Last year on this day I had to make the toughest decision of my life; to end the life of my best friend. He had broken his hind leg and the vet said it was due to cancer. I could have had it amputated to give me another 9 months or less of his company, but I couldn't do that. I chose to end his pain, while enduring my own. Baby was a giant; big and gentle, he brought out the softness in this hard old man.



In human years he was almost 84, but when we brought home a new pup he became a puppy himself. He traveled with me across this country and back. He seemed at home in the Rocky Mountains; he chased deer, bathed in rivers and never complained about the cold. He was always there for me as I moved in and out of relationships. He was a lover of those I loved and scared off those I didn't care to know.

So when the time came I held his head and said good-bye. Once he was gone I removed his collar and hung it from my rear view mirror. He travels with me wherever I go, his tags making that familiar sound. Not a day goes by that he is not in my thoughts and I know when my time comes he will meet me at the door or I won't go through it.

I wish the pup (now almost 2) had learned more from him, but even if he had he could never be Baby.



He was a great comfort and the memories of him are a comfort still.

Today Americans around the world are celebrating Independence Day; though some would have you believe it is about the people in our armed forces. We celebrate them on Veterans Day (which used to be Armistice Day {The term "armistice" means a cessation of hostilities as a prelude to peace} and marked the end of WWI. Today there is no day celebrating PEACE). But I digress , Independence day marks our break from England and the tyrant King George III (who was suffering from a mental disease as I understand it). Patriots fought the war and died in the fields to gain the freedoms written into our Declaration of Independence. We deposed the tyrant and the British Army sent here to battle the colonist.

My question is "What price freedom?" They died to depose a tyrannical government that taxed us without representation and suppressed with military might. Below is the Webster definition of tyranny:

Main Entry:
tyr·an·ny Listen to the pronunciation of tyranny
Pronunciation:
\ˈtir-ə-nē\
Function:
noun
Inflected Form(s):
plural tyr·an·nies
Etymology:
Middle English tyrannie, from Middle French, from Medieval Latin tyrannia, from Latin tyrannus tyrant
Date:
14th century

1: oppressive power ; especially : oppressive power exerted by government

2 a: a government in which absolute power is vested in a single ruler ; especially : one characteristic of an ancient Greek city-state b: the office, authority, and administration of a tyrant

3: a rigorous condition imposed by some outside agency or force

I believe our fore-fathers would once again raise the cry "To arms, to arms" if they were to see what politicians have made of the government they created. The "Patriot Act" (so named because to fight against it makes you a traitor) is the very tyrannical authority men and women in this country fought against over 200 years ago.

I know of no one who believes the tax system is just, but we are forced to pay or face prison.

The only Topian (topia, n. 1. the ideal made real (derived from utopia)2. worldview based on universal compassion) Society that I am aware of exist in the savannas of Columbia and has no government, or laws other than "Do the right thing"; this means sharing the work as well as the rewards. What a concept. I wonder when their Independence Day is celebrated.

Finally, appeals exhausted, he is deported to Germany to face the courts there. They say this may be the last WWII Nazi war criminal trial held; so many are dead (perpetrators and victims) now. Perhaps now we can start trying those criminals still in office or out (around the world) responsible for the senseless slaughter/genocide of other innocent people or imprisonment and torture of detained prisoners. Lets start with Dick Cheney (vice president of the New World Order; a phrase Hitler himself coined and Bush-Cheney used); he likes to shoot off his mouth with regards to the justification of torture; let's put him on trial.

This story pisses me off. This war crimes criminal's son is quoted as saying:

"They told me that they would have an ambulance. They told me we would have three to five days' notice, and obviously you can't believe everything the government tells you," he told The Associated Press by phone while headed back to Cleveland from the federal appeals court in Cincinnati.

He predicted his father would not survive long enough in Germany to stand trial.

"If he is deported, if this madness and inhumane action is not stopped by the 6th Circuit, he will live out his life in a (German) hospital. He will never be put on trial," he said. "It makes absolutely no sense that the Germans, after nearly killing him in combat, would try to kill him once again."

Maybe he is ignorant of what the Nazis/his father did to Jews, Gypsies, homosexuals and anyone else they deemed a threat to the so-called "master race". It seems Karmic that he wasn't given time to say good-bye to his family, just as the people put into the concentration camp he guarded weren't given an opportunity to say good-bye to theirs before being sent to gas chambers, and that he was loaded into a van instead of an ambulance; he is lucky it wasn't a crowded box car in sweltering heat.

The fact he would die in a hospital under a doctor's care disturbs me, but not for the same reasons it disturbs his son. I am disturbed, because many of the people he guarded died in crowded rooms unfit for animals and never received medical attention. This man lied on his immigration application, lived in the comfort of the US, worked, had a family and grew old after taking part in atrocities that denied thousands those opportunities.

The German government wants to right a wrong and to the best of my knowledge there is no statute of limitation on mass murder; they should be allowed to decide his guilt or innocence and punish him if that is the verdict. If he dies in the process let's just call it God's will.

A while back my son notified me that his wife's mother had begun a second battle with breast cancer. Her first occurred 20 years ago and she went into remittance after a radical mastectomy, keimo therapy and radiation therapy; now the same cancer has returned creating tumors in locations other than the breasts. At the beginning of the month I received an email from my wonderful daughter-in-law that she was going to take part in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in Chicago on June 6-7. I was able to make a contribution that will go to the Avon Foundation, a 501 (c)(3) public charity where grants are awarded to local, regional and national breast cancer organizations to support five areas of the breast cancer cause, including: awareness and education; screening and diagnosis; access to treatment; support services; and, scientific research. Support for the medically underserved is a key priority. Beneficiaries range from leading cancer centers to community-based non-profit breast health programs, creating a powerful international network of research, medical, social service and community-based organizations focused on defeating breast cancer and ensuring access to care.

Yesterday I was notified that one of her (my daughter-in-law) sisters (in her early-mid thirties) has tested positive for breast cancer after finding a lump. Like her mother she will have a radical mastectomy and undergo treatment that will be hard on her physically, emotionally and mentally; she will fight this disease with keimo and radiation so that she can continue to be a mother to her young son. Every three minutes another mother, daughter, sister, aunt, grandmother and perhaps a man (men may get breast cancer at a less alarming rate, but it sometimes goes undiagnosed because men aren't aware) will be diagnosed with breast cancer.

The Avon Walk in Chicago is one of many (you may know someone who is participating) 39 mi walks taking place to raise awareness as well as money. If you can't participate, you can donate or support someone who is participating.

My son was very fortunate in finding a wonderful woman with a fantastic family. On the donation page it suggested that I tell "a friend"; well friend I am telling you. Many will say "you can't change the world", but we can change this; they will say "you can't fight city hall", but we can fight this. Even a small donation helps; perhaps if everyone donated the equivalent of a pack of cigarettes or a Latte', they might find a cure.

I have added a link for donations and information on the right hand side. If you do nothing else at least find out more about this disease and the campaign to end it.

I haven't written here for over 2 months and with all that is occurring in the world (financial calamity, Mexico's drug war, Iranian hostility, Koreans wanting to launch missiles etc, etc) it would have been simple to ramble on about something, but I haven't had an interest. The fact is the chips will fall where they will and then I can add my 2 cents.

The country's financial crisis was predictable; in January 2007 I wrote about the growing homeless population and asked why no one in Washington was doing anything about it. In February 2007, I wrote about a Bush request for $254 billion more for the war effort and suggested alternative uses for that money in the US.

Does anyone remember "The War on Poverty"; legislation introduced by President Lyndon B. Johnson during his State of the Union address on January 8, 1964? It was meant to address the economic conditions associated with a national poverty rate of around nineteen percent. According to Wikipedia "Deregulation, growing criticism of the welfare state, and an ideological shift to reducing federal aid to impoverished people in the 1980s and 1990s culminated in the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, that Bill Clinton claimed "end[ed] welfare as we know it.""

So as I understand it; In 1964 a War on Poverty was launched to reduce the number of people living in poverty, but it was unpopular because people who were not living in poverty didn't want to pay for it. According to the U.S. Census Bureau the poverty rate in the U.S. increased between 2000 and 2004 (W's first term as President), though more people were spending and buying houses. Banks were deregulated and consumer borrowing increased. And then last fall there was a giant "POP" as the American bubble burst. Now the numbers of unemployed and homeless are on the rise once again and it is the Banks that want welfare, it's the auto industry that wants welfare and the people more than willing to spend more than they made that want help.

I really wish I could get fired up about this, but I can't. "You reap what you sew" I didn't elect Bush or the Republican Congress that deregulated the banking industry. I haven't taken my hard earned money and given it to a financier, in hopes that person will make me rich and I didn't buy a house I couldn't afford. I had no problem with the War on Poverty and have no problem with what Obama is doing. Others can bitch and moan about bailouts, but the alternative would destroy America's economy. Nope I will just sit back and let the chips fall where they may, knowing that those who are complaining are the same ones who are responsible for the situation.

During the Viet Nam war period, Edwin Starr wrote the following:

War, huh, yeah
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Uh-huh
War, huh, yeah
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Say it again, y'all

War, huh, good God
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Listen to me

Ohhh, war, I despise
Because it means destruction
Of innocent lives

War means tears
To thousands of mothers eyes
When their sons go to fight
And lose their lives

I said, war, huh
Good God, y'all
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Say it again

War, whoa, Lord
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Listen to me

War, it ain't nothing
But a heartbreaker
War, friend only to the undertaker
Ooooh, war
It's an enemy to all mankind
The point of war blows my mind
War has caused unrest
Within the younger generation
Induction then destruction
Who wants to die
Aaaaah, war-huh
Good God y'all
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Say it, say it, say it
War, huh
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Listen to me

War, huh, yeah
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Uh-huh
War, huh, yeah
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Say it again y'all
War, huh, good God
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Listen to me

War, it ain't nothing but a heartbreaker
War, it's got one friend
That's the undertaker
Ooooh, war, has shattered
Many a young mans dreams
Made him disabled, bitter and mean
Life is much to short and precious
To spend fighting wars these days
War can't give life
It can only take it away

Ooooh, war, huh
Good God y'all
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Say it again

War, whoa, Lord
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Listen to me

War, it ain't nothing but a heartbreaker
War, friend only to the undertaker
Peace, love and understanding
Tell me, is there no place for them today
They say we must fight to keep our freedom
But Lord knows there's got to be a better way

Ooooooh, war, huh
Good God y'all
What is it good for
You tell me
Say it, say it, say it, say it

War, huh
Good God y'all
What is it good for
Stand up and shout it
Nothing


To date no one has proven him wrong. Whether we are talking about the U.S. efforts in Iraq or the Israeli battle to suppress Hamas, war is not the answer, yet it is the only method of resolving differences that mankind responds to. Adolph Hitler believed that "Might=Right" and tried to impose his will by conquering nations; now we witness saner world leaders following the example set by a deluded madman.

Israel escalated its assault on Gaza to conquer or exterminate Hamas militants; this week the death toll was 1000 Palestinians (320 of which were children), 4 Israeli's. It is not clear how many of the 1000 Palestinians were Hamas Militants. Israel bombed a U.N. compound, but they apologized. The International Red Cross has condemned Israel for its war in Gaza, the U.N. has also become outraged, but is doing nothing.

Israel is hoping to destroy Hamas, but for every innocent child killed, only creates 2 more anti-Israeli sympathizers; this will go on forever. Edwin Starr's song is more poiniant today than ever. War is good for absolutely nothing.

As an American serviceman in 1967, I wore a "J" on my dog tags, indicating I was Jewish. I was told in no uncertain terms that if deployed on a U.S. Naval vessel, that I couldn't set foot on any Arab soil. I was in training as a combat field corpsman preparing to go to Viet Nam when the 6 Day War broke out between between Israel and the Arab states of Egypt, Jordan, and Syria. In six days, Israel conquered the Sinai Peninsula, Gaza Strip, West Bank, and Golan Heights. I volunteered to go to Israel if the 3rd Marines wee sent, but in 6 days the Israelis were able to defeat the Arab enemy.

In May 1994 it became a largely autonomous zone under the leadership of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA), although some Jewish settlements remained and were under the protection of Israeli military forces. In August 2005 Israel began unilaterally evacuating Israeli settlers from the Gaza Strip, and the last Israeli soldiers departed soon after. However, Israel retained control of Gaza’s air space and most of its borders. In 2005 a concrete wall was erected to encircle the Gaza Strip to keep Palestinians in, now the Gaza strip is being demolished by Israel's war machine, because Hamas extremist started firing rockets into Israel and in the process are killing many innocent Palestinians many of the children.

A similar wall was built around Warsaw Poland in 1940 surrounding a large Jewish population; it was called the Warsaw Ghetto. In 1943 after years of abuse by their Nazi captors, there was an uprising by the Jews. As a result the Nazi army went in and leveled the ghetto, capturing about 56,000 and killing about 7,000. The final solution.

I read and view the news and wonder if the invasion of the Gaza Strip is Israel's version of the "Final Solution". They have the ability to make surgical strikes, but they don't. They defeated 3 Arab states in 6 days; 3 states that had tanks, and aircraft; the war on the lessor equipped Palestinians has lasted for weeks and there is no end in sight because Israel does not want a cease fire.

I'm sorry, but I can no longer think of myself as a Jew.

Hmm they may be willing to take a bullet, but apparently draw the line at a loafer. Just when the President was telling the press how much safer we are, because of the war he started; a Iraqi newsman launches his footwear. Given this and the infamous "shoe bomber" case, Homeland Security has issued an order that will require shoe salesmen to have customers fill out a form similar to the one used when buying guns; there will also be a 30 day waiting period while they do a background investigation.

The story of Christ birth is spiritual not commercial. It tells of three wise men who came bearing the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. There is meaning even in the gifts they gave.

They brought him gold, a gift fit for a king. As told, Jesus was born to be king; not an earthly king, mind you, who rules over a particular political or geographical area. Jesus came to rule over people's hearts, and to rule not from a throne, but from a cradle, and then from a cross. And he rules not by force, but by love.

They brought him the gift of frankincense; a gift for a priest. Frankincense is a
sweet perfume or incense used by priests in the temple worship and its sacrifices. The
role of the priest was to act as a mediator between God and the people. In fact, the
word "priest" means literally a "bridge-builder." In his work and person he bridges the
gap between God and people, bringing the two near to one another.

And the wise men brought the gift of myrrh; a gift for one who is to die. Myrrh was
used to embalm the bodies of the dead. Early on the morning of the third day of the
crucifixion, the women came to the tomb bringing this spice to anoint Jesus' body.
Jesus came into the world to die; He was born to die. (As are we all)

So where is the Christ in Christmas today and why should his name be removed. Here are my top ten reasons this holiday season:

10:

What's the meaning


9:

And the meaning of these gifts


8:
Avarice: extreme greed for wealth



7:

Greed

6:
I Want


5:
Drinking until you have to drive home



4:

While some starve


3:

He served his country, and is forgotten



2:
Will do anything to live, while we bailout finance companies

And the #1 Reason to take Christ out of Christmas


He died so some ass could get a great deal on an XBox or 42" TV while Christ was no where to be found


But hey you can still enjoy Xmas and the seven deadly sins (pride, greed, lust, anger, gluttony, envy and sloth) that the season has come to represent. And don't kid yourself going to church on Christmas, having a Nativity Scene in your yard or on your mantle doesn't mean you aren't one of "those people". Look under your tree (purchased from amongst any number of other dead trees that will be on the curb a week after for a price that would have fed some family) what is the meaning of any gift given or received, appreciated or not. Like Christ you are born to die and you can pray until your knees bleed, but if you partake in the greedy, commercial tradition that His birth has come to represent then just call it Xmas and move on. His birth had meaning, the three gifts he was given had meaning, we give his life and death meaning; but for the most part it's all about getting something you really don't need.