OK, I can't let the day go by without mentioning it. I received this from a friend at work and it made interesting reading. Especially in light of the scrutiny over President Bush's service record...again.
Seems like the media and the left have a hard time understanding the facts, so, like Michael Moore, they create their own.
According to Byron York of The Hill Bush served, served long, and served well...according to the facts.
Check the article for yourself.
Be sure to visit Letters From Iraq
Friday, October 01, 2004
My aunt sent this to me and it pretty much says it all for us Floridians. We are weary of this hurricane season.
Even so, the goodness of humanity still manages to shine through. Today I spoke with Frank, he's the carrier at work who lost their home to a falling tree during Jeanne.
With their home condemned and unable to legally enter it, even to retrieve belongings, they had no where to go and little to take with them. Needing lodging and realizing that some unscrupulous individuals could gouge them for rent they frantically began looking for a place to stay.
Then the neighbor across the street came over and offered them his home. I mean offered it for them to stay as long as they needed. He is works for an airline and is gone much of the time. He is preparing to leave on a month long cruise and when he returns he will be moving in with a friend for an indefinite length of time.
So he said, "Frank, you and your family can stay for as long as you need and, oh, by the way, don't worry about rent." Now is that straight from the cup of human kindness, or what?
With people like that around, we cannot help but survive, overcome and prosper through the difficult times!
Be sure to visit Letters From Iraq
Thursday, September 30, 2004
Tonight President Bush and John Kerry square off, should be interesting. According to Democrat Vice-Presidential candidate John Edwards it's "a test for whether this president is finally going to come clean and be straight with people."
Seems to me that the one who need to "be straight" is John Kerry. He's the one who's flip flopped around the issues. He's the one who's record is one of lying, be it Vietnam, his medals, his positions. Kerry has shown himself to take any position, to say anything, if he thinks it is politically expedient.
Bush on the other hand knows who he is, what he believes and where he wants to go. Whether or not you agree with him, you know where he stands. With Kerry you have to constantly guess on his stand de jour.
If you happened to see the Bush interview with Bill O'Reilly you couldn't help but see his resolute determination, his command of the issues.
Bush's sometimes weak command of the English language has led the left to characterize him as an intellectual light weight. That's because the elitist liberals are superficial in nature and put more weight on style than substance.
I believe he proved them wrong. No one, I mean NO ONE, reaches the level of business and political success Bush has unless they know the arena.
Then there's this business of the "Monday morning quaterbacking" the Kerry team has been doing regarding Iraq. Any one, even myself, can make a decision on what to do when looking back with historical perspective.
Those questions, "would you have done it knowing what you now know?" are unworthy of serious debate. No one can make a decision on what they will know in the future. Decisions are made on the best available information at the time. To wait and see what the outcome will be before making a decision is to relegate oneself to doing nothing.
To criticize on the basis of "what we now know" is cheap. Leadership must make the best decision before knowing how it will all play out, then stand regardless the consequences. Kerry doesn't know how to be decisive and fearless in leadership.
His history is one of running from the battle, whether political or otherwise, and sticking a wet finger in the air to "decide" his course. While that may work in politics or a popularity contest, it doesn't make for a good leader.
We don't need him trying to assume that position for our nation. Strong leadership will only be a mask for John Kerry to rip off when the going gets tough and strong, swift judgment must be used. He will end up quivering in the corner, or worse, selling out the American people to the UN and our enemies.
Be sure to visit Letters From Iraq
Seems to me that the one who need to "be straight" is John Kerry. He's the one who's flip flopped around the issues. He's the one who's record is one of lying, be it Vietnam, his medals, his positions. Kerry has shown himself to take any position, to say anything, if he thinks it is politically expedient.
Bush on the other hand knows who he is, what he believes and where he wants to go. Whether or not you agree with him, you know where he stands. With Kerry you have to constantly guess on his stand de jour.
If you happened to see the Bush interview with Bill O'Reilly you couldn't help but see his resolute determination, his command of the issues.
Bush's sometimes weak command of the English language has led the left to characterize him as an intellectual light weight. That's because the elitist liberals are superficial in nature and put more weight on style than substance.
I believe he proved them wrong. No one, I mean NO ONE, reaches the level of business and political success Bush has unless they know the arena.
Then there's this business of the "Monday morning quaterbacking" the Kerry team has been doing regarding Iraq. Any one, even myself, can make a decision on what to do when looking back with historical perspective.
Those questions, "would you have done it knowing what you now know?" are unworthy of serious debate. No one can make a decision on what they will know in the future. Decisions are made on the best available information at the time. To wait and see what the outcome will be before making a decision is to relegate oneself to doing nothing.
To criticize on the basis of "what we now know" is cheap. Leadership must make the best decision before knowing how it will all play out, then stand regardless the consequences. Kerry doesn't know how to be decisive and fearless in leadership.
His history is one of running from the battle, whether political or otherwise, and sticking a wet finger in the air to "decide" his course. While that may work in politics or a popularity contest, it doesn't make for a good leader.
We don't need him trying to assume that position for our nation. Strong leadership will only be a mask for John Kerry to rip off when the going gets tough and strong, swift judgment must be used. He will end up quivering in the corner, or worse, selling out the American people to the UN and our enemies.
Be sure to visit Letters From Iraq
Tuesday, September 28, 2004
Today we're learning more about the damage Jeanne caused locally. I know of two individuals at work who had a tree come through their roof. For one of them their home was declared a total loss.
It is a split-level and a huge, magnificent oak in their back yard fell through the rear corner bedroom of the house and came to rest on the second level floor joists. The damage extended through to the front of the home, it's as if a huge knife was thrust through the house.
Fortunately, no one was in that room at the time and all escaped with no injuries. For more about the after effects of Jeanne, check out the story in the local paper, the Ocala Star Banner. Fox News has a great photo essay documenting the extent of the damage. Compared to other areas, Marion County came out ok, of course that depends on who you are. Those who suffered damage as noted above may think otherwise.
The skys are bright and sunny now and amazingly the power seems to be coming back on a bit quicker this time. Some folks said the power companies are getting to the homes that were last on the list with Frances, working back to those who were restored first previously. Seems only fair.
Things are still somewhat out of wack at the PO. Some of the transportation is uncertain so the mail is coming in out of schedule. I'm sure in the next few days all will return to regular schedule, but for the time it creates some difficulties getting the carriers on the street at a decent time.
Jeanne is not finished with her waltz through the US. Where my folks are in Greenville, SC she dumped 10.5 inches of rain, up the road in Asheville, NC she left behind over 13 inches. In those mountainous areas that can reek havoc with flooding.
On other topics, I'm waiting to see the first of the Presidential debates later this week. Though I know what I want to see, these things can be so uncertain, especially if the moderator allows his own bias to affect the procedures.
Bush seems to come across very well when not in a scripted setting while Kerry's legendary stiffness may well be offset by his "attack mode" in this setting. I'm sure the constestants are preparing themselves and the American public waits to see how "their" candidate acquits himself.
Hopefully Dan Rather has, through his blatant mis-handling of the forged documents, relegated the Bush Reserve flap to the scrap pile. This while the burner is turning up on Kerry over his continued flip-flopping and history of lying, going back to Vietnam.
Now of all people Dick Morris, who ran Bill Clinton's successful 1996 presidential campaign, has produced and is releasing a DVD called Fahrenhype 9/11 debunking Michael Moore's diatribe. Sadly, the theatre's are unwilling to show it, so it will be available only through stores, both brick and mortar and online.
One of Morris' goals is to get a copy in the hands of every US soldier in Iraq so they can see the facts that flatten the lies and leftist propaganda Moore put out.
I would suggest getting a copy, or two, and let your liberal friends borrow them. Maybe it will open their eyes as the light of the truth burns away the cobwebs in darkness of their minds.
Be sure to visit Letters From Iraq
It is a split-level and a huge, magnificent oak in their back yard fell through the rear corner bedroom of the house and came to rest on the second level floor joists. The damage extended through to the front of the home, it's as if a huge knife was thrust through the house.
Fortunately, no one was in that room at the time and all escaped with no injuries. For more about the after effects of Jeanne, check out the story in the local paper, the Ocala Star Banner. Fox News has a great photo essay documenting the extent of the damage. Compared to other areas, Marion County came out ok, of course that depends on who you are. Those who suffered damage as noted above may think otherwise.
The skys are bright and sunny now and amazingly the power seems to be coming back on a bit quicker this time. Some folks said the power companies are getting to the homes that were last on the list with Frances, working back to those who were restored first previously. Seems only fair.
Things are still somewhat out of wack at the PO. Some of the transportation is uncertain so the mail is coming in out of schedule. I'm sure in the next few days all will return to regular schedule, but for the time it creates some difficulties getting the carriers on the street at a decent time.
Jeanne is not finished with her waltz through the US. Where my folks are in Greenville, SC she dumped 10.5 inches of rain, up the road in Asheville, NC she left behind over 13 inches. In those mountainous areas that can reek havoc with flooding.
On other topics, I'm waiting to see the first of the Presidential debates later this week. Though I know what I want to see, these things can be so uncertain, especially if the moderator allows his own bias to affect the procedures.
Bush seems to come across very well when not in a scripted setting while Kerry's legendary stiffness may well be offset by his "attack mode" in this setting. I'm sure the constestants are preparing themselves and the American public waits to see how "their" candidate acquits himself.
Hopefully Dan Rather has, through his blatant mis-handling of the forged documents, relegated the Bush Reserve flap to the scrap pile. This while the burner is turning up on Kerry over his continued flip-flopping and history of lying, going back to Vietnam.
Now of all people Dick Morris, who ran Bill Clinton's successful 1996 presidential campaign, has produced and is releasing a DVD called Fahrenhype 9/11 debunking Michael Moore's diatribe. Sadly, the theatre's are unwilling to show it, so it will be available only through stores, both brick and mortar and online.
One of Morris' goals is to get a copy in the hands of every US soldier in Iraq so they can see the facts that flatten the lies and leftist propaganda Moore put out.
I would suggest getting a copy, or two, and let your liberal friends borrow them. Maybe it will open their eyes as the light of the truth burns away the cobwebs in darkness of their minds.
Be sure to visit Letters From Iraq
Monday, September 27, 2004
It remained breezy today as we started getting out after yesterday's blow. There's a lot of trees down, power is out for 100,000 in Marion County, the flooding is more wide spread as the saturated ground refuses to accept more.
Many of the folks without power are repeats from Frances. Including my in-laws who all are without power. People are getting weary of this while they've come to realize the restoration of power may not come as "quickly" as before.
Resources are stretched with the demands of repairs needed by the damage from 4 hurricanes in 6 weeks. Still, we are resilient and will manage to tough this out.
We have been blessed to have sustained no damage or outages, so our home becomes a refuge for others.
The stress and heat from no electricity or air conditioning is especially tough on the elderly. An 88 year old friend and former neighbor is in the hospital, admitted Sunday night after her power went off increasing the stress on her body already fighting pneumonia.
She is only one of many for whom no electricity is not just an inconvenience, but a life threatening struggle. Keep them in your prayers as you also remember to give thanks for the many things we all take for granted every day. Water, refrigeration, air conditioning, hot showers, cool nights.
Many of the homes here are all electric so folks cannot cook unless they have a grill. Refrigeration is impossible so daily trips to the grocery, smaller quantities, no leftovers increase the expense of providing food.
I've no doubt that as stress levels increase, tolerance levels will decrease and there will be more strife between people. Again, keep them in your prayers. Not everyone's personality is suited to this struggle. Many are coping on the outside while crying out on the inside.
We will make it through this...year. It's only 64 days to the end of hurricane season!
Be sure to visit Letters From Iraq
Many of the folks without power are repeats from Frances. Including my in-laws who all are without power. People are getting weary of this while they've come to realize the restoration of power may not come as "quickly" as before.
Resources are stretched with the demands of repairs needed by the damage from 4 hurricanes in 6 weeks. Still, we are resilient and will manage to tough this out.
We have been blessed to have sustained no damage or outages, so our home becomes a refuge for others.
The stress and heat from no electricity or air conditioning is especially tough on the elderly. An 88 year old friend and former neighbor is in the hospital, admitted Sunday night after her power went off increasing the stress on her body already fighting pneumonia.
She is only one of many for whom no electricity is not just an inconvenience, but a life threatening struggle. Keep them in your prayers as you also remember to give thanks for the many things we all take for granted every day. Water, refrigeration, air conditioning, hot showers, cool nights.
Many of the homes here are all electric so folks cannot cook unless they have a grill. Refrigeration is impossible so daily trips to the grocery, smaller quantities, no leftovers increase the expense of providing food.
I've no doubt that as stress levels increase, tolerance levels will decrease and there will be more strife between people. Again, keep them in your prayers. Not everyone's personality is suited to this struggle. Many are coping on the outside while crying out on the inside.
We will make it through this...year. It's only 64 days to the end of hurricane season!
Be sure to visit Letters From Iraq
Sunday, September 26, 2004
An addendum. I just received a call from my manager about work for tomorrow. It seems Pat Salmon & Sons, a contract over-the-road mail transporter, is refusing to operate their trucks tomorrow morning.
In defense of them, I can see their position. "Tomorrow" begins tonight for the Postal Service and the trucks must be on the road now and all night to meet transportation schedules. That means most of them running out of Jacksonville will still be seeing winds from Jeanne as they operate.
Many of the routes in our area originate in Jacksonville with some of them going into Georgia and they would be heading into areas where the storm is tracking. So I can't say I blame them to awful much.
Since the mail cannot get to the Gainesville plant from Jacksonville they will be shutting down this evening until 7am tomorrow. At that time a more localized contractor, Phoenix Transport, will bring what is available to us arriving at 8:30 am. That's 5 hours later than usual for our first incoming dispatch.
So I get to "sleep in" tomorrow, getting up at 6am instead of my usual 2am. Of course all this means the next several days will be hectic as the plants and local offices struggle to catch up.
Tomorrow's deliveries will consist of only the "essential" mail and most of the carriers will be preparing to leave on their routes almost before we get the mail off the trucks. We will work the rest of the week on getting what the public calls "junk" mail out of the office. We prefer to call it "bread and butter."
The bottom line for tonight is, I get to be one of the "big kids" and stay up late. Woweee!
Be sure to visit Letters From Iraq
In defense of them, I can see their position. "Tomorrow" begins tonight for the Postal Service and the trucks must be on the road now and all night to meet transportation schedules. That means most of them running out of Jacksonville will still be seeing winds from Jeanne as they operate.
Many of the routes in our area originate in Jacksonville with some of them going into Georgia and they would be heading into areas where the storm is tracking. So I can't say I blame them to awful much.
Since the mail cannot get to the Gainesville plant from Jacksonville they will be shutting down this evening until 7am tomorrow. At that time a more localized contractor, Phoenix Transport, will bring what is available to us arriving at 8:30 am. That's 5 hours later than usual for our first incoming dispatch.
So I get to "sleep in" tomorrow, getting up at 6am instead of my usual 2am. Of course all this means the next several days will be hectic as the plants and local offices struggle to catch up.
Tomorrow's deliveries will consist of only the "essential" mail and most of the carriers will be preparing to leave on their routes almost before we get the mail off the trucks. We will work the rest of the week on getting what the public calls "junk" mail out of the office. We prefer to call it "bread and butter."
The bottom line for tonight is, I get to be one of the "big kids" and stay up late. Woweee!
Be sure to visit Letters From Iraq
It’s 6:30 pm and with evening approaching Jeanne is leaving us with only diminishing winds in her trail. We've seen about 6 inches of rain in the past 24 hours and plenty of short, intermittent power "blips," but that appears to be the extent of things for us personally.
In the area I'm sure there are many without power, one of the major suppliers, Florida Power, is reporting at mid-afternoon about 600,000, 18,000 in our county alone, without electricity. If Frances was any indication, my guess is there are about 30,000 in Marion County without power.
The winds are diminishing in strength but remain gusty. Currently they measure in the 15-21 mph range. Out on the coast at Cedar Key they remain strong in the range of 30+ mph as Jeanne heads north towards Valdosta, GA where winds area already blowing at 26 mph.
I'm glad this "event" is essentially over and our community has come out of it relatively unscathed. Sadly, other areas of the states cannot make that claim.
My brother-in-law, Tom, and his wife Janna, in Lakeland have reported a large oak in their front yard is split with one part leaning toward the street, the other towards their home. They need wisdom in dealing with this and protection from the potential damage should it fall their way.
The rest of the family, while collecting loose shingles and debris, is doing fine and all have power as of the last time we checked.
Thanks for visiting, Jeanne. Please don't send any more friends our way.
Be sure to visit Letters From Iraq
In the area I'm sure there are many without power, one of the major suppliers, Florida Power, is reporting at mid-afternoon about 600,000, 18,000 in our county alone, without electricity. If Frances was any indication, my guess is there are about 30,000 in Marion County without power.
The winds are diminishing in strength but remain gusty. Currently they measure in the 15-21 mph range. Out on the coast at Cedar Key they remain strong in the range of 30+ mph as Jeanne heads north towards Valdosta, GA where winds area already blowing at 26 mph.
I'm glad this "event" is essentially over and our community has come out of it relatively unscathed. Sadly, other areas of the states cannot make that claim.
My brother-in-law, Tom, and his wife Janna, in Lakeland have reported a large oak in their front yard is split with one part leaning toward the street, the other towards their home. They need wisdom in dealing with this and protection from the potential damage should it fall their way.
The rest of the family, while collecting loose shingles and debris, is doing fine and all have power as of the last time we checked.
Thanks for visiting, Jeanne. Please don't send any more friends our way.
Be sure to visit Letters From Iraq
At 2:30 pm we are in the midst of some pretty heavy rain. As what remains of Frances continues to the northwest, the remnants of the eye wall are now rotating through our area and with it water and wind.
With steady winds of 25 mph and recorded gusts up to 47 mph, it's a bit breezy. The forecasters tell us to expect up to 2 inches of rain per hour over the next few hours. That on top of just over 4 inches received since last night.
The wind drives the rains from the NE and it lashes at the windows of our den as I read and watch the coverage on the tube. The cat is huddled up and taking cover while we ride this one out.
Reports are that over 1.5 million are without power, it appears that once again we are among the fortunate, so far at least. While Floridians are starting to assess the damage in the areas Jeanne has abandoned as she moves through, those in her path have plenty to look forward to.
My sis and parents in North and South Carolina are in the projected track, as they have been for many of the remnants of our Florida hurricanes. While they don't get much of the winds, the have been pummeled by the rains.
The difference being that the soil of their area is not well suited to these storms. The sandy Florida soil percolates the water well and though we may see some standing water, it doesn't last long and quickly drains into the aquifer.
In the Carolinas it's a different story. Their ground is made up of heavy clay and the water runs off the hilly terrain, building to flash floods quickly. Indeed my folks experienced that recently when rains flooded the stream in front of their home and it became a raging river surging out of it's banks a good 15 or more feet and under their raised manufactured home.
They should get prepared for this one as it heads their way. Again, the winds and rain are moving through as I write and are expected to continue for several hours to come. More later.
Be sure to visit Letters From Iraq
With steady winds of 25 mph and recorded gusts up to 47 mph, it's a bit breezy. The forecasters tell us to expect up to 2 inches of rain per hour over the next few hours. That on top of just over 4 inches received since last night.
The wind drives the rains from the NE and it lashes at the windows of our den as I read and watch the coverage on the tube. The cat is huddled up and taking cover while we ride this one out.
Reports are that over 1.5 million are without power, it appears that once again we are among the fortunate, so far at least. While Floridians are starting to assess the damage in the areas Jeanne has abandoned as she moves through, those in her path have plenty to look forward to.
My sis and parents in North and South Carolina are in the projected track, as they have been for many of the remnants of our Florida hurricanes. While they don't get much of the winds, the have been pummeled by the rains.
The difference being that the soil of their area is not well suited to these storms. The sandy Florida soil percolates the water well and though we may see some standing water, it doesn't last long and quickly drains into the aquifer.
In the Carolinas it's a different story. Their ground is made up of heavy clay and the water runs off the hilly terrain, building to flash floods quickly. Indeed my folks experienced that recently when rains flooded the stream in front of their home and it became a raging river surging out of it's banks a good 15 or more feet and under their raised manufactured home.
They should get prepared for this one as it heads their way. Again, the winds and rain are moving through as I write and are expected to continue for several hours to come. More later.
Be sure to visit Letters From Iraq
At 10:15am we continue to see intermittent rain and winds here. Currently winds are at 21 mph from the NE with gusts up to 38 and we've received over one and a half inches of rain.
The concern now is NEXRAD radar (current image) is showing a feeder band heading towards us with significant heavy weather. This band contains a lot of wind and rain and could cause trouble here soon.
We stood in the screen room overlooking the back yard and watched the trees swaying just 10-15 feet from the house and had to wonder what could happen. At least with the winds from the NE if a tree did go down it would most likely fall away from us.
Some comfort, but not much. With all the rain in recent weeks, and weakened from Frances' wind, it wouldn't take as much to cause problems.
Be sure to visit Letters From Iraq
The concern now is NEXRAD radar (current image) is showing a feeder band heading towards us with significant heavy weather. This band contains a lot of wind and rain and could cause trouble here soon.
We stood in the screen room overlooking the back yard and watched the trees swaying just 10-15 feet from the house and had to wonder what could happen. At least with the winds from the NE if a tree did go down it would most likely fall away from us.
Some comfort, but not much. With all the rain in recent weeks, and weakened from Frances' wind, it wouldn't take as much to cause problems.
Be sure to visit Letters From Iraq
It's another weekend in Florida, so it must be time for another hurricane. This morning as Jeanne crosses south-central Florida near Lakeland, we are seeing heavy rains from feeder bands here in north-central Florida.
The winds and rains vary as the bands pass through with current winds at 16 mph and just over an inch of rain accumulation. If the forecast track holds true and the storm crosses north of Tampa, this is most likely all we will see.
There are some models that have Jeanne taking an early turn to the north and passing just to the west of Gainesville, and us. If that occurs we will see a lot more weather.
Most everyone here is hunkered down, watching the Weather Channel and local coverage. We're also keeping one eye outside as this weather can become very localized. Tornados are possibility.
Among the other tools I use, Weather Bug has become a good source of real time information. I'll switch it back an forth between our local stats and those of areas closer to the center of the storm to get a better idea and what's going on.
My stepson, Jonathan, called yesterday and was conflicted how to respond to this current threat. In the past they have gone to his in-laws home, but after the Frances came through and they lost their power for several days, and the potential that some of the very large trees surrounding the home could come crashing down, he thought it may be better to stay put.
The problem is they live in a mobile home, the most vulnerable structures around. There were other complications, but he was considering going to a shelter if things got really rough, otherwise, tough it out. We offered our home as shelter and told him to keep in touch.
Since we haven’t heard from him, I'm assuming they are still in their home. That's probably ok if Jeanne follows the official track. If she makes an early turn, staying in a mobile could be problematic.
Be sure to visit Letters From Iraq
The winds and rains vary as the bands pass through with current winds at 16 mph and just over an inch of rain accumulation. If the forecast track holds true and the storm crosses north of Tampa, this is most likely all we will see.
There are some models that have Jeanne taking an early turn to the north and passing just to the west of Gainesville, and us. If that occurs we will see a lot more weather.
Most everyone here is hunkered down, watching the Weather Channel and local coverage. We're also keeping one eye outside as this weather can become very localized. Tornados are possibility.
Among the other tools I use, Weather Bug has become a good source of real time information. I'll switch it back an forth between our local stats and those of areas closer to the center of the storm to get a better idea and what's going on.
My stepson, Jonathan, called yesterday and was conflicted how to respond to this current threat. In the past they have gone to his in-laws home, but after the Frances came through and they lost their power for several days, and the potential that some of the very large trees surrounding the home could come crashing down, he thought it may be better to stay put.
The problem is they live in a mobile home, the most vulnerable structures around. There were other complications, but he was considering going to a shelter if things got really rough, otherwise, tough it out. We offered our home as shelter and told him to keep in touch.
Since we haven’t heard from him, I'm assuming they are still in their home. That's probably ok if Jeanne follows the official track. If she makes an early turn, staying in a mobile could be problematic.
Be sure to visit Letters From Iraq
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