Merry Christmas from Afghanistan.....

Gotta love the Marines.....

An Extraordinary Speech

An Extraordinary Speech

This is a MUST READ!

The Sal Guinta Story

It's been a while since President Obama announced the award of the Medal of Honor to Sal Guinta for his actions in Afghanistan.   Sebastian Junger and Tim Hetherington have produced a great clip telling Guinta's story.  It's a bit long (about 15 minutes) but well worth the time to watch.  What is very impressive is Guinta's humility and attitude about receiving the Medal of Honor.  Watch the whole thing.....it's worth it!


The Sal Giunta Story from SebastianJunger/TimHetherington on Vimeo.

Multiculturalism Hits The Wall

Multiculturalism Hits The Wall

This article by JR Dunn is fantastic. Although it's a bit lengthy, it's well worth the read!

It's a No-Brainer, Folks!

We've all been inundated with news about whether or not Congress should vote to extend the Bush Era tax cuts and keep tax rates at their current levels.  But just to summarize; "the right" wants to keep the tax rates as they are, while "the left" wants to keep tax rates in place for some and let the "temporary" tax cuts expire for those making more than $250,000 a year.  We're not talking about a tax cut at all....despite pundits on both sides that talk about a tax cut....we're talking about whether or not to keep tax rates as they are.  To me, this seems like a no-brainer:  give the taxpaying citizens of this country some certainty and make the "cuts" permanent! 

How can we expect private citizens and businesses to plan for the future, when the future of their tax liability is completely unclear?  How can we expect any job growth or business expansion when employers have no idea what impact taxes may have on their endeavors?  How can we expect to recover from an economic recession when everyone is afraid to spend, because they need to keep a reserve in case their taxes are increased?  Short answer....we can't.  Both private citizens and employers need to have an idea of what their tax liability may be.  Only then will there be a possibility of growth; in the job arena or in the economy. 

Congress needs to act, soon.  Congress needs to make the current rates permanent.  Congress needs to quit posturing and trying to make political points through sound-bites.  The "left" in Congress needs to stop trying to start a class-war by arguing that the current tax rates favor the "rich."  They don't.  The current tax rates won't do much to stimulate job growth or economic recovery....after all these tax rates were in place when the economy tanked.  But raising the tax rates for anyone is economic suicide.  Raising tax rates at any level, will only grow the amount of our money going to the Government to support "pet" projects for politicians and bureaucrats.  Raising taxes is stupid.  Period.  It's a no-brainer.

"I Fought for You"

This is a wonderful tribute for Veteran's Day.  Watch it with a box of tissue....

Veteran's Day

It's Veteran's Day.  It's a day to both remember and a day to be thankful.  We should take time to remember the young (and some not-so-young) men and women who made the decision to serve.  Serving in the military is not easy.  Those who make the decision to serve do so knowing that they'll encounter a great deal of mental and physical stress.  Most of the time, their service demands separation from family and friends.  Most of the time, their service demands that they master new skills.  Most of the time, their service demands that they place their lives in jeapordy; willingly.  We should be thankful for those who have served and who do serve.  It's not easy.  

We should also take time today to say a prayer of thanksgiving for those who made the decision to serve, and paid "the ultimate price" for that service.   Remember those who did not come home to their family and friends.  Remember their families.  They died that we may enjoy the freedoms and liberties we have. 

Veteran's Day Article from VA Guest Blogger

I don't often have guest bloggers on here....not sure why.....today's an exception.  Kevin Pearia, who blogs at VAbenefitblog.com, has written an information article that is particularly important on Veteran's Day.  Here it is:

VA Home Loans for Veterans Day

Service members should own a home in the country they protect. There’s no better time of the year to make use of the VA loan.

With Veterans Day comes a feeling of appreciation. Restaurants, stores, medical offices and other businesses offer deals and discounts. Civilians volunteer and participate in the festivals and memorials of Veterans Day. Local VA offices encourage the promotion of newer and existing veteran benefits such as the VA loan.

The VA Loan

Many veterans do not know about the VA loan. However, its popularity grows every year. In the past four years, home purchasing in the veteran community rose 63 percent, according to the VA in a Nov. 1 press release.

“Home ownership is one of the foundations of the American dream,” Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki said in the press release. “VA is honored to administer a benefit that for two-thirds of a century has profoundly affected the lives of our Veterans, our military service members and their families.”

There is no better time than now to purchase a home. The VA loan program booms with excellent benefits. The housing market offers super-low mortgage rates. Foreclosure and “serious delinquency rates” were the lowest in the “housing industry” for the “last six quarters,” according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s National Delinquency Survey.

Benefits

The VA loan is one of the last no down payment programs in existence. Buying a home becomes a tangible reality for active duty and veteran service members due to low mortgage and interest rates.

Eligible members can save up to $300 more every month with the VA loan, as opposed to traditional loans. Why?

•No monthly private mortgage insurance payments

•A stress-free process

•Less stringent credit and income standards than conventional loans

•No prepayment penalties

•Various options such as interest-rate-reduction loans

•A buyer can obtain a loan up to $417,000

Eligibility

Most veterans, active duty military members, Reservists and National Guard members are eligible for a VA loan. Surviving spouses may also be able to apply. Anyone with a dishonorable discharge will not be considered for the loan.

Beginning the Process

It seems scary to start the home buying process. However, veterans need not fear. “During the past decade, VA loan specialists have helped more than 150,000 families hold onto their homes,” the VA press release said.

VA loan specialists guide first time and seasoned veteran home buyers through the process. They find useful avenues that help home buyers to make realistic, affordable and desired decisions.

VOTE!!!

Tomorrow is election day.  Whatever you have to do tomorrow, you should take the time to exercise one of the fundamental rights (and responsibilities) of citizenship:  VOTE!!!

Time Traveler Discovered?

Check out this video from CNN....it's a clip from a 1928 Charlie Chaplin movie where an extra walking in the background appears to be talking on a cell phone....in 1928??? What do you think???

What? Double Standards?

OK....so NPR fires commentator Juan Williams for saying that when he sees airline passengers who obviously identify with their Muslim faith, he gets nervous.   Personally, I agree with Mr. Williams and think that his firing was totally unfair.  I also feel that Mr Williams was well within his rights to express an opinion.  He wasn't disrespectful or vulgar, nor did he personally attack anyone.  His firing is an example of "political correctness" gone so very wrong.  I also strongly believe that NPR, with their blatant political bias, should not be funded with any taxpayer money whatsoever. 

Today, we have liberal TV personality Joy Behar from "The View," ranting about a Sharon Angle political ad, and calling Ms Angle a "bitch" on national TV.  Like Mr Williams, she was expressing her opinion; however she went too far when she called Ms Angle a "bitch" and said that Ms Angle is "going to hell, this bitch."  She personally attacked Ms Angle, in a very vulgar and disrespectful way.  Ms Behar is entitled to her opinion about the political ad, and about Ms Angle; but there is no call use the "b-word" in a personal attack.  In my opinion, this goes beyond "political correctness" and into the realm of viciousness.  In my opinion, calling a woman the "b-word" is akin to calling a black person the "n-word."  There is no place for it in civilized society, no matter what your political orientation. 

Now, I wonder, will there be a response to Ms Behar's vicious personal attack?  Or, will she be given a "pass" because of her political leanings?  Will Ms Behar be asked to leave "The View," as Mr Williams was asked to leave NPR?  Somehow, I doubt it....because, after all, she is a liberal.  Double standard?  You bet!

A Poem

I  have a few friends and relatives who send me those "viral" emails....you know the type of emails that go around and around and around the ether.  Some of them make you think, some make you cry, and some make you mad (the one that make me mad are usually the ones that promise good luck or fortunes or something if you don't "break the chain.")  Anyway, my Aunt sent me one of the "viral" emails that not only made me think, but made me want to cry.  So, instead of sending it out to everyone on my contact list, I thought I'd post it here.  I have no idea who authored this poem, but whoever did, got it right.

A Poem Worth Reading

He was getting old and paunchy

And his hair was falling fast,

And he sat around the Legion,

Telling stories of the past.

Of a war that he once fought in

And the deeds that he had done,

In his exploits with his buddies;

They were heroes, every one.

And 'tho sometimes to his neighbors

His tales became a joke,

All his buddies listened quietly

For they knew where of he spoke.

But we'll hear his tales no longer,

For ol' Sam has passed away,

And the world's a little poorer

For a Soldier died today.

He won't be mourned by many,

Just his children and his wife.

For he lived an ordinary,

Very quiet sort of life.

He held a job and raised a family,

Going quietly on his way;

And the world won't note his passing,

'Tho a Soldier died today.

When politicians leave this earth,

Their bodies lie in state,

While thousands note their passing,

And proclaim that they were great.

Papers tell of their life stories

From the time that they were young

But the passing of a Soldier

Goes unnoticed, and unsung.

Is the greatest contribution
To the welfare of our land,

Some jerk who breaks his promise

And cons his fellow man?

Or the ordinary fellow

Who in times of war and strife,

Goes off to serve his country

And offers up his life?

The politician's stipend
And the style in which he lives,

Are often disproportionate,

To the service that he gives.

While the ordinary Soldier,

Who offered up his all,

Is paid off with a medal

And perhaps a pension, small.

It is not the politicians

With their compromise and ploys,

Who won for us the freedom

That our country now enjoys.

Should you find yourself in danger,

With your enemies at hand,

Would you really want some cop-out,

With his ever waffling stand?

Or would you want a Soldier--

His home, his country, his kin,

Just a common Soldier,

Who would fight until the end.

He was just a common Soldier,

And his ranks are growing thin,

But his presence should remind us

We may need his like again.

For when countries are in conflict,

We find the Soldier's part

Is to clean up all the troubles

That the politicians start.

If we cannot do him honor

While he's here to hear the praise,

Then at least let's give him homage

At the ending of his days.

Perhaps just a simply headline
In the paper that might say:

"OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING,

A SOLDIER DIED TODAY."

h/t Dianne