The not-so-well-known social experiment

[Findecańo]

Well, i dont have an entry in the "reflections" section, until now, that is. I have never really thought to do this, but i can definitely see the utility of having such a site...i'll treat it kind of like a little virtual Scratch pad- a place to come and just put down my thoughts, no matter how random, or scattered. I am sure i wont poist ehre every day, maybe not even every week. but it is nice to know i have a spot to come, just to rant, and ramble, and not make any sense. i have actually read through others reflections...interesting stuff. I hope that if others peruse this from time to time, that it wont bore them, or offend them too greatly...but you know what??? too bad if it does...this is a haven for my own private thoughts...of which i have plenty. I am a very opinionated person (as we all are), and have had to bite my tongue far too frequently in life. So as far as this goes, i guess its no holds barred, right??? :)

[Findecańo]

Wow...upon further review, who knew it would take me 6 months to comment in my reflections page? I must be more diligent about it in the future...

Life is good. not for everyone, at every moment- we all have our ups and downs...I have had a personal year from hell- it has NOT been easy, by any means. but on a whole, life itself is very good. Maybe its in finding someone to love, who is utterly amazing, and couldnt be a more wonderful person. Maybe its in seeing my son grow another year older, and seeing his thirst for learning growing faster than a California Wildfire. whatever the source, all of the good in my life has certainly helped to mitigate the problems i had this year.

Not everyone can feel good, all the time- i understand that. there was a period i went through that i was extremely depressed- couldn't sleep, didn't eat (depression is GREAT for weight loss!), didnt feel like getting up each day. "Those loved ones around you who depend on you" wasn't enough motivation for me, no matter what people around me said. But, i perservered, and much to my chagrine, i begrudgingly admit- those who said "It'll get better" were right.

In addition to personal joy, i take great pride in where I live. I take great pride in knowing (In a slightly immature "I told you so" sort of way) i was RIGHT about the state of America at this time. I love the direction this country is headed, and i can't help but take a moment to gloat, and say that I supported the effort all along. President Bush has established himself as a great president- period. He has been more tested than any president in recent history, and now it would seem as all his "Bumbling" in the WHite House will pay off. Newsflash, world: being an eloqent speaker does NOT make you a strong leader. Charisma, while an aspect of leadership, is NOT the sole defining aspect. The joke of a president who was in the White House before Bush is a mere memory. 2003 has been good to our country. We eliminated the menace of Saddam Hussein, and re-established ourselves as "the Big Dog" in the world scene. The stock market has grown nearly 30% in the last 6 months. THIRTY PERCENT! Over 8% financial growth in the 3rd quarter...Over 250,000 new jobs created in the same time...and MOST IMPORTANTLY, consumer confidence is up over 10%. EVERY indicator that our country is out of its recession. I tell ya, it makes me feel good. And now, just when the "Clueless Nine" who will be representing the Democratic party in '04 need something to bash Bush about, the Economy SOARS, and now Bush gets congressional approval of a Medicare plan, that was supported by multiple democrats, AND the AARP. THe irony of the situation is that those Democrats who opposed it, did so becuase thye felt it was an "Expensive Entitlement Program". Funny, thats exactly what they wanted for years, and they are opposing this simply because they oppose Bush, not because they feel they are doing the right thing. If one of their own had come up with the plan, they'd have signed it in a heart beat.

So where to now, Clueless Nine? THere is ALWAYS an issue to attack. First it was the war. when that went SO well (at least the "major" military offensive part), they turned to the economy. Now, that is clearly recovering, and GROWING, so i guess they'll turn back to the world scene. SO in June, when we hand over power to the Iraqi council, right before elections in November, the idiot 9 will have no leg to stand on...

the scariest part of that is, that Hillary Clinton will likely be elected in 2008. and THAT scares me more than the threat of North Korea...

Which reminds me...i am SO SICK of the media talking about the "end of hostilities" and tying it to the president. ALl he mentioned was the end of the high intensity offensive strike part of the war. we KNEW there would be low to mid level insurgencies for a LONG time to come. the war was right, it was just, it is just a step in the war on terror. those who detract from it, i could have heard their voices in World War 2, when we turned our attention to stopping Hitler- "Yeah but the Germans didn't attack Pearl Harbor"...

Well, that was longer than i had inteded...maybe i should have entered more often, so ALL of my thoughts wouldn't rush out at once.

to our troops (Including one of our own- STAY SAFE, Dhelaven!), thank you. Your efforts and courage are GREATLY appreciated, by MILLIONS of people HERE and in Iraq. Don't believe what you hear from crappy stations like CNN- we love you all, and wish you a safe return...every damn one of you. I know for a FACT that i am typing this post here and now BECAUSE of people like you...

Happy holidays to all.

[Findecańo]

"We got him"...

words that will forever reverberate in my mind. what a huge day, the day we caught Saddam. One of the worst mass murders in world history, hiding in a hole in the ground, like a rat, or some other subterranean "creature"...Initially, he was blubbering like a baby, gushing out information...then after we cleaned him up, made him presentable, he puts on that "tough guy" facade again.

Who is this "tough guy" who calls for Jihad against all people- Americans, the rest of the world, and his OWN citizens, while he hides, worried only about his own self preservation. I know it is the most basic of instincts, but that is what animals are known for- reacting to their base instinct. thats all Saddam is at this point- a scum sucking animal, that needs to be destroyed. an animal that got out of control- so consumed by his own megalomania...his own feelings of such self-importance...that he placed his own life at a calue higher than ANYONE else's- his family, his friends, his helpers, his countrymen...well, this evil creature doesnt look so evil anymore. he looks rather pathetic and weak.

the greatest form of justice would be to turn him over to the people. mob style. annouce his delivery to town square, kick him out of the back of a cab, and let the locals have their way with him. Let them tear him limb from limb for the heartache and suffering he caused them for so many years. but something amazing is happening. the whole coutnry of Iraq is growing past that. They are a caring, thoughtful people. And for as many of them want to see him dead, they would likely like to see him go through a trial and receive death through the ministrations of the courts. it would be a sign of growth to the people themselves...

Its nice to see the people cheering in the streets of cities across Iraq, though. i am happy for them, and couldn't be more proud of our troops as well. they have been extremely hard working and professional, and to them, this must be at least some level of vindication.

Saddam, burn in hell. Merry Christmas, you filthy little rat.