Terrorist Attack - 11/5/09

Yesterday, at the biggest military base in the United States (Fort Hood,TX) the massacre shooting by Major Nidal Malik Hasan that killed 13 people and left 31 others with serious injuries was a shock to the whole country. Today, flags were at half mast and many people were left to wonder what had happened.

A little history on Mr. Hasan. This was found HERE:
The 39-year-old Army psychiatrist emerged as a study in contradictions: a polite man who stewed with discontent, a counselor who needed to be counseled himself, a professional healer now suspected of cutting down the fellow soldiers he was sworn to help.

Relatives said he felt harassed because of his Muslim faith but did not embrace extremism. Others were not so sure. A recent classmate said Hasan once gave a jarring presentation to students in which he argued the war on terrorism was a war against Islam, and "made himself a lightning rod for things" when he felt his religious beliefs were challenged.

A few special notes:
#1. Soldiers reported that the gunman shouted "Allahu Akbar!" — an Arabic phrase for "God is great!" This is the same phrase shouted by terrorists. This was a terrorist attack on the U.S.

#2. Mr Obama said: “We don’t know all the answers yet, and I would caution against jumping to conclusions until we have all the facts.” I know enough facts to know that this dude was a terrorist, it doesn't take brain surgery to figure that one out. Sorry Mr. Obama.

Don't you love feeling safe in your own country?
Just my $0.02 on that one.

~Bethany~

The Ego Has Landed

Despite the Presidents efforts to bring the Olympics to Chicago for the 2016 games, they will be hosted in Rio (Brazil).

(from the news)

"CHICAGO STUNNED

Chicago went out after polling just 18 votes in the first round, despite the eloquent speeches on their behalf made by Obama, the first sitting U.S. president to address an IOC session, and first lady Michelle Obama. "

Doesn't surprise me, after the way Obama has verbally "attacked" our nation. Why would anyone want to come here for the Olympic Games?

~Bethany~

9/11/01-0/11/09

It's been 8 years since that fateful day yet it seems like just yesterday. Have you forgotten?

Dinner With the President, A Parable.....

Once upon a time, I was invited to the White House for a private dinner with the President. I am a respected businessman, with a factory that produces memory chips for computers and portable electronics. There was some talk that my industry was being scrutinized by the administration, but I paid it no mind. I live in a free country. There's nothing that the government can do to me if I've broken no laws. My wealth was earned honestly, and an invitation to dinner with an American President is an honor.
I checked my coat, was greeted by the Chief of Staff, and joined the President in a yellow dining room We sat across from each other at a table draped in white linen. The Great Seal was embossed on the china. Uniformed staff served our dinner.The meal was served, and I was startled when my waiter suddenly reached out, plucked a dinner roll off my plate, and began nibbling it as he walked back to the kitchen."Sorry about that," said the President. "Andrew is very hungry.""I don't appreciate..." I began, but as I looked into the calm brown eyes across from me, I felt immediately guilty and petty. It was just a dinner roll. "Of course," I concluded, and reached for my glass. Before I could, however, another waiter reached forward, took the glass away and swallowed the wine in a single gulp."And his brother Eric is very thirsty." said the President.I didn't say anything. The President is testing my compassion, I thought. I will play along. I don't want to seem unkind. My plate was whisked away before I had tasted a bite."Eric's children are also quite hungry."With a lurch, I crashed to the floor. My chair had been pulled out from under me. I stood, brushing myself off angrily, and watched as it was carried from the room."And their grandmother can't stand for long."I excused myself, smiling outwardly, but inside feeling like a fool. Obviously I had been invited to the White House to be sport for some game. I reached for my coat, to find that it had been taken. I turned back to the President."Their grandfather doesn't like the cold."I wanted to shout, 'That was my coat! " But again, I looked at the placid smiling face of my host and decided I was being a poor sport. I spread my hands helplessly and chuckled. Then I felt my hip pocket and realized my wallet was gone. I excused myself and walked to a phone on an elegant side table. I learned shortly that my credit cards had been maxed out, my bank accounts emptied, my retirement and equity portfolios had vanished, and my wife had been thrown out of our home.Apparently, the waiters and their families were moving in. The President hadn't moved or spoken as I learned all this, but finally I lowered the phone into its cradle and turned to face him."Andrew's whole family has made bad financial decisions. They haven't planned for retirement, and they need a house. They recently defaulted on a sub-prime mortgage. I told them they could have your home.. They need it more than you do.
"My hands were shaking. I felt faint. I stumbled back to the table and knelt on the floor. The President cheerfully cut his meat, ate his steak and drank his wine. I lowered my eyes and stared at the small grey circles on the tablecloth that were water drops."By the way," He added, "I have just signed an Executive Order nationalizing your factories. I'm firing you as head of your business, I'll be operating the firm now for the benefit of all mankind. There's a whole bunch of Eric's and Andrews out there and they can't come to you for jobs groveling like beggars."I looked up. The President dropped his spoon into the empty ramekin which had been his Crème Brulee. He drained the last drops of his wine. As the table was cleared, he lit a cigarette and leaned back in his chair. He stared at me as I clung to the edge of the table as if it were a ledge and I were a man hanging over an abyss.I thought of the years behind me, of the life I had lived. The life I had earned with a lifetime of work, risk and struggle. Why was I punished? How had I allowed it to be taken? What game had I played and lost? I looked across the table and noticed with some surprise that there was no game board between us.What had I done wrong?As if answering the unspoken thought, the President suddenly cocked his head, locked his empty eyes to mine, and bared a million teeth, chuckling wryly as he folded his hands."You should have stopped me at the dinner roll," he said.

Author is Currently Unknown

Song list!

Just as a note,I have put up a song list! Check it out!
~Bethany~

Ragged Old Flag

FDR D-Day Speech June 6, 1944

Great clip everyone! Gotta watch this!

Memorial Day

Freedom is Not Free

I watched the flag pass by one day.
It fluttered in the breeze.
A young Marine saluted it,
and then he stood at ease.
I looked at him in uniform
So young, so tall, so proud,
He'd stand out in any crowd.
I thought how many men like him
Had fallen through the years.
How many died on foreign soil?
How many mothers' tears?
How many pilots' planes shot down?
How many died at sea?
How many foxholes were soldiers' graves?
No, freedom isn't free.

I heard the sound of TAPS one night,
When everything was still
I listened to the bugler play
And felt a sudden chill.
I wondered just how many times
That TAPS had meant "Amen,"
When a flag had draped a coffin
Of a brother or a friend.
I thought of all the children,
Of the mothers and the wives,
Of fathers, sons and husbands
With interrupted lives.
I thought about a graveyard
At the bottom of the sea
Of unmarked graves in Arlington.
No, freedom isn't free.
~Kelly Strong

Memorial Day is the day we honor those who have fought and are fighting for our country. It is a day to rejoice in the knowledge of our freedom. It is a day that many morn the loss of sons or daughters, brothers or sisters, mothers or fathers. It is Memorial Day.

In the American Revolution, 4,435 men died fighting for our right to freedom.
In the War of 1812, 2,260 died fighting for our right to keep our freedom.
In the Mexican-American War, 13,283 men died fighting to show which country was #1.
In the Civil War, 364,511 men died fighting to instill their rights in the country.
In the Spanish-American War, 2,446 men died fighting again to show which country was #1.
In the World War 1, 116,316 men died fighting to keep their country from being invaded.
In the World War 2, 405,399 men died fighting to keep their country and families safe.
In the Korean War, 36,995 men died fighting to help Korea keep their country free.
In the Vietnam War, 58,151 men died fighting to help South Vietnam keep their country free.
In the Operation Desert Storm, 382 men and women died fighting to keep Kuwait free.
In the Operation Enduring Freedom, 420 men and women died fighting to show that America is not a country to be messing around with.
In the Iraqi Freedom, 3,688 men and women have died fighting to help Iraq free their country.

In total, 1,008,286 men and women have died to keep freedom alive. They have not died in vain, but for a purpose. They died for the purpose of freedom. The freedom that you use everyday. The freedom that we take so for granted. At least 45 MILLION men and women have served during these wars. Many more have served during the peaceful times to keep the peace. Will you not take a few moments of your time today to stop and thank anyone who has served or is serving in the United States Military whether they be in the Navy, Air Force, Army or Marines. These men and women are our modern day heroes.


THANK YOU TO ALL THOSE SERVING OUR COUNTRY!

~Bethany~

Obama at Notre Dame

Notre Dame.....a Catholic university invited President Obama to their commencement speech yesterday. As it is well known, the Catholics are firmly against abortion and Obama is firmly for it. Many protesters gathered at the scene protesting against abortion towards both the university and Obama. There were more than 300 protesters, including Norma McCorvey, the plaintiff identified as "Roe" in the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion. She is now against abortion and was there to help in the protest. There were 27 people who were arrested and are probably spending the only type of night you can enjoy in jail. :)

My favorite part.....when a protester yelled out during the speech "stop killing our children" many of the students began chanting "yes we can, yes we can". In answer to that, Obama said "Americans must be able to deal with things that make them "uncomfortable."" Uncomfortable? Ummmm, yea being dead would maybe be uncomfortable(for the babies). Or killing children. Or having to deal emotionally with the after effects of an abortion. Uncompfortable is not the word to use. Maybe angry, confused, upset, and wondering where the world this guy got his odd thoughts.

Good grief. Uncomfortable? Is that all he thinks abortion is?

~Bethany~

Be Positive!

HOW TO START EACH DAY WITH A POSITIVE OUTLOOK

1. Open a new file in your computer.
2. Name it 'Barack Obama'.
3. Send it to the Recycle Bin.
4. Empty the Recycle Bin.
5. Your PC will ask you: 'Do you really want to get rid of 'Barack Obama?'
6. Firmly Click 'Yes..'
7. Feel better?

GOOD - Tomorrow we'll do Nancy Pelosi!

Ortega On America

Just the other day President Obama sat through a speech that socialist Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega gave which lashed out at the United States of America which he called terroristic U.S. agression in Central America.

Obama sat through the speech seemingly unmoved. At the end of the speech when he was asked what he thought about it, all he said was "It was 50 minutes long. That's what I thought."

That's all Mr. President? THAT'S ALL YOU HAVE TO SAY? Where is your love for your country? Where is your patriotism? I am not even the president but I would have at least stood up for my country! I think, our President HAS forgotten.

~Bethany~

Our Flag

This a poem I wrote while sitting in a holding room before giving my FFA speech.

Our Flag

High in the sky,
Brave and free!
Our flag is flying,
O'er our Country.

Fought for,
Fought over!
She never fails,
NEVER!


She'll e'er be over us,
E're be watching us.
Bringing us through,
Each and every fight.

Fought for,
Fought over!
She never fails,
NEVER!

Obama bows to King Obdullah

Liberty

Liberty is an amazing, wonderful opportunity given to us by our founding fathers and by those fighting to keep it free. However, do those that have this liberty understand how valuable this is? How hard are they going to fight to keep it? Or are they going to give it away?
"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little
temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."
- Ben Franklin, ~1784

Years ago in Napoleon’s day they sacrificed freedom that was easily within their reach. Napoleon had demolished the rulers in their country but in a way placed himself as ruler. The people, tired of war, were willing to do anything to keep the peace. They followed him and did whatever he asked. If they had been willing to fight for their liberty and not just be happy with what they had they could have become a very strong country.
Only seven and a half years ago the United States of America was jerked awake by cruel attacks on our country. Many people wanted to (and still want to) negotiate with these countries that have put us through theses terrorist attacks. Thankfully our President had the presence of mind and the guts to send us to war to fight for our Liberty. If we negotiate we will be giving away our liberty, the liberty we have worked and fought so hard for.
A question asked is “what do you believe is worse – a domineering government or the attitudes of the people who will allow themselves to be dominated?”. A domineering government is annoying but we have lived through it before and can fight through it again. However, when we have people who are willing to be dominated, the liberty that has been fought for will fall quickly.
Those that give away their liberty by allowing themselves to be dominated by their government have no reason or right to have liberty. They have thrown the crown of liberty, which was won by the blood of our forefathers, on the ground and let it rust away. Liberty is a gift! Don’t let go of it! I side with Patrick Henry who says, “I know not what others may choose but, as for me, give me liberty or give me death.” I also appreciate what John Quincy Adams said, “Be not intimidated... nor suffer yourselves to be wheedled out of your liberties by any pretense of politeness, delicacy, or decency. These, as they are often used, are but three different names for hypocrisy, chicanery and cowardice.”.
I now present you with the question. What do you believe is worse – a domineering government or the attitudes of the people who will allow themselves to be dominated? Which do you want? Do you want your liberty or do you want to give it up for possible safety? Which do you choose?

How Do We Keep America Strong?

Much has been made of the recent "bailouts" and loan guarantees offered to private banks and corporations in the United States. It brings up the question of what the proper role of government should be and what would be best for all of us in the long run.

Individual (and Corporate) Responsibility vs. Government Assistance
Among the concepts that have made America a great and strong nation is one of personal responsibility. We are not a nation of wimps. We were founded on the principles of self-reliance and responsibility for our actions. If we were successful in our endeavors, we reaped the rewards; if we failed, we took our "lumps", retrenched and tried again.

Written by Jack Hoogendyk
(used with permission)

Dare to do right!

DARE TO DO RIGHT

Dare to do right! Dare to be true!
You have a work that no other can do;
Do it so bravely, so kindly, so well,
Angels will hasten the story to tell.

Dare to do right! Dare to be true!
Other men's failures can never save you.
Stand by your conscience, your honor, your faith;
Stand like a hero and battle till death.

Can we dare to right? Can we stand up against the wrong? Our wonderful Country is in need of people to stand up against all of the sin and wickedness, as well as against the bad politicians(or I suppose they are good politicians, but bad people). Let's stand up for the right, together!
~Bethany~

How I named this blog

Our homeschool group had a movie making class and one of the students made a movie that had a picture slide with the song Have You Forgotten playing. I know most of our country has not really forgotten that day, but yet they do not seem to remember that so many people were killed on that day, September 11, 2001. They do not seem to remember how many were killed in the World Wars, the Civil War or the Revolutionary War. They do not remember the American people who were killed fighting for other countries such as Vietnam and now Iraq. Has American forgotten? I thought I would post the words of the song here on my new blog so that you may see them and not forget what our country has gone through for our freedom.

Have You Forgotten
(Darryl Worley/Wynn Varble)

I hear people saying we don't need this war
I say there's some things worth fighting for
What about our freedom and this piece of ground
We didn't get to keep 'em by backing down
They say we don't realize the mess we're getting in
Before you start your preaching let me ask you this my friend

Have you forgotten how it felt that day?
To see your homeland under fire
And her people blown away
Have you forgotten when those towers fell?
We had neighbors still inside going thru a living hell
And you say we shouldn't worry 'bout bin Laden
Have you forgotten?

They took all the footage off my T.V.
Said it's too disturbing for you and me
It'll just breed anger that's what the experts say
If it was up to me I'd show it everyday
Some say this country's just out looking for a fight
After 9/11 man I'd have to say that's right

Have you forgotten how it felt that day?
To see your homeland under fire
And her people blown away
Have you forgotten when those towers fell?
We had neighbors still inside going thru a living hell
And you say we shouldn't worry 'bout bin Laden
Have you forgotten?

I've been there with the soldiers
Who've gone away to war
And you can bet that they remember
Just what they're fighting for

Have you forgotten how it felt that day?
To see your homeland under fire
And her people blown away
Have you forgotten when those towers fell?
We had neighbors still inside going thru a living hell
And you say we shouldn't worry 'bout bin Laden
Have you forgotten?

Have you forgotten all the people killed?
Some went down like heros in that Pennsylvania field
Have you forgotten about our Pentagon?
All the loved ones that we lost and those left to carry on
Don't you tell me not to worry about bin Laden
Have you forgotten?

Have you forgotten?
Have you forgotten?