Pacificism is Immoral

About once a week I have a Conservative hissy-fit over the editorials The Leader publishes on their Opinion page. I might add that before the Bush/Kerry election I was having meltdowns on a daily basis. I guess it’s no mystery to anyone who reads The Leader that our “hometown paper” has a very decidedly Liberal bias which is nervy considering they publish to a Red County. If pro-Bush news and editorials were food, we Conservatives would have starved to death during the campaign. Which is a perfect segway into a January 29th editorial The Leader published headlined: “Lessons still not learned from Auschwitz”.

The main point of the editorial, written by someone/Liberal from the editorial staff of the Philadelphia Inquirer, was “lessons the world was supposed to learn from Auschwitz were never learned.” He supports his thesis by listing the genocides that came after the Holocaust when “Never Again” was international foreign policy:

“Pol Pot’s forces seized Phnom Penh in 1974 and oversaw the killing and starvation of 1.5 million Cambodians who did not fit the Khmer Rouge’s warped political vision.”

“In 1994, at least 800,000 Tutsis died in a frenzied, 100-day slaughter by extremist Hutus in Rwanda.”

“A genocide bleeds on at this moment in the Darfur region of Sudan. A 100,000 killed.”

Up to this point in the editorial, I’m in complete agreement—these genocides “are not lesson enough.”

Then our writer takes a hard “Left” turn by stating-- “Not enough has been done to aid innocent Muslims in the United States and elsewhere who have been attacked for the crimes of extremists claiming allegiance to Allah. How sad it is to note that on Jan. 28, 2005 never again seems as far from being realized as it was the day after the horrors of Auschwitz were revealed for all to see.”

Now I’m fuming for three reasons: 1.) His accusation that “Not enough has been done to aid innocent Muslims in the U.S. who’ve been attacked for crimes of extremists” is just plain ludicrous and wrong. He implies that we’re on the verge of committing genocide against American Muslims. But he can’t help himself because he views all Conservatives as racist and he just had to get that bigot shot in his editorial. 2.) And the next editorial foul against Conservatives is the complete omission of a current event that has everything in the world to do with “stopping genocide” and that’s the Iraq War. If you’re writing about shaming the world about not doing enough to prevent genocide, then shame on him for not acknowledging the 1.4 million Iraqis that are missing or the 400,000 found in mass graves put there by the murderous regime of Saddam Hussein. If that’s not genocide then what is? 3.) Let’s admit what stops genocide. It’s not diplomacy it’s not sanctions or police actions….it is war.

That’s why our Liberal editorialist did not mention the Iraq War. Liberals hate war for any reason including genocide. But it was war that stopped the mass murder of Jews. In 1974, American forces pulled out of Viet Nam because Liberals hated that war and said there would not be a slaughter if the U.S. withdrew. History recorded the genocide and wrong headedness of Liberal Viet Nam foreign policy. The current Darfur genocide is currently an example of failed Liberal policy as practiced by the United Nations. Since the inception of the UN, 30 million people have died as a direct result of its anti-war policy. The UN will stick its head in the sand before it’ll admit that the only viable solution to genocide is war.

Then there’s Iraq and we all know what the Liberals think about that. They’d choke on their own spit if they had to admit Saddam Hussein committed genocide. So they don’t admit it, but prefer to deflect world opinion away from genocide to anti-Bush rhetoric on how he lied about WMD and wag their “you’re a bigot” fingers at Conservatives to keep the world from catching on that maybe, just maybe they’re the real bigots. They abhor war so much they inadvertently sanction genocide by refusing to admit that many times war is the only solution. The Left should take a sabbatical on this quote: “Pacificism is immoral”—it’s their lesson and they need to learn it if they really want genocide stopped.

Michael Jackson Trial

Click on the headline and it will take you to "The Smoking Gun" site for everything you need to know about the Case Against Michael Jackson....and a lot you don't want to know.

CAUTION: Graphic Material!!!!!

The Smoking Gun posts details on many "celebrity" and unusual crimes.

Uri Mulford-A Rare Breed

Uri Mulford
Originally uploaded by Sally Ann.

by Joe Hayes (from the Sunday Telegram, Elmira, N.Y. Oct. 6, 1974)

Have always wanted to write a sparkling story about Uri Mulford whom Frank Tripp called "The Little Giant", As editor of the Corning Daily Journal, Uri was a small man with big courage and I'm afraid that no present-day reporter could do him justice. I'm sure I can't. He came from another school of newsmen--his own.

He would never allow his reporters to use unnecessary words because they were expensive to print, and the Journal type was mostly hand-set, letter by letter. It was said that Mr. Mulford always kept one line in type, a line that he could add to any item about a party, picnic or dance--"A good time was had by all."

Jimmy Barret, a rival newsman who ran the Corning Tower Column, wrote, "Uri is so short that he has to sit on a big Bible in order to see the top of his desk." Uri answered, "I never put my rump on a Bible. I put it on a stack of Corning Evening Leaders, which proves they are good for something after all."

More than a hundred men from the rural sections had to be called as prospective jurors for a complicated murder trial in Corning. Uri commented in print, "We can expect a poor harvest this year; so many farmers are wasting their time at the Court House."

Evangelist Henry Stough boasted that he had "saved" Elmira. Uri, a part-time clergyman, said, "I was in Elmira last Sunday and the only things running were four trolley cars, three ice cream parlors and about 50 saloons." Mulford was not impressed when Stough told him that his snowy beard and long white hair made him look like an Apostle. Said Uri, "But I wear pants and shoes."

I never really knew the little man until he became a local representative of the Elmira papers. Then, I frequently visited his cubicle on Pine Street. He told me many things and made his dislike of high-brows and hypocrites very clear. He wished that The Advertiser would adopt the old Corning Journal slogan, "We Stand By Our Friends and Our Friends are Those Who Stand by Us."

Although he never drank anything alcoholic, he had many opportunities. When the natural gas boom was booming in this area, John Arthurs, a well driller from Mount Pleasant, Michigan, invited Uri to a party at this temporary home on E. First St. John began by serving "rickeys", the best that prohibition permitted. When Uri refused to touch the gin drink, John whispered, "I was unable to buy any whiskey today, but I'll get some for you if you tell me where." Uri left the party.

He attended a wedding reception and the mother of the bride gave him a pint of home-made brandy. He broke the bottle on the railing of the back porch. The good woman demanded 25 cents. Uri asked, "Is that all the brandy was worth?" His hostess answered, "That's what the bottle was worth, they're hard to get these days."

Mr. Mulford wrote, printed and bound a 528-page book, "Corning and Vicinity," which is sort of an informal history of our community, now valued at upwards of $25 a copy. A Northside merchant hollered blue murder because he was not mentioned in the book. Uri yielded, "I might have said that you take care of orphans and widows, especially widows."

He was largely instrumental in the construction of at least a dozen rural telephone lines and was extremely proud of one which he said would serve 100 families. Frank Webster called attention to the fact that his new directory listed on 20 phones. "Right," agreed Mr. Mulford. "That's one phone for every five families and that's enough."

If I could remember all of the anecdotes related to me by Uri Mulford, I might have written that sparkling story about him, but I can't. Although he has been dead these many years, he remains my top candidate for Corning's Hall of Fame.

It was part of God's plan

That I'd know such a man,

One who said what he thought,

and who couldn't be bought.

Though at times I could hate

him and often berate him,

I know, now, that he was as right as could be.

A note from Kitty Pierce, Lindley Town Historian: You asked if I had any thing that might be of interest (to post on the blog). I have been reading Uri Mulford's book-"Corning and Vicinity" with the idea of finding some tid-bits of Lindley history.In going through the book which came from Dick's father Harold, I found this article which he (Harold) had apparently put in the book before he died. As you know Uri was a direct descendant of Dr. Ezekiel Mulford and Col. Lindsley. The article gave me a little insight into Uri.

Interestingly enough, Mr. Hayes who wrote the article probably unknowingly influenced my interest in history. He and the Star Gazette awarded me a cash prize for an essay that I wrote as a senior for my American History class. Our class had taken a tour of the County Buildings in Bath . As a follow up assignment, we wrote our impressions. My essay was chosen for the award from the newspaper. I can still remember a State Trooper and Mr. Hayes delivering the check to our house. !!!! During his years as a reporter at the Star Gazette, Mr. Hayes wrote numerous articles about people and places in this area. Needless to say, I always read them whenever possible.

Thanks Kitty....great tid-bit from Lindley's past. Sallyann

Presho Church Smorgasbord-February 19, 2005

The Presho United Methodist Church is sponsoring a Smorgasbord on February 19, 2005 from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Includes a large variety of salads, meats, hot foods and desserts.

All you can eat and drink.

Bring the whole family.

Donation requested:
$7.50 Adults
$3.50 Children under 12
Free Preschoolers

Bill of Rights - Article II

Bill of Rights - Article II
Originally uploaded by Sally Ann.

My only Red-Stater comment of the day.

My husband, a sign painter, created this "Old Sign" from a pile of old boards, inspiration, imagination and a few brush strokes. Fortunatley, the sign is not going to travel too far away from its creator this time, so we'll get to see it every now and again.

This Cracked Me UP

Everyone should start their day with a song like this.

Click on the headline to hear it.......

A thumbs up to Tony for sending it.

Wild Cats Coming Back

Wild Cats Coming Back
Originally uploaded by Sally Ann.

Mountain Lion

Mountain Lion
Originally uploaded by Sally Ann.

Cougar

Cougar
Originally uploaded by Sally Ann.

Tony Vickio, a friend of ours, sent me these photos with this comment: "Apparently this dangerous animal is in Bradford County, Pennsylvania. A rural resident on Wells Mt. near Wyalusing, took these photos from inside her house early this morning (March 2004). Now will the Pennsylvania Game Commission finally admit that the Pennsylvania Mountain Lion, or otherwise known as a cougar, is no longer extinct in the state?

I couldn't wait to get them up on the blog. I can vividly recall a "panther scare" when I was a kid in Lindley.

Killing Rumors

Today in The Leader, in The Police Beat section of the paper a “brief” headlined- “Child Endangerment”- dateline Lindley read:

William Deming, 41, of 9441 Morgan Creek Road, Lindley, was charged January 18 with endangering the welfare of a child. He will appear in Lindley Town Court at a later date.

I took one phone call concerning the issue soon after the paper came out. From the caller’s inquiry and assumptions, I knew possible damage to a local businessman’s reputation had begun via the misinterpretation of the charges in the vague brief. However, it’s standard procedure for newspapers to leave out the details and only publish the charge unless it’s a serious felony case or a misdemeanor case involving high profile people like politicians- then barrels of ink are used covering the cases.

Bill Deming in some ways “has” a high profile in Lindley and that’s why I’m using cyber ink and blogging power to do a “follow-up story” The Leader would never do to get the facts out. Vicious rumors are starting and in a small town, rumors live long and they die hard—if ever.

I’ve interviewed all parties involved, including the investigating officer who gave me the legal definition of “endangering the welfare of a child” which is: Any act likely to be injurious to the physical, mental or morale of a child less than 17-years-old. This is a Class A Misdemeanor.

Bill and Monica who was not mentioned in The Leader police brief were both charged with endangering the welfare of a child for “arguing in front of their children” due to domestic problems that resulted in them splitting up.

Unfortunately, the fact that newspapers do not usually publish the specifics of each charge compounded by the public’s ignorance of the law opens the door for misinterpretation and rumors to flourish. Bill and Monica deeply regret the incident and both were eager to set the record straight.

Lindley Town Board Meeting-January, 11, 2005

Board Members: Harold Semple-Town Supervisor
Paul Stermer- Councilman
Gerry Simcoe-Councilman
Paul Mortzheim-Councilman

Approximately eight people attending

Code enforcement report: Dave Fuller, CEO, reported that he will have to have law enforcement help serve tickets. He's also working on having a man serve the warrants. Will have more information on this later.

Dick Pierce: Posted signs don't really work as snowmobiles are still going on his property.

Harold talked to Kent Woloson, town attorney, concerning Conditional Use Permits (CUP). From the day they are issued they are good for one year.

Paul Mortzheim doesn't feel comfortable with the bids for the new Highway Building and made a motion not to award a contract at this time.
Seconded by Gerry. Paul M.-yes, Gerry-yes, Paul Stermer-no. (Adopted) Paul Stermer would like to see some some work by the Zver's who submitted a bid. Will send letters to the contractors to notify.

Three Rivers contract: Will table until next month's meeting. Harold will contact them and request the same contract as last year. ($1,900)

Lynette Nudd: Sent letter to Paul Mortzheim concerning burning of trash on Presho School Road. Harold will fax all information to Kent and feels the matter should go to Linda Smith, Lindley's Health Officer and DEC. Will table until next month's meeting.

Clerk's report and Supervisor's report were presented to the Town Board.

Paul Mortzheim had a question on the Supervisor's report concerning the highway hours. There is still a balance. The highway men's contract is up for negotiations this year. Harold will get a letter to John Farwell. Will set a date to get this done early this year.

Iraqi Election Broadcasts

The Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) has put together and translated a series of powerful Iraqi election ads that aired recently on various Middle Eastern TV channels.
Click on the headline and see six streaming high-quality ads in a row, all professionally shot and edited.

Taking Requests

1.) This song goes out to the Blue Staters. It's a Red Stater's way of debunking a myth.
http://launch.yahoo.com/video/default.asp?vid=2152490


2.) This song goes out to "Zach O.". Remember Zach, your Kryptonite is in these words....Sticks and stones will break my bones, but names will never hurt me.
http://launch.yahoo.com/video/default.asp?vid=2151222

3.) This song goes out to "Jake L.". Remember Jake, life is as complicated as you make it.
http://launch.yahoo.com/video/default.asp?vid=2155007


Got any music video requests? If you do, e-mail me at sorr@stny.rr.com with the name of the song and artist with a brief message and who the song is dedicated to. I'll post them if I can find the videos. I'll be using Launch music on Yahoo and you may have to get a Yahoo ID and a password before you can watch the videos. Sometimes Launch asks for ID/password and sometimes it doesn't.

From Weeds to Serenity

Japanese garden
Originally uploaded by Sally Ann.

Was stopped at a red light next to the Corning Museum of Glass today and stared at the "ornamental grasses" beautifying (?) the front of the museum. In the few seconds we had to wait for the light to change I pondered a redesign of the garden. Wouldn't the garden space in front of the museum be more appropriate to the Corning Incorporated buildings, the headquarters and the museum, if the grass was removed and a Japanese style garden installed. I think so. Now all I have to do is talk Corning Inc. into pulling out "the weeds....I mean ornamental grass"....thanks for the quote Maryjane S. I've never forgotten it.

40 Year Reunion--West High Class of 1965

The Corning-Painted Post West High School

40 Year Reunion--Class of 1965

is scheduled for

July 9, 2005

at

Indian Hills Golf Course

Click on the headline and it will take you the 2005 Reunion Page.

Click here and it will take you to the West High Class Pages with lots of information on your class

http://www.cpphsaa.org/whs/whs65/reunionl.htm

Click here and listen to the West High Alma Materhttp://www.cpphsaa.org/whs/westalma.htm

For more information on area high school classes go to http://www.cpphsaa.org

Ground Level Election News From Iraq

I've been looking for a blog from Iraq that will post pre-election and post-election news so "some" of the American people can keep track of what is going on from the Iraqi people themselves. And thanks to a tip from Lance in Iraq, (a blog I posted in December and hope you're still checking in on every once in a while), I've found a "Friends of Democracy" blog that is posting election news everyday. It gives an Iraqi first-person account of the election efforts. It will surprise you what the Iraqis are saying. Please read the comments on Friends of Democracy to get a more detailed understanding of the upcoming election on Sunday.

This is a dangerous time for the Iraqi people and they need our support. So please leave them supportive comments. Like George Bush said, "If you seek democracy, we'll stand by your side."

I'm assuming Friends of Democracy will be posting often about news of the election on Sunday. So check in often for election news updates. Remember there is a time change. Our days are their nights.

Click on the headline and it will take you directly to Friends of Democracy.

SpongeBob Is Gay?

By Susanne Karrels

I am a tolerant and understanding person. I try not judge people for their beliefs, even if they differ from mine. I consider myself a "Christian." I try to be patient, though admittedly I usually fail at that one... I am a mother of two elementary age children who love SpongeBob. If I could have listened to the news yesterday on the "big story" of SpongeBob’s sexual identity without laughing I might be in fear for my children. Not because I believe SpongeBob is secretly trying to educate children on how to be gay... but because of people like Dr. James Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family.

I do not care for the SpongeBob show, I didn’t care for Blues Clues, Dora the Explorer, or Barney either. It’s for no other reason than I’ve seen each episode three trillion times. Frankly, I would rather insert a flaming spike into my skull than watch another 30 seconds of SpongeBob, but I don’t like sticking my kids in front of the boob tube and walking off to do other things, I feel it is my responsibility to watch it with them. My husband and I are VERY STRICT about what our children are allowed to watch, believe it or not there’s plenty of things on the Disney Channel we won’t let them watch. Did you catch the part about STRICT?

The foundation We Are Family produced a video after 9-11 for the purpose of teaching tolerance and understanding to our young ones. They got support from SpongeBob, Barney, Winnie the Pooh, Bob the Builder, and the cast members from Rugrats who along with 100 other cartoon characters lent their voices for this video. (Take a moment to remember these are cartoons, not REAL people or animals, or even sponges.) The video is set to be released to 61,000 elementary schools in March. Dr. James Dobson and another fanatical religious group issued a gay warning alert after finding that the website for We Are Family contained a "tolerance pledge" that included tolerance for sexual identity.

I’ve yet to find any newscast/article that tells me if this pledge is actually IN the video, or just on the web... at any rate these zealots are out to get rid of the video. As a matter of fact, I don’t care if it is in the video. Apparently the extreme religious Right is still under the impression that homosexuality or heterosexuality can be taught, and is best taught by cartoon sponges. I guess ministering is at an all time low, and they feel the need to project themselves into the nation’s limelight regardless of how ignorant it makes them look.

Ridiculous claims like this, along with the claims that the Teletubbie Tinky-Winky was gay because he carried a purple purse is the reason rational thinking people are turning away from "formalized" religion. Apparently SpongeBob merchandise is popular among gays, if you went along with these "religious" groups you would have to believe that the creator of SpongeBob is single handedly trying to convert today’s toddlers.

If you’ve been lucky enough to miss a SpongeBob episode... let me give you a little background. SpongeBob lives in a pineapple under the sea. He has a friend Patrick who is a starfish, and occasionally they hold hands. They watch an imaginary show about two undersea super heros Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy... that’s it they MUST be gay!

Batman and Boy Wonder, were they gay too? How about Winnie the Pooh, he didn’t wear pants... he must be an exhibitionist! He and Piglet held hands... they MUST be gay! And an inter-species gay couple at that... Pooh is a bear, and Piglet, well, he’s a pig.

Hey religious "too far right" my daughter comes out of her classroom ever day holding the hand of her best friend (a girl). OH MY GOD, I’VE PROGRAMMED MY CHILD TO BE GAY!
I seriously doubt in 15 years you’re going to hear the voices of the gay population claiming "SpongeBob made me do it." Or that some psychology report will come out that PROVES cartoon characters asexual characteristics contributed to creating an entire generation of gays. If that happens... God help us all.

Click on the headline to view the "We Are Family" video on MSNBC news cast.

Click the following HTML to read Focus on the Family, Dr. James Dobson's response to the controversyhttp://family.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/family.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=17669

Pantry of Angels

The Pantry of Angels received a grant from the Food Bank of the Southern Tier for 200 pounds of venison. This will be given out in 1 pound packages beginning January 26th.

Liberals-Fainting Goats

The instant I heard George Bush utter these words from his inaugural speech…. “We have seen our vulnerability - and we have seen its deepest source. For as long as whole regions of the world simmer in resentment and tyranny - prone to ideologies that feed hatred and excuse murder - violence will gather, and multiply in destructive power, and cross the most defended borders, and raise a mortal threat. There is only one force of history that can break the reign of hatred and resentment, and expose the pretensions of tyrants, and reward the hopes of the decent and tolerant, and that is the force of human freedom. We are led, by events and common sense, to one conclusion: The survival of liberty in our land increasingly depends on the success of liberty in other lands. The best hope for peace in our world is the expansion of freedom in all the world.”….I knew the Far Left would become “fainting goats” because suddenly their fear of American imperialism/global domination was a reality. George Bush had said so himself. He’s going to take over the world and France is going to hate us even more.

And when the Left heard George Bush proclaim…..“This is not primarily the task of arms, though we will defend ourselves and our friends by force of arms when necessary.”…..visions of the end of the world and America as we know it burst into their minds and they ran to the medicine cabinet for their trusted bottles of Prozac. Finding that was not enough to dull the fears churning inside them they hit instant dial on their cell phones and made emergency appointments with their therapists. Some doubted they’d survive the night without experiencing a total meltdown. George Bush was going to take over the world. Their prophecy was coming true. Oh…the inhumanity of it all!

Unfortunately, the Far Left didn’t hear the entire inaugural speech. They had fainted dead away before Bush finished. But even if they’ve read it after they were revived, they wouldn’t understand its profound meaning anyway. They won’t acknowledge real wisdom and vision coming from a Republican president, especially this president. Click here to watch and listen to a voice that “moves” the Left. http://mp.aol.com/video.main.adp?mxid=1206187&_AOLFORM=w656.h395.p7.R1&restartUrl=http%3a%2f%2fmp%2eaol%2ecom%2fvideo%2eindex%2eadp%3fmxid%3d1206187%26%5fAOLFORM%3dw656%2eh395%2ep7%2eR1#

George Bush in his wisdom said these things to the outlaw regimes of the world:

1. America will not support or prop-up any rogue leader of a country that oppresses, murders or tortures to stay in power or otherwise tyrannizes its people for our own strategic interest as we did during and after the Cold War.
2. America will support those who want to change the political culture of their country from totalitarianism to a democracy. Bush said, “When you stand for your liberty, we will stand with you.”
3. America has determined, under George Bush, freedom is the antidote to terrorism.


But the Left interpreted this historic speech as a twisted proclamation of American aggression. They heard the sound of beating war drums. They don’t believe in the ideal of freedom for all people or its curative effects. You see, they don’t believe in the goodness of America nor do they trust its judgment. To the Left, America is not redeemable and our brand of freedom is as stifling as any tyranny. And that my friend is an ideology in need of a therapist.

Click on the headline to read the entire inagural speech.

No Child Left Behind IS Funded

I'm sure some of my readers are thinking, "Why is Sallyann on this 'education kick'?"

Im on it becus meny parwrents r told by techers ther kids rite an spel lik this becus ther lerning disabled wen ther not. Im on it becus haf r kids kant reed n rite n spel good. Im on it becus most skool districks stil blaim parwrents 4 not preeparin ther kids 4 skool n knot beein nterested n ther kids skooling. Im on it becus blu statrs tink mor mone is the ansr n aqus george bush 4 knot fundin no child left behind. (This paragraph could have been written by a third-grader who was taught to read and write using the "whole language method" instead of traditional phonics. )

I will continue to write my comments in the "phonics mode"--the way I was taught to read and write when I was in third-grade. I'm sure you'll notice a big difference.

In the days ahead I'll be addressing the various issues surrounding the failing state of our public school system. I'm starting with the contentious battle between Red-Staters and Blue-Staters on whether or not No Child Left Behind has been funded.

Let me fling some opinion on the walls and see what sticks. Since the late 50's and early 60's the U.S. embarked on a cultural shift effecting the way we raise our children. Instead of "children are to been seen and not heard" we shifted to the more progressive "we'll do anything FOR THE CHILDREN" to make sure their lives were better off than ours. Parents went from "denying" children material goods and liberties to strengthen character and keep them hungry for a life on their own to an "almost never denying" parenting approach. Enter Benjamin Spock, the most trusted pediatrician and best selling author on rearing children for that time. Under Spock's progressive child rearing practices and theories, post-war parents eagerly adopted his methods and the FOR THE CHILDREN mentality took hold and continues to this day.

That culture shift alone increased public school funding ten-fold. When school districts said they needed new schools or anything, parents willingly provided tax dollars so as not to deny THE CHILDREN. Over the years, carpeting, computers, teaching labs, sports programs for both sexes, teacher's aides, higher wages for teachers, staffs of psychologists and counselors, administrative increases all have been purchased by the taxpayer to provide the best education FOR THE CHILDREN.

To me it's similar to the old adage--Money doesn't buy happiness--Money didn't come close to buying even an adequate education FOR THE CHILDREN. To the contrary, the more money we spent, the more academic standards declined and the more our kids failed.

George Bush understands the problem with our education system is not money. And I believe many Red-Staters feel the same way.

(For an indepth read about the funding status of NCLB, click on the headline that will take you to a FACT SHEET published by House Education & the Workforce Committee.)

A Discussion on Education-Why Our Kids Can't Read

Note from Sallyann: "Lono", a fellow blogger, and I have been corresponding on Red State/Blue State issues since the inception of the Red-StaterWisdoms blog. Go to the November Archives, "Red State morality confusing" title and read the "stream" in the comment section. I have pulled Lono's last comment to the front of the blog in order to engage the larger readership in the discussion. We are confronted with an "education crisis" that No Child Left Behind was designed to overcome. Of course, Red Staters differ with Blue Stater's solutions to this problem. In general, Blue Stater's believe it is the lack of money that has caused half the student population to graduate without being able to read and write proficiently. Red Staters believe, generally, "teaching methods" are at the root of the problem. To start the discussion, I asked Lono why he believed No Child Left Behind was unfunded. His response follows:


That it is almost entirely unfunded is a fact even the President doesn't deny. You say Dems have controlled education for the last 30 years. In my experience, that is far from the truth. Education is mostly state based, and I grew up in Arizona... which was militantly Republican all through my school years. I watched them chip at school money every single year. I watched classes and programs get cut every year. I watched fees and taxes rise with less and less services.The reality is that Republicans don't want to be in the business of subsidizing anything public. Look at social security same thing. It is ok. As I said, I understand the thinking... the thinking is that people need to be more self sufficient and rely less on the government.However, cutting funding for education and sex education especially only hurts America. Bush says he is pro-life... but he has gutted so many programs that his administration saw many many many more abortions during his term than during Clintons.Also, here is a quick Democratic look at why we think education is valuable to all of society. If you create (and subsidize, there it is I said it) better educational opportunities for people you have people with better jobs. This means less crime (because people won't have to steal to get by). This also means that you have more people working and more people making more money... this is good for the tax base.Look at our deficit, look at the problems in the schools, look at our image around the world... and the President wants to send us to Mars. Let's take care of the humans first, then worry about the martians.

Live Like You Were Dying

For "dial-up" internet users (AOL, Netscape etc.) click on headline and watch Tim McGraw music video.

Live Like You Were Dying

For broadband users (Road Runner) Click on the headline and watch Tim McGraw sing "Live Like You Were Dying"....Cool Huh?


Hint: If your pop-up blocker prevents "Launch" from opening, click on sentence "Click here to re-launch the Launch Music Video Player"....Confused? Just keep clicking. When the Music Video Player opens up and you see Tim start singing...click on "Full Screen" for maximum viewing and listening pleasure..... Press Esc (escape) on your keyboard to get out of the "full screen mode." Also...you can keep watching more music videos or close out.....probably depends on what kind of mood you're in or how easily you're shocked. You'll know what I mean if you catch the right video. If it's too racey, coarse, disgusting or otherwise offensive....leave me a comment. Go easy on me...I have no control over what music video will appear after Tim McGraw's. I just like Tim's and wanted to share it.

Dee Hill and Anna Davis

Dee Hill and Anna Davis
Originally uploaded by Sally Ann.

I'm sure many of you here in Lindley have seen and appreciate the photo display on the walls at the Town Hall. Dee Hill, Town Clerk and Kitty Pierce, Town Historian, have gradually added the old photos of Lindley citizens and homes. You never know what you're going to see on the wall when you visit the Town Hall. Kitty and Dee have brought the past into the present with these rare photos. Viewing them keeps us connected to our roots and many of our roots run very deep in this small town.

Unknown Incident at Lindley-Presho School

Sources tell me that around 1 p.m. yesterday two trooper cars set up a roadblock at the entrance of School Road across from the Little League ball park. After turning back a few cars, sources tell me a "tan, unmarked car and a sheriff's car" were allowed through the roadblock and both cars went directly to the Lindley-Presho Elementary School. After staying at the school for awhile, the tan-unmarked car, the sheriff's car and the two trooper cars stationed at the roadblock took off in a hurry towards Corning.

Note from Sallyann: If anyone has any information about this incident please e-mail me at sorr@stny.rr.com I'm not allowing comments on this news alert/inquiry as the situation maybe too sensitive and I do not want any "names" mentioned. Please use my e-mail if you have a comment or information so I can screen before I post the responses.

To the Kids Who Survived the 30's 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's

First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they carried us.

They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing and didn't get tested for diabetes.

Then after that trauma, our baby cribs were covered with bright colored lead-based paints.

We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, doors or cabinets and when we rode our bikes, we had no helmets, not to mention, the risks we took hitchhiking.

As children, we would ride in cars with no seat belts or air bags. Riding in the back of a pick up on a warm day was always a special treat.

We drank water from the garden hose and NOT from a bottle.

We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and NO ONE actually died from this.

We ate cupcakes, bread and butter and drank soda pop with sugar in it, but we weren't overweight because WE WERE ALWAYS OUTSIDE PLAYING!

We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the streetlights came on.

No one was able to reach us all day. And we were O.K.

We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and then ride down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes. After running into the bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem.

We did not have Playstations, Nintendo's, X-boxes, no video games at all, no 99 channels on cable, no video tape movies, no surround sound, no cell phones, no personal computers, no internet or internet chat rooms......WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them!

We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no lawsuits from these accidents.

We made up games with sticks and tennis balls and ate worms and although we were told it would happen, we did not put out very many eyes, nor did the worms live in us forever.

We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just walked in and talked to them!

Little League had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who didn't had to learn to deal with disappointment. Imagine that!

The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of. They actually sided with the law!

This generation has produced some of the best risk-takers, problem solvers and inventors ever!

The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas.

We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned HOW TO DEAL WITH IT ALL!

And YOU are one of them! CONGRATULATIONS! You might want to share this with others who have had the luck to grow up as kids before the lawyers and the government regulated our lives for our own good.

Kind of makes you want to run through the house with scissors, doesn't it?!


Note from Sallyann: A big thumb's up to Richard Biggio who passed this bit of wisdom onto me. I could add ten more "freedoms" to this list and probably will. Anyone else?

The Ole Swimming Hole

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Originally uploaded by Sally Ann.

It's rare I don't drive by this small wonder of nature and not remember summer days gone by when my brothers and I and others from the neighborhood would spend a full day swimming in the cool waters at the Tannery Creek Falls. It was as close to heaven as anything could be as a child. The creek was our own private beach and the grandest of swimming pools where the water was "supposed" to be green. Water snakes slithering aggressively on the surface of the natural pool didn't scare us. They were as good of a jolt as any scary movie back then. And those tiny "black things" that clung to the rocks by the thousands were a continual curiosity. We never did figure out what they were. "Leeches" they said. But we never believed them. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, hot dog roasts when the sun dipped down in the west, the long hot walk to the pool and the long hot walk back home. That was all good stuff.

Torture Test

"Abu Ghraib is but a stone's throw from where I now type these words, and it's ugliness is more than skin deep. It's a very real place, and an undesirable home to criminals and those whose duty it is to guard them. But to many it's an abstract image, a debate point to be used against opponents like garlic to frighten vampires, a boogy man to frighten children. They inject that ward into any writing they do on certain topics in an attempt to frame the discussion around what is unquestionably now the immediate mind's eye association most people in the world make with the word "torture" - the horrendous photos from the notorious prison."...quote from the Mudville Gazette.

Click on the headline and learn the real facts about Abu Ghraib.

Time To Be Thankful

By: Susanne Karrels

I recently read a quote from Max Lucado about being thankful for waiting in long lines, how we should use that time to count our blessings. I'll admit, a new concept for me. How can one be thankful for a long grocery line, how do we find blessings in the daily grind that makes our blood boil? At a time when technology has moved our society along at break-neck speeds, how do we slow down and take time to find these moments as anything other than infuriating? With our daily "to do" list as long as The Declaration of Independence it is no surprise that we become frustrated with the blue haired lady in front of us who still doesn't know how to use direct deposit or a debit card.

I was in fact stuck behind such a woman just the other day at our local bank. This was the fourth stop on my list of twenty. I had until 2:30 to get through my list, and it was already 1:45. I watched this woman chatting up the teller, sharing stories of her holidays, children, grandchildren, pets, houseplants, and anything else she could think of. I was getting more and more irritated by the minute. I was glaring at this woman as if she had just shot my dog. In reality her conversation probably took no more than three minutes... it felt like hours. As I stood there tapping my foot, repeatedly glancing at my watch, shooting the teller looks of, "PLEASE, can you hurry up", I was hit with a realization not unlike the Grinch when his heart grew three sizes in one day.

Grannie turned from the teller with a huge grin on her face, thankful for the personal interaction, grateful to tell of her family to someone who would listen. It was at that moment that the next few stops on my list didn't seem so important after all. I don't know anything about this woman, if she lives alone, if her family lives far away, how many cats she does have, or how involved she is in the community. It doesn't really matter. I saw the look on her face, I saw how happy she was for having those three minutes with the teller.

It was finally my turn, and as I approached the teller, she quietly said, "I'm sorry for the delay." On a normal day I would have offered a dismissive "thanks", but not that day. I told her how happy she made the woman, how thankful I was to see the glow of importance on her face as she left the bank. Instead of spending my time with the teller complaining, I thanked her and gave thanks for being part of the moment.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not a patient person by nature, and most of my days are not filled with gratitude for lengthy lines. Most times I don't see the beauty in waiting. As I'm driving in a mad dash to accomplish all my errands, as I'm cursing at the slow-poke in front of me, the memory of the woman at the bank comes back to me. How many opportunities have I missed? How much more fulfilled would my life be if I had noticed other's moments of joy for what I deem mundane?

I can't profess that I will notice every moment I am given. I won't pretend that I will be happy every time I have to wait. However, now that I've seen the "other" side... I am more willing to try. Don't we all want to be treated with dignity and respect, even in the grocery check-out line. If patience is what it takes to make someone feel special, to have their few minutes to shine, I think I can give up a few stops on my to do list. The drycleaning will still be there tomorrow, there will be more dishes to wash in the morning... but how many times are people given the real chance to be heard. If we don't slow down, if we don't teach our children that waiting in line doesn't have to be yet another "chore" of the day... will there be anyone left to listen to us?

Note from Sallyann: Susanne will be a Guest Writer for the Red-StaterWisdoms blog. Enjoy her work.

How to find articles I've posted

A lot of people are having trouble trying to find all the articles I've posted. Here's how you do it:

1.) After you open the Red-StaterWisdoms blog, you'll see the first page with the list of articles under "Recent Posts". In order to see every article I've posted always click on the last article on the list. This will open up another page with another list. Keep clicking on the "last article" until you find the article your looking for or you come to the end of the blog.

2.) To return to the main page, click on the home link under the post comment link or use your back button.

Hope this helps. Leave me a comment if it doesn't.

The Culture War is Getting Hotter

"You don't have be a soothsayer to figure out that in 2005 two stories will continue to bedevil America: the war in Iraq and the culture war raging throughout the U.S"....Bill O'Reilly

Click on the headline and read Bill's entire essay....

Question of the week: Do you think there is a "culture war" raging throughout the U.S.? Your comments please.

Angels with Muscles

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Originally uploaded by Sally Ann.

Butch Snyder, Garrison Kollhoff and Tracey Rumsey load up the Pantry of Angels huge refrigerator on the roll-back destined for its new home.

Renee Toby a Pantry Angel

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Originally uploaded by Sally Ann.

The next time you see Renee, ask about her "Angel who came along" when she was transporting food from the Presho Church to the new location on Route 15.

Pantry of Angels on the Move

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Originally uploaded by Sally Ann.

Garrison Kollhoff and his son Gary unload heavy boxes of food they just transported from the Presho Church. Kelly Schoener stands in background waiting to organize the food at the new location on Route 15.

Pantry of Angels Moves to Route 15

A faith-based initiative—otherwise known as the Pantry of Angels moved today from Presho Church to its new headquarters at the old Brownie’s Mini Mart location on Route 15 in Lindley. Currently, the upstairs store front is occupied by Season’s Discount Store. The Pantry of Angels will occupy the downstairs space where there’s lots of room to store the cache of food for local Lindley residents who need a helping hand.

And the need is great. Kelly Schoener, Director, said the Pantry currently serves 168 clients in town. The Pantry started with four clients and quickly grew to meet a demand that many of us here in town didn’t know existed. In some respects, this should be a wake up call for our charitable side and give what we can to help the Pantry of Angels stay in the business of feeding the truly hungry. I am reminded of what my Mother used to say when I didn’t finish the food on my plate—to count my blessings because there were starving kids all over the world who would love to have what was left on my plate.

The Presho United Methodist Church is on a mission to make sure the kids in Lindley have enough food on their plates, and from the looks of it, they’re doing one heck of a job. Since the Pantry started the organizers have stocked the shelves full of food items by holding fundraisers and accepting charitable food and financial donations from people here in town. Kim Snyder, Pantry organizer, also wrote grants that gained the Pantry a refrigerator and a freezer big enough to hold lots of food. Local businesses have pledged money and Kim requested I note the overwhelming support they receive from Wegmans in Corning who continually donate fresh vegetables and bread.

Kim also said the majority of the food comes from the Southern Tier Food Bank where the Pantry purchases food items for 18 cents a pound. Even though the Pantry will accept any donated food items, they prefer cash donations to make food purchases from the Food Bank in Elmira. Kim said the Pantry could acquire more food with dollar donations rather than individuals purchasing food for the Pantry. But I’ll tell you what…when my crop of zucchini comes in next summer, guess where I’m taking it!

The Lindley Community Church also helps with the Pantry of Angels by encouraging their congregation to donate food that they collect at church and pass on to the Pantry. Tracy Overdurf, a Community Church member, helps the Pantry by delivering food to those who are shut in or otherwise can’t pick it up themselves.

To give the Pantry a “leg up” at their new site, Bob Brown, owner of Brownie’s Mini Mart, donated two months free rent. Sue Marsh and Sandy Hall also donated one month’s rent. Kim said they have enough money to cover the rent and electric until July of this year. They’re hoping to receive enough cash donations to carry them through the rest of the year. Something tells me they will. The Pantry of Angels organizers truly understand the power of prayer.

So just who are the Angels? Well I saw a few today working hard on a cause they believe in—in the pouring rain no less. The first Angel was Kelly Schoener who was stationed at the new location on Route 15 organizing the boxes of food that were moved from the Presho Church by Garrison Kollhoff and his son, Gary. Then I went down to the Presho Church and met other Angels working in the rain: Renee Toby, Kim and Butch Snyder, Sue Marsh and Frank Hall. Then Tracy Rumsey appeared to help them move the huge refrigerator onto the “roll-back” donated for the occasion by Friendly Fred Marsh. Tommy Kirk came along and helped a couple of Angels on the road who had trouble getting their first load of food to the new location. There’s always Angels around when you need them most. Ask Renee Toby.

The Pantry of Angels plans on expanding services by referring clients to temporary assistance programs such as food stamps and the WIC program.

Overall, the Pantry of Angels is to be congratulated for its fine effort and it just goes to show you what a few people in a very small town can do. Good Luck at your new location.

Consult the “Pantry of Angels” article I posted a few weeks ago for the times when the Pantry is open and to read the announcements/comments from the Pantry’s organizers.

Fire at West High

Sources said fires were set in two of the girl's bathrooms at Corning-Painted Post West High School today. The fire alarm went off in school between 9:45 to 10 a.m. and the students were quickly evacuated to the outside of the building where they could see smoke coming from the back of the school. The students were kept outside for 45 minutes where they watched approximately seven fire trucks and a couple of natural gas trucks arrive at the scene.

At this point the students began to get alarmed because they did not know the location or cause of the fire. Once the fire was under control, school officials ordered the students back in the school and to go directly to the gym. While they were in the gym a school official announced over the loud speaker that school was let out for the day and that ten students at a time should go to the office to call their parents or someone to come and take them home. The school official also announced that there would be a $500 reward given to anyone who came forward with knowledge as to who set the fires. All students had to leave their backpacks and bags with school officials. Sources said the kids knew who had set the fire but the school officials did not. Anyone with any information on the fire should call the school.

Click on headline for The Leader story on fire.