MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE :

Hello family hope everyone is well. Just a quick note to say Merry Christmas Eve. Sometimes I enjoy this day better than the next. Enjoy the kids, no matter how old they are the"Magic" of the holiday season is here. Make your memories and hold them deep in your heart. All our love . The Armstrong's (Steve, Jo, Ash, & Luke)

Christmas Time is a' Comin

Hey Guys,

With the Christmas season approaching I think it is a time for us to think of those less fortunate than ourselves. Me and Meg decided that in this spirit we would not buy anything for each other this Chrstmas, and instead use the money we were going to spend to buy food, treats, and other things to donate to the local animal shelters. With the cold winter just starting we know that they are going to have an influx of new animals that they need to support and take care of.

We are looking at donating to three different shelters that have different levels of need in the north country. If anyone here wants to donate with us or help out in this effort for the christmas season just let us know. We are going to be baking the homeade treats and buying the items to donate the last day the shelters are open before Christmas.

Well have a Holly Jolly Christmas,

Josh and Megan

Sweetest and Newest Relatives of the Clan!!

Here is a picture of the newest members of our extended family. Aren't they adorable!! Kids, these are twins born to my cousin Katie and her husband. They would be the first grandchildren to grandma Sweeney's younger brother! Gracie on left and and Matty on right!

The Chapins and Social Criticism

Hey Guys!!!

I hope everyone is setting in well to the holiday season!! Here I am again as the blog's resident social critic. I had to bring this issue to all of you because of two reasons. For one you are all close to my heart and I believe that because our busy lives prevent us from looking critically at the world around us I should give everyone a few things to chew on. The second is because this issue is right at the heart of the Chapin Family. I know that at least five of you are in love with the late Harry Chapin's music and ideals.

This semester I have been taking a deeply anaytical course dealing with education with the social science and humanity fields. During this I have been looking at the development of public education and how it functions today. I know both Aunt Jo and Aunt Lou you have children within the public education so this could be an especially enlightening. Today we had a speaker come in who was one of the developers of the original New York State social studies standards and brought to my attention a song from Tom Chapin, Harry's brother. It is critisizing the "No Child Left Behind" act that Bush has been pushing for some time now.

If you haven't ready how this act works, it basically pushes for more math, science, and reading within the public school systems. It calls for more qualified teachers within the schools (which is a good thing) but threatens to take away funding if certain benchmarks are not met. This is bad because as all of you know that pay taxes, school taxes are voted on by the public and of course people hate taxes. So funding that is already too low for most school districts if being cut further through the withdrawal of federal support. This is just one of the things that is hampering the public school system and will just increase in the coming years.

Now this funding cut can be eliminated and further funding obtained if the district has increasingly goodtest scores. This is not a good thing though because then it makes education into test scores. These tests are like the NYS regents that push for a student to rmember dates and facts. All of which do not include any UNDERSTANDING of the material. All of these tests eliminate understanding because it is sooo much harder to be able to test. It is easy to judge whether a student can tell when the civil war happened, but it is hard to be able to judge the depth in which they understand its causes and effects. So these tests suppot math and science at the cost of other subjects. School districts want money so they push money into math and science causing music, art, and social studies to suffer. My instructor worked at a school district where they eliminated all of the schools art and social studies positions.

So in short the "No Child Behind Act" cripples the history, art, and music that our children are going to get in the coming years. Its call for higher scores in math, science, and reading push less funds into the other subjects. This is a simplified version of its affects on the public education system, but import to understanding the act.

Being a student in the humanities (both anthropology and history) has shown me just how important they are. Through them we understand human nature and how we as people fuction with each other and the societies in which we live. Can you imagine a child that has no idea about the history of racial discrimination in the country? Or the truth of what our country has done in the past? An uninformed citizen is simply a pawn that the country can use for its own purposes.

So where does the Chapin family fit in? Tom Chapin, the brother of Harry, wrote this song criticisizing the way in which "No Child Left Behind" degrades the education which our children are receiving from K-12. (Current studies have shown that children as young as 2nd grade are feeling immense pressure to do good on these tests that are just to get money)

Not On The Test by John Forster & Tom Chapin© 2007

Go on to sleep now, third grader of mine.
The test is tomorrow but you'll do just fine.
It's reading and math. Forget all the rest.
You don't need to know what is not on the test.
Each box that you mark on each test that you take,
Remember your teachers. Their jobs are at stake.
Your score is their score, but don't get all stressed.
They'd never teach anything not on the test.
The School Board is faced with no child left behind
With rules but no funding, they're caught in a bind.
So music and art and the things you love best
Are not in your school 'cause they're not on the test.
Sleep, sleep, and as you progress
You'll learn there's a lot that is not on the test.
Debate is a skill that is useful to know,Unless you're in Congress or talk radio,
Where shouting and spouting and spewing are blessed'
Cause rational discourse was not on the test.
Thinking's important. It's good to know how.
And someday you'll learn to, but someday's not now.
Go on to sleep, now. You need your rest.
Don't think about thinking. It's not on the test.

Now this isn't complete unless you go to http://members.aol.com/chapinfo/tc/mp3.html and click on "Listen" to hear it played by the man himself. :)

LIVE FOR TODAY

This was in one of the emails that was sent to me today. We all have so much to be greatful and thankful for.

Life is too short to wake up with regrets. So love the people who treat you right. Forget about the one's who don't. Believe everything happens for a reason. If you get a second chance, grab it with both hands. If it changes your life, let it. Nobody said life would be easy, they just promised it would be worth it.

Belated Best Wishes

Hey, y'all. Sorry I haven't logged on in a while. I hope everyone had a happy, healthy and safe Thanksgiving. It was quite comfortable here on the Bay. I had the kitchen door open all morning with the sun beating in. It was a lovely day. My husbands family invaded. As Italians, it's the only way they know how to visit. :) I cleaned and cooked for three solid days. When I woke up on Friday morning my calf muscles were so cramped I could barely walk. It was wonderful!!! I love to cook and cater to everyone and play hostess. So much so, we're doing it all again on Christmas Eve, and expect about 30 people.

We used to drive home every year for Thanksgiving, but the drive is a bit much for a four day weekend. It's 380 miles to Mom's on Wednesday, 70 miles back to Mary's for dinner on Thursday, 70 miles back to Mom's, 380 miles back home on Friday or Saturday. All tolled, it's usually 16-18 hours in the car. Last year, Richard simply couldn't make the trip. This year, I didn't know what my job situation was and I didn't want to make a commitment to the family that I couldn't keep. Once we decided we could manage it, Richard couldn't get the time off and we couldn't find anyone to take the dog. (Mom's not fond of the dog hair Chip leaves behind.) Perhaps next year we'll make it.

I was interested to read about Todd's arthur. (Funny, that's what we call it, too.) I'll have to think about whether Richard incurred a specific trauma. He's getting a prednesone injection in his knee every 6-8 months. Other than that he's okay with the methotrexate. I'm not wild about the damage it could cause his liver, but it's not my decision. Tic a lock!

Trina, how did you make out with your teeth? I hope you were able to enjoy your holiday. I had mine out when I was 21 and I still tremble when I think about it!

I'm amazed at the athletes you ladies have raised! I'm impressed! Please post more pictures. And how about some play by play? Listen, I'm a Baltimore Ravens fan, so I don't have much to cheer about these days... I need someone to root for!!!

Love hugs and kisses to all.

Be Calm, Be Strong, Be Grateful

Here we go again. Jo is so outdoing us with posts. Happy Turkey day everyone!! May you all find happiness and peace in your life today and everyday of the year.

What a week it has been. Three IV tries later and not quite being asleep during the process, the two teeth have been cut from my mouth and I am on the mend. I WILL eat my heart out today no matter how much it hurts! My first born turns 21 today and I feel so old. He'll always be my baby though. Love you Shell!!

Here is proof that Lou is no longer a pumpkin pie making virgin. That's okay...It all tastes the same...we don't judge on the way the food looks!! hehehe....

Thanksgiving Time!!!

Hey everyone!! Have a happy Thanksgiving and eat lots of turkey (or Tofurkey) :p

P.S. Now I am the first of the seven coursins to reach 21.... better watch out, the cousins are gettin oooolllldddd!!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

LOVE TO ALL-FROM THE STEVE JO ASHLEY AND LUKE

Happy 21st !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOSHUA WE LOVE YOU

Aunt Jo Uncle Steve Ash and Luke

Take Time

Family and Friends

As the holidays quickly approach. I hope you all find time to appreciate what matters most, each other. For those of you who are feeling a bit overwhelmed or a bit like Scrooge. I recommend a great dose of reality and time to remember what it's all about .......In the form of a book called the Christmas Box,written by Richard Paul Evans. If you haven't read it already it's a must and if you have it's that time again.......as Evans has put it himself "I find with each passing Christmas the story of the Christmas Box is told less and needed more". So I pass on the tradition I have started of reading this book each year as the holidays approach. You won't be disappointed. Read it or listen to it on CD. (Usually found at your local library).It will capture your heart this holiday season. For those who have not read it and choose to. Please accept this as my holiday gift to you for now and many years to come. Love to all Mary Jo (a.k.a. Polly LOL)

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly!

First off...any form of arthur is pretty ugly. I always thought it was just an ache or pain from growing old. I never knew what an auto immune disease was. Todd's brother has MS and his aunt had Lupus. There has to be an auto immune gene somehow connecting all of it. While Todd was stationed in Korea in '85 he came down with the flu during a football injury to his knee. Arthritis set into the knee and I feel this is where his immune system went haywire. We didn't know he had arthur for several years. We thought he has a knee problem from the injury. Three knee surgeries later we found out it was arthur. Todd was diagnosed at 29...15 years ago. Most meds never helped him and he always had bad side effects. He just went off methotrexate. It was his second time trying it and he felt like he had the flu for 2 days following his dosage. And tired is an understatement. He is very stubborn..imagine that. I hear metho helps a lot of people.

He takes Aleve and it really helps with pain. He also takes prednisone short term when he needs a boost or relief from a flair up. Enbrel was his miracle drug. It stopped the progression for 5 years and then his skin started to react to it for some odd reason and he had several staph infections and they took him off it. Dam...It was a good five years though!! We have Arava here for him to try but the monthly bloodwork bills could be hazardous. Todd just lost his job. (very long story..would require a private e-mail) So, the whole insurance thing is a problem now. So for now he is holding off. We hope he finds a job with insurance. I kept the eye and dental through COBRA thank goodness but the medical was so expensive.

Ask away if we can help in any way. My e-mail is tee65tjj@hotmail.com if you want to chat in detail. I am online more than I care to admit. My laptop is my best friend and entertainment. My instant messenger name is tee65tjj on aol, msn, and yahoo messengers too!

Darn teeth, butcha gotta have em!!

Just got home from work at 7 a.m. 60 hours of pain and 2 dentist visits later and still suffering. Oral surgeon can't cut me open and rip out these 2 teeth til Tuesday. I will be begging by then, heck, I am begging now. Impacted sideways wisdon tooth is sitting on top of the curved roots of the one in front that is my initial pain in the arse. My computer table looks like a pharmacy. Non of which gives total relief.

Julie..what do you guys do for the holidays? Do you ever come north? Just wondering... Do you check out our links to our other blogs? Lots of entertainment there. Have you started your curtains. I need to make new ones for the living room but dread the chore. So much fabric is involved. And of course I would rather be knitting. Or spinning..or quilting...or, well you get the picture!

It's been a good month for the hockey girls in the family. Ash made the RFA varsity BOYS hockey team. The only girl on the team and only the second ever. Emily made the girls varsity hockey team. The first one ever for Massena Schools. Woohoo Life is good!! I am leaving a photo to show Aunt Jo that the bandana is orange on Em's head. You go girls!!!!

Better Late Than Never

Josh, I wanted you to know that I've ordered the book you recommended on the Women and The Rise of Raunch. I do not have any children, but I do have five nieces. I was home with the flu on Halloween and the noon news ran an "interest" piece about how young girls' Halloween costumes where getting racier than ever. I was shocked at some of the things parents were buying for their very young daughters. I couldn't help but think about your blog. Thanks for the insight. Enjoy your winter break!

Catch-Up

Hey Guys and Gals,

I haven't posted for a while and my last two here were different, so I just want to catchup with Y'all. College is almost over for the semester (3 weeks left!) and then Me, Meg, Jake, and Lauren will be out for a glorious six weeks!! In that time I am sure we will be able to stop down to Rome and romp around. Grades are good, classes are excellent. I have almost decided to change my major again though, and go back to the hard science of biology. I love history but continuing it through grad school started to look like a less than ideal career choice. Instead I might go back to biology and study zoology. It will extend my undergraduate years by two but one of those will be field research :)

well I g2g but take care all!!

P.S. Good Job Ash on the Team Placement!!!!!!!!!!

Twins Donald and Dorothy - Green - Sweeney

Hey Sweeneys and Clans, This is Grampa Sweeney and Auntie Dorothy. One set of about 22 sets of twins in the family. So BEEEEEEEEEEE Ware, Your Day may come. Just remember Grama is sometimes right. SEE I told you so..Love Grammie

Nice Abs, Great Genetics!

First I must comment on all of your beautiful children. What a handsome group they make! (And smart, too, based on the blogs I've read.) You can call it a Sweeney influence; I prefer to think of it as a Raymo influence. :) Second, you ladies look absolutely marvelous... a sight for sore eyes, indeed. I try to stay away from the front of the camera lens, but will see if I can find a photo to send.
Interesting you mention boating on the St. Lawrence. One of my dreams is to take the Concorde (photo attached) through the Inter Coastal Waterway up into the St. Lawrence and through the Erie Canal. Unfortunately, that dream will have to wait until retirement, as it would probably take two weeks just to get to the Canal. I miss the St. Lawrence very much. I always refer to myself as a "fresh water baby," as the Bay is brackish and often smells like the ocean. Not a bad thing, but not the Seaway either.
Interesting that we all have Labs. (Potato Chip, Chocolate Chip... do I see a pattern here?)
I am currently the office manager and assistant project manager for the developer of the Ritz-Carlton project we are building. The office management part is pretty standard, but the project management has been a blast. I've renovated our showroom/model, redesigned office space to include a selections room for the buyers, and coordinated the bid process for the build-out of the spa that's going in at the site. Unfortunately, the owners (Midtown Baltimore) are taking on new partners and appointing a new president. They've already realigned the sales staff and we know construction is next, so I'm being pro-active and looking for a job before they start chopping the budget. I don't mind hard work, but I'm not interested in doing the work of three people. (Assuming I survive the axe!) I've interviewed for a property management position for a 147 unit luxury condo building on Baltimore's Inner Harbor. I have six years in property management, so I think I've got a shot. Am also talking to a commercial janitorial company about a Quality Assurance management position. I would prefer the latter. It would get me out of the office and I prefer their corporate philosophy.
Trina, I didn't know Todd had Psoriatic (sp?) Arthritis. When was he diagnosed? I don't know much about that form of the disease, but is sounds painful just from what you said. Richard is on a cocktail of methotrexate and anti-inflammatories. He takes so many pills, it really scares me sometimes. But they're doing what they're supposed to do, so we count our blessings and move on.
I'm looking forward to hearing about hockey season and expect to see regular updates on scores and stats. I used to watch the Skipjacks play down here before they faded away. I can't say I was a hockey ho, but I certainly enjoyed the games. Jo you must keep us all apprised of your athletic prowess. I'd love to see you post some clips from the games on this site!
Again, love, hugs and kisses to all! Happy Howl-o-ween!

All My Children..2 legged and 4 legged!!

Hey Jules!!! So very happy to hear from you. I thought I had the wrong e-mail address but mom said it was right. Just for starters I want to let the Sweeney girl's offsprings know that Ellen and Julie are our cousins. Grandma Sweeney's sister's children. We spent time together as kids.

Lou and I figured we better do a post together during coffee because Jo is totally out blogging us and we can't have that. We went to the link to your project and wow!! That is major! Tell us what part you play. Mom and I take care of the elderly in their homes and as you will see in the photo I post...I work mids and have not been home to shower. Lou works in sales and accounting. Lou and I just decided the three of us need to come to visit you in Maryland. You would probably love to boat on the Saint Lawrence river where Grandpa used to fish and be a guide.

I feel the same way about the season changing. Todd and I love to ride the motorcycle and hate to see it end. (for now) Lou has a pontoon boat and camper. Jo loves to camp so we feel your pain. We are all gearing up for the 3 girl's hockey season. I am an official groupie (aka..hockey ho) for the seaon and Jo plays!!

Lou and I were able to see your mom, dad and Mary a few weeks back. I could totally see Grandma in your mother's eyes. Where has the time gone. Lou and Jo have kids in each year of high school and my boys are in their sophmore and junior years at SUNY PLattsburgh. One wants to be a history professor and the other an art teacher. Just 90 minutes away but I still miss them.

Todd and I have three dogs and a cat. Two of the dogs are labs and the third is a mix. Lou has a chocolate. They are Todd's best friends and he walks them at the river everyday rain or shine. Todd was diagnosed 15 years ago with Psoriatic Arthritis. Very similar to Rheumatiod except his skin is involved. It has been very trying. We could talk forever about it and should. I'll write more later!!

Here we are! Coffee, knitting, blogging, and good company...what more could you ask for? And the next photo is of our sexy photographer Andy. Check out the abs man!!! By the way...chip is adorable!!

Happy Halloween

Hello Everyone,

( In case anyone hasn't met my husband.I've posted a picture!)

Happy almost Halloween. I can't believe it's the end on October already. Winter upon us already. WOW..........It's another rainy Saturday in Central New York really didn't want to get out of bed,but my arm kept falling asleep ............it was driving me crazy. Julie , it was great to here from you. Yes unfortunately summer is over. I would like to welcome Chocolate Chip to the Sweeney Clan. See we all have labs ourselves. I have had two. We had Hershey,but she was very sick so she is resting now and we have Potato Chip....she is a yellow almost white. She is the biggest baby around. Are they not the best dogs to have!!!!!! Well it's off to laundry and all that exciting stuff you do on rainy Saturdays. Have a good one.

Happy Friday, all. I hope this note finds you all happy and healthy. Cuz Julie checking in for the first time. It's raining in Baltimore and I'm completely bummed. This is the first weekend Richard and I will not have spent on the boat since before Memorial Day. I guess it's time to come to terms with the fact that summer is actually over. I have lots going on in my life right now, as I am in the midst of a job search and my current job is ramping up. Check out www.harborluxury.com to see the project I'm helping to build. Richard has his RA under control and we are still recapturing much of what we lost last year when he was so sick. We've been married almost eight years and we often comment on how we both feel like we've been given an opportunity to rediscover one another since he was diagnosed. I don't think we came close to losing one another, but we know we came through a very dark and trying time and feel that now we are basking in the sunshine. He is the best thing that ever happened to me. We don't have kids to blog about, so you'll hear much about our boats, my career and the love of our lives, Chocolate Chip. Chip (female) is a chocolate lab who is seven years old and never fails to make us smile. She is our baby and rules the house as any spoiled mutt should. She is so spoiled, in fact, that we purchased a small inflatable to tender to shore (to do her business) when we are anchored out in the Chesapeake Bay. (We often anchor out for two or three days at a time.) The dingy is appropriately named, Chip's Ahoy! and is the third in our fleet. We have a 27' Sea Ray ("Sea Ducer") and we are in the process of restoring a 35' 1970 Concorde ("Family Jules"). The boats are our hobby, our vacation home, our lifestyle. Many of our friends are boaters and a few even live aboard year round. Well... that's about all there is for me to catch you up on me. Thanks for letting me ramble. I'd love to hear about what you Sweeney Girls are doing with your lives. Trina, your knitting has inspired me. I've purchased my first sewing machine and will attempt a set of curtains. This should be intesting. Love, hugs and kisses to all.

Harvest 2007

Hello all...well we made it through the fall dance without any problems last weekend...how quickly they grown.

Emily and Andrew with there dates.

HELLO

Hello All,
It is great to hear from everyone. Josh you are so deep I have trouble keeping up with you. Love ya kid. Not much new here just trying to keep up with everyday life. Kids are staying busy. Football for a few more weeks. Hockey starts for Ash and I this week. Hopefully she will get released from the elbow injury and get on the ice. She is starting to go stir crazy. This is her last season with the Herricanes and she can't wait. I personally am afraid of finding out how out of shape i am after taking last season off.. Wish us luck ..Keep in touch Love you all !!!! JO

Epiphany Time!!

Hey Guys and Gals,

I recently was assigned the book Female Chauvenist Pigs: Women and the Rise of Raunch Culture by Ariel Levy in one of my courses and found that it did a lot to explain what the Rauch (or porn) culture of America does to the image of women within our society. I can assume that you all have heard of the increasing amount of casual sexual activity that is on the rise in American High schools and the decreasing average age in which our teens (just left that catagory myself) are loosing their virginity (most lose it around the age of 15). Also the soaring amount of teen pregnacies in the United States that are higher per 1,000 teens than in some third world(hate that term) countries. In this book Levy looks at the sexualized nature of our culture and asks why it is how it is and what results come from it. It is an excellent book for any female OR MALE. She isn't afraid to get her hands dirty and interviews everyone from the women in charge of both Playboy and the filming of Girls Gone Wild (even goes with them to several filmings) to San Francisco lesbians and teen boys and girls in an effort to find out what is really going on. The book is great and a fairly easy read so I encourage all of you to check it out. It has been one of the few books to create a fire in my belly, and has made me move against the porn industry. Also if you have teen girls (wink wink Aunties) it could be really benificial to see what society is telling them to be WITHOUT your permission nor control. Thanks a Ton for your time and letting me ramble about this stuff. When I get a wakeup call to our world I feel that its important to spread the message.

P.S. here is the Amazon link to the book where you can read more on it and stuff, http://www.amazon.com/Female-Chauvinist-Pigs-Raunch-Culture/dp/0743284283/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-0818133-6887202?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1191960869&sr=8-1

Adiosa, Josh

Quick Hello....

Well it's Columbus day already...how time passes so quickly. Ellen it was great to see your posting, looking forward to keeping in touch. Josh your posting was wonderful, I now have an understanding of Halo too ..definately need to get Andy set up so he can read it as well as post too! Welcome Todd....loved your note.

Hi Sweeney Girls...and second cousins.

Hi all! Cousin Ellen here...... I just singed up for an account so I can blog.... with you. I have to run right now but truly look forward to catching some time. Hi to all! later...... Ellen

Holy Cow!!

I had to call for silence so I could read your post Josh!! (and actually comprehend it) hehe!! Love you buddy!! Your last few sentences summed it up for me. You have not forgot where you came from and what really matters. Your parents must be proud!!! wink wink

Where is everyone?? Luke and Andy...I am waiting for e-mail addresses so I can send invites. yoohoo....

To All !

This my first time to this site and I wanted to sound off! I think that this is a great Idea. Just so you know, family is the most important thing to me. I used to write alot to help with managing my stress. I think that writing helps us all to relay feelings that cannot be relayed face to face. I would first like to say how much the sweeney girls children mean to me! That includes my own children born to a true sweeney! I believe that bonds are started early in life! The time that I have spent with all of the kids are truely the best days of my life. As they grow older and become more self reliant, I hope to continue a strong bond and friendship with all. It's crazy how growing up can be very turbulent. So to all that are going thru times of the unknown! I want you all to know that I am here as well as, all the sweeney's. Don't be afraid to ask for help with guidance in your lives. Also remember we are human and make mistakes! Well enough
mushy stuff! What do I like to do! I love my Honda cb 900 f motorcyle! My favorite ride is the road to St. Regis Falls ! There is nothing like a crotch rocket! It's the closes thing to flying a jet!
Also I love to play hockey! I started playing again last year, aftera 18 year absence. I look forward to playing a organized game with 3 lovely ladies Jo, Ash, and Emily. That would be a dream come true. So lets get it done girls.

Todd

Halo in the Post 9/11 World

Hey guys I am going to put some ideas down here. Over the weekend I wrote up a gender analysis of the much loved and played Halo 3. I know that all of you have at least watched Halo and have had enough exposure of to the franchise to credit its influence on its fans. I had a professor last semester that told the class after one of his rants that every single thing has a meaning and by looking for it you can better understand the world. So lets look at the Post 9/11 world in terms of what Halo 3 can tell us about it. The basis of the Halo storyline is this, an alien alliace called the covenant have been told by their prophets that human beings are devils. This becomes their religious view and they hold a religous crusade to exterminate them throughout the universe. While they work to do this Master Chief (your character) fights against them tooth and nail to save the humankind. Both the humans and the Covenant find the Halos througout the universe and find that they can be used to destroy the universe. The Prophets then become fanatics and attempt to use them to wipe out everyone in the universe. That is the story in a nutshell.So what does that say to us? We are living in the post 9/11 world where America is spreading its influence through military war in middle east. Since the fall of the twin towers America has become intertwined in a war against what many call the rugheads and others muslem. The Covenant are a religious group, much like what we think the Arabs are (they aren't and have many different religious views), and many believe they are warring against us in the name of their religion(nope just freedom). Like the covenant there is the belief in America that middle easterers want to destroy our way of life because it threatens their ways of thinking and living. Both the Covenant and Arabs (both Afghan and Iraqi) are fighting America. In Halo it is only America that defends the planet from religious zealots. See a connection here? Also in Halo there is the false leading of leaders. The prophets lie to their subjects and lead them to try to exterminate themselves. In this world both Saddam and Bush have falsely led their nations in order to achieve a political end. The connections of this videogame and the world we live in continue on and on but to save the post size I will move on to what it means.Unlike all of these simularities on the outside Halo in fact tells a much different and important story of the world. In the second game the Elites, a groups of aliens in the convenant, are kicked out of the group and become allies for the humans. They become an integral part of the defense on earth and is accepted by the humans. This easy acceptance of a group that is different is something that we as Americans could learn from. To accept those that are different, from a whole other world, is something that Americans need to understand if they wish to trually be part of this world. Middle easterers are just like us but in a different culture. Most are no more religious than we are in America, but the popular image of them as fanatics has poisoned our view of them here. Master Cheif accepts the elites much like we should those in the Middle east because despite some differences we are all humans. In Halo humans are humans, even though America is presented as its savior(familiar huh?) there is no speak of saving America. Instead they fight for everyone not just those of the Anglo-Saxon skin and mindframe. They are just as important as us in our rich nation. Halo also tells us we need to accept and realize that bad leaders can influence their people for the worse and that the people of a nation cannot be defined by who claims to lead them. Many of us would not say they were the same as our currtent president. The covenant wouldn't have followed the Prophets of they knew what they actually wanted. Most Iraqis are not like Saddam and Bin Laden isn't a common Afghan!!! So Listen to Halo when it tells us that we are all humans and need to be accepting of others. Nextime you here someone say towelhead or stupid Iraqis take a minute to think that they are like us and deserve the same respect that we would want from any human.

Forgive my Typos it is late ;p
Josh

Is anyone out-there????

Hey it's Jo again........Has anyone else been checking in?????/Don't be afraid to post it's fun. It's homecoming week here in Rome...Sent the kids off to the dance..Don't they look great...I remember when I couldn't get them to go to the dance....Now look at them. They clean up sooooo.......nice :) Jo

GREAT IDEA

Hey, What a great idea.....This sounds like fun..Hope everyone who was invited enjoys it. I know I look forward to checking the blogs and to see what's new and exciting with everyone. It reminds me of when I first moved to Rome and was home sick .I would check that old snail mail-mail box in hopes of finding something good. Have fun everyone I know I will. Post away......I anxiously await your "Mail" LOL Mary Jo................. a.k.a. Jo

You asked for it!!

I believe Josh was a bit taken with our "Three Sisters" blog. He thought it would be a good idea for the whole family and friends to have a blog to post to. So here it is. Appropriately named and colored in an Irish sort of way. Have at it everyone!!

Update.... I sent out a bunch of invites. If you got one and sign in you can post to the blog and even post photos. It would be great to introduce yourself because the "youngsters" may not know us "elders". Tells us about yourself and what you love to do! This is an open minded blog where we can all be ourselves. If anyone would like their children to get an invite just let me know. This would be a nice place for distant cousins to get to know each other. I'll post in black. You can pick a color to post in if you want your own color.