You MUST read to the end. Jay Leno puts it into perspective and makes
us think about the pathetic negativity. That's right, Jay Leno!!
Jay Leno wrote this; it's the Jay Leno we don't often see....
"The other day I was reading Newsweek magazine and came across some
poll data I found rather hard to believe. It must be true, given the
source, right?
The Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy with
the direction the country is headed, and 69 percent of the country is
unhappy with the performance of the President. In essence, 2/3's of
the citizenry just ain't happy and want a change.
So being the knuckle dragger I am, I started thinking, "What are we so
unhappy about?"
Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 days
a week?
Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer
and heating in the winter?
Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job?
Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time, and
see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year?
Maybe it is the ability to drive from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic
Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move
through each state?
Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along
the way that can provide temporary shelter?
I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from
around the world is just not good enough.
Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up
and provide services to help all, and even send a helicopter to take you to
the hospital.
Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home. You
may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of a fire, a
group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch
equipment to extinguish the flames thus saving you, your family and
your belongings.
Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a
burglar or prowler intrudes, an officer equipped with a gun and a
bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against
attack or loss.
This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias
raping and pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where 90 percent of
teenagers own cell phones and computers.
How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we
enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world?
Maybe that is what has 67 percent of you folks unhappy.
Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the
world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the U.S., yet has a
great disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we are. The most
blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we
don't have, and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the
good Lord we live here.
I know, I know. What about the President who took us into war and has
no plan to get us out? The President who has a measly 31 percent
approval rating? Is this the same President who guided the nation in
the dark days after 9/11? The President that cut taxes to bring an
economy out of recession? Could this be the same guy who has been
called every name in the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled
ungrateful brats safe from terrorist attacks?
The Commander-In Chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there
defending you and me? Did you hear how bad the President is on the news
or talk show? Did this news affect you so much, make you so unhappy you
couldn't take a look around for yourself and see all the good things
and be glad?
Think about it...are you upset at the President because he actually
caused you personal pain OR is it because the "Media" told you he was
failing to kiss your sorry ungrateful behind every day.
Make no mistake about it. The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have
volunteered to serve, and in many cases may have died for your
freedom. There is currently no draft in this country. They didn't have
to go.
They are able to refuse to go and end up with either a "general"
discharge, an "other than honorable" discharge or, worst case
scenario, a "dishonorable" discharge after a few days in the brig.
So why then the flat-out discontentment in the minds of 69 percent of
Americans? Say what you want, but I blame it on the media. If it
bleeds, it leads; and they specialize in bad news. Everybody will watch
a car crash with blood and guts. How many will watch kids selling
lemonade at the corner? The media knows this and media outlets are
for-profit corporations. They offer what sells, and when criticized,
try to defend their actions by "justifying" them in one way or another.
Just ask why they tried to allow a murderer like O.J. Simpson to write
a book about "how he didn't kill his wife, but if he did he would have
done it this way"...Insane!
Stop buying the negativism you are fed everyday by the media. Shut off
the TV, burn Newsweek, and use the New York Times for the bottom of
your bird cage. Then start being grateful for all we have as a
country. There is exponentially more good than bad.
We are among the most blessed people on Earth, and should thank God
several times a day, or at least be thankful and appreciative.
"With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding,
severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another,
and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, "Are we sure
this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?"
Jay Leno
2007
I'm so excited. We'll see how motivated I am a month from now. Anyway, I noticed buds on all the trees today which was crazy. Spring happens overnight here. I love it. We are doing well. LeAnne left on Monday and the kids are still asking for her. Anytime Dayne see's anyone even remotely similar to Dana she says "There's Grandma!". So funny. She's talking so much now...a little too much. She sings constantly and the first thing she wants to do when we walk in the door is to turn the stereo on and dance. She's also starting to talk back quite a bit which I don't like. I'm not the kind of mom that can just laugh it off and call her "sassy". Any advice on this? Cole is learning so much and seems to enjoy his little pre-k class. It was really hard for me to finally agree to put him in, but it was pretty necessary with the situation we're in: with nobody Cole's age close by to play with or do school. It's all day everyday here which I don't like at all, but I talked to his teacher and she said it was fine if we wanted to pick him up early (or just take him out when we want...my idea). June is still tiny and adorable which is why I seemed to have forgotten that she's 8 months!! I've been so exhausted and cranky from lack of sleep and am determined to get her sleeping through the night. Tonight will be night 2 of the 5, 10, 15 minute checking in/letting baby cry it out method. No, I don't know the technical term. It was difficult last night but I felt okay about it. I'm just too grumpy of a mom or wife without my sleep. Well, I've bored you all to tears. We loved reading the blogs about the wedding. We wish we could of been there. Cort and Rodger, Congrats! You both looked smokin' HOT! (: love, Darla and fam
