nail against any man. I had a slapping contest in Biology one day, too. I hit him first, he hit me back. I deserved it, but he did too! I was never afraid to stand my ground, and I was extremely unpopular because of it. I wouldn't go along to get along. Mind you, popularity is highly overrated. The one thing I can say I did to 'fit in' was become a cheerleader, and that sucked. The few guys I could get along with lost about 100 IQ points as soon as they saw the short skirt, and I had to put up with even more asinine behavior from some real dipshittes.

I think a lot of the animosity came down to the fact I was smart, and wasn't afraid to show it. I also had no need or desire to "play nice". I was willful, outspoken, and didn't take any crap. That in essence is what I think "bitch" means, and I'm quite happy to wear the label. All in all, its a pretty crappy little town. Any wonder why I consider SA and Austin my "home" towns? Now, this is not to say there aren't assholes elsewhere, but the biggest grouping of them I've ever seen in is that little shittburg. That doesn't speak well for the area I was raised in, does it?

Back to the topic at hand, though. Women don't blog and aren't political junkies for any number of reasons. I being interested can only guess at them but I would list: animosity of opponents (I can get pretty nasty and act just like a man), lack of immediate praise, fear of the unknown (a human wide condition), being raised to take a backseat in the public arena (which I was not), not being technologically savvy (yeah, yeah, a stereo-type I know but it has roots in the truth), no desire to lodge their opinions, fear of being 'found out' if they do it on the sly, going against societal norms,... Any of these strikin' a cord?

Now, the reasons I blog are myriad, but I'll list some of the top ones. I'm "overly opinionated" as my husband says. I'm a political junkie that finds those elected to rule over me worthy of the utmost scrutiny to ensure they're doing their jobs. I have the desire to use my voice...Not necessarily to sway anyone (have I swayed you, yet) but mainly to ensure I get heard if only by a handful of people and myself. I think politics and the news directly affect my life and the lives of the people I love so I want to be as well versed and understand as much as possible. Basically, I want to push the envelope of what society expects, or believes a woman is capable of.

I've always been attached to the idea of a woman doing things not expected of her, or even downright refused her. Amelia Earhart was one of my heroes as a child, because she proved women capable of flying aircraft at a time we were thought to efimate to understand mechanics. I don't like that she was labeled "Lady Lindy" because even then she had to be understood on a man's actions, not on her own merits.

I've always thought highly of Annie Oakley, Mary Edwards Walker, Hatshepsut, Boudica, Queen Elizabeth the First, and Ladybird Johnson. The list goes on. Very few of those women took an "oh, help me, help me I'm a mere woman" approach to life. The few that did used it to manipulate men into doing what they wanted. I respect they used their brains, their brawn, and their 'feminine wiles' to get their goals accomplished. They are all great examples of women breaking the mold society set for them. So, I blog in a pale imitation of these great, break-out women.

**Disclaimer...I do not hate Catholics, Polocks, or Texans. I despise the corruption, despotism, and abuses of the Catholic church I grew up around, and those experiences do have a tendency to color my view of the Catholic hierarchy. I'm related to a Polock who's a good guy, and I know quite a few others I'm fond of and enjoy the company of. Not hating Texans should be pretty self-explanatory. Also, I love to cook, I've got 3 kids, and I prefer to go barefoot, or atleast in socked feet.**

New Takes on Christmas Carols

CHRISTMAS CAROLS FOR THE PSYCHIATRICALLY CHALLENGED
Schizophrenia ---
Do You Hear What I Hear?

Multiple Personality Disorder ---
We Three Queens Disoriented Are

Amnesia ---
I Don't Know if I'll be Home for Christmas

Narcissistic ---
Hark the Herald Angels Sing About Me

Manic ---
Deck the Halls and Walls and House and Lawn and Streets and Stores and Office and Town and Cars and Buses and Trucks and Trees and Fire Hydrants and

Paranoid ---
Santa Claus is Coming to Get Me

Borderline Personality Disorder ---
Thoughts of Roasting on an Open Fire

Personality Disorder ---
You Better Watch Out, I'm Gonna Cry, I'm Gonna Pout,
Maybe I'll tell You Why

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ---
Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells,
Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells,
Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells

Agoraphobia ---
I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day But Wouldn't Leave My House

Autistic ---
Jingle Bell Rock and Rock and Rock and Rock ..

Senile Dementia ---
Walking in a Winter Wonderland Miles From My House In My
Slippers and Robe

Oppositional Defiant Disorder ---
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus So I Burned Down the House

Social Anxiety Disorder ---
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas While I Sit Here and Hyperventilate

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

In the most bizarre turn of events, Plano Independent School District is being sued in Federal Court, for attempting to ban Christmas. The Feds are investigating, which I think is a step in the right direction. I'm just sorry it had to come to being sued. What ever happened to common sense?

Now, I try to be really supportive of other religions, or even those that claim to not believe in God...But when you go banning green and red as "Christmas" colors, or trying to prevent little kids from giving out candy canes you've gone well past what I'll tolerate.

Hey, guess what...It's a Frikin' Federal Holiday! It's a RELIGIOUS holiday! The whole dang season is based on CHRIST...Or it SHOULD be. Why are there always idiots that have to go so hog-wild on the stupid train as to think they'll get away with this crap?

You hate religion so much, petition Congress to work on Christmas. Petition the US Supreme Court to strip any form of religious holiday being celebrated in the US. You'll see just how small a group you and Mr. Newdown are when confronted with the vast number of "right-wing religious nuts" in this country that think stripping any mention of Christianity is insane.

I fully understand some folks don't believe as I do, and some folks plain don't believe, but does that stop them from buying presents or decorating a tree? They all have religious roots... Basically, I HATE, ABHOR, and DESPISE PCism run rampant, and those that think someone who believes should be docked 100 IQ points.

I'm not asking you to take up my belief system. I'm not asking you to take up anyone's beliefs. I'm just asking you to leave me the BLOODY HELL ALONE where my religious beliefs are concerned. Don't celebrate if you don't want to, but don't try to dictate to me what holidays I can and can't enjoy and how. That well oversteps the bounds of reason, and it tramples on the Bill of Rights. Yeah, that "sacred" document I've heard so many anti-religious fruits go on about...It applies to ALL of us, not just the ones you agree with.

**Please ignore this rant if you are a sane, intelligent human still capable of rational thought on this matter.**

Oh, and just for Plano ISD...MERRY CHRISTMAS from a Texan Abroad!!!

Cleavage for Cash reward! 

WOO HOO!

The Fighting Fusileers for Freedom raised $6535 as of 11:06 AM, GMT. So, as promised, I've posted some cleavage! There is more to view, if you're brave or nuts enough.

THANKS to everyone that donated to the SOA fund!

Final Appeal

This will be my final post while the Spirit of America Friends of Iraq Blogger Challenge is ongoing. I just want to urge you one last time to DONATE to this worthy cause. Thanks and good night from England!

The Armorer's Gift

John from Castle Argghhh! has all the dish on the Armorer's great offer. The first ten folks to supply an e-receipt to him, dated today and worth $100 or over, will receive a FREE custom mug with graphics of your choice. That would make one hell of a statement of support for the troops, and freedom, be it at home or at the office. Please consider this great offer, then DONATE to the cause. What ever you can give will be greatly appreciated and be put to great use...Unlike the donations the Northern Alliance receives.

Also, we're in need of $390 more to make the $6500 mark. When we reach that amount, I will post a photo of boobies on this blog. The clock runs out at midnight Pacific time tonight. Please, give generously if you can. THANKS to everyone that has donated thus far.

On the Haloscan Bandwagon

I've finally gotten on the Haloscan bandwagon so I can have trackback. Woo Hoo...

Haloscan commenting and trackback have been added to this blog.

A Giant Thanks

THANK YOU Robin Williams, John Elway, and Leeann Tweeden. You made the day brighter for well over 1000 troops (and their families back home). THANK YOU!!

Boobies Update

****Warning, Warning, WARNING****
Gratuitous use of sex and links follows....
****WARNING, Warning, Warning****

Alright, we're in the home stretch of the Spirit of America Friends of Iraq Blogger Challenge. As a proud member of the Fighting Fusileers for Freedom, I urge you to donate to this worthy cause.

As of 13:34 GMT (Zulu), we've raised a whopping $6110! WOO HOO! But, we need more to get the boobie prize! If we've raised $6500 by midnight Pacifc time, Wednesday 15 December, I will post photos of CLEAVAGE on this blog! We need $390 more to make the "magic" happen...Won't you help us reach our target?

The final hours of our challenge are ticking away, and with it your chance to see "the goods". Please, if you can spare us a few bucks, it will do a mountain of good. We, all the Fusileers, are doing this challenge to support the troops. I'm doing this as a one-of stunt to raise publicity for the worthy and important work of our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

I'm willing to "get my kit off", if you're willing to donate to the troops. Sounds like a fair trade to me... Also, don't forget your donation is 100% tax deductible so you get a tax break on top of boobies! What could be better? Come on and donate already!

Final Day of Spirit of America

MikeC has our final post for today's Spirit of America Blogger Challenge. As of 07:26 GMT, the Fighting Fusileers for Freedom have raised a total of $6060! While this is a great amount that will do a lot of good in Iraq and Afghanistan, I want you to donate more!

I'm not soliciting for me, I'm asking for it for all our troops in harm's way. As a special 'gift' (hehe, depending on your persuasion), I will post photos of cleavage IF, but only if, we make $6500 before midnight Pacific time, tonight 15 December. So, will you help us reach that goal? Will you make supporting the troops more than just a yellow ribbon, or words?

Cash for Cleavage!

Come on folks, we need your DONATIONS to push the Fighting Fusileers for Freedom above the $6500 mark. If we make it before 12 midnight Pacific time, on Wednesday 15 December...I'll post photos of cleavage here on my blog.

I've already got the money shots, now I need to see the money. Support the Fighting Fusileers for Freedom during the last push of the Iraqi Blogger Challenge, and you'll be helping your troops in the field. What could be better you ask? Seeing BOOBIES in exchange for supporting our troops! Please DONATE today. We only need $710 more (as of 21:30 Zulu, 14 December) to get the photos posted.

Remember...boobies for bucks!

The wHOLE Truth...

Dean Esmay, of Dean's World, has this SHOCKING account of what Hugh Hewitt, of the Northern Alliance, is getting up to. Thankfully Dean and "Pat" (not their real name, changed to protect our source from intimidation and harassment by those tree-huggin' liberals over at the Northern Alliance) have brought the sad state of affairs to our knowledge. Not only are the Northern Alliance nefarious, and enchanted with the Dark Side, they're closet hippies and monetary abusers!

Take a stand, don't let your donations be mis-spent. Donate to the Fighting Fusileers for Freedom, and help support our troops...NOT "alternate lifestyles" and the tye-dye cammi wearing practisioners of them!

**UPDATE If we make $6500 in donations, I will post a photo of cleavage on this blog! We've got 2 days left, and $1000 to go before the clothes start to come off...Come on, help the troops, and I'll "get my kit off" for a good cause. ;)**

Coalition of the "Can-do"

The Last Amazon is hosting today's Fighting Fusileers post for the Spirit of America Blogger Challenge. She has aptly named it her "Coalition of the Can-Do". And whoo buddy, look at what all they can do, if you help.

All we're asking for is the change from the couch, the amount of a six-pack (beer or soda, we don't care), a pack of cigarettes...Any amount will help us reach our goal of helping Iraq and Afghanistan to rebuild. While we're "competing" against the Nefarious Northern Alliance, we're really competing on behalf of our Armed Forces in harm's way, and the civilians they're trying to help. If you've got any spare change, may we put it to good use? It will pay outrageous dividends in freedom and saved lives. Your generosity will help move mountains...

Merry Christmas, My Friend

Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone,
In a one bedroom house made of plaster & stone.

I had come down the chimney, with presents to give
and to see just who in this home did live

As I looked all about, a strange sight I did see,
no tins