I told my new-found friends at the used car lot --- whatever you do, I want  everything finalized on 4-12-07.  If Friday the 13th shows on any document, the deal is off.  I was NOT going to categorize a new (or old) relationship by the 13th of anything.  And I meant it. 

So on the 11th, I prepped one of my best friends for the after-life.  I shudder to think what lies ahead .... a wholesale dealer's lot .... an auto parts junk pile .... maybe a fishin' car for someone to drive to the river in the afternoon .... Maybe a classic second or third vehicle for a family that has both the means and needs for such ... maybe a few more years of exploring highways and by-ways. 

I traded the ole jeep yesterday. 

Traumatic experience for me.  The family had been "nudging" me to trade since Christmas.  Laden with aura and miles of memories, my beloved 1993 Jeep Grand Wagoneer was showing it's age and I'd already spent enough in repairs (last year alone) for a substantial down-payment yada yada yada ... So I traded a perfectly functional, intact (except for a broken windshield  courtesy of a snowplow somewhere in Utah and a few other memorable dinks) high-dollar (in its day) home-on-the-road jeep for a 10-year younger front-wheel drive, loaded (as my brother sez) jag-of-a-lifetime regular-type former-lease low-mileage car that even algore would approve.  

I loved my jeep .... wanted to keep it, but it is (was) illogical for one person to keep two vehicles when there is only the need for one .... I hadn't looked in the storage space under the back seats in years.  Much less at what had been accumulating under the front seats or in the glovebox, console bin and door pockets ....

The tears flowed as I cleaned out 15 years of maps, lotion bottles, combs, paper clips, 4 personal hygiene travel-packs, doggie bags (pooper scoopers), french fries (I think), hardly-recognizable pellets of dog food, assorted pens and pencils, keys to only-God-knows-what, three license plates (long stories each -- but I didn't mean to lie to the licensing bureaus in as many states -- honest), multiple faded receipts, original manuals and "how-2" pamphlets, forgotten CDs and tapes, four broken umbrellas, a can of WD-40 with companion duct tape, a dated rock from the Snake River in Dubois (WY), a brochure from the Silverado Gold Mine near Fairbanks (AK), three tubes of melted lipstick (in my favorite earth tones),  empty window cleaner bottles, handi-wipes, two cameras, one roll of film, a small mangle of tv cords and connections, a radar buster, one road-side flare thingie, a Pinehurst golf scorecard (referencing one birdie, a sporadic bogey or double-bogey), two old pay cell-phones, one expired phone card, four dog chew sticks, a dc converter thingie, four coffee mugs (two from the same set), one sock, two pairs of scissors, a sun visor, four screwdrivers, one hammer, several golf tees, a badminton birdie, a box of thumb-tacks, strange looking screws of all sizes with matching  turny-thingies, two non-matching earrings, gobs of dog hair, a six-pack of bottled water and at least $18 in coins. 

Last night I woke up twice to look out the window -- wondering if that faithful ole jeep had escaped the dealership fencing and found its way home.  I'll miss it --- the wondrous experiences, the miles we logged together, the vistas and horizons we sought, the bumps in the road along the way, the times of repose we shared ....

May the road always rise up to meet you, good and reliable friend. 

Godspeed.

Many, many thanks to Beth at MissBethsVictoryDance for the "tap" for the "Thinking Blogger Award."  The image is posted in the side bar .... Again -- Thanks to Beth for the recognition!

Now, I get to nominate five (5) blogs that "make me think" ..... This is going to be difficult -- I read in excess of 30 primary blogs a day -- and most of their links .... Each makes me think ..... I'll need to give this a bit of thought -- after all, it IS about bloggers who make you think!

As political as I may sometimes be, my blog reading is rather eclectic.  The five blogs I nominate reflect my daily interests, inspirations and (in many respects) aspirations .... Once you visit them, you will know why ... And check out THEIR links to learn how thinking is, after all, a rather contagious activity!

1.  (Sometimes) Photoblog Steven and I met a few years ago via the AOL Community Leader program.  Though we've lost personal contact, I continue to visit his blog regularly to relax, reflect and to appreciate the world he captures. 

2.  The Gray Dog  I happened upon this blog when I started visiting a Vietnam Vets forum ... And then I saw his Gathering of Eagles video.  I don't know why it hasn't received more publicity -- it's one of -- if not -- the most moving promotions I've seen.  NOTE:  GD seems to have reorganized his blog, and the video is difficult to locate .... Sorry --

3.  Our Beloved Angels  Jo is another associate from AOL's CL program.  Although the program was disbanded some time ago, Jo has continued to publish newsletters, host discussion groups and a write a blog for bereaved pet owners ....

4. Gay Patriot  An award-winning conservative blog that should be on every reading list.  I don't always agree with his perspective, but hey -- that's what makes the conservative umbrella so inclusive!
  
5.  Black and Right  The link is to Bob's powerful video message in support of our troops .... Check out his entire blog -- he's right, by the way. 

To nominees:  Should you choose to participate, please make sure you pass this list of rules to the blogs you are tagging. The participation rules are simple:
1). If, and only if, you get tagged, write a post with links to 5 blogs that make you think;
2). Link to this post so that people can easily find the origin of the meme;
3). Optional: Proudly display the 'Thinking Blogger Award' with a link to the post that you write.

Mitt Romney spoke at the George Bush Presidential Library in Texas on Tuesday.  Here are excerpts from his speech:

Romney: "We need leadership. We are fortunate today to have a President who loves America, who acts solely out of a desire to protect her and to promote liberty around the world. But I think most Americans look at Washington and are appalled at the divisiveness, the bitterness, the smallness, the disunity. Senator Arthur Vandenberg once famously opined that 'politics stops at the water's edge.' But last week, a committee chair said we have two foreign policies, one for each party. And then the Speaker of the House helped dignify a state sponsor of terror. At this time of war, her action stands as one of the most partisan, divisive, and ill-considered of any national leader in this decade."

Romney: "Unity also means supporting our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. The challenges there are immense. But President Bush and General Petraeus are implementing a new strategy for Iraq – and it deserves a chance to succeed. Running away from Iraq now would embolden our enemies, giving them the sanctuary they need to plan more devastating attacks against our country. In this difficult time, some in Congress are trying to deny our troops the resources they need. This is a grave error. We need to rally behind the effort, and support our men and women in uniform in this time of war."

Romney: "I think many of us still fail to comprehend the extent of the threat posed by radical Islam, by Jihad. Understandably, we focus on Afghanistan and Iraq. Our men and women are dying there. We think in terms of countries, because we faced countries in last century's conflicts. But the Jihad is much broader than any one nation or nations. For radical Islam, there is one conflict and one goal – replacing all modern Islamic states with a caliphate, destroying America, and conquering the world."

Governor Romney's Four Changes Needed To Meet A New Generation Of Global Challenges:

First, We Need A Stronger Military. Our military suffered a dangerous decline under the Clinton Administration and has faced serious strains as we confront Jihadist threats following 9/11. To support our troops, we need to ensure we have the personnel and resources needed to maintain a strong America and safe world:

- We Must Increase The Size Of Our Military By 100,000 Troops.

- We Need To Dedicate At Least Four Percent Of Our Gross Domestic Product To Defense, Making Up For Critical Gaps In Our Military Modernization, Equipment, Personnel And Health Care Efforts.

- Investing In Our Military, We Need To Ensure Funds Are Used To Address Critical Needs And Support The Men And Women Of Our Armed Forces, Rather Than Political Or Contractor Interests.

Second, America Must Become Energy Independent. Our economic and military strength require that we end our strategic vulnerability to an oil shut-off by nations like Iran, Russia, and Venezuela, and that we address environmental concerns. To do this, Governor Romney has called for a bold and far-reaching research initiative - an Energy Revolution - to be our generation's equivalent of the Manhattan Project or the Moon mission. This will be a mission to create new, economic sources of clean energy.

Third, We Must Transform And Strengthen Our Civilian International Efforts To Meet A New Generation Of Challenges. Many of our civilian national security and foreign policy structures were created decades ago to confront Cold War threats. Building on the Goldwater-Nichols military reforms of the 1980s, we need to ensure that our civilian instruments of national power have the ability to build joint efforts among our civilian agencies and empower Regional Deputies with clear lines of authority, budgets and responsibility to develop and execute regional plans and strategies. We must also constantly challenge bureaucratic "group think" and revitalize our national security structures so we have the capabilities needed to meet 21st century challenges.

Fourth, We Need To Strengthen Old Partnerships And Alliances, And Inaugurate A New One, To Address The Threat Of Jihadism. The failures of efforts such as the United Nations Human Rights Council have given multilateralism a bad name. But America's strength is amplified when it is combined with the strength of other nations. We need to look to expand alliances such as NATO to face the new threat of radical Jihad and increase our homeland security.

- In The Struggle Against Jihadism, One Of The Greatest Challenges Is The Looming Demographic Crisis In The Broader Middle East Combined With Rising Unemployment. As President, Governor Romney will call together our Middle East allies and the major nations of the developed world to address these issues by establishing a Partnership for Hope and Prosperity. This Partnership would assemble the resources of all developed nations to assure that threatened Islamic states have public schools, micro credit and banking, the rule of law, human rights, basic health care, and competitive economic policies. Resources would be drawn from public and private institutions, and from volunteers and NGOs. Its policies would favor expansion of free trade and investment.

While justifying her spring break junket to Iran this week (between out-takes for why she will not meet with President Bush to discuss the troop funding bill), Pelosi and her newest side-kick (Holocaust surviver) Rep. Lantos suggested that a trip to Iran might just be in order.

I agree.  But for different reasons and seasons.

As Pelosi primes her travel docket to boost her resume for the Nobel Peace prize, the business of managing the House of Reps will continue helter-skelter.  I suggest another Congressional recess.  Hell, take Kennedy, Biden, Reid, Hoyer, Murtha and the whole crew.  The President can then make more "recess" appointments and maybe the Blue Dogs and Pubbies can pass a war funding bill without the hard-core lefties slowing the process even more.

On first read, Lantos' promotion of an international nuclear "fuel bank"  for peaceful use  (under international oversight ... errrr ... almost anyone BUT those oil-for-food guys over at the UN, pleeeeze) might have stronger legs as a resolution rather than as a bill ....

Lantos noted that "with the speaker's support,'' he has co-sponsored legislation in the House that calls for making available to all countries -- including Iran -- nuclear fuel for peaceful purposes under international oversight by establishing a "nuclear fuel bank."

"So if the Iranian president says that he is developing (nuclear material) for peaceful purposes, we are assisting him in that process,'' said Lantos, who anticipated the legislation could pass as early as May. 

What's the weather in Iran in May-July?  Maybe Pelosi et al will be primed for a Middle East summer vacation!!  

WTF = Where's the fire?  That's a Technorati section where members can write "hot topic" blurbs.

You'll find a GOE "blurb" at the link above.  If you are a member, hop over and vote for the Gathering of Eagles blurb to push it to the top of the topics list! 

More publicity for GOE II and Rolling Thunder, of course!

The blurb:

Thanks to some astute (and self-less) Blog Drive patrons at the Help Forum, I've reduced the load-time for my blog .....

Makes me vury vury happy.  (Heck, I might even stay beyond my contract!)

Now, maybe (just maybe) more folks won't give up and go away, impatient because the page grindsandgrindsandgrindsandgrinds for 10-15 seconds before opening!!!

I eliminated one data-based script and moved another to a page on my web site (http://www.perishthethought.com/never.html) .... When and if I get around to re-directing my blog to the web site server, I'll have more "space" for other goodies as well!

Just wanted to say a sincere "thanks" to the Forum folks --- I beeez a happier camper, now!

And --- thanks to the powers-that-be at Blog Drive for again featuring this blog .... Welcome new readers!

HA!   It's true.  (credit to Gateway Pundit)

Moqtada al-Sadr wasn't in Najaf to count noses this week (he went into hiding several months ago), but those who were there seriously discount his proclamation for "hundreds of thousands" of Iraqis to protest the presence of coalition forces.

Maybe only 5-7,000 got the message.  Maybe that's all his insurgents could muster.  At any rate -- both the liberal press and Moqtada al-Sadr certainly created a spectacle. 

Even if one didn't materialize physically.

We're returning to Washington on May 26 and 27. 

Stand with us.  Or stay out of the way.

Gathering of Eagles

Also see:  Rolling Thunder

Easter 2007 .... The Wonder of it All

Today is Easter Sunday in the Christian Church, the holiday that celebrates Jesus' resurrection from the dead. Easter is one of the few floating holidays in the calendar year, because it's based on the cycles of the moon. Jesus was said to have risen from the dead on the first Sunday after the first full moon of spring. For that reason, Easter can fall as early as March 22nd and as late as April 25th.

The word "Easter" comes from an ancient pagan goddess worshipped by Anglo Saxons named Eostre. According to legend, Eostre once saved a bird whose wings had frozen during the winter by turning it into a rabbit. Because the rabbit had once been a bird, it could still lay eggs, and that rabbit became our Easter Bunny. Eggs were a symbol of fertility in part because they used to be so scarce during the winter. There are records of people giving each other decorated eggs at Easter as far back as the 11th century.         -- GK

THE WONDER OF IT ALL