Wednesday Hero - Lt. John Madea

Lt. John Madea Lt. John Madea holds his daughter as she is baptized with holy water from the ship's bell of the amphibious dock landing ship USS Tortuga (LSD 46). This is the fourth person baptized aboard Tortuga since the ship's christening in 1988, and her name will be inscribed inside the bell as a tradition of the U.S. Navy. Photo Courtesy U.S. Navy Taken By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Geronimo Aquino These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero. We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Obama on Letterman Show

President Obama went on TV yet again tonight on the David Letterman show. He's been on TV more times than he's had days in office! Anybody besides me question this strategy? GET OFF MY TV ALREADY! RACE - YES - the race card was pulled again! Letterman asked Obama how long he's been a black man - his response? "So the American people, I think, gave me this extraordinary honor. That tells you a lot, I think, a lot about where the country is at." Obama joked that he was actually black before the election - he wasn't :) Obama's CORRECT response to how long he's been a black man should be NEVER!!! The race card is wrinkled, smelly, incorrect, and Obama IS NOT a black man :) Obama has a white mother, a black father, he's neither - he's just as much white as he is black - but yet America still praises the first black president. NOBODY GIVES A SHIT about the color of his skin, his DNA, his genetic code, or his hair, nose, eyes, etc. WE THE PEOPLE ONLY CARE ABOUT HIS POLICY - IF HE WERE TRULY 100% A TRUE BLACK MAN - AND HE DID A GOOD JOB - NOBODY WOULD CARE!!!! Jimmy Carter (truly the WORST president of all time - was as WHITE as an Easter Lily) was the worst president EVER in the USA. Obama is running a final second - and may take the lead if he's not careful. If the race card is SO IMPORTANT to those KEEPING it in the media - WOULD YOU - YOU THE RACE CARD FOLKS - PLEASE ASK THE RIGHT BLACK MAN TO STAND UP AND BE COUNTED? I'd LOVE to have a black president - I wouldn't even mind a purple, green, or blue president! JUST GIVE ME A PRESIDENT THAT READS THE BILLS - READS THE CONSTITUTION - AND GIVES A DAMN ABOUT WE THE PEOPLE! This man does NOT have your backs folks - cradle to grave is NOT something your government is supposed to provide. He's GREAT for the entitlement crowd - which is HUGE! You've been indoctrinated to think the world owes you something for free - Obama's all about that - at the price of YOUR own tax dollars even though YOU think he's PROTECTING you from all that. Vote and weep my friends. The devil IS in the details - when it all comes down - YOU WILL LOSE MORE than you think you already don't have. I'm so happy for Obama that he was impressed about a heart shaped potato that some lady gave him. Obama called that remarkable. YES we all like humor and home spun gratitude - but when your POLICY outweighs your humor - suddenly - it seems menial! A heart shaped potato with a GOOD president would be funny - and we'd all embrace that man's sense of humor. Obama is so far down the ladder right now - NOTHING funny he says makes WE THE PEOPLE laugh anymore, because I CRY when I see, study, and know what he's (the whole government) is doing to YOU - the ones that love him so much. 9.7% Unemployment? Who's doing the "averaging"? Where I live, it's 12.4% - where my in-laws live, it's up toward 15%...9.7 is but a drop in the bucket to most of us. GUESS WHAT? THERE ARE STILL JOBS TO BE HAD here in 12.4% ville... The MAJORITY of jobless - are the minimum wage jobs...BUSINESSES NEED SKILLED LABOR! Trade skills, mechanical skills, tech skills, management skills, even in "small-ville"...skilled customer reps, skilled folks with good work ethic and morals - ARE IN DEMAND! Another "guess what" to those that just blindly BELIEVE statistics that are produced by the media? The "unemployment rates" are generated by statistics generated by those ACTUALLY receiving unemployment benefits! HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS of Americans still "have" a job - but they've been cut back to 3-4 days a week, benefits cut, and salaries dropped! THEY are basically unemployed - but their numbers DON'T show... Obama & administration have INCREASED unemployment benefits for 20 weeks now twice that I know of...there's only 52 weeks in a year - seems like bail outs never end. I can't tell you how disappointed I am when I hear folks I know personally tell me that "hey - they extended it - there's no real jobs out there anyway - I'm gonna keep drawing unemployment...I deserve some time off - I paid into it - gonna get what's mine!" GUESS WHAT DUMMIES!? YOU don't pay into unemployment! Your EMPLOYER does! AND, if you run a good company, and don't have to fire too many, not too many quit - after 3 years or so YOUR UNEMPLOYMENT PAYMENTS go DOWN. In this economy, in this unemployment explosion - there won't be a break for years! TOO many people are on it - and STAY on it because the government keeps you entitled TO IT! GEEZEES! NOW the government says "part time" employees can get unemployment for the days they DON'T get! WTF? There's NO incentive for folks to go and DO! Productivity is a choice - too many choose NOT to. By the way - NOBODY on this planet would, could, or SHOULD fault those that are truly disabled, crippled, or distraught in a way that makes them unable to fend for themselves. This nation IS ONE of compassion, love, and charity. THOSE that truly CANNOT will ALWAYS be taken care of :) For those that never realized that minimum wage jobs are for the ones in high school or college, the ones that keep tips on top of income, or the retired that want extra income but not too much to thwart social security payments, or the ones that like working in an easy position and have a spouse or other income? Guess What? You reap what you sow! As to the war - Obama's OWN CHOSEN leader / general is begging for more troops in Afghanastan! Obama had that report over a month ago! Obama doesn't want to engage! He said... "Obama said he won't make a decision on sending in more troops, though, until he completes a comprehensive review of the war effort and settles on his next strategy. "I'm going to be asking some very hard questions," Obama said." GREAT! Another "comprehensive review" - just what we need from the government when your OWN chosen general is THERE and TELLING you what's needed! How many soldiers will DIE while Obama needs to have yet another "comprehensive review"? He's gonna ask HARD questions? How about the HARD QUESTION the sitting general Obama chose ASKED HIS Commander in Chief? GIVE ME TROOPS OR GIVE ME DEATH - that's the bottom line... Folks like to think (government at least) the TOP line wins... NO - NOPE - NOT EVER - it's the BOTTOM line that matters - the war is on the bottom line - and it's bad. FUND THE TROOPS - BLOW THE BASTARDS OFF THE MAP - WIN THE WAR LIKE USA CAN WIN A WAR - OR COME HOME??? If our government isn't willing to WIN at all costs - THEN STOP SPENDING MONEY WE DON'T HAVE - LEAVE THE PLACES YOU WEREN'T WILLING TO REALLY FIGHT FOR - BLOW THEM OFF THE MAP - OR COME HOME!!! If ya don't want to be the big dog - then get off the porch! It's all really simple America. We can FIGHT and WIN - or we can come home. There is NO MIDDLE in war! Eight years into a war that could have been won in a few months is even tiring to me the right winger :) Bush had balls, but with a Lib majority - couldn't kick ass and take names like he wanted. Main stream America is indoctrinated into Kum-Bah-Ya - so make a decision people - kick or curl - just make the move! Obama needs to settle on his next strategy - what Obama is doing is SETTLING on OUR FUTURES!...BS AND on Obama's media blitz this Sunday / Weekend - yep - you guessed it - was on every station imaginable to mankind in the USA - but refused to show up at FOX... Perhaps WE need to remember that he "didn't know well" the folks he "did know well"... And - while most of you are swallowing that warm sweet oatmeal and cookies fed to you by your current government and your main stream media???... beware of the habanero and jalapeno peppers diced in the middle of your brainwashed pudding :) Source: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/09/22/obama-tells-letterman-actually-black-election/

Helzberg Diamonds Reno ROCKS

My son is getting married :) My son bought his woman's ring at Helzberg Diamonds here in Reno in the Meadowood Mall :) I was there - we shared his story with the women behind the counters at Helzberg :) My son met his special girl while playing softball over three years ago. He played short stop - she played second base ;) We went to pick out "that special ring" that only Erica can wear :) My son wanted to take her out to that ball field, and propose to her on second base - he did - she said YES - and a new family is born :) Time passes - WE HAVEN'T GOTTEN A BILL YET - down payment done - forms complete - remainder of what's owed - no bill yet ? Olga, from Helzberg gave me a phone call. She asked if Clayton did actually propose to his bride to be. I announced happily that yes he did. OLGA REMEMBERED! Olga asked if he did it at second base - I happily announced that YES he did :) Olga asked again - did she say yes? WELL I again happily announced - YES she did say YES! (OMG - she's marrying my eldest son - how could she NOT say yes LOL) - BUT what makes Helzberg Diamonds ROCK - is that Olga the salesperson that sold my son the diamond ring for the woman he's chosen for a lifetime - cared to ASK! Olga called - more than once until she reached us. She WANTED to know that all went well. We mentioned that we hadn't received a bill yet - she said - we haven't sent one yet! We wanted to make sure you were happy, and that he proposed, and that she said yes ;) WHEN DOES THAT HAPPEN ANY MORE IN TODAY'S SOCIETY!!! They wanted to make sure all was good and happy, and they even mentioned that sometimes things go bad, and ladies don't always say yes - and maybe the young man needed to return the ring ;) HELZBERG DIAMONDS in Reno, NV - THE REAL DEAL! If you need jewelery - GO THERE! Helzberg Diamonds CARED about my son's wedding proposal. They went above and beyond the normal course of duty :) I CARE about businesses that CARE - because I'm a business owner myself ;) BUY HELZBERG!

Me & My Camera...

Many people read this blog - some from far places. THIS post is for my NEVADA readers :) I feel like I NEED to write this. I only got involved in politics since the caucus in 2008. I got fired up, and I haven't stopped being fired up since :) I just returned from a special event tonight, and thinking along the lines of what I need to say? WHO better to say it to than your dogs on your own back porch :) It's OK to sit in a nice dress in a lounge chair on your own back porch and talk to the dogs about politics :) BUT - love my pictures - and I must have video of every politician from city council, to mayor, to congressman, to governor. I go to a lot of events, and I think (due to the "stink eye" I get from some)...I've become to be known in the upper circles of Washoe County GOP as "the bitch with the camera" HAHAHA... Well - this is how it is - and this is my reason. I'm disappointed that in a county of over 500,000 that I take MY time to learn. I take my time to see. AND, a lot of times - there are not that many of us at any given function. BUT - THOSE OF US that ARE there hear all that is spoken when someone gives a speech. Bloggers abound - Newspapers abound - Television stations abound - just WE abound. WE - THOSE OF US that ARE there and HEAR what's spoken can sit amongst ourselves and talk about it all day long. We chicks, or the gentlemen that attend - we can ALL talk about what was said or done. WHY is speaking or telling different than pictures? WHEN I AM BEHIND MY CAMERA??? I truly HAVE NO OPINION!!! As a woman, as a business owner, as a citizen, mother, voter - SURE - I have opinions...but BEHIND my camera - there IS NO OPINION! I just wish to bring to the citizens of Nevada the things they need to hear. From EVERY candidate - from EVERY person I film - I feel like it's my duty to bring to them what THEY aren't willing to come out and find out for themselves. I ALWAYS ask permission to publish. I sit on my videos and study them myself to form my own opinions. I rarely have the time to publish the ones I have, and I have HOURS OF THEM! By the time I find the time to edit and publish - it's usually old news anyway. SO - to those giving me stink eye - and to those that embrace my little videos? I do it for YOU. I do it for WE. WE THE PEOPLE - remember us? THANK YOU all that give me permission to film you - even though you rarely make it out of my camera or my computer :)

Obama Addresses AFL-CIO on "Health Care"

I just sadly witnessed the most Socialist speech I've ever seen or heard an American President make in my lifetime. My heart ached as the words fell from his tongue. He actually, openly used very disturbing language in my opinion. Words like redistribute. Of course, he phrased it as the redistribution of success. "The success of us all depends on the success of each of us." It's obvious that our current President would like to see every American in a Union - this was a hugely pro-union speech. He praised the "Freedom of Choice Act." He stated that it's the success of organized labor that has made this nation succeed, organized labor made this government succeed, and it's organized labor that will carry this movement and country forward. He praised and promoted the public option in the "Health Care Reform". The way Obama explains his version and dream of health care reform very much sounds like "Unionized" health care - only on a national level, and as with "Card Check" - we the people will have very little choice in the matter if our Congress passes such a mess. Obama hammered to the cheering AFL-CIO crowd the words "WE CAN'T WAIT" - "WE CAN'T WAIT". BUT, he failed to mention to this same crowd - that things in this reform WON'T take effect until 2012, AFTER his first term (and likely last) as President. If your health and your life DEPENDS on this "change" in health care - GOOD LUCK lasting until 2012 America! Well - I've never been a member of "organized labor" EVER in my lifetime, and in my humble opinion - I'm all the better for it. I never made a "prevailing wage", I NEVER paid dues to any greedy union boss, I NEVER had someone else "negotiate" my standing with ANY employer! Today, I own three very small "mom & pop" companies and employ 22 Americans - all of whom make 100% to 200% ABOVE minimum wage, some even more. His ideas on education reform appalled me! He actually SAID that it's our government's responsibility to bring our children "FROM CRADLE TO CLASSROOM - AND FROM COLLEGE TO CAREER!" EXCUSE ME?? Last time I checked - my children have ALWAYS been MY responsibility. NO GOVERNMENT will claim responsibility nor indoctrination of MY children, grandchildren, nor great-grandchildren from cradle to classroom as long as I can breathe a breath of air to stop that! From college to career - that responsibility lies on the backs of the student! Of course, as parents where we can - we pay for college. Financial aid (loans, grants, and scholarship) is available - but the responsibility to learn, grow, and succeed - lies within the INDIVIDUAL! Obama's speech ended again in pep-rally style - having the crowds chant "ALL FIRED UP" - "READY TO GO". I certainly hope common sense Americans are fired up - if this administration accomplishes all it wishes to - God help us all.

Mark Levin "The Great One" Gave ME an "Atta Girl"

Sean Hannity Freedom Concerts - Have you ever been to one? AMAZING! Eight cities, Eight days, one month - all to celebrate our troops, their families, and AMERICA - AND THE AMERICAN PEOPLE - AND CONSERVATISM! I had the honor to attend the Vegas concert this last weekend. A surprise addition was Mark Levin, "The Great One", and since I listen to his radio show daily on my way home - I'd heard prior that he would be there. Preface: I have long told my children that the schools were indoctrinating them - far against the way I was raised. In my day, NO BIT of history was left out. ALL SIDES of history, thoughts, doctrines, ideas were presented, and our teachers then left it up to us to decide which path to walk. It's not so today. My kids (since all they know is what THEY were taught in THEIR time) always told me, "Oh Mom...it's not THAT bad"...Well... My kids are 26 & 20. The 20 year old is a Sophomore at UNR as a business major. One night he called me late and said I might be right. In his English class - a big part of his semester grade was to read, study, and complete assignments of the Communist Manifesto! I was appalled - not that his Professor wanted him to read that - just that NO ALTERNATIVE was offered. I believe that you should read all sides of life, learn all sides of life, THEN draw your own conclusion as to where you stand. It goes back to keep your friends close, but the enemies closer :) I also believe that IF you are presented TRUTH to all sides of life - HOW CAN YOU POSSIBLY END UP ANY OTHER THAN CONSERVATIVE TO THE CORE? NO alternative was offered - and I told my son NOT TO WORRY - I have the other side, and Mamas will ALWAYS present both sides to their children and let them grow and mature and decide. That's what a Democracy is about - THAT IS THE SPIRIT OF AMERICA! I then gave my son Mark Levin's book Liberty & Tyranny - The Conservative Manifesto. He read it, AND LOVED IT. I COULDN'T WAIT to get to Las Vegas - see Mark Levin in person, and tote my book from home for him to sign. I get to Vegas to the venue - was the first person through my particular door of entrance to the venue - then I got in line. Behind HUNDREDS, and then a thousand or so - we wait for Mark to sign our books. People from all over the nation had brought their books from home - each with a personal story - just to have Mark sign it. Mark Levin had about 1-1/2 hours to sign what I would guess 3000 books! I wouldn't want to be him! But he shook each of our hands quickly, signed the books, and I got to very quickly tell him my story of why I bought his book for my son that was forced to read the Communist Manifesto - His face softened, and he said, "Atta Girl"... Made the line worth while :) (NOTE: A BIG thanks to my husband Kevin for snapping these photos of a GREAT experience :) Love ya Babe!

Customer Compliment

Today, I had a pleasurable moment at work. As a multiple business owner, I am not at each location all the time - plus - I have "princess tendencies" that bring me in late (hahaha). A customer came in for a repeat visit. He had been to our shop once before, but I had never met him. Today, I had the pleasure to wait on him when he picked up his vehicle and pay his bill. At first, he did not know I was the owner, just thought I was the secretary I think :) He asked me, "Do you know why I came back here and love you guys?" I said No, but I'd sure like to hear. He remembered from his past repair, that an error had been made and we made it right. I then remembered that job, but had never met the actual man. The last time he was in - we inadvertently billed him for a part that ended up not actually being needed on his truck. We returned the part, but did not remove it from his bill. I caught the error in my daily duties a few weeks later, and sent the man a check for $40 something dollars and apologized for the error. He told me today when I met him that NOBODY from ANY company had ever sent him money BACK! He knew that I could have easily kept that $40 and no one would have ever been the wiser. I remembered doing that - it was just the right thing to do. I didn't realize at the time that others might not. It made me feel really GOOD to know that doing the right thing made a real impact on my company's reputation, and brought a smile to the heart of a now loyal customer. I was just embarrassed at the time that we let an error like that slip by us! I told him I appreciated his comments, introduced myself as the business owner, and told him - no worries. We try hard to do what we say we will do, with quality and timely performance. I also mentioned that I too must look into a mirror each day - and why would I keep $40 that didn't rightfully belong to me? We smiled and shook hands. Ahhh - the little things in life that make your day :) It was a true pleasure serving this customer, and I hope many more feel the same way. It just feels so good to make someone else happy. I want us all to strive for more of that in our daily lives, our business lives, and just in general. God Bless America and the people that live here and co-mingle from time to time with each other in happy ways :)

Friends Lost & Gone - Sad But True

What happens to people you used to know - used to look up to - and then "poof" life changes, circumstances change, and voila - a new sad person is born. HOW MANY times can you watch one individual be on top of the world - and then in the gutter AGAIN? Sometimes it's not all sad - sometimes you just catch folks you still know in a 2 + 2 = 95 moment and you just shake your head. Thank goodness some make it, some don't, and I suppose at one moment or another in our own lives - we've been that person??? But only and hopefully after being in the gutter or close ONCE - you don't EVER end up there again - most figure it out and can call a medium to rock bottom the worst ever - but MULTIPLE trips to the bottom and the gutter??? Running errands today I ran into someone on the sidewalk outside a store. I nodded getting out of my car wearing sunshades and in a hurry. I knew that person saw me - that's why I nodded. They looked back, I smiled and got on out of my car. Couldn't help myself - after passing my car and on my way into the store - I looked that person's direction - they looked back again - then came back and called my name. From a distance I said, "how are ya?" - they said, "Oh - it's you." Then it was a sad moment I cannot do anything about anymore. This person overtly stated they aren't good again. Life sucks - I lost my job - I have this affliction, that one, and another one. I'm going to require multiple surgeries, I only have the VA, and I now have to live with a relative because I cannot take care of myself any longer. However - this person was clean, wearing clean crisp clothes, and given the neighborhood I was in - I know this person walked at least half a mile to end up there on foot. This person had to lean the wall to stand up though - had been drinking a LONG time and smelled of it - and stood there on a sidewalk and cried like a baby while I tried to provide some words of common sense, good judgment, advice, and comfort. This person used to be a great person - great job - great parent - great spouse. EVERYTIME now I run into this person over the last three years - always the same - TRAGEDY - cover ups - excuses - and yes - bad health. One cannot walk miles though if they aren't capable of something. You give them phone numbers, you suggest avenues over the years for help. You OFFER these people EVERYTHING you have to offer INCLUDING LOTS of money - they still swim the gutter. I don't want to be a total raving bitch - but at some point - after you've taught someone how to swim, after you've seen them at the top of the world more than once, and at the bottom more than thrice, and you STILL give them swimming lessons - some days - you almost want to tell them to jump. Some people cannot be saved and that's sad...

Wednesday Hero - Sgt. 1st Class Gregory A. Rodriguez & Jacko

Sgt. 1st Class Gregory A. Rodriguez & Jacko 35 years old from Weidman, Michigan K-9 unit of the 527th Military Police Company, 709th Military Police Battalion, 18th MP Brigade September 2, 2008 "I asked Greg if anything ever happened to him where he'd prefer to be buried," Sgt. Rodriguez's wife, Laura, told the Morning Sun of Mount Pleasant, "and he told me Arlington, as he wanted to be among the best and the brave." "Rod," as he was known to his Army buddies, was a Red Wings fan who loved to hassle fans of other hockey teams he met during his military career, said Laura. "Greg loved to push everyone's buttons and get people going with his rare, unique sense of sarcasm," she said. At the same time, her husband, a military police dog handler whose dog, Jacko, survived the fatal ambush, was "a very committed, loyal individual and could be counted on whenever needed." Sgt. 1st Class Gregory A. Rodriguez died of wounds suffered in Ana Kalay, Afghanistan, when his mounted patrol came under small-arms fire. "My brother liked to be the law," said Lisa Dombrowski. "He liked justice. If it wasn't right, he made it right." He is survived by his sister, wife and three children. All Information Was Found On And Copied From MilitaryCity.com These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero. We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Politics Seems to be BULLSHIT!

I only got involved in politics about 2 years ago. But what I've learned so far climbing "up the ranks" and that's not saying much to where I am...but it all still seems to be BULLSHIT! From local, to state, and then to national politics, all I see so far is one against another, and what will benefit whom? What MY FOLKS taught me 46 years ago was who COULD benefit whom - and THAT meant helping one another - it meant FAIRNESS - it meant FISCAL responsibility, and it MEANT that ANYBODY that GOT elected could at least add 2 + 2! It meant that when we elected or appointed an official, THEY would ACTUALLY REPRESENT the PEOPLE! TODAY - NOTHING - NOW who can benefit who means who gets pay back on what someone donated to them, or which STUPID law benefits MONEY that brought the elected official to office. It's NO LONGER about WE THE PEOPLE! NOT how it was when I WAS LEARNING ABOUT American History - NOT WHAT MY FOUNDING FATHERS DID! Republicans argue with Democrats...Gays argue among Straights...Hispanics / Asians / Muslims / Jews / Christians / and ANYBODY I left out still seem to ARGUE in 2009! It's ALL BULLSHIT! The CONSTITUTION of America is what made this Country GREAT! Many don't even KNOW what the constitution EVEN SAYS! AMERICA made America the MELTING POT, and I guess TODAY, I'm questioning WHY we allowed the ones that wanted to melt with the rest of us TODAY QUESTION our ORIGINAL intentions? The ORIGINAL intention of our Founding Fathers (and YES they were men...and for the WOMEN that take fault to that should RECONSIDER their position...accepting the amendments to the Constitution thereof that have made it OK)...There was NEVER anything WRONG with STRONG women making a home, having a job, and supporting what AMERICA was all about :) IF YOU came here from somewhere else, you OBVIOUSLY came here because YOU thought it was BETTER, and YOU wanted to be an AMERICAN! So, to come here and force YOUR laws, and YOUR culture ON US - means YOU REALLY LIKED where you WERE! So...WHY come here and try to CHANGE AMERICA? After all, you CAME here, and WE let you in...so WHY try to CHANGE the WHOLE AMERICA??? YES, we welcomed you, and YES we welcomed some of your culture...your food, your religious beliefs, you are FREE to hold them...BUT YOU ARE NOT FREE TO MANDATE THEM TO ALL OF US THAT WERE ALREADY HERE! It's cool to bring your culture here, but it's NOT COOL to CHANGE AMERICA to BE whatever YOU WERE! If you LOVED what you WERE, then WHY did you come HERE in the FIRST PLACE! To THOSE people that came here - you are welcomed to participate in OUR BELIEFS,...and might I say WELCOMED to your OWN beliefs, but you ARE NOT WELCOME to CHANGE the way America...AMERICA believes; since what AMERICA believed is WHAT formed this country! If you risked your very LIFE to get HERE - then WHY do YOU want to CHANGE US to be LIKE what you risked your LIFE to LEAVE? I just don't get that - therefore I don't accept what's going on today! I was going to post ALL the political parties that have existed to this day, but Wikepedia is too bore some, because IT ISN'T accurate! BUT THERE WERE SO MANY! AND it didn't EVEN mention the parties of LONG ago like the Whig party (I neither agree or disagree...just saying they exist - ALL parties existed!), and there were other parties never mentioned - I don't take favor to any particularly except the COMMON SENSE party that has NEVER been formed - and I WOULD call that party Conservative! I don't care WHO you are, or WHO you screw, WHO you raise your MONEY from - if you cannot see that Conservatism and Capitalism WORKS - then too bad, so sad, I'll leave you dangling in your entitlement mentality and you can see just how Socialist hope and change works out for you in the end! I'm about DONE with the WHOLE LOT OF YOU, and what it brings to be active. THE AMERICAN PEOPLE will reign in the end - and I don't HAVE to go to meetings, be campaign managers, campaign on my time, nor DONATE to KNOW what the AMERICAN PEOPLE CAN DO! I'm still involved today, but we ARE in a different time today, and things are strange. I will NO LONGER vote nor support a candidate that WON'T carry him/her self as to the BEST INTEREST OF WE THE PEOPLE! I consider myself a staunch Republican, but if MY CANDIDATES WON'T take the best interest of the PEOPLE to heart - and THEY worry about "moderation" - perhaps I'll give UP politics in general and just FIGHT FOR THE PEOPLE... Oh Yeah...there's a cute chick in Alaska named Sarah Palin that just did that - we'll see yet if she's for REAL - but I'm hopin' SHE'S starting the next mannerly revolution :)

Wednesday Hero - Cpl. Reynold Armand

Cpl. Reynold Armand 21 years old from Rochester, New York 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force August 7, 2007 Reynold Armand didn’t want to wait until he turned 18 to join the Marines. He persuaded his adoptive mother to sign papers allowing him to sign up a year early. "I'm very proud of him," said his father, Carl Armand. "When he was home, he gave no sign of being afraid." Armand didn’t speak much about his experiences in Iraq, according to family members, saying only that most Iraqi civilians he encountered were very nice. "We used to send him a lot of candy," said his mother, Alma Armand. "He would pass it out." Manny Rodriguez, 21, of Rochester met Armand five years ago at New Day Church in Rochester, where both young men were members of the youth group. "He was such an amazing all-around person. He was so easy and comfortable to be around. He liked people for who they are." No definitive report could be found on how Cpl. Armand died. Some report that he was killed when shot and others report that he was killed by an IED that exploded near his vehicle in Balad, Iraq. All Information Was Found On And Copied From MilitaryCity.com with help from Kathi These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero. We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Health Care Excessive Costs

I just recently went to the doctor for numbness in my hand. Thought I had carpal tunnel syndrome - NO - I have cubital tunnel syndrome, from the tunnel in the elbow instead. Yes it was a "specialist" I went to, not the average doctor. Just got a bill today for what I owe the doctor - not too bad at $53. I paid a $40 copay at the door. THEN - I looked at the REST of the statement. I spent just over an hour with this doctor, and the bill was about $3800 dollars!!! Yep it's nice that I only had to cover $93 dollars of that - but WTF? I figured out the numbers - if a doctor can see 5 patients a day at $3800 per hour or so given lunch hour - note time - in and out time - etc...that's $19,000 per day income. Given an average 20 day work month allowing for off time, holidays, etc...that's $380,000 per month income to an office. Yep there's rent, there's paying the salaries of say 5 people (2 nurses for a large office, 2 office staff, and 1 dedicated to filing insurance claims). How much do you figure a doctor's office employee makes - obviously the nurses more, but office staff...how much? I'm a business owner and I employ 22 people - OURSELVES included as owners. Our insurance premiums are HUGE because of a small group. I feel BADLY that I went to a specialist to fix my elbow problem - and I know for every dollar spent at a doctor's office, our premiums go up or down reflecting who uses the policy. Just IMAGINE when someone has to have a surgery or a catastrophic event befalls them...what that does to our premiums - and we all split the costs evenly. We as employers pay half and HALF of all dependents - it's STILL INSANE! A guy with a wife and a couple of kids is looking toward $800-$1000 per month! I manage to draw a nice salary, I employ 22 people - NOBODY in our companies makes less than $14 per hour, and the producers make over $20 - some up toward $30 per hour. WE NEVER HAVE $380,000 PER MONTH IN GROSS INCOME!!! Between 3 companies employing 22 people and 14 of those 22 are PRODUCERS, not like ONE doctor in an office that produces alone - we're lucky to maybe have between us all even close to that kind of gross income. Health care is INSANELY EXPENSIVE! Do the math! Large companies can employ hundreds of people. Back in my gaming days I worked for a company with 2800 employees - MY ENTIRE FAMILY was covered with lower co-pays and a premium of about $200 per month. WTF? Our current health care system is SCREWED UP! The government is certainly no answer - they can't even read a bill before they vote on one! I'd love to hear your thoughts...give me YOUR opinions on how we can stop the madness before the Government attempts to do it for us!

What Does A Free & Strong America Mean To You?

What does a FREE AND STRONG AMERICA MEAN TO YOU? Give Romney's PAC $50 and you might win an all expense paid trip to see a ball game at Fenway Park sitting in the Romney Family's seats :) Consider it a raffle ticket :) Many complained that it cost something to enter...goes to my entry...America is still a FREE country. Pay it and enter ONE DAY LEFT...or don't...but DON'T judge those of us that did! Here's my entry: "PEOPLE RISE, carry forth what founding Fathers intended, ABIDE the Constitution. GREAT document at inception. GET OVER ENTITLEMENT MENTALITY, GET OVER “Political Correctness”…Free Speech IS. QUIT getting FEELINGS HURT over someone DISAGREEING, then attempting to take morbid, legal action against said person… otherwise we’re stuck in moldy turmoil called endless conundrum! GET MORALS back! SAY NO to someone, AND HAVE THEM understand NO MEANS NO…keep extremes between yourselves under cover of your private home, NOT in main-stream. It’s OK to have ENFORCED RULE stating things are better left unsaid or undone… Americans cherish freedom… keep some freedoms to yourselves if you don’t particularly like enforced rule of civility, moral behavior, or common sense! BE FISCAL! It’s long been said that money is the root of all evil, but lack of it breeds evil! If America doesn’t FIRST deal with FISCAL; WE CANNOT heal social, political, or varied issues. YOU CANNOT SPEND WHAT YOU DON’T HAVE! Government has NO MONEY! They’re elected officials that serve US – WE DON’T SERVE THEM! Government HAS NOTHING they don’t gain from US! The more they take from those providing, the LESS WE HAVE TO PROVIDE. When they’ve taken ENOUGH to make all equal… NO MORE to take and NOBODY left to provide! EVERYBODY has a calling. Take that calling to the best of your ability WITHOUT Government intervening, prosper and abound. Keep morals strong, efforts true. WE THE PEOPLE ARE THE BEST PEOPLE on earth…if we just go BACK to how America CAME TO BE!" IT'S SO HARD for an activist blabbermouth like ME to say ANYTHING in 250 words or less...but I did it in EXACTLY 250 words. Although I couldn't cover illegal immigration here...I'm pretty sure enforced law and SAY NO 'bout covers that too :) Good luck to me and anybody else that entered or will...

Wednesday Hero - Pvt. William Long

Pvt. William Long 23 years old from Conway, Arkansas D Company, 2nd Battalion, 58th Infantry June 1, 2009 "My brother taught me valuable lessons and made me the man I am today," said Pfc. Triston Long, brother of Pvt. William Long. "My commander said, 'Make your brother one of us.' I will miss my brother with all that I am, and I serve in honor of him." Pvt. William Long had just completed basic training and was set to ship out on June 8 to his first duty station in Korea when he and Private Second Class Quinton Ezeagwula were shot outside a Little Rock, Arkansas Army-Navy Recruiting Center by Abdul Hakim Mujahid Muhammad. They were in Little Rock to speak to with potential recruits about their experiences. Pvt. Long's father, Daris Long, a former Marine, wrote a letter to give to him when he shipped out for South Korea. In that letter he wrote, "Your day only ends when you’ve done your duty. You and your brother … are both heroes for having the moral courage to stand up when your country needs you most. You are in my hopes and my thoughts and my prayers. You are my son, you are my hero. I love you. Semper fidelis." Along with his father and brother, Pvt. William Long is survived by his mother, Janet, who had served in the Navy herself. All Information Was Found On And Copied From RedState, Sipsey Street Irregulars & Army Times with help from Kathi These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero. We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

New Legislation OR Pre-Planned Conspiracy?

I SWEAR - I'm NOT a Conspiracy Theorist! However...I'm living in a time unlike anything I've ever seen in my lifetime, and I'm 46. I'm amazed lately at the lightning speed in which rules are changed...both nationally and locally. Each new "regulation", or "new law" up to and including BOTH my "Obama" administration AND my Nevada legislation...has creepily had RESULTS BEFORE the ink was dry on the paper! Obama signs a new bill...within 3 days it seems I get new updates on my business software to compensate for the new expenditures/rules! My Nevada legislature signs a new law, and before the ink is dry I get a letter in the mail explaining the NEW way I must fill out tax forms or meet tax obligations, and / or I get a strange check in the mail that might benefit me TODAY, but it WON'T benefit future home buyers! Is all this stuff pre-planned? HOW CAN IT BE...it's NOT efficiency I ASSURE you that's causing all this. In years past...you almost had to ask or beg for new rules after they were passed in "Congress" to insure yourself you were obliging to new regulations before you might be penalized for not doing so. Today...news airs...next 3 days you get notification! In a country of 300,000,000 folks..."they" are NOT that efficient! "They" also aren't fooling anyone! Folks that study bills before State Legislature or Washington Congress can READ BETWEEN the lines! Every county in my state has a different sales tax %. Reno has been 7.375% since I've been in business...but we had an allowance credit for paying on time that got cut in half in the bad economy. That comes out of MY pocket. Sales Tax that I PAY my county is none other than writing a check for that which I collect...called a "wash" for those in the business know. For business owners...we got a "notice" that our allowance for making timely payments was cut in half from Jan.-June. Well...it's June. We also heard that sales tax going up was a passed measure in Legislature! Well...let me read you the letter...paraphrased yet accurate! The previous reduction in the collection allowance (Jan-June) will remain in effect for ALL FUTURE RETURNS. In addition...the local school support tax of sales & use tax will increase from 2.25% to 2.60% (don't EVEN know what that is but SOMEBODY is paying it!)...as of July 1, 2009. Based on these increases...here...blah blah are new tax rates...Reno...7.725%????? While SOME...MIDDLE CLASS folks bear these increases...they make it seem like tax rates went DOWN from 7.735% to 7.725%??? Maybe some other counties really got humped...I only keep up with mine :) BUT...BANGING average folks for the INCREASES and LOWERING the sales tax to consumers by a miniscule amount...DOES NOT MAKE FOR LOWER TAXES! HELLO!!! The INCREASES that are MORE are paid by the average folk, the same way you give us a percentage of a penny OFF our sales tax??? Don't you government folk THINK WE the LITTLE PEOPLE can actually DO MATH??? "You" GOVERNMENT stick a rose in our faces while you stick a hot poker up our butts and think WE don't know the difference given your convoluted formulas of "government math". Let me spell it out for any Republican or Democrat out there. 2+2=4. Dividing CRAZY ideas into REAL numbers only leads to failure. YOU aren't fooling ANYBODY! Nevada Legislature's idea of 4...Obama and his Congress's idea of 4 is NOWHERE EQUAL TO 2+2! GIVE US A FREAKING BREAK ALREADY!!!! "They" cannot EVEN account for all the bail out money...but by God...I've gotten notices of me paying MORE immediately! A bad bill passed in Nevada that is "good for me" as a homeowner that "already" owned a home...got a tax abatement check. For new homeowners...they are going to pay taxes on full market value of anything purchased if my thinking is correct. The only "roll-back" to pre-so-in-so tax values was going to require this if my study is true! BUT...just saying...things are happening QUICK these days...like "they" ALREADY knew what was going to happen before it did! Am I crazy? OR...does anybody else notice this?

Yen & Yang of Capitalism

When SUCCESS is no longer a viable OPTION...a FEW will continue to succeed for a short time. When FAILURE is no longer a viable OPTION...ALL will eventually FAIL in a short time!

Obama Makes My Jaw Drop

I swear...I never thought I'd live to see the things happening right before my own eyes today. One man managed in 6 months to spend more money than ever before in 30 administrations before him. One man has managed to appall the masses (even the ones that voted for him)... The last time I "overly" shook my head was when Jimmy Carter was in office. But today, I'm beginning to think I've contracted a terminal case of both Parkinson's Disease and TMJ all at the same time! I walk around each day with my head continually shaking and my jaw dropped (it's locked in that dropped position), as I watch my President throwing away 200+ years of history. There might have been a report of a volatile dirt explosion...I'm not sure...but I'm pretty sure wherever the founding fathers are buried...a huge explosion occurred, as I don't think a simple "roll-over" would have been sufficient enough for them in their graves! I'm pretty sure their graves either EXPLODED, or IMPLODED, and the smell of RIGHTEOUSNESS must be prevalent wherever they exist! For the ones that were creameated...it must look worse than the LaBron James Powder show in the playoffs! Obama now has Czars...bunches of them (about 13-16) I think...since when does the USA need Czars? (Czar is the definition of a ruler of Russia until the 1917 Revolution, or one in GREAT power). Nobody really knows who they are...who they report to, or what the consequences will be if they don't perform admirably? They just are, and they get paid WELL on YOUR dime! I think Obama must have been "absent" for 9-11, and much before and after. I think Obama learned A LOT while he was in that Madrassa in Indonesia as a small child. After attending Rev. Wright's "christian church" for a long time...he hasn't been bothered with religion at all lately. I can't talk...I haven't stepped foot in a church for years either...but I PRAY regularly and those that know me know I depend on my Christian beliefs and spirituality to get me by always. Church can be at home, it can be anywhere...but most that participate at LEAST talk about that practice on a regular basis! Obama only preaches the NEEDS of the other peoples, not the Americans who hold Christianity dear. Don't get me wrong...Christians by belief accept, welcome, and tolerate freedom of all religions...I've just never seen such a "Muslim "christian" before"... My President gave up Reverend Wright to spend my taxpayer dollars to travel to the Middle East and quote the Quran! NO OTHER POTUS has EVER done that! I see dictators and savage militants laughing at my President calling him Comrade and joking that THEY are more Conservative than he...and it's true. No doubt Obama is a Liberal...but to have Hugo Chavez and Fidel Castro LESS Liberal than you is spooky! Obama basically snubs Israel and the Jews...but he sure loves the Muslims...NOT the Christians or Catholics, or the Methodists, Episcipalions, Church of Christ, Jewish people, or any other Christian religion that actually believes in GOD and true kindness and responsibility! He said on his first day of his tour, he was happy to be there where Islam began! Couldn't bother to go to Israel though...Couldn't even bother to go to Kenya to visit Grandma who witnessed his birth...oh yea...he's had a gag order placed upon "that part" of his family since his Grandma "ratted him out" for NOT being born in Hawaii...he's spent about $2 Million in legal defenses against the 12 or so lawsuits against him for producing no legitimate birth certificate...when producing a legitimate one would have ended it all! I've been alive for all Presidents from Kennedy through Obama, and NO President has ever "given me the CREEPS"...this one does. It's TOO CREEPY that he's managed to destroy America in less than 6 months. All politicians are a bit arrogant, but he's narcissist, and arrogant beyond any other. He continually makes speeches and looks from side to side, points that finger horizontally OVER and over...and NEVER LOOKS US in the eye! A man that cannot LOOK YOU IN THE EYE has MUCH to hide! Pelosi or Reid cannot look into the eye either. (Excuse me...Pelosi DOES look you in the eye...she just waves her hands a lot and states..."I've said ALL I'm going to say about that." We're in a BIG MESS...and while I always try to get along with my Democrat friends...I hope this is the CHANGE you were hoping for...as for me...I just HOPE I survive long enough to see him gone out of office! It's a real shame to see what Obama and the Democrats and the liberal media have done to this Country! Even the flag that flies in front of my house is depressed! The wind never seems to kick up in the right direction anymore to make it fly STRAIGHT OUT! It just seems to kind of limp there and fly sometimes, but mostly just hang...even in Nevada winds. When it is windy...it seems to just get all wadded up in itself! God Bless the USA even if our President WON'T. And God bless Israel even if our President WON'T.

Reno CANCELS Fireworks 4th of July

Folks...some TRUE news is SO BIZARRE...you just can't make this kind of craziness up! And yet you find yourself head in hands pulling your hair out as to how grown adults in charge of a city of several hundred thousand people actually meet and DECIDE that THIS is what's best for ALL OF US!!! RGJ News Article "The Reno City Council agreed Friday to cancel fireworks for the Fourth of July, bowing out to the much bigger Star-Spangled Sparks show in downtown Sparks. It will use that money and other funds to support special events." Oh Goody!...just what "special events" are we going to use that money on? "The council agreed that the $7,500 planned for fireworks would be better spent supporting the national hand cycling championship that will be part of the Tour de Nez bicycle classic on June 17-20...With that backing, “we could get them every year and make it into a bigger event,” Councilman Dave Aiazzi said." WOW! hand cycling over 4th of July Fireworks!!! Yippeee!!! But WAIT!!! It gets better... "The Council has made special events a top priority this year as a means of drawing tourism and to help cheer up local people in this recession. Weight loss program: The council also supported member Dan Gustin’s request to spend $15,000 in its next budget to put 12 police officers and firefighters, if they agree, on a three-month program to lose weight in hopes they will stick with it. Their initial program would be overseen by a doctor, physical fitness experts and a nutritionist. Preventing any one of them from a heart attack would save the city $1 million in medical bills, Gustin said." Only in America huh? Glad to know my city is in such qualified hands! My sarcasm runs amok, but not NEARLY as much as my lividness at the sheer STUPIDITY of all of it!

Ronald Reagan is Not the New GOP - OLD SCHOOL

FIRST AND FOREMOST...DON'T THINK I'D EVER DISRESPECT RONALD REAGAN. He was a great President. BUT...I'm growing ever increasingly tired of Reaganomics, Reaganophics, The Reagan Principle, Reaganesque!!! It's like people DON'T realize that when you were young...and little Johnny and little Bobby lived next door...they BOTH had great dads...but like your always hearing that only ONE of those dads ever mattered! Reagan was great...and he may have been the last thing Republicans can remember that great... but if that's true? IF A PARTY ONLY has one guy that is rememberable enough to mention, and he was great in the '80's...you gotta see we're in TROUBLE! WHEN ARE CONSERVATIVES GOING TO STAND BACK UP (in the 'real' world of actual elected officials) AND REALIZE THAT IT'S WE - WE - WE THE PEOPLE that think Conservative (maybe like Reagan)...but like millions of others JUST LIKE HIM! GOOD POLITICS is NEVER going to be about one man or woman! It's about WE. It's a TEAM effort to make this country great! Reagan was a wonderful man and politician...but he is just one man amongst millions of great country men and women! What Reagan represents that NOBODY likes to bring up is "Old School"! Guess What? I'm at that PERFECT AGE to see it come full circle LOL :) When I bucked as a youngster...I thought my folks were "such 'Old School' "...I have grown kids now...that have lived through the bucking, and now we laugh about how they used to think I was 'Old School'...but guess what else? Old School in my generation, in theirs, and in the 'old schools' of our parents and grandparents is WHAT WORKED! IT WASN'T JUST REAGAN!!!!! GOP-get back to 'Old School'...and just leave Reagan to live out his peace in his grave! There are millions like Reagan...and some even better is my guess...get on with getting it all out... Suddenly...I need a cup of TEA :) Later...readers...gonna sip and remember... BUT...IF REAGAN WERE HERE TODAY...THIS WOULD BE HIS EXPRESSION!!!

Mother's Day 2009

Later this month, my two sons will be 26 & 20!!! They're no less my babies today however than on that awesome May, 23 26 years ago :) My boys showed up this morning and made me biscuits & gravy with scrambled eggs for breakfast (at the appropriate not too early time of 10am LOL). A graceful glass swan came for me with a single fragrant rose. I received a beautiful house/plant flower called Guzmania or Soledo. It's a gorgeous plant and I just can't decide if I'll keep this one in the house, or make it a permanent addition to my yard :) All was complete with cards that always make my eye leak :) Without fail, my boys always come up with very unique and personal gifts. They found from their grandmother, and gave to me an old cassette tape from March, 1983 (two months before my eldest was even born) of me playing the piano. Mostly gospel, some pop (of that day and before), and a couple of country tunes. What a blast from the past...I was 20 years old when that was done :) I LOVE YOU BOYS! Thanks for yet again another perfect Mother's Day. I've always said... God's greatest gift to me ever was the amazing gift to have been your Mother :)

Spring Planting in Reno

Oh...Lawdy, Lawdy, Miss Clawdy! I don't have a green thumb...not even a brown one LOL! I have a BLACK thumb hahaha! Last year, I damn near killed myself trying to have the perfect yard, since I'd just moved into this neighborhood, into this beautiful home...and I bought FLATS of FLOWERS that I just could never get around to planting. I planted sometimes 60 per day! Then...I was DONE...and didn't plant more for many days...therefore some I'd purchased...died in the garage...never having seen the light of day :) "Don't even tell me you've never done that....I won't believe you LOL!" This year...I decided (my 2nd Spring in this home)...I'd do it different :) THIS YEAR...I will ONLY purchase 12 per day...as twelve can be done in a quick hour or so...still get dinner out...still watch a movie...etc...LOL... TODAY...I wake up to this beautiful day and finally think FLOWERS! I KNOW it's MAY 9th, the very day before Mother's day...but in Reno....you still pray on May 9 you might NOT have yet another 3-4" snow yet to come LOL :) (It HAS snowed here on July 4th before)... I'm looking out the window of my office, and the snow is ALL GONE (for now) on Peavine Mt. The old folk have always told me NEVER plant before the snow is off Peavine :) Sad truth is... Peavine has been naked twice already...I just decided at May 9...maybe it will STAY naked :) I went to the flower store...and yep...they were all JUST SO BEAUTIFUL...I couldn't do with 12. I purchased 24 that HAVE to be planted. I purchased two "buckets" of flowers that can just be placed and watered :) (I like those...less work for me LOL)... I dug 24 holes. I fertilized 24-4" deep holes. I then planted 24 separate flowers. I then covered 24 holes. I then sprinkled 24 holes with rich soil. I then mixed appropriate feeding water for 24 holes. I placed my "batched flowers" upon my posts... I'm not sure they don't look hokey...but they smell good and I love them :) I asked my husband...he said it was OK... then my neighbor came out and said they looked nice...but standard gardner brown plastic buckets on stucco posts...I'm not sure. I like them...but some in this neighborhood are all about the realism... After I planted 24 flowers...I look back at my bushes...and it doesn't like I did much of anything! 24 flowers doesn't go very far...Much Planting Ahead in my future :) I KNOW MY TEXAS & RENO FRIENDS WILL TELL ME THE TRUTH....do my bucket flowers look OK on my posts at the front of the house? LOL...thanks for your input :) I finished my task...but decided...I should stick to 12 per day... I will post more pictures as our summer goes on.

Wednesday Hero - 1st Lt. Michael A. Cerrone

1st Lt. Michael A. Cerrone 24 years old from Clarksville, Tennessee 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division November 12, 2006 Cerrone's men said in written statements of remembrance that he put their safety and welfare first. He lead from the front and all of the paratroopers would "unquestionably" follow him into battle. His platoon sergeant, Sgt. 1st Class Ronald H. Berryhill, said Cerrone was more than a leader, but a friend and "little brother." He remembers the first day Cerrone got to the unit. At the time, he was shy and quiet. But after a few months, he became more outspoken. "I am truly blessed to have known him and to serve under his leadership," Berryhill wrote. "He will never be forgotten. I will carry him with me always and I will always watch over his platoon. We will make him proud of his boys." Sgt. Cerrone was killed when a suicide bomber detonated the bomb he had strapped to himself in Samarra, Iraq. Also killed in the attack was Specialist Harry "Buck" Winkler. You can read more at BLACKFIVE. These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero. We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Ed Carlson - Reno's Waver

Ed's BACK! I wrote a story long ago about Reno's icon eccentric Ed The Waver. A seeming hippie with a story of unconditional love that walked to the moon and back, and almost everybody waved :) STORY HERE. The VIDEO portion of that story is "currently temporarily unavailable"! I've written those folks to FIX THAT SOON, because his video is priceless on many levels. I included the "link" in case it does get fixed. He does chant a strange mantra as he walks...it's on the video...that I can't show you right now! I've found no other record of that chant. But...Ed has graced our roads & highways since the 1970's with kindness and a WAVE :) My son's girlfriend works at the VA hospital here locally...and thankfully is also one of the few that follows my blog (love ya E) :) Since she had read my previous story of Ed the Waver...she recognized him immediately when he came in recently for an appointment and she had the pleasure to serve him. She told him of my story on my blog, and asked him if he could give her something as a momento of their actual meeting. He gave her an autograph. Now most would think that an autograph is just a signing of a name. NOT FOR THE WAVER! This must be the most amazing and most intriguing autograph I've ever seen. SEE TOP LEFT STORY PICTURE - CLICK TO ENLARGE :) It took me a while to actually READ all of it...and decipher it...and try to figure out what seemed like hyrogliphs within it...BUT I FIGURED IT OUT!...and it only made me wish I could give this odd fellow a nod and say Thanks Again for being a true icon of Nevada... The strange "quotes" or "designs" within the autograph...are the WORDS he CHANTS as he walks our highways, streets, & neighborhoods and just continues his misson to WAVE :) Of course, the hand drawn within is his...traced...as another wave :) God Bless you Ed....we're all still waving back, and I personally am HONORED to have in my possession a legitimate token of your life story in the form of your unique autograph :) THANKS E for sharing that with Mama C :)

Cookout Capital - BBQ Reno

I love Nevada :) It's nice to know that Blue Rhino (the folks that provide your BBQ propane tanks) elected Reno, NV as the 9th BEST city in ALL OF USA for cookouts :) Our ranking was based on the fact that we have SO MANY rain free days with temperatures under 90 degrees from May through August. Yea Baby! The grill at my house is hoppin' several nights a week...even in the winter LOL :)

Arlen Specter CHANGES PARTY

BOY! The underlying drama of each day in the White House lately is so bizarre; even Stephen King couldn't make this crap up! 79 year old Pennsylvania Senator, Arlen Specter today (after closed door meetings with Harry Reid & the ilk), decided the only chance he has to win his next election bid in 2010 is to CHANGE PARTIES and become a Democrat! Pat Toomey almost beat him in the last election, and will most likely beat him for sure in 2010. DEMOCRATS - BE VERY AWARE OF THIS MAN - THIS POST IS NOT ABOUT POLITICS - THIS REGARDS SERIOUS CHARACTER FLAWS! Specter's decision now gives the Senate the desperately desired 60 vote majority that is filibuster- proof. The current group of politicians has long been in chase of this victory. They wiled their way around folks until they found the perfect fall guy...the guy that is centrist and moderate, and the guy that's 79 years old! My Daddy told me LONG YEARS AGO!!!, "Malinda...no matter how little or how much you have...ALWAYS stand by your God, Family, Principles, Guns, & Money...for if you CAN be bought...you WILL MOST CERTAINLY BE SOLD later on! #1: The Democrats WILL sell Arlen Specter down the river later on...he will FOREVER be beholding to them for whatever was spoken in that back room. #2: The Democrats of Pennsylvania SHOULD NOT vote for this guy in 2010! Find your own qualified candidate that stands by his own convictions. If Arlen Specter turned on his party of 40 years...he will turn on you if the offer is good enough! BELIEVE THAT PEOPLE! #3: WE WILL NEVER KNOW the underlying promises of this deal, but trust me, it's ugly. I believe Mr. Specter will long regret selling his soul for political gain...or not... #4: THE GOVERNMENT - NEITHER REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT - CAN PROTECT AGAINST - KARMA! The karmic circle is infinite, holds NO ALLEGIANCE to anyone or anything but the force within it, and it never ends, and is never complete...it just goes on and on.

Pelosi Didn't Know - Reid Didn't Read

One of our local State Assemblymen posted this on Facebook today as a "reminder" for those that need a refresher course in government and I laughed my butt off! Perhaps those in Washington DC too need to re-watch. I REMEMBER THIS...DON'T YOU?

Michele Beard NEW Nevada GOP Chairman (Washoe County/Reno) - Harry Reid NO MORE!

Tonight, Reno, NV made history. Reno is Washoe County, and we elected a new President/Chair for the Washoe County Republicans. CONGRATULATIONS! TO MICHELE BEARD! NOW FOR MY NATIONAL READERS...IF YOU DON'T WANT TO READ ALL OF THIS...SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM PARAGRAPH...IT'S IMPORTANT AS HELL... Sounds simple enough, but it's NOT! Washoe County has about 500,000 citizens...along with the rural counties that add a few more to Northern Nevada. Reno is the forever "labeled" red-headed step child of Las Vegas (Clark County). It's NOT! Reno, Sparks/Washoe County IS THE BACKBONE of the Nevada Republican Party and the DIRE DESIRE to become what the GOP used to stand for. Las Vegas/Henderson comprises TWO OF THE THREE congressional districts in Nevada! Sadly, Clark County (due to its close proximity to California and the mass influx of residents that moved here from CA) is HUGELY Liberal! We do have a Republican Senator from Vegas...but it's tough down South, and my jury's out on Senator Ensign's true commitment to true Conservatism due to the sheer pressure of the Libs there on his positions. In what I'm going to call a surprising defeat, our own "term-limited-out" State Senator Maurice Washington lost to Michele at the election tonight. The great part of good politics (yes there are GOOD politics), is that when you have two great candidates running, someone must lose. I saw grass roots America speak out tonight in Washoe County, and I am pleasantly surprised, but that comes with a great plea to give the deserved person that won the support she needs from the ENTIRE NATION! WE MUST DEFEAT HARRY REID IN 2010! I will admit here on this blog that I voted for State Senator Washington...FOR THE REASON THAT HE HAS NOTORIETY, IS A GREAT AND FABULOUS ORATOR, STICKS 95% TO ALL CONSERVATIVE VALUES, AND COULD BE A NATIONAL NAME THAT FOLKS COULD RECOGNIZE in our fight to defeat Harry Reid in 2010. He has a LOT of experience that would have made him a viable candidate :) I also thought he could stand a better chance of raising the estimated $30,000,000 it's thought will take to DEFEAT Harry Reid! Scary isn't it...that a little 'ole state in the Wild Wild West must raise a freaking 30 MILLION in order to defeat bad judgment! He is a GREAT NEVADAN, he is a GREAT and often lonely voice voting FOR US in our Nevada Legislature! I really love the dickens out of this guy...but Nevada, Washoe County chose another GREAT NEVADAN...a simple everyday local GREAT AMERICAN, NEVADAN to hold this position! However...let it ALSO BE SAID ON THIS BLOG...that Michele Beard has been EVERYWHERE in the last few years where Northern Nevada Politics has had a voice. Her dedication to the GOP in Nevada has been impeccable! She is KNOWLEDGEABLE, she has a great military background, she knows the in's and out's of EVERY ASPECT of the county's voting population. She has been tireless in her efforts to support every qualified and successful Nevada Conservative elected official from dog catcher to senator! She WAS PRESENT for all the woes and wants while Nevada struggled through having many viable Presidential Candidates in 2008 come through Nevada, a Swing State...and even though some didn't want McCain...she fought hard to try and promote him as the MORE VIABLE candidate (ANYBODY BUT) Obama. She has served completely dedicated and without pay to the exiting President/Chair of our county's GOP for multiple years. Our GOP offices are all based on a volunteer basis. Probably the thing that hurt Senator Washington was the desire to have a paid staff. NEVADA CONSERVATIVES ARE ALL ABOUT NOT SPENDING MONEY WHERE MONEY DOESN'T NEED TO BE SPENT...call us crazy...we NEED money...but for our candidates to WIN...NOT to pay the people informed and active in getting them there :) Michele pulls no punches, she works hard and fair through honesty, parliamentary procedure, she listens to the people, and is beholding to NO ONE. She's never held any "official paid office" regarding politics that I know of. She's only attended legislation...not been "one of them"...and she is a bit plain in her appearance to the public. What I mean by that...is she isn't a dynamic speaker, she doesn't move mountains when she speaks...she just does, and she just says it like it is...BUT what she says is correct to a fault, and she's always given her positions her all. You know...JUST A NORMAL FOLK LIKE ALL OF WE ARE! I figured tonight that our "more public and popular" State Senator that has served many terms as a State politician was a shoe in for the office. BUT...as grass roots as Senator Washington IS... it proved to be that Nevadans WANT REAL grass roots and REAL locals to head our County Political Party ;) Tonight's vote was HARD for me. I was undecided up until the last moment. I had enough faith in our grass roots body that I believed that IT'S IMPORTANT ENOUGH to get rid of Reid that I voted for someone I thought could have a little better shot at making that happen. I actually held my pen in hand and twitched a couple of times...before I voted. SO...I CAN SAY WITH A CLEAR CONSCIENCE THAT I'M PROUD OF MICHELE!!! It was that last twitch of my pen that made me X the other candidate. So to my nation... To my readers... To ANYONE that thought that someone more "famous" should have won...WATCH OUT! Michele will be here for us all...(and if she finds a hard day... there's plenty of US to pick her up), even Senator Washington and the REST OF THE REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURE!!!...THE ENTIRE UNITED STATES NEEDS TO BE BEHIND THIS WOMAN!!! WE CANNOT DEFEAT HARRY REID WITHOUT WASHOE COUNTY NEVADA..AND DON'T ANY OF YOU EVER FORGET THAT FOR ONE SECOND!!! Harry Reid has Las Vegas basically in his pocket! HELP Michelle! Send her e-mails! Send the Nevada GOP MONEY! Harry Reid ALREADY has $7,000,000 (SEVEN MILLION) dollars in his fund. Washoe County has $43,000 in it's fund. People donate ALL THE TIME to PAC groups that SAY they will defeat Harry Reid. HARRY REID LIVES IN NEVADA! Donate to NEVADA'S REPUBLICAN PARTY...that's the ONLY way we can help YOU get him OUT! I'm VERY proud of Michele Beard tonight. She showed me that America is TRULY turning to WE THE PEOPLE to take this country back. I will support her and the Northern Nevada GOP to TAKE USA BACK!!! Michele can be e-mailed at office@washoecountygop.org. You may help US DEFEAT Harry Reid by sending $1 at a time, $5 at a time to the Washoe County Republican Party / PO Box 1886 / Reno, NV 89509. If you don't wish to send money...SEND YOUR IDEAS AND SUGGESTIONS! Help us defeat Harry Reid in 2010.

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Reject Reid Tea Party Protest - Nevada Tea Parties

Nevada spoke out today in fine fashion. In Carson City, NV our capitol, crowd estimates are between 2000-3000. The streets were lined with law abiding, tax paying, fiscally responsible, AMERICAN patriots whom have been labeled by the Obama DHS as "right wing extremists", this link IS THE REPORT. The funny side of that is that among our thousands that held tea parties in Nevada today...MANY were in fact Democrats. Welcome Democrats to the "domestic terrorist" category LOL! (Pictures from Carson from KRNV Channel 4 Reno). I even saw one sign that said "Obama-YES - Harry Reid - NO". Just goes to show you that ALL Americans are TEA'D OFF! You Tube Video HERE :) Isn't it funny that we were SUCH a PEACEFUL crowd, laughing a lot, and having local citizens HONK at us a lot..and we ended up NO THREAT to society :) I couldn't get my camera up quick enough, but EVEN a police car flashed a PRO sign to us from a window. I could only catch most of it with my eyes as it turned, but I think it said "Don't Spread My Wealth, Spread My Work Ethic". It was PRICELESS and damn...couldn't get it quick enough :) Thank you to our local police officers that KNEW we were a peaceful yet determined crowd, and appreciated our laughter, music, signs, and our peaceful demonstration! GO RENO RPD You guys ROCK! It ALSO ROCKED that a RTC Bus Driver HONKED at us, and so did a Waste Management truck. It was so COOL that people of ALL walks of life from the elite wealthy to the working guys & gals that couldn't join us ALL AGREE that it's damn TIME that WE THE PEOPLE are represented! IF YOU DON'T WANT TO READ THE WHOLE STORY...SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM FOR THE SLIDE SHOW OF PICTURES :) (OR...CLICK HERE FOR YOU TUBE ANTI-REID COVERAGE :) Or, search You Tube for Reject Reid 2010 Tea Party :) I even "made the paper" with a direct quote to a local Reno Gazette Journal reporter :) Unfortunately, I couldn't attend Carson's rally...I had a business to attend to...but I was proudly in attendance in Reno this evening for the REJECT REID 2010 demonstration / tea party. We were proudly donned in our red "Reject Reid" T-shirts complete with tea bag necklaces with stars, flags, and even an elephant :). We fought the bitter cold and terrible winds. Approximately 200+ folks showed up for the event. This event was sparked largely due to outrage that our own Republican Mayors Bob Cashell (Reno) right, and Geno Martini (Sparks) left, were co-hosts at a downtown Reno reception/fund raiser for the DIShonorable Stinky Pinky Harry Reid. Minimum $500 donation, but suggested $2000 PAC contribution was expected to allow entrance to this dastardly event. In my video I caught Mayor Geno Martini coming out of the reception. He was all smiles, and gracious to our crowd. I heard one attendee say to him cheerfully, "Shame on You!". He replied with a cheerful (shrugged shoulders), "Oh Well..." Oh Well mayor...enjoy your term, you WON'T be re-elected by Nevada Republicans...get that resume polished up :) Amazingly, and I'm sure as a campaign strategy...Harry Reid agreed FINALLY to appear on our local Conservative talk radio station KKOH today on the Bill Manders Show. Opposite him, our other senator (R) John Ensign had the other portion of the show. Click HERE FOR HARRY REID'S PORTION PODCAST, (Click HERE for direct ITunes download), and then you may CLICK HERE FOR JOHN ENSIGN'S PORTION PODCAST, (Click HERE for direct ITunes Download). I've got to say...I've said openly that John Ensign seems to me to be a bit of a RINO. He was the ONLY Nevada official in Washington to vote FOR the stimulus bill. His voting record is a bit less of RIGHT than I would like, but on this program...he sure seems now to be towing a different line? He's CERTAINLY better than our Democratic representatives, but "I dunno yet" as they say... Ensign too, is from the Liberal South Nevada, from Vegas...so I'm not sure about him yet. He seems to be getting on board... possibly it took WE THE PEOPLE to show him a better route. I wish better days for him, and hope he finally grows the cajones to stand with HIS PEOPLE ;) Today, he did speak with reason and Conservative tone. You may check out the great REJECT REID 2010 event by CLICKING HERE for my You Tube video coverage :) All I could muster in the wind with signs was my Canon G7 point & shoot video, so some of the footage is less than professional quality, but there are some good moments to be seen. Former State Senator - Colonel & Dr. Joe Heck who has announced his run for Governor was present. He is a graduate of some impressive Military Stragetic training, was an Army Corp doctor, and was a Colonel. I don't have an opinion on him yet...he's from Clark County (Las Vegas...HUGELY LIBERAL), so I've read some negative typical liberal dribble on him...but haven't studied him enough yet to form a real educated opinion. He seems really down to earth though, seems fiscally conservative, and so far so good. He was supposed to have spoken at my last NvFRW board meeting, his wife came instead...he was called away on some military business of some sort...I admired that. She was engaging and who knows, Joe Heck just might have a shot...we'll see as time plays out. AT LEAST TODAY...he cared enough about the OTHER Congressional district in the North to SHOW UP :) By the way for you that are outside Nevada...Las Vegas comprises TWO (2) Congressional districts. THE ENTIRE REST OF THE STATE is the "other" district. Look at a freaking MAP! Nevada is one of the largest states in the Union...ONE CITY (+ SURBURBS) comprise TWO districts...the ENTIRE state is left as the other district, and we are HUGELY CONSERVATIVE in the "rest" of Nevada :) That includes my city of Reno...in my county...about 500,000 residents! There's still Carson City, the capitol, and all of the rural areas...comprising Ely, Elko, Winnemucca, Fallon, Fernley, Gardnerville, Minden, Yerington, etc. A fair note here: North Las Vegas mayor Mike Montandon also spoke to us at our board meeting, and is also running as a Republican gubentorial candidate. He was impressive as well, has great points, and seemed to be a qualified candidate too. I don't want to see TOO MANY good Republicans put their name in the bucket...because RORY REID...YEP...THE SON OF BIG STINKY PINKY HARRY REID has announced his run on the Democratic side for Governor. WE CANNOT ALLOW ANOTHER REID INTO ANY OFFICE!!!!...NOT EVEN DOG CATCHER!!! All in all, IT WAS A GREAT DAY for Nevadans. It is a shame that in the "rural...more 'redneck' part of Nevada"...which means outside Las Vegas...THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE turned out in their particular towns and cities for Tea Parties. The area of Nevada (2 Congressional districts) (where Harry Reid hails from) mustered an estimated 500 people for their rally :( NEVADA WILL NEED THE HELP OF THE REST OF THE NATION TO OFF HARRY REID IN 2010! He will have MILLIONS in campaign donations by the time of the election. If you've ever considered donating money to a campaign outside your own state...PLEASE CONSIDER DONATING to whichever Conservative candidate Nevada puts forth in 2010. REJECT REID - WE ALL HAVE REID FATIGUE - DUMP HARRY Slide Show of Today's WONDERFUL events :)

Michael Steele's Lame Survey

I got an e-mail tonight from Michael Steele. "He" told me he was "so very interested" in my opinions about where the Republican party needed to go. The questions were obviously canned...stupid lame questions...(if you are a Conservative). True Conservatives ALREADY believe EVERY thing in the questions. The only people that wouldn't score 100% on this test would be liberals...so WHY bother us with the survey? Oh yeah...there was a plea to donate MORE MONEY at the end. I just cannot be a lady anymore and maintain my composure with these RINO moonbats! My own party was ALL JAZZED that Michael Steele won as the new RNC chairman. Sorry...so far...he LOST me at hello...and he hasn't done a THING to really impress me yet. At least he DID have the grace to leave a comment section (in the middle) of the survey. Go figure...I just couldn't help myself...I told him what I think! Folks...this nation isn't all that far away from another Civil War! Conservatives are PISSED! We aren't going to stand for a leader that cannot lead. Lead, Follow, or GET THE HELL OUT OF THE WAY! My response to Michael Steele: Mr. Steele...your response that your "whatever" with Rush Limbaugh was STRATEGIC? Are you freaking kidding us? WE NEED A LEADER! We need somebody NOT AFRAID of what others think. Your opinion of what others think is LED by the MEDIA & LIBERALS! WE THE PEOPLE...REMEMBER US? We are pissed, and we are READY TO FIGHT...bring on the fighting words. That liberal said we are a nation of COWARDS. MR STEELE...IF YOU DON'T COME OUT WITH MORE FIGHTING WORDS, AND REAL MEANING...YOU ARE THE COWARD. I don't know if you realize it or not... but this nation is not that far away from another civil war if somebody like you cannot bring this nation back to true principle and the values, laws, and constitutional backbone our nation was founded upon. DON'T BE THAT GUY that allowed another civil war to happen. WE THE PEOPLE WON'T LET YOU REIGN IN POWER if you cannot say it like it is! AND...I see the next question in this poll. ARE YOU SERIOUS? YOU want me to comment on the fact that 25% of people WANT MORE SOCIALISM? If ONE FREAKING PERSON wants socialism...THAT'S TOO MANY! Are you a RINO too Mr. Steele? AS a matter of fact...ALL THESE QUESTIONS seem "canned"...OBVIOUSLY WE'RE ALL CONSERVATIVES...and these answers are a "NO DUH" response. These questions aren't going to tell you a THING about TRUE CONSERVATIVES...we're going to answer ALL these canned questions RIGHT & RED. However...I did say that our troops should fight our terrorists first and foremost...BUT THAT'S BECAUSE YOU DIDN'T GIVE ME THE OPTION IN YOUR CANNED QUESTIONS TO CHOOSE BOTH TERRORISTS AND ILLEGALS POURING INTO OUR COUNTRY! GEEZZZEEZZS Steele...how about a question that supports ENFORCING THE FREAKING LAWS WE ALREADY HAVE before we go and create NEW ones! Are you OK in the head? The REAL QUESTION is HOW are YOU as our RNC leader going to DEAL with it? You need to step up Mr. Steele. Be one of us or get off the wagon and let someone more like Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Mark Levin, or the like take over for you. The LAST THING THE RNC NEEDS is a limp minded, no balls, play the ends against the middle leader. Grow a nut Mr. Steele...the rest of us already have them! By the way...I'm one of those "little small business owners". I only employ 22 people...BUT TAKE CARE OF FREE MARKETS AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR ALREADY! The ink wasn't even dry on Obama's bills and my taxes have already gone up!

Mayors Bob Cashell & Geno Martini Are TRAITORS

As if the Republican Party doesn't have enough on its plate to revive Conservative principle and fiscal responsibility...we in Reno and Sparks Nevada have to hear of this traitorous action by OUR OWN REPUBLICAN MAYORS! We find out, courtesy of the Ralston Flash - that before Republicans even know who their candidate is going to be against U.S. Sen. Harry Reid next year that two Republican mayors - Reno Mayor Bob Cashell and Sparks Mayor Geno Martini - are helping him raise money for his re-election campaign. Check out the invitation HERE "McDonald-Carano-Wilson, LLP and Reno Mayor Bob Cashell and Sparks Mayor Geno Martini and Carson City Mayor Bob Crowell Invite YOU to a recption honoring Senator Harry Reid United States Senate Majority Leader Wednesday April 15th, 2009 5:00pm - 6:00pm. McDonald Carano Wilson Law Firm / 100 West Liberty, 10th Floor / Reno, NV 89501. $500 Suggested Minimum Contribution / $2000 Suggested Federal PAC Contribution. "Checks Payable to 'Friends for Harry Reid' " For more information, please contact Chris Anderson at (218)-340-5564 or chris@harryreid.com" Contributions or gifts to Friends for Harry Reid are not tax deductible. Paid for and authorized by Friends for Harry Reid." Coincidentally, the Cashell/Martini fundraiser for Harry Reid is being held in Reno on the exact same night as the Nevada Republican Party's spring Central Committee meeting in Carson City. I guess the Republican mayors won't be able to make the Republican meeting. I am appalled and disgusted. The "DIS-honorable" Stinky Pinky Harry Reid has already done ENOUGH to screw the nation...and if the bail-outs to the tune of TRILLIONS weren't enough, he only managed to get a mere 1.5 Billion in bail out stimulus dollars for HIS home state of Nevada...most of which were projects and funding for bullshit items. He's a one man demolition crew for the demise of the Yucca Mountain Nuclear project that could raise billions for our state, and he is a socialist encouraging Barack Obama at every turn to wallow all Americans into decades of debt. This man is the scurge of Nevada and your Washington DC. HELP NEVADANS GIT RID OF HIM IN 2010!!!! Harry Reid is to America what leprosy was to the islands years ago. He is a cancerous sore, a gangrene smelling lecherous nastiness to any citizen of this nation. He is the largest embarrassment to Nevada that we've had in years, and his agenda is tainted. Tainted is the kindest thing I could ever say about this moron, and I CANNOT BELIEVE my own Republican leaders, our mayors are supporting him for a MINIMUM $500 donation / SUGGESTED PAC donation of $2000 to attend a function to raise money in Reid's honor. Mayor Bob Cashell, Mayor Geno Martini...your days are finely numbered now. Your constituents WILL NOT STAND FOR THIS...so get your resumes' ready! You're gonna be looking for a new job come re-election time! Your traitorous, and treasonous! And to think...this "honorable reception function" will be held ON THE SAME NIGHT as the Spring Republican Committee meeting in our capitol of Carson City! Since you're SO BUSY that night, we'll all be at that meeting planning YOUR demise :) With pleasure :) The republicans of Nevada equate Mayor Bob Cashell's & Mayor Geno Martini's willingness to spend $2000 for one hour at a law firm with the co-largest moron in the nation (Nancy Pelosi shares that honor) to a blatent punch in our guts, one at a time and each mortally wounded. Bye Bye Mayors :)

R.J. Lloyd Rest In Peace

I've been pondering the news today that Uncle RJ passed, and as I was checking my e-mail...my dear niece Rhonda actually had already done a post :) YES...Uncle RJ at 92 was a great man. So great, that tears don't come as heaven will be such a greater place with him there! This was a man so impressive to me as a child, and so impressive to generations to come as I grew older and had children of my own and watched many generations pass through his life...all I could ever do in his honor would be not to cry...but celebrate the amazing life this man lived! R.J. Lloyd was named that by his parents. Many years ago when joining the service he was asked to give a name to those initials...he said there wasn't any...but the military insisted...so Robert James it was, and he said it on the spot. RJ served during the Normandy tour! (amongst others), but he saw great combat and great loss of life. He had many stories and articles and even a box of photos that I'm sure the likes of Time magazine or Life, or any other publication would have loved to get their hands on...he wouldn't have it. He quietly called it his horror box, he would NEVER show me, and I was VERY close to him for years. I know the box saw the light of day...but ONLY at private Veterans memorials or reunions and I'm not sure even his wife knew everything that was in that box of horror. My Uncle RJ was FUNNY! He had a sense of humor that would leave you just wishing you lived with him just to have one more day to hear his laugh and his take on life. He was a very reasonable man, an honest man, and a MAN that every woman alive would love to have for their own. He loved his wife Mary with the kind of love that is only heard of in fairy tales. He loved her, respected her, worshiped her, and cared for her in a way no person I know personally has ever experienced :) In the dictionary next to love and romance would be his photo :) I never knew a bigger man. He was not great in stature, but his persona and his beliefs, and the way he LIVED what he believed made him the tallest and largest man alive :) He was so kind. He loved this nation and LOVED to have served as a soldier and he served when being a soldier was a split second any moment away from life or death. He survived and no one knows how. He wouldn't tell us, but most of his compatriots around him met horrible deaths fighting for our country's freedom! His life after service was a miracle, and he lived each day of his life thereafter in miraculous form. Karma is a strange thing. I on rare occasion would send a card or letter to him back home. And just last night...I'm not sure if I was thinking of him on my way to sleep or I just dreamed of him...but just this morning...I checked my address book and jotted myself a note to send him a card or a letter and just let him know I was thinking of him. I've been gone from home since 1986. I got the call today while out to lunch that he had passed. He came and said a mental hello to me on his way out, and I'm celebrating his dinner tonight with Jesus :) Uncle RJ used to sit with me in the yard for hours and we would shell black-eyed peas and ponder the world's problems, and he was always funny and always had good answers. He was kind to my kids, and loved both my husbands through the years with grace and humor. I never knew anyone that didn't hold RJ in high regard, especially his wife Aunt Mary. Tonight...if you hear a little raucus outside in the skies...it's a PARTY :) Uncle RJ and Aunt Mary have re-united in heaven, and life is good for the both of them. RIP to the best Great Uncle a gal could ever have. Thanks for your service to this nation, and thanks for the memories and the greatest inspiration on many levels he gave me as a young girl that I was able to carry into adulthood even to my current age of 46 ;) It's a rare person that has so much influence on your life...you need not have seen them in years but yet still carry them with you daily :) I was a lucky person to have known RJ Lloyd, and even luckier to have been related to him :)