thornyone's Blog

 I don't know who wrote it but SHE should have signed it. Some powerful words.. This woman should run for president.
 


Written by a housewife from New Jersey and sounds like it!    This is one ticked off lady.
 
READ WHAT SHE WROTE >> 


 


'Are we fighting a war on terror or aren't we? Was it or was it not started by Islamic people who brought it to our shores on September 11, 2001?
 


Were people from all over the world, mostly Americans, not brutally murdered that day, in downtown Manhattan ,  AND  across the Potomac FROM THE WHITE HOUSE,    AT THE PENTAGON,   just a stones throw from our nation's capitol,   AND  in a field in Pennsylvania AS WELL ?


 


Did nearly three thousand men, women and children die a horrible, burning or crushing death that day, or didn't they?


 


And I'm supposed to care that a copy of the Koran was 'desecrated' when an overworked American soldier kicked it or got it wet?...Well, I don't. I don't care at all.


 


I'll start caring when Osama bin Laden turns himself in and repents for incinerating all those innocent people on 9/11.


 


I'll care about the Koran when the fanatics in the Middle East start caring about the Holy Bible, the mere possession of which is a crime in Saudi Arabia


 


I'll care when these thugs tell the world they are sorry for chopping off Nick Berg's head while Berg screamed through his gurgling slashed throat.


 


I'll care when the cowardly so-called 'insurgents' in Iraq come out and fight like men instead of disrespecting their own religion by hiding in mosques.


 


I'll care when the mindless zealots who blow themselves up in search of 72 virgins  care about the innocent children within range of their suicide .


 


I'll care when the  'AMERICAN MEDIA'  stops pretending that their First Amendment liberties are somehow derived from international law instead of the United States Constitution AND the ' Bill of Rights'.


 


In the meantime, when I hear a story about a brave marine roughing up an Iraqi terrorist to obtain information,
know this: I don't care.


 


When I see a fuzzy photo of a pile of naked Iraqi prisoners who have been humiliated in what amounts to a college-hazing incident, rest assured: I don't care.


 


When I see a wounded terrorist get shot in the head when he is told not to move because he might be booby-trapped, you can take it to the bank: I don't care..


 


When I hear that a prisoner, who was issued a Koran and a prayer mat, and fed 'special' food that is paid for by my tax dollars, is complaining that his holy book is being 'mishandled,' you can absolutely believe in your heart of hearts: I don't care.


 


And oh, by the way, I've noticed that sometimes it's spelled 'Koran' and other times 'Quran.' Well, Jimmy Crack Corn and-you guessed it-I don't care !!


 


If you agree with this viewpoint, pass this on to all your E-mail friends. Sooner or later, it'll get to the people responsible for this ridiculous behavior!


 


If you don't agree, then by all means hit the delete button.   
 
Should you choose the latter, then please don't complain when more atrocities committed by radical Muslims happen here in our great Country!    ~~~~~    And may I add:


 


'Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don't have that problem' -- Ronald Reagan


 


I have another quote that I would like to add AND.......I hope you forward all this.


 


'If we ever forget that we're One Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under.' Also by.. Ronald Reagan


 


One last thought for the day:


 


In case we find ourselves starting to believe all the Anti-American sentiment and negativity, we get every day fron the TV ~~~
 
WE  should remember England 's Prime Minister Tony Blair's words during a recent interview. When asked by one of his Parliament members why he believes so much in America , he said: 'A simple way to take measure of a country is to look at how many want in.. And how many want out.'


 


 


The last thing, by the way, that we should do is to elect  AS PRESIDENT  of the United States, someone who claims to love America yet, WILL NOT salute the flag.   WILL NOT pledge allegience to our flag,  and  sat in a church listening to a 'pastor' that HATES America!   Are you Freakin' kidding me?
 
 


 


 


Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you:


1.. Jesus Christ


2.. The American G. I.


 


One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.


 
 
YOU MIGHT WANT TO PASS THIS ON,


AS MANY of our people  SEEM TO FORGET BOTH OF THEM.


AMEN! 

        Subject: Thanks For All Of Your Time   sorry guys, BUT...you have to take the time to read this!!!!!!!love you and..............thanks for your time....me     A young man learns what's most important in life from the guy next door... 




It had been some time since Jack had seen the old man. College, girls, career, and life itself got in the way. In fact, Jack moved clear across the country in pursuit of his dreams. There, in the rush of his busy life, Jack had little time to think about the past and often no time to spend with his wife and son. He was working on his future, and nothing could stop him.  





Over the phone, his mother told him, "Mr. Belser died last night. The funeral is Wednesday." Memories flashed through his mind like an old newsreel as he sat quietly remembering his childhood days.!  





"Jack, did you hear me?" 





"Oh, sorry, Mom. Yes, I heard you. It's been so long since I thought of him. I'm sorry, but I honestly thought he died years ago," Jack said.  





"Well, he didn't forget you. Every time I saw him he'd ask how you were doing. He'd reminisce about the many days you spent over 'his side of the fence' as he put it," Mom told him.  





"I loved that old house he lived in," Jack said.  







"You know, Jack, after your father died, Mr. Belser stepped in to make sure you had a man's influence in your life," she said  





"He's the one who taught me carpentry," he said. "I wouldn't be in this business if it weren't for him. He spent a lot of time teaching me things he thought were important...Mom, I'll be there for the funeral," Jack said.  





As busy as he was, he kept his word. Jack caught the next flight to his hometown. Mr. Belser's funeral was small and uneventful. He had no Children of his own, and most of his relatives had passed away. 





The night before he had to return home, Jack and his Mom stopped by to see the old house next door one more time.  



Standing in the doorway, Jack paused for a moment. It was like crossing over into another dimension, a leap through space and time The house was exactly as he remembered. Every step held memories. Every picture, every piece of furniture....Jack stopped suddenly.  





"Wh a t's wrong, Jack?" his Mom asked. 




"The box is gone," he said  





"What box?" Mom asked. 





"There was a small gold box that he kept locked on top of his desk. I must have asked him a thousand times what was inside. All he'd ev er tell me  was ' the thing I value most,'" Jack said. 





It was gone. Everything about the house was exactly how Jack remembered it, except for the box. He figured someone from the Belser family had taken it. 



"Now I'll never know what was so valuable to him," Jack said. "I better get some sleep. I have an early flight home, Mom."  



It had been about two weeks since Mr. Belser died. Returning home from work one day Jack discovered a note in his mailb ox. "Signat ure required on a package. No one at home. Please stop by the main post office within the next three days," the note read.  



Early the next day Jack retrieved the package. The small box was old and looked like it had been mailed a hundred years ago. The handwriting was difficult to read, but the return address caught his attention. "Mr. Harold Belser" it read. Jack took the box out to his car and ripped open the package. There inside was the gold box and an envelope. Jack 's hands sho ok as he read the note inside.  





"Upon my death, please forward this box and its contents to Jack Bennett. It's the thing I valued most in my life." A small key was taped to the letter. His heart racing, as tears filling his eyes, Jack carefully unlocked the box. There inside he found a beautiful gold pocket watch.  





Running his fingers slowly over the finely etched casing, he unlatched the cover. Inside he found these words engraved: 





"Jack, Thanks for your time! -Harold Belser." 







"The thing he valued most was...my time"  





Jack held the watch for a few minutes, then called his office and cleared his appointments for the next two days. "Why?" Janet, his assistant asked. 

& lt; FONT color=green size=2>



"I need some time to spend with my son," he said. 





"Oh, by the way, Janet, thanks for your time!"  





"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away,"

Think about this. You may not realize it, but it's 100% true.  



1. At least 2 people in this world love you so much they would die for you.


2.  At least 15 people in this world love you in some way.  



3. A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don't like you. 


4.  Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you before they go to sleep. 


5. You mean the world to someone.  


6.  If not for you, someone may not be living. 



7.   You are special and unique. 


8. When you think you have no chance of getting what you want, you probably won't get it, but if you trust God to do what's best, and wait on His time, sooner or later, you will get it or something better.  < /B>



9. When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good can still come from it.  



10.  When you think the world has turned its back on you, take a look: you most likely turned your back on the world. 



11. Someone that you don't even know exists loves you. 



12. Always remember the compliments you received. Forget about the rude remarks.  



13  Always tell someone how you feel about them; you will feel much better when they know and you'll both be happy  



14.  If you have a great friend, take the time to let them know that they are great.  

                                   Baptizing A Drunk

 

 A man is stumbling through the woods totally drunk when he comes upon a preacher baptizing people in the river.

 The drunk walks into the water and subsequently bumps into the preacher. The preacher turns around and is almost overcome by the smell of booze.

 Where upon he asks the drunk, 'Are you ready to find Jesus?'

 'Yes I am' replies the drunk, so the preacher grabs him and dunks him in the river.

 He pulls him up and asks the drunk, 'Brother have you found Jesus?'

 The drunk replies, 'No, I haven't.'

 The preacher, shocked at the answer, dunks him into the water again, but for a bit longer this time. He pulls him out of the water and asks again, 'Have you found Jesus, my brother?'

 The drunk again answers, 'No, I have not found Jesus.'

 By this time the preacher is at his wits end so he dunks the drunk in the water again, but this time he holds him down for about 30 seconds.

 When the drunk begins kicking his arms and legs, the preacher pulls him up. The preacher asks the drunk again, 'For the love of God, have you found Jesus?'

 The drunk wipes his eyes and catches his breath and says to the preacher, 'Are you sure this is where he fell in?'

Pastor Has Guts

                        It seems prayer still upsets some people. Please  
              Read....

                        When Minister Joe Wright was asked to open the new
                Session of the Kansas Senate, everyone was expecting the
usual                 Generalities, but this is what they heard:


 
                        'Heavenly Father,

                        We come before you today

                        To ask your forgiveness and

                        To seek your direction and guidance.

                        We know Your Word says,

                        'Woe to those who call evil good'

                        But that is exactly what we have done.

                        We have lost our spiritual equilibrium

                        And reversed our values.

                        We have exploited the poor and

                        Called it the lottery.

                        We have rewarded laziness

                        And called it welfare.

                        We have killed our unborn

                        And called it choice.

                        We have shot abortionists

                        And called it justifiable.

                        We have neglected to discipline

                        Our children and called it

                        Building self esteem.

                        We have abused power

                        And called it politics.

                        We have coveted our neighbor's

                        Possessions and called it ambition.

                        We have polluted the air

                        With profanity and

                        Pornography and called it

                        Freedom of speech and expression.

                        We have ridiculed the time Honored values of our  
                      Forefathers and called it enlightenment.

                        Search us, Oh, God, And know our hearts today;
                        Cleanse us from every sin and set us free.

                        Amen!'

One day while shopping at the store my son disappeared out of my vision, I told my mom to look and I ran to the front of the store to watch the exits. I told employees on the way what was happening.

Later I was told what a good idea it was to get to the exits, but that they had a time when they had found a little girl in the mens room someone had already cut her hair short and had clothes ready to dress her up as a boy.

I guess this must be a common occurance so I will share this one with you.

 
> >> > > Received this email and wanted to share with everyone:
> >> > >
> >> > >
> >> > > Forwarded from a Sam's Club employee . . .
> >> > >
> >> > > Wanted to share som ething that happened today while shopping at
> >> Sam's
> >> > > Club. A mother was lean ing ov er looking for meat and turned around
> >> to find
> >> > > her 4 yr. old daughter was missing. I was standing there right beside
> >>
> >> > > her, and she was calling her daughter with no luck.
> >> > >
> >> > >
> >> > > I asked a man who worked at Sam's to announce it over the loud
> >> speaker for
> >> > > Katie. He did, and let me say he immediately walked right past me
> >> when I
> >> > > asked and went to a pole where there was a phone. He made an
> >> announcement
> >> > > for all the doors and gates to be locked, a code something.
> >> > >
> >> > > So they locked all the doors at once. This took all of 3 minutes
> >> after I
> >> > > asked the guy to do this. They found the little girl 5 minutes later
> >> in a
> >> > > bathroom stall. Her head was half shaved, and she was dressed in her
> >> > > underwear with a bag of clothes, a razor, and wig sitting on the
> >> floor
> >> > > beside her to make her look
> >> > > different.
> >> > > Whoever this person was, took the little girl, brought her into the
> >> bathroom, shaved half her head, and undressed her in a matter of less
> >> than
> >> > > 10 minutes. This makes me shake to no end. Please keep a close eye on
> >> your
> >> > > kids when in big places where it's easy for you to get separated.
> >> > >
> >> > > It only took a few minutes to do all of that-another 5 minutes and
> >> she
> >> > > would have been out the door. I am still in shock that some sick
> >> person
> >> > > could do this, let alone in a matter of minutes. The days are over
> >> when
> >> > > our little ones could run rampant all over the place and nothing
> >> would
> >> > > happen to them.
> >> > >
> >> > > The little girl is fine. Thank God for fast workers who didn't
> >> take any
> >> > > chances.
> >> > >
> >> > > BE SURE TO FORWARD THIS TO EVERYONE, SO THEY KNOW JUST HOW SICK
> >> PEOPLE ARE
> >> > > OUT THERE!!! (This happened at the Sam's
> >> > > Wholesale Club in Omaha , Nebraska .)
> >> > >
> >> > > This message has been added to the story above:
> >> > >
> >> > > I received this e-mail from o ne of my friends today. Let me first
> >> tell you
> >> > > that I work at the Sam's club in Lincoln , NE. The code that was
> >> spoken of
> >> > > is called a 'Code Adam'. It is named after John Walsh's
> >> (host of Americas
> >> > > Most Wanted) son Adam who was kidnapped and murdered many years ago.
> >> It is
> >> > > used in all Sam's Clubs, Wal-marts, and Wal-mart super centers to
> >> locate
> >> > > lost children.
> >> > >
> >> > > This is how it works. If by some means you have been separated with
> >> your
> >> > > child tell the nearest employee! The employe e will page a 'Code
> >> Adam'
> >> > > (missing child in the store) over the intercom system followed by a
> >> > > description of the child (height, weight, hair color, age, nam e
> >> etc).
> >> > >
> >> > > When that page goes out all the exits are immediately guarded, and/or
> >>
> >> > > locked in some cases, also every employee will stop whatever they are
> >>
> >> > > doing no matter what it is and help look for the missing child. This
> >> will
> >> > > continu e unt il the child is found.
> >> > >
> >> > > If the child is not found within a reasonable time then the police
> >> are
> >> > > notified and the store will conduct an isle by isle search. So if
> >> ever you
> >> > > are separated from your child now you know what to do.
> >> > >
> >> > >
> >> > > Missing children pictures hang by the exits of all Wal-mart and
> >> Sam's Club
> >> > > stores, please take a few minutes to look these over as you leave,
> >> you
> >> > > just might have seen one of the children on them and you might be the
> >> one
> >> > > to give their parents hope and give the police a new lead in finding
> >> > > them.
> >> > >
> >> > > Thank you.
> >> > >
> >> > > Sincerely, Rudy Magee Sam's Club #6413
> >> > >
> >> > > Even i f you do not have little kids, pass this one on to everyone
> >> you can
> >> > > think of. You never know who you might save by sending this email!
> >> > >
> >> > > Please take the time and forward this to any friend who has children
> >> &
> >> > > grandchildren!
> >> >
> >> > > Some of us don't have little kids anymore but I'm sure we
> >> know people who
> >> > > do...please pa ss this on.

: thevelveteenrose@yahoo.com

A Big Win for Wolves -- Thank You!

A court ruling issued Friday could save hundreds of wolves in Greater Yellowstone and the Northern Rockies by halting planned wolf hunts. You helped make this victory happen!

• Read the Press Release: Read our statement on the court ruling.
• Learn More: Visit our blog to learn more about our efforts to save wolves.
• Support Our Work: Make a secure online donation now to help us save wolves in the Greater Yellowstone region.
  

 

I was at home in Boise when I heard the news Friday: A federal judge has restored endangered species protections for wolves in Greater Yellowstone and the Northern Rockies. 

The ruling by a district court judge in Montana could save the lives of hundreds of wolves by stopping this fall's planned wolf sport hunting seasons in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming.  

I want to thank you for the crucial role that caring people like you have played in this initial victory.

It’s a huge win that couldn’t have happened without the thousands of Defenders activists and donors who have worked to support our efforts here in the Northern Rockies by contributing money to our Wolf Legal Defense Fund, supporting our on-the-ground work and much more.

But we still have a long fight ahead of us.

Idaho Governor C.L. Butch Otter -- who said last year that he wanted to be one of the first in the state to shoot a wolf -- immediately criticized the judge’s ruling to restore protections for wolves. Wyoming’s Governor has vowed that his state will fight the ruling.

Idaho Anti-Wolf Coalition leader Ron Gillette was even more direct, telling a local reporter that "[i]t is going to be all-out war."

Rest assured, Defenders of Wildlife will keep fighting for wolves in Greater Yellowstone and the rest of the Northern Rockies by continuing to...

• Make the case in court to restore full protections for these endangered wolves;
• Pay for guard dogs, range riders, turbo fladry fencing and other non-lethal wolf management strategies to keep livestock and wolves safe; and
• Combat distortions and misperceptions about wolves to build tolerance and understanding for the vital role that wolves play in healthy ecosystems.

 we have a tough fight ahead of us. For now, please accept my sincere gratitude for all you’ve done to help us save wolves.

For the Wild Ones,

Suzanne Asha Stone
Northern Rockies Representative
Defenders of Wildlife Boise Office



P.S. I take pride in know the important role Defenders of Wildlife plays in protecting wolves. If you would like to support our work, please consider making a secure online donation now.

Defenders Home | Privacy Policy | Contact Us | Donate Now

 © Copyright 2008, Defenders of Wildlife

 

Please do not respond to this message.
Click here to update your information or unsubscribe.

Defenders of Wildlife is a national, nonprofit membership organization dedicated to the protection of all native wild animals and plants in their natural communities.

Defenders of Wildlife can be contacted at:
1130 17th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036

For any of you so interested. This just might get some attention.Please forward this message to your friends and ask
them to join you. Thanks again!    -- Grassfire.org
+ + + +

I just signed a petition demanding that Congress lift
the federal ban on offshore drilling immediately --
before they take
their month-long summer break. Members
of Congress are doing nothing while gas prices soar.
Let's put their feet to the fire! Join me in signing
here:


http://www.grassfire.org/108/petition.asp?PID=17392879
&NID=1

 

I B C   Inflamatory Breast Cancer

The silent killer / another type of cancer does not present with lumps

For more information watch the video

Click on the link to watch a video about breast cancer.  This is not your typical breast cancer.  It is about IBC - something I had never heard of.         http://komonews.s3.amazonaws.com/ibc/komo_ibc.wmv

 

 

We know Dick Lamm as the former Governor of Colorado. In that context his thoughts are particularly poignant. Last week there was an immigration overpopulation conference in Washington , DC , filled to capacity by many of America 's finest minds and leaders. A brilliant college professor by the name of Victor Hansen Davis talked about his latest book, 'Mexifornia,' explaining how immigration - both legal and illegal was destroying the entire state of California . He said it would march across the country unti l it destroyed all vestiges of The American Dream.

Moments later, former Colorado Governor Richard D. Lamm stood up and gave a stunning speech on how to destroy America The audience sat spellbound as he described eight methods for the destruction of the United States He said, 'If you believe that America is too smug, too self-satisfied, too rich, then let's destroy America It is not that hard to do. No nation in history has survived the ravages of time. Arnold Toynbee observed that all great civilizations rise and fall and that 'An autopsy of history would show that all great nations commit suicide.''

'Here is how they do it,' Lamm said: 'First, to destroy America , turn America into a bilingual or multi-lingual and bicultural country.' History shows that no nation can survive the tension, conflict, and antagonism of two or more competing languages and cultures. It is a blessing for an individual to be bilingual; however, it is a curse for a society to be bilingual. The historical scholar, Seymour Lipset, put it this way: 'The histories of bilingual and bi-cultural societies that do not assimilate are histories of turmoil, tension, and tragedy.' Canada , Belgium , Malaysia , and Lebanon all face crises of national existence in which minorities press for autonomy, if not independence. Pakistan and Cyprus have divided. Nigeria suppressed an ethnic rebellion. France faces difficulties with Basques, Bretons, and Corsicans.'.

Lamm went on: Second, to destroy America , 'Invent 'multiculturalism' and encourage immigrants to maintain their culture. Make it an article of belief that all cultures are equal. That there are no cultural differences Make it an article of faith that the Black and Hispanic dropout rates are due solely to prejudice and discrimination by the majority. Every other explanation is out of bounds.

Third, 'We could make the United States an 'Hispanic Quebec' without much effort. The key is to celebrate diversity rather than unity. As Benjamin Schwarz said in the Atlantic Monthly recently: 'The apparent success of our own multiethnic and multicultural experiment might have been achieved not by tolerance but by hegemony. Without the dominance that once dictated ethnocentricity and what it meant to be an American, we are left with only tolerance and pluralism to hold us together.'

Lamm said, 'I would encourage all immigrants to keep their own language and culture. I would replace the melting pot metaphor with the salad bowl metaphor. It is important to ensure that we have various cultural subgroups living in America enforcing their differences rather than as Americans, emphasizing their similarities.'

'Fourth, I would make our fastest growing demographic group the least educated. I would add a second underclass, unassimilated, undereducated, and antagonistic to our population. I would have this second underclass have a 50% dropout rate from high school.'

'My fifth point for destroying America would be to get big foundations and business to give these efforts lots of money. I would invest in ethnic identity, and I would establish the cult of 'Victimology' I would get all minorities to think that their lack of success was the fault of the majority. I would start a grievance industry blaming all minority failure on the majority population.'

'My sixth plan for America 's downfall would include dual citizenship, and promote divided loyalties I would celebrate diversity over unity. I would stress differences rather than similarities. Diverse people worldwide are mostly engaged in hating each other - that is, when they are not killing each other. A diverse, peaceful, or stable society is against most historical precedent. People undervalue the unity it takes to keep a nation together. Look at the ancient Greeks. The Greeks believed that they belonged to the same race; they possessed a common Language and literature; and they worshipped the same gods. All Greece took part in the Olympic games. A comm on enemy, Persia , threatened their liberty. Yet all these bonds were not strong enough to overcome two factors: local patriotism and geographical conditions that nurtured political divisions. Greece fell. 'E. Pluribus Unum' --From many, one. In that historical reality, if we put the emphasis on the 'pluribus' instead of the 'Unum,' we will balkanize America as surely as Kosovo.'

'Next to last, I would place all subjects off limits; make it taboo to talk about anything against the cult of 'diversity.' I would find a word similar to 'heretic' in the 16th century - that stopped discussion and paralyzed thinking. Words like 'racist' or 'xenophobe' halt discussion and debate. Having made America a bilingual/bicultural country, having established multi-culturism, having the large foundations fund the doctrine of 'Victimology,' I would next make it impossible to enforce our immigration laws. I would develop a mantra: That because immigration has been good for America , it must always be good. I would make every ind ividual immigrant symmetric and ignore the cumulative impact of millions of them.'

In the last minute of his speech, Governor Lamm wiped his brow. Profound silence followed. Finally he said,. 'Lastly, I would censor Victor Hanson Davis's book 'Mexifornia.' His book is dangerous. It exposes the plan to destroy America If you feel America deserves to be destroyed, don't read that book.'

There was no applause. A chilling fear quietly rose like an ominous cloud above every attendee at the conference. Every American in that room knew that everything Lamm enumerated was proceeding methodically, quietly, darkly, yet pervasively across the United States today. Discussion is being suppressed. Over 100 languages are ripping the foundation of our educational system and national cohesiveness. Even barbaric cultures that practice female genital mutilation are growing as we celebrate 'diversity.' American jobs are vanishing into the Third World as corporations create a Third World in America - take note of California and other states - to date, ten million illegal aliens and growing fast. It is reminiscent of George Orwell's book '1984.' In that story, three slogans are engraved in the Ministry of Truth building: 'War is peace,' 'Freedom is slavery,' and 'Ignorance is strength.'

Governor Lamm walked back to his seat. It dawned on everyone at the conference that our nation and the future of this great democracy is deeply in trouble and worsening fast. If we don't get this immigration monster stopped within three years, it will rage like a California wildfire and destroy everything in its path especially The American Dream.

If you care for and love our country as I do, take the time to pass this on just as I did for you. NOTHING is going to happen if you don't.

Since the Pledge of Allegiance

And

The Lord's Prayer

Are not allowed in most

Public schools anymore

Because the word 'God' is mentioned....

A kid in Arizona wrote the attached < /div>

 

NEW School prayer :

Now I sit me down in school

Where praying is against the rule

For this great nation under God

Finds mention of Him very odd.

 

If Scripture now the class recites,

It violates the Bill of Rights.

And anytime my head I bow

Becomes a Federal matter now.

 

Our hair can be purple, orange or green,

That's no offense; it's a freedom scene.

The law is specific, the law is precise.

Prayers spoken aloud are a serious vice.

 

For praying in a public hall

Might offend someone with no faith at all.

In silence alone we must meditate,

God's name is prohibited by the state.

 

We're allowed to cuss and dress like freaks,

And pierce our noses, tongues and cheeks..

They've outlawed guns, but FIRST the Bible.

To quote the Good Book makes me liable.

We can elect a pregnant Senior Queen,

And the 'unwed daddy,' our Senior King.

It's 'inappropriate' to teach right from wrong,

We're taught that such 'judgments' do not belong.

 

We can get our condoms and birth controls,

Study witchcraft, vampires and totem poles.

But the Ten Commandments are not allowed,

No word of God must reach this crowd

 

It's scary here I must confess,

When chaos reigns the school's a mess.

So, Lord, this silent plea I make:

Should I be shot; My soul please take!

Amen

Subject:  CARL

 

I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright and enough rain to appreciate the sun more.' Author Unknown

 

 

Carl was a quiet man. He didn't talk much.   He would always greet you with a big smile and a firm handshake.   Even after living in our neighborhood for over 50 years, no one could  really say they knew him very well.

 

Before his retirement, he took the bus to work each morning. The lone  sight of him walking down the street often worried us.

 

He had a slight limp from a bullet wound received in WWII.

 

Watching him, we worried that although he had survived WWII, he may not  make it through our changing uptown neighborhood with its ever-increasing random violence, gangs, and drug activity.

 

When he saw the flyer at our local church asking for volunteers for caring  for the gardens behind the minister's residence, he responded in his   characteristically unassuming manner. Without fanfare, he just signed up.

 

He was well into his 87th year when the very thing we had always feared finally happened.

 

He was just finishing his watering for the day when three gang members  approached him. Ignoring their attempt to intimidate him, he simply asked, 'Would you like a drink from the hose?'

 

The tallest and toughest-looking of the three said, 'Yeah, sure,' with a malevolent little smile.

 

As Carl offered the hose to him, the other two grabbed Carl's arm,  throwing him down. As the hose snaked crazily over the ground, dousing   everything in its way, Carl's assailants stole his retirement watch and his wallet, and then fled.

 

Carl tried to get himself up, but he had been thrown down on his bad leg. He  lay there trying to gather himself as the minister came running to help him.

 

Although the minister had witnessed the attack from his window, he couldn't get there fast enough to stop it.

 

'Carl, are you okay? Are you hurt?' the minister kept asking as he helped Carl to his feet.

 

Carl just passed a hand over his brow and sighed, shaking his head.  'Just some punk kids. I hope they'll wise-up someday.'

 

His wet clothes clung to his slight frame as he bent to pick up the hose.  He adjusted the nozzle again and started to water.

 

Confused and a little concerned, the minister asked, 'Carl, what are you doing?'

 

'I've got to finish my watering. It's been very dry lately,' came the calm reply.

 

Satisfying himself that Carl really was all right, the minister could only marvel. Carl was a man from a different time and place.

 

A few weeks later the three returned. Just as before their threat was unchallenged. Carl again offered them a drink from his hose.

 

This time they didn't rob him. They wrenched the hose from his hand and drenched him head to foot in the icy water.

 

When they had finished their humiliation of him, they sauntered off down the street, throwing catcalls and curses, falling over one another laughing at the hilarity of what they had just done.

 

Carl just watched them. Then he turned toward the warmth giving sun,  picked up his hose, and went on with his watering.

 

The summer was quickly fading into fall, Carl was doing some tilling when he was startled by the sudden approach of someone behind him. He stumbled and fell into some evergreen branches.

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As he struggled to regain his footing, he turned to see the tall leader of his summer tormentors reaching down for him. He braced himself for the expected attack.

 

'Don't worry old man, I'm not gonna hurt you this time.'

 

The young man spoke softly, still offering the tattooed and scarred hand to Carl. As he helped Carl get up, the man pulled a crumpled bag from his pocket and handed it to Carl.

 

'What's this?' Carl asked.

 

'It's your stuff,' the man explained. 'It's your stuff back.  Even the money in your wallet.'

 

'I don't understand,' Carl said. 'Why would you help me now?'  The man shifted his feet, seeming embarrassed and ill at ease. 'I learned something from you,' he said. 'I ran with that gang and hurt people like you . We picked you because you were old and we knew we could do it. But every time we came and did something to you, instead of yelling and fighting back, you tried to give us a drink. You didn't hate us for hating you. You kept showing love against our hate.'

 

He stopped for a moment. 'I couldn't sleep after we stole your stuff, so here it is back.'

 

He paused for another awkward moment, not knowing what more there was to say. 'That bag's my way of saying thanks for straightening me out,  I guess.' And with that, he walked off down the street.

 

Carl looked down at the sack in his hands and gingerly opened it. He took out his retirement watch and put it back on his wrist. Opening his wallet, he checked for his wedding photo. He gazed for a moment at the young bride who still smiled back at him from all those years ago.

 

He died one cold day after Christmas that winter.

 

Many people attended his funeral in spite of the weather.   In particular the minister noticed a tall young man that he didn't know sitting quietly in a distant corner of the church.

 

The minister spoke of Carl's garden as a lesson in life. In a voice made thick with unshed tears, he said, 'Do your best and make your garden as beautiful as you can. We will never forget Carl and his garden.'

 

The following spring another flyer went up. It read:  'Person needed to care for Carl's garden..'

 

The flyer went unnoticed by the busy parishioners until one day when a knock was heard at the minister's office door.

 

Opening the door, the minister saw a pair of scarred and tattooed hands holding the flyer. 'I believe this is my job, if you'll have me,' the young man said.

 

The minister recognized him as the same young man who had returned the stolen watch and wallet to Carl.

 

He knew that Carl's kindness had turned this man's life around. As the minister handed him the keys to the garden shed, he said, 'Yes, go take care of Carl's garden and honour him..'

 

The man went to work and, over the next several years, he tended the flowers and vegetables just as Carl had done..

 

In that time, he went to college, got married, and became a prominent  member of the community. But he never forgot his promise to Carl's memory and kept the garden as beautiful as he thought Carl would have kept it.

 

One day he approached the new minister and told him that he couldn't care   for the garden any longer. He explained with a shy and happy smile, 'My wife   just had a baby boy last night, and she's bringing him home on Saturday.'