Some Good News and Some Not So Good.....

Hello Dear World !!!!!!!!!

First things first....Since we got a little bit of rain here in Atlanta, Georgia its been rather cool here in my neck of the woods which was a nice change. Even with the little bit of rain we got we are in the middle of a watering ban until further notice.

Anyway....Here is some rather nice news......Today was my parents anniversary, their 35th isn't that great ??? I am still with a little cough from the cold I've had but I am getting better. Susan of the journal "The Strawberry Patch" is also under the weather. Here is a link if you would like to offer her some get well soon thoughts ---------> http://journals.aol.com/njmom72/TheStrawberryPatch/ .

When it comes to my not so good news I have been watching the news on television and I have been reading the newspaper and I have to say that I have been feeling rather upset with the President and here's why....In the news which was in the Atlanta Journal Constitution it was reported that a U.S. Navy Sailor Zachary M. Alday from Southwest Georgia was killed recently in Iraq. Zachary M. Alday was a Naval Hospital Corpsman from Donalsonville. He died Friday after the Military vehicle he was riding in struck a land mine which was announced by the U.S. Department of Defense. It was also reported that Zachary helped to provide medical assistance to the troops. He joined the Navy in November 2004. I read that he had hopes of getting a good education and of seeing the world. It was written that Nikki Barber is a cousin of his told the newspaper that he was interested in pursuing a career in radiology once out of the Navy.

Zachary's recent assignment was to the 1st Battalion 7th Marines, 7th Regimental Combat Team, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Pendleton, Calif. His survivors include his 14th-month old daughter Karmyn and his parents Tommy and Donna Alday and sister Mandy Barber and his cousin as well.

I also read that today President Bush meet with Iraq's leaders today in a teleconference. It was reported that the President at Camp David made no move toward troop withdrawls. It is also reported in the news that anarchy still reins on the streets of Baghdad and parts of at least 4 provinces. It seems like the President isn't looking at the impact of the war upon the family members that have lost loved ones in Iraq and for the family members whose loved ones are still serving in Iraq. I wonder if the troops will ever be able to return home ??? Those like Zachary will NEVER be able to return home and the President CAN'T ever make that right I guess that's why I'm a little upset with him at the moment.

I read a poem written by the writer/poet Matthew J. Stepanek that I wanted to include in this entry. The poem is titled "Dear Mr. Bush".

Dear Mr. Bush

You said we are caught

between terrorism and hopelessness.

You said we cannot

Find peace in this situation.

I caught your words, but

I cannot agree with the conclusion.

Clearly,

We cannot perpetuate terrorism.

But perhaps,

If we choose to accept

Hopelessness with a catch,

We will find peace in all situations.

Hope, or lack of hope,

Is an attitude.

And an attitude is a choice.

In this great country,

We do have a choice.

And so, in conclusion,

We cannot get caught

With a bad attitude,

Or we are not choosing peace.

--------June 2002  Matthew Stepanek ( Loving Through Heartsongs ) Page 60. I'm sorry dear world but I had to share how I have been feeling. I don't mean any disrespect towards the President its just how I am feeling right now. Thanks for listening.......

Good night dear world..........Sleep Well