Army of Mom

So this is how liberty dies ... with thunderous applause.

6.30.2009

Today's Society

I hate feeling all judgmental and stuff. *yes, that is a technical term* But, that is what I'm feeling right now. And, I know people are going to hate me for feeling this way.

*sigh*

Reading comments on Facebook that a friend made on someone else's page (someone I don't know). And, my mouth fell open.

Now, I don't have issues with people living together. *shhh, I did it.* And, premarital sex isn't that big of a deal to me when adults are involved ... etc etc. But, I do think it is a bit of a faux pas for someone to congratulate her adult (maybe 19-25 range) son and his GIRLFRIEND on their pregnancy.

I'm not saying the kids should be castigated or ridiculed, but do you really want to congratulate them? I guess I'm old-fashioned in the respect that I think you should get married, THEN get pregnant. And, if the pregnancy comes first - then get married before you announce it. Yeah, everyone will figure it out, but at least try.

The way it was posted implied to me that this was all fine and dandy and a great thing. Huh? Babies are always a blessing. However, some people are not ready for that little bundle of joy. When you're not committed enough to be married, are you really ready to become parents together? That is one of the hardest partnerships I've ever done in my entire life.

And, if the couple shouldn't get married, then are you really that excited/proud/etc. that they're having a baby together?

I know this post will get people all up in arms about me and I'm sorry (in advance). I know plenty of unwed mothers who've done a fine job. And, a few unwed fathers who took on their babies and did fine. That is awesome. I'm just saying that the whole marriage/commitment thing really helps when it comes to raising a child.

And, it just doesn't seem to communicate all those values to me when you post a picture of the couple and write "Congratulations to my son and his girlfriend on the upcoming birth of their baby!" I know things don't always go as planned ... and I hope I never have to post anything like that. I'd rather post "Congratulations to my son and his wife on the upcoming birth of their baby!" But, again, I hope I don't have to post that for at least another 10+ years either!!!!

All Modern Baby Goodies

I'm very excited at the prospect of a great new bag coming my way. I'm going to do a product review for All Modern Baby. The site has a ton of really neat high-end items for baby and parents.

I'm going to review a diaper bag/laptop bag provided by All Modern Baby. The "modern children's furniture site" carries a variety of products including Maclaren baby carriers and Stokke Tripp Trapp high chairs and much more. They are a U.S. based store but they offer shipping to both the U.S. and Canada.

I'm going to look very hip carrying the kids' goodies and even my laptop in the new bag. I'll take a picture of me looking all trendy and let you know how well it works for me.

6.29.2009

Dance Your Ass Off

I love this show!!!! Dance Your Ass Off takes the best of the Biggest Loser and the Dancing with the Stars and makes you cheer for these folks who aren't afraid to get up there and dance.

Makes me want to get back on the cross-trainer in the morning.

Hitting a little too close to home

Apparently, I've offended the old people who have found themselves at Army of Mom.

Normally, I would apologize. I hate offending people. But, you know what? Just like any stereotyping and characterizations - there are always exceptions. If you are an exception to the stereotype - don't be offended because you're not like that.

However, if you are a turd to people at the rec center gym, then, by all means - don't let the door hit your walker on the way out.

I like a lot of old people in spite of the dumb things they do and I know in the not so far-off future, I'll be a goofy old person, too. Hell, I already have the inability to use the self-checkout line at the grocery store or program a DVD player. *shrug*

Ok, so, pissed off old folks. Sorry. But, I stand by my earlier post. *ducking thrown dentures*

6.26.2009

An open letter to old people

Just because you've had the luxury of living a long time does not give you the right to be an asshole.

Every weekday at the rec center where I work out, they have an hour blocked off for Seniorcize. Good for you staying active and healthy. Kudos to you. I know in that window of time that from 10-10:15 I can't use the cardio machines. Fine. I know from 10:15 to 11, I can't use the weight room, either. Fine.

So, DON'T tell me to get off a weight machine at 9:55 a.m. especially when there is an identical freaking machine right next to it. I shit you not. I was getting on the bicep curl machine (my official name for it) and it has a twin machine right next to it. I'm adjusting the seat when I look up to see an old guy smiling at me. I figured he was smiling because I'm so short that I have to raise the seat to do the curls properly. Nope, he walks up and says "I was planning to use that machine." I look over at the empty identical machine next to it and just walked over there. Come on, grandpa. You were not at this machine because I was there long enough to walk up, adjust the weight amount, sit down to see if it was set right and then get up to adjust the seat when he walked up from across the room. *shaking my head* So, I just walked over to the identical machine and did it there. Asshole.

And, while I'm on my rant, you people only have so much time left in this life. Could you put your foot on the right pedal in your Oldsmobile and speed it up a little bit? I mean, come on. Time is limited and it will take you forever to get where you're going at that pace.

*putting away soapbox*

You think its hot here

Today, Dallas will reach 102 or 103 and when you're walking on a parking lot, it feels even hotter. But, I may not whine too much when I look at this picture. Yep, that thermometer says 130 degrees F. That is from a friend of mine in Iraq. So, next time you're sweating outside, just be glad you're not in BDUs carrying a giant pack of stuff and getting shot at or avoiding IEDs. Oh yeah, and sand boas. He said they found one under a tent while having a barbecue. Lovely. So, you know, raise a glass to the soldiers who are braving the heat to keep the terrorists at bay.

6.23.2009

Playin' possum

Yep, we're just hanging around this summer, staying busy. Ha. I woke up early this morning and got a call at 7:05 a.m. from my next door neighbor. She discovered a possum had gotten in her garage before she closed the garage door last night and it trashed the place. It had peed and pooped and was hiding under a storage shelf and she couldn't get it out. She had to leave for work and didn't know what to do. So, she told me she would leave the garage door open to let the smell get out and hopefully the critter would leave, too. No such luck. So, eventually I had the grand idea of calling the animal control people to come retrieve the critter. Mainly because I didn't think it was a good idea to poke it with a broom handle in case that pissed it off. Plus, it was looking at me. So, this afternoon the animal control guy arrives while I'm picking up kids from VBS. So, I told Pickle if I was gone, to take pictures. So, he did. Apparently, the animal control guy just stuck his hand under the shelving unit and grabbed the possum by its tail. And, lo and behold, it was a she. A momma to be more precise with four or five babies attached to her.

Never a dull moment in our lives, is there?

6.17.2009

My LOLcat

This was my dad's cat and a picture I took a few years ago. It just looked very LOLcattish. :) I'll let you know if they pick it to post.

6.15.2009

Welcome to the Real World

*taking deep breaths*

I can't tell you how many people I know who've lost their job because of the crummy economy. I also know a stable of people who are the lucky ones. Ok, lucky may be a strange word for it. But, they have jobs, at least. They may have taken a 10 percent pay cut or lost benefits.

I think the striking Bell Helicopter workers are making a bad choice. Bless their hearts, *note the sarcasm* they got a 3 percent raise and a bonus, but they're going to have to pay more for their health benefits. Cry me a river. Join the rest of the world. Or you know what? You can opt not to take their medical insurance and get your own if you think you can get a better deal.

Apparently, Bell wants to eliminate its janitorial staff and outsource that function and that may be part of the strike, too. That is admirable that the union doesn't want to see these folks lose jobs, but come on. That kind of work is easier to find. Your manufacturing job will soon be a thing of the past as your job is outsourced overseas. I don't think I'd push myself out of a job by demanding more. Just me.

6.12.2009

Those Were The Days

First day of middle school in August 2006.
Last day of middle school June 2009. My, how things change and boys grow. High school. Really? High school in the fall? Nah. Can't be right. Wasn't that long ago that I was carrying that little tiny fella around. Weighing 12 pounds on his first birthday! Yes, only 12 pounds.

Green Thumb

For years, I couldn't even grow a cactus in a pot without killing it. Then, miraculously, I developed a green thumb. I think I just assumed that is what you did when you bought a house -worked in the yard. My parents have always had beautiful yards. So, I try. We can't get grass to grow worth a flip. But, my gardens are wonderful. This is the expanded version of a side garden I put in the first year or so after we moved in. For whatever reason, we couldn't get grass to grow under the oak tree. So, we decided to expand the garden to create some green features. Most of what I used were plants I already had in pots as well as irises I spread from other gardens. We bought the marigolds for color.
This flower - we believe it is a morning glory - was grown in a pot by Little Bit from a seed. When the vine started climbing on my porch swing I went to the dollar store and bought a small trellis and it now climbs and winds around it nicely. It is really pretty and she is very proud of her work.

Here, you can see the whole trellis and the vine on the porch. I have thought about moving it to the garden, but it is growing so well, I hate to mess with it.

Splish Splash Storytime

Fun was had by all this morning as the kids participated in the local water park's partnership with the public library to offer a storytime in the kiddie pool of the water park. Free admission to little kids and their guardians for the story and then some splashing around in the water. At first, none of the three kiddos were thrilled, but then, they had 30 minutes of wild abandon in the water. That made it worthwhile.
Little Bit's friend came over for both girls' first sleepover. It was deemed a great success by both girls.
And, still happy even though we had to leave.

6.10.2009

Happy Birthday, My Love

Today is my dear husband's 33rd birthday. I've been fortunate to watch this man grow up. Literally. I met him when he was "almost 21" and I've seen him grow from a cute boy into a wonderful and handsome man. I'm so blessed to have him as my husband. For all of his curmudgeonly-like behavior, he really is only 33.

:) I mean that in the best way, babe. Happy birthday honey.

6.06.2009

Storming the Beach: We Remember

We're here to mark that day in history when the Allied armies joined in battle to reclaim this continent to liberty. For four long years, much of Europe had been under a terrible shadow. Free nations had fallen, Jews cried out in the camps, millions cried out for liberation. Europe was enslaved and the world prayed for its rescue. Here, in Normandy, the rescue began. Here, the Allies stood and fought against tyranny, in a giant undertaking unparalleled in human history.

We stand on a lonely, windswept point on the northern shore of France. The air is soft, but forty years ago at this moment, the air was dense with smoke and the cries of men, and the air was filled with the crack of rifle fire and the roar of cannon. At dawn, on the morning of the 6th of June, 1944, two hundred and twenty-five Rangers jumped off the British landing craft and ran to the bottom of these cliffs.

Their mission was one of the most difficult and daring of the invasion: to climb these sheer and desolate cliffs and take out the enemy guns. The Allies had been told that some of the mightiest of these guns were here, and they would be trained on the beaches to stop the Allied advance.

The Rangers looked up and saw the enemy soldiers at the edge of the cliffs, shooting down at them with machine guns and throwing grenades. And the American Rangers began to climb. They shot rope ladders over the face of these cliffs and began to pull themselves up. When one Ranger fell, another would take his place. When one rope was cut, a Ranger would grab another and begin his climb again. They climbed, shot back, and held their footing. Soon, one by one, the Rangers pulled themselves over the top, and in seizing the firm land at the top of these cliffs, they began to seize back the continent of Europe. Two hundred and twenty-five came here. After two days of fighting, only ninety could still bear arms.

And behind me is a memorial that symbolizes the Ranger daggers that were thrust into the top of these cliffs. And before me are the men who put them there. These are the boys of Pointe du Hoc. These are the men who took the cliffs. These are the champions who helped free a continent. And these are the heroes who helped end a war. Gentlemen, I look at you and I think of the words of Stephen Spender's poem. You are men who in your "lives fought for life and left the vivid air signed with your honor."

I think I know what you may be thinking right now -- thinking "we were just part of a bigger effort; everyone was brave that day." Well everyone was. Do you remember the story of Bill Millin of the 51st Highlanders? Forty years ago today, British troops were pinned down near a bridge, waiting desperately for help. Suddenly, they heard the sound of bagpipes, and some thought they were dreaming. Well, they weren't. They looked up and saw Bill Millin with his bagpipes, leading the reinforcements and ignoring the smack of the bullets into the ground around him.

Lord Lovat was with him -- Lord Lovat of Scotland, who calmly announced when he got to the bridge, "Sorry, I'm a few minutes late," as if he'd been delayed by a traffic jam, when in truth he'd just come from the bloody fighting on Sword Beach, which he and his men had just taken.

There was the impossible valor of the Poles, who threw themselves between the enemy and the rest of Europe as the invasion took hold; and the unsurpassed courage of the Canadians who had already seen the horrors of war on this coast. They knew what awaited them there, but they would not be deterred. And once they hit Juno Beach, they never looked back.

All of these men were part of a roll call of honor with names that spoke of a pride as bright as the colors they bore; The Royal Winnipeg Rifles, Poland's 24th Lancers, the Royal Scots' Fusiliers, the Screaming Eagles, the Yeomen of England's armored divisions, the forces of Free France, the Coast Guard's "Matchbox Fleet," and you, the American Rangers.

Forty summers have passed since the battle that you fought here. You were young the day you took these cliffs; some of you were hardly more than boys, with the deepest joys of life before you. Yet you risked everything here. Why? Why did you do it? What impelled you to put aside the instinct for self-preservation and risk your lives to take these cliffs? What inspired all the men of the armies that met here? We look at you, and somehow we know the answer. It was faith and belief. It was loyalty and love.

The men of Normandy had faith that what they were doing was right, faith that they fought for all humanity, faith that a just God would grant them mercy on this beachhead, or on the next. It was the deep knowledge -- and pray God we have not lost it -- that there is a profound moral difference between the use of force for liberation and the use of force for conquest. You were here to liberate, not to conquer, and so you and those others did not doubt your cause. And you were right not to doubt.

You all knew that some things are worth dying for. One's country is worth dying for, and democracy is worth dying for, because it's the most deeply honorable form of government ever devised by man. All of you loved liberty. All of you were willing to fight tyranny, and you knew the people of your countries were behind you.

The Americans who fought here that morning knew word of the invasion was spreading through the darkness back home. They fought -- or felt in their hearts, though they couldn't know in fact, that in Georgia they were filling the churches at 4:00 am. In Kansas they were kneeling on their porches and praying. And in Philadelphia they were ringing the Liberty Bell.

Something else helped the men of D-day; their rock-hard belief that Providence would have a great hand in the events that would unfold here; that God was an ally in this great cause. And so, the night before the invasion, when Colonel Wolverton asked his parachute troops to kneel with him in prayer, he told them: "Do not bow your heads, but look up so you can see God and ask His blessing in what we're about to do." Also, that night, General Matthew Ridgway on his cot, listening in the darkness for the promise God made to Joshua: "I will not fail thee nor forsake thee.

"These are the things that impelled them; these are the things that shaped the unity of the Allies.

When the war was over, there were lives to be rebuilt and governments to be returned to the people. There were nations to be reborn. Above all, there was a new peace to be assured. These were huge and daunting tasks. But the Allies summoned strength from the faith, belief, loyalty, and love of those who fell here. They rebuilt a new Europe together. There was first a great reconciliation among those who had been enemies, all of whom had suffered so greatly. The United States did its part, creating the Marshall Plan to help rebuild our allies and our former enemies. The Marshall Plan led to the Atlantic alliance -- a great alliance that serves to this day as our shield for freedom, for prosperity, and for peace.

In spite of our great efforts and successes, not all that followed the end of the war was happy or planned. Some liberated countries were lost. The great sadness of this loss echoes down to our own time in the streets of Warsaw, Prague, and East Berlin. The Soviet troops that came to the center of this continent did not leave when peace came. They're still there, uninvited, unwanted, unyielding, almost forty years after the war. Because of this, allied forces still stand on this continent. Today, as forty years ago, our armies are here for only one purpose: to protect and defend democracy. The only territories we hold are memorials like this one and graveyards where our heroes rest.

We in America have learned bitter lessons from two world wars. It is better to be here ready to protect the peace, than to take blind shelter across the sea, rushing to respond only after freedom is lost. We've learned that isolationism never was and never will be an acceptable response to tyrannical governments with an expansionist intent. But we try always to be prepared for peace, prepared to deter aggression, prepared to negotiate the reduction of arms, and yes, prepared to reach out again in the spirit of reconciliation. In truth, there is no reconciliation we would welcome more than a reconciliation with the Soviet Union, so, together, we can lessen the risks of war, now and forever.

It's fitting to remember here the great losses also suffered by the Russian people during World War II. Twenty million perished, a terrible price that testifies to all the world the necessity of ending war. I tell you from my heart that we in the United States do not want war. We want to wipe from the face of the earth the terrible weapons that man now has in his hands. And I tell you, we are ready to seize that beachhead. We look for some sign from the Soviet Union that they are willing to move forward, that they share our desire and love for peace, and that they will give up the ways of conquest. There must be a changing there that will allow us to turn our hope into action.

We will pray forever that someday that changing will come. But for now, particularly today, it is good and fitting to renew our commitment to each other, to our freedom, and to the alliance that protects it.

We're bound today by what bound us 40 years ago, the same loyalties, traditions, and beliefs. We're bound by reality. The strength of America's allies is vital to the United States, and the American security guarantee is essential to the continued freedom of Europe's democracies. We were with you then; we're with you now. Your hopes are our hopes, and your destiny is our destiny.

Here, in this place where the West held together, let us make a vow to our dead. Let us show them by our actions that we understand what they died for. Let our actions say to them the words for which Matthew Ridgway listened: "I will not fail thee nor forsake thee."

Strengthened by their courage and heartened by their value [valor] and borne by their memory, let us continue to stand for the ideals for which they lived and died.

Thank you very much, and God bless you all.

-Ronald Reagan
delivered 6 June 1984 in Pointe Du Hoc, Normandy, France

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/ronaldreaganddayaddress.html {I urge you to go to the site and really HEAR RR say these words}

*Pickle's grandfather - Uzz's dad - was part of the Normandy invasion.

6.04.2009

Building my Fortress

I think I found something to help get my digestive tract to function in lieu of a laxative: Obama's address and the fact that the Hamas folks are liking what he has to say. *rolling my eyes*

Yes, we should throw our country under the bus to appease the radicals.

Way to go, Prez. Thanks. As for me, I think I may go take my CHL class soon. I have a feeling that all your appeasement is going to wind up with these idiots in my backyard. I hope I'm wrong, but I don't think so.

6.03.2009

ARGH! Form letters

I wrote to my U.S. senators - John Cronyn and Hay Bailing Butcherson (oops, I mean vascillating RINO Kay Bailey Hutchinson) - about the CIFTA nonsense our esteemed *please note the sarcasm* president is supporting. Well, I immediately got back a response from Sen. Cronyn that he got the email and would respond. That was a nice touch. I know he got it, so I don't have to worry. Nada from Butcherson.

Until today. I almost would have rather gotten nothing than this form letter that shows me that her aides didn't even bother reading the text of my message to know what I was addressing other than it had something to do with gun control.

here is what I sent (succinct and to the point):
Please do not support Obama and CIFTA. I'm astonished that President Obama would even propose such a horrible thing as to make law-abiding American gun owners register their personal firearms. Then, to consider sharing that information with other countries is absolutely appalling.

What is he thinking? Is he planning to invite foreign invaders into our land and give them the addresses of anyone who may fight for our freedom so the enemy can just wipe us out before things get started?

I refuse to accept this. Please do everything you can to fight this action.
Here is good information: http://womenofcaliber.wordpress.com/2009/04/17/back-door-cifta-threatens-firearm-freedom/

Thank you,
Army of Mom (of course, they got all my contact information)

Here is the response:
Dear Friend: (not even personalized, nice touch *again note the sarcasm*)
Thank you for contacting me regarding gun control legislation and the protection of law-abiding citizens' right to own firearms. I welcome your thoughts and comments on this issue.

While we all support the strongest measures to ensure that guns do not end up in the wrong hands, I believe that one of the most powerful deterrents we have is the consistent, full enforcement of the numerous laws that already address many aspects of the problem. For instance, there are more than a dozen laws at the state and federal level that deal with the use, carrying, ownership, or trafficking of guns, and we must prosecute without qualification those who violate these laws.

Rather than usurping the rights of law-abiding citizens, I believe we should vigorously prosecute those who use guns to commit crimes. I have worked to enact federal anti-crime legislation that imposes tough minimum sentences on those convicted of using firearms to commit crimes, prevents early parole for violent criminals, and provides federal funds to build new prisons and fund local law enforcement. I will continue to support legislation that fights crime and upholds our Second Amendment rights.

On June 26, 2008, the Supreme Court upheld the individual right to keep and bear arms in District of Columbia v. Heller. I submitted an amicusbrief to the Court in support of affirming the District of Columbia's gun ban as unconstitutional, and was joined by 55 Senators, 250 House members, and the Vice President of the United States. This historic decision will affect gun laws throughout the country that try to unjustly undermine our rights under the Second Amendment.

I appreciate hearing from you, and I hope that you will not hesitate to keep in touch on any issue of concern to you.

Sincerely,
Kay Bailey Hutchison
United States Senator
284 Russell
Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
202-224-5922 (tel)
202-224-0776 (fax)
http://hutchison.senate.gov

PLEASE DO NOT REPLY to this message as it is not a valid e-mail address. Due to the tremendous volume of mail Senator Hutchison receives, she requests that all email messages be sent through the contact form found on her website at http://hutchison.senate.gov/contact.cfm .

If you would like more information about issues pending before the Senate, please visit the Senator's website at http://hutchison.senate.gov . You will find articles, floor statements, and press releases, along with her weekly column and monthly television show on current events. You can also sign up to receive Senator Hutchison's weekly e-newsletter.
Thank you.

Gee, thanks, Sen. Hutchinson. Now, I feel so much better that you are on board ... yeah, you say you support Second Amendment rights, but I've seen you vote to support legislation that we disagree with in the AoM household. *sigh*

Writing on the Wall

Pickle completed his mural on one of the back walls of his middle school. UNT, Sonic and Dragonball Z were his choices. Right above him (no wisecracks) is the mural of his girlfriend. :) Isn't that sweet? LOL. But, he was proud. I can't believe he will be in high school in the fall.

Full of Hot Air

I just got off the phone with a pretentious provost at an effing junior college satellite campus ... get this exchange:

Me: I want to make sure I have you identified properly. Its Name Withheld, N A M E and Withheld W I T H H E L D?

Pretentious provost: Yes, Dr. Name Withheld.

I instantly disliked her after that and wanted to say, Well, Dr. Name Withheld, if you are so intelligent and hoity toity, what are you doing as the provost for a satellite campus of a local junior college, hmmm? (Not that there is anything wrong with that, but don't act like you're on Broadway when you're acting in a high school production. You know?)

ARGH!

*taking deep breaths*

6.01.2009

Video Game Updates

Once again, we may wind up in video game hell. On 9-9-09, Beatles Rock Band will be released. My oldest is a Beatles fan as well as my youngest. The middle kid will just enjoy rocking out. Me? I'll just like the music. I think even Army of Dad likes the Beatles, but I could be wrong.

Also, Microsoft unveiled a motion control for the Xbox 360, too. Very cool.

Army of Mom Musings

Ok, either I'm pregnant (which is highly unlikely considering my tubes have been tied since 1999) or I've got the worst case of constipated bloating evah. The mail is moving a little, but not to the degree that it should be delivered. I need to talk to the postal service again. They've been using all the traditional efforts including bran flakes (which two of the local grocery stores don't carry anymore, so I had to buy generic Raisin Bran and pick the raisins out). *sigh* Yes, I know the raisins would actually be beneficial, but, ick. Didn't you read what I wrote? They're r.a.i.s.i.n.s.

And, for the second time in four days, I have forgotten to put on my wedding band before leaving the house. While I don't think this is me insinuating anything toward my husband, it could be that he is hiding the band because I'm blogging about my bowel movements again. But, I'm not alone. El Capitan does it, too. Now, mind you, maybe what I need to do is follow his diet of four beef & bean burritos and three soft tacos washed down with three pints of Blue Bell ice cream. I'm thinking if that didn't get the mail moving, nothing would.

Lastly, a few more things:
*a local Realtor volunteered to help me contest my tax appraisal issues.
*kids are out of school on Thursday afternoon, help me God.
*will write for food
*Army of Dad turns 33 a week from Wednesday
*went to the Crowne Plaza Invititational at Colonial (PGA tourney) on Saturday and the kids got Steve Marino's and Woody Austin's autographs. I'd love to have pictures of it, but they wouldn't let me take a camera or my cell phone (with camera in it). I had the shakes all day.
*SPF 50 sunscreen works wonders

Breathing Down Our Necks

Well, it looks like President Obama plans to make good on some of his campaign promises - such as gun control. It would seem our esteemed leader *please note the sarcasm in my tone* would like to participate in CIFTA.

What is CIFTA you ask? I had no clue and I'm ashamed to admit that.

CIFTA is a treaty that has been signed by 33 countries in our hemisphere. (to use a momily - if everyone jumped off a cliff, would you do it just to belong?) The United States is one of four nations that have yet to ratify the convention, although Obama administration officials say the U.S. government has sought to abide by its spirit for years. The treaty was sent to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in 1998, but no action has been taken since then. The treaty requires countries to take steps to reduce the illegal manufacture and trade in guns, ammunition and explosives. It also calls for countries to adopt strict licensing requirements, mark firearms when they are made and imported to make them easier to trace, and establish a process for sharing information between national law enforcement agencies investigating smuggling.

On the surface, you're thinking, ok, what's the big deal? Well, let me just outline a few things for you. And, let me clarify things by saying I am not a bigtime gun person. I hated guns for years and thought James Brady was right about everything. Then, Uzz and I were threatened by his criminally insane former brother-in-law. The psycho threatened to kill our entire family at Pickle's baptism. Uzz - probably for the first time - borrowed a gun from a friend. Self-defense made sense to us.

A few years later after my divorce, I met Army of Dad. Through him, I have learned many reasons why guns aren't the evil devices I always thought they were. I felt they were dangerous and I believed the whole guns kill people mantra. Now, I know the truth. People kill people. There are many reasons to have weapons: self-defense, sport and as family heirlooms. Even children can be taught the safe handling of firearms.

I was surfing around to favorite blogs after not doing that for a while and Army Wife Toddler Mom had a CNN news clip about CIFTA that almost knocked me off of my seat.

Good old Barry wants to get all of us law-abiding citizens to register our firearms AND then he wants to share our names with the world. Oh good. So my husband with the Concealed Handgun License will now have a price on his head by whomever the Mexican government decides to sell our list to. If you trust ANY government that much, then I have some oceanfront property in Arizona to sell you. Even if you don't like guns, you have to admit the idea of telling our foreign neighbors our business is insane.

Seriously, the idea of me registering my private self-defense weapon is offensive as it is. But, the concept of sharing that information with foreign countries is downright stupid. Mr. XYZ Country - here is a list of American potential freedom fighters should your country decide to bomb the hell out of us and then invade. You'll know who to knock off first. Geebus H. Christmas. What the hell is he thinking?

Please contact your U.S. representative and senators and tell them that CIFTA cannot be enacted in the USA. I have already contacted my elected officials.

P.S. I found another good piece of background information at Women of Caliber and Pittsburgh We Surround Them 9/12 Project about the issue.