Right As Usual

I'm enjoying the last few days of vacation by moving furniture, cleaning my house (now THAT'S a task I'd go a long way to avoid), and running around town trying to get paperwork processed before school starts. So, once again, I have little time for original posts. But the Guard the Borders Blogburst is excellent, as usual. See the previous post. By next week, I should be back to normal posting. Tags = Blogging

The North American Union, SPP, and NASCO: Erasing America’s Borders By Heidi at Euphoric Reality Our government has undertaken some monumental legislation that fully impacts the American way of life, our freedom, and our sovereignty. The purpose of such legislation is to homogenize Canada, Mexico, and the United States into a North American Union - and we're all going to sleep through it. Have you heard of a little-known program called the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America ? This tri-lateral partnership was signed by President Bush last year without Congressional oversight or public approval. Opponents of the SPP have called it NAFTA on steroids - and we all know how disastrous NAFTA has been for everyone except Mexico. It also appears to be modeled on the ineffective and highly unpopular European Union (unpopular with the people, that is). I went to the website, www.spp.gov , to begin my research. There are, indeed, no boundaries between Mexico, Cana...

Rallying Against Illegal Immigration by Nathan Bradfield at Church and State Groups such as the 21st Century Paul Revere Ride and "You Don't SPEAK For Me" are taking a stand against illegal immigration and trying to push the issue back to the forefront so Americans can hold their elected officials accountable at the polls. Via The Montgomery Advertiser : Election day is more than three months away, but a group of border state residents wants to push the issue of illegal immigration to the forefront of campaign issues. The six men, members of the 21st Century Paul Revere Ride, stopped Friday morning in Montgomery to speak to local residents at the state Capitol. The men are touring the country on motorcycles, stopping in each state capital. "We are facing a human tsunami of population," said Frosty Wooldridge, a retired schoolteacher and leader of the 54-city motorcyle tour. "If we don't put a stop to illegal immigration and limit legal immigration, we...

The Plain Dealer (Sunday, July 23) has a graph of the percent of Shiite and Sunnis by country. It seems that they neglected to mention another significant source of Muslims - Israel. With 15.9% of their population (out of over 6 million Israelis, that's nearly 1 million). Most are Sunnis. BTW, in Israel, the Muslims have full citizenship rights, including the right to practice their religion. Tags = News & Politics

The Plain Dealer has done it again. Today's paper featured a picture of a "disheveled" woman in Lebanon, near Beirut, talking on a cell phone in the midst of bomb damage. Right. Looks like a staged photo op to me. Virtually guaranteeing that her sympathetic picture will be placed on the front page, she is a hottie, dressed in a tank top. Her hair looks to be mussed for maximum effect, there's an artistic-looking dirt smear on the forearm facing the photographer, and she's wearing very large sunglasses, which also have the effect of making it difficult to identify her. But don't take my word for it. Here's the link . The photographer was Hussein Malla, of Associated Press. Does anyone have an information about his background and sympathies? Tags = News and Politics.

I'll tell 'ya - I use the Email from the Average Person Index . What's that, you ask? I've been getting at least 3-5 emails a month passed on from ordinary people on my email list. These aren't activists, these are just average citizens who are fed up. And they are, indeed, fed up with the situation on immigration. The gist of the messages: Stop treating us like your momma - unlike her, we don't have to welcome you in when you're broke and out of work. You deserve a better job? There's a price to be paid - get the education, and be prepared to work. You may not reach the top levels of status and pay in this generation. Neither did the natives. It generally still beats the situation you left in the old country. Legal or not, learn English. I don't care whether you speak the language of your home country at home, but at school and in the workplace, speak the main language of our country. Treat or traditions, religions, and culture with respect...

I decided to post the usual Monday Guard The Borders Blogburst, despite the fact that I'd posted it previously. Hope nobody was confused. To be honest, it was kinda cool to find that my post was chosen for the weekly blogburst. I'm currently watching the developing situation in the Mideast. I'm basically on the side of Israel - I think they've taken enough provocation from Hezbollah to date. If you keep pushing, expect the pushed to react. Lebanon's Prime Minister is already talking about a ceasefire. I'm guessing that they didn't expect Israel to get fed up. Hey, Mahmoud - don't bring a knife to a gunfight. Dinner is being served, and I'm hungry. I'll probably go online again later tonight. Tags = News and Politics.

A Clarification on my Position on Immigration Written By Linda at Right as Usual In talking to some readers, I realized that they were under the impression that I disliked immigrants. Nothing could be further from the truth. My maiden name sounded distinctly "ethnic" and unusual. As a result, most people assumed that I was one of the many displaced people that arrived in the Cleveland area after WWII, including the recently arrived. I, not being the brightest bulb in the pack, just thought they were interested in fascinating me when they eagerly initiated conversations. I didn't realize at the time they were hoping to talk to a fellow "newbie". This resulted in my acquiring friendships with people from: * Estonia * Germany * Brazil * Lebanon * Syria * India * Taiwan * Japan * Hong Kong * Pakistan * Vietnam * England * Greece * Jordan * Romania * Hungary * Poland * Spain * Peru ...

It's time, again, for the annual migration of the Nerds. My husband and I will be traveling to Syracuse, for a meeting of Physics teachers. On the way, we will be stopping for a pilgrimage to the sacred place of his high school graduation, Bradford, PA. Since, despite the humid and sweltering heat wave in the Midwest, Bradford (and presumably, Syracuse) are absolutely chilly most of the year, I'm also tossing in a few sweaters. I nearly froze when I attended my grand-nephews' baptism in early June. Even the natives, usually impervious to the chill, wore heavy coats. I'm sure I'll have access to the Internet, but I may be too busy to post much. Tags = Blogging

On May 24th, 2006, Senator Obama said : there's been no showing that there's any significant problem with voter fraud in the 50 states. Oh, really? Have you actually looked in your own home state? Here's a clue - your Senate Office in your home state (IL) is located in one of the most notorious vote-stealing regions of the country - Chicago. First seen in Betsy's Page - uncommon good sense from an NC teacher - go check her out. Tags = Stupid People - This is a tag I could use for the overwhelming majority of my posts.

From the People site: Anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan began a hunger strike on Tuesday – and Susan Sarandon, Sean Penn and other stars are joining her in her "Troops Home Fast" protest. Sheehan, whose son Casey was killed in Iraq in 2004, had her last meal at 12 a.m. on July 4 in front of the White House and will remain on a diet of water, teas and juices until Sept. 1, International Peace Day. Juice? You can juicify a whole cow, for crying out loud! Tea? Coffee? Is that without cream and sugar? What a sissy! If she wants the chops for giving up food, then GIVE UP FOOD! Don't wussify the hunger strike. Add-on: From There's One, Only! - more ways to protest without suffering too much - too funny. Whoops! Forgot to credit Bad Example, where I found the original story. Sorry! Tags = Stupid People

I found this post that made me realize just how lucky we all are. I can't describe it, just check it out. Tags = Life

In talking to some readers, I realized that they were under the impression that I disliked immigrants. Nothing could be further from the truth. My maiden name sounded distinctly "ethnic" and unusual. As a result, most people assumed that I was one of the MANY displaced people that arrived in the Cleveland area after WWII, including the recently arrived. I, not being the brightest bulb in the pack, just thought they were interested in fascinating me when they eagerly initiated conversations. I didn't realize at the time they were hoping to talk to a fellow "newbie". This resulted in my acquiring friendships with people from: Estonia Germany Brazil Lebanon Syria India Taiwan Japan Hong Kong Pakistan Vietnam England Greece Jordan Romania Hungary Poland Spain Peru Korea Austria Liberia Yugoslavia Mexico just to name the ones I can think of off the top of my head. With the exception of one person from Mexico, they all had something in common - they LEGALLY immigra...

By Heidi at Euphoric Reality This past weekend, the White House sent the Presidential advisor and Chief of Staff, Karl Rove , to participate in the National Council of The Race (La Raza) - the largest Hispanic entitlement advocacy group in the nation. In order to fully understand the influence of La Raza, it's important first to understand their agenda, and this Human Events exclusive by Rep. Charlie Norwood (R, GA) is as good a place to start as any: Behind the respectable front of the National Council of La Raza lies the real agenda of the La Raza movement, the agenda that led to those thousands of illegal immigrants in the streets of American cities, waving Mexican flags, brazenly defying our laws, and demanding concessions. Key among the secondary organizations is the radical racist group Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan, or Chicano Student Movement of Aztlan (MEChA), one of the most anti-American groups in the country, which has permeated U.S. campuses since the 19...

I've been thinking about Independence Day. It's celebrated differently than other countries do their day of national founding. Other countries mass large numbers of armed police and soldiers to parade past the population. These armed men are generally ordered to be there. They haven't a choice. These parades are solemn, dignified ceremonies. They are intended to remind the population of the power of the state. In the US, the celebration is largely a volunteer activity. Parades are held, of course, but they are generally organized by the civilian population, who generously invite members of the services to join in. But, they also invite the Scouts, local politicians, and schoolchildren. And just about anyone who wants to wave at their fellow residents. In the US, the emphasis is on fun, informality, and enjoying the day. The parade is followed by sacrifices of large quantities of meat to a ritual fire, consumption of huge quantities of carbohydrates, washed down by s...

Found via Dean's World , a provocative post about blogging: Daily posts are a legacy of a Web 1.0 mindset and early Web 2.0 days (meaning 12 months ago!). The pressure around posting frequency will ultimately become a significant barrier to the maturity of blogging. Here are 10 reasons why. Eric Kintz gives multiple reasons why, for the not-in-the-top-50 blogger, daily posting may not be necessary. In fact, contrary to conventional wisdom, frequent updates to your blog may actually drive readers away. I'm not totally convinced. True, there are those bloggers who blather aimlessly, in an attempt to keep those regular posts in view. I've read some of them. Even if they posted less frequently, they would be boring. And then there's Lileks. Posts regularly, often just a meandering update of his life. But fascinating nonetheless. The difference is that he can write - well. I've cut down on regularity this summer. I've had to make a choice between blogging an...

I've been experiencing breathing difficulties lately. Recently, I was in a situation where those around me clearly didn't understand the condition. Rather than be prickly, I held my comments. But, if you'd like to know a little about asthma, click the link in the title. Tags = Health

I've been following the fury of the blogosphere about the NY Times' publication of the data mining of financial information of terrorist organizations. Piffle, says the NYT. They didn't jeopardize anything , since: "I don't think the threshold test of whether you write about how the government is waging the war on terror is whether they've done something that's blatantly illegal or outrageous," Keller said. "I think you probably would like to know what they're doing that's successful as well." Thanks for clearing that up, Mr. Keller. For an outrageous second, I thought that publication of the details of a program that was helping the US track the financial backers of terrorists might be unwise, at the least. But you've made it clear that it's simply your delightful way of supporting the war effort. Kudos! Jeb Babbin takes a different slant on the situation: Since 9-11, none but a few of our former allies have given us mor...

Well, the Guard the Borders Blogburst people are back from their vacation, and none too soon. I've had tendinitis (tennis elbow - no, I don't play), and even checking email has been hit-or-miss. I'll be following up with the doctor this afternoon. With luck, he'll decide on a magic shot of cortisone, and I'll be back to normal within a few days. The summer is eroding faster than the hemline on an aging reality show's participants' cellulite-ridden thighs. I only have about a month until school starts again. In that time, I have to clean and organize the house in Cleveland, pack what I need to take back, work on my book, clear out the paperwork, see family and friends, and, oh yeah, prepare for the return of the students. But, life is basically good. I have a roof over my head (actually, 2 roofs), more than enough food (I really must follow through on the diet), and many, many people who love me. I also have high-speed Internet. Although, we've had...

By Heidi at Euphoric Reality Last year, I experienced a Fourth of July that I never want to repeat. I wrote about it , but at the time, I don't think my experience registered on anyone's radar. Here's part of the description as I posted it last year: ...all day, I was looking forward to the famous Freedom Over Texas Celebration in Houston - one of the top 10 patriotic shows and fireworks displays in the country. I was determined to brave the crowds (which my husband and I typically loathe) with kiddos in tow, in order to enjoy the culminating holiday of our nation'’s heritage. We drove an hour to downtown Houston, spent 20 minutes looking for parking, and finally stepped into the crowds to move toward the center of the Celebration. Here is what I saw as I crossed Allen Parkway near Buffalo Bayou: There were NO 4th of July decorations - NONE. No red, white, and blue - anywhere. There were no American flags. No one was dressed in red, white, and blue except me and my ki...