Godspeed to our soldiers

Got this in my email today from a chaplain serving in Iraq. Thought you would enjoy reading it.

For those who are unaware, at a military theater, the National Anthem is played before every movieFrom a Chaplain in Iraq: I recently attended a showing of "Superman 3," here at LSA Anaconda. We have a large auditorium we use for movies, as well as memorial services and other large gatherings. As is the custom back in the States, we stood and snapped to attention when the National Anthem began before the main feature. All was going as planned until about three-quarters of the way through The National Anthem the music stopped.Now, what would happen if this occurred with 1,000 18-22 year-olds back in the States? I imagine there would be hoots, catcalls, laughter, a f ew rude comments; and everyone would sit down and call for a movie. Of course, that is, if they had stood for the National Anthem in the first place. Here, the 1,000 Soldiers continued to stand at attention, eyes fixed forward. The music started again. The Soldiers continued to quietly stand at attention. And again, at the same point, the music stopped. What would you expect to happen?Even here I would imagine laughter, as everyone finally sat down and expected the movie to start. But here, you could have heard a pin drop. Every Soldier continued to stand at attention. Suddenly there was a lone voice, then a dozen, and quickly the room was filled with the voices of a thousand soldiers, finishing where the recording left off:" And the rockets red glare, The bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night That our flag was still there. Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave, O'er the land of the free And the home of the brave"It was the most inspiring moment I have had here in Iraq. I wanted you to know what kind of Soldiers are serving you here. Remember them as they fight for you! Pass this along as a reminder to others to be ever in prayer for all our soldiers serving us here at home and abroad. For many have already paid the ultimate price.

I.N.S. Staff Needs Deporting

I'd like to order a one week deportation of all the members of the Immigration and Naturalization Service. Did you see the story in the paper this morning about the 6 guys arrested for "Illegal Fishing" in Madison yesterday? These gents are not only not residents of Madison's prestigious Reunion -- they're not even residents of the good ol' U S of A.

Six guys fishing in the lake at Reunion who ain't from around here get arrested for illegal fishing. They're booked in the Madison County Jail and promptly released because our hard working law enforcement officers can't do anything with them. Can't get any money for their fine, can't send them back across the border. Now they're free and probably fishing right now at Reunion.

After talking to sources close to the arrest yesterday on condition of anonymity, they claim that the INS will not do anything to help. Recently Rankin County had a similar situation where a crime of violence was committed in a neighborhood full of folks that ain't from around here. (That's p.c. right?) Notice how about 20 or so fellers were carted away from the trailer park in handcuffs. Notice how they're all right back there today? Where's the INS and what good are they to my tax dollars? What a waste. Aaaight. Talk to ya later.

Customer Service Is A Lost Art

Sadly, I've been mistreated again by someone in customer service. Over the last 48 hours I've been continually shaking my head about how bad customer service has gotten in this redneck of the woods.

Here's the latest ordeal. I'm in the grocery store in a fairly cheerful mood pushing my two small boys around in the grocery cart. The lady at the deli counter greets me with a blast that was colder than three winters in Siberia. Nice to see you too. I smile. She doesn't. I order. She finishes with the first part of my order and tosses my bag of salami 4 feet to the counter in front of me. She immediately turns to the lady next to me and says "Whut 'chu want?" Um...excuse me but I'm not finished with my order. "Um hummm..." and turns right back to the lady beside me to proceed with her order. I guess I am done.

This follows about a 2 week battle with the cable company trying to get them to figure out why my converter box isn't working properly. Their answer? We'll send somebody out between now and Easter. Grrrreat!

What is it going to take for people to realize that if they're in a job they don't like -- QUIT! Nothing says you have to stay somewhere you're unhappy. If you need the money that badly there is a whole section in the newspaper everyday full of jobs.