It seems ridiculous that our economy in the US and most of the world is in a shambles and yet, at least here, the prices keep going up. How is this possible? In Economics 101 I was taught that the rule of supply and demand says, when there is not a market for goods the value and price must go down. But, lately it seems like the greedy industrialists want to make the big bucks by raising prices so even if only the rich can buy their goods they still make a profit. I believe we can only fight this greed by boycotting these high cost products until the merchants are forced to lower the prices. Does this seem reasonable?
We need to show more sympathy for these people. * They travel miles in the heat. * They risk their lives crossing a border. * They don't get paid enough wages. * They do jobs that others won't do or are afraid to do. * They live in crowded conditions among a people who speak a different language. * They rarely see their families, and they face adversity all day ~ every day.
I'm not talking about illegal Mexicans ~ I'm talking about our troops!Doesn't it seem strange that many Democrats and Republicans are willing to lavish all kindsof social benefits on illegal's, but don't support our troops, and are even threatening to defund them?
Please pass this on; this is worth the short time it takes to read it.
I received this today, I was lead to pass it on. Have a safe and happy 4th.
When the Music Stopped
(For those who are unaware: At all military base theaters, the National Anthem is played before the movie begins.)
This is written by a Chaplain in Iraq :
I recently attended a showing of 'Superman 3' here at Logistics and Support Area Anaconda. We have a large auditorium we use for movies, as well as memorial services and other large gatherings. As is the custom at all military bases, we stood to attention when the National Anthem began before the main feature. All was going well until three-quarters of the way through The National Anthem, the music stopped.
Now, what would happen if this occurred with 1,000 18-22 year-olds back in the States? I imagine there would be hoots, catcalls, laughter, a few rude comments, and everyone would sit down and yell for the movie to begin. Of course, that is, if they had stood for the National Anthem in the first place.
Here in Iraq , 1,000 Soldiers continued to stand at attention, eyes fixed forward. The music started again and the Soldiers continued to quietly stand at attention. But again, at the same point, the music stopped. What would you expect 1,000 Soldiers standing at attention to do? Frankly, I expected some laughter, and everyone would eventually sit down and wait for the movie to start.
But No!!... You could have heard a pin drop, while every Soldier continued to stand at attention. Suddenly, there was a lone voice from the front of the auditorium, then a dozen voices, and soon the room was filled with the voices of a thousand soldiers, finishing where the recording left off: "And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. Oh, say does that Star Spangled Banner yet wave, o'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave."
It was the most inspiring moment I have had in Iraq and I wanted you to know what kind of Soldiers are serving you. Remember them as they fight for us!
Pass this along as a reminder to others to be ever in prayer for all our soldiers serving us here at home and abroad. Many have already paid the ultimate price.
Written by Chaplain Jim Higgins, LSA Anaconda, who is at the Ballad Airport in Iraq , north of Baghdad
This was sent to me in an e-mail, I didn't write it, but I thoroughly agree with the sentiments.
This should be required reading for every man, woman and child in the United States of America.
"I'm 63 and I'm Tired" by Robert A. Hall
I'm 63. Except for one semester in college when jobs were scarce and a six-month period when I was between jobs, but job-hunting every day, I've worked, hard,since I was 18. Despite some health challenges, I still put in 50-hour weeks, and haven't called in sick in seven or eight years. I make a good salary, but I didn't inherit my job or my income, and I worked to get where I am. Given the economy, there's no retirement in sight, and I'm tired. Very tired.
I'm tired of being told that I have to "spread the wealth" to people who don't have my work ethic. I'm tired of being told the government will take the money I earned, by force if necessary, and give it to people too lazy to earn it.
I'm tired of being told that I have to pay more taxes to "keep people in their homes." Sure, if they lost their jobs or got sick, I'm willing to help. But ifthey bought McMansions at three times the price of our paid-off, $250,000 condo, on one-third of my salary, then let the left-wing Congress-critters who passed Fannie and Freddie and the Community Reinvestment Act that created the bubble help them with their own money.
I'm tired of being told how bad America is by left-wing millionaires like Michael Moore, George Soros and Hollywood Entertainers who live in luxury because of the opportunities America offers. In thirty years, if they get their way, the United States will have the economy of Zimbabwe , the freedom of the press of China , the crime and violence of Mexico , the tolerance for Christian people of Iran , and the freedom of speech of Venezuela .
I'm tired of being told that Islam is a "Religion of Peace," when every day I can read dozens of stories of Muslim men killing their sisters, wives and daughters for their family "honor"; of Muslims rioting over some slight offense; of Muslims murdering Christian and Jews because they aren't "believers"; of Muslims burning schools for girls; of Muslims stoning teenage rape victims to death for "adultery"; of Muslims mutilating the genitals of little girls; all in the name of Allah, because the Qur'an and Shari'a law tells them to.
I'm tired of being told that "race doesn't matter" in the post-racial world of Obama, when it's all that matters in affirmative action jobs, lower college admission and graduation standards for minorities (harming them the most), government contract set-asides, tolerance for the ghetto culture of violence and fatherless children that hurts minorities more than anyone, and in the appointment of U.S. Senators from Illinois.
I think it's very cool that we have a black president and that a black child is doing her homework at the desk where Lincoln wrote the Emancipation Proclamation. I just wish the black president was Condi Rice, or someone who believes more in freedom and the individual and less arrogantly of an all-knowing government.
I'm tired of a news media that thinks Bush's fundraising and inaugural expenses were obscene, but that think Obama's, at triple the cost, were wonderful; that thinks Bush exercising daily was a waste of presidential time, but Obama exercising is a great example for the public to control weight and stress; that picked over every line of Bush's military records, but never demanded that Kerry release his; that slammed Palin, with two years as governor, for being too inexperienced for VP, but touted Obama with three years as senator as potentially the best president ever. Wonder why people are dropping their subscriptions or switching to Fox News? Get a clue. I didn't vote for Bush in 2000, but the media and Kerry drove me to his camp in 2004.
I'm tired of being told that out of "tolerance for other cultures" we must let Saudi Arabia use our oil money to fund mosques and mandrassa Islamic schools to preach hate in America , while no American group is allowed to fund a church, synagogue or religious school in Saudi Arabia to teach love and tolerance.
I'm tired of being told I must lower my living standard to fight global warming, which no one is allowed to debate. My wife and I live in a two-bedroom apartment and carpool together five miles to our jobs. We also own a three-bedroom condo where our daughter and granddaughter live. Our carbon footprint is about 5% of Al Gore's, and if you're greener than Gore, you're green enough.
I'm tired of being told that drug addicts have a disease, and I must help support and treat them, and pay for the damage they do. Did a giant germ rush out of a dark alley, grab them, and stuff white powder up their noses while they tried to fight it off? I don't think Gay people choose to be Gay, but I damn sure think druggies chose to take drugs. And I'm tired of harassment from cool people treating me like a freak when I tell them I never tried marijuana.
I'm tired of illegal aliens being called "undocumented workers," especially the ones who aren't working, but are living on welfare or crime. What's next? Calling drug dealers, "Undocumented Pharmacists"? And, no, I'm not against Hispanics. Most of them are Catholic, and it's been a few hundred years since Catholics wanted to kill me for my religion. I'm willing to fast track for citizenship any Hispanic person, who can speak English, doesn't have a criminal record and who is self-supporting without family on welfare, or who serves honorably for three years in our military.... Those are the citizens we need.
I'm tired of latte liberals and journalists, who would never wear the uniform of the Republic themselves, or let their entitlement-handicapped kids near a recruiting station, trashing our military. They and their kids can sit at home, never having to make split-second decisions under life and death circumstances, and bad mouth better people than themselves. Do bad things happen in war? You bet. Do our troops sometimes misbehave? Sure. Does this compare with the atrocities that were the policy of our enemies for the last fifty years and still are? Not even close. So here's the deal. I'll let myself be subjected to all the humiliation and abuse that was heaped on terrorists at Abu Ghraib or Gitmo, and the critics can let themselves be subject to captivity by the Muslims, who tortured and beheaded Daniel Pearl in Pakistan, or the Muslims who tortured and murdered Marine Lt. Col. William Higgins in Lebanon, or the Muslims who ran the blood-spattered Al Qaeda torture rooms our troops found in Iraq, or the Muslims who cut off the heads of schoolgirls in Indonesia, because the girls were Christian. Then we'll compare notes. British and American soldiers are the only troops in history that civilians came to for help and handouts, instead of hiding from in fear.
I'm tired of people tellingme that their party has a corner on virtue and the other party has a corner on corruption. Read the papers; bums are bipartisan. And I'm tired of people telling me we need bipartisanship. I live in Illinois , where the "Illinois Combine" of Democrats has worked to loot the public for years. Not to mention the tax cheats in Obama's cabinet.
I'm tired of hearing wealthy athletes, entertainers and politicians of both parties talking about innocent mistakes, stupid mistakes or youthful mistakes, when we all know they think their only mistake was getting caught. I'm tired of people with a sense of entitlement, rich or poor.
Speaking of poor, I'm tired of hearing people with air-conditioned homes, color TVs and two cars called poor. The majority of Americans didn't have that in 1970, but we didn't know we were "poor." The poverty pimps have to keep changing the definition of poor to keep the dollars flowing.
I'm real tired of people who don't take responsibility for their lives and actions. I'm tired of hearing them blame the government, or discrimination or big-whatever for their problems.
Yes, I'm damn tired. But I'm also glad to be 63. Because, mostly, I'm not going to have to see the world these people are making. I'm just sorry for my granddaughter.
Robert A. Hall is a Marine Vietnam veteran who served five terms in the Massachusetts State Senate. There is no way this will be widely publicized, unless each of us sends it on! This is your chance to make a difference.
High Risk Groups ·Children below 5 years ·Senior persons above 65 years ·HIV infected persons ·Diabetic patients ·Pregnant Women ·Lung & Heart patients ·Obese persons Warning signs for children §Troubled or abnormal breathing §Bluish skin color §Lessened intake of water/fluids §Extended sleep or lack of interaction §Irritable §Fever with rash §Flu-like symptoms recede, but return with fever and worsened cough Warning signs for adults ·Difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath ·Pain/pressure in chest/abdomen ·Sudden dizziness ·Confusion ·Severe or persistent vomiting *Please visit a qualified physician if you suspect Swine Flu symptoms. Avoid self-treatment
* Persons infected with the H1N1 virus may be able to pass it on 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 7 days after infection
… TAKE CARE FRIENDS!!! Please pass this info to others!!!...…
When an old man died in the geriatric ward of a nursing home in country N.S.W, it was believed that he had nothing left of any value.
Later, when the nurses were going through his meagre possessions, They found this poem. Its quality and content so impressed the staff that copies were made and distributed to every nurse in the hospital.
One nurse took her copy to Melbourne. The old man's sole bequest to posterity has since appeared in the Christmas editions of magazines around the country and appeared in mags for Mental Health. A slide presentation has also been made based on his simple, but eloquent, poem.
And this old man, with nothing left to give to the world, is now the author of this 'anonymous' poem winging across the Internet.
Cranky Old Man
What do you see nurses? . .. . . .What do you see? What are you thinking . . . . . when you're looking at me? A cranky old man, . . . . . .not very wise, Uncertain of habit .. . . . . . . . with faraway eyes?
Who dribbles his food ... .. . . . . and makes no reply. When you say in a loud voice . . . . .. 'I do wish you'd try!' Who seems not to notice . . . . .the things that you do. And forever is losing . . . . . . . . . . A sock or shoe?
Who, resisting or not .. . . . . . . . . . . lets you do as you will, With bathing and feeding . . . . . .The long day to fill? Is that what you're thinking? . . . . . . Is that what you see? Then open your eyes, nurse . . . . . . you're not looking at me.
I'll tell you who I am . . . . . . . As I sit here so still, As I do at your bidding, . . . . . . as I eat at your will. I'm a small child of Ten . . . . . . . with a father and mother, Brothers and sisters .. . . . . . . . who love one another
A young boy of Sixteen . . . . . with wings on his feet Dreaming that soon now . . . . .. . . a lover he'll meet. A groom soon at Twenty . . . . ... . . my heart gives a leap. Remembering, the vows .. . . . . . that I promised to keep.
At Twenty-Five, now . . . . . ... . . . . I have young of my own. Who need me to guide . . . . And a secure happy home. A man of Thirty . . . . . . . . .. My young now grown fast, Bound to each other . . . . . . . With ties that should last.
At Forty, my young sons .. . .. . . have grown and are gone, But my woman is beside me . . . . . . . to see I don't mourn. At Fifty, once more, . . ... . . . ...Babies play 'round my knee, Again, we know children . . . . . . . My loved one and me.
Dark days are upon me . . . . . . .. . My wife is now dead. I look at the future ... . . . . . . . . . . . . .. I shudder with dread. For my young are all rearing . . . . . . young of their own. And I think of the years . . .. . . . . And the love that I've known.
I'm now an old man . . . . . . . . . and nature is cruel. It's jest to make old age . . . . . . . look like a fool. The body, it crumbles .. . . . ... . . . . . grace and vigor, depart. There is now a stone .. . . . . .. . where I once had a heart.
But inside this old carcass . . . .. A young man still dwells, And now and again . . .. . . . my battered heart swells I remember the joys . . . . . . . . . .. . I remember the pain. And I'm loving and living . . . . . . . . . . . . . life over again.
I think of the years . all too few . . . . . . gone too fast. And accept the stark fact . . . . . . . . that nothing can last. So open your eyes, people . . . . . . . . open and see. Not a cranky old man . Look closer . . . . see . . . . . .... . ME!!
Remember this poem when you next meet an older person who you might brush aside without looking at the young soul within . ... . . . we will all, one day, be there, too!
PLEASE SHARE THIS POEM The best and most beautiful things of this world can't be seen or touched. They must be felt by the heart.
I was walking threw the Mall today and I went into Sears to browse around. While looking at the mens shirts I discovered something strange. Well, I now know why prices have been reduced so much recently! It's not just because of the economy and the slow sales. It's also because of another form of greed by American big business. Every one of the items I checked, over 20, were made in Vietnam or Cambodia or, of course, China. Did you ever think we would actually be buying clothes produced in Vietnam and Cambodia? You must know that manufacturing in these countries cost pennies on the dollar compared to US manufacturing. What made it harder for me to handle this, is that they were all American Name Brands like Arrow, VanHeusen, Covington, and others. I know this is not exactly new, but I thought it was only stores like WalMart that were doing this. Please let me know what you think about what has happened to MADE IN AMERICA?!
