Our American Values

I think it's interesting the past week saw a woman beheaded by sword in Saudi Arabia as well as many women jailed for the crime of 'driving a car' in the same country. How is it that we sell this country sophisticated weaponry and military aircraft and our previous president has been photographed holding hands with their current King Abdullah and the current President has been photographed bowing to him yet we harang China on their lack of respect for 'human rights'.

We want our American 'values' insituted worldwide UNLESS OF COURSE they have that precious 'black gold'. Then they can treat women anyway they want and our president will hold their hand, kiss their cheek or bow to their King. Next thing you know, we'll be kissing their King's ass (oops! I guess we already are......)

Oops . . . Wrong Door!!

Sometimes ya just gotta laugh . .

Talk About Street Art!

Litter, yard waste, soapy water and a whole host of contaminants flow into rivers, creeks and other waterways each day via storm drains.

Photos courtesy of SEAL-KRETE

Artist John H. White applies SEAL-KRETE Clear-Seal to his storm drain mural titled “Fragile Swan.”

SEAL-KRETE (St. Louis), a manufacturer of weatherproofing protection products for concrete and masonry, joined the James River Basin Partnership and the city of Springfield (Mo.) Storm Water Services Division in embarking on a mission to raise awareness about issues surrounding water quality and the role urban stormwater plays in that quality.

The “Storm Drain Reveal” initiative called for the transformation of 10 downtown storm drains in Springfield into public murals as reminders of the storm drains’ connection to waterways.

“Open Mouth Fish” by Artist Laura Lynch.

According to the organization’s website, the James River Basin Partnership is a grassroots, not-for-profit association founded in 1997 that seeks to improve and protect the water quality of the springs, streams, rivers, and lakes in the James River Watershed, which consists of almost 1 million acres of land in seven counties in the Ozarks of southwestern Missouri.

All the storm drains chosen for the program lead to Jordan Creek, a tributary of Wilson’s Creek. Wilson’s Creek drains into the James River, which flows into Table Rock Lake, the partnership said.

The local artists were charged with creating a piece of artwork that reflected the path of stormwater, hence the wildlife and water exhibited in the murals.

The “Busy Beavers” sketch was submitted by Kevin Jennings and completed by Artists John H. White and Michele Ellison.

Photographs of the finished products were displayed at the Canvas Art Gallery in Springfield.

Sealed Artwork

Each work of art was protected with a premium low-gloss concrete sealer manufactured by SEAL-KRETE. The company’s Clear-Seal protects and seals painted, stained or bare concrete, the company says.

The durable, urethane-fortified acrylic sealer is low odor and low VOC, the company says. It dries to a low-gloss finish to retain the natural look of the concrete. The product also resists chlorine, salt, chemicals, and UV rays, and repels stains and spills.

Family Sections on Planes

OK, so how many times have you been on a long flight, taken a sleeping pill (or not) but wanted to sleep the night away? Your kids are grown, gone long ago, but behind you sits the cutest kid, sometimes alone or with a friend; screaming, kicking, crying, fighting and making your trip hell. That's what happened to me on my last flight to Hawaii. I was exhausted when I arrived . . . the sleeping pill never kept me asleep, thanks to this snotty kid who kept kicking my seat and screamed through the entire flight. His mother thought he was cute. I wanted to kill him.

Then I had a brilliant idea . . . I knew I wasn't alone, wasn't the only empty nester or childless couple; so happy that our kids are gone or that they didn't have any at all . . .

FAMILY SECTIONS ON PLANES

That's it . . . they should be in the back of the plane. Let all the mom's who think it's amusing, when their babies scream or cry or fight . . . let them listen to all the other kids screaming and fighting . . . it should be like a mommy and me group, a playgroup, a nursery school.

Now that we are paying big bucks for every flight, for every piece of baggage, for every meal . . .

why oh why do we have to put up with the insanity of screaming kids. I say enough is enough.

Lets all write the airlines and complain. . .

Free at Last ... Thank God I'm Free at Last ...

Mr. Dominique Strauss-Kahn today informed the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) of his intention to resign as Managing Director with immediate effect.Mr. Strauss-Kahn made the following statement in a formal letter of resignation to the Board:Ladies and Gentlemen of the Board:It is with infinite sadness that I feel compelled today to present to the Executive Board myresignation from my post of Managing Director of the IMF.I think at this time first of my wife whom I love more than anything, of my children, of my family, of my friends.

I think also of my colleagues at the Fund; together we have accomplished such great things over the last three years and more.To all, I want to say that I deny with the greatest possible firmness all of the allegations that have been made against me.I want to protect this institution which I have served with honor and devotion, and especially I want to devote all my strength, all my time, and all my energy to proving my innocence.

Unbiased? I Don't Think So ...

This is a letter I wrote to NBC news:

Regarding your reporting of Dominique Strauss-Khan, I am amazed and disappointed that not once have I heard the word "alleged" ... "Alleged" rape victim ..."alleged" crime .... etc.

You have mentioned many times that Strauss-Khan was caught on an airplane back to France as if he was running away ... I read that his flight was pre-scheduled and ticketed before the supposed act. It's like the press has already proven him guilty. The press is all to eager to report sensationalism. Reminds me of yellow journalism!

To see constantly the photos of one of the worlds most powerful men brought down, paraded in front of all the worlds cameras like a common criminal.

Why is he at Rikers Prison, one of the worst prisons in our country, not like the "country club" prison where Martha Stewart spent her days. Why are you, as a news provider, presenting only negative views? Where is your unbiased reporting?

Why do you present with such glee the size of his prison cell compared to his $3000.00 a night hotel room ( you, of course have never stayed in a luxury hotel?)
Why do we need to know what his meals consisted of?

Have we killed another bad guy like Osama or have we just killed a brilliant man's carreer for ratings?

What if he is innocent? What happened to innocent until proven guilty? Seems like he is guilty and must prove his innocence? What if this is a set up by the opposing political party ?

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