Violet making Ledge laugh

...

These are a little blurry, but I love them

 
 

Sneaking food to the dog

 

Little man

Look at his thumb in his pocket
 

TIME interviews Ron Paul

I love him! He is the greatest! So honest, meek, and sincere.

Jake always has a ready smile

 

Exploring

He laughed at my joke

September 16 ... Happy Birthday!

I think Liliana has a second mommy

 
 
 
 

 

 

Oh Ledge

 

Here's my short opinion -- What's yours?

I was just watching Fox News and they were showing some pictures of the soldiers who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan. Then words scrolled up that said something to this effect:

HOW DO YOU THANK SOMEONE WHO RISKED ALL SO WE COULD CONTINUE OUR WAY OF LIFE

Okay, my opinion: The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan did more to DISRUPT our way of life than CONTINUE it. The costs of the wars are astronomical, we have less freedom now, and these poor soldiers were used (and are still being used) by our imperialist government.

Newest Addition to the Burke Family

Lou (Leo's brother) and Christy are the happy mommy and daddy of Liliana. I think she is so pretty. Violet wants to take care of her. She has been talking about Liliana, saying she is her "sister." Her only concern: "How can I take care of Liliana and my dolls, too?"

Congratulations Lou and Christy!!

Test of Ethics and Logic

You are driving down the road in your car on a very cold, stormy and rainy night. You pass by a bus stop and you see three people waiting for the bus:
1. An old lady who looks as if she is about to die.
2. An old friend who once saved your life.
3. The perfect partner you have been dreaming about.

Your car will only hold one passenger. What should you do?

You could pick up the old lady, because she could die and thus you should save her first. Or you could take the old friend because he once saved your life, and this would be the perfect chance to pay him back. However, you may never be able to find your perfect mate again.

Think about it before you answer. And, remember, your car will only hold one passenger. What would you do?

This is a moral/ethical dilemma that was actually used as part of a job application. To see the answer of the person who was hired, go to the "Comments" section.

Tavia Resists Tyranny!

Tavia was on her way to San Jose and at the airport she chose one of the lines waiting to go through a metal detector. Next to the metal detector was a 'backscatter' X-ray machine that had a sign on it stating they were testing it. Walking through the 'backscatter' machine effectively strips a person: the technology peers through outerwear to the body beneath [which would have revealed the guns and knives Tavia had strapped to her body]. Tavia thought she had the option to use the metal detector instead of the 'backscatter.' She put her carryon on the conveyor belt, then realized that she did not have an option because the security agent was blocking the metal detector. Tavia said, "I want to go through that one." He said no. She said that she would get into another line (which only had metal detectors). He told her that she had to go through the 'backscatter' or have a full body patdown. "You have your choice," he said. [A patdown inspection includes the torso and "may include sensitive areas of the body" (TSA quote).] She said again that she would go to another line and she started to pick up her things from the conveyor belt and he put up his hand to stop her. "He said, "No, you can't do that, you are already in line." As she continued to get her things off the conveyor belt, she said, "EXCUSE ME? You don't get to make up the rules as you go along." Then she walked over to another line about five feet away. The agent said something to the guy on the other side of the machine, like "What'll we do?" He must have realized that he was overstepping his authority because he did not pursue it.

Go, Tavia! Don't let those federal agents with guns push you around!