Monday, August 11, 2008
Posted by:
Faith Ammen
at
5:18 PM
 Next time someone thinks about bashing our soldiers in Iraq, can we please put this in the headlines? Our Army, in addition to saving the Iraqi people from a tyrannical regime, giving people (including women) their first opportunity to vote, etc., have donated $2.7 billion in cash to the Iraqi people for everything from "sewers to sheep." While risking their lives daily against a terrorist enemy, the Army sponsors humanitarian work, including $596.8 million worth of water and sanitation projects, "The Army also spent lesser sums on smaller acts of largesse, including $48,000 for children's shoes; $50,000 for 625 sheep; $100,000 for dolls; and $500,000 for action figures designed to look like Iraqi security forces, the Post reported." Why don't we hear these stories? These are modern day heroes who deserve our unflagging gratitude and respect.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Posted by:
Kevin McCullough
at
1:14 PM
Monday, August 11, 2008
Posted by:
Kevin McCullough
at
1:13 PM
 AWOL on Edwards
Monday, August 11, 2008
Posted by:
Kevin McCullough
at
1:12 PM
Some who have criticized my co-blogger Ms. Ammen - in her post below that touches on the absurdity of Newsweek's stupid suggestions that parents should just tell kids to give in to their sexual urges as opposed to teaching them the remotest idea of self-control - have failed to comprehend a simple truth. We don't allow babies to touch hot ovens because it would scald their tender skin. As was mentioned in the comment thread - and as Faith pointed out so perfectly - the Newsweek piece is fairly dishonest. I'm sure little children could keep from burning their hands if we gave them asbestos gloves or wrapped them in a full-sized, body-length, "hot pad holder"... But isn't the OBVIOUS thing to do is to tell them - that if they choose to engage in sexual activity - that they risk their lives, their health, their future happiness and well being? Sometimes being afraid of doing something stupid - keeps one from doing... er... uh... STUPID things... And while herpes may not burn exactly the same as an oven's heat - I think the analogy - if told truthfully - will be clear enough for TWEEN's to understand...
Monday, August 11, 2008
Posted by:
Kevin McCullough
at
1:11 PM
 I hope and trust that I'm not the only one watching and in great distress over the fact that from all signs it appears that Russia is about to absorb - not merely the tiny territory that started the flare up between Georgia and it's former tyrannical landlord - Russia, but that now it appears the Russians are ready to go after absorbing Georgia itself. All this because Georgia likes the U.S. and wants to be part of NATO. And unlike U.S. military advances that have brought freedom to 50 million Afghans and Iraqis - Russia will likely have no plans to surrender a conquered territory once they've raped her sufficiently.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Posted by:
Faith Ammen
at
8:08 PM
 Maybe I have just been spoiled with stories of our Olympic athletes "chasing the American dream." The vignettes I'm used to seeing during the Olympic games are ones of individuals who discovered a passion for a certain sport and pursued that gift.
The stories of the Chinese athletes are not the same.Chinese gymnast, Cheng Fei, apparently pleaded with her parents to let her quit gymnastics and come home. The anchor cheerfully responded to this by saying, "Good thing they didn't let her quit! That last routine was magic!" Should we really enjoy watching an athlete who is forced to perform?
NBC also featured the story of a Chinese diver who "was scared of the diving board." In order to overcome this fear, her coach pushed her off the board. She continued with the sport even though she didn't like it because she didn't want to be a disappointment.
This kind of pressure (like taking three year olds away from their family to begin gymnastics) is something we in America with our freedom, "pursue your own dream", and "be all you can be" mentality will never be able to fully comprehend.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Posted by:
Faith Ammen
at
10:35 AM
A recent study shows "one in four (kids age 11 to 14) said that oral sex or going "all the way" is part of a tween romance." Newsweek's response? Nine tips on how to talk about about sex with your kids. With the age of sexual intercourse for my generation averaging at 16 and "only 7 percent of parents think(ing) their own child has gone any further than "making out", the topic is pretty relevant. The author suggests that parents figure out their own feelings before talking to their kids: "You know you don't want your ninth grader getting pregnant, but is oral sex OK?"Another Newsweek suggestion is "to buy a box of condoms and talk about how to use them—practice on a cucumber. A good laugh won't hurt your relationship."Kind of strange they don't encourage parents to tell their kids about unwanted pregancies, STDs that stay with you for life, or the fact that the teenage boy their daughter is dating now will probably not be the one she marries. None of the potential consequences of sex (physically or emotionally) are discussed at all! Feel free to play with the cucumber but I think kids deserve some real facts too.
Saturday, August 09, 2008
Posted by:
Faith Ammen
at
2:27 PM
I usually agree with the Lovely Bride but the Olympics is one event I can't seem to pull away from. I watched the opening ceremonies and thought it was the most brilliant thing I have ever seen on TV. I was overwhelmed by the power, precision, grace, beauty, and self-discipline exemplified in the 15,000 ceremony performers. The technological capacity of the entire event (dancers painting with their hands and feet, moving writing blocks operated in completely synchronized movement by men not computers!) was more advanced than anything the world has ever seen. As one of the anchors said, it is cinematic brilliance performed live in a stadium. The performances showed the strength of China and the discipline of their men (especially in the drum and martial arts sections of the ceremony). Yet something was missing. When the floor of the stadium was filled with photographs of children on umbrellas or when a little Chinese girl floated through the sky like a fairy, I had to realize that the enchanted feeling I was getting was a complete illusion...that the majesty and even emotional reaction from seeing these children was intentionally diverting my attention from the fact that these children are miracles in light of China's one child policy; from the fact that each child in last night's performance probably has several siblings who have been aborted; from the fact that each girl I saw was extra precious because she represented her dwindling gender in China. I also didn't see the nearby farmers sitting in their homes and panicking because their government is channeling water intended for their rice paddies to Beijing for the Olympics. The opening ceremonies were stunning, mind-boggling, and pure genius. Yet just a few hours after the spectacle, a relative of a U.S. Olympic coach was brutally murdered and I remember once again that the China I saw in the performance does not exist. All I saw, was a facade
Saturday, August 09, 2008
Posted by:
Kevin McCullough
at
11:06 AM
 Chinese attacker kills US Coach's relative The Lovely Bride LOVES the Olympics, she's never missed them. Last night she was flipping channels and flew right past the HD Coverage. To my surprise I queried her as to why. She replied... "I'm boycotting..." For the oppression they pour out on Christians, for the well documented ill intent towards the U.S., for the cruel conditions of the Communist state - particularly as it applies to families, and for the way they prevent their people from knowing liberty, freedom, and justice... She makes good points certainly. And why should U.S. Olympic coaches and athletes fear for their own safety or those they love. The Lovely Bride doesn't do sports, but she's always "done" the Olympics, and for the many reasons she loves what's right - she's taking a pass on this go around. Maybe she shouldn't be the only one...
Saturday, August 09, 2008
Posted by:
Kevin McCullough
at
11:05 AM
 The "human weakness" made me do it...
Saturday, August 09, 2008
Posted by:
Kevin McCullough
at
8:55 AM
"Everybody does it... means what is, is...
private is separate from professional... &
'YES I'M THE SCHLEP shtupping the girlfriend while my wife is desperately sick with cancer!'"Classy! UPDATE: Is this Elizabeth's chance to take him to cleaners for all his "slip and fall" riches? Enquiring minds want to know... UPDATE: I think Edwards is spinning again. The above video is Bob Scheiffer from CBS News and ran on their prime time broadcast last night. It is a nearly word for word explanation has explained by Jeff Greenfield over on ABC News. Both men are reporting that Edwards had the "liason" in 2006 - and claim it was prior to his campaign for President. (As if anyone doesn't believe that he simply continued to run following his defeat in 2004.) But this is where it doesn't make any sense. Scheiffer got on the phone with Elizabeth personally. When Bob had asked Edwards how Elizabeth had handled it he responded, "she's amazing!" When Scheiffer gets Mrs. Edwards on, "she's in tears" and it was "this is really, really, tough." Now if Edwards had confessed it 2006 and she had forgiven him, why would she just now be in tears (two years later), and why would today be so tough? If the reality that her husband had cheated on you two years ago had been long since dealt with - why so hard now? I mean the only thing that has changed is that he is no longer running for President, and supposedly the public now knew your flaw... so why would that have Elizabeth in tears - today? Two years ago I get... Not now... I have this hunch that someone is not telling the truth, and has likely now asked his cancer suffering wife - who has already taken far too much malarky from this guy to begin with - to stand with him in this false "softening" of the story...
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Posted by:
Kevin McCullough
at
10:05 PM
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Posted by:
Kevin McCullough
at
5:07 PM
CONGRATULATIONS!!!All of New York woke up to a new reality this morning. And that is the sound of a new serious player in the world of talk radio... Bill, Mike, Dennis, Michael, Hugh, Dr. Laura... And did we mention Stephen Baldwin and yours truly? 50,000 beautiful watts blasting the east coast with 24 hour talk that is relevant to your world, your heart, and your life... A serious note of CONGRATULATIONS to Sean O'Neill, Peter Thiele, and the staff of the brand new talk powerhouse - in the most important city on earth!
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Posted by:
Faith Ammen
at
4:44 PM
 The most recent discussions about Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama have included comparisons of him to Paris Hilton and whether or not people would like to carpool with him. Continuing the celebrity buzz, Donatella Versace dedicated her Spring-Summer 2009 collection to Obama. None of these topics seem very relevant when choosing the next leader of the most powerful nation in the world. Personally, I think the global war on terrorism and gas prices are more important than lavender shirts and pink sashes. I visited the Versace store in New York City this weekend and I think fashion should stay on 5th Avenue, not Capitol Hill. Past presidents have inspired a dedication to patriotism, liberty, and freedom. If Obama is president, we may have to be content with merely being inspired to have our belt match our shoes.
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Posted by:
Faith Ammen
at
10:03 AM
Sixty-three percent...that is the amount of oil Mother Nature puts in the water "from natural vents." As the debate over off-shore drilling continues, it is helpful to see the facts. Apparently Mother Nature...not SUV-driving Americans or off-shore drilling...is responsible for the majority of pollution.
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