Day 117 - Track 10 Angel

Sarah McLachlan's "Angel" has two things that I think of. One, is when I was going through my first divorce, I remember hearing it and crying. I have no idea why except for the line, "in the arms of the angel, may you find some peace of mind." Also the part about Thieves and Vultures since I had just had a major life changing experience, besides my divorce.

And then the second reason; that pet video-you know, the prevention of cruelty one? They use this as the background music. OMG, I can't watch that without tearing up. Seeing the puppies and kittens that people have abused. I know, kinda of double standard; we seem immune when it comes to abuse to people (we shouldn't be), but these are animals that just know love and want to be loved. There is a difference. Humans know that humans can be assholes. A pet doesn't and trusts us completely to feed it, comfort and protect it. Like a baby. And that's why I go ballistic about child abuse. Don't get me wrong, any abuse is not right; but to a baby....that makes me want to break something; like someones face.

Anyways, that's why I have this as track 10 on my "Songs to be played at my funeral."




Angel


Spend all your time waiting

for that second chance

for a break that would make it okay

there's always some reason

to feel not good enough

and it's hard at the end of the day

I need some distraction

oh a beautiful release

memory seeps from my veins

let me be empty

oh and weightless and maybe

I'll find some peace tonight



In the arms of the angel

fly away from here

from this dark cold hotel room

and the endlessness that you fear

you are pulled from the wreckage

of your silent reverie

you're in the arms of the angel

may you find some comfort here



So tired of the straight line

and everywhere you turn

there's vultures and thieves at your back

the storm keeps on twisting

you keep on building the lies

that you make up for all that you lack

it don't make no difference

escaping one last time

it's easier to believe in this sweet madness oh

this glorious sadness that brings me to my knees



In the arms of the angel

fly away from here

from this dark cold hotel room

and the endlessness that you fear

you are pulled from the wreckage

of your silent reverie

you're in the arms of the angel

may you find some comfort here

you're in the arms of the angel

may you find some comfort here

Stern!

I had to go to my own copy of the movie to get this. For some reason it has been stuck in my brain and it is NO WHERE to be found on the Net, which surprised me. For those of you who remember that great movie: Heavy Metal and of course our ever popular Captain Lincoln F. Stern. He was charged with the following:
12 counts of murder in the 1st degree
14 counts of armed theft of Federation property
22 counts of piracy in high space
18 counts of fraud
37 counts of rape
and 1 moving violation.
Least we not forget, he was also accused of the Pre-Schooler Prostitute Ring, and that he Sold Dope as a Nun, by his lackey Hanover Fist, who he was going to get paid 35,000 Zulicks to testify in his behalf.

Heavy Metal. Great movie!

Dr. Evil

The details of my life are quite inconsequential...very well, where do I begin? My father was a relentlessly self-improving boulangerie owner from Belgium with low grade narcolepsy and penchant for buggery. My mother was a fifteen year old French prostitute named Chloe with webbed feet. My father would womanize, he would drink. he would make outrageous claims like he invented the question mark. Sometimes he would accuse chestnuts of being lazy. The sort of general malaise that only the genius posses and the insane lament. My childhood was typical. Summers in Rangoon, luge lessons. In the spring we'd make meat helmets. When I was insolent I was placed in a burlap bag and beaten with reeds-pretty standard really. At the age of twelve I received my first scribe. At the age of fourteen a Zoroastrian named Vilma ritualistically shaved my testicles. There really is nothing like a shaved scrotum...it's breathtaking-I highly suggest you try it.

If Patton was President

If Patton was president of the United States, this would be his fireside speech:

My fellow Americans: As you know, the defeat of the Iraq regime has been completed. Since Congress does not want to spend any more money on this war, our mission in Iraq is complete. This morning I gave the order for a complete removal of all American forces from Iraq; they will be home within 30 days. It is now time to begin the reckoning. Before me I have two lists. One list contains the names of the countries which have stood by our side during the Iraq conflict. The list is short: the United Kingdom, Spain, Bulgaria, Australia, and Poland are some of the countries listed there. The other list contains everyone not on the first list. Most of the world’s nations are on that list. My press secretary will be distributing copies of both lists later this evening. Let me start by saying that effective immediately, foreign aid to those nations on List 2 ceases immediately and indefinitely. The money saved during the first year alone will pretty much pay for the costs of the Iraqi war.The American people are no longer going to pour money into third world Hellholes and watch those government leaders grow fat on corruption. Need help with a famine? Wrestling with an epidemic? Call France.

In the future, together with Congress, I will work to redirect this money toward solving the vexing social problems we still have at home. On that note: a word to terrorist organizations. Screw with us and we will hunt you down and eliminate you and all your friends with extreme prejudice from the face of the earth. Thirsting for a gutsy country to terrorize? Try France, or maybe China.

I am ordering the immediate severing of diplomatic relations with France, Germany and Russia. Thanks for all your help comrades. We are retiring from NATO as well. Bon chance, mes amis. I have instructed the Mayor of New York City to begin towing the many UN diplomatic vehicles located in Manhattan with more than two unpaid parking tickets to sites where those vehicles will be stripped, shredded and crushed. I don’t care about whatever treaty pertains to this. You creeps have tens of thousands of unpaid tickets. Pay those tickets tomorrow or watch your precious Benzes, Beamers and limos be turned over to some of the finest chop shops in the world. I love New York! A special note to our neighbors. Canada is on list 2. Since we are likely to be seeing a lot more of each other, you folks might want to try not pissing us off for a change. Mexico is also on List 2. President Fox and his entire corrupt government really need an attitude adjustment. I will have a couple of extra tank and infantry divisions sitting around. Guess where I am going to put ‘em? Yep, border security. Oh, by the way, the United States is abrogating the NAFTA treaty – starting now.

We are tired of the one-way highway. Immediately, we will be drilling for oil in Alaska – which will take care of this country’s oil needs for decades to come. If you’re an environmentalist who opposes this decision, I refer you to List 2 above: pick a country and move there. They care. It is time for America to focus on it’s own welfare and it’s own citizens. Some will accuse us of isolationism. I answer them by saying, “darn tootin.” Nearly a century of trying to help folks live decent life around the world has only earned us the undying enmity of just about everyone on the planet. It is time to eliminate hunger in America. It is time to eliminate homelessness in America. To the nations on List 1, a final thought. Thank you guys. We owe you and we won’t forget. To the nations on List 2, like a former comrade-in-arms once said, "Nuts."

God Bless America! Thank you and good night.

America Pleads Not Guilty!

Ok, this was in one of my first posts, but after some things that the President said, I think this deserves to be posted again.
















America Pleads Not Guilty!


In the turmoil of the times, Americans have been inoculated with a false feeling of guilt. Some would have us believe we have failed our dreams. They call us greedy, grasping, arrogant, meddlesome...


America Pleads Not Guilty.


Mobs stone our embassies...Americans are ridiculed in foreign lands...Dissenters at home defy our laws and make mockery of our freedom. We are called selfish, smug, self-satisfied, unfair. We are told to hang our heads in guilt and shame.


America Pleads not guilty.


They call us inhumane. But when disaster strikes anywhere in the world; flood, famine, hurricane or earthquake-we are the first to offer aid. Not just sympathy, but food, clothing, medicine, money...


They call us selfish. But each year Americans contribute billions to charity...most of it dimes and dollars from average citizens.


They call us "Uncle Shylock." But what other nation in the history of the world fights and wins wars-then taxes itself to the breaking point to restore the war-torn lands of the enemies?


America Pleads Not Guilty.


Critics scoff at our New World ways. But in 200 years we have cleared a wilderness and have become the granary of the world and the arsenal of freedom.


Cynics say we are crude and uncultured. But in 200 years we have built a nation of 175,000 schools....2,200 colleges and universities....1,000 symphony orchestras....100,000 libraries.........75,000 hospitals....and 250,000 churches.


Two hundred years ago, children worked in the mines and were old at 14...criminals were dipped in vats of molten lead...citizens were chained in dungeons with no hope of a fair trial. Debtors were stripped of their freedom...No man's home was his castle. These are no more...thanks to the American Dream.


America Pleads Not Guilty.


They call us intolerant. But men of other colors and other faiths sit in our Senate and Congress, and rule from the highest judicial court in the land.


America Pleads Not Guilty.


There are 200 million Americans who have never owned a black slave, or any slave. They stem from a million ancestors who have never owned a black slave or any slave. There are 200 million Americans who have never started a war, or envied another man's land....they have never ransacked a nation, looted a stranger's home or forced any man to bow to a loser's yoke. There are 200 million Americans who have never scoffed at another's God...or defied his temples. Thousands of American soldiers are buried in foreign soil-they died fighting so others could be free. Cynics and dissenters cry: "America is through, the dream is gone."


They lie.


Millions of Americans still live with their neighbors in peaces and harmony. Millions of Americans still live with the spirit of charity, with compassion in their hearts. Millions of Americans still pray, pay taxes, obey the law and govern themselves. Cynics, scoffers, critics, say what you will about us...


America Pleads Not Guilty.


This was written by Dan Valentine in the 20th century. It is true today as when it was written. I want to write one that is updated to fit was has gone on in this 21st century. This is my America. This is my United States. I am an American, and I plead not guilty.

I am sure this is fiction, but so true!

A U.S. Navy Admiral was attending a naval conference that included Admirals from the U.S., English, Canadian, Australian and French Navies. At a cocktail reception, he found himself standing with a large group of Officers that included personnel from most of those countries. Everyone was chatting away in English as they sipped their drinks but a French admiral suddenly complained that, 'whereas Europeans learn many languages, Americans learn only English.' He then asked, 'Why is it that we always have to speak English in these conferences rather than speaking French?'

(This is pretty good!)

Without hesitating, the American Admiral replied 'Maybe it’s because the Brits, Canadians, Aussies and Americans arranged it so you wouldn't have to speak German.'

You could have heard a pin drop!

Day 112 - No apologies needed

I work in a diverse office. We have the usual mix of male to female, young, old and political persuasions. Left, right, liberal, conservative and even mixed into those, different opinions about things, so some are stereotypes when it comes to certain opinions, others aren't. I consider myself a conservative Republican on a lot of things. Not on everything, but enough to know that I will never vote for a liberal Democrat. My hot buttons have always been National Security and the Armed Forces that protect us and I am very pro gun. Aside from those two issues, I will rarely get into an argument on what I feel about economy, health, etc. as I have seen good and bad wrought on both sides when it comes to that. But without protecting our borders and ourselves, we couldn't have the time to argue about everything else.

Now the President of the United States is apologizing to France. For us being too arrogant. Metaphor: pot calling the kettle...

As anyone who has read more than two or three entries of my blog I went to a military school and I am proud of that fact. I knew men and women from all over the word who were just as proud of their country as I am of mine. We had different days to celebrate their country, since obviously we celebrate our freedoms here in the US every day. But I know of none that ever made fun of another from another country. I even had a friend from Iraq. And this was during the time of our hostage situation. We never blamed him as we knew that the reason he was here was that his parents wanted him OUT of that country, at least for a while, while all that crap was going on. Every country has done good and bad.

A few years ago Japan apologized for Pearl Harbor. Honestly, I don't think an apology was necessary. The current government was the not the same one that attacked us. There are no hard feelings. I have read where pilots from Japan have laid wreaths at the Arizona memorial. Probably for fallen comrades and to honor all who lost their lives there, one both sides. No military man who has ever been on one side of the line of fire can say that while they may not like, fear, loath, etc the person firing at them; in the same vein you understand and respect that person, as in another day you might be the one who has the advantage. Someone who fights against you, for whatever reason, has earned that right. I can't really explain it. You either understand or you don't.

But, to have the President apologize; in this case my national pride has been punched. Hey, you don't like America, I am of the opinion, you can leave. Why stay here, in a country that you do not put first? Would you stay in a relationship with someone you didn't like?

I will give any President the benefit of the doubt on things until he proves me right or wrong. In this case he has proven me and other right-he doesn't love the United States. (Letting the libs and the Dems come apart at the seems) There is nothing wrong with being proud of your country. Not A DAM thing. Especially when the US has done all that we have. Have we been perfect? No. Have we done good? YES!

In this article that was sent to me by a fellow Old Boy and a man I respect, this hits to the heart of the matter. And in 4 years I hope and pray that this smear on our history will not be replaced.


Arrogant Americans, Mr. President?
Peter Heck - Guest Columnist - 4/14/2009
As I was sitting in church waiting for the start of the service, my grandpa came walking towards me pointing his finger. No matter how old I get, and no matter how long he’s been out of the U.S. Navy, that’s still an intimidating sight. As he approached me, his voice quivered as he said, “We saved that continent twice...how dare my president apologize for this country’s arrogance.” My grandpa is right. Americans need not apologize to the world for their arrogance; rather, Americans should apologize to their forefathers for the arrogance of their president. Barack Obama’s first foreign trip as President of the United States has confirmed the naiveté so many of us feared during the election cycle. But worse than that, it has also demonstrated that our president suffers from either a complete misunderstanding of our heritage and history, or an utter contempt for it. Neither is excusable.Garnering cheers from the French of all people, President Obama declared, “In America , there is a failure to appreciate Europe’s leading role in the world. Instead of celebrating your dynamic union and seeking to partner with you to meet common challenges, there have been times where America has shown arrogance and been dismissive, even derisive.” Consider that Obama spoke these words just 500 miles from the beaches of Normandy , where the sand is still stained with 65-year-old blood of “arrogant Americans.” Indeed, columnist Mark Whittington observes, “One should remind Mr. Obama and the Europeans how America has ‘shown arrogance’ by saving Europe from itself innumerable times in the 20th Century. World War I, World War II, the Cold War, and the wars in the Balkans were largely resolved by American blood, treasure, and leadership.” But all that appears lost on the president’s seemingly insatiable quest to mend fences he imagines have been tarnished by the bullish George W. Bush. If Obama wishes to continue trampling the presidential tradition of showing class to former office holders and publicly trash Bush for his own personal gain, so be it. But all Americans should make clear that no man – even if he is the president – will tarnish the legacy of those Americans who have gone before us. Ours is not a history of arrogance. It is a history of courage, self-sacrifice, and honor. When abusive monarchs repressed the masses, Americans resisted and overthrew them. When misguided policies led to the unjust oppression of fellow citizens, Americans rebelled and overturned them. When millions of impoverished and destitute wretches sought a new beginning, Americans threw open the door and welcomed them. When imperial dictators were on the march, Americans surrendered their lives to stop them. When communist thugs threatened world peace, Americans bled to defeat them. When an entire continent was overwhelmed with famine and hunger, Americans gave of themselves to sustain it. When terrorist madmen killed the innocent and subjugated millions, Americans led the fight to topple them.This is the legacy that generations of Americans have left. If President Obama seeks stronger relations with the world community, perhaps he should begin by reminding them of these very truths, rather than condemning his own countrymen on foreign shores.This “obsessive need to put down his own country,” has caused blogger James Lewis to call President Obama a “stunningly ignorant man” who has evidently never spoken to a concentration camp survivor, a Cuban refugee, a boat person from Vietnam, a Soviet dissident, or a survivor of Mao’s purges.Unfortunately, I can no longer bring myself to give Mr. Obama that benefit of the doubt. Not after looking at the pain in my grandpa’s eyes...a man who still carries shrapnel in his body from his service to this country.As a student and teacher of history, I recognize that America has made mistakes...plenty of them, in fact. But one of the great things about our people has been their courage and humility in admitting and correcting those mistakes. God willing, they will prove that willingness again in four years and correct the mistake that is the presidency of Barack Obama.