the windy city???

why is it that whenever you go to a place that is everything youve ever heard about it is always the opposite???
Seattle---no rain, 5 days....whats with that??
Chicago---no wind?? thought this was the windy city?
Berlin---hangover??? well, that one was entirely my fault, I guess expectations dont always make for a liveable reality.....

Chicago was great, I was able to get some great quality time with my sister...and help her move in the process, but hanging out was more fun than anything else---well, almost anything. I did get a picture of Noah, and I fell in love :)

I was able to go to Wrigley Field and watch a Cubs game, who, by the way, have a worse curse than the Boston Red Sox....---no room for debate---

Brian and Leah's new house is Fabulous...
it is three stories in a great neighborhood. The live within 3 minutes walk of a beautiful lake, which will be a lot of fun for little Noah when he is old enough to swim, and during the three week summer;)
It was a lot of fun to help my parents, leah, and brian work through the rigors of moving in to a new home. lots of paint and crossed fingers. nervous glances were all eased away with time and the colors look fabulous and will make for a nice soothing atmosphere in the house. it should be a really nice place when all is said and done...


well all for now,
Andrew

well, another opportunity has arisen for me to add another post the the page, so here it goes...
things here in VA are more of the same-hot, humid, and muggy...typical southern weather.
I Just recently returned from Chicago, it was a wonderful trip. I helped Leah and Brian move into their new house. it was a lot of fun, and hard work---my calves are still sore-there were 3 flights of stairs, and most of the stuff went to the 2nd and 3rd floor...but it was still worth it.

I am on duty tonight, so I will be up rather late-from 1600-0900. a long shift, but followed by a day off-so its worth it.

well, I have rounds to make, so I will update more later-

I wont be reachable for a while-we have a field excersize coming up, so I wont have access to email-or any internet for that matter. :(

Andrew

technology-ain't it great

it just amazes me sometimes the abilities that we have in this day and age-GPS, biofuels, nuclear power, wireless internet...and that some people just dont appreciate these assets. I was watching CNN today, I had no choice-dont think that I have crossed over the bounds of the smart vs the liberals--it was all that they were showing at the dental clinic, and was amazed by the efforts some countries are going to eliminate an oil dependancy and that we americans are finding more ways that we can be dependant. bolivia will be completely free of oil in 7 years...wonder why our country isnt making the same leaps and bounds??
I recieved a comment from one of my friends that I met in Berlin the other day and in response to your question-yes I still do check your blog blake, and keep up the good fight-the liberals are running scared!!

For those who have not heard, there are some more travel plans for this summer-at government expense and request-I will either be headed for a training exersize in Honduras, practicing with the OPDS (Offshore petroleum discharge system) and the IPDS (inland petroleum distribution system)-or behind door number two, I will be headed back to the desert to perform two six month convoy security operations-thankfully there will be a 2 month break between the two. I will have more details in the coming months-

A couple of requests of my readers-
-If you come across any good books that you feel are worth reading, please forward the titles to me so that I can enjoy them as well-I just finished two great books, and would like to continue with that trend-for those interested they were To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee and Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane...both are well worth the time invested.
-second, continue to pray that God will continue to protect me from those that wish me harm, his blessings continue to unfold in my life and I would like to continue to see his plan for me unfold...


that is all the time that I have for now-look for more posts later this week
Andrew Haberer for President 2016

AJ

well, this weekend I will enjoy some r&r and relax on my days off monday and tuesday-then I will go to work on wednesday and be off on thursday and friday and monday of next week-then Tuesday it is back to work as usual and I assure you from what is on the calendar already you all will be getting your tax dollars worth out of me....:)
I have been anything but busy since we arrived back from pakistan and things are adjusting back to normal. it is funny how two months away from this country can really mess everything up-but not to worry, everything is back in order-all ducks in respective rows.
Gas stations here in VA are running out of everything but premium-the fuel companies say that it is due to the fact that it is time for a seasonal swap to cleaner-more expensive-fuels...those petroleum companies are just trying to get a few more dollars...makes you wonder if the oil crisis of the 70's is back???
well that is all for now-feel free to comment on the entries, would love to hear from you-leave an email address and I will write you back

And the witchdoctor says....

for those of you who dont know I have been going to a psychologist for long term issues resulting from Iraq, but the head-shrinker and I have been making some progress-it all breaks down to what my drill sergeant said in basic training-put yourself in a California state of mind....warm sandy beaches is the key to not going crazy!! who knew...
I ll post more later, stay tuned...
Andrew

Memoirs of a soldier losing his mind...

Its funny how the decisions that we make have lasting effects that we cannot foresee at the time the choice was made.
There are many things that I have done in the army that I would not have ever dreamed would happen when I singed up tree years ago. I have traveled to or through over thirteen countries, I have seen death, I have helped preserve life, and all of these things have happened because of a small choice to work a job.
Today is the official three year mark for me. 1095 days-26280hours-1576800 minutes-94608000 seconds. Three years is a long time, however it is measured. It flashed by. I can hardly remember any one specific moment. Maybe I will break it down by country-
FT Jackson, SC
The very first day of basic training. April 17, 2003
“Your mother lied to you-You are not a beautiful and unique snowflake. You are a cookie from a cookie cutter. You are merely a number, you are nothing special. you no longer have a name, you are the last four digits of your social security number.” Drill sergeants have a way of making you feel loved and accepted.
FT Lee, VA
I have been performing well in AIT(Advanced Individual Training- for those of my readers who are in the national guard!)and there was a fight in the barracks-my drill sergeant had just finished cussing out the soldiers involved, and it was past bed checks-what was about to happen would either be a really good thing, or I would find myself in that one creek without a paddle. My best friend in the army-and battle buddy in training, and I had just returned from an off post pass, and purchased matching sunglasses-you know the kind that state troopers wear. Well a consensus had been reached that the two of us looked like maverick and goose off of Top Gun. Well, we couldn’t disappoint!! For those of you who have seen the movie, you will remember the part in the movie where they sing you’ve lost that loving feeling- the mood was right, and it was now or never. So a small band of we soldiers planned the attack and swarmed our drill sergeant, serenaded her with the song and disappeared into the halls to avoid the cannon blast that was sure to come, however, it never came…the drill sergeant called us back in and, although did her best to convince us not to quit our day jobs, said it made her day.
64th replacement company, Frankfurt Germany-
being the private that I was, I lost my packet of papers that would allow for a seamless transfer into Germany. I lost the orders that brought me over to the country and as a result I could not enter through customs. Not a good start to a two year tour.
Cyprus, turkey-or Greece(aren’t they still fighting over this island??)
this was a beautiful stop on the way to Iraq-although short, it was still nice to escape Germany and enjoy a little nice weather in February.
Camp New York, Kuwait
Never in my life have I felt like all I do is eat and sleep, but this was it. The dining facility was too small, and the First Infantry Division arrives in force-large enough that we took a DIVISION photo-they had to use a helicopter to get high enough to get the hwhole division in-butwe would wake up a 0430 to get in line for breakfast, eat around 0900, leave the chow hall and get right back in line for lunch at 0930, eat lunch at 1100leave the chow hall and get in line for dinner around 1130, eat dinner around 1800, and leave to get in line to make a phone call around 1830 then go to sleep at 2100. NOT FUN-Waking up and seeing herds of camels just crossing the desert-FUN
FOB Scunion (don’t ask, I don’t know…)
Never thought that having mortar rounds impact all around you would be so routine. Its like that scene in Apocalypse now, when they are surfing on the beach and fighting a war at the tree line…there is so much that I could write about Iraq and the effects of living in a combat zone that I will leave that for another entry-besides my mental health visit is later this week, I don’t want to be bored there!!
Austria-
The sound of music, beautiful hills…no wonder the Germans always vacation here---the beer is just as good, they accept Euro, and it is beautiful.
Ireland, England-heck the united kingdom
I Love the Pubs-‘nough said.
Madrid, Spain
It’s a shame that London beat Madrid for the Olympics bid, because spain is the place to be in Europe-the Euro is worth something-the women are beautiful, and there is a nap after lunch everyday-is this heaven on earth?
I hope that you have enjoyed my little walk down memory lane- I may write some other fun moments down.
In other news I intend to go into business for myself doing home remodeling, I need to come up with a name-any suggestions.
Until nextime…

The jetlag is the worst of it all!!!

I tell you the worst part of international travel is the Jet Lag...five countries and six states in the period of two months-my passport is full!!
The good news is that i have officially returned to the United States-all military fanfare included. the jouney was complicated and included a loit of time in airports waiting on flights, or trying to get on an earlier one. the good news is that i will not be working until wednesday-and we use that term "work" very loosely.
I have so much to write down, so many stories to tell, that I will have to post in pieces, so stay tuned...

This is the life

I am here on the other side of the world doing what every Fuel dog is trained to do...we refuel birds all day long---there are helocopters from UN, Red Cross, Pakistan Military, US Military-enough to keep us busy from sunrise to sunset. I am trilled to have an oportunity to make a difference in other people's lives-what a blessing.Andrew

The power of perception

Well ladies and gentlemen, it has been some time since my last post and for that i do appoligize...however-here we go...we have begun to take over operations here in pakistan, and we have been rather busy--it is really fun to take part in a mission that is changing the perception of the american soldier, giving hopes to many, and helping a country recover from a horrible disaster. I really would like to write more , but i do not have the time now-I will give you more of the story later---Andrew

A little more info...just a little.

well-it has been a little difficult to post lately because i have not been online since i moved to VA. But here it is-a lot is going on with me lately. I am on the verge of a promotion to SGT..hopefully within the next couple of months. I am also going to be deploying to Southwest Asia once again, this time to a non-combat situation-more humanitarian relief. Things are going well with the family-my father's business is going to start production soon, and that is a relief. Finally, Grow Anywhere will be growing somewhere...
I am not sure if there will be any resources in our base camp to contact anyone, but for sure i will update anytime that I can...
I will post some more later-
AJ

No rest for the weary...

Well I finally got a few moments to put a post up and have plenty to report. I spent the month of October at the Primary leadership Development course and began the long path towards professional development. It was a little boring-a lot of classwork studying army forms and publications-but worthwhile. I have been in the process of moving for the last month and I am now back stateside.
I am Once again stationed at FT Lee, VA. Home of the Quartermaster Corps and the 49th Quartermaster Group. It has already been quite an adjustment as I am no longer in a combat arms unit, but I am still in a combat arms mentality. Things are done a little differently so please pray that I don't lose my mind.
I do have some good and bad news-mom sorry I didn't tell you first-Iraq is slated for September, so I will once again be on my way back to the sand box. However, I will be afforded the opportunity to provide aid to the needy in the world. My unit has been selected to provide full scale support with the relief efforts already underway in Pakistan, and I will be joining them in those efforts. The world traveler will once again be on his way:)
I have work to do so I will post more later....
AJ

Ephesians 2:14 - For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

September 11th, 2001

Address to a Joint Session of Congress and the American People United States CapitolWashington, D.C.




9:00 P.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Mr. Speaker, Mr. President Pro Tempore, members of Congress, and fellow Americans:
In the normal course of events, Presidents come to this chamber to report on the state of the Union. Tonight, no such report is needed. It has already been delivered by the American people.
We have seen it in the courage of passengers, who rushed terrorists to save others on the ground -- passengers like an exceptional man named Todd Beamer. And would you please help me to welcome his wife, Lisa Beamer, here tonight. (Applause.)
We have seen the state of our Union in the endurance of rescuers, working past exhaustion. We have seen the unfurling of flags, the lighting of candles, the giving of blood, the saying of prayers -- in English, Hebrew, and Arabic. We have seen the decency of a loving and giving people who have made the grief of strangers their own.
My fellow citizens, for the last nine days, the entire world has seen for itself the state of our Union -- and it is strong. (Applause.)
Tonight we are a country awakened to danger and called to defend freedom. Our grief has turned to anger, and anger to resolution. Whether we bring our enemies to justice, or bring justice to our enemies, justice will be done. (Applause.)
I thank the Congress for its leadership at such an important time. All of America was touched on the evening of the tragedy to see Republicans and Democrats joined together on the steps of this Capitol, singing "God Bless America." And you did more than sing; you acted, by delivering $40 billion to rebuild our communities and meet the needs of our military.
Speaker Hastert, Minority Leader Gephardt, Majority Leader Daschle and Senator Lott, I thank you for your friendship, for your leadership and for your service to our country. (Applause.)
And on behalf of the American people, I thank the world for its outpouring of support. America will never forget the sounds of our National Anthem playing at Buckingham Palace, on the streets of Paris, and at Berlin's Brandenburg Gate.
We will not forget South Korean children gathering to pray outside our embassy in Seoul, or the prayers of sympathy offered at a mosque in Cairo. We will not forget moments of silence and days of mourning in Australia and Africa and Latin America.
Nor will we forget the citizens of 80 other nations who died with our own: dozens of Pakistanis; more than 130 Israelis; more than 250 citizens of India; men and women from El Salvador, Iran, Mexico and Japan; and hundreds of British citizens. America has no truer friend than Great Britain. (Applause.) Once again, we are joined together in a great cause -- so honored the British Prime Minister has crossed an ocean to show his unity of purpose with America. Thank you for coming, friend. (Applause.)
On September the 11th, enemies of freedom committed an act of war against our country. Americans have known wars -- but for the past 136 years, they have been wars on foreign soil, except for one Sunday in 1941. Americans have known the casualties of war -- but not at the center of a great city on a peaceful morning. Americans have known surprise attacks -- but never before on thousands of civilians. All of this was brought upon us in a single day -- and night fell on a different world, a world where freedom itself is under attack.
Americans have many questions tonight. Americans are asking: Who attacked our country? The evidence we have gathered all points to a collection of loosely affiliated terrorist organizations known as al Qaeda. They are the same murderers indicted for bombing American embassies in Tanzania and Kenya, and responsible for bombing the USS Cole.
Al Qaeda is to terror what the mafia is to crime. But its goal is not making money; its goal is remaking the world -- and imposing its radical beliefs on people everywhere.
The terrorists practice a fringe form of Islamic extremism that has been rejected by Muslim scholars and the vast majority of Muslim clerics -- a fringe movement that perverts the peaceful teachings of Islam. The terrorists' directive commands them to kill Christians and Jews, to kill all Americans, and make no distinction among military and civilians, including women and children.
This group and its leader -- a person named Osama bin Laden -- are linked to many other organizations in different countries, including the Egyptian Islamic Jihad and the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan. There are thousands of these terrorists in more than 60 countries. They are recruited from their own nations and neighborhoods and brought to camps in places like Afghanistan, where they are trained in the tactics of terror. They are sent back to their homes or sent to hide in countries around the world to plot evil and destruction.
The leadership of al Qaeda has great influence in Afghanistan and supports the Taliban regime in controlling most of that country. In Afghanistan, we see al Qaeda's vision for the world.
Afghanistan's people have been brutalized -- many are starving and many have fled. Women are not allowed to attend school. You can be jailed for owning a television. Religion can be practiced only as their leaders dictate. A man can be jailed in Afghanistan if his beard is not long enough.
The United States respects the people of Afghanistan -- after all, we are currently its largest source of humanitarian aid -- but we condemn the Taliban regime. (Applause.) It is not only repressing its own people, it is threatening people everywhere by sponsoring and sheltering and supplying terrorists. By aiding and abetting murder, the Taliban regime is committing murder.
And tonight, the United States of America makes the following demands on the Taliban: Deliver to United States authorities all the leaders of al Qaeda who hide in your land. (Applause.) Release all foreign nationals, including American citizens, you have unjustly imprisoned. Protect foreign journalists, diplomats and aid workers in your country. Close immediately and permanently every terrorist training camp in Afghanistan, and hand over every terrorist, and every person in their support structure, to appropriate authorities. (Applause.) Give the United States full access to terrorist training camps, so we can make sure they are no longer operating.
These demands are not open to negotiation or discussion. (Applause.) The Taliban must act, and act immediately. They will hand over the terrorists, or they will share in their fate.
I also want to speak tonight directly to Muslims throughout the world. We respect your faith. It's practiced freely by many millions of Americans, and by millions more in countries that America counts as friends. Its teachings are good and peaceful, and those who commit evil in the name of Allah blaspheme the name of Allah. (Applause.) The terrorists are traitors to their own faith, trying, in effect, to hijack Islam itself. The enemy of America is not our many Muslim friends; it is not our many Arab friends. Our enemy is a radical network of terrorists, and every government that supports them. (Applause.)
Our war on terror begins with al Qaeda, but it does not end there. It will not end until every terrorist group of global reach has been found, stopped and defeated. (Applause.)
Americans are asking, why do they hate us? They hate what we see right here in this chamber -- a democratically elected government. Their leaders are self-appointed. They hate our freedoms -- our freedom of religion, our freedom of speech, our freedom to vote and assemble and disagree with each other.
They want to overthrow existing governments in many Muslim countries, such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan. They want to drive Israel out of the Middle East. They want to drive Christians and Jews out of vast regions of Asia and Africa.
These terrorists kill not merely to end lives, but to disrupt and end a way of life. With every atrocity, they hope that America grows fearful, retreating from the world and forsaking our friends. They stand against us, because we stand in their way.
We are not deceived by their pretenses to piety. We have seen their kind before. They are the heirs of all the murderous ideologies of the 20th century. By sacrificing human life to serve their radical visions -- by abandoning every value except the will to power -- they follow in the path of fascism, and Nazism, and totalitarianism. And they will follow that path all the way, to where it ends: in history's unmarked grave of discarded lies. (Applause.)
Americans are asking: How will we fight and win this war? We will direct every resource at our command -- every means of diplomacy, every tool of intelligence, every instrument of law enforcement, every financial influence, and every necessary weapon of war -- to the disruption and to the defeat of the global terror network.
This war will not be like the war against Iraq a decade ago, with a decisive liberation of territory and a swift conclusion. It will not look like the air war above Kosovo two years ago, where no ground troops were used and not a single American was lost in combat.
Our response involves far more than instant retaliation and isolated strikes. Americans should not expect one battle, but a lengthy campaign, unlike any other we have ever seen. It may include dramatic strikes, visible on TV, and covert operations, secret even in success. We will starve terrorists of funding, turn them one against another, drive them from place to place, until there is no refuge or no rest. And we will pursue nations that provide aid or safe haven to terrorism. Every nation, in every region, now has a decision to make. Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists. (Applause.) From this day forward, any nation that continues to harbor or support terrorism will be regarded by the United States as a hostile regime.
Our nation has been put on notice: We are not immune from attack. We will take defensive measures against terrorism to protect Americans. Today, dozens of federal departments and agencies, as well as state and local governments, have responsibilities affecting homeland security. These efforts must be coordinated at the highest level. So tonight I announce the creation of a Cabinet-level position reporting directly to me -- the Office of Homeland Security.
And tonight I also announce a distinguished American to lead this effort, to strengthen American security: a military veteran, an effective governor, a true patriot, a trusted friend -- Pennsylvania's Tom Ridge. (Applause.) He will lead, oversee and coordinate a comprehensive national strategy to safeguard our country against terrorism, and respond to any attacks that may come.
These measures are essential. But the only way to defeat terrorism as a threat to our way of life is to stop it, eliminate it, and destroy it where it grows. (Applause.)
Many will be involved in this effort, from FBI agents to intelligence operatives to the reservists we have called to active duty. All deserve our thanks, and all have our prayers. And tonight, a few miles from the damaged Pentagon, I have a message for our military: Be ready. I've called the Armed Forces to alert, and there is a reason. The hour is coming when America will act, and you will make us proud. (Applause.)
This is not, however, just America's fight. And what is at stake is not just America's freedom. This is the world's fight. This is civilization's fight. This is the fight of all who believe in progress and pluralism, tolerance and freedom.
We ask every nation to join us. We will ask, and we will need, the help of police forces, intelligence services, and banking systems around the world. The United States is grateful that many nations and many international organizations have already responded -- with sympathy and with support. Nations from Latin America, to Asia, to Africa, to Europe, to the Islamic world. Perhaps the NATO Charter reflects best the attitude of the world: An attack on one is an attack on all.
The civilized world is rallying to America's side. They understand that if this terror goes unpunished, their own cities, their own citizens may be next. Terror, unanswered, can not only bring down buildings, it can threaten the stability of legitimate governments. And you know what -- we're not going to allow it. (Applause.)
Americans are asking: What is expected of us? I ask you to live your lives, and hug your children. I know many citizens have fears tonight, and I ask you to be calm and resolute, even in the face of a continuing threat.
I ask you to uphold the values of America, and remember why so many have come here. We are in a fight for our principles, and our first responsibility is to live by them. No one should be singled out for unfair treatment or unkind words because of their ethnic background or religious faith. (Applause.)
I ask you to continue to support the victims of this tragedy with your contributions. Those who want to give can go to a central source of information, libertyunites.org, to find the names of groups providing direct help in New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.
The thousands of FBI agents who are now at work in this investigation may need your cooperation, and I ask you to give it.
I ask for your patience, with the delays and inconveniences that may accompany tighter security; and for your patience in what will be a long struggle.
I ask your continued participation and confidence in the American economy. Terrorists attacked a symbol of American prosperity. They did not touch its source. America is successful because of the hard work, and creativity, and enterprise of our people. These were the true strengths of our economy before September 11th, and they are our strengths today. (Applause.)
And, finally, please continue praying for the victims of terror and their families, for those in uniform, and for our great country. Prayer has comforted us in sorrow, and will help strengthen us for the journey ahead.
Tonight I thank my fellow Americans for what you have already done and for what you will do. And ladies and gentlemen of the Congress, I thank you, their representatives, for what you have already done and for what we will do together.
Tonight, we face new and sudden national challenges. We will come together to improve air safety, to dramatically expand the number of air marshals on domestic flights, and take new measures to prevent hijacking. We will come together to promote stability and keep our airlines flying, with direct assistance during this emergency. (Applause.)
We will come together to give law enforcement the additional tools it needs to track down terror here at home. (Applause.) We will come together to strengthen our intelligence capabilities to know the plans of terrorists before they act, and find them before they strike. (Applause.)
We will come together to take active steps that strengthen America's economy, and put our people back to work.
Tonight we welcome two leaders who embody the extraordinary spirit of all New Yorkers: Governor George Pataki, and Mayor Rudolph Giuliani. (Applause.) As a symbol of America's resolve, my administration will work with Congress, and these two leaders, to show the world that we will rebuild New York City. (Applause.)
After all that has just passed -- all the lives taken, and all the possibilities and hopes that died with them -- it is natural to wonder if America's future is one of fear. Some speak of an age of terror. I know there are struggles ahead, and dangers to face. But this country will define our times, not be defined by them. As long as the United States of America is determined and strong, this will not be an age of terror; this will be an age of liberty, here and across the world. (Applause.)
Great harm has been done to us. We have suffered great loss. And in our grief and anger we have found our mission and our moment. Freedom and fear are at war. The advance of human freedom -- the great achievement of our time, and the great hope of every time -- now depends on us. Our nation -- this generation -- will lift a dark threat of violence from our people and our future. We will rally the world to this cause by our efforts, by our courage. We will not tire, we will not falter, and we will not fail. (Applause.)
It is my hope that in the months and years ahead, life will return almost to normal. We'll go back to our lives and routines, and that is good. Even grief recedes with time and grace. But our resolve must not pass. Each of us will remember what happened that day, and to whom it happened. We'll remember the moment the news came -- where we were and what we were doing. Some will remember an image of a fire, or a story of rescue. Some will carry memories of a face and a voice gone forever.
And I will carry this: It is the police shield of a man named George Howard, who died at the World Trade Center trying to save others. It was given to me by his mom, Arlene, as a proud memorial to her son. This is my reminder of lives that ended, and a task that does not end. (Applause.)
I will not forget this wound to our country or those who inflicted it. I will not yield; I will not rest; I will not relent in waging this struggle for freedom and security for the American people.
The course of this conflict is not known, yet its outcome is certain. Freedom and fear, justice and cruelty, have always been at war, and we know that God is not neutral between them. (Applause.)
Fellow citizens, we'll meet violence with patient justice -- assured of the rightness of our cause, and confident of the victories to come. In all that lies before us, may God grant us wisdom, and may He watch over the United States of America.
Thank you. (Applause.)

The New Chairman Of The Joint Chiefs of Staff

So we all know that the President has a lot of trouble with Big Names...I know that its a little harsh but watch the video and if you don't want to watch the whole thing, skip to 4:33 (four minutes and thirty-three seconds).
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/04/20050422.html

click on the video link and have a good laugh with the pres...what he was laughing too :)
AJ

The American Thinker-do they have these in the Mainstream Media?

I continue to get that taste in my mouth like i just threw up in my mouth and had to swallow it. The Mainstream media disgusts me-Mom I think you should stop watching Meet The Press-maybe you can find some other sunday morning activity. Who are these A-holes that get jobs with the press. NBC, ABC, CBS are worthless outlets of Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton. Tim Russert is a Piece of Shit man! who can we rely on for good news-

here are a couple of articles from the American Thinker-Enjoy!
http://www.americanthinker.com/articles.php?article_id=4797
http://www.americanthinker.com/articles.php?article_id=4784

Crime and Punishment

I promise that this post will not be like the Leo Tolstoy novel. However, there are some thoughts bouncing around in my head. Hurricaine Katrina has been quite a tradgedy, and not just in human life. It has been, to my disgust, quite appearent that Americans have become rich, lazy, and addicted to violence.
I have been over here in Germany and watching the news. It amazes me that we, members of the free world, citizens of the United States, can be reduced to such animal states when the presense of law is absent-even if just for a moment. It seems as though a thin veneer of civilization has been spread across our nation. When we are at our worst our citizens should be at their best, but this is not the case. We are greedy, selfish, and prone to violence. The LA Riots, Hurricaine Katrina-these are just the most televised, are perfect examples of why we as a nation are on a downhill slide.
we commit hundreds of thousands of murders a day-although some of these murders are written off as "Birth Control"-we grow increasingly violent with each generation, our children start using drugs at earlier ages, and we are left to wonder what our government is doing.

DON'T GET IT TWISTED-
The government has nothing to do with it. The lawlessness of the people of New Orleans can only be blamed on the people of New Orleans. Have we learned nothing from nations of the past? have we learned nothing of history? Have we learned nothing from GOD? He is a Jealous God. He will have nothing before him. If we, as a nation, do not learn from the examples that have been furnished to us, we will end up just as the Romans, Babylonians, and Isrealites before us did. We shall Lie in Ruin-no stone left standing on each other. The Cup will pass from our hands-yes greive for those lost in this horrible tradgedy, and give to help, but do not look at this as an isolated event of lawlessness.
Pray for our nation-pray for those lost-but most of all, pray for revival-pray for Change of heart-

Good night and God bless-
AJ

If i could be like that...

sometimes i find that i am living my life by the expectations of others-those that want me to be someone that they want me to be. Am i incapable of living for myself? Am i incapable of living my life for God? or am i doomed to live life catering to the expectations and realities of those that i choose to surround myself with?
1 Kings 2:2, "be strong and show yourself a man." What is Strength?

strength ( P ) Pronunciation Key (strngkth, strngth, strnth)n.
The state, property, or quality of being strong.
The power to resist attack; impregnability.
The power to resist strain or stress; durability.
The ability to maintain a moral or intellectual position firmly.

holding the moral high-ground is the battle of a lifetime, meaning that it lasts a lifetime. Americans typically do not understand a long war-everything that we have been involved in has been fairly short. Take for example one of the most famous European wars-The Hundred Years war. It is summed up in its title. due to the lifespan of the average European at the time, this war lasted several GENERATIONS. not years, lifetimes. The same goes for the battle between good and evil. it has been going on for Several Milenia. Thousands of years. it takes intestinal fortitude of which no human is capable-what is our solution then. We are up against an enemy that out numbers us, out guns us, and is a great tactician. It is the battle of David and Goliath on a Cosmic perspective. Without help, we are doomed-resistance is futile. BUT, we do have help. We have each other, we have the word of God, we have Salvation, Victory is ours. One thing that is still a "thorn in the flesh" for me is having authority over me. why can i not be the one in charge? Why do I have to do what someone else tells me? Especially if that someone is not physically present. How can i accept leadership over me? Does anyone have any advise-any strategies of acceptance?

"Away From The Sun"
It's down to this I've got to make this life make sense Can anyone tell what I've done I miss the life I miss the colours of the world Can anyone tell where I am 'Cause now again I've found myself So far down, away from the sun That shines into the darkest place I'm so far down, away from the sun again Away from the sun again I'm over this I'm tired of living in the dark Can anyone see me down here The feeling's gone There's nothing left to lift me up Back into the world I knowAnd now again I've found myself So far down, away from the sun That shines into the darkest place I'm so far down, away from the sun That shines to light the way for me To find my way back into the arms That care about the ones like me I'm so far down, away from the sun again It's down to this I've got to make this life make sense And now I can't tell what I've done And now again I've found myself So far down, away from the sun That shines to light the way for me'Cause now again I've found myself So far down, away from the sun That shines into the darkest place I'm so far down, away from the sun That shines to light the way for meTo find my way back into the arms That care about the ones like me I'm so far down, away from the sun again

"Be Like That"
He spends his nights in California, Watching the stars on the big screen, Then he lies awake and he wonders, Why can’t that be meCause in his life he is filledWith all these good intentionsHe’s left a lot of things He’d rather not mention right nowBut just before he says goodnight, He looks up with a little smile at me,And he says,If I could be like that,I would give anythingJust to live one day, in those shoesIf I could be like that,what would I do,What would I doNow and dreams we runShe spends her days up in the north park,Watching the people as they passAnd all she wants is justA little piece of this dream, Is that too much to askWith a safe home, and a warm bed, On a quiet little streetAll she wants is just that something toHold onto, that’s all she needsYeah!If I could be like that,I would give anythingJust to live one day, in those shoesIf I could be like that, what would I do,What would I doI’m falling into this, dreams,We run awayIf I could be like that,I would give anythingJust to live one day, in those shoesIf I could be like that, what would I do,What would I doIf I could be like that,I would give anythingJust to live one day, in those shoesIf I could be like that, what would I do,What would I doIf I could be like that,I would give anythingJust to live one day, in those shoesIf I could be like that, what would I do,What would I doFalling inI feel I am falling in, to this again.

3 Doors Down

the filth on the web...

well, the more and more time i spend on the internet the more and more filth i find. i recently found one of the most disgusting websites in the entire web-www.dictionary.com. it was appauling to see how easy it is for young children to have such free access the to perverse nature of the english language-and that was before i learned that there were definitions to slang words included.
I know i am such a nerd, but, hey, do one thing and do it well...
the betrayal word was actually one that i came accross while doing some research on history-i have a little too much time on my hands if i am continuing school work without credit:).
i actually recieved quite a few emails-none of you are to blame, its the webmasters at dictionary.com...but after i saw the definitions it got me thinking-how often do I betray those around me? how often do they betray me? so i posted the definition and looked for some feedback.
the following post was about stress management, and i would still like some ideas or feedback. i am starting to notice that i have been suppressing some ongoing problems resulting from combat stress, and i have begun a rigorous counselling program. No cause for concern, just wanted some ideas...
Something that is cause for concern recently occurred in California. The family minus recently made their way out to the Golden State for the wedding of the year. Martha Stewart was unable to attend, as she is still under house arrest, but all in all i heard that things went marvelously-The bride was beautiful, the groom was handsome, and the family was well behaved (thank you LAPD riot police for being on-call). From what i understand, a good time was had by all...
The traveling soldier was unable to make the trip with too much going on here in Germany-and my own move just 93 days away. it is nearing crunch time, and i am not sure what to do with myself.
anyways-i just got off of a 24 hour guard shift and have not slept yet. i will post some more later, after ample sleep.
may providence guide and keep you-godspeed.
Andrew

stress-
1. A mentally or emotionally disruptive or upsetting condition occurring in response to adverse external influences and capable of affecting physical health, usually characterized by increased heart rate, a rise in blood pressure, muscular tension, irritability, and depression.
2. A stimulus or circumstance causing such a condition.
3. A state of extreme difficulty, pressure, or strain: “He presided over the economy during the period of its greatest stress and danger” (Robert J. Samuelson).

Management-
1. The act, manner, or practice of managing; handling, supervision, or control

anyone have any advice?