Green Innovation?

I was reading this article, which describes how scientists have designed a plant filtration system that will allow us to recycle water by actually drinking our own shower water. Sounds wonderful...

It seems to me this invention has a fatal flaw, however....Don't they realize that the kind of people that would be most likely to actually install and use something like this are the very same people who rarely shower?

Then again, it may be just a matter of time before the Obama administration mandates this for all new homes....

True Patriotism

My father in law, John Tanner, passed away on July 27th. A difficult time to be sure, especially for my wife and her family.

I knew he had served in Vietnam, and had witnessed first hand the shameful treatment many soldiers received upon their return. I knew him to be passionate about our country, and the state of things today. What I did not know is this man privately wrote poetry, and that a poem he wrote long ago that was read aloud at his funeral would expose me to a level of patriotism rarely seen or expressed today.

Here is the poem:

Dearly beloved, Red White and Blue
We went to fight, some died for you
With Love and Respect
We always stayed true
And never one time
Turned our back on you
We've watched you with pride
Through tears in our eyes
While some people cursed you
We stood by your side
Those who disgraced you
and spat in your face
Were welcomed back home
With a warm embrace
But those who loved you
Enough to die
Received no welcome
Please tell me why
We've searched for answers
We've really tried
We keep our feelings all inside
Were we wrong to use our guns?
Are we your bastards or your sons?
Please don't take my questions wrong
Cause I will love you
My whole life long
This is my country
Where I was given birth
Your still the greatest flag on earth

How many today could witness the horrors that this man surely did in war, receive the shameful treatment he did from his fellow citizens upon his return, and still feel the need to express such strong, heartfelt feelings for their country? I daresay, not very many...

Sadly, this level of love for ones country cannot be taught, I am convinced it must be inspired. Unfortunately many of our leaders who should be 'role models' and inspiration for our children in this area almost seem to hold our country and its values in contempt...

This is why men such as John Tanner should be held up as role models, especially while some are still here, and their sacrifices finally acknowledged.

Better late than never...

Tide starting to turn?

I have not had much time the past few weeks to devote to this blog, but I have been watching with interest as the polls slowly reflect what I hope is the American people finally waking up to the Obama reality.

The question remains, how could so many have fell for this man in the first place? This is a troubling question, to be sure. I myself, up until the very last minute, was convinced that the American people could not possibly elect such an obvious socialist.

While many may simply have not recognized his socialist tendencies, or simply chose to ignore the warning signs, putting more stock instead into his flowery rhetoric, perhaps the election results can at least be partly explained by what I see as an American tendency to always see the best in people, and our inherent optimism about our future, no matter who is in the White House. After all, we have never had a President so intent on completely changing every aspect of our way of life, and before Obama, it was hard to imagine we ever would....

Now, not even 8 months in, we have witnessed the nationalization of two American car companies, along with many banks. We have a ridiculous 'cap and trade' bill that if enacted, could more than double our utility bills. Finally, with the full bore attempt to destroy our health care system, it appears many Americans are finally saying 'enough!'

Obama has been so used to having things his way, it will be interesting (and somewhat scary, as his 'snitch on your neighbors' website has already proved), to see how he reacts....