DADvocate

Stopping at my favorite gas station this afternoon, I found something I never expected to see again, gas priced below $2.00. While filling my tank for less than $30, I took this picture for posterity. It's not quite the 14 cents per gallon I once paid for Amoco premium when I was a teenager but it's a lot better than $3 plus.

Of course, anyone with any sense knows the low price of gas right now is the result of a conspiracy. Two primary plots easily strike the mind. First, the American auto makers are stuck with lots of gas guzzling SUVs, etc. The oil companies, knowing this and wanting to "help" the auto companies, lower the price of gas to where buying and driving a gas hog doesn't seem too formidable.

The American auto manufactures are bailed out and buy time to build more efficient cars. A few months or a year down the road, oil companies raise prices again and make a killing selling gas to all these suckers that just bought an SUV. I'm buying oil company stock first thing Monday.

The other possibility lies in the up coming election. Common knowledge tells us that the Republican Party is the party of large corporations. Republicans suck up to corporate America at every opportunity. Republicans care about corporate American more than anything. Republicans steal from the poor and give to the rich.

In return, the oil companies are lowering prices to fool the American public into thinking things are better. The oil companies lower prices hoping to attract as many votes to Republicans as possible. Then, BAM, prices go back up and the oil companies make record profits again. Last year President Bush created Hurricanes Katrina and Rita to boost oil prices. Now, the oil companies are returning the favor.

If you believe any of this conspiracy crap, your probably a Democrat or worse.

Surveying more than 5,000 Norwegian teens, researchers found a correlation between behavioral and mental problems and excessive consumption of soft drinks.

Their study of more than 5,000 Norwegian 15- and 16-year-olds showed a clear and direct association between soft drink intake and hyperactivity, and a more complex link with other mental and behavioral disorders.

They surveyed the students, asking them how many fizzy soft drinks with sugar they had a day, and then questions from a standard questionnaire used to assess mental health.

Interestingly, teens who drank no soda had a higher rate of mental problems than moderate drinkers. But, heavy drinkers had the highest rate of problems.

Those who drank no soft drinks at all were more likely than moderate drinkers to have mental health symptoms, the researchers said. But those who drank the most -- more than six servings a week - had the highest scores.

For hyperactivity, there was a direct linear relationship -- the more sodas a teen drank, the most symptoms of hyperactivity he or she had.

The worst problems were seen in boys and girls who drank four or more soft drinks a day. Ten percent of the boys and 2 percent of the girls drank this much.

The researchers acknowledged "it was possible that other substances in the soft drinks, such as caffeine, were to blame for the symptoms, and they did not check other possible sources of refined sugar in the children's diets."

During my childhood, my mother always considered soda pop bad for children. Whatever, her true reasons were she would tell us that it would stunt our growth and we would be short, like the kids across the street. The kids across the street were short. Of course, their parents were short also. But being athletically inclined, we all drank mild, orange juice and some Kool Aid in the summer. We were allowed pop at restaurants.

This study from UNC Chapel Hill shows more of the dangers of excessive pop consumption.

• Overall calories from sweetened beverages were up 135 percent.
• Overall, Americans got 38 percent fewer daily calories from milk.
• Americans now get an average of 144 calories a day from sugar-sweetened soft drinks and only 99 calories from milk.
• For young people aged 2-18, milk fell from 13.2 percent of total calories to 8.3 percent, and soda consumption doubled.
• Older Americans also drank more sodas. Those aged 40-59 increased soft drink Intake from 2percent to 5 percent. Among people 60 or older, consumption rose from nearly 1 percent to 3 percent.

[---]

Part of the problem is that if we decrease our milk intake, our bone growth suffers. Most dairy supplies 75percent of calcium in our diet and we need that to build strong bones. Also, most teens are not getting enough milk.

I see this in my children and their friends. When my daughter started playing basketball in the third grade with her best friend, my daughter was about an inch taller than her friend. Now, two years later, my daughter stands a full head taller. Once, her friend's father told me that they didn't drink a gallon of milk in a week. We go through about 4 gallons a week at mine. I do not keep soda pop in my house but allow them to drink it when we're out, just like Mom.

I will make an unpaid, unsolicited plug for Ovaltine. My father got me started on it when I was a kid. It makes milk taste like a chocolate malt but has more nutritional value that other chocolate syrups and other powders. My kids drink their milk straight or with Ovaltine. No other flavoring will do. I once bought a box of Nestle Quick and ended up throwing it away after a couple of years.

As far as the mental problems go, I've felt that my siblings and mysfelf are all half nuts. Maybe the milk kept us from becoming completely nuts.

Traveling thru blogland today, I came across two posts that piqued my interest. The first being found at Knoxviews.
Draw Your Own Damn Conclusions contains a comparison of two maps, one of pre-Civil War free and slave states and the other of 2004 Presidential Election Results.




The blogger found the maps here at old post at Sensoryoverload. A commenter at Sensoryoverload claimed to be the originator of this map matching exercise. He states, "I was the person who created that map comparison and presented it on Nov. 6, 2004, at the Radical Philosophy Association Annual Conference in a talk entitled “American Fascism in the Equation of American Empire”"

Apparently radical philosophy includes abandoning logic. To claim that voting for Bush in 2004 is some how related to being pro-slavery during the Civil War goes beyond absurdity. Not only is no one living from that period of history, but populations have migrated in every direction, etc., etc.

If you look at this map from Outside the Beltway that a commenter at Sensoryoverload pointed out, you easily see that the division seems to be more along the lines of rural areas and smaller cities supporting Bush vs. larger metropolitan areas.



A commenter at Knoxviews states "Anyhow, the map is meant to infuriate not to be accurate." Some how he knows the motives of the poster. But, then again, I've come across several liberal bloggers who apparently have excellent mind reading skills. However, a different commenter came closer to the truth: "This is probably the dumbest thing I've ever seen posted here."

During my daily visit to GM's Corner, I found a post on Two Realities. The post urged everyone to go to read this heartfelt and terrific posting at Dr. Sanity. Being the obliging sort, I immediately clicked the link and began to read.

Dr. Sanity's post involves discussions with a friend who frequently bashes Bush and sees the world and its problems from a much different perspective than herself.

"You know, Pat, you've really changed in a profound way," he said sadly. "Ever since 9/11 there has been no reasoning with you. I just can't talk to you anymore."

For about the millionth time since that day in 2001, it struck me forcibly that one of the more subtle consequences of that terrible event was the creation of two separate realities in which people could live. On The Sanity Squad's most recent podcast, Gagdad Bob mentioned something profound about 9/11 when he suggested that the events of that day didn't just change the course of the future, they changed the perception of the past.

[---]

Fukayama argued that history is directional and has an evolutionary endpoint; and that endpoint, and the culmination of those forces driving history, inevitably lead to a capitalist, liberal democracy. But Fukayama made one simple mistake.

He did not forsee that the enemies of freedom; the enemies of individualism and capitalism--as a last-ditch, desperate measure to prevent the "endpoint" from establishing any equilibrium in the world--would resort to the complete abandonment of reason and reality altogether. And, in retrospect, it appears that from a rational and realistic perspective, there was no other course open to them if they wanted to avoid complete historical capitulation and abandon their useless and destructive ideology. In order to stay alive, the enemies of human freedom--in all their various incarnations--had to abandon reason, truth, and reality, because they understood clearly that they simply could not make their case with those particular human tools

Two realities. That is what I saw today. One in which a person reaches back 150 years to discredit the group of people voting for Bush or just to infuriate. Acting simply to infuriate is juvenile. If that was the purpose, it's only a slightly more sophisticated version of drawing ugly pictures of someone in grade school.

Two realities, one that wants to demonize Bush and blame him for every problem The other looks at the world in a more realistic way.

On Sunday The Anchoress posted a piece titled The Art of the Painless Coup - Repost. The article originally had been posted October 29, 2005. The Anchoress' points continue to ring true.

I find it hard to summarize The Anchoress' thoughts. Primarily she discusses how the "elite" are deconstructing the building blocks of our society.

devoted to deconstruction, believe they are about to take down the presidency, the churches, the “old” government and even the “old” media. They expect to put into place something “brand new.” But believe me when I tell you what they are building is older than dirt. And up from it. Which is why they will need their fortresses.

[---]

And all the while they have been busily pulling things apart, they have kept the rest of the family distracted with the television, with the radio, with the cinema - any or all of which have instantly been called into service whenever someone got a little bored and looked around, wondering what these kids were up to.

The Anchoress does offer solutions.

Well, one way to prevent the coup is to be utterly fearless and authentic in pronouncing the things we believe.

[---]

We must repeat again and again that America’s honor is no illusion.

[---]

We must repeat, over and over, that Liberty is the means by which we created creatures are meant to live

I've mentioned in various post how the rich and powerful, which include plenty of Democrats and Republicans, seem to be acting in a manner that shows little concern for the rest of us.

Why are the rich and powerful not more concerned about illegal immigration? Because their fortunes, estates, fortresses, power will remain in place. Only us working schleps will suffer by the influx of 12 million or so illegals. And, while the illegals' lifestyles improve, more than anything, they will add to the power and wealth of the elite.

So much of what happens in our society now reminds me of Aldous Huxley's "Brave, New World" and George Orwell's "1984" and "Animal Farm." As in "Brave, New World," sex without emotional attachment is common and even praised. We have various forms of "soma" to placate us. "Animal Farm" showed us how some can be more equal than others as in affirmative action. "1984" gave us an example of a society where bogus issues, wars, etc. pre-occupied the minds of the citizens so they didn't rebel against the tyranny of their own government.

We have many threats to our society and culture. Terrorism is one. But the deconstruction of our values and beliefs by the elite, especially the leftist elite, stands as great a threat as any.

A month ago, I wrote about the sad, tragic death of Marcus Fiesel. Normally, one would expect the parent(s) of a child to sue for wrongful death, etc. Marcus' case is a little different.

Marcus' mother, Donna Trevino, filed suit against Butler County, Ohio for $5 million. BUT....

The birth mother who sued Butler County for $5 million over her son's death in foster care had no intention of reuniting with the boy, according to court records The Enquirer obtained Monday.

In addition, the attorney who stands to gain millions in the civil case if the case is successful knew that.

[---]

In her lawsuit, Coatney contends that Marcus' death deprived his mother of, among other things, his companionship, love and affection.

Commissioner Mike Fox offered harsh criticism for Coatney's handling of the lawsuit. "This shows predatory lawyering at its worst," he said. "These are the types of actions that give lawyers a bad name."

(Emphasis added)

It's hard to see how one can be deprived of "companionship, love and affection" from someone they never plan to see again. And, of course, as has become too common in the legal profession, the opportunity for big bucks can't be passed up. Ethics be damned.

Scum surrounded Marcus during his too short life. Now the scum are sniffing at his grave trying to get rich off his death when they gave him nothing but pain in his life.

In a desperate attempt to bolster traffic on my blog I've decided to post pictures of breasts and discuss breasts. I've noticed that at DrHelen's the slightest suggestion of breasts garners tons of traffic. In fact in the post just linked, DrHelen did not mention breast at all, just a group picture in which one woman had breasts that many men found attractive.

Posting about "boobies" last October, DrHelen received 6000 hits in 30 minutes. That's about how many I receive in a year. What to do? Post about breasts.

Being divorced and not currently dating, I don't have easy access to a nice pair of breasts. Through diligence and hard work, I found a hot chick with a nice pair of juicy breasts. You can see them below. In fact, I found them so irresistible I couldn't keep my lips off of them. Film at 11:00.

Jim Bryson, Republican candidate for Governor of Tennessee, received harsh criticism because he said after a lot of prayer God "nudged" him to run. The criticism included this:

I wish God would tell some of these idiots to STFU.

However, the same blogger likes Senatorial candidate Harold Ford quite a bit. Harold Ford filmed one of his campaign commercials inside a church. (Scroll down the Feature Video named "The Difference.") Presumedly, Mr. Ford never prays concerning elections or politics. Or, if he does, God doesn't answer him. I do wonder how filming a campaign commercial inside a church fits in with the church's non-profit, tax-exempt status.

BTW - In no way construe this post as criticism of Mr. Ford. If he is for real, he appears to be one of the better Democratic candidates in the country.

Calling names and belching inflammatory rhetoric, Hugo Chavez offered no surprises in his U.N. speech. The buddy of Cindy Sheehan, Danny Glover and Harry Belafonte insulted and denigrated (not a racist word) Bush and the U.S. as expected.

Mostly I found it interesting how much he sounded like some of the leading Democrats, John Murtha, Harry Reid, Al Gore, Howard Dean, even Charles Rangel, who "defended" Bush.

Can you say "Election coming up?"

Yesterday R. Neal at in a post titled "The Greatest Generation Speaks," wrote:

I was talking to my Dad the other day. He said that this was the most divided he has ever seen our country.

Tom Brokaw designated the WWII generation the "Greatest Generation." I don't agree. For our country, how can you top the generation of the Revolutionary War? Besides, the "Greatest Generation" raised my generation and I'm not so sure they did such a good job. But this is off the topic of my discussion.

How divided are we? During the Nixon administration the division in our country grew. Nixon had his "Silent Majority" and used this mythical beast to battle liberals and opponents of the Vietnam War. Make no mistake, Nixon was a crook which led to his need to resign. The country seemed to come back together again afterwards.

Much of Clinton and Gore's rhetoric during their first campaign seemed divisive. "It's the economy, stupid!" I had voted for Michael Dukakis against the elder Bush. But the tone of Clinton and Gore bothered me to the degree that I voted for the Libertarian Party presidential candidate.

During the Clinton years the chasms increased. The growing division seemed to swell from the battling between Republicans and Democrats, conservatives and liberals. To try and lay blame as to the origins would be a futile task. But the rhetoric grew increasingly heated in a tit for tat manner similar to an argument between a married couple.

However, one of the results was that I, who had voted for Al Gore, Sr. for Senator, George McGovern for President, Al Gore, Jr. for Senator, and Michael Dukakis for President, felt so disgusted with the Democratic, liberal side of the arguing that I voted for George W. Bush both times and have never looked back.

I quit giving support to those who refer to me with an array of derogatory terms because I don't agree with their position on abortion, gay marriage, health care, welfare, crime and punishment, illegal immigration, or whatever. I remember a time when civil discourse occurred between disagreeing parties. Some how this happens much less often than before.

Maybe this is the fault of "The Greatest Generation." They raised my generation to be spoiled brats that screamed, yelled, called names and otherwise tossed fits, not caring what harm we may do, when we don't get our way. We, the Cry Baby Boomers, have yet to grow up.

Bill Gray, professor at Colorado State University, says global warming is not caused by humans.

Gray, who is a professor at Colorado State University, said human-induced global warming is a fear perpetuated by the media and scientists who are trying to get federal grants.

“I think we’re coming out of the little ice age, and warming is due to changes to ocean circulation patterns due to salinity variations,” Gray said. “I’m sure that’s it.”

[---]

At the breakfast, Gray said Earth was warmer in some medieval periods than it is today. Current weather models are good at predicting weather as far as 10 days in advance, but predicting up to 100 years into the future is “a great act of faith, and I don’t believe any of it,” he said.

[---]

But Pielke said it makes sense to reduce humans’ impact on the climate.

“There are uncertainties. It’s not like you change your light bulbs today, you’re going to have better weather tomorrow,” he said. “It’s even better if those actions you’re taking make sense for other reasons, like getting off Middle Eastern oil or saving money.”

Obviously (I hope), it makes sense to pollute as little as possible. No matter what the climate does, keeping the world clean has clear benefits, such as being able to eat the fish you catch in the nearest river.

Hearing on the radio this morning that Rosie O'Donnell recommended a dog licking a baby's butt to cure diaper rash, I felt glad to be a man and have no compulsion to watch "The View." Having four children and being the second oldest of six, I've changed my share of diapers. (Yes, ladies, my share.) Of all the various remedies I've heard to what ails children or adults, I've never heard the "dog licking butt" prescription.

I checked out the report and found references to Rosie's dog/butt treatment on her blog. I wonder if being licked in the crotch by a dog as a baby contributes to developing an interest in bestiality. How clean could a tongue be that licks poopie butts?

I found Desitin and A+D ointment to work just fine. Plus, you don't have to feed them.

At Knoxviews yesterday, R. Neal declared it "blog like Instapundit day." This lead to a flurry of humorous "Insta...." posts. Once caught my fancy.

Although I'm a libertarian/conservative (or is it conservative/libertarian), I love Shelley the Republican. I believe the site IS SATIRICAL. God, I hope so. If the writings are a serious reflection of someone's thoughts, I don't want to meet that person.

My two favorite posts:

E. coli in spinach is a terrorist attack and Project European Freedom. The latter post pokes great fun at the French and others.

Take a look and see what you think.

Russian scientist, Khabibullo Abdusamatov, predicts the Earth will be cooling for the next several decades.

A Russian scientist predicts a period of global cooling in coming decades, followed by a warmer interval.

Khabibullo Abdusamatov expects a repeat of the period known as the Little Ice Age. During the 16th century, the Baltic Sea froze so hard that hotels were built on the ice for people crossing the sea in coaches.

The Little Ice Age is believed to have contributed to the end of the Norse colony in Greenland, which was founded during an interval of much warmer weather.

After having the hottest summer since 1936 I look forward to some cooler days, and years. Wait a minute, it was hotter in 1936! How does that fit in with the global warming model? Or is it now global cooling? Too confusing for me, I think I'll go for a ride and create some CO²

I confess to listening to Michael Savage, the most maniacal of the conservative talk show hosts that I've heard. But, perhaps, also the most intelligent. Ironically, Savage holds a Ph.D. from the bastion of liberalism the University of California at Berkeley in Epidemiology and Nutritional Science.

The only time I hear Savage is driving in the car after 7:00 PM. My two sons love him. My daughter hates all talk radio at this point.

Tonight Savage pointed out three articles that don't bode well for Western civilization. First from the Times UK: "Can the West defeat the Islamist threat? Here are ten reasons why not." These reasons include:

Islam will not be defeated is that the strengths of the world community of Muslims are being underestimated, and the nature of Islam misunderstood.

[---}

the low level of Western leadership,

[---]

the confusion of “progressives” about the Islamic advance.

[---]

the vicarious satisfaction felt by many non-Muslims at America’s reverses.

Worth a read.

Next, Savage mentioned "Political Correctness Now Precludes U.S. Winning a War". A tidbit:

Sadly, ever since our self-inflicted defeat in Vietnam (or even, some would argue, since our stalemate in Korea a half-century ago) the unwillingness of our leaders to do whatever is necessary to win seems to be the norm rather than the exception. Apparently, we have accepted the idea that when our enemy hides in a mosque, we must not attack him. While they fly airplanes into buildings, we are expected to “understand” them, try to comprehend why they hate us and not strike back with a “disproportionate” response.

While our enemy kidnaps, tortures and beheads innocent civilians and military personnel alike, we court-martial our own troops and send them to prison for harassing a few prisoners in what amounts to college hazing incident.

While our enemy declares war on Christianity and Judaism, using every cruel, inhumane, cowardly tactic to win at all costs, our soldiers are expected to observe sensitivity toward Islam and never “overreact.”

This soundfamiliaro familar.

Finally, we are treated to this headline, "Next Attack Imminent:
Muslims ordered to leave the United States."

Urgent news from Abu Dawood, one of the newly appointed commanders of the al Qaeda forces in Afghanistan:

Final preparations have been made for the American Hiroshima, a major attack on the U. S.

The search for Adnan El Shukrijumah
Muslims living in the United States should leave the country without further warning.

Sounds ominous.

How much truth is behind all this? Is it fear mongering? I, for one, do believe the threat to our civilization from radical Islam is greater than widely believed. Bush talks a good game but leaves the borders open and largely unprotected. Some report terrorists are learning Spanish and entering the U.S. via the Mexican border.

Before 9/11 would you have believed that terrorists could have commandeered four planes and successfully crashed one into the north tower of the WTC, another into the south tower, and a third into the Pentagon? I would have thought the idea ludicrous. Not that the terrorists wouldn't want to but that they could succeed in doing so.

Time will answer these questions. But one thing's for sure, not matter what happens, it will be Bush's fault.

Via Michelle Malkin, nun in Somalia shot in the back while entering hospital where she worked.

Several witnesses blamed Sunday's shooting on the recent controversy over a speech Pope Benedict XVI made in Germany on Tuesday on Islam in which he quoted a Medieval text calling the Prophet Muhammad's teachings "evil and inhuman."

"I am sure the killers were angered by the pope's speech in which he attacked our prophet," said Ashe Ahmed Ali, one of the many who witnessed the shooting.

"These gunmen always look for white people to kill, and now the pope gave them the reason to do their worst," said Mohamud Durguf Derow, another witness.

I don't know how the Pope ever imagined that Muslim radicals tend towards violence. I'm sure the shooter(s) were simply protecting themselves against the threat of radical Christianity that Rosie O'Donnell so courageously and brilliantly exposed.

Pope Quotes Byzantine Emperor Manuel II Paleologus

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached."

Thousands of Muslims react by proving that, at least in their case, Manuel was right.

BTW - if you read this you will find that Catholics believe that non-Catholics, even non-Christians, can enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Wonder what radical Muslims think.

Tony Snow Makes People Laugh

"Under Snow, there were more than 330 percent more instances of laughter — as defined by the transcriber’s insertion of “(Laughter)” in the transcript — than under McClellan."

I'm not sure why this is news. Is the White House spokesman making people laugh good news or not?

Comedienne Rosie O'Donnell Does Not Make People Laugh

Rosie shows that the funniest thing about her is that she somehow maintains life without brain activity.

Radical Christianity is just as threatening as radical Islam in a country like America where we have separation of church and state.

The audience applauded, showing they are just as mindless.

Perhaps the proudly gay, lesbian, homosexual Rosie should visit a Muslim country, such as Iran, and experience radical Islam's affection for gays.

I expect vacuous blabbering from liberal celebrities. But the audience clapped. That such prolific idiocy exists in America, where virtually everyone is literate, boggles my mind. Is there any hope? Am I being repeatedly redundant?

Is Castro Recovering?

Headline: "Ailing Castro is walking and singing and ready to play baseball: Chavez"

Sounds like Alzheimer's.

John Gibson: Republican Elites Out of Touch on Immigration

The congressman [Peter King (R), NY] said: "I've never seen such a disconnect between the American people and the elite."

By the elite, he means the president, the White House and the Republican Senate. And I say he's right because I have seen the same thing he has.

Most Americans, like myself, approve of controlled, legal immigration. Porous borders that allow criminals and potential terrorists into the U.S. undetected make Bush's arguments concerning national security and terrorism take on a air of absurdity.

Gibson offers good insights including "Close the border now."

From Breitbart:

Two weeks after telling police that her son had been snatched from his crib, Melinda Duckett found herself reeling in an interview with TV's famously prosecutorial Nancy Grace. Before it was over, Grace was pounding her desk and loudly demanding to know: "Where were you? Why aren't you telling us where you were that day?"

A day after the taping, Duckett, 21, shot herself to death, deepening the mystery of what happened to the boy.

Reading this story immediately raised a red flag for me. It reminded me of the Marcus Fiesel case I blogged about a couple of weeks ago. It also reminded me of the Susan Smith case in which she rolled her car with her two children in it into a lake.

Hopefully, I'm wrong. But the odds are against the boy being found alive no matter what. At this point, the mother, Melinda Duckett, appears suspicious.

She was separated from her husband, the boy's father. She had taken out a restraining order on her husband, a common ploy in divorce situations designed to give the woman an advantage in custody proceedings. But the plot thickens.

Trenton's father, 21-year-old Josh Duckett, was closely questioned after the boy disappeared. Newspapers reported that his wife had taken out a temporary restraining order against him. But Josh Duckett took a polygraph test and has answered all police questions satisfactorily, Capt. Ginny Padgett said.

[---]

On Sept. 7, Melinda Duckett gave a telephone interview to CNN Headline News' Grace, a former prosecutor known for practically cross-examining her guests. Duckett stumbled over such questions as whether she had taken a polygraph _ she said she refused on the advice of her divorce lawyer _ and where, exactly, she was shopping with the boy before his disappearance.

Father passes polygraph and satisfactorily answers police's questions. Mother refuses polygraph.

Apparently, Nancy Grace ripped Ms. Duckett a new one in the interview.

Where were you?" Grace asked Melinda Duckett. "Why aren't you telling us where you were that day? You were the last person to be seen with him."

"We were just shopping, going around…" Duckett said.

"Shopping where?" Grace asked.

"Well, we didn't go any where specific," Duckett said.

"If you went shopping, you had to go into a store -- what store did you go into?" Grace said.

"I wasn't (going to get) into any specifics," Duckett said.

Didn't go any where specific!! Most women I know relate minute details of shopping trips to a painful degree. Even a man remembers what stores and shopping centers to which he goes. Violent suicide is also less common among women than men which makes me wonder about her psychological state. Color me suspicious.

All a very sad story, but the father remains optimistic.

Joshua Duckett said he is optimistic his son will be found but the death of his estranged wife complicated things.

I hope he's right. In the mean time, I'm refusing interviews to Nancy Grace.

Raising children poses many challenges. With two boys, I make special efforts to assure they don't bully, fight, etc. But the greatest challenge I've faced in this realm is teaching my youngest daughter not to hit.

As a youngster, I often heard that boys don't hit girls but girls can hit boys. My daughter recites the same beatitude. Any time one of her brothers makes the typically teasing brotherly remark, she quickly tried to punch or backhand them.

Many women don't seem to grow out of this. The other day, while I cut the tops off strawberries, a female co-worker began to instruct me on how I should be cutting the tops. I told her the only thing I was worried about was my ear drums wearing out. Smack on the shoulder.

Frequently, a group at work plays cards during the lunch hour. One female in the group often slaps any man sitting next to her if he beats her in a hand or makes a quip she doesn't like. While most women at my work keep their hands to themselves, during the over seven years I've worked there a male has never hit, slapped, smacked me in any manner.

DrHelen posted Sunday about a confrontation in a bar between a man and a woman and the woman's husband's reaction to it. Her posted a tribute to the event on his blog with picture and all.

Later, apparently fearing he has portrayed his wife as a maneater, he posted again featuring a picture of his wife serving a scrumptious looking turkey dinner. Is that sexist?

As is noted by Vox Day and acknowledged by the husband, it's all "a bit silly". Essentially the story involved a confrontation between a woman and a drunk man or maybe a drunk woman and a drunk man. But the comments at DrHelen fascinated me, lots of anger and hostility. I enjoyed baiting one commenter.

I do wish people would work as hard at teaching females not to hit as males.

A lot has been heard regarding Bill Clinton's objections to the ABC mini-series about 9/11. Robert "Buzz" Patterson, a former military aide to Clinton, says the mini-series is accurate.

Patterson told WND he recognizes the television production conflates several events, but, in terms of conveying how the Clinton administration handled its opportunities to get bin Laden, it's "100 percent factually correct," he said.

"I was there with Clinton and (National Security Adviser Sandy) Berger and watched the missed opportunities occur," Patterson declared.

As GM Roper points out, Clinton lying would be an unusual event. I don't know what Clinton's hiding and really don't care to know. I'm already sure he shares in culpability for the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.

The terrorists didn't dream up the scheme, plan, train, prepare and execute in a little over 8 months. Clinton's effectiveness in dealing with terrorists ranks second only to Jimmy Carter's. Perhaps Clinton believes the movie portrays his use of the word "is" unfaithfully.

Clinton's efforts serve to stifle free speech and freedom of the press. While he no longer occupies any public office, Mrs. Clinton holds a powerful position in the Federal government. Clinton also maintains close friendships with many Senators, Congresspersons, and other officials who could make life difficult for ABC. Is this the wave of the future? Attorneys for well connected politicians writing intimidating letters to media outlets whenever they don't like what is being portrayed?

Freedom of the press and free speech rate higher in importance than Clinton's ego.

Being the fifth anniversary of the attack on the World Trade Centers and the Pentagon, virtually every media outlet, including bloggers, focuses on the events of Sept. 11, 2001 and the aftermath. My first clue that something was wrong came when I walked into my company's breakroom.

Having CCTV monitors that carry company news posted throughout our offices, a small window in the lower right hand corner of the monitor shows CNN. On rare occasions you find someone actually watching the news. That morning there were three. Three people from different departments that usually were not seen together.

Immediately they told me an airplane had crashed into one of the towers. Knowing that a plane once crashed into the Empire State Building, I did not immediately assume this was terrorist related event although the skies were not cloudy as at the time of the Empire State Building crash.

Continuing to check on the situation, I knew immediately when the other plane crashed that terrorism was the only logical answer. After that, most work ceased. We watched in near silent dread as the buildings burned and collapsed.

Over the next few days, I pondered what the repercussions would be. I saved pictures to my computer in order to show to my children in the future so they could see clear evidence of evil.

Terrorism stands as the enemy of all civilization. Today America may be more in the crosshairs than other nations but the threat is always there.

Sad are those that use today to attack George Bush and the Republicans for they refuse to acknowledge the larger picture and seek political gain from national tragedy. Sad are those that attack Democrats and Clinton for both parties share in responsibility for the failure in national security. The trail goes a long way back.

I was pleased that the one of the liberal bloggers I consistently read chose to refrain from attacks. His post in entirety:

On this day of remembrance, as we try to understand how this could happen and sort out who to blame, let us not forget who did it. I for one hope the bastards who died carrying out the attacks are rotting in hell and that I live to see the other sons of bitches responsible for this brought to justice.

I share his sentiments and pray that our country never tires of the struggle.

God bless America.

Via DrudgeReport come these two headlines:

G.O.P. Sets Aside Work on Immigration (New York Times)

U.S. immigration overhaul impossible: Senate leader (Reuters)

The second headline misleads the reader as it makes a global reference. The story clarifies:

U.S. congressional leaders are giving up on broad immigration legislation that would legalize millions of illegal immigrants and instead will concentrate on border security ahead of the elections, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist said on Wednesday.

"I think it would be next to impossible to pass a comprehensive bill that includes dealing with the diversity of 12 million people here in the next three weeks," the Tennessee Republican told reporters.

The NY Times claims that Republicans will focus more on national security.

As they prepare for a critical pre-election legislative stretch, Congressional Republican leaders have all but abandoned a broad overhaul of immigration laws and instead will concentrate on national security issues they believe play to their political strength.

[---]

“We Republicans believe that we have no choice in the war against terror and the only way to do it is to continue to take them head-on whether it is in Iraq or elsewhere,” said Representative John A. Boehner of Ohio, the majority leader.

Are the Republicans being pragmatic on immigration issues or are they trying to dodge the issue before the elections in hopes that they won't lose votes due to negative backlash? I tend to think the latter.

During this election, national security issues won't attract any new voters to the Republican Party. Republicans have shown themselves to interpret national security as justifying infringing on civil rights but leaving the southern border wide open. They've used up their mileage on the issue. But the overly liberal stances many Republicans share on illegal immigration will drive away voters.

Why do many Republicans smile so sweetly on illegal immigrants? Could much of the "healthy" economy be due to an addiction to cheap foreign labor? Are Republicans (and Democrats) giving away our country for short term economic and political gains?

P.S. Don't vote for or support John McCain. His position on illegal immigration, his "incumbent protection act" (McCain-Feingold Act), and his insulting remarks concerning American workers clearly show he is not fit to represent the American people.

Each year my children and I visit the Amish community in Adams County, Ohio about 30 minutes drive from our house. The trip combines shopping, sight seeing and cultural experiences.

We've been visiting the community for nearly 20 years. The Amish are friendly, welcoming and polite. The children well behaved. The community welcomes visits from outsiders because we provide the primary source for their livelihood.

Miller's Bakery and Furniture lies as the center of economic hub of the Amish in the area. Products for sale include fine, solid wood furniture, lawn furniture, storage building, exquisite baked goods and grocery items. The quality of the furniture construction rivals any. The baked goods rank among the best I've ever had, especially the blackberry pie.

This past Saturday their must have been at least 200 outsiders visiting at the same time as myself. But the pace was relaxing and unhurried.

The Amish create a unique blend of the past and future. They primarily produce their own energy. More recently they have begun using small gas engines to turn blenders, etc. for the bakery. They use propane for lighting. For the first time, on this trip we noticed a small generator producing electricity.

Still, you find buggies traveling down the road, and, as you can see below, roller blading girls. During harvest and planting seasons you'll see strong horses pulling plows and harvesters much like they did more than 100 years ago.

The Amish excel at capitalism. Through community/family cooperation rarely seen in general society and hard work the Amish appear to live quite nicely. Their houses compare well to those in most middle class subdivisions.

Of course, the Amish don't live perfect lives. One of my son's best friend's mother is a shunned ex-Amish. She is unable to visit with her family of origin, etc. She does have the ultimate "one-up" however. When she does the "You think you have it hard, when I was growing up...." to her kids, she always wins.

This teenage Amish girl uses roller blades for transportation. She must be quite proficeint. This road is steep and rough in places.

Most Amish eschew mechanized transportation, of their own at least. Sometimes they will own a car or truck but have non-Amish people drive it for them. Others are called the "black bumper Amish." They own and drive vehicles but without any chrome or ornamentation.

This group of Amish men are making something, ice cream I think. One holds a baby while boys, a girl and younger men join in.

Two Amish girls play outside the furniture store at Miller's Bakery and Furniture in Adams County, OH.

The price of strawberry pie makes $3.00 gas look good.