New York City. Just a few hundred feet from Ground Zero an Islamic Imam wants to build a Mosque\Community Center. This shouldn't be allowed. The Constitution says "Freedom of Worship" But I am hard pressed to see where it says Freedom to Build a House of Prayer any where you want. Besides Zoning issues, ordinance's and so forth, there is respect, good taste and sensitivity towards the victims of 9-11. The right of Freedom to Worship does not apply here. Religious Tolerance is a two way street. I can go into any house of worship Christian, orthodox synagogue, Hindu, Buddhist and quietly pray to my God. No one would question me. But can you or I go into a Mosque and pray to our God? I don't think so.

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Some of you know that I am a disabled veteran since 1995. The VA is and has been my primary health care provided since I was medically discharged in 1995. I have no real complaints for the care that they have provided me. I can't deny that I haven't had some problems, but I have always over come them. Okay let me get to my point. I have noticed some changes in the way we are processed for an appointment. For example when you showed up for an appointment you normally would see a triage nurse where she takes your vitals and ask why you are there. That's it. However, now they are asking for your family history, if you have been depressed, are you having any difficulty in getting around etc. etc. This all started about 6 months ago and it is getting more intense. Do yourself a favor. LIE. Tell them your family lived till their 90's. I believe they are going to use this information for a 'End of Life" category. I truly believe your care will start to drop off depending on factors referenced to your family history and illnesses. The information they are collecting goes into a database which will give a average life span of everyone. If you tell them you Mother died at a young age of cancer and your father died after having a heart attack at 55 then the likely hood of you living past 60 isn't very probable. Percentages of Probability so to speak. When this system is caught up and you are over 60 they will more or less tell you to take 2 aspirins and call them in the morning. I am 100% service connected. I have been since I was 51. I am now 65 and going strong. How much more health care and compensation will I continue to receive under the Obama Health care plan? What I see in my future is dismal at best. In 1990 I had a quintuple Coronary Bypass. This year it is 19 years. Every year it gets harder for me to get around. I could be looking at needing a new heart in a year or two or will it be 2 aspirins, Think about it.

Islamic extremist group reportedly linked to Al Qaeda held its first official conference on U.S. soil in an attempt to step up Western recruitment efforts. Members of Hizb ut-Tahrir — a global Sunni network with reported ties to confessed 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and Al Qaeda in Iraq's onetime leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi — met Sunday inside a Hilton hotel to host a conference, "The Fall of Capitalism and the Rise of Islam." This conference is tied to implementing Sharia Law through out the world.
Sound Familiar? Read history. The American Nazi Party did exactly the same thing at Madason Sqaure Garden in NY before the Second World War. Are we about to see the making of the third world war? I wouldn't bet against it. A lot of us are to old to do anything about it but we all can fight against it by doing one thing. Educate our Children and Grand Children. Teach them History. Because we are about to repeat it. Frank Gaffney former Ass't Deputy Secretary of Defense expresses concern about this and the security of our freedom at the Center for Security Policy

Here is a perfect example of what we should expect from radical Muslims. What they don't understand is that the Constitution Of the United States of America gives us the right of Freedom of Choice. Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Expression And it seems they are using these freedoms against us. However, I will never agree to Sharia Law. And if Sharia is ever forced on our society, I will protect the Constitution to the fullest extent of the Oath I took. They have a right to expression and choice but they don't have the right to force Sharia Law and side step the Constitution. Watch the following video. This is a video of David Wood and Nabeel Qureshi asking questions at Arabfest, Dearborn, Mich. The date is June 21st, 2009. There was a booth at the festival which had a banner titled "Islam: Got Questions we have answers Click here to see this Sharia in Michigan.

What I just heard on the news this morning of Feb. 15th made me sick. It seems the UN is now asking for 0.7 percent of the stimulus package. Over 5 Billion Dollars. They claim they need to help people outside of the United States. This would be on top of the 0.2 percent of the GNP we give them every year. The United Nations has to go. We need to send them to France. I remember the seventies under Carter. 11% unemployment, 21% Mortgage Interest and double digit inflation. I don't remember a stimulus package. We all rode it out and we got over it. I say any Company who can't make it let them fold, they brought it upon themselves. There has been many a farmer who folded and no one bailed them out. I feel so bad for my grand children. They are going to be paying 50% income tax or better to get us out of this hole that we keep digging. I am so glad I am nearing the end of my time on the face of the earth. I hope our young people realize how their futures are being stolen. I hope they throw everyone one out of office and bring in those who want the United States to be a Republic in a Democracy with the all the freedoms that we have all enjoyed in the past. But what I am hearing now is that we are getting closer and closer to a Socialistic State. Nationalizing Banks, Nationalizing the Health Care system, The Fairness Act or more appropriately "Media Controlled Act" I sometimes wonder why we wore a uniform. Is it all now in vain.

The Fairness Act here is another Bogus thing the far left is pushing. I guess the far Liberal Left doesn't know how to compete. They tried talk radio (Air America) and failed, so now they want us to pay for them for equal time on the radio the same way we now pay through taxes for NPR (National Public Radio) and take away guys like RUSH. This is all pathetic.

Between the condition of the economy this year and the Christmas season these holidays will not be depressing enough without adding SCUMBAG SCAMS. I just received one of those donation calls from a guy who acts like he knows me. You know the type..... Hey Don! This is Keven... I say Hi, and then the bull shit starts. "I am from the Professional Firefighters Association of Georgia" I said "Really" he says "Really" and I asked "What part of Georgia are you calling from?" His answer... a resounding "CLICK" yup he hung up. Asshole! Don't be fooled by these brainless twits. Fire Departments or associations representing them DO NOT solicitate funds using a public conveyance. As is any of our great Law Enforcement Agencies and their associations. These are SCAMS. Low life morons who take advantage of our first responders efforts to protect us as we sleep under the blankets of security. DO NOT, I SAY AGAIN.... DO NOT DONATE a penny to these fools. If they can prove they adhere to the IRS 501 rules I can guarantee you that for every dollar they get, the organization they soliciting for might see a dime if that much. They are the lowest form of scum on the face of the earth.. Now if you want to make a donation to your local volunteer fire department, drop by one of the stations and ask what the address is to mail a donation. Other than that tell the idiot who calls that he is an idiot or just hang up. If you have been the target of a SCAM add a comment to this article.

Just blowing steam.

In past years I have been a member of Teamsters Local 804. I have worked with and helped put Ron Carey in office later to become President of the Teamsters Union. (Which didn't turn out to good for him). I was also a member of the once called The Mechanics and Machinists Union. I have supervised union employees and always received the greatest respect from most. The rest I fired. I happen to like unions. I think they are a very necessary evil. After moving south to a right to work state I see what exploitation larger companies are perpetrating against hard working people. They are under paid and over worked. When the ask for raises, for the most part they would get fired. The usual response from the empty suits are "If you don't like it, leave". The State of Arkansas is trying to resend the "Right to work" for the reasons, it is hurting their economy. Having said all this doesn't mean I am positively in support of all unions. They have faults. The first thing that comes to mind is the right of unions to look into Company books. This approach has put all of but a few news papers in NYC out of business, lord knows how many across the country. Wildcat strikes is another reason unions have become weak. They are wrong and they produce no results but loss of pay. But again it is my opinion that this Country needs unions. Blue collar workers need protection. White collar workers have Lawyers. Who protects those people without unions? Companies on a whole do not adhere to Federal/State Labor Laws. Case in point the Factory in Illinois. No one is guaranteed a job for life. Companies go out of business. But They don't go out of business over night. The bean counters always know when the last buck runs out. These workers got the shaft big time. Bonuses and Severance pays are pre-negotiated perks. If it isn't there, then they don't get it. But Federal Law Requires each employee is given a 60 day notice of proposed lay offs. These Illinois workers weren't given any notice. My hat goes off to these workers for standing for their rights under the law. Kudos to them and Kudos to the Governor of Illinois who has just suspended all transactions with Bank of America. Everyone should take a lesson from all this. "DON'T BE SHEEP" if you want to be sheep then be PREPARED TO BE LED TO RUIN. Just because someone says you can't do it, doesn't mean you can't. Do your homework, research and speak with specialized Attorneys. I guess I said enough. Now I feel good.

Love you all and yours and Merry Christmas

Mac.

I just got finished sending out a letter to the DAV and VFW. (See below) Did you know that the Disabled Veterans of this country hasn't received a catch up raise in over 60 years? Yes this is true. Oh I know we get COLA.. big deal. 2008 was 2.8% WOW! I can buy another loaf of bread with that. 2009 will be the biggest COLA increase in years at least 6%. But there is a thing called CORE Inflation which isn't included in COLA. CORE Inflation is Fuel and Food. This has gone up over 27% over 2008. The Active Duty Military, USAR, NG get catch up raises every few years along with COLA. These catch up raises commensurate with what you would make doing the same job on the civilian side of the house. What about the Disabled Vets who are at 100% Service Connected Compensation who aren't allowed to work. What about the pay difference if they were working in their trade on the civilian side. This is appalling. I have not heard any Candidate nor have I read or heard any comments addressing this issue from organizations like the DAV and the VFW. Where are they? Where is the support? Where is the backbone. I don't know about you but I am feeling betrayed.

"RESOLUTION NO. 053 INCREASE DISABILITY COMPENSATION"

Where are we with the above resolution? Why aren't the Candidates McCain and Obama using this resolution as a talking point in their campaign? Why isn't the DAV making a issue of this? I watch and read the news all the time. I read the VFW, DAV, magazines and nothing. In the mean time I and I know many like me are sinking deeper into that abyss call BROKE. I am starting to get angry. I am starting to feel betrayed by the VFW the DAV, and the US Government. I wrote all of you once before about a projected time in which I will loose my home. I set that at 5 years from now. And that was about a year ago. I can no longer keep it maintained. Make some noise! Show some backbone! Get us that raise. Remember us.

Sincerely
Don McLaughlin
USA, Ret.

I took a Delta flight out of Atlanta's Hartsfield Airport on the 13th of Aug 2008 to attend a graduation of one of my granddaughters. I purposely used a carry on bag and a computer case that fit within the carry on guidelines that is set forth buy TSA and Delta. I fact it was smaller then the size recommended.
After I arrived at Atlanta Hartsfield I was amazed at the cordial attitude of the TSA employees while passing through the baggage check points.
I boarded a large passenger jet that had 6 rows of seats and flight attendants that were absolutely charming. And to beat all I had a two seats all to myself. Remember now I deliberately brought a small carry on bag the would fit easily in the overhead compartment and my attaché case with a computer notebook in it. The carry on also had a notebook in it. This computer is strictly used for my work on network websites. And being the freelance photographer that I am the computer in my attaché case is dedicated to that endeavor.

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A friend of mine SFC Figueroa a Veteran of Desert Storm and IRAQ and who I had the honor of serving with embarked on a mission of great importance. Retired U.S. Army Reserve Sergeant First Class Miguel Figueroa along with acclaimed artist Marc Gagnon together for the first time in art history join together to raise awareness for the U.S. Military. “For Our Troops Collage". Marc and Miguel's goal is to raise money and awareness for an A+ rated military charity, known as the Fisher House. These houses are built for the Wounded Warrior's Families. Read the article below and learn about Fisher House and click here "For Our Troops Collage" and buy a T shirt. Your money will go towards the building of more houses in the Florida Area for the Families of our great Warriors.

This is a condensed version of an Article taken from the Fisher House Website.

A Fisher House™ is "a home away from home" for families of patients receiving medical care at major military and VA medical centers. The homes are normally located within walking distance of the treatment facility or have transportation available. There are 38 Fisher Houses, with five more in construction.
Typically, the houses are 5,000+ to 16,000 square foot homes donated by the Fisher family and Fisher House™ Foundation. Each house is designed to provide eight to 21 suites. All are professionally furnished and decorated in the tone and style of the local region. The houses can accommodate 16 to 42 family members. They feature a common kitchen, laundry facilities, spacious dining room and an inviting living room with library, and toys for children. A Fisher House™ is a temporary residence and is not a treatment facility, hospice or counseling center. The program began in 1990, and has offered more than 2.5 million days of lodging to more than 110,000 families.

So come on people dig deep and get a "T" Shirt from "For Our Troops Collage"

God Bless You all.
Mac