I can not stand Hillary Clinton. From her cackle to her power hungry push through life, she represents the worst that womankind has to offer. Running a close second, is the ditz Pelosi. I remember the day Sandra Day O'Conner was elected to the supreme court. That lady had smarts, and class, and did a great service to our country. If only there was a female, or a male candidate running for president that had half the brains she did...we would be in a much better position. This article I think is spot on. Hillary is a twit and that stupid remark about being picked on because she is a 'girl' was quite telling. She can sure dish out the crap but God forbid someone flings some back at her. As for Margaret Thatcher, well..she had bigger stones than the majority of all the 'men' running this country today. What a class act she is!!
PEGGY NOONAN
Things Are Tough All Over
But Mrs. Clinton is no Iron Lady.
Friday, November 9, 2007 12:01 a.m.
The story as I was told it is that in the early years of her prime ministership, Margaret Thatcher held a meeting with her aides and staff, all of whom were dominated by her, even awed. When it was over she invited her cabinet chiefs to join her at dinner in a nearby restaurant. They went, arrayed themselves around the table, jockeyed for her attention. A young waiter came and asked if they'd like to hear the specials. Mrs. Thatcher said, "I will have beef."
Yes, said the waiter. "And the vegetables?"
"They will have beef too."
Too good to check, as they say. It is certainly apocryphal, but I don't want it to be. It captured her singular leadership style, which might be characterized as "unafraid."
She was a leader.
Margaret Thatcher would no more have identified herself as a woman, or claimed special pleading that she was a mere frail girl, or asked you to sympathize with her because of her sex, than she would have called up the Kremlin and asked how quickly she could surrender.
She represented a movement. She was its head. She was great figure, a person in history, and she was a woman. She was in it for serious reasons, not to advance the claims of a gender but to reclaim for England its economic freedom, and return its political culture to common sense. Her rise wasn't symbolic but actual.
In fact, she wasn't so much a woman as a lady. I remember a gentleman who worked with her speaking of her allure, how she'd relax after a late-night meeting and you'd walk by and catch just the faintest whiff of perfume, smoke and scotch. She worked hard and was tough. One always imagined her lightly smacking some incompetent on the head with her purse, for she carried a purse, as a lady would. She is still tough. A Reagan aide told me that after she was incapacitated by a stroke she flew to Reagan's funeral in Washington, went through the ceremony, flew with Mrs. Reagan to California for the burial, and never once on the plane removed her heels. That is tough.
The point is the big ones, the real ones, the Thatchers and Indira Gandhis and Golda Meirs and Angela Merkels, never play the boo-hoo game. They are what they are, but they don't use what they are. They don't hold up their sex as a feint: Why, he's not criticizing me, he's criticizing all women! Let us rise and fight the sexist cur.
When Hillary Clinton suggested that debate criticism of her came under the heading of men bullying a defenseless lass, an interesting thing happened. First Kate Michelman, the former head of NARAL and an Edwards supporter, hit her hard. "When unchallenged, in a comfortable, controlled situation, Sen. Clinton embraces her elevation into the 'boys club.' " But when "legitimate questions" are asked, "she is quick to raise the white flag and look for a change in the rules."
Then Mrs. Clinton changed tack a little and told a group of women in West Burlington, Iowa, that they were going to clean up Washington together: "Bring your vacuum cleaners, bring your brushes, bring your brooms, bring your mops." It was all so incongruous--can anyone imagine the 20th century New Class professional Hillary Clinton picking up a vacuum cleaner? Isn't that what downtrodden pink collar workers abused by the patriarchy are for?
But even better, and more startling, people began to giggle. At Mrs. Clinton, a woman who has never inspired much mirth. Suddenly they were remembering the different accents she has spoken with when in different parts of the country, and the weird laugh she has used on talk shows. A few days ago new poll numbers came out--neck and neck with Barack Obama in Iowa, her lead slipping in New Hampshire. There is a sense that Sen. Obama is rising, a sense for the first time in this election cycle that Mrs. Clinton just may be in a fight, a real one, one she could actually lose. It's all kind of wonderful, isn't it? Someone indulged in special pleading and America didn't buy it. It's as if the country this week made it official: We now formally declare that the woman who uses the fact of her sex to manipulate circumstances is a jerk.
This is a victory for true feminism, in its old-fashioned sense of a simple assertion of the equality of men and women. We might not have so resoundingly reached this moment without Mrs. Clinton's actions and statements. Thank you, Mrs. Clinton.
A word on toughness. Mrs. Clinton is certainly tough, to the point of hard. But toughness should have a purpose. In Mrs. Thatcher's case, its purpose was to push through a program she thought would make life better in her country. Mrs. Clinton's toughness seems to have no purpose beyond the personal accrual of power. What will she do with the power? Still unclear. It happens to be unclear in the case of several candidates, but with Mrs. Clinton there is a unique chasm between the ferocity and the purpose of the ferocity. There is something deeply unattractive in this, and it would be equally so if she were a man.
I wonder if Sen. Obama, as he makes his climb, understands the kind of quiet cheering he is beginning to garner from some Republicans, and from those not affiliated with either party. They see him as a Democrat who could cure the Bush-Clinton-Bush-Clinton sickness.
I call it that because it seems to me now less like a dynastic tug of war than a symptom of deterioration, a lazy, unserious and faintly corrupt turn to be taken by the oldest and greatest democracy in the history of man. And I say sickness because on some level I think it is driven by a delusion: "We will be safe with these ruling families, whom we know so well." But we won't. They have no special magic. Dynasticism brings with it a sense of deterioration. It is dispiriting.
I am not sure of the salience of Mr. Obama's new-generational approach. Mrs. Clinton's generation, he suggests, is caught in the 1960s, fighting old battles, clinging to old divisions, frozen in time, and the way to get past it is to get past her. Maybe this will resonate. But I don't think Mrs. Clinton is the exemplar of a generation, she is the exemplar of a quadrant within a generation, and it is the quadrant the rest of us of that generation do not like. They came from comfort and stability, visited poverty as part of a college program, fashionably disliked their country, and cultivated a bitterness that was wholly unearned. They went on to become investment bankers and politicians and enjoy wealth, power or both.
Mr. Obama should go after them, not a generation but a type, the smug and entitled. No one really likes them. They showed it this week.
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Fall sunshine is still good sunshine
Yep..it's finally fall here. The sun now rides low in the sky, and the clocks have been adjusted. While I don't appreciate winter any more and somewhat dread it's approach, it's inevitable so I'm already making plans on 'getting through it'. I have a few Marines in the sand to take care of. Boxes of goodies and some just crazy stuff will be packed and mailed. I have a ton of fleece I need to 'tie' into blankets. Now, all I need is someone to give them to. Last year it was a box of them sent to Fisher House in Texas. I think I'll do the same again.
Anyway...there will be less time spent outdoors and most likely more time to type to myself on this forum.
Took the doggies to a wooded area today for a walk. It was a pretty day even if it was a bit windy. Cooper had never been in the woods before, so he was on sensory overload the entire time. The big dog loves any kind of outing and had an equally good time. I enjoyed it too! The Halloween decor is down and will be tucked away for another year. Plans are being made on what will be made and taken to the relatives houses for Thanksgiving. I'm making an offer to do it here. We'll see if there are any takers. I was the sole dinner provider for about 13 years. Now, I miss it. With all the kids in different places, we just don't have enough mouths to feed around here. I hope I don't forget how to cook some of the old favorites.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
See what happens when you turn your back on your horse...ungrateful I tell ya. Haha. Had the pleasure a couple of weeks ago to attend a 'horsey event' with my friend. While she was busy readying her steed to compete in different things, I was busy hanging out in the barn and taking pictures here, there, and everywhere. This horse was quite the character and I believe he stuck his tongue out as his owner/rider left him..on purpose.
The day was fun, even if a bit on the warm side. I keep asking the camera lens fairy to hear my wishes for a decent lens capable of reaching out and touching the riders at a couple of hundred feet away.
I look forward to her going back over there for some jumping lessons and letting me tag along. I need to figure out the best place to position myself on the cross country course to get the most/best shots of them jumping.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
That sucks!
Found a way cool countdown meter thing I wanted to put on this page, that will count down the days/hours/mins/secs until the Marine becomes a nasty ass civilian again. Blogger won't accept it. It's supposed to. Damn.
So...it's now on the page, but cut off because it's on the side bar. I didn't want it smack dab in the middle of the page, so I'll see if I can tinker with it at all and 'fix it' a bit. Kinda cool though huh? :-)
So...it's now on the page, but cut off because it's on the side bar. I didn't want it smack dab in the middle of the page, so I'll see if I can tinker with it at all and 'fix it' a bit. Kinda cool though huh? :-)
Saturday, August 18, 2007
It's Official!
The kid is now a 'college freshman' and new dorm dweller! We got him moved in on Friday, and we boogied home rather quickly after the unpacking. Yes, we needed to get back to deal with the critters who did not understand being fed breakfast at O-Dark-Thirty in the a.m. Also, I've learned by dealing with the Marine, that hanging around too long makes the 'see ya later' part tough. Besides, he still had his dad and step mom there so there was no problem getting back on the road to home. He's looking forward to it all, and I'm very glad. We have both envisioned the day he went to college, and I'm proud of him in a big way! It's all good. He's not too far away, we talk quite often and we'll go down to see how things are rolling along in a couple of weeks and take him shopping for sundry type items. In the meantime, life at home goes on.
The temps have been very nice the last two days. They say it will come to an end once again, and by mid week we'll be back to the pit dripping heat and humidity that we all love to hate. We had a bit of rain today which is helpful..things are a tad dry. The garden needs attention and I hope to get all the peppers picked and dealt with this week. Then, it's adios! to the plants. I don't want to mess with them into September waiting for them to hopefully change color. I can't get red and yellow and orange bells to change. The growing season here is just too fickle. I've tried starting them indoors as early as mid February only to get leggy seedlings that can't survive long enough to make it to the great outdoors. Since i dehydrate my sweet peppers, it doesn't really matter anyway. The rest get made into a pepper/onion relish for brats and dogs and then I keep some chopped and frozen to add to pizza or chili or whatever floats my boat.
So...one more day before the work week starts. Hopefully the weather will be good and we can get more yard work done, and some basics around the house. I have a list a mile long in my head of things I want to accomplish now that the kid is off doing his thing. Problem is, my ideas are larger than my energy quota right now!
Carry on!
The temps have been very nice the last two days. They say it will come to an end once again, and by mid week we'll be back to the pit dripping heat and humidity that we all love to hate. We had a bit of rain today which is helpful..things are a tad dry. The garden needs attention and I hope to get all the peppers picked and dealt with this week. Then, it's adios! to the plants. I don't want to mess with them into September waiting for them to hopefully change color. I can't get red and yellow and orange bells to change. The growing season here is just too fickle. I've tried starting them indoors as early as mid February only to get leggy seedlings that can't survive long enough to make it to the great outdoors. Since i dehydrate my sweet peppers, it doesn't really matter anyway. The rest get made into a pepper/onion relish for brats and dogs and then I keep some chopped and frozen to add to pizza or chili or whatever floats my boat.
So...one more day before the work week starts. Hopefully the weather will be good and we can get more yard work done, and some basics around the house. I have a list a mile long in my head of things I want to accomplish now that the kid is off doing his thing. Problem is, my ideas are larger than my energy quota right now!
Carry on!
Thursday, August 9, 2007
HELL yes!!
Marine's Charges Dropped in Iraq Deaths
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8QTJTGG0&show_article=1&catnum=0
LOS ANGELES (AP) - A general dropped all charges Thursday against a Marine who had been accused of killing three Iraqi brothers in response to a roadside bomb attack in Haditha in 2005.
"The evidence does not support a referral to a court-martial," Lt. Gen. James Mattis wrote in his written decision.
Lance Cpl. Justin L. Sharratt, 22, had been charged with the murder in the deaths of three of those killed after the bomb attack Nov. 19, 2005.
The decision to drop the charges followed an earlier recommendation from a hearing officer who listened to evidence in the case. Under military law, a commanding general has total jurisdiction over a case.
In his recommendation, Lt. Col. Paul Ware said murder charges brought against Sharratt were based on unreliable witness accounts, poor forensic evidence and questionable legal theories.
"The government version is unsupported by independent evidence," Ware wrote in an 18-page report. "To believe the government version of facts is to disregard clear and convincing evidence to the contrary."
This young Marine's career is ruined. And it's all because of a bunch of BS charges, which they now...after all this time, have said are not sufficient to even hold him, much less charge him. I'm learning more and more about the Corps as time goes on. Yeah, there are still good eggs in the bunch, but it sure seems that the Peter Principal is running the show. If you aren't familiar with it, that is when those who are not worthy or qualified, get continually upgraded just to move them on down the line. In this case, 9 Marines have been accused of war time atrocities that did not happen. Families have mortgaged houses two and sometimes three times to pay attorney's bills. Some have lost their homes altogether and their careers are in the crapper.
This is an absolute outrage. I can introduce you to any number of active duty Marines who are still over there who tell you it is common practice for Iraqi's to lie like stinking dogs in hopes of being given some settlement money. This is a perfect example of the fallout.
Hang in there Lcpl. I know from hearing from your parents and the parents of others how this has crushed your spirit. The brotherhood has hung you all out to dry like so many scapegoats and it's hella wrong.
I hope and pray the others are cleared soon. And, I hope there is one decent Marine out there who will follow this cluster*uck back down the line and bring to trial those who instigated this farce.
Carry on!
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8QTJTGG0&show_article=1&catnum=0
LOS ANGELES (AP) - A general dropped all charges Thursday against a Marine who had been accused of killing three Iraqi brothers in response to a roadside bomb attack in Haditha in 2005.
"The evidence does not support a referral to a court-martial," Lt. Gen. James Mattis wrote in his written decision.
Lance Cpl. Justin L. Sharratt, 22, had been charged with the murder in the deaths of three of those killed after the bomb attack Nov. 19, 2005.
The decision to drop the charges followed an earlier recommendation from a hearing officer who listened to evidence in the case. Under military law, a commanding general has total jurisdiction over a case.
In his recommendation, Lt. Col. Paul Ware said murder charges brought against Sharratt were based on unreliable witness accounts, poor forensic evidence and questionable legal theories.
"The government version is unsupported by independent evidence," Ware wrote in an 18-page report. "To believe the government version of facts is to disregard clear and convincing evidence to the contrary."
This young Marine's career is ruined. And it's all because of a bunch of BS charges, which they now...after all this time, have said are not sufficient to even hold him, much less charge him. I'm learning more and more about the Corps as time goes on. Yeah, there are still good eggs in the bunch, but it sure seems that the Peter Principal is running the show. If you aren't familiar with it, that is when those who are not worthy or qualified, get continually upgraded just to move them on down the line. In this case, 9 Marines have been accused of war time atrocities that did not happen. Families have mortgaged houses two and sometimes three times to pay attorney's bills. Some have lost their homes altogether and their careers are in the crapper.
This is an absolute outrage. I can introduce you to any number of active duty Marines who are still over there who tell you it is common practice for Iraqi's to lie like stinking dogs in hopes of being given some settlement money. This is a perfect example of the fallout.
Hang in there Lcpl. I know from hearing from your parents and the parents of others how this has crushed your spirit. The brotherhood has hung you all out to dry like so many scapegoats and it's hella wrong.
I hope and pray the others are cleared soon. And, I hope there is one decent Marine out there who will follow this cluster*uck back down the line and bring to trial those who instigated this farce.
Carry on!
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
A must read for those against the war
I am blown away. I have been humbled. I am in awe. This should be required reading in classrooms and board rooms across the US. Please visit this site, and read what a Marine in Iraq wrote home to his family. It was written some time ago, but you can just as easily change a name of a politician or two and it will be just as relevant today as it was the moment it was written.
If anyone ever says we need to pull out of Iraq now...you need to send them here:
http://devildog6771.wordpress.com/2007/08/05/support-the-troops-but-not-the-war-what-an-american-soldier-would-like-to-say-about-it-all/#comment-11766
OOHRAAH!
God bless our Devil dogs!!
If anyone ever says we need to pull out of Iraq now...you need to send them here:
http://devildog6771.wordpress.com/2007/08/05/support-the-troops-but-not-the-war-what-an-american-soldier-would-like-to-say-about-it-all/#comment-11766
OOHRAAH!
God bless our Devil dogs!!
For the accidental visitor
Perhaps by some stroke of luck, be it bad or good..someone may stumble upon this blog and see my shameless request for a vote on a photo I took. Or, the sole visitor (heheh) can vote again. And again...and again..and again! ;-)
This is the link in which to do me this cyber favor. I will of course reciprocate if needed at some time in the future...perhaps to push someones visit counter over the edge!
http://www.picture.com/voteforme/photovote1.asp?PID=2224411
Life goes on...work, home, bills, shopping, scooping dog poop. The fun never stops here! Along with the heat wave the Midwest is currently 'experiencing', I just don't think I can handle any more excitement at this point.
News flash!! Marines need mail! Go here to help. http://thinking-right.com/
Uncle Sam and I would be proud of you!! :-)
Carry on!
This is the link in which to do me this cyber favor. I will of course reciprocate if needed at some time in the future...perhaps to push someones visit counter over the edge!
http://www.picture.com/voteforme/photovote1.asp?PID=2224411
Life goes on...work, home, bills, shopping, scooping dog poop. The fun never stops here! Along with the heat wave the Midwest is currently 'experiencing', I just don't think I can handle any more excitement at this point.
News flash!! Marines need mail! Go here to help. http://thinking-right.com/
Uncle Sam and I would be proud of you!! :-)
Carry on!
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