The Mom Song

I love this lady! She reminds me of my Mom when I was growing up.

Oncologist 3/18/2009

I am away so this is a remote post.

It was kind of a mixed bag this time.

Most of my blood work looked good. The myeloma indicator, IGG, was at
the same point as last month, .3. I didn't achieve remission but the
cancer isn't growing so that is still good news. I will continue on
the current regime of Revlimid until I am receiving no benefit.

The blood thinness/thickness indicator, INR or COAG, was at 4 so my
blood is too thin. My dosage of Coumadin will very over the next week
to attempt to get the blood slightly thicker.

I will have the usual blood work plus the COAG and see the Nurse
Practitioner again next Wednesday.

Sent from my iPod

The Corruption of... AIG

All the news has been keeping us informed about the $165M in bonuses that AIG paid to current and former employees. From all the media reports the bonuses are not recoverable but they continue to tell us what the government says they're going to do.

What all this amounts to is confirmation that our government had their eyes closed! Media has reported that Barry's administration knew about these bonus contracts as early as last September but shouldn't have been expected to remember this because, after all, they went through an election and inauguration. Okay, I'll give Barry that. Why didn't they insist on conditions before paying AIG $170B? Why didn't Congress insist on conditions? Could it be that Rep. Barney Frank and Sen. Chris Dodd are just as corrupt as the management of AIG? That will be the topic of a future post.

Anyway, hasn't the media done a good job of keeping our attention on the $165M in bonuses? That is just what the Barry administration wants. Concentrate on the payment of unfair bonus instead of the $170B in taxpayer money given away and the 80% ownership of the taxpayers in the company. Pertaining to AIG, we should be focusing on why $60B was paid to foreign countries like the United Kingdom, France and others and what was done with the other $110B. And the fact that no more money should be paid to AIG!

If we must spend our time trying to recoup the bonuses that are contractually legal then here is a simple way of applying some pressure: make the names of the recipients public. After all, we own 80% of the company; with an 80% vote we should have the authority to disclose the information.

The point of all of the above... Let's not lose focus on the real issues which are not the bonuses. Obviously, the real issue is the administration's and congress' out-of-control spending of our money. None of us want our grand childrens' grand children paying back the trillions of dollars being spent which is probably what is going to happen, now.

Forget the bonuses; FOCUS ON THE BIG PICTURE... the out-of-control administration and congress!

'THE Axis of Idiots'

Jimmy Carter, you are the father of the Islamic Nazi movement. You threw the Shah under the bus, welcomed the Ayatollah home, and then lacked the spine to confront the terrorists when they took our embassy and our people hostage. You're the runner-in-chief.

 

 

 

Bill Clinton, you played ring around the Lewinsky while the terrorists were at war with us. You got us into a fight with them in Somalia and then you ran from it. Your weak-willed responses to the U.S.S. Cole and the First Trade Center Bombing and Our Embassy Bombings emboldened the killers. Each time you failed to respond adequately, they grew bolder, until 9/11/2001.

 

 

John Kerry, dishonesty is your most prominent attribute.

You lied about American Soldiers in Vietnam ...   Your military service, like your life, is more fiction than fact. You've accused our military of terrorizing women and children in Iraq You called Iraq the wrong war, wrong place, wrong time,

The same words you used to describe Vietnam .. You're a fake. You want to run from Iraq and abandon the Iraqis to murderers - just as you did to the Vietnamese! Iraq, like Vietnam, is another war that you were for, before you were against it.

 

John Murtha, you said our military was broken. You said we can't win militarily in Iraq You accused United States Marines of cold-blooded murder without proof and said we should redeploy to Okinawa . Okinawa, John ? And the Democrats call you their military expert! Are you sure you didn't suffer a traumatic brain injury while you were off building your war hero resume?

You're a sad, pitiable, corrupt and washed up politician.  You're not a Marine, sir.  You wouldn't amount to a good pimple on a real Marine's butt.  You're a phony and a disgrace. Run away, John.

Dick Durbin, you accused our Soldiers at Guantanamo of being Nazis, tenders of Soviet style gulags and as bad as the regime of Pol Pot , who murdered two million of his own people after your party abandoned Southeast Asia to the Communists.  Did you ever see or understand what Pol Pot and his henchmen did to the people of Cambodia ?  Apparently not!

Now you want to abandon the Iraqis to the same fate.  History was not a good teacher for you, was it?  Lord help us!  See Dick run.

 

 

Ted Kennedy, for days on end you held poster-sized pictures from Abu Ghraib in front of any available television camera.  Al Jazeera quoted you saying that Iraqi's torture chambers were open under new management.

Did you see the news, Teddy? The Islamic Nazis demonstrated another beheading for you. If you truly supported our troops, you'd show the world poster-sized pictures of that atrocity and demand the annihilation of it. Your legislation stripping support from the South Vietnamese led to a communist victory there.

You're a bloated, drunken fool bent on repeating the same historical blunder that turned freedom-seeking people over to homicidal, genocidal maniacs.  To paraphrase John Murtha, all while sitting on your wide, gin-soaked rear-end in Washington ..

Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, Carl Levine, Barbara Boxer, Diane Feinstein, Russ Feingold, Hillary Clinton, Pat Leahy, Barack Obama, Chuck Schumer, the Hollywood Leftist morons, et al, ad nauseam: Every time you stand in front of television cameras and broadcast to the Islamic Nazis that we went to war because our President lied, that the war is wrong and our Soldiers are torturers, that we should leave Iraq , you give the Islamic butchers - the same ones that tortured and mutilated American Soldiers - cause to think that we'll run away again, and all they have to do is hang on a little longer. It is inevitable that we, the so-called "infidels", will have to defeat the Islamic jihadists.  Better to do it now on their turf, than later on ours after they have gained both strength and momentum.

 

American news media and the New York Times particularly: Each time you publish stories about national defense secrets and our intelligence gathering methods, you become one united with the sub-human pieces of camel dung that torture and mutilate the bodies of American Soldiers. You can't strike up the courage to publish cartoons, but you can help Al Qaeda destroy my country.  Actually, you are more dangerous to us than Al Qaeda is.  I am happy that your  company is sinking like a greased cinder block and will probably be bankrupt by the middle of 2009.  I'm not surprised, as no one wants to read the trash you publish.  Think about that each time you face Mecca to admire your Pulitzer.

 

You are America 's 'AXIS OF IDIOTS.' Your Collective Stupidity will destroy us. Self-serving politics and terrorist-abetting news scoops are more important to you than our national security or the lives of innocent civilians and Soldiers.  It bothers you that defending ourselves gets in the way of your elitist sport of politics and your ignorant editorializing. There is as much blood on your hands as is on the hands of murdering terrorists.  Don't ever doubt that.

Your frolics will only serve to extend this war as they extended Vietnam ..  If you want our Soldiers home as you claim, knock off the crap and try supporting your country ahead of supporting your silly political aims and aiding our enemies.

Yes, I'm questioning your patriotism.  Your loyalty ends with self.

I'm also questioning why you're stealing air that decent Americans could be breathing.  You don't deserve the protection of our men and women in uniform. You need to run away from this war, this country.

Leave the war to the people who have the will to see it through and the country to people who are willing to defend it.

Our country has two enemies: Those who want to destroy us from the outside and those who attempt it from within.
Semper Fi,
J. D. Pendry - Sergeant Major, USMC, Retired

The 9-12 Project

Check out the new web site: http://www.the912project.com/

I support the 9-12 concept:

9 Principles

1. America Is Good.

2. I believe in God and He is the Center of my Life.

God “The propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the external rules of order and right which Heaven itself has ordained.” from George Washington’s first Inaugural address.

3. I must always try to be a more honest person than I was yesterday.

Honesty “I hope that I shall always possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider to be the most enviable of all titles, the character of an honest man.” George Washington

4. The family is sacred. My spouse and I are the ultimate authority, not the government.

Marriage/Family “It is in the love of one’s family only that heartfelt happiness is know. By a law of our nature, we cannot be happy without the endearing connections of a family.” Thomas Jefferson

5. If you break the law you pay the penalty. Justice is blind and no one is above it.

Justice “I deem one of the essential principles of our government… equal and exact justice to all men of whatever state or persuasion, religious or political.” Thomas Jefferson

6. I have a right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness, but there is no guarantee of equal results.

Life, Liberty, & The Pursuit of Happiness “Everyone has a natural right to choose that vocation in life which he thinks most likely to give him comfortable subsistence.” Thomas Jefferson

7. I work hard for what I have and I will share it with who I want to. Government cannot force me to be charitable.

Charity “It is not everyone who asketh that deserveth charity; all however, are worth of the inquiry or the deserving may suffer.” George Washington

8. It is not un-American for me to disagree with authority or to share my personal opinion.

On your right to disagree “In a free and republican government, you cannot restrain the voice of the multitude; every man will speak as he thinks, or more properly without thinking.” George Washington

9. The government works for me. I do not answer to them, they answer to me.

Who works for whom? “I consider the people who constitute a society or a nation as the source of all authority in that nation.” Thomas Jefferson

12 Values

• Honesty
• Reverence
• Hope
• Thrift
• Humility
• Charity
• Sincerity
• Moderation
• Hard Work
• Courage
• Personal Responsibility
• Gratitude

Nuclear Iran... okay?

Why would anyone, in their right mind, think a country that has sworn to destroy the United States, and Israel, is entitle to nuclear weapons? Not only has Ahmadinejad sworn to destroy both countries he has said he goal to to wipe them off the face of the map. I have no doubt that his next goal would be Europe, but of course they believe they are safe. They continue to their naive beliefs.

The following is the latest post from Joel Rosenberg, one of this countries experts on the middle east:

* * * * FLASH TRAFFIC: WASHINGTON UPDATE * * * *

SHOULD WE LET IRAN HAVE NUCLEAR WEAPONS?
Incredibly, a growing chorus of "experts" says yes.

By Joel C. Rosenberg

(New York City, New York, March 12, 2009) -- U.S. and Israeli experts increasingly believe Iran could have its first nuclear weapon by the end of 2009 or early 2010. President Barack Obama has all but ruled out military force to stop Iran, preferring instead to pursue direct negotiations with Tehran.
Last week, however, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khameini, dismissed such talk. "Negotiations with whom?" asked Khameini. "With an occupying and bullying regime [Israel], who does not believe in any other principle other than force?….Or negotiations with America and Britain who committed the biggest sin in creating and supporting this cancerous tumor [the Jewish State]?"

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad also dismissed his American counterpart's desire for direct talks, saying they could only happen if the U.S. abandons her "satanic, coercive and aggressive ways."

Yet even as the leaders of Iran talk about annihilating Israel and the U.S., and feverishly try to build, buy or steal nuclear weapons, a growing chorus of "experts" in the U.S. foreign policy community are actually suggesting a nuclear-armed Iran might not be such a terrible thing.

Barry R. Posen of the MIT Center for International Studies wrote an op-ed for the New York Times on February 27, 2006, entitled, "We Can Live with a Nuclear Iran."
Journalist Paul Starobin, in a column published in National Journal on May 19, 2006, argued that "Iran's acquisition of a bomb would probably improve the chances of the U.S. and Iran renewing a dialogue after all these years" because, as one Mideast analyst told him, "they see acquisition of a nuclear weapon as a precondition of having talks with the U.S." (emphasis added)

Ted Koppel, the former host of ABC's Nightline, suggested in a 2006 op-ed in the New York Times that the world should allow Iran to get the Bomb. "Washington should instead bow to the inevitable," he insisted. "If Iran is bound and determined to have nuclear weapons, let it."

CNN founder Ted Turner went even further. "They [Iran] are a sovereign state-we have 28,000 [nuclear warheads]-why can't they have 10?" he argued in 2006. "They aren't usable by any sane person."

In the fall of 2007, former CENTCOM commander John Abizaid said publicly, "There are ways to live with a nuclear Iran. I believe we have the power to deter Iran if they go nuclear," just as we deterred the Soviet Union and China. "Iran is not a suicidal nation," he added. "Nuclear deterrence would work with Iran."

Throughout the 2008 presidential primaries, deterrence and containment were the themes of the Democratic contenders. Then-Senator Barack Obama dismissed the seriousness of the Iranian threat during his campaign, saying it was nothing compared to the threat the Soviet Union posed during the Cold War.

Former U.N. Then-Senator Hillary Clinton was even more explicit during an interview on ABC's Good Morning America on the morning of the Pennsylvania primaries. She threatened to wipe Iran out after an Iranian nuclear attack, hoping that such strong language would deter the Iranian regime from launching such an attack. "You said, 'If Iran were to strike Israel, there would be a massive retaliation,'" noted host Chris Cuomo. "Scary words, Mrs. Clinton. Does 'massive retaliation' mean you go into Iran, you would bomb Iran? Is that what that's supposed to suggest?"

"Well, the question was if Iran were to launch a nuclear attack on Israel, what would our response be?" Clinton replied. "And I want the Iranians to know that if I'm the president, we will attack Iran, and I want them to understand that, because it does mean that they have to look very carefully at their society. Because at whatever stage of development they might be in their nuclear weapons program, in the next ten years, during which they might foolishly consider launching an attack on Israel, we would be able to totally obliterate them. That's like a terrible thing to say, but those people who run Iran need to understand that because that perhaps will deter them from doing something that would be reckless, foolish, and tragic."

Clinton is now the Secretary of State, responsible for orchestrating direct negotiations. But there are two serious flaws in Clinton's thinking.

First, by offering a reactive rather than a proactive military strategy vis-à-vis Iran, she is allowing for the possibility of another Holocaust. If Iranian leaders acquire nuclear warheads and can attach them to the high-speed ballistic missiles they already have, Ahmadinejad could kill some six million Jews in about six minutes. What good would it then be to say that the U.S. would obliterate Iran after Ahmadinejad or a successor accomplishes another Holocaust?

Second, Clinton and her like-minded colleagues hope their tough talk will deter Iran's leaders from launching a nuclear attack against Israel. But will it? Consider events through the lens of Shia eschatology, or End Times theology. Ahmadinejad and his colleagues have publicly stated that the end of the world is near and that the return of the Islamic Messiah known as the "Mahdi" or the "Twelfth Imam" is "imminent." To bring about the conditions optimal for the Mahdi's return, Iran's leaders must - according to Shia scholars - create global chaos and carnage.

As I document in my new non-fiction book, Inside The Revolution, Ahmadinejad believes he has been chosen by Allah to annihilate the U.S. and Israel and export the Islamic Revolution. The only way that is remotely possible, humanly speaking, is for Iran to acquire nuclear weapons and the means to deliver them against America and Israel. How then could the West successfully deter or contain Iran's messianic, apocalyptic leaders? If they die, these Radicals believe they are going directly to Paradise. What could we possibly offer them as either carrots or sticks that would keep them from what they see as their God-given duty when their failure to obey could be, in their minds, disobedience punishable by an eternity in the fires of hell?

Yet many in Washington do not see the problem. Vice President Joe Biden, for example, said during the campaign, "My concern is not that a nuclear Iran some day would be moved by messianic fervor to use a nuclear weapon as an Armageddon device and commit national suicide in order to hasten the return of the Hidden Imam. My worry is that the fear of a nuclear Iran could spark an arms race in the Middle East, with Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Syria, and others joining in."

A nuclear arms race is certainly a very real concern. But based on the evidence, why would Biden be so quick to dismiss the messianic fervor of Iran's leadership? Ahmadinejad, after all, is not just another power-hungry dictator in the mold of the Soviet or Chinese leaders of yore. Neither is Khamenei. They are not Communists. They are not atheists. They do not believe that this world is all there is. They are devout Shia Islamic extremists. They believe they are Shia "John the Baptists," forerunners of the soon-coming Islamic messiah. They believe their life mission is to kill millions of Jews and Christians and usher in an Islamic caliphate. If they die, they are convinced they know where they are going. But they do not really believe they are going to die-not at the hand of the infidels, at any rate. They believe instead that they have been chosen for a divine appointment and that nothing can stop them. That is what makes them so dangerous.

Unfortunately, too many Washington politicians-Obama, Clinton, and Biden included-do not yet understand this. To misunderstand the nature and threat of evil is to risk being blindsided by it. To misunderstand the nature and threat of Iran's End Times theology could be the prelude to genocide. Dare we be blindsided?

[Note: Glenn Beck asked me to draft this article. It was adapted from Inside The Revolution, posted on Glenn's website and sent to his email subscribers.]

To visit Joel's weblog site and get the latest developments in Israel, Iraq and the epicenter -- including the latest on Netanyahu's efforts to form a new government in Israel and an analysis of the U.S. economic crisis in light of Bible prophecy -- please click here

To join more than 90,000 >> FLASH TRAFFIC << subscribers around the world who are receiving (free) geopolitical and prayer updates for Israel and the epicenter, please click here.

To visit the www.epicenter09.com website, please click here

To purchase INSIDE THE REVOLUTION on Amazon at 34% off the cover price, please click here.

...

Obama the Bomb

And I am not using "bomb" in the Randy Jackson manner! But, in the old manner... as he is a DUD!

The British Prime Minister was in the US to meet with Barry Obama. The PM presented Barry with a pen holder made of the wood from a British ship that was instrumental in defeating slavery. Awesome, huh? In return, Barry presented the PM with 25 movie CDs. Now wasn't that impressive? The British press excused the gesture by saying that Barry was exhausted by work on the economy he had been doing. Give me a break... if he is exhausted it is because he has been trying to spend all of our money.

Yesterday, Barry signed an executive order lifting the Bush ban on using taxpayer money for embryonic stem cell research. In other words, this is the first step he has taken to allow the murder of babies on a national scale. We all know from campaign days that he is an abortionist with no regard to murdering babies. Embryonic stem cells have never cured any disease!

About abortionists... Barry has appointed an abortionist to head up the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). If confirmed by the Senate, Kathleen Sebelius, will resign as Kansas Governor. One of the good things about this appointment is that she will be out of the Kansas Governor's office. Both Kansas Republican Senators have endorsed the appointment and have stated that they will vote for her confirmation. I am greatly disappointed by both their decisions, especially Sam Brownback's. He has publicly stated his opposition to abortion but apparently getting Sebelius out of the governor's office is more important than his morals.

Also, yesterday Barry announced his expectations for education. At least on the surface I agree with some of his stance. He has said that educators must be held accountable for the quality of the education they are providing. The union immediately stated that they were opposed to the initiative because it would cause teachers to have to compete against one another. DUH! They should have to compete! In the real world, if you don't do your job someone else is going to come along and take your job. We have all experienced teachers that weren't into teaching but it was a job.

Missouri junior senator, Claire McCaskill, continues to be a disappointment. She has got her nose so far us Barry's politics that it appears she has forgotten whom she is supposed to be representing. She seems to be at every Barry press conference or announcement. Apparently, she has nothing going on in the Senate that she needs to take care of for the constituents in Missouri.

We have all heard Barry's stand on "earmarks" both during the campaign and since election. Unfortunately, it was another lie. The stimulus bill was porked up with earmarks that he continues to deny. He denies the pork because he claims stimulus is all about pork. Now, Congress has passed the omnibus spending bill with 9,000 earmarks; about half Democratic and half Republican (count, not dollars). Barry has said he will sign this bill because it is last years business. What does that have to do with it? He is beginning to sound more like New York Senator Charles Shumer when he said the American public doesn't care about pork. Give me a break!

Last night I saw an interview with the Wichita Falls, TX man who wrote the letter to the IRS that has been circulating the Internet basically asking for the same consideration paying taxes as was granted to Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner (over the IRS), former Senator Tom Daschle, New York Congressman Charles Rangel, others considered for positions in the Obama administration and some democratic Senators and Representatives.

I liked the letter because it definitely expressed my feeling and now, from last nights interview it has proven to be liked by a lot more people than me. If you haven't read the letter or email, I have posted it below:

Dear IRS,

I am sorry to inform you that I will not be able to pay taxes owed April 15, but all is not lost.

I have paid these taxes: accounts receivable tax, building permit tax, CDL tax, cigarette tax, corporate income tax, dog license tax, federal income tax, unemployment tax, gasoline tax, hunting license tax, fishing license tax, waterfowl stamp tax, inheritance tax, inventory tax, liquor tax, luxury tax, Medicare tax, city, school and county property tax (up 33 percent last 4 years), real estate tax, social security tax, road usage tax, toll road tax, state and city sales tax, recreational vehicle tax, state franchise tax, state unemployment tax, telephone federal excise tax, telephone federal state and local surcharge tax, telephone minimum usage surcharge tax, telephone state and local tax, utility tax, vehicle license registration tax, capitol gains tax, lease severance tax, oil and gas assessment tax, Colorado property tax, Texas, Colorado, Wyoming, Oklahoma and New Mexico sales tax, and many more that I can’t recall but I have run out of space and money.

When you do not receive my check April 15, just know that it is an honest mistake. Please treat me the same way you treated Congressmen Charles Rangel, Chris Dodd, Barney Frank and ex-Congressman Tom Daschle and, of course, your boss Timothy Geithner. No penalties and no interest.

P.S. I will make at least a partial payment as soon as I get my stimulus check.

Ed B

Wichita Falls

Stay tuned, I know I have more opinions regarding moves by Barry, his administration and political advisors. Almost every day Barry provides some decision or lie that provokes.

blood tests 3/11/2009

Today's blood tests looked pretty good. I got a copy of the tests from two weeks ago (when I had the stomach virus) and they weren't that great. Everything seemed back in line this time.

Next week I will see the oncologist and have a few extra blood tests to see how I am progressing toward remission.

Your investments

All he has to do is speak...

Close the store

OBAMA, BUSH AND LINCOLN ON JAY LENO - PRESIDENTIAL JEOPARDY 02/12/09

Health update, 2/18/2009

Yesterday's oncologist visit was good. Although I did not achieve remission all my blood work is still improving. One of the critical indicators, the monoclonal proteins, which was .4 last month had dropped to .3 this month. This is good; it indicates the myeloma is decreasing.

I had a bone density test early yesterday morning, but the results was not available prior to the oncologist appointment. If it shows any thinning of the bones I will start on the Aredia drip again for a few months to try to build them back up and halt the deterioration. Hopefully, it will show no deterioration.

I have a couple of appointments over the next three weeks but I see the oncologist again on March 18.

Change

January 16, 2009 Stoplight(R) from www.CitizenLink.org

It's nice to know that our President has honored his commitments to change politics in Washington, DC and not do business the same old way! Yeah, right!

George Bush Presidential Library

So my liberal friends can begin to stop blaming George W. Bush for all the ills of the world. I know some may experience "withdrawal" so maybe this will help.

The George W. Bush Presidential Library" is now in the planning stages and accepting donations. The Library will include:

1. The Hurricane Katrina Room, which is still under construction.
2. The Alberto Gonzales Room, where you won't be able to remember anything.
3. The Texas Air National Guard Room, where you don't even have to show up.
4. The Walter Reed Hospital Room, where they don't let you in.
5. The Guantanamo Bay Room, where they don't let you out.
6. The Weapons of Mass Destruction Room, which no one has been able to find.
7. The National Debt Room, which is huge and has no ceiling.
8. The Tax Cut Room, with entry only to the wealthy.
9. The Economy Room, which is in the toilet.
10. The Iraq War Room. (After you complete your first visit, they make you go back for a second, third, fourth, and sometimes fifth visit.)
11. The Dick Cheney Room, in the famous undisclosed location, complete with shooting gallery.
12. The Environmental Conservation Room, still empty.
13. The Supreme Court Gift Shop, where you can buy an election.
14. The Airport Men's Room, where you can meet some of your favorite Republican Senators.
15. The Decider Room, complete with dart board, magic 8-ball, Ouija board,dice, coins, and straws.  

Note: The library will feature an electron microscope to help you locate and view the President's accomplishments. The library will also include many famous quotes by George W. Bush:

1. 'The vast majority of our imports come from outside the country.
2. 'If we don't succeed, we run the risk of failure.'
3. 'Republicans understand the importance of bondage between a mother and child.'
4. 'No senior citizen should ever have to choose between prescription drugs and medicine.'
5. 'I believe we are on an irreversible trend toward more freedom and democracy - but that could change.'
6. 'One word sums up probably the responsibility of any Governor, and that one word is 'to be prepared'.'
7. 'Verbosity leads to unclear, inarticulate things.'
8. 'I have made good judgments in the past. I have made good judgments in the future'
9. 'The future will be better tomorrow.'
10. 'We're going to have the best educated American people in the world..'
11. 'One of the great things about books is sometimes there are some fantastic pictures.' (during an education photo-op)
12. 'Illegitimacy is something we should talk about in terms of not having it.'
13. 'We are ready for any unforeseen event that may or may not occur.'
14. 'It isn't pollution that's harming the environment. It's the impurities in our air and water that are doing it.'
15. 'I stand by all the misstatements that I've made.'...(George W.Bush to Sam Donaldson)

PLEASE GIVE GENEROUSLY!

a few political thoughts

There is a big "to do" about Michael Phelps being caught smoking pot with a bong. Kellogg has canceled his sponsorship contract because they think middle America won't buy their cereals with his picture on the box. In my opinion middle America or any other cereal buyer doesn't buy cereal for the picture; the buy it because they like and want to eat the cereal. Phelps has apologized!

The Obama administration and the democratically controlled Congress has nominated and confirmed cabinet members that have admitted to tax evasion. The reasoning of this being okay is they apologized and paid the taxes (after they knew they were being nominated). If it was you or I, even if we did apologize and pay the taxes we would be brought up on charges of tax evasion. Is this the new standard in enforcing laws? Of course, if you are going to be the Treasury Secretary, which oversees the IRS you get to live under a new standard of law enforcement! This is the new transparent, ethical Administration that the American public voted for.

President Obama has stopped the military trial of one of the terrorists responsible for killing 17 American servicemen on the USS Cole. This man admitted guilt! How disrespectful to the families of these servicemen.

The SEC has been working on a settlement with Madoff for swindling $50m from investors. They think they may have an agreement for him to reimburse the investors... but only $1M. Of course, they neglected to account for the $15M his wife took. Why is the SEC still involved? They are the ones that missed the Ponsi Scheme in the first place. They assisted Madoff in the swindle and the former head of the SEC is as guilty as Madoff and his wife.

Bill O'Reilley is being busted for saying that Helen Thomas' voice sounded like a witch. If you don't know who Helen Thomas is, she is the White House correspondent that sits on the front row of the briefing room and has been there for 40+ years. O'Reilley is being accused of calling her a witch, which he didn't... just that her voice sounds like a witch. Well, in my opinion, she does look like the witch from Hansel and Gretel or Snow White. In addition, I think she asks stupid questions and should retire. Keep in mind, she is no longer a correspondent she is really a columnist.

Looks like the "Stimulus Package" is going to be shoved down our throats. Obama says there are no "earmarks" in the bill but get this... $30M to protect wetlands in California that happen to be in Speaker Nancy Pelosi's district. Of course, her office says she had nothing to do with it. As I have said for years, and been proven correct numerous times: "Nothing like an official denial to confirm the truth!" Oh, there is a tax cut for those working... $13 per week starting in June. In January it is cut to $8 per week. Man, we can buy a lot with that!

Oh, Senator Charles Shumer (D, NY) said yesterday that the American public doesn't care about pork. Of course he was talking about the stimulus package not the "white" meat. He is nuts! It's really time for the state of New York to wake up and get rid of the joker. He is so far out of touch and nuts it is ridiculous.

Another commitment of Obama's transparent administration he established new rules pertaining to lobbyists. However, those rules apparently only apply when he wants them to. Yesterday, the Senate confirmed William Lynn as Assistant Defense Secretary. He was formerly the lobbyist for Raytheon. As ADS he will be in charge of the daily operations at the Pentagon. Senator McCain has condemned the nomination and confirmation. Transparent, huh?

Well, I've tried to avoid blogging about politics but Obama and Congress have just given me too much to ignore. Both have lost touch with the "big picture."

Health check 2/11/2009

I had blood tests and saw the Nurse Practioner today. Everything is still doing good and, generally, the numbers are still going in the right direction.

I will see the Oncologist next week and have some more extensive blood tests. I will also have a bone density test to verify that I'm not developing osteoporosis. The use of the steroid can cause the development of it.

Israel's Elections: What Is At Stake Today

Israel's Elections: What Is At Stake TODAY

Today, Israelis go to the polls to elect a new government. The last public opinion surveys show a close race between Kadima and Likud (Voting Ticket: MaChaL) but a clear victory for Right wing parties. Israel's electorate has moved decidedly to the Right since electing Kadima. Even the Left of Center Labor Party is riding on the military exploits of its leader Ehud Barak. In other words the best way to get support is to demonstrate you are willing and able to stand up to Arabs who threaten the State of Israel.

Benjmain Netanyahu's Likud Party (Voting Ticket: MaChaL) has been the front runner throughout the campaign. His most energetic challenge has come from an ultra-Nationalist party headed by Avigdor Lieberman. Lieberman has gained attention and polling points by picking public fights with Israeli Arabs.

Meanwhile Israel's election system which is based on multiple parties dividing the vote is providing the Kadima Party with an opportunity to win the most mandates. It would be a rejection of the will of the people if Kadima forms the next government, but it could by gaining less than 20% of the overall vote. In other words, after the vote count there will be a great deal of wheeling and dealing to form a coalition government before a new government is formed.

This is unfortunate because Israel needs and deserves a government that represents the will of the overwhelming majority of Israeli voters. Poll after poll has shown overwhelming support for keeping Jerusalem united, keeping the Golan Heights, rejecting the so-called two state solution, and support for stopping Iran from gaining nuclear weapons.

The polls have also shown that Israelis believe that Benjamin Netanyahu (Voting Ticket: MaChaL) is the leader best able to defend the will of the people.

The One Jerusalem Team

One Jerusalem
136 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016

Keep Jerusalem United

Obama's first news conference

President Obama has his first "prime time" news conference scheduled for this evening, in less than one hour. The purpose of the news conference is to convince the American public that we need $900B spent to stimulate the economy and to get each of us to contact our congressional representatives and encourage them to vote for the expenditure.

USA Radio News reported today that the Obama Administration had drawn up a new seating chart for the media that will be in attendance.

Why? What was wrong with the briefing room seating chart?

USA also reported that the Administration had already selected which media would be called on during the news conference.

Why?  Were the questions submitted in advance?

Why does this president feel the need to have such strict control over his news conferences?

Is he afraid someone will ask about his citizenship? Why doesn't he just put this issue to rest and release the proper documentation proving his citizenship? Why is he afraid to release his school records? His paternal grandmother says he was born in Kenya, why not prove she is a liar?

There are an awful lot of questions that need to be answered but our Liberal media refused to ask those questions before the election and continues to ask them now. Why?

Searching for Mickey and Shamu, day 5

Today was the last day of our adventure. We are all tired and ready to get home and sleep in our own beds. Everyone did exceptionally well.

Today, we went to see Ripley's Believe It or Not. It had been along time since Cheryl, Cory and I had been to one. Lisa, and of course the babies, had never been to one. I think we all enjoyed it and it only took about one hour for the "fast through."

We went to a couple of shopping centers and walked about. By the time we ate a quick lunch it was time to head to the airport to return to reality.

Tomorrow is reality again I guess for everyone but me and I'll get to take it easy and rest some. Cory and Lisa will head back to work.

Cheryl has to head back to Kentucky and to help deal with the aftermath of the ice storm. It was so nice and we are so thankful that her co-workers and compatriots stood in for her so we could make this trip. Cheryl really works for a great company and with a great crew.

Searching for Mickey and Shamu, day 4

After about nine hours at Sea World today Reilee announced that her favorite part was having her picture taken with the Shamu character. Of course, that was just inside the gate as e arrived. Cory asked her why she didn't tell us that earlier.

We saw an awful lot of creatures that were very impressive and went to several shows including Shamu, Clyde and Seymore Take Back the Pirate Ship. We saw seals, sea lions, walrus, manatee, sharks of all kinds, dolphins, beluga whales, penguins and lots of others.

Reilee, Cory and Lisa touched manta rays in the "petting pool." Once Reilee got her nerve up she thought it was pretty neat and wasn't too interested in leaving them.

It was another great day with new experiences and a fun time.

Other than being a little too cool in the mornings the days have been wonderful... not too cool, not too warm.

We head home tomorrow but we have had a great time and are thankful for the weather and all the time together to share the experiences.

Searching for Mickey and Shamu, day 3

Today, magical at the Magical Kingdom. We found Mickey Mouse and Minnie, Chip and Dale, Pluto, Ariel, the Fairy God Mother and her two mice, the Princess, Cinderella and I can't remember who else.

We rode so many rides including the Haunted House, Dumbo, Peter Pan and of course, It's a Small World.

Reilee was such a good girl and enjoyed everything. She wanted to ride just a couple of the rides more than once but didn't. She spent a lot of time with her Daddy on the rides. He took lots of time explaining what was going on or what was going to happen because he still remembered so much from our last trip here. It was good to see and remember how much he enjoyed the trips we made when he was growing up.

Connor had a good time, too. One could see all the sensory stimulation he was getting. All of the music, lights and activity simply fascinated him. He showed lots of interest in Rikki Tikki with the animated birds singing. I was surprised at his level of excitement.

We capped off the day with a wonderful dinner that Cheryl had arranged for a surprise for Reilee on the second floor of the castle. It was hosted by Cinderella and entertainment was provided by the Fairy God Mother and her two mice. It was actually an excellent dinner and I would recommend it for everyone, with or without children.

We got back to the hotel about 9:30 p.m. so we spent about 12 hours in the Magic Kingdom today. We all weathered the day in good spirits, behavior and satisfied we did all we could in one day with a one year old and a five year old, 2 twenty-somethings, a wonderful Grandma (whose age shall not be given, but was one of the youngest Grandmas on location) that was so thoughtful to provide such a wonderful trip and one Papa tagging along on his little scooter.

For this Papa this has been a day that I have looked forward to and prayed that I would live long enough to see and enjoy. I am thankful that Cheryl provided this experience for all of us and that my Lord Jesus has allowed me to live long enough to have these memories for the rest of my life.

God is good and great!

Searching for Mickey and Shamu, day 2

Cory, Lisa and Connor arrived in Orlando today and Cheryl and Reilee picked them up.

Cheryl and I then went and listened to our obligatory talk regarding timeshares. After a couple of hours of listening, looking and discussion we decided not to buy right now but we were definitely impressed.

After that we all loaded up in the van and Cheryl drove us over to Cocoa Beach so every one had a chance to see the ocean and the beach. Connor was totally unimpressed!

We stopped at Ron-Jon's Surf Shop while in Cocoa Beach and Cory helped me pick out a hat to wear for the rest of tghe week.

With that we were all worn out and grumpy so we headed back to the hotel and called it a day!

Didn't find Mickey or Shamu today!

House Democrats Just Don't Get It

Queen Pelosi said it best, "We won, you lost!"

To prove her opinion she and the other House Democrats have gone on a retreat to an upscale resort in Williamsburg and we get to pay for it!

The purpose of the retreat is to determine how much more of our money they can spend.
They don't realize that the people that elected them can't pay their mortgages, are losing their jobs and are having difficulty putting food on the table for their babies.

When are they going to wake up and admit that America doesn't want their $900b in "pork" spending, little less another $900b in additional spending that doesn't create jobs and economic growth?

Searching for Mickey and Shamu, day 1

We're off! It was time to leave for the airport so Cheryl told me to take my suitcase, put it behind the car, start the car and she and Reilee would follow with their suitcases. Simple enough, right.

Cheryl and Reilee come out with their suitcases, put them in and Cheryl asks "where's your suitcase?"

My suitcase is gone. I'm sitting in the car and someone has taken my suitcase.

Then, it hits me. My neighbor was loading stuff in his car; he must have taken my suitcase with all of his things and left. Now what?

My suitcase, besides my clothes, has my meds. So off we head the apartment office to see if they have a cell number for him. Sure enough they have a number and he is just moving to a different apartment in the complex. He brought my case back and the first challenge is averted.

Maxine is right again!

"BAIL EM OUT! ????
Hell, back in 1990, the Government seized the Mustang Ranch brothel in Nevada for tax evasion and, as required by law, tried to run it. They failed and it closed.  Now we are trusting the economy of our country and our banking system to the same nit-wits who couldn't make money running a whore house and selling whiskey!"

15 Things You Should Know About Abortion

It has never been a secret my feeling regarding abortion. I am opposed to it!

Since President Obama reversed Executive Orders issued by former President Bush regarding abortion and embryonic stem cell research I have been troubled. I just don't understand how these Liberals (primarily Democrats) who claim to love can think it is okay to murder children. My experience with talking with them is that they don't want to discuss it and can't explain their stand.

It is timely that the following post from Words from Eudoxus shows up today because I have been wanting to post on the subject:

This is just a cut-and-paste from John Piper's blog, but I thought you may want to read it. These are fifteen things about abortion. Some of them are purely scientific. Others are purely faith-based. Even if you don't believe in God, there's an overwhelming amount of evidence that abortion is just as wrong as any other murder. Here's the list:

1. Existing fetal homicide laws make a man guilty of manslaughter if he kills the baby in a mother's womb (except in the case of abortion).

2. Fetal surgery is performed on babies in the womb to save them while another child the same age is being legally destroyed.

3. Babies can sometimes survive on their own at 23 or 24 weeks, but abortion is legal beyond this limit.

4. Living on its own is not the criterion of human personhood, as we know from the use of respirators and dialysis.

5. Size is irrelevant to human personhood, as we know from the difference between a one-week-old and a six-year-old.

6. Developed reasoning powers are not the criterion of personhood, as we know from the capacities of three-month-old babies.

7. Infants in the womb are human beings scientifically by virtue of their genetic make up.

8. Ultrasound has given a stunning window on the womb that shows the unborn at eight weeks sucking his thumb, recoiling from pricking, responding to sound. All the organs are present, the brain is functioning, the heart is pumping, the liver is making blood cells, the kidneys are cleaning fluids, and there is a fingerprint. Virtually all abortions happen later than this date.

9. Justice dictates that when two legitimate rights conflict, the limitation of rights that does the least harm is the most just. Bearing a child for adoption does less harm than killing him.

10. Justice dictates that when either of two people must be inconvenienced or hurt to alleviate their united predicament, the one who bore the greater responsibility for the predicament should bear more of the inconvenience or hurt to alleviate it.

11. Justice dictates that a person may not coerce harm on another person by threatening voluntary harm on themselves.

12. The outcast and the disadvantaged and exploited are to be cared for in a special way, especially those with no voice of their own.

13. What is happening in the womb is the unique person-nurturing work of God, who alone has the right to give and take life.

14. There are countless clinics that offer life and hope to both mother and child (and father and parents), with care of every kind lovingly provided by people who will meet every need they can.

15.Jesus Christ can forgive all sins, and will give all who trusts him the help they need to do everything that life requires.

Health Update 1/21/09

Had lab work done and say the oncologist yesterday. It was all good news!

The monoclonal proteins which measures the myeloma went from "1.0" last month to "0.4" yesterday. That is excellent news meaning the myeloma is disappearing and I am nearing remission.

Although multiple myeloma is not curable it is treatable. When remission is achieved the myeloma disappears, even at though at some point it will return. The doctors call remission "complete remission" because of the disappearance of the disease.

God is good, God is Great. Please continue to pray for my remission.

Inauguration Day 2009

What a historic day! Although I have never been an Obama supporter it is truly a historic day in our nation and I really think the country was ready for a black president, as well as a woman president.

In my 54 years I have seen and remember some great days in our country and world; some were:

• Walking on the moon;
• An actor, Reagan, being elected president;
• Seeing Reagan, in person;
• Fall of the Berlin wall;
• End of the Cold War;
• The International Space Station;
• and, of course, the election of the first black president.

I hope the youth of this nation realizes the times they are living through and experiencing.

No, I don't support the bail-outs

I know I said I was going to be less political this year but I couldn't resist:







And don't forget Larry Flynt of "Hustler" wants a bailout of the porn industry!

Living with cancer

"Sadly, many people get their happiness only from outward circumstances. As long as their lives are untroubled, they feel happy. But illness strikes, or a relationship breaks down, or any of a thousand other unexpected trouble engulf them, then happiness flees." Hope for Each Day Words of Wisdom and Faith by Billy Graham

Job 2:10 "...Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?"...

Aren't both of these quotes so true? Is it just "nature?" Is it lack of faith?

Some people have commented that I have a good attitude about living with terminal cancer. It isn't always easy and the attitude isn't always good. There are always good days and bad, both physically and mentally. But I try to take comfort in the fact that I have a wonderful caring family and great doctors that know the science. Most importantly, I know I have a God that takes cares of me, loves me, and will never hand me more than I can handle.

With my wife's positive attitude and assistance, I decided bitterness wasn't going to help my situation and certainly wasn't going to improve my health. Too many people with terminal diseases cling to the bitterness and, in my opinion, make their health worse.

My suggestion turn loose of the bitterness, turn to loved ones, and believe and have faith in the Lord that created us.

New Year's resolution

I have never made New Year's resolution! Well, this year I think I am going to give it a try.

The resolution... I am going to make a concerted effort to stay in contact with friends and find old friends and stay in contact with them. Doesn't sound like much but considering I've never made resolutions before it might turn out to be pretty aggressive for a first shot.

I actually started last evening. I called a former employee from my days in Muskogee, OK, that I hadn't talked to in almost 18 years. We spent a little time catching up. Since the last time I saw or talked to her she, also, has had cancer. She has been cancer free for 9 years. It was a fun visit and we got each other's email address so we could continue to stay in contact.

New Year's Eve Health Check

I had blood work done and saw the nurse practitioner yesterday. All of my blood counts are going in the right directions including the blood coagulation test. It was exactly where it needs to be. Hooray!!

The nurse practitioner even said that she thinks I am headed for remission again! Hooray!!

Isn't God great?

Mike Huckabee discusses Christmas

Still think he should have been the Republican presidential candidate.

Hanukkah

Chanukkah begins at sunset on Sunday December 21, 2008
and continues through nightfall on Monday December 29, 2008.
The first candle is lit the night of 12/21.
The last candle is lit the night of 12/28.

From Judaism 101.

Fourth Sunday in Advent, 2008 A.D.

This is another of those texts that has to be read every year during the season:

The Twelve Days of Christmas

From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning, plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality, which the children could remember.

• The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.
• Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.
• Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.
• The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.
• The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.
• The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.
• Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit--Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.
• The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.
• Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit--Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self Control.
• The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.
• The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.
• The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.

Oncologist 12/18/08

Went to the oncologist yesterday for my check. All of my blood counts are doing what they are supposed to except the blood coagulation. The IGG and monoclonal proteins that reflect the amount of cancer are both downs. The medication is working!!

I'm on rest until Wednesday from the Revlimid regime. I do 21 days on and 7 days off. Christmas Eve I will start the Revlimid again. Maybe the side effects won't get started until after Christmas.

God is Good!

"Silent Night"

I have posted this story before, Christmas in the Trenches, during the Advent season but this is a little different version (and shorter) than before. This version is from my daily devotional for today. It is from "Hope for Each Day: Words of Wisdom and Faith" from Billy Graham:

Perfect Peace

During the First World War, on Christmas Eve, the battlefield was strangely quiet. As the soft snow fell, the thoughts of the your men were of home and their families.

Softly one lad began to hum "Silent Night." Others took up the chorus until the trenches resounded with the Christmas song. When they finished they were astonished to hear the song echoing from the trenches across no-man's-land: In their own tongue the other soldiers also sang "Silent Night." That night they were thinking of The Prince of Peace, the Christ of Christmas.

How different this world would be if we could unite together around the "Holy Infant so tender and mild." Earth can be as Heaven with Christ. Discord can be as peace when Christ in near. Midnight gloom can be transformed into noonday brightness when He abides with us.

Full peace will come only when Christ returns. But until that day we can know His peace in our hearts and can be messengers of this peace in the world, as we commit our lives to him.

This is such a powerful story for us. It always moves me to know what humans are capable of when the desire is present.

CLASSIC: My "First" Christmas

From the Santa Claus Blog:

I have shared this story of my "First" Christmas before but I have had several requests in my email inbox to repeat it again this year. I hope you enjoy it. Merry Christmas! - Love, Santa.

The first Christmas I remember was when I was 3 years old. I lived with my father and mother near the small village of Drobak. My father was an exiled king. Before I was born, he had ruled a kingdom that stretches across much of what is now Germany. Soon after my mother became pregnant with me, my father's younger brother, who had been the next in line for the throne, conspired with a neighboring king to overthrow my father. Fearing for the life of my mother and me, my father fled to Norway. Though my father remained extremely wealthy, having escaped with much of the family treasures, we lived like paupers so as not to draw attention to ourselves. Our house was just outside the Village. My father had built it with his own hands. It was probably the first thing he had ever built. It was small, drafty, and almost perptually [sic] dark as it sat under the deep cover of the forest... the only warmth coming from a stone fireplace and the only light from that fire and the candles my mother had made. Yet when we were all there together, it somehow seemed to glow with warmth. Back then, there was no Santa Claus (obviously!) to bring presents, no Christmas parades, no Christmas parties, no Sales at the mall, no TV Holiday Specials, no Christmas carols, nor gift giving. There were certainly no Christmas lights. In fact, the only semblance of a decoration for most families at that time was a small tree. Traditionally, a small tree was cut each year and brought inside on Christmas Eve to be decorated by the family. As you can tell, our Christmases were pretty "bare" by today's standards. From that 'first' Christmas, aged 3, I remember getting in the sleigh right after we finished decorating our tree on Christmas Eve. We traveled several kilometers through the woods to the closest church. I remember my father crying - a small tear running down his cheek - as the priest told the story of how God had sent His only Son to the world - not as a prince but as a poor baby sleeping in rags in a stable - in order to save the very people that no longer believed in God. After the service, he knelt and prayed for the longest time. I do not know until this day what he prayed but as I now look back, I can imagine that he gave thanks and prayed that he would have the strength to be an example of that kind of love. It was dark by the time we started our trip back home. We stopped several times. Each time my father would jump out of his seat, pull something from the sleigh, and bound through the snow towards a nearby cabin. As I grew older, and after many years of the same stops, I figured out that my father was leaving small bags of gold coins at the doors of those most needy. The next morning, the residents would wake up to find the coins at their doorstep and their quality of life changed forever. Never again would they wonder where the next meal would come. No one ever expected it to be my father and that was exactly how he wanted it. I fell quickly asleep once we returned home. As I would every Christmas after that until I moved out, I awoke to the sounds of people chattering excitedly about Christmas morning. The smell of pancakes and hot cider permeated the air. Most of the villagers were gathering at our house. We didn't have much space, but somehow, almost everyone squeezed into that small, 1-room home for a delicious Christmas morning breakfast that my mom had stayed up all night to prepare. She did not want anyone to be alone on Christmas Day. She told me that morning that she believed Christmas was a day of Hope, intended to be spent rejoicing with friends and family rather than focusing on every day trials. I will never forget that Christmas, though I was merely 3 years old. At the time I did not know it, but this was our annual Christmas tradition. My father never stopped weeping at the Christmas story. And he never stopped giving anonymously to those in need. And my mother never stopped hosting the village in our home on Christmas Day. As I grow older, I realize that my parents lived life, and approached every decision, with that same spirit of Christmas. The lessons they have taught me, will never leave me. I only pray to set the same example of selfless giving that my father & mother set before me. Merry Christmas, all!

Third Sunday in Advent, 2008 A.D.

It just isn't Christmas unless I read Virginia's letter sometime during the season. To see a copy of the newspaper clipping click here. The time it is courtesy of Newseum.org:

Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus

Eight-year-old Virginia O'Hanlon wrote a letter to the editor of New York's Sun, and the quick response was printed as an unsigned editorial Sept. 21, 1897. The work of veteran newsman Francis Pharcellus Church has since become history's most reprinted newspaper editorial, appearing in part or whole in dozens of languages in books, movies, and other editorials, and on posters and stamps.

"DEAR EDITOR: I am 8 years old.
"Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus.
"Papa says, 'If you see it in THE SUN it's so.'
"Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus?

"VIRGINIA O'HANLON.
"115 WEST NINETY-FIFTH STREET."

VIRGINIA, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except [what] they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or children's, are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.

Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no VIRGINIAS. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.

Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.

You may tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, VIRGINIA, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.

No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.

Oncologist visit 12/12

Went to the oncologist yesterday. Blood counts were looking good overall. The INR (measures blood coagulation) still was not where it needs to be so we increased by coumadin again.

My absolute neutrophils (immunity) had gone down. This means my immunity to contagions is decreasing, so be careful about coming around me if you are ill. This isn't an unexpected change. It indicates that the Revlimid is working.

My next appointment is Thursday. At that time I will be on my first 7 day rest period from the Revlimid but we will decided whether to continue to the second 21 day cycle of Revlimid.

Probably not PC, but true

*Twas the month before Christmas*

*When all through our land,*

*Not a Christian was praying*

*Nor taking a stand.*

*See the PC Police had taken away,*

*The reason for Christmas - no one could say.*

*The children were told by their schools not to sing,*

*About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.*

*It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say*

* December 25th is just a 'Holiday'.*

*Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit*

*Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!*

*CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod*

*Something was changing, something quite odd! *

*Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa*

*In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.*

*As Targets were hanging their trees upside down*

* At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found.*

*At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears*

*You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.*

*Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty*

*Are words that were used to intimidate me.*

*Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen*

*On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton!*

*At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter*

*To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.*

*And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith*

* Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace*

*The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded*

*The reason for the season, stopped before it started.*

*So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your 'Dream Tree'*

*Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.*

*Choose your words carefully, choose what you say*

*Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS ,

not Happy Holiday!*

Please, all Christians join together and

wish everyone you meet

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Christ is 'The Reason' for the Christ-mas Season!

Second Sunday of Advent, 2007 A.D.

Remembrances of Advent with a Friend (Repost)

Paul Berry was a great friend and spiritual mentor to me. He is is greatly missed. During Advent I always find my way back to his writings. They always have much timeless meaning. Hope you enjoy this one for the 2nd Sunday of Advent, 2008.

This is from Paul Berry for Christmas, 2002.

God did not send into our tormented world
technical aid,
Gabriel with a group of experts.
God did not send food,
not discarded clothes of angels.
Even less did God extend long term loans.
Rather God came to us,
born in a stable,
starved in the desert,
naked on a cross,
and sharing with us God became our bread
and suffering with us God became our joy.

Someone
Said it was over,
when it ís only just begun.
So keep your lights ablaze as friends come around to call
but above all be aware that

Someone
has come to us in this winter light,
at the dark time of the year,
when comets blaze, and starlight falls,
and the remaining green trees speak of endless life,
and candy canes are shepherds' crooks,
while carols sing of "peace on earth,"
and the New Year comes when we may give and know
and nurture love,
as we grow in grace, and the glad heart sings
of the gifts of joy that his presence brings.

Oncologist 12/5/2008

Friday was my weekly visit to the oncologist primarily to check my blood counts. The primary new medication I'm taking can cause blood clots so I'm taking coumadin to thin my blood.

My blood is getting thinner but still isn't as thin as needed so they increased the amount of coumadin I'm taking. Last week the INR (coagulation indicator) was 1. Friday it was 1.3. The goal is between 2 and 3.

All in all it was a pretty uneventful doctor appointment.

I'm feeling pretty good most of the time. I have good day and bad, good times and bad. The biggest complaints are being tired and waking up too early in the mornings. Life is tough, huh!

A Christmas Story for people having a bad day

When four of Santa's elves got sick, the trainee elves did not produce toys as fast as the regular ones, and Santa began to feel the Pre-Christmas pressure.

Then Mrs Claus told Santa her Mother was coming to visit, which stressed Santa even more.

When he went to harness the reindeer, he found that three of them were about to give birth and two others had jumped the fence and were out, Heaven knows where.

Then when he began to load the sleigh, one of the floorboards cracked, the toy bag fell to the ground and all the toys were scattered.

Frustrated, Santa went in the house for a cup of apple cider and a shot of rum. When he went to the cupboard, he discovered the elves had drank all the cider and hidden the liquor. In his frustration, he accidentally dropped the cider jug, and it broke into hundreds of little glass pieces all over the kitchen floor. He went to get the broom and found the mice had eaten all the straw off the end of the broom.

Just then the doorbell rang, and irritated Santa marched to the door, yanked it open, and there stood a little angel with a great big Christmas tree. The angel said very cheerfully, 'Merry Christmas, Santa. Isn't this a lovely day? I have a beautiful tree for you. Where would you like me to stick it?'

And so began the tradition of the little angel on top of the Christmas tree.

first Sunday of Advent, A.D. 2008

The offering of a prayer:

Claiming God's Promises and Scriptures

As a child of the King I claim the fruit of the Spirit, which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control; here there is no conflict with the law. Since I live by faith and follow the Holy Spirit, I will let Him lead me in every part of my life. I will not become conceited or irritate my brothers and sisters in Christ, nor iwll I be jealous of any of them. I always put on the full armor of God so that I can stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the devil, and I use every piece of God's armor to resist the enemy in the time of evil, so that after the battle I will still be standing firm. I put on the sturdy belt of truth and body armor of God's righteousness. My shoes are the shoes of peace that comes from the Good News, so I am fully prepared. Since I need faith in every battle to stop the fiery arrows aimed a me by Satan, I will also put on my helmet and take the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. I will pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit. I will stay alert and be persistent in my prayer for all Christians everywhere, and I will also follow The Golden Rule in my daily life.

{Author unknown}

Health Update 9/28/08

Day 1 on the new regime was Wednesday starting with the dexamethasone (steroid). My blood sugar immediately took off for the high(er) ground. The blood sugar was high Wednesday and Thursday (Thanksgiving) then yesterday and, so far, today they have actually been normal... not normal for me but normal for normal people. It's so confusing! Anyway, I take the dexamethasone every seven days during the cycle.

I also started the coumadin and Revlimid on Wednesday. Since the Revlimid can cause blood clots I have to take the coumadin to keep my blood thin. I go in every week to have my blood checked. This week, it was a little early since I had only been on the regime for three days, but next week will be a full blood test.

Other than being extremely tired and pretty emotional I have been doing well.

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving; I did!

Miracle on the 17th Green

"Miracle on the 17th Green" by James Patterson and Peter deJonge was originally published in 1996 so it is an early Patterson book. It is an easy and fast read with only 149 pages.

It is not "just" a golf book but a basic knowledge of golf will make the novel much more enjoyable. However, you don't have to have a golf history to enjoy the book.

The story is about a man unhappy with his life, attitude, and direction who is quite disconnected with his wife and children. It is surprising what and how he decides to do about his life.

Once An Arafat Man

"Once an Arafat Man" by Tass Saada with Dean Merrill is subtitled "The True Story of How a PLO Sniper Found a New Life."

First, Tass Saada is the father of one of my fellow bloggers that I read on a daily basis, Ben Abu Saada. He is also the Worship Minister of Grace Church in south Overland Park, Kansas.

This is a MUST read for everyone!

This is Mr. Saada's biography and covers his life up to just months ago. For any Christian, Jew or Muslim it will open your eyes as to what has been going on and is currently going on in the middle east.

Although this book covers the time when Mr. Saada was a sniper with the PLO it is not a bloody, gory book. He does explain much about his and other Palestinians' feeling toward the Jews and the Fatah organization that Arafat started.

The forward for this book is written by Joel Rosenberg, another of my favorite authors.

Yesterday's Doctors Visits

Yesterday was the day to see the oncologist and get the results of all the tests that were run a couple of weeks ago.

The myeloma is continuing to grow at about the same pace it has for the past few months. There has been some changes in the bone lesions, in particular, one on top of my skull that has significant change and enlargement.

He had me stop taking Thalidomide immediately. The next drug to try is a newer one, Revlimid. As soon as the oncologist gets approval from our health insurance I will begin taking it along with a steroid and coumadin. I will take the Revlimid for 21 days and then off 7 days. The steroid will be taken one day each week. The plan is to try this regimen for 2-3 months, monitor the results and then make the decision to continue with it or try another regimen.

I also went to the endocrinologist. My blood sugars have been out of control for some time. They want to put me on an insulin pump which would eliminate me having to inject up to 8 times each day. We decided to leave things alone right now and revisit this issue after my first round on the new cancer regimen.

The Secret Life of Bees

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd is not just a "chick" book although that is what it is advertised to be. It took me about 40-50 pages to really get into the story but then it became a page turner.

The story takes place in 1964 at the time that President Lyndon Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act. It was a turbulent time that affects the story and makes one aware of how far we have come in the 40+ years.

The Sue Monk Kidd web site describes the book as follows:

Living on a peach farm in South Carolina with her harsh, unyielding father, Lily Owens has shaped her entire life around one devastating, blurred memory--the afternoon her mother was killed, when Lily was four. Since then, her only real companion has been the fierce-hearted, and sometimes just fierce, black woman Rosaleen, who acts as her "stand-in mother."

When Rosaleen insults three of the deepest racists in town, Lily knows it's time to spring them both free. They take off in the only direction Lily can think of, toward a town called Tiburon, South Carolina--a name she found on the back of a picture amid the few possessions left by her mother.

There they are taken in by an eccentric trio of black beekeeping sisters named May, June, and August. Lily thinks of them as the calendar sisters and enters their mesmerizing secret world of bees and honey, and of the Black Madonna who presides over this household of strong, wise women. Maternal loss and betrayal, guilt and forgiveness entwine in a story that leads Lily to the single thing her heart longs for most.

The Secret Life of Bees has a rare wisdom about life--about mothers and daughters and the women in our lives who become our true mothers. A remarkable story about the divine power of women and the transforming power of love, this is a stunning debut whose rich, assured, irresistible voice gathers us up and doesn't let go, not for a moment. It is the kind of novel that women share with each other and that mothers will hand down to their daughters for years to come.

Cartoons by Rick McKee

Double Cross

Double Cross by James Patterson is another book in the Alex Cross murder mystery series. This one has a little twist to it in that two psychotic killers are loose. Not only are they killing the public but both are after Dr. Cross and his family. One of the killers craves an audience and the other is the mastermind from a previous novel. The mastermind is Kyle Craig, a former FBI agent, who has broken out of a super maximum security prison.

Although this is a good quick read like all of Patterson's books I don't think that it is one of his better books. Even so, it is still worth the read... maybe I've read too many Pattersons in a row without a break!