Odds & Ends

VR and ME Update

My van's been modified. TWO DAYS... I waited THREE YEARS and for over SIX MONTHS after the bids were let. The low bidder (who shall remain nameless) for SOME reason or other DID NOT return calls and could not be reached after all that was needed was the completion date.

Superior Van & Mobility, Indianapolis, took a little over a week to get the parts in, and TWO DAYS to get it done and back to us. We took it in Wednesday afternoon, talked to the guy about where the seat should go (move it back and to the right a little), where the hand-controls were going to go, and we came home. Friday (today) we were called to come in around 3. We got there at 2:50, and he was pulling it out of the garage as we entered their lot. We parked, watched him park, turned and saw the Crossroads people pull in. (Jennifer Radloff, Occupational Therapist/Driver Training - kewl lady! and "her student").

We went to the van, the installer explained how the hand-controls worked, and told us they'd moved the seat back THREE inches, not two, as planned. I didn't want to get into it until we'd seen how the lift worked, first. He brought the scooter out of the van, explaining the remote functions as he went, and set it on the ground, unhooked it, and showed how to stow the hook. Then he handed me the remote to show I knew how to get it back in. No real problem... It will just take getting used to the remote(s) - There's a wired one ON the lift, and a wireless one to carry with me. I got into the driver's seat and PLENTY of leg-room, for the first time EVER. In fact, I straighted my arms out like we always picture race-drivers (they don't, the damn steering wheel's REALLY close to their chest).

Jennifer had me drive around a little to get used to the hand-controls (not too hard... Still push when I should pull at times! But that's GOOD... Push is brake, pull is gas), and we went back to Superior, where Jenn and her student got out, Chris got into the "Green Machine" van, said she'd follow me home, and we took off. I figured out the cruise control (Chris seldom uses it, and I had NEVER used it in this van), and used it on 465 and 65, most of the way home.

WOW! Only the SECOND time I've driven (without a trainer/tester) in almost THREE YEARS. I even pulled it into the garage! (This might not sound like much, but for the past three years, Chris has driven me everywhere I needed to go. I walk down the ramp and wait, while she backs the van out, then I get in. It's kinda tight on the passenger side, to leave room on the driver's side.) It'll take a little getting used to, but getting in and out (Driver's side) is MUCH easier, I'll actually be able to let Chris sleep and go to my own doctor's appointments myself, and (if I can find a job) I can get to it. I can't afford gas, now, though, but I CAN GET OUT ON MY OWN! WOO HOO!

Now I just gotta make sure VR gets any papers it needs, find out what I have to do before I get the ownership papers (right now, VR owns the stuff), find a job I can manage and afford to get to and from (hopefully in Lebanon, and hopefully pays decently!), and ... Well, you know the drill, right?

9/11

For ANYONE who wonders why our soldiers are overseas, especially in Afghanastan, and even those in Iraq and elsewhere, watch the History Channel. Recently, they've been running reenactments, with interviews with the real people involved, on everything from how people survived, what lead up to, how they closed all airspace in such a short time, etc. Seeing this will REMIND you why we're at war.

Just leaving Iraq and Afghanastan now will only alienate those who believe in us (we don't see that much on the news... it's not controversial or sensational enough), turn those who are on the fence against us (we did that with Hussein and Bin Laden, remember?), allow the insurgents to declare victory over the US, invite ever more and even stronger attacks on our own soil, and ensure that every soldier over there feels we let them (and their fallen comrades) down.

Watch the shows. Remember. NEVER FORGET! We promised it then, and this is a promise WE SHOULD KEEP FOREVER!

Kyndel Christine Klump

And, for those who don't know it, Chris' (my wife) youngest daughter had a baby. Check that out (with pictures) here.

New OFP Website

DAMN! I didn't know I had that many pages. I've split many into multiples, especially in the scams, shams and more flim-flams section. I have a few more of the rumors to do, then the graphics capabilities, and I will put it up. I don't know for sure how I'm going to "keep the old pages", but update it to point to the new ones. (All names have been changed.) I have people finding my site searching for these things, so have put even more information on each on the new version. (The SITE name will not change, but all the pages within it have new names. I think I'll be putting some type of cross-reference from the old pages to the new ones in, but am not sure.)

Anyway, it's coming along. Shouldn't be TOO much longer, now.

Scams

Speaking of scams, they're coming fast and furious through email (and maybe elsewhere). BE CAREFUL. I've received 4-6 "Nigerian Scam" letters (some inheritance, some something else) in the last few days. I just received word from a relative that they received information on the Jury Duty scam, where they call you, tell you that you didn't show up for Jury Duty, and a warrent has been issued for your arrest. When you protest that you've never been called, they ask for your Social Security number and Date of Birth to verify the info and cancel the warrent. NEVER GIVE YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER TO ANYONE WHO CALLS YOU OVER THE PHONE. If you are worried about it, get the number to call them back. (If they get hostile, they're most likely scammers, so who gives a shit what they think of you?) Then, look up the number in the phone book, and call your own local government office/court house, and ask if they called you. If not, tell the authorities. (This should work for ANYONE who will ask for your personal, bank and credit card information over the phone. DO NOT GIVE IT TO THEM WITHOUT CHECKING THEM OUT AS DESCRIBED. Get a number to call back, look UP the number in the phone book, call THAT number, find out whether they called YOU, and report it to authorities if they didn't.

This is from the email sent by my relative:

The FBI and the federal court system have issued nationwide alerts on Their web sites, warning consumers about the fraud.Check it out here: http://www.snopes.com/crime/fraud/juryduty.asp

Think that's it for now. Have a happy! And BE SAFE!

Bill

America's Got Talent - Finale Show

Kewl! I didn't do TOO badly. I was surprised that All That and the Millers weren't part of the top three, and even MORE surprised that the Passing Zone WASN'T in the top 5, but ... (At least it was AMERICA voting, and not Piers!)

If you missed it, Bianca Ryan (11yo with "the VOICE") won the Million! (TOLD YA!)

She, Celtic Spring (the family of Irish fiddlers/Celtic dancers) and Tayler Ware (the yodeler) were the top three acts. Add All That (the cloggers/tap dancing troupe) and The Millers (20yo older brother - singer - with 12yo harmonica phenom from Lafayette, Indiana - where I grew up), and that rounds out the top Five. All That and the Millers got a car each, it appeared. (Hmmm... All That is FIVE guys, the Millers are two, with one being 12 years old... Maybe there should be a rethink on these prizes? And I don't recall any mention of what #2 and #3 won... Hope it was better than a car and less than a million!)

Rappin' Granny (70+yo hip-hop rapper), Realis (gymnastic dancers), At Last (a cappella group), David and Danya (magic/quick change artists), and the Passing Zone (funny jugglers) got the fewest number of votes from America.

To NBC and the producers of America's Got Talent:

I wouldn't change the format much. You have a winner, even with Piers. I understand what he's there for... To be the "Simon Cowell" (a creator/producer of the show) of the group. The celebs can "gush" over any act, but he's kinda looking at it from a business standpoint. I understand what he was saying about some of the groups, but David (Quick Change) was right... He's got the right to criticize, and make his points, but not to belittle. Remember, the show's for entertainment, even IF you are going to give a million dollars at the end to one act.

Don't put it off too long, and be careful about which shows you compete with. It made it in the summer, partially because everything else is a repeat. Don't put it up against CSI, or other strong shows. You will lose. Even so, I'd like to see this as a fairly regularly-scheduled talent show.

And the Finale Show was great. I loved that you "brought back" some of the favorites, using the magician.

The only thing I didn't like was using "You're No Good" for the montage of acts that didn't make it. Some of them were! (And some were kids!) Regis should have clarified it meant more that they were "no good" FOR THE SHOW, or something like that.

To ALL of the top 10 acts, and even many of those that didn't make it this far:

Keep it up! There are a lot of people who "make a living" doing what they love. They may never win a competition, but they ... "love their jobs". And, a lot also cannot make a living at it, but keep doing it because they DO enjoy it. It's a money-making hobby. And sometimes, they make enough to "quit their day jobs." Many of you can, too. I hope agents and producers were paying attention to the show, and saw many acts they can use somewhere. See the next paragraph.

To those that didn't make it to TV this year... and even those that did, but didn't win (unless there's a rule against it):

They will do it again. It was a top show. Audition again (I think it's in January), with new/better material. See the previous paragraph. If you love what you do, and can make any type of money at it, or entertain people with it, keep at it.

Now... Suggestions to the acts or their agents/handlers, from my point of view as a former "entertainer" of sorts. (I used to play guitar, sing, write songs and at least ran sound for a few bands - sang some backup from the "board", too - that a friend was in), and graduated from Purdue with a degree in Mass Communications/Radio-TV. I know that doesn't make me any type of expert, but I'm gonna say it anyway! It IS my blog!)

First of all, you (the acts) are ALL good. The judges and/or America thought so, or you'd have never been in the top-10. You all did a great job, but here are some realities, observations and critiques:

For Realis - You have a very unique act. I think that it's just not something that everyone has a taste for. Keep it up!

For Rappin' Granny - As was said on the show, you are a very cool granny. As with Realis' act, not everyone has a taste for rap or hip-hop.

For At Last - You have a very kewl act. The problem, as I see it, had to do with your attempt at "upping the ante" for the Finale show. Adding the drums was too much. If you had stayed yourselves and didn't try to "go bigger" (except vocally), you may have done better. Maybe if the drums hadn't played as much as they did...

For David and Danya - I saw your act on TV, then on the internet a few times BEFORE the semifinals. (Someone had put it on one of the viral video websites.) Except for the first and last outfits, and the music, you did EXACTLY the same act, which was Piers' argument. You are EXCELLENT at it. David, your argument was that singers sing, dancers dance. BUT, they do DIFFERENT SONGS. Yes, if they get requests to do a song, they will sometimes repeat it. HOWEVER, in a competition, they WILL NOT do the same thing. Did you notice that NONE of the other acts did? INCLUDING the "wild-and-wacky" winner - an acrobatic Pavarotti on the first show he was on, and a completely NEW ACT on the Finale. The jugglers, the magicians, etc., CHANGED THEIR ACT for each show. Surely you have other outfits for this act (and if you don't, you SHOULD), and can rearrange things or make it different? Sure, you switched up for the Finale, adding the little bit of magic at the beginning and Brandi in one quick-change at the end, but even with Brandi included - ALL the outfits were THE SAME. When you're working on-stage, with mostly different audiences every night, you can do the same act. But TV eats things like this for snacks. Once you've done it, it's recorded, people watch it over and over, so you HAVE to change it, otherwise, it's stale. Danya, you're beautiful. Don't take the criticism so hard. Piers was being a jerk, but TRYING to give "constructive criticism", and it sounded like most of it was aimed at David, anyway, especially when he told Piers "Don't call me dumb". (And sorry if I spelled your name wrong! I didn't check on NBC for any spellings before doing this.)

For Passing Zone - I don't know what to say. I thought you'd have made it to the top five, at least. (You were in my top 4...) I mean, how many people could juggle PEOPLE, make Hasselhoff a juggler, and do it all with humor, too! LOL. Your banter makes your act. Keep it up. (Maybe the pause in the Finale, to put the dot on the shirt for dropping something was a bit too much/long.)

For All That - You guys are making tap/clogging kewl. Even with Celtic Spring doing something similar, I would have thought you'd have been in the top three. Using the ties as blindfolds was cool, but I almost expected you to strip those outfits down to at least your muscle-shirts. I did like the drums with your act, though I think their frenetic dancing behind you on-stage, distracted from YOUR act. YOU guys should have had At Last's drummers!

For The Millers - I was rooting for you all the way, ESPECIALLY after finding out that you are from Lafayette! ;-) As I said in my last post, I wanted more harmonica. I think the song-choice made a MAJOR difference, here. If you had showcased LD more than the older brother... But a song that had so many lyrics (even though I thought it was one that fit his voice better than the others), and him NOT staying back while LD took over... Piers is right that LD is the "superstar". Big bro probably should have played drums and had someone else sing. AND, it should have been a more "instrumental"/harmonica-friendly song, maybe even a Blues Traveler (Popper's group, for those that don't know) song. I understand the family connection... but for this show, ESPECIALLY in the Finale, there should have been more LD and less big bro.

For Taylor Ware - The song-choice, for me, was wrong. I understand that it might be part of your repertoire, but the super-slow-yodeling wasn't what I would have chosen for you for the Finale. I don't know what it would have been, but not that one. You do have a good "country" voice. I expect to see more of you in the future.

For Celtic Spring - You have a great act. But, again, I think Piers was right about one thing (God, I hate saying that!)... Establish yourself as a group, THEN bring in little bro. Think the Osmonds and Jimmy (or even Donnie, if I remember correctly.) Think of when the Jacksons added Michael. They had established themselves, before they brought in other family members (if memory serves). Again, I understand the family thing, and Mom and Dad in the background isn't going to hurt. I know you have to figure out something for little bro to do, but let him wait to dance up-front until you've become stars, yourselves. It will work as is for local groups and live shows, but not for a jaded television audience, I think that was the problem. Oh, and you guys do an excellent job with "Amazing Grace"... I just didn't think it fit the rest of that song, again, especially for the Finale.

For Bianca Ryan - Excellent song choice. It showed off both your softer and fuller sound as the first one did. I STILL think "Piece of My Heart" should be on the album I'm sure will be coming out soon, if you have other non-ballad/soul songs, but remember, that people want to hear "the voice".

More, for the producers and NBC:

If you are supplying "celebrity coaches", allow them to help with a song-choice, even if it's one of their own. I don't think that Popper would have chosen "Hard to Handle" for the Millers. They (the coaches), may want to get a list of the repertoire, and based on the earlier shows, help. I saw a couple of them simply go in, say "You're gonna win", and leave. If they're to be coaches, LET or MAKE THEM COACH... That's what you brought them in for, right? Not just to give the acts the chance to meet them (and give them TV time)? I would hope that they're savvy enough to have suggested that At Last NOT use drums, or suggest that David and Danya do something else, other than the same act (again, at least change the clothes used!) Their suggestions should be televised more, so the TV audience sees what the act was THINKING of or GOING to do, and what the celebrity coach suggested. (And the coaches must remember that it's the ACT'S final say... They just give advice.)

I'd also suggest to you that you "keep up" with the Top 10, or at least the Top 5. Let's not have them disappear. America's gotten to know them (hell, even Leonid!) Don't do it on the web only. Keep on ET and Inside Edition (and other shows) to keep us updated on them. Besides, it will keep America's Got Talent top-of-mind, right? ;-)

I think that's it... (Like any of those named here will read this!)

I look forward to the next installment, if it's not changed too much, and not on opposite one of ... "my" shows! ;-) (And, if it is, I will have to decide which one to watch and which to record, right? LOL)

Bill

Prognosticating America's Got Talent

The America's Got Talent Season Finale show is well over... America's votes are in, but only the network and producers (I assume) know who won. America's Got Talent's first season is done. A new one is in the works beginning in January. I hope it "catches on", like some of the other reality shows. We were well-entertained on Wednesday (the main show) and Thursdays (results show, after the prelims were over) for a few weeks.

I miss the Prime Time "variety" shows. They had comedy, singing, dancing, and skits. Carol Burnett was one of the best. Sunny and Cher, Smother's Brothers, etc. But I even remember Dean Martin's, Ed Sullivan, Mac Davis, Glenn Campbell, hell, even Hee Haw was good (if you went in for that type of country). Late-Night, Johnny Carson was the best. He almost always had good people on, as does Jay. I hope Conan "tones it down" when he replaces Jay. (Anyone remember Joey Bishop (with his side-kick, Regis?) Dave, I like, but his humor is kinda like Conan's - a little too off-the-wall for me, I guess. And, for those that missed it Mike Douglas died last week. He was one of those afternoon variety-type shows, a la the late-night shows (except he didn't "hide" behind a desk! And if you don't know it, Merv Griffen, Dick Cavett were on in the afternoons, too (and before Merv was off, he created Wheel Of Fortune, bought Jeopardy and they've become staples for evening fare).

So, I hope America's Got Talent comes back as big, or better, than it was this time around. (I also hope they don't change it too much... They have a pretty winning formula, even with Piers playing the a--hole! (I haven't watched American Idol... Anyone see both? Is Simon that nasty on the show? I mean, I know he's an ass, but Piers could be downright mean.)

Last Friday, I sent the following in my LYAO Joke-Letter:

America's Got Talent

If you haven't seen it (NBC), check out the video clips at

http://www.nbc.com/Americas_Got_Talent/video/index.shtml#main

Some of my favorites (ALL are in the finals ... Actually, there are a BUNCH, but I had problems getting the links for you (see below). In fact, all of these will pull up an introduction screen. Click (or double-click) the link and watch. Each movie is 2-3 minutes in length, performances were about 90 seconds.

WARNING - There are commercials on some of these videos ... [and it looks like the "bulleting" isn't working inside a blockquote]

• The Millers (20yo & 12yo - the 12yo is the best harmonica player I've EVER seen) are from Lafayette, Indiana(!)
  
  
  
  • The Millers - Week 3 - First Appearance on show
  • The Millers - Week 4 Semifinals - Judge's Choice


• Bianca Ryan was JUST SO GOOD (and she's only 11yo!)
  
  • Bianca Ryan - Week 2 - First Appearance on show, was Viewer's Choice in Semifinal show she was on


• All That are very cool (they're gonna bring "clogging," though I might call it "tap dancing," back)
  
  
  • All That - Week 4 Semifinals
  • All That - Wildcard Show - Judge's Choice


• Quick Change - (How does she do that? You will NEVER believe your girlfriend/wife/daughter from now on when she says it takes her an hour to change clothes! LOL ... They didn't really change much of the act but the wig and last dress for the other shows, which pissed off Piers, but the guy made the point that singers sing, they don't all dance, dancers dance, they don't do much else, and QC is the ONLY act in the competition that does what they do. (and no one has yet figured out how!) Made it to finals as Viewer's Choice on Wild-Card show - and promise changes for Finale))
  
• Quick Change - Week 3 - First Appearance on show

When the NBC video screen is displayed, there's a link to the right above all the little pictures called "highlight" (the whole screen is flash, so I can't include the links - I HATE flash). Some I'd recommend (Would have included the links like above, but can't get the damn thing to email them to me ... Must be a limit of some type) [REMEMBER - "bulleting" isn't working inside a blockquote]:

• -Week 3 - Taylor Ware - About 11 years old - Yodeling - Made it to the finals (Learned yodeling from a book!)
• -Week 4 Semifinals - Judges React to the Millers (Piers makes the kid cry ... Sometimes Piers made Simon look "nice!")
• -Week 4 Semifinals - Kevin Johnson (Ventriloquist) - Didn't make it, but he's GOOD
• -Week 4 Results - The Millers (Sweet Home, again, but DAMN!)
• -Week 5 Semifinals - At Last (Asian a cappella group - fantastic!)
• -Week 5 Semifinals - Leonid the Magnificent (Russian - very tall and wears heels, too - He cried on the first one, and they brought him back ... He's very strange (you'll see later), but played it fairly "straight" for this one.)
• -Week 5 Semifinals - Realis (gymnastic dance) - I liked their first showing better, but it's not here. Judge's Choice
• -Week 5 Results - Realis (Judge's Choice)
• -Week 5 Results - At Last (Viewer's Choice - HATE that the mics weren't working right. I've NEVER understood how PROFESSIONALS can screw up for so long, like they did here!)
• -Week 6 Semifinals - Bianca Ryan (heard this and thought "She could bring this song back!" and she's only 11!!!)
• -Week 6 Semifinals - Nathan Burton (Magician - Kept "upping the ante" and surprised EVERYONE!)
• -Week 6 Semifinals - Rappin' Granny (70+ years old and rappin' - Judge's Choice - Think they STILL could have worked the mics better!)
• -Week 6 Results - Bianca Ryan moves on (Viewer's Choice - Does the first song again, but as a WINNER!)
• -Week 6 Results - Mayling Garcia - one of 13 people in the WORLD to play "Benjamin Franklin's Glass Harmonica" (Interesting ... )
• -Week 7 Semifinals - Celtic Spring (Viewer's Choice, on Results show - Piers made the little ones cry in this one, too ... Asshole!)
• -Week 7 Passing Zone (Jugglers - Juggling people! Most jugglers failed miserably, but these guys made it to the finals as Judge's Choice!)
• -Week 7 Semifinals - Quick Change - See what I meant about their not changing much. (1st wig and last outfit and song. Piers was right, but, if they change things up for the finale ... )
• -Week 7 Semifinals - Michelle L'Amour (burlesque dancer - Using KITT and David Hasselhoff's voice samples and the Knight Rider theme - KEWL! Oh ... The clip ends just as Brandy will reply "It's not the right size" and "X"s her.)
• -Week 7 Semifinals - Dave Smith (One-Man Sideshow - Does Tom Lehrer's "The Masochism Tango" in a ... "sideshow" way.
• -Week 7 Results - Hasselhoff Sings (OMG ... Michael Knight or Mitch (from Baywatch) SINGS IN AMERICA! Think this was one of his really big hits overseas. He's never "crossed the pond" that I know of."
• -Week 7 Results - Passing Zone Encore
• -Wildcard Show - Leonid (You'll get just a LITTLE idea of why he's liked and disliked at the same time ... He's just ... ... ... strange. And at 6'6" or so, he's wearing 6"+ HEELS? OMG!)
• -Wildcard Show - Nathan Burton (magician - It SNOWS inside!)
• -Wildcard Show - Quick Change (just so you can see it was the same show THREE TIMES (1st appearance, Semifinals and Wildcard. They DO promise to do something different in the finals - Made it by Viewer's Choice.)

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Ok... So who won the Finale Show? Well, first, here's a list of those who were in it (in alpha order from voting page at http://www.nbc.com/Americas_Got_Talent/vote/register.shtml (I'm sure this link will change, quickly):

• All That (Cloggers - Great... Wore uniform clothes, added drums, fireworks, and confetti, this time - Opened the show well!)
• At Last (Acappella Group - Added drums they didn't need.)
• Bianca Ryan (11yo with "the VOICE" - Fantastic)
• Celtic Spring (Family of Fiddlers/Irish Dancers a la "Riverdance" only correctly - Kewl. Little bro danced again, and it's cute (a la The Osmonds and Jacksons when little bro/sis worked with the group), but I don't think "cute" will win...)
• The Millers (Big bro sang "Hard to Handle" and it fit his voice better than the other songs, LD played harmonica on the guitar parts - Personally, I liked it, but I wanted MORE harmonica!)
• The Passing Zone (Jugglers - Put spinning plates and a spinning, flaming hat on Hasselhoff and juggled short-handled scythes around him - They are funny, too)
• Rappin' Granny ("It's GRANNY Time" - Pretty good for an old lady! Too much dance, not enough hip-hop rap, I guess... )
• Realis (Gymnastic Dancers - VERY interesting... I like it and they are GOOD, but...)
• Quick Change (Magician/Quick Change Artists - Pretty much the same show, except they brought Brandi out at the end and she made a "quick change" on stage - He's right that singers sing and dancers dance, but they do DIFFERENT songs, especially in competitions! Doing a touch of magic in the beginning, a different starting dress/wig, HIM changing into a different outfit, a different ending dress, and adding Brandi wasn't enough "change" for me. The lady IS a FOX, though!)
• Tayler Ware (Yodeller - Cute and Country - She's good, but I didn't like song choice. She sang too much and yodelled too little.)

My favorites: Bianca Ryan, The Millers, Passing Zone, All That.

Winners: Personally, I'd be happy if any of those four (4) won... I'm rooting for The Millers (I lived in Lafayette for 25 years, between 1962 and 1987, and I think they're (especially LD) FANTASTIC). All That really "upped the ante" as did Passing Zone. But think it will be Bianca. She's just that damn good, and had a good song for the finale.

Check out the videos... Who do YOU think will win? (And it doesn't count if you answer AFTER the Results Show on Thursday!)

-Bill

Heat Wave in the US

The news has been covering the heat wave in the US for the past couple of weeks. Apparently, it was over 100 in California for a few days last week (Jay Leno was doing "It's sooo hot..." jokes nightly, all week, and his opening "Headline", Monday, was "It's so hot, Jay Leno is running out of 'It's so hot' jokes"), and now it's hitting the Midwest. Tomorrow, rains (possibly strong storms) are supposed to come through cooling it down.

HOWEVER, I'd just like to remind anyone who reads this that while we're bitching about 95-100 degree tempuratures in the Midwest (heat index 100-110), just before and as I am writing this, in Baghdad, Iraq, it is 87 degrees at 2:00AM (yes, that's AM) on August 2nd, with highs of 111 degrees (F) for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and 115(!) degrees (F) Saturday and Sunday expected. (Found at CNN.com - Weather - Baghdad, Iraq). And, in Kabul, Afghanistan, it's 73 degrees at 2:32AM, August 2nd, with highs expected of 104, 98, 104, 104, 104 for Wednesday through Sunday, respectively. (Found at CNN.com - Weather - Kabul, Afghanistan). And those are pretty NORMAL tempuratures for the areas, with not near the shade or breezes we have here!

For those who are under a rock for the shade, or have water in the eyes and ears, to keep cool, and missed it, that's where many of our soldiers are. And they are NOT wearing shorts and tank-tops. They are wearing full, normally long-sleeved shirts and pants, boots, flak-jackets, METAL helmets, and carrying MUCH more than a billfold, change, cell-phone and keys! They have prescious little air-conditioning, and fans only move the hot air around. True... It's most likely a DRY heat... BUT...

So, if you are "dying" of the heat, remember what our soldiers are going through.

And, no... I, personally, don't believe we should get out of Iraq and Afghanistan, as many do, or I believe we will end up with even MORE Middle-East fanatics who hate us even MORE. (Didn't we do that with Bin-Laden? Hussein? and others?) I would believe this whether I believe we should have gotten into the war, in the first place, or not.

I DO believe they (our soldiers and those fighting with them) should be kept in our hearts and prayers, though. And be sure NOT to let our (the US') feelings about the war, itself, color our feelings about our soldiers, like we did in the Viet-Nam war. Remember, they are the same people we were so proud of BEFORE the war.

Bill