Daniel Greene
Andy Smithers
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I changed our blog theme to one that shows who posted what. How do you like it?
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Daniel Greene
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Daniel Greene
Thought for the day: the seder should be a symposium
You know how the haggadah says “Drink the first [second, third, and fourth] cup of wine”? Do you gulp it down or take a sip? Every seder I’ve been to, people take a sip and move on. Wait a minute. Let’s read between the lines. Let’s read “and talk” when it says “drink the Nth cup of wine.” The Greek word symposium literally means “drink together.” And the idea of “drink together” is “talk together.” So, instead of taking a sip, why not talk for as long as it takes everyone to comfortably finish a glass of wine? Talk about the meaning of Passover. Talk about Passovers past and Passovers future. How have you been helped up with a mighty arm and outstretched hand? Don’t just eat, pray, sip. Eat, pray, drink! And talk, and drink, and talk.
Just don’t drink and drive.
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Andy Smithers
FibroMyalgia Sucks/ Poll/ HELP / Suggestions
I have set here and come to the conclusion that FM seams to have a control over my life. What shall I do about it. So say I get back to work and bite the bullet. Some say time to realize that the changes may force me to a disability route, Some say it should be both, Some limited work and disability too. The thing that gets me the most id the “foggy” malaise that seems to permeate my brain and continually seems to block sleep, I fear this “fog ” the worst I get lost in the fog. I set here tonight in bad pain from a hike that would be good for mr in all ways.Limits that keep changing, Limits that are not achievable. Limits that vary so erratically?
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Andy Smithers
Shooting in Tucson
This is so sad that our rights to carry guns have made our representatives and citizens targets for senseless and insane acts.
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Andy Smithers
Hasta la chacha 2010
Happy New year from the chilly Smithersgreene. Actually it’s supposed to go down to 22° here. Reminds on NYE in TN when it would be that cold or colder. We have spent the day at home enjoying a quiet day. A bottle of wine and some warm flannels is all we could want or need. I hope and pray for a better 2011. My husband has advised me to prepare my lips for the appropriate action. Only nine more minutes of 2010!
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Andy Smithers
Christmas Spirit
Tonight Jonni and Daniel practiced several carols and put together a video that I’m sure will be one that they can always treasure. It is so fulfilling for him to be creative. What a blessing for his Mom to be here now.
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Andy Smithers
I’m Going IN!
Real good smoothie. Zoey dives in for extra goodness!
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Daniel Greene
Despite what our Republican Arizona state senator John McCain says, today’s a very happy day. Any policy that discriminates against, persecutes, and dishonors people for no good reason is a bad thing, and its repeal is a good thing— good not only for gays & lesbians in the military but also for their fellow soldiers. Heck, I think it’s good for our country and the world, because it fosters an atmosphere of maturity and civility and sends the right message to the world that America is indeed the land of the free and the home of the brave.
Incidentally, I took this photo last night at AZ88, a restaurant bar in the Scottsdale Civic Center, after watching Handel’s Messiah at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts. I had no idea how timely it would be the very next day!
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Daniel Greene
Our Chihuahua Zoey does her ground-scratching ballet
The funniest thing about how our little dog scratches the ground is how she holds her hind legs back in a stretched pose. The other funny thing about her is she will scratch the ground to mark it with the scent glands in her paws even if she hasn’t peed or pooped. I’ve never seen a dog scratch for nothing before and hold the hind legs back in a stretch like that. She’s like a ballerina holding an arabesque.
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Andy Smithers
Bullshit from Senator McCain
Dear Mr. Smithers,
Thank you for contacting me regarding the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. I appreciate hearing your views on this controversial issue.
Recently, the Senate Armed Services Committee received testimony from Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and the Service Secretaries on the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, echoing the desire of President Obama to have it repealed by Congress. The committee also heard the personal views of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, several of the combatant commanders, and most recently, the Service Chiefs, who have responsibility for the organization, training, and overall readiness of their forces and for providing their best military advice to the President on matters that might affect their ability to ensure sufficiently trained and ready forces.
Each of the military’s Service Chiefs has expressed his support for the comprehensive, ten-month policy review of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” that Secretary Gates has directed. However, each has indicated that he is not prepared to support a repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy at this time. Based on their expert testimony, I am urging Congress to await the completion of the Pentagon’s policy review in order to give the Service Chiefs the information they have asked for before any attempt is made to change law. I will strongly oppose any attempt to change the current law based on an incomplete and inadequate review of this policy, and I hope that my fellow Senators will also take this approach in the interest of national security.
With respect to the review itself, I have expressed my concerns about its focus and scope. Unfortunately, in his testimony earlier this year to the Senate Armed Services Committee, Secretary Gates described the mandate as “a review of the issues associated with properly implementing a repeal of the ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy.” The guiding question, as Secretary Gates put it, should be “not whether the military prepares to make this change, but how we best prepare for it.” This is consistent with President Obama’s goals, but it seems to get things backwards: The current Pentagon review should be an objective study of the relevant military issues, not an implementation plan.
The issue that Congress must decide, and the issue the Service Chiefs should be asked to give their best military advice about, is whether the “Don’t Ask Don’t’ Tell” policy should be repealed. We should ask that question to our service personnel and their families at all levels and genuinely consider their views in our debate. Clearly, there are many policy and logistical challenges that would have to be overcome if the law is repealed, but that should not be the primary focus of the ongoing policy review. I will continue to insist that we use the coming months to study not only how to implement a change to the current policy, but also whether and why the men and women of the Armed Forces – the generals, the officers, the NCOs, and the privates – support or oppose such a change. I would then expect the views of the Service Chiefs to incorporate this critically important information.
I am proud of, and thankful for, every American who chooses to put on the uniform of our nation and serve their country, particularly in this time of war.The “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy is not perfect, but it reflects a compromise achieved with great difficulty that has effectively supported military readiness. However imperfect, the policy has allowed many gay and lesbian Americans to serve their country. I honor their service, I honor their sacrifices, and I honor them. But we should not change the current policy until we are confident – from a military standpoint, with the informed advice of the Service Chiefs – that such a change is consistent with military effectiveness.
Again, thank you again for writing me on this issue. Feel free to contact me in the future on this or any other matter.
Sincerely,
John McCain
United States Senator
Andy is discussing. 
Andy 2:16 pm on April 23, 2011 Permalink |
I like now I will need to post a update.