War in Iraq

Saturday in Washington, D.C., more than 100,000 people gathered to speak out against the war in Iraq. There were familiar faces such as the Rev. Jesse Jackson, Joan Baez, and Cindy Sheehan. President Bush was not around to hear their protests; he spent the day in Colorado and Texas monitoring hurricane recovery.

I am a Veteran and served in Vietnam so all of this protesting brings back bad memories for me! I lost many friends in Vietnam and it really hurts to see people protesting the war. Death is a part of war, and we fight the enemy abroad so we will not have to fight them here at home! Have we forgotten 911?

I am proud to be an American, I am glad that I served in the military and fought for our country. I respect our leader, President George W. Bush and I belief we should be in Iraq.

I say this to all the thousands of protesters, “Get a clue people, don’t you have anything better to do than protest?” What if Instead of wasting time and money going to Washington if every one of those 100,000 plus people gave $1.00 to hurricane relief, now that would make a difference.

I know this a controversial subject, so I look forward to receiving many comments to this article.

Lost is back and better than ever

Lost started the new season and the show was excellent! We finally get to see what is down inside the hatch! I’ve been trying to figure out this show from the start; here is what I think is going on.

Here are the numbers that Hurley keeps running into. 2+4+32+615+1+8+4=666! Originally he said they were given to him in a physch ward, maybe Desmond gave them to him. 666 is the devil’s number, is Desmond the devil. He was nice to Jack before and helped him, but the devil often pretends to be nice.

What about the others? Could they be God? They are taking children, but maybe the reason is to protect them from the devil. The island could be a place where “lost” souls are struggling between good and evil.

All of the characters on the show are lost in more ways then one. They all have committed some sort of sin and have problems they are struggling with. This show has been tough to figure out, but it’s starting to come together. This is my theory; I would love to see your thoughts, so please leave a comment.

Photo from www.abc.com

Dancing with the Stars - Rematch

Did you miss “Dancing with the Stars” last night on ABC? Don’t worry; there will be an encore presentation on Thursday, September 22 at 8/7c. Then at 9/8c we will find out who the winner is.

Personally, I like John O’Hurley and Charlotte Jorgensen. I think they are elegant and graceful on the dance floor. Kelly Monaco is awkward and more concerned about showing off her body than learning how to dance! Her partner Alec Mazo is a good dancer but his body language tells me he can’t stand Kelly! Maybe that’s why there is no chemistry between them. Unlike John and Charlotte who definitely have chemistry.

I don’t think it was fair the first time around when Kelly won because she was already an ABC soap star. That was kind of like stacking the deck in her favor. Then of course all the men probably voted for her because of her body! I thought we were judging on dance skills not nice looking bodies.

The show was fantastic; I watched every episode and was pulling for John O’Hurley the entire time. I hope John and Charlotte win this time around…they deserve it!

I would like to see Brad Garrett from “Everybody loves Raymond” on the show. I have seen him dance on “Raymond” and he’s a great dancer. Who would you like to see on “Dancing with the Stars”?

Stop the Hurricanes

Why do we need hurricanes?

It looks like there is yet another hurricane coming to the United States. Here is my question: why do we even need hurricanes. We already know where they come from. Most hurricanes are formed in the North Atlantic Ocean and are pushed westward by the trade winds. Why don’t we just stop them in their tracks in the middle of the ocean before they get here? I’m sure we have the technology available to just blast them apart!

*There have been numerous techniques that we have considered over the years to modify hurricanes: seeding clouds with dry ice or Silver Iodide, cooling the ocean with cryogenic material or icebergs, changing the radiational balance in the hurricane environment by absorption of sunlight with carbon black, exploding the hurricane apart with hydrogen bombs, and blowing the storm away from land with giant fans, etc.

Project STORMFURY was an ambitious experimental program of research on hurricane modification carried out between 1962 and 1983. This and other research programs were discontinued. I think we should keep on with the research and eventually someone will come up with a successful way to stop the hurricanes.


* Excerpt from the NOAA: http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/tcfaq/C5f.html

Photos from NOAA

The Pledge of Allegiance

Considering all the things that are going on in this country today, do we really need to be fighting over the Pledge of Allegiance? Come on now Mr. Newdow; get a clue! There are hurricanes, wars, high gas prices terrorism and a plethora of other things to worry about in the United States that are much more important than two words!

THE PLEDGE

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands; one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

I seem to remember that we have been down this road before and Michael Newdow dragged his case all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. The case was dismissed because he did not have legal custody of his daughter on whose behalf he had sued.

Here’s a solution, how about if we continue to say the Pledge of Allegiance in our schools but when we get to the phrase, “one nation under God”, if someone objects to saying that then they may remain silent during that sentence! That way everyone wins, we still get to pledge and we respect the right of the students who don’t believe in God.

In these troubled times this country needs to pull together not squabble over the little things. Personally, I am a Christian and a Veteran and I take offense to people who dishonor our country by not reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

I hope to seem many comments on this post.

Disciples Bible Study

My wife and I have started a 34-week Bible study. The name of the study is Disciples, we actually did the same study 13-years ago, and this is our second go-around. It was awesome then, and I am sure it will be very enlightening again. I think I will start another blog specifically for Christian entries.

I have seen blogs about all kind of things, but not too many Christian blogs, so I think this will be a good project for me. I hope that many of you who read this blog will also check out my new Christian blog.

We had so many folks sign up for this Bible study class at our church that the Minister had to split the class up into two different evenings! What a wonderful thing for our church.

These Bible study groups are great because not only do you learn about the Bible, you also get to know the other members of the class as you share your feelings with each other.  We are really looking forward to this study. I will keep you posted.

    

OOBE Instructions

Okay, you asked for it; here it is! Step by step instructions on how to have an OOBE. First, you need to understand that you must be ready for this. If you are afraid to try Astral Projection, then do not do it. Second, if you do try this you are doing so at your own risk and of your own free will. There are good things and bad things out there, and no guarantee of where the Astral Currents may take you!

Sometimes during Astral Projection you will fly to another dimension while other times you will remain here in this physical world.  You may find yourself simply floating above your body staring down at yourself or you end up in another plane and meet other Astral Travelers. With practice, you will be able to control your journeys better and better each time. If you want to go to a specific place then as you are relaxing and preparing for your OOBE concentrate on the place or person you want to travel to and visit.

There are many ways to experience Astral Projection; here is one method that works well for me.

1. You must be totally relaxed


2. I have found that it works best for me if my head is facing magnetic north


3. Remove all jewelry and restrictive clothing from your body, you can leave loose fitting clothing on if you like


4. You can do this sitting or laying down, I prefer to lie down


5. One of the best times to have an OOBE is just before you drift off to sleep


6. It helps if you give your self the following suggestion before you lay down, “I am going to have an OOBE; I will catch myself just before I fall asleep and remain conscious as I drift from my body.”


7. As you are relaxing, it helps if you really concentrate on relaxing every part of your body. I usually do this by first tightening up a muscle and holding it as long as I can, then let it go and relax. One muscle at a time, I start with my head and neck then move on to the shoulders, biceps, wrists, fists, etc. All the way down to the toes.


8. After you are relaxed, you will have to concentrate on catching yourself before you fall asleep. When you can master this, the rest is easy!


9. At this point, I usually hear a buzzing sound in my head and begin to feel vibrations like an electrical pulse. The buzzing and vibrations vary in pitch and frequency until they synchronize with each other, then the pulse will start moving from my head down to my feet and back and forth. When it gets to the proper speed, I imagine it bursting out through my head and that is when I leave my body!


10. You will probably feel your physical body become very numb and feel as if paralysis has set in – this is normal, do not panic


11. Once you leave your body and experience the feeling of floating in the room, turn your Astral Body around and look at yourself below. You may be able to see a silver cord connecting the two bodies. It is an umbilical-like cord and will stretch as far as you travel. If you are frightened while traveling, it will snap you back into your physical body very suddenly!


12. When you return to your body you will not be able to move for a few minutes, so just relax and enjoy the feeling of your two bodies merging back together again.

Astral Projection -- OOBE

Someone asked me to write about my dreams but I could not remember what I was dreaming about last night. However, this led me to think about the days when I used to practice Astral Projection, otherwise know as OOBE (Out Of Body Experience).I have not done this now for several years, but it used to happen almost daily. Following is one experience where someone else actually saw my astral body.

I had almost fallen asleep and was very relaxed when I felt those all too familiar tingling sensations in my head. It felt like an electrical pulse, swirling around my brain! The speed and intensity of the pulse steadily increased until it reached a certain frequency then it would shoot down from my head throughout the rest of my body!

I knew from experience that I could control these vibrations and bring on an OOBE. I concentrated on the pulsations and controlled them so they shot down my body all the way to my toes and then back up again. When the vibrations felt just right I imagined them shooting out the top of my head -- then I would be floating free of my body!

On this particular occasion, I wanted to control my Astral Projection and try to visit my sister. I concentrated on her and soon began to float out of the room, through the walls and up above my house. Before I knew it, I am being whisked away on an astral current and traveling high above the earth. I continued to think about my sister and soon I found myself in her room.

She was sitting on her bed and was startled when I appeared in her room. She reached out to me and her hand passed right through my astral body as if I were a ghost! When she screamed, I disappeared! What had happened was the sudden noise caused me to be snapped back into my physical body!

If you would like to read more about my astral journeys or step by step instructions on how to have an Astral Projection please leave a comment.

Life is Short -- Make sure you tell someone you love them today!

Originally I had started to write today's blog entry about Astral Projection, but then a comment was made at "The Blog Explosion" about someone wanting to give their sister away because she was a pain in the neck. I'm sure it was meant to be a joke, but I have to speak out on this subject!

Life is short...make sure you tell someone you love them today!

As I get older, I realize how short life really is. Don't let a day go by without saying "I love you", to someone special in your life. You never know when the last time you will see that person may be.A few years ago I lost my Mom, and just recently my sister Joan passed away at the young age of fifty.

Fortunately, I had time to tell both of them how much I loved them. I only regret that I did not get closer to my sister. After she died I discovered how much I really did not know about her. What a wonderful, loving person she really was. You can read a tribute to Joan at:http://www.mmarinaro.com/html/joanellen.html

When we were young my sisters and I had our share of disagreements, yes even squabbles and fights! However, we were always pretty close to each other. As we got older, life kind of got in the way and we all went in different directions. We lost touch with one another over the years but eventually got back together again in later life.

The sad part is there were many things we did not know about each other's life because of the time we spent apart. So I am saying to you now -- get to really know your sisters and brothers -- share their lives, tell them you love them! Life is way too short, live it to it's fullest. Today, make sure you tell someone that you love them.

Remembering 911

As we pray for America and all the people devestated by Hurricane Katrina, let's take a moment to pause and remember 911. This Sunday will be 4-years since that horrible attack! I don't understand how anyone could be so evil as to attack innocent civilians like they did on that fateful day. It's a shame what has become of our world.

Here is a great website that has pictures, videos, audios and much more in rememberance of 911. http://www.911digitalarchive.org/ .

It's hard to believe this happened 4-years ago; I still remember it like it was only yesterday!

Beware of Katrina Scams

Beware of Katrina Scams

It's a darn shame, as soon as Katrina swept through the Gulf states hundreds of websites started to pop up all over the Internet proposing to help victims of Katrina. Some are legitimate, others are merely scams. There are bogus sites where the money is being filtered to white supremacy groups, mid-eastern connections, and many more. The FBI said there were over 2300 websites claiming to deal in Katrina information and relief and that number is rising daily. The FBI has looked at over 800 sites of which 60% were found to be bogus!

The Red Cross, FBI and other agencies are investigating these websites. Make sure you know where your money is going when you make an online contribution. Also beware of email scams and unsolicited phone calls asking for credit card information to make donations. It's too bad that there are so many scams going on in this time of need.

It is not just gasoline prices that are going up!

There will be more to worry about than just the price of gasoline

The Energy Department says that Natural Gas prices may rise as much as 71% in some places because of Hurricane Katrina! This will depend on how quickly the repairs go on the damaged Gulf coast refineries and oilrigs.

Natural gas prices for the Midwest will increase as much as 71%, while heating oil prices in the Northeast could rise 31%. Electricity prices in the South could jump 17% according to the Energy Department.

Gasoline prices have started to decrease after a record high of over $3.00 per gallon across the nation last weekend. Many people canceled their travel plans for the Labor Day holiday weekend. This also put a hurting on the tourist trade in many places.

Hurricane Katrina will have long-term effects on the entire country. I would suggest you sell your SUV and buy an economy car. Then sharpen up your axe and start chopping some wood for the winter!

Bob Denver Dies

Some of you may be too young to remember Maynard G. Krebs from "The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis", but I watched that show as I was growing up. Bob Denver was the lovable beatnik character. If you missed that you probably watched "Gilligan's Island", where again Bob Denver played a lovable character!

Sadly, Bob has left us now, he died Friday, Sept. 7, 2005. Denver was 70 years old. There are only three surviving members from the cast of "Gilligan's Island" remaining. Ginger, Mary Ann and the Professor are all that are left.

Denver had undergone quadruple bypass surgery earlier this year.
The actor's wife, Dreama, and his children Patrick, Megan, Emily and Colin were with him when he died.

We will miss Bob Denver.

Cancer -Why do people smoke?

Today would have been my Mom's birthday. Happy Birthday Mom -- we miss you! Cancer took her away from us way too soon. More specifically, cigarettes killed my Mom!

Why do people smoke knowing that it is going to take their life? My Mom was a Registered Nurse, she knew the dangers of smoking all too well. Yet she continued to inhale those deadly Cancer sticks! My Dad died at the young age of fifty. It was a heart attack that took him away; however, I'm sure that smoking five-packs a day of Lucky Strikes was a major part of his downfall.

*The American Cancer Society says, "Cancer accounts for nearly one-quarter of deaths in the United States, exceeded only by heart diseases. In 2002, there were 557,271 cancer deaths in the US."

I don't understand why people continue to smoke knowing the danger. What satisfaction do they get from it? It is a very expensive habit, it causes your fingers and clothes to smell of smoke, it yellows your teeth, gives you bad breath, makes you cough, gives you shortness of breath, causes Cancer, etc.; the list goes on and on!

We miss you Mom, you were always there for us when we needed you and kept us out of harm's way. You knew better, why did you continue to smoke?

*Source: US Mortality Public Use Data Tape 2002, National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2004.

Kanye West-Bush Hates Black People

I can't believe that Kanye West had the unmitigated gall to say,"George Bush doesn't care about black people". This was supposed to be a benefit to raise money for all the people devestated by Katrina. Kanye spoiled it by getting on his soap box and trying to turn it into a racial thing. Well I've got news for you Mr. West, it isn't about black or white, Katrina didn't just spew her wrath on the black people, this is the worst natural disaster this country has ever seen and it has affected all people, regardless of race!

I have never heard Mr. Bush say anything about not caring for black people, in fact I seem to recall that President Bush played a key role in bringing all of America together after 911. We are not black or white -- we are Americans. Let's pull together in this crisis!

I think the only thing that Kanye West showed us on National TV was the fact that he is a fool, and he has no place on a soap box because he doesn't speak very well and he certainly doesn't speak the truth!

President Bush - Katrina - Gas Prices

I am getting sick and tired of listening to everyone trying to put the blame on President Bush for everything! The war in Iraq, Katrina, high gas prices, etc., it is all the President’s fault --NOT!

Mr. Bush has done a GREAT job since he has been in office. Right from the get-go he has had a “tough row to hoe”, with all the controversy over the election, 9/11, the war in Iraq and now Katrina!

President Bush stepped up to the plate after 9/11, the most horrific attack ever on American soil, and he pulled the country together when we were down. I’m sure he will once again unite the American people and lift their spirits as we recover from the worst natural disaster ever to occur in the United States!

This is not a time for political issues, this is a time to pitch in and help the people in need. So let’s stop complaining and trying to place the blame, instead let’s unite and focus on helping however we can.

There’s an old saying that rings very true now, “What we need here is a little less jaw work and a lot more paw work!”

Age is a matter of mind

It was Thursday and we had just three days left to enjoy our vacation on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. One of my favorite things to do at the beach is ride the waves on a boogie board. On this particular day, the waves were very high and the surf was rough because of an approaching storm. The bigger the waves the better the ride, so I was having a great time getting being tossed around and fighting the sea.

Before I go any further, I should explain that I am fifty five years old but in my mind I still think I am in my twenties. I always say, “Age is a matter of mind…if you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter!”

After an hour or so in the water I was beginning to get really tired but I didn’t want to quit because these were the best waves we have had all week and the next couple of days were predicted to be rainy. The waves were getting higher and the sea more violent, but I loved every minute of it!

I smiled at my wife as she watched from a lawn chair on the beach and I caught an especially big wave. I just knew this was going to be a fantastic ride! The wave carried me into shallow water and slammed me into the sand beneath with unbelievable force. As I was being crushed by the power of the sea I heard a terrible cracking sound and felt a horrific pain in my side! I knew immediately that I had broken my ribs. It was all I could do to haul myself up out of the water and drag myself onto the beach without being drowned. The waves kept smashing against me and knocking me back down again. Every step was very painful and took all of my strength.

My wife was laughing and yelling to me telling me to pull my bathing suit up; the force of the wave had pulled my suit down around my knees and I didn’t even realize it. I really didn’t care because that was the least of my worries at the moment as all my efforts were concentrated on hauling myself to shore and collapsing on the beach.

My sister went to get the car and after much struggling I was able to fall into the back seat as I grimaced in pain. It must have taken at least ten-minutes just to get into the car because no matter how I moved it pulled at my ribs and sent shockwaves of pain throughout my body. Of course I could see everyone trying to hold back their laughter as I struggled to get in the car.

We made it to the hospital and x-rays later confirmed I had broken one rib and cracked another. We were in the emergency room for several hours, which seemed like days to me because every little movement caused me terrible pain. When the nurse came in to wheel me in a wheelchair from the waiting room into the examine room she accidentally crashed into the doorway and I let out a loud scream. Of course everyone else thought this was hysterically funny!

I spent the rest of the week trying to find a comfortable position to sit in and taking pain pills. The next six months I had to sleep in a recliner because I was unable to lie down. Looking back on the events of that day I can see the humor, but believe me when I tell you I was not laughing at the time! I have not been to the beach since then but even though I now have a better respect for the awesome power of the ocean I still refuse to grow old and will probably jump right back on that boogie board again!