Stepping onto my soap box for a minute

Warning, this is very long!


Tonight, trying to be a good American I chose to watch President Obama’s address about the war in Iraq. I’ll be honest and say that I can’t stand to listen to that man speak. But to be a well informed citizen I had to suck it up and listen. Anyone that knows me knows where I stand when it comes to politics. There is no questioning that I am a conservative voter. I like to defend my side and tell people why I feel the way I do. I did not like the majority of what the president said tonight, and feel that he turned his speech into a speech to rally supporters for his cause. He spoke of creating jobs, sustaining and strengthening our leadership, ending our dependency on foreign oil, and strengthening our middle class. To quote the president, “Now, it is our responsibility to honor them by coming together, all of us, and working to secure the dream that so many generations have fought for- the dream that a better life awaits anyone who is willing to work for it and reach for it.” Really, did he say “work for it”? I thought everyone was entitled to a better life. I thought that we all deserved a better life, now you tell me we have to “work for it.”

It baffles me that anyone can still believe the filth that spews from Obama’s mouth. He said before he was elected president that the surge of troops to Iraq was a mistake. Now he, as president, is sending a surge of troops to Afghanistan. So my question is how is the surge that Bush requested different from the surge that has now been requested? There must be a reason he now believes in a surge, but in January 2007 did not agree with one. It’s funny, but sad at the same time to listen to the remarks Obama made regarding the war, before he was president. How can people still believe this man? How can anyone still have faith that he is doing anything good for our country?

I do not agree at all with putting a specific withdrawal date for a war. There has been a date of withdrawal from Afghanistan of July 2011. To quote the Commandant of the Marine Corps, “In some ways, we think right now it is probably giving our enemy sustenance,” regarding the July 2011 deadline. I believe the same to be true regarding Iraq. The Taliban have been sitting back waiting for our withdrawal date from Iraq and now that most of our troops are out of there the attacks will begin again. Is it smart to put a deadline on a war? No, it specifically tells the enemy that if you sit back and wait till said date, you can start attacking again.

“As long as I am president, we will maintain the finest fighting force that the world has ever known, and do whatever it takes to serve our veteran as well as they have served us.” My question to the president is how are we supposed to maintain the “finest fighting force” when you have cut the funding for the military? How are we supposed to be able to “serve our veterans” when there isn’t enough funding to give them the help and care that they need? It is a shame to know that so many men and women put their lives on the line daily for pennies on the dollar. They deserve much more than they get paid, but the president doesn’t think so.

I don’t believe the president when he says that he is “proud of their service”, and “awed by their sacrifice and by the sacrifices of their families.” I don’t think that the president is proud of our men and women in uniform. If he was proud of them, then he would be more willing to give them the funding that they need. If he were proud of them he would when asked for more troops willingly call up more troops to the areas that need them. It’s clear that he doesn’t support our troops, or want what is best for them. He only says that he cares because he knows that we as Americans want to hear that.

To quote the bible, Ecclesiastes 10:2 (Amplified Bible) A wise man’s heart turns him toward his right hand, but a fool’s heart toward his left.

You can say I’m wrong, and try to tell me how great Obama is. That is fine, I will listen. But I will be ready to defend my point and will be able to do it without using talking points. Will you be able to do the same? Can you tell me why you chose to be a democrat?

Just to be clear, I don’t hate on anyone who is “on the other side” and doesn’t agree with me. I like to hear people’s opinion and be able to also give mine at the same time. I like having adult conversations and letting each person get their point across. I find that some people have trouble allowing someone with a differing opinion speak it.

Well I guess I should step off my soap box for the night ;)

Don't take life for granted

Thursday evening when I was about to go to bed my cell phone started ringing. I didn't recognize the number, but answered it anyways. It was a friend calling to let me know that another friend's father had been killed in a motorcycle accident the evening before. In an instant I was shocked and so very sad for my friend. I cannot begin to imagine the pain she is feeling right now. She had posted on facebook Wednesday how she was shopping with her daughter getting ready for her to start kindergarden the next day. She was at a very happy place in life. And all in an instant that happiness was ripped away. Her father was everything to her. She loved him so very much. To say she was a daddy's girl would be an understatement. I have not spoken to her yet, but have left her a voice mail and also sent her a text to let her know I was praying for her and her family. Please pray for Kerrie and her family.




It really got me thinking about how so many people, me included, don't tell our loved ones just how much they mean to us often enough. I always make it a point to say "I love you" when getting off the phone with my parents, grandparents, nieces, and Joshua. But do I show that love all the time? I'm not really sure I do. We all are probably guilty of taking life for granted at times. But we shouldn't do it. We aren't guaranteed tomorrow. There might not be another time to tell that person how much they mean to you, or give them another hug.



This year I have had two of my Great Aunts pass away. In February Joshua and I, along with my parents went to KY to celebrate one of my great aunt's birthdays. While we were there we went to the nursing home to visit my great aunt Doris, she was 94. That was the last time I saw her, she passed away on June 26th. I will forever cherish the fact that I got to spend time with her, and have good memories with her. On July 27th my great aunt Lou Ellen who was 89 passed away. I hadn't seen her since last fall at a family get together, during the horrible rain we experienced. I am so happy that Joshua and I drove out to Lagrange to eat lunch with my family that day. I would regret it today if we hadn't gone.



Don't take life for granted....live every day like it's your last. Give an extra hug and kiss to your loved ones, take time to make a phone call or drive out of the way to visit family and friends. Don't make excuses and put it off, you might not get another chance.

Catch Up

Since I follow so many people's blogs, I figured it was time to really get one going.  I can't think of a better way for people to keep up with what's happening in our lives.  I guess I will play "catch up" in this post. 

Joshua and I met on December 23, 2007. I had been eyeing him while volunteering at Toys for Tots.  It was the last night of the campaign and there was a bit of a celebration after the last toys were handed out.  I decided I needed to muster up the courage and talk to Joshua.  I sure am glad I did.  We have now been together for two years and are getting married December 5th. 

                                                           Joshua and Addison (Disney 2009)

                                                         

                                                  Joshua and I Marine Corps Ball 2008

                                            Joshua carving pumpkins with Kenzie and Kaeleigh 2009

The next few shots are some of the pictures my sister in law Ashley took for us.  She does an excellent job with photography. http://www.ashleybrawner.com/

<>

August 9th Joshua starts his first job, and will be in training for 4-8 months in Birmingham Alabama.  Once he has completed training we will be moving to a new city.  Not sure what city yet....that will be determined during his training.  I am excited to be moving, but don't like not knowing where to.  Hopefully we will find out early on in the training.  The available cities at this point are: Richmond, Little Rock, Detroit, Cinncinnati, Los Angeles and San Francisco.  We are pulling for Richmond, it's not too far from GA and it looks like a nice city. Once we know what city, and when we will be moving, I will start looking for a job.

I have more pictures to share, but the computer is being too slow tonight.