The Wit & Wisdom of Dubbya!

It was a heckuva phrase..
By Arthur Spiegelman Fri Dec 30, 9:05 AM ET
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Call it the wrong phrase at the wrong time but "Brownie, you're doing a heckuva job" was named on Thursday as U.S.
President George W. Bush's most memorable phrase of 2005.

The ill-timed praise of a now disgraced agency head became a national punch line for countless jokes and pointed comments about the administration's handling of the Hurricane Katrina disaster and added to the president's reputation for verbal gaffes and clumsy turns of phrase.
Paul JJ Payack, president of Global Language Monitor, a nonprofit group that monitors language use, says Bush's statement in support of the then-director of the
Federal Emergency Management Agency may be remembered for years to come.
"The 'Brownie' quote leads our 2005 list of Bushisms -- memorable phrases or new words coined by the president," Payack said, adding that Bush may be the foremost White House creator of new words, citing such past efforts as "misunderestimate" (to seriously underestimate) and "embetter" (to make emotionally better).
Ten days after Bush verbally patted Michael Brown on the back before the TV cameras, Brown resigned amid a public uproar over his qualifications and the administration's failure to get aid to New Orleans after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Although the president did not originate any new words this year, he had several notable statements, Payack said, citing the following:

-- "See, in my line of work you got to keep repeating things over and over and over again for the truth to sink in, to kind of catapult the propaganda," Bush said in explaining his communications strategy last May.

-- "I think I may need a bathroom break. Is this possible?" Bush asked in a note to Secretary of State
Condoleezza Rice during a U.N. Security Council meeting in September.

-- "This notion that the United States is getting ready to attack Iran is simply ridiculous. And having said that, all options are on the table," Bush said in Brussels last February.

-- "In terms of timetables, as quickly as possible - whatever that means," the president said of his timeframe for passing Social Security legislation in March.

-- "Those who enter the country illegally violate the law," Bush said in describing illegal immigrants in Tucson, Arizona, last month.

Global Language Monitor uses an algorithm to track words and phrases in print, electronic media and the Internet. The words and phrases are tracked in relation to their frequency, contextual usage and appearance in global media outlets.

The Party's Over...

Well here it is, nearly the end of another year. The news media are talking about the big events of 2005. I am going to mention just one.  Most notably, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The devastation of New Orleans was catastrophic, but (now prepare your cat-o-nine tails to flog me here!) sadly inevitable. You have a city that built under sea level, protected by sea walls that can only withstand a Category 3 Hurricane. Hurricanes for the last several years have been getting stronger, and stronger. Did anybody think about trying to reinforce them just in case? No. We got a lot of “Oh well a Category 4 isn’t gonna happen.” No It was a Category 5! ( I read something the other day that by the time Katrina actually hit, the winds had actually diminished to a Category 3. I’m sure that the people who died, and those who have been displaced and lost everything are really glad that the storm wasn’t as bad as everyone thought it was!)
Of course this comes from the same people that don’t believe in the Kyoto Accord. Global Warming is a myth. Iraq has those darn WMD’s I know it Just gimme some more time and we’ll find ‘em!

Suffice it to say that I have a little trouble feeling sorry for people that get flooded out year after year and keep going back. To me this is the same as someone who walks out into traffic and gets hit by a car. He gets medical treatment, then goes out and walks into traffic again, and again, and again! Not big learning curve is there!  Frankly I say let New Orleans go back to the swamp! (Got those whips handy?)

Then there were the people of Gulfport, Mississippi. Remember them? Anybody?  Several hundred people died and lost their homes and businesses there, but do we hear about them? Not really New Orleans get all the coverage, ad most of the help. Well, I suppose one good thing did come out of the disaster.
Michael Brown (of FEMA) found himself a better job!

The post Christmas Pre NewYears Oh Good Grief the bills are coming soon Holiday Blahs!

Well folks, Christmas has come and gone. (Judging by the amount of people that showed up for church there must have been some really great parties I wasn't invited to! Actually we were invited on Christmas Eve after the Service to go have some hot chocolate and goodies at the home of some very good friends. Our hostess, Clarice had an excellent idea. After we were all served, she had everyone in our group tell a story of their fondest Christmas memory. What a wonderful way to share Christmas past with those who were there, and to celebrate the Christmas present, and yet to come. (Take that, Charlie You little Dickens!!!) For my family, and myself this has been a Christmas to remember, and proof positive, that God listens to and grants our prayers. Perhaps not in the time we would like them granted, but nevertheless, granted just the same! Several things we had been asking or, and waiting on have all come in at the same time. We have not seen our youngest two girls (Sue’s from a previous marriage) for several yeas due to some legal wrangling my wife's ex has caused. She took him to court to get the visitation expanded, and before it actually came down to a court hearing, he rolled over, and agreed to everything we wanted. Our oldest, (my daughter from a previous marriage ) has been living in a group home due to health problems and other issues with my ex, and we have been jumping through the hoops for two states, is now here permanently. I applied two years ago for disability as my beck was totaled in a car wreck several years ago. I got the word just before Christmas that the disability has been granted by the government. Now, We will be able to catch up on our bills, get our hands on a car, and move into a house rental. Plus the added benefit of being able to start paying God back for all the wonderful things he is dong n our lives. To finally be able to tithe as I need, and want to. Let's face it, all of these things are gifts from our marvelous Lord. Without God we would have nothing, amount to nothing, and literally be nothing. Praise His Holy Name!!!!!!

Here I am in all my glory!!! (Just kidding about the glory but this is me!) 

Welcome to my new Blog!

I decided to switch my blog over here, as Kurt Booths' is thru Blog spot. I was using Yahoo 360. Any way, It is the day before Christmas, picked up my daughter Sandy from the airport yesterday, and we are waiting for my Wife Sue to get home from Missouri ( or as we call is Misery) with our other two, Tara and Elisa.
Sandy will now be living here permanantly sice we are done fighting with the State of Arizona to get her here. But she is finally here, and with all of us together, we are really going to be a family for Christmas this year. Thank you Jesus!

This is going to be a relatively short post, ( for me) There are a million and one things to do, Sue, the kids, and I are are going to be lighting the Advent Candles tonight at church, ( I am sure Sue, Tara, and Elisa are likely to be about dead on their feet. Then tomorrow we celebrate the Birth of our Saviour.
Merry Christmas to all, and may God Bless.