Friday, June 4, 2010

Remember the Shoe Bomber

Remember the guy who got on a plane with a bomb built into his shoe and tried to blow up a plane?

Did you know his trial is over?
Did you know he was sentenced?
Did you see/hear any of the judge's comments on TV or Radio?

Didn't think so.!!!

Everyone should hear what the judge had to say.

Ruling by Judge William Young, US District Court.

Prior to sentencing, the Judge asked the defendant if he had anything to say.  His response: After admitting his guilt to the court for the record, Reid also admitted his 'allegiance to Osama bin Laden, to Islam, and to the religion of Allah,' defiantly stating, 'I think I will not apologize for my actions,' and told the court 'I am at war with your country.'

Judge Young then delivered the statement quoted below:

January 30, 2009, United States vs. Reid.

Judge Young:   'Mr. Richard C. Reid, hearken now to the sentence the Court imposes upon you.

On counts 1, 5 and 6 the Court sentences you to life in prison in the custody of the United States Attorney General.  On counts 2, 3, 4 and 7, the Court sentences you to 20 years in prison on each count, the sentence on each count to run consecutively.  (That's 80 years.)

On count 8 the Court sentences you to the mandatory 30 years again, to be served consecutively to the 80 years just imposed..  The Court imposes upon you for each of the eight counts a fine of $250,000 that's an aggregate fine of $2 million..  The Court accepts the government's recommendation with respect to restitution and orders restitution in the amount of $298.17 to Andre Bousquet and $5,784 to American Airlines.

The Court imposes upon you an $800 special assessment. The Court imposes upon you five years supervised release simply because the law requires it. But the life sentences are real life sentences so I need go no further. 

This is the sentence that is provided for by our statutes.  It is a fair and just sentence.  It is a righteous sentence..

Now, let me explain this to you.  We are not afraid of you or any of your terrorist co-conspirators, Mr. Reid.  We are Americans.  We have been through the fire before.  There is too much war talk here and I say that to everyone with the utmost respect.  Here in this court, we deal with individuals as individuals and care for individuals as individuals.  As human beings, we reach out for justice.

You are not an enemy combatant.  You are a terrorist.. You are not a soldier in any war.  You are a terrorist.  To give you that reference, to call you a soldier, gives you far too much stature.. Whether the officers of government do it or your attorney does it, or if you think you are a soldier, you are not----- you are a terrorist.  And we do not negotiate with terrorists.  We do not meet with terrorists.  We do not sign documents with terrorists.  We hunt them down one by one and bring them to justice.

So war talk is way out of line in this court.  You are a big fellow. But you are not that big.  You're no warrior.  I've known warriors. You are a terrorist.  A species of criminal that is guilty of multiple attempted murders.  In a very real sense, State Trooper Santiago had it right when you first were taken off that plane and into custody and you wondered where the press and the TV crews were, and he said: 'You're no big deal.'

You are no big deal.

What your able counsel and what the equally able United States attorneys have grappled with and what I have as honestly as I know how tried to grapple with, is why you did something so horrific.  What was it that led you here to this courtroom today?

I have listened respectfully to what you have to say. And I ask you to search your heart and ask yourself what sort of unfathomable hate led you to do what you are guilty and admit you are guilty of doing? And, I have an answer for you.  It may not satisfy you, but as I search this entire record, it comes as close to understanding as I know.

It seems to me you hate the one thing that to us is most precious. You hate our freedom. Our individual freedom. Our individual freedom to live as we choose, to come and go as we choose, to believe or not believe as we individually choose. Here, in this society, the very wind carries freedom. It carries it everywhere from sea to shining sea. It is because we prize individual freedom so much that you are here in this beautiful courtroom, so that everyone can see, truly see, that justice is administered fairly, individually, and discretely. It is for freedom's sake that your lawyers are striving so vigorously on your behalf, have filed appeals, will go on in their representation of you before other judges.

We Americans are all about freedom. Because we all know that the way we treat you, Mr. Reid, is the measure of our own liberties.  Make no mistake though.  It is yet true that we will bear any burden; pay any price, to preserve our freedoms. Look around this courtroom. Mark it well. The world is not going to long remember what you or I say here. The day after tomorrow, it will be forgotten, but this, however, will long endure.

Here in this courtroom and courtrooms all across America , the American people will gather to see that justice, individual justice, justice, not war, individual justice is in fact being done. The very President of the United States through his officers will have to come into courtrooms and lay out evidence on which specific matters can be judged and juries of citizens will gather to sit and judge that evidence democratically, to mold and shape and refine our sense of justice.

See that flag, Mr. Reid? That's the flag of the United States of America. That flag will fly there long after this is all forgotten. That flag stands for freedom.  And it always will.

Mr. Custody Officer. Stand him down.

Powerful words that strike home.

Creative Message

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This is the new "wear your seat belt" ad the UK is doing - started by
some guy (not hired to do it), but because it is important to him,
he came up with this idea, and now it's being hailed across the world as
a ‘beautiful' commercial.

And now the video has become so popular with the general public that
people are forwarding it to friends/family on their own so quickly that
it has spread all over the world in a very short time.

Thursday, June 3, 2010

5th Graders Take on God

5TH GRADE ASSIGNMENT
A fifth grade teacher in a Christian school asked her class to look at TV commercials and see if they could use them in some way to communicate ideas about God.   
 
 

Here are some of the results: scroll down...

God is like.
 
BAYER ASPIRIN
 
He works miracles.
 

God is like.
 
a FORD

He's got a better idea.


God is like.
 
COKE
 
He's the real thing.
 


(This is great) 


God is like.
 
HALLMARK CARDS
 
He cares enough to send His very best..
 

God is like.
 
TIDE
 
He gets the stains out that others leave behind.
 

God is like.
 
GENERAL ELECTRIC

He  brings good things to life.
 

God is like.
 
SEARS

He has everything.


God is like.
 
ALKA-SELTZER
Try Him, you'll like Him


God is like.
 
SCOTCH TAPE
 
You can't see Him, but you know He's there..
 

God is like....

DELTA
He's ready when you are. 

God is like.
 
ALLSTATE
You're in good hands with Him.
  

God is like.
VO-5 Hair Spray  
He holds through all kinds of weather.
 

Go d is like.
 
DIAL SOAP

Aren't you glad you have Him?  Don't you wish everybody did?
 

(that one is my favorite)
 

God is like
.. 
the U.S. POST OFFICE
Neither rain, nor snow, nor sleet nor ice will keep Him from His appointed destination.. 
  
  
God is like.
 
Chevrolet. . .the heart beat of America
   

God is like
 
Maxwell House. . . 
Good to the very last drop  
  
God is like.
 
B
 
ounty. .. . . 
He is the quicker picker upper. . can handle the tough jobs. . and He won't fall apart on you

How to Fix Congress

THIS IS HOW YOU FIX CONGRESS!

  My friend and neighbor wants to promote a "Congressional Reform Act of 2010."  It would contain eight provisions, all of which would probably be strongly endorsed by those who drafted the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.    

I know that many of you will say "this is impossible."  Let me remind you, Congress has the lowest approval rating of any entity in Government. Now is the time when Americans will join together to reform Congress - the entity that represents us. 

We need to get a Senator to introduce this bill in the US Senate and a Representative to introduce a similar bill in the US House.  These people will become American heroes. 


                        
**********************************
 

             Congressional Reform Act of 2010


1. Term Limits. 

    12 years only, one of the possible options below.

A. Two, Six-year Senate terms
B. Six, Two-year House terms
C. One, Six-year Senate term and three, Two-Year House terms.


     
   
2.  No Tenure / No Pension.

    A Congressman collects a salary while in office and receives no pay when he/she is out of office.
 

   
3.  Congress (past, present, and future) participates in Social Security.

    All funds in the Congressional retirement fund move to the Social Security system immediately.  All future funds flow into the Social Security system, and Congress participates with the American people.


   
4. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan, just as all Americans do.

   
5. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise.  Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%.

 
   
6. Congress loses their current health care system and participates in the same health care system as the American people.

7. Congress must equally abide by all laws they impose on the American people.

  
 
8. All contracts with past and present Congressmen are void effective 1/1/11. 

    The American people did not make this contract with Congressmen.  Congressmen made all these contracts for themselves.



Serving in Congress is an honor; not, a career.  The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, serving their term(s), then going home and back to work.

Truth & Observations

Summary of Life 

GREAT TRUTHS THAT LITTLE CHILDREN HAVE LEARNED: 


1) No matter how hard you try, you can't baptize cats.. 
2) When your Mom is mad at your Dad, don't let her brush your hair.
3) If your sister hits you, don't hit her back. They always catch the second person. 
4) Never ask your 3-year old brother to hold a tomato.
5) You can't trust dogs to watch your food..
6) Don't sneeze when someone is cutting your hair..
7) Never hold a Dust-Buster and a cat at the same time. 
8) You can't hide a piece of broccoli in a glass of milk. 
9) Don't wear polka-dot underwear under white shorts.
10) 
The best place to be when you're sad is Grandma's lap. 

cid:C5C848429E034649B5A30BA1F3B1EFFA@Jane
cid:09150F2F84EE4D69ADC3B8D34024101D@Jane

GREAT TRUTHS THAT ADULTS HAVE LEARNED:
 

1) Raising teenagers is like nailing jelly to a tree.
2) Wrinkles don't hurt.
3) Families are like fudge...mostly sweet, with a few nuts 
4) Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held its ground... 
5) Laughing is good exercise. It's like jogging on the inside.
6) Middle age is when you choose your cereal for the fiber, not the toy.. 


GREAT TRUTHS ABOUT GROWING OLD
 

1) Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional... 
2) Forget the health food. I need all the preservatives I can get. 
3) When you fall down, you wonder what else you can do while you're down there.
4) You're getting old when you get the same sensation from a rocking chair that you once got from a roller coaster. 
5) It's frustrating when you know all the answers but nobody bothers to ask you the questions... 
6) Time may be a great healer, but it's a lousy beautician
7) Wisdom comes with age, but sometimes age comes alone. 


THE FOUR STAGES OF LIFE: 


1) You believe in Santa Claus. 
2) You don't believe in Santa Claus.
3) You are Santa Claus..
4) You look like Santa Claus. 


cid:8E5140249DB04BD892A90850E171D010@Jane

SUCCESS:


At age 4 success is . . . . Not piddling in your pants. 
At age 12 success is . . . Having friends. 
At age 17 success is . . Having a driver's license. 
At age 35 success is . . . . Having money.
At age 50 success is . . . Having money..
At age 70 success is . .. . Having a drivers license. 
At age 75 success is . ... . Having friends. 
At age 80 success is . . .. Not piddling in your pants. 

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Age and its Privilege


cid:A6CCC26385614C9C9091C24CA21CF898@bewick


I would never trade my amazing friends, my  wonderful life, my loving family for less gray hair or a flatter belly.  As I've aged, I've become kinder to myself, and less critical of  myself. I've become my own friend. I don't chide myself for eating  that extra cookie, or for not making my bed, or for buying that silly cement gecko that I didn't need, but  looks so avante garde on my patio. I am entitled to a treat, to be  messy, to be extravagant. 

I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging.

Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer  until 4 AM and sleep until noon? I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60 &70's, and if I, at the same time, wish  to weep over a lost love ... I will.


cid:81D57A801CE1426385090F5BF53E783C@bewick


I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set.

They, too, will get old.

I know I am sometimes forgetful.  But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten. And I  eventually remember the important things.

Sure, over the years my heart has been broken. How can your heart not  break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when somebody's beloved pet gets hit by a car? But broken  hearts are what give us strength and understanding and compassion. A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will  never know the joy of being imperfect.


cid:FD1C0798DE6844F9BA5B69E2260C114C@bewick


I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have  my hair turning gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever  etched into deep grooves on my face.

So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver. 

 

cid:418E57398181464993C2AF0D90C1BEAD@bewick

As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about  what other people think. I don't question myself anymore.

I've even earned the right to be wrong.

So, to answer your question, I like being old. It has set me free. I  like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could  have been, or worrying about what will be. And I shall eat dessert  every single day(if I feel like it). 

MAY OUR FRIENDSHIP NEVER COME APART ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S STRAIGHT  FROM THE HEART!

 

cid:6E7DD1F1DEE342AFB6CBCC65D0527A47@bewick

Perspective

Perspective
undefined
One day , the father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the express purpose of showing him how poor people live.
They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family.
On their return from their trip , the father asked his son , "How was the trip?"
"It was great , Dad."
"Did you see how poor people live?" the father asked.
"Oh yeah , " said the son.
"So , tell me , what did you learn from the trip?" asked the father.
The son answered:
"I saw that we have one dog and they had four...
We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end.
We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night.
Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon.
We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight.
We have servants who serve us , but they serve others.
We buy our food , but they grow theirs.
We have walls around our property to protect us , they have friends to protect them."
The boy's father was speechless.
Then his son added , "Thanks Dad for showing me how poor we are."
Isn't perspective a wonderful thing? Makes you wonder what would happen if we all gave thanks for everything we have, instead of worrying about what we don't have.
Appreciate every single thing you have , especially your friends!
Pass this on to friends and acquaintances and help them refresh their perspective and appreciation.
"Life is too short and friends are too few.."

2010 Computer Upgrades

 COMPUTER UPGRADES for 2010
I really like this one!!!!

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 

HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY!

Check Out your Neighbors

Want a comparison of your area to your neighbors?  Try launching:

www.zipskinny.com

Grandpas and Frogs

THIS OUGHT TO  MAKE ALL GRANDPAS FEEL WARM & FUZZY
A six year old goes to the hospital with her grandmother to visit her Grandpa.
When they get to the hospital, she runs ahead of her Grandma
and bursts into her Grandpa's room.
"Grandpa, Grandpa," she says excitedly, "As soon as Grandma comes
into the room, make a noise like a frog!"
"What?" said her Grandpa.
"Make a noise like a frog - because Grandma said that as soon as you croak, we’re all going to Disney Land !”
And like Walter Cronkite used to say: "And that's the way it is..."

The Economy is so bad...

The economy is so bad that:

I got a pre-declined credit card in the mail.

I ordered a burger at McDonald's and the kid behind the counter asked,
"Can you afford fries with that?"

CEO's are now playing miniature golf.

If the bank returns your check marked "Insufficient Funds," you call
them and ask if they meant you or them.

Hot Wheels and Matchbox stocks are trading higher than GM.

McDonald's is selling the 1/4 ouncer.

Parents in Beverly Hills fired their nannies and learned their
children's names.

A truckload of Americans was caught sneaking into Mexico .

Dick Cheney took his stockbroker hunting.

Motel Six won't leave the light on anymore.

The Mafia is laying off judges.

Exxon-Mobil laid off 25 Congressmen.

And, finally...
I was so depressed last night thinking about the economy, wars, jobs,
my savings, Social Security, retirement funds, etc., I called the
Suicide Lifeline. I got a call center in Yemen, and when I told them I
was suicidal, they got all excited, and asked if I could drive a truck.

Proofreader needed...

Proofreading is a dying art, wouldn't you say?  
Man Kills Self Before Shooting Wife and Daughter  
This one I caught in the SGV Tribune the other day and called the Editorial Room and asked who wrote this.  It took two or three readings before the editor realized that what he was reading was impossible!!!  They put in a correction the next day.   
   I just couldn't help but sending this along. Too funny.   

Something Went Wrong in Jet Crash, Expert Says  
      No crap, really? Ya think? 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Police Begin Campaign to Run Down Jaywalkers  
       Now that's taking things a bit far!  
  ----------------------------------------------------------- 

Panda Mating Fails; Veterinarian Takes Over  
       What a guy!    
---------------------------------------------------------------  

Miners Refuse to Work after Death 
 No-good-for-nothing' lazy so-and-so's! 
---------------------- --------------------------------   

Juvenile Court to Try Shooting Defendant  
See if that works any better than a fair trial! 
  ----------------------------------------------------------  

War Dims Hope for Peace  
 I can see where it might have that effect! 
 ----------------------------------------------------------------  

 If Strike Isn't Settled Quickly, It May Last Awhile 
   Ya think?! 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------  

Cold Wave Linked to Temperatures  
      Who would have thought! 
 ---------------------------------------------------------------- 

Enfield (  London ) Couple Slain; Police Suspect Homicide   
They may be on to something! 
------------------------------------------------------------------------ 

Red Tape Holds Up New Bridges  
      You mean there's something stronger than duct tape?   
  ---------------------------------------------------------- 

Man Struck By Lightning: Faces  Battery Charge
     He probably IS the battery charge! 
----------------------------------------------  

New Study of Obesity Looks for Larger Test Group  
Weren't they fat enough?! 
-----------------------------------------------   

Astronaut Takes Blame for Gas in Spacecraft  
That's what he gets for eating those beans! 
  -------------------------------------------------

Kids Make Nutritious Snacks  
       Do they taste like chicken?
**************************************** 

    Local   High School Dropouts Cut in Half  
       Chainsaw Massacre all over again!  
 *************************************************** 

Hospitals are Sued by 7 Foot Doctors  
       Boy, are they tall!    

And the winner is....  
Typhoon Rips Through Cemetery; Hundreds Dead  
    
     Did I read that right?  
*************************************************** 

A Woman's Week at the Gym

A WOMAN'S WEEK AT THE GYM
If you read this without laughing out loud, there is something wrong with you. This is dedicated to everyone who ever attempted to get into a regular workout routine.

Dear Diary,
For my birthday this year, my Husband (the dear) purchased a week of personal training at the local health tclub for me.

Although I am still in great shape since being a high school football cheerleader 43 years ago, I decided it would be a good idea to go ahead and give it a try.

I called the club and made my reservations with a personal trainer named Christo, who identified himself as a 26-year-old aerobics instructor and model for athletic clothing and swim wear.

My husband seemed pleased with my enthusiasm to get started! The club encouraged me to keep a diary to chart my progress.

________________________________
MONDAY:
Started my day at 6:00 a.m. Tough to get out of bed, but found it was well worth it when I arrived at the health club to find Christo waiting for me. He is something of a Greek god - with blond hair, dancing eyes and a dazzling white smile. Woo Hoo!!

Christo gave me a tour and showed me the machines. I enjoyed watching the skillful way in which he conducted his aerobics class after my workout today. Very inspiring!

Christo was encouraging as I did my sit-ups, although my gut was already aching from holding it in the whole time he was around. This is going to be a FANTASTIC week-!!

________________________________
TUESDAY:
I drank a whole pot of coffee, but I finally made it out the door. Christo made me lie on my back and push a heavy iron bar into the air then he put weights on it! My legs were a little wobbly on the treadmill, but I made the full mile. His rewarding smile made it all worthwhile. I feel GREAT-!! It's a whole new life for me.

_______________________________
WEDNESDAY:
The only way I can brush my teeth is by laying the toothbrush on the counter and moving my mouth back and forth over it. I believe I have a hernia in both pectorals. Driving was OK as long as I didn't try to steer or stop. I parked on top of a GEO in the club parking lot.

Christo was impatient with me, insisting that my screams bothered other club members. His voice is a little too perky for that early in the morning and when he scolds, he gets this nasally whine that is VERY annoying.

My chest hurt when I got on the treadmill, so Christo put me on the stair monster. Why the heck would anyone invent a machine to simulate an activity rendered obsolete by elevators? Christo told me it would help me get in shape and enjoy life. He said some other crap too.

_______________________________
THURSDAY:
Butthole was waiting for me with his vampire-like teeth exposed as his thin, cruel lips were pulled back in a full snarl. I couldn't help being a half an hour late - it took me that long to tie my shoes.

He took me to work out with dumbbells. When he was not looking, I ran and hid in the restroom. He sent some skinny witch to find me.

Then, as punishment, he put me on the rowing machine -- which I sank.
_________________________________
FRIDAY:
I hate that jerk Christo more than any human being has ever hated any other human being in the history of the world. Stupid, skinny, anemic, anorexic little aerobic instructor. If there was a part of my body I could move without unbearable pain, I would beat him with it.

Christo wanted me to work on my triceps. I don't have any triceps! And if you don't want dents in the floor, don't hand me the darn barbells or anything that weighs more than a sandwich.

The treadmill flung me off and I landed on a health and nutrition teacher. Why couldn't it have been someone softer, like the drama coach or the choir director?

________________________________
SATURDAY:
Satan left a message on my answering machine in his grating, shrilly voice wondering why I did not show up today. Just hearing his voice made me want to smash the machine with my planner; however, I lacked the strength to even use the TV remote and ended up catching eleven straight hours of the Weather Channel.

________________________________
SUNDAY:
I'm having the Church van pick me up for services today so I can go and thank GOD that this week is over. I will also pray that next year my husband will choose a gift for me that is fun -- like a root canal or a hysterectomy. I still say if God had wanted me to bend over, he would have sprinkled the floor with diamonds!!!

A Groaner

Bacon Tree

Two Mexicans are stuck in the desert after crossing into the United States , wandering aimlessly and starving. They are about to just lie down and wait for death, when all of a sudden Luis says.........

"Hey Pepe, do you smell what I smell.  Ees bacon, I theenk."

"Si, Luis, eet sure smells like bacon. "

With renewed hope they struggle up the next sand dune, & there, in the distance, is a tree loaded with bacon.

There's raw bacon, there's fried bacon, back bacon, double smoked bacon ... every imaginable kind of cured pork.

"Pepe, Pepe, we ees saved.  Ees a bacon tree."

"Luis, maybe ees a meerage?  We ees in the desert don't  forget."

"Pepe, since when deed you ever hear of  a meerage that smell like bacon...ees no meerage, ees a bacon tree."

And with that, Luis staggers towards the tree.  He gets to within 5 metres, Pepe crawling close behind, when suddenly a machine gun opens up, and Luis drops like a wet sock.  Mortally wounded, he warns Pepe with his dying breath,

"Pepe... go back man, you was right, ees not a bacon tree!"

"Luis, Luis mi amigo... what ees it? "

"Pepe.. ees not a bacon tree.  Ees



 Ees



 Ees



 Ees



 Ees a ham bush...."