Wonderful Women Of The World: Half Woman Half Girl
Posted by Michelle Moquin on August 7th, 2010
1/2 boy 1/2 man
The average age of the military man is 19 years. He is a short haired, tight-muscled kid who, under normal circumstances is considered by society as half man, half boy. Not yet dry behind the ears, not old enough to buy a beer, but old enough to die for his country. He never really cared much for work and he would rather wax his own car than wash his father’s, but he has never collected unemployment either.
He’s a recent High School graduate; he was probably an average student, pursued some form of sport activities, drives a ten year old jalopy, and has a steady girlfriend that either broke up with him when
he left, or swears to be waiting when he returns from half a world away. He listens to rock and roll or hip-hop or rap or jazz or swing and a 155mm howitzer.
He is 10 or 15 pounds lighter now than when he was at home because he is working or fighting from before dawn to well after dusk. He has trouble spelling, thus letter writing is a pain for him, but he can field strip a rifle in 30 seconds and reassemble it in less time in the dark. He can recite to you the nomenclature of a machine gun or grenade launcher and use either one effectively if he must.
He digs foxholes and latrines and can apply first aid like a professional.
He can march until he is told to stop, or stop until he is told to march.
He obeys orders instantly and without hesitation, but he is not without spirit or individual dignity. He is self-sufficient.
He has two sets of fatigues: he washes one and wears the other. He keeps his canteens full and his feet dry.
He sometimes forgets to brush his teeth, but never to clean his rifle. He can cook his own meals, mend
his own clothes, and fix his own hurts.
If you’re thirsty, he’ll share his water with you; if you are hungry, his food. He’ll even split his ammunition with you in the midst of battle when you run low..
He has learned to use his hands like weapons and weapons like they were his hands.
He can save your life – or take it, because that is his job.
He will often do twice the work of a civilian, draw half the pay, and still find ironic humor in it all.
He has seen more suffering and death than he should have in his short lifetime.
He has wept in public and in private, for friends who have fallen in combat and is unashamed.
He feels every note of the National Anthem vibrate through his body while at rigid attention, while tempering the burning desire to ‘square-away ‘ those around him who haven’t bothered to stand, remove their hat, or even stop talking. In an odd twist, day in and day out, far from home, he defends their right to be disrespectful.
Just as did his Father, Grandfather, and Great-grandfather, he is paying the price for our freedom. Beardless or not, he is not a boy. He is the American Fighting Man that has kept this country free for over 200 years.
He has asked nothing in return, except our friendship and understanding.
Remember him, always, for he has earned our respect and admiration with his blood.
And now we even have women over there in danger, doing their part in this tradition of going to War when our nation calls us to do so.
Readers: Loved it. But it could have given equal recognition to the women who serve too. HALF WOMAN HALF GIRL would have rescued it from it’s biased format. One that most accept so easily that the thought never comes up. In respect to our females who serve we should be vigilant about their rights too.
This video was forwarded to me, and I thought it was a great addition to the write. If you haven’t seen it, it is pretty awesome. This was filmed in Iraq at a USO tour of a US Marine Base: Gene Simmons Military Tribute.
Pretty cool isn’t it? Love the energy, the camaraderie, the dedication…these people…men and women, girls and boys, serving our country proud. They deserve huge thanks and recognition.
I especially want to give additional recognition to the women/girls, hence the title. Unfortunately, they take on double risk when in the military. They have the challenges of war, and the challenges of staving off the possibility of rape by our own men/boys. It’s hard to imagine that with this kind of camaraderie between those serving together that this would be an issue, but unfortunately it is. So I repeat what I mentioned above, “We should be vigilant about their rights too.”
I wanted to honor the men and women, girls and boys, that fight for our freedoms, but I couldn’t help but bring up the latter. It is reality too.
************
Readers: Wow…So much chitchat on the blog these past few days. It is so why I love my blog. Is there any other so diverse in company, content, and comment? I don’t think so.
Carla: Girl, as much as I can visualize, and believe me I am good at it, the designer in me is dying to see that HOT RED NET on you. And even more so, the woman in me would love to see that HOT BOD showing her stuff on the dance floor. I so appreciate a woman in motion.
Flap your lips Friday was yesterday, and the lips were flappin’, but I have a feeling you will be flappin’ them this weekend, and I don’t just mean your upper. Have fun playing with Jorge (2:), and whomever else has the pleasure to see that skirt fly revealing your loveliness.
In my day, I’ve been known to show off my ASSets, you know a slip-of-a-lip and sneak-of-a-peak-of-a-cheek or two myself :) Wha’at?!…did I say “my day?” “my day” is still “today” and forever will be as long as I can…in fact just last weekend at Sand By The Ton, a sort of pre-Burning Man party. A party not to miss if you’re livin’ the Bay Area life…I love the mystery of costume, and I also…love being anonymous and oh sooo revealing. (tee hee hee…) Oh but you, you, my girl, will not be so anonymous this weekend. Can’t wait to read all about it. And to all the other uh…panty-less girls, Ursla, you included, I want to hear from you too.
PS: Oh…I spoke with Harry and told him that all of you were showing up. I asked him if he would wave the cover charge as long as you leave your panties at the door. He agreed. Oh and guys, this is for the girls only. You boys need to pay to see all this HOT stuff. :). And if you think I’m kidding…well perhaps I am, but perhaps not. So hey, If you see Harry, approach him – tell him about our little deal. If it’s true, he’ll know and he’ll honor it. If it’s not…well, you’ll just have to see for yourself and tell me all about it. :)
Anonymous: Your story is horrible. How degrading and disgusting people can be that it would lead a person to commit such a crime that he probably would never commit had he not been harassed in such a manner. Will the real truth ever come out or will people believe what was reported?
Selma: When will people take the risk, and come to the aid of a fellow worker, instead of being safe and silent, all for a steady job? When people start supporting each other and make the sick behaviors of others known, only then will change come about. Secretly supporting and doing nothing, is almost as bad as standing by lynchings, not in support of it, but doing nothing to prevent it. It’s that one third again that Claire spoke of.
Irma: I like your comment.
Ansei and Robert: Nice additions to Irma’s comment.
Vick: Thanks for being so open about your experience. It seems that it may be the experience of many black men in prison. I admire your insight and change of attitude. My best to you.
TAO: Xur, Nice to hear from you. Thanks for the heads up (literally:) on the celestial celebration in the sky. The question is, “Will there be fireworks or will peace be the main show?” Wish I had a telescope.
Herbert and Jenny: I want full reports :)
General Info: That is a good article for what it stands for. I admire and appreciate humble leaders who get down and dirty with their workers. Now if McDonalds can just work on caring for the environment, and our rain forests, then I will jump on the bandwagon. Until then, I have little respect for companies that have little respect for our planet and the health of the people. That’s my two.
Ruth: My sentiments exactly, “Thank God we have Obama as president.” I can not imagine what our country would be like if we didn’t. Let’s not go there. By the way excellent article. I have been told this and more from my fave doctor. Everything goes through our gums, and pretty soon people will realize just how important clean teeth and healthy gums are with regards to good health all around.
Hi ZL :)
Lucy: Yes I think the world can – Let’s bring it on!
Robert: As always, enlightening to read your write. How are you otherwise?
Claire: Wow. What a comment. Right on. So inspiring to say the least. Love the words, and the meaning behind them that you are pushing. I agree, “Face them squarely at the polls. Vote your anger.” The November elections will be here sooner than we think. Just like in 2008 we need to come out strong. This is a really important primary.
Faizabad: Nice addition, and it goes without saying as I say it enough here in regards to Islamic men, and their cult they call religion.
I’m done for the day…
Enjoy your Saturday! I intend to. Blog this BABE and tell me all about it.
Lastly, greed over a great story is surfacing from my ‘loyal’(?) readers. With all this back and forth about who owns what, that appears on my blog, let me reiterate that all material posted on my blog becomes the sole property of my blog. If you want to reserve any proprietary rights don’t post it to my blog. I will prominently display this caveat on my blog from now on to remind those who may have forgotten this notice.
Gratefully your blog host,
michelle
Aka BABE: We all know what this means by now :)
If you love my blog and my writes, please make a donation via PayPal, credit card, or e-check, please click the ‘Donate’ button below. (Please only donations from those readers within the United States. – International readers please see my ‘Donate’ page)
August 7th, 2010 at 9:55 am
Thank you for expressing what many women can not about our situation. We are prisoners of evil men. Allah has not abandoned us. If we pray God will hear our prayers and destroy this evil religion along with its devils who preach in Gods name.
Zarani
August 7th, 2010 at 10:13 am
Michelle
What happened? Jorge met me in the lobby and said that there was a buzz about girls not wearing panties on the dance floor. He said that he did not want to be performing for the public and asked me to accompany him to the Cocomo.
Jorge invited Mark, Sandra, Sam, Choe, and 4 other couples in the lobby to come with us, sorry guys too many names to remember.
I will say the guys did look cute with their LA caps turned around. Jorge told them that one of the teams that would be talking to him was LA.
We had a great time. I am writing this from Jorge’s hotel room they must pay a lot of money to baseball minor leaguers.
Gotta go Jorge was to play some more.
August 7th, 2010 at 10:23 am
Anonymous I didn’t believe you until I read this.
==========================
After shooting his co-workers, Thornton called his mother, who tried for 10 minutes to talk him out of killing himself, his uncle Will Holliday told reporters.
“He said, ‘I killed the five racists that was there that was bothering me,’?” Holliday said. “He said, ‘The cops are going to come in so I am going to take care of myself.’?”
Thornton, who was black, was alive when police got to the scene but killed himself before officers got to him.
=========================
I could only imagine the horror of the people there before. But now I can’t imagine what it must have been like to work under conditions so disturbing that a human being felt compelled that his only option was to kill his tormentors and himself.
Tim
August 7th, 2010 at 10:52 am
The Anticancer Diet
David Servan-Schreiber, MD, PhD
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
At any given time, the average person might have thousands of cancer cells in his/her body.
Individually, these abnormal cells are harmless, but any one of them could potentially proliferate and form a mass of cells (a tumor) that damages normal tissues and can spread to other parts of the body. About one-third of us eventually will get full-fledged cancer.
Often people who get cancer have created impairments in their natural defenses, allowing cancer cells to survive and proliferate. About 85% of all cancers are caused by environmental and lifestyle factors.
We can’t always control our environments, but we can control what we eat. Diet is one key factor that determines who gets cancer and who doesn’t.
Example: Asian men have just as many precancerous microtumors in the prostate gland as American men, yet they are as much as 60 times less likely to develop prostate cancer.
It’s not a coincidence that their diets are far healthier, on average, than those consumed by men in the US. Asian men eat far more fruits and vegetables than Americans and relatively little red meat.
They also tend to eat more fish and soy foods, and they drink more tea, especially green tea. These and other dietary factors allow their immune systems and other natural defenses to prevent cancer cells from proliferating.
My story: I was a physician in Pittsburgh when I was first diagnosed with a brain tumor in 1992. With the benefit of hindsight — and years of research into the origins and development of cancer —
I have come to understand that my previous lifestyle, particularly my poor diet, fostered a procancer environment. For example, a typical lunch for me was chili con carne, a plain bagel and a can of Coke.
CAUSES OF CANCER
It can take years for cancer cells to turn into tumors — assuming that they ever do. This lag time means that we have many opportunities to create an anticancer environment in our bodies.
There are three main factors that promote the development of cancer…
Weakened immunity. The immune system normally patrols the body for bacteria and viruses, as well as for cancer cells. When it spots something foreign, it dispatches a variety of cells, including natural killer cells, to destroy the foreign substance.
In people who eat an unhealthy diet — not enough produce, too much alcohol, very little fish and so on — the immune system works less efficiently. This means that cancer cells can potentially slip under the radar and eventually proliferate.
Inflammation. Millions of Americans have subclinical chronic inflammation. It doesn’t cause symptoms, but it can lead to heart disease and cancer.
Chronic inflammation can be caused by infection, a diet low in antioxidant nutrients and even emotional stress. It’s accompanied by the release of cytokines and other inflammatory chemicals. Inflammation also prevents the immune system from working efficiently.
Angiogenesis. Cancer cells, like other cells in the body, need blood and nourishment to survive. They send out chemical signals that stimulate the growth of blood vessels that carry blood to and from the cancer.
This process is called angiogenesis — and it can be strongly influenced by what we eat.
Example: People who eat no more than 12 ounces of red meat weekly can reduce their overall risk for cancer by 30%. Red meat stimulates the release of inflammatory chemicals that inhibit apoptosis, the genetically programmed cell death that prevents uncontrolled growth.
CANCER FIGHTERS
The best cancer-fighting foods…
Fatty fish. The omega-3 fatty acids in fish reduce inflammation. Oncologists in Scotland have measured inflammatory markers in the blood of cancer patients since the 1990s.
They have found that patients with the lowest levels of inflammation are twice as likely to live through the next several years as patients who have more inflammation.
Laboratory studies indicate that a high-fish diet can reduce the growth of lung, breast, colon, prostate and kidney cancers. And naturally, people who eat more fish tend to eat less red meat.
Important: The larger fatty fish, such as tuna, are more likely to be contaminated with mercury and other toxins. The best sources of omega-3s are smaller fatty fish, such as sardines, anchovies and small mackerel.
Low-glycemic carbohydrates. The glycemic index measures the effects of the carbohydrates in foods on blood glucose levels.
Foods with a high-glycemic index, such as white bread and table sugar, cause a rapid rise in insulin as well as a rise in insulin-like growth factor (IGF). IGF stimulates cell growth, including the growth of cancer cells. Both insulin and IGF also promote inflammation.
Data from the Harvard Nurses’ Health Study indicate that people who eat the most high-glycemic foods (these same people tend to be sedentary and overweight) are 260% more likely to get pancreatic cancer and 80% more likely to get colorectal cancer.
Recommended: Unprocessed carbohydrates that are low on the glycemic scale, such as whole-grain breakfast cereals and breads (with whole wheat, barley, oats, flaxseeds, etc.)… cooked whole grains, such as millet, quinoa and barley… and vegetables, such as broccoli and cauliflower.
Also important: Reduce or eliminate refined sugar as well as honey.
Better: Agave nectar, available at most health-food stores. Extracted from cactus sap, it’s sweeter than sugar or honey, yet it has a glycemic index four to five times lower.
You can use agave nectar just as you would sugar or honey — by adding it to cereals, tea and so on. Because of the liquid content of the syrup, you’ll generally want to reduce the amount of other liquids in baked goods. Substitute three-quarter cup of agave nectar per one cup of any other sweetener.
Green tea. Between three and five cups daily can significantly reduce your cancer risk. A chemical in green tea, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), inhibits angiogenesis.
Green tea also contains polyphenols and other chemical compounds that reduce inflammation and activate liver enzymes that break down and eliminate potential carcinogens.
In men who already have prostate cancer, consuming five cups or more of green tea daily has been associated with reduced risk of progressing to advanced cancer by 50%.
In women with certain types of breast cancer, three cups daily reduced relapses by 30%. Because black tea is fermented, it has a lower concentration of polyphenols and is less protective than green tea.
Soy foods. The isoflavones in tofu, soy milk, edamame (green soybeans) and other soy foods help prevent breast cancer, particularly in women who started eating soy early in life. These compounds, known as phytoestrogens, have estrogen-like effects.
They occupy the same cellular receptors as the body’s estrogen yet are only about one-hundredth as active. This means that they may slow the development of estrogen-dependent tumors.
Recommended: Three servings of soy per week — but only for women who are cancer-free. Avoid soy if you have or had cancer — there’s some concern that the estrogen-like compounds in soy might promote tumor growth in women who have a type of breast cancer that is sensitive to estrogen’s effects.
Turmeric. No other food ingredient has more powerful anti-inflammatory effects. In laboratory studies, the active ingredient curcumin in the spice turmeric inhibits the growth of many different cancers. It helps prevent angiogenesis and promotes the death of cancer cells.
In India, people consume an average of one-quarter to one-half teaspoon of turmeric daily. They experience one-eighth as many lung cancers as Westerners of the same age… one-ninth as many colon cancers… and one-fifth as many breast cancers.
Asian mushrooms, such as shiitake, maitake and enokitake. They’re available in most supermarkets and gourmet stores and are one of the most potent immune system stimulants.
Among people who eat a lot of these mushrooms, the rate of stomach cancer is 50% lower than it is among those who don’t eat them. One to two half-cup servings weekly probably is enough to have measureable effects.
Berries. Berries contain ellagic acid, which strongly inhibits angiogenesis. Aim for one-half cup per day.
Dark chocolate. One ounce contains twice as many polyphenols as a glass of red wine and almost as much as a cup of green tea. Laboratory studies indicate that these compounds slow the growth of cancer cells.
Look for a chocolate with more than 70% cocoa. The “lighter” milk chocolates don’t contain adequate amounts of polyphenols — and the dairy component of milk chocolate blocks the absorption of polyphenols.
Personal interviewed David Servan-Schreiber, MD, PhD, a neuroscientist and clinical professor of psychiatry at University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He is cofounder of the university’s Center for Integrative Medicine and author of Anticancer: A New Way of Life (Viking). http://www.anticancerbook.com.
August 7th, 2010 at 10:56 am
I can see the alignment and it is just as Xur said it would be. But I can not quite line up the X spot. It is a huge area.
But I and a lot of astronomer friends of mine are working on it.
Herbert
August 7th, 2010 at 10:58 am
Michelle \
I saw your picture on the wall. You are beautiful and so is your dog.
I had a terrific time. They didn’t play any salsa music but the beat was treat and so was the atmosphere. Me and my girlfriends loved it.
Norma
August 7th, 2010 at 11:04 am
Yes, people President Obama’s health care act cover Guam
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Affordable Care Act covers Guam
BY LAURA MATTHEWS • PACIFIC SUNDAY NEWS • AUGUST 8, 2010
Guam and other U.S. territories will benefit from funding under the Affordable Care Act.
In a letter to all the governors of insular areas last month, U.S. Secretary of Health Kathleen Sebelius said there is some “ambiguity” as to which definition of “state” applies.
She said in a section of the Affordable Care Act, the word is used to refer to only the 50 states and the District of Columbia, while in a section of the Public Health Services Act, or PHSA, the same word includes the territories.
Sebelius said the ambiguity arises because a section of the Affordable Care Act amends part of the PHSA, and it is uncertain which definition applies to the PHSA
.
In the letter, Sebelius said she concluded the territories are included in the definition of “state” — making them eligible for grant programs under the Affordable Care Act.
Sebelius said the territories are specifically eligible for the Consumer Assistance Grants and the Rate Review Grants.
The Department of Health and Human Services’ website states the new Consumer Assistance Grants program will provide nearly $30 million in new resources to help states and territories educate consumers about their health coverage options, empower consumers and ensure access to accurate information.
These grants also will be made available to support the efforts of states to establish or strengthen consumer-assistance programs that provide direct services to consumers with questions or concerns regarding health insurance, the website states.
In addition, there’s $51 million available in Health Insurance Premium Review Grants through the Affordable Care Act, the website states. These funds are the first round of grants available to states through a new $250 million grant program to create and strengthen insurance rate review processes.
“As we develop guidance for the exchanges, we will work closely with the territories to address their unique characteristics,” the letter stated.
The letter also noted that the insurance market reforms, under the PHSA, such as those providing coverage to adult children up to age 26, rescissions and prohibition of lifetime limits, also apply to health insurance issuers in the territories. Sebelius also offered to work with the territories to enforce the new insurance requirements.
======================
So you can stop fretting now.
Hafa Adai
Anna
August 7th, 2010 at 11:12 am
We as far as I’m concerned. You Americans can destroy ever mosque in your country. Islam is a religion concerned only with the feelings of men.
Why not say they can have a mosque there if women can attend along side the men. Then watch the selfish devils claim some god privilege.
I await Madaline and the eventual destruction of every man in my country that practices the evil perversion of God’s meaning.
Qalat
August 7th, 2010 at 11:16 am
WIFE VS. HUSBAND
??A couple drove down a country road for several miles, not saying a word.??
An earlier discussion had led to an argument and?? neither of them wanted to concede their position.??
As they passed a barnyard of mules, goats, and pigs,??the husband asked sarcastically, ‘Relatives of yours?
‘??’Yep,’ the wife replied, ‘in-laws.’
August 7th, 2010 at 11:19 am
I had such a good time I’m going back tonight. Hope to see you there Michelle.
Yanci
August 7th, 2010 at 11:24 am
I didn’t see Harry. But I looked, If I had I would have told and shown him I wasn’t wearing any.
Maybe tonight.
Hope to see you there Michelle.
August 7th, 2010 at 11:26 am
I am a military girl. Thanks for the article Michelle. Wish I was stationed in California. It sounds like that’s the place to be.
August 7th, 2010 at 11:29 am
Onile
Call me. I have some additional info about the gun fight.
Joyse
August 8th, 2010 at 10:21 am
[...] Carla: What happened? Your question makes me laugh. I think it’s pretty obvious…so let’s see. Perhaps because you announced that you were not going to wear any panties with your RED HOT NET, and so did Ursla. :) So of course the notion of girls not wearing panties on the dance floor would cause quite a stir not to mention, a buzz. My blog has a huge readership, and perhaps some of the staff at the Starlight Room reads my blog too. Who knows? I certainly don’t. I can imagine the upset from the guys on this blog over the fact that they didn’t get a chance to see you. :( [...]