I will be going to a new cold cereal
We've been showing Morgan a social story about his new school, explaining what's going to happen when he goes to first grade. The first sentence is "I will be going to a new school."
A social story is a way of preparing Morgan, or any other child with autism, for something that will happen in the future. You write up a story with some pictures and read it with Morgan for a while beforehand. This is supposed to prepare him for a future event. Kids with autism don't like thing that change. They like regularity, normality, and consistency. For Morgan, changing schools will be a traumatic event, more than for so-called normal people. The purpose of any social story is to get him ready. He'll remember the social story and it won't seem as bad because you'll be walking him through it.
We've been going through the social story for Morgan regularly, and he can read it himself. This morning, he said:
I will be going to a new cold cereal.
He's started to ask for things that way. He's funny, isn't he?
Our Veterans Deserve Better
[...]
The money problems are evident to most of us reading the DFA blog and even to those who visit VA clinics and medical facilities. Clinics across America are closing, appointments are delayed, veterans are being charged more for their care, and they are being denied coverage of non-combat related injuries and medical conditions.
[...]
We must end Bush's hollow promise to our troops and provide them with the excellent health care they so deserve.
(Via Blog for America.)
Excuse me? This was happening before Bush took office. The erosion of military benefits was in full swing under the Democrats and Clinton as well. I remember it well. I was there. I remember the benefits my parents and brother lost year after year. I remember all the things my father was promised when he signed up, and that he now has to pay for.
The real truth is that both Democrats and Republicans are in the business of breaking promises. Instead of worrying about their health benefits and how well we treat them when they are wounded, how about not putting them in a position to get wounded? How about not spending the lives of our soldiers to get votes?
The purpose of American soldiers is to defend the country. They should not be sent out to other countries in order to extend or maintain an American empire. If we try to create an empire we will end up being twisted into something we shouldn't become.
Putting His Money Where His Mouth Is
Putting His Money Where His Mouth Is:
<...>
Let this show just how serious progressives are about national security – even while believing, as many left-of-center Americans and a growing number of responsible conservatives do, that the Bush administration has thoroughly bungled it. Whatever your political stripe, the willingness to sacrifice – far more than blowhard attempts to claim national security as the province of radicals in a political party – stands as the truest sign of commitment to protecting the American people.
<...>
(Via Blog for America.)
Are you serious? How many other American soldiers didn't agree with Bush but went when they were called. Are we to praise someone for keeping their word? Is it such a remarkable event when a liberal does what he says he'll do, i.e. go to war when he's called?
Let's be clear on this, I have no beef with Phil Carter. He's keeping his word. But what the hell do these people expect us to do, give him a damned medal for showing up when he said he would? This is an example of what's wrong with Democrats. They think it's remarkable when you keep your word to go and serve in the military, even though you disagree with the reasons. What kind of mentality is this?