CONGRESS, DO YOUR JOB: FUND THE TROOPS!

DEAR CONGRESS: HERE'S WHERE WE ARE: OUR COUNTRY IS AT WAR. NOT JUST REPUBLICANS OR INDEPENDENTS OR CONSERVATIVES. OUR COUNTRY IS AT WAR. THERE ARE AMERICAN MEN & WOMEN RISKING INJURY AND DEATH... AND YOU SENT THEM INTO HARM'S WAY... YOU SENT THEM TO WAR.

TIME TO COWBOY UP. DO THE RIGHT THING. PASS FUNDING THAT THE PRESIDENT CAN SIGN. ENOUGH OF THE GAME PLAYING AND CHEAP POLITICAL HACKING ALREADY. WE'RE NOT STUPID. YOU'RE NOT FOOLING US. THIS ISN'T ABOUT THE WAR... IT'S ABOUT SCRATCHIN' YERSELVES IN PUBLIC AND HITCHIN' UP YER PANTS AND TRYIN' TO MAKE YERSELVES FEEL ALL IMPORTANT LIKE...

LET ME REMIND YOU: YOU HAVE THE LOWEST APPROVAL AND TRUST RATINGS OF ANY CONGRESS IN THE HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS!!

THE ONLY WAY TO IMPROVE YOUR RATINGS IS TO PROVE TO US -- THE AMERICAN PEOPLE -- THAT YOU CAN PUT POLITICS ASIDE AND DO WHAT IS IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF OUR TROOPS.

THIS IS NOT ABOUT POLITICS ANYMORE.

DO YOUR JOB.

FUND THE TROOPS.

2007 War Funding By The Numbers

Congress Is Ignoring The Recommendations Of Our Military Commanders By Withholding Funding For Troops In The Field

"We have nearly 200,000 troops in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan and they are relying on this Congress to send them the funding they need to complete their mission. We also have about 100,000 civilian workers at bases across the country who will be receiving furlough notices if Congress continues to delay action. Before leaving for another holiday break, Congress should stop ducking the issue of funding our troops and send the President a clean bill he can sign. No matter how some leaders here in Washington, D.C. feel about the war, our troops deserve their full support."

–White House Press Secretary Dana Perino, 11/29/07

296: Congress has had 296 days to consider the initial detailed war funding requests from the President based on the strategic recommendations of our military commanders. They have had 39 days to consider the President's additional funding request.

70: Congress has taken 70 days of vacation since receiving the war funding request in February.

1: While Congress delays in providing needed funding, the most funding the Department of Defense (DoD) can move under general transfer authority amounts to only a little over one week’s worth of war expenses.

100,000: If Congress fails to pass a war funding bill before leaving town for the year, DoD will soon be required to begin giving layoff notices to about 100,000 civilian workers.

55%: Terrorist attacks in Iraq are down 55 percent since the surge of operations began in June.

60%: Civilian fatalities have decreased 60 percent in Iraq since June.

40%: Iraqi Security Force casualties are down 40 percent since the surge of operations began in June.

5,700: Guided by the principle of "return on success," the United States will bring 5,700 troops home by the end of the year as a result of progress made by the surge of operations.

109: Congress delayed 109 days before sending the President a supplemental war funding bill for last fiscal year that he could sign into law.

HOLIDAY & CHRISTMAS PACKAGES & GIFTS FOR THE TROOPS & SOLDIERS

2008 Information is HERE

Putting this back on top and editing the title so that it matches more of the many, many searches by people looking for information...

To hell with that idiot woman in Massachusetts.... my sitemeter is filled with people looking for ideas of things to send the troops. I know I'm running late on this post this year -- SO GET GOING!!

First, I suggest that you make this a family project -- nothing better than to explain the sacrifices of the military to your children. It is also a GREAT group project -- Homeowners Associations, church groups, community groups, poker groups, reading and investment clubs...

Second, if you do not personally know a Soldier or Marine serving, go to any of these sites and adopt one (or a whole platoon!!) There are too many soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen who do not receive any mail... and that's especially hard to take at the holidays.

I highly recommend each of the following organizations:

Soldiers' Angels
Adopt a Soldier
Any Soldier

Third, if you have received that email about sending Christmas cards to "any wounded soldier" at Walter Reed, please don't. The program was discontinued a few years back because they do not have the staff or time to sort and screen all that mail... and those extra cards (however well-intentioned) delay the delivery of holiday cards and mail to these wounded soldiers from their family and friends. If you would like to do this, please check with your local Veterans hospital or Veterans Center... they all have programs for the holidays (consider volunteering!! Our veterans love company!)

11/29/07: Miss Ladybug says: You can send cards to wounded troops via Operation Holiday Thanks:

Operation Holiday Thanks

c/o E.D. Hill

Fox News Channel

1211 Sixth Avenue

17th Floor

New York, NY 10036

But do it SOON since they go to Fox and then to the wounded, so they need a little extra time!

Fourth mailing info & deadlines:

• Packages must be addressed to an individual service member. Mail cannot be delivered to “any service member.” Use the member’s full name, military organization or unit and APO/FPO address.

• Do not include the country name in any part of the address when using an APO/FPO address.

• Choose a box strong enough to protect its contents, and use plenty of cushioning material such as popcorn or newspapers.

• Consider using the Postal Service’s free Military Kit — eight boxes of three different sizes popular for mailing to military personnel, along with mailing labels, tape and U.S. Customs forms. Kits can be obtained by calling toll-free to (800) 610-8734. Choose option 1, and when a live agent responds, ask for Care Kit 4. This might come too late for Holiday mailing so stop by your local post office and ask for the boxes AND the Customs forms.

• Write the delivery and return addresses on one side of the package.

• Place a return address label inside the package.

If you missed the parcel post deadline (that was earlier this week), here are your options for getting mail to an APO/FPO address by Dec. 25 (subtract 21 days from these deadlines to ensure delivery in time for Hanukkah):

• Space Available Mail (SAM): Nov. 27.

• Parcel Airlift Mail (PAL): Dec. 4, except for ZIP codes starting with 093, which are all areas of contingency operations (Iraq and Afghanistan). The suggested deadline for those locations is Dec. 1.

• Priority Mail: Dec. 11 (093 ZIP codes, Dec. 4).

• First-class letters and cards: Dec. 11. (093 ZIP codes, Dec. 4).

• Express Mail Military Services: Dec. 18 (not available to 093 ZIP codes).

Here's the USPS mailing dates

Now for the goodies stuff:

HOLIDAY PACKAGES FOR SOLDIERS

We all look forward to the holidays. We look forward to the comfort and happiness and nostalgia that the holidays bring and spending the time with our families. Imagine being thousands of miles away and having that day be like every other day... But you can make a difference to our soldiers...

***************************

This listing is certainly not comprehensive... use your imaginations -- if it's fun for you, it will be fun for soldiers and marines, sailors & airmen!

Christmas Stockings.
- Individual packets of hot chocolate, cider or hot soup mix…
- Candy (bite sized, individually wrapped, all kinds)
- AT&T Phone Cards

- Hand held games (battery games with batteries, please)
- Small puzzle books
- Small, signed Holiday cards from you and your families (include your name and address!)
- Cigarettes (no lectures, please. I don't smoke, but most soldiers we know do)
- Cigars (good ones!)
- Books (current titles are greatly appreciated)
- Magazines (cars, trucks, men's health, exercise, business, computing...)
- Microwave food items (popcorn, all-in-one pan microwave deserts, heat & eat soups, etc.)
- Cereal bars
- Granola Bars
- Home baked goods (pack brownies and cakes in bread slices or package in tins and wrap in plastic wrap
- Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) Gift Cards
- Pre-paid gift cards or gift certificates from American Express, Visa, Amazon.com, or from specific stores - Best Buy, Staples, Barnes & Noble, Circuit City, etc.) These soldiers have a range of things they need or want over the course of their deployments...

Holiday decorations. Look around your homes and see your most cherished reminders of the holidays... and replicate those for our troops.
- Garland
- Shatterproof ornaments (Kohls, K-Mart, Wal-Mart, Target all sell these)
- Tinsel
- Lights (small wattage)
- Small artificial trees

Cold weather items (it's cool there now -- Iraq, Afghanistan, Korea, Germany -- and getting colder).
- Stocking caps (black only)
- Long sleeve t-shirts -- (M, L or XL) but must be Army brown... Under Armour is preferred but also (less pricey) Dri-Release shirts (Soffee, Anvil, etc.) (but good luck finding them in brown). You can also order t-shirts and other deployment items at AAFES (click on the "Gift from the Homefront" icon in the right column!)

- Gloves (tactical gloves are preferred... which you can also find online or at gun stores or military or police supply stores)

- Lightweight fleece blankets.

DVDs, Music CDs... new releases are greatly coveted... and believe me, they pass them around and trade them so one DVD or one CD makes its way to a lot of soldiers...

Footballs, baseballs, baseball gloves, soccer balls, volleyballs...

Holiday Cards that they can send to friends and families back home (they do not need postage!) and ~K commented last year that she found sending boxes of Holiday Greeting Cards to be a huge success but also sent some All Occasion card boxes and they were just as appreciated.

Be sure to include your handwritten greetings... especially handwritten cards and notes from children!!

GO HERE for links to some of the favorite shopping places that the many thousands of Soldiers Angels like! So many useful things for our Troops (h/t to MaryAnn -- one of our most favorite Angels!!)

HERE is the link to the list of "regular" care package stuff for Our Guys that might give you some ideas!

Be sure to check the comments for additional suggestions!!

HAVE FUN PUTTING THE PACKAGES TOGETHER

AND

THE SOLDIERS WILL HAVE FUN OPENING THEM!!!

**************************

Now for some practical suggestions:

Use FLAT RATE BOXES from the US Postal Service. These cost $8.95 to mail no matter how heavy you make the boxes (don't use this if you're sending lightweight things -- if you use these Flat Rate boxes stuff 'em as heavy as you can and get your money's worth!!)!

Don't forget the Customs Forms (every package to Iraq or Afghanistan -- zip code 093xx) MUST have one... fill them out as best you can BEFORE you get to the P.O. but the postal clerk will attach it for you. These are multi-part (self-carbon) forms that are a pain in the butt -- but necessary. You do not have to fill in the weight... and in the lower right corner it asks for instructions on what to do if the package cannot be delivered as addressed... tell them to direct delivery to another... and fill in "First Sergeant" and then the rest of the unit address for your soldier or the name & address of another soldier if you have more than one you have adopted.

Mail Early!!

Be aware that soldiers have a limit on the amount of "stuff" they can bring back so hold off sending priceless heirlooms and bulky items if your soldier is redeploying soon.

Finally, be aware of the RESTRICTIONS ON CONTENTS:

If you are sending to Iraq or Afghanistan, DO NOT SEND ANY OF THE FOLLOWING:

obscene articles such as prints, paintings, cards, films, videotapes, etc.

pork or pork by-products

alcoholic beverages

any matter depicting nude or semi-nude persons, pornographic or sexual items

unauthorized political materials.

If contraband is found in a package, the entire contents may not be delivered!

SHOW YOU CARE AND DO JUST ONE THING FOR OUR TROOPS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON...
JUST ONE THING...

(Congress, are you listening???)

So Much

to be Thankful for... loving husband... two sons close to home... one son deployed but (hopefully) home soon... a daughter... a brother and extra sweet sisters... son-in-law... daughters-in-law... brothers- and sisters-in-law... granddaughters... a grandson almost here... nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews... dear friends near and far... here and there... a bountiful table... a warm home... big dawgs.... freedom... liberty... living in the greatest country on Earth... Life is Good. Very Good.

And to those far from their homes and their loved ones... bringing democracy and security to strangers... and defending them and us... Thank You. Thank you very much. We'll set a place for you at our table... and drink a toast to your health and safety.

A Happy and Wonderful Thanksgiving to everyone... to You and Yours... Everywhere.

And did you see the America Supports You site?? Last I checked there were almost 81,000 over 130,000 messages sent! Just how cool is that?? You all ROCK!

PTSD: On Coming Home, Road Maps, Navigators and Bridge Builders (Updated)

(In response to comments to the cross-posting of this at Milblogs, at the bottom of this entry I have updated to include links to information on the connection between Traumatic Brain Injury (including mild TBI/post-concussion disorder) and PTSD.)

There is some interesting conversation happening around blogs regarding Post Traumatic Stress Disorder … especially by Grim at Blackfive, Kat at Argghhh and then Uncle Jimbo at Blackfive. Kat started out the discussion by cautioning against throwing out the baby with the bathwater by those who might be too quick to disprove or diminish the statistics and conclusions being spun and wrung on suicide and PTSD… and Grim and Jim brought their own personal perspectives to the discussion about PTSD.

I am more familiar with the effects of combat-induced PTSD on young men than I could ever have imagined I would be and far more than I ever wanted to be. I believe as Grim believes that every soldier (and I use that term to include all branches of service who have served in combat… just ‘cause it’s simpler) has post traumatic stress and will exhibit symptoms of PTS whether they are willing to admit it or not. I also agree with Kat that not all those who suffer PTS will develop the chronic form of this condition rising to the “disorder” part of PTSD. I will, however, quibble with Grim that this is not an illness and that it is part of the “normal” human condition. It may be an anticipated response to severe trauma but I have a hard time believing any part of it is “normal”… at least as we are talking about severe and/or chronic PTSD.

I know that those who serve and who have served in combat like Grim and Uncle J have a personal, distinct and first person view of PTS/D. I know that they experienced one or more of the symptoms that make up this maddeningly imprecise condition. There is no one out there who can tell us why some absorb their experiences and seem so unaffected by them while others seem to be punished and pummeled by them… no more than we can explain why some people get cancer and others do not. I cannot speak to the medical aspects or the personal experiences of soldiers.

However, as I have for the past 3 years, I can only contribute to the discussion based on my experiences as a parent… and, in this case, as the parent of a child with severe and chronic PTSD. Like most guys he thought he could handle his reactions himself and that time would heal all wounds… and the constant admonition of those he trusted to “suck it up and drive on” shamed him into believing that his condition was “normal”. The son who resisted the label… who refused to admit he could not come home without a navigator and helping hand until he was almost lost forever to all of those who love him. We knew before he left that war would change him, but this was not change -- it was a slow and desperate destruction.

We watched his determination -- and his deterioration -- for more than a year and all we could do was keep suggesting that he see someone… that he talk to someone. We worried; we researched and read; we found every online article; found the DoD’s PTSD Treatment guidelines; we talked to VA counselors for information. We have a 5-inch file full of information on what works, what doesn’t, what was promising and what was quackery. I repeat what my good friend has said about her son even two years after his return from Iraq, “If he didn’t have the same face and the same name, I would swear that this is not my son.” It was that way with our son for a while, but with treatment -- that navigator and a good road map -- we now see much more of the son we knew… but there were a number of occasions that I wondered if the conversation I had just had with my son would be the last. He was one of those who left the battlefield but brought the battle home.

Now I know from personal experience that some aspects of PTS make their way into a person’s personality as they adapt to life outside a war zone. For example, I know a 60+ year old Vietnam combat veteran who still prefers not to sit with his back to the door of a commercial establishment -- the result of having done so just once in a Vietnamese bar and it almost cost him his life. He deals. Same with a number of Iraq war veterans: they scan; they drive faster than they should; they are uncomfortable with roadside debris. Understandable. My son is especially sensitive to yellow dump trucks on the road. These I find to be the “normal” assimilation of personal experiences into a soldier or veteran’s psyche.

What is not normal is when the experiences cannot be assimilated or accommodated in every day life after returning: anxiety, aggressiveness, anger, nightmares, depression. Any or all of these -- as a result of combat experiences -- can fester and corrupt the “normal” thought process. It results in a chemical imbalance in a person’s brain. There is no “talking yourself out of it”… it’s not just feeling “blue”… it’s not just bad dreams but horrors you relive anew every time you close your eyes. The more they seek to control the symptoms, the less control they actually have. Nor is self-medicating, excessive drinking and “cutting” (self-mutilation) normal.

I know what Grim is saying -- letting everyone who has served or is serving in combat know that there is nothing wrong with you if you are experiencing the effects of war -- it is normal to be affected… to be changed by those experiences. I just fear that these young men and women will think, “Well, if it’s all normal, what’s the big deal then?” I know that Grim is not suggesting at all that the responses I list in the preceding paragraph are what he considers normal and I agree with Grim that every single person who has served can “come home”… I just think that not all of them will make it home without some assistance.

What is the best part of all this? I’m not the only one talking about PTSD. And GUYS WHO KNOW are joining the discourse. So this is for Grim, Uncle J, B5, John, Chuck… those who have crossed the chasm but stay to build the bridge:

The Bridge Builder
An old man, going a lone highway,

Came, at the evening, cold and gray,

To a chasm, vast, and deep, and wide,

Through which was flowing a sullen tide.

The old man crossed in the twilight dim;

The sullen stream had no fears for him;

But he turned, when safe on the other side,

And built a bridge to span the tide.

"Old man," said a follow pilgrim, near,

"You are wasting strength with building here;

Your journey will end with the ending day;

You never again must pass this way;

You have crossed the chasm, deep and wide,

Why build you the bridge at the eventide?"

The builder lifted his old gray head:

"Good friend, in the path I have come," he said,

"There followeth after me today

A youth, whose feet must pass this way."

"This chasm, that has been naught to me,

To that fair-haired youth may a pitfall be.

He, too, must cross in the twilight dim;

Good friend, I am building the bridge for him."
-- Will Allen Dromgoole

Updated: mild TBI (MTBI) can result in a condition called post-concussive (post concussion) disorder. I should have mentioned it in my piece... Here's some articles on that

MTBI v. PTSD

Post-Concussive Disorder

Post Concussion Disorder

Findings of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in Combat Veterans With PTSD and a History of Blast Concussion

Post-concussion syndrome: clarity amid the controversy?

here's a number on the link between TBI and PTSD... (I should note that the VA routinely does TBI screening (regardless of the Army diagnosis) if a veteran was exposed to concussive injury.)

Illinois TBI/PTSD Program

PTSD After Severe TBI

my discussions with the fine folks at the VA indicate that in the past the Army strongly resisted (i.e., refused) testing for TBI absent serious [visible] head trauma; currently, when the Army agrees to testing, it involves CT and/or MRIs but not all evidence of TBI can be found on these scans (not to mention that it can take up to 6 months for closed head TBI to appear in scans if at all); EEG (brain wave testing) can be a diagnostic tool but is most useful on a comparative basis (one before, one after). HOPING the new Army TBI/PTSD Education Program helps to educate and remove the stigma...

Army to Launch Traumatic Brain Injury, PTSD Education Program

Text A Message of Thanks to the Troops!!

THE AMERICA SUPPORTS YOU GIVING THANKS CAMPAIGN

This holiday season, America Supports You is giving you a new way to send your thanks to the troops - by text message! When you send your message of thanks to 89279 (TXASY) between November 17th and 22nd, you'll receive a special thanks in return. Also, we'll be displaying those messages on our ASY Giving Thanks widget far and wide across the internet. Just another way that you can support our brave military men and women serving in 177 countries around the world.

ON BEHALF OF A GRATEFUL NATION.

TO ALL OUR VETERANS:

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

MAY YOU EACH LIVE LONG AND BE HEALTHY AND HAPPY.

THIS MAY BE DIFFICULT TO ACHIEVE IF YOU ACTUALLY HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE VETERANS ADMINISTRATION -- THE AGENCY OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT CHARGED WITH THE CARE OF OUR NATION'S VETERANS.

SO, TO THE MEMBERS OF THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS, I BEG YOU... I AM PLEADING WITH YOU... I AM DEMANDING THAT YOU GET THE LEAD OUT AND PLEASE! PLEASE! PASS THE LEGISLATION NECESSARY TO PROVIDE THE SERVICES AND COMPENSATION TO THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED... AND THE FUNDING NEEDED TO IMPROVE STAFFING LEVELS AND SALARIES OF THOSE WHO SERVE OUR VETERANS. IT IS WAY PAST TIME TO SHOW THESE SOLDIERS, SAILORS, MARINES AND AIRMEN THAT WE ARE, IN FACT, A GRATEFUL NATION.

ALL CITIZENS SHOULD CONTACT THEIR ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES -- REGARDLESS OF PARTY -- AND DEMAND THAT CONGRESS DO THE RIGHT THING BY OUR VETERANS.... AND THEY NEED TO DO IT NOW. IT'S NOT A HANDOUT. IT'S THE HAND UP WE PROMISED THEM. CONTACT YOUR SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES AND DEMAND THAT THEY PASS AND (MORE IMPORTANTLY) FUND LEGISLATION FOR THE CARE OF OUR MILITARY AND MILITARY VETERANS.

I know that the words "on behalf of a grateful nation..." are typically said as military personnel hand the flag that covered the coffin of a deceased military member or veteran to their family, but in this case, I really think it's time that we start saying this and proving that we are grateful and thankful, appreciative and recognize their service while our veterans are still living. Serving their needs while they're alive will mean more to them and their families than the flag their families will receive.

Veterans: Wear Your Medals on Veterans Day!!

Again, I honor the members of my family who have so proudly and unselfishly served in our Armed Forces.

please pass this on to all the Veterans you know... From Military.com
Wear Your Medals on Veterans Day

The Department of Veterans Affairs calls on all veterans to express their patriotism and pride on Veterans Day and other major patriotic holidays through a display of medals earned in their military service.

Show Your Pride on Veterans Day

The Department of Veterans Affairs calls on all veterans to express their patriotism and pride on Veterans Day and other major patriotic holidays through a display of medals earned in their military service.

Join your comrades in public display of your military decorations. It’s a way to show your community the spirit of America’s veterans and remind your neighbors of the service and sacrifice of those who guarded democracy.

As we salute America’s heroes on Veterans Day, Memorial Day and the Fourth of July, wear your medals and show your pride, whether participating in public observances or relaxing with family and friends. Your medals tell a story of service in the cause of freedom that all Americans need to hear.

Wearing Your Medals: A Statement of Patriotism

The Veterans Pride campaign was launched to promote veterans wearing their military medals on Veterans Day, Memorial Day and the Fourth of July.

Beginning with Veterans Day 2006, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) joined with major veterans service organizations to bring veterans together across the country in a symbolic demonstration of unity and patriotism.

Click on a link below to see the correct order of precedence for each military service's awards.

Army
Marine Corps
Navy
Air Force
Coast Guard

A Veteran’s Story

A veteran’s military medals tell stories of service, sacrifice, bravery and accomplishment. Each story is as unique as the veteran who wears those medals. Sharing them with family, friends and the public on Veterans Day allows America’s veterans to tell their stories to the entire nation and helps teach America’s youth the true meaning of citizenship and freedom.

Replacement Medals

Medals awarded while in active service are issued by the individual military services if requested by veterans or their next of kin. Requests for replacement medals, decorations, and awards should be directed to the branch of the military in which the veteran served. However, for Air Force (including Army Air Corps) and Army veterans, the National Personnel Records Center verifies awards and forwards requests and verification to appropriate services. More information is available at the VA Web site.

Learn more about military awards, medals, and decorations at Military.com.

Grrrrr...

to the troll who keeps cutting/pasting portions of my blog entries and other information from my blog at other sites and pretending to be me... and who insists on putting up vile comments on other sites... under whatever name you are using at the moment... GET A LIFE. I am not the embodiment of evil and neither are my sons or any others who serve or have served in the US military. If you have a problem with the war in Iraq, go vote.

to those coming here from this troll's links at porn, weird left and truther sites:

If I have something to say, I post it under my own SOME SOLDIER'S MOM identity. Those who know me know I'm no shrinking violet.... and if I have something to say, I will do it under my identity and in my own style.

I don't come by your sites as I have better things to do with my time.

We do not have that kind of Mom-son love at this blog. Sorry to disappoint you.

I do not believe 9-11 was an inside job. I'll let Congress and the professionals work out what is torture.

We have one son who is an Army vet, one son who is a Navy vet, one son who is active Navy, and a daughter in medical school (all clearly indicated in the public profile of this blog.) We do not have a son who is still in 3ID (although we have a few "adopted" 3ID sons currently deployed) nor do we have any children serving on any police department in the US (although we have a number of close friends who are current or retired NYPD and a nephew who is on a California police department.)

We have one son who has severe and chronic PTSD among his other wounds as a result of his service in Iraq and, while he is doing better, it is not all feathers and snowflakes.

I know the names of many people who were murdered at the WTC on 9-11-01 but did not know any of them personally. Those that I do know personally that worked at the WTC either got out or had not arrived yet.

If you're that interested in knowing my views on various issues regarding the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, you'll have to read my blog... they're here over the past three years.

And finally, to this fanatic, not only is your behavior in the blog world an indicator, but your vile, porno language and overwhelming anger in your emails tells me you need serious professional help.

Been busy, busy, busy with family so blogging has suffered... and now we're off to Las Vegas for the Blog World & New Media Expo... so blogging will continue to be pretty meager...