Bill’s Blog

Not that I’m a conspiracy theorist, because I’m not, but there are too many unanswered questions about the attacks of 9/11 that have led to the problems Americans are facing today — destruction of Constitutional Rights, Privacy and Freedom — bourne by a delusional presidential administration hell-bent on starting a war for personal and political profit and gains.

Allowing the government to investigate itself has proven to be the usual cluster you-know-what resulting in bushels of lies, misinformation and horse crap being fed to the public while a terroristic presidential administration continues to operate in secret with no oversight and corrupt incompetent leadership.

As with a lot of the other lies told to the public – while at the same time using political fear tactics to scare them and keep them obedient – by this administration, the “official” story of 9/11 has started to come unraveled.

Given the track record of this administration, it appears reasonable that outside investigations would be warranted. Especially since the federal courts keep making sure a lot of important information remains covered up.

(more…)

Below is a small collection of links and resources for Military personnel and their families and friends. If there is something you’d like to see added or would like more information, you can contact me here.

Online resources for the Military:

• USA.gov - the best place to start for federal government information
• Donate unused travel miles to Operation Hero Miles - a unique way to help the troops
• Operation Dear Abby.net - write to members in any branch of the military - An official U.S. Navy web site
• The Wounded Warrior Project - (from the site) The Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) was founded on the principle that veterans are our nation’s greatest citizens. The WWP seeks to assist those men and women of our armed forces who have been severely injured during the conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other locations around the world
• Let’s say thanks - In support of our soldiers - from Xerox - send a free printed post card to a soldier
• The United States Army homepage
• The United States Navy homepage
• HQMC - United States Marine Corps Headquarters homepage
• United States Air Force homepage
• United States Coast Guard homepage
• United States Army National Guard homepage
• The Air National Guard homepage
• Welcome to Airborne-Ranger.com
• Armed Forces Bank - your hometown bank around the world
• Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) - information for the defense community
• American Forces Information Service (AFIS) editor’s corner
• Defense Intelligence Agency - committed to excellence in defense of the nation
• Selective Service System homepage
• Stars & Stripes - a daily newspaper published for the U.S. military, DoD civilians, contractors, and their families
• Anysoldier.com - (from the site) Any Soldier Inc. started in August 2003 as a simple family effort to help the soldiers in one Army unit, thus our name. However, due to overwhelming requests, on 1 January 2004 the Any Soldier(r) effort was expanded to include any member, of any of the Armed Forces in harms way
• Soldiers’ Angels - may no soldier go unloved
• Operation-helmet.org - provides helmet upgrade kits free of charge to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as those ordered to deploy in the near future
• Operationcomfort.com - (from the site) Operation Comfort is a non-profit organization that has been providing free psychotherapy to military families and returning soldiers since March 2003. Our growing nationwide network consists of over 450 licensed therapists, donating their services to returning soldiers and their loved ones at home
• Homes for our troops: get involved to help support our wounded veterans
• Intrepid fallen heroes fund - paying tribute to and supporting those who have sacrificed for our nation
• Operationuplink.org - Operation Uplink is a unique program that keeps military personnel and hospitalized veterans in touch with their families and loved ones by providing them with a free phone card from the Veterans of Foreign Wars
• OperationHomeFront.net - supporting our troops by helping the families they leave behind
• Air Force Aid Society - (from the site) The Society has promoted the Air Force mission by providing worldwide emergency assistance, sponsoring education assistance programs, and offering a variety of base community enhancement programs that improve quality of life for Airmen and their families
• Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society - (from the site) The mission of the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society is to provide, in partnership with the Navy and Marine Corps, financial, educational, and other assistance to members of the Naval Services of the United States, eligible family members, and survivors when in need; and to receive and manage funds to administer these programs
• Coast Guard Foundation - (from the site) The Coast Guard Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit organization that provides annual funding to support the men and women of the U.S. Coast Guard and its Academy
• The Armed Forces Retirement Home - the premier retirement community for America’s veterans
• NMFA - National Military Family Association - (from the site) The National Military Family Association (NMFA) was organized in 1969 as the National Military Wives Association by a group of wives and widows seeking financial security for survivors of uniformed service personnel and retirees. From their efforts, the Survivor Benefit Plan came into being
• TAPS - Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors - (from the site) provides a wonderful support network for the surviving families of those who have died in service to America
• Military Connections - free people search, military locator, military reunions, GI bill benefits, military news, veterans benefits and more
• Center for Women Veterans from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
• Women in Military Service for America Memorial
• Women Veterans of America - a voice for women who have and are serving in the Armed Forces
• National Personnel Records Center, St. Louis - (from the site) The National Personnel Records Center, Military Personnel Records (NPRC-MPR) is the repository of millions of military personnel, health, and medical records of discharged and deceased veterans of all services during the 20th century
• Operation Shoebox - supporting our troops by sending care packages to U.S. troops over seas
• Rolling Thunder National Organization Headquarters - (from the site) The major function of Rolling Thunder, Inc. is to publicize POW-MIA issues: To educate the public that many American prisoners of war were left behind after all previous wars and to help correct the past and to protect future veterans from being left behind should they become prisoners of war-missing in action. We are also committed to helping American veterans from all wars
• NetPets.org’s Military Pets Foster Project - (from the site) A NationWide & Global network of Individual Foster Homes that will house, nurture and care for the dogs, cats, birds, horses and all other pets for all the Military personnel Only
• Yellow Ribbon America - (from the site) Americans united in giving direct help and support to our nations military and their families
• Operation deployment inspiration from surprisedbyprayer.com - (from the site) To provide short prayers, devotions and scripture passages suitable for our military men and women in combat zones to use as prayers of protection, strength, courage, guidance and wisdom when going out on daily missions
• A look at Post Traumatic Stress Disorder post with information and resources for PTSD

Back to Bill’s Blog | Bill’s Links and More

From the sad but true department. I couldn’t have said it better myself.  =)

The passing of our dear friend: “COMMON SENSE”
 
Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.

He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:

• Knowing when to come in out of the rain;
• Why the early bird gets the worm;
• Life isn’t always fair;
• and maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don’t spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).

(more…)

Senior Citizens are one of the fastest growing groups of new internet users. Below is a small list of links I’ve thrown together to help Senior Citizens learn about some of the resources available to them. If you would like to see something added to this list, or more information about something, feel free to contact me here.

Online resources for senior citizens:

• Senior Citizens’ Resources from USA.gov
• Complete Seniors - information for the over-50’s
• CrimeVictims.gov - (from the site) Every day, people from every walk of life become the victims of crime. And every day, the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) is there to help them rebuild their lives
• SeniorDiscounts.com - over 125,000 discounts for people over 50
• What Happens Now - share, learn, live through and prepare for life’s changes and challenges
• SeniorWomen.com - a connectivity and community site for Senior Women
• Home Well Senior Care - hourly live in caregivers
• Benefits, advocacy and information on aging for people age 50 and over from AARP
• Thirdage.com - midlife health, relationships, career advice and more
• SeniorNet - bringing wisdom to the information age
• Suddenly Senior - taking Medicare plans by the horns - a place for everyone who’s become senior before their time
• Benefits Check Up - a service of the National Council on Aging (NCOA) - for people 55 or over - helps thousands of people every day to connect to private or government programs that help them pay for prescription drugs, health care, utilities and other needs
• Medicare.gov - The Official U.S. Government site for people with Medicare
• Medicare Rights Center - Your Guide Through the Medicare Maze
• Wired Seniors - gives Seniors “a web of your own” and serves as the main hub of many Seniors related web sites
• SeniorsSearch.com - the only search directory exclusively for the over 50 age group
• USA Next - building a legacy of freedom for America’s families - a national project of United Seniors Association, Inc.
• SeniorResource.com - a comprehensive source of information and services for seniors and their caregivers
• Government resources for senior citizens
• Independent Life Resources - unlimited resources and support for persons with disabilities, senior citizens and those who care
• Senior2Senior.org - Senior Citizens’ resources
• SeniorJournal.com - Senior Citizens news and information daily on the web
• Becoming aware of elder abuse - a post I made in this blog in December 2006 with links and information about elder abuse
• National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) - a gateway to resources on elder abuse, neglect and exploitation
• SeniorLaw home page - a site where senior citizens, their families, attorneys, social workers, and financial planners can access information about elder law, Medicare, Medicaid, guardianship, estate planning, trusts and the rights of the elderly and disabled
• SeniorMag.com - Senior home care, home healthcare, assisted living, caregiver support services
• SeniorJobBank - jobs for the over 50 talent pool (plus numerous other links and resources too)
• Directory of resources for Senior Citizens from MyNewOffice.com

Back to Bill’s Blog | Bill’s Links and More

The Translator:
Reflections on Iran, America and the Looming Crisis in the Middle East

The Jim Bryan story as told to Michael McCarthy

Personal note: I don’t normally recommend too many books, but I’ve had the pleasure of working for Jim’s wife for almost 4 years now. Jim is a very interesting man who has led a fascinating life.

Who:

Born in Iran in 1925, Jim Bryan (Motarjemi) immigrated to the U.S. in 1954. Jim is a former Iranian boxing champion, Bay Area radio and TV broadcaster, Persian Community organizer, and business man.

His friendships have included many famous acting, media sports and political figures such as the Shah of Iran, Lowell Thomas Junior, Wilt Chamberlain, former California Governor George Dukmejian, actors Lloyd Bridges, Jane Russell and Robert Culp, and many more fascinating people.

From the Preface:

“Newspaper headlines shout out the warnings: Iran may be developing weapons of mass destruction! Iran joins Iraq and North Korea as countries the American government has identified as the Axis of Evil! Iran is a threat to the peace and security of the planet! Iranian mullahs shout threats that their country will not be pushed around. Will Iran force the world powers to take action?”

(more…)

Author Unknown

The following is an excerpt from a newsletter I subscribe to from The International Council of Online Professionals. The story has been around for quite awhile, but it still holds true. This link will take you to a webpage where you can sign up for the newsletter. It’s free.

Bobby was getting cold sitting out in his backyard in the snow. Bobby didn’t wear boots; he didn’t like them and anyhow he didn’t own any. The thin sneakers he wore had a few holes in them and they did a poor job of keeping out the cold.

Bobby had been in his backyard for about an hour already. And, try as he might, he could not come up with an idea for his mother’s Christmas gift. He shook his head as he thought, “This is useless, even if I do come up with an idea, I don’t have any money to spend.”

Ever since his father had passed away three years ago, the family of five had struggled. It wasn’t because his mother didn’t care, or try, there just never seemed to be enough. She worked nights at the hospital, but the small wage that she was earning could only be stretched so far. What the family lacked in money and materials things, they made up for in love and family unity.

(more…)

How accurate are election day results? I’m hoping someone can explain to me how my mother (a registered Republican btw) who lives in Texas and has lived there for the past 3 years is still receiving absentee ballots from the state of California. Had she wanted to, she could have voted in both states. It makes me wonder how many other people this has happened to and how often it happens, not to mention why it happens. It also makes me wonder how many people can cast votes twice in 2 different tates and how many dead people and illegal aliens are voting in this country?

Reports are already pouring in about all the difficulties going on with the election. Florida (imagine that), Indiana, Ohio to name a few states, are having problems with electronic voting equipment. Accusations of voter intimidation in Virginia are being investigated by the FBI.

People aren’t perfect and we all make mistakes. But with something as detrimental as a nationwide election, every state should have a system in place to make sure that the person voting is alive, and living in the state they’re voting in. There is already lots of debate about the authenticity of electronic voting machines. That debate will be ongoing for quite a while.

(more…)

If you’re a registered voter, it’s important to vote tomorrow. It’s easy to wonder if your vote really counts but you have to believe it does. If enough people vote, they can make a difference.

Vote yes on this proposition and no on that one, then the complete opposite telling you to vote no on this and yes on that. One medical group supports this one and one doesn’t. Big oil companies supporting a no on a proposition to raise their taxes. God forbid they lose a portion of their 75 billion dollar quarter profit. Poor smokers in this state have been screwed before and undoubtedly will be again.

Granted smoking is bad for you, but making smokers pay all these extra taxes that supposedly go to teaching non-smoking resources seems more like a form of discrimination than anything else. Like one small group of people is going to pay enough with extra taxes to fund medical care across the state, especially as large as California is. It’s going to take a lot more than that, especially with the medical expenses completely overinflated the way they are.

(more…)