Christmas is just around the corner! Are you ready yet?
I'm about 70% ready. My cards are addressed; just waiting for the group to get together for the family snapshot. Many of the gifts are purchased, and those that aren't are noted. Am I making you sick? Yeah, I know. I'm a geek.
Well here's how I do it. I think about Christmas all year long. When someone comments on an item of desire, I go home and note it in my "Christmas notebook." Wherever I go, I'm on the lookout for things that might appeal to someone on my list. But one of the real tricks is something my sister-in-law and I decided everyone in our family needed to do:
collect something.
Since their family lives in another state, they all journey to our house for Thanksgiving. We then celebrate two holidays: Turkey Day and Christmas. Thus the need for many gifts to be bought and wrapped by November. But we all look forward to this event, especially now that there are young nieces and nephews to add to the excitement. I set up our tacky little fiber optic Christmas tree and pile the gifts underneath it. I like to watch people open the gifts I give; it's my favorite part.
We like to give things that folks wouldn't go out and buy for themselves. My brother-in-law gets a gaudy December Diamonds fish ornament. My sister-in-law likes the Tika Hasslock Seafood Celebration dinnerware. We give my son-in-law a S'mores ornament; they have special meaning. One niece collects Snowbabies. One nephew is a Harley rider like my better half. Some little nieces like American Girls. A nephew likes anything baseball. I collect snowmen. Our daughter collects many things: snowmen, Ice Fellas, Pfaltzgraff Winterberry. Another nephew loves to read. I have a friend who collects monkeys; another who I have decided needs to collect flamingos. This makes gift giving so much easier.
When our children were born, we began giving them a Hallmark collector ornament every Christmas. This way, they have their own decorations when they leave the nest. We've continued this tradition with our nieces and nephews: one gets a Noah's Ark ornament; others get a snowman, a gingerbread, or a Santa ornament. They will always know that their aunt and uncle gave them this collection.
In the summer, I type my list of recipients and note suggestions for gifts. Once the gift is purchased, it is typed in red, and the receipt is inserted in an envelope attached to the notebook. I keep these lists every year for reference, so I don't duplicate anything.
Most of my shopping is done online. If you watch Ebay, you can get some really good deals. Ditto for certain online stores. You can find nearly anything you want on the Internet if you're patient enough. Here are some interesting Christmas decor sites:
www.linmartreasures.com
S'mores, Ice Fellas, Candyland, Willow Tree, bird feeders, welcome flags, home decor, animals
www.simplychristmas.com
December Diamond ornaments, S'mores, Pipka, Charming Tails, Holly Twig Lane
www.bestwishesofboca.com
Lenox ornaments and china, Radko, Lladro, Precious Moments, Swarovski, Top Dogs, Spode
www.tistheseason.net
December Diamonds, Christopher Radko, Dept. 56 Krinkles, Willow Tree, sanddollar ornaments
www.laraines.com
December Diamonds, Dept. 56, novelty aprons & cover-ups, flamingos, mermaids
www.bronners.net
Christmas decor, lights, ornaments, gifts, personalized items, outdoor decor, stocking stuffers
www.Christmasplace.com
a little bit of everything
for Lenox collectors, you can actually go to the Lenox site and see what's new: www.lenox.com
for American Girl collectors, you can sometimes find brand new items on eBay, but you have to read the descriptions very carefully and know what should come in the package. The best deals are on the American Girl page itself, www.AmericanGirl.com, under the sales. Otherwise, things are pricey.
Tika Hasslock is a designer from New Orleans who creates very unique dinnerware and other items. They have a terrific pink flamingo line, too. My favorite shop is Cameron's Corner.
If you like Madame Alexander dolls (and I do!!!), I have many favorite sites, but here are probably the most inexpensively priced with the largest inventories: www.matildadolls.com and www.twodaydreamers.com. Here again, if you have the time and the patience, some of your best deals will be found on eBay.
If you're looking for small electronics, read the reviews on cnet.com first. It's a good site to learn what you need to look for, and it can link you to comparison shopping sites. Ditto with zdnet.com.
I order my Christmas cards later in the year when Current has theirs on sale. I use Avery labels and save the addresses as a word document. I cross check the return addresses on the cards I receive to make sure I have the correct ones, and I update my address book and the labels all throughout the year. Come fall, I'm ready to print.
Of course, www.Amazon.com has a lot more than books now.
The fun part of all this is the chase for the lowest price. As I mentioned before, if you have the time to be patient, you can find just the right gift at just the right price. This can't happen, however, if you wait until Christmas Eve to do your shopping. Like some gentlemen we know and love.
Happy Holidays!
Friday, October 07, 2005
Monday, October 03, 2005
The Pleasure Was Mine
You know you've read a good book when you feel a sense of desertion once you finish the last page. The characters have become your friends, and now they won't be telling you any more about their lives. I just finished one of those books.
The Pleasure Was Mine by Tommy Hays is an easy read, rich with characters and scenery. Hays lives in Asheville, NC, so he's very familiar with the Blue Ridge Mountains and Greenville, SC where the story takes place.
As the main character, Prate Marshbanks' demeanor brings to my mind similar characteristics of my father-in-law. I can just see him trying to be gruff and austere, when in reality, his heart is as soft and pure as gold. Prate's wife, Irene, who is the love of his life, is newly diagnosed with Alzheimer's as we meet them both.
In short order, we are introduced to Prate's and Irene's son, Newell, who is no stranger to tragedy. His wife and unborn child had been killed in an automobile accident leaving him to raise their son, Jackson, who was 5 at the time. The story begins 4 years later when Newell, a successful artist, has an opportunity for a fellowship at a nearby college for the summer, and he needs for Jackson to stay with his curmudgeonly grandfather for the duration.
That summer is a time of healing for all three fathers and sons. Watching this take place gives the reader an insight into the human heart and its capacity for love. Hays adeptly interweaves the hurts with successes and wit as the family, along with their neighbor, come to accept their fates, their needs, and their strengths. Irene, despite her illness, turns out to be the catalyst.
This is such a good read. It will give you pause to realize how precious are those we love. It will serve as a reminder to enjoy and appreciate them while we have them. It will do both of these things without being morose or sad. While missing the new friends you've made, you will also share their hope and anticipation for a happy future.
The Pleasure Was Mine by Tommy Hays is an easy read, rich with characters and scenery. Hays lives in Asheville, NC, so he's very familiar with the Blue Ridge Mountains and Greenville, SC where the story takes place.
As the main character, Prate Marshbanks' demeanor brings to my mind similar characteristics of my father-in-law. I can just see him trying to be gruff and austere, when in reality, his heart is as soft and pure as gold. Prate's wife, Irene, who is the love of his life, is newly diagnosed with Alzheimer's as we meet them both.
In short order, we are introduced to Prate's and Irene's son, Newell, who is no stranger to tragedy. His wife and unborn child had been killed in an automobile accident leaving him to raise their son, Jackson, who was 5 at the time. The story begins 4 years later when Newell, a successful artist, has an opportunity for a fellowship at a nearby college for the summer, and he needs for Jackson to stay with his curmudgeonly grandfather for the duration.
That summer is a time of healing for all three fathers and sons. Watching this take place gives the reader an insight into the human heart and its capacity for love. Hays adeptly interweaves the hurts with successes and wit as the family, along with their neighbor, come to accept their fates, their needs, and their strengths. Irene, despite her illness, turns out to be the catalyst.
This is such a good read. It will give you pause to realize how precious are those we love. It will serve as a reminder to enjoy and appreciate them while we have them. It will do both of these things without being morose or sad. While missing the new friends you've made, you will also share their hope and anticipation for a happy future.
Thursday, September 29, 2005
Who's Really Running the USA?
FEMA selected reputable companies who could mobilize large numbers of people in rapid time to work 12-14 hours a day, 7 days a week, on relief efforts for the victims of hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Work done for the US government must be auditable and properly documented. Orders must be approved before any work can be done. Right now, thanks to the Partisan and Media Finger Pointing Frenzy, FEMA employees are running so scared, no one wants to approve anything. So who suffers here? Right. The hurricane victims, once again.
I tell you that to ask you this: who is really running this country?
Political parties are gearing up for elections, trying to make those in power look as bad a possible in hopes to have them voted out. It's all about the elections. It's all about power and personal gain. It's all about which party is the winner. Let's use any newsworthy event to try to discredit the other party. When did it stop being about what's best for our country?
and how do these parties get their voices out? courtesy of our "unbiased" media.
Broadcasters are in it for the money. Ratings decide which show stays on the air and which show folds. Advertisers pay big bucks to sponsor the shows based on how many people watch them. Advertising pays their salaries. So let's see how we can drum up as many viewers as possible. And what entices people to watch our shows? Sensational stories. Controversy. Suffering. Doom and gloom.
So our "unbiased" media compete for the big stories. They ask leading questions that stir the controversy. They race to cover the disasters and encourage finger pointing. They give air time to anyone disagreeing with those in power. They can choose which events they cover; they can choose how they present the events. And because the media is the means by which Americans get most of our information, media opinions most often become the opinions of the US citizenry.
Is it safe to say, then, that the media is actually in charge? They do control public opinion. Public opinion decides who wins elections. Elected officials certainly enjoy the perks of being elected, and they want to be re-elected so they can continue enjoying these perks and power.
In the days immediately following the hurricane, guess what was the first question the media asked? Did FEMA go out for competitive bidding for these projects? Excuse me? Was there time to take bids, evaluate proposals, negotiate contracts? People had nowhere to go. People were dying. Yet you want to dig up some more dirt on how FEMA tried to respond to the situation at hand?
Let's see. You have a situation where lives are being lost and fingers are being pointed at our government for not being quick enough to assist. Then you have fingers being pointed at the way in which they try to get the assistance more quickly. Now you have government assistance being compromised because they're afraid of more criticism from political opponents and their media spokespersons. and who continues to suffer here? yep. the hurricane victims.
And while I'm on the subject - - -
Who rolled up their sleeves immediately and organized aid to be sent to the evacuees? Who opened up their hearts, wallets, and homes to those suffering from these catastrophes? The American people. The churches. The Red Cross. The Salvation Army. Volunteers who don't get political kick-backs or paid advertising. While the politicians and media were busy trying to place blame on someone, the everyday Americans faced the facts and took action.
Where was the ACLU? Where was Jesse? Where was Ted Kennedy? Where were the activists who want prayer and anything with God's name removed from public view? It was the God-loving American people who sacrificed for the sake of their brothers and sisters in trouble.
Does this tell us anything?
I tell you that to ask you this: who is really running this country?
Political parties are gearing up for elections, trying to make those in power look as bad a possible in hopes to have them voted out. It's all about the elections. It's all about power and personal gain. It's all about which party is the winner. Let's use any newsworthy event to try to discredit the other party. When did it stop being about what's best for our country?
and how do these parties get their voices out? courtesy of our "unbiased" media.
Broadcasters are in it for the money. Ratings decide which show stays on the air and which show folds. Advertisers pay big bucks to sponsor the shows based on how many people watch them. Advertising pays their salaries. So let's see how we can drum up as many viewers as possible. And what entices people to watch our shows? Sensational stories. Controversy. Suffering. Doom and gloom.
So our "unbiased" media compete for the big stories. They ask leading questions that stir the controversy. They race to cover the disasters and encourage finger pointing. They give air time to anyone disagreeing with those in power. They can choose which events they cover; they can choose how they present the events. And because the media is the means by which Americans get most of our information, media opinions most often become the opinions of the US citizenry.
Is it safe to say, then, that the media is actually in charge? They do control public opinion. Public opinion decides who wins elections. Elected officials certainly enjoy the perks of being elected, and they want to be re-elected so they can continue enjoying these perks and power.
In the days immediately following the hurricane, guess what was the first question the media asked? Did FEMA go out for competitive bidding for these projects? Excuse me? Was there time to take bids, evaluate proposals, negotiate contracts? People had nowhere to go. People were dying. Yet you want to dig up some more dirt on how FEMA tried to respond to the situation at hand?
Let's see. You have a situation where lives are being lost and fingers are being pointed at our government for not being quick enough to assist. Then you have fingers being pointed at the way in which they try to get the assistance more quickly. Now you have government assistance being compromised because they're afraid of more criticism from political opponents and their media spokespersons. and who continues to suffer here? yep. the hurricane victims.
And while I'm on the subject - - -
Who rolled up their sleeves immediately and organized aid to be sent to the evacuees? Who opened up their hearts, wallets, and homes to those suffering from these catastrophes? The American people. The churches. The Red Cross. The Salvation Army. Volunteers who don't get political kick-backs or paid advertising. While the politicians and media were busy trying to place blame on someone, the everyday Americans faced the facts and took action.
Where was the ACLU? Where was Jesse? Where was Ted Kennedy? Where were the activists who want prayer and anything with God's name removed from public view? It was the God-loving American people who sacrificed for the sake of their brothers and sisters in trouble.
Does this tell us anything?
Thursday, September 22, 2005
Teach Your Children
The lawlessness that took place in New Orleans after hurricane Katrina made America look bad. I've had a hard time finding justification for anyone raping and murdering defenseless victims or stealing jewelry and electronics because they're hungry. C'mon. So what happened here? Do we now have to anticipate thievery, raping, and murder when we formulate our disaster plans?
Let's look beyond New Orleans, though, at a problem that is more widespread. Why do people behave this way? Should we blame poverty? Should we blame ignorance? Should we blame abusive parenting? Should we blame George Bush? Should we blame?
I read a couple of articles just today that made me think about this. One was an article in our local newspaper by Marc H. Wilson, a rabbi who is a syndicated writer. ( MarcMusing.com ) The other is an interview by Sara Davidson with Charlize Theron in the October 2005 Reader's Digest.
Rabbi Wilson, when pondering the behavior exhibited in New Orleans during the recent catastrophe, referenced Thomas Hobbes' quote that "man is a beast to his fellow man." He begs for us to disprove Hobbes' theory that man is inherently evil. Paraphrasing what I consider to be the article's most valuable paragraph won't do it justice. Instead, I quote:
I couldn't agree more.
We must teach our children to behave themselves. We must train them to care about mankind. We humans must shoulder the blame for neglecting to rear our children with values, morals, and compassion for one another. In other words, we need to pass on from generation to generation what is right and what is wrong. Regardless of one's situation in life, what is lawful and decent remains the same, as does what is evil and unacceptable. No disaster justifies otherwise.
Furthermore, it is not exclusively up to the schools to teach values to our children. It is up to those of us who claim them on our tax deductions! It is our responsibility to show them, to give them good role models, and to made darn sure they know the difference between Reality and reality TV shows and video games! It is up to us to be sure they do not become desensitized to suffering and inhumanity. Those things should never be acceptable.
Yes, we must fight for survival. Yes, we may even have to make tough decisions to save ourselves and our families. But rape? stealing big screen TV's? I don't think so.
Another thing we must teach our children is to take responsibility for themselves. They should never come to expect that life (or the government) owes them anything. While abiding by the laws of decency, we must take care of ourselves - as well as the weaker among us or those who do not have a voice.
Charlize Theron must have an amazing mother. In her interview with Sara Davidson, she mentions many things that she's learned from Gerda Theron, not the least of which is the necessity to stand up for oneself and take responsibility for your own actions. She says her mom's philosophy was, "If you get yourself in trouble, you've got to get yourself out of trouble." She says she was also "raised with the idea that you can feel sorry for yourself, but then, get over it, because it doesn't get you anywhere."
Currently, Ms. Theron is developing a show about a women's correctional facility. Her take on girls getting involved in physical violence these days is quoted as follows:
Exactly.
Let's look beyond New Orleans, though, at a problem that is more widespread. Why do people behave this way? Should we blame poverty? Should we blame ignorance? Should we blame abusive parenting? Should we blame George Bush? Should we blame?
I read a couple of articles just today that made me think about this. One was an article in our local newspaper by Marc H. Wilson, a rabbi who is a syndicated writer. ( MarcMusing.com ) The other is an interview by Sara Davidson with Charlize Theron in the October 2005 Reader's Digest.
Rabbi Wilson, when pondering the behavior exhibited in New Orleans during the recent catastrophe, referenced Thomas Hobbes' quote that "man is a beast to his fellow man." He begs for us to disprove Hobbes' theory that man is inherently evil. Paraphrasing what I consider to be the article's most valuable paragraph won't do it justice. Instead, I quote:
. . . upbringing will matter more than any other factor, but it won't simply be at momma's breast. It will be comprehensive. It will include the kind of neighborhood, even block, about which Dr. Martic Luther King spoke, where every mother was understood to be the guarantor, disciplinarian and tattle-tale of every other mother's son and daughter. It will include schools that are not afraid of teaching values, despite the canards warning of a cabal of secular humanism. It will include churches and synagogues that preach as core doctrine that heaven derives from good deeds.
. . . (can) taking potshots at firefighters and cops one day become just an ugly memory, because we have finally figured out ways to nurture our kids and not tolerate even the first time they act like a little beast?
I couldn't agree more.
We must teach our children to behave themselves. We must train them to care about mankind. We humans must shoulder the blame for neglecting to rear our children with values, morals, and compassion for one another. In other words, we need to pass on from generation to generation what is right and what is wrong. Regardless of one's situation in life, what is lawful and decent remains the same, as does what is evil and unacceptable. No disaster justifies otherwise.
Furthermore, it is not exclusively up to the schools to teach values to our children. It is up to those of us who claim them on our tax deductions! It is our responsibility to show them, to give them good role models, and to made darn sure they know the difference between Reality and reality TV shows and video games! It is up to us to be sure they do not become desensitized to suffering and inhumanity. Those things should never be acceptable.
Yes, we must fight for survival. Yes, we may even have to make tough decisions to save ourselves and our families. But rape? stealing big screen TV's? I don't think so.
Another thing we must teach our children is to take responsibility for themselves. They should never come to expect that life (or the government) owes them anything. While abiding by the laws of decency, we must take care of ourselves - as well as the weaker among us or those who do not have a voice.
Charlize Theron must have an amazing mother. In her interview with Sara Davidson, she mentions many things that she's learned from Gerda Theron, not the least of which is the necessity to stand up for oneself and take responsibility for your own actions. She says her mom's philosophy was, "If you get yourself in trouble, you've got to get yourself out of trouble." She says she was also "raised with the idea that you can feel sorry for yourself, but then, get over it, because it doesn't get you anywhere."
Currently, Ms. Theron is developing a show about a women's correctional facility. Her take on girls getting involved in physical violence these days is quoted as follows:
It's not rap. It's not violence in movies. At the end of the day, the problem is what's not happening in the homes of these families. Mothers aren't raising their children to know what's wrong and right.
Exactly.
Friday, September 09, 2005
Bush Bashing is Flawed
You know, I'm tired of the Bush bashing that is the media's favorite pasttime. All CNN does is show the devastation that is now New Orleans along with a running commentary about how it is all the fault of the Bush administration. This is just not accurate.
My heart goes out to the citizens of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. Oh my gosh, the catastrophe and heartbreak is unbelievable. But it is not because of George Bush! Why must there always be blame associated with suffering? Why do we (thanks to the media) insist upon pointing the finger at somebody when things go wrong? Why not just roll up our sleeves and try to make things better? and that includes trying to improve everyone's morale.
Ben Stein says it so well:
A Few Truths
By: Ben Stein
Published 9/2/2005
A few truths, for those who care to know the truth:
1.) The hurricane that hit New Orleans and Mississippi and Alabama was an astonishing tragedy. The suffering and loss of life and peace of mind of the residents of those areas is acutely horrifying.
2.) George Bush did not cause the hurricane. Hurricanes have been happening for as long as we can trace back. George Bush did not create them or unleash this one.
3.) George Bush did not make this one worse than others. There were far worse hurricanes than this one before George Bush was even born.
4.) There is no overwhelming evidence that global warming exists as a man-made phenomenon. There is no clear-cut evidence that global warming even exists. There is no clear evidence that, if it does exist, it makes hurricanes more powerful or makes them aim at cities with large numbers of poor people. If global warming is a real phenomenon, which it may be, it started long before George Bush was inaugurated, and would not have been affected at all by the Kyoto treaty, considering that Kyoto does not cover the world's worst polluters -- China, India, and Brazil. In a word, George Bush had zero to do with causing this hurricane. To think otherwise is just plain ridiculous.
6.) George Bush had nothing to do with the hurricane contingency plans for New Orleans. Those are drawn up by New Orleans and Louisiana. In any event, the plans were perfectly good; mandatory evacuation. It is in no way at all George Bush's fault that about 20 percent of New Orleans' residences neglected to pay heed to the plan. It is not his fault that many persons in New Orleans were too confused or ignorant to understand how dangerous the hurricane was going to be. They were certainly warned. It's not George Bush's fault that there were sick people. old people, and people without cars in New Orleans. Being president does not include the responsibility to make sure that every adult in America is in good health, has good sense, and has a car.
7.) George Bush was not responsible for gangsters shooting at rescue helicopters while they were trying to rescue people from rooftops. Nor is he responsible for the gang bangers raping young girls in the Superdome, nor for the looters who stole everything they could get their hands on; TV sets, clothes, jewelry, weapons, etc. It was these people, not George W. Bush, who helped turn New Orleans into a living hell.
8.) George Bush is not a racist either in mind or soul. This should be apparent (to anyone not totally biased against him) from the appointments he had made in his administration, over and over. To claim that he is a racist is just plain idiocy.
9.) George Bush is doing all he or anyone else could do to rush federal aid to New Orleans, Mississippi, and Alabama. He is not a magician. It takes time to organize and mobilize the needed troops, convoys of food and water, medical supplies, and doctors. Now they are there and more is arriving, and considering the vastness of the tragedy and the lawlessness of the city it's a miracle of bravery and organization that they are there and able to do the job of rescuing survivors and helping those in need.
10.) There is not the slightest evidence at all that the war in Iraq has diminished the response of the government to the emergency. To say otherwise only shows a bias against the president and the desire to put him down.
11.) If the energy that the left wing, liberal news media is putting into blaming Bush for an Act of God -- worsened by the stupendous incompetence of Louisiana's state officials and New Orleans' city authorities, and the malevolence of the criminals of the city -- was directed toward helping the morale of the nation, the nation would all be a lot better off.
12.) New Orleans is a great city with many good people. It will recover and be greater than ever, but sticking pins into an effigy of George W. Bush, an effigy that does not resemble him in the slightest, will not speed the process of that by one day.
God bless all of the people who are suffering so much from this tragedy, and God bless those who are helping them, starting with George W. Bush.
Ben Stein is a writer, actor, economist, and lawyer who lives in Beverly Hills and Malibu, California. He also writes "Ben Stein's Diary" in every issue of The American Spectator.
My heart goes out to the citizens of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. Oh my gosh, the catastrophe and heartbreak is unbelievable. But it is not because of George Bush! Why must there always be blame associated with suffering? Why do we (thanks to the media) insist upon pointing the finger at somebody when things go wrong? Why not just roll up our sleeves and try to make things better? and that includes trying to improve everyone's morale.
Ben Stein says it so well:
A Few Truths
By: Ben Stein
Published 9/2/2005
A few truths, for those who care to know the truth:
1.) The hurricane that hit New Orleans and Mississippi and Alabama was an astonishing tragedy. The suffering and loss of life and peace of mind of the residents of those areas is acutely horrifying.
2.) George Bush did not cause the hurricane. Hurricanes have been happening for as long as we can trace back. George Bush did not create them or unleash this one.
3.) George Bush did not make this one worse than others. There were far worse hurricanes than this one before George Bush was even born.
4.) There is no overwhelming evidence that global warming exists as a man-made phenomenon. There is no clear-cut evidence that global warming even exists. There is no clear evidence that, if it does exist, it makes hurricanes more powerful or makes them aim at cities with large numbers of poor people. If global warming is a real phenomenon, which it may be, it started long before George Bush was inaugurated, and would not have been affected at all by the Kyoto treaty, considering that Kyoto does not cover the world's worst polluters -- China, India, and Brazil. In a word, George Bush had zero to do with causing this hurricane. To think otherwise is just plain ridiculous.
6.) George Bush had nothing to do with the hurricane contingency plans for New Orleans. Those are drawn up by New Orleans and Louisiana. In any event, the plans were perfectly good; mandatory evacuation. It is in no way at all George Bush's fault that about 20 percent of New Orleans' residences neglected to pay heed to the plan. It is not his fault that many persons in New Orleans were too confused or ignorant to understand how dangerous the hurricane was going to be. They were certainly warned. It's not George Bush's fault that there were sick people. old people, and people without cars in New Orleans. Being president does not include the responsibility to make sure that every adult in America is in good health, has good sense, and has a car.
7.) George Bush was not responsible for gangsters shooting at rescue helicopters while they were trying to rescue people from rooftops. Nor is he responsible for the gang bangers raping young girls in the Superdome, nor for the looters who stole everything they could get their hands on; TV sets, clothes, jewelry, weapons, etc. It was these people, not George W. Bush, who helped turn New Orleans into a living hell.
8.) George Bush is not a racist either in mind or soul. This should be apparent (to anyone not totally biased against him) from the appointments he had made in his administration, over and over. To claim that he is a racist is just plain idiocy.
9.) George Bush is doing all he or anyone else could do to rush federal aid to New Orleans, Mississippi, and Alabama. He is not a magician. It takes time to organize and mobilize the needed troops, convoys of food and water, medical supplies, and doctors. Now they are there and more is arriving, and considering the vastness of the tragedy and the lawlessness of the city it's a miracle of bravery and organization that they are there and able to do the job of rescuing survivors and helping those in need.
10.) There is not the slightest evidence at all that the war in Iraq has diminished the response of the government to the emergency. To say otherwise only shows a bias against the president and the desire to put him down.
11.) If the energy that the left wing, liberal news media is putting into blaming Bush for an Act of God -- worsened by the stupendous incompetence of Louisiana's state officials and New Orleans' city authorities, and the malevolence of the criminals of the city -- was directed toward helping the morale of the nation, the nation would all be a lot better off.
12.) New Orleans is a great city with many good people. It will recover and be greater than ever, but sticking pins into an effigy of George W. Bush, an effigy that does not resemble him in the slightest, will not speed the process of that by one day.
God bless all of the people who are suffering so much from this tragedy, and God bless those who are helping them, starting with George W. Bush.
Ben Stein is a writer, actor, economist, and lawyer who lives in Beverly Hills and Malibu, California. He also writes "Ben Stein's Diary" in every issue of The American Spectator.
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