Time Does Not Heal All Wounds

Eighteen years ago today I was at work.  I called to check on my best friend/sister-in-law who was ready to give birth to her first child any day.  She was doing great but was experiencing an uncontrollable urge to, well, to put it as delicately as possible, have a bowel movement.  “DON’T PUSH, and get to the hospital!!” I told her.  Not long after that Richard arrived.  WHAT a cutie.  He was named in honor of his two grandfathers, Richard and Daniel.  A first grandchild and grandson for the both of them.  I was a very excited and proud first-time auntie.

Four years ago today I was working my last, and for the most part, rather uneventful shift in the ER.  I had turned in my resignation and was planning my move from Los Angeles to Colorado which was to take place in just a month.  I was excited about the new life which awaited me and all the adventures I was to have.  And I was thinking of my oldest nephew, Richard, who was on vacation with friends but was turning 14.

Just a couple of hours before my last shift was to end I got the phone call that didn’t change any of that, but changed absolutely everything.

Instead of long and tearful good-byes with my co-workers, I started the longest and most tearful good-bye of my life.  One that, as of today, has lasted four years.

I no longer count the time Connie has been gone in minutes, or hours, or days, or weeks, or even in months, but in years.  It’s still surreal to me.  I miss her every minute.

Congratulations on your 18th birthday Dicky Dan.  Your mother would have loved to see you and the man you have become.

I love you both, to the ends of the earth and to the highest heaven.

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Huh? Say WHAT???

HJ 5 IH

111th CONGRESS

1st Session H. J. RES. 5

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to repeal the twenty-second article of amendment, thereby removing the limitation on the number of terms an individual may serve as President.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 6, 2009

Mr. SERRANO introduced the following joint resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

————————- JOINT RESOLUTION————————–

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to repeal the twenty-second article of amendment, thereby removing the limitation on the number of terms an individual may serve as President.

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled (two-thirds of each House concurring therein), That the following article is proposed as an amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which shall be valid to all intents and purposes as part of the Constitution when ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years after the date of its submission for ratification:

‘Article– ‘The twenty-second article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States is hereby repealed.’.

 

The above is legislation that has been introduced that would, as you can read for yourselves, remove the presidential term limits we currently have in place.  Of course the states would still have to ratify any ammendments to the consititution.  This is not the first time such legislation has been introduced.  It’s never gone anywhere before, and chances are it won’t go anywhere this time.  But just the introduction of such legislation begs the asking of so many questions.  Like WHY for instance would we in the United States NEED a president for life?  Too many “presidents for life” have wreaked untold havoc on their nations.  We got RID of that potential after WWII when we saw the destruction that this much power gives a person.  Why on EARTH would we even have the discussion about turning that kind of power over to an American president?

This little bit of legislation could get interesting…but I hope it dies in committee somewhere.

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What have we learned in 2,064 years?

 

 

“The budget should be balanced, the Treasury should be refilled, public debt should be reduced, the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled, and the assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed lest Rome become bankrupt.  People must again learn to work instead of living on public assistance.”

-  Marcus Tullius Cicero, 55 B.C.

Evidently, nothing.

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July 8th

At five minutes and six seconds after 4 am on the 8th of July this year, the time and date will be

04:05:06 07/08/09

How cool is that?

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