I received an email this evening from a news site stating that the White House admitted on it's own website to monitoring the web and emails for negative comments regarding Obamacare, as the president's health care plan has become "affectionately" known.This intrigued me and I went in search of the original statement on The White House Web site. Now first of all I have to question the intelligence of a government who's search engine can not differentiate between care and car, as all the results I got when searching Obamacare and Obama health care were related to cars. Eventually, my husband, the master searcher, found the link. The only thing the site said was this.
"There is a lot of disinformation about health insurance reform out there, spanning from control of personal finances to end of life care. These rumors often travel just below the surface via chain emails or through casual conversation. Since we can’t keep track of all of them here at the White House, we’re asking for your help. If you get an email or see something on the web about health insurance reform that seems fishy, send it to flag@whitehouse.gov." (emphasis mine)
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/Facts-Are-Stubborn-Things/
Now I am very concerned on all sorts of levels about this, "since we cant keep track of all of them" to me means "we are tracking as much as we can" so there is a good possibility that the things you and I write to each other are being monitored. The other thing that concerns me is that we are being encouraged to be "good citizens" and rat out our fellow citizens who are causing distention, by sending it to the government so they can better monitor these things. Sounds an awful lot like Natzi Germany if you ask me! What will be next... will we be asked to monitor those who are "politically incorrect"
As to ObamaCare ....well lets just say we've seen how well the government has handled our retirement (Social Security) and our current health programs (Medicare and Medicaid) why would we want to let them handle the rest of it? And I don't like the idea that my tax dollars would potentially be used to fund abortion and/or euthanasia. Also if it's not good enough for Congress then it is not good enough for the American people.
I have seen the effects a socialist state has on a country and I do not want that for my country... but I feel powerless to stop the winds of change...I wonder if this is how many German Christians felt as they watched Hitler destroy their nation from the inside out.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Reflections on my Journal!
As this semester is coming to a close and we turn in our journals I am reflecting on the things I have learned through this experience. I enjoyed the Journaling, but honestly felt that I had too many other things going on to get the full benefit from it. I felt my entries were rushed and not a good portrayal of my ability. I find myself wondering if I would have gotten more benefits from writing a couple more papers then writing the Journal.
Was I too busy, probably. Could I have done a better job, definitely. Did I learn anything, I’m not sure. I learned that I do not like having to write in a journal every day … of course, knowing that others would see this Journal made it harder to write, since some days it was hard not to invade my own privacy and I had a hard time thinking of things to write about beside what was weighing on my mind. I learned something’s about writing and I think it helped me write a little easier. Will I continue keeping a blog, assuredly. Though I probably will not write in it everyday, especially, when I’m in school, I will from time to time post about my life as a student, mother, and wife. Some entry's will be thought provoking about something I’ve learned, perhaps, or a new thought that crossed my mind. Other entry’s might be entertaining, tidbits of my children’s shenanigans, or just what we did that day or week.
I think, no let me correct that, I know that how often I post, will depend greatly on how much homework I have assigned.
Was I too busy, probably. Could I have done a better job, definitely. Did I learn anything, I’m not sure. I learned that I do not like having to write in a journal every day … of course, knowing that others would see this Journal made it harder to write, since some days it was hard not to invade my own privacy and I had a hard time thinking of things to write about beside what was weighing on my mind. I learned something’s about writing and I think it helped me write a little easier. Will I continue keeping a blog, assuredly. Though I probably will not write in it everyday, especially, when I’m in school, I will from time to time post about my life as a student, mother, and wife. Some entry's will be thought provoking about something I’ve learned, perhaps, or a new thought that crossed my mind. Other entry’s might be entertaining, tidbits of my children’s shenanigans, or just what we did that day or week.
I think, no let me correct that, I know that how often I post, will depend greatly on how much homework I have assigned.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Narnia
One of the greatest pieces of literature of our time is the Chronicles of Narnia. Written by C.S Lewis during WWII, part fantasy, part parable, it tells the story of a mythical land called Narnia, a land full of mythical creatures such as fawns, giants, nymphs, and where animals can talk. The story begins when four children, who have been sent to the country to avoid the bombing of London, are playing Hide-and –Seek and stumble into it through the back of an old wardrobe. The children must defeat a wicked witch who rules the land and has made it “forever winter, yet never Christmas”. As with all good stories there must be a hero, and in this one it is Aslan, a lion, who is the great King and Creator of Narnia. It is he who saves the life of Edmond the youngest boy in the group who was beguiled by the witch and condemned to die as a traitor. Aslan takes his place and dies a cruel death, but that is not the end because though the Deep Magic demanded payment in blood it also stated that “if an innocent person willingly took the place of guilty then the Stone table would break and death it’s self would be turned back” Aslan is resurrected and leads the children on to victory.
The symbolism in this book is amazing, I love how it shows that there is a price to be paid for all wrong doing and that we can’t pay the price our selves, but there is one, who though he was innocent ,He willingly took our punishment. His name is Jesus, and just like in the story, when He died that day on Calvary and took the punishment for our sins, the stone table (the Law, or Ten Commandments) was broken and death was turned back when He arose from the grave 3 days after his crucifixion.
The symbolism in this book is amazing, I love how it shows that there is a price to be paid for all wrong doing and that we can’t pay the price our selves, but there is one, who though he was innocent ,He willingly took our punishment. His name is Jesus, and just like in the story, when He died that day on Calvary and took the punishment for our sins, the stone table (the Law, or Ten Commandments) was broken and death was turned back when He arose from the grave 3 days after his crucifixion.
Rant
As a mother with two small children, I was ecstatic when I found out that the new Wal-Mart close to us had a Family restroom. It is really convenient when my daughter has to go to the bathroom, we can go in shut the door take care of business and I don’t have to worry about my son crawling under the stalls and running a way. However, this last week when we went to the store, my husband was with me, my daughter had to go to the bathroom. We headed to the family bathroom, since Bubby was due for a diaper change, too. I parked my shopping cart close to the door and while I proceeded to unbuckle my son from the cart the door opened and two adults, without children, emerged from the restroom. It was obvious that they had not been using the facilities. I didn’t say anything then, and I really wish I had.
I was angry, the family restroom is there to make things easier for parents with little children, so we don’t have to chase them down in the larger restrooms and risk them running off or getting lost. It is NOT a place for people to have sex, if you want to have sex do it at home. Don’t use a public place and get in the way of others being able to use the facilities for their intended purposes!
I was angry, the family restroom is there to make things easier for parents with little children, so we don’t have to chase them down in the larger restrooms and risk them running off or getting lost. It is NOT a place for people to have sex, if you want to have sex do it at home. Don’t use a public place and get in the way of others being able to use the facilities for their intended purposes!
Friday, July 10, 2009
Reflections on "Los Pobroes"
The writer in this story dealt with a lot of descriptions, both physical and emotional trying to make his reader understand, the depth of his desire to prove somethings to himself and also to his a dad and perhaps to those that he was trying to relate to. Having always lived in privilege he had no understanding of what it meant to work for a day. So he think that taking a summer job would be a great experience for him but along the way he discovers that no amount of work could ever let him feel what they felt because his mindset was different.
I like the idea that if you think a certain way then it changes your actions and before you know it can change your whole life's course, but on the other hand if we get discouraged and depressed about something it can cause us to remain where we are and not try to better ourselves. Attitude changes everything, when you think that you will succeed, you usually do!
I like the idea that if you think a certain way then it changes your actions and before you know it can change your whole life's course, but on the other hand if we get discouraged and depressed about something it can cause us to remain where we are and not try to better ourselves. Attitude changes everything, when you think that you will succeed, you usually do!
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
What Makes Me Mad?
If you ask me what makes me mad, on any given day you can hear probably about 10 or 15 different answers. There are so many things I can get mad at, stupid drivers who cut me off in traffic, the fact that I cannot seem to get organized this week, lack of sleep, my stupid relatives –that think the world revolves around them and we should just drop everything in our lives to fit their schedule. Or a current big one ... the Michael Jackson media coverage.
It just irritates me that just because he’s a celebrity and can buy his way out of the allegations that were brought against him that everyone is treating him like a hero in his death. If it were anyone else… a normal Joe than they would have no problem calling him a pedophile even if he was not convicted, I’ve seen it happen. But because he has money and fame then it’s just the tabloids trying to make money off of him.
Where is the coverage of our true heroes; the men and women fighting for our freedom, the men and women who have died while fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, my brother recently returned from fighting in Afghanistan, where he had a comrade die in his arms, unfortunately he was just an average Joe soldier so he got no recognition from the media or the public.
As the Bible says in Isaiah 5:20-23 (KJV)
“ Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink: Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!”
It just irritates me that just because he’s a celebrity and can buy his way out of the allegations that were brought against him that everyone is treating him like a hero in his death. If it were anyone else… a normal Joe than they would have no problem calling him a pedophile even if he was not convicted, I’ve seen it happen. But because he has money and fame then it’s just the tabloids trying to make money off of him.
Where is the coverage of our true heroes; the men and women fighting for our freedom, the men and women who have died while fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, my brother recently returned from fighting in Afghanistan, where he had a comrade die in his arms, unfortunately he was just an average Joe soldier so he got no recognition from the media or the public.
As the Bible says in Isaiah 5:20-23 (KJV)
“ Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink: Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!”
My Husband's Boyhood Home
As you approach this tiny gray house, nestled snugly next to its neighbors, you won’t notice anything out of the ordinary it is much like every other house on the street. A large tree, I’m not sure which kind, I’m very bad at recognizing things in nature, fills most of the small front yard. And a flagstone walk way lines the path from the gravel drive to the front porch. You are impressed with the smallness of the house as you stand on its tiny porch, barely big enough for two people to stand abreast on it. You open the front door and walk into an equally tiny living room, the walls are dusky rose in color with a matching border of roses running around the top of the room near the ceiling. On the ceiling you see a fan and in one corner stands a built in curio-cabinet. If you walk straight ahead you will enter the dining room, but to your right you notice a small bed room, it too seems rather diminutive. A door stands open to your left you enter, it leads you to the second bed room, and directly opposite you is the door opening to the bath room. Again it is minuscule holding only the barest of necessities. As you turn once again to your left you notice that you have come full circle and are facing the dining room. To your left is a very steep and narrow staircase, you are curious; you carefully make your way to the top. You are now standing in the attic, the walls and ceiling are painted a very bright, royal blue and most areas you must slouch a bit in order to avoid hitting your head on the ceiling, here there is also a bathroom, in the far corner, containing no more than; a toilet, a sink and a bare light bulb. As we return downstairs, we will finish our tour of the house with a quick glance into the extremely narrow kitchen and a very small laundry room that opens to the Backyard. Looking over the back yard you notice nothing out of the ordinary, a swing set stands in the middle of the yard and off to your left is a good size garage behind which is growing a good size tree from which hangs a tire swing. An Ordinary though rather small house, you think and wonder why I have brought you here.
Some people only see a tiny house, they do not realize the memories surrounding it. The memories of a young family just starting out, of three boys and a girl, chasing, running and playing with each other, the walls fairly echo with their squeals. You see, this was my husband’s boyhood home and as we walk through it, as a young married couple, I try to envision what it was like for him sharing the attic room with his two brothers, climbing the back yard tree to spend hours reading on the roof of the garage. He had drawn a diagram the night before showing me where everything was, his memories making everything seem larger. As we walk hand in hand from room to room we know we will not buy this little house and we wonder at the fact that they lived there so long. He grows a bit nostalgic and reminisces of days gone by, giving me a glimpse into the heart of the little boy, who stole my heart so long ago!
Today I am sitting in my own home, our first house, it too is small, only three bedrooms with one and half baths, some have called it a “cracker box” house, but we love it. I watch my children play on the fort swing set in the back yard and wonder if one day my son will bring his wife to this house and walk through it reminiscing of his childhood here. I wonder if he will see it though new eyes that day and realize for the first time how small it really is. Will he have happy memories of his boyhood home? Will he tell her of times that he snuck out to the fort to read? Will he think of hours spent mowing the yard? Will he remember singing with Dad’s Quartet in the garage on Saturdays? I see this house with new eyes, it is a blank slate not yet written on, where we can build wonderful memories for our son and daughter to tell their spouses when they are grown. I think I will turn off the TV and get out the board games and make some memories!
Some people only see a tiny house, they do not realize the memories surrounding it. The memories of a young family just starting out, of three boys and a girl, chasing, running and playing with each other, the walls fairly echo with their squeals. You see, this was my husband’s boyhood home and as we walk through it, as a young married couple, I try to envision what it was like for him sharing the attic room with his two brothers, climbing the back yard tree to spend hours reading on the roof of the garage. He had drawn a diagram the night before showing me where everything was, his memories making everything seem larger. As we walk hand in hand from room to room we know we will not buy this little house and we wonder at the fact that they lived there so long. He grows a bit nostalgic and reminisces of days gone by, giving me a glimpse into the heart of the little boy, who stole my heart so long ago!
Today I am sitting in my own home, our first house, it too is small, only three bedrooms with one and half baths, some have called it a “cracker box” house, but we love it. I watch my children play on the fort swing set in the back yard and wonder if one day my son will bring his wife to this house and walk through it reminiscing of his childhood here. I wonder if he will see it though new eyes that day and realize for the first time how small it really is. Will he have happy memories of his boyhood home? Will he tell her of times that he snuck out to the fort to read? Will he think of hours spent mowing the yard? Will he remember singing with Dad’s Quartet in the garage on Saturdays? I see this house with new eyes, it is a blank slate not yet written on, where we can build wonderful memories for our son and daughter to tell their spouses when they are grown. I think I will turn off the TV and get out the board games and make some memories!
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