MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Friday, December 25, 2009
Friday, November 13, 2009
The Blinders - Jihad at Ft Hood
Old stream media has PC blinders on. Read the "Jihad at Fort Hood" series for non-Politically Correct insights into the background on the murder of "14" and wounding of 30 American military and civilians at Ft Hood, Texas.
Follows is an insightful cartoon by William Warren
[Source]
Follows is an insightful cartoon by William Warren
[Source]
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Saluting Our Veterans & the Men & Women Serving in the Military
This note from a friend and is worth sharing with all our readers because her words are said and thought by many on this day: Thank you for your service to our country, for preserving our precious American way of life, and for the sacrifices you've made in the name of Freedom! You are all my heroes ... Suzan [Video]
ARRA News Service
ARRA News Service
Monday, November 9, 2009
20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall
Bill Smith: Today is the 20th Anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall. It is a great day for Liberty that should not be forgotten. This is also an important day of remembrance for the Smith family. Twenty-two years ago, I was a military officer assigned to a position working with the Europeans directing classified contracts. Thus, I was not allowed to travel to Berlin on the US military troop train as train ran through then East Germany to reach Berlin.
Our son, the creator of this site - SkierBrian - a boy scout in junior high traveled on the troop train with scout troop leaders who were non-restricted military on leave. I could have flown to Berlin, but the purpose of the scouting event was for the scouts to take the troop train to Berlin to see parts of East Germany and to learn about the restrictions of communism on the East Germans.
So, Brian visited the Berlin Wall 22 years ago. He learned about communism and about the Soviet controlled section of Berlin. He learned about Germans in the East German sector who were killed or imprisoned when they attempted to cross the Wall to their families and friends and to freedom in the West Germany sector of Berlin.
Just two years later, 20 years ago today, we joyful watched on TV as the Berlin Wall fell. Although we vicariously rejoiced with the Germans as part of the wall fell, I especially recall the tears of joy running down the face of Brian's mother, Lois. She had prayed continually two years before as our son traveled to and from Berlin under the watch care of others.
For those of us who remember that day, we remember the lesson that Communism does not work. For those who are too young to remember it first-hand, please take time to watch this video.
by Fred Smith, CEI President: On November 9, 1989, the Berlin Wall came crashing down. Today marks the twentieth anniversary of that great day – one of the greatest in the history of human freedom. Communism in Germany finally collapsed, setting off a domino effect that would reach Moscow within two years. Families torn apart for nearly three decades came together in tearful, happy reunions as the world watched. The Cold War was finally, mercifully, ending.
Many historians cite World War I as the twentieth century’s opening act. Sixteen million souls died in that war over nothing. Two of the nations it toppled became the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany. Communist and fascist governments would combine to kill more than one hundred million people over the next seven decades. Those needless deaths are the twentieth century’s legacy, every bit as much as the transistor or rock ‘n roll.
The fall of the Berlin Wall was that short, bloody century’s coda. November 9, 1989 was also the start of something better. It was a nation’s way of saying that it was ready to move on to better times. To a new world defined not by oppression, ideology, and servitude, but by freedom. Sweet, precious, fragile freedom. Seeing the footage on the news was like witnessing something being born. The hope and potential that surround every birth were glimmering in people’s eyes. It was beautiful.
What Berlin’s people did on that day also inspired half a continent to send the same message to their leaders. What a noble achievement. How worthy of commemoration, now that twenty years have passed. What a shame, then, that this milestone has been treated more like a millstone by the media. Reporters more concerned with today’s news cycle are giving at best perfunctory attention to a day that showed us all that is good about humanity.
To partially right that wrong, CEI has produced a short video [posted above] commemorating what the Berlin Wall’s fall symbolizes. . . . Of course, it is hard to convey in a few short minutes what the people living in that Wall’s shadow went through for 29 long years. So put yourself in their shoes. Think what they thought. Look right in the eyes of those separated families as they try to catch glimpses of each other over that wall. And the people who risked their lives escaping. And the soldier carrying back the body of someone who didn’t make it. What was going through his mind as he carried out his grisly task? That might give you an idea of what the Berlin Wall meant.
We all need to remember the Berlin Wall. We need to say to each other, “Never again.” And we have to mean it.
Our son, the creator of this site - SkierBrian - a boy scout in junior high traveled on the troop train with scout troop leaders who were non-restricted military on leave. I could have flown to Berlin, but the purpose of the scouting event was for the scouts to take the troop train to Berlin to see parts of East Germany and to learn about the restrictions of communism on the East Germans.
So, Brian visited the Berlin Wall 22 years ago. He learned about communism and about the Soviet controlled section of Berlin. He learned about Germans in the East German sector who were killed or imprisoned when they attempted to cross the Wall to their families and friends and to freedom in the West Germany sector of Berlin.
Just two years later, 20 years ago today, we joyful watched on TV as the Berlin Wall fell. Although we vicariously rejoiced with the Germans as part of the wall fell, I especially recall the tears of joy running down the face of Brian's mother, Lois. She had prayed continually two years before as our son traveled to and from Berlin under the watch care of others.
For those of us who remember that day, we remember the lesson that Communism does not work. For those who are too young to remember it first-hand, please take time to watch this video.
by Fred Smith, CEI President: On November 9, 1989, the Berlin Wall came crashing down. Today marks the twentieth anniversary of that great day – one of the greatest in the history of human freedom. Communism in Germany finally collapsed, setting off a domino effect that would reach Moscow within two years. Families torn apart for nearly three decades came together in tearful, happy reunions as the world watched. The Cold War was finally, mercifully, ending.
Many historians cite World War I as the twentieth century’s opening act. Sixteen million souls died in that war over nothing. Two of the nations it toppled became the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany. Communist and fascist governments would combine to kill more than one hundred million people over the next seven decades. Those needless deaths are the twentieth century’s legacy, every bit as much as the transistor or rock ‘n roll.
The fall of the Berlin Wall was that short, bloody century’s coda. November 9, 1989 was also the start of something better. It was a nation’s way of saying that it was ready to move on to better times. To a new world defined not by oppression, ideology, and servitude, but by freedom. Sweet, precious, fragile freedom. Seeing the footage on the news was like witnessing something being born. The hope and potential that surround every birth were glimmering in people’s eyes. It was beautiful.
What Berlin’s people did on that day also inspired half a continent to send the same message to their leaders. What a noble achievement. How worthy of commemoration, now that twenty years have passed. What a shame, then, that this milestone has been treated more like a millstone by the media. Reporters more concerned with today’s news cycle are giving at best perfunctory attention to a day that showed us all that is good about humanity.
To partially right that wrong, CEI has produced a short video [posted above] commemorating what the Berlin Wall’s fall symbolizes. . . . Of course, it is hard to convey in a few short minutes what the people living in that Wall’s shadow went through for 29 long years. So put yourself in their shoes. Think what they thought. Look right in the eyes of those separated families as they try to catch glimpses of each other over that wall. And the people who risked their lives escaping. And the soldier carrying back the body of someone who didn’t make it. What was going through his mind as he carried out his grisly task? That might give you an idea of what the Berlin Wall meant.
We all need to remember the Berlin Wall. We need to say to each other, “Never again.” And we have to mean it.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
The Incorruptibles
A message for All Saints Day (Nov 1st). You have to see this it is one of the most stunning videos I have ever seen on youtube.
It is a video showing the Incorruptible bodies of catholic Saints. One of the people on the video is Cardinal Neumann of whom I am a big fan.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbMuB3leqKQ
It is a video showing the Incorruptible bodies of catholic Saints. One of the people on the video is Cardinal Neumann of whom I am a big fan.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbMuB3leqKQ
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Friday, October 9, 2009
How Safe Are Kids with a "Safe School Czar" who Supports Statutory Rape?
The Long March of Kevin JenningsIs statutory rape less of a rape when it involves the homosexual abuse of a minor boy by an older man? The story is common knowledge now that Kevin Jennings once counseled a 15-year-old student engaged in homosexual sex with an older man to "use a condom." Were "mandatory reporting laws" in effect then? If so, Jennings was engaged in a criminal act when he failed to report the sexual abuse to authorities.
Hiring Jennings as "Safe Schools Czar" is like asking the fox to operate a "safe henhouse." His enthusiasm for NAMBLA (North American Man-Boy Love Association) pedophile promoter Harry Hay is well documented as well as the forward he wrote to Queering Elementary Education along with former Weatherman terroris, Bill Ayers.
The mainstream media is painting the accusations against Jennings as a "smear" but the data is there: the quotes, the book recommendation, the speeches of admiration for Hay. In today's America truth is called a "smear" proving the scriptural prophecy that a day will come when "good will be called evil and evil will be called good." It's a tactic this administration has down pat.
If you haven't considered home schooling, why not?
Obama appointee lauded NAMBLA figure
Protecting Children--Not right or left, just right or wrong
Hat Tip for this post: LEZ FEMMES - THE TRUTH
Friday, September 11, 2009
The Rest of the Story - America's Heart
Paul Harvey's "The Rest of the Story" featuring Yakov Smirnoff and his mural, "America's Heart".
ARRA News Service
ARRA News Service
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Friday, August 28, 2009
What Government Controlled Health Care Means
What Government Controlled Health Care Means:
1) The End to Private Health Insurance. President Obama has made it abundantly clear over the last few years – the evidence is easy to find if you want to on the internet – that his goal is a “single payer” system. The single payer would be the Federal Government, or some sort of “Co-op” controlled by the Fed. Regulations in the various bills now before the House and Senate would make it cheaper for many businesses to simply pay the tax penalty rather than continue with private health insurers for their employees. Private health insurance would wither on the vine for those who are not rich. It might even be made illegal eventually, simply because the government would not want there to be resources that would not be at their disposal. This means that many of those reading this article would loose their company-provided health insurance within a few years of the adoption of a GCHC – whether you want to or not.
2) More Abortions. Government Controlled Health Care (GCHC) means that all resources will be controlled and regulated through the single-payer principle. What the government will not pay for will not be able to be carried out. For those with problem pregnancies you might be told that care for a handicapped child would not be paid for. This would drive many towards abortion, even if the government didn’t pay for that. But the reality is that those in control in Washington are so pro-abortion that GCHC will not be passed unless it covers abortion. This means that many will be pressured to have abortions and that your money will be used to pay for them.
What do you think that a couple will do if they are told that the tests show that they might have a Downs Syndrome child and that the GCHC will not pay for the care of such a child because it was preventable? And if they are told that the GCHC will pay for the abortion, what will they be pressured to do?
3) The End to the Catholic Hospital System. GCHC will want access to all resources so that they can be fairly distributed amongst all citizens – doesn’t that sound good? This means that Catholic Hospitals have to do their fair share. Doesn’t that also sound good? But that means that they are going to have to follow GCHC regulations. Notice what happened in Massachusetts with our new state health insurance mandate (the state makes us get insurance – because, apparently, we are their children): the Catholic hospitals, in order to participate in the program, are required to offer “full reproductive services”. This is the code for killing babies in womb, among other things. This inevitably will become the national standard if GCHC is adopted. The argument will be made that if a Catholic hospital is unwilling to do abortions then it is not serving all of the population (because in the culture of death you “serve” the population by killing some of them). Catholic hospitals will not be allowed to “benefit” from the national system – which will be the only system – unless they are willing to do all of the work that is presented to them. Not doing abortions will be seen as “imposing Catholic morality” on others.
4) The End to Conscientious Objection. Why would the government hire you for the GCHC system if you are unwilling to do abortions and sterilizations, or give granny the exit pill she “needs” (see the article next week)? Why would McDonalds hire someone who was unwilling to work the fryolator? Catholic physicians and nurses would be a drag on the system. Even if you were tolerated for a while, the medial education system would only train those willing to give a full range of “services” (which means of course, killing people). -- Fr. David Mullen, MCFL Board of Directors
Source: http://www.masscitizensforlife.org/govthealth.html
1) The End to Private Health Insurance. President Obama has made it abundantly clear over the last few years – the evidence is easy to find if you want to on the internet – that his goal is a “single payer” system. The single payer would be the Federal Government, or some sort of “Co-op” controlled by the Fed. Regulations in the various bills now before the House and Senate would make it cheaper for many businesses to simply pay the tax penalty rather than continue with private health insurers for their employees. Private health insurance would wither on the vine for those who are not rich. It might even be made illegal eventually, simply because the government would not want there to be resources that would not be at their disposal. This means that many of those reading this article would loose their company-provided health insurance within a few years of the adoption of a GCHC – whether you want to or not.
2) More Abortions. Government Controlled Health Care (GCHC) means that all resources will be controlled and regulated through the single-payer principle. What the government will not pay for will not be able to be carried out. For those with problem pregnancies you might be told that care for a handicapped child would not be paid for. This would drive many towards abortion, even if the government didn’t pay for that. But the reality is that those in control in Washington are so pro-abortion that GCHC will not be passed unless it covers abortion. This means that many will be pressured to have abortions and that your money will be used to pay for them.
What do you think that a couple will do if they are told that the tests show that they might have a Downs Syndrome child and that the GCHC will not pay for the care of such a child because it was preventable? And if they are told that the GCHC will pay for the abortion, what will they be pressured to do?
3) The End to the Catholic Hospital System. GCHC will want access to all resources so that they can be fairly distributed amongst all citizens – doesn’t that sound good? This means that Catholic Hospitals have to do their fair share. Doesn’t that also sound good? But that means that they are going to have to follow GCHC regulations. Notice what happened in Massachusetts with our new state health insurance mandate (the state makes us get insurance – because, apparently, we are their children): the Catholic hospitals, in order to participate in the program, are required to offer “full reproductive services”. This is the code for killing babies in womb, among other things. This inevitably will become the national standard if GCHC is adopted. The argument will be made that if a Catholic hospital is unwilling to do abortions then it is not serving all of the population (because in the culture of death you “serve” the population by killing some of them). Catholic hospitals will not be allowed to “benefit” from the national system – which will be the only system – unless they are willing to do all of the work that is presented to them. Not doing abortions will be seen as “imposing Catholic morality” on others.
4) The End to Conscientious Objection. Why would the government hire you for the GCHC system if you are unwilling to do abortions and sterilizations, or give granny the exit pill she “needs” (see the article next week)? Why would McDonalds hire someone who was unwilling to work the fryolator? Catholic physicians and nurses would be a drag on the system. Even if you were tolerated for a while, the medial education system would only train those willing to give a full range of “services” (which means of course, killing people). -- Fr. David Mullen, MCFL Board of Directors
Source: http://www.masscitizensforlife.org/govthealth.html
Gearing up for the special election
Now is the time to start identifying and supporting conservative prolife candidates who can fill the Senate seat. http://www.wickedlocal.com/belmont/news/x1886189046/Hill-gearing-up-for-succession-choices
The early death of a true Lion and friend
While others mourn the loss of "the Lion" Ted Kennedy, I am saddened by the early death of a friend and true lion. While others waited 4 hours to view Kennedy, another MA community views the remains of a big, strong, soft hearted man. While others fear the loss of Camelot, I wonder about the future of a widow and two children. While others praise Ted's caring for others, I reflect on what a truly loving father my friend was. And while other's talk of Kennedy's "defense of Social Justice" I consider my friend's quiet obedience to all of the Catholic churches' teachings. Tomorrow, two funerals will take place, and while Obama is eulogizing Kennedy, my friend's priest will truthfully speak genuine words of praise. Two Lion's bodies' will be laid to rest tomorrow, but their souls begin life after death, and have to go through the process of working out what they stood for in life. I will pray for both of their souls.
Follow this Blog
If you are prolife, conservative, Christian, and/or like hearing about my adventures, please follow my blog. To follow this blog, click on "Follow" on the Right hand side of this page.
Your following this blog will help me and others know that this blog makes a difference.
Your following this blog will help me and others know that this blog makes a difference.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Stop the Abortion Mandate
Get the facts, watch the video and take action: http://stoptheabortionmandate.com/
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Backpacking Mount Adams
What a treat it was to backpack up to RMC's Crag Camp this weekend with my friends Tom Kenney, Amanda, Sarah, Aaron, Dave Leary, and James Kelly.
We started from Lowe's store at approximately 0900. Going up Lowe's Trail, we made it easily to the old log cabin, just in time for our youngest member to take care of business.
The hike from their was more steep and gruelling. Some of the younger members particullarly had trouble. By the time we got to Crag Camp we were ready for some lunch.
After lunch, James, Dave, Amanda, Aaron and I headed for the summit. On the way up, with clouds in the area we were very alert for possible storms. A mist moved in over the peak, which was discouraging against our hopes of a good view from the summit.
God was very good to us. When we got to the top some things started to clear. Clouds would roll off one distant peak for a few brief moments, and then disappear again. It was like God was saying "Watch This" as the summit of Washington went from invisible to a view of the weather tower wreathed in clouds. Then "Now watch this" as another peak was revealed only to be later shrouded in mist. One by one God showed us the distant peaks of the Presidential range. Great Gulf is impressively huge. Six husbands trail looks right up my alley.
What's next? Camping/hiking with family in NY. See you on the trail.
We started from Lowe's store at approximately 0900. Going up Lowe's Trail, we made it easily to the old log cabin, just in time for our youngest member to take care of business.
The hike from their was more steep and gruelling. Some of the younger members particullarly had trouble. By the time we got to Crag Camp we were ready for some lunch.
After lunch, James, Dave, Amanda, Aaron and I headed for the summit. On the way up, with clouds in the area we were very alert for possible storms. A mist moved in over the peak, which was discouraging against our hopes of a good view from the summit.
God was very good to us. When we got to the top some things started to clear. Clouds would roll off one distant peak for a few brief moments, and then disappear again. It was like God was saying "Watch This" as the summit of Washington went from invisible to a view of the weather tower wreathed in clouds. Then "Now watch this" as another peak was revealed only to be later shrouded in mist. One by one God showed us the distant peaks of the Presidential range. Great Gulf is impressively huge. Six husbands trail looks right up my alley.
What's next? Camping/hiking with family in NY. See you on the trail.
Monday, August 17, 2009
My Gunks climbing adventure
I had the distinct privileged to climb the Gunks (Shawangunks, New Paltz, NY) this weekend with Nick Ragozzino (shown left). It was both an amazing and a very scary experience. For those of you who don't know it, Gunks climbs are very underrated. I climbed 3 different 5.2 rated climbs. These were more difficult or similar to 5.6's at other mountains. Plus the exposure (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_climbing_terms) was off the charts scary. I led Easy Overhang, Harvard, and Easy Keyhole.
I had forgotten how scared I felt pulling the left to right crossover where you literally have to pull yourself over the void, and how much I was begging for that next piece, and wondering if I was "off route" and where the belay station was on the 2nd pitch. Looks like an easy staircase from below, but the exposure make this a heart pounding thriller.Harvard was not rated as a classic climb, but since it starts with a fully enclosed right from the start, moving out of the chimney onto the ledge, this is a fun 5.2 Chimney climb. While sitting on the first ledge, I saw a snake in the handhold. Using my nut-tool, I quickly yanked it out and it dropped onto Nick's bag down below. He got more of a scare than I did. Thinking the inanimate serpent was dead from the fall, he got even more of a scare when the other climbers went to move it. Speaking of serpents, I had to slither through a couple of rocks including one standing on top of a thin flake putting my arm into a big hole and pulling myself up onto the next ledge while ducking my head. This climb also sports a fun move from the face-to the left facing corner near the top.
Finally Easy Keyhole! 5.2 my rear! The first move are nothing for a top-roper, but when you are new to lead climbing and you are worried about decking, WoW! I could not help but be reminded that Hans Kraus and Fritz Weissner (http://www.theuberfall.com/wiessner.htm) carried some big cajones in those chalk bags! Not wanting to bypass standing on top of the pinnacle boulder, I climbed up and out looking down into the void and felt scared out of my mind. Other, better climbers would have found these climbs easy, but for those who have never lead before, I have found 5.6's at other places that were much easier to learn on than these climbs. The Gunks is not for the faint of heart.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Abortion Will Be Covered
ARRA News Service - 
by Gary Bauer: We have been warning for some time that the health care reform bill would likely include taxpayer subsidies for abortion-on-demand. In recent days, many folks have emailed us responses they have received from their members of Congress who deny that abortion is being covered in the bill. At least one congressional liberal is now publicly suggesting otherwise.
Our friends at LifeNews.com report today that California Rep. Zoe Lofgren told a town hall audience, “Abortion will be covered as a benefit by one or more of the health care plans available to Americans, and I think it should be.” Since Rep. Lofgren is a member of the pro-abortion majority in Congress, I take her at her word. Since President Obama has called “reproductive justice” “one of the most fundamental rights we possess,” and since he pledged support for the Freedom of Choice Act, which would codify abortion as a constitutional right, I assume he wants abortion covered. But we don’t have to assume anything.
We’ve told you about pro-life amendments that have been defeated in the House and the Senate. We’ve told you that pro-abortion groups like NARAL and Planned Parenthood are demanding abortion be covered. And even the Associated Press admits abortion will be covered.
Today, I was honored to add my name to a broad coalition, being led by former Attorney General Ed Meese, of pro-family leaders who are taking a stand for sanctity of life by opposing taxpayer-funded abortion as part of any health care reform plan. Polls show that huge majorities of Americans oppose taxpayer funding of abortion, so this ought to be an easy decision for politicians who are truly representing the people. Unfortunately, it is clear from the responses that some of you are getting that many liberal Democrats are more interested in representing the extreme pro-abortion agenda of NARAL and Planned Parenthood.
Read: 'Seven Reasons Abortion Is Included in the Health Care Overhaul'
by Gary Bauer: We have been warning for some time that the health care reform bill would likely include taxpayer subsidies for abortion-on-demand. In recent days, many folks have emailed us responses they have received from their members of Congress who deny that abortion is being covered in the bill. At least one congressional liberal is now publicly suggesting otherwise.Our friends at LifeNews.com report today that California Rep. Zoe Lofgren told a town hall audience, “Abortion will be covered as a benefit by one or more of the health care plans available to Americans, and I think it should be.” Since Rep. Lofgren is a member of the pro-abortion majority in Congress, I take her at her word. Since President Obama has called “reproductive justice” “one of the most fundamental rights we possess,” and since he pledged support for the Freedom of Choice Act, which would codify abortion as a constitutional right, I assume he wants abortion covered. But we don’t have to assume anything.
We’ve told you about pro-life amendments that have been defeated in the House and the Senate. We’ve told you that pro-abortion groups like NARAL and Planned Parenthood are demanding abortion be covered. And even the Associated Press admits abortion will be covered.
Today, I was honored to add my name to a broad coalition, being led by former Attorney General Ed Meese, of pro-family leaders who are taking a stand for sanctity of life by opposing taxpayer-funded abortion as part of any health care reform plan. Polls show that huge majorities of Americans oppose taxpayer funding of abortion, so this ought to be an easy decision for politicians who are truly representing the people. Unfortunately, it is clear from the responses that some of you are getting that many liberal Democrats are more interested in representing the extreme pro-abortion agenda of NARAL and Planned Parenthood.
Read: 'Seven Reasons Abortion Is Included in the Health Care Overhaul'
Thursday, August 13, 2009
My Epic Katahdin Hike
Last weekend I had the pleasure to hike Mount Katahdin and it was the most "EPIC" hike I have ever had. For those of you who are adventure nuts, Epic may not be a word you use to describe hiking.
But this was! Cathedral trail to summit to knife edge and down via Heelon Taylor. No problem right? Wrong.
But this was! Cathedral trail to summit to knife edge and down via Heelon Taylor. No problem right? Wrong.
We took 6 hours to make the beautiful summit. The views up the Cathedral trail were to die for.
While at the top, we saw two through hikers reach the summit. They had done the 2000+ mile hike all the way from Georgia on the AT.
I felt my first rain drop at the summit. We started across the Knife's Edge as more clouds rolled in and the wind picked up. I give my friend Marc Gasbarro who is afraid of heights (the AMC trail guide recommends against the Knife's Edge trail if you have a fear of heights) a ton of credit for hiking across the Knife's edge. We moved to South Peak where the Knife's edge started to get interesting. Soon after that the skies opened and the wind and hail came down. My hands were getting cold, and I was scared. At one point we thought we heard thunder, but it was just the wind.
The Knife's Edge was the longest 1.1 mile of my life! Just when you think you are going over the last summit, there is another one. And when you finally get close to the end, you have to down climb a "Trail" down a 50 foot cliff off of Chimney Peak. The knife's edge is rated a hike, but this is in my opinion, unroped free climbing down 5.0- 5.1 terrain. Only one or two down climbing moves, but with a nasty fall below you, it was enough to make it freaky!
3 hours after starting on the knife's edge, we reached the other side. But we weren't done yet. Now we had to descent approximately 4000 feet down the "easier" Heelon Taylor trail. No easy feet. Still plenty of boulders to walk down the face of, and loose rocks to ... DOH! ... Down goes my buddy Mark Vendome and twists an ankle. With a sprained ankle, he still had to hike 3.3 miles down! Well major props to Mark, he hiked out on a sprained ankle, and this was no easy hike. It was boulders and rocks all the way back to the Roaring Brook Trail 0.1 mile from the Parking Lot.
Check out my photos on http://ourkatahdintrip.wetpaint.com/photos
Thanks, skierbrian
With over 7 hours over tree line, and a 13 mile hike. This was an Epic hike.
While at the top, we saw two through hikers reach the summit. They had done the 2000+ mile hike all the way from Georgia on the AT.
I felt my first rain drop at the summit. We started across the Knife's Edge as more clouds rolled in and the wind picked up. I give my friend Marc Gasbarro who is afraid of heights (the AMC trail guide recommends against the Knife's Edge trail if you have a fear of heights) a ton of credit for hiking across the Knife's edge. We moved to South Peak where the Knife's edge started to get interesting. Soon after that the skies opened and the wind and hail came down. My hands were getting cold, and I was scared. At one point we thought we heard thunder, but it was just the wind.
The Knife's Edge was the longest 1.1 mile of my life! Just when you think you are going over the last summit, there is another one. And when you finally get close to the end, you have to down climb a "Trail" down a 50 foot cliff off of Chimney Peak. The knife's edge is rated a hike, but this is in my opinion, unroped free climbing down 5.0- 5.1 terrain. Only one or two down climbing moves, but with a nasty fall below you, it was enough to make it freaky!
3 hours after starting on the knife's edge, we reached the other side. But we weren't done yet. Now we had to descent approximately 4000 feet down the "easier" Heelon Taylor trail. No easy feet. Still plenty of boulders to walk down the face of, and loose rocks to ... DOH! ... Down goes my buddy Mark Vendome and twists an ankle. With a sprained ankle, he still had to hike 3.3 miles down! Well major props to Mark, he hiked out on a sprained ankle, and this was no easy hike. It was boulders and rocks all the way back to the Roaring Brook Trail 0.1 mile from the Parking Lot.
Check out my photos on http://ourkatahdintrip.wetpaint.com/photos
Thanks, skierbrian
With over 7 hours over tree line, and a 13 mile hike. This was an Epic hike.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Dirty Secret No. 1 in Obamacare
by Chuck Norris: Health care reforms are turning into health care revolts. Americans are turning up the heat on congressmen in town hall meetings across the U.S. While watching these political hot August nights, I decided to research the reasons so many are opposed to Obamacare to separate the facts from the fantasy. What I discovered is that there are indeed dirty little secrets buried deep within the 1,000-plus page health care bill.Dirty secret No. 1 in Obamacare is about the government's coming into homes and usurping parental rights over child care and development. It's outlined in sections 440 and 1904 of the House bill (Page 838), under the heading "home visitation programs for families with young children and families expecting children." The programs (provided via grants to states) would educate parents on child behavior and parenting skills.
The bill says that the government agents, "well-trained and competent staff," would "provide parents with knowledge of age-appropriate child development in cognitive, language, social, emotional, and motor domains ... modeling, consulting, and coaching on parenting practices," and "skills to interact with their child to enhance age-appropriate development."
Are you kidding me?! With whose parental principles and values? Their own? Certain experts'? From what field and theory of childhood development? As if there are one-size-fits-all parenting techniques! Do we really believe they would contextualize and personalize every form of parenting in their education, or would they merely universally indoctrinate with their own?
Are we to assume the state's mediators would understand every parent's social or religious core values on parenting? Or would they teach some secular-progressive and religiously neutered version of parental values and wisdom? And if they were to consult and coach those who expect babies, would they ever decide circumstances to be not beneficial for the children and encourage abortions?
One government rebuttal is that this program would be "voluntary." Is that right? Does that imply that this agency would just sit back passively until some parent needing parenting skills said, "I don't think I'll call my parents, priest or friends or read a plethora of books, but I'll go down to the local government offices"? To the contrary, the bill points to specific targeted groups and problems, on Page 840: The state "shall identify and prioritize serving communities that are in high need of such services, especially communities with a high proportion of low-income families."
Are we further to conclude by those words that low-income families know less about parenting? Are middle- and upper-class parents really better parents? Less neglectful of their children? Less needful of parental help and training? Is this "prioritized" training not a biased, discriminatory and even prejudicial stereotype and generalization that has no place in federal government, law or practice?
Bottom line: Is all this what you want or expect in a universal health care bill being rushed through Congress? Do you want government agents coming into your home and telling you how to parent your children? When did government health care turn into government child care?
Government needs less of a role in running our children's lives and more of a role in supporting parents' decisions for their children. Children belong to their parents, not the government. And the parents ought to have the right -- and government support -- to parent them without the fed's mandates, education or intervention in our homes.
Kids are very important to my wife, Gena, and me. That's why we've spent the past 17 years developing our nonprofit KICK START program in public schools in Texas. It builds up their self-esteem and teaches them respect and discipline. Of course, whether or not they participate in the program is their and their parents' choice.
How contrary is Obamacare's home intrusion and indoctrination family services, in which state agents prioritize houses to enter and enforce their universal values and principles upon the hearts and minds of families across America?
Government's real motives and rationale are quite simple, though rarely, if ever, stated. If one wants to control the future ebbs and flows of a country, one must have command over future generations. That is done by seizing parental and educational power, legislating preferred educational methods and materials, and limiting private educational options. It is so simple that any socialist can understand it. As Josef Stalin once stated, "Education is a weapon whose effects depend on who holds it in his hands and at whom it is aimed."
Before so-called universal health care turns into universal hell care, write or call your representative today and protest his voting Obamacare into law. Remind him that what is needed in Washington is a truly bipartisan group that is allowed an ample amount of time to work on a compromise health care law that wouldn't raise taxes (for anyone), regulate personal medical choices, ration health care or restrict American citizens.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
President Obama want to mandate tax payer funded abortions
Did you know that before he was elected, Presidential Candidate and now President Barack Obama was making promises to mandate tax payer funded abortions? Did you know that taxpayer funded abortions were the heart of his health care plan? Did you know that he intended from the beginning to force private insurance to fund abortions as well? See for yourself: check out this site, watch the video, and then take action.
Keep Abortion Out of Health Care
Shared via AddThis
Keep Abortion Out of Health Care
Shared via AddThis
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
