The Ant & the Grasshopper. 

Most of you heard the old version of this story when you were young.  Just in case you missed it, here is how it goes:
 
OLD VERSION:
The ant works hard in the withering heat all summer long, building his house and  laying up supplies for the winter.
The grasshopper thinks the ant is a fool and laughs and dances and plays the summer away.
Come winter, the ant is warm and well fed.  The grasshopper has no food or shelter,  so he dies out in the cold.

 MORAL OF THE OLD STORY:  Be responsible for yourself!

However, life has changed.  If a modern version were written, accounting for the political climate today and how (some) people view life, here is how the story would sound:

 MODERN VERSION:
The ant works hard in the withering heat and the rain all summer long, building his house and laying up supplies for the winter.

The grasshopper thinks the ant is a fool and laughs and dances and plays the summer away.

Come winter, the shivering grasshopper calls a press conference and demands to know why the ant should be allowed to be warm and well fed while he is cold and starving.

CBS, NBC , PBS, CNN, and ABC show up to provide pictures of the shivering grasshopper next to a video of the ant in his comfortable home with  a table filled with food.
           
America is stunned by the sharp contrast.   How can this be, that in a country of such wealth, this poor grasshopper is  allowed to suffer so?

The grasshopper appears on Oprah and everybody cries when he sings, 'It's Not Easy Being Green.'

ACORN stages a demonstration in front of the ant's house where the news stations film a group of protesters singing “We shall overcome.”

Then Rev. Jeremiah Wright has the group kneel down to pray for the grasshopper's sake.

President Obama condemns the ant and blames President Bush, President Reagan, Christopher Columbus, and the Pope for the grasshopper's plight.  Not to mention the “religious right” and those who actually pay the taxes in this country.

Nancy Pelosi & Harry Reid exclaim in an interview with Larry King that the ant has gotten rich off the back of the grasshopper, and both call for an immediate tax hike on the ant to make him pay his fair share.  (Of course they do- the top 20% of earners who work the hardest should have to pay 90% of the nation’s taxes.)  They also draft a special piece of legislation giving the grasshopper a certain amount of money each month to help pay for those vital necessities like food and health care.  They take the money from military member’s pay. 

Finally, the EEOC drafts the Economic Equity & Anti-Grasshopper Act retroactive to the beginning of the summer.  The ant is fined for failing to hire a proportionate number of green bugs and, having nothing left to pay his retroactive taxes, his home is confiscated by the Government Green Czar and given to the grasshopper.

The story ends as we see the grasshopper and his free-loading friends finishing up the last bits of the ant's food while the government house he is in, which, as you recall, just happens to be the ant's old house, crumbles around them because the grasshopper doesn't maintain it.

The ant has disappeared in the snow, never to be seen again.

The grasshopper is found dead in a drug related incident, and the house, now abandoned, is taken over by a gang of spiders who terrorize the once prosperous and peaceful neighborhood.

The entire Nation collapses as all of the ants have disappeared and the grasshoppers refuse to work.  This brings down the rest of the free world. 

 MORAL OF THE STORY:  Be careful how you vote in 2012.

My grandma sent me an e-mail with this story/joke in it.  The e-mail claimed it was a true story, but as I cannot verify the truthfulness of the tale, I'm going to post it as a joke.  Enjoy!

The pastor of a church had a kitten that climbed up a tree in his backyard and then was afraid to come down. The pastor coaxed, offered warm milk, etc.

The kitty would not come down. The tree was not sturdy enough to climb, so the pastor decided that if he tied a rope to his car and pulled it until the tree bent down, he could then reach up and get the kitten.

That's what he did, all the while checking his progress in the car. He then figured if he went just a little bit further, the tree would be bent sufficiently for him to reach the kitten. But as he moved the car a little further forward, the rope broke.

The tree went 'boing!' and the kitten instantly sailed through the air - out of sight.

The pastor felt terrible. He walked all over the neighborhood asking people if they'd seen a little kitten. No. Nobody had seen a stray kitten.  So he prayed, 'Lord, I just commit this kitten to your keeping,' and went on about his business.

A few days later he was at the grocery store, and met one of his church members. He happened to look into her shopping cart and was amazed to see cat food. This woman was a cat hater and everyone knew it, so he asked her, 'Why are you buying cat food when you hate cats so much?'

She replied, 'You won't believe this,' and then told him how her little girl had been begging her for a cat, but she kept refusing.. Then a few days before, the child had begged again, so the Mom finally told her little girl, 'Well, if God gives you a cat, I'll let you keep it.' She told the pastor, 'I watched my child go out in the yard, get on her knees, and ask God for a cat. And really, Pastor, you won't believe this, but I saw it with my own eyes. A kitten suddenly came flying out of the blue sky, with its paws outspread, and landed right in front of her.'

I'm sure everyone has heard the verdict: Casey Anthony is found not guilty of all charges except for four counts of lying to the police.  With time served and time off for good behavior, she will be released in less than a week, on July 13th.  Of course, public response has been vocal.  Supporters of Casey Anthony, including a man asking Casey to marry him, were at the courthouse.  Even more people- against Casey Anthony- were present, chanting "Guilty!  Guilty!  Justice for Caylee!" 

Setting aside the various bits of evidence (I'm writing a blog post, not a book!), it seems to come down to what swung the jury's opinion.  Despite multiple jurors admitting they thought she was guilty, the main problem was: not only was there no evidence that Casey murdered Caylee, the prosecution couldn't even answer "when, where, how, and why?" 

I, personally, am a little bit sick that a young girl can be murdered without justice, but I am also very proud of the jury.  They came to a decision based on the evidence they were presented with, not emotion or public opinion.  (I know, I can already hear the disagreement!) 

As always, I'm curious about what you think:
Is Casey Anthony guilty of killing Caylee?
Did the jury come to the right decision? 
Did the prosecutors fail in not providing enough evidence, or did they do the best with what they had? 

Sources:
Carlton, Lindsey. (2011, July 6). "Prosecutor Jeff Ashton: 'I Can Only Assume...Jurors Didn't See What I Saw.'"  FoxNews.com.

CNN. (2011, July 7). "Casey Anthony to be released from jail next week." CNN.com

Fox News. (2011, July 7). "Casey Anthony to be Released from Jail Next Week, Court Rules." FoxNews.com

Lendon, Brad. (2011, July 7). "Toobin: Judge made statement with Anthony sentencing." CNN.com

Lendon, Brad. (2011, July 7). "Tearful Anthony jurors ask prosecutors, where was the evidence?" CNN.com

"Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves."  -Abraham Lincoln

"A patriot must always be ready to defend his country against his government." -Edward Abbey

"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom, must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it."  -Thomas Paine

"You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness.  You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism."  -Erma Bombeck

"In the truest sense, freedom cannot be bestowed; it must be achieved." -Franklin D. Roosevelt

"It is amazing how many people seem to think that the government exists to turn their prejudices into laws." -Thomas Sowell

*Note: As with most of the quotes, I've found the author's name online, so I cannot promise that the attribution is correct.
Thanks to the following sources for the quotes:
American Patriot Web.com
QuoteGarden.com
Jesus is Savior.com
Thanks to nixxphotography for the image: http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=2217

I'm sitting in Wal-Mart at the benches by the pharmacy waiting for my prescriptions to be done the other day.  A gentleman around my age was sitting next to me, and started making conversation.  As a polite individual, I closed by book and entered the conversation. 

He started out by complaining about how the general view that Native Americans get special treatment is false.  He's a Native American, and some contretemps with a college had him quite angry.  I'm not sure of the details, and maybe he was treated unfairly.  On the other hand, I really don't think that being a Native American should qualify someone for special treatment. 
I'm sorry, it's just how I feel.

He finished his monologue with the statement that "white people should just go back to Europe."  I was speechless- a very rare occurrence.  It reminded me of Helen Thomas' quote "They should go back to their land" (whether she was referring to those living in Palestine- Jews or not- or just the Jews...I'm not going to get into a debate over the interpretation of her comments). 

I was wondering exactly what year this gentleman wanted us to go back to.  Apparently, it was before Europeans came to America.  But why should everyone move back to where they were living in the 1400's?  Why not the 1200's?  or 1 B.C.? or ten thousand years ago?  Maybe we should all move back to the Mesopotamian cradle where civilization started out?  You know, all 6 billion of us.  How long does a group of people have to live somewhere before they're "allowed" to stay?  Isn't 400 years long enough?

It's a fact of life and history that people migrate.  They expand into new lands, move around, try to find a better place.  I've never been to Europe.  My great-grandparents have never been to Europe.  I've done the family history.  We're not Europeans.  We're Americans.  And I'm staying.

Thanks to Salvatore Vuono to the picture!  Check out his picture portfolio at: http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=659

My husband has orders for us to move at the end of August.  To Hawaii.  But we've been promised a change in orders to Washington State as a person in Hawaii wants my husbands orders.  So, with less than two months to go, we don't know if we're moving or not.  In addition, if my husband makes Chief (results come out in the first week of August), then our orders MIGHT go on hold and/or be changed.  Needless to say, I'm a bit stressed. 

Moving is always a challenge.  And it's something husband and I have become experts on.  In the military, we have a choice.  We can use the movers the Navy finds for us or we can choose our own movers and receive a flat rate of compensation.  Once, we scheduled the move with the Navy moving office.  The day of the move, we wait.  And wait.  And wait.  Turns out the Navy "lost" our move confirmation.  Luckily, we managed to get the move scheduled for the next day. 

For this move, we're moving into base housing for awhile, and then going to find a townhouse or apartment.  This is pretty much our only option with the uncertain move date and location.  We've pretty much decided that when we need to find local movers, we're going to go with HireAHelper.com.  Our first reason is the same as any business we choose to go with: they're accredited by the Better Business Bureau.  The second reason is that they have great, reliable reviews online.  You can get cheap movers from HireAHelper.com, as well as find cleaners, lawn and garden care, and day laborers.  It's basically a service that connects people needing services with the businesses that provide those services.  This allows you to check out a variety of options without having to do multiple internet searches.   

And, finally, here are some tips for moving:
1. Pack papers plates, napkins, and REAL silverware in your suitcase.  While it's easy to grab food, especially cheap food in delis, passing around a package of potato salad and trying to cut with a plastic knife makes every meal a challenge. 
2. Pack a cooler and include a few water bottles.  Water bottles can be refilled at the tap with fresh water.  This allows you to drink water without using your hands as a cup until the real glasses arrive.  
3. If possible, send one person ahead to prepare the new place and have one person stay behind to close out the old place.  There is paperwork, inspections, any misc. fees, etc., that need to be taken care of.  Dividing the works reduces the stress for everyone and gets twice as much work done in the same time.
4. Check out and verify EVERY SINGLE BUSINESS related to the move.  Verify the place you're moving to actually exists (someone tried to scam us once...they failed!), check out of the moving company, double-check who provides various services where you're moving (electricity, water, TV, internet). 
5. Keep your bills for a few months before you move.  If your internet bill has you pay a month in advance, make sure they don't make you pay an extra month.  (yes, this has happened).
6. Last, but certainly not least.  RELAX AND TAKE A DEEP BREATH.  Yes, it's stressful.  But in a few weeks, you'll be settled in the new house with everything in its' place and you'll be visiting the local tourist information shop to find fun things to do in your new

I saw on the news yesterday that there has been a bit of controversy over who receives Presidential condolence letters for family members killed in combat.  Military members who commit suicide or those who are killed in stateside training exercises do not receive condolence letters signed by the President. 

I can actually understand this policy, to be honest.  Think of all the people in the military: there are currently over 1 million people on active duty, with another million plus on reserve duty.  If the President is required to start personally signing letters for every person killed in the military, he wouldn't have time to do anything else.  Even if you start with suicides and those killed in stateside training, the policy would get expanded. 

Yes, suicides are up.  Yes, I'm sorry that people lose their family members to suicide.  But the young man in question did receive a full military burial, 21 gun salute, and the playing of "Taps."  It is NOT as if the military and the President treated his death as a shameful thing and refused to offer any support to the family. 

What is your opinion?
Should every military death require a personally signed letter of condolence from the President?

If the military honors them in other ways, does the lack of letter insult the military member's sacrifice? 

Sources:
FoxNews.com. (2011, May 25). Senators Call on President to Change Condolence Letter Policy for Military Suicide Victims.  Link.

Quijano, Elaine. (2011, June 28). Honor Denied Some Families of Fallen Troops.  Link.

I love quotes.  I have a notebook filled up with quotes, and I decided to share some of them with you guys.  There is also a page on the website with more quotes.  (See tab on top of page).

"There's never enough time to it right, but there's always enough time to do it over."- Jack Bergman

"If something goes wrong, it is more important to talk about who is going to fix it than who is to blame."- Francis J. Gable

"The past of least resistance makes all rivers, and some men crooked."- Napoleon Hill.

*Note: As with most of the quotes, I've found the author's name online, so I cannot promise that the attribution is correct. 

I was browsing blogs yesterday, and I ran across a very interesting post on how much money is spent by various groups against "gay rights."  While I have no opinion on either side of that issue (really), the post brought up a very interesting question. 
(If I find the post again, I'll post the link.)

Money is spent- by individuals, churches, groups, governments- for so many things, but what exactly would be a worthwhile use of money? 
The obvious answer is that the definition changes from person to person. 
So, is there really a completely wasteful use of money?

Some might think that money spent supporting abortion rights is worthwhile.  Their counterparts would think that it is not only a waste of money, but morally wrong to spent money on those things. 

Building beautiful churches is considered a waste by some.  Others think it shows the majesty of God.

Spending money on junk food and soda would be considered wasteful by many.  But most of those people spend money on those things anyway.  Therefore, they're voting with their wallet that there is something of value in those items. 

What is your opinion?  What is a worthwhile use of money?  What is a wasteful use of money?

The Casey Anthony case- in which a FL mother is accused of murdering her 2-year-old daughter- has been dominating the news recently.  If found guilty, Casey Anthony may face the death penalty. 

This brings up an interesting question: is the death penalty ever appropriate?

This actually breaks down into a few questions:
Is it morally correct to kill someone in punishment for a crime?
If so, for which crimes is it appropriate?  Murder only?  Or other crimes also?
If correct for murder, should it be applied to all murders?  Or only some?
If only some, under what circumstances is it appropriate? 

For most people (and with most moral questions, for that matter) it doesn't end up being a simple "yes" or "no." 

What is your opinion? 
Is the death penalty ever appropriate? 
(If I receive a decent response, I will re-post some reader responses along with a link to your side!)

Sources:
DeMarche, Edmund. (2011, June 21). Prosecutors Raise Possibility Casey Anthony Stole Accidental Drowning Defense From Jailmate. Retrieved from Fox News.

Hayes, Ashley. (2011, June 21). Casey Anthony's Drowning Defense Similar to to Inmate's Story. Retrieved from CNN.  

Thank you to Simon Howden (webpage: http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=404) for the use of this photo.