"Aces and Eights"

Do you remember the name "Wild Bill Hickok"? "Wild Bill" was the most famous "pistolerro" in the old west. He was famous for his lightening fast draw; he was deadly at close range. There have been numerous movies and television shows about Bill Hickok; some accurate, and some filled with typical Hollywood distortions. Bill was a Town Marshall for a while, and was a devoted gambler. Bill was also a very careful man. He knew that he was a target everywhere he went. When he stood at the bar, he always stood at the furthest place from the doors, so he could see who came in, and who left. Bill didn't like anyone standing behind him! Bill was said to be a good friend to those he trusted; and those folks were few and far between. Bill had a regular seat when he played cards; always having his back in a corner, not allowing others to walk behind him. Bill didn't make too many mistakes, but sometimes one mistake is all you need. Most western historians know this story, and it is backed up by all local accounts of this incident: Wild Bill wanted to get into a poker game one warm afternoon; he was itching for some action. His regular seat in the corner was filled, so Bill broke one of his most important rules and sat with his back exposed. As Bill looked down at a pretty good hand, "aces and eights", he was shot in the back by a coward who wouldn't have drawn on him face to face. Bill died that day; all because he made one mistake! When you are alone in your defense you can't afford to make mistakes; enemies are treacherous, and seldom fight fair! The Middle-East is kind of like that "old west saloon", and Israel is kind of like old "Wild Bill". All around that "saloon" are "hired guns" who want to destroy Israel; yet, they are all aware of the fact that Israel is too tough to take on face to face. In many ways, Israel is the "Fast Gun" in the Middle-East. Egypt has been at Israel's back for several years now, but that may soon change. Radical Islam groups are busy insinuating themselves into the "New Egypt", and their rhetoric is anything but friendly toward Israel. Iraq, Syria, Iran and Libya have made no secret of their hate for the people of Israel. Israel's "ace in the hole" has always been her friendship with America. Most of those bar-room bullies wouldn't be too aggressive because of Israel's "back up"; America! Since Barack Obama has occupied the White House, there is a perception of distancing America from Israel. Obama made his "apology tour" when he first became President, and since then, our policies in regards to Israel have become tepid in her defense. What has become of America's commitment to Israel? As an American, I find our new policies toward Israel very disturbing. Israel is, or was, our only true friend in the Middle-East. As Barack Obama has done his best to dismantle our missile shields and bow to Middle-East pressure against Israel, I believe Mr. Obama holds great responsibility for the atmosphere that is now pervasive in those nations that now are more brazen than ever in their calling for the destruction of Israel. I don't know if Israel can depend on America anymore. Personally, my advice to the Israeli people is make sure you get that "corner seat", and don't get caught with "aces and eights"; you are a true friend to freedom, and you deserve better from your "best friend"!

"The Absurd Left!"

I enjoy going to the grocery store with my wife. We live in a university town, and it is a close community; we know many people. A trip to the grocery store is a social outing! Stores in America are truly amazing; we have shelf upon shelf of different choices to make on our weekly shopping trip. I'll wager there are fifty different types of bread alone to choose from; over twenty types of coffee, hundreds of bags of chips and pretzels and enough eggs to make breakfast for a battalion of hungry soldiers. We have the freedom to choose whatever we want to buy in our grocery store. We have the liberty to make those choices, be they healthy, or, unhealthy. I like cheeseburgers, yet, I don't eat a steady diet of cheeseburgers; that is my choice, nobody else gets to make that choice for me. I remember sitting on the ground, eating C-rations out of a can and dreaming about lasagna, pizza and hot dogs; I couldn't wait to get home to "chow down" on Mom's cooking! I like choice; I don't like others choosing for me. I wouldn't like to find out my steak dinner was replaced with a plate of lima beans, because someone else thought it would be better for me to eat lima beans (yuk). I just saw a couple of articles about how New York, that bastion of freedom, is once again trying to tell people what they are allowed to eat! The New York City Health Department has made an edict regarding fried foods from work sponsored meals. It said their employees should cut their bagels in half and if they have cake, they can't have cookies too! It also seems that this same department wants to ban "Happy Meals" and are threatening restaurants with fines up to $2500 if they continue to serve meals of that type. Once again, we see government infringing on our freedom of choice; they believe we are unable to make a good decision without government regulation, or threats. It seems that New York politicians are trying to protect our lives by regulating our diets. Liberal New York seems to be the "protector" of those who are unable to protect themselves! GOOD FOR THEM, THEY ARE PROTECTING THE INNOCENT! Hold on here, just a minute, I need something cleared up. Does this mean they will also protect the lives of unborn children? Obviously, if french fries are a threat to human life, then abortion of helpless children is surely a threat to human life. If anyone is unable to protect themselves from a bad practice, the unborn are an obvious constituency. Personally, I would much rather see my elected officials pursuing an issue that actually pertained to saving a life, rather than interfering in what I will eat for supper! If this wasn't so tragic, it would be humorous; people are allowed to choose to terminate a baby's life, yet, they should not be allowed to eat fried foods! I guess a baby's life isn't as valuable as an "order of fries" in the eyes of the left. This is a typical example of the absurdity of government regulation. Remember, it's okay to "KILL THE BABY, BUT NO FRIES WITH THAT!"

"Neil Sedaka Was Right!"

"Just tell me what I did wrong", "I'm sorry, it will never happen again", "Can I have one more chance, Sweetheart?"; "How can I make this right?"; have any of you ever heard, or used, these words or words that were similar? Remember that Neil Sedaka song, "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do"; he recorded it twice. Virtually, everyone has had break-ups during their lives; be they romantic, or friendships, break-ups are painful to all involved. Sometimes we make that last ditch attempt to salvage what we had; unfortunately, this is seldom successful. Restored relationships are usually strained and fragile; both parties are overly sensitive and afraid to offend each other. The closeness that was once shared is now gone. America has been the "best friend", "father figure", "protector" and "provider" to the world for a very long time. In times of disaster, the first call that is made is usually to the United States of America. America always responds with as much help as desired by the distressed people or nation. Floods, famine, earthquakes; all have been responded to by America. We have been the world's "good guy" since WWI. America is now in a very difficult position; we can no longer sustain the rest of the world; we are going broke due to over spending and poor leadership. When polled, the American people have made foreign aid the first thing they want in our budget to be cut. It seems Barack Obama's dream for America to become like the rest of the world is coming to fruition. We are just as screwed up as all of the other countries that have too many entitlements and not enough taxpayers! America has allowed herself to be manipulated by economic and ecological fringe groups which have done their level best to destroy the fabric of America. Our welfare rolls are swollen, and we get the added burden of illegal aliens on our economic system. Slow, almost non-existent, job growth is a plague across America, and a policy of taxing investment has only worsened the situation. An administration that has a policy of "class warfare" and "racial division" has only added to our distress. America needs to help herself first NOW! I'm sorry to say this to the rest of the world but; "The Gravy Train isn't running anymore!" The American system cannot sustain everybody else; we have too many of our own problems right here at home. America is now "one of the pack" in the world; I hope Mr. Obama is proud of his accomplishment; we are losing our uniqueness as a nation thanks to poor leadership and spurious ideology. So, to all of our friends in Europe, Asia, the Middle-East, and everywhere else that has called on America in the past, I'm afraid America should be taking her "phone off the hook" for incoming calls. Our well is drying out, and we need to "drill" for more "fiscal water". Sorry my friend, but "BREAKING UP IS HARD TO DO!!"

"Who Will Blink First?"

When I was a kid, I would engage in all types of childish games; "step on a crack, break your mother's back", "I dare you to step over this line" or "knock this chip off of my shoulder" are a few of the things children will say on a playground to evoke a reaction from their peers. As boys get older, our "games" get more personal; remarks about another guy's mother could trigger a fist fight. At that age, everything is a test of manhood; you know, a "spitting contest", "who will blink first". Ladies I blame you for all of this; we behave like morons to impress all of you, so try to suppress your laughter. Personally, I've found out over the years, a good sense of humor will go farther than "fisticuffs", when trying to impress a lady. In high school, we participate in sports to impress girls and increase our "rep" with other guys; it's all about getting our way! Life has a way of showing us we will not always get things our way. We don't always "get the girl" or get that promotion that we are sure "we deserve". We learn that, at times, we must yield to those who are in charge. Our budget has been an issue for several months without resolution. Last November, the electorate said America is in financial trouble of the most severe type. Our deficit is bordering on "science fiction" in its' magnitude, and it seems we are throwing pebbles at a behemoth in our attempts to solve our debt-disaster. We have seen the House of Representatives offer a proposal to eliminate 61 billion dollars from the budget, and we have seen the Senate, under Harry Reid, stonewall this proposal as too severe. In actuality, we need a much deeper cut than the one the House suggests, but it's a start. A 14 trillion dollar debt is larger than most people can comprehend. Although 61 billion dollars is a staggering amount of money, in relation to 14 trillion, it is not even "pocket change"! It seems that a Federal shutdown is imminent. Neither House of Congress is budging on their numbers. It seems that the Republicans understand what happened last November, and the Democrats don't. Every economist with any sense is saying America must make a turn-around in spending or we will be another Greece, and it will be soon! President Obama had Representative Boehner and Senator Reid in a private discussion at the White House which seemed to have little success. Mr. Obama used his best "intimidation" tactics, but I don't believe John Boehner is going to blink. Perhaps, a government shutdown will send a message to all of Washington's free spenders. The days of "pork" and "earmarks" must come to an end; the voters are tired of "Cowboy Poetry" and "Bridges to Nowhere". Obama and Reid have "dug in their heels", and so has Boehner. What we now face is this: Who is in charge; American voters, or Pork Barrel Politics?"

"ARE YOU UPSET YET?"

I had a friend who worked for the "Dominick's" food store chain, and I once asked her if she ever shopped at any other store. She told me she rarely shopped at any other store, and there was an unwritten policy of employees only shopping at "Dominick's". I guess this makes corporate sense; an employee should support their company rather than go to a competitor. I used to shop at "Dominick's", and I found it to be a well stocked store with a pleasant atmosphere (this is not an endorsement). I also shopped at other stores when it was more convenient, or I could get a better price on the items I was shopping for; but by and large, I usually shopped at "Dominick's". We are now face to face with $4.00 a gallon gasoline; and America is not very excited about paying this price! My wife and I shop the area for the cheapest gas prices, and we combine all of our errands to limit gas consumption. I live in "Small Town America"; median income is nowhere near what the major metropolitan areas are; $4.00 a gallon has a major impact on everyone who lives here. Last week, our President, Barack Obama, was in Brazil making a speech about Brazilian oil production. Mr. Obama was encouraging the Brazilian people to drill! Yes, my fellow Americans, the man who is supposed to be looking out for our well being is encouraging industry in another country. What is worse than this is this same man is doing virtually nothing about our existing oil reserves in America. In Europe, gasoline is $8.00 a gallon; they have an excuse, there is no oil in Europe! Now, I'm going to tell you some things you may not know, and you may get upset. In February of 2008, the United States Geological Survey said the Bakken oil formation in North Dakota could boost American oil reserves by 10 times their present level! Are you beginning to become upset yet? They believe there is anywhere from 175 to 500 billion barrels of removable oil from this area alone. This discovery was announced in 1951! Marathon Oil has invested in that area, in the belief that 700,000 barrels of oil are easily retrievable! Are you upset yet? Now comes the big shocker; there is an estimated 2 trillion barrels of oil in Colorado, Utah and Wyoming! Some scientists believe we have the ability to recover at least half of that oil, which would make us oil "independent" from OPEC! If Mr. Obama wants to invest in America, perhaps this would be a good place to start. If he wants to "Go Green", that's fine, but right now, America need to use what God gave her. How many jobs could be created if we pursued the reclaiming of our own resources, instead of sending for oil at a price of $340 billion dollars and 14 million barrels a day! What is Barack Obama doing? Our economy is as fragile as a "castle built from a spider web", yet he encourages other nations to do things he is suppressing right here in America! WELL AMERICA, ARE YOU UPSET YET?

"Off and Running!"

Have you ever heard the term "He didn't live up to the hype"? I remember Brian Bosworth; he tore it up in college football and was a first rounder in the NFL Draft. Brian was going to be the greatest thing since sliced bread; he turned out to be toast; injury prone and only flashes of talent. I remember Tony Mandrich, he looked like the "Incredible Hulk" on the cover of Sports Illustrated, also a first round draft pick for the Green Bay Packers. Some folks say Tony was the biggest draft bust in football history; tons of high hopes with virtually no return. I remember Tommy Morrison, he was the next great heavyweight according to Sylvester Stallone; unfortunately, Tommy couldn't take the punches as well as his movie icon's alter ego "Rocky Balboa". Sometimes a good press agent, or a good amateur career, can give us "major league" expectations about someone, and we find out they never should have left the minors. These players were "all hype, and no hope". Yesterday, Barack Obama announced his "hat is in the ring" once again. He said he will run for another term as our Chief Executive, and his fund raising will begin anew. Personally, I'm happy Mr. Obama is choosing to run again, I couldn't think of a weaker candidate for the Democrats to run. Mr. Obama has done his level best in the last two-plus years and it has been a disaster! Our domestic situation at its' very best can only be described as stagnant; and at its' worst can be called an American Apocalypse. Gigantic debt coupled with huge spending and a health care plan riddled with misconceptions and spurious conclusions are the "highlights" of Mr. Obama's accomplishments thus far. He has called for "transparency", yet we have seen more "closed door" policy making than the old Soviet Union. Our foreign policies are the most inept I've seen since that disaster we called the "Carter Administration". Mr. Obama seems dedicated to the weakening of America. We have given up huge pieces of our missile defense shield, and decided to trust Vladimir Putin to give us a square deal. He has proven that he is reticent to commit to the military by his dithering over decisions that warrant expedited action. Mr. Obama always gives the perception of how all situations will affect him politically, rather than how they will affect America and her security and well being. We have seen the manipulation of our justice system in the "picking and choosing" what our Attorney General will prosecute, and what he won't. I will be very interested in his new campaign speeches. I would be willing to wager that once again, we will see George Bush brought up in an effort to try to, once again, shift blame and refuse responsibility for his actions. If I were running against Barack Obama, I would be gleaning the sound bytes and videos for the plethora of contradictions that define him as a President and as a man. Now, we will see more of the man who has never really stopped running for office; always the candidate, rarely the President!

"Don't Listen to the Wrong George!"

Have you ever been talked over; you know; when someone raises their voice to drown out what you are trying to say? This is an exasperating situation. We all want to be heard, no matter how foolish we may be; I know, because I've had my moments of foolish talk, and as foolish as they sound in retrospect, I still wanted to be heard! I remember as a child having "loud" conversations with my siblings; it seems that in the mind of a child, the higher the decibel level, the more likely to win the argument. As the eldest in my home, I used my age as a qualifier for wisdom; I held a certain power because of my age. Sometimes my arguments weren't valid, yet I continued to defend them, and my tone would always rise as my facts would sink. Power is not always the key to truth. The stifling of truth leads to oppression. Over the last several days, a very powerful man is trying to stifle the truth in a concerted effort to discredit FOX NEWS, and in particular Glenn Beck. If you haven't guessed by now the man to whom I am referring is George Soros, and his "octopus" of organizations which have been given "marching orders" to attack FOX NEWS, and Mr. Beck. David Brock, the founder of MEDIA MATTERS, said "The strategy that we had had toward FOX was basically a strategy of containment"; this has now moved to "War on FOX". The words used are "guerrilla warfare and sabotage"; SABOTAGE! MEDIA MATTERS has hired an elite crew of saboteurs whose job is to cast aspersions on FOX NEWS, Glenn Beck and various conservative pundits and websites. It looks like George Soros is raising his "voice" to cover up his spurious arguments and socialist viewpoints. This Soros propaganda outlet said Beck was losing his listeners, saying his radio audience has dropped below 400 stations, oddly, when the facts were revealed, Beck has 488 different listening venues as of today. It looks like George is making things up as he goes along! The real danger here is that wealth and power are trying to usurp the First Amendment through deception and unethical practice. America is based on the ideal of everybody being heard, whether we agree with them or not. Any unscrupulous attempt to stifle free speech should be taken very seriously by all Americans. Whether you are a liberal or a conservative, you deserve to be heard; if one is silenced, then all can be silenced. I prefer George Washington to George Soros!