Here We Go. Again. Again.

There used to be a time here on my blog that I used to be gung-ho, in your face, constantly debating, ever-posting about politics. I don't do it much at all now but my opinions haven't changed. I read Samantha The Army Wife's post today though, and I could no longer hold back. My postings were all the way back before the current president became president and when the country seemed to be in meltdown. Now I look back and realize that wasn't meltdown. Not at all. Back then is NOTHING compared to NOW. I could talk until I'm BLUE in the face and we could go round and round in circles addressing THE ISSUES but that wouldn't do a single thing. Wanna know how I know? No, I'm not psychic. I just know because that's what our elected officials, the ones who hold 'the power' have been doing for longer than I care to think about. Well, in between their well deserved, badly needed, ever earned vacation time. Wanna know how much good its done?

ZIP. ZILCH. NADA. ZERO. BUTKISS.

Most everything that politicians think are important and spend all their time 'trying to figure out', makes me sick. I get angry and frustrated and upset but I try to just NOT think about it because its not worth the way it all makes me feel.

We all know of the scares earlier this year when Military pay was going to be frozen leaving most of the military and their families in major binds. Bills were still going to be due but none of us would have had the money. Well, that didn't happen and I think most everyone sighed a sigh of relief thinking it was all over and nothing more needed to be thought or worried about.

Not me.
Not my family.
Not most of the people I know who stay informed and up to date on what Congress does concerning our fates and futures.

I want you guys to watch this video.

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
The Word - The 1%
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor & Satire Blog Video Archive

Its Stephen Colbert and yes he's funny but this has got to be the one and only video of his I have never laughed at.
It made me sick.
It made me want to grab and shake every politician and member of Congress and make them see how utterly preposterous, selfish, ludicrous, absurd, unethical, unfair, and inequitable their REASONING is.

With all of this 'Occupy Wallstreet', 'What you have earned and worked for, I deserve', 'I am the 99%' crap that's been going on and getting WAY too much attention, people's eyes have been turned to view the wealthy and privileged as awful, evil people. How dare they work and earn massive sums of money without giving it to MEEEEE!!! Do you want to know the REALITY? Anyone who feels so entitled to anything they themselves haven't slaved and worked for, regardless of what it is are truly the awful and evil people.

With all of the news coverage and articles about this current ludicrousness, eyes haven't been trained on Congress watching what they've been doing. Nobody has been pointing out the obvious yet easily ignored facts that what's wrong with this country ISN'T big corporations. It ISN'T capitalism. It ISN'T the people in suits who make their money from stocks and bonds and trading. Most people hear budget cuts and the different proposals that can never be agreed upon and their eyes glaze over so they don't want to look close enough to see that the REAL problem with this country is us. Its the people we've elected to run the country. What's wrong with our country is the flippancy that is directed towards the Armed Forces past, present, and future.

To think that the benefits of our Veteran's are the first things that come to the minds of our 'SUPER CONGRESS' when thinking of what needs to be cut...

That, THAT right there is what's wrong with this country.

Now let's look at the REAL 1% shall we?

If only the blindness of America and ignorance of Washington could be fixed by the simple snap of the fingers.

Because of Veterans: The Thing That Means The Most

Here I am, another military spouse, writing another post about Veteran's Day on my little old blog. There are a million things I could say, a couple dozen videos I could post, and quotes coming out the wazoo that I could share with you. Instead, I'll keep it fairly simple.

This Veteran's Day, I am even more grateful than usual that my very own veteran husband is home safe and sound on American soil.

No one can really, truly understand the sacrifices of veterans, except for them. I try my best as a wife to do what I can do, and that is show my gratitude. Honestly, that is the best thing in the world ANYONE can do.

No matter what your political affiliations and regardless of what your views on this decade long war are, the truth remains the same. You are here in America, able to align with the political party of your choice, maintain your points of view on issues, and support whatever and whomever you'd like, BECAUSE of veterans. You are able to sit at home, drive your car, read what you'd like, and watch what you'd like, BECAUSE of veterans. You are able to pierce and tattoo your body, cut and color your hair, and wear whatever clothes you choose, BECAUSE of veterans. You are able to protest on behalf of whichever cause you'd like and yell, kick, and scream to get people's attention for whatever reason, BECAUSE of veterans.

Veterans serve this country faithfully, unfailingly, and without complaint. They CHOOSE to serve because they know it has to be done and they step up. Veterans make everything we have, everything we do, and everything about this country POSSIBLE.

Its Veteran's Day so for this one day, why don't we do what we can do, and give them the thing that means most?

Our gratitude and thanks. 

Regardless of their age, when they served, or how long they served, they sacrificed for you, me, and millions of others they don't know. Many of these selfless individuals paid for our freedom with their lives. 

So say thank you. And trust me when k say that it means more than we can imagine.

"We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude." ---Cynthia Ozick

I'm Glad He Said It, But I Need To Say It Too

If you watch the news, read the newspaper, are involved on Facebook, Twitter, or have ever heard of a Mormon, you probably know all about the mudslinging and name calling one Evangelical pastor has been busy doing. Its all about the Mormon Presidential candidates and how Mormon's should not be allowed into office because we are a cult.

Anyway, if you have read my blog for any length of time, you know that I am a Mormon. You'll also know how difficult it is for me to bite my tongue about something like this. When people come out and say things that are so degrading and hurtful, I get angry and upset and all I want to do is grab them and shake them and make them understand the truth. Honestly, the absolute ignorance of people astounds me. It hurts my heart more than anything else.

There is a wonderful rebuttal article written by another Evangelist that put things into words better than I think anyone could as far as the political argument. Here are a few of my favorite excerpts. Please go read it in full. Its a great justice to not only Mormon's but to other people attacked unrighteously.

"A bigot can be an inexcusable ignoramus who does not understand a group, but insists on opining about them. Another kind of bigot insists on applying irrelevant standards to a person. This is not excusable even if the standards are relevant in a different situation...."

"...To add insult to bigotry, the pastor decided to name call by saying Mormonism is a cult. The use of cult to describe the Mormon faith is foolish and offensive in a political context.

The word cult has many meanings, including a technical religious one. The Mormon Church is not “standard” historic Christianity as Mormons point out in their witness. They think they have something new and valuable to say religiously.

Most of the public does not think doctrine, but danger when they hear the term cult. He imagines scary folk living in compounds drinking Kool-aid, not Harry Reid or Mitt Romney.

In that popular sense, Mormonism is not a cult and should scare no American. Mormons have been faithful citizens, dying in our wars for republican values. Does Rick Perry’s pastor friend acknowledge this truth? Can a Mormon die for the Republic in battle, but still not serve as commander in the White House...?

For mainstream evangelicals such bigoted attacks on Romney are an embarrassment. They often seem to rely on fear of difference, a sense that other groups are “weird.” Everybody seems weird to somebody some time, but loving people get past such feelings. If the Mormon who dies for my freedom doesn’t seem weird, neither should the Mormon politician....

Evangelical Christianity does not place all power in the state and so rejects messianic leaders. We want a president, not a prophet in office. A Mormon cannot be my priest, but he can be my political leader.

Worse is the impact of bigotry on my Mormon neighbor. It is a betrayal of the love Jesus commanded us to show. If I can love my enemy, surely I can easily love the Mormon next door. I hate the pain caused my Mormon neighbor by ignorance and bigotry.

My Mormon friends do not complain or become defensive. Like the Christ, my experience has been resignation and love when my Mormon friends see slander.

Mormons saw their first prophet murdered by an American mob, but still they loyally serve a Republic whose laws have often failed them. They created a paradise in a wilderness and great literature and a first-rate university against all odds..."

In the interview that Anderson Cooper did with this pastor where he says these things about Mormons, he kept saying, "They are not Christians. They don't believe Jesus is the way to salvation." Even when Anderson read directly from our Church's website, he kept spouting of his hate filled rhetoric which was totally false.

Did you know that in the history of the United States, the Mormon religion has been the ONLY religion that has had an extermination order put out on it? Yeah, extermination (and even though not many were killed after hostilities were resolved after our church members  moved West, it wasn't officially repealed until 1976). We are the one and only religion where it has been 100% legal to kill us for the sole purpose of being a Mormon. No other reason. No other religion. There could be no retaliation of course because they'd just kill you for that. Countless people got taken out of their homes and got tarred and feathered, houses burned down, put in prison, driven out of state after state after state.... That's why most of us ended up on the West Coast :) Anyway, its just interesting that he kept bringing up the history of our religion in his interview and what values make up a Christian and yet, the name calling and the holier than thou attitude that guy has going on, is one of the most un-Christlike things that's been said and done in a long, long time. 

I can tell you right now, I AM a Christian. I know that the ONLY way for me to get back to my God is through the Atonement of my Savior Jesus Christ. He is who I follow. He is who I turn to. He is who I love. He is who I know.

I'm a wifey, angel baby mommy, Christian, and a Mormon. Now go spread the word that we're not about to go all David Koresh WACO on you guys okay?

September 11th

I know its not the 11th but I wanted to share my most recent guest post on here for those who may have missed it from Saturday on Life As a Cajun Bombshell's blog. Here it is in its entirety.

I was super excited when Cajun Bombshell asked me to be a guest blogger and even more grateful when she kind of directed me towards my topic. The hardest thing about writing for someone else, at least for me, is picking the perfect topic and being able to write in such a way that is not only relatable but in a way that hopefully, touches at least one person. That being said,  I’d like to thank the cutest pregnant blogger ever for giving me the opportunity to write for her.

Today is September 11^th. I think for anyone in America and probably far into the reaches of the world, seeing and hearing this date brings back very vivid memories. Memories of where we all were when we heard the news. Along with those triggers, seeing photos brings tears to countless eyes and a cold chill to our bodies.

It will forever be the day that terrorists struck the heart of America and dared to challenge the greatest nation in the world.  

It is the day that started it all. 

You know the “all” I’m talking about. The “all” that is the reason many joined the military and the “all” that causes us to be apart from the men (or women) we love more than life. Without the events of September 11, 2001, would we currently be fighting a war? Would we be saying, “See you later” way too many times to our loved ones? I can’t answer these but I do know, that 9 years ago, I never expected to be doing what I am doing today.

I was 13 years old when it happened. I was up early as usual getting ready for school when I heard my mom holler down to me to come watch something on the news. It was when it had literally just happened and there was still so much confusion. It was before they knew that it in fact was not an accident. By the time my brother and I arrived to school, the televisions were on in every classroom and there wasn’t too much loitering going on. It was eerie to see empty hallways and hear hardly any chatter. By the time first period started, the words terrorists and war had begun to be said aloud. It was terrifying. I was on the complete opposite side of the United States from the attacks but I was affected. 

Every single person in this country was affected whether they realized it at the time or not.

I think the one year mark of 9/11 along with probably the second and third I still felt very somber. I always felt a dull ache in my heart for those who had lost loved ones and those who had selflessly given their own lives to try and help others. I listened to all of the patriotic songs and got teary eyed. My patriotism swelled bigger than before but I think it would be safe to say that unless it was the few days leading up to or few days following the anniversary, I didn’t give immense thought to all of it. 

Fast forward to last year. Last year on September 11^th, I felt it. The anger. The pride. The terrifying realization that we (my husband and I) were now an integral part of it “all” hit with the force of an 18-wheeler. Mr. Superman had recently graduated from BMT and was in Texas attending Tech School. Even though he wasn’t officially out in the working military world, I knew that sometime in the relatively near future, I would have to face the idea of seeing my husband load onto a big white bus to go fight a war.

Today is September 11^th. Even though I knew and expected this day would hold meaning for us, I had no idea that it would extend beyond anger at the evil men responsible for starting this war and a fierce pride in my country and every single person serving in our military, including my husband. I am currently on the horizon, brink, and dreaded deadline of saying, “See you later” to the man that I love more than anything in this world. I am just a few days off from having to see him walk away from me and load onto a big white bus to go fight a war.

How am I feeling? Nervous, anxious, sad, and scared are definitely at the top of the list but do you want to know what else is up there? Gratitude, pride, and inspiration. What incredible men and women we have serving this country. They are doing the job that most are not willing to do. They step up, day after day, without being asked because they want to. How awe-inspiring. I am beyond proud to call myself the wife of a United States Airman and have such gratitude that he is a part of my life and grateful that he knows his duty and does it willingly without an ounce of complaint.

 

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Are You HUA?

Note: I know many of you may have already read this last Friday from when it was a guest blogging post for the fabulous Mrs. Sergeant. I wanted to share it here on my blog as well. Enjoy!

Are you HUA? I am. It gets a little ridiculous at times. What is HUA? Don't fret! I, Mrs. S, am here to help you.

HUA actually stands for Hear(d), Understand(stood), Acknowledge(d) and is a backronym to Hooah. Hooah originated as a battle war-cry used by American soldiers. It stands for anything in the affirmative.  It is a saying used by the Air Force while the Army employs Hooah, the Marines use Oorah, and the Navy uses Hooyah. Huzzah is also sometimes used. Despite all differing slightly from each other,  all of these are terms of confirmation, affirmation, agreement, acknowledgment, pride, and enthusiasm.

All of these terms can be traced throughout history and their influence in Hollywood's view of the military. Al Pacino, Samuel L. Jackson, Denzel Washington, The Manchurian Candidate, Black Hawk Down, Lions For Lambs, Jericho Road, Transformers, The Green Zone, America's Army, Crysis, Call of Duty, and many many more actors, movies, television shows, computer games, and video games employ HUA (Hooah, Oorah, Hooyah) to demonstrate and depict the Armed Forces. 

For me, I didn't really know, let alone understand or care about the meanings of such words up until about a year ago. Before Mr. Superman enlisted, I was clueless to all things military. Even after he had signed his life away, I was ignorant. Even after he signed his "official" contract and had left for BMT, I was lost in this wonderful world of camo and acronyms. It wasn't until traveling to and attending his BMT Graduation that I started to get that loving HUA feeling. It was those moments of hearing the cadences during the Airman's Run, seeing him march in formation in his Dress Blues and recite the Airman's Oath that my heart began to swell with this new feeling of incomprehensible joy and pride.

Now don't get me wrong, I have always been patriotic. I have always stood for The National Anthem, placed my hand over my heart, and sang along. I attended an elementary school, junior high school, and high school that based their curriculum on the Founding Father's teachings and standards. My uniform consisted of red, white, and blue polo's, we memorized the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, and had the opportunity to go to the State Senate to debate. In light of my patriotic upbringing and education, none of these things even compare to what I consider to be my HUA pride.

When I see a rolling wave of ABU's, my heart flutters. I am HUA. When I can recognize my Airman strutting amongst countless other Airmen, all decked in camo, my heart nearly leaps out of my chest. I am HUA. When I see my Airman jump to attention and salute, it gives me butterflies. I am HUA. When I am doing laundry, and it comes to the part where I'm hanging up his uniform, I often find myself running my fingers over his name stitched across the chest and the stripes stitched on his sleeves. I am HUA. When I see his boots on the floor, I don't move them. I like seeing them there in plain site. I am HUA. I cry at nearly every photo I see of our troops and my heart gets unbelievably heavy when I hear of another fallen soldier. Another man or woman paying the ultimate price and making the ultimate sacrifice leaving behind yet another family to pick of the pieces of their shattered world. I am HUA. I cry at any slightly patriotic song and get giddy over fabulous American style photos and decor. I am HUA.

I feel inexplicably connected to every single person associated with the military. I have made incredible friends through the internet (and a few in real life) because of the fact that I am an Air Force wife.  Its barely been a year since my life changed and I, along with (and essentially because of) my Airman became a part of something bigger. Its only been a year but it feels like its been a part of me forever. The patriotic pride I had before finding myself as part of the military family seems absolutely miniscule compared to the appreciation and enthusiasm I have now. The only way I can explain it is I am HUA.

So let me ask you again. Are you HUA?

 

Wordless Wednesday: Patriotic Edition

I've got major pride for my country, the military, and everything red, white, and blue! This Wordless Wednesday is a lead in to my guest post for the ever fabulous

 I believe it will be posted on Friday! EEEk how exciting right?!

Happy Hump Day Ya'll!