The depth of our hypocrisy
9 years ago
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Monday, December 29, 2008
Phone Call
A lot of funny things can happen when when working with the public. For twenty years , I worked for what was then called the Veterans' Administration, most of the time in their call center. There we received calls on just about every subject imaginable, some of them having to do with V. A. benefits.
One day a co-worker of mine had a call from an elderly lady whose question regarded whether she was eligible for an increase in the benefit she was receiving.
My co-worker explained to her that the benefit she was receiving was determined by her income from sources other than the V. A. and that unless her income changed her benefit would remain the same.
She asked if there were any exceptions and my co-worker explained that there was an additional amount available for people who were seriously disabled, which meant she would have to be almost confined to her home. She told my co-worker " Well, I have a kidney disease."
My co-worker asked "Are you on a dialysis machine ?"
"No", she replied,"I'm on a regular telephone."
He could barely contain his laughter until he completed the call.
One day a co-worker of mine had a call from an elderly lady whose question regarded whether she was eligible for an increase in the benefit she was receiving.
My co-worker explained to her that the benefit she was receiving was determined by her income from sources other than the V. A. and that unless her income changed her benefit would remain the same.
She asked if there were any exceptions and my co-worker explained that there was an additional amount available for people who were seriously disabled, which meant she would have to be almost confined to her home. She told my co-worker " Well, I have a kidney disease."
My co-worker asked "Are you on a dialysis machine ?"
"No", she replied,"I'm on a regular telephone."
He could barely contain his laughter until he completed the call.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
A Good Christmas
We had a good Christmas. It was quiet and simple this year as we didn't have a lot of money to spend this year, as I'm sure is the case with a lot of people. Our youngest son and his girl friend came over for Christmas dinner and that was nice.
Our oldest son is in the Army and he and his wife and daughter are somewhere in the midst of a move form Ft Gordon, GA. to Ft. Belvoir, VA., where he will be working at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. While at FT. Gordon he completed his training and certification as an LVN.
I hope you and yours had an enjoyable Christmas.
Our oldest son is in the Army and he and his wife and daughter are somewhere in the midst of a move form Ft Gordon, GA. to Ft. Belvoir, VA., where he will be working at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. While at FT. Gordon he completed his training and certification as an LVN.
I hope you and yours had an enjoyable Christmas.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Everybody's Talking
Everybody's talking about the photo of President Elect Obama in Hawaii without a shirt on. I'm not going to link to it , if you want to see it, it's all over the internet.
My question is, "Where has the Secret Service been?"
First, the shoe thrown at President Bush, now a picture of President Elect Obama, obviously taken from afar with a telephoto lens. The shoe could have been a bomb. The camera could have been a gun. What is the Secret Service doing these days? Apparently not their jobs.
I've seen this question asked about the shoe incident, but so far everyone seems to be too busy either swooning or being outraged over a shirtless photo of Obama to ask about the Secret Service.
My question is, "Where has the Secret Service been?"
First, the shoe thrown at President Bush, now a picture of President Elect Obama, obviously taken from afar with a telephoto lens. The shoe could have been a bomb. The camera could have been a gun. What is the Secret Service doing these days? Apparently not their jobs.
I've seen this question asked about the shoe incident, but so far everyone seems to be too busy either swooning or being outraged over a shirtless photo of Obama to ask about the Secret Service.
Monday, December 22, 2008
A Quiz
I got this from Ragin' Dave
My Conservative Identity:
You are an Anti-government Gunslinger, also known as a libertarian conservative. You believe in smaller government, states’ rights, gun rights, and that, as Reagan once said, “The nine most terrifying words in the English language are, ‘I’m from the government and I’m here to help.’”
Take the quiz at www.FightLiberals.com
Friday, December 19, 2008
Another Bailout
Via Instapundit there's quite a dust-up between Iowahawk and Protein Wisdom over the impending bailout for SantaCorp to prevent bankruptcy.
Nothng New
My wife and I went to Walmart tonight to see if she could pick up a flat screen monitor for her computer. We found one she liked and went to the checkout lines to pay for it. With just one item we went to one of two lines that were supposedly for 20 items or less. There were at least two people ahead of us who had more than 20 items and most had only two or three. As if this weren't annoying enough, there were only about three or four other checkout lines open and I'm talking about a busy Super Walmart on the Friday night before Christmas.
I'm almost ready to start loudly complaining when anyone ahead of me in the "fast" lane obviously has more than 20 items. I don't think any amount of complaining will do any good about more of the other check-outs not being open. I'm just glad we're through with our Christmas shopping except for some possible last minute things that we can get almost anywhere.
I'm almost ready to start loudly complaining when anyone ahead of me in the "fast" lane obviously has more than 20 items. I don't think any amount of complaining will do any good about more of the other check-outs not being open. I'm just glad we're through with our Christmas shopping except for some possible last minute things that we can get almost anywhere.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Internet Explorer
I went to Microsoft a little earlier to try to download the patch for the security problem in Internet Explorer and because I'm running an older version of IE, they were making it really difficult to get the a patch without the new version of IE. My reaction t that was to say "To hell with it" and continue using Firefox, until they make it a little easier to get the patch, which they will do eventually. In the meantime, I'm getting to where I really like Firefox.
First Flight
On this date in 1903 Orville and Wilbur Wright made the first powered manned flight at Kitty Hawk. How far we have come in 105 years.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Thank You
I just want to say "Thank you" to my Congressman, Louie Gohmert, for voting against the automaker bailout bill in the House of Representatives last night.
Monday, December 08, 2008
The Automaker's Bailout
I'm against the automaker's bailout on principle, but I realize that we're going to be stuck with something along those lines. I agree with Francis Cianfrocca's opinion at RedState on what would be the best outcome we could hope for.
Sunday, December 07, 2008
Open Carry in Texas
Several bloggers have written about the Open Carry movement in Texas.I agree with what Lawdog said.
Saturday, December 06, 2008
Still Learning
The last couple of posts I've been learning to put videos on my blog. You Tube makes it a lot easier than I thought. So please forgive all the editing and reposting in the last couple of posts.
Thursday, December 04, 2008
More On Home Defense
Bayou Renaissance Man has an excellent post on handguns for home defense and concealed carry. I found it as useful as his posts on shotguns and ammunition and other issues for home defense . I would recommend these for either the newcomer to shooting or the longtime shooter or anyone in between.
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Butt Dust
I found this on one of my online groups and thought you might enjoy it. It may have been around for a while, but I don't remember it. Enjoy!
Butt Dust
What is Butt Dust??? What, you ask, is 'Butt dust'? Read on and you'll discover the joy in it! These have to be original and genuine. No adult is this creative!!
JACK (age 3) was watching his Mom breast-feeding his new baby sister. After a while he asked: 'Mom, why have you got two? Is one for hot and one for cold milk?'
MELANIE (age 5) asked her Granny how old she was. Granny replied she was so old she didn't remember any more. Melanie said, 'If you don't remember you must look in the back of your panties. Mine say five to six.'
STEVEN (age 3) hugged and kissed his Mom good night. 'I love you so much that when you die I'm going to bury you outside my bedroom window.'
BRITTANY (age 4) had an ear ache and wanted a pain killer. She tried in vain to take the lid off the bottle. Seeing her frustration, her Mom explained it was a child-proof cap and she'd have to open it for her. Eyes wide with wonder, the little girl asked: 'How does it know it's me?'
SUSAN (age 4) was drinking juice when she got the hiccups. 'Please don't give me this juice again,' she said, 'It makes my teeth cough.'
DJ (age 4) stepped onto the bathroom scale and asked: 'How much do I cost?'
MARC (age 4) was engrossed in a young couple that were hugging and kissing in a restaurant. Without taking his eyes off them, he asked his dad: 'Why is he whispering in her mouth?'
CLINTON (age 5) was in his bedroom looking worried when his Mom asked what was troubling him, he replied, 'I don't know what'll happen with this bed when I get married. How will my wife fit in it?'
JAMES (age 4) was listening to a Bible story. His dad read: 'The man named Lot was warned to take his wife and flee out of the city but his wife looked back and was turned to salt.' Concerned, James asked: 'What happened to the flea?'
TAMMY (age 4) was with her mother when they met an elderly, rather wrinkled woman her Mom knew. Tammy looked at her for a while and then asked, 'Why doesn't your skin fit your face?'
The Sermon I think this Mom will never forget.... this particular Sunday sermon...'Dear Lord,' the minister began, with arms extended toward heaven and a rapturous look on his upturned face. 'Without you, we are but dust...' He would have continued but at that moment my very obedient daughter who was listening leaned over to me and asked quite audibly in her shrill little four year old girl voice, 'Mom, what is butt dust?'
Butt Dust
What is Butt Dust??? What, you ask, is 'Butt dust'? Read on and you'll discover the joy in it! These have to be original and genuine. No adult is this creative!!
JACK (age 3) was watching his Mom breast-feeding his new baby sister. After a while he asked: 'Mom, why have you got two? Is one for hot and one for cold milk?'
MELANIE (age 5) asked her Granny how old she was. Granny replied she was so old she didn't remember any more. Melanie said, 'If you don't remember you must look in the back of your panties. Mine say five to six.'
STEVEN (age 3) hugged and kissed his Mom good night. 'I love you so much that when you die I'm going to bury you outside my bedroom window.'
BRITTANY (age 4) had an ear ache and wanted a pain killer. She tried in vain to take the lid off the bottle. Seeing her frustration, her Mom explained it was a child-proof cap and she'd have to open it for her. Eyes wide with wonder, the little girl asked: 'How does it know it's me?'
SUSAN (age 4) was drinking juice when she got the hiccups. 'Please don't give me this juice again,' she said, 'It makes my teeth cough.'
DJ (age 4) stepped onto the bathroom scale and asked: 'How much do I cost?'
MARC (age 4) was engrossed in a young couple that were hugging and kissing in a restaurant. Without taking his eyes off them, he asked his dad: 'Why is he whispering in her mouth?'
CLINTON (age 5) was in his bedroom looking worried when his Mom asked what was troubling him, he replied, 'I don't know what'll happen with this bed when I get married. How will my wife fit in it?'
JAMES (age 4) was listening to a Bible story. His dad read: 'The man named Lot was warned to take his wife and flee out of the city but his wife looked back and was turned to salt.' Concerned, James asked: 'What happened to the flea?'
TAMMY (age 4) was with her mother when they met an elderly, rather wrinkled woman her Mom knew. Tammy looked at her for a while and then asked, 'Why doesn't your skin fit your face?'
The Sermon I think this Mom will never forget.... this particular Sunday sermon...'Dear Lord,' the minister began, with arms extended toward heaven and a rapturous look on his upturned face. 'Without you, we are but dust...' He would have continued but at that moment my very obedient daughter who was listening leaned over to me and asked quite audibly in her shrill little four year old girl voice, 'Mom, what is butt dust?'
Monday, December 01, 2008
It Made Me Feel Better All Day
This morning I went to renew the registration on my truck.
It was actually due in November, but they were closed
Friday, which I didn't know until I went there on Friday.
It was rather chilly with a cold wind this morning, so I was
wearing an old style Air Force flight jacket and and ball
cap with "USAF" on front. Anyway I got there about ten
minutes after they opened and there was just one person
ahead of me in line. When my turn came, I walked up to
the window and as I did, I was looking down at the documents
I was carrying to be sure I had everything I needed. When
I got to the window and looked, up the lady at the window was
standing up and holding out her hand as if to shake my hand.
She was close to me in age and I thought "Am I supposed to
know this lady?" I had never seen her before in my life.
Then she said,"Thank you for your service."
I said "You're welcome, I appreciate your thanks" as I
have learned to do. We went ahead and completed our
business, and I again thanked her for her kind words and
wished her a good day.
I didn't mention to her that it was a long time before I
received any thanks for my service in Vietnam. I've
learned not mention it. In fact, it wasn't until about
2004 or 2005 that I started hearing "Thanks", but I hear it
more and more now and I'm grateful for that.
I'm not saying I was spat upon or cursed when I returned
from Vietnam,because I wasn't. I saw what happened to
others, though and didn't advertise the fact that I was a Vietnam
veteran until many years later. I no longer bear any grudges
or harbor any resentment over that, but many do. I've learned that
holding on to such resentment hurts me much more that
anyone I may resent.
Having said all that, let me add that I will not tolerate that
kind of treatment toward out troops today. There is not
much of that but there is some and it seems to receive
the notice that it deserves, at least in the blogosphere.
So if you see an active duty member or someone you know
is a vet, tell them "Thanks". It'll make you both feel better.
I know it made me feel better all day.
Update: Had to make a slight edit for clarity.
It was actually due in November, but they were closed
Friday, which I didn't know until I went there on Friday.
It was rather chilly with a cold wind this morning, so I was
wearing an old style Air Force flight jacket and and ball
cap with "USAF" on front. Anyway I got there about ten
minutes after they opened and there was just one person
ahead of me in line. When my turn came, I walked up to
the window and as I did, I was looking down at the documents
I was carrying to be sure I had everything I needed. When
I got to the window and looked, up the lady at the window was
standing up and holding out her hand as if to shake my hand.
She was close to me in age and I thought "Am I supposed to
know this lady?" I had never seen her before in my life.
Then she said,"Thank you for your service."
I said "You're welcome, I appreciate your thanks" as I
have learned to do. We went ahead and completed our
business, and I again thanked her for her kind words and
wished her a good day.
I didn't mention to her that it was a long time before I
received any thanks for my service in Vietnam. I've
learned not mention it. In fact, it wasn't until about
2004 or 2005 that I started hearing "Thanks", but I hear it
more and more now and I'm grateful for that.
I'm not saying I was spat upon or cursed when I returned
from Vietnam,because I wasn't. I saw what happened to
others, though and didn't advertise the fact that I was a Vietnam
veteran until many years later. I no longer bear any grudges
or harbor any resentment over that, but many do. I've learned that
holding on to such resentment hurts me much more that
anyone I may resent.
Having said all that, let me add that I will not tolerate that
kind of treatment toward out troops today. There is not
much of that but there is some and it seems to receive
the notice that it deserves, at least in the blogosphere.
So if you see an active duty member or someone you know
is a vet, tell them "Thanks". It'll make you both feel better.
I know it made me feel better all day.
Update: Had to make a slight edit for clarity.
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