I just gotta say...

that I have a solution to the problem...and it isn't this:

"Obama will also request $500 million to hire more border patrol agents and buy more equipment, according to lawmakers and administration officials."

Why hire more? I ask. The solution is to use the security forces we have already (i.e. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, etc)....wait, wait...that's right, most of them are busy fighting wars on the other side of the world that were caused (in part) by lax security at home in the first place...aaahhh, circle of blame how you torment me!

But hey, since we can't do that then let's just run up more debt, print more paper money that has no backing and let everyone think we're on top of the problem so we can get re-elected. Then something (not saying what) will happen that will cause a huge public panic that will allow for us to declare ourselves "rulers for life" in order to restore order and maintain the illusion of security. Yes!! It's a plan! (bring in the coffee, donuts and arugala)

There is so much wrong with the US of A right now that I feel a saving grace is not going to save it. Need proof? Research the rise and fall of every other great "empire" and see how well they fared. You don't have to dig to deep...really, you don't. Just look around. How many of the following empires do you see as a major power these days? Romans, Grecian, Egyptian, Huns, Mayan...heck even the British Empire is a mere has-been. Enjoy the ride of the spiralling suck America, it's sure to be the last bit of fun you have for a long while.

The Final Word?

So I'm doing a little research, again...into dehydrating lean hamburger meat, again....

Aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh! For crying out loud!! What's the final word? Safe, not safe, aliens will abduct me, what!?!

So far, what I've gotten is that it's perfectly safe...but not because of the possibility of spoilage depending on storage...don't do it at all...freeze it after and all is fine.

So I turn to you, dear readers....advice, suggestions, what have you...I welcome your input.

For what it's worth, the reasoning is this...I have no desire to try to make it to the Commissary with two (possibly three...don't ask) screamers in 10 below snowbound weather at any point this coming winter. And being that my kids and myself are serious carnivores...well, we like our chili, spaghetti and all that good stuff to contain meat.

The What Ifs...

we all have them. What if I had done this instead of that...blah, blah, blah.

The what ifs are really bugging me right now. This week we take the oldest screamer to the ENT to get a second opinion/final diagnosis. I don't even know yet if the hearing loss is genetic or birth trauma...but I have a sinking feeling it's the latter. His entrance into this world was wild and quick....once the doctor got there and the nurse stopped pushing him BACK IN....that's right, you read that right. Ten minutes of my body trying to push him out with the nurse pushing him back in. So I'm left to wonder, exactly what the f**k she was thinking...just catch, that's all you had to do...catch.

Anyway, you can see (I hope) why the what ifs are bugging me. What if I had just gone with my initial reaction and kicked the b***h in the face and delivered the boy myself? What if the doc had taken longer to get there? If it isn't birth trauma, what if it's genetic? What if the youngest screamer starts having issues? (I know the answer to the last two...but they run around my brain all the same)

What ifs suck...in more ways than one.

Cut off your nose...

to spite your face...seems the tattered remains of the entity we call the U.S. Government is doing that at a rather quick pace as of late.

Obama saves the unemployed...for a little while, until that money also runs out and no jobs are available...which will continue to be the case according to Bernanke...but that's okay because Frank has a plan to cut Defense spending and the saved money will save us all!! And thank goodness too since debt collectors have found a loophole in the law that can get you some time in a pretty orange jumpsuit! Aren't you excited? I know I am! (Please note the super intense sarcasm here folks.)

Gee, it's a miracle so many of us have managed to survive...why without Big Brother looking over our shoulders and telling us what was best for us, we may never have made it those first few steps out of our parents'/guardians' sights when we struck out on our own! Wowzers Big Brother...you sure have done a bang up job making us into a debt-free, self-sufficient, self-reliant, not nosing in anyone elses' business nation...kudoz to you. (OMG, I think I just threw up a little in my mouth.)

Just a Little Reminder...

to our President, Congress and the rest of the Federal Government.

The Civil War wasn't fought over just slavery. It was also fought over States' Rights, persistently high taxes and tariffs, representation and the voice of the public not being heard (listened to maybe, heard not).

What's that saying? Those that don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Just a thought.

Adding a New Dimension...

to the preps...ladies and gentlemen, I am now the parent of a "special needs" child. Funny how one little visit to the doc and one little test can take you from being the parent of a somewhat normal, happy, healthy kid into a googling the medical terms maniac.

The oldest screamer was diagnosed with bilateral permanent hearing loss (lower decible levels) a couple of days ago. Meaning: Hearing aides for the rest of his life as the condition (whether genetic or caused by birth trauma, at this time unknown) is irreversible by medication and/or surgery. Oldest screamer is 6. We do not yet know what kind of hearing aides (digital or analog) Tricare will pay for, or the full extent of the loss...have to get into the ENT for a consult and go from there.

But this means a whole new level for prepping. Specialized batteries, cleaning and care of stuff, etc. On top of that, I've pulled out the ASL book for a restart in lessons for the whole family this time. Basic signs for youngsters and us adults for now, then onto more intense stuff. Why? Well, because the condition MAY be progressive/degenerative, because I want to be able to talk to my child should the worst happen and finally, because it's the smart thing to do. Silent communication. Why not.