It’s One Thing To Say That You Support The Troops, It’s Another Thing To Support The Troops

Many politicians will say one thing, but in reality, do another thing.

You know who is no different. He says that he supports the troops, but as usual, he only acts upon it when his reputation is in tatters. This week, his reputation is in tatters due to the government shutdown that he as usual, is blaming others for.

Since the early 2000’s, when George W. Bush was in the White House, it has been a Presidential tradition to visit the troops around the December holidays. You know who made a “surprise” visit to the troops in Iraq in order to save face from the government shutdown that many are blaming him for.

Americans are used to politicians saying one thing and doing another thing. But we are not used to (and should never be used to) a politician, especially one who was elected to the highest office in the land, who says one thing, completely changes his statement within a short period of time and then blames others when things don’t go his way.

Saying that we need to support the troops is an obvious statement. Backing that statement up with action is another thing entirely. Not that he would understand that concept.

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Throwback Thursday-Monsters Inside Me (2009-Present)

One of the more medically dangerous things about the world that we live in is that there are tiny/microscopic creatures who can do major damage to our bodies.

The Animal Planet television program, Monsters Inside Me (2009-Present) tells the story of real individuals who are sick due to infections and parasites. It’s up their doctors to find the cause of their illness and diagnose them before it is too late. Using interviews with real life medical professionals and the person who has contracted the illness, computer generated footage of the cause of the illness and a retelling of the subject’s story using actors, Monsters Inside Me tells an almost scary tale of real life horrors.

Monsters Inside Me is one of those shows that despite the graphic nature of the program, it is addictive. There is a message in some episodes about simple preventative measures we can take (i.e putting on bug spray or wearing shoes when going into the backyard in the warmer months).

I recommend it.

 

Throwback Thursday-Flip or Flop (2013-Present)

Flipping houses, especially ones that are in less than desirable conditions is akin to real estate gambling. One never knows how much time, effort or money it will take to rehabilitate and sell the property until you get involved in the process of the renovation.

On the HGTV show, Flip or Flop, the formerly married couple Tarek and Christina El Moussa are in the business of flipping and re-selling houses. These houses are often in need of more than a simple cosmetic transformation, they often in need of a complete makeover. At the end of each episode, the house is completely redone and the hope is that it is sold for at a least a minimal profit.

Flip or Flop is one of those reality shows that is addictive, but in a good way. It’s not mind numbing, parents do not have to cover the eyes and ears of little ones and it’s entertaining.

I recommend it.

We Miss You, Carrie And Debbie

Two years ago today, we lost one of the brightest lights in our world: actress, writer and mental health advocate Carrie Fisher.

A day later, her mother, legendary actress Debbie Reynolds also departed this world.

Both women dealt with troubles that would have sent lesser women into a state of lifelong emotional turmoil. But both came out of their troubles stronger, wiser and funnier.

Carrie is best remembered for playing Leia Organa in the Star Wars films, though she had a long and varied career. She was also a writer and openly spoke of her issues with drugs and mental illness, encouraging others to do the same. For speaking openly about her battles with mental illness alone, she will always be one of my personal heroes.

Debbie Reynolds burst onto the screen and into our public consciousness in the 1952 film, Singin’ in the Rain.

There are some people in this world, who when they die, leave a cultural mark that will forever be with us. Both Debbie and Carrie left those marks that will be with us long after this generation has moved onto the next world.

RIP. In the words of our mutual ancestors, Z”l.