Maybe There Is A Dog

Republicans Adding "In America" To The Lord's Prayer.

2012-01-26T22:35:00.002-05:00

Hippocratic sources from deep within the Republican National Committee speaking on conditions of anonymity are here quoted as stating that both Mitt Romney & Newt Gingrich are campaigning to add the words,"In America",to the Lord's Prayer.

"Yes,it's true,"stated our sources.One source went even further,"The 'Pledge Of Allegiance' was meant to be a statement of allegiance to the United States of America.This repetitive enunciation may have been all well and good for the school children to stand up and state every morning during both World War I & II,But the fact is,we needed to win those wars.Saying the pledge every day guaranteed loyal citizenship.

"But,let's face it,"continued the RNC source,"Without,"Under God," to divide "One nation indivisible,"the pledge is just liberal heathen banter."

Both candidates-according to our multiple sources- claim that the idea of adding ,"In America,"to the Lord's Prayer as being their idea.

"Mitt feels adding,"In America," to the prayer would show him to be the more Christian candidate.No one loves Jesus and America more than Mitt.Mitt plans to be the first Mormon to rule a planet before dying.Becoming the leader of the free world is very important to him."

Meanwhile,the Gingrich camp is just as adamant that the ,"In America" idea came from Newt,"It just seems like a good fit,"Gingrich is claimed to have said via our sources,"There may have to be a separation of church and state,but the idea that the state and the church have to be separate is not only ludicrous,but plain out unAmerican."

Strangely,the placement of the words,"In America," inside the prayer is not the issue holding up the "In America" Lord's Prayer annoucement,but an ideological difference on which version of the prayer to use."I don't care which version is used,"Newt is said to had stated,"But it has to appear that I care."

Mitt,on the other hand,doesn't want to appear too concerned either,"Newt has to come to me on this issue.I am the Protestant,after all."

The New GOP In America Lord's Prayer

Our Father, which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come.
Thy will be done In America,on earth,
And as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive them that trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
[For thine is the kingdom,

The power, and the glory,

For ever and ever.]

Amen.

The Hyppocratic Party will have more on this story as soon it becomes avaliable.

A Great Speech From A Great Man

2012-01-16T07:50:00.002-05:00

2011-12-30T06:49:00.002-05:00

Hurray!Adam & Marissa got engaged!You are such a cute couple-just made for each other!May you have a long and wunderful marriage that is blessed by God & family.

2011-12-25T13:28:00.002-05:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS

A Drew 102 Repeat:An Open Letter To Go Comics

2011-12-18T12:23:00.000-05:00

This post was orginally published Sept. 18,2006.

First off,I am a BIG Bob Dylan fan.I have been one since way back in high school when my brother,Greg,got a couple of his greatest hits albums,and we played them over and over.In College,Dylan was touring for his 'Saved' LP.He only sang the songs from his newer religious stuff{from 'Saved' and what I consider his best album of all time,'Slowtrain'},and he was GREAT.To this day,I say his concert at The Akron Civic Theater was one of the very best concerts I have ever been to.IT IS the only concert that I have ever been to where after they had already turned up the house lights,people kept cheering:AND HE CAME BACK OUT TO PLAY SOME MORE.I like Bob Dylan so much that when I found out that my boys liked lyrics that mattered,I recently burnt them a CD of some of his better stuff.Now,I have my kids singing 'Hurricane Carter' back to me.WoW!good stuff.

I know you have heard that all good artists,borrow from other artists,and that great artists steal.And I also know you probably have heard of Milton Berle saying that he,'knows a good joke when he steals one',but Bobby on his new CD,'Modern Times',takes stealing to a new level.

Maybe,I should be writing this post after I have actually purchased the CD,but this post isn't about the music(the lyrics,in part-maybe-but not the yet,as unheard of by me,music).

This post is about Bob's thievery.

The CD title is itself a rip-off of Charlie Chaplin's movie of the same name.The CD cover art,is the same 1947 photo (Taxi,New York Night,by Ted Croner)that appears on an EP by a band called Luna.It is on their 1995 'Hedgehog' release.Not only does Mr.Dylan take credit for writing a 'traditional' song called,'Rollin' and Tumblin',but,as you can see from above,that at least four of his songs have almost identical lyrical word usage as the 19th century poet,Henry Timrod.
Wowzer!Each of these things separately could be considered as borrowing unintentionally.But put together....man....it seems like Bobby boy had to be doing this on purpose.
In these days of constant sampling,is this really that bad?I think so.But could Bob Dylan's intent-simply by doing all this-be his social commentary on today's society?Or is that just a too easy of an excuse that I am willing to give to him because I enjoy his music?
Either way,I just know I am going to get the CD.And,in spite of myself,probably like it.

2011-12-18T08:42:00.001-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

2011-11-24T12:48:00.003-05:00

You May Be A Redneck..Tea Party Version Pt III

2011-11-17T20:26:00.003-05:00

You may be a Tea party Redneck If...

...you think the "Honkies For Herman " bumper sticker is funny,but not racist.

...you think the sexual harassment charges against Herman Cain are funny and made up,but condemn Penn State,because Penn State involved defenseless children,but Herman Cain involved adult women who should have known better.

...umm,third is..umm.

...you believe the Wall Street Occupiers should be jailed,while the Tea Party demonstrators are proud Americans.

...you think McCain is a fast food pizza joint.

...you think it's OK for CEO's to make 300 plus times more than their average employees and then blame the said employees for making too much money for their companies to compete in America.

...you believe Mitt Romney belongs to a cult,but you will vote for him anyway if your party can't find someone better.

...you believe a straight out lie from your candidate if it gives you a chance to give it to the other guy.

2011-11-08T06:46:00.000-05:00

Frog Applause

2011-10-27T06:50:00.000-04:00

Just a reminder that Frog Applause is an awesome comic strip.Of course,I love 'this' one:

Replacing The Ten Commandments

2011-10-15T10:35:00.003-04:00

As both an American and as a Christian,I believe that God is the divine providence that blesses America.However,one of the major things that I believe that helps keep America great is our God given right to believe[or not believe] as one sees fit.

What America does not need is a force claiming to be the welding arm of God,nor one that then forces this power on the American people against the American people's will.

This,in my opinion,has more to do with following God as one chooses more than disarming,destroying and/or forcing God out of America.For I believe you can not extinguish God out of America any more than you can extinguish God.

Is God any less because someone states that God does not exist?No.Mankind could vanish or learn to totally ignore God,and God would still be the creator of all things.

This is why America is so great.We acknowledge the divine providence that is God.God is on our money.We swear by God in our courts.We live as though God is providing for us.In this way we give thanks and praise.

But by forcing faith on those whom choose not to believe as we do,we open a Pandora's box against ourselves that we can not easily close.For,who are 'WE'?

By forcing claims of faith upon the people of America,how are we as Americans to know whether we are following the will of our Lord or the excess's of man?

I could prophesize to you or you to me.Do you baptise me as a babe,or I you as a willing adult?Do we drink real wine or grape juice to share in the blood of Christ?Soon,we are no longer free in the message of the good news,but muddled down in which rules and regulations we are to follow.Next,we are arguing if we should even be following the rules and laws or relying on the grace and mercy of God's will.

This nit picking of intolerance gathers steam into a those who are not with us are against us tirades.Our strongest strength,the strength of God is whittled down to the choosing the chosen few.Divine providence is no longer over the whole land,just mine,or yours.

While belief in God is worth fighting for,we end up fighting against the very thing we already have.The right to believe the way we so choose.

Therefore,only by keeping the church and state separate can America keep God's providence over the land.By fighting for the right to believe[or not believe] as we each personally choose,we truly allow for each person to keep God utmost in their hearts and souls(if they so chose to do so),thus we increase God's hand upon the land.

For our faith comes from God.Not man.

This is way I am against the Ten Commandments being posted on City,State or Federal property.

Much has been written about this[read this and this] position.Suffice it to say that there is not just one Ten Commandments in The Bible,not only even these two versions [Exodus 20:1-17 & Deuteronomy 5:1-21 ],but a third lesser used version that is the only one that actual claims to be the Ten Commandments[Exodus 34:15-28]!Complicating things,different faiths have different opinions on how these commandments are divided up,and different versions of the Bible state them differently.

Not only that,but only when the Hollywood movie mongol Cecil B. DeMille got together in 1955 with the F.O.E.(Fraternal Order Of Eagles) did the Commandments actually become a traditional display on State and Federal grounds [read here ].

Despite all this,the best argument against posting the commandments on public property is that they are virtually universally ignored and send no message except that these are laws which few choose to follow.It is only the arrogant piety of a selected few that would hypocritically even want to post these.

Before I am stoned by the masses,let me go through as far as a need be to to explain my position.I am not against the Ten Commandments.As a Christian I see the need for them.However,as a Christian,I don't see them as being the most Christian of doctrines,or the need for them to be posted everywhere.I intend to go through the commandments,state my case,and then,as a Christian offer an alternative more in line with the Christian message.

I will use the Ten Commandments found on the F.O.E. monuments.

#1:Thy Shall Have No Other Gods Before Me...Jesus said,“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. Jesus also said,‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Of all the Ten,this seems the commandment most people tend to follow.Yet,how many of us-at least at times-put our jobs,or other factors before God?And doesn't Jesus appear to be discounting the rest of the Ten by saying all the rest of these laws are based on loving God and our neighbors as ourselves?

#2:Thy Shall Not Make To Thyself Any Graven Images...The cross-alone-could be considered a graven image.But paintings,Statues,even movies such as 'The Ten Commandments' could also foot this bill.In a bit of irony,monuments of the commandments could even break this commandment.

#3:Thy Shall Not Use The Name Of The Lord God In Vain...OMG!We are all very lax in this to the point of absurdity.

#4:Remember The Sabbath Day And Keep It Holy...The Biblical passages[Exodus 20:8-11] goes into much more detail about this.No work at all!None!Jesus cured on the Sabbath.If Jesus negated this commandment...why are we so adamant about about it?And not many Christians are.This is the absurdity of wanting the Ten Commandants posted at the courthouse:Most court houses are open on Saturday!

#5:Honor Thy Father And Thy Mother That Thy Days May be Long Upon The Land Which The Lord God Giveth Thee...These are good words.We all should honor our parents,and most people do.I believe the whole commandment is printed here as a blessing upon America when this commandment is carried out.But Jesus,in Mark 7:5-23,questions the letter of the law over the law itself.In order to save America you must love it.It must come from your heart.You can't force morality.That turns people clever in ways of avoiding the laws.

#6:Thy Shall Not Kill...There is legal murder everywhere.Yet,Jesus Christ not only died on the cross,he forgave those that did it.Even in life,Jesus proclaimed,"You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sisterwill be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell." The 6th commandment is superseded by Christ's message.To forgive.To have mercy.To settle things.

#7:Thy Shall Not Commit Adultery...Here,Jesus does not only forgive the adulteress["Then neither do I condemn you.Go and sin not more."],but again superseded the commandment:For Jesus said,"“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart." Jesus goes further on to say,"If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell."I don't see too many one eyed followers of Christ.I don't hear this preached.But I do see allot of lustful situations on Tv.On the radio.Tv commercials!It seems our whole society is built on lust.Like Jesus,I will not condemn.But in #7,we don't do too much of looking the other way..in fact,we can't keep our eyes off it.This is a big case for love,mercy and forgiveness.

#8:Thy Shall Not Steal....Again,Jesus' authority comes into play:"If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic."And ,"“If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” These are both cases for 'Christian' charity.But,too many times in America today,the corporations teach the value of America is ,'I've got mine',and that the poor are lecherous,greedy,lazy and deserving of everything they get and don't get.The stealing the poor do is easily and readily condemned.The stealing the rich do is easily overlooked and justified.Money is the root of all evil....not the lack of it.

#9:Thy Shall Not Bear False Witness Against Thy Neighbor...In The Parable Of The Good Samaritan,Jesus clarifies that even our enemies are our neighbors.Yet,politicians,Tv news and Wall Street commercials bear false witness all the time.It is no longer easy to vote on a candidate's merits,but by which politician is less creepy.Slander,is a given.

#10:Thy shall Not Covet Thy Neighbor's House.Thy Shall Not Covet Thy Neighbor's Wife,Nor His Manservant,Nor His Maidservant,Nor His Cattle,Nor Anything That Is Thy Neighbor's....This is where those that claim that America is a Capitalistic society come in direct conflict with the Ten commandments.We,as Americans,are taught to covet from birth.The grass is always greener.You can't be happy unless you have this new and improved this or that.Posting 'Thy Shall Not Covet' to Americans is a joke.Christianity and Capitalism are almost always at conflict.Greed vs. charity.Selfishness vs. love.Ministers in Cadillacs.It just doesn't fit.

As you can see,the Ten Commandments are not as a good an example to Americans as one would suppose.Their religious values can not be denied,but as you have just read,most of them have either been superseded by Jesus or mostly or totally ignored by most mostly good Americans.

Why there is a fight to put these up on public governmental property is almost beyond me.One must ask,just whose purpose does their display serve?God's?The Government's?Either?Neither?Both?Just whom are they commanding?

You can not command faith.

I purpose a compromise.Not commands.Not condemnation.But blessings that serve the American purpose.I suggest if Americans have to post any doctrine,it be the Christian,Jesus said Beatitudes:
He said:
   ³ “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
   for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

⁴ Blessed are those who mourn,
   for they will be comforted.

⁵ Blessed are the meek,
   for they will inherit the earth.

⁶ Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
   for they will be filled.

⁷ Blessed are the merciful,
   for they will be shown mercy.

⁸ Blessed are the pure in heart,
   for they will see God.

⁹ Blessed are the peacemakers,
   for they will be called children of God.

¹⁰ Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
   for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

I know that the Beatitudes don't have the reach or the inclusiveness of the Ten Commandments,but what it does have is a tone more in tune with the American spirit and the American documents such as The Declaration Of Independence and The Constitution.

The Beatitudes order no one.Give no commands.But blesses those that need blessed.

I believe-if any religious purpose should be posted in public at all-The Beatitudes are the correct choice.

You May Be A Redneck...Tea Party Version..Pt.II

2011-09-17T08:49:00.001-04:00

You maybe a Tea Party Redneck if...

...your idea of political action is Googling 'Michele Bachmann- corndog'

...you think the bumpersticker,'Don't Blame Me/I Voted For The White Guy' is funny,but not racist.

...your car is up on blocks and still think the working man has it too cozy.

..you like Rick Perry because you like his idea of strengthening state rights by changing federal laws.

...you believe the best way to save America is by destroying it.

...you say that corporations shouldn't have to pay taxes,but then say that those that don't pay taxes shouldn't have access to health care,police and fire protection.

...you think the Civil War was fought over state rights.

...believe that Jesus would wear a rebel flag ballcap.

...you think that it's okay for the Patriot Act to take away your Constitutional freedoms,but then you say you have the right to bear arms because you're a Constitution sort of guy.

...you hate our government but call yourself a proud American.

Beautiful Photos From Last Night At Indian Lake

2011-09-13T18:37:00.000-04:00

2011-09-11T07:28:00.001-04:00

A Drew102 Repeat:JFK Labor Day Speech-Sept 5th,1960 And Doonesbury Cartoon

2011-09-05T00:06:00.001-04:00

I have come here today, on this day that belongs to all the people, to state my case and my cause to you * * * the American people. I am here to ask for a mandate - a mandate to achieve the promises of that stirring and historic document the 1960 Democratic platform. I am here to ask for men - the men who can translate that platform into action.

Give me your mandate. Give me the men. Give us more men in the Senate like Phil Hart and Pat McNamara. We only need a few more. A shift of only four votes would have given us a decent bill to provide medical care for the aged under the social security system. And next January we will have those votes. We will not be threatened with a Presidential veto. And we will not have to settle for a medical care program that is based on the pauper's oath.

Give me a Congress next January with more members like your Michigan Democratic Congressmen. We only need a few more. A shift of four or five votes in the House last June would have enacted a real minimum wage bill, with coverage for several million more families and a minimum of $1.25 an hour. Next January we will have those votes - and you will have a President who knows what a strong minimum wage law means to stop runaway shops and to raise living standards.

I ask you also to elect John Swainson as Governor of Michigan - a great Governor to succeed a great Governor. And I intend to work with both John Swainson and Mennen Williams to lead this State and Nation to a future of hope and promise.

I am taking my case to the American people because that is where it belongs - because that is where there will be no threat of veto or parliamentary obstruction - and because that is where we can always place our confidence. I take our case to you because I am confident that the American people want an enduring peace in which human dignity, truth, and justice under law are secured for all men everywhere. I take our case to you because I am confident that you are willing to do whatever has to be done to make us first in the world militarily, and thus first in the fight for peace.

I take our case to you because I am confident that all of us here, as descendants of immigrants, are ready to renew our hospitality to the homeless, the tired, and the poor, from other lands, without discrimination as to national origin. I take our case to you because I am confident that, as citizens of one world, we are willing to share our plenty with our brothers in the new states of Asia and Africa, and with those in Europe and Latin America, who need our help and our friendship.

I take my case to you because I am confident that the American people are not going to tolerate pockets of poverty and chronic unemployment in this land, the waste of idle men and women who are ready, willing, and able to work, or the decline of our farms. I take my case to you because I know you agree with me that racial discrimination must be eliminated everywhere in our society; in jobs, in housing, in voting, in lunch counters, and in schools.

And finally, I am here because I know we share a deep-seated belief in free collective bargaining, and in the growth and development of free and responsible unions - and unlike our opponents, we do not believe in this only on Labor Day.

I welcome the support of the working men and women of this country. I am proud of the fact that I was endorsed by the AFL-CIO. For I know that the American Labor movement wants for America what I want for America: the elimination of poverty and unemployment, the reestablishment of America's world leadership, the guarantee of full civil rights for all our citizens. I know the American labor movement opposes what I oppose: complacency, unemployment, economic stagnation, racial discrimination, and national insecurity.

Our labor unions are not narrow, self-seeking groups. They have raised wages, shortened hours, and provided supplemental benefits. Through collective bargaining and grievance procedures, they have brought justice and democracy to the shop floor. But their work goes beyond their own jobs, and even beyond our borders.

Our unions have fought for aid to education, for better housing, for development of our natural resources, and for saving the family-sized farms. They have contributed funds and talent to improve our oversea relations. They have spoken, not for narrow self-interest, but for the public interest and for the people.

For the labor movement is people. Our unions have brought millions of men and women together, made them members one of another, and given them common tools for common goals.

Their goals are goals for all America - and their enemies are the enemies of all progress.

The two cannot be separated. The man who opposes a decent increase in the minimum wage is not likely to be more generous toward a badly underpaid schoolteacher. The man who opposes proper medical care for the aged has no more compassion for the small farmer or the small businessman or the hungry families in this Nation and around the world. He likes things the way they are. He sees no need to change - no need to grow. His theme song is: "You never had it so good."

But let him try to tell that to the more than 4 million men and women who cannot find employment. Let him try to tell that to the 3 million men forced to work less than full time. Let him try to tell that to those who live on our hard-hit farms, in our depressed areas, in our deserted textile and coal mine towns. Let him try to tell that to 5 million men, women, and children trying to get by on an average of $20 worth of surplus food a month - or the millions of retired workers trying to get by on all average annual income of less than $2,000 a year.

This is the greatest country in the world. But we can be still greater. This is the most prosperous country in the world. But we can be still more prosperous . . . so that every American can share in that prosperity. We have the means to achieve our goals - to put our house in order - to regain our position of preeminence in the world. It all comes under the name of "economic growth" and today I want to talk with you about economic growth. There is nothing cold or dull about the meaning of economic growth. It means jobs and homes and schools for our children. Lack of growth means unemployment and pockets of poverty and a weak, declining nation.

Under Republican leadership, we have not been growing. The workers have noted it in unemployment and short workweeks. Businessmen have noted it in idle plant capacity and rising inventories. And Mr. Khrushchev noted it when he promised to "bury" us.

Three facts are indisputable:

Fact No.1: Between 1947 and 1953, under the administration of Harry Truman, our average annual rate of growth was 4 1/2 percent. Between 1953 and 1959, under a Republican administration, the rate was only 2 1/2 percent - less than half as much. And today our key industries such as auto and steel are operating at much less than full capacity.

Fact No.2: While our economy is crawling forward at an average rate of only 2 1/2 percent, the Russian gross national product is annually increasing 7 percent - three times as fast.

Fact No.3: Our rate of growth was surpassed by almost every major industrial nation during the past years of drift and indecision - including Germany, France, the Netherlands, Italy, and Japan. These are the facts which we must face. This is the record which our opponents have described as a "healthy rate of growth." And I defy them to find anything healthy about it.

When this country, with all its potential, is growing at less than half the rate achieved by the Soviet Union, less than the rate of almost every major industrial nation on earth, then our health is obviously down and we had better call for a new doctor in Washington. These facts and figures are not remote. They affect the welfare of everyone. With a really healthy rate of growth, each family of four would have received, on the average, an additional $1,300 every year between 1953 and 1959 - a total of more than $7,000 - $7,000 you could have had for a rainy day, or to finance a college education, or to take a trip, or help buy a house - $7,000 that these restrictive policies have kept out of your pocket.

With a really healthy rate of growth, we can have full employment - and let me make clear right now my conviction that in this country we cannot afford to have any goal except genuine full employment.

With a really healthy rate of growth, we can end the gnawing doubts about our national defense. If we had maintained a healthy rate of growth, it would have paid many times over the cost of the vital defense programs which the administration has said we cannot afford - the cost of putting our Strategic Air Command on a continuous air alert, the cost of modernizing our Army and Navy, and the cost of building more Polaris and Minuteman missiles. These are steps which must be taken and, once this country starts moving again, these are steps that will be taken.

With a really healthy rate of growth, we can provide our children with the best in education and eliminate the shortage of classrooms and the scarcity of teachers which is depriving millions of young Americans of adequate school training. And finally, with a really healthy rate of growth, we will win the crusade for economic justice. Here we have no time to spare. For it is a shameful fact that 32 million people in this, the richest land on earth, are forced to live on a standard of living that is woefully inadequate - a standard below that which $2,600 a year would buy for a family of four. It is a shameful fact that 7 million of our fellow citizens are dependent upon charity for their existence - that 5 million city homes lack plumbing - that breeding places of juvenile crime abound in our cities - and that abject poverty characterizes too much of our farm community.

These are some of the reasons why I say economic growth is not simply a cold, remote statistic. And these are some of the reasons why it is not enough to merely talk about it. It is time to do something about it - and we are going to start on next November 8.

The first step we must take is to put into office an administration which has faith in a growing America. The Republican Party, since the departure of Theodore Roosevelt some 48 years ago, has not had this faith - and it does not have it today. For example, on August 10 the President said that automobile production may exceed 6 million - and this, he said, "is really a very fine year." But the facts of the matter are that we made 7.5 million cars a few years ago. The facts of the matter are that thousands of autoworkers are out of jobs today or working on short time. If this is "a very fine year," I don't want to see a very bad one.

While these men are idle - while these facilities are idle - we see critical needs on every side of us that could "consume and absorb" their output, if only given a chance. We see the need for schools - for highways - for dams and powerplants, homes and hospitals, stronger defenses, and a rebirth of our cities. These projects need busy plans and working men. And so our second step toward economic growth must be to put back to work our idle machines and men - to return to the Democratic policy of full employment which for 8 years has been shamefully neglected. We have the tools - the legislation and the programs to put men back to work - and in 1961 we are going to do it.

As a third step, we can help our Nation grow by unlocking the riches of our natural resources. From our forest must come the timber, from our rivers must come the water and power, and from our mines must come the fuels and metals to meet the needs of an expanding population. Franklin Roosevelt raised the economy of an entire region through unified development of the Tennessee Valley. The Bonneville and Grand Coulee Dams have repaid their cost a hundredfold. Yet the Republican policy is "no new starts."

Fourth, we must put to work the wonders of automation in a way which will be a blessing for all America - not merely a curse for the workers. In the coal beds of West Virginia automation means joblessness, poverty, and deprivation. But automation can also bring lighter work, lower prices, and better jobs under a Government which cares for people - a Government which is unwilling to have men thrown on the scrap heap like obsolete machines.

And fifth and finally, if we want to grow, let us put an end to scarce money and high interest. Those who collect the interest may have profited. But every American who has financed a home, an automobile, a refrigerator, or a television set has suffered. Those of you who buy a home with a $10,000, 30-year mortgage today will pay out $3,300 more in interest charges than you would have paid under the last Democratic administration - $3,300 that could have been put to better use for you and your family.

This is a sound workable program to stimulate the growth of our free enterprise economy - a program which will keep our economy healthy and free - a program which will bring growth without inflation or increased government controls. We have heard that this kind of growth is merely an idle dream. But this country was built by dreamers - not by those of weak hearts and little faith.

In 1776 there were those who said that national independence was an idle dream. In 1789 there were those who said that a sovereign union of equal states was an idle dream. In 1860 there were those who said that freeing the slaves was an idle dream. In 1932 there were those who said that a New Deal for the American people was an idle dream.

Now, in 1960, we face problems unlike any we have faced before. Never has the challenge been so great. Never have the stakes been so large. Never have the dreams and the ideals and the dedication of free men been so essential.

We have no time for complacency, timidity, or doubt. This is a time for courage and action. This is a time for strong leaders - leaders who are not afraid of New Frontiers - leaders who are not afraid of the facts - leaders who can turn our dreams into reality.

Give me your mandate. Give us the men. For I believe the job can be done.

During the dark days of World War II, Winston Churchill appealed to America for help, pleading "Give us the tools and we will finish the job." Today - in 1960 - when America faces challenges and perils greater than ever before, I say to all Americans who want to build a better America - "Give us the job for we have the tools."

Rick Perry Is Pro-Gun Control

2011-08-28T23:50:00.003-04:00

These people make a big show of saying the right thing,
      but their heart isn't in it.
   They act like they're worshiping me,
      but they don't mean it.
   They just use me as a cover
      for teaching whatever suits their fancy."

I,as an American,could never vote for a person that spouted secessionism,even if only as a veiled threat.But,it seemed that there are plenty of people ready and willing to drink the tea tinged Kool-Aid of Texas governor Rick Perry.

Gov. Perry,a career politician,pretends to be anti-Washington big government.He pretends to be all about state rights,but his very actions say otherwise.That he chooses to say one thing and then do another is very telling.One has to ask,why would he choose to mis-lead rather than lead?Does he have a hidden agenda?Sounds very Washington~esque to me.

Of course this is just my opinion.Let's explore shall we?

Gov.Perry is a states rights sort of guy.By definition,this means that he believes that the states should be able to handle their problems on their own without any or little federal government interference.

Then why,we must ask,is Governor Rick Perry so gung ho about changing the United States of America's Constitution seven times if he is so against the use of these very same federal powers to begin with?I reckon it is either because he feels he is impotent as a state governor to change these positions within his own state,or that he realizes that there is more power at the federal level to enact these changes.He is openly chasing the very power he is rallying against-thus nullifying his own argument.

Some Constitutional amendments have been good.Others not so.Perhaps we should look at these Constitutional changes to see why the governor of the great state of Texas is willing to make these changes:

1. Abolish lifetime tenure for federal judges by amending Article III, Section I of the Constitution.
This amendment is aimed at judges not judging with their mind on the Constitution.Lifetime tenure was created to make the judges less susceptible to outside influences.This meant that they didn't have to worry about re-elections or outside sponsors.They could judge with their minds and hearts-be they liberal or conservative.Evidently,Rick Perry must feel that this goes against individual states say so.This bias would have been very convenient during the civil rights era.Or maybe,even more so during the next close presidential election.On the forefront this looks like a no brainer for state rights...but it's just another federal power grab that makes it just a tad bit easier to steal away state rights.

2. Congress should have the power to override Supreme Court decisions with a two-thirds vote.
Hmm,consolidating federal power into two branches instead of three...I can see how this would evolve into less power at the federal level.

3. Scrap the federal income tax by repealing the Sixteenth Amendment.The plan to scrap the federal income tax sounds appealing until you realize that it benefits mostly the upper class.Taxing the rich became a wartime event.After all,it was their factories benefiting from the wartime production.The government overpays for tanks and guns,you give a little bit of the money back and everyone goes home happy.Alas,these are the old rules.Corporate welfare is the new acceptable greed.CEO's making in half a day what their average employee does in a year should more than make up for what little money the feds want back.It doesn't.If the FIT is leading to serfdom,it's only in the fact the money is now going to everywhere except into the serf's pockets.

4. End the direct election of senators by repealing the Seventeenth Amendment.What?!? Let the serfs have a say?Why they might actually vote in a Democrat!

5. Require the federal government to balance its budget every year.
OK.We start by repealing the tax subsidies(breaks) to the rich and the corporations.That's the way Clinton did it.

6. The federal Constitution should define marriage as between one man and one woman in all 50 states.
Just what the states need...another federal law.Even Jesus was against the union of religion and government(Give to Caesar what is Caesars,and give to God what is God's---by the way,Jesus paid his tax!) Who is this for anyway?Not only are the majority of Americans now for gay marriages,there are also Christian churches supporting gay unions!So...this is for a limited Christian religious minority?Are all Christians now supposed to bow to the beliefs a just a few?This stinks of the beginnings of a federally run religion.Kennedy said he would not let his Catholicism run his politics.I bet if you put all of our founding fathers in a room to debate their religious views,you never would have gotten them to agree on much except that we are a country of divine providence.A state run religion might work great in Saudi Arabia or Iran,and you can evangelize me all you want.But my house follows The Lord.I don't bow to you.

7. Abortion should be made illegal throughout the country.
Man,Gov.Perry,do you believe in state rights at all?Do you?Yes,we all believe that abortion is murder.States killing innocent men is murder,too.When did you become so squeamish?What type of government do you believe in that forces me to chose an unborn child over the life of my wife?What right does the federal government have in interfering in such a personal life or death decision ?This is not the U.S.S.R.if you truly believed that abortion was murder,you would preach programs that made sexual education more prominent.But,no.You don't.You try to convert your fellow Americans to your state run religion,and instead of making their tasks easier,you make it harder.

All this leads to is a smoke and mirrors campaign.Mis-leading instead of leading.Mr.governor,in my opinion,you are a Pontius Pilot Christian...Just what is the truth?Anything you want to make it?You are washing your hands of both the truth and justice.All I call say is that your constituents better pack up and hide their guns.Because Republicans used to preach the power of the Constitution in order to protect their guns.Now,Rick Perry wants to gut it for no purposeful reason.He talks gun,but with this many Constitutional amendments,how long can it be before he throws it all away ?How long can we believe that he is anything but anti-gun?You speak with a forked tongue,gov.Perry.You say you are pro-state,all the while trying to push federal law after federal law down our states' throats.You speak like you want us to be free.You actions tell as if you want to enslave us.

You'll never get my vote.

Live Free or Die.

Tea Party Distancing Itself From Michele Bachmann

2011-08-14T21:58:00.002-04:00

"They are drinking the cool-aid,"says our unidentified Tea Party source over Michele Bachmann,pictured above,"Sure,we all want Obama out of the White House,but her crass lewdness has just gone on too far."

Asked to explain her comment our source continued,"It's bad enough that she has too eat footlong corndogs in front of our men folk so suggestively,but...going sleeveless?Think of our daughters!

"And,she even danced with her husband in front of God and everyone!This is going too too far."

Another Tea Party source told us,"My husband is always explaining to me that a woman's place is in the home.That she should always obey only her husband.When I questioned him on why we like Michele,he told me to shut up and get him a beer.A woman running for president is just too liberal for me.Next thing you know husbands will be getting their own beers.Then where will we be?"

A third source didn't understand why she just didn't marry Mitt Romney,"She's so hoi polloi.Why doesn't she just marry him?Mormons are allowed to marry more than one wife,right?Wouldn't that be like getting two presidents for the price of one?"

Yet,another source claimed,"I used to believe that the Tea Party stood for something.Michele Bachmann makes me forgot just what that was."

The Hypocritic Party doesn't know whether these sources are loose cannon Tea Party outsiders,comic fodder or something in between.But it does appear that some partyers are distancing themselves from their queen.

An Open Letter To The Tea Party

2011-08-01T19:28:00.003-04:00

The Tea Party purports to speak for the average United States citizen.

I don't believe them.

They usually profess in every preamble that ,'The American people want this," or that,"The American people need that."

I don't believe them.

Don't presume to tell me you know what I want.You can say,'most of ', or ,'we believe that' the American people think this way or that.But how dare you imply that that we of the people, by the people, for the people all believe in every single idea that comes out of your mouth.

We don't.

Most of us love our government.We are the government.We love one man,one vote.We love having duly elected officials.We love the benefits of living in a republic.

Don't tell us that we would rather have our government default than raise the debt ceiling.You act like a balanced budget is impossible to achieve through the proper governmental channels. It isn't .The Clinton administration achieved this-to you-seemingly impossible goal beginning in 1994!It balanced the budget!

How?!?

By {gasp} tax increases to the rich.

Thus,when George W.Bush gave his tax subsidies(not,cuts) to the rich,he was -in fact-helping to create the deficit hole which you,the Tea Party,find so impossible for us to get out of.

Even if George W. Bush's intentions with the tax subsidies were honorable,the proof is in the pudding.They didn't work.If they did,would we be here where we are now?Would you,the Tea Party,be fighting so hard to maintain the cuts:AT THE COST OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA RENEGING ON IT'S DEBTS?!?

You see,if you claim to speak for the people,why are you so for renewing a tax subsidy that started this unchecked deficit in the first place?Why are you against getting us out of this hole at the expense of only 2% of the population,and only at the cost of this subsidy's removal?

In fact,Mr. & Mrs.Tea Partier,why are you,instead,willing to recover this debt on the back of 98 % of the people you are presumably speaking up for?Why are you saying that you speak for us when you shout out that unions are costing America jobs?!?Aren't CEO's making 350 times on average what the average Joe makes?!?Why are you not shouting for them to lower 'their' wages and hire back hundreds of employees?!?

Why do you that supposedly speak for me,support international businesses interests when they are the ones that have sent our good jobs overseas?Enjoy international tax loopholes,hire lobbyists that try hand over foot to corrupt our congress?

Are you insane?

Are you corrupt?

Are you racist?

How can you purport to speak for the American people when your thinking is so terribly askew?

If you think the government is so devoid of righteousness,why are you clamoring so hard to get in bed with all that's wrong with it?You claim to love God and country,but your rants on how our elected officials can not balance the budget proves-despite that we have done it before-that you believe in neither.

Yes,I do believe you are the new Tea Party.But it is US that you are throwing aboard.

2011-07-30T09:01:00.000-04:00

End Tax Subsidies For The Very Rich

2011-07-16T09:08:00.007-04:00

...in the beginning,only rich white male homeowners paid taxes because they were considered the only true source of revenue.When they lived in a country great enough to call itself the land of opportunity the rich accepted these taxes because there were very few places on earth where they could have made these riches and still lived free.

During The Civil War the wealthy were again called to the help their country.Ditto,The next few big wars including WWI & WWII.

Today's very rich are not so patriotic.In our longest most expensive war they don't mind not only being war profiteers,but also having the lowest tax rate in their bracket in over 100(!) years.

...this is due to the Bush Tax Cuts,or to be more precise:Tax Subsidies:government support to the rich so they can survive.

This comes from the mouths of the very people whom are receiving these subsidies.They claim getting rid of this subsidy would hurt them and our country.

Calling them Tax Cuts instead of a subsidies does not make this rose smell any better.CEO's and their ilk are robbing their compamies of their wealth with hugh bonues and are paying themselves up to 500 times more their average employee's wages;corporate welfare(we've all heard about the five hundred dollar hammers)..corporate tax havens in Wyoming and the Bahamas...etc,etc,and so forth.

Just how much wealth are the wealthy TAKING away from the tit of The United States Of America,anyway?!?

If these self-same corporate heros are going to tell the rest of us that we are all going to have to bite the bullet and wean ourselves off of governmental based services-basic stuff like schools,protection,food and medicine-they should-at least-put their money where their mouth is and lead by example.They should be taking the silver spoon out of their own mouths and stop feeding off the government and make this a true free market country.

Of course,this will happen when Hell freezes over.

But,perhaps,the sense of entitlement via the governmental tit is not the most apropos analogy.
What is that big business saying...."it's not what you know,,,,it's who you blow."

Nuff Said.

Happy 235th Birthday America

2011-07-04T14:48:00.000-04:00

http://www.purewatergazette.net/asimov.htm

A DREW102 REPEAT: How CEO's-Not Unions- Are Destroying America:

2011-07-01T07:04:00.000-04:00

Here is a repeat of a previous post:

It is easier for a camel to get through the eye of the needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God

In 1965 the average company CEO made 24 times more than his average worker.What this meant was that it took this average worker 24 days to earn what this CEO did in one day.

Today,the average CEO's paid package conservatively makes a staggering 364(some modern statistics go higher and claim up to 500) times more than their average employee.

While it can be said that figures lie and liars figure,I am going to say that these numbers,in most circles,add up correctly.I am not absolutely certain however,because of the different ways of adding CEO pay both favorably and vice versa.

That being said,it is a jaw dropping statistic:modern CEO's make in ONE day(!)what it takes one of their average employees to incur in a whole year.Day after day,the company CEO,over and over again,remakes a whole year worth of wages of someone in his employment.

What-to me-makes this so so shocking,is the fact that American businesses don't seem to be doing 340 times better than their 1965 counterparts.

In fact,just the opposite seems to be true.For instance,bankers/speculators/mortgage barons are bankrupting our economy and getting government bailouts to save everything from supposedly collapsing under their tutelage.Million dollar bonuses paid via these government handouts seem just par for the course.

No one seem to be asking,if these are their bonuses for screwing up...just what were their paychecks worth,anyway?

When more and more average Joes are being laid off,getting their pay cut and told time and time again that they must sacrifice in lieu of the global economy because these are tough times just how much are these CEO's willing to sacrifice?

It appears they aren't.

It makes me wonder...just how much does the global economy actually have to do with the tough times most blue collar workers are experiencing?

How much is class injustice?How much is corporate greed?

Let's not get into leverage buyouts and their ilk.Let's just concentrate on the average CEO wages.

It would not be unfair to assume that a fair and reasonable wage for a CEO should be 100 times more than his 1965 counterpart.After all,the CEO,while not 'the company' is an integral part of the ship.The rudder,perhaps,even the engine.124 times the ship's nuts and bolts seems a very good compensation.Company first and all that rot.

That leaves one hundred forty positions that could be filled within the company at no cost to the company.Hell,hire half that and you still have a very tight ship.

Now,multiply that by the hundreds of corporate CEO's out there and this economic downturn suddenly seems not caused by the global economy,but rather on corporate greed.

How many Americans are out of work simply because the men at the top are over paying themselves times the hundreds?

This is outrageous behavior.No wonder corporate America has so ingrained itself within the government.No wonder they have to spend so much money on the thousand of lobbyists they throw into congress.

If their causes were so just would they need to lavish senators and U.S. Representatives so persuasively?Would they have to blitz the media so seductively so all of the time?

No.They wouldn't.

Yes,I know what you are thinking.If we don't cower before the might of these kings of industry that they will go and take their money elsewhere.

I say,let them.First off,they are already half way there.These muti-national corporation giants don't generally give a hoot about America's well being anyway.So,leave.Take off.Do what ya gotta do.

Why do I shout this?Because where are they going to have it better off than right here in the good ol' U.S.A.?Nowhere,that's where.But,if they are strong on leaving go.

Why?Because America is still the land of opportunity.Immigrants,both legal and illegally are dying to get into this great land and make a name for themselves.

So,Mr.BigWig CEO.Take off.Don't let the door hit you on the way out.Don't go away mad.Just go away.I'm not worried that you leaving will in anyway leave a muti-millionaire CEO leadership void.

America has got you covered.We'll make more.

Jesus answered,"If you want to be perfect,go,sellyour possessions and give to the poor and you will have treasure in Heaven.Then come follow me.When the young man heard this statement,he went away sad,for he had many possessions.

2011-06-26T09:30:00.001-04:00

Here is a picture of Robyn and me at the end of our bike ride at Indian Lake.It was a beautiful day y-day for a ride.Later we ate @ Indian Head for some great brisket and $1.00 PBRs

2011-06-23T22:01:00.000-04:00

Recent Going Ons

2011-06-17T11:28:00.001-04:00

The fresh raspberry boo-boos were church softball related.Left:sliding into third/Right:diving into third to make the force out.Brother Carl says that getting older means accepting the outcome instead of hurting the knees.

Crack sealing for The DOT

I took a day or three off from my normal readings to breeze through this quick read.Not only was it truly inspirational ,it was a local story as well.No Malarkey.

I paid less than two bucks for this album of tunes from the Broadway show from the alternative universe of the South Park guys.Who'd thunk that a play that goes on and on about female genital mutilation/screwing frogs and eschewing religion to the point that it somewhat validates it,could be so much fun.

We went down to Nelsonville to watch Tyler graduate from Hocking College.Way to go son.We are soo proud of you:-)

2011-06-12T10:20:00.001-04:00

...What I Am Drinking,Now...

2011-06-08T22:03:00.001-04:00

I bought a 12 pack of this nice dry beer.It is a famous historic beer from the Toledo area remade by a modern micro-brew in Toledo called The Maumee Bay Brewing Co.

It is moderately priced(around $12.00),but worth every penny.Light in color,it has a somewhat buttery taste[NOTE:I am not very good at tasting hints of acorns,nor either am I able to tell the after tastes of coffee served warm not,but hot...so any description I use is based on my non-refined taste buds].It has that forties/fifties style of taste to it,yet is unique in it's own right.

I served it in my Toledo Rockets glass(chilled).And,in a habit that I got from my Mother,added a touch of salt and pepper.Aah,this is best cold and it tastes great from the bottle as well.

Unlike the going ons with the Columbus football Buckeyes,this Buckeye brew is quite easy to swallow...good stuff.

Fun At The Indianapolis 500

2011-05-31T06:43:00.002-04:00

My Dad,brothers,Ted & Carl,nephew Tom and nephew-in-law,Sam had a great time at the Indy 500.Front row(section 26)!We saw this just before the race.

MORE DOLLAR TREE BOOKS

2011-05-24T20:02:00.003-04:00

The Dollar Tree is the place for good books for only a dollar.Someday,I will mourn the lost of getting these gems at the Tree.So I am reading them while I can.All four of these books are great or interesting reads.

An Act Of State-The Execution Of Martin Luther King,by William F.Scott : I would have thought this book to be a far fetched,want to believe,government conspiracy nut job except for the fact that it is endorsed by all those close to MLK-His family,His Library,former high up govt officials and major newspapers.

A Durable Peace-Israel And Its Place Among The Nations,by Benjamin Netanyahu :This book is just as relevant today after 9/11 as it was when it was published in the year 2000.Sure,it takes a pro-Israeli stand(Duh),but it is very hard to refute its step by step,argument by argument case for itself.I have always been pro-Israel(except for the ghetto and a few other minor things),but this book makes damn good sense why Israel has a right to exist.Obama should read this before he starts spouting off about things.

I Is For Infidel-From Holy War To Holy Terror:18 Years Inside Afghanistan,by Kathy Gannon : Sort of a companion piece to the above book.No,not everything is black and white.Not all things have easy answers or can or should be easily labeled.Cause and effect.Missed chances.Greed.Manipulation.Hatred & bitterness.Oh,a tangled web.Another good read.

Rhett Butler's People,by Donald McCaig : This is the authorized novel (I hear there's another one out there somewhere) based on Margaret Mitchell's Gone With The Wind.This ain't 'War & Peace',but then neither was 'War & Peace'.This is better then good pulp fiction:this is good fiction.When you are reading multiple books sometimes you find yourself trudging through all of them,until,sometimes,one picks you up and you can't put it down.That is this book.Of course I could only see Rhett Butler as Clark Gable and Scarlett as Vivien Leigh.But I fell in love with Rhett-the man.He was the man.Donald McCaig had Rhett down to a tee.His speech and mannerisms were perfect.Also,Mr.McCaig's portrayal of the south was totally right on...I even learned a thing or three.One good read.'Nuff said.

2011-05-22T08:31:00.000-04:00

In honor of the 'rapture' not happening,here's ,'Rapture',by Blondie:

Gotta love a song that mentions Subarus:-)

Obama's Israel Lunacy

2011-05-20T07:06:00.014-04:00

Watch this video filmed November 2nd,2007.At 6:10 into it,soon to be assassinated former Prime Minister of Pakistan,Benazir Bhutto,while being interviewed by David Frost,talks about Osama Bin Laden as already being dead.This opens up a whole can of worms about President Obama which I only get into to question why he is doing what he is doing.

Because asking Israel to go back to it's pre-Six Day War borders is sheer lunacy.

Before I go any further,because I can't stand it anymore,lets call Palestine by it's real name:The country of Israel.Why Israel is being called Palestine is beyond me.Oh,that's right,so Arabs that are living in Israel can claim it as their homeland.

Well,there is part of 'Palestine' that Arabs can go to to live that is controlled by Arabs...it's called Lebanon.If living in a free Jewish state is too much for the Arab Palestinian,he can still stay in his/her homeland,just move to Lebanon.

Why do I say this so harshly?Because the land was won in a war!And the war-both sides claim it to be a preemptive war-was won by the Israelis(land,by the way,that was not only used to attack Israel over and over again,but was mandated to the Israel cause by the League Of Nations).

Should The United States give all of the native American lands back?How many victors settle on the loser's terms?

Does anyone,anywhere actually believe that the Israelites giving up any amount of land will appease the Palestinian Arab?

But here is the rub of all rubs...president Obama says if the Israelis want peace that they should give back the the pre-Six Day War land.

Is that a veiled threat?Is that a terroristic threat of war unless the Arab Palestinian gets his way?Isn't that what al-Qaida always threatens The United States with?

Does it all come down to give them what they want or I promise you there will be a war?

Sounds like our president is on the wrong side of this one.Advocating peaceful protests in the middle east is one thing...especially from a president into three Arab wars...but threatening our allies with the threat of war if they don't comply is quite another.

It is sheer lunacy.

You May Be A Redneck...Tea Party Version

2011-05-17T23:03:00.003-04:00

You may be a Red Neck if...

...you believe Sarah Palin should be president because she's hot.

...you'll never believe president Obama was born a U.S. citizen.

...you believe the bumper sticker,'Don't Renege In 2012', is funny,but not racist.

...you believe our firemen,policeman and teachers are all heroes...over paid heroes who shouldn't have the right to support each other by forming groups..but,still,heroes..

...you believe not everyone should have access to health care.

...you believe the government should continue subsidizing the super rich with continuous tax cuts,but should cut farm subsides because farmers shouldn't mooch off the government.

...you believe welfare should be stopped to those lazy good for nothing poor ethnic people while supporting corporate welfare because the rich will leave the country if we don't.

...Rush Limbaugh can do no wrong.

...you believe FOX news is fair and balanced.

...that you claim to be an independent yet would rather have your children turn gay then become a democrat

...you think the media is evil and liberal

...you believe whatever the Republican party tells you to believe

Obama /Bin Laden Questions

2011-05-09T06:46:00.000-04:00

First off,I am a big President Obama fan.I think he has done wonders for this country.I am proud to call him my president.Second,I am glad Osama bin Laden is dead.

But,I have a question surrounding bin Laden's death that no one else seems to be asking.If President Obama and his staff were watching the Osama raid 'live',how is it that they at first released over~exaggerated amount of resistance news reports to the media?

Why report that the black ops team was in a massive gun fight when they only came across a couple holding hands.Why state Osama bin Laden fought back with weapons when he was unarmed,with his wife,in their bedroom?

Why go through the Pat Tillman type subterfuge when the whole White House staff saw:in real time((!)) that this did not happen?

And why has no one else asked this serious question?

2011-05-08T08:28:00.003-04:00

I would like to wish a happy Mother's day to all you Moms out there(I miss you,Mom).I give a special praise to all Mother's that-like Mary,the mother of Jesus-have lost a child.No one can know your grief because no one can know the vast amount of love that a mother can have for their child.

I raise my heart,my love and my glass to you:Happy Mother's Day

Flaw In Wal*Mart Low Price Guarantee

2011-05-07T12:01:00.002-04:00

While Mother's Day shopping for a bicycle for the cute girl,Robyn and I found out this little bit of information.It appears Walmart's low price guarantee does not apply to the online version of itself. If you find an item cheaper online at Walmart,they do not have to honor that lower price at the store.While wiley Robyn bullied the manager into giving her the online price,we were assured,getting said lower price was not the Walmart company practice.

I hate guarantee's filled with 'Viagra' commercial type small print warnings and exclusions.Here's hoping Walmart sees this flaw and fixes it so that their stores even honor their own lower on line prices

Walmart: 700C Women's Schwinn Solitaire Hybrid Bike

P.S. The bike was $50.00 cheaper on line!

2011-05-05T22:41:00.002-04:00

Here is the perfect Symbolic logo for The Tea Party:

Tea Party Logo

And The ' Morel ' Of The Story Is:Darn Good Eating!

2011-04-30T21:38:00.000-04:00

Done With Lent

2011-04-25T11:07:00.001-04:00

It was a very interesting experience giving up the internet for Lent.I found that I really didn't miss it.There are things that need to be said....I just don’t know if I have the inclination to say them....we'll see...

The Winner

2011-03-06T09:23:00.002-05:00

Kasich Signs ,'No Good Jobs Left In Ohio' Bill

2011-03-05T10:28:00.003-05:00

Yesterday,Ohio Governor John Kasich signed the 'No Good Jobs Left In Ohio' Bill promising this to be just the beginning,"I can't even keep track of all the other things we've been doing to bring action to the state of Ohio," the governor is quoted as saying.

According to our Hippocratic Party source,Governor Kasich next plans to turning Ohio state workers legally into 'Illegal Immigrants'."The governor believes,"says our stool pigeon,"this to be the next step to bringing jobs to Ohio.If legally they aren't legally supposed to be here,we can cut the budget by another billion dollars."

"Furthermore,"quoted our talking canary,"The Governor never promised 'good' jobs.It is his theory that if enough over qualified workers leave the state to be over qualified somewhere else,then due to the lower population,unemployment will have to go down."

"Businesses will want to come here,"claims our informant.

Another claim by our tattle-tale is that Governor Kasich has no plans to evoke the old law of 'Droit de seigneur' ."He may have thought about that kind of thing in Pennsylvania in the old days,but the Governor believes that it not the right kind of solution for Ohio.It is just a smear campaign by his opponents.Though,"added our snake in the grass,"He is action oriented

Our Hippocrat deep throat also pointed out that the Governor is still looking into plans of repealing the child labor laws,"It's not like he's trying to take away their cellphones,or anything."

We'll have further news on this subject as it becomes available.

Seussical The Musical

2011-02-28T20:00:00.001-05:00

Last weekend,our highschool put on the fantastic play,'Seussical,The Musical".It was supreme.The new high school director(and his staff)with the sixty-plus kids,put on a magnificent production :Great singing;terrific acting;great costumes;fun dancing;A LIVE ORCHESTRA,professional sound and lights,and -of course-the wunderful sets...designed & created under the tutelage of my beautiful and talented wife,Robyn.What a positive outstanding musical.

Here are some(and some sub par)photos taken by me of Seussical....(P.S.the play was based on the works of Dr.Seuss..Mostly Horton Hears A Who)

The Nice 2 Meat You Burger

2011-02-03T08:47:00.004-05:00

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c

Back in Black - Meat Edition

www.thedailyshow.com

Daily Show Full Episodes

Political Humor & Satire Blog</a>

The Daily Show on Facebook

2011-02-01T09:10:00.001-05:00

A Beautiful Sunday To be Plowing

2011-01-30T20:22:00.000-05:00

How CEO's-Not Unions- Are Destroying America

2011-01-25T22:42:00.008-05:00

It is easier for a camel to get through the eye of the needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God

In 1965 the average company CEO made 24 times more than his average worker.What this meant was that it took this average worker 24 days to earn what this CEO did in one day.

Today,the average CEO's paid package conservatively makes a staggering 364(some modern statistics go higher and claim up to 500) times more than their average employee.

While it can be said that figures lie and liars figure,I am going to say that these numbers,in most circles,add up correctly.I am not absolutely certain however,because of the different ways of adding CEO pay both favorably and vice versa.

That being said,it is a jaw dropping statistic:modern CEO's make in ONE day(!)what it takes one of their average employees to incur in a whole year.Day after day,the company CEO,over and over again,remakes a whole year worth of wages of someone in his employment.

What-to me-makes this so so shocking,is the fact that American businesses don't seem to be doing 340 times better than their 1965 counterparts.

In fact,just the opposite seems to be true.For instance,bankers/speculators/mortgage barons are bankrupting our economy and getting government bailouts to save everything from supposedly collapsing under their tutelage.Million dollar bonuses paid via these government handouts seem just par for the course.

No one seem to be asking,if these are their bonuses for screwing up...just what were their paychecks worth,anyway?

When more and more average Joes are being laid off,getting their pay cut and told time and time again that they must sacrifice in lieu of the global economy because these are tough times just how much are these CEO's willing to sacrifice?

It appears they aren't.

It makes me wonder...just how much does the global economy actually have to do with the tough times most blue collar workers are experiencing?

How much is class injustice?How much is corporate greed?

Let's not get into leverage buyouts and their ilk.Let's just concentrate on the average CEO wages.

It would not be unfair to assume that a fair and reasonable wage for a CEO should be 100 times more than his 1965 counterpart.After all,the CEO,while not 'the company' is an integral part of the ship.The rudder,perhaps,even the engine.124 times the ship's nuts and bolts seems a very good compensation.Company first and all that rot.

That leaves one hundred forty positions that could be filled within the company at no cost to the company.Hell,hire half that and you still have a very tight ship.

Now,multiply that by the hundreds of corporate CEO's out there and this economic downturn suddenly seems not caused by the global economy,but rather on corporate greed.

How many Americans are out of work simply because the men at the top are over paying themselves times the hundreds?

This is outrageous behavior.No wonder corporate America has so ingrained itself within the government.No wonder they have to spend so much money on the thousand of lobbyists they throw into congress.

If their causes were so just would they need to lavish senators and U.S. Representatives so persuasively?Would they have to blitz the media so seductively so all of the time?

No.They wouldn't.

Yes,I know what you are thinking.If we don't cower before the might of these kings of industry that they will go and take their money elsewhere.

I say,let them.First off,they are already half way there.These muti-national corporation giants don't generally give a hoot about America's well being anyway.So,leave.Take off.Do what ya gotta do.

Why do I shout this?Because where are they going to have it better off than right here in the good ol' U.S.A.?Nowhere,that's where.But,if they are strong on leaving go.

Why?Because America is still the land of opportunity.Immigrants,both legal and illegally are dying to get into this great land and make a name for themselves.

So,Mr.BigWig CEO.Take off.Don't let the door hit you on the way out.Don't go away mad.Just go away.I'm not worried that you leaving will in anyway leave a muti-millionaire CEO leadership void.

America has got you covered.We'll make more.

Jesus answered,"If you want to be perfect,go,sellyour possessions and give to the poor and you will have treasure in Heaven.Then come follow me.When the young man heard this statement,he went away sad,for he had many possessions.

Hey!Everyone:It's Saturday!Let's Dance:-)

2011-01-22T11:58:00.003-05:00

Random Thoughts...

2011-01-22T11:02:00.004-05:00

I am a firm believer that some if not most of the Tea Partiers are well intentioned loons.First off,they say that we have too much government and then they complain about our do nothing congress!? Secondly,Secondly,they protest for their right to reform our government because The Constitution says they have the right to do so.But,then,if you ask them about gun control,they say that that is liberal communist talk because the 2nd Amendment guarantees them the right to bare arms?!Hello!?!Do you even think about what you are saying?Do you even know what an amendment is?!?Something that has already been changed!You want to change our whole government,but we can't touch our gun laws?Cough-hypocrite-cough.

Eminem's new album,'Recovery',sucks.As someone that used to own every Eminem cd,I feel I have the credentials to claim-as my son,Tyler,would say-that Eminem is trying to make an album that sounds like Eminem music instead of making an Eminem album.Self parody,so to speak.I used to love how Marshall Slim Shady would use guest appearances to enhance his songs.He was a master at using samples like another instrument in his repertoire.His profanity was perfectly placed.mwah:perfect.'Recovery',however,is just the opposite.Without the 1,000 guest stars,and the overly famous sampling the thing you are left with is the worse part of the cd;Eminem's rapping.Sure,I still love the sound of his voice,but when the only fun part of listening to an artist is counting how many profanities he can throw out at you,then you know the songs are freakin' totally boring.'Recovery' will sell a million plus copies..but that only shows how lame r&b radio has become.

For over 30 years I have been practicing different forms of mediation:mantra recitation,biorhythm,different forms of yoga,etc...I have even recently started a new form of mediation that I call,'Eyes Wide Shut'(ask me about it)...but,for me,the best form of mediation is saying The Rosary.I am not Catholic,so I do not totally pray The Rosary following their rituals.I never use the beads.I mostly do The Rosary either with my fingers,or by counting in my head.I have been saying The Rosary for decades.I have mostly used it as a time killer at work...but WoW!Under the influence of The rosary,I have seen a vision,and I have had moments of supreme clarity.In fact,the discipline of The Roasry is very mind clearing.I have found that it removes the daily clutter,filters out the bullshit,and leaves me more mindful and peaceful then any other form of mediation that I have ever tried.The rote of it is soul relaxing.Too bad,many non-Catholics and even more non-Christians are unable or unwilling to practice(and you do have to practice to be good )this beautiful form of mediation.It's awesome.

A few weeks ago,I posted on how a hawk had hit our front picture window.While writing this post,a cardinal flew onto the bush in front of the same picture window.My mother used to say to make a secret wish every time you see a cardinal.Did you make your wish..ssssh,I've made mine;-)

Robyn is off working on this year's high school musical's sets.This year,they are putting on,'Seussical -The Musical'.The new director has given her and her team around a month to make the sets...around the third of the time as she normally has.Plus,the new director,has decided against against pre-bought plans.So,it's crunch time.Good luck,cute girl.

While she is gone,I am planing on watching a movie double feature."Coming Home' and 'A History Of Violence'.

Enjoy your weekend:-)

ouch

2011-01-19T17:49:00.002-05:00

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

K~Tune 157

2011-01-16T08:53:00.001-05:00

The Execution Of Flash-Queen

The Kiss- Queen

Hammer To Fall-Queen + Paul Rodgers

Cosmos Rocks-Queen +Paul Rodgers

Dragon Attack-Queen

The Loser In The End-Queen

Flake-Jack Johnson

Second Nature-Paperwork;Birdwork

Born,Never Asked-Laurie Anderson

1st Movement-ELO

F**k You-Garfunkel & Oates

Fuck You-Cee Lo Green

Blame Game-Kanye West

DJ Got Us Fallin' In Love-Usher

Our Generation-John Legend & The Roots

Testify(part 1 & 2)-The Isley Brothers(featuring Jimi Hendrix )

Purple Sky-Kid Rock

Hip Hop In A Honky Tonk-Colt Ford

All Lies-Quarterfly

Dr.D-Matthew Sikora

Mini-Mart-If I Rocked

Stunned-Howlies

Cute Video

2011-01-05T19:40:00.000-05:00

In Brightest Day and Blackest Night...

2010-12-30T00:28:00.000-05:00

http://www.dot.state.oh.us/news/Pages/ODOTseeksGreenLanternHelptoProtectSnowplows.aspx

Tron Legacy Using Subliminal Manipulation???

2010-12-27T19:32:00.006-05:00

[The Drew step saver:BOSTON TERRIER]

Now,to my post:

Ella:Well,if isn't my good old friend,Don.How ya been?Here,have a seat,let me move it towards the center for you.

Don:Ha,ha,thanks...Hey!

Ella:Oh,I'm sorry.I'm just getting into the habit of 'taking' seats 'away' from you:-)

Don:Again,hardy har har.I'll have a Guinness,please.What are you drinking?

Ella:Just some little girlly drink.Ever hear of a martini?

Don: Ouch.

Ella:So,honey,what ya been up to?

Don:Just went to see the new,'Tron Legacy',movie.

Ella:And you didn't take me?!? How was it?

Don:Sorry,your phone went to voice mail.

Ella:Soooo?!? How was it?

Don:There's the rub.Do you want the short answer or the long?

Ella:I like for them to begin small then grrrooow larrrger:-)

Don:Um,how many of those martini's did you say you had?Three?Ok

Ella: :-)

Don:Ok,well the short answer is that it was a good satisfying movie,It had a plot,good special effects.While the first ,'Tron',was universally panned,this one should get generally good reviews.

Ella:Buuut...

Don:The effects were great..except for the The character,Clu,I mean,he looked just like a young Jeff Bridges.The likeness was crazy dead on realistic...except for the eyes.

Ella:The eyes?

Don,Yeah,you ever see the movie version of ,'The Polar Express'?The animation was fantastic..except for the eyes.

Ella:Yeah,I know.They couldn't capture the range of human emotion in them.It gave them a soulless creepy like feeling..

Don:Yes,yes,exactly.Besides that I thought it was a really really good movie.Kept me on the edge of my seat.

Ella:Ok,the key word in your sentence is,'thought'.How come you don't think it is,now?

Don:Because I now believe I was told what to think.

Ella:Thus...the long answer...proceed.

Don:Once upon a time around ten years ago I was working as a product selector at a food distribution warehouse.Ever see those blue pallets in grocery stores with different cans of food piled high on top of them,wrapped in Saran wrap?

Ella:Oh,yes,wonderfully contraptions,love seeing them.U.S.A.;U.S.A.;U.S.A.

Don:Well,my dear,dear,Ella,I used to do just that.I would walk beside or ride this double electric pallet jack,and stack these cases of produce on one or two of these pallets.Some orders were so big,that when I was through selecting the order I would have lifted more then a ton!

Ella:My Hero:-)

Don:Yes,well to slowly,but surely get to the point,while we were selecting these orders,they would pipe in this muzak.But there were different types;pop,rock,country,rap,etc.

Ella:Did you actually say,'etc.'?No no ever actually says etc.Hmpft.But go on.

Don:Well,not all the speakers worked.Since some aisles played music and some didn't,it just became like background noise.Sometimes you heard it,sometimes you didn't.It was just something to make the night go by quicker.

Ella:One martini is not enough and two is too many..and I am on my third.

Don:Then I have some catching up to do.Another Guinness.

Ella:Good boy.Go on.

Don:This one night I caught myself singing,'Like A Virgin'.I hate that song.It was the song that made me determine that no matter how terrible a song was,if you heard it enough-over and over and over again-most people would begin to not only accept it,but actually begin to like it,too.

Ella:Hmmm.

Don:The same principle works in movies.How many people's favorite Christmas movie is a terrible piece of tripe just because they have seen this movie over and over and over again?

Ella:Idon'tcarewhatyou say...I still like ,'Scrooged'.

Don:I'm getting off point.Here was a song I just couldn't stand.Hated!And here I was singing it!

Ella:I hope you like Usher.I really like Usher.

Don:Stick with me,here,my dear.I stopped in my tracks.I thought,'Why in hell am I singing this song?'And then it hit me:'Like A Virgin' was playing over the speakers.Until that moment,I did not realize that I was even listening to it.I had NO recognition,no recall.I evidently was,but I had idea that I was hearing this song.NONE.

Ella:Whoa.That's sobering.WoW!

Don:I know.Here's the kicker.I got good at noticing it.It got to the point where my body would automatically draw up in response to this ..this...subliminal manipulation.It became like smelling smoke,or being timid around an electric wire.It would snap me to attention.SNAP.

Ella:You really need to get a life,you know that,right?

Don:Well,while watching Tron Legacy today,my body snapped!

Ella:I bet it was the music,you thought you were hearing,'Like A Virgin',again.

Don:You drunkenly have a point.This 'is' Disney we're talking about.The music was very fitting.It did grab you.It was very intense.But,no.I was literally grabbing my armrests when the first snap came.I thought.This moment isn't that intense.They over played it....I was being subliminally manipulated.My body doesn't just snap on it's own accord.
Ella:I'll see about that.:-)

Don:Whoa...hold on,tiger.

Ella:What's wrong...can't,can't take a joke?

Don:I tell ya what,Ella, [ let me get us a taxis to ride home] you,my dear,are probably right...it's all in my head.

Ella:Hey,why don't cha treat us to a taxi ride home?That would be so kind of you.

Don:Sounds like a deal to me.You ever drink martini's before?

Ella:No never,you?

Don:Only once,at a nephew's wedding.I don't talk about it much.Let me help you with your coat.

Ella:Come here,come here...You are soo sweet.

Don:Thank you.So are you:-)

Happy Boxing Day

2010-12-26T08:55:00.002-05:00

Merry Christmas 2010

2010-12-24T10:33:00.006-05:00

Happy 21st Birthday,Tyler,Nikolas & Adam

2010-12-17T10:20:00.001-05:00

CREEPY

2010-12-16T09:22:00.000-05:00

2010-12-14T23:28:00.000-05:00

In one of the greatest stories of love that I have ever witnessed,Robyn's Mom gave out her and Pa's Christmas gift to the whole family.'Kiss The Cook' a family cook book that they worked on together in secret...WoW!

2010-12-13T11:38:00.002-05:00

How do you judge the temper of a man?On how he loved and treated his family and friends?His work ethic?His faith?How tolerate and compassionate he was?How forgiving?Did he go to the armed services?Go to college?Help people?Treat everyone equally?Did he help build a business?Was he an asset to the community?On how he suffered death?On how he lived his life?My father-in-law was of the finest metal judged by any and all of these standards.He died this morning at 3:30am.God be with you Pa.Thank you for everything

The Hawk That Hit The Window

2010-12-04T22:22:00.002-05:00

The hawk you see in this photo smashed into our dinning room picture window today.Right,then,it was a little dazed and confused,but as the video below shows,it soon recovered

A MUST LISTEN

2010-12-03T18:44:00.003-05:00

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernie_Sanders

The Wunderle Five

2010-11-28T10:35:00.000-05:00

Tow Plow

2010-11-24T06:28:00.004-05:00

As a person that plows snow for a living,maybe I and my ilk would be the only ones interested in this relatively new device.As reported in the news [ http://www.wksu.org/news/story/26793 ] ,ODOT will be trying one of these babies out.With an advertised fuel saving of almost 85% over running a more traditional two truck combo,the tow plow is supposed to be a money-and man power-saver...
...unless it breaks down..
..then,we'll see...

How would you like to be behind one of these big boys?

Lincoln/Kennedy

2010-11-17T06:45:00.001-05:00

Lincoln was elected to Congress in 1846
Kennedy was elected to Congress in 1946

Lincoln was elected President in 1860
Kennedywas elected President in 1960

Lincoln wife lost a child while living in the White House
Kennedy wife lost a child while living in the White House

Lincoln was directly concerned with Civil Rights
Kennedy was directly concerned with Civil Rights

Lincoln had a secretary named Kennedy who told him not to go to the theater
Kennedy had a secretary named Lincoln who told him not to go to Dallas

Lincoln was shot in the back of the head in the presence of his wife
Kennedy was shot in the back of the head in the presence of his wife

Lincoln was shot in the Ford Theatre
Kennedy shot in a Lincoln, made by Ford

Lincoln was shot on a Friday
Kennedy was shot on a Friday

The assassin, John Wilkes Booth, was known by three names, comprised of fifteen letters
The assassin, Lee Harvey Oswald, was known by three names, comprised of fifteen letters

Booth shot Lincoln in a theater and fled to a warehouse
Oswald shot Kennedy from a warehouse and fled to a theater

Booth was killed before being brought to trial
Oswald was killed before being brought to trial

There were theories that Booth was part of a greater conspiracy
There were theories that Oswald was part of a greater conspiracy

Lincoln’s successor was Andrew Johnson, born in 1808
Kennedy’s successor was Lyndon Johnson, born in 1908

A week before he was shot,Lincoln was in Monroe,
Maryland
A week before he was shot,Kennedy was in Marilyn Monroe

(Yes,I know,a long way for a bad joke)

Meanwhile In Almost Local News....

2010-11-10T21:53:00.003-05:00

and :

http://www.ohio.com/news/107162808.html

My Tea Party

2010-11-06T11:36:00.002-04:00

As a Democrat,I have to begrudgingly give kudos to the Republican/right leaning Tea Party for their political gains this past election season.The masses have spoken;they want what they want and they want it now.

Do I agree with everything the Tea Party is standing up for?No,Of course not.Do I believe that their post election rhetorical arrogance about how they are now the voice of the nation to be totally true?Pah-please..

But,still,Kudos Tea Party.You are American Citizens taking part in the system,to adjust the system in the way you feel best.I wish more and more Americans had your passion.You,Mr.,Mrs.& Ms.Tea Party person affected change through the legit American channels.I bow to you.Kudos.Job well done.

Because{again as a Democrat},I felt flustered by your agenda,I steamed and boiled in my head on just what it was,you,as The Tea Party stood for.So,I went to your web sight [ http://teapartypatriots.ning.com/ ].

Let me tell ya,the web sight is not easy to access unless you sign in.In order to sign in,you have to become a member.So,to feign interest I have to join?I guess that is one way of boosting numbers,but no...no thank you,please.

Yes,I couldn't even read member's posts without joining...what kind of crap is that?How am I supposed to know if I am Tea Party enough to join if I am denied access to the rants and raves of the web sight's members?

What are ya hiding Tea Party?!?And why are you hiding it?Huh?

I,un~handy Andy that I am-did eventually find their mission statement .

It's not the Constitution, but then again,what is?

The 'Free Market' section was-ahem-not exactly my cup of Tea.I'm a government guy.I believe in my United State of America's government.The Constitution is pretty much a tangible thing.I get it.Free trade...I'm still trying to wrap my finger around that.

Less government and free trade can not always go hand in hand.Take the original Boston Tea Party for example.Sure,the Americans involved were protesting taxation without representation,BUT,they were also protesting free trade.The East India Trading Company was pretty much the Wal-Mart of the day.Less we forget,the Boston Tea party protest was almost as much about them as it was about the British gov't having it's way with us.Rightfully so.Wars,governmental takeovers,slavery etc were all either enforced,controlled,manipulated and or inspired by this out of control big business.

One of the reasons,I believe,The United States of America was formed was to get away from this kind of injustice...at least the lesson of The Boston Tea Party seems to show this to me.Let me reiterate:In my opinion,America was directly founded on the fact that it opposed [NOT EMBRACED] the big business practice of free trade.

Government should control the actions of businesses on it's citizens:NOT VICE VERSA!

It's not that I am anti-business.Hell no.

In,fact,the opposite is true.

I hold the common belief of many many people around the world that America is the land of opportunity;the land of milk and honey;that our streets are paved with gold...need I go on?

So many people believe this self evident truth that many Americans are of the opinion thatour great country is being over run by immigrants...both legal and illegal..in their attempt to harvest this dream.

You can get rich here...or so the story goes.

And the kicker:IT'S TRUE!!!

The American Dream is one of the classic truths in this world of ambivalence and misconceptions.

So,just how is it,that with millions of people streaming into our borders to make a better life for themselves that the people whom have 'made' it here are complaining that they pay too much in taxes?!?

Hell,even if it were true...were else could you make it like you make it here in the good ol' U.S.of A.?
{And,you can argue that it's not.Some facts state that the rich pay 50% less then they did in the 1950's!}

I neither have the time or inclination to get into the modern versions of the evils of governmental deregulation and the wrong belief of less government is always better.

But if you,The Tea Party,believe that free trade and less government is the answer to what ails America...well...I'll just have to congratulate you on participating and leave it at that.

Kudos,Tea Party,Kudos.

Funny Cartoon

2010-11-05T06:49:00.003-04:00

2010-11-01T18:04:00.003-04:00

http://www.midnightbeach.com/jon/US-Constitution.htm#Preamble

Being @ The Obama Rally

2010-10-18T21:21:00.003-04:00

Robyn and I went to yesterday's President Obama Rally on the Ohio State campus.Robyn's brother,Ben,Ben's wife,Sara and our Rev.Rob went with us.There were many speakers including John Glenn and Governor Ted Strickland.Musical guests included The Central State drum line and Springfield famous native son,John Legend.

But the highlight of the night had to be the joint appearances of both Michelle and Barack Obama.Though Robyn and I were a somewhat far away seventy yards from the stage,I could see fine.For,only five foot tall Robyn,it was a totally different story.She could only see once she got upon my back,piggyback style,to see the Obamas.

This photo,from the allot closer Ben,Sara and Rob,show a pretty close up photo of the president and his beautifully wife,Michelle.The president told about how the Republicans have driven American into the ditch and the only help that they were giving to get it out was to tell the president and Ohio Gov.Ted Strickland that they weren't pushing the correct way to get it out...remember D means drive forward and R means reverse.

Here is Robyn if front of the 'Moving America Forward' sign.We were amazed at how many different people(young,old,Indian,Japanese,Afro-American,Muslim,etc) joyously smiled to have their pictures taken in front of this sign.It gave us such a huge message of HOPE.

A Couple Nice Autumn Photographs

2010-10-15T19:41:00.000-04:00

More Juan De Fuca

2010-10-05T20:23:00.000-04:00

Yeah,I know...I took way too many photos...The group gave me the backpacking name of Kodak.Well.anyway...here is a wallop of a bunch of photographs showing our first day of hiking The Jaun De Fuca Trail on Vancouver Island,Canada

It was a beautiful hike.

Our first suspension bridge crossing

Follow the Orange blaze

Your friendly neighborhood Drew

Walking the log stairs

cvwiii getting water

WoW!Look what we found....

...Mystic Beach!

Might as well set camp,here.

My and Robyn's packs

Carl & Tammie pitching their tent

What we saw from our tents

First night camp

Books That I Am Reading

2010-09-25T07:29:00.006-04:00

ROOM by Emma Donoghue

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Steig Larsson

Earth(The Book)by The Daily Show

Shopgirl by Steve Martin

Jonathan Strange & Mr.Norrell by Susanna Clarke

In The Name Of The Father Washington's Legacy,Slavery And The Making Of A Nation by Francois Furstenberg

K~Tune 155

2010-09-25T06:48:00.002-04:00

Small Reprise~Queen + Paul Rodgers

Djohariah~Sufjan Stevens

With or Without You~Sarah Darling

Maps~Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Sober Driver~Dengue Fever

Ohio~The Black Keys

Saturday Night~The Misfits

Thieves~She & Him

Come Undone~Mark Lanegan & Isobel Campbell

Goin To Alcapulco~Jim James;Calexico

Louisiana Fairy Tale~Yim Yames;Preservation Hall Jazz Band

Corinne Died On The Battlefield~Tom Waits;Preservation Hall Jazz Band

Riders On The Storm~Santana Featuring Chester Bennington & Ray Manzarek

Creep (Radiohead Cover)~Scala & Kolacny Brothers

No Karma~Jaydiohead

Small~Queen + Paul Rodgers

9/11 & Why I'm Voting Domocratic

2010-09-11T10:08:00.009-04:00

Who does not remember where they were on 9/11/2001?Waking up after the actually event[I worked third shift],I first saw the burning buildings on MSN via the world wide web.I immediately turned on the Tv,and telephoned my Mother.Watching the towers burn,I stated to my Mom just how horrible it was watching them burning.Her reply,"Andy,don't you know that they fell?" came exactly as the images on Tv showed the first tower imploding.

I was in an instant state of shock.

Though no longer Catholic-I am now Presbyterian-for some reason,I felt compelled to go to our town's Catholic church,light a candle,kneel down and say the Rosary.

That night at work..though it was a very slow night...lasted twelve hours...because everyone was just too numbed and,to be honest,befuddled,to go at it very hard.

The following Jeff Stahler cartoon,published soon after what is now simply known as:9/11,summed up what most of us Americans felt.To this day,I consider it not only the best,but definitive 9/11 cartoon.Why it did not win a Pulitzer,is beyond me.

America was at a crossroads...were we going to hate back?
*

Apparently so.

Flip forward to today...America is now not only filled with hate for our enemies,but hate for those that oppose us.

The Republican party and it's nasty offshoot,The morally ambiguous,Tea Party(filtered through such outlets as Fox News)have created a nasty attitude of hate against all things that they stand against:especially,president Obama.Never mind that president Obama was elected into office.Never mind that actual good things have already happened in his under two years in office[ one war,for all practical purposes -over/major al-Qaeda operatives neutralized/a major banking disaster averted and an aggressive Stimulus package that appears to be working].Attack,attack and attack is the only thing these hate filled naysayers seem to understand.

The Republicans are so good at hating,they even attack their own kind.There is NO compromise within the power/hate mongers of the GOP.Crossing over to vote with the Democrats on anything/for any reason is cause for shouts of,'Off with his head!'.

The message is clear:Hate or be hated.

This is not The American Way.

But it is the way of cooperation giants like the infamous Koch brothers{international corporate sponsors of the Tea party} & of the international media corporate giant,FOX media.

Both are playing on the fears,hate and bigotry of the American people,to force their hand upon The United States of America.

Don't believe me...watch this clip from the 'comedy' news show,called 'The Daily Show'.Fox news-an oxymoron if I ever heard one-gets caught,here,doing it's daily practice of taking partial clips-totally out of context-and running them with hate speech sneering announcers,as if the clips were actual verbatim news stories:

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c

Are You Ready for Some Midterms? - MSNBC's Political Narrative

http://www.thedailyshow.com/

Daily Show Full Episodes

Political Humor

Tea Party

My question is:Fox News..if your opponent is so evil and back assward..why use Nazi style propaganda?Why mis-lead instead of lead?Why lie?

Because lying is the only way to get your way!

Shame on you Fox News!

The sad thing is that it is working...and working well.

Reading the current edition of ODOT's 'Transcript Newsletter'(Fall 2010) that reported that the Obama Stimulus package is actually working,a quasi-Republican fellow worker told me to,"Shut UP!".

I guess,his mind was made up for him.The truth was irrelevant.The truth no longer had any meaning for him.Only the often quoted lies and mis-leading propaganda gauged his decisions.

Abraham Lincoln once said,"You can fool some of the people all the time,and all of the people some of the time.But you can't fool all the people all of the time."

Ya ain't foolin' me.

Give me liberty or give me death!

I'M VOTING DEMOCRATIC!

Two Quick Things

2010-09-03T17:41:00.002-04:00

Ok,I am not usually a sucker for seeing these images of Jesus on toast,water stains,etc...but this one is pretty cool.Yes,I know,especially as an ex-treeman,that this is just an optical illusion-at best,and a case of just seeing what you want to see-at worst...but this is still pretty cool(says the ex-treeman).

Second,this 17:03 minute song by Sufjan Stevens called,'Djohariah'[about his younger sister],is BY FAR the best song of the year.The twelve minutes plus guitar work is simply amazing;the chorale chants,the horns,and the blow you away lyrics-just make this a fantastic song.None better this year.

I have been really burnt out on the lousy state of pop music lately,'Djohariah' is a God's send.One GREAT song.

Listen to it:HERE

Our Great Juan De Fuca Adventure Begins...

2010-08-28T10:29:00.002-04:00

Soon after our trip into Seattle,Carl & Tammie arrived.We spent the rest of the evening at the pool.The next morning,we got ready for our trip{packing and unpacking the car would become the bane of our existence during the whole trip} to The Juan De Fuca Trail up on Vancouver Island,Canada.It is called the Juan De Fuca Trail because it goes along the coast of the Juan De Fuca Strait.

We left Seattle and drove up to Port Angeles to catch our ferry into Canada.While I was drinking the local,'Juan De Fuca' beer,the waitress told us that the movie/book,'Twilight' was supposed to take place in the next town or two over called,Forks,and they have been having an influx of tourists.What I found even more interesting was that Port Angeles is the start/finish of the famous west coast route,Rt.101.

We got Black balled...well the ferry line was called,Black Ball Ferry~Line.We saw Pilot whales...but too far off in the distance for my camera.

An hour or so later,we were finally on Vancouver Island,Canada,arriving in the very beautiful and progressive city of Victoria.

Another hour or so we finally got to our destiation:China Beach:The trailhead into the Juan De Fuca Trail

Our great adventure had begun...

Riding The Light Train & Getting Sushi

2010-08-18T18:19:00.003-04:00

On our first day in Seattle,Robyn and I took the Light Train from the DoubleTree Hotel(via the shuttle to the station)into Seattle,proper.We found some of the best sushi going.And ate it with the best homemade duck soup that we had ever had!Yum:-)

Mt.Rainier From My Airplane Seat

2010-08-16T17:10:00.001-04:00

...And I'm Off

2010-07-31T08:03:00.000-04:00

Yep..it's time.I'm off to the great northwest..two weeks of backpacking,touring,ferry riding,mountain climbing(well..sort of...),not to mention a wedding,Vancouver,Vancouver Island,Seattle,Portland,Crater Lake,Mt.St.Helen's,Mt Rainer,sore feet and rain...possibly even snow...I CAN'T WAIT!

Busy Busy Busy

2010-07-27T06:50:00.003-04:00

I have been very busy since I last wrote,so I don't have the time to get into the latest political news.

First off,I am still working on my story..and loving it.

A couple of Friday's ago,Nik and I went to see,'Inception'Yawn'...great special effects,but the only time I felt surprise at any time was when Juno pulled out the mirrors..no sense of threat..too much harmless old school
A-team' style action...yawn.

As a qualifier for our hike in Vancouver,Robyn and I went with Nikolas on a eight mile hike on the Buckeye Trail between Delphos and Fort Jennings.Delphos is a beautiful town.The day we walked they had a car show.They have a beautiful giant mural,a nice square,and the remnants of the old Miami-Erie canal....complete with a lock that still worked..but,now as a dam.Too bad the rest of the trip was all road walking and it was so damn hot.I learned the value of a good shade tree.A good man gave us some bottled water(which was good because I spilled our water),and I was never so glad to see a town as I was Fort Jennings.

Then,on Sunday,Robyn went up to Port Clinton to see my Dad.

That Monday,Robyn's Dad started Kemo.

Last Friday was my wife's 53rd birthday.I took the day off to start our celebration.

We went up to my brother,Carl's in Akron.His family was all there to help Robyn celebrate.One nice rib and shrimp dinner.Fun was had my all.

After Carl & Tammie's children and their families left(some on a vacation to South Carolina),my brother Greg came over and we had a really great visit with Greg and me drinking Little Kings and the gals having some wine.

Carl,fresh from a 150 mile one man hike on the Appalachian Trail,is down to a whopping 165 pounds!

The next morning,the Goodyear blimp was practically floating in Carl & Tammie's back yard as it was the Soap Box Derby Day.

Robyn and Tammie went to Milan for a Skype bridal shower.

Carl and I went to Fred Fuller Park in Kent for our family reunion.

During thunderstorms,we ate at a very nice Mexican restaurant in the small-but growing- town of Brimfield.

As the thunderstorms abated we went to this absolutely great frozen custard stand near the airdock called Stricklands...only some of the best frozen custard ever..I got Kahlua.

Back at Carl's,Carl helped Robyn adjust her backpack and Tammie and Robyn checked on the computer for final preparations for our two week trip to Seattle,Vancouver Island,the wedding,Crater Lake,Mt.St.Helens and Mt Rainer.Watched Rambo I-better known as First Blood,and went to bed.

Sunday,we decided what we needed to put in our packs..as always..cut weight,had breakfast,thanked Carl and Tammie(Thank you Carl and Tammie) and headed towards Columbus.

Went to the 'Columbus Jazz and Rib Fest' with Jeff,Jeani,Ben,Sara,Michael & Sandy,etc.Because someone we knew knew somebody we ended getting treated like VIP's.Free ribs and beer..and great jazz.WoW!

Last night,Nikolas,Adam and Marissa treated us to a Columbus Clippers game.Ten cent dog night.I ate sixty cents worth and should have gotten even more.What a fun time!

Just think,next week at this time,we'll be in Seattle heading towards vancouver Island...can't wait:-)

I'm Baaack

2010-07-14T23:21:00.000-04:00

As my Grandmother used to say..."Yo-whee!"It seems an eternity ago that my computer crashed...but I am finally back..with a rebuilt jobbie..well,at least..I'm back.

Here are some of the things that happened since I've been gone...

Went to the Indy 500 with my Dad,brother Ted,and Ted's son-in-law,Sam.It was the hottest 500 ever,but we had a great time.

Two of my boys started working with me as summer help at the Dot.

Had our roof re-shingled..ca-ching(Thank God for insurance:-)

Saw the most awesome rainbow ever.

Travelled over two hours to find a beer!

My Dad had a stroke.We now have his dog,Queenie,and he is trying his best to recover and get the hell out of the nursing home.Gooo Dad!

I Go up to see my Dad almost every weekend.

Went up north on the Forth.

After a year,I finally went to see my Mom's tombstone.It is a beautiful black marble stone,with a lighthouse attached to it.If you know where it is located ,you can even see from the road.

Robyn and I are planning a two week vacation to the Vancouver,Seattle area.We are going to backpack on Vancouver Island(hopefully see some whales),go to my nephew's wedding,see Crater Lake,Mt. St. Helen's and Mt.Rainer.

Found out that Robyn's Dad has level four cancer.He is going to continue fighting the good fight.My in-laws are great people...I definitely got the better in of the stick when it came to them.God be with you,Pa.

Got an awesome idea for a story..and I am actually writting it!

My Heart Attack Story

2010-05-22T11:17:00.001-04:00

I woke up Tuesday morning not thinking of anything but wasting some time on the computer before I had to get ready for work.But while waiting for it to boot up,that all changed.

Without warning my head felt somewhat dazed;like it was spinning quarter turns counter-clockwise again and again and again.

It felt right to stand up,so I did.

My body felt heavy and numb.

Like when your leg falls asleep.My whole body felt that way.

There was no pain.I wasn't incoherent.

My thoughts were clear..almost supremely so.

In my mind,I thought that I would walk with a drunkenly stagger,but I didn't.I walked straight and with purpose.

Still,my body was wrong...too heavy...head,back of my neck,chest(lung areas),small of my back,thighs.

I coughed..somewhere,I read that could get your heart back to beating correctly.

No good.

Stroke?

I moved my mouth back in forth.Opened and closed my hands,Walked.Talked out loud.

Aspirin.I went to the bathroom cabinet.Took two.

Somethings not right.

Worry.Not fear.Deep concern.

I went up stairs,"Robyn,I am not feeling right."

"What?What's wrong?"

"I don't know.I feel wrong."

"You feel clammy."

"Sure it's not you,"I joked.

"Hush."

Back down stairs.

"Here,let's lower your head below your feet."

"What's this gonna do?"

"Might help.Let's take you to the hospital."

"I know a guy at work with diabetes.He says when his sugar is low,he feels funny."

"Here,"Robyn said,returning from the kitchen,"Eat this power bar,then let's go to the hospital."

My Heart Attack Part 2

2010-05-22T10:22:00.001-04:00

Though I never mentioned having a heart attack,or even chest pressure,I found that if you want quick service in a emergency room,if they think you are having heart problems,the service becomes amazingly quick.

"Welcome to MRH's Emergency Room.Can I help you?"

"I'm beyond help,"I said with a slightly nervous smile.

A smile returned,"Me,too."

"I was at the computer and my head felt dizzy."

"Have you been here before?"

"Yes."

"Well,take a seat.We'll get to you as soon as we can."

"Thank you,"said the wife.

Two minutes-maybe three-later:"Geez,if this was a real heart attack,I'd be dead,now."

"I agree."

Immediately a lady called my name,and we walked into her room.

"Why are you here?"

"When I woke up,I went to the computer.While I was waiting for it to boot up.My head started feeling heavy/dizzy-ish.I stood up.My chest felt heavy."

!"Did you say you had chest pressure?"

"Well..more like a heaviness-"

Suddenly she snapped to life.Things went quickly from then on.

I was whisked into a wheel chair-rushed into a room.Buttons were pushed.I was EKG'd.Blood pressure was administered.Blood was taken.Shots given.It was a mad hurry to to give me the best and fastest treatments possible.

I had what I consider the best care for any E.R.Efficient;effective,compassionate...the whole ship and caboodle.

I had a slow erratic extra beat heart rhythm.

Blood tests showed that my blood contained an enzyme(Creatine kinase???) that is only given off(most probably) if there has been damage to the heart.

The E.R. doctor told me that I had slight traces of this enzyme in my blood.That they needed to monitor me for 2 four hour periods(at least) to see were my enzyme levels would go.

So it was off from the E.R. up to room 4123A for monitoring,questioning,poking,prodding,waiting...and MORE.

Both Robyn and I had a lunch.Watched 'The Price Is Right'.Thinking,ahh,hopefully just a treatable mild heart arthymia.

Then the heart specialist came in,"Your enzyme levels went up.It appears that you have had a mild heart attack."

My Heart Attack Story Part 3

2010-05-22T07:17:00.008-04:00

"While we do do heart catheterizations,here,at MRH,we don't do stints,so we would like to transfer you immediately to OSU hospital in Columbus."

This was Robyn's worse nightmare.

"We are lucky that we found this early.Your x-rays show possible damage to the bottom of your heart.You'll probably need a stint.But they'll know better once they do the procedure.

"In a heart catheterization,"the doctor continued,"They inject a dye and then take a scope,usually up through a vein in your groin,to check your heart."

"Its a fairly common procedure.OSU does over twenty a day.Very safe," The doctor finished.

I guess that it was...except that both Robyn and I had a sister-in-law whose mother died surprisingly from this around fifteen years ago.They had nicked and artery and she had bled to death in the hospital.My Dad,whom had both a triple by-pass and a heart valve replacement said that he hated the heart cath worst of all.

Gulp.

But also surprisingly,I found my metal.I wasn't afraid at all.Maybe it was the blood thinner.Or the bad ticker.I don't know.But I wasn't worried.

It all just didn't matter.This had put life into perspective.I had taken life and health for granted.I shrugged my shoulders,"Gotta do what ya gotta do."

"The doctor went on,"We will have to wait until OSU has an open bed...probably a couple hours."

So,we waited.It was good time together.Robyn had been texting all morning.The E.R. had pretty much wiped out her battery.I started using mine.I texted everyone.My sons,Nikolas(who was taking Robyn's parents to doctor appointments in Columbus),Adam(working as summer help at my ODOT garage),and still attending college,Tyler.I contacted my Dad,Ted Cathy,Carl Tammie,Greg,Nora,Robyn's family,friends,etc.

I called work(I called them before going to the hospital telling them I would be taking a sick day).

I called my Dad,and talked to numerous others on the phone.

I repeated the story over and over and over(a reoccurring theme).Everyone was so concerned...so nice.

Robyn and I had lunch(at MRH,Robyn could-for five dollars- order herself a hospital meal and even eat right next to me).

I would like to say that time flew,but it dragged.At four o'clock,we were still waiting for a bed to open at a seemingly very busy OSU.

Nikolas,Adam and Adam's girlfriend,Marissa,came to visit.While they were there,worried Tyler called.Tyler wanted to come to Columbus from Nelsonville.We told him that we didn't even know when we would be leaving and that we would let him know.

Since Nikolas,had already driven to Columbus once today,we decided,Adam could drive Robyn over(this decision was made while Adam was still at work and Nikolas still in Columbus).

So,the boys went home .

And,Still we waited.

Finally,at around eight o'clock,we were told that OSU had a bed.

Over her objections,I told Robyn,that I could see no reason for her to come to Columbus tonight.(Just before it was time to go they told us the results of my third blood test.My enzyme levels were down.I was not having continuing heart attack symptoms).They weren't going to do the heart cath until tomorrow.I would feel better if she would sleep in her own bed rather then on a cold uncomfortable couch.

Because she didn't want to stress me,she complied.

Soon the EMS was there to take me on the over an hour trip to Columbus.I have great respect for EMS people.Average Joe's in the thick of things.I guess that makes them above average in my book.

These two guys(both also worked as volunteer firemen-one with a guy I knew from work)honored their profession.Yeah..I truly like the EMS'ers.

I have been lucky all day.Kind,professional people all day.Soon I would be at OSU's Ross Heart Center.I wondered how just the big city would do it.

My Heart Attack Story Part 4

2010-05-18T08:08:00.003-04:00

We're not in Kansas anymore,Toto,I said to myself as they wheeled me through the bowels of the OSU Medical Hospital.

It was most surreal.Seemingly equal parts hospital;conglomerate and television show.This hospital,even at nine something at night,was a hustle and bustle of business as usual.

They wheeled me into a giant single bed room across from the more military ready room than nurse's station.Two nurses were already in my room talking amongst themselves about the work gossip of the day.They flirted with the EMS guys.The guys personalized me to them by telling them I worked for ODOT,"So you're the one responsible for all the potholes?"

They were nice nurses,but they had the demeanor of people that were seriously busy meeting and treating patients.I was-out of necessity-talked about like I wasn't even there.I was their work.The usual poke,clip,take temp,air pressure question,questions,questions routine.

"Do you take any medicines?"(No)Do you(No) (No) (No)(No!)

"See,"The one nurse said turning to the other,"You get the good,easy patient,after all.No pills-no paper work."

"How much do you think his pants weigh?"

(They have scales on my bed?Cha-chang.WoW!)

"Ida know...one point five?"

"It says two thirty one."

Damn it.I'm not a number,"I usually weigh around 228."

"Ah,see,we were right."

Just then,a young looking intern,doctor comes in.{learning hospital...riiight}He has red hair.He greets me,asks me how I pronounce my last name.Looks at my chart.

He says,"So,start at the beginning."

"I was born a poor black child."

"Good reference,"chuckled one of the nurses.

"No,I mean.."

"Oh,I said looking the doctor in the eyes,"Not back that far?OK,I was sitting at my computer waiting for the computer to reboot..."

After I had finishing retelling my story(I was getting it down-condensing it,smoothing the rough edges,keeping it the same),the young red headed doctor moved around to the left(my left) side of the bed.He was holding his stethoscope.Oh,boy,I was going to get to breathe for him.

The name on his jacket said Haas.I said,"My grandmother's maiden name was Haas.You wouldn't be from northeastern Ohio,would you?"

His eyes looked at me with recognition and compassion for the first time.He actually looked at me eye to eye for a moment as if to see if he knew me.He smiled and patted me on the arm,"No,we're from Columbus and Chicago."

He took his time after that,explaining things more leisurely,as with a older friend or an uncle.I was probably going to have my heart cath sometime early tomorrow,but the blood work wasn't back,his boss,the doctor in charge-the big cheese-would make that decision.I would probably have to take meds the rest of my life.But things were probably gonna be ok.Don't eat anything after midnight...He had to go.

WoW!I had touched someone.

They reciprocated.It seemed all night people,people,people..most I would never see again kept coming into my room again and again and again..poking,proding,checking,questioning.I dozed when I could.I dazed when I couldn't.

At one thirty or so,I was rousted awake by some man asking me if I had had an x-ray since I had been admitted.No.Well,you need one.

Great just great.I'm never gonna get any sleep.I'm gonna have to be led all the way down the hall.It'll take for ever.

Suddenly,a way too young pretty girl(seemed my boys'age or younger..another recurring theme) was helping this guy wheel in this "X-RAY machine!He put a board under me,told me to hold my breath-click-they were done,and wheeling the machine back out,"Good night,he said.

WoW!Is there nothing they can't do?

I immediately passed out.As far as I remember,I slept straight through until four o'clock.

My Heart Attack Story Part 5

2010-05-18T08:06:00.007-04:00

At four o'clock in the morning,after the tiny but kind and efficient(Hindu)Indian nurse that would be my main nurse had left the room,another young pup intern came in.He did the-by now,normal-routine,except for one thing,"Your enzyme levels have come back.They are at totally normal levels(he may have said negative levels or something to that effect).This is strange for someone having just had a heart attack.It could mean that something besides a heart attack is going on with you.This is because if you had had a heart attack,you would still be having elevated enzyme levels."

"So,what does that mean?"

"Well,you may not need a heart catheterization."

"That's good...isn't it?"

"We don't know quite yet.I'll be back with a bunch of people,doctors,pharmacists,nurses.We will all be back with 'The Big Cheese'.He'll make the decision"

"Ok,thanks."

"Good luck."

At seven or so,in walked in Robyn.She had been driven through the rain and fog to see me by Nikolas.Thanks,Nik.It was good to see them both.
Another young doctor-this one female,wearing an old fashioned plain floral granny dress under her smock-entered my dome of personal space.A pretty young gal with a heart warming smile,she looked directly into my eyes(I wondered if they were trained to do that).More of the same- same,questions breathing,pulse taking,etc.

She seconded young pup.

Next,Dr.Haas entered the room.I was comforted by the compassion in his eyes and his friendly demeanor,"I know that they told you about your enzyme levels,but I am fighting for them to still do the heart cath."

"OK."

"You're here,"he smiled,"In my opinion,it is better to know than not to know.I am going to strongly suggest to The Big Cheese to go for that."

I don't know why I said it,"I'm rooting for ya.I hope he goes with your call."

"Good,"he smiled,"See you when the Big Cheese and the crowd makes it's rounds."

[Note:I have condensed these doctor conversations for shortness.Robyn participated in all of these conversations.]

Hurry up and wait.

After a tad,The Big Cheese{so called because I had very limited time with him.This is the one and only time I ever saw him,and I can't recall his name}and his gaggle of disciples entered my domain.

Cheese shook my hand and offered a quick greeting.He did a few compulsory checks(breathing,pushing on my belly,checking my feet),and then told me,"We are going to be giving you a heart catheterization.While we my find nothing,we may find that you might need a stint.Though doubtful-because we can do so many wonders with stints-we may find that you...may..need open heart surgery.Though this is very very doubtful."

The gaggle,half I knew,half I didn't,spoke up some.All over smiled.They all seem so confident.Could it be because they were close to the end of it?
I hoped so.I found myself wishing them all well in my mind.

"We'll get you in as soon as we can,"Big Cheese said.He,again,shook my hand,"Good luck."

My Heart Attack Story Part 6

2010-05-18T06:24:00.004-04:00

After a final episode of hurry up and wait,I was finally rolled to my heart catheterization by a nurse that pushed my bed like a grocery cart.The machine looked like something out a sci-fi movie.Six flat screens hooked together showing different charts and images;a thin patted board to lay on(with flip up clear armrests);at the heart of the machine,a big curved arm with an a box attached at the end of it and a shield that looked like a president's reading screen between me and the young thin(Asian) Indian woman doctor.

The nurse and doctors talked amongst themselves(Did you hear the old man is giving up his season tickets to the Buckeye football games?WoW,he's had those what(?)forty years?).

The nurse that rolled me in,administered either the anesthetic or the dye(or both)via the IV port on the top of my left hand.Another doctor,this one a young man shaved me me in the groin along the crease between the torso and leg.The Indian doctor told me that I might feel a little prick,and off we went.

I felt no pain,maybe a little pushing on my belly.The box by my face,but over my chest,was(I supposed) the x-ray machine.It blocked my view of the six Tv screens,so I just kept looking up.Lights were turning off and on,there was humming and clicking noises.I got lost looking up at the ceiling...hmm,that machine arm has a cracked cover.They should be replace that.That ceiling tile's frame is bent.They should fix it.

I felt pressure on my groin,"Are you to my heart,yet?"

"We are almost finished."

"Already?"

"They go quick when there is nothing there.Besides having four arteries instead of five,"began the girl,"You're perfect.No blockages,no injury to the heart,nothing even pinched."

"The four-"

"You have one larger artery that compensates for lacking one,"said the male doc.

"You won't even have to see your heart doctor when you go back home.You're good,"said the girl.

WoW!

WoW!

WoW!

I was wheeled back somewhat better this time my the same nurse(a male nurse had showed her a trick or two with the bed).Robyn was surprised I was awake.She was even more surprised by the great news.

Soon after,they they did an echocardiogram(a heart ultrasound) that seconded the soundness of my ticker.

Surprise(!)-Tyler showed up!

I couldn't believe how this day was turning out.Horror story to miracle story in the blink of an eye.This kind of stuff doesn't even happen in the movies.

To top it off,when Adam called to ask when it was best for him to come up to Columbus,we told him NOT to.I was going home.

Another young,cute doctor(She looked,acted and talked like she was no older that twenty) came in to explain things that went on during the procedure.Another explained what my responsibilities were going to be afterwords(baby aspirin and a cholesterol medicine were Px).Finally,a nurse that looked no older than eighteen(but swore that she had worked there for 'six' years),came in and had me up and walking around the round heart-center floor.

The only snafu was that my departure was delayed an hour because I still had some bleeding at the plug where they had closed my incision.That was Ok with me,bescause I ended up getting a free meal out of the deal.Tyler watched me eat,went off with Nikolas to get something to eat himself,and then took off back to Hocking for a late class(Thanks,Tyler).

Soon,again with Nik driving,we were doing the hour something drive back home.It was warm-summery-and blue skied all the way home.

It was good to be home.If it wasn't for my incision,I was so healthy,I could have went to work the very next day.

You may not believe in miracles...but I sure do.

Busy Couple Of Weeks

2010-05-15T23:26:00.001-04:00

It has been a busy couple of weeks.

First,Robyn and I went on another mushroom hunt.Robyn found this double headed morel.

Next,we celebrated Mother's day with all three boys(Adam,Tyler &Nikolas)being home for the first time since January!

Robyn and I went up to Fremont to surprise my dad on his 81st birthday.We joined him and Carl and Tammie at the Applebee's there.

Happy Eighty~First Birthday,Pops.

Finally,again with Carl & Tammie we went to Indianapolis to The Vogue to see,'Rodrigo Y Gabriela

HUP! Mushroom Season!

2010-04-28T16:50:00.000-04:00

Frog Applause

2010-04-27T07:03:00.001-04:00

Hi,gang,just a friendly reminder though I no longer do the 'Comic Of The Week' there are still plenty of fresh GREAT comics out there.One of my all time favorites is Frog Applause.Day after day,Frog Applause dares you to think outside the box,yet laugh and think out loud.Kudos to F.A. creator,Teresa Burritt for making part of my every day morning that much better.

Frog Applause is one great comic strip.

2010-04-18T21:53:00.004-04:00

My wife,Robyn and I went to Grimes Field,in Urbana,Ohio,
last Saturday
,April 17th,to see seventeen WW II B-25 Mitchell's take off at sunrise.

It was a beautiful sight.The most B-25's together since World War Two...and on the day before the anniversary of the 1942 Doolittle raid

My Anti-Republican Rant

2010-04-08T07:01:00.004-04:00

The Democratic dinner was pretty good last night.The diner part was a really good chicken dinner made by the Amish place.

The main speaker was a guy named David Pepper.He is running for state auditor.

He said that the reason there is gridlock in Ohio is by the way the Ohio Congressional districts were set up..gerrymandered to help the Republican party.Most congressmen don't have to worry about beating their democratic opponent.Their worry is losing in the primary.The way they lose in the primary is by appearing not 'Republican ' enough.

This means if they EVER agreed with the Democrats on any issue..even ones that could help the their district,their state,their country,they would get thrown out of office by some other republican,calling the congressmen a 'liberal',or not republican enough.

It's like eating their own tails.

No wonder there is gridlock.They don't care about doing what is right for the country.They are only interested in staying in office.

And who says what is Republican and what isn't?Media talking heads.Rush,Hannity,celebrity puppets themselves told what to say by their giant corporation masters.

No one thinks for themselves,because thinking for yourself gets you booted from their party.

That's the worse sin;the Republicans biggest crime;'independant thought' is frowned upon.

As a Republican,do you really believe that dinosaurs roamed the Earth 6,000 years ago with man?Do you really believe that Thomas Jefferson should be booted from our history books because he thought up the phrase,'Seperation Of Church And State'?Do you really want a 'church' run state?Wasn't freedom of religion one of the reasons America was formed?Do you really want to start a civil war over getting your child insured with a pre-existing condition?

I can see why the Republican politicians conform to this madness...they would rather see our country fall at the hands of international corporation's meddling than lose their seats.

But why aren't the Republican masses standing up?!?Why aren't they calling this bullshit?!?Can't the republicans see that they are already,not just making themselves more and more irrelevant,the are already losing their party.

The Tea Baggers are going to become the next big political party.The republicans are already fading away. And just what is the Tea Bag Party?Media led conservatives that believe in civil war(!!!),that our president is a foreign breed Muslim Nazi anti-Christ!

How American is that?!?How insane is this?!?

We are being led to our dooms by powers too crazed with wealth and power to care how much destruction they cause.

In John Steinbeck's great American novel,'The Grapes Of Wrath',he called giant corporations DEMONS.

I believe he is very close to the truth. Demon's that will even lead the chosen ones(if possible)to their mass destruction.

I believe this as sure as the name Ronald Wilson Reagan counts out to 666.

Happy Easter

2010-04-04T07:26:00.002-04:00

But at daybreak on the first day of the week they took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb.

They found the stone rolled away from the tomb;but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

While they were puzzling over this, behold, two men in dazzling garments appeared to them.

They were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground. They said to them, "Why do you seek the living one among the dead?

He is not here, but he has been raised. Remember what he said to you while he was still in Galilee,that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners and be crucified, and rise on the third day."

And they remembered his words.

Then they returned from the tomb and announced all these things to the eleven and to all the others.

The women were Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James; the others who accompanied them also told this to the apostles,but their story seemed like nonsense and they did not believe them.

But Peter got up and ran to the tomb, bent down, and saw the burial cloths alone; then he went home amazed at what had happened.

GOOD FRIDAY

2010-04-02T13:28:00.004-04:00

If Christ is preached as raised from the dead, how can some among you say there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then neither has Christ been raised.And if Christ has not been raised, then empty (too) is our preaching; empty, too, your faith.Then we are also false witnesses to God, because we testified against God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, neither has Christ been raised,and if Christ has not been raised,your faith is vain; you are still in your sins.Then those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are the most pitiable people of all.

Wunderful Time In Pittsburgh

2010-03-30T22:11:00.001-04:00

WoW!What a great weekend!With our good~bestest of friends,Greg and Cathy,Robyn and I started out Robyn's spring break in style by visiting western Pa. First we went a ways from Pittsburgh to visit The famous Falling Water house by Frank Lloyd Wright.I tell you,it takes allot to amaze me but this beautiful house easily did.Can you say:Awesome!!!

Next,we four made a wunderful discovery of the falls at Ohiopyle..what an unexpected pleasure:-)

Knowing next to nothing about Pittsburgh-except all the negatives about it because I'm a Browns fan,I have to admit,I am going to have to adjust my way of thinking.Greg and Cathy gave us an absolutely great tour of the city and an even better time enjoying it's nightlife(you 'have' to ride the tran).Drinks at one place(sorry,I can't remember the name),dinner(and more drinks)at Houlihans...Yuengling Premium Beer mixed with my favorite Guinness draught to make perfect black and tans(well,sometimes separate,too:-)

Next to the Hard Rock for dessert..where Robyn met..Gene Simmons(?)

The next morning,Cathy,Greg,Robyn and I went downtown to the Andy Warhol Museum.
I was totally blown away.Mr.Warhol was more than just his famous portraits(yes,we saw a plethora of them) and his famous soup cans...

...in fact,he was seven stories more....photos,films,just a whole bunch of stuff.I loved his 'Myth' works.While I have always loved him,I have found that I now have an even greater appreciation for his work.

We finished our Pittsburgh weekend with a cornbeef special from a Sammy's Deli.Robyn had her's with coleslaw,I had mine with a Straub...Carl..eat your heart out.

Will our adventures in Pittsburgh,Pa. turn this Cleveland Brown fanatic into a Steelers fan?Probably not.But this fun and unique visit will make it somewhat harder to hate them.

At The Lake

2010-03-17T06:30:00.003-04:00

Ignorant White People

2010-03-15T21:22:00.000-04:00

Around ten years ago the black community was getting some bad press because the media claimed it glorified ignorance.In the inner city,the press shouted,going to school and trying to acquire knowledge could not only get you ostracised but even beat up or killed.

There-to this day-are even advertisements proclaiming this so called truth.Who hasn't see the commercials of the inner city high school girl quietly riding the bus and then working afterwords in a laundromat trying to beat all odds at getting a good education?Who hasn't seen the ad where the intercity youth has to creep around his neighborhood trying to avoid the thugs and gangs of his everyday existence?

The media selling-the people buying-a truth that ignorance is the king.That only those lucky or those hard working enough to desire knowledge can somehow overcome these evil masses... if only enough Americans cheer them on,but without actually helping them.

Because actually helping the poor has somehow become a nasty no-no.Socialism...welfare cheats...what the main-stream is actually shouting is much different then what these advertisements are selling:Down with the poor.Up with injustice.

The old WWII Maxim by Pastor Martin Niemoller :

THEY CAME FIRST for the Communists,and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist.

THEN THEY CAME for the Jews,and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew.

THEN THEY CAME for the trade unionists,and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist.

THEN THEY CAME for the Catholics,and I didn’t speak up because I was a Protestant.

THEN THEY CAME for me and by that time no one was left to speak up."

Comes into play,here.

This is America,NOW!

IGNORANCE IS THE LAW.

Especially for white Americans.

Come on,you know it's true.Darwinism is the anti-God mass media lie.Global warming is the liberal media's giant hoax.Health care for the poor is socialism.

How retarded are these people?

(I'm sorry I said 'retarded'.I know that it is politically incorrect...but I am a rogue,by golly.)

Now,it's the story that Thomas Jefferson is taken out of the Texas textbooks and is replaced by religious leaders such as John Calvin.

It seems the Republicans have a problem with good old Tom because he coined the phrase,'The separation of church and state'.

As outraged as I am as an American by this ignorance outrage,I am doubly so as a Christian.

First off,it was not Thomas Jefferson whom first preached the separation of church and state,but Jesus Christ himself.In Matthew 22:21 Jesus states,"Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."

This is no small thing.BEFORE CHRIST stated this,and even until today,most religious states equated religious authority with state authority.Not with Jesus.

Jesus knew that when the social,governmental authority went bankrupt,that the independent religious mind would have a higher authority to guide his or her actions.Jesus knew that if the governmental(Ooh,how he knew) powers that be were corrupted,and then misused their religious authority as well,that there could be little chance of any freedom at all.

These textbook changer-uppers shout that the Constitution never states the separation of church and state.

I shout back:where does the Constitution even mention or even hint at capitalism?

International,nay,global corporation may have their claws into America's government,but America is not dead,yet.

Sure,your corporate sponsored media(FOX etc)spew filth on one channel then un-holy righteousness on the other.

Pushing ignorance of knowledge:even ignorance of religion meaning.Follow blindly my sheep.

But following man instead of God is a blind alley.Even the chosen ones will be led astray-if possible.

This advertising,Wall Street media blitz meant on leading God's sheep astray and into the valley of death via ignorance,prejustice,intolerance and (un)justifable religious hatred of those different than you will not stand.Can not stand.

If America will fall,it will be by the hands of the international corperation's greed:Coperate welfare,outsourced jobs,lower wages:all in the name of,'In God We Trust,INC.'

Being poor is not the problem,here.Being led away from the true values of Christ is.

People,wake up!Do not go quitely into the void.Fear and worry gain you nothing.And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”

Yep...It's Spring

2010-03-11T21:08:00.000-05:00

All In A Day's Work

2010-03-05T21:01:00.003-05:00

One of the least fun things that I have to do working for ODOT is picking up deer carcasses...not fun.Today we had to pick up and depose of 14 deer.Some counties just cover them up with wood chips(they decompose quickly that way and are not an eyesore),but we remove them.

It is sad to see so many of these beautiful animals killed so violently via collisions with motor vehicles.

I am sorry if this photo is hard to look at...but,believe me,it was even harder harvesting the carcasses.When we get to some of these dead animals,believe it or not,sometimes,someone else has already cut off the buck's head.Antler collectors.

That is not a pretty sight.

New NFL Overtime

2010-03-01T20:30:00.007-05:00

I know that the NFL is fiddling around with it's highly unfair overtime system.To only possibly give one team the chance to score in O.T. has always been a crawl in most NFL fans pants.Everyone knows the reason for this unfairness...to get the game over in time for 'Sixty Minutes' and/or 'The Simpsons'.

Well,I have figured out an exciting and fair way to make for a quick overtime.

I call my system,'The Drew Over~Time System.Here it is.

The Drew Over~Time purposes that NFL overtime(O.T.)be quick,fair and exciting.
*
To do this,each team will each get their chance to score.The game can not end until each team has at least one offensive possession.
*
The Drew O.T. starts overtime just like the opening of any NFL football contest:with a kickoff based on a coin toss(away team chooses the coin toss).
*Choosing to receive the ball via being the receiving team counts as an offensive down even if the team doesn't actually recover the ball.This leads to exciting on-side kickoff attempts.
*
If the first team to possess the ball scores,they in turn must kick off.If their kick off team recovers an on side kick,since just being a receiving team counts as an offensive possession,the game is officially over.This leads to more exciting on side kicks.
*If the first team to possess the ball is tackled in the end zone for a safety,this will count as an offensive play for the second team,and the game is over.
*
If the first team fails to score,and after the second team takes possession,the second team scores:The game is over.
*
If the defense for the second team scores against the first team's offense:the game is over.It's the same if the first team's defense scores on the second's offense.
*
If,however,the first team scores,the second team to take possession of the ball must not play to tie the score.If the first team scores a field goal,the second team has to score a touchdown to win.If the first team scores a touch down and the extra point,the second team must score not only the touchdown but also the two point conversion.This will make for exciting two point conversion attempts.
*

If in the extreme event that both teams have offensively possessed the ball and both have either failed to score or because both teams have scored both their touchdowns and their two point conversions,and the game is still tied,a field goal kick off will ensue.

Starting at the opposite goal of the team that scored second,field goals will be kicked at opposing 35 year lines.If both teams make their field goal,the ball will be moved back another ten yards.Teams then will alternate kicking first after each ten yard increment.

A field goal has to be made in order to win the game.The first time both kickers miss,the game is considered a tie.

If a field goal is blocked and ran back for a touchdown,the game is over.If,on the off chance,their is a safety,the game is over.

So these are 'The Drew Over~Time System' rules.Exciting,no?Are you listening NFL!?!

Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

2010-02-28T12:32:00.014-05:00

My wife,Robyn and I went to see our high school's production of,'Joesph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat',last night.

Since Robyn was the set designer..yes,all of the set pieces were her creations,I was particularly excited about seeing this version of the Tim Rice/Andrew Lloyd Webber play.

Robyn did not disappoint.If fact,her set just blew me away.

The always wunderful BHS production was excellent as always(redundant,I know)but Robyn's set pieces(did I tell you that she made them all)set the musical on to a higher level.

It was the paste that held everything up to higher standards.

You don't have to believe me.The photos say it all.

Great talent,excellent directing,beautiful costumes,fantastic live music,supreme dancing,nice lighting..and of course,Robyn's set,made for one (ok,three in all) great show.

Here are some photos of the play.