WHY NOT?

    So many times I have helped other in my life that I can't remember.  I am married, 3 kids, wife works, I work and well we have everything we could ever want.  I am not rich nor poor, live pay check to pay check like most Americans do but I am as happy as can be.  After all, money isn't everything.  The house, the cars and every other nice thing we owe, it isn't everything.  To me, my families health is the most important thing and then our happiness.  Being healthy brings happiness so that is why it comes first.  In all my life, I have never been "given" anything just because, but today, I was.
    My wife and I recently found out that one of our 4 year old twin boys has difficulty seeing and will be needing eye glasses.  It was pretty hard on my wife and I because he is only 4 yrs old and will be required to wear eye glasses.  As a parent, well I don't want to see my children hurting or in a "strange" situation. I guess to me, wearing eye glasses as a 4 year old is a bit strange.  But I was only being selfish and not looking at his needs. So anyways, today, we went to get his eye exam and eye glasses.  To our surprise, he was so happy to be there and was so excited that he was wearing the eye glasses.  He was already saying to us that he can see better and felt that he was a whole new person.  My wife and I were so shocked.  We couldn't believe it and were so thankful.  So as we are about to pay for the exam and eye glasses, my wife gets told by the lady behind the cash register that someone wants to pay for our kids eye exam and eye glasses.  We were like "what?".  Shocked.  We met this person and told him that we were thankful, but could not accept his offer.  After a few more words exchanged, we were finally brought to tears and had no choice but to say OK.  But that was not the end of it.  He then asked about our other twin boy. About what he needed or what he wanted.  We told the man, " nothing sir, nothing at all".  He then said, "come all yall, there has to be something".  So with out letting us answer, he said, why don't you go and get $100 worth of clothes for your boys each and then come back and see me here.  I will pay for it all and you guys can then have a good evening.  We couldn't believe what was happening.  I told my wife, well "why not".  Lets see it as a blessing.  I mean we had money, they didn't need clothes, and we could of payed for the eye things ourselves.  But for ones in my life, I said what the heck, "why not".  after about an hour or so shopping around for our boys, we got them some cool stuff that they might need in the near future.  Things like clothes and shoes for next school year.  It was an awesome feeling that I can not explain.  As my wife and I were picking out clothes, we were talking about why we thought this guy was doing this.  I said that well I am in uniform and he wants to thank me for my service to our country.  But she said no, not that again. I don't think that is it.  So I  then said well what could it be?  My wife then replied " it is a blessing"  just a blessing.  It don't matter why or from who, just be thankful.  So we did and well we are.  And for ones, I sucked it up and gave in.  Taking what was a "gift" from someone without even an answer to the reason why.  So today, as we got home, I reflect back at what was truly a wonderful day.  Not for me or for my family, but for the person that gave us this gift.  The gift that I got was the same gift that I had given to someone years ago.  What goes around truly comes right back around.  So "why not"...

Response to "what is love"

What is love?...well, love is what it means. It is something that is in all of us. Whether we want it or not, LOVE was given to us as a gift from our creator. Who ever you think that is, that is where it comes from. Love is hard to see, hear and sometimes hard to feel. Love comes from the brain and is past through the body so fast that we sometimes miss the signs. When we get butterflies in our stomachs, it is LOVE that we are feeling. Our emotions are being processed by the brain and our body is just responding to what we "must" feel. Ever person feels love. It might be expressed differently, but it is still love. 
What does love have to do with it? Everything... Love is always the first thing and the last thing we think.. It will be with us even after our bodies become dust. The human body has something called "soul" that is the natural state of love that all humans have. It is because of LOVE that we were created and it is LOVE that we will die one day. Hate, fear or even abuse could block the signs of love. But it still remains in us because we can not get rid of it. No matter what the situation, Love is Love. So wonderful and so powerful that we can't help but smile. So next time you see someone smile, know that it is love that they feel, and of course, you can't help but smile back... Love, so much of it is out in the world that we don't even understand it.

"We Do Bad Things to Bad People"

Well Lily, you are correct about in today's world everything is being put out there. For one, the photos are already out... I have seen them and yeah, they are not to pretty. But from a Soldier's point of view, one that has "been there, done that", 
well they are all the same. These pictures are no different then that of other "bad guys" that we have captured. One reason that they are more important then others is because they would mean a lot to most people. I mean look at the response that most of the world had, especially the United States. All the cheering and the "relief" of stress was felt all over the world. It has been 6 days since that day and we are still responding like crazy. For most Americans, the photos will be the last straw. Look at what happen to Saddam Hussein when he was captured in 2006. I was there in Iraq when he was Executed. When the U.S. Forces captured Saddam, it was a huge relief for most Iraqis, because he was a terrible man. Just like Bin Laden was to the U.S. So when he was captured and sentenced to death by hanging, most Iraqis didn't believe it would happen. But when the photos and the video was put out to the public, well that was what everyone wanted. And in the end, it was their closure to many years of torture and abuse. 
So even if it heals only one person, just one American by freeing him or her of all the pain and discomfort, to me, it will be worth releasing the photos... Who ever doesn't want to see them, don't... Who ever does, well you guessed it... just a click away.. they will be out very, very soon... Besides, just like my buddies say " We Do Bad Things to Bad People".. Special Forces Group...




When you have time.... please watch video...

WINDS OF TIME

            For years American’s have grown accustom to relying on fossil fuels as their primary energy source.  This energy is nonrenewal and has forced the American populace, and the American Government to become depended on foreign countries to meet produce fuels to meet the energy need of the nation.  Within the borders of the United States, there are an untapped resource of unlimited potential that has not been resourced proper, has been mismanaged, and has had little funding .  With the rise of fossil fuels, the inconsistent production of fossil fuels, and the threat to national security looming in the near future, a new resource is required immediately to meet the nation’s energy needs.  One of these resources is wind.  Even though wind has been around since the beginning of time, it is not until just recently that we have begun “capturing” the wind.

            It is only a matter of time that we run out of fossil fuels.  In fact, “based on the increase in consumption as well as reserves, the conclusion is that current trends suggest that all fossil fuels (oil, gas and coal) could be depleted within decades, possibly as early as 2060.” (Burek, 2010)  Nearly 70 percent of America’s requirements for electricity are generated by fossil fuels.  In fact, coal is the leading fossil fuel that generates electricity and since it is a nonrenewable resource, finding an alternative source is critical.  Fossil fuels are considered nonrenewable resource because once extracted, it is refined into a number of fuels and cannot be replenished once it is burned.  One alternative is the windmill.  Unlike fossil fuels, the windmill and other renewable resources (other than water) supply less than 1 percent of the electricity generated in the United States.  One can not get a true average of what a windmill would produce, but “some modern wind turbines generate as much as 3.6 megawatts of electrical energy.” (Daugherty, 2005)  Also, there is a huge difference in location and when and how the wind blows.  Understanding that the wind direction and speed is different everywhere and that catching the wind all depends on the right time at the right place.  In comparing the windmill to fossil fuels, the windmill could not generate the same capacity of electricity that is being produced by fossil fuels today. 

Although wind is the fastest growing power source of its kind, it still won’t provide but 12 percent of the earth’s electricity within two decades.  Here in America, places such as Texas, Oregon and Kansas are harvesting wind farms that have helped the wind-energy output by over 60 percent last year.  Most people do not believe the hype when it comes to renewable energy and some even blame it for oil prices to go up.   Other ways to help the environment and help reduce the energy that is being used are the use of conventional fuel through efficiency incentives.  “Strict standards can cut energy use in everything from air conditioners to cars.  Compact fluorescent lamps use a quarter of the electricity of incandescent bulbs to provide the same amount of light.” (Rossevelt, 2002)  In the end, it still is a matter of choice when it comes to helping the environment.  Whether by pressure from the utilities department or strict standards enforced by the Government, we still have a lot to learn when it comes to doing the right thing. 

 Better yet, tell me what you think?

http://youtu.be/FpucONE7WWk

Work Cited

Burek, S. (2010). When will Fossil Fuels Finally Run Out and What is the Technical Potential

for Renewable Energy Resoruces? International Journal of COMADEM. 13(4)22-27, 6p

Daugherty, Michael K.; Carter, Vinson R.. Technology Teacher, Feb2010, Vol. 69 Issue 5, p24-28, 5p

Roosevelt, M.; Sekiguchi, T.(2002).The Winds of Change. Time. 160(9), 40

response to Iraq

Yes, indeed there has been a lot of improvements in Iraq since 2003, but we shouldn't forget why and how it came to be. First, we owe it to the men and women that have given their lives for not only our country, but for Iraq as well. They not only suffered, but their families will continue to ponder their lose forever.
I too have "been there, done that" and my opinion is that Gen. David Petraeus is the reason Iraq is a better place today. I too was there in 03/04...Very bad place to be, but yet we were the outsiders. No running water, very little electricity (if at all), no education policy, no rule in government... We conquered Iraq with no expectations of where we would do with it once we took it. We as Americans cheered and loved when Saddam was executed, but it was not that that changed the Iraqi government and way of living. Instead, it was the "surge" that Gen. Petraeus brought with him, which kicked the enemies butt and was able to give the Iraqis a new beginning. I was there when the surge came to be and I tell you, it was no joke. We lost a lot of "American", I lost some good soldiers and dear friends of mine. A battle that was not over until the "enemy" got the picture. The picture would be that we wouldn't leave until they all were out of Iraq or killed. 
I know what you mean when you say that the view from above is a whole different view. I was "lucky" enough to fly over head a few times. Flew over Baghdad to Najaf and Fallujah for some butt kicking.... loved every part of it. Real battles that will go done in History. You're right, back then there wasn't much of a city or even life it self. But years later, things were different with the "city lights" in full force. A view from above is not the same from as below. The people of Iraq are still complaining about how little they have and about how "we" owe them things to come. What is missing is that they now need to figure it out on their own. We not only should leave the Country of Iraq, but we "must" do it NOW.... Seems that I still have buddies going there and this will be there 5th or 6th time..now it is all about training them, but they are not as educated as us...they can not grasp the knowledge as we do... I will take another 20-30 years to get Iraq straight. A better place for Iraqis? Yes... A better place for us all... not really... In the end, we didn't change much...just like sweeping your kitchen... eventually, you will have to clean it again