anotherlook

Photo courtesy of Google Images

According to an article I read this morning, “more than 12, 000 victims have already received compensation payments from a government panel exceeding $1.2 billion dollars” as payment for clerical child sex abuse.

Twelve thousand souls, twelve thousand crimes against children, twelve thousand lies that took place in the cover-up until this information became public knowledge and this was only in the Roman Catholic Church in Dublin.

A disgusting abuse of power and trust, a total lack of any moral compass, a mockery of religious teachings, the sexual, thereby mental and emotion, abuse of children, a following of millions of people throughout the world and a holier than thou attitude has me sick to my stomach every time I read of new allegations against the Catholic Church.

It makes me truly understand the mindset that people are beginning to have, to an extreme, towards their fellow man. The disrespect, the intolerance, the mistrust, bigotry is all based on the spiritual leaders that have emerged over the years in the two largest religious organization in the world, Muslims and Catholics.

While a large number of Muslims have become violent extremist who believe indiscriminate murder is the answer and the way to achieve glory from God, Catholic Priest are liars, sex abusers, rapist, who murder in a different way, a more profound way, they murder the soul of an individual.

At least with Muslims, you know where they stand – death to the non-believer, however, the hypocrisy of the Catholic Church is far more deceitful, devious and destructive to the soul of an individual, the souls they are supposedly committed to salvage.

Decades of allowing priests to get away with the rape and sexual abuse of children, both boys and girls. Secret files that implicated one hundred and fifty Priests in sexual crimes dating back to 1940, in the most recent probe. Of the 320 children that filed complaints in this case, one priest admitted to sexually abusing over 100 children while another claimed abuse that lasted for over the entire 25 years he served as a priest.

Rather than to turn these perverted priest over to police, archbishops, in their misguided belief that they can offer absolution from sins, chose to reassign these perverted priest to other parishes, possibly allowing them to continue to abuse other children. Here in America, the same types of charges have been brought to light against priest in recent years.

While payments have been made in an effort to appease the destructive nature of the crimes, is money enough to wipe away the loss of innocence, the loss of trust that these children have experienced?

There is nothing worse, in life, to me than a child sexual abuser and next to that is a liar and the Catholic Church, both here and abroad, have shown they are capable of both lying and abusing children in mass numbers.

Yet, they have the nerve, verbally, to stand against gay marriages as they give safe harbor to gay priest, the boldness to deny communion to Patrick Kennedy for simply voting on health care legislation that could allow abortion and the audacity to believe they are somehow better than all of us.

How can you, as Catholics, trust these priests? How can you allow them to lead you down a road of intolerance and hypocrisy, prejudice and bigotry? How can they profess to be spiritual leaders on the one hand, knowing how God feels about liars and themselves being liars? How can you look at them, take communion from them, knowing, thereby condoning, their actions?

As you look around in an attempt to identify the anti-Christ, I say you need to read the Bible, from cover to cover, for yourself. There are parts that specifically say do not add to or take away any of the Word. There is a verse in the Bible that tells you not to be led astray by other peoples’ interpretations of the Word.

Read, for yourself, the Bible that speaks to God’s strong dislike for liars and you will see that the anti-Christ is not necessarily one individual, but could possibly be the Catholic Church itself, for in no way do I view them as neither Godly nor “Christ-like.” Yet they have a multitude of followers who worship them and follow their lead. There is something frightening about that.

And that’s the way I see it!!!!

Vanilla Fields Perfume by Coty Scented Pillow Sachets

Picture courtesy of MSNBC

As Obama grants his first pardon, since being in office, to a turkey called “Courage” who was spared from the Thanksgiving table, my mind could not help but to travel to those soldiers who have demonstrated courage in their efforts in both Afghanistan and Iraq.

The courage to fight a war without hesitation, to lay down their lives while someone else dictates to them when to fight, no questions asked, bravely going into battle on the say so of another individual; Innocents, who essentially become murders on the whim of another and those who are lucky enough to survive the desolations of war coming back home carrying the physical and emotional scars of battle.

How ironic that on this Thanksgiving Day, Courage the turkey was spared his life as those who demonstrate courage beyond measure are mentally preparing for the possibility of deploying to a war zone. I am feeling thankful for their courage and devotion to the United States of America but more than thankful, my heart is heavy as well.

I’m not sure why my heart was touched so deeply by the story of the Canal Killings as it relates to the sentencing the three soldiers received for their part in the so called “crime” of killing four Iraqi detainees. I’m sure they are neither the first nor the last to participate in a crime of this nature in times of war – they were just unlucky enough to have a witness to the deed that, for whatever reason, felt the need to expose the incident.

Master Sgt. John Hatley, sentenced to 40 years while receiving a dishonorable discharge and being reduced to the rank of private, Sgt. Michael Leahy and Sgt. 1st Class Joseph Mayo, sentenced to 20 years while receiving a bad conduct discharge.

In reality, these are the men who should be receiving a pardon from the President as he sits in his Situation Room deciding the fate of more American troops. Frustration, fear, death and the rules of war enacted, not by the troops who are fighting but by other individuals sitting in cushy offices making decisions on how the war should be fought, who should be held as detainees, who should be released from detainee status to return to the battle field to again fight against our troops.

Courage, dignity, blind faith, loyalty, valor, heroism, fearlessness, gallantry, bravery are just a few of the words that can describe these men who are now locked behind bars after volunteering to serve this country and following the blind faith instructions of those who are responsible for making the decisions that put their lives in jeopardy repeatedly.

They not only served their country, they did this voluntarily. When you look at the many war crimes that were brought to light concerning George Bush and Cheney, yet they are free to walk around and celebrate this Thanksgiving Day as free men, it appears there is an unbalance in the law of war that is not only obvious but catastrophic in its implications.

As you sit down to this Thanksgiving Day celebration, think about those soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifices for you and what the United States has been telling you is a war of necessity, think about those who have died, who have been forever disabled, those who are currently on lock down even as 1st Sgt. John Hatley, true to form, has stated “don’t worry about us, we’ll be fine. As they’ll understand, this is probably the safest place we’ve been in the last 10 year.”

I say stand strong soldiers, be proud and let no one convince you that you did an unforgivable wrong because war, in and of itself is wrong. I forgive you your decision in the midst of madness. I forgive you, I thank you and I pray that sometime soon you will be reunited with your families, that you will receive the pardon you deserve, for your only crime to me is the crime of blind faith in a situation not of your making but a situation created by mankind.

And that’s the way I see it!!!!!

Personalized Champagne Flute

Photo courtesy of MSNBC/AP

Our military personnel in Afghanistan have a chilling role to play there, as NATO and Afghan authorities attempt the challenge of turning former enemies into trusted government agents. Obviously, with the violent act of Hasan on Fort Hood Army Base, this mission has proven to be a challenge here in America as well.

Imagine having to trust someone you know has been bought. Imagine having to trust someone who you know you were initially doing battle with just a week ago, but who is now fighting on “your side” based on money being paid to them.

Loyalty is defined as a feeling of devotion, duty, or attachment to somebody or something. It would appear that the only loyalty being demonstrated, by these extremist turned government agents, is to money and it seems possible that if the other side offered them more money, they would be in a prefect position to do tenacious harm to many American/NATO forces.

Even though hundreds of police and some soldiers that initially switched sides have been known to switch back once they were trained and armed, this practice continues. Most recently in October, a policeman opened fire on the British troops training him, killing five British troops, while last year, police officers turned on American soldiers in two separate incidents, killing and wounding several.

Not only is the threat of switched loyalty a scenario that places our troops in danger but there is an element of “revenge” that plays a role as well. Observably, Taliban are of the vengeful mentality or else we would not be in this situation called war in Afghanistan. Their desire to seek revenge on those who have switched sides becomes a threat to our troops based on the intensity of hate triggered by the switch and directed at those who have made the switched.

On a larger scale those who have made the switch are not only putting their lives in danger, they are putting the lives of their families in danger and U.S./NATO forces in danger. In a country with a population of poor such as those in Afghanistan, money as well as basic comforts such as aid, roads and electricity for their homes, are very persuasive commodities, which can pull an individual in either direction, depending on the highest bidder. This seems a dangerous game to play with the lives of the troops in Afghanistan.

As Obama readies to convince the American people of the fact that this war is a war of necessity thereby justifying the surge of more troops to Afghanistan and persuade us on the perils of losing this war, all I can do is wonder if dismantling and destroying Taliban/al-Qaeda terrorists and extremist is really within our, or anybodies, power.

After eight-years of combat with no real direction or purpose, the only strategy I see is in getting our troops out of Afghanistan because al-Qaeda not only thrives in Afghanistan but in countries throughout the world including America. Like little pesky roaches, you may be able, temporarily, to eliminate them in one location but you will never succeed in totally eliminating them from the face of the earth.

Although there may be a humanitarian element in this war, the Afghan people are not sure which side to side with and are instead sitting on the fence waiting to see who has the most “power” in the end, America or the Taliban. This and this alone determines where their loyalties will be.

While being cognitive of the very real threat of nuclear armament in both India and Pakistan, areas geographically closely connected to Afghanistan, unless we are prepared to babysit, eternally, these areas in a preventative manner for the sake of keeping the Taliban/al-Qaeda from inheriting, through violence, these nuclear weapons, I see no real advantage of continuing this war.

Ultimately, this does not seem to be the mission because Obama has stated that he intends to eliminate our presence in Afghanistan by the end of his presidency. Are these just words? Will the “mission” and I use that word lightly since there seems to be no real mission, be completed?

Will we wipe out the Taliban/al-Qaeda in the Afghan area by 2012 or is it Obama’s goal to be re-elected, thereby giving the United States six more years of fighting in Afghanistan. Are we deluding ourselves with misguided ideas, into believing we have some type of magical powers to eliminate what has been transpiring over there for centuries?

I’m sorry, I for one, will never be behind sending more troops to that area. I will never understand neither the mission nor the attitude that there is a “win” that can be had in that region. I also do not have confidence that a pull out, after another three to six years will, assure peace in this region so again I have to ask, Why are we there?

And that’s the way I see it!!!!

Love Shack Pet Bed

Photo courtesy of CNN.com

After watching “Killings at the Canal” last night on CNN, I have serious issues with the arrest and imprisonment of three soldiers who were charged and convicted of killing, what they perceived to be, four Iraqi insurgents. I have bigger issues with the obvious flaws in the rules of war that have been instituted in a warzone ripe with mixed emotions amongst the Iraqi people about United States involvement. I also have to wonder if these rules of war carry over to the war in Afghanistan as well.

I sympathized with the soldiers’ reasoning for killing these perceived insurgents and the frustration they must endure because of these flawed rules of war as they watch friends dying. According to what has thus far been a reality, after being engaged in firefights for several hours with the enemy and then succeeding in capturing them, those enemy insurgents are released within 2-3 days based on “not enough evidence” to hold them.

I question the rationale of “the rules of war” being imposed on these brave soldiers, some of whom have been deployed to this violent environment not once, not twice but three times. The rule of war that caused this action involves the non acceptance of U.S. service members’ statements of insurgent activity being proof enough to hold captured insurgents.

Instead the detention facility requires at least two witness statements from Iraqis in order for any charges to be valid. Therefore, according to the United States military, of the 87,011 insurgents captured, 76,985 have been released.

Are the rules of war being perceived by American soldiers as putting their life in danger repeatedly by the same people, once captured but immediately released? Out of over 87,000 insurgents capture in Iraq, the majority have been released citing “not enough evidence” to hold them.

If they were truly insurgents, captured in the midst of battle and they were set free, how many of them ended up killing American soldiers after their release? How many times must an American soldier put his life at risk fighting the same insurgents who were once capture but released, once again to wage war and murder Americans in their country? How many American soldiers have lost their lives as a result of setting these insurgents free for “lack of evidence?”

I am dismayed by the sentences these three soldiers received for doing what they have been sent to war to accomplish, rid the Iraqi citizens of the fear as well as the violence these insurgents are creating by eliminating the enemy as these insurgents have become.

As the UN questions the legality of the use, by the United States, of drones citing the fact that these drones, in a search and destroy mission of hunting down terrorist and killing them may violate international law in its indiscriminately killing of innocent people, these three soldiers made a justifiable decision to kill four people after being fired upon and discovering these four Iraqi men in a house containing a small weapons cache, where the barrage of gun fire was coming from.

They did not kill “innocent people” as drones are being cited for doing, they had reasonable assurance that those in the house were guilty of the barrage of gunfire they had endured. They also had reasonable assurance, based on previous experience that if taken in, these insurgents would be released to fight again within a few days. While they played judge, jury and executioner, if they had killed these four men as they were under fire, these insurgents would still be dead but justifiably dead so that would have been ok?

To compare this action with the Abu Ghraib prison incident, as the interrogators attempted to do, is like comparing apples and dogs, there is no comparison. To repeatedly bring insurgents into custody and the following week have to again do battle with them because they have been released, is entirely too much to ask of these soldiers. However to get sentences of twenty (20) years to life for eliminating the enemy is offensive to what I consider justice especially when their commanding officer was the motivating voice of this so called crime.

And that’s the way I see it!!!!

Picture courtesy of Newsweek

Sarah Palin’s new book hit shelves today and already the controversy has started. Is this a book of fact or revenge? Some say it is a little of both. I say Sarah Palin is a joke who would play better on Saturday Night Live, or on any stage, as a stand-up comic rather than as a presidential candidate for the United States of America.

Taking a step back to view the GOP during and directly after the 2008 election, it appears that Sarah Palin was picked by the Republican Party because she was a women and they felt the time was right for a women but only because Hilary Clinton was receiving such a large following based on her gender.

It had nothing to do with her abilities as they attempted to keep her quiet for as long as they could until they realized what a “people magnet” she was and true to their form of using others to get what they want, they used her to galvanize their followers.

Just like, after the election, they elected Michael Steele, the first black face of the Republican Party in all the years of its existence, as a black voice of resistance to the black president that had been elected, they chose a woman as McCain’s running mate in an effort to appear to “give the people what they wanted” and promote themselves as “changing with the times.”

They could not have picked a better person for the job because Sarah Palin is symbolic of just who the Republicans are. In my opinion she is a narcissistic self-serving, self-centered, two-faced liar and I have trouble believing anything that falls out of her mouth – a typical politician but more than that she is a prototype of the essence of the Republican Party.

She claims she hates the media for the negativity it shows to her yet she parades around like a media whore every chance she gets and she will provoke the media to keep the cameras rolling on her by continuing the dialogue regardless of how petty the conversation becomes.

She says after the election she wanted to make a statement to the effect that we, as a nation, should rally around the elected president and show our support for him – this after calling him a socialist, among other things, from the start of her being nominated for vice-president.

Her campaign against the President did not stop there however, as she refused Alaska’s share of the stimulus, even as her successor accepted the money offered and she has constantly criticized the current administration and the way they do business.

She rants and raves about the double standards of the media when it comes to men versus women yet she feeds the frenzy by posing on the cover of Newsweek in a sexy pose that encourages the “hot babe” comments as well as the sexist viewpoint.

Although Sarah Palin has not confirmed her plan to run for the Presidency in 2012, she has left the door open, as her eyes beg for acceptance and encouragement, in case the people show her that she is what they want, which she truly hopes they will.

Some are saying she is a symbol of mainstream America which on some levels, especially after witnessing the town halls and tea party demonstrations which some swear are the voices of the totality of the American people, I have to agree with.

However, only to the extent that if you pan the crowds of these functions, you will see that while the face of America has drastically changed over recent years, the sea of faces at these events only symbolizes the America of old and Sarah Palin is symbolic of that “main stream” America.

I say if you always do what you’ve always done, then you always get what you always got. America voted for change and while the more things change, the more they stay the same, Obama is fighting strongly against the “main stream” America described in the above paragraph, the main stream America that the Republicans support, the main stream America that Sarah Palin represents and he is attempting to change what we have been getting in previous years both internally and globally.

Only time will tell how far Sarah Palin will rise politically but I sincerely hope it is not to the level of President of the United States. What we, as a nation, do not need is a petty, vindictive, liar leading this country and I believe that if Levi Johnston had his say, Sarah Palin would be viewed in a different light which is probably why she intentionally left him out of her book.

And that’s the way I see it!!!!

The Global Advantage

Picture courtesy of Ask.com

Picture courtesy of MSNBC

It’s a little bit creepy to see these two pictures side by side. One is identified as Khalid Sheikh Mohammed the accused mastermind of the September 11 attacks on the twin towers in New York, the other is the notorious Osama bin Laden.

There are so many similarities that Mohammed could be an older bin Laden although the vibration coming off the eyes is a little different, the basic similarities are a little surreal. Being housed at Guantanamo Bay as a result of his involvement in the 9/11 devastation, Mohammed will soon make the journey back to New York to stand trial in the city that he will be immortalized for destroying.

Mohammed has confessed to his participation in the 9/11 attack and related how he celebrated the disaster. Called into play will be the fact that many of his “confessions” were as a result of the banned interrogation practice of water boarding which could somewhat, take the edge off the confession.

As a result of a deed he is most proud of, the extinction of the twin towers and all the lives that were lost, he wants to be executed so that he can die a martyr according to his religious beliefs, this as the United States has stated they will be seeking the death penalty for this crime. It seems ironic that he will get everything he desires for the crime of 3,000 souls.

Living in Pakistan at the time of this heinous attack and hatching this conspiracy in the mountains of Afghanistan with al-Qaeda leader and current look alike Osama bin Laden, he enjoys the label of “mastermind of the 9/11 attack” and celebrated with friends as he watched the televised version of the crashing of the twin towers; this even though he furthered his education here on American soil, earning a degree in mechanical engineering in 1986 from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.

He prides himself on the fact that in all the years he lived in America, he never touched an American, not even to shake hands. Whether this is true or not, who knows but the fact that it was an accomplishment that he feels is relevant in discerning his contempt for Americans is truly a vicious statement of hate and disgust for Americans in general.

Hate is such an intense and irrational emotion I wonder how anyone can survive carrying such a load with them throughout life. It clouds the mind and erases the true beauty of life. It carries such negativity and yet it thrives so powerfully while motivating so thoroughly that it mystifies me.

To have indiscriminately taken the lives of so many people in one inclusive act and to feel nothing but pride at the accomplishment is beyond my comprehension. War is one thing and though I am basically totally against war, to partake in the terroristic acts that Mohammed took part in is so reprehensible to my way of thinking that it amazes and troubles me as the thought of it cruises through my consciousness. The intensity of hate is sickening and when faced with hate this strong you truly feel the presence of evil.

And that’s the way I see it!!!!

Supernova Long Sleeve Tee

Photo courtesy of MSNBC

As Fort Hood gunman, Maj. Nidal M. Hasan, is charged with 13 counts of pre-meditated murder after years of visible signs of his discontent with serving America, Federal prosecutors seized four U.S. mosques and a Fifth Avenue skyscraper which was owned by a nonprofit Muslim organization allegedly controlled by the Iranian government.

Situated in four major cities across the United States, New York City, Maryland, California and Houston, these establishments have been accused of funneling millions of dollars, yearly, back to Iran in support of Iran’s nuclear program. My question becomes what the hell are we doing in Afghanistan when America is, in effect, allowing money to be made by Iran, for decades, to support their nuclear programs as well as accused, by the United States government of bankrolling terrorism.

More importantly, The United States has long suspected the Alavi Foundation which used a front company known as Assa Corp of being behind this arrangement of earning money in America to send back to Iran.

As I was reading this article on MSNBC this morning and noting how long this situation has been going on, with the blessings of the United States government who has had knowledge of the situation all along, I became appalled at just what this implies on a larger scale.

Could it be that, because of the failed nuclear talks with Iran and the fact that Iran has recently detained and charged three Americans hikers with crimes in Iran, America has decided to press an issue that never should have been happening on America soil in the first place?

According to this article “For two decades, the Alavi Foundation’s affairs have been directed by various Iranian officials, including Iranian ambassadors to the United Nations, in violation of a series of American laws,” this according to U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara.

I am one who does not believe in coincidence and therefore I am having a hard time trusting that this seizure just happened to come to a head at this particular time when the negotiations between Iran and the United States have stalled. Instead, this is no more than the United States blackmailing Iran in an attempt to obtain a negotiating chip in their dealings with Iran to stop all nuclear programs and release the American “hostages” they are now holding.

Even with the timing in question, my question is how could this so called “investigation” of the Alavi been going on for this long without a specific outcome prior to yesterday. Like the article states, “Suspicion about the Alavi Foundation transcends three administrations” where millions/billions of dollars have been earned on American soil in support of not only Iran’s nuclear programs but Iran has been accused of support for militants whom we are sending our kids to fight.

On top of all of this information and in spite of the time involved in the “investigation, the U.S. government is patting itself on the back stating that this is one of the biggest counterterrorism seizures in U.S. history.

I would say it’s a little too late since we have supplied Iran with the funds to create its nuclear weaponry and essentially put this instruments of war in the hands of a man who is violent, vindictive and has demonstrated his hate for America. It is a little too late because it makes the appearance that we are supplying financial support to the very people we are sending our kids off to fight – essentially we, not the insurgents, Taliban or al-Qaeda are murdering our own.

I’m sorry this is very disconcerting but more than that, this whole scenario is un-fucking believable. All I have to say is we need to be getting our troops out of this murderous situation that we have been funding for years. Those people are probably laughing their behinds off at the ignorance of the Americans and pocketing any and all aid we are giving them for use in fighting for their “cause” as they symbolically spit in our faces.

If you can not perceive this as a very real possibility as both Iran and Afghanistan’s elections were both subjected to fraud, deception and violence, I feel sorry for your incompetence but more importantly for the troops who have given their lives for the madness we have created.

And that’s the way I see it!!!

Walgreens Tampons with Biodegradable Applicator Super 40ea.

Photo courtesy of MSNBC

To all the troops that have served and are serving this country, the United States of America, I wish you a safe Veterans Day but more than that I write this corny poem in support of your mission for I know that freedom is not free and peace is nothing more than an allusion.

To all the troops in foreign lands, I applaud you
And give verbal acknowledgment for all you do.
But also by the swelling of my heart in pride,
Thankful that you are on our side.

I cheer for you and wish you well
I pray that you will never fail,
Stay safe my friend until the end
You are brave and strong, loving and kind
And never are you far from my mind

Your sacrifices, and they are many, are known
As you set, just the right tone.
You are willing to lay down your life and fight
For what you believe in your heart is right.
In darkness and the light
You survive conflict and blight.

For all the troops who served their time
You are like a permanent ray of sunshine
Brightly shining in memory of wars gone by
Those who have left us, like twinkling stars,
Shining brightly in the midnight sky

To all of you, I admire you, trust in you
And care that, in the moment or for the moment
You are willing to give your life in atonement
For injustices and wrongs that have been done,
Too brave to run, no battles do you shun.

You lend aid to those who know only struggles and strife
You keep us safe and stand for what is good, in this life
And though your sorrows are great, in my heart you rate
All the recognition of this date
So let me, among many, say

Happy Veterans Day!!!

May God cover you with the armor of protection
And keep those who mean you harm at bay until the next rotation.

Stay Strong, Fight The Wrong And Make It Back To Where You Belong

And that’s the way I see it!!!

Heart of a Champion

Now that the Christmas holiday season is almost upon us, “holiday trees” will be on display. However, I was born and raised in America where the politically correct holiday trees were once called Christmas trees; where the birth of Christ was celebrated by scenes of baby Jesus laying peacefully in a manger.

In today’s world, here in America, the phrase Christmas tree is a no-no and scenes of the birth of Jesus are sometimes prohibited in public places. It seems more relevant to make words such as black/white Americans, Democrats, Republicans, conservatives, liberals, left wing, right wing, as well as all other words that create mental and economic divisions, prohibited from usage.

It is a travesty that based on the influx of foreigners and the vocal complaints of atheist that my right to view, in public places, the celebrations of the birth of Christ that have been tradition in America for centuries, has been limited. It is ridiculous that, to appease those who give voice to their objections to this traditional celebration, their voices carry more weight than those who enjoy the symbolism of Christmas decorations in the country that has always been their home.

No longer is it politically correct to say Merry Christmas, but you are forced, depending on where you work, to say Happy Holidays – a statement that is inclusive of the different celebrations that occur during this time.

Tradition is tradition because it has happened for years, over time, with meaning and symbolism. Tradition becomes a custom, a ritual. The definition of “tradition” is a long-established action or pattern of behavior in a community or group of people, often one that has been handed down from generation to generation. So it is with the way Christmas is/was celebrated here in America and it irritates me to have witnessed, over the recent years, the forced changing of words and symbolism to appease others.

It’s one thing to welcome all who want to come to American and make it their home but to allow for the breakdown of tradition is both offensive, controlling and a little over the line especially in light of the fact that in America we do not necessarily demand that you dress in American clothing, speak “only” English or eat only American food. What gives you the right to destroy what is and has been tradition in America.

To attempt to display all countries religious or traditional decorations would create a busy, cluttered display and while you have the right to decorate your space, your home in any manner you choose, in America, for generations, the decorations have been based on American beliefs which have been displayed in public places and called specific things such as Christmas Trees.

With that in mind, let me be the first to say it in this post – Merry Christmas to all!!! For me it will always be Merry Christmas, Christmas trees and so it should remain in American culture.

And that’s the way I see it!!!!

America The Last Best Hope 1

Photo courtesy of AP

November 7, 2009 is a date like November 4, 2008, a date I will always remember. After what seems like an eternity of debate, but has really only been about half a century of the health care reform being brought to the table; after angry Town Hall mobs and the Tea Party Express shouting out their hatred of more government control; after lies told by Republicans to keep the madness of the opposition going and finally a bi-partisan vote of ONE Republican and 219 Democrats voting “yea” on the legislation, the health care/insurance reform act was finally passed on the House floor last night.

While some are saying it was a narrow margin of votes, I say the vote was won with two votes to spare which for me means the cup was not half full but the cup runs over the rim. Republicans, true to their form, refused to take part in what they claim, is a bill that neither meets the objectives of a “reform” nor serves the needs of the public, in addition to being way too costly for the government.

Still citing a complete government takeover of the health care system and sticking to their irrational lies, Republicans were not happy with the outcome of the vote. Like spoiled children used to getting their way, they criticized the vote and those responsible for voting yea but their words held little meaning since the gavel had been dropped, ending the mundane debate they had dragged out for longer than necessary.

Although there were 39 Democrats that did not vote positively for this bill, my hope is that the proof of the public’s favoritism for this legislation will be demonstrated in the 2010 election, by replacing the dead weight presently in Congress and definitely not re-electing these childish Senators who have shown they will stoop to any level to get what they want rather than working for the best interest of their constituency.

Principle is a standard of moral or ethical decision-making and while Republicans as well as the 39 Democrats that voted against this legislation may convince themselves that it was principles that kept them from voting for the legislation, they have indeed confused the terms self and selfless as this vote was not a vote for self interest but a vote for selfless interest.

I congratulate those brave and compassionate Senators who stood their ground and voted positively for this legislation, especially the one rational Republican from Louisiana who crossed party lines and became part of a constructive “history in the making” for the American public; those who were not intimidated by the insurance companies.

In the final hour Republicans were still attempting to push a bill that served no real purpose directed at the main objectives to what health care reform should have included. According to congressional budget analysts the Republican bill would not have aided in closing the ranks of the uninsured and only vaguely reduced costs for those who presently have insurance. This is a strong indication that Republicans are out of sync with reality having no real clue as to what “reform” truly meant in this instance.

I applaud those who saw the need to get to the core of the health care crisis rather than slapping a band aide on the problem and hoping it would heal itself in an effort to keep the money rolling into their own pockets; those who selflessly pursued what was best for the people; those who took a chance at change.

And that’s the way I see it!!!

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