Saturday, for the second year in a row, the Drinking Right crowd attended the Janesville Air Show. We had our VIP chalet, which thank GOD had shade!! We were privileged to see The Army Golden Knights parachute team, the Super Shockwave Jet truck (capable of doing 376 mph), the F-18 demo team, the Canadian Snowbirds, and the U.S.A.F. Thunderbirds, just to name a few. Between the different performers, I let the Boy and his friend wander around. They came back with a picture autographed by the entire Golden Knights team...AND, they let the kids help pack a parachute!! It made their day!! (Pssst - ya might want to re-check that chute!!)
Here are just a few of the pictures I took. I apologize for the quality, or lack thereof, but I was absolutely melting from the heat and humidity, and I haven't even begun to edit them.
While the show was phenominal, there was one thing that surprised and saddened me. On this memorial day weekend, while we are remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice, I was stunned that no one did the missing man formation. If any of y'all were there and I am mistaken, PLEASE let me know. Though I don't know how it could have happened, I'm hoping that somehow I missed it.
All in all, it was a fabulous day. A HUGE shout out to AB for making the arrangements again. You are the BEST! :)
Take a moment to stop and remember those who sacrificed all so that we may be free to do whatever it is we're doing today. A heartfelt thank you to those who have served and who are serving this country.
'In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person's becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American....There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag... We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language.. And we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people.'
As you may assume, I spend time surfing the blogosphere. I usually land on right leaning blogs, but sometimes I'll visit left leaning blogs to see what's up in their little utopia. Well, my friend Sara sent me a link to this blog, and rather than getting upset, I just laughed. While I don't pretend to be a pulizter worthy writer, I DO put some thought into what I write, and in many cases, do at least a little research. Not so for this blogger:
Why do we always single out immigrants from Mexico? If we are completely honest with ourselves, we’re probably not that concerned about immigrants from Europe or even Asia. The new immigration law SB 1070 passed in Arizona was directed only at immigrants from Mexico and no one else. That’s why it will lead to racial profiling. I’m sorry but that’s the truth. They’re not looking for immigrants from Canada in Arizona. If you have darker skin and speak Spanish, people begin asking questions. So let’s stop running around the truth and man up to our prejudices.
Northern states like Wisconsin are not going to follow Arizona in passing similar legislation because there is no reason to. This is why all immigration policy must be determined by the federal government.
Ummm - excuse me? Have you actually read the bill, or are you like those in our administration who feel it necessary to comment on what they THINK is in the bill without actually reading it? You see, I've read the bill - it really doesn't take very long - go ahead...you can find it here! Now anyone who actually takes the time to read it will see that NOWHERE in that bill is there any mention of race or ethnicity. The bill refers only to "aliens" or "persons".
You see, my blogger friend, not ALL of the illegals who come across the border are Mexican. They are of all nationalities and all ethnicities. They include murderers, drug traffickers and let's not forget about terrorists who want nothing but to kill innocent Americans. The use the Mexican border because they all know that the American government doesn't give a sh*t about protecting the border. The government is more concerned about prosecuting those who are putting their lives on the line to attempt to protect us than they are about stopping the influx of illegals to this country.
Just one more thing. The federal government HAS determined an immigration policy...they just refuse to enforce it!! This is why Arizona had to do for themselves what the feds won't. This is also why many other states are following in thier footsteps. If the feds refuse to enforce the law, it's up to the states to protect their citizens.
Simply put, that post is laugable.
UPDATE: The Department of Homeland Security is alerting Texas authorities to be on the lookout for a suspected member of the Somalia-based Al Shabaab terrorist group who might be attempting to travel to the U.S. through Mexico, a security expert who has seen the memo tells FOXNews.com
You know what?? I'm getting so damned sick and tired of the liberal left. Trying to appease the rest of the world, while letting this country fall down around us all. The latest example? U.S. members of the house and senate, and the president's cabinet in a joint session of Congress giving a standing ovation to Mexican President Felipe Calderon as he slams Arizona's immigration law. Whiskey. Tango. Foxtrot. How DARE they? How DARE they not stand up for this country, and applaud yet another hypocrite? While he and our administration are dissing Arizona's new law (which most of them had not read prior to criticizing it), let's take a look at Mexico's "tolerance" of immigrants, shall we? According to Mexican law:
Immigrants can't be an economic burden.
Immigrants must be healthy.
Immigrants must have no criminal record.
Immigrants must show a birth certificate.
Immigrants must provide their own health care.
Government can ban foreigners due to race.
Illegal entry is a felony (resulting in jail time).
Illegal immigrants can receive no government assistance of any kind.
Illegal immigrants' children may not attend public schools.
Document fraud is subject to fine/jail.
Incarceration and deportation of illegals occurs without due process or a trial.
A Mexican who marries a foreigner with the goal of helping the foreigner live in the country is subject to up to five years in prison.
Federal, local and municipal police must enforce immigration laws, including checking "papers" of suspected illegals
Read the whole article here. Quite frankly, that sounds pretty good to me!! Hey libs - how about you adopt the same laws as the country for whose president you just cheered?
I'll tell you something...I can't imagine this would ever happen in Mexico. For those of you who don't like to click links, allow me to elucidate. It's a story about an illegal immigrant who has had nine...NINE...deportation orders, has a history of violent crime, and yet was able to yet again make his way through our porous borders, up to Washington State, and brutally rape a woman. I'll likely be doing a separate rant on that, because I certainly have a lot to say about it.
In any case, what do you think would have happened if this was an American committing these crimes in Mexico? Do you think they would put up with this? Personally, I think that person would probably have assumed room temperature post haste. Yet because of political correctness, not wanting to be labeled racist, whatever the reason, this happens again and again and again. And the left, including the media, just tell those of us who value our freedoms and our country how BAADDDD we are.
I don't blame the people of Arizona for doing what the Feds refuse to do. Someone has to protect the citizens, and it sure doesn't look like our government is willing to do it.
Officers at the Homeland Security agency that secures federal buildings went on huge personal spending sprees with their government credit cards yet authorities refuse to punish them or force them to refund taxpayers.
The Federal Protective Service (FPS) employees bought fancy clothes, gold coins, flat-screen televisions, gym memberships and athletic shoes with Uncle Sam’s money but they will face no consequences for their corrupt actions. Federal prosecutors have twice refused to charge them and the Department of Homeland Security won’t reprimand them, despite a government agency inspector general report documenting the wrongdoing.
Details of the cover up were made public recently by a Washington D.C. newspaper that obtained records through the Freedom of Information Act. It turns out that the feds have been quietly probing the scandal, involving 21 FPS employees, for five years. Three agents apparently resigned, four retired, five may face a “possible reprimand” and the rest will cruise as if nothing ever happened.
The FPS employees racked up thousands of dollars in unauthorized personal expenses on their government-issued purchase cards during a transition period in which the agency moved from the General Services Administration (GSA) to the Department of Homeland Security. A GSA Inspector General report said the employees took advantage of the transition period “to loot GSA resources by purchasing unauthorized goods.”
Charges include $60,000 in tuition payments, $32,000 for men’s suits at upscale stores, $15,000 for gold and silver coins and $8,000 in gym memberships. Additionally, the federal employees illegally used expense vouchers to get reimbursement for more than $9,000 in clothing, including an $800 tuxedo.
The overwhelming evidence and solid documentation led investigators at the inspector general’s office to refer the case to the Justice Department for prosecution, but the agency has twice refused to act. In 2005, prosecutors determined that FPS employees had not been appropriately advised of their rights. Prosecutors refused to provide a reason for turning the case down again in 2008
Ummm - correct me if I'm wrong, but if you or I did this, would we not end up in prison for embezzlement??? And why in heaven's name are prosecutors refusing to prosecute? Isn't that their job? How can they have "overwhelming evidence and solid documentation" and yet do absolutely nothing? These people must be made to, at the very LEAST, forfeit the ill gotten gains. I, however, think a prison term is also in order. And yet the feds do nothing.
RACINE COUNTY - Officials say they have uncovered "massive" fraud in the state Food Shares program, involving the stealing and selling of food cards.
"The fraud in Food Shares is rampant," said County Executive William McReynolds.
Recent investigations into highly publicized fraud against the Wisconsin Shares child care program led the Racine County Anti-Fraud Task Force to uncover widespread fraud against the Food Shares program, which provides families in need with cards that allow them to purchase food.
Racine County District Attorney Michael Nieskes said investigators from the Racine County Sheriff's Department and Racine Police Department have been working on multiple Food Shares fraud cases for the past four weeks.
Because the investigations are ongoing, Nieskes didn't disclose whom they think is committing the fraud. He said it involves the buying, selling and stealing of Food Shares Quest cards.
"It's massive," McReynolds said. "There is a lot."
What's that you say? Fraud in a government run program?? Color me shocked!
Seriously, anytime there is a government run program, it's ripe for fraud. This is what the entitlement mindset has done. Let's get government OUT of our lives, and teach people to fend for themselves!! The problem with that is most of these people "earn" a better living defrauding programs that are supposed to assist them then those of us who work hard for everything we have.
I don't normally so this kind of stuff, but when I learned that Ronnie James Dio passed away today, it was like a punch in the gut. I had no idea that he had been ill with cancer. What I do know is that he is one of my favorite vocalists of all time. Whether it be in Elf, Black Sabbath, Rainbow, or simply Dio, this little man had a HUGE voice. I have 15-20 years of memories wrapped up in his many songs. Each one holds a different memory...for instance, Holy Diver reminds me of the Pasadena mall...remember that Mel?? LOL!!! So, in tribute to one of the best vocalists ever (in my opinion), here is probably my favorite of all of his songs. Not an easy choice to make since there are so many, but here goes.
Seems as if Scott Walker is making some waves nationally. First, there was a headline along with a picture on Drudge Report which linked to this article.
After Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle announced his retirement, GOP frontrunner Scott Walker has made brown bags a center of his campaign, playing on something that has saved him money over his own lifetime. Those brown bags are quickly gaining a kitsch appeal among conservatives, and have transformed the race from a relative toss-up to one that might allow Republicans to eat the Democrats for, well, lunch.
“I started packing a brown bag lunch when I was at college at Marquette, and at IBM, and still did when I was in the State Assembly for eight years,” said Walker. “I’m saving money, and people I know are saving money, whether it’s packing a brown bag or doing something else. That’s what I think the government should be doing, too.”
This easily-digestible conservative rhetoric has drawn attention from the likes of former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, who recently endorsed Walker in a blazing statement that called him “the real deal.” That’s because his rhetoric matches up to his style, with Walker’s track record of cutting taxes during his time as county executive and actually returning a large chunk of his salary to the state when he served in office. Over the course of eight years, he gave back $370,000 because he didn’t think a county executive should be paid more than the state’s governor.
Walker managed to wrestle up more than a little support for his policies during that time, as well. He reduced the size of Milwaukee’s government 23 percent, and reduced the debt by 10 percent. The way he did that was by taking on a liberal board of county advisors and relying on public support, in a move that was similar to today’s tea parties, he says.
“I think about what we did 8 years ago in Milwakukee county is something like the tea parties. It didn’t start out as a political party… it was people who said they weren’t going to check out, they weren’t going to give in, and they were going to take their government back,” said Walker.
The “for the people” meme is one that’s common to the Walker campaign and to Wisconsin politics. The state GOP has historically refused to endorse a primary candidate in statewide elections, and they have again refused to endorse this time around. And Walker has focused his message on a “brown bag guide to government,” which includes three pillars: 1) don’t spend more than you have, 2) smaller government is better government, and 3) people create jobs, not government.
I backed Scott Walker in his 2006 campaign for governor. I was disappointed when he announced that he was withdrawing from the race. However, he earned the respect of many with that decision, leaving a clear field for Mark Green. To me that indicates that he was putting the people of the State of Wisconsin above his own personal goals and ambitions. While Green did not win, the effect of Walker's decision was not to be forgotten.
There’s been something floating around in my brain lately, but I was waiting to see how it played out. Much to my chagrin, it’s played out as I expected.
Is there an earthquake in Haiti? Quick – have a telethon.
Earthquake in Chile? Hurry up – get that relief going.
After all, we have to make the good ol’ U S of A look like a caring charitable nation, don’t we?
Now mind you, I’m all for helping those who need help. I have no problem with that. In fact I donated to both relief efforts. The problem I’m having is that it seems to me that unless a disaster has some political edge, it just isn’t all that important.
The latest and greatest disaster is the oil spill in the gulf. This has been covered by the news 24/7 and why not? What a GREAT political disaster to have. After all, we all know that oil = bad, right? I’m not downplaying the damage that will be done, but rather than just try to contain the spill and minimize the damage as much as possible, it has become completely politicized.
So where am I going with this? Where is the outcry for Tennessee?? Where is the 24/7 news coverage? Where are the celebrities pledging aid? Good Lord – at latest count the death toll is 20, and half the state is under water! There have been storms, tornadoes, floods, destruction, but I don’t see the country paying much attention. Oh sure, while it was happening we saw some stories. But what about now? It’s NOW that the residents of Tennessee are facing the challenges. Rebuilding, cleanup, not to mention finding more victims as the flood waters recede.
I am of the opinion (and it is JUST my opinion) that because there is nothing to be gained by either side politically, we’re just going to let our neighbors down south deal with this by themselves. No relief efforts. No telethons.
Well folks, that just ain’t right. So if you're of a mind to help our fellow Americans to the south, you can click on one of these links.
On any other day at Live Oak High School in Morgan Hill, Daniel Galli and his four friends would not even be noticed for wearing T-shirts with the American flag. But Cinco de Mayo is not any typical day especially on a campus with a large Mexican American student population.
Galli says he and his friends were sitting at a table during brunch break when the vice principal asked two of the boys to remove American flag bandannas that they wearing on their heads and for the others to turn their American flag T-shirts inside out. When they refused, the boys were ordered to go to the principal's office.
"They said we could wear it on any other day," Daniel Galli said, "but today is sensitive to Mexican-Americans because it's supposed to be their holiday so we were not allowed to wear it today."
The boys said the administrators called their T-shirts "incendiary" that would lead to fights on campus.
"They said if we tried to go back to class with our shirts not taken off, they said it was defiance and we would get suspended," Dominic Maciel, Galli's friend, said.
The boys really had no choice, and went home to avoid suspension. They say they're angry they were not allowed to express their American pride. Their parents are just as upset, calling what happened to their children, "total nonsense."
"I think it's absolutely ridiculous," Julie Fagerstrom, Maciel's mom, said. "All they were doing was displaying their patriotic nature. They're expressing their individuality."
But to many Mexican-American students at Live Oak, this was a big deal. They say they were offended by the five boys and others for wearing American colors on a Mexican holiday.
"I think they should apologize cause it is a Mexican Heritage Day," Annicia Nunez, a Live Oak High student, said. "We don't deserve to be get disrespected like that. We wouldn't do that on Fourth of July."
As for an apology, the boys and their families say, "fat chance."
"I'm not going to apologize. I did nothing wrong," Galli said. "I went along with my normal day. I might have worn an American flag, but I'm an American and I'm proud to be an American."
I am so damned sick and tired of the perpetually offended dictating what we, as Americans, can and can't do. Why is it that everyone else gets freedom of expression, but if you're an American, a Christian, or believe in anything this country was founded on, freedom of speech does not apply??? I'm sorry, but tough shit if people were offended. Do I get offended if someone wears a shirt depicting their pride in being a Mexican-American on the 4th of July? No - I do not. You see, I believe that in this country we have the right to express ourselves freely.
When will people wake up and smell the coffee? This the United States of America. I don't know about you, but I'm ready, willing and able to take her back. I only hope it's not too late.
Adding to the fury of Arizona’s new immigration control law, state education officials are being accused of racism for enforcing federal standards that require public school teachers to be fluent in English. In order for schools to receive federal funding, students learning English must be instructed by teachers fluent in the language. The Arizona Department of Education recently began notifying school districts throughout the state that teachers who speak ungrammatical or heavily accented English must be removed from classes with students still learning the language, according to a national newspaper report.
The state has hundreds of teachers that were recruited from Latin America in the 1990s as part of an expansive bilingual education program. Their first language is Spanish and many speak English with a thick accent or drastic grammatical errors. When voters passed a ballot measure imposing that public school instruction be offered only in English, bilingual teachers who taught in Spanish switched to English.
Many don’t meet the federal fluency standards required by the bipartisan-supported No Child Left Behind Act, which was enacted in 2001. Arizona education officials say a lot of schools are not complying with the law and it’s their duty to assure that the state’s 150,000 students with limited English have teachers who speak the language perfectly.
State education officials have dispatched auditors to identify teachers that don’t meet the criteria by evaluating them on comprehensible pronunciation, correct grammar and writing. Teachers that don’t make the cut have the opportunity to improve deficiencies with special courses and those who don’t can be reassigned to mainstream classes that don’t include students who are still learning English.
The crackdown illustrates Arizona’s “incredible anti-immigrant sentiment,” according to a highly regarded professor at one of the state’s top public universities
Okay - let me get this straight. People are upset, in fact it's an "anti-immigrant sentiment" because the law requires that teachers who are hired to teach English are actually fluent in English??? Am I missing something here?? I'm sorry, but I would think one of the FIRST prerequisites of teaching a language - ANY language - would be to be fluent in that language!
I seriously think we've entered the twilight zone. Sheesh!!!
You know what? I've about had it. I've had it up to here with this whole Arizona debate. I'll not rehash the ins and outs of it, as it's been everywhere. I'll not go into how the MSM is "twisting" (read lying) about what the law contains. What I will do is just rant.
I applaud Arizona. While the feds are not doing a single thing to protect our borders, Arizona finally decided to do something themselves. One must remember, while all those in Washington are sitting in their cushy houses in their cushy neighborhoods spouting bullshit, the citizens of Arizona are bleeding. They're bleeding money by paying for services for people who have NO right to be here. Hospitals, courts, schools, jails...why the HELL should their tax dollars go to pay for people who choose not to come to this country through the front door?
They bleed real blood. There are murders, kidnappings, drug cartels...citizens are afraid. Their towns are turning into the wild west. Deputies are being shot with AK-47s. It's well past time that they take their own state back and protect its citizens.
Oh yeah - I know those in Washington want amnesty...they want that big voting block. Though, when you think about it, many are probably voting illegally anyway. I hear arguments that these people are just looking for a better life. I'm sure some are, but come here legally. Once again - I'll reiterate that I'm not against immigration - I'm against ILLEGAL immigration.
Whiskey. Tango. Foxtrot.
Yeah - this is someone who wants the American dream, right? We want free? You owe us? We'll shoot police?? Do ya really think that threatening law enforcement helps your agenda? Just what in the HELL have you done to deserve free anything? And a better question...why the HELL do we owe you ONE. DAMNED. THING.
Global warming could lead to a worldwide increase in mental illness and cancer, according to a new U.S. government report calling for more public funding to further study one of the “most visible environmental concerns of the 21st century.”
Government scientists from several agencies—including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institute of Environmental Health Science, the State Department and the Environmental Protection Agency—claim that “higher ambient temperatures” caused by global warming will increase cancer rates and catastrophic natural disasters as the world warms will create stress and anxiety that lead to mental illness.
The rather comical details are outlined in report (A Human Health Perspective on Climate Change), justifying the need to keep researching climate change, issued by the National Institute of Health. It claims that global warming has become one of the most visible environmental concerns of the 21st century and that climate change endangers human health and affects all sectors of society, both domestically and globally.
The scientists don’t provide details of how exactly global warming will increase cancer rates and cause mental illness but assert that further research—and money—is necessary to obtain the information. For now, they only know that warming and the side effects of green technologies will be detrimental to human health.
Cancer and mental illness are not usually associated with global warming but this report claims both will surely be affected. Global warming will increase exposure to toxic chemicals and heavy rainfall (also caused by global warming) will wash the toxic chemicals into the water, which will lead to higher incidents of cancer. Hotter temperatures may also make the toxic chemicals even more toxic, according to the report.
Another way that global warming will cause more cancer, the scientists determined, is from increased exposure to ultraviolet radiation, which causes some types of skin cancer. Ultraviolet radiation exposure occurs with all sun exposure but global warming will make it worse, leading to potentially more skin cancer.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, sexual dysfunction, and drug abuse are among the mental health conditions that will be exacerbated by global warming, the report says, because a variety of psychological impacts can be associated with extreme weather and other climate related events.
Here’s how, according to the government scientists: “Extreme weather events such as hurricanes, wildfires, and flooding, can create increased anxiety and emotional stress about the future, as well as create added stress to vulnerable communities already experiencing social, economic, and environmental disruption."
This is just too ridiculous to do anything other than laugh. Yup - I'm thinking there's some definite mental illness about...
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