Also, don’t forget that the Friday before Mother’s Day (tomorrow!!!) is Military Spouse Appreciation Day!

(x-posted to Bama Angels)

On Sunday I flew from Houston to Seattle and when checking in at the airport I noticed a group of soldiers getting ready to depart as well. As always, I went up to them, introduced myself and thanked them for their service and bravery. While visiting with them, I inquired where they were headed and most replied they were on their way to Iraq. I wished them God speed and to stay safe and that we would be praying for their safety. During our discussion, many of them told me how disappointed they were that more Americans didn’t support them and what they are doing. I replied that I believe the ’silent majority’ does support and believe in what they are doing. They said they sure wished that more people showed it.

I am making a PLEA to everyone who reads this message to please talk to everyone you know to get involved with organizations like Operation Home Front and many other wonderful organizations like that to constantly show their support and appreciation. I am also asking all of you to write letters to the editors of your newspapers asking ALL Americans to get involved in showing their love and support for these brave troops who put their lives on the line to keep us free.

PLEASE, PLEASE don’t just read this message and hope someone else steps up to the plate. If enough of us get to the media, it may finally begin to have some results.

Thanks,
Gail

There you have it, straight from the horse’s mouth, so to speak. I think many people don’t realize how much our brave men and women need our support and love. They need to SEE us actively supporting them and proving that we do INDEED care! I see it too often, soldiers begging to be written, desperately wanting some form of contact from “back home” — a letter, a postcard, anything, and I mean ANYTHING, to let them know that we have NOT forgotten about them!

I am begging you … please consider joining an organization to show our troops that we love and support them. Soldiers’ Angels is the organization for whom I volunteer my efforts and spare time, they do a tremendous amount of good work. As mentioned in Gail’s post, so does Operation Home Front. There are so many people trying doing so much good, and let’s face it, they can ALL use some help!

Here are a list that I keep on the Bama Angels site for those looking for other organizations to help:

• Adopt-a-Chaplain
• America Supports You
• Any Soldier
• Blankets of Hope
• Books for Soldiers
• Cell Phones for Soldiers
• Fallen Patriot Fund
• Guardian Angels for Soldiers’ Pet
• Homes for Our Troops
• Iraqi Muscle
• Marine Executive Association
• Military Working Dog Adoptions
• Move America Forward
• Operation AC
• Operation Hero Miles
• Operation Home Front
• Operation Outreach
• Operation Purple
• Operation Top Knot
• Operation Uplink
• Operation: Birthday Cake
• Patriot Guard Riders
• Pinups for Vets
• Recruit Veterans
• SemperComm
• Soldiers’ Angels Veterans Support Team
• SOS: KIDS / Wings Of Hope
• The Home Front Cares
• Valour-IT
• Veteran’s Airlift Command
• Vets for Freedom
• Wandering Vets
• Wounded Warrior Project

Please PLEASE consider joining one of these organizations and doing your part to give our troops the support they so desperately need! There is so much that we can do … consider writing to your local papers, call or email the larger (tv/cable) media companies.

It’s time to show them what REAL SUPPORT is!!

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

I was reading a post by Jane Novak today about a prominent pro-democracy journalist in Yemen who is facing a jail sentence again for simply printing the truth, and speaking his mind.

Renowned journalist Abdulkarim al-Khaiwani is one of Yemen’s most prominent democracy advocates - for which he has paid a steep price. His paper has been closed, his website blocked, and his children threatened. He is now due to be sentenced on May 21 for “insulting the president” and “demoralizing the military.”

During his arrest in June of 2007, Al-Khaiwani was beaten and his six-year-old daughter slapped unconscious. While released on bail in August, Al-Khaiwani was kidnapped and tortured by thugs who threatened his life if he continued to write about Yemen’s president.

As al-Khaiwani’s sentencing approaches, there is growing fear a guilty verdict will open the door for a brutal crackdown on Yemen’s already-endangered journalistic community. Join with al-Khawiani’s supporters in Yemen and throughout the world as we urge the Yemeni government not to imprison journalists for their work.

More on this:

Al-Khaiwani stands on principle for free speech. When he was arrested in 2004 (for “insulting the president”), prison guards broke his jaw — yet he still refused to agree to stop writing. In June of 2007, he was re-arrested on similar charges and dragged outside in his underwear. After being released on bail, he abducted by gunmen who broke his fingers threatened to kill him if he “wrote another word against the president or national unity.”

Civil rights advocates inside Yemen and abroad believe the charges against al-Khaiwani are unsubstantiated and simply punishment for his critical reporting. In fact, one of the main pieces of evidence used against him by prosecutors is an unpublished article criticizing Yemen’s president.

You can help!

At the behest of my Cotillion sister, I urge you to simply send a letter. It’s pre-filled, and you can opt-in for updates if you want, as well as choose to hide your information on the ’signed’ listings. (For updates you can read Jane’s blog and get other news — like the latest on the USS Cole bombers.)

As I hear it, this is due to get some major media coverage in the region, so every bit of support is needed. All it takes is just one minute of your time to click and send the letter.

Also covering this story:

(let me know if I’m missing anyone!)

• Armies of Liberation
• My Vast Right Wing Conspiracy
• Cathouse Chat
• The Jawa Report
• Not Ready for my Burqua
• Zoey @ Blatherings
• Six Meat Buffet
• Conservative Belle
• Villainous Company
• Ace of Spades
• Nice Deb
• Alabama Improper
• Stop the ACLU
• The Dread Pundit Bluto
• Ft. Hard Knox (Honor Roll)
• The Right-wing Liberal
• Campaign For a Free Media in Yemen
• Right Pundits
• World Press
• Double Plus Undead
• Scarlett Crusader
• Blue Star Chronicles
• Hot Air (headlines)
• Political Vindication
• Interested Participant
• Tennessee Free
• Political Pistachio News
• Girl on the Right
• Ironic Surrealism II
• Dean’s World

Tip those tiaras, ladies! Another new member joins the ranks today: Zoey. Another fine addition to our ‘roll. If you get a chance, mosey on by her blog and take a peak!

Can you imagine yourself to be the nun that is sitting at her desk grading these papers all the while trying to keep a straight face and maintain her composure!

Pay special attention to the wording and spelling. If you know the Bible even a little, you’ll find this hilarious!

It comes from a catholic elementary school test. Kids were asked questions about the Old and New testaments. The following statements about the Bible were written by children. They have not be en retouched or corrected. Incorrect spelling has been left in.

1. In the first book of the Bible, Guinessis. God got tired of creating the world so he took the Sabbath off.

2. Adam and Eve were created from an apple tree. Noah’s wife was Joan of Ark. Noah built and ark and the animals came on in pears.

3. Lots wife was a pillar of salt during the day, but a ball of fire during the night.

4. The Jews were a proud people and throughout history they had trouble with unsympathetic genitals.

5. Sampson was a strongman who let himself be led astray by a jezebel like Delilah.

6. Samson slayed the philistines with the axe of the apostles.

7. Moses led the Jews to the red sea where they made unleavened bread which is bread without any ingredients .

8, The Egyptians were all drowned in the dessert. Afterwards, Moses went up to Mount Cyanide to get the Ten Commandments.

9. The first commandments was when Eve told Adam to eat the apple.

10. The seventh commandment is thou shalt not admit adultery.

11. Moses died before he ever reached Canada . Then Joshua led the Hebrews In The Battle of Geritol.

12. The greatest miricle in the bible is when Joshua told his son to stand still and he obeyed him.

13. David was a Hebrew king who was skilled at playing the liar. He fought the Finkelsteins, a race of people who lived in biblical times.

14. Solomon, one of Davids sons, had 300 wives and 700 porcupines.

15. When Mary heard she was the mother of Jesus, she sang the Magna Carta.

16. When the three wise guys from the east side arrived they found Jesus in the manager.

17. Jesus was born because Mary had an immaculate contraption.

18. St. John the blacksmith dumped water on his head.

19. Jesus enunciated the golden rule, which says to do unto others before they do one to you.He also explained a man doth not live by sweat alone.

20. It was a miricle when Jesus rose from the dead and managed to get the tombstone off the entrance.

21. The people who followed the Lord were called the 12 decibels.

22. The Epistels were the wives of the apostles.

23. One of the oppossums was St. Matthew who was also a taximan.

24. St. Paul cavorted to christianity, he preached holy acrimony which is another name for marraige.

25. Christians have only one spouse. This is called monotony

I didn’t read my feeds yesterday because I was out most of the day with Jess … she had an orthodontist appointment, then karate class, then she and I spent the rest of the afternoon and most of the evening working on my mother’s Mother’s Day gift that Jessie was planning to give her.

I was too tired to read the feeds or my email for that matter, last night and put it off until this morning. Now I wish I had checked them sooner! My “Translucent Dream” theme was chosen for this week’s round in Lunarpages’ WordPress theme design contest. So now I’m a total spazz, hehe.

Please please PLEASE go vote for me! (Please?)

An excellent idea! Recruiting is a tough and sometimes thankless job and we want to make sure that these hardworking men and women know that they are appreciated!

If you are interested in helping, contact Lisa at hottie0427 @ hotmail.com (remove the spaces before emailing).

To find your local recruiting offices, go to: www.todaysmilitary.com/contact-a-recruiter

I plan on hitting a couple recruiters’ offices around the Birmingham metro area Friday, May 16th. Will you join me in thanking our recruiters for their service to our country?

(x-posted to Bama Angels)