Son had been killed in Iraq

kpvi-new.com;"Fla. -The man who burned a Marine van and, in the process, burned himself after learning his son had been killed in Iraq. Carlos Arredondo climbed into a Marine van outside his home and set himself and the van on fire yesterday. Marines had driven to his home to tell him his son had died in Iraq. Doctors say he is in serious condition at the the major burn unit at a Miami hospital. They say he has burns on 50 percent of his body. His wife tells A-B-C he's expected to recover. She describes his actions as "his scream that his child is dead." Sne added, "The war needs to stop."

Had my TV on in the back-ground, and heard this news-update. This is really sad, my heart goes out this father, and his wife. Maybe some one should let Bush know what is now happening to families. Because of this- UGLY- War !!

Victims of Violence

Young People: Victims of Violence: "Due to the physical, emotional and cognitive dependence of children on adults, they are uniquely susceptible to abuse, neglect and violence at the hands of adults. Being exposed to violence in one context appears to have cross-over effects to victimization and perpetration in another context, often co-occurring. Routine childhood activities and behaviours render children vulnerable to the desires and actions of adult offenders who may selectively target child victims on the basis of desirability, resource value, 'deviant needs', accessibility, ease of approach, ease of threat, vulnerability, ease of capture or ease of exploitation. Economic deprivation increases both real and perceived need, increasing the chances aggressors are willing to take."

I see this more and more every day just in the town, where I live. And keep asking myself, what has changed in our world so much. For our young children to become like this... sad

My Vietnam War

The American Spectator;"While Republicans and Democrats argue the relative shortcomings of George W. Bush's and John Kerry's decisions about serving during the Vietnam War. While Kerry, focused already on life ambitions, tried to work the war into the main chance, and while Bush made the best he could of an awkwardly placed but essential obligation.I've told that story before, sometimes to Vietnam veterans. No veteran has ever condemned me for it, behavior far more generous than people like me ever showed to soldiers."

This is a story from someone who was their, bit long in the tooth on his story. But think he gets his point across.

Grand-parents raising Grand-Kids

The Times-News ;"For more resources for grandparents raising grandchildren, call : 1-800-574-8656 Their are, 4.5 million children under 18 live in grandparent-households, one-third of them have no parents present in the households. Millions of grandparents others across the country have suddenly, found themselves parents again. They've stepped in to bridge the gap and rescue children from faltering families, drugs, abuse and violent crime. Their stress as repeat parents is quite different from the routine kinds of stress, usually associated with raising kids. They're older, and a lot of them haven't planned financially for raising more children. They thought they were going to retire, and then they find themselves in the middle of parenting again."

I See this to be a really growing problem a lot in our world today, I know just in my town alone. A few friends of mine, who now are raising their children's-children...

Utah Fastest Growing Poverty Rate

The Times-News ;"Utah is leading the nation in joining the ranks of the poor, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Decline in household income, a significant increase in the number of "severely poor" people, those with incomes below one-half of the poverty family of four to be living in poverty. State's increase in the rate of poverty also bespeaks an economy battered by the loss of many high-tech jobs. Applications for food stamps and Medicaid are up. So is the number of people seeking help at food banks."

I say..This is because many of our high-tech jobs, are moving over sea's. Called- Compaq's -help line the other day and I was routed, found out when asking the person on the other end of the phone. He was in New Delhi India! Sure the big guy's will say they had to move out of the country because of a loop-hole to money. But what I find interesting is that these corporation's are now! Pay, these people. Sweat-Shop wages..And also charging us more for their products! Seems to me that if these big-factory's want to move to another country, then maybe we shouldn't allow them to sell their products back to us. Soon the American dream will be... To live in another counrty not... United States.

Trace Your Family Tree

Intro to Genealogy;"Discover the wonderful world of genealogy, teaches you the basics you need to get started tracing your family tree. Learn how to navigate both the Internet and offline resources to find your ancestors."

I always wanted to do this, a-while back found-out on my mother's side. Their was a female, no-name but still looking- Who was an- Indian Princess. This is something we can do now with our computers, think of all the places you can go to for research that you couldn't, a few years ago . Also, it gives our children something to read and learn, who they are and where they came from when.

New Ballot Confusing

washingtonpost.com;"Fla.-Introduced an absentee ballot that requires voters to indicate their choices by connecting broken arrows,primary asks voters to draw lines joining two ends of an arrow. Tests showed it was easier for voters. Critics say the new ballot is not an improvement. People do the crazier things when they're asked to connect the arrows."
Don't know If I like Voting for my-President like this? Reminds me of something called, connect the Dot's.. And we all know what can happen when you do this, don't always come out like it's suppose to!

Health-Coverage

FunSilly Funpages.com: "When I told my doctor I couldn't afford an operation, he offered to touch-up my X-rays.--" Henry Youngman "

I know this is a funny Quote, but it still says what I feel- American's can not afford...Good!! - Health Coverage. Simple coverage most American-people now have, won't even pay for.. A touch-up on X-Rays *It's considered cosmetics Surgery* Bush, claims, "their is nothing wrong with American's -Health progams. All I say to this is.. HELLO, Mr. Bush I disagree

Off Welfare But Still Struggling

magicvalley.com;"Many people back to the workplace, and some of them are even working more than one job. But are they really any better off? And even with two parents working, higher rents and climbing utility bills have stretched their dollars to the max. They just aren't making a livable wage. It takes two people in a family with their skill levels to make a living, and then it's still below the livable wage." So how do they make ends meet when the $309 monthly welfare check quits coming? Welfare reform is successful in some ways, but there still need to be some assistance programs out there because if they aren't, they won't succeed. The rent can take their whole paycheck. People say to themselves, 'Do I use the money for the utility bill or the rent to fix the car because I have to get back and forth to work Social Security checks won't come close to paying the heating bill.. 9.1 percent of its families living in poverty, and 39 percent of poor families were headed by single moms. The positive side of welfare reform is that getting back to work can be the first step in breaking out of the poverty cycle for good.

I hear about this problem a lot around town because some of these people don't want to get off of Welfare, they lose a lot..Heck I sat down one day and looked at what I would get if I lived on welfare if I did the progams the way they set it up over 24-months..(don't get me wrong this is not a get way of life, I couldn't do it I don't think. But some people can't seem to get past it and after looking at the figures, I could see why) You get the big one-Health care and meds. Paid for FREE, Family of -3- get around $500.00mo. in Foodstamps, FREE -child-care while doing their- progam training or what ever they want you to do, Telephone bills-reduced, Ult. Asset., rent-asset.-pay around $30.00 month depending on size of family or home, in low-income-rentals.) You make get mad at me... For my feelings but Hell maybe we should all should go on welfare I scrape to get bye day after day. And I go into the groc-store and see people buying Steak, Shrimp,candy,pop,chips, with a Quest-Card. And here I am running around with a list trying to buy $5.00 worth of hamb. To make it look like its a steak...