I rarely get to see Sam and Rachel or their son Samuel, Jr. But absence and distance have not caused them to be out of my thoughts. The three of them hold a piece of my heart that belongs to only them.
Sam is having his 33rd birthday this week. I remember, clearly, the day he and Dennis were born. It was amazing! Sam, even as a baby, had a great sense of humor. He would make the funniest faces and seemed to realize the attention he was getting. Through most of his life he has shown a heart of compassion.
When Sam moved to Alaska, I thought he would be back soon. I never thought he would stay after Wayne moved back down. But, low and behold, Sam found Rachel. They became best of friends and eventually married. Then, it was easy to understand why Sam was so attracted to Alaska. The two of them had a son, Samuel, Jr. He became the pride and joy for both Sam and Rachel. Over the years, they have worked together to raise a very fine son and grandson.
We had an opportunity to have a good visit with all of them a little over a year ago. It was really nice to have them around for a few days.
Sam grew into an independent man. He seems to love Alaska and I am not sure if they will ever move back to the warm country. Hopefully, there will be good opportunities for them to come down here and for us to go up there to see them. I am proud of him and what a great Dad he is to his son.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Saturday, March 27, 2010
"60"
Wow, I really have trouble believing that this is a fact! I have joined the segment of our population that now views those once believed to be old, as kids. It does not seem that long ago that those who were 40 were pretty darn old. Now I think of them as just getting started with life and living. If I had known then what I know now...; wait, what is it that I know now that I did not know then? I don't remember!
Mentally, I am still (I started to write "young") middle-aged. That is another concept that seems to be constantly in a state of flux. Once, "middle-aged" was 30-40. Now, for some reason, it encompasses those 50-61 (sorry Ron).
I admit that I have witnessed some changes. These are probably not evident to any of you, but they have each caught my attention recently. 1. The Suns have really been playing good. I catch myself losing my train of thought. 2. I have more trouble remembering things, such as names and details of recent events (recent, as in earlier in the day). 3. I can't hear what you just said. That's fine, because if I did hear you, I would wonder why you were talking to me because I do not remember who you are. 4. I catch myself losing my train of thought. 5. I recently noticed that I am beginning to lose some of my hair and that my hair is beginning to gray, in places. 6. Denial is another condition I have discovered. 7. Running in races is beginning to resemble a fast walk. 8. I have begun to think about a retirement plan - no action yet, but I am thinking about it. 9. Did I say that I do not remember things? 10. There were some others but I forgot what they were.
Now, I am only 60! During the past few years, as I have observed some other older men (on TV, in movies and in real life), I watch them, thinking about how old they look. Then, something is said about their age and I find out they are younger than I am. I have to admit, a state of shock comes over me for a few minutes. But, before long, I forget about the whole incident and go merrily along my way. My wife constantly reassures me that I do not look that old, but then she tells me that she needs stronger glasses.
How do I really feel about being 60? Well, for one thing, I have taken up a habit that I do not like in others - asking and answering my own questions. Here is my answer: I feel blessed, truly blessed! So far, turning 60 does not bother me. As I examine my life, current and past, I reach the same conclusion for both, I have been and continue to be blessed. I do not know how I could have asked for or expected more. I have all I could want - faith, family and friends. I thank God and I thank each of you for being such a special part of my life. You have made me a happy man.
Mentally, I am still (I started to write "young") middle-aged. That is another concept that seems to be constantly in a state of flux. Once, "middle-aged" was 30-40. Now, for some reason, it encompasses those 50-61 (sorry Ron).
I admit that I have witnessed some changes. These are probably not evident to any of you, but they have each caught my attention recently. 1. The Suns have really been playing good. I catch myself losing my train of thought. 2. I have more trouble remembering things, such as names and details of recent events (recent, as in earlier in the day). 3. I can't hear what you just said. That's fine, because if I did hear you, I would wonder why you were talking to me because I do not remember who you are. 4. I catch myself losing my train of thought. 5. I recently noticed that I am beginning to lose some of my hair and that my hair is beginning to gray, in places. 6. Denial is another condition I have discovered. 7. Running in races is beginning to resemble a fast walk. 8. I have begun to think about a retirement plan - no action yet, but I am thinking about it. 9. Did I say that I do not remember things? 10. There were some others but I forgot what they were.
Now, I am only 60! During the past few years, as I have observed some other older men (on TV, in movies and in real life), I watch them, thinking about how old they look. Then, something is said about their age and I find out they are younger than I am. I have to admit, a state of shock comes over me for a few minutes. But, before long, I forget about the whole incident and go merrily along my way. My wife constantly reassures me that I do not look that old, but then she tells me that she needs stronger glasses.
How do I really feel about being 60? Well, for one thing, I have taken up a habit that I do not like in others - asking and answering my own questions. Here is my answer: I feel blessed, truly blessed! So far, turning 60 does not bother me. As I examine my life, current and past, I reach the same conclusion for both, I have been and continue to be blessed. I do not know how I could have asked for or expected more. I have all I could want - faith, family and friends. I thank God and I thank each of you for being such a special part of my life. You have made me a happy man.
War Journal - March 28, 1945
Zombie III
White River Special3/28/1945
Friday
#36 - Weather has had us grounded two days. The troops across the Rhine are moving so fast that they have taken several of our targets after we were briefed. Pulled a mission this afternoon to Naumburg (near Kassel) oil storage depot. PFF so couldn't see anything - milk run too. Germans are so busy running they don't have time to shoot at us. We had one engine cutting all the way - in addition to bad weather - so we all did a lot of sweating. Things like that are what crack men's nerves in combat.
E Pluribus Unum
It started out that way. There were hopes and plans made for it to continue. Was it just a pipe dream?
"E Pluribus Unum" is a motto on the Great Seal of the United States. It appears on most of our coins and some of our paper money. It was suggested for a motto for the US in 1776 and was adopted a few years later. No law was ever passed to make it the official motto for the US. In 1956, a law was passed to make "In God We Trust" the official motto for the United States.
"E Pluribus Unum" - Latin for "Out of many, one".
This motto was believed to apply in various ways to the new American way of life. Out of thirteen colonies, one nation. Out of many races, countries, religions; one united people in that one new nation.
The birth of our nation brought about a unity and E Pluribus Unum was a fitting description for the sense that pervaded across the land. But, it did not take long for the ambition of men to begin to divide and conquer "unity". This disunity has grown into something, in the current political atmosphere in Washington and the country, that is above and beyond what our country has experienced in its history.
Out of many, one - in some ways that is still true, or is it?
First of all, we are all Americans. No wait, many among us are not Americans but illegal immigrants.
We are all patriotic. No, that is not true either. "Patriotic" means to be inspired by love for one's country. What about those who have never been proud of America? What about those who burn the American flag? What about those who apologize for America?
We are all united in the belief that "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness" are God given rights that all of We the People possess. Oh, just a second, that is not true either. We have those in positions of authority over us and others who have made it their mission in life to limit our liberties, restrict our rights, limit how and where we are allowed to pursue happiness, and in some cases believe they have the power to determine who should go on living or to stop a life before it ever sees the dawn of a day.
"Unum"? Where? The present divide is wider and deeper than ever before in America. This motto may need to be updated and revised into "E Unum, Pluribus" - Out of one, many; or "E Pluribus, Duo" - Out of many, two.
Presently, the sides are dividing. The middle ground has almost disappeared. Below the faultline, the plates have been shifting for some time now. The friction was so intense and the pressure so powerful that finally, a great earthquake has happened in America. Who, now, would be those who belong to the great masses of "undecideds"? Remember them, they are the ones our candidates for office spent their time and money catering to and believed that to win, you must have those in the middle of the road. Who, in today's political environment, is an "undecided"? If there are any, ignore them. They either do not care about what is happening and would probably not vote anyway, or they are intellectually blind and cannot understand the importance of current events.
This is truly a time of choosing! Pick sides, fight to the finish, winner takes all!
The Right will never be content to be ruled by the socialist/communist Left. For some reason, the Left is determined to gather all power and control under their wings. Those wings are not those seen on that same Great Seal of the United States, where the eagle symbolizes peace and power at the same time. Peace with the olive branches in one set of claws and power with arrows in the other. No, the wings of the Left are the black wings of a vulture. They do not symbolize peace or power, but laziness and greed - a never content craving for meat they did not earn and do not deserve.
"E Pluribus Unum" applies just about as much today as "In God We Trust" does in America. Maybe the forsaking of the second has brought about the destruction of the first. Maybe where we are is the beginning of the judgement of God. If so, heaven help us for things will only get worse and the great USA may be living in its last days!
Or, we can follow the marching orders laid out in the following passage:
2Ch 7:13-14 "If I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among My people, (14) and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
"E Pluribus Unum" is a motto on the Great Seal of the United States. It appears on most of our coins and some of our paper money. It was suggested for a motto for the US in 1776 and was adopted a few years later. No law was ever passed to make it the official motto for the US. In 1956, a law was passed to make "In God We Trust" the official motto for the United States.
"E Pluribus Unum" - Latin for "Out of many, one".
This motto was believed to apply in various ways to the new American way of life. Out of thirteen colonies, one nation. Out of many races, countries, religions; one united people in that one new nation.
The birth of our nation brought about a unity and E Pluribus Unum was a fitting description for the sense that pervaded across the land. But, it did not take long for the ambition of men to begin to divide and conquer "unity". This disunity has grown into something, in the current political atmosphere in Washington and the country, that is above and beyond what our country has experienced in its history.
Out of many, one - in some ways that is still true, or is it?
First of all, we are all Americans. No wait, many among us are not Americans but illegal immigrants.
We are all patriotic. No, that is not true either. "Patriotic" means to be inspired by love for one's country. What about those who have never been proud of America? What about those who burn the American flag? What about those who apologize for America?
We are all united in the belief that "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness" are God given rights that all of We the People possess. Oh, just a second, that is not true either. We have those in positions of authority over us and others who have made it their mission in life to limit our liberties, restrict our rights, limit how and where we are allowed to pursue happiness, and in some cases believe they have the power to determine who should go on living or to stop a life before it ever sees the dawn of a day.
"Unum"? Where? The present divide is wider and deeper than ever before in America. This motto may need to be updated and revised into "E Unum, Pluribus" - Out of one, many; or "E Pluribus, Duo" - Out of many, two.
Presently, the sides are dividing. The middle ground has almost disappeared. Below the faultline, the plates have been shifting for some time now. The friction was so intense and the pressure so powerful that finally, a great earthquake has happened in America. Who, now, would be those who belong to the great masses of "undecideds"? Remember them, they are the ones our candidates for office spent their time and money catering to and believed that to win, you must have those in the middle of the road. Who, in today's political environment, is an "undecided"? If there are any, ignore them. They either do not care about what is happening and would probably not vote anyway, or they are intellectually blind and cannot understand the importance of current events.
This is truly a time of choosing! Pick sides, fight to the finish, winner takes all!
The Right will never be content to be ruled by the socialist/communist Left. For some reason, the Left is determined to gather all power and control under their wings. Those wings are not those seen on that same Great Seal of the United States, where the eagle symbolizes peace and power at the same time. Peace with the olive branches in one set of claws and power with arrows in the other. No, the wings of the Left are the black wings of a vulture. They do not symbolize peace or power, but laziness and greed - a never content craving for meat they did not earn and do not deserve.
"E Pluribus Unum" applies just about as much today as "In God We Trust" does in America. Maybe the forsaking of the second has brought about the destruction of the first. Maybe where we are is the beginning of the judgement of God. If so, heaven help us for things will only get worse and the great USA may be living in its last days!
Or, we can follow the marching orders laid out in the following passage:
2Ch 7:13-14 "If I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among My people, (14) and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Where Were You, When...
Where were you on March 23, 2010, at 11:56AM EST?
Will this date join those others, such as: 12/07/1941, 11/22/1963, 07/20/1969, 09/11/2001.
Is this date one that will also qualify as "Shock and Awe"? Well, to me, a little shock but no awe. This date, I believe, will represent the day that America took a giant step further into socialism. This is the date President Obama signed his much sought after healthcare bill into law. Speaker Pelosi stated, "This legislation gives the opportunity to have happiness." That utterance demonstrates the complete opposite view of almost everything involved in Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness, from what I believe.
My memory is a little fuzzy as to the attack on Pearl Harbor.
I still remember the day President Kennedy was shot in Dallas. I was in 8th grade at Show Low Elementary School. During the lunch break I saw my teacher, Mrs. Frost, listening to a transistor radio and went to find out what she was doing. She told me that President Kennedy had just been shot. Within a short time, school was cancelled for the rest of the day.
When Neil Armstrong became the first man to step foot on the surface of the moon, I was watching it on TV. He commented, "One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."
The day the World Trade Center and Pentagon were attacked, I remember very well. I was at my office, beginning the work day. My wife called and told me that a plane had flown into one of the twin towers. It seemed that this was a big deal and I went back home to see, for myself, on TV, what it was all about. I sat there watching events unfold, in a state of shock.
Now, today, we have another defining moment in American history. One giant leap for Leftists, one enormous setback for liberty.
Today just happens to be the anniversary of a fairly famous event that is a stark contrast to the news of the day. It was on March 23, 1775, that Patrick Henry made a speech to the Virginia Convention. One portion of his talk became famous, "Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God. I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!"
Our government has become more repressive to We the People, than the British were to the thirteen Colonies. Washington taxes us more and micro-manages our lives much more than the King ever considered doing in the 1770's. Yet, as England imposed taxes, restrictions and regulations on the colonists; they rose up, went to war and gained their freedom from such a government.
Liberty, to them, was worth more than life itself. This was not just a rumper sticker on the back of a horse or a talking point. They pledged their fortunes, their lives and their sacred honor to each other and the cause of freedom. To many, it required the sacrifice of all they had. That blood laid the foundation America was built upon.
Will Americans reach a Patrick Henry tipping point? Will we get to a date in time when we will not take one more thing? Will we ever, actually fight for our own freedom? Or, will we complain, get frustrated, demonstrate, send emails, make phone calls, write letters, hold signs; over and over again as we watch one piece of freedom, after another, be ripped from the body of Lady Liberty; never quite reaching the point of being ready and willing to fight? How much will we take?
I believe the socialists believe we will take all they have to offer, if it is taken one piece at a time. They will cut away at our freedoms until our "rights" no longer resemble the Constitution or Bill of Rights, at all.
We have sent soldiers to fight on foreign soil to help gain freedom for others. This freedom from dictators, communists, fascists, socialists has been something we deemed worth fighting for when it was for others. What about our children and theirs? Will we ever, as a nation, rise up to take our country back and restore the rule of law, the Constitution and limited central government?
Before we ever got to where we are right now; Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Henry, Franklin, and the rest of the great statesmen and warriors would have taken up arms.
Where we are right now is not just the result of the signing ceremony this morning. That event was a major setback for liberty, but it is just one in a long string of loses. The Left has been at war with freedom-loving Americans and the Constitution for a long time.
On July 7, 1775, John Adams wrote to his wife, "Your description of the distresses of the worthy inhabitants of Boston, and the other seaport towns, is enough to melt a heart of stone. Our consolation must be this, my dear, that cities may be rebuilt, and a people reduced to poverty, may acquire fresh property. But a constitution of government, once changed from freedom, can never be restored. Liberty once lost is lost forever. When the people once surrender their share in the legislature, and their right of defending the limitations upon the Government, and of resisting every encroachment upon them, they can never regain it."
"...they can never regain it." "...is lost forever."
Are we already too far? Was today the day that put us past the point of restoration? Or do we still have a chance, a last breath of hope, to save America from being destroyed from within?
I believe we are on the verge of being too late, but the great USA is not dead, yet. There is much talk over the past couple days of "repeal". The election this November is critical. If the democrats are not removed from majority power, this next vote, it will probably be too late two years from then. It is also of necessity that the socialists running our country are stopped from passing any more of their damaging agenda prior to their departure from Washington.
The road we face is steep, sharp, and full of obstacles; but it is not impossible for a determined citizenry. There is no room for error or time to spare. There are no breaks or time-outs. Our enemy, and yes, they are our enemy in every sense of the word, is not letting up; in fact, after today, they feel emboldened. They are going to be pushing everything else they want prior to November.
They MUST be stopped!
Remember, they were at war with us but we were not at war with them. That has to change! We are already in a fight for our very freedom and the life of our nation. We must treat it as such.
Will this date join those others, such as: 12/07/1941, 11/22/1963, 07/20/1969, 09/11/2001.
Is this date one that will also qualify as "Shock and Awe"? Well, to me, a little shock but no awe. This date, I believe, will represent the day that America took a giant step further into socialism. This is the date President Obama signed his much sought after healthcare bill into law. Speaker Pelosi stated, "This legislation gives the opportunity to have happiness." That utterance demonstrates the complete opposite view of almost everything involved in Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness, from what I believe.
My memory is a little fuzzy as to the attack on Pearl Harbor.
I still remember the day President Kennedy was shot in Dallas. I was in 8th grade at Show Low Elementary School. During the lunch break I saw my teacher, Mrs. Frost, listening to a transistor radio and went to find out what she was doing. She told me that President Kennedy had just been shot. Within a short time, school was cancelled for the rest of the day.
When Neil Armstrong became the first man to step foot on the surface of the moon, I was watching it on TV. He commented, "One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."
The day the World Trade Center and Pentagon were attacked, I remember very well. I was at my office, beginning the work day. My wife called and told me that a plane had flown into one of the twin towers. It seemed that this was a big deal and I went back home to see, for myself, on TV, what it was all about. I sat there watching events unfold, in a state of shock.
Now, today, we have another defining moment in American history. One giant leap for Leftists, one enormous setback for liberty.
Today just happens to be the anniversary of a fairly famous event that is a stark contrast to the news of the day. It was on March 23, 1775, that Patrick Henry made a speech to the Virginia Convention. One portion of his talk became famous, "Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God. I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!"
Our government has become more repressive to We the People, than the British were to the thirteen Colonies. Washington taxes us more and micro-manages our lives much more than the King ever considered doing in the 1770's. Yet, as England imposed taxes, restrictions and regulations on the colonists; they rose up, went to war and gained their freedom from such a government.
Liberty, to them, was worth more than life itself. This was not just a rumper sticker on the back of a horse or a talking point. They pledged their fortunes, their lives and their sacred honor to each other and the cause of freedom. To many, it required the sacrifice of all they had. That blood laid the foundation America was built upon.
Will Americans reach a Patrick Henry tipping point? Will we get to a date in time when we will not take one more thing? Will we ever, actually fight for our own freedom? Or, will we complain, get frustrated, demonstrate, send emails, make phone calls, write letters, hold signs; over and over again as we watch one piece of freedom, after another, be ripped from the body of Lady Liberty; never quite reaching the point of being ready and willing to fight? How much will we take?
I believe the socialists believe we will take all they have to offer, if it is taken one piece at a time. They will cut away at our freedoms until our "rights" no longer resemble the Constitution or Bill of Rights, at all.
We have sent soldiers to fight on foreign soil to help gain freedom for others. This freedom from dictators, communists, fascists, socialists has been something we deemed worth fighting for when it was for others. What about our children and theirs? Will we ever, as a nation, rise up to take our country back and restore the rule of law, the Constitution and limited central government?
Before we ever got to where we are right now; Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Henry, Franklin, and the rest of the great statesmen and warriors would have taken up arms.
Where we are right now is not just the result of the signing ceremony this morning. That event was a major setback for liberty, but it is just one in a long string of loses. The Left has been at war with freedom-loving Americans and the Constitution for a long time.
On July 7, 1775, John Adams wrote to his wife, "Your description of the distresses of the worthy inhabitants of Boston, and the other seaport towns, is enough to melt a heart of stone. Our consolation must be this, my dear, that cities may be rebuilt, and a people reduced to poverty, may acquire fresh property. But a constitution of government, once changed from freedom, can never be restored. Liberty once lost is lost forever. When the people once surrender their share in the legislature, and their right of defending the limitations upon the Government, and of resisting every encroachment upon them, they can never regain it."
"...they can never regain it." "...is lost forever."
Are we already too far? Was today the day that put us past the point of restoration? Or do we still have a chance, a last breath of hope, to save America from being destroyed from within?
I believe we are on the verge of being too late, but the great USA is not dead, yet. There is much talk over the past couple days of "repeal". The election this November is critical. If the democrats are not removed from majority power, this next vote, it will probably be too late two years from then. It is also of necessity that the socialists running our country are stopped from passing any more of their damaging agenda prior to their departure from Washington.
The road we face is steep, sharp, and full of obstacles; but it is not impossible for a determined citizenry. There is no room for error or time to spare. There are no breaks or time-outs. Our enemy, and yes, they are our enemy in every sense of the word, is not letting up; in fact, after today, they feel emboldened. They are going to be pushing everything else they want prior to November.
They MUST be stopped!
Remember, they were at war with us but we were not at war with them. That has to change! We are already in a fight for our very freedom and the life of our nation. We must treat it as such.
War Journal - March 25, 1945
B-26 Nose Art.
"Sit'N Git"3/25/1945
Tuesday
#35 - Bombed today in support of Patton's new bridge head across the Rhine near Worms. We were over the target 55 minutes making a good bomb run. I sweated ten years from my life. There was plenty flak. On the way away from the target we were separated and alone over Germany and a ME-109 decided we were crippled from flak I guess. He came up - looked us over & was probably preparing for the kill when a P-47 nailed him. Weather stopped us from going on a mission this afternoon.
(I asked Dad about this story a few days ago. He still remembers that day. He said that their plane received some damage during the bomb run and fell behind the rest. The German fighter approached from the front and flew over them. Going opposite directions, it took several miles and minutes for the fighter to make a loop and come back after the bomber. Lone bombers were "sitting ducks" to enemy fighters. As the German was on the approach to shoot down the bomber, an American fighter dropped out of the sky and took out the German on the first pass.)
War Journal - March 24, 1945
Sgt. Pehr ready for a mission.
Nose art - Seabees3/24/1945
Monday
#34 - Today was the day of the big invasion across the lower Rhine north of the Rhur Valley. This outfit went out about daylight to bomb flak position ahead of the incoming air-borne Army. This is what our past few days have been working up to. In the afternoon I went on a mission in support of the Remagen bridge head. We bombed the RR bridge just east of the bridgehead. Received considerable flak. - This mission was the 400th for this group - over 100 in France.
War Journal - March 23, 1945
B-26 nose art - Little Sue3/23/1945
Sunday
#33 - Bombed the town of Dinslaken in the Rhur twice today. I went the second time. Very short time inside enemy territory but there is plenty flak along the Rhine at this place and we made three bomb runs. We were carrying 100# clusters of frags. Bombs from the ship ahead of us blew back on us hitting our plane & props in several places. We were lucky none of them exploded as in the case of one other ship with us. I saw it go down in flame & explode - we believe five of the men got out but some of them drifted into German territory. Our ship was pretty well battered between flak & our own bombs.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
CHANGE!
Tonight, BO made another speech. Within his comments, he stated, "This is what change looks like." To me, this is what consequences look like. As BO keeps reminding any iCan that takes issue with anything he does, "I won, you lost!"
Through the past year we have seen glimpses of "change". Today, it hit us square in the face! BO and the cRat Congressional leadership pulled off the culmination of decades of desire and several attempts to nationalize 1/6 of our national economy in the form of the health care system. Even though the version passed today is not a "single-payer plan" (similar to what some other socialist countries have where the government runs the health care system and pays the medical bills), they have admitted numerous times in the past that they see the new plan as the essential, first step towards a "single-payer plan".
Make no mistake, with the leftist victory today, they feel empowered to follow this with the other items on the radical-left agenda: cap and trade (the global warming bill), comprehensive immigration reform (amnesty for illegal aliens), another "stimulus" bill (slush fund for their supporters at the taxpayer expense), gun control, rework the financial sector (take control of our financial industry), etc. They also realize that they need to accomplish most of this by the end of this year. They can easily see the possibility that the election in November will sweep them from total power in Congress.
This bill that BO will sign into law within the next couple days will enable the government to dictate areas of our private lives that they have not had the power to do before. 2,700 pages based on just as many lies. This "victory for America" is the trashing of our Constitution. As I said before, the USA will never be the same again.
Remember, they were at war with us but we were not at war with them!
Through the past year we have seen glimpses of "change". Today, it hit us square in the face! BO and the cRat Congressional leadership pulled off the culmination of decades of desire and several attempts to nationalize 1/6 of our national economy in the form of the health care system. Even though the version passed today is not a "single-payer plan" (similar to what some other socialist countries have where the government runs the health care system and pays the medical bills), they have admitted numerous times in the past that they see the new plan as the essential, first step towards a "single-payer plan".
Make no mistake, with the leftist victory today, they feel empowered to follow this with the other items on the radical-left agenda: cap and trade (the global warming bill), comprehensive immigration reform (amnesty for illegal aliens), another "stimulus" bill (slush fund for their supporters at the taxpayer expense), gun control, rework the financial sector (take control of our financial industry), etc. They also realize that they need to accomplish most of this by the end of this year. They can easily see the possibility that the election in November will sweep them from total power in Congress.
This bill that BO will sign into law within the next couple days will enable the government to dictate areas of our private lives that they have not had the power to do before. 2,700 pages based on just as many lies. This "victory for America" is the trashing of our Constitution. As I said before, the USA will never be the same again.
Remember, they were at war with us but we were not at war with them!
War Journal - March 21, 1945
3/21/1945
Friday
#32 - This sqdn. made two missions today both to same area as mission yesterday. I went on the afternoon mission to the town of Stadtlohn - little west of Munster. Almost all the ships in this group were shot pretty bad but no one was hurt. Something big must be up in that area as there were so many planes in that area it was hard to make a bomb run. Even the RAF was in with us. Every town (large or small) east of the Rhine was a smoking inferno. We were all dropping fire bombs. I saw our bombs destroy an entire town - smoke was visual for many miles.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Deem and Cram, Part 2
In follow-up, the following issues are part of the debate over government takeover of our healthcare system:
1. They plan on voting on the "rules" bill with amendments to the Senate version of healthcare on Sunday. As of today, depending on who you listen to, it is a toss-up as to whether or not QP has the votes needed. It is clear that she will not bring this to a vote on the floor if she is not convinced it will pass. BO has postponed his next Asian trip in order to be here to help fight fellow cRats and beat them into submission. QP has also scheduled another vote for Sunday on something that is meaningless. This appears to be so she can call a vote Sunday, for something, if she is still not ready for the big showdown. There are several cRats who claim to be undecided. Are you kidding me! How can anyone, after 14 months of the debate and battle over this issue, still have no idea how they feel? If it is true that they are not yet sure, then it is due to one of two things: either they should not be in that job as they do not have a shred of leadership ability within them; or, they are holding out to see what they can get from BO and QP before committing.
2. If this vote passes, BO will sign into law the Senate version of Healthcare. If and when that happens, we will begin to see new taxes. The bill includes several avenues of raising revenue to help cover the costs. Some of these include additional taxes on capital gains, increased medicare payroll taxes, taxes or fines on companies that are not providing the level of health insurance the government mandates, etc. There will also be the requirement for states to add more people to their Medicaid plans. The government will further dictate to insurance companies what they must cover and who that have to cover.
3. Today, the House voted on a measure sponsored by iCans that would block the Slaughter Solution from being used for this bill. It was defeated 222-203.
4. The Senate version of the bill includes Federal funding for abortions. In includes provisions for the Federal takeover of the student loan program (with the exception of one bank in North Dakota who has an exemption and can still offer these loans due to part of the buyout of ND's Representative). It appears that my own Representative got something, also. Rep. Kirkpatrick appears to have secured some funds for rural Arizona. These are coming in FEMA, disaster emergency funds. The money is in response to a storm we had in our area two months ago.
5. The powers of the IRS are being expanded with this bill. They will be in charge of watching us on a monthly basis to make sure we do not cancel our health insurance. If we do, we will be fined. Oh, and by the way, most everyone is predicting our health premiums to increase, not get lower.
6. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) issued a preliminary estimate of the effect this bill would have on our deficit during the next ten years. They are claiming that during the next decade, passing healthcare would reduce the deficit by around $150 billion. They estimate that the cost of the program for the next decade will be around $950 billion. If these figures were accurate (they will not be even for no other reason than they do not include all the amendments the House is currently adding with all the cost needed to buy all the votes of the cRats), it would mean that the government raised, through this bill, $1.1 trillion. They are telling us that $500 billion will come from reducing Medicare benefits. The rest will come from taxes and penalties on the rest of us. So, $600 billion will need to be raised over the next ten years ($50 billion each year) by these methods. That amounts to over $1,800 for each person in our country. This is in addition to what we already pay in taxes and the amount they will take from the Medicare system.
The only way the Congress could get the CBO to issue an estimate that would indicate the deficit would decrease over ten years, if this passes, was to begin the portions of the bill that generate revenue immediately but postpone the portions that include any benefits for four years. So, if you do the math, they are estimating the annual cost of the plan to be around $160 billion each year ($950 billion divided by six years of benefits).
The CBO went on the estimate that during the second decade of this plan, there would be a further deficit reduction of approximately $1.2 trillion. Sorry, but the numbers do not add up to anything like that. If they are raising $50 billion each year from us and another $42 billion saved by reduced Medicare benefits paid, which equals $92 billion in revenue annually; and the cost of running the program is $160 billion annually; that does not add up to a deficit reduction, no matter how many years you multiply it by. Instead, it supports an additional deficit of $640 billion. To get from an additional deficit of $640 billion to a reduced deficit of $1.2 trillion means they will have to raise an additional $1,840 billion dollars from us. That amounts to another $5,500 per person in the country.
I don't know about you, but from my viewpoint, after three decades of this plan, it will start adding up to real money!
Welcome to the USSA!
1. They plan on voting on the "rules" bill with amendments to the Senate version of healthcare on Sunday. As of today, depending on who you listen to, it is a toss-up as to whether or not QP has the votes needed. It is clear that she will not bring this to a vote on the floor if she is not convinced it will pass. BO has postponed his next Asian trip in order to be here to help fight fellow cRats and beat them into submission. QP has also scheduled another vote for Sunday on something that is meaningless. This appears to be so she can call a vote Sunday, for something, if she is still not ready for the big showdown. There are several cRats who claim to be undecided. Are you kidding me! How can anyone, after 14 months of the debate and battle over this issue, still have no idea how they feel? If it is true that they are not yet sure, then it is due to one of two things: either they should not be in that job as they do not have a shred of leadership ability within them; or, they are holding out to see what they can get from BO and QP before committing.
2. If this vote passes, BO will sign into law the Senate version of Healthcare. If and when that happens, we will begin to see new taxes. The bill includes several avenues of raising revenue to help cover the costs. Some of these include additional taxes on capital gains, increased medicare payroll taxes, taxes or fines on companies that are not providing the level of health insurance the government mandates, etc. There will also be the requirement for states to add more people to their Medicaid plans. The government will further dictate to insurance companies what they must cover and who that have to cover.
3. Today, the House voted on a measure sponsored by iCans that would block the Slaughter Solution from being used for this bill. It was defeated 222-203.
4. The Senate version of the bill includes Federal funding for abortions. In includes provisions for the Federal takeover of the student loan program (with the exception of one bank in North Dakota who has an exemption and can still offer these loans due to part of the buyout of ND's Representative). It appears that my own Representative got something, also. Rep. Kirkpatrick appears to have secured some funds for rural Arizona. These are coming in FEMA, disaster emergency funds. The money is in response to a storm we had in our area two months ago.
5. The powers of the IRS are being expanded with this bill. They will be in charge of watching us on a monthly basis to make sure we do not cancel our health insurance. If we do, we will be fined. Oh, and by the way, most everyone is predicting our health premiums to increase, not get lower.
6. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) issued a preliminary estimate of the effect this bill would have on our deficit during the next ten years. They are claiming that during the next decade, passing healthcare would reduce the deficit by around $150 billion. They estimate that the cost of the program for the next decade will be around $950 billion. If these figures were accurate (they will not be even for no other reason than they do not include all the amendments the House is currently adding with all the cost needed to buy all the votes of the cRats), it would mean that the government raised, through this bill, $1.1 trillion. They are telling us that $500 billion will come from reducing Medicare benefits. The rest will come from taxes and penalties on the rest of us. So, $600 billion will need to be raised over the next ten years ($50 billion each year) by these methods. That amounts to over $1,800 for each person in our country. This is in addition to what we already pay in taxes and the amount they will take from the Medicare system.
The only way the Congress could get the CBO to issue an estimate that would indicate the deficit would decrease over ten years, if this passes, was to begin the portions of the bill that generate revenue immediately but postpone the portions that include any benefits for four years. So, if you do the math, they are estimating the annual cost of the plan to be around $160 billion each year ($950 billion divided by six years of benefits).
The CBO went on the estimate that during the second decade of this plan, there would be a further deficit reduction of approximately $1.2 trillion. Sorry, but the numbers do not add up to anything like that. If they are raising $50 billion each year from us and another $42 billion saved by reduced Medicare benefits paid, which equals $92 billion in revenue annually; and the cost of running the program is $160 billion annually; that does not add up to a deficit reduction, no matter how many years you multiply it by. Instead, it supports an additional deficit of $640 billion. To get from an additional deficit of $640 billion to a reduced deficit of $1.2 trillion means they will have to raise an additional $1,840 billion dollars from us. That amounts to another $5,500 per person in the country.
I don't know about you, but from my viewpoint, after three decades of this plan, it will start adding up to real money!
Welcome to the USSA!
War Journal - March 20, 1945
03-1945, Lts. Cowart, Grant, Borst; Sgts. Edwards, Pappas, Foil - made on the day of Grant's last mission. 
B-26 Nose Art - Lil Murf3/20/1945
Thursday
#31 - Bombed an amno. Refilling plant North of the Rhur. We were window ships on the mission and bombed a small town on the way out. Couldn't see the results. There was considerable flak in this area as they even shot at the window ships. We brought back two holes.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Deem and Cram
There is a good reason that the general public views politicians as being corrupt. Right now, we are witnessing a level of corruption in Washington that, in my opinion, makes Watergate pale by comparison.
The cRats have grown these nasty, sharp, little teeth and are eating any other cRats that try to jump from the sinking ship they are steering. They do this through threats, intimidation, bribes, kick-backs, pledges, promise of financial support, etc. If you are a cRat in D.C. right now, you better tow the Queen Pelosi (QP) line or she will cut your worthless little throat with her infected claws. Need I go on, or are you getting the picture?
The radical Left has long sought an opportunity to nationalize America's health care industry. This is put forth under the umbrella of "good intentions" and "care for the poor and uninsured". They have demonized the very industry they desire to dominate. With the dumbing-down of the public education system over the past few decades, the Left now caters to those who appear to lack any level of common sense or the ability to critically analyze/think for themselves.
They tried in the 1990's to accomplish this sacred goal with HillaryCare. That attempt fell flat on her face. Now, with the perfect storm scenario, with radical cRats in firm control of the White House and both houses of Congress, the holy grail has raised it's ugly head (no, I do not mean Hillary), again. If you listen to the hype and intensity coming from the Left, concerning the takeover of our health care system, you will soon realize that BO has staked his legacy on the passage of this bill. The level of importance could not be higher on the Left or Right. This leads back to the corruption currently taking place. The cRats are reaching into the dark, back corners, under the dirty rags left in the hull of the moldy and putrid damp ship in order to find some way to cram this bill down our throats.
There is absolutely nothing they are not willing to do to make this happen! Besides the bribery, threats, etc.; Hairy Reed is planning on using "reconciliation" to get what he wants in the Senate. That word sounds harmless and somewhat official, but what it means is that he is breaking the Senate rules to cheat on the voting for Obamacare. The Senate is required to pass bills by a 60% majority. Reed does not have that many who will support this process so he plans to use a process that is only intended for use in the reconciling of financial budget items. Reconciliation bills only require a 50% vote to pass.
The House, under the dictatorship of QP, is even being more blatant in the trashing of the Constitution and House rules. She plans to use the "Slaughter Solution" to get the Senate version of the healthcare bill on to the President for his signing, which will put all of us under this new law. QP is planning a vote, probably this Sunday, on a "rules bill". Since she is having trouble even lining up cRats for a yes vote sufficient for a simple majority, she is being devious with the rules bill. What this rules bill will include is a list of amendments that the House wants added to the Senate bill that was passed. But, it also contains the statement that falls under the "deem and pass" provisions. "Deem and pass" takes two issues and combines them into one vote. One issue is voted upon and the second is considered (deemed) to be passed by a majority vote on the first.
QP is taking the bill that represents the largest public takeover of any portion of the private sector (health care represents 16% of our gross national product - GNP) and attaching it to a vote on some rules. It is treating the unconstitutional, major bill for healthcare as a minor issue that is not worthy of it's own vote. She will have the House vote on rules and then deem the Senate version of the bill to be passed by the House. That way, the Representatives can go home for Easter break and claim that they did not vote for the healthcare bill, they only voted on some rules and minor amendments to the Senate bill.
Once Obamacare is deemed passed by the House, the Senate version of the bill will be sent to BO and he will sign it into law. The Senate will then have to take up the amendments passed in the rules bill and consider whether they will pass the changes to their bill. Chances are that they will not. So, all the amendments added by QP in order to buy cRat votes for the rules bill will not become a part of the new law. In other words, QP is willing to do anything and promise everything to her puppets on the Left to get them to vote "yes". It does not matter how much she promises them, they will probably not get it.
The Constitution requires that any bill must be passed by both houses of Congress before it goes to the President. We will be getting healthcare without the House ever voting to pass the bill.
So, you may ask, what is so wrong with the healthcare bill? Wake up and smell the roses! You just may be a victim of public education (see above). This bill is not about covering the uninsured. It is not about reducing costs. It is not about lowering premiums. It is not about any solution to the ills currently in the health care industry and it will not fix any problems that exist. It will not lower premiums or improve care, in fact, we are being told that for many, premiums will increase. Care will be rationed by a government worker. Medicare will receive a half trillion dollars less in funding. We will be taxed and charged penalties. The quality of care will decrease and the wait for care will increase.
So, what is this all about? It is all about control! The Left wants to increase government control over each of our individual lives. This is the reason for the whole process and is also the reason why the particulars of the final bill are not as important as just getting it passed and signed into law. Once they have their law, they will begin amending it to get it fine-tuned into what they really wanted in the first place.
Folks, we are being governed by an element that is full of corruption and with bad intentions. If this passes, our country will never be the same again. That is not an over-statement!
Remember, they were at war with us but we were not at war with them. The Right slept and tried to reach-across-the-aisle in a series of attempts to "get along" and gain approval from the dominant bully in the room. Well, it did not work and now we find ourselves right smack in the middle of the battle.
The cRats have grown these nasty, sharp, little teeth and are eating any other cRats that try to jump from the sinking ship they are steering. They do this through threats, intimidation, bribes, kick-backs, pledges, promise of financial support, etc. If you are a cRat in D.C. right now, you better tow the Queen Pelosi (QP) line or she will cut your worthless little throat with her infected claws. Need I go on, or are you getting the picture?
The radical Left has long sought an opportunity to nationalize America's health care industry. This is put forth under the umbrella of "good intentions" and "care for the poor and uninsured". They have demonized the very industry they desire to dominate. With the dumbing-down of the public education system over the past few decades, the Left now caters to those who appear to lack any level of common sense or the ability to critically analyze/think for themselves.
They tried in the 1990's to accomplish this sacred goal with HillaryCare. That attempt fell flat on her face. Now, with the perfect storm scenario, with radical cRats in firm control of the White House and both houses of Congress, the holy grail has raised it's ugly head (no, I do not mean Hillary), again. If you listen to the hype and intensity coming from the Left, concerning the takeover of our health care system, you will soon realize that BO has staked his legacy on the passage of this bill. The level of importance could not be higher on the Left or Right. This leads back to the corruption currently taking place. The cRats are reaching into the dark, back corners, under the dirty rags left in the hull of the moldy and putrid damp ship in order to find some way to cram this bill down our throats.
There is absolutely nothing they are not willing to do to make this happen! Besides the bribery, threats, etc.; Hairy Reed is planning on using "reconciliation" to get what he wants in the Senate. That word sounds harmless and somewhat official, but what it means is that he is breaking the Senate rules to cheat on the voting for Obamacare. The Senate is required to pass bills by a 60% majority. Reed does not have that many who will support this process so he plans to use a process that is only intended for use in the reconciling of financial budget items. Reconciliation bills only require a 50% vote to pass.
The House, under the dictatorship of QP, is even being more blatant in the trashing of the Constitution and House rules. She plans to use the "Slaughter Solution" to get the Senate version of the healthcare bill on to the President for his signing, which will put all of us under this new law. QP is planning a vote, probably this Sunday, on a "rules bill". Since she is having trouble even lining up cRats for a yes vote sufficient for a simple majority, she is being devious with the rules bill. What this rules bill will include is a list of amendments that the House wants added to the Senate bill that was passed. But, it also contains the statement that falls under the "deem and pass" provisions. "Deem and pass" takes two issues and combines them into one vote. One issue is voted upon and the second is considered (deemed) to be passed by a majority vote on the first.
QP is taking the bill that represents the largest public takeover of any portion of the private sector (health care represents 16% of our gross national product - GNP) and attaching it to a vote on some rules. It is treating the unconstitutional, major bill for healthcare as a minor issue that is not worthy of it's own vote. She will have the House vote on rules and then deem the Senate version of the bill to be passed by the House. That way, the Representatives can go home for Easter break and claim that they did not vote for the healthcare bill, they only voted on some rules and minor amendments to the Senate bill.
Once Obamacare is deemed passed by the House, the Senate version of the bill will be sent to BO and he will sign it into law. The Senate will then have to take up the amendments passed in the rules bill and consider whether they will pass the changes to their bill. Chances are that they will not. So, all the amendments added by QP in order to buy cRat votes for the rules bill will not become a part of the new law. In other words, QP is willing to do anything and promise everything to her puppets on the Left to get them to vote "yes". It does not matter how much she promises them, they will probably not get it.
The Constitution requires that any bill must be passed by both houses of Congress before it goes to the President. We will be getting healthcare without the House ever voting to pass the bill.
So, you may ask, what is so wrong with the healthcare bill? Wake up and smell the roses! You just may be a victim of public education (see above). This bill is not about covering the uninsured. It is not about reducing costs. It is not about lowering premiums. It is not about any solution to the ills currently in the health care industry and it will not fix any problems that exist. It will not lower premiums or improve care, in fact, we are being told that for many, premiums will increase. Care will be rationed by a government worker. Medicare will receive a half trillion dollars less in funding. We will be taxed and charged penalties. The quality of care will decrease and the wait for care will increase.
So, what is this all about? It is all about control! The Left wants to increase government control over each of our individual lives. This is the reason for the whole process and is also the reason why the particulars of the final bill are not as important as just getting it passed and signed into law. Once they have their law, they will begin amending it to get it fine-tuned into what they really wanted in the first place.
Folks, we are being governed by an element that is full of corruption and with bad intentions. If this passes, our country will never be the same again. That is not an over-statement!
Remember, they were at war with us but we were not at war with them. The Right slept and tried to reach-across-the-aisle in a series of attempts to "get along" and gain approval from the dominant bully in the room. Well, it did not work and now we find ourselves right smack in the middle of the battle.
War Jourrnal - March 18, 1945
B-26 Nose Art - Just Take Us Home Again Kathleen
Je Reviens - I'll Return3/18/1945
Tuesday
#30 - Silver cluster mission today - Bombed in support of Patton's Army in the Saar Valley today. We were to totally destroy the town of Bad Durkheim - due west of Mannheim. Two wings & two groups went in on the same target. Clouds cover obscured details. - Had a mid-air collision over the field this morning. One plane exploded and blew two others together in formation killing about twenty men.
War Journal - March 17, 1945
B-26 Nose Art - Ice Cold Katy
Hank's Yanks3/17/1945
Monday
#29 - Bombed the Dillenburg bridge again today. Half the group went here and the balance went down South to hit a barracks area. It was a visual mission. Made three runs but results weren't too good. We received very little flak but the ones down south were shot all to pieces. They had several wounded and crash landed a couple of ships.
War Journal - March 15, 1945
Flak-Bait at Beauvais, France in March of 1945. This plane now hangs in the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, DC. It became the B-26 with the most missions flown in WWII. It was at the same base in France where dad was stationed and he believes he flew one mission on this plane with most of it's crew.
Pappy's Pram - This was Dad's plane and is believed to be the B-26 with the second most missions in WWII. This photo is at Beauvais, France; at the base where they were stationed. Having the second most missions does not get you into the Smithsonian, but instead, this plane was destroyed at the end of the war, just like most of the B-26s in Europe.3/15/1945
Saturday
Mission #28 - Flying constantly these days. Pathfinder is trying to develop a new technique for bombing so six of us were sent out today on an experimental mission. We bombed just behind the Remagen bridge head. We were only a small flight with no escort but managed to come back without being attacked. They always pick this sqdn. for pioneering every new development in bombing. That is a compliment to our record but also pretty dangerous.
War Journal - March 14, 1945
Trying out the AA guns at our base.
El Lobo Loco - This is the ship we flew across the Atlantic.3/14/1945
Friday
Mission #27 - Dropped bombs on a small town & railroad junction furnishing supplies to the Remagen bridge head area. Good results. There wasn't much flak but it was very accurate. The ship on our right wing was shot up pretty bad with one man wounded and the one on our left wing was shot down. The ship spun in - Pappas saw three men get out but only one chute open. It was a new crew on their 2nd mission (Lt. Logue). We are flying deputy lead regular now. The Lord is protecting us because we received no holes. It was getting pretty close and I heard the plane explode when it was hit.
Friday, March 12, 2010
War Journal - March 12, 1945
B-26 Nose art - Gasparilla IV
An 88mm shell went thru this tail without exploding. Pehr was in the tail at the time.3/12/1945
Wednesday
Mission #25 - Dropped 250's on town of Frondenburg just north of Iserlohn. No flak. In the afternoon made a run on the town of Frankenborg (#26) due west of Kaln about 75 miles. Carried a front line infantry man along with us just for the ride. No flak - both missions PFF.
Wednesday
Mission #25 - Dropped 250's on town of Frondenburg just north of Iserlohn. No flak. In the afternoon made a run on the town of Frankenborg (#26) due west of Kaln about 75 miles. Carried a front line infantry man along with us just for the ride. No flak - both missions PFF.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
The Slaughterhouse
The cRats have sunk to a new low and that is hard to do with all they have tried lately!
One way or another, they intend to impose some form of healthcare control on all of us. It does not matter to them that a large majority of the public (their bosses) do not want any form of what they are selling, they are going to give it to us anyway.
Queen Pelosi does not appear to be able to round up enough cRats to vote to pass the Senate version of Obamacare. This is in spite of the cRats controlling Congress by about 40 votes. If the House members insist on making changes to what the Senate passed, it would have to go back to the Senate for another vote. The last time, it passed with the slimmest of margins and they do not want to have to take it back there for another vote. There are enough cRats in the House that do not want to vote for this mess that QP cannot round up votes for passage.
So, along comes Louise Slaughter, House Rules Chairwoman (D-obviously), with her brilliant idea. The transparent cRats have been holding numerous meetings behind closed doors - even closed to many cRats - and this is the latest idea they are floating. The SlaughterHouse committee would bring a rule for a floor vote that would basically state that with passage of this rule change, the Senate version of the healthcare bill would be "deemed" to have been passed by the House. This ploy would make it possible for cRat House members who are afraid to vote for healthcare (due to we the people back home), be able to pass healthcare without having to claim they voted for it. They could claim that all they did was pass a rule but they never voted to pass healthcare.
There is just one small problem - the Constitution! This idea would Slaughter the Constitution, again - something they do not seem to be bothered by, in the least bit. The Constitution requires that all bills be passed by both houses of Congress before being sent to the President for signing into law. This new rule idea would bypass the House ever reconsidering this bill or passing it with a vote.
One way or another, they intend to impose some form of healthcare control on all of us. It does not matter to them that a large majority of the public (their bosses) do not want any form of what they are selling, they are going to give it to us anyway.
Queen Pelosi does not appear to be able to round up enough cRats to vote to pass the Senate version of Obamacare. This is in spite of the cRats controlling Congress by about 40 votes. If the House members insist on making changes to what the Senate passed, it would have to go back to the Senate for another vote. The last time, it passed with the slimmest of margins and they do not want to have to take it back there for another vote. There are enough cRats in the House that do not want to vote for this mess that QP cannot round up votes for passage.
So, along comes Louise Slaughter, House Rules Chairwoman (D-obviously), with her brilliant idea. The transparent cRats have been holding numerous meetings behind closed doors - even closed to many cRats - and this is the latest idea they are floating. The SlaughterHouse committee would bring a rule for a floor vote that would basically state that with passage of this rule change, the Senate version of the healthcare bill would be "deemed" to have been passed by the House. This ploy would make it possible for cRat House members who are afraid to vote for healthcare (due to we the people back home), be able to pass healthcare without having to claim they voted for it. They could claim that all they did was pass a rule but they never voted to pass healthcare.
There is just one small problem - the Constitution! This idea would Slaughter the Constitution, again - something they do not seem to be bothered by, in the least bit. The Constitution requires that all bills be passed by both houses of Congress before being sent to the President for signing into law. This new rule idea would bypass the House ever reconsidering this bill or passing it with a vote.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Time Spent Waiting
What are you waiting for?
If you are not waiting, right now, you have been recently. We all seem to find ourselves waiting for something much of the time. So, what are you waiting for, right now?
In a poem by Horace is the latin phrase, "Carpe diem", which means, "Seize the day". There is a Rabbinic phrase, "And if not now, when?"
Some would add the negative connotation of, "Eat and drink, for tomorrow we die." (I Cor. 15:32). Here, Paul, writes as to what our attitude should be if we had no hope of a resurrection and spiritual life after this physical life on earth.
As Christians, we do have a hope of salvation and eternal life in heaven with God. So, with that ahead of us, how should we be redeeming the time? Whenever we spend time waiting on something or someone, minutes and hours and days are lost.
God does tell us to "wait on the Lord". This instruction is relating to God's timing, our patience (or lack thereof), and learning to be led by the Spirit of God. It would be great if God were the only one that we spend time waiting on, but He is not.
We seem to find something to wait on and a reason to postpone action and obedience on a routine basis. Sometimes, waiting is an excuse we use for the fear or intimidation we feel. As long as we can claim we are waiting on someone or something, we have an excuse for inaction. As relates to God and His Word, this inaction can be disobedience, just as not waiting when He leads us to can be disobedience.
What are you waiting for? Is it any of these: love, justice, revenge, miracle, healing, joy, peace, happiness, wealth, work, vacation, children, retirement, acceptance, friendship, approval, forgiveness, help, understanding, ministry, planting, rain, harvest; or are you waiting to cry, mourn, rejoice, sing, be happy? Do you believe you are waiting on life or for death? Are you waiting on any of a thousand things before you take the next step or are you really only waiting on God to provide the direction?
I wonder if we might claim to be waiting on God at times when He has not instructed us to do so. The opposite can also be true, when we cannot sit still when God is wanting us to wait.
How do we know the difference? Is God telling us to wait or move? One thing that we must honestly examine is our heart - our motive for action or inaction. Pray and ask God for clear direction and open eyes to honestly examine if we are using an excuse to not follow the Spirit. Have confidence that God desires that we obey, and thus, that we have a heart sensitive to His leading. When we are honestly seeking His direction, He will provide.
Wait on the Lord, but be careful not to let too many other things cause you to wait and wait and wait. The days are short, make use of the time you have to do good and what is right in the sight of God.
If you are not waiting, right now, you have been recently. We all seem to find ourselves waiting for something much of the time. So, what are you waiting for, right now?
In a poem by Horace is the latin phrase, "Carpe diem", which means, "Seize the day". There is a Rabbinic phrase, "And if not now, when?"
Some would add the negative connotation of, "Eat and drink, for tomorrow we die." (I Cor. 15:32). Here, Paul, writes as to what our attitude should be if we had no hope of a resurrection and spiritual life after this physical life on earth.
As Christians, we do have a hope of salvation and eternal life in heaven with God. So, with that ahead of us, how should we be redeeming the time? Whenever we spend time waiting on something or someone, minutes and hours and days are lost.
God does tell us to "wait on the Lord". This instruction is relating to God's timing, our patience (or lack thereof), and learning to be led by the Spirit of God. It would be great if God were the only one that we spend time waiting on, but He is not.
We seem to find something to wait on and a reason to postpone action and obedience on a routine basis. Sometimes, waiting is an excuse we use for the fear or intimidation we feel. As long as we can claim we are waiting on someone or something, we have an excuse for inaction. As relates to God and His Word, this inaction can be disobedience, just as not waiting when He leads us to can be disobedience.
What are you waiting for? Is it any of these: love, justice, revenge, miracle, healing, joy, peace, happiness, wealth, work, vacation, children, retirement, acceptance, friendship, approval, forgiveness, help, understanding, ministry, planting, rain, harvest; or are you waiting to cry, mourn, rejoice, sing, be happy? Do you believe you are waiting on life or for death? Are you waiting on any of a thousand things before you take the next step or are you really only waiting on God to provide the direction?
I wonder if we might claim to be waiting on God at times when He has not instructed us to do so. The opposite can also be true, when we cannot sit still when God is wanting us to wait.
How do we know the difference? Is God telling us to wait or move? One thing that we must honestly examine is our heart - our motive for action or inaction. Pray and ask God for clear direction and open eyes to honestly examine if we are using an excuse to not follow the Spirit. Have confidence that God desires that we obey, and thus, that we have a heart sensitive to His leading. When we are honestly seeking His direction, He will provide.
Wait on the Lord, but be careful not to let too many other things cause you to wait and wait and wait. The days are short, make use of the time you have to do good and what is right in the sight of God.
War Journal - March 9, 1945
Nose art - Dixie Hurricane
A-"bomber" pursuit plane3/9/1945
Sunday
Returned from a 2-Day pass in Paris yesterday. The bomb line has moved up to the Rhine River along the entire front so it makes our missions shorter and easier. We are alerted to move on April 5 to a field in the vicinity of Brussels. Also we are changing to A-26's - the change being completed about May 5.
Sunday
Returned from a 2-Day pass in Paris yesterday. The bomb line has moved up to the Rhine River along the entire front so it makes our missions shorter and easier. We are alerted to move on April 5 to a field in the vicinity of Brussels. Also we are changing to A-26's - the change being completed about May 5.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
General Update
As of the first of March, it has been one year of blogging with 369 postings during the first year. For the few of you who read these, I hope you have enjoyed them.
I have been gone for a few days and just caught up on a couple war journal entries. I will try to get some more photos scanned over the next few days so you will also have those.
I just finished typing the war journal entries for the month of March and beginning of April into my computer. There are some amazing entries coming up during the next month. I wasn't even there and some still brought tears to my eyes typing them.
If you are wondering what has happened to the political postings, I have not lost interest, but have been really busy lately and not had the time to do those. Don't fret, I have notes and ideas for upcoming blogs.
Thank you for reading and I appreciate any comments you may have to any of the blogs.
I have been gone for a few days and just caught up on a couple war journal entries. I will try to get some more photos scanned over the next few days so you will also have those.
I just finished typing the war journal entries for the month of March and beginning of April into my computer. There are some amazing entries coming up during the next month. I wasn't even there and some still brought tears to my eyes typing them.
If you are wondering what has happened to the political postings, I have not lost interest, but have been really busy lately and not had the time to do those. Don't fret, I have notes and ideas for upcoming blogs.
Thank you for reading and I appreciate any comments you may have to any of the blogs.
War Journal - March 5, 1945
3/5/1945
Wednesday
#24 - To the city of Stadtmeckenheim south of Bonn about 10 miles. PFF & Gee went out so we tagged onto another group going in 20 minutes after us and bombed. Received moderate flak in several places.
Wednesday
#24 - To the city of Stadtmeckenheim south of Bonn about 10 miles. PFF & Gee went out so we tagged onto another group going in 20 minutes after us and bombed. Received moderate flak in several places.
War Journal - March 3, 1945
3/3/1945
Monday
Mission #23 - To the city of Schwelm about 15 miles west of Dusseldorf. Carried incendiaries & dropped PFF. There was flak in several places but not too bad. This was the second mission for this group today. This morning they went to the same place we went yesterday afternoon. They were shot all to pieces this morning. Lost one ship from another sqdn. Strange and two other men were wounded from this sqdn.
Monday
Mission #23 - To the city of Schwelm about 15 miles west of Dusseldorf. Carried incendiaries & dropped PFF. There was flak in several places but not too bad. This was the second mission for this group today. This morning they went to the same place we went yesterday afternoon. They were shot all to pieces this morning. Lost one ship from another sqdn. Strange and two other men were wounded from this sqdn.
Monday, March 1, 2010
War Journal - Mar. 2, 1945
Pappas and Miles - Miles was from Infantry and visited us one week and flew several missions with us.3/2/1945
Sunday
Flew two missions today. First one to the town of Simmern (south Koblenz) to bomb a bridge. Oboe & Gee both went out so we brought our bombs back. It was PFF. No flak. Second to Wiesbaden to bomb Ord. Depot. Bombed PFF-moderate-inaccurate flak but we came through unscratched again.
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