Thanks To U.S. And Russia, The End Of The World Inches Closer

Posted by BGH

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If the United States carries out the building of planned anti-missile defense installations in Czech Republic and Poland, Russia may place a few conveniently close bombers on Cuban soil.

A cold war all over again? Possibly. More likely than not, this is a great deal of posturing from both sides, but we saw consequences of such chest puffing in the sixties with the Cuban missile crisis and the continued cold war with the soviets until the late eighties.

This type of tit-for-tat military build up and propaganda dispensing only fortified fear, ignorance and hatred between two nations that have shown since, that they can work very well together. Unfortunately we have a power hungry, cowboy-up, war-mongering president in the White House by the name of George W. Bush and Russia has had a very similar leader in Vladamir Putin.

The best interest of the nation never seems to be the concern in these exercises, those in power only seem to be led by stubbornness and arrogance. The escalation is relentless, and we all suffer....
----
"These things I'll carry on
And when you're gone I'll honor you
Each day, however long"

Keep Us Safe - The Jalapeño And Tomato Eradication Act

Posted by BGH

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Underground word out of Washington is that our lame-duck president, George W. Bush, is not sitting on his hands, idly letting the waning months of his term pass by before his eyes. He is remaining vigilant on the “threat to ‘Merica” front, there is a new danger lurking and our man in office is on the job.

He is set to propose new anti-terrorism legislation, intended to “keep ‘Merica safe” in these dangerous times:
The Jalapeño And Tomato Eradication Act (or J.A.T.E Act pronounced ‘Hate’) – intended to keep America safe from salmonella attack inside our borders.

This new legislation will take the salmonella fight to source. Wherever jalapeños and tomatoes are being harbored they will be taken out. We will use military powers granted by this bill to send troops wherever needed to find and kill these enemies of America who hate normal digestive function. The borders will be secured with J.A.T.E Act from salsa, picante and any other methods of disguise for these ‘evil doers’. The Department Of Homeland Security will set up a new J.A.T.E Act threat level warning system to keep the American public alerted to the status of potential attack. The threat levels will be rated as follows:

Flaming – Severe
Hot – High
Spicy – Elevated
Medium – Guarded
Mild – Low

Persons on American soil who are suspected of harboring tomatoes or jalapeños will be subject to warrant less searches, monitoring of communications and seizure of bank accounts. Basic constitutional rights will be removed from anyone arrested on suspicion of growing or distributing the enemy, they will be treated as an enemy combatant, transferred to a military prison, held indefinitely, denied access to legal counsel and may be interrogated using various means of obtaining knowledge, up to and including waterboarding of suspects.

By using the powers included in this act the President will be able to keep America safe and hopefully spread the seeds normal digestion throughout the world where it is lacking and champion the merits of bacteria-free living. Let’s all support our commander-in-chief during this new effort to keep our country safe.

“If you aren’t with us, you’re against us.”
----
"These things I'll carry on
And when you're gone I'll honor you
Each day, however long"

At Least He Gets To Keep His Reason And Sanity

Posted by BGH

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A musician who was a member of a Christian band is not taken with open arms by his fellow band members when he expresses doubt in religious doctrine, and belief in god. Instead he has been booted from the band and now his ex band members are clasping hands 'wishing' him better.

From my perspective, he has gotten better. At least now he is thinking about his indoctrination and trying to determine whether what he believes is true. Too many people uncritically accept the mythology taught as religion their whole lives, never giving the existence of such supernatural events much thought. They become comfortable with the mob mentality and therefore decide to just follow along.

This musician may have lost his job with the band but has gained his intellectual freedom and hopefully he will retain it.
----
"These things I'll carry on
And when you're gone I'll honor you
Each day, however long"

... One GIANT Leap!

Posted by BGH

~
On this day, July 20, in 1969 man first stepped on the moon. Thirty-nine years ago, this feat was a scientific and engineering marvel, and the nation showed great interest. A time where science, knowledge and ingenuity was valued by the whole of this nation unfortunately seems to be left behind in the sixties/seventies.


----
"These things I'll carry on
And when you're gone I'll honor you
Each day, however long"

George W. Bush Leaves A Comment On My Article

Posted by BGH

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It appears that the President Of The United States, as busy as he may be, still finds time to surf the web. I was very surprised to see he left a comment on something I had written about him.

On this post:
Bush White House, Corrupt Throughout

Granted, what I wrote about the 'Fearless Mis-Leader' was not very flattering, but I never expected he would stumble upon my words.

Here is what he said (it is presumed he is posting under the alias "Will", because there couldn't possibly be anyone else out there deluded enough to defend this presidency, unless maybe Dick Cheney, but I am sure he is sleeping during the day in his man-sized safe and only comes out at night to feast):

"Will said...

George Bush and friends are fighting evil; they are not the evil. Those who curse and slander and point at possible terrorists as innoccents; those who spit in your own faces, are insane. So, Fuck you too Author of this litany against true Freedom Supporters. I hope your sons and daughters get terrorized first when your people are let go due to your self righteous attacks. And when water boarding isn't used and cutting out their guts and eyes before slitting their throats prior to confessing they are whores and gays, then maybe then you'll remember the true meaning of this little blog here.

Fuck you too!
Will"

At first I was flabbergasted, unable to believe that the Executor In Chief really took the time to write to me. Then, I thought I would respond and let him know his ruse was figured out.

Here is what I said in response:

"BGH said...

Awwww George, how did you come up with the pseudonym 'Will'? Is it because you claim to be doing the 'will' of the people when in reality you have posted some of the lowest approval ratings of any president, ever???

Don't worry Will (George), I would rather have my freedoms in tact and take my risk of being a victim of terrorism, than to have you looking over my shoulder, entering my house without warrant and obliterating the economy, U.S. international opinion, and any of them 'darkies' you wanna steal oil from.

Thanks for the well wishes Will (Georgie), tell Laura and the twins I said "Hi"."

Needless to say, the comment yesterday was one of the most surprising and intellectual (y) (stupid) comments ever left here.

Thanks George W. Bush for the laughter!!
----
"These things I'll carry on
And when you're gone I'll honor you
Each day, however long"

Religion Harbors Insanity

Posted by BGH

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People are insane. Many, many people are bug-nutter crazy and they just don’t realize it.

Why? Well, religion, a doctrinal set of beliefs and prescribed thought syllabus, gives them a societal asylum. They are able to hide behind the ‘faith’, claim the most insanely delusional things, and society says, “well, that is their religion, that is their right”.

Just check these stories to see how the insanity hides under the cover of religion.

Bible, watermelon stop stray bullet

A bible stopped the bullet? This is divine intervention? What about the first girl who was hit, did god just wake up from a nap in time to stop it from hitting the second girl? The family isn’t told, “you’re crazy, it’s pure luck and coincidence that the WATERMELON and the bible were able to stop the bullet”. No, they are told “praise Jesus”.

Dubai Detains Foreigners Accused Of Being Gay

It is illegal (???) to be gay? Because Muslim doctrine says so, it is permissible to arrest an individual with different preferences; almost no-one in society says anything because, well, the Qu’ran dictates that homosexuality is wrong. So, who are we to argue with their ‘faith’? The western nations can't go after Islam because, if the largest religion in our country (Christianity) says it's okay to hate fags, we can't tell Muslims they are wrong for their beliefs.

Lorna Byrne: 'To me, seeing angels is natural'

This woman is delusional at best and instead of being told she is batshiat crazy, she gets a six-figure book deal because other batshiat crazy people want to read about angels. If someone said they were having visions of mailboxes with “its golden wings in such detail. I could see the feathers individually", a psychological evaluation would be in order, but because ‘angels’ are part of a religious doctrine they are completely believable. If the woman were to be diagnosed with a disorder causing her to have these visions, credit would still be given to the faith and ‘god’, for giving her the gift.

And then there is a faith that makes this an acceptable treatment of women.



Sure, the westernized nations criticize this treatment, but not too much. After all, it is their religion and it wasn't long ago we used our religion (Christianity) to justify similar treatment of the female members of society.

I don't know if religion were to disappear tomorrow if the insanity would go away, or if humans would find another harbor for bigotry, delusion and hatred. I would love to find out. Maybe tripping off the deep end of the sanity pool wouldn't be so easy. Maybe people would be less inclined to boldly display such synapse misfirings. I am not saying disappearance of 'faith' would end all such activity, but it would certainly have one less place to duck for cover.
----
"These things I'll carry on
And when you're gone I'll honor you
Each day, however long"

'Glass Half Full' George W. Bush - Economic Wisdom

Posted by BGH

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George W. Bush has once again shown himself to be a man of high *cough* intelligence and *cough* wisdom. This time he clearly illustrates he has a firm 'grasp' on the U.S. economy.

If by 'grasp' you mean 'total detachment from reality'... at least the "childrens are learnin", right?

Seriously, if this is a guy you want to "have a beer with", it's because you know he will say or do the stupidest things and then you can sit back and laugh.


----
"These things I'll carry on
And when you're gone I'll honor you
Each day, however long"

Bishop Shows True Compassion, Says "Get Over It"

Posted by BGH

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As 'World Youth Day' has descended on Australia, there has been much focus on abuses committed by Catholic priests on the young and vulnerable members of the congregation. Even the Pope was planning an apologetic message regarding abuse cases. Though not enough to make up for stealing the innocence of children, it is a 'step' and shows at least a modicum of acknowledgment.

The church seems ready to capitulate to a point, except for apparently one Bishop:
Catholic Bishop says abuse victims are 'dwelling on old wounds'

World Youth Day (WYD) has again been overshadowed by the Catholic Church's handling of sexual abuse cases, with Cardinal George Pell accused of holding up compensation claims, after a WYD coordinator said victims were “dwelling crankily… on old wounds".

In regards to a woman who committed suicide after years of trying to deal with the abuse she experienced:

He says he apologized to the family in 1998 and organized counseling, which the Church partly paid for.

"We offered them some financial help. We also offered them counseling for Emma."

"Partially paid for"??? WTF? There is, and has been for some time, a disgusting culture in the church, wherein they sometimes put forth the idea (somewhat obliquely), that the victims inadvertently asked to be used as a sex toy and are now making a big deal about the pain.

Maybe it is because these bishops and priests do not have children of their own, maybe they can't understand the outrage felt by families affected by their misdeeds. They have no idea how a father, such as myself, would become their greatest enemy if my child was ever treated to their 'favors'. How, if they actually survived long enough to be put in jail or shipped to an undisclosed location, they would be fortunate and as such may go a long way to proving the existence of 'god'. Because, if one of these demons laid a hand on my child, they would soon know the pain of their supposed "Christ" and a resurrection would be the best they could wish for after many long hours of time together with me.
----
"These things I'll carry on
And when you're gone I'll honor you
Each day, however long"

America Has Become A Disgrace, Thanks To You And Me

Posted by BGH

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We have let stature and respect slip through our fingers. We have become guilty of the actions we condemn in others. We have squandered time and resources in petty endeavors, which more often than not, lead to dead-ends.

Yes, you and me. We are guilty. We have allowed this descent. You see, as a nation, we have been sleeping while we were supposed to be standing watch. We threw away, as you would a discarded gum wrapper, our voting rights and our vigilance. We have busied ourselves with insignificant trivia. We focus on what the candidate's wife wears, who we would rather 'have a beer with' or who looks better on TV, and then use this non-useful criteria to elect officials.

We vote into office characters of the shadiest sort. The most corrupt and vile persons take our votes, ones who we would not even trust with keys to the water closet, much less the oval office or congressional halls.

Our politicians are bought and sold on a daily basis because of love for the almighty dollar and a disdain for the people they were elected to represent. Lobbyists get legislation passed for the special interest groups who are willing to give the most money. The current presidential cabinet is drunk with power, flagrantly disregarding law, sending our sons and daughters to their death for what amounts to nothing more than lies, printing money hand over fist to fund a military quagmire and alienating nearly every previously allied nation. Congress continually capitulates to the administration. The justice department capitulates to the administration. The judiciary capitulates to the administration. “We The People” are left in the cold.

How did we get here? Because; American Idol has become more important in our daily lives than American elections. People are “too busy” to learn about the candidates and too shallow to care about real issues. Instead, the one with the best hairstyle is ‘electable’, the campaign that buys the most ads is ‘dedicated’ and the one who appears to be a partier is ‘our pal’. In the end we lose, we are the ones dragging ourselves down and ultimately passing on our apathetic product to our children.

WAKE THE FUCK UP!!!!
----
"These things I'll carry on
And when you're gone I'll honor you
Each day, however long"

Sadistic Torture Device Arrives In Sydney For Pope's Visit

Posted by BGH

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Well known object of Christian worship, a medieval torture device 'The Cross', is carried through the streets in Sydney, Australia. This further drives home the fact that Christianity is nothing more than a primitive death cult.



----
"These things I'll carry on
And when you're gone I'll honor you
Each day, however long"

Is The Media Frenzy Fueling Oil Speculation?

Posted by BGH

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I am sure initially the the speculation market was being driven by other geo-global factors, but as the prices neared record numbers, so did the number of news stories. Stories about $150 a barrel oil, stories about $200 a barrel oil, stories about $4.00 a gallon gas, stories about where to find the cheapest gas, stories about conserving gas and stories interviewing consumers about gas consumption. We have been inundated with story after story, and with every new story, oil seems to creep a little higher.

Is there an irrational reaction now from the market? When the traders, account managers and financial firms tune in to the news or read the papers, are they hearing predictions of how high oil may go and in turn feeding the speculation?

I am sure there are limitless factors driving the ever expanding oil bubble, this may be just one of them, but the media has a history using sensational headlines to draw in viewers/readers, while being seemingly oblivious to the subsequent panic craze they have just created.

A few examples:
Shark attacks in Florida 2001 - There was actually nothing unusual about the number of attacks that year, just sensationalist reporting.

Duct tape and plastic sheeting frenzy 2003 - There was actually little chance that cling-wrapping your home would protect you or your family from very much, especially a chemical or biological terrorist attack, sensationalist warnings from Homeland Security and sensationalist reporting.

And more locally in the St. Louis area:
Media freakout every time a snowstorm is predicted - Our local media rushes to overpasses above highways to show traffic, to the supermarket to show people buying milk, bread and rocksalt, in causing the supermarkets to see an even bigger rush and people stocking up "in case the get snowed in for a day or two".

I am not saying the media is to blame for higher oil prices in general, but I do think they are now feeding the vicious cycle of speculation in the commodities market and in turn boosting rating for themselves because the public is tuning in to see what the latest tip or latest record price is on Wall Street.

When the coverage wanes, hopefully the prices subside a bit.
----
"These things I'll carry on
And when you're gone I'll honor you
Each day, however long"

Where Is This Century's 'Thomas Paine'?

Posted by BGH

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Where is the voice that can show America that we are not too soft to fight and there is still much worth fighting to defend?

Who can spark the revolution, stir the apathetic and voice (Common Sense) what so many of us are feeling? We have watched our rights get trampled (The Rights Of Men), and disgustingly focused on the latest celebrity scandal instead. There needs to be an awakening in the United States.

Citizens should read The U.S. Constitution, specifically The Bill of Rights, and pay attention to their government (we know they aren't paying attention to us), and no longer 'fear' those in elected office, rather, they should fear us, 'the people'.



----
"These things I'll carry on
And when you're gone I'll honor you
Each day, however long"

Asked: What Harm Can Faith Incur? Answer Below!

Posted by BGH

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It is often asked of us who speak out against religion, "so what if someone wants to believe in god?" or "what harm can religious faith have?"

Well...
Man Claims God Uses Him To Cure Cancer, Raise Dead; Thousands Flock

People forgo proven methods of treatment for serious medical conditions sometimes to a fatal end. Or when a terminal prognosis is given from a medical professional they turn to faith healing as a last ditch effort, dumping thousands upon tens of thousands of dollars into coffers that end up in the pocket of someone who is nothing more than a two-bit circus act.

When people are not healed of their ailments they are told they do not pray hard enough or that their faith is weak. "Only if you give a little more" or "you haven't fully given yourself to the lord" are the canned responses from the staff manning the phones of the faith shammer. They prey on people in their weakest moments and they use their 'faith' to do it.

You may say, "that is not the fault of the faith, that is the deceit of certain persons", well if people did not have unsubstantiated beliefs in magical unseen forces and gods who heal 'true' believers because they kneel, with hands clasped and utter a chant they learned when they first began to speak, the deceitful would not be able to prey on the 'praying'.

I think this is what disgusts me most about religion, people such as faith healers, defraud believers of money, time and sometimes even their life, getting away with it because 'god works in mysterious ways'. Or, pastors molest young children and are 'forgiven' by the flock, only to be moved to another parish and strike again. But we are told "dare not question, for then you will be surely damned to hell".

It is bribery. Fill the coffers, remain loyal and do not question church authority, additionally, do not ever question the fairy tale you have been sold.
----
"These things I'll carry on
And when you're gone I'll honor you
Each day, however long"

Quote Of The Day: The First Step To Knowledge

Posted by BGH

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We have a "Quotes Of The Day" widget in the sidebar and I read them all daily.

Almost always there is one which makes you think and sometimes more. One of today's is especially correct and thought provoking, I did not want to let it pass without pointing it out.

The beginning of knowledge is the discovery of something we do not understand.

Frank Herbert

Remember this quote next time you run across a mystery, do not fill in the gap of knowledge with the easy answer, or one that makes you feel warm and fuzzy. Follow the path of knowledge and see what you can learn.

And, by the way, it is okay to say "We don't know".
----
"These things I'll carry on
And when you're gone I'll honor you
Each day, however long"

Holy Host Or Stale Toast?

Posted by BGH

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Let me start off by saying I was raised Catholic and 'get' the whole transubstantiation thing. I realize that when the priest blesses the Eucharist it supposedly becomes the body of 'Christ' (whoever the hell that is).

But classifying the removal of the host from the church as a "hate crime" is asinine.
Student Who Took Religious Icon Getting Death Threats

“We don’t know 100% what Mr. Cooks motivation was,” said Susan Fani a spokesperson with the local Catholic diocese. “However, if anything were to qualify as a hate crime, to us this seems like this might be it.”

The piece of stale bread was given back, yet the student is getting death threats and the diocese is calling for more action. Where is the Christian forgiveness? Where is turning the other cheek? Oh wait, they must be focusing on the the vengeful god of the Old Testament. (Really they should make up their mind what parts of the bible apply now and which ones don't. This whole back and forth, picking and choosing method creates some contradiction and makes the mythology all the more less-believable.)

I better not utter the hilarious things we did to hosts taken from church when I was a kid or the Pope will be personally knocking on my door.

Anyhow, back to the Diocese, leave the kid alone! He said he was sorry, he returned your cracker, get over it and realize the piece of smashed bread does not 'really' become the body of ANYONE when the priest blesses it.
----
"These things I'll carry on
And when you're gone I'll honor you
Each day, however long"

Pot Accidentally Calls Kettle Black; Bush And Berlusconi

Posted by BGH

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I found this headline and summary of the article to be amusingly ironic:

Bush sorry over Berlusconi insult
The White House has apologised to Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi for a briefing describing him as a political "amateur" who is "hated by many".

The mistake was not a purposeful slight, rather the information in the biography was not written by White House staff but pulled from a biography encyclopedia. Either way, it is funny as hell that one of the most corrupt and most hated presidencies in American history would mistakenly (or with intent), make such accusations of other world leaders.

This White House has alienated much of the world, seems amateur at best, is hated by many of it's own citizens and has shown massive evidence of corruption from top to bottom. Maybe white house staff actually printed Bush's biography and just changed the name at the top to "Italian Prime Minister Berlusconi", the description makes as much sense either way.
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"These things I'll carry on
And when you're gone I'll honor you
Each day, however long"

Belief For The Sake Of 'Hope', What's The Harm?

Posted by BGH

~
I read this article:
Atheism can't offer what religion can

The author argues that religion's offer of an afterlife is something atheism cannot provide and gives people purpose for this life.

This struck me as a immense waste of hope, a 'faux wish'. It is an option that undervalues this life, what is most likely our one shot, and demotes all actions in this life to meaningless meanderings until 'something better' comes along. Determination and optimism become bartering chips one places on the table just to make make it through to the next round. There isn't value in fortitude, and strength becomes a passe character flaw.

I would rather think this is my one chance, and every action matters. In my view there are repercussions for squandering time, the moments are lost forever and should not be wasted on your knees with hands clasped. Those precious minutes should be put to good use, working on solutions to life's troubles, hugging and kissing loved ones and appreciating every second.

If this is it, our only chance to make an impact, everything matters that much more and gives greater purpose to life. Irresponsibility becomes the character trait of those who idly wish for more later, one that is not deserving of respect or defense.

Life does have hope, not for more life after this one, rather it is to make a positive impact on those around us while we are here on this pale blue dot.
----
"These things I'll carry on
And when you're gone I'll honor you
Each day, however long"

Refresher Course: U.S. Not Founded As Christian Nation

Posted by BGH

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On this holiday celebrating the independence of our nation, let us all refresh ourselves in a bit of a civics lesson.

America was NOT founded as a Christian nation. Nowhere in the U.S. Constitution is "God" mentioned, nor is "Allah", "Jehovah", "El", "Jesus", "Muhammad", "Abraham" or any other revered 'holy' character from the Bible, the Torah, or the Qur'an. We are not a Judeo-Christian nation, we are a secular country where no single faith or belief is to be endorsed by the government, so that all are free to believe as they wish.

Only when none are endorsed are all 'free' to follow whatever faith, belief or lack thereof, they so choose to be appropriate. The founding fathers were wise enough to see this, and we should realize their wisdom and great foresight.

On this Independence Day, we need not thank a God or deity for this 'free' nation, we should thank the likes of Jefferson, Washington, Adams, Hancock, Franklin, Madison and so many others who risked life and limb to bring forth this democracy. Some of these men were deists, some were Christians, some were of no faith at all, but all wanted to create a great, strong and free nation.

Today, let us honor the Founding Fathers, Mothers and Families who risked everything.
----
"These things I'll carry on
And when you're gone I'll honor you
Each day, however long"

232 Years Ago, Traitors Were 'Hanged Until Dead'

Posted by BGH

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Tomorrow is officially Independence Day in the United States, signifying when America declared it's independence from England.

During the revolutionary era in our nation's history, traitors were not dealt with lightly. They met with the might and the will of a people longing to be free, who valued civil liberties.

Over the past two centuries, our country has grown but unfortunately it's people have also gotten 'soft'. They no longer defend their liberties to the death, rather they willingly forgo liberties to feel a little 'safer'. Everyday, citizens are subjected to invasions of privacy and infringement of rights under the guise of protection.

We have a President who took the nation into unprovoked war by using lies, deceit and greed. There could be no bigger danger to the American public than a President who takes his country into military conflict for personal gain and retribution. What does the President have to gain from this war you ask, we are only just beginning to learn of it.
State Dept Officials Knew Of Iraq Oil Deal With Company Tied To Bush

So, this Independence Day, maybe it is time for the more conscientious citizens of this once 'Great' Nation to reflect on where we have allowed ourselves to be led. Risk, is a part of life and no government, no President will be able to afford protection from all things potentially harmful. We should rely on ourselves, our liberties and our fortitude to keep ourselves and our families safe.

The government should deal with traitors and those who commit treason, as they did 232 years ago, 'hanged until dead'.
----
"These things I'll carry on
And when you're gone I'll honor you
Each day, however long"

I Never Realized All That He Taught Me

Posted by BGH

~
I am in the process of finishing my basement. A bathroom, bedroom, laundry room, bar, and TV room, are all in the works. It involves carpentry, plumbing, electrical and much planning. So much of the required knowledge comes rushing back from my childhood and working around the house with Dad.

Every day I become aware of a fact, method or characteristic my Dad imparted in me, he is gone now and I wish so dearly he were here so I could discuss things with him. Just as he loved to fix, repair or build things, so follows the son. I can't describe the enjoyment I feel watching the whole project come together.

I am subsisting on less sleep, because as soon as I lie down a million things begin rushing through my head, "I have to put that wall up tomorrow", "I need to get more circuit breakers for the lights and outlets" or "Maybe I should go down and finish a few more things up". I toss and turn, waking up with one of the many aspects of the job in my head. I suppose I am processing the information in my dreams. Apparently, another trait I inherited from him, to beat a problem about in my head until it is solved.

As I look around the work area at the tools strewn about, half of which were given to me by my Dad, I feel a wave of sadness creep into me. I wish this project were ten years ago when he would be there to help, guide or just driving me crazy by telling me something I already know because he told me a million times before.

I love and miss you Dad!
----
"These things I'll carry on
And when you're gone I'll honor you
Each day, however long"