Military requirements for petty officer first class

Rating:
Summary: Touching and Inspirational - A Must Read
Review: Although I haven't finished the book yet (it's only 178 pages, but I just started it late last night) I feel compelled to tell people about this wonderful jewel. The foreword alone is worth the price of admission, but the story that unfolds throughout the book is so well written (it's difficult to believe these are first-time authors), so poignant and provides such amazing insights, I wish all who care about the human condition and justice (or, perhaps especially, those who don't yet) would read this book. I'll post a more complete review after I finish reading the book. But do yourself a favor and read if for yourself. You're in for a real treat.

Rating:
Summary: Misplaced Energy?
Review: Although one's heart breaks for the grief these two mothers have had to endure, it seemed to me that their vision had become somewhat clouded, and their energies cry out to be used in more producive ways. By all accounts, federal spending on AIDS is far above the levels spent on several other diseases which kill many more people, and which....in the case of cancer....the causes are not even very well-known. Surely, it is only humane to assist in the care and research of these other diseases in a more equal parity to HIV/AIDS. Even Sen. Helms was misrepresented, since Mrs. Clark claims he actually said "AIDS sufferes deserve what they get"...and that is a lie. He never said such a thing...nor has anyone else who objects to the over-funding of AIDS efforts vs the funding of other diseases. He merely pointed out that what causes a person to become infected with HIV/AIDS is very well-known...exactly as we know why smokers get lung and throat cancer. So...while these two grieving mothers (and their sons who suffered) engender much-deserved sympathy, one can only wish their considerable energy could be focused more on prevention efforts, and less on sill more increased...and unfair...federal funding.

Rating:
Summary: Worth singing about...
Review: Anyone who's a parent, a child, a human being - will be uplifted by this wonderful story about courage, compassion, and strength.

Rating:
Summary: "Keep Singing" Will Keep You Singiing, Crying, and Laughing
Review: Heroes aren't limited to battlefields and burning builldings; they can be down the street or just across town. Witness these two writers, Patsy Clarke and Eloise Vaughn, who took on the task of fighting the "senior senator" from N.C. in the 1996 election. Grandmothers both,widows who had lost their husbands early, they were faced with the "double whammy" of finding out that their dear sons were gay and had AIDS as well. In those days before the "cocktail" they cared for their sons until their deaths. When Patsy Clarke approached the senator as an old friend of her family, asking that he modify his stance against and AIDS funding, his only comfort was to say that he was sorry that her son had played "Russian roulette" with his life, and he was only following what the Bible says in his opinions about homosexuality. After their tears had dried, Clarke and Vaughn picked up their swords and decided to fight the senator's relection, founding "MAJIC," Mothers Against Jesse in Congress. This book tells of their experiences, the people they met,the places they went (including the Democrtic Convention). You can't help your own smiles and tears when you read of their courage and quiet heroism.

Rating:
Summary: Recommended reading for all mothers
Review: I had the priviledge to meet Eloise Vaughn at a friend's home in Blowing Rock, N.C., last January. She is a very outgoing and hope/filled woman with much spirit and courage. As she told us about her book, I waited eagerly to read her and Patsy Clark's story. I urge all mothers who have adult children, regardless of their sexual experiences, to read these women's courage and convictions. No greater love do we have than to love and fight for justice for our children. The world will do that in spades. Thank goodness this book has been written. I also encourage book clubs to take up this book and read it, discuss it and grow from Clark and Vaughn's experiences.

Rating:
Summary: Love Conquers All
Review: Patsy Clark and Eloise Vaughn would probably be the first persons to say that they are not professional writers; yet theirs is a story that touches our hearts. After the deaths of both their sons from AIDS, they took on Senator Jesse Helms of North Carolina in an effort to upseat him. We all know they did not succeed in their efforts; nevertheless, they are winners of the highest sort. Althought the two women had led very different lives-- one was a Democrat, the other a Republican, they found they had much in common. In the words of Patsy Clark after these women's first meeting: "Both of our sons were named Mark--and that seemed huge to us. . . Both of us had led very mainstream, privileged lives. . . Each of us were widowed before our sons died, so each of us had to deal with that trauma alone. Neither of us had known that our sons were gay. . ." Another thing that they had in common was unconditional love for their sons and a consuming belief that no one, including the mighty Helms, would treat their sons as second class citizens because they were gay.

So we have another beautiful account of two ordinary women who did the right thing and we are the better for having heard their story. It is altogether fitting that Bishop John Shelby Spong, the kind and decent man also from North Carolina, should write a recommendation for this book and that Allan Gurganus should write the foreward.

A final word to "Phillojo," who wrote the next review of this book: Homophobia is homophobia, whether it is yours or the senator's. Unlike HIV, it can be cured, but only if you are a willing patient. May I remind you that for years there was precious little funding for AIDS research because of people like Helms and a president who could not bring himself to utter the word. The truth is the truth, whether you like it or not.

Rating:
Summary: This Book Will Make You Want to Be a Better Person
Review: This heartfelt, moving book made me want to be a better person. The authors' eloquent prose made me reevalutate what is most important in life: your family and friends, and also helping to make life easier for others. This is what these two incredible, beautiful women have done. If they can do all they've done and continue to do at their age, why can't everyone try to do the same? I'm not talking about becoming an activist; I'm talking about selflessly helping others each and every day. It'll come back tenfold, if not more. Read this lovely story and you'll want to be a better person too.