A Dangerous Trend
I try very hard to stay away from politics. I actually hate politics. HATE THEM! I digress...
In a discussion with my dad last weekend the topic of gun control came up. Apparently there are people in Government who, if they had their way, would seek to ban all non-hunting firearms, which could possibly then lead to a complete ban on all firearms. These people want this despite our constitutional right as Americans to "bear arms".
If I break this down, this would mean that Hilary Clinton or Nancy Pelosi or someone else could come to my home and take my personal firearms, leaving me unable to protect my family or defend my home against the "bad guys". The "bad guys" are going to have guns. They are going to continue doing bad. They just are. Why do these people in government want to leave me defenseless?
I was reading the news today and came across a quote from John Edwards. I noticed something familiar in his quote. He was talking about the middle-east:
"There are other emerging fissures, as well. The aggressively photogenic John Edwards was cruising along, detailing his litany of liberal causes last week until, during question time, he invoked the "I" word — Israel. Perhaps the greatest short-term threat to world peace, Edwards remarked, was the possibility that Israel would bomb Iran's nuclear facilities. As a chill descended on the gathering, the Edwards event was brought to a polite close."
Israel has done nothing but defend themselves. When they have attacked another nation it has been in self-defense. How could Mr. Edwards label Israel like this? "...the greatest short-term threat to world peace." Insanity. Just plain crazy. What about the nations that continually attack Israel? Why aren't they threats?
Why aren't these leaders threatened by the "bad guys" in our nation? Why aren't they threatened by nations who continue send suicide in vehicles, set road-side bombs and cause havoc? It seems that some of our leaders would have us and our allies be walked all over and taken advantage of.
I think what they fail to understand is that guns and weapons do not cause conflict. People cause conflict. Crazy people. A gun has never taken a life on its own. Never. Ever. It's impossible. Guns don't have fingers...they can't load themselves...can't aim themselves...can't pull their own triggers... Again, people cause conflict and problems and harm, not weapons.
A person should never be punished for defending their property or family. The way I see it, taking away my ability to defend myself is enabling someone else, who doesn't follow the law, to take advantage of me. If and/or when that happens the government official who took my guns away will ultimately be responsible for the harm done to me.
This disturbing trend does not make sense to me. These are truly dangerous times already and when you add to the mix the people who are supposed to represent us in Washington, DC attacking our rights, the future looks very bleak indeed.

Like, What is the Deal With, Like, Saying "Like"?
Have you noticed how many times people use the word "like" in conversations? Most of us say this from time to time but what once was reserved for "valley girls" is now commonly used, or more like over used, by people every where.
The over use of the word "like" is mainly because people don't know how to verbally communicate very well. People, especially young people, communicate so much through text messages, IMing, email, etc., spoken conversation has become a form of art. People "talk" online and a single word is never spoken. So, when we have to speak, we, like, don't know, like, what to, like, say.
"Like" is used as a filler word or as a transition word. Sometimes "like" is used back to back. What does that even mean? "Like, like".
One of my favorites is when someone uses "like" before a feeling or emotion. "I was so, like, mad at her." My thought on that statement...were you mad or were you something similar to mad? I don't get it.
In some conversations, "like" is about 25-30% of the words used. Unbelievable.
There are appropriate times to use "like". An example, "I like you." Not, "I like, like you."
Try to notice the over use of "like". Try to stop over using it and misusing it. This word is over worked and deserves a vacation. Let's all take up the cause of "like"! Let's take this message to the world! If we join together we can make a difference!