Tis the Season........

Sunny - Hi 69 Lo 47 for Baghdad, Iraq
Mostly Sunny - Hi 65 Lo 44 for Northern KY, USA

Song of the week: Wizards In Winter, Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Ramble:

to be sick... FA LA LA LA LA LA LAACHOO!! I am sick- not sure if it is a head cold or my sinuses. We are having unseasonably warm weather... so needless to say I feel lousy, my head feels like a 300 lb. lead weight... so, this is going to be a quick entry.

Last night Michael and I went with my sis in law Maria and my niece, Kamae and nephews Caleb and Cory along with my mother to the Cincinnati Zoo for the annual Festival of Lights. The temperatures were in the upper 50's so everyone in the tri-state area had the same idea. Getting to the zoo was just as challenging as actually making our way through the crowds. I suspect if I needed any pharmaceuticals or other illicit medications I could have made a purchase while sitting in traffic....(The Cincinnati Zoo is one of the best zoos in the country- It is the 2nd oldest zoo having opened in 1875). It is located in the heart of an urban area that at one time were glorious mansions, but now are run down Section 8 Housing.
Anyway, there was ice sculpture and huge topiaries, carolers, toy train displays, Santa's workshop, Santa's post office, and Santa's reindeer.... oh my goodness... too sweet!!! Then there were the lights... Absolutely stunning... If you are in the area, make a point of going. We hadn't been to it since my oldest niece (now 13) was just a baby. One thing... the guy that did the lights in this week's music video featuring Trans-Siberian Orchestra is from the Cincinnati area. Last year, the local police shut down his light show because it caused a serious traffic jam in his neighborhood, which in turn was a huge safety issue. So thankfully, the folks at the Cincinnati Zoo hired the guy to put on a light show... very cool.

One last thing. Thank you so much for all the kind words about my Uncle Charlie. The comments and email I received were so nice and heartfelt. I know our Marines in harms way have another guardian angel looking out for them... no doubt in my mind.

Enjoy your Sunday- I'm going back to bed...........

Go visit my husband's blog too.. He has finally posted something!

Have a great week everyone!

Diane said....

I saw this game over at Diane's. Super easy...just copy, bold the things you’ve done, and post. It's fun!!

01. Bought everyone in the bar a drink
02. Swam with wild dolphins
03. Climbed a mountain
04. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive
05. Been inside the Great Pyramid
06. Held a tarantula
07. Taken a candlelit bath with someone
08. Said “I love you” and meant it
09. Hugged a tree
10. Bungee jumped
11. Visited Paris
12. Watched a lightning storm at sea
13. Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise
14. Seen the Northern Lights
15. Gone to a huge sports game
16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa
17. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
18. Touched an iceberg
19. Slept under the stars
20. Changed a baby’s diaper
21. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon
22. Watched a meteor shower
23. Gotten drunk on champagne
24. Given more than you can afford to charity
25. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
26. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
27. Had a food fight
28. Bet on a winning horse
29. Asked out a stranger
30. Had a snowball fight
31. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can
32. Held a lamb
33. Seen a total eclipse
34. Ridden a roller coaster
35. Hit a home run
36. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
37. Adopted an accent for an entire day
38. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment
39. Had two hard drives for your computer
40. Visited all 50 states
41. Taken care of someone who was drunk
42. Had amazing friends
43. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country
44. Watched wild whales
45. Stolen a sign
46. Backpacked in Europe
47. Taken a road-trip
48. Gone rock climbing
49. Midnight walk on the beach
50. Gone sky diving
51. Visited Ireland
52. Been heartbroken longer than you were actually in love
53. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger’s table and had a meal with them
54. Visited Japan
55. Milked a cow
56. Alphabetized your CDs
57. Pretended to be a superhero
58. Sung karaoke
59. Lounged around in bed all day
60. Played touch football
61. Gone scuba diving
62. Kissed in the rain
63. Played in the mud
64. Played in the rain
65. Gone to a drive-in theater
66. Visited the Great Wall of China
67. Started a business
68. Fallen in love and not had your heart broken
69. Toured ancient sites
70. Taken a martial arts class
71. Played D&D for more than 6 hours straight
72. Gotten married
73. Been in a movie
74. Crashed a party
75. Gotten divorced
76. Gone without food for 5 days
77. Made cookies from scratch
78. Won first prize in a costume contest
79. Ridden a gondola in Venice
80. Gotten a tattoo
81. Rafted the Snake River
82. Been on television news programs as an “expert”
83. Got flowers for no reason
84. Performed on stage
85. Been to Las Vegas
86. Recorded music
87. Eaten shark
88. Kissed on the first date
89. Gone to Thailand
90. Bought a house
91. Been in a combat zone
92. Buried one/both of your parents
93. Been on a cruise ship
94. Spoken more than one language fluently
95. Performed in Rocky Horror
96. Raised children
97. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour
99. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country
100. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
101. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
102. Sang loudly in the car, and didn’t stop when you knew someone was looking
103. Had plastic surgery
104. Survived an accident that you shouldn’t have survived
105. Wrote articles for a large publication
106. Lost over 100 pounds
107. Held someone while they were having a flashback
108. Piloted an airplane
109. Touched a stingray
110. Broken someone’s heart
111. Helped an animal give birth
112. Won money on a T.V. game show
113. Broken a bone
114. Gone on an African photo safari
115. Had a facial part pierced other than your ears
116. Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol
117. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild
118. Ridden a horse
119. Had major surgery
120. Had a snake as a pet
121. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
122. Slept for more than 30 hours over the course of 48 hours
123. Visited more foreign countries than U.S. states
124. Visited all 7 continents
125. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
126. Eaten kangaroo meat
127. Eaten sushi
128. Had your picture in the newspaper
129. Changed someone’s mind about something you care deeply about
130. Gone back to school
131. Parasailed
132. Touched a cockroach
133. Eaten fried green tomatoes
134. Read The Iliad - and the Odyssey
135. Selected one “important” author who you missed in school, and read
136. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
137. Skipped all your school reunions
138. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
139. Been elected to public office
140. Written your own computer language
141. Thought to yourself that you’re living your dream
142. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
143. Built your own PC from parts
144. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn’t know you
145. Had a booth at a street fair
146. Dyed your hair
147. Been a DJ
148. Shaved your head
149. Caused a car accident
150. Saved someone’s life

The Last Conversation I Had with a Crusty ol' Marine

"Cath, I drank too much and I smoked too much and I did a lot of other things that you don't need to know about... And if I had it to do all over again. I would do nothing and I mean nothing differently."

My Great Uncle Charlie passed away Tuesday after a long illness. When I was a little girl he was bigger than life- loud, opinionated, foul mouthed--- your standard issue Marine. I loved him, every bit of him. He served nearly 30 years in his beloved Marine Corp and he was a patriot his entire life. He loved this country with all his heart.

Semper Gratus Uncle Charlie and God Speed.

Feel Good

Sunny - Hi 70 Lo 48 for Baghdad, Iraq
Cloudy - Hi 43 Lo 32 for Northern KY, USA

Song of the week: Kind and Generous, Natalie Merchant

Ramble:

Although it's early, I think I have a touch of the winter blues... this is my favorite time of year, so I'm insisting that I "get over it"... I read my post from last Thanksgiving and it holds pretty true today--- the list of all the things I am grateful for can be read here.

As an update to last year's post, here is a link to YouTube and a video by Hem called Red Wing... the band I mentioned... The video is mediocre, but I love the melody and lyrics to this song and because I can't link or post YouTube on this blog... have no idea why... I can't see them on other blogs either... but I digress...

So as I was saying, I need to get over this case of the blues... what to do... what to do... I know... time for a movie list... but what...??

Well... in memory of Mike B, I watched the Ohio State vs Michigan game yesterday. How much fun was that game? It has been a long long time since I watched college football... Some of my pals down in New Orleans and Baton Rouge find me to be a sick woman since they are diehard LSU fans...and basically I could give a rat's behind... When I was last down there back in April I had made an off color comment about LSU... you know... teasing them... I actually feared for my life for a second... I guess I should know better, because one can not say a cross word about UK basketball. Good gosh... So, it finally occurred to me that there is something to be said about the challenge athletic sport brings.

Sport is where an entire life can be compressed into a few hours, where the emotions of a lifetime can be felt on an acre or two of ground, where a person can suffer and die and rise again on six miles of trails through a New York City park. Sport is a theater where sinner can turn saint and a common man become an uncommon hero, where the past and the future can fuse with the present. Sport is singularly able to give us peak experiences where we feel completely one with the world and transcend all conflicts as we finally become our own potential. ~George A. Sheehan

or

The finish line is sometimes merely the symbol of victory. All sorts of personal triumphs take place before that point, and the outcome of the race may actually be decided long before the end. ~Laurence Malone

or

There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, learning from failure. ~Colin Powell

So without any further delay- Here is my list of

Feel Good Sports Movies

National Velvet, 1944. Horseracing. Elizabeth Taylor, Mickey Rooney. This movie takes me back to Sunday afternoons watching all the old classics on local tv. (when there were only 3 channels). I was quite certain that I was Velvet Brown or at least in my imagination I was.



movie trailer

Breaking Away, 1979. Bicycling. Dennis Quaid, Daniel Stern. Four friends have graduated high school-- one has dreams of racing his bike--Viva Italia!! One of my favorites and one I don't have on DVD....



movie trailer


A League of Their Own, 1992. Baseball. Tom Hanks, Geena Davis, Jon Lovitz and some moonbats I won't mention... but I know you know who they are... There is something about movies that have baseball as the backdrop. "There's no crying in baseball!"

movie trailer




Hoosiers, 1986. Basketball. Gene Hackman, Dennis Hopper. A small town high school basketball team makes it to the Indiana state championship. This is one of my favorite kind of plotlines... you'll see it pretty much in the rest of my picks... Despite being the underdog and carrying a lot of baggage, through perseverance, hard work and dedication, the impossible is achieved.

movie trailer


Rudy, 1993. Football. Sean Astin, Ned Beatty. One of the most inspiring true stories... a kid with average grades with less than average athletic ability and half the size of the other men on the Notre Dame football team doesn't have a chance of playing for the team he loves... However, he has more heart and love for the game and the team than anyone else... Determination and perseverance triumph. One of my favorites and another one I don't have on DVD.

movie trailer

Miracle, 2004. Ice Hockey.Kurt Russell. Do you remember the 1980 Olympics? What an inspiration... Remember this was during the Cold War... and the very real fear of the Soviet Union. Again-- the underdog--a bunch of college kids facing the best of the best-- professionals on the ice rink... with guts and determination... we beat the Russians... "Do you believe in miracles??"

movie trailer


The Pride of the Yankees, 1942. Baseball. Gary Cooper, Teresa Wright, Walter Brennan, Babe Ruth. The story of Lou Gehrig is inspirational. This is the man that played two thousand one hundred and thirty consecutive games.

Another one I don't have on DVD...




Field of Dreams, 1989. Baseball. Kevin Costner, James Earl Jones, Ray Liotta, Amy Madigan. Less about baseball, more about connecting with those you love... "If you build it, he will come."

movie trailer





Remember the Titans, 2000. Football. Denzel Washington. In the early 70's segregation was still very much a reality in schools--bussing.. I remember watching that on the local news. In 1971, one such school was integrated in Virginia. This is the story of a football coach and the challenge he faces of molding a team of young men separated by prejudice. "I don't care if you like each other, but you will respect each other."

movie trailer

The World's Fastest Indian, 2005. Motorcycling. Sir Anthony Hopkins. This is a superb movie. If you have never seen it, please rent it. This follows the story of New Zealander, Burt Munro- a self taught engineer. He rebuilt an Indian Motorcyle and set a land speed record in 1967 that still stands at the Bonneville Salt Flats. This was a labor of love for director, Roger Donaldson. The DVD includes a documentary that Donaldson did on the real Munro. Not only is this one of the best feel good movies, it is also one of the best journey movies ever.

movie trailer

Seabiscuit, 2003 Horseracing. Jeff Bridges, Tobey Maguire, Chris Cooper, Elizabeth Banks, & William H. Macy. This is the quintessential story of the underdog becoming the victor. Set in depression era America, the rag tag team of 3 lost men finding hope and a reason for living because of a small horse with heart bring hope to an entire nation when it was so desperately needed.
I must tell you-- READ THE BOOK. The author, Laura Hillenbrand is so passionate about this story-Her research impeccable. The movie is wonderful, but the book captures so much more and the journey that each man took.. the story of Seabiscuit is truly an inspirational story.

movie trailer

Yes, there are others... The Rookie, Radio, The Natural, Chariot's of Fire... what else did I miss?
I think it worked... I feel better just having thought about these movies...

Blogs and Links to Check Out This Week:

Check me out this week--- go to the sidebar and look at my other movie lists.

Housekeeping:

Where did that "free layouts" come from in the upper right hand corner??? I didn't put it there...

Also, when I go to other blogs, why can't I play YouTube videos? AND why can't I put them on my blog?? HMMMM???

Have a great week everyone!

Hippies Suck

Which South Park kid are you most like? Stan You're pretty normal. Infact you're usually the sane voice of reason when everyone else is going crazy.

Click Here to Take This Quiz Brought to you by YouThink.com quizzes and personality tests.

I'm not sure about this.... I was shooting for Cartman... freakin' hippies.....

H/T Carol at Alabama Improper

Note to self...

Sunny - Hi 73 Lo 52 for Baghdad, Iraq
Mostly Sunny - Hi 48 Lo 33 for Northern KY, USA

Song of the week: The Space Between, Dave Matthews Band

Ramble:

First, I want to take a moment to congratulate the Democrats on their victory. It was an exciting race to watch and you on the left did the better job of winning votes this time around. Congratulations.

I've had a few days to think about the results of the elections. I was sick about the loss. However, my immediate thoughts went to our military and their wellbeing. I'm still concerned. What will the coming days, weeks, and months mean to them and our war on terror?

Upon further reflection of the elections, we had that loss coming. Whether one wants to blame it on the natural trend of history and how the American people voted (or stayed home), or for the simple fact that the Republicans in office were sprendthrifts and depleted opportunities to secure our borders, stop illegal immigration, and cut spending, it simply does not matter.

I visited several blogs after the election. The gut reactions ranged from "we had it coming" to "blaming cut and run Republicans". The resounding voice on conservative blogs was NOT to blame voting machines or accuse Democrats of cheating. We lost... and we took it. Some of us are still licking our wounds but we'll get over it... Sadly, some real conservatives with good strong character, integrity, as well as a backbone were the ones that ended up being the sacrificial lambs for this election.
Ohio was simply a self inflicted nightmare... Republican Governor Robert Taft- (another Cincinnatian- why he was ever elected is beyond me), the guy that initiated ethics training for all state employees should have taken his own subscribed training... Instead he took money he shouldn't have, and was charged with ethics violations. He plead no contest.... He should be ashamed of his actions and his behavior. He should have resigned immediately but Taft allowed his ego and narcissism to stand in the way. Ohioans in turn reacted negatively to all Republicans... Who can blame them? On that same note, had I been a resident of Ohio... it would have been difficult for me to cast a vote for Mike Dewine, one of the Gang of 14, but Sherrod Brown was a worse choice in my opinion.... I would have had to drink a bottle of Pepto Bismol with a Ketel One chaser and hold my nose on that one...

Many conservatives have already started looking ahead to 2008. It's a little early for me. Jes' gimme till after the holidays...k?

So, what am I going to do? I keep referring to the Republicans as "we". Well..... quite frankly... I'm not a "we"... I'm not a registered Republican. I'm an Independent and up until this past week took pride in the fact that I did not associate myself with a party. After all, they really are just rotten politicians and one is just like the other.... right?

I don't think so- not anymore.

I've been looking at this all wrong. I believe one of the reasons why the Republicans took a beating is because they lost sight of what they are supposed to represent- smaller government, less waste, socially conservative, etc etc..

The Primaries are where we the people determine who to send to the dance... Paying close attention to the Primaries must become critical to conservatives. I have written on this blog that I would not vote for John McCain for president... but I will not vote for Hillary (just thinking about that causes me to cough up a hair ball). How do I make my conservative choice known? I need to speak my mind--- My voice will be heard in the Primaries.

Note to self... On Monday, go register as a Republican.

Blogs and Links to Check Out This Week:

Lemuel Calhoon of Hillbilly White Trash has been on a roll this week. His observations are sharp and intuitive. He provides perspective that often times is neglected.

On Wednesday, Lem wrote about President Bush being a liberal. Well... he is. I voted for him- knowing his liberal leanings. I stand by the man, I still pray for him. I know he has the best interest of our men and women in the military in mind. I know that 9/11 had a profound affect on him and he made an oath to the American people that wouldn't happen again on his watch. With all that said, Lem wrote:

What we saw this afternoon and will continue to see for the next two years is the fact that George W Bush is not a conservative. He is a smart and principled liberal. He believes in big government because of what he sees as its potential to help people. Unlike the Democrat left which sees big government as a way to create a population in dependency who will be forced to vote for Democrats in order to continue to receive the basic necessities of life.

Read the rest here.

Lem also wrote about the possibility of Rudy Giuliani running in 2008 and possible obstacles he faces. I adore Mr. Giuliani, but he will never get my vote. Why? Gun control... never will I vote for someone that is against the 2nd Amendment.

Lem also sent me over to Townhall to read Hugh Hewitt's take on the election results.

[...]The criminal activities of Duke Cunningham, Bob Ney and Mark Foley were anchors around every Republican neck, and the damaged leadership could not figure out that the only way to slip that weight was by staying in town and working around the clock on issue after issue. The long recesses and the unwillingness to confront the issues head on --remember the House's inexplicable refusal to condemn the New York Times by name in a resolution over the SWIFT program leak?-- conveyed a smugness about the majority which was rooted in redistricting's false assurance of invulnerability. Only on rare occasions would the Republicans set up the sort of debate that sharpened the contrast between the parties. In wartime, the public expects much more from its leaders than they received from the GOP.[...]

[...]On April 15, 2005 --less than three months after President Bush had begun a second term won in part because of his pledge to fight for sound judges-- Senator McCain appeared on Hardball and announced he would not support the "constitutional option" to end Democratic filibusters. Then, stunned by the furious reaction, the senator from Arizona cobbled together the Gang of 14 "compromise" that in fact destroyed the ability of the Republican Party to campaign on Democratic obstructionism while throwing many fine nominees under the bus. Now in the ruins of Tuesday there is an almost certain end to the slow but steady restoration of originalism to the bench. Had McCain not abandoned his party and then sabotaged its plans, there would have been an important debate and a crucial decision taken on how the Constitution operates. The result was the complete opposite. Yes, President Bush got his two nominees to SCOTUS through a 55-45 Senate, but the door is now closed, and the court still tilted left. A once-in-a-generation opportunity was lost.

A few months later there came a debate in the Senate over the Democrats' demand for a timetable for withdrawal for Iraq led to another half-measure: A Frist-Warner alternative that demanded quarterly reports on the war's progress, a move widely and correctly interpreted as a blow to the Administration’s Iraq policy. Fourteen Republicans voted against the Frist-Warner proposal --including Senator McCain-- and the press immediately understood that the half-measure was an early indicator of erosion in support for a policy of victory.

Then came the two leaks of national security secrets to the New York Times, and an utterly feckless response from both the Senate and the House. Not one hearing was held; not one subpoena delivered. A resolution condemning these deeply injurious actions passed the House but dared not name the New York Times. The Senate did not even vote on a non-binding resolution. [...]

Read the rest here.

Have a great week everyone!

No More Pain

What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us.
What we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal.

-Albert Pine

The above quote was left on the on line journal that kept everyone up to date on Mike. Mike passed away Thursday night leaving a wife and two daughters, parents and siblings that loved him and an extended family of friends close and distant. He was only 43 years old. To those that loved Mike, my heartfelt sympathy. He will live on in your memories and in the work he did in Christ's name.

A Big Brother and Plankton

Thank Them

My grandfather and I are going to see Flags of Our Fathers today. I can't think of a better way to spend the day- honoring the most important Vet I know--a former Marine, WWII veteran, my grandfather.

Marines! Happy 231st!

Go visit a couple of blogging Marines today and remember there is no such thing as an "ex-Marine" and the only folks that have the right to say "Semper Fi" are those that wore the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor.

Akinoluna
Daisy Cutter
Drunken Wisdom -- Joe, That1Guy has links to more Marine blogs
Important Stuff or Not
Jarhead's Firing Range
One Marine's View

There are more links to Marines on my sidebar in Places I visit.

Busy Week - Saddam Sentenced, Election Day is Tuesday, & Veteran's Day is Saturday - I Need Coffee.... Now...

Partly Cloudy - Hi 86 Lo 59 for Baghdad, Iraq
Partly Cloudy - Hi 57 Lo 44 for Northern KY, USA

Song of the week: 8th of November, Big & Rich

Ramble:

on Saddam

First thing I read this morning... Saddam sentenced to death by hanging for crimes against humanity. A verdict of this kind doesn't cause me to cheer. I'm not sad--- or even upset. I guess uneasy is the best word to describe how I feel. DON'T MISUNDERSTAND!!! I am grateful that justice is being served. Saddam Hussein massacred countless people. This is justice. This is his punishment. Watching the tape of him being defiant in the courtroom, well, it simply causes me to feel unsettled. Does this man have no soul? Are there others like him?

on Election Day, Tuesday November 7

Next, are the Republicans really going to stay at home on election day? Gosh- I certainly hope not. Do you suppose this is something that the Left is using as a tactic? Being the radio talk show junkie that I am, some of these so called Republicans that are calling in saying they are not going to vote on Tuesday simply do not sound like Republicans. Maybe it's just me, but I believe these folks are "seminar" callers... they just sound too shrill to be of the Right.

Second, are the Republicans doing as badly as the polls reflect? This is a complete mystery to me. I suppose it's because of the circle I am in, but I just don't get it. I mean double digits- bad... I did take one phone call about a week ago... could'nt believe it... I was being polled by the RNC.... First time ever-- I have been voting for 23 years... 1st poll... Maybe I'll be asked to jury duty too.... who knows?!

Regardless, don't know about you but I'm done with all the radio commericials, local tv spots, freakin' email, mailers, flyers stuck on my car and in our door jamb, not to mention the recorded voice messages left on our phone from politicians hoping to sway me to their way of thinking. Last night when Michael and I got home we had a voice message from Trisha. "Cathy and Michael, like I just wanted to make sure you were going to vote this Tuesday and like you know where to go and vote and like vote for Geoff Davis. uhkay?" Didn't know we had valley girls in Kentucky-- furthermore, didn't know valley girls in Kentucky were Republicans. Since we live in Northern Kentucky we get the double whammy-- Ohio and Kentucky political ads!! AAAACCCCKKKKKK!!! Tuesday simply can not get here soon enough.

So with that said, time to push the crap ads aside... push up my sleeves and do some homework and find out who these folks are and what they stand for... Quite frankly both parties are shameful.... "Vote for me, cause the other guy is a slime".... Ya know... that very well may be, but what do you stand for???

If you are in Ohio...the governor's race is probably one of the most critical in the nation. Ken Blackwell is a man of integrity. I can say I knew him back in the day when he was mayor of Cincinnati. This man has never strayed from his core beliefs and convictions. He is a good man. He has been the lone wolf in Ohio and stood in defiance against the corruption of the other men in his party. I hope and pray Ohioans are wise and elect this man.


Ken Blackwell

The senatorial race in Pennsylvania is also critical. I don't believe there is anyone more passionate more committed to his state or this nation than Rick Santorum. Here is a man that has not lost sight of what really matters. He is a family man and has high moral convictions. There is no question what he stands for. Pennsylvania, please keep this man in office.


Rick Santorum


in Kentucky

The 4th District has a race for United States Congress- Incumbent Geoff Davis running against Ken Lucas. I'll cut to the chase. Davis is a Republican, Lucas a Democrat. They are pretty much the same on paper---Pro Life, Pro 2nd Amendment--- but the difference comes to Homeland Security, immigration and our military, and spending. I'm going with Davis. He is a good man- despite what the media is reporting. I had the honor of meeting Mr. Davis. I was able to ask him detailed questions about our military. Davis has stayed true to his word and his voting record is clear. His opponent's voting record provides a more concise picture of the man and his philosophy- one that I will not support.

Geoff Davis for Congress - 4th District
Davis' Voting Record
Lucas' Voting Record

Everything else in Kentucky is at the county level, so I won't bore you with that. Know this. I am voting Republican.

Over at Townhall.com Dennis Prager wrote precisely how I think on this matter.

[...]Any Republican, let alone conservative, who votes Democrat or stays home out of pique with the Republican Congress or the president has chosen emotion over reason.[...]

[...]And what about the single most important reason to elect Republicans -- the appointment of judges, especially justices to the Supreme Court? What sort of reasoning would lead a conservative to conclude that it is more important to express anger at Republicans than to prevent Democrats from appointing Supreme Court justices and other judges?[...]
Read the rest here.

Color Me Purple and remember it is our responsibility to vote. I think of those brave souls last year that risked death to cast their vote. I think of all those lives lost protecting our freedom and liberty. I think of our fighting men and women past and present. I think of my nieces and nephews and the country I will hand over to them. Getting up an extra half an hour to go to the polls is the least I can do.

Check voting records of your Senators and Representatives

on Veteran's Day, November 11
on National Veterans Awareness Week, November 5 through November 11, 2006

A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America

Through the generations, America's men and women in uniform have defeated tyrants, liberated continents, and set a standard of courage and idealism for the entire world. On Veterans Day, our Nation pays tribute to those who have proudly served in our Armed Forces.

To protect the Nation they love, our veterans stepped forward when America needed them most. In conflicts around the world, their sacrifice and resolve helped destroy the enemies of freedom and saved millions from oppression. In answering history's call with honor, decency, and resolve, our veterans have shown the power of liberty and earned the respect and admiration of a grateful Nation.

All of America's veterans have placed our Nation's security before their own lives, creating a debt that we can never fully repay. Our veterans represent the best of America, and they deserve the best America can give them.

As we recall the service of our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen, we are reminded that the defense of freedom comes with great loss and sacrifice. This Veterans Day, we give thanks to those who have served freedom's cause; we salute the members of our Armed Forces who are confronting our adversaries abroad; and we honor the men and women who left America's shores but did not live to be thanked as veterans. They will always be remembered by our country.

With respect for and in recognition of the contributions our service men and women have made to the cause of peace and freedom around the world, the Congress has provided (5 U.S.C. 6103(a)) that November 11 of each year shall be set aside as a legal public holiday to honor veterans.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim November 11, 2006, as Veterans Day and urge all Americans to observe November 5 through November 11, 2006, as National Veterans Awareness Week. I encourage all Americans to recognize the valor and sacrifice of our veterans through ceremonies and prayers. I call upon Federal, State, and local officials to display the flag of the United States and to support and participate in patriotic activities in their communities. I invite civic and fraternal organizations, places of worship, schools, businesses, unions, and the media to support this national observance with commemorative expressions and programs.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty-first day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand six, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-first.

GEORGE W. BUSH

Take time to thank our Veterans. They have done so much for this great nation.







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D ZONE

Beneath the canopy of green,
Flitting shadows make their way,
In silent files they furtively steal,
Looking, searching for their prey,
Muffled footfalls barely heard above
other muted sounds,
Of an armed band moving, through the
heart of "Cong's" home grounds.
Back again in the D Zone and it's been
said and heard,

"Charlie" shares exclusive rights with
the One-Seventy-Third.
Of course it's hotly contested,
And real estate's on a rising cost,
With payment made on either side,
In blood and sweat long lost.
But now it's push on and on,
Through swamp and tough terrain,
With salty sweat searing your eyes,
And a roaring in your brain,
A burning feeling in your chest,
And each breath a gasp of air.
But it's move and push and drive,
Until you've found "Charlies" lair.
Maybe soon they'll call a halt,
And you'll slip to the mucky ground,
Grateful to pick the leeches off,
And pass the smokes around.
But now it's bamboo thicket,
And lurking, snagging vine,
While up ahead the point man,
Searching for some sign
Of elusive, wily "Charlie,"
The guy we're looking for.
And back in line some joker quips,
"Hell of a way to fight a war."
A rifle shot cracks out.

Like the rap of a conductor's baton
That start's an overture,

And willing or not it's on.

Fire is answered with fire,
A crescendo quickly reached,
And "Charlie" breaks and runs,
As his line of defense is breached.
The ensuing silence is unearthly,
Still there's ringing in your ears,
And guys are tending the wounded,
Soothing their unspoken fears.
Here and there's a still, still shape,
Who'll never walk D Zone again.
Their names to be struck from the rolls,
With one stroke of a shaking pen.
The call comes down to saddle up,
We'll soon be on our way,
For we've a goodly stretch to cover,
Before the end of day.
The guys no longer look tired,
They've a determined look of eye
As they scan the shrouded flanks
And treetops that hide the sky.
Now as I write I feel pride,
Proud that I have served
With the "Sky Soldiers" of Company B,
First of the Five-0-Third.

by Joseph M. Kenny, the B Company, lst Battalion 503D Infantry artillery team radio operator (RTO) from Battery C, 3D Battalion, 319th Artillery, 173D Airborne Brigade

Learn about Operation Hump:
Wikipedia - Operation Hump
173rd Brigade Association - Operation Hump

Have a great week everyone!

too cute!

Go visit The Super Adventures of Ben and Noah. I love these kids!