The Guild 4-19-2004 Spirit of America

Spirit of America ^

[BigWaveBetty]

Help Americans serving abroad assist people in need.

100% of your tax-deductible donation goes to these requests made by Americans serving abroad.

Read the story that inspired Spirit of America.

With bats, balls and gloves donated by their families and friends in the United States, American troops brought baseball to the children of Orgun-e, Afghanistan. Nazim, one of the local players, said, “I like to be a player, not a fighter.” Seeing the difference this made for the local kids Sergeant Jay Smith said, “It’s made me feel the best I ever felt in my life.” Smith also says that baseball and his unit’s other humanitarian activities “literally saved lives.”
Read why.

U.S. Marines Seek to Help Iraqi Children

The 1st Marine Division seeks school supplies, frisbees and soccer balls for Iraqi Kids.

The Marines want to help children like these and improve relations with Iraqis in the 'Sunni Triangle.'
Your donation will have an immediate impact.

$325 provides a supply kit for a classroom and its students.
$100 buys 110 flying discs ("Frisbees").

Any amount helps! Your donation is tax deductible.

[Timeout]

I made a movie with Charlie Sheen and Emilio Esteves.

You wouldn't believe the circumstances.

(I love dropping bombshells)

[Timeout]

"That damned crooked finger of his again!"

Tell him that's NOT why Freepers call him "bent". :)

[BigWaveBetty]

Alright,,,, spill!

Yah mon, git to Jahmaacah! De witch doktor taks de spireet of de small child and geeve it to yo mon! Cheeeeep!

[BigWaveBetty]

So what is hillary using?

[BigWaveBetty]

Ugh, please not another wardrobe malfunction.

Actress Anneliese van der Pol, co-star of the television series 'That's So Raven' poses for photographers as she arrives as a guest at the premiere of the new comedy film 'Mean Girls' in Hollywood April 19, 2004. The film stars Lindsay Lohan (news) who portrays a 15 year old girl, raised in Africa,and home schooled by her zoologist parents who faces new challenges as she enters public high school for the first time to deal with the unwritten social rules of teenage girls. The film opens April 30 in the United States. REUTERS/Fred Prouser

[BigWaveBetty]

Do you feel a collective swoon in the air, it's coming from Britain.

Britain's Prince William (R) watches with teammates while making his water polo debut for the Scottish national universities' squad in the annual Celtic Nations tournament against Wales and Ireland in Cardiff, April 17, 2004. REUTERS/POOL

[BigWaveBetty]

No wonder I couldn't get through the metal detectors at the airport!

An X-ray showing a 17centimeter (6.7 inches) pair of surgical scissors in the abdomen of 69-year-old Pat Skinner in Sydney, Australia, Tuesday, April 20, 2004. Mrs Skinner had an operation at St.George hospital in Sydney's south in May 2001, but continued to suffer intense pain and it was only when she insisted on an x-ray 18 months later that she discovered the scissors inside. (AP Photo/Rob Griffith)

Does Australia have a govt. health care system, wonder if you can sue the government for malpractice?

[daisyscarlett]

Welcome back Mr. and Mrs. M. Looks like this was indeed a good year to be a spectator at the Boston Marathon...

Boston Marathon runner, Jeff Kelly (news), front, gets medical attention at finish line medical tent, from Kathy Chute after finishing the Boston Marathon Monday, April, 19, 2004, in Boston. Race officials prepared for the heat with extra water at every mile marker, and additional medical personnel throughout the course. Spectators also helped by handing out water and spraying their garden hoses onto the streets as the runners went by. (AP Photo/Bizuayehu Tesfaye)

[BigWaveBetty]

You weren't kidding.

Erin Skourtes of Portland, Oregon (bottom) recovers in the medical tent after running the 108th Boston Marathon in Boston, Massachusetts April 19, 2004. Temperatures over 80 degrees Fahrenheit and head winds added to the challenge facing the runners. REUTERS/Sean Dougherty

Where are the mountaineers? ;-)

[lodwick]

Great to see you guys safely home.

Nothing like a great holiday - and nothing like getting back home.

Cheers.

[Iowa Granny]

I am Home. All is well here. An inch of rain in the last 12 hrs. Big grins all around.

[lodwick]

Nice - thanks for the info.

Please keep us posted on the wee one.

[lodwick]

Nice - thanks for the info.

Please keep us posted on the wee one.

[daisyscarlett]

Here's my take on Hillary's Jamaican get-a-way..

All those 40 rooms were taken up with Hillary staffers and advisors. They had a big meet to finalize their plans for Hillary's bid for the nomination. A physical makeover (note plucked and shaped eyebrows, hair frosting, new wardrobe) was also included. She is SO running....

[Timeout]

Kerry's in real trouble if he loses the Washington Post primary. Today their lead editorial is a scathing response to Kerry's equivocating on our goals in Iraq:

Mr. Kerry Revises

Last paragraph:

We believe a successful political outcome [in Iraq] is still possible; others disagree. But Mr. Kerry's shift on such a basic question after just a few months is troubling and mistaken.

[Iowa Granny]

Good Morning. Thanks for that info.

[mountaineer]

Good morning. That's encouraging to see the WashCompost criticizing Jean al-Qerry.

[Timeout]

Good morning, friends!

Well, as I feared, controversy is raging around Stewart's hit out of the "waste area" on Sunday. I won't get into all the details...it turns out there is no golf rule specifically covering waste areas. There are two rules which come into play: one allowing removal of impediments and another disallowing improvement of one's lie. The rules leave room for differing interpretations. PGA rules officials are supporting Stewart's play.

Purdy was on the Golf Channel last night. He's not filing an official challenge, but he's waging a public relations challenge against the PGA ruling. It's a shame, but I'm sure he thinks he's doing the right thing. One thing I'm sure of...Stewart would never, ever do anything he thought was against the rules. His integrity is far more important to him than winning.

Tonight the Golf Channel will be interviewing the PGA official who made the ruling. We'll see what he says. In the meantime, I can't help but think the Hilton Head course officials are going to have to clarify the rules before next year's tournament. I hate this for Stewart...slaying mental "demons" is the most difficult task a tour player faces. Bless his heart.

[lodwick]

PGA rules officials are supporting Stewart's play.

Lord...the guy asks for a ruling, gets it, does what needs doing, makes a great shot and people are having trouble with this?

Have a great week in Atlantis, Cinks - you earned it fair and square.

[mountaineer]

I've long objected to the tour's even paying attention when TV viewers call in to point out perceived violations, which is what I heard happened here. The rules official made his ruling on the course, during the tournament. That should be the end of the story.