Opening weekend of turkey season, I was helping friends with an Eagle Scout project at a local elementary school. I had promised I would months before, then I was hit with the date. Oh well.

Anyway, it was a stormy weekend and we noticed the flags flying in the rain, no light and not all weather flags. The U.S. flag was faded almost completely grey and tattered. The state flag didn't look much better.

The longer I was there, the more it got to me. So, I took the flags down and the next morning carried them to the superintendant's office and explained to them what was going on. Last week, when I drove by that very same Elementary School, and those old, faded, tattered flags were right back up the pole.

I bet they flew through the storms the other night. I don't know what to think when a country such as ours has so little respect for the symbol of our freedom!

-Chad Mathis

Moby:
I couldn't agree with you more, Chad. Does public education still teach our children the value of Old Glory? Do they still give lessons regarding the price freely paid for our liberty? Are these administratiors oblivious to the fact that they lead by example.

If this banner isn't important to them, it won't be important to the children we've entrusted to their care and education. These children are our future. They must know where we've been, or how can be expect them to know where they're going?

-Moby

From: Diane
Sent: Wednesday, April 27, 2011 2:35 PM
Subject: Comment from this morning

Moby, I just wanted to comment on your remark this morning regarding President Obama. I cannot believe the comment "what a waste of flesh." I just can't believe the amount of disrespect you show for the office of the president. We may not all agree on politics, but to disrespect the president the way that you do on a continuing basis really upsets me. I personally have had it with your remarks, so I am no longer listening to your program. I know that won't matter to you, but I feel like I need to voice my disgust at your remarks.

Dear Diane,
You’re mistaken, it truly does matter to me that you chose as a free citizen to no longer listen to my show.
I thoroughly respect the office of President of the United States, but also I feel the what appears to be anti-American individual that currently occupies that office is incompetent to hol;d such a lofty position, and is
leading the greatest nation and greatest government that’s ever existed on Earth down a path we cannot recover from.
This is a nation designed for the people to lead and command the government. That was the vision of our founders.
It isn’t now, nor has it ever been a monarchy where the citizens are subservient & dependent on government for their day to day existence.
Certainly we can’t recover, let alone prosper as a nation, under his frightening excuse of an administration.
America will do well to even survive as a free republic through his first term. We certainly can’t survive his reelection.
Many voted for him to prove they weren’t racists. It now falls our obligation to use the free election process to vote him out to prove we’re not idiots.
Again, to lose you as a listener troubles me deeply, but to lose our nation to a social organizing, unpatriotic individual like the one this republic elected in 2008 is a travesty.
Honestly, that bothers me much more deeply.
That’s my firm opinion. I thank you for taking the time to share yours.
I also thank you for giving fodder, without names attached, to a Small Town Soap Box.
MOBY

WAKE UP America !!!
My great great grandfather watched as his friends died in the Civil War, my grandfather watched as his friends died in WW I, and my father watched as his friends died in WW lI and I watched as my friends died in Vietnam.
None of them died for the Mexican Flag. Everyone died for the U.S. flag.
In Texas , a student raised a Mexican flag on a school flag pole; another student took it down. Guess who was expelled...the kid who took it down..
Kids in high school in California were sent home this year on Cinco de Mayo because they wore T-shirts with the American flag printed on them.
Enough is enough.
This message needs to be heard by every American; and every American needs to stand up forAmerica .
We've bent over to appease the America-haters long enough. I'm taking a stand.
I'm standing up because the hundreds of thousands who died fighting in wars for this country, and for the U.S. flag can't stand up. And shame on anyone who tries to make this a racist message.
Let me make this perfectly clear!
THIS IS MY COUNTRY!
And, because I make This statement DOES NOT Mean I'm against immigration!!!
YOU ARE WELCOME HERE, IN MY COUNTRY!
Welcome! To come through legally:
1. Get a sponsor!
2. Get a place to lay your head!
3. Get a job!
4. Live By OUR Rules!
5. Pay YOUR Taxes!
6. Learn the LANGUAGE like immigrants have in the past!!!
AND
7. Please don't demand that we hand over our lifetime savings of Social Security Funds to you.
If you don't want to forward this for fear of offending someone,
Then YOU'RE PART OF THE PROBLEM! When will AMERICANS STOP giving away THEIR RIGHTS???
We've gone so far the other way... bent over backwards not to offend anyone..
But it seems no one cares about the AMERICAN CITIZEN that's being offended!

SOME YEARS AGO, ON A HOT SUMMER DAY IN SOUTH FLORIDA , A LITTLE BOY DECIDED TO GO FOR A SWIM IN THE OLD SWIMMING HOLE BEHIND HIS HOUSE. IN A HURRY TO DIVE INTO THE COOL WATER, HE RAN OUT THE BACK DOOR, LEAVING BEHIND SHOES, SOCKS, AND SHIRT AS HE WENT. HE FLEW INTO THE WATER, NOT REALIZING THAT AS HE SWAM TOWARD THE MIDDLE OF THE LAKE, AN ALLIGATOR WAS SWIMMING TOWARD THE SHORE.
HIS FATHER, WORKING IN THE YARD, SAW THE TWO AS THEY GOT CLOSER AND CLOSER TOGETHER. IN UTTER FEAR, HE RAN TOWARD THE WATER, YELLING TO HIS SON AS LOUDLY AS HE COULD.
HEARING HIS VOICE, THE LITTLE BOY BECAME ALARMED AND MADE A U-TURN
TO SWIM TO HIS FATHER. IT WAS TOO LATE. JUST AS HE REACHED HIS FATHER, THE ALLIGATOR REACHED HIM.
FROM THE DOCK, THE FATHER GRABBED HIS LITTLE BOY BY THE ARMS JUST AS THE ALLIGATOR SNATCHED HIS LEGS. THAT BEGAN AN INCREDIBLE TUG-OF-WAR BETWEEN THE TWO. THE ALLIGATOR WAS MUCH STRONGER THAN THE FATHER, BUT THE FATHER WAS MUCH TOO PASSIONATE TO LET GO.
A FARMER HAPPENED TO DRIVE BY, HEARD HIS SCREAMS, RACED FROM HIS TRUCK, TOOK AIM AND SHOT THE ALLIGATOR.
REMARKABLY, AFTER WEEKS AND WEEKS IN THE HOSPITAL, THE LITTLE BOY SURVIVED. HIS LEGS WERE EXTREMELY SCARRED BY THE VICIOUS ATTACK OF THE ANIMAL. AND, ON HIS ARMS, WERE DEEP SCRATCHES WHERE HIS FATHER'S FINGERNAILS DUG INTO HIS FLESH IN HIS EFFORT TO HANG ON TO THE SON HE LOVED.
THE NEWSPAPER REPORTER WHO INTERVIEWED THE BOY AFTER THE TRAUMA, ASKED IF HE WOULD SHOW HIM HIS SCARS.
THE BOY LIFTED HIS PANT LEGS. AND THEN, WITH OBVIOUS PRIDE, HE SAID TO THE REPORTER, “BUT LOOK AT MY ARMS. I HAVE GREAT SCARS ON MY ARMS, TOO. I HAVE THEM BECAUSE MY DAD WOULDN'T LET GO.'
YOU AND I CAN IDENTIFY WITH THAT LITTLE BOY. WE HAVE SCARS, TOO.
NO, NOT FROM AN ALLIGATOR,
BUT THE SCARS OF A PAINFUL PAST. SOME OF THOSE SCARS ARE UNSIGHTLY AND HAVE CAUSED US DEEP REGRET.
BUT, SOME WOUNDS, MY FRIEND, ARE BECAUSE GOD HAS REFUSED
TO LET GO. IN THE MIDST OF YOUR STRUGGLE, GOD'S BEEN THERE HOLDING ON TO YOU.
THE SCRIPTURE TEACHES THAT GOD LOVES YOU. YOU ARE A CHILD OF GOD. GOD WANTS TO PROTECT YOU AND PROVIDE FOR YOU IN EVERY WAY.
BUT SOMETIMES WE FOOLISHLY WADE INTO DANGEROUS SITUATIONS, NOT KNOWING WHAT LIES AHEAD. THE SWIMMING HOLE OF LIFE IS FILLED WITH PERIL - AND WE FORGET
THAT THE ENEMY IS WAITING TO ATTACK. THAT'S WHEN THE TUG-OF-WAR BEGINS- AND IF YOU HAVE THE SCARS OF GOD'S LOVE ON YOUR ARMS, BE VERY, VERY GRATEFUL. GOD DID NOT AND WILL NOT EVER LET YOU GO.
YOU JUST NEVER KNOW WHERE A PERSON IS IN HIS/HER LIFE AND WHAT THEY ARE GOING THROUGH. NEVER JUDGE ANOTHER PERSON'S SCARS, BECAUSE YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY ARE GOING THROUGH OR HOW THEY GOT THOSE SCARS.
RIGHT NOW, SOMEONE NEEDS TO KNOW THAT GOD LOVES THEM, AND YOU LOVE THEM, TOO. --ENOUGH TO NOT LET THEM GO .

A woman's daughter had asked the local minister to come and pray with her mother.
When the minister arrived, he found the woman lying in bed with her head propped up on two pillows.
An empty chair sat beside her bed.
The minister assumed that the woman had been informed of his visit.
'I guess you were expecting me, he said.
'No, who are you?' said the mother.
The minister told her his name and then remarked,
'I saw the empty chair and I figured you knew I was going to show up..'
'Oh yeah, the chair,' said the bedridden woman.
'Would you mind closing the door?'
Puzzled, the minister shut the door.
'I have never told anyone this, not even my daughter,' said the woman.
'But all of my life I have never known how to pray. At church I used to hear the pastor talk about prayer, but it went right over my head.'
I abandoned any attempt at prayer,' the old woman continued, '
until one day four years ago, my best friend said to me, ' Prayer is just a simple matter of having a conversation with Jesus
Here is what I suggest. 'Sit down in a chair; place an empty chair in front of you, and in faith see Jesus on the chair.
It's not spooky because he promised, 'I will be with you always'.
'Then just speak to him in the same way you're doing with me right now.'
'So, I tried it and I've liked it so much that I do it a couple of hours every day.
I'm careful though. If my daughter saw me talking to an empty chair, she'd either have a nervous breakdown or send me off to the funny farm.'
The minister was deeply moved by the story and encouraged the old woman to continue on the journey.
Then he prayed with her, anointed her with oil, and returned to the church.
Two nights later the daughter called to tell the minister that her mama
had died that afternoon. Did she die in peace?' he asked.
Yes, when I left the house about two o'clock, she called me over to her bedside, told me she loved me and kissed me on the cheek.
When I got back from the store an hour later, I found her .
But there was something strange about her death Apparently, just before Mom died, she leaned over and rested her head on the chair
beside the bed. What do you make of that?'
The minister wiped a tear from his eye and said, 'I wish we could all go like that.'

Marine Lance Cpl. William Kyle Carpenter, his face missing an eye and crisscrossed with deep scars, stood on the floor of the S.C. Senate on Wednesday to receive the thanks of his state. Carpenter, 21, lost the eye, most of his teeth and use of his right arm from a grenade blast Nov. 21 near Marjah, Helmand Province, Afghanistan .

Friends and family say he threw himself in front of the grenade to protect his best friend in Afghanistan , Cpl. Nick Eufrazio. Carpenter just remembers seeing the grenade. Then a white flash. Then a fellow Marine telling him he would be fine. Then, four weeks later, he woke up in a hospital in Germany. “The second I woke up, I saw my family by my bedside,” he said. The Senate resolution noted Carpenter “suffered catastrophic wounds in the cause of freedom” and “has shown himself worthy of the name ‘Marine.’” He said his experience was nothing unusual in war. People back home, worried about the economy and gas prices, he said, should remember Marines and soldiers are still being maimed and killed.

“The light is on me right now,” he said. “But I’m hoping what happened to me will help remind people that things like this happen every day and people don’t see it. I’m proud of what my fellow Marines have done there and are doing there now. Helmand Province is one of the most dangerous places in the world.”

Carpenter and a 12-man squad from his 9th Regiment, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force, were on patrol outside Marjah. They were in the fifth month of a seven-month deployment. They were in a village they called Shadier, between two other villages they named Shady and Shadiest. They had been in hard combat, he said, as the Marines were pushing out farther from their base, expanding the territory they controlled.

“For two days we had been hit pretty hard,” he said. “We moved into (enemy) territory, and they didn’t like it.” He was fighting on a rooftop when the grenade hit. “I took 99 percent of the blast,” he said. “But one little piece of shrapnel got by me and went into his (Eufrazio’s) brain.”

According to Sen. Jake Knotts, who sponsored and read the proclamation, Eufrazio suffered a serious brain injury and is recovering in Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland . He is now speaking and talking.

“Carpenter also spent most of his recovery time, which so far has included 25 surgeries and more than 100 hours of physical therapy.” at Bethesda .

There, he said, he was inspired by the other patients, many of whom had no legs or no eyes or no arms. I’m lucky.” he said. Knotts said that Carpenter has been nominated for the Medal of Honor, adding, “And I think this kid deserves it.” But Carpenter said that “… people saying they are proud of me is enough.”
That doesn’t surprise his 20-year-old fiancee, Jordan Gleaton.

“I haven’t heard him complain one time.” Gleaton said. “I would be a mess. It’s been a tough three months, she added. I don’t feel like I’m 20 anymore.”

Carpenter’s parents, Robert and Robin Carpenter of Gilbert, say they are proud of the way their son has handled his horrific injuries. They call him “our miracle.”

This is a far cry from the way you Viet Nam vets were received. Thanks for your service.

David R. Ray GySgt USMC(RET.)

AFTER A FEW OF THE USUAL SUNDAY EVENING HYMNS, THE CHURCH'S PASTOR SLOWLY STOOD UP, WALKED OVER TO THE PULPIT AND, BEFORE HE GAVE HIS SERMON FOR THE EVENING, HE BRIEFLY INTRODUCED A GUEST MINISTER WHO WAS IN THE SERVICE THAT EVENING.

IN THE INTRODUCTION, THE PASTOR TOLD THE CONGREGATION THAT THE GUEST MINISTER WAS ONE OF HIS DEAREST CHILDHOOD FRIENDS AND THAT HE WANTED HIM TO HAVE A FEW MOMENTS TO GREET THE CHURCH AND SHARE WHATEVER HE FELT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE FOR THE SERVICE....

WITH THAT, AN ELDERLY MAN STEPPED UP TO THE PULPIT AND BEGAN TO SPEAK.
'A FATHER, HIS SON, AND A FRIEND OF HIS SON WERE SAILING OFF THE PACIFIC COAST ,' HE BEGAN. 'WHEN A FAST APPROACHING STORM BLOCKED ANY ATTEMPT TO GET BACK TO THE SHORE. THE WAVES WERE SO HIGH, THAT EVEN THOUGH THE FATHER WAS AN EXPERIENCED SAILOR, HE COULD NOT

KEEP THE BOAT UPRIGHT AND THE THREE WERE SWEPT INTO THE OCEAN AS THE BOAT CAPSIZED.'
THE OLD MAN HESITATED FOR A MOMENT, MAKING EYE CONTACT WITH TWO TEENAGERS WHO WERE, FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE SERVICE BEGAN,
LOOKING SOMEWHAT INTERESTED IN HIS STORY..

THE AGED MINISTER CONTINUED WITH HIS STORY, 'GRABBING A RESCUE LINE, THE FATHER HAD TO MAKE THE MOST EXCRUCIATING DECISION OF HIS LIFE: TO WHICH BOY WOULD HE THROW THE OTHER END OF THE LIFE LINE. HE ONLY HAD SECONDS TO MAKE THE DECISION. THE FATHER KNEW THAT HIS SON WAS A CHRISTIAN AND HE, ALSO, KNEW THAT HIS SON'S FRIEND WAS NOT..

THE AGONY OF HIS DECISION COULD NOT BE MATCHED BY THE TORRENT OF WAVES.
AS THE FATHER YELLED OUT, 'I LOVE YOU, SON!' HE THREW OUT THE LIFE LINE TO HIS SON'S FRIEND. BY THE TIME THE FATHER HAD PULLED THE FRIEND BACK TO THE CAPSIZED BOAT, HIS SON HAD DISAPPEARED BENEATH THE RAGING SWELLS INTO THE BLACK OF NIGHT. HIS BODY WAS NEVER RECOVERED.

BY THIS TIME, THE TWO TEENAGERS WERE SITTING UP STRAIGHT IN THE PEW, ANXIOUSLY WAITING FOR THE NEXT WORDS TO COME OUT OF THE OLD MINISTER'S MOUTH.
'THE FATHER,' HE CONTINUED, 'KNEW HIS SON WOULD STEP INTO ETERNITY WITH JESUS AND HE COULD NOT BEAR THE THOUGHT OF HIS SON'S FRIEND STEPPING INTO AN ETERNITY WITHOUT JESUS.. THEREFORE, HE SACRIFICED HIS SON TO SAVE THE SON'S FRIEND. '

HOW GREAT IS THE LOVE OF GOD THAT HE SHOULD DO THE SAME FOR US. OUR HEAVENLY FATHER SACRIFICED HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON THAT WE COULD BE SAVED. I URGE YOU TO ACCEPT HIS OFFER TO RESCUE YOU AND TAKE A HOLD OF THE LIFE LINE HE IS THROWING OUT TO YOU IN THIS SERVICE.'

WITH THAT, THE OLD MAN TURNED AND SAT BACK DOWN IN HIS CHAIR AS SILENCE FILLED THE ROOM.
THE PASTOR AGAIN WALKED SLOWLY TO THE PULPIT AND DELIVERED A BRIEF SERMON WITH AN INVITATION AT THE END. HOWEVER, NO ONE RESPONDED TO THE APPEAL.
WITHIN MINUTES AFTER THE SERVICE ENDED, THE TWO TEENAGERS WERE AT THE OLD MAN'S SIDE.

'THAT WAS A NICE STORY,' POLITELY STATED ONE OF THEM,'BUT I DON'T THINK IT WAS VERY REALISTIC FOR A FATHER TO GIVE UP HIS ONLY SON'S LIFE IN HOPES THAT THE OTHER BOY WOULD BECOME A CHRISTIAN.'
'WELL, YOU'VE GOT A POINT THERE,' THE OLD MAN REPLIED, GLANCING DOWN AT HIS WORN BIBLE. A BIG SMILE BROADENED HIS NARROW FACE. HE ONCE AGAIN LOOKED UP AT THE BOYS AND SAID, 'IT SURE ISN'T VERY REALISTIC, IS IT? BUT, I'M STANDING HERE TODAY TO TELL YOU THAT STOR Y GIVES ME A GLIMPSE OF WHAT IT MUST HAVE BEEN LIKE FOR GOD TO GIVE UP HIS SON FOR ME.
YOU SEE...

I WAS THAT FATHER AND YOUR PASTOR IS MY SON'S FRIEND.'

As we raised our right hand and took the oath to serve this country, we did it so you don’t have too- When we had to say goodbye to our family and friends some times more than once, to go to the foreign land to defend, we didn’t know when we were coming back, or if we would. We did it; so you don’t have too- As we stood in battle and bullets were exchanged, you were on our mind and that gave us our reason why we were there. We went; so you don’t have too- We made friends with one another, no matter where we came from or what color we are. We had each other’s back, and there are the ones who never make it back, but we still hear their laugh, voice and stories of home. We developed a strong bond that only happens there. We will always have them; so you don’t have too- To those who didn’t make it back, for they paid the great sacrifice. We miss you and salute you mighty warrior.

For us who make it back we live with the ongoing battle in us, in our mind and our bodies, and from the struggles from the place we wish to forget. When the doctors can’t tell us what’s wrong and the government denies any wrong, but yet our symptoms tell us different. Our scars inside and out, our missing parts we once had, our memories that once before were of all good, but now those have changed. Some of us didn’t die in that foreign land, but die here at home because of that foreign land. See we feel all this; so you don’t have too-

When you lay your head down at night and dream sweet dreams of tomorrow and your future, we dream things that Hollywood could never make reality. Our dreams we never want you to see. But we dream them. You complain about not having this or that; but yet you’re able to sit down to a good hot dinner. Remember this, we went without and ate our dinner out of a brown plastic bag and then seen people that didn’t have any. We went without; so you don’t have too- To the families of those who served and are serving, they deal with loneliness, they deal with the love one not coming home at all, and they deal with the veteran who has illness and other issues that come with serving. They are strong and they are dedicated to their service member, my hats off to you.

Remember this: they deal with this; so you don’t have too- You say, “Why do they send them?” and even some of you hate the ones that are sent because they went. We have been spit on and called many names because of our service; but remember this, we will take it because we believe in the true honor of America and will continue to fight, we’ll continue to hold our head up we’ll continue to shed our blood and give our all to Old Glory even when you don’t understand.

So next time you travel to the store without an escort or travel across country in peace, or you hear a siren go off, and it’s only a weather alert and not a bomb dropping on you, just remember this: “we fought for your peace and security,” so you don’t have too- This is freedom, we volunteered, we answered the call and we love our country just like you. We don’t look down on you because you haven’t served, so please don’t look down on us because we have. We will go again if called. So, if you see a veteran and if you find it in your heart just shake their hand and say thanks, it will make their day just to know you care, but remember this, you don’t have too- We will still fight for you anyway.

May God Bless America!!

Raymond S. Stevens

U.S. Army veteran

There is a new Scarlet Letter in this country.

It is not the letter “A” of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel, sewn onto the clothing of protagonist Hester Prynne for her adulterous behavior in Puritan society. Rather, it is the letter “B.” It stands for Believer: in God and the Bible; in the U.S. Constitution; in the Conservative principles and values which flow naturally from those sources.

There is nothing the Left would love to do more than sew a bright red “B” onto the clothing of every Believer. Collectively, the Left is today’s Puritans, who see everyone’s flaws but their own. Like the Puritans, they see themselves as guardians of society, whose beliefs are absolute and which others must adhere to, even if they do not share them.

Unlike the Puritans of history, however, these self-righteous folks do not believe in God, but in the omnipotence, omniscience and omnipresence of the state, because they believe it knows better than we how we should live. They do not believe in the Bible or the Judeo-Christian ethic, but in the scribbling of self-proclaimed intellectuals, those of “enlightened” thought who insist we were not created but are nothing more than a chance collection of atoms or an evolved something that crawled out of the primordial ooze. They do not believe in the freedom given to humans by God as Creator and embodied in our Constitution, or in the political power “We the People” derive from that document, but in the authority of a self-anointed “elite” political class to control our lives. They do not believe in the personal responsibility that is at the heart of the Judeo-Christian ethic. They do believe we cling to our Bibles, our Constitution and our guns.

And so we do, not because we are “bitter” as they have charged, but because unlike the Left, we believe in things greater than ourselves: God, family, country, human freedom. Of course, believers in God and the Bible are not perfect. We have the same human flaws as everyone else. The Constitution is not perfect, although it is the most perfect ruling document ever devised by man. Conservatism is not perfect, although it does encourage human achievement as opposed to the left. Our friends on the Left insist that with the guidance of the state – but stripped of any ability to make personal decisions – man can perfect himself and find heaven on earth. We have studied the Bible and human nature, not to mention history.

We understand human attempts to form a utopian society would create boredom at best and slavery at worst. The Christian writer C. S. Lewis once said, “Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive.” That is the tyranny we currently face: the tyranny of the Nanny State, of those who want tell us – for our own good, of course – what to think, how to speak, what to eat, which car to drive, which school to attend, which doctor to see, or whether we can see a doctor at all.

Believers must reject that tyranny completely. We who believe in God, the Bible, the Constitution and Conservative principles and values must effectively sew a scarlet “B” onto our own clothing and wear it proudly. And like the One we profess, we must declare our beliefs and demand of our Leftist opponents: “Get thee behind me!”

Having four visiting family members, my wife was very busy, so I
offered to go to the store for her to get some needed items, which
included light bulbs, paper towels, trash bags, detergent and Clorox.
So off I went.
I scurried around the store, gathered up my goodies and headed for
the checkout counter, only to be blocked in the narrow aisle by a young
man who appeared to be about sixteen-years-old. I wasn't in a hurry, so
I patiently waited for the boy to realize that I was there. This was when
he waved his hands excitedly in the air and declared in a loud voice,
"Mommy, I'm over here."
It was obvious now, he was mentally challenged and also startled as he
turned and saw me standing so close to him, waiting to squeeze by. His
eyes widened and surprise exploded on his face as I said, "Hey Buddy,
what's your name?"
"My name is Denny and I'm shopping with my mother," he responded
proudly.
"Wow," I said, "that's a cool name; I wish my name was Denny, but my
name is Steve."
"Steve, like Stevarino?" he asked.
"Yes," I answered. "How old are you Denny?"
"How old am I now, Mommy?" he asked his mother as she slowly came
over from the next aisle.
"You're fifteen-years-old Denny; now be a good boy and let the man
pass by."
I acknowledged her and continued to talk to Denny for several more
minutes about summer, bicycles and school. I watched his brown eyes
dance with excitement, because he was the center of someone's
attention. He then abruptly turned and headed toward the toy section.
Denny's mom had a puzzled look on her face and thanked me for taking
the time to talk with her son . She told me that most people wouldn't
even look at him, much less talk to him.
I told her that it was my pleasure and then I said something I have no
idea where it came from, other than by the prompting of the Holy Spirit.
I told her that there are plenty of red, yellow, and pink roses in God's
Garden; however, "Blue Roses" are very rare and should be appreciated
for their beauty and distinctiveness. You see, Denny is a Blue Rose and
if someone doesn't stop and smell that rose with their heart and touch
that rose with their kindness, then they've missed a blessing from God.
She was silent for a second, then with a tear in her eye she asked, "Who
are you?"
Without thinking I said, "Oh, I'm probably just a dandelion, but I sure love
living in God's garden."
She reached out, squeezed my hand and said, "God bless you!"

May I suggest, the next time you see a BLUE ROSE, don't turn your
head and walk off. Take the time to smile and say Hello.
Why? Because, by the grace of GOD, this mother or father could be
you. This could be your child, grandchild, niece or nephew. What a
difference a moment can mean to that person or their family.
From an old dandelion! Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply.
Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.

Will someone please tell me what the HECK'S wrong with all the people that run this country!!!!!!!
We're "broke" and can't help our own seniors, veterans, orphans, homeless etc.,?????????
Congress can give themselves raises but NO COLA for all of those on Social Security or Federal Retirees!
In the last months we have provided aid to Haiti, Japan, Chile, and Turkey. And now Pakistan ......home of bin Laden. Literally, BILLIONS of DOLLARS!!
Our retired seniors living on a 'fixed income', receive no aid nor do they get any breaks, while our government and religious organizations pour Hundreds of Billions of $$$$$'s and Tons of Food to Foreign Countries!
We have hundreds of adoptable children who are shoved aside to make room for the adoption of foreign orphans.
AMERICA: A country where we have homeless without shelter, children going to bed hungry, elderly going without 'needed' meds, and mentally ill without treatment -etc,etc.

YET...They have a 'Benefit' for the people of Haiti on 12 TV stations, ships and planes lining up with food, water, tents clothes, bedding, doctors and medical supplies.
Imagine if the *GOVERNMENT* gave 'US' the same support they give to other countries. Sad isn't it?

A DEA officer stopped at a ranch in Texas , and talked with an old rancher. He told the rancher, "I need to inspect your ranch for illegally grown drugs." The rancher said, "Okay, but don't go in that field over there...", as he pointed out the location The DEA officer verbally exploded saying, "Mister, I have the authority of the Federal Government with me!" Reaching into his rear pants pocket, he removed his badge and proudly displayed it to the rancher. "See this badge?! This badge means I am allowed to go wherever I wish.... On any land!! No questions asked or answers given!! Have I made myself clear? ...do you understand ?!!" The rancher nodded politely, apologized, and went about his chores. A short time later, the old rancher heard loud screams, looked up, and saw the DEA officer running for his life, being chased by the rancher's big Santa Gertrudis bull... With every step the bull was gaining ground on the officer, and it seemed likely that he'd sure enough get gored before he reached safety. The officer was clearly terrified. The rancher threw down his tools, ran to the fence and yelled at the top of his lungs... "Your badge, show him your BADGE!!"

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room.
One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs.

His bed was next to the room's only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back. The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation..

Every afternoon, when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.

The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside. The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.

As the man by the window described all this in exquisite details, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine this picturesque scene. One warm afternoon, the man by the window described a parade passing by. Although the other man could not hear the band - he could see it in his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words. Weeks passed.

One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep.

She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away.

As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.
Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside.

He strained to slowly turn to look out the window besides the bed.

It faced a blank wall...

The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window. The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall. She said, 'Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you.'

Epilogue:

There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations.
Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled. If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money can't buy.

To those of us who have children in our lives, whether they are our own, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or students... Whenever your children are out of control, you can take comfort from the thought that even God's omnipotence did not extend to His own children.

After creating heaven and earth, God created Adam and Eve.

And the first thing he said was " DON'T !"

"Don 't what ? " Adam replied.

"Don't eat the forbidden fruit." God said.

"Forbidden fruit ? We have forbidden fruit ? Hey Eve..we have forbidden fruit ! "

" No Way ! "

"Yes way ! "

"Do NOT eat the fruit ! " said God..

"Why ? "

"Because I am your Father and I said so ! " God replied, wondering why He hadn't stopped creation after making the elephants

A few minutes later, God saw His children having an apple break and He was ticked !

"Didn't I tell you not to eat the fruit ? " God asked.

"Uh huh," Adam replied.

"Then why did you ? " said the Father.

"I don't know," said Eve.

"She started it! " Adam said.

"Did not ! "

"Did too ! "

"DID NOT ! "

Having had it with the two of them, God's punishment was that Adam and Eve should have children of their own.

Thus the pattern was set and it has never changed.

He was just a little boy, On a week's first day.
Wandering home from Bible school, And dawdling on the way.

He scuffed his shoes into the grass; He even found a caterpillar.
He found a fluffy milkweed pod And blew out all the 'filler.'

A bird's nest in a tree overhead, So wisely placed up high.
Was just another wonder That caught his eager eye.

A neighbor watched his zigzag course And hailed him from the lawn;
Then he asked him where he'd been that day And what was going on.

"I've been to Bible School ," He said and turned a piece of sod.
He picked up a wiggly worm replying, 'I've learned a lot about God.'

"M'm, very fine way," the neighbor said, "for a boy to spend his time.
If you'll tell me where God is, I'll give you a brand new dime."

Quick as a flash the answer came! Nor were his accents faint.
"I'll give you a dollar, Mister, If you can tell me where God ain't."

Virginia Deputy Sheriff Shane Charles is at the Shepherd Spinal Center in Atlanta. On March 13, Shane and Deputy Eric Rasnake responded to a trespass call. They arrived to find a sniper with a .223 caliber rifle, scope, and bipod who shot both deputies. Shane put out an officer down call. The next two deputies who arrived – Neil Justus and Billy Stiltner - went in to rescue the injured officers, and both were shot and killed by the sniper. Shane told me that the closest SWAT team to his town was 2 hours away This SO is a 33 person department. Losing 2 deputies and having 2 critically injured has been tragic. Today I spoke with a dispatcher who was on duty that day and she cried. It goes without saying that the department is going through the classic response to a traumatic incident. Shane told me yesterday that it appeared the sniper was in a dispute with a neighbor, and he went to the back of the neighbor’s property to shoot the entire family. These deputies are true heroes. Shane is paralyzed from the waist down, but he believes he will walk out of the Shepherd Center. He is going through physical therapy and will have more surgery (he has a shattered vertebra that they will operate on soon). Last week, while still in ICU, Shane was very depressed and he and his family were all alone. But that didn’t last long at all when the LE community found out he was here!! Shane has become much more positive. He has started a great patch collection, he’s receiving cards and letters and words of encouragement from all who visit him. Shane’s family is so grateful that people care. I am not exaggerating when I say that the Charles family are the most humble people I’ve ever met. They come from a tiny little town in coal mining country, and they are proud people. Officers from several agencies have come to see him, even two officers from Macon! If anyone has the time to visit him at Shepherd’s, he would be thrilled. Shane described the incident and how he laid in the yard for 2.5 hours waiting to for someone to get to him. The cards he is starting to receive really cheer him up, and he reads them all. If you have a school and the kids would like a project, sending him cards is great, or a poster or something made by children. The address to send things to is: Deputy Shane Charles, Room #411, Shepherd Center, 2020 Peachtree Rd., NW, Atlanta, GA 30309

You see and hear the question all the time on bumper stickers, social media, personal and organizational websites and posed on radio and television talk shows: What Would Reagan Do? This invocation of the name of the late President Ronald Reagan always is asked to challenge the latest Liberal-Progressive fantasy that has been unleashed on the American people. And whether it is intended or not, the question also implies certain standards to which Conservatives will adhere. But if we are to have such standards, whose could be better to adopt than those of the men who created the American Republic? So the question that should be asked is: What Would the Founders Do? Liberal-Progressives – or whatever they want to be called this week – no doubt will argue we cannot know what the Founders would do because they lived so long ago. Unfortunately for the Lib-Progs, the Founders left behind thousands upon thousands of official documents, newspaper articles, essays, letters and notes explaining every concept covered by the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. The Founders’ creation of a system of government which puts the vast majority of political power into the hands of the governed was indeed a revolution. Their creation of a Constitution which protects the smallest of minorities – the individual – was a political and cultural miracle. So, despite the deep affection Americans hold for the late President Reagan, the proper question to ask is: What Would the Founders Do? Our abandonment of the principles they espoused and which they enshrined in our governing documents would be nothing short of a betrayal of the lives and fortunes sacrificed for the American founding. In the eyes of the Founders themselves, it would be nothing short of treason. So, remember the correct question. What Would The Founders Do?

Dear Moby,

I am writing this letter in absolutely disgust and horror. As you know, I am the Commander at our V.F.W. One of my members is a great guy, his name is Adam Carney.

Adam is a Veteran of the U.S. Navy, where he served with distinction for 10 years. He served onboard the U.S.S. Shiloh and was apart of the U.S.S. Cole attack and rescue, and continued to serve with the Navy's Special Boat Unit #12 where he worked as direct combat support to West Coast SEAL TEAMS.
After his service to our Nation, he then chose to serve his community as a City of Atlanta Police Officer, at the APD Adam was a Motorcycle Patrol Officer, and a leading Weapon's Instructor, and Shooting Coach.

Due to Adams back ground and unique skills, Adam was recruited by Dyna Corp. to train Afghan Soldiers and Police, to be able to defend their own country so our Boys and Girls in uniform could come home, a Mission he gladly accepted, and has been performing for well over a year.
On the 28th of March, as evening approached Adam who had been complaining of indigestion and heart burn, stepped out of the tent and collapsed.

At the young age of 34 Adam Carney had died, from what has been reported to be a massive heart attack.

Adam Leaves Behind his Loving parents, siblings, a lovely young Fiance' and TWO BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN ages 4 and 6. 

I WISH THIS WAS THE WORST OF IT!

Again, it was march 28th when Adam left us, today is April 5th (8 days later) and we still have no idea when Adams body will be sent home. Dyna Corp., who holds Adams State Dept. Mission, has previously stated it was not their responsibility to fly his body home. Adam has been lying in this state with a flag draped over his body for 8 days now. It has been Dyna Corp's story that the body must be either autopsied, or a waiver signed to release the body, THIS WAS DONE 7 DAYS AGO!

Dyna Corp. has also refused to release the facts of his insurance benefits, as to cover his final expenses. My VFW here locally will be hosting multiple fund raisers to make this happen.

What your listeners can do: PLEASE contact your local Senate office AND your Congressman. Tell them to "BRING ADAM CARNEY HOME NOW!"

YOUR LISTENERS CAN CONTACT ME AT 678-522-7461 OR AT [email protected]

THANK YOU MOBY!

WILLIAM J. MITIU
U.S. ARMY RETIRED
VFW COMMANDING

Walking can add minutes to your life. This enables you at 85 years old to spend an additional 5 months in a nursing home at $7000 per month.

My grandpa started walking five miles a day when he was 60. Now he's 97 years old and we don't know where he is.

I like long walks, especially when they are taken by people who annoy me.

The only reason I would take up walking is so that I could hear heavy breathing again.

I have to walk early in the morning, before my brain figures out what I'm doing..

I joined a health club last year, spent about 400 bucks. Haven't lost a pound. Apparently you have to go there.

Every time I hear the dirty word 'exercise', I wash my mouth out with chocolate.

The advantage of exercising every day is so when you die, they'll say, 'Well, she looks good doesn't she.'

If you are going to try cross-country skiing, start with a small country.

I know I got a lot of exercise the last few years,...... just getting over the hill.

We all get heavier as we get older, because there's a lot more information in our heads. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Every time I start thinking too much about how I look, I just find a Happy Hour and by the time I leave, I look just fine.

I don't think our kids know what an apron is.

The principal use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath because she only had a few. It was also because it was easier to wash aprons than dresses and aprons used less material. But along with that, it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven.

It was wonderful for drying children's tears, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears. From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven. When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids..

And when the weather was cold Grandma wrapped it around her arms. Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove. Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron.

From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables. After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls. In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees.

When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds.

When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the men folk knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner. It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that 'old-time apron' that served so many purposes.

REMEMBER:
Grandma used to set her hot baked apple pies on the window sill to cool. Her granddaughters set theirs on the window sill to thaw.

They would go crazy now trying to figure out how many germs were on that apron. I don't think I ever caught anything from an apron - but love...