Lest we forget...

"War is an ugly thing. But not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself." - John Stuart Mill

Feminism is an experiment...

I know many women are shocked by my views. They expect the daughter of Alice Walker to deliver a very different message. Yes, feminism has undoubtedly given women opportunities. It's helped open the doors for us at schools, universities and in the workplace. But what about the problems it's caused for my contemporaries?

...I don't want to hurt my mother, but I cannot stay silent. I believe feminism is an experiment, and all experiments need to be assessed on their results. Then, when you see huge mistakes have been paid, you need to make alterations.

I hope that my mother and I will be reconciled one day. Tenzin deserves to have a grandmother. But I am just so relieved that my viewpoint is no longer so utterly coloured by my mother's.

I am my own woman and I have discovered what really matters - a happy family.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Read the complete interview on Mail Online.

Hat tip to Dr. Helen.

Updating the Blogroll

Added three new links to my blogroll:

Reclaim Conservatism
A brand new blog. If the first two posts are any indication of things to come, most definitely worth watching.

Common Folk Using Common Sense
"This ’tis be th’ rantin’ of a stoothearted lad in America o’ Scot ancestry (by way o’ th’ Green Isle), wi’ little care fer th’ mincin’ ‘o words. Interrupt me no’ when I is at me haggis and grits. Impede no’ th’ path t’ me comfy chair nor me wee dram lest ye would be laid aboot th’ heid & shoulders wi’ truncheon stout. I knows th’ moonshine fra’ th’ dew, th’ kudzu fra’ th’ thistle, an’ joost what is worn ‘neath me kilt.
Caveat lector.
A proud descendant of Clan Mac Cullaich.
Brewed in Scotland, bottled in Ulster, and uncorked in America."

Oleg Volk
I've been following his photo-advocacy of the 2nd Amendment for some time. 'Bout time I acknowledged that fact.

Armed Forces Day

Today was a good day... State Guard spent the day on Fort Bliss, sharing in the post-wide celebration. The post was opened up to the general public for tours, a chili cook-off, demos, and just general good fun and organized mayhem.

Had a number of folks wondering why we wore the Texas State flag on our arms instead of the US flag - so we got to introduce the State Guard to people who hadn't realized before that there was such a thing.

Spoke with Veterans, listened to their stories of service, and of friends present and fallen, shook hands with men and women that I have a profound respect for, and made new friends. Yes, there's competition and rivalry between the various branches of the military - but it's obvious that they still consider themselves all part of the same extended family, and they've got each other's backs when and where it counts.

And I actually did something that I'd never dreamed of doing before in my life - I went off the rappelling tower. For a lot of folks, this is really no big deal, but I've lived with a major fear of heights most of my life. I've only recently discovered that a lot of the vertigo is because of my allergies - falling even a short distance, like on a carnival ride, upsets my balance terribly especially if I'm even slightly congested. So this was a major accomplishment for me - a 45-foot drop, with nothing but a rope between me and disaster. Not even a wall to bounce off of. The Jump Masters were very encouraging - I've got nothing but respect for them and their professionalism, and their sense of humor.

And I was laughing so hard when I reached the ground that I climbed back up the tower and did it again.

HOOAH!

The Concealed Carry Creed

The Concealed Carry Creed

My weapon is for the protection of my life and the lives of others. That is its sole purpose. It does not confer rights, responsibilities or authority greater than that of other citizens. It merely allows me to protect life.

I will seek never to have to use my weapon. If I can avoid conflict, I will. If I can resolve conflict, I will. If I can escape danger, I will. If I am forced to bring my weapon to bear and use it, I will.

I will acquire superior training with my weapon. It is not the weapon that saves lives, but my effective use of the weapon. I will ensure my training is sound, my knowledge is current, and my mind is prepared.

I will know, understand, and obey all laws and ordinances concerning my weapon no matter where I happen to be. Failure to do so harms all who seek to legally carry an effective means of self protection.

I will know and follow the Four Rules of safe gun handling. I am a member of a growing community that must foster and teach safe and responsible gun handling if the community is to survive.

© Xavier 2008 Used by permission

Send in the puppeteers

I don't "do" political polls.

What I really want, is a candidate who knows his/her own mind - and speaks it - without changing it to match whatever "public interest topic" is the coup du jour of that campaign stop. This "all things to all voters" doesn't cut it with me. I value consistency. The things one stands for should be the same no matter what the circumstances, or what interest group one is speaking with.

I want to see representatives who tell us what they believe, and hold to be important. I don't want someone who polls us to tell them what they should stand for. (especially since that can change according to whomever they are talking to at the moment.) If a politician's stance closely matches mine, that person has my vote. If it doesn't, they don't. And if their stance changes according to how the wind is blowing that day, I tend to vote against them even if I don't agree completely with their opponent. As I said, I value consistency - I want to know what to expect, good and bad, from the people I help elect.

Because a campaign promise should be more than, as Bill Clinton once said, "just something everyone knows you need to say to get elected."

Swift Resolution

Apparently, Brandon Robertson decided to save the taxpayers some money.

Trooper shooting suspect committed suicide, possible accomplice apprehended

Suspect in state trooper's killing found dead

AUSTIN, Texas (KXAN) -- The man suspected of fatally shooting a state trooper was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in Northeast Texas, the Department of Public Safety reported Thursday.

His judgement is in God's hands, now.

And I found out today that Trooper Burns is almost "family" - his sister works for the same agency I do, in a different division. The email went out state-wide today with info on an account that has been set up to aid the family, and date/time on the viewing and services.

Again, may God bless the family, friends and co-workers of Trooper Burns - may they find closure and comfort.