The Ultimate Vampire Resource and Directory

Another Viewpoint About How The Families of Dead Soliders Feel
17:00 Sep 25 2007
Times Read: 661

FORT RILEY, Kan. -- The Defense Department has confirmed the death of a soldier in Iraq one day after his wife gave birth to their first child, a son.



Spc. Joshua Reeves died Saturday when an improvised bomb exploded as the Humvee he was in traveled a street in Baghdad.



His wife, Leslie Reeves, had returned to Hendersonville, Tn., to be with her parents while she had the baby. She gave birth on Friday and named her son Joshua Jackson Reeves. Both mother and child are doing fine, according to friends of the family.



“A tremendous joy came into the family and then all of a sudden we got the sad news,” said family friend Lynn Joyner. “No family would love to have a baby born and then have the father or the mother taken away from them. We don't know why.”





The family says Joshua Reeves was scheduled to come home on two weeks' leave in November.



He was assigned to the 1st Infantry Division, based at Fort Riley, Kan.



Reeves’ father also served in the Army.



Sunday, James Reeves wrote a letter to President Bush. "Please do not let anyone leave Baghdad until the mission is complete,” the letter said. “The lives of our young men will be wasted. Please do not let this be another Vietnam."



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Everyone with a television set and access to newspapers should know how Cindh Sheehan felt about her son, Casey, dying in Iraq. She made that public. Anyone with common sense knows a parent does not want to bury their child. I am sure it is the hardest thing some have had to do. I do not know how I would react if someone told me my child had passed away.



The war in Iraq is unpopular. While I truly believe that Sadaam Hussein was a cruel dictator who would have caused much damage if he possessed weapons of mass destruction, I think the Iraqi war has been mismanaged from the start and that many mistakes have been made. I truly believe that the wrong people were listened to and that the right ones were silenced or left the administration before Rumsfeld got going very well.



Many join the military and they all have different reasons. Some are attempting to escape poverty or other problems that are weighing them down. Some may see the military as a way out. Others are dedicated to the idea of serving their country. It could be a combination of many factors that makes someone join the military.



Cindy Sheehan had one reaction. She wanted a reason from the president about why her child had to die. The father in this article seems interested in seeing progress being made. He does not want his child or anyone else' s child to have died in vain. I cannot blame. I am afraid for him and the other parents that may very well be the case. Things have gotten so bad in Iraq that I do not know who among us is intelligent enough, strong enough and capable enough to straighten this out. We put Sadaam in power to stop Iran. By trying to stop one problem we created many more. There is a lesson here somewhere. Do not create more problems by attempting to solve one. It would take true genius to avoid this and even the smartest among us would have a problem attempting it.

Everyone is Ready to Cash In
21:59 Sep 16 2007
Times Read: 670




Nicole Smith's breast surgery video banned





Associated Press

Sunday September 16, 2007

The Observer



A US judge has banned a doctor's wife from releasing a 1994 videotape showing a breast implant operation being carried out on former Playboy model Anna Nicole Smith, who died earlier this year.



Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff's preliminary injunction against Alana Johnson on Friday is similar to one he issued last month against her husband Gerald, from Texas, who performed the surgery.



Both injunctions were sought by Smith's former attorney and executor of her will, Howard Stern. His attorney, Bruce Ross, said they prevent the sale, distribution or dissemination of the tape and order the couple to give the tape to Stern. Smith died of an accidental drug overdose in Florida in February. She was 39.



Stern maintained Smith never consented to having her surgery recorded and the doctor sent a tape of the procedure to Thomas Riccio, a Los Angeles-based memorabilia dealer.



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At least Howard K Stern kept this videotape from being aired. Anna Nicole Smith was by all intent and purposes one messed up individual at many points in her life. She had a less than perfect childhood and did not get a great education. She used the one thing she knew she had- her looks to make a name for herself. She married a rich man and was enjoying life ( At least her version of enjoying life) in the Bahamas. She had two children. Her son died and soon after , she was gone. She leaves behind a daughter that has not done a thing to anyone. I am sure she does not want her mother's breast surgery viewed by anyone with a computer or an interest in such things.



Everyone has been trying to cash in or get their way since this lady passed on. Her mother wanted her buried in Mexia, Texas, and others wanted her buried in the Bahamas. Her whole life was a media circus. I would think people would let the better angels of their nature prevail. Let this lady rest in peace. Let her daughter grow up without anything else in the media that may paint her mother in a negative light. This girl will go to school someday. Some less than intelligent or nice parent will tell Junior or Suzy all about Anna Nicole . The child will then come to school and taunt the little girl. She has enough to deal with in the future. Let's not throw more out there for her to deal with.

The Rating Issue
13:38 Sep 16 2007
Times Read: 673

Some strong opinions on rating have been expressed here of late. That is to be expected. It is one of the things everyone on the Rave ends up doing. A rate is just as much a reflection of the person doing the rating as the person that rates. If I rate someone high, and they decide to rate me low, I do not say a word. I just recently thanked someone for a one. No-one has to rate your profile or portfolio. They can bypass it. Getting upset because you got a low rating or someone else got a higher rating than you think they deserve is useless in the grand scheme of things. Will it take a bite of food out of your mouth? Will it cause a war someone on the planet? Will it make a difference to the mother struggling to raise four children by herself? I think not. Cancer was amazed that he was rated so highly. That means his opinion of himself and his profile is not as overblown as others on the rave. That is really something, since he is the one that created the site in the first place.

Everyone Wants to Be Adult as Soon as Possible
13:23 Sep 14 2007
Times Read: 678

I talk to many young people. Many of them are level-headed and seem to have a good head on their shoulders. Many teenagers have been through a lot in their short lives and have dealt with things some adults have never been through. That is just a fact of life.



I see teenagers that get angry when they assume everyone wants to treat them like a child. Children have legal protection that adults do not. An adult can be in more trouble for striking a minor than they will ever be for striking an adult. It does not matter if the child started it. The adult has to keep themselves in control. They are the adult. A seventeen year old still has the legal protection of children in many cases. Yes, they can be tried as an adult if they do certain things. However, no-one expects a seventeen year old to be as independent as someone older. I am sure there are seventeen year olds who are independent. They make their own money. They have their own place. That is great. Many seventeen year olds are seniors in high school and are not yet capable in many ways of being completely on their own.



Part of being an adult is being able to deal in a calm sane manner with those who disagree with you. Going off on people just because you assume one thing about their opinion, when you do not really know that person is not being adult. Screaming that someone is calling you a child is being a child. Many on the rave are too busy getting angry at others who disagree with them. They are too busy being mad and feeling like they have to let everyone know all about it. At the end of the day, you are not the only person who is angry.



Here are some people who are angry and have

every right to be: ( If you are one of them, you have my empathy)



Someone who was just violated in any kind of way

The person who works hard at their job but still get fired.



The person that people take for granted all day long.



I could go on and on. You notice I did not mention the person who read something on the Internet and got angry. That person should try calming down and staying off the computer for a few days.

Who Lost Iraq?
13:32 Sep 13 2007
Times Read: 686

I read a Foreign Affairs journal that comes out every other month. I will be at Barnes and Nobles buying the thing sooner than a crack junkie hits the street corner looking for their dealer.



One interesting article I came across is Who Lost Iraq. Coupled with the coverage of the candidates for president and their intended forgein policy, this makes for an interesting read. You can look online for Foreign Affairs and find some of the articles, I think.



The article pointed out a major difference in the blame game between Vietnam and Iraq. In Vietnam, a majority of the blame was shoved upon the backs of lower level troops that were said to be doing large amounts of dope. No one in government would dare insult the troops and their families by attempting this again, even if it was true. I doubt that is the case now. You would see the end of some political careers if you heard a politican say that.



Everyone from Bush to Rumsfeld to the military has weighed in on who they find at fault. I have yet to encounter one person that is taking the blame for anything. John F Kennedy stood on national TV and took the blame for the Bay of Pigs fisaco. John Poindexter stated the buck stops here during the Iran Contra crisis during the Reagan years. What is going on now? Everyone seems dead set on protecting their legacy and making sure others shoulder more than their fair share of the blame. Pointing the fingers at each other sure does not foster a spirit of cooperation and working together. There is a guy at my current place of employment that is not the most popular thing since sliced bread. I find him distracting and annoying at times. ( I would hate to hear his extact opinion of me. IT would probably be more honest than I care to hear.) He did say something in training ( HE trained me for my current job) that those involved in the Iraq War besides the troops on the ground need to hear. Together Everyone Achieves More. (TEAM). I have been in the military. Unless the troops have a suicide wish, they already practice this. Bush and his administration on the other hand are not in harm's way and do not need to put my trainer's theory in practice.



Every candidate running for the office of American president has something they think will help the stituation in Iraq. I wonder if anyone has asked the Iraqi people what they want. I am not saying ask insurgents and those set on killing everything in their wake what they want. It is apparent what they want and would be moronic to ask them that question. I think if we expect the Iraqi people to run their own government , it would be nice of us to find out what type of government they want ( now if they say they want a ruthless leader, I would be suprised. ) I am sure you would get different answers from the Sunni and Shite Muslims. The word compromise does come into play. In this stituation, it would not be easy or quick. In fact, it would take some time. Rome was not built in a day. Iraq will not become a fully functional government in a day either.



Our military is stretched too thinly to do everything it is being asked to do. I would bet good money that marriages are breaking up faster than some can say I do. This is putting a toll on our troops in ways that none of us can imagine. Our military is not a police force. That is why we have police departments in the United States. They cannot be asked to stick around in one place forever. They cannot be called upon to do the things that other agencies should and can be doing. Our military generals are angry. They are afraid to speak out until retirement. That should not be so in the United States. We cannot bring democracy to another country, when are military leaders (Many who served in Vietnam and know the mistakes that should not be repeated) are too afraid to properly advise the President of the United States. We have a Constitution that states we have the right to freedom of speech. How can we bring that to Iraqis , when are President states over and over again that if you are critical of Iraq , you are against your own country? That scares people. Who wants to be labeled anti-American?



Who lost Iraq? How about we say everyone but our lower level troops and those who have been in the trenches day in and day out. In the military, you must obey lawful orders. In a war zone, the line betweeen what is lawful and what is not is so fine that many will cross over and not even be aware of doing so. Who lost Iraq? Everyone involved almost.

Difference of Opinions
14:54 Sep 10 2007
Times Read: 695

There are quite a few people with memberships on the Rave. It is inevitable that people will have difference of opinions. The way that is handled tells a lot about the people involved. IF you are the type to belittle, get angry or take offense , because someone else does not see your point of view, then growing up may be something you still need to do. Respecting the opinions of others ( as long as they are not wanting to do something fundmentally wrong, such as molest a child) is a sign of a fully functioning human being. I know many on here claim to be vampires. Well, you are not Count Vlad, Lestat , Louis , Armand, etc. You are a human no matter what lifestyle you choose.



If you cannot respect the opinions of others than the best thing to do is stay out of the forums. You may get into big trouble for flaming or being offensive. How do you know that the shadow you flamed is not friends with imagesinwords? That shadow may have been friends with images for two years online for all you know. They may be attempting to level up to join their house. IF you push the wrong person's buttons and violate VR rules in the process, you may find yourself threatened with suspension. That is not saying you cannot express your opinion. It means that flaming and being offensive is not wanted on the rave. Respect should be given. Then it will be returned.

Overstepping Boundaries
23:46 Sep 09 2007
Times Read: 703

It has come to my attention that many on the rave have a problem with one coven and its leader. They have no idea why the coven does something it does but feel the need to open their mouths without all the facts. I hope these same people never complain about George Bush. They seem to have alot in common with him.



What a sire chooses to do with their coven is their business as long as Cancer and other members of the administrative staff do not take issue with it. If you are not a member of that coven , I really hope you do not say a word. IT is not your place to . I am sure the members of that coven have been told the intention behind the action. They can accept it or act like a whiny little six year old. That is their choice. It is not a choice for someone that is not in the coven. I respect this coven, because they have took something that is a perceived negative and made it a positive. It could have caused drama , but they made it something worthwhile.



Hank Williams once sang If you mind your own business, you would not have to mind mine. Yes, in a way I am minding your business. I do not like cowards that talk behind someone's back. If you are bold enough to talk trash about this particular sire to others, be bold enough to send them a message. I know you are afraid of being suspended or told to stop by your own society leader. You want to say what you want about another's actions without paying any price. Boy, you are a coward.

Other victims of domestic violence
19:19 Sep 09 2007
Times Read: 704

ODESSA, Texas (AP) -- Two police officers responding to a domestic disturbance were killed and a third was critically wounded after an hours-long standoff with the gunman, authorities said.



Investigators said a woman leaving the home Saturday night told the responding officers her husband had hit her.



When the officers were unable to enter the house through the front door, they tried to go in the back door, where a man came out shooting at them, said Tela Mange, a Department of Public Safety spokeswoman.



The suspected gunman, Larry White, 58, went back into the house, where he held police in a four-hour standoff until he surrendered around 10 p.m., Mange said.



The Texas Rangers are investigating the shooting deaths of Odessa Cpl. Arlie Jones, 48, and Cpl. John "Scott" Gardner, Mange said.



Cpl. Abel Marquez remained hospitalized in critical condition after being shot in the face, Mange said.



White, who was shot in the abdomen and was in stable condition at a hospital under police guard, likely will face two counts of capital murder and attempted murder of an officer, Mange said. It was not immediately clear who shot White.



"This is a tragic day for Odessa," Mayor Larry Melton said. "Our concern now is for the families of the officers."



Odessa is about 300 miles west of Austin



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I know it has become fashionable to hate police officers. I use to listen to NWA scream F### The Police. Some people have a right to distrust cops. Others are just jumping on a bandwagon that has been quite popular.



Domestic violence is devasting not only to the person being hit and any children involved in the stituation. The officers killed in Odessa were husbands, fathers, sons, uncles, cousins and brothers. They were someone's neighbor and possibly fellow church member. They may have coached a Little League team. OR perhaps they mentored at an risk youth. I am sure there was some positive impact they had on someone's life.



Police work is a dangerous job. It could be said that was just the risk they took. As a society, we have to get serious about domestic violence. IT is not funny. When my ex-husband hit me, I had a so called friend at the time laugh. This was another woman. Something in her mind was not right and she is no longer my friend. She was depraved beyond belief. We have to let people know we will not tolerate this behavior on the same level we will not tolerate a pedophile. Both of them hurt children. Little boys who see this will sometimes grow up to be violent against woman themselves. The girls who live through it as children may accept that treatment from their own husband someday. The cycle continues. Until society lets those who hit women know they will be treated like the pariah pedophiles are, we can expect more cops to be killed. We can expect more women to die. We can expect the next generation to do the same thing.



The pain of dealing with domestic abuse is devasting and does not entirely go away. The families and true friends of a vicitm also suffer. Anyone who finds it wrong will suffer knowing someone is being beaten. Laughing about it or saying that is what she gets tells all you are one depraved individual who may not need to be on the streets free yourself.

Symbolism of Certain Objects
16:18 Sep 04 2007
Times Read: 710

I will be writing more in my journal about a group of young black men being referred to as the Jena 6. I will say up front I do not agree with their violent actions, but I do say they are getting railroaded because of their race.



I will be pasting the article in my journal about what happened to them tonight. I have to leave for work in a few minutes and do not have time to throughly touch on every aspect of the article like I want to.



The one thing I am going to write about now is how certain words and symbols mean something bad, degrading and horrible most of the time with good reason to certain groups of people.



Jena is a small town in Louisiana. I am sure many on the rave have not heard of it. I was born in New Orelans and this is the first mention I have ever heard of the town. At the local high school, there is a certain tree that only the white students normally sat under. One day a black student requested permission to sit there. The next day, some kids think it is a good idea to hang some nooses on the tree. Anyone with the slightest knowledge of lynching and what it meant for African-American men in this country would know that was the wrong thing to do. It is similar to taking the symbol of the Nazi Party and placing it in view of Jewish people. These objects are a reminder of bad things for certain groups and are taken in an offensive manner. What would you expect someone to think? That a noose was put in the tree to welcome African American students. I think not.



Certain words that are considered racial slurs are offensive. IT does not matter that the one saying it thinks it is just a word. It is just a wrong to refer to one group as the N word as it is to call white people crackers. Both words can be used to degrade another human being.



Many in Jena wanted to pass the nooses in a tree off as a harmless prank. I quess they wanted to liken it to toliet paper in the tree. They are not thinking. It may not be rational in some people's minds to attach so much meaning to certain objects, but in my mind it is quite understandable. Less than one hundred years ago, a young African American male could be lynched ( string up in a tree with a noose) for just saying hello to a white woman. You cannot expect anyone that is African American to find nooses in a tree to be a harmless prank.