Messages of Terror

I know this is a really long post but, felt it was worth reading as it is some pretty heavy stuff to think about. As we all know who spend a lot of time on the inter-net also receiving mail, thru the E-mail systems today on-line. Abit scary to me when I think about what this article says and ,Yes how easy it is to do things over the inter-net and thru chat-rooms today...

washingtonpost;"He calls himself Abu Maysara al Iraqi, or father of Maysara the Iraqi, and he's a master at being everywhere and nowhere in the virtual world, constantly switching his online accounts and taking advantage of new technologies to issue his communiqués to the world. American Internet sleuths know next to nothing about him, whether Abu Maysara is his real name, whether he's an Iraqi or even whether he's in Iraq. What is clear is that he is one of the most important sources of information from the country's insurgency, getting his message out through the Internet, and U.S. authorities are trying to silence him. His updates, terse and businesslike, are released several times a week on radical Islamic Web sites. Acting as a spokesman for Abu Musab Zarqawi, the most wanted guerrilla leader in Iraq, he variously reports attacks on U.S. soldiers and killings of hostages. His words and images reach millions of people when they open their newspapers, turn on their TV's or go online in search of news. There's no way of stopping it anymore, "It's extremely frustrating. They can send out quality videos to millions of people uncensored." As the 2004 presidential election approaches, the Bush administration finds itself in a propaganda war, trying to promote a picture of security and progress in Iraq. Half a dozen federal agencies have assigned teams to monitor sites that carry postings from Abu Maysara and other radicals. The Justice Department has tried, with limited success, to use the authority of the Patriot Act, passed in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, to shut down Internet sites that carry such postings, on grounds that they incite violence. Another problem is that U.S. legal authority stops at the borders. Many of the sites with the target postings are located in other countries, so U.S. officials must depend on the good will of foreign governments to shut down the sites. Radical groups have also used the Internet to research potential targets, communicate with each other, plan attacks and raise money. After the 2001 attacks in the United States, federal agents found a lengthy electronic trail. They believe that the hijackers coordinated their movements via e-mail, booked their tickets online and used the network to research such subjects as how to spread pesticides by air, has allowed terrorists to wage psychological warfare as never before, because they have direct control over shaping their own image and that of their foes. The beheading videos, for instance, are set up like a stage. Many of the sites are as slick as those of Fortune 500 corporations. One radical Islamic site displays pictures of President Bush and his main ally in the war, British Prime Minister Tony Blair, with stitches covering their bodies and promises that this scene will be "coming soon." It also urges boycotts of Coca-Cola Co., Nike Inc. And other U.S. corporations with an extensive presence overseas. With more than 1 billion linked computers, the Internet is an ideal hiding place for underground groups. The technology allows users to mask their identities and change them on a whim by throwing away old e-mail accounts and creating new ones. Location can be hidden by hopping virtually from computer to computer. A message that appears to come from Australia, for instance, may actually come from someone who has accessed the Australian computer by going through the Netherlands via South Korea after originating in Jordan. Secrecy is helped by the proliferation of free e-mail and Web hosting services that require users to give a minimal amount of information, which is rarely verified. Terrorism investigators first began to see the name Abu Maysara in January in the Muntada Al-Ansar and Islah chat rooms, which are password-protected and only available to users who pass a background screening interview with a battery of questions including such things as whether they have ever attacked U.S. citizens and whether they have been imprisoned. Abu Maysara confirmed Zarqawi's presence in Iraq and took credit for several attacks on U.S. and other coalition troops. Investigators believe it was the Ansar site that, in May, carried the first video depicting the beheading of Nicholas Berg, the young Pennsylvania businessman who was in the country looking to make money repairing radio towers. For months, U.S. agents had been chasing the site, which was once based in Alexandria. By the time Berg was killed, the site had been moved to Malaysia. Authorities managed to get it shut down again, but only temporarily. Ansar recently reappeared on a server in West Lafayette, Ind. In June, the government's legal assaults suffered a setback when a computer programmer in Idaho was acquitted of a criminal charge that he had run a Web site that included edicts calling for violence. Feeling the pressure, Abu Maysara has been experimenting with new ways to get his message out effectively, investigators said. The problem with the Berg posting was that it was relatively easy for authorities to stop its distribution because it was only placed on one or two Web sites. E-mailing the video was out of the question because the file was too large. Abu Maysara could not use the free Web hosting services from Yahoo or other companies because those services limited the number of people who can view a file. But some time last month, Abu Maysara found a silver bullet, a technology called YouSendIt. Developed by three Canadian programmers in Silicon Valley in California, it allows senders to create multiple links to a large file so it can be viewed by an unlimited number of people. Users type in their e-mail addresses, upload the file and YouSendIt creates a free, anonymous Web page for them. To distribute videos of the contractors who were kidnapped this month, Abu Maysara created dozens of links using YouSendIt and sent them to chat rooms all over the Internet. He compressed the files, or made them as small as possible, investigators said, so that they could be copied more quickly. By the time U.S. officials got word of the videos, they had been anonymously copied from computer to computer as fast as a Top 10 music hit would have been during the peak of the music service Napster's operations -- making it impossible to locate, much less destroy, all the copies of the video. Khalid Shaikh, president of YouSendIt Inc., based in Campbell, Calif., said he created the program to help families trade pictures and videos and to help colleagues at work share files such as multimedia presentations. He said he was surprised and saddened to hear that the technology was being used to spread violent messages. Shaikh said he had not been contacted by any law enforcement authority regarding the use of his service by terrorists but that he would be eager to help U.S. officials. But, he said, since there are more than 1 million file transfers a day on YouSendIt, it would be impossible for the company to monitor them all. "It's almost like policing a society," he said. He also said the company's philosophy is to let users monitor each other. The company recently added technology to allow viewers to have a link deleted if they deem it offensive. The messages from Abu Maysara follow a rigid format. They are always in Arabic and open with a standard greeting such as, "In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful." Then comes the heart of the message, written in flowery language, recounting an attack. Abu Maysara favors ellipses, writes in half-sentences and mixes the details of an incident with religious invocations. In some chat rooms, Abu Maysara and his collaborators are hailed as heroes. On Sept. 22, after he announced the beheading of Eugene "Jack" Armstrong, 52, a native of Hillsdale, Mich., dozens of people on one Web site thanked him and Zarqawi. "I love you, I love you, O slaughtering Sheikh!" one person wrote, according to a translation by the SITE Institute. Another said that he would "pray to Allah that He protect you, O Mujahideen of Iraq." On occasion, chat room participants act like fans and pummel Abu Maysara with questions about his background and how and why he joined the group, said Kohlmann, the terrorism expert. All they get from Abu Maysara is silence. "He doesn't respond to requests for information. He's never replied to any message. He's almost like a robot," Kohlmann said. "He never gets involved in the discussion. He never explains himself." Still, many of the people who read Abu Maysara's postings follow up with advice about new attack strategies. In the past, Katz said, Abu Maysara seemed to ignore them, but in recent days Katz noticed something that was either a remarkable coincidence or a change in Abu Maysara's habits. In a posting on Sept. 22 at 3:46 a.m., time zone unspecified, a person calling himself Nimr suggested that the group make Kenneth Bigley, the 62-year-old British citizen who had been kidnapped with Armstrong and another American, Jack Hensley, 48, of Marietta, Ga., beg for his life to the "tyrant." A few days later, a clip appeared on the Web site with a distraught Bigley pleading to British Prime Minister Tony Blair to save him."

Nobody Warned Me About My Panties

Humor:"Somebody get Homeland Security on the horn. I have been terrorized. Who knew that karaoke was more deadly than second-hand smoke? It could be classified as a Weapon of Mass Destruction. If I had been holding a ball-point, I would have plunged it directly into my own brain. (The lobotomy is very under-rated.) My last lucid words would have been, "Honey, get me a lap-robe and a drool cup." It started out innocently enough. Tony the Boyfriend and I met at an "undisclosed location." (Dick Cheney was eerily absent.) We were still in the parking lot, when I heard this ... sound. I would describe this ... sound, but, I can't. It was indescribable. It made Fingernails on a Chalkboard my new favorite song. Why we continued on and went in, I will never know. I guess it was the allure of the cocktail. Inside, that ... sound was louder. The bartender took our order and asked, with great concern, if I was alright. I said, "Excuse me, I'm just passing a kidney stone. I think the sound waves broke it up." Now, don't get me wrong. There are some fine karaoke performers out there, so before the Karaoke Enthusiasts of Pocatello (K.E.P.) "Hit Me With Their Best Shot," I say right now, "I salute you. I enjoy you. You're hunky-freakin'-dory." But, Good Lord, why would you encourage the totally tone-deaf with enthusiastic applause? (Sorry. I meant the Melodically Challenged.) Aren't we supposed to tell friends when they have a hunk of green stuff in their teeth? What about an open fly? What about a goober? Ohhh ... it happens and you know it. Only the Melodically Challenged are left behind. Sally Struthers could do an infomercial. (She probably needs the work.) "...You can help the Melodically Challenged for only 60 cents a day. Less than a cup of coffee ..." If only Sally had been in my corner that one day. That one terrible day. I was running late. I grabbed my pink fleece jacket out of the dryer, slammed it on and I was off like a shot. I went to the Common Cents for gas, Waremart for limes. I went to four or five other places before I got to the bank. Oh, yeah. I was talking to people and carrying on (but I kept thinking, 'What is going on with my back??! What is that on my back??!') and was in a huge rush. I was standing in line at the bank when I felt something fall off my back. Instinctively, I looked down. There ... on the floo ... lay my date-night panties. They had been plastered to my back the whole time due to static cling. Take a moment now, break into individual study groups and try to imagine the level my mortification. My Lord, how many people had seen my date-night panties??!!! And they have video surveillance at the bank!!! It all was very, very terrible. I became a big fan of dryer sheets that afternoon, but the most disturbing part was that nobody told me I had panties on my back. Not one person was my friend that day. A real friend is supposed to tell you. Which brings us back to: Friends don't let Melodically Challenged Friends Sing Karaoke. I want to see bumper stickers. Take it, Sally! "Thank you, Pammy. And, thanks to everyone for joining me today on this special edition of 'Shut Up!' (Going to camera two.) Every 30 seconds, somewhere in the world, someone plunges a ball-point pen directly into their own brain. (Let's go to camera three.) Please ... Help the Non-Tone-Deaf .. .before it's too late. Back to you, Pam." Thanks, Sal. And if I ever see you with panties on your back, I'll tell you, because I want to be a good friend. That Is All."

Pamela Petty is the former owner of the Backstage Bar in Pocatello, and she writes a letter to the Pocatello News-paper about twice a month and they are always funny and worth the time it takes to read them, they make you laugh I feel. Hope you enjoy her stuff as much as I do..

Turn on the Radio

Deja va; " I know a lot of you may be wondering why I posted something in bad view against Kerry? Well because I would like to see him get off his butt and start telling me more of what his plans are, sure he is promising me all kinds of things. And even saying he'll stop the war...But I want more details from this man before I give him my vote!

It's taken John Kerry far too long to be clear that George Bush's invasion of Iraq was wrong, and he can't waste any more time getting to the point that the continued occupation of Iraq will also be a disaster, no matter who the president is. Unless Kerry gets a jolt from somewhere, he's going to blow the opportunity he's been in training for all of his political life. So maybe someone ought to turn on the radio for him so he can hear John Fogerty's new song, Deja vu (all over again). Kerry might even recognize Fogerty's voice from Creedence Clearwater Revival, the group whose hits were all over the radio during the Vietnam War. More importantly, he might also recognize Fogerty's "voices rising ... (as) we count the dead and dying ... All over again," and maybe even find his own antiwar voice, all over again. Just as they say that generals always fight the last war, there have been stretches of this presidential campaign when you might have thought it was Vietnam that was the issue and not Iraq. But the privates always know what war they're fighting, and hopefully the voters will too. And, actually, much as Kerry's political prominence stems from being a veteran opposed to the Vietnam War, given the way it's been contorted in this campaign, with Kerry's supporters insisting that their man really was a hero in a battlefield where he, and most of them, argued Americans shouldn't have been in the first place, while George Bush and Dick Cheney are the ones attacked for not going to the war they said they supported, it may be just as well for Kerry that Vietnam will not decide this election. The American soldiers Bush has placed in harm's way in order to destroy Iraq's nonexistent "weapons of mass destruction" are quite another matter, however, as are the hugely lucrative contracts this doomed foreign excursion has brought to Cheney's last civilian employer, Haliburton. They could, and should decide the 2004 race, but only if someone makes an issue of then. And "someone" is John Kerry, whether he likes it or not. What could Kerry say to cut to the chase? Well, how about "I not only promise never to lead the American people into war under false pretenses, but every American George Bush sent to this war will come home within the first thirty days of my administration." That may be a bit too blunt for his style, but whatever words he uses, they need to get him better headlines than "Kerry says he'll have American troops home in four years." We know that the Kerry campaign is cautious and calculates that the antiwar vote has no place else to go, while fearing the unknown consequences of a serious antiwar stance, but "American troops home in four years"? They start checking you for a pulse with political reflexes like that. Can they really think that offering four more years of Americans under attack in a military occupation is an electively stance? This is going to make voters rush to the ballot box to turn the current rascals out? And does Kerry think blaming the prior administration will satisfy the young antiwar veteran who asks him "How do you ask a man to be the last man to die for a lie?" John Fogerty has written a great antiwar song, but most of us would just as soon not listen to great antiwar songs for the next four years and whether or not we will have to has a lot to do with Kerry's answer to the song's question, "Did that voice inside you say I've heard it all before?" With prewar notions, "that we will simply be greeted with open arms" as "nonsense," and UN Secretary General Kofi Annan calling the war "illegal," it shouldn't be all that hard for Kerry to hear that voice. Someone play him the song, it's worth a shot.

DEJA VU (ALL OVER AGAIN)

Did you hear 'em talkin' 'bout it on the radio. Did you try to read the writing on the wall. Did that voice inside you say. I've heard it all before. It's like Deja Vu all over again.

Day by day I hear the voices rising Started with a whisper like it did before. Day by day we count the dead and dying. Ship the bodies home while the networks all keep score.

Did you hear 'em talkin' 'bout it on the radio. Could your eyes believe the writing on the wall. Did that voice inside you say I've heard it all before. It's like Deja Vu all over again.

One by one I see the old ghosts rising. Stumbling' 'cross Big Muddy. Where the light gets dim. Day after day another Momma's crying. She's lost her precious child . To a war that has no end

Did you hear 'em talkin' 'bout it on the radio. Did you stop to read the writing at The Wall. Did that voice inside you say. I've seen this all before. It's like Deja Vu all over again. It's like Deja Vu all over again.

COMBAT DUTY AND MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS

scienceweek; "Military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, which have involved the first sustained ground combat undertaken by the US since the war in Vietnam, raise important questions about the effect on the mental health of members of the military services who have been deployed there. Conflicts has shown that deployment stressors and exposure to combat result in considerable risks of mental health problems, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depression, substance abuse, impairment in social functioning and in the ability to work, and the increased use of health care services. Given the ongoing military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, many gaps exist in the understanding of the full psychosocial effect of combat. The all-volunteer force deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan and the type of warfare conducted in these regions are very different from those involved in past wars. Army and the Marine Corps who were involved in combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Our findings indicate that among the study groups there was a significant risk of mental health problems and that the subjects reported important barriers to receiving mental health services, particularly the perception of stigma among those most in need of such care."

This is the sad part of any war, I don't understand how the government can come out and say...Oh I think our soldiers will have some problems when they come home! Crap!! I don't know why? Hell being shot at every second you breath or killing someone is no big deal according to them. Or they would of, just went over their themselves and dealt with it right!....Sure, that would a cold day in hell before you see one of them fighting next to our soldiers in war!!...Remember when, George Washington fought in the war next to his men! I think any person who want to be President, who wants the job of leading our counrty. Should be told they have to go to any war we have during their term, and fight right on the front-line!! Along with the people they send into war. Don't you? Bet we would have less.... WARS!! Or a lot less people fighting over who should get our vote for the position of President of the United States!........

Man keeps change in Tummy

sfgate;"Thailand - It was almost like breaking open a piggy bank. Doctors performing emergency surgery on a man who was rushed to hospital writhing in pain were stunned when more than 4.2 pounds of loose change spilled out of his stomach. 37year old male, who has a history of mental disorders, lives with his mother, has been swallowing the coins for a long time without her knowledge. "He is in safe condition. But he has to be in the hospital for some time in case of side effects because the metal coins had been in his body for a long time. The coins had turned black from stomach acid. He was in excruciating pain and was taken to a hospital, where an X-ray showed hard objects in his stomach. They weren't identified until the surgery."

Well I laughed my butt off on this one, think we all have swallowed a coin or two when we were little. Remember, when your mother always told you to take those penny's out of your mouth because you might sallow them, LOL. Well guess this guy's mother should of told him this too! Don't you think?

Mr. Bush informed by email this morning of his termination

Just a Joke/Not real;"this was sent to me by another fellow-blogger hope you get a chuckle out of it. I at first thought it was real!! Then I re-read it and saw that it was just a joke..Some one did..Happy reading!

On-Line Press Release..."FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: PRESIDENCY TO BE OUTSOURCED
Washington D.C. - October 01, 2004

The Congress today announced that the Office of President of the United States will be outsourced overseas as of October 31st, midway through this fiscal year. The move is being made to save $400K a year in salary, a record $521 Billion in deficit expenditures and related overhead. "The cost savings will be quite significant" says Congressman Adam Smith (R-Wash) who, with the aid of Congress research arm, the General Accounting Office has studied outsourcing of American jobs extensively. "We simply can no longer afford this level of outlay and remain competitive on the world stage," Congressman Smith said.Exporting American jobs has been a popular trend lately, ironically at the urging of President Bush.Mr. Bush was informed by email this morning of the termination of his position. He will receive health coverage, expenses and salary until his final day of employment. After that, with a two week waiting period, he will then be eligible for $240 dollars a week from unemployment insurance for 13 weeks. Unfortunately he will not be able to receive state Medicaid health insurance coverage as his unemployment benefits are over the required limit. "I'm in shock," Mr. Bush stated. "I thought for sure I'd have some job security around this here place. I have no idea what I'll do now," he further lamented. Preparations have been underway for some time for the job move. Sanji Gurvinder Singh of Indus Teleservices, Mumbai, India, will be assuming the Office of President of the United States as of Nov. 1. Mr. Singh was born in the United States while his parents were here on student visas, thus making him eligible for the position. He will receive a salary of $320 USD a month but with no health coverage or other benefits. Due to the time difference between the US and India, Mr. Singh will be working primarily at night, when offices of the US Government will be open."I am excited to serve in this position," Mr. Singh stated in an exclusive interview. "Working nights will let me keep my day job at the American Contract Programmer. I always knew I could be President someday."Congress stressed patience when calling Mr. Singh as he may not be fully aware of all the issues involved with his new position. A Congressional Spokesperson noted that Mr. Singh has been given a script tree to follow which will allow him to respond to most topics of concern. The Spokesperson further noted that "additional savings will be realized as these scripting tools have already been used previously by Mr. Bush here in the US. Such scripts will enable Mr. Singh to provide an answer without having to fully understand the issue itself." Congress continues to explore other outsourcing possibilities including that of Vice-president and most Cabinet positions."

Hope it sparked a chuckle in you..Really did throw me at first after seeing the Pesidental Debate last night!!...Did you see that! I was very unhappy by the way Bush kept throwing up the words that he said Kerry said, Wrong-War-Wrong-Place. Don't get me wrong I think it was a very good De-bate on both mens parts, but I felt that also, that Kerry should of been more open with what he said he was going to do in details because I still wonder how he really plans to do this. I don't know, who Bush, was trying to make look good but, as far as I was concered he just made himself look look like a ASS!! He should of head his head above the Bull-Slinging he's suppose to be our President.......

Worried about Mtn. St. Helen... Blowing

sumthingtosay.blog;"This was passed on to me by, Lietta from Seattle Wash. You might want to pass this along. Mt St Helens, first time I clicked on it was "temporarily not available", then 2nd time it was available. I would imagine that it's getting a lot of hits these days with news that Mt St Helens will be erupting anytime now. Likely you've seen in the news that the mountain is quaking with unusual activities and is expected to blow anytime, with alert level raised. I live in Washington, and well know ol' Mt St Helens power. I tip my hat in learned respect to what she can do when she blows her top.

Here are three links to the webcams

Shows where earthquakes happened:ShakeMap

shows live pitcure of mtn.: StHelen ,and web-site and web-cam: volcanocam-site "

I used to live in Washington state and I remember the first time it blew, I worry now because I have a sister and her children that live in the area close to their and I also have a - Step/daughter and her children that still live in beaver wash. And worry if this may cause trouble for them.

Health department warns against buying Vender foods

Journal; "District Health Department is reporting an increase in the sale of potentially high-risk foods, tamales, burritos, sandwiches prepared in unregulated home kitchens. according to a press release. Sale of food prepared in an facility, such as a home kitchen, is against the law. Considers such items to be a higher risk for causing serious food-borne illnesses, including hepatitis A, campylobacter, salmonella, and E.coli. For this reason, recommends that anyone who has purchased food from an vendor should NOT consume the food item, "high-risk" foods include anything that is moist or ready-to-eat. This advisory does not apply to "low-risk" foods, such as baked goods."

Well I wonder what this is going to do for the vendors you see on side-walks and parking-lots, that we all go to during our rushed lunch hours? As I have many a time stopped and ate at one of these places when I am on the go.. But the part that is strange to me is I have gotten sick eating in a fast-food place several times in my eating in the public food chain, verses eating at one of these little food carts. You tell me how is that any differant. We all know its a chance we take when we eat out. I know of people, that will not eat anything that is not made in their own homes because they are so afraid that they may get sick...

Dick Cheney's million-dollar float trips in Idaho

Views; Found this in the Pocatello Newspaper from a man named- Mike Breed From Blackfoot Idaho about 30min. From where I live. I posted this to show you , yes the Pesidental men do come to Idaho. But not to help or talk with us, but to use our lands and waters for their own pleasure, and we get to pay for it..

"Aren't you tired of the arrogance of this presidential administration? Dick Cheney's million-dollar float trips on the South Fork, with his entourage of the attack helicopters, Suburbans and Humvees is a slap in the face to every taxpayer in the country. He likes to come to Idaho to fish on the busiest of weekends (Memorial Day, for one), and the river is virtually shut down (no boat launching, and those on the river are told to bank their boats while he floats by) to the local fishermen. I just don't understand all the fuss; I have floated past many close friends, not recognizing them because they were wearing unfamiliar clothing, or were in an unfamiliar boat. I got a kick out of the article in the Post Register recently quoting Stan Klan of the Lodge at Palisades Creek, "We don't talk about it or advertise it because we respect his privacy." Why? He obviously doesn't care about yours or mine. He doesn't care how much the local fishing guides and local fishermen are inconvenienced by his mere presence. And as for George Bush, hasn't he spent more time in Crawford than in D.C.? I thought he wanted that job. I guess he'd rather play cowboy, so maybe the voters should help him out in November, and send him back to Texas permanently. I wish the people of this country would look at the record in regards to the deficit this administration has burdened on our grandchildren. If you or I had squandered our employer's revenue surplus, and put them in the red the way this administration has the United States, I don't think we would have control of the checkbook anymore,someone would take it away. (if we still had a job)."

If you don't like what this gentlemen had to say or do please leave a comment...

Voting mistake

Editor;"I Found this letter in a News-paper while surfing the web, felt it had some merit to post to my Blog. Was sent to the Editor by: Linda Lowack, Archer City Kansas....

"In response to Janie and Jack Barker's letter on Sept. 19, I did not contradict myself, as I made the "mistake" of voting for "War President Bush," as he said he was proud to be known as, and is living up to. I won't make that same mistake on Nov. 2. I still consider him wishy washy, never seeing any combat himself. It's big news when he falls off his bicycle and skins his knee and elbow. He found out too late he can't turn Iraq nor Afghanistan into anything close to a democracy. Our men and women are still getting killed daylye because Bush says the U.S. will not back down. If he was the one in captivity going to have his head removed the next day, I doubt very seriously he would say, "We won't back down." Mr. Ballog, Mr. Jim Horany Jr., myself, and millions more of us so-called liberals have not been "shut down at every turn in the road." Us millions of voters would rather vote for Kerry or their next-door neighbors than vote for Bush, so congratulations and deal with that. In response to Patricia Ford's letter Sept. 19 stating President Bush never accused American servicemen of committing atrocities, why were many of them accused and punished for showing Iraqi prisoners in the nude and with a collar and leash on them, when orders came from "higher-ups"? The editor's note to your letter, "Urban Legend Web Sites," asserts that Mr. Kerry's photo was taken while visiting Hanoi on a diplomatic visit in 1993. He was part of a team that included a Vietnamese admiral also in the photo. I pray all our men and women service members in foreign countries get to vote in the presidential election and that the public is not given the lame excuse again that the military were too scattered out to get their ballots in time."

I know this Post is really narrow minded and heavy on the writers part, but I wanted to post it because their was some things in it that I felt needed to be heard. And I understand if you are Voting for Bush and that is fine. But you also have to understand a lot of people have been hurt by what Bush has done and the pain and anger is still with them...

Arthritis Drug Vioxx Pulled Off Market

Vioxx;"Sept. 30, 2004 -- Merck Pharmaceutical voluntarily pulled its popular anti-inflammatory drug Vioxx from shelves worldwide today after concerns it increases risk of stroke and heart attack. The move comes after a recent clinical trial linked the arthritis drug to these potentially fatal conditions. Showed an increased risk of heart attack and other cardiovascular problems after patients started taking Vioxx, showed that Vioxx at a 25-milligram dose prevents recurrence of polyps in the colon and rectum. This is not the first time there has been evidence linking Vioxx to heart attack. Patients taking more than 25 milligrams a day had triple the risk for heart problems. Another study showed that Vioxx doubled the risk of heart attack in patients taking blood pressure medication, which are used to relieve arthritis and joint pain. Merck says patients who are currently taking Vioxx should contact their health care provider to discuss discontinuing Vioxx and possible alternative treatments. Patients and health care providers can obtain more information by calling (888) 36-VIOXX (1-888-368-4699). The FDA says it will closely monitor other drugs in this class for similar side effects. All of the [non-steroidal anti-inflammatory] drugs have risks when taken, especially of gastrointestinal bleeding, but also liver and kidney toxicity."

I was taking Vioxx for about 3-months and stopped because I gained so much weight, in the short time I was on it. Now hear that it had other problems that it caused, worries me. As I was taking 50mg. a-day for pain I was having in my knee, I started with the normal 25mg. But the doctor uped me and after awhile it wasn't doing anything to help me , also the fact I gaining weight at record speed worried me mostly, so I went off them. I posted this to let everyone know, or if you know someone taking Vioxx!! Tell them to call the 1-800 number I have posted..

Expect higher heating bills

MSNBC;"Users of natural gas should expect to pay higher heating bills this winter, the gas industry warns.While there is plenty of gas in storage, the market is expected to remain tight because of increased demand, the higher wholesale cost of gas and expected colder-than-normal weather, according to the Natural Gas Supply Association. This tight market could really impact customers’ bills in some regions, particularly during extreme weather. The natural gas industry is entering the heating season with plenty of fuel. Largely because demand this summer was less than anticipated, there’s about 3.2 trillion cubic feet of gas in inventory, near record amounts and well above the target for the start of the heating season. “It’s not that we’re running out of natural gas,” said Blount. But he said the gas cost an average of $5.80 per thousand cubic feet, less than today’s spot prices but still 64 cents a thousand cubic feet more expensive than a year ago. The higher price will be passed on to customers in most cases. Also, demand this winter “is expected to increase across all sectors” from industrial users and power plants to residential customers, said Blount."


This is something that alot of us do not really need right now, with money already being tight...They tell us to move-in to homes with gas-heat because its cheeper..Well this it seems is no longer true. So what happens now if you can't afford heat because your bill, becomes to high? I know they say that can't shut you off during the winter, but. Their Ideal of winters is like (Dec.1st.-March1st) that they won't turn it off. But come that last day you better have lots of heaters!! As I have heard and seen families suddenly have no heat or hot-water, or cooking stoves because ..boom the shut them off!! Then Its not that easy getting it back on , because now the want a $1-200.00 deposit because now your a credit risk to them, So if you find someone to help you with your bill, you still have a deposit now to come up with.. I think these companies take avanage of the American people because the know the have us by the shorts if we live in a cold side of the country and like to stay warm. I feel they are just taking the money hungry road to make more money becasue of the war and differant things going on right now..What do you think?

Microsoft -Trivia

Microsoft recently sued a company that offers web hosting services to bulk e-mail senders, accusing it of being one of several companies that "recruit spammers to use their services" by trolling Internet forums that spammers use. What is the name of that company?

A. Hosting Resources Inc.
B. Spamtastic Enterprises
C. CheapBulletProof.com
D. Spaminator LLC

Click the link for the correct : Answer - Just something to get your brain working today. I got it wrong the first time, Picked-Hosting Resources Inc..... What did you pick?

How about a truly national election?

election;"As we enter of the home stretch of the quadrennial horse race known as the presidential election, it's time to remember that this is an election for the president of the United States of America - all 50 states, not an election for the president of the Swing States of America. As debate waxes in Washington for constitutional amendments against same-sex marriages and flag desecration, wouldn't it be novel for our lawmakers to consider a measure that would enhance the very democratic institution they were elected to protect? All summer and now through autumn we will witness John Kerry and John Edwards, the Democratic Party candidates, and incumbents George W. Bush and Dick Cheney, the Republican candidates, take their campaigns to Ohio, Pennsylvania, Missouri and other states where polls indicate the election could go either way. With more than 1- month of campaigning remaining until November 2, many voters' participation in the election process has already been relegated to the sidelines. National issues of concern that should drive a presidential election now take a back seat to parochial issues involving individual swing states that could tip the election results to one of the candidates in the Electoral College. It is unfortunate that as election campaigns become ever more sophisticated, politicians and their advisors recognize the uselessness of campaigning in states where the outcome is already a faith accompli. The only time Idaho sees a presidential candidate is when they're on vacation, or have lost directions to California or Nevada. Presidential candidates have abandoned their national campaigns for the more pragmatic tactic of winning enough states to secure victory in the Electoral College - and who can blame them? The Electoral College trumps the popular vote, big time. Candidates in this day and age have the ability to transmit their messages across the country at the same time they sequester themselves in the states that have heavy representation in the Electoral College. But they don't. A direct election of the president, counting votes from Maine to Florida to California - and even Idaho - would even take some of the wind out of third-party candidacy if voters nationwide found their ballot had strength outside their state borders. If we are to consider constitutional amendments, then we should look at dumping the archaic Electoral College system of electing a president. That would re-enfranchise millions of voters throughout the nation. It would reinvigorate voter participation nationally. Democratic voters in die-hard Republican states, such as Idaho and Utah, and Republican voters in Democratic stronghold such as Massachusetts and New York would see their individual votes take on new strength in a truly national election."

Yes...This would be nice in a make believe world, if it ever happened. But why would they want to do something that would make it better for the American people? As far as I am concerned the only time you even see these good-ole-boys is when they want something from you...Right! So why should we let them take our Vote so easy, I say make them work for it in every state not just the ones they think are imporantat...

Teenager shoplifts winning lottery ticket, but finds crime doesn't pay

sfgate;"A Swedish teenager who shoplifted a winning lottery ticket that could be worth as much as $1 million has discovered the truth in that old adage 'crime doesn't pay'. The 15-year-old boy stole the scrape-off lottery ticket from a grocery store outside the northeastern Swedish town of Oernskoeldsvik last week, local media reported Tuesday. When he went home and scraped the ticket, he discovered it contained a winning combination worth as much as $1 million. Store manager Patrik Nygren, however, recognized the teenager from surveillance tapes that caught him stealing the ticket and went to his home to reclaim it. The boy handed the winning ticket over and Nygren gave it to police after reporting the theft, the newspaper Oernsoeldsviks Allehanda said. Nygren could not be reached for comment. But he told Oernskoeldsvik Allehanda he would contact a lawyer to see if he could claim the winning ticket for himself. However, state-owned Svenska Spel, which runs government lotteries in Sweden, said neither the boy nor Nygren will get the payoff. "Legally, we own the ticket until someone buys it, scrapes it and wins," Svenska Spel's spokesman Claes Tellman said Tuesday. "In this case, that hasn't happened." The winning lottery ticket, which cost $3.30, contained three clover symbols, which means the buyer would get to participate in another scrape-off broadcast on national TV every weekend. The winner is guaranteed a payoff of at least $1,330 a month for 10 years, but could receive as much as $3,330 a month for 25 years. The odds of getting a ticket with the three clovers is about one in 3 million, Tellman said. "This is an incredible case," Tellman said. "The probability of him stealing that ticket is extremely low." Police would not release the boy's name due to his age, and it was not immediately clear whether he would face charges."

Damn!! Wouldn't you know it!! The one Big Fat-Winner!! And its the one the the kids Stole..LOL I think I would of went out and searched the parking-lots for one someone threw away and said here's your Ticket You know they say crime don't pay...I know that's wrong, But It's that how your luck just seems these days...LOL

Jump On the Bush Train To Apocalypse -Land

Apocalypse;"This is the great thing about rabid fundamentalism. You really just don't have to give a damn!
Take the environment. I mean, isn't it just a little pointless to care so damn deeply about the air and the soil and the water and the stupid little disposable animals on this silly spinning ball of expendable rock when the Second Coming is imminent and a blood-soaked fire-breathin' Jesus who looks remarkably like Mel Gibson will return very soon to smite the heathens and the gays and the vegetarians and the Francophiles, and who will rescue all those who worship patriarchy and country music and blue-chip oil portfolios? You're goddamn right it is. Look. This much has become clear. Bush is, more than anything else, an extreme fundamentalist Christian. He is widely regarded as the most openly pious and sanctimonious president in modern American history. He actually preaches the GOP screed in evangelical churches across America. He panders so slavishly to the anti-choicers and the Bible-thumpers and the homophobes it makes Jerry Falwell swoon and giggle. And Bush actually says, out loud, that God speaks through him, and that God is on our side we bomb the living crap out of Afghanistan and Iraq and that it is the Almighty's wish that we take control of these angry pip-squeak nations and in so doing kill thousands of civilians and tens of thousands of young Iraqi soldiers, as over a thousands of American soldiers are now dead, over a makeshift cause that never really existed. God wanted it this way, that's why. Bush has called Jesus his "favorite philosopher." He has claimed that the act of being "born-again" saved him from a long, sad life of vaguely homoerotic frat parties and repetitive binge drinking and going AWOL from the National Guard, all so he could turn his full attention to righteously ruining multiple businesses and then making Texas the most murderous and polluted state in the union. But, you know, why stop there? God, of course, isn't just about the current Iraqi war. Bush understands this. Nor is God just about slamming gays or creating nasty, isolationist foreign policy. God is not merely about setting those gul-dang Muslim heathens straight about who is the supreme big-daddy all-powerful mega-righteous SUV-drivin' American-flag-wavin' God and who is just a dimestore wannabe false idol scruffy Allah. Because above all, God is nothing if not all about putting a quick and fiery stop to all this Earthly nonsense ASAP. He is nothing if not all about the coming apocalypse. And He is nothing if not all about saving those who believe, as Bush does, that he is among the chosen to be saved. This is the fundamentalist truth. And this is the BushCo maxim. The End Times provide the ultimate meaning, the final straw, the only thing worth caring about, because it defines the BushCo worldview like nothing else except maybe embarrassing grammar and crushing deficits and a secret craving for gin. You can see it in his sad, vacant eyes: Bush is absolutely convinced that God is a Republican. Why else would He create all those cool M-1 tanks and oil refineries and those neat deer-antler chandeliers? Exactly. Do you see? Do you get it? If not, you haven't been reading nearly enough of those silly pulpy sociopathic gazillion-selling "Left Behind" doomsday books so frighteningly adored by the Christian Right. It's simple, really: The world is gonna end real soon. The End Times are comin'. All the signs are in place -- famine, war, disease, sodomy, fires, hurricanes, Avril Lavigne -- and Bush, by instigating holy wars and inciting more terrorism and burning through the planet's natural resources as fast as humanly possible, is merely hastening the blessedly inevitable. As his fellow fundamentalists say, God bless him. Hey, it explains a lot, this view. It explain how Bush can just smirk and mumble and, with one big, heartless shrug, dismiss the complete lack of WMD and the loss of 1.6 million U.S. jobs and the nation's staggering $422 billion budget deficit. Pay down the national debt? Bah. Planet's going to hell anyway, people. Stock up on nuclear missiles and get yourself an escape pod. Can't afford one? Whatta shame. It surely explains the general GOP hatred of gay marriage, of open-hearted sex, of those wicked, sin-inducing vaginas (that harlot Eve is gonna pay, dammit), of environmentalism, of caring about air quality and water quality and the EPA and organic foods and homeopathic medicine and resource management and the Alaska Wildlife Refuge and the U.N. and any country that doesn't have a McDonald's and a Starbucks and a decent strip club for lonely gin-soaked Republican expats. And it explains not only the outright contempt for any view other than Bush's own, but the willingness to legislate that hatred, codify it, to make it outright illegal to think or feel or love otherwise. Look at it this way: When you have an angry, patriotic God and the red-hot promise of the juicy apocalypse on your side, there is no such thing as a counter-argument. There is no such thing as competition. There is no such thing as giving a damn what anyone else thinks. How else do you explain it? How else can you understand the most aggressive, war-hungry, abusive, nature-loathing, isolationist administration in American history? How else can you explain BushCo's overall "F" grade from every environmental organization in the world? How can you explain his mauling of long-term Social Security planning? The decimation of the idea of universal health care? A pre-emptive, attack-first-ask-questions-never, warmongering policy that creates more anti-U.S. hatred by the minute? How can you explain the fact that every human rights organization on the planet is appalled by Bush's actions? Guantanamo Bay to Abu Ghraib to John Ashcroft to the Patriot Act to gutting funding for international women's health care. Hey, if God had wanted us to care about other viewpoints, He would've made everyone speak English. Can I get a "hell yeah?" This lust for apocalyptica, then, is perhaps the best way we have to at least partially understand the shamelessness of this administration's policies and its blatant disregard for international law, its open hatred of any nation that disagrees with us and the deep, profound concern only for nations that either cower in our God-flexin' presence and/or have resources that Bush's corporate pals are salivating to exploit. And it is the perhaps ultimate explanation for the Right's final cattle call, its bitter war cry of a message, its exact parallel to every pseudo-religious evangelical scam artist on late-night cable TV. Listen, good people of America. If you just send your money to the party and give up all that careful, nuanced thinking, if you just quit questioning our decisions and load up on blind faith, it will all be OK and you can have all the guns and fast food you want and those terrifying gays will leave you alone because BushCo will take care of you and God will reserve your seat on the glory train to salvation. Deal? Praise Jesus! Praise Bush/Cheney! Hallelujah you are saved! Even as we are, you know, doomed......Isn't bogus salvation fun?"

Hope I made you smile, I found this and thought it was worth posting if nothing else it's cute to read. But also makes you think about a few things.... huh?

Goverment is courting a raise - AGAIN!!

washingtonpost;"The House yesterday moved closer to passing a major spending bill that provides a 3.5 percent pay raise for civilian federal employees and prevents the Bush administration from proceeding with controversial rules. "Our nation is able to deploy our air, sea and land fleets safely and swiftly thanks to the muscle and logistical support of both federal civilian employees and military employees, so it is appropriate to provide them with equal pay. The Bush administration had proposed increasing the pay of nonmilitary government workers by only 1.5 percent for fiscal 2005. But the House Appropriations Committee voted 42 to 16 for an amendment offered by Washington area lawmakers giving federal employees the same 3.5 percent raise as the uniformed military."

This is a strange bill, but its also a good thing, if..... You work for the government!! But Hello Mr. Bush!! When your American People started Yelling for a wage increase!!! We were talking about the Poverty-Levels. This is where you should of started giving raises. Because we are now worse off then we were before if this goes thru...Still not making ends MEET!!

Vacation Trip Into The Eye Of The Storm

Journal;"Ivan the Terrible is how Mr. & Mrs. Hoch describe the hurricane that held them captive for 24 suspenseful hours this past week on their trip to Cancun, Mexico. Landing on the beautiful Yucatan Peninsula on Sept, 9, along with their nine-year-old granddaughter, Amanda, they were impressed with the pristine, pale blue ocean water quietly lapping the shore and the cream-colored, powdery sand of the beaches nearby the Marriott Casamagna Hotel where they were staying. Little did they know this calm, peaceful setting was soon to change. Following three exciting days being hosted at numerous activities, they found themselves locked down for the final day of their trip due to the onslaught of Ivan. "Originally the eye of the storm was heading toward Cancun, but we were grateful that it shifted to a more northerly direction," say the Hochs. "Nevertheless, we could not believe the magnitude of the 15 or 20 foot waves or the fierceness of the wind and rain when the edges of the hurricane hit. "We were told by the Marriott Hotel manager that plans had been in place to evacuate all hotel guests at 7 a.m. on the 13th, but instead, beds were set up in the ballroom, which was the innermost and safest part of the huge property. We were instructed to bring all deck furniture into our room, secure all widows tightly, and close the heavy drapes. We were also told not to venture out of the hotel until further notice. The airport was closed down, and for 24 hours all we could hear and see was the magnitude of the storm circling about us. We watched as hotel employees feverishly nailed boards over the windows, and the hotel shops were not only closed, but we observed all merchandise and office computers quickly being moved to higher levels for safe keeping. Fortunately, makeshift buffets were set up so that there was enough food for all of the guests, and old movies were shown in the ballroom to help pass the hours. We saw "Finding Nemo" for the first time, and our granddaughter, who had viewed it before, enjoyed seeing it once again. The movie was probably a fitting one with its colorful underwater theme, since we were all hoping we would not wind up swimming around trying to find Nemo ourselves. A bellhop told us jokingly, "Don't worry even if you do see a shark or two swimming along the marble floors of the lobby." Kidded our granddaughter that Ivan should be called a "Him-icane" since it carried a male name. The Hochs said that fortunately the violent storm did abate enough the morning of the 14th for them to catch their scheduled flight home, However, they could hardly believe the massive numbers of people when they arrived at the airport. The Hochs say that, in spite of the fact that they missed the final day of their activities, they heartily recommend Cancun for a vacation spot. They add, "We especially liked visiting an ancient Mayan Village located deep in the Yucatan jungle and seeing the archeological ruins at Coba, primitive Mayan villages where people live without internet, TV, electricity, and even running water." Surprisingly, however, the natives do earn money by taking digital photos of the tourists and printing them, using solar power. Cancun's beaches are phenomenal, and there are endless water activities, such as Aquaworld's wave runners, Garrafon Park's sea trek, zip line, and scuba fun. Garrafon is located on the ILA de Mujares (Island of Women) and is reached by a high-speed boat ride from Cancun. In spite of Ivan's threat, which gratefully proved to create no major devastation for the area, the Hochs found Cancun a place that has matured into a great vacation spot for the entire family...Best, of course, not to go there during the Caribbean's hurricane season."

I wonder if these poor People were giving a free return trip paid for by the Mayor of Cancun, Because they gave a great re-view of their trip their and told people its a wonderful place to take your family to play..But just don't go when their in bad weather times..LOL

Jewish Voters Back Kerry

Voters; "If U.S. President George W. Bush thought that aligning U.S. Middle East policy in Israel would win him Jewish votes he must be sorely disappointed. A poll released this week by the American Jewish Committee showed that 69 percent of Jewish voters currently intend to cast their ballots for Sen. John Kerry. Also found that two-thirds of U.S. Jews now say they disapprove, of last year's war with Iraq. The survey, which is part of an annual series Jewish community has become increasingly disenchanted with Bush's foreign policy. U.S. Jews are concentrated in states that Kerry is expected to win handily- New York, California, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and most, perhaps most important, Florida. Respondents said they considered anti- Semitism to be a ,very serious problem, in the U.S, just before the release of Mel Gibson's controversial film, -The Passion of the Christ. Asked what groups are the most anti-Semitic in the U.S., most or many Muslims were anti-Semitic. About one quarter of the respondents said most, or many evangelical Protestants were anti-Semitic."

Who know that Mel Gibsons movie- Passion of Christ would turn peoples views on the election of our President! I have yet to see this movie, I picked it up several times off the shelf.. But put it back again, because people tell me it is the most horrid and graphic, movie done in years. And very painful to watch. Has anyone who has seen it care to comment and tell me what they thought about this movie, and now how its effecting our country and views?

Thru -The Eyes Of Our Soldiers Frustrated

US soldiers;" Night-vision goggles pressed against their eyes and a carpet of stars glittering overhead, the Alpha Company patrol creep silently through the valley. Dogs bark as the 20 soldiers pad past farmhouses and deserted almond orchards. Swinging right, they sweep infrared beams over the mountain line for signs of the enemy. Nothing. Sergeant First Class halts before a bridge over a creek. The Taliban mounted a checkpoint here two days earlier, he whispers. They might return. The scouts crouch behind a rock, train an automatic rifle on the bridge, and wait. By dawn, only goats have strayed into their sights. The "bad guys" have eluded them again. "The Taliban are hard to find," says Sgt Aranda, trudging back to base. "We need good information from local people. But some of them are really against us." Rooting out the remnants of the Taliban has proved a maddening task for US forces in Afghanistan. Scattered and weakened the militia remain a slippery foe, hidden in the crevices of the mountains. But with landmark elections just weeks away, the hunt has gained fresh urgency. The US military is trying to quell the elusive insurgency with a mixture of friendship and force. One day its soldiers drill wells, build schools and perform lifesaving medical operations. The next they go hunting for Taliban. The American assumption that good works buy Afghan loyalty does not always hold true. And sometimes it can go disastrously wrong. During a medical patrol to help the sick in a remote village last Friday, commanding officer Captain Andrew Brosnan heard gunshots and mortar fire in a nearby valley. Suspecting bandits were attacking a truck convoy, he led an investigating team. As they mounted the slope his soldiers spotted two running figures in the distance. After a verbal warning and a warning shot, Capt Brosnan ordered his team to open fire. But when the approached the fallen "enemy", they discovered they had shot two children, a boy-12years, who was hit in the leg, and his brother 10, who had been shot in the head. By the time a Black Hawk helicopter landed to evacuate the wounded boys, Wali was dead. The Guardian did not witness the shooting and the 25th Infantry provincial commander, Lieutenant Colonel Terry Sellers, who was visiting Uruzgan at the time, ordered the troops involved not to speak about it. The 140 soldiers of Alpha Company, whose 25th Infantry Division is based in Hawaii, arrived early this summer. After a quiet welcome the base has come under sustained attack in the past month. Suspected Taliban have fired rocket-propelled grenades at the camp three times, though most of them exploded off the perimeter wall, and planted at least 10 roadside bombs designed to destroy passing US convoys. Yet the CO is frustrated that he has run into a wall of silence about the attacks. Even though some were launched from the busy town bazaar, nobody, it seems, knows anything. "They wave, they smile. But someone out there knows what's going on - and they're not saying anything," said Specialist Melvin Krambule, a gunner atop an armour-plated Humvee. Then, gathering hundreds of local men in a circle around him, Capt Brosnan delivered a stern message. He had come to the townspeople "in friendship" two weeks earlier, he said, and outlined Alpha Company's development projects. He also appealed for information about the Taliban attacks. Despite that, he admonished, "not one person here has helped me." Several factors mitigate against the US mission. Many locals have vivid memories of the brutal decade-long Russian occupation. Many are also terrified of reprisals if they are seen as being associated with the US troops. For their part, the Americans, who rely on young translators flown in from Kabul, struggle to make sense of local feuds and tribal rivalries. "People come to us denouncing suspects, but it's usually just a grudge against an old enemy," one sergeant said. Their heavy-handed style can also alienate locals. Camp Ananconda is ringed by barbed wire and sandbags, and supplied by huge Chinook helicopters that land in a fury of noise and dust. Soldiers only leave base with full body armour and a cocked gun, and the most common interaction with locals is a Hawaiian hand salute that means "hang loose". In a briefing after the shooting of the two boys, Col Sellers insisted the rules of engagement had been followed in the "tragic accident". But admitted it was a big setback to building relations with the already-suspicious local community. On Sunday morning Abdul Nabi, the boys' father, sat nursing his surviving son at Kandahar military hospital. "How can this be a mistake?" he asked, holding Ali's wounded leg in his hand. "A mistake is shooting one person. Not two, If they are shooting our children how can we be their friends?"

This is what really happens in the lives and minds of our American Soldiers, we send over their each day they wake up, Our Great President, Mr. Bush - don't tell you about so as we don't worry. I don't think these soldiers themselves, knew what was in store for them once they got their. Did you? I know it's ugly and cruel what you have read.. *But it's the true story* Not the Fairy Tale Version !!, that's what Mr. Bush wants, us to believe. Our soldiers our not in harms way... Even in the end of this War!! When these soldiers come home they will carry the damage and scars they had to indure while fighting for what they believed, was a good cause. YOU!! Need to ask yourself, would you want to walk beside these soldiers each and every day? You will, when they all finally come home. They alone will, have to live with this memory..Burned into to their, thoughts and mind, for ever?......Sometimes the truth is ugly, remember.............

Going To Iraq Was The Wrong War

MoveOn;" Fifteen of the nineteen terrorists who executed the attacks of September 11th were from Saudi Arabia. None were from Iraq. And Saddam Hussein's Iraq had no ties with Al Qaeda or any other terrorist organizations that threatened the United States. Bush's Iraq war was a war of choice. And just last week, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan called the war "illegal."even before we had over a thousand dead Americans in Iraq, even before Bush was overspending by hundreds of billions and dipping into emergency funds, we knew that, as a response to September 11th, going into Iraq was a dreadful mistake. Bush and Cheney pretended there were links between Iraq and Al Qaeda to justify the war, links that didn't exist."

I am having such a hard time with this Iraq war right now, I just don't deal with wars and fighting to begin with. But this one it seams to me is more Deadly then the others! I don't know why? Maybe I am just more commeted in reading about this one or maybe it's because of what lead up to us going to war. Or just maybe its the fact that everyone that wants to be President has the answers on how to fix this problem but no one is fixing it!!

John Kerry for President

Kerry;"John Kerry and John Edwards will do whatever it takes to make America safe. That means coordinating our intelligence agencies, taking action on all key fronts, standing up for security whenever special interests stand in the way, and getting the needed resources to the first responders who defend America every day.John Kerry and John Edwards will stand up for America's values and have a plan to build an America that is strong at home and respected in the world. They believe we can have a strong economy focused on good-paying jobs, a health care plan that reduces costs, an energy plan that frees us from Mideast oil, and they believe we can strengthen our military and lead strong alliances that keep America safe and secure.The America that George Bush has created is one with fewer jobs, increasing health costs and more obstacles to achieving the American dream. Kerry-Edwards communities share a common desire to improve education, attain access to affordable health care, create jobs, work towards a cleaner environment and a safer America....John Kerry will once again restore America as a beacon of hope."

I feel that if we don't all get out their and VOTE!! come November, we will have Mr. Bush for another four years and I'm not sure if this is something we all can afford to do unless you like living from hand-to-mouth each month. And the fear of always wondering if we, ALL!! will dye before this war ends......

Sorry I Have Been Sick

Up-Date9/24/04; Went to the Ear Doc. Again, did the ole-suck my brains out thing again with my ear. Then made me go thru a MRI on my sinuses to see if I had a problem their, was fine. Said I still have a hole in my ear and still have a 60% hearing lost which is why I'm tired all the time, said time will make me better and to take more Meds. And now ear drops to help heal the ear. So will see him in a-couple of weeks again. Never knew how special my hearing was till I lost it...I think I will live its been 4wks now, I Blew out my ear drum and had a really bad ear infection. finally after 3-wks I got my damn health Insurance, to approve for me to go see a ear/nose-Doc. Within a week of taking what he gave me I'm finally feeling better. Its amazing what the right pills, and person can do to make you well>>hehe. When I went in a week ago I had already been on 3-different meds. And nothing was helping me and I felt really bad and My ear hurt like hell, and wasn't getting any better. Well he put this, Ele.Sucking machine..LOL in my ear and, I thought he was trying to suck out what brains I had left...Hurt like hell, but said he had to get all the puss and crap out of it because I had blow-out my ear drum-out. But it was still fix-able even if it meant surgery..I thought oh god!!! So they threw me in a box that looked like a Mimi -walk-in freezer and said they were going to check my hearing.(I thought good because for a minute I thought they were going to put me on ICE, by the looks of the box) After Testing me found out, I had lost 60% of my hearing in my right ear and that was why I couldn't hear shit, and felt like I wanted to just shoot myself to put me out of my misery. Because my teenage daughter said, she did care about me but, I had been sick to long and she was getting sick just watching and, listening to me boo-how all the time :( .. hehe, but you know I'm feeling better and I think I am going to be okay, I am even some what starting to hear a bit in the crappy old ear. I just wanted to tell everyone why I haven't been posting much of anything the last feel weeks been so sick. Going back to the Docor next week again we'll see...Thank-you all for taking the time to stop and read my Blog it means a lot to me when people leave comments or send me articles to post...Bye

Leave No Voter Behind,

VoterDrive;" Leave No Voter Behind, our neighbor-to-neighbor vote drive to turn out 440,000 new voters for Kerry this November. Our army of 500 organizers spent the past three days training. They're pumped up and ready to hit the pavement. Today they head out into the battleground states, and Leave No Voter Behind begins. We're officially launching the program, we want you to be a part of the kick off event. To join the effort, all you need is a computer with a high-speed internet connection and speakers, or a phone. Can you make it? RSVP today!! Two years ago, MoveOn members were part of a historic movement to stop the war in Iraq. Together, we warned that the war would make the world less safe, that the inspections were working, and that the Bush administration had no exit strategy. And when the zealots in the Bush administration recklessly went to war, we vowed to hold George Bush accountable for this enormous and tragic blunder on November 2nd. And that's what Leave No Voter Behind is all about. Like the movement against the war. Our 500 battleground-state organizers will help 10,000 MoveOn Precinct Leaders and tens of thousands of local volunteers systematically reach out to people in their community who might not vote. And those of us who are not in the battleground states are just as important. In millions of face-to-face and phone conversations, we'll explain to occasional Democratic voters why this election is the one they can't sit out, and why they need to vote for John Kerry. The methods in Leave No Voter Behind are proven to work."

Here is your chance to help make sure that John Kerry ...Becomes our New!! President come 2005!! As it takes everyone to help to make sure it happens or you may, wish you did help if you do nothing and Bush is re-elected.. So click on the link and lets help John Kerry Become the President of the United States...

Gorbachev Launches Global Campaign

Come Clean;" Gorbachev is an ex-president going after weapons of mass destruction. But not the way U.S. President George Bush thought he was going after them in Iraq. That war on Iraq was a mistake, Gorbachev said, ''It not only undermined international law, it undermined democracy. Millions spoke out, but the war was launched in spite of their democratic views,'' he told media representatives.Gorbachev was emphatic about his campaign against WMD. ''If they exist, sooner or later there will be disastrous consequences. They can fall into the hands of terrorists. It is not enough to safeguard them, they must be abolished.'' Anyone who supports the existence of weapons of mass destruction should not be allowed to run for the post of president or prime minister, Gorbachev said. ''You may again think I'm naïve. But I'm not stupid, I know what I'm saying.'' As Soviet leader Gorbachev knew what he was sitting on. His initiative led to a joint declaration with former U.S. president Ronald Reagan that a nuclear war can never be won and must never be fought."

Here is a man that holds a very strong view on what we should all think about......

OVERSEAS POSTAL DEADLINES

NBC-6;" The Postal Service says it's not too early to start thinking about holiday mail to American troops and civilians stationed in the Middle East. Parcels meant for civilians should be sent by October 21st and parcel post address to military addresses should be sent out by November 13th. The deadline for mail shipped via military aircraft is November 27th, and December 4th for military parcel airlift mail.
Postal officials say all the deadlines - and packing requirements - are listed on the Postal services website.ups.com;"

I will keep this on my Blog-Posted till now thru December for people, that want to send things to our Troops over-seas. I hope everyone thinks of these Troops, during their time away from home.

Surname Meaning In These Mens Names -Genealogy

Surname Meaning;" I found this wondering around and thought it would be fun to see what these four mens names would mean if we were back in Bible times, and this is what I came up with. Looks to me like ( John Edwards) is the only one in the bunch, that has a healthy name for a leader if your going by Surnames...

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Definition:( Mr.George Bush )....Dweller near a bush or a thicket of bushes, from the Middle English bushe, meaning "bush." Dweller at the sign of a bush usually a (Wine merchant).

Definition:( Dick Chaney)....This occupational surname referred to a person who made candles, who made soap, and sold candles, as well as other items, to ships in this context, also means (Merchant).

Definition:( John Kerry ).... meaning (Marsh) wet ground overgrown with brushwood.

Definition:( John Edwards ).... The singular form of Edward means (prosperous guardian.)

Return of the Draft

Congress;"Bush is of course being very quiet about this right now, but it's QUITE real ... the administration is gearing up for a return of the draft. Mandatory draft for boys and girls (ages 18-26) starting June 15, 2005, is something that everyone should know about. This literally affects everyone since we all have or know children that will have to go if this bill passes. There is pending legislation in the house and senate (companion bills: S89 and HR 163) which will time the program's initiation so the draft can begin as early as spring, 2005, just after the 2004 presidential election. The administration is quietly trying to get these bills passed now, while the public's attention is on the elections, so our action on this is needed immediately. Details and links follow. This plan, among other things, eliminates higher education as a shelter and includes women in the draft. Also, crossing into Canada has already been made very difficult. Please send this on to all the parents and teachers you know, and all the aunts and uncles, grandparents, godparents. . . And let your children know, it's their future, and they can be a powerful voice for change! This legislation is called HR 163 and can be found in detail at this website: BillCongress;"

I can only pray that this never happens, Because I feel this would only make matters worse in our fight against war! President Carter spoke on TV last night and said something I agree with alot. About the U.S. should pull out of Iraq and let them deal witht heir own problems. I agree with him 100%. But I feel we should just pack-up and pull out now!! why wait. Sometimes in life you need to cut your loses and just let go, we need to bring our people home and worry about us here in America, and stop trying to help a country that keeps telling us to get out. Why are we still some-place we're not wanted?

Dem.Kerry & Rep.Bush Push third Party off the ballot.

Congress; "First it was Nader taken off the ballot by the Democrat's and now its Peroutka (Constitution Party) off the ballot in NY,VT & NH. Vote for Peroutka elect Kerry Is it OK for Catholics & Christians to vote for Bush even though he not really Pro-life?"

I never knew that your church decided who you are allowed to vote for? This is a new one for me!

Wolf is Real America Wake-Up

Wolf "Once upon a time the U.S. secretary of state went to the UN Security Council and cried, "Wolf!" He said that the evil Saddam Hussein had been building weapons of mass destruction and posed an immediate threat to the United States and the world. Over 1,000 American deaths later, there are no WMDs to be found. There was also a president who made a State of the Union address in 2003 and cried, "Wolf!" He said that the evil Saddam Hussein was getting uranium from Africa to build weapons of mass destruction. He called on the American people to be prepared to fight a war against terrorism by invading Iraq. Claims about yellow cake in Niger destined for Baghdad were exposed as phony early on. But still the United States invaded Iraq. More than 12,000 Iraqis have been killed. The United States cried wolf, and the world shuddered and watched as the most powerful country threw its weight around and took over Iraq and all of its resources, including its future. There were no weapons of mass destruction, but there was oil and the possibility of redrawing the map of the Middle East to suit the narrow interests of the few. The few who cried wolf in the name of the American republic. The world wondered if it could ever believe the United States again. Then the U.S. Congress, in a rare and historic bipartisan and unanimous action, declared that something is taking place in Sudan. Once upon a time, Washington could have exercised its clout as the most powerful nation in the world and handily won over the support of members. But now, the country that cried wolf has lost the moral authority it needs to rally its neighbors to real action. It will be the cruelest irony and the greatest tragedy if the people cannot count on America to save them, a country that lost its credibility because it cried wolf. War in Iraq has now claims another 50,000 victims. And the toll is to rise even more, in the weeks ahead. In the tale of the boy who cried wolf, it was the boy himself who suffered the consequences of his actions. This time it's two million dead people, and everyone that believed what the Wolf told them and did what he told them to do."

I thought this was some really heavy thought to put out, but I also felt it was something I felt strong about and wanted to post. It is a wake-up call for all Americans.......May God Forgive us!

Families living in Section 8 housing will now pay more

Times; "Single mother of two is saving up to buy a car. Section 8 housing has helped put a roof over her two children's heads. Which has lifted a huge burden off her shoulders, she said. Her daughter has asthma and allergies and the family's energy bill runs about $200 a month. She's trying to get on her feet, but now she worries major cuts to U.S. Housing and Urban Development funding will knock her down hard. HUD will now offer only, a set amount of money per family. She worried about costs going up for her family. "I get no help from anybody. It's just me and them," she said. Another change could affect the size of families' apartments. Before, separate bedrooms for children of opposite genders were required at "school age." A single parent with a baby or only one child under 8 years, would live in a one-bedroom home. A family with two parents,and two children would live in a two-bedroom,three and up children a, four-bedroom. If only one parent, would reduce size of bedrooms. Subsidy for a two-bedroom is less than that for a three-bedroom and raising the age would save several thousand dollars a month. Also if you are working you will be moved ahead to the top of the list, where as, to someone who is not working. To help cut the cost on the Goverments part for rental assit. This single mother, thinks another solution to the problem would be to make sure everyone who benefits from Section 8 housing actually needs it. She believes too much money goes to people who really don't need the help. "I'm basically doing it all by myself," she said."

This is again a story on how bad things are in America right now!! And to make matters worse the Goverment is now cutting how many housing/assit-vouchers, they are giving out and also reducing how much money per- a household for help.

Positive 'killer bee' traits found

Times;"North Texans need to take precautions against Africanized honeybees, officials said. The bees had Africanized traits, but not enough to warrant quarantine, officials said. But "killer bees""Africanized bees in Texas, they move 12 months out of the year," Paul Jackson, chief apiary inspector for the Texas Honeybee Identification Laboratory in College Station, Texas, said. Insect experts collected the Clay County bees after an elderly man was stung repeatedly Sept. 1 at his rural home. 74-year-old retired rancher, spent a night in a hospital. Workers pulled more than 200 stingers out of his head and neck. A local bee expert has warned that he's seeing more aggressive bees. "There are some very dangerous bees. Treat every swarm as if they are aggressive until you have proven them to be gentle." Watson gets 10 to 30 calls daily for swarms, and he's finding more aggressive bees than gentle ones, he wrote. He cautioned anyone who finds bees to call the police immediately and give them the location of the hive - then leave them alone. Africanized honeybees favor holes in the ground, water meters, the inside of walls, eaves and undersides of mobile homes. He advised being especially careful in these situations: Hunters should check deer blinds for bees before they enter. Homeowner sees bees flying around, he should be cautious. If he sees a nest under the home, he should call an exterminator. Even a small swarm the size of a softball - and Africanized bees split into new nests year-round- calls for action. It will grow to thousands unless it's removed. If you're attacked by bees, run away or seek shelter in a building or car, experts said. Earlier this month, Clay County Extension Agent Kyle Miller sent bees from the nest that stung Whitaker to the honeybee I.D. lab for testing. The results showed they were Level 2 European/Africanized honeybees with some Africanized traits. Here are the levels: Level 1 - European honeybees -Level 2 - European/Africanized honeybees with some Africanized traits -Level 3 - Africanized/European honeybees -Level 4 - Africanized honeybees. So far, 154 Texas counties are under quarantine, according to Texas A&M University. Bees have to be tested before bookkeeper's can move them from a county under quarantine. Africanized honeybees have been moving north from South America since the 1950s."

This is not a good thing! We all have been hearing about Killer Bee's for years and now, people a dying form them. I am sacred to death of any-kind of stinging bug, as they seem to always get me no matter what I do to give them space. What about the people that have allergies to bee-stings what would this do to them? Its like a double ammo....

Police Knew Killer in Columbine Massacre

NBC-6;"A grand jury report is shedding new light about what Colorado authorities knew before the Columbine High School massacre. According to a grand jury document, deputies knew one of the killers had been accused two years earlier of making death threats and building pipe bombs. The grand jury also said it was "troubled" by still-missing documents in what remains the deadliest school attack in U-S history. Still, it did not hand up any indictments. It closed at least the third investigation that has elected not to place any blame for the slaughter of 13 people by Harris and Dylan Klebold. The two teens also killed themselves. Victims' families say the report confirms their suspicions that the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office covered up mistakes that could have led authorities to the killers."

This is really a sad thing to find out now, for the poor families that now have to live thru this all over again! Why do people hide things like this? They have to know it will always come out...Sooner or later...

Teen Claims She Found Roach in Parfait

Texas -A teenager says she found a partially smoked, quarter-inch long marijuana cigarette in her frozen yogurt parfait at a McDonald's. Returning home from a weeklong vacation, when they stopped for breakfast, San Benito police report, only two McDonald's employees made parfaits that morning. Restaurant management told police the employees take drug tests. Police took the used marijuana cigarette as evidence. No charges have been filed and no arrests have been made."

Well After reading this it takes a whole new meaning to -Having it your way!! (at McDonald's) Bet some poor, pot-head was going thru-with draws..LOL

John Kerrys - Wife said let them go Naked send essentials

Yahoo! News;" Teresa Heinz Kerry, volunteers busily packed supplies for hurricane relief in the Caribbean, said she was concerned the effort was too focused on sending clothes instead of essentials like water and electric generators. "Clothing is wonderful, but let them go naked for a while, at least the kids," said Heinz Kerry, the wife of Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry Water is necessary, and then generators, and then food, and then clothes." relief supplies to be shipped to several Carribean islands hit by Hurricane Ivan. Her husband's campaign donated water, blankets and first aid kits. "I think it's important we help all the kids we can. Ivan swept through the Caribbean last week, killing more than 60 people and leaving tens of thousands homeless."

Don't get me wrong...But doesn't this women know she seems to have nack for making herself look bad? Everytime she opens her MOUTH! and says something STUPID! I feel she is hurting her Husband more then helping him when she says CRAP! like this... Someone needs to shart gag-holding her mouth-or, at least give her something to chop on so shes not talking so much. Don't get me wrong, I am also a very out spoken women. But, their is a saying called...( Talking Out of your ASS!!) she needs to plug it abit more....If she thinks naked is fine then she should spend less money on her clothing, and use it for the things she says they need...She would still profet from it,- a Tax-write -off!!

President possibly Plan Day After Election

Iraq; "Senator John F. Kerry accused the Bush administration yesterday of secretly planning to call up a substantial number of military reservists and National Guard units after Election Day to go to Iraq, opening a new front in the Democrat's ongoing attack that the president is concealing postwar instability in Iraq from American voters. 'he won't tell us what congressional leaders are now saying, that this administration is planning yet another substantial call-up of reservists and Guard units immediately after the election," Kerry told 300 people at a community center here. 'hide it from people through the election, then make the move -- that's not the way we do business in the United States of America, my friends. We deserve a president who tells the American people the truth, and when it comes to Iraq, George W. Bush simply won't own up to the truth. He hasn't all along. In fact, he'll do anything he can to cover up the truth." The allegations came after the Kerry campaign this week asked Representative John Murtha of Pennsylvania, a congressional ally and Pentagon specialist, to provide evidence of the reservist plan in order for Kerry to escalate his questioning of Bush's handling of Iraq, aides to Murtha said yesterday. The aides said a relatively small number of new reservists would be involved, probably 2,000 to 2,500, but the idea that such a plan would be kept quiet until after the election spurred Kerry to focus on Bush's honesty as commander in chief. Kerry's allegations seemed to refer to a possible call-up of 2,000 to 2,500 reservists that military commanders think are needed, according to Murtha. Murtha released a statement saying he had 'learned through conversations with officials at the Pentagon" that the White House would 'call up large numbers" of reservists if the Bush-Cheney ticket is reelected. 'the Defense Department continues to plan for future operations in Iraq," he said. ''We have made regular announcements of troops rotations throughout this year and will continue to do so." Murtha, a 30-year House veteran who is respected in Congress and at the Pentagon on defense issues, spoke Wednesday with Rand Beers, Kerry's national security adviser, about the possibility of a new reservist call-up. Kerry has aggressively hit Bush over the fact that reservists and National Guard members make up about 75,560 of about 150,000 US troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, referring to their deployment as a 'back-door draft" to support overstretched Army, Marine, and other units. Kerry also sought yesterday to stir up ongoing voter concern about Iraq yesterday by linking Vice President Dick Cheney's deferred compensation from Halliburton to a series of Pentagon audits that found about $1.8 billion in unaccounted-for Halliburton expenses in Iraq and Kuwait. Kerry accused the Bush administration of looking the other way as Halliburton allegedly defrauded taxpayers of $186 million for meals never eaten, $61 million for gasoline overcharges, and $100 per bag to clean laundry. 'now, who's minding the store while all of this has happened? Who's in charge?" Borrowing a popular line from the NBC show 'the Apprentice," Kerry echoed host Donald Trump in saying: 'a's commander in chief, I've got two words for companies like Halliburton that abuse the American taxpayer and the trust: 'You're fired.' " Congressional Research Service. It concluded that, under federal ethics laws, deferred compensation like Cheney's from Halliburton, totaling $2 million since he took office, and unexercised stock options qualified as an ongoing financial interest in the company. Cheney took out an insurance policy in 2001 to guarantee that Cheney's deferred compensation would neither increase nor decrease based on the performance of the company. According to a CBS/ New York Times poll published today, 51 percent of voters believe that Bush is 'telling mostly the truth but hiding something" about Iraq, and another 24 percent feel Bush is 'mostly lying." The poll had few pieces of good news for Kerry; Bush held stronger marks for Not- protecting the United States from terrorism."

This is the kind of things I read that make me wonder who is really telling the truth? Because If your going play I am the guy for you role, then you need to show the American people you a not going to try and hide things from us. Even if its something that you know is shady!! Because, I don't know about you. I have raised my children to learn- If you lie about something once! Then its real hard for people to want to believe your not lieing again...Sort of like (The Wolf In sheepish Clothing)...Who's more deadly now, I need to ask? Who will if not careful will bring the WAR!! back to the United States if Were not careful!!! AGAIN.........