Spending Time With Tommy

Just as I was grateful for the chance to live again at 88 Elm Street with my parents; I am grateful for this time with Tom.

He works nights, so I make him breakfast around four in the afternoon.  The other day after putting his plate in the sink he walked past me "Thanks for the eggs mom." I was struck.  I got a little leaky and went in the other room.

I realized that now I am getting another chance to relive another happy part of my life.  For the first six years of Tom's life I was lucky enough to be home with him most of the time.  Especially after we moved to Rocky Nook.  It was a happy simple time.  And my life now is very like my life then.  I hang, I do a little housework, I make Tom's breakfast and sometimes pack his lunch.

On nights he doesn't work we do stuff and talk.

Living in Virginia is painful for me, lol.  I long to be in Boston.  The independence of hopping on the "T" and going to events and lectures and movies.  The ocean, God!  I miss the ocean.  I  miss my city.

But inside this house?  Inside this house is very nice.

Robert Hale, Pentagon Comptroller Should Resign Immediately

Ok, so here's the deal.

The Pentagon let the Congress know that the shutdown would cause certain things to effect the defense department.  They let them know this *before* the shutdown.  The Pentagon cited many items, but they specifically said "death benefits"

And a bipartisan Congress approved the money.  They thought, as did most, that the matter was settled.

Then the shutdown comes and we descend into this macabre theater where WWII Vets are barry-caded from outside monuments and hotel guests are escorted out of national parks by armed park rangers.

Now the sad reality of war, which is never too far, returns.  We lose servicemen and women who were fighting on our behalf.  Some stop and turn and reflect as they always do.  Their hearts big and wide and grieving.

But this time, something is different.  And the national grumble turns to a roar as we realize that the Pentagon is saying there will be no death benefit because of the Shutdown.  There is bewilderment.  Congress funded this.  Both parties agreed.  For once the right thing was done.

Fisher House, a marvelous and worthy charity steps into the breech and takes care of those grieving families.  Thank God, for Fisher House.  That's not just an expression of relief.  That's me saying to you that if you believe in God, please thank Him for good people like Arnold Fisher and his family and everyone who works for, fundraises for and helps Fisher House.

Congress, both sides, springs into action.  They are going to immediately fix this oversight.  According to Jay Carney, the President wants a solution immediately.

OK, so everyone is scrambling.  They thought this was settled, it wasn't, we'll look into it.

First problem - Reporters ask when the President was first aware of this problem.  Fair question, no answer.

Second problem - White House spokesman says POTUS isn't going to sign the law that Congress threw together because now the problem is being handled by Fisher House, so no need.  Plus it's just a gimmick.  Yeah buddy it's just a gimmick that was signed unanimously.  It's hard to call something a Republican trick if the Democrats are hustling too.

YGTBFKM!

Arnold Fisher blasted the President at some event last night  "It's the worst thing this country has ever done:  Allowing these families to come to Dover Air force Base on their own money....Stop the nonsense."

Then the President signs it saying he meant to all along.

Third problem - Robert Hale, Comptroller of the Pentagon, before the Armed Services Committee saying the problem was the law was vague.  So he consulted with lawyers.

Vague?  Did it not occur to you to call someone?  Like that steaming pile of shit Chuck Hagel?  How about the Commander in Chief?  How about the House Armed Services Committee?  How about the author of the bill "Pay Our Military Act" Rep. Mike Coffman R-CO.  That's the bill that Congress thought solved this problem back on the eve of the shutdown.  No, Hale sent a memo to Justice.  Well, we all know how useful Eric Holder is.

So yesterday Coffman reams Hale in a hearing.
Hale "resented Coffman's remarks".  Too fucking bad.

If  Robert Hale can't handle this he should resign.  If Hale, as Coffman accuses, used it to further the "Make it hurt" White House political strategy, he should be tarred & feathered.

Nothing Much Is Going On Today

There was some furniture to arrange yesterday.  I know better than to heft that barge and tote that bale.  But in my current anal fashion, I decided some (more) cleaning should happen.

I emptied my room of everything in prep to wash walls, ceilings and floors.  I even talked Sara into buzzing me to the local "Dollar" store to find a cleaning liquid I liked the smell of.  We found Comet Lilac Bliss.

 I must go back and stock up since an appearance in a dollar store is often the last stop before oblivion.

I listened to MIDRATs as I scrubbed the ceiling, up and down the step stool.  I checked their chatroom as I scrubbed the floor on my hands and knees.

Once everything was put back together, the first move was complete.  It smelled great!  I love lilacs.

I looked at the second room and promised to get cleaning in there this morning.

Yeah.....no.  More like on the couch watching movies with my friends "Milky Way" & "Bayer Aspirin"

My Share Of Tom's Vacation

So Tom has some time coming to him and he asked if I wanted to do something.  He's going to take me to have lunch or dinner with Mary Ripley......his request.  He's awesome, isn't he?
****UPDATE - My Marine would like me to inform you that while many have suggested visiting Civil War.....he is the most important among them, also the most insistent and the biggest taskmaster.
********
He asks what else I might want to do.  When I moved down here many suggested some Civil War sites.  So I ask Tom what he thinks.  And he brings up the #GovernmentShutDown.

The World War II Memorial and it's special reinforced Barry-cades.

And the blocked of scenic drive so no one can park & take pics of Mount Rushmore.

And the locking of the gates to the parking lots at MinuteMan Park.

So, what Civil War places will we visit?

Any damn one I want.

Smart Political Advice

From yours truly!

Every Republican in Washington, DC should be down at the World War II Memorial escorting anyone who wants to walk around inside.

I get why POTUS thought barricading it was a good idea.  Everyone is trying to get their point across.  POTUS wants to blame the Republicans for the fact that he, Harry Reid, Nanacy Pelosi, et al said they would not negotiate.  There are a million clips on the internet.  Google one up.  "We won't talk."  "We won't compromise"  "Just forget it."

You can disagree with me here.  That's fine.  You can say it is the fault of the Republicans.  Not my point.  My point is that blaming Republicans has no oomph unless someone suffers.  Sure, people have been furloughed, but does that really grab America?

But shutting down memorials and monuments, that's a soundbite!  "Yeah, me and the wife saved up all year to bring the kids here and now it's closed!"  Mr. Middle America opines into the reporters mic.  The the MSM bot gets to point out that polls blame REPUBLICANS!!!!!

It's the same thing as closing down the White House tours but not cutting the entertainment budget inside the White House.  They aren't tightening their belts, they are trying to make a point.

So yesterday they threw a few symbolic barricades around a number of outdoor monuments.  I am sure they expected that their loyal MSM cohorts would record sad pics of tourists barricaded from National Monuments and Museums.  Just like the pics of school kids outside the White House at the beginning of the Sequester.  Mean, mean Republicans!

But something else happened.  World War II veterans, some escorted by Honor Flight, just moved shit outta their way and went in anyway.  It's an outdoor memorial, morons.  You can't close it up.  So essential park police came to stop them and (if I understand correctly) Rep Peter King sent some of his people down to diffuse the situation.

So that photo op didn't go POTUS's way.  And, Honor Flight has stated they aren't changing their schedule.  The Republican National Committee has offered to pay for the memorial to be opened.

Mistake!  Stop.  Back off.  It is the wrong message.  Mean old, rich Republicans throwing money at a problem.

Instead every Republican should be down there daily escorting these vets.  Wear out some shoe leather.  Your reward will be whatever tales these amazing men and women want to share with you.