The RNC is underway. I have watched the first roll call and the celebration from the floor of Madison square garden. The press is playing on how many democrats are at the convention to support President Bush. This should be of key interest to all people. Why would a democrat support Bush? I believe the true democrat is scared of Kerry and his ultra liberal ways. The Democratic Party has become out of touch with the mainstream supporter. They have abandoned true democratic policy for the far left fringe groups. They ignore the working person and support the minority, which they always have; yet, there was a balance that is gone now. The polls show the race is a dead heat as we enter the convention. I hope Bush gains support as people realize the effort and pressure that has been on him since 9/11. There were 200,000 protesters outside yesterday. I watched and tried to gain knowledge of their reasoning. The rights they are expressing are the same rights we have given to the people of Afghanistan and Iraq. There were some arrests and I saw a float set on fire. That is the problem with the protesters. Most are fringe groups, without a clue of what they are standing for. It will not gain support for anyone as most Americans, I for one, view most of it as shameful. To carry coffins through the streets, symbolizing our fallen heroes, in a time of war is a disgrace. To me the only ones with that right are the families of the fallen. The protesters do not realize that our enemies are cheering for them. 10:00pm. A lady from Iraq just spoke and I tell you it touched me. She said we talk about war in Iraq now, when in fact, Iraq has been at war for the last 30 years. It was touching to see and hear someone explain the freedoms we have given to them. It makes me proud to be American, and ashamed of the anti war protests outside. John McCain is speaking now and telling it like it is. He is asking who will keep us safe. I, like him, agree that is George W. Bush. Bush has taken it to our enemies, liberated Iraq and Afghanistan. We helped millions of women and children. He has stood strong! A wife of a man on one of the planes (Flight 93) from 9/11 is on now. Wonder why she is here and was not supporting Kerry? Her statement is “do something.” The sister of the pilot of the plane that hit the pentagon is speaking. I remember the nation and the unity then, do you? The theme of this convention so far has been unity, wow, that is different than the previous convention. I know why, 20% of the audience are democrats. They are also praying! On TV. I will stop as Amazing Grace is sang and prayers are being said. It is time for all America to pray. More Tomorrow!!

FOXNews.com - Special Report w/ Brit Hume - Political Grapevine - Firestorm Not Her Fault?

FOXNews.com - Special Report w/ Brit Hume - Political Grapevine
"The latest from the Political Grapevine:
Celebration Speech
John Kerry, speaking at a Martin Luther King (search) Day celebration in Virginia last year, said, 'I remember well April 1968, I was serving in Vietnam (search), a place of violence, when the news reports brought home to me and my crewmates the violence back home, and the tragic news that one of the bullets flying that terrible spring took the life of [Dr. King].'
That date was April 4th, 1968, but according to Kerry's own Website, it was not until November 17, 1968, that he reported for duty in Vietnam."

Kerry just cant tell the truth. Lying is a habit, we all know that. To me, this shows a pattern of untruths from him. I hope it ends Nov. 2 Joe Sandler, a lawyer for the DNC and MoveOn.org (search), a group running anti-Bush ads, said "there is nothing wrong with serving in both roles at once. Attorneys are ethically bound to maintain attorney-client confidentiality, and could lose their law licenses if they violate that," he said. I say you wont see that on CNN. Why is it wrong for the Bush backers but ok for Sandler? Kerry is scared to death of the votes he is losing! He should have not put his "Hero" status on display. I read today 250 people slam Kerry in the book Unfit for Command, and on the Swift boat vets web site. I know that there are some who are not being truthful, but 250? Against Kerrys 8 or 10 member band of brothers. If this was a trial, with you on the jury, whose case is the strongest? I would have to take the 250 over the 10. I think most people would. There is also new info that says Kerry tore down American flags! and that some of the men with Kerry urinated on them. Where did this happen you ask? Not in Vietnam , but in DC! There is also suppose to be film, if there is, I will post it here. Watch the RNC and VOTE!! SUPPORT BUSH!!

And You Thought Bush was Funny?
John F. Kerry speaks: "The vast majority of our imports come from outside the country." -
John F. Kerry "If we don't succeed, we run the risk of failure." - John F. Kerry "One word sums up probably the responsibility of any Governor, and that one word is 'to be prepared'." -
John F. Kerry "I have made good judgments in the past. I have made good judgments in the future." -
John F. Kerry "The future will be better tomorrow." -
John F. Kerry "We're going to have the best educated American people in the world." -
John F. Kerry "I stand by all the misstatements that I've made." -
John F. Kerry "We have a firm commitment to NATO, we are a part of NATO. We have a firm commitment to Europe. We are a part of Europe." -
John F. Kerry "Public speaking is very easy." -
John F. Kerry "A low voter turnout is an indication of fewer people going to the polls." -
John F. Kerry "We are ready for any unforeseen event that may or may not occur." -
John F. Kerry "For NASA, space is still a high priority." -
John F. Kerry "Quite frankly, teachers are the only profession that teach our children." -
John F. Kerry "It isn't pollution that's harming the environment. It's the impurities in our air and water that are doing it." -
John F. Kerry "Its time for the human race to enter the solar system."

Back to school time has been stressful on Shannon and me. Shannon worried about her math class and I just worried about everything. I am taking four classes online: Accounting, American Literature, Music Appreciation, and a Basic Computer class. I have already taken a couple computer classes but the school I want to transfer to requires this one. I thought of testing out, but it should be easy and help my GPA. My experience with online classes has not been that great. I had a religion class that I could not get any response from the instructor. I sent 57 e-mails and no reply. I typed one in capital letters and got a reply in less than one hour. They tried to kick me out of school for that. Need I say they were not successful? My Professors this term seem to be very different from that. I sent a question to my accounting professor at 2 am and had a reply at 8:30 am when I checked my mail. Wow! I think I will enjoy this semester online.
IN THE NEWS: This Swift Boat vets anti Kerry campaign has gotten out of hand. I am not against these men’s right to freedom of speech. I am against the crying the Democrats are doing over it. The Democrats supported and applauded Moore’s F 9/11 movie, cheered at Whoopie’s vulgar remarks, only now to cry about a group of veterans who challenge what Kerry did during his service and after he returned home. Some of the Swift Boat info has made Kerry acknowledge he was wrong, and some of it is as false as Moore’s movie. It seems absurd for the Kerry campaign to complain about this after all the untruths that have been said about Bush. A taste of your own medicine is quite bitter.
OLYMPICS:
United States First Place !!! Go USA!!!
23 gold
26 silver
17 bronze
66 total
China
23 gold
15 silver
12 bronze
50 Total
MOVING ON: Jeremy Kyle Davidson 3 years old. I don’t know what to say about this. The coal companies always get away with this stuff. I pray for his families comfort.
Boulder kills sleeping tot
BY KATHY STILL
BRISTOL HERALD COURIER
Aug 21, 12:00 AM EDT
APPALACHIA – Jeremy Kyle Davidson never woke up Friday. The 3-year-old was in bed asleep at his home in the Inman community at around 2:30 a.m. when a half-ton rock smashed through a wall and crushed him to death. The boulder bounced from Jeremy’s bed and into his brother’s bedroom, but the other boy escaped injury. So did their parents, Dennis and Cindy Davidson. Emergency workers arrived soon afterward and took Jeremy to Lonesome Pine Hospital in Big Stone Gap. He was pronounced dead on arrival, town Fire Chief Robert Anderson said. The rock apparently was loosened from a hillside as A&G Coal Corp. crews built a road near a strip mine, and the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy was investigating.

1935-2004

Funeral Arrangements for Charlie:
Receiving Friends Sat. 6 -9 PM 08/20/2004
Funeral Sunday 2:00 PM 08/21/2004
Both at Preddy Funeral Home
Gordonsville, Virginia
off Main St.
In lieu of flowers, please send a contribution to the Charlie Waller Memorial Fund
P.O. Box 581
Gordonsville, Va. 22942

Tonight I will cry

“Bluegrass Legend Charlie Waller Dead At 69”
It was just a small article in the newspaper, but it was a headline to me. There will probably not be a tribute show on CMT, nor any posthumous award given, but to me Charlie Waller was a master innovator of music. Charlie was the leader of the Country Gentleman for 47 years. They had over 100 members pass through the band including Ricky Skaggs, Bill Emerson, Doyle Lawson and Jerry Douglas. Organized in Arlington, Va., the Country Gentlemen played their first concert on July 4, 1957. The Encyclopedia of Country Music states, "the Country Gentlemen were also one of the most important early innovative bands in bluegrass, taking the genre into new arenas of repertoire and stylistic performance while steadfastly using acoustic instruments." That repertoire embraced pop, folk and country music and yielded such memorable cuts as "Theme from Exodus," "Matterhorn," "Two Little Boys," "Legend of the Rebel Soldier" and "New Freedom Bell." Charlie’s music touched me as a young man, crossing rock and folk tunes into bluegrass. Charlie died august 18 of an apparent heart attack in the garden of his home in Gordonsville, Va. He was ready to hit the road with shows scheduled for Friday (Aug. 20) in Nashville and Sept. 8 in Falls Church, Va. -- to raise medical-expense funds for banjo player Eddie Adcock, an early member of the band.
As I sit alone and listen to his music, I cannot help but feel hollow. It is strange how music does that. I never met or knew this man, but still I mourn. He kept me company on many nights, Charlie, Jim Beam, and me. I watched many a sunset and sunrise with him. I laughed, danced, and sang with him. I also cried at loves and loved ones lost with him. Thank you Charlie for your music and company. You always touched my heart. I can hear him singing “I am weary, Let me rest.” Rest Charlie, you have earned it. Tonight I will cry.

Well what a week. Went to college and bought my books and Office 2003. The bookstore had everything I needed and I walked out $578.00 poorer than when I walked in. Office 2003 was required and four text books, one costing $121.00. A poor man can’t afford an education.
I have been watching the Olympics and enjoying it for the first time in a while. There has not been any big controversy so far that I have heard of. As of this posting the good ole USA has won a total of 29 medals! That’s the most of any team so far. We have 10 gold, 10 silver, and 9 bronze medals. China has 11 gold, 7 silver, and 4 bronze for a total of 22 medals. Go USA!
IN THE NEWS: President Bush seemed closer to supporting out of country prescription drugs. He says he wants the safety of these drugs assured. I hope this happens soon. I think the American drug companies will reduce the prices as soon as it becomes legal to get them out of country.
I watched John Kerry ( Frankenkerry, Dinglekerry, etc.) speak to the VFW today. I don’t think he was as well received as Bush was last week. I think most veterans know Kerry has voted against helping the vets and military many times. He also flip flopped on things he said just 2 weeks ago. He bashed Bush today for planning to bring home 70,000 troops in 10 years. He said it gave a sign of weakness. I thought Kerry just said his plan for Iraq was to bring home troops. Is that too not a sign of weakness? He is unbelievable.
Microsoft pushes back release of SP2 again. There is a firewall problem that needs to be patched. Seems SP2’s firewall will not let some software connect. I have still not had any problems and absolutely no crashes. I like it :o)
MOVING ON: Jake Allen. Youth from the small farming community of Wellington, Kansas, who in May had graduated valedictorian from his high school where he was an athlete, competing in football, basketball and track, who was a member of the National Honor Society and planned to attend Northeast Oklahoma University in the fall, and who was active in his church's group of young men, was killed on July 5 after being hit by a train near Milan, Kansas at the age of 19. He was nude and had been deliberately tied to the railroad tracks with baling wire, shocking townspeople and confounding police officials. I really don’t understand what is happening in America. This crime had to be committed by more than one person. Pray for this mans family and that they catch the murderers who did this. GODBLESS

Google News

Google News: "Germany Shaken by US Plans to Withdraw Troops
Reuters - 5 minutes ago
BERLIN (Reuters) - The German government said on Tuesday US plans to pull out 30,000 troops were a sign of Europe's divisions being healed, but communities hit by the decision warned they were headed for economic disaster."

Now the Germans need us! They cared not about our expense in Iraq.

FOXNews.com - U.S. & World - Archaeologists: John the Baptist Cave Found

FOXNews.com - U.S. & World - Archaeologists: John the Baptist Cave Found
WOW!!!

Google News

Google News: "Charley death toll at 13
CNN/SI - 30 minutes ago
PUNTA GORDA, Florida (CNN) -- President Bush on Sunday will inspect the devastation wrought by Hurricane Charley in Florida, where 13 deaths have been blamed on the storm"

Lets pray for these people in their time of need.

Well I have made my decision. Windows service pack 2 is ok. I have several hours logged in since the install and have used all my programs and no problems. I don’t know how much more secure it is, but I like the pop up blocker and security center. I can’t tell any difference in speed, my system was fast anyway. It seems to take a few seconds longer to boot up and shutdown, but that could just be me. I did not time it before the install so I have no way of knowing.
IN THE NEWS: Judges rule mayor of San Francisco wrong in allowing homosexual marriage. I said that! The mayor should be charged with a felony for breaking state law but he will get away with it. Judges also rule marriages granted are voided. Strike one up for the good guys!
Kerry’s campaign has to cover up for him again. Those vivid Cambodia memories are VIVID LIES. I can hear him now: “well, hum, uh, I thought I was there.” You better wake up America! This man is very dangerous! He can not tell the truth.
MOVING ON: Julia Child died in her sleep at home in California, She was 91. I remember watching her show and her guest spots on TV. She combined class with cooking. Godbless

FOXNews.com - You Decide 2004 - Kerry Cambodia Visit Scrutinized

FOXNews.com - You Decide 2004 - Kerry Cambodia Visit Scrutinized: "The book has forced the Kerry campaign to admit errors in statements Kerry made in 1979 and 1986 about his vivid memories of heading into Cambodia with his swift boat."

More lies from Kerry. I cant belive the support that is shown for this man. They call him Flipper, Flipper, la de da.

CNN.com - Court to rule on�same-sex marriage - Aug 12, 2004

CNN.com - Court to rule on�same-sex marriage - Aug 12, 2004

I am looking foward to the ruling. I feel the mayor was wrong. I am for letting the people vote to decide, not a judges opinion. The polls show most Americans dont want homosexual marriage.

Download details: Windows XP Service Pack 2 for IT Professionals and Developers

Download details: Windows XP Service Pack 2 for IT Professionals and Developers

I installed SP2 last night and so far no problems. The biggest difference I see is it is easier to navigate to windows updates, firewall controls, a new Pop up blocker, and a wireless setup wizard. I am still trying out all my programs and so far so good.

Watch this!!

Please take the time to watch this video. Even if it takes a hour to download on dial up, it is worth the wait.
http://www.kerryoniraq.com/default.asp

I have been so busy that I have not had time to blog. It has been one of those weeks. This Sunday is my churches homecoming and I am really looking forward to that! There will be a great fellowship and dinner. The political race is heating up on both sides. I am really looking forward to the RNC. I watched most of the DNC and really enjoyed the way Fox News covered it. They, in my opinion, are the best channel for the conventions. Fox took some heat for not showing every speech, but reporting the major points and providing feedback from both sides. They promise to cover the RNC the same way. I hope so. I have had time to read some good news and I want to share some of it with you.
IN THE NEWS: They are reporting 90% of Afghanis are registered to vote. Wow, these people really seem to want freedom and the benefits thereof. It is great to see a nation become a democracy. I bet 90% will vote too. I wish Americans were as grateful for their freedom.
I also saw that Iraq sent 29 great athletes to the Olympics in Athens. They will be competing without fear of Saddam and the evil we know that was imposed on them for losing in the past. Take time to read the interviews with some of these athletes, you will be amazed at their story.
The terror alert has drawn some criticism from people saying it is politically motivated and the info was three years old. All I will say is that the first trade center bombing was in 1993, and then 9/11/2001. How long was the threat alive for this? To me, any threat must be reported. We can not take a chance. How soon people forget. Sad.
MOVING ON: Lon Savage- Author who wrote "Thunder in the Mountains: A History of the West Virginia Mine Wars 1920-21," (which served in 1987 as a resource for the movie "Matewan") a book about the mining wars between miners and coal companies, which he learned about from his father and weren't mentioned in many West Virginian history books, died at age 75 on July 27 at his home in Salem, Virginia of unknown causes. I read this book and saw the movie Matewan. If you haven’t read about the war between the coal companies and miners, you should as it will move and chill you!
Frances Crick- Biologist credited with deciphering the structure of the DNA molecule, one of the most important scientific breakthroughs of the last 100 years, who in 1953 with partner James Watson and the use of X-ray crystallography, figured out the structure of the molecule that functions as the blueprint for life on Earth, the discovery of which has led to the manipulation of the genetic code and the rise of biotechnology and genetic engineering, died July 28 of colon cancer at a hospital in San Diego at the age of 88. Think what we owe this man. His discoveries will help science for many years to come. Godbless