Benny's World: 07/03/2005

Not so happy Jack

A Busy Day in the Life of Spiders

This morning, I saw on the news that the Brits had been terrorized. I haven't had a chance to absorb it as all day I was busy as a spider. Spinning around and around at work--going through lots of process. Luckily, I don't bite, but I feel like I have to retrace, follow-up, retrace, follow-up...

But there are bad spiders. Terrorists are like brown recluse spiders with overt white violin shapes on their bodies; they spin their nasty webs and their bite is poisonous and fatal in some instances. They can fade into the background because of their color, and sometimes, they are not easy to swat or catch.

The large brown recluses invaded London (not trying to be prejudiced since we do not know if it is truly Al-Queida or some other terriorist group). They planted bombs in heavily trafficked areas, killing many and wounding hundreds more. They killed their own people. They are showing bravado, but in reality, they are frustrated cowards.

My heart goes out to the English today. They are displaying amazing grace. May they be able to get through their crises and find strength. May their be able to find the terriorists in seeking justice and peace. May they not have to deal with brown spiders, but ones that catch the real bugs and keep nature in balance.

Robbing Peter to Pay Paul

SPRINGFIELD — Homebuyers soon will have to pay an extra $20 in closing costs under a new law Gov. Rod Blagojevich approved Sunday.

The law places a new $10 fee on documents filed during home sales. Typically, buyers file two documents and sellers file one.

These fees will be used to help low-income families pay their rent. Supporters say once the new costs are added up statewide, it could provide $30 million to more than 5,500 families.

“People need housing that’s safe, dependable and affordable. They need to live near their jobs and their schools. Affordable housing is a critical element to helping hard working people get ahead,” Blagojevich said in a statement announcing he’d signed the new law.

It's modeled after a Chicago program that provides rental subsidies to nearly 2,000 households.

Thousands of people already are on waiting lists for public housing in Illinois. Cuts to federal housing programs are expected to lead to even more people seeking assistance elsewhere.

LINK

Oh boy. Flat tax. Supposed to be fair to pay for the poor. It's not right to put all of the burden on the homebuyer; it should be seller and buyer as it was.

Seems to me some town should rescind its 200K grant to pay for some electronic music concert seed money, and put that back into the coffers to help pay for public housing too.

Happy Birthday USA

This is my idea of celebrating ONE America!

Old Glory (poet unknown)

I am the flag of the United States of America.
My name is Old Glory.

I fly atop the world's tallest buildings.
I stand watch in America's halls of justice.

I fly majestically over institutions of learning.
I stand guard with power in the world.
Look up and see me.

I stand for peace, honor, truth and justice.
I stand for freedom.
I am confident.
I am arrogant.

I am proud.

When I am flown with my fellow banners,
My head is a little higher,
My colors a little truer.

I bow to no one!
I am recognized all over the world.
I am worshipped - I am saluted.
I am loved - I am revered.
I am respected - and I am feared.

I have fought in every battle of every war
for more then 200 years.
I was flown at Valley Forge,
Gettysburg, Shiloh and Appomattox.
I was there at San Juan Hill,
the trenches of France,
in the Argonne Forest,
Anzio, Rome and the beaches of Normandy.
Guam, Okinawa, Korea and
KheSan, Saigon, Vietnam know me.

I was there.

I led my troops, I was dirty, battle worn and tired,
but my soldiers cheered me and I was proud.

I have been burned, torn and trampled on the
streets of countries I have helped set free.
It does not hurt for I am invincible.
I have been soiled upon, burned, torn and
trampled in the streets of my country.
And when it's done by those
Whom I've served in battle - it hurts.

But I shall overcome - for I am strong.
I have slipped the bonds of Earth
and stood watch over the uncharted
frontiers of space from my vantage point on the moon.

I have borne silent witness to all of America's finest hours.
But my finest hours are yet to come.

When I am torn into strips and used as bandages
for my wounded comrades on the battlefield,
When I am flown at half-mast to honor my soldier,
Or when I lie in the trembling arms of a grieving parent at the grave of their fallen son or daughter,
I am proud.

------
And it was flying, when I was born, 46 years ago at 5:21--in the morning of the 4th of July. I'm proud that I get to share my special day with everyone because it's everyone's birthday in the USA.

Happy 4th, everyone, especially to the Edwards family.