I know I am gonna get hate email over this...

I am going to put my $0.02 in on the whole "immigration" debacle:

1. If you want to demonstrate, that is your right. DO NOT display any other flag than the U.S. flag. Remember where you came from? How did you feel when someone displayed a flag from another country instead of your own country? Or was it even put up with? While you are at it, why try and shut down this country? Don't you like being here? If so, why damage businesses that support you by hiring you, by providing you with food, gasoline, etc? And why should you EVER support truancy in our (and your) children? It is ILLEGAL FOR CHILDREN TO BE OUT OF SCHOOL FOR REASONS OTHER THAN ILLNESS OR INJURY. Having them demonstrate sends a message loud and clear: That you do not believe in our laws that protect children from truancy (for any reason), and that it is alright to break our laws.

2. Realize that our legislators don't speak for all of us. I personally believe we should find a way to "fix" our immigration laws, but extremism isn't the answer. From either side.

3. Changing our National Anthem... this is just disrespectful. If you want to be in this country, respect our National Anthem, just like you need to respect our flag.

4. Don't expect most Americans to be very supportive of you for making things generally inconvenient on Monday morning. In fact, this may turn people who were supportive of you away from your cause. If you are a member of a medical establishment, fire department, or law enforcement agency, expect to possibly even be charged with dereliction of duty for abandoning your post. Even if you are not a member of these groups, you have no right to keep your job for not showing up on Monday. Don't cry if you are fired, and don't throw this into our courts. We have too many other problems to deal with to add these kind of frivolous lawsuits into the mix.

There... I put in my comments on this issue.

I, for one, plan on enjoying an easier ride to school on Monday. I wonder if I might actually find parking easier, since there are signs all over campus telling people to not go to school on Monday... Guess I should pack a lunch.

Wow!

Got back from the NDMS Conference in Reno. My first impression this year was "Wow!". I ended up taking what turned out to be some incredible courses, including Advanced Radiation Life Support. This is one of those "Too Much Information" kind of courses. Not in the sense of "I didn't want to know that". This was too much information in a short period of time (1 day). A few days would have been better. I am trying to still digest it all!

For those who went, many of you know exactly what I mean. We learned a lot this time around!

I had a chance to meet up with folk I deployed with in 2004, as well as people from other teams that I know. I even shared my hotel room with my friend Barbara from NJ-1. It was nice to see everyone doing well. We all laughed, cried, and reminisced.

Away at the NDMS Conference

I will be away at the NDMS Conference in Reno until Wed, 4/26. Want to know what the NDMS is? Here are a few links:

NDMS - National Disaster Medical System


The NDMS Conference
is a meeting point each year for NDMS and allied personnel to take needed training to continue our mission, in providing disaster medical assistance to the medical infrastructure of the affected region.

Hero of the Day: Richie Gallimore

Meet Richie Gallimore. This incredible 11-year old from Woodbury, NJ did the right thing when someone else committed 5 kittens to death by taping them up in a beer box and threw them in the trash... he rescued them! I don't know this kid, but I applaud his efforts in saving these kittens from a horrible fate. Way to go, kid!


The kittens, Bud, Kahlua, Miller, Malibu, and Jack

Patriotism is disappearing

When did reasoning disappear from this country? When a school principal here in the U.S. tells students they will be punished for displaying our flag, even on a t-shirt, and others actually BACK HIM UP, it is evident that something has gone seriously awry.

Right after the horrible events of 9/11, all of us saw the proud display of our nations colors everywhere. People went out and put flags on their cars, they wore shirts displaing our flag, wore buttons, did anything to show their patriotism. And over the years, this patriotism has waned. Nowadays, I only see our flag on the backs of firetrucks here in the Sacramento area, or on police cars. I have to admit, I never replaced the flag that was stolen (yes, stolen) from my Jeep.

This year will be five years since that terrible day. I believe that we need to remind ourselves that our freedoms are always at risk, whether by outside forces, or those here in our own country. We must RESPECT those who died that day. And NEVER FORGET THEM.

I propose something novel and simple: We need to all display this nation's flag every day. Not just on July 4th, not just on Flag Day (Remember that holiday? Not many do. If you don't remember, it is June 14th), and not just on September 11th. We need to remind ourselves of our freedoms everyday. We need to thank our veterans for defending our freedoms, regardless of where they did this for us. There should never be shame for doing what they swore to do.

I am going out tomorrow and buy a replacement flag, and proudly display it, as a small token of my admiration and respect for my country. Not necessarily for the politicians, but for my country and fellow citizens. Especially those who died due to terrorism and war. Any other takers? I hope you will join me in this simple measure of respect.

Rain, Rain, Go Away...

... For a few days, at least!

It has rained for 11 STRAIGHT DAYS here. My umbrella, I fear, has reached the point of total saturation. I wonder when the mold spores will start growing on it.

Rivers are rising again. I heard late last night that they are going to open the weirs again, and flood the land between Sacramento and Davis (an intentional flood plain), as the Sacramento River is just below their usual mark, and more rain is expected today, Friday, and Saturday (Supposedly, we won't get any rain tomorrow... stay tuned).

A levee broke yesterday down in Modesto, and also in South Sacramento County. There was a time when they considered closing Highway 99 down, as the water from the levee break was creeping closer and closer to the freeway. So far, so good, though. That is a major, major thoroughfare that has been closed due to flooding at least one time since I moved here. Talk about a traffic nightmare! It makes me glad I live on the north side of town right now!

The Beauty of Nevada

I always love travelling through Nevada. The scenery changes every minute I am there. I took this shot while I was driving back to California in mid-March. The clouds above and behind the mountain were what initially caught my attention. Only when I was going through the pics did I catch the contrast with the shadows in the foreground as well.