Check the can! (See, I'm not the only one)

As see the parade of cars flowing in and out of Wal*Mart, I sometimes feel like I'm the only one who makes a stink about buying American. So when I received this (Thanks, Clark!) I had to reprint it. Does it mean I'm not crazy since I found at least one other person who feels this way?


(*** begin quote ***)

> Check The Can
> Did you all see that Diane Sawyer has a special report coming up this week on this very subject. They removed ALL items from a typical, middleclass family's home, that were not made in the USA . There was hardly anything left besides the kitchen sink. Literally. During the special they are going to show truckloads of items - USA made - being brought in to replace everything. And will be talking about how to find these items and the difference in price etc.

> It was interesting that Diane said that if every American spent just $64 (more than normal) on USA made items this year, it would create something like 200,000 new jobs.

> Made ME think!

> Check the Can

> I WAS BUYING FOOD THE OTHER DAY AT WALMART.

> ON THE LABEL OF SOME PRODUCTS IT SAID 'FROM CHINA '.

> FOR EXAMPLE THE "OUR FAMILY" BRAND OF THE MANDARIN ORANGES SAYS RIGHT ON THE CAN 'FROM CHINA '.
> I WAS SHOCKED!! SO FOR A FEW MORE CENTS I BOUGHT THE LIBERTY GOLD BRAND OR THE DOLE SINCE IT'S FROM CALIF.
> TAKES FOREVER JUST TO BUY FOOD AND DO LABEL READING ! !
> Are we Americans as dumb as we appear --- or --- is it that we just do not think? While the Chinese, knowingly and intentionally, export inferior and even toxic products and dangerous toys and goods to be sold in American markets.
> Yet 70% of Americans believe that the trading privileges afforded to the Chinese should be suspended.
> Well, duh..why do you need the government to suspend trading privileges?
> SIMPLY DO IT YOURSELF, AMERICA !!

> Simply look on the bottom of every product you buy, and if it says 'Made in China ' or 'PRC' (and that now includes Hong Kong ), simply choose another product, or none at all. You will be amazed at how dependent you are on Chinese products, and you will be equally amazed at what you can do without.

> Who needs plastic eggs to celebrate Easter? If you must have eggs, use real ones and benefit some American farmer. Easter is just an example, the point is do not wait for the government to act. Just go ahead and assume control on your own.
> THINK ABOUT THIS: If 200 million Americans refuse to buy just $20 each of Chinese goods, that's a billion dollar trade imbalance resolved in our favor...fast!!

> The downside? Some American businesses will feel a temporary pinch from having foreign stockpiles of inventory. Wahhhhhhhhhhhh!!!

> The solution? Let's give them fair warning and send our own message. Most of the people who have been reading about this matter are planning on implementing this on March. 4th and continue it until April. 4th That is only one month of trading losses, but it will hit the Chinese for 1/12th of the total, or 8%, of their American exports. Then they will at least have to ask themselves if the benefits of their arrogance and lawlessness were worth it.

> Remember, March. 4th to April. 4th
> START NOW.

> Send this to everybody you know. Let's show them that we are Americans and NOBODY can take us for granted.
> If we can't live without cheap Chinese goods for one month out of our lives, WE DESERVE WHAT WE GET!

> Pass it on, America .

(*** end quote ***)

my favorite part? Waaaaaaaah!

By the way, there is no reason to stop buying American when 4 APR rolls around. I'm keeping it up!

Also, let's keep in mind the US and allied forces involved in the Libya strikes and whatever is to come next.

Keeping perspective

Passing along this Facebook post I read on milblogging.com

"Charlie Sheen is all over the news because he`s a celebrity drug addict," it said, "while Andrew Wilfahrt 31, Brian Tabada 21, Rudolph Hizon 22, Chauncy Mays 25, are soldiers who gave their lives this week with no media mention. Please honor them by posting this as your status for a little while."

Read more ---->

"Cpl. Andrew Wilfahrt, a gay Minnesota man who went back in the closet to join the military, died Sunday while on patrol in Afghanistan when an IED exploded during an attack on his unit. He was 31. And his mother loved him very, very much."

From Queerty at http://www.queerty.com/cpl-andrew-wilfahrt-died-in-afghanistan-a-semi-closeted-gay-soldier-nobody-cares-about-sexuality-20110305/#ixzz1GF6fuZ4M

"The Army says 21-year-old Spc. Brian Tabada of Las Vegas died Feb. 27 in the Kunar province. The Army says Tabada suffered fatal injuries when his unit came under fire from small arms and a rocket propelled grenade."

From Army Times at http://militarytimes.com/valor/army-spc-brian-tabada/5837150/

Rudolph Hizon, 21 was know as Ryan to his friends and loved ones: "Hizon died Feb. 28, in Logar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device. He had deployed to Afghanistan with his unit in October, according to officials at Ft. Polk where he was based."

From LA Times: http://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/rudolph-r-hizon/

"Chauncy's 3-year-old daughter waved an American flag as her father's coffin, draped in red, white, and blue was lifted from the plane. Katherine watched as her husband's body was prepared for its final journey home.

     'He made sure to tell me at least once a day that he loved me and for me to tell the kids that he loved them and to give them kisses,' Katherine recalled."

from KLTV: http://www.kltv.com/Global/story.asp?S=14221539

SSGT Mays actually died alongside another soldier when their unit in Afghanistan was attacked with an IED. Also Killed was SPC Christopher Stark. "Stark’s “strong sense of loyalty and devotion to his team made him a very reliable technician,” said U.S. Army Sgt. Chandara Hak of Santa Rosa, Calif., and 705th EOD member. “You could always count on Spc. Stark to have your back in any situation.”

From War on Terror News at http://waronterrornews.typepad.com/home/2011/03/rip-ssg-chauncy-r-mays-spc-christopher-g-stark.html

Also killed in the same time period:

Sgt. Kristopher J. Gould, 25 of Saginaw Michigan, on his third deployment, in Ghazni Province when his unit was attacked with an IED.

PFC David R. Fahey, a 23 year old from Norwalk, CT, in Kandahar when his unit was attacked with and IED.

Killed since these deaths were reported:

SRA Nicholas J Alden, 25, of Williamston, SC, and A1C Zachary R. Cuddeback of VA., both of a shooting at Frankfurt Airport, Germany. “German officials say a 21-year-old temporary letter sorter has admitted targeting Americans when he opened fire with a handgun on a busload of U.S. airmen at Frankfurt's airport on Wednesday, killing two and wounding two others. The airmen were on their way to deployment in Afghanistan.”

From The Associated Press, as reported in The Canadian Press: http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5ggs7kjNrFRDxHHINEV1E1ZD-4RtA?docId=6135932

SPC Jason M. Weaver, killed in an IED attack in Khandahar. SPC Weaver enlisted in the Army as an MP.

CPL Jordan Stanton, of Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, 20, died while conducting combat operations in Helmand. “He was a wonderful young man and doing everything for his country,” said June Romine, an aunt of Stanton’s. “We’re all very proud of Jordan and all that he has accomplished.”

From Patch: http://ranchosantamargarita.patch.com/articles/jordan-stanton-rsm-resident-killed-in-afghanistan

SSGT Mark C Wells, 31, of San Jose, CA, who died of wounds suffered in an IED attack in Helmand. Before deploying to Afghanistan in August, he had served 14 months in Iraq.

PFC Kalin C. Johnson, 19, of Lexington, SC, died in Afghanistan of non-combat injuries. No further details have been released from the DOD. “It’s just heartbreaking. It’s horrible. He had a small child,” Christina Chandler of Lexington told the Post and Courier of Charleston, S.C.

From Stars and Stripes: http://www.stripes.com/news/vilseck-based-soldier-dies-in-afghanistan-1.137243#

SPC Andrew P Wade, 22, Antioch, IL died 9 MAR of a non combat related incident in Kunduz. "He's not only like a best friend to me, he's like a brother, someone you can't replace in life. And the memories we're all going to remember, we're going to take that with us and always remember what a great person he was," said Steve McNutt, friend.

As a member of the Antioch High School soccer team, Wade played sweeper, a crucial position that anchors the defense. It was a perfect role for him.

From ABC: http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local&id=8005718

CPL Loren M. Buffalo, 20, of Mountain Pine, AK, also died yesterday when attacked with an IED.

I had heard nothing about these troops until I started looking, but I have seen Charlie Sheen on the news every day for the past week. We need to remember that we are at war and our fellow citizens are in danger. Their families are at home worried about them.

We owe them more thanks then we could ever give.

RJ Julia bookstore teams up with Give A Bike

Passing along an announcement from my Mother:

Hi Everyone,

This Saturday, March 12th, RJ Julia Bookstore in Madison will donate 15% of your purchase to Adam and Christy's charity, Give A Bike, when you mention Give A Bike at the time of your purchase!

Adam and Christy are biking through all 50 states in order to raise money for two charities: World Bicycle Relief and Achilles International which through Wounded Warriers provides hand powered bicycles to returning veterans with amputations. Their goal is to raise $25,000 for their cause. They begin their journey in January in San Diego and they are presently in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Please assist them in their goal by purchasing books and/or gift items at RJ Julia's this Saturday.
There are three ways to make a purchase.

1) The bookstore is located at 768 Boston Post Road, Madison. It is open Saturday from 10 AM til 8 PM.

2) Online at www.rjjulia.com. Write in the comment section that you designate Give A Bike as the charity you would like direct their donation towards.

3) Call the store at 203.245.3959 or 1.800.74READS and mention Give A Bike when making a purchase.

RJ Julia is a wonderful independent bookstore and you are in for a real treat if you haven't been there. Don't forget upcoming birthdays, Mother's day, Father's day, Easter books, bookgroup books, gardening and craft books. The staff is amazing and will gladly assist you with your selection.

Thank you so very much for your continued support of Adam and Christy's charity tour and thanks to RJ Julia Booksellers for donating 15% of their sales. You can learn more about Adam's and Christy's charity bike ride and follow them as they make their way across the U.S. at
www.giveabike.com
www.giveabike.blogspot.com
www.facebook.com/giveabike
www.twitter.com/giveabike

Please pass this email on to your family and friends.

Thank you!
Eileen