SIPEDO SEZ

I recently read that something call the Human Rights Campaign Fund and other groups are sponsoring a day, similar to the one a bit back where Hispanics were suppose to call in sick or whatever to work.  On December 10, the gays are going to try this and see if it works.  It didn't work for hispanics.

Well, this effort is encouraging every one who is gay, lesbian, bi-sexual or transgendered to call in "gay" to work, and to not spend any money unless it is a recognized gay friendly establishment.

Do you work with people who are gay?  Do you have friends and family who are gay?  Are YOU gay? What do you think about this?  What do THEY think about this?

I mean, really, what is this going to accomplish?  I'll tell you one thing, if I were that employer, I would fire you, not because you were gay or gay related, but because you abused the privilege of having a job.  In today's economy, with over 4 million Americans reported out of work, this idea seems pretty stupid, and it will have no effect.

We hear so many places are omitting the word Christmas from their greetings.
We hear Happy Holidays all the time.  Some say that it is a cumulative way of recognizing Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanza and New Years.

Well, if we're going to do it like that then how about this:

On the Fourth of July, instead of Happy Independence Day, we say Happy Holidays
On Easter or Passover we say, Happy Holidays.
On Halloween we say Happy Holidays
Forget Presidents Day.
Forget Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Forget Memorial Day.
Forget Labor Day.
Forget it all.
Every time something is to be celebrated, all we should say is HAPPY HOLIDAYS.

• 95 percent of Americans celebrate Christmas (Fox News/Opinion Dynamics, 2005).
• 69% of Americans now use the “Merry Christmas” greeting compared to 56% previously (USAToday/CNN/Gallup Poll, December 20, 2005).
• 61% of Americans now oppose generic “Happy Holiday” greetings, compared to 44% in 2004 (USA Today/CNN/Gallup Poll, December 20, 2005).
• 69% of Americans prefer “Merry Christmas” over “Happy Holidays” (Rasmussen Poll 2006).
• 90 percent of Americans recognize Christmas as the birthday of Jesus Christ (Gallup, 2000).
• 88 percent of Americans say it is okay for people to wish others "Merry Christmas" and the majority of Americans are more likely to wish someone they just met "Merry Christmas" rather than "Happy Holidays" (CNN/USA Today/Gallup, 2004).
• 87 percent of Americans believe nativity scenes should be allowed on public property (Fox News/Opinion Dynamics, 2003).

source: http://www.saychristmas.org/rights/default.aspx?cid=35
49

It seems to me that if we can't say Christmas, then we have to omit the name of EVERY HOLIDAY from any greeting. We all must be "politically correct".  So, then it would politically incorrect to remember our Veterans on Veterans Day, and wipe Christopher Columbus from our history books.  While were at it, let's make all the calendar companies quit putting the specifics of a holiday on their calendars.  So December 25th will only say HOLIDAY.  The same with New Years Day.  HOLIDAY.  The same with February 14th. HOLIDAY.

To just casually omit the reason for one holiday is good enough reason to omit the reason and the name from all of them.

Makes Sense To Me

Grandpa was taking a nap in his recliner when we decided to play a prank on him.  We got some Limburger Cheese, just a little touch, and rubbed it on his Moustache.  Well, he finally woke up from his nap.  He started smelling, and he said "it stinks in here".  If you know anything about Limburger cheese, the same bacterium used to ferment the cheese is the same as on the human body that is partly responsible for body odor.  Yep, it was gross smelling for sure, and grandpa went into the kitchen where grandma was making some pumpkin pies.  He about got clobbered by her when he said "it stinks in here".  So he went into his bedroom, and said "it stinks in here", then the other bedroom, the same thing.  Then he went to the bathroom, thinking it was coming from there.  Well, of course it stunk in there.  Then he went out on the back porch, he said "it stinks out here".  Then on to the front porch, "it stinks out here too" he fumed.  "The whole world stinks" he exclaimed, and went out ot his workshop, where he went on about The Stink.  Eventually the old man got cleaned up for dinner and the stink was gone.

We were naughty kids, but there is a lesson here.  It has to do with attitude.  There are so many people that think the world stinks.  There is nothing good, everything is bad, they are looking for something to be offended by, and they are miserable.  But it isn't the world that stinks.  There are people who need to get cleaned up, and get rid of THE STINK.

I have a home.
I have four dogs.
I have oak trees.
Not dried out logs.
I have a car.
I have a bike.
I have a job.
What's not to like?

But people kill
And people steal
And people lie
Just for the thrill
So what to say?
Is it AND or OR
Do we have nothing
To be Thankful For?

I have food to eat
And water to drink
I have friends who think
Sometimes I stink
I have a faith
That when I'm down
It lifts me up
To higher ground

So when people cheat
When people hate
I still hold strong
And know my faith
Will help the poor
And downcast soul
There is something
To be Thankful For

****yes,  I wrote this, yes, it is copyrighted, yes,  you can use it

My mother grew up during the depression.  My grandfather had a great job, so she did not experience the depression the way the more unfortunate did.  Grandpa was a politician of sorts, making a run for Congress, but losing in 1938.  My mom would cut the grass with one of those manual push mowers, and she would get a dollar for doing it.  She would go down to the corner store in the same small town where I grew up, get 5 pieces of candy for a penny and a double scoop ice cream cone for a nickel.  Then she would go see a movie and get a popcorn all for a dime.  She would save the rest.

My mother went to college and would work part time jobs from 1946 to 1955.  She wouldn't spend her money.  Then she married my father in 1960.  Dad liked to spend money, but was very generous to others, and he spent or gave away most of what she could save.  She rarely worked outside of the home, but managed to put aside enough money for my brother and I to have a small trust fund.  When my grandparents died, she put some of her inheritance into our trust funds.

Then came the recession in the late 1970's.  Dad was in his forties, lost his job with Ford, and was virtually unemployable.  We were broke, except for the trust funds she had set up for my brother and I.  When my father's unemployment ran out, my mother went to work but could not make ends meet.  She went to what was then Social Services to get help.  No Help.  Your two children have trust funds, so you do not qualify until that money has been exhausted.  We ended up exhausting those trust funds to support the family.  I did manage to get a bicycle out of the deal.

The rest of my teen years would be spent with our family on some sort of public assistance.  My brother got a job at a car wash on a per car basis.  I got a paper route and eventually at 14 got a job as a dishwasher at a local restaurant working 18 hours a week for $2.75 and hour.  When my brother was 17, he quit high school to work full time.  Because my brother quit high school, all public assistance was cut off.  My brother and I carried the financial weight of supporting our parents until they would qualify for social security in 1989.  Even on Social Security my mother was able to save money, since my aging father did not spend like he used to.  When my parents passed, despite all of the hardships, they were able to leave a combined total of over $100K to my brother and I.

I think I inherited some of my father's spending habits and generosity, and my brother got my mom's saving habits.  Funny thing though,  my brother owes ME money.

So, when I hear people say they can't save money?  It sounds to me like they "won't" save money.  So forgive me if I say: I wonder just how foolish they really are.

I find it interesting that there are many companies that have a department devoted to charitable giving.

Lowe's does.
Publix does.
Winn Dixie does
Fresh Market does
Home Depot does
and there are many more.

What surprises me is that for the most part, you don't see these companies taking credit for what they do behind the scenes.  Even more so during the holidays when they provide money and/or food and other things to help those who are struggling make it through these tough times.

There is one company however that DOES make sure that they are NOT anonymous in their giving.  It is all about publicity and bragging rights about "how much" they contribute to communities.  The fact is that this company takes more than it gives, and bullies it's way into communities across the US.  There is disdain for this large retailer in every state for it's brash tactics and it's departure from the sound business principles of it's late founder, Sam W.

So while some companies don't totally reject the credit, they don't relish it either.  It is part of their mission and their vision.

But other companies won't lift a finger until they find out what is in it for them.  How will it benefit the company and to hell with the community.

It's Wal-Mart.  Charitable only when it's convenient.

Does Alabama's Senator Shelby want to see the American Big Three fail?  He's skeptical of a bailout plan for Ford, GM and Chrysler.  But WHY?  No solid answers are given.

Some seem to think Shelby DOES want them to fail.  Alabama is home to foreign owned auto plants, Mercedes, Hyundai, Honda and Toyota.

After all, UAW employees pay some pretty hefty taxes.  So, why is 25 Billion so hard to get for the Big 3?

Would the demise of Ford, GM and Chrysler be a boost for Alabama?  Is that what Shelby, a Republican is up to?

Think about this, what auto companies contributed after 9/11?  FORD< GM< CHRYSLER

What about the others?  NOT ONE FOREIGN AUTOMAKER CONTRIBUTED to help the US after 9/11.

Do Autoworkers make too much?  If you actually lived in one of the northern states, like Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, New York, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Minnesota and more where taxes are higher than in the south and the cost of living is also higher, then NO.

The auto industry is not the reason the economy is tanking.  Anybody who thinks they are is just plain stupid.   Yep, stupid is the right word.  I think I'll say it again.  STUPID.

Should there be a bailout of our auto industries on the US?  Well, if we can give AIG over 100 billion dollars in loans, which is FOREIGN OWNED, then YES!  What is the problem in Washington?

I'll tell you what it is.  STUPIDITY.  It's not a disease, it's a choice.

I received and email today about chains of stores that have either filed for bankruptcy, are in bankruptcy, or will just be closing stores.  The email said that if you give gift cards for the Christmas presents, you might want to stay away from gift cards from the following stores.  If they go belly up, then it could mean lost money.  I googled each name on this list, and all are in financial trouble, and the store closing and bankruptcy stories appear to be true.....soooo.....here it is....


Circuit City (filed Chapter 11)
Ann Taylor- 117 stores nationwide closing
Lane Bryant, Fashion Bug ,and Catherine's to close 150 stores nationwide
Eddie Bauer to close stores 27 stores and more after January
Cache will close all stores
Talbots closing down specialty stores
J. Jill closing all stores (owned by Talbots)
Pacific Sunwear (also owned by Talbots)
GAP closing 85 stores
Footlocker closing 140 stores more to close after January
Wickes Furniture closing down
Levitz closing down remaining stores
Bombay closing remaining stores
Zales closing down 82 stores and 105 after January
Whitehall closing all stores
Piercing Pagoda closing all stores
Disney closing 98 stores and will close more after January.
Home Depot closing 15 stores 1 in NJ ( New Brunswick )
Macys to close 9 stores after January
Linens and Things closing all stores
Movie Galley Closing all stores
Pep Boys Closing 33 stores
Sprint/Nextel closing 133 stores
JC Penney closing a number of stores after January
Ethan Allen closing down 12 stores.
Wilson Leather closing down all stores
Sharper Image closing down all stores
K B Toys closing 356 stores
Lowes to close down some stores
Dillard's to close some stores

As I was shopping for a few things yesterday, I noticed that music that seems to come earlier and earlier this year.  Soon I was humming the sound of "What Child Is This" and "Good King Wencelas".

I began to think of what is going to happen this year.  The economy is bad.  The stock market is in flux.  Unemployment is hasn't been this high since Clinton was president.  Food pantries are feeling the pinch.  Automakers are on the verge of financial failure.  The list goes on and on.  It doesn't look good right now.

That brings us to the holidays.  Thanksgiving.  Christmas. Hanukkah, New Year, Kwanza, whatever you celebrate.

It is a time for giving. But we live in a selfish society of microwave ovens, instant money, instant potatoes and the ME generation.

I know of one place in the city I live in that isn't worried about what they can get.  They are worried about how much they can give.  Pastor Dan Strength at River of Life is one example.  He's more concerned with how he and some volunteers like me are going to feed 400 people or more on November 22.  He is more concerned about providing Thanksgiving baskets for over 50 families.  He is more concerned with people who need clothing and furniture and appliances and housing and an education.  He has committed to help one young man go to college, a first for that family.

When we place our energies in the right place, the rewards always come back to you.  You can count on it.  You can be blessed, but first you have to bless others.

So, the next time you go shopping, take one of your bags of groceries and take it to someone who needs it more than you.  We're all overweight anyway, we can afford to give the food away.

Remember, if you have spare change in the ashtray of your car, you're richer than 90% of the people in the world.

Are  you a straight shooter?  Are you forthright?  Are you confrontational?  Do you send the food back at a restaurant?  Do  you speak up when something is wrong?

What about if someone lies to you?  Do you confront the liar face to face?  Or do you avoid it?

What about if someone steals from you?  Do you call the police?

What about if someone abuses you, whether it be physically, verbally, emotionally?  Do you let your voice be heard?

More and more it seems like people just don't want to face the facts.  They choose to live in this fantasy world where there is no confrontation at all.  Everything is about appeasing each other.

We don't write letters to our representatives, we're too busy to go to city council, county commission, school board and other meetings.

We have become afraid to make waves.  We have become like dead fish and we go with the flow, however wrong it might be.

So what will you do?  Will you just let the next liar, thief or abuser take you down?  Or will you face it head on with a full frontal Confrontation?

Now everybody, go to your windows, no matter what time it is, no matter where you are, open the window and yell at the top of your voice

"I'm mad as hell, and I'm not going to take it anymore".

No.  It's not Cake.  It's real Food.

Angel Food started some years ago in Georgia.  It has now spread to 38 states, including Michigan.  There are several sites that you can go to.

But it is not FREE.

You spend about $30.00 for $60+ dollars worth of good food.  Enough food to feed a family of 4 for about a week.  Try doing that at the supermarket with the kind of quality food that is distributed by Angel Food.  There other special boxes for $21.00 each that range from Fruits and Veggies to all quality STEAKS.  This month they even have a special Thanksgiving box for 30 bucks.

In this tight economy, it's not a bad idea to look into this, and try it out.  I did, and I am impressed.  The steaks and chicken and ribs and fish were top quality, and come from reputable companies you see at the grocery store.  The sirloin steak I had was outstanding..

You pay the money about 2 weeks in advance.  This month, I will pay before the 9th, and I pick it up on the 22nd.  Many locations will also accept the EBT Card/Food Stamps, other than that, they usually only take cash.  There are plans to take orders on the internet, but that may be down the road a bit.

They also have a senior box for $28.00 that has 10 meals that a senior can just heat and eat.  Specially prepared for senior citizens who have special dietary needs.

You'll still have to go to your local market for things, but this is a great way to be thrifty and still get a great product.

There is only on pre-requisite to qualify for this wonderful program.  You have to be a person who eats.

Check it out.  Let me know what you think.

http://www.angelfoodministries.com/

I think you'll be glad that you did.

I know I am going to get a lot of flack on this, but I really don't care.

When I look back on history, it is apparent that men are better decision makers in a crisis.  It is only when women get involved in crisis decisions that things get mixed up, screwed up, and totally discombobulated.  They do not think clearly, and drive themselves into a frenzy over tiny things.

Yes, there are a very few women who can make some good decisions, but most are whimsical, and base their decisions at the time based upon their emotional makup.

Take Nancy Pelosi for example, and even Hillary Clinton.  I have yet to hear an original idea out of either of them.  They keep talking up the same talking points over and over again, and have NEVER significantly contributed to the well being of the United States.  Nothing in either of their records shows they have an ability to lead.  When pressed with real issues, they go on the attack and fail to give a rational response.

The same is true of women in the workplace.  When you present a women with truth who may be your superior, they go on the attack with no regard for logic or intelligence.

It is very apparent that women are the weaker sex both physically, emotionally, spirtually and intellectually.

The simple truth is that women can't lead.  It's not in their makup.

Ever since Obama left Trinity UCC in Chicago, I haven't heard anything more about where he goes to church?  If he is really a Christian, like he spouts, he would be looking for a church to call home.  Is he waiting to see if he gets elected so he can call a DC church home?  Or is he really not a Christian at all, like has been suspected by many?

Mr. Obama, if you are really a Christian, you need to be a part of a local church.  That is biblical.

Mr. Obama, if you believe that their are "other" paths that lead to God/Heaven, then you are not a Christian in the true sense of the word.

Christ before all things.  Family before Country.  These are the two qualities underlying all great leaders.  If you want to be a good leader, that is the formula.  Miss it, and you Mess it.

Of the two major presidential cantdoits, which one is the better LIAR, Barack O'bama or John MacCain?

We know they are both liars, that is just the fact of the matter, but of all the lies that we hear from the two, which lies are most believable?

May the best liar win!

The movements of your body and how you make eye contact are a direct indication if you are lying or not.  They can also tell a lot of other things about a person.

We have all heard it said that a liar won't look you in the eyes.  Well, that is not entirely true.  Liars do look people in the eyes, however, it is how they look you in the eyes that gives then away.  Prolonged eye contact may be an indicator of the truth, but good liars know this.

Folded arms is an indicator of resistance to an idea, or whatever is being said.

Raising the head to where the ( I thought this was funny) to where the nose is no longer paralelleled to the ground, but point up on an angle, is an indication that a person is lying.  Lifting of the head is an indication that a person is lying.  A downward angle of the head while speaking is an indication that person is probably telling the truth.

A calm response can be an indicator that a person is lying.  A loud response is usually an indicator that a person is being more honest.

Not looking someone in the eyes may not be an indicator that someone is lying, but may be more indicative of someone who is ashamed, or just shy.

Here's the news on this.  Politicians study body language.  They study their own body language and eye contact, in hopes that they will/will not convey the right or wrong image.

So with that said, I guess it is safe to conclude that polticians are nothing more than practiced liars.