Conservative Musings

Chic-Fil-A founder shows mercy with consequences

Chic-Fil-A's founder's home was vandalized by three female teenagers causing over $30,000 in damages.  He did not want them to have to go through the court system because he felt this would not make them better citizens but possibly make them worse.  So, he devised a punishment for them so they will not end up with a record.  Truett Cathy has spent many years with youth from being a Sunday School teacher and helping young people through a foundation called Winshape.  Winshape supports programs that help young people succeed and influences their lives in positive ways.

For these young truants, the punishment was "a 1000 sentences of “I will not vandalize other people’s property”, no TV and video games for six months, reading a “good book” for three hours a day and submitting weekly written book reports to him for 13 weeks."

I applaud Truett Cathy for this approach and for his many accomplishments in remaining faithful to his calling.  Truett Cathy's business, Chic-Fil-A still remains closed on Sunday so that employees can spend time in church and with their families.  Two things he feels are very important. 

-Lady Colonel

Obama, McCain, and the Poor

Senator John McCain is hitting Senator Barak Obama on a subject that "should" be a democrat's strong point - helping the poor.  McCain has a point.  The democrat's mindset is that the government should be the one helping the poor.  So why not support a tax break on gas taxes, a tax that the poor actually pay.  But of course, Obama doesn't see it that way.

When it comes to helping the poor on a personal level, McCain has Obama beat as well.  Check out Obama's tax return and McCain's tax return.  McCain's charitable giving rate: $105,467 on income of $386,527, or 27.3%.  Obama's giving rate: $60,307 on income of $983,826, or 6%.  (HT: Blue Grass, Red State)  Wow, what a difference!  Not only is McCain's percentage bigger, the actual dollar amount he gave was more as well.

-Colonel Steve

Deflated Hot Air

Real bummer.  Today's winds aloft blew our chances of going up in the balloon that I mentioned earlier.

Maybe another weekend, before it turns too cold.  Brrrr.

-Colonel Steve

Lots of Hot Air

This time I'm actually not even talking about politics.

Back last August I attended a fund raising silent auction for the service dog organization Paws with Purpose.  One of the items donated by the folks at Ashley Furniture was a ride in their hot air balloon.  I and another guy pooled our money and won.

So tomorrow, at 6:45, we lift off for a sunrise balloon ride.  Brrrrrr.  But still fun!

Hopefully, we'll have some good pictures to post later.

-Colonel Steve

Valour-IT

As of yesterday, the yearly fund raising competition for Valour-IT has begun.  This will run until Sunday, November 11th.

Valour-IT stands for Voice-Activated Laptops for OUR Injured Troops.

Like last year, we've joined the Army Team.  This is in honor of my late father-in-law, who served 44 years in the Kentucky National Guard and the Army (including tours in World War II and Korean War).

In spite of the friendly competition, all funds donated will purchase computers on an as needed basis for any troop needing one.  Please consider giving...to any team.

But I'd be remiss if I didn't at least say GO ARMY!!!!

-Colonel Steve

This Is What I Planned All Along....

...and I was actually part of it.   A paraphrase of Harry Reid's comments today (video here) about the Rush Limbaugh smear letter.

What an insult!  Particularly to those who give willingly, such as Rush and the winning bidder, Betty Casey.

We're still waiting for Harry and his band of Forty to step up and give a little themselves.  Then, "maybe", just maybe, he could then actually come close to using the "we" he used.

Also commented on by Captain's Quarters.

-Colonel Steve

Valour-IT

So far, in the Valour-IT fund raising drive, we're a little over $8,000 away from our goal of $180,000.  The Navy and the Marines have met their goals, while us on the Army team are a little shy at $43,492.42.

Whomever wins in the friendly competition, all injured troops come out ahead.  Thanks for your work towards providing voice-activated laptops for our troops.

UPDATE: As of 10pm eastern this evening, the Valour-IT fundraising sits at $180,450 of it $180,000 goal.  Alright!  In order, it's Marines at $50,618.85, Navy at $46,437.12, Army at $45,935.00 and Air Force at $37,460.00.

-Colonel Steve

Valour-IT

The organization Soldier's Angels has raised money to provide voice activated computers for our injured troops, who due to those injuries could not use one.  From October 30th thru Veterans Day (November 10th), they are running a "friendly" competition among the military services.

As a lifelong civilian, I was debating which service I'd join up for the competition.  That debate didn't last long.  In honor of my late father-in-law, who served 44 years in the Kentucky National Guard and the Army (including tours in World War II and Korean War), I've chosen to align us with the Army.

Please consider a donation to a worthy 501c3 organization.  In spite of the friendly competition, all funds donated will purchase computers on an as needed basis for any troop needing one.

UPDATE: As of 10:35 eastern this evening, Valour-IT is keeping good pace at having raised $31,584 towards its goal of $180,000.  Army: $9183, Marines $8575, Air Force $8209.79, and Navy $5642.

GO ARMY!

-Colonel Steve