Mission Accomplished

We all remember former President Bush standing on the flight deck with the ginormous banner behind him - MISSION ACCOMPLISHED. He faced years of ridicule for that. My question to you is this: Did he accomplish his personal mission to protect us on his watch? Did we not enjoy safety in our own country on his watch?

I am with the half of the U.S. who believes we must make the unpleasant choice, apply force when needed, sacrifice one to save all, if you will. I am mortified to find out the first change President Obama has signed into effect is the closing of Gitmo (with no clear and solid plan as to where the detainees are going. Some are going to be sent back to their countries, some to other countries, some into the U.S. Of course this is all tentative to a 30 day committee investigation???) That decision joined with these idealistic notions : "We intend to win this fight. We're going to win it on our terms, in a manner that is consistent with our values and our ideals," Obama declared, turning U.S. policy abruptly on just his second full day in office.

??? Our terms? Is he joking? When was the last time you heard an extremist say, "Before I blow myself up to kill as many of you infidels as I can so I can go visit my 70 virgins, I'd really be interested in your terms of this fight." Riiiight. And with "our values and ideals"???? There are so many grown men cleaning their britches out tonight...I am with them.

Call it what you want. It is bleeding heart, idealistic, naivety b.s.

Be prepared people, we are going to be attacked again.

No wonder he received the high praise and high campaign donations from the Arab nations. They must be licking their chops today. Salivating at their luck.

I may be in the minority, but I am thankful for Bush's resolve, his steadfast commitment to keeping my children safe, not matter the risk, ridicule, or crucifixion he faced. I knew he was willing to do whatever it took. And, I for one, appreciated that.

A friend of mine sent this link to me yesterday. It is a place to thank President Bush for his actions and protection of us right after and around 9/11. Here's the letter I left him:

To My Steadfast Commander In Chief,

I offer my sincerest gratitude for becoming a nation's unyielding shield. For enduring the enemy's painful arrows and at times the world's wrath. You were an exemplary shepard to your flock. You offered shelter in stormy weather. Water to our souls when they were withered with sorrow and worry. Sustenance when there seemed to be no more available. You never shied from the wolves. Always sought out the one missing and in need of protection. Ever mindful of us. Of our vulnerabilities.The price you paid for my continued freedom is immeasurable. And I am eternally grateful.

Your fellow American,

Straight Shooter

President George W. Bush walks the South Lawn Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009, prior to departing the White House for the final time.


Former President George W. Bush glances out over the U.S. Capitol as he helicopters a final time to Andrews Air Force Base Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009, following the Inauguration of President Barack Obama.


A folder addressed to "44," left by Former President George W. Bush for President Barack Obama, sits on the Resolute desk in the Oval Office Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009.

Love Note to my Big Shooter: I love the new House Rule: Cuddling on the sofa for 15 minutes...NO MATTER WHAT is on the have to get done list. Cause you are correct, (yeees. I said correct and you in the same breath) nothin' is more important than gettin' us done. Thank you for reminding me. (I would go gag about this time in a normal Love Note, but I am actually very touched by Big Shooter's new insight.) Love you Big Guy.

Inauguration Day 2009

I was going to post about the Big Day, Shooter Style. But several things are keeping me from it.
First being that Girl Child begged me not to. She has "had all I can take of change today Mommy. Please, not another word about why I should be happy and proud... please. I just... am not." Second, I have too many angles to hit so I can't settle on just one. In fact, I could not stop thinking of titles all day to cover all the points I wanted to talk (make fun of, smile at, point out, moan over, basically gnash my teeth) about. Here are a few I could remember:



19 minutes of "Stormy weather and icy conditions ahead..." (seriously. I thought it would be fantastic. Out of the park. It's a main reason the Crumbs had to stop lessons and watch. But, nothing jumped out. No "Ask not what your country...", "...nothing to fear, but fear itself", or "I have a dream.")

The Dream became a Reality

Moving Day

Fumbled Oath

44th

The Fruit of Lincoln's Labor

New Residents at 1600

Obmania

2 Million Man March

We've Come a Long Way

Poor Ted

Here today, Gone this morning

Good-Bye Laura

New First Family

Engaged in two wars & financial dire straits and $160,000,000.00 of the taxpayers' $$ was spent on A Party for One... Nice change Dems.

Already Hoping for a Change

I Feel Sick

Frigid Stroll into History

On the serious side, I want what my wise FIL wants in this new POTUS, "Sweetie, I hope in 4 years I'll want to vote for him..."

Well said FIL. Me too.

I wish him well.

I hope he is successful in all he dreams and promises for this the Greatest Country in the World.

Love Note to my Big Shooter: I didn't tell you the rest of the story about your boy when it came to the "privates, goodies, garter mix-up". After Boy Child was reminded what a garter was he thought for a little bit and then asked, "Is that the little thing I'll sling-shot and other guys will catch it?" I responded affirmative. With a concerned expression he observed, "But...if it touched my wife...I really don't want other guys to touch it Mommy..."

Be still my heart. You're doing a great job with him Love. Thank you from his mother, sister, and his future wife and daughters.

Change? I ain't seein' it so far...

It's been awhile since I stirred the pot, got a bee in my (or others') bonnet, or otherwise caused a ruckus with my opinions.

So here goes...

It was all about CHANGE. Wasn't it?

Well here's a change I, for one, would really like to see.

Treat the Office of the Presidency with respect, honor and humility... not a red carpeted Hollywood event.

I have been looking forward to walking through this inauguration celebration with the Crumb Snatchers. I love the fact the first big historical milestone they will remember forever is a very good one. We all have the big ones in our own lives. Where were you when Reagan was shot? Where were you on 9-11?

I am thrilled my kiddos' first will be, "Where were you the day the first black president was sworn in?"

I love the fact inauguration is like a week-long celebration of renewal. I love the feeling of cleaning house, starting fresh. (stay with me here, all you doubters) I love Washington D.C. and all it's trappings of pomp and circumstance. However, I have not been thrilled with the celebrations thus far...

Call me cranky, a kill-joy, boring, too traditional, whatever you must. I do not give a rat's ass what Bono Fido Lunatic, Sheryl Crows Non-Stop Liberalism, Tom no tHanks, or (bless his precious pea-picker I do truly love him) Tiger, George cLooney Bin, Usher, Denzel or any other celebrity has to say about the duties and responsibilities of the President of the United States. I really don't.

The last Prez we had who treated the White House like a Hollywood Hooter's turned it into a revolving door of self indulgence, celebrity entertainment and a Secret Service nightmare.

I so hope Elect does not continue on the path his planners seem to have him on...

I understand he has to give kudos, earned air time and credit to all the Hollywood Lefties who helped get him where he stands...I do.

But, I so hope he ends it there.

Please, please Mr. President-Elect do not allow Hollywood to move in with you on Tuesday. Cause, you know that other half of America that didn't want you? Well, we all feel the same about this issue and we are all watching to see what your first few decisions say about you and your loyalties.

Por Favor?

Love Note to my Big Shooter: You're suuuure it's okay to share your most embarrassing moment of the weekend with everyone tomorrow? Really sure? Cause, if you are...I'm sharing. And y'all, it has everything in common with Obama's CHANGE, and HOPE, and PROGRESSION, and ALTERNATIVES. Because I hope Big Shooter changes his progression or he will be livin' in alternative housing.

I am No Longer Speechless (or other alternative titles)

(alternative title) How to Clear a Room/Blog Quickly? ~ After recuperating from your shock, disbelief and deflation, you just start shootin' it the way you see it... without a muffler.

Election night I literally could not stomach typing one word of what we were feeling in the Shooter household. My dear friend Sheila said, "I am sorry you are saddened...". Saddened wouldn't even begin to cover the range of emotions experienced in the last 36 hrs. We feel like we've crammed all the stages of grief into one very long day. While my fellow Americans who voted for Obama experienced extreme elation, satisfaction and relief, my brothers and sisters who voted with me felt the polar opposite. All. The. Live. Long. Day. Three words: It sucked toads.


(alternative title) Katie Coueric was Justified ~ Does anyone remember the snarkiness, the degrading comments and the unbelievable rudeness Miss Congeniality had to say about us Redneck, Knuckle Dragging, Unenlightened, God-Fearing Bible Thumpers after the last two elections? I sure do. In fact, before the 2000 election I had been a huge Today Show fan. Watched it every morning like clock work and enjoyed every minute of it...until she lost her tongue and her real self came shining through. I haven't watched it one time since (even though she's gone.)

Wellll, I get it Katie. I really do. The anger, disappointment and disbelief that people could be such suckers for all the hype was 100% unfathomable to me this election. During school yesterday I burst into tears while we were studying states and capitols because I realized all the blue states on the east coast were all part of the privileged original 13. I kept asking myself, "How could people with such rich, first hand American history turn a blind eye to it? How could they not appreciate it and revere it? How could they be such traitors?" (Yes, sadly I said it. Traitors. Not my most proud American moment.) 36 hours has helped tremendously. I wonder if Katie wishes she had taken a long breather/grieving time before she got on the air? I'd like to think so.
Maybe I'll catch the Today Show in the morning...


(another offensive title) I was Duped ~ Seriously. Hook, line and sinker. I had no idea this election was about race. I mean I obviously knew the dude was black. But, I kid you not, until election night I did not realize just how racially motivated his voters were. I totally thought we were comparing experience, abortion beliefs, economics, foreign policy, health care, appointments to the highest court in the land, the sanctity of democracy. You know, all those little inconsequential issues.

Now, before you leave all kinds of nasty comments about how I must be a racist, let me make my thoughts clear here. My experience with anyone who has different colored skin than me has made it abundantly clear they do not want to be judged by the color of their skin. I agree. Absolutely. So I just naturally figured they most certainly would not vote for someone based solely on the color of his skin. But, no matter how it is getting sugar coated, that is exactly what happened with a very large percentage of his voters.
There seems to be two distinct groups who voted for Barry. One who believes in him whole-heartily and digs all his policies. And one who is racist. Yep. I said it. And sadly, they are the ones who are going to screw up the racial strides that have been made in this country. Just like the conservatives have their extremist right wing nut jobs who cause major problems and the extreme left wackos who give the Libs a bad name, now there is a new group.
Rolling your eyes Obama fans?
Here is the Shooter families experiences of the New Reign so far:

Election Day - I have to call Crumb Snatchers in from riding bikes and playing in the front yard because young black males walking home from school are yelling racial comments about the election while walking down our street. People we do not live in low income housing in a poverty stricken area. We live in an older neighborhood with a mix of the elderly, young families, professionals, college students, working class, and a few disabled. The ethnicity breaks down as 2/3 white, 1/3 Hispanic and black.

Election night - At 10:01 pm we hear LOTS of repeated gun shots on the next block and call 911. Big Shooter gets on the police live call website to see how it was reported and see if they are sending units immediately only to find out our call is only one of DOZENS around the city at exactly the same time. Through out the night this is what we find out: Many African-Americans and Hispanics are celebrating the election results by firing shots in the air at their watch parties. This begs the questions, "Why did they have guns at their watch parties?" and "What or where would they have shot if he hadn't won?"
Now this may sound harsh, but if you don't live in a mixed neighborhood, I truly don't care to hear your inexperienced opinion. Please do not belittle the real circumstances I now find my family in by rationalizing and making excuses. There are none. We are responsible gun owners. Operative word being responsible. We follow the city gun laws. We don't shoot them in city limits, in a neighborhood with houses closely spaced. These people are my neighbors. They drive the same streets my Crumb Snatchers ride their bikes on.

The Day After: 1) I received two phone calls from girlfriends whose children did not want to go to school yesterday. All three (are very strong minded, btw) kids expressed concerns about having to deal with bullying and gloating. One in each age group - elementary, middle school and high school. From the beginning, the high schooler felt she couldn't express opposing political opinions because she'd witnessed the intimidation and bullying that had taken place with others. Nice. Our children don't feel safe and secure in the place they spend a majority of their lives.
2) Big Shooter's boss pulled into a gas station to grab a drink before heading to a meeting. As he was walking in two black males who spied his McCain sticker smugly stated, "McCain? He lost. Now it's our time to rule." This is a man who employs 6,500 people. This is a man, who in the midst of economic turmoil, was on his way to tell all his District Managers what a great job they were doing, to keep up the good work, not to worry all their jobs are safe. This is also a very quiet man who would normally never share an experience like this with others. But, it got to him. In a big way.
And guess what? This did not take place in an undereducated, poverty stricken area either. It was upper-middle class America. If this is taking place here in EXTREMELY conservative Oklahoma you will never get me to believe it is not happening all around America. And I promise you this, if this kind of racism is not immediately addressed or worse, is swept under the rug or ignored...all the great strides this great country has made in the race department will be shattered.
Barry has the chance to prove he sat in a church for 20 years that spewed Black Power and it really didn't have an effect on his views of this kind of behavior or... his silence on this issue will speak volumes.

(next up) Not ALL the People Have Spoken - The notion that this election was a landslide is simply that - a notion. Was the electoral college a landslide victory? Absolutely. Was the popular vote a landslide victory? Not even close. What this election did once again was prove this country is divided. Sadly divided. On issue after issue. What I believe needs to happen with the left is gracious winning behavior. Common courtesy sportsmanship. Not this "In Your Face", "Ha. Take That!" attitude. If the party who spouts tolerance, love and kindness wants to convince the fifty-six million, two hundred and eighty-six thousand, three hundred and eighty-six fellow Americans they are genuine. Now would be the opportune time. Hello? 56, 286,386 Americans who don't trust the Democratic Party and will be looking over your shoulder every step of the way... It's not rocket science people. Reach out, don't slap your opportunity away.

(last offensive alternate) Left vs. Right - What's the difference?
Issues on Oklahoma ballot:
Veteran Tax Exemption
Property Tax Exemption
Wildlife Rights
Wine Sales

Issues on California ballot:
Treatment of Farm Animals
Minors' Abortions
Sewage Plant named after a sitting POTUS
Legalized Prostitution

Pretty clear to me...

(sigh...) I Have a New Mantra - Y'all I love, love this country. I would personally do combat duty to protect democracy. I respect the office of the United States Presidency. Therefore, even though I do not agree with, care for, or even (honestly) trust the President-Elect, he is just that: the President-Elect. I will take the high road (remember the Bush-Haters of the last two elections who refused to accept him as their president and caused chaos and apathy from the get-go) and honor the office he will hold. My mind keeps repeating the mantra, "...a government for the people, by the people...". And People, we are 56, 286,386 strong.

My heart, however, keeps repeating the mantra, "God is in control. God is in control."

God bless you my friends...and the greatest, most charitable nation on the planet.

Love Note to my Big Shooter: Go ahead big guy, let 'er rip, spill yer guts, release the demons...it will be a new day tomorrow.

Congratulations Democrats.

I so pray your change will heal our country's wounds.

Will you do me a favor?

Read the words.

God Bless America

Lyrics by Irving Berlin

God bless America,

Land that I love,

Stand beside her and guide her

Thru the night with a light from above;

From the mountains, to the prairies,

To the oceans white with foam,God bless America,

My home, sweet home.

God bless America,

My home, sweet home.

Today, we are nothing more than American brothers and sisters.

I am so very proud to be a part of this family.

God bless each and every one of you.

Now, go vote!

Love Note to my Big Shooter: Have I mentioned how much I love, love, LOVE it when you sing this song in the shower? My faves are Elvis and Stevie Nicks style...Oh Baby, I love those pipes when you think no one's listenin'!!

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Love Note to my Big Shooter: Darlin' I am tryin' hard to fight the voices. But, they are gettin' louder and louder. I figure you have two choices: 1) Let me speak my mind freely when it comes to the election...or 2) Make sure my Xanax perscription is FULL (to the tippety-top) please.

Love Bugs, Kings & Queens and other Traditions

I said traditions in the title, but really I don't think they are considered family traditions as much as they are considered Quirks.

While we were driving today Boy Child called out that he'd seen a yellow Volkswagen bug to which Girl Child and I immediately sang out, "I'm so happy you're my brother/son." When we see a red one it warrants a blowin kiss and an "I love you" to the finder.

When Big Shooter and I were dating we began with the familiar Slug Bug game. It quickly changed to Hug Bug and then just as rapidly evolved to Kiss Bug for obvious young hormonal love reasons. When we introduced this game to the kiddos we also quickly came to our senses and realized we did not like the Slug Bug version and the Hug version didn't seem to work out easily either. So we came up with a color coded Bug Game. Red means we show love to each other, yellow is happiness, and green is all of it. Other colors mean you can use your imagination as long as it's positive. "Old antique" bugs mean double of whatever color it is. And by old antique I mean the kind I grew up with.

Our next quirkiness comes from our habit to kiss as soon as we cross a state line. We used to just jam our foot as far under the dash as we could so we'd be "the first in the state", until we had the bright idea to kiss instead. Ahhh, again with the virtues of young, horny love...

The last one I'm sharing today is one many of you have heard us do. I don't even remember how or why it began. I will say, though, it tells a whole lot about people and their relationships. Whenever Big Shooter and I have a non-agreeing point of view on something you will hear one of us say to the other, "You know you're going to have to say it, right?" to which the other will confidently reply, "You mean you're going to have to say it!"
The it is a simple statement uttered when one or the other's point is proven incorrect. They have to say, "I was wrong. You were right. You're the King (or Queen)." Now while you smile or giggle at this I would love for you to try it with your spouse.

This is what we've learned over the years:

• Some people cannot even get out the "I was wrong" part.
• And some can't get the "You were right" part past their tongues.
• But, for some reason, naming someone your King or Queen seems to hold the most difficulty.

Try it and let me know.

Love Note to my Big Shooter: I told you I wouldn't share them all...now you have to say it. It's like music to my ears. "You're the Queen."

Snake Oil - Edited

Edited at 4:44pm

Sorry y'all you know I can't help myself.

This guy asked the exact same questions I have been wondering:

"Has any major candidate for president of the United States ever received less critical examination than Barack Obama?" I find it absolutely fascinating the love affair the media is engaged in with Obama. And like any new love all undesirable characteristics are over looked and pooh-poohed away. I am all for bringing up the past, digging deep to find the real character traits for both candidates. But, when a question arises that may be too touchy the Obama camp screams foul? Every single time. All the while pointing fingers?

"Who is this man, who was only elected to the U.S. Senate in 2004? How did someone with his meager record of accomplishment become the Democratic nominee for Commander-in-Chief?" Seriously. This is the scariest aspect of the whole deal to me. He has been a senator for all of two years and been campaigning for the other two. I am blown away every time I think about it. Does no one remember 9-11? The feelings of desperation, helplessness and betrayal? The slow dawning of knowledge the world hated us. And we are handing over our fragile country to a man who will not wear a flag pin or say the pledge of allegiance? Seriously?!

Edited Version (or should I say corrected): "And we are handing over our fragile country to a man who will not wear a flag pin or cover his heart during the National Anthem?" Thank you for pointing out the errors of my propagated opinions my friend. The problem now, for me anyway, is that this fact makes me even more sick to my stomach. I ask you again, "The person you want to be Commander in Chief does not agree with placing his hand over his heart during our nation's most fought-for, bled-for, and sacrificed-for song?!!" Seriously??? Are you going to agree with him when he says it can no longer be sang in schools????

"How did someone with the most liberal voting record in the U.S. Senate and long-standing relationships with a former terrorist, a racist minister, and the corrupt operators of Chicago Machine politics end up as a supposed beacon of a newer, cleaner, bipartisan politics?"
Like I stated above, we can't talk about these issues. They are either 1) too racist 2) too personal or 3) ignored completely. Amazing.

"Why is Barack Obama a politician who goes beyond "abortion rights" in supporting de facto infanticide? To become the lone voice who opposed a bill banning infanticide-by-neglect — a stance too extreme even for Nancy Pelosi?" Y'all I am not going to get into a debate about abortion here. What I am going to point out is this: infanticide-by-neglect simply translates to "the baby is too big to be cut and sucked out by the normal fashion so the mommas actually give birth to babies who are non-viable (cannot make it outside the womb yet) then the babies are left to die a natural death with no medical intervention." And his is the lone voice supporting this in the Illinois senate. No wonder the National Abortion Rights Action League says Obama is the most pro-abortion candidate they have ever backed. But, please let's make excuses, ignore, and point fingers else where instead of actually letting this fact digest: He doesn't see a problem with women giving birth to live unwanted babies and allowing them to die naturally. The most vulnerable souls on the planet cannot count him as friend, but I am suppose to think he can be trusted with 300,000,000 American souls?

Edited Version: @ 10,000catholics4obama I read several eloquent quotes from Barack. I think it was meant to change my mind but once again it made me even more aghast at the flagrant disregard to what he's saying. Here it is, you decide. "The other email rumor that’s been floating around is that somehow I’m unwilling to see doctors offer life-saving care to children who were born as a result of an induced abortion. That’s just false. There was a bill that came up in Illinois that was called the “Born Alive” bill that purported to require life-saving treatment to such infants. And I did vote against that bill. The reason was that there was already a law in place in Illinois that said that you always have to supply life-saving treatment to any infant under any circumstances, and this bill actually was designed to overturn Roe v. Wade, so I didn’t think it was going to pass constitutional muster." I'm sorry? The bill was "purported" to require life-saving treatment, but he wouldn't vote for it because (his true reason revealed) it was "actually designed to overturn Roe v. Wade". Am I the only one who sees him as a slick smooth talking lawyer? Slick as, dare I say, Snake Oil???
What he didn't go on to say was it was reintroduced twice more because no one could believe someone would oppose it and he blocked it. Blocked it people... because it was a threat to Roe vs. Wade. Which, no matter how pretty he can flower it up - he is obviously willing to go it solo to protect. Some may think that strong convictions, character or what have you. I, personally, do not want to face the 48 million lives that have been lost to Roe V Wade and say, "Sorry, I didn't stand up for you,"... I will not pussyfoot around the fact I believe there is no other moral issue we face of greater importance than abortion. 3, 600 every single day. (Imagine every letter on this post as a child and you will have a picture of how many babies were killed today. Talk about an inconvenient truth.) And don't try to fool yourself, we will all have to give an accounting of ourselves one day. What exactly are you going to say?

Sorry my friend, I visited both sites to see what he had to say and wound up even more disgusted in the whole arena called politics...

All that said, these are my opinions. It's inferred in my name and it is definitely in my nature to call it like I see it. And like my dear, sweet friend Sheila, we just agree to disagree.

Love Note to my Big Shooter: Thank you for always looking out for me when I don't feel great...and you feel worse then me. You're a saint. I am wondering if the cold meds have me all hyped up to type up?