Horror Story and Status Update 3-8-2014

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[caption id="attachment_2203" align="aligncenter" width="630"] Daniel Hanning of The Other Shoe[/caption]

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            Dear Family, Friends, and Followers of The Other Shoe and here on Facebook,

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                        This week I, finally, pulled the trigger on publishing a horror story. For many months now, perhaps even years, I have wanted to write and publish works of this genre. Thursday I published ‘The Horror in Smithville’, and made good on a promise I made to all My Dear Readers at The Other Shoe.

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                        Unfortunately, my health has yet to return to me. I have fevers, nightly, and my stamina is far from what it once was or should be. I used my speech to text program to write this horror story. Having worked on this piece over three days, and over three hours on Thursday, once Part One was finished I faltered. Rather than proof read this story, I rushed to publish then too to rest. Since Thursday evening, shortly after publication of this story, my body was ravaged with aches and pains, my mind clouded with fevers.

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            I apologize for the state this story was published, and released to you, My Dear Readers. You all know that I take great pride in my work and to allow this, very first, horror story to be read in the condition I now find it is… inexcusable. There are no terrible errors… honestly what I find are mostly typos and the errors one comes to expect when using any speech-to-text program. However, I am ashamed that I published this story prior to proper editing. Today I am taking the time to correct both blogs publication of this horror story.

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            Over the next three, to four, weeks I will be publishing ‘Parts’ of ‘The Horror in Smithville’ until I am finished with this work. Already, I have Part Two mostly written and the outlines, plot points, character development and nemesis nearly complete. My Dear Readers this story is not something I just pushed out and published. I am taking great care with this story. Great care and great pride. Once finished I am confident that this story will mark my entrance into a genre I hope will become a mainstay for my blog and the future of my writing career.

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            Later today I will publish ‘A Week in Review’ for this week. After that I am planning on completing my work on this week’s ‘Sunday Funnies’. Already I have the video shot, uploaded and read for production. Once published ‘Sunday Funnies’ will mark a complete week for The Other Shoe. This is a major accomplishment in that it will be the first week, since my terrible respiratory infection, that I managed to publish most of my regular articles and at least five articles during the week.

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            It is my intent to publish ‘The Mars Report’ on a regular weekly basis, soon. My Dear Readers, I long for the time when I am publishing six and seven articles each and every week. Six to seven articles that include weekly installments of; ‘The Mars Report’, ‘A Week in Review’, ‘Sunday Funnies’, and ‘The Horror in Smithville’ (or like horror story).  That is my desire and design for The Other Shoe. I have, on my personal monthly planner, schedules of publication. Each day of the week marked for the genre or regular publication. Long has it been my desire to have a publication of this type… since Middle School when (for the business class?) I published a weekly magazine/newsletter when everyone else sold baked goods or other items. In this class I was the only student that took the time and effort to write and publish a weekly magazine for sale in the class.

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            I, now, have the space (this blog) and I have the talent… the ideas… the structure… and (for the time being) I have the computer/speech-to-text software/word processing software needed to meet my goals. However, this is something more… something more that people seldom speak of… said best in an old and familiar adage “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak”. Aye, there’s the rub!

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            My Dear Readers, I have everything I need to make my dream a reality. Everything I need to give you,   My Dear Readers, the content and the blog that you desire and deserve. I wish it were that simple. Between my progressive neurological disease, mounting pain and diminishing physical abilities (doubly diminished by my complete lack of a proper and adequate diet) and this new infectious disease (as diagnosed by Dr. Gorlick and the reason for his referral to an Infectious Disease Specialist… Dr. Gorlick fears an infection of either the hardware in my neck… or an infection of the bone graft material).

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            Regardless I do my level best to press forward. However, as you all could see this week… in the inexcusable state of publication of my very first horror story… all too often my body is my nemesis. I promise to do my best to (in the future) to stick to my publication schedule. To do my best to proof work prior to publication. To do my best to meet all content schedules, and to do so without complaint.

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            Thank you for your understanding and support. I just wanted to update all of you, my family, friends and followers of The Other Shoe. Now I will return to correcting this week’s edition of ‘The Horror in Smithville’, to be (hopefully) followed by the publication of ‘A Week in Review’ and ‘Sunday Funnies’.

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            In closing, I wanted to tell you all that I am quite happy to announce that my horror story has been well received. In just the first day I received about Three dozen ‘Likes’ for this story between the two blog locations. I am quite happy with this reception and it gives me the motivation to continue. “Thank you!’

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            Sincerely,

 

                        Daniel L. Hanning

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[youtube=http://youtu.be/e_oGP1B1hI4]

P.S. Over the next two weeks I have appointments with an Oncologist and an Infectious Disease physician. Once I have the status from these exams and tests... I WILL relay this information to you, My Dear Readers. Good or Bad... I will publish all that I find out about my health... and what is ahead for me. Thank you.

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[caption id="attachment_2296" align="aligncenter" width="630"] The Other Shoe's Daniel Hanning[/caption]

The Horror in Smithville

               Welcome back My Dear Readers to The Other Shoe. About a week, maybe ten days, ago I promised you all to publish… Horror stories. Well, your wait is over. Today I share with all of you, My Dear Readers, my first venture into the realm of horror writing. I have loved this genre of writing, since I was a boy. I have never been much for the modern day ‘vampire’ type horror writing. It lacks the suspense and build  to which I am accustomed. Today, for the first time ever I bring to you my type of horror. Here’s hoping that you all enjoy!

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Part One

 

 

           

Timmy Marref lived on a farm outside Smithville. Smithville was a little town smack dab in the middle of America. Timmy’s father, Kenneth Marref, worked the family farm. As his father did before him, and his grandfather did before that, and his great-grandfather did before him. From what Timmy could gather the Marref’s had worked this land for more than 100 years. Timmy didn’t mind living on a farm. As a matter of fact, more times than not Timmy just downright loved living on the farm.

 

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Now, to be honest Timmy didn’t know much about what you would call city life. Timmy had never lived in, or near, any big cities. But Timmy had seen pictures of big cities, like New York City. He’d seen pictures of the tallest skyscrapers packed floor on top of floor on top of floor with more and more and more people. He had seen pictures of the streets packed elbow-to-elbow, block after block after block, with people lined up like sardines in a can. It made him shutter to think of having to live like a sardine in a can.

 

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Timmy loved the fresh air of the great outdoors, the smell of a oncoming rainstorm, and the crunch of new fallen snow under the heel of his boots. Now, don’t get me wrong. Timmy knew full well that if given the chance he wouldn’t mind staying in a moderate to slightly large town like the capital of his state. He had thought about that, often, because even at 12 years of age Timmy knew he really wanted to go to college. It wasn’t that Timmy was afraid of a life working hard on the farm, like his father and his father’s father and his father’s father’s father before him. Timmy wasn’t afraid of the hard work it was just that Timmy, as an adult, wanted to do more for his parents, and his family, than he could as a farmer.

 

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Timmy’s father, Kenneth, didn’t pull punches when he talked at the dinner table about what it was to be a farmer in America today. The farm was not a very big farm. His father grew mostly corn, beans, pumpkins, lettuce and cabbage. Timmy’s father wasn’t much for the idea of only growing one thing. Ken use to tell Timmy “If the good Lord had meant for me to only grow corn, and nothing else, he would’ve made us all so that we all would be full and healthy just eating corn.” Their farm also had different kinds of animals.

 

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They had several horses, two of which were used for pulling and hauling this that and the other around the farm. They had about a dozen cows, which Timmy milked religiously every single morning come freezing rain or waist high snow. They had a couple of dozen sheep, which they sheared every year and used the wool to make clothes, and other things. Most of the clothes were for Timmy, Timmy’s father Ken, and his mother Mary. The rest were sold, throughout the year, at the local market in Smithville and sometimes at the family's produce stand. They also had a couple of dozen chickens, and roosters. They provided the family with eggs on a regular basis, and every so often they would roast one.

 

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All the vegetables they raised on the farm, all the produce, and all the extra eggs and extra meats the family sold either in the farmer's market in Smithville, at the roadside stand there at the farm, or at the yearly Harvest Festival. Now along with all the chores and work that Timmy did on the family farm, Timmy went to school full time at the middle school in Smithville. Now, not all the children that went to his school lived on farms. When he was elementary school that was more true than not. However, by the time he got to middle school a growing number of the children did not live on farms. Now Timmy got along with most everyone. Timmy was a good-natured boy quick with the joke and quick to laugh at others’ jokes. He was an average boy; average looks, average height, average weight, and average grades. He wasn’t a pretty boy, but he was 'easy on the eyes'. Timmy had red hair and freckles on his cheeks across his nose. He wasn’t fairly complected, Timmy always sported a bit of a tan, even during the winter. This was mostly due to the fact that Timmy spent most of his time outdoors, working on the farm and playing and fishing in the nearby creek.

 

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Timmy didn’t like watching much TV. He enjoyed watching the evening nightly news, the weather channel (during the fall and winter seasons) and, much to his father’s chagrin, Timmy liked PBS. He liked public broadcasting for all the documentaries and educational programs it offered for free. (Timmy's favorite things were free things) Timmy enjoyed watching and learning about outer space and planets and whatever the newest mission NASA and JPL had going. Timmy’s single most favorite thing to do, when he wasn’t at work on the farm or at school, was to read. When all the chores were done, and it may have been too cold or rainy or snowy or wet to go outside and play, you would find Timmy in his bedroom with his red hair and freckles pasted to a good book.

 

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It was just such a day when we join Timmy as he’s laying on his stomach kicking his feet back and forth reading the newest book he’d found at the discount store in Smithville, When his friend Archer called him it was a cold and cloudy day in late October. We join Timmy reading a book in his bedroom. Ring ring, ring ring, ring ring. He hears his mother Mary pick up the phone in the other room. He hears her speaking to someone. Then he hears his mom call out

 

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“Timmy. Phone's for you... it is Archer!”

 

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Now Timmy didn’t get that many phone calls and he saw Archer every single day in school. If Archer was calling, it meant that it wasn't something that could wait until tomorrow at school. Meaning, it was kinda' important. So he hopped out of bed and ran fast ran down the long hallway and downstairs into the front room. Then, picking up speed in the front room, he skidded on his socks to the phone in the kitchen. His mother, Mary, gave him a quick scowl when she saw him sock surfing.

 

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“Now Timmy… You know that surfing on your socks wears them out mighty quick! Lessen you learn how to darn your own socks, best not let your father catch you socks surfing.”

 

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“Okay Mom. Don’t tell Dad I will be more careful.”

 

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Timmy took the phone from his mother’s hand, gave her a quick wink, with his right eye, and began to speak to Archer on the telephone.

 

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“Hey Archer, what’s up… What's so important this couldn’t wait to school tomorrow... like I don’t see you enough?” He says with a big smile on his face.

 

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Timmy and Archer had been the best of friends, for as long as Timmy could remember. Timmy’s mom and Archer’s mom were best friends since they were born. The boys were born within hours of each other. When the boy's were toddlers their mom’s used to bathe them together in the same kitchen sink. For Archer, Timmy had no secrets. And for Timmy, Archer had no secrets. So it came as some surprise, to Timmy, when he heard Archer speaking so quickly and so excited he could only understand every third word. Archer had asthma, even as a young boy. Often Timmy had to tell Archer to

 

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“Calm down or you are going to give yourself an asthma attack!’

 

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It wasn’t that bad, right now, but Archer was well on his way to getting his warning.

 

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Timmy went on to say;

 

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“So, now slow down and tell me again, Archer. All I heard was… Smithville… harvest… Haunted… Can you go…”

 

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Archer laughed really hard at what Timmy said, took a deep breath that Timmy heard over the phone (and almost thought he could hear it without the phone… Archer was Timmy’s closest neighbor). Then Archer began to speak, again, this time in a measured pace and tone.

 

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“Timmy, did you remember that this weekend is the Harvest Festival in Smithville? They brought in a Carnival this year… and they have a really scary Haunted House. I heard, from Terry Neal, it scared some kids nearly to death, last year!”

 

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Now, Terry Neal was Archer’s eldest cousin. He was twenty going on twelve. Meaning Terry Neal was bigger than all the other kids his age, but wasn’t the brightest bulb in the pack, or the most mature. Also, Terry Neal took to being scared a might too easy for Timmy’s taste. Archer totally looked up to Terry, but he respected Timmy’s opinion most. That explains the next bit, too.

 

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“Now I know that you think Terry Neal is a bit of a scaredy cat... but I heard the same thing, just a little while ago, from Tommy Bryant.”

 

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Now, Tommy Bryant was the quarterback on the JV football team. He was 17 and stood every inch of six feet. He wasn’t a hard-ass, mostly a nice guy. Tommy ran for student body President his freshman year. He gave the front runner, Kathy Rutgers, a run for her money. Now, if Tommy Bryant said that the Haunted House was scary… it just might be worth the time and money to check it out.

 

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“Tommy Bryant said that, Archer? You sure? You know I can make two calls and find out if you are fibbin'!.” Timmy said flatly into the phone.

 

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"Honest Injun, Timmy. I wouldn’t lie about a thing like that, now would I?" Archer said into the phone.

 

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Again, Timmy had known Archer since before they both could walk or talk. In all that time he had known Archer to lie only twice. One of those times was about… Archer wetting his bed during a sleepover. Timmy and Archer never spoke of it, but Archer had a problem wetting his bed until he was nearly ten. So, Timmy was sure Archer was telling the truth, as he knew it to be. That meant that this Haunted House was something that he and Archer just had to go and check out, together.

 

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The only stumbling block between their desire to be frightened to within a inch of their lives, and the reality of riding the Haunted House ride? Timmy’s father Kenneth. To be exact it was his father's frugal nature. Kenneth would not be fond of Timmy spending money on something a frivolous as a 'Haunted House' ride. Timmy worked hard for every penny he had saved. He did chores around the farm, every single day, and then he augmented his income by doing chores for Mrs. Calendar. Mrs. Calendar was an elderly woman who lived down the road, and a friend of his mother from church. His mom was always telling Timmy that Mrs. Calendar had this that or the other for him to do "If you want to earn some xtra spending money!" Timmy always wanted to earn some "extra spending money"! OFten he would take Archer with him so as they could do the bigger jobs that paid even more (like cleaning out the attic or moving furniture). Then they would split the money 50/50.The pastor, at their church, always had chores for a boy not afraid of; hard work, spider webs, confined places, sweat… and a few snakes.

 

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Truth be told? Snakes never gave Timmy a second though. Spiders, on the other hand, well spiders made Timmy’s skin crawl! All in all Timmy had stashed away more than a hundred dollars, over the summer and the first part of the fall. He had no intention of spending more than $10 to $20 at the carnival. That still left him $80 to $90 and two months more to raise even more money for Christmas presents.

 

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All the while Timmy was doing this thinking, and sorting out funds, Archer was begging and pleading, on the phone. Archer had made up his mind; he WAS going to ride the ‘Haunted House’ ride… PERIOD. The only matter that remained was getting Timmy to come along with him. Archer was not easily frightened, then again Archer wasn’t really from around here he moved into town from West Virginia. Archer has, what Timmy’s father called, ‘Hard Nosed’, he got it from his father, a coal miner. Archer’s family had been coal miners, in the West Virginia area, for as long as Timmy’s family had been farmers.

 

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Right about the time Becky (Archer's Mother) was pregnant, the mines, like, dried up. This forced his parents to move to Smithville for work, and Becky's Aunt (Linda) already lived in Smithville. Linda worked for the Sheriff’s office as a dispatcher. Linda was very close with Becky and had insisted, when she found out that her niece was pregnant, that they move to Smithville so Linda could "keep and eye on" Becky. Archer’s mom was a teacher at the middle school, and his father worked there as a janitor. Archer, and his family, lived right down the road from Timmy and his family. They took over the house that belonged to the William’s family farm (right next to Timmy's family farm). Timmy’s father had bought the farm land, the bank had kept the house and put it up for rent.

 

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Timmy often found himself mighty thankful that the coal gave out, where Archer’s family had worked for generations. Otherwise, Timmy would have never met Archer. Timmy just couldn’t imagine life without Archer; they were the best of friends. They were up at the crack of dawn every day doing chores for their respective families. When it came time to go to school Timmy and Archer always met on the road out front Timmy’s house. They walked to school together, they had the same classes with the same teachers together, they even had lunch at the same. They even had gym, every day, at the same time in the afternoon.

 

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Timmy just knew, in his heart of hearts, that he and Archer would still be friends when they were wrinkled old men. Timmy was through counting his money and doing his figuring. He wasn’t going to be able to fool Archer with you not going to the Haunted House for a lack of money. He was going to have to tell Archer the truth, who knows maybe Archer had a good idea on how to help.

 

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“Look, Archer.. I want to go… and I do have enough money… for the both of us… the problem isn’t money… It’s.. you know… my Dad!’

 

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There was silence on the phone for, one… two… three… seconds. Then Archer began to laugh. Giggle is more like it, Archer may be 'hard-nosed' but he was still only 4 foot squat. When Archer (sometimes) his laugh sounded like a teenage girl. That’s all right Timmy didn’t sound much better. Just as Timmy was about to ask Archer why the heck he was giggling so much, Archer’s voice came over the telephone clear and determined.

 

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“I figured as much, Timmy. Don’t you give it no nevermind because I got a plan and it’s going to work. Now invite me over to dinner, and to have a sleepover tonight, and I’ll put it to work.”

 

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It was a Thursday night so Timmy knew it would be no small feat to convince his parents to have Archer over for a sleepover. Though, Timmy thought to himself, that would be a might bit easier than convincing his father to let him do a Haunted House on Friday night.

 

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“All right Archer, I 'll convince my mom to have you over for dinner, and a sleepover. Be ready in 30 minutes and I’ll call you. But, Archer, you're gonna tell me what your plan IS the minute you walk through my door... because I'm putting a lot on the line for this and we are not missing this Haunted House ride!”

 

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“Don’t sweat it, big brother o'mine." Archer says to Timmy." I got it all figured out. You just sell your mom on dinner and a sleepover tonight and I’ll take it from there.”

 

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“K… give me thirty minuets… My Mom’s in the kitchen making dinner right now. We’re having fried chicken… so there will be more than enough food.”

 

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Archer’s lips began to salivate the moment Timmy mentioned his mother’s fried chicken. Fried chicken at Timmy’s house was better than the Colonel's and meant that there would be; fresh drop biscuits, hot buttery mashed potatoes, probably a choice of green beans and or corn and, most likely, a buttermilk blueberry cobbler for dessert. Archer’s mom wasn't a half-bad cook but Timmy’s Mom’s chicken dinner was one for the history books.

 

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“Awww geeze! A sleepover AND your Mom’s chicken dinner, too?!? This is gonna be a night to remember, Timmy. Thirty minuets.. no longer, K?”

 

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“Thirty minutes Archer, no longer. You best be ready!”

 

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Timmy hung up the phone feeling pretty confident about tonight’s sleepover. However, the ultimate goal of going to the Carnival and the Haunted House ride, Friday night was shaky at best. Archer had a way with Timmy's parents. He couldn't count the times that Archer had come over and managed to get his own parents to agree to something that (not an hour before) they had refused Timmy. He wasn't sure just how Archer did it... but he had witnessed Archer's powers. With that thought in mind, it occurred to Timmy that he and Archer were well on their way to spending the next three days hanging out together. Day and night! On top of that the two of them were going to get to go to the carnival and ride the scariest Haunted House ride ever!

 

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Timmy was grining, from ear to ear, as he walked into the kitchen. Timmy was grinning because he knew he had the easy chore and Archer, on the other hand, was what left with a mighty big chore indeed. See, what Archer didn’t realize was that Timmy’s Mom, Margaret, looked on Archer as her second son. When Archer’s family had moved here they were living hand to mouth, week to week, paycheck to paycheck. Margaret was a good Christian woman and she went out of her way to help out Archer, and his family, every day and in every way she could. Honest to goodness in the past 12 years Archer had taken as many meals sitting at Timmy's side, under her roof, as he had in his own home. Margaret loved cooking for Archer, and Archer was the most polite, and genuinely grateful, guest. Archer was given to multiple and exuberant compliments and thanks. Margie could juat tell that Archer's thanks and compliments were genuine and heartfelt. She was confident that Timmy just couldn't have a better and more supportive friend than Archer.

 

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Still grinning Timmy walked into the kitchen. Walked up beside his Mother, at the stove. Leaned up against her, wrapping his left arm around her waist and her apron, and sighed. That’s all it took.

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As always I am deeply honored that you come here and read my work.

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Thank YOU!

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[caption id="attachment_2296" align="aligncenter" width="630"] The Other Shoe's Daniel Hanning[/caption]

Trouble in the Ukraine - Part Five

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[caption id="attachment_2418" align="aligncenter" width="624"] Map of the Ukraine[/caption]

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                    Welcome back My Dear Readers to The Other Shoe. Today, in Paris, leaders from the European Union, the United States, Russia and the Ukraine meet to tamp down mounting tensions and rhetoric. The European Union has prepared an aid package worth $15 billion dollars, to help replace funds looted from the Ukrainian treasury, shortly before the corrupt leaders were ousted.

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        “the EU froze the assets of 18 people held responsible for misappropriating state funds in Ukraine, echoing similar action in Switzerland and Austria. The list, which likely targeted officials in the ousted government or businessmen related to them, were withheld until Thursday to prevent anyone from withdrawing the funds at the last minute.”[1]

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You see, My Dear Readers, which is not something I have heard reported much in the mainstream media, and not at all on Fox. The Ukrainian people revolted against their government because of deep corruption that included, but was not limited to, the theft of funds from the Ukrainian treasury by elected officials. These funds were taken by elected officials and, in certain instances, given to prominent businessmen within the Ukraine. The corruption and theft was, evidently, rampant prior to the start of the protests.

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I cannot help but think that if this happened here in America… if elected officials were found to be defrauding the United States Treasury (not just the run of the mill pork) that, we too, as Americans would rise up against said elected officials and any businessmen that were involved. Contrary to the hyperbolic rhetoric proffered as fact was President Putin, the revolutionaries were not “Neo-Nazis” or “anti-Semites”. Rather these stalwart Ukrainians were working together to take back their government from corrupt elected officials and businessmen.

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As well, today saw the United States working to bring $1 billion dollars of aid to the new Ukrainian government. President Putin has backed away from his initial position and sent orders to troops, in the border areas of the Ukraine, to return to their bases. While Russian President Putin still seeks to make hay over change in government in the Ukraine, calmer heads will prevail.

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        “"This is my first trip to such an important venue where the Ukrainian future, maybe the future of the region, will be decided," Andriy Deshchytsia, Ukraine's foreign minister, said of the meetings in Paris. "We want to keep neighborly relations with the Russian people. We want to settle this peacefully."[2]  

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America’s Secretary of State, John Kerry, is attending the talks in Paris, today.  Today NATO (the North American Treaty Organization) engaged Russia directly.

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        “NATO was taking up the issue directly with Russia in an extraordinary meeting in Brussels of the military alliance, originally created as a counterbalance to the Soviet Union.”[3]

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Whereas I have no doubt that certain elements of American media, and their counterparts in the American government, will seek to continue to spin the problems in the Ukraine into fodder… red meat for the base, the truth of the matter is that calmer heads will prevail. President Putin will, likely, still feed his press with red meat and grouse and grumble at the loss of the Ukraine to the European Union. At this time, the die seems cast.

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The Iron Curtain is lifting from the Ukraine, and the international community gets a new democratic member. The people of the Ukraine will gain self-governance, and work to replace funds stolen from their treasury. Barring any unseen powder-keg in this situation I expect that all elements involved will work towards a peaceful resolution of this conflict. This is a victory for reasoned debate and further evidence that mankind does posses the ability to peaceably resolve our conflicts.

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I will bring any change or escalation of this conflict to you, My Dear Readers, just as soon as possible. Now, I hope to get back to writing about; American politics, The Mars Report, and my introductory horror article.

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As always I am deeply honored that you come here and read my work.

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Thank YOU!

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[1]http://www.cbsnews.com/news/ukraine-crisis-diplomats-in-paris-tension-over-russia-takeover-of-crimea-lavrov/

[2]http://www.cbsnews.com/news/ukraine-crisis-diplomats-in-paris-tension-over-russia-takeover-of-crimea-lavrov/

[3] ibid

 

An Introduction to HORROR at The Other Shoe

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[caption id="attachment_2203" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Daniel Hanning of The Other Shoe[/caption]

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              Welcome back My Dear Readers to The Other Shoe. Today is Tuesday March 4^th, 2014. As many of you are aware, two weeks ago I suffered, greatly, with high fevers, a painful and deep raspy cough, terrible aches, pains, and sleepless nights all due to a horrific upper respiratory infection. My doctor, once again proving what a great doctor and partner he is in the care of my health, prescribed a ten day course of antibiotics. I took all the medication, and at the end I honestly felt I had beat this infection.

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However, starting this past Sunday I saw the return of the fevers. On Monday the fever raised to 101.2 and the cough returned. Today, I find myself with the aches and pains, the fever, the awful raspy cough and difficulty sleeping. In spite of the, obvious, return of the dreaded infection I am working every day to keep you, My Dear Readers, informed on the terrible conflict in the Ukraine. This is an important international conflict and one that, I feel, greatly mirrors the early years of our nation.

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That is not the limit of the work I am writing, and last night… the fevers became my muse. I have still to write and tell you of the vision my fevers gave me the last time. It was on a Tuesday night that, after two years absence, Princess Nadia… visited me! I will not say much more than that, for the event is a story that I am dying to tell you, all by itself. I had a similar experience last night. Only this time… I was given a clear vision that will appear in my very first horror article here at The Other Shoe.

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As I explained, on Facebook, I have created a rotation of articles for the future of The Other Shoe. Meaning, Mondays will be reserved for The Mars Report, Tuesday will be reserved for Political articles, Wednesday ‘The Adventures of Princess Nadia’, Thursday will see the publication of Horror, Friday is an open day for what ever is in the news or strikes my fancy, Saturday will be for Science and ‘A Week in Review’ and Sunday for ‘Sunday Funnies’ and anything pertaining to Alexander R Hanning. I have implemented this routine for two reasons. First, to give my blog a direction and a regular beat for you, My Dear Readers. Second, I implement this routine to help me become a better and better writer.

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I know that I have a lot to learn about the art of writing. I feel, strongly, that I have a ‘Gift with Words’. Many people, that have cared deeply for me... loved me… have told me that in those exact words. On stage, many directors and fellow actors told me I had a way of breathing life into scripts and into words.

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That is not enough. I simply must improve my style, learn more of the tricks of the trade of writing. Most of all, I simply must mature as a writer. I cannot afford classes… in my current medical condition… I cannot attend college… unless online (!). Once I have found a way to further my education in creative writing, I have to attend seminars… and learn how to publish! How to attract publishers, how to package my work properly, how to network in my chosen field of artistic expression. I want to do this to improve my life… improve my life with Allen, and help remove the great burden he is under providing for me and helping me every day to; eat, bathe, do laundry, clean the house, walk… get dressed.

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As well, My Dear Readers, I want to do this for YOU! I want to improve my skills, refine my art so that I can give you, My Dear Readers, an improved and more refined reading experience. Yes, I want a better lifestyle… I want to make money by writing. That is not my #1 goal. Greed does not motivate my art, nor does greed poison my artistic expression. I owe it to Allen, to my family, to my friend and to you My Dear Readers.

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I am still experiencing difficulties making ends meet. I do without food… many days eating only one meal. I manage to pay my rent in full and on time. I hate to burden you, My Dear Readers. I genuinely fear that even mentioning these difficulties… taints what I do. However, in all things I must be truthful. One thing that I am not (even in spite of myself and often to my own detriment) I am NOT a liar. Either by willful act or through omission, I do not LIE!

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Well, now with all of that out of the way (and “Thank you!” for your patience) I want to share an excerpt of the very first work of horror I plan to publish here at The Other Shoe. Now, this excerpt does not contain any of the elements of horror. I am keeping my content very close to my heart. Nothing of the suspense, nothing of the horrific elements… will I share here today. However, it is my desire to, this Thursday, to publish Part One of ‘The Horror of Smithville’!

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Now, without further adieu, here is an excerpt from ‘The Horror of Smithville’

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“Timmy Marref lived on a farm outside Smithville. Smithville was a little town smack dab in the middle of America. Timmy’s father, Kenneth Marref, worked the farm as his father did before him and his grandfather did before that and his great-grandfather did before him. From what Timmy could gather the Marref’s had worked this land for more than 100 years. Timmy didn’t mind living on a farm. As a matter of fact, more times than not, Timmy just downright loved living on the farm.

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Now, to be honest Timmy didn’t know much about what you would call city life. Timmy had never lived in or near any big cities. But tenet had seen pictures of big cities, like New York City. He’d seen pictures of the tallest skyscrapers packed floor on top of floor on top of floor with more and more and more people. He had seen pictures of the streets packed elbow-to-elbow block after block after block with people lined up like sardines in a can. It made 10 a shutter to think of having to live like a sardine in a can.

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Timmy loved the fresh air of the great outdoors, the smell of a oncoming rainstorm, and the crunch of new fallen snow under the heel of his boots. Now, don’t get me wrong, Timmy knew full well that if given the chance he wouldn’t mind staying in a moderate to slightly large town like capital of the state. He had thought about that, often, because even at 12 years of age Timmy knew he really wanted to go to college. It wasn’t that Timmy was afraid of a life working hard on the farm, like his father and his father’s father and his father’s father’s father before him. Timmy wasn’t afraid of the hard work it was just that Timmy, as an adult, when it to do more for his parents and his family that he could as a farmer.

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Timmy’s father, Kenneth, didn’t pull punches when he talked at the dinner table about what it was to be a farmer in America today. The farm was not a very big farm. His father grew mostly corn, beans, pumpkins, lettuce and cabbage. Timmy’s father wasn’t much for the idea of only growing one thing. Ken use to tell Timmy “If the good Lord had meant for me to grow corn, and nothing else, he would’ve made us all so that we all   would be full just eating corn.” Their farm also had different kinds of animals.”

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That, My Dear Readers, is just the first few paragraphs of what I hope is a short story – novella here at The Other Shoe. Not since boyhood (age 8-10) have I written horror. This will be my very first venture into this genre, as an adult. I look forward to publishing Part One this Thursday. I hope that you are all here to join me in this premier.

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As always I am deeply honored that you come here and read my work.

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Thank YOU!

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Trouble in the Ukraine - Part Four

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[caption id="attachment_2431" align="aligncenter" width="624"] Crimea Close-Up[/caption]

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                Welcome back My Dear Readers to The Other Shoe. As promised here is the most recent information on the Ukraine. In an obvious reaction to President Obama’s public statements that

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        “President Putin is on the wrong side of history”[1]

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along with growing pressure from the international community and the majority of the G20 leaders, President Putin has blinked. The world is still awash in mixed messages, and in that regard President Putin is creating other (more personal) concerns… that I will address towards the end of this article. However, Tuesdya’s military actions is clear.

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        “The supreme commander of the armed forces of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, gave the order for the troops and units, taking part in the military exercises, to return to their bases," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted as saying…”[2]

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Prior to Tuesday’s order, there were close to 150,000 Russian troops, military vehicles and support services along the border of the Ukraine. These troops were, supposedly, part of military maneuvers that curiously coincided with Russia’s Upper House of Parliament voting to give President Putin the authority to use troops and military hardware as he desired without outlining where of why first. Even as President Putin is ordering the troops to leave the border areas, he was still engaged in false bravado in front of the press.

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This dichotomy, between President Putin’s words and his actions, are causing growing concerns regarding his sanity. It is obvious that President Putin is concerned about the shrinking landmass of the Russian state, and with it the loss of stature in the international community. In 2008, when the country Georgia moved to separate from the Russian nation, President Putin engaged with military troops, too. This is a troubling pattern of behavior, on the part of the Russian President.

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Regardless of President Obama’s (many and vocal) detractors, it is obvious that the words and actions of our current President (and his working international leaders) has made huge inroads. Inroads towards dissipating this crisis in the Ukraine, and forcing President Putin’s hand towards removing troops from the Ukrainian border areas. As well, even though President Putin is still barking in his comments to the press, he has walked back earlier comments saying the new government of the Ukraine was ;

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        ““an anti-constitutional coup and a military seizure of power” in Kiev had led to a situation inside Ukraine that was chaotic and out of control…”

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        “We see the revelry of neo-Nazis, nationalists and anti-Semites that is currently going on in different parts of Ukraine,” Putin said.”[3]

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The dialogue has toned down considerably since the earlier remarks. Even the voice of the far right, Fox ‘News’, is reporting that these comments are proven false and that President Putin’s actions are not in the best interests of Russia and the Russian people.

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We are far from having the results most Americans, and most of the international community, want to see. Yet, the dynamics have changed, as has the direction of the inertia in this conflict. I sincerely hope that in the coming weeks, I will be able to report that Russia has removed all troops and that the people of the Ukraine are moving towards membership in the European Union.

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 As I have promised, I will continue to work towards bring you, My Dear Readers, timely and truthful updates to the situation in the Ukraine.

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As always I am deeply honored that you come here and read my work.

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Thank YOU!

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[1]http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/ukraine-crisis-putin-is-on-the-wrong-side-of-history-says-president-obama-9166831.html

[2]http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/russia/10674812/Vladimir-Putin-orders-troops-near-Ukraine-border-to-return-to-bases.html

[3]http://en.ria.ru/military_news/20140304/188083232/Putin-Military-Invasion-in-Ukraine-Last-Resort.html

 

Trouble in the Ukraine – Part Three

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[caption id="attachment_2431" align="aligncenter" width="624"] Crimea Close-Up[/caption]

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Welcome back My Dear Readers to The Other Shoe. First a little personal update, this morning I woke up to a fever… again. It was 99.8 degrees when I woke up and 101.2 by noon. Last night I had the raspy... water-like sounds in my chest, again. I took all the antibiotics, just as prescribed, and this crud has returned anyway. I ache all over, fevers just drive me nuts, and the coughing is starting up.

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I am going to do my best to write through this episode, My Dear Readers. I just cannot take the hit to my readership that comes with any absence. I have started a little horror story, it is called “The Horror in Smithville”. It is a tale of two middle school aged boys, and their adventures when a carnival comes to town. I started writing right before this crud decided to revisit my chest.

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I will do my best to get the first part of ‘The Horror of Smithville’ published this week. Right now, I want to write about the changes happening with Russia and the Ukraine. It appears that Russian President Putin has taken leaves of his senses, and putting his nation of poor footing for the future.

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This morning President Obama addressed the Russian President:

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        “"I spent the weekend talking to leaders across Europe, and I think the world is largely united in recognizing that the steps Russia has taken are a violation of Ukraine's sovereignty, their territorial integrity — that they're a violation of international law, they're a violation of previous agreements Russia has made with regard to how it treats and respects its neighbors," Obama said Monday at the White House.[1]

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The world is “largely united” in condemnation of the incursion of Russian military troops into Crimea. President Obama has made it clear that by putting troops into Crimea Putin has “put Russia on the wrong side of history”[2]

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President Obama went even further, in his remarks, outlining the course of action the international community will take if Russia continues in its ill-fated course of action. 

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        “What we are also indicating to the Russians is, if, in fact, they continue on trajectory that they're on, that we are examining a whole series of steps — economic, diplomatic — that will isolate Russia. and will have a negative impact on Russia's economy and its status in the world," the president said.”[3]

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Since these comments were made by President Obama, signals coming out of Russia, and Crimea, have become mixed… even confused.

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        “Russia's Black Sea Fleet chief Aleksander Vitko threatened a full assault if they did not surrender by dawn on Tuesday, the sources said.

However, Interfax news agency later quoted a Russian spokesman denying that any ultimatum had been issued.”[4]

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This mixed message does little to help Russia’s image in the international community, and calls into question President Putin’s ability to control his commanders. Putin is well known for his statements of bravado, which all too often are later retracted. Ousted Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has (reportedly) asked Russian to use military force in the Ukraine.

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The movement of two thousand troops on to the Russian base in Crimea was seen to be an answer to this plea for military assistance. However, with two days past since these troops arrived, and no further action or movement has been reported, calls into question Putin’s real motives.

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With the entire international community prepared to welcome the Ukraine into the European Union, NATO, and eventually the United Nations. It would be a failed strategy for President Putin to involve Russian troops, anymore than they are already. The White House and the United Nations Security Counsel are already drafting economic sanctions and  travel restrictions on Russian Officials.

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[caption id="attachment_2430" align="aligncenter" width="454"] Crimea[/caption]

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INHO President Putin would be best served by allowing his commanders to look foolish, and taking no further action. He need not remove the troops, now stationed in the Russian Port/Base in Crimea. Just do not use them to further engage the Ukrainian people. The Ukraine has made it abundantly clear that they wish to move away from being a Russian province and are asserting the sovereignty. Allowing the Ukraine to have another vote on their President. Not blocking movement to join the European Union, and not exercising their security counsel vote to block Ukrainian membership into the Untied Nations would be the smart course of action.

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Well now, My Dear Readers, I am going to get back to resting and trying to get my fever back down. I hope to publish again, soon.

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As always I am deeply honored that you come here to read my work.

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Thank you!

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[1]http://www.nbcnews.com/#/storyline/ukraine-crisis/obama-allies-agree-russia-broke-international-law-n43326

[2]http://www.nbcnews.com/#/storyline/ukraine-crisis/obama-allies-agree-russia-broke-international-law-n43326

[3]http://www.nbcnews.com/#/storyline/ukraine-crisis/obama-allies-agree-russia-broke-international-law-n43326

[4]http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26424738

 

Trouble in the Ukraine - Part Two

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[caption id="attachment_2424" align="aligncenter" width="630"] Russian Troops entering the Ukraine[/caption]

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                Welcome back My Dear Readers to The Other Shoe. As promised when the situation changed I told you I would update you, My Dear Readers. Russia has made a fatal mistake, in the Ukraine. As of Sunday morning Russian military troops have moved into the Crimea province of the Ukraine.

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        “said15,000 Russian troops are already in Crimea and that their numbers are “increasing every hour.”[1]

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This transpired after a vote, Saturday, of the Upper House of Russia’s government. Their vote gave President Putin the power to move Russian troops into the Ukraine, without having to specify where first. Ousted Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych and the newly elected Prime Minister of Crimea, Sergei Aksenov;

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        “appealed for Russian troops to enter Ukraine's Autonomous Republic of Crimea.”[2]

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This is a grave escalation of the situation in the Ukraine, and has drawn great ire by the international community. On Friday, from the White House pressroom, President Obama warned President Putin and all parties involved:

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        “"there will be costs for any military intervention in Ukraine."[3]

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Personally, I am amazed at the level of stupidity shown by Putin, and the Russian Parliament. It is well established (especially after Russian’s bloody intervention into Georgia in 2008) that the international community can and will hold Russia to task for military action outside their borders. Today Secretary of State John Kerry, while appearing on Meet the Press, made the results of military action quite clear:

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        ““He's going to lose on the international stage, Russia is going to lose, the Russian people are going to lose, and he's going to lose all of the glow that came out of the Olympics, his $60 billion extravaganza,” [4] 

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Secretary Kerry went even further to say”

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        ““There’s a unified view by all of the foreign ministers I talked with yesterday – all of the G-8 and more -- that they’re simply going to isolate Russia; that they’re not going to engage with Russia in a normal business-as-usual manner…. The ruble is already going down and feeling the impact of this,”[5]

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This is the proper reaction to the actions of Russia and President Putin. However, as if to stress just how out-of-touch some media outlets are (with the real world), there is ‘saber rattling’ on a certain outlet, already. As if to relitigate the 2012 election, these grossly uninformed and out of touch ‘reporters’ are saying that the irresponsible actions of Putin are;

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        “Proof Presidential candidate Mitt Romney was correct in his statement about Russian being the center of foreign affairs for America’s future…”[6]

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 One conflict in the Ukraine does not rise to the level of upcoming world war as failed candidate Romney claimed. This escalation by Russia is grave. Russia does have a military base in Crimea, and the right to defend that base and move troops into and out of this base. We Americans will not be fooled; this is an act of military might against the sovereign state of the Ukraine.

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        “"Throughout this crisis, we have been very clear about one fundamental principle: The Ukrainian people deserve the opportunity to determine their own future," Mr. Obama said. "We are now deeply concerned of reports of military movements taken by the Russian Federation inside Ukraine."[7]

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[caption id="attachment_2418" align="aligncenter" width="624"] Map of the Ukraine[/caption]

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This is a troubling move, by the Russian Parliament and President Putin. President Obama is correct in warning President Putin that his actions will have serious and long-lasting results. The international community is much more on the ball, than we were in 2008. We are proactive and standing with the people of the Ukraine. The people of the Ukraine want membership in the European community, and America and all its allies will stand together to make that membership a reality.

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Stay tuned… I will keep updating as quickly as the situation changes.

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Thank you!

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[1]http://www.voanews.com/content/ukraine-refuses-to-act-against-russian-provocation/1861937.html

[2]http://www.voanews.com/content/ukraine-refuses-to-act-against-russian-provocation/1861937.html

[3]http://www.cbsnews.com/news/obama-there-will-be-costs-if-russia-moves-troops-into-ukraine/

[4]http://www.nbcnews.com/#/storyline/ukraine-crisis/kerry-denounces-russian-act-aggression-warns-trade-freeze-n42326

[5]http://www.nbcnews.com/#/storyline/ukraine-crisis/kerry-denounces-russian-act-aggression-warns-trade-freeze-n42326

[6] From ‘The Five’ cable outlet show by Fox, Friday February 28^th, 2014.

[7]http://www.cbsnews.com/news/obama-there-will-be-costs-if-russia-moves-troops-into-ukraine/