America, Love It Or Leave It!

This was an e-mail that I had to share:

Subject: THIS WAS IN A TAMPA NEWSPAPER
Will we still be the Country of choice and still be America if we continue to make the changes forced on us by the people from other countries that came to live in America because it is the Country of Choice??????
Think about it! All we have to say is, when will they do something about MY RIGHTS?
I celebrate Christmas...........but because it isn't celebrated by everyone..............we can no longer say Merry Christmas. Now it has to be Season's Greetings.
It's not Christmas vacation, it's Winter Break. Isn't it amazing how this winter break ALWAYS occurs over the Christmas holiday?
We've gone so far the other way, bent over backwards to not offend anyone, that I am now being offended. But it seems that no one has a problem with that. This says it all!

This is an editorial written by an American citizen, published in a Tampa, FL Newspaper. He did quite a job; didn't he? Read on, please!

IMMIGRANTS, NOT AMERICANS, MUST ADAPT.
I am sick and tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Americans. However...... the dust from the attacks had barely settled when the "politically correct! " crowd began complaining about the possibility that our patriotism was offending others. And if it does offend others, TOO DAMN BAD!!!!!! I am not against immigration, nor do I hold a grudge against anyone who is seeking a better life by coming to America. Our population is almost entirely made up of descendants of immigrants. However, there are a few things that those who have recently come to our country, and apparently some born here, need to understand. This idea of America being a multicultural community has served only to dilute our sovereignty and our national identity. As Americans...... we have our own culture, our own society, our own language and our own lifestyle. This culture has been developed over centuries of struggles, trials, and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom. We speak ENGLISH, NOT Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society, LEARN THE LANGUAGE!!! "In God We Trust" is our national motto. This is not some Christian, right wing, political slogan.. We adopted this motto because Christian men and women.......on Christian principles............. founded this nation..... and this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home.........because God is part of our culture. If Stars and Stripes offend you, or you don't like Uncle Sam, then you should seriously consider a move to another part of this planet. We are happy with our culture and have no desire to change, and we really don't care how you did things where you came from. This is OUR COUNTRY, OUR LAND, and OUR LIFESTYLE. Our First Amendment gives every citizen the right to express his opinion and we will allow you every opportunity to do so! But once you are done complaining....... whining..... and griping....... about our flag....... our pledge...... our national motto........or our way of life...I highly encourage you to take advantage of one other Great American Freedom ... THE RIGHT TO LEAVE!! It is Time for America to Speak up
If you agree -- pass this along; if you don't agree -- delete it - You are in the WRONG Country!
AMEN
I figure if we all keep passing this to our friends (and enemies) it will also, sooner or later get back to the complainers, lets all try, please!

And I Agree With That!

F-E-D-E-X-S-U-X

For almost a week we tried to get a package delivered from Fed-Ex. Doesn't sound that difficult, people get packages all the time, right? The difference is that UPS and DHL, (unless I'm mistaken), have their own drivers (employees), where as Fed-Ex Ground uses contractors to deliver their packages. I can see the benefit of contractors, (i.e. less paperwork, no employee firing red tape, don't have to take out taxes - the list can go on and on). However, they missed the part about customer service and satisfaction. Let me explain - We knew we had a package coming, but didn't know the carrier. Fed-Ex tried to deliver to us last Saturday at 6 PM, but we were out of town. They were closed on Monday and we hoped for a 6 PM delivery on Tuesday, maybe that was how their route went, our fingers were crossed. Anyway, I got in from work at 1:30 PM only to find that they had attempted delivery at 11:30 that morning. I called Fed-Ex and asked if they would deliver on Wednesday after six as they had on Saturday. This is when I found out that they used contractors and would make the request to the driver, but that it shouldn't be a problem. Great! On Wednesday I got a call at 1:30 PM from Fed-Ex saying that they had located my package and it would be delivered after 6 as I had requested. Well I didn't think the package was lost, but Fed-Ex decided they needed to find it, whatever as long as I get it. When Jenny got home she found that they had attempted delivery at 9:30 that morning! Unbelievable! Well, that was their third attempt, so Jenny was now planning to pick it up at their facility on her lunch break the next day, no problem, right? You forget who we are talking about. She calls them the next morning to insure they have the package and inform them that she will be there to get it. No, they tell her that it is on the truck scheduled for a six o'clock delivery. OK . . . . . . . I guess that will have to be fine. We wait until 6, no package . . . . At 7 PM Jenny calls to see if they are coming. She is told that the package is sitting in the warehouse and she will need to come and get it. UNBELIEVABLE! Fed-Ex doesn't know their ass from a hole in the ground! Excuse my language. But, it's not over. A little after 8 PM the delivery truck shows up with the package. This is a simple case of the left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing. Long story short . . . . Fed-Ex SUCKS and I will personally never use them and further more will not recommend them to any one else. UPS is the leader in package delivery and now we should all know why!

And That's What I Think!

Idol and Horse Racin'

So the past four weeks I have picked the person getting kicked off of American Idol correctly and usually have 2 of the 3 people in the bottom three. This week I have the 2 of the 3 in the bottom three, but that third person was the one they voted off (Bucky). It's no surprise that he left, it was well over due. What surprised me was that the Idol voters usually have a short memory and vote based on the most recent performance. That's why Mandisa left during country week. It was not her genre and she is a good singer, but based on her country performance she got the boot. This week was Queen. Bucky did better than Ace and Elliott, but I guess America decided it was Bucky's time. (No complaint here other than it broke my picking streak . . .)

This evening we took the kids to the local horse track. It was opening day and this year is the 10th anniversary of our track. The kids enjoyed seeing the horses and I had fun betting, and winning (mostly). We only stayed for the first five races out of ten. Jenny has to work tomorrow or we could have stayed longer. Out of the five races, I lost on the first and won on the last four! All in all I almost broke even, I was just short by 60 cents. If we could have stayed longer I know I would have come out ahead! Lacye was upset that we didn't stay longer, but I assured her that we'd go back.

Well, that's all for now . . .

LET'S GO RANGERS, LET'S GO!

So we just got back from our second Rangers (baseball) game this season. They won (YEA RANGERS!!). Both games we have been to they have won, however they are 2 (w) and 5 (l). If they are going to win only when we are there, maybe I should have bought season tickets! Right now they are in last place in the A.L. West. As it is, we have sort of a mini plan and will only be going to about 7 games. The kids are hanging in there so far, I hope they don't get bored with all the games because I really enjoy it!

On a different note, this was also Nascar weekend in North Texas. Jenny and I joined two different fantasy leagues at the start of the season and she was really pumped up about it. Well, the last two weeks she hasn't bothered to make her picks or ever research the track they are at next. She claims that she keeps forgetting, but I think she has lost interest because I keep kicking her butt every week when she's the diehard fan. (Between you and me, she denies this, but what else can it be, I ask you?)

Well, I'll keep you posted on the games.
Until next time,
Rangers Fan

And That's What I Think.