julybabe's Blog

This is a good comparison in a compact form. Please pass it on to your friends.

  Your vote counts.  Please vote CAREFULLY!

2008 PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE COMPARISON TALKING POINTS

ISSUE

JOHN McCAIN

BARAK OBAMA

Favors new drilling offshore US

Yes

No

Will appoint judges who interpret the law not make it

Yes

No

Served in the US Armed Forces

Yes

No

Amount of time served in the US Senate

22 YEARS

173 DAYS

Will institute a socialized national health care plan

No

Yes

Supports abortion throughout the pregnancy

No

Yes

Would pull troops out of Iraq immediately

No

Yes

Supports gun ownership rights

Yes

No

Supports homosexual marriage

No

Yes

Proposed programs will mean a huge tax increase

No

Yes

Voted against making English the official language

No

Yes

Voted to give Social Security benefits to illegal's

No

Yes

CAPITAL GAINS TAX

MCCAIN

0% on home sales up to $500,000 per home (couples). McCain does not propose any change in existing home sales income tax.

OBAMA

28% on profit from ALL home sales. (How does this affect you? If you sell your home and make a profit, you will pay 28% of your gain on taxes. If you are heading toward retirement and would like to down-size your home or move into a retirement community, 28% of the money you make from your home will go to taxes. This proposal will adversely affect the elderly who are counting on the income from their homes as part of their retirement income.)

DIVIDEND TAX

MCCAIN

15% (no change)

OBAMA

39.6% - (How will this affect you? If you have any money invested in stock market, IRA, mutual funds, college funds, life insurance, retirement accounts, or anything that pays or reinvests dividends, you will now be paying nearly 40% of the money earn ed on taxes if Obama becomes president. The experts predict that 'Higher tax rates on dividends and capital gains would crash the stock market, yet do absolutely nothing to cut the deficit.')

INCOME TAX

MCCAIN
(no changes)

Single making 30K - tax $4,500
Single making 50K - tax $12,500
Single making 75K - tax $18,750
Married making 60K- tax $9,000
Married making 75K - tax $18,750
Married making 125K - tax $31,250

OBAMA (reversion to pre-Bush tax cuts)

Single making 30K - tax $8,400
Single making 50K - tax $14,000
Single making 75K - tax $23,250
Married making 60K - tax $16,800
Married making 75K - tax $21,000
Married making 125K - tax $38,750
Under Obama, your taxes could almost double!

INHERITANCE TAX

MCCAIN

- 0% (No change, Bush repealed this tax)

OBAMA

Restore the inheritance tax
Many families have lost businesses, farms, ranches, and homes that have been in their families for generations because they could not afford the inheritance tax. Those willing their assets to loved ones will only lose them to these taxes.

NEW TAXES PROPOSED BY OBAMA

New government taxes proposed on homes that are more than 2400 square feet. New gasoline taxes (as if gas weren't high enough already). New taxes on natural resources consumption (heating gas, water, electricity) New taxes on retirement accounts, and last but not l east: new taxes to pay for socialized medicine, so we can receive the same level of medical care as third-world countries!!!

 

 

 

 

You can verify the above at the following web sites:

http://money.cnn.com/news/specials/election/200
8/index.html
http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/issues/issues.
taxes.html

http://elections.foxnews.com/?s=proposed+taxes

http://bulletin.aarp.org/yourworld/politics/art
icles/mccain_obama_offer_different_visions_on_taxes.htm
l

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/fact-checker/can
didates/barack_obama/
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/fact-checker/can
didates/john_mccain/

 

 Tell us what you think.

 I HAVE DECIDED TO BECOME A WRITE-IN  CANDIDATE.  HERE IS MY PLATFORM:
>
(1) 'Press 1 for English' is immediately banned. English is the official language; speak it or wait at the border until you  can.

(2) We will immediately go into a two year isolationist posture to straighten out the country's attitude.
NO imports, NO exports. We will use Wal-Mart's policy, 'If we ain't got it, you don't need it.'

(3) When imports are allowed, there will be a 100% import tax on them.

(4) All retired military personnel will be required to man one of our many  observation towers on the southern border (six month tour).  They will be under strict orders not to fire on SOUTHBOUND aliens.

 

(5) Social security will immediately return to its original state. If you didn't put nothing in, you ain't getting nothing out. The president nor any other politician will be able to touch it.

    
(6) Welfare - Checks will be handed out on Fridays at the end of the 40 hour school week AND the successful completion of urinalysis and a passing grade.

(7) Professional Athletes --Steroids - The FIRST time you check positive  you're banned for life.

(8) Crime - We will adopt the Turkish method, the first time you steal, you  lose your right hand. There is no more life sentence. If convicted, you will be put to death by the same method you chose for your victim: gun, knife, strangulation, etc.

(9) One export will be allowed: Wheat. The world needs to eat. A bushel of  wheat will be the exact price of a barrel of oil.

(10) All foreign aid using American taxpayer money will immediately cease, and the money saved will pay off the national debt and ultimately lower taxes. When disasters occur around the world, we'll ask the American people if they want to donate to a disaster fund, and each citizen can make the decision  whether it's a worthy cause.

(11) The Pledge of Allegiance will be said every day at  school and every day in Congress.

(12) The National Anthem will be played at all appropriate ceremonies, sporting events, outings,  etc.

Sorry if I stepped on anyone's toes but a vote for me will get you better than  what you have, and better than what you're going to get.  

Thanks for listening, and remember to write in my name on the ballot in November.
God Bless America !
Bill Cosby
     Dont you agree??

 

Here ia  a bit of fun for holloween

http://www.itsga.com/fun/cat_new.swf

 

Have Fun

 Just a Cute Little Joke!

 

A man died and went to heaven. As he stood in front of St. Peter at the Pearly Gates, he saw a huge wall of clocks behind him. 

He asked, 'What are all those clocks?' 

St. Peter answered, 'Those are Lie-Clocks. Everyone on Earth has a 
Lie-Clock. 

Every time you lie the hands on your clock will move.' 

'Oh,' said the man, 'whose clock is that?' 

'That's Mother Teresa's. The hands have never moved, indicating 
that she never told a lie.' 

'Incredible,' said the man'. And whose clock is that one?' 

St. Peter responded, 'That's Abraham Lincoln's clock. The hands 
have moved twice, telling us that Abe told only two lies in his entire 
life.' 

'Where's Barack Obama's clock?' asked the man. 

'Obama's clock is in Jesus' office. 

He's using it as a ceiling fan.

 Have you heard any cute little jokes lately.  Post them Here!

 

 

As a Company, Southwest Airlines is going to support 'Red Fridays.'

Last week I was in Atlanta , Georgia attending a conference. While I
Was in the airport, returning home, I heard several people behind me
Beginning to clap and cheer. I immediately turned around and witnessed
One of the greatest acts of patriotism I have ever seen.

Moving thru the terminal was a group of soldiers in their camos. As they
Began heading to their gate, everyone (well almost everyone) was abruptly
To their feet with their hands waving and cheering.

When I saw the soldiers, probably 30-40 of them, being applauded and
Cheered for, it hit me. I'm not alone. I'm not the only red-blooded
American who still loves this country and supports our troops and their
Families.

Of course I immediately stopped and began clapping for these young
Unsung heroes who are putting their lives on the line everyday for us so
We can go to school, work and home without fear or reprisal.

Just when I thought I could not be more proud of my country or of our
Service men and women, a young girl, not more than 6 or 7 years old ran
Up to one of the male soldiers. He kneeled down and said 'hi.'

The little girl then asked him if he would give something to her daddy
For her.

The young ! soldier, who didn't look any older than maybe 22 himself,
Said he would try and what did she want to give to her daddy. Then
Suddenly the little girl grabbed the neck of this soldier, gave him the
Biggest hug she could muster and then kissed him on the cheek.

The mother of the little girl, who said her daughter's name was
Courtney, told the young soldier that her husband was a Marine and had
Been in Iraq for 11 months now. As the mom was explaining how much her
Daughter Courtney missed her father, the young soldier began to tear up .

When this temporarily single mom was done explaining her situation, all
Of the soldiers huddled together for a brief second. Then one of the
Other servicemen pulled out a military-looking walkie-talkie. They
Started playing with the device and talking back and forth on it.

After about 10-15 seconds of this, the young soldier walked back over to
Courtney, bent down and said this to her, 'I spoke to your daddy and he
Told me to give this to you.' He then hugged this little girl that he
Had just met and gave her a kiss on the cheek. He finished by saying
'your daddy told me to tell you that he loves you more than anything and
He is coming home very soon.'

The mom at this point was crying almost uncontrollably and as the young
Soldier stood to his feet, he saluted Courtney and her mom. I was
Standing no more than 6 feet away from this entire event.

As the soldiers began to leave, heading towards their gate, people
Resumed their applause. As I stood there applauding and looked around,
There were very few dry eyes, including my own. That young soldier in
One last act of selflessness, turned around and blew a kiss to Courtney
With a tear rolling down his cheek.

We need to remember everyday all of our soldiers and their families and
Thank God for them and their sacrifices. At the end of the day, it's
Good to be an American. !

RED FRIDAYS ----- Very soon, you will see a great many people wearing
Red every Friday. The reason? Americans who support our troops used to
Be called the 'silent majority'. We are no longer silent, and are
Voicing our love for God, country and home in record breaking numbers.

We are not organized, boisterous or over-bearing.. We get no liberal
Media coverage on TV, to reflect our message or our opinions. Many
Americans, like you, me and all our friends, simply want to recognize
That the vast majority of America supports our troops.

Our idea of showing solidarity and support for our troops with dignity
And respect starts this Friday - and continues each and every Friday
Until the troops all come home, sending a deafening message that.. Every
Red-blooded American who supports our men and women afar will wear
Something red..

By word of mouth, press, TV -- let's make the United States on every
Friday a sea of red much like a homecoming football game in the
Bleachers.

If every one of us who loves this country will share this with
Acquaintances, co-workers, friends, and family. It will not be long before the
USA is covered in RED and it will let our troops know the
once 'silent' majority is on their side more than ever; certainly more
than the media lets on.

The first thing a soldier says when asked 'What can we do to make
things better for you?' is...We need your support and your prayers.

Let's get the word out and lead with class and dignity, by example; and
wear something red every Friday.

I received this in an email.

My parents took great pride in being able to vote. They may have disagreed with your choice, but they would fight for your right to make that choice known. I, like many others am guilty of going many years without voting, but today I wouldn't think of it. Although this message is mainly to encourage women to get out and vote,......I would encourage everyone to let your voice be heard with your ballot !   My theory is very simple,....if you choose not to vote, you no longer have the right to BLEEP !
Remember,....whether you vote or not the people who disagree with you the most will be voting for something or someone you are not in favor of.  If you haven't registered,."git- er-done",....then let your voice be heard on election day,.......or just keep shut about the outcome and live with the choice of others !!!!

Not only have our forefathers fought and died for our right to vote, and our young people still fight and die for our freedoms, but below is a reminder of what women went through to let their voice be heard.   LET NONE OF US TAKE OUR RIGHT TO VOTE LIGHTLY,......OR FOR GRANTED !!!!!   ..............................Dan

 

 

Subject:  WHY WOMEN SHOULD VOTE....a gentle reminder....

 

Message for all women

THIS IS MOVING.  HOW QUICKLY WE FORGET.....IF ....WE EVER KNEW...... 
  
WHY WOMEN SHOULD VOTE

This is the story of our Grandmothers and Great-grandmothers; they lived only 90 years ago. 

Remember, it was not until 1920

that women were granted the right to go to the polls and vote.

The women were innocent and defenseless, but they were jailed 
nonetheless for picketing the White House, carrying signs asking 
for the vote. 

(Lucy Burns)
And by the end of the night, they were barely alive. 
Forty prison guards wielding clubs and their warden's blessing 
went on a rampage against the 33 women wrongly convicted of 
'obstructing sidewalk traffic.' 
They beat Lucy Burns, chained her hands to the cell bars above 
her head and left her hanging for the night, bleeding and gasping 
for air. 

(Dora Lewis) 
They hurled Dora Lewis into a dark cell, smashed her 
head against an iron bed and knocked her out cold. Her cellmate, 
Alice Cosu, thought Lewis was dead and suffered a heart attack. 
Additional affidavits describe the guards grabbing, dragging, 
beating, choking, slamming, pinching, twisting and kicking the women.

Thus unfolded the 'Night of Terror' on Nov. 15, 1917, 
when the warden at the Occoquan Workhouse in Virginia ordered his 
guards to teach a lesson to the suffragists imprisoned there because 
they dared to picket Woodrow Wilson's White House for the right 
to vote.

For weeks, the women's only water came from an open pail. Their 
food--all of it colorless slop--was infested with worms. 

(Alice Paul) 
When one of the leaders, Alice Paul, embarked on a hunger strike, they tied her to a chair, forced a tube down her throat and poured liquid into her until she vomited. She was tortured like this for weeks 
until word was smuggled out to the press. 
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/collections/suffrage/nwp/
prisoners.pdf 
  
So, refresh my memory. Some women won't vote this year because- 
-why, exactly? We have carpool duties? We have to get to work? 
Our vote doesn't matter? It's raining?

Last week, I went to a sparsely attended screening of HBO's new 
movie 'Iron Jawed Angels.' It is a graphic depiction of the battle 
these women waged so that I could pull the curtain at the polling 
booth and have my say. I am ashamed to say I needed the reminder.

All these years later, voter registration is still my passion. But the 
actual act of voting had become less personal for me, more rote. 
Frankly, voting often felt more like an obligation than a privilege. 
Sometimes it was inconvenient.

My friend Wendy, who is my age and studied women's history, 
saw the HBO movie, too. When she stopped by my desk to talk 
about it, she looked angry. She was--with herself. 'One thought 
kept coming back to me as I watched that movie,' she said. 
'What would those women think of the way I use, or don't use, 
my right to vote? All of us take it for granted now, not just 
younger women, but those of us who did seek to learn.' The 
right to vote, she said, had become valuable to her 'all over again.'

HBO released the movie on video and DVD . I wish all history, 
social studies and government teachers would include the movie in 
their curriculum I want it shown on Bunco night, too, and anywhere 
else wom en gather. I realize this isn't our usual idea of socializing, 
but we are not voting in the numbers that we should be, and I think 
a little shock therapy is in order.

It is jarring to watch Woodrow Wilson and his cronies try to persuade a psychiatrist to declare Alice Paul insane so that she could be permanently institutionalized. And it is inspiring to watch the doctor refuse. Alice Paul was strong, he said, and brave. That didn't make her crazy.

The doctor admonished the men: 'Courage in women is often mistaken for insanity.' 

Please, if you are so inclined, pass this on to all the women you know. 

We need to get out and vote and use this right that was fought so 
hard for by these very courageous women. Whether you vote democratic, republican or independent party - remember to vote.

History is being made.

Read more:

http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/collections/suffrage/nwp
/tactics.html

http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/collections/suffrage/nwp
/brftime3.html

This is a complete copy of a email I received.  Any thoughts?? 

  

 

WOW! WHAT A LETTER!

Letter from one 'Angry Woman'
I don't know who wrote it but they should have signed it. Some powerful words.. This woman should run for president.
Written by a housewife from New Jersey and sounds like it! T his is one ticked off lady.

'Are we fighting a war on terror or aren't we? Was it or was it not started by Islamic peopl e who brought it to our shores on September 11, 2001?
Were people from all over the world, mostly Americans, not brutally murdered that day, in downtown Manhattan , across the Potomac from our nation's capitol and in a field in Pennsylvania?

Did nearly three thousand men, women and children die a horrible, burning or crushing death that day, or didn't they?

And I'm supposed to care that a copy of the Koran was 'desecrated' when an overworked American soldier kicked it or got it wet?...Well, I don't. I don't care at all.

I'll start caring when Osama bin Laden turns himself in and repents for incinerating all those innocent people on 9/11.

I'll care about the Koran when the fanatics in the Middle East start caring about the Holy Bible, the mere possession of which is a crime in Saudi Arabia

I'll care when these thugs tell the world they are sorry for chopping off Nick Berg's head while Berg screamed through his gurgling slashed throat.

I'l l care when the cowardly so-called 'insurgents' in Iraq come out and fight like men instead of disrespecting their own religion by hiding in mosques. 

One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.

I'll care when the mindless zealots who blow themselves up in search of nirvana care about the innocent children within range of their suicide

I'll care when the American media stops pretending that their First Amendment liberties are somehow derived from international law instead of the United States Constitution's Bill of Rights.

In the meantime, when I hear a story about a brave marine roughing up an Iraqi terrorist to obtain information, know this: I don't care.

When I see a fuzzy photo of a pile of naked Iraqi prisoners who have been humiliated in what amounts to a college-hazing incident, rest assured: I don't care.

When I see a wounded terrorist get shot in the head when he is told not to move because he might be booby-trapped, you can take it to the bank: I don't care.

When I hear that a prisoner, who was issued a Koran and a prayer mat, and fed 'special' food that is paid for by my tax dollars, is complaining that his holy book is being 'mishandled,' you can absolutely believe in your heart of hearts: I don't care.

And oh, by the way, I've noticed that sometimes it's spelled 'Koran' and other times 'Quran.' Well, Jimmy Crack Corn and-you guessed it-I don't care!!
'Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don't have that problem' -- Ronald Reagan

I have another quote that I would like to add AND.......I hope you forward all this.

'If we ever forget that we're One Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under' Also by.. Ronald Reagan

One last thought for the day:

In case we find ourselves starting to believe all the Anti-American sentiment and negativity, we should remember England's Prime Minister Tony Blair's words during a recent interview. When asked by one of his Parliament members why he believes so much in America , he said: 'A simple way to take measure of a country is to look at how many want in.. And how many want out.'

Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you:
1. Jesus Christ
2. The American G. I.

AS MANY SEEM TO FORGET BOTH OF THEM.
AMEN! 

God Bless Our Troops and God Bless America!   9/11  We Will Never Forget!

I got this email once before and I love it.  This is my opinion  take it or leave it.

Such a touching poem.............enjoy.   CHURCH HID IN THE WEEDS

Just two little boys
 walking down a dusty lane.....
 They came upon this old white house..
 with broken window panes

 The paint was faded, the shine was gone...
 the grass had grown so high....
 still they made their little feet
 go see what was inside.

 They opened up the squeaky door
 and then it came to light....
 This must have been an old church house...
 once upon a time.

 Dirty, dusty wooden pews...
 a pulpit that still stood...
 A Bible laid upon it....
 though the pages weren't too good.

 An offering plate and song books too...
 were lying on the floor.
 They must have left this old church fast... the day they closed these doors.

 And over in the corner...
 a piano was still there.
 it must have played a pretty tune..
 but I guess nobody cared.

 So little Bill looked up at Tommy..
 and Tommy looked at Bill...
 Why don't we clean this old church up,
 and get these old pews filled?'

 They took a rag and wiped the dust...
 to try and make things shine..
 And then they took the offering plate...
 and put in it their last dime.

 They took a broom and swept the floor...
 and picked up broken glass....
 They got it all so nice and neat...
 and then they mowed the grass.

 They lifted up the old church sign...
 and stood it by a tree...
 right down by that old dirt road
 where everyone could see.

 They ran back home, to find Daddy gone
 but their Momma was inside...
 Just to find her hurt again...
 where Daddy had made her cry.

 'Don't cry Momma, wipe those tears,'
 Little Bill and Tommy smiled...
 'Caus e! we have a big surprise for you....
 just down the road a mile.'

 Hand in hand they tugged at her.
 until they made her run....
 'What is it Bill, Oh Tommy,
 just what have you two kids done?'

 And then they came upon the house...
 once hidden by the weeds...
 and there it stood a country church...
 just like it used to be.

 'But what is it, Mother? What's with your tears?
 We thought this would bring you joy.'
 'Yes, but hush kids now and listen close... 
 my two sweet precious boys.'

 They both got quiet and stood real still...
 for the words they heard so true....
 was Daddy praying in the church...
 with his head bowed on the pew.

 'Forgive me Lord! Forgive me Lord!
 though I'm not worthy of Your love...
 shine down on this sinner man
 sweet Salvation from above.'

 'For I've been out in the world, You know..
 living my life all wrong...
 until I came upon this church;
 the place where I belong.'

 'I never noticed it before...
 all those times I passed it up..
 I guess I wasn't looking, Lord...
 or maybe I was drunk.'

 'Bless oh Lord, yes, bless oh Lord...
 the one who made me see..
 this little church that used to hide...
 behind all those tall weeds.'

  And then he raised his head and stood...
 with his hands high in the air...
 to find two dirty, tear-faced boys...
 with Momma standing there.

 They ran up to him, hugged him tight...
 as their tears fell on the floor.
 'Don't worry kids, I'm not the Dad,
 the one you 've known before.'

 Things are different for us now..
 so keep on those pretty smiles...
 and let's go gather people in...
 to walk down these church aisles.'

 Then Bill looked up at Tommy...
 and Tommy looked at Bill...
 'Come on brother, let's get to work...
 to get these old pews filled.'

 'For we need no special blessing...
 for cleaning up this church...
 'cause, God gave us back our Daddy..
 and that's more than gold is worth.'

 Sunday morning, pews all filled
 and smiles on every face...
 Especially two little country boys...
 the ones who found this place.

 Though it was hid back in the weeds...
 and so far out of sight...
 Nothing's ever hard to find
 if you're walking toward God's light.

 1 John 1:7 we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have
 fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son
 cleanses us from all sin.'

 Won't you please share this with people you want to be blessed.

 Expect the unexpected...Have A Happy Day!!!!!

     

More Missourians shopping at farmers' markets Wednesday, July 23, 2008, 10:25 PM By Aurora Meyer

The state Agriculture department said more Missourians are going to the local farmers' market for produce instead of the nearest mega store.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture said our food travels an average of 1,500 miles from the farm to the grocery store.

State Department of Agriculture Marketing Specialist, Lane McConnell said food sold at Farmers' Markets travels a maximum of only a hundred and 50 miles.

"People are realizing now where their food is coming from," she said. "A lot of the produce that we get in grocery stores in certain areas isn't from Missouri. It isn't even from the United States, it's shipped in. And people are realizing the freshness and the value of buying local produce."

McConnell said prices at farmer's markets often rival those in grocery stores.

"What consumers have to remember that when they're shopping at a farmer's market even if the price is a little bit higher they're paying for that freshness and they're supporting their local economy and their local communities," she said.

McConnell said another reason to shop local is that eighty cents of every dollar spent at a Farmers' Market stays in the community.

This article came fromMissourinet.com.  You can log in there for further information on your local farmers markets.

Ok, the blogs are slow lately so I thought I would take a stab at a bit of humor, please dont critize my wiriting, grammar etc...  just trying to have fun. 

My eyes popped open fromt the sound of the TV blarring  and spousy saying" Happy Biirthday SweetY !  "OH NO, OH CRAP iT IS THAT DAY AGAIN ISN'T IT.  I told him, Im hungry, spousy says well I can take you out to eat or you can cook.

Grumbling and getting up to make my own birthday breakfast.  That would be two eggs over easy sausage enough for both of us and both dogs,  hash browns toast and  milk gravy for one.

Ok, kitchen is cleanned up now, spousy took dogs out to do their thing, and I check out the fox 2 blogs, darn nothing new. 

I decide to check out the new excerise dvd I bought from Ebay last week.  Wow, that don't look like much fun.  spousy walks into office, Damn sure is hot out there!  Goody hmmmm maybe I will try this after I clean up. 

Went in took my shower etc...  Dvd still playing, made bed.,  back to office, restart dvd to beginners version.   AND  One, two three four, wow this is tough, Cahterine Smith says and one more time, one two three four and one more, DAMN B^&^%H^ you said one more. My legs are killing me!   Stoping the tape.  I decided to shop on Amazon.com and find a new one for REAL beginners.   And to think 20 years ago I used to teach two of these classes a day.  Now I have no endurance at all!  Gotta start all over again. 

Spousy comes back in again and apparently went to Wally world without me, hands me a box and a card.  Wow cute necklace and earring, no doubt its CZ but really cute.  Thanks sweetheart!

The hummers are flying around the feeder at the front window.  Now that I have the damn camera in place they are no where to be found, Thats about right.   Guess I'll go see if the house needs cleaned.  Of course it does, we are having our block party at the house next Saturday and everyting needs cleaned.  Wow too hot to clean.  Too hot to sit out side.  Dogs won't even stay out long, spoiled brats!!!    Spousy is damp mopping the hardwood, Cool! One less thing I have to do. 

Looked out onto the deck which we finished staining last night, damn cucumber plant is wilting from the heat.and it needs water.  Getting the water jug. I put water on the dirt.  Spousy yelling your gonna kill it watering it now.  I tell him again that itt needs to  have mesh put around it.  Spousy says no mesh until to take care of me,  Damn it's  my Birthday not yours, I hate that damn grin of his.  I asked you for mesh 2 weeks ago. 

Ok thats done, now I have to remake the bed again!  Damn!  I really hate doing things twice.

Spousy needs to go to town, think I'll go with him.

Where the heck is my youngest son, he stayed all nite with jingles last night and its almost one pm his cell is ringing but got his  voice mail  "call momma"  I tell it.

Ok, back home again, phone ringing, well, well, it's autozone youngest is at work  and will get off at 5p,m.  It's 2 now.  Where the heck is my grandson! 

Damn!  hot outside boring inside.  House smells like smoke, damn spousy!  I light candles in the bath room cause thats where he is smoking,  Dang Julybabe you quit smoking four days ago and are already complating about the smoke, he is suppost to be quitting too. 

Phone rings, my buddy remembered by birthday cool! 

Spousy comes in saying your spell is broken it is not gonna rain this year, no more rain on your birthday!! Cool! 

Phone ringing--- It's momma calling! Momma never calls me!  Wished me a Happy 50th birthday, mom I'm 49 not fifty, but thank you! 

Where the HECK  is my grandson, they didnt bring him over last weekend  cause they were too tire from doing the carpentry thingy and making a living.

Phone rings, grandson on the way, bringing maw maw a cookie dough blizzard, cool!  My grandson gets out of truck covered in chocolate ice cream,  I am tickled and laughing, my eldest son gives me box of  brand new pots and pans, COOL! and a blizzrard.  sposy says you got her a chopping knife with that? Great! DIL(daughter in law) gives me a card, grandson hands me his ice cream and its melted so it lands on my wrist, i eat it,  hummmm good.  Grandson wants ice cream back so maw maw starts eating her blizzard.  hummm good. 

Grandson playing in sprinkler, so sweet!, pees in the grass like daddy, almost potty broke! big boy pants during the day and  pull up and night and naps,  Kid is getting so big!

Time for dinner, damn have to make my own dinner too??  Nope dil gonna make it for me ,  Cool!  So paw paw is coloring with grandson, and I am helping dil get food started.  My eldest son not wanting to stay much longer, hes tired and wants to get ready for work tomorrow,   Cell phone rings, well well, dad remembers my birthday and age,  My parents are separated after 51 years, dads got a girlfriend and we dont talk much.   He is joking that the AArp stuff will probably star coming in about 6 months,  haha!   My eldest son settles down to the fact they are staying for dinner.  haha!  maw maw is now playing cooking with grandson out on the deck.  He cooked me a hot dog with mustard and relish with grapes. We clean up the mess now cause its time to eat and he is singing , cleaning up the mess. He loves music. .

Very good home made beef stragenoff dil didnt great job!  Grandson is leaving, he won;t let paw paw put him in the truck, and wont give maw maw a kiss but sings appy birfday to maw maw.  Way Cool!! 

Riding  the  4 wheeler with spousy, and stop at neighbors to get a check signed, since he is the secretary of the assoication and his birthday is Wednesday!.  Alot of July Birthdays as the other neighbors was the 7th.  We picked bannana peppers to can from the neighbor, got a whole bag, cool!!  Makes good chili in the winter, will can them tomorrow night. 

Back at home, cleanned up the kitchen for the third time today!  Now time for the laundry and other house neglected work. 

Finially bedtime. Good Night world, sweet dreams!!!   GOOD night spousy!  Eyes closed.

Got up this morning and emailed a happy birthday note to my niece she had a surprise birthday party  given to her by her husband and she was very surprised at the bigh 30th birthday.

She sent me an eamil back asking if I did anything special, my reply was:

Nope nothing special, too hot!

And how was your day? 

 

> I've seen this before, and I've not seen it posted here, but with our country the way it is right now I thinks its a good time to post it. > 

 Subject:  Remarks from CBS Sunday Morning (everyone
should read)

 

The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS
Sunday Morning Commentary.

My confession:

I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. 
And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those
beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees, Christmas trees..  I don't feel
threatened.  I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they
are:  Christmas trees.

It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, 'Merry Christmas' to
me.  I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me
in a ghetto.  In fact, I kind of like it.  It shows that we
are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It
doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a
key intersection near my beach house in Malibu .  If people want a
crèche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards
away.

I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't
think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. 
I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed
around, period.  I have no idea where the concept came from that
America is an explicitly atheist country.  I can't find it in the
Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.

Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that
we should worship Nick and Jessica and we aren't allowed to worship God
as we understand Him?  I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old,
too.  But there are a lot of us who are wondering where Nick and
Jessica came from and where the America we knew went to..

In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this
is a little different:  This is not intended to be a joke; 
it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.

Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane
Clayson asked her 'How could God let something like this happen?'
(regarding Katrina) Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and
insightful response.  She said, 'I believe God is deeply saddened
by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out
of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our
lives.  And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly
backed out..  How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His
protection if we demand He leave us alone?'

In light of recent events... terrorists attack, school shootings,
etc.  I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was
murdered, her body found recently) complained she didn't want prayer in
our schools, and we said OK.  Then someone said you better not read
the Bible in school.  The Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou
shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself.  And we said
OK.

Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when
they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we
might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We
said an expert should know what he's talking about.  And we said
OK.

Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why
they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill
strangers, their classmates, and themselves.

Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure
it out.  I think it has a great deal to do with 'WE REAP WHAT WE
SOW.'

Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why
the world's going to hell.  Funny how we believe what the
newspapers say, but question what the Bible says.  Funny how you
can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire but when
you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about
sharing.  Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass
freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in
the school and workplace.

Are you laughing yet?

Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to
many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or
what they will think of you for sending it.

Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us
than what God thinks of us.

Pass it on if you think it has merit.  If not then just discard
it... no one will know you did.  But, if you discard this thought
process, don't sit back and complain about what bad shape the world is
in. 

My Best Regards,  Honestly and respectfully, Ben Stein

And I agree with him.  GOD Bless America  and GOD Bless you too.

 

I received this in an email today and thought I would share it.  I did not write it.

Here it is:

 

      Subject: Sad but true
I know everyone has a different opinion on the war and our current  President.  But, this article makes a lot of sense, and I hope you will  take 2 minutes and read it and give it some thought.  I have never seen  the "situation" expressed any better in words!  Recently I was talking to a  friend about the upcoming election and the candidates.  As we ended our  discussion he said "the only decision you have to make is who you want sitting  in that seat in the White House when  - not if -   but "when" we get hit again and many more Americans perish.
  
  President  Bush did make a bad mistake in the war on terror. The mistake was not  his decision to go to war in Iraq.  His mistake was his belief that this country is the same one his father fought  for in WWII and it is not.     Back then,  they had just come out of a vicious depression.  The country was steeled  by the hardship of that depression, but they still believed fervently in this  country.  They knew that the people had elected their leaders, so it was  the people's duty to back those leaders.
   Therefore,  when the war broke out the people came together, rallied behind, and stuck  with their leaders, whether they had voted for them or not or whether the war  was going badly or not.     And war was  just as distasteful and the anguish just as great then as it is today.   Often there were more casualties in one day in WWII than we have had in  the entire Iraq war. But that did not matter.   The people stuck with the President because it was their patriotic duty .   Americans put aside their differences in WWII and worked together to win  that war.
   Everyone from  every strata of society, from young to old pitched in.  Small children  pulled little wagons around to gather scrap metal for the war effort.   Grade school students saved their pennies to buy stamps for war bonds to  help the effort.
   Men who were  too old or medically unfit for service lied about their age or condition trying their best to  join the military.  Women doubled their work to keep things going at  home.  Harsh rationing of everything from gasoline to soap, to butter was  imposed, yet there was very little complaining.
   You never  heard prominent people on the radio belittling the President   Interestingly enough in those days there were no fat cat actors and  entertainers who ran off to visit and fawn over dictators of hostile countries  and complain to them about our President.  Instead, they made upbeat  films and entertained our troops to help the troops' morale. And a bunch even  enlisted.
   And imagine  this: Teachers in schools actually started the day off with a Pledge of  Allegiance, and with prayers for our country and our troops!
   Back then, no  newspaper would have dared point out certain weak spots in our cities where  bombs could be set off to cause the maximum damage.  No newspaper would  have dared complain about what we were doing to catch spies.
   A newspaper  would have been laughed out of existence if it had complained that German or  Japanese soldiers were being 'tortured' by being forced to wear women's  underwear, or subjected to interrogation by a woman, or being scared by a dog  or did not have air conditioning.
   Th ere were a  lot of things different back then.  We were not subjected to a constant  bombardment of pornography, perversion and promiscuity in movies or on radio.   We did not have legions of crack heads, dope pushers and armed gangs  roaming our streets.
   No, President  Bush did not make a mistake in his handling of terrorism  He made the  mistake of believing that we still had the courage and fortitude of our  fathers.  He believed that this was still the country that our fathers  fought so dearly to preserve.
   It is not the  same country.  It is now a cross between Sodom and Gomorra and the land of Oz.   We did unite for a short while after 9/11, but our attitude changed when  we found out that defending our country would require some sacrifices.
   We are in  great danger.  The terrorists are fanatic Muslims.  They believe  that it is okay, even their duty, to kill anyone who will not convert to  Islam. It has been estimated that about one third or over three hundred  million Muslims are sympathetic to the terrorists cause... Hitler and Tojo  combined did not have nearly that many potential recruits.  So... We  either win it - or lose it - and you're not going to like losing. We either fight the terrorists now on their turf, or...........we fight them later on OURS !
   America is not at war.  The military is  at war.  America is at the  mall. What is your thoughts on this. 
                        

 

This article was published in the Insurance Journal on line  on July 14, 2008.

 

Blogs Can Get Insurance Clients 'SLAPP'ed!

By Christopher J. Boggs, CPCU, ARM, ALCM
July 14, 2008

A Dade County, Florida real estate developer in January 2008 filed a $25 million lawsuit against a real estate blogger alleging, among other charges, defamation of character based on the blogger's opinion published solely on his blog (MiamiCondoInvestments). Hollo v. Lechuga may serve as a landmark case in this relatively new debate over a blogger's legal liability for alleged personal injury arising from the contents of a blog.

Advertisement

Blogs contain a mixture of commentary, opinion, advertising, marketing, facts and sometimes even news. Creators and contributors become citizen "journalists," subject to the same legal liability and responsibility placed on publishers.

Blog Suits

Blog-related personal injury suits have produced judgments ranging between $7,500 and $11.3 million. The largest against a mother/blogger for defamatory statements ("crook," "com artist" and "fraud") blogged about a firm she hired to help remove her son from a boarding school in Costa Rica (Scheff v. Bock in Florida Circuit Court, September 19, 2006). But pronouncements of blogger guilt are rare.

As of July 1, 2008, thirty-nine (39) states have seen 149 personal injury lawsuits and 11 criminal suits filed against bloggers. Forty-two cases are still pending and 18 suits were resolved through pre-trial settlement. Only seven lawsuits have resulted in judgment against the defendant blogger. Nearly 77 percent of ALL civil cases were found in favor of the blogger or saw the charges dropped by the plaintiff. And 92 percent of blog-related suits making it to trial end in blogger triumph (additional information availble at Media Law Resource Center). Odds at trial are overwhelmingly in the blogger's favor, but there is no guarantee that this propensity towards blogger victory will continue.

Why Bloggers Win

Blogger's higher-than-average winning percentages are due almost exclusively to First Amendment protection and/or state anti-"SLAPP" legislation. Freedom of speech and opinion are valued rights for journalists. But a blogger's status and protection as a "journalist" in the legal sense is not wholly settled. An April 2008 finding by a Maryland court declared that a blog publisher was not protected under that state's law shielding reporters from defamation lawsuits (Webster v. Albero).

Protecting Free Speech Rights Requires A Responsible Blogger

First Amendment protection requires, among other standards, bloggers, like journalists, to practice and prove due diligence in the gathering and reporting of "factual" information. Bloggers must also prove that no actual malice was intended by statements or information ultimately found to be incorrect or untrue. Opinions, stated as opinion and not fact, published by bloggers are also potentially immune from charges of libel under the First Amendment since there is no such thing as a false opinion.

"SLAPP'ed" Into Submission

"SLAPP" means strategic lawsuit against public participation. Winning is not necessarily the intent of the individual or entity filing the SLAPP; fear, defendant exhaustion and intimidation are the main goals.

"Short of a gun to the head, a greater threat to First Amendment expression can scarcely be imagined," New York Supreme Court Judge J. Nicholas Colabella said of SLAPP suits. Even if the plaintiff loses, they win by scaring others away from the debate. And if the SLAPP perpetrator can stretch the case over a long enough period of time, the defendant, even if innocent or with a meritorious defense, may be financially forced to settle or concede the fight according to Colabella. A SLAPP is an assault using the legal system as the weapon of choice.

Individuals, corporations and governments file SLAPP suits packaged to look like civil suits alleging defamation, invasion of privacy, nuisance, malicious prosecution and other personal injury charges intended solely to embezzle the "offender's" time and finances by means of legal wrangling and continually mounting legal costs. Most individuals and small businesses do not have the time or the financial resources to invest in their defense choosing rather to end the publication or protest. Not only does this remove the primary thorn from the plaintiff's side, but this tactic produces sufficient fear to keep others from voicing their beliefs.

Anti-SLAPP statutes make such suits illegal. Twenty-seven states* currently have anti-"SLAPP" statutes on the books. Defendants in these states proving a SLAPP suit generally prevail in court, provided all other standards of journalistic responsibility have been satiated.

(*These states are: Ark., Calif., Colo., Del., Fla., Ga., Hawaii, Ind., La., Maine, Md., Mass., Minn., Mo., Neb., Nev., N.M., N.Y., Okla., Ore., Pa., R.I., Tenn., Utah, Wash., W. Va., and Wis.)

Employer Liability

Blogs can subject the blogger's employer to a civil suit and charges of personal injury. In Hollo v. Lechuga, Tibor Hollo, the developer/plaintiff, did not limit the lawsuit to the blogger; named also was Lechuga's employer EMW Realtors.

EMW Realtors' liability for the alleged defamation is questionable at best, even from a vicarious viewpoint. The publication giving rise to the suit was made on Lechuga's personal blog not promoted or sanctioned by EMW and the post was made PRIOR to Lechuga's employment with EMW.

No reasonable connection appears to exist between blog and the course and scope of Lechuga's employment by EMW. To further distance itself from the accusations and any appearance of ratification, EMW fired Lechuga immediately following its receipt and review of the suit documents.

Regardless of EMW's apparent lack of liability, time and financial resources must be expended to defend itself against the actions of an employee committed before he became an employee. It is worthy to note that EMW Realtors is owned by Warren Buffet's Berkshire Hathaway Group, so "deep pockets" may be a motivating factor in bringing EMW in as a defendant.

Blog Risk Management

With legal trouble and the resulting expenses potentially just one mouse click away, individuals and business entities creating, sanctioning and/or hosting blogs should apply basic risk management to the posting of a blog. Following are a few questions that every blogger should ask of the content contained in their blog:
• Do readers consider the blog a credible source of information and depend on it for up-to-date information (a matter of opinion that can be judged based on analytics and comments)?
• Is information in the blog accurate or is the blog rife with mistakes and misstatements?
• Have facts been checked (as required by due diligence standards) or have they simply been accepted as heard or read elsewhere without further verification?
• Have facts been attributed to the original sources?
• Are information sources reliable?
• Are rumors and gossip printed as fact?
• Are opinions labeled as such?
• Are comments in news and opinion pieces fair and based in fact or could they be considered malicious, libelous or defamatory?
• Is the information original work or plagiarized from another person or entity?
• Has permission been secured to include content or photos found online (leads to the possible charges of copyright infringement)?
• Are paid advertisements clearly separate from news and editorial content?
• Are procedures in place to allow quick response if someone demands correction, retraction or removal of information?
• Is the source of the blog clearly decipherable or is it written anonymously (hiding behind anonymity brings the veracity and intent of the blog into question)?

Beyond these questions, consideration must be given to the employer's potential liability for or harm caused by employee-maintained blogs. As in the Hollo suit, employers can be pulled into personal injury suits even if they did not direct or sanction the employee's blog. Additionally, employees may post information or opinion harmful to their employers, such as trade secrets or defamatory statements that could harm the employer's reputation in the community or lead to employment related practices type suits from other employees.

Employers should undertake to learn about and monitor employee blogs. It is recommended that the employee manual contain a section addressing blogs, notifying all employees that blogs may be monitored for posts damaging to the employer or potentially subjecting it to suit. There is a delicate balance between the employee's right to free speech and the right of the company to protect its interests. A lawyer experienced in this area should be consulted regarding the proper way to set up and monitor this program.

Insurance and Blogs

The status of the blogger directly affects the insurance protection provided or available. Individuals blog at their own risk as there may be little to no insurance coverage available to finance a defense, settlement or judgment; and coverage for business entities hinge on exclusionary endorsements that may be attached to the policy.

Insurance policy provisions provided by the unendorsed homeowner's policy along with commercial insurance coverages, conditions and limiting endorsements will be the focus of the next blog commentary. Standard policy provisions will be explored as will unwanted and highly desirable endorsements to coverage.

Bloggers can be sued. Whether the communication is protected by the First Amendment or anti-SLAPP statutes is irrelevant if there is no means for the blogger to finance his defense. Agents need to know if their clients blog.

 

 

Hmmmmmm    Makes you think!

If you have not has the chance to visit  "The Wall"  it will be here in De Soto Missouri at Walthers Park this weekend.  If you have never had the chance to see it, you should make it a point to.  It is very impressive.

 

www.thewalldesoto.com   This site will give you the information you will need.

 

GOD Bless!!

De Soto man battles breast cancer
Benefit planned for Mark Baisch

Andrew Jansen Photo Mark Baisch, left, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004 and is undergoing chemotherapy and radiation for spots on his lungs and spine. Also pictured are his wife Joan and son Kevin.

By Sarah AuBuchon
Wednesday, March 26, 2008 12:47 PM CDT

Mark Baisch thought breast cancer was a disease found only in women. Then in October 2004 he found a lump in his left breast.

"It started bothering me and being afraid and stupid, I didn't know what it was," he said.

At the urging of his wife, Joan, Mark went to see a doctor who set up a mammogram and chest x-ray. The results led to a biopsy, which led to a diagnosis of breast cancer.In less than a month Baisch, 53, who lives in De Soto, was admitted to St. Anthony's Hospital in St. Louis County where he underwent a mastectomy.

According to the American Cancer Society, many people don't realize men have breast tissue and can develop the same kind of breast cancer as women, albeit breast cancer in men is 100 times less common than it is in women, about one in 1,000.

"It makes me feel left out when they come on TV and tell just women to check themselves," Baisch said. "Men should check themselves too."

Since his diagnosis, Baisch has undergone rounds of chemotherapy and radiation. Doctors have recently discovered two small spots in the upper lobe of both lungs and spots on his spine. He will continue his present chemotherapy for the next two months.

Joan Baisch said the three things that have gotten them through the last four years are "faith, family and friends," and friends have rallied together once again to help.

Friends of the Baisch family are planning a benefit auction and dance from 6 p.m. to midnight April 5 at the Elks Hall at 1520 Clarke St. in De Soto.

"They're good people," family friend Butch Allen said. "They need the community to come together and help them."

Tickets for the benefit are $10 per person and can be bought in advance at the National City Bank on Main Street. People wanting to donate items for the auction can drop them off at the De Soto License Office inside Mueller Electric on South Main Street in De Soto.

Joan Baisch said one round of chemotherapy costs around $27,000. The Baisches have insurance, but they still have to pay $3,700 out of pocket for each treatment.

Allen said a trust fund has been set up for the family, and people who want to make donations can mail checks to the Mark Baisch Benefit, c/o National City Bank, 224 S. Main St., De Soto, Mo., 63020, or call JoAnn Kiplinger at 636-937-1703.

Despite all the Baisch family has been through-they lost a son in 2002 and their home was nearly destroyed by the 2003 tornado-Baisch maintains a positive outlook on life.

"I'm not giving up," he said. "This isn't just about me. I really want to find a cure."

For more information about breast cancer in men, visit the American Cancer Society Web site at www.cancer.org.

 

ANY HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.  THIS  ARTICLE WAS COPIED AND PASTED AS WRITTEN IN THE SUBURBAN JOURNAL.