SM1'S BLOG 4 U

Monday, February 11, 2013

Fed's Holdings of U.S. Gov't Debt Hit Record $1,696,691,000,000; Up 257% Under Obama | CNS News

Fedâ€™s Holdings of U.S. Gov't Debt Hit Record $1,696,691,000,000; Up 257% Under Obama | CNS News

The Morning FRAGO is our daily aggregation of top stories, articles of interest, CVA media, and the schedule in DC.

Today's Top Links

Defense News | U.S. Sets Timing of 2014 DoD Budget
The Pentagon is preparing to send its fiscal 2014 budget -- a spending plan that does not take into account massive cuts scheduled to kick in at the beginning of March and whose timeframe has been murky until now -- to Congress on March 25, according to a Feb. 5 memo signed by Pentagon Deputy Comptroller John Roth.

Washington Post | 2011 federal budget cuts had little effect
The bill turned out to be an epic kind of Washington illusion. It was stuffed with gimmicks that made the cuts seem far bigger -- and the politicians far bolder -- than they actually were. Now the failures of the 2011 bill have come back to haunt the leaders who crafted it. Disillusionment with that bill has persuaded many conservatives to reject a line-by-line, program-by-program approach to cutting the budget. Comment: Great example of the shell game played in Washington concerning so-called "cuts"

AP | Budget cut woes leave military, families unsure
The political hick-hack in Congress over the budget is having real-life consequences for service members. It comes at a time when some military families were getting used to deployments coming back down to normal lengths after more than a decade of two wars, when the Pentagon routinely extended the time forces stayed in the field.

AP | Senator vows to delay Obama's nominees over Libya
A leading Republican senator said Sunday he would hold up Senate confirmation of President Barack Obama's nominees to head the Pentagon and the CIA until the White House provided more answers about the Sept. 11 attack against a U.S. installation in Benghazi, Libya.

Articles of Interest

- Economics -

RealClearMarkets | Op-Ed | An Economy of Illusions

WSJ (paywall) | You'd Be Surprised at What's Tax Deductible

RealClearMarkets | Op-Ed | The Neglected Cost of Government Spending

National Defense Mag | New Defense Legislation a Mixed Bag for Small Business

- Veterans -

Washington Examiner | Vets trapped in endless Veterans Affairs bureaucracy

News Tribune (WA) | Military spouses get some backup from UWT conference

- DoD -

Washington Times | Military warns cuts would create 'hollow force' akin to 1970s

CNN | Drone Court considered

AP | Ex-Pentagon chief Gates OK with drone oversight

Bloomberg | US, allies winning in Afghanistan, Gen. Allen says

Government Executive | Study: Contractors Exaggerate Job Loss from Defense Budget Cuts

National Defense Magazine | Army Rethinks, Again, How to Acquire Technology

- Foreign Policy -

CNN | Kerry distances himself from Clinton backing of arming Syrian rebels

LA Times | Rural Afghanistan force with shady reputation may grow

Washington Post | Op-Ed| In Asia, Things Could Get Really Scary

- Politics -

Foreign Policy Magazine | Op-Ed | Is the White House using Pentagon to fight the GOP?

The Hill | Defense, domestic groups ally for last-minute push to halt sequester

Concerned Veterans for America Media and Mentions
Blog | Stolen Valor 2.0: New bill Targeting Military Honors Fraud

Blog | Climate of Inaction: D.C. Gridlock Makes Sequestration More Likely

Today's DC Schedule

>> President of the United States | Barack Obama

10:10 am || Receives the Presidential Daily Briefing
1:45 pm || Awards Clinton Romesha, US Army (SSG), the Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry

>> United States House of Representatives

The House is not in session

>> United States Senate

2:00 p.m. || Convene and resume consideration of S.47, the Violence against Women Act.

>> Secretary of Defense | Leon Panetta

1:15 pm || Attend Medal of Honor ceremony for Army Staff Sergeant Clinton Romesha

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Shoes in Church...Powerful!!!

IN GOD WE TRUST

This is one of the nicest ones I have read.

SHOES IN CHURCH

I showered and shaved.............. I adjusted my tie.

I got there and sat.............. In a pew just in time.

Bowing my head in prayer......... As I closed my eyes..

I saw the shoe of the man next to me..... Touching my own. I sighed.

With plenty of room on either side...... I thought, 'Why must our soles touch?'

It bothered me, his shoe touching mine... But it didn't bother him much.

A prayer began : 'Our Father'............. I thought, 'This man with the shoes, has no pride.

They're dusty, worn, and scratched. Even worse, there are holes on the side!'

'Thank You for blessings,' the prayer went on.

The shoe man said............... A quiet 'Amen.'

I tried to focus on the prayer....... But my thoughts were on his shoes again.

Aren't we supposed to look our best. When walking through that door?

'Well, this certainly isn't it,' I thought, Glancing toward the floor..

Then the prayer was ended........... And the songs of praise began.

The shoe man was certainly loud...... Sounding proud as he sang.

His voice lifted the rafters........ His hands were raised high.

The Lord could surely hear. The shoe man's voice from the sky.

It was time for the offering...... And what I threw in was steep.

I watched as the shoe man reached.... Into his pockets so deep.

I saw what was pulled out............ What the shoe man put in.

Then I heard a soft 'clink' . As when silver hits tin.

The sermon really bored me............ To tears, and that's no lie..

It was the same for the shoe man.... For tears fell from his eyes.

At the end of the service...... As is the custom here.

We must greet new visitors, And show them all good cheer.

But I felt moved somehow.............. And wanted to meet the shoe man.

So after the closing prayer........ I reached over and shook his hand.

He was old and his skin was dark..... And his hair was truly a mess.

But I thanked him for coming......... For being our guest.

He said, 'My names' Charlie............ I'm glad to meet you, my friend.'

There were tears in his eyes........ But he had a large, wide grin.

'Let me explain,' he said........... Wiping tears from his eyes.

'I've been coming here for months.... And you're the first to say 'Hi.''

'I know that my appearance............'Is not like all the rest.

'But I really do try.................'To always look my best.'

'I always clean and polish my shoes.. 'Before my very long walk.

'But by the time I get here..........'They're dirty and dusty, like chalk.'

My heart filled with pain.......... And I swallowed to hide my tears.

As he continued to apologize............ For daring to sit so near

He said, 'When I get here..............'I know I must look a sight.

'But I thought if I could touch you.. 'Then maybe our souls might unite.'

I was silent for a moment........... Knowing whatever was said

Would pale in comparison... I spoke from my heart, not my head.

'Oh, you've touched me,' I said......'And taught me, in part;

'That the best of any man...............'Is what is found in his heart.'

The rest, I thought,..................... This shoe man will never know.

Like just how thankful I really am... That his dirty old shoe touched my soul

You are special to me and you have made a difference in my life.
I respect you, and truly cherish you.

Send this to your friends,
No matter how often you talk,
Or how close you are,
And send it to the person who sent it to you.
Let old friends know you haven't forgotten them, and tell new friends you never will.
Remember, everyone needs a friend..
Someday you might feel like you have no friends at all.
Just remember this e-mail and take comfort in knowing that
Someone out there cares about you.....
And always will.

USING KIDS FOR PROPS AGAIN !

Quote of the Day - From 1935

"This year will go down in history. For the first time, a civilized nation has full gun registration. Our streets will be safer, our police more efficient, and the world will follow our lead into the future!" ~Adolph Hitler, 1935,on The Weapons Act of Nazi Germany