My thoughts and sincerest prayers go out to all who were affected by yesterday’s horrific scene at the Virginia Tech campus. I can’t even begin to imagine how the victim’s families and friends are to cope with this emptiness that has been thrust upon them. So many young and vibrant lives cut short for absolutely no reason what so ever. What the hell goes on inside some people’s minds???? How does taking human life get twisted around as being justified??? I was traveling back from Dallas, TX yesterday, so I was not able to see much news. I was in a bookstore at the terminal when I saw the first reports on CNN. My heart just immediately sunk. I was having a hard time focusing on the report. My mind was racing. I got a sick feeling in my gut. Similar to the feeling I had on 9/11/01. Such an overwhelming feeling of disbelief, even though it was there being shown right before me.

I weep for our society.

4/18/07 ~ UPDATE ~ One thing that I have observed from the media coverage of this tragedy is the almost instant issue of making political points. Almost immediately, some coverage was not about the victims, it was about gun control laws. Or other reports were blaming school officials and the police. WTF???? Ummmmmm, maybe I am just stupid, but shouldn't we maybe blame this wack job who pulled the trigger?!?!?! Have we become so callous in American society that we can't even honor those innocents who have fallen before pressing personal agendas? It really makes me ill. Don't get me wrong, I think maybe some of these issues should be debated, but could we AT LEAST remember and honor these victims and their families first?!?!?!

Political Correctness gone completely MAD!!!!!!!!!!!

This article is from the Daily Mail, a United Kingdom website.

The story of the Three Little Pigs' battle with the Big Bad Wolf has delighted children since it was written more than 150 years ago. But the tale highlighting the merits of hard work and practicality has become the latest to fall victim to political correctness.

A junior school production of the children's story has been renamed the Three Little Puppies for fear of offending Muslims. Organisers of a children's music festival have altered the popular characters and lyrics because of the multi-cultural nature of the youngsters involved and their parents in the audience. But yesterday Islamic leaders condemned the politically correct move as misguided and said decisions like this were turning Muslims into 'misfits' in society.

Children from Honley Church of England Junior School in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, were due to perform in a reworking of the popular tale which features the three little pigs. The youngsters - aged from seven to 11 - were due to perform at Huddersfield Town Hall in June with 250 children from 63 schools singing along. But organisers of the Kirklees Primary Music Festival decided to change the script to be 'sensitive' to Muslims at a recent committee meeting.

Committee member Gill Goodswen, head teacher of Stile Common Junior School, defending the move. She said: "We have to be sensitive if we want to be multi-cultural. It was felt it would be more responsible not to use the three little pigs. "We feared that some Muslim children wouldn't sing along to the words about pigs,' she said. "We didn't want to take that risk. If changing a few words avoids offence then we will do so."

She stressed the decision was not prompted by a complaint from any school. But Shaykh Ibrahim Mogra from the Muslim Council of Britain branded the move 'bizarre'. He said: "The vast majority of Muslims have no problem whatsoever with the Three Little Pigs. It's always been the traditional way of telling the story and I don't see why that should be changed.
"There's an issue about the eating of pork, which is forbidden, but there is no prohibition about reading stories about pigs. This is an unnecessary step."

Other recent rows have involved 'Baa Baa Black Sheep' being changed to 'Baa Baa rainbow sheep' and Christmas events called 'winter' festivities. Mr Mogra said: "How far are we going to go? Are we going to change the seven dwarves because it's discriminatory towards people who are physically less able? Where do you draw the line?

"Every time we get these stories Muslims are seen more and more as misfits. We have to accept there's a predominant culture here." His views were echoed locally in Huddersfield. Local councillor Terry Lyons added: "I can't believe that Muslims would be offended by this. This is pandering to a few extremists. People will take umbrage at this decision, making it easier for the BNP to recruit."

Mohammed Imran, of the Hanfia Mosque and Educational Institute said: "According to the Koran it's forbidden to eat pork or touch a pig, but there's no ruling about talking about them or singing about them." Steve Price, head of Honley C of E school, said he had not played a part in the decision, but added: "We are part of the family of Kirklees schools. This family is set up to celebrate children's talents and I can well understand some head teachers being careful about not causing offence."


Absolutely UN-BELIEVABLE. I mean seriously WTF? When will the MADNESS end? Sometimes I think the more we "develop" as a society, the worse off we become. At what point does the fear of "offending" people completely take over, and we aren't 'free' to even speak? I am glad to see that Muslim leaders think this is ridiculous too. Common sense does not appear to be very common at all these days......SIGH.

My Peculiar Aristocratic Title is: Imperial Majesty Christopher the Eerie of Dramble Buzzcock Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title

hat tip to TU S. TIN for the link to this

Ah, our friends....the Saudis. This is from FoxNews website:

Saudi Kidnap, Rape Victim Faces Lashing for 'Crime' of Being Alone With Man Not Related to Her

A 19-year-old Saudi woman who was kidnapped, beaten and gang raped by seven men who then took photos of their victim and threatened to kill her, was sentenced under the country's Islamic-based law to 90 lashes for the "crime" of being alone with a man not related to her.
The woman is appealing to Saudi King Abdullah to intervene in the controversial case.
"I ask the king to consider me as one of his own daughters and have mercy on me and set me free from the 90 lashes," the woman said in an emotional interview published Monday in the Saudi Gazette.

"I was shocked at the verdict. I couldn't believe my ears. Ninety lashes! Ninety lashes!" the woman, identified only as "G," told the English-language newspaper.

Five months after the harsh judgment, her sentence has yet to be carried out, "G" said she waits in fear every day for the phone call telling her to submit to authorities to carry out her punishment.

Lashes are usually spread over several days. About 50 lashes are given at a time.
The woman's ordeal began a year ago when she was blackmailed into meeting a man who threatened to tell her family they were having a relationship outside wedlock, which is illegal in the desert kingdom, according to a report in The Scotsman newspaper.

She met the man at a shopping mall and, after driving off together, the blackmailer's car was stopped by two other cars bearing men wielding knives and meat cleavers.
During the next three hours, the woman was raped 14 times by her seven captors.
One of the men took pictures of her naked with his mobile phone and threatened to blackmail her with them.

Back at home in a town near the eastern city of Qatif, the young woman did not tell her family of her ordeal. Nor did she inform the authorities, fearing the rapist would circulate the pictures of her naked. She also attempted suicide.

Five of the rapists were arrested and given jail terms ranging from 10 months to five years. The prosecutor had asked for the death penalty for the men.

The Saudi justice ministry, however, said rape could not be proved because there were no witnesses and the men had recanted confessions they made during interrogation.

The judges, basing their decision on Islamic law, also decided to sentence the woman and her original blackmailer to lashes for being alone together in his car.


What is this world coming to? IT IS NOT A WOMAN'S FAULT FOR BEING RAPED!!! Regardless of the situation. These men should be publicly castrated at the very least! Stories like this just absolutly make me ill.

A taste of Spring...

Well we FINALLY snapped out of that cold stretch here in the heartland this week. We got our first taste of Spring. Was in the mid 60's earlier this week... woo hoo!! With out a doubt this is my favorite time of the year. In a couple of weeks this area will explode into lush green vegetation. Cabin fever from the long winter will subside. The various birds will be chirping especially the cardinals and blue jays. It really is a season of rebirth and rejuvenation. I am getting excited just thinking about it. Obviously it is the joyous season of Easter, but even the little day to day things just make life so vibrant. The feeling in my hands from hitting the first golf ball of the season. (Even if I do shank it into the woods!!) Taking my daughter to the park to work on her soccer skills. Having the option to ride my bike to work. Putting the windows down in my car, feeling the wind and warmth of the sun, and cranking up the stereo! Taking our new chocolate lab puppy (Mia) for her first swim. Talking about baseball with my family and friends and the anticipation of opening day at beautiful Busch Stadium. Yep, it is just a glorious time to be alive.

Wishing all a great week-end!

Another bout of Friday music just because I am feeling lazy today, and don't really want to think about anything!

A great song from LINKIN PARK:

(When this began)
I had nothing to say
And I get lost in the nothingness inside of me
(I was confused)
And I let it all out to find
That I’m not the only person with these things in mind
(Inside of me)
But all that they can see the words revealed
Is the only real thing that I’ve got left to feel
(Nothing to lose)
Just stuck, hollow and alone
And the fault is my own, and the fault is my own

[Chorus]
I wanna heal, I wanna feel what I thought was never real
I wanna let go of the pain I’ve felt so long
(Erase all the pain till it’s gone)
I wanna heal, I wanna feel like I’m close to something real
I wanna find something I’ve wanted all along
Somewhere I belong

And I’ve got nothing to say
I can’t believe I didn’t fall right down on my face
(I was confused)
Looking everywhere only to find
That it’s not the way I had imagined it all in my mind
(So what am I)
What do I have but negativity’
Cause I can’t justify the way, everyone is looking at me
(Nothing to lose)
Nothing to gain, hollow and alone
And the fault is my own, and the fault is my own

[Repeat Chorus]

I will never know myself until I do this on my own
And I will never feel anything else until my wounds are healed
I will never be anything till I break away from me
I will break away, I'll find myself today

[Repeat Chorus]

I wanna heal, I wanna feel like I’m somewhere I belong

I wanna heal, I wanna feel like I’m somewhere I belong

Somewhere I belong

A little Friday music from Godsmack:


"Serenity"

As I sit here and slowly close my eyes
I take another deep breath
And feel the wind pass through my body
I'm the one in your soul
Reflecting inner light
Protect the ones who hold you
Cradling your inner child

I need serenity
In a place where I can hide
I need serenity
Nothing changes, days go by

Where do we go when we just don't know
And how do we relight the flame when it's cold
Why do we dream when our thoughts mean nothing
And when will we learn to control

Tragic visions slowly stole my life
Tore away everything
Cheating me out of my time
I'm the one who loves you
No matter wrong or right
And every day I hold you
I hold you with my inner child

I need serenity
In a place where I can hide
I need serenity
Nothing changes, days go by

Where do we go when we just don't know
And how do we relight the flame when it's cold
Why do we dream when our thoughts mean nothing
And when will we learn to control

Where do we go when we just don't know
And how do we relight the flame when it's cold
Why do we dream when our thoughts mean nothing
And when will we learn to control

I need serenity

I need serenity

BREATH OF FRESH AIR FROM IRAQ….

I was wondering aimlessly in blogland and stumbled upon a very interesting military blog. It is called AcutePolitics. This young brave soldier is involved in clearing IED’s from the streets in the deadly Anbar Province. He has quite a talent for writing as well. Anyway, he linked a story from the LA Times website from a few days ago:

Sunni sheik declares war on the insurgency
A business-minded tribal leader in Al Anbar forges an alliance with U.S. forces.
By Tony Perry, Times Staff WriterJanuary 23, 2007


RAMADI, IRAQ — At 35, he is younger than many sheiks. And his Sunni Arab tribe is not one of the largest in Al Anbar province. But Sheik Sattar Bazeaa Fatikhan projects the aura of power and seriousness that comes to a man who has taken a stand. After Sunni insurgents killed his father and four of his brothers last year, Fatikhan declared war against the insurgency. He convened a summit of about a dozen prominent sheiks. From that meeting came a document called "The Awakening," in which Fatikhan persuaded all but one sheik to join him in opposition to the insurgency. The sheiks pledged to encourage young men to join the police force and even the Shiite-led army. The document states that killing an American is the same as killing a member of their tribes. Since the gathering, Fatikhan said, the sheiks have "eliminated" a number of insurgents.

U.S. officials regularly visit Fatikhan, seeking his counsel, showing him the kind of deference one might expect for a leading government official. When a British general visited recently, Fatikhan, the sheik of the Abo Resha tribe, noted that his great-grandfather had fought against the British in the early 1940s. Still, he said, "The British respected the sheiks."In a two-hour interview in his large, carpeted meeting hall, a stream of underlings whispered to Fatikhan or handed him messages. He nodded or spoke a few words, and they hurried off. Later, he allowed himself to joke about the duties of being a sheik. "They give me a headache," he said through an interpreter. Drinking tea and smoking Marlboros, Fatikhan listened to questions and then gave an unvarying response: The U.S. military and Iraqi tribes must unite to rid Sunni-dominated Al Anbar province of men who would "try to engineer our future with mortars and roadside bombs."

For U.S. forces, Fatikhan's stand is a significant boost in a bitter fight with insurgents who, until recently, controlled large segments of Ramadi, the provincial capital. Army Col. Sean MacFarland, commander of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, credits Fatikhan and other sheiks for an increase in police enrollment, a decrease in insurgent recruitment and new courage among Iraqi forces. A year ago, insurgents blew up every police station in Ramadi, and officers were afraid to return to duty. The U.S. military rebuilt many of the stations. During a recent attack, Iraqi police officers stood their ground. "They would not be intimidated," MacFarland said. "Why? Because their sheik, whom they respect, told them, 'You must do this.' "Fatikhan ordered his followers to "adopt" the U.S. Army's liaison to the tribes and give him an Arabic name, Wissam, which means warrior. After the officer, Capt. Travis Patriquin, was killed by a roadside bomb, the sheik ordered that one of the new police stations be named in his honor.

This month, Fatikhan was host of the first Ramadi reconstruction conference, held behind the high walls of his family compound. Contractors, sheiks and others met with U.S. officials to discuss projects to pave roads, rebuild schools and improve electrical, sewer, phone and water systems. Fatikhan, who wears tailored suits when not in traditional clothing, understands U.S. politics. He told a visiting journalist, "Please take a message to the Democrats: Let the American forces stay until we can hold Iraq together. Then we will have a party when American forces go."

Outside Fatikhan's meeting room, other sheiks, some much older, waited to talk to him. So did Iraqi police officials. The sheik's bodyguards were nearby. He offered his American and British visitors sweet tea and insisted that they stay for a lunch of goat, rice and sauces. "The terrorists are not here for the interests of Iraq," Fatikhan said. "We don't need them here to say they're here to defend us. If Iraq was in danger, the real people of Iraq would stand up and defend Iraq. "He referred to the U.S. and Britain as "the two great nations."British Lt. Gen. G.C.M. Lamb was quick to return the compliment. "Baghdad was once considered the center of the civilized world, so I believe we have three great nations engaged in a great purpose," Lamb said. "The British had an empire and lost it," he added, "and so we have learned that we do not know everything, that there is wisdom in many places."

Fatikhan is not above criticizing the U.S.-led forces."The coalition forces made many mistakes," he said. "That led a lot of people to accept [Al Qaeda's] offer: 'We will get rid of the coalition forces.' That was a mistake the people made. "Fatikhan said he didn't fear being killed. He has many bodyguards, and a U.S. tank is parked outside his compound. "They killed my father and brothers," he said. "I have a different spirit. "His surviving brother lives in the family compound with him and his wife and five children. The sheik has not traveled outside the Middle East but said he would like to visit Germany, Britain and the U.S. He joked, without smiling, "When there is peace, I will learn English." The alliance between U.S. forces and the sheiks is a marriage of convenience. The sheiks are rivals of the elected government in Al Anbar that the U.S. supports, but there is no functioning government in Ramadi. "Their interests align with us — none of the tribes is making any money during the war," MacFarland said. "Many, like the mafia, own construction companies. There are limits on how far down their path we can walk together, but today it's a very good relationship." Fatikhan is looking beyond the present toward posterity. "Let history mention a hero, a man who brought the tribes together to fight," he said. "Let history show that a sheik stood up."



What a great story, and as usual, I didn't hear ANYTHING about it in the MSM. Just typical body counts. Stories like these should be shouted from the mountain tops so others may stand up and have the courage to do the same.

Correction to my post from yesterday:

In the first report where I mentioned Andrew James, I learned that it was a 4 yr. old boy who he assaulted. (Reportedly 10 times.) This little boy also has a learning disability. Mr. James has a prior record as well. He assualted his own wife with a screw driver!! Prince of a guy here walking our streets.

O.K. trying to post this damn thing again. (Sorry ahead of time for my spelling, it was when I tried to spell-check this post last time when it was deleted.)

I have been meaning to make this post for a while now. With recent events in my own state as well as a story I heard last night, I decided I could not wait any longer. As a father, I feel very strongly about this subject.

The story I heard last night was about this complete animal; Andrew James of Manchester Center, Vermont. He was accused of molesting a 4 yr. old girl. (Numerous times according to the report.) The totally incompetent D.A. and judge in this case decided that the best course of action was just to give this monster probation!! Their reason: It would have been too difficult and too traumatizing to the little girl to re-live the event(s) to take it to trial. WTF?!?!??! Do they not think it will be traumatizing to the girl to re-live those events for the rest of her life?!?!? Do they not think that when this poor little girl gets older, she will wonder why this man was not punished for hurting her, and screwing up the rest of her life?!?!?! This is such an outrage! So as I type this post, this worthless piece of garbage is walking the streets. How long will it be before he ruins another poor little girl's life. Chances are, it won't be long.

The story in my home state has made national news. Michael Devlin of Kirkwood, MO was arrested for abducting a 13 yr. old boy. They also found a 15 yr. old boy who was abducted almost 5 years ago too!! Child pornagraphy was found on Devlin's PC, so you can only imaging what these boys went through. How do these sick people live with themselves?? At least Devlin was given a $1,000,000 cash bond. Which is more than I can say for the next story.

A 25 yr. old man in Wisconsin was charged with sexual assault of a 12 yr. old girl. The girl was the daughter of the woman he was currently dating. This man is an illegal alien. He had prior convictions in the U.S. and was previously deported. (He was back in Wisconsin a week after his deportation.) In the infinite wisdom of our great legal system, this animal was given a $5,000 bond. (He only had to come up with $500 to get out.) Guess what folks? He left town and did not appear at his next court date. I know, a real shocker isn't it?!?! Lord only knows where this sicko is right now and who he is brutally torturing. This girl will probably never see justice, and will probably be looking over her shoulder in fear for the rest of her life.

Then we have Mark Hulett of Burlington, VT. This scumbag brutally molested a 4 yr. old girl, and continued until she was 8!! Four years of a living hell. The 'honorable' judge Edward Cashman decided to sentence this guy to 60 DAYS in jail. He was concerned that this guy would not get the treatment that he needed in jail!! HUH? What about the girl here judge? Would that have been your sentence if it was your daughter??? I highly doubt it. After public and media outcry he increased the sentence to 3-6 years. Still a far cry from what this bastard deserves. What is going on in American society today?!?

I am getting too angry to type any more. Where have we gone wrong? Do we not realize that our children are our most precious resouce? Why aren't our public officials setting MINIMUM sentences for these animals. We must take it out of the judge's hands. It really makes me sick.

A site that is trying to protect our kids, since no one else seems to be interested:

familywatchdog.us/

A great site to find out about where registered sex offenders are anywhere in the U.S. They will even notify you if one of these perverts moves into your area. By the way, according to this site, 1 in 5 girls will be assaulted before she turns 18. For boys, it is 1 in 6. We must take action now to stop this insne madness!!

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!! I just wrote a long post, and blogger deleted it!!!!!! $&^#@%!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!