Conservative Musings

America and Disasters

Remember Katrina?  She made landfall within the first two months after we started this blog.

I remember a lot about that time.  Particularly my feelings about the requests for help after the disaster.  It was heart-warming to see the outpouring of help in the aftermath.

What was sad was to see the differences in how difference groups respond so soon after the hurricane died down.  Some localities asked for help, got it, and moved quickly on to get the job done (as in Mississippi, or Texas with hurricane Rita soon after).  Some localities whined, complained that the federal government didn't do enough, and sat waiting for them to show up and do the work(as in, well, New Orleans).

A true picture of what America really is can be found in this recent USAToday article.  Note what these folks ARE NOT.  These are not folks saying "we're from the government, and we're here to help you."  These are not folks asking what the government can do for us.  These are not folks spending many, if any tax dollars.

They are folks doing what Americans do best.  They are hard working fellow citizens, helping other citizens who are still in need. 

Do the local, state, federal governments hold a place in providing disaster relief?  Yes, to a point.  But when we get to the point New Orleans did, in depending on the feds totally, we've moved way too far.  Sadly, it's what a welfare state has finally led to....total dependence.

Bravo to these fellow Americans!  They've shown me a glimmer of hope that true American-ism is still around.

-Colonel Steve

An Early Retirement

One look at this picture and you might think we've gone to the dogs.  I guess in some ways, we have.

Those who have watched this blog for awhile have noted our involvement with a local organization called Paws with Purpose.  These folks (my wife included) train service dogs for physically handicapped and hearing impaired folks.

The organization runs as a non-profit 501(c)3 organization.  Our own money used to raise dogs like this one is considered a donation when tax time comes along.  But mostly, we do it for the happiness we see when our dogs graduate and are paired up with the handicapped.

The shot you see above is of the dog we've been privileged to train over the past year and a half.  Dakota has been a blast to be around.  In this shot from last week, he's at a local YMCA camp demonstrating some of his skills while the kids are learning about service dogs.

Alas, this was one of his last times out in "uniform".  This past Saturday, he officially graduated, but he will not be moving on to the next phase.  It's been known that many of the dogs in training don't make it all the way thru due to a number of reasons.  In Dakota's case, he's been ruled as having a high probability for hip dysplasia.  Due to the strenuous work on the hips while being a service dog, the organization did not want to take any chances.

On the bright side, we were given first dibs on being able to keep him.  I figure you can guess what we did!

We are now training up a second golden retriever puppy for graduation in another year and a half.  We hope to see Bell (our second one) move on to phase 2 then.

-Colonel Steve