What do you think?

1. I'm not dead, nor do I want to be dead. The President of the South (Jefferson Davis) is dead, and he has been that way for over a hundred years, so get over it. Life goes on people. The civil war was over a hundred years ago, yet we are still divided, not just north and south, but east and west, ethnicity, and culture still divide us today. Anybody that doesn't see that is a bigot themselves. Recently, a friend made fun of the Northern Irish, because they can't get along, but I was quick to remind him that we cannot get along in our communities, streets, and own houses. Who are we to make fun of another culture?
2. I don't have a damn headstone, so get over it already. Some people choose to buy a burial plot, headstone and pay for the funeral services ahead of time, but in my opinion, that is planning for death, and I'm planning for that. However, it can be said that dealing with all of that ahead of time, saves your family a lot of grief, yet I say let them weep. Just kidding... I did tell my mother one time, when I was hanging by a thread that was fraying with every breath, that I wanted to be buried overlooking a small pond, while lying under a dogwood tree, which would shed its aromatic blossoms on my grave every spring...
3. As far as the writing is concerned, I can only hope that more people read what I have to say. Everything I write has a message behind it, whether it be obvious or not.
4. The inner ponderings of my mind are for my eyes only. :-) My intellect is something that an exquisite being dare not bespeak, and something that an intellectual pines for daily. OK, I am a bit full of myself, but I do have a keen eye and intellectual prowess.. :)

More post coming...

Anyway, I'm tired and exhausted as you can see from the picture below, so I'll leave you now, to hopefully go get some rest...

Yep, I'm wearing a new Citizen watch, that I purchased on my trip. I love Citizen Echo-Drive Watches.

I'm leaving out to go somewhere, I'm not quite sure where though. Anyhow, have a great weekend all, and don't drink too much. Let me do that for you. :-) Seriously, I only drink once a week, if that much, so I'm not saying that you must drink to be cool or Irish. Have fun all, for I certainly expect to have fun this weekend...

Oh, a new episode of the podcast will be up tomorrow evening. Thanks for being so patient
everyone...

DISCLAIMER: I do not promote abusing alcohol...

Yes, I can remember going to Blind Camp as a kid, and how I felt like a king, because after all, I am only blind in one eye. Those were great times on the lake, let me tell you...

Anyhow, getting back to the story, Google's new search engine product will pick out the easiest to read web pages, closest to the search criteria.

Complex, graphical designs that pack a lot of information onto large Web pages fare poorly when a low vision user relies on screen magnifiers that must expand small sections of a computer screen and make them huge, the researcher said.

A blind or dyslexic user of a screen reader that converts text into spoken words using a synthesized voice would waste a lot of time skipping over extraneous page content, he noted.

Yes, I can remember going to Blind Camp as a kid, and how I felt like a king, because after all, I am only blind in one eye. Those were great times on the lake, let me tell you...

Anyhow, getting back to the story, Google's new search engine product will pick out the easiest to read web pages, closest to the search criteria.

Complex, graphical designs that pack a lot of information onto large Web pages fare poorly when a low vision user relies on screen magnifiers that must expand small sections of a computer screen and make them huge, the researcher said.

A blind or dyslexic user of a screen reader that converts text into spoken words using a synthesized voice would waste a lot of time skipping over extraneous page content, he noted.

UPDATE: Read Below...

I've about had up to my beak, with this whole bird-flu preparation gimmick. The USDA is slack, no one is doubting that, but where is the bird flu. I've not heard of any new outbreaks lately.

Live life to the fullest people, and never let an opportunity go by without taking that chance. If you live life to the fullest, then you have nothing to worry about, now do ya...

In a letter to Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns, six lawmakers said some states were not as prepared as they should be for the disease.

To better protect public health, they said, the department should provide states with a protocol for developing avian influenza response plans.

The letter also expressed concern that the U.S. Agriculture Department has not done enough to prepare for an outbreak in multiple states or raise awareness among backyard poultry owners for symptoms of the virus.

"We need leadership from USDA in preparing for the arrival of avian flu," said Sen. Tom Harkin, an Iowa Democrat on the Senate Agriculture Committee.

"USDA's failure to develop a comprehensive monitoring program leaves us in the dark about areas of the country where better surveillance is needed. And USDA's inadequate assistance and cooperation with states and industry leaves our nation unnecessarily vulnerable," he said.

The letter also was signed by Democratic Sens. Harry Reid, Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and Charles Schumer and Republican Charles Grassley.

Last month, USDA's inspector general said the United States did not have adequate measures in place to survey and monitor for avian influenza, including the deadly H5N1 strain.

I think what scared the Senators into speaking up, was the fact that the 42nd Death was confirmed yesterday in Indonesia. Every time we put these sort of things on the back burner, it always comes back to burn us in the end. Are you scared of the big...bad...H5N1 virus?

I'm not scared of notin, for my name is Jefferson Davis, and anybody named that and had a gun put there head over that name, and still persist on using is a tough sum bitch... Bring it on H5N1... I ain't scared! LOL

It appears that the DSCA (Defense Security Cooperation Agency) will be selling off $276 Million dollars worth of spare parts for M1A2 Abrams tanks, M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicles, and other equipment. I guess somebodies pockets are deepening, from that load of cast. I ponder whether they'll the US Government will be paid with Gold or OIl...Oh, I forgot, they are the same thing...

The one plus side to selling off surplus equiptment, is that we are getting something back, or at least somebody is. The US government usually gives away equiptment to one side, so they'll side with us, and then later turn on us, like the Talibon. What's your say?

In a mandatory notification to Congress, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, which oversees major arms sales, said the deal would help improve the security of Saudi Arabia.

Congress has 30 days to block the deal, although such action is rare.

"The uninterrupted supply of spare parts will allow Saudi Arabia to keep its vehicle fleet at the highest state of readiness," said the agency, which oversees major arms sales.

On Thursday, DSCA notified Congress that it had approved the sale to Saudi Arabia of 24 UH-60L Black Hawk helicopters, radios, armored vehicles and other military equipment worth more than $6 billion.

DSCA said the spare parts deal would take place under a Cooperative Logistics Supply Support Agreement. Under the deal, Saudi Arabia pays for options worth up to $276 million, which it can then use to place orders for spare parts.

It approved $461 million under a similar logistics deal with Saudi Arabia in March 1991 during the first Gulf War.

It said the spare parts would be procured from the many contractors providing similar items to U.S. forces.

A fire that burns eternally within,

for the touch of your skin.

A fire that encapsulates every palisade,

that flows like a great crusade,

for the chance to be played.

Red hot embers that glow at my feet,

cause the fire to grow with fierce heat.

Every ripple of flame,

that runs up my knees,

causes me to increase a few degrees.

Every time I am in your presence,

that flame climbs with great haste.

As the flame courses up my waste,

I fell as though I am being chaste.

As the blaze begins to flutter up my chest,

my heart starts to mutter,

a word that I dare not utter.

A word for my beloved,

that will never go unloved,

for I’m ablaze from stem to stern,

with your captivating charm.

One Sunday morning, everyone in one bright, beautiful, tiny town got up early and went to the local church.

Before the services started, the townspeople were sitting in their pews and talking about their lives, their families, etc. Suddenly, Satan appeared at the front of the church. Everyone started screaming and running for the front entrance, trampling each other in a frantic effort to get away from evil incarnate.

Soon everyone was evacuated from the church, except for one elderly gentleman who sat calmly in his pew, not moving... seemingly oblivious to the fact that God's ultimate enemy was in his presence. Now this confused Satan a bit, so he walked up to the man and said, "Don't you know who I am?"

The man replied, "Yep, sure do."

Satan asked, "Aren't you afraid of me?"

"Nope, sure ain't," said the man.

Satan was a little perturbed at this and queried, "Why aren't you afraid of me?"

The man calmly replied, "Been married to your sister for over 48 years."

Over and over, I try to surpass the brick wall,

that you have so callously put before me.

But with every hit of chisel and hammer,

a brick falls, and I encounter a piece of your heart.

The thought of that brick wall falling,

is the only thought that keeps my hammer swinging.

Ultimately, I will not fail,

for my hammer and chisel will never be frail.

Suddenly, the wall of protection begins to sway,

for I am swinging in dismay.

Eagerly, I knock down the wall,

that kept you from being enthralled,

by the love,

that I have recalled.

1. No eye contact. Generally, if someone is lying they will not look you in the eye, at least during a certain part of the conversation. Normally, people make eye contact for at least half of a conversation, so anything less than this could be suspicious. One caveat: there are some people who will take great pains to make eye contact with you even if they're lying, simply to make you think they're not.
2. Change in voice. A change in the pitch of a person's tone, or a lot of stammering (umm, ah), or throat clearing could indicate a lie.
3. Unusual body language. If a person taps their foot a lot, fidgets with their hands, raises their shoulders, turns away from you or brings their hand to their face (to touch their chin or nose, etc.) -- in other words, if they act nervous or uncomfortable -- it could mean they're telling a lie. Also watch out for blushing (or becoming pale) and increased blinking.
4. Something sounds fishy. Making statements that contradict each other, are inconsistent or don't sound quite right are usually part of a lie.
5. Overly defensive. Sometimes when a person is lying they will become extremely defensive, refusing to answer any questions and even accusing you of lying. This may mean they have something to hide.
6. Changes subject easily. If someone is lying and you change the subject, chances are high that they'll go right along with it. A person telling the truth, however, will likely ask why you changed the subject and want to go back to it.
7. Humor or sarcasm. A guilty person will often try to change the subject using humor or sarcasm.

UPDATE: New title brought to you by SkintWriter.