A.U.N.T.T.T Joy

The state government of NJ was shut down for 10 days early in July as a result of testosterone-induced head-butting between the governor and the head of the assembly. During the furlough I packed up 300+ pounds of troop support material. And the apartment is still not clean. *sigh*

One reason the apartment never empties is that my favorite recreational sport is "clearance sale" shopping. One of the biggest I've hit lately was at a craft store, with the saddest triumph from there being 30 to 40 "inspirational" bracelets for only 10 cents each. I call it "sad" because the word was "freedom", the bracelet yellow. To think that no one wanted that one at full price (all of $1!). Sort of a symbol for American culture in general. I plan to send them to the troops for morale building.

I was in DC this past weekend for both a troop support/anti-code-pink rally in front of Walter Reed Army Medical Center and an anti-anti-Israel (ie. pro Israel against anti-Israel) rally. On the Metro I saw a young couple, woman late 20's, guy mid-30's. She was curled against him, head curled into his neck but he wasn't looking at her. His hand was covering hers on his leg, her other hand on top of his but fingers weren't entwined. He had a thousand-mile stare. Not angry, not sad, just seeing things/thinking things of a deep, difficult nature. I have a hunch he was on leave. I've been praying for them ever since.

Missed the confirmation telephone call from the local newspaper about my email concerning their front page neglect of our abducted soldiers. But they gave a phone number to leave a message okaying its publication; I just called it and hope I'll see it in print!

Lately I've been thinking about the spirit of deception that is blanketing this nation and its national "news" outlets. (AKA the "enemedia" from enemy and media.) I am reminded of Romans 1: 20 (?) "surpressing the truth. Professing to be wise they become fools."

I was going to title this "cats and corpses" but thought that might spark a nightmarish image. But still, this is a nightmare. Two soldiers were abducted in Iraq, brutally tortured and then killed. Where does that fit in the scheme of the area newspapers? Of less importance than a local house where 53 cats were found by Animal Control!!!!! One regional paper, the Courier Post, didn't event put the soldiers on the front page at all. The Phila Inquirer put it as a side bar on the rightside of the front page and my local paper had it below the fold, with the story continued to page 4. Most of page 4 was the continuation of the cat story.

What riles me is that I've been reading this book of quotes by Ronald Regan. I admit that when he was President, I pretty much swallowed the media line that he was an airhead. (Except when he ordered the Navy to shoot down the Libyian plane!) Now older, maybe-not-so-wiser, I can see how inspirational he was. His quotes are inspirational today in the face of this war; but I know that the majority of the media wouldn't understand them a bit--freedom, sacrifice, liberty. There is absolutely no outrage from the media--or even my co-workers--about the atrocity committed against the soldiers. In fact, the media is pushing all sorts of alleged atrocities committed by our troops, Marines in particular. Two different situations have been shown to be totally false, after thousands has been spent by the Marines to defend themselves. Our media is salivating to hang our own citizens.

As far as I'm concerned, kill those cats in the house and feed them to the prisoners at GITMO.

Been moving packages out to the troops. 9 boxes today, totalling 88+ pounds. Thank goodness my friend's teenage son is big and strong and willing to help!

Am headed down to Walter Reed Army Medical Center (henceforth referred to as WRAMC) to deliver a bunch of rolling duffels I found at a Target clearance sale--$5 each for 24 inch rolling duffel!. Handle might be a tad short for guys but I am a firm believer in rolling, not lugging, luggage. (Maybe the name will be changed to rollage some day.) Then to a support rally across the street.

I don't really count as a milblogger but I'm gonna try to register. At least 7 people are listed to attend to whom I would like to extend my thanks in person. My thanks for their work and for the positive influence they're having in this war against terrorism--the effect they're having on us civilians struggling to find out ways to support the troops, based on factual information, not empty-headed largesse.

I don't really count as a milblogger but I'm gonna try to register. At least 7 people are listed to attend to whom I would like to extend my thanks in person. My thanks for their work and for the positive influence they're having in this war against terrorism--the effect they're having on us civilians struggling to find out ways to support the troops, based on factual information, not empty-headed largesse.

I don't really count as a milblogger but I'm gonna try to register. At least 7 people are listed to attend to whom I would like to extend my thanks in person. My thanks for their work and for the positive influence they're having in this war against terrorism--the effect they're having on us civilians struggling to find out ways to support the troops, based on factual information, not empty-headed largesse.

I don't really count as a milblogger but I'm gonna try to register. At least 7 people are listed to attend to whom I would like to extend my thanks in person. My thanks for their work and for the positive influence they're having in this war against terrorism--the effect they're having on us civilians struggling to find out ways to support the troops, based on factual information, not empty-headed largesse.

Not much difference since the last posting. Have found awesome, insightful blogs from the troops and spend more of my time reading them than writing here. I haven't even been in Philadelphia for fun since last spring! Had to turn on word verification to stop comment spam.