A Basic Blog. - ToniAnne's Blog

A Basic Blog. - ToniAnne's Blog - Victoria Advocate http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/ToniAnne en-us President �Elect Obama: Answers the Call http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/ToniAnne/9442 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/ToniAnne/9442 <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt">If you have frequented the Victoria Advocate Online anytime today, you would have seen that quite a stir had been caused over something that Obama placed on his Change.gov website, his Official Transition page. </div> <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt">My heart sat heavy for most of the day, as I realized that more and more of the people that I have come to respect on this online forum were willing to give away a small part of their freedom, in the name of community service. </div> <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt">As Americans, it is their choice to think as they please, but I could have done without the insults, name-calling, and accusations of being prejudice.</div> <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt">A passage that could be found under the <a href="http://change.gov/americaserves ">America Serves</a> tab appeared like this as of about 6 p.m. today:</div> <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt"> “Obama will call on citizens of all ages to serve America, by developing a plan to require 50 hours of community service in middle school and high school and 100 hours of community service in college every year.”</div> <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt">After numerous bloggers, ABC, and FOX affiliates broke the news that Obama would be requiring mandatory community service supporters and non-supporters alike emailed the website to inquire more information about the planned and unconstitutional requirement.</div> <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt">As of 9:30 tonight, the website now reads:</div> <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt">“Obama will call on citizens of all ages to serve America, by setting a goal that all middle school and high school students do 50 hours of community service a year and by developing a plan so that all college students who conduct 100 hours of community service receive a universal and fully refundable tax credit ensuring that the first $4,000 of their college education is completely free.”</div> <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt">Change.</div> <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt">Let’s hope that the next four years only brings me to write more blogs about how I appreciate the plans of the 44th President of the United States. Well, the plans that don’t include a one world government, one world bank, and a one world monetary system…</div> <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt">Ah, too many to list. </div> <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt">Let’s just celebrate this one step at a time, shall we?</div> <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt"> </div> <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt"> </div> An Open Letter to President-Elect Obama: I was wrong. http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/ToniAnne/9434 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/ToniAnne/9434 I just read this in an article that featured an interview John McCain did today. He was talking about what he wanted to do with his administration, had he won. <u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p> “The McCain Administration would have called on Americans to serve in order to meet the nation’s challenges. McCain would have expanded national service programs like AmeriCorps and Peace Corps and wanted to create a new Classroom Corps to help teachers in underserved schools, as well as a new Health Corps, Clean Energy Corps, and Veterans Corps. <u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p> Senator McCain wanted to call on citizens of all ages to serve America, by developing a plan to require 50 hours of community service in middle school and high school and 100 hours of community service in college every year. McCain still wants to encourage retiring Americans to serve by improving programs available for individuals over age 55, while at the same time promoting youth programs such as Youth Build and Head Start.”<u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p> Crazy, right?<o:p></o:p> How hard is it just to get to work, and kids to school, and go do errands, and get groceries? McCain would have made you factor in required community service, too. Talk about stripping away personal liberty and freedom.<u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p> <a href="http://tinyurl.com/5fgfxg">Click here to see the (whole) real story</a>. I think the appropriate question now would be: What are the people of America going to do about it?<u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p> If you didn’t click the link, then let me explain what you missed. The wording above is actually something that I found on Change.gov and reworded. Change.gov is President-Elect Obama’s official “Transition” webpage.<o:p></o:p> He is the one who wants to make community service a requirement. Only, it isn’t something that he wants anymore, it is something that he will get. <o:p></o:p> Here is the original wording:<o:p></o:p> America Serves<o:p></o:p> "When you choose to serve -- whether it's your nation, your community or simply your neighborhood -- you are connected to that fundamental American ideal that we want life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness not just for ourselves, but for all Americans. That's why it's called the American dream."<u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p> The Obama Administration will call on Americans to serve in order to meet the nation’s challenges. President-Elect Obama will expand national service programs like AmeriCorps and Peace Corps and will create a new Classroom Corps to help teachers in underserved schools, as well as a new Health Corps, Clean Energy Corps, and Veterans Corps. Obama will call on citizens of all ages to serve America, by developing a plan to require 50 hours of community service in middle school and high school and 100 hours of community service in college every year. Obama will encourage retiring Americans to serve by improving programs available for individuals over age 55, while at the same time promoting youth programs such as Youth Build and Head Start.<u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p> <u1:p> <o:p>(Oh, and about the title of this post, I was wrong. I thought Obama would only manage to take away some of my liberty. At this rate, the cat that hangs out by my back fence won't have much liberty left, either.)</o:p> <o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> </u1:p> Your Daily Dose of Irony Courtesy of Aprill and the "Gays" http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/ToniAnne/9104 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/ToniAnne/9104 I usually stay out of conversations that have to do with the homosexual community. I have some friends that are gay and a family member as well. I will pause here so you can gasp. My closest friends know that my views on this matter have changed throughout the years from one extreme to the other. I have been through no religion, wild ones, calm ones, and finally to one that found me and brought me to where I wanted to be spiritually. As of late, it is no surprise which way I tend to lean politically, either. I am a Republican. I am Catholic. I am conservative. I love God, my family, and my country. And I don’t think that gay people are bad, wrong, going to hell, or anything of the like. I don’t agree with what homosexuals choose to do in their bedrooms, but it also isn’t my place to have a say in those matters. I also don’t see why a man can’t marry a man if he wants to, but at the same time, I don’t think the government should be anywhere close to the issue. If a guy wants to marry a guy, then let him. It really is no one’s business. The more we debate this issue, the more we single out a class of people and create hate. As you read those last few sentences, I will leave pause for you to grab your oxygen as I introduce you to your daily dose of irony. If you haven’t read Aprill Brandon’s latest article and comments, please do so here: <a href="http://www.victoriaadvocate.com/793/story/332988.html">http://www.victoriaadvocate.com/793/story/332988.html</a> I read the article and then the comments – and had to re-read it all again. Not only am I disappointed, but absolutely outraged at my community and fellow Christians. You know as well as I do that by judging another human, you are taking on a job of the Lord. If you don’t believe in God, well you are just being a “judgy” person, and that, I am sure, interferes with whatever religion/philosophies you might believe. As a Christian we know that one person can judge us and one alone. I also forget, but I am pretty sure that Jesus Christ isn't too keen on you insulting and putting down another person... You might want to check on that. For those of you upset that this is going on in a public park, you should tell Aprill thank you for alerting you to such an event so that you choose another one of Victoria’s 25 parks to go to at those hours on that day. What exactly do you think will happen at this BBQ that won’t happen at any other BBQ? Furthermore, the article discusses that it was hard for this woman to come out to her family. Most of the comments are hurtful and harsh, which only further illustrates how hard it is for a person to just live their life as they choose. Another baffling fact is that some of the people upset at the ones who commented rudely are commenting negatively themselves! I have said it before and I will say it again, the more you classify people, the more prejudice and hate it creates. We are people. We may believe in one God or a few. We may kiss a man or a woman, or both. We may vote for Obama, McCain, or maybe even Baldwin. We live in America. This is a free country, for now at least. If you don’t like what these people do, pray for the people you don’t agree with and move on. Who are you to insult and hurt anyone, without regard for their feelings? Don’t read the article if you don’t like it. Another bit of funny: All of the hate filled comments moved this story onto the front page as one of the most commented and most viewed. If the people who hated the article so much just ignored it, you would have prevented a lot of other people from seeing it. Who was really spreading the message? Aprill and the Advocate, or you? I have said my piece, but I want drive it home once again: We as a nation have got to stop it with the groups and classes and their special perks. We are all equal human beings and we just want to live our lives. So let us already. <o:p> </o:p> <o:p></o:p> As the Bailout Passes, the American People Mourn http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/ToniAnne/9048 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/ToniAnne/9048 I am watching CSPAN and there are lots of people calling in because they oppose the passage of the Bailout bill. This is a given, and also upsetting that the American people were not listened to by the representatives that they elected. The Senators and Congressmen too easily forget who put them there.<o:p></o:p> Your Representatives have just placed a Band Aid on a severed artery. Get your finances under control and in order. Plant a garden and start cutting back on anything that you don’t need.<o:p></o:p> Our economy is in for a wild ride, our dollar is losing value as I type this, and the citizens of this nation are going to be put through trying times in the next months (years). The CEO’s of Wall Street are taken care of and you paid for it. <o:p></o:p> Guess who will be doing fine when our economy collapses? <o:p></o:p> Right – the people your representatives just handed $700 billion to. How much did you get?<o:p></o:p> I urge you to focus on Senator Cornyn at this time.<o:p></o:p> Call his offices and let him know that he has lost your vote, and his job.<o:p></o:p> Then go vote on November 4th. <o:p></o:p> This is our country. It doesn’t belong to the CEO’s on Wall Street who ran their companies into the ground and caused this mess. It doesn’t belong to the people you voted into office. It belongs to you. Your money just went to help Foreign Banks. It gave unprecedented power to the Treasury. And yes, it provided room for people to get a little credit for a little while.<o:p></o:p> What good does that do when you can’t pay the payments? What good does that do when bread is $50 a loaf? <o:p></o:p> You cannot just print money out of thin air and expect zero consequences.<o:p></o:p> This is a sad day in history and I tell you know: Every SINGLE person on the Hill who voted on this knew exactly what they were doing. I will not allow our country to collapse and in a few years accountability to be thrown out of the window.<o:p></o:p> As far as I am concerned, a lot of people just lost their jobs. Senators, Congressmen, their staff, and anyone else affiliated.<o:p></o:p> Thanks, G.W. <o:p></o:p> Way to go out with a bang. You will forever be known as the President who ruined our country and blatantly ignored the Constitution and your people.<o:p></o:p> Your Country Rests In Your Hands Today http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/ToniAnne/9025 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/ToniAnne/9025 It is late, so I will just cut to the chase:<o:p></o:p> This bailout plan will only make things worse for our country. That is how I feel and I am simply asking any of you who feel the same way to pay attention today. If you are going to do anything, then let today be the day you step up to the plate and tell the government that you are tired of these games.<o:p></o:p> This is your money. They bought it. They broke it. They need to fix it. <o:p></o:p> We cannot bail out these CEO's and the companies they ran into the ground. This is not acceptable. This is not a partisan issue. This is about going to work every day, just trying to get by and live your life. This is about you and me and every other person in this country who elected these officials to do what is right for our country. <o:p></o:p> This is NOT about addressing the nation and scaring them so you can shove a bill down their throats that 75% of the people voting on it haven’t read because it is 110 (plus) pages long. The average person has no idea what the Senate is going to shove into this bill today.<o:p></o:p> That is right – today. The bailout will be shoved inside a more popular bill, along with all of the parts that take away more of your money and give the government more unprecedented power. <o:p></o:p> I urge you, as a citizen of this great nation, to call your Senators today and continue to call them as many times as you can before noon (at least). I have attached a list of Senators who will hold key votes tpday. Please start with them, and then move onto your Texas Senators. <o:p></o:p> Tell them that you are not prepared to rush into giving your money away for corporate welfare. Tell them that should they wish to keep their jobs, to remember that it is you who put them there, not the CEO’s or Wall Street. <o:p></o:p> Again – this isn’t a partisan issue. This is about getting back to what it is about. <o:p></o:p> This is your country. Take it back, and urge your elected leaders to take care of her. Pray that doing what is right for the people of this nation is the only thing celebrated on this pivotal day in our history. -----------------------------------------------------------------------<o:p></o:p> Urge your Senator to Do the Right Thing<o:p></o:p> The United States Senate will be taking up the bailout scheme today. The following Senators are considered key votes. Please take a moment to call these Senators and urge them to cast their vote against this dangerous legislation. Elizabeth Dole (NC) -<o:p></o:p> <ul type="disc"> <li class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in">D.C.: Phone: (202) 224-6342 Fax: (202) 224-1100 <o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in">Raleigh: Phone: (919) 856-4630 Fax: (919) 856-4053 <o:p></o:p></li> </ul> Norm Coleman (MN) -<o:p></o:p> <ul type="disc"> <li class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in">D.C.: Phone: (202) 224-5641 Fax: (202) 224-1152 <o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in">St. Paul: Phone: (651) 645-0323 Fax: (651) 645-3110 <o:p></o:p></li> </ul> Roger Wicker (MS) -<o:p></o:p> <ul type="disc"> <li class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in">D.C.: Phone: (202) 224-6253 Fax: (202) 228-0378 <o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in">Jackson: Phone: (601) 965-4644 Fax: (601) 965-4007 <o:p></o:p></li> </ul> Gordon Smith (OR) -<o:p></o:p> <ul type="disc"> <li class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list .5in">D.C.: Phone: (202) 224-3753 Fax: (202) 228-3997 <o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list .5in">Portland: Phone: (503) 326-3386 Fax: (503) 326-2900 <o:p></o:p></li> </ul> Lyndsey Graham (SC) -<o:p></o:p> <ul type="disc"> <li class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo5; tab-stops: list .5in">D.C.: Phone: (202) 224-5972 Fax: (202) 224-3808 <o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo5; tab-stops: list .5in">Greenville: Phone: (864) 250-1417 Fax: (864) 250-4322 <o:p></o:p></li> </ul> Ted Stevens (AK) -<o:p></o:p> <ul type="disc"> <li class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo6; tab-stops: list .5in">D.C.: Phone: (202) 224-3004 Fax: (202) 224-2354 <o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo6; tab-stops: list .5in">Anchorage: Phone: (907) 271-5915 Fax: (907) 258-9305 <o:p></o:p></li> </ul> YOUR TEXAS SENATORS:<o:p></o:p> SENATOR KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON<o:p></o:p> 284 Russell Senate Office Building<o:p></o:p> Washington, DC 20510-4304<o:p></o:p> 202-224-5922<o:p></o:p> 202-224-0776 (FAX)<o:p></o:p> 202-224-5903 (TDD)<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> SENATOR JOHN CORNYN<o:p></o:p> Washington DC<o:p></o:p> 517 Hart Senate Office Bldg.<o:p></o:p> Washington, DC 20510<o:p></o:p> Main: 202-224-2934<o:p></o:p> Fax: 202-228-2856<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> AND IT WOULDN’T HURT:<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> SENATOR JOHN MCCAIN<o:p></o:p> Washington Office:<o:p></o:p> 241 Russell Senate Office Building<o:p></o:p> Washington, DC 20510<o:p></o:p> Main: 202-224-2235<o:p></o:p> Fax: 202-228-2862 Special: 703-418-2008   Victoria CFL and Victoria YR Co-Hosting Candidate Forum on Education Tonight http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/ToniAnne/8964 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/ToniAnne/8964 “Children should be educated and instructed in the principles of freedom.” - John Adams, Founding Father and Second President of the United States ------------------------------------------<o:p></o:p> If you are a parent, your child’s education should be high on your list of “to do’s.” Most parents contemplate the idea of how their child will be educated before they think about how to feed their baby solids. This is completely normal (or so I hear).<o:p></o:p> If you are among those parents who care about your child’s education and who will administer that education, I urge you to attend a forum tonight (6:30 p.m.) featuring Peter Johnston, Republican candidate for State Board of Education, District 2. Johnston will present his platform and answer questions from attendees. <o:p></o:p> The Victoria Campaign for Liberty Group and the Victoria Chapter of the Texas Young Republicans will be co-hosting this event, which will also feature a dinner after the Q&A portion of the forum. <o:p></o:p> We feel that Johnston’s platform will be attractive to parents who want more control of their children’s education. The Texas Home School Coalition PAC has endorsed Johnston. Moreover, his platform states, “Parents have the right and duty to direct the upbringing of their children including their education.” These are strong merits for advocates of freedom in education. We hope you can make the time to attend this forum and encourage like-minded parents to do the same. This will be a great opportunity to scrutinize a potential state-level administrator. As a reminder, District 2 encompasses the following counties: Aransas, Calhoun, Cameron, Goliad, Jackson, Kenedy, Kleberg, Matagorda, Nueces, Refugio, San Patricio, Victoria, Wharton, Willacy and parts of Hidalgo. The aforementioned dinner will start after the forum and will allow ticket purchasers to ask more questions about Johnston’s intentions and platform. The dinner will include BBQ brisket & sausage, potato salad, beans, and a dessert. Tickets will be available at the forum.<o:p></o:p> The forum will be at the American Legion Post 166 – 1402 E. Santa Rosa – at 6:30 p.m. tonight and ALL are welcome.<o:p></o:p> If you have any questions, please contact Toni Marek 361-485-0111, Michael Cloud 580-0994, or Matt Ocker 361-920-1850. ------------------------------------------- “The philosophy of education in one generation will become the philosophy of government in the next.” Abraham Lincoln <table class="MsoNormalTable" style="mso-cellspacing: 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0"> <tbody> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes"> <td style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0.75pt; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; WIDTH: 1.25in; PADDING-TOP: 0.75pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" valign="top" width="120"></td> <td style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0.75pt; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; PADDING-TOP: 0.75pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" valign="top"></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <o:p> </o:p> ANSWERED: An Urgent Call For Help http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/ToniAnne/8869 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/ToniAnne/8869 This blog can’t possibly cover the thank you’s that I have to hand out. I am absolutely overwhelmed by the number of people who donated supplies and money in answer to an “Urgent Call For Help” yesterday. I received emails from people who said they had been forwarded my original email two and three times over. This is a tremendous testament to the generous people we have in this community. In all, we received just at $400 in cash and an arsenal of supplies worth hundreds. I am extremely thankful for the people in my community that really stepped up to help out those in need. I wanted to just leave a few names here to thank some of the people who have helped us out thus far: Jayme and James Dolan<o:p></o:p> Dr. and Mrs. Taylor (and Laura) Pickett<o:p></o:p> Linda Campbell<o:p></o:p> Dr. and Mrs. Shuttlesworth<o:p></o:p> Dr. Ernst Mary Wenske<o:p></o:p> Dr. and Mrs. Sivakukmar<o:p></o:p> Claire Olsovsky<o:p></o:p> Linda Schuenemann<o:p></o:p> And last but certainly not least, the generous members of the Medical Alliance and Junior League of Victoria. These two organizations, along with Laura Pickett, made possible a large portion of the help and donations that we received. Finally, I would like to mention that if you have donations, please take them to Parkway Baptist Church, on the corner of John Stockbauer and Salem. As a reminder to the evacuees, you can only receive items from Parkway if you have already registered at the Red Cross. Again, my heartfelt gratitude goes out to Jayme Dolan, who started this “mission,” to Laura Pickett for all of her efforts, and to the rest of the community who donated time, supplies, and money. If you have anything else to give, please contact me via email or phone, or take the items directly to Parkway Baptist Church. If you contacted me and I haven't contacted you in return, please call or email me again. Either your email got lost in bulk mail, or your phone call is in my cell phone's call history and I don't know who it belongs to! Again - THANK YOU, VICTORIA! Urgent Call for Help - Please Read http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/ToniAnne/8856 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/ToniAnne/8856 To make a long story very short: There are people standing outside of the Salvation Army, Churches, etc. with babies as young as 2 weeks old who are waiting on paperwork to get formula, water, and food for their children. <o:p></o:p>  <o:p></o:p> There is nothing to give at some of the churches and vouchers are taking days - maybe even a couple of weeks. In the meantime, these children are literally starving. <o:p></o:p>  <o:p></o:p> I don't usually do this via email, blogs, etc. but this is important. I need your donations - money or items. I will pick them up in the Victoria area and distribute them to the people not the agencies. This will help at least some people out.<o:p></o:p>  <o:p></o:p> I will not give them money, but will use any money you give me to buy supplies for them. They need the very basic of supplies. <o:p></o:p>  <o:p></o:p> I know this all sounds urgent, but if you have a child or ever had one, you know formula and diapers are urgent items.<o:p></o:p>  <o:p></o:p> I can offer receipts, etc. if you need them. If you can donate goods, here is a basic rundown:<o:p></o:p>  <o:p></o:p> diapers<o:p></o:p> women's underwear - any size - they are desperate<o:p></o:p> women's clothes - again - any size<o:p></o:p> shampoo - even if it is half a bottle<o:p></o:p> toothbrush/toothpaste<o:p></o:p> water<o:p></o:p> toiletries - tampons and pads<o:p></o:p> formula<o:p></o:p> baby food<o:p></o:p>  <o:p></o:p> Most of these people had no idea it would be as bad as they thought. They thought that it would be nothing, so they left with nothing. Remember, here in Victoria, we thought it was nothing and most of us didn't evacuate. This tragedy could very well be happening to us at this very moment.<o:p></o:p>  <o:p></o:p> Please do what you can, even if that means forwarding this to someone. <o:p></o:p>  <o:p></o:p> Contact me for an address to take your supplies to, or for me to pick them up. I don't mind - so please don't hesitate! <o:p></o:p>  <o:p></o:p> Home Phone - 485-0111<o:p></o:p> Cell Phone - 212-1219<o:p></o:p>  <o:p></o:p> THANK YOU for anything you can do! <o:p>(The person I am working with has also posted a few items below mine, so please help either one of us)</o:p> Fluff and Cleavage (Read At Your Own Risk) http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/ToniAnne/8838 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/ToniAnne/8838 Someone told me a few days ago that they missed the blogs that I wrote that were about nothing. What they meant is that they were tired of reading about politics. I told them that while I miss writing fluff, I also think that more people should be involved in what is going on in their city and county government. That said, I love me some fluff. Anyone who regularly read my blog a year ago could tell you that it was filled with fluff, complaints about customer service (or lack thereof), and the constant chaos my two toddlers kept me in. I could tell you that I have been busy, and that is why I haven’t written much nonsense, but that would be an understatement. I am still busy, but if I have learned anything this past year, it is that you have to leave room for the fluff, or you will just have a hard place to fall on when you get tired. I vote more fluff, myself. As many of you know, I went to Minnesota a couple of weeks ago. I was there for 5 days and I absolutely loved it. The weather was gorgeous and the scenery was better than most cities I have been to (with the exception of my beloved Shiner). A lot of you also know that I was still nursing when I left for Minnesota. My husband and every other person I knew had their opinions on breastfeeding, but my 17-month-old son’s opinion was the only one that mattered. He wanted mommy’s milk and who was I to deprive my tiny baby of nutrition? Yes – that is what I told myself. Anyway, when I left on my trip, I had gotten my son down to only a few feedings a day, but I had not yet weaned him. I decided at the last minute that I would just pump and come back to keep feeding him (you know – so I didn’t deprive my tiny little 23 pound baby). Fast-forward 5 days. My husband barely made it through the first two days. I thought for a second that he was going to just fly up and drop off the baby. He gets major kudos because he took the brunt of it all. I know men that won’t even change their own child’s diaper, so yeah, my husband gets major points. Once I got home, my child looked like a teenager and since he did so well without my boobs, I figured he was old enough to understand that he couldn’t have any more of mommy’s milk. Needless to say, he didn’t feel the same way. Fast-forward another few days. My tiny baby is 24 pounds and doing just fine without nursing. I was probably more upset than he was, for longer than he was. He doesn’t need me as much as he did, and for any mother, that is catastrophic. Now, I am in mourning over something else: my cleavage. Making milk was my superpower. Now that my body knows that I don’t need to make milk (or as much) anymore, I have lost what my superpowers brought: my boobs. They aren’t entirely gone, but I nursed for so long (17 months), that I forgot what they looked like before. This is just a warning to you breastfeeding moms… and I will leave it at that. My next obstacle is my diet (EEK). My doctor has been nagging me about the ever-popular 1800 calorie a day diet. Now that I am no longer breastfeeding, that is possible. The downside is that I have the appetite of a pregnant woman… and you can only eat so much salad. My plea to the readers that I have left is this: What are your suggestions for an appetite suppressant? Are there any herbal solutions? Then again, should I just think about buying lots of stock in vegetables? (Final Installment) Rockin' the GOP Back to its Roots: My Road to the Rally for the Republic http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/ToniAnne/8699 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/ToniAnne/8699 <a href="http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/ToniAnne/8629">Rockin' the GOP Back to its Roots: My Road to the Rally for the Republic</a><o:p></o:p>  <o:p></o:p> Wednesday, September 3rd<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> 11:10 a.m.: Currently, I rising towards 30,000 feet in the air, so even though this is technically a live blog, I won’t be able to post this until I land in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Dallas</st1:place></st1:city>. I got a rather inexpensive upgrade offer, that was even less once you account for the fact that I saved $20 on the baggage check fee, and the $10 or so dollars that I would have spent on a drink and lunch (it is free now).<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> The seats are way more comfortable and I have 3 times the room I had in a coach seat on the way here. I make a connection in <st1:city w:st="on">Dallas</st1:city> and then fly to <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Houston</st1:place></st1:city>, and unless the upgrade is free, I won’t be sitting in “style” on that flight. So, I opted to finish up my “liveblog” about my experience at the Rally for the Republic in the seat that gave me enough room to comfortably type.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> As I look back on the past few days, I feel like my trip was a great step forward for the Victoria County Campaign for Liberty (CFL) group. Matt Ocker, from <st1:state w:st="on">Victoria</st1:state>, also traveled to the rally with me as another representative of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Victoria</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">County</st1:placename></st1:place> (and the surrounding areas). He and I both agreed that this step forward was a crucial one. <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Over 10,000 tickets were sold for the Rally and when there was no more room left, nearly 5,000 tickets were given away to fill the rafters. The <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">CFL</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Training School</st1:placetype></st1:place> was sold out with 500 people who paid to listen to some of the top people in the country talk about what they have done, and show us how to better accomplish the goals that we hope to achieve. <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> The CFL Leadership Summit was comprised of representatives from every state, and every state was adequately represented. Since everything is bigger in <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Texas</st1:place></st1:state>, of course we had the largest representation for the three day event. Numerous videos and pictures hit the web and You Tube almost immediately after Monday night’s Ron Paul Nation Celebration. <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Texan’s made and sold their own shirts and we met after the celebration to meet and greet each other. It turned out to be an astounding number of people, and literally a rally in itself. The crowd’s chants of “<st1:state w:st="on">Tex</st1:state>-as, <st1:state w:st="on">Tex</st1:state>-as, <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Tex</st1:place></st1:state>-as,” drew uncountable video cameras to our impromptu pep rally. There were a few news stations there and everyone was taking pictures for posterity. <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Yesterday brought the event to a close with the Rally for the Republic. I want to convey properly the absolute feeling of complete joy I had, while trying to just report what happened, but I am a passionate person and that is how this entry will ultimately end up.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> We arrived at the rally a little late because sleep had not been in abundance since everyone arrived on Saturday. Late (LATE) night meetings and early (EARLY) mornings left us completely sleep deprived by Tuesday morning. These things were not required, but most everyone had the same goals: to network, share information, and plan with the people from all over the country who were responsible for getting Congressman Ron Paul and the message of Freedom over 1 million votes in the primaries. <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> As we walked into the rally, Tucker Carlson (such a cute little man), was introducing Lew Rockwell (founder of the Ludwig von Mises Institute). Afterwards, we heard from former Governor Gary Johnson and former Governor Jesse Ventura. <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Ventura</st1:place></st1:city>’s speech started with, “I am not a Republican and I am not a Democrat.”<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Ventura</st1:city></st1:place>’s viewpoint on the party system we currently have in place, is that it has systematically destroyed our government and country. He welcomed “boo’s” if we disagreed with anything he said, as honesty is path to fixing problems, and as he said, “the boo’s are really just compliments anyway.” As the former governor spoke, people chanted, “Run, Jesse, Run!” over and over.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> At the end of his speech, <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Ventura</st1:place></st1:city> announced that he would be watching the CFL and the movement of Patriots in the country. He said that upon seeing we were really committed to righting the wrongs and fixing our country, he would run for President in 2012. This, of course, brought the house down.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> After <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Ventura</st1:place></st1:city>’s speech, I made my way to the exit to find an outlet to charge my computer. On the way, I saw a woman that I knew who was sitting in the press pit with the proper credentials, and stopped to speak to her. After asking where I was going, and me telling her what I needed, she invited me to not only use the outlet for the press, but to sit with her for the remainder of the rally (as part of her “people”).<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> It didn’t take any convincing and I sat in a chair at a table with an internet connection for the rest of the rally. Who needs a press pass when you have friends? <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> After Jesse Ventura, a few more notables spoke, there were some nice videos, and there was a presentation that marked the launch of the Campaign for <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Liberty</st1:place></st1:city>. Then Aimee Allen performed her (now famous) unofficial Ron Paul Anthem, and Jimmie Vaughn played a few songs. Afterwards, Barry Goldwater, Jr. came onto the stage to introduce the man of the hour. I was excited to hear what he had to say, and his speech gave me an even bigger sense of, “We have got to get this country BACK on track!”<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Finally, it was Ron Paul’s turn to speak. When he came onto the stage, the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Target</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Center</st1:placetype></st1:place> seemed unable to hold the people and cheers within it. Earlier in the week Dr. Paul mentioned that he wanted to wake up the Republican Party and “shake the rafters” at the Rally. I am here to confirm that his goal was absolutely accomplished. <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Surprisingly, I encountered more Republican Party establishment people than I thought I would. Most of them were drawn to the Rally because of the notables they wanted to hear speak, but in the end they too were clapping and cheering for the Congressman. <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Dr. Paul’s speech brought the message of Freedom and <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Liberty</st1:place></st1:city>, as well as the point that his supporters have been trying to get across since June: This is not about Ron Paul and the presidency. This is about the message and our great nation. It is up to the people to fight for what our founding fathers died for. <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> I believe that our forefathers did not intend for our country to be in the state it is in. <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> We do not have the property rights, the freedom, the liberty, the small government, the less taxes, and the rights that people think we have.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> It is time to wake up, <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">America</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<o:p></o:p> LIVE Feed from the Rally for the Republic http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/ToniAnne/8667 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/ToniAnne/8667 <a href="http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/ToniAnne/8629">Rockin' the GOP Back to its Roots: My Road to the Rally for the Republic</a><u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p> (CSPAN-2 is broadcasting LIVE)<o:p></o:p> <u1:p></u1:p> <u1:p></u1:p> <o:p></o:p> Tuesday, September 2nd<o:p></o:p> <u1:p></u1:p> <o:p> </o:p> <u1:p></u1:p>7:35 p.m.: Barry Goldwater, Jr speaking. ELECTRIC. I also have live covera