I think that I have seen enough, read enough, and heard enough to finally know that our United States of America is on the verge of sinking.

I mean really, we have our Automakers that are falling apart, our housing market failing, our banks closing, and the stock market that keeps losing. This is a matter of natural crisis and all the government can do is sit and have Senate hearings on this subject to decide if they should give the automakers money or not. {mind you this, after having to submit a plan of action to them}

I don't plan to be some finical advisor, nor does it seem like its rocket science here..all the money started to become a problem once the housing market fell below a certain standard. Then the Government decided it was going to put that money towards the housing market to help people with their houses. {Didn't plan to see what that would cause for the rest of the economy as price of gas was high, food was doubled, ect..) So people were getting into 1st time home loans with great rates, people that were over extended and about to loose their house were getting a break. In the meanwhile, the people that are struggling who don't get any help like my sister who owns a house and cannot get a break, or the people that know they cannot afford a house right now, let alone enough to get by (like me) who rent..get to keep paying in taxes on this. I don't recall a hearing on this and the Senate hearing saying "What about the tax payers" No, instead we only seem to hear this on our Automakers. Why is that?

I have seen enough business's in Michigan fail, as I am sure in the state you live in you have as well, but right now, It is so depressing to even get up in the morning. I am not one that likes to dwell on negative, but right now the negative is over weighing the greatness {as it seems so hard to come by}. I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas, and Happy New Year..in case I don't hear from anyone. I have lost connection with some of my friends I have made online and I hope they are well. I will be posting again..I just wanted to get this all out now as I know the holiday's are approaching and everyone is busy.

Please take a moment if you don't like the way something is going in your state to look up your local official and write to him/or her and tell them how you feel. Its going to be a very hard 4yrs and we need all the voice we can get to keep everyone in line.

Incase you are not sure how to look up your local government offical I am attaching a link for you.

http://www.senate.gov/index.htm

Where is the inner voice that cares?

I find it pretty hard to believe that there isn't a news caster that doesn't have the Balls to talk about the recent findings of Obama and his birth certificate. I just wonder why this is? How can the media who is supposed to deliver the news leave this important part of the future President out of the news?
In case you are not sure what I am talking about, and if your an active Obama supporter and this becomes something 'New' to you, I am only reporting it how I see it. ***{I am not the person out there discovering this information, It's been out and it just so happens the closer we get to January is how much more this comes to light in the Internet news}

"It's a scary thought to have someone who essentially begins his presidency as a criminal," he said, because the use of a faked document as identification is, in fact, a crime.."

There are a number of reasons why the respondents here would choose not to respond," Schreiber speculated. "First, because the court only grants between 70 and 120 of the 8,000 or so petitions it receives every year, perhaps they just liked their odds of Berg's petition getting denied. Second, because they have made arguments as to Berg's lack of standing several times at the district court level and beyond, perhaps they felt as though any arguments had already been made and were available on the record. Or, perhaps the waiver shows that the FEC and other respondents do not take seriously the allegations put forth by Berg, and did not wish to legitimize the claims with a response."

Why is this such a big deal? I hear things being said as "Well the people have spoken" for that I have to say, 'Do you think those same people would of spoken knowing that the person running for one of the most important role in the United States of American is NOT an American?' I usually get than an response of-- "That is just a stupid Law, and what better way to change it now." Are you serious? Is it just me that doesn't understand? Am, I totally old school in thinking this is in so many ways wrong? I guess we as Americans are in for some serious shit if that is what the majority think.
Sure why don't we just let Putin come over here, or better yet Chavez..and don't say its not the same thing..as it is. Either one of these two could come over here than and live in the United States and then they too can become the President of the United States. I am not comparing Obama to these two, I am only comparing the born in another country to get the idea behind it. If that isn't understood than so be it.

Where is the spirt of Christmas?

I am sure most of you have heard of the tragic death of the Wal Mart employee..I cannot believe that we have let ourselfs buy into the ads and bargins to the point of death, and not give a damn.
I don't care if that item is going to be for a 1$ I am not going to stand in a line in the freezing cold, waiting with thousands of people with a chance of a rat race to get that item..knowing there is only going to be so many items sold at the store by me. This is excatlly what this shopping has become, a RAT RACE!!
I am just sick about this, and people please don't get caught up in all this..please don't.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081129/ap_on_bi_ge/wal_mart_death_19

Automotive in the U.S Please Take Action

The U.S. economy is at a crossroads with all the credit crisis!!! I would like to take a minute to give you some information that isn't being forced fed to you by the media. I work for one of the big 3 auto makers(not directly, but never-less it would have a huge affect on many just like me) and I have to say that a lot of the information that has been going around is really getting twisted from the media. Please visit http://gmfactsandfiction.com/ for more information on what is called a bailout!!{Which is actually a LOAN Not a bailout} Then please take a moment to please write your state/government Representatives and senators requesting to take a positive action on the loan that the Automakers need to survive. There should be a place on the side for you all to click on the side as Concerned American.

Facts-- 1 in 10 American Jobs depends on U.S. automakers
The consequences of the domestic auto industry collapsing would far exceed the $25billion loan needed to bride the current crisis.
Nearly 3 million jobs are at immediate risk
U.S personal income could be reduced by $150 billion
The Tax revenue lost over 3 years would be more than $156 billion
GM has cut its payroll drastically, by 45.8 percent in the U.S. alone since 2000. In fact, GM is far from the largest employer in the industry. With 252,000 employees worldwide, GM ranks fifth overall behind Volkswagen (373,400 employees,) Renault/Nissan (316,121 employees,) Toyota (316,121 employees) and Daimler (272,382 employees). Yet GM sold more vehicles worldwide last year than any other automaker.

When I see of all the countries around the world that the United States is helping to rebuild after a war, or otherwise. I just wonder why we cannot help our own United States? I don't know where we all went wrong in this, but for the Automakers to ask the government for help has to come with some shame. I don't know what the right answer is to all of this, (maybe the government to release the cap so companies can get a loan) but I do know that General Motors helped out a lot during World War 2 and help in more ways that anyone could imagine. Not to mention all the money that General Motors gives in charity. There is a lot of talk going on about this, and I really hate to have this based on a scare tactic oppose to some truths. I don't believe that the American People should have to pay for this, and from the web site provided it does show that it would be a loan to pay back...not a bail out as what we just went through. I know I don't have all the answers, but I am willing to listen to others and their views. Again, the link I have provide has some facts and myths and a lot more information.

Common Sense isn't so common anymore is it??

I have been doing a lot of research lately, and a lot of reading comes with that. I must say that I am very ticked off at this political race and what it has become. I have no more answers than I did 4yrs ago, and I sure as hell am not happy about how the media portrays this one person, as if he is the 'Only' person running for office.

Words from Robert Taft: "When I say liberty I do not simply mean what is referred to as "free Enterprise" I man liberty of the individual to THINK his own thoughts an live his own life as he desires to think and to live; the liberty of the family to decide how they wish to live, what they want to wat for breakfast and for dinner, and how they wish to spend their time; liberty of a man to develop his ideas and get other people to teach those ideas, if he can convince them that they have some value to the world; liberty of every local community to decide how its children shall be educated, how its local services shall be run, and who its local leaders shall be; liberty of a man to choose his own occupation, and liberty of a man to run his own business as he thinks it ought to be run, as long as does not interfere with the right of other people to do the same thing"

I ran across this, and thought dang, this is common sense..yet I don't hear anyone talking about that..are we so blind that we are missing the importance once again of our history? Our Founding Fathers {Which I have spoke of many of times on my blogs} gave us advise time and time again, is there some reason we are ignoring that?
What about the Constitution? What about how the power of the executive branch and how the power has far expanded beyond what The Framer of the Constitution thought of? It was a matter of making a society after all..so we were not ruled by Kings and a matter of limit the federal government control.
I am just a simple American who is looking at the common sense of the history that is out there and see that even the media wants to go ga-ga over someone running for president, instead of asking the common sense questions.

Come Ride the Bail out Ride

I mean seriously..do we have to keep hearing the bad news day in and day out? I am starting to think I need to belong to some amusement park, therefore I need to give myself a new name. You know what I mean, the kind the amusement park names one of their thrill roller coasters..Lets see, with the latest in the bail outs, and how the market really isn't recovering, and not to mention the recent bail out that AIG received and how their top Executives went out on some big vacation..The name of that ride should be called: 'Fast Free Falling' but really doesn't have that catch does it?
I really am trying to make a point about some of this, and I really spend more time now with the TV off. I don't even watch the debates, and people at my work are looking at me as if I just missed the free money that was being passed out. Seriously, I can find my opinions and information on the Internet, where I don't have to have the information being forced through me by a local news station, nor anyone else. I can go to several different links and gather my own thought about it. Really, I cannot stand this time of the year when we have to vote. I know, its supposed to be the most important day of our lives..but at whose cost? Ask yourself one question, when was the last time that you can honestly say that our vote when "We the people" actually made a huge difference? Or when its wasn't about making someone else richer (via lobbyist)

I know I am not alone when it comes to this debate, and most either don't talk about it out of fear, or just comply to the same ole, same ole of how things have been going on and on and on..and quite frankly I think that there lays the problem that we keep having. Not only do the people do that, our elected officials comply as well. There was a time when voting made a difference in this world, and the people that were running for office really gave a damn what "We the people" thought, and how we were going to vote. It wasn't ran quite the way it is now. Sure you go in and vote and cast your ballot, but does it count? Does it get recognized? Its not ran by popular vote, so what really are we voting for?
I read an article awhile back about how if we didn't like either candidate that was running we should be able to pick for 'none of the above' and honestly that would be a great idea. Why, do we get the Delegates to chose for us? Does anyone even know there are others that are running for office as well as Obama and McCain? I would hope that people are really doing their homework, and not going ga-ga over one, and bashing another (just because of he is on the heals of what we have now) There is always something at stake when voting, and this election seems to be more at stake then any other era. So as you ride the next thrill seeker **News at 11** maybe turn off the TV and do your own research on someone that you chose to be the next President of the United States of America.

More on the housing crisis

Its not my video, but a friend of mine ran across it. I am doing my part to share the video along, in hopes that some may just get it.

To debate or not debate

With all of the mess that is going on with the bail outs. I wonder who gets to pick and choose what is more important? The debate that is supposed to go on, or talks of the bail outs? I look at it this way.
Both are very important, and have to be consitered. Like it or not both are Senators that running for the most important office and want to become the president of the United States. I do consider that just because the two of them are running for president should not take away what they know of first hand. Seeing as now we know that McCain is going on with the Debates for Friday, means he took off that one day to say his piece about the bail outs. I don't recall hearing about Obama showing up..did he? However, then you hear that McCain took that one day off to call off the debate to say his piece and come back to the debate today knowing that there is no deal. I don't know about you, but I find myself being very confused on which way to feel about this.
I do know that with there not being a deal, I really think now there will not be one made until we elect a new president and I really hope that isn't the case, as I feel that there will be more problems that will stem from this, which will result in more crisis in our business here and at home. I don't think that Congress is doing what they should be doing, as they should be investigating more and more of these business and following thru with penalties. {Why do I have the feeling that would result in too many of our elected officials that would be investigated}

Lets hope for the best, as I know I cannot take anymore of this.

Coming to your next paycheck soon

With the recent talks of all the buy outs that are starting to take affect, I want to listen to the news about it, I want to hear the president on what he is saying. I just can't!!! I hear the sentence of 'Buyouts' and I start to get that knot in my stomach as if I just ate something very sour.
These buy outs may appear to be something good for the business, but its really bad for you and I. We are talking billions of dollars that you and I are going to have fork over in our taxes our money that we are trying to earn. That's a lot of money to be forking over. I don't know about you, but I can barley make it now. We don't do much as we used to 10+ yrs ago, and really its starting to take its toll. I am no physhartrist but I can tell you it does have a huge affect on how mentally it can wear on a person.

If you are used to going places, and even it were just going fishing (which we would take some trips to go fishing) has now resulted in having to even budget going fishing..that my friends is pretty sad. You figure, you have to either eat well before you go, or pack a lunch. (You know you will not be able to go out to eat) due to the rising cost of gas. Then, you need to plan the rest of the week around that trip to make sure you can afford it as driving the child to school, and then cheer practice, then picking me up from work. (that takes a huge chunk out of the gas meter) So, the simple things in life have now resulted in planning, and those simple things that we used to be able to do on the drop of the dime result in an argument to go or not to go.

I can have that argument just with myself and it usually goes
Ok, we are going to go and do something, even if it means just going fishing..we need to get out of this house and do something...{Oh, wait, ok, she has a cheer game on Friday, and Band and then work..do we have enough gas money to do this}
Dang, it we need to go, we haven't done anything in 3 weeks.

**side note** No, I am not crazy, you know you all have those conversations with yourself..(maybe not on the same subject..but you do)

Anyway, we try the best we can, with what we have. We do things, and not like we used to and try to find ways around. I just cannot imange anymore being taken out of my paycheck when there is already not enough to go around. How is eveyone else feeling about this?

Blah day not the Monday blah either

It’s not often that I get into these moods, and I sat here wondering what really has me so down. I started thinking maybe I am just tired, or maybe its just a early mid life crisis?

Then the next I get an email. I have google alert me anytime my Uncle’s name comes up, and today was the day I received that alert.
Back in January my Uncle passed away, it happened so fast and I really didn’t believe that it happened. Denial is something that doesn’t come to me very often either. He was in his late 50’s and when we received the call that he was in the hospital, it was like I felt as if I was outside of my own body looking at myself. My sister was on the other end of the phone crying, and I had a very hard time understanding what she was saying, but really I knew it didn’t matter as all I heard was hospital, and Uncle and it seems that the mind just fills in the rest.
I remember telling her I was on my way and got everyone together to race over there. The hospital is about an 1hr & 45min drive, I just kept thinking to please hang on until I get there please don’t go just yet. We got there but the machines where working for him, long enough until we and others got there. I started to become numb, and couldn’t even begin to breathe.

So, this email the google alert, was to tell me about a play that they are doing based on my Uncle and his partner of 35yrs life together. Which I had heard they were talking about, but I just didn’t know if anyone was going to go through with. So the alert came, and I wonder if my sub-conscious was working to prepare me for the email that I was about to receive. The difference that my Uncle has made for the GLBT community in his community was over the top. He was a dancer, teacher, director, and friend to many. He will always be missed. Its kind of ironic how I just submitted one of my blogs to be sent through to blogger which I wrote about him on that day, and this just so happens. Its as if he keeps telling me “The show must go on.

Planning a Party

My girlfriend and I decided to have a Anniversary Party for our 15yrs together, and I thought I would share with you the outcome of that party. Along with the letter I wrote. {***is taken away the names}

To Whom It May Concern, July 9th 2008 This letter is being written to address the complaints that I had with my experience at one of your Hotels. I had filled out the information on-line for the complaint, and in the comment section I simply put that 1025 characters that were required for the comments were not enough and that I would really appreciate a phone call or email address to address these concerns. Instead I received a letter from Customer Relations Department stating that my comments are "duly noted." Now let me ask you what comments do you have? 1025 characters were not enough to work with? So I begin my complaints now in hopes that you can get a clear understanding of what really took place.

My partner and I have been together for 15yrs and we had been talking about planning a party for our anniversary. This was the time to get everyone together, and we found a great place which would be located in the middle between the two families for driving. My partner and I went out to check the place out in February to see if this was going to be the pace where we wanted, or to keep shopping elsewhere. We set up an appointment, and we were greeted by **** who was in charge of this. We explained what we wanted. We both wanted to be outside, and that we were planning on the party on June 21st. **** explained everything to us, and showed us the patio that we could rent. Mind you that this was in February and even with the snow on the ground it was a great place to plan an outside party. We put the payment down of $465.70 and made plans to come back in May for the remainder and to see how the progress was being made on the construction that we were told was going to be done to the place.

When we arrived to Quality in May we ended up meeting with someone else as **** shift ended on the scheduled appointment time that ***** made for us. I really didn't like the fact that we ended up having to meet with someone else being that close to the party. As we met both my partner and I made things very clear that day, as the hotel was receiving a new roof and the patio area was not even touched. The carpet outside had not even been touched where we were both told that was going to be replaced. This carpet had looked like a dog that had been running all over it there were snags all over it, and there were spots of the cement (underneath) the carpet that were cracked, and broken that caused weak spots and holes. We were again assured that those would be taken care of. I understand as this woman had to jump in and fill in as our host not knowing or having much time to go over all of our needs was doing that best she could. We went over the set up for the tables and set up, and where the tent was going to be placed and wanted to make sure all the basics were taken care. Of those basics were to make sure that the hotel could provide us with water; no problem. If there was going to be anyone available for us if we were to have any concerns; "*****and I are splitting the shift". Ended up putting the remainder payment down $265.70.

June 21st arrives and we arrived at the hotel around 11:00 am as per our contract we could arrive as early as 10am. When we arrived we were told earlier in the week that we were not allowed to check into our room till 4pm as the rooms will not be available. So as we arrived to the patio the first thing that we noticed is that the old carpet is still there. We started unloading vehicles to start setting up and one of the tables starts to unfold right on me as placing items on it. **** called maintenance and the maintenance guy explains that is the only table that we have, and there are no extras. **** then has to become a bit forceful with him to figure out a way to fix it. (I am glad we decided to bring an extra table) At one point during the set up my sister-in-law noticed a section of the ground that could of caused someone to twist their ankle on. I pointed this out to ***** and she then apologized about the carpet not being done that all they got to do was power wash it. At one point we were going to have our entrance be at the side to keep from our guest from having to twist their ankle on the piece of carpet (ground area) that was coming undone. So we started to get something set up for the side entrance which is actually worse as the carpet is bunched up and that would have been worse. So we went back to the original entrance which is right off the pool area. I then decided that before the party gets started I need to address these concerns as coming in just to set up was enough already. I asked **** if I can speak to the owner if he was still here. He was and I introduced myself and concerns that I was having at that point in time. The carpet how we were told that it was going to be replaced and now it seems to be worse from when we were just here a month ago. Showed him the holes and places where I believe I was looking out for the Hotels best interest. The tent had stains on it, and holes in it as if someone took a BB gun and shot it all up. The dance floor was still wet and I have green paint still on the bottom of my shoes The table that was being held together by a c-clamp. That although we did get our room a bit early just to drop off our stuff, check in was not until 4pm but yet check out was at 11am? After the owner (or really how do I know he was the owner?) looked over all these things and was told that it all had to do with the timing the timing just was not right. I explained to him look I have worked customer service for a total of 12years and I understand things happen. But to start off that statement with its all about the timing when I was there four months prior and made a second trip out there. At that point the 'Owner' went to talk to ****about our bill. It was determined at that point he was going to cover the cost of the keg and tips for the bartender. That was fine. I explained that I was not happy, but fine. I am getting ready for guest to show soon, and we needed to start getting ready along with getting our food and set up. So I go upstairs to take a shower and the water is up at my ankles and the water is not going down. At this point my partner is in our daughters room, which we had blocked rooms, then why was our daughter's room clear across the other side of the building? I ended up having to call the front desk. Maintenance comes and brings with him a tool to snake the bathtub. Approximately 15Min's later Maintenance has a bag full of hair from out of the tub. Maintenance even explains to me that he has told the other workers not to use some other tool that it doesn't do the job that it should and here is the proof as he showed me and kept all that bag full of hair to show the boss to prove to him the other workers were not doing their job the right way. I think I felt dirty just standing there.
As the party began to start and the bar service was opened I went to get my first beer. The keg that I didn't have to pay for is now nothing but foam. So what did I really get for that? My guest gave up drinking the beer, and then at one point the bartender started to charge some of my guest .25$ for water. The bartender was offering other guest my beer as it was nothing but foam anyway. Why should I care? I mean right I got that for free. There were regular hotel guest that were coming into our party, which we had to escort out of there. The Jacuzzi in the pool area was cold, and the water was rusted color. The hotel offers a free drink when you rent a room, and my grandmother who came to the party tried to use her coupon for an ice tea to drink as she could not drink alcohol, and the bartender told her no that was only for alcohol drinks. Which I understand this is something that the Hotel does special as I have been to many of your Hotel chains,. but knowing she is part of our party and the money we brought here, that is not the response I expected to hear. At one point my grandmother ended up giving her coupon for WATER. This experience I would hope you would read as if it were you who planned a party and how you would feel about the experience you received? There is some strong need for most of the staff employee's to have some sort of customer relations skills, which most didn't. I am not an expert, but I do know that my guest told me that the bartender was rude, and couldn't believe how that place was even opened with the water damage that they heard about, and the mildew that you could smell throughout the building. I would like to think that I would receive a response from you about this matter or the Hotel, but seeing as the first letter that I received from the Hotel was addressed to Ann Marie {The Ann Marie is how the letter was addressed, and that is NOT MY NAME}, I really wonder how organized this place is and how much Choice Hotels cares about the business. Sincerely,

I received an letter in the mail the other day from them..and it mind as well said..Too bad we got your money and there isn't a darn thing you can do about it. Now it didn't say that but you'll see why..it said " We thank you for your comments and will be forwarding them to the Hotel, as Quality Inn is a franchise and we hope that you consider this a isolated incident"

Ban on traditional marriage

For those of you who don't know..I am gay..and I don't do this normally..but the article that I just read brings me to tell you this..why..???I cannot stand what I am reading..and I cannot stand special groups..even what has become here!

California bans 'brides,' 'grooms'License rejected for couple seeking traditional marriage
{This is NOT THE WAY TO GET PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND AND ACCEPT OTHERS BY TAKING AWAY SOMETHING ELSE THAT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR CENTURIES!!! Ok, the article:}

ROSEVILLE, Calif. – "Brides" and "grooms" are no longer allowed to marry in the State of California.
That privilege is only extended to individuals who allow themselves to be called "Party A" and "Party B" on marriage licenses. {??? Party A and Party B? I sware is this what we are coming too? This makes me sick...and I just have no words to say..I am sorry..I know I can't speak for all as they are all jumping up and down and having some party about this like some new invention was discovered..just makes no sence} Pastor Doug Bird of Abundant Life Fellowship in Roseville, Calif., was alarmed to find the state now rejects the traditional terms after he officiated his first marriage ceremony last week following the California Supreme Court decision to overturn Proposition 22.
The couple had written the words "bride" and "groom" next to "Party A" and "Party B" because they wanted to be legally recognized as husband and wife. However, the Placer County marriage license was denied."I received back the license and a letter from the Placer County Clerk/Recorder stating that the license 'does not comply with California State registration laws,'" Bird said in a statement from the Pacific Justice Institute. It was an "unacceptable alteration," the County Recorder's Office claimed the State Office of Vital Records determined. "What's next?" Bird wrote in a Sept. 4 letter. "Will the State of California force [ministers] to use the terms "Party A" and "Party B" in the ceremony itself?"
In a 4-3 decision, California's high court declared that legal definitions of marriage as a union between a man and a woman were unconstitutional. Since the ruling, the generic designations have been added to legal documents.
Pacific Justice Institute President Brad Dacus said voters must change the state constitution by voting on the marriage amendment in November if they wish to preserve the traditional meaning of marriage. "Unless Proposition 8 is passed, heterosexual couples will be forced to wed out of the state if they wish to be officially identified as bride and groom or husband and wife." He said in a statement. "This is a major slap in the face for traditional marriage."

Excuse me, but I don't know how this is helping the gay rights to 'Right to Marry' I don't know if its just me, but it appears that now that will only seperate us more, and cause mor HATE. I know if I were a straight couple I would be pretty ticked off as well. Why can't the "Legal Document" be written to have the following "Bride and Groom, Man and Man, Woman and Woman?" No, instead be written to be a 'Party A or Party B" Oh, how excited I would be about that. I just want to be able to have the right to have my family taken care of if God forbid something were to happen to me, and I am sure that my partener feels the same way. There still is too many loop holes in this Proposition as if when this gets passed.

Mexican Army

So reading along at my www.worldnetdaily.com I find myself stuck at the title

Mexican army invades U.S., holds border cop at gunpoint!!!! http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=71609
Now my first thoughts to this is Why in the hell is the Mexican ARMY invading...{Which mind you is something that a lot of us have been saying for years..'The invade will come, its just a matter of when'} So I continue to read the article: **I have added to the article my two cents..***

Mexican army soldiers invaded U.S. territory and held a member of the U.S. Border Patrol at gunpoint, according to a report from the union representing the guards.
"Unfortunately, this sort of behavior by Mexican military personnel has been going on for years," a statement from Local 2544 of the National Border Patrol Council said.
"They are never held accountable, and the United States Government will undoubtedly brush this off as another case of 'Oh well, they didn't know they were in the United States,'" the group said.
The organization reported the Tucson Sector Border Patrol agent was held Sunday at gunpoint near Ajo, Ariz.
{ Did anyone catch that part..You see it..the part of "Unfortunately, this sort of 'BEHAVIOR' by the Mexican military personnel has been going on for years." Now, I could be totally on the other side of the fence so to speak, {No pun intended} but is this who we want to be doing trade with, let alone any sort of business with? }
The article continues :
"Mexican military personnel crossed over the border and pointed rifles at him," the union said. "Backup units arrived from the Ajo Border Patrol station, and the Mexican military personnel eventually returned to Mexico." WND reported an investigation by Judicial Watch that revealed dozens of armed incursions by Mexican soldiers and police into the U.S. during fiscal year 2007.
The report obtained by the Washington-based organization that investigates and prosecutes government corruption documented 29 confirmed incidents along the U.S.-Mexican border involving Mexican military and/or law enforcement personnel during that time.
{I know your reading this wondering what the heck is going on here/why in world would this be happening..this cannot be happening here..we America the strong ones don't put up with this..well I have to tell you first of all we are not as strong as we used to be, and the ole saying goes that sooner or later things come back to haunt ya..and I think there is some of that going on right now. Anyway the article goes on:}
"These documents not only show the dangerous and chaotic situation at the Mexican border, but also the complicity of some Mexican government agents in violating U.S. law," {Did you catch that one?} said Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton said at the time of the report.
"The U.S. government must begin to take these incidents more seriously, publicize them and take measures to bring the crisis at our border under control," he said.{Again, a lot of us have been saying this for years..but it will never happen because we don't WANT TO HURT THAT POLITICAL RACE COMING UP, YOU KNOW ITS ALL ABOUT THE MIGHTY DOLLAR, AND THE BUSINESS THAT IS HAPPENING, AND WHO WE DON'T WANT TO HAVE HURT FEELINGS TOWARDS..CAUSE GOD FORBID WE ACTUALLY STAND ON OUR OWN TWO FEET AND RUN OUR OWN COUNTRY}
Referring to Sunday's encounter, the Border Patrol union said it was "fortunate that this incident didn't end in a very ugly gunfight."
The situation isn't altogether new, the union said.
"A few years ago the Mexican military went a step further and put a .50 calibre rifle round through the rear window of a Border Patrol agent's patrol vehicle south of Ajo. Nothing was ever done. Nobody was ever held accountable. Particularly galling is the fact that the Mexican military often pulls these stunts in Humvees donated to them by the American taxpayers (although they were apparently on foot this time)," the union said. {I THINK I AM GOING TO BE SICK, and the reason I am about to be sick is the fact that our border agents cannot go after a drug smuggler on our American soil and those Border Agents [Ignacio] Ramos and [Jose] Compean. are the ones that are being sentence as if they did something wrong? What am I missing here? How would you like to be a Border Agent and have kids and explain to them why you are locked up..can you look your child in the eye and say 'For going after the bad guys?' meanwhile you are locked up? What is the message we are sending? How can this keep going on day after day, and no one seems to give a damn about those Border Agents..why are we even still calling them Border Agents if the Government will NOT allow them to PROTECT OUR BORDER?}
According to a report in the Washington Times, it was unclear exactly what the Mexican soldiers were doing inside the U.S., but the report said law enforcement authorities long have said Mexican soldiers have been hired to protect drug and migrant smugglers.
The National Border Patrol Council represents non supervisory personnel among the Federal agency's estimated 16,000 agents.
Ricardo Alday of the Mexican Embassy in Washington told the Times his nation and the U.S. are pursuing "an all-out struggle to deter criminal organizations from operating on both sides of our common border.'
"Law enforcement operations have led, from time to time, to innocent incursions by both U.S. and Mexican law enforcement personnel and military units into the territory of both nations, and in particular along non-demarcated areas of our border," he told the newspaper.
But local law enforcement authorities are worried. Sheriff Sigifredo Gonzalez Jr. of Zapata County, Texas, founded a coalition of sheriffs demanding the U.S. and Mexican governments investigate incursions.
He said the problem needs to be solved before "someone gets killed."
On the Post's forum page, a participant said, "I'm surprised the Bush administration doesn't arrest and convict the border agents involved like they did agents [Ignacio] Ramos and [Jose] Compean. Don't worry, soon we won't have borders anyway. We'll be the North American Union, and will be nothing more than a third world oligarchy just like good 'ol Mexico." {This again is what a lot of Americans blog about, write to our government about, and complain about..we are trying to get that voice out there all the time to prevent that from happening, as we see it..that is what we are afraid of everyday}
Added another, "My brother-in-law, a very wise man, suggested years ago that we build a half-mile wide trench the length of the Mexican border with guard towers every 100 yards, fill it with all the chemical and nuclear waste we have, and then shoot anything that glows in the dark. He was right."
The Judicial Watch report for 2007 had cited earlier incidents such as one at the Fort Hancock Station in El Paso:
"[Troopers] attempted to apprehend three vehicles believed to be smuggling contraband on I-10 … As the vehicles approached the border, [troopers] stated that a Mexican Military Humvee armed with a .50 caliber weapon and several soldiers were seen assisting smugglers return to Mexico … Officers then noticed several armed subjects dressed in fatigue type clothing unload the contraband into the Humvee. These subjects set fire to the stalled vehicle before leaving the area."

I don't know if I am pissed off more or just plain disgusted in how our government is handling this? I would like to have answers!!!!

Where did my pay go?

Do you spend your 40+hrs a week working?
Do you then bring home your pay and wonder where did it all go?

I do!! I am beyond the point of even worrying anymore. Both of us are working our butts off and we pay for the gas in our ONE vehicle. There is no way we could even get another vehicle with the price of gas, insurance, registration ect. So we play the taxi service. What more can people do? The really bad part is that, I really have a good job..the pay is decent. How can that be?

Let me break it down for you TAXES!!!! I don't know how anyone can survive with the taxes that we are getting taxed on right now. I don't know if its just me, but it appears to be driving further and further up. Everything is going up..food, gas, tax, interest rates, taxes..but our pay stays at the same level that its been for the last few years.

There are so many things that are driving people to desperate measures..I just wondered how is everyone making through these times..and wondering how much longer you think we have?

Our lost America

There seems to be this over coming news lately of either more and more jobs being lost, economy at its lowest since the depression {which I keep hearing after the stock market closes, or yet another record loss of profits for one of the auto manufactures} The thing is, that we keep paying more and more for our survival. Its like a struggle every day and I know we are not alone here.
The election is coming upon us and I have to say that I think its actually time to have everyone unite and think about our other options. I know, some of you are saying "we don't have any other options, we only have the two people that are running" That is only if you really feel you want to vote for either of the two. What if you don't like either of the two options, then who do you vote for? Would you know something about the other person? Would you write someone in? Will you just not vote? I don't expect anyone to answer me, but to just think back in our History of America and How we got things changed in this great country. We did that with a voice, and a voice to be heard. Right now seems to make the biggest difference ever. I sit here as the days get closer to election and think of our future and the future of our kids and what type of life they will have if we are struggling so much now. Our America seems to be lost and fed by over power and greed, and just wondering if any of you really gave it any thought.

"Determine never to be idle..It is wonderful how much may be done if we are always doing" ~Thomas Jefferson

The Show Must Go On

I can remember the call I received, it was later in the morning. My sister had been trying to get ahold of me for awhile. When she did she was filled with so much emotion, she could barley speak. The news of our Uncle who was in UofM Hospital and with very little time left to what life his body had left to hold onto.

My partner and I had rushed to the Hospital as quickly as we could with our daughter. I got to see Jim, but as sadly as I am to say, it may have been too late. I said my words, to my Uncle. I couldn't believe that this was happening. My Uncle shared his life with many in the community in the City of Ann Arbor, and I understood that since I was little. I was glad to see him, when I could. He was always there when their was important event in us kids life.

I have little words left to say that would go the depth of my Uncle. To shed some light onto who my Uncle was, and the difference he has made...google Jim Posante. I just hope those life's that Jim has touched through the many years of teaching, and directing that those people take this opportunity to pay it forward and treats the next generation as Jim treated everyone.

Every show is still going on, actors are still casting for that one roll to make the difference, and people are lining up to see the show that everyone is talking about. Which is great, as if

everything came to a stop I would think we were the ones that passed along.

http://blog.mlive.com/encorea2/2008/01/friends_mourn_jim_posante_pill.html