Well, we got good news and bad news today. The doctors have determined the root cause of his current distress and will be able to treat it. It seems that he has type A Influenza.
What, you say, we got all upset over a bad case of the Flue?!?

Well it's a VERY serious thing in Wesley's case, because it seems that he's also entered the end stage period of his COPD. The infection had caused his already overscarred lungs to fill with fluid and reduced his renal capabilities, leading to congestive heart failure. The doctors say that if he had waited another couple hours prior to coming to the hospital, he wouldn't have survived.

They have placed him in a "reverse (air) flow" isolation room and begun supportive treatment to ease the symptoms, with the thinking that it will take approximarely a week to get him well enough to spend another two or three days in an regular room for observation to ensure he can return home, along with a new regimen of pulmonary rehabilitation excercises to try to keep him stable as long as possible in the last progression of the COPD. He will survive this bout of illness, but it's doubtful that he will the next. Brings a whole new light on having a "Killer" Cold!...

Lila and I were aware of what the COPD diagnosis five years ago meant, but Lila's mother Hazel is still unaware that "End Stage" means that every hour is another small triump of life over death. Wesley and Hazel are supposed to celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversery in May. Lila and I only pray that the pulmonary excercises allow him to see that day. Wesley has always been one to buck the odds and overcome, so we will have to have faith that he will this time also.

Thank you all for your support and prayers, they are a great comfort to us both.

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We all know teenagers have more enthusiasm than common sense. They are the bulletproof immortals that, hopefully, survive their missteps long enough to actually become real people that can be reasoned with.

There was a teenager that was really interested in journalism. His class was studying "immersion journalism" wherein the reporter "lives" the subject of his story.

So what does he do? Unlike his movie namesake, Ferris Bueler, who only took the day off, Ferris Hassan took off the entire week before Christmas break...

He took money he had saved from past birthdays and Christmases, ditched the last week of classes before the holiday break, and flew to the Middle East to experience Iraq for himself.

Thanks to plain dumb luck, a fortuitouse confluance of events that prevented his passing through the Kuwati/Iraqi border, and the 101 Airborne, Ferris is on his way home to Fort Lauderdale, Fla. ...hopefully a little less unsure of his own immortality and with a new propensity to consider ALL factors when he plans his vacations...

H/T to Jack for the link

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I probably won't be blogging anything today, we just got a call from MamaMontezz's mother with the news that her father was in the CICU unit of the hospital. The initial diagonosis is congestive heart failure....bad enough in itself, but her father is a COPD patient that has been on O2 for at least the last 4 years, so CHF is a grim prognosis.

We're off to go lend our support to her mom. I would ask all of you to put in a special word with the Big Man upstairs. Wesley Albert is one of those special men that you just don't want to ever go, but if it is to be, I just hope that it will be an easy passing.

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What if Jesus had been born yesterday?

Kathy at Thoughts and Musings has the story under the headline as it might have been in this morning's newspaper:

INFANT DISCOVERED IN BARN, CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES LAUNCH PROBE

Funny? yes; but stop and consider....is it really too over the top to think that this is the story exactly as it would be reported today?

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So it's the day after Christmas. The presents have all been presented and admired; the leftovers have been distributed to help feed all the gluttons partcipants for the rest of the week, and the relatives have all gone home.

As every year, the warm glow of good cheer and fellowship with people you love lingers on, yet there is that creeping sense of "is that all there is"? starting to invade the idylle.

The anticipation is always better than the realization, and it's bitter human nature to dwell on what isn't rather on what was for some all too brief shining moments.

Friends, hold that shining dream for as long as you can, and realize that the best thing that can exist is a warm and caring circle of friends and family. The presents are meaningless except that they are physical reminders of that bond you share with some other human beings.

That said, I made out like a bandit! LOL I got two new shirts, a new pair of Dockers and a really beautiful sweater, and Mama and I share a brand new coffee brewer, that brews the coffee right into the cups. Erin and my Ex bought me a massage/heat pad that I'm certain will be worn out in short order due to overuse .

Mama and Anna bought me a full sized bull hide...a perfect Brindle, no less! I haven't quite figured out where I'm going to put it, but it is GORGEOUS! (damn, now they got me using Metrosexual terms; can a penchant for Starbucks Latte's be far behind?)

I "got" Mama the digital camera she's been wanting (she bought it before I knew WHAT she really wanted...at least I don't have to worry that she won't like her gift! LOL) an 8MP with Leica lenses...She also got a Zen Creative MP3 player (salesman said it was a better buy than the I-Pod) with a 4GB capacity.

The Princess Anna got a 1GB MP-3, a portable DVD player with a 7" screen, and a Gameboy Advance, along with enough clothes to last her a weeks worth of laundry. And she received the most fabulous present of all from our friend
Liz in Kansas City, an heirloom necklace that she had received from her mother when she was roughly Anna's age. The kindness, trust, and dare I say it, love, that was represented by that gift outshone all the others combined. It still brings tears to my eyes to think of it.

Yes, I made out like a bandit, I have people that truly care about me and each other, and what better Christmas gift can there be but that? It's the embodiment of Christ's message to care for one another. I hope I can keep that feeling close as the depths of winter brings it's cold and harsh winds to bear on the spirit of my soul. With that core to heat me, let Winter do her worst, for I have the strength to persevere until that joyous new spring.

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What are you doing here? You should be celebrating this occassion with your family, not surfing the Net.

OK, consider me part of your Virtual on-line family. I wish you to have the Merriest Christmas ever, and a better New year than the last one has been.

Remember the true spirit of Christmas and try to hold it in your heart throughout the year.

Remember those that are putting everything on the line for YOU.

here is my gift to you (yeah, I know, it's regifting, but Wild Thing just is SO darned good at the keyboard! Her talent just NEEDS to be shared.)

Posted by: Delftsman3 at 11:59 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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Wild Thing has a treat for anyone that loves the Christmas spirit. She may be WILD, but can that lady PLAY!! Just click on the holly and be regaled by a true artiste.

And when you're done being beguiled by the sweet tones of her piano, carry that spirit on to THIS POST, and do YOUR bit for Jack and kis fellow patriots.

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I got a christmas present today. It was unexpected, even though the sender had mentioned it in passing in an IM conversation.

All I can say is THANK YOU, DK. You made excellant choices.

Now where is that pancake mix....

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I'm a sucker for all the sappy Christmas "miracle" stories. I just wish we could all keep that spirit all through the year. I don't think Liz will mind that I reposted this one here.

Remember that He is always watching, and everything you do for good or ill is noted. Even if your not a person of faith, I think thats a good credo to live by.

Let "Him" be your conscience, even if He's only a constuct in your own mind; He will never steer you wrong.

Now go below the fold, and have a good cry from observing true faith in action.
I know I did, and I thank you for that Liz. It was a wonderful Christmas gift. more...

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THIS IS A MUST READ.

Connie du Toit, in her own incomperable manner, weaves together the themes of how the actions we take have a ripple effect on the greater world around us; and how, if we have an adult form of self respect, we will take actions to protect ourselves, and the weaker around us. This is a post about courage, and compassion; of going that extra mile; of doing something NOT for recompense, but because it is the right thing to do, and of improving a life that was on a downward path.

If you you don't have at least a tear in your eye by the end of the post, I don't think you are someone I want to know

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The Lady of the Citidal, Mamamontezz, hasn't been posting too much in the last several months; and thats a real shame, because she has a rare talent for writing and/or finding really great subjects to post about (discounting when she is in her Domme mode).

She had a discussion with the Princess last night about Santa Clause. The Princess is one of those rare 11 year olds that still have a fervent belief in Santa Clause; MamaM tried to tell her how Santa is the ideal in all of us, and that we are each Santa to someone else.

The princess still isn't sure about all of this existential thinking, and still harbors a belief in a jolly old elf with an elven factory and reindeer housing facility in one of the colder regions of the world.

When Mamamontezz got to work, she found an e-mail in her inbox that demonstrates the reality of Santa from one of her friends, and promptly added it as a post on her blog. Please go there now and read it...just be sure to have a hankie ready.

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Odysseus has a great post on the historic election that occurred in Iraq today, from the perspective of one who was there at the first election last year.

He explains just what it means to the Insurgents Islamofacists.

.....Just WHY can't the MSM get it right?

By all account's the turnout in Iraq is nothing short of amazing...apparently, at last count, 11 M out of an electorate of 14 M have voted....if only WE could get such a turnout!

(cartoon stolen borrowed from Lucianne) Drawn by Frank Galasso, one of the best around..(please don't sue me)

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Navywxman waxes poetic on communism, and furthur contends that there has never been a TRUE Communist state; that they were all run by Right wing governments.

Go read it to observe a true MOONBAT IDIOTARION in full voice.

Odysseus, true to form, gives the MI a righteous Cluebatting of Truth™ in the comments. And he did it with no hyperboly, just clear basic history, something that Navywxman seems to aquire only from the ISWP.

You need to go read it. Odysseus does it right. All too often, we on the right resort to outrageous hyperboly and labeling (G-d KNOWS I am guilty of that!), that while enjoyable, and serving as a safety valve against hypertension in the face of lunacy, doesn't really cause the opponent to have a chance to really learn from the exchange.

To know that such men of calm and studied reasoning as Odysseus are part of our military command structure really gives me a great feeling of peace, knowing that the troops are in good hands.

P.S. yes I KNOW I engaged in just such labeling as I decried in the above, I'M not as eridite, or calm, as Odysseus is.

Posted by: Delftsman3 at 07:38 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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Hmm There may be a few pockets of sanity left in the Muslim world after all...We'll have to wait and see just how ardent these people are in being willing to risk themselves in protecting Christians from the more radical segments of their faith.

It's kind of like asking the fox to guard the hen house in one sense...but we can never build trust between religious communities without taking some risks, and if these people are sincere, it will be a good first step towards building that trust...

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I found this little ditty in the comments at the Rott. I took the liberty of reposting it here, as it describes my level of regard for what is about to transpire after midnight tonight perfectly.

Took, Took, Tookie goodbye!
Took, Took, Tookie wonÂ’t fry!
The needle that will graze ya,
Will stop yer heart in
San QuentinÂ’s Euthanasia!

Took, Took, TookieÂ’s bombshell!
Took, Took, TookieÂ’s in hell!
Walk towards the light!
DonÂ’t bother to fight!
Yer asshole will be glowing
Like itÂ’s made of graphite!

(dum, dum, dum, dum)

Took, Took, Tookie good bye!
Took, Took, Tookie Banzai!

~Sig94

Another commenter also had what I thought what a pretty good suggestion:

"Those drugs go in order like this: Sleep, Stop Lungs, Stop Heart."

"They need to do a little shell game shuffle to:

Stop Lungs. Have smoke break. Stop Heart. Fuck the sleep heÂ’s gone. My, my he apparently shit and pissed himself. What an undignified thing for such a tough guy to do."

"Can’t wait for the next Tookie Cookie™"

~ LC Ranger 6

Posted by: Delftsman3 at 07:05 PM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
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Kim du Toit, Imperial Firearms Advisor, has an excellant rant on "No Knock" police raids.

I believe that his suggestion that :

Any police department which raids an address not specifically listed on the search warrant should have to pay an immediate, no-appeal spot fine of $5 million to the homeowner, regardless of what transpired during the “raid” ($10 million to the householder’s estate if the householder is killed during the raid).

And if law enforcement doesnÂ’t want to pay the fine, then they might not like my alternative: the LEO who fired the killing shot must be charged with premeditated murder, and the supervisor who authorized the raid charged as an accessory.

Would be an effective way to cut down on the number of "oops sorry, my bad" cases of police raiding the wrong house.

As Kim says,“Extreme measures also require extreme caution.” As a former LEO, I hearily agree with Kim's assesments. Wearing a badge doesn't confer omnipotence in judgement, and that wearer should be held to a higher standard.
We confer great power to that badge holder, and as always, with great power should come great responsibility.

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Steve macklin of Hold the Mayo has a podcast where he outlines his thoughts on why the Adminstration has been slow to respond to Democratic criticism on the war in Iraq.

I don't know if what he posits is truly the Republican strategy, but it does sound like the type of manuvering that Karl Rove is so good at....and you have to admit, the Democrats have have manuvered themselves into a bit of a corner.

IF we can demonstrate great positive gains in Iraq in the near future, and even more importantly, inform the American public of those gains; the Democrats will have ensured their total irrelevence in the next election.

Posted by: Delftsman3 at 08:58 AM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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With all the strife between the West and the Muslim East today, we hear
Muslims who complain about being misunderstood by the world. Islam is a religion of peace, they say, it can never condone violence and yet on account of a handful of bad people, the world labels all Muslims terrorists.

Generally, this leads to someone or other saying that the problem is that the jehadis have distorted the message of the Prophet of Islam and the world chooses to use this as an excuse to hate all Muslims. Why is this happening? Why should Islam be blamed for the activities of a handful of fanatics? Conclusion? It must be because of the ‘evil’ propaganda of Jews, Hindus and Christians.

The problem, alas, is more complicated. It is not just suicide bombers and mad mullahs who are giving Islam a bad name, it is the fact that in so many ways the religion seems out of touch with the world as it is today.

What most of us see as barbaric behaviour Muslims are ordered to accept as justice because that is how it was when the Prophet was still with us. It goes beyond criminal justice to culture, education, social behaviour and the attire of, and in the social status of, women. Islam is inextricably bound to the Arab culture of the 7th century. It has held itself to be the "pure" religion, and doesn't accept any form of adaptation to modern conditions or mores. "It should be done as it was in the days of the Prophet" is held as one of it's core belief system. Many Progressive will scoff at this and say that it is not so...but then ask them to explain the fact that a "modern" state such as Iran still imprisons women should they be so bold as to reveal too much of their anatomy, or in some cases, still stones women for adultery. Or that a woman in India could be forced to leave her husband and go to live with his father when the father raped her. Or when Muslim youths in France can set a woman ablaze with the justification " because she was traveling in public without benefit of a male companion".

The problem with Islam is that it has remained unchanged for centuries and continues to try and impose an Arab idea of religion, social behaviour and culture on the world. This causes alienation, and the strife we are now experiencing between Islam and the other major belief systems of the world.
Respecting others that hold a different belief is just not a part of the Muslim belief system, indeed, it is antithetical to the core of Islamic beliefs.

Those that refuse to conform to the precepts of Mohammed are Infidel and are not to be treated with as equals. This is esconced within the Holy texts of Islam, and really cannot be gone around without a serious amount of reform of the religion, and as I noted above, Islam is profoundly resistant to any form of reform.

V.S. Naipaul described it this way. ‘‘Islam is in its origins an Arab religion. Everyone not an Arab who is a Muslim is a convert. Islam is not simply a matter of conscience or private belief. It makes imperial demands. A convert’s world view alters. His holy places are in Arab lands; his sacred language is Arabic. His idea of history alters. He rejects his own; he becomes, whether he likes it or not, a part of the Arab story.’’

In Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and in India you see signs of Muslims becoming part of the ‘Arab story’ in recent years in a way that they were not before and therein lies the problem. In times past, there has been an uneasy truce that allowed members of all religions to, at the least, co-exist by tactful ignorance of each other. It seems that in the present however, there has reached a critical mass point of Muslim holy fervor where this is no longer possible, and the inevitable conflicts between belief systems has boiled up into a seething cauldron of terrorism and open war.

This is not to say that all the other belief systems have been innocent in the past either, there are horrific account of Christian perfidity almost as bad, the difference is that those are all in the past, and Christianity has reformed itself to make such actions unthinkable. There are elements of almost every religion that could be considered barbaric by todays standards, the practice of Sutee and the cast sytrem in Hinduism, and the "inactive" stance against injustice in Buddism as examples. (and no, I'm NOT saying that Buddists condoned injustice, it was just that they accepted it far more readily as "cosmic Karma" and didn't fight against it as most Western religions do.) These belief systems have changed with more enlightened approachs in modern times, something that Islam has failed to do, for the most part, as of yet. These barbarities were more a product of culture rather than the religious systems themselves; the systems didn't enforce these barbarities with the force of religious belief as Islam does.

The most recent example of this came last week when a court in Saudi Arabia ordered that the eye of an Indian worker, Abdul Lateef Naushad, be gouged out in the interests of justice because in a physical fight with a Saudi he caused him to lose the vision in one of his eyes. This was three years ago and Naushad has been in prison ever since, which would be punishment enough (for a fight) in most countries, but not in Saudi Arabia which, as the crucible of the Islamic faith, believes that justice means ‘an eye for an eye’ just as it did in the days of the Prophet.

Islamic justice also ordains that thieves pay by having their hands chopped off and adulterous couples be stoned to death. These may have been progressive measures 1,400 years ago but in todayÂ’s world they are acts of barbarism and this is where the disconnect begins between Islam and the rest of us.

Unless and until Islam can reform itself from this outmoded view of thought, there will be strife between our peoples.

Posted by: Delftsman3 at 12:22 AM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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Thanks to Michell Malkin, here's the link to the "Retreat and Defeat" video that will be playing in selected races in the next election cycle. I think it should be run country wide.

You can't simultaniously advocate policies negating everything they've accomplished in the last three years and still claim to "support the troops".

I do hope that the Democrats persist on this tact though, I can't think of a better way to assure a continued Republican majority....

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I've been remiss and missed the entry of a new member to the Hoosier Blog Alliance, I've tried to rectify my oversight, so please welcome Tip Jar to the party.

Welcome MTS, hope you enjoy the group.

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