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...

Presidential campaign resembles children's game of -Telephone.

washingtonpost.com;" Here are some quotation: "My goal, to get our troops reduced in number, if you do the kind of alliance building that is available to us, that it's appropriate to have a goal of reducing the troops over that period of time, first six months of administration-Kerry. "I took exception when my opponent said if he's elected, we'll substantially reduce the troops in six months. He shouldn't have said that. See, it sends a mixed signal to the enemy for starters. So the enemy hangs around for six months and one day. It says, maybe America isn't going to keep its word.-Bush. "Yes, I would have to use force, in Iraq. But I would have used that authority effectively,I would have done this very differently from the way President Bush has. Why did he rush to war without a plan to win? He rush to war on faulty intelligence, not do the hard work necessary to give America the truth?"-Kerry. "He now agrees it was the right decision to go into Iraq. After months of questioning my motives, and even my credibility, now agrees with me that even though we have not found the stockpiles of weapons we all believed were there."-Bush."

I cut this a lot, to read the whole thing. Go to the link, just trying to get the point across. I'm beginning to wonder about both of them after reading this. It seems that the only thing they both seem to want to talk about is the wars, right now. As far as I am concerned I am not going to pick a President over who gives me the best war issuse's today. I want to know what else he is going to do, to help me as a Voter. Far as I am concerned, Choosing a President, is no different then me to going to Micky-D's, or anyplace. And applying for a job! Their both going to have to fill out a Job Appt. in my eyes. And I will see, because I want to know what he can do for me to make my world better, and other Americans. HERE!! In the United States Of America...Not who can make the war a better one!!

Iraqi Government Gives Militants Deadline

Pocatello Idaho State Journal;"NAJAF, Iraq - U.S. and Iraqi forces battled militants Tuesday in Najaf, sending plumes of black smoke over the holy city as Iraq's government warned fighters loyal to a radical cleric. U.S. Helicopter gunships and Bradley fighting vehicles were attacking militant positions in downtown Najaf, and militants returned fire with mortars and rocket-propelled grenades. Witnesses said Iraqi forces accompanied U.S. troops into the Old City, were stationed about 200 yards from the shrine, assailants fired a rocket-propelled grenade at a U.S. patrol on Monday night, killing one soldier and wounding two others, one of the soldiers died. As of Monday, 958 U.S. service members have died since the beginning of military operations in Iraq in March 2003, according to the U.S. Defense Department."

This has got to stop!! Our soldiers are dying. And for what!! So that we can say we help some other counrty find Peace? Or so they don't think we are a weak counrty, and come back and do what they did to cause the - 9/11 trauma? I have never hated a war as much as I do this one...I'm sorry this is just how I feel, it's become to much pain to deal with any more.....

Soldiers will leave, but how to get home?

Pocatello Journal-Views;"The 1,300 or so National Guard soldiers from Idaho who are training at Fort Bliss, Texas, will get 10 days to two weeks leave before shipping out for Iraq in November or December. That's nice. Trouble is, if the soldiers want to come home during that time, they are on their own. Air fare is about $350 per person and the government isn't paying it. Help in that respect is forthcoming from several sources around the state. To bring the troops home on leave, since the Army isn't doing it. There hardly seems a more worthwhile cause.If you would like to help, telephone 208-422-5268, or contact the National Guard for information."

I posted this in hopes that others will see this in case they missed it, or don't live in Pocatello. Also included a phone number if you would like to do something to help these soldiers come home to see their famies, before the go over to Iraq

Idiot Son And I'm Your President

bushlash.com;" Was web-clicking in a fog.. And came across this video song of a band, making fun of Mr. Bush. Just to let you know before you click on the link it has a lot of swearing in it so if that offends you don't open it. But if you do and it upset you, don't say I didn't warn you what was in it. To everyone else that swearing, don't bother. Then click away and enjoy - A Stupid Song and Video !!

Ron Reagan Supports Stem Cell Research Why Cant Bush

prochoice.org: "Recent pleas to allow full funding for stem-cell research touched the hearts and minds of many lawmakers in Congress. 58 senators - representing both political parties, asked President Bush to rethink his policy for funding stem-cell research. Which would allow embryonic stem cell research to be funded with federal dollars. President Bush still stubbornly refuses to change his policy. In - 2001, President Bush banned funding for research on all new embryonic stem-cell lines. Scientists report that very few of the existing stem-cell lines are useful for research or even available to scientists. As a result, Bushs policy has shackled development of new treatments for diseases such as Alzheimers, Parkinsons, cancer, and diabetes. Click on this link to ask Bush to allow this research."

I really don't understand why Bush is so against this research,they have already proved the skin sample and things they use to do this are never human babies Read it and tell me?

Cave of John the Baptist

The Times-News Online ;"KIBBUTZ TZUBA, Israel -- Archaeologists think they've found a cave where John the Baptist baptized many of his followers -- basing their theory on thousands of shards from ritual jugs, a stone used for foot cleansing and wall carvings telling the story of the biblical preacher. Only a few artifacts linked to New Testament figures have ever been found in the Holy Land, and the cave is potentially a major discovery in biblical archaeology. John, a distant relative of Jesus -- their mothers were kin, according to the Bible -- was a fiery preacher with a message of repentance and a considerable following. Tradition says he was born in the village of Ein Kerem, which today is part of modern Jerusalem. Just 2.5 miles away, on the land of Kibbutz Tzuba, a communal farm, the cave lies hidden in a limestone hill -- 24 yards long, four yards deep and four yards wide. It was carved by the Israelites in the Iron Age, sometime between 800 B.C. and 500 B.C, the scientists said. Over the centuries, the cave filled with mud and sediment, leaving only a tiny opening that was hidden by trees and bushes. The explorers uncovered 28 steps leading to the bottom of the cave. Near the end of the stairs, the team found an oval stone with a foot-shaped indentation -- about a shoe size 11. Just above, a soapdish-like niche apparently held ritual oil that would flow through a small channel onto the believer's right foot.On the water-covered floor of the cave, stones and boulders were moved aside by the worshippers and a middle path was filled with gravel. Crude images were carved on the walls, near the ceiling, they tell the story of John's life. One is the figure of the man. The man appears to have an unruly head of hair and wears a tunic with dots, apparently meant to suggest an animal hide. He grasps a staff and holds up his other hand in a gesture of proclamation. On the opposite wall is a carving of a face that could be meant to symbolize John's severed head. The preacher had his head cut off by Herod Antipas after he dared take the ruler to task over an illicit affair"

I love reading about things like this, wish I had money to just travel to see things from the past and their findings.

Serial Snuggler Just Wanted To Cuddle

PeoplePC-News: "BATON ROUGE, La.- Will have to keep his hands to himself. The man who sneaked into women's apartments just to cuddle with them has been sentenced to five years' probation. Before pleading guilty to 12 counts of unauthorized entry, he led a commendable life. None of the victims was hurt. The intruder crawled into one woman's bed to rub her stomach. He was in the state championship baseball game his senior year at John Curtis Christian School in River Ridge. He led a life that would make any parent unbelievably proud."

Poor guy..He just wanted to spread some love...LOL

KPVI morning anchorman greets day with a smile

Idaho State Journal; "Watching morning anchorman Javier Soto crack jokes, can't help but wonder ... is Soto mainlining coffee or is he naturally like this? According to Soto, no caffeine is involved. All that hyperactivity and joviality come with the package. Originally hired as a reporter/photographer for KPVI two years ago, Soto worked his way through the newsroom to become "the smiling anchor for the highest rated morning show, he's grateful to NewsChannel 6 for allowing him to do news the way he knows best ... "with a smile and a laugh at the end." "The person you see on TV is the same person you meet out in the streets," he says. "Life is beautiful. More people should enjoy it." To read more about this guy click on both links on page or the link here; KPVI's page on Javier

I will tell you this is one funny guy, He's like the little-kid that never grew-up, he's a small man which makes him even cuter. You never know what hes is going to do next on TV-live, I look forward to watching him .

Birthright of American People

Idaho State Journal: "Dissent is a birthright of America. People have come to this nation seeking freedom. People have fought and died for this nation and its freedoms. That freedom is more than the freedom to agree with the policies and personalities of the party in power, Republican or Democrat. America was born of dissent against rule by George III. Early politics was filled with much more vitriol than we see today. Jefferson was called the Anti-Christ, Adams was labeled a warmonger with ambitions of kingship, and a partisan newspaper of the day termed the common sewer of all filth in the state. In later years, presidential candidates were tarred with claims about fathering bastards, mental disease and morals that would do credit to Satan. It is the same today. And when the ballots are counted in November, the losing side will complain that the voters were swayed by the demagoguery of the other side. They will say that had the people known the facts and made their choices based on those facts, the results would have changed. Why not give people the chance to know those facts now, when it will make a difference? Instead of making rabid attacks on the other side, why not look for the facts about the upcoming election. Who can be afraid of the truth: The person who knows his position is supported by reality or the person who fears the voting public will find out what is really going on? Let us rely less on an advocate's ability to shout louder and spin harder and rely more on objective facts. Let us seek out reliable sources whose facts we check out instead of simply and blindly accepting them. Finally, let us be accountable for the government we have. It is, after all, a government of the people, by the people and for the people."

I don't think I need to say anything to this. Because this writer said it all,I agree, We do have the right to make up our own minds don't let no-one tell you other wise.

Mother Leaves Infant To Die In Dumpster

Idaho State Journal: "Women who gave birth, was charges with the death of a newborn found in a trash bin in February. Baby was found in a Dumpster at 303 N. Hayes Ave. The community raised money to provide her with a funeral and gravestone. An unknown man found the tiny body wrapped in a plastic grocery sack in a cardboard box and called police. An autopsy confirmed the baby had been alive and healthy at birth, Involuntary manslaughter and felony injury to a child each carry possible 10-year sentences. Since July 2001, Idaho's Safe Haven Act has allowed women to anonymously leave babies at medical facilities without fear of prosecution or questioning. The law applies to babies .It is designed to protect children and women who are afraid of prosecution or being questioned and condemned. These things don't have to happen, there were people in the community who would have taken her."

This story is a sad one, I remember this day well my daughter's friend lived in this apt. blding. Which is only 2-blks from the High School and a half a-mile from my home. I just don't understand why she did what she did, to throw away a human life like that and not think about going back to get it. Her own flesh..Good God !! She had just gave birth to it that day, in the very apt.Blding. To just walk out the back-door into the ally and throw her new-baby in the TRASH!! Like its day old garbage. Then walk back inside to her home and not give it another thought, She is one cold B.......(won't say the word)

Iraq Veterans Against the War

Iraq Veterans Against the War: "As many of you already know the Republican National Convention is almost upon us and IVAW plans on making our presence felt. We hope to have speakers spread out to the numerous marches and rallies showing opposition to this horrible war. To do this however we need funds. Our members are scattered across the United States and since they have just left military service can not afford to travel to NYC on their own. Please help us bring the troops home and end this brutal war."