Friday Gifts...11.30.07

Do you ever play the Lotto Game? If you won Millions of Dollars , What would you do? Would you take trip ? Would you buy your EX a better car? or send him to grad school ? ( I would)....Would you send your son to a NYC Film school ? I would....and I think of all the Great Things that I could finally give what they need....Pet Shelters, AIDS programs, Programs for children, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch....Okay I could go on and on.....What would you do ?......

And Make it Good, we are dreaming Big....( hey it is up to 33 Million...)

( Van Morrison Into the Mystic is you music today.....)

Have a good Friday...

Thursday Night Music....11.29.07

"We want the Facts to fit the preconceptions.When they don't, it is easier to ignore the facts, then to change the preconceptions." Jessamyn West

MrBush trotted over to the Pentago, to look Militaryish, in kind of a Musharef glory...Crying poor mouth, and saying How Employees are going to be laid off ( which raises serious questions what happened to all of those Billions already budgeted), and then some Amazing Claim comes out about Iran and their Navy. How in the hell can he be so hellbent on wreaking more havoc in the 400 days left......Okay....enough of Enigma 's grumbling....for now.

So I am almost ready for my "Inspection" tomorrow at 3pm...I have tidied , rearranged, glued, painted and made everything as nice as I can...thank you all for the jokes, and humorous stories and comments down below, you kept my spirits up and made me laugh..and helped dissolve my foul mood....

Have a good night. Snuggle Drink Warm Cider.....

29 Hours and Counting....Emergency NUKE Power Plant Shutdown.

PLEASE READ THE WEDNESDAY NIGHT POST ON THE EMERGENCY SHUTDOWN, AND SEE THE UPDATES THERE AS WELL...
It is 29 Hours after Perry Power Plant went into Emergency Shutdown after problem with Cooling Water Feed Lines. First reported at 11PM on Channel 3 News last night, Please See Updates on Post Below. ACTUAL SHUTDOWN WAS 11.28 AT 7:32 AM.

29 Hours and STILL no NRC Updates or Inspections. When a Plant experiences Emergency Shutdown, they are susposed to be On Site....anytime there is a Change in Cooling Water Flow there is risk of Meltdown. Due to Safety Issues NRC is required to be on site.

( Still Blogging light, trying to finish Inspection Preparations.)

BREAKING BROKEN NEWS STARTED WED.11.28.07 :PERRY NUCLEAR POWERPLANT EMERGENCY SHUTDOWN AT 7:32 AM, SOMETHING WRONG WITH COOLING WATER FEED

*{Originally Posted 11.28.07 11:48 PM , 16 Hours after Emergency Shutdown}*

So I was watching the NEWS at 11pm, and I was listening closely because God forbid LeBron got injured, so I was paying very close attention. And low and behold I learned that the Perry Nuclear Power Plant, shutdown at 7:32 am, THIS MORNING. Now I watched the news three times today, and I had heard NOTHING. And the anchors just read the teleprompter,like it was a weather report, there was NO Statement from a First Energy Official or from ANY Government workers, or spinmasters. NOTHING has been said....nada. I am a little stunned that there has been no information for the people that live near the plant, and very curious WHY I did not hear about this until this EVENING, and it didn't even make the CNN "Money Report" until 6:38 PM.

Now I am no expert but a Nuclear Power Plant that goes into Emergency Shutdown mode , related to COOLING WATER PROBLEMS is NOT A GOOD THING. ( Anyone remember 3 Mile Island???). So Suposedly NRC is "rushing " there TOMORROW.....oh, that 's special- do WAIT 24 hours before you send in the "EXPERTS"....( Hmm, seems to me that Someone should do Geiger Readings and Other Risk Assessments BEFORE 24hours ? It is on Lake Erie, and there also should be water checks going on, especially the Discharges ? ) And then I looked at their Safety Records and gee, they have had "Some Problems", so maybe Concern is Reasonable ? Prudent?

Now one of the People that has indeed had Concerns about Energy Issues in Ohio is Dennis Kucinich, so I will post his Phone Number here and in the Credits so people can call and ask for a Full Safety Investigation....and some Answers.

PHONE NUMBERS FOR DENNIS : DC: 202-225-5871 or 216-228-8850 or 440-845-2707 or 202-224-3121, I called at 12:21 AM on Nov 29th. I will mail letter tomorrow, the Service at the Website would not let me email him.....Good Luck and let me know in the comments, if you get any responses. ( NRC has NOTHING AT ALL on their website as of this posting, and no safety information, or timelines for Safety Assessments, or ANY information or even a press release. This is Very Serious. The NRC phone numbers are in the Comments. Please also forward to Keith O. thanks)

Worse comes to Worse you can always call the Pres Hotline: 1-877-41-DENNIS

You know I will Update in This Issue in the Comments Below- if ANY Ohio Folk have more information , please post as well.

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Information: Do you remember 3 Mile Island? Need Information? I have linked a video in the title about it , that Highschool students made, it is actually a good assessment. The best Book about it is is called MELTDOWN by Wilborn Hampton, it explains the Different Nuclear Disasters and the Consequences, as well as the components of each crisis.

( Meanwhile on the CNN GOP Debates, they are debating Geesus, the Bible, the Right to Life, the Right to Kill People, and Guns.....and people wonder why I am not a patient woman.....as I scrape vomit out of my keyboard).
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IMPORTANT UPDATE:::11.29.07 11AM :IMPORTANT UPDATE: So I did call Dennis Kucinich 's office last night DC office, they returned my call this am. Apparently I was the ONLY one to call them about this, they called to find out HOW I knew about it, and ask my concerns ( WOW ...did I mention I was stunned ? shocked ? grateful? It was kind of sad that I was the only one to notice or call....I guess I caused a little concern, they wondered HOW I knew about it....I told them, it was on Channel 3 News at 11, just once, one sentence. I told them I was worried about the people of Ohio. I told them I was worried that NRC had not been there, I told them that as far as I knew the Company had still not released a Statement and neither had the NRC, as matter of fact there is NO Notice or Press Release on the NRC Website. I asked " Am I right to be worried , there are safety issues involved?" The response was" You have no idea". So stay posted I will put a link to Dennis's Website.

Stay Posted....I will update Comments...About This Important Issue.

Teacher found Guilty ? 40 Lashes and Imprisonment

1:20 PM English Teacher found Guilty of "insulting Islam" under Sharia law during "trial" today, sentence was changed, from 6 monthes imprisonment to 15 days, but there has been no word on the 40 lashes. The Police have surrounded the Court Building, and if she is to be flogged, she will have the punishment today at the Courthouse, in another room. She is sentenced to 40 lashes and Imprisonment. President Bush has made no statement about this Concerning Human Rights, Woman's Rights Issue. MSNBC is following. Our State Department has Nothing to say. Media was banned from the Courtroom. I guess Condi would only intervene if she was wearing Stilletos.

Ms.Gibbons "Crime" ? She was teaching children about Compassion for Animals, the Stuffed Bear was named by the Children, they chose Mohammed, a name that they share with the bear. They are Seven year olds, they will now see a beloved teacher, a Woman beaten and punished for trying to teach them, and honoring their heritage.

MSNBC is covering, as is CNN (sporadically). UK Papers, and BBC covering better.

About Housekeeping....Against my will 11.28.07

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*{Click the Title: Micheal Hedges of Windham Hill "Aerial Boundaries"}*
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While in the middle of jobhunting, it is important to also be forced to do Something that is Totally Irrevelant.
Allow me to explain, last summer I worked very hard on my Front Porch and My Yard, I needed a lovely little refuge, a retreat. So I decorated, painted wicker furniture, and planted petunias, and peonies and pansies. I hung windchimes and made mosaics, and also pillows. NOW in the middle of all this, my house got inspected. Where I live the Community Inspects garages, porches and yards. It is an old battered neighborhood, a college neighborhood. Not a Fancy Gated Community. So I find it absolutely laughable that the City "Inspects", but they do, and they also Cite the Homeowners, or Landlords if they don't like what they see, it is a very subjective thing, and I am pretty sure the City makes Money off of it. ( Have you guessed that I am MORE than annoyed at this point ???).

See here is the thing, I moved here because my Downtown Cool Apartment Loft Building got Foreclosed- in the middle of Winter, so in the middle of the Coldest Part of Winter, I moved, yup Siberian Moving, 22 Straight Days of Sub ZERO weather....And It was a haphazard move- I did it, all alone. No Help. But I did it.

Then I loved into my beat up old Victorian House, that had only been lived in by College Students for many years, Art Students that did not like to Clean.So I spent monthes, scrubbing, cleaning and scraping, and painting, attempting to make it look somewhat normal.....And I worked on it all spring and all summer. And to be honest the Porch and the front yard was biggest accomplishment. I painted, cleaned and fixed every single room. And after 5 moves around the Country in 5 years, I also tried desperately to make sure to put everything in order for my son.

And to find out that I got "Cited" , has really made me angry, I won't lie, it really upset me.

And to work So Hard to make Something Rotten and Unloved look so Nice, and to know that I got cited, has been very upsetting. And to be inspected, like I did Something Wrong, is very stressful. ( The City is inspecting ALL of my landlord's Properties...so it is NOT about me). And it is near Christmas and I live with a teenager, so my house is of course a mess....and I have No One to help clean or paint....which normally would of course not matter.

And I have to move the porch furniture ( that is called "debris"), and ALL the plant pots, and Porch Goodies, and that means Many Trips to the dreaded Basement. And the yard I worked on alone all summer and fall, and frankly I spent the last three weekends raking, and I am tired. ( and oh, yes, the Side-by-Side Neighbors I have suck- I forgot...she is a princess, and can not clean or help...with the yard, god forbid, she might get dirty or break a nail). And I still have this lumpy swollen ankle that I have been hobbling up and down the stairs with....adding to my cursing and grumping...

So for the Next Two Days I will be tied up with this Project, of getting ready to be inspected again, and cleaning like crazy.....and well, not really in a good mood...because all I want to do right now is Get a Job and finish finding all my Christmas Goodies, NOT cleaning....I hope and pray that my attitude improves, and that I am not so tired that I can not get this done.....

So I apologize ahead of time, and for my bad mood......and say please know that I will be thinking about you all.....It you want to leave me a nice thought, or a funny joke that would be great....I should be back by Friday Afternoon, after the Hideous Inspection.....

( Or you can email me at enigma4ever@earthlink.net....thanks..)

Waiting for the Waves of Change.....11.27.07

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*{ Al Stewart Dedicated to Patriot in the Northwest that loves Al, this is the BEST version of "On the Border", it is a very political song.....this LIVE version from 1988 is amazing, Peter White totally calms and soothes the restless masses with his guitar, it is magical. And then the orchestra sweeps in.....and the Crowd starts waving flags...}*
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I am waiting for Waves of Change to Sweep in....We need it at this point. Someone tell me HOW could the president sit around yesterday afternoon and SIGN a DEAL with Iraq, signing OUR LIVES and MONEY away FOREVER. AND No One said a word, NOTHING...... I can not be the only one that feels this Rage building across the Country, people fed up that this Dictator does Whatever he wants, whenever he wants.And yes, it worries me HOW it was done, and with such Hubris, and with such Incredibly Bad Timing, he KNEW that Tuesday was the Middle East Peace Talks day, WHY sign Anything before speaking to other Countries in the Region, especially the countries that are absorbing Millions of Iraqi Refugees....Or was it all because the UN Sanctions for US Occupancy expire soon....

The Waves have to start soon before the Psychopath of a Misleader Makes any more "Deals".......or Worse. What can we do to Help the Waves ?

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"Genius is the talent for Seeing things Straight.It is seeing things in a straight line without any bend or break or abberation of sight, seeing them as they are, without any warping of vision." Maude Adams

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FOOTNOTE: Please do Stop over to Cosmic Messenger, there is a New Post up that is very interesting.....especially for those of us tired of having the Media Telling us WHO to vote for....
And I have a favor to ask, People have been trying to figure out Where Chuck of Bushamericka2 is ? and is he okay? If ANYONE knows anything, or has News...or an email address please email enigma4ever@earthlink.net, thank you.

Lessons From Kennedy , 44 Years Later....11.26.07

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** Originally Posted 11.24.07 , reposted and moved to Monday Night 11.26.07**
*{Click the Title: This YouTube is called What John F.Kennedy would say to George Bush, it is Profound , it is Disturbing, It must be seen. The Photo is from our Friend in the Northwest, it is JFK at Love Field in Dallas, the Crowds reaching to touch him, to touch Greatness.}*
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" When we got into Office, the thing that surpised me the most, was that things were as bad as we had been saying they were" John F.Kennedy 1962
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Many of us remember Greatness, remember where we were when we heard that the Light had been snuffed out of our Dreams and Hopes. I was merely a child when he died, and I remember it clearly. As we watch all these Democratic Candiates on the Election Trail we find ourselves looking for Greatness, for Hope, for Courage. We find ourselves reflecting on the words of this great leader, the man who was the President that was Destined to greater Greatness. I find myself looking at these Candidates, do they project Strength? Do they speak Bravely of Needed Change? Do they confront The Truth ? Do they Acknowledge that OUR Constitution is In Trouble ? John F. Kennedy would have acknowledged ALL of these issues....he was doing it over 40 years ago, and with the help of YouTube you can still hear his Words, his Wisdom, his ability to Speak the Truth.
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"The Great Enemy of the Truth is often not the Lies, deliberate, contrived, dishonest, but the Myth, persistant, persuasive, and unrealistic. Belief in myths allows the comfort of opinion, without the discomfort of thought."

I think JFK would have realized that Mr.Bush is living a myth, that he is trying to be comfortable with the Mythical False Legacy he has created that has cost millions of lives to be lost and damaged.

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There is a Book on sale at Borders right now, that you need to see, and buy for $4.99, it is called "Remembering Jack", by Jaques Lowe,, It shows John F.Kennedy and Robert F.Kennedy , and the family during those early 1960's, it will remind you of those days, and it also has quotes from the family. Robert F.Kennedy Jr wisely points out that those photos keep his history intact, and help him realize his part of that time in History.

I am asking each of you to take a photo of yourself and write what you would tell President Kennedy today ? And when the Candidates come to your town, think of him and Robert Kennedy as AG, and realize that there would be NO discussions of Torture, and Illegal Spying, and Constitutional Abuses,Gitmo...Ask Brave Questions , Ask Questions that JFK would have asked. This is NOT a time to Show Fear, this is a Time to be Brave, for ALL of us.

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I am a citizen that stood up and blew the whistle on a company that was doing horrible criminal damage to land, soil, animals, water and people. And it was knowing Endangerment to the People of one small County, and the Federal Government was given ALL the Data and Documents of the Damage, and Investigations were opened, and then Mr.Bush came to Power. And my life became Hellish at best. I was put on No Fly LIsts, and Phone Lists,and my mail was disrupted, all because my little Non Profit studied Environmental Health Damage from a Company that was friends with the Bush Family. I was told by a Senator's Office in 2004 to Hush and Keep Quiet because Executive Decisions had been Made. I shipped my belongings across the Country, and when the Pod arrived it had been opened and a Letter was Inside From Homeland Security, saying that it had been checked for Explosives. The Homeland Security Operatives STOLE: my Science Books, Including My Books on Rachel Carson and Madame Curie, and Chemistry, and My Books on Religion and Buddhism, and My Books On the Kennedys, both John F.Kennedy and Robert F.Kennedy. They even Stole My "Profiles In Courage" that John F.Kennedy wrote.

The Line indeed has been crossed when a Patriotic Mom and a Nurse has been labeled as an Enemy and placed On LISTS, and There is indeed Fascism endangering Our Country, over 300,000 people have been labeled like me to spied on at Will in the Name of "Security". More than 80,000 can not fly. Look at your Friends, your neighbors, and tell me, WHO would you put on a List. Who would you think Deserves Less Freedom? The Student next door ? The Lawyer down the Street ? The mom who volunteers for the ACLU ? WHO?

"Profiles in Courage " was written before JFK was President, it was written about Eight Great Americans, not just about their Courage, but about their Codes of Honor, their Integrity. And in the 1964 Special Edition, that was stolen from me, was the Famous Dedication written by his brother Robert that said ," This is not just Stories of the Past, but a Book of Hope and Confidence for the Future, What Happens to the Country, to the World, depends on What we do with What Others have Left Us." For many years I have carried that quote and the quote below in my pockets because they give me Strength and Hope.
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"The Chinese use 2 Brush Strokes to write the word "Crisis". One Stroke stands for "Danger", and the other "Opportunity".In a Crisis be aware of the Danger,but recognize the Opportunity. "( April 12,1959) John F.Kennedy spoke these words before he was ever elected President. We are as a Nation at a Moment of Crisis, let us Face the Dangers, and see it as Our Last Great Opportunity to Save Our Country. Start to look at the Candidates and ask Hard Questions And Listen for Courage, Integrity, and Truth. Our Future is in Our Hands.

Monday Night Music 11.26.07

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*{Click the title" MrMister " Broken Wings"}*
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Not a bad Monday.....Mr.Bush had a private meeting with Al Gore, I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall for that...and Mr.Cheney is not feeling well, something about his "heart" ( I always find that comical, that he actually has a working heart). And another Repug Mainstay is quitting, for questionable reasons. I find it soooo interesting that all of these Diehard Repugs are jumping ship, not even offering to help with the Presidential Elections...and tomorrow the "Peace Talks " are being held in Annapolis. ( WHY Annapolis? I have no idea, but I guess a Naval Base sends that Military Tough Guy messege that Bush loves). And susposedly Mr Bush signed Some Kind of Deal to keep us in Iraq Forever, we can talk about THAT all week...

Hope Everybody got home safe and sound....Have a good night.

Saturday Night Music ....11.24.07

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[ Click the Title: Jody Watley " Borderline"]
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"Don't compromise yourself.You are all you've got." Janis Joplin

It is Saturday Night, crisp and cold and a full silvery moon hangs in the sky. Are there times when you hear music and it makes you feel young again, and yet older and wiser all at the same time ?Tonight's Music is dedicated to Renegade and other friends that love Jody Watley. Have a wonderful Saturday Night, dance and drink hot coco....stay warm.

Friday Night Music .......11.23.07

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"One can never pay in gratitude:one can only pay "in kind" somewhere else in life."
Anne Morrow Lindbergh

This is Thanksgiving Friday, this is the weekend that you curl up , eat popcorn and watch movies, from Hitchcock to Bond to cheesy movies that I never saw in the theater. Thank You Netflix and Cable....Here is some Friday Night Music....Went to many concerts by this fella...He can play guitar and melt anyone's heart. Curl up watch movies and listen to some good music.

So Thankful......11.22.07

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"Love is a great Beautifier" Louisa May Alcott
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I am so thankful...grateful for so much.I am thankful that my son really is a Gentle Giant, in all of his 6-6 glory,that he has a big heart and a good soul, and that even though he is a teenager, and I annoy him, he knows that I love him.I am thankful that the sick cat arrived , wandered into his life and keeps him such gentle company....I am thankful that we found this old Victorian Wreck of a House that needed so much work and so much love, that has been so good for us.I am thankful for the battered old porch and the garden and fresh dirt.....And I guess I am happy that my Downtown Loft Building did Foreclose,as it made me find us a New Home. I am thankful for this lovely old neighborhood with such nice neighbors ....and all of the trees,birds,possums and skunks....I am thankful that 6-6's dad got to come this past summer and stay a WHOLE month, it was heaven. I am thankful that I survived 2005 and finally recovered most of what was damaged, I am so lucky...I am thankful that I have made so many wonderful friends here in Blogland that have been so good to me and my son over these past 2.5 years....Very Grateful....very.

May your day be full of wonder, food, football, friends...and hugs.
So Thankful...for so much...I would love to give everyone a hug....
I know there is alot wrong...but I also know that I am so lucky....
so grateful for all that I have...very.

I will be back on Friday.

Namaste.

*{please do Click the Title: What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong and the lower posts also have Goodies too,mostly silly funny Turkey videos]*

Wednesday Night Music....11.21.07

It is the Night Before the Turkey Day...Tonight is Chop and Dice Night here at the Enigma Cafe, I really like to have Mozart on when I am slicing and cutting, it makes me feel like a professional chef, even if the Finale involves Bandaids. ( I have only had one Thanksgiving that involved Fire extinguishers, and that was not my fault and involved an error in my youth telling my sister that Popcorn made Great Turkey Stuffing never thinking that the poor bird would explode or that she would actually think I was serious). Be sure to click the Titles of the Thanksgiving Posts Below, there is Some Great Humor on Board.......Especially the post below with the Celebrity Bric Brac Theater ( Pilgrims played John Madden + Christopher Walken). Okay back to the Stuffing....Goodnite.

Happy Thanksgiving...

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I decided to post some Videos for Thanksgiving, I am so grateful for all that you have given to me this past year....so I wanted to give Something back...So I decided I am going to find Some Good Food ( you must go to Jamie's at Durward Discussion, she has wonderful receipes). and Something that will have you laughing.....

So the First Video is a hoot, it is Called Bric Brac Celebrity Theater, and they have cast the Pilgrims as John Madden, Christopher Walken and Sean Connery. ( I wonder if Will Ferrell has a hand in it...)

Click the Title for another Great Gobbler Comedy

Late Tuesday Night Music...11.20.07

So everybody is getting ready for the Holidays.....Me ? I am just tired from Cleaning and Waiting .....to hear about the jobhunt from Hell....BUT...I am so grateful for the company and friends that have kept my spirits up all this time....Tomorrow is gathering the Goodies for the Turkey Day for 6-6....I will blog when I can...Have a good night...

BREAKING NEWS:"WHAT HAPPENED ? " Tuesday afternoon....11.20.07

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**{Click Title: Dedication for a Friend, Cheyanne, Dixie Chicks" I am Not ready to Make Nice"}**
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It is a funny thing, but today Something happened that may indeed lead to a "Watergate" Christmas.....So Unexpected and yet so Overdue. I was sitting here nursing my stress fractured foot, cursing my melting peas, and David Shuster came on a little after 4pm on MSNBC and broke a HUGE story. ( and for now I am telling you to go to Crooks and Liars for more) I found myself sitting here wondering WHERE is Fitz, and gee I sure hope he has a TV on....

So here I sit watching Hardball wondering if the Media will bury the Story. Apprarently Scottie McClellan , the press secretary that I had so unkindly called The Pinata, and apparently might indeed have a Conscience and does not like being Part of a HUGE Lie. A lie that involves Rove, Libby, Andy Card, the VEEP and yes, Mr.Bush. ( Please see the Plamegate Timeline over on the blogroll)

Well, Well....So the Scotty The Pinata was TOLD to Lie, and he is writing a Book about his tenure, and WHY would the Publisher put out his Statement NOW ? Why ? Does it need a to release a Teaser ? Or did Scotty finally realize that he wanted his Truth Out There, for some reason he wants to set the Record Straight.Why and Why Now ? And of course the MSM ( Hardballs etc will wrestle with how to spin this Revelation....and surely it is a BIG piece of Coal for the Whitehouse Stocking..)

Well, I think while eating the Turkey we all have Something to talk about Now... So Many Questions NOW on the Table.

So Bush pardoned Scooter, WHY to Protect HIS OWN Crimes ? Does THIS qualify as High Crimes and MisDemeanors ? Is Impeachment Back on the Table? For ALL of them ?

The Name of Scotty's Book is " WHAT HAPPENED"......well, apparently we might Still Find Out....

Monday Morning Thoughts....11.18.07

So it is Monday and most people are getting ready for Thanksgiving. I have a series below that is mostly about VET Issues, for all of us to learn more about PTSD and Suicide prevention, I know it is not a nice subject, but the stats and the Seriousness of this Epidemic tugged at my heart, and since MSM is giving it rather shortshrift I am even more driven to blog on it. I am sorry if this offends anyone, but it needed to be done, and hopefully it will help all of care for VETS, not just their families. The three posts below are on the PTSD/Suicide issue. There are other posts that are more soothing of the soul and provide solace.

I did update the Blogroll and there are some wonderful new links, and I will do a bloground up tomorrow, please email me if you think I missed your blog or have news for the Round Up. enigma4ever@earthlink.net

*{Click the Title:The Music is Tracy Chapman "Talking about Revolution."}*

VET Suicide Rates:Part II of the CBS VET Suicide Story:Click this Title

(originally posted 11.16.07 )
About Suicide:
I am posting this series here. I also have to say I did get emails about this Post and the Suicide Issue. As a nurse, I have worked Psych, and ER , and also Homecare,and with PTSD VETS, where I learned more about suicide that maybe I should share this weekend as Thanksgiving Holiday approaches.The tricky part of this is that PTSD indeed might have different suicidal patterns and warnings and clues, so please bear with me as I explore this. Please know that if Someone you love is exhibiting ANY signs that concern you or worry you, please get them help, if that means going to a local ER,or Mental Health Specialist, then do it. Many of the Reports that I have read involved Time Lapsing while someone waited to be able to have a loved one seen at the VA. If you have someone that you feel is in crisis, do not wait to take them to the ER, atleast this also sends a messege that you Value this person, that YOU would never make them Wait. There are two times when Suicide Rates are up, when VET is home on leave for holiday or vacation or when VET has returned from assignment.

*{FACTOID: Important as of 2006 there were over 100,000 Disability Claims filed for PTSD, only one third are from the Gulf War, the rest are from this era Iraq and Afganistan. That is a large number- and how many are getting propercare and support, and meds, we don't know. National Guard Troops that were there at the start only had health care for TWO years, so most of the ones with PTSD are on the street or homeless, and I have not been able to find suicide numbers- but I am working on it.Considering 25% of all Homeless are VETS, this number is important.}*

Warning Signs:
Important: These signs are those that a nurse has noticed over 20 years, but I am not a Doctor, if you notice any of these, or more than one think about getting this peron help, and not necessarily from the VA, get to a good ER or psychiatrist that specializes in ANXIETY disorders, PTSD is NOT a Mood Disorder. VETS are being told that they have "mood Disorders", this also means that they are not being given MUCH needed Anxiety meds, and they are being told that they have a pre-exisiting condition, so that the VA actually does not feel responsible to treat the PTSD. If the Person has the symptoms below, they need help- immediately- not in 6 monthes or 4 weeks, and they need care, not a PTSD assesssment, they need meds and psychotherapy, support and professional care. ( The families usually need help too).


(1) Obvious Depression Symptoms ( which also can be a part of PTSD). Altered Sleep patterns ( this can include too much or too little, and difficulty getting to sleep, or using substances to get to sleep).Dead Eyes, Altered eye contact. Altered sense of humor or ability to connect. Person limits contact with others,seperating or "Caves". Person seems disconnected, angers at people suggesting connection or asking too many questions. ( Alternating Caving with Clinging- as one commenter has mentioned).

(2) Emotionally this person can also cry, or be quiet pensive. Atleast offer once a day, softly, and quietly without pressure "Do you want to talk?" and watch the response, but keep offering every day. If you give up trying the person sees that as you have given up on them. It can also be a rollercoaster, huge emotional swings- silence to rages, but what is noted is lack of pattern, and control. It is important that you remain calm and nonjudgemental and give unconditional support and care, remember it is not the person crying and lashing out in pain- it is the Illness, and it is a very serious illness.

(3) Patterns of care, does the person bath, care for self, and that includes eating and drinking fluids, are they connected to their own needs. This also includes substance issues, are they only drinking or taking pills to numb themselves and forgetting to eat.

(4) Is there anything that seems odd ? Are they putting everything in order, cleaning and tidying, and giving away Belongings. Apologizing to old friends, People that have planned a suicide for a long time will go to great extremes to put everything in order.Watch for this. Are they writing alot of letters and journaling excessively.

(5) Is there Reckless Behavior going on, more than usual. Sex, Drugs, or Driving, or "playing" with guns, or knives. ( If you notice anything that rings a bell with this- Be Proactive- remove the Pills from home, remove the Knife or Gun Collection, don't take them hunting, and put Keys away after 9pm, LIMIT Risks).

(6) The TV clue: Are they connected to what they are watching and interested at all, or are they just staring, watch what they watch, and just note, whether it be CNN, or game shows, or Violent movies. Look for patterns.

Suicide Prevention:
IF you have concerns, please talk to another family member or friend, you will need a team and a plan to help someone that is thinking of Suicide. Remember this, the person might have been planning for quite awhile, they will not want to be confronted, they may even be angry, defensive. You can ask :" are you okay?" If they vocalize at all" I don't want to be here or I can't do this anymore" , keep them talking, get them to talk as much as you can. It is about being gentle and if you keep them talking and let them know that they are loved, the chances increase considerabley to get them the help or care they need.

** { Other posts and blogs to read Lulu Maude at "Take Your Medicine" , Spadoman about PTSD, and" From the Left" and also Jim over at Average American Patriot, all have revelant posts up about PTSD and VA "care". }**

If you have more suggestions or observations or need more info please email enigma4ever@earthlink.net.

The Killing Fields Are Here, Over 100 VET Suicides Per Week Here, Go to Crooks and Liars and See the Whole Story

I have wondered for quite a while WHAT the Actual VET Suicide rate is, I read the Obits here in Ohio, and I suspected for over 3 years as I lived all over the Country that Something was Wrong. I have said this before, DEAD PEOPLE DON'T LIE, THE ANSWERS ARE ALWAYS IN THE OBITS. The Other HUGE issue attached to this Story is that we have a PTSD problem here in the US.And the VET Suicide rate for 2005 ALONE was more than 125 A WEEK Across the Country......That is over 6500 for that year alone, MORE died here at Home than In Iraq, in that year alone....CBS did their own Investigation, and went state by state tracking the Stats on their Own, the Federal Level failed miserably when questioned for Data and FOIA'd. Watch this story , learn More, Someone 's Live May Depend on it. And Lets See if CNN has enough Balls to bring it to the Debate tonight.
*[Buscho should not just be Impeached, they should indeed be Tried For Crimes Against Humanity]*

****On November18th, I will have a post up about PTSD....and Suicide Signs******