A Few Words On Memorial Day.

It's Memorial Day Weekend, here in the United States, and it's a time to pay tribute to those who have sacrificed so much, so that the people of this great land can live in peace and freedom. It's a time for parades, patriotic concerts and pontificating politicians.

And it's a time to think about where we are right now as a people...and as a nation.

I just finished watching what can only be described as a 'hit piece' aimed at the current United States administration and it's policy regarding Iraq. It aired on 60 Minutes and was supposed to be an impartial look at the Iowa National Guard...a fine group of patriots who have been serving in that war torn land for a year and who have had their tour of duty extended through August.

I hate seeing the media use our fighting men and women, and their family's, to sell it's own political agenda. That's what 60 Minutes did tonight. No one wants to see these fine men and women spend one unnecessary day in that country. But that's where the bad guys are right now. Sworn enemies of our way of life are waging an on going battle against our troops and their allies. No matter how we got there, we're there now and so is our enemy.

If 60 Minutes and television news coverage was around after the Battle of Gettysburg, what would have been their position? If they had correspondents on the beaches at Normandy, would we have pulled our troops in the summer of '44 and would that have given Hitler and his cohorts a second wind and the opportunity to win that war?

Do we pack up and leave because it's difficult? Have we as a country lost our backbone? Are we such a 'fast food' society that we no longer have the stamina to withstand a long fight? If that's what we've become then we're doomed as a nation.

No decent human being wants war. War is obscene. War is mankind at it's worse...and it's best. The butchers who set off car bombs, decapitate innocents and who fly airplanes into buildings are the worst. Men and women like the the Iowa National Guard and their families are the best. They deserve our thanks, our prayers and our support as a nation. They don't deserve to be exploited for political purposes by an agenda driven news media.

Are your listening CBS?

This war can't go on forever. But wars aren't scripted. They end when one side gives up. For the sake of our country's future, we can't allow that to be us.

And to the service men and women past and present...thank you.

A Few Words On Memorial Day.

It's Memorial Day Weekend, here in the United States, and it's a time to pay tribute to those who have sacrificed so much, so that the people of this great land can live in peace and freedom. It's a time for parades, patriotic concerts and pontificating politicians.

And it's a time to think about where we are right now as a people...and as a nation.

I just finished watching what can only be described as a 'hit piece' aimed at the current United States administration and it's policy regarding Iraq. It aired on 60 Minutes and was supposed to be an impartial look at the Iowa National Guard...a fine group of patriots who have been serving in that war torn land for a year and who have had their tour of duty extended through August.

I hate seeing the media use our fighting men and women, and their family's, to sell it's own political agenda. That's what 60 Minutes did tonight. No one wants to see these fine men and women spend one unnecessary day in that country. But that's where the bad guys are right now. Sworn enemies of our way of life are waging an on going battle against our troops and their allies. No matter how we got there, we're there now and so is our enemy.

If 60 Minutes and television news coverage was around after the Battle of Gettysburg, what would have been their position? If they had correspondents on the beaches at Normandy, would we have pulled our troops in the summer of '44 and would that have given Hitler and his cohorts a second wind and the opportunity to win that war?

Do we pack up and leave because it's difficult? Have we as a country lost our backbone? Are we such a 'fast food' society that we no longer have the stamina to withstand a long fight? If that's what we've become then we're doomed as a nation.

No decent human being wants war. War is obscene. War is mankind at it's worse...and it's best. The butchers who set off car bombs, decapitate innocents and who fly airplanes into buildings are the worst. Men and women like the the Iowa National Guard and their families are the best. They deserve our thanks, our prayers and our support as a nation. They don't deserve to be exploited for political purposes by an agenda driven news media.

Are your listening CBS?

This war can't go on forever. But wars aren't scripted. They end when one side gives up. For the sake of our country's future, we can't allow that to be us.

And to the service men and women past and present...thank you.

A Few Words On Memorial Day.

It's Memorial Day Weekend, here in the United States, and it's a time to pay tribute to those who have sacrificed so much, so that the people of this great land can live in peace and freedom. It's a time for parades, patriotic concerts and pontificating politicians.

And it's a time to think about where we are right now as a people...and as a nation.

I just finished watching what can only be described as a 'hit piece' aimed at the current United States administration and it's policy regarding Iraq. It aired on 60 Minutes and was supposed to be an impartial look at the Iowa National Guard...a fine group of patriots who have been serving in that war torn land for a year and who have had their tour of duty extended through August.

I hate seeing the media use our fighting men and women, and their family's, to sell it's own political agenda. That's what 60 Minutes did tonight. No one wants to see these fine men and women spend one unnecessary day in that country. But that's where the bad guys are right now. Sworn enemies of our way of life are waging an on going battle against our troops and their allies. No matter how we got there, we're there now and so is our enemy.

If 60 Minutes and television news coverage was around after the Battle of Gettysburg, what would have been their position? If they had correspondents on the beaches at Normandy, would we have pulled our troops in the summer of '44 and would that have given Hitler and his cohorts a second wind and the opportunity to win that war?

Do we pack up and leave because it's difficult? Have we as a country lost our backbone? Are we such a 'fast food' society that we no longer have the stamina to withstand a long fight? If that's what we've become then we're doomed as a nation.

No decent human being wants war. War is obscene. War is mankind at it's worse...and it's best. The butchers who set off car bombs, decapitate innocents and who fly airplanes into buildings are the worst. Men and women like the the Iowa National Guard and their families are the best. They deserve our thanks, our prayers and our support as a nation. They don't deserve to be exploited for political purposes by an agenda driven news media.

Are your listening CBS?

This war can't go on forever. But wars aren't scripted. They end when one side gives up. For the sake of our country's future, we can't allow that to be us.

And to the service men and women past and present...thank you.

Is It Just Me Or What?

Tell me...would our ancestors have given a rat's rear end about Rosie and her tirades? Think about it...in the grand scheme of things, how important is her bombastic opinion?

For that matter...why do we tune in by the millions to watch American Idol, which is nothing more than The Original Amateur Hour on steroids and with bad manners...yet only a fraction of that audience watches the news. (By the way, I think Ted Mack would have a copyright infringement case, if he were alive today.)

And what the heck is going on in Washington? On one hand they're telling us that their top priority is to keep us safe from future terrorists attacks...but then they embrace an immigration bill that would leave us more vulnerable than ever!

They pass a bill that would build a 700 mile border wall...but they build only two miles! And now they're talking about reneging on that too.

Do you ever get the feeling that the world is losing it's mind?

Kids can tell you who sings what song but they can't tell you who the Vice President of the United States is.

They think Tony Blair is a member of an English rock band!

I swear that most people have all but forgotten the horror of 9-11. We act like it never happened...but it did...on a beautiful September morning.

We don't want to believe that bad people want to do bad things to us...but they do. While we've buried our proverbial heads in the sand, our enemies have never lost sight of their goal...total conversion and domination of the world.

We ring our hands about Abu Grab and Guantanamo . We allow the world to scold our troops, the best and most humane group of fighting men and women ever, over their treatment of their prisoners yet we ignore the vicious, brutal acts of our enemy.

What is going on?

I have a bad feeling about where we're going as a society. People who know me, know that I'm not a pessimist. But you'll have to admit that it's hard to be positive about the direction of this great country.

I supported the current occupant of the White House. I defended him through thick and thin. But recently he has capitulated, vacillated and equivocated. He has become the typical politician that I had hoped he would never be.

And without a dynamic, strong leader, during these treacherous times, simply put, we're screwed.

Normally, at this stage in my life I wouldn't care. More of the road of life is behind me than in front of me. What happens to this country probably won't effect me. But I have two beautiful grandchildren. They're going to have to live in the world that we leave them. We've got to continue to care.

To hell with Rosie, American Idol and all of the other insignificant distractions. We've got to get serious again. We've got to pay attention to the important things in life...the things that could potentially change our society...or eliminate it altogether.

Is It Just Me Or What?

Tell me...would our ancestors have given a rat's rear end about Rosie and her tirades? Think about it...in the grand scheme of things, how important is her bombastic opinion?

For that matter...why do we tune in by the millions to watch American Idol, which is nothing more than The Original Amateur Hour on steroids and with bad manners...yet only a fraction of that audience watches the news. (By the way, I think Ted Mack would have a copyright infringement case, if he were alive today.)

And what the heck is going on in Washington? On one hand they're telling us that their top priority is to keep us safe from future terrorists attacks...but then they embrace an immigration bill that would leave us more vulnerable than ever!

They pass a bill that would build a 700 mile border wall...but they build only two miles! And now they're talking about reneging on that too.

Do you ever get the feeling that the world is losing it's mind?

Kids can tell you who sings what song but they can't tell you who the Vice President of the United States is.

They think Tony Blair is a member of an English rock band!

I swear that most people have all but forgotten the horror of 9-11. We act like it never happened...but it did...on a beautiful September morning.

We don't want to believe that bad people want to do bad things to us...but they do. While we've buried our proverbial heads in the sand, our enemies have never lost sight of their goal...total conversion and domination of the world.

We ring our hands about Abu Grab and Guantanamo . We allow the world to scold our troops, the best and most humane group of fighting men and women ever, over their treatment of their prisoners yet we ignore the vicious, brutal acts of our enemy.

What is going on?

I have a bad feeling about where we're going as a society. People who know me, know that I'm not a pessimist. But you'll have to admit that it's hard to be positive about the direction of this great country.

I supported the current occupant of the White House. I defended him through thick and thin. But recently he has capitulated, vacillated and equivocated. He has become the typical politician that I had hoped he would never be.

And without a dynamic, strong leader, during these treacherous times, simply put, we're screwed.

Normally, at this stage in my life I wouldn't care. More of the road of life is behind me than in front of me. What happens to this country probably won't effect me. But I have two beautiful grandchildren. They're going to have to live in the world that we leave them. We've got to continue to care.

To hell with Rosie, American Idol and all of the other insignificant distractions. We've got to get serious again. We've got to pay attention to the important things in life...the things that could potentially change our society...or eliminate it altogether.

We Deserve So Much Better Than What We've Got!

I just finished reading an amazing book by Boston Radio Talk show host and newspaper columnist, Howie Carr. Without going into a long book review, it's about corruption in government and it's connection to the worst of organized crime. It's so revealing, so stark and so dark, I felt as if I needed a shower when I finished reading it. It's locale was Boston, but it could have been any city. Boston is not the exception. I'm afraid that it's the rule.

And I found myself thinking about the state of our country in 2007. What would our founders think of what we've become? "Government of the people, by the people and for the people..."...isn't that how it goes? But are the politicians thinking about people or power. I'm afraid the answer is power. Are there any more honest men or women in government? I don't know. After reading Carr's book, I have my doubts. It would appear to me that as long as they can keep the electorate riled up, the better it is for them.

"Keep the masses angry and distracted and they'll never realize what a rotten job we're doing."

"They'll never catch on that we haven't solved the thirty year old fuel problem."

"They'll never realize that our borders are as porous as the screen on their back door."

"They'll never notice that we haven't fixed an unfair and long broken tax system."

"They'll never see that we've ignored a third rate health care system that is ruining people on a daily basis."

"Keep them fighting...Democrat against Republican. Never give them time to remember that they are all Americans...and that, that common bond is far greater than any of their political differences."

Today Congress is pointing, with glee, to the President's latest popularity poll result. His approval rating is 33%...the lowest since...I don't know...Harold Stassen. What they're not mentioning, and they hope that you don't find out, is that the approval rating for Congress is 29%....that's right 29%. They're all NOT DOING THEIR JOBS.

It is this writer's sincerest hope that the American people take a long hard look at what these scoundrels have done to this wonderful country of ours. I pray that the populace will examine every elected official's record...I mean...really take a long hard look at what it is that these people have done. And then...when the voters uncover the low life...they "through the bums out"...and maybe a few of them even into jail. If you think that I'm over-reacting then I'd suggest that you read Howie Carr's book too.

We deserve so much better than what we've got.

We Deserve So Much Better Than What We've Got.

I just finished reading an amazing book by Boston Radio Talk show host and newspaper columnist, Howie Carr. Without going into a long book review, it's about corruption in government and it's connection to the worst of organized crime. It's so revealing, so stark and so dark, I felt as if I needed a shower when I finished reading it. It's locale was Boston, but it could have been any city. Boston is not the exception. I'm afraid that it's the rule.

And I found myself thinking about the state of our country in 2007. What would our founders think of what we've become? "Government of the people, by the people and for the people..."...isn't that how it goes? But are the politicians thinking about people or power. I'm afraid the answer is power. Are there any more honest men or women in government? I don't know. After reading Carr's book, I have my doubts. It would appear to me that as long as they can keep the electorate riled up, the better it is for them.

"Keep the masses angry and distracted and they'll never realize what a rotten job we're doing."

"They'll never catch on that we haven't solved the thirty year old fuel problem."

"They'll never realize that our borders are as porous as the screen on their back door."

"They'll never notice that we haven't fixed an unfair and long broken tax system."

"They'll never see that we've ignored a third rate health care system that is ruining people on a daily basis."

"Keep them fighting...Democrat against Republican. Never give them time to remember that they are all Americans...and that, that common bond is far greater than any of their political differences."

Today Congress is pointing, with glee, to the President's latest popularity poll result. His approval rating is 33%...the lowest since...I don't know...Harold Stassen. What they're not mentioning, and they hope that you don't find out, is that the approval rating for Congress is 29%....that's right 29%. They're all NOT DOING THEIR JOBS.

It is this writer's sincerest hope that the American people take a long hard look at what these scoundrels have done to this wonderful country of ours. I pray that the populace will examine every elected official's record...I mean...really take a long hard look at what it is that these people have done. And then...when the voters uncover the low life...they "through the bums out"...and maybe a few of them even into jail. If you think that I'm over-reacting then I'd suggest that you read Howie Carr's book too.

We deserve so much better than what we've got.

We deserve so much better than what we've got.

I just finished reading an amazing book by Boston Radio Talk show host and newspaper columnist, Howie Carr. Without going into a long book review, it's about corruption in government and it's connection to the worst of organized crime. It's so revealing, so stark and so dark, I felt as if I needed a shower when I finished reading it. It's locale was Boston, but it could have been any city. Boston is not the exception. I'm afraid that it's the rule.

And I found myself thinking about the state of our country in 2007. What would our founders think of what we've become? "Government of the people, by the people and for the people..."...isn't that how it goes? But are the politicians thinking about people or power. I'm afraid the answer is power. Are there any more honest men or women in government? I don't know. After reading Carr's book, I have my doubts. It would appear to me that as long as they can keep the electorate riled up, the better it is for them.

"Keep the masses angry and distracted and they'll never realize what a rotten job we're doing."

"They'll never catch on that we haven't solved the thirty year old fuel problem."

"They'll never realize that our borders are as porous as the screen on their back door."

"They'll never notice that we haven't fixed an unfair and long broken tax system."

"They'll never see that we've ignored a third rate health care system that is ruining people on a daily basis."

"Keep them fighting...Democrat against Republican. Never give them time to remember that they are all Americans...and that, that common bond is far greater than any of their political differences."

Today congress is pointing, with glee, to the President's latest popularity poll result. His approval rating is 33%...the lowest since...I don't know...Harold Stassen. What they're not mentioning, and they hope that you don't find out, is that the approval rating for Congress is 29%....that's right 29%. They're all NOT DOING THEIR JOBS.

It is this writer's sincerest hope that the American people take a long hard look at what these scoundrels have done to this wonderful country of ours. I pray that the populace will examine every elected official's record...I mean...really take a long hard look at what it is that these people have done. And then...when the voters uncover the low life...they "through the bums out"...and maybe a few of them even into jail. If you think that I'm over-reacting then I'd suggest that you read Howie Carr's book too.

We deserve so much better than what we've got.

The Droll Roll of the Poll...

I don't know about you, but I'm sick of 'polls'. Every time you turn around there's a new poll on something. And the polls have become news! What's with that? The news outlets are actually generating the news! Does anyone else think that's wrong or is it just me? Pretty soon we'll be polling the polls!

They're presented as 'fact' and really...they're nothing. The pollsters will tell you that the polls are a snapshot...I say they're more like a crude sketch. I'm convinced that if I wanted to influence any group of people, I could commission a poll and, using well crafted questions, obtain the results that I wanted.

Folks... we have to stop being so easy. We see a poll and we instantly take it as fact. We quote it and point to it like it's made of concrete. It ain't concrete...as a matter of fact, you'll see that it more closely resembles silly putty or maybe some other substance that begins with an 's'. We've become malleable, pliable and just plain gullible. It seems that, as a people, we follow en masse, like a bunch of migrating lemmings. Maybe it's because believing in polls is easier than actually having to think as an individual. And, you know, the politicians, news organizations and pollsters know it.

We'll never be able to get rid of polls...they're here and they're here to stay. But what we should do is prohibit any form of polling during the last two months of any campaign...especially the presidential campaign. Ever wonder how many good candidates have been eliminated from a race because of the polling? They're labeled losers months...sometimes even years before the elections take place. If they had a sophisticated polling system in place in 'the old days'...would we have had Abe Lincoln as a president? I doubt it. How would Wilson have polled? Or Jefferson or even Washington, for that matter?

If we can't get rid of polls then I would suggest that anytime we hear the word 'poll'...we switch the channel...maybe we can catch an episode of Mythbusters.