Sgt. Devin Snyder was a young MP who's life was cut short by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan on June 4th. She'll be laid to rest on Saturday in her hometown with full honors and a Patriot Guard escort.
Westboro Baptist Church is planning on going to New York and protesting her funeral. Their trademark hate mongering tactic.
But Sgt. Snyder's family has a battle plan to combat them. They are called The Patriot Guard.
The Patriot Guard was formed in 2005 to shelter and protect the families of fallen soldiers who find themselves victim to WBC's protests. They come only when invited by the family.
They are considered a motorcycle club, although not all members ride.
"We don’t care what you ride or if you ride, what your political views are, or whether you’re a hawk or a dove. It is not a requirement that you be a veteran. It doesn't matter where you’re from or what your income is; you don’t even have to ride. The only prerequisite is Respect." 1
The Patriot Guard shows the respect that our fallen soldiers deserve and support and shield their families.
According to Tim Weathers, the lead Rider for Snyder's funeral, WBC usually backs off when they hear the the Patriot Guard will be there. But he thinks this time will be different.
"When they know that the Patriot Guard is going to be there they usually don't show up. But then again, this could be different because Devin Snyder was young, she was a female and this could be one of their targets.” he said. 2
Thank you, Sgt. Snyder for your service.
And thank God for the Patriot Guard Riders. You are as much of heroes as the soldiers you stand up for.
And that gives the Ice Queen hope
1. Patriot Guard Riders mission statement http://www.patriotguard.org/
2. The Westboro Baptist Church Says It Will Be In The Southern Tier This Weekend by Bobby Brooks WETM 18 Elmira-Corning, NY
Friday, June 17, 2011
Sunday, April 10, 2011
A Meet and Greet with Charlaine Harris
Yesterday, I had the honor and pleasure of meeting one of my writing inspirations. A friend had asked via Facebook if anyone wanted to go with her to the Arkansas Literally Festival where Charlaine Harris would be speaking. And since I had the weekend off from work, I told her I would. In turn I invited another fan and friend, April, to join us.
After arriving it didn't take long for us to find the church she would be speaking at. Beautiful church. And the irony of a vampire fiction writer speaking in a church was not lost on us. We found it to be quite funny, actually. Of course we were a few hours early since the event didn't start until 7. It was a nice sunny day with a nice breeze, so we sat under a tree in front of the church and just hung out and goofed off. At least April and I did. After some picture taking of the church and ourselves and playing with our ringtones, other fans started trickling in and staff informed us that they would be opening the doors at 6:15-6:20, So we moved from under the tree to the church steps. Where we did some more waiting and book discussions with two ladies from Oklahoma. April turned to me at one point and told me I should be promoting my own book, which I hadn't even thought of doing. Which she told everyone sitting nearby to go look me up and buy my book. Gotta love best friends. (April later told me she thought I might have sold a few copies)
After that bit of waiting, and around 6:15, we got up and stood by the door expecting our wait to be over. As we're standing there, still chatting and waiting, three women walked up from the side trying to get into the church. One of the women was Charlaine herself! She was locked out of her own event. We took several pics, of course and did some chatting with her, before her assistant directed her to the door she was supposed to enter. Showing up over 2 hours early had it's advantage. Perhaps the best moment I had ever had.
When we were finally let into the church, the three of us got front row seats, cause April is cool like that. XD Charlaine had quite a sense of humor as she told us about her begining struggles as a writer and her "overnight success in 32 years". Pretty amazing how her most popular series had been originally turned down so many times. Then there was the question and answer session, with so many great questions, including one that had never been asked before.
Being in the front row meant that when it came time for Charlaine to do book signings, we were in the back of the line. But it was all good, since April and I got to chat with a couple of authors and I received an invite to write a blog on one of the authors' blog, since I'd created my own fantasy world. When it was finally my turn to get my copy of Dead Until Dark signed, I told her she was one of my inspirations, which delighted her. The smile that came across her face was a genuine "thank you" smile.
All in all, my first trip to a book signing and a meet and greet turned out just great
And the Ice Queen is cool with that
After arriving it didn't take long for us to find the church she would be speaking at. Beautiful church. And the irony of a vampire fiction writer speaking in a church was not lost on us. We found it to be quite funny, actually. Of course we were a few hours early since the event didn't start until 7. It was a nice sunny day with a nice breeze, so we sat under a tree in front of the church and just hung out and goofed off. At least April and I did. After some picture taking of the church and ourselves and playing with our ringtones, other fans started trickling in and staff informed us that they would be opening the doors at 6:15-6:20, So we moved from under the tree to the church steps. Where we did some more waiting and book discussions with two ladies from Oklahoma. April turned to me at one point and told me I should be promoting my own book, which I hadn't even thought of doing. Which she told everyone sitting nearby to go look me up and buy my book. Gotta love best friends. (April later told me she thought I might have sold a few copies)
After that bit of waiting, and around 6:15, we got up and stood by the door expecting our wait to be over. As we're standing there, still chatting and waiting, three women walked up from the side trying to get into the church. One of the women was Charlaine herself! She was locked out of her own event. We took several pics, of course and did some chatting with her, before her assistant directed her to the door she was supposed to enter. Showing up over 2 hours early had it's advantage. Perhaps the best moment I had ever had.
When we were finally let into the church, the three of us got front row seats, cause April is cool like that. XD Charlaine had quite a sense of humor as she told us about her begining struggles as a writer and her "overnight success in 32 years". Pretty amazing how her most popular series had been originally turned down so many times. Then there was the question and answer session, with so many great questions, including one that had never been asked before.
Being in the front row meant that when it came time for Charlaine to do book signings, we were in the back of the line. But it was all good, since April and I got to chat with a couple of authors and I received an invite to write a blog on one of the authors' blog, since I'd created my own fantasy world. When it was finally my turn to get my copy of Dead Until Dark signed, I told her she was one of my inspirations, which delighted her. The smile that came across her face was a genuine "thank you" smile.
All in all, my first trip to a book signing and a meet and greet turned out just great
And the Ice Queen is cool with that
Sunday, March 20, 2011
A New Spring
Today has many names.
Vernal Equinox
First day of Spring
Ostara
Eostre
But whatever name you call it, it's the official start of spring.
Today is one of the days that daytime and nighttime are close to equal. The name Equinox comes from the Latin words aequus, meaning "equal", and nox, meaning "night".
And the day is usually viewed as the first day of spring, although there are plenty of places that aren't feeling the spring like weather
Now, you're probably wondering what Ostara and Eostre are. Well, they're actually the same thing. They just have two names due to where one is from.
Ostara is the Pagan holiday celebrating the come of spring and the beginnings of new life.
But what's Easter got to do with Pagans?
Easter gets its name from Eostre, which is the Germanic name for Ostara. It is celebrated with sunrise worship of the God and Goddess and eggs colored in pastels and decorated with the symbols of the God, the Goddess, the Sun God, unity, fire, water, agriculture, prosperity and growth, strength and wisdom, spring, love and affection, and protection. *
I'll perhaps go more into detail when it comes closer to Easter.
Merry Ostara and Happy Equinox from the Ice Queen
* http://www.joellessacredgrove.com/Holidays/ostara.html
Vernal Equinox
First day of Spring
Ostara
Eostre
But whatever name you call it, it's the official start of spring.
Today is one of the days that daytime and nighttime are close to equal. The name Equinox comes from the Latin words aequus, meaning "equal", and nox, meaning "night".
And the day is usually viewed as the first day of spring, although there are plenty of places that aren't feeling the spring like weather
Now, you're probably wondering what Ostara and Eostre are. Well, they're actually the same thing. They just have two names due to where one is from.
Ostara is the Pagan holiday celebrating the come of spring and the beginnings of new life.
But what's Easter got to do with Pagans?
Easter gets its name from Eostre, which is the Germanic name for Ostara. It is celebrated with sunrise worship of the God and Goddess and eggs colored in pastels and decorated with the symbols of the God, the Goddess, the Sun God, unity, fire, water, agriculture, prosperity and growth, strength and wisdom, spring, love and affection, and protection. *
I'll perhaps go more into detail when it comes closer to Easter.
Merry Ostara and Happy Equinox from the Ice Queen
* http://www.joellessacredgrove.com/Holidays/ostara.html
Friday, March 4, 2011
WTF? Georgia, you have some major issues to resolve...
I never ever thought I would live to see something like this. And I have been proven wrong that something like this would never happen in our modern time.
What are you talking about? You ask.
I'm talking about HB 1, the law proposed by Georgia State Rep. Bobby Franklin. This law would make any woman who has had a miscarriage punishable by death. Along with having an abortion.
WTF, Rep Franklin?
According to HB 1, any "prenatal murder" in the words of the bill, including "human involvement" in a miscarriage, would be a felony and carry a penalty of life in prison or death.* Women will be required to prove that the miscarriage was a natural miscarriage. Don't you think it'll be tramatic enough having a miscarriage without having to prove in court that your body naturally miscarried the fetus?
Apparently, Rep Franklin doesn't know the difference between an abortion and a miscarriage. They are two different things. Look it up.
And just a little FYI: this is the same rep that propsed a bill last year to turn domestic violence and rape victims into asscusers. As far as I know that didn't pass. At least I don't find anything about that one.
Woman hater anyone?
If this passes, it will hold the door wide open for similar anti-women laws. If its not struck down by the Supreme Court first. What's next, being jailed for having anemia? Fainting spells? What about having a cold or the flu?
Apparentl these "men" want to go back to the days when women stayed home having babies, cooking and cleaning and whenever they were allowed out of the house they had to follow behind their husbands with hands clasped and heads down.
I don't know about you, but there will be snowball fights in Hell when the Ice Queen does that.
* Ga. Law Could Give Death Penalty for Miscarriages by Jen Phillips
What are you talking about? You ask.
I'm talking about HB 1, the law proposed by Georgia State Rep. Bobby Franklin. This law would make any woman who has had a miscarriage punishable by death. Along with having an abortion.
WTF, Rep Franklin?
According to HB 1, any "prenatal murder" in the words of the bill, including "human involvement" in a miscarriage, would be a felony and carry a penalty of life in prison or death.* Women will be required to prove that the miscarriage was a natural miscarriage. Don't you think it'll be tramatic enough having a miscarriage without having to prove in court that your body naturally miscarried the fetus?
Apparently, Rep Franklin doesn't know the difference between an abortion and a miscarriage. They are two different things. Look it up.
And just a little FYI: this is the same rep that propsed a bill last year to turn domestic violence and rape victims into asscusers. As far as I know that didn't pass. At least I don't find anything about that one.
Woman hater anyone?
If this passes, it will hold the door wide open for similar anti-women laws. If its not struck down by the Supreme Court first. What's next, being jailed for having anemia? Fainting spells? What about having a cold or the flu?
Apparentl these "men" want to go back to the days when women stayed home having babies, cooking and cleaning and whenever they were allowed out of the house they had to follow behind their husbands with hands clasped and heads down.
I don't know about you, but there will be snowball fights in Hell when the Ice Queen does that.
* Ga. Law Could Give Death Penalty for Miscarriages by Jen Phillips
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Anonymous Vs. WBC
Looks like someone finally gave Westboro Baptist Church the bitchslap they have been needing for looong time.
After a rumor that vigilante hacker organization Anonymous was declaring war on the controversial church. Anonymous denied they were planning any kind of war. But in true WBC style, they started a smear campaign and basically told them "Bring it!"
Both sides were invited to a radio talk show for a live web chat. Shirley Phelps-Roper, the rep for WBC, continuously attacked the rep for Anonymous with various insults while the rep continued to deny a war. But Ms. Phelps-Roper had a surprise waiting for her.
Once she told the Anonymous rep he was going to Hell, the rep responded with "I have a surprise for you." And directed viewers to downloads.westborobaptistchurch.com with a notice from Anonymous.
As of Feb 25, all of WBC's websites were inaccessible
Anonymous 1
WBC 0
And I find this quite hilarious
But that's just the Ice Queen's opinion.
After a rumor that vigilante hacker organization Anonymous was declaring war on the controversial church. Anonymous denied they were planning any kind of war. But in true WBC style, they started a smear campaign and basically told them "Bring it!"
Both sides were invited to a radio talk show for a live web chat. Shirley Phelps-Roper, the rep for WBC, continuously attacked the rep for Anonymous with various insults while the rep continued to deny a war. But Ms. Phelps-Roper had a surprise waiting for her.
Once she told the Anonymous rep he was going to Hell, the rep responded with "I have a surprise for you." And directed viewers to downloads.westborobaptistchurch.com with a notice from Anonymous.
As of Feb 25, all of WBC's websites were inaccessible
Anonymous 1
WBC 0
And I find this quite hilarious
But that's just the Ice Queen's opinion.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Tis the Season
Well Christmas has come and went. Another year of listening to a certain family member nag about the amount of gifts I bought the rest of the family (I started in July. Its not like I did it all at once sheesh.) You would think that she'd be happy that everyone is getting gifts. Who cares when they were bought or what they got.
Back on track....
It wasn't the perfect Christmas. For one there was no way I was topping the gifts I gave last year. That was a one time deal.
I bought my husband three model sets. And forgot to get the paint and glue. Of course. Then I bought him a couple of shirts; one with wolves, his favorite animal, the other of his favorite band. of course I got it in the wrong size. And I told my step mom the wrong size apparently, so all of his shirts are too small for him. I guess Large is no longer his size.
At least everyone liked their gifts. At least they said they did.
I'm not the best person in the kitchen, so if I make anything it does not require cooking or baking. I was going through wal-mart and found a recipe for a no bake Chocolate Mint Cheesecake. Of course I misread the name and thought it was a pie. I broke the crust putting the filling in. Had to wash the mixing bowl and the beaters before I even started. It seemed like it took forever to get my stuff together, but eventually I had a cheesecake before me. Everyone said they liked it. It was pretty good, but the crust was a crumbly mess.
My husband and I have a tradition of going to the movies on Christmas day. We have been doing that since we'd been dating. This year there was no movie, so I guess that tradition is done and over with.
There was no snow...
Back on track....
It wasn't the perfect Christmas. For one there was no way I was topping the gifts I gave last year. That was a one time deal.
I bought my husband three model sets. And forgot to get the paint and glue. Of course. Then I bought him a couple of shirts; one with wolves, his favorite animal, the other of his favorite band. of course I got it in the wrong size. And I told my step mom the wrong size apparently, so all of his shirts are too small for him. I guess Large is no longer his size.
At least everyone liked their gifts. At least they said they did.
I'm not the best person in the kitchen, so if I make anything it does not require cooking or baking. I was going through wal-mart and found a recipe for a no bake Chocolate Mint Cheesecake. Of course I misread the name and thought it was a pie. I broke the crust putting the filling in. Had to wash the mixing bowl and the beaters before I even started. It seemed like it took forever to get my stuff together, but eventually I had a cheesecake before me. Everyone said they liked it. It was pretty good, but the crust was a crumbly mess.
My husband and I have a tradition of going to the movies on Christmas day. We have been doing that since we'd been dating. This year there was no movie, so I guess that tradition is done and over with.
There was no snow...
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Harrisonville, Proof that Americans still support our Troops
You've probably have never heard of Harrisonville. I know I hadn't. In fact I'm not sure what state its in, Missori or Kansas. But I do know they are a town brought together.
What brought them together? The funeral of one of their own and the protestors coming to add salt to the family's wounds.
Now you know my opinion of Westboro Baptist Church. If you don't, read my previous blog. Short recap: they protest slain soldiers
Anyway back to Harrisonville
Harrisonville was home to Army Cpl. Jacob R. Carver, who was killed in Afghanistan by a suicide bomb earlier this month. Word came that our favorite church group was going to be coming to town to protest his funeral. The people of Harrisonville said "Hell no. Ain't gonna happen," Starting before dawn, Cpl Carver's supporters began to line the street on both sides of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, where the funeral was to be held. The people, along with folks from three counties, were not going to let the protester anywhere near the church. By the time they got there, the only spot was next to a store a third of a mile away from the church. They did what they came to do, shouting their hateful slogans and holding their hateful signs. But the supporters were louder, singing "God Bless America" and shouting "USA! USA!" and "Go Home! Go Home!" Of course they were some near fights and WBC finally gave up and bailed before the procession passed.
Thank you, People of Harrisonville. You give me faith that people really do support our Troops and honor the ones who have given their lives so we may be able to live like we do and protest those protesting the Troops.
All information within this edition of Ice Queen's Frozen Words comes from The Kansas City Star article "In Harrisonville, thousands line street to keep Phelps clan away from soldier’s funeral" by Donald Bradley
http://www.kansascity.com/2010/11/23/2467169/in-harrisonville-thousands-line.html
What brought them together? The funeral of one of their own and the protestors coming to add salt to the family's wounds.
Now you know my opinion of Westboro Baptist Church. If you don't, read my previous blog. Short recap: they protest slain soldiers
Anyway back to Harrisonville
Harrisonville was home to Army Cpl. Jacob R. Carver, who was killed in Afghanistan by a suicide bomb earlier this month. Word came that our favorite church group was going to be coming to town to protest his funeral. The people of Harrisonville said "Hell no. Ain't gonna happen," Starting before dawn, Cpl Carver's supporters began to line the street on both sides of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, where the funeral was to be held. The people, along with folks from three counties, were not going to let the protester anywhere near the church. By the time they got there, the only spot was next to a store a third of a mile away from the church. They did what they came to do, shouting their hateful slogans and holding their hateful signs. But the supporters were louder, singing "God Bless America" and shouting "USA! USA!" and "Go Home! Go Home!" Of course they were some near fights and WBC finally gave up and bailed before the procession passed.
Thank you, People of Harrisonville. You give me faith that people really do support our Troops and honor the ones who have given their lives so we may be able to live like we do and protest those protesting the Troops.
All information within this edition of Ice Queen's Frozen Words comes from The Kansas City Star article "In Harrisonville, thousands line street to keep Phelps clan away from soldier’s funeral" by Donald Bradley
http://www.kansascity.com/2010/11/23/2467169/in-harrisonville-thousands-line.html
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