20 Million illegal aliens returned “home” the US economy would return to the rule of law. Employers would have to hire legal American citizens at a living wage. Everyone would pay their fair share of taxes because they wouldn’t be working off the books. That would result in an additional $400 billion in IRS income taxes collected annually, and an equal amount for local state and city coffers. No more push “1” for English. No more confusion in American schools that now must contend with over 100 languages that degrade the educational system for American kids. Our overcrowded schools would lose more than 2 million illegal alien kids at a cost of billions in ESL and free breakfasts and lunches. We would lose 500,000 illegal criminal alien inmates at a cost of more than $1.6 billion annually. Losing more than 20 million people would clear up crowded highways and gridlock. Cleaner air and less drinking and driving American deaths by illegal aliens. Over $80 billion annually wouldn’t return to their home countries by cash transfers. At least 400,000 anchor babies would not be born in our country, which cost us $109 billion per year per cycle. At least 86 hospitals in California, Georgia and Florida would still be operating instead of being bankrupted out of existence because illegals pay nothing. Americans wouldn’t suffer thousands of TB and hepatitis cases rampant in our country-brought in by illegals unscreened at our border Our cities would see 10 million less people driving, polluting and grid locking our cities. It would also put the “secular progressives” on the horns of a dilemma: illegal aliens and their families cause 11 percent of our greenhouse gases. Over one million of Mexico’s poorest citizens now live inside and along our border from Brownsville, Texas to San Diego, California in what the New York Times called, “colonias” or new neighborhoods. The trouble is, those living areas resemble Bombay and Calcutta where grinding poverty, filth, diseases, drugs, crimes, no sanitation and worse. They live without sewage, clean water, streets, electricity, roads or any kind of sanitation. The New York Times reported them to be America’s new third world inside our own country. Within 20 years, at their current growth they expect 50 million residents of those colonias. (I’ve seen them personally in Texas and Arizona; It’s sickening beyond anything you can imagine.) By enforcing our laws, we could repatriate them back to Mexico. “We invite a million people into our country legally, more than all other countries combined annually. We cannot and must not allow anarchy at our borders, more anarchy within our borders and growing lawlessness at every level in our nation. It’s time to stand up for our borders, our language and our culture and our way of life. Rita Lingwood is a practicing attorney in Citrus Heights, California.

I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, my loving family for less gray hair or a flatter belly. As I've aged, I've become kinder to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend. I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making my bed, or for buying that silly cement gecko that I didn't need, but looks so avante garde on my patio. I am entitled to a treat, to be messy, to be extravagant. I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging. Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer until 4 AM and sleep until noon? I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60 &70's, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love ... I will. I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set. They, too, will get old. I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten. And I eventually remember the important things. Sure, over the years my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when somebody's beloved pet gets hit by a car? But broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding and compassion. A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect.

Hi Mr. Moby, I was just thinking about the residents of rest homes and know that some of them face this time and time again. How heartbreaking it must be for them. Maybe , if you could share this, families and friends of these fine folks might open their eyes to what some of them may be doing to them. Just a thought. As I finished my breakfast this morning, I could see them coming up the walkway. With anticipation, I readied myself for my glorious visit with my family. It has been awhile since I have seen them and I am so excited. The grandchildren were dressed up in their best clothes and they were bringing presents under their arms, where they were trying to hide them so that I would be surprised when the came in. I am sitting here acting like I did not see them coming, for I knew they were excited to see me and I could hear the knock on the floor… But wait, I heard the voices, but they seemed so far away. The joy in their voices as the said “Grandma” we brought you something”. Oh, I guess I was wrong. Sometimes my eyes aren’t like they used to be. The visit was for my neighbor next door. Sometimes, I just get lonely sitting here, and I sish it were someone coming to see me. Months have gone by since I moved here and I wonder what I may have done to my friends and family for them not to ever come. I notice some of my other neighbors around me seem to have the same thing happen to them, because, I have heard them talk as we sometimes sit in the foyer of our home. I guess the big REST HOME sign is what the sign means, we say. Our families want us to get rest and quiet We would much rather hear a knock on our door don’t they know??!!! My mom passed 1 year this Sunday, and I wish I could see her just on more time. Dianne.

Dear Moby, I am very disappointed in your program when you say you are a Christian and think it is ok to discuss such sexual content and totally inappropriate topics such as you were discussing on your program June 22 about Larry the Cable Guy and the belch and the other word. It is no wonder our nation is in such a moral decline. What has happened to decency and just plain ole respect. It is NOT on your program. I do pray for you and I pray you will use your influence for something besides what you are doing now. Sincerely, Kaye Kaye, I’ll start by telling you thank you for taking the time to write, and how much I appreciate you for listening to my show. I promise you, Kaye, I AM a Christian, and am thoroughly bumfuzzled by why you would consider the word fart “Sexual Content” You’re referring to , I believe, and audio Father’s Day card my very sweet (& Christian) wife gave me with Larry the Cable Guy on it. When my daughter (also being raised in a Christian household) was a smaller child, one of her favorite series of books was Walter the Farting dog. This has nothing at all to do with decency or morality, Kaye. Of the few remaining rights we have as God fearing Americans, is the right to disagree. If this is the case in this instance, then God Bless America. But you don’t have the right to judge me, my family, our values, our morality, our decency or our personal relationships with our God, the Father Almighty. Again, I sincerely thank you for listening. I’d bet I say some things you DO agree with. I’d ask you for tolerance those times you do not. God bless you & your family. If my response has only enraged and disappointed you further, I’d ask you to loosen your halo just a tad. Yeah Baby, MOBY

I hope this offends all illegal aliens. My great-grandfather watched as his friends died in the Civil War. My grandfather watched as his friends died in WW II, and Dad watched as his friends died in Korea and I watched as my friends died in Vietnam. None of them died for the Mexican Flag. Everyone died for the American flag. Texas high school students raised a Mexican flag on a school flag pole, other students took it down. Guess who was expelled ... the students who took it down. California high school students were sent home on Cinco de Mayo, because they wore T-shirts with the American flag printed on them. Enough is enough. This message needs to be viewed by every American; and every American needs to stand up for America. 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 American flag. If you agree, stand up with me. If you disagree, please let me know. I will gladly remove you from my e-mail list. And shame on anyone who tries to make this a racist message. AMERICANS, stop giving away Your RIGHTS! Let me make this clear - THIS IS MY COUNTRY! This statement DOES NOT mean I'm against immigration! YOU ARE WELCOME HERE, IN MY COUNTRY, welcome to come legally: 1. Get a sponsor! 2. Learn the LANGUAGE, as immigrants have in the past! 3. Live by OUR rules! 4. Get a job! 5. Pay YOUR Taxes! 6. No Social Security until you have earned it and PAID for it! 7. NOW find a place to lay your head!

June 22,2010 Dear President Obama: You will be the first American President that lied to the Jewish people, and the American people as well, when you said that you would defend Israel, the only democratic state in the Middle East, against all their enemies. You have done just the opposite. You propagandized Israel, until they look like the enemy-and it has resonated throughout the world. You are putting Israel in harm’s way, and you have promoted anti-Semitism throughout the world. You have brought this to a people who have given the world the Ten Commandments and most laws we live by today. The Jewish people have given the world or greatest scientist and philosophers, and the cures for many diseases, and now you play a very dangerous game so you can look like a true martyr to what you see and say are the underdogs. But the underdogs you defend are murderers and criminals and want Israel eradicated. You have brought to Arizona a civil war, once again defending the criminals and illegals, creating a meltdown for good, loyal, law-abiding citizens. Your destruction of this country may never be remedied, and we may never recover. I pray to God you stop, and I hope the people realize your agenda is not or the betterment of mankind, but for the betterment of your politics. With heartfelt and deep concern for America and Israel, John Voight

Hey Moby, I don't want you and all your fans to worry too much about all those soapbox ditties. Oh, don't' get me wrong, my enjoyment of them is only exceeded by my appreciation of you continuing to ring that ole Liberty Bell and oh, how you do ring that bad boy......and that, is the point I want to make. In case you have any fans out there that are really afraid lil obama or his liberal cronies are going to take down the Greatest Nation ever known. Sometimes, we give him way too much credit. I know you have a lot of exposure to our military, law enforcement and first responders; so, am sure you will back me on this. I recently attended the 2010 Mountain Ranger Association meeting at Camp Frank D. Merrill, Dahlonega, GA. Let me just say "fear not", GOD and country is alive and doing very well. In that environment, when Old Glory goes up or comes down, everything and everybody stops! I mean STOPS! Everyone turns to the Red, White and Blue, stands at attention, salutes or holds their right hand over their chest in total reverence and respect. There was a ceremony for fallen Rangers either killed in combat or recently passed away. Personal testimonies of bravery under fire, nerves of steel in and out of combat. I was surrounded by hundreds of like minded men and women, old and young from Vietnam, Grenada, and Dessert Storm to the current conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan. I didn't hear one complaint when the Chaplin offered words to our creator, not in some generic, watered down, politically correct excuse for a prayer; but a heart felt thank you in the name of Jesus Christ. I know a lot of conservatives, but, only a few liberals. I am always impressed by the moral fabric, intestinal fortitude, civic pride, patriotism and "metal" I see and have seen in my conservative buddies and even casual acquaintances. Like wise, I am equally disappointed and not impressed by liberals I have known. I don't hate them, I don't fear them because there is a solid core of Americans out here, too silent sometimes; but rest assured they are out there. I would put them up against any enemy, foreign or domestic and never fear the outcome. Frankly, it would be quite one sided. There actually is a new conservative philosophy brewing. An old Sergeant Major once told me a long time ago, "if you give a man enough slack, he will hang himself every time." I have found that to be very true in numerous cases. With that said, let's stop fighting the homosexual movement, allow women to marry women and men to marry men. Let's stop fighting abortion. Shoot, in a couple of more generations there won't be any liberals. So, thanks Moby, your soapbox most often reflects that core of Americans who are disgusted and appalled at some of the roads our so called "leaders" want to take us down. I am a proud American and personally, I am vigilant and politically active; but, not afraid. Paul from the New Testament said, "I must fight the good fight and run the good race." Too the end and beyond, I'll see you on the other side, Sergeant Eddie Alexander A Co. 75th Infantry Rangers Sgt. Alexander, A true pleasure to hear from you, sir. The optimistic tone of what you've written is reassuring, and I pray you're correct. I'm also cautiously optimistic (granted it could easily be just naivety) that you accurately predict the continued strength & sovereignty of the land of the free, and home of the brave. My fear is that those spoiled, dependent, and lazy among us who've never feared the loss of the sweet taste of liberty, might have never given thought to how easily the government could turn on its own people, then expand & take it all away. It might also be possible that the descendents of old soldiers have taken their collective eye of what it takes to defend what has been fought for and presented to a generation that might ultimately lose it without even so much as a skirmish of defense. We could easily die by our own hands, hung collectively by the slack we've all been given. New soldiers are pledged and sworn to, without question or rebuke, follow a leadership without commitment and resolve, and we could pay an unthinkable price for having allowed such weak leadership to have taken control. So, Sergeant, don't undersell "lil Obama or his little cronies". Many victories have been won & lost because of underestimation. Just because we've had the honor of being born and raised in "the Greatest Nation ever known", in no way guarantees its future, or ours. I believe that if we don't sway the pendulum of independence back closer to center in these upcoming mid-term elections with the only real voice of the people that's ever existed, our votes, our country might be forever changed. America as we've known it will become a gray, bleak, and lifeless land of government dependence, where the masses have little or no voice at all in our fates. So, you vote, and make damned sure that everyone else does. If you're right, Sgt. Alexander, then we win, but woe be to us and our descendents if you're wrong. Future generations will not be taught in our government schools how America came to be, and how unbelievably ferocious & mighty, yet benevolent & blessed it was. Nero fiddled while Rome burned. To me, it appears to repeat itself at the frightening hands of "lil Obama or his little cronies". Be aware, soldier, not only is the wolf at the gate, it's in the field, and feasting on the flock at will without so much as the sound of alarms or cries from the defenseless sheep. God protect us all in these most perilous of times. MOBY

A friend of mine opened his wife's underwear drawer and picked up a silk paper wrapped package: 'This, - he said - isn't any ordinary package. He unwrapped the box and stared at both the silk paper and the box. 'She got this the first time we went to New York , 8 or 9 years ago. She has never put it on , was saving it for a special occasion. Well, I guess this is it. He got near the bed and placed the gift box next to the other clothing he was taking to the funeral house, his wife had just died. He turned to me and said: 'Never save something for a special occasion. Every day in your life is a special occasion'. I still think those words changed my life. Now I read more and clean less. I sit on the porch without worrying about anything. I spend more time with my family, and less at work. I understood that life should be a source of experience to be lived up to, not survived through. I no longer keep anything. I use crystal glasses every day... I'll wear new clothes to go to the supermarket, if I feel like it. I don't save my special perfume for special occasions, I use it whenever I want to. The words 'Someday....' and ' One Day...' are fading away from my dictionary. If it's worth seeing, listening or doing, I want to see, listen or do it now.... I don't know what my friend's wife would have done if she knew she wouldn't be there the next morning, this nobody can tell.. I think she might have called her relatives and closest friends. She might call old friends to make peace over past quarrels. I'd like to think she would go ou t for Chinese, her favourite food. It's these small things that I would regret not doing, if I knew my time had come.. Each day, each hour, each minute, is special. Live for today, for tomorrow is promised to no-one.. No matter if you're superstitious or not, spend some time thinking about this. It holds useful messages for the soul.

Last Saturday the Barnesville Rotary held a tribute for WWII veterans last Saturday. Rotary President elect, Mark Stone invited me to MC the affair. I got this email yesterday from one of those heroes. I’d like to share it with you as today’s Small Town Soap Box It's great that patriotism is flourishing now because it is never more needed than at this time. While we are living in what I believe to be the best 100 years in our history of our Great Country .... we are on a slippery slide to ? ... I don't know. Saturday's "Tribute to our WWII Veterans" was one of the best, most emotional and sincere I have attended. A father and his young daughters approached me at the conclusion of the program. With the look that only a beautiful young girl can melt your heart with, she "Thanked me for my service." I lost it. I openly wept for the first time in fifty years. The grieving and tears with the passing of my wife of fifty-two years were plentiful, but in private. The only reason I could be her "hero" would be because I've lived so long. If you're saluting World War II Veterans, you're dealing with a bunch of old codgers. I volunteered for service, did what I was told to do, went where I was instructed to go and came home when they said we were done. If you add all that up, you have an old veteran, if you organize a program to honor him, you've got a "hero" .... for longivity. Moby, as you well know - the hills of East Tennessee were not known as military hot beds. So, in 1943 when the U. S. Army Air Force announced in the paper that local pin-head Leland Kindred had completed Pilot Training and been awarded a Commission and his silver Pilots Wings, the populace wanted to join France in their act of surrender I am attaching a picture of our beloved B-24 .... sort of proof that I am telling the truth!!!! Again, I'm so glad to have finally met you and hope that we met again and have time for some "hill billy" talk. Leland (H. L. Kindred 1st Lt US Air Corps discharged 1946)

It is important for men to remember that, as women grow older, it becomes harder for them to maintain the same quality of housekeeping as when they were younger. When you notice this, try not to yell at them. Some are oversensitive, and there's nothing worse than an oversensitive woman. My name is Ron. Let me relate how I handled the situation with my wife, Carol Anne. When I retired a few years ago, it became necessary for Carol Anne to get a full-time job, along with her part-time job, both for extra income and for the health benefits that we needed. Shortly after she started working, I noticed she was beginning to show her age. I usually get home from the golf club about the same time she gets home from work. Although she knows how hungry I am, she almost always says she has to rest for half an hour or so before she starts dinner. I don't yell at her. Instead, I tell her to take her time and just wake me when she gets dinner on the table. I generally have lunch in the Men's Grill at the club, so eating out is not reasonable. I'm ready for some home-cooked grub when I hit that door. She used to do the dishes as soon as we finished eating. But now it's not unusual for them to sit on the table for several hours after dinner. I do what I can by diplomatically reminding her several times each evening that they won't clean themselves. I know she really appreciates this, as it does seem to motivate her to get them done before she goes to bed. Another symptom of aging is complaining, I think. For example, she will say that it is difficult for her to find time to pay the monthly bills during her lunch hour. But, boys, we take 'em for better or worse, so I just smile and offer encouragement. I tell her to stretch it out over two, or even three days. That way, she won't have to rush so much. I also remind her that missing lunch completely now and then wouldn't hurt her any (if you know what I mean). I like to think tact is one of my strong points. When doing simple jobs, she seems to think she needs more rest periods. She had to take a break when she was only half-finished mowing the yard. I try not to make a scene. I'm a fair man. I tell her to fix herself a nice, big, cold glass of freshly squeezed lemonade and just sit for a while. And, as long as she is making one for herself, she may as well make one for me, too. I know that I probably look like a saint in the way I support Carol Anne. I'm not saying that showing this much consideration is easy. Many men will find it difficult. Some will find it impossible! Nobody knows better than I do how frustrating women get as they get older. However, guys, even if you just use a little more tact and less criticism of your aging wife because of this article, I will consider that writing it was well worthwhile. After all, we are put on this earth to help each other. Signed, Ron

This was written by a Mexican who is now a naturalized US Citizen, and I think it's a great explanation of the illegal immigration issue. "If you had tickets to a sporting event, a concert, Disneyland, or for an airline flight, and when you got to your assigned seat you found someone else was in that seat, what would you do? You would properly be asked to show your ticket, and you would gladly and proudly do so, for you have bought and paid for that seat. The person in your seat would also be asked for a ticket, which they would not be able to produce. They would be called "gate crashers" and they would properly be removed. Now in this huge stadium called the USA we have had millions of gate crashers. We have been asking security to check for tickets and remove the gate crashers. We have been asking security to have better controls in checking at the door. We have asked security to lock the back doors. Security has failed us. They are still looking the other way. They are afraid to ask to see the tickets. Many people say there is unlimited seating, and whether there is or not, no one should be allowed in for free while the rest of us pay full price! In "section AZ", of "Stadium USA", we have had enough of the failures of Security. We have decided to do our own ticket checking, and properly remove those who do not have tickets. Now it seems very strange to me that so many people in the other 49 "sections", and even many in our own "section" do not want tickets checked, or even to be asked to show their ticket! Even the head of Security is chastising us, while not doing his own job which he has sworn to do. My own ticket has been bought and paid for, so I am proudly going to show it when asked to do so. I have a right to my seat, and I want the gate crashers to be asked to show their tickets too. The only reason that I can imagine anyone objecting to being asked for their ticket is that they are in favor of gate crashing, and all of the illegal activities that go with it, such as drug smuggling, gang wars, murder, human smuggling for profit, and many more illegal and inhumane acts that we’re trying to prevent with our new legislation. Is that what I am hearing from all of the protestors such as Phoenix Mayor Gordon, US Rep. Grijalva, even President Obama? If you are not in favor of showing tickets, (proof of citizenship, passport, green card, or other legal document) when asked, as I would do proudly, then you must be condoning those illegal activities." This makes perfect sense to me. What do you think? Since Obama has never shown his ticket I guess he feels obligated to not ask others to show theirs.

How Nurses are Depicted in the Media Small Town Soapbox entry Dear Moby, As a group of 3 Nurses currently working on our BSN degree we have been studying from a book “Nursing Against the Odds” by Suzanne Gordon. This book has 3 chapters on how nurses are portrayed in the media. Now just think back for a moment to the last medical TV program or movie you watched about nursing and try to remember what you saw the nurse do. Nurses are portrayed in the media as dumb, airheads who are sexually starved and who spend more time copulating in the linen closet than they do taking care of the patients assigned to them. Oh, we realize sex in the media increases ratings and sales, but we feel it is time to concentrate on the good things nurses accomplish rather than to continue to run nurses’ reputation into the ground over and over again. The patients we provide care for would not get the care they need if all we focused on is sneaking away into the linen closet for a quick fling, or running into the restroom to take another dose of illicit drugs. Often nurses shy away from the media because they are afraid of being misquoted or quoted out of context. For most nurses it is not just a job it is a life calling, and part of who they are inside. Nurses spend years acquiring their education and certification. The education and certification is important because our patients depend on us to provide them with the most accurate care possible. Learning for nurses does not stop when they obtain their degree. With the advancement in technology nurses have become lifelong learners. New machinery, new computer systems, new medications and new phone systems all play a role in the life of a nurse today. Nurses defiantly are the “Unsung Heroes” of the medical profession. Most of the nurses we know are hardworking individuals who have families that are important to them. Most love working with patients on a day to day basis. Our rewards come from seeing a real sick patient recover and be able to go back to their daily routine. We also care for the patients who are at the end of their life. These are not thankless jobs to us; instead they are very important aspects of providing nurse care for the whole person. So the next time a TV show comes on that depicts nurses in a negative light just remember this; that nurse is not the kind of nurse you would want to be in charge of your care when you are very ill. During times of illness the patients want the best educated, skilled nurse possible to provide their care, and for the most part that is what nurses do on a daily basis. Brittany Isham, RN, Carol Turner, RN and Cheryl White, RN Cartersville, Ga. 30120

Hey Moby: Although I always enjoy hearing from you, this piece you sent is not entirely of my thinking. Fortunately we live in a country where people can disagree and express their feelings with out fear of reprisal so such presentations are an important part of what this nation is all about. I didn't vote for our current president. In fact I've voted on every election day since I was old enough to do so...And I've never cast a vote for a winner.EVER.So you can't blame me.. Having said that, I can't find much fault with most of what President Obama's done to date. I don't agree with the bank bail-outs but lets remember he inherited that bag of worms from the last administration and their incompetence. I don't profess to be a financial whiz, but what I know about world history has taught me that as the U.S. goes, so goes the rest of the world. When we are in a money pit the rest of the world will fall in that hole sooner or later. That’s what led to both world wars. The healthcare issue has been a mess for years with little or nothing being done because the insurance companies like it that way and money talks. Doing something is better than doing nothing. Insurance companies boast record profits year after year while a staggering number of Americans can't afford or are denied the ability to see a doctor and receive medical help. In the greatest country in the world that's a disgrace. Yes, a great number of Americans have expressed dissatisfaction with the current administration. This says volumes about freedom of speech, but very few are coming up with ways to fix it. The partisan rhetoric that has been a part of the checks and balances fabric that has kept this country strong has soured due to corruption and special interest groups. Here again, money talks.. Frankly, with his obvious intelligence, I'm surprised that Obama wanted the job in the first place. O.K....I'm done. What do I do with this soap box....? David, You'll always be a friend of mine, but on this issue my brother we are polar opposite. This man he lives where a patriotic American should, has done more to subvert, and undermine liberty, and the rights of individuals than any figure in American history. I've never seen him in the slightest behave patriotically, or supportive of the basics of American freedoms or ethics that have been America since it's very conception. Repeatedly I've said, I try to imagine him & his wife standing arm in arm looking at Old Glory, and singing "God bless America, land that I love." and feeling real love for my country. Can you bring that image to your mind's eye. I promise you, I can not. The rights of dedicated free-thinking patriots are being quashed by this resident of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, and if the pendulum of liberty doesn't swing back closer to center in November, I see little hope for the future of our nation, or the future of our descendents, my children, and yours. We should be ashamed of ourselves for putting such an unpatriotic, uncapitalistic, non-freedom of the individual supporting man in such a high office. All administrations have had many things on their plate that left a bad taste in the national mouth, but blaming George Bush for our current stormy waters has been the fall back for a lot of Obama issues, but it can't carry this him for his entire 4 year term. All things from the people to the government, not all things from the government to the people. The Constitution is the basis our our society, and he's wiping his butt with it. Between the two of us, we've constructed a Soap Box. I'm grateful for the debate, but firm in my belief that our republic and our sovereignty has been at no greater risk in American history. So, we don't agree, but we do hear each other's opposing opinion. That's not happening in Washington right now, and it must. MOBY

Maybe we should turn to our history books and point out to people why today's American is not willing to accept this new kind of immigrant any longer. Back in 1900 when there was a rush from all areas of Europe to come to the United States , people had to get off a ship and stand in a long line in New York and be documented. Some would even get down on their hands and knees and kiss the ground. They made a pledge to uphold the laws and support their new country in good and bad times. They made learning English a primary rule in their new American households and some even changed their names to blend in with their new home. They had waved goodbye to their birth place to give their children a new life and did everything in their power to help their children assimilate into one culture. Nothing was handed to them. No free lunches, no welfare, no labor laws to protect them. All they had were the skills and craftsmanship they had brought with them to trade for a future of prosperity. Most of their children came of age when World War II broke out. My father fought along side men whose parents had come straight over from Germany , Italy , France and Japan . None of these 1st generation Americans ever gave any thought about what country their parents had come from. They were Americans fighting Hitler, Mussolini and the Emperor of Japan. They were defending the United States of America as one people. When we liberated France , no one in those villages were looking for the French American, the German American or the Irish American. The people of France saw only Americans. And we carried one flag that represented one country. Not one of those immigrant sons would have thought about picking up another country's flag and waving it to represent who they were. It would have been a disgrace to their parents who had sacrificed so much to be here. These immigrants truly knew what it meant to be an American. They stirred the melting pot into one red, white and blue bowl. And here we are with a new kind of immigrant who wants the same rights and privileges. Only they want to achieve it by playing with a different set of rules, one that includes the entitlement card and a guarantee of being faithful to their mother country. I'm sorry, that's not what being an American is all about. I believe that the immigrants who landed on Ellis Island in the early 1900's deserve better than that for all the toil, hard work and sacrifice in raising future generations to create a land that has become a beacon for those legally searching for a better life. I think they would be appalled that they are being used as an example by those waving foreign country flags. And for that suggestion about taking down the Statue of Liberty, it happens to mean a lot to the citizens who are voting on the immigration bill. I wouldn't start talking about dismantling the United States just yet.

Dear President Obama: “We The People” have stated resolutely we reject your vision for our country. You claim you have not heard us. “We The People” have assembled across America resisting your efforts to subvert our constitution and undermine our liberty. You claim you have not seen us. Since you have not acknowledged our message, let us here present it once more for if, as President Wilson said, a leader’s ear must ring with the voices of the people – the time has come. Our greatest treasure is freedom – the absence of restraints on our ability to think and to act. The corollary of freedom is individual responsibility. We believe in the power of the individual. A few years ago President Bush said, “History moves toward freedom because the desire for freedom is written in every human heart.” Let us add that we will preserve it only as long as devotion to freedom is expressed in the heart of our actions. When President Lincoln dedicated Gettysburg National Cemetery he declared, “It is for us, the living … to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus so nobly advanced.” That unfinished cause for which our soldiers willingly go to battle and for which so many have given their lives is a free United States of America. It has been nearly one hundred fifty years and the work President Lincoln spoke of is not finished. In fact, that work will never be finished. Freedom is the capacity of self determination. It is not an entity but a condition, and conditions can change. Freedom can expand, yet so can it contract. You promised change when you took office, Mr. President, but subjugation is not change we wanted nor will accept. You have expanded government, violated our constitution, confounded laws, seized private industry, destroyed jobs, perverted our economy, curtailed free speech, corrupted our currency, weakened our national security, and endangered our sovereignty. By compromising our nation’s cultural, legal and economic institutions, you are ensuring that our children will never achieve the same quality of life as we enjoy today. Through generational theft you are robbing the unborn of opportunity. This is not acceptable. Not in America. We did not become a strong nation through hope, but rather through self reliance. No one better understands the relationship between individual achievement, dignity and strength than our armed forces. Through every war our soldiers have held this nation’s destiny in their hands. They have not failed us. They cherish freedom enough that they are willing to die for it. Our duty to them and to ourselves is to treasure freedom enough to live up to it. We accept that challenge, Mr. President. That is why we are assembling across the land to deliver our message to you as often and in every way we can. Dismiss us at your political peril. Our great nation is a Republic. We will not accept tyranny under any guise. Your policy to redistribute the fruits of our labor is Statism and will not be tolerated. By our honor, Mr. President, we vow forever to resist coercive government in America. Patriots will not stand silent as you attempt to dismantle the greatest nation on earth. We the People will defend our liberty, we will protect our beloved country, and America’s exceptionalism will prevail. God Bless the United States of America! Sincerely, We The People

Here is the link to Linda Ellis's poem "Relish" that was read as the Small Town Soapbox for today... http://lindaellis.net/wp/2010/06/relish/

The sound of “Taps” echoed off the Scott County, Virginia mountains Saturday as soldiers saluted a flag-draped coffin. Master Sgt. Roy Head was returned to the Virginia hills he left as a teenager 59 years ago to go to war. Army members carried him to his final resting place, right beside his mother and father, and delivered closure to his surviving loved ones. This ceremony was a remembrance for the sacrifice Head made during the Korean War when he was captured in 1951 while on patrol and died of malnutrition in a Chinese Communist Army prison camp. He starved to death. Most of his family them never got to see the day his body would be brought back home. MSG Head’s remains were identified earlier this year following DNA testing conducted by U.S. Army forensics labs in Hawaii. His body arrived in Virginia on Wednesday following a flight from Hawaii. A unit from Fort Bragg, N.C., was on the tarmac to salute the fallen solider on his way home. Eight members of the 23rd Brigade from Fort Lee in Petersburg, Va., carried Head’s casket up to the plot, while three of the soldiers walked farther above the site to fire the traditional rifle volleys over the casket following a benediction. A pastor said “How nice it is that he is home. What a blessing that is,” prior to the gunshots that shattered the afternoon air with the salute. Fort Lee officers then crisply folded the American flag covering MSG Head’s casket and presented it to his oldest brother, John. “As a representative of the United States of America, it is my highest privilege to present you with this flag. It is with loyalty and dedication that Master Sergeant Head gave up his life,” the officer said, placing the flag in John Head’s lap. As the crowd dispersed, Roy Head, son of David and the namesake of his late uncle, summed up years of yearning, uncertainty and grieving with these words: “You know I went to Arlington National Cemetery years ago and walked to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. I often wondered if that might be (my uncle). But we now know that we have him here. He is home,” said Roy. God bless your Uncle Roy, son. That’s this morning’s Small Town Soap box.

MOST PATRIOTIC A new poll finds that the most patriotic American figures are: George Washington, Uncle Sam, and Abe Lincoln, in that order. Source: Woman’s Day I sort of agree. Those are some names I do consider very patriotic. Of course, Uncle Sam wasn’t a real man, but you can’t look at the artists conception of him, and not feel your America loving heart moved as he points a finger at you, and says, “Uncle Sam wants you”. I’m fairly certain that George & Abe loved America, as did most of the men that defeated tyranny to launch these United States, and the men that have occupied the oval office through out American history……until now. How about our leaders today? Who do we see on the news regularly that makes you think “now that person loves America?” Where are our America first, dedicated, “I’ll die for my wonderful country” patriotic leaders? Is there a patriotic citizen of this nation that for a minute thinks the Obama’s bleed red, white, & blue, and in the privacy of the White House believe themselves to be a patriotic American family? I promise you, I do not believe that to be the case, and he with his butt-kissin’ minions on Capitol Hill, might be the ruination of the greatest free republic in the history of humankind……without a shot being fired. Pictures of patriots are unarguably on the one’s, and five’s. As a matter fact, I think we’ll find the picture of a man deeply in love with his country on all our folding money. Who could have known, it could possibly be the face of an American president on our nations loss of liberty, foreclosure notice? With that, I shout to the top of my lungs. Patriots get to the polls, and let your voices be your vote on every opportunity you have to do so. Those with the dream to lead us back. Raise your voice, and move to the helm of a population shouting in unison, “One Nation under God, with liberty and justice for all”, let me hear you say it, and make me believe that you believe it, too. Believe it just like George Washington and Abraham Lincoln did. Convince me that’s what’s in your heart & mind, and I’ll point MY finger, and say, “I want you!!”

Happy Birthday Dad As I watched the young soldier walk toward us, a glance over at my wife and daughter’s face told the story of how my heart was feeling. It had been the longest twelve months of our lives, and today our son, “our hero” had come home safely. Many of the people who were also waiting at the airport asked us if the welcome home sign (our daughter Natalie proudly displayed) was for a soldier. We said yes, it was for our youngest son Tim and we were there to welcome him home from a year in Iraq. All of the people we talked to made us feel so proud with their words of thanks. Most everyone asked us to thank Tim for serving our country. We said we would do our best to let him know. As Tim finally made it to where we were standing, I could hear people in the terminal clapping as he passed by them. My eyes were also watching my wife Lorraine as she handed me the flag she was waiving to meet Tim. Stepping forward to the front of the crowd, both Lorraine and Natalie gave a couple hugs Tim won’t soon forget. After Tim finished giving his mom and sister their hello he walked over to me. I think I was stuck in the moment and couldn’t talk, as I reached out to shake his hand. Tim started to reach for my hand, then pulled his hand back and opened his arms; his eyes told me it was alright to give him a much-needed hug. I know grown men don’t usually hug, but today this 6’5” soldier was my little boy again, and I really wanted him, and everyone else to know how proud I am. For the next few moments I stood there speechless, listening to all the questions and words of thanks, from the people like us, who had just put a face together with the word hero, and that hero was my son. After picking up his bags we made our way to the parking lot and were loading his things into our trunk. Tim said, “Oh, I almost forgot! Here dad,” as he pulled out a box from his duffle bag. “Sorry about the box dad, I think it got flattened on the trip!” he said. As I looked the red, white and blue box, trying to figure out what it was, I pulled the end open to reveal an American Flag. Tim said, “Happy Birthday Dad!” He then asked me if I remembered the phone call a few months before, on my birthday. I told him I did, I said it was near the end of a wonderful day I had spent with my mom and dad. Tim then said, “remember I told you I had your present but couldn’t give it to you yet.” I replied, saying I remember. I asked if he remembered what I told him I wanted for my birthday. Stating my birthday wish was for him to stay safe. “Tim, I got my birthday wish, you came home safe, and you didn’t have to buy me anything!” I replied, but added Thank you. Tim then reached in his jacket, pulling out a pristine piece of paper in a clear plastic protector, saying, “Dad this letter goes with your flag.” I stood there speechless, reading the letter. It said, “Certificate of Recognition Let It Be Know To All, These colors were proudly flown in the face of the enemy, in continuing effort to ensure democracy for the people of Iraq and forever erase the scars of tyranny created by years of oppression by terrorist forces threatening the freedom of the United States of America and the World on August 30, 2007 In Kirkuk, Iraq. They are now most respectfully retired and entrusted to the care of William Garvey Recognizing his support for Soldiers fighting for the War on Terror." His First Sergeant and the Battery Commander had signed the Certificate he gave me at the bottom. I stood there speechless with tears in my eyes, now knowing what Tim meant when he called a few months before, saying he couldn’t send my present yet, the reason was, the day he called my flag was flying over his camp on my birthday. That flag and the certificate were the second best birthday present I had ever received, the first was the soldier who brought it safely home to me. Welcome Home Son! We Love You! May God forever bless our heroes! By William Garvey

The service station trade was slow The owner sat around, With sharpened knife and cedar stick Piled shavings on the ground No modern facilities had they, The log across the rill Led to a shack, marked his and hers That sat against the hill “Where is the ladies resroom, sir?” The owner leaning back, Said not a word but whittled on, And nodded toward the shack With quickened step she entered there But only stayed a minute, Until she screamed, just like a snake Or spider might be in it With startled look and beet red face She bounded through the door, And headed quickly for the car Just like three gals before She missed the foot log-jumped the stream The owner gave a shout, As her silk stockings, down at her knees Caught on a sassafras sprout She tripped and fell-got up, and then In obvious disgust, Ran to the car, stepped on the gas, And faded into the dust Of course we all desired to know What made the gals all do The things the did, and then we found The whittling owner knew A speaking system he’d devised To make the thing complete, He tied a speaker on the wall Beneath the toilet seat. He’d wait until the gals got set And then the devilish tike, Would stop his whittling long enough, To speak into the mike As she sat, a voice below Struck terror, fright and fear, “Will you please use the other hole, We’re painting under here!”

She spent the first day packing her belongings into boxes, crates and suitcases. On the second day, she had the movers come and collect her things. On the third day, she sat down for the last time at their beautiful dining room table by candle-light, put on some soft background music, and feasted on a pound of shrimp, a jar, of caviar, and a bottle of spring-water. When she had finished, she went into each and every rom and deposited a few half-eaten shrimp dipped in caviar into the hollow of the curtain rods. She then cleaned up the kitchen and left…when the husband returned with his new girlfriend, all was bliss for the first few days. Then slowly, the house began to smell… They tried everything; cleaning, mopping and airing the place out. Vents were checked for dead rodents and carpets were steam cleaned. Air fresheners were hung everywhere. Exterminators were brought in to set off gas canisters, during which they had to move out for a few days and in the end they even paid to replace the expensive wool carpeting. Nothing worked!!! People stopped coming to visit. Repairmen refused to work in the house. The maid quit. Finally, they couldn’t take the stench any longer and decided to move. A month later, even though they had cut the price in half, they could not find a buyer for their stinky house. Word got out and eventually even the local realtors refused to return their calls. Finally, they had to borrow a huge sum of money from the bank to purchase a new place. The ex-wife called the man and asked how things were going. He told her the saga of the rotting house. She listened politely and said that she missed her old home terribly and would be willing to reduce her divorce settlement in exchange for getting the house. Knowing his ex-wife had no idea how bad the smell was, he agreed on a price that was about 1/10th of what the house had been worth, but only if she were to sign the papers that very day. She agreed and within the hour his lawyers delivered the paperwork. A week later the man and his girlfriend stood smiling as the watched the moving company pack everything to take to their new home. And to spite the ex-wife, they even took the curtain rods? I love a happy ending don’t you??

Have you ever told a white lie? You are going to love this, especially all of the ladies who bake for church events: Alice Grayson was to bake a cake for the Church Ladies' Group in Tuscaloosa , but forgot to do it until the last minute. She remembered it the morning of the bake sale and after rummaging through cabinets, found an angel food cake mix & quickly made it while drying her hair, dressing, and helping her son pack up for Scout camp. When she took the cake from the oven, the center had dropped flat and the cake was horribly disfigured and she exclaimed, "Oh dear, there is not time to bake another cake!" This cake was important to Alice because she did so want to fit in at her new church, and in her new community of friends. So, being inventive, she looked around the house for something to build up the center of The cake. She found it in the bathroom - a roll of toilet paper. She plunked it in and then covered it with icing. Not only did the finished product look beautiful, it looked perfect. And, before she left the house to drop the cake by the church and head for work, Alice woke her daughter and gave her some money and specific instructions to be at the bake sale the moment it opened at 9:30 and to buy the cake and bring it home. When the daughter arrived at the sale, she found the attractive, perfect cake had already been sold. Amanda grabbed her cell phone & called her mom. Alice was horrified-she was beside herself! Everyone would know! What would they think? She would be ostracized, talked about, ridiculed! All night, Alice lay awake in bed thinking about people pointing fingers at her and talking about her behind her back. The next day, Alice promised herself she would try not to think about the cake and would attend the fancy luncheon/bridal shower at the home of a fellow church member and try to have a good time. She did not really want to attend because the hostess was a snob who more than once had looked down her nose at the fact that Alice was a single parent and not from the founding families of Tuscaloosa, but having already RSVP'd , she couldn't think of a believable excuse to stay home. The meal was elegant, the company was definitely upper crust old south and to Alice's horror, the cake in question was presented for dessert! Alice felt the blood drain from her body when she saw the cake! She started out of her chair to tell the hostess all about it, but before she could get to her feet, the Mayor's wife said, "what a beautiful cake!" Alice , still stunned, sat back in her chair when she heard the hostess (who was a prominent church member) say, "Thank you, I baked it myself." Alice smiled and thought to herself,"God is good.?