This comment was posted on the news information site, wtopnews.com. Yes, this news station is horrendously liberal in its bias, but this comment from a reader/listener just got to me.

You can view the full listing here – not sure if my comment is still there:

http://www.wtopnews.com/index.php?nid=251&sid=1364763&comments=true#msg_1

 Dear ***,
Where were you on Sept. 11, 2001, the day terrorists attacked us? Do you remember  that happening?
You, like many others, are ignorant fools. “Bush lied, people died” is the typical mantra of those who choose not to understand that peace in the Mideast is an oxymoron – it will never happen. History has taught us this.
Yes, Bush was president when the attacks occurred, but he had only been in office barely a year. Events were already in play when the towers fell. The “beloved” president Clinton was golfing when the USS Cole was attacked, and instead of launching an investigation and reprimanding those who attacked us, he finished his golf game and had an affair with a less-than-attractive woman. The Lewinsky affair was his way of avoiding the real roles of his presidency – and making sure the media stayed away from the USS Cole scandal.
You, like many others, have absolutely no respect for those who were killed on 9-11 and for that I feel very sorry for you.
Unlike you, I remember 9-11 – I watched the towers fall. My little cousins had to grow up across the street from the makeshift morgue. And since day one I have supported the war on terror – and supported, whole-heartedly, our troops. I pay for this every day, when people like you make rude comments like this – or when they throw things at my car for supporting the troops.
Furthermore, Hopalong C, did you realize this man served our country for 30 years? That means he was part of other administrations not just Bush’s.
I am not sticking up for Bush. He has fallen short of everything I had hoped he would do. But your comments attacking the memory of 9-11 victims are completely out of line.
Please get your facts straight before kibitzing. This war is not about oil, or about Bush’s “lies,” or even about your right to spew hatred for our troops and our fellow Americans. This war is about making sure terror never touches us or any other parts of the world again.
If you do not support the war, you do not support freedom. It’s that simple.
Your comments personally offend me. I am not a religious person, but as of now, I pray for your soul.

Here are more additions to the Patriot List:

Carlos Mencia
Filter
DJ Z-Trip

They will be performing live for the troops on March 10, 2008. The performance will be live on MySpace.

In addition, an abbreviated version will be broadcast on April 12, 2008, on the cable channel FX.

In addition, visit Dunkin Donuts for your coffee and donut treats – they openly support the troops through the Soldiers Angels,  of which I am a member. They have better coffee than ful-of-its-own-virtue Starbucks anyway!

If you had money and power, what would do with it? Would you give back? How?

If I was a celebrity, I would go entertain the troops. It’s that simple. Right now, even though I’m not a celebrity (yet!), I have adopted some soldiers through Soldiers’ Angels – a wonderful nonprofit – and am part of the letter writing team as well for the same group. I do this because I want to support our troops, especially when the media and many outspoken people do not.

But today I’m not going to rant about those folks who don’t support our troops. I do have a “touching” story about a woman who cut me off in traffic in Bethesda (where I work), slammed on the brakes in front of me and yelled out her window, “Soldiers are murderers!” My response, “They are protecting your right  to spew such hatred!” fell on deaf ears.

Unfortunately, this is the norm where I live. I do what I can to make sure at least two soldiers know how much I appreciate and support what they are doing, but it wears on you.

I am no longer supporting ANY form of entertainment who does not support the troops. You don’t have to support the war or agree with it, but you’ve GOT to support our troops. We owe EVERYTHING to them.

So starting this week I am going to create two compilations – one list of people who do support the troops and one list of people and organizations that don’t. Perhaps when you are faced with a choice, you’ll be inclined to support people who support the brave men and women in our armed forces. I know I am.

This means telling Hollywood we’re sick of their Anti-American and anti-military movies such as Redacted. This means thinking beyond the usual and going out of your way, maybe, to buy a product or watch a show or view a special or movie that shows the troops in a positive light – and supports them. Because our troops are doing wonderful things overseas. The surge has helped, casualities are low. This is not the Vietnam War. Regardless, the troops are preserving our freedom. You owe them your support.

 So far my list for those who SUPPORT the troops includes:

• Robin Williams: joined the USO for a comedy special in Afghanistan
• Kid Rock: joined Robin Williams and USO to entertain
• Rachel Smith, Miss USA 2007: USO tour to meet and greet with soldiers
• Lance Armstrong: meet with troops in Afghanistan to meet and greet
• Jessica Simpson: USO tour (with Justin Timberlake)
• Toby Keith: has been on over USO tours for the past five years, typically in May
• Tom Arnold: traveling overseas for entertainment soon (or he might have just returned, I’m seeking more info)
• Bill O’Reilly: headed to Afghanistan to offer support
• Ann Coulter: just google her, you’ll see her comments in favor of our troops

And for those who DON’T support our troops (and don’t support them by purchasing their products or giving them mindshare)

• Sean Penn
• Brian DePalma (this pains me, because I was a huge fan, but because of Redacted and his comments about the troops, he is dead to me)
• George Clooney
• Cindy Sheehan (her story is very sad, but that doesn’t give her any right to call the men and women who served with her son killers)
• Rosie McDonnell
• Charize Theron
• Jon Kerry “Halp us Jon Carry We R Stuck Hear N Iraq” is one of my favorite pictures
• Many of the liberal candidates including Hillary Clinton
• Al Gore

That’s  good for now.

I’d like to say that Bush and the rest of the administration doesn’t support our troops as well – because they don’t give the military whatever they need (a blank check) and they don’t know how to manage money. Before I say that though I want more facts to back that up.

So what about you? Do you support our brave heroes? Or do you prefer the Hollywood Dream that the military means nothing to you? Those Hollywood folks are cowards, as O’Reilly says. It’s time we stand up for our troops back home and support them – by only buying products, services and entertainment from those who do support them.

And if any entertainer wants to stay out of the political debate, more power to him or her. I don’t watch entertainers to hear their political diatribes (except maybe Dennis Miller). I want to be entertained. So leave the hatred of Bush, ignorance of freedom, and disrespect for our troops at home.

God Bless Our Troops!

There’s been a lot of discussion lately about supporting the troops, in light of Veterans Day and the upcoming holidays. And because of the political climate in this country. The United States is divided when it comes to politics, religion, etc, and always has been, but lately campaigns of pure hatred have tainted America’s image.

But that’s not what this post is about. This is about supporting  the troops – no matter what side of the fence you are on.

I have always supported the troops – they are my heroes. We owe our lives to them. It literally makes me sick to my stomach to see images of hate-mongering hippies and other left-wing wackos protesting soldiers’ funerals, or Hollywood calling our troops killers. Our soldiers are brave, courageous and deserve the utmost respect – whether you’re red, blue, green or undecided.

So when I saw the story about the Boy Scouts’ efforts to collect donations for soldiers this holiday season being called racist, I was angered – to say the least – and sad. Very sad.

Here’s the story:

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,311908,00.html

Basically, in Mass., a group of boy scouts put donation boxes around town to collect donations from citizens to help support the troops. And some hate mongering hippie called the boxes “political,” and the town bent over and removed them from the streetscapes.

What’s polticial about supporting the troops? Just because you support the troops doesn’t mean you support the war – at least that’s the old mantra of the left-wing magpies in blogs, and in the news. But now all the sudden people can’t support troops – who are men and women just like you and me – without being “political”?! No, this has to stop.

This was an organized effort by a legitimate group – the Boy Scouts. And in this country you have a right to collect donations for injured people, nonprofits and other organizations. Why is the military excluded?

I hope this doesn’t become a growing trend. I’m getting sick and tired of people insulting and disrespecting people – and those who do spew hatred don’t even have the intelligence to  realize their right to express opinions is indebted to our military for protecting our freedom and thanks to our heritage we Americans were never known for backing down.

Put the boxes back out, Mass. Or personally explain to Scout Patrick O’Connor why collecting items for his wounded relative – and fellow freedom fighters – is offending. (You know, I’m offended that they did remove the boxes so put them back!)

We are at war, yes, but instead of being at war with each other, America needs to be united in support of the troops. We owe them everything – at the very least support and thanks.

But so far, about a week into my cold, I still haven’t run out.

Why is that?

 http://ukpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5galyqMPxKB3dmMboB7mdrx26pSSA

 Now why in God’s name would anyone want to support anything Hollywood is doing?

It’s simple, for me. As a writer, I completely understand their complaints – they want to get paid when their creative pieces are posted online. At least that’s what I understand their complaints to be. OK, if an ad agency pays $40K for a commercial to air during a TV show online, the media company is getting paid, right? So why should the creative forces behind the TV show get a couple bucks?

Gimme a reason why not.

So many times the writing either saves a crappy show or kills what could be or is a good one. For example, let’s look at Dexter. The writing went down hill, the character development is shot, and while the actors are doing great with the crap they have to work with, this viewer gave up precious evening hours watching that crap.

Other shows like Still Standing wouldn’t be half as funny without the brilliant minds to come up with the quips that move the story along.

Now I’m biased. I was probably the only teen who watched the Oscars to cheer for the screenwriters. I want to be a novelist not for the money or the prestige (ha!) but because it’s a part of me, it’s my life. So of course when writers aren’t getting their fair share of the pie, I’m in line with them – well, this time I’m only picketing in my mind.

Creativity is what makes us unique. It’s a gift to be a talented writer, it’s a gift to write witty and compelling dialogue. But it’s also a job. And people should be compensated for their work.

So just remember as you cope with what to do now that some of your favorite shows aren’t featuring brand new episodes, take a moment to understand the creative genius behind the show and why you like it. Sure, you might like the actors (I’m guilty of watching a crappy show because I think one of the actors is hot), or the situations, but most of the time it’s the storyline, the dialogue, the humor or other emotions. And you may not even realize it.

http://www.skepticalviewer.com/

www.the-atlantic-paranormal-society.com

 Recently I stumbled upon a Web site for critics of the Sci Fi show, Ghost Hunters. It’s an interesting site. Instead of the usual “I don’t like Jason and Grant so I’m going to bash their being” verbage, this site investigates a number of their experiences and hauntings that aired for the show.

Now let me say this, before I get too into this post, I am a fan of the show, I respect the work that TAPS performs, and I’ve always believed in the paranormal. But I am of the mindset that I have to see it to believe it.

Some critics of the show think that the whole thing is a scam, a complete fraud. I disagree. I think it would have to be quite an elaborate hoax to pull off. Not that they aren’t motivated by ratings and their reputation. But a group like TAPS also relies on credibility. Their approach to ghost hunting is something I’ve always respected (especially after seeing the outtakes of this one Penn & Teller: Bullshit episode in which a “ghost hunter” recreated a haunting using a sex doll… egads, it’s hilarious). TAPS investigates by trying to debunk the hauntings and experiences. “Debunk” can sometimes mean disprove, but they tend to use it as a way to offer another option for what could have happened. This debunking never actually discredits the experience of the “victim” (for lack of a better word) but because the experience can be explained by normal reasons, TAPS has to throw out the “evidence.”

Now critics of the show say that they can fake an EVP, or make the objects move on their own, etc. Some say that the deletion of the time stamp on their equipment contributes to the critics’ distrust of their evidence.

That’s fine. If you want to believe that the show is a scam, by all means, go for it. You can even watch it and then make fun of it. I don’t care. You have opinions and so do I. Besides sometimes it’s more fun to make fun of something you’ve actually seen – insert any joke about a Yankees baseball game here.

But here’s the thing.  I want to believe that these are actually happening. I’m typically a skeptic myself, and I’m a pessimist – I believe that there are plenty of people out there willing to scam just about anybody. But I want to believe that TAPS’ evidence is REAL, because it’s evidence that there are ghosts, and that I wasn’t crazy when I had my paranormal experience – a ghost tapped my head. It was weird.

But I also know that Ghost Hunters is a TV show and for that reason is ENTERTAINMENT. So take it or leave it. Are you entertained by watching the show? If not, why are you watching it?

I watch it because I like to be entertained and I like the work that they (TAPS) is doing. Others like it because they enjoy disecting every piece of evidence. Hey, at least you’re being entertained, right?

I’d rather believe it’s real, or at least part of it is, so I don’t feel like I’ve wasted so many hours watching footage, reading books and talking about it!

So what do you think? Entertaining or not?

In an effort to continue to work on my writing, I thought about joining this site. So here is a spot for me to offer my thoughts, rants & raves and other pieces of my randomness on this Earth.

OK. Truth time. I wanted to respond to a letter my favorite baseball player Curt Schilling posted on his site, 38pitches.com, and in order to do that I had to join.

No biggie. I still think this online diary thing is pretty cool. Check out the vocab terms, fellas.
Since I can remember I’ve wanted to be a published writer. I’m a former reporter who grew dispondent at the grim outlook of journalism and what the field held for me, so I left. I now work in ethics with the federal government, a job I like OK, but love having the free time in the evenings to write.
So here goes!

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