Year End - part 2

Last post for 2013

I thought about listing significant events both good and bad from 2013. But as I reviewed the year it was mostly bad news.

Just wishing everyone a Happy New Year.

Year End - part 1

As the year comes to a close I reflect back and one of the biggest changes - the United States - politically

In some of my rants about the Obama administration I have deep concerns about the direction and policies of this country. I realize that it took half of the citizens to re-elect him into office, but I think some of those people are regretting their vote.

Time will tell. 

Steep Canyon Rangers - "Nobody Knows You" Release Party

Bill of Rights

Issued in 1966 - Bill of Rights - 175th Anniversary - 5 cents

Crime

I was watching the news this morning.

A reporter interviewing a man about a crime that had happened in his neighborhood.

The man stated "it was a crime gone bad"

Hmm - is there such a thing as a good crime?

A crime will always have bad results, and if for some reason a person is not caught in the end they will have to answer to God.

Signing ?

Obama - The symbolic signing up for government health care.

How crazy is that?

He is trying to get the website numbers up

http://www.businessweek.com/ap/2013-12-23/obama-signs-up-through-dc-health-care-exchange

Christmas Mailings

On December the 16th the US Postal Service process over 600 million pieces of mail.

Interesting with today's technology that mail is still one of the primary sources for sending Christmas greetings. I know when I receive a card in the mail it is more personal than receiving an e-mail Christmas "card".

The Postal Services is going through some difficult financial times trying to survive and compete with e-mail. I'm not sure where the future of the first class letter will be 20 years from now, but I do believe the Christmas card will be a tradition that will be here for a long time.

Happiness

The reason for this post is due to the recent talk about the lottery.

What is happiness?

Some things that come to mind for most in winning the lottery - money, new car, paying off debt, new house, giving to charities, helping family members and the list goes on.

I can understand how some of these things could make you happy because in most cases it would relieve some stress. But on the other hand, it could cause stress, just for magnitude of managing a large sum of money. I would guess if some of the worlds millionaires were interviewed and asked the question - do you have any stress in your life? I would bet the answer to be yes.

Happiness comes from within yourself it is not a material thing like money. Their are people from all classes of society that are truly happy. We can find happiness in everyday life we just have to look for it. Think about your typical day is there anything in your day to day activities that makes you happy?

What makes you happy?

Healthcare

Just a short rant about health care

Watching the local news this morning about the thousands of people being laid-off at a local hospital because of Obamacare. The reason is those employees were part of an overall process of work pertaining to uninsured patients. The state government will not fund the uninsured and has decided to let the federal government pick-up the cost.

So, now we have thousands of people unemployed looking for jobs that will probably have to sign up for Obamacare and pay a higher rate than before.  

December 1st

The first day of December

This post is a follow up to black Friday post. But this one is for a different reason if you are a Christian keep in mind the reason for the season of Christmas. 

Do not get so caught up in buying gifts that you forget. 

The reason why Christmas is celebrated - Jesus Christ  

Amateur Radio

The Cost?

The day after Thanksgiving or as most know it as black Friday.

I really don't care for the sales and all the craziness that comes with the madness of the stores opening the doors and people fighting through the crowd to get to the best deals.

It is amazing how businesses can mark down a product 50% or 75% and still make a considerable profit. I often wonder how much a product really cost. What is the actual markup on these black Friday sale items?

Nevertheless, this is capitalism at its best. I hope that one day manufacturing will come back to the United States and consumers buying products today would actually create more jobs.  

So, the next time you are out looking for a sale check to see where it was made. When you buy a product made in another country think about it as taking someone's job.

Buy American.

Top Ten - Movies

Thought I would list my top ten movies

This is an overall list

 I have more that I'll list later in category by comedy, drama etc..

It was difficult to pick just ten.  I based it mostly on channel surfing and what I would stop to watch.

1. It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
2. Mr. Smith goes to Washington (1939)
3. The Crowd (1928)
4. You Can't Take It with You (1938
5. The Postman (1997)
6. Jeremiah Johnson (1972)
7. Cool Hand Luke (1967)
8. Rio Bravo (1959)
9. Casablanca (1942)
10. Modern Times (1936)

By the Mark

The Need for Change

Reading the local liberal newspaper (not a habit) just wanting to see how the left is looking at the elections from yesterday.

I refuse to believe the true conservative movement is dead.

We need to have candidates with strong conservative values. The RINO's have conformed to the liberal agenda. The secularism is overrunning in America. Whatever the trend is today will change tomorrow. This is no way to govern the United States.

I realize there will always be political differences but the problem now is the two parties are at each others throats. What happen to the days of Ronald Reagan, Tip ONeill or Bill Clinton, Newt Geingrich.

This country needs to get back on track before it gets to the point of no return.


Warning-signs-flare-for-tea-party-Democrats-in-2014

Media Goes Where the Story Is

The media goes where the story is - and the attention is now focused on Obama.

Since the Obama administration has been in office the media has been on-call for the White House.
As long as the agenda went to the liberals they covered it.

But, now it seems as if the media is going for the best story, they have turned against the President. Because of Obamacare and Benghazi.

I think we will see the popularity polls on the President drop drastically.

The truth will hopefully come out.

Where Do We Go From Here?

Now that the federal government is back operating, where do we go from here?

Democrat or Republican it will come down to the right or the left side of the House and Senate to talk to the people that voted them into office.

It seems like some of the politicians have their own personal agenda and that includes the President.

But the reason the House and the Senate are in place is to be the voice of the people and to separate the powers of the executive offices so no single office has power overall.

So, my statement - Washington listen to the People that you represent - take your personal opinion out. 

Columbus Day??

Just a thought

Why don't we celebrate Columbus Day?

It's a federal holiday, which really doesn't make any difference today because of the shutdown.

We should at least recognize it as part of our history in America.

State Fair American Flag

Steep Canyon Rangers - Knob Creek

What's the Purpose?

I've been hearing in the news about college football players receiving money or special favors for playing on the team.

Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't college about getting an education and not about how much money you make while on the team.

In some conversations, some people believe the players should get paid. They are students, not employees. 

Politically Correct

The fear of expressing how you feel about things seems to be today a common problem. People are trying to be politically correct. But the fact that people are not expressing how they think is causing problems in itself.

When we do not speak up on matters of concern in society we give in completely to those who have no problem with saying whats on their mind.

And the result of this action of being "politically correct"

Legal changes that will never return. Some people will say "that's progress" but I disagree. We have changes in society that are immoral and evil.

In the News

I normally try to say positive in my post but I have to share my opinion on some current events.

The world is an evil place - there will always be at least one dictator over some country to cast a net of malevolence over the people.

I am talking about Syria.

Here we have a country where a mass killing has been committed and everyone is pointing at the other on who did it (Assad-Rebels).

The problem is now the US wants to get involved. This is a civil war. There are at least five different rebel forces fighting against Assad and that is not mentioning the unorganized groups. One of the five is Iran, who is friends with Russia.

The US should not get involved – it is a powder keg waiting to explode.

Our military is the greatest fighting force in the world. The air and naval power alone probably would be enough to settle the whole civil war, but again it would set off a chain reaction in the Middle East and escalate to a much larger World War.

Let us stay focused finish Afghanistan and regroup.

Conversation and Distractions

I did not realize how long it had been since my last post. Life sometimes either gets busy or just the routine of daily happenings.


Conversation and Distractions

Interesting topic, I think

I have noticed that real conversation occurs when both parties are fully engaged and attentive to each other’s words and mannerisms. This might seem obvious, but how many times have you had what you thought were engaging conversations only to find that either yourself or the other person later asked questions about what you said or you ask questions.

To be attentive to conversation, you must disengage from your distractions - thoughts, visuals, or sounds that take your focus away from the other person. These distractions are hard to eliminate; you might be at work, a sporting event, or any environment that can produce distractions.

Next time you are conversing, eliminate those things that take away your focus.

Why

Because all of us want to be heard.  

TV Shows

What is the problem with some of the shows broadcast on major networks?

Immorality

Take a moment to analyze some of the shows on the three networks (ABC, NBC, CBS). Some shows will state a caution message on some of the more violent but the other shows no message at all, until you go into watching the show and in the middle you are shocked by some scenes you were not expecting. Some would be explicit enough to have a movie rating (R). 

Next time you watch a new show evaluate it. Is it immoral?  

To Build You Up

20 Quotes Build You Up!!! from Sompong Yusoontorn

Plaza Flag

4th of July

Freedom of Conscience an American Right - First Day Cover

Where Rainbows Never Die - Steeldrivers

Changes

All human situations have their inconveniences. We feel those of the present but neither see nor feel those of the future; and hence we often make troublesome changes without amendment, and frequently for the worse.

 

Benjamin Franklin
US author, diplomat, inventor, physicist, politician, & printer (1706 - 1790)

 

From: The Quotes Page

Parking lot fishing

Tradition

Definition: Tradition

From: Merriam-Webster

1

a : an inherited, established, or customary pattern of thought, action, or behavior (as a religious practice or a social custom)

b : a belief or story or a body of beliefs or stories relating to the past that are commonly accepted as historical though not verifiable

2

: the handing down of information, beliefs, and customs by word of mouth or by example from one generation to another without written instruction

3

: cultural continuity in social attitudes, customs, and institutions

4

: characteristic manner, method, or style

My conservative view of the world I feel sometimes is under attack. Yes, I believe that something’s should hold true to their traditions. Organizations that have a history of customs and beliefs are losing their traditions that have been passed down over the years. My issue is why a small percentage of the American population forces their views on these traditional organizations. These traditions have been tested and prove to be timeless. But when conservatives (traditionalist) speak up and say no we are looked upon as not progressing, stuck in the past, or old-time. 

When will it stop?

The reason for my rant about this topic is we are headed down the wrong path. The progressive movement will gradually eliminate our long-standing American traditions. Moreover, as the progressive changes take place nothing will be left. As society will soon forget our time honored traditions and the progressive movement will change as often as the wind blows.    

Strange

I took this picture near a construction site in Nashville and after looking at it closer about middle and to the left it looks like someone falling.

Not sure what it is??

Going fishing?- Joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls. Mother Teresa
Original Tweet: http://twitter.com/ACatholicPrayer/status/344509753566851073

Protect Freedom

Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.

          Ronald Reagan

A Catholic Prayer: We always find that those who walked closest to Christ were those who had to bear the greatest trials. - Saint Teresa of Avila - Original Tweet: http://twitter.com/ACatholicPrayer/status/344095531892609025 

Liberty is Too Precious a Thing - Classic Movie Clip

Vatican City Stamps

Follow link:

Arago: Vatican City

D-Day - June 6, 1944

 

Remembering and Honoring Those Who Served and Died