And America rejoices... or should anyway

Our military gets a break for once! In the case of Jose Nazario, a civilian jury acquitted the former-Marine of manslaughter after only 6 hours of deliberations.

In the first civilian trial in modern times of a former member of the U.S.military for alleged combat crimes, a Riverside jury Thursday acquitted a one-time Marine sergeant in the killings of four unarmed Iraqi prisoners in Fallujah. (click here for full article)

I have to say, I am shocked. I did not expect it turn out this way, especially in CA of all places!

Justice was finally served today. I want the same justice for every Marine, sailor, and soldier serving in harm's way. ~ Nazario, after his acquittal

Sarah Palin for VEEP

I could not be more surprised, but I am actually excited. I need to look into her record as Alaska's gov., but I'm kinda thinking she might be just what McCain needed to get Republicans excited about voting this year.

Click here to read the NYT story.

Just say it

There are so many times when I see a random stranger and think to myself "I like her hair," or "that dress is really flattering on her," or any number of complimetary thoughts. I never say anything to the person. Often, I do not even acknowledge their presence. Today, however, I had a sudden epiphony that the world might be a better place if everyone just said the nice things they think about others. A woman came up to me today and gave me a compliment that seriously made my day. That was what got me thinking about all of this. It is amazing what a few kinds words from a stranger can do!

So... next time I think a compliment about a stranger, I think I am just going to go ahead and say it. ;-)

on work ethics and accountability

After sitting through the torture that is NSPS training, my co-workers learned some things about me and I learned some lessons (or maybe was just reminded about old lessons) on human nature.
Growing up, I had always heard that government employees made a lot of money. Of course, it was really just in comparison to what my family had. I knew we didn't have much and so did not think too much about it. Now that I am older and see exactly what government employees make, I am amazed - truly! What amazes me even more are the complaints. I believe whole-heartedly in the concept of an honest day's work for an honest day's pay. My personal opinion is that for the type and amount of work required, the government is more than fair (quite liberal, actually). What my co-workers quickly learned about me is that I would make a very tough supervisor. I do not expect any more from others than I expect from myself. I think that people who go above and beyond definitely deserve to be recognized, but I do NOT believe in patting people on the back for doing what is expected of them! In school, I often got perfect attendance awards... I always thought that was dumb. I rarely get sick... so I should be praised for going to school when I am in perfect health?! I still feel the same. I come into work every day and do the work I am paid to do. I do NOT expect recognition for that! I don't know... I just don't get it. =/
What I observed in the classroom setting today is that people do not want to be accountable to others. They want to be recognized and rewarded, but on their own terms. Don't they realize that accountability only hurts the slackers? Or maybe that is the problem... they know themselves better than anyone (just a thought...). I'm beginning to wonder if our society has focused so much on ego self esteem to the detriment of self-respect and a strong work ethic. We can't even handle criticism. If the truth hurts we don't want to hear it. And if if is going to negatively affect our paychecks, we want nothing to do with it.
When the class was over, I was rather annoyed with the fact that I had wasted two days and learned nothing new, but more than that, I was disappointed in what I saw in my fellow classmates. What ever happened to the days of having to prove oneself... of working hard for one's paycheck, and competing (in a good, capitalist kind of way) for promotions and such?

It just takes a little determination

Maybe I am just a littl messed up, but read the sentence below and tell me what your first impression is.

Two of the detainees — Ali Abdulla Ahmed, from Yemen (DOB Aug. 1, 1979) and Mana Shaman Allabard al Tabi of Saudi Arabia (DOB Jan. 1, 1976) — were determined to be dead at the scene. (full article)

When I first read it, I thought it was saying the detainees died by sheer will-power. Of course, that didn't make any sense, so I reread the sentence. It was obvious the second time, that the writer was saying third party came to check the check the status of the detainees and concluded that they were in fact dead. Still, if I was the author, I would have phrased it differently.

Safe

Knowing clouds will raise up
storms will race in
but you will be safe in my arms
rains will pour down
waves will crash all around
but you will be safe in my arms

Castles they might crumble
dreams may not come true
but you are never all alone
because I will always
always love you
~ Plumb

I was having a rough day last week... seemed like nothing was going quite right, so I turned on the radio and started cleaning my room. The song In My Arms by Plumb came on the Christian station I had on (see lyrics above). I had never heard it before, but I found it very comforting, and more importantly, it was a great reminder to me that I can trust God in the little things because He has always been faithful to me in the big things. I do not think there was a single time while I was in Iraq that I feared for my life. It was like I could feel His presence around me, protecting me. Now that I am back in the States, I think I often forget that He is still always near me, watching over me and keeping me safe in His arms.

Midnight moon in the desert

I'm not sure how well you can make out this picture, but it is a full moon over a palm tree in Ramadi. I was wandering around the FOB on New Year's Eve of last year, when I saw this (and of course, had to take a picture).