Heather Russell and The V.A.

Every once in a while, I'll meet someone who really sticks out.

Yesterday morning, that person happen to be a young women who's old enough to be my daughter  - if I had a daughter.

Her name is Heather Russell. She's 31, 5 foot 2, slim with curly auburn hair, dark eyes, and a smile that made my hectic 4 hour trip to the VA Hospital an almost pleasure to go through.

Yes, once I hit the Bay Area it was bumper to bumper commuter traffic. Bumper to bumper at less than 35 mph just so I could get to the Veterans Hospital in Palo Alto to run some tests.

You see, I've been fighting with my left kidney for the better part of 30 years now. It has been giving me fits of pain and discomfort every now and then over the years. The problem lately is that that "now and then" has become "more and more often." And yes, this last year has been a real joy  -  if you know what I mean.

Originally the VA told me that the pain was probably just my bad back.  That is, they did until about three or four weeks ago when I had seen a different doctor at the VA to ask for a second opinion. After seeing him, then it was a different story because immediately he sent me in to get a CAT Scan and blood work.

Granted after the CAT Scan that I didn't hear from anyone for a while, but I figured no news is really good news sometimes. I also figured that if they didn't find anything than there really was no need to contact me. Heck, maybe it really is just my back.

Then last week Thursday a nurse from Urology called. The word was that the Nuclear Medicine people at the VA Hospital in Palo Alto would call me to schedule a follow up Renal Scan to see exactly how my kidneys are doing.

Now I have to admit that I was a little apprehensive about going though the Nuclear Medicine Intravenous Test.  I wasn't looking forward to another dose of radiation from any source. But when I got to Palo Alto, well let's just say that that was all changed.

The people in that department are especially nice and respectful. No, they don't appear to be just going through the motions as some others in the VA Hospital System do. They are, well, honestly friendly.

The Veterans Administration has some really great people working for them. Most, if not all, are very nice, courteous, respectful folks. Most are definitely there to help Veterans. But like with any organization, there are always a few who are always in a hurry or have a tendency to be a little condescending.

I'm very fortunate to be receiving my Health Care from the VA, and especially at their Palo Alto Hospital. On the overall most people who work for the VA in Palo Alto have really good attitudes. Yes, very friendly.

And friends, like you, I too have a preference for friendly people. Personally, I'm pretty sick and tired of rude and angry people.

The San Francisco Bay Area traffic didn't disappoint me. It has always been fast paced, but lately it seems worse than ever. The congestion, the higher gas prices, the stop and go, stop and go, people cutting each other off, the dirty looks, the horns, the fingers, yes it was all there yesterday morning driving in.

So after yesterday's long drive, I was tired when I got there. After parking as far away from the Hospital as I possibly could not out of my choice, I headed to the hospital and found the Nuclear Medicine department to check in.

Yes, it was nice to be greeted by some real nice folks.  It was great hearing polite questions and polite requests. It was outstanding how a Nuclear Medicine technician named Heather Russell took the time to be both pleasant and professional.

Her approach to her duties was excellent in that she was very confident and explained to me what all was going on. She told me what the test was looking for and set me a little more at ease in the process. She walked me through it step by step and was both clear and concise in the things she wanted me to do, but certainly without being mechanical about getting what she needed from me.

She saw that I had no where to place my arm through the 45 minute test, and immediately she found a table and brought it over to help me out as I laid there. She made the whole process easy.

Heather proves that being professional can also mean being personable. She proves that cold and  indifferent doesn't put a patent at ease - friendliness does. Heather proves that good people treat others with respect and friendliness naturally. 

After the test was over, I joked with her that I was going to find her a nice doctor for her to date.  She laughed, and yes she laughed honestly. You see there's nothing fake about Heather Russell. She's as genuine as they come.

And yes, the VA is lucky to have her! 

Story by Tom Correa

Legal Immigrants vs Illegal Aliens

When it comes to what's Legal verses what's Illegal, it appears that Liberals have a major problem understanding the difference.

So allow me to help!

Drugs that are sold over the counter (OTC) are legal. Prescription Medications which some are now calling Prescription Drugs are also legal. 

But as most know all "Street Drugs" like Meth, Crank, Cocaine, Heroin, and yes Marijuana are illegal.

Buying guns from a licensed Gun Dealer is legal. Buying a gun from a Private Citizen is legal. But buying guns from a Felon is illegal, as so is buying a gun from a Private Citizen if the guns are stolen.

 

Buying a car is legal. Stealing a car is illegal. Answering a Government Survey about your Race is legal. Race discrimination is illegal. And it doesn't matter if you are Black, White, Yellow or Brown, discrimination based on your race is illegal. 

Race Discrimination can happen to anyone of any race, and not just Blacks, Negros, or Colored People.

And by the way, I use the term Negro the same way that Rev Martin Luther King, Jr.,used the word Negro to describe himself and his race in his "I Have a Dream Speech" speech. 

I use the term "Colored People" in the exact same way that that term is still being used today by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) which is a civil rights organization that helps liberal Back people in America.

The word "discriminate" is not a bad word.  People discriminate all the time about all sorts of things. It is the cognitive and sensory capacity or ability to see fine distinctions and perceive differences between objects, subjects, concepts, and patterns.

It is our ability to possess an exceptional development of our senses. We discriminate using our senses of perception. 

What's that? We use our senses to perceive things. And yes, we have a multitude of senses.

In addition to our five senses of sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch, we also have other senses which include that of our ability to discern temperature, keep our balance, feel pain, acceleration, and of course reason. 

It is our ability to reason that enables our sense of right and wrong, and good and bad, to function. We discriminate when we recognize a distinction and differentiate.

We know that stopping at a Red Light is adhering to Traffic Laws, and knowing that is what the law demands - we obey. Our stopping is a legal action, but we also know it's also smart to do so.

We discriminate and recognize a clear distinction between stopping and running a Red Light. We use our powers to reason what good for us, and we know that one action is smart while the other isn't. 

It's the same as knowing the difference between inviting someone into your home versus someone breaking  into a home. One is illegal and not right. One is not right while the other is wrong.  And yes, if you know that you may be met with a shotgun - than one is smart and the other isn't.

These are just a few examples, but basically one can see that there are differences in what's legal verses what's illegal in our country. After all, legal versus illegal is really not that hard to understand.

It is purely a matter of legal versus illegal when it comes to Illegal Aliens crossing America's Southern Border to enter our home?  It's also a matter of right and wrong when when liberals want to allow people to break into our home and then say it's OK once they're in?

And who's breaking the law? Yes, Illegal Aliens are. But they are not alone! There are others who are also breaking the law in not doing their jobs by enforcing the laws and protecting American citizens.

We know it's illegal to rob a Bank. But isn't it also illegal for a Police Officer to turn his back and do nothing while a Bank is being robbed? 

And how about the Police Chief who orders his Officers to let those Bank Robbers go free?  And how about a Mayor who knows that laws are being broken but decides on his own to disregard the law and allows the criminals who robbed that bank go free.

The Mayor is at fault because he is not doing what he has been elected to do. The Police Chief is at fault because he's usurping the law for his own reasons. The Police Officer is at fault because he's derelict in his duties.

It is not Race Discrimination to want Illegal Aliens to stay in there own country. They are breaking the law and harming American lives and property. 

President Obama just laid out his plan for what he calls "Immigration Reform." I hate to have to correct the President of the United States, but the facts are the facts and people coming into our country illegally are not "Immigrants."

Why? Well we have an Immigration Process for those want to want to become American Citizens. They are not breaking the law, instead they are doing what is legal. On the other hand Illegal Aliens are Law Breakers.

They are Criminals.

Obama said that "immigrants are the way to expand the middle class, make America more competitive on a global level."  He went on to say, "Immigration reform is an economic imperative, which it is considering illegal immigration costs Arizona and California over $12 billion per year." 

That's fine, I agree. There's nothing wrong at all with people migrating to this country legally. The key word is "Legally."

"Immigration Reform" does not deal with the criminal problem of Illegal Aliens.  To me, "Immigration Reform" means reforming our nation's immigration process and policies.  That has nothing to do with addressing what's legal versus what is plainly illegal.  

Being here illegally is a "Criminal Justice" problem, not an "Immigration" problem. Obama fails to distinguish the difference between Legal and Illegal.

My great-grandparents, and one of my grandfathers, were all Legal Immigrants.

I've worked with many people who were both Legal Immigrants and Illegal Aliens. Many, if not all, are great friends still to this day.

Most of the ones who were illegally here have either gone through the process or gone home if they couldn't get though it. I've known Legal Immigrants who came here to become American citizens from Vietnam, Hong Kong, China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Brazil, Portugal, Spain, Italy, and yes Mexico.

And yes, I've known Illegal Aliens who did not want to become Americans.

I know some really wonderful families. Just try going to California Farms, Ranches, Dairies, and Wineries, and not knowing a few Illegals. It's just about impossible.

They are here. Working hard, and in fact paying taxes like you and me. In many cases they are scared of going through the process. Many think they will automatically be deported. It's a shame really, because some are great people. Part of the shame of it all is that the good folks who come here illegally suffer in many ways. 
 
Mostly they suffer because of the bad ones, the criminal element. The problem is with the Drug Runners, the Gang members, the Human Traffickers, and those just here to take advantage of our weak Law Enforcement response to their criminal behavior.

The problems with Illegal Aliens are pretty simple really.

First off, they are here illegally and have broken our laws while thousands upon thousands have to wait while they go through the real Immigration Process. That in itself is not fair.

My suggestion to fix the first problem is to fix it by changing the Laws to reflect a need for a common sense approach to the problem of this hidden society of Illegals. Fix the Immigration Laws to allow people to be here to work, and then allow them to either go home or establish a probationary period of say 5 years so that they can good record for themselves.

Once it has been established that they have been good candidates for citizenship, then have some sort of program in place to enable them to join us as good American.

Regarding the second problem with Illegal Aliens. Well, by going around the Immigration Screening Process, Illegal Aliens bring problems.

Just check the number of murders, robberies, home invasions, acts of vehicular manslaughter, and kidnappings committed by Illegal Aliens each year.

Those committing those crimes aren't "Immigrants" looking for a good life in a new land. Most have no desire to even want to assimilate into American Society,  or even want to become Americans.

Lesser Offenders can be deported, no matter how many times they try coming here. And in the case of Violent Offenders such as in Capital Crimes, then have them face the death penalty just as they would where they came from if found guilty.  

And please don't think it's just Mexico, because it isn't. Mexico is the biggest offender of exporting their people to America, that's just a fact. 

Obama lied when he declared the border fence as "basically complete." And in addition to that, Obama claimed his administration had done everything that was asked to secure the southern border with Mexico and that his opposition should avoid playing politics with the issue.

"Done everything that was asked"? Who's he kidding!

May 10th was Obama's first time ever visit to the U.S.-Mexico border since becoming President. And yes, that's despite being asked numerous time by local officials and the Governors of the border States over the last two and half years.

Friends, Obama is breaking the law by not fulfilling the duties of the Office of the President as described in the U.S. Constitution.

He is not protecting or defending that United States as he was elected to do. 

His Justice Department and Homeland Security Department have ordered the Border Patrol and other Federal Law Enforcement on the border to stand down - and not arrest those crossing illegally.

Reports by local Law Enforcement states that even Drug Runners are not being stopped along the U.S.-Mexico Border.

This is unacceptable. 

The actions taken by the Justice Department and Homeland Security is illegal in the exact same way as if they were watching a bank being robbed, or a drug deal taking place, or a murder being committed, and they didn't do anything about it. 

And contrary to what U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder tries to depict it, it's not a case of Race Discrimination.  It is a case of Legal Immigrant versus Illegal Aliens.

But more importantly, it's about protecting Americans.

The Obama White House is currently on a Victory Tour for killing Obama, and that's fine. But there is work to be done for Americans. 

Besides the worse Economy since the Carter Administration, we are mounting a horrible casualty list of Victim of Illegal Aliens. 

Why you ask, well friends it's because President Obama who is the Chief Executive of our Federal Government is doing such a horrible job of protecting Americans.

We have a responsibility to ensure for the public welfare and defend Americans. We cannot let those who have already died, go unnoticed without action being taken on their behalf.

Story by Tom Correa

Let's Talk About Gun Safety

Rifles, pistols, and shotguns! Yes, they are all a great deal of fun to shoot.

It's absolutely true that shooting is a lot of fun for everyone from men and women to boys and girls.

And yes, everyone can enjoy whatever kind of shooting they take to.

The fact is that Shooting Sports are America's First Sports. Americans were shooting for sport long before any other type of sport there is today including Horse Racing and Archery. 

Americans needed to master shooting so they worked at the skill it takes to shoot well. Why? Well, because being a good hunter meant being better at providing for your family and not letting them go hungry. And as my grandfather once told me, "the worth of a man is measured by how well he provides for his family."

Americans found pride in their ability to hit what they were shooting at, and sense of confidence know that they would be able to - when they needed to. That sense of assurance of being able to shoot well for hunting led to shooting competitions.  

Whatever type of shooting you're into, whether it's Cowboy Action Shooting or Trap Shooting, Target Shooting or Deer Hunting, we all must remember that firearms safety is number one.

Here's a few FIREARMS SAFETY RULES.

1. Always Know How To Use A Gun Safely:  

• First rule to always remember is that there should never be any sort of horseplay with any firearm.
• Second, before handling a gun, learn how it operates. Know its basic parts, know how to safely open and close the action and remove any ammunition from the gun or magazine.
• Remember, a gun's mechanical safety device is never foolproof.
• Nothing can ever replace safe gun handling.
• Be sure the gun is safe to operate. Just like other tools, guns need regular maintenance to remain operable. Regular cleaning and proper storage are a part of the gun's general upkeep.
• If there is any question concerning a gun's ability to function, a knowledgeable gunsmith should look at it.
• Use only the correct ammunition for your gun. Only BB's, pellets, cartridges or shells designed for a particular gun and caliber can be fired safely in that gun. Most guns have the ammunition type stamped on the barrel.
• Ammunition can be identified by information printed on the box and sometimes stamped on the cartridge.
• Do not shoot the gun unless you know you have the proper ammunition.

2. Always Keep Guns Pointed In A Safe Direction:

• This is the primary rule of gun safety. A safe direction means that the gun is pointed so that even if it were to go off accidentally that it would not cause injury to others or damage property.
• The key to this rule is control where the muzzle or front end of the barrel is pointed at all times.
• Common sense dictates the safest direction, depending on different circumstances.

3. Always Keep Guns Unloaded Until You Are Ready To Shoot:

• Treat all guns as if they are loaded at all times.
• Do not fear guns, but show them the respect that they deserve.
• Guns are not toys, and should not be treated like they are. 
• Do not treat guns unsafely.
• Whenever you pick up a gun, check if the safety is one.
• If the gun has a magazine it, then remove it before opening the action. 
• The gun's chamber should be clear of ammunition.
• If you do not know how to open the action or inspect the chamber, then leave the gun alone and get help from someone who does.

4. Always Keep Your Finger Off The Trigger Until You Are Ready To Shoot:

• Whether loaded or not, when holding a gun you should rest your finger on the trigger guard or along the side of the gun.
• Do not touch the trigger until you are actually ready to fire.

5. Always Know Your Target And Your Surroundings: 

• Be absolutely certain you have identified your target beyond any doubt.
• Be absolutely certain the area around and beyond your target is clear. This means observing your entire area of fire before you shoot.
• Never fire in a direction in which there may be people or property that may be damaged.
• Think first. Look second. Shoot third.

6. Always Use Eye And Ear Protection:

• Wear eye and ear protection as appropriate. 
• Guns are loud and the noise can cause hearing damage. They can also emit debris and hot gas that could cause eye injury.
• For these reasons, safety glasses and hearing protection should always be worn by spectators as well.

7. Always Store Guns And Ammunition Properly 

• Keep and store guns and ammo so that they are not accessible to unauthorized people like kids and those completely unfamiliar with guns  -  like maybe a curious teenage friend of you son who never learned about gun safety like your son did.  
• Many factors must be considered when deciding where and how to store guns.
• A person's particular situation will be a major part of the consideration.
• Dozens of gun storage devices, as well as locking devices that attach directly to the gun, are available.  However, mechanical locking devices, like the mechanical safeties built into guns can fail and should not be used as a substitute for safe gun handling and the observance of all gun safety rules.

Most of my guns are separated from the Ammo. My guns are in a Gun Safe, and my ammo is kept in a lock box. A Gun Safe is a good investment for someone like me who has a few guns.

Since I believe in Home Protection though, whether it's a mountain lion going for my stock or some wayward low-life criminal type individual breaking into my tack room or home, I do keep an unloaded gun with ammo near by in my home.

But when I have guests over, especially if they have children with them, then part of my gun safety precautions is to lock up that gun as well. 

I can only hope that someone out there will take this old Cowboy's advise and make Gun Safety your number one priority when you're at home and out shooting.

So whether it's shooting at cans and bottles with your .22 rifle or out Deer Hunting with your favorite rifle early in the morning --

Friends, Safety is First!

 

And yes, that's just the way I see it.

Tom Correa

Happy Mother's Day - Thank You!

Today is Mother's Day!

This morning, my wife and I will meet her brother and his family to take their Mom to lunch.

My Mom-in-Law is a wonderful Mom! She is a great lady. She has worked hard, and raised both my wife and her brother right. And yes, like most Moms, no matter what age you are - you are still her child.

My Mom's the same way.

And yes, God Bless them both for being the way they are. For me, I think my wife and her brother were blessed to have such a great Mom.

After lunch, my wife and her Mom and I will join my Mom at a Bar-B-Q with my brother's family at their home in San Leandro. Yes, the city! And yes, parking will be a bear as usual.

But honestly, it will be nice. And yes, all of the Mom's there will be in heaven as they hand my niece's new baby girl from one shoulder to another to another to another.  My Mom has already designed her plan of action. She said if she sees the baby alone for a minute - on her shoulder she goes.

Baby's have a way of bringing out the Mother Instinct in women, but moreso in Moms. They love the feeling of a newborn's little body, their tiny hands and fingers not yet able to grab at their glasses, the coos, the wisp of a small smile that you know is the most honest true pure smile of pleasure on earth.

My Mom, who's 76 years old, always sees a newborn as the newest and greatest gift from God. And that's the way it really should be, a new baby should be treated as a gift from God. 

After all, boy or girl, it doesn't matter! He or she could rightfully be that gift we've all been waiting for. The gift of being another good person in our flock.  The chances are good and better than we realize!

Imagine for a moment what this newborn, my new grand-niece, will learn and the new world she has entered. She'll have more technology, more ways to learn, and there will be more ways to help her learn everything.  There are so many more tools to help educate kids today than there was when I was a child.

She could grow and be that person who writes an inspirational book, or maybe cures cancer. She might grow up to solve hunger in America, or maybe she'll find the cure to MS or diabetes. It is not that much of a stretch that this child could be a doctor, an engineer, or a master craftsmen.

It's not hard to imagine that she can do some of the great things we need to survive.  Heck, maybe she'll be a rancher, or farmer, or dairymen? Maybe she'll build a children's hospital using a hammer and square, or a drafting table?  Maybe she's lend her talents and knowledge to the development of the next generation of CAT Scan or MRI?

But hopefully she's grow up to be a good Mom, like her Mom, and bring us the next man or women who will work hard and raise their children right? Heck, that in itself is as great a goal as curing cancer!

Moms see this! Moms see it in us from that first moment of our life. Moms know things that no one knows, and they stand guard night and day. They live for us, and sometimes have that wooden spoon or slipper to get us back on the straight and narrow.

My wife said that she heard some DJ on the radio talk about their Mom having "The Wooden Spoon" when they were growing up. He said, "It was made of hickory, struck by lightning, and soaked in jalapeno juice!"

Now that sounds like a wooden spoon to be reckoned with.

And yes, some of the things we remember while growing up seem to have no rhyme or reason at the time. But later we all have to admit that if it wasn't for Mom, some of us would have never become the people we are today.

Moms see the good and the hard work ahead. They see that the chore is worth the prize. And the prize is being proud that your children turned out good and straight and solid. The prize is knowing that at the end, their children learned the difference between right and wrong and how to treat others the way that you want to be treated.

That is the Golden Rule, and most Moms who I've known whisper a silent prayer that their child has truly learns that early on.  After all, among the many things that Moms teach us, the difference between right and wrong and how to treat others with respect is among the most important.

Yes, the possibilities are endless. And yes, contrary to the News, there are more chances then not that she will grow up in a loving supportive family surrounded by those who care.  Of course if no one else is there, Mom will be there. 

My new grand-niece will have her time to learn, and her Mom, her grand-mother, and yes her great-grand-mother will be there to help along the way.  But for now, on this day, she will be passed on from shoulder to shoulder and hopefully the love will fill her senses.

And my Mom, well I can only pray to God that some of my Mom's goodness rubs off.  

I pray that my Mom will have more Mother's Days to again have me, or my brothers and sisters say - Thanks Mom!

I think it's OK to speak for my brothers and sisters when I say, we love you! 

Happy Mother's Day

Story by Tom Correa