Some lawers are jerks...

It will be interesting to see what comes of this. Take a look at Blackfive's post... it is amazing, the lawyer is a jerk and while he criticizes the Marine for "doing what he will" ... he is practicing exactly that as a lawyer.

clipped from www.blackfive.net Anti-Military Lawyer Damages Marine's Car on Eve of Deployment While saying goodbye, at about 11am, he noticed a man leaning up against his car. Mike left his friend's apartment and caught the man keying his car on multiple sides. After caught in the process, the man told Mike, "you think you can do whatever you want with Department of Defense license plates and tags".  (In Illinois you can purchase veteran, Marine, or medal plates.  Mike has Illinois Marine Corps license plates.)  During the exchange, he made additional anti-military comments. Mike called the Chicago police and had the man arrested. A citation against the man was issued for misdemeanor criminal damage to private property. Update 12-31-07:  The hearing is today.  After about four hundred emails offering help, I've taken down the email address for now.  If I haven't sent you a reply, I apologize and hopefully will send one soon.

Happy Hogmanay!!!

Yea, when it was forbidden to celebrate Christmas in the crazy fashion the Scots just moved their celebration over a week and go crazy for New Years, this year it started on Saturday and goes through tomorrow. If you have ever been to Edinburgh during festival you know how crazy it is. While Edinburgh usually hosts the tourists you can find Hogmanay celebrations all over Scotland ... My friends over there always call me for an official drunk dial, cracks me up because it is only 3pm here... I just found it interesting and thought I would share with all of you

The Origins of Hogmanay (From Rampant Scotland Website)
A guid New Year to ane an` a` and mony may ye see!

While New Year's Eve is celebrated around the world, the Scots have a long rich heritage associated with this event - and have their own name for it, Hogmanay.

There are many theories about the derivation of the word "Hogmanay". The Scandinavian word for the feast preceding Yule was "Hoggo-nott" while the Flemish words (many have come into Scots) "hoog min dag" means "great love day". Hogmanay could also be traced back to the Anglo-Saxon, Haleg monath, Holy Month, or the Gaelic, oge maidne, new morning. But the most likely source seems to be the French. "Homme est né" or "Man is born" while in France the last day of the year when gifts were exchanged was "aguillaneuf" while in Normandy presents given at that time were "hoguignetes". Take your pick!

In Scotland a similar practice to that in Normandy was recorded, rather disapprovingly, by the Church.

"It is ordinary among some Plebians in the South of Scotland, to go about from door to door upon New Year`s Eve, crying Hagmane." Scotch Presbyterian Eloquence, 1693.

Hogmanay Traditional Celebrations

Torchlight Procession Historians believe that we inherited the celebration from the Vikings who, coming from even further north than ourselves, paid even more attention to the passing of the shortest day. In Shetland, where the Viking influence was strongest, New Year is called Yules, from the Scandinavian word.

It may not be widely known but Christmas was not celebrated as a festival and virtually banned in Scotland for around 400 years, from the end of the 17th century to the 1950s. The reason for this has its roots in the Protestant Reformation when the Kirk portrayed Christmas as a Popish or Catholic feast and therefore had to be banned. Many Scots had to work over Christmas and their winter solstice holiday was therefore at New Year when family and friends gathered for a party and exchange presents, especially for the children, which came to be called hogmanay.

There are traditions before midnight such as cleaning the house on 31st December (including taking out the ashes from the fire in the days when coal fires were common). There is also the superstition to clear all your debts before "the bells" at midnight.

Immediately after midnight it is traditional to sing Robert Burns' "For Auld Lang Syne". Burns claimed it was based on an earlier fragment and certainly the tune was in print over 80 years before he published his version in 1788.

"Should auld acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot and auld lang syne
For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne,
We'll take a cup o kindness yet, for auld lang syne."

An integral part of the Hogmanay partying, which continues very much today, is to welcome friends and strangers, with warm hospitality and of course a kiss to wish everyone a Guid New Year. The underlying belief is to clear out the vestiges of the old year, have a clean break and welcome in a young, New Year on a happy note.

"First footing" (that is, the "first foot" in the house after midnight) is still common in Scotland. To ensure good luck for the house, the first foot should be male, dark (believed to be a throwback to the Viking days when blond strangers arriving on your doorstep meant trouble) and should bring symbolic coal, shortbread, salt, black bun and whisky. These days, however, whisky and perhaps shortbread are the only items still prevalent (and available).

"Handselling" was the custom of gift giving on the first Monday of the New Year but this has died out.

Torch and Bonfire Ceremonies

Torchlight ProcessionThe magical Firework display and torchlight procession in Edinburgh - and throughout many cities in Scotland - is reminiscent of the ancient custom at Scottish Hogmanay pagan parties hundreds of years ago.

The traditional New Year ceremony of yesteryear would involve people dressing up in the hides of cattle and running around the village being hit by sticks. The festivities would also include the lighting of bonfires, rolling blazing tar barrels down the hill and tossing torches. Animal hide was also wrapped around sticks and ignited which produced a smoke that was believed to be very effective to ward off evil spirits. The smoking stick was also known as a Hogmanay.

Some of these customs do continue, especially in the small, older communities in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland where tradition, along with language and dialect are kept alive and well. On the Isle of Lewis, in the Outer Hebrides, the young boys form themselves into opposing bands, the leader of each wears a sheep skin, while a member carries a sack. The bands move through the village from house to house reciting a Gaelic rhyme. On being invited inside, the leader walks clockwise around the fire, while everyone hits the skin with sticks. The boys would be given some bannocks - fruit buns - for their sack before moving on to the next house.

One of the most spectacular Fire ceremonies takes place in Stonehaven, just south of Aberdeen on the North East coast. Giant fireballs, weighing up to 20 pounds are lit and swung around on five feet long metal poles, requiring 60 men to carry them as they march up and down the High Street. The origin of the pre-Christian custom is believed to be linked to the Winter Solstice of late December with the fireballs signifying the power of the sun, to purify the world by consuming evil spirits.

And it is worth remembering that January 2nd is a holiday in Scotland as well as the first day of the year - to give us all time to recover from a week of merry-making and celebration, all part of Scotland's fascinating cultural legacy of ancient customs and traditions surrounding the pagan festival of Hogmanay.

Broncos superfan hangs up the barrel

An age of Orange Crush is ending... It kind of brought a tear to my eye for real, and I am not even a football fan.

clipped from www.9news.com Broncos superfan hangs up the barrel VIEW SLIDESHOW DENVER - Tim McKernan, known to generations of Broncos faithful as "The Barrel Man" is retiring after thirty years as the oddly-dressed informal cheerleader for the home team. Chances are, you wouldn't recognize McKernan with his clothes on, but that suits him just fine. He began wearing an orange aluminum barrel to Broncos games in 1977 because of a bet with his brother. "He wanted to see me on TV out in California," McKernan said. "I had painted a barrel to make a drum out of it to look like an Orange Crush can, told him about it and he bet me 10 bucks that I didn't have the guts to wear nothing but the barrel to a ball game." He did have the guts to wear it and keep wearing it, through snow and sub-zero temperatures for 30 years worth of Sundays. "The older I get, the harder it is to handle the cold," he said. "I always thought I'd go until the day I died in it."

Man-Made Global Warming: 10 Questions

Interesting article... click on the link to see his explanations for each of the questions. These are excellent questions, even though as many who have commented on the article agree, for some reason we are not allowed to question. I hope for everyone's sake that this is not the real trend. One of the things I enjoy about our country is our freedom to question, investigate and figure out what we believe on our own.

clipped from www.humanevents.com Man-Made Global Warming: 10 Questions by Pat Sajak 1. What is the perfect temperature? 2. Just what is the average temperature of the earth? 3. What factors have led to global warming in the past, and how do we know they aren’t the causes of the current warming trend 4. Why is there such a strong effort to stifle discussion and dissent? 5. Why are there such dramatically different warnings about the effects of man-made global warming? 6. Are there potential benefits to global warming? 7. Should such drastic changes in public policy be based on a “what if?” proposition? 8. What will be the impact on the people of the world if we change the way we live based on man-made global warming concerns 9. How will we measure our successes? 10. How has this movement gained such momentum?

Oprah…Uma…Obama…Uma…Oprah

Interesting post, and steeped in pithy humor... I quite agree with this.

clipped from gaypatriot.net Oprah…Uma…Obama…Uma…Oprah Posted by Vera Charles at 12:03 pm - December 26, 2007. Filed under: Annoying Celebrities, Post 9-11 America, 2008 Presidential Politics Apparently, in Oprah’s view, instructing the general public on what books to buy, what diets to try, what movies to watch, and what cars to drive, pales in comparison to telling people what candidate to vote for; namely, Mr. Obama. Over the past 20 years, Oprah’s morphed from everyone’s favorite sister - with the self deprecating wit and the boyfriend who won’t commit - to everyone’s overbearing mother - complete with an endless list of your current shortcomings, and dopey advice for your love life. I guess being the self-elected spokeswoman for all women - and a billionaire - just isn’t as fulfilling as one would think. Having the Queen of All Media explain why I should vote for ‘any’ candidate is like having the Queen of England give me housecleaning tips; it’s unwanted and unappreciated advice from the uninformed.

Iowa Man Spends Christmas Eve in Septic Tank

I could not imagine, I am glad that his wife was home!!!

clipped from www.foxnews.com DES MOINES, Iowa —  Christmas Eve stunk for Robert Schoff. The 77-year-old Des Moines man got stuck in his septic tank. "It wasn't good, I'll tell you what," Schoff told the Des Moines Register. "It was the worst Christmas Eve I've ever had." Schoff's holiday adventure started Monday when he dug a hole and reached inside to find a clog. He lost his balance and became wedged in the opening of the tank. The 5-foot 5-inch, 135-pound Schoff hollered, screamed and hoped his wife, Toni, would hear him. He waited for an hour until she walked by a window and noticed feet in the air. "I saw these kicking feet and ran out, but couldn't get him out," Toni Schoff said. She called 911. Two Polk County sheriff's deputies arrived to yank her husband out. "How that happened, I don't know," he said. "I thought it was the end of my life. Thank God my wife saw me. I don't think I could have stood staying in there much more. She's my lifesaver." The Associated Press contributed to this report.

CPT Travis Patriquin, a Tribute- Thanks Blackfive

I am proud to be an American with the brilliant members of our military serving as they do and their sacrifices are not unheeded by us civilians. I thought many of you would enjoy this who seen this before but it having it with the tribute to who designed it is nice.



Back Five Tribute For the full story but an excerpt here...

Last December Travis Patriquin died along with two others in an IED blast. This December he would not even recognize the al Anbar Province he was helping to transform. He became famous for his Powerpoint on "How to win in Anbar" and helped in ways far above his pay grade to push the change to a Counter-Insurgency (COIN) strategy. It is too bad he is not here to see what has become of his stick figures, but we are. So thanks CPT P, from all of us.

Iraqis Crowd Churches for Christmas Mass

Iraqis Crowd Churches for Christmas Mass

My friend Tammy Bruce said this on her website... and I thought it would be nice to share here....

When it comes to the current events we all deal with, here's a bit of news about Iraqi Christians and their Christmas. It is something that reminds us of the importance of our work, the remarkable accomplishment of our troops, and the grace of God, especially when we are challenged the most. And next time you hear Barack Winfrey or any other out of touch politician preen him or herself on having been against the war from the beginning, think of this story, the millions liberated, made safe and now able to look to a more hopeful future.

Here is the article for those that cannot access links...

BAGHDAD (AP) - Thousands of Iraqi Christians made their way to church through checkpoints and streets lined with blast walls, many drawing hope from a lull in violence to celebrate Christmas Mass in numbers unthinkable a year ago.

Death is never far in Iraq—two separate suicide bombings north of Baghdad killed at least 35 people and wounded scores more. But the number of attacks has fallen dramatically in the past few months—the U.S. military says by 60 percent since June.

"We did not celebrate last year, but this year we have security and we feel better," said Rasha Ghaban, one of many women at the small Church of the Holy Family in Karradah, a mainly Shiite district in downtown Baghdad where many Christians live. "We hope our future will be better, God willing."

Families streamed into the church's courtyard, wrapped in heavy winter jackets to protect them from the early morning chill. Young children with neatly combed hair held their parents' hands, and women stopped by the front door to pick through a basket of small lacy headscarves, placing them over their hair before walking in.

The pews were almost full—women toward the back and on the right side of the church, the men on the left—and still more people streamed in. Outside, police armed with automatic rifles manned a checkpoint at the corner of the narrow street, searching every passing car for possible bombs.

Christians have often been the target of attacks by Islamic extremists in Iraq, forcing tens of thousands to flee. Many of those who stayed were isolated in neighborhoods protected by barricades and checkpoints. Less than 3 percent of Iraq's 26 million people are Christians—the majority Chaldean-Assyrians and Armenians, with small numbers of Roman Catholics.

A coordinated bombing campaign in 2004 targeted churches in the Iraqi capital, and anti-Christian violence also flared last September after Pope Benedict XVI made comments perceived to be against Islam.

But this year, with the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha coming just before Christmas, Iraq has been living through some of the most peaceful moments since the U.S.-led invasion of 2003.

Cardinal Emmanuel III Delly, leader of the ancient Chaldean Catholic Church and Iraq's first cardinal, celebrated Mass before about 2,000 people in the Mar Eliya Church the eastern New Baghdad neighborhood of the capital.

"Iraq is a bouquet of flowers of different colors, each color represents a religion or ethnicity but all of them have the same scent," the 80-year-old Delly told the congregation.

Muslim clerics—both Sunni and Shiite—also attended the service in a sign of unity.

"May Iraq be safe every year, and may our Christian brothers be safe every year," Shiite cleric Hadi al-Jazail told AP Television News outside the church. "We came to celebrate with them and to reassure them."

William Jalal, a 39-year old father of three attending Mass at Mar Eliya, said this Christmas was clearly different.

"We didn't celebrate like this in the past two years as we were holding limited celebrations for relatives in an atmosphere filled with fear," said Jalal, a cook in one of Baghdad's social clubs. "Now we feel better as we see all these security forces in the streets to protect us."

Bombers still attack city markets, police or army patrols and stores, and the dead bodies of tortured kidnap victims turn up almost daily along river banks or dumped on the streets.

Venturing out in large numbers late at night in Baghdad is still unthinkable, so the capital's Christians celebrated midnight Mass in the middle of the afternoon on Christmas Eve.

Delly, speaking to The Associated Press at his guarded compound in western Baghdad on Christmas Eve, said fear still pervaded everyday life, despite the fall in violence.

"Everyone is still afraid to go out," he said. "Even small animals are afraid of the danger."

In northern Iraq's much safer Kurdish autonomous region, worshipers headed to the town of Ain Kawa, near Irbil. Some 1,600 Arab Christian families from Baghdad and nearby regions have settled there, said the local mayor, Fahmi Sulafa.

"Here, I feel my soul is at rest," said Matti Gordese, a 40-year-old father of four originally from Baghdad. "I can practise my religion without feeling that suddenly, a bomb will explode and kill you in God's house."