The following are edited excerpts from a speech President Reagan gave in 1983, while most of communism is gone the morality that he speaks about is certainly appropriate today as it was in the past.

"So, I urge you to speak out against those who would place the United States in a position of military and moral inferiority.

I urge you to beware the temptation of pride -- the temptation of blithely declaring yourselves above it all and label both sides equally at fault, to ignore the facts of history and the aggressive impulses of an evil empire, to simply call the arms (Terrorism) race a giant misunderstanding and thereby remove yourself from the struggle between right and wrong and good and evil.

I ask you to resist the attempts of those who would have you withhold your
support for our efforts, this administration's efforts, to keep America strong
and free, while we negotiate real and verifiable reductions in the world's nuclear arsenals and one day, with God's help, their total elimination.

While America's military strength is important, let me add here that I've
always maintained that the struggle now going on for the world will never be
decided by bombs or rockets, by armies or military might. The real crisis we
face today is a spiritual one; at root, it is a test of moral will and faith.

I believe we shall rise to the challenge. I believe that communism (Terrorism) is another sad, bizarre chapter in human history whose last pages even now are being written. I believe this because the source of our strength in the quest for human freedom is not material, but spiritual. And because it knows no limitation, it must terrify and ultimately triumph over those who would enslave their fellow man. For in the words of Isaiah: “He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might He increased strength….But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary….”

Yes, change your world. One of our Founding Fathers, Thomas Paine, said,
“We have it within our power to begin the world over again.” We can do it, doing
together what no one church could do by itself.

God bless you, and thank you very much."

He is definitely presidential, but on the next inauguration day he will be 72 years old, the oldest person ever sworn in as president. Once you get past that he can be a very attractive candidate. He has been in national politics (House & Senate) for almost 25 years. He works well with both Republicans and Democrats, and he is known for his right of center conservatism but shuns the far right on most issue's. Can a Republican win the presidency without the far right or much less get nominated? Attacks will have to be centered on his politics, their won't be any attacks on his patriotism, he spend 5 1/2 years in the Hanoi Hilton as a POW during the Vietnam war and could have been released early but refused because it would have violated the Military Code of Conduct. He is a "man's man" who also does well with women voters and was last elected to the Senate with 77% of the vote from his home state of Arizona. The media likes him because he doesn't try to spin them, which also makes him attractive to a large number of electorates. His will be an interesting campaign because the question will be how far right will he go to capture the religous right both to gain the nomination and to get the vote out on Election day.

Is He Presidential

He was an intriguing candidate in 2004 and looked to be a good candidate until he became part of the Kerry campaign and he seemed to loose some luster. He is from the south, appears to have a great family and has some credentials as being thoughtful and deliberate in his decision making. He does however have the trial lawyer background that for me is difficult to get past, he made his money from class action suits and those types always seem shady to me. He does come across with a good deal of sincerity though and that is a plus. These are goals for Amercia are from his website:

http://johnedwards.com/

We all must take responsibility and take action now to:

Provide moral leadership in the world - nice but what does it mean.

Strengthen our middle class and end poverty - who can oppose this, but does it mean raising taxes.

Guarantee universal health care for every American - didn't we try this once before

Lead the fight against global warming - hot button for me, does this mean we join lock step with the Kyoto protocal, we aren't the problem, have any of you been to Asia lately.

Get America and other countries off our addiction to oil - great idea, ethanol takes more energy to produce than gas it produces. We need something revolutionary here.

All I want in a candidate is straight talk, not rhetoric and emotion. What are you going to do and how are you going to do it. Is John Edwards this guy, we saw signs of it in 04 and hopefully it will come charging through in 2008. We will be watching.

Notable Deaths 2006

These are some, there were other, may they all rest in peace.
Lou Rawls January 6 Musician
Shelley Winters January 14 Actress
Wilson Pickett January 19 Musician
Chris Penn January 24 Actor (Brother of Sean)
Coretta Scott King January 31 Civil Rights Leader
Al Lewis February 3 Grandpa Munster - Actor
Betty Friedan February 4 Woman’s Activist
Peter Benchley February 11 Author
Curt Gowdy February 20 Sportscaster
Dennis Weaver February 24 Actor (McCloud / Gunsmoke)
Don Knotts February 24 Barney Fife – Actor
Darren McGavin February 25 Actor – The Night Stalker
Kirby Puckett March 6 Baseball Player
Dana Reeve March 6 Wife of Christopher Reeve
Gordon Parks March 7 Photographer
Slobodan Milosevic March 11 Yugoslav Leader / War Criminal
Oleg Cassini March 17 Designer
Buck Owens March 25 Musician
Lyn Nofziger March 27 Political Adviser (Reagan)
Caspar W. Weinberger March 28 Defense Secretary (Reagan)
Gene Pitney April 5 Musician
Steve Howe April 28 Baseball Player
John Kenneth Galbraith April 29 Economist
Louis Rukeyser May 2 TV Host
Earl Woods May 3 Father of Tiger Woods
Floyd Patterson May 11 Boxer
Lloyd Bentsen May 23 Senator (Texas)
Billy Preston June 6 Musician
Kenneth Lay July 5 Enron CEO
Syd Barrett July 7 Musician (Pink Floyd)
Red Buttons July 13 Actor
Mickey Spillane July 17 Writer
Jack Warden July 19 Actor
Mike Douglas August 11 TV Host
Glen Ford August 30 Actor
Bob Mathias September 2 Olympic Athlete
Steve Irwin September 4 “The Crocodile Hunter”
Ann Richards September 23 Texas Governor
Byron Nelson September 26 Golfer
Cory Lidle October 11 Baseball Player
Freddy Fender October 14 Musician
Trevor Berbick October 28 Boxer
Red Auerbach October 28 Basketball Executive
Ed Bradley November 9 TV Journalist
Jack Palance November 10 Actor
Milton Friedman November 16 Economist
Bo Schembechler November 17 Football Coach
Peter Boyle December 12 Actor – Everybody Love Raymond
Lamar Hunt December 13 Football Owner
James Brown December 25 Musician
Gerald Ford December 26 Former President

You Reap What You Sow

Pro-Death Penalty, Anti-Death Penalty, it does not matter at this point because Saddam is just as dead, irregardless. The Butcher of Bagdhad has gone to meet his maker. Don't kid yourselves there are other leaders out there just as bad as him, most just don't control major oil fields. The innocents killed in Africa, Bosnia, South America by either thier leaders or power hungary war lords, diamond merchants and other monsters cry out for justice. For today they will have to be happy with this, let's just hope they have a tomorrow. When you say your prayers tonight pray for the children that are starved and tortured by these animals every day.

Gerald Ford, RIP

Don't get me wrong, he was a great politician of the old school. One who could work across the aisles with both parties. He was a man of great honor and he did a good job filling the void left when President Nixon resigned and when President Carter was elected. I have heard him referred to as a great president and I just don't believe that is true. He was a caretaker who held the country together but he did not really accomplish anything of significance in his time in office. In no way does this not mean he wasn't a great man but his opportunites were limited in the oval office. Let's be honest, a great athlete (all-american football player at University of Michigan) a great congressman and most importantly a good man. Rest In Peace.

Happy New Year

2007

Merry Christmas 2006

Everyone to bed, shut those eye's tight. Santa has made the U.S. and will be coming to home near you soon. Listen for the sleigh bells, the hooves on the roof because now is the time ...

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;

And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,

Had just settled down for a long winter's nap,

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow

Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,

And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;

"Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!

On, Comet! on Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!

To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!

Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,

When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,

So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,

With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof

The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

As I drew in my hand, and was turning around,

Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,

And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;

A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,

And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.

His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,

And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,

And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;

He had a broad face and a little round belly,

That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,

And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,A

nd laying his finger aside of his nose,

And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,

"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night."

Clement Clarke Moore (1822)

Pope Benedicts Christmas Message

Pope Benedict ushered in Christmas at midnight mass on Monday, saying the image of the baby Jesus born in a manger should remind everyone of the plight of poor, abused and neglected children the world over.

"The child of Bethlehem directs our gaze toward all children, particularly those who suffer and are abused in the world, the born and the unborn. Toward children who are placed as soldiers in a violent world; toward children who have to beg; toward children who suffer deprivation and hunger; toward children who are unloved. In all of these it is the Child of Bethlehem who is crying out to us. It is the God who has become small who appeals to us. Just as the shepherds of Bethlehem were called by an angel to seek the child lying in the manger, modern man was called to listen to the message of the baby Jesus".

"Let us pray this night that the brightness of God's love may enfold all these children. Let us ask God to help us do our part so that the dignity of children may be respected. May they all experience the light of love, which mankind needs so much more than the material necessities of life. During the festive meals of these days let us remember the Lord's words: 'When you give a dinner or a banquet do not invite those who will invite you in return, but invite those whom no one invites and who are not able to invite you', this also means when you give gifts for Christmas do not give only to those who will give to you in return but give to those who receive from no one and who cannot give you anything back."

"May his birth not find us busy celebrating Christmas forgetting that he (Jesus) is the very person at the center of the feast".

Santa finished Africa and Europe and has crossed the Atlantic and is now in Brazil. Leave the milk and cookies and close the eyes so he can visit your house tonight.

As you can see, Asia is done and Santa is moving into Africa. He is running about 15 minutes ahead of schedule so let's make sure we are all in bed before he gets here.

http://www.noradsanta.org/index.php

Santa Tracking

http://www.noradsanta.org/en/default.php

Santa's making great time, Japan, China and Nepal are done. Next Stop India and Australia. Bet he could use some milk and cookies about now.

http://www.noradsanta.org/index.php

Santa Tracking

Santa has started his biggest day of the year, currently in the west pacific and heading for Australia after he gives toys to all the good boys and girls living in the pacific islands.

http://www.noradsanta.org/index.php

I love this Christmas song above all others, it is not religous but it captions the season in totality like nothing else. It has been covered by many artists but no version compares to the one done by the great Nat King Cole.

THE CHRISTMAS SONG

Chestnuts roasting on a an open fire
Jack Frost nipping at your nose
Yule tide carols being sung by a choir
And folks dressed up like Eskimos
Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe
Help to make the season bright
Tiny tots, with their eyes all aglow
Will find it hard to sleep tonight
They know that Santa's on his way
He's loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh
And every mother's child is gonna spy
To see if reindeer really know how to fly.
And so I'm offering this simple phrase
For kids from one to ninety two
Although its been said many times many ways
Merry Christmas to you.

Where's Santa?

Check out this site and let your believers track Santa
http://www.noradsanta.org/index.php

For more than 50 years, NORAD and its predecessor, the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD) have tracked Santa. The tradition began after a Colorado Springs-based Sears Roebuck & Co. store advertisement for children to call Santa on a special "hotline" included an inadvertently misprinted telephone number. Instead of Santa, the phone number put kids through to the CONAD Commander-in-Chief's operations "hotline." The Director of Operations, Colonel Harry Shoup, received the first "Santa" call on Christmas Eve 1955. Realizing what had happened, Colonel Shoup had his staff check radar data to see if there was any indication of Santa making his way south from the North Pole. Indeed there were signs of Santa and children who called were given an update on Santa's position. Thus, the tradition was born. In 1958, the governments of Canada and the United States created a bi-national air defense command for the North American continent called the North American Air Defense Command, known as NORAD. Canada and the U.S. believed they could better defend North America together as a team instead of separately.

NORAD carried out its first Santa tracking in 1958 after inheriting the tradition from CONAD. Since that time, Canadian and American men and women who work at NORAD have responded to phone calls from children personally. Additionally, media from all over the world call NORAD on Christmas Eve for updates on Santa's location. Last year this Website was visited by millions of people who wanted to know Santa's whereabouts. This year, the information is provided in six languages.
NORAD relies on many volunteers to help make Santa tracking possible. Hundreds of volunteers spend part of their Christmas Eve at the Santa Tracking Operations Center answering phones and emails to provide Santa updates to thousands of inquiring children worldwide.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The FBI Investiged John Lennon

The FBI investigated John Lennon in the early 70's and learned some startling facts:

Fact 1 - He was a British Citizen
Fact 2 - He was a former member of a singing group called "The Beatles"
Fact 3 - The song "Power To The People" had leftist and anit-war leanings
Fact 4 - He was against the Vietnam war
Fact 5 - He experimented with illicit drugs
Fact 6 - He was once arrested for marijuana possesion

This investigation took over ten years, hope it didn't cost too much.

Twas The Night Before Christmas

If you have a house this Christmas remember
There are those that don't

If you have food this Christmas remember
There are those that don't

If you have a job this Christmas remember
There are those that don't

If you children have presents under the tree remember
There are those that don't

If you have the opportunity to help someone this Christmas please do and remember
There are those that don't

China Part 6 - In Pictures

2008 Olympics, Countdown Clock

The Great Wall

On the Great Wall

The only Rickshaw we saw in China

Check out mid bottom of picture, those are mortar cannons for sale on the street.

These guys are like Walgreens or CVS, there is one on every street corner.

China Part 5 - In Pictures

Chinese Flea Market


Tianemen Square


Chairman Mao


The Forbidden City


The Summer Palace


Harbin "Live" Restaraunt


Jade Buddha Temple


Shangai Shopping

China Part 4 - The Great Wall

Over 3,000 miles long, 30 meters high and 20 meters wide this wall is one of the great wonders of the world and deservedly so. Started 2700 years ago and taking 500 years to complete the wall held back one of the greatest armies every assembled. It is built over the highest peaks of the mountains and through the roughest terrain. What it must have taken to build can only be imagined. Familys for five and six generations worked on the wall, those that died were buried in the strutcure. Until you walk the wall you cannot grasp how steep it is and what energy it takes. It is truly a awe inspiring experience. It takes about an hour and a half to get to the wall from downtown Beijing, it is an easy freeway drive and at least in November when you get there it is cold. Once you park you have to walk the gauntlet of people selling stuff and once you get on the wall you will find a few vendors there also. The people are very poor and you forgive their aggressiveness because you know that every sale helps feed their family. The only modern thing at the wall is, get ready, "Starbucks", it was great to find a familiar place but also disturbing because you can tell it does not belong there. It didn't seem to be doing much business either.

China Part 3

One member of the team I was traveling with asked one of our Chinese counterparts if they celebrated Christmas in China, the response was great "Do you think we are from Mars". He went on to say that to some it was a Christian event and to some it was a holiday for gift giving, sounds a lot like the US. The point is that it became very clear to me their is not a significant difference between the peoples of China and the US. They can live where they want to, they shop in stores not unlike ours, the own cars, they have children and they want to be happy. Most of the problems between our two countries are purely political, we and they have taken such large stands on so many issue's that we can't or won't back down. In fact while we were there the US and Chinese navy were conducting joint search and rescue missions in the China Sea. The other big shocker while I was there was that if we bring product in from the US don't change anything on the packaging. The chinese consumer is very concerned about quality and believe US and Western European quality is much higher than their own. China is growing rapidly and economists say it is going to become the largest economy in the world in the next thirty years. They are suffering the problems because of it, I have never seen polution so bad, many days your throat is scratchy and your eyes water because the smog is so bad, they also have a shortage of fresh water. This is primarily the reason that the majority of their population lives in the east. This is an exciting country with it's share of problems but it also is exotic with wonderful people and if you get the chance the visit would be worth your while.

China Part 2

You leave the U.S. at 8:00 am on one day and arrive at Pu Dong airport in Shanghai late in the evening of the next day. It is not that it takes 36 hours to get there but the shift in time zones and crossing the international dateline screw you up beyond belief. You go to your hotel and do everything you can to crash because this trip add's new definition to the term jet lag.

You step out of your hotel the next day and the first thing that happens is your senses are assaulted by the sights, sounds and smells of 20 million people living together. The streets are narrow, the colors are vibrant and the people are talking and smiling and it is very much like any big city anywhere. Then you take your first cab ride, most cabs in China are small, if you have 3 or 4 people one of you will end up in the "seat of death", that is the front seat next to the driver and unless you love chaos and impending doom it is no place to be. The amazing this is their are thousands of cars going in many directions, ignoring most traffic laws, as we know them but their are very few car wrecks and to maker matters even stranger you almost never see any gas stations.

The people you meet are very friendly and almost always smiling, they love to use their English and quickly ask you were you are from. The speak very highly of America and what they know about the U.S. is extremelly positive.



All populus cities posses that great Amercian eatery, Kentucky Fried Chicken, they are everywhere, like Walgreens or CVS in the U.S. you can't not find one. I bravely ventured into one and the only thing I recognized on the menu was the hot wings.

Shopping is a great adventure in China, they have standard retailers with different rules and most Americans would be ok, the adventure comes in when you go to the outside markets, everyone there wants to show/sell you something. They all have one thing in common, they carry a calculator. When you ask how much, they type in a number and hand you the calculator; let's say 600 RMB, you then say too much and they ask you to type in a number, you type in 150, they have a fit and retype 400 and then ask you for your best price, you put in 200 and they say no. At this point you musht be willing to walk away, if you are you will get it, if not you will haggle all day and then overpay. A chinese person I met said that if you pay more than 1/3 of their initial asking price you are getting took. I bought a handcarved pipe that started at 1,860 RMB (about $230 US) I got it for 300 RMB (about $32 US).

China Part 1

It's 35 hours and counting before I board my plane for China. As part of my compulisve attitude I have studied a great deal about China and am really looking forward to the trip. I will miss my family, two weeks is a long time, and I will miss my wife incredibly. I leave home at 8:00 am on Nov. 7th and arrive in Shanghai at 8:00 pm on Nov. the 8th. Not that it is a 36 hour trip but the length of the trip, combined with the international date-line, combined with the 12 hour time difference makes for tough travel, of course, I get home almost right after I take off when I return so it's a trade off. My trip starts in Shangai, then to Beijing, then to Harbin, then a couple of other places I can't remember right now and then back to Shangai. China has the longest continous culture in the world, same written langauge, same traditions for 3,000 years. They have 1.3 billion people, more than the US and Europe combined. Their written language has 40,000 characters and they speak 85 different dialects of 8 major languages. Shangai is eight times larger than New York city and has 20 million people, the night sky is lit from thousands of modern skyscrapers, but every day in the parks you can see thousands of people practicing the ancient art of Tai Chi. While in China I will visit the Forbidden City and the Great Wall, two of the worlds biggest tourist attractions. The purspose of my trip is to work with both Chinese and Western Retailers on a consultative basis. The Chinese and looking for efficiencie and the western are looking to fit in. I am sure we can help. In a few days I will send out China Part 2 with my initial observations, talk to you then.

The Stem Cell Debate

The recent controversy surrounding Michael J. Fox and Rush Limbaugh has awakened my opinions on stem cell research. This is a political hot potato of gigantic proportions. In case you don't know, stem cell research is most effective when using the cells of a fetus. It allows researches to grow new cells and create effective treatments for a variety of illnesses, it is believed that if this research is allowed we can develop a cure for Parkinson's, diabetes and numerous other crippling illnesses. (In the light of fairness I should say at this point that I do have diabetes.) Because of the fetal tissue issue some people are strongly against this type of research (some but not all Repulicans)and some are for it (some but not all Democrats). The general argument of those oppossed is that since fetal tissue is the key, aborted fetuses will be used to supply these cells and that will cause an increase in abortions. I do not think an abortion is the answer to anything but I believe strongly that it is not my place to decide for another person what they will or won't do with their body. Babies are aborted in this country everyday and their bodies are discarded in the trash. Abortion is legal, it does not matter what you think of it, it is legal. I cannot understand why people are oppossed to using these stem cells for the betterment of mankind. I don't believe even one young lady will get an abortion simply to supply stem cells, there are plenty of fetuses being aborted now to furnish the researchers. In every election politicians fear the religous right, that is why even Democrats run to the middle during an election. In this case the religous right are wrong, but they have taken a stand and won't back down. The American people need to be heard on this topic and the only way to be heard is the ballot box.

The BEST show on Television

STUDIO 60 ON THE SUNSET STRIP
Look, everyone has an opinion and most of them are different, but this show is incredible. It is about the production of a late night weekly comedy show such as "Mad TV" or "Saturday Night Live". It is written by a genius team headed by Aaron Sorkin, the man who created "The West Wing". The acting is incredible, their is a chemistry you rarely ever see on television. As good as the team was that Sorkin put together for "The West Wing", this team is better. I believe their is 0 chance this show won't win Emmy after Emmy for superior everything. The show stars Matthew Perry from "Friends", Bradley Whitford (Josh) from "The West Wing" and Amanda Peet. The cast is rounded out by such great actors as Steven Weber, D.L. Hughley and so many others. If you have missed the first four episodes and have a video I-Pod or download from I-Tunes you can download the shows you missed. In any event don't miss anymore. At some point you will be asking yourself why?

Politics of Perversion

Another first Tuesday in November is rapidly approaching and the political "noise" is at an all time frenzy. I can only imagine how it will be in two years when the next presidential election takes place. I hate sounding and feeling bitter and cynical when it comes to politics but I guess I have been around long enough to see what is really happening. Republicans run to the far right, Democrats run to the center and both will say anything to get elected. That is the secret of politics get elected and then pander to your base. The way the congress is designed you must run with the pack if you want to stay. You must follow the leadership of your party if you want to get anything done for the people you specifically represent, and you must master the five second sound bite that insults and denigrates anyone who does not view things the way you and your machine do. Today's politicians politisize everything from the insignificant to the important. "I am for the soldiers but am against the war", "I believe in the tradition of the Statue of Liberty, but let's put a fence on the border", and the oldie but goodie from Washington "money, money, MONEY" and yet what we get as citizens is "Money For Nothing". So come election day I will hold my nose, close my eyes and vote, because after all, like the politicians on the ballot, I am a patriot.

"Love" by Cirque Du Soleil / Elton John "The Red Piano"

Just got back from Vegas and was lucky enought to see the show "Love" at the Mirage. If you are a Beatles fan this is a do not miss event. In typical Cirque Du Soleil fashion it is a collection of acrobats and artists performing to specific music. In this case the sounds of the Beatles. I must say the show was outstanding, they use a very diverse collection of Beatles music and overlay some great action and visuals to make you experience the songs in a new (yet old) way. Most importantly to me, the music is handled with a great amount of respect. If your in Vegas, check it out and I am sure you will have a great time.


The second show I saw in Vegas was Elton John's "The Red Piano", outstanding show with great interaction with the audience and lot's of the old stuff that made him famous. Giant screens behind the band showed great visuals with everything from Justin Timberlake playing a young Elton, to a spooky realistic Marilyn Monroe, to a pole dancing, almost totally nude Pam Anderson dancing to "Bitch is Back. Very enjoyable evening, once you get past the five dollar bottles of water and the eight dollar beers it is a great night.

Music You Need To Know - John Prine

Very few musicians have the songwriting gifts of John Prine, he see's a world we all see and comments on it with great wit and clarity. If you have not listened to him do yourself a favor and go out and buy one of his cd's.

Please Don't Bury Me

Woke up this morning and put on my slippers

Walked in the kitchen and died

And oh what a feeling!

When my soul went thru the ceiling

And on up into heaven I did ride

When I got there they did say John, it happened this way

You slipped upon the floor and hit your head

And all the angels say just before you passed away

These were the very last words that you said

Please dont bury me down in that cold cold ground

No, Id druther have em cut me up and pass me all around

Throw my brain in a hurricane and the blind can have my eyes

And the deaf can take both of my ears if they dont mind the size

Give my stomach to milwaukee if they run out of beer

Put my socks in a cedar box just get em out of here

Venus de Milo can have my arms

Look out! I've got your nose

Sell my heart to the junkman and give my love to rose

Give my feet to the footloose careless, fancy free

Give my knees to the needy dont pull that stuff on me

Hand me down my walking cane it's a sin to tell a lie

Send my mouth way down south

And kiss my ass goodby

John Prine

What a great letter

This will never be published in the main street press but it is a great sentiment.

Dear Editor:
So many letter writers have based their arguments on how this land is made up of immigrants. Ernie Lujan for one, suggests we should tear down the Statue of Liberty because the people now in question aren't being treated the same as those who passed through Ellis Island and other ports of entry.

Maybe we should turn to our history books and point out to people like Mr. Lujan why today's American is not willing to accept this new kind of immigrant any longer. Back in 1900 when there was a rush from all areas of Europe to come to the United States, people had to get off a ship and stand in a long line in New York and be documented. Some would even get down on their hands and knees and kiss the ground. They made a pledge to uphold the laws and support
their new country in good and bad times. They made learning English a primary rule in their new American households and some even changed their names to blend in with their new home.
They had waved good bye to their birth place to give their children a new life and did everything in their power to help their children assimilate into one culture.

Nothing was handed to them. No free lunches, no welfare, no labor laws to protect them. All they had were the skills and craftsmanship they had brought with them to trade for a future of prosperity. Most of their children came of age when World War II broke out. My father
fought along side men whose parents had come straight over from Germany, Italy, France and Japan.. None of these 1st generation Americans ever gave any thought about what country their parents had come from. They were Americans fighting Hitler, Mussolini and the Emperor of Japan. They were defending the United States of America as one people. When we liberated France, no one in those villages were looking for the French-American or the German American or the Irish American. The people of France saw only Americans. And we carried one flag that represented one country. Not one of those immigrant sons would have thought about picking up another country's flag and waving it to represent who they were. It would have been a
disgrace to their parents who had sacrificed so much to be here.. These immigrants truly knew what it meant to be an American. They stirred the melting pot into one red, white and blue bowl. And here we are in 2006 with a new kind of immigrant who wants the same rights and privileges. Only they want to achieve it by playing with a different set of rules, one that includes the entitlement card and a guarantee of being faithful to their mother country. I'm sorry,
that's not what being an American is all about. I believe that the immigrants who landed on Ellis Island in the early 1900's deserve better than that for all the toil, hard work and sacrifice in raising future generations to create a land that has become a beacon for those legally searching for a better life. I think they would be appalled that they are being used as an example by those waving foreign country flags.

And for that suggestion about taking down the Statue of Liberty, it happens to mean a lot to the citizens who are voting on the immigration bill. I wouldn't start talking about dismantling the
United States just yet.

Rosemary LaBonte

Jimi Hendix, RIP, 09/18/70

This day in 1970 the greatest guitarist to ever walk this earth, Jimi Hendrix died. The man who awed Eric Clapton, the Beatles and the Stones was gone as fast as he arrived. He played in the early 60's with the Isley Brothers and King Curtis before shooting to superstar status. He brought us "Angel", "All Along the Watch Tower", "Purple Haze", "Vodoo Child" and many others. Then he became a victim of his time, sex, drugs and rock and roll. The doctors say he died of a drug overdose, when in fact his death was a result of it all. He burned bright and went out with a flame. His music will always be remebered and listened to, therefore he will always live. Just remember to say his name.

September 11, 2001

It was five years ago that America experienced the worst attack on U.S. soil in the history of the country. The attack was of a horrific nature and the shock was felt across the country. I have a couple of questions.

What happened to the patrisom we saw after the attacks, the pride in being American, the united congress singing God Bless America on the steps of the capitol? The flag waving, the song singing?

What happened to our desire for justice, to see those responsible brought down?

Where the hell is Osama Bin Laden? How can we put men on the moon, split the atom, map the human genome and have the greatest military in the world and not find this guy?
(Note to the government, get a couple of good ol' boys from Louisiana to volunteer, drop them in the Pakistan mountains and tell them if they catch him they get a free hunting licence for the rest of their lives.)

So what if Iraq had nothing to do with 09/11, do you really think they had our best interest in heart?

Why does the greatest military in the world sacrifice over 2,000 American lives in a vain attempt to run a politically correct war?

Hey, I am just asking, these questions you should answer yourself.

Quotes By & About The Beatles

About The Beatles -

"Michael Jackson can sell records until the end of time, but he'll never matter to people as much as The Beatles did." (Elvis Costello)

"From 1962 to 1965, the guitar became this icon of youth culture, thanks mostly to the Beatles." (Pat Metheny)

"And I said, 'Why not? It's the truth! Why can't I say I'm a Beatles fan?' I used to get criticized for that." (Buck Owens)

"My favorite artists have always been Elvis and The Beatles and they still are!" (Johnny Ramone)

By The Beatles -

Press: Does it bother you that you can't hear what you sing during concerts?
John: No, we dont mind. We've got the records at home.

Press: Can we look forward to any more Beatle movies?
John: Well, there'll be many more but I don't know whether you can look forward to them or not.

Press: What did you think when your airplane's engine began smoking as you landed today? Ringo: Beatles, women, and children first!

John: I'm not the beatles. I'm me. Paul isn't the beatles...The beatles are the beatles. Separately, they are separate.

Paul: The hardest act to follow is yourself.

John: My defenses were so great. The cocky rock-and-roll hero who knew all the answers was actually a terrified guy who didn't know how to cry.

"We are determined that before the sun sets on this terrible struggle our flag will be recognized throughout the world as a symbol of freedom on one hand and of overwhelming force on the other." General George C. Marshall

The question for today is are these words as true now as they were during World War II when they were spoken. Clearly we still the symbol of freedom around the world, why else would thousand of immigrants enter our shores daily both legally and illegally. Many of them risking their life and limb just to taste the freedoms we offer here. The real question is the "overwhelming force" part, are we viewed that way and do we want to be? We certainely have the qualifications and the power, but do we do what needs to be done and do we do it equitably? We appear to be always on the ready when countries with major oil supplies need policing, but where are we when tribal warfare and genocide wipes out thousands of innocent civilians in an African nation. Thinks about it.

Hey, I'm just asking the question. You have to decide.

For Rachel

Please Say Their Names

No longer are we asked how are we doing.
Never are the names of our children mentioned to us.
A curtain desends.
The moment has passed.
Lives slip from frequent recall.
There are exceptions:
close and compassionate friends,sensitive and loving family.
Still look. Still ask. Still listen.Thank God for them.
For most,the drama is over.
The spotlight is off. Applause is silent.
But for us the play will never end.

The effects on us are timeless.
What can be said, you ask?
Please say "their names" to us.
Love does not die.
Their names are written on our lives.
The sound of their voices replay within our minds.
You may feel they are dead.
We feel they are of the dead and still they live.
Their ghost-walk our souls, beckoning in future welcome.
You say "they were our children", we say " they are".
Please say "their names" again.
It hurts to bury their memory in silence.

What they are in spirit stirs within us always.
They were of our past but they are part of our now.
They are our hope for the future.
Please understand we cannot forget.
We would not if we could.

We know that you cannot know, yesterday we were like you.
Understand that we dwell in both flesh and spirit.
We do not ask you to walk this road.
The ascent is steep and the burden heavy.
We walk it not by choice.
We would rather walk it with them in the flesh, looking not to spirit worlds beyond.

We are what we have to be.
What we have lost,you cannot feel.
What we have gained, you may not see.
Please say "their names" for they are alive.
We will meet them again, although in many ways we've never parted.
Their spirits play light songs, appear in sunrises and sunsets.
They are real and shadow, they were and they are.

Please say "their names" to us and say "their names" again.
They are our children and we love them as we always did.
More each day.

PLEASE, SAY THEIR NAMES

Author Unknown

The Ten Commandments For Today

I. - There is but one God, you can call me anything you want, but I am it.

II. - Don't be a hypocrite, don't say you love Jesus and act like Satan.

III. - Don't fight anybody and use me as your excuse.

IV. - In the grand scheme of things you will not be on the Earth very long so I suggest you make the most out of it.

V. - Instead of coveting what your neighbor has, work harder than them and make them covet your stuff.

VI. - Leave your neighbors wife alone, you probably have enough problems with your own.

VII. - Don't thank me when you win a sporting event or blame me when things go bad. I am way to busy for you.

VIII. - Evolution Vs. The Bible, how do you know I didn't do both.

XI. - Don't say you don't believe in Capitol Punishment but abortion is ok, or the reverse, killing is still killing. Don't do it lightly because I will probably make you pay.

X. - If you say I don't exist that is ok with me, if you say it on your deathbed I might take you seriously.

Is it just me or

has cell phone usage gotten completely out of control. I have a Blackberry with Bluetooth capabalities and I find it very convenient, but I don't use it on the walking trail, at the gym, in line at the airport, in the movie theater and I never hold a phone to my ear when I am driving. What kind of idiots do we have here, if talking on the phone is that important to you then do that and not some other activity. Let's try something new, hang up and turn off the phone, trust me, you are not that important. If somebody wants to get in touch with you they will. Surely you can put in an hour at the gym without your life falling apart, if not you shouldn't be at the gym you should be fixing your life. Have a great day!

The Best Time Of The Year

First I must confess, I am and will always be a baseball fan, I believe a live baseball game at almost any level is a thing of beauty. The sights, the sounds and the smell, there is nothing like it in the world. With that being said I must finally acknowledge what most of you have known for sometime, Football has surpassed Baseball as America's pastime. For the next five or six months every Friday, Saturday and Sunday will contain at least one football game, every major holiday will host some games, in January the bowls start. This is what I like about football, the competitive juices that are stirred in almost anyone who ever attends a game. We all have our favourite teams, be it the team where you went to college, the team from your home state or the team you grew up watching as a child. Football players are the modern day gladiators, they commit their mind and their body in the pursuit of excellence. Baseball has allowed itself to be controlled by big business, labor unions and players whose ego rarely matches there accomplishments. Not that football does not have these same problems, they just don't control the whole game. I believe that is a due mainly to a strong commissionar system who places the game before the politics. I love basesball, there is nothing better that a walk off homer or a double play to end a close game, but today's baseball is not the game I grew up with and for that I am sad.

The Greatest War Time Leader of the 20th Century

said this about war. It doesn't matter if you are for or against U.S. foreign policy surely can we can learn something from a leader like him.

Never, never, never believe any war will be smooth and easy, or that anyone who embarks on the strange voyage can measure the tides and hurricanes he will encounter. The statesman who yields to war fever must realize that once the signal is given, he is no longer the master of policy but the slave of unforeseeable and uncontrollable events.
Sir Winston Churchill

The Difference Between Women and Men

I have always marveled at the inability of some people to publically acknowledge the difference between men and women. The root core of this inability I believe is because they percieve "being different" as something bad, on one hand we insist that we respect other peoples diffences and diversity, yet when it comes to men and women we insist on conformity. I absoulutely beilieve these differences are hard wired, in some instances these feelings can be brow beat into submission, but when push comes to shove they will always surface.

"Dare To Be Different"

The poems below are a joke sent to me and it is what got me thinking on this subject.

WOMAN'S PRAYER
Before I lay me down to sleep,
I pray for a man, who's not a creep.
One who's handsome, smart and strong.
One who loves to listen long.
One who thinks before he speaks,
One who'll call, not wait for weeks.
I pray he's gainfully employed,
When I spend his cash, won't be annoyed.
Pulls out my chair and opens my door,
Massages my back and begs to do more.
Oh! Send me a man who'll make love to my mind,
Knows what to answer to "how big is my behind?"
I pray that this man will love me to no end,
And always be my very best friend.

MAN'S PRAYER
I pray for a deaf-mute nymphomaniac with huge boobs who owns a liquor
store and a golf course. This doesn't rhyme and I don't give a shit.

Kelsey

Songs You Should Own

The songs listed below are in no particular order, the purpose of the list (besides being some of my favorites) is that hopefully when you listen to these it will turn you on to other music by these great artists.

Song, Artist, Written By
------------------------------------------------
A Change Is Gonna Come, Sam Cooke, Sam Cooke
The Weight, The Band, Robbie Robertson
A Whiter Shade of Pale, Procol Harum, Gary Booker / Keith Reid
Ballad of John & Yoko. The Beatles, Lennon / McCartney
Fortunate Son, Creedence Clearwater Revival, John Fogerty
Nights In White Satin, Moody Blues, Justin Hayward
In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida, Iron Butterfly, Doug Ingle
Fresh Air, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Jesse Oris Farrow
White Rabbit, Jefferson Airplane, Grace Slick
Try (Just A Little Bit Harder), Janis Joplin, Jerry Ragovoy / Chip Taylor
Dixie Chicken, Little Feat, Lowell George / Martin Kibbee
Magnolia, J.J. Cale, J.J. Cale
Boulder To Birmingham, Emmylou Harris, Barry Danoff, Emmylou Harris
Hasten Down the Wind, Warren Zevon, Warren Zevon
The Streets of Baltimore, Gram Parsons, Tompall Glasier, Harlan Howard
Mississippi Your On My Mind, Jesse Winchester, Jesse Winchester

Once again, these are starter songs that hopefully will point you to some great stuff by these same artists. They by no means are the greatest nor is this designed to be a "top --- list" it's just good music that hopefully you will enjoy.

Fly Traps - Great Product

For years I have battled the summertime fly problem just like most of the world. I have found a great product that will eliminate your problems. It is the "Rescue - Fly Trap", this thing is amazing, it only takes a few minutes to put up and then the fly's come running. In the U.S. you can find these at your Home Depot or Lowe's store and many small town hardware stores. Their web site is http://www.rescue.com. They have many other insect traps I can't speak to their quality but the fly trap is great.

Something Happening Here

Someone asked me why I named this blog the way I did. As I watch the news and read papers the old Buffalo Springfield song "For What It's Worth" keeps rolling through my head. Written by the great Stephen Stills in 1967 I believe it captures the mood of today even better than it did in it's day. It seems to me that there is no room in today's politics for common ground, in the past we often looked for a win/win solution to our world problems, now it is all about taking sides and beating the other guy. Politicians can't seem to make their point without denigrating the other side, tear them down and harm the public's perception, it's gotten personal and ugly, and that is sad.

There's Something Happening Here
What it is ain't exactly clear
There's a man with a gun over there
Telling me I got to beware

There's battle lines being drawn
Nobody's right if everybody's wrong

A Poem of Loss

Recently a young lady lost her child after only having her for ten days. Those ten painful days were spent in a NICU in a hospital, her baby was on a breathing tube and in a closed incubation unit. Only in the last hour of the childs life when all hope was gone was the mother allowed to hold her child. You can experience the pain that the mother endured by reading the poem she wrote, it is below.

A minute too short
An hour too long
How can I hold you when it's to say good bye
I rock you in my arms
I sing you to the heavens
I am left behind with a heart that is broken
My arms are empty and my soul is searching
I look to the sky for some kind of sign
The rain falls on my face like the warmth of your skin
I talk to you with words you don’t know
I speak to you with faith in the light
I know you can hear me
I know you are there
Please listen careful and hear my prayer
I want you to be safe
I want you to be free
I wish you could come back to me

S.J.H. June 2006

If you are looking for the opportunity to help a family and child in need visit the site below.

http://www.faces-cranio.org/

Random Thoughts

This blog is designed as a place for me to just write about random thoughts and commentary on what is going on in the world and in my life. Commentary on television, movies, music, politics and life in general. Things I am watching on TV at the moment that are worth looking at.

Brotherhood - On Showtime - critics are calling this the "Irish Soprano's" but after three episodes I believe it might be much more. A tale of two brothers with differing values (maybe), differing prospects (maybe), but the same background. Annabeth Gish is stealing the show as Tommy's wife, she is sexy, gritty and up to something but it is to soon to tell. Michael, played by Jason Isaacs, is the prototype Irish thug. This is a guy you would not want to have pissed at you. Give this show three episodes and I believe you will find it a good story worth seeing where it goes,

The Snow Walker - Cast: Barry Pepper, Annabella Piugattuk, James Cromwell, Screenplay and Direction by Charles Martin Smith. This gentle story is based on a book by Farley Mowat and it is a very good view. A tale of survival, love and discovery set in the Pacific Northwest.
The story is sweet and gentle and the scenery and soundtrack make the movie a wonderful experience. I got my copy from Netflix, give it a try you won't be disapointed.

Since writing this I ordered a book from Barnes & Noble by Farley Mowat that is a selection of short stories about the life in the far north. It too is called "The Snow Walker and is very good. Great companion to the movie.

That's it for today, give those two a try and I will shortly come back with more.