Displaying 2,071 To 2,100 Of 2,240 Comments Vote Now for PlanetPOV’s Top Posts of 2009! This is a cruelty joke to me! Seriously. My time is spent w/ the two boys right now; I have about 10 minutes a day to look at email, the daily Planet, etc. and NOW I’m supposed to read all the articles to be sure that I have voted correctly??? AAARRGGGHHH!!!! I hate being an informed voter!! Serioulsy, thanks for all the links. I’ll do my best, but until Friday, I have no time. Cant swear I’ll get through the comments as well – but sometimes, they are equally informative. Great job, guys! Expect an uptick in members. I’m mouthy, and my favortie words now are “Join the Planet!” » Posted By AlphaBitch On January 5, 2010 @ 7:38 am DNC Moving to Eliminate the Power of the Super Delegates Dang. » Posted By AlphaBitch On January 1, 2010 @ 12:21 pm You go, Blov. What is “discreted”? There is an edit comment button on all your posts, BTW. Maybe “discreted” is another one of those “special” words….. » Posted By AlphaBitch On December 31, 2009 @ 5:34 pm Do I HAVE to “fuck” Dick Cheney?? I’d rather not, if you get my drift… » Posted By AlphaBitch On December 31, 2009 @ 5:31 pm Happy New Year, dear ones! Off to parties. See you tomorrow when we sober up. » Posted By AlphaBitch On December 31, 2009 @ 5:36 pm Hey Mo! Happy New Year to you, too. I’ve missed you. Thinking of years past, I guess one of my most “memorable” (note I did not say best) New Years was the time I spent on a ranch in Papalote TX. We drank waayyyyyyyyy too much. I remember trying to literally “waltz across Texas” with my dear friend, Bwana Dik. At midnight, another friend came running out of the ranch house, dressed as Baby New Year (meaning in a diaper). With some encouragement, I did a flying tackle on Baby New Year, and I slightly remember my hair being singed because we fell sorta into the fire. Ah, for the haphazard days of youth again! Or not. Anyways, Happy New Year to all Planetarians. You guys are the best. » Posted By AlphaBitch On December 31, 2009 @ 10:02 am Love the woo-woo hat! I want to wear one when Ms. Palin comes to my town, and the other woo-woos are out in THEIR finery. » Posted By AlphaBitch On December 31, 2009 @ 11:42 am When To Give Terrorists What They Want And When Not To Now for a light hearted look at life….there are two boys in my kitchen, making dinner for my husband and I. They are hard at work, preparing a dish (sounds like “Boolani”) from leeks, potatoes and bread. It smells delicious, although the kitchen LOOKS a little like a war zone at present! Thanks for the article. I believe in facing issues head on. I”ve read a lot about it, but there is always something new to learn. I’m hoping to get the guys to blog, but we are working on surgery for one of them, and the other is waiting for his host family to return tomorrow so he can go spend time with them. I’m not sure it will work this week, but we will do this soon (with or without this same group). I’ve called four people about the site; most are wanting to come aboard, but not until after New Years. Sillies…… » Posted By AlphaBitch On December 30, 2009 @ 4:56 pm Hi Tiger. Have you read “The Looming Tower – the Path to 9/11” by Lawrence Wright? It is an excellent book – maybe even won a Pulitzer. He lives in Austin, and I took three of my Afghans last year to meet with him; he spent hours showing them the massive amount of research done for the book. He covered al-Qutb there extensively, and had photos and interviews with those who knew him. It’s a fascinating book, and I think you would enjoy it. » Posted By AlphaBitch On December 30, 2009 @ 4:50 pm Tiger: Was this in a Sharia court??? Or was the law as interpreted in Sharia law used to argue the case in a Texas court? I am unaware – but want to know as soon as possible – which case applies. I can see using some arguments – and if they are in accord with US law (we don’t have dowries, so ruling against paying such a thing would be in accordance with our own system)- to help decide a case. Please clarify. Thanks. » Posted By AlphaBitch On December 30, 2009 @ 7:33 am Spot on, Bernard. Again, I refer to Louise Richardson’s book “What Terrorists Want”, in which they begin as an attempt to gain political power WITHIN their own governments. Excellent read, and it offers real suggestions. BTW: Louise grew up in IRA terrority, having friends who were members of the IRA. As to Abby’s post: I find it ludicrous that any government would accept a second set of laws to accomodate religion. Didn’t the FLDS get into trouble here for allowing multiple wives? I strongly believe in only ONE system of justice per nation, and I also believe it is critically important to try and assimilate into a culture as oppposed to just being given a chance to live within a culture. It’s why we are struggling with the refugee issue here, and trying to dismantle the easy (they’re invisible so they don’t exist) system of ghettoization on incoming refugees. We have many from Somalia and Iraq arriving here each month now. Do something positive or forever suffer the consequences. » Posted By AlphaBitch On December 30, 2009 @ 7:27 am Emerald- thank you for bringing us into this, and for sharing the great results with us. Yes, Virginia, there ARE miracles. Sometimes we are given second (and third, or fourth) chances. Glad your beloved sister is one of those…. Wishing you both a VERY happy New Year – AB » Posted By AlphaBitch On December 29, 2009 @ 7:08 pm Javaz: See my reply to KQ above. You’ll get through it. I speak to being friends – and good friends – with those who differ from me. They don’t have to change you, but you might not be able to change them. » Posted By AlphaBitch On January 7, 2010 @ 3:12 pm Dear, dear KQ – I believe in second chances, and redemption. I know through my own life that my own ignorance, stubbornness and badness gets in my way; and I find that when I am forgiven, I can truly appreciate that gift. That being said: if I feel this is really what they believe, and not just an odd attempt at “humor”, I don’t find myself feeling the same. I have backed away from my only sibling, the closest blood relative I have, because of comments made in the 1990s of this nature. I do believe she has made some changes, and her heart has softened up some. But the conversation was so deep and disturbing that I have to be honest and say that a part of me died that day, and I’m not sure it can be ever put back. Perhaps I now see her with much more clear sight – and I accept her as she is. But the closeness and hero (heroine?) worship I had as a child has gone and will never return. That being said: I now have “families of choice” that I feel every bit as close to as blood relatives. As to my kids: I know the truth. They are wonderful young people, and they cause my heart to soar. I have patience with others in trying to understand something so new and different, as long as they are open minded. We are taught fear, but we know love. Half my families are liberal, half VERY conservative. We all manage to put aside differences of opinions, and have grown to love each other. I will defend their right to their opinions, even if I question them directly on those same opinions, because we do it all from a place of dialogue and respect. I have to say: I had my two Afghan boys, one of whom was to have had surgery (now postponed until summer) and who was INVITED to move in with a very, very dear family who has already “hosted” two of the Afghan students. This particular family is headed by a conservative (both religiously and politically) father, whom I feel safe in saying loves me now as much as I love him. Doesn’t mean we don’t argue – we DO! But we respect where the other person comes from. We went to a New Years Eve party at their home; guess who else they had invited (besides all the other conservative neighbors)? A group of four Afghan soldiers that are here studying language and military training! It was this conservative family who ran into the group of soldiers (with their “handler”), who -because of their experience with the kids – recognized them as Afghans; and it was this same “conservative” family who opened up their home and hearts to them for New Years! And then surprised me. So you never know how one life may end up touching another. It’s always interesting to me to watch it. We have a HUGE fan base for my kids here now – in fact, one private school that has given two scholarships in the past has come asking for another Afghan student for next year. This is a Christian/military school, too. Not what you’d expect, but that’s the nice part of life. Take care. Off to take the boys out and then one flies out early early tomorrow morn. See you all on Saturday, Insh’allah. Stay safe, stay warm. » Posted By AlphaBitch On January 7, 2010 @ 3:07 pm Hey Javaz: For what it’s worth, whenever I have been in the presence of someone using such foul language, I (and I’m a happy-go-lucky kind of gal) become very quiet, very serious and say softly “Please don’t use that word again in my presence.” Walk away or change the topic immediately. No one has ever been stupid enough to start an incident over this, and heaven help them if they do. However, others have come up to me at some later point to say thanks for “handling it”. I now face all sorts of “questions” from working with my children from Afghanistan – are they terrorists? How do I know? My response: How do YOU know I am not a terrorist? Can we ever REALLY know the mind of another? But do we let that stop us from doing what is right, or what is good? My advice is: Show class, stand up for what is right and then let it go. And use the word “please” – it would have made my momma happy. » Posted By AlphaBitch On January 7, 2010 @ 1:58 pm Who then runs against Lieberman? I would hope the strongest candidate possible takes that arse down. Maybe it would be better to put the strongest for Dodd’s seat, and ANYONE with a conscience could run for Joes??????? » Posted By AlphaBitch On January 6, 2010 @ 7:47 am Khirad: I always, always look forward to your articles. Sometimes I print them out, then retreat to a quiet place (ie, the bath) to read and savor. You are a gem, and I cannot thank you enough. » Posted By AlphaBitch On December 31, 2009 @ 10:14 am A bit of perspective to help ring in the new year Wow, Ecat! That stirs up lots of memories for me. I once went to Mexico on a trip w/ college – first trip to another country. I got irritated w/ the group, took off hitch-hiking rides with my roommate. We were in southern Mexico, down past Catemaco Veracruz. I fell in love with the people, the place, the life. It taught me a very valuable lesson about how money does not ultimately define happiness OR goodness. When I returned, and told my daddy of my adventure, he leaned over and whispered “Maybe let’s not tell your mom about this just yet.” And I had a theory about those roads – you know, the ones you look over the edge, down the mountain, to see donkey carts and skeletons rotting in the sun. I decided that there was no jail for murderers in Mexico, and that instead they made them all bus drivers. We would often encounter a bus heading full on towards us around blind curves. Certainly exciting. We also were chased by a car full of men, driving without any headlights on the mountain roads. The full moon kept them visible to us, despite lack of lights. All’s well that ends well, so they say… » Posted By AlphaBitch On December 29, 2009 @ 10:25 am Great list, Javaz! Just walked in to check out showtimes before we head for Austin. 1) I vow to wake up each day with the prayer, “Use me, God, today to be your hands and feet and eyes.” » Posted By AlphaBitch On December 27, 2009 @ 12:39 pm Great Pepe. Thank you – this is near and dear to my heart as well. I grew up in a 4 pack/day HH. Dad died of adenocarcinoma at age 65 after working in the shipyards and being exposed to asbestos. Mom died at age 67 of oat cell carcinoma, solely from smoking. Me? I have blebs on one lung, which has collapsed four times (but not for decades now). I can NEVER scuba dive; my greatest love in the world is snorkeling in the Caribbean. I’ll never be able to go further than the surface. I spent 20 years as a litigation paralegal – much of it on asbestos work. I read the “secret” memos – how they knew decades back of the dangers, and the combined synergistic effect w/ cigarettes. My mom watched my dad die over a 6 month period, sitting in her kitchen, puffing away and playing solataire. I learend she tried to quit – back then, it was Nicorette only as an option. She didn’t make it. I feel cigarettes robbed me of both my parents, God love ’em. And it has robbed me of a dream I had as well. The companies – although sales were “down” stateside – made more money than ever a few decades ago by selling their coffin nails overseas, in China, Phillipines, etc. So their “poor us” routine was a sham. I’ll do this now, because I am leaving to take the boys to Austin for a fun night of mirth and music. (KQuark: thinking of you!) Thanks again. » Posted By AlphaBitch On December 27, 2009 @ 11:38 am From the book jacket: In this groundbreaking book, Harvard scholar Louise Richardson offers an indispensable guide to the greatest challenge of our age. She examines the motives of terrorists, argues that they are neither insane nor amoral, and explains why they act as they do. Richardson provides a cogent working definition of what terrorism is=as well as an exploration of its origins, its goals, what is to come, and what is to be done about it. She argues that the “global war on terror” is doomed to fail because of an ignorance of history, a refusal to learn from the experience of others, and a fundamental misconception about how and why terrorists act. As an alternative, Richardson offers a feasible strategy for containing the terrorist threat.” Louise Richardson grew up in Ireland during the time of the IRA. Another great inspiration to me is the movie “An Everlasting Piece”, set in Belfast during the 1980s. Goes to show what a gesture is capable of doing……Hilarious, but peppered heavily with the F-bomb (they are Irish, after all). » Posted By AlphaBitch On December 26, 2009 @ 2:50 pm It’s poop. Pure and simple, all dressed up with a fancy name! » Posted By AlphaBitch On December 26, 2009 @ 2:39 pm It’s also in the Qur’an (Sura 5, I think). It references the teachings to Israel and reiterates the same. » Posted By AlphaBitch On December 26, 2009 @ 2:38 pm So last night we had Christmas dinner w/ my three Afghan “boys” and our Palestinian friend. My husband and I (although Christian) were outnumbered two to one by the Muslims. We enjoyed every minute of it, and I think they did, too. My husband made a toast recognizing Jesus (it was his birthday, they say) and then we spent the evening in the warm glow of good people, good friends. It’s NOT the first time I’ve invited Muslims to Christmas dinner, but it might be the first time we were outnumbered two to one! One “son” gave me a cross from Afghanistan. The other son, knowing that I was a wildlife biology major in college, gave me a book on scat and tracks (we have a wildscape backyard). Now I can recognize critters by their poo! (Or footprint) I love these children, and I love my Palestinian friend from Jaffa. I also have many Jewish friends; in fact, one of them made iftar for my first batch of students from Afghanistan during Ramadan. People are people. Some are good, some aren’t. I try not to box them into catagories or judge them on labels/affiliations. I’ll try to get the boys to sit down and blog about their perceptions of their homeland (Afghanistan). I see a much greater loss of hope in them now than ever before. It makes me sad. But recognizing reality is the only way to get through anything, I believe. Hiding and denial don’t work for me. Merry Christmas, dear ones. » Posted By AlphaBitch On December 26, 2009 @ 2:15 pm Don’t know about you guys, but there is no way I would would agree to strap on explosives to my tu-tu for ANYBODY, Obama included. So how you gonna “stage” that one? » Posted By AlphaBitch On December 26, 2009 @ 2:03 pm You clever one! » Posted By AlphaBitch On December 26, 2009 @ 1:59 pm The Qur’an actually says that if you take the life of even ONE innocent person, it is as bad as if you kill ALL mankind. » Posted By AlphaBitch On December 26, 2009 @ 1:58 pm Hi Cher: You might want to read the book “What Terrorists Want” by Louise Richardson. She is a dean at Radcliffe, and an expert (never above ground) on terrorism. She defines, explains and counters terrorism with strategies that are amazing. I have had the pleasure of meeting her (she came to present at our speakers group, Justice in Action, from our church). I think you would enjoy it. » Posted By AlphaBitch On December 26, 2009 @ 1:56 pm Scher – in the way of the people of Texas, “Bless his heart, he’s just too stupid to know any better.” I’ve always found it a little amusing to “bless their heart” before you rip’em to shreds with a negative follow up. Seriously – how can ANY of us have avoided the circumstances of our birth? What color/ethnicity/religion/nationality/tribe we are BORN into? What we CAN control is how we choose to live and love. Dwayne sounds like someone who is not making good choices. Bless his heart….. » Posted By AlphaBitch On December 25, 2009 @ 12:32 pm Merry Christmas one and all. Nice to be on the Planet! » Posted By AlphaBitch On December 25, 2009 @ 6:20 amComments Posted By AlphaBitch
2) I vow to try and be more patient, especially with those who most need my patience.
3) I vow to go to sleep each night with the prayer, “Thank you, God, for giving me today” no matter what the day might bring.
4) I vow to try and find more time to check in here and enjoy the “company of strangers” who now feel like friends.
5) I vow to forgive myself if I don’t keep these vows.
«« Back To Stats Page
Home Stats