Father and Son meet in an unusual place

This is such a touching article from CentCom. Why? One is in one place that is not near the other on a very important day.

Pfc. Jason Steffen, a mechanic with the 725th Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, stationed at Forward Operating Base Kalsu had a special guest at his re-enlistment ceremony June 27 – his father.

Mr. Robert Steffen, Jason’s father, is a mechanic working in the International Zone in Baghdad and was able to get a few days off work to attend his son’s ceremony. [Continue reading.]

I wish everyone could experience something so special. Congratulations Jason, and God bless the both of you so you may stop worrying.

Wyoming Sen. Craig Thomas: RIP

We learned today that Sen. Craig Thomas has died from leukemia at the age of tender age of 74. I send my prayers to his family, friends and constituents. He is in the only place better than America now, he is no longer in pain. May he rest in peace.

I will not bring up politics at this time, for it is inappropriate. That is why I did not disclose to which party he belonged. Does it matter anymore? Only to those who want fill his seat, but can they really? Isn't that tacky? God forgive you.

May everyone deal with this in their own way, but I shall pray for you all.

We're not a land of 'immigrants', we're AMERICANS

I am getting so tired of being referred to as an immigrant. I am 1/2 Mohawk and 1/2 Armenian. I know absolutely NO Armenian. For that matter, I know absolutely no Mohigan either. I am still proud to be what I am. It is nice to know where I came from, but to that extent is all I am? NO!

I am a true-blue blooded American. When the census comes around and they ask me for my race, I put down 'other' and write in, "American."

We are tearing ourselves apart with this multiculturism. How can be 'united' when we do not share the same history, the same language, the same memories, the same heroes, the same holidays, the same philosophies, the same attitudes toward Capitalism and the same goals?

Of course they are each individual. Of course they can be viewed in different hues. But how can they viewed at all when we do not communicate WITH each other instead of AT each other? We are talking past one another, and we cannot solve anything this way.

If you want to discuss illegal aliens, why don't you try looking at it through the lenses of an American? Oh, you are American? Okay, then why do you want to live in a country without Sovereignty?

Do you realize this is only another way to enslave people with government approval? You don't think so? Then you, my friend, have no idea what is really happening in the illegal alien trade. These people are brought here by businesses who pay them maybe a dollar per day or per hour if they're lucky. Some only get paid by what they produce.

This is not to mention the women whom are brought here as sex slaves. They will kill you if you try to escape. What do I mean, 'women.' I meant, 'girls.' If you ever have your daughter stolen, she may just be someone's sex slave who makes lots of money for him. So don't worry about, right?

What are their safety procedures? Forget it. There are none. Can they leave if they like? You are really pulling my string, right? They do not have anything that resembles human rights, with the blessing of our government as it stands.

So what should we do? ENFORCE THE LAWS. We already have laws against slavery. We already have laws against hiring illegal aliens. We already have laws about being in this country illegally. What in God's name is so hard about that?

Prayers for Elizabeth Edwards

It is times like this when we are Americans, not political animals. Mrs. Edwards, wife of presidential candidate John Edwards, has been diagnosed with cancer in one of her right ribs. This was discovered through a series of exams for pain she was having in her left ribcage. There was a small something that just didn't seem right on the other side though. They were correct. The breast cancer she had dealt with in 2004 had not only come back, it spread into her bone.

Here is where I have am having diametrically opposed feelings. At their press conference, John declared that he was going to continue in the race. I felt two things.

1. I was proud that they were not going to let this define them. Also, that they had decided together, I'll bet it was her, that he should not give up the fight. Symbolically, neither would she.
2. I was angry at him for not considering being with his wife during her hour of need.

Tacky? Yes. Very. I have no idea what she wants, nor do I dare intrude. This was me remembering all the times I have had to endure many hospital episodes alone. Emotional. Me? Yup.

It may appear that John is being selfish, but allow me to pose this question to you. Do we know that it was not her wish to see his dreams fulfilled before she dies? Do we know if she does not want to defined by cancer? Do we know that she did not push him into continuing?

Do not judge them. We do not know, and we have no right to know. I know the press has made it appear as if we do, but we do not. Show me where it says so in the Constitution.

Dear Elizabeth Edwards,

I pray for your family and you. I pray that you can find peace in your daily walk, and I pray that you live a very long life. I pray they come up with a cure. I also pray for your happiness. I pray for your young children, that they may know you a long time. Never give up. Never look back. Live everyday to its fullesst. May God bless you, have mercy on you and shower you in His Grace. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Sources: Elizabeth Edwards' metastasized breast cancer should be treatable. LA Times. If that link does work, try this one.

Elizabeth Edwards and Her Cancer: A Controllable Disease. US News & World Report. If that link no longer works, try this one.