" Tattle Tale!!"

Did you ever get caught doing anything you weren't supposed to be doing? As a child I'm sure most of us went through a situation like this. Being called on the carpet for a misdeed or misbehavior is never any fun. My grandmother used to make the best candied sweet potatoes on planet Earth. Every Thanksgiving she would prepare them a day before the "big meal" and store them in our downstairs refrigerator, to be heated up on Thanksgiving. This was a great temptation for a ten year old walking appetite, especially when all I had to do was sneak down to the basement, open the fridge, and steal the forbidden delights. Well at that particular Thanksgiving I was really obsessed over those sweet potatoes and I made several trips downstairs to sample the hidden treasure. Little did I know one of my brothers or sisters was monitoring my movements with the proficiency of "James Bond". I found out later from my Mom that my "crime" had been revealed by one of my siblings, whose name remains a secret to this day. I'll never find out who that "stool pigeon" was. Back then there was nothing worse than being a "tattle tale"! To have one of "my own" turn me in really hurt, in more ways then one!

Last week a New York congressperson resigned, his name is Eric Massa and he has been very vocal about the situation involving his resignation and the events by which it was surrounded. I'm not familiar with the circumstances surrounding Massa's resignation so I am unable to make any comment about the particulars. Like most politicians I'm sure he is not "pure as the driven snow", there is probably some substance to his charges or he probably wouldn't have turned in his "quitting papers", yet I can't help feeling there is more involved then the surface situation is showing. Massa claims he was coerced into resigning by Rahm Emanuel when he refused to support Barack Obama's health-care proposal. Now Massa has revealed an alleged conversation with Emanuel saying he was accosted in a shower stall and threatened in a verbal and physical assault over his reticence to support Obama-care. Massa made a statement to the press recently about Mr. Emanuel saying, "Rahm Emanuel is the devil's spawn...he is an individual who would sell his own mother to get a vote...he would strap his children to the front of a steam locomotive.."! Explosive words probably not welcomed by the Obama administration, especially from a democrat.

If there is any truth to what Massa alleged it opens a window into the inner workings of the White House that is quite disturbing; it gives us another example of Chicago "strong arm" politics being used as standard procedure by our Chief Executive to impose his will on others. I'm sure Barack Obama and his cohorts are unhappy with the "stool pigeon", Massa, for telling tales out of school; you know "not for publication".

This is one member of Congress, how much more is happening that the general public doesn't know about? We could use a few more "tattle tales" to find out what is hidden beneath the facade of Barack Obama's image!

" Eye Exam"

Once a year I must go to my eye doctor for a regular examination and be checked for cataracts, as I have mild diabetes. I know this is necessary so I grudgingly submit to good sense even though personally I hate having my pupils dilated. I will be unable to drive home so my lovely wife is going to be my designated driver for the day. If any of you are unfamiliar with the procedure it goes like this; first there is a regular eye exam, you know looking at the chart, then drops are put in your eyes and you wait what seems like a lifetime for your pupils to dilate. The more you dilate the more light enters your eyes until light of any kind puts you in mind of a mole put in front of an atomic blast. All things are put in complete light to the point of it being painful. After the exam I will put on dark glasses and my wife will lead me around like a guide dog until late evening, as it takes a while for the effects to wear off. I spend a little time cursing and complaining about the treatment, yet I know it is for my own good.

America is being barraged with more and more scandal from Washington. Charlie Rangel just stepped down from the "ways and means" chairmanship until charges of tax fraud are resolved. He is the latest is what seems to be a deluge of scandal that is constantly erupting from our seat of government. Most of this type of behavior has been uncovered by people like Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, and FOX NEWS. This abuse of office is not limited to the democrats there are plenty of republicans who share the spotlight too. Perhaps the revelations of investigative reporting can be painful at times it is something that is necessary for the good of the people to have their "pupils dilated" in the public forum. We need all the light in to reveal exactly what is going on and hold those accountable for their actions whose behavior is questionable. Conversely our public servants need their eyes opened to the reality that the people of America are watching them, even when the facts revealed are not to their liking.

Medical treatment is not always pleasant, yet it is sometimes very important in the curing of terrible disease. At times we want to curse the doctor when the treatment is uncomfortable. We have seen people like Beck and FOX demonized by those who find the "light" they shed unpleasant; the "treatment" hurts.

It is time for America to take the "medicine" and the "treatment" no matter how unpleasant it might be. We must remember that no matter how bad the "medicine" may be, the "disease" is much worse. Let us stop cursing the "doctors", they are just doing their jobs. America it is time we get "dilated"!

" Are We There Yet?"

I love football and baseball; I've spent countless hours watching the "Bears" and the "White Sox" over the course of my life. All of the hours were not pleasant, but that's part of being a fan. My good wife feigns interest and will watch along with me until I begin to watch teams other than the "Bears"or "Sox", that is where her loyalty stops. I don't blame her, sports are not her thing she watches for me.

My wife is perhaps the greatest shopper on this or any other planet. Her search for sales are legendary, and over the course of our marriage I'll bet she has saved us thousands of dollars. Her face glows when she makes a good deal at the store, kind of the way mine does when I see a touchdown or a great catch in center field. I feign interest in her victories at the mall as I know it is important to her.

About this time of year we start to talk about vacation, and each year we have a little dance. It goes like this "where should we go?", I reply, "how about Canton Ohio or Cooperstown?". She will look across the room with one raised eyebrow and one side of her mouth turned down. I will then dramatically plead my case, which I know will fall on deaf ears. She knows I'm not serious and I know I wouldn't put her through a trip to either of the "halls of fame" because it would be my vacation not ours, just as she wouldn't expect me to enjoy a trip to the "Mall of America". We want a trip that is what we both want; not have one that only benefits one of us. This type of behavior is what makes my marriage work as well as it does; it is not one-sided.

Barack Obama wants to take us on a trip that we don't want to go on. He is bound and determined to go his way regardless of the fact that America doesn't. We had a phony "health-care summit", a dance that was choreographed to make it appear that Obama is trying to be bi-partisan when in reality he was just executing a sham. This is the worse type of deception purporting this to be a forum when in reality it was pre-scripted to give the impression that the Republicans were obstructionists. Then it was followed up with the "lab coat guys" at the Obama propaganda speech selling his health care debacle one more time. He is now engaged in trading judicial appointments for votes in an attempt to insure passage of this spurious legislation. If this is not illegal it is surely unethical. Are these the acts of a "statesman" or a "cold blooded deal maker"?

Is America being taken on a vacation it doesn't want to go on? Are we being pulled down a road that we don't wish to travel because of a selfish agenda that Obama feels is his "legacy"? I, for one, don't like Obama's "vacation plans" for America. He has totally ignored what the people want in the pursuit of his own selfishness! Where will he take us next; what will he do next to promote himself at the expense of America? As an American ,I feel we need a new travel agent, perhaps in 2012 we will get one!!

"Duh!!"

Where is America headed? What does the next generation have in store for the future of our nation? I'm a little concerned about the coming generation; they have given evidence of being ill informed, basically clueless, about our government and our constitution. When I was in school about 10,000 years ago we were required to pass a "constitution" test or we could not graduate. Our teachers took this test quite seriously, we prepared for weeks and we became well versed in the "balance of power" in our republic, and the duties of each office from the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of our government.We were even required to know the names of our governmental leaders, and our teachers were very adamant about this fore they believed in an educated electorate. I remain thankful for their efforts to this very day as they did me a great service and made me a better citizen.

Last night on the "Tonight Show" Jay Leno had some young people on his show in a sketch that was quite disturbing. The young people were not coached, but were giving answers to the best of their ability about our government and it's leaders. Although the audience found this very funny it was actually a terrible indictment of our educational system. Not one single person knew who assumed power in case of the death or incapacitation of our chief executive. Some said the runner up in the last election would take over, others said Sarah Palin (not a bad idea), still one said the vice president's wife! What is happening to our youth!?

The sad commentary about all this is these young people are representative of the majority of American youth of today. These are the same young people who voted for "Change You Can Believe In". An uninformed electorate, ignorant of the precepts of our constitution, have put a man in the most powerful office on this planet and they have no idea of what his powers are or how he intends to use them.

Every time there is a budget cut the first place to suffer is education, we are cutting our own throats. We spent billion of dollars to take pictures of Mars that would have been much better spent on assuring that our progeny understood the works of our government and the principles of our constitution. The only way we will retain our place as the world's leader is to make sure we have a strong educational system. It will be very easy for unscrupulous influences to infiltrate our government if we continue down the road of lowering our standards in education.

Instead of concentrating on a health-care plan America doesn't want our president and our congress should be focused on bringing America back to it's prominence as the respected leader it is supposed to be.

Let's concentrate on educating our children, let's get back to the days when history and patriotism were in vogue. Our children know all about "The Amazing Race",or "Survivor", or the latest singer dropped from "American Idol" then they know about their own heritage as Americans. We must act quickly or we will see America disappear before our very eyes; and our children won't even realize it!!

"America's Top Ten List"

Although I'm not a fan I know David Letterman is well known for his " Top 10 List", which pokes fun at one subject or another. Over the course of years I've heard some of these comments, I've found some funny and some insulting and in poor taste. He has had lists about many subjects such as " Most lovable pets in movies", "Best Yo' Mama Jokes","Greatest Geeks of All Time", and "Not so Great Things About France". All of us like the fun of a good monologue, and Letterman's Top Ten has become a staple of American humor.

Today I would like to address another "Top Ten List"; the first ten amendments to our constitution, or as they are fondly referred to " The Bill of Rights". I won't write them all out word for word, but I will try to hit the meanings briefly as I believe many Americans don't really know them.

1.Free speech, freedom of religion, and freedom of assembly.
...The government cannot inter fear with any of this no matter what as long as your peaceable!

2.Keep and bear arms SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED!
...We have the right of self protection not only from criminals but also from an oppressive government, this is not open to interpretation, it is a RIGHT!

3.Forced use of your property by the government.
...The government cannot come into your home and use it for their own purposes, you have dominion over your own house!

4.Unreasonable search.
...The government must show cause for a search, no one can crash your doors without reason!

5.Double jeopardy, self incrimination, due process, seizure of property.
...You can only be tried once for a crime, not continually be persecuted, you don't have to testify against yourself in a court proceeding, and the government can't confiscate your property that is legitimately owned!

6.Speedy trial, impartial jury, informed of charges, right to counsel.
...Never languish in jail, judged by your peers, knowledge of alleged crime, right of an attorney.

7.Trial by jury, and right of appeal.
...Judgement by fellow citizens, and the ability to appeal that judgement.

8.Excessive fines and cruel and unusual punishment.
...Even handed treatment to all in judicial punishment, equality in justice.

9.Retention of God given rights
...Freedom of rights not designated above but are understood as human rights over which the government shall not have control.

10.States Rights
...Those rights that are given to our states in the governing of their own residents and are not the responsibility of the Federal government.

These rights are not negotiable, and they are not a comedy monologue. I urge everyone to get a complete copy of the "Bill" and see completely what your rights are. They should not be tampered with by any administration. These rights are what makes America, America!

"Rube Goldberg and Duct Tape!"

I love to laugh, just ask my wife or daughter. Mel Brooks, Red Skelton, Bill Cosby, Bob Hope; the list is endless. Some of you may have heard of Red Green; he has a show that originates from the "Possum Lodge" where Red is the proprietor. One of the segments of the show is usually Red designing some weird device such as a "perpetual motion machine", a "cloud seeding cannon",and a "water powered car". The construction of these contraptions required huge amounts of duct tape and great imagination. Oddly enough they all seemed plausible in their explanation. When demonstrated they were hilarious in their operation. Those of you who are a bit older may remember the name Rube Goldberg, he was a cartoonist who was famous for cartoons about convoluted devices so ridiculous in their design that the term a "Rube Goldberg operation" became part of our national language when describing a complicated mess. Rube designed the "self-operating napkin" and the "automatic parachute opener"; both unbelievably complicated and both hilarious.

Most of us appreciate the above described humor, after all how many of us have tried to figure out short cuts on a project and repaired things in our own homes with some "unusual" inventive techniques, and sometimes with disastrous results.

In the last few days our "fearless leader" has made statements about his health-care proposal and his intent to pass it regardless of the wishes of the people of the United States. We over the past several months have watched this monstrosity of a bill grow with exponential ferocity. Each representative, each senator, got their "piece of the action" on this molesting of the American taxpayer. The bill masks itself in the guilt of provision to those who can't get insurance on their own, when it's real purpose is creeping government control of the insurance industry. Real reform has been ignored by Obama and his minions as he has applied pressure to his democrat controlled congress to force this bill into law. Over seventy percent of the people have expressed their opposition to this plan.

With unemployment at record levels, with Iran developing nuclear weapons, why must we rush into a program that the American people want re-examined? Are there not more pressing issues confronting our nation?

We need to take a new look at this "Rube Goldberg" bill; how much "duct tape" is being used to hold it together? C'mon Mr. Obama, what's the rush?

"Personal Message"

Over the weekend there was a massive earthquake in Chile; last month there was a massive earthquake in Haiti; a few weeks earlier we had tremors in Illinois. Most people will chalk these events up to earth doing what the earth does. There is evidence that this could all be the natural movements of our planet behaving the way it has for thousands of years; nothing to be concerned over.

I am a Christian, I don't often advertise this in my writing as I believe your faith is something you must live out and allow others to inquire about rather than give the impression of being "preachy" about my faith. I personally believe most people are alienated by those well meaning folks that "get in your face" about Jesus and his teachings and his sacrifice. I'm one of those people who believe the Bible as it is written. It is very clear about what is prophecy, what is history, and what are parables (illustrations) for the readers. I believe this book is the only Anointed Word of God. I'm sure there are many of you who may take umbrage with this statement and that is your right, as the Creator gave us all free will; yet I would be remiss if I didn't use this forum to give what knowledge I have received from the Bible to all who may read this.

To many believing Christians the reforming of Israel in 1948 was a benchmark in prophecy; it represents the beginning of the generation that will witness the return of Jesus and the final judgement of the Lord on the world He created. Matthew 24:7 says" For nation will rise against nation, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes" verse 8 says,"all these things are merely the beginnings of birth pangs." I believe that we are in the time of biblical prophecy, you may disagree, I feel duty bound to say these things because failing to do so would be a disservice to all of you and to my God.

Faith is the belief in things not seen, now those unseen thing are starting to be revealed to all of mankind to see. Many of these happenings will be explained away and put aside by the world, some will discount what is happening as the natural order of things. I am making a request of all of you who read this. Please take the time to look further, find a Christian that you trust, get a Bible with a translation that is easily read and address the scenario I've presented to you today. Don't take my word for any of this, please make your own inquiries and then decide for yourself.

Usually I have a current political message; some things transcend politics, are more important than our worldly concerns. I will not use this again for a Christian forum, I just wanted to make sure I didn't let everyone who reads this miss a chance to consider Jesus. I hope all of you have a blessed day, and thank you for listening.