The Mole Hole

Lowe's No's

2012-01-23T20:48:00.000-06:00

A friend from Church has latched on to this national (though hardly nationwide) reactionary move against Lowe's home improvement stores. Have you heard about it?

The whole thing apparently started when Lowe's decided to pull its advertising from some new Muslim "reality" show, after being contacted by some fundamentalist Christian group down south (where else?). The Christians were upset that Lowe's would support such programming which they say voices a lot of un-American sentiment, while at the same time, promoting radical Muslim ideals. They say.

So, my friend wishes to circulate a petition around the Church which will be sent to Lowe's home office intending to condemn their action to pull their advertising, calling it cowardly and in favor of one group over another. Apparently Lowe's gets no credit for advertising with the Muslims in the first place!

Now, I have not seen this TV show and have no desire to ever see it. I'm not anti-Muslim (but I am anti-reality show). I don't know or care who the Christian crazies are in this whole controversy, nor have I read their original complaint. I haven't read the petition and don't know, or care, who sponsored it, (although I wouldn't be surprised if it originated at the national office of the Episcopal Church). I haven't done any of this stuff because I don't need to, in order to ask my friend these few questions:

1. Do you have any other options besides Lowe's to buy hardware or home improvement products in your neighborhood?
2. Do you believe that a privately owned entity has a right to spend their advertising dollar when and where they want, or spend nothing at all?
3. Would you agree that your petition, attempting to tell Lowe's what to do and how to do it, is at least in principle, exactly what the crazy Christians were attempting with Lowe's?

If he can answer yes to any one of these questions, then I can walk away confident that he'll at least understand why I won't be signing his petition, if not questioning why he is.

Merry Christmas Eve

2011-12-25T19:47:00.002-06:00

Christmas Eve this year found us visiting back in Michigan with the extendedfamilies rather than home with just the little group residing at The Mole Hole.The plan on where, and with whom, we spend the Eve and the actual Day with, mustremain flexible with the day of the week Christmas actually falls, and how thatinteracts with school and work vacations.

We spent the Eve with one "side" and had a wonderful get togetherthat broke up around 9:00. We had a half-hour ride home, but extended it a bitwith a detour through the little town that that I spent my teenage years in. Wehad heard that they had a really neat, new "tradition" of lightingall of the downtown buildings with miniature lights, and that it was amust-see.

Almost to Main Street, we passed by one of the homes that I had lived inthere, this one for my 13th and 14th Christmases. I pointed it out to mydaughter and she thought the old house, an all brick, slate-roofed Tudor builtin 1919, looked pretty "cool". I'm sure that I'd shown it to her before,but probably three or four years ago, thus not remembered by an 11-year oldmind.

Next came the rows of neighborhood streets branching off left and right, and Iwas delighted to see that the real tradition of lighting the curbs of eachstreet with real luminarias was still there. That is the one thing I remember most fondly aboutChristmas in this little suburban village. My sisters and I would walksome of these streets on our way to Midnight Mass at the Lutheran Church thatwas near home. In the cold and snowy Christmases that were more commonplaceback then, it was a heart-warming sight to see and experience out in theDecember night.

We finally got to Main Street and it was a indeed a sight to see. Lights ofevery color covered every building and business downtown, and hung in everytree. Nothing that I think is all that original, but definitely a lot of workfor the folks, I'm sure, and very pretty.

So notching up fifty-some Christmases this year with a chance to see something oldand something new. No snow, unfortunately, but there's a plus to that too, considering we are traveling by car!

We lay our heads down after a long, tiring, but joyful day. No sugarplumsdancing in our heads, but thankful for health, family and for the ultimate giftof the Christ-child on this night, long ago.

Sounds of the Season

2011-12-10T21:29:00.001-06:00

'Tis the season, and once again the music that makes Christmas so special is everywhere. In fact, in some places out on the FM dial, it was playing before our jack-o-lanterns started to mold! Even for me, that's a tad early.

Late this afternoon I had some work to do on the computer. Daughter was on the sofa next to me snoozing after a day of Christmas shopping and I just felt like I could use a little of that great music in the background. Fortunately, I have my wonderful little ipod loaded with lots of various artists and their interpretation of the holiday sound. So, I strapped on the headphones to enjoy and not bother another soul.

One of my most favorite Christmas albums of all time is a recording of a dozen of the classics by the Hollywood Bowl Symphony orchestra. The original recording was done in 1964. I first heard it in 1966 on an LP that my mom owned. I think she still has it. I was eight years old, absolutely geeked about Christmas, and played that album endlessly on her walnut Magnavox console stereo.

Back then, when everyone else in the house would tire of my endless playing of it, I would plug in the Christmas lights on the tree, put the album on softly, and sit down, hunched against one end of the console and put my ear close to the big speakers behind the fabric grille.

What struck me tonight was how, 45 years later, I can sit and listen to that exact same recording, lost in that wonderful music and the spirit of the holiday that it brings, and do it on a little device that contains about 1500 other songs and weighs less than one vacuum-tube from that old Magnavox!

This is Christmas tradition defined: A thing, a place, or a memory that transcends decades of progress and change, to remain forever in our hearts.

Hello Again!

2011-12-10T19:59:00.001-06:00

All right; it has been a while. I know. Apologies to those few who drop in now and then to read my humble jottings, only to have found some mighty sparse offerings this year.

There are a lot of different reasons I could offer, but there are really only two that I'll put out there: First, I had the good fortune to return to work after so many months off. Second, that new job forced the family to move to a new home. These two major events contribute a lot of lesser things too, and the result was that I kind of got out of the habit of writing, or even thinking about writing. And that's not good for me.

So now that winter is starting to set in, the long hours of darkness and cold weather have forced me into my easy chair earlier in the evenings with more time to ponder everything. Those thoughts need to go somewhere, and the Mole Hole will be the spot once more!

Thanks for hanging in if you're still out there. If your new, welcome to my blog, on this my 400th post! I hope you enjoy!

Guilty?

2011-07-06T19:42:00.002-05:00

Almost without exception, Americans were shocked this week to hear the verdict in the Casey Anthony murder case in Florida. This is the Florida mother accused of killing her baby, because, according to prosecutors, she simply didn’t want the responsibility of being a mom. In fact, Casey did spend the month after the baby’s death partying with friends and certainly acting as if she enjoyed her new found freedom. It was the pictures and stories from this time period that more than anything else, had (or still has) us convinced this mom is guilty.

In the end, there was little else in real evidence that prosecutors could work with. The decomposed body of the baby was too long gone out in the elements, so no DNA or tissue samples were available to the forensic team. It is said today that the government just couldn’t connect all the dots for the jury. Only ten hours of deliberation would tend to support that.

The reactions from across the country are generally disgust and dismay. It is true that most of us, along with the media, believe more in “guilty until proven innocent” rather than the opposite. The only good thing about that, I think, is that it means that we have a lot of trust in our authorities, even though it is a trust that occasionally through history has been ill placed. Whether it was in this case or not may never be known. This trust we keep is not a small thing. Think about other countries where there is absolutely no trust in the law or prosecutors, and I’m convinced we are better off this way.

Casey Anthony will have a tough life now. There are protests outside of the court house, and she is already receiving death threats. Americans have little tolerance for a child killer if that’s what she is. The idea that this woman would take any action to end her own child’s life, and just because she was a burden to the lifestyle she really wanted, is abhorrent to us all….it would seem.

Yes, it would seem. Then again…

Last year in the U.S., 1.2 million abortions were performed. That’s 25%....one quarter….of all pregnancies. The vast majority of those were performed out of one major category: the mom simply didn’t want the responsibility for the child. Think about that.

So, we can react in disgust, turn off the news in anger, and curse Casey Anthony to a future hell that many would say she certainly deserves, because evidently she is different. She must be different than the other 3288 moms who ended their baby’s lives just yesterday. But think about it. What is the real difference?

I think it all deserves prayer. Future moms should pray about it. We should pray for them. There is an answer for all.

Peter Falk - R.I.P.

2011-06-24T20:28:00.004-05:00

Peter Falk died today at 83. I enjoyed watching him in so many roles, and even as Lt. Columbo. Yes, I'm kidding a bit there. The Columbo character practically defined his entire career, as happens to many actors who succeed in a popular TV role. Such is the reach of the "small screen".

But he just seemed like a genuine nice guy, as much as I know about his personal life. All I know is that he felt like a good book to me; if he was on the screen, I didn't want to put it down.

R.I.P. Peter Falk....oh, and just one more thing....

Takers, Not Makers

2011-04-01T21:33:00.012-05:00

You still don't know what all the fuss in Wisconsin is all about? You think Governor Walker up there is overstating the problem of public employee unions? Really want to understand why these employees and their democrat-enabled contracts are crippling his state and every other state and municipality? If so,, you need to read the article at this link. It is the best thing I've seen, heard or read, to put the problem in real perspective. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704050204576219073867182108.html

Two Righteous Men

2011-03-23T20:10:00.003-05:00

Joe Biden has a very strong opinion on what should happen to a president who attacks another country that poses no imminent threat to us, or hasn't attacked us first. Take a look:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DH5pSUJ2dKU

So I wonder how he feels today about this directive, which Chris Matthew's whole-heartedly agreed was so "constitutionally correct"? Let's get these two together again and have them comment on operation "Odyssey Dawn" in Libya, could we? That would even get me to watch Hardball.

Read It!

2011-03-04T19:34:00.005-06:00

The greatest human conflict of all time, also had the greatest stories of the human condition. I've read quite a few books that were written around the personal accounts of heroes and victims, and just ordinary folks caught up in truly extraordinary circumstances.

But none that I've read were as compelling as the story of an American airman and his experience in the Pacific. His story of survival through the crash of his B-24, eight weeks adrift in a life raft and then almost two years in two of the most brutal Japanese POW camps, is a story everyone should read. Do NOT miss it.

We Want Nancy!

2010-11-15T16:14:00.006-06:00

It is clear now that the dems just don't get it. The main evidence of that is that Nancy Pelosi appears to be the overwhelming choice among remaining House democrats to be retained as their Speaker. (Along with the endorsements of Obama and Reid, of course)

As much as conservatives grit their teeth over the prospect of her remaining in any sort of an elevated position, we must consider that this is truly a huge help to our cause. In fact, we should hope that she's in the spotlight every single week between now and 2012. Believe it....the more often, the better.

Not only have her policies and hypocritical, royal demeanor turned so many off, but the very act of keeping the House leader, as one who carries a whopping 16% approval rating by a cross-section of all voters, demonstrates the exact issue that has been such a motivator to Tea Party and almost all others outside the San Francisco city limits: the idea of the good-ol'-boy (or girl) system of politicians taking care of each other, ahead of the interests of their constituents.

No my friends, let us drink to Queen Nancy's minority "leadership"....for 2012 awaits!

Hell Freezes Over!

2010-11-09T12:27:00.007-06:00

This is the actual headline:

"Black caucus says it will allow Republicans"

The link to the original article is below. In an election year where the dem-liberal-socialist machine has taken an unprecedented spanking, perhaps nothing else exemplifies a lesson learned more than this headline. Even so, it probably means nothing until we see this one:

"First Republican in black caucus is allowed to speak!"

....and that may yet come as the further reckoning comes in 2012!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101109/ap_on_go_co/us_black_caucus_republicans

The Morning After

2010-11-03T20:16:00.003-05:00

It is the morning after, and the democrat party is a smoldering hulk after receiving a Tea Party and Republican, Election Day Bunker-Buster. There were two initials painted on the side of that bomb: B.O..

B.O....becasue it was none other who owns almost sole responsibility for this devastation. Yes devastation.

The biggest swing in House seats lost and won (by either party) since Hoover, and Pelosi enters the history books as the shortest serving Speaker of the House, ever. The first time in 40 years that there will be less than 200 democrats in the House. A party which went into these mid-terms totally unwilling to talk about any of their "accomplishments" over the last two years. A party that now counts only one third of the gubernatorial offices in the country. And it will be a week before we really have all of the stats on state-level elections which may be the biggest story yet of the dem-devastation.

All of this because of B.O. and his socialist agenda, which very, very few dems dared deviate from. And it wasn't just the typical, follow your President obedience, which both parties are guilty of much of the time. No this was absolute, blind servitude to Hope and Change. Nothing less than that would have put so much radical legislation into place, and so many politicians in direct opposition to the American people.

And now, they reap what they have sown. But there are two bright spots: They've still got Harry Reid and no one can call them racists.

The Quiet Time

2010-10-17T20:46:00.013-05:00

So, sadly, we have come to the end of another season at the Northern Compound. Last weekend, we wrapped things up, technically referred to as "winterizing", and locked the doors until sometime in May next year. It's difficult to leave, but the age-old truth that the long off-season is what makes us appreciate he north so much, is what we have to remind ourselves of as we depart; this year on a beautiful Indian Summer day.

The summer this year was truly that. Unlike 2009, we had a couple of honest-to-goodness heat waves, and plenty of sunshine. That made the boating, kayaking, and swimming much more enjoyable. Other things like biking and hiking were a bit more "work" in the warmth, but actually the only thing that really suffered was the frequency of campfires. Most of the evenings were so warm and humid, that a nice, crackling fire was about the last thing anybody wanted!

And so appropriately enough, we ended the season on a clear, crisp October night, with a welcome campfire to keep us warm as we listened to the coyotes in an otherwise very quiet camp. Good neighbor-friends had closed ahead of us and the waves of kids were gone. But the stars and woods and water are still there, transitioning now, but ready to treat us again next year. We'll just have to wait.

A Miner Miracle

2010-10-14T16:13:00.007-05:00

What is more satisfying in recent memory that those 33 Chilean miners being hauled out of a half-mile deep tomb? Absolutely amazing!

There will no doubt be books and a movie or two about their personal accounts of dealing with such incredible adversity, and those will certainly be something to read and see. I will be in line for sure. Who needs fiction?

Thanks to God for the strength He gave them, the determination of the rescuers and the brilliance of the brains behind the technology. It was a good day.

Once Again, Where Are These "Moderates"?

2010-10-05T13:34:00.007-05:00

Today, Faisal Shahzad was sentenced to life without parole for his attempted terrorist bombing of Times Square. Unrepentant and belligerent, he wouldn't even let his attorney speak. All that he expressed is that he would do it again, given a chance.

The judge said little, except that Shahzad would have many years to study the Koran he claims to follow so faithfully, and find out if it really endorses the killing of innocent civilians.

Every time someone like Shahzad opens his mouth, attempts murder in the name of his religion, or even succeeds in doing it, where is the outrage from the so-called "real" Muslims, the "moderates" we keep hearing about?

On the other hand, some whack-o preacher in Florida threatens to burn a Koran, and that generates world-wide condemnation from the nation of Islam. There is rioting in the streets and "death to America" becomes the theme (again).

I would suggest this to the Islamic community: Shahzad's actions, and those of people like him, do far, far more damage to your faith than some publicity-hungry, radical preacher. And yet, you don't see it, or far worse, you choose not to react. What do you believe? What is the "real" Islam?

Going Backwards Down a Gravel Road

2010-08-29T20:11:00.008-05:00

I've read a couple of articles recently that talk about the idea that a large percentage of Americans now think that today's children will not have an America as powerful or as prosperous as when they become adults. I'm not sure that I agree with that assessment. I'm not even sure how you quantify it. And I'm not convinced that any feelings I might have that would agree with that opinion aren't just the normal musings of a person "a little" past middle age, or maybe just reflective of my current disgust with our socialist leadership and the long term damage they are inflicting.

Then, a couple of weeks ago when we were back at the Northern Compound in Michigan, I heard a news report that one area county had decided that rather than fix a few local paved roads which had deteriorated badly, they were going to revert them to gravel. Yep. No money, and no longer a priority apparently. Grind up whats left of the old, tired asphalt, and take them back to 1950-something condition.

I assume that you are starting to see the connection I'm making here.

At one time, not that long ago, we tamed thousands and thousands of old country roads with asphalt, guard rails, graded shoulders and real bridges across little creeks, not just big steel culverts. During that same era, we also built an entire interstate system across the country. Most of this was done in about a thirty or forty-year period. Apparently we had the money and the will to do these things. Why do we not have the same things required just to maintain them?

I know. This is a small point to be making in the bigger question, but I made the connection in my head anyway. How and why is it, that we could we ride down a nice, smooth, and paved country road in our new 1965 Pontiac, but now, we need to rattle down the same road in our 2010 something-or-other, on gravel ??! That isn't what I call progress, and in fact, might point to exactly the kind of thing that indicates a country going the wrong way.

Of course we could, and should, expand the issue beyond just a few country roads to really consider our entire infrastructure of roads, bridges, sewers, water-mains, etc., etc.. When we do that, then the question of what we will leave our children is a very legitimate one, and I'm afraid of the answer. But why is it that way, and does anyone really care?

A Mind is a Terrible Thing to Waste...or Used to Be

2010-08-22T15:24:00.006-05:00

Check it out:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100822/ap_on_re_us/us_taj_mahal_schools

In one of the school districts that can least afford it, the idea of style over substance, or in other words, building monuments instead of minds, is almost criminal here. Not only does this beg for a change of priorities in how kids learn, but it also screams another reason why taxpayers MUST take America back.

How the hell did any of us who grew up (and learned) in those "cinder block jails" of the 60's and 70's ever amount to anything?!!

It's No Excuse

2010-08-08T11:01:00.005-05:00

Last Tuesday, Omar Thornton walked into an employee disciplinary hearing for him, and began shooting. In the end, he killed eight and then himself.

After the rampage, and before he killed himself, he left a 9-1-1 call describing how he and other black workers for the beer distributor company had been racially harassed. This apparently was his "excuse".

After reflecting on this tragedy, it occurs to me that as actual acts of racism in this country becomes less and less problematic, versus say, a century ago, it is being used more and more as an excuse for other acts of social sickness. Actually in two ways: First, for those who are truly racist in their minds, a person's race becomes the predominant or sometimes only reason not to like someone. Or worse, to actually abuse or hurt someone. But that is the textbook definition of it after all and in that aspect, is nothing new or different about the human condition that has existed forever.

But the second way it is used is in more as a convenience. Convenient because it is now more and more fabricated. Even when it is present in a human relationship of some kind, it is often exploited. Even the president of the United States has done it, in his famous, uninformed and malicious comments about the Cambridge, MA police and their dealings with his Harvard professor pal. It was convenient to quickly accuse the officers of racism, when in fact, none occurred. A "teachable moment" it definitely was.

In the story of Omar Thornton, I believe that racism was a convenient excuse. At the very least a gross exploitation.

Thornton had a very good job. He made excellent union wages to drive a beer truck. I have personal knowledge of what these people make, and it's one of those typically outrageous salaries where unions have succeeded to a point beyond what is in their own long-term, best interests.

But, even with that, Thornton decided to break workplace rules and the law, and steal, then resell some of the beer he hauled. Stupid. He was guilty, knew he'd been caught, and showed up at his hearing to hear of his fate. Yet he wasn't going down at all. He was going to take the others down, and indeed he did.

I've only felt the sting of racism a few times in my life. They occurred as a kid, when I attended a mostly black and Hispanic inner-city school. As a white kid, I was in the small minority and so it was inevitable I guess. But even so, I don't claim to understand what many blacks live through in the workplace and in other settings.

But I know this; no matter what the degree of intimidation was, it is not enough to justify killing eight co-workers. Nor is it enough to kill yourself over...and leave a grieving family of your own. And why did Thornton express his issue only after getting caught stealing? These days, a company lives in abject fear of lawsuits driven by inappropriate behavior by it's management. One who has a legitimate claim about being a victim of discrimination, as Thornton so claimed, has only to hire a decent lawyer, and stands a very good chance of being compensated for his maltreatment.

Don't buy into Thorton's sad excuse. Ignore the inevitable speeches from the Sharpton's and Jackson's. This guy was sick. Really sick. His personal issues went way deeper than being verbally harassed.

No more racism excuses for thugs, crooks, malcontents, and the mentally ill. It's false accusation only helps breed the real thing.

A Mid-Summer's Dream

2010-07-22T10:35:00.002-05:00

The heat continues in the Michigan north country. What a change from our Seattle-like summer of 2009! Something in between is what I asked for, but wasn't granted. Oh well, we are not suffering. Cool water and shady wood is always close to us here.

As typical of the summer months, the time flies. We have already reached the Ides of July, that lovely mid-summertime between fireworks and the dog-days. Nice.

Thanks to the hot, dry weather, we have managed to get some quality water-time in the boat. Last week, we had one of the nicest days ever...and I've had many of them in all sorts of watercraft. This cruise was between Sutton's Bay and Northport on the beautiful, deep blue waters of Grand Traverse Bay. We packed a lunch and headed north up the coast. Not a long ride at all, even at an easy pace. The water was untypically calm too, which kept my first mate happy, as she is not fond of whitecaps and rolling seas. How she got to be a first mate is unrelated to her sea worthiness I have to say. It was more like affirmative-action for those that need special consideration for their maritime advancement. That's OK.

We got to our destination and had an afternoon of swimming, picnicking and strolling the short streets of Northport. The best boat trips always have a "destination" in my opinion. Just running around the water surface making waves is not really boating, although a nice ride around the lake on calm water, just after sunset, does have it's appeal.

When it was time to return, we headed directly south, but with a short stop at the lovely, tiny port of Omena and the crystal water in New Mission Bay. You can "read" the sandy bottom in forty feet of water there and it's simply beautiful. Many small to mid-size sailboats are typically anchored there in the little sheltered cove that protects from wind and waves from practically all directions, unless it was a very sneaky southeast gale, which probably rarely causes trouble in this area.

We arrived back feeling very blessed that we can enjoy Lake Michigan and these little port-o-calls on one perfect, northern summer day. No wonder they fly by!

R.I.P. Skittles

2010-07-12T21:35:00.005-05:00

I didn't post this when it happened, but two weeks ago we had to put our old kitty, Skittles, to sleep. About 18 years old and failing, it was time; probably past time. She was a good companion and one of the family.

If you've ever had to do this, you understand how tough it is. The argument that it's the humane thing to do, does little to assuage the sadness unless the pet is in obvious pain, and sometimes not even then. A kind and thoughtful veterinarian can really help you through the process though, and that's exactly what we found.

We left town for a two week stay at the Northern Compound on the day after we buried her, and when we got back home tonight we found a card in our stack of mail from the vet's office. In it, two doctors and several assistants and staff had signed a card and said a few kind words about the cat they'd cared for and finally helped us deal with at the end. I've never heard of this happening to anyone else and I find it very caring and classy. Little things do mean a lot.

The Pressure Mounts

2010-07-06T22:33:00.003-05:00

This just in:

Hall & Oates have announced that they will cancel their upcoming tour dates in Arizona in protest of the new law concerning illegal immigrants.

This could do it. This is the one that may finally buckle the will of the people in Arizona and really force them to rethink this thing. But I think most will wait it out and see how The Captain and Tennille weigh in on it.

I know I would.

Easy Street

2010-06-21T17:25:00.003-05:00

So one of the first new highway projects to be funded by the economic stimulus farce is to be named the Barack Obama Parkway. It's in Orlando, Florida and runs right to the land of make believe at Walt Disney World. A perfect fit!

There are people researching whether or not this is the first road to be named for a sitting president, but I'd bet good money right now that it is.

How convenient the location is too. If there was anyplace in the country where a street could be located in a more stable, safe, and economically secure place, I don't know where it would be. I'm sure Barry will make certain that all his streets do not go the way of every Martin Luther King Jr. street in the country, which someone once said was "...the last place anyone wants to be!". What an injustice: someone who deserves to be honored that way gets nothing but avenues through ghettos all over the country, and Barry gets the Yellow Brick Road. Figures.

Around the World in One Easy Book

2010-06-19T22:46:00.000-05:00

I just finished reading "Sailing Alone Around the World". First published in 1900, it is the true account of the first solo circumnavigation of the world. It's written by Captain Joshua Slocum himself, who completed his voyage in 1898 after three years and three months. He journaled his entire trip which was not non-stop, and so it contains details about ports and people he visited on six continents, as well as all of the different kinds of water he sailed. It could probably be hundreds of pages longer, but he keeps it short and concise...and interesting.

If you're like me and this story was unknown to you, and you've somehow missed it in it's first 110 years in publication, I highly recommend it. It is full of real adventure, sailing savvy (duh!), human insight and humor too. Not to mention a huge dose of respect for the human spirit in the Captain. Really an amazing feat of endurance and discipline, and written amazingly well for a man who only completed third grade!

Not a tale of the sea, but better: real.

Back in the North

2010-06-11T20:12:00.003-05:00

Writing tonight from the Northern Compound. Rain is falling steadily and there are happy farmers counting every drop in this year of spring drought. Actually, we have had two nights in the past week with an inch or more of rain, and it's falling lightly, over a period of many hours, which sends it deep into the soil instead of running into the streams.

Yes, we are back in the north. This is actually our second visit, having "opened" on Memorial Day weekend. I have no real excuse for the delay in reporting our return. It certainly doesn't mean that I've lost some appreciation for the area. No, I'm as happy as ever to end the seven month lay-up and return to woods and water, old friends, and the northern life. Nice.

Thankfully, we arrived here to find everything in order. No leaks, no mice and no issues with appliances, and as expected, nothing seems to have changed with the passing of another long winter; which is another blessing of the region and something rare and wonderful.

We're up for a couple weeks this go-round and hopefully more as we get into the heart of summer. We'll enjoy every minute of it too. You have to when the season is so short and the experience so meaningful. It's good to be back. Smell that air!

66 Years Gone

2010-06-06T19:39:00.002-05:00

66 years ago today the allies launched the largest sea-land invasion in history on the beaches of Normandy. And less than a year later, after so many gave their lives on that thin stretch of sand, the "Thousand Year Reich" was gone.

Never forget.

The Rule of Law?

2010-05-27T10:31:00.004-05:00

The most telling evidence of whether or not a law is practical, enforceable or ultimately correct, is to watch what happens when it is violated. Watch how the authorities deal with it.

Oh, you've heard of some of these laws; like the one in Cedar Rapids, Iowa that states that you cannot wear red clothing on Sunday on any city street. Or the one in Frankfort, Kentucky which prohibits chewing gum in any public building.

Now, we have a few of these right here in Chicago. One of them though, is a bit more serious than gum or clothing color, yet can be viewed as being just as ridiculous and incorrect in it's directive based upon the points of contention that I mentioned above. It has the potential to have a very serious impact on those who violate it, and those who enforce it, but it's oh-so provocative.

Here's the thing; we have a law against handguns in the city of Chicago. It's on the books. Been there awhile. The U.S. Supreme Court has struck it down when it was tested, and yet our mayor, the honorable lib Richard M. Daly, continues to support it publicly when asked what he wants to do to lower the incredible crime rate in the city. It's usually his only answer. For him, it's the typical liberal doctrine which always states that the problem is too many guns. And they say this over and over and over again, seemingly never comprehending that criminals don't care to follow laws! These libs believe in a total fantasy world where gang-bangers, rapists and general punk thugs will resort to things like sling-shots, switchblades and crossbows, once they're aware that handguns are illegal to possess! Their stance is beyond any reason, but they cling to it.

But yesterday, there was an event here in Chicago that forces a guy like Daly to come out into the world of reality and talk about his position. And it is so amusing to watch.

Tuesday night, an armed, 80 year-old, Korean war veteran, shot and killed an intruder who broke into his home. The thug was also armed. It sounds like the best possible outcome, doesn't it? Good guy wins, bad guy goes to hell. Except that the elderly homeowner used an illegal weapon to defend himself. Oh, oh! Now what?

Well, what do you think?

Of course, the Mayor says nothing, does nothing. But in fact, he says a lot when this old veteran is not taken away in handcuffs with all of the press standing outside of his home. So what's up Mr. Mayor? This old guy showed absolutely no respect for the law. Your law. The law which exists in almost every liberal platform around the country.

So let's go back to my opening statement: "The most telling evidence of whether or not a law is practical, enforceable or ultimately correct, is to watch what happens when it is violated. Watch how the authorities deal with it."

This elderly veteran will of course, not be charged. And cases like his will be repeated several times this year, just like last year. And yet they go unpunished. That tells us that this law is no more righteous or reasoned than the one banning Juicy Fruit in Frankfort. So shut up Daly, and start fighting criminals instead of law abiding citizens who want to rely on just a little more than you to protect them.

Another Press Pass

2010-05-21T20:07:00.003-05:00

He was viewed as a friend of "big oil".
He was viewed as weak on environmental issues.
He was accused of being a friend of the oil companies.
He was accused of not caring for the poor folks of Louisiana.
He was a Texan

And so if he was still in charge, the press would be frying George W. Bush. It would be really ugly. They would make it so.

But after a month of watching untold gallons of crude oil free-flowing into the gulf, and doing virtually nothing, Obama has yet to be asked a single hard question on what the government is going to do to help.

I heard the term "Obama's Katrina" about this disaster and I know damn well it didn't come from any mainstream media source. But it might be the best description yet for his handling of the situation.

Look, this thing is one BIG mess. It may be that the right strategy to fix it requires something more than Federal intervention, but only Obama would be given that pass by our fair, wise and accurate press and their "expert" panels. As of now, probably the only angle they're working on is how to blame Bush for it.

Reality is Hard

2010-05-21T16:43:00.003-05:00

From the New York Times today:

"In Yonkers, more than 100 retired police officers and firefighters are collecting pensions greater than their pay when they were working. One of the youngest, Hugo Tassone, retired at 44 with a base pay of about $74,000 a year. His pension is now $101,333 a year."

We have the exact same kind of thing bankrupting Illinois and the city of Chicago right now, and presumably more municipalities across the country.

Let me be very, very clear: I have the greatest respect and admiration for those who work as police officers and firefighters, but at some point (and that point unfortunately was years ago) a city or state government HAD to have seen this kind of an agreement as absolutely unsustainable through ANY kind of economy. It's very likely that this particular fireman would collect this for at least 20 more years (he's 47 now), and perhaps for much longer. I'm sorry, but the system cannot work like this. It's not even feasible. And honestly, even he, or at least his union, should have been smart enough to realize the same thing. They were dreaming.

I absolutely have no issue with the individual fighting to keep what he was told he'd collect when he began his career. But guess what, there are millions of us who've been subject to broken promises, albeit mostly in the private sector. It's not right, I know, but it's inevitable when they're promised the end of the rainbow. It doesn't exist, and we all should know that.

Are You Sorry Yet?

2010-05-20T14:52:00.006-05:00

"We see [health care] as an entrepreneurial bill, a bill that says to someone, if you want to be creative and be a musician or whatever, you can leave your work, focus on your talent, your skill, your passion, your aspirations because you will have health care." --House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

In other words, you artistic types who would simply like to turn your hobby into your "job", go ahead and do that. Have fun. We'll have the real workers, the one's in their humdrum, 40-hour grinds, pay for your medical coverage.

Honest to God, is America listening to this?!! Everyday, I am more incensed at the thought processes of these so-called leaders, Barry, Harry and Nancy, and the ruin that they are attempting to bring upon this country.

America will wake up soon. I have to believe that.

Aplogizer in Chief Strikes Again

2010-05-20T09:21:00.004-05:00

I'm doing my darnedest to reduce the political content on this blog. My desire and motivation to engage anyone on the wisdom of conservatism is as strong as ever, but as more and more of the Obama "fog" clears from the minds of others, I feel less compelled to be constantly writing about the pitfalls of supporting his agenda. I believe the country is slowly learning it's very hard lesson, and it won't be repeated, but....

Yesterday's event, with the president of Mexico in state meeting with Obama, is yet another major farce that I must vent on. I'm sorry.

Did you here any of Claderon's comments and/or any of Obama's pitiful responses to them? Calderon spewed such absurd and hypocritical words that they didn't even deserve a response, and yet Obama tried. I don't know which was worse.

The Mexican prez actually took the opportunity to scold us for Arizona's recent immigration reform attempt. Standing right next to Obama and telling us how awful we are if we simply decide to uphold our laws. All I could think of is that this guy's nerve was being nothing but empowered by a smiling Obama right next to him, and sure enough, when it was his time to speak, our prez went right into his patented "shame on America" mode that he always goes into on any world stage.

Calderon stated that he was deeply concerned about discrimination of his people, but the thrust of it was very accusatory. Obama merely nodded his head. And when it was time for him to speak, our commander agreed with him.

What our president should have done is turn the tables on him and comment about Mexico's own tough illegal alien laws. Ask him about the treatment of Cubans who constantly try to cross into Mexico illegally. What becomes of them? I can tell you this, they are dealt with swiftly. No entitlements to anything except being pointed back to Cuba after a few nights in a Mexican jail. Illegals from Mexico's southern borders with Central American countries find the same fate.

And he should have asked him about why it is that illegals want to leave Mexico so badly and in such large numbers anyway, even risking death in the desert? What is he doing doing to help change that?

The leaders of these various third-world countries are what they are. We can disagree with them and question why they are given a stage if this is what they want to talk about. But the real issue for us is our own president. His constant pandering and apologizing to these total goofs is absolutely sickening. But it's what he truly feels. There is no pride or respect in him for the country he was given to lead (or it's laws), and it becomes more tragic every day.

The End of the Line

2010-05-17T09:19:00.001-05:00

A year or so after I first found the NASA website, I often go back and search for when the next viewing of the Space Shuttle will be possible. Yes, that's right, you can actually see the orbiting Shuttle fly overhead on clear nights when it's circling the earth 250 miles up. You certainly can't see any detail from that distance, but for a short two or three minutes it becomes the brightest spot in the sky. Silent, and with no blinking lights, it's easily distinguished from stars and airplane lights. What you're actually seeing is sunlight reflected off of it's bright white surface. That's why the viewing opportunities are always just before dawn, or just after sunset.

Saturday night, the clouds cleared just in time for a real nice viewing. First, the International Space Station zipped by, looking much the same as the Shuttle light, and then 14 minutes later the Shuttle came by on the same trajectory. On that particular orbit, the Shuttle was literally chasing the Space Station down in preparation for docking. What we saw, my wife and I, was the very last Shuttle mission, heading to it's usual destination for the very last time. Special and kind of sad.

The Shuttle has been expensive and even deadly over it's three decades of service. But it's also been a magnificent scientific tool and an impressive symbol of American ingenuity and capability. Sadly, there is no immediate replacement for it's unique abilities to ferry human beings to and from space.

There are many who argue that we can accomplish a whole lot without the need to have a human physical presence with it. It's cheaper by far, and of course safer. In other words, unmanned space exploration. Perhaps that is the foreseeable future for our programs. But still, something is lost without direct human interface. The most powerful computers in the world cannot relate the emotional aspect of space flight. And for us on the ground, what excitement is there in a bright light in the sky on a starry night, if you can't look up and fascinate on the fact that there are people inside looking back at you?

Ernie Harwell - R.I.P.

2010-05-05T20:49:00.005-05:00

He lived a long and remarkable life, and his death yesterday came not unexpectedly. Ernie Harwell, the "Voice of the Detroit Tigers", has passed away.

This Sunday will be the 30th anniversary of the death of my grandfather. I have written here before about how much he loved the game of baseball, the Tigers, and Ernie. Some of my fondest childhood memories are sitting with my grandpa out in his garage, and listening to Ernie broadcast on a warm summer night in northern Michigan. If the game was a late one, say from Anaheim or Seattle, the Whip-Poor-Wills would start their chirping out behind the house before the 7th inning stretch, and the stars would just be coming out in the northern sky. Smoke from grandpa's pipe or cigar would help keep the mosquitoes at bay, and all was right with the world.

Ernie's voice and wit were magic in the booth. It was more than a job. He loved the Tigers as much as any of us, and it always showed. So did his wisdom. How could he possibly have known what little Michigan town that everyone who caught a foul ball was from?!!

Grandpa passed a long time ago, at least it feels like long. Now Ernie has joined him. Maybe in heaven the great game continues and there are a lot more than just nine innings. Or perhaps it's more accurate to say that if there is a heaven for these two, then the game definitely plays on, and the only thing that's "long gone" is still a well hit baseball.

R.I.P. Ernie Harwell.

If You're In, You're Out

2010-05-03T20:32:00.003-05:00

In Tracy City, Tennessee, incumbent Mayor Barbara Brock was defeated in her re-election bid by challenger Carl Geary, even though Geary had died a month before the vote! Local businessman Chris Rogers explained his vote for Geary by saying that he knew about his death, "...but wanted someone other than her.

OK, so this story is pretty nutty, but not a whole lot more shocking than many other recent election stories around the country, starting with the most significant when democrats lost Ted Kennedy's Senate seat. All of them point to just how tough 2010 is destined to be for incumbents hoping to retain their jobs. So incumbents take note: if Mayor Brock can be defeated by a dead guy, imagine the kind of fight you'll likely face by someone with a pulse!

Dump and Run

2010-04-09T11:36:00.002-05:00

Remember Bart Stupack? He is the dem congressman from Michigan who was one of the last holdouts to the affirmative vote for Obamacare, due to his supposed convictions against abortion funding. He remained strong right to the end. Then he caved after getting some weak promise from Obama in the form of that executive order which somehow overrides what is in the bill for government funded abortion. (We'll see how that holds up when it is finally tested!)

In going through his stoic resistance, Mr. Bart has made enemies on both sides of the fence. Now today, he announces that he will not seek re-election to his House seat. What a farce this was!

He claims today that he does this not out of fear, but simply that it's time to move on, and of course he breaks out the time-worn "....to spend more time with my family...." excuse. He says that he does not fear the far left or the far right, or the tea-baggers who have him in their sights. He says that he's confident that he could be re-elected. Uh-huh.

Mr. Bart does not represent a huge liberal base like Pelosi. He's in a traditional 50-50 district that is always a battle for either party, although as an incumbent, he's faced little opposition over the years for his seat. But there's no question in my mind that he'd be thrown out in November. Trust me, he knows that too.

I believe that what he's done here is traded his vote to Obama for some future post that will in effect, be a promotion for him. It is likely that he was getting a bit tired of the grind in Congress anyway, and he likes the idea of something different.

So watch for his name in the not too distant future. Obama has promised him something. Nice sell-out Bart. I know it's politics as usual, but when it comes to proclaiming yourself as pro-life, you ought to have a little more conscience than that.

Good Enough For Us?

2010-04-06T08:34:00.003-05:00

Havana (AP) - Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro on Thursday declared passage of American health care reform “a miracle” and a major victory for Obama’s presidency, but couldn’t help chide the United States for taking so long to enact what communist Cuba achieved decades ago.

Well heck, that's good enough for me! At this point, why would anyone still look critically upon the idea of Obama's socialized medicine? Look, Cuba did this decades ago, and isn't Cuba just about the first country you think of when you consider miracle drugs and cutting-edge health care for it's citizens?

Right.

Seriously, it would be a good exercise to start tallying up the endorsements from around the world that Obama has received in his first year for whatever achievements you think have been made. Look at for what, and from whom, they've come from. I think that it would paint a disturbing picture of what he and his politics would do to this country given enough time and authority. Fortunately, I don't think that the majority of Americans will support that, or are that apathetic, to allow it. Only time will tell for sure. Come November.....?

Everybody Feel Better Now?

2010-03-27T21:56:00.003-05:00

No, I did not turn off the lights (or the computer) tonight for "Earth Hour".

I'm sure that there were a million, maybe more, hypocrites out there that did. Yup, I used the "H" word.

Maybe a little strong, but what other word should I use? They ran their electronic gizmos right up until the hour began, shut them off, and then fired them all back up again. A study of demographics on these types of exercises will show that it's not the low income family in their 1,250 square foot house, with their single, 27 inch TV who go for these feel-good events. No, it's much more likely that the typical enthusiast is of above average income, in a larger, better equipped home, and for one hour, they turn off their 51 inch plasma, shut down their wireless laptops, and even kill the timer on their exterior accent lighting. Then, they likely "twitter" about it later using their 4G smart phones.

And it's not just individuals and families. There was a news item from Toronto tonight about downtown office buildings going dark. Yet these are the same buildings that sit almost vacant night after night, 365 days a year, and create that bright, glittering skyline just like every other major city.
So, if none of this is hypocritical, what exactly is it? Help me with the word.

It's All Our "Fault"

2010-03-01T14:09:00.003-06:00

Have you heard anything yet? Any concerns from anyone, especially from the liberal camp, that we are seeing much more frequent and more violent earthquakes? I expect it anytime, and you know, you absolutely know, that there will be a cause identified that is somehow man-made. You know it's going to happen.

Actually, I expect that the convenient culprit will be global warming. Yup. Shocking I know. But you heard it here first.

Here's how this happens in the simplest of terms: A column of "air" from sea level to the top of our atmosphere weighs about 14.7 pounds for every square inch that sits on the earth, your car, your cat or your head. Now, from your 3rd grade science, you know that warmer air rises. So, due to man-made global warming, our air is rising and actually taking weight off of the earth's surface. With air pressure lifting off of the earth's crust, our continental plates are starting to shift and expand with that release. Thus the increases we are seeing in all kinds of movement of our land masses.

So there you go. Our "fault" again!

(Disclaimer: The opinions stated in this post are not based on any factual scientific data, nor is the author qualified in any way to make such claims. However, since this is the exact same protocol by which the current "global warming" claim has been promoted and internationally accepted, the author is satisfied that his conclusions are reasonable and justified)

Bye Bayh

2010-02-16T21:39:00.001-06:00

Sorry. Couldn't resist posting this title.

Shovels Ready? It's Heating Up!

2010-02-11T09:18:00.004-06:00

With most of the country under blizzard watch this morning, I had to hear a local "global warming" expert tell a news reporter of how this actually all fits into the computer model that proves we are getting warmer! I do not jest. They are delusional.

Shreveport, Louisiana is expected to get 8 inches of snow today. Yesterday, San Diego county in California got several inches of snow. Washington D.C. is closed, they said it's too dangerous for the snow plow drivers! All of Great Britain has been pummeled this season by record snow and cold. And the beat goes on....

So considering what we're seeing, I guess we should be thankful it's global warming. What the hell would we be experiencing if the earth was actually getting colder!!

A Bit Rattled

2010-02-10T14:35:00.004-06:00

Last night we had some nasty weather here in Chicagoland. The snow had stopped late in the evening with about 6 or 8 inches on the ground, but then the wind started with some real gusto. The forecast had talked of maybe 40 mile-per-hour gusts, so when I was awakened at 4:00 a.m. I thought that it had been a large gust of wind that had shaken the wall just a bit and caused the house to creak in an unusual way. Wrong.

Later this morning I learned that we had actually had an earthquake! Only about 4 on the Richter scale, but almost right underneath us. Strong enough to wake me up which is not an easy thing typically.

I was back in Michigan years ago, I think it was in '82 or '83, when I felt the last one. I recall it very well. It was mid-afternoon and I was standing in the doorway of my boss's office, talking with him and leaning against the door frame when our entire brick office building shook. It was about the same magnitude.

The shear power required to make the earth shake is awesome. The thing about the Richter scale is that each incremental number is ten times the force of the latter. A 5 is ten times more powerful than a 4. So for me, last night's little rumble reminded me that the recent quake in Haiti was over 100 times more powerful than what woke me from a sound sleep! That's an incredible perspective.

Our First President of Color; Any Color He Needs!

2010-01-25T21:41:00.008-06:00

Isn't it amazing to see the overnight pseudo-transformation of Obama? I mean about his recent announcements regarding cutting taxes, freezing spending and providing retirement savings options. What?!!! Sounds very Reagan-esque doesn't it?

His "finding religion" at this point just exposes a couple of truths about the man. First, that he is feeling genuine fear right now from the growing disdain of Americans for the lib agenda. Here are just a few of the events that have rocked his boat the last couple of weeks:

-"Teddy's Seat" in the senate...gone.
- The Supreme Court's decision on corporate campaign finance.
- Air America crashing with no survivors.
- Biden's kid too scared to attempt a campaign...even with daddy's help.
- Chris Dodd heading for the hills rather than face a voter firing squad in November.
- Pelosi failure to deliver "her house" on health care.

Second, that his convictions are paper-thin. Oh, make no mistake, the guy is a genuine socialist, but he apparently loves his situation much more and surely doesn't want to go crawling back to Chicago, unemployed, in 2012. So he becomes the chameleon extraordinaire.

It is definitely possible to dislike someone's politics and policies and still respect the person, but it's very difficult to have respect for the person who has no core convictions, no matter what they are, that he'll stand proudly behind when they come under serious fire. The "left" should be as disgusted with him as anyone.

Tonight is his State of the Union address and I guarantee you that he'll be playing to the everyday man as represented by the Tea Party groups appearing around the country. But it's all a show, and a desperate one at that.

Air America Crashes

2010-01-22T10:00:00.004-06:00

Check out the article on the link below. A moment of silence for Air America please, and try not to grin.

Of course, since the column is brought to us by the granddaddy of all state run media, the AP, it blames the downfall on everything but the real reason: nobody listened to it. It was a failure from the beginning because of that simple reason, but they'll not acknowledge that.

My question is this: If it's so important to the left to have this liberal voice on the airwaves, then why don't some billionaire ultra-libs like George Soros, simply fund the broadcast? Could it be that they are actually closet capitalists that will let the greed of "return on investment" get in the way of such a worthwhile cause? For shame!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_air_america_bankruptcy

The Message

2010-01-20T19:42:00.002-06:00

Scott Brown's victory in Massachusetts last night was one for the People, with ripples that flow out across the entire political pool, like from crates of Tea hitting the water. For democrat Martha Coakley, check and mate, but really not aimed at her. It was that bigger, badder target standing behind her.

The message was very, very clear to politicians of any persuasion: if you ignore the voices of the People, and continue to push an agenda that a clear majority reject, the price will be high. That is America's nearly perfect democracy in action. God Bless it!

Already today, the effects are being felt. Most politicians are way too fond of their situations to continue to support Obama's radical ideas that have clearly fallen out of favor. If you were a dem facing an election next week, would you make the same mistake Coakley did and call him in to campaign for you? You'd be crazy.

It was a nice "correction" yesterday. Later this year, will see how many took a lesson from it. Can we say "Mandate"?

A Study in Contrasts

2010-01-19T22:43:00.003-06:00

A lot of commentary today pounced on the scene of that big, beautiful cruise ship pulling into an idyllic lagoon just 45 miles from the death and destruction in Port Au Prince, Haiti. Everyone it seemed, wanted to swat that big softball of righteous indignation, served up in that blatant contrast of the haves and have nots, between the privileged and the deprived,...and in the west end of Haiti today, between living high and not living at all.

The few defenders of the odd scene, tried to make the case that the ship could have easily cruised on to the next island stop, which would have only deprived the Haitian locals there of making their normal sales of food and drink, and all of the trinkets that tourists always spend money on. Money that Haiti desperately needs, whenever and wherever it can get it, and that the loss of that would only punish them more.

It is a fact today that a portion of mankind is very fortunate, and that a larger percentage is much less so. Moving that ship to another port, if only for a few weeks, would not have changed that fact one iota. So what would be the point? To make the fortunate of the world feel a little less guilty? Yeah, maybe. And exactly how would that have helped the people of Haiti? Not at all.

I would therefore like to suggest that maybe it's not a bad thing at all to show the stark contrast of that pristine ship against the backdrop of Haitian suffering. Perhaps it has caused more than a few to rethink the scene, the symbolism of it, and our priorities. "In your face" is sometimes the only message that works.

Hey Barack...Reform This!

2010-01-19T18:34:00.003-06:00

Forget health care reform. Follow the link below for one sickening example that personifies the incredible need for education reform in this country. From California of course!

I would highlight the fact that this dude has been paid full salary and benefits since his "firing" in 2003! Anyone who backs this kind of tolerance in the system....teachers, review boards, unions and politicians (or can we just say democrats)....cannot tell me that they care about kids or their education. They're self-serving liars when they do.

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-ed-teacher18-2010jan18,0,3686125.story

Many Moons

2010-01-02T21:10:00.010-06:00

New Year's Eve was quite boisterous around this part of Chicagoland. Apparently, amateur pyrotechnics is the new thing for ringing in the new year. I recall some of it happening last year, but not nearly as intense. Perhaps it's going to replace firing a shotgun into the air, but I'm not sure that it's going to reduce any ER visits! I used to like these things, and fired off plenty of them as a teen, but I eventually grew up. (Some folks never do.) Now they just annoy me and unnerve my dog!

There was something else in the sky that night. Was it clear enough where you were? Yup...a "blue moon". The second full moon in December, and it was crystal clear here and gorgeous. I love a big full moon on a clear night and it made me stop and think.

The fact is, I love the full moon enough to know that in 2009 I had seen at least nine of them in a row, ending with that one on the last day of the year. How do I remember? Well, here's the deal: When we're up at the northern compound in Michigan, I keep a daily journal, and since I'm a night-sky geek, I always made note of the fantastic full moon nights we had over the lake. Sometime towards the end of the season up there, I think it was the September moon, I made a note about it and thought that I'd noted this several times over the spring and summer. When I checked back through the journal, sure enough, there had been a clear night on every full moon since our first visit in May! That's definitely an oddity in a state where clouds always outnumber clear skies, and that little oddity stuck with me through the remainder of the year. The November and both December moons were all seen in Illinois, but the unbroken string of clear nights continued even here, and thus my nine straight!

So on New Years Eve, I look up to see fireworks from my dopey neighbors exploding right next to nature's own beautiful show with that big blue moon. And on the last day of the year, when the mind inevitably drifts back over the year gone by, I'm looking up and thinking how I had that same view way back on the Fourth of July, on a beach in Northport, Michigan, with our good friends from camp (and The Study), watching fireworks explode over the full moon. I would call that serendipitous. Nine moons (blue and otherwise), holidays, and fireworks, all culminating on the last day of the year. Maybe 2009 wasn't so forgettable after all, and maybe there's a good omen hidden in that cold, white sphere, and it's string of visits.

Here's To 2010...

2009-12-31T18:37:00.002-06:00

In the ranking of my years spent kicking around the planet, I'm going to have to put 2009 right near the bottom as we wrap up things tonight, and I do just a little reflecting. I'm not going to justify it here in this post. It just was.

Don't misunderstand. I am blessed in many, many ways, and I really do make every effort to remember that. So in the big picture of things, I know that what I consider to be my worst years are likely better than 3/4 of the population's best year. That's some humbling stuff. So why even judge it? I don't know. I guess we all do it. Call it grading on a curve. No matter what we have, or what occurs, we all want to do better, right? Most times, we hope for a New Year at least as good as the last, don't we?

All I'm saying, is that compared to 2009, there's definitely some room for improvement for me. The important thing for me to remember...for us all to remember, is that much of that is up to us, as long as we allow God's help.

So here's to all of us making this next year better, for ourselves and for our neighbors. Throw another year (and a decade) on the fire tonight, and in the warmth and light of those memories, let us ask God to strengthen and guide us to making next year one for the top of our lists!

Happy New Year.

Christmas 2009

2009-12-24T14:10:00.003-06:00

The Christmas message from The Dominican Sisters of Mary:

God has always been with us, but the Incarnation radically changed His manner of being “with us.” The most sacred item for the people of the Old Testament was the Ark of the Covenant, which contained several holy objects: the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments, God’s word inscribed by God Himself; a jar of the manna with which God fed them in the desert; and Aaron’s rod, the symbol of his priesthood (Heb. 9:4). From the moment of the Incarnation, when the Holy Spirit overshadowed the Blessed Virgin Mary, who is called the Ark of the New Covenant, she held within her womb the Word of God in the flesh, who is the true manna in the Most Holy Eucharist, and who is the Eternal High Priest. Emmanuel, “God with us,” loves us with an intensity that is beyond our human comprehension, but we can begin to grasp it when we approach Him in the Blessed Sacrament, and receive Him into ourselves. Wherever the sanctuary light burns, He is there with us, but He is even closer to us when we receive Him, so that He can begin to transform us in Himself. He is not a God who remains distant, but one who enters into our lives, and into our very beings, bringing His infinite mercy and forgiveness. We long to be loved, and He longs for our love. As we approach the great mystery of Christmas, may He grant us the grace of deep, unwavering devotion to His presence in the Eucharist. O come, o come Emmanuel!

May the Peace of the Christ-child be God’s gift to us this Christmas time, and His blessings be upon us always!

More Chicago Thuggery

2009-12-15T08:14:00.004-06:00

In a desperate move to save face, Obama is "inviting" all democratic senators to the White House today to brow beat and threaten them that something must be done on health care before the end of the year. One gets the distinct impression that it doesn't matter what it contains, as long as Obama can protect his image.

Make no mistake; this is Chicago-style politics at it's worst. If it had been an invitation, Republicans would have received one. No, he's calling in the people that he knows he can intimidate.

So what we have here is a president with 44% approval rating, directing a senate with a 28% approval rating, to pass a bill that only 34% of Americans want. Now that's representation. That's the Chicago way.

Think About It

2009-12-11T14:18:00.004-06:00

"Treasury pay czar limits pay at automakers, banks."

This simple AP headline says a lot. An awful lot. Have you thought about it?

How sweeping these powers are for an official, who:

was not elected by the people
in a position unconfirmed by the other two branches of government
in an action unauthorized by the Constitution
controlling funds as if they were his own
to manage a couple dozen companies funded and even partially owned by the government
determining the pay grade for individuals of which he has no direct assessment of
under a title that is defined as, "...an autocrat; an absolute ruler..."

File this under more "Hope and Change", but stop and think about it first. After all, this is happening right under your nose in what is supposed to be a Republic.

Happy Thanksgiving -2009

2009-11-26T21:12:00.002-06:00

What follows is a wonderful reminder of the origin of the legal holiday we celebrate today, and also a testimony to the religious foundation upon which our country was built. A fact too often forgotten, and sometimes even dismissed by some today.

May we forever be a grateful nation, under God.

By the President of the United States of America. a Proclamation.
Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor–and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me “to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.
”Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be–That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks–for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation–for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the tranquillity, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed–for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted–for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us, and also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions–to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually–to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed–to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness onto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord–To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the encrease of science among them and us–and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.
Given under my hand at the City of New-York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.
Go. Washington

You Think??

2009-11-18T11:51:00.003-06:00

Funny how this statement of the obvious came out of our brilliant commander from his current location in China. The Chi-coms must have given him a "teachable moment" of their own. I guess as our landlords, they might have a right to do so.
Note the words, "tax breaks". Can you believe that? Oh well, just as long as the advice comes from the communists and not some Reagan-conservative.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091118/ap_on_re_as/as_obama_economy

If Given a Choice...

2009-11-18T08:52:00.004-06:00

Two high profile terrorist trials are about to begin. They will occur in two very different venues. Barack Hussein and Eric Holder have set up two different processes for them.

The group that bombed the USS Cole will go in front of a military court and face proceedings that are meant to deal with enemy combatants. These proceedings are typically sure and swift as the "defendants" are defined as an enemy force intending deliberate harm to the United States.

Then there is the group that masterminded and/or participated in the attacks of 9/11. (See my recent post, "What if?", Mr. President) This group will be tried under civil proceedings which will afford these "defendants" (with their confessions already in place) all of the Bill of Rights benefits that you or I would have guaranteed to us as U.S. citizens. There are so many principles being trampled in this process that it deserves a separate, future post.

But here is the bottom line to this, and a clear and disturbing message to terrorists world-wide:

If you are caught in an attempt to attack a U.S. military target, even with all of it's preparedness and ability to defend itself, you will face fast and sure justice at the hands of that same military. But if you are caught attacking an undefended civilian target, full of innocent victims, you will be given all of the rights and benefits that have been earned and defended with U.S. blood for over 200 years. Take your pick.

Thank you Mr. President for helping set the proper objectives for those who want to destroy us.

"What if", Mr. President?

2009-11-14T15:12:00.003-06:00

In this op-ed piece from Ed Morrissey on Obama's criminal trials for admitted terrorists, he asks some very legitimate questions that have the potential for some disastrous outcomes:

"What happens if the judge throws out key evidence over nitpicky technicalities? What happens if KSM and others get found not guilty because of gaps in the evidence chain resulting from national-security issues or “evidentiary issues”? Will Obama let them walk away? If that happens, look for a massive amount of anger to overwhelm the naive Commander in Chief. And if Obama isn’t prepared to let them walk after a potential acquittal, then it makes a mockery of the criminal trial, and of the justice system itself. These terrorists belong at a military tribunal, not the justice system employed for Americans to judge other Americans for civil criminal conduct. Instead of giving these men the oblivion they deserve, we’re incentivizing further attacks on the US by giving them the biggest possible PR platform. We may as well put them on TV and call it Dancing With the Terrorists, or So You Want To Be A Jihadist Martyr."

Someone might say that there's absolutely no possibility that our "commander" in chief hasn't already thought about these things, and it's scary if he hasn't. Even scarier is the thought that he has.

11/11 at 11:00

2009-11-11T09:25:00.003-06:00

"Gentlemen, you will permit me to put on my spectacles, for I have grown not only gray, but almost blind in the service of my country." --George Washington, upon fumbling for his glasses before delivering the Newburgh Address, 1783

To all those veterans and current military in the service of the U.S.A.: Thank you.

One Small Step onto Very Thin Ice

2009-11-09T21:58:00.003-06:00

So it is done. Or is it?

Well, if you listen to Nancy it is. "As big as Social Security and Medicare", as she put it. It's her version of nationalized medicine, but it is far from done.

All you really have to do is look at the vote. The dems control absolutely everything, and yet after all of Nancy's celebrating, her House got this done with a whopping 50.6% of the vote. And that's supposed to be the mandate that NancyHarryBarry want us to believe exists for this? What I saw was that she had to bribe, wrangle, beg and threaten just to get that much done. And that's why she's going to have to rethink this on many more long nights and weekends, and perhaps before then, she might have to finally listen to the voice of the people too. If not, 2010 Election Day is less than a year away. She'll hear it then.

A Loser Without a Winner?

2009-11-05T20:34:00.006-06:00

Tuesday's vote up in Maine which overturned same-sex marriage legislation has had some interesting press coverage.

Every article I've read starts out by describing it as a loss for gay marriage proponents. Some, but very few, might elude to it as a win for somebody far down in the text.

Now as I understand it, this was a referendum sponsored by opponents of the law, to overturn it. Seems to me that a fair and accurate reporting of it would have labeled the result as a victory, first and foremost.

Why does this keep happening with all of those unbiased news organizations out there?

One Year Later

2009-11-04T18:16:00.006-06:00

It is often said that "a man is known by the company he keeps". That was evoked often, and appropriately, when our current president was only a candidate. Not so much anymore. All of those radical old friends that he "barely knew" didn't seem to matter to the voters anyway, and now Ayers and Wright and the like are pretty much off the radar.

But it might be even more appropriate now to examine who he consults with as president. The old adage still applies, even more importantly. We're talking about those outside of his immediate circle whom he decides to invite into the White House. Remember, you do need to be invited; walking up and ringing the doorbell without one is almost guaranteed to be instantly fatal.

This question really came to mind when it was revealed how little time he had spent since his inauguration in discussion with his commander on the ground in Afghanistan. To this day, General McCrystal has only been called to the White House twice.

So out of all the diplomats, ambassadors, advisers, royalty, celebrities, statesmen, dignitaries, businessmen and women, etc., etc., that have been invited in, who tops the visitors list? The answer: Andy Stern, President of the SEIU, the Service Employee's International Union. One of Obama's best buddies, his power base, and his chief fundraiser. 20 times to be exact.

General McCrystal, fighting a war on global terror and commanding 25,000 of our troops in the deadliest land in the world: 2 times.

Andy Stern, fighting in the streets of our cities to organize labor and spread social activism in a war on capitalism: 20 times.

Sort of defines this president's priorities doesn't it?

This president has never been a commander. He still isn't. He's always been a community organizer. He still is.

The Pendulum Swings

2009-11-04T09:35:00.004-06:00

The people have spoken. Yesterday's gubernatorial wins for the Republican party were very, very telling, and don't let the mainstream media tell you any different. It was amazing how the downplaying of these races began with about 1% of the voting counted!

All summer, the discontent with the administration's nationalist/socialist policies were being protested and rejected in the form of negative polls and tea parties everywhere, yet these were summarily dismissed by the dems and press, as meaningless actions by a few "angry mobs".

But now, those protests have materialized into something real; maybe not in a big way, but in a small, yet very significant first step. And those first steps are always the hardest. The pendulum, which is never motionless in U.S. politics, is starting to swing the other way. What Obama, and the democrats in Congress must now realize, and they will, is that with every vote they cast which moves us in such dramatic fashion away from our historical "centrist" government, is a nail in their political coffins. Our liberty is being hijacked and the great majority are now realizing it. Shame on them though, that they couldn't see it in the candidate Obama, but it's not too late.

Like in most elections, most registered voters went to the polls last year having put no more thought into who they were choosing, than they do when they decide what movie to see next. That's the way it is when we live in a country so comfortable, so stable and so predictable. We take so much for granted. We think to ourselves that democrats and republicans are really only inches apart on the spectrum of politics that's a mile wide, and that's probably accurate 98% of the time. And heck, "...that Obama guy looks pretty good. At least he's not another Bush!"

But by now, we can all see that this president is far from center. Way too far. And the signs were there, but only in little bites, thanks to his entire career being only months long, and no mainstream press willing to examine it.

Now Americans are going to have to use the only tool they have to erase and correct a mistake. And yesterday they began the proven process. I'm tempted to say that for the first time, I'm really proud of my country, but that would be a cheap shot wouldn't it? More than that, it would be absolutely untrue.

Play or Pay

2009-10-27T09:33:00.002-05:00

The Obama White House decided last week that they were going to freeze out Fox News. This is the very first presidency ever to pick out a specific news source and decide that they were not worthy. Obama's timing comes right on the heels of Fox's airing of the ACORN scandal; an event that during the last administration, would have been lauded by Time and Newsweek as great, hard-core investigative journalism. But not now.

God knows, had George Bush decided to take the same action against news sources that were challenging his actions at every turn, he would have locked the doors on MSNBC, CNN, ABC, CBS and probably a couple of others. But I know, these media outlets NEVER showed any bias. Right.

There is a new emphasis over at the Politico this morning on so many more examples of the disparity in the media's treatment of the two administrations. (Oh...except on Fox). Check it out:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/20091027/pl_politico/28764

I don't know if the Politico has any kind of access to the White House currently, but if they do, they can probably kiss it goodbye after this post. That's just the way it with this president who promised a new era of transparency, cooperation and conciliation.

R.I.P. Soupy Sales

2009-10-22T23:05:00.002-05:00

My gosh, it's been a tough year on our iconic names from the 60's. And now Soupy at age 83.

Pies....big bow ties.....and more pies. Goofy slapstick that has not stood the test of time, but so what? That's today's problem. I enjoyed him.

R.I.P. Soupy.

Benedict's Bold Move

2009-10-21T21:01:00.005-05:00

So what does it mean, this move by the Pope to cast a lifeline to conservative Anglican's? Well, I'm no authority on all of the idiosyncrasies of the Roman Catholic doctrine to be applied here, just one man trying to fathom Christ's plan for it all. Just one middle-aged (yes, middle!) Episcopalian who asks questions and often wonders, like many Episcopalians these days, if I'm where God wants me to be in His Church. So with that, and with a day's reflection on the announcement, I'll offer these modest opinions:

1. It was a very timely move by the Pope to cast his net. Was it in his mind, and within the Vatican's finest theological minds, more prayerful or more pragmatic to move now? I would judge it to be the latter. A sense that this was the perfect time for a not-so-new idea, for there are restless souls out there.

2. A blow to the Anglican Church for sure. 90% of the Church's growth in the last decade is coming from the conservative side of it's communion. A side that has been most displeased with the "progressive" ideas from the more liberal branches of the communion, and an Archbishop who has spent the last decade doing nothing but waffling on the most divisive issues.

3. Another hit to the issue of harmony within the many Roman Catholic clergy who may look with much envy upon the "benefits" that Anglican clergy get to keep when they join. Harmony is hard to maintain when the rules aren't applied equally.

4. At some level, it was a bit of an insult to the Anglican Church. Almost as if the Pope is saying that after 450 years, it's still not a legitimate Church until it's comes back to the fold.

5. It definitely leapfrogs some of the ecumenical groundwork that both Churches were laying over the last several years, and certainly will make some aspects tougher and some moot.

Lastly, I've concluded fairly easily that this does nothing for me personally. I'm an ex-Roman and have no interest in returning. It may yet mean something to me, depending on it's long term effects on TEC. So therefore, despite all of the excitement, I am still left wondering what will happen to the orthodox Episcopalians like myself, who are beginning to feel marginalized. There are many of us wondering, and some wandering. More to pray on...always.

Unabashed Self-Promotion Posting

2009-10-21T17:25:00.005-05:00

On my list of "Check These" sites in the left margin, you'll notice a new link to my photo blog, Artifacts of Light. The name came to me as I thought about what a photograph is, in the purist sense: Color, reflection and shadow, all a result of light's interaction with our world and our perception of it, preserved by the camera.

I hope you'll visit now, and check it often. I'll constantly be adding images that I like and give a little information on each. Feel free to comment too!

Thanks for looking.

Time to Flush the Bowls

2009-10-21T14:01:00.004-05:00

Are you kidding me? Now, we need to have Barack Hussein launch an investigation into the structure and fairness of the NCAA football playoff structure known as the B.C.S. (Bowl Championship Series)?!!

Folks, I don't make this stuff up. We have a president that has chosen, as in any good socialist system, to stick his nose into every aspect of our lives. This guy is on TV 24/7, he pries into a resisting arrest charge in Massachusetts, he joins the U.S. Olympic committee, he takes over entire chunks of private industry, he does TV promos for his Hollywood buddies, he beams himself into our school classrooms, and on, and on, and on. (Everything except being Commander in Chief). And now this, the college bowl game system??

What makes this bowl "issue" even worse, is that it's a Republican, Orrin Hatch, who is asking Obama to do this because , and I start to wonder if there is any capable and responsible mind left in Washington these days. Can they possibly think of any other ways to p*** our money away? It's just beyond words.

So Barry will look into this I'm sure, and the federal government will end up owning all bowl games. Under that takeover:

Schools with more than 50 % minority enrollment will be allowed five "downs" per possession, versus four for schools like Utah (bet Orrin didn't figure on that!)
Chicago will host the National Championship game in the first ever "Oprah Bowl".
The Fox Network is shut out from bidding for any game.
All ticket sales will be conducted by ACORN.
All halftime shows will carry a taped message on health care reform.
The Goodyear and Met Life blimps will be grounded in favor of fly-bys by Air Force One.
And not surprisingly, the cancellation of The Liberty Bowl.

Special thanks to Orrin Hatch. You serve us well.

The Trouble With Joe

2009-10-20T19:09:00.002-05:00

Oh-oh. Joe "Bucket Mouth" Biden is at it again. Every time he does it, I can picture Obama running to some far-flung room at the White House and screaming as loud as he can, "Why the **** did I pick this crazy, senile white guy?!!!"

Compounding the problem for Obama is when Crazy Joe is actually right, and is "talking out of school" as they say. You know, when he lacks the savvy to lie as smoothly as Obama can.

Today, he said that the "economy is in a depression, at least for those still not working". Yikes. That would seem to fly directly in the face of Barry's statements and those of all his handlers who insist that not only is it a recession (not depression), but that it's actually over! Thanks to that stimulus package and a resurgence of Casino Wall Street, I'm hearing that all is well.

Because he's such a thorn in Obama's side, I have to admit that sometimes I can actually stand the guy. Today is one of those days.

Say It Ain't So, Mate

2009-10-16T22:01:00.005-05:00

Britian continues to lose. Their very culture is disappearing under an onslaught of unrestricted immigration. Their honor is tossed aside in favor of Libyan oil deals. And now you can't even walk into a pub and get fish and chips?!!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091016/ap_on_re_eu/eu_eu_threatened_fish

Now it's serious.

More Dead-End Diplomacy

2009-10-15T16:06:00.003-05:00

Missile defense systems are removed from Poland to appease the Russians. A meeting with the Dalai Lama is cancelled to appease the Chinese. And these are just a couple of the more recent steps taken by Barack Hussein to gain favor with the two most dangerous "friends" we have in the world. Dangerous for many reasons, but the most recent being that neither one will support any tightening of sanctions against Iran.

Obama sent Hillary and the rest of his diplomacy brain-trust over to Russia to specifically negotiate a deal to punish Iran. We gave them Poland's security and in return they sent her packing with absolutely nothing. And China? Well, today they announced that not only would they not punish Iran, they are actually planning an immediate increase in trade and other assistance. Nice.

To me, what we have here is what Obama would call a "teachable moment". The problem is, teachable moments are only for others apparently; not for him. This guy just doesn't get it. Doesn't read history. Doesn't understand. So as his powerful friends continue to support the radicals in Iran and we continue to bargain our security away, an extremely dangerous Middle East will grow more so. And when it eventually erupts, which it will, Barack better ignore any phone calls coming from Norway. Somebody might want their prize back.

A Prized President

2009-10-14T15:30:00.002-05:00

Affirmative Action has even reached the Nobel Committee. It's the only plausible explanation to their award of the Peace Prize to Barack Hussein before he's accomplished anything. Apparently lofty speeches, expressed intentions and campaign promises are all that is required.

Well, there is another possibility.

I think that what we are really seeing here is a very leftist and opportunistic European consortium who understands (correctly) that they have a U.S. president who they can actually influence. Actually, the word steer might be more accurate. Can you blame them for wanting to promote their pacifist, socialist agenda with a U.S. president who actually gives a rats-behind about their world view?

And steerable he is. A citizen of the world; not interested in always placing the U.S. first. Overly concerned with what others think of him. Needy of constant approval and praise, like the adoration he received during his global apology tour. And he isn't George Bush.

Now another man, a better man, might have recognized the motive when no other explanation made sense. But not Obama. And he knows that he hasn't done anything. Yet his ego is so huge that he could never see this as anything but worship. To him, it just makes sense.

On Losing The Games

2009-10-02T12:10:00.005-05:00

The International Olympics Committee has just sent Chicago packing in the first round of voting for 2016. That's last place. Hmmm? Quite a swing from what everyone, including yours truly, thought would be first place. What happened?

Very simply, Chicago itself was not up to the task in the opinions of the committee, and any help that "the first couple", plus Oprah, thought they were going to bring was overreaching, misdirected and arrogant.

I listened to both speeches by our king and queen, and having spent my entire career in sales, I can tell you that they totally missed the mark. They blew it folks. The first thing that you learn when you're trying to sell something to a potential customer, is that you talk to them about what they want, and how you're going to deliver it. But in this case, their own arrogance led them to give speeches about their families, their dreams, their city and their wants. And guess what, the IOC didn't give a damn about that. Surprise, surprise. It's got to be shocking to the "dream team" that went over there, and every Barack Hussein supporter, who thinks that the world is ready to fall at his feet.

As far as my prediction, I was clearly fooled. I thought that there was probably some backroom deal ahead of time, that basically guaranteed a win for Chicago, because I could not imagine Obama going over there with any risk of possibly losing. And yet he did. And that only tells me that his ego and arrogance is far larger than even I imagined, and because of that, Obama had convinced himself ahead of time, that he couldn't lose.

He's learning a lot these days. The problem is, that it's always at our expense.

Season's Fleetings

2009-09-30T20:52:00.005-05:00

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?

2009-09-28T21:36:00.003-05:00

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

2009-09-26T22:37:00.011-05:00

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....

2009-09-25T21:26:00.004-05:00

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

2009-09-24T16:49:00.005-05:00

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

2009-09-23T20:33:00.004-05:00

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

2009-09-21T22:44:00.002-05:00

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

2009-09-16T23:43:00.014-05:00

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

2009-09-15T20:00:00.002-05:00

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

2009-09-15T09:50:00.003-05:00

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

2009-09-13T19:52:00.003-05:00

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

2009-09-06T21:46:00.002-05:00

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

2009-09-06T07:35:00.002-05:00

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

2009-09-05T21:13:00.007-05:00

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

2009-09-04T22:14:00.003-05:00

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?

2009-09-03T23:17:00.002-05:00

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

2009-09-03T08:39:00.003-05:00

"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

2009-09-03T08:31:00.003-05:00

Back when Scots were proud and upright:

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

No more.

Dead Man Hawking

2009-08-29T21:09:00.003-05:00

Overheard at the Kennedy funeral today: a couple of his little grandsons with special intercessions for nationalized health care, in order that grandpa's dreams could become reality.

Sickening. Absolutely sickening.

One thing is for certain, when is comes to exploitation, misrepresentation, smear and outright lies, you just can't beat at liberal fighting for a cause.

If you can't even stop politicizing at a funeral, well then I guess that's a positive sign for the good guys. The desperation has reached it's lowest point. Maybe.

Mercy, Mercy

2009-08-29T19:13:00.003-05:00

Unbelievable!

Apparently, the authorities in Iraq have taken an important cue from the boundless charity demonstrated by the Scots last week when they released the Lockerbie bomber. Because today, they granted early release to the infamous shoe thrower!

But before you fly into a rage about this, realize that this was only done because the thrower is actually suffering from terminal athlete's foot! It was the humane thing to do.

California Dreamin'

2009-08-29T15:49:00.003-05:00

I'm reading about some hopping-mad libs today and so naturally I want to write about it. Especially because this involves the most vitriolic libs, those of California, and their UAW pals.

Toyota has announced that it will be closing it's Fremont, CA assembly plant, putting 4,500 UAW members out of work, and eliminating a huge chuck of tax revenue from the state that can least afford it right now. But as most of the state-run media is reporting on the evil actions of the Japanese car-maker, and talking to a bunch of libs and union mouthpieces, why don't we look at a couple of things from another prospective:

Toyota actually brought this plant back to life in 1984, by entering into a joint venture with the old General Motors. GM had actually closed it in 1982, because the UAW would not negotiate to reduce labor cost. The JV between the two companies, called NUMMI (New United Motor Manufacturing) was able to negotiate some concessions with the UAW because it required a new contract to be set up. This led to 25 years of very stable employment for the UAW, because of Toyota.

After the old GM was taken over by Barack Hussein, the new Government Motors was led into quick bankruptcy where it was decided that it needed to pull out of the Fremont NUMMI relationship.

So where should the blame go? GM pulled out of the deal, and Toyota was left holding the bag, and so they decided to abandon it.

This morning, the ever-delusional Sen. Diane Feinstein and UAW boss Ron Gettelfinger are teaming up to blast Toyota. Predictably off-base. Way off-base.

First, dip Diane should call her president and find out why the location was no longer good business for Government Motors. He can fill her in. After all, no one understands the car biz better than Barry. Did she not support every single move he made when he was nationalizing the U.S. auto industry? Sure she did. And why does she expect Toyota to hang in alone? Toyota is no Barry, but I would say they know a couple of things about building cars competitively.

Then there's Gettlefinger. Of course, none of this problem has anything to do with the UAW according to him. Except that they blew up GM back in 1982 at this plant to start with. Except that they stood by to collect their wages year after year of GM/Toyota losing money at this facility, with no willingness to help share the pain. Except that they, along with their elected messiah are now the largest shareholders by far of the company that pulled out first. No, it's all Toyota's fault. Right. Some things never change.

Finally, Ms. Feinstein had the gall to chastise Toyota about making the announcement right at the end of the "Cash for Clunkers" program, because it turns out that they have made more money off it than any other car-maker! Einstein, er, I mean Feinstein, apparently needs a reminder about who's idea the cash for clunkers was? Another inconvenient truth for the libs.

Inclusion = Contraction (Again)

2009-08-28T20:02:00.005-05:00

The link below takes you to an interesting article. It's about a community of Episcopal nuns and their loss of faith in the liberal "reformation" of their Church. It is significant and sad. Another rare piece of Anglican tradition that is about to get rarer, thanks to TEC.

http://www.catholicreview.org/subpages/storyworldnew-new.aspx?action=6750

I found the quote from Mother Christina to be especially telling: “People who did not know us looked at us as if we were in agreement with what had been going on (in the Episcopal Church),” she said. “By staying put and not doing anything, we were sending a message which was not correct.”

That certainly speaks to me, and I continue to pray to find out what God wants for me in my own relationship with this Church, but if seven years of prayer and a devotion far beyond mine have led these sisters to this conclusion, perhaps they have an important message for many orthodox Episcopalians.

R.I.P. Ted Kennedy

2009-08-26T16:54:00.002-05:00

What is one to say (or write) about the death of a foe? Or not even that - let's say, not an adversary, but one whom you can draw little respect from and no real fondness?

Well, ultimately there's the human side to which we must all have compassion. And let's face it, half the country perceived him politically as one of theirs. Actually they thought much more than that. A hero for the liberal cause. A politician for the common man, even though he lived the most uncommon life and could have no real clue about life in upper-middle America, or below. (Actually, this applies to probably 80% of Congress!)

His death is already being politicized by those libs and the state-owned media that see this as an opportunity. Sort of akin to the "don't waste a crisis" attitude by the current ruling party who's wish for a socialist state could start with Kennedy's health care initiative. Sickening. Yet these are Kennedy's people.

As a conservative, I could find virtually no common ground with his political viewpoints. The legacy he leaves behind, with a 50-year trail to his father and brothers, is nothing but big and bigger government, and less and less liberty for Americans. A career politician of the worst kind, something the media always likes to play up. You know, the "service to his country" bit. As if "laboring" under a quarter-million dollar salary with the finest perks and benefits, and a staff of dozens to do your bidding.....as if 40 years of doing that deserves any more credit than doing 40 years at any other job.

And let's not forget that he was a man guilty of negligent homicide who never paid his due. No small thing is that.

So what to say? A man who will be missed by those that loved him. Gee, that's easy.

A man of importance? Yes.

A friend to America? No.

A sinner? Yup. (About the only thing he and I had in common.)

Bottom line though, a human being. R.I.P. Ted Kennedy.

Justice Denied

2009-08-20T08:37:00.006-05:00

I am beside myself this morning. I just read the headline about the release of the Lockerbie bomber, and my head spins trying to comprehend that kind of thinking.

The man blows an airliner out of the sky killing 270 people, and now some Scottish judge wants to show him mercy because he is terminally ill. It's beyond reason.

What is happening to the UK, and for that matter, the whole of Europe, that is turning brains into jelly? I swear that every day, I am reading about decisions akin to this one. Decisions where backbone, pride and justice have utterly vanished over there. Where more and more liberal thought is overcoming any sense of who and what it was that created some of the greatest thinkers and powers on the earth. Now it's being pissed away. I'm sorry; that's the word that comes to my mind. It's just so sad to watch it happen. We must never let that kind of culture destroy the U.S.A..

The judge uses the word compassion. Where does he think this guy earned that, and what gives a judge, any judge, the right to hand out that most precious gift in the face of the horrendous brutality of killing 270 innocents? If Almighty God wants to show this guy compassion, then it will be shown to him upon his death. But as civilized people, there must be penalties in society, severe ones, for acts against humanity like this.

I do not support the penalty of death, not even in a case like this. That is simply not my belief. But the just penalty for this man, at the very least, was to spend the rest of his life in solitary confinement, a minimum of food and water and a cold, slat bed to lie down on. No contact with any other human being, ever. And he would live that way until the day of his natural death.

He likely lived a bit better than this. And he's served only 8 years!

Now he's very sick, with terminal something. So now it's time for a higher power to deal with him, with no interference on our part. We will be rid of it.

I see things everyday that I can take issue with, and yet almost always, there is one little corner of my brain where I can usually find a grain of empathy for the other opinion. In this case, there is absolutely none. Nothing.

It just so happens that I was in London when the bombing occurred. For me, it certainly put a damper on a Christmas celebration. What a pitiful little bit of discomfort it gave to me, as compared to those victims and their families. I won't ever forget it. This "judge" in Scotland apparently already has.

Charlie Gibson's War

2009-08-19T10:14:00.002-05:00

Nutcase peacenik Cindy Sheehan is on her way to Martha's Vineyard, stalking Barack Hussein and family, with the intent to disrupt their vacation with more anti-Iraq/Afghanistan demonstrations.

There is nothing new about her strategy. Her annoyance could be heard throughout the Bush administration's period, where she would turn up everywhere form Crawford, Texas to D.C. and beyond, and ALWAYS with the mainstream media in tow.

Of course, now she can only turn to the new commander, who now owns the Afghan war, and continue her lunacy. Funny thing is, you don't really hear or see her anymore.

This morning, one of our local radio talk guys, who's somewhat conservative, had a chance to ask Charlie Gibson from ABC (the All Barack Channel) why we don't see much of Cindy anymore? A nicely loaded question for ole' Charlie.

His response was so lib-predictable: "Well, of course, Cindy's story is a sad one. She lost a son in Iraq, and she's committed to the cause of ending all conflict over there. But I think we've all seen enough of her, haven't we? We need to move on."

Charlie; what a piece of work!

Bottom line: When it was Bush's war, the media wanted this. Now they won't give her the time of day. I wish I could recall who I heard this from, but it was something to the effect of "There is no war without Bush!" Great quote, and such an accurate condemnation of our media.

Missed Opportunity

2009-08-17T09:38:00.004-05:00

Police officers in Long Branch, New Jersey were called to a scene where an older, disheveled man was acting mysteriously; walking down a street looking into old houses. A 24-year old officer stopped the man at the scene to find out who he was and what business he had in the neighborhood.

Apparently, all went well from there. The man produced his I.D., explained that he was taking a break from work and was simply checking out the old neighborhood. The matter was settled and everyone went their separate ways.

And now the rest of the story:

The man was no other than Bob Dylan! He has been on tour, and was set to play in Lakewood, N.J. that evening. The fact that the responding officer was so young, failed him in recognizing the aging music man, even after he saw his name.

If you ask me, Dylan wasted an outstanding opportunity.

All he had to do was "get big" with that young cop. You know, resist a little. Remind the pushy cop about who he was! Call him some names. Maybe protest that he was being pushed around simply because he was older. Wasn't he a big part of that early counter-culture movement that tried to fight "the man", the "pigs", the "fuzz", anyway?

Dylan's career hasn't exactly been on fire lately. He could have used some publicity.

Maybe best of all, some high-profile person would have accused that cop of acting stupidly. And then maybe invited Dylan and the bigoted cop over to share a beer together.

I think this could have been a teachable moment. Some elitist using this event as a stage to demonstrate that old and young can sit down together over a beer and learn to respect one another. That rap and folk-rock can indeed coexist.

There's only one man who could have pulled it off. Only one man with the vision and the gift to bring people of so vastly different backgrounds together in a simple act of enjoying a beer together.

Yeah. I think you blew it Bob.

Debbie Does Dumb

2009-08-13T21:54:00.002-05:00

Debbie Stabenow is an idiot. There's no other explanation:

"Climate change is very real," she confessed as she embraced cap and trade's massive tax increase on Michigan industry - at the same time claiming, against all the evidence, that it would not lead to an increase in manufacturing costs or energy prices. "Global warming creates volatility. I feel it when I'm flying. The storms are more volatile. We are paying the price in more hurricanes and tornadoes."

I would suggest she start taking a bus and stay out of those "volatile" skies. Had she done that earlier, she might not have missed the coldest July on record that we just completed down here at ground level.

One of Obama's Angels.

What's in a Sticker?

2009-08-13T09:36:00.011-05:00

Still at the northern compound this morning, and I took one of my most favorite bike rides up the lake shore to the little 'burg of Lake Leelanau. Just a perfect morning for it too. Temp around 70, little wind and not a cloud in the sky.

Once there, I made my way around the village. I got off the seat for awhile to take a rest at the "Narrows", where the north and south lake meet. Nice spot. My "cheeks" really appreciate it!

Continuing on, I made my way past the small coffee shop on the main drag. Several cars were lined up in front. There were some interesting bumper stickers there this morning. I tend to notice those.

I actually laughed out loud at one car. It had several stickers on the back, but two right next to each other were what I found delightfully humorous and 'apropos. The first one said, "Obama/Biden 2008". The one next to it said, "Caution - Blonde Thinking". Well, doesn't that say it all!!

Two cars down, I saw the "Coexist" sticker. Have you seen this one? They are not uncommon up here in Traverse City. Typically applied to Beetles, Civics, Hybrids and other little "gen-Y" type vehicles, I've yet to see one on a pickup truck. Go ahead and apply whatever implications that might make. More about that in a minute.

One of the really nice things I enjoy on a long bike ride, is that it gives my brain some thought-time. Understanding that you do need to be alert, I still find that my mind works very well as I pedal. This doesn't seem to work in the middle of the winter when I'm on my stationary bike in the basement, so sun, wind, insects and birds do have a very positive effect on the thought process.

So on the ride back, that "Coexist" sticker pops back into my mind, and now my thoughts on it:

If you haven't seen one, the word coexist on the sticker takes each letter of the word and makes it into a religious or political symbol. The "c" becomes a Muslim crescent, the "t" a crucifix, and so on. See the picture here.

What would the owner of this sticker want us to think? First, it would seem that he or she would like us to think of them as being very enlightened. Full of brotherly love. The message being, "can't we all just get along", "live and let live", etc.. It certainly suggests to me an elitist type liberal and/or an "inclusionist" if that's a word. Everyone just doing there own thing. Nobody's "right". There is no absolute truth.

It could be that the owner belongs to one of these symbols, and just wants to be left alone.

Be careful of literal translations here. Lions and hyenas have coexisted for eons, but there's no love there, and that's really my thought on this sticker. It means to say "everyone just do their own thing" and leave each other in peace. But is that caring, or not caring? Think about it.

I can only speak to the letter to which I belong. The "t". And that symbol belongs to Christ. He didn't teach us to coexist. Far from it. He taught us the truth, and then gave us the mission to spread that truth and pray for the conversion of others. The owner of the sticker doesn't belong to the "t", at least. Not really. I don't mean to be judgemental. They may very well be one of the nicest people you'd ever meet, and very easy to coexist with. But that is not enough.

Wow! All of that thought can't possibly be done safely when your pedaling along down a highway. In fact, I was sort of drifting over when an SUV passed me with a sticker that said.......

Aw, never mind. Bicycles and cars do not coexist very well.

The Specter of Defeat

2009-08-12T09:53:00.002-05:00

Arlen Specter is a piece of work. The turncoat lib was given a real "welcome" in his recent town hall meeting to discuss health care reform. I'm sure he'd seen he fellow libs in the House being roasted at their meetings, but maybe he thought that a senator would be treated differently. Wrong.

And now, just to make things worse for himself and the cause, he makes a statement that the "mob"protesting at these things "don't represent America". Nice.

Maybe he should review the recent polling data. Or maybe he should just conduct some more town hall meetings and invite "America" in. And I don't mean an Obama-style meeting where the vetted participants receive an invitation.

Every one of these "dummycrats" are starting to understand that they can try and vote Obama's plan in and at the same time, guarantee that they are voting themselves out. Once that fully sinks in, we will be spared this giant leap at socialism.

I think Specter's done either way.

Might as well go for it Arlen. At re-election time you're going to find out who represents America, and that you don't.

More Transparency

2009-08-11T21:43:00.009-05:00

Isn't it strange how Barack Hussein didn't get to enjoy the same type of "town hall" health care meeting that all the other libs have been having? It was downright peaceful. Nothing but "high fives" all the way around today.

Of course, he went all the way up to New Hampshire to have it. Might as well have been another fundraiser for him! New Hampshire is maybe just a little less socialist than Sweden, but not by much. Maybe next time he should try South Carolina or Oklahoma.

Then there was that sweet little girl, Julia Hall, who stood up bravely and ask the president why so many people were upset and was she to believe all of those angry signs? Why doesn't she just ask her Mom, Kathleen Hall? This is her with Obama last year:

.....right after she handed him a check. Hmm? Maybe that's how little Julia was picked "at random" to ask such a hard-hitting question of the chosen one.

Nice try Barry.

Voter's Remorse No. 32,456,877

2009-08-10T21:03:00.005-05:00

I present the interesting link below as a follow up to my July 23rd post "Requiem to the F-22".

What is bothersome though, is that the good General that wrote the article was a national co-chair of Obama for President! So for all of the good opinion he presents on the F-22, it must be tempered with the total lack of respect I have for his backing of this so-called "commander" in-chief.

Nice going General. Way to screw it up! Like you had no idea what this guy would attempt to do with our military? Voter's remorse is a terrible thing, but in your case it's inexcusable.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204908604574332870284931470.html