We rarely get a chance to see another country's editorial about the USA . Read this excerpt from a Romanian Newspaper.  The article was written by Mr. Cornel Nistorescu and published under the title 'C'ntarea Americii, meaning ('Ode To  America ') in the Romanian newspaper Evenimentulzilei '  The Daily Event' or 'News of the Day'.

~An Ode to  America ~
 

Why are Americans so united? They would not resemble one another even if you painted them all one color!  They speak all the languages of the world and form an astonishing mixture of civilizations and religious beliefs.

On 9/ll, the American tragedy turned three hundred million people into a hand put on the heart. Nobody rushed to accuse the White House, the Army, or the Secret Service that they are only a bunch of losers. Nobody rushed to empty their bank accounts. Nobody rushed out onto the streets nearby to gape about. Instead the Americans volunteered to donate blood and to give a helping hand.

After the first moments of panic, they raised their flag over the smoking ruins, putting on T-shirts, caps and ties in the colors of the national flag. They placed flags on buildings and cars as if in every place and on every car a government official or the president was passing.  On every occasion, they started singing: 'God Bless America !'

I watched the live broadcast and rerun after rerun for hours listening to the story of the guy who went down one hundred floors with a woman in a wheelchair without knowing who she was, or of the Californian hockey player, who gave his life fighting with the terrorists and prevented the plane from hitting a target that could have killed other hundreds or thousands of people.

How on earth were they able to respond united as one human being? Imperceptibly, with every word and musical note, the memory of some turned into a modern myth of tragic heroes. And with every phone call, millions and millions of dollars were put into collection aimed at rewarding not a man or a family, but a spirit, which no money can buy.  What on earth unites the Americans in such a way? Their land? Their history? Their economic Power? Money? I tried for hours to find an answer, humming songs and murmuring phrases with the risk of sounding commonplace, I thought things over, I reached but only one conclusion... Only freedom can work such miracles.

---Cornel Nistorescu

from the email bag~

Kelly and his boy, Punky

MY COMFORT FRIEND

        Last night I went into my Closet of Influences and I found a comfortable old sweater I though I had lost. He's a gorgeous green cardigan with big onyx inlay buttons and two generous pockets, where I used to hide my insecurities and a hanky for any stray tears. His comfort streams from the depth of his laughter and the low measured telling of special confidences and revelations about the turn of events since we last shared a hug and the warmth of our union.

        It was a joy to hear Kelly's voice again, it hadn't changed. Well maybe it was a bit more measured, reflecting the consideration of intent, as we shared stories of what has become of us since we last saw each other in Arvada, so many years ago. I'm thrilled to have rediscovered my dear friend, now we have a chance to grow old together and enjoy the warmth and comfort of a grand friendship.

Communion on the Moon: 
July 20, 1969
 

by Eric Metaxas

Forty years ago two human beings changed history by walking on  the surface of the moon. But what happened before Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong exited the Lunar Module is perhaps even more amazing, if only because so few people know about it. "I'm talking about the fact that Buzz Aldrin took communion on the surface of the moon. Some months after his return, he wrote about it in Guideposts magazine.

And a few years ago I had the privilege of meeting him myself. I asked him about it and he confirmed the story to me, and I wrote about it in my book "Everything You Always Wanted to Know About God" (But Were Afraid to Ask). 

The background to the story is that Aldrin was an elder at his Presbyterian Church in Texas during this period in his life, and knowing that he would soon be doing something unprecedented in human history, he felt he should mark the occasion somehow, and he asked his minister to help him. And so the minister consecrated a communion wafer and a small vial of communion wine. And Buzz Aldrin took them with him out of the Earth's orbit and on to the surface of the moon. 

He and Armstrong had only been on the lunar surface for a few minutes when Aldrin made the following public statement: 

"This is the LM pilot. I'd like to take this opportunity to ask every person listening in, whoever and wherever they may be, to pause for a moment and contemplate the events of the past few hours and to give thanks in his or her own way." He then ended radio communication and there, on the silent surface of the moon, 250,000 miles from home, he read a verse from the Gospel of John, and he took communion. Here is his own account of what happened: 

"In the radio blackout, I opened the little plastic packages which contained the bread and the wine. I poured the wine into the chalice our church had given me. In the one-sixth gravity of the moon, the wine slowly  curled and gracefully came up the side of the cup.

Then I read the Scripture, 'I am the vine, you are the branches. Whosoever abides in me will bring forth much fruit. Apart from me you can do nothing." I had intended to read my communion passage back to earth, but at the last minute [they] had requested that I not do this.  NASA was already embroiled in a legal battle with Madelyn Murray O'Hare, the celebrated opponent of religion, over the Apollo 8 crew reading from Genesis while orbiting the moon at Christmas. I agreed reluctantly. I ate the tiny Host and swallowed the wine. I gave thanks for the intelligence and spirit that had brought two young pilots to the Sea of Tranquility. It was interesting for me to think: the very first liquid ever poured on the moon, and the very first food eaten there, were the communion elements. 

And of course, it's interesting to think that some of the first words spoken on the moon were the words of Jesus Christ, who made the Earth and the moon - and Who, in the immortal words of Dante, is Himself the "Love that moves the Sun and other stars."

~From the email bag

BOTH POLITICIANS AND DIAPERS NEED TO BE 
CHANGED OFTEN AND FOR THE SAME REASON!

    One day a florist went to a barber for a haircut. After the cut, he asked about his bill, and the barber replied, 'I cannot accept money from you, I'm doing community service this week.' The florist was pleased and left the shop. When the barber went to open his shop the next morning, there was a 'thank you' card and a dozen roses waiting for him at his door.

    Later, a cop comes in for a haircut, and when he tries to pay his bill, the barber again replied, 'I cannot accept money from you, I'm doing community Service this week.' The cop was happy and left the shop. The next morning when the barber went to open up, there was a 'thank you' card and a dozen Donuts waiting for him at his door.

    Then a Congressman came in for a haircut, and when he went to pay his bill, the barber again replied, 'I cannot accept money from you. I'm doing community service this week.' The Congressman was very happy and left the shop. The next morning, when the barber went to open up, there were a dozen Congressmen lined up waiting for a free haircut.

    And that, my friends, illustrates the fundamental difference between the citizens of our country and the politicians who run it. Remember, it's almost time to take out the 'trash'. Register to vote and educate yourself about the representatives you choose to represent you and your community in our nation's capitol!

~ from the email bag

G+ NOTHING TO DO WITH GOOGLE

Where people, ideas and new opportunities meet | GPlus.com

Look at anyone who has gone from bouncing checks and dodging debt collectors to a level of personal finance that includes a credit rating over 700, a savings account and retirement fund, you'll see that it can't happen overnight and requires dedication and sacrifice. Not a quick fix!

The cost of living just went up as the nation's credit rating went down, costing us more to live with higher interest rates, That means we’ll be paying more for everything we consume. Only a concentrated effort to use our buying power, not only for the best prices, but the best value in the form of what we support with that power.

Politicians, making promises our budget can't keep, need to learn to run on a reality ticket and stop acting like spoiled children that affect the greater multitude of the nation. Every eligible citizen of the United States of America needs to take their responsibility seriously in carefully scrutinizing and choosing our representatives that will put our economic security first and be willing to work in a cooperative effort to solve our financial problems. Lobbyists and special interest groups have to fall by the wayside. Legislation has to make it to the vote without added pork and remain focused through the entire process of both houses.

It's time to find satisfaction in having what we NEED, and curb the desire to have all we WANT. We already have it all and in the process found that we couldn't afford it. It's time for us to evolve into a mature and responsible nation that is looking forward to a financially stable future. We’ve a short time frame to accomplish this goal that’ll require us to make hard choices and eliminate extras. The USA has always been many things to many people and nations, ready with money and our resources. Now it's time to draw into ourselves and strengthen our nation and resources with the dedication and resolve that it will take to make the necessary sacrifices to come out of this secure in our financial future.

Get involved, come up with some answers. Don't be afraid to say what is on your mind- the time to speak up is now!

LA MAMI'

She's been gone from this earthly plane two years and nine months, tomorrow; Mother's Day. She left this world on infinity day 08/08/2008

     She was so beautiful and full of grace. Holy Mary, mother of Connie, pray for this sinner! Maria de Jesus, my grandmother named her; Mary of Jesus, too bad she let herself be just a 'Susie'. Very few women on the mater side of our family liked their 'real' names; Susie, Connie, Bobbie, Anna, Lettie. A waste of baptisms, and confirmations. Luckily most of us never had the nerve to tatoo ourselves, (that I know of) so maybe - just maybe, the Lord will still recognize us at the gate. Those of us who get the pass. She deserved to be more confident; she deserved to live without her fear of stepping out of her imagined boundaries!

     The beauty of her high cheek bones, a gentle widows peak, and fine porcelain skin; as well as her sexy and finely proportioned figure was only enhanced by Susie's dark flashing eyes. Eyes that could inspire men to become something other than just men. My father became her tormentor and possessor. Treating her like a queen when apart and battering her like a slave when they were together, and finally leaving us for his 'prized son' by his adulteress carhop, when I was five. He didn't so much as love her as he wanted a son.

     Other men claimed they wanted to take her away and show her the world. One wanted to give her the finest things in life, and tried desperately, but his jealousy ate away at him and eventually goaded him to kill himself.

     The last one used her and let her use him, in fierce co-dependence. Maybe that's why he died one day short of exactly one year after she died. She took his purpose with her.

     There are no sweet flowery memories or regrets here. She would never allow them. She disdained professed love and would only be satisfied with pounds of flesh, blood, sweat and tears. Neither of us would have ever won awards or accolades for our mothering skills as far apart in opposition as our skills were. I offer prayer for her soul, it's the least I can do without letting her think I am insincere.                                

If, in fact, you have been watching this space, I hope you remembered to blink! Its been about 4 months since I promised more content and I certainly have been rewarded with numerous experiences that I should like to share. Now, I beg a bit more time so that I can come here, guilt free- knowing that I don't have other chores screaming to be done. My target date is, of course, the first of the year.

ttfn~

GETTING MY ASH OUT OF THE ASHES . . .

This is the Phoenix Post for my good old Blog. I've been absent for almost 3 years. It seems that time escapes me more and more quickly as the years roll by. I'm preparing to resume regular posting and look forward to spouting off, so WATCH THIS SPACE!

This man's torment, is the reason you "Don't stay mad" or "Don't go to bed angry".

I'm sure you've heard those words before, I know that I have wished that I had remembered to say "I love you", or had one more hug, shared one more kiss on more than one occasion in my lifetime, What about you?.

All the lives lost from the attacks on September 11th, 2001 brought the same kind of misery, regret and frustration.

I can't help but imagine how different this world would be if we lived our lives, every day, like we might not have a chance to see each other again; share a few more laughs; or say the words and thoughts we really feel.

Every moment is precious, squeeze out every ounce of living, loving and laughing that it can offer you. Never let yourself to be idle or bored, there are to many wonderful things we could be allowing ourselves to enjoy with the people we know and love and those who we will come to know and care about.

New York Daily News -

http://www.nydailynews.com

Lidle dad's tearful regret

By MICHELLE CARUSO in Glendora, Calif.and CORKY SIEMASZKO in New York

DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITERS

Saturday, October 14th, 2006

Wracked by regret, Cory Lidle's father recalled yesterday how he turned down the doomed Yankee's invitation to come watch him pitch against the Detroit Tigers in the playoffs.
"'Son, I think you'll get by them,'" a weeping Douglas Lidle remembered telling his son in what turned out to be their last conversation.

But it was not to be. Three days after the Yankees fell to the Tigers, Lidle and his flight instructor perished when their plane crashed into a Manhattan skyscaper.

"Not being able to hold him, that will be the hardest part," said Douglas Lidle, 53. Lidle's body, which was so battered he had to be identified through dental records, is expected to be flown home today to California - courtesy of the Yankees and Major League Baseball.

"Mom, I'm so alone," Lidle's widow, Melanie, told her mother, Mary Varela, after the strain of planning her husband's funeral got to her. "I feel so alone."

Lidle's 6-year-old son, Christopher, who also had maintained remarkable composure, fell apart when he saw his dad's fraternal twin brother, Kevin. "I look like Cory, and Christopher said, 'Hi Uncle Kevin,'" said Kevin Lidle, 34. "And then a couple minutes later it hit him. And he had a little tear.'"
"He kind of went, 'Oh,' and then he realized," Varela added. "The kid's been sweeping it under the rug. He's tough like his father. He doesn't like drama."

Douglas Lidle couldn't hold back the tears as he recalled his final words with his son.
"'Hey, man, you should come out for the ALDS,'" Lidle said, referring to the American League Division Series. "'You never know if that will be our season. That could be the end ....'"

But the grieving dad said he told his son the Yankees would make it to the World Series and that he'd already ordered tickets and made hotel reservations in New York.

Wearing the Yankee Division Series cap his brother had given him, Kevin Lidle said that after learning of the plane crash, "I thought to myself, 'Maybe he wasn't flying in that plane.' I thought he might have survived."

"The last time I saw him was in Tampa when the Yankees played the Devil Rays [three weeks ago]," he said. "We went and ate dinner at the St. Pete Ale House and when it was over we shook hands and gave each other a half-hug like we always do."

Both father and son said they were unaware that Lidle and flight instructor Tyler Stanger had planned to fly over New York in Lidle's new single-engine plane. They just knew their first stop on the way back to California was Nashville.

"He was probably looking forward to getting home after a very long season," Kevin Lidle said. "As far as we know, he was just on his way home."

Five residents of the Belaire building on E. 72nd St. were hurt but nobody in the building was killed when Lidle's Cirrus SR20 plowed into the north side of the condominium and briefly stoked fears of another Sept. 11-type attack.

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the tragic crash, but investigators still are not certain whether Lidle, a novice pilot, or Stanger, who had only flown in New York once, was at the controls.

That could be crucial to the Lidle family. If he was flying the Cirrus SR20, his kin would not be eligible for a $1.5 million insurance payment from baseball's benefit plan, which excludes "any incident related to travel in an aircraft ... while acting in any capacity other than as a passenger."
Kevin Lidle said right now the most important thing is that his brother is "remembered the way he really was."

"He was the kind of guy where if you were walking down the street he'd never say, 'I'm a Yankee,'" he said. "He was not one to brag about where he'd been or what he'd done. He loved to laugh. He had a great sense of humor, sometimes dry."

With Pete Donohue, Alison Gendar, Jordan Lite and Peter Kadushin

Choosing where you are

By Forrest Hershberger
Journal-Advocate news editor
Wednesday, October 4, 2006 3:04 PM MDT

I was reminded of our political process Monday night while reviewing a price list of a local photographer.

The name of the photographer isn't important, nor is the reason I was looking at the price list. What stuck with me is the implication that if you didn't ask for it, you won't get it. This price list was an outline of photographs to be taken, duties to be done during a wedding.

Still not with me? Here it is. We have a multi-party system, although it is primarily a two-party system. The multi-party system is in place, a necessary part of our history, because those that left their European homelands didn't like being told how to think. In some cases, as is now in many countries, the vote is almost worthless because there is only one candidate.

Let's face it. In a discussion with at least two people there will be at least two opinions on most every subject. This is the simplest of math equations: One and one still make two. But, and this is especially true with the political process, discussions are dominated by the one the speaks the loudest or smoothest, and surrendered by the one that doesn't believe he counts or just doesn't care.

If I could collect a dollar for each time I've heard a person say they don't vote because it doesn't matter, well, the price of gasoline really wouldn't matter to me much.

I've heard philosophical thinkers say “you are where you are because you choose to be.” I can't say I always agree with that cliché. Sometimes you are where you are because you choose not to be somewhere else. One place I choose not to be is in a sea of self-pity after an election. If I didn't take the effort to vote, I have myself to blame first if the outcome is not what I want.

Logan County does not have a stellar record of voter turnout. Unfortunately, it is not alone. Logan County voter turnout for the 2000 primary was only 22 percent of all active voters; the general election increased to 69 percent. The 2002 primary improved, but still less than half; 42 percent showed for the primary and 56 percent for the general election. In 2004, the primary election had a turnout of 42 percent and the general election at 76 percent. The primary election held only a few weeks ago was still in the mid- to high 20s.

So, by statistics alone it appears as though voters assume the primary doesn't mean much, on top of a generally cynical outlook on the democratic system. The reality is the system is not that complicated. Regardless of whether you like the system, or the candidates, everyone who lives and breathes in Logan County, Colorado, and the United States, and can legally vote, ought to do so.

Yes, sometimes a voter feels like he or she is choosing between the best of the worst - without a doubt. However, that comment opens the door of the moral condition of society at large. The formula is simple: Get as much information as possible - newspapers, radio, television, voter booklets, your uncle Fred - it doesn't matter where, but get as much as you can. Then make your decision in the booth.

Don't forget. Northeast Colorado voters tipped the decision for Gov. Owens in his first bid for election - by only a few votes. Sometimes you are where you are because you choose to be there, and sometimes you are where you are because you didn't choose.

Well said, Mr Hershberger! I re-print this editorial because I hope that so many who have the privilege to vote will do so this November, using their right to bring about changes that we like to bellyache about. Now, lets get off our butts and do something about it!~ Whurlie