DISQUS

I blogged about Maj Olmsted today, too, Randy, and wrote to his folks. He was a humble and intelligent blogger and will be sorely missed.

I blogged about Maj Olmsted today, too, Randy, and wrote to his folks. He was a humble and intelligent blogger and will be sorely missed.

Wow, Randy, that was an amazing trip all right. I am glad you and TBT are safe.

Wow, Randy, that was an amazing trip all right. I am glad you and TBT are safe.

I am surprised there has even been controversy to what you transcribed, Randy. I read the interview, and thought it was fair. I believe Cpl. Sanchez has a right to choose, and, therefore, the right to choose to change his life for the better. Despite being outside the US, and a non-American, I had assumed that freedom was a tenet of the nation’s beliefs. Whatever the man’s past, he engaged in (I believe) legal actions, and in 2003, he chose to better himself by joining what he saw to be an honourable cause.

The opponents suggest to me that they wish to shut the door on such decisions that, ultimately, could benefit their nation. Why they want someone who has done something that is, in their eyes, immoral to remain that way, I do not know. Is it convenience? Pigeonholing? I had hoped that forgiveness for those past deeds and allowing Cpl. Sanchez to serve his nation would be a more fitting gesture of any American.

At the end of the day, regardless of nation, we are all human, and I believe in respecting Cpl. Sanchez’s free will.

I am surprised there has even been controversy to what you transcribed, Randy. I read the interview, and thought it was fair. I believe Cpl. Sanchez has a right to choose, and, therefore, the right to choose to change his life for the better. Despite being outside the US, and a non-American, I had assumed that freedom was a tenet of the nation’s beliefs. Whatever the man’s past, he engaged in (I believe) legal actions, and in 2003, he chose to better himself by joining what he saw to be an honourable cause.
The opponents suggest to me that they wish to shut the door on such decisions that, ultimately, could benefit their nation. Why they want someone who has done something that is, in their eyes, immoral to remain that way, I do not know. Is it convenience? Pigeonholing? I had hoped that forgiveness for those past deeds and allowing Cpl. Sanchez to serve his nation would be a more fitting gesture of any American.
At the end of the day, regardless of nation, we are all human, and I believe in respecting Cpl. Sanchez’s free will.

Randy, I am sorry to hear of a crossroads in your relationship but I am also very happy to hear of your firm commitment to honouring God, yourself and Lorraine. The path to love is never smooth and often these difficulties are tests to see how unconditionally we each can love and accept someone. I know on that score, you do particularly well and we simply have to trust in the Lord that our paths will be revealed.

Randy, I am sorry to hear of a crossroads in your relationship but I am also very happy to hear of your firm commitment to honouring God, yourself and Lorraine. The path to love is never smooth and often these difficulties are tests to see how unconditionally we each can love and accept someone. I know on that score, you do particularly well and we simply have to trust in the Lord that our paths will be revealed.

I’ll be there (since I am linked to only half a dozen Vox blogs!).

I mix up ginger and garlic—English being my second language. Just never got those two straight.

If an actor went in with Archibald Leach today, he’d be laughed at. That’s as daft a name as Meryl Streep or Rénée Zellweger! I still like Cary’s later stuff like North by Northwest and Charade but I should keep an eye out for Kind Hearts and Coronets. I haven’t seen it before.

That was fun: call me Cary! (Or Archie.) ‘You scored 19% Tough, 14% Roguish, 33% Friendly, and 38% Charming!’

That’s an amazing story: thanks for sharing, Kate! Pete, I agree with your film sentiments. This story has huge possibilities and is better than 84, in my view.

Thank you for picking up the meme, Kate! The weather is still cool here, even though it’s spring. Or maybe it’s because I am ’fluey right now.
   I think Labor Day is like May Day. We have Labour Day here in New Zealand along similar lines. Except we can spell labour properly.

Nixxie, those header images are disturbing. (And deserving of ‘WTF?’)

I like the new blog, Kate. The typography is nice, too—very smart, with Times Roman. Congratulations to you and Charlie!

The camera, a Voigtländer Bessamatic, is from 1959—and still in tip-top condition. I am one of those hoarders who keep everything pristine!

Thank you! The gf took that not long after we began “officially” courting.

You wouldn’t have to pay for a Blair-heckler, surely? (They are subsidized by the Conservative Party.)
   Cotswoldgent, there was a small effort to get together bloggers who wanted to quit smoking earlier this year—I had it on my blog here.

Die, reality TV, die! (Sorry, I had to take your Big Brother comment further.)

That’s a shame. I’ve enjoyed Charlie’s writings from time to time. Wish we could send him some nice farewell comments.

Ooh, got a nice 80 per cent on that quiz. I hope so … And no hurry on the comments. I am tired and need to see to emails tonight.

I was watching the 1998 World Cup final on tape, and Zidane’s first two goals were met by some hugs, but hardly anything like what we saw this time round. I, too, worry about the chap at the bottom—will it take a serious injury for these soccer players to find some restraint?
   Thank you for the lead to Beki’s blog. I’ll hop over right now!

And yes, of course, David Cameron! I can’t even picture the man.

The policies might be the same and rather unimaginative. Here in New Zealand, if you work out the sums, we are really talking plus or minus 10 per cent in terms of spending for each area. You hear the same thing in Britain each time: tougher on crime, more efficient NHS and a promise to redress the balance with declining educational standards. (Actually, you hear the same stuff here.)