HECK OF A MESS IN THE MIDDLE EAST (or ARE WE PREPARED?)

This was a letter that I wrote to the editor around Sept. I was concerned about the trouble in the Middle East, particularly in Iran, and wondered of our preparedness for it.

Dear Editor,

With the uproar in Iran escalating it is impossible to ignore if we are or are not prepared for a conflict.

When 9/11 happened it was a no-brainer to go after the SOB's that brought it about. We went into Afghanistan, dethroned the Taliban, the world understood and applauded. But we let up, let Bin Laden slip by and now the Taliban is regaining their monstrous foothold in that country.

Then, inexplicably and with merely a wisp of international support, and for reasons now that have proven to be lies, we entered Iraq and destablized a region that now brinks on civil war. We have hundreds of thousands of troops stationed there and there appears to be no end in sight.

If Ahmadinejad has his way we will have a war that circles the globe and brings ruin on all populations.

Do we have the troops necessary to stop this madman? Or will we be caught with our pants down with most of our troops fighting a ridiculous and unnecessary war?

We should focus our national resources on those issues that really matter and not on expanding the coffers of those who hungrily embrace war.

I'VE NEVER BEEN ASHAMED OF OUR COUNTRY...

I wrote this the day Federal Marshalls burst into Duane "The Dog" Chapman's home and arrested him in front of his wife and children. They had already arrested his partner and his son. I'm a huge fan of Dog and his show, "Dog the Bounty Hunter", so you can imagine I was pretty pissed. So keep that in mind when you read this.


Tue, 19 Sep 2006

...UNTIL NOW.

This incidence has made it very clear that our government sees its own people as their enemy.

What Dog did is considered a misdemeanor yet 7 federal marhshalls burst into his house, placed he, his son and his partner into a federal prison, was told that he would not get a bond hearing for weeks, and they then set bail at $300,000! Doesn't sound like a misdemeanor to me.

He is forced to wear an ankle bracelet and must report whenever called for his extradition hearing. This action is costing the federal government hundreds of thousands of dollars. All because Dog and his partners commited a misdemeanor.

He may spend four years in a Mexican prison. Why? Because he captured a monster who drugged and brutally raped over 80 women. And he did this with the cooperation and assistance of local law enforcement!!

Let's face it and be honest...Dog is being used as a pawn in a much larger chess game. Our government is trying to impress the Mexican government with their "might and power".

In other words, if they're willing to imprison and persecute the best and most productive of our society, then one can only imagine what they'll do to the dregs.

This instance has shown me that we can no longer trust our government. They work against us. They fight those who choose to do good, and assist and applaud those who do evil.

I can now see why Americans and America is one of the least popular countries on the Earth.

I HAVE TO BELIEVE

I wrote a series of things that I hoped would heal my confused way of thinking. I was struggling to hold onto the good things and let go of the bad things.

These three short notes were the result.

I HAVE TO BELIEVE - Thu Nov 30, 2006

I have to believe that people can change. That Grace can be imbued into their lives. That we can make a difference in their lives. That people don't have to settle for second best. That Jesus can still reign supreme in the lives of those who choose Him to. That the idea of punishment and blessing still exists. That evil is punished and good is rewarded. That God prefers children and seeks to protect them. That fools and evil doers are given what they deserve, the short end of the stick.

I HAVE TO BELIEVE 2 - Thu Dec 07, 2006

I have to believe that man can change. That with an exposure to goodness, to light, to positive reinforcement, they can experience an alteration to their character.

I must believe that man can be better than they are right now, that they are not made only of dust or clay or trash, that they are righteous spirit, that they long for goodness in their souls, that their souls do not rest if they do not feel rested.

I an forced to believe that man wants more than he now has, that the struggle for humanity and goodness and righteousness is a worthy one, and a common one.

I must believe it. I have to believe it. It is my life.

I HAVE TO BELIEVE 3 - Thu Dec 28, 2006

I have to believe that people are capable of being incredible and maintaining their incredibility.

I must believe that the best of people are inherrent in them, because human beings are born of goodness, of the nature of God, that He is in them doing and bringing about His will in their lives.

HEAVEN IS MY HOME

Last year I felt absolutely awful for several months on end. I honestly didn't know if I would last the year. It made me write some things about the possibility of death.

This was about August:

Heaven is the finish, it is the beginning. All is made well when one passes through the gate of death and enters into life eternal.

It is the next step. It is the final. It is the begone, it is the beguine. The start, the Purpose, the Final. All is made well, and right, and perfect, and acceptable.

It is then when we can forget what came before, and we begin anew. What light, what joy what sublimity. What peace, what joy, what exceeding love and light.

All things are made well in Him. All things are put aside. We forget those things which are behind and embrace those things which are before.

All things are made pefect. We are made whole. We become complete, and whole and rested. We rest in peace, away from danger, and away from pain.

A 4.8 ON AMAZON

The first thing that I want to post about is what I consider a great honor. I have achieved something that I have been striving for for over 5 years: a 4.8 customer feedback rating on Amazon. It may not sound like a big deal, but it is to me. You see, everyone gets 5 stars when they sign up to sell on Amazon. Then through messing up or misunderstandings that perfect star rating drops. And if you drop to a 4.7 or less, you are considered a 4 ½ star. And that’s where I’ve been for freakin’ ever! Until yesterday! Yesterday, with the addition of one more Happy Customer feedback, I was finally awarded a 4.8! And that’s just as good as a 5.0. A lot of hard work.

As you can see, I’m stoked. And, as I can see, you’re bored.

HERE ONCE AGAIN

Its been one year to the day since my last posting on this blog. I’ve experienced many changes, both physical and emotional that have not always allowed me the time nor the inclination to post. I think that I’ve healed enough to express once more, and plan to do so as much as possible.

Some things that I’ll be expressing will be new, and some things will be writings from the past year.

I want to talk about potential loss and regain, finding myself once again, and rebounding from disappointments.

Its gonna be an interesting ride to say the least.