TRUMP DOESN'T GO TO "STREEP" CLUBS!

My attempt at FAKE news....but I digress:

I for one am so thankful that Meryl Streep sacrificed her lifetime achievement award to set me straight on what is really happening in this country!  I wonder if she can help me decide what I should eat for lunch.  Does anyone have her email?

This has been an interesting political season.  By the way, my choice was Ben Carson because his, “Politicians got us into this mess, what makes us think politicians can get us out of it?” philosophy really struck a chord with me.  As Carson was fading, I always had a strange curiousity about Trump and how people could continually support him after all the tweeting and outlandish statements.  I watched, LISTENED and it gave me an understanding of how people supported him.  I remember a conversation at the bar one time where a Hispanic Trump supporter was being grilled by Clinton supporters on how he can support Trump after all he has said.  He said simply, “He will get things done.”  Trump is ANTI-establishment and that is refreshing to most Americans.  He has made both Republicans and Democrats frustrated while striking a chord with the heartland.  He is an interesting dichotomy of a rich celebrity that speaks directly and relates to the everyday Joe.  Americans seem to appreciate his down to earth disposition on issues and are tiring of the aloof and pompous attitudes that pervades much of politics today.  While many politicians and Presidents TALK with eloquence about taking action, American’s believe Trump WILL act.  I understand why the establishment is nervous.  What I cannot understand is why a true acting legend would devote HER lifetime achievement award speech to slamming HIM.  To let HIM invade HER brain that much baffles me.  If it were my award, it would be all about ME!

It always seems America is in on the brink of destruction at election time…and we get what we asked for.  What did we need after “mean spirited” Richard Nixon?  Look at “smiling and friendly” Jimmy Carter.  How did we feel about the energy crisis and hesitant Carter?  Look at bold Ronald Reagan.  Have enough of the gun slinger and  “trickle down” theory?  On comes Bill Clinton.  Getting tired of Clinton’s shinanigans and lines in the sand being constantly stepped over?  Look at the George W. Bush.  The “war mongering” Bush made way for “apologizing” of the hope and change Obama.  What has the Obama legacy given us?   I give you Donald Trump.  

I am very interested and quite frankly excited to see what will happen with a successful businessman at the helm of the country instead of a career politician.  I have been pleasantly surprised and shocked with all the buzz he is creating as a pre-President.  Jobs appear to be staying here and his cabinet choices seem to be pretty solid   I surely wish he would lay off  twitter, but this is Trump.  The heartland of the country has spoken louder than the Hollywood elites during this election.  

What does a Donald Trump Presidency give us?  We will have to endure 4 years of “Hollywood” elitist speeches condemning the country from those who have no idea what it is like to have to juggle utility bills or figure out how they were going to have to pay for their healthcare.  It means opportunity for Bruce Springsteen as he will get richer and relevant again with more America bashing music.   It will mean Michael Moore will gain press coverage again.  We will have to endure 4 years of embarrassing childish Trump tweets.  At any rate, it will be an exciting 4 (or 8) years.  Definitely not the same Washington we are used to.

Through this all I think we will be fine.   I know a lot of people who didn’t think we would make it after 8 year of Obama.  I’m choosing to support this President. Trump has done a great job promoting Trump, now he is promoting the USA.  I feel good about that.  Streep, Springsteen, Moore and a host of other Hollywood elites will see a jump for their careers as they pile on the President-Elect, so they benefit also.  This will be a fun ride. 

"RACISM...THIS SUCKS!"

“America SUCKS,”  “White people SUCK!”,  “YOU suck!”, “I’m gonna make you my White Slave!”   I was greeted by these shouts directed at me while sitting in a parking lot across from a school where I was waiting for my wife to get off work. 

The insults became much more colorful in their language and more directed at me.  My first emotion was anger but then I looked up and noticed they were five KIDS, two were about the age of middle school and three were elementary school age.  My anger turned to dumbfounded, and then to sympathy.  As I stared at them insulting me, their insults increased in intensity.  I got out of my car and the two older kids lunged at me (they were pretty small in stature, so I was in no danger).  I tried to ask them why they felt this way.  I asked them if something happened to them to cause their anger.  They just insulted me more and then ran off.

First of all, I am white and my family and I live in a medium sized city in the middle of Iowa where things are pretty conservative and I can safely say I have never experienced anything like this.  I cannot pretend to know what it is like to be black in America.  As a white person, I have never to my knowledge felt diminished in any way because of my race.  Being married to a Hispanic lady, I believe I have seen racism in the most innocent way.  While shopping, I noticed the white store clerks would not take their eyes off of my wife while she browsed through the racks of clothes and it made my wife VERY uncomfortable.  It made her mad and after seeing it myself, made ME mad.  I believe I  experienced in a small dose the humiliation of racism.  When an experience such as this is done over and over again, I understand a little more clearly the anger minorities experience in “white” America.  Unless you experience it, you have no idea it exists.

I have often wondered how black American’s feel when the National Anthem is played or when patriotism is brought up.  The history of America is very much white.  The guys on Mount Rushmore exemplify that.  Family’s came over mostly from white Europe in a desire to better themselves and a want for a better life.  They looked at America as a chance for freedom and opportunity.  They were happy to call America home.  I understand the immense pride they have in this country and could proudly proclaim it to their ancestry in other countries.  Black Americans came over mostly against their will and it must have been hard to stake a claim in the American dream.  Many do not know their ancestry other than being pulled out of their home country.  Have they ever felt that America was truly home?  Can they get excited and feel patriotic about our countries founders when they do not look as they do?  It seems to me it would be hard to fully embrace America with the same historical passion as whites.

Years have passed and now we have had a two term black president, we have more black CEO’s in business and superstar black athletes.  We also have many interracial marriages and we are becoming a blended society.  I have heard the argument that blacks should be happy in this country.  What is it that would cause the anger to still be there?

The black football player who is sitting down during the national anthem is causing quite a debate about being black in America, entitlement, police brutality, oppression and the like.  I don’t know the answer to that.  I get the people who are saying he is disrespecting the county as well as the freedom he has to voice his opinion.  If you had the chance to be either black or white in America, which would you choose? 

How should I react or feel for these youngsters who are obviously frustrated.  Should I show anger, resentment, or compassion?  Should I feel bad about how they feel or should I just say “live with it”?  My guess is we need more education and understanding with a good dose of prayer.  All I know is going through all of this really SUCKS!

"SOCIALISM...I AIN'T BUYING IT"

I remember as a youth jamming to the Steve Miller Band song “Jet Airliner”.  On my album, there was a line, “I don’t want to get caught up in any of that, funky (kicks) going down in the city.”  I remember hearing my friends version of that song where they used the word “sh—“ instead of “kicks”…it seemed to my young mind a little scandalous!  I remember wondering how my friend was able to get this “scandalous” version …I felt a little slighted!   I remember first hearing Nazareth’s “Hair of the Dog” tune ... my friends and I (perhaps feeling rebellious) at times emphasized the last couple words of the line, “Now you’re messin’ with a ……..”.  A forbidden word we with youthful exuberance shouted because it shocked the status quo.  I didn’t see too many older folks singing that line at the time.  Today it seems a song isn’t a hit unless it has one of the once “forbidden” colorful words(even sung by older folks)…..a saddening turn of events. 

I think “Socialism” is a lot like one of those old forbidden terms.  I remember learning in American history class of our liberty and independence and what pride we had as Americans.  America was proud of its “capitalism” as the best form of government enabling us to become the wealthiest nation in the world.   If anyone claimed to be a “Socialist” we wondered what was wrong with them.  It was one of those terms we were rather shocked to hear much as those old songs that first began the now en-vogue swearing lyrics.  Today many seem to be clamoring to socialism…perhaps to shock the status quo.

Today with social media and with the elections here…we hear “socialism” shouted with youthful exuberance….and why not?  Sounds great…free healthcare, education, $15 minimum wage.  It’s like going to a restaurant with a group where everything is put into one check.  Everybody pitches in and it sounds like a good idea.  But inevitably, someone ends up eating like a king for what they put in and someone else ends up paying way too much for just having a soda.  No one can figure out the right math and how it went wrong so they just pitch in. 

I have heard so many definitions and arguments for how “socialism” is now good for us.   I believe I know what all the socialist governing philosophies are and I still think it is not the best way to govern a country as large and diverse as ours.  We have hundreds of millions of people in the US, with 50 states and 50 different governing bodies and you cannot, in my opinion govern the large US like you can a smaller Sweden or Denmark.  It is like comparing a car with a train.  There are many things a small car can do that a big train cannot do.  Conversely, there is protection in having many cars and you have abilities to do things when you have the protection of the large train.

The US needs to be the large economic power in order for all the smaller socialist nations to survive and thrive.  These socialist countries need a capitalistic machine somewhere churning out innovation, food, trade, wealth and military might.  Every country must account for the US before tackling any fiscal equations. 

Size does matter.  What works in New Hampshire may not work in Arizona.  If Vermont wants single payer medicine…they can pass it…good for them.  If you don’t like it…you don’t have to live there.  But if we nationalize Vermont’s healthcare in Texas or Hawaii…it’s a different matter.  This is why we have the 10^th Amendment.  Once something is centrally planned there is no opting out.  This is how a Democratic Socialism slowly becomes the dreaded Communism (last I looked I believe that is still one of the forbidden words).  You are given one option.  For socialism to work, mandates must be placed on the population and you are given NO choice.  At least for now, nobody wants Communism in the US

I realize as we continue to give people fish instead of teaching them how to fish, those people will be more and more convincing to accept socialism and we will get more candidates like Bernie Sanders getting popular.  Capitalism built the US into the super power that it is.  We are the greatest nation on the earth.  As the British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher pointed out (to paraphrase), “the trouble with socialism is that you eventually run out of other peoples money.” 

Socialism is an enticing debate but, “I don’t want to get caught up in any of that, funky sh—going down in the city”.  Thank you for your sales pitch but, to use a Capitalistic term….I ain’t buying it. 

IMAGINATION..A TERRIBLE THING TO WASTE!

The Christmas season is here!  Although they won't admit it, I love to watch my 17 year old and almost 13 (as he puts it) 12 year old really get INTO the animated Christmas specials.  These specials are always marvels of drawings and animation put together on a computer somewhere and as my kids are quick to point out, not REALLY real.  There is always that magical moment in these specials though where the boys really buy into the loveable characters…you can see it in their eyes and their wonderment smiles.  Their imagination is touched and all is right in the world at that moment.

The moment for me growing up was always the colorful Christmas tree.  I remember as a kid just loving to stretch out on the floor next to the tree while enjoying the classical music my parents would put on.  I would get lost in the warmth of the season as my mind would travel to far away places inside the safety of the family while staring into the beautiful lights.  The music would take your imagination in many different places.  I could bask in that aura for hours.  Those moments stay in your memory and they have immeasurable value.

Ironically as I post this on social media…it seems that now more and more I long for world BEFORE social media and media in general.  It seems we have so many agenda driven media outlets now...it has become commonplace. .  As I scroll through Facebook posts on my page I see so many sites extolling virtues….only to see it somehow de-valued quickly by others.  There is little place for imagination as facts are thrown at you to prove anything you can think of.

I am the first to admit, I have an urge to post the cute thing one of my boys did on-line sometimes instead of just savoring the moment myself.  The urge to get responses and approval from others can de-value life's experiences and dull imagination.  This type of need to share everything to everybody is driving us a little mad I think.

Politics and social media cannot be escaped…as hard as we try.    There is always a debate, issue, or event that comes along and we let these issues rob us of our joy.    In a world of social media and 24 hour media, imagination and creativity are manipulated.  Newscasts, movies, and posts have are forced into our consciousness manipulating our imaginations. Seems they thrive on division among us. They become like a drug and it seems we have less love of life and less wonder about it.  Our senses have become dulled to what is truly beautiful in life.

There are beautiful things inside each of us that we need to rediscover.  That care-free and child like place that can be completely soul healing is what I want to rediscover.  Finding the beauty in moments that can renew even the hardest of hearts and….and I believe that is what God wants us to experience.   In keeping with the season, Handel's Messiah comes to mind.  The beauty of that piece can uplift through the struggles and fears of life.  There is no political agenda in that.

My goal as I go into 2016 is to discover more and more of these type places.  Find more of those moments, as with my boys when I can get lost INTO life's beautiful experiences and recapture that child like imagination.  More peace…less strife, more joy…less turbulence,  More beauty…less bureaucracy, More love…less anger.

Merry Christmas to all!   

Do You Love Me?

I couldn’t help but notice an adorable little girl and her grandfather that were sitting across from me at a Great Clip’s Salon while we were all waiting to get our hair cut.  The little girl was hugging a stuffed teddy bear her grandfather apparently just bought for her.  You could tell she loved it and was talking non-stop with her grandfather asking him question after question about “Charlie”..  Her grandfather politely was answering the questions while he was reading a magazine, not paying too much attention. 

Then came a statement that made us both look up and smile at each other above our magazines.  “Grandpa, I want to marry Charlie!”  The grandfather robotically said, “No you cannot marry Charlie.”

“But I love him...” said the little girl

“You have to marry a person,” said the grandfather

 “Then can I marry you?” said the little girl,

“I love you honey, but you cannot marry your grandpa, grandma would get jealous...” replied the grandfather.

“Then I want to marry you AND grandma!” said the little girl.

With this response both of us started laughing a bit. 

The grandfather replied, “Honey, you can only marry one person and we are too old…someday you will find a young man you love and you will marry”

“What if I love a lot of people?” asked the little girl

The questions went on and on and I could not help but feel for the grandfather as he struggled to answer all of them while reading his Time Magazine.  Was he correct in today’s “politically correct” world?  It made me glad I have two boys whom I have never have had this conversation with.  I projected forward to a time when I may have a little grandchild asking me the same questions and how I would respond to the marriage question.  Marriage may look a lot different then. 

As I feel myself getting older, and the rules and values that I and others before me grew up with eroding, I am conflicted.  The current debate over homosexual marriage and the “political spins” on it has become tiring and nauseating to me.  I definitely hear and understand the frustrations on both sides.  The “we are right and you are wrong” groups are just too righteous for my tastes.  Certain religious sects I believe need to look at the plank in their own eyes before passing judgment on the splinter in the eye of their fellow man.  At the same time, I do not equate the gay suffrage to slavery or perhaps Jews in Nazi camps.

I have dear friends and family members whom I love that are gay.  I certainly want them to be happy.  I see no reason for anyone living together in a loving relationship not to enjoy all the advantages and opportunities and be cheated out of the benefits of marriage.….however you will not see me putting and “equal” sign on my face book page.

In issues like this, I feel I must go my historical and Christian beliefs.  We tend to think that only society today knows what is best and discard what people living in the past thought of things.  Where sometimes history is improved, it is not the case many times.  I do think the knowledge of our historical past can make us wiser. .For century’s marriage has been between only a man and women.   Taking “religion” out if it, marriage is a social contract between two people giving them the ability and benefits to nurture children.  To reverse this, means we will probably at some time in the future reverse the other “rules” of marriage (incest, polygamy etc.).  Perhaps I would be okay with Polygamy…a “sister wife” could be beneficial.  However, I believe my wife would want an older sister wife who is a retired matron who cooks and cleans.  I would want a younger wife I think…perhaps 25 and very attractive….so I don’t think it would work. Plus I truly love my wife and don’t believe I could love another.     

My Christian belief states simply marriage is to be only between a man and women.  As a Christian, this is what I believe.  Never having an affinity for anyone with the same plumbing, I cannot imagine what it is like to be judged for being gay or to “walk” in their shoes.  My wife is Hispanic, and it really opened up my eyes to discrimination in simple things that before did not seem like discrimination to me. It was frustrating and demeaning.  So I truly believe as a Christian, compassion should be shown to not judge or condemn anyone.  As before, I feel I need to look at the plank in my eyes before judging anyone for the splinter in their eye.  I feel prayer is needed for ALL issues.  I believe that will open the eyes to all.

I do think that eventually gay people getting married will be commonplace and we will be debating the next group wanting rights of some type.  Whether you are for the issue or against the issue, let’s have compassion on all sides.  I am sure when I have grandchildren; I’ll be struggling to answer all the questions too.        

Baby Boomers..A Wild Ride!

What a wild ride!  I was born in 1964…the last year of the “Baby Boomer” generation.     You know..it’s the generation that describes the big population boom  between 1946 and 1964.  I was a little young to understand the generation, but it must have been fun!  Man, we set the world on fire, didn’t we?  The peace and love generation!   Do whatever FEELS right!  Question authority!  Down with the man!  Woodstock was a blast…there will never be anything as epic as that, right?  That’s when music was good…”Puff the Magic Dragon”…..”Talkin ‘bout My Generation” 

We have always been the “in” generation.  The media targets us making us feel that whatever age we are…it’s THE age to be!  When we were young…it was cool to be young.  When we were in our early adult years, it was all buy, buy, buy and we did so …on CREDIT.  Now we are getting older, we are getting blasted with drug commercials to make us feel better. If you are 60 it’s the new 50, 50 is the new 40…. I remember when I was younger I could not imagine the rock stars of our day getting old…now look at Mick Jagger!  Our parents catered to us in our early years and now our children will probably have to  cater to us in our elderly years.

We had free love and now the world has aids.    We had the feminist movement and now the world has emasculated men.  Our individualism has left the world with many fatherless and/or motherless children.  We had rock stars wanting to be politicians and now we have politicians who want to be rock stars.  We polluted the planet and now the world has to clean it up.  We got high and now the world is paying for our disability and rehab.  We will bankrupt the treasury with our welfare state and retirement.  Our youth movement has left the world with men who have never grown up.  Our “no competition schools” has led to the world surpassing us in education.  The provocative sensationalism on TV and in the arts has numbed the next generation to what is truly beautiful.  Our non stop news propaganda has numbed our next generation to violence and we have forgotten how to love our fellow man.  The lyrics in our music has taken the innocence of our young.  We have taken God out of our schools and now we wonder why youth have no morals and there is violence in school. 

Our parents sacrificed much to build us up a better life.  Many lived through the depression and world wars.  Our parents saved their money and did not go into debt.  They paid for our educations.  They had one car, one tv, one washer/dryer, etc and took care of them for years. They had pride in responsibility of themselves and cringed when others offered help.  They lived WITHIN their budget and respected wealth.  Now we have two or three cars, two to three flat screen TV’s and those must be updated every two years.  Do not worry about debt because we can always go bankrupt and start all over again.  Don’t worry about teaching your kids values…the government has that handled.  

I realize perception isn’t always reality.  The generation made great strides with dealing with race and equality.  Most of the thoughts here do not represent the generation as a whole.  I realize the extreme is what gets publicized and it is not reflective of MOST people.  I bring these issues up because I see the country I know changing.  I had a conversation recently with some people convinced we should adopt the Swedish socialism ideal.  I read elsewhere that now almost half of our population may want that.  My parents passed to me a great nation…now we want to abolish it through our own greed.   I am not proud of the socialist welfare state we may be leaving our children.  The socialist thought (as all politically motivated thoughts) work on the ideal that everyone has the good of the state at heart.  It is not always the case.   I believe people know they need to take care of themselves, it is a much more rewarding life than those who feel they do not have to take care of themselves.  As I look at my two children, I can only hope that they can do better than we did as a generation passing the torch.

I read from a good friend of mine (thanks Greg Owens) the following…

"The historical cycle seems to be: From bondage to spiritual faith; from spiritual faith to courage; from courage to liberty; from liberty to abundance; from abundance to selfishness; from selfishness to apathy; from apathy to dependency; and from dependency back to bondage once more."

Great words to get you to think.  Where do you believe we are in this cycle?  BOOM!   It was a WILD RIDE!

Who Doesn't Like Robin Hood?

Everyone likes Robin Hood, right?  Who doesn’t like someone helping the poor and needy?  The thought of a strong and courageous man risking his life to give those who have little some riches so they may enjoy life more is a good thing.  The wealthy don’t need those riches anyway…it’s only fair.

I would think that Robin Hood’s goal is to make everyone wealthy but, what happens if everyone gets wealthy?   It looks like Robin Hood is out of a job…..and his importance has been significantly diminimished. It stands to reason that the more poor people there are, the more popular Robin Hood is. 

I think in today’s political world we have a lot of Robin Hoods.  The “get elected at all costs” mentality creates an environment where instant gratification trumps long term implications.  Create jobs funded by the government to get people working again and let’s offset part (and a small part) of the funding by taking it from the wealthy because it is “only fair” and they don’t really need it anyway.  Besides, our country could use some beautification projects and better bridges anyway….right? 

The problem is that none of these projects are making money…they are paid for by someone else’s profit and thus cannot sustain themselves.  As Robin Hood undoubtedly found out, these poor people he was helping soon would need him to “steal” again.  When these projects are complete, the government will find out there is no more funding left, and we will have to go “steal” (or tax, or borrow) again to pay for it.   The burden to pay for these things goes on to our children…long after the elected officials are in office.

I think it would have served Robin Hood better if he was not to steal but encourage the rich to make more profit by creating a business that employs the poor.  That way the poor could build their own wealth and perhaps create more profit making businesses of their own.  Perhaps it will serve congress better if it does not take more from the wealthy but encourages them into invest businesses with an opportunity to create more wealth for them and others

Economy is bad....GREAT news for Springsteen!

Country is in the toilet, double digit unemployment, corporate greed, unrest...it all sounds like perfect ingredients for the next Bruce Springsteen CD. Sure enough we will soon be hearing the raspy-voiced, guitar driven rock of Bruce Springsteen's on his recently released "Wrecking Ball" CD spewing vengence on the wealthy while we plunk down money to buy it making him wealthy....another Springsteen success!

I am often amused/angered at American artists who play us play for fools, trash our country at will, trash our way of life, and make money off of it. I love how the late Michael Jackson grabbed his crotch, did pelvic thrusts and sang about how "Bad" he is to sell records, then easily turned around with his "Heal the World" song about his love of peace and saving children. Rihanna who went through a violent relationship with Chris Brown, going on Oprah to say how she is against violence, then singing, "boy can you get it up, IS you big enough...give to me baby like a boom, boom, boom" in her "Rude Boy" Lyrics(that's her grammer not mine). Oh by the way, she is now singing WITH Chris Brown...for profit of course. Sean Penn trashing the US and hanging out with Hugo Chavez, doing idiotic things and we still line up for his movies. Remember the Dixie Chicks?

What a wonderful country we live in! We have the freedom to do apparently anything we want. Do you think we are taking this a little too far? Is Rome beginning to fall again? I agree with vibrant honest debate on all issues. I most certainly do not agree with any idiotic artists views making profit about how they pretend to care....perhaps a boycott on them is in order! I'm sure Springsteen won't mind if I illegally download his CD for free because he doesn't want to be a greedy corporate type trying to make profit at our expense ...right?

America Manhood..Pull Up Your Pants!

I learned today it is definitely hard to be "gangsta" while trying to avoid getting hit by a car.

I had to chuckle at the effort it took for some young gentlemen to get across a busy intersection while keeping their sideways hats on with one hand and their "gangsta" droopy drawers up with the other. Their vigorous waddle across the road would make any duck envious. I just shook my head and thought "kids". They survived to the other side and as they were adjusting pants, hats and catching their breath, I noticed they were not kids. At some point you would think they would want to grow up.

You would think that too, wouldn't you?

I get the feeling today more and more men want to stay boys, whereas in the past boys could not wait to become men. Some say the feminist movement beginning in the 60's immasculated the man....perhaps. Other say the lack of fathers in todays society...maybe. Could it be TV endlessly portraying the man as a stumbling, bumbling idiot? I don't know. I think it really has to do with all of these issues and others I am sure.

Passage from a boy to a man is really vague in this society. When is the time manhood happens? Some say after puberty. Some say after your first sexual encounter or having your first child. Perhaps when you graduate high school or college. Other says when you get your first job or maybe your first car.

Other societies have passage into manhood. They set aside a definite time and place for their young boys to become men. You probably have seen on television African tribes taking their older boys out to battle an animal or wrestle each other. Sometimes in involves a religious ceremony where the elders in the community come together to pronounce manhood among the boys. It can involve competition of some sort, killing a lion, or perhaps becoming circumsized (ouch!).

Even our past generations it seems did not have quite the problem as we see it today. There used to be a definite distinction between being a boy and being a man. You could see it in behavior...taking responsibility for ones actions. You could see it in dress...how many old baseball films have you seen where every man in the park is wearing a suite, tie and fedora hat? TV shows from that bygone era depicted men as smart, strong and head of the household. Today they are usually the comic sidekick to the mother or the kids.

I believe there needs to be a fundamental shift if we are going to get our "manhood" back. I believe it has a lot to do with basic Christian values. I believe that is the best place to start. The roll of the father has been so diminished in society and today there are so many fatherless children with no one to look up too. I think it is up to every individual as to how to raise their kids. I think America needs to "grow up" a bit and teach taking responsibility for itself. Boys need to know the value of their role as well as the importance of it. Hopefully then we would not have half of our population having to support the other half. If nothing else hopefully we will learn to pull our pants up while running across a busy intersection.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! We're all alright!

Why do all of these corporate executives get a bonus while the rest of us struggle? Why does President Obama go on all these elaborate vacations on MY taxpaying dime? This country is being run by corporations and we have NO say in it! The government is bankrupting all of us! The Tea Party activists and Occupy Wherever movements are run by crazy people! I'm worried, you are worried, we all are worried!

I beg to disagree....

In today's world of non-stop news, channels, internet sites, blogs (as this is), etc..you can find a conspiracy theory to just about anything. Depending on what your view is...somewhere there is a article or a story to back up your opinion as well as a host of other opinions refuting it. I have both conservative and liberal friends on my facebook page posting articles and web sites proving their points about how the other side is dooming the country. While I very much enjoy reading these posts...sometimes agreeing...sometimes disagreeing.... I think it is important to put everything in perspective. I don't think President Obama thinks all corporations are inherently evil, just as much as the Republican leadership doesn't think that everyone on welfare is just a lazy person who doesn't want to work.

Part of our existence is the ability to be responsible for oneself. Most of us are taught responsibility as we grow up. At first we are dependant upon our parents and as the years go by, we learn to take more and more responsibility. The goal is to eventually become self sufficient for ourselves. It is the same in the animal world...eventually the young are kicked out of the nest, litter, or den, etc. and fend for themselves in the world.

While I believe some of the problems we face are very real...we can overcome. Do we even remember the crisis issues last year at this time? The key is to take responsibility for yourself. Don't blame others for your shortcomings. Seek good council of course (I would recommend including God in that council) but do not rely on others. If it means downsizing...downsize. If it means spending less...spend less. Help the less fortunate whenever you can.

To quote a friend of mine..."Chins up Americans! Dream. Create. Innovate. Move. Talk. Learn. Act. Initiate. Sing. Dance. Vote ...and most of all ...LOVE! Walk forward ...We're all alright!" HAPPY 2012 !!

Christmas (or Holiday) Mis-Fit

Growing up in the early 70's some of my greatest childhood holiday memories were watching all those holiday specials. Rudolph's nose glowing, Chris Kringle battling the Bergermeister Meister berger, Scrooge, and in my family...the Birth of Jesus made the season magical. I now have two boys ages 8 (almost 9 as he will tell you) and 13. Wanting them to feel the spirit of the Christmas season as well, I sat us all down to watch some of ABC "Family's" 25 days of Christmas (oops "Holiday")specials.

It was Sunday and we turned on ABC's "Family" channel to find some great holiday programming. There were no "nose glowing" specials or specials with any Winter Worlocks, so we decided to watch one of the pretty predicatable holiday specials. The show was a simple story for the holidays I assumed. A broken family and or relationship being resolved in the end by "Holiday Magic". It starred a young lady who used to be "Sabrina the Teenage Witch" and the latin guy from "Saved by the Bell". Pretty innocent program I thought...I mean it's on ABC "Family"....right?

It became pretty clear that this was not going to be an innocent "family" special (at least in my eyes). The story had a lot of not so innocent moments that in my view were totally uncalled for. It became quite clear with all the sexual undertones, this was not like the old time Christmas specials. Scenes depicting shirtless men with breathless women swooning, adult converations about "extra virgin" olive oil, and old women not receiving enough "satisfaction" sort of drowned out the holiday message. The questions I received from my boys were a little hard to answer.

I understand that this is 2011 and not the 1950's. I know the argument that if you don't like what is playing on TV change it. Things are apparently a little more open now than back then. I realize there is a channel on TV for EVERYTHING. I don't know what kind of "family" ABC's "Family" channel is targeting...but NOT my family. Why should I have to screen everything now that is aired BEFORE 9pm and exactly how do you do it? Is there anyone else that feels the way I do about this? Don't bill yourself as a "family" show and then have all this sexual content.

Perhaps I am feeling my 47 years of age and becoming my parents.....or maybe I now am living the "misfit" life good old Rudolph, Hermie the elf, and Yukon Cournelius felt.

A "Bush"elfull of Kudos to the former President

In the aftermath of the taking out of Osama Bin Ladin, I would like to give a "thank you" to the often maligned former President George W. Bush. I believe policies during his presidency and a better spirit of cooperation between the intellegence departments including the Homeland Security Office deserve much of the credit for recent events. Make no mistake I applaud current President Obama for his couragious decesion to take Bin Ladin out, but I feel Bush put in place the structure.

I was recently riled when listening to Liberal (or "progressive"..excuse me) talk show host Alan Combs tell his guest (a former Bush official) that Bush's contributions were insignificant while the all of a sudden a "strong" President Obama was able to take Bin Laden out. The conversation then swung to the state of the economy. In nearly the same breath Combs said the problems began in the Bush administration (probably worth a seperate blog) and that Obama was showing ecomonic gains. I was pleased the Bush official said it was on the backs of our children though. (another blog) The hypocracy is great here. Blame Bush for everything that is wrong and credit Obama for everything that is right even when it isn't justified.

I recently found out that President Bush declined an invitation to be at a ceremony at Ground Zero from President Obama. I appreciated Obama for doing that, but I respect Bush even more for respectully declining so as not to interfere with Obama's moment. It is refreshing to see in today's world there are still former President's who act graciously. We have too many former Presidents who cannot stay out of the limelight when many times they should (Clinton, Carter).

I may not be in the majority here...but thank you President Bush...for what you have done for this country.

Showing or Telling...what's worse?

A few days ago, Osama Bin Ladin was killed at his compound in Pakistan. It was an historic event in history. For those who had loved ones killed when the World Trade Center came down in New York, justice was served. For many around the world, relief that a terrorist regimes' leader was gone. These events alone are well worth a blog posting, but I would like to focus on the media coverage of it.

In today's world of non-stop coverage, the focus now has shifted to whether or not the White House will release photos of the killing. CNN's non stop talking heads seem to go on and on with endless guests dissecting, detailing, describing and disseminating all the possibilities on whether or not the release of the photo's will ignite another terrorist attack. As of this writing, they have not released the photos. The news is pounding us with how awful these pictures apparently are ....I don't know what is worse.. seeing the pictures or hearing about them over and over at nausium.

I personally could care less about the photo's. Kudos to President Obama for making the decision to remain vigilant and taking out the leader of the terrorist regime. Let's focus on that instead of fear of another attack.

Uggg! Is THIS what we are becoming?

While shopping on Mass Ave in downtown Indy recently with my very fashionable neice, she showed me some Ugg brand boots. The boots are nice with a very comfortable lining. She smiled as she said she would love to have a pair but the price of the boots took the smile away fast.

Now being knowledgable about such things, I noticed these boots on the feet of two young girls at the checkout line of Walmart while I was purchasing items for work. They both appeared very fashionable as they had the boots, very nice jackets, scarves, and jewelry. These two girls who were probably in their early 20's were in a deep conversation with each other as they were placing their items on the checkout conveyer belt. It looked as if they were buying for a party as they had two carts full of groceries. Most of the items were party foods (or "junk" foods as is the common expression). The check out clerk was working hard as the items overflowed the conveyer belt. Instead of assisting, the two young ladies were now very busy texting on their phones and continuing their conversation. A little annoyed, the clerk had to announce the total a couple times before the young girls noticed she was done. After taking the time to finish her text, one of the girls dug through her leather purse and found her Hoosier Credit Card (the "food stamp" card). These are the cards they now use to help those who are needy have a convenient and rather private way of paying for their items. The clerk announced she was $15 short so her friend finished her text and then produced her Hoosier Credit Card. They finished their checkout, continued their conversation as they walked toward the exit. I just had a couple things so I was done quickly and I walked toward the same exit. I couldn't help but notice those two pair of Ugg boots as they young ladies got into their Cadillac Escalade that was parked in the handicapped spot. They were contining their conversation as the young lady driving took down the apparent "embarrassing" handicap sign from their rear-view mirror. The girls didn't appear to be handicapped at all. They started their SUV and you could hear the heavy bass blasting from the apparent over-sized speakers. I trudged through the snow to the back of the parking lot where my car was.

Contrast this scenario with the the next stop I had. I had to go to a Big Lots for some items again for work. With the Walmart experience still in mind, I notice the elderly lady in front of me puchasing can foods. She was in a coat that looked rather old and torn. She walked very gingerly as she slowly put her items in front of the clerk. She was immediately ready for checkout and she placed her bank debit card for the clerk to swipe. She purchased her items and left (on foot) across the parking lot.

There is something wrong about these two scenarios. I do not know any of the people in these two circumstances personally...only what I observed. On the surface it appears we need to really re-evaluate how we evaluate government need. When we give food stamps to people in Ugg boots and driving Escalades something is wrong. The new America is apparently a"Get What You Can Get" society. I am missing something here? If you don't know how to "work the system" you are out of luck! UGGGG!

"THE BIG BUSINESS OF GOVERNMENT"

Corporate greed! Corrupt accounting! Lavish excesses! Upper management exotic vacations! It sounds like another attack on BIG business by congress in America...but is it? How ironic it seems the very same people in Washington who don't like BIG business really like BIG Government. Congressmen and Senator's always seem superior and very pious when questioning the practices of company executives...I would love to see the roles reversed. It is in fact the wage earners of these businesses that are paying the salaries of the Congressmen and Senators.

Business leaders go on "lavish" trips and purchase things based on the "profits" their companies make. Congressmen and Senators go on lavish trips and purchase things based on us through taxes. So to stimulate the economy, we want to tax big business more so we can increase government involvement? It makes no sense. What does the government produce that is of any value?

The only difference between the two is that business jobs actually CREATE something that profit can be made on to sustain itself. Government jobs just keeps people busy by REDISTRIBUTING (remember that word from the campaign?) the profits of wage earners from business jobs(taxes). Most government jobs have no lasting value and produce absolutely nothing. As soon as the tax money is gone, there is nothing to sustain it. What happens to the people who got their jobs by this stimulus redistribution when the project is over and the stimulus money runs out? Where will their money come from?...HIGHER TAXES ON US!

Why in these economic times do we want to create MORE government jobs? Business is not evil...it is what sustains us. We should celebrate it! If some are getting wealthy...I don't care as long as they are able to produce something and not get wealthy by taking it away from me. If someone is taking advantage of their position, the marketplace will weed them out! Government employees get wealthy by taking money away from me and you? Why in heavens name would we need to create bigger government? It makes no sense to me.

"LET ME IN THE GAME, PLEASE!

Another State of the Union address...another President wanting to end partisanship and blame the other side for everything....nothing will get accomplished! Albeit quite eloquent, Obama's speech was just like many State of the Union speeches before. Justify my side and blame the other side (or other administration) for everything wrong.

While watching the standing ovations...mostly from the left during this administration and mostly from the right during the previous administration I was left with the feeling that nothing will change. The superior look on Nancy Pelosi's face contrasted with the smug look on VP Biden's reminded me of the feelings I had during President Clinton's State of the Union when then- Speaker of the House Newt Gingerich looked like the schoolyard prankster egging on his friends on the right to mock the President. The feeling of utter disgust. Even as President Obama spoke of bi-partisanship the "get one up on you" mentality will forever prevail in Washington. I was quite amused at how both Pelosi and Biden both popped up and down with such regularity a jack in the box game would be envious.

The truth be told politics is just a game. It reminds me of a board game where the current players NEVER stop to let the others play. Once one person does get in, they have to play by the older player's rules or they will get someone else. I think every few years the game board should be cleared and new players put in place. TERM LIMITS!! If in fact we want the change that politicians keep espousing, perhaps they need to change themselves first.

HAPPINESS...IT'S A DECISION.

I recently saw a billboard with actor Micheal J. Fox on with the caption "Happiness...it is a decision" and I must agree with it. In our brains there seems to be a switch that we can turn on and off. Happiness does at times take work and I feel it is much easier to be grumpy or angry with the world. Happy people seem to be more successful and affluent whereas angry seem to struggle. Just as it takes time to be successful, people who struggle seem to always take the easy way.

Life throws us curve balls all the time. Recently at work, we had a guest (I work at a hotel) who called to the desk and angrily told me he had no hot water, he said he had to make a court appearance in a half an hour and he needed the issue resolved right away. He slammed the phone down before I could tell him we would check it and get him another room. Moments later he stormed down with the intent of letting me have it. He was a man in his 40's who looked like he had rough life, he smelled like a old carton of cigarettes and looked like he had been beaten down by factory work. His profanity-laced blast escalated in volume so that our full lobby could hear. He made it clear that we somehow purposely put him in a room without hot water. He snorted that he was not about to pay for this. I obliged and refunded his stay. He appeared to get what he wanted but you could tell he was not satisfied. He wanted to argue and let the whole world know how awful his time was. His face was red, and veins were sticking out on his neck and I found myself amazed at how mad he was. It was as if he was angry with things way beyond the cold water. I couldn't help but feel sympathy for the guest and his view on life.

I do believe you can have spirited debates and disagreements, but I see no reason for anger. If Micheal J. Fox motivates you to be happy great, but I would also include putting Jesus in the mix. There are points in life when you get hit in the face with cold water (sometimes literally). How you handle it ensures a happy or miserable existence... I prefer happy.

PROFILING...TO DIE FOR!

With the recent apprehension of suspected terrorist (or rather "conflict starter" using Obama's non-use of the word terrorist) Abdulmatallab, racial profiling is again making news. Should we inspect those fitting the "conflict starter" profile a little closer than others? Is it demeaning to be "profiled"? Are we discriminating against those who fit the "profile"? Are we setting the country back 20 - 50 - or even 100 years by doing this?


I am a white male married to a hispanic lady. Prior to our meeting, I was somewhat ignorant to the issue as I could not remember a time of being discriminiated against. Since knowing my wife, she had brought to my attention how store clerks and others would watch her (and for being with her my) every move while shopping or using their services. While I cannot pretend to know what discrimination is like on all levels, but with that experience I have a better understanding of it after these experiences. There certainly is a level of anger that is uncomprehensable to someone who has never felt or perceived discrimination.

That being said....If it is of national security, I have no problem with racial profiling. Until we get a better system, I am for anything that will protect our way of life. Racial profiling is sometimes a necessary evil. If we know the area where the radical enemy is, the background of the radical enemy, and the mannerism of the radical enemy, it is only prudent to ask additional questionsof those fitting that "profile."

I was fortunate to live a few months in Sweden back in the late 1980's. I went with a tour group to Russia. The tour group (mostly of a mix of Swedes and Norwegians) was held up while the boarder guards went though my luggage and asked me many questions. This was just after the cold war. I understood why and complied. The guards were being protective of their country. I was not offended (actually quite amused by it). Now this is obviously not the same as the current issue, but the same principle I believe. We want to protect our country.

Simply put, poltical correctness is not something I, nor anyone else should have to die for.

I THINK THEREFORE I AM, I THINK...

It is 5am Christmas morning as I write this entry. I couldn't sleep so I decided to come downstairs, turn on the Christmas tree lights and put on some soft Christmas music. My wife and I tried our best to clean last night, but I could not help but trip over some of the things items left out during our two boys revelry from last night. It is cold and wet, windy and rainy outside, yet there is a warm, quiet and peaceful feeling about this morning at our house. It is in times like these, I really feel part of the Christmas spirit...the peace that I truly believe comes only from our Lord and Savior. No doubt other families have already begun the fun and excitement of opening gifts on Christmas morning. It has been a tradition for me since I was a child and we continue it with my family, to open presents on Christmas Eve. Our mornings were usually spent sleeping in only to be awaken by the desire to get back down to the favorite toy we opened the night before. I could not figure out how we continued to miss Santa's arrival at our house. He seemed to always come while my father drove us around looking at lights after the Christmas eve service at church and my mother never heard Santa while doing the dishes during that time. I figured it was Christmas magic. .

My thoughts are on a gentleman I met at work. He is around 60 who is apparently moving to Thailand to escape the high cost of prescription drugs. He told me it costs him approximately $2,000 per month for his meds here and in Thailand it would cost him about $50. He is packing up his house, getting rid of many things and moving out. He is divorced mentioning his former wife many times in a series of jokes and has told us he has a daughter around 24. He is a graduate of Notre Dame University and has graciously given me many ND souvenirs. The two things you can tell about him when you first meet him are his passion for ND and his education level. Upon asking, he told me he first studied Physics in college but grew disillusioned by it feeling anything Einstein did was a lie. He said he then turned his attention to Philosophy and was a large believer in Frederick Neitche's teachings.

I was a little saddened to hear he would be spending the holidays by himself packing up his belongings and the thought of inviting him over for Christmas dinner had gone through my mind. I have not asked, but get the feeling he is somewhat lonely as he wants to befriend everyone at work. I decided to pursue getting to know him a little more. As I spoke with him I was continually impressed with this knowledge and thoughts. I invited him to join this blog as a contributor. My thought was he would be a great contributor and we could stay connected somehow. I felt he would have some intriguing input not only with his intellect but the fact he was moving to Thailand and it would give it a more worldly prospective. Somewhat hesitantly, the way you ask a professor to "join your ideas", I asked him if him was interested.

The answer I received was to me startling. He smiled looked down and then back up at me. He then began a dissertation of the teachings of Neitche and other philosophers of how all this stuff is just a waste of time. We are not really here, is just our cognitive existence. Our thoughts do not matter and on and on...

Perhaps he is right... I do not purport to be a scholar or a man of great wisdom. Where I am not destitute, I am definitely a modest man of modest means. While college educated, I feel there is much to learn. It would be disingenuous for me to imply that what I know more than anyone and I do not make the claim too. I do however think that all peoples thoughts have an intrinsic value no matter what their education level. This is why this blog was created.

This blog may be worthless to some and on some philosophical level it probably is. The human existence is a wonderful thing. It is full of highs and at times lows, incredible joy and at times unbearable pains. I truly believe God put gave us emotions to at spice to our lives and to grow stronger in faith through them. This blog is intended to be an outlet for those emotions whether they be highs or lows. To remove yourself from emotions of life and the true passions that encompass them is to deny yourself an enriching life I feel. Perhaps then your Christmas's will be shared with the joy of human existence and interaction rather than alone in a hotel room with philosophy books.

DIRTY LAUNDRY

Do you remember the old Don Henley song, "Dirty Laundry?" It had the line "She can tell you about the plane crash, with a gleam in her eye." I am reminded of this as I watch the young good looking anchors on CNN and their sister station Headline News. News really has become entertainment. Gone are the days of unbiased news reporting. Gone are the older, fatherly newsmen such as Walter Cronkite or even Tom Brokaw. Now I enjoy a good looking newscaster as much as the next person, but it seems the news is often overshadowed by the young overreacting newscaster giving you their opinion of the story with a simple rolling of the eyes or cute little sidelook into the camera. I especially like the promo's for the HLN's morning anchor as she glances at you from every angle and then strikes a cute little pose while the music plays "you get me excited...every morning with you!" Is this news they are promoting?

This is not the news...it the editorial page. The story seems to come second to how it is presented to you. Whether it be editing the story to fit whatever opinion the media outlet has or just a simple facial expression of the host. I especially like it when the newscasters act annoyed that a story is picking up so much publicity when they themselve are the ones promoting it. The "Ballon Boy" story or perhaps the non-ending Jon & Kate saga comes to mind. Bring on more Bob Losher or Bob Scheafer at CBS...they may not be sexy or flirt with the weatherman, sportscaster or entertainment person...but you feel like it is actual news and not evesdropping on the flirtations of youth.