Miller's Time

September 11, 2007...

September 11, 2006...

Thomas “Tommy” Dowd was born April 17, 1964 and raised in Inwood of Manhattan. Tommy was the youngest of seven children, completing the Dowd clan of four girls and three boys. By the time he was five years old, he had already met the love of his life. It was in kindergarten when he met Kerriann Cregan. Although he might not have known it at the time, they would be together for the next 22 years.

Growing up in New York, Tommy was an avid sports fan, rooting exclusively for the Giants (NFL) and the Yankees. According to a post on a memorial for Tommy, he was such a die-hard Yankees fan that he was even able to convince a lifelong Mets fan to switch allegiances. Now that’s impressive.

Along with his love of sports came a lifelong obsession with basketball. Beginning at a young age, Tommy could frequently be seen dribbling a basketball, especially in the eighth grade. It was then when Tommy would walk by Kerriann’s house, announcing his presence by bouncing his basketball along the sidewalk. She could hear him coming and would hide to watch him go by. Her father would make a point to ask if Tommy had looked.

It was around this time that Tommy and Kerriann began to date, and shortly after graduating from high school they were married. In time their family grew to five, with the addition of Heather, Thomas and Brittany, who are now 22, 19 and 15 respectively. Tommy’s passion for sports carried down to his children and he became active in coaching. Not only did he coach multiple teams, he also made sure that family came first, regardless of how busy work became. Tommy’s dedication to family was evident to those who he came in contact with, as he could talk about them endlessly.

Tommy’s legacy of working with youth sports will live on in his absence. In 2002, four seniors at Monroe-Woodbury High School were awarded scholarships of $1,250 in memory of Tommy. There has also been a football camp and basketball tournament held in Tommy’s name.

On September 11, 2001, Thomas Dowd went to work, just like he did everyday. Working as a bond broker for Cantor Fitzgerald, his office was located in the World Trade Center. Here is an account from Newsday.com:

The day of the World Trade Center attacks -- when Kerriann Dowd played the voice of her husband on the telephone message machine -- Thomas Dowd said there was a fire in the building and workers were leaving rapidly. He said he would call when he got down, and his last words were, "I love ya, Babe!"

Without thinking, she deleted the message and now says she regrets the automatic act, since the tape was something that would have been a lifetime keepsake.

"I figured he'd be calling me when he got down," she said.

Dowd, 37, was a bond broker for Cantor Fitzgerald and one of the nearly 700 employees there that were lost.

Although I never had the opportunity to meet Tommy, he sure seemed like the kind of guy who made everyone better just by being around. On this day, the fifth anniversary of 9/11, my heart goes out to Tommy’s family. May they find comfort in each other and may the memory of Tommy live forever in their hearts.

September 11, 2005...

September 11, 2004...

September 11, 2003...

I don't have the words to pay proper respects to those who lost their lives, but it is my prayer that the families are healing and that we as a nation never forget September 11, 2001.

The following sites pay tribute to those lost, and those fighting to protect Democracy around the globe...

September 11, 2001 Victims
Defend America
Steve Tolle

Update -- Thanks to damnum absque injuria for pointing to the following first hand account of September 11, 2001...

Reason of Voice

RIP Harvey Korman...

Nanny State...

The state of California is anywhere between $8 and $16 billion in the hole this year and this is the crap the State Senate is working on:

A bill seeking to ban helium-filled metallic balloons in California has failed on its first attempt to clear the state Senate.

Sen. Jack Scott, a Democrat from Altadena, says the balloons lead to power outages when they break free and cause power lines to arc.

Republican Sen. Abel Maldonado of Santa Maria says the balloons, a favorite at parties, are a growing danger for pilots. He says he has nearly flown into several strings of the balloons in his small plane.

Pacific Gas and Electric Co., the main utility in Northern California, says the balloons caused more than 200 power outages last year in its coverage area.

Sen. Dennis Hollingsworth opposed the bill, saying power outages from balloons are a minor problem.

The Temecula Republican also says a ban could discourage rescue devices that use tethered balloons as distress signals. Scott said such emergency items would be exempted.

Scott's bill fell five votes short of the 21 it needed for passage in the Senate on Monday.

At least Hollingsworth has some sense...

Let's Play Tag...

Again from Darren...  Even though he did not tag me, I need some motivation to get back into blogging.  Here goes:

The rules:

1. The rules of this game get posted at the beginning.
2. Each player answers the questions about themselves.
3. At the end of the post, the player then tags 5-6 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves a comment, letting them know that they've been tagged and asking them read your blog.
4. Let the person who tagged you know when you've posted your answer.

And, the questions.

1. What was I doing 10 years ago?
I was six months married and working for Governor Pete Wilson

2. What are the 5 things on my to-do list for today?
Spent the day helping Mrs. Miller's Time get ready for a big conference she has this week.  Put together a study guide for my world history class. Went to 33rd Street Bistro for brunch. Played some XBox and relaxed a little.

3. Snacks I enjoy
While Mrs. Miller's Time thinks it's apples and grapes, the real answer is Laffy Taffy and Smarties.

4. Things I would do if I were a billionaire
Pay off the house and add the second story we have been talking about.  Quit my job and go back to school to get a doctorate in history.  Travel the world with Mrs. Miller's Time.

5. Three of my bad habits
I chew tobacco, drink too much on occasion and tend to put things off till the last minute.

6. Five Places I have lived
Salt Lake City, Anaheim and Sacramento, although I have lived in Sacramento since I was 9 months old.

7. Five Jobs I have had
Forklift Driver, Ditch Digger (the world needs ditch diggers too), Pizza Cook, Legislative Analyst, and Teacher.

I'm not quite sure who still reads this blog, so if you are reading this and maintain a blog, consider yourself tagged.

When The Punishment Does Not Fit The Crime...

A tip of the cap to Darren for pointing this out.  Seems that a group of boys decided on a senior prank that got them into hot water.

A senior prank at Zion-Benton Township High School seemed quite humorous at first.

But as a group of students quickly learned, the administration isn't amused with monkey business.

Zion-Benton High School students re-created their senior prank at Village Park in Winthrop Harbor on Tuesday. Eleven students were suspended for seven days after one dressed up in a gorilla costume and chased 10 wearing banana costumes through the school last Thursday.

And so -- after 10 students in larger-than-life banana costumes ran the halls of the high school with an eleventh student dressed as a gorilla giving chase -- the boys are on the raw end of a seven-day suspension.

It seems that the administration was simply following procedure when handing out 7 day suspensions. But later in the article it notes that fighting is a 5 day suspension. I'm with Darren, they should have received lunch detention, at most.

This Is Nuts...

While I'm a little embarrassed that this is what it took to get me back to blogging after three months, this is just silly...

Giving 100%

This is a strictly mathematical view point...

It goes like this:

What Makes 100%? What does it mean to give MORE than 100%? Ever wonder about those people who say they are giving more than 100%? We have all been to those meetings where someone wants you to give over 100%. What makes up 100% in life? How about achieving 103%, or maybe even 118%?

Here's a little mathematical formula that might help you answer these questions:

If: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
is represented as:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26.

THEN:

H-A-R-D-W-O-R-K
8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11 = 98%,

K-N-O-W-L-E-D-G-E
11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+5 = 96%

A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E
1+20+20+9+20+21+4+5 = 100%.

BUT:

B-U-L-L-S-H-I-T
2+21+12+12+19+8+9+20 = 103%

A-S-S-K-I-S-S-I-N-G
1+19+19+11+9+19+19+9+14+7 = 118%

So, one can conclude with mathematical certainty that while Hard work and Knowledge will get you close, and Attitude will get you there, it's the Bullshit and Ass-Kissing that will put you over the top.

Thanks to my Dad for the laugh...

Not Ready For Prime Time...

Mike Huckabee was speaking before a group of supporters when he was asked about the assissination of Bhutto.  Here's a report from CBS's Nancy Cordes:

He made a bad choice of words when saying the U.S. needs to consider “what impact does it have on whether or not there’s going to be martial law continuing in Pakistan.” He should have said whether or not martial law will be reinstated – it was lifted nearly two weeks ago. A minor slip, maybe, but not a subject he wants to mess up on when he is already considered weak in the area of foreign policy.

Whoops. 

Glenn Reynolds notes that Huckabee is Jimmy Carter.

Compare Huckabee's bumbling with Romney's response:

"We are still learning the details of today's tragic events in Pakistan, but this is a stark reminder that America must not only stay on high alert, but remain actively engaged across the globe. Pakistan has long been a key part in the war against extremism and radical jihadists. For those who think Iraq is the sole front in the War on Terror, one must look no further than what has happened today. America must show its commitment to stand with all moderate forces across the Islamic world and together face the defining challenge of our generation – the struggle against violent, radical jihadists.

"At this difficult time, our thoughts and prayers go to the family of Benazir Bhutto, and to all the people of Pakistan who are fighting against extremist forces that would commit such heinous acts as the whole world has witnessed today."

Not even close...

Merry Christmas...

Luke 2:1-20

The Birth of Jesus

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

The Shepherds and the Angels

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

December 7, 1941...

Sixty six years ago the United States we brought into WWII. 

The following is a proclamation issued by Governor Schwarzenegger:

PROCLAMATION

On December 7, 1941, fighters and bombers appeared above the skies of southern Oahu, and, without warning, commenced to attack the United States Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor. Caught by surprise, the brave individuals stationed there rushed into action to defend their ships, planes, base and comrades. The devastating aerial assault lasted two hours, killing 2,400 Americans and injuring many others.

Today, we remember with grateful hearts those who fought and those who died on that terrible Sunday morning. Their courageous sacrifices saved lives, and the stories of their unparalleled heroism galvanized our nation.

As Americans who enjoy the blessings of living in a free nation today, we owe a huge debt of gratitude to the brave men and women who defended Pearl Harbor as well as to all those who have answered duty's call in defense of our nation. I encourage all Californians to pause and pay their proper respects to our heroes in uniform, those who died at Pearl Harbor and those who lived to continue the fight for our country's freedom.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER, Governor of the State of California, do hereby proclaim December 7, 2007, as "Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day."

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed this 5th day of December 2007.

It is a day in American history that should not and will not be forgotten.

The Horror...

All I can say is that I hope there is no truth to the following statement:

My concern about the Huckabee pop is that it is hard to imagine the former Arkansas governor winning the November vote. I can see election night with a sea of blue states with the deep South voting Huck. The MSM knows this and is relentlessly boosting Huck in order to fell Romney. The Globe's obsession with the leaves on Romney's lawn underscores how agenda journalists of the left view this race: Take out Romney, bleed Rudy, nominate Huckabee, elect Hillary.

Truly a frightening scenario!

With Friends Like These...

Via the New York Sun:

On the eve of the Annapolis summit on the Middle East conflict, the Saudi royal family released 1,500 members of Al Qaeda from prison, requiring them only to promise to refrain from jihad within the Arabian Peninsula.

W.T.F.!

Hat Tip to the Corner

Semper Fi...

Happy 232nd Birthday to the United States Marines.

This poster hangs in my classroom and students ask if I was in the Marines. I tell them that I wasn't, but my father did serve.

So today I send thanks and admiration to him and all who have served over the last two centuries.

RIP...

Words fail me...

Fighting ALS...

John Ondrasik, lead singer of Five for Fighting is lending his support in the fight against ALS.  Go watch the video linked here and $2 will be donated to Augie's Quest.  Be sure to check out the second site as well.  Looks like they are doing some great work.

Hat tip to Hugh and Dean.

All We Are Saying...

Is give peace a chance!

Never Forget...

Welcome To The Union...

On this date in 1850, California became the 31st state to join the Union.  In honor of this day, may I present the state seal and a brief history of what it means:

Under the gaze of Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom, a miner works near the Sacramento River. A grizzly bear rests at her feet and ships ply the river. The Sierra Nevada mountains rise in the background. Wildlife, agriculture, natural beauty, commerce, and opportunity are all represented on California’s Great Seal.

The state motto, Eureka, sits over the mountains. A Greek word that means "I have found it," Eureka refers the discovery of gold in California. The miner, working with a pick, is another reference to the gold that was found in California. A pan and a rocker are also depicted on the seal near the miner. The pan was used to separate the gold from the dirt; just add water. The rocker is a larger and more sophisticated "pan." It allowed miners to process more dirt and sand faster. At the time the seal was designed, people were coming from all over the world looking to "strike it rich" in the gold fields.

Virtually all of the products coming in and out of California were carried over water routes at the time the seal was designed. Mining supplies, letters from home, luxuries, household items, and gold were all carried on ships. From the eastern United States, ships sailed south around Cape Horn and north to California. The ships, on a representation of the Sacramento River, symbolize the commercial greatness of California.

A sheaf of grain in the foreground represents California's agricultural wealth. In fact, many who came looking for gold found farming more profitable. Today, California is an agricultural giant among the states.

At the feet of Minerva, stands the California grizzly bear. A symbol of strength and independence, the grizzly bear is the Official State Animal and is the prominent feature on the California State Flag. Grizzly bears were, at one time, common in the state but the mass movement of people into California during the gold rush strained their habitat and caused their numbers to decline sharply. Today there are no wild grizzly bears left in California.

The seal was designed by Major R. S. Garnett of the U.S. Army, and adopted at the Constitutional Convention of 1849 before California became a state in June 1850. At the time of the seal's adoption, thirty states comprised the United States. Near the upper edge of the seal are 31 stars, anticipating California's admission.

The explanation comes from Netstate. They do neglect to mention one point about Minerva that I have always found fascinating.  According to mythology, Minerva never went through infancy or childhood, but was born a full grown woman.  This is similar to California because the Gold Rush enabled California to join the Union as a full grown state, without having to be a territory first.

Happy Birthday California!

Idiots On Parade XIV (I Don't Care Edition)...

Republican Senator Larry Craig announced today that he is not gay.  Gay or straight, this guy is a stain on the country, the office he holds and the party he belongs to and it is time for him to be shown the door.  Not only was his behavior unbecoming of a US Senator (Ted Kennedy not withstanding), but then when caught, he tried to use that powerful position to get out of it:

Craig then passed his left hand under the stall divider into Karsnia's stall with his palm up and guided it along the divider toward the front of the stall three times, the complaint said.

The officer then showed his police identification under the divider and pointed toward the exit "at which time the defendant exclaimed `No!'" the complaint said.

The Aug. 8 police report says Craig handed the arresting officer a business card that identified him as a member of the Senate.

"What do you think about that?" Craig is alleged to have said, according to the report.

That remark just might get him Idiot of the Year!

Read the report here.

Wow...

Don not play this guy in quarters...

I am hoping to resume regular posting within the next week.

755...