Thanksgiving Thoughts

With all the violence in the World [especially on NBA basketball courts ;-)], it may cause some people to ask, “What is there to be thankful for?”
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My daughter recently said, “Dad, you should read about something besides War.” I didn’t reply, but should have said, “I read history to gain an understanding of what brought us here. And to have a feel on what is to come.” These times are not the worst period to live in. Having read some history, one can see that we live in a great period of history. Despite our problems the Present and the Future is still a time of great expectations and promise.
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This is not your typical Thanksgiving message. And, I am thankful for the Family, Friends, etc. But, I know that there are problems to be solved, issues to be raised, a Future to be lived in, and History to be written. I am not now content to sit idly by. I have a voice and I plan to use it. And this blog is hopefully a place where my voice and other voices can sound, cheer, moan, and shape understanding. This seems to becoming my catchphrase -
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Change the Future, Get Involved.
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I remember being in a college classroom and this is the lyric that the professor shared with us -

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“We are peaceful gentle people. Fighting fighting for our lives …”.

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In many ways this lyric applies to all of us. The lyric was from a nuclear protest song. But, if we expect anything to change, then one must take a stand and fight for it.

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I am thankful to live in a great nation, where I can post my blog and know my voice will not be silenced. (I like to spice up my writings we a few quotes.) GC

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"I'm for truth, no matter who tells it.

I'm for justice, no matter who it is for or against.

I'm a human being first and foremost,
and as such I am for whomever and whatever
benefits humanity as a whole."

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Malcolm X
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"If you want peace, work for justice."

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Pope Paul VI

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Historical Question of the day -

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What was the Spanish Flu?

Now, a bit of history for a little perspective, read about “… a viral infectious disease, that killed some 25 million to 40 million people (possibly significantly more) world-wide. . . .”

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only 9 million people died in WWI. Click on the link below for the whole article.

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_Flu

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PS Sometimes looking back gives you an appreciation for where we are now. Despite many things these are truly Great and Wonderous times. ;-) GC

The First Genocide of the 20th Century - Armenia

"The term Armenian Genocide (also known as the Armenian Holocaust or Armenian Massacre) refers to the deportation and murder of Armenians by the Young Turks government in 1915-1916.
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The Armenian Genocide is denied by Turkey, although the massacre of large numbers is widely, freely admitted and publically regretted."
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(Go to the link below for the balance of the article.)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armenian_Genocide

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For more on World War One - I recommend any juvenile book on World War One, just go to the children's section and see what's available. Any current adult book on World War One should have a paragraph, page or section on the Armenians. This is what I'm reading now:

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The Great War
And the Shaping of the 20th Century,
by Jay Winters and Blaine Baggett,
Penguin Books, NY, NY, etc.,
1996, ISBN 0-670-87119-2

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It was also a PBS TV series and videos can be checked out at most public libraries nowadays. I wouldn't let small children watch it but older children could be interested. Don't let the size of the book deter you, its quick reading and informative and there's also lots of pictures.

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Love, the editor ;-)

Never Forget - Remember. Change the Future

“Who today remembers the Armenians?”

Hitler, 1942

The Armenian Genocide of WWI is an example of why we need to remember. You can’t rewrite history. But, we can change the future.

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."

Edmund Burke (1729 1797)

Seek the truth and don’t follow blindly. Know why you believe in what you believe. Think for yourself and question those who claim to know what is best for you. Vote, don’t blame the government. Protest don’t accept injustice. The legacy of World War I is not the celebration of Veteran’s Day. Wars will probably never end. But, war should not be waged lightly. And our government is accountable for what it does. History is being written now. We are writing history with what we do and what we don’t do. Men like Arafat and Begin fought for what they believed.

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"Strange times are these in which we live when old and young are taught in falsehood's school, and the one man that dares to tell the truth is called at once a lunatic and fool."

Plato

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The truth is we are all Brothers. And sometimes Nations wage War for the wrong reasons. Hopefully next year will have us out of Iraq. Change the Future get involved.

Prime Minister Menachem Begin: Terrorist?

“Begin was dispatched to Palestine in 1942. Discharged in 1943, he remained in Palestine and assumed command of the Irgun Tsvai-Leumi, a guerrilla organization seeking to oust the British, who had controlled Palestine since 1922. Pursued by British authorities for his anti-British activities, Begin managed to evade capture by going into hiding in Tel Aviv (now part of Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel).”
(source from Lycos)

"On July 22, 1946, members of the Jewish underground military organization Irgun Tsvai-Leumi in the British Mandate of Palestine planted and exploded a bomb at the King David Hotel in Jerusalem. The hotel was the base for the British Secretariat, the military command and a branch of the Criminal Investigation Division (police). 91 people were killed, most of them civilians: 28 British, 41 Arab, 17 Jewish, and 5 other. Around 45 people were injured..The attack was initially ordered by David Ben Gurion, who was in the United States, but he later changed his mind and ordered the bombing to be cancelled. But Menachem Begin, the head of Irgun, went ahead anyway. Both Ben Gurion and Begin would later become Israeli Prime Ministers. The attack was commanded by Yosef Avni and Yisrael Levi."
Click on the link below to read the balance of the article. (source)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_David_Hotel_bombing

Some people believe the attack of the King David Hotel was a terrorist act.

"One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter."

Arafat dead at 75

One man’s freedom fighter is another man’s terrorist.

This certainly could describe Yasser Arafat. The world is full of heroes or villains, depending from what point of view you have, Arafat will be either a hero or villain.

What ever your point of view is, let’s pray for peace in the Middle East and the passing of a World leader:

AOL News - Palestinian Leader Yasser Arafat Dead at 75

Why November 11th? - The War to End All Wars

On the 11th of November at 11 am of the year 1918, the guns fell silent and World War I ended. This was the "War to End All Wars" and to make it easily remembered the 11th day of the 11th month at the 11th hour was chosen. Almost 90 years later, not much has changed. Muslims vs. Christians. In WWI, it was the Muslim Ottoman Empire vs. the Christian Armenians. Ethnic people are still fighting for their own homelands. In 1914, it was the "Black Hand" a Bosnian separatist movement wanting a Free Bosnia and Bosnian homeland. Today, it's the PLO fighting for a Palestinian homeland. And Wars still continue.

Below is an excerpt from an article, the Angel of Mons was an angelic figure that stood between the retreating British Army and the advancing German Army at the Battle of Mons in Belgium.

Let's continue to pray for peace. And hope God and Angels protect our troops fighting over seas. Love and Peace. Jerry

Armistice Day - November 11, 1918, 11 am

THE CASE OF THE ELUSIVE ANGEL OF MONS

by Alan S. Coulson, MD, PhD. and Michael E. Hanlon, Website Editor

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"One of the abiding legends of the Great War is of an intercession by a heavenly agent -- allegedly observed by many soldiers -- during the opening action at Mons, Belgium, part of the larger action known as the Battle of the Frontiers in August 1914. In his book ANGELS A TO Z Matthew Bunson recounts, 'One of the most famous episodes of angelic intervention, [was] the supposedly widely reported descent of an angelic army in August 1914, which came to the aid of the British forces against the Germans in Mons. . . The angelic host's assistance could not have come at a more propitious moment as the British were being driven back by the relentless German advance."

Bunson also relates one version supposedly corroborated by German prisoners describing a force of phantoms armed with bows and arrows and led by a towering figure on a shining white horse who spurred on English forces during an assault on German trenches. Another story spoke of three angelic beings seen by the British, hovering in the air over German lines, providing a source of deep inspiration for them. Aside from these beings, Bunson states that soldiers later claimed to have seen St. Michael the Archangel, the Virgin Mary, even Joan of Arc. [D See reference list at end of article.]"

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go to the following website for the complete article

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http://www.worldwar1.com/heritage/angel.htm

Relpy to Grace or Can Meggie be Future Prez?

Sean and I talked about whether Meggie, being born in Japan, would be prevented from becoming President. Sean and I think that Meggie wouldn’t be excluded. First, isn’t a US military hospital considered American territory. The land any Embassy is on is sovereign territory of that country. I think that should the case with military bases, etc. on foreign soil. (Like Guantanamo Bay in Cuba.)

Secondly, Meggie was the dependent of American citizens. Heather and Alan, “Does Meggie have dual citizenship?”, American and Japanese, I doubt it. Meggie would just have to reaffirm her American citizenship when she becomes 18 years old. And the US doesn’t recognize dual citizenship, anyway.

Finally, every law needs to be interpreted by the original intend of the law. The framers of the Constitution could never have predicted that the US would have military bases on foreign soil. The original intent of the law is to prevent foreign influences in US politics. People like Meggie could not really considered a foreigner just because she was born in a foreign country.

Waiting for the JAG’s comments. Love GC

Proud to be Purple - not Red vs. Blue

Yes, even us Smiths, Goodwins, and Costaleses are split but, as a family we're all purple. The political e-mail, posting, blogging, etc. is fun. But, the family stuff is better and more important.

Can't we all just get along?

I think we do a good job as a family of getting along, despite our political differences. Hawaii and California went Kerry. Arizona and Alaska went Bush. I think we kind of know who voted for who and why.

I was in a high school recently and someone asked, "Who did you vote for?". My response was, "I voted for an American." Yes, I'm proud to be an American. I'm proud that my dad was a veteran of World War II and Korea. I'm proud Jesse is a veteran and Heather is a veteran as well as Alan.

This country will rebound. Hopefully faster than slower. We will succeed only because as individuals and as a nation, none of us can accept failure. Eventually as individuals and as a nation we will overcome the differences that divide us, work together and succeed.

Corrections to the Heartland

My loyal readers were kind enough to point out one big omission. Sean did vote in his first Presidental election. Also, I incorrectly thought that Jessica would be voting in 2008. Jessica was another first time voter.

To the Heartland, thanks for your comments & support. I still believe the President needs to produce then impliment a better exit plan for Iraq. Edwards will benefit from the national exposure. I would support Edwards in 2008 and really don't think Hillary will run for President in 2008. But, Hillary could be a possible VP. All our Love, the Liberal wing of the Costales Family.

California leads the nation. Stem Cell research bond approved. ;-)

Clues for Harry Potter Fans

Well, I was finally lucky enough to get behind the door on J. K. Rowlings website. I didn’t do it on my own and already knew what was behind it. But, it was fun anyway.

Rowling’s revealed three chapter titles from Book 6, . . . The Half-Blood Prince as a Halloween treat. If you want the title names just e-mail me and I’ll get you the info.

We rented a Halloween video Ghost Watcher, not too bad. If you want a nice independent flick rent it. The worst part was a quick possible sexual situation but nothing was shown. There is bad language but not in excess. Watch this one with the lights off.

final thought

The flag I fly caught on the wall and tore on Monday night. I had to retire it. But, a new flag will be bought and rise. And our nation will regroup and rise as well. God Bless. Faith and Strength. Courage and Hope. And greatest of these is LOVE. All our love to all of you.
Opal (woof)

continued thoughts

That indifference fortunately is not present in Brianna. Brianna will be voting in 2008, as well as Jessica, Melissa, & Seth. And Ryan will be voting in 2012. This vote was not a vote for just four more years of Bush, but a picture of the future course of America. The Democrats are the minority party with the West - California, Washington, Oregon, etc. and Northeast firmly Democrat. But, the sea of red was more firmly Republican. The Conservative, rural vote reflects the mood of the Nation. The Republican’s gaining a majority in the Senate and maintaining their majority in the House. Eleven states voted on a Constitutional ban on Same Sex Marriages and not surprisingly, all of eleven states approved of the ban.

The road in Iraq is still long with no clear exits. We can only hope that God grants Bush the strength to finish the tasks at hand. The economy, inflation, and oil still need to be fixed. I firmly believe, we didn’t go into Iraq because of oil. But, the Nation’s future cannot be oil based . We need energy independence not oil exploration and development.

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. . . to final thought

Post-Election Thoughts

Well, the headline in Idaho will be reading “Crapo Wins Senate”. Honestly that’s his name “Crapo”. But, the big race its looks like will be going to Bush. The polling place Pam & I voted at was the most crowded I have ever seen. I feel proud that California will be having Stem Cell research. The Govinator - Arnold is truly the big winner here in California. (Arnold as President, who knows.) The TV news showed Maria on crutches at her polling place. The story was Maria had hurt her ankle jumping from a bed while the Bosox beat the Yankees.

The statistic that should be looked at will the 17% youth vote, the percentage was also 17% in 2000 (CNN). The MTV generation should be blamed for not voting. Even Kerry’s hint of a possible reinstatement of the Draft couldn’t get those MTV’ers to the polls.

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to continued thoughts

Don't forget to vote Tuesday

The political debate rages on in the Heather G. and Uncle Jesse Blogs. Check it out.

Brianna, Ryan, and I were "Trick or Treating" in a really great neighborhood in Redlands. We were all surprised. Pam handed out only 3 pieces of candy. ( Our neighborhood is just so dead during Halloween.) More details, later. Our love to all our Bloggers.