baexcell's journal

Well, Election Day has come and gone again. This year's elections show that our great country no longer support our President or his policies. The Democrats wanted this to be a referendum on Iraq and that is what they got. Hopefully, the American people are proud of their accomplishment. Many feel that Republicans have lost touch with the public since they took power in 1994, and I can't say I disagree. The difference is that I don't believe the Dems are in more in touch than the GOP.

One of the first acts as a result of the election is the resignation of Sec. of Defense Rumsfeld. This is something liberal leaders have been calling for for 2 years now. It appears they have gotten their wish. While I don't consider this an entirely bad move (as Rummy's policies have been less than perfect). I think it is unfortunate that our policies are being based on public opinion and not what is best for the country. I am sure that in the coming weeks, we will see many more major changes. In the end, I will not be surprised if another liberal wish comes to fruition. Iraq becoming another Vietnam. I am sure that one of Pelosi's first goals will be to get our troops out as soon as she can get congress to let her. As a result of this, when we look back at this war, we will see that it was lost due to the fact not that we were militarily outmatched, but instead because it was highly unpopular.

Now that my diatribe about the federal elections is over, I am moving on to the state and local level.

It would seem that I am not in touch with the views of Cowlitz county or Washington State. Out of all of the ballot measures I voted on yesterday, only 2 were in agreement with the majority, and one of those was because the 2nd person in the race dropped out for personal reasons. Washington residents should be aware of the fact that there were three major ballot initiatives we decided on yesterday. They were:

I-920: Abolishment of the Estate Tax,

I-933: A property-rights measure,

and,

I-937: An Initiative requiring the larger Utility Agencies in the state to use More Renewable Energy Sources.

As of now, 920 and 933, are failing and 937 is passing.

My votes on these issues and the reason behind these votes is as follows. I voted for I-920 because I consider estate taxes to be an unfair tax on the successful. I do not believe that because you have realized the American dream your family should have to pay extra taxes when you pass on. Those who disagree with me, please let me know why and mayhaps we can have a nice debate about it.

I voted against I-933, because we are already given compensation for property that the government takes from us via both the State and Federal Constitutions. I also voted against it due to the fact that it was retroactive 10 years and created a new bureaucracy to deal with the issues it caused.

I also voted against I-937. There were many flaws in this initiative, but the largest by far is the fact that hydroelectric dams were not considered viable renewable energy sources. That in itself was enough to cement my 'No' Vote. But I also voted no because I don't believe that Government interference is the most efficient way to have things accomplished.

That seems to be all for now, but I am far from finished. I will probably be posting follow-ups to this in the coming days and weeks. Thanks to anyone who reads this and especially to those who comment and give me feedback.

Hey everyone,

I am coming to you guys for help with something. On Thursday Oct. 6, my girlfriend's grandfather died in the hospital due to complications of long-standing medical conditions. The problems of this are multiplied by the fact that I have spent the last year being one of his primary caregivers and thus I am grieving as much as everyone else. But, this is not where I need the help. I will grieve when my need to help the others has passed.

My dilemma is this, we are going to hold two memorial services for him. One, a Catholic funeral will be held here in Longview where we now live. The second will be held in Ocean Park, where he and his wife lived for the last 9 years and have many friends who will be unable to make it for the funeral. This second service is just going to be a memorial type thing. The problem being that I have agreed to officiate this service and have no idea what to say.

For those of you wondering why I was chose for this, it is because the family feels that it should be done by a minister and I just so happen to be one.

All I need is some ideas so I am not so crazy.

Sorry for the ramble.

Reverend B. Excell

There are probably some who will feel this is a pointless thread, hence why it is in my journal. I created a quiz on quizmyfriends.com and figured i would see if anyone wanted to take it. The link is provided herein and if you take it and would like to post your score it could be fun.

Click Here for Quiz

Well, according to the clock and accompanying calendar, it is now officially 2005 here in good ole Washington State. I consider New Year's Eve a time to reflect on the past year and see what you have accomplished for better or worse, and try to continue or stop according to your preferences of each. As I have looked back these past few days, I have seen that there are simply a lack of accomplishments for me, either positive or negative. I left an almost 2 year relationship and a stable (even if not luxurious) financial situation and a job that I was really starting to a) enjoy and b) make a place with the company for career growth, and I came to a place where I am essentially living off of my girlfriend's grandparents for everything and not anywhere near where I can find a job due to the responsibilities I have here. WHile some would say this is definitely an accomplishment of the negative nature, due to the complete lack of anything being done now and it being so different from where I was 5 moths ago. Others would hail it as a positive for findind a relationship where I am not being so stressed by money that the relationship gets lost in the middle by both parties. To me, living it, I know that its nothing more than a trade-off. Such is the way of my life, if I get one thing, I lose another. It keeps things balanced, but that doesn't mean I have to like it.

As a result, I have decided my New Year's Resolution for 2005 is simply to do more than I did this year. Also, to try and make amends with the enemies I have made since I found the "real world" was much different than I was led to believe.

Anyway, Happy New year, y'all.

****Disclaimer: This Post is a direct copy of something I wrote the other day while bored at work, I am not editing it in anyway from the original, so I apologize if by chance i sound like a total @$$hole****

Depository of Knowledge? That is what some would call me. Others just call me nerd, geek, dweeb, and the like. To me, tey all mean the same thing: you are different and we don't like you. I have learned to accept this as my fate and seek out others of my kind as they are less likely to shun me away.
So far, my search has yielded few results and I am content with this. Those I have found are popel I feel closely connected to despite having never met them.

Why is it that after living here for over a year, I know no one outside of work or family? Is my life that much that of a hermit? Am I just antisocial or is there something deeper which I am unable to see? The answers to these questions do I seek as well as what my place is in this world. Why the need to start a church ot the help those less fortunate? What is it that keeps me balanced and allows me to see all sides of any dispute, even if I have a vested interest? I don't know any of this, as this is my greates weakness, an inability to advise myself in matters I can answer easily for anyone else.

Well, here it is, the big day, December 19th. In just a short 14 hours and 38 Minutes i get on a bus that will take me to meet my fiancee for the first time as well as my new home, and family. Am i nervous? Damn right i am. Scared? yeah, right again. Worried i made the wrong decision about my fiancee? not even the smallest one. So, what am i to do with a chapter in my life closing and a new one opening? I guess i should just turn the page and let it lead me where it wants, right?