"In case you missed it, a few days ago Senator Clinton tried to spend $1 million on the Woodstock Concert Museum. Now, ladies and gentlemen, I wasn't there. I'm sure it was a cultural and pharmaceutical event. I was tied up at the time."

--John McCain

"We are going to take things away from you on behalf of the common good."

--Hillary Clinton

'No arsenal, no weapon in the arsenals of the world is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men everywhere.'

-- Ronald Reagan

'My friends, we live in the greatest nation in the history of the world.
I hope you'll join with me as we try to change it.'
-- Barack Obama

A Hard Woman is Good to Find!

A Good Woman is Hard to Find!

Tomorrow marks a special day in my family. It is the day it all officially began. We will celebrate our 19th wedding anniversary on April 29th 2008. My wife and I became fast friends when we first met and over the next few years and many tribulations our relationship grew. I would have to say that probably the turning point was a time when we thought we would no longer be friends. A few months of missing someone who is that important to you tends to make you realize the true value of those relationships. When we again began to share our lives it only took a month or so for us to become engaged.

There are many people that tell us "You've been married so long and still act like you love one another, how do you do it?" Our response is typically "Not only that but we like each other too!" It is not uncommon for modern marriages to breakup after short periods of time. Many people equate this to the honeymoon wearing off. I'm not sure about all the societal and psychological explanations but I have made some observations.

Everyone needs to retain a portion of their individuality while enjoying the common aspects of the couple personality. There needs to be space to let the girls be girls and the boys be boys. The line gets drawn when the activities are damaging to the trust and security of the other. For example she might use some of our money to go buy the latest fashion and I will use a little to buy the latest gadget, but neither of us would make that purchase if it prevented the other from doing so.(mutual respect) Often on anniversaries we have made the big purchases in cooperation with each other, the new multimedia center or dining room set as examples.(common items of agreement) I use money issues as examples because surveys show this is one of the top reasons people split up. But, the rules also apply to other aspects of the relationship.

I suppose that in most relationships people tend to accidentally break that trust(you bought that without discussing it with me). I think the key to making forgiveness easier is to remember the promises you made when you got married and the reasons you were so willing to make those commitments. I often tell my wife I Love Her.(she usually responds in kind but occasionally at tense moments she may respond who are you trying to remind me or you :-)) When we think of the love that we hold for each other and when things are put into prospective that is something that she and I know will never change. That security makes us both feel that we can speak our minds.(and we do) One more piece of advice, don't take yourself too seriously. If you take care of them they will take care of you.

Recently, we were discussing the future relationships of our children and by the end of the discussion it was commonly agreed that we hope they are lucky and diligent enough to find and work with a person that they can have the same kind of relationship as their parents have with each other. I know your thinking spare me the mushy stuff but it is true. I am very proud of the relationship my wife and I have and of the family we have built together. I wish the same for you. Yes I did say work, it takes two people to make a good relationship. Work is a key component of any relationship. It is in our nature to self preserve. When two become one, it is sometimes hard to remind ourselves that self now includes family.

Hey you gorgeous babe Happy Anniversary!

Had to share this one when it was brought to my attention.

Semper Fi Brother, and keep up the good fight!

I first enter USA Goju in 1976 under the instruction of Sensei Gene Cross. Master Peter Urban was the head of the organization. As a white belt one of our first lessons was to memorize and live by the 10 Virtues of GoJu Karate. I am unaware of the origin of these virtues, but even as a 10 year old I recognized their value and still try to remain loyal to them.

1. We are proud to be Karateka.

2. We shall always practice and study.

3. We shall be quick to seize opportunity.

4. We shall always practice patience.

5. We shall keep the fighting spirit.

6. We shall block soft and hit hard.

7. We shall believe nothing is impossible.

8. We shall always discard the bad.

9. We shall always keep the good.

10. We shall be loyal to ourselves, karate, and our country.

*Notes to readers:

Karateka is a student of Karate

Being loyal to ourselves - translates to being loyal to your beliefs and your family.

Another email passed along the road that is interesting, but not fact checked to be sure. Please if anyone finds error in this post comment. i don't have the time nor the historic interest to look it up.

Your Social Security

Just in case some of you young whippersnappers (and some older ones) didn't know this. It's easy to check out, if you don't believe it. Be sure and show it to your kids. They need a little history lesson on what's what.

Our Social Security

Franklin Roosevelt, a Democrat, introduced the Social Security (FICA) Program. He promised:

1.) That participation in the Program would be completely voluntary,

2.) That the participants would only have to pay 1% of the first $1,400 of their annual incomes into the Program,

3.) That the money the participants elected to put into the Program would be deductible from their income for tax purposes each year,

4.) That the money the participants put into the independent "Trust Fund" rather than into the General Operating Fund, and therefore, would only be used to fund the Social Security Retirement Program, and no other government program, and,

5.) That the annuity payments to the retirees would never be taxed as income.

Since many of us have paid into FICA for years and are now receiving a Social Security check every month -- and then finding that we are getting taxed on 85% of the money we paid to the Federal Government to "put it away" - you may be interested in the following:

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Q: Which Political Party took Social Security from the independent "Trust Fund" and put it into the General Fund so that Congress could spend it?

A: It was Lyndon Johnson and the Democratically controlled House and Senate.

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Q: Which Political Party eliminated the income tax deduction for Social Security (FICA) withholding?

A: The Democratic Party.

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Q: Which Political Party started taxing Social Security annuities?

A: The Democratic Party, with Al Gore casting the "tie-breaking" deciding vote as President of the Senate, while he was Vice President of the U.S.

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Q: Which Political Party decided to start giving annuity payments to immigrants?

AND MY FAVORITE:

A: That's right, it was Jimmy Carter and the Democratic Party.
Immigrants moved into this country, and at age 65, began to receive Social Security payments! The Democratic Party authorized these payments for them, even though they never paid a dime into the Program!

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Then, after violating the original contract (FICA), the Democrats turn around and tell you that the Republicans want to take your Social Security away! Even more, they blame the Republicans for taking the Program down the road to bankruptcy.

And the worst part about it is, uninformed citizens believe it!

If enough people receive this, maybe a seed of awareness will be planted and maybe changes will evolve. Maybe not, some Democrats are awfully
sure of what isn't so.

Actions speak louder than bumper stickers!!!

Almighty Father, whose command is over all and whose love never fails, make me aware of Thy presence and obedient to Thy will. Keep me true to my best self, guarding me against dishonesty in purpose in deed and helping me to live so that I can face my fellow Marines, my loved ones and Thee without shame or fear. Protect my family. Give me the will to do the work of a Marine and to accept my share of responsibilities with vigor and enthusiasm. Grant me the courage to be proficient in my daily performance. Keep me loyal and faithful to my superiors and to the duties my country and the Marine Corps have entrusted to me. Make me considerate of those committed to my leadership. Help me to wear my uniform with dignity, and let it remind me daily of the traditions which I must uphold.
If I am inclined to doubt; steady my faith; if I am tempted, make me strong to resist; if I should miss the mark, give me courage to try again. Guide me with the light of truth and grant me wisdom by which I may understand the answer to my prayer.

Amen.

In my youth I ran across this verse and took it to heart. I like to share it whenever I can, so I hope you enjoy. There ia a tremendous back story that can be found on Wikipedia.

Desiderata
Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.
Max Ehrmann, 1952