The world's largest army... America 's hunters! I had never thought about this....

A blogger added up the deer license sales in just a handful of states and arrived at a striking conclusion:

There were over 600,000 hunters this season in the state of Wisconsin.

Allow me to restate that number. Over the last several months, Wisconsin 's hunters became the eighth largest army in the world.

More men under arms than in Iran.

More than in France and Germany combined.

These men deployed to the woods of a single American state to hunt with firearms, and no one was killed. That number pales in comparison to the 750,000 who hunted the woods of Pennsylvania and Michigan 's 700,000 hunters, all of whom have now returned home.

Toss in a quarter million hunters in West Virginia and it literally establishes the fact that the hunters of those four states alone would comprise the largest army in the world. The point?

America will forever be safe from foreign invasion with that kind of home-grown firepower.

Hunting -- it's not just a way to fill the freezer. It's a matter of national security.

*************************************************
That's why all enemies, foreign and domestic, want to see us disarmed.
Food for thought when next we consider gun control.

A little girl had been shopping with her Mom in Wal Mart. She must have been 6 years old, this beautiful red haired, freckle faced image of innocence. It was pouring outside. The kind of rain that gushes over the top of rain gutters, so much in a hurry to hit the earth it has no time to flow down the spout. We all stood there, under the awning, just inside the door of the Wal Mart.

We waited, some patiently, others irritated because nature messed up their hurried day.
I am always mesmerized by rainfall. I got lost in the sound and sight of the heavens washing away the dirt and dust of the world. Memories of running, splashing so carefree as a child came pouring in as a welcome reprieve from the worries of my day. Her little voice was so sweet as it broke the hypnotic trance we were all caught in,

'Mom let's run through the rain,' she said.

'What?' Mom asked.

'Let's run through the rain!' She repeated.

'No, honey. We'll wait until it slows down a bit,' Mom replied.

This young child waited a minute and repeated: 'Mom, let's run through the rain..'

'We'll get soaked if we do,' Mom said.

'No, we won't, Mom. That's not what you said this morning,' the young girl said as she tugged at her Mom's arm.

'This morning? When did I say we could run through the rain and not get wet?'

'Don't you remember? When you were talking to Daddy about his cancer, you said, 'If God can get us through this, He can get us through anything! '

The entire crowd stopped dead silent.. I swear you couldn't hear anything but the rain.. We all stood silently. No one left. Mom paused and thought for a moment about what she would say. Now some would laugh it off and scold her for being silly. Some might even ignore what was said. But this was a moment of affirmation in a young child's life. A time when innocent trust can be nurtured so that it will bloom into faith.

'Honey, you are absolutely right. Let's run through the rain. If GOD let's us get wet, well maybe we just need washing,' Mom said.

Then off they ran. We all stood watching, smiling and laughing as they darted past the cars and yes, through the puddles. They got soaked. They were followed by a few who screamed and laughed like children all the way to their cars. And yes, I did.

I ran. I got wet. I needed washing.

Circumstances or people can take away your material possessions, they can take away your money, and they can take away your health. But no one can ever take away your precious memories...So, don't forget to make time and take the opportunities to make memories everyday.

I HOPE YOU STILL TAKE THE TIME TO RUN THROUGH THE RAIN.

Two recent events have given the Left an excuse to launch a new broadside of “hate” charges against Conservatives. One is the order from the White House to the Department of Justice to no longer defend the Defense of Marriage Act. Another is the repeal by the recently-replaced lame-duck 111th Congress of the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy for homosexuals. A number of Conservative organizations already are working to reverse both.

If Conservatives had to face nothing more than name-calling, it would not be so troubling. But the Left has a powerful ally, an ally which has all but turned standing up for traditional Judeo-Christian beliefs into a criminal activity: hate crime laws.

The stated purpose of such laws is to punish those who commit crimes against others because those others are different. Their actual effect is to criminalize thought and speech. In doing so, they undermine the rule of law and violate the most basic spirit of the U.S. Constitution.

It is the rule of law which separates this nation from those which persecute, prosecute and often execute any who challenge the whims or beliefs of the person or group in power. It is the rule of law which prevents the whims or beliefs of those in power in the U.S. from being imposed as “law.” It is the rule of law which focuses punishment on the actions of the accused, not on what they think or say, however vile those thoughts or words might be. And it is the Constitution upon which the rule of law is based.

In reality, hate crime laws punish only those whose thoughts and speech do not conform to the predominant culture, even if they deem that culture immoral or illegal. The true intent of those who propose and support such laws is to force their opponents to conform to a particular view of the world. No doubt you have heard of a number of closely-related political systems which use thought and speech control as basic tenets: Marxism, Nazism, fascism, socialism and communism.
Supporters of hate crime laws cloak themselves in the self-righteous claim of protecting those who have been wronged unjustly. All victims of crime have been wronged unjustly.

Of course attacking someone simply because they are of a different race or religion or are homosexual is a heinous act. But is anyone who has been robbed, maimed, raped or murdered during an assault any less a victim? Do they deserve less protection under the law? Do they deserve less justice?
It is very easy to accuse those who oppose hate crime laws of being bigoted, racist or homophobic. But that is the tactic used, rather than take on the impossible task of explaining why those crimes cannot be prosecuted under the same laws which protect everyone else.
By giving special protections to specific groups of people, hate crime laws effectively penalize all others, violate the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment – not to mention 1st Amendment rights of free speech and religion – weaken the rule of law and the Constitution and wrong us all.

As many are aware, Athens Police Officer Buddy Christian was killed in the line of duty this past Tuesday. He leaves behind a wife (Melissa), a daughter (Callie), a son (Wyatt), a brother (Jason), parents (Bud and Carolyn).

I spoke with his wife, Melissa, last Friday and she had a request for the Soap Box, and for the song after it that Buddy, God rest his soul, loved. So, that will be the Soap Box this morning on both occasions, and the song following will be the same, just because it was Buddy’s favorite. (The Dash & Chicken Fried)

-------------------------------------------------------

I read of a reverend who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend.

He referred to the dates on the tombstone from the beginning...to the end.

He noted that first came the date of his birth and spoke of the following date with tears,
he said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years. For that dash represents all the time that he spent alive on earth and now only those who loved him know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own, the cars…the house…the cash. What matters is how we live and love and how we spend our dash. So think about this long and hard, are there things you’d like to change? For you never know how much time is left that can still be rearranged. If we could just slow down enough to consider what’s true and real and always try to understand the way other people feel. And be less quick to anger and show appreciation more and love the people in our lives like we’ve never loved before. If we treat each other with respect and more often wear a smile remembering that this special dash might only last a little while.

So when your eulogy is being read with your life’s actions to rehash,
would you be proud of the things they say about how you spent your dash?

I woke up early today, excited over all I get to do before the clock strikes midnight.
I have responsibilities to fulfill today. I am important. My job is to choose what kind of day I am going to have.
Today I can complain because the weather is rainy or I can be thankful that the grass is getting watered for free.
Today I can feel sad that I don't have more money or I can be glad that my finances encourage me to plan my purchases wisely and guide me away from waste.
Today I can grumble about my health or I can rejoice that I am alive.

Today I can lament over all that my parents didn't give me when I was growing up or I can feel grateful that they allowed me to be born.

Today I can cry because roses have thorns or I can celebrate that thorns have roses.

Today I can mourn my lack of friends or I can excitedly embark upon a quest to discover new relationships.

Today I can whine because I have to go to work or I can shout for joy because I have a job to do.

Today I can complain because I have to go to school or eagerly open
my mind and fill it with rich new tidbits of knowledge.

Today I can murmur dejectedly because I have to do housework or I can feel honored because God has provided shelter for my mind, body and soul.

Today stretches ahead of me, waiting to be shaped. And here I am, the sculptor who gets to do the shaping.

What today will be like is up to me. I get to choose what kind of day I will have!

Have a great day...unless you have other plans.

The policeman stood and faced his God, Which must always come to pass. He hoped his shoes were shining. Just as brightly as his brass. "Step forward now, policeman. How shall I deal with you? Have you always turned the other cheek? To My church have you been true?"

The policeman squared his shoulders and said, "No, Lord, I guess I ain't, Because those of us who carry badges can't always be a saint. I've had to work most Sundays, and at times my talk was rough, And sometimes I've been violent, Because the streets are awfully tough. But I never took a penny, That wasn't mine to keep.... But I worked a lot of overtime When the bills got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help, Though at times I shook with fear. And sometimes, God forgive me, I've wept unmanly tears. I know I don't deserve a place Among the people here. They never wanted me around Except to calm their fear. If you've a place for me here, Lord, It needn't be so grand. I never expected or had too much, So, if you don't.....I'll understand. There was silence all around the throne Where the saints had often trod. As the policeman waited quietly, For the judgment of his God.

"Step forward now, policeman, You've borne your burdens well. Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets, You've done your time in hell."

Conservative vs. Liberal

A young woman was about to finish her first year of college. Like so many others her age, she considered herself to be a very Liberal Democrat, and among other liberal ideals, was very much in favor of higher taxes to support more government programs, in other words redistribution of wealth.
She was deeply ashamed that her father was a rather staunch Republican, a feeling she openly expressed. Based on the lectures that she had participated in, and the occasional chat with a professor, she felt that her father had for years harbored an evil, selfish desire to keep what he thought should be his.

One day she was challenging her father on his opposition to Higher taxes on the rich and the need for more government programs. The self-professed objectivity proclaimed by her professors had to be the truth and she indicated so to her father. He responded by asking how she was doing in school.
Taken aback, she answered rather haughtily that she had a 4.0 GPA, and let him know that it was tough to maintain, insisting that she was taking a very difficult course load and was constantly studying, which left her no time to go out and party like other people she knew. She didn't even have time for a boyfriend, and didn't really have many college friends, because she spent all her time studying.

Her father listened and then asked , 'How is your friend Audrey doing?' she replied, 'Audrey is barely getting by. All she takes are easy classes, she never studies, and she barely has a 2.0 GPA. She is so popular on campus; college for her is a blast. She's always invited to all the parties and lots of times she doesn't even show up for classes because she's too hung over.'
Her wise father asked his daughter, 'Why don't you go to the dean's office and ask him to deduct 1.0 off your GPA and give it to your friend who only has a 2.0. That way you will both have a 3.0 GPA, and certainly that would be a fair and equal distribution of GPA.'
The daughter, visibly shocked by her father's suggestion, angrily fired back
'That's a crazy idea, how would that be fair! I've worked really hard for my grades! I've invested a lot of time, and a lot of hard work! Audrey has done next to nothing toward her degree. She played while I worked my tail off!'
The father slowly smiled, winked and said gently, 'Welcome to the Republican party.'

If anyone has a better explanation of the difference between Republican and Democrat I'm all ears. If you ever wondered what side of the fence you sit on, this is a great test!

Just when you think that our government can't get any sillier, along comes something like the Military Leadership Diversity Commission -- and let's face it, up to now you didn't even realize such a thing existed -- to crush your hopes that any sensible people are left in Washington, DC.

The diversity commission last week issued its completely unawaited report to call for, you guessed it, more diversity among military leadership. Not great fighting effectiveness, which should always be job No. 1. Not smarter leadership. Not braver fighting generals and fewer rear-echelon paper-pushers. No, what this country really needs from the Pentagon is better diversity management, including a chief diversity officer reporting directly to the defense secretary. It seems the problem is -- wait for it -- that the officer corps has too many white males. This, of course, will come as a shock to George Washington, U.S. Grant, Black Jack Pershing, George Patton and Dwight D. Eisenhower, who somehow managed to struggle through to victory without the accumulated wisdom of the Military Leadership Diversity Commission, created by the Pelosi-Reid Congress in 2009. "The commission believes that the diversity of our service members is the unique strength of our military," writes the chairman, Lester Lyles, to President Obama, in a cover letter for the report. "Current and future challenges can be better met by broadening our understanding of diversity."

Hold it right there. "The unique strength of our military"? Only in the wonderful world of government PC-speak and corporate sensitivity training is this fantasy not laughed out of the regiment. Our all-volunteer military has many strengths -- superior weaponry, better tactics, more education and, since 2001, matchless battlefield and combat experience -- but "diversity" shouldn't rank high among them. Instead, it's a welcome by-product of recruitment, talent, brains, courage and drive -- the things that make American forces the best in the world. In fact, unless the goal of your outfit is nose counting, "diversity" is basically meaningless. The overriding measure for any organization ought to be its effectiveness at getting the job done -- and that goes double for an institution designed first and foremost to kill people and blow things up in the defense of freedom, liberty and the USA.

In any case, since President Harry Truman integrated the armed forces in 1948 with Executive Order 9981, the US military has been a leader, not a follower when it comes to "inclusion." In no other area of American life have first the races (and now the sexes) been treated so fairly or performed together more effectively -- something that even the diversity commission has to admit: "The commission acknowledges that the services have been leaders in providing opportunities for all service members, regardless of their racial/ethnic background or gender."

But of course that's not good enough for the nose-counters -- not when 77 percent of active-duty senior officers are white, 8 percent black, 5 percent Hispanic and 16 percent are women. "The Armed Forces have not yet succeeded in developing a continuing stream of leaders who are as demographically diverse as the nation they serve." Yet, according to the 2010 census, whites account for nearly 75 percent of the population, and blacks 12.4 percent, while Latinos can fall into either category. The "problem" seems minor. Among other things, the commission recommends that since combat is often a ticket to promotion, we need women in combat units, where they can have the same opportunity as a man either to be promoted -- or be killed.

But combat effectiveness is not what this report is all about. Instead, it gives the game away right at the beginning: Its first injunction is that we must "Define Diversity for a New Era." Everything that comes after is seen through this myopic, PC prism. Fortunately, at least one man in Washington knows how to spell bunkum: Lt. Col. Allen West, now a congressman from Florida, who called the report a "slap in the face" to those minorities who have forged successful careers in the services without the help of diversity commissions. The outspoken colonel, whose political career is poised for takeoff, is absolutely right.

The president and the Pentagon should thank the commission for its work, put the report in the trash and get on with the dirty business of fighting -- and winning -- the nation's diverse wars.

In the year 2010, the Lord came unto Noah, who was now living in America and said:
"Once again, the earth has become wicked and over-populated, and I see the end of all flesh before me."
"Build another Ark and save 2 of every living thing along with a few good humans."
He gave Noah the blueprints, saying: "You have 6 months to build the Ark before I will start the unending rain for 40 days and 40 nights."
Six months later, the Lord looked down and saw Noah Weeping in his yard - but no Ark.
"Noah," He roared, "I'm about to start the rain! Where is the Ark?"
"Forgive me, Lord," begged Noah, "but things have changed. I needed a Building Permit."
"I've been arguing with the Boat Inspector About the need for a sprinkler system."
"My neighbors claim that I've violated the Neighborhood Bylaws by building the Ark in my
Back garden and exceeding the height limitations. We had to go to the Local Planning Committee for a decision."
"Then the Local Council and the Electricity Company demanded a shed load of money for the future costs of moving power Lines and other overhead obstructions, to clear the way for the Ark's move to the sea. I told them that the sea would be coming to us, but they would hear nothing of it."
"Getting the wood was another problem. There's a ban on cutting local trees in order to save the Greater Spotted Barn Owl."
"I tried to convince the environmentalists that I needed the wood to save the owls - but no go!"
"When I started gathering the animals the ASPCA took me to court. They insisted that I was confining wild animals against their will. They argued the accommodations were too restrictive, and it was cruel and inhumane to put so many animals in A confined space."
"Then the Environmental Agency ruled that I couldn't build the Ark until they'd conducted an environmental impact study on your proposed flood."
"I'm still trying to resolve a complaint with the Human Rights Commission on how many minorities I'm supposed to hire for my building crew."
"Immigration is checking the Visa status of most of the people who want to work."
"The trade unions say I can't use my sons. They Insist I have to hire only Union workers with Ark-building experience."
"To make matters worse, the Internal Revenue Service seized all my assets, claiming I'm trying to leave the country illegally with endangered species."
"So, forgive me, Lord, but it would take at least 10 Years for me to finish this Ark."
"Suddenly the skies cleared, the sun began to shine, and a rainbow stretched across the sky."
Noah looked up in wonder and asked, "You mean you're not going to destroy the world?"
"No," said the Lord. "The Government beat me to it."
What more Can I say?

The soapbox on March 15th really hit home. People do not realize many times until it is too late to slow down and enjoy the simple things in life. Last 5/4 my 3 year old son, John Michael, accidentally drown in his grandparents pool. I look back and see how he found beauty in the simplest things in life, a single flower (actually a weed), a delicious piece of Christmas pie, his twin sister's smile. I had often taken just the simple things for granted expecting them to always be there, but tragedy took it away. Through his short life and tragic death, a miracle has happened. I have learned to slow down and find the beauty in life. I have learned that the simple things we take for grantid often have the greatest effect on our lives. My last memory of my son was a simple, "Mommy I love you. I missed you!" when I came home from work. Please remind your listeners to slow down and enjoy the simple things in life. Don't wait until tragedy strikes to realize money and time schedules isn't what brings us happiness in life, it's the simple things in life that actually bring us the most joy. Have no regrets about the things you should've noticed in life. Take time to smell the flowers, enjoy the hug and smile from your children, take a peaceful stroll hand in hand with someone you love. God bless! Stephanie McConnell

Observations On Growing Older
~Your Kids are becoming you...and you don't like them...but your grandchildren are Perfect!
~When People say "You Look Great"... They Add "For Your Age!"
~The 5 pounds you wanted to lose is now 15 and you have a better chance of losing your keys than the 15 pounds.
~The things you used to care to do, you no longer care to do, but you really do care that you don't care to do them anymore.
~Your husband sleeps better on a lounge chair with the TV blaring than he does in bed. It's Called his "pre-sleep".
~Remember when your mother said, "Wear clean underwear in case you 'GET' in an Accident"? Now you bring clean underwear in case you 'HAVE' an Accident!
~You miss the days when everything worked with just an "ON" and "OFF" Switch..
~When GOOGLE, ipod, email, modem .... Were unheard of, and a mouse was something that made you climb on a table.
~Now that you can afford expensive jewelry, it's not safe to wear it anywhere.
~Your husband has a night out with the guys, but he's home by 9:00 P.M. Next week it will be 8:30 P..M.
~You read 100 pages into a book before you realize you've already read it.
~What used to be freckles are now liver spots.
~Everybody Whispers.
~Now that your husband has retired ... You'd give anything if he'd find a job!
~You have 3 sizes of clothes in your closet ... 2 of which you will never wear.
~~~But Old is good in some things: Old songs, Old movies, and best of all, OLD FRIENDS!!

Washington, DC Metro Station on a cold January morning in 2007.

The man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time approx. 2 thousand people went through the station, most of them on their way to work. After 3 minutes a middle aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried to meet his schedule.

4 minutes later: The violinist received his first dollar: a woman threw the money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk.

6 minutes: A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.

10 minutes: A 3-year old boy stopped but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. Every parent, without exception, forced their children to move on quickly.

45 minutes: The musician played continuously. Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32.

1 hour: He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition..

No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days before Joshua Bell sold out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100.

This is a true story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people's priorities.
The questions raised:

*In a common place environment at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty?
*Do we stop to appreciate it?
*Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?

One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this simple question:
If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made.
Question: How many other things are we missing?
Answer: Probably too many things

The Hyphen, Webster's Dictionary defines, Is a symbol used to divide a
compound word or a single word.
So it seems to me that when a man calls himselfAn "Afro-American," a "Mexican-American,"
"Italian-American," An "Irish-American," "Jewish-American," What he's sayin' is, "I'm a divided American."

Well, we all came from other places, Different creeds and different races,
To form a nation...to become as one, Yet look at the harm a line has done -
A simple little line, and yet As divisive as a line can get.

A crooked cross the Nazis flew, And the Russian hammer and sickle too-
Time bombs in the lives of Man; But none of these could ever fan
The flames of hatred faster than The Hyphen.

The Russian hammer built a wall That locks men's hearts from freedom's call.
A crooked cross flew overhead Above twenty million tragic dead-
Among them men from this great nation, Who died for freedom's preservation.
A hyphen is a line that's small; It can be a bridge or be a wall.
A bridge can save you lots of time; A wall you always have to climb.
The road to liberty lies true. The Hyphen's use is up to you.

Used as a bridge, it can span All the differences of Man.
Being free in mind and soul Should be our most important goal.
If you use The Hyphen as a wall, You'll make your life mean...and small.
An American is a special breed, Whose people came to her in need.
They came to her that they might find A world where they'd have peace of mind.
Where men are equal...and something more- Stand taller than they stood before.

So you be wise in your decision, And that little line won't cause division.
Let's join hands with one another... For in this land, each man's your brother.
United we stand...divided we fall. WE'RE AMERICANS...and that says it all.

Just up the road from my home is a field, with two horses in it. From a distance, each horse looks like any other horse. But if you stop your car, or are walking by, you will notice something quite amazing....

Looking into the eyes of one horse will disclose that he is blind. His owner has chosen not to have him put down, but has made a good home for him. This alone is amazing. If you stand nearby and listen, you will hear the sound of a bell. Looking around for the source of the sound, you will see that it comes from the smaller horse in the field.

Attached to the horse's halter is a small bell.

It lets the blind friend know where the other horse is, so he can follow.

As you stand and watch these two friends, You'll see that the horse with the bell is always checking on the blind horse, and that the blind horse will listen for the bell and then slowly walk to where the other horse is, trusting that he will not be led astray.

When the horse with the bell returns To the shelter of the barn each evening, It stops occasionally and looks back, Making sure that the blind friend isn't too far behind to hear the bell.

Like the owners of these two horses, God does not throw us away just because we are not perfect Or because we have problems or challenges.

He watches over us and even brings others into our lives to help us when we are in need..
Sometimes we are the blind horse being guided by the little ringing bell of those who God places in our lives. Other times we are the guide horse, helping others to find their way.... Good friends are like that... You may not always see them, but you know they are always there..

Please listen for my bell and I'll listen for yours. And remember...

Be kinder than necessary- Everyone you meet is fighting
Some kind of battle. Live simply, Love generously,Care deeply,Speak kindly.......
And leave the rest to God!

FOR WE WALK BY FAITH AND NOT BY SIGHT!

Moby...

Unfortunately, I have to write to take the unpopular view that the 8-1 Supreme Court decision in the Westboro case was correct. Don't misunderstand me...... I think these loons are just that....LOONS ---and what they do is totally abhorrent. Although I'm not a veteran, if there was a local funeral and these idiots tried to protest it, I'd be among the first to be there to keep a barrier between them and the grieving family.

BUT -

The First Amendment is meant for JUST this sort of speech. If we said that speech we disliked, or found abhorrent was able to be silenced -- then those people who picket abortion mills would be just as guilty. After all, there ARE those people who feel trying to save the unborn by praying aloud, or showing what a fetus REALLY is, is just as abhorrent as what the Westboro people do. I would MUCH rather have sensible caring people stand up to the Westboro crowd (of 10 !) to show them how stupid they are ----- and show the family of the buried serviceman or woman how loved THEY are --- than have ALL speech that someone might feel is "wrong" silenced.

Muslims riot, burn and kill when some people upset them ----- I much prefer our system. As much as I disagree with people like Westboro "Baptist", rather than try to shut them up, I think it better to show them how small they are -- in numbers AND in true Godly love.

Just MY view...
Greg Phillips

Greg,
Thank you for giving this some thought, and fror taking the time to pass your thoughts along.
Soap boxes are simply tirades if the other side is never heard.
So again, I thank you and say God bless you & your family.
MOBY

 I have been an avid Mobidiot since your arrival in Atlanta.
I have laughed , cried, gotten angry with you and 90% agreed with you over the years. this is such a GREAT country to allow us this RIGHT to express our opinions in public, without being persecuted for that opinion.

I am appalled about this church that is protesting at military funerals.
These Military men and women are protecting the same rights that this church is abusing.
I am also proud of the veterans that are blocking the church members at their rallies.
Although the church may not be breaking any laws, per se, there should be a limit to BAD TASTE! Who has the right to say GOD hates soldiers? My GOD hates no one, loves all reguardless of race, or religion. HE even loves atheist..

These families have just lost a son/brother/father/ husband/wife .
Please allow them the honor and dignity to bury their loved one in peace.
Unfortunately in the last month I have been involved in the funerals of two loved ones, my Grandmother of 97, and my Mother in Law.

In both cases people were trying to pass the funeral procession. This just Galls me that there are so many of our morals , and our respect has gone down hill. Oh, I did get my car to straddle both lanes , holding the offender to the rear of the procession , then let all the family members into the cemetery before I let the passer by. This made me feel good!
This was on my mind and I wanted to share with you.
GOD BLESS AMERICA AND HER SERVICEMEN,
The Good LORD has a reason for everything.
YEAH BABY!

Ralph Brown

Dear Moby ,
This morning after hearing the Small Town Soap Box , I wondered if it was true. I have heard it before but this morning I thought about how even the smallest acts of kindness can seem like a big deal to the person on the receiving end. With that being said I want to tell you about my 10 year old nephew Trevor and his big heart.

Two weeks ago after eating Sunday lunch at my mom's , Trevor made himself a plate of food to take home and eat later. Before heading home Trevor's mom (my sister) stopped by the car wash to vacuum and wash her car . At the car wash there was a man going through the trash cans. Trevor kept watching as the man went from trash can to trash can picking up discarded fast food bags and sometimes taking pieces of food and putting it in a bag that hung from his side. After watching the man for several minutes Trevor asked his mom what he was doing. She told him that he was looking for food.

Trevor ... being the kind hearted person that he is , asked her if he could give the man his plate of food so that he wouldn't have to eat from the trash can. She didn't want to offend the man so she first went over to him with an unopened bottle of water that she had in the car and asked him if he wanted it. As he kept looking at the ground he told her yes he did want the water and thanked her. She then asked him if he was looking for food ...still looking at the ground he told her yes he was. She told him that they had a fresh plate of home cooked food in the car if he wanted it . Again he told her yes and thanked them.

As they got back in their car Trevor said ..at least he will eat good tonight.

I am proud of my young nephew and his selfless act of kindness . He is a little boy with a big kind and caring heart, and the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. 

Come with me to a third grade classroom......

There is a nine-year-old kid sitting at his desk and all of a sudden, there is a puddle between his feet and the front of his pants are wet. He thinks his heart is going to stop because he cannot possibly imagine how this has happened. It's never happened before, and he knows that when the boys find out he will never hear the end of it.

When the girls find out, they'll never speak to him again as long as he lives. The boy believes his heart is going to stop; he puts his head down and prays this prayer, 'Dear God, this is an emergency! I need help now! Five minutes from now I'm dead meat.'

He looks up from his prayer and here comes the teacher with a look in her eyes that says he has been discovered.

As the teacher is walking toward him, a class mate named Susie is carrying a goldfish bowl that is filled with water. Susie trips in front of the teacher and inexplicably dumps the bowl of water in the boy's lap. The boy pretends to be angry, but all the while is saying to himself, 'Thank you, Lord! Thank you, Lord!'

Now all of a sudden, instead of being the object of ridicule, the boy is the object of sympathy. The teacher rushes him downstairs and gives him gym shorts to put on while his pants dry out. All the other children are on their hands and knees cleaning up around his desk. The sympathy is wonderful.

But as life would have it, the ridicule that should have been his has been transferred to someone else - Susie. She tries to help, but they tell her to get out. You've done enough, you klutz!'

Finally, at the end of the day, as they are waiting for the bus, the boy walks over to Susie and whispers, 'You did that on purpose, didn't you?'

Susie whispers back, 'I wet my pants once too.'

May God help us see the opportunities that are always around us to do good..
Remember.....Just going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in your garage makes you a car.

Long ago and far away, in a land that time forgot,
Before the days of Dylan , or the dawn of Camelot.
There lived a race of innocents, and they were you and me,
For Ike was in the White House in that land where we were born,
Where navels were for oranges, and Peyton Place was porn.
We learned to gut a muffler, we washed our hair at dawn,
We spread our crinolines to dry in circles on the lawn..

We longed for love and romance, and waited for our Prince,
And Eddie Fisher married Liz , and no one's seen him since.
We danced to 'Little Darlin,' and sang to 'Stagger Lee'
And cried for Buddy Holly in the Land That Made Me, Me.

Only girls wore earrings then, and 3 was one too many,
And only boys wore flat-top cuts, except for Jean McKinney.
And only in our wildest dreams did we expect to see
A boy named George with Lipstick, in the Land That Made Me, Me.

We fell for Frankie Avalon , Annette was oh, so nice,
And when they made a movie, they never made it twice..
We didn't have a Star Trek Five, or Psycho Two and Three,
Or Rocky-Rambo Twenty in the Land That Made Me, Me.

Miss Kitty had a heart of gold, and Chester had a limp,
And Reagan was a Democrat whose co-star was a chimp.
We had a Mr. Wizard, but not a Mr. T,
And Oprah couldn't talk yet, in the Land That Made Me, Me.

We had our share of heroes, we never thought they'd go,
At least not Bobby Darin, or Marilyn Monroe.
For youth was still eternal, and life was yet to be,
And Elvis ;was forever in the Land That Made Me, Me.

We'd never seen the rock band that was Grateful to be Dead,
And Airplanes weren't named Jefferson , and Zeppelins were not Led.
And Beatles lived in gardens then, and Monkees lived in trees,
Madonna was Mary in the Land That Made Me, Me.

We'd never heard of microwaves, or telephones in cars,
And babies might be bottle-fed, but they were not grown in jars.
And pumping iron got wrinkles out, and 'gay' meant fancy-free,
And dorms were never co-ed in the Land That Made Me, Me.



We hadn't seen enough of jets to talk about the lag,
And microchips were what was left at the bottom of the bag.
And hardware was a box of nails, and bytes came from a flea,
And rocket ships were fiction in the Land That Made Me, Me.

But all things have a season, or so we've heard them say,
And now instead of Maybelline we swear by Retin-A.
They send us invitations to join AARP,
We've come a long way, baby, from the Land That Made Me, Me.

So now we face a brave new world in slightly larger jeans,
And wonder why they're using smaller print in magazines.
And we tell our children's children of the way it used to be,
Long ago and far away in the Land That Made Me, Me.

In the line at the store, the cashier told the older woman that plastic bags weren’t good for the environment. The woman apologized to her and explained, “We didn’t have the green thing back in my day.”

That’s right, they didn’t have the green thing in her day. Back then, they returned their milk bottles, Coke bottles and beer bottles to the store. The store sent them back to the plant to be washed and sterilized and refilled, using the same bottles over and over. So they really were recycled. But they didn’t have the green thing back her day.

In her day, they walked up stairs, because they didn’t have an escalator in every store and office building. They walked to the grocery store and didn’t climb into a 300-horsepower machine every time they had to go two blocks. But she’s right. They didn’t have the green thing in her day.
Back then, they washed the baby’s diapers because they didn’t have the throw-away kind. They dried clothes on a line, not in an energy gobbling machine burning up 220 volts – wind and solar power really did dry the clothes. Kids got hand-me-down clothes from their brothers or sisters, not always brand-new clothing. But that old lady is right, they didn’t have the green thing back in her day.

 
Back then, they had one TV, or radio, in the house – not a TV in every room. And the TV had a small screen the size of a pizza dish, not a screen the size of the state of Montana. In the kitchen, they blended and stirred by hand because they didn’t have electric machines to do everything for you. When they packaged a fragile item to send in the mail, they used wadded up newspaper to cushion it, not styrofoam or plastic bubble wrap.
Back then, they didn’t fire up an engine and burn gasoline just to cut the lawn. They used a push mower that ran on human power. They exercised by working so they didn’t need to go to a health club to run on treadmills that operate on electricity. But she’s right, they didn’t have the green thing back then.

They drank from a fountain when they were thirsty, instead of using a cup or a plastic bottle every time they had a drink of water. They refilled pens with ink, instead of buying a new pen, and they replaced the razor blades in a razor instead of throwing away the whole razor just because the blade got dull. But they didn’t have the green thing back then.

Back then, people took the streetcar and kids rode their bikes to school or rode the school bus, instead of turning their moms into a 24-hour taxi service. They had one electrical outlet in a room, not an entire bank of sockets to power a dozen appliances. And they didn’t need a computerized gadget to receive a signal beamed from satellites 2,000 miles out in space in order to find the nearest pizza joint.

But that old lady is right. They didn’t have the green thing back in her day.