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April 30, 2004
Spirit of America - Today's tally
I just checked at the Spirit of America Heroes of the Blogosphere Challenge to see what the results were now - Everyone did an incredible job!
Blog / Coalition Amount Raised:
Castle Argghhh! Fighting Fusileers for Freedom! $26597.39
The Victory Coalition $18910.44
Liberty Alliance $9884
That is over $55,000 !!!
Posted by Beth at 6:09 PM | Comments (3)
I think that John of Argghhh!! misses me!
I am sitting in the Houston airport (yea for WIFI) checking out what's going on in Blogdom. I see that my beloved spouse is making a few rather racey remarks here and at other places! See my post on bras for babes and the comments for this post at the Queen of All Evil's place.
Well, my beloved, never fear, for I will eventually make it home tonight. Somehow the travel agency at work booked me on two different airlines - Continental from Houston to Dallas and Delta from Dallas to KC.
It will be interesting to see if my luggage makes it.
Anywho - John, love, make the bed up and plump the pillows. Get the bubble bath ready. Check to see if we don't have a bottle of champagne in the little fridge behind the bar.
There should be some massage oil or cream in my nightstand.
Get ready to be ravished.
(-:
Posted by Beth at 4:48 PM | Comments (1)
This one is for women only
Ok, ladies, where on earth can one find a comfortable bra? One that doesn't scratch, doesn't bind and is still pretty? A bra that is made for a woman with DD cup size?
Where, where where??
I've tried a zillion of them. I've spent a fortune on bras, but not one of them ever lets me forget that I'm wearing it.
And what is with the damn tags? Why do they have to face my very sensitive skin in the middle of my back and make me itch like crazy?
Rosemary, DaGoddess and, I'm sure, others have found pretty bras that look comfy. Why can't I????
Do I have to learn to sew my own? I hope not - my lovely and lonely sewing machine is covered with all kinds of projects I've not had time for!
Posted by Beth at 7:22 AM | Comments (12)
April 29, 2004
Studying a bit tonight
I take a certification test tomorrow morning - and chances are that I will flunk it the first time around. There is a 45 minute oral test and a 90 minute written test with 145 questions on it.
Fortunately, I am able to take this test at no cost, so if I don't pass, I won't feel too guilty!
I did learn a lot more about this particular software. I can now do some fairly reliable capacity planning and more fun things like that (ha!).
I will be extremely happy to get back home tomorrow night. I miss John, and I want to reward him (if you get my drift) for working so hard on the Spirit of America drive.
Hopefully, life will be a little bit more normal in the next few days. At least until Monday, when I fly off to Orlando.
Posted by Beth at 9:04 PM | Comments (3)
April 28, 2004
Bidding is closed
Gracie won the airline tickit with a donation of $150. As soon as I get an email from her with her address and receipt from Spirit of America, I will have John mail her the ticket.
Gracie, you can reach me at beth@nospamthedonovan.com - naturally, delete the nospam part!
Thank you for your donation!
Posted by Beth at 10:08 PM
Hmmm
This has been kind of a tough week here in Houston. I have been going to class from 8:00 am to 5:30 every day. I developed a sty in my eye the other day, and my allergies are driving me nuts. I had to run down 9 flights of stairs barefoot early Sunday morning when some kid pulled the fire alarm. I forgot my diuretic, so my ankles look like pillows. The humidity makes my knees and ankles and elbows hurt like heck, and I have to be the very best whiner I know!
However, my week has been nothing compared to our military guys and gals in Iraq. I can't imagine what they go through every day. We have to win the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people so they will stand with us against the terrorists. One the the way I can make a difference is by donating to Spirit of America. You can make a difference, too. Just click on the link below and give what you can to Spirt of America - your money will be well spent, and it is tax deductible, too.
Posted by Beth at 8:58 PM
Oh, my, even the Village Voice hates Kerry!
The Village Voice wants the Democrat Party to convince Kerry to drop out of the race for President.
WASHINGTON, D.C.— With the air gushing out of John Kerry's balloon, it may be only a matter of time until political insiders in Washington face the dread reality that the junior senator from Massachusetts doesn't have what it takes to win and has got to go. As arrogant and out of it as the Democratic political establishment is, even these pols know the party's got to have someone to run against George Bush. They can't exactly expect the president to self-destruct into thin air.
They go on to suggest that the Democrats could have an 'open' convention this summer.
Of course, if they did that, wouldn't they be eschewing the Democratic Primary Process? Go back to back-room politics? Don't they accuse Republicans of back room politics?
Democrats are doomed this time around, I think!
Posted by Beth at 6:18 AM | Comments (1)
April 27, 2004
Another Auction for SoA!!!!
SondraK has a very interesting item up for auction at her place: Knowledge Is Power: SondraK.com: CALL TO AUCTION!
Many of us in the Fighting Fusileers for Freedom are offering up some pretty nice things to encourage you to donate to Spirit of America.
We are not the big famous bloggers like Michele and Dean and Kevin. But look at the power of the little guys! We are on top with the most donations given.
And I think it would be wonderful if we remain in first place.
We may not have famous cartoonists helping us out, but that's because we have it within ourselves to help our ownselves out!!!
Posted by Beth at 6:54 AM | Comments (1)
Please keep giving...
I have one more airline ticket (Southwest Airlines, expires in June, 2004) that I will give to the person who bids the most in my comments and can send me a receipt from Spirit of America that is dated after the time I write this entry (6:42 am, Central) on April 27th.
First bid - $50. I will accept bids until April 28th at 10:00 PM Central.
Click on the icon below to donate!
Posted by Beth at 6:45 AM | Comments (8)
April 26, 2004
I'm in Houston This Week
I am at a technical conference and I'm taking classes from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm every day and attending roundtables from 6:00 to 8:00 every evening.
I am very happy that I have this opportunity.
I'll be learning capacity planning and other cool stuff.
There are only about 6 women in the entire conference, and about 500 men.
College women, note this - go into technology - there are a lot of men who would love to meet a nice smart young woman. Despite what some people say about the economy, it is still a good career.
Posted by Beth at 8:16 AM | Comments (9)
QOAE Finally has her Own Blog!!!
The lovely Rosemary Dean, of 'rack fame' has finally set up her own blog!The Queen of All Evil.
This is long overdue. Rosemary is smart, funny and very well spoken.
Go read her! Even if she is the enemy! (as far as the Spirit of America thing goes)
Posted by Beth at 5:46 AM | Comments (1)
April 25, 2004
Samantha won the ticket
Thank you for your donation, Samantha! I just need you to send me the receipt you get from SoA for the donation and your address, so I can mail it to you.
You can email me at beth@nospamthedonovan.com
naturally, remove the nospam part!
Posted by Beth at 11:50 AM
Why am I awake, you ask?
When I arrived at the hotel tonight, I could barely make it through the front door because it is ... Prom Night. Beautiful girls and handsome boys all dressed up and arriving by incredibly large double and triple stretch limos - even a stretch Escalade.
Checked in, went out to dinner, came back and went to bed.
About an hour ago, the fire alarm went off.
I am on the 9th floor.
I don't exactly wear a lot of clothing when I sleep.
Anyway, I threw a shirt and jeans on and proceeded down the stairs. All nine flights of them. I ended up outside of the hotel, and had to walk all the way around (over a block) barefoot.
No fire engine. No hotel employees out there to soothe us - the ninth floor goes back into the lobby where we are assured that it is just a false alarm.
Got back up to the ninth floor. The alarm goes off again.
This time, I called the front desk. No worries, it's another false alarm. They are going to reset the alarm.
That was 30 minutes ago. The alarm is still going. I am awake. And not happy.
Gee, Prom and Fire Alarm. Who do you think pulled the alarm?
Posted by Beth at 3:32 AM | Comments (3)
April 24, 2004
Saturday Morning at the Donovan Household
This morning, the cats annoyed the heck out of us because we were trying to sleep in and they wanted our bed all to themselves. Since 9:00 am, these two have been lounging on the bed and won't even let me make the bed.
Meriwether is the one who looks like he has a hangover and Cleo is the soft black and white kitty.
Posted by Beth at 11:01 AM | Comments (2)
April 23, 2004
New Incentive to Donate to SoA
I've been thinking and thinking - what do I have of value that people would be willing to donate money for? And finally, it came to me. I travel a lot. A whole lot.
I have in my possession several roundtrip awards to anywhere Southwest Airlines flies. I will give away one of these to the person who bids the most (bidding meaning donating to Spirit of America).
Bidding will close at noon, Central Time tomorrow.
UPDATE: Bidding is Closed. Samantha has the highest bid.
Samantha, I will email you later today, when I get to Houston - I'm on my way out the door right now! John has the ticket and well mail it to you as soon as we get the receipt for your donation. THANK YOU!!!!
Please put your bids in my comments. I will require a copy of the receipt from Spirit of America before giving away my free ticket.
Bidding starts at $50.
Click on the button below to donate!
Posted by Beth at 4:45 PM | Comments (4)
I took the day off work today
So, what do I do with it? Blog.
Well, I need to do a bunch of gardening - my garden pond's plants were delivered and they need to get in the water quickly.
I'll try to get some pictures of that, too!
Posted by Beth at 10:47 AM | Comments (3)
Wow!
This should help the Fighting Fusiliers for Freedom stay ahead of the other blogs! An Instalanche to Smash's Auction for SoA!
And, Katherine Lopez of the Corner on the National Review Online also gave us a nice boost!
Remember, this is all to help Spirit of America!
Update: Sorry about the excessive use of exclamation points. I'm a little excited here.
Posted by Beth at 10:07 AM
I am stunned!
For the first time ever, John is giving up a piece of our collection. He is auctioning off this awesome training practice round for the GAU-8 Avenger cannon:
John has been collecting for many years, and has never, ever given up any of his artifacts for love or money. This is a first!
And it is all for Spirit of America.
Posted by Beth at 7:31 AM
April 22, 2004
I am very lucky
I bitch about all the traveling I have to do for work.
I complain about a lot of things.
But really, I have a wonderful life.
I have a wonderful, loving, fun and intelligent husband and I have a son who makes me proud every day.
I have always loved animals, and I have been fortunate enough to be able to afford to have all our cats and dogs and our two horses.
I live in the best country on earth. I thank God every day for that.
I can say what I want, when I want, where I want.
I own property.
I have the freedom to choose how to worship or not to worship - I can be an athiest, an agnostic, a Jew, a Catholic, a Protestant, Budhist, or even a Muslim.
I can wear clothes that I choose, that I like, without the state telling me I am improper.
I can have any friends I want to have.
I can read what I want to read.
I am free to pursue my interests in pottery, gardening, anything.
We live in a wonderful community, Leavenworth, Kansas. We can travel where we want to.
I would love to see people in other countries have the same wonderful, blessed life that I have.
I want the people of Iraq, especially the women of Iraq to have the same opportunities that we have here.
The US Marines are working hard for the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people.
We can help them.
Spirit of America has no overhead - all the money you donate (minus any credit card fees) go directly to help our military help the Iraqi people - from television stations to school to hospitals, SOA helps.
So ... please ... donate just $5 or $10 or $20. You are helping our Service Men and Women to help Iraqi people to be free.
Posted by Beth at 8:59 PM | Comments (4)
Date Night!
I am taking my beloved out to dinner tonight. He has worked very hard both at work and on the Castle Argghhh!!! Fighting Fusileers For Freedom Spirit of America campaign.
We are meeting at our favorite Outback, and I shall ply him with yummy Margarita's and ribeye steak!
In the meantime, go and donate! I did. You should!
Posted by Beth at 5:23 PM | Comments (2)
I finally set up an email address
If you want to send me email, you can send it to:
beth at thedonovan dot com.
Posted by Beth at 6:07 AM | Comments (1)
Strawberry Pot
Aren't they cute little berries?
I'm so proud!
Posted by Beth at 5:25 AM | Comments (1)
Spirit of America
I am She Who Will Be Obeyed!
Go and donate!
That is an order. Obey me!
Update: Donations are tax deductible.
Posted by Beth at 3:14 AM | Comments (1)
April 21, 2004
I am being harrassed in my comments
By a guy who I once had a very short relationship with 11 years ago. I have banned every IP address his comments come in on. I have notified AOL about this. Now he is insinuating blackmail. I deleted that comment, and sent a copy of it with my log information as to what URL he was posting from and which domain (AOL again) to AOL.
This time he used the name of a poster on an old, old Prodigy bulletin board - a man who probably has no clue that his name is being used like this.
Anyway, this is my warning to you, Don. One more comment and I am going to the feds. You are a sick, sick man. Go find a life for yourself.
Posted by Beth at 8:41 PM | Comments (6)
Poke the Bunny
I said, Poke The Bunny!
Keep poking the bunny!
Stolen from Jonah Goldberg on the Corner.
Posted by Beth at 2:25 PM
What Great Books have you read?
I got this from Misty.
The highlighted books are the ones I have read. Looking at the list, I think my education was pretty comprehensive.
I read most of these books in elementary and high school. I read a few in college, and fewer still since. These days I like to read science fiction and fantasy.
Author - Title
--- Beowulf
Achebe, Chinua - Things Fall Apart
Agee, James - A Death in the Family
Austen, Jane - Pride and Prejudice
Baldwin, James - Go Tell It on the Mountain
Beckett, Samuel - Waiting for Godot
Bellow, Saul - The Adventures of Augie March
Brontë, Charlotte - Jane Eyre
Brontë, Emily - Wuthering Heights
Camus, Albert - The Stranger
Cather, Willa - Death Comes for the Archbishop
Chaucer, Geoffrey - The Canterbury Tales
Chekhov, Anton - The Cherry Orchard
Chopin, Kate - The Awakening
Conrad, Joseph - Heart of Darkness
Cooper, James Fenimore - The Last of the Mohicans
Crane, Stephen - The Red Badge of Courage
Dante - Inferno
de Cervantes, Miguel - Don Quixote
Defoe, Daniel - Robinson Crusoe
Dickens, Charles - A Tale of Two Cities
Dostoyevsky, Fyodor - Crime and Punishment
Douglass, Frederick - Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass
Dreiser, Theodore - An American Tragedy
Dumas, Alexandre - The Three Musketeers
Eliot, George - The Mill on the Floss
Ellison, Ralph - Invisible Man
Emerson, Ralph Waldo - Selected Essays
Faulkner, William - As I Lay Dying
Faulkner, William - The Sound and the Fury
Fielding, Henry - Tom Jones
Fitzgerald, F. Scott - The Great Gatsby
Flaubert, Gustave - Madame Bovary
Ford, Ford Madox - The Good Soldier
Goethe, Johann Wolfgang von - Faust
Golding, William - Lord of the Flies
Hardy, Thomas - Tess of the d'Urbervilles
Hawthorne, Nathaniel - The Scarlet Letter
Heller, Joseph - Catch 22
Hemingway, Ernest - A Farewell to Arms
Homer - The Iliad
Homer - The Odyssey
Hugo, Victor - The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Hurston, Zora Neale - Their Eyes Were Watching God
Huxley, Aldous - Brave New World This is one of the best books ever.
Ibsen, Henrik - A Doll's House
James, Henry - The Portrait of a Lady
James, Henry - The Turn of the Screw
Joyce, James - A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man
Kafka, Franz - The Metamorphosis
Kingston, Maxine Hong - The Woman Warrior
Lee, Harper - To Kill a Mockingbird
Lewis, Sinclair - Babbitt
London, Jack - The Call of the Wild
Mann, Thomas - The Magic Mountain
Marquez, Gabriel García - One Hundred Years of Solitude
Melville, Herman - Bartleby the Scrivener
Melville, Herman - Moby Dick
Miller, Arthur - The Crucible
Morrison, Toni - Beloved
O'Connor, Flannery - A Good Man is Hard to Find
O'Neill, Eugene - Long Day's Journey into Night
Orwell, George - Animal Farm I have a first edition of this one.
Pasternak, Boris - Doctor Zhivago
Plath, Sylvia - The Bell Jar
Poe, Edgar Allan - Selected Tales Actually, I have read all of Poe.
Proust, Marcel - Swann's Way
Pynchon, Thomas - The Crying of Lot 49
Remarque, Erich Maria - All Quiet on the Western Front
Rostand, Edmond - Cyrano de Bergerac
Roth, Henry - Call It Sleep
Salinger, J.D. - The Catcher in the Rye
Shakespeare, William - Hamlet
Shakespeare, William - Macbeth
Shakespeare, William - A Midsummer Night's Dream
Shakespeare, William - Romeo and Juliet
Shaw, George Bernard - Pygmalion
Shelley, Mary - Frankenstein
Silko, Leslie Marmon - Ceremony
Solzhenitsyn, Alexander - One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich
Sophocles - Antigone
Sophocles - Oedipus Rex
Steinbeck, John - The Grapes of Wrath
Stevenson, Robert Louis - Treasure Island
Stowe, Harriet Beecher - Uncle Tom's Cabin
Swift, Jonathan - Gulliver's Travels
Thackeray, William - Vanity Fair
Thoreau, Henry David - Walden
Tolstoy, Leo - War and Peace
Turgenev, Ivan - Fathers and Sons
Twain, Mark - The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn I have read all of Twain
Voltaire - Candide
Vonnegut, Kurt Jr. - Slaughterhouse-Five
Walker, Alice - The Color Purple
Wharton, Edith - The House of Mirth
Welty, Eudora - Collected Stories
Whitman, Walt - Leaves of Grass
Wilde, Oscar - The Picture of Dorian Gray
Williams, Tennessee - The Glass Menagerie
Woolf, Virginia - To the Lighthouse
Wright, Richard - Native Son
Posted by Beth at 7:17 AM | Comments (7)
It's Wictory Wednesday!
Donate your time or money to help reelect President Bush.
No American is safe until those who would deny us our freedoms are vanquished. We are at war. This is a just war. This is a war to rid the world of Terrorism. It's about time. I'm proud that I voted for George Bush in 2000, and I'm proud to vote for him again this year.
All the bloggers listed below are also proud to support President Bush.
Posted by Beth at 5:59 AM
April 20, 2004
Darn, I'll be traveling a lot in the next month.
Yeah, I know, I know -what else is new? Houston for 7 days (kinda neat, though, it's a conference and I get to learn new stuff), then Orlando for one week, Dearborn, MI for a week, a week home and then another week in Dearborn.
Oh, the laundry I need to do beforehand. I think I'll work from home on Thursday and take Friday off just to get my laundry ready!!!!!
Posted by Beth at 2:23 PM | Comments (5)
Gardening
About 3 weeks ago, I bought a strawberry pot and planted little strawberry plants in all the openings. I had my doubts about anything growing in it.
This morning, I went outside to check on my herbs and tomatoes and happened to notice a whole bunch of baby strawberries growing!
When I get home from work tonight, I'll take a picture of my strawberry pot and post it.
Posted by Beth at 6:35 AM | Comments (9)
I've been thinking about that troll
I am 51 years old, folks. Back when I was first separated from my ex-husband, I was 40. I made a dumb decision and met a guy who was 29 (my current troll/stalker). We spent one very short weekend together. He had an obvious drinking problem, among other issues. Story over. Or so you would think.
Out of the blue, 11 years later, this guy manages to locate my blog. Now, that would be no big deal except that my last name is different and I live in a different town. This same guy really liked my dog, Mickey, all those years ago. He knew what her AKC registered name was. What did he do, google for Mickey?
What kind of sad person would leave the comments he has left on the blog of a 51 year old woman? Did he never marry? What kind of juvenile pleasure does he get out of harrassing me?
As Calliope, Pam and John have all mentioned - this guy is pathetic. He is more deserving of prayers than of scorn, I suppose, because he is obviously so unbalanced - and looking back on the days when we talked on the phone all the time before meeting, I should have realized then that he was just as mentally unbalanced then.
Anyway, I have banned all the IP's he has used when commenting. If he attempts to comment again, I will delete the comments and ban those IP's.
I have asked AOL to please do something to block my blog from him, if possible.
Posted by Beth at 6:30 AM | Comments (4)
April 19, 2004
test
test
test
Posted by Beth at 6:42 PM | Comments (3)
Work was Fun today!
I got a new laptop today. It has everything and then some. Woo hoo! I've been whining about my old one for ages - only had 256 mg RAM. Now I have a gigabyte of RAM!!!
It smokes!
Posted by Beth at 6:41 PM | Comments (4)
Andrew Sullivan has lost his mind
Or perhaps he is just now divulging his real feelings about those of us in rural states who have more power than we should. James Lileks refutes Andrew's call for a $1 a gallon war gas tax.
To read Andrew's explanation, go here.
This paragraph speaks volumes of Andrew Sullivan's big city coastal thinking:
Others say it penalizes those in remote and rural areas. So what? Very few taxes are perfect, and our electoral system — with its over-representation of big agricultural states in the Senate — already pampers the rural. (I'd gladly exchange a gas-tax hike for abolition of agricultural subsidies. Any takers in Iowa?)
Obviously he is unaware of the fact that many of us in rural states are
1. not farmers
and
2. have no access to mass transit (it would not make sense to spend all those government dollars on rural areas for mass transit when there is no mass).
His big city snobbishness is showing. Or, maybe he forgot that he no longer lives in England - suddenly he wants us to be like the EU?
I'm very disappointed. All because of the gay marriage thing, too. Talk about a one issue voter.
Posted by Beth at 6:01 AM | Comments (2)
Well, well, well
It seems that the troll who has been visiting lately is someone I once had a very short relationship with - about 11 years ago.
I can't even remember his last name. His first name was Don, and we had an internet romance and then he came to visit me one time, and he was a jerk.
He was also a die-hard Democrat, which is why I suspect he is dirtying up my blog.
Seems he probably still has dialup access, as his IP is different everytime he writes one of his sweet little nothings. I checked my stats, and he is coming in from AOL. If I could only remember his last name, I'd report him to AOL and have his account turned off.
So, my friends - suggestions on how to handle this fat ass? And believe me, he is fat. He didn't ever send me a picture - all of you out there considering entering into an internet relationship - demand a picture now, with a time stamp on it!. When he got off the plane, I was shocked - the guy must have weighed close to 400 pounds.
Now, I would have never mentioned these things to you, but if he is going to be an asshat, well, I can be just as mean, and I'll tell the truth, unlike Don (who so impressed me that I have forgotten his last name!! Ha!!)
Posted by Beth at 5:41 AM | Comments (3)
April 18, 2004
This guy needs a shotgun!
Go read That does it! I'm getting a GUN! (randomnumbers.blog-city.com)
Some peace loving lefties don't like the Bush sign in Random Number's window. Apparently the window has been broken once, and they are trying to do it again.
Poor Mrs. Random Numbers is afraid to stay in the house.
Do you suppose that Kerry would approve of such actions?
Perhaps.
Posted by Beth at 3:42 PM | Comments (1)
So, the Spanish bow to Al Quaida
Spanish Leader Pulls Troops From Iraq
The prime minister ordered Spanish troops pulled out of Iraq as soon as possible Sunday, fulfilling a campaign pledge to a nation still recovering from terrorist bombings that al-Qaida militants said were reprisal for Spain's support of the war.
If Islamic Fundamentalists demand that Spain become an Islam state, will this new Socialist Prime Minister say, "Okey Dokey - just don't hurt us"?
Posted by Beth at 3:32 PM
This quiz is actually accurate
find your geek decade at spacefem.com
Posted by Beth at 11:58 AM | Comments (5)
Why my blog is titled "She Who Will Be Obeyed"
Nicht the troll is back - commenting under the previous post. He is apparently ignorant of the English term She Who Must Be Obeyed - meaning, the wife.
I did not use She Who Must Be Obeyed because there was already a blog by that name, and also because there are numerous SM/pXrn sites using that name.
So I chose She Who Will Be Obeyed - it seemed somewhat more proactive.
Perhaps he is so ignorant because he has nothing better to do than to troll around as Mickey - my dog who passed away last fall.
Posted by Beth at 11:02 AM | Comments (5)
New Blogger, American Optimist
I found this blog because he left a comment about how great cats are, so I figured I owed him a look-see. American Optimist does his homework. He checks facts on Lexus Nexus - and he has a great post on the facts of John Kerry's 1995 Budget Deficit Reduction Bill.
I like this guy. I think you will, too.
Posted by Beth at 7:03 AM | Comments (8)
April 17, 2004
Carnival of the Cats Entry
Orphan Annie being caught in the act is my entry for Amish Tech Support's Carnival of the Cats.
Annie, though the smallest of our cats, can eat an entire bouquet of flowers all by herself. She really loves to eat green things. We have to be very careful when we have salad for dinner, because she will steal lettuce from the salad bowl if I don't keep the bowl covered.
You can see her very short stumpy tail - when we got her, the majority of her tail had been bitten off, but she still has about 4 inches of tail left. Normally she holds it straight up and it looks like a bottle brush.
Posted by Beth at 6:21 PM | Comments (5)
I don't think I want this woman to be First Lady
I had to pay 3.50 cents to read this original article in the New York Post. I saw it referenced at Baldilock's place. This is what Ms. Heinz said:
"A politician's wife has a hard life. In the old days they only lived for their men. Today we can have a broader, richer life. The partner must have her own set of interests. Children, career, something. It's needful to have a sense of one's self. I work six days a week on my own interests and will always continue. To become more of a 'thing' and less of a person is terrible.
She works 6 days a week on her own interests? Is she running a business, or is she just spending money and meeting other posh society types for bridge? I'd like to know!
"I can't believe I married a second politician. I can't believe I married the first politician. He wasn't one when we met. I can't believe my family left Africa and came to this country. I can't believe I live in America, I can't believe I ever even married an American. And I can't believe we're embarked on this journey."
At Aaron's Rant Log you can read the entire article, including such tidbits as the fact that Teresa doesn't carry her own makeup with her and helped herself to Cindy Adam's makeup - how low class is that! Teresa is also bummed out about having to stay in hotels that don't serve meals after 10:00 pm.
What a bitch.
Thanks to Baldilocks and Aaron for pointing this out.
Posted by Beth at 4:49 PM | Comments (3)
Being home is so wonderful!
I have a bit of a dilemma. I really love what I do for a living, and I love the interaction with clients and making them happy. Unfortunately, I have to travel all around the country to do this. You see, I also really love John and Andy and all the critters, and I love being home.
However, I despise going into the office - that is where I have to go when I am home. I start to hyperventilate the minute I walk into the building. Seems strange - I can travel to clients all over the country - total strangers, and I feel relaxed and calm and knowledgeable. But when I have to go to my actual cubicle in KC, I am tense and defensive and I hate it.
Posted by Beth at 3:18 PM
April 16, 2004
On my way home
I'll be travelling for most of the day. Hopefully, I'll be able to sleep on the plane to make up for the insomnia I suffered last night!
See you tonight.
Posted by Beth at 5:15 AM | Comments (2)
April 14, 2004
More on Charlottesville Racial Profiling
As I mentioned this morning, the police in Charlottesville, VA are asking hundreds of black men for DNA samples, in order to prove they are not the serial rapist that has apparently been around for some years.
On one of the Richmond radio stations, this was under discussion yesterday morning - I was appalled as caller after caller said that if someone is innocent, they should not mind giving a DNA sample. One man even had the gall to say that if he was a black man, he would give the sample.
Doesn't anyone learn about the Bill of Rights in high school anymore?
Let's look at the facts - the police are stumped - stumped they are! Therefore, they are going to ask the entire populace to voluntarily give their DNA up for testing.
This tells me that the police have absolutely no fricking idea who this criminal is.
This tells me that the police are too lazy to investigate these crimes properly.
But what worries me most of all, is that none of the news reports discusses the 4th Amendment*. Freedom from unreasonable search and seizure.
Nowhere have I seen where anyone is advising black man in Charlottesville to just say no.
Where the hell is the ACLU? Isn't this a case they should be actively pursuing?
The Charlottesville ACLU is concerned about the Patriot Act. The actions of the police in this case have nothing to do with the Patriot Act - why can't I find a reference anywhere on the Internet where the ACLU there is working to educate the men of Charlottesville on their Constitutional Right NOT to give their DNA to a police department which is apparently less competent than Inspecter Clouseau.
Why is not the ACLU filing suit against the Charlottesville Police Department for their tactics?
Please, Glen Reynolds, oh ye of legal brains, please comment on this!
Oh, I found more. I checked out the Charlottesville Police Department's web site, and found that they "are proud of our motto "Solving Crime Through Science" in reference to their extensive DNA testing to 'clear' people of crimes.
I would be more impressed if they could solve crimes through investigation rather than testing every guy in town on the off chance they might find a criminal!!!!
* Amendment IV
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Posted by Beth at 10:22 PM | Comments (7)
My husband is very protective
And I do love him for it. I was visiting a dear friend of mine this evening (haven't seen her for 2 years), so I missed all goings on as far as the Internet is concerned.
I was a little shocked at the meanness of one commenter who used the email address mickey mcbear@aol.com - Mickey McBear was the name of my golden retriever who died last autumn - since I wrote about Mickey on my blog, I am sure that no one who actually knows me would have left that comment.
Anyway, thank you sweetheart, for sticking up for me! Gee, I could say something dirty here, but I won't.
Posted by Beth at 10:01 PM | Comments (2)
I don't get it.
Jerks like 'Nicht' come in here (see post below) and soil this place, striking particularly classless low blows, that aren't even really relevant to the post they come in and drop a load on.
Whassup with that?
Tell ya what - ya got beefs, lay 'em out.
Ya just wanna display a sophomoric sensibility and toss around new words you just learned in Health class, c'mon over to Castle Argghhh! We like people like you.
As training dummies.
Posted by John at 8:09 PM
Getting close to a police state in Charlottesville, VA
There has been a lot of talk about this case on talk radio here in Virginia. I was stunned that people see this as racism rather than an attack on the Bill of Rights -
To make a long story short, there has been a serial rapist in Charlottesville, VA for years. The police only have one clue - the guy is black.
So these "officers of the law" have convinced hundreds of black men to submit to DNA tests to clear themselves. Only ten of the men, so far, have refused. The police come back time after time to try to coerce them into giving up their DNA.
There are many, many things wrong with this, but to me, the unreasonable search and seizure component is number one. These cops don't have warrants, and apparently the populace is afraid to ask for them. I hope that Instapundit will give us a legal viewpoint on this gathering of DNA by police.
I have more links, but I have to run to work, I'll post them tonight.
Posted by Beth at 7:12 AM | Comments (5)
It's Wictory Wednesday
I am going to vote for President Bush. Only President Bush has the resolve to finish what needs to be done to end terrorism worldwide. The economy is growing stronger. The President's tax cut has made a difference, and many people may just not be realizing it as they ready their taxes.
If you agree with me, go here to help re-elect President Bush.
No American is safe until those who would deny us our freedoms are vanquished. We are at war. This is a just war. This is a war to rid the world of Terrorism. It's about time. I'm proud that I voted for George Bush in 2000, and I'm proud to vote for him again this year.
All the bloggers listed below are also proud to support President Bush.
Posted by Beth at 6:08 AM | Comments (1)
April 13, 2004
Geeze, I despise Susan Estrich
She defines the word harridan. What an awful woman - whiny, horrid voice (that makes me cringe - nasal, annoying - constantly interrupts eveyone else - and is flat out wrong. If you have a child who want to go to law school, make damn sure they don't go to USC. That is where this parody of an attorney teaches.
Posted by Beth at 8:55 PM | Comments (7)
There is too much to say
I don't know where to start. I am sickened by the left's insistence that President Bush is an idiot and an evil man. In my lifetime, I have never seen a president who cared more about this country while in office. How can the left be so bigoted and prejudiced? Is it because he is from the middle of the country? I suspect that is part of it.
As I watch the news conference tonight, I am appalled at the questions the press are asking President Bush - such as - why don't you apologize to the American people for 9/11 - good lord - as the President said, Osama Bin Laden caused 9/11, not anyone in the USA.
Then, another one suggests that contracters are mercenaries. Yeah, a guy driving a truck is a mercenary. All of these so-called reporters are unbelievable biased against President Bush and against those of us (the majority) who love the USA more than we love Europe.
It's too much. I agree with Lileks - it has become almost impossible for me to turn on tv or listen to the radio - I am so sick of leftists calling in and bashing the President, bashing the Military, bashing anyone who doesn't agree with them. My blood pressure must be at an all time high while watching our President, lawfully elected, stomped on by the Eastern elite.
I know that President Bush will never read my blog, but if he did, I would want him to know that he is doing the right thing in Iraq. He did the right thing in Afghanistan. He will continue doing the right thing in the Middle East. I would want the President to know that many of us support him 100%.
God Bless President Bush. God Bless our soldiers, airmen, marines and seamen. We are fighting a war on terror. We are doing the right thing.
Posted by Beth at 8:20 PM | Comments (2)
Houdini is back home
John said that the Animal Control people in the next town picked him up - about 7 miles from home. Could be he was picked up by someone and he ran away, not very likely he would have gotten that far, but he's home, thankfully!
Posted by Beth at 1:15 PM | Comments (4)
Keep your eyes out for Houdini
John called me at the hotel this morning - seems our little rat dog, Houdini, is missing. As his name reflects, he is an expert at escaping from anything - including our back yard with a 6 foot privacy fence.
Anyway, I've said my prayers to St. Anthony (who finds lost things) and St. Francis (patron saint of critters) - times like these, it gives me comfort to have been brought up so darn Catholic!
Anyway, this is what Houdini looks like - if you see him, let John know. I'm not much use being here in Virginia.
PS - for you Catholic Bashers - this is not the time to bug me, trust me.
Posted by Beth at 7:30 AM | Comments (4)
Catching up
This traveling is messing up my blogreading. I just now found LeeAnn's discussion of memory - or is it Attention Deficit Disorder? Anyway, as always, she is hilarious.
Posted by Beth at 5:45 AM
April 12, 2004
Richmond, Virginia
I'm in Richmond this week. I flew to Norfolk yesterday and drove up here. Unfortunately, it has been raining heavily since I got here, so I have not been able to see much of the area.
The building I am working in is right next door to the home where Robert E. Lee retired to after Appomattox, but that is about the only historical site I've seen because of the nasty weather.
I'm the only mid-westerner from my company working at this site, and all the Easterners were giving me shit about being from Kansas.
Especially about mid-westerners 'fetish' over guns.
And I didn't even tell them about our guns!
Though all the guys are great to work with, they have a definite attitude of superiority over those of us who live in the middle of the country. I'm only here a week, and I don't think it is worth arguing with them about it, at least until they really bug me!!!
Posted by Beth at 7:59 PM | Comments (4)
Monday's Moment of Kitty Zen
Thought I'd look up some of my kitties' baby pictures.
This is Meriwether. He actually has the softest fur of the whole herd. He is now 2 1/2 years old, and loves to cuddle under the covers between John and I. Meri usually joins us around 2:00 am - he will very softly and silently climb up on my chest and pat my face until I wake up and lift up the blanket so he can crawl in with us.
Posted by Beth at 7:35 PM | Comments (1)
Michele is always on the beat
Intrepid reporter, Michele, covers the most recent Washington protests, the First Annual Peeple are Peeple March.
I have no doubt that Michele will win the Pulitzer Prize for photojournalism for her inspired shots of Peeps in this protest.
Please proceed peacefully to the perfectly published Peeple are Peeple story.
Posted by Beth at 6:38 AM
In case you missed it,
Laurence has a wonderful Carnival,
Amish Tech Support: Carnival of the Cats 4.
I didn't get a chance to link to it yesterday due to traveling, but please be sure to go see all the beautiful blog kitties.
This is Week 4 of the Carnival of the Cats, and Instapundit even linked to it.
Naturally, one of our kitties is in the Carnival! It's a good way to start the week out.
Posted by Beth at 6:23 AM
Glad I'm not this kid's mom!
Madfish Willie reports on a young man who meets a spider - this is a must read!Madfish Willie's Cyber Saloon: Usenet Performance Art
Andy, if you ever, ever do anything that dumb - well, actually, there is no way on earth Andy would do something like this young man. No way at all - sorry, Andy!
Posted by Beth at 6:17 AM
April 11, 2004
This weekend is too short for me
Here it is, Easter Sunday, and I'm doing laundry and packing my suitcase because I have to get on a plane in 3 1/2 hours for work.
I didn't get home until Friday evening. I slept 12 hours Friday night (traveling can be exhausting), and then yesterday flew by.
John and I did go see Hellboy. It was very good. I highly recommend the movie. Ron Perlman was fantastic as Hellboy, you will love it. I won't tell you about it, because I want you to see it.
Anyway, I'll be in the air and on the road until this evening. Hopefully, I'll have broadband access when I finally get to my hotel!
Happy Easter, everyone.
Posted by Beth at 6:08 AM | Comments (1)
April 10, 2004
La Shawn Barber
I don't know how I missed La Shawn Barber before, but she is a gifted Black Independent Conservative.
I completely agree with her takes on abortion and Condi Rice.
I'm adding her to my blog roll, you should, too. She is very persuasive.
Posted by Beth at 6:46 PM | Comments (1)
Today's Moment of Kitty Zen
Gandalf the Grey. Watching over the kitchen. He sits on my nightstand all night long every night and watches me and purrs. It's a bit disconcerting.
Posted by Beth at 10:58 AM
Yesterday's Moment of Kitty Zen
This is Little Girl. She is not little, at all, but she is a girl. She is the Empress of the Donovan household.
She also gives nice back massages.
Posted by Beth at 10:47 AM
April 9, 2004
Posted by Beth at 4:33 AM
9/11 was Bin Laden's Fault
My God, people. I am sick of seeing people blaming Bush or Clinton or the FBI or the CIA on the 9/11 attacks. The government did not, I repeat, did not fly commerical airplanes into buildings.
The blame is on the shoulders of Al Quaida and the crazed Islamic Fundamentalists who flew the planes.
Let's just say, Hey, we did not have a crystal ball. We had no magical look into the future. The US government is not a bunch of palm readers.
This 9/11 Commission is apparently playing politics to make a few victims and families of victims feel like something has been done to avenge 9/11.
To avenge 9/11, we need to follow President Bush's lead.* We have to rid the world of terrorists. We have to get terrorists out of Iraq, then continue to get them all, wherever they are. We are not safe until these butchers of innocent people have been destroyed.
This is war. Why can't people understand that? This is war.
*Note to Democrats - Bush is a LEADER - Kerry (and Clinton) are Poll Followers. Normal people CAN tell the difference.
Posted by Beth at 4:16 AM | Comments (5)
April 8, 2004
Tonight's Moment of Kitty Zen
This is Orphan Annie - in the Meatloaf Position (all legs tucked under her body)
Annie is a survivor. She was dumped at the Ft. Leavenworth stable as a very young kitten. When some kids found her, her tail had been mostly bitten off, and bones were exposed. They saw me, and said, "Please, Mrs. Donovan, will you take this kitten home with you? We know you will take care of her, and our mom won't let us have a kitten". So I did, and I took her to see Dr. Nicki, our small animal veterinarian, and she did what she could for the bloody tail stump, and Annie became part of our family.
Later we discovered that she was a little older than we thought because she was so incredibly malnourished that she was very stunted in size. She is still not much bigger than a 4 month old kitten.
John likes to say that Annie is a little 'touched in the head'. Well, she is different, but she can be incredibly loving. She will sit on John's shoulder and groom his hair for an hour at a time while he is blogging.
Annie often jumps up in bed with us to tell us good night, and give us a nice kneading and head butt while she gets a good back rub.
Posted by Beth at 7:15 PM | Comments (13)
Do something for yourself this weekend
Make yourself feel great. Help out a Soldier, Marine, Airman or Seaman. If you see a member of the US Armed Forces eating dinner or lunch or breakfast with their family, pick up the tab. You will feel incredibly good for doing so. If they ask you why, just tell them you are proud of them for serving our country.
I have always thought about doing this - and tonight, I finally did it. A mom, dad and son were celebrating his graduation from Basic Training. I picked up their tab. I suspect I got as much or more out of it than the mom, dad and young Private First Class.
Mom came and asked why, I told her that I just appreciated her son's willingness to serve the country, and that I was proud of him.
She hugged me. I hugged her.
Again, you will get more out of doing this than you can possibly imagine.
Posted by Beth at 6:54 PM | Comments (2)
Southern Living
I have spent about 11 weeks of the last 6 months here in South Carolina. Every where I go, the people I meet are wonderfully friendly, and I come from a friendly part of the country!
I have even developed a liking for cheese grits. Every morning this week, I have fixed some instant cheese grits for breakfast. They stick with you and really taste darn good.
I hope I can get instant cheese grits in Kansas. If not, I'll have to have one of the folks I'm working with here ship them to me!
Posted by Beth at 5:52 AM | Comments (4)
Go Condi!
Condoleeza Rice is going to testify for the 9/11 Commission today.
I think she is a remarkable woman. She is a real role model. She is smart and tough and I would love to see her run on the Bush ticket as Vice President.
Wouldn't that pull the rug out from under Kerry's feet?
But if she did run, I would go door to door to support Bush.
Posted by Beth at 5:37 AM | Comments (1)
Arrggghhhh
I can hardly stand to watch it - but I am. A repeat of John Kerry talking to Neil Cavuto on FOX last night. I'm sorry. I can't believe this Kerry idjit. He mentioned that fact that 60% of corporations 'recently' paid no Federal Taxes.
Is he unaware that was during the years of 1996 to 2000? During Clinton's presidency?
And now, he is all about health care and giving the same corporations tax breaks (how can you give someone paying no taxes a tax break?) so they can provide their 'workers' (notice he uses the commie term for those of us who work for a living rather than employees) more health care.
He said that the increase in job growth is bogus - he claims that construction work is just temporary spring hiring and that it doesn't count because it is temporary - I'm sorry, but isn't most construction work seasonal?
And then, his botoxed face... do we want a president who will allow toxins to be injected into his face just to look younger? It's downright creepy. He is downright creepy.
But really, the man doesn't seem to have a grasp of the facts. I don't think he is very smart. And he doesn't even have a decent personality.
yuck.
Posted by Beth at 4:49 AM | Comments (7)
April 7, 2004
Another Moment of Kitty Zen
This is Cleo.
Posted by Beth at 6:39 PM | Comments (7)
Wictory Wednesday
I am going to vote for President Bush. I don't agree with everything he does, but I cannot see a John Kerry leading us to victory over terrorism. Only Bush has the resolve to finish what needs to be done to end terrorism worldwide.
No American is safe until those who would deny us our freedoms are vanquished. We are at war. This is a just war. This is a war to rid the world of Terrorism. It's about time. I'm proud that I voted for George Bush in 2000, and I'm proud to vote for him again this year.
All the bloggers listed below are also proud to support President Bush.
Posted by Beth at 10:45 AM
Vigilant Resolve
The Marines are doing what they do best. My prayers and hopes are with them as they fight against those who would deprive the Iraqi people of freedom.
Posted by Beth at 6:11 AM
April 6, 2004
Moment of Kitty Zen
This is Barnacle. She was dumped at the barn where Willie and Petey live and she is very clingy. Thus her name. John is good at naming critters. I miss Barnacle a lot when I'm traveling. I am her person, she follows me day and night when I'm home. Barny talks a lot, too. If she is mad, she lets me know!
Posted by Beth at 7:48 PM | Comments (3)
Thank you, Madfish Willie!!!!!
If you need to have your weblog designed or redesigned, call Madfish Willie. He and Pam worked together to build my blog for me.
Last night, I was playing with the templates and totally screwed up the Main Index. I was too sure of myself, and didn't make a backup first (and I do have a backup on my home computer - but that's too far away to do me any good when I'm travelling!)
I put out a call for Madfish Willie, and he fixed my problem and made an enhancement or two!
He also created John's new design. Anyway, I highly recommend his web design work. And for banners and other graphics, no one is better than Pam!
Posted by Beth at 7:20 PM | Comments (2)
April 5, 2004
If anyone can help me with this mess
Please leave a comment here. I was trying to add the Blogs for Bush blogroll to my sidebar and suddenly - this happened. I am not at home, so I don't have a copy of my template handy.
It must be some thing somewhere, but the more I try to figure it out, the worse it gets!!
Posted by Beth at 8:34 PM | Comments (6)
Things are hopping here in Columbia, SC
When I flew here today, there was more bustle than usual at the airport. I got my rental car from Hertz, and I asked Sharon, the lady who has helped me the last 10 times I came here what's going on. She said, "you know, Mrs. Donovan, we have been really busy with Augusta."
I wasn't sure what she meant, and I didn't want to appear dumb, so I just nodded my head wisely.
I drove to the office, had meetings, checked software, and did some documentation.
Finally, after picking up some groceries, I checked in at the hotel. There were a whole bunch of people at the desk, quite upset that the Wingate is sold out for the week.
Once again, I heard that word, 'Augusta'.
Finally, I asked the desk clerk what was going on? She said, "you know, Augusta". I finally admitted that I do not know.
She said, "you know, the Masters".
"The Masters?"
She said, "You know - the Masters Golf Tournament in Augusta, Georgia!"
"Oh", I said.
Apparently, it's a big deal.
Posted by Beth at 7:27 PM
I have no tea kettle!
I decided to boil some water yesterday to make some ice tea. As usual, I did not think ahead, so I had no sun tea steeping in the sun. I realized that I no longer own a tea kettle. It was old and nasty and ugly, so I threw it out several years ago.
I decided to start looking for a new tea kettle, and I think I'll order this one.
Comments, anyone?
Posted by Beth at 7:10 PM | Comments (3)
Kitty Moment of Zen
This is RestStop. He is as fat as he appears to be.
Posted by Beth at 6:49 PM | Comments (3)
April 4, 2004
Well, traveling again, naturally
Tomorrow morning, I'm off to Columbia, South Carolina for one last week (unless they love me so much they buy more of my services- technical services, o ye with dirty minds!).
I have spent a total of 10 week there since last September, and I have made a couple of new friends there.
One of them, Yvonne, is originally from Nigeria. She has been here in the USA for over 30 years, and is a citizen - for those of you who may wonder.
Yvonne is one of the most joyful women I have ever met. She is always smiling and cheerful.
One day, we talked about Nigeria. Her mother and several of her brothers and sisters still live there (she is from a family of 12 children). Yvonne says that Nigeria has completely lost its middle class - there are only the political rich and the poor. Even in Lago, there can be weeks with no electricity in most homes. Yvonne visited Nigeria last month, to visit her very ill mother. There is so much crime and corruption there, that her brothers and cousins would not let her rent a car - it would make her stand out in the crowd and she would risk being victimized. She had a whole series of places she was to take cabs to and buses to before she could meet one of her brothers to go visit her mother.
Hearing of countries where people are afraid to travel because of the real presence of highwaymen is quite startling to me. As Yvonne told me, the government of Nigeria has become very corrupt, and only the very rich are safe. Nigeria once had a large middle class and the streets were once safe - but in the past 30 years, things have gone terribly wrong.
I'll be happy to see Yvonne tomorrow. I'm quite relieved she made it back here safely.
Another new friend from South Carolina is Shannon. She has an absolutely remarkable background that I'll tell you about someday - if she says it is okay.
Shannon and I can sit and drink sweet tea and talk for hours. I feel like she could be a younger sister. We have as many differences as we do things in common, but our personalities click quite well. I'll be happy to see Shannon again tomorrow, too.
I suspect that I could be good friends with some of my favorite female bloggers out there - Theresa, Pam, Kate, Key, Joanie, Beth, Juliette , DC, Helen and LeeAnn - I hope someday I get to meet you all. I think you are all great, and I feel like I could be an older sister to all of you. (yeah, I am pretty damn sure I'm older than the whole bunch of ya!)
Posted by Beth at 10:00 PM | Comments (4)
Believe it or not ...
You are a GRAMMAR GOD!
If your mission in life is not already to
preserve the English tongue, it should be.
Congratulations and thank you!
How grammatically sound are you?
brought to you by Quizilla
Posted by Beth at 8:13 PM | Comments (3)
Kitty moment of Zen
Stealing Michele's idea of Tonight's Moment of Zen, I am instituting a daily (I hope) Kitty moment of Zen.
Thanks for the idea, Michele!
Posted by Beth at 11:55 AM
April 3, 2004
SugarMama knows all
Take the What type of blahblah are you? quiz at sugarmama.org!
Posted by Beth at 7:28 PM
April 2, 2004
OK, Lefties, how do you explain this?
Army divisions hit re-up targets - from the Washington Times -
Army divisions that fought the past 12 months in Iraq have met virtually every re-enlistment goal, a sign that the all-volunteer force remains strong under the stress of frequent deployments and hazardous duty.
How often have we seen on the Daily Kos or the DU that Soldiers are going to quit as soon as then can and then come back and get us conservatives?
Do you suppose these left of Stalinists will admit that they were wrong? Do you suppose they will understant that Soldiers do 'get it' and are willing to lay thier lives on the line to fight terrorism?
I doubt it.
The Washington Times states further:
"This tends to rebut armchair critics who said the sky is falling and the vultures are circling and the Army is gong to lose all its troops," said Lt. Col. Franklin Childress, an Army spokesman at the Pentagon. "This is not true. The soldiers get it."
The Army also met its recruiting goal of 73,800 inductees last fiscal year, and 34,000 for the first six months of this fiscal year, which began Oct. 1.
"Soldiers are extremely resilient," said Col. Elton Manske, chief of the enlisted division at Army headquarters in the Pentagon. "There is absolutely no sign of a 'hollow Army.' Soldiers are continuing to re-enlist at least at historic rates."
Posted by Beth at 4:49 PM | Comments (2)
Iraq
Jennifer Martinez does a fantastic job of covering what is going on in Iraq. She researches everything she writes.
Today, she has an excellent piece on Fallujah. Go read it!
Posted by Beth at 4:36 PM
Looks like caving to terrorists doesn't stop them
From CNN: Bomb found on Spanish rail line - Apr 2, 2004
MADRID, Spain (CNN) -- An explosive device has been found along a high-speed railway serving Madrid and Seville in Spain, Interior Minister Angel Acebes said. The bomb contained 10-12 kilograms (22--24 pounds) of dynamite connected to a detonator by a 131-meter (430-foot) cable, the interior ministry said. Trains on the line were halted Friday after a railway employee discovered a suspicious package along the tracks near the town of Villaseca de la Sagra, in Toledo province south of Madrid, a spokesman for the Civil Guard national headquarters in Madrid told CNN.
So, the Spanish people vote out the current administration in an attempt to prevent future terrorists attacks and the terrorists STILL want to destroy Spaniards.
People on the left - take note. Islamic fundamentalists want to destroy Western Civilization. They are not going to stop killing even if you do what they want.
They are going after Europe now.
Posted by Beth at 7:08 AM | Comments (1)
Friday
This will be a busy weekend. I still need to set up my irrigation system so I can leave town and not worry about the plants getting water.
Just went out to check my plants, and my tomatoes are frosted. But all my herbs and strawberries and peppers are happy - it got a little cold the other night. So, I'll have to go buy a couple more tomato plants this weekend.
We have a horseshow tomorrow at Ft. Leavenworth, and since I wrote the program that keeps track of horses, riders, fees and all the other stuff, I'll be there from 6:00 am until 8:00 pm. We have two horseshows a year to support the stable activity.
I have laundry - lots of it - and housecleaning to do. I want to find some time to spend with my horses and to work on a stained glass project.
I think I'll take half the day off today so I can get started on laundry and housework early.
John made dinner last night!!!!!! It was really good! I have the most wonderful husband on earth!
Posted by Beth at 6:46 AM | Comments (6)
April 1, 2004
On the 9/11 Commission and Terrorism
We all have 20/20 vision when looking back at 9/11 and the months leading up to it. I don't think anyone ever considered the possibility of a terror attack at that level of destruction.
Now, it seems everyone wants to play the blame game. It was Bush's fault, it was Clinton's fault, it was the fault of the FBI, CIA, Army, Navy, Air force and Marines. It was the fault of Americans in general, for working their asses off and being successful through the years.
Personally, I don't give a flying fuck whose fault it was - it was no one's fault, it was everybody's fault.
The morning of 9/11, as I was driving to work, I heard about the first plane. I parked my car, walked into the office and heard about the second plane - I knew immediately it had to be Islamic Terrorists. Then, when the Pentagon was hit by the third plane and the fourth plane crashed into a field in Pennsylvania, I got angry, and I have been angry ever since.
Unlike a lot of Democrats, Greens and other leftists, I am angry at the Islamic Jihad, Hammas, Al Quaida, all the fundamentalist Islamic extremists who have been preaching war against Western Civilization for years. I am furious with those "nations" who have supported terrorism against us. They had no excuse for their actions.
Many of those countries have oil - and they have squandered their riches on despots and tyrants. The people of those people have suffered tremendously at the hands of Islamic militants.
Women are stoned to death for being raped. Thieves hands are chopped off in public. Women who commit adultery are forced to jump off of towers to their deaths. These people believe in slavery - they import poorer people from poorer places and beat them and sometimes kill them - and the slaves have no refuge in any kind of court.
These people, the Islamic Fundamentalist Extremists, are a pox on humanity.
We have to stop them, for no one will be safe from them until we rid the planet of them.
I don't care if we gather them all up and jail them for life (without contact with any other prisoners) or if we try them and then condemn them to death.
These people are genocidal. These people are animals. These people have no right, no reason, no alibi for what they have done and continue to do.
They must be stopped.
Instead of a 9/11 Commission, all parties should be working together to figure out how the hell to rid the Earth of this scourge.
Posted by Beth at 6:50 PM
Checking out my blogroll
Dowingba got a raise - kinda - and he has a new very vibrant look to his blog. Let me tell you, it woke me up this morning!
Rosemary is having a good time today, April 1, 2004. Seems she has decided to support Kerry.
John of Arrggghhhh! has discovered that our house has been invaded by rodents.
Da Goddess's son has a warped sense of humour. I bet he is a great kid. I like him just reading about him!
Michele now has a great feature on her blog - I hope she does this every day - Tonight's Moment of Zen
Helen is not too sure that she likes her haircut - you must read this one. Oh, and Happy Birthday, Helen - she is turning all of 30 years old today.
Venomous Kate has some great looking recipes for lamb. I'm going to have to try one of these on Easter Sunday.
LeeAnn has a most interesting conversation with GM1. I nearly fell off my chair reading it.
Grouchy Old Cripple has an amazing example of Mother Nature's sense of humour.
Time to get ready for work. See ya.
Posted by Beth at 5:59 AM | Comments (2)
Yesterday's Horror
Go read Peggy Noonan's column on the events in Fallujah.
It is possible that the atrocity in Fallujah was spontaneous or not fully thought through, but it doesn't look like it. It seems likely to have been at least to some degree, and perhaps a high degree, well planned and calculated. The brutalizing of the bodies was done in a way that seemed imitative, as all have noted, of the incident in Mogadishu, Somalia, where in 1993 a frenzied mob dragged the dead body of a U.S. Army Ranger through the streets. The civilized world was horrified, and everyone knows what followed: a quick American retreat.
It is not a stretch to imagine the young murderers of Fallujah had this on their minds: Do it again to America, kill them and string up their corpses, because when you do this America leaves.
And so this time the response must be the opposite of the response in Mogadishu.
We know what the men and boys who did the atrocity of Fallujah look like; they posed for the cameras. We know exactly what they did--again, the cameras. We know they massed on a bridge and raised their guns triumphantly. It's all there on film. It would be good not only for elemental justice but for Iraq and its future if a large force of coalition troops led by U.S. Marines would go into Fallujah, find the young men, arrest them or kill them, and, to make sure the point isn't lost on them, blow up the bridge.
I agree with Peggy.
Jen Martinez has a great post on Fallujah, also.
Pulling out of Somalia and not finishing the job was a mistake, and a costly one at that. It also sent a message to our enemies, one of weakness. It taught them that all they had to do was commit an unspeakable crime against our loved ones and we would turn around and run away. We are going to have to take a stand or we stand to loose it all. I believe the government should stop preaching to us how kind, good and peaceful muslims and their islam religion are. Actions speak louder than words, my friends, and we've seen muslims in action in Somalia, Iran, Lebanon, Iraq and countless other locations. This is not Somalia 1993 with Clinton at the helm, the media must stop making that comparison. They are attempting to undermine all that we've achieved thus far by leading the sheeple down a certain path. I want retribution and I want it now.
Me, too, Jennifer.
Posted by Beth at 5:43 AM