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Omaha

Free Tahmooressi Rally in Omaha Nebraska

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It is time to free Tahmooressi from Mexico! Enough is Enough!

On Friday August 1st at 6:00 there will be a Freedom Rally in Omaha Nebraska at Memorial Park. Jill Tahmooressi, Mother of Andrew Tahmooressi, is the featured speaker. I listened to her radio interview on KFAB and it convinced me that my initial thoughts about this young man were accurate.

The more I learn about Marine Sgt Andrew Tahmooressi being held in a Mexican jail while thousands of illegals are crossing the Mexican border smuggling drugs, weapons and the the extremes the United States went through to free Bowe Bergdahl in exchange for five Taliban leaders the more pissed I become.

free tahmooressi
Click to donate to the Free Tahmooressi Fund

I’ve listened and read several accounts of the circumstances behind his wrong turn into Mexico. I’ve read that his story changed between lawyers, also that he had been to Mexico before. But, this is irrelevant in my opinion. Think about the circumstances and really how accurate are the rumors and the information?

There are a lot of irregularities and inconsistent stories, first there is a language barrier, second the Mexican police is known for being corrupt, and the lawyers he’s gotten haven’t exactly served him well either. I read the hard to see sign has been replaced since he was taken into custody, there are pages of documents missing from the initial report and an interpreter was not provided to him at the border.  What truth can truly be disseminated from all this?

The facts remain he does not have a criminal record, he stated he did not want to go into Mexico. He declared his weapons. If you don’t want him in your country, make him do a U-turn and have him go back to where he started. Do not arrest a citizen of your neighboring country and throw him into a prison where he will be abused and mistreated.

free tahmooressi
Click to donate to the Free Tahmooressi Fund

The way I look at it it’s time to free Tahmooressi for these reasons.

1. What crime did he really commit? He was at the gate, not “in country” and while I can understand punishing and imprisoning a criminal, who had robed, raped, or murdered someone in their country, I cannot understand this. Andrew Tahmooressi does not have a criminal background. The border patrol should of just refused him entry, contacted the US Border Patrol and let them investigate the situation?

2. How often do Mexican illegals smuggle drugs and weapons into the United States? All the time, how many are caught? Very few. Andres didn’t actually smuggle them in, he declared them, if you’re smuggling something into the country you don’t tell someone about your contraband.

3. He called 911 and tried to get help saying he had crossed by accident. Another question is why didn’t the emergency operator try and help him, if his 911 signal still reached and would connect to the American Emergency network why can’t you get help, and WHY isn’t there an American border patrol at one of the busiest international crossings?

4. The United States sends millions of dollars to Mexico, not only from our government, but via their citizens who work (legally and illegally) in our country and send money back to their families. Mexico is supposed to be one of our allies, a friendly country who is in partnership in NAFTA with us and Canada. Why in the world then can they not release this man?

I have read and heard some people state he’s not a Marine, he was a civilian. However, he was on reserve status and actually had a notice to appear to his assigned duty station while he was in the Mexican jail. He had not found a permanent place to live so had all of his possessions in the car.

I will be attending the rally in Omaha, will you?

Information on the Omaha Free Tahmooressi Rally

Additional Information and News

Congress can’t get Obama’s attention to free Tahmooressi, We the People must

When justifying the release of five vicious Taliban terrorists detained at “Gitmo” in exchange for U.S. soldier Bowe Bergdahl, the president said, “We don’t leave our people behind.” He was subsequently accused of violating a law requiring him to …
Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi denied freedom by Mexican judge

Meanwhile, social media posters expressed outrage on GretaWire.com, Greta Van Susteren’s blog, on the breaking announcement of Sgt. Tahmooressi’s continued imprisonment. One wrote: “FREE TAHMOORESSI! NOW! Obama … Shame on you! You are a …
Afghan War Veteran Held in Tecate, Mexico: US Marine Sent Back to Prison …

Dozens of people, including some congressmen, have appealed to the U.S. State Department and Mexican officials to free Tahmooressi. Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., and Rep. Lee Terry, R-Neb., sent a letter on July 8 asking for just that, according to Fox …

 

Patriotic Video: America, I Love You

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This patriotic video might just make you forget the recent government scandals so prevalent right now. Although it seems patriotism and confidence in the United States is waning or lacking. I don’t think it’s true. Yes, if you listen to talk radio, or watch CNN or other news channels you might be depressed and discouraged. But I tell you, there are good people all across this country doing good things, helping out neighbors, serving in the military because they love where they live.

Keep Us Safe because Freedome is Not Free
Korean War Memorial: Washington DC on Memorial Day

When American citizens are left alone, without government intervention we help each other out and stand side by side during tragedies such as the recent Oklahoma tornadoes.

In this week leading up to Memorial Day, I want to remind people the greatness of the American people outside the Washington Beltway. Memorial Day is not only a day to remember our veterans and those who died serving our country but to gather together as families worship and celebrate life, and remember those who have died and left an impact on our lives.

America I love YouMarine Corps Graduation, San Diego CA I’ve wanted to create a patriotic video that includes the many photographs I’ve taken over the years that have a military theme, or veterans theme, but didn’t have the appropriate music. This song “America, I Love You” was written by my friend Steve Raybine, a jazz musician in Omaha, Nebraska. I first heard it last fall and fell in love with it and he graciously allowed me to use it for the video.

Veterans of all our wars deserve our thanks for making the sacrifice and serving their country. This includes not only the modern wars in Afghanistan and Iraq during Operation Enduring Freedom, Desert Shield, and Storm but the often forgotten Vietnam and Korean Veterans, along with those veterans from WWII and WWI.

It is the men and women of the Marine Corps, the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, and our National Guard that spend days away from family and friends, whether abroad or stationed in the United States, that serve to protect our freedom. We owe them our thanks for volunteering for a job many would never consider.The Flag Still Stands For Freedom

As you participate in Memorial Day celebrations, parades and picnics, stop by a cemetery and read the inscriptions on the War Memorials of soldiers from the French Indian War and even the Civil War. If you are lucky enough to live in New England search out the Revolutionary War cemeteries. Those soldiers truly fought for our freedom and Independence. They are the reason we celebrate the 4th of July.

If you recognize some of the photos it’s because they are some of my favorites from my Washington DC trip when my kids marched in the Memorial Day Parade and include the World War II Memorial, United States Marine Corps Memorial, Veterans Memorial, Korean War Memorial and other images of freedom and sacrifice.

I was really quite surprised I had so many photographs of the American Flag and color guards taken at various parades. It never fails to give me a chill when the American Legion leads a parade with the flags and people stand to applaud, salute or put their hand over their heart.
My goal is to create a national sensation with this song. Patriotic pride needs to once again resonate through the land. So reblog this post, tweet it, post it to your Facebook page and PIN it on PINTEREST, let’s see how far this video and song can spread.

So post this for Memorial Day, Flag Day, 4th of July, Veterans Day and all other patriotic holidays.

Thank you and God Bless.

Graduation Invitations and Announcements

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Looking for graduation invitations and announcements for a graduating senior there are many designs to choose from. 

I love designing and since I’ve had three seniors graduate in three years senior graduation invitations and announcements were high on my priority list. 

Design Your Own Graduation Invitations

If you don’t have Photoshop you can use pre-made graduation card templates at Zazzle and have them delivered right to your door.

Create your own Graduation invitations for high school seniors. Personalized high school graduation announcements and party invitations.

 

Graduation Card Ideas

High School Graduation Announcements

If you are not having a party then graduation announcements are a perfect way to recognize the success and accomplishment of your high school or college student.

Photoshop Graduation Announcement Templates

Lucky Guy: Mockingbird Sun, I’m Liking It

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Couldn’t resist posting another song from  Mockingbird Sun. I love  the share tool on the Bandcamp website that lets me embed songs right into WordPress. So enjoy another song and more photos from their opening during the Huey Lewis concert for Omaha Fourth of July celebration in 2012. I dare you to listen to just one song. 

Mockingbird Sun in Pictures

Mockingbird Sun in concert in Omaha Nebraska
Mockingbird Sun in concert in Omaha Nebraska

 

Mockingbird Sun
Mockingbird Sun

Just a little photography information. I was trying to get a handle on using my Canon 75-300 mm lens and get sharp images with the long lens. I ended up pushing the ISO up to 800/1600 so my shutter speed would stay at 1/100 or higher. That eliminated the blurriness I get from the hand shake. There is a general rule of thumb to keep your shutter speed half of your lens reach. So for 300mm the shutter aid for speed speed of 1/150 sec, 200 mm=1/100 sec and so on.

Another tip is open up the aperture as far as you can, the shot above was at f/5.6, you also achieve that nice dreamy blur background. My friend Beth used her monopod during the concert, which I’m going to have to start doing. I found out my husband has a monopod for his hunting scope. It may need to be re-purposed.

If you missed my first post about Mockingbird Sun check them out here.

Related articles

Mockingbird Sun Opens for Huey Lewis

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Normally opening bands are forgetful, but Huey Lewis would only have a band that was worthy of sharing their stage. Mockingbird Sun fills this requirement. During the Celebrate America concert in Omaha Nebraska Mockingbird Sun was a great start to the evening. Click on the streaming media button below and give their music a listen.

How would you describe their style? I’d say, clean, summertime country rockabilly with a good mix of tight harmony (including banjo). The lyrics and songwriting tells a story and the melody makes me want to cruise the countryside in a convertible with the top down, or sit by the lake with a cold drink.

Mockingbird Sun in concert in Omaha Nebrask
Mockingbird Sun in concert in Omaha Nebraska

Mockingbird Sun in concert in Omaha Nebrask
Bret kicking it up in Omaha

Mockingbird Sun in concert in Omaha NebraskI love outdoor concerts, somehow it makes the music sound better, They were very good and definitely worth a Music Monday shout out. Now to find some more outdoor concerts. Bands are fun to photograph, the instruments, the action and the sheer fun the musicians have playing off each other when they get into a good vibe. 

Lately I have rediscovered Mockingbird Sun and pull up their streaming music and listen to them while I’m working on the computer. It’s nice to rediscover good music.