Friday, March 13, 2009

Moving

I've moved again. Don't worry, I'm still in Metlakatla. I just have a bigger place so all my kids will fit when they come to visit. The first place I was in was very nice and very new, but it was only a two bedroom. Unless I could move into a three bedroom and put somebody in the garage (don't worry, those garages are heated), there was no way we would have fit. This new house is a lot bigger - four bedrooms - but also a lot older. There are only three closets in the whole house, so the owner used one of the bedrooms as a walk-in closet. Luckily, there's another building which we can use for storage, so it's not as bad as it might sound. I think it's a cute house. I (and Rachel) really like the purple kitchen. You can see photos on my Facebook. It's now just the chore of unpacking everything AGAIN. I'm lazy, I hate doing stuff like that the first time, let alone twice in two months! Oh well.

Monday, February 16, 2009

Xander Strikes Again

I took Amylynn and Xander to the aquarium store to get new fish for the aquarium. Xander loves to look at the fish. Unfortunately, if anybody else is with him, he gets into trouble. As we were looking at fish, he came over to me, grabbed my by the hand, and said, "Dad, come here." I followed him, and he brought me over to one of the aquariums. There, as part of the decorations of the aquarium, was the store telephone, sitting on the bottom of the tank! He was very proud of himself! I didn't know whether to laugh or swear. I told the store and told them to add it to my bill. I lucked out and they ONLY charged me $20.

For those of you who didn't know, this isn't the first time he's done this. Over Christmas, he threw my iPod and cell phone into the filled bathtub. The iPod survived, but the cell phone didn't. Of course, I had no warranty on the phone, so had to buy a whole new phone with a whole new contract at the cost of about $200. So $20 was actually a bargain. What's that curse that parents always wish on their kids? Oh yeah, "I hope your kid is just like you!"

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Politics (WARNING - Very Inflamatory)

WARNING - IF YOU DO NOT LIKE MY POLITICAL POSTS, STOP READING NOW! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.

My title was going to be "Obama is a baby-killing communist", "The REAL Obama - I told you so!", or something equally obnoxious, but decided to not start the rhetoric until down here in the actual blog.

I tried to keep quiet about President Obama. I tried to stay optimistic about him. I tried to see what he would do and judge him on his actions, NOT what I expected his actions to be. I really hoped Cara would be right. She was so impressed by how he was able to get so many people involved in the political process. Well, actions speak louder than words, and his actions in this first week have confirmed him to be everything I dreaded he would be. Let me count the ways, by providing links as my proof.

1. Obama is Hitler. OK, leftwingers, before you try to crucify me, remember that for the past eight years, you've compared Bush to Hitler every time you opened your collective mouths. See:
1. http://archive.democrats.com/preview.cfm?term=Bush%20Hitler%20Comparison
2. http://karmakat.typepad.com/picasso_dreams/2004/01/bushhitler_coma.html
3. http://newsbusters.org/blogs/rusty-weiss/2008/10/21/bds-alert-stone-equates-bush-hitler
See also:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bush_Derangement_Syndrome
If you want to dish it out ("Bush is Hitler"), you had better be prepared to take it.

Now, why do I say that Obama is Hitler? Go to link #2 and read the second paragraph, specifically, "Hitler's popularity was real, as opposed to the fabricated polls that keep telling us Bush is doing a great job." Compare that with this quote: "To some Germans and, no doubt, to most foreigners it appeared that a charlatan had come to power in Berlin. To the majority of Germans Hitler had - or would shortly assume - the aura of a truly charismatic leader. They were to follow him blindly, as if he possessed a divine judgment, for the next twelve tempestuous years." (Shirer, William L. The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich. 1959. New York: Simon & Schuster,1990. P 6.) Who does that sound like? Sure not Bush. People hate Bush. Sounds more like Obama. In fact, if you put Obama's name in place of Hitler, it sounds eerily like what we're experiencing now with The Messiah, Lord Obama.

2. Baby killer. See http://i.abcnews.com/Politics/International/story?id=6716958&page=1
What more can you say? My tax dollars are now funding abortions even more than they were. I cannot support a president who condones and finances the wanton massacre of unborn babies. For something to really think about, see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2CaBR3z85c.

3. Defense of Marriage. See http://conservativeoasis.com/obama-doma/2009/01/22/. I think that says it better than I can -"We are simply saying that society does not want the American FAMILY defined that way. Nobody is saying stone the bastards. Nobody is saying let’s organize and put them all on an island. Go ahead- live your life the way you want. Do it behind closed doors. And yes, you can have some of the same legal and financial advantages married people do. " No, Mr. President, I do not support your actions in this.

4. Religious hypocrite (anti-Christian?). See: http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fullcomment/archive/2009/01/28/steven-edwards-suddenly-obama-has-muslim-roots.aspx. All you had to do was talk about it BEFORE the election. Ah, but then you wouldn't have had as good of chance to bamboozle the American public. Also, beware of what he says about American-Muslim relations because, despite his Ivy League background, he is ignorant of history - see http://www.commentarymagazine.com/blogs/index.php/boot/52431. If Sarah Palin says this, the media crucify her for not being ready to lead. Obama says it, and the media bend over, drool, and kiss his ass some more.

5. Political hypocrite (Free Speech? NOT!). Tied into the religious notes above, Obama has already made it clear that he intends to stifle any speech that runs counter to His Holiness' beliefs. See:
1. http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=30422
2. http://www.bucksright.com/obama-censorship-squad-hits-pittsburghs-kdka-1902
3. http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-124769
4. http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/nov/03/obama-censorship/
5. http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=30413&s=rcmp


I think this one is the scariest of them all. Obama does NOT believe in free speech. He will do everything he can to crush it. Hmm, I think that goes back to point #1 above - he's more like Hitler than Bush ever thought of being. I particularly like this cartoon.

6. Socialist/Communist. See:
1. http://obamaism.blogspot.com/
2. http://maggiesnotebook.blogspot.com/2008/10/barack-obamas-socialist-and-communist.html
3. http://www.articlesbase.com/politics-articles/barack-obamas-connections-to-socialism-communism-and-racial-divisiveness-591732.html
4. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2008/03/obamathetaxrais.html
5. http://righttruth.typepad.com/right_truth/2008/05/detailed-report.html

I've been saying this since Obama announced his candidacy. Obama is a communist. For those who counter that Bush was a fascist, ultimately, there is very little difference between Communists and Fascists. Both are totalitarian regimes. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Totalitarianism. Read this clip from that site: "Totalitarian regimes or movements maintain themselves in political power by means of an official all-embracing ideology and propaganda disseminated through the state-controlled mass media, a single party that controls the state, personality cults, control over the economy, regulation and restriction of free discussion and criticism, the use of mass surveillance, and widespread use of terror tactics." Except for the single party (which they are working on - see http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/01/23/obama-quit-listening-rush-limbaugh-want-things/) and the terror tactics, (and with the links I've supplied, I think we've already reached intimidation. Terror isn't that far behind), that sounds amazingly like what the Obama Administration is already attempting to do. More so than what Bush ever did (although some will argue about the mass surveillance). I'm not crazy about Bush. I think his foreign policies were OK, but his domestic policies left a lot to be desired (No Child Left Behind, prescription benefits expansion, etc.). However, I'll take Bush over Obama ANY DAY of the week. I figure that I had better voice my opinions now, while I can, before the Obama Thought Police completely ban any kind of political dissent. As a final comment, that I am not alone in my thinking, I give you this link: http://www.gopusa.com/commentary/cadamo/2009/cga_01291.shtml.

Monday, January 26, 2009

Nostalgia

I left Virginia/DC on Sunday morning and flew back to Metlakatla. My flight was at 8:00 A.M., so I had to leave Josiah's at 5:00 A.M. to get the rental car back. Coming in on I-66 was quite the nostalgia trip. Given that I was already in a "mood" from Erin's wedding, seeing the old sites, even in the dark of early morning, could have been a tear-jerker had I let it. Seeing the exit for Tyson's Corner, Roslyn, Key Bridge, etc. I had to get gas, so I made sure to get off on Rte 7 to see the old neighborhood of Idylwood Rd and Pimmit Dr. Granted, I was there at 5:30 on a Sunday morning, so the traffic was non-existant (I always said my two big complaints about DC are the hot, humid summers, and too many people), but I need to get my four younger kids back there to see the sights.

Friday, January 23, 2009

Wedding

Erin has always known how to make me cry, and today was no different. For my 48th birthday, she got married. I knew I was going to cry, I just didn't realize how much. After she had her first dance with her new husband, she had her dance with her father. I bawled the entire dance. Having said that, it was a very nice wedding, and I am very happy for her. I just hate losing my babies.

As I said on my Facebook "25 List", family makes me cry. Erin made a photo collage for me one year for Christmas, and I cried when I got it. I can't watch "Father of the Bride" without crying, and haven't been able to since it first came out. The first summer after my divorce, when the kids went to spend the summer with their mother, people asked me if I was going to miss the kids. I replied "no." I then explained that I knew that they were coming back in a short time. When they finally went off to college, or got married, THEN I would miss them. And I do.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Metlakatla

My family has been complaining that I don't post on my blog any more, so I thought I would take a minute and catch up.

I've now been in Metlakatla for 2 1/2 weeks, and really like it here. It reminds me of a little town up in the Colorado Rockies - cute, quaint, trees and mountains everywhere. I just pretend that the ocean is a big lake! I just posted a bunch of photos of our house and the area on my Facebook page, so go there to look.

The people here are very friendly, and they are all VERY excited to have a full-time dentist here. It's been over two years since one was here. The temp docs have done a good job of filling in, but it's just not the same.

There are some hard parts. First, and foremost, is the lack of my family. Yes, I enjoy the peace, the ability to watch what ever I want on TV, and not have to watch Trevor's bizarre cartoons (cartoons were so much more refined when I was a kid - Bugs Bunny blowing up Elmer Fudd, Road Runner making Coyote fall off the cliff, etc), but as much as I enjoy that peace, I miss the chaos and din of my children. I miss Xander falling asleep on my lap. I miss Kenny's goofy smile. I miss Amylynn's beaming smile. I miss Trevor's noises that he makes as he bops around the house. I miss snuggling with Cara. I miss holding her hand when we walk. I miss looking into her eyes. I miss her watching figure skating. I miss watching House, Boston Legal and George Lopez with her.

I am a little concerned about having to start doing dentures again. It's been five years since I've done them, and feel a little out of practice. Hopefully, it's like riding a bike.

I found out one exciting bit of information. There is a dive master here that offers scuba lessons. Cara's a little bummed, but I'm way excited. Yes, there is beautiful diving here in Met. Her name is Tani Bell and her website is http://tani.us/. Click on the Metlakatla Underwater 2006 link to see what we have here. I suggested that Cara start taking scuba lessons there in Boise so that we can take them together. We'll see if she does.

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Family and Politics

First of all, to all the Spittles (esp. Cara, Jason, Jim), an apology. I will refrain from posting any additional political links. However, I would like to engage in some "friendly" philosophical debate.

First, I acknowledge that we are all VERY opinionated, and have no qualms about the expression of such opinions. My question is, at what point do we decide that we can no longer be quiet about a topic, in order to "keep the peace?" I don't have an answer. I don't think any of us do, as witness the fact that every Spittle Family Reunion experiences at least one argument, usually more, and often on the first day of the reunion (not counting the disagreements involved in even trying to organize the reunion).

As a point to this, I offer the following quote: "First they came for the Communists, but I was not a Communist, so I did not speak out. Then they came for the Socialists and the Trade Unionists, but I was neither, so I did not speak out. Then they came for the Jews, but I was not a Jew, so I did not speak out. And when they came for me, there was no one left to speak out for me." (Martin Niemoller, as quoted by David Stafford in Endgame, 1945, p223) The point I'm trying to make is not whether to engage in boycotts, but the stifling of free speach, and the hypocrasy associated with that. Do I agree with what the Socialists, Trade Unionists, Communists, Gays/Lesbians, etc. say? Not ususally. Do I agree with their right to say it? Absolutely. The point I was trying to make is that this has to be reciprocated by both sides. If one doesn't like my opinion on a topic, that's OK, that's one's choice. However, don't try to deny me the right to voice that opinion just because somebody doesn't agree with it. If somebody wants to boycott me, go ahead, I don't care. I personally boycotted UHaul for a number of years because of a personal incident. I didn't force others to do the same.

As a final example, and then I'll shut up, let's look at how the press and liberals view Pres. Bush. Basically, one cannot open any kind of print media without finding scathing attacks against him. I am not necessarily defending him, as there were several policies of his that I absolutely detested. Regardless, the majority of the liberals was vehemently anti-Bush (Cindy Sheehan, anybody?). Fair enough. How did he react? He ignored them. Now compare that to the reaction of HIS HOLINESS, THE MESSIAH, Pres. Elect Obama. Here is a link:

http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2008/09/wgnam_again_target_of_obama_ca.html


and another

http://www.discriminations.us/2008/08/obama_tries_to_censor_critical.html

Again, my point being is that if it's OK to denigrate one party's chief, then it's OK to denigrate the other. The fact that Obama, instead of just issuing a statement denying the allegations against him and moving on, went on the attack to try to censor the media from broadcasting this is, to me, an enormous amount of hypocrasy on the part of the liberals who so nobly espouse the virtues of "Free Speach." Free speach means receiving as well as giving (as long as violence is not encouraged, which I have not).

Back to the point of this little diatribe - I will call a truce to the postings of such links. That, however, will not lead to the demise of other, similar, postings by others (just do a facebook search for Obama, Mitt Romney and Sarah Palin and see how many results you get.) I see one of you joined the Nicole LeFavour for Idaho Senate group. Should I be offended by that? I'm not. That's your choice and I applaud it. I have to figure out whether to go for Romney or Palin in 2012! Just cut me some slack for voicing my choice. There, I'm done. I'm sorry.