Season's Fleetings

I'm here at the northern compound tonight, just arriving this afternoon, and it's that time of year again: closing time. Sigh! What a nice season we had this year. (I'm pretty sure I say that every year)

I hate it. I mean I love this time of year, autumn is actually my favorite season I think. I just hate having to put away the camp for 7+ months. That's a long stretch. The 5 months we have here go sooo quickly. But that is the way of all things in life that we relish, isn't it? They fly by. Truth is, once you're old enough to have your AARP card, ALL segments of life seem to fly by: those you like and those you don't like as much. Doesn't matter. Every month is running me over it seems.

Tonight is a starry sky with a waxing 3/4 moon. It's a gorgeous sky, with the kind of clear that sucks the day's heat from the earth very quickly. There are frost and freeze warnings throughout northern Michigan tonight and that's a little early. But since we had no real heat this summer, it seems to be fitting.

All summer, there is a non-stop din of activity around here. Kids everywhere. Non-stop fun. Fairs, food, fireworks and festivals. Late nights, every night, because everyone's vacationing and the sun doesn't set until 10:30. Such a contrast to October. The natural solitude of the area just reclaims the camp at this time, and that's not all a bad thing, just a very different feeling. I'd like to explore it more, but we will have a daughter in school for many years yet, and that whisks us away every September. So for now, our vacation weeks are all taken in the summer. I would love having a few weeks up here, starting about October 1st. Some day we'll do it.

Over the next few days, I'll be winterizing the boat and the RV, storing bikes, kayaks and lawn chairs, cleaning out the larder, and thinking about next May. The good thing is, that it will be here before you know it. The bad thing is, that it will be here before you know it! Such is life.

Wise people say that the time away is exactly why we appreciate it so much. I'll have to accept that as I point the car south with the memories packed away.

Artistic License?

Is there, or should there be, a statute of limitations on the rape or first degree sexual abuse of a 13 year old girl? That appears to be the question on many minds after the arrest of Roman Polanski in Switzerland, and the U.S. request for extradition to trial.

It's been 32 years, and the guy has spent that time working throughout Europe and for what it's worth, living a clean, productive life apparently.

I'm asking the question here, just because I think it probably deserves some thought. Personally, my mind is not made up tonight, but I'm probably leaning towards "no".

But the point of this post is to call out some of the sickening comments defending Polanski (who plead guilty to this) which can be summed up with the statement by the French Cultural Minister who said that this guy should not be arrested because of his "immense talent and artistry". I do have a problem with those words.

How in anybody's mind, can someone's artistic talent, which in Polanski's case is questionable anyway, excuse this type of behavior? These people are just warped. Most of them are from the artistic communities found in France and, "shockingly", Hollywood. They really do live in a different world; one with very few rules, unless perhaps, this victim had been their daughter.

If there is any consideration given to Polanski here, it should come only from the amount of time elapsed. I suppose that if he had spent the last 32 years feeding the poor, then his vocation might be used to his credit, but certainly not in the case of an industry that at times glorifies the repulsive behavior he's displayed in the real world.

The Church of St. Sanitoria

I just found out that our old Church back in Michigan has laid out a list of restrictions on personal contact during worship. They are not the first to do it, but this is just another ridiculous example of the paranoia that I've seen happening around the country in reaction to the grossly overrated Swine Flu "epidemic".

So for now, there will be no handshakes, no hugs, and no kisses (well, they were rare anyway!) during the offering of the Peace. Also, there will no drinking from the communion chalice; intinction only please.

The whole idea is really absurd.

How many of the parishioners are going to head out right after Church on Sunday to their favorite restaurant, grocery store or shopping mall and expose themselves to every bit, if not more germs than they'd ever see at Church? Maybe a shopping cart handle instead of a handshake. Maybe a $5.00 bill received as change at brunch. How about the door handle at Starbucks?

The Vicar at our Church here in Chicagoland preached on this subject last spring in response to some of the very same "precautions" being taken at some other parishes in our diocese. She was totally against such an overreaction. Her view was a wider one too, concerning how few real dangerous bugs Americans come into contact with in comparison to those less fortunate living in truly horrendous conditions throughout the world. Her excellent sermon that day also pointed out that there are things like risk and trust, that God asks us to do every day with our brothers and sisters. Something to think about; WWJD?

I would like to witness the Peace at the old place, if it can even deserve to be called that under these circumstances. And if some very brave soul or just a lunatic with a death wish hugs the old friend sharing his pew, what's going to happen? Will he be "ushered" out by Ushers wearing latex gloves? What next: face masks on the choir?

Better just stay at home and watch Robert Schuller.

One Down....

Three weeks ago, Scottish authorities sickened most thoughtful, reasonable and good people with their "mercy" release of the Lockerbie bomber. Today, Susan Atkins, one of Charles Manson's cult members, died in prison from cancer. She received no similar mercy from our law, in her conviction (admission) of killing Sharon Tate 40 years ago.

Both claim (or claimed) to have a relationship with God. For one, that relationship is being tested tonight. For the other, it will be soon (we are told). I imagine there are many different opinions on what God will decide for both of them. Only they will know.

What I know, is that we mere mortals handled Atkins correctly. The decision in Scotland was an abomination however. But it doesn't matter I guess, as both cases are "coming due" with the ultimate authority. I'm happy to leave it with Him.

Obama's Nuts

As you could have guessed, I absolutely loved the "sting" operation pulled off successfully on ACORN, or "Obama's Nuts" as I call them.

As a result of this action by a couple of rank amateurs and their website, ACORN is in a death spiral, which is exactly where they should be. Thanks also to Fox News, the only mainstream media outlet who would show it, of course. Heck, if it weren't for these two kids, Barack Hussein would have never even heard that ACORN was partially funded by taxpayers! Did you catch that on Sunday? The moment he said that, why couldn't Joe Wilson have been there to shout "You Lie"?!!

Anyway, just like a cornered animal, they are lashing out and have announced that they will sue the kids and the website. What a joke. Trust me, the thing will never go to court. Some conservative group or groups, will see to it that these kids have some great legal minds to defend them, and just the discovery phase of evidence gathering alone will be enough to send ACORN running.

As I think about this, I wonder how this documentary is any different than say, something Michael Moore has done in the past? How many offices did he walk into with cameras? I wish someone would ask him about that. I'd love to hear his answer.

UNamerican

Our "leader" has spoken. His first speech to the U.N. General Assembly convention was today. My observations:

• It was a continuation of his world-wide apology tour which he hasn't been off-script since taking the oath of office.
• He got more applause than any president probably ever has. What does it mean to us when our stated enemies approve of him? Think about it. What does it mean when a radical leader of an avowed terrorist-state refers to him as "one of our son's"?
• He promised an end to any kind of unilateral action or thinking by the U.S., except in the process of disarmament.
• He threw the state of Israel to the dogs.
• He committed our standard of living to a new world economy which will assure that we have a bright future of never having more than an average share.
• He used the words "I" and "my" probably 30 times. You didn't have to be listening for it. It was that obvious.
• He labeled us as a country who tortured.
• There was no mention of U.S. greatness. Nada.

In summary, there was no substance, and no courage, but a whole lot of apology, appeasement and arrogance (the personal kind). So here's an idea: let's pass a copy of his speech out to every grade school student in the country, and ask them to write an answer to "What did the president say today that makes you proud to be an American?".

No Fair

I know that I'm late on the news coming out of our old home in Michigan, but I just got the word that this recently concluded Michigan State Fair will likely be the last. At least if it's going to rely on corporate and state funding.

I understand the economics of it. The state budget has been devastated by the crash of the auto industry and it's tax base, and there aren't enough healthy corporations there, auto related or otherwise, to plunk down sponsorship money. But I don't think that's the biggest issue.

For many, many years, I've questioned why the state fair was left to fewer and fewer visitors down at the old crusty fairgrounds lot. What a dismal place for a state fair. Oh, it wasn't always that way, I'm sure. Maybe 50 or 60 years ago it was safe, clean and one could even imagine a smidgen of agriculture that may have existed in the area. But why it remained there in decline for so long I'll never understand.

Why is the Ohio State Fair not in Cleveland? Why is the Illinois State Fair not in Chicago?

Detroit, of all places, is not the right venue for the state fair. It has nothing to offer. Grand Rapids, Saginaw, Lansing, or even Traverse City all make more sense. Take the fair back closer to it's roots as an agricultural exposition. Make it a destination.

All throughout the summer there are a hundred Michigan towns that offer the same cheesy carnival attractions and smelly carnival workers, and most of those in much nicer venues if you really need it. No need to come to Detroit.

I've heard all the PR talk about the importance of taking some of these farming and husbandry lessons to the city kids, trying to give them an appreciation and a little knowledge about it, but the fact is that the big city kids and their families don't want it. The attendance numbers prove it, and that's why this fair will be no more. That's another thing the sponsors understand, even if they had the money to give.

It's too bad really; after 160 years. That's a long time. But the time for this fair, in this place, is long past.

R.I.P. - Mary and Henry

I came across a couple of interesting and diverse obituaries today. Mary Travers and Henry Gibson were both way past their status as celebrities and so the announcements that I found were totally accidental. At most websites or newspapers, you'd have to go very deep, if they were even there at all. Once, back in the 60's, they were household names. Now, their deaths don't rate much more news than yours and mine might.

Mary Travers of Peter, Paul and Mary. - A wonderful voice, and songs on 45's that we played over and over: Puff the Magic Dragon, Leavin' On a Jet Plane, Blowin' in the Wind and Where Have All the Flowers Gone, just to name the biggies.

Henry Gibson - A funny guy. Those characters from Laugh In, where he got 99% of his fame and glory were the best. Remember The Poet? Or how about the priest he always played in those cocktail party scenes? "My congregation supports all denominations, but our favorites are twenties and fifties." Funny stuff in those days. And he's still good. See him on Boston Legal.

So I just thought I'd put these two out there. Neither person having any huge influence on me, but just big enough in my younger years to make me stop and think how those things are beginning to disappear, and sad that they have passed. Both 73 years old. May they rest in peace.

Leakproof

Oh, oh. ABC, the state-run All Barack Channel, is really flogging itself over this one. It appears that they are at fault in the release of the off-the-record comments Barack Hussein made regarding rapper Kanye West's reprehensible actions at the M-TV video awards.

Of course, anything that happens with the media these days regarding the president is guaranteed to be directly polar-opposite of the Bush days. Remember when the media couldn't wait to get some open-mike misstep by Bush and then plaster it all over their networks? The glee was palpable.

Before the president of ABC throws himself out of his 18th-floor office window over this, maybe he should consider that what he "leaked" is actually complementary to the president. Barry called this rap-idiot a "jackass", and he's exactly right. This is even a little tame considering the action. So this whole "controversy" is a little hard to figure out.

But since were into conspiracy theories these days, you know, like Bush planning 9/11, I actually have my own theory that this "leak" may have been staged by ABC and Obama.

First of all, there isn't one employee at ABC who isn't head-over-heels infatuated with Barry. No one there is going to smuggle out some recording that's a potential embarrassment to him.

Second, Barry might just be thinking that he has some race relations patching-up to do, especially after the "stupid" white cop comment, and the "teachable moment", and the Van Jones, Black Panther, Green Jobs czar debacle. This "leak" of him dissing the black Kanye West after his verbal assault on poor little white, Taylor Swift, might just be the thing to recover some Caucasian respect out there. Because if it's one thing Barry can't stand, it's to not be adored by all of mankind. And since the comments were supposedly off the record, maybe he can slide it by most blacks without too much damage.

Now there's some conspiracy that "we can believe in"!

PRAVDA Resurrected

One of Chicagoland's highest rated radio programs is WLS's "Don Wade and Roma". This morning they had one of the state run media's largest "irrelevant" on: Charlie Gibson. They must have needed to fill a time slot, because this guy is next to worthless within his chosen field.

Example:

Don Wade asked him about the Senate vote to defund ACORN, and why there was no mention of that on any of the national media. And not just regarding yesterday's vote, but on any of the recent independent undercover work that has exposed the criminal enterprise that this organization really is. All he could do is giggle kind of nervously and say "Oh, I really haven't heard about that."

This is more than head in the sand. This is object servitude. This is today's ABC.

No Excuse

Two days after the eighth anniversary. The first Sunday after the eighth anniversary. It's the sabbath and a day for prayer in Church.

We pray for many things at my Episcopal Church and it's all good.

But I'm afraid that my little parish is a little too close to the liberal "irrelevants" (my word) that currently run most dioceses and the national office. Because we NEVER pray for our military service folk. And today, there were no prayers offered for the victims of 9/11 and those they left behind. Not one word. Shameful.

The liberal arm of our Church would never pray for a soldier in Afghanistan, as if that soldier ordered himself over there. As if he made U.S. military policy. As if he wanted to kill. As if praying for him or her, somehow puts the Church into a position which promotes violence. It's truly absurd.

And now, if we can't pray for 3000 innocent victims of terrorism, what is the excuse?

I offered my own petition as is permitted in most forms of prayer in our worship. But it is not the same as the Church community doing it. For there is power in prayer and power in numbers.

Anymore, I feel like I'm on my own in so many things involving my Church. Like a little island of conservative orthodoxy. That feeling is awful, and it's counter to the very reason one attends Church. It is supposed to be a community. Of one mind in the core beliefs, at least. Isn't it?

Another Radical Denial - 2nd Update

OK, let's all buy into the White House's version of Van Jones departure as a "resignation". If that's true, then let's see how the state-run media handles that.

Remember a lady named Sarah Palin, and how the media chewed her up after her resignation? All kinds of negative comments, mainly calling her a wimp and a "quitter when the going started to get rough" for her with investigations and allegations. So now, this Van Jones radical has done the exact same thing; at least that's what we're told.

Sarah was a quitter. How will they portray Van Jones? Take a guess. How about a victim of racists, right-wing wackos, conservative bloggers and talk radio. But not a quitter. Not a wimp.

Who needs a comics section anymore? Read the front page.

Another Radical Denial - Update

The ink is still wet on my post written on Barack Hussein's ultra-leftist pal Van Jones, and he is gone! I think the word that I used was "poof" when I predicted his departure, and boy is that the perfect word.

Of course, this was announced this morning as a "resignation" from his job as "Green Czar". OK, whatever. It's just that guys like him don't resign. Nope, he got the big phone call from Barry, but Barry will never discuss it. Like I said, Obama will deny any knowledge of anything about this guy.

Another community organizer bites the dust. How many more to go?

I Remember Summer

I don't know much about the anatomy of the brain, but I seem to recall reading that the olfactory sensing mechanisms are located right smack in the middle of the memory production site. (See how well I use all of that technical terminology!) This would explain why the sense of smell, more so than any other, can elicit those deep memories from way back in time. My grandpa's pipe tobacco or that musty summer cabin or moist fall leaves. We all have our favorites.

Today I was able to resurrect one of those.

We are well past the dog days now and summer is fading fast. But this weekend at the northern compound, we are being treated to some of the nicest weather we've seen all year. And it provoked me into a long soak in the lake. Actually a float on my dollar-store beach mattress. It did just fine.

But floating on the gentle ripples coming in from the lake, put me into a kind of a prolonged meditative state. Feeling the cool water beneath me, the warm sun above me, the warmish breeze, the sound of the birds, and kids, all just made for a perfect atmosphere to let the mind wander.

And then, a funny smell. Not one that would typically jump to the top of everyone's "favorites" list. This was the smell of a two-stroke marine motor. Like an outboard motor, except this was from a Jet-Ski, the scourge of the quiet northern lake. They burn the same oil evidently.

Now I have to tell you that I hate these things. The drivers are inconsiderate 95% of the time. They're noisy. They scare the fish. They are not boats. They don't rank with boats. Their riders don't rank with boat captains, motor or sail. Just a nuisance.

But the one that buzzed past me today, I appreciated. Because the smell of his little trail of blue smoke took me back to the memory of a favorite place: my aunt and uncle's cottage on Mullet Lake, in northern Michigan.

That scent, along with the water, sun and sounds of today took me back forty years to when I spent a good part of every summer at my uncle's cottage. My two cousins and I wringing every drop of fun we could get out of each long, crazy summer day in the north. It was the best.

That smell connected me back to all of the small boats, including a couple of my uncle's, that used to tool around the lake. Each day started and ended with fisherman heading out from shore to their secret holes, but the vast middle of each day was filled with water-skiers and joy riders, all powered by various size outboard motors that all smelled the same. My love of water and boats made that quite an intoxicating perfume after awhile. Our long days, would equate to short nights, and so very often we'd find some place on the wooden dock to take a little siesta. And so just like today, I would lay in the sun and feel the breeze with resting eyes closed, and quite often, there would be the buzz of a little outboard motor and it's smell running down the lake.

One day, I'm sure not too long from now, these little two-stoke motors will disappear. Polluters, all of them. No environmentalist worth his salt finds any redeeming quality in this century-old technology running across a lake. And their probably right in their opinions. But for me, the smell and sound reminds me of a time when there were no Jet-Skis, and any kid lucky enough to be next to a Michigan lake was very happy to make do with a stinky little 6-horse Johnson motor, and a top speed of 8 or 10 knots. That meant fishing, exploring, and fun. To me, that was summer. Today, that was summer too. A nice way to say goodbye for this year.

Another Radical Denial

If you haven't read much about Barack Hussein's "Green Jobs" Czar, Van Jones, then get on the stick. Seems that Barry has yet another socialist, radical, community organizer skeleton in his closet that he'll be dumping very shortly.

The pattern is familiar. Barry keeps these sleazeballs close, even gives them jobs, hoping to keep them hidden, and then suddenly some ray of daylight truth shines on them and immediately it's duck and run time for our furious leader. I wonder how much these guys love being betrayed by Obama once they're ratted out? I'm sure he pulls them aside and gives them some pep talk about the pain of having to separate now, and then asking them to be patient; that one day, when he controls all, they will be welcomed back. I can easily imagine him having this little chat with Bill Ayers or Jeremiah Wright. Van Jones is about to get the same call.

We owe so much to the conservative sleuths out there following the stench of these guys and lifting the lid on them. God knows that none of the state-run media is going to do it.

Bill Ayers and Rev. Wright have nothing on this guy though. This guy is the real deal. Hard-core radical, revolutionary activist and pure racist. I'll guarantee you that this guy is high up on the Black Panther's mailing list. What makes this guy worse though, is that Barry handed him one of his bogus Czar jobs, bypassing any critical confirmation process. He's currently managing an $80 billion budget!

And worst of all, he's an avowed 9/11 conspirist loony. In other words, he's publicly stated and wrote that the Bush administration staged the attacked.

Read up on this guy if you can, before he goes "poof" and becomes just another shadow of someone Barrack didn't know, didn't listen to, and "in no way" agrees with.

Who Needs It?

Now that the city of Englewood, N.J. has rightly denied a spot to Moammar Gaddafi to pitch his tent, I wonder where he'll go?

Zooming out on the whole U.N. thing, I wonder if it's time for us to rethink hosting the U.N. in our country? How is it that we benefit from that anyway? Every time there's a big meeting, we have to allow all kinds of thugs, punks and outright enemies into the country. Most of the time, these guys are here to accuse, insult and otherwise thumb their nose at us anyway. This Gaddafi visit just happens to be fresh on the heels of his welcome home victory party for the Lockerbie bomber, but here he comes.

Maybe, it used to be prestigious for us to have the world come to New York. But that was back when the U.N. meant something, even to us.

Wouldn't it be fun for someone like Iran to host? Then, every time there was a big meeting, the free and decadent West would have all manner of diplomats, ambassadors and staff descending on their city with diplomatic immunity and causing them all kinds of social headaches. We could insult their leadership right in the midst of their citizenry. The world press could run all over town, exposing all sorts government abuses. This would be neat to do in North Korea and Libya too.

Yup. Time to party somewhere else, and let "whomever" deal with the cleanup every time.

And as far as Gaddafi and his tent for this meeting, well I think that the Scottish embassy lawn probably has more than enough room. Let him go there.

Want of Wisdom

"These are all fabrications that have been put out there in order to discourage people from meeting what I consider to be a core ethical and moral obligation: that is, that we look out for one another; that is, I am my brother's keeper, I am my sister's keeper. And in the wealthiest nation in the world right now, we are neglecting to live up to that call."
--Barack Hussein Obama

Someone call the White House and remind Barry that he has a brother living in a hut in Kenya, existing on $12 per year. How much were Michelle's sneakers? Oh yeah; $430. Hmm?

Words of Wisdom

Back when Scots were proud and upright:

"Mercy to the guilty is cruelty to the innocent." --Scottish philosopher Adam Smith (1723-1790)

No more.