Bring It On!

         

         

The above pictures are of fellow Soldiers saying their prayers and giving honor to their and our fallen Soldiers!

A Prayer for Our Troops 

 'Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. Amen.'

 

Putting all differences aside, after reviewing the pictures above, please stop for a moment and say a prayer for our troops around the world.   Of all the gifts you could give a Marine, Soldier, Sailor, Airman, & All others deployed in harm's way, your prayers and support for them is a great gift in return!

SUPPORT OUR TROOPS!

 

Is There anything you would like to say or add to show your support for what they do and for them as well……..

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Praying "In the name of Jesus Christ" cost Rev. Danny Harvey his job as a hospital Chaplain at Leesburg Regional Medical Center for seven years.   Rev. Harvey was dismissed from his pastoral post last month because he refused to stop praying any other way ~~ even among the hospital's non-Christian patients, staff and visitors.   Rev. Harvey, 49, said he couldn't stop invoking the name Jesus Christ in prayer.

 

His firing raises questions about the role of a chaplain in a hospital that treats patients of many different faiths.  Leesburg Regional sits in the center of a largely Christian community, but the city, like much of Central Florida, is becoming increasingly diverse.

 

Rev. Harvey's dismissal also has drawn the attention of Christian clergy in the Leesburg area. On Saturday they plan to lead a two-mile prayerful walk around the medical center, and they intend to wear T-shirts emblazoned with the rallying cry, "My Jesus, My Freedom, My Stand."

 

He described Saturday's march as a "uniting of Christians in the name of Jesus Christ" and not an attack on the hospital, whose labor lawyer has threatened to weigh "legal remedies" against Rev. Harvey.

 

He said he tried to help connect patients with their own faith, but when he was asked to pray, he refused to deny his own. Rev. Harvey said, "I'd say, 'I'm a believer in Jesus Christ and I pray in Jesus Christ's name.   I try to be clear.  I'm not praying to you, the patient. . . . I'm praying to God."

 

I guess he forgot also he was praying for the patient and not for himself as well.

 

He was called to minister to the spiritual needs of the patient.   It's not all about Rev Harvey himself but about the people he serves, period.  Chaplains who pray publicly must speak generally.  Not everyone believes in Jesus.  This is a legal issue, not just a spiritual one.   But others will make it into a religious issue.

 

A chaplain must be able to serve all faiths in a time of crisis, said the Manager of Spiritual Care for Orlando Regional Healthcare System, which employees 50 full and part-time chaplains of different faiths, genders and races.   The hospital follows guidelines of the Association of Clinical Pastoral Education, which preaches respect for all religions so it would seem Rev. Harvey feels differently and refuses to follow the guidelines with the attitude of things only being his way and belief, so as a result, he lost his job.

 

No one should impose their personal beliefs or opinions upon those in need, you serve as a universal representative of the divine and if you can't, you need to find a church and serve there which clearly shows that would be the best thing for Rev. Harvey.

 

The issue was not about praying "In the Name of Jesus Christ", which has been claimed, but that his official duties of his paid position were not being met.  Those duties included being respectful of the different religious beliefs of patients and the ability to lead them in their faith in their time of need.

 

It would seem that anything different from “In the Name of Jesus Christ” is against Rev. Harvey’s beliefs making this into a religious issue so wouldn’t he be showing a bit of an act of prejudice against others whom believe or pray differently after letting everyone know it's only by his way and nothing else but?

 

He should keep himself, (out of the goodness of his set heart), availible for those "In the Name of Jesus Christ" only!   But of course he will take charitable donations for it "In the Name of Jesus Christ" of course to help support the cause since he is now off the payroll, just give him a call.    Dial 1800 My Jesus! (not really)

What do you believe?

 

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Everyone knows that Bikers spend lots of money making Bike Week & Bike Fest a big advantage to making a large profit for various businesses and venders!   Well here lately there also seems to be a bigger increase in Poker Runs, Benefits, and Charity Runs....something bikers use to enjoy!   Now there are so many each and every weekend that some are getting pretty tired of it and it would seem even being taken advantage of because Bikers loves to help good causes doing what they can!

It has now become so overwelming that it gets to be old and the same ole, same ole just for different causes.   When will it be enough....probably never as long as Bikers still spend that money!   A great deal of profit making is made off of Bikers throughout the whole year and it is a growing trend that can accually cover a whole town with thousands of Bikers.   There are more and more people now getting into riding motorcycles now!

So how do you feel about this?

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This new dollar coin released by our government is one that may go down in history being the first of its kind without the "In God We Trust" being placed in any US money!   Some people are outraged over this saying our government is not basing the Christianity for which this Country was established on!   Is the government turning everything around just to please the USA's different realigns or are they looking to change things for another reason?

What do you think about our new US coin and it's lack of those common words that is placed on all our other money here in the US?   Will you refuse one and request a bill instead as a protest or do you just think "Its Only Money, not a big deal"?

Blog it here!

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Chevy Rock & Roll 400 at Richmond International Raceway in Richmond Virginia!

 

Boy what a battle on the track with this race!!!   It was a sit at the edge of your seat with this one as the driver’s really race for the chase!

 

For Earnhardt, it's the beginning of the end of one chapter of his career, his long association with Dale Earnhardt Inc., which concludes with the season's final event.  His move to Hendrick Motorsports is now but 10 races away.   There is no longer a championship, a big picture, to compete for.   There are only smaller goals, and a finite amount of time, before this new episode of his life opens to the world.   With six laps remaining and Earnhardt running third, Jr met with an unfortunate engine blow giving him a DNF that left Earnhardt 198 points shy of the Chase!

 

Jimmy Johnson is the driver no one wants to get hot, but the defending series champion and his No. 48 Chevrolet are heating up at just the right time.   The Victory was Johnson's second in a row and sixth of the season.   He'll start with a 20-point lead on Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jeff Gordon when the Chase begins September 16 at New Hampshire International Speedway.   Jimmie Johnson will lead the pack when the Chase begins.   Gordon still a driver to beat Chase and season schedule.

 

Tony Stewart's Chevrolet finished second 3.007 seconds behind. The Ford of rookie David Ragan was third, with Gordon's Chevrolet in fourth. Johnny Sauter posted a career-best finish of fifth in his Chevrolet.

 

Local favorite Denny Hamlin ended up sixth.   Kevin Harvick, Kasey Kahne, Kurt Busch and J.J. Yeley rounded out the top 10.

 

There were 15 lead changes among 12 drivers, and 12 caution periods that included two red flags gobbled up 70 of the 400 laps. Johnson's average speed was 91.813 mph.

 

So there you have it!    What did you think about the race?

 

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ON ABORTION

Roe v. Wade was bad law and bad science.

Appoint strict constructionist judges.

Has never been pro-choice despite 1994 news reports.

Voted YES on maintaining ban on Military Base Abortions.

Voted YES on banning partial birth abortions.

Voted YES on banning human cloning.

 

ON BUDGET AND ECONOMY

Voted YES on prioritizing national debt reduction below tax cuts.

Voted NO on 1998 GOP budget.

Voted YES on Balanced-budget constitutional amendment.

 

ON CIVIL RIGHTS

Voted NO on adding sexual orientation to definition of hate crimes.

Voted NO on loosening restrictions on cell phone wiretapping.

Voted NO on expanding hate crimes to include sexual orientation.

Voted NO on setting aside 10% of highway funds for minorities & women.

Voted NO on ending special funding for minority & women-owned business.

Voted YES on prohibiting same-sex marriage.

Voted NO on prohibiting job discrimination by sexual orientation.

Voted YES on Amendment to prohibit flag burning.

Voted NO on banning affirmative action hiring with federal funds.

 

ON CORPORATIONS

Commerce clause does not mean Feds can regulate everything.

Voted YES on restricting rules on personal bankruptcy.

 

ON DRUGS

Voted YES on increasing penalties for drug offenses.

Voted YES on spending international development funds on drug control.

 

ON EDUCATION

Voted NO on funding smaller classes instead of private tutors.

Voted NO on funding student testing instead of private tutors.

Voted NO on spending $448B of tax cut on education & debt reduction.

Voted YES on Educational Savings Accounts.

Voted YES on allowing more flexibility in federal school rules.

Voted YES on education savings accounts.

Voted YES on school vouchers in DC.

Voted YES on $75M for abstinence education.

 

ON ENERGY AND OIL

Solar system is warming, not earth.

Voted YES on drilling ANWR on national security grounds.

Voted YES on terminating CAFE standards within 15 months.

Voted YES on preserving budget for ANWR oil drilling.

Voted NO on ending discussion of CAFE fuel efficiency standards.

Voted YES on defunding renewable and solar energy.

Voted YES on approving a nuclear waste repository.

 

ON ENVIRONMENT

Voted YES on confirming Gale Norton as Secretary of Interior.

Voted YES on more funding for forest roads and fish habitat.

Voted YES on transportation demo projects.

Voted YES on reducing funds for road-building in National Forests.

 

ON FAMILY AND CHILDREN

Voted YES on killing restrictions on violent videos to minors.

 

ON FOREIGN POLICY

Voted YES on enlarging NATO to include Eastern Europe.

Voted NO on killing a bill for trade sanctions if China sells weapons.

Voted YES on cap foreign aid at only $12.7 billion.

Voted YES on limiting the President's power to impose economic sanctions.

Voted NO on limiting NATO expansion to only Poland, Hungary & Czech.

Voted NO on $17.9 billion to IMF.

Voted YES on Strengthening of the trade embargo against Cuba.

 

ON FREE TRADE

Market does more for freedom & prosperity than planners.

Protectionist trade policies are defensive & defeatist.

Markets do more for freedom than any central planner.

Protectionist trade policies are defensive & defeatist.

Voted YES on extending free trade to Andean nations.

Voted YES on granting normal trade relations status to Vietnam.

Voted NO on removing common goods from national security export rules.

Voted YES on permanent normal trade relations with China.

Voted YES on expanding trade to the third world.

Voted YES on renewing 'fast track' presidential trade authority.

Voted YES on imposing trade sanctions on Japan for closed market.

 

ON GOVERNMENT REFORM

Passionate supporter of states rights.

Term limits counter professionalization of politics.

Voted YES on banning "soft money" contributions and restricting issue ads.

Voted YES on require photo ID (not just signature) for voter registration.

Voted YES on banning campaign donations from unions & corporations.

Voted YES on funding for National Endowment for the Arts.

Voted YES on favoring 1997 McCain-Feingold overhaul of campaign finance.

Voted YES on Approving the presidential line-item veto.

Voted NO on banning more types of Congressional gifts.

 

ON GUN CONTROL

Allowing concealed carry could have limited VA Tech massacre.

Voted NO on background checks at gun shows.

Voted NO on more penalties for gun & drug violations.

Voted YES on loosening license & background checks at gun shows.

Voted YES on maintaining current law: guns sold without trigger locks.

 

ON HEALTH CARE

Voted NO on allowing reimportation of Rx drugs from Canada.

Voted NO on allowing patients to sue HMOs & collect punitive damages.

Voted YES on funding GOP version of Medicare prescription drug benefit.

Voted NO on including prescription drugs under Medicare.

Voted YES on limiting self-employment health deduction.

Voted NO on increasing tobacco restrictions.

Voted YES on Medicare means-testing.

Voted NO on medical savings acounts.

 

ON HOMELAND SECURITY

Europe mothballs its fleet, when all should build military.

Voted NO on adopting the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.

Voted YES on allowing another round of military base closures.

Voted YES on cutting nuclear weapons below START levels.

Voted YES on deploying National Missile Defense ASAP.

Voted YES on military pay raise of 4.8%.

Voted NO on prohibiting same-sex basic training.

Voted YES on favoring 36 vetoed military projects.

Voted NO on banning chemical weapons.

Voted YES on considering deploying NMD, and amending ABM Treaty.

Voted YES on 1996 Defense Appropriations

 

ON IMMIGRATION

Opposes amnesty in any form.

Nation loses sovereignty if it cannot secure its own borders.

Voted YES on allowing more foreign workers into the US for farm work.

Voted YES on visas for skilled workers.

Voted YES on limit welfare for immigrants.

 

ON JOBS

Voted YES on repealing Clinton's ergonomic rules on repetitive stress.

Voted YES on killing an increase in the minimum wage.

Voted YES on allowing workers to choose between overtime & comp-time.

Voted YES on replacing farm price supports.

 

ON PRINCIPLES AND VALUES

Reveals he suffers from cancer, but it won't affect campaign.

Religious affiliation: Protestant.

 

ON SOCIAL SECURITY

Social Security & Medicare are generational wealth transfers.

Voted YES on Social Security Lockbox & limiting national debt.

Voted YES on allowing Roth IRAs for retirees.

Voted YES on allowing personal retirement accounts.

Voted YES on deducting Social Security payments on income taxes.

 

ON TAX REFORM

Progressive tax redistributes wealth without helping economy.

Taxes burden production; keep rates as low as possible.

Tax cuts stimulate the economy.

Voted NO on reducing marriage penalty instead of cutting top tax rates.

Voted NO on increasing tax deductions for college tuition.

Voted YES on eliminating the 'marriage penalty'.

Voted YES on across-the-board spending cut.

Voted YES on requiring super-majority for raising taxes.

 

ON TECHNOLOGY

Voted YES on Internet sales tax moratorium.

Voted YES on telecomm deregulation.

 

ON WAR AND PEACE

I would do essentially what the president's doing in Iraq.

Take any chance to not get run out of Iraq.

Internationalizing war effort will not win the war.

President must decide on war based on unclear evidence.

Prophets of doom are wrong--we can't cut-and-run.

Goal of Iraqi enemies is to demoralize us.

Serious & painful international sanctions on nuclear Iran.

Voted YES on authorizing use of military force against Iraq.

Voted YES on allowing all necessary force in Kosovo.

Voted NO on authorizing air strikes in Kosovo.

Voted YES on ending the Bosnian arms embargo.

Condemns anti-Muslim bigotry in name of anti-terrorism.

Move the US Embassy to Jerusalem.

 

ON WELFARE AND POVERTY

Voted YES on welfare block grants.

Voted NO on eliminating block grants for food stamps.

Voted YES on allowing state welfare waivers.

Voted YES on welfare overhaul.

http://www.ontheissues.org/senate/Fred_Thompson.htm>

 

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The mission of the Back to Nature Wildlife Refuge is to rescue, raise, rehabilitate, and release injured or orphaned native species wildlife and to provide education about respecting and preserving the environment through our non-releasable permanent residents, known as “educational ambassadors”.

 

Incorporated in June 1989, Back to Nature Wildlife Refuge serves as the largest non-profit wildlife rehabilitation facility in the Central Florida Region. We rely on the generous support of the public to help us fulfill our mission to care for the wildlife.

 

WHAT: 2nd Annual  “Bikers Gone Wild” Back to Nature Poker Run

WHEN: Sunday, September 9, registration from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00

STARTS: Run starts from  Back to Nature Wildlife Refuge, 1815 E. Colonial Drive

ENDS: Last bike in by 4:00 p.m.

cost:  Riders $20.00 and Passengers $15.00

 

The 2006 Poker Run was such a whopping success and so darn much fun, we are doing it again this year. Come enjoy a fun filled bike riding day in the 2ndst Annual “Bikers Gone Wild” Poker Run to benefit Back to Nature Wildlife Refuge.  The run begins in the morning from the Refuge on Sunday, September 9.  Registration is from 10:30 a.m. to noon .  Be one of the first 100 to register and receive a free commemorative Back To Nature Wildlife Refuge T-shirt. Your donation of $20.00 per rider and $15.00 per passenger includes: a Continental Breakfast, a  BBQ dinner with a live band and a five card poker hand.  The scenic ride stops at The Jolly Gator Fish Camp in Geneva, Black Hammock/Lazy Gator Bar in Oviedo and the Bar Out Back - St. Johns Bar & Grille in Sanford.  Pick up one poker card at each stop and complete your poker hand at the end of the run at the Handlebar & Grille in Longwood.  Last bike in at 4:00 p.m.  At the end of the ride there will be an auction, chair massages, a 50/50 money raffle, item raffles for tickets, gift cards and much more plus prizes for the best and the worst poker hands.

 

Don’t miss the fun and the chance to support Central Florida’s largest wildlife refuge.  You can pay ahead of time via PayPal on the Back to Nature website:  www.btn-wildlife.org.  Or mail check or money order to Back to Nature Wildlife Refuge, 18515 East Colonial Drive, Orlando, FL.  32820, Attention: Heather.  For more information, call the Refuge at 407-568-5138 or email at  info@btn-wildlife.org.

 

Hope to see you there!    Please Help our wildlife with your generous support!

 

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Here's my idea of a new T-shirt for me to wear!    I would also like it in a halter top and a spaghetti string shirt......

VOTE FOR

FRED AND TED

FOR PREDSIDENTCY

FRED THOMPSON for President

TED NUGENT for Vice President

Are there any ideas you may have for your own T-shirt or what ever shirt to say?

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Democratic fundraiser is a fugitive in plain sight!   California authorities have sought businessman Norman Hsu for 15 years. Since 2004, he has carved out a place of honor raising cash for such candidates as Hillary Rodham Clinton.

WASHINGTON -- For the last 15 years, California authorities have been trying to figure out what happened to a businessman named Norman Hsu, who pleaded no contest to grand theft, agreed to serve up to three years in prison and then seemed to vanish.

"He is a fugitive," Ronald Smetana, who handled the case for the state attorney general, said in an interview. "Do you know where he is?"

Hsu, it seems, has been hiding in plain sight, at least for the last three years.

Since 2004, one Norman Hsu has been carving out a prominent place of honor among Democratic fundraisers. He has funneled hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions into party coffers, much of it earmarked for presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York.

In addition to making his own contributions, Hsu has honed the practice of assembling packets of checks from contributors who bear little resemblance to the usual Democratic deep pockets: A self-described apparel executive with a variety of business interests, Hsu has focused on delivering hefty contributions from citizens who live modest lives and are neophytes in the world of campaign giving.

On Tuesday, E. Lawrence Barcella Jr. -- a Washington lawyer who represents the Democratic fundraiser -- confirmed that Hsu was the same man who was involved in the California case. Barcella said his client did not remember pleading to a criminal charge and facing the prospect of jail time. Hsu remembers the episode as part of a settlement with creditors when he also went through bankruptcy, Barcella said.

The bulk of the campaign dollars raised by major parties comes from the same sources: business groups, labor unions and other well-heeled interests with a long-term need to win friends in the political arena.

But the appetite for cash has grown so great that politicians are constantly pressured to find new sources of contributions. Hsu's case illustrates the sometimes-bizarre results of that tendency to push the envelope, often in ways the candidates know nothing about.

As a Democratic rainmaker, Hsu -- who graduated from UC Berkeley and the Wharton School of Business -- is credited with donating nearly $500,000 to national and local party candidates and their political committees in the last three years. He earned a place in the Clinton campaign's "HillRaiser" group by pledging to raise more than $100,000 for her presidential bid.

Records show that Hsu helped raise an additional $500,000 from other sources for Clinton and other Democrats.

"Norman Hsu is a longtime and generous supporter of the Democratic Party and its candidates, including Sen. Clinton," Howard Wolfson, a spokesman for the campaign, said Tuesday.

"During Mr. Hsu's many years of active participation in the political process, there has been no question about his integrity or his commitment to playing by the rules, and we have absolutely no reason to call his contributions into question or to return them."

Wolfson did not immediately respond Tuesday night to questions about Hsu's legal problems.

Though he is a fugitive, Hsu has hardly kept a low profile. The website camerarts.com, which sells photographs taken at political events, features shots of Hsu at several fundraisers he hosted at Manhattan's elegant St. Regis hotel -- including a June 2005 luncheon for Rep. Doris Matsui (D-Sacramento).

Hsu lives in New York City. Efforts to contact him were unsuccessful. Barcella said Hsu chose to respond through his lawyer.

Records show that Hsu has emerged as one of the Democrats' most successful "bundlers," rounding up groups of contributors and packaging their checks together before delivering the funds to campaign officials. Individuals can give a total of $4,600 to a single candidate during an election cycle, $2,300 for the primaries and $2,300 for the general election.

One example of the kind of first-time donors Hsu has worked with is the Paw family of Daly City, Calif., which is headed by William Paw, a mail carrier, and his wife, Alice, who is listed as a homemaker.

The Paws -- seven adults, most of whom live together in a small house near San Francisco International Airport -- apparently had never donated to national candidates until 2004. Over a three-year period, they gave $213,000, including $55,000 to Clinton and $14,000 to candidates for state-level offices in New York.

The family includes a son, Winkle Paw, who Barcella said was in business with Hsu. Another son works for a Bay Area school board, while one daughter works for a hospital and another for a computer company.

"They have the financial wherewithal to make their own donations," Barcella said. "It didn't come from Norman."

Your thoughts........

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THIS JUST IN......

Fred Thompson plans to run, officially
In a webcast next week, former senator says he'll join the Republican presidential race.

WASHINGTON -- Former Sen. Fred Thompson of Tennessee told supporters Thursday that he would formally enter the race for the Republican presidential nomination next week, with TV and Internet appearances designed to exploit the actor-politician's celebrity.

Thompson, 65, has talked since spring about running for president, but has repeatedly put off an announcement as he replaced staffers and raised more than $3 million for the fledgling effort.

Thompson and his aides told donors and supporters in conference calls that he would officially launch the campaign Thursday with a webcast. Aides later confirmed the private announcement in an e-mail to reporters. A tour of the early-voting states Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina are to follow the kickoff.

Thompson's campaign and NBC are trying to arrange an appearance by Thompson on "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" on Wednesday, the night before the official kickoff. An NBC executive said Thursday that both sides were pursuing the booking but that his appearance was not confirmed.

The other Republican presidential contenders are scheduled to debate that night in New Hampshire. The Union Leader, the state's largest newspaper, said in an editorial this week that Thompson, who has been exploring a campaign for months to the impatience of some Republicans, should enter the race and appear at the debate. But a Thompson appearance on the Leno show could eclipse the debate, and give the candidate an enormous audience in a friendly entertainment venue.

"I believe that there are millions of Americans who know that our security and prosperity are at risk if we don't address the challenges of our time: the global threat of terrorism; taxes and spending that will bankrupt future generations; and a government that can't seem to get the most basic responsibilities right for its citizens," Thompson said in a statement e-mailed by his campaign.

Thompson shepherded few major bills during his eight years as a senator. As an actor, he is best-known for his role as New York Dist. Atty. Arthur Branch on the NBC drama series "Law & Order" and for his performances in such movies as "The Hunt for Red October."

There is precedent for beginning a campaign on "The Tonight Show": Arnold Schwarzenegger announced his gubernatorial campaign there in 2003.

By appearing on Leno's show, Thompson will attempt to use his celebrity to "go over the heads of pundits," in the words of one advisor.

In recent speeches, Thompson has also indicated a distaste for traditional position papers and policy stances. "To me there are a lot of issues," he said dismissively to the Midwest Republican Leadership Conference on Saturday in Indianapolis. "Goodness knows we are not deprived of issues or solutions that people have."

Instead, he has called for a focus on what he terms "first principles." His speeches have identified three: a tough stance on national security, the will to control federal spending, and a limited role for the federal government.

As he tested the waters in recent months, Thompson largely avoided sustained questioning from the news media, and he attended few traditional political events. Instead, he has relied on commentaries and videos released online to communicate with voters. A webcast announcement fits that pattern.

"He's going to hope his record won't be scrutinized," said Martin Kaplan, director of USC's Norman Lear Center, a multidisciplinary research center that focuses on the intersection of entertainment, commerce and society. Kaplan was also an official with Democrat Walter F. Mondale's 1984 presidential campaign.

"He won't have to take questions from the press, and he can run solely on his image," Kaplan said of Thompson.

The Thompson campaign said that the kickoff would be followed by appearances in Des Moines and Council Bluffs, Iowa, and that Thompson planned to visit New Hampshire on Sept. 8. The following week, he is scheduled to stop in South Carolina and Florida. His announcement tour ends Sept. 15 in his hometown of Lawrenceburg, Tenn.

I am so excited and relieved all at the same time!!!

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Please note this should be listed under the Music Category!

 

A Legendary musician brings peace and harmony to UN HQ!

 

What do the United Nations and a well-known Russian musician have in common? According to the Russian rock legend Boris Grebenshchikov, it’s their mutual goal that brings them together. Last night he staged a one-and-a-half hour concert at the UN headquarters in New York dedicating it to peace and harmony in the world.

 

The United Nations headquarters in New York has seen a lot over the years. Emperors, presidents, ambassadors and diplomats from around the world have filled its halls and auditoriums to discuss the burning issues of modern times.  If this building’s walls had ears, it’s hard to imagine what kind of conversations it would have heard.

 

This time, however, they had a chance to eavesdrop on something totally different - a one-and-a-half-hour concert by renowned Russian musician and poet Boris Grebenshchikov.

 

Boris Grebenshchikov is considered to be one of the founding fathers of Russian rock. Performing since 1973, Grebenshchikov and his band “Aquarium” have won three generations of fans. Now he has brought his music to the United Nations with the aim of bringing together different cultures and views.

 

Grebenshchikov played his songs accompanied by musicians from various parts of the world - such as a member of the philharmonic orchestra of Puerto Rico on the piano, or the soloist from the Viennese symphony orchestra on cello.   As the musician said himself, times may change but people stay the same. So he always feels comfortable performing for them.

 

“Sometimes I don’t understand politics, or sometimes when I understand, I don’t want to believe it. But people stay the same. I've seen three generations grow up, and their thoughts and problems are still the same, so I feel absolutely comfortable,” Boris Grebenshchikov says.

 

Hundreds of the UN’s staff members, diplomats and Russians living in New York came to see the performance.   And just for a change - but just briefly -  the headquarters of the world’s debating chamber was filled with peace and harmony.

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Please note this should be under the MUSIC Category!

CRHP retreat inspires musician to sing God’s praises!

PRAISE TO THE LORD — Musician Tom Dorff cantors at Mass earlier this summer at his parish, Immaculate Conception in Dardenne Prairie. Some of the songs he sings at Mass are his own. His music ministry was inspired by his experience with his parish’s Christ Renews His Parish program.

 

by Jean M. Schildz

 

A Christ Renews His Parish retreat may not make everyone want to sing God’s praises, but it sure got musician Tom Dorff going.

 

Because of his experience with the evangelization program, the O’Fallon resident now cantors and plays guitar at Mass at his parish, Immaculate Conception in Dardenne Prairie. What some may not realize is that the songs he sings often are his.

 

Dorff attended a CRHP weekend retreat last year at Immaculate Conception. The program, presented by parishioners, offers a means to help rekindle faith, form faith communities and enrich parish life. There are separate retreats for men and women. About 40 parishes in the archdiocese have offered the renewal weekends.

 

The CRHP retreat changed his life, Dorff said. Though a practicing Catholic, he hadn’t gone to confession in 30 years. The retreat gave him the strength to unburden his soul in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

 

Said Dorff, "At that moment I knew something was changing in me. ... I knew I would never be the same." Since then, he has put God first in his life every day and "sees Christ in people where I never did before."

 

Dorff was so touched spiritually by his experience he volunteered to help with the next CRHP retreat at his parish.  "I would have been fine with kitchen help," the 50-year-old said with a laugh, but apparently the Holy Spirit had other plans. Dorff was asked to serve as lay director. He worked closely with fellow parishioner and CRHP spiritual director John Schulte to plan the retreat.

 

Dorff, an accomplished guitarist and former band member, wrote a song about the renewal process and sang it as a gift for those on retreat. The lyrics came to him at a Blues hockey game. He went home and wrote them from memory.

 

"Renew My Song," first performed for CRHP retreatants, is one of the songs he sings at Mass. It also is the second song on his inaugural CD, titled, "here i am."

 

Dorff worked with top-notch studio musicians in Nashville, Tenn., to make the recording. It was released this spring.

 

Immaculate Conception pastor Father Bob Reiker has a copy of Dorff’s CD and loves to listen to it "as a prayer." Dorff’s music, he said, was invaluable to adding to the spiritual aspect of the CRHP retreat. His music "really moved" participants, the priest said, and gave Dorff the encouragement he needed to get involved in the parish’s music ministry.

 

Parishioners often comment how beautiful Dorff’s songs are, the pastor continued. Many don’t know they are Dorff’s own compositions. The message in his songs "just touches people because it’s coming from someone that’s just like them, who’s kind of in the same place that they are," Father Reiker said.

 

Immaculate Conception is now in its fourth year of offering CRHP. Roughly 150 men and 150 women have taken part to date. Most, Father Reiker said, "are just blossoming in their faith after going through" the retreat program. Nearly all the participants have become more active in the parish than they were before, he said. They "really upgrade significantly in their living out their faith in the parish setting. The retreat surely lives up to its name, Christ Renews His Parish, because these individuals are getting renewed. So it’s a remarkable experience."

 

The parish, for instance, has seen a new men’s club and women’s club spring up because of CRHP. "There’s just dozens of stories like this," Father Reiker said.

 

Of Dorff, Father Reiker said, "I think he’s found a whole new ministry, a whole new avenue of using God’s grace for the good of the parish."   Noted Jan Parker, Immaculate Conception’s music and liturgy coordinator, "Many church musicians have amazing talent. True ministers of music have something more important — a deep spirituality and openness to ongoing conversion and transformation.

 

Tom Dorff has both. His songs come from a heart that experiences a living relationship with God. His story is told in his songs, and it’s a story we all can relate to.   His lyrics are personal, but theologically sound. As a new addition to our music ministry team, Tom is a great witness with remarkable creative gifts."   Dorff said he wants to use his musical talents now to touch others and bring them to a closer relationship with the Lord. "Evangelization through music is key," he said.

 

He recently organized a group of parishioners to perform contemporary Catholic-inspired Christian music, including his own. The band plays at church services and local events. Fellow band members are Monty Criswell, Tom Dolan, Laura Helleny and Steve Sitter. Dorff has dubbed the group "‘The Christ Greater than I’ worship band."

 

Dorff added he has placed his musical career in God’s hands. He has about eight or nine more songs at different stages of completion and soon will be ready to record again.

 

"Wherever God wants me to go with it I’ll go," Dorff said. "I don’t care about making money, it’s just about getting the message out. And if one person is moved by it, it’s more than I can ever have imagined."

Another great additive to Christian Music which seems to be a growing trend today especially within the younger crowd.    Does anyone here listen to today's Christain Music?

BOOP-BOOP-A-DOOP

We all have our own taste in music and we all have our favorite Artists and groups.   Have you ever been to a concert to see your favorites?    I have been to a number of concerts throughout my years but never was able to see the ones I really wanted to see.   Someone either had an extra ticket or out on a date.

I did see Johnny & Edgar Winter (WOW) that was a great concert and my very first too...Seals & Crofts...Hank Williams Jr & Merle Haggard (another great concert) Danny's last concert with Molly Hatchet (really rocked)!    But the ones I really wanted to see but was unable to was PINK FLOYD, Moody Blues, Rush, CHER (retired now), and Fleetwood Mac!

Of course the latest Concert I saw was at "Bar Out Back" with our own Jim Van Fleet and the Reign (What a show)!

Were you able to see your favorite group or groups on stage?    If so then who was it and how did you like it...was it worth every cent you paid?    If you haven't then who would you like to see perform?

Blog about it here!!!     ROCK ON!!!

BOOP-BOOP-A-DOOP

All About Fred Thompson!!

Frederick Dalton "Fred" Thompson (born August 19, 1942) is an American politician, lawyer, lobbyist, and character actor. He represented Tennessee as a Republican in the U.S. Senate from 1994 through 2003.

Thompson is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and a Visiting Fellow with the American Enterprise Institute, specializing in national security and intelligence. He resides in McLean, Virginia near Washington, D.C.

As an actor, Thompson has performed in film and on television. He has frequently portrayed governmental figures. In the final months of his U.S. Senate term in 2002, Thompson joined the cast of the long-running NBC television series Law & Order, playing New York City District Attorney Arthur Branch.

On May 30, 2007, Fred Thompson asked to be released from his television duties, potentially in preparation for a presidential bid. Then on June 1, 2007 he formed a presidential exploratory committee regarding his possible 2008 campaign for President.

Fred Thompson was born August 19, 1942 in Sheffield, Alabama to Ruth Inez (Bradley) and Fletcher Session Thompson, an automobile salesman. He attended the public schools in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee including Lawrence County High School. After graduating from high school, he worked days in the local post office and worked nights at a bicycle assembly plant.

Thompson entered Florence State College, now the University of North Alabama, becoming the first member of his family to go to college. He subsequently transferred to Memphis State University, now the University of Memphis, where he earned a double-major in philosophy and political science in 1964, as well as scholarships to both Tulane and Vanderbilt law schools. He went on to earn his J.D. degree from Vanderbilt in 1967.

Thompson was admitted to the State Bar of Tennessee in 1967 and worked as an assistant U.S. attorney from 1969 to 1972. In that position, he successfully prosecuted bank robbery and other cases.

He was the campaign manager for Republican U.S. Senator Howard Baker's successful re-election campaign in 1972, which led to a close friendship with Baker. He later served as co-chief counsel to the Senate Watergate Committee in its investigation of the Watergate scandal, (1973–1974), and afterwards wrote a book about it.

Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, Thompson worked primarily as an attorney, with law offices in Nashville and Washington, DC. Among the cases Thompson handled in his private law practice were personal injury claims and the defense of individuals accused of white collar crimes. While in private practice, he also accepted appointments as Special Counsel to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (1980-1981), Special Counsel to the Senate Intelligence Committee (1982), and Member of the Appellate Court Nominating Commission for the State of Tennessee (1985-1987). Some of his clients have been foreign corporations, such as a German mining group and Japan's Toyota Motors Corporation. Thompson has served on various corporate boards; for example, in the 1990s, he did legal work for the engineering firm Stone & Webster, while also serving on its board of directors.

Thompson was appointed minority counsel for the hearings surrounding the Watergate scandal. He was responsible for Sen. Baker asking one of the questions that is said to have led directly to the downfall of President Richard Nixon—"What did the President know, and when did he know it?" Also, Thompson himself asked former White House aide Alexander Butterfield, at the public committee hearing, about listening devices in the White House, although the committee already knew the answer to that question because Butterfield had earlier been interviewed by Senate investigators in closed session.

Nixon was reportedly angry that Thompson had been selected as minority counsel to the Senate Watergate committee; Nixon believed the young Thompson was not skilled enough to interrogate unfriendly witnesses, and was apt to be outfoxed by committee Democrats. According to historian Stanley Kutler, Fred Thompson and Howard Baker "carried water for the White House, but I have to give them credit — they were watching out for their interests, too....They weren't going to mindlessly go down the tubes" for Nixon.

In response to renewed interest in this matter, Thompson says "I'm glad all of this has finally caused someone to read my Watergate book, even though it's taken them over thirty years."

In 1977, Thompson represented Marie Ragghianti who was a former Tennessee Parole Board chair. Ragghianti had refused to release felons who had bribed aides to Democratic Governor Ray Blanton in order to obtain clemency. With Thompson's assistance, Ragghianti filed a wrongful termination suit against the office of Governor Blanton.

Thompson previously considered legal action on behalf of other state employees who were allegedly dismissed for political reasons. In the Ragghianti case, Thompson helped to expose the cash-for-clemency scheme which eventually led to the removal of Blanton from the Governor's office. In July 1978, a jury awarded Ragghianti $38,000 in back pay, and ordered her reinstatement. Ragghianti's case would garner national attention, leading to the publication of a book titled, Marie, and a film of the same name.

Thompson has been a lobbyist intermittently since 1975, and has earned about $1 million from his lobbying efforts during that time. He says that criticism about his lobbying activities is likely to increase as he gets closer to announcing his candidacy, but Thompson also expects that such criticism will produce “the same results” as it did during his 1994 and 1996 Senate races. Except for the year 1981, his lobbying never amounted to more than a third of his income. According to the Commercial Appeal newspaper:

Fred Thompson earned about half a million dollars from Washington lobbying from 1975 through 1993....Lobbyist disclosure records show Thompson had six lobbying clients: Westinghouse, two cable television companies, the Tennessee Savings and Loan League, the Teamsters Union's Central States Pension Fund, and a Baltimore-based business coalition that lobbied for federal grants.

For example, in 1982, on behalf of the Tennessee Savings and Loan League, Thompson lobbied the U.S. Congress to pass the Garn - St Germain Depository Institutions Act of 1982 which deregulated the Savings and Loan (S&L) industry. This Act was supported by President Reagan and a large congressional majority, but it turned out to be one of many contributing factors that led to the savings and loan crisis of the late 1980s. Thompson received $1600 for communicating with some congressional staffers on this issue.

Thompson also did some lobbying for free. For example, when Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide was overthrown in 1991, Thompson made a telephone call to John Sununu who was then White House Chief of Staff, in order to advocate (as Thompson described) "restoration of the democratically elected government of the Republic of Haiti." Eventually, "Aristide was restored to power in 1994 by U.S. troops under President Clinton."

Billing records show that Thompson, who describes his position as pro-life, was paid for about 20 hours of work in 1991 and 1992 on behalf of a family planning group trying to ease a departmental regulation on abortion counseling in federally-funded clinics. President George H.W. Bush eased the departmental regulation when he sent a memo to Health and Human Services Secretary Louis Sullivan stating that the regulation should allow women to receive referrals to facilities that perform abortion, but not to facilities whose principal business is providing abortions. With this easing of the regulation, Congress failed by 12 votes to override a veto by Bush of legislation that would have completely overturned the regulation.

After leaving the Senate in 2003, Thompson's only lobbying work was for London-based Equitas Ltd, which is a reinsurance company. He was paid $760,000 from 2004 to 2006 in order to help prevent legislation that Equitas said unfairly singled them out for unfavorable treatment regarding asbestos claims. Thompson spokesman Mark Corrallo said that Thompson was proud to have been a lobbyist and believed in Equitas's cause.

The 1977 corruption case against Tennessee Governor Ray Blanton later became the subject of a 1983 book, Marie, by Peter Maas. Director Roger Donaldson bought the film rights and traveled to Nashville to speak with the people involved with the original case. After meeting with Thompson, Donaldson asked Thompson if he wanted to play himself in the movie; Thompson agreed. The resulting film, Marie, was released in 1985.

Donaldson then cast Thompson in the part of the CIA Director in his next movie, No Way Out, in 1987. Thompson would go on to appear in many films and television shows. A 1994 New York Times profile wrote that "When Hollywood directors need someone who can personify governmental power, they often turn to [Thompson]."

In the final months of his U.S. Senate term in 2002, Thompson joined the cast of the long-running NBC television series Law & Order, playing District Attorney Arthur Branch. Thompson began filming during the August 2002 Senate recess.

He has also made occasional appearances in the same Arthur Branch role on other shows, such as Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, and the pilot episode of Conviction. On May 30, 2007, he asked to be released from the Arthur Branch role, potentially in preparation for a presidential bid.

In 1994, Thompson was elected to finish the remaining two years of Al Gore's unexpired U.S. Senate term. Gore had been elected Vice President of the United States in 1992, and resigned his Senate seat leaving Harlan Mathews as "caretaker" of the seat. During the 1994 campaign, Thompson's opponent was longtime Nashville Congressman Jim Cooper. Thompson campaigned in a red pickup truck, and Cooper charged that Thompson "is a lobbyist and actor who talks about lower taxes, talks about change, while he drives a rented stage prop." In a good year for Republican candidates, Thompson defeated Cooper in a landslide upset victory, overcoming Cooper's early 20% margin in the polls to defeat Cooper by an even greater margin. On the same night Thompson was elected to fill Gore's unexpired term, political newcomer Bill Frist, a Nashville heart surgeon, defeated three-term incumbent Democrat Jim Sasser, the chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, for Tennessee's other U.S. Senate seat, which was up for a full six-year term. The twin victories by Thompson and Frist gave Republicans control of both of Tennessee's Senate seats for the first time since Sasser ousted incumbent Bill Brock in 1976.

In 1996, Thompson was re-elected (for the term ending January 3, 2003) with 61% of the vote, defeating Democratic attorney Houston Gordon of Covington, Tennessee, even as Bill Clinton narrowly carried Tennessee by less than three percentage points on his way to re-election. The GOP continues to hold the seat, as it was won by former Tennessee Governor and Secretary of Education Lamar Alexander in 2002.

While in the Senate, Thompson served as the chairman of the Committee on Governmental Affairs from 1997 to 2001. The committee investigated alleged Chinese attempts to influence American politics prior to the 1996 elections. However, Thompson was "largely stymied" during those investigations, with witnesses declining to testify, claiming the right not to incriminate themselves, or simply leaving the United States' jurisdiction. Thompson's final report on the matter also pointed to another problem: "Our work was affected tremendously by the fact that Congress is a much more partisan institution than it used to be."

When control of the Senate passed from Republicans to Democrats in 2001, Thompson became the ranking minority member of the Committee on Governmental Affairs. Among his other assignments during his years in the Senate were the Finance Committee (dealing with health care, trade, Social Security, and taxation), the Intelligence Committee, and the National Security Working Group.

Fred Thompson's work as a senator included investigation of the Umm Hajul controversy involving the death of Tennessean Lance Fielder during the Gulf War, support for campaign finance reform, opposing proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and promoting government efficiency and accountability. One of his more unusual acting roles was serving as a Clinton stand-in, to help prepare Bob Dole for presidential debates in 1996.

Senator Thompson meeting with girl scouts.

Thompson has an 86.1 percent lifetime (1995-2002) American Conservative Union vote rating, compared to 89.3 for Bill Frist and 82.3 for John McCain. Senator Susan Collins of Maine characterized her colleague this way: "I believe that Fred is a fearless senator. By that I mean he was never afraid to cast a vote or take a stand, regardless of the political consequences." Thompson was "on the short end of a couple of 99-1 votes," voting against those who wanted to federalize matters that he believed were properly left to state and local officials.

On February 12, 1999, the Senate voted on the Clinton impeachment. The perjury charge was defeated with 45 votes for conviction, and 55 including Thompson against. The obstruction of justice charge was defeated with 50 including Thompson for conviction, and 50 against. Conviction on impeachment charges requires the affirmative votes of 67 senators.

In the 2000 Republican presidential primaries, Thompson initially backed former Tennessee Gov. Lamar Alexander, who eventually succeeded Thompson in the Senate two years later. When Alexander dropped out of the presidential race, Thompson endorsed Senator John McCain's bid and became his national co-chairman. Both McCain and Thompson were contenders to be then-Governor Bush's running mate in 2000.

Thompson was not a candidate for re-election in 2002. He had publicly stated his unwillingness to have the Senate become a long-term career. Although he announced in the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks his intention to seek re-election ("Now is not the time for me to leave," said Thompson at the time), upon further reflection he decided against it. The decision seems to have been prompted in large part by the death of his daughter. However, he has remained politically active, and is now considering a run for President.

In March 2003, Thompson was featured in a commercial by the conservative non-profit group Citizens United that advocated the invasion of Iraq, stating: "When people ask what has Saddam done to us, I ask, what had the 9/11 hijackers done to us -- before 9/11," and he has remained supportive of that invasion.

Thompson did voice-over work at the 2004 Republican National Convention. While narrating a video for that convention, Thompson observed: "History throws you what it throws you, and you never know what’s coming."

After the retirement