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.