Brutally Honest

A Belated Veterans Day Comment

By Chuck aka XtnYoda

I’ve waited until the day after Veterans Day to make my comment.

As a veteran myself, that served our nation during a time of war, and on the field of war. A veteran that fought and held the head of men dying in their own blood, who saw the last breath leave their bodies, that heard their last word, ‘Momma,’ that knew them personally, that knew their hopes and dreams, and weaknesses, and fears, and cried unashamedly when they lost life. (And still do at times.)

I have a few thoughts.

Do you think they fought and died so you can live a life of ease and luxury? Do you think they fought and died so you can whine and moan about feeling underprivileged, taken advantage of, feeling victimized, entitled to lives of excess for every pleasure you think you deserve?

If so, you honor them not. So next year, on Veterans Day, instead of your hollow words and symbols of gratitude, just go to your local Veterans Cemetery, and stand by a grave, and spit on it.

You want to ‘honor’ a veteran? Make something of you life, something that will actually benefit some other human being. Don’t live a life filled with selfish dreams and goals and ambitions, but dedicate your life to the advancement of others. That is what distinguishes the sacrifice of a veteran.

You want to honor a veteran … go and do likewise. Then we will feel honored, even though that is not why we served. We served because it was our duty.

Why Your Tax Bill Might Surge Next Year

By Chuck aka XtnYoda

Are you ready for about a $3,500 dollar surge in your taxes next year? According to this report from Yahoo Finance News this is exactly what is going to happen to many Americans.

Is congress forewarning you about the coming rather dramatic increases?

In a recent tax planning meeting with one of our clients, we shocked them with what their income tax future looked like for 2013 if Congress continues to do nothing to provide a long-term permanent set of tax laws (and it looks as if lawmakers are headed down this track).

They had no idea what tax breaks were expiring this year and next year, and how much it would cost them personally in extra income tax. But they aren't alone, many Americans and even tax professionals aren't aware that their tax bill could rise dramatically next year.

These clients are your average American family and their situation is a good example of the law changes that will affect all of us. Here's their tax situation with a table summarizing the expiring tax laws that are scheduled to occur in 2011 and 2012.

Meet the Smiths: 26-year-olds Bill and Joan have been married for five years and have two young children. Bill earns about $65,000 a year in sales and Joan has gone back to work and earns about $35,000 annually. Bill owes quite a bit on his college student loans and will pay about $3,000 in interest on them in 2013. With Joan working again, they are paying $3,000 for year-round child care. Joan inherited some AT&T stock from her grandmother, which pays her $1,000 in dividends every year. Finally, counting home mortgage interest, they have about $20,000 in itemized deductions.

The first big change affecting the Smiths will be a combined increase in income tax rates, and a tightening of tax brackets as a result of the expiration of the Bush tax cuts. We estimate this will cost them $960 in 2013.

Bill will lose the complete deduction of his student loan interest in 2013, costing about $840. The pair's allowable deduction for child care will drop to $2,400 from $3,000, and they will also see their credit for children drop in half, costing another $1,000.

The marriage tax penalty will come roaring back to hit the Smiths in 2013, costing an estimated $500. The tax on their dividend income will go increase to $280 from $150, adding another $130. Finally, although we did not calculate the effect, without Congressional action to once again "fix" the alternative minimum tax, the Smiths could owe this ugly tax as well!

Luckily for the Smiths — but not for many Americans — other major changes for 2013, which do not personally affect them, include a phase out of itemized deductions and personal exemptions if their income starts to climb.

In summary, because of tax laws expiring this year and next, we estimate that the Smiths will owe $3,598 more in income tax in 2013 than in 2011 with no change in their income.

Major Individual Income Tax Benefits Expiring 12/31/2011:

• Personal tax credits applied against income tax no longer apply

• Higher alternative minimum tax exemptions revert back to extraordinarily-low thresholds

• $250 school teacher expense deduction ends

• Mortgage insurance premium deduction expires

• State and local sales tax deductions expire

• Tuition and related fees deduction end

• IRA to charity tax-free transfers stop

• 2% Social Security tax reduction ends

Major Individual Income Tax Benefits Expiring 12/31/2012:

• Marriage penalty equalization ends

• Dividends taxed at capital gains rates removed, taxed at regular rates now

• Capital gains low tax rates expires

• Removal of itemized deduction phase out for higher income Americans

• Removal of personal exemption phase out for higher income Americans

• Child care deduction limit of $3,000 reverts to $2,400

• Child credit reduces from $1,000 per child to $500 per child

• Low 10% tax bracket for low income Americans is eliminated

• Lower income tax rates and smaller brackets expires

• Refundable adoption credit and reduced deduction

• American Opportunity college education credit expires

• Major reduction in earned income credits and refunds

• Income tax exemption for debt forgiven on home foreclosures and repossessions

• Deduction for student loan interest ends

• Education IRA limit drops from $2,000 to $500

Bob Jennings is a CPA, EA and CFP and author of "Understanding Social Security & Medicare."

Posted by FoxBusiness

Doesn't look like good news to me, and for the most part, it isn't news at all, at least as far as congress reporting this to our citizens is concerned.

"In God We Trust"

By Chuck aka XtnYoda

Here is some interesting news out of the House of Representatives that hasn't received much play, a voted on House Resolution to affirm our national motto, "In God We Trust."

I guess it is a little heart warming that the House would elect to make such a resolution ... but it is a little disheartening to realize that they felt the need to do so. Not that they didn't need to do so, it is just a rather sad commentary about the reality of the place that our nation has come to.

Following is an excerpt from the article. Go read the whole article to see what was the tipping point that ended up convincing members of our House of Representatives to decide that this resolution needed to be presented.

House Votes to Reaffirm 'In God We Trust' as National Motto

The House on Tuesday passed a measure reaffirming “In God We Trust” as the national motto of the U.S., in an effort to encourage its display in public buildings and send a message to those who seek to remove God from the public domain.

The resolution required a two-thirds vote to pass, and did so easily, 396 to 9.

.......

“We need to make clear to the people in this country that our motto is ‘In God We Trust,’ and encourage them to proudly display that motto,” Forbes said.

.......

Rep. Dan Lungren (R.-Calif.) said the reaffirmation is also important because the word “God” has been challenged in the courts when used on public buildings, such as the new U.S. Capitol Visitor Center, and in the Pledge of Allegiance when it's recited in public schools.

“This is an important message that we need to affirm. It is under attack, and we are not wasting time. How could we waste time making sure ‘In God We Trust’ is enshrined in our national motto?” Lungren said.

.....

Rep. Jeff Miller (R.-Fla.) said the U.S. has relied on its faith in God since the country's inception.

“Yes, there are attacks on God, every day,” Miller said. “As President Reagan​ said, 'If we ever forget that we're one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under.’”

Even though this has not made it into any MSM news reports ... it might just be a resolution that is referred to in days ahead.

Prayers for Chuck aka XtnYoda

Regular readers,

I've just learned that Pastor Chuck, one of Brutally Honest's loyal followers and guest bloggers, was in a motorcycle accident yesterday, apparently the victim of a collision with a deer.  I don't have a lot of details at this point other than he was released today from the hospital.  He's well enough to be posting a picture on Facebook that clearly shows some facial swollenness.

Pray for a complete and full recovery and let's be thankful that this ended better than it might've.

Amen.

Death by bureaucracy

By Chuck aka XtnYoda

A Bureaucratic Death Panel tries to open the door to the cancer that is the #1 cancer among men. Newt is trying to expose this effort by bureaucrats.

Earlier this month, a panel appointed by the Department of Health and Human Services made a recommendation so detached from the good of individual patients it could only have come from government bureaucrats. They recommended eliminating screening for the most common cancer among males nationwide.

Despite lacking any specialist who deals with the issue, the panel issued a recommendation this month to stop using the only available test to screen for prostate cancer. PSA tests .... Without the PSA testing, many men will have no way to know they have the disease until it has developed into much more dangerous problem. In some cases, it will be a too late by the time they discover it.

What is the basis for the panel’s recommendation to discontinue screening that can save lives?  It has nothing to do with the merits of the test. Instead, these government-appointed experts advised against screening because they disagree with what some doctors and patients choose to do with the information once they have it ..... the task force’s answer is simply to deny doctors and patients the chance to consider early treatment by recommending they not screen for prostate cancer in the first place.

That is not a reasoned response to the problem. It is a bureaucratic response to the problem. And people will almost certainly die because of it....

You might want to go read the whole article when you have a couple of minutes.

Presidential alarming of children

By Chuck aka XtnYoda

Now ... the President of the United States of America ... has joined the ranks of those pushing the propaganda of "man made climate change" (anthropogenic global warming) ... down the throats of children.

Climate Depot

President Barack Obama told Scholastic News Kid Reporters during a TV interview that one of the "greatest challenges facing" their generation is “climate change.”

"Another big challenge that your generation is going to face is the environmental challenge,” Obama stated, after citing the economy as another big issue. The interview was conducted by Scholastic News kid reporters as part of the new program on the “Challenges Facing America's Youth.”

Obama explained: “There are some big challenges around climate change. The temperature of the planet is getting warmer because of the pollution that we are sending up in the air, the carbon that we are releasing.” He added: “That is something we are going to have to really focus on.”...

Obama also claimed that man-made global warming was “causing changing weather patterns.” "In places like Florida you may be more vulnerable to hurricanes, in other areas we have seen more drought,” he explained.

“We have got to get started dealing with this issue. and we have to make sure your generation finds better ways to use energy more efficiently so that we are not sending out as much pollution into the air and that is something we are going to have to really focus on," Obama added....

This is a sad day in American history.

Government's propaganda of children and climate

By Chuck aka XtnYoda

The government's "Energy Star" agency has started a major campaign targeting children with their "global warming" mantra.

Brazen evil and child abuse coming from this government agency.

Shame on you "Energy Star."

You are no star ... you are a black hole ... attempting to suck the life out of every child and their futures.

Madness at the Houston National Cemetery

By Chuck aka Xtnyoda

Absolute madness from the director of the Houston National Cemetery.

Take the time to register a complaint.

"All were honorable men"

By Chuck aka XtnYoda

I received this in an e-mail from a dear chaplain friend. He has a nephew that is serving in Afghanistan. My friend has given me permission to share the letter with you all ... names erased for obvious reasons.

My beloved friends and family....

I've thought for a long time about writing an update... trying to conjure up words to somehow describe to you how things are over here. My past deployments have always afforded me the opportunity to give you all positive updates and "upbeat" themes to embrace. This deployment... is different.... very much so.

The truth of the matter is that, this has proven to be the single most "challenging" deployment I have ever known. From the time this whole mission started (over 18 months ago) throughout the past 45 days... this has been the most strenuous experience of my life... on a great many levels, both personal and professional.

To date, we have lost 7 of our finest. All were honorable men... aimed with a common goal... to execute the orders set before them... to accomplish the mission and to protect their fellow soldiers. They gave their lives in the course of this action. While all that sounds very gallant and noble (and it is) I can tell you with all assurance that it doesn't make the loss any easier.

I am an emotional man and not in the least bit ashamed of it. I wear my heart on my sleeve and those who know me, know I cannot feign happiness when I'm swallowed with sadness. For the past several weeks... this has been my proverbial "cross to bear".

I don't pretend to have all the answers about this deployment or the decisions made through each and every mission set before this. We have a saying... "It is what it is." and that is (in fact) the way things are. We cannot change it. We cannot leave it. we must simply embrace harsh reality that this is our situation and me must continue through it, despite the pain it inflicts. We don't have the luxury of sitting back in a comfy sofa and playing "arm-chair quarterback" with the direction or course of this war. We're stuck right smack-dab in the middle of this stench and we have two choices... Breathe the stinky air; or suffocate.

I realize I have painted a rather bleak picture thus far but I must say It's not all bad. We have each other here and believe me... we rely heavily upon each other to both preserve our lives and our sanity. This place can (and will) drive you hopelessly into despair if you let it. We find comfort in each others company. I personally am blessed to have an amazing crew. My guys are, in my opinion, (and the opinion of many others) some of the best in this Brigade. Through their professional and technical expertise, not only do they make my job immensely less difficult from the mission's stand-point, they each bring a unique character quality and sense of humor that keep things entertaining. Yea.... I've got a good crew. The best.

We pass the time (whatever "free time" there is after an average 16-18 hour day) playing video games, watching TV, working out, hanging out or collectively working on some weird project that only geeks think of. Saying that my guys 'tell jokes in Binary' would only be a slight exaggeration.

They're Infantry Signaleers... Communications experts in an Infantry Battalion. They provide digital and tactical communications on the battlefield by any means possible. Which means, not only do they ensure that our soldiers can call in to report their status... they ensure they can call for help when needed. They often are going out to where the combat troops are... fixing things that aren't supposed to be fixed. They go into harm's way, mounting up with the other soldiers, driving through hostile fire and dodging IEDs just so they can get to a remote location and install a printer on a commander's tactical network. They work on Satellite terminals, trying to lock in a transmit frequency, only to run for cover as rockets and mortars come raining down... they "man the wire" to defend against attacks.. then turn around and go back to fixing and maintaining the network. They are presented with all manner of technical challenges, sometimes under fire... usually with little sleep... some of them without the "luxury" of running water or flushing toilets. Despite these odds, these guys can create digital magic out of a cardboard box, a paper clip and a pop tart. Don't ask me how they do it... even I am amazed at times. I swear, if I ever hear someone from the Best Buy "Geek Squad" complain about the hassles of making a house call I'm gonna smack them square in the mouth.

I have to say (and I would be utterly remiss if I didn't), the men and women we serve with are amazing. Even in the face of such recent tragedy, these professionals "soldier up" and go back out... day after day. Facing the challenges and deadly environment, these individuals refuse to be beaten. Their resilience is unquestionably the most amazing thing to behold. How can they... after all they've been through, simply put their armor on, grab their weapons and go back out into the fray? Well, it's simple... they have no choice. Not because they've been ordered to... but because their professional commitment to duty and their personal commitment to each other won't allow it any other way.

I'm sure when this whole thing is said and done you will hear a plethora of stories... some good and some bad. Some will question, or even challenge, the reasons and motives behind this mission. Others will support and defend it. But regardless of their individual positions on the matter.. you'll find one common thread. Not one of them really even considered their own personal beliefs on this war when they mounted up in the trucks to head out the gate. They did it without question because their Brothers and Sisters were getting in the truck with them. And not one of them would let the other go into harm's way without protection - a "Battle Buddy". It's inspiring... every time.

On a personal level, I must say, that one of my greatest mainstays throughout this whole thing has been my beloved wife, *****. She has, without a doubt, been the single most faithful supporter and partner I have. Despite her own fears and apprehensions, she looks out for me. She prays for me. She continuously worries for me and yet, despite that constant anguish, stays focused to sustain me in any way she can. Her devotion and love is unquestionable. When one of my most beloved friends, **** ****, was killed in combat, ***** comforted me and, despite her own private horror and fear, went to the funeral to show support and deliver a personal message to ****'s wife on my behalf. She could have chosen to stay home, but her devotion to me and her unwavering support compelled her to represent our home and to support her fellow sister of the military family.

***** will be the first to admit that she's not perfect. Who among us are? What amazes me is that, despite MY flaws, she still remains forever and devoted. After all the pain my chosen career has caused her... she supports and loves me. She is MY hero. I love you *****.

I'll tell you... the anguish and strain that military wives are forced to endure is beyond comprehension. ESPECIALLY for the wives of this deployment. People are dying over here... OUR people. Our wives don't have the luxury of watching TV, hearing about casualties, and then politely dismissing the news as "unfortunate" or "sad". For them, it is a horror they live with every day and every night. To spend their waking hours in dread and sleepless nights in fear of that horrifying news that their loved one... their life partner is gone. Or to hear the news... and for a brevity of a millisecond, be grateful that it isn't THEIR loved one... only to be immediately plagued with guilt and remorse; for they know that another spouse, one of OUR military family, is forever shattered. It is an unspeakable and horrible situation that they must face, and embrace, each day. As we here on the front face the war, our spouses and partners are every bit engaged in battle back home. Yet... they still keep our homes in order... still look out for us... impatiently waiting, hoping, praying and longing for that day when we return.

Yet... there are those among us who cannot stop themselves from attacking... those who have the misguided and twisted mentality that exploiting in an imperfect situation somehow elevates their own sense of self-worth. I would submit this to you... Until you have walked the proverbial "mile" in a military spouse's shoes, kindly walk away and go on with your pathetic lives. You obviously have no real interest in ours. We pity you... but we don't need you, we have what matters most to us locked tightly in our hearts.

I have seen a great number of treacherous things... tragedy, heart break, betrayal, death and destruction. Things that constantly pull at my soul and fight for my sanity. Emotional devastation and psychological horror. Yet... through all of this I can still hold my head up. I can still look at the horizon and see hope and continue on.

My Faith in Jesus Christ, my steadfast and loyal teammates of the Unit and the unwavering support of my Friends and Family give me the strength and focus to see, that this "hell" we are living in is merely temporary and, while prominently thrust into the forefront of my life, it is ultimately NOT the force that defines me.

I'll end on this thought. I honestly don't know how you will receive this message. I started out with every intention of giving you an "update", and yet somehow this message has transcended into a personal reflection and testimonial of sorts. I don't want to leave you with the impression that we (over here) are in helpless despair. We're not. However... there are times when it hurts... times when it simply sucks... and no words can adequately convey the moment.

That's all for now my friends. Just needed to get that out. Know that we over here love you over there more than words can say.

I love you all,

God ... Bless and protect our troops.

God ... Bless America.

Snuggle with your dog... under the rug... yet another way to go green

By Chuck aka XtnYoda

Ummmm .... are they serious down under?

AUSTRALIANS are being urged to play board games and snuggle up under a rug with a pet or their families to help cut power bills.
.....
"Improving energy efficiency is a way households can help lower carbon pollution while saving money..."

The further this goes ... the more absurd it becomes.