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I've sent out over 500 emails, called every church in this county and the surrounding ones repeatedly, been turned down for several loans. I set up a site to explain everything, including its own forum, email service, greeting cards, jokes, and pages about second amendment rights, id theft and fraud, and deafness. I'm tired of talking to politicians and lawyers, credit counsellors, loan officers, feds, and anyone one else i could think of to get help from. Let alone all the times repeatedly posting that bulletin asking for help. It has been wonderful when others repost it, and a few have sent some help.You would think, this would be over by now.

Each time I get close to getting it taken care of, something happens and it falls thru. Then I have to start all over again. Yeah, I'm worn out to the extreme over this, and don't know how much more i can take. If I don't get this taken care of, I lose everything, including my family. I can't let my family fall apart; we've been through so much already. It's gotta stop.

We need peace and quiet. We need this to be over. Only a few people have helped. We need more to help. I always thought friends and neighbors helped each other. From the way I've seen the churches react to my asking, I wonder. Why do people promise to help, and then when they are asked, they turn tail and run, or come up with every known excuse in the book to say no.

But ya' know what? I can't give up. There is no quitting in the dictionary. No matter how much it hurts to see people promise me help, and then say no, I can't and won't give up. I've hit so many dead ends, too many to count. Why? Cause I love my husband and step-daughter. And I promised them, they'd never be parted.

It's that simple. To keep them together.

Colors of the American Flag
by: Regenia G. Butcher

I would imagine that even before the ink on the Declaration of Independence had dried, the sentences: "Are we gonna have a flag? We gotta have a flag! Britain has a flag!" were echoed by members of the Continental Congress. But then, a flag is important. It is a symbol representing a group and their beliefs -- a means of identification.

It has long been reported that in May of 1776, Betsy Ross sewed the first version of the flag we use today. The American flag has, of course, gone through several design transformations since then, as states were added to the nation and stars were added to the design.

Symbolism Abounding

Unique and appealing as the design is, I think our flag is also full of symbolism. To me, the red stripes indicate courage, blood and suffering. The white stripes mean truth, purity and open-mindedness. The word stripes, itself, is associated with oppressions, struggles, punishments and lessons learned. An enduring flag represents a state of surving or coming-of-age the hard way.

To me, the stars on our flag represent goals, dreams and the future -- what we all aim for, in our own way -- the infinite, the stars. The color blue is usually identified with peace, tranquility and spirituality. Hopefully, our dreams and future will be surrounded by peace and spirituality, just as the stars on the flag are surrounded by the blue.

Our flag is very much like our country. It is woven together by many threads, just as our nation is woven together by many nationalities, religions, philosophies and personalities.

The flag needs to be held up and supported to wave free, just as our country needs support to continue to remain as free as it has been. Any little breeze can cause a reaction. A harsh wind can make the flag angrily whip around on its foundation. But, even when it becomes weathered and torn, hanging on by only a few strands, as long as it is still connected to its foundation, it will continue to hang on and wave freely. It's the wind blowing against the flag that keeps it waving, that allows the stars (as well as the stripes) to be seen. It's the winds of properly-channeled protest and criticism brought against a nation that keeps it changing and shaping and thus, prevents it from sinking into a false euphoria or apathy...or worse.

Not as Simple as it Seems

The flag is not black and white, and neither are most issues involving it. You will note, that there is one more red stripe than white, showing that there will be more pain and struggle than there will be purity and truth.

An amendment ("H.J. Res.10") giving Congress the power to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag, has been up for vote several times. However, "desecration" means more than being burned or shredded in anger and protest. Through the popular sale of interpretated versions of our flag that's been placed on items ranging from paper notebooks and jewelry, to shirts and table cloths, it's been proven that the flag has a marketing appeal as well as a patriotic one. But Title 4, Section 8-d, 8-g and 8-i of the U.S. Code (rules and regulations) forbids wearing it or placing an image of it on anything that is meant to be thrown away. The code also says that it is not be be used for advertising purposes. Therefore, it is always interesting to see how "desecration" is interpretated.

An Implied Pledge?

Any flag represents a nation or group's future, as well as it's past. So, before you burn it or praise it, condemn it or pledge allegiance to it, you should take another look at it and really see it for what it represents.

Sometimes I think that our nation's "pledge" has gone to another rectangular object...a green one. With all the crime and corruption in this country, it's as if the "Pledge of Allegiance" has been subconsciously rewritten to:

I pledge allegiance to the dollar
of the United States of America.
And to the buying power for which it stands.
One cartel, under the stock exchange, insatiable,
with affluence and greed for the fortunate.

May Our Flag Always Wave Free!

Since the 9-11 tragedy, the red, white and blue American flag has been seen on more cars and flying from more buildings than ever. Maybe we should continue to wave our flag even more and be ever cautious to see that it continues to represent the freedom, justice and integrity for which it has always been known.

About The Author


Regenia G. Butcher is an author on a site for Creative Writers ( http://www.Writing.Com ). She is also a crafter and is currently working on a "quirky" word reference book. She usually not only sees the glass half full, but rejoices that there IS a glass. You can visit her portfolio at: http://www.sensity.writing.com.

Local Government - Solving Problems
by: Al Arnold

"Politics is not the art of the possible. It consists in choosing between the disastrous and the unpalatable." John Kenneth Galbraith

Oh, how true! When you have a problem in your personal life, does your options for solving that problem come down to the “lesser of two evils?” Probably so. If your options for solving your problem are good or excellent choices, you don't have a problem, you have an opportunity.

Same in local government. When local government has a “problem” the choices they have are the “lesser of two evils.” Or, as Mr. Galbraith would say “between the disastrous and the unpalatable.”

It is truly unfortunate that local elected officials do not admit this, when discussing problem issues in public. This dilemma is certainly discussed in private between individuals involved in the decision making process. But, it is rare when a local official publicly states that the problem they are facing has no good solution. The options available consist between “the disastrous and the unpalatable.”

On top of that, add into the equation that elected local government officials who are making these decisions, are amateurs. Amateurs make mistakes. Lots of mistakes. So when choosing between those “lesser of two evils” they can often choose the worst of the choices.

Run government like a business! How many times have we heard, or maybe even said that?

How many businesses do you know, when looking for a new member for their Board of Directors throw the position open to amateurs, with absolutely no experience? Or, do they look for the best, most experienced person they can find to help guide them into the future?

Is it any wonder that some local governments bumble along? Is it any wonder that John Q. Public gets disenfranchised with the system?

We know that problems aren't going to go away. We also know we aren't going to change the way local elected officials are hired. Is there anything that can help this process along?

Yes, there is. The solution involves you, your friends and your neighbors. You may find this solution "unpalatable."

1) Involvement. Citizen Involvement. Citizens need to go to meetings. You need to go to meetings.

2) Citizens need to be there to give support and encouragement to these rank amateurs who are attempting to do their best under very difficult conditions. They are doing a job that must be done by someone.

3) Citizens who may have expertise on particular issues need to give their constructive input before the decisions are made ... not after.

Local elected officials universally lament the fact that citizens avoid attending meetings where their input is not just invited, but needed. These local officials also acknowledge the fact that they are amateurs and do not have the experience on many issues, that they need to make decisions.

Silence by citizens can be deafening, and destructive.

Your local government needs you to become involved!

Copyright 2006 Al Arnold

Origin of US Military: A Tradition of Honor, Loyalty and Courage
by: Johnny Blade

During the Colonial Period, when whites battled between Indians, the Pequot, a warlike tribe that settled in the center along the Thames River in southeastern Connecticut, against New England settlers, and because of the struggle Governor John Endicott of Massachusetts Bay Colony organized the first military force. The military forces’ duty was to capture and punish Indians.

Before the King Phillip’s War there was a provision of organizing military companies and for the frequent drilling of the soldiers. During that time even ten years old boys were trained to handle guns, half- pikes, bows and arrows.

It also required every man to have a service pistol for security. Every trained soldier was required to turn out immediately. There is a penalty of $5 for neglect. Military officers were empowered to appoint what firearms to be brought to the meeting houses on the Lord’s days and other times of gatherings.

In the Revolutionary War, the Continental Army was formed. It was George Washington who was chosen to be the Commander in Chief. It was the congresses who select him right after the formation of the continental army. Choosing him was made for geographical and political as much as for military reasons, because the New Englanders felt that in order to enlist the help of the southern colonies a southerner should be chosen for the position.

In Early Republic, Washington open an alternative to a large standing army, he was referring to founding an effective militia. So the congress passed the basic militia law in May 1792, it refers to recruiting of every able-bodied white male citizen between 18-45 and to organize militia into divisions, brigades, regiments, battalions, and companies by the individual states.

Each militiaman should be provided by his own arms, munitions, and other accouterments. The act also provides the idea of a citizen soldiery, a concept of deep importance to the future of the country, and it also provide for the creation of special volunteer units to supplement the mandatory group system. The volunteers are organized into companies, met regularly for military training under elected officers. With antecedents in the organized military associations of the colonial era, this volunteer force is now known as the National Guard.

In the War of 1812-1815, the military forces took place at the battle of Fort Stephenson, battle of Lake Erie, Fort Dearborn and siege of Fort Erie. From the Indian wars to the Persian Gulf War military has serve as the defense and offense of the United States. In World War II and even the previous Wars the Military forces was based in any part of the globe invading and defending the territory. Like in Sicily Campaign, the American soldier had much to be proud.

With the exception of those units which had taken part in the Tunisia Campaign, especially the 1st and 9th Infantry Divisions, few American formations employed in Sicily began the campaign with any combat experience, and their abilities were still unknown. But the American troops had done well.

Sicily was also a victory for the logistician and the staff planner. Although overshadowed by the Normandy invasion a year later, Operation HUSKY was actually the largest amphibious operation of World War II in terms of the size of the landing zone and the number of divisions put ashore on the first day of the invasion.

This pushed the U.S. Military to recruit and expand itself for the needs of national security and peace keeping inside the state.

The U.S. Military is divided into seven, the Army that handle the land especially mountains, valley and other far places in the states that needs security and peacekeeping. Naval or Navy that protect the sea territory of the states, Marine which is deployed in the heavy attack like outside war that needed reinforcement by the states, Air Force the one who protect the air territory of the states, National Guard the volunteer organized troops, Coast Guard and Merchant Marine helps the navy in sea territory peacekeeping.

About The Author


Johnny Blade, a former private investigator and award winning author who writes on a variety of subjects, is an online marketer for many sites such as Resources and Articles About the US Military.

http://military-resources.favoritefacts.com/

This article is free for republishing.

Copyright © Johnny Blade 2006

Home Security: How to Make Your Home Burglar-Resistant

Home security is a huge concern these days, given the increasingly unsafe
environment we live in. The fact is, there are a number of easy, practical steps
you can take to minimize the chances of your home being burglarized.

* Prevention if usually better than cure. Before you rent or buy a home /
apartment, get to know the neighborhood. Talk to residents; ask about burglaries
and other crimes in the locality. Being aware of what has been happening in the
area should be a priority.

* If possible, have a security expert evaluate the home. Incidentally, many
police departments will do a security check of your home at no cost. You will
often be alerted to problems you didn't know existed.

* Don't hide keys outside the house for fear of being locked out. Getting a
locksmith to open your door is a whole lot cheaper than losing valuables because
a burglar discovered your hidden keys!

Where possible, team up with a neighbor and hold one set of each other's keys.
That way you have a spare set of keys available should the need arise.

* Trim bushes around your house before they grow enough to easily hide an
intruder.

* Having good lighting around your home or apartment complex is an important
factor in deterring intruders. If there are burnt-out bulbs or the lighting is
inadequate, address the issue

* If you have windows accessible using fire escapes or directly from the ground,
they should not open wide enough to let a person in. A screw built into the
frame can accomplish this. There are other very effective stops also available.
Of course, you should be able to escape in the event of a fire.

* There are anti-lift devices available that can prevent an entire window or
sliding door being lifted out of its frame. If you do not install them, thieves
may make locks irrelevant by lifting the window or door.

* Your door should have a dead bolt, not just the lock in the knob. Get one
installed, if you don't have one already.

* Avoid listing your complete address in the phone book. List only your street
name, at most. This will prevent someone doing reverse listings to find out your
name and phone number using your address.

* It is tempting to leave notes for your kids or neighbors on mailboxes and
doors. This is an open declaration that you are not home.

* Do not announce your absence from home through your answering machine.
Incidentally, an answering machine can be useful for identifying suspicious
patterns of missed calls.

* There are a number of excellent home security systems available. If you feel
the level of risk warrants it, consider using them.

* Decals are often a good deterrent. Alarm system decals or beware of dog,
neighborhood watch signs can make would-be burglars think twice.

Utilize these suggestions and you will make your home a safer place to live in.

-----------------------------
Joe Timbers has written on href="http://www.home-and-office-security-guide.info/">home and office
security including ideas on href="http://www.home-and-office-security-guide.info/enhancing-home-security.html">enhancing
home security, href="http://www.home-and-office-security-guide.info/home-security-tips.html">tips
for home security while on vacation and more. Click on the previous links to
see some of his articles.
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Mindfulness And Mental Health Improvement

What's going on in your head? Until you know, there can be all sorts of
problems. Uncorrectable problems. You can't fix a problem that you don't see,
right? That is where mindfulness comes in. Mindfulness and mental health are
intimately connected.

Your mind is busy in there right now, talking about all sorts of things. It may
be telling you that you are tired of your job, or that you are a victim of
circumstance. It may be running through a list of all the things you need to be
doing. It may be saying all the wrong things, and yet you may hear none of it.
You may just feel a slight anxiety building as your day goes on.

When I first learned how to do basic mindfulness exercises, I was amazed. I
found that whole conversations were going on just below consciousness. Not only
was it interesting to see, but the most amazing part was that I could now often
end feelings of worry or anxiety. All I had to do was stop and watch my mind
until I found the cause.

Yes, it actually is often that simple. If you forgot to write down an
appointment, for example, it may be bothering you for hours. As soon as you see
that, you write it down and you feel relaxed again. If an argument is playing
and replaying subconsciously in your mind and stressing you out, often just
bringing it to consciousness will make you laugh and dismiss it.

Mindfulness And Long Term Mental Health

Don't underestimate the power of short term happiness and good thoughts to
influence the course of your mental health over the longer term. Resolve
anxieties and stresses now, and regularly, and you'll be healthier, and you'll
be developing good habits. Good feelings now lead to good feelings in the
future, and habits are what we need for any long term results.

As for the big problems, mindfulness is a way to see them more clearly for what
they are. As you get better at tuning into your own subconscious mind, you will
start to see patterns. I found, for example, that my mind was mulling over and
worrying about all the possible choices in decisions that weren't made. It
caused me endless stress.

Seeing this clearly, finally recognizing how destructive this habit of
indecisiveness was, lead me to change. I started making decisions more quickly,
just to try a new way. I immediately experienced how stress diminishes once a
decision is made. My habits began to change, and I was getting more done with
less anxiety.

The most basic mindfulness exercise is to just sit quietly and start paying
attention to everything going on in your body and mind. Of course this can be
difficult if you've never done it, and this article isn't a how-to. This is just
to make the case that it's worth learning. There is definitely a connection
between mindfulness and mental health.

-----------------------------
Steve Gillman has meditated and studied meditation for over twenty years. You
can find a good HREF="http://www.TheMeditationSite.com/a-mindfulnessexercise.html">mindfulness
exercise and subscribe to The Meditation Newsletter at:
http://www.TheMeditationSite.com
-----------------------------

How a Hard of Hearing Person Hears

A hearing loss is complex. It varies from person to person depending on the degree and type of their hearing loss and personal adaptation.

Effective communication begins with understanding:
Better communication does not necessarily mean speaking louder. Hard of hearing people do not hear more softly; they hear differently.

A hearing aid amplifies sounds, which the hard of hearing person can, in some way, pick up by the ear. If the person cannot hear certain sounds, a hearing aid will not restore the ability to hear them.

Hearing is situational. You may hear in one situation and not in another. For example, a small room with two people is a better listening environment than a noisy cafeteria or gathering.

Many hard of hearing persons rely on the other speaker’s facial expressions and gestures to supplement what they hear.

Tips on Communication with a Hard of Hearing Person

Attract their attention: They must be ready to listen or key words at the beginning of messages will be missed and the rest will be meaningless. They need time to change thoughts and focus on you. Use other beginnings such as names, ex: “Harry, about so-and-so” and then your message.

Move close and face them: Move closer to make your voice louder and clearer. Face them so they can “see” the word sounds on your lips as you talk. Also, your voice fades rapidly around corners or when your back is turned.

Speak slowly and distinctly: We hear and we understand. The hard of hearing often do not. They must combine uncertain hearing, body language and guesses into words, and then into meaningful thoughts – often one step at a time, a slow business. When words come too rapidly or are slurred and weak, systems overload and shut off and listening stops.

Wait or move closer when it’s noisy: Even people with normal hearing have trouble when it’s noisy.

Watch carefully as you speak. Stop whenever you see signs of uncertainty – something has been missed. Start again, watching to be sure you are understood. If this is not successful then rephrase your message as only 30% of speech can be read on the lips.

TIPS ON ONE-TO-ONE COMMUNICATION WITH A DEAF PERSON

Ø Look directly at the person while speaking. Even a slight turn of the head can obscure the Deaf person’s vision. Other distracting factors affecting communication include moustaches obscuring the lips and habits such as smoking, pencil-chewing, and putting hands in front of the face.

Ø Speak slowly and clearly; but exaggeration and overemphasis of words distort lip movements, making speechreading more difficult.


Ø It is important to have the Deaf person’s attention before speaking. Since Deaf people can’t hear the usual call to attention, they may need a tap on the shoulder, a wave of the hand, or other visual signals to gain attention.

Ø Pantomime, body language, and facial expression are important factors in communication. Be sure you use all of them.


Ø Try to maintain eye contact with the Deaf person. Eye contact helps convey the feeling of direct communication. If an interpreter is present, continue to talk directly to the Deaf person who can turn to the interpreter if the need arises.

Ø Try to re-phrase a thought rather than repeating the same words. Sometimes a group of lip movements is difficult to speechread. If the person doesn’t understand you, try to restate the sentence.


Ø Don’t be embarrassed about communicating via paper and pencil. Getting the message across is more important than the medium used.

Ø In communicating with a Deaf person it is a good idea to remember that intelligence, personality, age of onset of deaf ness, language background, listening skills, lipreading and speech abilities all vary with each Deaf person, just as the skills and personality of every person vary.


Ø Every Deaf person will communicate in a different way. Some will use speech only; some will use a combination of sign language, fingerspelling, and speech; some will write; some will use body language and facial expression to supplement their interaction.

http://www.sjdhhs.com/issues_on_deafness_and_hard_of_h.htm

BREAKING ALL THE RULES News

New Year’s Resolutions Made By Dogs :

1. I will try to understand that the cat is from Venus and I am from Mars.
2. I will circulate a petition that “Leg Humping” be a juried competition in major dog shows.
3. I will always scoot before licking.
4. I will kill the sock this year. Kill the sock! Must kill the sock!
5. I will not chase the stick unless I see it leave his hand.
6. I will take time from my busy schedule to stop and smell the behinds.
7. I will no longer be beholden to the sound of the can opener.
8. I will remember where I bury each and every treasure.