"Bad Back"

Dear Reader,

Due to some back problems I will not be posting anything until January 5, 2011. The Doc says to sit and do nothing; like a congressman!

I wish all of you the Merriest Christmas and the Happiest New Year!!!

Thanks for allowing me to write to you, Thomas Paine.

"From My Heart to Yours"

Do you ever think about the decisions you have made over the course of your life? I've second guessed many of my decisions over the years, and I have to admit, I would change some of them if I had the chance. The one choice I have made in my life that I'm sure was the very best I ever made, concerned a young and beautiful girl. After 12,053 days, 33 Christmases, 33 Thanksgivings and 33 birthdays, I still wake up amazed that I was able to marry the most wonderful woman on earth. Oliver Wendell Holmes said,"Love is the magic key which opens the gates of happiness", and he was right. When you find someone that means more to you than you mean to yourself ,you are among the most fortunate of men. My Adrienne is the half of myself that God intended me to have, the marriage vows say, "The two shall become one flesh", and in my case this couldn't be truer. I look at her today as if every day is the first time I saw her. I watch her from across crowded rooms and she still occupies all of my attention. Between us, the years have lost their meaning. I remember an instance of walking with her when we were newly married and an ice cream truck drove by our apartment, she remarked about it like a six year old saying "Ice cream is always better from the truck!" Of course, I couldn't refuse that request; her amazing gift was her ability to make me continually feel like we would always be like young lovers regardless of time's passing.

Percy Shelly said, "Soul meets soul on lover's lips", this is not just the kiss, but the words that we have passed in conversation after conversation over countless dinners where our faces were the only ones we saw in the room, regardless of the crowd. I remember how she looked, in a green outfit, on the day she first met my parents; nervous and her eyes sparkling, I couldn't wait for Mom and Dad to meet her. I remember our second anniversary. Adrienne had a candlelight dinner prepared at home and I had to work late. I called to let her know what was happening; overtime was mandatory, I had to stay. When I got home, I was greeted by my tired young bride. I could see the disappointment on her face, and I realized what she had gone through to make it a special night. What she didn't realize was that every night was a special night as long as she was there. My nights are still special! We have had hard times, but we never had harsh times because we have faced them together. I am truly blessed. Together, we produced a beautiful daughter, who constantly amazes us in her wisdom and character. She has been a real gift from God.

Even though all these years have gone by, it seems but an instant, a flash of light. I look at the many yesterdays with great fondness, yet I still look forward to the tomorrows to come with expectant joy.

I'd like to close with a quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson and dedicate it to my Adrienne, "What lies behind us, and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us." All of my love on our anniversary, to my lovely wife Adrienne, I adore her!

(This is my last entry this week as I am nursing a sore back. See you all Monday!)

"Only Agree With Me!"

Have you ever been chastised for speaking out of turn? Have you ever been exasperated when you weren't allowed to express your opinion? I had certain teachers who had particular viewpoints and they didn't appreciate conflicting opinions from their students. I told my daughter when she was growing up, never to be afraid to stand up for herself; to speak out. I also told her to speak from facts, not opinions. No argument can survive unless it is factual in its content.

When my daughter was in college, she took a class called "The Bible as Literature". As my daughter is a strong believer, she used this opportunity to spread the Gospel. Her teacher didn't appreciate some of her classroom participation; especially, when her statements conflicted with his. Unfortunately for him, my daughter is well versed in the study of the bible; probably more qualified than he. At one point, he told her not to speak anymore. Sometimes authority exerts censorship.

Recently, leftist bloviator, Ed Schultz of MSNBC, had Al Sharpton on his program. The subject of conversation was Rush Limbaugh. This was an "all you can eat" diatribe against the radio icon. The usual leftist rant was foremost in the dialogue; racism! Every time the left launches an attack, it starts with this spurious charge. Sharpton claims Limbaugh is a racist at every occasion; he claims Limbaugh is divisive, yet, was it not Sharpton who accused Glenn Beck of hi-jacking "our day" last August. By "our day" does he mean a day that is limited to certain Americans and not others? That seems to be divisive to me! The quotes from Limbaugh's show were talking about "reparations" to former slave families. The generation that owned slaves, has long since died away. The current programs provided to all minorities are more than adequate to give aid to all who need it.

Sharpton wants the FCC to refuse Limbaugh the right to speak over public air waves. Old Al doesn't like what Rush is saying on the radio. I've listened to Rush Limbaugh for a number of years, and I can understand why Al doesn't like him. He and Rush are polar opposites politically. The extreme liberal doesn't want America to hear any conflicting opinions from the conservatives in the media. The charge of racism is a joke, but it always gets attention. I'm sure if Mr. Sharpton could have his way, not only would Mr. Limbaugh be banned, but also Beck, Hannity, Mike Reagan and every other conservative on planet earth.

Sorry Rev.: that First Amendment is for everybody. As long as Joy Behar, Bill Maher, Ed Schultz and the rest of the leftist fanatics have a piece of the air waves, Rush can have his piece too! Free speech is a two way street Al, deal with it!

"Daily Routine"

I got up at around 5:00AM this morning, pretty regular for me. Simon, my dog, was ready for food and a walk. We went downstairs and he waited patiently as I filled his food bowl and changed his water dish. After he ate, we went outside. It was cold and crisp at 5:00 am; it was quiet, very still. I saw the grey pick-up truck that always goes by on our morning walk, I saw our newspaper delivery lady and waved as she went by; she's very nice. Simon picked out some prime property and did his business. We cleaned up and went home. This is a normal start of most of my days. Each of us has a routine, a regular way of doing things, familiar actions which we become accustomed to in our daily lives. I don't like to vary from my daily routine. I like having a set schedule in order to accomplish the things I want to during the course of a day.

We like the security of "the usual thing" each day. I like my morning coffee, the news on television and a regular breakfast. Children rise, complain, get dressed and go to school; they even have their set routines each day. Sometimes the smallest thing can change the entire outlook for us on any given day. A late newspaper, running out of coffee or missing a bus can alter our attitude for the rest of our day.

Sixty-nine years ago, on a Sunday, people of America got up and began their daily routines. Some were cooking breakfast, some were on their way to church and some were just rising from sleep. No one was expecting anything unusual to happen on that day. America was at peace. We were sending help to our friends in England, as they battled the NAZI threat, but we weren't militarily involved in the conflict in Europe. On a balmy morning in our furthest western territory, it was peaceful; our Pacific Fleet was resting comfortably in Pearl Harbor when the Imperial Japanese Navy launched an unprovoked attack on the United States. We were caught flat-footed, like a boxer not expecting to be hit. Japanese fighters gave us a devastating body blow; we didn't see it coming.

Across America, the news spread like wildfire. America went from peaceful routine to anger, sorrow and resolve. It is rumored that Hitler was extremely upset with the Japanese; he didn't want America in the war just yet. The Empire of Japan awakened a sleeping giant and now they would incur his wrath. The act of the Japanese probably was the key to the Allied victory in WWII. Had we not entered the war at that time, Hitler could have achieved victory in Europe; Britain couldn't have held out very much longer. Without a free England, we would have nowhere to launch an invasion on the European Continent; then Europe belonged to Hitler. In a way, the Japanese helped us save the world by their ill-advised aggression on that December morning. They disrupted our "routine" and changed the course of history. America woke up and the world benefited. I hold those members of that GREATEST GENERATION in high esteem, because of them, we are still America today!

"IT'S OUR MONEY,NOT YOURS!"

When I was in the Army I had to take classes in first aid. One never knows what type of injuries you will encounter on the field of battle. Obviously, gun-shot wounds and shrapnel from explosions are the most common wounds. There are also wounds caused by punji sticks that were coated with excrement to cause infection, even broken bones were fairly common when falls and trips took place while climbing and walking in difficult terrain. Every soldier has some training in order to help a fallen comrade in times of trouble until medical help can be rendered by a doctor in a field hospital. All that attention is done in order to not make a bad situation worse than it already is. No soldier is left untreated on a battlefield regardless of the severity of his wounds; all efforts are made to ease the pain of any casualty of a conflict.

As a nation ,we are on an economic battlefield. The casualties of this battlefield are the unemployed and the American taxpayer. We are over-taxed and under served by our government. We currently send billions of dollars overseas in foreign aid; some is sent to nations that publicly preach against American policy. When our economy is in such a dire state, why are we sending American taxpayers' money to people who stand against us in the international forum? I think it would be a good idea to "cut them off"; let those who support their disdain for America send them the aid they seem to so desperately need! Strangely, we seem to be asking our taxpayers to take on additional burdens in the trimming of our giant deficit, rather than to cease in the disbursement of American funds to foreign lands.

Recently, President Obama has appointed a deficit panel to find ways to trim our debt and combat this failing economy. He has also extended a ban on drilling for oil in our southern gulf. The deficit panel has suggested that we add a tax to fuel. Any economist worth his salt will tell you that added fuel cost will drive up cost on all goods, and add to an inflationary spiral that America will soon face because of the printing of more dollars by the Fed. The failure to pursue more fuel in our gulf will cause us to be more dependent on foreign sources, and send a message to those oil producers to kick up those fuel prices to the United States. If we need to generate more tax, why not raise import taxes on foreign goods, including fuel. As long as we are going to be slaves to OPEC, let's get some tax money from them; not the stressed American taxpayer. Additional taxes, on any level to the American people is a STUPID IDEA! Added tax stifles investment; when investment is stifled the economy suffers, and recovery is slowed. Putting additional funds in the hands of an overgrown bureaucracy will not help the American people. I believe by now we have to admit that the "Stimulus" has stimulated little except for government jobs, which do very little for the GNP.

Mr. Obama, please stop throwing American dollars away! The American taxpayer will spend it more wisely than any bureaucrat. IT'S OUR MONEY, AND WE NEED IT NOW!!

"True Believers?"

I have been a fan of the Chicago White Sox for a very long time. In 1959, my bedroom wall was covered with clippings from the Chicago Tribune about the Sox. I have a framed picture of Al Lopez, after the Sox won the pennant. I have pennants from each time the Sox won the division. I have Pizza Hut place mats with former Sox players on them. I have an official ball from the 2005 World Series; a prized possession. I have seen the best and the worst from the "South-Siders". I remember sitting at Comiskey Park and watching Wilbur Wood blow a seven run lead against the Texas Rangers; the "knuckler" didn't work that day.

In 2005, my White Sox won the World Series; I was emotional. All my life I was waiting for this prize; the crown jewel of baseball. All my life I saw the Sox treated as the second child of Chicago baseball; the poor cousin of the CUBS. Strangely, after the World Series in '05, Sox fans appeared from everywhere, suddenly being a Sox fan was in fashion. I had no problem with Mayor Daley cheering the Sox on, as he is a life-long Sox fan. It was the "band wagon jumpers" that really bugged me. I believe you should "stick to your guns" if you truly believe in something; it speaks well of your character.

Since the mid-term elections, I've seen an amazing transformation in the Democratic Party. Suddenly I see fiscal conservatism flowing from the mouths of the spenders. Those same folks who voted for Obamacare, driving us into a financially unsound program, are preaching budget cuts and common sense spending. Who are these people? I know this isn't only applicable to Democrats; there are plenty of Republicans who operate in the same manner and I find it disgusting. I feel this is a disservice to those who voted for these people with a certain expectation of philosophical truth. I honestly believe if there had been an overwhelming Democratic victory in November, we would be seeing the polar opposite views from some of these "converts" to conservatism. Where is the strength of character we should expect from our elected officials? Even our President seems to be "changing his spots", spouting financial responsibility, after his policies have plunged us into an abyss of fiscal nightmares.

Who are these new "fans"? Where were they when the "team was in trouble"? Are their principles so easily compromised that they will "jump off the band wagon" at the slightest sign of trouble, and so quickly jump on the opposing "band wagon" in an effort to be with the "winners"?

As Americans, we must now keep a watchful eye on these new "believers". We need to make sure they are who they say they are. We don't need "pseudo-cons", we don't need "pretenders". Let's see who are the "True Believers".

"It's All About Choice"

As most of you know, I like sports. World Series, Super Bowl, NBA Play-offs and boxing matches are pretty high on my priority list when it comes to my television choices. I also like the History Channel, as history is one of my interests. As most of you must have surmised, I also watch the news on a regular basis. Breaking news will sometimes take precedence over viewing a sporting event or a documentary. Immediate importance is the dictating factor when making those choices. As responsible people, we make choices every day; what to eat, what to wear, routes to work etc. Some choices are made for fun, some are made for necessity. We are sometimes judged by the choices we make during important situations. I don't remember what movie this quote is from, but I find it quite telling when some folks face unpleasant decisions: "I don't believe I'll think about that today". Choosing to ignore bad situations will not make them go away, and pushing them to the rear in your priorities will only show fear and indecision.

Once again, WIKILEAKS is in the news. It seems that this outlaw website is publishing American classified information once again. WIKILEAKS masquerades as a guardian of the oppressed, when in reality, it is an organization engaged in espionage and criminality. More delicate military information is again revealed to our enemies, more revealed delicate diplomatic conversations are now giving America an aura of incompetence in security methods. WIKILEAKS has yet to be pursued for prosecution by the United States for this invasion into our national security. Not a single charge has been filed by Attorney General Eric Holder; our Justice Department continues to sit on its hands while our nation is put into continued jeopardy by this rogue organization!

Well, good news is afoot; Eric Holder is springing into action! Yes America, our dedicated Attorney General is in "hot pursuit" on an important and pressing issue of great national importance. Is it the voter intimidation? Is it pursuing illegal drug dealing aliens? Is it the prosecution of 911 terrorists? No America; it is the pursuit of the World Cup in 2022 in Switzerland! Yes America, once again Barack Obama is totally clueless in his priorities of national importance. Obama believes it is more important to send our Attorney General to Switzerland on a quest for games that will take place in twelve years, then for him to remain in the United States pursuing prosecution against WIKILEAKS! Why is Barack Obama so totally clueless? What does he see that the rest of the American people don't? I, for one, don't care whether we acquire the World Cup in 2022 or not! I do want WIKILEAKS prosecuted for breaching American security as quickly as possible! When will Mr. Obama get it? Will Mr. Obama ever get it? This is all about choices and priorities; where are Barack Obama's choices and priorities?

"Winner or Wiener!"

Vince Lombardi, 96-34-6; Don Shula, 328-156; George Halas, 321-142-31; Hall of Fame Coaches of the National Football League are the models most coaches choose to emulate when they embark on a career in football. These names are among the "cream of the crop", when one speaks of the very best who ever called a play. Their faces are emblazoned in sculpture in Canton, Ohio; they hold places of honor and, they are well deserved.

Matt Millen, 31-97; Marion Campbell, 34-80-1; David Shula, 19-52; Joe Bugel, 24-56; David McGinnis, 17-40; who are these men? They would be in the "football hall of shame", if one existed. They are not alone in their futile attempts to become a head coach in the NFL; there are many men who have pursued this path but have "come up short". I don't think I've ever heard a new coach say "I'd like to be Rod Marinelli", poor Rod went 0-16 as a head coach in Detroit; not much to brag about. Names like Halas and Lombardi are often the icons referred to by fledgling coaches when they assume the mantle of power on an NFL team. Nobody is calling Matt Millen for advice on how to run a championship caliber team! Poor Matt has a history of bad decisions!

Currently, there is a crisis in Korea. The communist lunatic from the north has attacked the democratic south. A provocative act has caused an atmosphere of unrest that is being felt around the world. The United States is a staunch ally of the South Korean government, and is obligated to come to her aid. South Korea has been under constant threat from the north for a very long time, and North Korea is itching to use their military and nuclear power to intimidate their southern cousins. The big question is: how will America respond to this threat to a democratic ally? Who will America look to for advice in a volatile situation?

Last week, former President Jimmy Carter, was seen at the White House. It seems Mr. Carter was scheduled for meetings with National Security Advisor, Tom Donilon. No subjects to be discussed were released to the public. Carter had been previously been a guest at the White House, in 2009 he visited President Obama and National Security Advisor, James Jones. I must assume Mr. Obama believes Carter is a good source of counsel when it comes to foreign conflict and military advice.

I remember the Carter administration with dread. I remember 444 days of captivity at the Iranian Embassy. I remember a failed rescue attempt that gave our military a black eye in front of the entire world. I remember the release of those hostages on the day Ronald Reagan was inaugurated; a real slap to Carter. Jimmy Carter is no "hall of famer" when it comes to national security; his ineptitude is legendary. Why is Mr. Obama consulting him? This is the equivalent of Mike Ditka calling Abe Gibron for advice! Mr. Obama would be better served to look at the actions of Ronald Reagan, than the failed policies of Jimmy Carter. One is a winner, the other is a wiener!

"Select Company!"

Are you easily led? Do you always follow the leader in every instance? I think most Americans are pretty independent in their thinking, and we don't like to be thought of as "lemmings" that will follow the pack "over the cliff". When I was in school, most of my teachers encouraged independent research and thought on their subjects. You could get extra credit from some teachers if you proved you actually took time to do additional research on specific projects. I liked history very much, so additional reading wasn't much work for me. History and English were my favorite classes; although math and science were never much fun for me: I gave them my best shot. I would often read sections of my geometry books over and over again to try to grasp the "beauty of geometry"; although it often escaped me. I would use the high school library and our community library when working on term papers in order to get the most viewpoints on the subjects I was researching. One author or teacher can never give you a complete picture of any academic pursuit; the more knowledge the better! If a teacher tells you to disregard the teachings of others, it should raise a "red flag" about that teacher; he is trying to close off your mind!

"The chief function of propaganda is to convince the masses, whose slowness of understanding needs to be given time so they may absorb information; and only constant repetition will finally succeed in imprinting an idea on their mind", Joseph Goebbels, Minister of Propaganda under Adolph Hitler. Mr. Goebbels job was the management of the minds of the people of Germany, and silence those who opposed the NAZI philosophy. Literature, music, newspapers and public events were censored by Mr. Goebbels organization. There was also an attempt to censor mail and private conversation. Violation of NAZI policy could result in deportation, imprisonment and even death in a concentration camp. News management is a bad thing. Limited information is a bad thing!

Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va) expressed his opinion on cable news outlets recently. His idea of free expression is to ask the F.C.C. to shut off MSNBC, FOX NEWS and other cable news outlets. I guess too much information seems like a dangerous thing to Senator Rockefeller. He said "It would be a big favor to political discourse; to our ability to do our work here in Congress....". I find the Senator's statements very disturbing. What work is he doing in Congress that outside examination would cause it damage? When are less examination and less knowledge better? Narrow viewpoints lead to starvation of the mind. Whether conservative or progressive, all opinions and all facts must be open to examination in the public forum. When Mr. Rockefeller makes these types of remarks, he should be very careful as he is putting himself in some very "select company". I hope he doesn't want to be the next "minister of propaganda"!

"You Don't Have to Believe"

Darth Vader, Dracula, Goldfinger, Snidley Whiplash and Ming the Merciless are all well known villains of screen and literary fame; to Bears fans, the Green Bay Packers are our favorite villain. We go to movies and boo the bad guys and villains with gusto. We give cat-calls to opposing teams in support of our athletic teams with vigorous chants and insults. It's fun to cheer the heroes and curse the villains in all those venues. We all like the "Good Guys", and we all love to hate the "Bad Guys". We like the virtues of those heroic characters in movies and novels; and we all think the "home team" is more virtuous than the opposition. At times, some teams and people are demonized to help us feel better about ourselves. We all contain the elements of villain and hero within us; and none of us want to admit to the villain part.

We are now entering the Christmas season; we are now, once again, seeing the beginnings of the "Christmas attacks" by those who resent Christianity. I'm sure I will hear from Bill Maher sometime during this Christmas season; he is certainly one of the most vocal of the Christian haters in America. Rosie O'Donnell is another Christian hater and I'm sure her perverse opinions will be displayed again. Now, the American Atheists are being heard from with a string of billboards demeaning Christmas. "Season of Reason" and "It's a Myth!" are featured on some of these road signs. Oddly, I never saw a sign from those atheists about Islam. Why don't those haters attack the Muslim faith with the same vigor with which they vilify the Christian believers? Is it possible that you can say anything you like about Christians, but Islam is off limits when it comes to any type of criticism?

I've never heard of a price being put on the heads of anybody who drew a cartoon about Jesus, or a television show being afraid of posting "satirical" visions of Jesus. We have a double standard in this nation when it comes to our attitudes about Islam and Christianity. As a Christian, I'm offended when I see those disrespectful portrayals of my Savior, yet as an American, I understand the free speech principles that are involved. Oddly, Mohamed is totally above any type of "satire" or criticism in the same forums which so freely vilify Jesus. Where is the ACLU when this "hate speech" is directed against Christianity?

We all want Santa Claus, Rudolph and Frosty the Snowman during the Christmas Season; yet, we don't seem to want the Jesus part of it. I believe America needs a history lesson: Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus! If you don't believe in Jesus, then don't celebrate, you have no need to; He's not a Savior you believe in! If you don't have the marbles to criticize Islam, then don't criticize Christianity either. Oh, by the way, for those of you who believe in Jesus, MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

"Memories and Thanksgiving"

A week from today is "Thanksgiving Day"; I can't wait! A great meal, a loving family and the NFL all in one day, what could be better than that!!?

Thanksgiving Day is unique to America, although I think Canada also has one. Those first settlers suffered through some pretty tough times that first year; sickness and the elements took their toll on those pilgrims. I'm sure if they knew what the New England climate was like, they would have opted to go further south; no Weather Channel to scan back then. They persevered and found a home in North America. Those settlers learned all about self reliance and trusting God in all situations. The only "welfare program" they had was the goodness of their neighbors and the providence of God. With all the trials those folks faced, they still took time to thank God and celebrate His goodness. We could all take a cue from those faithful pilgrims.

I walked around my house this morning to our small library, where I sometimes sit and read. It is quiet and cozy there; I have several bookcases with all types of books. One case is basically all history books, with some biographies mixed in. Another case is Theology and religion, with several study volumes and bibles in it, plus some books on other belief systems. I spend some time in these books, as I am an elder in our church and it helps me to be well versed when questioned by members of our congregation. I have a couple of shelves that are filled with sports books; football, baseball and boxing are prominent subjects in my sports interests, and I really enjoy reading about them. I have some opinion books on those shelves also, mostly conservative as many of my readers could probably have guessed. My favorite bookcase contains family albums and yearbooks. Those volumes contain something all my other books don't; a pictorial history of all the people I have loved in my entire life: my Wife, Daughter, Mom, Dad, Brothers and Sisters, plus countless friends, all of whom which I hold dear to my heart. Those pictures recall numerous birthdays, Christmases, Thanksgivings and anniversaries of the past. When I look at those pictures, it is like stirring up a huge soup pot and watching all the ingredients circle to the top; the ingredients of my life. I have favorite pictures that make me laugh or bring up a tear or two. I thank God for the inventor of the camera. I hope each of you have family albums to look at; remembrances of the best times of your lives. Those are the things we need to remember when we sit down to Thanksgiving dinner next week. Remember to look around the table at those faces seated near you, these are your most precious to you, always remember how they look and carry them in your heart.

We, who have loved ones close, are most blessed by God and we should never forget that. We, who live in a free nation, have much to be thankful for and we should continue to be thankful for that. I hope all of you have a glorious Thanksgiving Day next week. Enjoy your dinner, have fun with the football games, and tell the ones you love how much you love them. Be blessed!

(This is my last blog until a week from Monday. I will be celebrating for a few days with those I love!)

"Good-Time Charlie!"

When you were little, did you ever had the "shame, shame" finger pointed at you? I remember several occasions where I had that dreaded gesture pointed toward me. This is the punishment used on the very young when they do something wrong and get caught. I've seen little ones reduced to tears when confronted with this embarrassing moment. The next punishment level after that was standing in the corner. This bit of toddler exile was pretty tough, especially if one has siblings to taunt you during your term of separation. Going to your room was the next step in the punishment ladder for those youthful transgressions. Today, if you send a child to their room, you have to have stipulations; no television, no computer, no cell phone and no music. Back when I was a little kid, all I had in my room was a bed and a dresser, with some scattered toys on the floor, which I was told not to play with. I couldn't bring in a book; no distractions were allowed. I was supposed to think about what I had done: most of the time I spent feeling sorry for myself, and blaming someone else for my "sentence" in the bedroom. Corporal punishment was saved for the most severe offenses, and was given rarely. The worst thing one could do was to show disrespect to an elder of any household. This was usually met with immediate punishment at the speed of a "heat seeking missile".

Yesterday, Charlie Rangel was found guilty of numerous ethics violations by the House Ethics Committee. Rangel has been the Chairman of the House Ways and Means Commission for a very long time; perhaps the most powerful seat in the House other than Speaker. "Good-Time Charlie" was found guilty of tax avoidance and hiding "special favors' while he was in control of much of America's money. Charlie's violations run into the millions of dollars in fraud and tax evasion. Poor Charlie walked out on Ethics Committee hearings two days ago, citing his lack of legal counsel. For nearly two years, Charlie has been aware of these charges, and did have a legal team which resigned from his case. Evidence must have been found by Charlie's former legal team, and that evidence must be made available to any new council Charlie would hire. With the many influential friends Charlie has, I'm sure he could get a qualified attorney with little delay, yet Charlie chose not to do so. Charlie, it seems, has retreated to his "bedroom" in protest of his impending punishment. Sadly, the probable outcome of Charlie's guilty verdict will be a minor slap on the wrist from his Congressional colleagues.

Eric Holder can bring charges against Rangel for tax fraud, but that is unlikely. As we have seen in the past, this administration picks and chooses who they will charge and who they won't! If you or I did the things Mr. Rangal has been found guilty of, we would be spending some serious time in Federal Prison.

Is Congressional Censure really a fair punishment for the breach of the public trust that Rangel has committed? Is the "shame, shame, shame" finger all that we will see for "Good-Time Charlie? Those in power should be held to the same standard as the citizens of this country when they violate its laws. If anything, public officials should receive the maximum punishments, for they have cheated every person in the United States when they decided to "work the system". Perhaps the Congress should revoke Charlie's Congressional pension; I'll bet that would send a message to those who are contemplating taking Charlie's path.

"Celebrate???"

Remember Rex Grossman, he was the quarterback who led the Bears to the Super Bowl in 2006? Rex is now a back-up, I think in Washington. Rex's claim to fame was that '06 Super Bowl, since then, not much interest has been exhibited toward "Sexy Rexy". As a fan of the Bears, I had hope for a victory in '06, but the reality of Peyton Manning took that dream away. The Colts were the best team on that Sunday, and the weakness of Rex was obvious to all of us who love the Bears. Rex was personable enough; he had a boyish charm at the press conferences, and he was a runner-up for the Heisman Trophy. Young girls all liked "Sexy Rexy"; his face was on posters and in commercials. For a while, he was being compared to Bret Favre, later he was compared to someone who needed a guide dog. He had some last minute heroics to win some games that were interspersed with costly interceptions that were an early warning of what was to come from the hands of "Sexy Rexy". In the beginning of the season, sports writers were in love with Grossman; touting him as the savior at quarterback that Chicago hadn't had since Jim McMahon in 1985. I remember a writer saying "Grossman can make things happen on the field"; little did he know some of the things Rex made happen would lead to disasters on the gridiron of monumental proportions. Rex was a "flash in the pan" for part of one season. Rex couldn't produce and fan pressure ran him out of town. Not too much to celebrate in Chicago about Rex Grossman, other than his leaving. Sadly, there were no "Super Bowl" parades in Chicago in 2006; there wasn't a reason to cheer!

It has been two weeks since the mid-terms and a new Congress will be taking office in January. This has been an unusual Congressional season. Barack Obama has had the most partisan Congress I can remember in many years. Mr. Obama, with the help of Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi, has been able to push legislation without the need of non-partisan support or approval. Health-care was shoved through Congress strictly down party lines with the help of some costly earmarks to sweeten the pot for some votes. The scenes of thousands of Americans standing outside the Capitol Building in protest of the legislation went unnoticed by Ms. Pelosi as she walked out of the House with her "huge gavel" held in her hand, as a symbol of her partisan victory. It seems that the American people perceived this legislation more of a failure than a victory for the current Congress; even though it was hailed by the White House as a great triumph. Approval ratings have been falling at record rates for months on end, yet the Congress continued to move forward on an agenda that most Americans didn't want. The result of this disregard of the will of the people was an election drubbing of immense proportion. Not much to celebrate for the Democrats after this election! Oddly, Nancy Pelosi had a party to celebrate the "accomplishments" that were made by these out-going legislators. This Congress is leaving with an approval rating of around 20%; even Rex Grossman had a higher approval rating than that!

Rather than having a party, Ms. Pelosi should be holding a wake and a bereavement dinner for the passing of this Congress; it seems much more fitting. I'm afraid there won't be any parades for this Congress; but a "funeral procession" might be in order! REST IN PEACE!!

"Street Fight!"

When I was a freshman in high school, I used to walk to school with a friend who lived down the block from me. His name was Frankie "T". Frankie was almost two years older than I, and Frankie weighed about 250 pounds. Every day we would walk to a local coffee shop and have coffee before we walked to school; it wasn't "cool" to take the bus. There was another guy in school named "Big Joe", he was a body builder and had a reputation for being pretty tough. "Big Joe" was a gym leader, and led our class with calisthenics. "Big Joe" was also a bully; he would pick on anybody who was smaller or weaker than he. Frankie was big, but he wasn't muscular; he got the nickname "Rhino" and it was quite appropriate. Frankie was as strong as an ox, yet he was never a bully. "Big Joe" would walk the halls like a "tyrant king", intimidating underclassmen at every opportunity. One day, he decided to try to intimidate Frankie. There was some name calling in the halls, but nothing would be resolved until 3:10 that afternoon, in the parking lot. "Big Joe" thought his reputation would be enough of an edge to win any conflict. All afternoon, the school was abuzz with talk of the upcoming conflict, and who would emerge victorious. Back then, T-shirts and combat boots were in vogue; it was almost a uniform for "tough guys". Well, 3:10 finally showed up and the battle was ready to start. "Big Joe" started out with a verbal assault of "fat jokes". This turned out to be a strategic error; Frankie came to fight, and fight he did! He lit into "Big Joe" with the fury of a bull elephant, bowling him over and mercilessly pummeling him until four guys finally pulled him off the hapless bully. "Big Joe's" reputation couldn't save him; it had no influence over Frankie.

Last week, President Barack Obama went to the Far East on an economic tour to gain support from some Asian nations. His economic policies have already been discounted by several major European nations and some South American nations. Mr. Obama's policy of continued pursuit of higher spending by the government is rapidly losing credibility around the world. We are now monetizing our debt which will lead to runaway inflation if it is not put in check. Even the Red Chinese are telling the President to revise his economics. Mr. Obama seems to be sticking to his guns of higher spending and a new stimulus. He is still fighting extending tax cuts for all Americans, which will put further pressure on our ailing economic situation. It seems Mr. Obama is depending on his reputation as the "Great Communicator" to sell his programs to the rest of the world. The rest of the world is seeing the results of mass spending and entitlements in Greece. They are seeing the results of runaway inflation already, and know a change must be made. The President of the United States usually wields great influence in world politics and economics, yet this time, the President's "rep" isn't enough to win this "street fight".

It will take more than a "REP" to save this economic disaster; your opponent isn't buying your "rep" anymore. Mr. Obama can't back it up when it comes to the economy, here or in the rest of the world. He'd be better off backing away from this fight; or he may meet a "BAD END"!

"God's Gift"

Yesterday was "Veterans Day". I celebrated by putting out my flag and taking a long look at my home and neighborhood. I live in the greatest nation on this earth; each day I thank God for our republic, and I remember the cost of freedom. Every battlefield came with a price; the most precious gift God has given us; our lives were laid down to protect our citizens from enemies who envy our nation. Life is the only thing each of us has that cannot be replaced. I sometimes spend time looking at our photo albums. During my "trips down memory lane" I see the faces of past loved ones from my life; Mom, Dad, my brother Bill, my uncles and my grandmother Nona. Each year, the face count gets a little bigger; each year there are a few less friends to see. I even spend time looking at pictures of my old pets, they are also lost loved ones, and have left an empty space in my life. Each day I give prayer for my Daughter and my Wife; I ask for health and longevity, for their lives are precious to me. They are irreplaceable to me! Life is priceless!

A couple of weeks ago, I read an article about a Florida mother who had pleaded guilty to the shaking death of her 14 week old son! To those of us who are parents and grandparents, this is an unthinkable act. Alexandra V. Tobias, 22 year old mother, said she was playing "Farmville" on Facebook and the child's crying irritated her to the point of shaking him not once but TWICE! She faces 25-50 years in prison for second degree murder.

We have had many years now of legalized abortion; and there is always talk about the merits of euthanasia. We have retreated into our living rooms, separating ourselves from our neighbors and communities. We watch television and play video games that make the taking of human life something that seems unreal. Doctor Kevorkian was the "high priest" of assisted suicide until he went to prison for some extra assistance he gave to a follower. In the last 50 years, we seem to be devaluing human life. We seem to want to take something that is God's province and use it to our own purpose; and by doing so, we have taken His greatest creation and cheapened it. Our society has turned human life into a disposable commodity; a thing that when it becomes inconvenient, can be removed from our lives.

I have never done an anti-abortion or anti-euthanasia blog before. When I read this account of a young mother with so little regard for the life of her child, I felt I had to make a statement about the position our society has taken on the value of life. At the founding, of our nation the life expectancy was somewhere around 40 years old, and back then, life was held in high regard. Today our life expectancy is around 75, and we seem to regard that longevity as a curse instead of a blessing. We regard unborn children as an inconvenience and a burden, instead of a new life and a gift from God.

I've heard all the arguments about rape, incest and economic burdens in regard to abortion; some are compelling. On the other hand, we must ask ourselves, "Has the cure for cancer or the answer to world peace been placed in a dumpster in Harlem in a plastic bag?" The next time someone asks about abortion rights, we need to raise the question of the rights of those who are unable to speak. What have we lost?

Thank You Veterans!"

Sylvester Stallone, John Wayne and Chuck Norris have all portrayed the American serviceman at one time or another. They showed a persona of a "super hero" in their performances, able to do all types of unbelievable acts, against insurmountable odds. Fearless and larger than life is the Hollywood perception of those who take the field of battle for America in time of conflict.

What are the real American Soldier, Sailor, Marine and Airman actually like? When I was in the service, I never met any Rambos'. Most were average guys, with average families, from average American towns and cities. I would like to talk about two American servicemen today.

Alvin C. York, born on December 13, 1887 in Pall Mall, Tennessee. Alvin York: was quite a carouser and drinker in his youth; he was arrested several times for drunken brawling. Alvin was a handful, yet when his father died in 1911, he dedicated himself to the welfare of his family. Alvin's mother was a "Pacifist Protestant", a devout Christian and churchgoer. During a revival meeting in 1914, Alvin experienced a conversion, dedicating his life to Jesus and His words. Alvin didn't ask to be a "hero", he said in an interview, "I was worried clean through, I didn't want to go and kill. I believed in my bible." The man who didn't want to "go and kill" became the most decorated soldier of WWI. York, single handed, killed 28 Germans and captured an additional 132 more. This "dirt poor" bible reader received the Congressional Medal of Honor. He started out as a plain American, who rose to the occasion!

Audie Murphy, born on May 20, 1924 in Hunt County Texas, the sixth of twelve children to a share cropper father who deserted his family early in Audie's life: Audie took over the role of father to his younger siblings. He worked for $1.00 a day, picking cotton and plowing fields to support his family. Audie was known as a "crack shot" to all his neighbors. He told a friend, "Well, Dial, if I don't hit what I shoot at, my family won't eat today." Murphy's experiences during WWII were captured in the film "To Hell and Back", which documented his life. There were stories of Murphy leaving the set to weep after certain scenes; he was greatly affected. Murphy also received the Congressional Medal of Honor, along with 32 additional United States medals and citations, plus honors and medals from other allied nations. He was the most decorated soldier of WWII. He was a share cropper's son, who came from poverty to become a legend; another plain American.

In November of 1919, Woodrow Wilson declared November eleventh as "Armistice Day", to honor those who served in the "Great War for Civilization"," the war to end all wars". In 1954, Dwight D. Eisenhower declared the re-naming of "Armistice Day" to "Veterans Day", to honor all who have served their country. Giving thanks to veterans is something every American should do, regardless of where they stand ideologically. Every day of our lives in America are here, courtesy of the men and women who have chosen to take that step forward and put themselves second to the welfare and safety of the people of the United States of America. If you know a veteran, make it a point to say thank you to them; they put it all on the line for you.

(No blog tomorrow, I'm taking a day off, it's a holiday!)

"Plumber or Electrician?"

Did you ever seek advice from an expert about a problem? I used to watch my Dad whenever he did repairs around the house; I was fascinated by the way my Dad could do all of those different jobs that came up; it seemed Dad could fix anything! He had a workbench in our basement with numerous tools hanging on a peg-board. He told me, "Each tool has a specific use for each job; when you know what each tool does you will be able to make your repairs more easily." Whenever Dad was working on a home project, I was there standing close and asking a lot of questions, I'm sure there were times when Dad wished I would go and play somewhere, yet he always answered my questions with patience and good humor. My Dad had many friends who were tradesmen; plumbers, electricians and contractors. When my Dad ran into a problem he couldn't solve, he would try to consult a friend who was more knowledgeable in the field helpful to Dad's problem. My Dad had a friend named Rocco, he was a building contractor, and he was very successful. Rocco couldn't read or write, but he could tell you how to pour cement or build a wall with great expertise. Dad said Rocco could build something that would fit perfectly without being able to read a word; but he knew his business because his father was a master carpenter and he learned from his Dad. My Dad wouldn't call a plumber to do the job of an electrician; he would be smart, but not smart in the area that needed correction. Specific jobs call for specific skills.

Last week, I read an article saying that Treasury Secretary, Tim Geithner, was consulting Jon Stewart of the "Daily Show" for advice on the economy. I don't know about how you may feel about this, but I'm a little confused. Why is a Cabinet Member consulting a comedian about the state of our nation's economy, and discounting the opinion of the Republicans. A spokesman for Geithner, Steve Adamke, said "Jon Stewart is influential in America, so we took the opportunity for the two to meet and discuss the economy"; isn't this just a little disturbing? I believe Mr. Stewart is a talented humorist and does have influence over his audience, but I know nothing of his expertise in national or global economics.

We live in a nation filled with colleges and universities with numerous economics professors. We have numerous billion dollar corporations with "real world" economic experienced businessmen. We have millions of American housewives who regularly balance their home budgets. I believe all of those I have mentioned are more qualified to give economic advice than the host of a comedy show, regardless of his audience. Is this not "Pop Culture" gone wild? Mr. Geithner needs to get his advice from people who actually know what they are talking about!! When I read this, I said to myself : "It's no wonder this economy is in the shape it's in!"

Mr. Obama, you need to stop calling plumbers to do the job of electricians. Mr. Obama, your lack of experience is showing. Please call on those Americans that can actually help us out of this economic mess. We don't need "Comedy Central", this is NO JOKE!

"The Man in the Mirror!"

Do you like carnivals? I remember them touring the Chicago area when I was a kid. They had rides and games of chance that were practically impossible to win. Lights and "piped in music" were everywhere. As I walked through the carnival midway, there were mirrors that distorted one's image. You could have a huge head or a giant bottom, depending upon the mirror you chose. You could move your body up or down to change your image. You could be something you were not just by stepping in front of this mirror. It was fun changing my face and body; even though the image I saw wasn't really mine. At times, we color our childhood to make the image different than it was. We like to forget those things that weren't much fun, and we magnify those things that brought us pleasure; this is human nature. In today's life, we have a tendency to put our mistakes aside and focus on our triumphs and good decisions. There are times when we will even deny making poor choices to preserve our collective pride. The words "I don't remember doing that" is part of every one's dialogue at one time or another. We also say things like "Are you sure I said that?" We like to be winners: we like to be right all the time. We don't like to be caught on the losing side of anything; that is also human nature.

How many of you remember last summer? I remember the demonstration in front of the Capitol Building on the day that "Obamacare" was passed. Thousands of Americans stood outside urging our representatives not to pass this policy into law. Our representatives decided that they would choose to ignore those demonstrators and the polls that showed that 70% of Americans didn't want this bill passed. Last week, those same legislators found out that they should have paid more attention to the voters and less attention to agenda. I remember watching the health-care conference that Mr. Obama chaired. I remember him totally discounting every alternative that the Republican leadership proposed, and his insulting tone to John McCain, in a "school-boy" dressing down. He said at the close of that conference "I want something on my desk in the next four to six weeks", his tone was stern and dictatorial. We ended up with over 2000 pages nobody read and passed along party lines.

Last week, the mid-term election sent a message to this administration; "LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE OF AMERICA!" After the results were finally in, Mr. Obama made a speech about cooperation, and how he has made an effort to be cooperative since he took over the Oval Office. As I listened to him speak, I was astounded; this President is the most partisan I've seen since Richard Nixon. From the White House all the way to Congress, an attitude of arrogance and disdain of the Republicans has been pervasive since "Day One" by virtually every Democrat in office. Closed doors have been the accepted practice over the last twenty months by this administration; cooperation has been non-existent because of deliberate Democrat exclusion of the Republican Party in all decisions. Now, it seems Mr. Obama perceives himself as the "Great Uniter"; honestly, I don't see that anywhere in his past actions.

I think Barack Obama is standing in front of that "carnival mirror" distorting his image to fit his perception of himself. You better get a new "mirror" Mr. President. America has seen you for who you are without the aid of that "CARNIVAL MIRROR"; we saw you, WARTS AND ALL!

"Intermission Time"

In 1956, I went to the "Bug" theatre on Damen Avenue in Chicago to see Cecil B. De Mille's production of "The Ten Commandments". I was nine years old, and it cost me 20 cents to get into the movies. This was a Saturday afternoon practice I had throughout my childhood. Back then, a child could walk to the movies alone and be safe. My grandmother, Nona, would give me food to take along; this was a typical Italian practice. Back then, you could bring food into a movie house and management didn't care. The theatre was always packed with kids; you would see everybody you knew. The thing I remember about this particular movie is: it wasn't the usual Saturday fare; not horror, or science-fiction or a western; it was about the bible. Due to the ignorance of my youth, I didn't know the bible was supposed to be boring. I found it easily as exciting as the other action genres I was accustomed to. It had armies fighting for the Pharaoh, a good guy, Moses, a bad guy, Ramses and the most "super" of all "super heroes", "GOD"! This was also the first movie I saw that had an intermission in it. The "Ten Commandments" was a long movie, yet it seemed to fly by. I was a bit surprised to have a movie stop in the middle; the lights went up and then there was a mass exodus to the bathrooms and concession stand. Many of us talked about the first half of the movie, and were anxious to see the second half. Could there be more action, more fighting, more cool effects; we were all excited to see what was coming next! I'll let you guys read the book, it was better than the movie!

Tuesday was the mid-term election, the halfway point of this current administration. Now, we are at "intermission time" as a nation. How has the first half of this "production" gone so far? We've had plenty of action on both sides of this "drama". Unemployment, health-care, and high government spending have been "center stage" for almost two years. Public demonstrations that rival those of epic films have filled our screens for many months. Americans have become participants in this "epic production", playing a major "role" in its unfolding plot. There are "good guys" and "bad guys" in this play; you decide who is who. Before we got to "intermission" we've had a chance to listen to all major "role players" give a final soliloquy. Americans are now out in the lobby, discussing where this "drama" will go next. Will the "king" yield to the invading "army"? Will the "generals" of those armies make any concessions available to the "king"? A lot of discussion during "intermission"!

In reality, this is not a movie: it's all about the direction of the United States of America for the next two years. We will now see what changes will be proposed, and who will be cooperative, and who will be obstructionists. It seems a clear message was sent to the administration on Tuesday; a change was called for by the American voter. "Intermission" is almost over, and America is waiting for "part two". Is our government ready for a "CLOSE UP"?

"Double Standard!"

When I was a little boy, just starting my love affair with baseball, I had a coach who taught me a valuable life lesson. I don't think it was his intention to do so, but I learned about "double standards" from Mr. "A". I remember the day I got my first official baseball uniform, "the Barons"; my eight year old heart raced as I ran to my bedroom to try it on. I stood in front of my mirror admiring my image, with thoughts of Mickey Mantle dancing through my young mind. My Dad and I practiced catching and hitting for a long time prior to my "debut" in a real uniform, on a real team. This was the maiden voyage of my new Eddie Matthews baseball glove, given to me by my favorite Uncle Sammy. Our first team practice was all about finding out who were the best players on the squad. We all took positions on the field, and I was on fire that day, making catch after catch, retrieving ground balls like a vacuum and throwing like a rocket. I took my place at the plate and hit like Ted Williams, not missing a pitch. When I returned to the bench, my fellow team mates all congratulated me on my performance at the plate with handshakes and smiles (back then, the high five hadn't been invented yet). I went home that afternoon with visions of being on the starting nine on opening day. Well, on "Opening Day" I was in for a rude awakening, Mr. A's son started in my position on the field. Paul was a nice guy, but he was a marginal ball player at best. The guys on the bench all were surprised to see me sitting while Paul started, and in private, they all told me I got cheated. I felt bad, I knew I should have been playing; but I wasn't the coach's son. My first experience with the "double standard", and I didn't like it!

Last week, I wrote about Juan Williams and his spurious firing from NPR . The firestorm resulting from his firing was amazing. Even some of the liberals came to his defense over his mild remarks made on the "O'Reilly Factor". The figure I heard was about 60 calls to NPR in protest of Williams' remarks on O'Reilly's show. O'Reilly usually has an audience in the millions; 60 calls in protest seem rather minimal; yet, they were enough to warrant the dismissal of Mr. Williams from NPR.

Bill Maher is one of my "favorite liberals". He has made a career of castigating the right as being haters, racists and neo-Nazis. His disdain of our Constitution is well known, and his dismissal of the intelligence of the American people is well documented. Last week, Mr. Maher made some statements about Muslims in our western civilization. Maher said, "(He felt no need to) apologize for being a proud Westerner....Muslim people are in these (Western) societies having babies at faster clip than non-Muslims." It seems Mr. Maher is alluding to a Muslim plot to populate the Western World with more and more Muslim children. I'm not a Muslim, yet I find this a very divisive and insulting statement, as I believe any American would. I'd like to ask HBO if they are considering any action over Mr. Maher's statement? I guess George Soros didn't give any money to HBO. When will the "main-stream media" start using equal coverage of those issues that are so similar in content they must be connected to one another. When will this double standard cease? I guess they need the permission of George to take action!

"Legendary Victory!"

I remember Super Bowl XX with very fond memories. My Chicago Bears were awesome; they ran over the hapless Patriots like a steamroller over an ant. Those poor Patriots were never in the game. Tony Eason, the Patriots starting quarterback, was running for his life from the first minute of play; there was no place to hide from the jaws of the Bears defense. Craig James, their star running back, was held to only two yards at half time. The score at the half was 23-3 in favor of the Bears; one announcer said if, it was a fight, they would stop it. In the second half, Steve Grogan took the heat as Eason couldn't continue. Grogan fared no better than his teammate; he was pummeled mercilessly by the wall of Bear defenders. All the while this defensive devastation was taking place, the Bears offense continued to score via turnovers and drives of the entire field; it was not a good day for the New England Patriots as the Bears scored a record 46 points allowing only 10 from the Pats. To this very day, defensive coaches use the '85 Bears as the defensive "gold standard". For an entire season, this team dominated the league in legendary fashion. I remember camera shots of the sidelines of numerous games where coaches stood vigorously drawing up play after play in an attempt to find some path to victory. Only the Miami Dolphins were able to keep the Bears from having a perfect season; the only "chink" in the Bear's armor. I still watch replays of those old Bears with fond memories; victory was sweet!

Yesterday, America spoke loudly. The Democrats were sent a message by the American electorate. Like the Bears defense, the American people said "We will not allow you to move any further!" The House of Representatives were taken back in unprecedented fashion. The Senate, although remaining Democrat controlled, was certainly rocked by several key victories by Republicans. Many states elected Republican governors, 17 in all, changed from the Dems. This is a serious message to all American politicians; it is beyond Washington, it is local as well.

I hope the Republicans don't get too enamored with themselves just yet. This was more about the will of the American people than party politics. Health-care shoved down the AMERICAN THROAT was a key issue in this election. Americans don't like to be forced into anything; ask King George about that. The people flexed their muscles yesterday, like those Bear linemen in 1985, and they knocked liberal policies to the turf.

I wonder what the "Quarter Back" will do now that his "game plan" seems to be failing? Will he adjust, or will he continue a "game plan" that won't hold up? Will he end up like Steve Grogan, knocked on his butt, pounding on the ground with clenched fists, like a spoiled child throwing a tantrum?

The "second half" has just started America; a new beginning for America; a chance to take our nation back from the brink of fiscal and philosophical disaster. I hope in the coming years, I can look back on this election as the "Super Bowl Moment" for the American people. GO TEAM, GO!!

"Blue Suit and Straw Hat"

When I was a very young boy, I remember my great uncle Salvatore getting all dressed up to go to the polls and cast his vote. He looked quite the "gent", all decked out with a suit and tie, in a crisp white shirt and his straw hat perched on his head. I asked him "Zio, where are you going?" He replied to me, "I go to vote for Presidente of the United States today!" He was very proud as he walked out of the house that day; it was a great honor to be able to have a voice in the choosing of our nation's leader. Mom would go across the street to the grade school, while our upstairs neighbor, Mrs. Garrity, watched us until her return. My Dad was usually a little late coming home on Election Day; he would stop to vote on his way home from work, so our dinner was a little late that night. I don't know if it was just me, but it seemed that Dad was always a little happier after he voted. My Dad was in the service during WWII, as were all of my uncles on both sides of our family; they really understood the cost of freedom and the gift of a self- determining government of the people. I remember sitting in front of our black and white television watching the election returns. Back then, it was Edward R. Murrow and John Cameron Swazey who gave America election commentary; and America couldn't get enough of it.

Since the conception of America, we have had the privilege of voting for our leaders. Not many other nations have a system as free as ours. The precious right to vote should be guarded with all of the fervor our judicial system can muster. This year, as in previous years, we have heard rumors of voter fraud. Bus loads of people brought to polling places, given different types of "gifts", and told for whom to vote! We always hear about the voting "dead"; Cook County is famous for that constituency. As Americans, we all should be aware of these attempts to steal our process. No person has the right to intimidate or unfairly influence any voter, in any election. I hope our election judges are on their toes today. I got up at five A.M. today; I was at the polls at six A.M., I was third in line behind an older man and my lovely wife. Like my Dad I, felt happy when I walked out of the voting booth. I felt privileged to live in America.

I didn't put on a blue suit this morning, or a fine straw hat; but I did puff out my chest a bit, and pull back my shoulders. We are a fortunate people; we get to vote! Regardless of your preference, I urge everyone to vote today. America; there is no other place like it; love it and guard it, so we don't lose it! GOD BLESS OUR GREAT NATION!

"The Fuller Brush Man"

How many of you remember door-to-door salesmen? When I was a little boy, I remember the "Fuller Brush Man" calling on us during the day; his sample case holding numerous brushes for every purpose imaginable. I remember the salesman from Encyclopedia Britannica showing my mother the wonders of having this treasure of knowledge available in your own home. I recall a bible salesman who came to our house with this beautiful white bible that had a gold cross in the center of the front cover; Mom bought that. Way back when, door-to-door sales was a common practice; more wives were at home during the day and they had great purchasing power. The salesmen were all well groomed fellows, with a personable attitude and a dark blue suit; they were like clones of one another.

Today, I have a "no solicitors" sign on my front door. I don't like door-to-door sales as much as I did when I was a kid. I guess now that I'm the target, it isn't such an event to have a stranger come into my home and try to get my money! I'm also a lot more wary of people now than way back then; you never know what people are up to when they knock on the door today. I am suspicious of uninvited "visitors". I don't really know them, or what their motivation is.

It seems that George Soros, the TIDES FOUNDATION and some unions are employing criminal illegal aliens to go door-to-door campaigning for Democratic candidates. A spokesperson for OneAmerica Votes, Pramila Jayapal, said "The campaign is about empowering (illegal) immigrants who feel they cannot contribute to the campaign because they can't vote." Jayapal also said,"(illegal) immigrants really do matter, if we can't vote ourselves, we're gonna knock on doors, or get family members to vote." OneAmerica Vote receives funds from George Soros organization, the Open Society Institute, Planned Parenthood, SEIU, the TIDES FOUNDATION and several other leftist organizations. Criminal illegal aliens have no place in America's election process! This is a sinister agenda from a leftist demi-god, and his puppet organizations to steal the democratic process from the American citizenry. We have seen the results of voter intimidation in the last election by "New Black Panthers" in the 2008 election, wielding weapons in front of a polling place. This is more insidious than those "Black Panthers". This is a direct invasion into our political system, knocking at your door!

Illegal immigration is a huge issue today. It is an American decision, not a decision which should be made by those who wish to invade our nation.

Tomorrow, the people of America will go to the polls for our mid-term elections. Perhaps, this is the most important mid-term in American history; it will dictate the direction of America for a very long time. We must ask ourselves; "Who will direct America?" "Who will influence our votes?"Be careful of that door-to-door salesman America, he may be selling you something you don't really want!

"Too Much Free Candy!"

This week-end is Halloween. Candy will flow like water from countless households into "trick-or-treat bags" in every neighborhood in America. Dentists are having nightmares about the numerous fillings and drilling they will be doing as a result of our national tribute to sugar. Children are excited about roaming from one home to another for their greatest treasure, FREE CANDY! This is a real tribute to "wealth re-distribution". With six children in our house, we always had candy until spring. My mother had a big aluminum bowl that she put the fruits of our labor; she would re-fill it as we depleted it, six kids bring home a lot of candy! The chocolate always went first, after all, it was chocolate; it was followed by gum, popcorn balls, taffy, jelly beans and finally hard candy; it has the longest shelf life. Mom did her best to regulate our consumption; but it was a losing battle. At every opportunity, we would swoop down on that candy bowl, filling our cheeks with sweet pleasure. We ate and ate and ate! Then the sad day would come; the bowl got its final filling, and it didn't even fill to the top. Our well of chocolate and bubble gum was going dry, and it wasn't going to be re-filled any time soon. It was "bitter sweet" as the bowl became empty. Free candy was at an end; kids were sad.

This Tuesday is election day in America. Mid-term elections are usually mundane; little interest is exhibited in the mid-terms. The glamour of the Presidential contest certainly is more exciting to the public, as it gives America a chance to choose a new Chief Executive. This year, the mid-terms are different; national interest is the highest I've ever seen in comparison to past elections. It seems that Americans are re-examining government with a renewed interest. In twenty months, our senators and congressional representatives have been "gorging themselves" at the national "candy bowl" and there seems to be nothing left for our citizens. Our Congress has spent, spent and spent like a six year old locked in a candy store. It's not their "candy", they didn't pay for it, and the supply seems endless to them. It seems they believe they can continue to go "house to house" getting more and more "free candy".

The American "candy bowl" is down to the bottom. Our Congress wants to re-fill it with more stimulus money; our President endorses this idea. Can America continue to "fill the candy bowl" for a free spending Congress, as our economy shows no real signs of a recovery.

Halloween is a time for free candy; it is also a time of werewolves and vampires. It is getting pretty scary out there for the American taxpayer. Our Congress is ripping us apart like werewolves, and sucking us dry, like vampires on a feeding frenzy. It is time to tell Congress that the "candy bowl" is empty and it won't be filled for a long time. If we continue on this path, we will end up with a lot of "cavities" and some really painful drilling. Congress, the BOWL IS EMPTY; NO MORE CANDY FOR YOU!!!

"Giving America Away!"

I used to work for a company that required I wear an I.D. badge. The badge had my name, position and picture on it. Each person employed at the company had to wear this identification, regardless of how high up the ladder they were. Even the company owner, who would tour the facility regularly, would always wear his badge. I asked him on one occasion, "Don't they know who you are Dave?" He took it with good humor. Not just anybody could roam around the company property; we had security guards and fences to keep the area closed off to those who don't belong there. Your badge was proof of the right to be anywhere the company controlled. Every employee had to go through a hiring process to see if he or she was qualified for the position they applied to; upon hiring, they were granted the privilege of access to company property. Anybody could put on a suit or uniform and pass for an employee, so the company instituted the I.D. program. Proof of employment was a reasonable way to maintain a secure work place. I knew almost all the security people on a first name basis, yet every time I entered the facility, I was required to show my badge; it was a formality, but it made sense to make no exceptions to the rule. Only those who were entitled to be on company property; those who had fulfilled the requirements of the company, and could prove they belonged there, were able to have access to anything related to company business. They could prove they belonged there, and the company had the right to require that proof be shown on demand.

Citizens of the United States of America have certain rights and privileges that are protected by our Constitution. Just the fact that you are reading this article is proof of our free speech right. If you own a home shows your right to purchase property. If you own a company, or have a profession it shows your right to pursue happiness. Our rights are very precious and should not be taken lightly. We have an obligation to guard those rights, by exercising our right to vote. All American citizens are eligible to vote. Natural born or naturalized, you, as a citizen, have a voice in this republic. People outside this republic don't have the right to vote in any election. Every state in the union has voting requirements; each state has as its first requirement, "be a citizen of the United States of America"; this is the same in every state, no exceptions!

The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has struck down a state law, in Arizona none the less, that required proof of citizenship before allowing a potential voter to register. This spurious decision is an affront to all Americans; especially those who have fought to protect our rights. This ruling opens the door for criminal illegal aliens to "get in line" at the voting booth. Why don't we just hand out voter's cards as they cross the border? Our most precious right is being left unguarded by this irresponsible court decision! We keep a monitor at the doors of our schools to keep out intruders; to check identification so our children can remain safe. Why have we decided not to use this same common sense to protect ourselves from those who may try to steal our voting rights? Perhaps we should put out a welcome mat at our border saying "WELCOME TO AMERICA, COME ON IN AND VOTE; WE DON'T CARE WHO YOU ARE!!

"Good Evening, Mr. Bond"

I'm a great fan of the "James Bond" films and novels. Ian Flemming produced the consummate "cool under fire hero"; Bond is what every man wants to be; suave, charming, intelligent and handsome; but also fearless and dangerous to his villains. Sean Connery is the standard for all of his "replacement" Bonds. He captured all of the above characteristics and since his departure from the role, every other actor who has followed has been measured against Connery. As great a hero as Bond is, he must have a great villain to oppose him.

Ernst Stavro Blofeld, Number One, the head of S.P.E.C.T.R.E.; Special Executive for Counter Intelligence, Terrorism, Revenge and Extortion, the most evil organization on earth, what a great villain! What is the agenda of S.P.E.C.T.R.E.? WORLD DOMINATION, controlling every nation on this planet, extorting huge ransoms with a threat of violence and destruction and taking over the world's economy is the goal of this consortium of evil! S.P.E.C.T.R.E. doesn't have a political affiliation; greed and power are all that this criminal conglomerate is interested in; and will try to achieve it by any means necessary. Blofeld is cold and callous, willing to use and manipulate and kill and destroy anyone who stands in his way. He is a very powerful and evil man!

The TIDES FOUNDATION, MOVE ON.ORG, MEDIA MATTERS and now NPR are being manipulated by a living Ernst Stavro Blofeld, GEORGE SOROS!!! Soros has directly donated money to MEDIA MATTERS to do all they can to destroy and disrupt anyone who stands in the way of his liberal agenda; money is no object to this "villain"; he has billions! He has given orders to "Hold Glenn Beck and others on the cable news channel accountable for their reporting"; in reality, Mr. Soros has his personal "hit-list", and Beck and FOX NEWS are on the very top of it. Soros has accused FOX NEWS of "inciting violence" because of their conservative hosts like Beck and Hannity. In reality, neither of these men had ever advocated violence as a means to an end for any philosophy. Mr. Soros is trying to dissuade advertisers from using any FOX programming, and specifically Glenn Beck. In a statement he wrote, "I believe no responsible company should advertise on FOX NEWS due to its recent and on-going deplorable conduct". Beck has offered to devote an entire program to Mr. Soros, inviting him to bring his point of view to the public in an open forum; thus far, Soros has declined the invitation. Soros has his tentacles into so many organizations, it is nearly impossible to list them all; and each one is designed to manipulate the media and public opinion.

I don't know if Mr. Soros sits in a throne-like chair, stroking a white cat; but he certainly wields a Blofeld-like empire; and he doesn't like interference. America doesn't have a super spy-hero to rescue us; but we do have a constitution. We need to protect our free speech from George Soros, and anyone else who tries to usurp our rights through deception. It may not be S.P.E.C.T.R.E., but it's just as dangerous!

"Neil Armstrong (not the astronaut)!"

I'm a huge fan of the Chicago Bears, and I've followed them for over fifty years. I've suffered through some pretty bad seasons, and celebrated through some really good ones. The best coaches the Bears had, in my opinion were, of course, George Hallas and then, Mike Ditka. These two men captured the essence of what the Chicago Bears were supposed to be. I feel safe in saying that a vast majority of life-long fans would agree with me on the above statement. I also remember men named Neil Armstrong (not the astronaut), Jim Dooley, Abe Gibron and Dave Wanstadt. These men are not too fondly remembered by most of us who "bleed orange and blue". This group was a sorry lot whose efforts at coaching the Bears were, at best, fair and at worst, disastrous. When the Bears scratched out a victory under this group, it was usually in spite of the head coache's ability to lead! Chicago fans are pretty clear when they see a coach who can't seem to get the job done. Every radio show, every television sports show and every sports writer will first, point out every flaw of the current coaching staff and then call on Bears management to "throw the bums out". Chicago Bears fans aren't forgiving when it comes to incompetent coaching and they aren't afraid to say so! Some people say the jury is still out for the current group; most feel the "Lovie Smith Ship" has sailed and he should go the way of Dave Wanstadt. GET RID OF HIM! Sometimes the people speak loudly; he had his chance and he wasn't up to the job.

Recently there was a Gallup Poll about our current Chief Executive, Barack Obama. Unfortunately for Mr. Obama, it seems that America isn't happy with his policies or his job performance. It seems the fans are screaming on the sidelines. The poll indicates that an amazing number of Americans don't think they want Barack Obama in the White House for another term. The poll says 54% of Americans say Obama should be a ONE TERM PRESIDENT! This poll shows a consistent drop of approval of Obama's job performance since he took office in January of 2009. To be honest, Ronald Reagan faced similar poll numbers when he was two years into his first term. Still, Mr. Obama must be aware of this loss of public confidence in his leadership ability. It appears Mr. Obama's far left agenda and his lack of real experience is causing Americans to re-think their choice of 2008. The blatant disregard by his administration to the will of the people seems to be having an impact on America's perception of a second term for Barack Obama. As Lovie Smith seems to be losing the support of Bear's fans, Barack Obama seems to be losing his support from the American people.

Is Barack Obama the "Neil Armstrong (not the astronaut)" of the Presidency? Will "fan pressure" cause Mr. Obama to be fired by "management" in two years? He needs a win desperately, but the opposition looks pretty tough! Does America need a NEW HEAD COACH!

"An Honorable Man"

Have any of you ever been in an uncomfortable position? Have you ever worried about how, whatever you would say would be misinterpreted? Have you ever had misgivings about how you stated an opinion? "Does this dress make me look fat?" NEVER ANSWER THAT QUESTION! Comments about any controversial subject will stir up the "public pot". Howard Cosell got in a ton of trouble many years ago by calling a receiver a "monkey" as he ran toward the end-zone on a touchdown run. Cosell was a liberal man; one of the few who stood behind Muhammad Ali, when Ali was stripped of the heavyweight title for refusing the draft. Howard used an expletive that was found to be offensive by a segment of the population and he was called on the carpet for it. Cosell was not a bigot by any stretch of the imagination. Cosell was verbose about anything he believed in; at times, he could be abrasive, but he was always honest in his words. ABC took Howard to task, but they didn't "throw him under the bus" to be politically correct. Howard Cosell was good for ABC, he offered the public something they liked; an unvarnished opinion, HONESTY.

Last week, NPR fired Juan Williams for making statements on "The O'Reilly Factor" on FOX NEWS. It seems Mr. Williams said something offensive about people wearing Muslim garb on an airplane, and he felt a little uncomfortable about it. I have a question for all my readers: have you ever driven through a "questionable" neighborhood and rolled up your car windows and locked your doors, because you had mixed feelings about being there? I have done this; yet, I don't believe this makes me a bigot. I believe it makes me a human being.

Juan Williams is a liberal, one of the most reasonable people I've ever listened to on the left. I believe he is an honorable man. I believe he is a HUMAN BEING! I've never heard him lose his cool on camera; he is a deliberate thinker who defends his positions with logic and fact. I rarely agree with Juan Williams; but, I would certainly enjoy an evening of conversation with him. He knows his "stuff"!

Oddly, on the night he made his "terrible statement", he also said it was important not to lump all Muslims together with Muslim terrorists and NPR chose to ignore that part of his appearance. NPR CEO, Vivian Schiller said "....his remarks on The O'Reilly Factor this past Monday were inconsistent with our editorial standards and practices..."; I guess honest opinion isn't part of NPR's standards and practices. NPR has told Williams in the past that they weren't thrilled with his appearances on any FOX venue, and he was asked specifically not to identify himself as a member of the NPR staff when on FOX programming.

This most reasonable man lost his job over a trumped up charge! In reality, Juan Williams lost his job because he went on FOX NEWS. NPR used this mild statement about uncomfortable feelings as an excuse to fire an honorable man. I'm afraid this may only be the beginning of a storm that will cover America over the next several months. There are people of influence who don't like FOX and are willing to go to extreme lengths to muzzle this news organization. Later this week, I will expand on these feelings, and who I feel is lurking in the shadows. America, be particular about what you listen to, make sure it's not being managed by someone else trying to usurp your first amendment!

"Nowhere Man!"

As I grow older, I've noticed that many classic rock songs are now being used for commercials. Autos, soap, clothing and many other products are using old rock favorites to sell their products. For some crazy reason, I feel a little offended that these great songs have been relegated to commercial jingle status. When I recall my high school days, I remember countless hours spent listening to the radio and relishing in the "golden age of rock-n-roll". Words and music were very important back in the 1960s. The "Beatles" set the standard of excellence in the music industry; they spoke to a generation in a way that made music more than just entertainment. Each phrase, each word, had special and deliberate meanings to those of us who were fans of the "Fab Four". "Let It Be, A Day in the Life, Come Together, Yesterday, Nowhere Man", the words used in those songs and countless others are forever burned into the memories of a generation. I don't think John Lennon would be too pleased to hear his lyrics used to promote a feminine hygiene product! That poetry that was put to music was meant for something more than schilling for soap suds. Great words should never be compromised!

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed, by their Creator, with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness." Those are some pretty good words, are they not? I'm pretty sure Thomas Jefferson didn't want those words messed with. I'm sure he didn't want any part of that statement altered in any way. This first sentence of our Declaration of Independence is sacrosanct, it gives the principles and beliefs of our founding fathers; it should be quoted properly, leaving out nothing, and changing nothing!

It seems that our President, Barack Obama, doesn't know the words of the preamble to the Declaration of Independence. Mr. Obama has consistently left out the words "by their Creator", on more than one occasion while making speeches. On three separate instances, Mr. Obama has "forgotten" the phrase "by their Creator" at speaking engagements. I find this purposeful omission insulting to our "Founding Fathers". Does Barack Obama think he can improve on the Declaration of Independence? Does Barack Obama find the phrase "by their Creator" offensive? Either way, as an American, I feel insulted by this show of arrogance and elitism from this President!

Some things should never change. Some things cannot be improved upon. These words are far more important than any "classic rock song"; they reflect the core beliefs of our nation. Upon those words, all of our freedoms are built. Mr. Obama, don't deviate from our core beliefs, regardless of your personal feelings. READ ALL THE WORDS!!!!

(This is my last blog this week, see you on Monday)

"Tall Tales"

"Saturday Night Live" used to have a character called the "compulsive liar", played by John Lovitz. He was hilarious as he would go on and on spouting about all of his achievements and conquests. I remember him talking about his girlfriend, Morgan Fairchild, and how he won at Wimbleton. His tall stories were so far out there, they were legendary. I read a book when I was a boy called "Tall Tales and Legends"; it told the stories of "Pecos Bill", "John Henry" and "Paul Bunyan" plus some others. This was a favorite of mine as I grew up. Obviously, there was no giant lumber-jack or cowboy who could straighten out a river, but these tales were fun and magical to a nine year old boy. As I grew older, I liked to read about the Greek myths; you know, the stories of the gods on Mount Olympus, who could cast down lightening or turn men into pigs with magic spells. I knew these stories weren't true, but they were certainly fun to read. I don't think anybody in Greece still believes that those Greek gods were real, but I'm sure they enjoy those stories as part of their heritage. When I attained a certain age of maturity, I took an interest in history, which I still carry today. Oddly, history must be factual or it turns into tall tales; it loses its validity. Testimony, documentation, films and physical evidence are used to validate historical fact.

Today, we have people, like that lunatic in Iran, who deny the "Holocaust", making ridiculous claims that it never happened. I had an uncle, who liberated the concentration camps in Germany; believe me, this really happened! General Eisenhower said, when inspecting a camp, "This is the only time I've been ashamed of my last name." I've seen the military films of most of these camps, and the devastation is beyond belief. My daughter visited a camp on her trip to Europe and saw the relics of this insanity. IT WAS REAL!

Currently, there is an associate professor of English, Kaukab Siddique, at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania spouting hatred toward Israel, and calling for its destruction. He is a tenured professor who has influence over hundreds of young minds on a daily basis. He denies the "Holocaust" as a "hoax" and was "invented", he also said "(there is) not even one document (proving it happened)". He said, "Jews have taken over America by devious and immoral means". This man would have made Hitler proud, as he said, "It is obvious to us that Zionism is genocide. It's is obvious to us that Zionism is terrorism." Lincoln University received nearly 200 million dollars in state funding since 2003. What a great use for taxpayers' money it is to contribute to a salary for this bigoted moron! Siddique spoke out saying "When I refer critically to the Jews, I am reffering to the current leadership..", he denies being anti-Semitic saying his views "...conform to the ideals and principles that founded Lincoln University". Wow; don't send your kids there!!

Tall tales are fun; spreading hatred and prejudice are not. Tenured positions in any university are not a license to lie! Don't we have laws regarding "Hate Speech" in America? If we come to the aid of gay Americans and black Americans when confronted by this type of bigotry, why are we not pursuing some "hate speech" prosecution of this evil man? He is not telling tall tales! He is promoting lies that lead to death!

"Clean and Sober!"

Have you ever seen anyone who was mentally impaired because of drink or drugs? Alcohol and drug use can cause an individual to do things they wouldn't normally do in a sober condition. When I was younger (much younger), I did my share of drinking. The "singles bar" scene was in full swing and I spent many evenings at some of Chicago's plentiful selection of "meat markets" in search of some "fun". Even back then, I was an observer of people; watching people can be fascinating most of the time; especially when they decide to disengage their brains with a few cocktails. Some people decide they are funnier than they really are, they tell long pointless stories and forget the "punch-line" before they finish, and then they laugh because they forgot. Some men become "braver" than they would be under sober conditions; loud and obnoxious really isn't tough; look out for the "quiet guy", he usually is tough. Girls are always the target in a singles bar. I use the word target for one reason; men who want a girl in a singles bar is looking for a trophy; not a girl friend. The "wise" girl will get as many free drinks as they can and go home; the "unwise" girl may go somewhere she shouldn't, and end up doing something she could regret. A memory that has stuck in my mind for many years was when I was at "Butch McGuire's" outside of the Chicago area, in the suburbs. The bar was crowded with young men and women and as the night went on, the liquor was making its effects very evident on the partiers. There was a young girl with her back to me across the room; she had beautiful long, brown hair, and she was involved in conversation with a young guy. Behind this girl was a guy who was in "his cups", as the English say; he was BLASTED! I knew something bad was about to happen when he reached for the girl's hair. "Butch McGuire's" had these huge "bouncers", and they took no poor behavior lightly. Well, our drunken friend lifted this poor girl's beautiful long hair to his nose and "cleared out his sinuses". Her escort's eyes widened in disbelief; at the same time two of the bouncers observed the incident. Before the escort could step in, our drunken friend was whisked out the door to the parking lot; where he was promptly thrashed and sent on his way. Unclear thinking has its consequences!

It seems that some Americans, according to Barack Obama, aren't "thinking clearly". This is what Mr. Obama said in his "view from the Oval Office" to several reporters. As recent political polls have indicated, Mr. Obama's policies are not being well received by the majority of Americans; and the upcoming election is showing a definite trend toward a more conservative government. Associated Press said "President Barack Obama's winning coalition has crumbled and his core backers are dispirited". Perhaps they are starting to "sober-up". After nearly two years in office, 25% of those who voted for Barack Obama seem to be defecting to the right. Is America thinking more clearly today, as they see what two years of Democrat control has done? Mr. Obama wants to continue on the course he has plotted; America doesn't. As we close in on November, we need to continue to think clearly. We need to ask ourselves, "Am I scared, or am I sober?" Obama's intoxication is wearing off, and clear eyes can see what has been done. I believe clear thinking is Mr. Obama's enemy. Don't "belly-up to the bar" America! It's our turn to be the "BOUNCERS"!

"Cliff Ahead! Change Direction QUICK!"

How many of you remember James Dean? This young star is still hailed today for his intensity and skill on the screen. Unfortunately, Dean's career was cut short by his premature death in an automobile accident. The term "speed kills" was certainly true for the young actor when a drunken driver and the lightening fast speed of Dean's Porsche were added together. Trying to avoid the impaired driver, Dean lost control of his vehicle and America lost a rising star with the potential of Brando or Orson Welles. In the movie "Rebel Without a Cause", one of the pivotal scenes was the "chicken race". In this scene, two cars race toward a cliff to test the nerve of each driver; whoever jumps from their car first was the "chicken". The horror of this scene is, when in trying to leap from his car, Dean's rival gets his jacket caught on the door handle, and his car races over the cliff while he frantically is trying to free himself. The crowd stood petrified, frozen in horror, then, they all ran for their lives, trying to escape the realization and the responsibility of what had just happened. This film is hailed as one of Dean's very best, as he showed every shade of emotion from joy to sorrow and anger to great love; he ran the entire gamut pulling his audience along with him. Dean certainly knew how to move his fans. He was a most believable ACTOR!

We now are only two weeks away from the November elections, and the gloves are off in every contest. Our President races from one state to another in a last ditch effort to sway voters in the direction he has charted for our nation. Issues have somehow been conspicuously absent from most of his speeches, focus on slogans and name-calling seem to be the focus of his messages. Health-care is oddly absent in all of the campaign rhetoric. I thought this was the crowning achievement of Obama's first months in the Oval Office! Mr. Obama has used the analogy of a "car caught in a ditch" in regards to our failing economy (you know, huge debt and gigantic unemployment). He said we are now out of the "ditch" and back on the road. It seems most of America is still "hitch-hiking", as we haven't been able to get our "stalled economic engines" to turn over. Mr. Obama also said "Now that we are out of the ditch we should continue forward; put the car in "D" (Democrat) not "R"(Republican), and go backwards!" Oddly, the direction we seem to be driving is into further federal debt! Our unemployment is also going in the wrong direction! Our trade deficit growing and is also moving away from America! What kind of a road map is Mr. Obama using? Is our current Chief Executive playing "chicken" with American economics?

Are we heading toward the cliff of certain death at "hot-rod" speed? Are we stuck in a political vehicle that will send us over the edge of national oblivion? We need to stop Obama's car now, before it's too late! Obama's "Cause" is reason to rebel against it! America, let us all band together and "SLAM ON THE BRAKES!" Mr. Obama, I don't want to go over your cliff!

"Jerry! Jerry! Jerry!"

I remember when I was a kid the arguments we had amongst each other. Oh, I don't remember specifics, but I do remember our collective behavior. When we were little, most of our disagreements were over whose toy belonged to whom, or who could get Mom's attention first. There was usually a lot of finger pointing and whining; poor Mom! We were little kids and this was our best "debating method". As we got older, our methods changed, we would resort to insult and innuendo to achieve a victory in an argument. We would use insidious and subversive remarks to destroy each other's arguments; character assassination was a regular tool. "She's a liar", was regularly said throughout our discourse. "He's making that up" was also heard on most occasions to dispute the liar remark. Adolescent debate is, at times, very entertaining, as neither usually has a valid point, but will go to any lengths to discredit their sibling; eye rolling and giant sighs are plentiful in these conflicts. No one is usually victorious in these pubescent battles. If you grew up in a large family, I'm sure you've gone through these situations with your siblings. When you get to family gatherings, the recalling of these events most always end up in laughter. As we have grown older, our method of disagreement has become more civilized. We are more logical and less emotional in our points of view. I like to have a fact based debate on any issue of conflicting ideas. Any argument that resorts to "tantrum tactics" loses its' validity.

Bill O'Reilly was on the "View" yesterday. By this time, virtually anyone who owns a television has seen the clips of this show. Bill O'Reilly has a pretty good time on this panel of ladies most of the time. Bill is funny and charming, despite of his obvious political differences with the panel members. I'm not a viewer of the "View". I've only watched clips of the program that have been featured on other shows. I know the show is favorable to those with liberal leanings; and that's fine, we should have all viewpoints expressed in our society. I watch many conservative programs that I'm sure many progressives never watch; God bless America, we are free to do this.

As the show progressed, Mr. O'Reilly said "Muslims killed us on 911". This is a fact! Joy Behar and Whoopi Goldberg became enraged by O'Reilly's comment. Ms. Goldberg used language inappropriate for television, and it was "bleeped out" by the engineer. O'Reilly continued to try to make his point as the shouting reached decibels comparable to a "rock concert". Eventually, Goldberg and Behar got up and walked off the stage in something one could compare to a childish tantrum. Neither Goldberg nor Behar tried to make a valid point to O'Reilly. They immediately resorted to screaming, yelling and storming away. Suddenly, these so-called intelligent people became spoiled children who didn't like what was happening and they "threw a tantrum".

All Americans need to be able to back up their opinions with fact. Emotional response will seldom win an argument if there is no substance. O'Reilly can be blunt, yet he is always truthful. Sometimes the truth will hurt. If the "View" wants to expose its' audience to all viewpoints, it must expect conflict; but it must also expect decorum from the panel members. If it wants screaming matches, then it is no longer an opinion program; it has become "Jerry Springer"!