tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83908588302091228602024-03-15T18:09:59.866-07:00Patchwork Nation: Cleveland, TennesseeCleveland, Tenn. adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06186190442427230113noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8390858830209122860.post-63128714844374576342016-07-17T22:08:00.000-07:002016-07-17T22:08:02.922-07:00The City of Cleveland rolled out the red carpet for Delegates last night. Held on Lake Erie at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the official RNC kick-off party included tours of the museum, food from some of Cleveland's best restaurants, entertainment from five live bands, including Three Dog Night, and a spectacular fireworks show. I must say, I was impressed. However, the highlight of my evening was talking with Republicans from across the nation. The fragility of the Republican Party is a real concern. Whether speaking to Trump supporters or those not thrilled about a Trump nomination, all are fearful of what effect this convention will have on the future of the GOP. The odd thing is, despite their fears, everyone I spoke to last night feels Trump will get the nomination on the first round of voting. Even those less than enthusiastic about Trump, feel the "Never Trump" movement died in the RNC Rules Committee meeting last Thursday. The focus has now turned to where does the GOP go now? How and will the Party be able to rally behind Trump? Right now, all talk is about the nominee and the process, which is much different than the previous two conventions I have attended. Usually, the chatter centers squarely on Democrats and the efforts and strategy of the next four months. Trump has a lot to accomplish this week. He must help the GOP heal, make the focus of the delegation shift to defeating Hillary Clinton, and show Americans he is the best choice for the most powerful job on the planet. If anyone can accomplish these tasks, it is Donald Trump. The electricity and excitement is already here in Cleveland. Trump simply needs to harness it. <br />
<br />
The theme for each night of the convention is as follows:<br />
Monday: Make America Safe Again.<br />
Tuesday: Make America Work Again.<br />
Wednesday: Make America First Again.<br />
Thursday: Make America One Again.Emily Beatyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10836562979332562124noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8390858830209122860.post-89825777170462250242010-01-14T07:17:00.000-08:002010-01-14T17:47:16.490-08:00The Kiffin Double-Cross<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0G09D9U1s48yp22_dXswL1K7UMScRhct4ptdlGui5qrjW7nCEjfwc7kApw71QFT0veB3j0m3kOilVw93NjDZr0vf7DjcLVaM-osCD6gtykQl_baPAeEoI8xOUSdYg6u7RLWdlMiivk-0g/s1600-h/41+copy.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 174px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0G09D9U1s48yp22_dXswL1K7UMScRhct4ptdlGui5qrjW7nCEjfwc7kApw71QFT0veB3j0m3kOilVw93NjDZr0vf7DjcLVaM-osCD6gtykQl_baPAeEoI8xOUSdYg6u7RLWdlMiivk-0g/s200/41+copy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426617322230799554" /></a><br />I am not your typical female. I love football. I don’t go to games to watch cute quarterbacks in tight pants. I go to watch a 6-foot-4, 258 pound inside linebacker bust the chops of the other team’s quarterback. Low scoring, defensive games are my favorite. I know nickel, dime and quarter packages have nothing to do with the concession stand, man to man is not a serious conversation between two guys, and the wildcat is not a mascot. I actually believe in the 12th man and take credit for several false starts caused by my loud yelling. When I watch football at home, I am a horrible hostess. I leave most of the other women in the kitchen and I hate to talk during the game. I do like to chat during halftime if there is not another game worth watching. My husband does not have to be around for me to watch football. I am perfectly capable of yelling at the Refs on TV all by myself. When it gets close to Christmas, there is a great mall on the way to the hotel after the game. It is awkward at times, but I can’t help myself. It is my father’s fault. He was a high school football coach and I was an only child.<br /><br /><div> I realize College Football is not the normal theme of this blog, but today it weighs very heavy on my mind. I have lived in Tennessee all my life. To the dismay of many in my home town, I am an Alabama fan. I dislike Tennessee, Florida, LSU… well basically all other teams in the SEC. This has been a phenomenal season for my team. After years of disappointment, I finally watched my Crimson Tide win the National Championship. I was on cloud nine until the Lane Train crashed in Knoxville Tuesday night. I kept asking myself, “why care? Shouldn’t I relish in the pain of my rivals?” Instead of thinking about all the recruits UT will loose, I found myself posting tirades on Face Book until after 1:00 am. I felt bad for Tennessee, all my friends that are fans, and most of all the players. Eric Berry, a Tennessee defensive back, was asked recently in an interview whether he was pulling for other SEC teams to win their bowl games. "You would rather beat up your brother than have him get beat up by somebody else," he said. "I'm rooting for all SEC teams.” That is exactly how I feel about Lane Kiffin. Tuesday night, he sucker punched one of my brothers.<br /> <br />I never liked Lane Kiffin and I think most of my Tennessee friends really didn’t either. They wanted to love him, but knew deep down he did not understand Tennessee Football. I can’t blame them. I was in the same situation with Bama a few years ago. What do you do when your AD makes a ridiculous hire? Kiffin could not grasp recruiting rules, why did anyone think he could understand Big Orange fans are not interested in being the USC of the South. Peyton Manning is UT’s idol, not Reggie Bush. Lane might have thought we were gullible, but no one really believed his verbal spews were part of a master plan to get UT back in the media. They were embarrassing and childish. He was tolerated because there was hope he would learn. His top 40 debut was also a farce. Did he really listen to Lil’ Wayne’s lyrics? The rapper was not paying him a compliment. Maybe top USC fan, Snoop Dog, will help Lane’s recruiting in Southern California by adding a few lines to his next single. I can hear it now...<br /><br /><div>Aint nothing like the Lane Train baby...<br />N-C- double A sanctions like crazy...<br /><br /><div>I am sure it would be a hit. </div><div><br /> <br />Kiffin did not put Tennessee back on the map as he claims. The map never changed. Sure, Tennessee is not the team it was in 1998, but it is still one of the top programs in the nation. We should have all seen the writing on the wall. He cared nothing about our traditions, the people, or our love of football. It was always about him. <br /><br /></div><div>This year, at the Alabama/ Tennessee game in Tuscaloosa, I watched Ed Orgeron lead the Tennessee team out on the field. After the entire team was already on the sidelines, I noticed Lane Kiffin standing alone at the back of the tunnel. He then casually jogged out on the field all alone. I remember thinking to myself “What an ego maniac.” Contrast that with Alabama’s pre-game ritual. Who brings the Crimson Tide out on the field before each game? Nick Saban. I am sure Phillip Fulmer always did the same.<br /> <br />In college, I wrote a paper about southern football and how our obsession could be related to our loss in the civil war. Sound crazy? I got an A+ from my Yankee professor who actually made copies and passed it out to the entire class (it was the only time this happened in my college career.) Anytime you mention the Civil War, people think of race, but that had nothing to do with my paper. In fact, we all come together in the south on football Saturday. The gist of my paper was something like this: southerners are incredibly proud individuals who take great pride in being better than the rest of the country in anything, no matter how small or insignificant. It is true. We love to run it up the gut on Penn State, Notre Dame, Michigan, and USC. We are arrogant football fans who enjoy pointing out our conference has won 6 of the 12 BCS Championships.<br /> <br />Think about it: we are constantly insulted by southern stereotypes (and unfair sports writers). Say the word “Tennessee” and many think of barefoot hillbillies, carrying a shotgun and drinking moonshine. Say “Alabama” and it even gets worse. People actually believe our intellect is determined by our dialect. I have news for you... I met a guy from Maine in college and I couldn’t understand a word he said. It was if he was speaking a foreign language. Call it an inferiority complex, but we love being the underdogs who sneak up and bite your rear end. It is in our genes, it is how we have been conditioned through relentless ridicule. The funny thing is we really don’t care what they think. We know what we believe and why we believe it. No one is more comfortable in their own skin than a southerner. The older I get the more I love our part of the country. I am thankful I never enrolled in that speech class in college to get rid of my accent. I want everyone to know when I say I am from Cleveland, they know I don’t mean Ohio.<br /> <br />I believe our anger stems not from Lane Kiffin leaving, but they way he made us feel. Tennessee fans greeted him with open arms and he repeatedly slapped them in the face. Most great football coaches have one thing in common. They give praise to the players for making great things happen. As I listened to Kiffin’s USC press conference Wednesday night, he basically took personal responsibility for everything positive that happened at the University of Tennessee last year. I would like to ask him who was responsible for the drugs, attempted robbery, a 7-6 season, a loss in the Chick-fil-A Bowl, and a NCAA investigation. It was never about you Lane. It was about the University of Tennessee and the Southeastern Conference. The real loser is USC. They just lost Pete Carroll, heavy NCAA sanctions are near, and they are stuck with their sixth or seventh choice that can’t seem to keep his mouth shut. <br /> <br />I am a southern Methodist, but I do believe in Karma. It will be best if Kiffin never crosses the Mason- Dixon Line. In the next few years, Kiffin will get Tennessee in the news once again. We will all be talking about how Tennessee dodged a bullet and USC is once again searching for a coach. Tennessee will be fine. It will take them several years to get back on track. In the meantime, Alabama or any other SEC school would love to play USC in a Championship or bowl game. Of course, it all hinges on whether Southern Cal is put on probation. No matter what team it is, you will hear the chant S-E-C loud and clear. Lane, we will all remember what you did to our brother. Good riddance, but not good luck.<br /></div></div></div>Emily Beatyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10836562979332562124noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8390858830209122860.post-15639939518051226152009-09-11T14:04:00.000-07:002009-09-11T14:08:16.855-07:00It's not just about Healthcare<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbaGX2MK8yf5vm2xW2LrzNlPir-ElcWtTc4ZRQY3Ab4-p4AkUOrrZ4mwe_Q6DyylY300RNgTgNfKcGRrX81NQEqCFXWdne6ptOHxx9hvrmAKOSNVJP-V134vv9KSH53mqm5XkGi4n8uH9o/s1600-h/41+copy.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 174px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbaGX2MK8yf5vm2xW2LrzNlPir-ElcWtTc4ZRQY3Ab4-p4AkUOrrZ4mwe_Q6DyylY300RNgTgNfKcGRrX81NQEqCFXWdne6ptOHxx9hvrmAKOSNVJP-V134vv9KSH53mqm5XkGi4n8uH9o/s200/41+copy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380319648708324290" /></a><br /><p style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left: 0in"><span style="font-family:Helvetica;mso-bidi-Times New Roman"font-family:";font-size:10.0pt;">President Obama is best when his back is against the wall. His smooth baritone voice, impeccable delivery and timing, and perfect strumming of heart strings were all present in his address Wednesday night. He was in campaign mode once again, but this time trying to appeal to a much broader audience. His task was daunting. He needed to rein in the base, move to the center, and somehow include the right. Most of his speech was spent on issues that should have been taken care of months ago- defending his positions, making his case, and trying to give the American people details about his plan. Perhaps the most compelling portion of his speech was the last two minutes. It was one of the most touching and heartfelt arguments for the case of Liberalism I have ever heard. It was passionate, articulate, and most of all believable. There is only one problem. Does <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">America</st1:country-region></st1:place> really want a liberal federal Government? The country voted for Democrats, but did they understand Obama’s liberal agenda and its consequences? Did <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">America</st1:country-region></st1:place> vote for Obama or simply against the GOP and Bush? <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left: 0in"><span style="font-family:Helvetica;mso-bidi-Times New Roman"font-family:";font-size:10.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The healthcare debate challenges our founding fathers’ fundamental view of American government. Those who say otherwise are badly mistaken. Our ancestors came to this great country to start a new way of life. One that was free of an overreaching government. <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">America</st1:country-region></st1:place> did not become the greatest and most powerful nation in history by following the lead of others. We forged our own way by the ingenuity and brilliance of truly free people. Immigrants flock to this country not on the promise of entitlement programs, but a belief that anything is possible through hard work and perseverance. Now, we are being told to look to <st1:place st="on">Europe</st1:place> for a better way of living? </span><span style="font-family:Times;mso-bidi-Times New Roman"font-family:";"> </span><span style="font-family:Helvetica;mso-bidi-Times New Roman"font-family:";font-size:10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left: 0in"><span style="font-family:Helvetica;mso-bidi-Times New Roman"font-family:";font-size:10.0pt;">In our lifetimes, we will hear thousands of promises from politicians. Rarely do any of them come to fruition. I sympathize with those who truly struggle with the costs of healthcare. I feel even worse for those who believe this healthcare plan will provide care equal to that of a self insured millionaire. Democrats are making promises they simply cannot keep. It is hope, but false hope. Look at other examples of government programs. Does our welfare system really help people advance their lives or does it often trap generation after generation in a never ending cycle of poverty? Does Social Security really provide security? Do our veterans get the healthcare or benefits they need or deserve? Does Medicare provide adequate care for seniors? While these programs began with good intentions, they have made millions of Americans dependant on government.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>No one believes these programs should be stopped but simply saying they provide some benefit is not good enough.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If our government cannot properly care for those who fought for this country, our poor, and our elderly, why does anyone believe they can provide a quality healthcare system for the rest of us?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left: 0in"><span style="font-family:Helvetica;mso-bidi-Times New Roman"font-family:";font-size:10.0pt;">The Democratic Party is missing the point.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The tea parties, town hall meetings, and protests are not about healthcare.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They are a reaction to government intrusion into our private lives. President Obama speaks in sweeping metaphorical and philosophical language about why we should morally support healthcare reform. He falls short when it comes to the details.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>No one wants those in need to suffer. Most Americans agree it is time for healthcare reform but the current bill is full of bureaucracy. Many of us have legitimate concerns fueled by our own logic not “scare tactics”.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We are not mean spirited individuals who think the country’s poor should be left to squander, but responsible citizens who want the freedom to make decisions about the course of our own lives.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Our government should represent us but allow us to govern ourselves. <o:p></o:p></span></p>Emily Beatyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10836562979332562124noreply@blogger.com40tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8390858830209122860.post-39463223333927088402009-08-03T20:09:00.000-07:002009-08-06T20:13:56.545-07:00ROGER'S STORY<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN5vzSlpk2PVYI1Vygy8Xd00euUuZTZ-U1spmoBRFSr8Mt7MxmXzWayVBVzv_MOw00M52AywBEDJSr7-k9jguH4aokd4mnK_TqLhVQZSXB-B0sVy7mszjfY17Afcl7EYju5z0o2JrAcK4/s1600-h/myself.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 193px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN5vzSlpk2PVYI1Vygy8Xd00euUuZTZ-U1spmoBRFSr8Mt7MxmXzWayVBVzv_MOw00M52AywBEDJSr7-k9jguH4aokd4mnK_TqLhVQZSXB-B0sVy7mszjfY17Afcl7EYju5z0o2JrAcK4/s320/myself.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367054762130798402" /></a><br />The real name of this person doesn't really matter, so for this true story we will call him Roger. His story is a sad one. He is one of the many in our country who got hit hard by the struggling economy. <br /><br /> Roger had a thriving business. For some twenty years he made about $150,000 a year from his business. He had the big house, the sports car, and toys galore for him, his wife and daughter. Materially speaking, life was good. He thought the good life would never end. As a result, he failed to plan for a possible rainy day. After all, the sun had been shining for some twenty years.He didn't purchase health insurance, or save any money. Why worry about it?<br /><br /> One day it all changed. Just like that! Without any warning, Roger received a letter from his parent company informing him that all of their operations in the North East were being shut down immediately! And that was it! A business relationship of more than twenty years gone. There was no way for Roger to keep his business going. Within a few days he laid off his staff, sold the office furniture, and closed the doors.<br /><br /> It has now been approximately four months since Roger was forced to close his business. Within ten days of this writing his beautiful, spacious house will be sold on the court house steps. His sports car is soon to be repossessed. He is in the process of selling his furniture in an auction hoping to get enough money to pay for the security deposit and first month's rent on a one bedroom apartment.<br /> <br /> His wife recently left him and took their thirteen year old daughter with her. So now, Roger is left alone wondering what on earth he is going to do with his life, and how he is going to be able to just get by. He is 59 years old and in poor health. That is another Obama issue he is soon having to face. Well, so much for the Obama plan.<br /><br /> Is this the kind of change we are supposed to believe in? NOT ME!Jerry Noblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00818285378428111219noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8390858830209122860.post-44610737462333358142009-07-26T19:22:00.000-07:002009-07-28T19:52:31.705-07:00THE PALIN PRINCIPLE<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioWbrMNIbzCQ_ovoggtmzKxXJHA-TYZ3nUpeQ7-ZiVJlXqzWIY73SnXXSfkPJUvu2wgzP_yE1y8rRXfOwWJ9Wrr8k1dBlE-0sJP_zJ6gSF3q6NxnRILsNo4SV51YYhYA9mfBsYtGw3wxQ/s1600-h/myself.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 193px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioWbrMNIbzCQ_ovoggtmzKxXJHA-TYZ3nUpeQ7-ZiVJlXqzWIY73SnXXSfkPJUvu2wgzP_yE1y8rRXfOwWJ9Wrr8k1dBlE-0sJP_zJ6gSF3q6NxnRILsNo4SV51YYhYA9mfBsYtGw3wxQ/s320/myself.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363709358852331810" /></a><br />Sarah Palin recently resigned as Governor of Alaska.The political pundits, politicians, and reporters, for the most part, just could not understand why she did what she did. They analyzed every phrase, and every nuance, as well as her body language. (Personally, I believe that body language thing is a lot of baloney! Why is O'Riley such a fan?) I believe she said what she meant and meant what she said. She is a woman of principle.How simple is that? <br /><br />The political crowd as well as the Palin critics, and there are many, do not have the ability to comprehend a woman like Sarah. She is a normal, average (However, well above average) American woman who thinks like a normal citizen, who believes in her country, and wants to make a significant contribution to her country. Her agenda is not self-serving, narcissistic, and political. The politicos, and liberals cannot understand pure and unselfish motives. Her stand is based on principle, that is to say on a fundamental rule or code of conduct. The rules for the American code of conduct have been set by our society. Whether some people like it or not,the high principles established in our nation are primarily based on the Bible. Our fore fathers made that very clear.It is about treating others the way you wish to be treated. It is about being honest, and doing the right thing...even if it is not popular. Do we see much of that in politics? I don't think so. Sarah Palin espouses these well established principles. Hence, she is misunderstood by many. <br /><br />In her resignation speech Sarah Palin said her priorities were her faith and her family. That is admirable and easy to understand. The liberals detest her for such a belief. Why? Because they have no connection with spiritual matters. Their god is their liberal cause and their worldly ideology. In their thinking, anyone who disagrees with them is somehow evil and ignorant.<br /><br />She said she was stepping down because the frivolous ethics complaints against her(at last count there were fifteen, and all were dismissed) were costing the state of Alaska literally millions of dollars. That makes logical sense to me.<br /><br />She decided not to just go with the flow, but to leave the comfort of the nest and soar. She believes that she can be more productive in another role.That was her choice. She has every right to make it. Why do so many people want to tell her what is her business and hers alone?<br /><br />Sarah Palin gave her reasons for resignation candidly and truthfully. She chose to put first things first according to her set of priorities, and according to her principles. That is what the politicians and pundits just do not understand and never will, because they just don't think that way. They cannot comprehend it because it is far out of their element. <br /><br />The bottom line is that Sarah Palin is a woman of principle. I am going to stay tuned and see what she is going to do next. It will be interesting to say the least. GO SARAH!!Jerry Noblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00818285378428111219noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8390858830209122860.post-68338472645702266292009-07-23T20:16:00.000-07:002009-07-23T20:29:10.623-07:00It's a matter of Time<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij4CZD51UymTFiI3iS2idKtaigN1gxZVAU32OgulmuacRvlcaPLCAJ7ntp5WFCgU3MVdZzI3vKlkgAMjKumnhyC9JIDWRjLjTgKA-oij46B_X-ZoMJ6qgPyExI9jbg7JEeporqmx_lgs7W/s1600-h/emily.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 174px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij4CZD51UymTFiI3iS2idKtaigN1gxZVAU32OgulmuacRvlcaPLCAJ7ntp5WFCgU3MVdZzI3vKlkgAMjKumnhyC9JIDWRjLjTgKA-oij46B_X-ZoMJ6qgPyExI9jbg7JEeporqmx_lgs7W/s200/emily.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361863445929520658" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Times;"><p align="center" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Emily Beaty </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;">President Obama looked exhausted at last night’s news conference. It is understandable. The rush to push through health care reform must be extremely demanding. This is a critical issue for the President. It was a hallmark of his campaign and is essential to his domestic agenda. Losing the health care debate could have lasting effects on not only the rest of his agenda, but the remainder of his Presidency. As his honeymoon comes to an end, poll numbers re-enter the atmosphere, and dissent on Capital Hill rises, the President must feel enormous pressure to push reform now. The problem is the American people have seen this type of rush to judgment before- it was called the stimulus bill.</span> <br /></p><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"> If the rush for health care reform is not politically motivated, why was the President trying to pass reform before Congress leaves in August? If the urgency truly arises from letters sent to the President by those who desperately need health care, why didn’t he push for health care reform the day he took office? Instead, we rushed our way into a massive bailout plan. The truth is simple. Time is the President’s enemy. The more time Americans have to learn about the proposed legislation, the more questions they will ask. As more time passes, citizens voice concerns to their elected officials. The cat is out of the bag. Americans now understand that lack of time and lack of knowledge passed the stimulus bill. </span> <br /></p><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"> Politicians have been talking about comprehensive healthcare for decades. Are we now to believe major and unprecedented reform should take place in a matter of weeks? Everyone, to some degree, believes we should make changes to our current health care system. The extent of those changes are up for debate. Some say we have to stop talking and do something immediately. I say we haven’t talked enough about specifics. The discussion is always about social justice and vague political philosophy. No republican or democrat wants a child to die of a preventable or treatable condition because of lack of medical insurance. We all want the same ending, but how we get there is critical. Americans deserve time to understand what is being proposed and how it will impact our lives. This is not only about trillions of dollars. It is about life and the quality of our lives. Nothing deserves more of your time Mr. President. </span> <br /></p><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"> </span></p></span>Emily Beatyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10836562979332562124noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8390858830209122860.post-78479615191025669012009-07-17T16:07:00.000-07:002009-07-20T13:51:12.178-07:00A video from 1964...<a href="http://therightinsight.com/2008/08/23/my-hero/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">A video from 1964 that is so relevant today...</span></a>Emily Beatyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10836562979332562124noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8390858830209122860.post-58391710625595134782009-07-17T04:57:00.000-07:002009-07-17T04:59:33.839-07:00GOOD THINGS IN TOUGH TIMESJerry Noble<br /><br />There is no doubt about it. Times are tough and may be getting tougher. Our national unemployment rate is nearing ten percent. Most every community in our nation is being negatively impacted by a lack of jobs. People are hurting, and the hurt deepens as the time without employment lengthens. I have observed that the longer our people are out of work, the deeper becomes their depression. Self esteem gets lower and lower, and these people are in limbo with little sense of purpose.<br /><br />The people who are struggling to find a place to be productive are wondering where all of the stimulus money is going. They don't see much of it in our community. They question the entire stimulus plan, and wonder what went wrong with the economy to produce such a downward spiral for literally millions of Americans. It appears to many that what we are hearing from our political leaders is just more political rhetoric with little to no real substance.<br /><br />In our small patch of the nation we are seeing some great and meaningful efforts to help many people in need in our community. At our church the senior pastor spoke about the importance of helping people in need and, almost accidentally, placed a clay pot on the altar of the church and asked people to give a one time "lean year" offering to help those who have lost their job, and facing financial difficulty. People literally lined up to place money in the clay pot. Thousands of dollars were placed in the clay pot. This was supposed to be a one time offering, but for more than fours months now people have lined up every Sunday to place a "lean year" offering in the clay pot. Many thousands of dollars have been given to share with those in need. Through the generosity of the people money has been issued to to people to make house payments, pay utility bills, pay medical bills, make car payments, buy food, etc. etc.<br /><br />It is always the case, even in the bad times a lot of good things happen. We cannot, and should not simply depend on the government to bail us out and give us everything we need. We should keep in mind that whatever the government gives, the government can take away. The core and heart of our nation is summed up in the goodness and generosity of our people. We have and will survive and prosper because of the hard work of our people and their willingness to help others in need, and whenever necessary to fight for the freedoms we hold dear. That is what America is about. America is the greatest nation, under God, on the face of this earth. God bless America!!Jerry Noblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00818285378428111219noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8390858830209122860.post-78471231241496749012009-07-16T09:11:00.000-07:002009-07-16T09:13:52.049-07:00Judge Sotomayor and the CommitteeYour Honor would you like a cup of tea to go along with your crow?<br /><br />Watching highlights of Judge Sonia Sotomayor's Confirmation hearings took me back to my days in my doctoral program at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. Both proceedings were very advesarial. As a Ph.d candidate, you were seeking permission to enter a most exclusive club. Your appointment or in this case the conferral of the degree was terminal/permanent. Judge Sonia is being grilled in much the same way, except her attacks have a strong gender and ethnic bias to them as opposed to a doctoral defense which attacks you on your research premise in your published dissertation, and then anything else that comes to the minds of the committee members. I have seen some committee members really pull some stunts in these defenses, in much the same way the Republicans on the Judiciary Committee are posturing and lecturing<br /><br />Judge Sonia.Sonia Sotomayor will be confirmed. In the end it doesn't matter how close, or whether it was bi-partisan (it will not really be),.She is really past the "meltdown" stage at this point. In a doctoral defense, if the committee recommends you in most cases you will get the degree, unless you meltdown in the defense. You essentially must genuflect or as we used to say in the Army- "kissing the butts" of the committee members. Judge Sotomayor is now genuflecting, kissing butts, groveling, and saying whatever it takes to please some angry white males. And she had to do this before the world to those who are hardly her intellectual equal,like Sen. Jeff Sessions- Alabama.What was was her fault? Hubris. Judge Sotomayor's had the "audacity" to share her gender and ethic pride. She stepped out of her place and as a person of color, or as a woman, that will not be tolerated in our society, at least not without a serious fight. So she must now beat a hasty retreat, allow herself to be "placed in timeout" by Sen. Lindsey Graham and Jon Kyle and do her penance to assuage their bruised egos.<br /><br />The Judge, like the exhausted but ambitious doctoral student, will say whatever the committee wants to hear to get those precious letters behind her name.Hang in there Judge, it won't be long before you join the most exclusive of all clubs in the land, for life. Then you can hold your head up high so that we can all see what a proud, outstanding American you are, once again!Dr. Michael J. Laneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16179556536958120242noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8390858830209122860.post-21789361915790714012009-07-15T20:47:00.000-07:002009-07-20T13:52:24.752-07:00Would the real Sotomayor please stand up?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFzK0mMAvMsE1r228jrN2mln1icHJWBUP53LgMLU5qwXozxuzDL-SNw-RmLvdGmYyv4KTVM6jHufR4qkKJodbIfOoaMc_hnDK6DrXi66PKzFZYtiXTSTbG4Ceqlr4dtSo-hGooU0kqpxsp/s1600-h/emily.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 174px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFzK0mMAvMsE1r228jrN2mln1icHJWBUP53LgMLU5qwXozxuzDL-SNw-RmLvdGmYyv4KTVM6jHufR4qkKJodbIfOoaMc_hnDK6DrXi66PKzFZYtiXTSTbG4Ceqlr4dtSo-hGooU0kqpxsp/s200/emily.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358911235260704482" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial;font-size:13px;"><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">Would the real Sotomayor </span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">please stand up?</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: bold;font-family:'Times New Roman';"><br /></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Emily Beaty</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:16px;">Posted: 7/15/2009</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:16px;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"><span style=" ;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:12pt;"> Sotomayor is still a mystery to me. Trying to find the real Sotomayor is a bit like trying to find a needle in a haystack. To many in my community, the coverage from the media and the partisan “talking heads” is terribly confusing. We all know pundits spin facts to fit their arguments. In this case, it has been taken to another level. I hear or read something about Sotomayor and then find myself searching for the facts. Each side wants to paint their own portrait of her with carefully chosen and manipulated information. Trying to find unbiased coverage is nearly impossible. Even those of us who dig enough to find the facts are having a hard time predicting how she will influence the court because her rulings are not consistently right or left. She seems left on some decisions and right on others making it difficult to pinpoint what she will do with the freedom and power given to a Supreme Court Justice. </span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"><span style=" ;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:12pt;"> </span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"><span style=" ;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:12pt;"> I found the initial response to her nomination quite fascinating. Rush Limbaugh painted her as a “Far-left liberal racist”. The same night, Rachael Maddow proclaimed Sotomayor would not make a difference to the overall philosophy of the court as it stands. Ms. Maddow seemed disappointed that Obama did not pick someone who was more to the left. My conclusion is as follows: If the right says she is too left and the left says she is not left enough, it must mean Sotomayor is a moderate that leans to the left. </span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"><span style=" ;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:12pt;"> </span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"><span style=" ;font-size:12pt;"> Sotomayor’s major blunder has been the infamous “wise Latina” remark back in 2001. <span><span style="color:black;"><span style=" ;color:black;">Most of the people in my community, Republican and Democrat, are taking about this remark more than her judicial record. Yesterday, at lunch I had a very lively discussion with a friend about the explanation Sotomayor gave for this remark. Needless to say, I have found no one who believes her statement was simply meant to inspire the disadvantaged or was a play on a previous Sandra Day O’Conner quote. This morning, I received an e-mail where 5 words from the statement were changed. It read: “I would hope that a wise White man with the richness of his experiences would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a Latina woman who hasn’t lived that life.” It was signed as a quote from Rush Limbaugh. Although the e-mail was making fun of Limbaugh, it does point out serious questions about the remark and its intent. Will Sotomayor use the Supreme Court as a tool for social justice? Will her decisions reflect partiality toward one ethnic group? At a time when our local community is very concerned with immigration issues and the impact of illegal immigration, this quote has been the single most important factor in the opinion people have about Sotomayor. It is true, we are far from a border town, but Cleveland, Tennessee has seen a tremendous influx of immigrants in the past few years. The carpet factories in Northwest Georgia are well known for their use of cheap immigrant labor. As the economy has forced these companies to shut their doors or make drastic cuts, our community has seen many immigrants relocate in our area. Just a few months ago, a personal friend was involved in a car accident caused by an illegal immigrant driving on the wrong side of the road. The immigrant had no ID and no insurance. The policeman gathered all the information he could from the individual, but was forced to let him go. Local law enforcement is instructed not to incarcerate anyone who could possibly be under the age of 18. The car was registered to an individual that was never found. I believe the people in my community do not fault immigrants for wanting a better life, but fault our government for ignoring the issue. Yes, there is a difference of opinion on what the correct solution should be- full amnesty to deportation and everything in between- but it is an issue on everyone’s mind. </span></span></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;color:black;"><span style=" ;font-size:12pt;color:black;"> With the exception of a huge bombshell, Sotomayor will become a Supreme Court Justice. Republicans cannot stop it. Confirmation hearings are always politically fueled and this one is not an exception. It will be her judicial decisions on the Court that will undoubtedly make her a hero to some and a villain to others. Is she an ideal candidate for conservatives? Absolutely not. Is she the ideal candidate for liberals? Absolutely not. A good friend of mine and a self proclaimed "far left liberal", asked "Why did Obama not pick someone more to the left while he has the power to get them confirmed?" I thought it was a good point. I dare say there must have been a "back room" Republican meeting where someone said aloud “It could have been much worse.” </span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;color:black;"><span style=" ;font-size:12pt;color:black;"> </span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><br /></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"><span style=" ;font-size:12pt;"> </span></span></p></span>Emily Beatyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10836562979332562124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8390858830209122860.post-43274316313700126222009-07-15T08:10:00.000-07:002009-07-15T08:38:19.138-07:00Needed: A Change We Can Believe InBy Jerry Noble<br />What we were promised from our President and what we are getting is light years apart. What we need as a nation and what we are getting from our elected officials for our nation is about as far as the East is from the West. We need calm but Washington gives us a daily dose of chaos. We need leaders who will tell us the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth; instead we are fed a daily diet of half truths, and outright lies. We need leaders who have a genuine concern for the needs of the people, and a desire to be true representatives of the people. Instead, we as a nation have elected many, if not a majority, of politicians whose primary agenda is to stroke their own ego, feather their own nest, and perpetuate their political power. Few of them seem to have the least concern for upholding the will of the people and adhering to the constitution of the United States of America.<br /><br />The changes that have been made in the past few months are absolutely astounding! I would never have dreamed that such changes could happen so quickly. This is certainly not what our founding fathers intended. Our form of government was set up so that any type of major or drastic change was to take time so that any proposal could be carefully considered and processed. However, numerous changes have been make with lightening speed. Changes such as:<br />Opening a ban on stem cell research, which only encourages abortion;<br />Opening a ban on foreign abortions in order to fund abortions abroad;<br />The unprecedented promotion of gay rights, including gay marriage, in opposition to the will of the people;<br />Wasting multiplied billions of tax dollars as never before seen;<br />Enormous stimulus package proposals which virtually no lawmakers read, nor had any idea how to pay for them.<br /><br />I have named only a few of these changes that we are supposed to believe in. We appear to be headed down a slippery slope leading to moral and fiscal disaster with no way of stopping before it is too late. Numerous drastic and radical changes are being proposed and made. Is this being done in order to overwhelm the American public and cause such confusion that the people just don"t know what is happening? I am afraid that the average man and woman on the street doesn't have a clue.<br /><br />I certainly do believe we need change, but not the kind we are experiencing. We need to see more genuine honesty among our government leaders, whether they be local, state or national. With all of the lies and half-truths we hear on a regular basis it is bound to make people skeptical about anything that proceeds out of the mouth of a politician. And that is a shame. Abe Lincoln wouldn't know how to act in today's government. He would probably be criticized and scorned like Sarah Palin. (My next blog will the entitled, The Palin Principle.)<br /><br />We need a change from our leaders who criticize and ridicule our nation to leaders who will stand up and defend our nation. America is still the greatest nation, under God, on the face of this earth.<br /><br />We need a change from leaders who are immoral and who live in adultery as though it is the norm. They have the audacity to hold themselves up as examples. Is it any wonder our young people are so confused as to what is right and what is wrong? Not much seems to be black and white any more. Everything is being smudged into an indefinite gray. Many people seem to think that the way to determine what is right or wrong is simply to count noses. The most noses wins. Of course, that is ridiculous, but is becoming the order of the day.<br /><br />As a nation, we seem to be growing more and more divided. We need a change so that the nation can become more united.<br /><br />We need a change in our national media. We need a media that will present the facts, and the truth as best they can, rather than a personal liberal agenda that is leading this nation to disaster.<br /><br />It is certain that we need change. We need change we can believe in, but that is not the kind of change we are experiencing in our nation today. Not by a long shot!Jerry Noblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00818285378428111219noreply@blogger.com4