Sunday, December 30, 2012

Christmas Letter 2012

Christmas 2012
 
Katie - Kristine  - Rebecca - John  - Andrew -  William
 
 
Dear Ones:
 
This year, 2012, has been a remarkable year with many Ups and Downs for all of us.
I would like to offer you some thoughts, as I am often prone to do around this time of year.
Simply that, “ Love Lasts Forever “
 
We hold people, thoughts, wishes, desires and prayers in our hearts and in our minds.
Especially around the holidays when we miss those no longer with us and as your Grampa
Bill says that are now in “ the True World “. We are faced with many disappointments and
unexpected events in our time.
 
I want so much to be with you and spend loving time with you because it is truly the most
precious of all gifts. Time is not to be squandered. I am hoping that someday I will be able to
accomplish this task by reaching out to you personally & with you individually.
We do not know our allotted time on this planet. We have all lost family, friends and
acquaintances that we will miss forever. I offer these words not to be maudlin, but to lift you up
and put us in a place to celebrate the precious gift of time with each other.
Tangible gifts are, of course, always nice and are appreciated. I have arrived at
the place in my thinking and belief that I shall concentrate on important things and making
memories.
 
I treasure those memories that I hold with each of you, individually. I feel blessed that you
are in my life and we have opportunities ahead to make more memories and share the most
important things … remembering that love we hold in our hearts lasts forever.
 
Those of you that are now parents understand the depth of loving a child of your own and the
memories already made. Those of you that will become a parent will come to understand
and know this for yourselves .
 
Please know this, that I am proud of each one of you I want to do and be better ….
Love,
Dad

Saturday, November 24, 2012

November 17, 2012

We met at a dance on October 16, 1965.

At first, and at a distance, a simple chance of
of a glance.

We danced.

We smiled and We laughed.
We walked and We talked.
We gifted and We lifted.
We cried and We tried.
We cared We were scared.

We surrendered our hearts as We fell together.

We stayed and We played.
We had thoughts We had dreams.
We saw mountains We saw streams.
We talked plans We had dreams.

We knew t'was too soon
We had much to do to prepare

We went our ways for many long days
We abided.  We provided.

We had our own blessings and sadness
We had our own sorrows and gladness

We tried and We cried.

We knew there were plans that were out of our hands

We surrendered our hearts to our Father
We prayed and we had faith

We were apart as We prayed
We believed in His plan.

We knew of a time We know of a time.
We have this time now

We are grateful to God
We knew t'was all meant to be.

We wed in a chapel on November 17, 2012
Husband & Wife -
Living our Dream
Greeting the Train

Nina has a Mantra as any train passes in the distance anywhere, remember
" You are Loved by a Passionate Man that Adores You"!

   
10/19/1965  =        73
365 x 45 =      16,425
11/17/2012  =     340
-------------------------------
Total Days = 16,838 days
46.13      Yrs
2405.43  Weeks









Thursday, October 18, 2012

Toasting The CAZANOVAS

AT DARWIN'S BURGERS AND BLUES

THE CAZANOVAS WILL REPRESENT US AT THE INTERNATIONAL BLUES CHALLENGE IN MEMPHIS in Jan and Feb 2013 !!


Tuesday, October 9, 2012

The Cazanovas - October 6, 2012







CAZANOVAS - Charlotte Blues Society Winners

National Blues Contest Memphis, TN


Congratulations and a shout out to the guys from the Cazanovas (from Atlanta) ....Danny Vinson, Maurice Nazzaro, Jacob Holliday and Theron Peterson for winning the 2012 Charlotte Blues Society Talent Competition... they will be heading to Memphis to compete in the national blues contest... These guys studied and researched for YEARS as to what kind(s) of blues the folks in Memphis like and what previous winners played to put them in the top category or become winners... and their hard work and dedication truely SHINED Saturday in Charlotte. I've been to blues contests all over the San Francisco Bay Area, Maui, Honolulu, greater Los Angeles area and now in North Carolina... so I've heard some of THE BEST in the blues world... and these guys put their heart and SOUL into their music and stage presence... which won them the CBS 2012 Talent Competition!
Pam Taylor Band placed a VERY HARD FOUGHT second and have every right to be incredibly PROUD of their performances... they gave 200 percent and we all appreciate and LOVE them VERY MUCH... Your band is DEFINITELY HEADING FOR THE TOP Pam and I EXPECT BIG THINGS out of you in the very NEAR future! (like touring around this country and probably overseas too!).
Junque Gallery was a complete surprise to most of us who hang at the Double Door. I'd never heard them before and was blown away by their great sound, which includes Rick Almond on the sax (Rick also plays with The Brubakers, a popular band out of Salisbury, NC). These guys have been practicing one weekend a month for over 14 years - because of great distances for some of them to travel... I predict they will be asked to perform in MANY MORE places as a result of this Talent Competition...!

Bill Allen October 2012

William John Allen
4103 Whitehall Way
Alpharetta, GA 30004


bba76@aol.com

catodepot.blogspot.com


Friday, October 5, 2012

Truett Lollis Trio -





TRUETT LOLLIS TRIO

Filmed in Atlanta, Georgia at the Sean Costello Memorial Fund for Bipolar Research benefit. - Truett Lollis (guitar), Jeff Baker (harp), Jody White (drums), and Jonathan Norwood (bass).

DEBATE snippit - RNC Ad 10/5/2012





RNC Video Sums Up Debate Brilliantly

BEGIN TRANSCRIPT
RUSH:  There were a lot of roads last night, some damn fine roads that Romney drove over to get to that debate last night, ladies and gentlemen.  Romney drove a bunch of smart roads, well prepared roads, experienced roads, roads built on hard facts. But Obama, Obama's road had too many bumps, unemployment over 8%, and, by the way, did you like the way Romney just took it right to him?  Obama tried to get away with acting like he hadn't been in office for four years and Romney didn't let him get away with it. (paraphrasing) "Eight percent unemployment for 44 months, ever since you took office. You've driven up the national debt 5-1/2 trillion dollars, you've done this. You've caused economic slowdown." It was great.  It was fabulous.
By the way, I want to call your attention to something.  The RNC's put together about a minute and a half ad called Smirk.  It doesn't do me any good, you have to see this. I can play the audio for you, but it's just Romney scoring point after point after point. It's a split screen, Romney looking right at Obama, making point after point after point. On the right screen is Obama looking down and dejected and inattentive and we've linked to it at YouTube at RushLimbaugh.com.  I just told Koko to put it up there so if you want to take a quick trip to RushLimbaugh.com and click on the YouTube link, it's a great summary of last night.  If people didn't see it and you want to try to tell them what happened, show them this one minute-thirty-seven second ad that the RNC put together.

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Deb Teen Luau 1967

East Ridge High School - Chattanooga, TN
Lake Chickamauga - Park

Nina K. Kelley - East Ridge High
Michael Allen  - Baylor School




Monday, September 10, 2012

Lyla at the Piano

MY Grand Daughter belting one out at the Piano !! 

I love this, maybe a sign that she's gonna enjoy music like her PaPa does.


 
 
Photo taken 9/11/2012 by Pat Bennett ---
 

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

William Z. Allen Graduation

Lanier Tech Adult Learning Center-  GED

Frank Rains -



At this time Frank wes living in Tupelo Mississippi.
The Paul Daniels Magic Show 1985 

FRANK RAINS - Simultaneous talker




Frank was a Professional Scouter in Cherokee Area Council, Chattanooga TN  and an entertainer.

EMCEEd many Scout Executive Conferences in 1970s and 80s. which I attended .

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Low Rider -

Chicago Joe Jones Rock and Blues boys are Amazing 

Low Rider   by  WAR


Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Cancelled and PULLED Broadcast - WHY ???


Now we know why Fox News never broadcast it as they originally planned to.  *I encourage you, please send this to everyone on your email list ASAP.*

*Remember all the notices we kept getting to watch Fox News on Sunday at 9PM? What Happened?*

*This is the clip that got pulled due to pressure from the Administration.*

Obama Puts Heat on Fox News to Prevent Sean Hannity* *airing this piece.

*This is a video that Sean Hannity of FOX News has been trying to show that we are told has consistently been blocked by the Obama Administration for several weeks.*

*Watch it now before it gets pulled from the internet! *




http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=tCAffMSWSzY#t=28 popup?v=tCAffMSWSzY#t=28>
popup?v=tCAffMSWSzY#t=28> popup?v=tCAffMSWSzY#t=28> 


Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Very Low Opinion of B O

 
By Mychal Massie

At a time when many Americans can barely afford
  Burger King and a movie, Obama boasts of spending a billion
  dollars on his re-election campaign. Questioned at a recent
  appearance about the spiraling fuel costs, Obama said, "Get used
  to it"  and with an insouciant grin and chortle, he told
  another person at the event, who complained about the effect high
  fuel prices were having on his family, to "get a more fuel-efficient car."

The Obamas behave as if they were sharecroppers living in a trailer and hit the
  Powerball, but instead of getting new tires for their trailer and
  a new pickup truck, they moved to Washington . And instead of
  making possum pie, with goats and chickens in the front yard,
  they're spending and living large at taxpayer expense opulent
  vacations, gala balls, resplendent dinners and exclusive command
  performances at the White House, grand date nights, golf,
  basketball, more golf, exclusive resorts and still more golf. In
  the 1950's they called it acting NIGGER RICH.

Expensive, ill-fitting and ill-chosen wigs and fashions hardly befit the
  first lady of the United States . The Obamas have behaved in every
  way but presidential  which is why it's so offensive when we
  hear Obama say, in order "to restore fiscal responsibility, we all
  need to share in the sacrifice but we don't have to sacrifice the
   America we believe in."

The American people have been sacrificing; it is he and his family who are
  behaving as if they've never had two nickels to rub together and now, having
  hit the mother lode, they're going to spend away their feelings of
  inadequacy at the taxpayers' expense.

Obama continues to exhibit behavior that, at best, can be described as mobocratic
  and, at worst, reveals a deeply damaged individual. In a February
  2010 column, I asked, "Is Obama unraveling? "I wrote that it was
  beginning to appear the growing mistrust of him and contempt for
  his policies was beginning to have a destabilizing effect on him.

At that time, I wrote that not having things go one's way can be a bitter
  pill, but reasonable people don't behave as he was behaving. He
  had insulted Republicans at their luncheon, where he had been an
  invited guest. I had speculated that was, in part, what had led
  him to falsely accuse Supreme Court justices before Congress, the
  nation and the world, during the 2010 State of the Union address.

It appeared, at that time, as if he were "fraying around the
  emotional edges." That behavior has not abated it has
  become more pronounced. While addressing the nation, after being
  forced to explain the validity of his unilateral aggression with
   Libya , America witnessed a petulant individual scowling and
  scolding the public for daring to insist he explain his actions.

But during an afternoon speech to address the budget/debt, he took his
  scornful, unstable despotic behavior to depths that should give
  the nation cause for concern. Displaying a dark psychopathy more
  representative of an episode of "The Tudors" television series, he
  invited Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., to sit in the front row during his
  speech and then proceeded to berate both Ryan and Ryan's
  budget-cutting plan. Even liberal Democrats were put off by the
  act. MSNBC's Joe Scarborough questioned the sanity of Obama's
  actions.

Today, criticism is coming from all sides. A senior Democrat lawmaker said, "I have
  been very disappointed in [Obama], to the point where I'm
  embarrassed that I endorsed him. It's so bad that some of us are
  thinking, is there some way we can replace him? How do you get rid
  of this guy?" ("Democrats' Disgust with Obama," The Daily Beast, April 15, 2011)

Steve McCann wrote: Obama's speech "was chock full of lies, deceit and crass
  fear-mongering. It must be said that [he] is the most dishonest,
  deceitful and mendacious person in a position of power I have ever
  witnessed" ("The Mendacity of Barack Obama,"
AmericanThinker.com , April 15, 2011).

McCann continued: "[His] performance was the culmination of four years of outright
  lies and narcissism that have been largely ignored by the media,
  including some in the conservative press and political class who
  are loath to call [him] what he is in the bluntest of terms: a
  liar and a fraud. That he relies on his skin color to intimidate,
  either outright or by insinuation [against] those who oppose his
  radical agenda only add to his audacity. It is apparent that he
  has gotten away with his character flaws his entire life, aided
  and abetted by sycophants around him. ..."

With these being among the kinder rebukes being directed at Obama, and with people
  becoming less intimidated by his willingness to use race as a
  bludgeon, with falling poll numbers in every meaningful category
  and an increasingly aggressive tea-party opposition how much longer before he
  cracks completely?

The coming months of political life are not going to be pleasant for Obama.
  Possessed by a self-perceived palatine mindset, that in his mind
  places him above criticism, how long before he cracks in public?
  Can America risk a man with a documented track record of lying and
  misrepresenting truth as a basic way of life, who is becoming
  increasingly more contumelious?

Sunday, July 29, 2012

NEWSREEL 1945

USS MISSOURI BB-63 WWII -JAPAN SURRENDER


THIS is a priceless piece of film if you have the least bit of interest in our history....

1945 - Japanese Surrender - a Keeper...

A great historical clip worth keeping....

This film is believed to have never been seen before, only shots of the surrender were known.

If you are a history buff you will enjoy this. General McArthur's voice is a rarity in these old film clips
Japanese Surrender- Amazing Footage Sept 2, 1945.

This is a 'must see' for the WWII history buff or anyone interested in history.

Interesting the other signers to the document, from New Zealand/Australia to Europe/Russia.

This is an actual film made of the surrender ceremony of the Japanese to McArthur in Tokyo Bay in September 1945.

Actual voice of the General. Never been shown to the general public before!
We always saw the "stills" but never the film itself.



http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=vcnH_kF1zXc&feature=player_embedded

Saturday, July 28, 2012

Little G Weevil Website

http://www.littlegweevil.net/fr_home.cfm











Little G Weevil " The Teaser " Review

Little G Weevil


The latest album review is coming from Europe`s #1 Blues magazine the UK`s Blues Matters:





The latest album review is coming from Europe`s #1 Blues magazine the UK`s Blues Matters:







The TEASER





"While some albums take several listens to appreciate, with “The Teaser”, no tease is required, this is a real deal! Throughout Little G excels in a range of styles of blues. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, the vocalist and guitarist has put together an exceptionally strong line-up of supporting musicians, including Bill Burke on bass, Bob Page on piano and organ, Maurice Nazzaro on harmonica and John V McKnight on drums and percussion. Their contributions to this album cannot be underestimated as they provide some finesse to the recording; however this only tells part of the story. Weevil sings and hollers like a consummate bluesman, disguising his relatively young age (34). His sharp vocals illuminate this set of songs and his blues phrasing is exceptional. His guitar playing varies from the stinging style of Albert Collins, to the downhome picking of Lightni...ng Hopkins. Furthermore his self-composed material really makes this a standout album of great variety. ‘Real Men Don’t Dance is a harp lead upbeat opener, while the combination of electric guitar and organ come to the fore on ‘Big City Life’ (apparently inspired by time spent in London). Knight’s drum patterns provide a distinctive foundation, on tracks such as the co-penned ‘Highway 78’. ‘Apple Picker’ recalls Albert Collins at his most smooth. ‘Back Porch’ meanwhile takes its influence from the Hill Country of R L Burnside. While ‘8.47’ is the most guitar centric track, ‘Losing Cool’ is rather reminiscent of the on piano throughout ‘She Used To Call Me Sugar’ which has a Muddy Waters feel. Maybe he’s covering all the bases, but he does it so well, and in a distinctive style. Indeed I found the lyrics of the title track replaying in my head the following day, conclusive evidence that this is a truly memorable recording. In summary: superb old school blues performed in a contemporary setting, very highly recommended
Artist: Little G Weevil
 
 
Title Of Album: The Teaser
Year Of Release: 2011
Label: Apple Picker Music
Genre: Blues
Format: MP3
Quality: 320 kbps
Total Time: 00:47:13
Total Size: 109mb
WebSite: myspace
Tracks: ------
01. Real Men Don`t Dance - 3:23
02. The Teaser - 3:41
 03. Big City Life - 4:40
04. Back Porch - 3:44
05. Highway 78 - 5:11
06. Apple Picker - 4:44
07. Dad`s Story - 2:34
08. 8. 47 - 4:41
09. Liquor Store - 2:40
10. She Used To Call Me Sugar - 4:25
11. Losing Cool - 3:25
12. Which Way Shall I Go - 3:58
 
Little G Weevil











Wednesday, July 11, 2012

BEST FRIENDS - now WAITING FOR ME

WAITING FOR YOU --- Boxie - Bassett Beagle Mix Sam - Beagle Jacques - Poodle Jerry - Setter Spot - Terrier Feist Clem =- Brittany Nemo - Brittany Jason - Brittany Mandy - Brittany Kal - Brittany Dogs I have had. On the first day, God created the dog and said, sit all day by the door of your house and bark at anyone who comes in or walks past. For this I will give you a life span of twenty years. --- The dog said, "That's a long time to be barking. How about only ten years and I'll give you back the other ten?" --- And God said that it was good. --- On the second day, God created the monkey and said, "Entertain people, do tricks, and make them laugh. For this, I'll give you a twenty-year life span." --- The monkey said, "Monkey tricks for twenty years? That's a pretty long time to perform. How about I give you back ten like the dog did?" --- And God again said that it was good. --- On the third day, God created the cow and said, "You must go into the field with the farmer all day long and suffer under the sun, have calves and give milk to support the farmer's family. For this, I will give you a life span of sixty years." --- The cow said, "That's kind of a tough life you want me to live for sixty years. How about twenty and I'll give back the other forty?" --- And God agreed it was good. --- On the fourth day, God created humans and said, "Eat, sleep, play, marry and enjoy your life. For this, I'll give you twenty years." --- But the human said, "Only twenty years? Could you possibly give me my twenty, the forty the cow gave back, the ten the monkey gave back, and the ten the dog gave back; that makes eighty, okay?" --- "Okay," said God, "You asked for it." --- So that is why for our first twenty years, we eat, sleep, play and enjoy ourselves. For the next forty years, we slave in the sun to support our family. For the next ten years, we do monkey tricks to entertain the grandchildren. And for the last ten years, we sit on the front porch and bark at everyone. --- Life has now been explained to you. --- There is no need to thank me for this valuable information. I'm doing it as a public service. If you are looking for me I will be on the front porch. WAITING FOR YOU ! THESE ARE A FEW WAITING FOR ME ! --
" KAL "
" SPOT "
" SPOT "
" JACQUES "
" SAM "

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Susan Tedeschi - Sean Costello - Larry Griffith

http://youtu.be/SPNNmBrRb2U NOTE FROM LARRY GRIFFITH : Larry Griffith Found some footage from the time I toured with Sean Costello and Susan Tedeschi and had it transferred from VHS. Sean was the best!

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Friday, June 29, 2012

Saturday, June 9, 2012

VJ Day -August 14,1945 Hawaii -Lost Film

Wonderful pics, and how great that someone saved these home movies, taken on 8mm or probably 16mm film, that now have been dowloaded into a computer, had background music added, and made available to all of us Remember, we had no TV and what we saw in the way of movies was on the newsreels. Notice how the shore patrol is sort of ignoring the great celebration. I wonder how many of these young men fell off of the cars and trucks that day. Thanks to those heroes and thanks for the modern technology that can help us remember them. Lost Film (1945) This is great! JDA The last time that the US celebrated the end of a war!!!! Very cool!! A bit of history and Jimmy Durante, too. Honolulu, August 14, 1945. JUST THINK HOW THIS YOUNG LADY FELT WHEN SHE DISCOVERED THE VIDEO HER FATHER SHOT. Great video of a Spontaneous Victory Parade in Honolulu in 1945. Take a look at this video-absolutely fabulous! Notice the cars, jeeps, and youth. The guys in khaki or gray shirts and black ties are Navy officers or chiefs. The rest are Army or Marine. How young they all were to do what they did. This guy really captured a moment in history! (You can listen to Jimmy Durante singing "I'll be Seeing You" in the background, too) This is a super video of a time past - we need to remember and be THANKFUL. Check out the color fidelity. It's not bad for 1945. Nothing will ever compare with Kodachrome film. Copy Paste the following URL: Click here for the video: http://vimeo.com/5645171

August 1945 -VJ Day HAWAII

Copy Paste the following URL: http://vimeo.com/5645171

Saturday, June 2, 2012

Annie Raines - Lover Not A Fighter

A great Lazy Lester song recorded live in Woodstock, NY with Annie Raines, vocals and harmonica; Paul Rishell, guitar; Chris Rival, guitar; Bruce Katz, keys; Reed Butler, bass; and Billy MacGillivray, drums

Thursday, May 31, 2012

1963 Pontiac LeMans 326

Turn down the sound as you watch this ! This was my first car. I drove it from 1964 - 1967. Sweet Ride!
My brother and I shared a 1958 Chevy Bel Air = Hard top Red w/ Baby Moon Hubcaps

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

The Cazanovas - w/ Annie Raines

Reese Nazarro - Harp / Vocals Danny Vinson - Guitar Therron Peterson - Drums Jake Holliday - Bass Siting In on Harp - Ms Annie Raines Darwin's , Marietta, GA 5/17/2012

Pictures - Memorial Day Veerans

-------Original Message------- Subject: picture of the year TO EACH AND EVERY VETERAN THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!! We have so many advantages in the USA because of our Service Men and Women! THANK YOU!  International Picture of the Year. Here are three very touching photos honored this year. First Place : Description: cid:42D365C67B024CEFA7CA65391119FBCB@Tammy First Place Todd Heisler, The Rocky Mountain News When 2nd Lt. James Cathey's body arrived at the Reno Airport , Marines climbed into the cargo hold of the plane and draped the flag over his casket as passengers watched the family gather on the tarmac. During the arrival of another Marine's casket last year at Denver International Airport , Major Steve Beck described the scene as so powerful: 'See the people in the windows? They sat right there in the plane, watching those Marines. You gotta wonder what's going through their minds, knowing that they're on the plane that brought him home,' he said. 'They will remember being on that plane for the rest of their lives. They're going to remember bringing that Marine home. And they should.' Second Place Description: cid:7E6AD2AE923E47909D78D3626CF2E572@Tammy Second Place Todd Heisler, The Rocky Mountain News The night before the burial of her husband's body, Katherine Cathey refused to leave the casket, asking to sleep next to his body for the last time. The Marines made a bed for her, tucking in the sheets below the flag. Before she fell asleep, she opened her laptop computer and played songs that reminded her of 'Cat,' and one of the Marines asked if she wanted them to continue standing watch as she slept. 'I think it would be kind of nice if you kept doing it,' she said. 'I think that's what he would have wanted'. 3rd Place – “Son, a grateful Nation……..” Description: cid:1D8237F71825478A8D19724784081C66@Tammy PLEASE KEEP THIS GOING! Blue Fridays. Very soon, you will see a great many people wearing blue every Friday. The reason? Americans who support our troops used to be called the 'silent majority.' We are no longer silent, and are voicing our love for God, country and home in record breaking numbers. We are not organized, boisterous or overbearing. Many Americans, like you, me and all our friends, simply want to recognize that the vast majority of America supports our troops. Our idea of showing solidarity and support for our troops with dignity and respect starts this Friday -- and continues each and every Friday until the troops all come home, sending a deafening message that every red-blooded American who supports our men and women afar, will wear something blue. By word of mouth, press, TV -- let's make the United States on every Friday a sea of blue much like a homecoming football game in the bleachers. If every one of us who loves this country will share this with acquaintances, coworkers, friends, and family, it will not be long before the USA is covered in BLUE and it will let our troops know the once 'silent' majority is on their side more than ever. The first thing a soldier says when asked 'What can we do to make things better for you?' is: 'We need your support and your prayers.' Let's get the word out and lead with class and dignity, by example, and wear something blue every Friday. IF YOU AGREE -- THEN SEND THIS ON. IF YOU COULDN'T CARE LESS -- THEN HIT THE DELETE BUTTON. 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 SEEM TO FORGET BOTH OF THEM.

The JUKEBOX

http://upchucky.org/TimeMachine.htm Copy and Paste the link above .in Wonderful Music and Terrific Sound !! ENJOY ! Michael

The JUKEBOX you ALL have been waiting for !!!!

http://upchucky.org/TimeMachine.htm Wonderful Collection and Terrific Sound !!! Enjoy! Michael

Friday, May 25, 2012

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Time With Andrew and William - 5/17/2012

Memorial Day 2012

http://townhall.com/columnists/olivernorth/2012/05/18/welcome_home_finally Welcome Home, Finally (Oliver North on Vietnam) May 18, 2012 | Oliver North WASHINGTON — Forty-three years ago this week, the fabled 101st Airborne Division launched Operation Apache Snow — a major ground offensive against North Vietnamese army invaders in the treacherous A Shau Valley. Though fighting raged over hundreds of square miles of triple-canopied jungle, the focus soon became a single terrain feature, a mountain, with peaks as high as 3,000 feet, the Vietnamese named Dong Ap Bia, or "Mountain of the Crouching Beast." The Americans who fought there called it Hamburger Hill. By the time the 11-day battle ended, 70 American soldiers were dead, and nearly 400 had been wounded. More than 600 North Vietnamese soldiers perished. The only survivors of this epic battle to receive the thanks of their countrymen for their courage and commitment were the North Vietnamese. The Americans who walked off that bloody mountain — and every other soldier, sailor, airman, guardsman and Marine who served in Vietnam — returned home to a bitterly divided country. The so-called mainstream media, Hollywood and academe depicted those who served in Vietnam as pothead marauders, deranged killers and the "victims" of "Johnson's war" or "Nixon's war." There were no parades celebrating the bravery and perseverance of the 2.7 million young men and women who donned a uniform and served in some of the most difficult and dangerous conditions on earth. Until the Vietnam Veterans Memorial — known as the "Vietnam Wall" — was dedicated in 1982, public accolades were sparse, and ceremonies outside the confines of a military base, an American Legion hall or a Veterans of Foreign Wars post were practically nonexistent. Now, five decades after their war began — and 37 years after its disastrous, cataclysmic conclusion — those who fought in Vietnam are finally being welcomed home. At 1 p.m. EDT on Monday, May 28 — Memorial Day — Defense Secretary Leon Panetta will host a ceremony "to thank and honor America's Vietnam veterans on behalf of a grateful nation." Though tens of thousands of Vietnam veterans, Gold Star families and the leaders of our nation will be there, few of the potentates of the press have taken note of this extraordinary event. Next week's ceremony shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone. In the 2008 National Defense Authorization Act, Congress directed the Department of Defense to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War and "coordinate, support, and facilitate" programs nationwide to recognize those who sacrificed and served in Vietnam. Appropriately, the Memorial Day ceremony will take place in front of "the wall" that has the names of the 58,282 Americans who were killed or remain missing in action in Southeast Asia — including that of Spc. Leslie Sabo, who posthumously was awarded the Medal of Honor this week for his heroism May 10, 1970. Also this week, 10 new names were added to the black granite walls, and the status of 12 others was changed from "missing" to "killed." Most of the new names and designation changes are the consequence of work done by the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command. As the ceremony takes place in Washington, two JPAC teams will be in Laos searching for more Americans unaccounted for in the Vietnam theater of war. On Nov. 18, 1967, then-U.S. Army Pfc. Sammy Davis was serving on a small fire support base near Cai Lay, Vietnam. In the middle of the night, his artillery battery began taking incoming mortar fire and was attacked by a Viet Cong battalion. He was able to provide suppressing fire with a machine gun and then return artillery fire onto the enemy. Despite being wounded, he navigated an air mattress across the river to save three fellow soldiers. For those actions, Sgt. 1st Class Sammy Davis was awarded the Medal of Honor. I asked my dear friend Sammy Davis why it is important for Vietnam veterans to gather for this commemoration. He said, "Comrades gather because they long to be with the men who once acted their best, men who suffered and sacrificed, who were stripped raw, right down to their humanity." Of the men he served with, he added: "I did not pick these men. They were delivered by fate. But I know them in a way I know no other men. I have never given anyone such trust. They were willing to guard something more precious than my life. They would have carried my reputation, the memory of me. It was part of the bargain we all made, the reason we were so willing to die for one another." To all of the soldiers, sailors, airmen, guardsmen and Marines who served during Vietnam, welcome home. I hope to see you this Memorial Day.

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Progress Over Time ???

STATEMENT AT THE END SAYS IT ALL !!!!! 66 years later! What happened to the radiation that Lasts thousands of years? HIROSHIMA 1945
We all know that Hiroshima and Nagasaki were destroyed in August 1945 After the explosion of atomic bombs. However, we know little about the progress made by the people of that land During the past 65 years. HIROSHIMA - 65 YEARS LATER
DETROIT- 65 YEARS AFTER HIROSHIMA
What has caused more long term destruction - The A-bomb, Or Government welfare programs created to buy the Votes of those who want someone to take care of them? Japan does not have a welfare system. Work for it or do without. And I don’t think there has ever been a better explanation of the importance of incentive than this example An economics professor at a local college made a statement that he had never failed a single student before, but had recently failed an entire class. That class had insisted that socialism worked and that no one would be poor and no one would be rich, a great equalizer. The professor then said, "OK, we will have an experiment in this class on socialism".. All grades will be averaged and everyone will receive the same grade so no one will fail and no one will receive an A.... (substituting grades for dollars - something closer to home and more readily understood by all). After the first test, the grades were averaged and everyone got a B. The students who studied 'hard' were upset and the students who studied 'little' were happy. As the second test rolled around, the students who studied little had studied 'even less' and the ones who studied hard decided they wanted a free ride too so they studied 'little'. The second test average was a 'D'. No one was happy. When the 3rd test rolled around, the average was an F. As the tests proceeded, the scores never increased as bickering, blame and name-calling all resulted in hard feelings and no one would study for the benefit of anyone else. To their great surprise, ALL FAILED and the professor told them that "socialism" would also ultimately 'fail' because when the reward is great, the effort to succeed is great, but when government takes all the reward away, no one will try or want to succeed. Could not be any simpler than that. Remember, there IS a test coming up. " elections sometime soon – perhaps the sooner the better" Your chance to have YOUR say. These are possibly the 5 best sentences you'll ever read and all applicable to this experiment: 1. You cannot legislate the poor into prosperity by legislating the wealthy out of prosperity. 2. What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving. 3. The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else. 4. You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it! 5. When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that is the beginning of the end of any nation. Can you think of a reason for not sharing this? Neither could I. = Michael Allen 5/20/2012 Please read and decide for yourself. A test for Socialism - Read Entire story. Compare Socialism /Capitalism !! Are you voting in November ? Michael