The first 100 days.

Today marks the first 100 days of presidency for Barrack Obama. The tradition of the "first 100 days" dates back to FDR and the "New Deal." Time Magazine earlier this year labeled the new administration's agenda as the "New, New Deal." A fitting title for another very progressive president.

Although, I think it is still a little to early to gauge how President Obama along with his policies will effect the nation--in the long run--I do feel that these first 100 days has shown us how he will govern. 

In celebration of his 100 days I figured I would point out a few things I agree with the president on, and a few I don't. Forgive me if the list isn't equal in line items.

Let's start this off on a positive note.

Things I agree with:

1. The decision to allow the Navy Seals to open fire on Somali pirates in order to save a fellow American. It was nice to see that we still have somewhat of a backbone, that when push comes to shove our Commander-in-Chief has the ability to muster up some courage.

2. A slower, less expedient withdrawal from Iraq. I figured it wouldn't be as easy as the phony promise of a 15 month withdrawal. As a veteran, I laughed every time I heard this on the campaign trail. 

3. The new Portuguese Water Dog. Great dog, hypo-allergenic(as close to it as you can get), and cute. 

Things I disagree with:

1. The massive amounts of spending. For a nominee who campaigned on spending cuts, no pork, and lower taxes, he has managed to spend more than any other president, and has done it in record time. His $3.6 trillion dollar budget was just approved (don't worry, they cut 100 million out), on top of the massive stimulus bill approved earlier in the year. In order to pay off the interest, yes just interest not principle, every American age 20 and younger will have to contribute more than $100 thousand dollars through the course of their lives. Thanks!

2. Getting involved with private businesses such as GM, and Freddie. Now the government is the chief stockholder in private corporations. We are a free market economy based on capitalist principles. Bad companies, that cannot manage their business should be allowed to fail.

3. His inability to function properly and eloquently without a Teleprompter. Um, uh, Enough said.

He has not convinced me that he can be a strong leader, and take this country in the direction it needs to go in order to secure long-term prosperity. Then again we are only at day 100! 

Swine Flu, you can't get it from pork!

There are 91 cases of confirmed Swine Flu, or H1N1, in the U.S. with one confirmed death. Although I don't think that this is cause for any type of panic, I do think it's a great time to enforce all those health conscious tricks we were taught as little kids.

10 Easy Ways to Prevent Colds and Flu:

1. Wash your hands well and often - not OCD often, but you know what I mean. Enough to get rid of the germs. And try to avoid touching things in public places, like door handles. I am getting really good at not holding onto the banisters in public stairways and escalators. Not that you should try that. I'm just sayin'...

2. Don't touch people who are sick. That means you can't kiss them either. Not even butterfly kisses or Eskimo kisses. Air kisses are probably fine, just don't get too close and maybe hold your breath. Colds and viruses are passed most commonly through the hands, and through rubbing the eyes, nose and mouth. If you've been around people, especially sick ones, try not to touch yourself unless your hands are clean.

3. Clean your house. I know, it's gross, but just do it. Or get someone else to do it. Be sure to tell them to wipe down surfaces like doorknobs, handles and stairway handrails. And tell them to not sneeze all over the place.

4. Stop eating crap. Eat your greens. Drink lots of water. A well balanced diet with fresh fruits and vegetables will boost your immune system, and water helps you function more efficiently. Efficiency rocks!

5. Exercise every... single (yes, that's what I said)... day. You don't have to go all marathon training crazy but just do something every day. Make it fun! Wooppee! Seriously, moderate daily exercise is a huge part of overall health, and will help your immune system fight illness. Oh, and you'll look all fabulous and everyone will give you compliments.

6. Take vitamin supplements. I'm not sure how they work, but I'm convinced they keep your immune system strong.

7. Consider getting a flu shot. I got one once 'cause I was standing in the way of the flu shot gun at the drug store. I'm not in the high-risk group, though because I'm not a child under 5, and I'm not over 50, or chronically ill, or have immune problems or travel with tour groups, or work with the elderly. Regardless, it's still our best weapon against the flu and if you are in the high risk category, the CDC recommends you get one. Remember, flu vaccinations are only 70% to 90% effective and they don't cover every little strain possible. Oh, and if you have severe allergies, or you're allergic to eggs or you are currently ill, don't even think about it. Consult your doctor if you are unsure.

8. Always get at least 8 hours of sleep. I know, "yeah, right". Whatever you're doing instead of sleeping isn't more important, I guarantee it. On the other hand, if you're sleeping, like, 10 hours every night then you need to get a life. Staying rested and relaxed will lower your risk of getting sick. If you feel a cold coming on, stay home. If you have to go out, do us all a favor and cover your mouth when you sneeze and don't touch anyone or anything... and don't breathe either. On second thought, don't go out.

9. Reduce your daily stress. I promise your immune system will improve. Assess your stressors and eliminate or avoid them. Take control of your life and learn to say 'no' if you're asked to do something non-essential or non-life enhancing. You won't lose your power and you might just gain some respect.

10. Stock up on cold & flu essentials. Even if you don't get sick, chances are someone you live with will. Oh, and if you haven't already, please coach your darling little germ lockers to wipe their nosies on a kleenex instead of their precious little hannys. It's a process, I know.

[Source: ezine ]

All for fame and glory.

Arlen Specter is the epitome of modern American politics. When you might not win with your current party tag (R-PA) behind your name, change it and hope you can get get elected with another tag.

Which ones is he going to try?

(D-PA)
or
(I-PA)

Whichever will further his political career.

Sen. Patrick Leahy a democrat from vermont said Tuesday that he was notified of Specter's decision that morning and that he got the impression that "a great party left him, not the other way around."

That party Sen. Leahy speaks of left it's ideals a long time ago, but they were on the brink of making the same mistakes Sen. Specter did. Hopefully, the Pensylvanians from his district will replace him with someone who believes in the ideals of this country, and will work FOR the people.

I think it's about time that all American's realize that the government works for us. We do not answer to them, they answer to us. We need to hold politicians accountable to their constituents, and when neccesary replace them when they fail to speak for the people, and work only to further their political gain.

Sadly, I am not surprised or hurt concerning the party jump of Specter. It is about time the wolf came out of the sheep's clothing.

Even more sadly, is the potential loss of the balance of power between the Halls of Congress and the White House.

No to Notre Dame!

Mary Ann Glendon was the U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican along with other notable positions within the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and the U.S. Catholic Church, most notably she was the first female president of the Roman Catholic Church's official Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, appointed by Pope John Paul II.

She has just turned down the Laetere Medal from the University of Notre Dame, which is considered to be one of the highest outward achievement awards for American Catholics. Her opposition to the invitation of President Barrack Obama to deliver the commencement speech this May, is due in large part to his staunchly liberal defense of abortion and embryonic stem-cell research. The university will also be giving the president an honorary degree. In 2004 the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, or the USCCB, proclaimed that Catholic institutions should not give "awards, honors, or platforms" to "those who act in defiance of [Catholic] fundamental moral principles."

Ms. Glendon, has written a letter to Father Jenkins, the president of Notre Dame, and has also released that letter to the public, as to dispel any suspicion.

Way to go Ms. Glendon, I support you! Thank you for your conviction!

The letter follows:

Dear Father Jenkins,

When you informed me in December 2008 that I had been selected to receive Notre Dame's Laetare Medal, I was profoundly moved. I treasure the memory of receiving an honorary degree from Notre Dame in 1996, and I have always felt honored that the commencement speech I gave that year was included in the anthology of Notre Dame's most memorable commencement speeches. So I immediately began working on an acceptance speech that I hoped would be worthy of the occasion, of the honor of the medal, and of your students and faculty.

Last month, when you called to tell me that the commencement speech was to be given by President Obama, I mentioned to you that I would have to rewrite my speech. Over the ensuing weeks, the task that once seemed so delightful has been complicated by a number of factors.

First, as a longtime consultant to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, I could not help but be dismayed by the news that Notre Dame also planned to award the president an honorary degree. This, as you must know, was in disregard of the U.S. bishops' express request of 2004 that Catholic institutions "should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles, and that such persons should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions." That request, which in no way seeks to control or interfere with an institution's freedom to invite and engage in serious debate with whomever it wishes, seems to me so reasonable that I am at a loss to understand why a Catholic university should disrespect it.

Then I learned that "talking points" issued by Notre Dame in response to widespread criticism of its decision included two statements implying that my acceptance speech would somehow balance the event:

"President Obama won't be doing all the talking. Mary Ann Glendon, the former U.S. ambassador to the Vatican, will be speaking as the recipient of the Laetare Medal."

"We think having the president come to Notre Dame, see our graduates, meet our leaders, and hear a talk from Mary Ann Glendon is a good thing for the president and for the causes we care about."

A commencement, however, is supposed to be a joyous day for the graduates and their families. It is not the right place, nor is a brief acceptance speech the right vehicle, for engagement with the very serious problems raised by Notre Dame's decision in disregard of the settled position of the U.S. bishops' to honor a prominent and uncompromising opponent of the Church's position on issues involving fundamental principles of justice.

Finally, with recent news reports that other Catholic schools are similarly choosing to disregard the bishops' guidelines, I am concerned that Notre Dame's example could have an unfortunate ripple effect.

It is with great sadness, therefore, that I have concluded that I cannot accept the Laetare Medal or participate in the May 17 graduation ceremony.

In order to avoid the inevitable speculation about the reasons for my decision, I will release this letter to the press, but I do not plan to make any further comment on the matter at this time.

Yours Very Truly,

Mary Ann Glendon

source: First Things

Grow, Grow, Grow...

So this year is the first spring in our new home. I'm loving home ownership, especially yard-work! Since the beginning of spring my little thumb has been itching to turn green. I think I caught a case of the gardening bug. With all the nice weather down here in Nashville, Tennessee, I've been spending a lot of time and money at Bates Nursery. Not to mention the labor I've put into the yard. Call it a labor of love.

It's been a learning experience. My biggest failure this year is my Boston Ferns. I wanted to have hanging ferns on my porch. It's the South, and nothing says Southern like a shady porch, with beautiful ferns, some rocking chairs, and a pitcher of sweet iced tea. Got everything else, besides the ferns to work. The part sun/bright shade was way to bright for them to even survive. So I took them down and am reviving them in a shady corner with lots of water. In their place I hung some Evolvulus Blue Daze, a sun loving, drought tolerant plant. Not to mention the flowers on this thing are about the bluest you can get when it comes to blue flowers. I like them better than the ferns!

Where are the shady trees? We fixed that too! We got a heck of a deal on some pretty mature trees. We planted an 18ft Pin Oak in the front yard, moved our existing maple to the back along with a new Autumn Blaze Maple. Thirsty, Thirsty, Trees!

We used to have three Arborvitaes as accent shrubs up front. I removed them yesterday, and replaced them with some Boxwoods. The Boxwoods look great, they are slow growing, and a perfect low-hedge plant. The look good in front of brick, and make an awesome backdrop for the annuals we planted in the flower bed. We planted almost everything sun-loving from irisis to cox comb. The Arborvitaes (two of the three, one did not make it through two summers of droughty conditions) now reside in huge planters on the back patio. I'm sure they appreciate the drainage of the potting soil, organic mushroom compost, and soil conditioner, a lot better than the clay they were trying to grow in. 

I'm almost afraid to see what my water bill will be through the summer. 

Now the fun begins...watching it all grow. Cross your fingers!

If water saves lives, use it!

Things up in D.C. really perplex me. If it's not one thing it's another. 

Enhanced Interrogation Techniques (EIT), mainly water-boarding has saved lives. The lives of countless Americans, and now it's being called torture. Torture or not, if dunking an enemy of this nation's head in water to force him to give up valuable information works, dunk his head! Why are we so concerned about the comfort level of those who seek the destruction of our Union? We would rather make sure that people who have publicly declared jihad against the United States live better than how they used to in their homelands, than protect the lives of the American people.

Rep. Nancy Pelosi(D-CA) along with other top congressional politicians were briefed in the after-math of 911 concerning the techniques employed by the Bush administration, and they supported it, but because it profits them, and their party politically they want to put on a "dog-and-jackass show", cry foul and divert attention by calling for the indictment of leaders of this country that kept us safe post 911, they have declassified secrets that gave us valuable information, but did not disclose the information obtained from EIT. Since the enemy knows the tactics, I'd at least like to see the results.

What ever happened to the promise of transparency?

Yes, President George W. Bush, kept this nation safe. There's a lot of things he did that I did not agree with, but there's no denying that we did not suffer another attack on U.S. soil for the remainder of his administration. His policies concerning water-boarding were in large part to thank.

So if water saves lives, let's use it.

What this is about.

Ok, so this is the first time ever in my life that I have blogged. Never considered myself a blogger, but have followed some blogs. I like them. I like knowing what people are thinking, how they think and their justifications. I also like reading blogs that have absolutely nothing to do with anything. I think they are a great, although minimal account of the human mind. 

This blog will probably be more random than anything. I like a lot of things, and have opinions on a lot of things as well. I will never claim that I am 100% right in my way of thinking, but they are my opinions, and I will not write about anything I do not believe. Unless I hear something funny that begs to be repeated...

So here goes...