Iowa Primer

It's a caucus.
It's a simple, popularity-based gathering of democrats and republicans in Iowa to choose a presidential candidate. It used to happen in March but everyone wants this quadrennial celebration to be over and more expensive earlier and earlier each time.
People will gather at homes, schools and other places, like polling places, they will gather under the name of a particular candidate to show their support, then the tabulation will be completed and everyone will go home and watch the results.
It's not magic, it's merely being able to gain support.
So what will happen? On the GOP side, it could be a horse race between Huckabee and Romney, with Romney taking a few point lead.
On the liberal side, it may be the populism of a millionaire trial lawyer may be taking hold of democrat dreamers. John Edwards is leading in the latest polls, then Hillary and then Obama.
What's even better and more revealing is that Edwards and Obama are very popular as the second choice of Iowa voters. The Zogby poll revealed Hillary only scored 12 percent as a second choice.
What does it mean?
It means that Hillary is the Howard Cosell candidate. You love her or hate her.
Hillary hasn't done herself much of a favor. Last week she went to all sorts of events and spoke then left with NO QUESTIONS!
Interesting how the decisions made on the campaign trail influence voters.
Will Edwards win? I don't know. I'm worried because Edwards says "wont" for the word "want" and sounds like a hick. Is America ready to elect a president who says "wont"?
Don't think so-let the media games begin.

Benazir Bhutto

Every four years or eight years we change presidents.
This is a miraculous event where people of all ages, incomes and backgrounds all have the same right to go and choose a new leader--the President of the greatest and most powerful nation in the world--and after the voting is completed then an inauguration occurs. Power is transferred and it's all over.
There are no gangs of guerillas shooting at each other, there are no tanks in the streets and no miltary uniforms on our new president.
It is the most amazing event that only a few other real democracies in the world can accomplish. And then, there is Pakistan.
A former prime minister is running for president and she is assassinated in the streets of one of the cities where she was campaigning.
The culprit is said to be Muslim extremists who feared a woman being in power and democratic reforms.
This isn't the first attempt on her life, it happened in October and she even wrote about it in the Wall Street Journal before her death.
It's a small world after all. If some don't realize we are in a world war against Muslim extremists, then we should be looking for a president in the next election who does realize the situation is grave.
Now, a democratic friend is dead and will be placed in a grave because she was working and campaigning for election.
What a sad day for democracy and freedom.

We all have a bad day

Did you see the picture of Hillary?
I've tried to link it here and will continue, but she really looks pretty bad. She looks her age, and in the harshness of a Associated Press photograph, they forgot to use the "Doris Day Filter".
If you're old enough to remember, there was the time in any Doris Day movie when there would be a face shot of Rock Hudson, and his handsome visage would fill the screen. Then, a shot of Doris Day, and instead of a sharp image, they would have a filter of gauze that would fuzz the face and turn her into a beautiful, smiling angel.
It was incredible because the audience didn't realize what was happening. We do now.
Hillary had her picture taken in Iowa and she looked pretty hangdog. That's what happens when you get along in years. The campaign isn't happy, and neither is the candidate. She should have known better than the have a picture taken outside at an unplanned event the campaign didn't control, but that's life in the big league politics for president.
Let's face it, men and women age differently. We'll have to wait and see if this will impact things, probably not. Right now Hillary and Obama are neck and neck in Iowa. It's going to get worse before January 3rd and the caucuses occur. Can all the campaigns get out their voters on a cold, maybe snowy night, to participate in a popularity contest? Or will folks stay home to watch reruns of TV shows or rent a movie?
We'll find out soon enough. My prediction is Hillary and Obama get darn close to winning the Iowa caucus, Edwards and Kucinich drop out, and it's on the New Hampshire where Obama struggles. The momentum is always with Hillary but choosing so early is fraught with disaster for the democrats this year.
On the GOP side, it looks like Huckabee is on a roll and Romney comes in second after spending gobs of his money.

Merry Christmas, God Bless Us Everyone!

Hope you had a great Christmas.
There are those who think a great Christmas is when sales tax receipts for cities, towns and municipalities increase at 10% or more.
Nope. It's about the belief in a woman who was told she would bear the Son of God. A young Jewish girl who believed. Later, probably in March or April, but we celebrate it in December around the beginning of Winter, the birth of Noel and God became flesh.
There are those that remind us that Jesus was merely the son of a carpenter, an upstart who explained his Father in Heaven wanted people to live differently.
Before Jesus, and in some religions since, religion was based on fear. You should be scared to death and suffer. Everything you have had happen to you is because of a vengeful God.
But Jesus, a Jew, said love one another be happy. The commandments said that, but there was so many "Thou Shall Not's" that people forgot about the good things.
Others criticize Jesus and Christians because they don't believe the Jews should have the land that God gave them. To be fair, someone sleeping on a rock and dreaming that God said this was your land would be pretty sweet.
I had a dream that some guy's Ferrari was really mine, but I don't think he's going to let me take it home.
That's really the heart of the battles that have plagued the middle east for 5 centuries or more.
Then there are those who believe that God is God, and God can't become man.
They say that those who believe that God's Son was born not only is blasphemous, they say that those who believe that way are multi-theistic, like the Greeks or Romans.
Does it matter what others say? No, what matters is allowing everyone their rights to believe what they believe just as long as they don't hurt others who believe differently. Religious tolerance is the key to democracy and religious freedom.
United we stand, divided we fall. If we take our faith personally, and reject those who attempt to force their religion on us----those who boast it's their way or the highway----then we win. If we let those who believe we are wrong because we believe a certain way---everyone loses, especially religious freedom.

Presidential Race Changing

The Democrats and Republicans are revolting!
Maybe that's what Independent voters say, but the truth is the presidential race is turning into a state of flux.
In Iowa, where the caucus system will determine the popularity of candidates and thousands of votes will be counted in schools and other meeting rooms, voters are finally beginning to pay attention to the presidential election.
Hillary Clinton was up, Barack Hussein Obama is catching up or beating her on the Democrat side, while Rudy was ahead, and now Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee are battling for votes.
What does it all mean?
Not much. Politics becomes more and more a crap shoot driven by mistakes than by successes, and the mistakes are elaborated on by the media. And in a 24 hour news cycle--what else are they going to talk about?
In 1980 Ronald Reagan ran for president on a simple message. It took just a few seconds to recite and earned him the office twice. What was it?
"I believe in less government, lower taxes and a strong national defense," Reagan would say.
Now, what do any of these candidates stand for, tell me in five seconds or less.
Can you do it?
Perhaps that will change, until it does, it's going to be a long year.

Will Smith: All Grown Up

He's got the top money making movie this week, but the truth is that Will Smith grew up on TV.
I remember when he first appeared on the small screen. Wasn't he the one who asked, "What you talkin' 'bout Willis?" No, that was Gary Coleman and that must have been a long time ago.
Smith became the "Fresh Prince of Bel Air" and started to sing, no that's not what rappers do, don't they just talk to the music?
Well, he had a hit TV show and a record deal and then---he started snorting all the profits.
After that he got clean and started to get into movies. Let's see, there was "Bad Boys", "Independence Day", "Men in Black", "Wild, Wild West", "Hitch" where he was a life coach then some different films "Ali" and "Pursuit of Happiness" which put Smith into the realm of "dramatic" star.
Now, another dramatic performance, and sadly this means that Smith will probably try to pull a John Belushi. You may remember Belushi, he was a Saturday Night Clown, but because he wanted to change his image---bad choice---then his habitual drug use eventually killed him.
It was kind of like Robin Williams attempting to become a dramatic movie star but every once in dramatic roles you expect him to say "Nanoo Nanoo!"

I Am Legend? Liberals Lose!

I watched "I Am Legend", that new Will Smith movie. The liberals aren't going to be happy with this Hollywood Block Buster.
First of all, I have never purchased a movie ticket to go and see a Will Smith movie before, always waited until it came out on video.
If I had rented this one, it would have been back to the video store the same evening and exchanged for something better---which would be anything else on the shelves.
IAL is a boring, tragic and depressing story, and being the type of person I am that story doesn't appeal to me. I should have known better but there was a group, and when groups get together they will ALWAYS do things that they wouldn't do individually. Gosh, sounds like I did something wrong?
I guess I did, going to a movie that is now Number 1 at the box office and now kids will all want to go see this.
Well, take that liberals. The movie is based on the theory that a cancer cure causes people to turn into flesh-eating-sunshine-shunning-super-strength-mutants (sounds like a great video game).
And why will liberals hate the movie? Because it was biology that caused the world to end, not global warming. They are right that man had something to do with it, and more than likely they will say, "If we only had socialized medicine then we could solve our medical problems and prevent these mutants from roaming the Earth."
Sorry, we already have mutants roaming the Earth, look around, some of them are running for President.

ICE!!! COLD!!! AND WET!!!!

The world may be coming to an end.
I heard the meteorologists tell us so. The rain and fog may...might...OH MY GOD it's going to freeze up and all will be lost!
Well, maybe it won't be that bad, because they really don't know, and perhaps the fronts won't come down as fas as they predict, and maybe the temperature won't be combined with rain....well, we can only hope.
Well, I'm sitting here on Saturday night...blogging! Alone, watching tv.
Such is life.

Governor Romney Explains

Governor Mitt Romney gave a "big speech" to try and settle down that finicky electorate that is nervous about Mormons.
Why are people curious about Mormons---two words---South Park.
Not some park on the other side of the river, but South Park the cartoon series. (Search YouTube keywords South Park Mormons)
Remember, more people are watching South Park each week than vote in a presidential election every four years.
The problem isn't with Mitt Romney, he seems like a pretty nice guy, he's been a governor of a small northeastern state, but the problem that he has run into is being a Mormon.
I have worked closely with two Mormons in politics, both seem like nice guys, but they weren't running for president.
Romney attempted to do something in his speech, calm down those who may oppose him based purely on the BELIEFS of Mormons, not just being a Mormon.
If you have read anything about how the Mormon faith began and its founding principles, you may know of some of the things that raise concerns. Joseph Smith, the founder, claims to have found a new testament of Jesus Christ when, after the resurrection, Jesus came to the United States. Smith claims he found some gold tablets, written in what he called "reformed Egyptian" and translated the plates, despite the fact he had no linguistic training in other languages.
There are also claims that the Hebrews came to the New World 600 years before Christ and built cities and fought the natives.
Maybe that was the basis for the creation of the Mormon faith, if so, it appears to be different than the Bible's teachings and has been characterized as a cult by religious experts.
If that's how it started, okay, but are those the tenants of the faith that Romney believes in now? Or are those beliefs outside the main stream of Christian evangelicals?
Or does Romney think that the original things Smith explained were a little smudged around the edges?
Which is it?
Here's the rub: Romney appears to be bright and smart. But the Mormon faith appears to smudge the basic tenets of the Christian faith, and that's the problem Romney faces with voters. No where in the Bible does it state that Jesus travels to the New World, and no where in the Bible is there a reference to Hebrews going to the New World to battle the native people.
How does Romney solve this issue? You'll note how the media explained Romney's speech and "not addressing voters concerns about Mormons". Romney can't fix this without rejecting the conservatives of his faith and alienating the rocked-ribbed Mormons who are pouring lots of cash into Romney's campaign.
Mormons are wonderful people who have strong families and strongly held beliefs that take them around the world on mission trips spreading their faith.
Is this effort sincere? Certainly, but is it an accurate reflection of generally accepted principles of Christianity, or is it misguided because of Joseph Smith's creation of a new religion?
If Romney explained it this way, "You know, the Hebrews have many things in the old testament that were required to be good Jews. Some of the stories may be parables to make a point. My religion may have had some requirements and stories that may have been parables and may not be accurate based on what we know now. I won't talk about that, just as other organized religions may cringe about at one time demanding that everyone agree the universe rotated around the Earth at one time or their religions support of slavery."
"My faith believes in family, faith and friends, and these principles and beliefs are the ones that I will bring to the office I seek, and I will encourage and protect others to live their faith as best they can in today's world."
Then he should say, "Now it's time for me to get out there and ask for conservatives from both parties to support my vision for the great country that America can be. God bless you, and God bless America!"
Will it work? We'll have to wait and see

BCS---Bungled Computer System

So why aren't the University of Oklahoma Sooners number one?
They just defeated the number one team in the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) ratings (Missouri) so it just goes to figure that the Sooners would be number one.
But, instead of the Sooners getting the top spot, other teams get the nod to be in the game for the national championship.
But instead of common sense, it now appears for Sooner Fans, and I am one, that BCS should stand for Bungled Computer System

Mohammed Bear

How many Muslims do you know named Mohammad?
More than one I'll bet. Do you think a religious group would demand the parents should be punished or killed because they named their child Muhammad?
Recently, and English teacher in Africa named a teddy bear Muhammad, and a particular religious group, I'll let you figure out which one, wants to put the woman in jail and have even suggested killing her for her blasphemy.
Wow, you name a human Mohammad it's okay, but name a teddy bear Mohammad and religious extremists want you dead. I've spelled the name differently to further confuse.
In America it seems so incomprehensible for a religious group to act this way.
Sadly, for thousands of years different religious factions of these intolerant folks involved in this issue, have decided to kill each other because the can't decide on who should be a successor to their religion.
Amazing. The difference in America is we have a First Amendment which demands religious freedom and keeps government out. That means we can have lots or wacky religious folks that believe in somewhat wonderous things, but few in America demand death for someone who names a teddy bear Jesus. But Jesus never suggested killing people, had an army or fought a military battle....he only wanted us to love one another and treat others as we would ourselves.
Perhaps there are some extreme religious groups whose heads would explode if they were required to follow those basic religious tenets, and wouldn't that be wonderful if that happened?

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving has to be the best holiday ever!
I love it; great food, great friends and you don't have to buy any presents.
So this year we have another holiday, where I live the temperature has been setting records, 81 degrees; and tomorrow the temperature will drop 41 degrees the day before the holiday which should put everyone in a Thanksgiving mood and a Pre-Christmas spirit. I hope so.
Every year we always cook two turkeys, my wife likes to roast a bird, and I like to smoke mine. Then we put booties on them and place them on a platter and they are judged for appearance. Then, sliced and diced, they are judged for juiciness, tenderness and flavor.
MMMMMMMmmmmmmmmmm.
It's fun. I wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday, don't eat too much and get plenty of exercise.

Seasons Change

The seasons and the temperatures change.
It's a particularly wonderful time of year, waking up early, and the time change coupled with cooler and downright cold weather makes me renewed.
Wearing jackets, vests and other clothing also helps you air out the clothes you have had stored since Spring. It's like having new clothes.
The celebration of Halloween, then Veterans Day and one of the best holidays ever-THANKSGIVING. Probably the best holiday of all is Thanksgiving. You don't have to buy any presents and you get to enjoy the cooler weather, food, family and friends.
I'm going to try something new for Thanksgiving this year, while I love smoked meats, others don't appear to like them, so I'm planning on pork tenderloin, but I haven't finalized the menu ideas just yet, maybe some mint, garlic and rosemary injected into the meat....hmmmm, that sounds good.

Nancy Pelosi Prays?

House Speaker nancy Pelosi says she prays for President George Bush. She says she prays that he will remove our troops from war zones and to sign the SCHIP which expands government taxpayer funded health care for "children" up to age 25 and for "poor" families that make up to $85,000 a year.
Let's see, Pelosi is the representative from the San Francisco area, and if you've ever been to the Bay Area, you know they don't have much religion there, except when they have an earthquake.
Pelosi says she and the democrats in congress are more optomistic about the middle east. God bless them, I hope and I really pray--every day--that they are right.
Yes I do! I happened to find a newspaper clipping from back in the 60's. For those unitiated youngsters who don't know it---the ONLY news we ever had was from the three (3) THAT'S RIGHT---JUST THREE----Network news stations and a daily newspaper.
The headlines from this 1960's newspaper reported tension the war in Viet Nam isn't going well, congressional democrats oppose the president, religious wars plague the Middle East, the government struggling to make ends meet, and turmoil in Europe. Funny how things don't change much.
Oh wait, yeah there is a difference; the Vietnamese NEVER attacked. I guess with the help of the Students for a Demcoratic Society, Jane Fonda and John Kerry, they didn't need to.
I'm stunned at the politics of ignorance among liberals who look at an international war on terror and seemingly have forgotten about 9/11.

Welcome Autumn

Is that right? Autumn? Must be some sort of Latin influence with an 'N' after an 'M', but who cares.
I love the change in the year. From Summer to Fall, from Fall to Winter, Winter to Spring and Spring to Summer.
Today, celebrates the arrival of Fall.
After Labor Day, it's official arrival of the campaign season, and Fall reminds me of traveling the state helping great candidates with radio, newspaper and direct mail pieces to get people motivated to vote for good people who have put themselves out for public scrutiny.
I look out the window and still see the blossoms of the crepe myrtles, with the vibrate dark pink and other colors still in bloom. I wonder how they have lasted so long, but I'm glad they are here to greet Fall.
And while it's warm, we all know that there will be cooler nights because of the shortening of the daylight. As I wake up earlier and earlier (I guess there is something to the circadian clock) I find myself driving in darkness. Soon, after the change to Standard Time, I'll wake up and drive in darkness to work and drive in near darkness home at night.
And so it goes, another year, shortening the daylight ever more fast approaching Winter. Soon some of the holiest days for religions will arrive.
As the old year heads towards the New Year of 2008, I can't wait for 08!

No Quotes...No Pictures....No Comments

Apparently I write interesting things.
Who would have thunk it?
Recently, in the statewide newspaper, The Oklahoman, I've been quoted once in a story about what indicates Fall is coming, and interviewed by reporters about the iPhone.
I didn't buy an iPhone, but I put my comments on The Oklahoman's Forum pages and discussed my experience about the drop in price regarding iPods.
I waited a long time to buy an MP3 player and decided on a Sansa unit with 2 gigabite of memory for about $100. It was a great deal and I still have the unit and may keep it for excercise or driving, we'll see.
Anyway---I recently purchased an 80 gig iPod unit and paid around $325 which is a pretty good deal. I've transferred all my music and I'm starting to winnow out the duplicate songs.
Unless you've been under a rock, you know prices dropped, you get more for less but the bottom line is that the price for an 80 gig iPod dropped by about $100.
I contacted the store I purchased the unit from after the price reduction and asked what they could do, and they volunteered to credit my account for the difference---WOW.
I was pleasantly surprised and happen to mention this to The Oklahoman. They called me and interviewed me about my experience, the story ran Saturday, but I didn't make the story. Too bad, but I tried.

R U Kidding?

They say when you're a hammer then everything looks like a nail.
I read the entire transcript of the police interview with Sen. Larry Craig (R-Idaho) and now I wonder if resigning was the right thing to do?
Let's have some fun first.
First, it was wrong for him to be in a men's room, if you need to relieve yourself, it's always better to use the lady's room. That way there probably won't be any undercover police officers tapping their feet.
And, since there wouldn't be male officers in a lady's room, you wouldn't have to wonder if the next stall was merely listening to an iPod and that's the reason you're tapping their feet. Oh yeah, that reminds me of "Paradise by the Dashboard Lights" and you begin tapping your feet because that's a great song.
Oh, oh, he's tapping his feet and moving them closer to yours--WHAT DO YOU DO?
"Dude, move you're foot!" would be your only retort if you were in a men's room, but if you're in a lady's room---this could be interesting.
But back to Sen. Craig----if a police officer is sitting in a men's room waiting for someone to tap their feet and getting paid for it---WHAT A COUNTRY!
I'd like to think the reason this particular officer is in an Idaho airport men's room, he's there because he did something so bad that he was banished from the street. I wouldn't think he volunteered? Or did he?
He also appears to be very good at mimicking homosexual bathroom behavior? Hmmmm. Certainly he isn't out cruising, is he? Let's hope not.
Perhaps Sen. Craig did those things, perhaps the police entrapped him and others. I hope not. Sadly it presents even more of a double standard. Why did Sen. Craig leave while others, mostly liberals, remain in office? Points to ponder....

What a Difference an 'R' Makes

It is amazing the difference in the way political party members react to crisis.
When democrats are caught in a sex scandal, they admit to what happened and then "go back to work for the American people and the great state of (your state's name here).
In fact, the Democrats (like Bill Clinton) say it was something that was "personal" and didn't have anything to do with being President. Wait a minute, don't you think some bad guys could blackmail a president if they know something like this about him? Sure they could, but he admitted it and then it's supposed to go away.
Sen. Larry Craig is a Republican, so he will have to resign, because that's what Republicans do. First, the GOP never demands Democrats to resign for their transgressions. It's curious. Maybe it's believed that a damaged Democrat is easier to beat than an unknown in a special election.
In Oklahoma, there is a state senator who was caught drunk driving....again. Where are the demands for his head on a pike and resignation?
Maybe because this guy is from a part of the state where hard living and drinking are acceptable.
Oh well,

The Great Right Hope

Newt Gingrich could be the smartest man in politics, here's why.
When the Republican gathering to run for president started the turn into a gaggle, he kept on the sidelines.
When John McCain faltered he kept on the sidelines. When the barbs started flying towards Mitt Romney for being a Mormon, Newt kept quiet. When Fred Thompson began to rattle the saber, he began to get a bit more vocal, but not too vocal.
What he avoided was all the discussion about Newt's past life, which is a good thing. Liberals and democrats hate Newt's guts, in case you didn't know.
They don't like Newt because he orchestrated the Republican Revolution in congress. Then, he left and the revolution fell apart and the GOP lost its rudder. It wasn't what the democrats did, it was what the Republicans did that cost them the house and the senate. The GOP lost its way and went against the base voters on things like government spending and not listening to constituents on issues like the minimum wage and health care.
What did you do when you had a chance to make changes? With Speaker Dennis Hastert providing a failed effort to lead a fractured GOP punted on so many issues. Now the Republicans are feeling the pressure of failing to achieve the goals of the base Republican voters.
That's why Newt is so attractive for Republicans because he is so articulate and stays on message so well that the democrats will be flummoxed.
Newt Gingrich will enter the presidential race very soon and will shake up everything. And if he doesn't win this time, just like Ronald Reagan, he will be in the best position to win in 2012.

Summer---It's Almost Over

I know, it's hot, Hot, HOT outside, but I can tell it's almost Fall.
I love the way the seasons change so delicately. Most people don't get a chance to feel the nuance involved with the seasonal change because they go from air conditioned house to air conditioned car, to air conditioned buildings and back. Few get up early enough to feel the cool of the morning as the Sun breaks delicately over the horizon.
What a great time to feel the cool, knowing that the weather will continue to get cooler and cooler as the days get shorter and shorter before the Autumnal Equinox finally arrive.
The Summer heat begins to wane, school starts and the crispness of Fall tickles us with the promise of sweaters, warmer clothes and football.
The biggest event that's associated with the coming of school is the Great State Fair of Oklahoma. A favorite of so many, this is the 101st and no one believes that this year's event can surpass the events of the 100th State Fair last year, but miracles happen.

Changes in Latitude; Changes in Attitude

People die....
As you get older you get to know more people. As you know more people you all get older. As you get older, the more people you know die.
It's too bad but it happens. No one gets out of here alive, and when people who are just a few years older than you die, you take stock of what your life has been like so far. If you are lucky, you find the love of your life and you are wildly happy.
Maybe you're happy for a few years, then life changes and you may resign yourself to self-imposed misery.
Sometimes the misery ends and life is wonderful again. When misery ends, it can be the end, death; or it can be the end of the pain and suffering. Sometimes, you may "frolic and detour" and wake up in another world where life is wonderful again. When you attend funerals you begin to think about wasted time and time wasted.
For many they have ended wasting time and have begun investing time and living again. A friend has created a FIIF Club. It stands for "F.......orget It I'm Fifty" or something like that.
Sadly, some people have to wait 50 years to start living.

GM--Where Are the Democrats Now?

Great news for General Motors Investors.

GM Earns $891 Million, Double Analysts' Estimates

Pickup trucks parked on a lot in La Mesa, California
July 31 (Bloomberg) -- General Motors Corp., the largest U.S. automaker, reported a second-quarter profit that was more than double analysts' estimates on rising sales in Europe and reduced spending in North America.
GM earned $891 million, or $1.56 a share, compared with a net loss of $3.4 billion, or $5.98. Detroit-based GM almost broke even in North America.

But what happens when the democrat liberals see this news? Will they demand that GM pay a windfall profits tax, just like the oil companies? Okay GM didn't make billions like energy companies, but the logic behind what the national liberals have proposed is the same: if you make profits, government knows how to spend it, not the business that created the profit.
Maybe it's time for the liberals on the other side to realize that GM and energy companies don't make profits because it's easy they make profits because its hard. And the people that will benefit from this earnings of $891 million isn't some corporate head, but the stockholders, who invested in the company at their own risk. Over the past few years it hasn't been good news for GM when they lost money, and the liberals and others offered now help with a government subsidy, but when the motor giant is flush with funds, the liberals on the other side have a great idea where the money should go: to them for government to spend.
Nope, it should stay in the company to pay dividends and create more jobs. Sadly, you won't hear the congressional liberals who blasted the energy companies making these arguments, and you probably won't hear many conservatives making the point either, too bad.

Greetings From Reno, Nevada!

"I shot a man in Reno," and now I'm attending a Johnny Cash Convention to honor the late singer.

Well, not really.

I'm in the Silver State visiting my fabulous sister, incredible brother in law, nephews and nieces and picking up the "Queen Mum" to bring her home to the Sooner State.

Silver State, Sooner State, Sunshine State......what a marketing technique.

Reno, Nevada is the 'Biggest Little City in the World', and they'll tell you that every time you drive through town.

First, the good news, I won $159, okay, I spent about $30 to get it. Then I spent about $40 more, so I'm taking home around $90.....not the norm. You're supposed to LOSE money, that's why Nevada doesn't have an income tax---visitors leave that money here.

Here's some observations: gambling is a sad way to make money for a government and the people who come to Reno are going to leave more money here than they brought with them.

I had one of those $8.99 prime rib dinners last night, and it was surprisingly good. The waitress asked me if I would like to sit at the counter, since I was alone, but I requested a seat closer to the casino floor because I wanted to watch people. She looked at me curiously, I think she wondered why I would want to watch people.

Perhaps it's an overactive imagination or just a creative mind-set, but every person I see, I create a life story. Looking at their eyes, their mannerisms, their face, their bodies, the way they walk, it all gives me an idea of how their life has been.

Everywhere there are people, there are happy and sad stories to see.

In Reno there may be a few more sad stories than in usual places.

Like the man last night standing in front of a closed casino (which is a much better term than gambling house) attempting to make eye contact and asking for money.

Then the faces of the cocktail waitresses, dressed in tuxedo tails and hot pants with dark fishnet stockings. They ask if you are interested in "cocktails?" Drink up, they are free, but tip them, they deserve it.

Their faces sometimes give away a life that is far from stellar. When I see them, I read failed relationships, families apart, perhaps children without parents and a life on the edge staring at poverty.

Too much? I read that on the face of a cocktail waitress last night. I felt sorry for her, without knowing a thing about her. I hope I am wrong and she has the most wonderful life. It would be a good bet that those who are most happy are the ones who have great jobs OUTSIDE the entertainment and tourism industry.

And walking back to the car in the dark there was a man with a tattered beard and clothes on his knees on the post office lawn, picking the clover and putting it in a cup. Maybe he's very happy, maybe he's a reclusive millionaire who does this to entertain himself and see how others treat him? Or maybe, he's just like everyone else, who made some poor choices over the years. Now, he's a homeless man in Reno, a town where people just might want to take $20 and give it to him as a way of investing in his future, rather than gamble it at a casino.

You have to wonder which option would offer the best odds?

Summer is Wonderful

Frogs, toads, turtles, yard word, the fragrance of freshly mowed grass, the rumble of thunder rolling across the plains, leaking sprinklers, cutting brush and trees and cooking out, that's summer.
There are times, like right now, as I sit in the front yard feeling the cool of a cold front coming through, changing the wind into different directions, and feeling the temptation of rain in the cool.
As a former "storm chaser" I look more critically at the clouds and note the rotation and hope nothing sinister will develop, all I want is rain right now.
I enjoy the changes every day. Every morning I awaken with the promise of a better day, it's a wonderful feeling to know that almost every aspect of your life is wonderful because of the people you hold most dear.
I remember when I was younger, at this time of year, we would all be riding our bikes all day long, breaking away to quickly eat or gather things to play with. So simple, so fondly remembered.
But now, in July, the heat has finally arrived, and with it the rains have stopped. As I write it begins to rain, that's great since the sprinkler is still on the mend---#@$%@& thing.
So, the cycle doesn't stop, as I look over the yard, I see the monkey grass, and the light blue flowers are blooming, which promise the dark black seeds of which mean fall---and MORE monkey grass.
I see the clouds rotating, will I win the weather lottery and see a tornado? I'd rather win the lottery and go vacation in Florida.

I know Why We Walk on TWO Legs

Scientists have just came up with the reason we walk on two legs, instead of all fours: it saves energy.
We can only wonder if taxpayers' money was involved.
This study indicates the reason we changed from a transitional monkey or missing link that dragged our knuckles, some how---SHAZAM---we started to walk on just two feet.
So, because we were tired and used too much food and energy to walk on all fours, we started to walk upright.
Despite the fact that right now there aren't any "transitional" creatures left roaming around, which might provide some credence for these events, these scientists predict that it happened.
Do you know how evolution would have to work? Two single cells, sitting in a primordial swamp, had to have a telepathic message exchange and decide that they would someone combine with each other and do things, maybe get millions of other cells to join then and create an eyeball.
Unlikely, huh?
Besides, the reason that most of us know that it wasn't evolution and was God that made creatures walk on two legs is pretty simple. I've seen women from the back, walking in spiked heels and looking like a creature that ONLY God could make.
Evolution or creation? Look around, it had to be creation.

Barry Switzer-Still a Great Guy

Barry Switzer is a great guy, there's no way to get around it.
I'm not the guy who can tell you every great Switzer accomplishment at OU, but while I was a student at the university, Barry Switzer was in his heyday, and it was great.
Recently I had a chance to visit with Switzer at a political fundraiser, and he's a terrific guy.
What do you remember most about him? I like how he stretches out his arm and says, "Barry Switzer" when you come around him. So, who wouldn't know Barry Switzer? It's not every day the guy speaking can stretch out his hand and ask, "Ladies, is five karats too much?" as he stretched out his arm with a Super Bowl ring on his finger.
He gave a short presentation that brought tears to his eyes, and to mine as well.
What I liked best about Switzer's comments were how he makes decisions about friends, not because of them being gay, or straight, or Republican or Democrat but if you are friendly to him and respect him because of who he is.
"I don't make a friend because they are a Republican or Democrat, but make friends because of how they treat me and if I like them."
Simple, huh?
He also said, people ask him what's the difference between college and pro football?
If you expect a short answer, sit down.
Pro football, says Switzer, is all about money. Fifty-three guys who are motivated to do everything they can to win every minute of every game, or they can be back in Georgia pumping gas. He says 15 of the players on the Cowboys Superbowl Team were new to the squad, and he doesn't remember their names.
But Switzer says in college football, he knew the kids names, their sisters and brothers, their mothers, and their fathers if they were around (telling comment don't you think) and their coach and their principal and so much more.
Yeah, it's different. And Switzer began to get chocked up,perhaps reflecting on his life in football, a successful life in the mercurial world of football.
A great coach, a great motivator and a great American.

Things Rarely Change

I'm intrigued by the latest comments from Stevie Nicks regarding Paris Hilton.
Paris, is a drug using TV host who has sex on video-posted-on-the-Internet and does Carl's junior spots attempting to look like the "Cool Hand Luke" car washer.
You know, her, a spoiled brat.
Stevie Nicks, from Fleetwood Mac fame, is urging Paris to clean up her act. Nicks explains that she wishes someone would have given her the advice she wants to give Paris so she could have avoided the drugs, the liquor, the failed relationships and all the other problems she suffered as a rock and roll star.
Really? Would Stevie have listened?
Wait for it..........No!
Stevie was just like Paris, and no matter what someone told Stevie, and there probably were a dozen freinds that tried to help Stevie without any success, but she ignored the issues, just like Paris would.
So, Paris will be a miserable wretch and will probably die in a few years--sadly---because she has no freinds, no skills and no sense.
She's rich and has no other means of support. So, try to watch this bright star--of nothing---until she burns out after having accomplished little except being described as a slut and a whore. What a reputation.

Cranky and Stinky

So Paris Hilton is out of jail, and she visited with Larry King about her experience.
Does anyone care? A poor little rich girl who has had anything and everything she ever wanted.
Why in the world would anyone care what she says?
What has she done? What does she think? Please stop, I don't want some small brained drug addled youth trying to influence my country's foreign policy decisions.
She is a celebrity, and perhaps it's best that she doesn't provide anything but a target for photographers. She is very good at posing for photos, in fact she admits that she had someone teach her how to pose for the media.
Now, she's out of jail and is attempting to get on with her short life.
What a waste. Of TV time and of our societal standards.

Offsets

Americans aren't eating enough fruits and vegetables, and I want to help.
Here's my plan--OFFSETS.
You've heard about celebrities who buy "carbon offsets" where they pay money to a company to plant trees to "offset" the carbon their jet planes create when they travel.
My "fruit and vegetable" offsets work the same way.
You pay me to eat fruits and vegetables and you can use those "offsets" when you explain to your doctor about your health concerns. If you aren't eating enough fruits and vegetables, pay me to assuage your guilt.
I'm not stopping with fruits and vegetables. If you're embarrassed by a series of marriages, pay me to offset your lack of commitment.
Embarrassed because your big sport utility vehicle only gets 13 miles to the gallon? I've got two cars that get 30 miles plus, and I'll sell you a few miles per gallon for a price, of course.
Offsets to help you feel better about your unhealthy and wasteful habits, that's the key to a happy and healthy future, according to me.

What's Next?

Wait for it......
So, what are you going to be talking about this Thursday over coffee?
Ever think about that?
I'll bet it's a combination of tornadoes and global warming.
It's Sunday afternoon, and it's been windy and dry. On Wednesday, meteorologists predict we could, could have a chance of severe weather. Want to guess?
Over the past month, what have we had to talk about? Global warming was big, then severe weather came and killed, then we had the dust up about the firing of U. S. Attorneys, then the Virginia Tech murders, then more Justice Department hearings, but I'm curious to see what will happen next.
I believe the Justice Department will continue to dominate the news because the media wants to destroy President George Bush and everything having to do with the international world war on terror.
They want Bush destroyed and they want to destroy Karl Rove.
They also want to destroy personal freedom and take away guns, that's why they will not correct the stories that indicated the gunman at Virginia Tech used high-capacity magazines, which hold the bullets for you gun haters out there, and probably won't change the story.
I saw the story, they indicated that the gunman is "beleived to have used high capacity magazines".
All indications are that the killer didn't use them, but the media is driving this story and they won't hear of themselves making a mistake. First order of journalism--never admit a mistake, blame the accuser.
The 24-hour media cycle has changed everything, and it must consume things to bremain relevant. They want to consume the president and freedom, and they will no doubt be talking about those things this coming week.
What's your guess?

A Tale or Two Tragedies

Virginia Tech and remembering the Oklahoma City bombing from 12 years ago have filled my mind in the last few days.
It was just days ago for the Virginia Tech Massacre and while it may seem like yesterday, it has been 12 years since the Oklahoma City bombing.
A nation came together after the Oklahoma City bombing, up to that time the worst domestic terrorist attack in our history.
It was a study of compassion for a severe wound to our innocence.
So what happened in Blacksburg, Virginia when a lone gunman started shooting? There are reports of only one man, a survivor of the Holocaust, who stood up and saved the lives of others only to lose his life to a crazed gunman.
Why?
Why only one?
Why didn't all the students rush the lone gunman, to save the lives of others?
Was the crazed killer too proficient to stop?
Perhaps. And certainly the first inclination would be to run away from a gunman.
I wonder what would have happened 60 years ago if these circumstances were repeated.
What would the men, real men, the ones who won the second World War and saved the planet, what would they have done?
I believe they would have taken out the killer.
And today, those who had the courage to stop the gunman, would have scholarships and buildings named after them because they protected the lives of others and sacrificed themselves for a greater good.
But now, we rarely name scholarships and buildings after those who show courage, but instead those who create fortunes.
And you can't create a fortune if you're dead.
Maybe that's what those men who were there in Blacksburg, Virginia were thinking. "If I don't get out of here, I'll never make a million dollars and buy big house and own a Ferrarri."
If they were thinking that, perhaps it's a problem with our society where heroes aren't revered, money is. We've created a society where we don't revere heroes, they are prosecuted for violating someones civil rights.
Maybe some in the legal community could bear some of the responsibility of the emasculation of society?
You decide.

Solution to Virginia Tech Massacre--SHOOT BACK!

The media outcry about guns after the Virginia Tech murders is so predictable.
It's the possession of guns that causes violence and death, they say.
And when Matt, Katie, Charlie and Brian use their position to badger gun rights supporters, their questions will start out that way, too. "There are those that say the availability of guns causes these violent incidents," they will opine.
Isn't that typical though of the liberal media?
No one is responsible for their own actions.
If you are poor, it's not your fault. If you can't get a job, it's not your fault, and if you can't get into college, it's not your fault. It's the fault of someone else and there needs to be big government program that can make up for "society's" failure to help you get what you failed to accomplish by yourself.
Too tough?
Look at the Virginia Tech massacre. Who is responsible for killing 32 people? A mentally disturbed man, a loner, infatuated by a woman who pulled out a gun and started killing people.
Isn't he responsible for his action? I don't think those people who own and possess guns legally and use them to hunt and target shoot are responsible for the massacre, and the media apparently isn't bright enough to figure that out....yet.....
Just like everything else, strength is better than weakness. If just one student in each classroom had a conceal carry permit, we would be celebrating Second Amendment Freedoms and a new hero or two.
Here's the lead story that day, "Police are calling them heroes, the two students killed a lone gunman at Virginia Tech as he attempted to go on what police fear could have been a killing spree. The dead man, described as a loner with mental problems, was shot dead by the armed students who had conceal carry permits."
For those of you who can't wait, here is the second day story for you.
"The student heroes who killed a student planning a killing spree are now being sued by President Hillary Clinton's Justice Department, for alleged violations of the dead students civil rights."
It could happen....

Virginia Tech Tragedy

Thirty-two people killed at Virginia Tech University and a Korean student is identified as the lone gunman who took his own life after the killing spree yesterday.
Here are a few things to think about.
First, it all started around 7:15 a.m. when the man confronted his ex-girlfriend. When a dorm advisor tried to stop the confrontation, the gunman killed the advisor and his ex-girlfriend.
Police investigated and found a girl and the advisor shot dead and presumed it was a murder suicide. Perhaps a bit of Barney Fyffe here, but did anyone think of attempting to look for a weapon that would have been used in this event?
So, while the university notified students and others there was a shooting incident, the gunman went to another part of the university and too 30 more lives.
Ironically, the Virginia Legislature refused to approve legislation which would have allowed Tech students to carry concealed weapons on campus.
Here's an idea, instead of building a fence around a university, passing tougher anti-gun legislation and preventing conceal carry of gun legislation, why not require university professors to carry concealed weapons?
You can't hire enough security guards or build enough fences and besides, if you want to have a college campus, have a college campus, not a fenced in school prison.
And remember, every college and university may, may use this as a way to request an increase in their budgets to hire more security.
Here's the problem, sometimes bad people do bad things, and for those familiar with mental health issues, many other incidents are referenced with the concern that, "the killer had a history of mental illness."
Now reports show the killer left a disturbing note. It won't be long now.

Is it Just ME?

I wonder about the media.
The Anna Nichole Smith story reminds me of the questions no one is asking regarding the issue.
A tragic story of a former Playboy Bunny, drugged mother of an illegitimate child, and her son dies of a drug overdose.
Hmmmmm. Now they are trying to find out who the father of the baby is.
Has anyone thought that perhaps her son may have been the father? Is that why there is such a delay in testing and revealing the identity of the father?
It could be. It's sad to even think that way, but someone has to.

Man Against Machine

What do you do when one candidate is being promoted as a candidate for the big developer machine, part of a slate of candidates, and your candidate is on the other side, fighting for the little guy?
Here are some thoughts.
When rich-secret-out-of-state-developers spend thousands of dollars for your opponent, you have to ask voters some questions:
"What are rich-out-of-state-developers secretly pouring hundreds of thousands of dollars into a secret 527 PAC getting in return for their money?"
"Who are these anonymous-rich-out-of-state-developers, where is the secret list of the donors and the amount of money they spent to buy our city government?"
"If the law doesn't require identifying this secret list of rich-out-of-state-developers and how much they spent---the law must be changed to let the citizens know who is trying to buy this election."
SAMPLE News Release for Campaign----
"I am demanding that the secret list of out-of-state donors and come clean with the voters of (our town) and what the candidates benefiting from this money have promised for the hundreds of thousands of dollars the secret special interest group poured into this campaign," (candidate) said.
"If the law doesn't require and demand that these donations be reported and open to public inspection before the election, then the laws must be changed at the local, state or federal level to require this information be available," (candidate) demanded.
"There is a difference between being pro-development and pro-developer. Everyone in this campaign supports planned and reasonable growth where everyone enjoys the ability to present their case to a mayor and city council who will listen. But if a chosen few are supported with hundreds of thousands of dollars from secret special interest developers, the perception to the public is they have been bought and paid for," (candidate) said.
"The current perception is that the mayor and council are merely a rubber stamp for developers and the concerns and questions of the public---who have property rights too--- should be listened to and reasoned with. There are those campaigning for office who have pledged to listen to the citizens and developers for what's in the best interest of everyone. Regardless of how much money a citizen or a developer has or donates to a campaign, my pledge is to be supportive of common-sense development and to listen and understand every citizen's concerns. There is a difference between being pro-development and pro-developer," (candidate) said.
"I am pledging that all property owners, residential and commercial, will have their concerns heard, listened to and represented fairly at the zoning commission and at city council. I also pledge to be pro-development when it is good for the all the community, not just good for a developer," (candidate) said.
"This 'secret group' of special interests supporting a slate of candidates is a sad commentary about local politics. I want to know who makes up this secret group and what they think they are getting for hundreds of thousands of dollars. These secret donors and anonymous tactics that appear to buy the election will backfire because (Your City) isn't for sale anymore to the highest bidder," (candidate) said.

Saviors and the Anti Christ

What would you think of a candidate for mayor of a small town who portrayed himself as the Savior for developers and said his opponent was the Anti-Christ for developers?
The answer? Not much.
Here's what should appear in a local news paper regarding these events after a few points are made by the candidate described as the Anti-Christ.
Reporter-What is your reaction to your opponents statement that you are the Anti-Christ for developers?
Candidate-I have always explained to voters that I will support common sense development and listen to every citizen regarding their concerns and that developers will pay their fair share of costs to the city and that taxpayers should not unfairly subsidize developers through a corporate welfare scheme.
Reporter-What about his claims and calling you the Anti-Christ?
Candidate-I'm very disappointed that anyone would attempt to corrupt the political process and use Christ our Lord's name in such a cavalier way. I have always focused what I planned to do as mayor to conservatively spend every tax dollar and have never attempted to portray my opponent in any way. This is the worst type of political smear and it appears to be a desperate attempt by a desperate candidate who has very little support to try and create a negative attack in a pitiful way. They say when rats are in a corner, they get desperate, and this certainly appears to be a desperate measure on my opponents part, and I'm embarrassed for him, his family and supporters.
Now for the Letter to the Editor.
After the name and experience of the author, and why they are relevant to the election, it should read something like......and I'm outraged by the candidate's use of The Lord Jesus Christ to describe himself and to call his opponent the Anti-Christ.
It doesn't matter what context it was, because it is an outrage to everyone who cares about civility in the election process. Stating one's religious preference and membership in religious organizations is one thing, but for a candidate to step in this mess stinks, and the person who used this comparison is the one responsible for stepping in this mess that cas caused such a stink.
I've known both of these men for a long time, and I was going to remain silent on my support for one or the other, but this failure of decency means I can no longer remain on the sidelines.
I am making my support for (Name) known, because I am very upset with any candidate who would insert religion in a mayor's race in this way. It should outrage all of our city's residents, because if a candidate would stoop so low in a candidate forum, then they don't have the temperament or the intelligence to be the mayor of our town. I'm glad we found this out before the April 3rd election, because if this type of statement was made after the election, I would demand this man's resignation from office and that would require a new election.
The candidates have shown their true colors. One has called names, the other has expalined his plans for the future of our community and to conservatively spend our taxdollars. That's why I'm urging all of my neighbors and friends in (town name) to vote for (candidate) in the mayor's race on April 3. We need good people like (candidate) to be the next mayor, and tell those who pander to religious bigotry that there is no place in politics for their kind.

Sincerely,

(Well Known Citizen's Name Here)

Libby---No Harm, No Foul

Lied under Oath, that apparently is what former Vice President Dick Cheney's Chief of Staff is guilty of. That's a trumped up charge to fit what really happened, he said what he remembered, and reporters and others remember differently.
So, let me get this straight, we had a special prosecutor to investigate the memories of a White House staffer and the media?
Millions spent, and this is what a special prosecutor was looking into.
Remember this involved a CIA employee, who was well known for being a CIA employee, even identifying herself as one on a campaign contribution form to a political candidate, who conspired to hire her husband to write a critical report of the yellow cake conspiracy involving Iraq.
It was later revealed that she was not at risk because she wasn't undercover when her identity was revealed publicly--not by the former White House staffer, but by some other member of the administration.
Former President Bill Clinton lied under oath, it's called perjury, not involving something as insignificant as a faint memory, but an event that could have caused him to be the victim of blackmail and endangered the United States.
Clinton's Secretary of State Sandy Berger stole secret documents, and was given a slap on the wrist.
So a White House operative reveals something that EVERYONE knew, and because he's from the White House, he is persecuted and prosecuted.
Where was the investigation about the CIA employee suggesting her husband, former Ambassador Joe Wilson, to be hired to go and check out the yellow cake deal? A Clinton operative he slammed the White House and the intelligence, which was later proven to be accurate and Wilson was wrong.
Remember-----no wait-----with the example that has been set by the special prosecutor/persecutor, it's best to say, if you are ever asked by anyone about something, "I don't recall ever having a conversation involving that matter." Words to live by.

OHH Bama-----Hillary--Too Shrill....AGAIN

It's unbelievable what Hillary Clinton did in Selma, Alabama recently. She
She affected a southern drawl and southern country preacher slur before a group of mostly black church-goers. And it really sounded bad. She has a coldness that is very hard to overcome, until she realizes it's time to lower her voice, and stop raising it. To be fair, Barack Hussein Obama did a similar thing, but he did it better. And, as the Los Angeles Times columnist proclaimed, Barack is "magic" so no one dares criticizing him, but Hillary is fair game.
If anyone else had done what Hillary or Barack did, especially a member of the Republican party, they would have been run out of town on a rail. But somehow, perhaps because she is Mrs. Bill Clinton and he is magic, they are given a free pass by the democrats and the national media.
Are we surprised?
Barack's pretty slick, and he isn't shrill, so his public speaking isn't so grating. Hillary, is another story. After spending all that time in Arkansas, Hillary could have developed a sweet, lilting southern drawl, but she didn't. She couldn't do it, and apparently would rather have that northern (Yankee) accent, which probably is the reason that she never really fit in, down south.
As my neighbor said, "Yankees are a lot like hemorroids, they are only a pain in the butt if they come down and stay."
That seems a little harsh, don't you think?

YES--IT'S SPRING

In case you missed it, it turned into Spring over the weekend, at least where I live.
It was a wind storm that is he harbinger of this wonderful time of year. The winds of more than 50 miles an hour provided enough force to remove the leaves from the trees on the oaks, and that means one thing-SPRING.
And this morning, at 6:25 a.m. as I walked the dogs, affectionatly called Licky and Sniffy, there was a Lark providing the early morning music of Spring.
The trees outside my office are also beginning to sprout, and in a few more days, perhaps a week, it's time once again to drive the Miata to work, and enjoy the change of season.

No One Believed It Would Happen----The Prayer

I was priveledged to be asked to say a prayer before the Board of Oklahoma County Commissioners today. Here it is.
DEAR GOD-----
TODAY WE ENTER LENT, 40 DAYS TO REMEMBER YOUR SACRIFICE FOR US AND PREPARE FOR SPRING, AND THEN EASTER. THE EVENT THAT CHANGED THE WORLD------- NO ONE BELIEVED IT WOULD HAPPEN.
THIS MONTH, WE CELEBRATE OUR NATIONAL HISTORY AND HERITAGE. THIS WEEK WE CELEBRATED PRESIDENTS DAY. WE REMEMBER OUR GREAT LEADERS ------LIKE PRESIDENT GEORGE WASHINGTON, WHO HELPED GIVE BIRTH TO THIS GREAT TREASURE OF A REPUBLIC.
NO ONE BELIEVED IT WOULD HAPPEN.
MANY SAID THE UNITED STATES WOULD NEVER SURVIVE, BUT A GREAT BEACON OF DEMOCRACY WAS CREATED TO SHINE AROUND THE WORLD TO BE ADMIRED AND IMITATED.
NEARLY ONE HUNDRED YEARS LATER A GREAT CIVIL WAR TORE OUR NATION APART. NO ONE BELIEVED IT WOULD HAPPEN.
CRITICS SAID OUR NATION WOULD NEVER SURVIVE A CIVIL WAR, SLAVES WOULD NEVER BE FREED. BUT ANOTHER GREAT PRESIDENT ------ABRAHAM LINCOLN ------ RELIED ON YOU FOR STRENGTH AND COURAGE AND YOUR WILL WAS DONE AND FREEDOM REINED.
A HUNDRED YEARS LATER THERE WERE THOSE WHO FOOLISHLY ENCOURAGED BIGOTRY AND HATRED. SOME COURAGEOUSLY DEMANDED CIVIL RIGHTS FOR ALL.
NO ONE BELIEVED IT WOULD HAPPEN. BUT YOUR WILL WAS DONE, AND A LEADER SPOKE THOSE FOUR WORDS----I HAVE A DREAM.
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING URGED ALL TO JUDGE EACH OTHER ON THE CONTENT OF THEIR CHARACTER, NOT THE COLOR OF THEIR SKIN.
DOCTOR KING SAID---------LET FREEDOM RING. WE ASK YOU, GOD TO LET FREEDOM RING AROUND THE WORLD AND END BIGOTRY AND RELIGIOUS INTOLERANCE AND HATRED WHICH IS THE ROOT OF INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM THAT THREATENS OUR FUTURE AND THE FREEDOMS WE HOLD SO DEAR. IT IS YOUR GUIDANCE AND COURAGE OUR LEADERS NEED MORE THAN ADVICE FROM POLITICAL CONSULTANTS OR PUBLIC OPINION POLLS.
REMIND OUR LEADERS TO ALWAYS REMEMBER ---- WE ARE AMERICANS FIRST, AND ALWAYS.
WE ASK FOR YOU TO DESTROY OUR ENEMIES AND THE ENEMIES OF FREEDOM. WE ASK FOR YOU TO PROTECT OUR CITIZENS, OUR LEADERS AND OUR ALLIES------- FROM ALL EVIL.
WE ASK FOR YOUR SPECIAL BLESSING FOR THE PROTECTION OF OUR SOLDIERS, SAILORS, SHERIFF’S EMPLOYEES, AND OUR POLICE AND FIREMEN WHO WORK EVERYDAY TO PROTECT US. BLESS THEIR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS WHO PRAY FOR THEIR HEALTH AND SAFETY EVERY DAY.
AMEN.

National Democrats Wave Surrender Flag-Encourage Terrorists

What else can you say about what the national Democrat Party is doing?
What a masterful manipulation of the media the national democrats have been able to accomplish over the past 15 years.
Remember when President Bill Clinton sent troops to Bosnia to stop ethnic cleansing? When would the troops be home? Christmas was the pledge, but they are still there.
Are the Bosnian rebels a threat to the United States national security? So far, I don't think Bosnians have bombed a World Trade Center, a United States Ship or rigged up explosive devices to kill our troops.
But Muslim extremists have.
So what are we doing in Iraq? We are there, after creating a fledgling democracy in Afghanistan, to prevent Muslim extremists from using Iraq as the base camp for the terrorists to export their views of world domination and destroying every vestige of religious freedom around the world.
Sound extreme? It is. This is the war, a hot war, which will determine what freedom will mean around the world for the next 1,000 years.
The only thing the Muslim extremists understand is strength. If you show weakness, and back down, then you lose.
The national democrats are ready to back down and there will be terrible consequences for their decision to vote against the latest troop surge the President has proposed.
In a few months, perhaps less, this decision will prove to be a devastating blow to our national security and the freedom loving countries around the world.
The Muslim extremists will wait patiently. For a month, nothing will happen, then two months will pass, still nothing. Then, a small event, and then another, perhaps a dozen dead and no one will take responsibility. Then an airliner or two will crash, and the media won't want to blame their friends in the democratically controlled congress, and will talk about how the maintenance records aren't being kept well, or the lack of unions to perform scheduled maintenance caused the problem.
All the while the terrorists will be planning their actions, because of the decision of congress.
Will it change the democrats mind? Doubt it, they think we can ignore and tacitly encourage the terrorists to act, and they will act.
Muslim extremists are in this for the long haul. Sadly, political winds of change have caused the congress to lose focus, and perhaps lose the future.
I hope I'm wrong.

Out of This World and Trailer Trash

I remember celebrities. I remember admiring athletes, movie stars, astronauts, business leaders and politicians because they were competing for what they believed was good, either on the playing field, the board room, theaters or with thousands of other competitors to become the best they could be.
What happened?
I guess it all started when we found out that the celebrities we cherished were just like the guy down the street with their own personal problems that we all suffer from one time to another.
I remember feeling badly when movie stars would get divorced. It was a scar on people that was never removed and for a long time it was believed that being divorced was such a problem that you couldn't get elected to public office. Former Oklahoma Governor David Boren was said to be thinking about resigning as governor when he suffered a divorce while in office.
What a difference the passage of time makes.
Such is life.
The world turns, and times change.
In the last week, we have had an astronaut go over the edge and a Playboy bunny die, Both stories have dominated the news.
They would like me to mention their names.......I won't.
While these events are sad for the families and involve so many issues, what is even sadder is the impact on society and our young people. Because the young people have been brought up in a time when they may not have had two parents at home. For some, including the parents who couldn't stand being in the same house together, it may have been the best thing for all concerned.
Pendulums swing, and some young people who grew up in broken homes will do everything possible to prevent the same thing happening in their lives, because they know the impact it had on them. Perhaps that will be the result of the last 30 years where the chickens born in the disarray of a decomposing system of realities, has decided that what they had wasn't good enough.
They want better, and something better could be better for our society.

Hillary--Too Much, Too Shrill

Hillary Clinton may be a very nice lady, but she will never be President.
Why? Because every one knows someone like Hillary, a man or a woman, who has a burning anger that can't be controlled. They aren't friendly enough to do certain things, and the truth is, these are people who shouldn't be in public service because they don't like people that much.
Bill Clinton was a natural at being a politician, he was amiable and was able to control his anger until he needed to brandish it like a weapon. he kept it under wraps very well, and when he spoke, he was able to show enough emotion without sounding like he was yelling.
Hillary, can't do that. At the Democratic National Committee Winter Meeting, Hillary, and all the other candidates spoke.
Hillary, who had her nice little video release announcing her candidacy, did a great job with the canned video. But at the DNC, her voice wasn't subdued, it wasn't pleasant, and she wasn't smiling. Instead, her voice got forceful, she lost her pleasant look and she nearly screamed as she announced her decision to end the war on terror which is currently in the borders of Iraq.
Hillary is that angry boss, who may not blow up everyday, but you never know when it will happen, and when it does you wonder what kind of person they are to treat others like they do, and you wonder how the rest of their life pans out.
Then you realize, their life could be a miserable failure, and sometimes the only thing they think they can control is other people, and they use their anger to accomplish this goal.
Too bad for them and their associates.

It's NOT Viet Nam

We all know how tough it is to think about the war against terror as the war in Iraq.
What most thinking Americans believe is that we have a war on terror and right now the battlefield is in Iraq.
The idiots in some circles like to say that the Iraqi's don't want us there, that's why they are killing us. Then, they say those magic words, "WE DON"T WANT ANOTHER VIET NAM."
Does it drive you nuts, too, when they say that?
The Vietnamese wanted their country. NEVER ONCE was there a terrorist attack in the United States committed by Vietnamese military or guerrilla forces. NEVER.
But the war against extremist Muslim terrorists is a far different matter. They aren't fighting for a country, they are fighting for a religion, and that religion hates everyone who isn't Muslim. These extremists don't wear uniforms, and if they weren't fighting us in Iraq, they would certainly expand the battle to Europe, and other places, including the U. S.
So, when someone says the war in Iraq is just like Viet Nam, snap their head off and tell them they only wanted their country, while extremist Muslims don't want Iraq, they want the world.
And remember, when the war in Viet Nam, the communist regime there and Pol Pot killed millions, yes millions of people.
What frightens me is that no one is ready to ask the question---WHAT HAPPENS IF WE LOSE THE WAR AGAINST TERRORISM?
Think about it.

Why Terrorism Must Be Stopped

Sadly liberals and mostly democrats say we can't win the war in Iraq and we should pull out right now.
What a mistake. The war isn't for Iraq, it's to stop terrorism, and Iraq happens to be that battleground right now. If we leave, and all the bad guys want us to leave, then it will allow the terrorists to set up shop and start exporting their brand of extremist views or religious extremism around the world.
If you think sending our troops home is a good idea, let me try to give a brief explanation of why it's important using some ideas I heard recently.
You may not know terrorism, but you probably know a computer. Maybe you're a MAC, or a PC, just like the commercial. But what if instead of commercials and marketing better products, MAC and PC's had armies and tried to destroy everything in their path to dominance of the world computer market?
Silly, huh? But if you think of computer operating systems are similar to political systems, that changes things a bit.
World War II could be described as a battle of 'political operating systems' fascism against freedom.
It wouldn't have been so bad if the bad guys had only wanted to dominate the operating political system in Germany, but Hitler had different ideas, he wanted to take over the rest of the world, too.
The 'freedom political operating system' groups gathered together to fight back against world domination. After all, Hitler didn't win political victories in these other countries---he invaded and killed thousands and millions in his effort to control everything.
Maybe you think that is what the Muslim extremists think, too. You would be right. Certainly their are reasonable Muslims who would never hurt anyone, but there is a group of Muslim terrorists who have perverted Islam and are demanding that we take the world back to the year 1200, or else.
There were 3,000 Americans who didn't hurt anyone who were killed by Muslim extremists. I haven't heard many Muslims apologize and show their disdain for these actions, most only say that it's America's support of Israel that caused these attacks. Someone indicated if the U. S. would ONLY stop supporting Israel, everything would be fine.
Then they quickly blame the crusades as another reason that America is being attacked, saying that was the actions of Christians and that's why extremist Muslims have the right to kill thousands of innocents around the globe. The crusades were a perversion of the teachings of Jesus, I reject them and almost everyone else says they were wrong. Jesus never advocated killing anyone.
If you read the Koran, you will find that Muhammad urged killing of Christians and Jews who did not adopt Islam. He was a prophet, a prophet with an army that conquered and killed thousands in an effort to dominate the world with a particular political and religious operating system. Jesus never had an army, despite some who try to pervert Christianity even more by asking about Jesus' Christian Soldiers. Sometimes you can't explain to these people that this army doesn't have guns or armor, it's an army of love and help for all.
So the next time you meet a Muslim, ask them if they repudiate the actions of Muslim extremists who have killed thousands. If they don't apologize, then tell your friends. Because if the Muslim extremists get a hold in Iraq, then the war for the world will mean these religious extremists will no longer be killing opponents in Tikrit, Baghdad and Tehran, it won't be long before they will be killing their opponents in Tulsa, Birmingham and Toledo.

Say Good Night, Dick

It's the second year since Dick Clark has decided to return to the booth and be a co-anchor for the "Dick Clark New Year's Rocking Eve" celebration.
This is so sad to watch, and while I admire Clark's courage, I think it might be time to say good night, Dick.
Clark is still heard around the world on his weekend program, "Rock, Roll and Remember" where his voice is clear, and from that perspective he will never leave radio.
But watching his performance after the stroke, certainly isn't what many will remember him for, although it is a courageous act, I'm certain he wouldn't be on the air if he weren't producing the event.
So, what should he do?
He should explain how he is a professional, and has made his living by providing perfect articulation of every word.
And while he believes that he can perform these tasks, he doesn't want to have these last year's performance be his legacy.
So, he will continue to work on programs at Dick Clark Productions, but will give his microphone over to Ryan Seacrest with best wishes.
What would happen?
Clark would be hailed as one of the greatest entertainers in modern history, right after Johnny Carson, Bob Hope and Bob Barker, the Iron Men of Entertainment, and he could sit back, relax, write a book about his recovery, his life and be on every talk-show to discuss the inside story of every rock and roll act that he knew.
Clark won't do this, and perhaps that's best. For many, working is their life, and without it, no matter how things have changed, they would die without their work.
It's a commentary about our society that work defines people so much, but it does, particularly in men.
While some men believe that the most toys and money proves their worth, what really proclaims victory is the ability to have people you love, people who love you back, and a feeling of accomplishing something every day.
Being in that position, is one that, sadly, few enjoy.