History in the Making

Today, President Obama invoked executive privilege in the historic Fast and Furious issue which resulted in the death of an American border patrol officer and the deaths of over 170 Mexican citizens. Decades from now, my grandchildren can read this and know their Grandma Hawkley participated in a small way by watching, listening and waiting to see what the truth is and how that truth will come out.
God bless America.

A Weigh-In Quiz

According to the American Heart Association's 2012 Statistical Fact Sheet:
"Among Americans age 20 and older, the following are overweight or obese (BMI of 25.0 and higher):

- For non-Hispanic whites, 72.3 percent of men and 59.3 percent of women.

- For non-Hispanic blacks, 70.8 percent of men and 77.7 percent of women.

- For Mexican Americans, 77.5 percent of men and 75.1 percent of women."*

Which one of the following can accomplish the task of lowering these percentages: 

1. individuals who assume responsibility for improving health and lifestyle choices
2. corporations that select, serve, and market food 
3. websites that feature updated diets and nutrition facts 
4. government that provides new programs

Hint: Three of the above four possibilities are incapable of eating. 

*American Heart Association

www.heart.org/idc/groups/heart-public/@wcm/@sop/@smd/documents/downloadable/ucm_319588.pdf

Happy Father's Day!

Just for today, I want to talk about two important fathers--my own and my children's.
My father liked to put pansies in a Dixie cup and set them on the kitchen table.
My husband brought roses, no reason, even when we couldn't afford them.
It's the little things I miss most.

The Obama Years

Something I learned as a mom:
If there's someone easier to tune out than a whining child, it's a whining politician.
Something else I learned as a mom:
After a few times of being tuned out, children learn that whining doesn't work.
In the meantime, after a few times of being tuned out, politicians learn . . . not so much.
Mitt Romney is not a whiner.

That Smile

Early in Mitt Romney's campaign for president, I attended a rally where he spoke.  I don't remember most of what he said, but it was similar to what he is saying now. What I remember is that smile. Mitt Romney likes people. He likes being around them. He likes talking to them and hearing what they have to say, even if their opinions conflict with his own. He has a sincerity about him that doesn't rely on the polls or a teleprompter. I came away from the rally knowing. Mitt Romney is a genuine American.

Flag Day

What the American flag means to me:
Red. A soldier's blood. Grew still and cold today. While mine pulses on.
White. God's light. Be still and know. Illuminating freedom, faith and family.
Blue. I boldly stand. Still with others. Or alone.

Bailouts

Occasionally, one of my children called from school with a desperate request that I deliver misplaced homework or lunch money. This service was never convenient, but I usually came through. That's because, even though they had behaved irresponsibly, I wanted to help them, and I could.
As a lowly taxpayer who has to carefully plan for financial stability, I am upset when forced by the present administration to participate in economic bailouts to mature institutions that have behaved irresponsibly amidst vast resources. I don't want to help, and besides--I can't.
With Romney, there's less chance I'll have to.