A GeeChee Girl's View

Carolina Day – A Day To Thank The Patriots You Drink Your Tea With Ice

2006-06-28T09:45:00.000-05:00

Prefer your tea with ice? You’re Iced Tea with a twist of lemon or a sprig of mint instead of hot and with milk? Then today is the day you need to thank the brave Patriot’s that manned the half finished unnamed fort on Sullivan’s Island, SC over 200 years ago.

Today, we celebrate Carolina Day.

On June 28, 1776, the Patriot forces defeated the British at a half completed fort built out of palmetto trees and sand on a barrier island, giving this newborn country a badly needed boost with one of the first major victories in the American Revolution. Six days later, on July 4, 1776, the First Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence.

It is said that the victory at Fort Moultrie, named for Col. William Moultrie, commander that faithful day, is what pushed the Congress to act. Today at 7:30pm, we honor this man and all the solders that day with the unveiling of an iron fence around Gen. Moultrie’s grave on Fort Moultrie.

In honor of all of the brave men who gave their life for our freedom, stop for a moment and think about the incredible gift they gave you. Stop and think about the freedom that you have, the freedom to have life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Stop and think about all that they sacrificed to give this to you. Stop and think about the Declaration of Independence that was signed, that our country fought for. Stop and say a prayer for their souls, that they are sitting with the Lord.

Now stop and think about what you have, about the freedom that you have. Who gave you that freedom? Yes, The Declaration of Independence gives you that – but who paid the price? Who is paying the price at this moment? Then stop and think about the men and women who fight for you 24/7/365 so that you keep that freedom all day, every day, right now. If you value your freedom, say a prayer for them now or, if you don’t pray, then just keep them in your heart.

God Bless Our Men & Women, Past, Present and Future.

*Gen Moultrie was promoted after the war to Major General and later served 2 terms as the Governor of SC.

**Sullivan’s Island is a barrier island located just off of Charleston, SC.

Lindsey Found Time To Address My Concerns!

2006-06-27T13:18:00.000-05:00

NOTE: My comments are italized. Senator Grahams quotes are in bold.

Actually, he found the time to send me a 4 page letter explaining his stance on immigration AFTER I e-mailed him and told him that as far as I was concerned, voting for amnesty had cost him my vote. (Along with my husbands vote too.) I'll give him this much, he did not ignore my e-mail and/or just eighty-six it. He took the time to answer, though I am sure it is a form letter. Now we just need to get rid of the RINO on his back.

The letter starts out very polite and thanks me for expressing my concern and agrees that the current immigration laws are not working. (hello? They might if they were enforced.)He then goes into a brief rundown of my views on immigration reform and how the Senate began to address these issues.

Border Security

The first issue to address in immigration reform must be border security. (Ya think?) Among the major provisions, it authorizes the hiring of an additional 14,000 Border Patrol agents over the next five years. It also calls for the construction of at least 370 miles of triple-layer fencing and 500 miles of vehicle barriers to be placed in high-traffic border crossing areas where people can literally walk into the United States. He then goes on to state that 'virtual fences' would be used in remote locations and that the 'Catch and Release' program would end. because the Senate bill authorizes the construction of 20 new detention facilities capable of housing 20,000 detainees, we will be able to detain, house, and eventually deport them back to their home country when they are apprehended. (Ok, bucko, I told you in the e-mail, we need a triple layer border ALL THE WAY ACROSS with a couple of gates for people who can cross LEGALLY. And, oh great, lets spend even more of my hard earned money on detention centers. Use that money to build a wall.)

Employee Verification and Employer Enforcement

We have been too lax in enforcement of our well-intentioned but inadequate and confusing employment laws. (Again, Ya Think? Gee, maybe if we fine a company $50,000 per illegal alien per day found to be working at a company, I'll bet this problem would slow down a lot!) We must provide the tools they (employers) need too not only comply with the law, but also to stay in business. Creating a workable employee verification system will also free up the enforcement officers to go after the unscrupulous businesses who knowingly violate our employment laws. (Alright, I actually agree with this section. We do need a database of some sort to keep up with legal status of immigrants.)

Undocumented Workers

(Here we go, they are ILLEGAL ALIENS! What part of this do you not understand Lindsey?)Like President Bush, I don't think we are capable of, nor have the national will to, deport 11 million people. Further, an immediate roundup and deportation of this workforce would have negative consequences for our economy, potentially sending it into a tailspin. (My butt! Yes, we can deport them. They broke the law when they came here illegally. Any about all those jobs - why can't able-bodied people between the ages of 18 and 60 that receive welfare take those jobs. Anyone on welfare that is able to work gets a job and/or training and is weaned off of welfare.) Graham then goes into how illegal aliens are brought out of the shadows and must pay fines, attend classes, blah, blah, blah. He also says the program is not amnesty. Amnesty is what President Carter gave to Vietnam draft dodgers who fled to Canada. (There are so many ways I can go here, I need a road map to pick which way!)

Lindsey then concludes with a summary of the above and thanks me for taking time to contact him. I am going to spend the next few nights drafting a reply that is not quite so snarky. :)

Let me know your opinion and/or thoughts as to what I should say in my reply.

A Fast Way To NOT Get My Vote!

2006-06-27T12:57:00.000-05:00

Today is the Republican Primary Runoff in South Carolina. One race in particular is of importance to me – SC House Seat 119 – my district. The two candidates, Greg Hart and Susan Piper. Both are very straight talking conservatives. The choice was going to be pretty tough – I liked them both.

TILL LAST NIGHT.

I retrieved my mail and started sorting thru it. A bill (yuk), a sale paper (good bathroom reading) , a post card from Greg Hart asking me go out and vote Tuesday, and a rolled up piece of paper secured so tightly around the middle with a rubber band that I had to cut it off. This piece of garbage in my mailbox was from Susan Piper telling me that everything Greg Hart has said is a lie. Does this mean that everything she has said is a lie? I mean, they have been saying the same things for weeks now. And why is she putting balled up pieces of paper in my mailbox?

Anyhow, Mr. Hart received my vote, my husbands and the votes of 4 of my neighbors. Never underestimate the power of a junky mailbox!

Burning For Eternity!

2006-06-08T09:52:00.000-05:00

Our troups have done a wonderful job! I believe I'll raise my glass in their honor this evening. Fine Job!

It is Suddenly a Meme!

2006-05-31T14:05:00.000-05:00

Folly Pundit is running with a Meme for locals, 3 things I love about Charleston. What the heck, I'm in.

3 Things I Love About Charleston:

1. Watching the surfers at the Folly Beach Washout - Oh, to be young again!

2. Picnics at White Point Garden by the Battery.

3. Hotdogs and beer at The Joe when the Riverdogs are in town.

The Charleston 22 - Updated

2006-05-31T11:23:00.000-05:00

The "Charleston 22" went to their first hearing yesterday. 4 of the 22 pleaded guilty to gambling charges and received a $100.00 fine. The remaining 18 entered not guilty pleas and asked for a jury trial. (I heard on the radio this morning that in almost 200 years, only ONE person has ever been convicted of gambing in this state - am looking for proof.)

There have been lots of letters to the editor and this has been discussed on tv and radio. In fact, the SC Organization of Poker Enthusiasts has a great round-up.

See also: Free The Charleston 22

Top Ten Reasons

2006-05-31T11:11:00.000-05:00

I meant to post this last week - better late than never.

Sen. Jim Demint (SC-R) has his "Top Ten Reasons To Oppose The Senate Immigration Bill" up on his web site. Here's as taste:

May 25th, 2006 - Washington D.C. - Today, Senator Jim DeMint (R-S.C) announced his intention to vote against the Senate immigration compromise that would grant amnesty to millions of illegal immigrants. Senator DeMint also released his “Top Ten Reasons to Oppose the Senate Amnesty Bill”.

“We will never solve the problem of illegal immigration by rewarding those who break our laws,” said Senator DeMint. “We must stop illegal immigration by securing the border and creating a temporary worker program that does not reward illegal behavior with a clear path to citizenship and voting rights.”

“This bill fails to do that. Instead, it guarantees amnesty with only the promise of border security and enforcement. We tried the same formula in 1986, and it only made the problem worse. This puts those here illegally in front of those waiting to enter the right way, and that’s the wrong message for a nation of laws to send.”

Go check out the Top Ten.

Unfortunately, SC's Senior Senator, Lindsey Graham (RINO), thinks the Immigration Bill is a wonderful thing. “The support shown today in the Senate is consistent with the American people’s desire to find a comprehensive solution to our immigration problems,” said Graham. I am pretty sure Graham has not been reading the local papers, listening to talk radio, or even reading his email; otherwise he would know that the good people of SC do not support this waste of paper.

I guess he doesn't realize that the voters sent him to Washington to work FOR the citizens of SC, not AGAINST us! We will remember this Lindsey.

It's Almost Here!

2006-05-30T15:17:00.000-05:00

Dave Barry gives the best hurricane advice yet!

Yes, I'm Still Here

2006-05-30T11:49:00.000-05:00

Life has a tendancy to get a tad busy occasionally. Since Friday, I have been to the beach twice, a family reunion, a Memorial Day Observance at the cemetary, and to the Circus. It's nice to get back to work so I can relax!

The Spoleto Festival is going on now, so chance are slim that things will slow down for the next few weeks.

I've got 3 post in draft mode - hope to have them up this afternoon. For now, it's back to work. I've got 14 motherboards that have to be replaced.

Did I say I was glad to be back at work?

PS - Lil GeeChee Girl also had her Dance Recital about a week ago. She is the 4th child from the right. Aren't they beautiful!

Lt. Gov. In Plane Crash

2006-05-24T07:09:00.000-05:00

052305 – 8pm: At approximately 6:20pm today, Lt Gov. of SC, Andre Bauer and a passenger were in a single engine plane crash in Blacksburg, SC. Initial reports are that the Lt. Gov. and passenger were conscious as they were medivaced to local hospitals.

10pm Update: The Lt. Gov. was piloting a Moonie 231 Single Engine Plane. The engine had just been overhauled. Bauer is in a Greenville hospital with arm and leg injuries and is said to be in good condition. His passenger is in a Spartanburg hospital with minor injuries.

052406 8am Update: Passenger John Leonhardt, age 70, is said to be in fair condition. Bauer has an injured arm and a broken ankle. More info from the local paper.

Free The Charleston 22!

2006-05-24T07:07:00.000-05:00

Last month, state police entered a private residence with guns drawn. Were they looking for a fugitive from justice? A murderer? A sexual predator? No. They were looking for an illegal poker game.

Yes, you read that right.

The State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) broke into a 73 year old woman’s home to raid a friendly neighborhood poker game. $20.00 to enter the game, winner takes all. SLED confiscated the money on the table, the money in pockets, wallets and purses. They confiscated the cards and card tables. Well, I feel so much safer now that these evil criminals are off our streets.

In SC, it is illegal to play any game that involves dice or cards. This means that not only are poker and blackjack illegal, but also monopoly, trivial pursuit and solitaire. When I play Go Fish with the Lil GeeCheeGirl, I am breaking the law. Of course, it is not illegal to go to the corner store and buy a ticket for the SC Education Lottery. That is government sanctioned gambling.

Here in the south we take pride in our past – good and bad. But there comes a time when archaic laws need to be updated or just plain thrown out.

Gee, I'm More Normal Than I Thought!

2006-05-23T12:32:00.000-05:00

You Are 50% Weird

Normal enough to know that you're weird...
But too damn weird to do anything about it!

How Weird Are You?

Gullah Phrase Of The Week

2006-05-19T14:30:00.000-05:00

T'engk'Gawd I iz mek fuh bighouse.

Thank God I am going to the house. (My house that is, see you Monday!)

So I Left For A While – Sue Me!

2006-05-19T13:49:00.000-05:00

First off, let me say,

I’m Sorry.

I should have alerted the 7 people who read this blog that I was taking a sudden vacation. It was very rude of me to just up and leave. My Granny, who passed away 14 years ago, told me that it was tacky to just drop out like this – sorry Granny.

*FYI – All Southerners talk to the deceased, and yes, the deceased talk back. It’s a genetic thing.

I really just needed a break. I have a great husband, an amazing 4 yr old daughter, a 60 year old, 3 bedroom home that needs constant upkeep, a fulltime computer job, a 10 yr old car that thinks it should die (not), etc., etc.

I am also Depressed.

I have been depressed since I was 12 years old. Unfortunately, I and my family did not figure this out till I sliced both my wrist open in September of 1998. Thank you God that I am crappy with a blade!

When the depression gets bad, I have this tendency to withdrawal from society, which is what I have done. In order to get my life back, I occasionally take a break. This time away gave me time to think. It gave me time to spend time with my husband. It gave me time to spend some real time with my daughter.

Yes, I am on meds and I am in constant contact with my MD. I am only going to blog during the week – weekends are reserved for family ONLY! You should see my calendar from now to August – cookouts, beach, baseball! Yep, life is definitely better with family!

I’m Taking My Ball And Going Home!

2006-05-19T13:44:00.000-05:00

Everyone who has a blog has the right to set their own rules. However, when the owner of a site resorts to hate filled name calling instead of trying to support their arguments, you just know there will be trouble ahead.

Earlier this week, Polipundit issued an ultimatum to the guest bloggers – agree with me or get out. So much for debating the pros and/or cons of an issue. I believe this is called ‘Autocracy’.

Ultimately, I believe that this is going to work out great for all concerned. This is a great opportunity for Lorie, DJ, Alex and Jayson to start their own Group Blog. I predict and instant hit! In the meantime, go and catch up with Lorie and DJ.

Welcome To My Garden

2006-05-19T13:41:00.000-05:00

This is some of what I have been doing during my ‘off’ time. Playing in the dirt can be very therapeutic! I’ve planted tomatoes (3 kinds), bell peppers (green and red), banana peppers, okra, cantaloupe, cucumbers, squash, eggplant and some dill (in the pot in the corner).

Now, considering I have a total of 8 tomato plants, I have to be creative with how I use them. 8 plants, treated well, produce A LOT of tomatoes. This recipe is one of my all time favorites. I have about 10 green tomatoes on my plants right now. I sure hope they are big enough by the weekend! I love Fried Green Tomatoes for Sunday breakfast!

Fried Green Tomatoes

Two large, firm, green tomatoes freshly picked from the vine
1 cup corn meal
½ cup flour
Salt and pepper to taste
Bacon grease
Cast Iron Frying Pan

Mix all dry ingredients together in a large Ziploc bag. Slice tomatoes in approximately ¼ inch slices. Sprinkle tomato slices with a bit of water. Put tomatoes in Ziploc bag and shake well. Be sure the slices are thoroughly coated. Remove slices one at a time and put in hot bacon grease. Fry about 1 ½ minutes on each side – till golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Enjoy!

Getting Ready For Hurricane Season!

2006-05-19T13:32:00.000-05:00

Here on the coast, we take storm season very seriously. As seen last year in the gulf, if you are not prepared, you will be sh*t out of luck. It is up to each individual/family to be ready for the worst. So, since it is just 12 days to the beginning of hurricane season, I am posting a check list to help any newcomers to the area get prepared.

/SATIRE ON/

GETTING READY FOR HURRICANE SEASON!
Any day now, you're going to turn on the TV and see a weather person
pointing to some radar blob out in the Atlantic Ocean and making two basic meteorological points:

(1) There is no need to panic.

(2) We could all be killed.

Yes, hurricane season is an exciting time to be in South Carolina. If you’re new to the area, you're probably wondering what you need to do to prepare for the possibility that we'll get hit by "the big one." Based on our experiences, we recommend that you follow this simple three-step hurricane preparedness plan:

STEP 1.

Buy enough food and bottled water to last your family for at least three days

STEP 2.

Put these supplies into your car.

STEP 3.

Drive to Nebraska and remain there until Halloween. Unfortunately,
statistics show that most people will not follow this sensible plan. Most people will foolishly stay here in South Carolina. We'll start with one of the most important hurricane preparedness items:

HOMEOWNERS' INSURANCE:

If you own a home, you must have hurricane insurance. Fortunately, this
insurance is cheap and easy to get, as long as your home meets two basic requirements:

(1) It is reasonably well-built, and

(2) It is located in Nebraska.

Unfortunately, if your home is located in South Carolina, or any other area that might actually be hit by a hurricane, most insurance companies would prefer not to sell you hurricane insurance, because then they might be required to pay YOU money, and that is certainly not why they got into the insurance business in the first place. So you'll have to scrounge around for an insurance company, which will charge you an annual premium roughly equal to the replacement value of your house. At any moment, this company can drop you like used dental floss. Since Hurricane Georges, I have had an estimated 27 different home-insurance companies. This week, I'm covered by the Bob and Big Stan Insurance Company, under a policy which states that, in addition to my premium, Bob and Big Stan are entitled, on demand, to my kidneys.

SHUTTERS:
Your house should have hurricane shutters on all the windows, all the doors, and -- if it's a major hurricane -- all the toilets. There are several types of shutters, with advantages and disadvantages:

Plywood shutters: The advantage is that, because you make them yourself, they're cheap. The disadvantage is that, because you make them yourself, they will fall off.

Sheet-metal shutters: The advantage is that these work well, once you get them all up. The disadvantage is that once you get them all up, your hands will be useless bleeding stumps, and it will be December.

Roll-down shutters: The advantages are that they're very easy to use, and will definitely protect your house. The disadvantage is that you will have to sell your house to pay for them.

Hurricane-proof windows: These are the newest wrinkle in hurricane
protection: They look like ordinary windows, but they can withstand
hurricane winds! You can be sure of this, because the salesman says so. He lives in Nebraska.

Hurricane Proofing Your Property:

As the hurricane approaches, check your yard for movable objects like
barbecue grills, planters, patio furniture, visiting relatives, etc.. You should, as a precaution, throw these items into your swimming pool (if you don't have a swimming pool, you should have one built immediately). Otherwise, the hurricane winds will turn these objects into deadly missiles.

EVACUATION ROUTE:

If you live in a low-lying area, you should have an evacuation route planned out. (To determine whether you live in a low-lying area, look at your driver's license; if it says "South Carolina," you live in a low-lying area).

The purpose of having an evacuation route is to avoid being trapped in your home when a major storm hits. Instead, you will be trapped in a gigantic traffic jam several miles from your home, along with two hundred thousand other evacuees. So, as a bonus, you will not be lonely.

HURRICANE SUPPLIES:

If you don't evacuate, you will need a mess of supplies. Do not buy them now! South Carolina tradition requires that you wait until the last possible minute, then go to the supermarket and get into vicious fights with strangers over who gets the last can of SPAM.

In addition to food and water, you will need the following supplies:
*23 flashlights, at least $167 worth of batteries that turn out, when the power goes off, to be the wrong size for the flashlights.
*Bleach. (No, I don't know what the bleach is for. NOBODY knows what the bleach is for, but it's traditional, so GET some!)
*A 55-gallon drum of underarm deodorant.
*A big knife that you can strap to your leg. (This will be useless in a
hurricane, but it looks cool.)
*A large quantity of raw chicken, to placate the alligators. (Ask anybody who went through Camille; after the hurricane, there WILL be irate alligators.)
*$35,000 in cash or diamonds so that, after the hurricane passes, you can buy a generator from a man with no discernible teeth.

Of course these are just basic precautions. As the hurricane draws near, it is vitally important that you keep abreast of the situation by turning on your television and watching TV reporters in rain slickers stand right next to the ocean and tell you over and over how vitally important it is for everybody to stay away from the ocean.

/SATIRE OFF/

*I don’t know where this originated; I usually get it in an email every year about this time. Soon I will be posting a ‘real’ hurricane preparedness document. Lets all pray that no one will need it this year.

My Heart Is Broken

2006-02-28T22:10:00.000-05:00

I know I am suppose to be blogging. I know that I am behind schedule. Sometimes life interrupts and you have to stop. That is what has happened to me. I meet a girl named Elena this week. She has changed my life. Her family has changed my life. Her father has made me think about what is important. What is important is being with your family, telling them that you love them, spending time with them, talking to them, listening to them.

God Bless You Elena. Thank you for Blessing Us.

As Usual, I Am Behind Schedule!

2006-02-26T00:17:00.000-05:00

It's 12:16am Sunday morning and I am bleaching my kitchen floor. I have 7 people coming for dinner Sunday at 1:30pm. I have 2 chuck roasts marinating and everything else ready to go. Since Friday morning, I have dealt with angry customers at work, a sick Lil GeeChee Girl (she feels better now), a home computer that was suddenly attacked with 57 different virus's, a side job that took much longer than expected, the normal routine of taking care of a family and now doing massive spring cleaning (I have washed the baseboards!). I have lots to say, unfortunately, it will have to wait till Sunday night. See You Then!

PS - In the meantime, check out the pic of Lil GeeChee Girl (in the blue dress) at a "Cinderella Party". They got to dress up, have a fashion show, and enjoy 'high tea'. She is such a girl!

2nd Lt. Almar Fitzgerald - Go With God

2006-02-23T19:44:00.000-05:00

Almar Fitzgerald, Class of 2004
The Citadel
The Military College of SC

Killed In Action, February 2006
Iraq

Thank You Sir for your sacrifice for our freedom. We will never forget you.

We Have A Guest In Town!

2006-02-23T00:44:00.000-05:00

Ah, you can tell it is an election year here in SC. Every where you turn, you bump into some smooth talker telling you how he/she is going to make life better. Wait, are they Politicians or Yankees? ")

Thursday at 11am, Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney will be speaking at The Citadel. I plan to take my lunch hour then and go see what the man has to say. I'll report back tomorrow afternoon.

*The following is the press release from The Citadel regarding the speech Thursday morning.

Mass. Governor to address Corps of Cadets

Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney will give a Greater Issues address at 11 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 23, at McAlister Field House on The Citadel campus. The speech is free and open to the public.

Romney is probably best known for his work with the 2002 Winter Olympics. With the games mired in controversy and facing financial crisis, he was asked to take over. As president and CEO of the Salt Lake Organizing Committee, he erased a $379 million operating deficit, organized 23,000 volunteers, galvanized community spirit, oversaw an unprecedented security mobilization to ensure public safety and led one of the most successful Olympics in the countryÂs history.

Following the success of the Winter Games, Romney was elected governor of Massachusetts. There, he was faced with another desperate situation. Without raising taxes or increasing debt, Romney closed a $3 billion budget deficit his first year in office and has successfully balanced the budget every year. By eliminating waste, streamlining the government and enacting comprehensive economic reforms to help spur growth in Massachusetts, Romney restored stability in Massachusetts.

The Greater Issues Series was founded in 1954 to engage cadetsÂ interest and knowledge in important topics of the day. Since it was established, the series has brought presidents, heads of state, scholars, diplomats, journalists and distinguished business and military leaders to Charleston and The Citadel. The Greater Issues series is made possible by a grant from The Mills B. Lane Memorial Foundation.

Gullah Phrase

2006-02-16T23:34:00.000-05:00

som's pusson disso chupid own puter.

Translation:

Some people just too stupid to own computers!

Can you tell I had a bad day at work?

Happy Valentines Day!

2006-02-14T18:37:00.000-05:00

Happy Valentines Day everyone! Go hug your wife, husband, kids, parents, friends and let them know how much you love them. Do it every day. Life is precious, yet short. Don't miss a moment!

My Favorite Memory

2006-02-12T22:03:00.000-05:00

I was about 10 years old. My Mom, my Granny, myself, and my brother (he was 5 at the time) lived in a very rough area of North Charleston, SC. It was very common for me to be brought home by a neighbor because I had been in a fight or because someone was trying to fight me (or something worse). My Mom worked 3 jobs and went to school - working on her Bachelors of Science (she now has a Masters). She had just recently passed her GED and earned her Associates in Science. My Granny also worked part time and kept an eye on us.

Since Mom was working and going to school, I was basically in charge. I cooked, I cleaned, I got GeeChee Bubba ready every day and sent him to school. (I also fought for him but that is a story for another time!)

My Mom did not have a lot of time to spend with us, the time she spent with us was very special. At 10 years old, I wasn't a child, yet, not a teenager. I was that awful being that no one can explain, that person that is now called the horrible name 'tween'.

Barbies meant nothing, boys and makeup also meant nothing. Climbing trees suddenly seemed wrong, yet that is what I wanted to do! I was nothing more than a very tall, skinny kid who liked books and had no place in the world.

My Ma saw that something was wrong with her girl, with her oldest, with her soul. She saw that her child was no longer a child, yet not a woman, a person in conflict.

My Mom did the greatest thing a Mom could do, she gave herself.

Suddenly, my Ma demanded my presence after church on a Sunday. I was rather confused, what did I do now? I joined her (relucntantly), in her bedroom. She asked me to sit on her bed beside her and watch TV. I was shocked! She was usually studying, we were told to leave her alone. What was wrong with this picture?

It was 3:00 pm on a Sunday afternoon when I meet King Authur and The Knights of the Round Table on PBS.

I spent the winter and spring learning the wonderful tale. Every Sunday, whether she was at work, studying, whatever, she would stop what she was doing and spend one hour with me, King Authur, Merlin, Morgan Le Faye, Lancelot, Gwain, we would all become one world! I would no longer be alone, I would no longer be the tall, skinny, pale kid who lived in the library. I became that world, along with my Ma.

Thank you Mom. I Love You. I have loved you from the beginning. I will love you till the end. I love you Mom. I pray every day that I can give my child the same type of memory.

Where Are The Parents?

2006-02-10T20:38:00.000-05:00

Robert Bailey was a smart, handsome young man of 11 who was well loved by his family, friends and school mates. He was always smiling. He was a smart, happy young man who made people smile just being in his presence. His Mom & Dad, along with their 5 children, had moved to a good neighborhood to get away from the drugs and violence that plagued their former neighborhood. They wanted a better life for the family. Life was good.

On the evening of January 21st, Robert was watching the Disney Channel with his 4 year old sister in the living room. He heard a commotion coming from the back yard and went to his back door to see what was going on. Seconds later, he was shot in the chest. His parents ran to his aid but there was nothing anyone could do. A week later, a 16 year old was arrested and charged with murder and a 15 year old was arrested for withholding information.

Read the following story from today's (02/10/06) edition of Charlestons Post & Courier. I am posting it here rather than linking to it because the P&C charges to read their archives, which this will become on 02/11/06. My comments are in italics.

For nearly three weeks, some North Charleston residents have expressed amazement that it was a stray bullet that killed 11-year-old Robert Bailey.

In testimony Thursday, a North Charleston police detective said the shot that tore through a fence and a back-door window wasn't an accident at all.

The two shots allegedly fired by Tehran Frazier, 16, were an attempt to scare the boy, Detective Keith Elmore said.

"(Frazier) saw someone looking out the window and thought they would call the cops," Elmore said. "He wanted to scare him off."

Robert had been watching television with his sister Jan. 21 when he heard a gunshot and walked to the back-door window of his home in the NorthPointe neighborhood off Dorchester Road to see what the commotion was about.

More details emerged Thursday during a detention hearing in Charleston County Family Court to determine if Frazier's 15-year-old friend, who is charged with withholding information from police, should be released from jail.

Judge R. Wright Turbeville ruled there was probable cause to charge the teenager, who must remain in the juvenile detention center for at least 10 more days.

Under oath, Elmore provided a detailed description of the information provided by the 15-year-old that led to Frazier's murder charge Feb. 1.

Roberts mother, Cassandra Bailey, and family members of the 15-year-old listened.

"To tell you the truth, I don't know what to think," Bailey said several hours after the hearing. "There are a bunch of different stories out there right now."

According to what the 15-year-old told Elmore, here's how events unfolded:

The 15-year-old, whose name wasn't released because he is a juvenile, was seen rolling a marijuana joint on Jan. 31 with two other teenagers at the Trailwood Mobile Home Park. Why is a 15 yr old smoking pot? Where are the parents? Elmore caught the 15-year-old, drove him to the station, and asked him about the homicide.

The 15-year-old told Elmore he had information about Roberts death.

Initially, the teenager provided a different story and the name of another person as the shooter. After further questioning, the 15-year-old told Elmore that he wanted to speak with a family member.

Elmore questioned the truthfulness of the teenagers story when his mother arrived at the station.

When his mother told him to tell the truth, the teen admitted he had lied, Elmore said.

He told Elmore that Frazier was the shooter. He said Frazier had robbed him of $6 on a dirt path behind Roberts house, although Elmore continues to question whether the robbery actually occurred.

After the robbery, Frazier fired a shot into the ground.

Seconds later the teenagers saw someone looking out the window. Frazier fired two shots in Roberts direction. One shot tore through a fence and window and struck the boy. Unaware that someone had been shot, the teens ran several hundred yards on the path toward their homes in the Trailwood Mobile Home Park.

They stopped at the end of the path, slapped hands and talked about Frazier's new handgun before they walked to their separate homes. The kid slaps hands with the person who 'robbed him'?

The 15-year-old said he realized what had happened when his mother turned on the television news.

"I know who did that," Elmore said the 15-year-old told his mother. His mother told him "to be quiet and mind his own business," Elmore said. Well, I guess I can see what type of Mom she is? Instead of asking what happened and offering to help, to call a lawyer (you can get one for free), she tells him to be quiet.

After Elmore provided information in court, the lawyer for the teenager addressed the judge.

Peter David Brown argued for the teenagers release. He said the 15-year-old first lied to police because he was afraid he or his family could be killed.

"He is on a second- and fifth-grade level in some areas," Brown said. "He needed his mother's advice." Ok, obviously, the Mom's advice was crappy. Also, he's 15 and on a 2nd to 5th grade level. Who's fault is that? Yes, SC has the worst schools in the nation but you CAN excel if you try and have FAMILY SUPPORT. Where was the Mom? Hell, where is the Dad? Notice that he is not mentioned anywhere.

Turbeville also listened to Shawn Barfield, a lawyer in the Family Court division of the solicitor's office, before he ordered the 15-year-old to remain in the juvenile detention center.

Meanwhile, detectives said they likely won't return to a retention pond in the mobile home park to search for a gun unless they receive another tip. No gun was found when detectives searched the murky water Feb. 3.

Elmore said they searched the pond after the 15-year-old told police during his initial story that the gun was thrown into the pond. The teenager later changed that story and has been unable to provide a location for the gun.

North Charleston police continue to search for the gun used to kill 11-year-old Robert Bailey. Anyone with information about the gun can call Crime Stoppers at 554-1111.

Reach John Chambliss at 937-5573 or jchambliss@postandcourier.com.

God rest your soul Robert. You will be missed. The citizens of Charleston will seek justice for you. And in your honor, may all parents pay more attention to their children.

This Is Beautiful

2006-02-10T15:37:00.000-05:00

Its people like this that give me hope for the world.

Hattip: Betsy' Page

Update:Breastfeeding Legislation Made It!

2006-02-08T22:10:00.000-05:00

WooHoo! SC 'just' might be making it into the 20th Century! My friend Lynn, thru massive time and effort, has accomplished something that should have happened years ago. She pushed thru legislation stating that IT IS NOT A CRIME TO BREASTFEED IN PUBLIC in the judicary committee. Thank You Lord. And thank you Lynn!

In case you did not know, a woman breastfeeding her child in public in SC at this moment in time runs the risk of being arrested for 'indecent exposure' in this state. Yes, you read that right. In this day in age, when we are trying to protect our children, raise them right, a mother can be fined for feeding her child.

Next step, in front of the full House!

Big Moment In The GeeChee House

2006-02-08T21:41:00.000-05:00

This evening, a major event took place in the Lil GeeChee Girls Life. She started her first 'tying her own shoe lesson'. Now, for those of you who are asking, "why is she, at the age of 4 1/2, just learning, the answer is simple. Lil GeeChee Girl is a righty, GeeChee Hubby is a righty and GeeChee Girl (me) is a lefty. If I tried to teach her, she'd be in college before she figured it out! The only reason I can tie my own shoes is the fact that my mommy (Head GeeChee Girl), had my uncle teach me (also a lefty). PS - He also taught me how to use right handed sissors with my left hand.

Anyway, Hubby and I finally decided that he needed to sit down with the girl and give a lesson. I discovered rather quickly that this would work much better if I wasn't in the room. This is what happened:

Success!

Don't Forget The Past, Learn From It

2006-02-08T17:06:00.000-05:00

38 Years ago today, the Orangeburg Massacre took place. I was 3 years old, a week away from turning 4. I do not remember this time in history. I only know what I have been told, what I have read and what I have researched. I do know that it was a wake up call for the citizens of South Carolina.

On February 8, 1968, 3 college students were murdered (not killed as the newspapers tell you) and 27 others were injured. Why you ask?

On February 8, 1968, the students of South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, SC peacefully protested the segregation they faced at All Star Bowling Alley. The local bowling alley would not allow blacks in to enjoy a night out. State troopers opened fired on the protest. At the time, they said students threw bricks and fired shots at them, but no guns were ever found. Samuel Hammond, Delano Middleton and Henry Smith were killed. God rest their souls.

These young people were protesting peacefully for what they believed in - A right, if I remember my history class, that is protected by the First Amendment. The Constitution of the United States says that we have the right to free speech - just what Samuel Hammond, Delano Middleton and Henry Smith died for.

Today, we have people dying for what they believe in. We have people protesting for what they believe in. I have no problem with that. I totally and fully support anyone and everyone who expresses their beliefs peacefully. Everyone in this country has that right, any one in this world has that right as far as I am concerned.

We also have people telling us that we can not voice our opinion because it offends others. Fine, you have the right to say that. You do not, however; have the right to kill people, to destroy property because someone does not believe as you. This I have a problem with and I believe that the brave young people who gave their lives in Orangeburg would be speechless at what is happening now. What if Samuel Hammond, Delano Middleton and Henry Smith had stayed home, what if they had not voiced their opinion. They gave their lives to make a difference. These young men gave their lives for freedom of speech, freedom of expression, they fought for what they believed in (in what I believe in). They fought PEACEFULLY. They were murdered by people not any different than the radicals today, people who are FRIGHTENED, people who are frightened by change. People who believe that oppression, control, destruction, pain are the only way of life. People who believe that the only way to remain in control, to remain in power is to destroy.

God Bless Samuel Hammond, Delano Middleton and Henry Smith. God Bless them for their strength and their courage. May we be more like them, may the world be more like them.

"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."
George Santayana, The Life of Reason, Volume 1, 1905

Homeland Security - Democrat, Republican Or Southern Republican?

2006-02-08T15:29:00.000-05:00

Here is a little test that will help you decide.

Question: How do you tell the difference between Democrats, Republicans And Southern Republicans? The answer can be found by posing the following question:

You're walking down a deserted street with your wife and two small children. Suddenly, an Islamic Terrorist with a huge knife comes around the corner, locks eyes with you, screams obscenities, praises Allah, raises the knife, and charges at you. You are carrying a Glock cal .40, and you are an expert shot. You have mere seconds before he reaches you and your family. What do you do?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Democrat's Answer:
Well, that's not enough information to answer the question! Does the man look poor! Or oppressed? Have I ever done anything to him that would inspire him to attack? Could we run away? What does my wife think? What about the kids? Could I possibly swing the gun like a club and knock the knife out of his hand? What does the law say about this situation? Does the Glock have appropriate safety built into it? Why am I carrying a loaded gun anyway, and what kind of message does this send to society and to my children? Is it possible he'd be happy with just killing me? Does he definitely want to kill me, or would he be content just to wound me? If I were to grab his knees and hold on, could my family get away while he was stabbing me? Should I call 9-1-1? Why is this street so deserted? We need to raise taxes, have a paint and weed day and make this happier, healthier street that would discourage such behavior. This is all so confusing! I need to debate this with some friends for few days and try to come to a consensus.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Republican's Answer:
BANG!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Southern Republican's Answer:
BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! click.....(sounds of reloading).
BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! click

Daughter: "Nice grouping, Daddy! Were those the Winchester Silver Tips or Hollow Points?"

GeeChee Phrase

2006-02-06T21:30:00.000-05:00

Muslims shout det duh fen of freedum of e'mouth should'uh 'top 'stroy an eesult oddutor hankuh agos ef dey wantuh deestunt.

Translation:

Muslims shouting death to defenders of freedom of speech should have stopped destroying and insulting others long ago if they want respect.

What's The Difference?

2006-02-06T19:00:00.001-05:00

Found this on Fark:

Boston Globe, 1999: "Christians need to stop whining about taxpayer dollars paying to cover the Virgin Mary with elephant crap--it's free speech." 2006: "We need to be sensitive to Muslims offended by political cartoons"

I'm A Stones Fan But...

2006-02-05T20:19:00.000-05:00

Dear Lord, Mick and the guys need to seriously think about doing a public service annoucement regarding the effects of drug & alcohol abuse! They look like hell! Ofcourse, there might be something to drugs as Keith has been preserved (badly). He will probably live thru nuclear war with Cher and the roaches!

Something Strange Is Going On

2006-02-05T15:09:00.000-05:00

I'm not sure what happened. The post regarding 'Muslim Unity's' comments has disappeared. Am investigating.

Super Bowl Cooking

2006-02-05T14:48:00.000-05:00

Ok, I'm not an artist. This is the first time I have ever decorated cookies like this. All that counts is that they taste good. They are ginger bread cookies with vanilla icing. The Boston Butt is on the smoker, baked beans in the oven, cole slaw, pickle tray, deviled eggs in the fridge, beer in the cooler. Yeah , we are just about ready!

Hey RoP, I'm Not Scared Of You!

2006-02-03T12:44:00.000-05:00

*Scroll For Updates.
Listen up, religion of peace, you do not run the world. You do not tell the press what they can and can not publish. Got a problem with that, them come on cause I've about had enough!

(Click to enlarge Cartoon.)

Check out Michelle Malkin and LGF for more about the ridiculous 'Cartoon War'.

UPDATE #1: The State Department weighs in:

The United States blasted the publication by European newspapers of cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed as unacceptable incitement to religious or ethnic hatred.
"These cartoons are indeed offensive to the beliefs of Muslims," State Department spokesman Justin Higgins said when queried about the furore sparked by the cartoons which first appeared in a Danish newspaper.

"We all fully recognize and respect freedom of the press and expression but it must be coupled with press responsibility," Higgins told AFP.

"Inciting religious or ethnic hatreds in this manner is not acceptable. We call for tolerance and respect for all communities and for their religious beliefs and practices."

Not sure who the State Department is speaking for, its sure not me!

UPDATE #2:
British Muslim Protesting the Muhammad Cartoons.

Sure, this makes sense. A Muslim exercising his Freedom of Speech to call for the beheading of someone else who is exercising his Freedom of Speech.

Hattip To Michelle Malkin

UPDATE #3: Support The Danes!

Hattip To Sister Toldja

Recoil

2006-02-03T12:09:00.000-05:00

My brother, 'GeeChee Bubba', emailed me this. I love it!

December 09, 2005 (CNN) while interviewing an anonymous US Special Forces
Soldier, A Reuters News agent asked the soldier what he felt when sniping members of
Al Qaeda in Afghanistan.

The soldier shrugged and replied, "Recoil".

MIA

2006-02-03T12:07:00.000-05:00

Sorry I've been gone so long. My head cold turned in to pneumonia AGAIN! I am feeling much better now and hope to get caught up (yeah right!).

Well, That Didn't Take Long

2006-01-24T13:29:00.000-05:00

I think alot of us saw this coming.

Lindsay Says To Bring It On!

2006-01-24T13:12:00.000-05:00

My Senator, Lindsay 'Gang of 14' Graham gets it right on occassion. Today is such and occassion. Graham had this to say today during the Senate Judiciary Committee Meeting:

Let me tell you another thing that's not good for the country. [Reading from a news article:] "With little chance of stopping Judge Alito's confirmation to the Supreme Court, Senate Democratic leaders urged their members to vote against him in an effort to lay the groundwork for making a campaign issue of his decisions on the court."
I'll just tell you right now. We welcome that debate. We'll clean your clock.

I mean, Judge Alito is closer to the mainstream of America than Citizens (sic) for an American Way.

We'll win that debate, but the judiciary will lose if we continue to do this.

Now if Lindsay could just hang on to those b*lls he seems to be trying to grow!

Try Reading This Post Out Loud

2006-01-20T21:45:00.000-05:00

GULLAH:

Lil GeeChee Girl is bress chillun. E is fuhr'ebbuh do'um sump'n' - dance, colluh, singeing. E is nuh one ef seddown an study - e b'leew in moobe.

Lil GeeChee Girl is berry shawpashunt. E head'um berry bex_vex whenever e cyan mus sump'n' e nebbuh done'um b'fo.

E is berry gal.

ENGLISH:

Lil GeeChee Girl is a blessed child. She is always doing something - dancing, coloring, singing. She is not one to sit and ponder - she believes in moving.

Lil GeeChee Girl is very impatient. She gets very angry when she cannot do something she never did before.

She is very feminine.

**Thanks PCD for such a great idea!

I Promise I am getting Caught Up! Really!

2006-01-20T19:50:00.000-05:00

Ok, PCD requested that I post about Lil GeeChee Girl in Gullah like a week ago. Due to getting behind and being depressed (see previous post), I am behind. I am almost finished with my summary of Lil Girls personality and am getting ready to translate it into Gullah, just as soon as I can talk the subject into getting into bed!

PS - Thanks for the kind words regarding my friend. She was truely wonderful and I will always miss her but she is with the Lord, with her husband and no longer in pain. She will always be in my heart.

PSS - PCD, I haven't gotten a hold of a copy of the 'Gullah Bible' yet. Next paycheck, I'll be at B & N to pick it up. There was an article in the paper here when it came out. The reviews from the people on the islands (true GeeChees) are very good.

Back Shortly!

I Miss My Friend

2006-01-19T21:44:00.000-05:00

The past few weeks have been non-stop. I feel as if I can't get caught up. I realize now that I've got to stop and focus on what really matters. Everything that has been going on now seems so meaningless. I lost a good friend this week. I've known this woman for 20 years. I will never meet another person as loving and caring as she.

She was diagnosed with cancer 9 months ago. She was told from the beginning that there was not a lot that could be done. Being the strong woman that she was, she said lets get rid of it. She fought like hell. Five months ago, her husband of 43 years died of a heart attack during supper. Even with that, in her grief, she fought.

Monday night, she lost the fight.

The funeral is tomorrow morning. Tonight, I'm going thru pictures. We had some great times together!

She's with her husband. I know in my heart that he was at the gates of Heaven waiting for her with open arms. She is happy and no longer in pain. I am so grateful to God for that.

I am also grateful for the honor of having her as my friend. Thank you Lord for all the years I had with my friend.

A Monster Is Up For Parole - UPDATED!

2006-01-17T23:09:00.000-05:00

The summer of 1973 was a summer of fear. Two young girls were at Folly Beach, SC, enjoying the sun, the sand, the surf. They were last seen on the beach enjoying life. I can remember my mother, who loves the beach, keeping me away from the beach, away from surfing, keeping me lose to home. Everyone was scared. The girls were found 3 weeks later, buried in the sand under a house. The only reason they were found was the screams of another victim, two other young girls that came very close to being hung from the rafters of a beach house. In the summer of 1973, there wasn't a death penalty in SC. Richard Valenti was sentenced to 2 life sentences for the murders of Shari Clark and Alexis Latimer, both 14 years old at the time of their death. After serving 10 years, Valenti was eligible for parole and has applied every two years since. Shari's mother, Janice Clark, has fought the hard fight to keep this worthless excuse for oxygen behind bars since the day she lost her daughter. Tomorrow, Jan 18, 2005, Valenti will appear before the parole board again. I am one of over 25,000 petition signatures requesting that this monster remain behind bars. Please say a prayer that this nightmare will not be released. And say a prayer for Janice Clark and what she lost.

UPDATE(Jan 18 at 12:45pm): Parole DENIED! WooHoo! On the bad side though, the families will have to go thru this again in 2 years. Life in prison should be just that! Unfortunately, when Valenti was sentenced, SC did not have a law stating that. Thank the Good Lord we do now.

I Really Hate This Time Of Year!

2006-01-14T18:24:00.000-05:00

I am working on our 2005 taxes. I am not happy. I wouldn't mind paying if my hard earned money was being used wisely. If I spend my money the way the government does, I go to jail!

I feel a headache coming on. Where is the bottle of wine?

Legislation To Bring SC Into The 21st Century

2006-01-13T20:57:00.000-05:00

It is totally amazing to me that in the state of South Carolina, a woman CAN NOT breastfeed her child where she and her child are allowed to be. A mother in SC runs the risk of being fined for indecent exposure if she breast feeds her child outside of her home or outside of a public bathroom. This is just beyond stupid. How do you think children were fed before there was formula? Did your Grandmother or Great-Grandmother hide when she was feeding her children? Do you honestly believe that they stayed inside? I know for a fact that my Great-Grandma Liza held my Uncle Paul (God Rest His Soul) to her breast as she picked corn with her other children (all 13 of them)! I myself fed my daugther in the grocery store and know one knew as she and I were covered.

Ok, time to calm down.

I breast fed Lil GeeChee Girl the first 6 months of her life. Yes, it was difficult. Yes, it was painful at times. However, I am convinced that the nutrition and immunity she received helped her when she suffered from a 4 month long ear infection. Yes, the infection took a long time to heal and required surgery on one ear; however, she did not develop any other infections like her cousin did. Her cousin, who was not breast fed, developed a severe ear infection (it started just like Lil GeeChee Girls) that spread. Lil Cousin went to the MD just like my girl, took similar meds as my girl, and was (and is) loved and was taken care of just as well as my baby. Lil Cousins infections became a massive blood infection that came very close to killing her. Lil Cousin spent 3 weeks in the hospital fighting for her life - and she wasn't but 7 months old. Lil Cousin recovered, but she fought colds, flu, etc., till she was 3 years old. Lil GeeChee Girl had surgery on her ear at 8 months, and has been the picture of health ever since (she's 4 1/2 now). It is a proven fact that breast milk builds immunity in babies, immunity that is so very important in the first year of life.

Let's move into the current century people! There is legislation moving through the SC House of Representative RIGHT NOW! Make Your Voice Heard! South Carolina is one of twelve states that currently does not have any legislation regarding breastfeeding. Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, District of Columbia, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Mississippi, North Dakota, Pennsylvania and West Virginia are the other eleven.

The bill, HR 4347, has been prefiled. It states:

To amend the code of laws of South Carolina, 1976, by adding section 20-7-97 so as to provide that a woman may breast-feed her child in any location where the mother is authorized to be, and to amend section 16-15-30, relating to the crime of indecent exposure, so as to provide that a woman who breast-feeds her child in public is not engaging in indecent exposure.

You can go to the following sites for more info. I will be posting more on this subject. It is a subject that needs to be talked about - talked about loudly!

http://www.scbac.org

Contact Your Legislature:

http://www.scstatehouse.net/html-pages/housemembersd.html

Posting In A Different Way!

2006-01-13T19:03:00.000-05:00

PCD has requested that I do an entry in Gullah. I hadn't thought of doing that, what a concept! What subject would you like for me to talk about in Gullah? Post your ideas in the comments. All I ask is that you pick an easy topic. Any topic you pick, I will only be able to post a few sentences - I'm not real fluent in Gullah. The time limit is till Sunday night at 6 pm (est) to pick a subject. Later that night (after Lil GeeChee Girl goes to bed), I will write the post, then translate it into Gullah. I will have the the post (with English translation) up by Monday evening, say 6pm(est). Be creative!

Ted (Let Her Drown) Kennedy

2006-01-11T22:07:00.000-05:00

Is it just me, or is it really off the wall that Sen. Ted (let her drown) Kennedy is questioning Judge Alito's ethics?

Just thought I'd ask.

A True Hero

2006-01-06T22:20:00.000-05:00

This Wonderful Man is a true American. He is not afraid to stand up for what he believes in and he speaks his mind.

From Mudville Gazzette, Greyhawk posted the following comments made to Congressmen John Murtha and Jim Moran at a “town hall” meeting in Virginia:

Yes sir my name is Mark Seavey and I just want to thank you for coming up here. Until about a month ago I was Sgt Mark Seavey infantry squad leader, I returned from Afghanistan. My question to you, (applause)

Like yourself I dropped out of college two years ago to volunteer to go to Afghanistan, and I went and I came back. If I didn't have a herniated disk now I would volunteer to go to Iraq in a second with my troops, three of which have already volunteered to go to Iraq. I keep hearing you say how you talk to the troops and the troops are demoralized, and I really resent that characterization. (applause) The morale of the troops that I talk to is phenomenal, which is why my troops are volunteering to go back, despite the hardships they had to endure in Afghanistan.

And Congressman Moran, 200 of your constituents just returned from Afghanistan. We never got a letter from you; we never got a visit from you. You didn't come to our homecoming. The only thing we got from any of our elected officials was one letter from the governor of this state thanking us for our service in Iraq, when we were in Afghanistan. That's reprehensible. I don't know who you two are talking to but the morale of the troops is very high.

Moran - who is one of the few congressmen supporting Charlie Rangel's call to restore the draft - responded quickly: That wasn't in the form of a question, it was in the form of a statement. But, uhh let's go over here. And he took the next question.

Moran is an idiot, just as those who believe that we should 'cut and run'. Our men and women are doing a wonderful job and they have earned and deserve our thanks and respect. In this day and age, I have a nightmare, I have it often. If we do not win this war on terror, my child will suffer. My daughter runs the risk of never reaching her goals, she runs the risk of being locked up because she is female, she runs the risk of being used, being abused, she runs the risk of being less than human. Do you want your son taught that he should believe in only one thing, and that all others are wrong, that they are evil, that they should die because they do not believe as you? Do you want you son to be taught that people who do not believe as he does deserve to die by his hand? Is this what we want for our children?

*Thanks Michelle Malkin For showing this!

The Book of Daniel - A Review

2006-01-06T21:39:00.000-05:00

Ok, I watched the entire show. I was not impressed. This show was promoted as a comedy/drama. Obviously, the comedy and drama people left and went on vacation, leaving very ill informed people to try and write.

The acting was very dry. It seemed to me that the actors were rather stiff. Maybe they were worried about the dialog. They should be.

I am not Episcopalian, but I find this incredibility offensive. We have a pill popping Episcopalian Priest, his drug dealing daughter, a gay son (who the family is busy trying to hide from others), an adopted son focused on sex, an alcoholic wife, a brother-in-law who embezzes $3 million, a father who is an uptight Bishop who does not pay attention to his family, and his mother who has Alzhiemiers. There are just way too many story lines going on here. You need a score card to keep up!

Yes, every family has problems, lots of them. I personally can attest to that. I have always said that my childhood and teenage years would make a fabulous mini-series. However, being the southern woman that I am, I know that a person takes care of his/her problems with the help of family and friends. Not by hiding things, not by going behind peoples backs. Unfortunately, this program promotes the soap opera style of fixing problems: Lie and Hide. Is this what an Episcopalian Priest would actually do?

I am highly offended by the portrayal of the Catholic Church (DISCLAIMER: I'm Catholic.). As far as I am concerned, having Daniel call the local Catholic Priest to find his embellezing brother-in-law (he stole $3 million), the priest has a heavy 'yankee' accent, and deals are made in an Italian Restaurant. At the end the Catholic Priest shows up and says, "Sure, here's the money, as long as you use this construction company. No construction company, then the money has not been found". What, the Church is the Mafia?!?!?!?!?!

Ok, I know I said that I would be objective and I am sorry. I found myself talking to the tv, which I rarely do. This show is not a comedy (how can it be with all these problems?). This show is not a drama, there are too many stories going on - maybe it is a multi-personality drama. It is just sad.

GeeChee Words

2006-01-06T20:42:00.000-05:00

Since I am so far behind on my GeeChee Word of the Week Series, I've decided to do a sentence this week.

"Somes pusson gi'we muhself cuss at Chris'mus. Is beritywell nows."

Translation: Some person gave me a curse at Christmas. I am very well now.

*I wanted to say that someone gave me an illness at Christmas, but I could not find the translation for the word 'illness'. Ofcourse, considering I had pnumonia, I consider that a curse! :)

Am working on a paper about the GeeChee Culture - hope to post it in the next week or so.

TV Viewing/Review

2006-01-06T18:50:00.000-05:00

I don't really know how I feel yet about the new TV show, 'The Book of Daniel'. From what I have seen of the trailer, I'm not really impressed. I am going to do my best to not let my personal beliefs cloud my judgement tonight. I'll be back after the show to give a review.

Now for the fun part of the evening, getting Lil GeeChee Girl to take a bath!

Lots Of Prayers Needed Tonight In W. Virginia

2006-01-04T22:41:00.000-05:00

Send your thoughts and prayers to the good people of Tallmansville, WV. The families and friends of the miners need all of the love and support they can get right now. They have been sent into Hell, tortured, and are now fighting their way out. The least we can do is to reach out and hold them as they grieve, as we grieve with them.

A Real Life Hero

2006-01-03T00:49:00.000-05:00

UPDATE TWO: Going to bed. Will try in the am.

UPDATE ONE: Am trying to link but there are tech difficulties. Sorry.

This is a person that should make you stand up and really look at yourself. What are you doing for your country? I love this man. I respect this man. I honor this man. Thank you Lance Cpl. Pascal R. Cisse for taking care of my family and myself. Thank you for you sacrifice.

Happy New Year!

2005-12-31T18:24:00.000-05:00

A toast to you all. May 2006 be all that you dream!

Will Be Back Shortly

2005-12-29T23:14:00.000-05:00

Between Christmas and not feeling well, I am taking some time off. See you this weekend! In the mean time - a picture of lil geecheegirl Christmas morning.

Santa Has Arrived!

2005-12-25T02:18:00.000-05:00

Lil GeeChee Girl is sleeping. Will post pictures of the aftermath later.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas

2005-12-23T21:58:00.000-05:00

Don't Forget Our Heros

2005-12-23T21:38:00.000-05:00

I had no Christmas spirit when I breathed a weary sigh,
And looked across the table where the bills were piled too high.
The laundry wasn't finished and the car I had to fix,
My stocks were down another point,
the Dolphins lost by six.
And so with only minutes till my son got home from school I gave up on the drudgery and grabbed a wooden stool.
The burdens that I carried were about all I could take,
And so I flipped the TV on to catch a little break.
I came upon a desert scene in shades of tan and rust,
No snowflakes hung upon the wind,
just clouds of swirling dust.
And where the reindeer should have stood before a laden sleigh,
Eight Hummers ran a column right behind an M1A.
A group of boys walked past the tank,
not one was past his teens.
Their eyes were hard as polished flint,
their faces drawn and lean.
They walked the street in armor with their rifles shouldered tight,
Their dearest wish for Christmas,
just to have a silent night.
Other soldiers gathered,
hunkered down against the wind,
To share a scrap of mail and dreams of going home again.
There wasn't much at all to put their lonely hearts at ease,
They had no Christmas turkey, just a pack of MREs.
They didn't have a garland or a stocking I could see,
They didn't need an ornament--they lacked a Christmas Tree.
They didn't have a present even though it was tradition,
the only boxes I could see were labeled "ammunition."
I felt a little tug and found my son now by my side,
He asked me what it was I feared,
and why it was I cried.
I swept him up into my arms and held him oh so near and kissed him on the forehead as I whispered in his ear.
There's nothing wrong my little son,
for safe we sleep tonight,
Our heroes stand on foreign land to give us all the right,
To worry on the things in life that mean nothing at all,
Instead of wondering if we will be the next to fall.
He looked at me as children do and said its always right,
to thank the ones who help us and perhaps that we should write.
And so we pushed aside the bills and sat to draft a note,
to thank the many far from home,
and this is what we wrote:
God Bless You all and keep you safe,
and speed your way back home.
Remember that we love you so,
and that you're not alone.
The gift you give you share with all,
a present every day,
You give the gift of liberty and that we can't repay.

(Hat tip Jimmco)

God Teaches Patience In The Strangest Ways

2005-12-23T18:16:00.000-05:00

Bennie Wafers. A Charleston Christmas Tradition.

God teaches patience in the most unique ways. I love Bennie Wafers. If you are 'from off' as we say, you will not understand. Bennie Wafers are a very sweet cracker made from bennie seeds, brown sugar, butter (real butter), cinnamon, etc. Beenie Wafers are a Charleston tradition. No table is complete without this wonderful sweet. I usually buy them every year ($3.99 per oz.). This year I decided to make my own.

In the past week, I have mixed dough, adjusted my oven, adjusted the recipe, adjusted my mind! It has taken a week of having walking pneumonia, being on vacation, my child being on vacation with me, taking care of a sick husband, Christmas shopping, cleaning house, wrapping presents, doing laundry, cooking meals and taking an occasional nap to figure out how to make THE BEST COOKIE ON THE PLANET! I have thrown out 2 batches of dough that did not measure up. And I did all of these things by asking the Good Lord to help me with some patience and the ability to enjoy myself. As usual, the Big Guy came thru! Thanks!

In order to make the best cookie on the planet, you need approximately 3 to 4 hours totally free. I mean, no phone calls, no people at the door and very few bathroom runs (have to time them right).

Here we go: (This is where God will teach you patience - making 300 crackers 12 at a time!)

Beenie Crackers:

1 1/2 sticks of butter
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
pinch of salt
2 eggs
1/2 cup toasted bennie seed
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon vanilla

Mix all together and drop 1/4 teaspoon 1 inch apart on parchment paper placed on a cookie sheet. Bake 325 degrees for any where between 8 minutes and 15 minutes, it's according to your oven. They are done when you see tiny holes all over the cracker. Be sure to watch carefully.

You will learn lots of patience standing in front of the oven. God helps you focus on the important things. I've done a lot of thinking standing in front of the oven. How family and friends are what matters. I've been thinking about why I make cookies for my family and friends. Why these wonderful people are so special and how my life would not be complete without them in my life.

Feeling So Good I'm Baking

2005-12-23T01:05:00.000-05:00

Ok, before I start, I should let everyone know that I have 'walking pneumonia', which is not contagious. Thank the Lord for that cause the last thing I need is Lil GeeChee Girl and GeeChee Guy getting sick. I feel much better - not 100% yet but getting there. Antibiotics and steroids are wonderful!

Unfortunately, I am not sleeping well. Every time I try to go to sleep, I start trying to cough up a lung. So, I've decided to bake cookies. LOTS of cookies. Without further delay, here is the recipe for Ginger Snaps - a family favorite.

1 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup shortening
1/4 cup molasses
1 egg
2 1/4 cup all purpose flour *
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/4 tsp salt
Granulated sugar

Mix brown sugar, shortening, molasses, and egg. Stir in flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and salt. Cover and refridgerate for at least and hour.

Heat oven to 375. Shape dough by rounded teaspoons into balls. Dip in to granulated sugar. Place balls, sugar side up, on greased cookie sheet, about 3 inches apart. Bake until set, about 10 - 12 minutes. Immediately remove from cookie sheet. About 4 dozen cookies.

* If using self rising flour, decrease baking soda to 1 tsp and omit salt.

Enjoy.

Light Blogging For A Day Or So

2005-12-20T12:25:00.000-05:00

I hate this. There is so much going on that I want to comment on but I just can't. Just got back from my MD - it's pnuemonia. On heavy antibiotics and am going to bed. Hope to be well enough tomorrow evening to finish shopping and get caught up here. See you in a day or so!

The Sunday Night Speech

2005-12-18T21:29:00.000-05:00

I am not sure I will ever understand the world. We are in the middle of a war and I have to justify myself for that belief. When did I become so alone? I feel very alone right now. I turn my TV on and all I here is that we have lost, our soldiers are baby killers and terrorist. It is time to fight back.

WE ARE NOT FIGHTING FOR OIL.

WOMEN ARE NO LONGER BEING RAPED AND MURDERED BECAUSE THEY ARE WOMEN.

FATHERS AND SONS ARE NO LONGER BEING DRAGGED OFF TO THEIR DEATHS FOR NO REASON.

CHILDREN ARE NOT BEING DESTORYED BY WAY OF TORTURE, RAPE AND MURDER.

In case you missed the speech, here are some high lights:

To retreat before victory would be an act of recklessness and dishonor, and I will not allow it

My conviction is this: We do not create terrorists by fighting them. We invite terrorism by ignoring them and we will defeat the terrorists by capturing and killing them abroad, and strengthening new allies in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Three days ago, millions of Iraqis went to the polls...One voter, after dipping his finger in the purple ink, stuck his finger in the air and said, "This is a thorn in the eye of the terrorists." Another voter, when asked if he was Sunni or Shia, said, "I am Iraqi.

I know that some of my decisions have led to terrible loss, but not one of those decisions has been made lightly...Next week, Americans will gather to celebrate Christmas and Hanukkah. Many families will be praying for loved ones spending the season far from home...We trust with them a love that conquers all fear...[Ends with citing Civil War Christmas Carol ,Longfelllow, I Heard the Beels On Christmas Day.]:

God is not dead
Nor does his sleep
The wrong shall fail
The right prevail
With peace on earth
Good will to men.

When I Become Queen Of The World...

2005-12-16T22:45:00.000-05:00

The first thing I am going to do is to add more hours to the day during the Christmas season. How the heck am I suppose to work all day, Christmas shop (without Lil Geechee Girl), host a family party (tomorrow), clean house, bake, paint the bathroom, wrap presents, decorate the house? Not to mention the regular chores of cooking, laundry, yard work, etc. How the heck does anyone have the time to really appreciate the 'True Meaning Of Christmas'? Actually, when I become Queen of the World, I will not extend the hours of the day. I will outlaw all of this insane commercialism and get back to basics. It will be a season of reflection, of family and friends and most importantly, celebrating the birth of Jesus. It will be a time of remembering why we really celebrate Christmas.

I'm Prancer?

2005-12-14T17:52:00.000-05:00

You Are Prancer

You are the perfect reindeer, with perfect hooves and perfect flying form.

Why You're Naughty: Because you're Santa's pet, and you won't let anyone show you up.

Why You're Nice: You have the softest fur and the sweetest carrot breath.

Which of Santa's Reindeer Are You?

This Is Beyond Sick!

2005-12-13T17:49:00.000-05:00

UPDATED!

Bailey is having a hard time. The wounds on his head are swelling. Because of this, he is looking at having surgery on his ears. The Vet announced that is will probably be 6 months to a year before Bailey is well. Keep the little guy in your thoughts and prayers.

-----

According to the local news, a man went to a neighbors home here in Charleston at 10pm last night to ask the 13 year old daughter out on a date. The mother, being an intelligent, concerned mother, informed the man that her daughter did not date and asked him to leave her yard. At approximately 1am, the mother heard her basset hound barking in the back yard. She looked out of the bathroom window and saw the man leaning over the dog, next thing she new, her dog was SMOKING! The dog was on fire!!!!! The total and complete waste of oxygen had poured gas on 'Bailey' and set him on fire! Thank You God, the dog will live. He is at home, bandaged and on heavy drugs. Bailey is in for a long recovery but he will survive. I have just heard that the piece of sh** is in custody and charged with ill treatment of an animal.

This is just sick people. He has set a dog on fire. What would he do to that 13 year old girl that he wants to date? As the SPCA stated on the news, crimes like this are a major warning sign. What is this idiot planning next? What is sad is this basta** will probably make bail in a few hours, pay a fine, and move on to his next target.

Lil GeeChee Girl Decorates

2005-12-13T16:34:00.000-05:00

Lil GeeChee Girl informed us that she 'had' to have a tree in her room this year so ofcourse, we complied.

Will blog more later - busy trying to take care of sick geechee girl, finish decorating the house, buy presents, clean house, on and on and on!

Toast Man Strikes!

2005-12-11T23:12:00.000-05:00

Check out what Lil GeeChee Girl and GeeChee Guy were up to today.

A DIFFERENT CHRISTMAS POEM

2005-12-11T20:04:00.000-05:00

Kleenex Warning!

If this doesn't touch your heart and your soul, then you may need to evaluate your life.

Hattip: Fire_Ready

A DIFFERENT CHRISTMAS POEM

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.

Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.

My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know,
Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.

My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.

A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.

"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"

For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..
To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,
I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."

"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.

My Gramps died at 'Pearl on a day in December,"
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam',
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.

I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... an American flag.

"I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.
I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.

I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..
Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."

"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?

It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."
Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.

To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us.

WE ALL NEED TO PRAY FOR OUR

MILITARY PERSONNEL EVERY NIGHT!

Lazy Saturday

2005-12-10T17:24:00.000-05:00

Actually, it hasn' been a lazy day. Little GeeChee Girl's cousin had her 2nd birthday party today and we put up Christmas trees in the living room and in munchins room. Unfortunatley, lil geechee thinks that now that the tree is up, Santa is suppose to leave presents every morning! It's going to be a long month!

Gullah Word Of The Week

2005-12-09T14:06:00.000-05:00

Acually, let's do 2 Gullah words since I missed last week.

FAMBLY: family, families; family's, families'
I's spending time with the fambly.

TOWN: Charleston, "the City" (See "Chaa'stun")
I's goin to town to see the fambly.

Gov. Carroll Campbell - May You Rest In Peace

2005-12-07T16:26:00.000-05:00

This morning, one of South Carolina's great statesman left this world to join hands with God. Former Governor Carroll A. Campbell Jr. died today of a heart attack at the young age of 65. For the past four years, Gov. Campbell suffered from Alzhiemers. I am praying for the family that they find comfort in this difficult time. I know that the Governor is with God and is at peace and is in no pain.

Carroll Campbell was a State Representative, Senator and SC Governor from 1987 - 1995. He will always be known for government restructuring and economic development.

He rightly pointed out to us all that it was a waste of taxpayer dollars to have multiple agencies perform the same duties and aggessively worked to streamline agencies, committees into a more effective entitity. His success in this endeavor is seen today in all levels of the state and is a model that our current Governor is trying to continue.

The greatest economic development Gov. Campbell is known for is bringing BMW to South Carolina. The economic impact to the state was unprecedented. Hundreds of jobs were created with a ripple effect felt across the state.

God Bless you Carroll Campbell. You loved your family, your friends, and the people of South Carolina. You worked tirelessly and sacrificed much. We love you and we will miss you. Rest now and be at peace.

December 7, 1941 -- A Date That Will Live In Infamy

2005-12-07T10:20:00.000-05:00

The USS Arizona (BB-39) burning after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. (12/07/1941)

Linus Knows The Real Meaning Of Christmas

2005-12-06T19:43:00.000-05:00

"And suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the Highest, and on Earth peace, and goodwill toward men,' " Linus says. "And that's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown."

This is what Christmas is all about. It's not about racing around to the malls and stores. It's not about getting into fights over toys, being rude to each other, demanding bigger and better gifts. It is about the Glory of God.

From USAToday:

The Christmas classic that almost wasn't
By Bill Nichols, USA TODAY

When CBS bigwigs saw a rough cut of A Charlie Brown Christmas in November 1965, they hated it.

"They said it was slow," executive producer Lee Mendelson remembers with a laugh. There were concerns that the show was almost defiantly different: There was no laugh track, real children provided the voices, and there was a swinging score by jazz pianist Vince Guaraldi.

Mendelson and animator Bill Melendez fretted about the insistence by Peanuts creator Charles Schulz that his first-ever TV spinoff end with a reading of the Christmas story from the Gospel of Luke by a lisping little boy named Linus.

"We told Schulz, 'Look, you can't read from the Bible on network television,' " Mendelson says. "When we finished the show and watched it, Melendez and I looked at each other and I said, 'We've ruined Charlie Brown.' "

Good grief, were they wrong. The first broadcast was watched by almost 50% of the nation's viewers. "When I started reading the reviews, I was absolutely shocked," says Melendez, 89. "They actually liked it!"

How 'Peanuts' rate

A Charlie Brown Christmas drew 15.4 million viewers when it first aired in 1965,
making it the second-most watched program on television that week. The top show: Bonanza. Ratings last year for three cartoon favorites still airing:

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
(1964), 14.9 million viewers.
Tied for 15th place the week it
ran. CBS.

A Charlie Brown Christmas,
13.6 million. 18th place the
week it aired. ABC.

Frosty the Snowman (1969),
10.1 million. Tied for 38th place
the week it aired. CBS.

And when the program airs today at 8 p.m. ET on ABC, it will mark its 40th anniversary — a run that has made it a staple of family holiday traditions and an icon of American pop culture. The show won an Emmy and a Peabody award and began a string of more than two dozen Peanuts specials.

Last year, 13.6 million people watched it, making it the 18th-most-popular show on television the week it aired; CSI was first. One advertiser on the show, financial services giant MetLife, has contracted to use Peanuts characters in its advertising since 1985 and will continue through at least 2012.

Schulz, who died in 2000, never doubted the power of his tale of Charlie Brown's quest for the true meaning of Christmas amid the garish trappings of a commercialized holiday. "It comes across in the voice of a child," says Jeannie Schulz, the wife of the cartoonist, whose friends called him Sparky. "Sparky used to say there will always be a market for innocence."

Peter Robbins, now 49, was the voice of Charlie Brown. "This show poses a question that I don't think had been asked before on television: Does anybody know the meaning of Christmas?"

Parents like Molly Kremidas, 39, who grew up adoring A Charlie Brown Christmas, watch it with their kids. "It's the values in the story," says Kremidas, of Winston-Salem, N.C. She'll watch tonight with daughter Sofia, 6. "Would there be any programs for children on today that could get away with talking about the real meaning of Christmas? I don't think so."

Erin Kane, 36, is eager for her 3-year-old son Tommy to watch the program for the first time tonight in their Boston home. "The Christmas season doesn't start," Kane says, "until Charlie Brown is on."

Hip but wholesome

On paper, the show's bare-bones script would seem to offer few clues to its enduring popularity. Mendelson says the show was written in several weeks, after Coca-Cola called him just six months before the program aired to ask if Schulz could come up with a Peanuts Christmas special.

Charlie Brown, depressed as always, can't seem to get into the Christmas spirit. His friend and nemesis Lucy suggests that he direct the gang's Christmas play. But the Peanuts crew is focused on how many presents they're going to get, not on putting on a show.

"Just send money. How about tens and twenties?" says Charlie's sister Sally as she dictates a letter to Santa Claus.

Charlie goes to find a Christmas tree to set the mood. He returns with a scrawny specimen that prompts his cohorts to mock him as a blockhead. In desperation, Charlie asks if anyone can explain to him what Christmas is all about.

"Sure, I can," says his friend Linus, who proceeds to recite the story of the birth of Jesus from the book of Luke in the King James Version of the Bible. "And suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the Highest, and on Earth peace, and goodwill toward men,' " Linus says. "And that's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown."

Scholars of pop culture say that shining through the program's skeletal plot is the quirky and sophisticated genius that fueled the phenomenal popularity of Schulz's work, still carried by 2,400 newspapers worldwide even though it's repeating old comic strips.

The Christmas special epitomizes the nostalgic appeal of holiday television classics for baby boomers raised as that medium gained prominence, says Robert Thompson, a professor of television and popular culture at Syracuse University.

Thompson notes that other Christmas specials made during the same era — such as Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Frosty The Snowman - also air each year to strong ratings.

"This is the only time in the year when TV programs from the LBJ years play on network television and do very, very well," he says. "For millions of baby boomers, these things became as much a holiday tradition as hanging a stocking or putting up a tree."

What makes A Charlie Brown Christmas the "gold standard" in Thompson's view is that it somehow manages to convey an old-fashioned, overtly religious holiday theme that's coupled with Schulz's trademark sardonic, even hip, sense of humor.

While Schulz centers the piece on verses from the Bible, laced throughout are biting references to the modern materialism of the Christmas season. Lucy complains to Charlie that she never gets wants she really wants. "What is it you want?" Charlie asks. "Real estate," she answers.

"A key element in all of Schulz's work is his sense of man's place in the scheme of things in a theological sense as well as a psychological sense," says Thomas Inge, an English and humanities professor at Randolph-Macon College who edited a series of interviews with Schulz released in 2000. "Then there's this slightly cynical attitude that makes everything work."

Parents say the combination of humor and bedrock values is what draws them and their children to the show. "It does provide a balance, but it's a balance that we as a society have forgotten about," says Patrick Lemp, 43, of West Hartford, Conn. He'll watch tonight with son Brendan, 13.

"This is one of the last shows that actually comes out and talks about the meaning of Christmas. As a society, we're taking religion out of a lot of the trappings of the holiday. This one is different."

A cultural footprint

Much about A Charlie Brown Christmas was revolutionary for network TV, even beyond its religious themes.

The voices of children had not been used before in animation, a technique Mendelson, Melendez and Schulz all wanted to try.

"Lee didn't want to use Hollywood kids. He wanted the sound of kids who didn't have training," says Sally Dryer, 48, who did the voice of Violet — the little girl who mocks Charlie Brown for not getting any Christmas cards. In later specials, she was Lucy's voice.

Mendelson sent tape recorders home with all his employees in Burlingame, Calif. Dryer, then 8, was chosen because her sister worked for the Mendelson crew. Robbins and Christopher Shea, the voice of Linus, were the only children with professional acting experience in the cast.

The show was also novel in that it used no laugh track, an omnipresent device in animated and live-action comedies of the era. Schulz strongly believed that his audience could figure out when to laugh.

Perhaps the most enduring aspect of the show has been its score — a piano-driven jazz suite that was absolutely unheard-of for children's programming in 1965.

Guaraldi, the composer and pianist, was best known for a 1962 hit called Cast Your Fate To the Wind. Mendelson liked it so much that he hired Guaraldi to score a documentary about Schulz that never aired. When the Christmas program was sold, parts of that music were incorporated.

The driving tune that the Peanuts children keep dancing to in the special, called Linus and Lucy, has become a pop staple that's been recorded countless time in the intervening decades.

A new version of the soundtrack was released last month for the 40th anniversary. It features Vanessa Williams, Christian McBride, David Benoit and others.

The song that opens the program, Christmas Time is Here, was written only for piano by Guaraldi, but Mendelson decided to add words to appease other network concerns. When he found his songwriter friends in California were all tied up, Mendelson wrote the words himself on the back of an envelope.

"So now it's a standard," says Mendelson, now 72. "Who knew? I tell people that I'm old and I'm lucky."

Jazz pianist George Winston, recorded a 1996 tribute album to Guaraldi, who died in 1976. He says that when he plays Guaraldi tunes at concerts, young children come up later and say, "Hey, that's the Peanuts music!"

Says Winston: "Vince made a stamp on our popular culture that will never go away. For an artist, that's the ultimate tribute."

A sweet memory

The Christmas special has become a key part of the Peanuts marketing empire, which racks up $1.2 billion in annual retail sales, $350 million of which come in the USA. Millions of VCR tapes and DVDs of the program are in circulation worldwide.

The 40th anniversary has spawned a long list of spinoff products, including a "Charlie Brown Christmas Tree" at Urban Outfitters and a paperback version of a book Mendelson wrote, The Making of a Tradition: A Charlie Brown Christmas. And the Charles Schulz Museum in Santa Rosa, Calif., where Schulz lived, plans a special commemoration on Dec. 17 with Mendelson and several cast members. The museum also has an exhibit on the Christmas show that runs through Jan. 9.

"It's a tradition, along with White Christmas, A Christmas Carol and It's a Wonderful Life," says Marion Hull, 77, who toured the exhibit on Friday. "It's simple, it tells a simple story, and it's something that both adults and children can get something out of."

For those who worked to make the program — as well as fans who watch it — its material success seems ancillary. The word that keeps coming up is "sweet."

Robbins, who is single, has no children and manages an apartment building in Encino, Calif., loves that kids of friends squeal with delight each Christmas that "Uncle Pete used to be Charlie Brown."

Jeannie Schulz, who was the artist's second wife when they married in 1973, says their five children, 25 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren see the show as a holiday tradition as well.

"The reason it's endured is because of its simplicity and its very basic honesty to real life," she says. "Who would have thought this would last 40 years? How did that happen?"

For many viewers, it is the speech by Linus from Luke near the end that packs the biggest emotional wallop.

Christopher Shea was just 7 when he did the part and credits Melendez's coaching and his mom's doctorate in 17th-century British literature for Linus' lilting eloquence with a Biblical text.

Shea, who now lives in Eureka, Calif., with two daughters, 11 and 16, answers quickly when asked why the special has proved so enduring. "It's the words," he says.

Shea says that for years, in his teens and 20s, he didn't quite understand his soliloquy's impact.

"People kept coming up to me and saying, 'Every time I watch that, I cry,' " he says. "But as I got older, I understood the words more, and I understood the power of what was going on. Now I cry, too."

Contributing: Editor's note: USA TODAY reporter Bill Nichols first watched A Charlie Brown Christmas on Dec. 9, 1965. He was 7. This Thanksgiving, he watched a tape of it with his son, Charlie, 3, for the first time.

Joshua Sparling: A Brave Man At Walter Reed

2005-12-05T11:00:00.000-05:00

Words can not describe just how upsetting this is. One of our brave soldiers is recovering at Walter Reed and receives this card. Wishing someones death while his is protecting yours is just evil. The author of this card would do well to remember that it is brave soldiers like Joshua that allows him his freedom of speech.

Via Foxnews:

Insult to Injury
Monday, December 05, 2005
By Brian Kilmeade
PHOTOS

First things first: The issue that's getting so much attention — and rightfully so — is the hate letter written to PFC Joshua Sparling.

In case you missed the show, Josh was wounded in Iraq on November 20, and by the time he arrived at Walter Reed Medical Center he was almost immediately carted in for surgery. With a down moment he opened up a card which — on the surface — seemed like a patriotic "get well soon" kids' note, only to open and see it said this verbatim:

Dear, Soldier
Have a great time into he war and have a great time dieing in the war from Solider Miguel
P.S. DIE.

This was the only card on his wall. As much pain as he is in he insisted on leaving the card up and in view. He, by the way, is proud of his service misses his buddies and wants to go back and fight — as did everyone I met last Friday. Please write him and his fellow wounded war fighters Christmas/holiday/get well cards to let them know that Green Day and this sadist does not represent the America public.

Send your get-well and holiday wishes to:

Joshua Sparling
C/O Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20307-5001

If you have the time, please try and include the others I met along with Col. North and Col. Hunt at Walter Reed:

Capt. James Ollinger
Sgt. Zavian Simspon
Specialist Brian Radke
Specialist Jason Braase
Sgt. David Nevins
Sgt. Jose Ramos
Cpl. Todd Bishop
Sgt. Ryan Donnelly
Sgt. Eva Diane Cochran

Hattip: www.michellmalkin.com

Christmas Parade

2005-12-04T17:33:00.000-05:00

The GeeChee Family went downtown today to the Christmas Parade. GeeChee Guy & Lil GeeChee Girl waiting patiently for the parade to start.

The Citadel Marching Band - Looking great as usual.

These dogs were precious!

Santa Bling-Bling. Nuf said.

You can't tell in this pic, but it looked really cool with the white chistmas lights on the inside of the bus.

Ofcourse, no Christmas Parade is complete without Santa.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Our Men & Women Over Seas

2005-12-02T21:18:00.000-05:00

Sometimes we forget the sacrifices that our armed forces endure. Go to this site to remember.

http://www.armedforcestribute.com/

Ok, So I'm Not A Rocket Scientist

2005-12-02T20:07:00.000-05:00

You know, I can tear apart a computer and put it back together in a matter of minutes (the nascar of computers), but I am having problems getting certain things to work the way I want them to on this blog. For some reason, I can't get hyperlinks to work and I somehow lost most of the comments that had been made here. Please be patient with me as I figure this mess out.

Tis The Season...

2005-12-02T19:26:00.000-05:00

For people to try and remove Christ from Christmas. This just drives me bananas every year. I personally make it a point to say Merry Christmas (or Happy Hanukkah if the person is Jewish). Happy Holidays? I'm sorry, but that is way too generic. Are we becoming a society where every one is alike? That is certainly what the salutation happy holidays makes me think of.

Here in Moncks Corner (for those of you from 'off', MC is a small town about 30 miles inland from Charleston), Berkeley High School has decided to change the name of its Miss Merry Christmas Pageant to the Miss Winter Wonderland Pageant. Also, one of the young ladies that wanted to compete was told that she could not dress as an angel in the pageant tonight - she could not dress in a religious costume for the character portion. Now they have decided to drop the character portion of the competition all together.

This is just so out of hand. Political correctness has gone to far. Christians tolerate, even celebrate and stand up for people of other faiths, people of other faiths or no faith at all should be tolerant of Christian beliefs. How can you have diversity when you attempt to silence a group of people.

From today's Post & Courier (aka The Worthless Courier)

BY YVONNE M. WENGER
The Post and Courier

Is it Christmas or is it a holiday?

Folks across the Lowcountry weighed in Thursday after a local high school took the word "Christmas" out of its traditional beauty pageant, sparking a renewed debate over the use of "Christmas" versus "holiday."

"It's part of the insanity that seeps into a new culture in America," said state Rep. John Graham Altman, a Charleston Republican who's known to have plastic pink flamingos with reindeer horns decorating his front lawn. "It is worse than the bird flu. I never thought we would go that crazy in Charleston."

The controversy, which has flared in cities across the country, became a local issue when Berkeley High School decided to change the name of its Miss Merry Christmas Pageant to the Miss Winter Wonderland Pageant.

The move upset Moncks Corner resident Erica Fann, whose 15-year-old daughter, Jordanne Layman, wanted to dress as an angel in tonight's pageant. Fann said Jordanne was told she couldn't dress in a religious costume for the character portion of the competition. That part of the event later was dropped altogether. Fann said the school's decision denied her daughter's right to express her beliefs.

"I don't want to take those rights from anyone else," Fann said. "I just want to make sure no one infringes on my rights.

"We live in America. We have to be acceptable to everybody's religion and say, 'OK. That is your choice' rather than saying 'You can't.' "

Fann signed a petition being circulated around Moncks Corner in support of changing the name back for next year's pageant.

The competition judges beauty and poise and has never been a religious celebration, said Berkeley County School District spokeswoman Pam Bailey. After "thoughtful consideration," she said, the school administration decided the name change more accurately reflected the event.

Herb Silverman, an atheist and leader of the Secular Humanists of the Lowcountry, said it's a person's right to express his "freedom of conscience" and to celebrate his beliefs in private. Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or any religious celebration, though, has no place in government functions or public schools, said Silverman, who celebrates the Winter Solstice.

The issue comes down to tolerance, said Joel Sawyer, a spokesman for Gov. Mark Sanford. "We live in an overly politically correct age," Sawyer said. "The governor believes, just as Christians tolerate people of other faiths, people of other faiths or no faith ought to be similarly tolerant of Christian beliefs."

Dale Surrett, administrator for Moncks Corner, said diversity is lost by stifling different beliefs. The town holds an annual Christmas parade and tree-lighting ceremony.

"It is this ongoing attempt to not offend somebody, and I think it is futile," he said. "It's trying to pretend a community is this blend of generic people. They are not. They are people of distinct backgrounds, religions and specific beliefs."

Sena Sutton of James Island said beliefs are an individual's decision, and people need to be respectful of others.

Lowcountry celebrations run the gamut of political correctness:

--Charleston's monthlong celebration is called Holiday Magic at Marion Square and features a 60-foot Christmas Tree of Lights, a larger-than-life Hanukkah Menorah and a Kwanzaa Kinara.

--"Whether it's sacred or secular is really up to the individual," said Ellen Dressler Moryl, director of the Office of Cultural Affairs, which runs the event.

--Walterboro holds a Christmas parade and tree lighting, and organizers said they keep Christmas in the title because it's the "reason for the season."

--"We have never ever considered (changing) it," said Bennie Ordel, director of the Rice Festival Committee that runs the parade. "It has never come up."

--The Charleston County School District has no policy for the proper way to reference the holiday break, but about a decade ago, school leaders recognized the need to respect the diversity of school students, district spokeswoman Mary Girault said. The districtwide school break from Dec. 22 to Jan. 2 is referred to as winter break. Any seasonal item is referenced by saying holiday rather than Christmas, she said.

--North Charleston is "sticking with calling it a Christmas parade," according to Denise Benton, who organizes the event. She started to call it a holiday parade "to not offend anybody" but decided to leave it as a Christmas parade.

--The James Island County Park Holiday Festival of Lights has a praying hands display sponsored by Bishop Gadsden retirement community. The festival, however, is more about celebrating the holiday season than focusing on a religious theme, Donna Gueldner, director of operations, said. "That's not the goal of the show," she said. "The goal of the show is to celebrate the holidays."

Staff writers Warren Wise, David Slade, Diette CourrÃ©gÃ©, Andy Paras and Prentiss Findlay contributed to this report.

Contact Yvonne M. Wenger at 745-5891 or ywenger@postandcourier.com.
----------------------------------------------------------------

On a related note:

This is great. I have my card addressed and ready for the postman.

www.muscleheadrevolution.com/

The Movie To Watch This Weekend

2005-12-01T20:06:00.000-05:00

Bet you think I am going to go thru the listings at local theaters and give a review of my favorite movie. Wrong. From everything that I have been reading, the movie to see this weekend is "John Paul Times II" on CBS Sunday at 8pm EST. Even if you are not Catholic, this is a movie you should see.

"Pope John Paul II" makes palpable the panic gripping the Poles as the Nazis approach and then occupy their country. Wojtyla is sitting in a Krakow classroom in 1939 when soldiers burst in, rip a cross off the wall and drag away the teacher. His last words to his students as he is carried off: "Do not forget who you are!" This has tremendous resonance throughout the film, especially when, as pope, Wojtyla returns to his native land and lends support to the Solidarity movement and leader Lech Walesa."

John Paul was one of the most amazing men to walk the face of this planet. He was so incredibly gifted not only spiritually, but also with a great sense of humanity. He was serious, yet had a wonderful sense of humor. He believed in the good of the world, that good will triumph over evil.

Join me Sunday evening. Monday, let's have a discussion. Let us all do what Pope John Paul always did, reach out to others to hear their voice.

Learning Curve

2005-12-01T19:20:00.000-05:00

Since I am so new to blogging, every day is an adventure. I am not really happy with the setup of this blog. I also need to take a timeout and learn how to do a trackback. Soooo, this weekend, you will probably see some changes. Hopefully, it will all be good. Please be patient - I'm just a computer geek who repairs computers, not one of those geeks that actually gets creative with the software! (FYI - all computer geeks are amazing!)

The Goals Of The Left

2005-11-30T20:47:00.000-05:00

As you read this, think about the world we live in today. Think about the world you want to live in. Think about the world you want your children to grow up in. Then decide what you are going to do about it. Are you just going to sit silently or are you going to let your voice be heard?

Communist Goals (1963)
Congressional Record--Appendix, pp. A34-A35
January 10, 1963
Current Communist Goals
EXTENSION OF REMARKS OF HON. A. S. HERLONG, JR. OF FLORIDA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Thursday, January 10, 1963
Mr. HERLONG. Mr. Speaker, Mrs. Patricia Nordman of De Land, Fla., is an ardent and articulate opponent of communism, and until recently published the De Land Courier, which she dedicated to the purpose of alerting the public to the dangers of communism in America.
At Mrs. Nordman's request, I include in the RECORD, under unanimous consent, the following "Current Communist Goals," which she identifies as an excerpt from "The Naked Communist," by Cleon Skousen: [From "The Naked Communist," by Cleon Skousen]

1. U.S. acceptance of coexistence as the only alternative to atomic war.
2. U.S. willingness to capitulate in preference to engaging in atomic war.
3. Develop the illusion that total disarmament [by] the United States would be a demonstration of moral strength.
4. Permit free trade between all nations regardless of Communist affiliation and regardless of whether or not items could be used for war.
5. Extension of long-term loans to Russia and Soviet satellites.
6. Provide American aid to all nations regardless of Communist domination.
7. Grant recognition of Red China. Admission of Red China to the U.N.
8. Set up East and West Germany as separate states in spite of Khrushchev's promise in 1955 to settle the German question by free elections under supervision of the U.N.
9. Prolong the conferences to ban atomic tests because the United States has agreed to suspend tests as long as negotiations are in progress.
10. Allow all Soviet satellites individual representation in the U.N.
11. Promote the U.N. as the only hope for mankind. If its charter is rewritten, demand that it be set up as a one-world government with its own independent armed forces. (Some Communist leaders believe the world can be taken over as easily by the U.N. as by Moscow. Sometimes these two centers compete with each other as they are now doing in the Congo.)
12. Resist any attempt to outlaw the Communist Party.
13. Do away with all loyalty oaths.
14. Continue giving Russia access to the U.S. Patent Office.
15. Capture one, or both, of the political parties in the United States.
16. Use technical decisions of the courts to weaken basic American institutions by claiming their activities violate civil rights.
17. Get control of the schools. Use them as transmission belts for socialism and current Communist propaganda. Soften the curriculum. Get control of teachers' associations. Put the party line in textbooks.
18. Gain control of all student newspapers.
19. Use student riots to foment public protests against programs or organizations which are under Communist attack.
20. Infiltrate the press. Get control of book-review assignments, editorial writing, policymaking positions.
21. Gain control of key positions in radio, TV, and motion pictures.
22. Continue discrediting American culture by degrading all forms of artistic expression. An American Communist cell was told to "eliminate all good sculpture from parks and buildings, substitute shapeless, awkward and meaningless forms."
23. Control art critics and directors of art museums. "Our plan is to promote ugliness, repulsive, meaningless art."
24. Eliminate all laws governing obscenity by calling them "censorship" and a violation of free speech and free press.
25. Break down cultural standards of morality by promoting pornography and obscenity in books, magazines, motion pictures, radio, and TV.
26. Present homosexuality, degeneracy and promiscuity as "normal, natural, healthy."
27. Infiltrate the churches and replace revealed religion with "social" religion. Discredit the Bible and emphasize the need for intellectual maturity which does not need a "religious crutch."
28. Eliminate prayer or any phase of religious expression in the schools on the ground that it violates the principle of "separation of church and state."
29. Discredit the American Constitution by calling it inadequate, old-fashioned, out of step with modern needs, a hindrance to cooperation between nations on a worldwide basis.
30. Discredit the American Founding Fathers. Present them as selfish aristocrats who had no concern for the "common man."
31. Belittle all forms of American culture and discourage the teaching of American history on the ground that it was only a minor part of the "big picture." Give more emphasis to Russian history since the Communists took over.
32. Support any socialist movement to give centralized control over any part of the culture -- education, social agencies, welfare programs, mental health clinics, etcetera.
33. Eliminate all laws or procedures which interfere with the operation of the Communist apparatus.
34. Eliminate the House Committee on Un-American Activities.
35. Discredit, and eventually dismantle, the FBI.
36. Infiltrate and gain control of more unions.
37. Infiltrate and gain control of big business.
38. Transfer some of the powers of arrest from the police to social agencies. Treat all behavioral problems as psychiatric disorders which no one but psychiatrists can understand [or treat].
39. Dominate the psychiatric profession and use mental health laws as a means of gaining coercive control over those who oppose Communist goals.
40. Discredit the family as an institution. Encourage promiscuity and easy divorce.
41. Emphasize the need to raise children away from the negative influence of parents. Attribute prejudices, mental blocks and retarding of children to suppressive influence of parents.
42. Create the impression that violence and insurrection are legitimate aspects of the American tradition; that students and special-interest groups should rise up and use ["]united force["] to solve economic, political or social problems.
43. Overthrow all colonial governments before native populations are ready for self-government.
44. Internationalize the Panama Canal.
45. Repeal the Connally reservation so the United States cannot prevent the World Court from seizing jurisdiction [over domestic problems. Give the World Court jurisdiction] over nations and individuals alike.

Happy Anniversary To Me!

2005-11-29T20:03:00.000-05:00

Lil GeeChee Girl & GeeChee Guy at the Citadel Game.

Two years ago today, I married the greatest geechee guy on the planet. I thank the Lord every day for him. He's smart, handsome, funny, considerate, warm, goofy, sexy, a great father and my best friend.

I Love You GeeChee Guy!

50 Babies A Year Are Alive After Abortion

2005-11-29T19:03:00.000-05:00

This makes my heart weep. I read this yesterday and I am still having a very hard time wrapping my mind around this.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2087-1892696,00.html

A GOVERNMENT agency is launching an inquiry into doctors reports that up to 50 babies a year are born alive after botched National Health Service abortions. The investigation, by the Confidential Enquiry into Maternal and Child Health (CEMACH), comes amid growing unease among clinicians over a legal ambiguity that could see them being charged with infanticide.

The Royal College of Obstetricians andgynecologists, which regulates methods of abortion, has also mounted its own investigation. Its guidelines say that babies aborted after more than 21 weeks and six days of gestation should have their hearts stopped by an injection of potassium chloride before being delivered. In practice, few doctors are willing or able to perform the delicate procedure.

For the abortion of younger foetuses, labour is induced by drugs in the expectation that the infant will not survive the birth process. Guidelines say that doctors should ensure that the drugs they use prevent such babies being alive at birth.

In practice, according to Stuart Campbell, former professor of obstetrics and gynaecology at St Georges hospital, London, a number do survive. Yhey can be born breathing and crying at 19 weeks gestation, he said. I am not anti-abortion, but as far as I am concerned this is sub-standard medicine.

Also, in the same article:

Paul Clarke, a neonatal intensive care specialist in Norwich, has treated a boy born at 24 weeks after three failed abortion attempts. The mother decided to keep the child, who is now two years old but is suffering what doctors call significant ongoing medical problems.
The survival of this child was not recorded in any official statistics, Clarke said. There is nothing at the moment to force abortion practitioners to account for their failures.

Words can not describe how I feel about this. This is just sick. It is an abomination.

I Couldn't Have Said It Better Myself

2005-11-29T14:08:00.000-05:00

This is what happens when the people have had enough. We start asking questions. We start demanding answers when we are 'ignored' or told 'don't worry, it's under control' or 'it's not as bad as it looks'. We are not stupid. Fix the problem or get the hell out of the way. It is our money being thrown away due to massive mismanagement. The school districts have to learn to live within a set budget instead of stealing the money from everyone's wallet every time they want a new car, blackberry or paid vacation.

Palmetto Rebellion South Carolina Republicans will cut taxes--or else.
BY BRENDAN MINITER Tuesday, November 29, 2005 12:01 a.m. EST

Over the past several months Glenn McConnell, president pro tem of the South Carolina Senate, held a series of town hall meetings around the state. What he found would be a good lesson for Congress to learn as it fiddles over making tax cuts permanent. As any Palmetto State politician with a set of ears already knows, unless Republicans push through serious tax reform, the party will almost certainly take a pounding next Election Day.

The issue in South Carolina is that rapidly increasing home values--fueled by the well-to-do buying second homes and retirees heading to the coast--have driven property tax bills to a crisis point. Even when tax rates remain unchanged, a dramatic uptick in home values can push tax bills through the roof. The result is today many seniors on fixed incomes can't hold onto homes they've lived in for decades. Steep tax bills also force the poor to forgo homeownership and with it the hope of making it into the middle class. Meanwhile, middle-class homeowners struggle to pay the taxman.

It's not just South Carolina. Residents from Maine to Arizona have seen rapidly rising home values also increase their tax bills. Anger has grown in Virginia as infrastructure improvements have fueled tax assessments. In New Hampshire the taxman has lately taken to collecting a levy on the views some homeowners enjoy. California is actually ahead of the curve on this one, having solved its property tax problem in 1978 with Proposition 13, which ties tax bills to the value of a home when it's sold.

South Carolina taxpayers are incensed for another reason. Higher taxes have dramatically increased education spending while overall student enrollment has risen only slightly. One district in Richland County has seen school tax revenue skyrocket 779% since 1984, while the number of students dropped 11%, according to a study published by the South Carolina Policy Council. Average spending per pupil is now more than $9,100, up about a third from a decade ago and statewide education spending tops $6 billion, with most new dollars going to poorer districts. Voters have figured out that there's no truth to the refrain that schools are underfunded. (emphasis mine.)

Taxpayers might not be so angry if they were actually getting something for their money. But depending on the yardstick used, Palmetto State schools are either dead last or near the bottom in the nation. About half of all high school students drop out. Those who graduate are turning in some of the lowest average SAT and ACT scores for any state. The public schools are so bad that parents of about one in 10 students pay their property tax bills and then pay private school tuition. (emphasis mine.)

The first casualty in the tax revolt is probably Inez Tenenbaum, the state's education superintendent and the only Democrat elected statewide. She announced over the summer that she won't seek a third term and won't run for governor next year. A Rasmussen poll, commissioned by South Carolinians for Responsible Government, tells us why: Her efforts to derail a statewide voucher plan supported by Gov. Mark Sanford, a Republican, this past year likely would have doomed her. Voters favor school choice by 58% to 21%. And in a head-to-head match-up on the issue the poll found 56% would vote for the governor and only 26% for Ms. Tenenbaum. The real death knell came from self-identified liberals, 53% of whom said they support school choice.

But it was only after stories of the elderly paying more in annual taxes than they paid for their homes decades ago began circulating in the state capital that South Carolina lawmakers realized that if they did nothing, they too would get burned. Several veteran politicos told me they haven't seen this much voter outrage over a single issue in decades. So the state House and Senate now have competing proposals, with the House plan calling for a wholesale repeal of some taxes and the Senate looking to leave in place property taxes paid by some businesses. Each plan calls for making up any "lost" revenue with a two cent sales tax increase.

The compromise will likely be to cut property taxes on homes and apartment buildings, cap the taxes that remain (Ã la Proposition 13) with a constitutional amendment and then make sales tax hikes easier on the poor by eliminating sales taxes on groceries and abolishing the hated property tax on cars.

Regardless of the details, nearly everyone agrees that what will come out of the Legislature after it gavels back into session in January won't be a small rebate, temporary relief, tax credits or even a gradual reduction in taxes. And it will likely be signed by the governor. Across the state there is "strong, strong support to take the cost of schools off the backs of homeowners," Sen. McConnell tells me.

With every member of the House and the governor up for re-election next November and the state expecting a substantial budget surplus, Palmetto State politicians are getting the message that some Washington Republicans refuse to hear: that voters expect the GOP to deliver permanent tax relief.

Mr. Miniter is assistant editor of OpinionJournal.com. His column appears Tuesdays.

Feel Like Poop

2005-11-27T14:13:00.000-05:00

I always know when the holidays arrive - I get a cold. Going to lay down - will be back tonight.

2005-11-24T19:40:00.000-05:00

Be very thankful that you can have this today. You are able to have this because the US Military protects us every day. They sacrifice everything for you. They are in a foreign country giving their all to ensure that we have freedom. Tonight, say a prayer for our men and women, that they may enjoy a Thanksgiving as good as ours. Amen.

Gullah Word Of The Week

2005-11-24T19:14:00.000-05:00

TAS'E 'E MOUT'

meaning something appetizing to eat.

(Also means "put a taste in his, her or their mouth or mouths") No, I' am not going there.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2005-11-24T12:18:00.000-05:00

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Don't forget when you say Grace today to remember the brave men and women who are keeping us safe.

Thanksgiving Eve

2005-11-23T18:07:00.000-05:00

So far:

2 pecan pies - done
2 broccoli casseroles - done
1 pan mashed sweet potatoes - done
1 large pot of collard greens - cooking
1 large pan of dressing - done
beef ribs - marinating (for tonight)
sauteed shrimp - getting ready to start (for tonight)

To do:

3 turkeys to fry (number subject to change) - starting soon

Needless to say, blogging will be rather light. See you soon!

The Protest You WON'T Hear About

2005-11-22T13:34:00.000-05:00

About 200,000 people staged a protest. Did you hear about this on the evening news? Have you really heard anything at all about this. 200,000 Arabs protesting against a terrorist and terrorism and very little is said in the media. How very sad that the elite media in this country believe that the President of the US is a 'nazi' or 'warmonger' and the people that want to eliminate us are 'freedom fighters'.

http://www.washtimes.com/world/20051118-110234-2315r.htm

Hattip: http://theanchoressonline.com/2005/11/22/if-200000-people/

Chris Mathews - We Just Need To Give Them A Hug

2005-11-21T20:11:00.000-05:00

In a speech to political science students at the University of Toronto yesterday, the host of the CNBC current affairs show Hardball had plenty of harsh words for U.S. President George W. Bush, as well as the political climate that has characterized his country for the past few years.
“The period between 9/11 and Iraq was not a good time for America. There wasn’t a robust discussion of what we were doing,” Matthews said.
“If we stop trying to figure out the other side, we’ve given up. The person on the other side is not evil — they just have a different perspective.”

Yeah, thats it. We all just need to sit down by the camp fire, have some s'mores, and pretend that all is right with the world. People like Mathews can be just as dangerous as the terrorist.

Yes, I Am Behind Schedule

2005-11-21T19:54:00.000-05:00

I have been swamped the past few days - am going to get caught up tonight. See you shortly.

GO GAMECOCKS!!!!!

2005-11-19T18:52:00.000-05:00

Update: Carolina lost. I am depressed.

Kick off in 7 minutes! GO GAMECOCKS!!!!!

It's Too Late For A Hurricane!!!

2005-11-19T00:16:00.000-05:00

Ok, it's the middle of November. It's going to go down to 28 degrees tonight. I have afire going in the wood stove. The temperature of the ocean (Folly Beach) is down to 70 degrees. Hurricane's should not be a concern. So why is Tropical Depression Gamma messing with my weekend and with Thanksgiving? This crazy bastard/bitch (is gamma male or female?) is looking to cross Florida and ride the coast and be here around Monday or Tuesday. Since when do those of us on the east coast worry about hurricanes at Thanksgiving? This just aint right. And no, it's not global warming. It comes down to the fact that God is testing me. He knows that I have a yard to clean, that my husband frying6 turkeys Wednesday night. He knows that I have 2 pies and 3 casseroles to cook for Thurday. But I will pass this test, I will get all the cooking done, child clean and dressed, house cleaned, husband cleaned, deliver food to my friends that are moving, and actually put on makeup! And while I am doing this, I am going to be giving thanks for this great nation that I live in, even if I am being hit with a storm in November. God really does have a sense of humor!

Iraq Pullout Vote Results

2005-11-18T23:34:00.000-05:00

11:37pm est

(R) Yea 0
(D) Yea 3
(I) Yea 0
(R) Nay 215
(D) Nay 187
(I) Nay 1

Total

Yea 3
Nay 403

Time to relax

2005-11-18T22:33:00.000-05:00

Everything Pizza

Diverse and adaptableYou enjoy the full buffet of lifeIt's hard to you play favorites with friends... or flavorsThere's very little that you dislike!

What's" Your Pizza Personality?

Question To The Ones Who Voted For The War, Then Changed Their Mind

2005-11-18T22:12:00.000-05:00

Questions. Why did you change your mind? You agreed with the President and voted to go to war. You agreed with Clinton that there was danger regarding Osama and Saddam. Did you see the same intelligence that the both President Bush and former president Clinton saw and spoke about? Did you show up for intelligence meetings? If not, why? Did you see the same intelligence that the Americans and British saw? Did you see the same intelligence that I saw? If you did, did you have a problem with it? If you did have a problem, did you ask questions? If you had concerns, did you take those concerns to the public? If so, what was the public response?

Just curious.

Quick Vote!

2005-11-18T19:54:00.000-05:00

UPDATE: Ok, I am an old woman and my home is set up really crappy. I would love to live blog this but the TV is on one end of the house and the computer is on the other - sue me! I am going to spend the evening watching CSPAN and will find the time tomorrow (before the game) to comment on this. I already have 10 pages of notes. Damn these people, I'm going to miss my favorite show, Numbers.

The House of Representatives are moving for a quick vote on Rep. Jack Murtha's resolution to immediatley pull out of Iraq. This is wonderful! Let's see how many Dems, who voted for this action, now vote to run and hide. Lots of great roundups tonight. See:

http://michellemalkin.com
http://anklebitingpundits.com
http://powerlineblog.com
http://blogsforbush.com

Going to be an interesting weekend!

Busy Saturday

2005-11-18T18:05:00.000-05:00

Saturday will be a very busy day. Little GeeChee Girl has a birthday party to attend at Chucky Cheese (I now understand why they serve beer.), then off to a computer repair job, clean house, people coming over for bar-b-que. Ofcourse, the highlight of the day will be the Carolina vs Clemson Game. GO COCKS!!!!!