*woot*

I love Christmas.

I mean, I love EVERY part of Christmas

• The spiritual "meaning" of Christmas
• Family gatherings
• The food....
• The Christmas tree
• The sweet aromas that fill your house
• Christmas lights
• Decorations
• Caroling
• Anything else I haven't mentioned

But then...I can't forget one thing that sticks out in the mind of every spoiled-rotten child who celebrates Christmas....the gifts.

I, along with the rest of the world, don't mind if I receive a gift or two earlier than expected. Today (technically yesterday, seeing as how it is now after midnight), I received the second best Christmas present that I have ever been given. (The first best being my dog, Troy).

My grandparents, on my mother's side, bought me a laptop! Technically, it also counts for a graduation present..but who really cares what occasion it counts for?!?

I am happy :)

*woot*

*woot*

*woot*

When depressed, one must eat. A lot.

It seems that in every class at high school, there is one person who really sticks out above all the rest. This one person is the one who will spontaneously do anything to grab the attention of everyone in the room. If this person is ever absent, the class is much duller, and it is obvious that the person is being missed, even if they were a tad obnoxious.

**********

I cried yesterday in 2nd block.

I felt like a total baby, until I looked up, and saw that everyone else's eyes were glistening with tears. It really stunk, because we all knew why we all were crying.

Our class clown, the one who made the block go by so much faster, is gone forever. We all loved him, and now he lives on only in our memories.

2nd block was very different yesterday, because we kept the Kleenexes nearby. We made cookies, and drowned our emotions face first into the only other thing we all had in common...eating. We spent the day trading memories of him, and trying to laugh at the things he had always done that made him the person that we loved.

Having that said, I have only one more thing to say:

We all miss you, Jason. I truly hope that you are in a better place....

COMPARING U.S. AND INTERNATIONAL NEWS Part III.

Here is part III, in which I compare the writing styles of the United States, and various foreign countries.

After evaluating the articles written by American sources, I noticed that a trend was occuring. Even though the sources all stated that the US had indeed used white phosphorous, they all tried to defend the American forces.

The Epoch Times defended America by saying that it was hard for our troops to distinguish between civilians and enemy combatants, because the enemy fighters use guerilla warfare. Plus, it is not even entirely sure that white phosphorous can be classified as a chemical weapon.

The Washington Post made it very clear that white phosphorous was not intentionally used against the civilians of Iraq.

Reuters stated that if it happened to be that civilians had been killed due to the exposure of white phosphorous, then it was purely accidental. The women and children were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.

I found that the articles written from foreign sources were much more condescending of the actions of American soldiers.

For example, an article from Aljazeera made it appear that the US had lied about using WP against the people of Iraq. When reading this article, it was very evident to me that the author was angry, because the US had denied using phosphorous against civilians, but yet the burnt
bodies of many women and children were found.

The writer of the Indian article made it very clear that the US had used white phosphorous against the citizens of Fallujah. This was basically all that it talked about.

In England, the author of the article criticized America for using chemical warfare, which is exactly one of the reasons that we entered this war in the first place. We entered the war to prevent chemical weapons from being used, but yet we use them ourselves. Something here is not right.

All in all, I found that I can never trust any one article that I read, especially if the source is biased in any one direction. It is obvious that great care needs to be taken when reading a news source, because the truth can be stretched and bent in many ways.

From now on, I think that I'll attempt to find unbiased opinions as often as possible, because that is where the truth often lives.

COMPARING U.S. AND INTERNATIONAL NEWS Part II.

These are summaries all of my articles from the U.S.

Reuters

Even though the U.S. military denied using incendiary white phosphorous against the civilians of Iraq, they confirmed that MK 77 bombs had been dropped in March and April of 2003. MK 77 is very similar to napalm.
An Italian documentary showed what appeared to be the burnt bodies of Iraqi civilians. The bodies had been burnt clear to the bone. Apparently, their bodies had been burnt due to the impact a white phosphorous bomb.

American Marines in Baghdad state that white phosphorous is a conventional weapon. It is denied that Willy Pete has ever been used against civilians.

The Geneva Convention has banned the use of incendiary weapons since 1980. The US never signed this protocol, as stated by a UN official.

Washington Post

Officials from the Pentagon denied the accusation that white phosphorous had ever been used against civilians during the battle in Fallujah, which occurred last November. However, they did state that white phosphorous had been used as a weapon against insurgent strongholds.

It has been decided that it would have been a better idea for the US troops to use a different sort of smoke bomb from screening missions in Fallujah. The Willy Pete should have been used for more lethal missions, which is what it is best used for.

Many claim that the US is using outlawed weapons, but this is not true. White phosphorous, and other weapons that the US have been using, are indeed legal.

Epoch Times

Last week, an Italian TV station showed a documentary stating that the US had used white phosphorous, a chemical weapon, against civilians of Fallujah. The documentary showed two interviews with US marines about the effects of white phosphorous. The interviews went alongside graphic images of white phosphorous in action.

Often, enemy combatants will dress as civilians, so it is hard for US troops to recognize the enemy. They do their best to make sure that civilians aren’t harmed. It is unknown if any civilians have actually been harmed by white phosphorous.

It is estimated that there were over 10,000 civilians were present in Fallujah last year. If this estimate is true, then the use of white phosphorous would have been a violation of international law.

The Italian documentary shows the several bodies, all of which are bullet-hole free. Their skin is melted. You can tell which ones were civilians because combatants wear bulletproof vests, which are still visible. If any of these people had breathed in white phosphorous, then their lungs and throat would have been blistered, and death would have followed due to suffocation.

COMPARING U.S. AND INTERNATIONAL NEWS. Part I.

These are summaries of all of my articles from foreign countries.

Aljazeera

The Pentagon admitted that American troops used white phosphorous in the battle of Fallujah, which took place in November of last year. The Pentagon then denied ever using the phosphorous against the citizens of Iraq.
Lieutenant Colonel Barry Venable stated that while the flammable material had been used to mark targets, it was never used against the civilians. He then directed the reports towards an article in a military magazine, which gave various testimonies about the effectiveness of using white phosphorous against the insurgents.
An Italian station aired a report that Americans had used the “Willy Pete’, or white phosphorous, against civilians. Apparently, white phosphorous will burn the skin of anyone within 150 meters of impact.
White phosphorous is a wax-like substance that smells a bit like garlic. Frequently, it causes second to third degree bones. It is possible for these burns to go all the way down to the bone.

India

On Tuesday, an Italian television news station reported that the United States used white phosphorous shells ``in a massive and indiscriminate way against civilians” in November of last year. This was said to have taken place in Fallujah.

According to the report, white phosphorous can burn clear down to the bone. The United States claims that the white phosphorous was used to illuminate enemy fighters, but the Italian station claims that it was instead used against civilians.

Jeff Englehart, a marine, was quoted as saying that he had viewed the charred bodies of women and children around the scenes of the white phosphorous impact.

In November of 2004, the US government denied that any outlawed chemical weapons had been used as an offensive tool.

UK

“The US used chemical weapons in Iraq - and then lied about it” is the title of this article.

The fact that the Italian station aired a documentary of the US using white phosphorous is not enough to prove anything. This is not enough evidence against the US. Unfortunately for America, there are other ways to prove this claim to be true.

There is an article in a magazine published by the US army that gives a statement by a member of the 2nd infantry. This quote gives proof that white phosphorous was definitely used against the insurgents of Fallujah.

Even though white phosphorous is not listed as a chemical weapon, it can easily become considered to be a weapon. WP can be used for military purposes, such as providing a smoke screen or illuminating a dark area. WP becomes a chemical weapon as soon as it is used against a person. If it comes in contact with anyone, it will burn until there is none left. This can leave the person with severe burns or eye damage. White phosphorous can be deadly.

The US has had similar problems considering the use of napalm. Napalm has been used in several missions, as well as a very similar substance called mark 77.

It is pointed out that a main reason for going into the war was because Saddam Hussein possessed biological and chemical weapons and that he might one day use them against another nation. Also, he had been using these weapons against his own people. So, why does nobody do anything about the fact that coalition forces are using these same weapons against the insurgents?

I particularly liked the last paragraph, which stated, “Saddam, facing a possible death sentence, is accused of mass murder, torture, false imprisonment and the use of chemical weapons. He is certainly guilty on all counts. So, it now seems, are those who overthrew him.”

Is this all a joke?

Today, we were doing a poll in my Nutrition/Wellness class.

The poll was : "Who finds Jason to be annoying?"

Obviously, this was a very rude thing to ask, especially with Jason sitting right there trying to defend himself.

I, along with a small handful of guys in the class responded that no, he wasn't annoying. Almost every girl in the room flat out stated that they found him to be extremely annoying.

All of this was done in jest, and there was absolutely no real meaning towards this discussion. I never would have even thought about it again...

Unfortunately, I was forced to think of this incident again.

A few minutes ago, I received a phone call from a friend. She said that Jason had been shot tonight, and that he was dead...the shooter is not yet known.

Even though I didn't know Jason really well, this really shocked me. I mean, I just talked to him a few hours ago...and everything was FINE. It just shows once again how fragile life can be...

I guess you could say that I'm really confused right now. I'm starting to think that my school and town are just plain bad luck. Every year, something tragic happens. Many of my friends have lost their parents (and/or) houses in natural disasters. Even more have died of diseases. Car wrecks, gunshots, and drugs have ravaged this town to no end. I could just be blind...but I seriously don't think that any other towns around us have been struck so many years in a row by so many deaths and illnesses.

It is here that I must ask....where will it all end?

I Am A Rock

I heard this song on the radio tonight, and I just couldn't help but notice how it relates to my current position in life. I mean, feel free to ignore the part about love, because my love will never die.

My friends, I will never hate you, and I will never even get entirely mad at you....but yet, I still get angry every once in a thousand years. I know that you guys will read this, so know that I've gotten over it. I'm still not happy about it...but yet....it'll be ok.


I Am A Rock (2:51)
P. Simon, 1965
Released on Sounds of Silence


A winter's day
In a deep and dark December
I am alone
Gazing from my window
To the streets below
On a freshly fallen silent shroud of snow

I am a rock
I am an island

I've built walls
A fortress deep and mighty
That none may penetrate
I have no need of friendship
Friendship causes pain
It's laughter and it's loving I disdain

I am a rock
I am an island

Don't talk of love
Well I've heard the word before
It's sleeping in my memory
I won't disturb the slumber
Of feelings that have died
If I never loved I never would have cried

I am a rock
I am an island

I have my books
And my poetry to protect me
I am shielded in my armor
Hiding in my room
Safe within my womb
I touch no one and no one touches me

I am a rock
I am an island

And a rock feels no pain
And an island never cries

My sad little Kleenex box...

On my computer desk, there is a Kleenex box.

I'm sure that nobody really cares that this Kleenex box exists, but yet I believe that this poor, abandoned Kleenex box has some sort of story that it would like to share with the world.

You see, my aunt Virgie (yes, that's her REAL name) made a cover for this Kleenex box. I can't tell what it was made out of, but it is hideously ugly. The fabric is yarn, and it shows a picture of some flowers, that don't even truly look like flowers. There is a small blue clock glued to the front of the box. This grotesque Kleenex box even shares a message with the world. It says, "Take time to smell the flowers" in bright red lettering.

Now, you might be wondering why this Kleenex box caught my attention tonight, and why it deserved the great honor of having its own blog entry. The answer is simple....the batteries in the clock have been dead for over a year, and I have been too lazy to change the batteries, so that it can display its proud message to the world, or at least to the inhabitants of my house.

Even the most hated things in the world deserve some respect, some love, and some attention. Tonight, I will get off my bum, find a screwdriver, and replace the batteries that have died long ago.

And the moral of my pathetic, but true story is...???

It may just be me, but I believe that the batteries of this clock are not the only thing that I need to be fixing in my life.

Oh Klahoma, I hate it when stories have morals to them.......

That stupid chant!

Announcements, announcements, annooouncements!
A terrible death to die, a terrible death to die,
A terrible death to be talked to death,
A terrible death to die!
Announcements, announcements, annooouncements!

Sorry, but I got that chant stuck in my head from my previous post. Most likely, I'm going to regret saying all of that later. But that is then, and this is now.

FYI, any attack against my boyfriend I will consider to be a personal attack against me.

If you've been offended, I'm sorry, but that's just too bad. I'll say my apologies later, if and when the appropriate time comes.

Until next time.

ANNOUNCEMENT!

And now, with a sudden burst of bravery, frustration, and anger, I will state a few key factors in my life.

I am aware that several of my friends have declared war on each other. This war seems to be based on the fact that my (female) friends are not entirely thrilled about the fact that I am IN LOVE (and always will be in love) with my boyfriend.

They have declared that he is a total jerk, and that I am completely blind to not see this. My boyfriend is mad at them because they say that he doesn't really "love" me, and that he emotionally abuses me.

At least, this is the basis of the hatred that surrounds me.

Considering the above stated sentences, I am going to now give a few quick facts that will help all involved to understand my feelings towards this ongoing battle.

• I love Gary.
  
• I will always love and support Gary.
  
• Gary loves me.
  
• Gary will always love and support me.
  
• I am going to marry Gary.
  

• I love my friends.
  
• I will always love and support my friends.
  

• Gary does NOT emotionally abuse me.
  
• Sometimes I exaggerate my emotions, so that things seem worse than they really are.
  
• I'm a big girl, and I know how to take care of myself.
  
• Who I chose to be with is my decision, and nobody can change my mind.
  
• I know what I am doing.

Unfortunately, it seems that there is no peaceful solution to this broil. So, I am going to officially declare that I will stand by Gary's side through everything, because it is he that I will stand beside for as long as I live.

If my friends so choose to never see me again because they hate my other half, then so be it.

Topic over. Discussion is closed.

Blugh.

I am tired.

Goodnight.

From my big bro

Ever since I can remember (which is a LONG time), my brother and I have been mortal enemies. We can't stand to be around each other, and we have absolutely nothing in common.

Weirdly enough, I just received an email for him. This is odd for two reasons:

1) I haven't spoken to him since August, I think.
2) He hasn't spoken to me since August, I think.

For some reason, he decided to send me an incredibly NICE email. He just talked about college junk, and my senior year...and he even tried to convince me to come visit him. This leaves me wondering...how lonely IS he?

Oh well. I guess that this is just one of life's many mysteries.

An interesting day...

Today the tryouts for district band were held. I had originally planned on trying out on both the trumpet and french horn. Instead, I changed my mind and decided to cancel playing my french horn, because I was too lazy to practice the required material on two instruments. To make a long story short, I only tried out for district band on trumpet.

I didn't make district band with my trumpet.

I DID make district band on french horn.

Now, when I first found this out, I was quite confused. Apparently, only one person tried out for french horn, and they needed a few more players. So, since I had been in district band with my french horn for two years already, they asked my band teacher, [insert name of band teacher here] if I would play the horn. She told them yes.

Therefore, I made it in district band for an instrument that I didn't even try out for. How odd is that?

To make the story even stranger, the bus was in a minor traffic incident on the way home. We got into a fender bender, so we had to wait on the cops to show up and do whatever it is that they do for that type of stuff. To top it all off, [insert name of band teacher here] left the lights turned on in the band van, so the van died. We were like an hour and a half late getting home, which isn't a good thing for someone who is grounded, like me.

Yeah, it was a very boring, yet interesting day.

My letter to this pothole of a world...

Dear World,

It amazes me how rapidly the life of just one person can jeopardize the happiness of many. For example, just last night a stolen car was torched and abandoned right outside my front yard, not even a block away. Due to the recklessness of some jerk, there is someone not far away who is without transportation. That is banana crackers, if you ask me.

Then again, this entry isn't meant to describe the happenings of the world. For just this one entry, I have decided to wallow in self pity, and beg for forgiveness, in all that I have done.

Anyone who reads this most likely knows me, and knows me well enough to know that I try my hardest to simply be loved by as many people as I can. I work hard to have as few enemies as possible, and I think that it has been working for quite some time. Recently though, my life has sunk into a sinkhole that goes down lower than the lowest low.

First off, I had a major fight with the one person I know who gives my life any meaning. For this, I can only apologize wholeheartedly and beg for forgiveness for the rest of my life.

So, here, for all the world to see, I say:

Forgive me, for all that was said and done. I know that I made several mistakes, but I am willing to try to make it up to you, if you will only let me. Forgive me, for I know that I have wronged you, and my only wish is that we can be happy once again.

This is not the only problem in my life, though. Less than half an hour after the major fight, I had an incredibly one-sided conversation (yelling match) with my mother. This would never have happened if I had been in a good mood, but I was almost in tears from the events that had happened prior to my arrival at my place of dwelling. (Notice how this says "place of dwelling" instead of "home". There is no love in my mind when I think of the hole in which I live.)

Anyways, during this conversation, I was told that "something" was wrong with me and that I would soon be forced to talk to a counselor, if I did not change my ways (HUH?! WHAT ON EARTH HAVE I BEEN DOING THAT IS SO HORRIBLE? I don't drink, I don't do drugs, I don't steal, I don't lie, I'm not pregnant, I have excellent grades, I do my homework, I do my chores, I work for my money, I don't have to ask to borrow money, and I don't even CUSS! What is so bad about me????!) If you can figure this one out, feel free to share.

As a lot of people know, whenever I get into a fight, I yell a lot, and then walk away in frustration, simply because I cannot comprehend the fact that walking away is a BAD idea in the event of most arguments (as I had learned earlier in the day).
So, halfway through the argument with my mom, I stormed to my room, slammed the door, locked the door, and cried myself to sleep for the very first time in my life.

When all was said and done, I had been grounded, banned from phone usage, and banned from the internet (all of which are for a month's time). Oops, I'm on the internet. Oh well, I don't really CARE anymore. Mom's gone to church (which I'm grounded from going to CHURCH too...does that even make SENSE?) so I'm venting in the only way that I know how.

Yeah, my life is pretty messed up right now, and it's all my fault.

World, please forgive me. I am tremendously sorry.

With love and sorrow,
Amanda

Filling the vacated seat

When Sandra Day O'Connor announced her retirement from the Supreme Court in July, it left President Bush with a difficult decision to make. He had to nominate someone else to take her position in the vacant Supreme Court seat.

President Bush then nominated Harriet Miers to take O'Connor's place. Even though she has never been a judge before, he still claimed that she was the best person that he could find for the job.

Some democrats were worried that the conservative views of Miers would create a majority of right-thinking people within the court.

On the other hand, some republicans were afraid that Miers isn't republican enough.

Eventually, Harriet Miers withdrew her nomination. Apparently, Bush reluctantly accepted her withdrawal.

So, President Bush then nominated Judge Samuel A. Alito, Jr. Judge Alito has a very impressive background and an even more impressive reputation. Samuel is dedicated to serving the public.

Based on what I know about Judge Alito, I would say that he has an excellent chance of being accepted.

I guess we'll all have to sit back and wait until we find out what will happen.

BBC News

Supreme Court Watch

Totally clueless

It seems to me that people have banned together to make a totally off-basis conclusion about my blogging skills. I keep having people ask me how to edit their own blogs to make them look cooler.

Guys, seriously. I have no earthly idea what I am doing. If I want to change something around on my blog, I spend like 9.87342 hours using a trial-and-error method until I get it right. I have absolutely no skills on the internet. My blog doesn't look that great, so don't expect me to know how to do anything.

If you want help, I can TRY to assist you, but don't expect me to know what I'm doing. My advice would be to ask somebody with "Shipley" for a last name.

Hehe. Ok, I think I'm done now.

I'm sorry if that seemed a tad rude, but I keep getting asked soooooo many questions!

Forgive me, for I am horrible.