I have the best kids in the world. Within about 30 minutes of getting up this yesterday morning a guy came to the door with a nice vase full of yellow tulips. I love tulips. I knew they weren’t from my husband, because I know my husband! Low and behold, they were from my dear Soldier Son and his new bride.

Then about 30 minutes later I got another delivery. This time it was a gorgeous azalea bush! I love azaleas! I have them all over my yard. The azalea was from my sweet darling daughter.

I hardly ever see my kids any more, but they are really the best. I love them dearly and they certainly made my Mother’s Day wonderful!

The Jenna Bush wedding is reported to have been spectacular! See photos and a video below!

Jenna Bush Wedding

According to President Bush, the wedding of his daughter Jenna Bush to Henry Hager went off without a hitch. He said it was ’spectacular’. Or in his parlance, specktakuler, which is part of the reason we love him!

Congratulations to the couple and the First Family!

Enjoy the photos and video I’ve included. They are hot off the presses

Jenna Bush Wedding - Photos

I love seafood and I love Cajun cooking so it seems like a natural that I would love Cajun seafood. It makes me think of the days when my daddy took me fishing. That’s one of my favorite memories of my father. Sometimes we fished in the creeks of North Georgia and sometimes we went out of boat to do some deep sea fishing. Whatever the case and where ever we went, it was a good time spent with my father.

I was his ‘baby girl’ so he pampered me a bit. He would bait the hook for me and take the fish off because I would squeal and just hated the feel of the bait and fish. He thought that was cute, I think. My brother, on the other hand, had to bait his own hooks and take his own fish off the hook. I guess he was old fashioned like that, but neither one of us minded. Plus, my brother really didn’t seem to mind touching the worms or whatever else we were using for bait.

I ALSO love the fact that you can buy all sorts of things online. I’ve gotten to where I do most of my shopping online. So imagine how happy I was to find an Authentic Louisiana Seafood shop online. They will deliver your food fresh to you where ever you might live in the United States. That’s so cool.

I’m drooling over the Cajun crawfish they have over there. It looks fabulous. I might have to give it a try. Why don’t you go check out their website and see if they have your favorite. I’m betting they do!

The Russians came out in droves to celebrate Victory Day, the 63rd anniversary of their defeat of the Nazis in World War II. They call it the Great Patriotic War. They celebrated by watching a grand display of Russian Military might march through Red Square. Read more about it and see photos and video below.

Russian Military

The Russians are coming. The Russians are coming. Not really. At least I don’t think so for the moment. But our favorite nemesis is rattling her sabers with an impressive show of Russian military might for their Victory Day parade in Red Square. Victory Day is one of the best loved holidays in Russia. Its the day set aside to celebrate their defeat of Nazi Germany in the Great Patriotic War (World War II). That’s all well and good except for a few little things.

For instance, the new Russian President, Dmitry Medvedev, with the new Prime Minister, Vladimir Putin, by his side, used the opportunity to toss a few darts westward towards … us! He spoke of ‘irresponsible ambitions’ and defending themselves against those that ‘meddle in other states’ affairs, especially by redrawing borders.’ This just as Georgia is reasserting its independence from Russia by attempting to join NATO, asking for our assistance and coming precariously close to war with Russia. The message is dreadfully clear.

Ahhhh … but isn’t it reminiscent of the Cold War days when we knew who our enemies were and we knew what they were capable of doing. We more or less understood the Russians. They were and are more or less like us. We know they don’t have fantasies of getting virgins for dying for a cause and so would probably just asoon live. Their lives are more or less comfortable, so they aren’t hankering for a big fight. They just want to be a big fighter and they want everyone to know it. They didn’t like it a bit when the walls came down and people could see how they had decayed. That’s why Putin has been so popular. He has poured money into the military, restored national pride and given at least the appearance of strength. They want us to think they can and will, if they have to, bring us down. But we know they don’t want to fight us any more than we want to fight them.

Another good thing about having Russia be the bad guy is that we can actually call them the bad guy. I don’t know why we can do that when we dare not identify anyone of Arab descent as a terrorist or an enemy of any sort. That’s not so of the Russians. Look at all the movies in which the Russians are the bad guys! James Bond would have no one to fight if we got to be super good friends with Russia! We can use them as the bad guys in Nintendo and PlayStation games.

The world makes sense when Russia is the bad guy. No more tippy-toeing around identifying the enemy. We can just stand right up and look over there, point at the Russians and say ‘they are the bad guys and we have to keep an eye on them.’ Especially when they are marching, driving tanks through and flying over Red Square with their finely tuned, highly disciplined, spit-polished, goose stepping Russian military. HOOAH!!!

Still, the tribes seem to be gathering. From the Russian display of might in Red Square to Hugo Chavez’ power plays in Venezuela to Lil’ Kim Jong-Il’s nuclear tests in North Korea, to Ahma-dinner-jacket’s fiery, defiant, dangerous rhetoric in Iran. Its the mixing and mingling of all those that give me pause. Kim Jong-Il’s weapons are found in Iran. Iran’s military and weapons are found in Iraq. Know body knows where the suitcase nukes from Russia are and Chavez is everywhere.

Its good to know who your enemies are and what they can do …. and who they view as their friends by virtue of being the enemies of their enemy.

Russian Military - Photos

Just cause they are both losers doesn’t mean they can’t make a winning team! heh!

Clinton - Edwards 2008!

The Battle At Kruger is an internet sensation. See the video below.

If you aren’t one of the 30 million people who have viewed the Battle At Kruger video on YouTube then you can see it here. Its been on YouTube for over a year and now the two men who filmed the battle are the subject of a new documentary that will be premiering Sunday, May 11th on the National Geographic Channel.

The video was shot at Transport Dam in South Africa’s Kruger National Park. It was filmed in 2004 by videographer David “Buzz” Budzinski and photographer Jason Schlosberg who watched as a pack of lions gathered on one side of the watering hole and a herd of buffalo were grazing on the other side. The video shows the outcome of the battle over a baby buffalo is captured and fought over by lions and crocodiles. The buffalo eventually fight off the predators and rescue the baby buffalo.

Its a rare opportunity for us to experience nature vicariously through the lens of YouTube!

Enjoy

The Navy has released to the public the military records of John McCain. See photos and a video of McCain as well as read more about his military records below.

John McCain

The way a man conducts himself in times of trial are a measure of the man. The military records of John McCain were released to the public yesterday and reveal a great deal of the character of the man who will be our next President.

The AP is reporting.

McCain, now the Republican Party’s likely presidential nominee, was taken prisoner in October 1967 after he was shot down while on a mission over Hanoi. He wasn’t freed until March 1973, after the United States signed peace agreements with the North Vietnamese. His captors tortured him and held him in solitary confinement. Still, he declined an offer of early release until those who had been at the prison longer than him were let go.

That decision earned McCain a Navy Commendation Medal. Although McCain was ‘crippled from serious and ill-treated injuries,’ he steadfastly refused offers of freedom from those holding him prisoner. ‘His selfless action served as an example to others and his forthright refusal, by giving emphasis to the insidious nature of such releases, may have prevented a possibly chaotic deterioration in prisoner discipline,’ the citation says.

The Vietcong called John McCain ‘The Prince’ because his father was the Commander of the Navy at the time. They felt they had a real bargaining chip when they captured McCain. They offered him an early release in order to use his release to demoralize the other prisoners and to use it for propaganda. McCain new what they planned to do and therefore refused their offers.

Those that think its cool to vote for someone based on race and/or gender or think they want to make a statement by voting for someone based on race and/or gender, might consider voting for someone based on character and what is best for the country. If race and/or gender don’t or shouldn’t matter, then vote for the man who is a leader, who loves the country and who has proven himself in the field of battle.

I want a President who will lead us. I want a President who I know can stand the pressure and will do what he feels is best. I truly believe that nothing scares John McCain. How could it? He has faced the devil and looked him in the eye. He has done his time in hell. What could possibly scare him now? He is a man of character and a man who loves our country. THAT matters more … so much more … than whether he is male or female or what ethnic group he belongs to.

John McCain - Photos

When my kids were little we had chores they had to do. I’m a believer in kids learning responsibility and participating in the work as well as the fun. I used to try to make chore charts to keep track of who was doing what. The problem was that I never kept the charts up and usually didn’t even get them made up to begin with.

I have found a place online that has some great chore charts that are easy to make out, downloadable and free! The designs and graphics are all there and with just a few clicks of your mouse you can have a chore chart ready to go for the week. ChoreCharts.com is adding many more designs and features to their website so that it is becoming even more functional and fun than it is already.

I have heard people who have been concerned that using a chore chart was just a way of rewarding kids for doing chores they should do because they are a member of the family and not for reward. Its really not like that at all. The reward is the accomplishment. The charts take the parent out of the role of nagging the children to do their chores. The child can look at the chart and know what they are supposed to be doing and see whether or not there is a star next to the chore. They actually learn to be more independent because it becomes their responsibility to check the chart and make sure they have done their chores.

Eventually you won’t need the charts anymore because the goal is for your children to become independent enough to do their chores without reminders. Once they have learned, then you can use the chore charts for all sorts of other things … like maybe your grocery list! The website makes it fun to create the charts!

So why not take it easy on yourself and quit nagging your kids. Set up a chore chart at ChoreCharts.com. Its great and it works!

Abdulkarim al-Khaiwani is a Yemeni Journalist who is facing a death sentence for his love of democracy while the bombers of the USS Cole go free. Viva la Yeman! Read more and see photos below.

Abdulkarim al-Khaiwani

Abdulkarim al-Khaiwani is a respected Yemeni Journalist who has been tried and is awaiting sentencing in Yeman. He was charged and found guilty of insulting the president and demoralizing the military. He is facing a probable death sentence.

Armies of Liberation has the details.

Al-Khaiwani was badly beaten during his arrest in June 2007. His daughter, six year old Ebba, was slapped by police so hard that she fell unconscious. After Al-Khaiwani’s arrest and release on bail, he was kidnapped and badly beaten again. The US State Department issued a statement from DC noting his abduction pointed to, disturbing trend of intimidation and harassment of Yemen’s journalist community.

Al-Khaiwani was charged on July 4 with aiding the rebel movement by publishing war news. As you may know, the war in Sa’ada has been called a state sponsored genocide with strong parallels to the Sudan. I published photos of the damage in Sa’ada caused by indiscriminate (or deliberate) government bombing. I interviewed rebel spokesman Yahya al-Houthi, and posted it. (This website is now banned in Yemen.) By the standard of ‘demoralizing the military’, I’d also be subject to the death penalty if I was in Yemen. So would half of the bloggers here in the US.

It is embarrassing that these human rights abuses go on in the world while our little wee activists think they are being brave by stomping on flags or preaching hate to like-minded parishioners from a pulpit. It is embarrassing because the people who protest against the government of the United States would never have the courage to do anything near as brave as Abdulkarim al-Khaiwani who is protesting a government that does not allow it.

Then there is Yemeni. The thugs who bombed the USS Cole during the Clinton administration (pre-9/11) have been released from prison. Yet, they may very well put al-Khaiwani to death for insulting their president.

You can help. Pressure from on-line journalists can help. Armies of Liberation has the links to a petition that you can sign right now to help save al-Khaiwani’s life. I hope you’ll take a moment. It means a life. It is something you can do to actually help save a life and further the cause of democracy in a region that is torn apart with theocracies of the worst sort.

Nicki at The Birthplace of the Process of Illogical Logic is keeping track of the posts on the subject. Let her know if you write about this so you can be included. The more that is written, the more difficult it is for the Yemeni government to put Abdulkarim al-Khaiwani to death.

Sign the petition.

Abdulkarim al-Khaiwani - Photos

John McCain

John McCain campaigns in Winston-Salem, North Carolina on May 6th. He spoke at Wake Forest University’s Wait Chapel. He is seen here greeting Former Senator Fred Thompson (R-TN).

CSM Robert Prosser and LTC Erik Kurilla
1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment (Deuce Four)

LTC. Erik Kurilla and CSM. Robert Prosser’s story is an amazing one. One that Michael Yon has told far better than I ever could. Warning. The site contains very graphic images. Some may want to turn off images before viewing.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.

We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

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