JAPAN'S HELL AND HIGH WATER

March 11, 2011, a massive 8.9/9.0 magnitude earthquake hit the Pacific Ocean nearby Northeastern Japan around 2:46 p.m. causing tsunamis, blackouts, fires and nuclear explosions.  The survivors, who have nothing left, refuse to give up hope.  

There are many lessons to be learned from this tragedy that will enlighten our future.  Even though it's difficult to focus on enlightenment in the midst of crises, we can be greatly inspired through the strength of others. 

I watched in horror, along with most of the world, as the tsunami swept away the lives of many.  I found myself in tears and tried to imagine how one could deal with such tremendous loss; husbands hunting for wives and mother searching for their small children.  I cried, as did many around the world.  We stayed glued to our glass screens as if watching this national disaster unfolding on a crystal ball, and nothing could be done to stop the horrific images.

What have I learned from this tragedy?  I have learned that there are many powerful demands within the natural elements.  I have learned that thousands of lives can slip away in the blink of an eye, but there is a great resiliency of human strength and courage in the face of death.  I witnessed the depth of despair in the hallow faces, yet saw something almost sacred within their eyes.  It was a childlike innocence, to remind us of how vulnerable we can become in the midst of chaos.    

Also, I have learned that the integrity of the Japanese people is beyond reproach! There is absolutely no looting, stealing, or gangs pilfering the land; for you see, it's beneath Japanese culture to descend to that level of disrespect. They share what provisions they have with one another, and when it's gone - they all go without! The nights have been bitterly cold with temperatures barely above zero and many have no blanket, water or food.

Fresh water is scarcely available and when the water trucks are empty, people wait patiently for several hours for another truck to return; no yelling, no protests and no unkind words! I see many carrying the elderly on their backs and walking for miles to safety. I watched as tender hands pulled a little child from the deep rubble and then the humble crowd celebrates the victory of one more life!   

This horrific event has touched the hearts of millions around the world and set a standard of excellence in the face of disaster.  Our compassion and prayers go out to the many people of Japan who are suffering.  May we all come together to lift their burdens in the coming hours of darkness, and as we watch from the warmth of our surroundings, a peace will come knowing that we have made an effort to ease their pain. 

Please, please donate to the Red Cross - even if it's only a couple of dollars, it will make a difference!  By, Linda Sumner Urza, One fine day. 

THE TRUTH HURTS


Robert A. Hall is a Marine Vietnam War veteran and served five terms in the Massachusetts State Senate. He posted this statement on his blog and asked to pass this message on to others.  Baby Boomers, pay attention to what has happened to our country under our watch!  This is not going to be pleasant to read and the truth hurts, but it's not too late to wake up.  We could actually turn this ship around and head for higher ground. When you read his statement, please think of your responsibility to make this country better - because you were in it...


"I'm 63 and I'm Tired"by Robert A. Hall
I'm 63.  Except for one semester in college when jobs were scarce and a six-month period when I was between jobs, but job-hunting every day, I've worked hard since I was 18. Despite some health challenges, I still put in 50-hour weeks, and haven't called in sick in seven or eight years. I make a good salary, but I didn't inherit my  job or my income, and I worked to get where I am.  Given the economy, there's no retirement in sight, and I'm tired.  Very tired. 

I'm tired of being told that I have to "spread the wealth" to people who don't have my work ethic. I'm tired of being told the government will take the money I earned, by force if necessary, and give it to people too lazy to earn it. 

I'm tired of being told that I have to pay more taxes to "keep people in their homes."  Sure, if they lost their jobs or got sick, I'm willing to help.  But if they bought Mc Mansions at three times the price of our paid-off, $250,000 condo, on one-third of my salary, then let the left-wing Congress-critters who passed Fannie and Freddie and the Community Reinvestment Act that created the bubble help them with their own money.

I'm tired of being told how bad America is by left-wing millionaires like Michael Moore, George Soros and Hollywood Entertainers who live in luxury because of the opportunities America offers.  In thirty years, if they get their way, the United States will have the economy of Zimbabwe, the freedom of the press of China the crime and violence of Mexico, the tolerance for Christian people of Iran, and the freedom of speech of Venezuela .

I'm tired of being told that Islam is a "Religion of Peace," when every day I can read dozens of stories of Muslim men killing their sisters, wives and daughters for their family "honor"; of Muslims rioting over some slight offense; of Muslims murdering Christian and Jews because they aren't "believers"; of Muslims burning schools of girls;  of Muslims stoning teenage rape victims to death for "adultery";  of Muslims mutilating the genitals of little girls; all in the name of Allah, because the Qur'an and Shari'a law tells them to.  

I'm tired of being told that "race doesn't matter" in the post-racial world of Obama, when it's all that matters in affirmative action jobs, lower college admission and graduation standards for minorities  (harming them the most), government contract set-asides, tolerance for the ghetto culture of violence and fatherless  children that hurts minorities more than anyone, and in the appointment of U.S. Senators from Illinois.  

I think it's very cool that we have a black president and that a black child is doing her homework at the desk where Lincoln wrote the Emancipation Proclamation.  I just wish the black president was Condi Rice, or someone who believes more in freedom and the individual and less arrogantly of an all-knowing government. 

I'm tired of being told that out of "tolerance for other cultures" we must let Saudi Arabia use our oil money to fund mosques and mandrassa Islamic schools to preach hate in America, while no American group is allowed to fund a church, synagogue or religious school in Saudi Arabia to teach love and tolerance. 

I'm tired of being told I must lower my living standard to fight global warming, which no one is allowed to debate.  My wife and I live in a two-bedroom apartment and carpool together five miles to our jobs. We also own a three-bedroom condo where our daughter and granddaughter live.  Our carbon footprint is about 5% of Al Gore's, and if you're greener than Gore, you're green enough.  

I'm tired of being told that drug addicts have a disease, and I must help support and treat them, and pay for the damage they do.  Did a giant germ rush out of a dark alley, grab them, and stuff white powder up their noses while they tried to fight it off?  I don't think Gay people choose to be Gay, but I #@*# sure think druggies chose to  take drugs. And I'm tired of harassment from cool people treating me like a freak when I tell them I never tried marijuana. 

I'm tired of illegal aliens being called "undocumented workers," especially the ones who aren't working, but are living on welfare or crime.  What's next?   Calling drug dealers, "Undocumented Pharmacists"?   And, no, I'm not against Hispanics.  Most of them are Catholic, and it's been a few hundred years since Catholics wanted to kill me for my religion.  I'm willing to fast track for citizenship any Hispanic person, who can speak English, doesn't have a criminal record  and who is self-supporting without family on welfare, or who serves honorably for three years in our military.... Those are the citizens we need. 

I'm tired of latte liberals and journalists, who would never wear the uniform of the Republic themselves, or let their entitlement-handicapped kids near a recruiting station, trashing our military.  They and their kids can sit at home, never having to make split-second decisions under life and death circumstances, and bad mouth better people than themselves.  Do bad things happen in war?  You bet.  Do our troops sometimes misbehave?  Sure.  Does this compare with the atrocities that were the policy of our enemies for the last fifty years and still are?  Not even close.  So here's the deal.  I'll let myself be subjected to all the humiliation and abuse that was heaped on terrorists at Abu Ghraib or Gitmo, and the critics can let themselves be subject to captivity by the Muslims, who tortured and beheaded Daniel Pearl in Pakistan, or the Muslims who tortured and murdered Marine Lt. Col. William Higgins in Lebanon, or the Muslims who ran the blood-spattered Al Qaeda torture rooms our troops found in Iraq, or the Muslims who cut off the heads of schoolgirls in Indonesia, because the  girls were Christian.  Then we'll compare notes.  British and American soldiers are the only troops in history that civilians came to for help and handouts, instead of hiding from in fear.  

I'm tired of people telling me that their party has a corner on virtue and the other party has a corner on corruption.  Read the papers; bums are bipartisan.   And I'm tired of people telling me we need  bipartisanship.  I live in Illinois , where the " Illinois  Combine" of Democrats has worked to loot the public for years.   Not to mention the tax cheats in Obama's cabinet.  

I'm tired of hearing wealthy athletes, entertainers and politicians of both parties talking about innocent mistakes, stupid mistakes or youthful mistakes, when we all know they think their only mistake was getting caught.  I'm tired of people with a sense of entitlement, rich or poor. 

Speaking of poor, I'm tired of hearing people with air-conditioned homes, color TVs and two cars called poor. The majority of Americans didn't have that in 1970, but we didn't know we were "poor."  The poverty pimps have to keep changing the definition of poor to keep the dollars flowing. 

I'm real tired of people who don't take responsibility for their lives and actions.  I'm tired of hearing them blame the government, or discrimination or big-whatever for their problems. 

Yes, I'm tired.  But I'm also glad to be 63.  Because, mostly, I'm not going to have to see the world these people are making.  I'm just sorry for my granddaughter.  By, Robert A. Hall

"Our forefathers would roll over in their graves to learn what has become of the "Land of the free and the home of the brave".  If you want to make a difference, we all have to change the course of direction.  Our posterity will inherit our neglect and irresponsibility.  As our values continue to decay, so will the future of this country." Linda Sumner Urza