House Votes to Repeal DADT

In a 16 to 12 vote, the Senate Armed Services Committee passed a measure that could pave the road to ending "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," the Clinton-era policy that bans openly gay men and women from serving in the military. Later, the House voted 234-194 for a Defense authorization bill that included the repeal of DADT. It marks the most aggressive step by Democrats in implementing President Obama's campaign pledge to end the policy.


However, no changes will be made until the Pentagon finishes a study about its impact on troops. That report will go to Congress December 1. The measure will next pass through to the Senate, which will vote next month. Despite apparent support for the provision, the heads of four uniformed services are urging Congress to wait until the Pentagon study is completed over concerns about its impact on the military's "readiness."


The push from Democrats comes as public opinion on the issue has changed dramatically. In 1993, 44 percent of Americans supported allowing people who are openly gay to serve in the military. Today, 75 percent support that idea, according to a recent Washington Post poll.


Any change is unlikely to happen before next year. Pentagon officials have said it could take several months after completing the study until they are prepared to fully integrate gays into the armed forces as they consider such issues as whether gay and heterosexual troops could be required to share housing and whether the military would be required to extend benefits to same-sex partners.

Say What? Expressions and Phrases in Our Language

Technology, custom and culture change with the times. Along the way, they spawn expressions that become an integral part of our language. Most of the time, the phrases outlive their roots. The next generation is at a lost trying to understand the meaning and origin of these expressions, sayings and phrases. It’s a conversation I often have with the younger members of our family, as I try to explain meanings and historic roots.


Take a look at the items below and see if you could help youngsters understand the commonly accepted meanings.


1. Asleep at the switch (or wheel)

2. Take a rain check

3. Pencil me in

4. Back to the drawing board

5. Beam me up, Scotty

6. Big Cheese

7. Carbon copy

8. Catch you on the flipside

9. Close, but no cigar

10. Cut to the chase

11. Dial her up

12. Drink the Kool-aid

13. Drop a dime

14. Film at 11

15. Full steam ahead

16. Get a pink-slip

17. Ground zero

18. Hit Parade

19. Hung out to dry

20. In a straitjacket

21. In like Flynn

22. In Technicolor

23. Left his calling card

24. Best thing since sliced bread

25. Let’s get cranking

Ten Common Phobias

I was reading my son's Blog and ran across "ophidiophobia".  Of course I didn't have a clue, so I went straight to dictionary.com to look the word up. I was easily hooked and started my journey to discover information about phobias.  Since I'm all into sharing, check out the list of common phobias.

When it comes to the 10 most common phobias, people are often surprised by the list. The 10 most common phobias can take complete control of people’s life and leave them in the midst of either an anxiety and panic attack or full of so much fear that they can not move. The 10 most common phobias are:


Arachnophobia – Probably the most recognized of the 10 most common phobias, arachnophobia is the fear of spiders. The statistics clearly show that more than 50% of women and 10% of men show signs of this leader on the 10 most common phobias list.

Social Phobia -- The second of the 10 most common phobias, is the fear of social situations. This is a very open phobia among the 10 most common phobias, in that, the definition can range based upon the person and the situation.

Aerophobia – Aerophobia, or the fear of flying, is the third of the 10 most common phobias. The fear of flying is so strong in some people that they are often unable to fly without using some form of medication before the flight.

Agoraphobia– One of the most complex of the 10 most common phobias, agoraphobia is the fear of being in a place or a situation where the person mentally feels they will not be able to get out of. Agoraphobia is one of the most serious of the 10 most common phobias and often leaves the person enclosed in their home without proper treatment.

Claustrophobia – In the middle of the 10 most common phobias, is the fear of tight places. This phobia is one of the most publicized phobias and is often used in television and movie settings as a characteristic for the actors parts.

Acrophobia – The fear of heights or high places is the sixth of the 10 most common phobias. High places can mean any situation where the ground is not within immediate reach. This can be as simple as standing on a chair or as complex and crossing a bridge in a car.

Emetophobia – This number seven of the 10 most common phobias is one of the most uncommonly recognized. Emetophobia is being afraid of vomit.

Carcinophobia – A relative newcomer to the 10 most common phobias, carcinophobia, is being afraid of cancer. People suffering from carcinophobia often choose daily activities and foods that claim to decrease the chances of contracting cancer, as well as, avoidancing any activity that may increase these chances of contracting it. This is number eight of the 10 most common phobias.

Brontophobia – Often thought of as a child’s phobia, number nine of the 10 most common phobias, is being afraid of thunderstorms. This fear is normally centered on either the lightning or the thunder side of the storm.

Necrophobia – It is last on the list 10 most common phobias. This phobia is the term used to describe two different phobias. Being afraid of dying or being afraid of dead people are both considered necrophobia.

The 10 most common phobias is a list of fears that are very real to those who suffer from them. I found that I could qualify as being fearful of four of the ten.  If you feel you have any of these phobias, a doctor may be able to help.

Obituary: The Strong Black Woman

The Strong Black Woman is Dead... While struggling with the reality of being a human instead of a myth, the strong black woman passed away. Medical sources say she died of natural causes, but those who knew her know she died from being silent when she should have been screaming, smiling when she should have been raging, from being sick and not wanting anyone to know because her pain might inconvenience them.


She died from an overdose of other people clinging to her when she didn't even have energy for herself. She died from loving men who didn't love themselves and could only offer her a crippled reflection. She died from raising children alone. She died from the lies her grandmother told her mother and her mother told her about life, men & racism.

She died from being sexually abused as a child and having to take that truth everywhere she went every day of her life, exchanging the humiliation for guilt and back again. She died from asphyxiation, coughing up blood from secrets she kept trying to burn away instead of allowing herself the kind of nervous breakdown she was entitled to, but only white girls could afford.

She died from being responsible, because she was the last rung on the ladder and there was no one under her she could dump on.

Rules For Living A Good Life

1. Wake Up !!


Decide to have a good day.

"Today is the day the Lord hath made;

let us rejoice and be glad in it."

Psalms 118:24

2. Dress Up !!

The best way to dress up is to put on a smile.

A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.

"The Lord does not look at the things man looks at.

Man looks at outward appearance;

but the Lord looks at the heart."

I Samuel 16:7

3. Shut Up!!

Say nice things and learn to listen.

God gave us two ears and one mouth, so He must have meant

for us to do twice as much listening as talking.

"He who guards his lips guards his soul."

Proverbs 13:3

4. Stand Up!!...

For what you believe in.

Stand for something or you will fall for anything.

"Let us not be weary in doing good; for at the proper time,

we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good..."

Galatians 6:9-10



5. Look Up !!...

To the Lord.

"I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me".

Philippians 4:13





6. Reach Up !!...

For something higher.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

and lean not unto your own understanding.

In all your ways, acknowledge Him,

and He will direct your path."

Proverbs 3:5-6



7. Lift Up !!...

Your Prayers.

"Do not worry about anything; instead PRAY ABOUT

EVERYTHING."

Philippians 4:6





A POSITIVE THOUGHT

-If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it.

-If He had a wallet, your photo would be in it. He sends you flowers every spring, and a sunrise every morning.

-Whenever you want to talk, He'll listen.

-He could live anywhere in the universe, and He chose your heart.

-What about the Christmas gift He sent you in Bethlehem; not to mention that Friday at Calvary. Face it, He's crazy about you.



Remember:

God answers Knee-Mail.

Message From God

I THOUGHT SOME OF MY FRIENDS MIGHT NEED THIS:






GOOD MORNING

I AM GOD. TODAY I WILL BE HANDLING ALL OF YOUR PROBLEMS. PLEASE REMEMBER THAT I DO NOT NEED YOUR HELP.

IF THE DEVIL HAPPENS TO DELIVER A SITUATION TO YOU THAT YOU CANNOT HANDLE, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO RESOLVE IT. KINDLY PUT IT IN THE "SOMETHING FOR JESUS TO DO" BOX. IT WILL BE ADDRESSED IN MY TIME NOT YOURS.

ONCE THE MATTER IS PLACED INTO THE BOX, DO NOT HOLD ONTO IT OR ATTEMPT TO REMOVE IT. HOLDING ON OR REMOVAL WILL DELAY THE RESOLUTION OF YOUR PROBLEM. IF IT IS A SITUATION THAT YOU THINK YOU ARE CAPABLE OF HANDLING, PLEASE CONSULT ME IN PRAYERTO BE SURE THAT IT IS THE PROPER RESOLUTION.

BECAUSE I DO NOT SLEEP, NOR DO I SLUMBER, THERE IS NO NEED FOR YOU TO LOSE ANY SLEEP. REST MY CHILD. IF YOU NEED TO CONTACT ME, I AM ONLY A PRAYER AWAY.

Rush Limbaugh To Wed

Will the fourth time be the charm for Rush Limbaugh?


Limbaugh, 59, is set to marry 33-year-old girlfriend Kathryn Rogers on Saturday, June 5, at the talk radio star's palatial Florida beachfront property.

Although Limbaugh never seems at a loss for words, he's been uncharacteristically quiet about the pending nuptials. Fill-in hosts have taken over the show, with his website simply noting that "El Rushbo will be out until Tuesday, June 15th."

However, Limbaugh emailed a statement to his local paper, the Palm Beach Post. "We try to live our lives as normal people," he wrote. "We do NOT seek media attention, we do not want it, especially for this. It is very special, obviously, and we just don't want any media attention."

What a laugh! This from a loud mouth who holds nothing sacred...what a joke.  I don't remember ever hearing anything on Limbaugh's show that was positive or uplifting. Maybe mention of his own nuptials will turn the corner and change the toxic tone of his show.