When it comes to public safety, especially safety procedures for school children, we are a most 'amusing' lot of people! I cannot help but think of the diametric found in 'show & go.'
Return with me now to those troubling days of yesteryear when those dad-gum Russians test-exploded their first atomic bomb in 1949. Soon after, my fourth grade class at Woodrow Wilson Grade School had routine 'duck & cover' drills when that local fire horn sounded. That's right the drill was duck under your desk and cover your head so that bomb won't mess-up recess plans! Previously, we only had two drills: (1) the fire drill when we formed that orderly single line and hauled fanny to the opposite side of the street from the school building and (2) the tornado drill when we went to that predetermined hallway spot away from windows.
My fourth grade teaching granddaughter telephoned me last evening to explain a 'new' school drill that administrators are attempting to get their bogus checklist-mentality around. Americans back a few decades ago decided to save tax monies buying into the problematic-notion that many institutionalized mental patients could function just fine 'taking' pills and living in halfway houses. When pills are not regularly taken and guns become so available it was easy for the mentally deranged to become killing machines. Now, let me get my head around this; we are going to have a 'schoolhouse drill' that is going to cover every possible and imaginable school shooting scenario?? Right! You crap your friends and I'll crap mine but let's NOT crap one another!
My granddaughter told me that the 'What to do when a gunman visits school' teachers' meeting lasted one hour. There were so many unanswered questions posed by teachers to the local law officer and school administrators that the parting recommendation from leadership was: " Use your best judgment." I will guarantee you that more meetings on the matter will follow. If school people do any thing well it is schedule meetings.
Okay, I shall leave you with this to ponder. Every time Iran rattles their sabers with suggestions of securing 'that' dreaded mass destruction nuclear bomb, our Republican 'Hawks' pontificate about placing all options on the table and strongly urging military intervention. However, those same counterfeit clowns refuse to place all options on the table to protect our school children, Christmas mall shoppers, movies goers and worshipers at the Temple from the crazies in our neighborhoods.. The Republicans want to kick Iran's ass while kissing the NRA's ass. Go figure!
What I cannot understand is why Iran and North Korea don't employ lobbyist; don't they realize that American politicians are For Sale?
I'm going to stop now and make some Shrimp/Okra Gumbo; never made this dish before but I'm gonna give it a whirl! I need to go to the grocery store for okra. I will put on my military flak-jacket and hope for the best. I must get all my foods ready for the big game; no not the Super Bowl, the Senate hearings confirmation for nominated Secretary of Defense, Chuck Hagel; talk about some silly end zone dancing.
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Recognize and Honor Good
Last weekend, I watched the funeral mass for beloved St. Louis Cardinals great Stan 'The Man' Musial who died at age 92. It was a fitting tribute to this notable baseball Hall-of-Fame player who spent his entire 22-year big league career with St. Louis. Musial's records and statistical numbers accomplishments are mind boggling. Perhaps most gaudy is 1815 hits at home and 1815 hits on the road; coupled with seven National League batting titles. Musial, forever, will be etched in the minds of St. Louis baseball fans and likely until time ends, he will be celebrated along the banks of the Mississippi.
Interestingly, I had lunch last week with another former major league baseball player who finished a season hitting one thousand; finished his career hitting one thousand. Roe Skidmore is the former Chicago Cubs player who made one at bat appearance and singled. Roe is also a Decatur Eisenhower high school graduate who played on that school's State Championship team his junior year, 1962.
The purpose for lunch with Skidmore is to bring him on as a committee member. I recently made the proposal to the Decatur School District to name a remodeled baseball field, "Panthers' Pro Park" as we lift the names of 15-former Major League baseball players with Decatur connections; either born in Decatur or played for a Decatur high school. One of those fifteen players from Decatur had big time stats. That is 15-year veteran Bill Madlock who won four (4) National League batting titles.
The purpose and point to all this effort is saluting those who achieved a level of excellence and offer those accomplishments as standards for Decatur youth to aspire. Along with Skidmore and Madlock, the other Decatur players who made the 'bigs' and will subsequently have their names placed for public recognition at Panthers' Pro Park are: Walter "Boom Boom" Beck, Chuck Dressen, Harry East, Jeff Innis, Kevin Kosloski, Hobie Landrith, Fred T. Long, Dan Porter, Kevin Roberson, Art Scharein, George Scharein, Brian Snitker and Del Unser.
There is relativity in this journey called life and there is levels of acknowledgement and praise. Nevertheless, when we can say 'job well done,' we should.
PS. A trivia note on Stan Musial that I did not hear reported was the following: In 1952, Musial and Chicago Cubs player Frankie Baumholtz were locked in a close race for the National League Batting Title for much of the season. The Cubs were in St. Louis for the final games of that season and on the last day, Cardinals ' manager, Eddie Stankey brought Musial in from center field to pitch to lead off hitter, Baumholtz. Baumholz, a Left handed hitter turned around and batter right handed against Musial and reached second base on an error. Musial did not appreciate the circus gimmick. Musial won the Title. Baumholtz was the first MLB player who also played professional basketball.
Interestingly, I had lunch last week with another former major league baseball player who finished a season hitting one thousand; finished his career hitting one thousand. Roe Skidmore is the former Chicago Cubs player who made one at bat appearance and singled. Roe is also a Decatur Eisenhower high school graduate who played on that school's State Championship team his junior year, 1962.
The purpose for lunch with Skidmore is to bring him on as a committee member. I recently made the proposal to the Decatur School District to name a remodeled baseball field, "Panthers' Pro Park" as we lift the names of 15-former Major League baseball players with Decatur connections; either born in Decatur or played for a Decatur high school. One of those fifteen players from Decatur had big time stats. That is 15-year veteran Bill Madlock who won four (4) National League batting titles.
The purpose and point to all this effort is saluting those who achieved a level of excellence and offer those accomplishments as standards for Decatur youth to aspire. Along with Skidmore and Madlock, the other Decatur players who made the 'bigs' and will subsequently have their names placed for public recognition at Panthers' Pro Park are: Walter "Boom Boom" Beck, Chuck Dressen, Harry East, Jeff Innis, Kevin Kosloski, Hobie Landrith, Fred T. Long, Dan Porter, Kevin Roberson, Art Scharein, George Scharein, Brian Snitker and Del Unser.
There is relativity in this journey called life and there is levels of acknowledgement and praise. Nevertheless, when we can say 'job well done,' we should.
PS. A trivia note on Stan Musial that I did not hear reported was the following: In 1952, Musial and Chicago Cubs player Frankie Baumholtz were locked in a close race for the National League Batting Title for much of the season. The Cubs were in St. Louis for the final games of that season and on the last day, Cardinals ' manager, Eddie Stankey brought Musial in from center field to pitch to lead off hitter, Baumholtz. Baumholz, a Left handed hitter turned around and batter right handed against Musial and reached second base on an error. Musial did not appreciate the circus gimmick. Musial won the Title. Baumholtz was the first MLB player who also played professional basketball.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
It Floats My Boat
I would believe that every person needs diversion in their life. We must occasionally escape from stress and pressure, which can build to unimaginable crescendos. We refresh as we embrace a light-hearted distraction found in entertainment, social events and recreation.
As others, I do those things such as movies, dinner and social engagements. Aside from those customary amusements, I find joy in another avenue of release. It is an exercise that I suppose offers a quasi expression of sorts. I spend much time compiling various composite collections of rare vinyl 45 record classics and Long Play albums. The songs and recording artist of the 1940's and 1950's are my preferred targets. I will 'burn' different compilations onto CD's and then send those CD's to friends. I have some 'old and rare' recording stuff. For example: The De Castro Sisters one hit wonder, "Teach Me Tonight" is seldom if ever heard on any 'oldies' radio stations. And what about Little Milton's rendition of "Grits Ain't Groceries?"
Considering the many things that separate and define us as different, I believe yesterday's vocal artists and their songs bring a generation together in a time frame of special-commonality if just for a moment; the time it takes Etta James to sing "Dance With Me Henry" or Tommy Edwards to sing, "Please Mr. Sun." My friends will smile hearing the powerful voice of Don Cornell belting out, "I'm Yours" or the classic by The Browns, "The Old Lamplighter."
We all look back on our youth with mixed emotions. Our yesteryear's did shape our lives. Certain world and national events will always stand out in memories as well as our personal side of life that perhaps offered life altering events. Most of those memories are stirred and likely sharpened by musical sound tracks. Some recollections are held with fondness while other recall can be painful. The songs of our youth have become staples holding together remembrances of classic television shows, popular dance crazes and that special romantic relationship.
Someone once accused me of 'living' in the past. I dismiss the notion unapologetic noting that the 'music' of our times made us incurable romantics. I will leave the documentation research to others, but I would bet that the generation of the 1940's and 1950's have fewer divorces than any other two generations and my money says, the love songs sealed the deal! Goodness, how could two people walk from each other with a history of slow dancing to Frankie Laine's, "I Believe?"
Excuse me while I move myself from this typing machine; I intend to make some composite CD's with the voices of Patti Paige and Joni James. Before I go, I leave two music trivia notations: The most frequently played 'juke box' song is 'Crazy,' which is written by Willie Nelson and sung by Patsy Cline. The most frequently requested song for DJ's is "Unchained Melody" by the Righteous Brothers."
Okay, once a week select three of your favorite songs of long ago and listen as you attempt to identify the song's 'hook.' Do that exercise once a week; let me know if you can't find the song.
As others, I do those things such as movies, dinner and social engagements. Aside from those customary amusements, I find joy in another avenue of release. It is an exercise that I suppose offers a quasi expression of sorts. I spend much time compiling various composite collections of rare vinyl 45 record classics and Long Play albums. The songs and recording artist of the 1940's and 1950's are my preferred targets. I will 'burn' different compilations onto CD's and then send those CD's to friends. I have some 'old and rare' recording stuff. For example: The De Castro Sisters one hit wonder, "Teach Me Tonight" is seldom if ever heard on any 'oldies' radio stations. And what about Little Milton's rendition of "Grits Ain't Groceries?"
Considering the many things that separate and define us as different, I believe yesterday's vocal artists and their songs bring a generation together in a time frame of special-commonality if just for a moment; the time it takes Etta James to sing "Dance With Me Henry" or Tommy Edwards to sing, "Please Mr. Sun." My friends will smile hearing the powerful voice of Don Cornell belting out, "I'm Yours" or the classic by The Browns, "The Old Lamplighter."
We all look back on our youth with mixed emotions. Our yesteryear's did shape our lives. Certain world and national events will always stand out in memories as well as our personal side of life that perhaps offered life altering events. Most of those memories are stirred and likely sharpened by musical sound tracks. Some recollections are held with fondness while other recall can be painful. The songs of our youth have become staples holding together remembrances of classic television shows, popular dance crazes and that special romantic relationship.
Someone once accused me of 'living' in the past. I dismiss the notion unapologetic noting that the 'music' of our times made us incurable romantics. I will leave the documentation research to others, but I would bet that the generation of the 1940's and 1950's have fewer divorces than any other two generations and my money says, the love songs sealed the deal! Goodness, how could two people walk from each other with a history of slow dancing to Frankie Laine's, "I Believe?"
Excuse me while I move myself from this typing machine; I intend to make some composite CD's with the voices of Patti Paige and Joni James. Before I go, I leave two music trivia notations: The most frequently played 'juke box' song is 'Crazy,' which is written by Willie Nelson and sung by Patsy Cline. The most frequently requested song for DJ's is "Unchained Melody" by the Righteous Brothers."
Okay, once a week select three of your favorite songs of long ago and listen as you attempt to identify the song's 'hook.' Do that exercise once a week; let me know if you can't find the song.
Monday, January 28, 2013
Leaders Should be Emotionally Normal
During a second cup of coffee yesterday morning, I was listening to television news-personalities discuss the wisdom of 'leaders' who may show or express emotional tears. Questions debated were: Does it show a sign of weakness? Is it wise for leaders to have those emotional moments publicly? ? How can the public be certain the tears are authentic?
My first reaction to these queries is whoa-be-folks; hold back the judgment on others regardless of the leadership status and examine your own emotional expressions; what is normality?
I embrace two quotes; one a Greek saying and the other from Shakespeare's 'Hamlet.' First, the ancient Greek maxim or saying, 'know thyself" is a warning to pay little to no attention to the opinion of others; even the multitudes. Secondly, in Shakespeare's Hamlet, the phrase, "be true to thine own self" is spoken. The widely held interpretation of this phrase is that one serves oneself best if one does not deceive or lie to self.
Let's turn the conversation back to the topic of leaders being honest with 'self' and thus having the ability to be honest with those they lead. My personal leadership roles began in earnest as a 'father.' There were times when I felt responsible to show 'intentional' leadership so my children had a blueprint in 'choice-behavior response to outside circumstance. Those were the times when my children were going to observe their father and how he responded or reacted to events that were beyond their father's control. On those occasions, I sometimes withheld the emotions of anger and frustration; remember, I am the 'intentional leader at that moment.
However, there were many times when I showed openly my loving affection for my children's mother with a playful kiss or hug. There were family deaths or a truly sad circumstance, which brought unabashed tears to my eyes; those tears were sincere expressed feelings not hidden from my children's view. Such moments are uncensored because it is the paramount fabric of life, which defines the human relationship experience.
I would safely guess that I have delivered more than twenty eulogies. I did not break down emotionally at any of those remembrance speeches, however there were a few moments when my voice quivered, lost strength and I had to pause in an attempt to to gain composure. This is normal and shows a depth of caring love. These are feelings held by all people regardless of their station in life or charge. No one wishes to have their leaders, clergy and doctors lose emotional control but it is okay to show a tearful side.
Let me sum it up this way: If one watched the faces of the parents engulfed in the Newtown, Connecticut mass gun slaying of six year old first graders and one did not cry, I don't want that individual to be my leader or my neighbor for we hold no kindred spirit.
My first reaction to these queries is whoa-be-folks; hold back the judgment on others regardless of the leadership status and examine your own emotional expressions; what is normality?
I embrace two quotes; one a Greek saying and the other from Shakespeare's 'Hamlet.' First, the ancient Greek maxim or saying, 'know thyself" is a warning to pay little to no attention to the opinion of others; even the multitudes. Secondly, in Shakespeare's Hamlet, the phrase, "be true to thine own self" is spoken. The widely held interpretation of this phrase is that one serves oneself best if one does not deceive or lie to self.
Let's turn the conversation back to the topic of leaders being honest with 'self' and thus having the ability to be honest with those they lead. My personal leadership roles began in earnest as a 'father.' There were times when I felt responsible to show 'intentional' leadership so my children had a blueprint in 'choice-behavior response to outside circumstance. Those were the times when my children were going to observe their father and how he responded or reacted to events that were beyond their father's control. On those occasions, I sometimes withheld the emotions of anger and frustration; remember, I am the 'intentional leader at that moment.
However, there were many times when I showed openly my loving affection for my children's mother with a playful kiss or hug. There were family deaths or a truly sad circumstance, which brought unabashed tears to my eyes; those tears were sincere expressed feelings not hidden from my children's view. Such moments are uncensored because it is the paramount fabric of life, which defines the human relationship experience.
I would safely guess that I have delivered more than twenty eulogies. I did not break down emotionally at any of those remembrance speeches, however there were a few moments when my voice quivered, lost strength and I had to pause in an attempt to to gain composure. This is normal and shows a depth of caring love. These are feelings held by all people regardless of their station in life or charge. No one wishes to have their leaders, clergy and doctors lose emotional control but it is okay to show a tearful side.
Let me sum it up this way: If one watched the faces of the parents engulfed in the Newtown, Connecticut mass gun slaying of six year old first graders and one did not cry, I don't want that individual to be my leader or my neighbor for we hold no kindred spirit.
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Give Them All 'A' Grades While At It!
Over the years, I have observed my children going about these parenting duties and responsibilities. I concluded long ago that my kids far exceed my parents when it comes to proactive/hands-on attention.
Why, I recall when I was playing little league baseball, my parents not only seldom attended my games, they thought I was smart enough to 'find' water if I got thirsty! I do remember my Mother telling me once, "Don't put your mouth on the water-spout, you'll get trench mouth!" That warning came just as I was getting on my bike for the three mile ride to the city park. I don't recall Mother asking if I had money or what time I would be home. I suppose she assumed with 'no' money, I would be home at some point-in-time.
Little league parents today, usually attend the games carrying 'big-boy's' water bottle and a couple of his favorite snacks. I guess my parents never did imagine a 10-year old kid needing food after running from first to third and then to his position in right field. Kudos to the 'now' parent!
I will give my folks credit; with my brother who is fifteen years my junior. One time, I was seated in the bleachers at the city park watching my younger brother's team play. His team took the field first and I watched as my 'kid-brother' walked to his position in right field, tossed his glove aside and sat down in the grass facing 'away' from the infield. When I returned home and shared that scene with my parents they seemed indifferent. I suppose my parents, who always lectured me about 'hustling' had some parental epiphany while I was having my mind destroyed at that liberal-thinking' college.
I attended a neighborhood kid's little league game just last spring. My wife and I arrived late and I asked the gentleman near the backstop what inning they were 'in' and what was the score. I received several scornful glances from moms and dads. A nearby lady whispered to me, "We don't keep score and we don't record 'outs.' Every boy bats in every inning and we play for one-hour." I turned towards my wife and whispered, "Are these parents not afraid their kids are going to grow-up to become socialists?" I am somewhat certain that very few of them will grow up to play baseball. Meanwhile, the youth season ends with all smiles as every kid gets a trophy!
Once upon a time old timers in America bragged about learning from the 'school of hard knocks.' I regarded that as meaning...getting knocked on your ass but getting back up and making some adjustment so as not get knocked on your ass again!
The middle school algebra teacher could have given me an 'A' but it still did NOT make me as smart in algebra as Lois Siegel.
Why, I recall when I was playing little league baseball, my parents not only seldom attended my games, they thought I was smart enough to 'find' water if I got thirsty! I do remember my Mother telling me once, "Don't put your mouth on the water-spout, you'll get trench mouth!" That warning came just as I was getting on my bike for the three mile ride to the city park. I don't recall Mother asking if I had money or what time I would be home. I suppose she assumed with 'no' money, I would be home at some point-in-time.
Little league parents today, usually attend the games carrying 'big-boy's' water bottle and a couple of his favorite snacks. I guess my parents never did imagine a 10-year old kid needing food after running from first to third and then to his position in right field. Kudos to the 'now' parent!
I will give my folks credit; with my brother who is fifteen years my junior. One time, I was seated in the bleachers at the city park watching my younger brother's team play. His team took the field first and I watched as my 'kid-brother' walked to his position in right field, tossed his glove aside and sat down in the grass facing 'away' from the infield. When I returned home and shared that scene with my parents they seemed indifferent. I suppose my parents, who always lectured me about 'hustling' had some parental epiphany while I was having my mind destroyed at that liberal-thinking' college.
I attended a neighborhood kid's little league game just last spring. My wife and I arrived late and I asked the gentleman near the backstop what inning they were 'in' and what was the score. I received several scornful glances from moms and dads. A nearby lady whispered to me, "We don't keep score and we don't record 'outs.' Every boy bats in every inning and we play for one-hour." I turned towards my wife and whispered, "Are these parents not afraid their kids are going to grow-up to become socialists?" I am somewhat certain that very few of them will grow up to play baseball. Meanwhile, the youth season ends with all smiles as every kid gets a trophy!
Once upon a time old timers in America bragged about learning from the 'school of hard knocks.' I regarded that as meaning...getting knocked on your ass but getting back up and making some adjustment so as not get knocked on your ass again!
The middle school algebra teacher could have given me an 'A' but it still did NOT make me as smart in algebra as Lois Siegel.
Friday, January 25, 2013
There is a Penalty for Piling On!
For goodness sakes, I wish the media, the pundits and politicians would give Manti and Hillary a break! The shared commonality between the Notre Dame football standout and our Secretary of State is that 'target' on each individuals' back. Of course, do we not all acknowledge the truism found in Teddy Roosevelt's the 'Man in The Arena?' "It's not the critic who counts...etc, etc." Well the critic, indeed does not count but he does enjoy the endless bashing of other people. Shucks, now we have 24-7 cable news programming, which is a carousal of clatter paradise for those inclined to criticize.
A couple of days ago, the Capital Hill political wise-guys simply ripped Hillary Clinton a 'new-one' as they quizzed and cross-examined the Secretary of State regarding the (Benghazi) American Embassy attacks, which resulted in tragic deaths. The end result of the 'pin-the-blame' on Hillary game was her accepting responsibility and withholding vomiting when Rand Paul, who has done absolutely zero service for our country said, "If I were President I would have dismissed you as Secretary of State." He is crapping us, 'Tea Party' Paul would have never 'appointed' Hillary so how could he fire her.
Readers, you can go to the bank with the following assumptions: somebody missed advanced clues and subliminal warnings at Pearl Harbor, the JFK assassination, the 9-11 attacks and the Challenger Space Shuttle disaster. And don't you know that there was a doorman at Ford's Theater rear entrance who smiled and warmly greeted John Wilkes Booth. Rand and his partisan clan should turn their attention to more important matters, i. e., overturning the 40-year law, Roe vs. Wade and then 'taking on Obamacare.'
The ongoing soap opera drama involving Notre Dame's outstanding football player's victimization of a fake-girlfriend hoax reminds me of the saying, "Great people talk about ideas. Average people talk about things. Small people talk about other people." America is a great nation of many average-small folks! Manti was seemingly fooled by a hoax, he then enjoyed the sympathy-attention created by a bogus death and he came to realize the potential sympathy vote for the Heisman Trophy. He is not a bad person; just a sucker becoming an opportunist. Here is my take,as soon as the Notre Dame athletics director goes to confession for his phony cover up role, because he thought he was protecting 'Rudy' then all is forgiven. This will allow Bill O'Reilly(Fox News) to turn his time-consuming attention away from defending the 'Irish' and back to important matters defending the NRA and pointing out the socialist ways of Obama.
The critics should stop with all the Hillary / Manti bashing and do some reflective reading...
"...so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat."
A couple of days ago, the Capital Hill political wise-guys simply ripped Hillary Clinton a 'new-one' as they quizzed and cross-examined the Secretary of State regarding the (Benghazi) American Embassy attacks, which resulted in tragic deaths. The end result of the 'pin-the-blame' on Hillary game was her accepting responsibility and withholding vomiting when Rand Paul, who has done absolutely zero service for our country said, "If I were President I would have dismissed you as Secretary of State." He is crapping us, 'Tea Party' Paul would have never 'appointed' Hillary so how could he fire her.
Readers, you can go to the bank with the following assumptions: somebody missed advanced clues and subliminal warnings at Pearl Harbor, the JFK assassination, the 9-11 attacks and the Challenger Space Shuttle disaster. And don't you know that there was a doorman at Ford's Theater rear entrance who smiled and warmly greeted John Wilkes Booth. Rand and his partisan clan should turn their attention to more important matters, i. e., overturning the 40-year law, Roe vs. Wade and then 'taking on Obamacare.'
The ongoing soap opera drama involving Notre Dame's outstanding football player's victimization of a fake-girlfriend hoax reminds me of the saying, "Great people talk about ideas. Average people talk about things. Small people talk about other people." America is a great nation of many average-small folks! Manti was seemingly fooled by a hoax, he then enjoyed the sympathy-attention created by a bogus death and he came to realize the potential sympathy vote for the Heisman Trophy. He is not a bad person; just a sucker becoming an opportunist. Here is my take,as soon as the Notre Dame athletics director goes to confession for his phony cover up role, because he thought he was protecting 'Rudy' then all is forgiven. This will allow Bill O'Reilly(Fox News) to turn his time-consuming attention away from defending the 'Irish' and back to important matters defending the NRA and pointing out the socialist ways of Obama.
The critics should stop with all the Hillary / Manti bashing and do some reflective reading...
"...so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat."
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Democrat Singers Are Sneaky
Holy Cow! Say it ain't so! Please tell me that Beyonce' did not lip sync the National Anthem at President Obama's Inauguration. Also, please confirm and assure me that it was Obama giving the address. I cannot take much more of the GOP badmouthing my friends.
Okay, I wish to go on record NOW; Beyonce' can never be a serious candidate for baseball's hall-of-fame. At career's end she must go to purgatory with Bonds, McGuire, Sosa, Clemens and Lance Armstrong; they shall be relegated to playing "UNO" and "Where's Waldo?" throughout their respective eternities! Actually, in defense of Beyonce', she simply 'caught' that Washington D.C. influenza bug, you know the variety; causes folks in Washington D.C. to pretend to do their job!
I would contrast one line from Obama's inaugural message (his words) to the actions of some elected politicians and then ask the question, has greed and power-lusting always trumped our Declaration of Independence? Obama referenced and paraphrased the Declaration of Independence and mentioned how we must insure the 'little girl (born in obscure poverty) those guarantees.' I recently read a news article that reported some 200,000 Americans, in frustration, turned away from five to seven hours of deviously orchestrated and unnecessary line-waiting to vote in the past Presidential election. Other unethical and cunning attempts were made by some elected officials to disenfranchise voters. In Texas and Pennsylvania the Courts intervened to strike down bogus and unlawful voter ID requirements designed to reduce the voting participation numbers of a particular political persuasion. And just imagine, sports' historians claim that the 1919 Chicago White Sox baseball team was scandalous! Give me as break; America needs to wake up and see scandalous!!
I like Obama's recent approach of governing from the 'outside.' While the Congress plays those 'inside' cloak & dagger poppycock games, Obama seems poised to take every issue to the public and allow the voices of 'little' folks to shape the debate and perhaps legislate through public opinion.. Let's hope we can get Immigration Reform, voter rights secured, control of semi-automatic guns and maybe, we can even get Pete Rose into the Hall-of-Fame but don't bet on it.
On a personal note, I have observed two drastic changes in recent years: First, the once vibrant brownish freckles on my arms have been replaced by dull greying liver-spots and secondly, everybody is whispering these days; folks need to speak louder.
Okay, I wish to go on record NOW; Beyonce' can never be a serious candidate for baseball's hall-of-fame. At career's end she must go to purgatory with Bonds, McGuire, Sosa, Clemens and Lance Armstrong; they shall be relegated to playing "UNO" and "Where's Waldo?" throughout their respective eternities! Actually, in defense of Beyonce', she simply 'caught' that Washington D.C. influenza bug, you know the variety; causes folks in Washington D.C. to pretend to do their job!
I would contrast one line from Obama's inaugural message (his words) to the actions of some elected politicians and then ask the question, has greed and power-lusting always trumped our Declaration of Independence? Obama referenced and paraphrased the Declaration of Independence and mentioned how we must insure the 'little girl (born in obscure poverty) those guarantees.' I recently read a news article that reported some 200,000 Americans, in frustration, turned away from five to seven hours of deviously orchestrated and unnecessary line-waiting to vote in the past Presidential election. Other unethical and cunning attempts were made by some elected officials to disenfranchise voters. In Texas and Pennsylvania the Courts intervened to strike down bogus and unlawful voter ID requirements designed to reduce the voting participation numbers of a particular political persuasion. And just imagine, sports' historians claim that the 1919 Chicago White Sox baseball team was scandalous! Give me as break; America needs to wake up and see scandalous!!
I like Obama's recent approach of governing from the 'outside.' While the Congress plays those 'inside' cloak & dagger poppycock games, Obama seems poised to take every issue to the public and allow the voices of 'little' folks to shape the debate and perhaps legislate through public opinion.. Let's hope we can get Immigration Reform, voter rights secured, control of semi-automatic guns and maybe, we can even get Pete Rose into the Hall-of-Fame but don't bet on it.
On a personal note, I have observed two drastic changes in recent years: First, the once vibrant brownish freckles on my arms have been replaced by dull greying liver-spots and secondly, everybody is whispering these days; folks need to speak louder.
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