190. Abuse of Entitlement

They worked Only 111 of the year’s 365 days.

So many members of Congress are retiring in hopes of “locking-in” their future retirement payments. Currently, their monthly retirement checks are equal to their monthly salaries. They hope to freeze their retirement as it stands. I'm with Trump on this one.

Everyone please forward this Email to a minimum of 20 people and to ask each one of them to do likewise. This makes too much sense not to be passed on. In 3 days, most people in the United States will have the message. This is why the idea should be passed around, regardless of Political Party.

The Trump Rule’s Congressional Reform Act:1– No Tenure / No Pension. A Congressman / Woman, collects a salary while in office and receives no pay when they're out of office. No more perks go with them.

2– Congressman / Woman (past, present & future) participate in Social Security. All funds in the Congressional Retirement Fund move to the Social Security System immediately. All future funds flow into the Social Security System, and Congress participates with the American People. It may not be used for any other purposes.

3– Congress must purchase their own retirement plan, just as all Americans do.

4– Congress will no longer vote themselves pay increases. Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%

5– Congress’s current Healthcare System is terminated, and they participate in the same Healthcare System as the American people.

6– Congress must abide by all the laws they impose on the American people

7– All contracts with past and present Congressman / Woman are void.

The American people did not make these contracts with Congressmen / Women.

The Congress made all these contracts for themselves. Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators serving their terms, then going home and back to work, and not get all kinds of freebies!

No wonder THEY’RE FIGHTING THIS TOOTH AND NAIL!

The plan is for each person to contact a minimum of 20 people.

If that happens. it will only take 3 days for most people in the United States to receive this message.

It’s time for us to take action now! Please send this on.

189. In God we still trust video

The song you are about to hear is from a Las Vegas Diamond Rio concert. They received an immediate resounding standing ovation and continue to do so every time they perform it.

Sadly, major radio stations wouldn’t play it because it is considered “Politically Incorrect”.

Consequently, the song has not been released to the public. We can all take care of that by sending it on.

Although it is written for the United States, it also applies to Canada and all other free countries. Every person in the USA and the free world needs to hear this song, so please keep it going.


188. Superbowl 14 years ago (2005)

If this doesn't light your patriotic fire then I suppose your wood is wet .

It is sad commentary on how far we have deteriorated in 14 years. There is a definite difference today with the singing of THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER.

  These days you have a rock star, sexy women with revealing dresses, strange musical variations ...where are we going from here the next 13 years?                                     

Super Bowl XXXIX    2005..... This video was shot 14 + years ago. Been quite a change since then, hasn't there?

Please note:  Two past Presidents were there, one D and one R.

No pop stars, no vocal show offs, just the Star Spangled Banner, the cadets, and the US Army Herald Trumpet Corps. Higher quality version can be heard / seen...

187. A wonderful story from 911

AFTER FLIGHT 77 hit the Pentagon on 9/11, the following incident occurred:

A chaplain, who happened to be assigned to the Pentagon, told of an incident that never made the news. A daycare facility inside the Pentagon had many children, including infants who were in heavy cribs. The daycare supervisor, looking at all the children they needed to evacuate, was in a panic over what they could do. There were many children, mostly toddlers, as well as the infants that would need to be taken out with the cribs.

There was no time to try to bundle them into carriers and strollers. Just then a young Marine came running into the center and asked what they needed. After hearing what the center director was trying to do, he ran back out into the hallway and disappeared. The director thought, “Well, here we are, on our own.”

About 2 minutes later, that Marine returned with 40 other Marines in tow. Each of them grabbed a crib with a child, and the rest started gathering up toddlers. The director and her staff then helped them take all the children out of the center and down toward the park near the Potomac.

Once they got about 3/4 of a mile outside the building, the Marines stopped in the park, and then did a fabulous thing - they formed a circle with the cribs, which were quite sturdy and heavy, like the covered wagons in the Old West. Inside this circle of cribs, they put the toddlers, to keep them from wandering off. Outside this circle were the 40 Marines, forming a perimeter around the children and waiting for instructions. There they remained until the parents could be notified and come get their children.

The chaplain then said, “I don’t think any of us saw nor heard of this on any of the news stories of the day. It was an incredible story of our men there.” There wasn’t a dry eye in the room. The thought of those Marines and what they did and how fast they reacted; could we expect any less from them? It was one of the most touching stories from the Pentagon. It’s the Military, not the politicians that ensures our right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It’s the Military who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag. If you care to offer the smallest token of recognition and appreciation for the military, please pass this on and pray for our men and women, who have served and are currently serving our country, and pray for those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for freedom.”

185. 90 Year old and the 45 lessons life has taught her

Written by Regina Brett, 90 years old, 

a writer for the Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio .

To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most requested column I've ever written.
My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short – enjoy it.

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and family will.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Stay true to yourself.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye, but don't worry, God never blinks.

16.. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful. Clutter weighs you down in many ways.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19.. It's never too late to be happy. But it’s all up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative of dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. Accept what you already have, not what you need

42. The best is yet to come...

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

184. Six Boys and 13 Hands

Each year I am hired to go to Washington, DC, with the eighth grade class from Clinton, WI where I grew up, to videotape their trip. I greatly enjoy visiting our nation's capitol, and each year I take some special memories back with me. This fall's trip was especially
memorable. 

On the last night of our trip, we stopped at the Iwo Jima
memorial. This memorial is the largest bronze statue in the world and depicts one of the most famous photographs in history -- that of the six brave soldiers raising the American Flag at the top of a rocky hill on the island of Iwo Jima, Japan, during WW II 

Over one hundred students and chaperones piled off the buses and headed towards the memorial. I noticed a solitary figure at the base of the
statue, and as I got closer he asked, 'Where are you guys
from?' 

I told him that we were from Wisconsin. 'Hey, I'm a cheese head, too! Come gather around, Cheese heads, and I will tell you a story.' 

(It was James Bradley who just happened to be in Washington, DC, to speak at the memorial the following day. He was there that night to say good night to his dad, who had passed away. He was just about to leave when
he saw the buses pull up. I videotaped him as he spoke to us, and received his permission to share what he said from my videotape. It is one thing to tour the incredible monuments filled with history in Washington

,

  DC, but it is quite another to get the kind of insight we received that
night.)


When all had gathered around, he reverently began to speak. (Here are his words that night.)


'My name is James Bradley and I'm from Antigo, Wisconsin

.  

My dad is on that statue, and I wrote a book called 'Flags of Our Fathers'. It is the story of the six boys you see behind me.


'Six boys raised the flag. The first guy putting the pole in the ground is Harlon Block. Harlon was an all-state football player. He enlisted in the Marine Corps with all the senior members of his football team. They were off to play another type of game. A game called 'War.' But it
didn't turn out to be a game. Harlon, at the age of 21, died with his intestines in his hands. I don't say that to gross you out, I say that because there are people who stand in front of this statue and talk about the glory of war. You guys need to know that most of the boys in Iwo Jima were 17, 18, and 19 years old - and it was so hard that the ones who did make it home never even would talk to their families about
it.


(He pointed to the statue) 'You see this next guy? That's Rene Gagnon from New Hampshire
If you took Rene's helmet off at the moment this photo was taken and looked in the webbing of that helmet, you would find a photograph...a photograph of his girlfriend Rene put that in there for protection because he was scared. He was 18 years old. It was just boys who won the
battle of Iwo Jima. Boys. Not old
men. 

'The next guy here, the third guy in this tableau, was Sergeant Mike Strank. Mike is my hero. He was the hero of all these guys.They called him the 'old man' because he was so old. He was already 24. When Mike would motivate his boys in training camp, he didn't say, 'Let's go kill some Japanese' or 'Let's die for our country' He knew he was talking to little boys.. Instead he would say, 'You do what I say, and I'll get you
home to your mothers.' 

'The last guy on this side of the statue is Ira Hayes, a Pima Indian from Arizona. Ira Hayes was one of them who lived to walk off Iwo Jima. He went into the White House with my dad. President Truman told him, 'You're a hero' He told reporters, 'How can I feel like a hero when 250 of my buddies hit the island with me and only 27 of us walked off
alive?'

 

So you take your class at school, 250 of you spending a year together having fun, doing everything together. Then all 250 of you hit the beach, but only 27 of your classmates walk off alive. That was Ira Hayes. He had images of horror in his mind. Ira Hayes carried the pain home with him and eventually died dead drunk, face down, drowned in a
very shallow puddle, at the age of 32 (ten years after this picture was taken). 

'The next guy, going around the statue, is Franklin Sousley from Hilltop, Kentucky. A fun-lovin' hillbilly boy. His best friend, who is now 70, told me, 'Yeah, you know, we took two cows up on the porch of the Hilltop General Store. Then we strung wire across the stairs so the cows couldn't get down. Then we fed them Epsom salts. Those cows crapped all night.' Yes, he was a fun-lovin' hillbilly boy. Franklin died on Iwo Jima at the age of 19. When the telegram came to tell his mother that he was dead, it went to the Hilltop General Store.

A barefoot boy ran that telegram up to his mother's farm. The neighbors could hear her scream all night and into
the morning. Those neighbors lived a quarter of a mile away. 


'The next guy, as we continue to go around the statue, is my dad, John Bradley, from Antigo, Wisconsin, where I was raised. My dad lived until 1994, but he would never give interviews. 
When Walter Cronkite's producers or the New York Times would call, we were trained as little kids to say 'No, I'm sorry, sir, my dad's not here. He is in Canada fishing. No, there is no phone there, sir. No, we don't know when he is coming back.' My dad never fished or even went to Canada. Usually, he was sitting there right at the table eating his Campbell's soup. But we had to tell the press that he was out fishing. He didn't want to talk to the press. 

'You see, like Ira Hayes, my dad didn't see himself as a hero. Everyone thinks these guys are heroes, 'cause they are in a photo and on a monument. My dad knew better. He was a medic. John Bradley from Wisconsin was a combat caregiver. On Iwo Jima he probably held over 200 boys as they died. And boys died on Iwo Jima, they writhed and screamed, without any medication or help with the pain. 

'When I was a little boy, my third grade teacher told me that my dad was a hero. When I went home and told my dad that, he looked at me and said, 'I want you always to remember that the heroes of Iwo Jima are the guys who did not come back. Did NOT come back.'

 

'So that's the story about six nice young boys. Three died on Iwo
Jima, and three came back as national heroes. Overall, 7,000
boys died on Iwo Jima in the worst battle in the history of the Marine Corps. My voice is giving out, so I will end here. Thank you for your time.' 

Suddenly, the monument wasn't just a big old piece of metal with a flag sticking out of the top. It came to life before our eyes with the heartfelt words of a son who did indeed have a father who was a hero. Maybe not a hero for the reasons most people would believe, but a hero nonetheless. 

One thing I learned while on tour with my 8th grade students in DC that is not mentioned here is . . that if you look at the statue very closely and count the number of 'hands' raising the flag, there are 13. When the man who made the statue was asked why there were 13, he simply said the13th hand was the hand of God.

 

183. Hooray! from Homer

At a Tennessee Football Game---not a joke

Christianity is now the target of persecution...

THIS IS AS GOOD AS IT GETS! GOD BLESS EVERYONE WHO READS THIS AND PASSES IT ON.

 

I FIND IT INTERESTING THAT A HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL CAN SEE THE PROBLEM, BUT OUR SOCIETY CANNOT.



This is a statement that was read over the PA system at the football game at Roane County High School , Kingston , Tennessee by school Principal, Jody McLeod



"It has always been the custom at Roane County High School football games, to say a prayer and play the National Anthem, to honor God and Country."



Due to a recent ruling by the Supreme Court, I am told that saying a Prayer is a violation of Federal Case Law. As I understand the law at this time, I can use this public facility to approve of sexual perversion and call it "an alternate life style," and if someone is offended, that's OK.



I can use it to condone sexual promiscuity, by dispensing condoms and calling it, "safe sex." If someone is offended, that's OK.



I can even use this public facility to present the merits of killing an unborn baby as a "viable" Means of birth control." If someone is offended, no problem...



I can designate a school day as "Earth Day" and involve students in activities to worship religiously and praise the goddess "Mother Earth" and call it "ecology.."



I can use literature, videos and presentations in the classroom that depicts people with strong, traditional Christian convictions as "simple minded" and "ignorant" and call it "enlightenment.."



However, if anyone uses this facility to honor GOD and to ask HIM to Bless this event with safety and good sportsmanship, then Federal Case Law is violated.



This appears to be inconsistent at best, and at worst, diabolical. 
Apparently, we are to be tolerant of everything and anyone, except GOD and HIS Commandments.



Nevertheless , as a school principal, I frequently ask staff and students to abide by rules with which they do not necessarily agree. For me to do otherwise would be inconsistent at best, and at worst, hypocritical. I suffer from that affliction enough unintentionally. I certainly do not need to add an intentional transgression.



For this reason, I shall "Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's," and refrain from praying at this time.



" However, if you feel inspired to honor, praise and thank GOD and ask HIM, in the name of JESUS, to Bless this event, please feel free to do so.. As far as I know, that's not against the law--yet."



One by one, the people in the stands bowed their heads, held hands with one another and began to pray.



They prayed in the stands. They prayed in the team huddles. They prayed at the concession stand and they prayed in the Announcer's Box!



The only place they didn't pray was in the Supreme Court of the United States of America- the Seat of "Justice" in the "one nation, under GOD."



Somehow, Kingston , Tennessee Remembered what so many have forgotten. We are given the Freedom OF Religion, not the Freedom FROM Religion Praise GOD that HIS remnant remains!

 


JESUS said, "If you are ashamed of ME before men, then I will be ashamed of you before MY FATHER.."



If you are not ashamed, pass this on ..


I'm not one bit ashamed to pass this on, Are you?

 

THIS IS AS GOOD AS IT GETS! GOD BLESS EVERYONE WHO READS THIS AND PASSES IT ON.

 

182. Flag Dedication at Carl, Georgia

Flag Dedication at Carl, Georgia

September 19, 2016

by Doctor C. B. Skelton

The city of Carl dedicates today this flagpole with a flag of the USA.

Woodmen give flagpoles and flags to honor all who, by their service, heap honor upon her.

The idea for the program came to honor those who gave their lives on 9-11, trying others to save.

All servicemen, paramedics too, are now included with the “boys in blue”–

anyone willing to risk his own life to save his neighbor or his neighbor’s wife.

All that the donors ask in return is that the recipients make effort to learn

and always to follow protocol that is proper, showing respect that never will falter.

This flag would say, if she could speak, “Contrary to some, I am not weak.

I have flown more than 200 years. –at first, only thirteen – now fifty stars appear.

“I have flown in battles around the world, and tyranny trembles when I am unfurled.

I am the symbol of liberty and, wherever I go, I set people free.

“Whenever you pass and look my way, at least in your mind, you ought to say

a little prayer of thanks to God that I still hang on this shining rod.

“For, as long as I hang here, you shall be free to enjoy the fruits of true liberty.

But, if I be gone and another hangs here, you will have lost those freedoms, I fear.

So, cherish those freedoms and give me respect. See that neither suffers neglect,

and this country always shall be a bastion of hope and liberty.”

 

181. On His Knees - Ronald Regan

I believe the old boy had a good heart for sure. All those politically correct D.C. Clowns need to think about it.

ON HIS KNEES - RONALD REAGAN

This is a rather short video that we all should watch, appreciate and fully understand its meaning. It is also one that everyone in our government should be forced to watch several times, at least until they get it!!! If you are one of those that do not forward e-mails, please make this an exception and pass this along to everyone in your address book.

180. Wise Words

WISE WORDS

As we grow older, and hence wiser, we slowly realize that:
Whether we wear a $300 or $30 watch - - they both tell
the same time. Whether we carry a $300 or $30 wallet/handbag – the
amount of money inside is the same. Whether we drink a bottle of $300 or $30 or $3 wine – the hangover is the same. Whether the house we live in is 300 or 3,000 or 30,000 sq. ft. the loneliness is the same. And we realize our true inner happiness does not come from the material things of this world. Whether we fly first or economy class, if the plane goes down we go down with it. Whether we fly first or economy class, if the plane reaches its destination - - everyone arrives at the same time. Therefore… we should realize that when we have
mates, buddies and old friends, brothers and sisters, with whom we can chat, laugh, talk, sing, talk about north- south-east-west or heaven and earth -- that is true happiness!
  
Six Undeniable Facts of Life


1. Don't educate your children to be rich. Educate them to be happy, so when they grow up they will know the value of things, not the price. 

2. Best wise words: "Eat your food as your medicines. Otherwise you have to eat medicines as your food." 

3. The one who loves you will never leave you because, even if there are 100 reasons to give up, he or she will find a reason to hold on. 

4. There is a big difference between a human being and being human. Only a few folks really understand that. 

5. You are loved when you are born. You will be loved when you die…share your love with everyone in between these times.

6. If you just want to walk fast, walk alone; but, if you
want to walk far, walk together!
 
Six Best Doctors in the World

1. Sunlight

2. Rest

3. Exercise

4. Diet

5. The Words of God

6. Friends


And, finally: The nicest place to be is in
someone's positive thoughts, the safest place to be is in someone's prayers, and the very best place to be is… in the hands of GOD.

 

179. The Magic Bank Account

THE AUTHOR IS NOT KNOWN.   
IT WAS FOUND IN THE BILLFOLD OF COACH PAUL BEAR BRYANT, ALABAMA, AFTER HE DIED IN 1982. 

The Magic Bank Account
Imagine that you had won the Following *PRIZE* in a contest: 
Each morning your bank would deposit $86,400 in your private account for your use. However, this prize has Rules:
The set of Rules: 

1. Everything that you didn't spend during each day would be taken away from you.

2. You may not simply transfer money into some other account.
 
3. You may only spend It.
 
4. Each morning upon awakening,
the bank opens your account with another $86,400 for that day.
 
5. The bank can end the game without warning; at any time, it can say, Game Over!" It can close the account and you will not receive a new
one.
 
What would you personally do?
 
You would buy anything and everything you wanted right? Not only for yourself, but for all the people you love and care for. Even for people you don't know, because you couldn't possibly spend it all on yourself, right?
 
You would try to spend every penny, and use it all, because you knew it would be replenished in the morning, right?
 
ACTUALLY, 
This GAME is REAL
...
Shocked???
YES!
 
Each of us is already a winner of this *PRIZE*.
We just can't seem to see it. 

The PRIZE is *TIME*
 
1. Each morning we awaken to Receive 86,400 seconds as a gift of Life.
 
2. And when we go to sleep at night, any remaining time is not credited to us.
 
3. What we haven't used up that day is forever lost.
 
4. Yesterday is forever gone.
 
5. Each morning the account is Refilled, but the bank can dissolve your account at any time WITHOUT WARNING...
 
SO, what will YOU do with your 86,400 seconds?
 
Those seconds are worth so much more than the same amount in dollars. Think about it and remember to enjoy every second of your life, because time races by so much quicker than you think.
 

 

177. Glen Campbell

HI Ho Silver!

Many of us grew up listening to the Lone Ranger and Tonto on radio and later watching them on TV (black and white, mind you!).

This is a neat clip of a younger Glen Campbell playing the William Tell Overture (with the back-up of a symphony orchestra) and dedicating it to Clayton Moore and Jay Silverheels.

You should enjoy the excellent guitar playing, the sounds of the orchestra as well as taking you back to those days of yesteryear.  Click and watch the show

176. The Eagle

THE EAGLE 

This is Amazing...It is no wonder there are scriptural references to the eagle! I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did. And, no there is no wonder the bald eagle has such a significant symbolism to our country. What hope…¦!!!! 

174. Mother's Day 2016

Mother’s Day, 2016

A tried-and-true saying from many years ago

says, Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

The simple mention of one name sets many hearts aglow,

even though she may be getting older.

 

The name that sets those hearts aflame is Mother.

Just a family member, you might think.

But mention Father, Sister – even Brother,

and other family members hardly blink.

 

The reason for this difference of cognition

is, Mother risked her life in giving us birth,

and cared for us in good or adverse conditions.

No wonder that we now proclaim her worth!

 

Her love for us was always unconditional,

and usually accompanied with a prayer

that God would make our dreams be actual

and walk beside us while we were getting there.

 

Her faith in us was never known to waiver,

though we would oftentimes come short of the mark.

Her prayers to God asked Him to show us favor

and give to us that needed extra spark.

 

Through thick and thin; through small and grievous errors,

she kept the faith that we would win the race.

And, when our lives were caught in life’s dark narrows,

she prayed that God would grant to us His grace.

 

Such love, such faith, and such undying devotion

one hardly ever finds in any other.

No wonder the name invokes such great emotion –

in all parts of the world, the name of Mother.

(On a personal note)

Though Mom has long since gone to meet her Maker,

the mention of her name still brings me joy.

She truly was a giver, not a taker,

and God blessed me to be one of her boys.

Written by a very good friend of Homer's,

Doctor C. B. Skelton, Winder, GA

173. Soaring Valor

Once in awhile I receive something I think is very important, and this is one of them. 

Because of these men and many thousands more, just like them is the reason we

live in the country we do. 

It is so sad that we lose 1100of them a day, but what is sadder is there are not too many left. 

This is a short film so please watch it and remember these men and women. 

If you ever see one, be sure to walk up, shake his hand and say

 

"Thank you for all you did in WW2".