Sen. Cornyn Sends Letter To President Obama About "Fishy" Activities Program At White House

Sen. Cornyn appeared on Fox News today to discuss his letter to President Obama regarding the collection of emails and other communications opposing the President's health care policies. Click here to watch the interview.

In a letter to President Obama, Sen. Cornyn expressed serious concern about the White House's new program requesting Americans to forward email chains and other communications opposing the President's health care policies. Sen. Cornyn is seeking assurances that the program is being carried out in a manner consistent with the First Amendment and America's tradition of free speech and public discourse.

Sen. Cornyn's letter also inquires about the collection of names, email addresses, IP addresses, and private speech of U.S. citizens that will be reported, which raises the specter of a data collection program.

"I am not aware of any precedent for a President asking American citizens to report their fellow citizens to the White House for pure political speech that is deemed ‘fishy' or otherwise inimical to the White House's political interests," Sen. Cornyn wrote. "You should not be surprised that these actions taken by your White House staff raise the specter of a data collection program. As Congress debates health care reform and other critical policy matters, citizen engagement must not be chilled by fear of government monitoring the exercise of free speech rights."

--The full text of Sen. Cornyn's letter is below--

Dear President Obama,

I write to express my concern about a new White House program to monitor American citizens' speech opposing your health care policies, and to seek your assurances that this program is being carried out in a manner consistent with the First Amendment and America's tradition of free speech and public discourse.

Yesterday, in an official White House release entitled "Facts are Stubborn Things," the White House Director of New Media, Macon Phillips, asserted that there was "a lot of disinformation out there," and encouraged citizens to report "fishy" speech opposing your health care policies to the White House. Phillips specifically targeted private, unpublished, even casual speech, writing that "rumors often travel just below the surface via chain emails or through casual conversation." Phillips wrote "If you get an email or see something on the web about health insurance reform that seems fishy, send it to flag@ whitehouse.gov."

I am not aware of any precedent for a President asking American citizens to report their fellow citizens to the White House for pure political speech that is deemed "fishy" or otherwise inimical to the White House's political interests.

By requesting that citizens send "fishy" emails to the White House, it is inevitable that the names, email addresses, IP addresses, and private speech of U.S. citizens will be reported to the White House. You should not be surprised that these actions taken by your White House staff raise the specter of a data collection program. As Congress debates health care reform and other critical policy matters, citizen engagement must not be chilled by fear of government monitoring the exercise of free speech rights.

I can only imagine the level of justifiable outrage had your predecessor asked Americans to forward emails critical of his policies to the White House. I suspect that you would have been leading the charge in condemning such a program-and I would have been at your side denouncing such heavy-handed government action.

So I urge you to cease this program immediately. At the very least, I request that you detail to Congress and the public the protocols that your White House is following to purge the names, email addresses, IP addresses, and identities of citizens who are reported to have engaged in "fishy" speech. And I respectfully request an answer to the following:

• How do you intend to use the names, email addresses, IP addresses, and identities of citizens who are reported to have engaged in "fishy" speech?
• How do you intend to notify citizens who have been reported for "fishy" speech?
• What action do you intend to take against citizens who have been reported for engaging in "fishy" speech?
• Do your own past statements qualify as "disinformation"? For example, is it "disinformation" to note that in 2003 you said:"I happen to be a proponent of a single-payer universal health care plan"?

I look forward to your prompt response.

Sincerely,

JOHN CORNYN

United States Senator

MercyMe in fatal car wreck

The band was in a fatal wreck last night after finishing a concert. MercyMe members are all ok but terribly shook up over the deaths of 2 others in the wreck. A pregnant woman was listed in serious/critical condition.

Please join in prayers.


update- the baby was still born at the hospital

CINNAMON SWEET PICKLES (GERMAN)

CINNAMON SWEET PICKLES (GERMAN)

2 c. pickling lime 3 c. cider vinegar 1 tbsp. alum 1 sm. bottle red or green food coloring 8 c. sugar 10 c. cinnamon sticks 15 oz. cinnamon red hot candy DAY 1: Peel, seed and slice cucumbers, Wash in cold water. Place in large kettle. Add 2 cups lime and 8 quarts cold water. Let sit 24 hours. DAY 2: 1. Drain and wash all lime off pickles, using cold water. Put back in kettle and cover with cold water, soaking 3 hours. 2. Drain. Add mixture of 1 cup vinegar, alum, food coloring (to degree of color desired) and enough water to cover cucumbers. Simmer 2 hours. Drain and set aside. 3. In 4 quart saucepan, make syrup from 2 cups vinegar, 2 cups water, 8 cups of sugar, cinnamon sticks and red hot candy. Bring to a boil until all is dissolved. 4. Strain syrup over cucumbers. Leave in cinnamon. Discard undissolved candy. Let sit overnight, covered. DAY 3: Drain syrup into saucepan. Reheat to boiling. Pour back over cucumbers. Let sit overnight again, covered. DAY 4: Repeat day 3. DAY 5: Reheat syrup and cucumbers in kettle to boiling. Remove cinnamon. Pack into sterilized jars and seal. Let jars sit 2 weeks before using. Makes 4 to 5 quarts.

Happy Birthday to Me!

yes! that is what I am trying to say!

I called our former marriage counselor today seeking advice on my oldest daughter possibly having a developmental delay.

He asked how I was doing since we last were there and I said 'not good' and I tried to explain.
I said "well, Hubby is really growing and maturing in Christ and that is upsetting me. Not how you think...I dunno.... I feel like the less and more lost...." He jumped in with "you mean as he takes his role on in the house as spiritual leader you are struggling with what your new role is?"


YES!!! That is it, that is what I was trying to say in my post before! (mostly)
I don't have to the the 'strong one' now and after 12 yrs of being that I am feeling lost, useless, like a fake for not knowing who *I* am in this now.

It was so refreshing to have someone get what I did not know how to say. How could I know when I wasn't sure what was going on?!

I told him I may need to come in for a talk to sort this out. He said that was good and can't wait to catch up on how much my marriage has improved.

sigh
I am feeling rather peaceful now.
:)

Weight Loss for 2009

• Jan- 204
• Feb- 196
• March- 189
• April- 184
• May- 180
• June- 185
• July- forgot

parable of the 'isms

CAPITALISM: You have two cows. You sell one and buy a bull.
SOCIALISM: You have two cows. The government takes one of them and gives it to your neighbor.
COMMUNISM: You have two cows. The government takes both and gives you spoiled milk.
FASCISM: You have two cows. The government takes both, hires you to take care of them, and sells you the milk.
NAZISM: You have two cows. The government takes both and then shoots you.
LIBERTARIANISM: You have two cows. What you do with your cows is no one's business but your own.
PROTECTIONISM: You have two cows. You can't buy a bull from another country.
WELFARE STATISM: You have two cows. You milk them and give them the milk to drink.
ANARCHISM: You have two cows. Your neighbor hits you over the head with a brick, steals your cows, then shoots them for fun. You later discover that he is a Nazi.
BRITISHISM: You have two cows. They are mad.
BUREAUCRACY -- EUROPEAN UNION: You have two cows. The EU pays you €1000 to stop milking one cow, and offers you double the market price for the other cow's milk.
NEW DEALISM: You have two cows. The government takes both, shoots one, milks the other, and pours the milk down the sink. The government insists there is a giant storage tank where all the milk goes.
POLITICAL CORRECTNESSISM: You are associated with two differently aged (but no less valuable to society) bovines of non specified gender. You don't milk them as you are not sure it would be appropriate.

cargo jeans into a long skirt

I wish I could take credit but my mom did all the sewing. Thanks Mom :)



What she did-
ripped the front seam to the zipper
ripped the back seam to the belt loops
sewed front seam together
cut off the 'point' of the back crotch area
used chalk to make a new stitch line from belt loops (almost a straight line)
pinned it
TRY ON (too tight in rear)
re-pinned adding about an inch
TRY ON (fits!!!)
machine stitch the seam to desired kick slit
hand stitch the bottom edge (wear cuff was)
machine stitch kick slit edges

it is more open in back than I would like but with it being summer I am leaving it. Come winter we will add some coordinating fabric and close it up

struggling with losing faith/trust

I hope this makes sense. It really doesn't make sense in my own head.

I have always been able to trust in God for things like housing, food, job for Hubby, sick children. I have never had issue with that. At times it made people upset with me because I just knew God would provide so why worry. Yes, it was hard to just lean on Him and wait...I am not a patient person most times. My 'trust' was the glue that kept us from falling apart before Hubby accepted Christ. Don't get me wrong I was NOT walking with God, I was NOT reading my Bible, I was as far from Him as could be but still I knew deep inside He was there and it would be OK.

Since Hubby came to faith last year I am really struggling. The stronger he gets the weaker and more lost I feel. I don't get it. I am so excited to see him grow in Jesus and as leader in our family. So why do I feel this way?!

When I had my surgery in February my faith crashed. I go to a grace based church and yet 'punishment' thoughts started to seep into my mind. I praise God I am whole again and in the same breath I cry out that I am under punishment from having my tubes tied in the first place. I know there are natural consequences to my first surgery and my reversal that are not of God but just the physical effects of messing with my body.

I have always wanted more children and Hubby was never quite on board. He always said an 'oops' was great but he was done. He has since changed his mind and put our fertility in God's control and even spoken out about it to people who think Hubby should get 'snipped'...like I said he is growing! :)

And here I am hurting. I struggle with my faith that we will be blessed again. We never had troubles getting pregnant even on birth control or when we wanted it. Now we have left this to God for almost 6 months and nothing. Am I being punished? Do I accept that the child bearing part of my life is over? Do I just accept that I damaged my tubes beyond repair? How do I have faith? How do I trust? Do I walk in infertility now so that I may feel others pain? Is this a test? Cause if so I am failing! My heart hurts so bad!

It is still so easy for me to trust Him for everything else...this is my weakness. I can't seem to "let go and let God." I have so much guilt. I cried out to Jesus to free me and forgive me and I don't feel He hears me.

Hubby tells me if and when it is God's time we will have a baby. He tells me I am still healing and I should relax. He reminds me the Dr said there was no reason for me to not conceive because my surgery was a success and my tubes are a good length. He prays with me that I may find peace. All he says I understand in my head but it doesn't get to my heart. My heart still cries this is my fault and I am not worthy to be blessed.

I listen to Andrew Wommack and his teaching about our words being life and death. I beat myself up for the words I use over my body and that maybe that is why things are the way they are.

I hurt. I blame myself. I feel like I am losing my faith somehow.
I feel like a fake because I can praise God all day long and trust Him to provide everything but this. I feel the pulling away from my church and friends because of this. I am not reading my Bible. I still pray and I listen to praise music. But actively seeking Him... sigh...I am so lost in how when I don't feel worthy and I am not/can not(?) cast my burdens on Jesus.

Please pray for me and if you have scripture or words of wisdom I would love to hear it.


I am ETA-
this is NOT about having another baby really. This is about not being able to give up this burden to God. It is about losing myself in despair as I think "I did this to myself, therefore I deserve nothing including forgiveness or blessing." It is about having something in my life that causes me to distance myself from God and His word. A weakness, a sin, a shutting out of those that can offer advice and prayer because "they don't want to hear it" or "they don't/won't understand because I *DO* trust in all other areas"...

"Tell a man that there are 400 billion stars and he'll believe you. Tell him a bench has wet paint and he has to touch it."

Mission Possible- week 1

Groceries and a few cleaning supplies- $185
Lunch out- $50 (guessing as Hubby paid)

So far I am doing good! I made a list and Hubby went grocery shopping. The only thing I know I will need to buy at the store is my breakfast shakes...for some reason those disappear really fast in this house and I am the only one that should be drinking them...hmmm

The groceries bought should last a week and it even included lunch, breakfast and snacks. The menu does include meats and veg that was left over from my last Costco trip. Otherwise I am sure it would have been higher.

'cash for clunkers' the biggest computer hack EVER!