Side Note...
I would just like to make a side note here. I want to extend my gratitude to everyone who has been sending me kind well wishes on this site and letting me know what is going on back home (well, back at all my homes). It has really helped me feel like the lives I left behind to pursue this adventure are really not all that far away in the big picture of life. The normalcy of it all really is grounding and comforting in ways that anyone who has traveled away from home can understand.
I also want to send a special thank you to a very special kindred spirit who has had so much impact on my young life and worldviews. Mary Ellen your soul is a light that I have so often turned to in dark and joyful times in my days since I've known you. I'm sure all who have read her passionate and coloured words can understand why she is such a role model to me.
Also, thank you to Ellen. What a warm fuzzy it was to see a message from a familiar face. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.
But of course, thank you to the ones who struggle through all my struggles with me and put up with all my imperfections so gracefully. Kevin you are my rock and my soft place. Mom you ARE my biggest fan and strongest ally. Dad and Kathy, you both continue to ensure I feel loved, needed and will always have some place to "crash" should I ever need to veer off the road of life for a spell.
Thank you everyone. Each one of you who writes a bit of encouragement has been my favorite at that moment. Your words are so needed and so appreciated.
posted by Corrina at 1:15 a.m.
4 Comments:
It's not nice to make your BIGGEST fan cry....love ya kid!
Sat Sep 30, 05:45:00 a.m. PDT
Leading Seaman Hipfner
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!
Dad and I are extremely proud of you. Way to go. I've struggled
this morning on how to reply to your comments in Side Note, which by the way made me cry. Darlin, from the bottom of my heart, Thank you. Crying again. Love you, think of you lots, Mike,Kelsay,Kelly,Alicia, Kristy all say hello. All the puppies including our latest addition to the family Jack, all give a big woof, we miss you lots, keep your spirits high and enjoy your adventure. Talk soon.
Kathy
Sun Oct 01, 01:15:00 p.m. PDT
I believe you CAN fly!
Who needs the Sea King ...
ALL I can think to say is "of course".
Wed Oct 04, 06:16:00 p.m. PDT
Canada should sign on to missile defence: Senate report
Last Updated: Thursday, October 5, 2006 | 1:49 PM ET
CBC News
Canada should not waste military resources on defending the Arctic, but should sign on to the U.S. ballistic missile defence program and double the amount of money it gives for foreign aid, a Senate defence committee report released Thursday says.
The senators also say the Defence Department should get special treatment, suggesting that its minister be empowered to spend up to $500 million on equipment without having to go through the long process of cabinet approval.
Military spending is far too low, the report concludes, saying the projected budget of $20 billion by 2012 is "at least $5-billion short and more probably $15-billion short."
On missile defence, the report criticizes the decision by former prime minister Paul Martin to reject Canadian participation in the program.
"The government should not make the mistake that the last government made by refusing to support the United States in this project."
The report concludes that an effective anti-missile system has the potential to save "hundreds of thousands of Canadian lives."
It dismisses critics who say the system is unworkable, saying there have been recent tests that show promising results.
The report also argues that the system, which is being developed at no cost to Canadians, offers a defence that will act solely as a deterrent and not lead to an arms race in space.
"If there is the tiniest chance that it could [work], why would we turn up our noses at the opportunity to be a partner in this project?"
No threat in Arctic: report
The report also focuses on the Arctic and rejects the use of the military as the primary tool to defend the area and criticizes the government's plan to build three Canadian Forces icebreakers.
'There is no serious threat to Canada through the Arctic.'
-Senate defence committee report
"There is no serious threat to Canada through the Arctic," the report says, adding that the chances of the Arctic itself being a military target are "ridiculously low."
Instead, defence of the Arctic should be handled primarily by other agencies, including the Canadian Coast Guard, which should be armed, suggested the report.
The report also urges Ottawa to abandon military bases which have outlived their usefulness, naming Happy Valley-Goose Bay in Labrador.
"There are dozens of examples of wasteful military spending across the country, but Goose Bay has become the poster boy in that the bidding by both parties has gotten out of hand," the report says.
'The likelihood of reducing world turmoil through military responses is a mug's game. Force won't work on its own.'
-Senate defence committee report It slams the Liberals and Conservatives for trying to "buy votes rather than fulfilling a legitimate military mandate."
The report cautions, however, that force alone will not prevent conflict and that to help with world stability, Canada should double its "shamefully low" foreign aid to $5.2 billion by 2015.
"The likelihood of reducing world turmoil through military responses is a mug's game. Force won't work on its own."
"When it comes to diminishing conflicts, winning hearts and minds can often be more important than winning battles."
C:-
I should think that the government would need at least three good icebreakers to diminish conflict and win hearts and minds -- an excellent chef never hurts either.
Thinking of you all. So is the Senate.
Thu Oct 05, 11:44:00 a.m. PDT
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