I'm going to be in the local paper

Leave it to the big mouth to land herself in the local paper.

I'm friends with one of the editors and complained to her about the shitty job our recycling company was doing for the city and now the paper is doing a follow-up to the original article about how the recycling company was getting better. So, now I've gotten roped into having a photo taken of me with my recycling bin tomorrow. Lovely.

Me and my big mouth. I'll scan in a picture or something and post it after it runs. God help me. I hope I don't sound like some retard in the article. You know you can't trust the damned media. *lol* Wait, I am a member of the damned media. Shit. Can't use THAT excuse.

8 days till we leave

Not that I'm counting the days or anything.

Today, we got another little piece of Vikings paraphernalia to take with us to the game.

Christmas wish list

Army of Dad - you don't have to look any further for my Christmas present.

I have found it in the Neiman Marcus catalog for a mere $10,000,000.



Wowee, its a Zeppelin! Wasn't a good idea before. Not sure how practical it might be though.

Homicidal Granny convicted

Update to the post I put up last night about the bitch who killed her grandchild at Fort Hood.

I used to work for the Killeen Daily Herald and it was while I was working there that I met Army of Dad, a soldier stationed at Fort Hood. After cruising the KDH website, I emailed my boss there and mentioned the link to the story. This was what he had to say about that:

"As far as the stupid homicidal grandmother, she was convicted today of second-degree murder, still maintaining that 'someone else put those bruises there.' Her sentencing hearing is scheduled for Nov. 17. There having a presentencing investigation first, probably to find out just how nuts she is. It's too bad she can't be sentenced to death. She'll probably only get about 10 years."

And, people say the media is too liberal.

Let's get ready to rumble!!!!!!

It starts tonight at 8 p.m. That would be the first debate between President Bush and Senator Kerry. This first debate will be on foreign policy and it should be a doozy. I'm not sure what to expect, but I'll be watching.



Along the same lines, I'm all about young people getting politically involved. I was very active as a college student because I felt it was very important to be a part of the system. But, some people today are taking it a little too far. There is F the vote where people trade, shall we say, sexual favors for a vote for Kerry and then Votergasm that Rush Limbaugh was talking about yesterday. Both have sexually explicit content if you go there. Why else would Army of Dad and I have visited them. *wink* Those folks appear to be doing more than just Talking the Vote.

Add this one to the war's casualties

Jesus help me, I hope I never meet this woman - Rose Cherry - in person because I think I could kill her with my bare hands. There are so many things wrong with this story surrounding the death of this poor angel, Destiny Moore.

Her mom, a Fort Hood soldier was deployed to Iraq leaving the care of her children in her mother's hands. You would think that if anyone would give loving care to a child, it would be her grandmother. Obviously not.

This bitch beat this 4-year-old to death and when you read the stories, you'll love the reasons why: the child was trying to get in the bathroom with her brother, she interrupted her grandmother's viewing of the news and my favorite - she was messing up the recitation of her ABCs at 1 in the morning. What the hell is a 4-year-old doing up at 1 a.m.? Hell, I can't recite the ABCs at 1 in the morning.

Here's another story about this sorry excuse for a grandmother.

Jesus, help this soldier and God take care of one of your angels.

11 days till we leave

I'm so ready to hit the road and have a change of pace.

vs.

I think we're going to go shooting while we're there. Army of Dad was mortified that I had never fired a weapon in my life. He said the pretend laser guns in the Buzz Lightyear ride at the Magic Kingdom didn't count.

This is rich

I'm not sure what got into me, but I thought I'd mosey on down to Kerry's website and look at some of his information.

My favorite is titled Kerry Pledges to Fight a More Effective War on Terror.

Here are a few of the highlights.

“My fellow Americans, the most urgent national security challenge we face is the war against those who attacked our country on September 11th, the war against Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda,” Kerry said. “As president, I will fight a tougher, smarter, more effective war on terror. My priority will be to find and capture or kill the terrorists before they get us – and I will never take my eye off the ball.”
Check, Bush is doing that. Skipped some to get to more of my faves.

Fifth, Kerry will launch a strategy to win the war of ideas to prevent terrorists from poisoning more minds. Sixth, he will promote democracy and freedom throughout the Muslim world.

I would like to know how we're not already the promotion of democracy and freedom in the Muslim world. What is the point of Iraq, then? Please don't say for oil because if that were the case, my gas prices would be lower, so don't even try that BS. How, exactly, do you win the war of ideas? Sounds like more talking to me.
These terrorists don't understand talking. That is weak to them. They understand killing and dying. I say we send more of them to meet their virgins and Allah.

I encourage you to go read his stuff. That way no one can accuse of us not knowing why we have the opinions that we do.

Gratuitous hot chick

No reason in particular. Women are so soft and beautiful. I understand why men drool. Pictures like this just make me nod my head in agreement that I can't deny Army of Dad a good gawk.


Found this pic as part of an ad for the Freewill Store for conservative goodies from shirts to coffee mugs featuring some rather strange sayings and stuff. Thanks Kim. I'm sure my blog readers will thank you, too.

Media stuff

I wondered, at first, who these people are that were polled for this Dan Rather poll, but then I saw that it was a USA Today poll and that explained it. Readers of that pub are like drinkers of light beer. Why bother reading the paper at all? You might as well watch the news for the amount of information that you get from the sell out paper.

But, there is hope for some of the media. Celsius 41.11 comes out today in Washington, D.C., and will hopefully not be far behind in the rest of the US. Some conservative media types make some appearances in it.

~~~~~~
Seen at a local used car lot.

I'd tell you who I'd pick

But, you wouldn't be too shocked. I've said it before. If Army of Dad issued an order to go forth and fornicate with a presidential candidate (and his wife was cool with it) I don't think there are too many questions about who I'd pick.

So, Kerry's latest effort to make himself appear studly and therefore the more appropriate candidate is falling way short (pun intended). He is making a big deal out of being 6'4 and President Bush only *note the sarcasm* being 5'11. Like that makes a hill of beans in politics, beliefs, morals or even looks for that matter.

Exhibit A over why I'd pick Bush over Kerry:



Exhibit No. 2. I have always loved a hot guy in a uniform.

Kerry, dude, reconsider THIS strategy. You can't win a contest of looks and masculinity.

A must read about war and war heroes

Thanks to Army of Dad for sending me this story. I think it is a must read. It brought a tear to my eye. Having lived in Killeen and covering the education of the children of the soldiers and former soldiers, I know men like this.

I believe Army of Dad knew a man like this. Maybe I can get him to share that story. I met the man once while we were at the mall. Very soft spoken man. He seemed so gentle. Then, AoD told me a little about the man's history and I was shocked. I would have never imagined. AoD - please write a bit about this in the commentary.

Adding insult to injury

Editor's Note: I'm still laughing about this one in that sadistic form only a mom like me has.

Last night, my normally brave and resilient 5-year-old went on an adventure in tears from the moment he found out where we were heading after we left the bank. My normally rambunctious child cried and repeatedly told me that he did not want a flu shot. He was pretty emphatic about it. This lasted from the time we left the bank, until we dropped off a prescription at the pharmacy until we were actually getting the shot - a span of about 30 minutes.

He cried during the shot and for a good 10 minutes afterwards despite the fact that the oldest boy hopped up, got his shot and ran off to watch the TV in the waiting room. The soon-to-be 2-year-old even took her shot like a champ. She was more upset at being held down. But, once it was over, she let out two cries, then went to watch TV with her brother.

So, on the drive to get ice cream, amidst the tears I hear a declaration from the back seat "I HATE CLOWNS!" and then some more tears. The 10-year-old shrugs as I look in the rearview mirror and I look around to see if there are any signs with clowns or maybe It is sticking his head out of a storm drain. Nope, the coast is clear. "Ok baby. I know you don't like clowns." I'm thinking how random a statement that was.

Then, this morning while we're getting ready for school, I see that his Band-Aid is still on his arm. "Let me get your band-aid off baby. Wow, lets see what you got. It is a circus."

"I HATE CLOWNS!" he screams as he runs from the Band-Aid. I look on there and by golly, there is a clown next to the seal and ringmaster.

Poor baby. *stifling back a giggle*

13 days to go

at


Not that I'm counting the days or anything.

Sans children. Did I mention that? Three glorious days.

I have the tickets in my hand. I'm praying that my ebay sellers come through for me. I ordered a Purple Pride towel for AoD to wave. I also bought some Viking helmets (no braids with them, though) and some temporary tattoos. I figure if we're going to do this, lets do it right. I'll set my Cowboys allegiance aside FOR THE DAY and wear Vikings purple. It will probably be AoD's Vikings t-shirt. I have a sweatshirt that his sister gave me for my birthday. It was hilarious. She wrapped it up in Victoria's Secret stuff - in the gift box with lovely pink tissue paper and the card read: Here is something AoD would love to see you in. I giggled in surprise at her sending me lingerie and then opened it up and there was the Vikings sweatshirt. I had to laugh. I wear it occasionally. He wears it more than me.

I hope my ketchup isn't full of shit like this Heinz

Lifted from OpinionJournal.com today

Rocky Mountain Heinz
John Kerry's second wife was in Colorado Friday, where, as usual, she had many ridiculous things to say. "Day One of his presidency, every child in America will have health care. Period," Teresa Heinz Kerry told an audience in Fort Collins, according to the Coloradoan, the local paper. Apparently she doesn't realize that this would require an act of Congress--or perhaps she intends to pick up the tab herself.
She also offered this wisdom on education policy: "Tests should be a measure that is enabling, not disabling. Tests that are a trap are sinful." Huh?
And in Pueblo, the Associated Press reports, she had this advice on how to fight terrorism:
"The way we live in peace in a family, in a marriage, in the world, is not by threatening people, is not by showing off your muscles. It's by listening, by giving a hand sometimes, by being intelligent, by being open and by setting high standards."
Yeah, that'll throw a scare into al Qaeda.
This seems as good a time as any to list the latest proposed Heinz ketchup slogans, by Victor Colvin, Michael Zukerman, Joe Davisson and John Rankin:
"French fries prefer me."
"Use liberally."
"Rich and thick."
"The official ketchup of Lambert Field."
If that last one escapes you, check out Football Fans for Truth. Reader Chris Switzer also offers this observation: "I got some hot sauce at Taco Bell in Altamonte Springs, Fla., on Thursday night, and all the packets had the same slogan: 'The road to mediocrity is littered with empty ketchup packets.' I guess even the 'left of center' crowd is disenchanted."

Out of the mouths of babes

Tonight was the dreaded night by the Army of Mom children - the night we went to get our flu shots. Each of the three children got one and because they had a dose last year, they don't have to get a second one. Hooray!

To soothe the ouchies of the flu shots, we made a detour on the way home to Braum's for a scoop of chocolate ice cream in a cup. Nothing erases flu shot pain better than ice cream, in case you didn't know.

We took the long way home so the children would finish their delights in the car (the two youngest children are wearing towels that I keep in the car for emergencies; this counts) and not drag the drippy mess into the house. As we're driving along a very nice upper middle class neighborhood, my oldest says to me:

Mom, I see a lot of Bush-Cheney signs in people's yards.

Yep, a lot of people have their signs out. Its a little over a month till election day.

Mom.

Yes, baby.

I really hope President Bush wins.

Me, too, sweetheart.

You know why?

Why?

Because I don't want that democrab guy to win. That would really make me mad.
~~~~

Swear to God - he calls them democrabs. The first time he said it I hesitated on correcting him. After I finished laughing, I told him the right way to say it. But, he still slips now and then. Not really too far off, I think.

Yikes!

It looked like a scene from some safety video at a parenting class. Stinkerbelle walks out of the bathroom carrying a bottle of prescription medication shaking it like a rattle. As soon as I grabbed it out of her hands, she has a pair of scissors in her hands that she snatched from the top of my desk.

I think I need to do more babyproofing.

Beauty and the Beast

Check it out, Uzz had a brush with greatness. The Goddess, herself, was in my hometown of Fort Worth last week.

Motherhood quote of the day

Furnish an example, stop preaching, stop shielding, don't prevent self reliance and initiative, allow your children to develop along their own lines.
-- Eleanor Roosevelt

Mother-in-law dodged Jeane

Looks like my mother-in-law's decision to stick it out for this one wasn't so bad. The worst of the Hurricane missed Cocoa Beach.

The local paper shows a lot of damage, but the worst part missed her. Looks like she may be safe from the
brunt of the storm.

Hooray!

The difference a single gun could have made

It was five years ago this month that a crazed gunman entered Wedgwood Baptist Church in Fort Worth. Its a church I never went to growing up, but I passed it often throughout my life. It was on the way to my favorite mall as a teen and as an adult it was located down the street from the nursing home where my grandmother lived.

On Sept. 15, 1999, a man entered the church where youth groups from children to teens were meeting and he opened fire. By the time it was over, seven people at the church were dead before the gunman turned his firearm on himself.

What a difference a CHL holder could have made that day.

What a difference it may have made for this mother who lost her son. I don't agree with her opinions on gun control, but her loss is still tragic. Funny how people take different reads on tragedies like this. Texas Rep. Suzanna Gratia Hupp regrets not carrying her gun that day in Luby's in Killeen when her parents were gunned down by a madman with a gun. She was a giant proponent for the concealed handgun license in Texas.

I'm grateful for that. I feel safer when Army of Dad is armed. He would carry his firearm into mass each Sunday when we went and I was glad. Especially after Sept. 15, 1999.

Early voting could be critical to election

Early voting is not a good thing in this election, in my opinion, whether you support Kerry or Bush.

In Iowa, voters may start casting ballots NOW - a full week before the first presidential debate. Think of how much could happen in the next 38 days. Voters may find out that Kerry is a cross dresser or Bush is banging Condi. You just never know what could happen between now and election day. Seriously.

I've always been a proponent of early voting, absentee voting, etc. But, I believe it ought to be limited to a smaller window of time before the election - maybe a week before election day. But, now, I'm not even sure if I prescribe to that. Mark Davis on WBAP has ALWAYS touted that early voting is bad and I always thought he was full of shit. Now, I think he may be on to something. This isn't because I believe it will hurt my candidate, but I don't think it will help him either.

I just don't like this concept of voting more than a month before the election. So much can happen. I understand military voters are a different issue because of deployments and people who work overseas, etc. There isn't a good way to handle those, but people who are fully capable of voting on Election Day - just go to the polls, otherwise you may regret your choice later and in elections there are no do-overs.

Guess which ones are mine?

Thanks to my bud at it comes in pints for the link to this good cause. As the daughter of a breast cancer survivor and a woman who found a lump in her breast with her first mammogram this summer, I think this is a good cause - showing your boobs to make money for the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

I donated a shot (no exposed boobs, so all you pervs don't get TOO excited) to the cause. It is for charity and I'm rather fond of my boobs (especially after that suckass biopsy and the scare of losing them).

Check out the info by going to it comes in pints and following the links or go straight to Boobie-a-thon!!

Viva la Blogger Boob-thon!

*whew*

Our AC drain was replaced today and I escaped the whole ordeal. Hooray! Army of Dad's buddy came over and in exchange for large fries, a HungerBuster and a beer, he had assistance from someone much more versed in which tool is which. Fortunately this dude was off work today and just gave AoD a call to say hey and *smartly* AoD asked him to come help. This dude even brought some tools we didn't have and was able to advise AoD on a few things he'd need to have before he got started. So, that was awesome. Now, we're good as new and it only cost us $19.05!!! The lowest bid we got for the job was $150 and everyone else was $250 or higher! Can't beat that.

Now, I'm about to feed children and then take Child No. 1 out for some special just with mom time. I think we're going to check out the Hispanic Heritage Celebration. It is free (always a good price) and the UNT Mariachi Aguilas and Ballet Folklorico Mexico Magic y Folklor will be performing. I love that stuff. I must be the craziest gringo around. I have always loved the Hispanic culture. Shhhh, don't tell anyone, but when I was a little girl I used to cry because I wanted to be Mexican. One of my many dreams is to one day have a birthday party fiesta complete with a Mariachi band playing in the back yard while AoD makes fajitas. Let the Sangria flow!

Thank you

Amazing how my mood can go from one of silliness to profound respect. AoD was flipping channels and stopped on CMT and then Toby Keith's American Soldier comes on and we both get quiet and pay attention.

One criticism, though, to the video. When the soldier featured gets the call that there is an alert on base, the dude is moving really slow and taking his time to shave, etc. I dated a few soldiers before I met AoD and every time any of them got that call, whether it was day, night, whenever - none of them moved that slow. The adrenaline rush immediately began to flow and they were up and at 'em getting their shit together. Good tune, though. Sometimes I miss going to sleep with the sound of ordnance exploding. I remember it being a difficult transition for all three of us (AoD, me and Pickle) to go to sleep without it when we moved.

American Soldier
(Toby Keith/Chuck Cannon)

I’m just tryin’ to be a father, raise a daughter and a son
Be a lover to their mother, everythin’ to everyone
Up and at ‘em bright and early, I’m all business in my suit
Yeah I’m dressed up for success, from my head down to my boots
I don’t do it for money, there’s bills I that I can’t pay
I don’t do it for the glory, I just do it anyway
Providing for our future’s, my responsibility
Yeah I’m real good under pressure, being all that I can be
And I can’t call in sick on Mondays when the weekend’s been too strong
I just work straight through the holidays, and sometimes all night long
You can bet that I stand ready, when the wolf growls at the door
Hey I’m solid, hey I’m steady, hey I’m true down to the core.

And I will always do my duty no matter what the price
I’ve counted up the cost, I know the sacrifice
Oh and I don’t want to die for you, but if dyin’s asked of me
I’ll bear that cross with honor, cause freedom don’t come free.

I’m an American Soldier an American
Beside my brothers and my sisters, I will proudly take a stand
When liberty’s in jeopardy, I will always do what’s right

I’m out here on the front lines, sleep in peace tonight
American Soldier, I’m and American, Soldier.

An American Soldier an American
Beside my brothers and my sisters, I will proudly take a stand
When liberty’s in jeopardy, I will always do what’s right
I’m out here on the front lines, sleep in peace tonight
American Soldier, I’m and American, an American, an American, Soldier.

Thanks to the soldiers for doing what you do. Thanks to those who served proudly and thanks to the women and children keeping the homefires burning. Our freedom isn't free and we thank you for your gifts to that cause.

Disregard the mushroom cloud

If you're driving through North Texas today and see a mushroom cloud looming and growing larger, don't worry. Just say a prayer for Army of Mom and Dad. It won't be a nuclear weapon in use, it will be the cloud of profanities spewing forth from our attic. AoD will be endeavoring to replace the AC drain pan in a crawl space barely large enough for me to get through, let alone my big strapping (checked the definintion at Webster's to make sure it was appropriate - it is) husband.

~~~~~~~~
Decided that when I die, I want a Texas Rangers fan funeral. I heard the funniest bit about that on WBAP this morning. I can't remember all of it, so I filled in MY blanks.

Start time for the funeral is 1:05 p.m. ET. PA dude Chuck Morgan will introduce the funeral line-up. We'll all sing the National Anthem. Instead of the dot races, there will be casket races and the winners get a free Whataburger for the ride over to the cemetery. We'll have a seventh-inning stretch and everyone can dance the Cotton-Eyed Joe, complete with yelling Bull Shit at the appropriate time. We can make up our own song in lieu of Take Me Out to the Ballgame. Then, at the end, set off some fireworks to signify my homerun and my after-life trip to the Field of Dreams to watch The Babe and others play all the time. I like that idea.

GOOOOOOOOAAAAAAALLLLLLLL!!!!!!!

*you have to read the title in the Mexican sports commentator voice*

It happened tonight. Yes indeedy. Middle child scored his first goal!!!! It was no big deal to him even though mom was dancing a jig on the sidelines. He was more concerned that the team lost 5-2 than he was with his first goal. Goofy kid. His best buddy is on his team and in his kindergarten class.






Pickle was making the goofy face after being threatened not to make bunny ears over his brother again. *shaking my head* The one kid who is old enough to know better and make a nice smile is the one effing up the picture. Gees. If you're wondering about the lanyards around our necks, we're the coaches - God have mercy on us.

*Visions of 25th Street Theater*

OHMIGOD!!

Uzz made me a MP3 called 70s and 80s Hell and I'm transported back in time ... I've returned to Waco and here I am dressed all in black and dancing my ass off with a railing at the 25th Street Theater with all the Baylor students mixed amongst the locals.

Big Audio Dynamite, CCCP, The Cure ... they're all here.

I never understood why so many boys would hit on me. I always danced by myself in a corner with a railing or the wall ... I didn't want to dance with the boys (they usually were bad dancers or would try to feel me up). So, I was usually in my own little world lost in the music and wanting to be left alone. I liked watching the really hot dude in the bolero and my friend's boyfriend. They were really good dancers.

It wasn't until MANY YEARS later that I realized dancing with a pole or the wall in such a fashion was indicative of another style of dancing *blushing* but it all makes sense now.

This is just so wild. Music is so amazing when it comes to recalling memories. I'm thinking of all my college roommates and how much I miss them. I may get out some old pictures and scan them for a good laugh. I've been invited to an 80s party Saturday night. It will be like the good old days. (This is the one big drawback to marrying someone eight years my junior - he has no appreciation of the 80s or 80s music except for one song that I hate - 99 luft balloons - ew).

Dallas Burn soccer camp

My boys were fortunate to receive some coaching from a professional soccer coach last night. Each year I sign them up to join the Dallas Burn kids club. Army of Dad took the boys and they had a blast. There were only about 20 kids there for coaching from Assistant Coach Brian Haynes and a couple of the players including Bobby Rhine *purrrrrrrrr* Next year, I think I should be the one to take the boys to camp. They came home with all kinds of goodies including autographs, posters, lunch boxes, water bottles, bobbleheads and more.

Another example of "peaceful" liberals

ARGH! Stuff like this makes me want to scream. This peaceful party of tolerance that it is.

Courtesy of Smash, comes this story of a soldier getting the shit beat out of him for wearing an Iraqi freedom shirt at a Toby Keith concert. Now, I'm shocked that anyone at a Toby Keith concert would do that. It isn't like it is a Dixie Chicks concert.

Found another entry about this at Sworn Enemy that includes a link to the news story about this.

ED NOTE: Sorry about the links not working. Lets see if this does the trick.

Can't wait till Christmas

I'm laughing so hard, I think I pulled a muscle. Courtesy of it comes in pints, I found a link to Christmas in Middle Earth . I am still laughing so hard that I have tears coming out of my eyes.

Ring of Honor

Two Dallas Cowboys greats - Cliff Harris and Rayfield Wright - will be inducted into the Ring of Honor at Texas Stadium on Oct. 10 (while AoD and I will be in Houston watching the Vikings kick the Texans' collective ass).

I watched these guys as a little kid. Back in the old days of the 70s, McDonald's would put out a team poster every year of America's Team. Don't know if they did it everywhere or what, but in the Metroplex, I could count on getting a new one each year and I had them plastered over my wall behind my bedroom door. I think I had four years up there at one time. It was great to be a Cowboys fan then. I was too young to know about Rafael Septien's taste for his daughters school-girl friends and I didn't know about the dudes snorting up lines ... all I knew was that the Cowboys were my favorite team and my dad wore a Tom Landry hat.

My parents even have a bathroom decorated exclusively in Cowboys stuff. AoD finds that appropriate since he thinks the team is shitty, but I think it just goes to show our dedication to our Cowboys.

In honor of Star Wars on DVD

I haven't gone out and bought the Star Wars trilogy on DVD, but I have a few cents in my pocket, so I feel it burning a hole in there. I may just have to travel to Best Buy today and pick it up. Go check out the info at Leaning Towards the Dark Side for all the goods on the changes made to the DVD from the original video.

Which sci-fi/fantasy character are you?

Thanks to Army of Dad for sending this to me.

I'm Princess Leia. It tells me: A strong-willed herald of causes against injustice, you passionately strive to right the wrongs around you. Somebody has to save our skins!



Yeah, that looks JUST like me. Shhh, don't tell anyone about my metal bikini, though.

Army of Dad was Yoda. That explains a lot.

Hump Day

I just love calling it that.

~~~~~~

Why is it so hard for little boys to actually get their pee in the toilet? I mean, seriously. They have a built in aiming device, yet it never fails that the one time I don't check out the toilet seat before I sit down, I'm sitting in some kid's pee. That is so disgusting.

~~~~~~~~

The Goddess will be in Cowtown tonight and in the morning. Uzz actually gets to shoot her. For all my liberal friends, don't get excited, I mean photographically he gets to shoot her. I'm asking him to share a shot with everyone here or check out his blog tomorrow.

~~~~~~~~

Our AC unit still isn't fixed. I think our repair guy fell off the face of the planet. He has worked for us before, so we know he does good work and he is the WAY low bid from other companies I've called. I suppose Army of Dad can do it, but I really don't want him to. Number one, it is going to be a pain in the ass to do and number two, whenever we do home repair projects he winds up cursing a cloud of profanities so large that people think we've been nuked in the Army household. Now that I think of it, where is that guy's phone number again?

The Right 9/11 movie

I heard about Fahrenhype 9/11 at the premiere of Michael Moore Hates America. Looks to be interesting. Ought to be available on DVD next week.

I hope you're not eating now

I heard about this on talk radio today and then again from Opinion Journal, so I had to take the time to go read it myself. Michael Moore is even dissing his own party's choice for CIC of the country. But, I thought I was going to yak my pizza when I read that he thinks the majority of the country is pro-choice, wants stronger environmental laws and think the end of the assault weapons bad is the end of the world. I'm not sure which majority he is talking to, but it isn't the majority of people I talk to.

The downfall of manhood - metrosexuals

AAARRRGGGHHH!!!!

One of the few pleasures I get from dragging three children to the barber shop is the small thrill of seeing cute young college boys in the barber shop or watching them walk by. Our favorite place to go is located right on the campus of the University of North Texas. But, today, I was sadly disappointed. All I saw were the artsy dorks on skateboards with cigarettes, some Mexicans and trailer trash ripping up a street (big shock - here, the streets are ripped up daily by city crews and left for weeks before they're repaired, but that is another blog entry entirely) and a whole slew of fag-boys carrying man-purses. Who the hell inspired this trend? What happened to the good old Jansport backpack?

I'm sorry if I offend my homosexual friends - you know I love you - but come on. Straight men should NEVER ever consider carrying a man purse. It is wrong. And, speaking of wrong, the Fab Five Queer Eye for the Straight Guy guys should be shipped back to San Francisco with the rest of the hippies (quoting Cartman here) because this is just messed up. If I want to screw someone prettier than me, I'll get a girlfriend. I think this thing has gone way overboard. Yes, we do like a man who will shed a tear when his dog or his grandpa dies. It is okay to let a tear stream down your cheek when your wife gives birth to your first born son. But, for God's sakes, leave it to me to cry at the Deep Space Nine season ender or the Kleenex commercials. You are not allowed to cry over something like that. But, back to the faggoty man-purses. I was deeply saddened to see so many otherwise hot young guys looking like homos carrying purses. Now, you can tell a husband who is carrying his wife's purse so she can tend to the children or carry her shopping bags or try on some new lingerie at Victoria's Secret. All are perfectly acceptable reasons to carry a purse, but if you're carrying your wallet in there - your man card is about to be revoked.

I read a great piece from Espn.com about the metrosexual trend last year and it is a good read. This woman speaks for many of us - me included. I want a sweaty, hairy, nut-scratching guy. Yes, he grosses me out when we're going to sleep and he rips a stinky fart, but you know what? That is what men do. And, I'm sure in some deep dark recess of our brains, we secretly are jealous of their ability to do that and not turn 14 shades of red. I love relying on my man to protect me, mow my lawn and fix our effed up air conditioning unit if he has to.

This ESPN Page 2 column tells it like it is.

I did a websearch to see how prevalent these things are and this fagmo has a whole website dedicated to where you can buy these things. Ohmifreakinggod. He even likes to shop for this stuff. Where does the insanity end?

I'm just glad that I have a real guy. I know, I know. There are moments when I would give my left boob for him to be a little more sensitive to me - there are too many occasions to give a great example, but he has his moments and for the most part, I would rather him be one of those guys that does the "I'm so macho" naked dance around the house than someone who spends more time grooming than a super model.

You can find out if you're a metrosexual by taking this quiz.

And, let's try to get rid of the man-purse thing. Please.

The disregard of CBS

CBS and Rather released a statement about the whole messy fake memo thing, but they still don't accept responsibility for their part in all this. Instead they throw Burkett under the bus and then back up over him. Not that he doesn't deserve it, but any journalist should take into consideration the source of a story before they run with it. I had many opportunities to scoop the competition, but if I couldn't validate information, then it had to wait until I could. I was not going to compromise my ethics for the sake of being first - especially if it turned out to be wrong. I made my fair share of rookie mistakes my first few years as a reporter, but you expect more from Rather and CBS than you do a greenhorn reporter who has only been on the job for a year or two.

http://www.wbap.com/listingsentryheadline.asp?ID=246026&PT=wbaptopstories

Someone sent me information about who Dan Rather's replacement will be.

I love it.

You can find more about him at http://www.welovetheiraqiinformationminister.com/

Too fat to masturbate?

I feel fairly svelte and attractive today, although after seeing this poor man's pictures, I don't feel like eating any time soon.

This Fat Guy weighed half a ton when he went to the hospital to lose weight. How, exactly, do you get that fat before you go get help? The doctor told me to lose weight to help my bone spurs, so I may just print out this man's picture and post it in the pantry and on the fridge. That should be a pretty good deterrent. Best wishes to this dude on his weight loss. I bet he is so big he can't even jerk off. I would think that would be a good motivation for most guys to want to lose weight. You know?

What kind of a gun are you?

According to the results: I'm a Glock17. Everyone loves me. G-Dawgs and Cops alike
fancy me. Aren't I just special?

http://quizilla.com/users/evilbarbie/quizzes/What%20handgun%20are%20you?/

What the hell is a G-Dawg?

Interesting

Whomping Willow had a link to this on her page ... it looks pretty interesting. It is brutal, though, so not for the faint of heart. It shows some pretty tough footage. I don't know much about it, but it looks like it is worth finding out about.

http://www.citizensunited-interactive.org/c41.11/

Monday morning frustrations

Ok, I can't figure out how to program an html code to make a link without just posting the link in here. Grrr.

Now, I'm on hold with the stupid phone company. I changed plans last week to save money and the bitch didn't tell me the new plan didn't have voicemail. *smacking myself on the head* Thank God Army of Dad reads the stuff they send in the mail better than me.

Off to run errands. AoD is home with me today because he went to the doctor to check his jaw (he took a softball on a bad hop right to the chin a couple of weeks ago). So, we're off to get an oil change, go to the bank, etc.

Glen, Glen, Glen

I am way TOO easily amused.

Starbucks Survivor ad

This is so funny.

Makes me think of Rocky, though.

Stereotypes make me laugh

I'm a writer and former daily newspaper reporter, so observing people comes naturally to me. Often, stories are enhanced by simply noting what is going on in the environment. You don't tell a story about a wreck caused by rainy weather without noting that the roads are slick, lights are on (or off) etc.

I also have a real issue with being surprised that people don't think the way I do. I tend to think I'm a fairly reasonable, considerate, every day kind of person. So, I am often shocked when my good friends have differing political opinions. It always throws me off. Lately, I've been doing a superbly unscientific survey whenever I see a Kerry/Edwards support sign or bumper sticker. I've been paying extra attention to look at what these people look like. I have to admit it is making me giggle.

I hate stereotypes, for the most part, although I find that most of them are based on some piece of truth. Saw a male stripper once who lived up to that one about black guys, but that is another blog entry for another day. Very enlightening. Muslim men make up the majority of terrorists out there. Rednecks like Nascar. Do I need to give more examples? You get what I'm saying here. My thesis on Kerry supporters - now we're talking about the ones who are devoted enough to put signs in their yards or bumper stickers on their cars - tend to fit the stereotype of the far left. Sitting at Sonic the other day and the car that pulled up next to me sports a long-haired college student. At Target today, two homosexual men getting into a car with a Kerry sticker on it. Driving home from the soccer fields and found a yard with an earth-mama looking lady working out there in her birkenstocks with I'm sure her organic flowers. One guy always seems to be in front of me at the pick-up line every day at the elementary school and he cracks me up, too. He is driving this pollutant-emitting van from the late 70s with his Kerry sticker on his car next to the sticker for the local public broadcasting station.

Again, very unscientific, but most of the people sporting W stickers look pretty suburban to me driving pretty nice cars likes SUVs or minivans.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Courtesy of LGF ... a link to the new Swift Boat Vets for Truth ad that is causing such a stir. It is simply Kerry talking about tossing his ribbons and medals back in 71 and again in 04. However, the stories are a little different. It is a 30-second spot and worth watching.

http://swiftvets.com/

An American hero

He was a great athlete and a handsome man. He was smart and he was patriotic. He walked away from big money playing professional football to become of the military's elite - an Army Ranger. Pat Tillman is a true American hero. He died defending the freedom that we love and to fight those who would like to see our way of life change.


Players on all 32 NFL teams will wear a No. 40 decal -- Tillman's Cardinals uniform number -- on their helmets during the games this weekend. The Cardinals, who will wear the decal all season, play their home opener today against the New England Patriots. Tillman also will be honored posthumously by a special halftime tribute that will recognize other Arizonans who have sacrificed their lives in the service of their country.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/7633065 - story about today's events

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4815441/ - story about his death

For more information, visit the Foundation's website at http://www.pattillmanfoundation.net/. All inquiries should be directed to PO Box 20053 San Jose, CA 95160 or info@pattillmanfoundation.net.

Dubya, baseball and the USA

Three of my all-time favorite things- without a doubt.

If you have five minutes, go check this clip out. It is outstanding and it brought a tear to my eye. I can't imagine how the whole documentary must incite the memories of 9/11 and its aftermath and how baseball is so representational of our country.

HBO recently aired a documentary titled Nine Innings from Ground Zero that tells the story of the 2001 World Series in New York. The series helped to bring back hope and optimism to the people of America following September 11. Through interviews with players, fans, families, and even the President, the film recalls a difficult time that we came through together.

http://www.georgewbush.com/NineInnings/

Don't Worry, Be Happy

Dammit. I'm singing that song now. I heard it on the way home tonight and it is so damn catchy. I was in high school when that was out. *shaking my head*

Bobby McFerrin - stop singing in my head! He has a fun website. Make sure your sound is on.

http://www.bobbymcferrin.com/

Casey Kasem be damned

Happily bee-bopping in the car to the Counting Crows song "Accidentally in Love" from Shrek 2 and I'm thinking all kinds of happy thoughts, then Casey Kasem comes on and says something about the next song was a hit 21 years ago. Then, he plays Naked Eyes' Promises Promises. *sigh* I was in the ninth grade when I listened to that song. Making me feel old again.

But on a brighter note. I love his wee little boots.

I-10 bridge to Pensacola

Many times Army of Dad and our family have crossed this bridge traveling form Texas to Florida to visit my in-laws. We wondered how it would fare from Ivan. I guess we know now. Asked Army of Dad this morning if they had closed the bridge because of the storms. I guess this is my answer.

Cutline info from the two pictures lifted off yahoo news:
A tractor trailor rests on a section of I-10 bridge that crosses Escambia Bay, in Pensacola, Fla., Thursday that was damaged by Hurricane Ivan. The rear part of the trailer of a semi-truck is all that is left after the front half sank into a gap in the I-10 bridge. The driver of the truck was reported missing.

My budding cartoonist

Maybe all those art classes have paid off. Son No. 1 had an assignment to bring in something related to Alabama during their studies of the 50 states. He has been talking about and watching coverage of Ivan, so we clipped out a story about it and then I reminded him of our visit to the Battleship Alabama several years ago and let him look at the pictures in the photo album, so he picked out one of him and Army of Dad on the battleship and then he wrote some text about going to Mobile and how the storm is hitting there now. Then, he asked me to show him a map to see what the state was shaped like. So, we got our USA placemat and I showed him where Alabama is. That is when he proceeded to draw the state running from a big wave. I'm so proud of him. I think it is pretty good.

Bad way to dissuade those with differing views

Not quite the way I'd go about persuading someone to vote for my candidate - making their kid cry.

Three-year-old Sophia Parlock cries while seated on the shoulders of her father, Phil Parlock, after having their Bush-Cheney sign torn up by Kerry-Edwards supporters on Sept. 16 at the Tri-State Airport in Huntington, W.Va. Democratic vice presidential candidate John Edwards made a brief stop at the airport as he concluded his two-day bus tour to locations in West Virginia and Ohio - AP Photo

I'm just guessing if that were Army of Dad and one of our kids, he would gently put the child down and proceed to beat the shit out of the asshole who did that to the child's sign. For God's sake, it is a little girl. Do people have no heart any more? I wouldn't walk over and take some person's Kerry sign and rip it up - regardless of their age.

Although this reminds me of when Army of Dad and I were on vacation and spent the afternoon at the Broward County Courthouse where they were counting loose chads, dimpled chads, etc. Everyone who goes to Fort Lauderdale, I'm sure, spends their days with Sore Loserman signs at the courthouse. Was quite the experience. I have pictures of people on both sides. It was a lot of fun to participate in. But, it was one of those things that no one was going to persuade the other side, it was just a way to voice our opinion.

God, this country is great. Just wish everyone could respect each other's differing opinions. Judging by this picture, evidently not.

Blog Revolution

Everyone seems to be so surprised that blogs are so popular, but when we are faced with a mainstream media that won't cover both sides of an issue, it is fabulous to have a place to get information.

Quote from the story from Editor and Publisher:
Although editors from four major dailies contend that their product remains the most trusted source of news for most readers, they admit the blogging community is offering competition and provoking even more skepticism of the mainstream media than usual. But they are divided on whether or not this is a positive trend or not.

Of course they are questioning whether it is positive or not, they want to be the all-knowing listen-to-me-or-else medium. We see analysis disguised as news, political cartoons that are pointed every day in one direction ... I could go on and on.

http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000629751

As Michael Wilson said: Viva La ArmyofMom.com!!! Thanks to the many bloggers that I read every day.

I'm a mom before anything else

I've been contemplating writing about Jami Hicks since she went missing Sept. 3 with her stepfather. The girl is 12. The stepdad is now dead. After a two-week romp across the country with this child, he fatally killed himself in her presence Sept. 15. My first instinct was that he was having some sort of sexual relationship with this child, whether it was willing on her part of flat-out rape - in any case, she is 12 and his step-daughter, which is so perverse. From news accounts, it appears this man may have been molesting this little girl over the course of years.

http://www.nbc5i.com/news/3731729/detail.html

News accounts tragically indicate the mother may have had some inkling as to what was going on and didn't do anything to stop it. She found porn of teen girls on the man's computer (he was supposed to be some sort of preacher) and apparently the police were called at least once to the house earlier this year when an older step-daughter was popped by the guy when she tried to keep him from Jami. CPS has taken the children away. They haven't mentioned the older daughter, but maybe she is of age, I don't know. WBAP this morning reported, too, that the girl had told her mom about inappropriate touching (if nothing else) and the mother didn't boot his sorry ass out of the house and call police or pick up her children and leave.

That is what truly bothers me deep down - this mother failed her children. I don't care if we're destitute living at the Salvation Army shelter - but NO one is going to hurt my children and me know about it. I am so mad right now at the thought of it. When I met Army of Dad, I was newly divorced. During our first conversation, I told him that I was divorced and had a 2 1/2 year old son and if he didn't like that, then he could take a hike because my son will come first in my life no matter what. I think that may have been one of the things AoD liked about me - I loved that little boy more than my life and I would gladly lay it down before I knowingly let someone hurt him. I worry about my neighbor who is recently divorced. She has two little girls - one is 12 - and a little boy. I worry for her that she will trust a man again and him do something to her girls. It is just a fear you have as a mother.

I pray for Jami Hicks. She was most likely molested, witnessed the suicide of her abuser/step-father and now can't even return to her home and her mother (not that she was evidently much of a mother). What must this child be enduring? I hope she can get through it and be stronger for it. A Steel Magnolia. Let's hope that she is one.

Shit happens

Ok, I'm grateful that the shit happened the way it did, but it still sucks.

Was getting ready to put my oldest to bed and then I was going to take a bath and get ready for bed. I sit at the computer while AoD and Pickle play some video games before bedtime. All of a sudden I hear this bizarre sound coming out of my air conditioning vent. I thought that there was some critter in there. I shout to AoD "Pause your game and come here NOW!" He knows something is wrong by my voice. As soon as he walked in, he knew what it was and takes off for the attic. About that time water is pouring from our vent. I am grabbing the drink coolers and putting them under the pouring water and putting towels around them. AoD calls for the flashlight, towels ... long story short. The drip pan under our AC unit in the attic was taking on too much water because the main drain thingee was stopped up. The drip pan rusted through and broke. As any good transplanted Texan would do, AoD dried it up and then used duct tape to fix it up. He gave the main drain a good blow and could instantly hear the water actually flowing through it. When he went to take a shower later, there was all kinds of shit in the bottom of it. So, we found where the overflow goes.

Anyway. I'm guessing the AC repair guy will make a visit to our house tomorrow. There goes the money I was saving for our trip to Houston next month. Good thing I haven't paid all the bills just yet. I paid a couple this week that I'm now wishing I hadn't. But, they were going to have to be paid now or later. I'm expecting a paycheck for a story this week. Say a little prayer that it arrives tomorrow. Shit happens. I'm just glad that AoD knew what to do. My solution would have been to just turn off the AC. I married a man like my daddy - he can fix anything. It may be temporary or rigged, but it worked. ;)

Watching Vh-1 and Leah Remini (is she hot or what?) was having a baby. So, now I get to be depressed that we're going to be even more poor and I can't have any more babies. This is why I had my tubes tied, incidentally. We knew I'd want more and it wasn't a good thing for my body.

*sigh*

Now THIS is funny

I took the test and this is what I am:


Take the What High SchoolStereotype Are You? quiz.

I actually was a jock, but I was also a goody-goody. For a while, I had a pink tail and hung around the freaks. That was fun. But, I could blend as easily with the band geeks as the cheerleaders. I actually liked the band geeks better, they were more real. I was the editor of the high school paper my junior and senior years in high school. I played sports, I was a Miss KHS nominee my senior year. Ok, have I given you a cavity yet? I did get kicked off the cheerleader squad my freshman year. So, that cooled me up a bit.

Kerry is not every man

Kerry wants so hard to represent the every day guy, but he just can't do it. Right Thinking Girl has a great post about this. Army of Dad will enjoy Kerry's comments on how he likes to hunt deer. Hee hee

http://rightthinkinggirl.typepad.com/ Look for her post Sept. 15 "Kerry's Sports Problem"

http://www.azstarnet.com/dailystar/relatedarticles/32410.php has a pic of Bush throwing with the Browns.

Fish are friends, not food

Somehow I keep hearing the shark saying that as I happily chow down my Finding Nemo cereal (it is lucky charms, essentially, except the oat things are stars and the marshmallow thingees are supposed to be shaped like fish.) Something about chowing down on Dori, Nemo and the gang seems wrong. But it tastes so right.

The little joys in life.

Can you tell I'm still procrastinating on my writing? I actually fell completely asleep at the computer last night trying to write the stories. They must be REALLY compelling. I feel sorry for my readers, but I'm working to jazz them up. Only so much you can do when writing about small business development centers and minority- and women-owned certifications. I woke up dreaming that Captain Archer (Scott Bakula's character on Enterprise) was kissing my neck. I decided to go to bed at this point and see where it lead me. Unfortunately, I was so freaking tired, I don't know if it led me anywhere but to sleep. Alas.

Elation & Sadness

Does anyone else want to giggle when all this evidence keeps coming forward about the apparently forged documents that Rather would rather go down with than admit he acted unethically? I get great pleasure from this. I mean, did anyone think this man WOULDN'T stoop to this? This is the same guy who interviewed Saddam Hussein days before we went to war with that AH. Come on. He wanted to give this guy a fair shake. Excuse me while I vomit. I'm so not surprised. But, I am chuckling and whistling happily. My face hurt from grinning last night when ABC News broke in on the Hannity show (on WBAP) to relate the news about the women who told CBS they couldn't confirm that the documents were authentic and then Killian's secretary told the Dallas Morning News that she couldn't have typed them and he sure as hell didn't. She isn't even a Bush supporter, which I found a little ironic.

On a sadder note, my heart was broken and I was angry all at the same time this morning as I dropped my kids off at school. Someone dumped this sweet little black lab and her two pups. It was obvious they were dumped because they - all three dogs - kept going up to every car there and trying to get in. Bless their hearts. They were good dogs, too, and loved every person that was near them. They especially loved the children. Little Bit was beside herself - she loves animals - and I had to practically drag her away from them. I had to keep the dogs from going in the street a few times and wave motorists back so the dogs didn't get hit. This mama dog wasn't much more than a pup herself and she didn't know how to take care of them. She was more concerned with finding her way home. Makes me so mad that someone could do that to a dog. You can drop a dog at the pound if you can't take care of them. At least that way someone may adopt them or they won't starve, get hit by a car, you get the point. I had to fight my emotions. I wanted to take those dogs home and find place for them, but I knew that wasn't a choice so I called the police department and they said animal control wouldn't do anything until 8:30 unless it was a dog bite. Well, hurrah. There are my tax dollars at work. We can't get adequate public transportation or animal control to work before 8:30, but we can certainly build a skate park, a natatorium, water park, fuck up the roads and leave them blocked off for days before we fix them, let a little girl get hit by a car because the bus driver doesn't want to pull off the road and have to pull back into traffic (that is a whole other story), hire an inadequate recycling company but we can't pick up a dog and her pups at 8 a.m. I'm not thrilled with my city services if you can't tell. I got someone just now and they said they had been called about the dogs. Didn't say they were doing anything, but they knew. Hopefully they'll do something.

Assault Weapons Ban Comes to an End

I really had no opinion about the AWB when it happened. Certainly it must be a good idea, I thought. Why would anyone need a weapon like that? Of course, I was also pro-Brady Bill, too. I was an official Democrat voting, pro-choice liberal. Yes, it is true. But, I have seen the light. I still straddle many fences, but I am one of the few people left on either side of politics that can be persuaded to change my opinions if you give me good information and support your beliefs with facts and statistics that I think make sense.

I was one of those people who thought the Second Amendment was sort of like the Old Testament is to many people. - OUTDATED. Those were good laws back then, but not today, I believed.

Then, everything changed on Dec. 10, 1994. My then-husband (the Uzz you see on here alot) was also a liberal like me. We were greeting family and happily anticipating baptizing the Pickle on Dec. 11. Then, we started getting threatening phone messages from his psycho brother-in-law. Uzz's sister left him and thought coming to the baptism would be a good way to get away from him while also sharing in our joy, but Psycho didn't like that. He told us that he hoped we were "right with the Lord" because he didn't want to think we'd go to hell after he killed us. We called the police and their solution was to leave our home and seek shelter elsewhere. Thanks, that is a relief to know that you're there to protect us.

So, Uzz - who hated guns - went to a friend of his whom was known to have a few. And, throughout the baptism and reception, Uzz was packing heat illegally. What else was he supposed to do? He wanted to protect his family and the police weren't going to be there with us. I'm sure they'd respond to the 911 call to clean up the blood and investigate.

After my divorce, I dated a few soldiers - men accustomed to handling firearms - before I met Army of Dad. He influenced me in many ways. He was a cop for a short time and knows how that system works. When he bought his first gun during the police academy, I really hated having it in the house. I worried that Pickle would find it and do something stupid. So, we taught him gun safety. What do you do if you find a gun? Don't touch it and go tell an adult. It took a bit before he learned it by heart, but he did learn it. He was able to touch the gun and feel it, so it wasn't like a forbidden fruit just calling him. We tested him a few times, too, (with no bullets in the gun) and he failed before he finally figured it out.

Now, Army of Dad is a CHL (concealed handgun license) holder and carries when he legally can - some bars, etc, where you can't have it. But, I feel safer when he has it and is with me. I think about the Luby's incident back in Killeen (where I met Army of Dad - we actually ate at that Luby's a few times - it is closed now). I think about the Wedgwood Baptist Church shooting about four or five years ago. Had an armed person been there, how differently that might have turned out. I think about a lot of things and I'm glad AoD is armed. He has taught me how to load and shoot a shotgun and I'm glad. I'd like to see some fucker try a home invasion on my house. I chased off my neighbor's ex-husband one night with my shotgun. Scared the shit out of her daughter, but by God, he was backing out of the driveway and saw me and the trusty ol' weapon and his tires spun a little quicker.

Still, I really had no opinion on the AWB. But, AoD changed some of my opinions in that matter. He has an SAR-1, an AK-47 clone. Seemed like overkill to me, but if it makes him happy, who cares? He has fun going out into the boonies and shooting targets with it, if nothing else.

Then, last night I had a dream as I drifted off to sleep thinking about what I would blog about the AWB. I dreamed that I was at some carnival type atmosphere and this King Kong-type monster was busting through and injuring people. I was unarmed, drinking iced tea out of an old mason jar. I threw it at the monster's head, but all I did was piss it off further. I kept wondering in my dream why no one shot it, but no one was armed. Then, as I was gathering my children and trying to get them to safety, I found blood on the streets in every direction, so I went towards this large building to seek refuge. As I get in there, I realize the monster is getting bigger and no one can stop it. It is killing people everywhere. More blood, more fear. No weapons anywhere. So, I find an old woman and a priest and ask them to protect my children. I instruct my oldest to watch out for them and I leave. I go home and find AoD's SAR-1 and then I hunted down this monster and killed him. I remember feeling like Rambo. I pumped this creature full of bullets and then shot him while he was down for good measure. He wasn't going to get up and kill another person. When I woke up, it was like having an epiphany. I think it is obvious what the dream means to me - sometimes you have to have the firepower to make peace.

Army of Dad had a few things to say about the AWB:
I have an SAR-1. It's an AK-47 clone. It functions similar to the original. It is semi-automatic only (one shot per trigger pull). If someone wants a reason why I have it, well it's no one's fucking business. If I had to give a reason, I'd say because it is fun to shoot and I intend to use it for hunting. It was legally purchased during the ban, yet it has no differences in its firepower and function from the banned weapons.

Our founding fathers saw that government will, if left to its own devices, become a tyrant. It is its nature. The Second Amendment is our fail safe. That is why we have the republic we do. That is why we have never, even in our darkest hours, succumbed and been enslaved. Many estimates show there to be 80 million gun owners in the US. No government, no military could ever hope to defeat a well armed populace. Look at the nations who have known tyranny. Hitler banned the private ownership of firearms. Does anyone really think they could have led 6 million Jews to the death camps if 1 out of 6 had guns!? Ditto the Russians, Chinese, Spanish, Italians, Cambodians, etc…

The Second Amendment guarantees my God given right to defend myself with an effective tool. Shit, golf clubs are involved in more crimes than so called assault weapons. Maybe we should outlaw cars in case someone tries to run from the police or drinks too much before driving … oh, but wait the Ford isn't inherently evil, well neither is a gun, any gun, no matter how "scary" it looks - even if it is a bonafide machine gun: more than one round fired per trigger pull. They are fun to shoot and I see no reason I should be denied ownership of a tool I got to use while in the military.

Now if you will excuse me I think I feel the need to look for some more high capacity magazines, should be a bit cheaper nowadays…
Army of Dad

Some links today about the end of the Assault Weapons Ban
http://www.ar15.com/
http://www.kimdutoit.com/dr/weblog.php?id=P4231
http://bloodletting.blog-city.com/read/816981.htm
http://www.nra.org/Article.aspx?id=886

I tried to put shots up here of AoD with his shotgun and our oldest shooting, but the pics are too big and I'm too IT-challenged to figure out how to resize them. Maybe in the coming days someone can help my non-technical ass figure it out and I'll post them.

Rangers "bullypen"

I am embarrassed to be a Rangers fan today. I know that fans can be hideously ugly at sporting events. I've sat around assholes who shout ugly things to players. I'm just thinking that if you paid me X number of millions of dollars per year to play a game, I think I could learn to listen to someone call me a fag or insult my mother's morals. I really do. Hell, you could even yell your undying love for Osama Bin Laden and I will wave my hat at you.

Nothing. Absolutely NOTHING warrants throwing a chair into the stands at a baseball game. I honestly don't care what was said to the Rangers bullpen. I have seen hateful Yankees fans throw giant things at baseball players in the outfield. That is unexcusable. I still can't justify throwing a chair into a crowd. Professional athlete or not, he had no fucking clue where that chair was going and I'm willing to bet that the woman whose nose was broken wasn't the one cat-calling the SOB.

If you have no clue what I'm talking about, here are a few links to the story. Rangers reliever Frank Francisco hurled a chair into Oakland fans at a game last night. Conked one dude on the head, then the chair ricocheted into a woman nearby, breaking her nose and cutting her face.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ap-rangers-fanfight&prov=ap&type=lgns

During a search for more links, I went to Major League Baseball. This is how they portrayed the event:
Monday night's Rangers-A's game was delayed for almost 20 minutes after a verbal confrontation between Rangers relievers and A's fans escalated into a fracas alongside the visitors' bullpen at Network Associates Coliseum.

A fracas? I'm sure that woman would describe it just that way - even as she files her complaint with the police to have the asshole who assaulted her arrested. I'd sue his ass so fast, it wouldn't be funny and I'd have other parts of me fixed in addition to the rhinoplasty she may require.

This just pisses me off even further. I have already ranted once about how professional sports franchises are conspiring to keep avid sports fans like me and Army of Dad away from these events because we can't afford to take ourselves, let alone our kids, too. But, now I hate to take my kids because if these are the role models they are to look up to, no thanks. Not only that, but how do I even guarantee the safety of my children if these assholes are going to be flinging chairs into the seats?

ESPN.com's headline was Bully Pen. I love it. I had to steal it. Sorry ... no plagarism intended.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1881073 This story said Francisco was arrested. The other stories didn't have that. He should be arrested. That is ridiculuous. I guess the bull pen will need a babysitter out there so they don't get der itty bitty feewings hurt. Pussies.

I hate snakes

This story doesn't help it. I remember being in the first grade and my school bus driver telling me about a snake coming up her toilet. Ever since then - I shit you not (pun intended) - I must look in the toilet before I sit my cute little butt on it to potty. I swear to God. In the middle of the night when I get up to go, I turn on the light and have a look-see before I sit atop the throne.

I heard this story on the radio this morning and it only reinforces that OCD-type habit of mine.

Officer Saves Couple From Slithery Surprise
Susan Schrock Fort Worth Star Telegram via Associated Press
DALWORTHINGTON GARDENS -- Gene and Mary Alice Coats' toilet troubles called for more than a plumber.
Gene Coats was watching Wheel of Fortune in his living room last week when he heard strange noises coming from the toilet in the front bathroom.
As soon as he got to the bathroom door, he came face to face with a 6-foot intruder. Coats ran out the door yelling to his wife, who scrambled to safety and dialed the Dalworthington Gardens police.
When volunteer officer Craig Driskell arrived at the California Lane home, Gene Coats was armed with a hoe, and his wife was standing on the kitchen counter.
The intruder, a black water snake, was coiled up next to the toilet.
Driskell -- a Fort Worth lawyer turned snake charmer -- knocked the scaly trespasser into the bathtub with the hoe, grabbed it behind the head and stuffed it into a pillowcase.
"He was fearless," Mary Alice Coats said. "He just went right in there and got it in his bare hands."
Driskell, who said the snake probably snuck into the windowless bathroom through the toilet, released the reptile into the lake behind the city's Public Safety Department.
"I'm glad I got the call because any of the other officers would have shot it," Driskell said jokingly. "I didn't want to put bullet holes in their tub."
Mary Alice Coats, who refused to come down from the counter until the snake was outside, said she still hasn't gotten over the commode commotion.
"Right now, we've got bricks on top of the commode," she said. "It was traumatic. I'm still not comfortable going in there."

My brush with Michael Wilson, filmmaker

I have been carrying on about going to see this film since I found out I would be able to go last Wednesday. Last night I finally got to see "Michael Moore Hates America." The documentary by first-time filmmaker Michael Wilson. One reason I was so excited about going to see the film was that Wilson would be there for a Q&A afterwards. I spotted him when we first arrived, but, I have a tendency to get star struck and hesitate so I didn't go over to him immediately. I didn't have anything appropriate for him to sign, so we went in to get our seats and then I decided to go back out and search for him. I found him sitting at the bar this time, talking with his publicist. I asked for a snapshot and told him that I was really looking forward to the film and that I had been blogging about it and would blog more about it. He was very kind and genuine and seemed genuinely interested in my blog. I wrote the website down on a business card and gave it to him. Here is my pic. I was still in my Cowboys jersey. No smart remarks, by the way.


I came back to him a few minutes later after I'd been wandering around. I had found a promo piece to get signed. He remembered my blog site in the autograph. I thought that was cool. Hopefully, he'll surf by sometime. He'd be welcome to grab a beer and pull up a chair.

The film was thoroughly entertaining. Very amusing. You can tell he made it using his MasterCard as the main source of funding. It is low-budget and within that lies some of its charm. Before the movie, Wilson introduced it : The goal was for me and a camera to try and tell this little story that became bigger than I ever dreamed. It is the fulfillment of my American dream.

He summed up the central theme of the movie in that one small sentence, but I didn't realize it until the end of the movie.

MMHA is a documentary. I think that is a fair name for the kind of film this is. I think it would get a wider audience with a more appropriate name because it really isn't a hate-film directed at Michael Moore. I honestly believe that. Wilson shares the same distaste for Moore that I do, but he lets people on both sides of the issue speak in this film. There were pro-Moore folks and anti-Moore folks. There were people with no opinion about him whatsoever. Yes, his purpose was to debunk some of the lies Moore purports as the truth. Moore distorts the truth, keeping just enough snippets of it present to make his concoctions believable and palatable. The movie starts with clips of Moore saying he loved America, then turning around and telling Australian media that "The worst thing you can do is become like America."

Wilson speaks with a wide range of people from comedians to documentary filmmakers to everyday people. He goes through part of his life, growing up in Minnesota. His dad was laid off, but he didn't blame someone else for his misfortune. He told Wilson that America is a great country where the opportunities are there if you seize them. This was the first taste of the American dream.

As the movie progresses, Wilson speaks with many who were featured in Moore's "Bowling for Columbine" and "F 9/11" and allows them to speak truthfully their thoughts without being turned into a soundbite that supports Moore's bullshit. He speaks to NRA officials, he has a shrink touting his opinions of Moore's actions and works, he speaks with the bankers who were portrayed as handing out guns for new accounts, and even a disabled veteran that was shown in F 9/11.

It was made in a "Roger & Me" style only this time Michael Moore wasn't the little guy who couldn't get an interview with his subject. This time Moore blew off Wilson. There is footage of Wilson trying repeatedly to make contact with Moore including getting in line for a Q&A at the University of Minnesota. Moore accuses Wilson of libel and slander for the name of his movie.

There were two parts that struck me the most. One was of Sgt. Peter Damon. Injured in Iraq, he lost both his hands and now has prosthetic hooks, essentially. Moore portrayed him as some helpless sheep led astray in this war. Damon was featured in an NBC news story about how the military was taking care of the wounded. He thought his 15 minutes of fame were over until an acquaintance told him about his appearance in F 9/11. "I just wish he would have left me out of it," Damon said. "I don't agree with what he is doing." He said he was 27 when he joined the military in an effort to straighten out his life and win his wife and child back. Even after losing both of his arms, he stressed that his life is better today than it was before. "We all know we could be killed. We're not idiots ... that is the reason we go off to fight - for his right to make his movie."

The second part was the most compelling of the story. It was a string of pieces of the puzzle to debunk Moore's claim that Americans are stupid and need the government to take care of us. Wilson showed young people and old alike - everyday people like you and me - who are struggling to make that American dream come to life. He showed a man who changed careers to support his four children. He showed a 23-year-old who opened his own coffee shop. There are many examples over and again.

Another point stressed in the film is Wilson's belief that we all have a voice and we all have a right to speak our opinions. My favorite quote in the movie: Michael Moore is free to make an asshole of himself. David Horowitz shared that one.

Wilson pulls out many false claims Moore makes in his interviews and movies, but it isn't just a movie about Moore. It is bigger than that. It is a movie about working hard to solve our own problems. Look at Sgt. Damon. He doesn't want a hand out. America is all about possibilities and you are free to find your own answers.

After the movie ended, the Q&A started. Wilson said his own righteous indignation influenced him to make this movie. In "Bowling for Columbine" Moore talks about a shooting where the shooter came from a home with a welfare mom who couldn't be there for her kids and this is what happened. Wilson said this pissed him off because his mom worked two full-time jobs and went to school full-time, but she put being a mother first. He felt like Moore insulted his mother. He took it personally.

Shooting this movie changed Wilson, too. *good question asked by Army of Dad regarding how it changed him*

"It became my story and my vision of America and became less about Michael Moore and more about them. I'm just some dude from Minnesota. We all have that power to make our voices heard," Wilson said. He said the name of the movie does turn a lot of people away, but them he added "screw 'em" if they don't like it.

I asked Wilson what he hoped people would take away from seeing this movie. I felt it was about the American dream being alive and well and there for the taking. He agreed.

You can see a couple of trailers for the film at
http://www.michaelmoorehatesamerica.com/trailer_sm.html

Wilson said he would be at the Liberty Film Fest in Los Angeles and I believe the Smash Film Fest somewhere in the Midwest in the coming weeks. He is in discussions for the film to be widely distributed to movie theaters. He hopes that will happen in October.

Sick baby

There isn't much worse in this world than a sick baby. Little Bit has been fighting me tooth and nail all morning. She is/was so miserable that I finally called the pediatrician and forked over my$25 copay to make sure she didn't have an ear infection. She was acting so awfully, that I figured she must have an ear ache. Nope. Doc said she has viral pharyngitis. In English, that means she has a really bad cold. He said her throat was really raw and irritated. So, benadryl and tylenol are the cures. She'll get better. Ahh, that was money well spent.

Bless her heart. As a mom, I know she feels bad, but it pisses me off to no end when she pitches these giant fits. She finally went down for a nap. Hopefully, she'll get some peaceful sleep.

More waffles than a Waffle House

Waffle House = white trash in Texas. I hate to admit it, but it is the truth. If you're looking for toothless folks, you'll find them here at 3 a.m. along with the drunk college students who just don't want to go home.

But, I digress.

I was going to talk about John Kerry. I'm signed up as a "team leader" for the Bush campaign and subsequently get all kinds of email updates about the election as well as requests for money (its just like church, I tell you.) But, this one is pretty good. They pulled an excerpt from the Wall Street Journal's Review and Outlook. You have to have a WSJ subscription to get all of it, but here we go. This is where the waffles title came from.

http://www.gopteamleader.com/myissues/view_issue.asp?id=2224

Even the liberal media that favors Kerry is calling bull shit and asking him to make a stand on something.

Michael Moore Hates America

I got to see it tonight and it was great. It is really late and I'm working on meeting a deadline of tomorrow for a couple of profiles for a women's business magazine. So, I'm going to finish writing them and then I'll blog to my heart's content in the morning.

But, I got a chance - very briefly - to chat with filmmaker Michael Wilson and talk a bit about my blog and how I've been anticipating this event. He was very down to earth and I think he is going to be something big someday. He took a picture with me and then signed a promotional flyer for me. Try to disregard the blue line down the right side of it. Something scratched the lens on my scanner (or something like that. It is a good thing I sleep with my IT guy or I'd be screwed in another way!) But, it is pretty cool other than the blue line shown here.

Weekend of fun

We did have a weekend of fun. Here is the birthday boy blowing out his candles at his party Friday night at Chuck E. Cheese and then here is a pic of his team and Army of Dad at the soccer tournament Saturday.

A Hooterific birthday

My precious Boo had his 10th birthday today and it was a great one. His big wish was to go to Hooter's for his birthday. He looks pretty happy to me in this shot.



How is that for a 10-year-old Mack Daddy?

For now, Army of Mom is baking cupcakes to take to school Monday for a special treat in the classroom. This kid has a pretty good life, I'd say.

Going ADD again

I've got a multitude of random thoughts right now ... thought I'd share them.

I need to mention this in passing ... regarding the apparently fake documents about Bush's national guard service. Sean Hannity had the children of Barnes and the dead guy (can't remember his name, Killian?) on his radio show and they both threw their dads under the truck, as WBAP talking head Mark Davis would say, about their changes in their stories. Smash has something about it.
http://www.indepundit.com/archive2/2004/09/piling_on.html

Speaking of passing ... trying to keep up with my two fantasy football teams as well as Army of Dad's ... hard to remember who I have in what league. I have McNabb in one and Trent Green in the other. I have LT, too. Army of Dad and I got to watch him play at TCU a few years back. Incredible to see in action. TCU spanked the shit out of SMU last night. Wow. Baylor won, too, but they were playing Texas State (formerly SW Tx St.)

Had to wash Stinkerbelle this afternoon. She and Zoom Zoom went out back to play for about an hour. I usually reward them with those cheap little freezer pops for actually tearing themselves away from electronic joy to breathe in the fresh air and expose themselves to level red pollution alerts. Anyway. I go out to give her the freezer pop and she has fresh leaves all over her shoulders, in her pretty little curls and all over her hands. She was gross. So, I let her get sticky, too. Forget tarring and feathering. For her, it is popsicling and leaving. Came in and gave her a bath and it was gross. Little bits of leaves all in the tub. I had to get out a comb to get everything out of her scalp and I'm still not sure I got it all. Eww is about all I can say.

Ok, leaving in less than two hours for the sports bar and I'm stoked. Been a good day so far. Kolaches for breakfast and other morning delights. *wink* Twice. Before noon. I don't think the day could get much better. The children will have to play outside more often.

D-day in Army of Mom's home

It is going to be ugly today.


vs.


My heart lies with America's team and Army of Dad's heart rests in the Minnesota teams. In this case, it is the Vikes.

*sigh* Looking at NFL.com's matchup, we look pretty fairly matched, to me.
http://www.nfl.com/matchups/last5/DAL-HEADTOHEAD-matchup
The local newspaper's sports section picks Minnesota to win by 4 1/2 points. When I asked Army of Dad to explain how the odds and point spread work - he decided to explain to me in terms of betting sexual favors. *shaking my head* Why am I not surprised?

We're going to be watching the game - each of us in our respective jersies (both are players who don't play with the teams any more - mine an Emmitt Smith and his a Chris Carter) at the Stadium Cafe in Addison. Looks like a fun place to watch it, but I'll definitely give you a review tomorrow. http://www.stadiumcafe.com/ It is just down the road from the Studio Movie Grill, where we will be watching "Michael Moore Hates America" as part of the American Film Renaissance tonight. I hope we won't be the only ones there in our football jersies. I'm really hoping that others will be footballed out, too. But, we'll see.

Many thanks to R for watching kiddos tonight so we can go. He is even a liberal and he agreed to babysit. Of course, money speaks louder than politics for most of us. :)

Happy Birthday Sweetie!

Today is my oldest son's birthday. My first born. And, he is 10 today. Double digits. Boy, am I feeling old today or what?

Happy birthday baby. Enjoy the day with your dad at Hooter's. Yes, you read that right. His choice of birthday meal was to go to the land of tight orange hot pants and undersized tank-tops. It brings a tear to the eye of Army of Dad, who feels that nurture is getting the better of nature in this case. The boy has told his dad that he wants him to buy a Hooter's restaurant so he can get a new wife. Lovely. He wants a hot step-mom, that is scary. He tells me I have a fat ass, in not so many words. *sigh*

Regardless. Happy Birthday!

9/11 anniversary

I knew it was 9/11. But it really didn't hit me until about 7:55 a.m. when WBAP played a brief memorial clip of what happened that fateful morning three years ago. Then it hit me. Sort of like an airplane. All those feelings of fear and anger came rushing back like a punch in the stomach. I was on my way home from the donut store. We have a soccer tournament today and thought it was a special treat to get kolaches and donuts. I went by myself to the store and I'm glad I did. I lost it on the drive home. I stopped to take a picture of Frenchy's truck. Frenchy is a local business man known for his orange work trucks. He has a landscaping business and is very supportive of the local community (despite his country of origin). While I was taking a picture of Frenchy's work truck, I heard it all over again. The description of the plane hitting the first WTC tower. I didn't have to see it to visualize it in my mind. Then, the second hit. Then, the Pentagon and then the calls from loved ones on the airplane that crashed in Pennsylvania. Tell the kids I love them. I love you, they were telling their families.

I almost pulled over because that sick feeling came rushing back. I was openly sobbing as I drove down the road. It all came rushing back to me.

Let's Roll. Terrorists, you have finally messed with the wrong president. Bring it on.

Sic 'em Bears!

Baylor University and the city of Waco rolled out the green and gold carpet Sept. 2 at the Ferrell Center for Baylor track stars Jeremy Wariner and Darold Williamson, who combined to win three gold medals at the Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. A boisterous crowd of about 1,500 cheering fans heard words of appreciation from the gold medalists and their coach, Clyde Hart, who is entering his 43rd year as head coach of the Baylor track program. The event also featured replays on the BaylorVision scoreboards of the 400 meter race, won by Wariner, and the 4x400 meter relay. Wariner ran the third leg of the race, with anchor Williamson crossing the finish line with the fastest time in the world this year. - Baylor website story

Wish I could have been there. I'm going to a Baylor Alum networking event next month which will feature Track Coach Clyde Hart as the featured speaker. I'm stoked about that, too.

(L to R) Darold Williamson, Coach Clyde Hart, and Jeremy Wariner

9/11

Nothing like getting an email like this in your mailbox:

We have published “An Open Letter to the American People” explaining who we are and why we support the president. We’re asking everyone to sign on, and “stand with us” behind the president.

www.911families4america.org

Thanks,
Debra Burlingame,
Proud sister of Capt. Chic Burlingame, American Airlines flt. 77, Pentagon attack

I have a feeling I'm going to be teary-eyed for a few days in remembrance of that day three years ago. I'm so glad that we'll have a soccer tournament. I think it is the best way to flip the bird to terrorists - don't let them know that they're scaring us. 9/11/01 we were supposed to have opening night of our soccer season and the soccer association cancelled it. Army of Dad and I thought we should have played - for the kid's sake. Keep it as normal as possible. I'm so glad we're going to play tomorrow.

Screw you terrorist bastards. You will not change my life any more than you already have.

This is my favorite season

Football! No, it runs a close second. I love the fall. It is really fall to me now - NFL has started, my oldest son's birthday is coming up and soccer is in full swing for our boys. I LOVE THE FALL!!!! The cooler weather and everything about it.

I LOVE THE NFL!!! I don't know what it is. I think I may have gotten it from my mom. She is a rabid Cowboys fan, but I like all football since I started playing fantasy football. I may be one of the few women who gets irritated at her husband for turning the channel from the football game to the Food Network.

New Zealand rocks

I've been checking out my site meter thingee (technical term, yes it is) and I have a reader in New Zealand. Do you have any idea who cool I think that is? I'll tell you why it is so exciting to me.

I want to travel to New Zealand. I have been fortunate to travel across the great United States and into Mexico. As a teen, I traveled to Europe and went through many countries that don't even exist any more. I was in East Germany before the Berlin Wall fell. I went to West Germany, Switzerland, France and the Czech Republic. I think that is all of them. Army of Dad took me to the Bahamas a few years ago on a cruise. That was neat, too.

But, I want to go to New Zealand. I have for a number of years. I have had the privilege of having three nurses from New Zealand care for me and my family during hospital stays in three different cities. These women had fabulous accents and were beautiful and caring. They made me have an appreciation for the people. Plus, New Zealand has penguins that live along the beaches. Penguins! How fabulous is that? Those who know Army of Mom know that I absolutely LOVE penguins. My home used to be filled with them, but many have been transported to children's rooms and are living in boxes until one day I will get them out again. There are a few here and there, but not like before. Check this out: http://www.penguin.net.nz/

Check out these blue penguins climbing home in the Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony in New Zealand. You can go and see the penguins in the wild. How truly amazing that would be. I've been inside the penguin exhibit at Sea World San Antonio for a story, but to see them in their natural habitat would be remarkable.


My final big reason for wanting to visit New Zealand is the lovely scenery that I saw in the Lord of the Rings movies. It was so breathtaking that I often pause the DVDs and go back just to see the scenery. It truly is Middle Earth for the movies. Untouched and so fresh. I can almost smell the fresh air. I shocked Army of Dad recently. That is not easy to do. I told him that if I don't make it to New Zealand before I die that I want him to take my ashes and spread along the countryside of New Zealand. He looked at me like I had bugs crawling out of my eyes and was seriously surprised at my request. But, I truly mean it. Look at the beauty of this place. http://www.newzealand.com/


And, my dear reader in New Zealand ... will you let me know who you are?

Am I missing something here?

Evidently in an effort to make Kerry's Vietnam service look polished, the Dems are trying to throw mud on Bush's National Guard service. But, when I read this story I don't see anything that is that big of a deal. He didn't make the cut and missed some evaluations, but it looks to me like he was trying to meet his obligations from the notes here. So, did I miss something? He wasn't shirking his duty and attending Oxford in England as other presidents did and it wasn't considered a big deal. So, why is this considered any bigger of a deal?

Here's the story from Yahoo news:
By PETE YOST, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON - Newly unearthed memos state George W. Bush was suspended from flying for the Texas Air National Guard during the Vietnam war because he failed to meet Guard standards and failed to take his annual flight physical as required.
The suspension came as Bush was trying to arrange a transfer to non-flying status with a unit in Alabama so he could work on a political campaign there.
A memo written a year later referred to one military official "pushing to sugar coat" Bush's evaluation.
"On this date I ordered that 1st Lt. Bush be suspended from flight status due to failure to perform to USAF/TexANG standards and failure to meet annual physical examination ... as ordered," says an Aug. 1, 1972 memo by Lt. Col. Jerry Killian, who is now dead.
The same memo notes that Bush was trying to transfer to non-flying status out of state and recommends that the Texas unit fill his flying slot "with a more seasoned pilot from the list of qualified Vietnam pilots that have rotated."
The Vietnam-era documents add details to the bare-bones explanation of Bush's aides over the years that he was suspended simply because he decided to skip his flight physical.
The White House said in February that it had released all records of Bush's service, but one of Killian's memos stated it was "for record" and another directing Bush to take the physical exam stated that it was "for 1st Lt. George W. Bush."
"I can't explain why that wouldn't be in his record, but they were found in Jerry Killian's personal records," White House communications director Dan Bartlett told CBS's "60 Minutes II," which first obtained the memos.
Bartlett said Bush's superiors granted permission to train in Alabama in a non-flying status and that "many of the documents you have here affirm just that."
A memo dated May 19, 1972, five days after Bush was supposed to have completed his physical, summarizes a telephone discussion with Bush about how he "can get out of coming to drill from now through November." It says Bush was "told he could do ET for three months or transfer." ET referred to equivalent training, a procedure for meeting training requirements without attending regularly scheduled drills.
The same memo says "we talked abut him getting his flight physical situation fixed" and quotes Bush as saying he would "do that in Alabama if he stays in a flight status." It also says, I advised him of our investment in him and his commitment."
Democratic Party chairman Terry McAuliffe said, "George W. Bush's cover story on his National Guard service is rapidly unraveling. ... George W. Bush needs to answer why he regularly mislead the American people about his time in the Guard and who applied political pressure on his behalf to have his performance reviews 'sugarcoated'"
Bartlett told CBS, "As it says in your own documents, President Bush talked to the commanders about the fact that he'd be transferring to a unit ... in Alabama that didn't fly that plane," the F-102, the type Bush was trained in.
Using only last names, one of the newly disclosed documents points to sharp disagreement among Bush's superiors in Texas over how to evaluate his performance for the period from mid-1972 through mid-1973.
"Staudt has obviously pressured Hodges more about Bush," Killian wrote on Aug. 18, 1973. "I'm having trouble running interference and doing my job — Harris gave me a message today from Grp regarding Bush's OETR and Staudt is pushing to sugar coat it. Bush wasn't here during rating period and I don't have any comments from 187th in Alabama. I will not rate." Grp refers to a military unit and OETR stands for officer efficiency training report.
The memo concludes: "Harris took the call from Grp today. I'll backdate but won't rate. Harris agrees."
At the time, Walter B. Staudt was commander of the Texas National Guard; Lt. Col. Bobby Hodges was one of Bush's superiors in Texas who two years earlier had rated Bush an outstanding young pilot; and Lt. Col. William D. Harris Jr. was another superior of Bush's.
Records released this year when Bush's military service re-emerged as a campaign issue contain no evidence that he showed up for duty at all for five months in mid-1972 and document only a few occasions later that year.
Asked about Killian's statement in a memo about the military's investment in Bush, Bartlett told CBS: "For anybody to try to interpret or presume they know what somebody who is now dead was thinking in any of these memos, I think is very difficult to do."