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…It’s
time to liberate Americans
At
this moment, Iraqi people throughout Iraq are celebrating their
independence.
They
are liberated from mad man Saddam Hussein, tyrannical leader at the helm
of Iraqi oppression for 35 years.
Americans
should jump on the bandwagon and follow suit. American soldiers may have
liberated the Iraqi people, but what about us Americans who are ready to
turn the tables against our own tyranny?
We
allowed it to happen, but we can turn the tables. Call it the Second
American Revolution, I’m ready for it, the country is ready for it.
Let’s turn to each other for help and quit depending on Big Brother to
deliver the goods.
Big
Brother is tripped up on his own ego and leading the way for the new
American fad – fascism at its worst.
Let’s
face it, people like me and who may think alike in this galaxy are rare.
But we’re bold when we need to be punctual.
And
today is a good day to start as Iraqis begin their trek for a new Iraq;
the American people can pave the way for a new America – one without
Nazi leaders and international bankers looting us like bandits. I say,
put these tyrannical lenders in their place – pull them off their
pedestals just like the Iraqis toppled Saddam Hussein’s 40-foot statue
on Wednesday.
In
America, our icons are supposed to represent symbols of freedom – the
Liberty Bell, the Statue of Liberty, etc. But today we have nothing like
the freedom our Founding Fathers envisioned and these symbols are
becoming nothing more than clashing cymbals in the ear of the Creator
who has given us these inalienable rights that we somehow sold to the
devil to pay off our debt.
Their
principles are derailed – calling the country free when we have
allowed ten jillion forms of oppression into our lives. I say it’s
time to kick them out!
Get rid
of the credit card debt kind of thing. Doesn’t debt resemble
oppression? At the very least I would consider it to be economically
oppressing to be in debt up to the ears.
If you
owe for more than the home you live in or the car you drive, you face
losing both because eventually credit card interest turns into credit
card hell and before you know it you’re paying 50 to 100 times more
for an item than as if you had paid for it in cold cash. Believe me, I
know.
Take
for example my computer I paid with Sears Charge Plus starting at about
16% interest but which has grown to 24% interest over the years because
the interest rates are “variable” (but only if it’s an increase,
never a decrease to the consumer’s benefit) and this supposedly gives
them the God given right to charge increased predatory rates.
In
other words, I paid $2,400 to Sears for a computer in 1996 that I quit
using around 1999 and I not only owe $2,400, but this debt has grown to
$2,600 and the only thing I ever put on that Sears Charge Plus card was
the computer I can no longer use.
The
monthly payment they request guarantees that this debt will grow double
fold and eventually become a million dollar debt before I retire so that
after I retire I can work, work, work my butt off to pay, pay, pay for
an outlandish credit agreement that favors only the credit card company
and not the consumer, me.
But
I’ve learned and since then I’ve paid for three new computers with
cash at only a hundredth of the cost that I’ll end up paying Sears
Charge Plus, and these NO CREDIT CARD computers still work! And I owe
not one cent for them. Sears Charge Plus can come pick up their computer
– what a pile of junk.
Economic
revolution, you bet. If you can’t afford it, don’t buy it. Get out
of debt no matter how bad you have to suffer. Save up for the things you
want to purchase.
Keep
credit for the big things in life – a house payment at the least
amount of interest – and don’t let mortgage lenders or loan sharks
talk you into settling debt with one of their phony get-out-of-debt
schemes. There are plenty of non-profits out there to help homeowners
consolidate debt and pay less interest rates while erasing debt paying
off the actual principle.
Let’s
take our home’s refinancing as an example to steer away from. We were
eight years into paying off a low 8% annual interest, 15-year VA loan
when in walked a mortgage company that in ads today still fraudulently
claims to erase credit card debt with their refinancing schemes. What we
got was a 30-year loan at higher 10% interest and we’re paying a
higher monthly installment than we were on the 15-year loan and only one
of the six debts that were supposed to get erased was actually settled,
and even that one credit card company slips up and asks for its money
that it supposedly already accepted in full.
What
I’m saying is that we need freedom from leaches, roaches and predators
who have both of their hands in our pockets at the expense of our loved
ones. America’s economy has gone all to hell and it’s time we help
each other in our time of need.
Hey,
I’ve got a rope if you got a forklift to help me put a noose around
the necks of our own Saddam-like statues in America.
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OBITUARIES
Timoteo
M. Ontiveros, 76, a
lifelong resident of Arrey, NM, died Tuesday, April 8, 2003, at Memorial
Medical Center in Las Cruces. He
was born July 22, 1926, in Garfield, NM. The Korean Conflict veteran
served in the U.S. Army. He retired as a park ranger with New Mexico
State Parks. He was a member of the Eagles Lodge and St. Joseph’s
Catholic Church in Arrey. He was a former member of the Veterans of
Foreign Wars Post in Rodey, NM.
Survivors
include his children, Alicia and husband Lee Culpepper, Teodoro
“Ted” and wife Helen Ontiveros, Enrique and wife Cathy Ontiveros,
Margaret and husband Sal Aguirre, and Mariana and husband Emiliano
Vigil, all of Truth or Consequences, Celia and husband Terry White of
Las Palomas, Julia Hernandez and Jose Ontiveros, both of Arrey, and
Eulalia Ontiveros of La Luz; his grandchildren, Erin S. Ontiveros, Eric
S. Ontiveros, Mical Culpepper, Nicole Ontiveros, Christopher Ontiveros,
James White, Richard Ontiveros, Samuel Ontiveros, Robert Hinojo, Tracy
Hinojo, Denise Ontiveros, Mitchell Ontiveros, Jared Ontiveros, Christina
Ontiveros, Rosiyo Hernandez, Candelaria Hernandez, Erica Garcia, Lucille
Garcia, Michael Garcia, Valerie Garcia, Miguel Ontiveros, Aurora Vigil,
Pablo Vigil, Lorenzo Vigil and Brandon Ontiveros; and his
great-grandchildren, Bailey, Alexis T., Keighley and Alexis R. He was
preceded in death by his wife, Candelaria Ontiveros.
Visitation
will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today (Friday, April 11) in the Chapel of
French Mortuary in T or C. A prayer vigil will be held at 6 p.m. today
at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Arrey where mass of Christian
burial also will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 12, with Rev.
Narciso Rivera officiating. Rite of committal and interment will be in
the Arrey Cemetery. Arrangements are by French Mortuary of T or C Inc.;
505-894-2574.
Ann
Torres, 54, a resident
of Truth or Consequences the last 40 years, died Friday, April 4, 2003,
at her home.
She was
born May 15, 1948, in Mesa, AZ, to Roy and Dorothy Shannon. She had
worked as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN).
Survivors
include her husband, Joe Torres of T or C; her three sons, John Justin
"J.J." Torres of T or C, Michael & wife Sherry Fuller and
Gerald & wife Christine Fuller, both of Sacramento, CA; her
step-daughters, Christine Torres of T or C and Denise Torres of Las
Cruces; three granddaughters and a grandson; her mother, Dorothy M.
Shannon of T or C; her two sisters, Patricia & husband Robert
Ketchum of T or C, and Mona & husband Joe B. "Tojo" Kelly
of Columbus, NM; her four brothers, Les & wife Judy Shannon of
Sierra Vista, AZ, Mike & wife Molly Shannon of Santa Margarita, CA,
Pecos & wife Darr Shannon, and Luke & wife Angie Shannon of
Lordsburg, both of Lordsburg; numerous nieces and nephews and
great-nieces and great-nephews. She was preceded in death by her father,
Roy L. Shannon.
Services
were held Monday, April 7, in the Chapel of French Mortuary or T or C
with Pastor Bill Winkler officiating. Casket bearers were Les Shannon,
Shane Shannon, Luke Shannon, Kelly Shannon, Seth Graham and Chad
Shannon. Interment was in Vista Memory Gardens Cemetery in T or C.
Arrangements were by French Mortuary of T or C Inc.
Harold
Wesley Cripe, 91, of
Elephant Butte, died Friday, April 4, 2003, at his home. He was born
April 27, 1911, in Colorado. He served his country as a captain in the
U.S. Army and had owned Central Trailer Supply. He was a charter life
member of the Elephant Butte Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1389. He also
was a founder of the Lakeshore Fire Department and he helped to organize
the Lakeshore Booster Club in Elephant Butte.
Survivors
include his son, Fredrick and wife Jill Cripe of Elephant Butte; four
grandchildren; and his longtime friends of more than 30 years, Harvey L.
Sadie Kleinstiver of Elephant Butte. He was preceded in death by his
wife, Vermona, in August 2001, and by his daughter, Cecilia LaBlanc.
Cremation
took place and no local services are planned. Arrangements were by
French Mortuary of T or C Inc. in Truth or Consequences; 505-894-2574.
Junior
Jefferson Carter, 70,
of Truth or Consequences, died April 3, 2003, at his home after a long
illness.
He was
born Nov. 22, 1932, in Eastland, TX, to Prentice Jefferson and Eula Lee
(Swope) Carter. He was a Korean Conflict veteran of the U.S. Army. He
farmed and ranched in younger years. He also was a heavy equipment
operator and worked in the mines in Hurley, NM. He later worked at a
service station in Hatch. The family moved to Truth or Consequences in
1976 and he owned and operated Ray's Drive-in (now A&B Drive-in)
more than 17 years until he retired. He was an avid hunter and fisherman
who loved the outdoors and working in the garden. He was active in the
Southern New Mexico State Fair Board of Directors. He enjoyed attending
the fairs and helping all his grandchildren with their 4-H and FFA
projects.
Survivors
include his wife of more than 46 years, Alphie May Carter, of T or C;
two sons, Kenneth Jefferson Carter and wife Karen, and Norman Clay
Carter and wife Theresa, both of Las Palomas, NM; his grandchildren,
Brandie Winder and husband Jeremy of South Carolina, Tyrel J. Carter of
Las Palomas, Kari Conyers and husband Nathan of T or C, Chance Carter of
Las Palomas, and Joseph, Amanda, Reece and Cooper Carter, all of Las
Palomas; his two sisters, Betty Bragg of Hatch and Irene Stringfellow of
Silver City; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by
his parents and his brother, Clayton Robert Carter.
Graveside
services were held Monday at Vista Memory Gardens Cemetery in T or C
with Rev. Mike Skidmore of the Full Gospel Tabernacle officiating.
Arrangements were by Sierra Funeral Home, 507 W. McAdoo St. in T or C.
Lee
Alton Robert Ableson,
90, of Albuquerque, died March 31, 2003, at the Albuquerque Manor
Nursing Home.
He was
born Aug. 9, 1912, 9in Sinton, TX, to William and Monta T. (Correy)
Ableson. He married Dora Gladys Stuart and from this union one son,
Billy Alton Ableson, was born. He later enlisted in the U.S. Army during
World War II and trained with Company H, 503rd Parachute
Infantry. He participated in the Markham Valley Campaign and was
decorated with the Good Conduct Medal and Asiatic-Pacific Ribbons.
He has
no living relatives, however, he leaves a good friend, Richard Claassen,
and wife Ruth of Truth or Consequences, NM, who he had befriended and
trusted throughout his final years.
Graveside
services with military honors were held April 2 at Vista Memory Gardens
Cemetery in T or C with Pastor Sean Wagner of the First Baptist Church
officiating. Arrangements are by Sierra Funeral Home, 507 W. McAdoo St.
in T or C.
Reuben
Milton Rumbaugh, 89,
of Truth or Consequences, died April 2, 2003, at the Sierra Health Care
Center.
He was
born July 27, 1913, in Melrose, NM, to Charles Augustus and Sarah
Evaline (Mayfield) Rumbaugh. He attended Melrose schools and married
Lois Ila Newman on Sept. 14, 1936, in Melrose. He was a carpenter who
built the first buildings at Cannon Air Force Base in Clovis, NM, and
also helped to build the First Baptist Church in Melrose, where he was a
member and a deacon.
Survivors
include his two sons, Jackie Lee Rumbaugh and wife Beth of Dickens, TX,
and Jimmy Wayne Rumbaugh and wife Claudia of Arlington, TX; his two
daughters, Barbara Ann Cottle of Truth or Consequences and Betty Carol
Evans of Roseville, CA; his sister, Ada Fielden of Melrose; nine
grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by
his wife, Lois Rumbaugh; his parents; two brothers, Raymond and Emory
Rumbaugh; and four sisters, Wilma Skeen, Edith Harper, Mada Rumbaugh and
his twin, Ruby Draper.
Funeral
Services were held April 5 at the First Baptist Church in Melrose with
Pastor Durward Wofford officiating along with Brother Coy Brewer of the
First Baptist Church in Fort Sumner. Casket bearers were Brian Todd
Cottle, Daniel Evans, Kevin Rumbaugh, Eric Rumbaugh, Joshua Rumbaugh and
Christopher Rumbaugh.
Burial
was in the Melrose Cemetery beside his wife. Arrangements were by Sierra
Funeral Home in T or C.
Amadita
R. Guzman, 63, of
Truth or Consequences, died April 2, 2003, at Presbyterian Hospital in
Albuquerque.
She was
born Dec. 5, 1939, in Los Alamos, NM, to Otto B. and Tiburcia R. Lucero.
She married Joe E. Guzman on Aug. 27, 1959, in Las Cruces, NM. The
homemaker was a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in
T or C. She enjoyed dancing, sewing and attending yard sales.
Survivors
include her husband, Joe E. Guzman of T or C; her four daughters, JoAnn
Aronow and husband Walter of Dallas, TX, Cynthia Guzman and husband Rene
Gayton of Las Cruces, Patricia Guzman, and Juliet Sullivan and husband
Gary, all three of T or C; three brothers, Jose Lucero of Silver City,
Harold Lucero and wife Annabelle of New Mexico and Mike Lucero and wife
Karen of California; two sisters, Elisa Pinson and husband J.L. of
Hobbs, and Linda Teran of Hurley; six grandchildren, Melody, Joe,
Desiree, Aliyah, Brianna and Chas; two great-grandchildren, Joseph and
Dominic; an honorary child, Kristie Sanders and husband Wade of Tucson,
AZ; and one adopted child, David Rivera and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation
for Amadita will begin at noon until 5:00 PM, Thursday, April 3, 2003,
at Sierra Funeral Home. Again
on Friday from 9:00 AM until 6:00 PM, April 4, 2003.
Rosary
and prayer vigil were held April 4 at Sierra Funeral Home in T or C.
Funeral mass was celebrated April 5 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Catholic Church in T or C with Rev. Sean Garrity officiating.
Pallbearers were Christopher Garcia, Rene Gayton, Joe Guzman II, Mario
Montoya, Lorenzo Rivera and Gary Sullivan. Honorary pallbearers were
Benny Armijo, David Rivera, Ruben Sainz, Wade Sanders and Augie Teran
Jr. Burial was in Vista Memory Gardens Cemetery in T or C. Arrangements
were by Sierra Funeral Home in T or C.
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