**

First the tidbits: Dad is okay so far. I (and Mom) think that the doctor is flummoxed as far as what is wrong with him. Every test has come back clear but he has lost 20 pounds in the past month or so. They took a gallon of Karo Syrup-thickness fluid out of his stomach and sent that off for testing. They say there is no cancer apparent and that he does have gall stones, but I talked to him alone recently. He said that the fluid was not the disease, but just a symptom of something else wrong. (DUH!) He also talked about his liver. If there is cirrhosis of the liver, he said, there is a one year waiting list for a liver transplant and the average transplant candidate only has a 1-2 year life expectancy. He knows the doctor seems to be confused and seems to be worried. He will be going to get a second opinion next.

Now ... Miss Utah. I don't know if you know, but last night was the Miss America Pageant. Miss Utah looks like this:

This is the cover of the Dec. 2007 issue of "Soldiers" magazine. Stevens is a Sergeant in the Utah National Guard. She is a medic who has served a year-long tour in Afghanistan. She has also completed her college degree, passed the "bar" to receive her registered nurse certification and recently submitted the paperwork to become an officer.

She said that prior to this, she didn't own a pair of high heels and didn't know where to go to buy a pair. The self-described "tomboy" was the only contestant that chose to wear a one-piece bathing suit during the "fitness" competition.

Here is a picture of her in Afghanistan with a little girl she calls "my Cinderella":

The girl, an Afghan citizen, had eye problems. She was cross-eyed. Stevens talked to several doctors at the Army post she was at and got the girl the operation she needed to correct her eyesight Stevens has run in a dozen marathons and rode in the Miss Utah parade in her military uniform. She is a TRUE role model for little girls everywhere and an example to all that women in the military are NOT all uneducated bull dykes that have no other option than trying to be a man. You may think that is hyperbole, but I have actually heard people say that.

She didn't win. She was eliminated in the final round but she did win the "Peoples Choice" award, awarded by people that went to TLC.com. (the network that aired the pagent.) When they announced her name, she dropped down in her gown and heels and did about 20 push-ups. What was more impressive to me was that six or seven girls that hadn't been eliminated yet, dropped down and did them with her. WHAT THE FUCK? A bunch of vapid airheads getting down in gowns and high heels doing push-ups in solidarity with a loser chick that had no other option but to join the National Guard? No.

They respected her.

So does her commander:

"Obviously she is bright and attractive, but most important, she's a terrific soldier."

Maj. Gen. Brian Tarbet
Adjutant General of the Utah National Guard
On the Crowning of Jill Stevens as Miss Utah
July 2, 2007

I respect her too. Congratulations Sgt. Stevens!

Wanna read more about her? Check out this site: Gateway Pundit
.
And check out her blog: GI Jill

Congratulations Jill, and thank you for your service. The Army loves you and I appreciate you ... now how about an interview?