God Speed-Gerald Ford

So, Gerald Ford is dead.
And remember what happened because Ford was defeated by Gov. Jimmy Carter: Islamic Extremism and the specter of worldwide terrorism was raised to new heights.
Because of President Carter, the Shah of Iran was disgraced and deposed. What took over in Iran was an Islamic religious state that held America hostage by kidnapping our citizens. Because of that Islamic regime in Iran, they are either threatening or have already become a member of the nuclear weapon club and swing a big threatening stick sitting on a tinder box of oil.
Because of the Islamic extremists taking over in Iran, others, like Osama bin Laden, urged Islamic dominated states to become even more Islamic and extreme. A Saudi Arabian, bin Laden was scooted away to Afghanistan to "play" with Islamic state creation there.
His terror and taking over Afganistan led to Islamic laws being followed, including extremist actions against citizens and the mistreatment of women--certainly no promoter of human rights. Ultimately, his Al Quaeda group has caused more than 3,000 deaths of innocents in America and other western worlds as the Islamists interpret the words of Muhammed and wage Jihad in an effort to take the world back to the 12th Century.
So, it is fair to say that because of Gerald Ford's loss, the world was led by a weak President Carter who took us down the path to terrorism and failed policies.
President Ford was never elected president, and was never popular during his partial term. He was never a conservative leader, but set the stage for President Reagan to fight terrorism in central America, the middle east and defeat the Soviet Union to the waste heap of history.
Without Jimmy Carter, we could never have had President Reagan. Without Bill Clinton, we would never have had a Republican Congress, and without President George W. Bush, the Democrats would never have regained control of congress, and without the Democrats in Congress, America would never remember the reasons they mistakenly abandoned conservatives in the 2006 elections.
While the democrats are heaping praise on President Ford, it's because he was a compromiser and middle of the road Republican, who didn't have the conservative credentials to win election in 1976, perhaps because Senator Bob Dole was his running mate. They thwarted conservatives and Reagan was sent packing, but that only made a bigger victory for Reagan in 1980, and the cosnervative revolution began.
President Ford, God speed, and thank you for your service to the United States of America.

Muhammad The Bomber--Must See TV?

I read a parody recently that I had to expand and change.
For your consideration this is how pitching a brand new TV show involving a Muslim extremist.
Pitch Man--Okay, here's the pitch, I've got this great idea for a new TV show. It's a show about a terrorist bomber.
TV Executive--Does it have any dogs in the program?
Pitch Man--No, you see Muslims don't like dogs, they believe they are dirty...
TV Exec--No dogs, darn, I love dogs.
Pitch Man--We could put a couple of dogs in there if you want to.
TV Exec--Yeah, maybe a Rin Tin Tin, kind of dog, like the one at Petticoat Junction.
Pitch Man--Sure, that would work...anyway, these Muslims live in New York City, where they are taken care of by a Muslim grandma,
TV Exec--What's her name?
Pitch Man--Grandma Hamas...
TV Exec--Is that anything like humus? I love humus, especially those humus sandwiches, HEY SHELLEY, WHAT DO THEY CALL THOSE HUMUS SANDWICHES I LIKE?
Pitch Man--No that's humus, not Hamas, see it's kind of a play on words, Hamas is an extremist group that's into terrorism
Shelley-(faintly) falafel..
TV Exec--THAT'S IT, I love falafel sandwiches, they have the pita bread, the cucumber sauce and those crunchy little balls of falafel.
Pitch Man--Anyway, Grandma Hamas, loves to take care of her Muslim boys and is training them to be be suicide bombers.
TV Exec--Does the grandma make falafal sandwiches?
Pitch Man--She could, if that's what you want...
TV Exec--That would be great.
Pitch Man--Sure, if that's what you want, anyway the grandma is training the Muslim kids to be suicide bombers...
TV Exec--Does the dog like that humus stuff....SHELLEY--WHAT'S IT CALLED?
Shelley-FALAFAL...
TV Exec--Yeah, yeah...
Pitch Man--So the Muslims get a great meal from grandma...
TV Exec--Is it a falafal sandwich on peta bread?
Pitch Man--Yeah, and they get a full stomach...
TV Exec--Does the dog get any table scraps from the falafal sandwiches....I LOVE FALAFAL...
Pitch Man--Yeah, the dog is stuffed, and then the Muslim's strap bombs to themselves and go blow up a shopping mall, and airport and an oil refinery.
TV Exec--Sounds pretty good kid, let's get legal down here to draw up the contract for 18 weeks of programs and we got a deal.
Pitch Man--Wait, that won't work.
TV Exec--Why not, you got some teenage kids that are lonely, they have a grandma that takes care of them and a dog, they're ready to go blow themselves up for a cause bigger than themselves, what more could you want?
Pitch Man--That's the point, it's only a single episode.
TV Exec--Too bad kid, with your idea and my lack of any taste in programming, we coulda made a million dollars on the program alone, let alone the licensing rights for the falafal sandwich recipe. Well, anyway, you want to go to lunch? You like falafal?


Back to reality now. Is this perhaps the reason we aren't taking the terrorist threat seriously?

GREAT STATE FAIR

I don't know if you had the opportunity to go to your State Fair, but I always try to go and this year's fair was the BEST EVER.
This year is Oklahoma's 100th Birthday, and it was also the 100th State Fair.
The exhibits were spectacular, the new cars, the jams and jellies, and all those things that people put together and deliver to the fair and win a ribbon on, you have to wonder where the whole idea came about.
The only down side to this State Fair was the fist fight between Mrs. Armstrong and Mrs. Phillips, who have battled it out for years for the Blue Ribbon in pickled okra competition. Everyone knew they were going to either place or show, and when the judge finally awarded the Blue Ribbon to Mrs. Armstrong--the fists flew. Both of the ladies are, shall we say, large boned women, and if the chairs on the podium hadn't been made of fiberglass, they would have been nothing but slivers after the altercation.
It's still hard to figure out who threw the first punch, but no charges were filed. Both women promised to behave themselves, until next year, anyway.
Despite the first fights, the midway (Bobo wasn't there, but a brash imitator called 'Soak the Bloke' manned the dunk tank) the midgets and freaks and all the other neat stuff was fun to see. Of course the food was great as always, and beverages were the best, and sharing it with special friends is always the best part.
I can't wait til next year's fair.

Politics With Soul

I was deeply involved in a recent political race recently: The Good Guy Won.
In case you are interested in politics, and I hope you are, you have to remember a few things.
The main point to remember in any political arena is "dance with who brung ya'."
The most important thing you have to do in public service in to serve the public. That means you have to get along with other people that you work for, which includes thousands of constituents and other elected leaders.
If you are changing your mind about important issues or merely used the election to take advantage of a situation with the idea that you would betray your supporters--bad idea.
Attempt to get along with other elected officers who you serve with, don't ever call them names, and especially never call them names in a public meeting. When you do you lose.
It's simple enough, if you have supporters that voted for you for a reason, and if you reject those friends and then change the very basic agreement you made with them, you're doomed.
The second thing to remember is to look in the mirror.
If you did something while you were in public office that went against the things you pledged to do, then ask the voters what they think about that issue, don't use some euphemistic phrase to hope the electorate understands the question with a wink---ask the question.
If you don't then you don't have any guts, and you lose.
This time the election came out great, and I'm very happy to have been on the winning side of a very hard-fought political race.

Oops, They Did it Again-Democrats Caucus Changes Won't Change Things

Now we know how desperate the Democrats are getting. in case you missed it, here is the AP story regarding changes in the primary and caucuses.
CHICAGO (AP) - Democrats shook up tradition on Saturday by vaulting Nevada and South Carolina into the first wave of 2008 presidential contests along with Iowa and New Hampshire - a move intended to add racial and geographic diversity to the early voting.
The decision by the Democratic National Committee leaves Iowa as the nation's first presidential caucus and New Hampshire as the first primary, but wedges Nevada's caucuses before New Hampshire and South Carolina's primary soon afterward.
The move also packs all four state contests into a politically saturated two weeks in January. The change means a potentially huge cast of Democratic presidential candidates could winnow quickly by the beginning of February.
Party officials embraced the change, though New Hampshire Democrats joined several likely presidential candidates and former President Clinton in opposing the move.
So waht does it mean, at first glance, what it means is they are more interested in getting conservative democrats from the west involved to help the usually liberal party appeal to the forgotten wing of the party.
What will happen is about half that. First of all, caucuses are controled by the party faithful, so the liberals, who still have a strangle hold on the dems, will nominate someone in the west, who will be PERCEIVED as a more conservative candidate--after all he or she won a western caucus.
Nope, but don't tell them that.
And will this merely increase the amount of money taht viable candidates are required to spend? Yes.
Does the decesion make sense, not much.

People Without Souls

I like politics.
I admit, some people don't, but I do.
Here's why, it's the last chance for a process where someone wins and someone loses.
I've supported people in politics who have told me one thing and then changed their mind and lost all credibility. I'm not talking about something like changing their favorite color, I'm talking about important issues like government accountability and conservatively spending taxpayers' money.
Then, they attempt to cover their actions with misstatements and untrue statements. Then, to top it all off, they attempt to slander and lie about the others who caught them in the lie.
That's what I don't like about politics.
Who started it, it happens when you get a political party that was a committed group of people, and then grows. Then the political opportunity begin their work. They create small groups or organizations with conservative sounding names, or latch on to national groups with conservative names, and create local chapters. Sometimes they even have local charters.
Sadly, these groups are only designed to legitimacy and mask their extreme ideas that aren't necessarily conservative, but are more libertarian in nature.
Sadly, these groups then infect the conservative group they latch on to, and attempt to create dissention and problems.
They endorse people for elected office who aren't much more than political opportunity.
On Tuesday, August 22, 2006, there will be a decision made in an election which can determine the future of these organizations, and the future of people who care about politics and the public's right to know.
I'll keep you posted.

Kerry On Our Wayward Son---A Reason to Fear Democrats

What would we have if government agencies leaked any information they thought they should, including sensitive information having to do with national security and the ability of the United States to strive to create stable governments? What would happen if your top security people were undermining you with your enemies who have killed more then 3,000 innocent Americans? I think it's wrong and should be punished with a charge of treason. John Kerry, apparently doesn't mind a bit.
Here is an explanation of why we should be glad that Kerry lost his bid for president.

ABC 'THIS WEEK' HOST GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: On another -- on another front, excuse me, CIA official Mary McCarthy lost her job this week for disclosing classified information according to the CIA probably about a WASHINGTON POST story which reveal revealed the existence of secret prisons in Europe. A lot of different views. Senator Pat Roberts praised action but some former CIA officers described Mary McCarthy as a sacrificial lamb acting in the finest American tradition by revealing human rights violations. What's your view?

SEN. KERRY: Well, I read that. I don't know whether she did it or not so it's hard to have a view on it. Here's my fundamental view of this, that you have somebody being fired from the CIA for allegedly telling the truth, and you have no one fired from the white house for revealing a CIA agent in order to support a lie. That underscores what's really wrong in Washington, DC Here.

STEPHANOPOULOS: That's one issue of hypocrisy but should a CIA officer be able to make decisions on his or her --

KERRY: ... Of course not. Of course, not. A CIA agent has the obligation to uphold the law and clearly leaking is against the law, and nobody should leak. I don't like leaking. But if you're leaking to tell the truth, Americans are going to look at that, at least mitigate or think about what are the consequences that you, you know, put on that person. Obviously they're not going to keep their job, but there are other larger issues here. You know, classification in Washington is a tool that is used to hide the truth from the American people. Daniel Patrick Moynihan was eloquent and forceful in always talking about how we needed to, you know, end this endless declassification that takes place in this city, and it has become a tool to hide the truth from Americans.

STEPHANOPOULOS: These --

SEN. KERRY: So I'm glad she told the truth but she's going to obviously -- if she did it, if she did it, suffer the consequences of breaking the law.

Me Again---McCarthy had no authority to release the information she leaked. But kerry says you shouldn't leak, but if you're telling the truth, well that's okay, right John?
No, it's not right, it's wrong. And the action of this woman has endangered the efforts of freedom in the middle east and the world. I don't think McCarthy should be fired, I think she should be prosecuted for treason and if she is convicted---suffer the effects of a firing squad or other appropriate punishment.

TR Said it Best--What Do You Think?

Theodore Roosevelt's ideas on Immigrants and being an AMERICAN in 1907."In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person's becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American ... There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag ... We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language ... and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people."Theodore Roosevelt 1907 Origins: Theodore Roosevelt was about to finish his first two-year term as governor of the state of New York when the Republican Party chose him as its candidate for Vice-President in the 1900 national election. The Republicans were victorious at the ballot box that year, but Roosevelt held the vice-presidency for less than a year
before he was elevated to the White House upon the assassination of President William McKinley on 14 September 1901, thereby becoming the youngest person ever to hold the office of President of the United States. Roosevelt was elected to a full term as president in 1904, and among his many notable achievements was his selection as a Nobel Peace Prize Laureate for his part in the negotiations leading to the Treaty of Portsmouth that ended the Russo-Japanese War in 1905.Although Roosevelt did not hold public office again after leaving the presidency in 1909 (his efforts to regain the White House as a third party candidate in 1912 proving unsuccessful), he remained active in the public political sphere; in the waning years of his life, as World War I raged in Europe and America entered the conflict on the side of the Allies, he frequently spoke of his belief that immigrants taking up residence in the U.S. should assimilate into American society as quickly as possible, learn the English language, eschew hyphenated national identities (e.g., "Italian-American") and declare their primary national allegiance to the United States of America.On 1 February 1916, for example, Roosevelt advocated measures for strengthening and ensuring the "loyalty" of American immigrants:
Theodore Roosevelt, speaking at a luncheon given yesterday by Mrs. Vincent Astor for the National Americanization Committee in the Astor Court Building, declared that one of the reasons why many German-Americans have shown greater love for their native land that for their adopted country is that the German system demands greater loyalty than is demanded in this country, and a greater contribution to the common welfare. "And all of you know I am free from a taint of neutrality," he added, "so I can say this without suspicion."The encouragement of better housing conditions and a compulsion to learn the English language, Colonel Roosevelt said, would help the process of Americanization."We cannot make the Americanization movement a success," Colonel Roosevelt said, "unless we approach it from the economic standpoint. It is true that governmentally Germany is an autocracy. But there has been a great deal more industrial freedom there than many of our old industrial communities. The German Government says we expect you to work out good results, to get together with the laborer, and yourselves decide what you are going to pay to the doctors who are to pass upon the health of the employes, and the amount of damages any employe merits. The Government insists upon a great amount of self-government by the people themselves."I feel that by insistence upon proper housing conditions we shall indirectly approach this. I want to see the immigrant know that he has got to spend a certain amount of his money in decent housing; that he will not be allowed to live on $2.50 per month board basis."Let us say to the immigrant not that we hope he will learn English, but that he has got to learn it. Let the immigrant who does not learn it go back. He has got to consider the interest of the United States or he should not stay here. He must be made to see that his opportunities in this country depend upon his knowing English and observing American standards. The employer cannot be permitted to regard him only as an industrial asset."We must in every way possible encourage the immigrant to rise, help him up, give him a chance to help himself. If we try to carry him he may well prove not well worth carrying. We must in turn insist upon his showing the same standard of fealty to this country and to join with us in raising the level of our common American citizenship."If I could I would have the kind of restriction which would not allow any immigrant to come here unless I was content that his grandchildren would be fellow-citizens of my grandchildren. They will not be so if he lives in a boarding house at $2.50 per month with ten other boarders and contracts tuberculosis and contributes to the next generation a body of citizens inferior not only morally and spiritually but also physically."1
A few months later, Roosevelt expanded on this theme in a series of Memorial Day speeches he delivered in St. Louis:
Moral treason to the United States was charged by Mr. Roosevelt, in an address delivered before the City Club, against German-Americans who seek to make their governmental representatives act in the interests of Germany rather than this country. He characterized the German-American Alliance as "an anti-American alliance," but added that he believed that its members "not only do not represent but scandalously misrepresent" the great majority of real Americans of German origin.Using the motto "America for Americans" for all Americans, whether they were born here or abroad, the former President declared that "the salvation of our people lies in having a nationalized and unified America, ready for the tremendous tasks of both war and peace.""I appeal to all our citizens," the colonel said, "no matter from what land their forefathers came, to keep this ever in mind, and to shun with scorn and contempt the sinister intriguers and mischiefmakers who would seek to divide them along lines of creed, or birthplace or of national origin."Col. Roosevelt said he came to St. Louis to speak on Americanism — to speak of and condemn the use of the hyphen "whenever it represents an effort to form political parties along racial lines or to bring pressure to bear on parties and politicians, not for American purposes, but in the interest of some group of voters of a certain national origin or of the country from which they or their fathers came."He was equally against the native American of the wrong kind and for the immigrant of the right kind, the former President declared, but the immigrant who did not become in good faith an American "is out of place" in the United States. He said each nation should be judged by its conduct and that the United States should oppose encroachment on its own rights, whether Germany, England, France or Russia be guilty of misconduct."The effort to keep our citizenship divided against itself," the colonel continued, "by the use of the hyphen and along the lines of national origin is certain to a breed of spirit of bitterness and prejudice and dislike between great bodies of our citizens. If some citizens band together as German-Americans or Irish-Americans, then after a while others are certain to band together as English-Americans or Scandinavian-Americans, and every such banding together, every attempt to make for political purposes a German-American alliance or a Scandinavian-American alliance, means down at the bottom an effort against the interest of straight-out American citizenship, an effort to bring into our nation the bitter Old World rivalries amd jealousies and hatreds."2
In a Fourth of July speech in 1917, Roosevelt urged the adoption of linguistic uniformity, including a requirement that all foreign-language newspapers published in the U.S. should also include English translations:
Touching on the matter of language, Col. Roosevelt declared that "We must have in this country but one flag, and for the speech of the people but one language, the English language. During the present war all newspapers published in German, or in the speech of any of our foes, should be required to publish, side by side with the foreign text, columns in English containing the exact translation of everything said in the foreign language. Ultimately this should be done with all newspapers published in foreign languages in this country."3
Likewise, on 27 May 1918, Roosevelt urged in a speech at Des Moines, Iowa, that English be the sole language of instruction used in American schools:
English as the sole language for schools, newspapers and other usage in this country was urged by Theodore Roosevelt in an address here tonight under the direction of the National Security League.[...]In voicing his approval of the recent proclamation by Gov. Harding, ordering that English be the only medium of instruction in public or private schools in Iowa, Col. Roosevelt said:"This is a nation — not a polyglot boarding house. There is not room in the country for any 50-50 American, nor can there be but one loyalty — to the Stars and Stripes."4
The comments quoted at this head of the page are more in the same vein; excerpts not from (as claimed in the accompanying text) a statement made by Theodore Roosevelt in 1907 (while he was still President), but from a letter written shortly before his death in January 1919, just a few months after the armistice that ended the fighting in World War I:
NEW YORK, Jan. 6. — What was the last public statement by Col. Roosevelt was read last night at an "All-American concert" here under the auspices of the American Defense society, of which he was honorary president."I cannot be with you and so all I can do is to wish you Godspeed," it read. "There may be no sagging back in the fight for Americanism merely because the war is over."There are plenty of persons who have already made the assertion that they believe the American people have a short memory and that they intend to revive all the foreign associations which more directly interfere with the complete Americanization of our people. Our principle in this matter should be absolutely simple."In the first place we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here does in good faith become an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with every one else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed or birthplace or origin. But this is predicated upon the man’s becoming in very fact an American and nothing but an American."If he tries to keep segregated with men of his own origin and separated from the rest of America, then he isn't doing his part as an American."We have room for but one flag, the American flag, and this excludes the red flag which symbolizes all wars against liberty and civilization just as much as it excludes any foreign flag of a nation to which we are hostile. We have room for but one language here and that is the English language, for we intend to see that the crucible turns our people out as Americans, and American nationality, and not as dwellers in a polyglot boarding house; and we have room for but one soul [sic] loyalty, and that is loyalty to the American people."5
A copy of this letter, obtained from the Manuscript Division of the Library of Congress, can be viewed here.

Here's the Problem with the Immigration "Compromise"

Statement of Sen. Jeff Sessions on the Immigration Bill Compromise
Thursday, April 6, 2006
“The compromise bill, unfortunately, is essentially the same as the Kennedy-McCain bill that was crushed by a 60 - 39 vote today. Therefore, without substantial amendment, I will not vote for it. For example, it allows for more permanent residents than before – including at least three times the annual current employment green card level – all without serious evaluation. We can fix the immigration system in our country, but we first need a commitment from the President and Congress to ensure that our borders are secure. Then we can decide how to fairly and humanely treat the 11 million illegal immigrants who are already here and determine how many people can come in the future.”

Illegal Aliens Vs. Common Sense

If you've watched the demostrations in various cities around the nation by what are thought to be illegal aliens, you probably are wondering what's going on.
It's pretty simple and scary at the same time.
First, the media reports these demonstrations are being led by groups that support the overthrow of the United States government, they hate America and want to use this to create a wave of undocumented voters to sway elections to give the Democrats the congress, raise taxes and destroy our nation.
I'm not saying that, that's what the media reports.
It appears that people who are in the United States without proper documentation are now demanding that they be given special treatment to gain citizenship.
The proposed reform bill that was going through the Congress wasn't a good compromise because, among other things, it gave amnesty to those illegals who had already gone through the courts and told to get out of the nation.
There are laws, and if those laws aren't followed, the government needs to get tough, and since we are the government, we need to tell our congressmen how we feel.
Our borders aren't stopping ilegals from entering the U.S. That needs to be fixed.
If your home's hot water heater is leaking, you don't let the leak to continue while you install a new hot water heater, YOU FIX THE LEAK.
So, congressmen, FIX IT. Enforce the laws. And by the way, why don't you change the law back to before Bill Clinton changed the immigration rules back in the 1990's and MAKE SURE THAT anyone who is immigrating to the U. S. MUST SPEAK ENGLISH.
That's not too much to ask.
And, isn't it time we demanded that someone who wants to become an American believes in America. I'm very happy of immigrants who want to change into Americans, but that means you learn the language and the culture--you aren't a ______/American.
Remember when? The United States of America is the only place that anyone, someone from France, England, Pakistan or Russia can come and be an AMERICAN. No American can go to France and become a Frenchman, Englishman, Pakistani or Russian.
We need these people who aspire to become Americans to care about our nation as much as we do.
It's time to care about this country and our ideals, or we will lose them to the ages.
You can't just get a change in your papers and live in America without believing in America, with all the warts, we are still a world leader for human rights, freedom and all that is good in the world.
Anyone who attempts to come to the U. S. needs to believe that too, or they need to go home.

Colin Powell Rocks

It was a wonderful experience hearing former General and Secretary of State Colin Powell recently.
Here are some of the highlights.
What makes a great leader?
A great leader is someone who inspires someone to follow. He said there could be no greater compliment than for someone to say, "I'll follow you just out of curiosity."
A leader is someone who fights for their employees, solves their problems and demands the support what they need to be successful.
Trust is also another factor that is extremely important for a leader. If people don't trust and respect their leader, there is no leadership.
Here's an example of trust: and international crisis Powell had thrown in his lap one week while serving as SoS and how leadership and trust made the difference.
The Spanish Ambassador called Powell and said, "You've got an international problem that you have to solve."
What is it? Powell didn't know so he said, I'll call you back. Then he yelled at his staff demanding to know why there was in international incident in the Mediterranean and he didn't know about it.
His staff explained the problem is what's called the Parsley Island, a small patch of land off the coast of Spain about the size of a football field. The island had been Spain's but Morocco invaded the uninhabited island and put their flag on the island.
He called the Spanish officials and asked why is this "our" problem, isn't it a problem with Spain and Morocco?
No, the Spanish official explained, it's your problem, because Spain is a member of the European Union and Morocco is a member of the Arab League.
Great. He was heading home for a weekend and his grandchildren were coming to visit and he didn't want to mess with this mess.
Spain repelled the Moroccans, the event was over, so Powell said, it's over Spain has the island back, no one hurt, no harm-no foul.
Spain said, great, write up a treaty and sign it.
Powell said, why me?
Why wouldn't Spain and Morocco sign the treaty?
Spain said, no, you write up an agreement, send it to us, we'll approve it and you sign it, it will have more impact.
So Powell wrote a short document, saying it was short because there weren't any lawyers in his house that weekend, he emailed it to Spain and to Moroccan Officials. Spain ran it by King Juan Carlos, it's okay with him, but Moroccan officials said King Muhammad VI was in a car in the desert and couldn't be reached.
Powell said, I've known the King since he was the Crown Prince, get him on the phone.
Minutes later, his phone rang, it was the King.
Your Highness, Powell explained, I'd like your permission to sign the document on behalf of Spain and Morocco to settle this dispute.
King Muhammad VI explained he hadn't seen the document and would rather see it before granting permission.
Powell then said, Your Highness, I knew your father; I visited with you in your home while you were the Crown Prince. I would never do anything to harm you or damage the reputation of Morocco or the relationship between your nation and the United States. Trust me on this, Your Highness.
"I trust you Mr. Secretary," the King said.
Powell signed the agreement and spent the afternoon with his grandchildren as planned.
Twelve Brazilian; How Many is That?
Twelve Brazilian High School students visited the United States. That's something Powell encourages to help the ideals of America spread around the world to provide insight into our real people, not the sit-com image of America.
He met them in Washington, and when he visited Brazil, he wanted to follow up with the students.
They met. What do you remember from your visit, he asked.
One student said people laughed at him when he put ketchup on his pizza. Powell indicated that most people think pizza has enough tomato sauce on it and no more is needed.
Another complained they served milk with pizza at his school in the U. S.
Powell explained how he would love to explain how the dairy lobby works but there wasn't time.
Then one student explained what happened in Chicago. They went out one night without their sponsor to a restaurant. When the bill arrived they found that they didn't have enough money to pay the bill.
They explained to the waitress that they didn’t have the money their sponsor wasn’t with them they were from Brazil and would arrange to pay the bill later.
The waitress went and spoke to the manager and then she returned.
We can go get the money, they explained again, but the waitress said, “Don’t worry about it.” The manager explained that he came to the United States as a student as well, and he wanted them to go home and tell everyone they know about the courtesy and kindness they received when they were in the United States.
Bring Students Here
After 9/11 there was a concerted crackdown on illegal and improper immigration. Powell told the President that the new tougher rules were preventing the world’s brightest students from coming to the United States to learn. Instead, they can go to England, Germany or France and we need to make sure they come here. He encouraged the loosening of the rules to bring those students here because in addition to educating the world about the real America, it also provides wonderful economic benefits to universities and colleges because they pay out of state tuition.
I’m Not OBL
Powell now makes more money speaking than he ever did in the military and government. After he left the State Department, he found himself trying to fly home after a trip. He was arranging another flight.
So, he went to the ticket counter, purchased a one-way ticket, with cash, and didn’t have any luggage. He did everything that a terrorist would do.
So despite his notoriety, when he came through the metal detectors, he had every red flag raised, so they asked him to take his shoes off and take off some clothing items.
While he stood there, the attendant was waving the magnetic wand around his body while he had his arms outstretched. Since his face has been on the cover or Time and Newsweek, almost everyone knows Colin Powell; in fact, he was picked as one of the sexiest grandparents by AARP. So lots of people said hello to the former Secretary as they walked by while he was being searched.
The attendant even looked up and said, “Hey, you are Colin Powell, aren’t you?” To that Powell said, that’s right, now why don’t you go out and capture Osama bin Laden?
Corvettes and Airplanes
So, what does Powell do after being among the most powerful people in the world and what does he miss the most?
Powell says the first thing he did when he retired was to sit and have coffee with his wife, Alma. It was very interesting when they sat across from each other and she explained that the toilet was leaking. He asked her, “What do you want me to do about that?”
It was about that time that Powell realized he had to find something to occupy his time. But first, everyone is allowed to buy a toy. It’s cheaper than a mistress and usually has the same effect.
For General Powell, his toy was a Corvette. It was well known that Powell bought a Corvette, and the General Motors Corporation took note of the General’s affection for the car. In fact, a couple of months after Colin purchased his toy, Chevrolet called him, smelling a marketing opportunity.
“How do you like your Corvette, General?” is what the representative asked. “I love it,” he said. Then there was the offer.
“General, I don’t know if you know this yet, but this year the Indianapolis Pace Car is going to be a Corvette. A Red Corvette,” the GM Spokesman said.
“That’s very nice, but what does that have to do with me,” Powell asked.
“We’d like you to drive it in the Indy 500.”
For the General, this was too tempting to miss. He went to the driving course and practiced in the Indy Pace car and then the magic moment came. Officials explained, General Powell, you’ve got the track for the next 30 minutes to practice. Powell says he got the Corvette up to 120 miles per hour. He took his son with him and his son was scared to death.
“As long as I live, my life will be measured against the excitement of driving the pace car in the Indy 500, it was one of the most incredible moments of my life,” Powell said.
And the thing he misses most about being Secretary of State? The airplane. No, not just any plane, but the Secretary of State’s Plane, the Boeing 757 with the United States of America painted on the side. He loved it. And he explained to those who were in the Air Force attending, “When I arrived at Andrews Air Force Base, security would be abuzz, and I would walk on a red carpet for me, and walk all the way to the airplane. When my right foot touched the bottom of the stairway, the first engine would fire. And when I sat in my seat and a Diet Coke was placed in my cup holder, we would begin our takeoff,” the General explained.
“But they took my plane away, and gave it to Condi.”
He really misses that plane.
And Then There is Elvis
The Prime Minister of Japan loves America, and he loves Elvis Presley. The Prime Minister explained how he believes that a song by Elvis explains the relationship between the United States and Japan. That song is “I Love you, I Want You, I Need You” and Powell agrees.
Of course, the Japanese Prime Minister wasn’t ready for Powell’s admission that he knew Elvis. In fact, Powell served in Germany at the same time the King was stationed there. Powell explained that he knew Elvis and that Elvis is STILL ALIVE.
“He is?” the Prime Minister asked.

Maybe This is Why She Went Wacky?

You may have seen the story about Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney getting into a tussle with a Capitol Hill Policeman and slugging the officer.
McKinney complains that she was touched inappropriately and that she was treated poorly because she is black. If someone uses their race as an excuse for their bad behavior, it's wrong. It is especially bad when it involves an elected public official.
The plot thickens....

McKinney Admits Misusing Taxpayer Money
POSTED: 3:40 pm EDT April 3, 2006
UPDATED: 3:57 pm EDT April 3, 2006
WASHINGTON -- Rep. Cynthia McKinney admits that she broke government rules by spending money to fly a celebrity to Atlanta.
Channel 2 Action News has uncovered documents showing McKinney, D-Ga., spent about $1,000 of taxpayer's money to fly singer Isaac Hayes to Georgia to help dedicate a new office in Atlanta.
The money came from a fund members of Congress are supposed to use for office supplies.
Using the money to pay for Hayes' airline ticket and hotel expenses is a violation of strict congressional rules. Those rules state that taxpayer money can only be used for "travel by Members, Members' employees and vendors. A vendor is an employee of a private company that provides maintenance and support for equipment and software..."
Watchdog groups call taxpayer-funded celebrity travel a blatant waste of taxpayer money.
McKinney staffers say they will reimburse the congressional fund for the cost of Hayes' flight and hotel room.

So this is why she's raising the race card? Oh yeah, she says that because the Capitol Hill Police Officer tried to keep her from getting into the capitol without going through the metal detector of showing her official house pin, she said this is more about race than security.
This is getting old. When will people begin taking responsibility for their actions and avoid trying to use some sort of excuse to avoid taking responsibility.
Let's stop using race as a way to attack others and provide an excuse for bad decisions. Don't let the media let Cong. Cynthia McKinney off easy, when she's the one who should be wearing stripes and sitting in the grey bar hotel.

Walter Cronkite—She Ain’t

Katie Might Have a New Gig—Who Cares?

The story came down of the weekend, and it wasn’t even close to being a shock.

COURIC SET TO MAKE HISTORY; MAY ANNOUNCE CBS ANCHOR JOB THIS WEEK
Katie Couric's deal to move to CBS NEWS is completed in principle, and an announcement that she is leaving NBC might come as early as this week, TV WEEK reports.In taking on the CBS job, Ms. Couric would be the first female to serve as sole anchor of a network flagship newscast.Michele Greppi reports: The first announcement should be that Ms. Couric is leaving the Peacock Network and the viewers who have spent their mornings with Ms. Couric for 15 years. The official announcement of CBS's dream come true-landing Ms. Couric as its evening star- would follow, perhaps next week.My reaction: Big Deal. Let’s see, a woman who has been able to keep ratings in the morning slot for NBC for 15 years and is a known and noted liberal, will now be in the anchor chair for CBS News?

So the only thing that has changed at CBS is the GENDER of the snews anchor? She’ll be out of CBS in less than 5 years, maybe 3, because she isn’t strong enough or conservative enough to be the official news reader of America. Walter Cronkite—She Ain’t.

How Soon We Forget....

Here's what's happening in our world.

Newsweek
April 10, 2006 issue - If movie trailers are supposed to cause a reaction, the preview for "United 93" more than succeeds. Featuring no voice-over and no famous actors, it begins with images of a beautiful morning and passengers boarding an airplane. It takes you a minute to realize what the movie's even about. That's when a plane hits the World Trade Center. The effect is visceral. When the trailer played before "Inside Man" last week at the famed Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, audience members began calling out, "Too soon!" In New York City, where 9/11 remains an open wound, the response was even more dramatic. The AMC Loews theater on Manhattan's Upper West Side took the rare step of pulling the trailer from its screens after several complaints. "One lady was crying," says one of the theater's managers, Kevin Adjodha. "She was saying we shouldn't have [played the trailer]. That this was wrong ... I don't think people are ready for this."

We should remember 9/11 everyday, and hope America doens't forget the tragedy. Because if we are afraid to recognize this event and the impact on the world, then our resolve to fight these terrorists around the world will be undermined.
Currently the opposition party is attempting to accomplish that, I hope they fail miserably.
In the mean time, pray for the troops, their families and those of all faiths who are striving to promote freely elected governments around the world, we need them now more than ever.
No one ever said the war against terror would be easy, or it would be over in a few weeks.

Harley Davidson=Sports Cars...other thoughts

I was traveling around recently and noticed lots of motorcycles. It was a sunny day and most of what I saw looked like Harley-Davidson's.
I don't know how much you know about these bikes, but they have different versions, some are soft tails, and others are called fat boys.
In my state, we have a obesity problem. And I think the reason that motorcycles are popular is because some of these folks that are riding on the bikes, can't fit into a sports car.
...
A friend of mine has a blog that he updates almost hourly. Currently he's out of work and is going on an extended vacation with his wife. He's thinking of working on his blog while he's in Europe. Let me tell you, a blog isn't the most important thing in the world for me. I like giving my thoughts on issues, but if I ever have a chance to spend a couple of weeks in Europe or anywhere else, you won't know about it until I get back.
...
Where I live there has been a drought. It's gotten so bad that in some parts the people with farm ponds have been forced to dust off their cat fish and then dip them for fleas and ticks.
Right now we could use a few days of slow---trickling rain and that still wouldn't ease the lack of water.
...
Enjoyed a St. Patrick's Day Party at the Knights of Columbus in Oklahoma City last night.
All the food you would expect, and Ronnie Kaye provided trivia and music. It's great to see Ronnie and talk with him about things.
The most important thing in life isn't a Harley, a car, some exotic piece of art or a rare coin---it's people and the relationships you have with them.

Port Deal-Evil-it's Not

I hope I'm not the only one who isn't too concerned with the port deal proposed for the United Arab Emirates.
Are there concessions that President Bush got from the country to set up FBI or CIA operations that can help get rid of some bad guys?
Don't know.
Will this change the operation of the U. S. Ports involved? No.
Will it change the personnel loading and unloading thousands of sealed transport boxes? No.
Will it make us unsafe because a different owner will be signing the checks for the port workers, instead of a British company that has operated these programs in the past? Don't think so.
Does this type of deal scare Americans? You be, especially when you throw in some liberals who want to score some points against George Bush and the administration because they can't get him on anything.
Has the rhetoric been jacked up beyond recognition by people like Clinton, Hillary? Oh yeah. Her husband though has been supportive--curious, don't you think?
It's worrisome when some presidents agree, like George bush and Jimmy Carter.
But, you know the problem with international terrorism, sometimes EVEN Jimmy Carter may be right.
Like some unnatural event there are forces of evil afoot.
International terrorism is sinister and evil and operated by people who would make the villains in a 007 movie seem like a classroom bully.
They've got to be stopped. On this issue, let the company do it. They are mostly just getting a paycheck from a different bank.
But let's not forget that while we focus on this issue, the terrorists are figuring out their next dastardly deed, and when it happens---and it will---we will look at the breaking news on our televisions and say, "I never thought of that."
Duh! That's the problem.

Osama--Won't Be Taken Alive

Here's the latest from Osama bin Laden, "I won't be taken alive."

Here's what the news story says.
"Osama bin Laden vowed never to be captured alive and said the U.S. military had become as "barbaric" as Saddam Hussein in an audiotape reposted on a militant Islamic Web site after first being broadcast last month.
In the tape posted to the Web site Monday, bin Laden offered the United States a long-term truce but also said his al-Qaida terror network would soon launch a fresh attack on American soil. The tape was initially broadcast Jan. 19 on Al-Jazeera, the pan-Arab satellite channel.
Islamic militant Web forums often repost messages from al-Qaida leaders to ensure sympathizers can see them. U.S. intelligence officials confirmed that last month's tape was of bin Laden _ making it his first message in more than a year.
'I have sworn to only live free. Even if I find bitter the taste of death, I don't want to die humiliated or deceived,' bin Laden said, in the 11-minute, 26-second tape."
We have wonderful technology, it allows me to post these musings on the World Wide Web and allow thousands, hundreds.....okay, it allows me to read these things.
If we can locate so many bad guys on computers, how come we can't catch this guy and his fellow terrorists?
It makes you wonder. In the meantime, chill the Champaign, it's nearly time to pop that bottle and say good bye to Osama. After all, how many years can a guy who needs kidney dialysis survive in caves and traveling by horseback to avoid capture as he suffers from dysentery?
One thing is certain, our image of Martini-swilling-tuxedoed-Bond-spies is gone. Now we need Arabic speaking spies with dark skin to infiltrate these bad guys. How much would you pay these spies? What would it be worth to you to completely end your ties with the world to suffer diarrhea and stomach parasites?

State of the Union--A for content, C+ for Delivery

President George Bush has won another one, and delivered a stunning State of the Union Address that hit at his critics and sent a message of freedom around the world and signaled that we will never surrender to terrorists.
And what a contrast you see, when the liberals and Democrats don't applaud for things like national security and actively seeking out terrorists to make our nation safer.
What struck me about the speech was the build up. Man, you should have seen Kelly O'Donnel on MSNBC, not just because she had a stunning red suit on, but because the way she pitched her story about the SOTU. She was almost giddy explaining how the president's polling numbers are down, he's losing a war in Iraq and how the whole GOP is in disarray because of his failed leadership and she says that Republicans are concerned about losing the House and maybe the Senate in off-year elections.
Thankfully this isn't the President that showed up tonight. The President provided a wish list, will there be a single moment or phrase? Yes, explaining to the citizens of Iran that we wish them freedom and pledge to be a friend.
It's good stuff, but the delivery still is lacking for President Bush.
The President's State of the Union Address, his 5th, brought some soaring rhetoric, but sadly he couldn't deliver it.
I wish Bush would have been involved in the theater in college or high school, just enough to give him an understanding of how to provide a bit of emotion.
Tomorrow, I have a tape recorded conversation between Judge Samuel Alito and his wife. You won't want to miss it.

Idol Chatter--What Happened to Please and Thank You?

The activists are after American Idol. Seems Simon Cowell made some comments about a couple of the contestants indicating that one might be a female impersonator and another could be a drag queen.
I'm with the activists on this one. Simon has a particular ability to upset people but for him to make these types of comments goes a bit too far.
Here's why: Idol studios is a place where people are auditioning for a job. If you went in to an employer and were "auditioning" for a job, they would never ever ever make a joke or unkind remark about your sexuality because if they did you could sue them.
Remember, sexual harassment has grown into a booming business, partly because the workplace has changed and partly because the law is pretty clear.
If you or someone you work with, a vendor or contractor, came into your office and said something like, "Wow, your secretary is hot, do you think she would go out with me?" then he or she would be guilty of a sexually harassing comment and you need to call him or her on it, because you could be liable, too.
Certainly Idol has people sign releases, but this time Simon might have gone too far.
Telling someone their singing reminds you of finger nails on a chalk board is okay, but Simon, making comments about someone who you think is a female impersonator or would be a great drag queen, is off the mark.
Sorry, Simon, I'm with the activists on this one. Maybe in the UK the laws are different, but you're in the USA and those sexual harassment laws are different here. And it's also just a common courtesy to be a bit more friendly. Sadly, the society is becoming courser and I don't like it.
What ever happened to please and thank you?

State of the Union--People Like George Bush

I saw a bit of the Bob Schieffer interview on CBS.
It was part of the big "SUPER SPIN-DR PREVIEW OF THE STATE OF THE UNION" effort to completely defeat anything the president says, and to give the news pundits the opportunity to say, "as we discussed last week" which means the President is proposing what I said.
The media has a problem, they don't like George Bush and their "peace, love, drugs" counter-culture. He's been there, and he knows he could have ended up in the morgue a broken man. And he reclaimed his life and became a success in life by embracing God and eternal principles. The media hate that. They promote the most common denominator. Look at the fight over Samuel Alito, because he might push the issue back to the states about abortion. Is it so important to "find a constitutional" right to allow abortions, or is that the only way to prevent news anchors and sports heroes from having to financially support their children.
But I digress.
It's really a sad state of affairs for the media today. They don't merely report, they use "unnamed sources" and "administration sources" without any backup and if you call them on it, they get defensive and then threaten you.
The First Amendment is a wonderful thing, but you can't license freedom, after all, look at gun control.
So, here we go, approval ratings dropping, the war continues, deficits and that darn Republican controlled Congress won't RAISE TAXES. You know of course, that if the President proposed increasing taxes instead of growing our way out of our financial crunch while fighting an international war, the main stream media won't hear of it.
This George remembers his father George. Yeah, it was the democrats who demanded he raise taxes or they wouldn't provide funds for a first gulf war. It destroyed his father's base of support.
If George W. Bush has learned one thing, he's learned that you have to keep those folks who like you liking you. He's not articulate, he's not a great public speaker, but he's more like us that the tongue wagging elites that make up the national democrat party.
That's what keeps him popular, and gives him strength because he believes like most Americans believe. We believe in God, and we support life and protecting our nation from terrorists.
You wonder where the other side is on that important fact.

Let Me Get This Straight....

The Senate Confirmation Hearings of Judge Samuel Alito were some of the most embarrassing events of the "most deliberative body in history" with spiteful words spoken on both sides.
It appears to boil down to one simple fact, democrats fear that Alito will reverse the decision to legalize abortions.
No one really knows, but what is important is to remember that most of congress think they can do a better job than the president, and 100 United States Senators think THEY ARE the President.
Here's the deal, George W. Bush, like it or not, earned the Presidency not once, but twice. For years he's talked about how we need judges who will not create new laws by fiat, which isn't a small Italian car, but means without basis, in this case the United States Constitution. I've read the constitution, and I don't see it in there either.
The decision involving abortion wasn't so abominable for conservatives because of what it involved--which was bad--what was most egregious was the fact that state laws were overturned and the electorate was removed from the process determining the laws of states. The big foot of Federalism overtook state's rights.
I don't know anyone that supports abortions. Everyone would rather have that child born and cared for by a loving family. But for the nation's highest court to determine that the state's have no right to regulate the basis of our constitution, "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness" was wrong.
Now, if states want to approve abortions up to the last minute, and allow partial-birth abortions, which sounds more like something from a Nazi Death Camp than a medical clinic, let's vote and see who wins.
To be sure, conservatives, some liberals, Christians and clear thinking Americans believe in life. We encourage life, heck I couldn't even have an abortion for my cat because I am pro-life and against our culture of death.
To back up our feelings, we have voted for presidents and others time and time again who promote life over abortions and death.
Now, a president who campaigned against judicial activism has a chance to nominate people who may kick the issue back to the states for laws to be voted on by representatives of the people or even statewide initiative petitions. So be it.
If you didn't think President Bush would make these appointments you must have been asleep. If you don't think the President has the right to make these appointments then perhaps you should run for president. Many democrats, liberals, Republicans and independents have made their positions known that they are pro-abortion. When that is an issue in the job they seek, in many states like Oklahoma, they lose the election.
It's a good thing, because we need more people. In fact, if we don't get more people in Oklahoma during the next 14 years before the year 2020, we are very likely to lose another congressional seat.
Here's a slogan to encourage---Keep the 5 Congressional Seats--Vote Pro-Life.

Paintball--Lots of Fun with Guns

Men and different than women. It's important to remember that when I was a kid and when my wife was a kid, we used to play different games.
I didn't play with Barbies, I played with guns and played Army and Cowboys and Indians. That means I was involved in competition, that's what guys do. We compete with each other and there is an element of danger and blood for us to have a great time.
Paintball is like Army. You get to shoot balls of paint at each other, just like playing Army, except you know when someone gets shot. When we player Army there wasn't any way of knowing if someone was hit. With Paintball, you know.
I'm ready to take up the sport and shoot on a regular basis. If you know any good locations in central Oklahoma, give me a message. If you're on the other side and I'm against you in a game--watch out, I'm a pretty good shot and stalk my enemy silently. Watch your back.

Bin Laden and Brokeback Mountain

Extremist Muslims hate our culture because it promotes things they think are abhorrent.
Muslim Extremists don't like men being undermined as the leaders of their families; our television programs are filled with incompetent fathers who are ignorant about all things.
Muslim Extremists think it's wrong for women to expose themselves completely on cable television programs, videos and magazines; cable and commercial, magazines and the internet provide a haven for this type of activity and protect themselves with the First Amendment.
Muslim Extremists have zero tolerance for things like adultery, stealing and homosexual activity; some could argue we glorify these activities.
Think about it, the recent popular TV programs included "Desperate Housewives" and "Sex in the City" which pretty much glorifies a bunch of sluts who can't keep their clothes on.
Stealing is made normal, in the hit movies, "Ocean's 11" and "O12".
And now, our culture glorifies homosexuality with "Brokeback Mountain" earning Golden Globes and being heralded as becoming the number one movie this weekend.
The ads talk about "This love story" which will be very disturbing to John Wayne fans looking for a good western.
Perhaps the presumed popularity of "Brokeback Mountain" Bin Laden has finally given up and realizes that the destruction of the west is going to happen sooner than he thought without his help.
Do I have any problems with adultery, you bet. Stealing, yup. Glorifying homosexual activity--yes. No, I'm not a homophobe and have a very close friend who is gay. I didn't know he was gay and didn't care, he's never done anything around me that makes me feel uncomfortable, if he did that would change my mind about him.
I don't have any interest in seeing BM, because I don't go to movies recommended by Hollywood Elites who are deliberately and steadily trying to change our society with the movies, music and events that they say are normal. I'm not interested in seeing two men kissing in a romantic way.
I don't go to see scary movies either, it's not because I don't like to be scared.....wait, yeah I don't like to be scared and those movies keep me from sleeping, so I don't go.
If you're concerned about the way society is changing with the media attempts to make BM a major studio hit, then maybe you can understand just a bit of how some Muslims feel about the western influence on society. Nothing would ever justify killing innocent humans, but they don't like the direction our society is heading, and the impact that our society is having on the entire world and their part of the world in particular.
When I see the latest offerings on commercial TV and cable, internet websites and at the movie theaters, I'm worried, too.

What Dick Clark Should Have Done

Media consulting, that's what I do and here's what I would have advised for Dick Clark for New Year's Eve.
In case you didn't know, Clark suffered a stroke more than a year ago, and struggled back to appear on the New Year's Celebration for 2006. During the celebration,
Clark spoke poorly and it was sad to see him and disappointing, since many expected him to be the same old Dick we have seen for decades.
He was able to speak, but it was evident that Clark could no longer provide the communication skills that have become his trademark. Perfect diction and great presence.
Here's what this media advisor would have suggested.
"Dick, it's over, for now. You have had one of the longest careers in broadcasting, but after the stroke, it's important to keep working, but it's more important to preserve your legacy of work.
"You need to have a short taped message on your website explaining that while your physical strength is being regained every day, and you appreciate everyone's concerns and prayers, my speech has not become good enough to return to live TV or radio. You will work to regain your diction, but until then you will remain a vital part of Dick Clark Enterprises and will continue to work on media related projects that have dominated your life.
Then, you write a book about your experience and in a year you do Oprah and make a few million more dollars from book sales and get better.
But Dick didn't ask me. I think he showed a wonderful strength by going on the broadcast, but it also opened him up to ridicule from comedians which no one should have to suffer through.
I admire Dick Clark, and I did find it a curious development that he would return to live media. It shows a strength and courage that few others have. Good luck and God Bless you Dick Clark.

Good Bye WKY--For Now, Anyway

What a surprise to hear the news about the change of WKY from a locally produced news talk station, to a Spanish language station.
As a former talk show host for WKY in the afternoons and in the prime-time morning broadcasts, I've got to tell you that it's a rush and I love it. It would be my goal to to a morning radio show from 6 to 8 a.m. and then work at my current job, because I really like people and love to talk about all sorts of topics and give my impression of those topics, like I do here on the blog.
I've known lots of politicians, public servants and media personalities. In those positions, it all boils down to liking people. If you don't like people, you picked the wrong job, cowboy.
Liking people doesn't mean you can't disagree with them but you shouldn't be disagreeable.
If you are attempting to be on the radio or in the media, you have to be able to get along with everyone and if you don't get along with lots of folks, check your medication.
When I hosted a program on WKY, it was my goal to get as many people on about all sorts of subjects as I could, because I wasn't afraid to discuss ANY issue, and encouraged that type of activity.
Some folks on radio are too scripted, they don't want to have live interaction. The most incredible things that I've ever seen or heard didn't involve a script. The Hindenberg disaster, the coverage of the Lee Harvey Oswald assassination, and lots of events on the Johnny Carson Show happened in the moment. No script.
It's called talent, and that's what radio syndication is trying to build and for the most part accomplishing nationally. There is still an opportunity for local news- talk broadcasters to be there to talk about local issues.
After all, if it's snowing or a disaster happens in Oklahoma, guess what, the national talk-shows won't give a rat's rear end about it, and listeners will go to where they CAN hear about these things.
That is the key, talk about, promote, understand and not offend folks about local issues. If you don't know what you're talking about---you lose and so do the listeners. So, before you grab your own mic, get some understanding of politics, government and common sense, otherwise, your program won't stand the test of time.
Remember, people will listen where they are respected and encouraged to call and not feel like they are stupid.

Biggest Loser--Morality

I admit it, I watched "The Biggest Loser" and was a bit surprised at the lowering of our morals.
You didn't get it?
This episode involved engaged couples who weighed up to and more than 400 pounds and wanted to lose weight and win a dream honeymoon, but first they had to lose lots of weight.
My problem was that they took them to the spa, and these folks who are engaged we sent to rooms to SHARE. Wait a minute, aren't these folks supposed to be engaged, and what kind of message does it send to America's youth and their parents that these engaged couples are living together?
A little thing, but it reminds us of Romans 12:2, where Paul said don't conform to the temporal laws of today, stick to the eternal laws of God.
Our society is changing and people are seeing it destroy our moral character. I never watched "Friends" because I had small children. I didn't think the scenario of a bunch of "Friends" living and sleeping and having children together was a particularly good way to raise children.
Don't get me wrong, what a great thing if you're a guy, free sex and no responsibilities. But if you're the woman, you get a reputation of being a slut with a kid.
Not a great way to start a life.
Oh well, it's just a television program. So when you want your kids to meet some sort of standard for morality and they don't because that's the way they do things on TV, at least you can know you were once warned.

Snow

What happens when it doesn't snow?
If you are a ski resort, you make snow with machines that drone on all night so grooming machines can spread it around starting at 5:30 a.m. each morning.
Take ear plugs just in case.
Skiing where I went wasn't too bad, despite the fact that most of the runs were shut down or limited, I still had fun.
After a lunch in Taos, we went to Angel Fire. This year, not enough Angel, too much Fire.
The biggest slope looked like an Alpine meadow covered with grass and ready for cows to start grazing.
Too much snow in Japan, too much rain in California and not enough snow and precipitation in the central plains, global warming or just the way the climate is? Perhaps a little of both? Certainly no one believes that all that carbon dioxide has no impact on the atmosphere. The good news is that at least one nation, U. S. is doing something to help reduce those emissions, without a Kyoto Treaty.
Our technology is cleaning the environment, too bad other nations can't do as much as we are.