WHO Do You Believe?

I don't know about anyone else, but I am sick and tired of the lies and deceptiveness from Washington, and Politicians in general. And today, I include major news outlets in the same light.

In national debates for offices; in national news releases from either party and The White House; and even from network pundits ..... WHO do YOU believe?

Does EVERYONE have an agenda? Even the various news media, seems to have their own agendas, and the reporting is slanted in that way.

So, I ask, WHO do YOU believe?
WHAT IS the truth?
And WHY do I doubt everyone so much any more?

I'll take on the last one first. -

The major news outlets, have LET ALL OF US down. THEY have failed us, and continuing to fail us daily. I say this, because THEY DO have their own agendas. And their reporting, is a direct result of that bias on what we will get from them.

Ideally, the real news outlets and reporters, would report THE FACTS, and investigate the sources of such information to confirm the trust worthiness of the information being reported to us.

I want to make up MY OWN MIND, and I can only do that with as honest and as complete of the information as possible. And if it is on-line or in print or electronically provided, I need to know I can TRUST the source of the information. I need to know that what I am being given, is as much of the truth as can be found, and NOT only what some journalist or media outlet wants me to know.

The good, the bad, the ugly...I want to know it all. I want to make up MY OWN MIND, and I want to do it based on the fair and impartial reporting of the facts.

But today, I just don't now WHERE I can get that. I don't trust Washington, Politicians in general, AND the media. They could ALL be trying to sell me a lemon, for all I know.

I challenge ALL media outlets, to wash themselves of ALL agendas, and just report facts. I challenge them to also have REAL discussion panels, that can honestly and impartially discuss the facts and stories from all over the globe, WITHOUT their attempts to side with one side of an issue or another. I challenge them to take a pledge, of telling the truth and all the facts. No more chill up a leg for a candiate, or some favored comments of one candidate over another, or vilifying one and glorifying another.

Newspapers, and all other news agencies, should be OUR watchdogs. Not, the attack dog for any one entity or another. Otherwise, I am left to do what I can to decipher the news and do what I can do come to a reasonable decision on any important matter, on my own.

As it stands, Politicians (of all parties), and news media, dine at the same club. And that club, doesn't seem to include "the people".

To My Fellow Veterans

Attention Fellow Veterans ~

Due to recent discussions with a couple other Vets, and knowing about the passing of more of us each day, I thought I'd post these thoughts.

Our WWI Vets are gone now. We are losing more and more of our WWII Vets every day, and their numbers have really dwindled. Our slightly-older brothers-in-arms from the Korean War, are also getting older and they'll be following our WWII Vets home more and more. And for my generation, we Vietnam Vets are no spring chickens anymore either.

When our Veterans go to their final resting place, they take with them all their memories. If no one captures those memories on recordings or on paper, then no one can learn anything from what they could pass on.
I have started something of a journal, or book, for myself. I have no plans on marketing such a thing (although many do so with much success), but do want to have it printed off, at least for my kids, and their kids. I want it to tell MY story, and share my thoughts and memories. I want it to be here, long after I go home one last time. It is NOT a "hero's" story,  but it is MY story or MY experiences and perspectives. In some ways, I can write, what I can not say aloud to anyone.

Everyone has to deal with their experiences in what ever way is right for them. But, my fellow Vets from all conflicts, I would encourage you to document YOUR thoughts and experiences, and keep them for those who will follow some day. With today's computers and flash drives, it is easier than ever to write such thoughts down and save them until YOU are ready for anyone else to read them. You (and I) don't have to be a "writer", you just write. Or, have someone you can talk to, write it down for you. And if you need to, made audio recordings and save those.

I would encourage all Veterans to do so. And for the record, I am still working on my own memories, and it's taking me more than 10 years, and I'm still not done. It hasn't been a constant effort, but when ever I can just sit quietly nto myself and add some lines. You too may have some things you can't say even to yourself yet, but don't let that stop you from starting, and putting down those things you have to say or share.
And with flash drives, you can write, then save, and keep it as private as you want it to be. But do not miss the opportunity to get your thoughts down. They are part of you. They may be lessons to be shared to others, after your passing, if not before. Only YOU can share those.

THANK YOU to all our Vets, past and present, on this Veterans Day.

God Bless you all.

Veterans Day 2011

To all those Veterans of today, as well as to all those who have come before - THANK YOU for your service and sacrifices.


While it is most usual for me to go off on some political tirade, this message will depart from that. With this Veterans Day, I will fly my flag, and say THANKS in any way I can. My family, my country, and I am free, because of the fight our Veterans have taken up for all of us.

May we all show our respect, and tell a person in uniform THANK YOU. God Bless our men and women serving today, and God Bless their families.

To ALL our Veterans of all conflicts - THANK YOU for YOUR Service.

Courage, Commitment, and Perseverance

Courage, Commitment, and Perseverance - Three words that, to me, describe a very special segment of WWII heroes. While those apply to so many, I am referring here to those men of the Tuskegee Airmen of the 332nd Fighter Group.

I first heard about the "Red Tails", as they were called, from my former father-in-law, Richard B. Sigle (R.I.P.), who had been a B-24 Liberator Pilot in WWII. He told me that no bomber was loss to hostile fighters, when the Red Tails were doing escorts. Wow.

Those men, those Negro Airmen of that day, had to endure so much in the segregated America, long before their introduction into the Army Air Corp. We know our history, but unless you were "colored", we can never know what they went through, or how they felt.

Yet, those men did endure the racist treatment, which continued when they entered the Air Corp. And they exceeded all expectations, persevered and attained their wings. They trained, they excelled, and they went on to serve their country, our country, in the European theater of war, and flew P-40 Warhawks, to P-51 Mustangs. The pilots and ground crews, were tasked with ground support and bomber escorts, while still bearing the brunt of racism. And that takes commitment and courage.

Those Airmen, later returned "home", only to find that America had not been any more accepting to them, as they had been before. Sadly, racism was still the way of things in even Post War America. All black Veterans, found the same America they had left to fight for, but they DID IT anyway.

We all owe a lot to Veterans of all wars, those men and women, who go into war zones for the continued struggle for our freedoms. But few Veterans know the rejection by those who held on to those racial beliefs. Sad, that such Veterans should be treated that way. No Veteran should be treated that way, but our Black Veterans of WWII went through things the rest of us can never imagine.

To those Veterans, we owe so much to. As with all WWII Veterans, they too are part of that greatest generation. The respect those Airmen are getting today, while long overdue, is so deserving.

Personally, and while NOT a pilot myself, I love all things that fly. And the men and women who fly them have my deepest respect and admiration. I do not care what their color is, their heritage, or their gender. If you have been a pilot, specially a military pilot, my hat is off to you. To those who proudly served, in the face of racism, thank you for serving OUR country anyway.

(Thanks too, to my son, Major Matt Bayes, Kansas Air National Guard Pilot, and Southwest Airlines Pilot.)

If you haven't seen it, watch The Tuskegee Airmen movie, and also the PBS special of the same title.

Protesting the Rich?

The RICH, and the middle class -


Before I begin, let me make clear the following ~
I am not even near rich, or even comfortable. I am not supporting ill-gotten gains in wealth. I am not suggesting the rich be given special consideration in taxation.

I DO believe in reasonable tax reform, where everyone pays into the system (I like the fair tax, but several simplified tax plans could be better than what we have now.). And in no way, should criminal activity, such as fraud, be tolerated.

But this wave of blaming the rich (what IS rich?), is BS, and it's a serious diversion from the real problems in American economics and government.

But, what should we think about the RICH? Many (most?) of those protesting at Wall Street, would say we should arrest them (for what crime?) because they shouldn't have that wealth (really?). Funny, those people do so, by sharing their views and protests while using their Apple laptops, iPhones, iPads, and such. All made by one of the biggest and most successful companies out there!

The RICH, you know ... the ones Obama encourages many to hate ... buy stuff. Lots of stuff. And that STUFF, is made, maintained, and sold by people from all walks of employment. I say, in stead of vilifying the RICH, make stuff for them, sell stuff to them, maintain stuff for them! Make YOU money OFF them. Thousands upon thousands are doing that right now!

Just for fun, lets make up a RICH family. A RICH family who have earned their own way, but, let's say, designing and selling the best mouse traps the world has ever know.
The RICH family is a family of four. A 46 year old dad; his business partner wife, who is also 46 (high school sweethearts); a 17 year old daughter; a 16 year old son; two pure bred Irish Setters; and an African Grey Parrot. They live on 5 acres, with a pool, a 4 car garage, with a 5 bedroom, 4-1/2 bath, 3800 sq ft home.

Fred RICH, drives a Cadillac SRT.
Betty RICH drives a XC-90 Volvo SUV.
Sandy RICH was given a 1992 Nissan Sentra for school, Dad's character builder
Sean RICH was given ... a ride to school
Fred loves golf, and belongs to a country club.
Betty loves antiques.
Sandy shows her dog on a national level.
Sean plays baseball, in school and on a summer league.
They all love in-home movies, and enjoy the surround sound fully equipped home theater system, with 72 " Plasma TV
Fred and Sandy hold weekend billiard challenges in their game room.
Betty takes in-home cooking lessons, in her large country kitchen.
Sean has leaned to bake pizzas in the brick-oven.
Okay, nice, uh! Yep, the RICH have what many would think of as a well to do live, and life style. They earned it, and at a rate of $1,200,000 a year, in earnings and investments. They are, by any standard normal people would say, RICH.

So, I ask ....
And how many people were involved in building that house?
What about the sub-contractors?
How about the suppliers of all the plumbing? The electrical? The appliances? The cabinets?
How many people work in the Cadillac and Volvo factories?
Or work in the sales room, finance department, service shop?
How many people work at the billiard company? Or the factory show rooms? Or the delivery and set-up crews?
How many people make the TVs, stereos, all the home theater furnishings?
How much gets spent in travel to all the baseball games (gas, meals, even over-nights)?
How much to maintain the Pure Bred Irish Setters, and travel for the dog shows?
How many people maintain the country club, and golf greens?

And HOW MANY PEOPLE, do the RICH's employ, pay, provide benefits to?
And how many people, collectively, design, build, supply, sell, and maintain all the RICH stuff?
(And how many of those protesting at Wall Street, will be hiring YOU?)
Protest REAL fraud and criminal conduct!
Protest bad government!
Protest wasteful spending!
Protest government elected officials and appointees who abuse their power, getting life-long benefits, when the rest of us have to follow laws and rules they don't!

But to Protest the RICH, because they have, and you don't, IS STUPID. Unless - SOCIALISM is your preferred form of government!

Budget cuts and our Military

No doubt, our out-of-control spending by the government, MUST be curtailed. And I have no doubt that every government department and agency can find cuts that need to be made. Millions and Billions could be saved.

The Defense Dept. is no exception. I bet that if we just reduced all the waste (stupid spending on over prices for hammers, for example?), we could save a bundle, without cutting critical mission tools and forces. But - For all the things we take for granted, all the things we want as a nation, all the things we hold dear, would all be gone if either of two things happened.

One - If this government ... and I don't just mean Obama ... should advance any more control over our every segment of personal and private enterprise, we will have LOST our FREEDOMS. A tyrannical (read that as all controlling) government will stifle our freedoms, our enterprising thought, and our freedom to enjoy life without a BIG BROTHER looking over our shoulder and making every decision. It's been growing toward that for several decades, and the speed of that strangulation under Obama is very, very, unsettling.

Two - Without a strong military, we will find ourselves on the defense from those who would see us as weak, vulnerable, and defeatable. While the peace-nics would have us surrender our weapons to be a peace loving nation ... the truth is this ----- EVIL does exist in the hearts and minds of too many in the world. That EVIL is boundless in it's desire to destroy all it can, just because they can. EVIL needs no reason. EVIL can't be negotiated with. EVIL can't be trusted. EVIL can not be reasoned with. Because of that, EVIL can only be fought against, by forces stronger than what EVIL will have to use.

Which leads to ... STRENGTH THROUGH SUPERIOR FIREPOWER. And that firepower, must be so strong, so terrible, that it is obvious to all others, to defeat us would be impossible. And, to attempt to further the desires of those EVIL DOERS, we must be prepared to strike fast, and strike anywhere in the world. That takes a well armed, and well placed military.

Tighten down on multi-branch duplication of spending, but continue development of weapons systems and keep our military razor sharp, in hopes we don't need to them. Sorta like health insurance. Expensive, but near as much as being without it if a catastrophic illness comes along. Cut the waste ... but NOT our military might.

Terror threats in America

New Terror Threat America


Sadly, we are an easy target. Much easier than most people think. I won't go into the details, but I could easily devise a plan to terrorize America, using otherwise legal weapons, and a hand-full of faithful extremists.

First, when it comes to terrorism, we need to understand that it isn't just about the numbers that would be killed. It's about the numbers that "could be" killed. Terror is in the mind. And if someone can make us feel terrified, make us lose our feelings of being secure and safe, then terrorism has worked. Fear of flying and getting blown out of the air? Fear of mass gatherings, because of a suicide bomber? Fear of buses? Fear of a Islamic "looking" person? Any progress by those who hate us, to have us grow more fearful, will broaden terrorism in the minds of those targeted.

Personally, I think it's time for the modern day "Minuteman", and every willing American legally able to do so, should learn to shoot, and have a firearm safely close at hand. We might not stop a bomb with a handgun, but if just ONE of the soldiers at Fort Hood had a handgun at the ready, who knows how many lives may have been saved. (Major numb nuts KNEW they were unarmed!)

While our police and intelligence organizations are trying to deal with all the possibilities, in the end, it could come down to more people, like those on Flight 93, to make a stand and do what ever they can to stop such an act. Americans need to adopt that mind-set of those on Flight 93, like "minutemen", in our every day lives.

We can't just leave it all to those in uniform. We need to take some responsibility for our own safety and protection as well. If and when the crap hits the fan someplace, our first responders will have their hands too busy to answer individual calls for help. It will then be up to each of us, to protect ourselves and our families.

American 1st - the basis of all this

Let me start with this Disclaimer -

To be proud of ANY national heritage, is a good thing. Our roots are important. And hardly like anyplace else on earth, America is made up of people "up-rooted" from all over the world. That is one of the truly great things about America.

That said - I will say that it bothers me when people identify themselves as (anything)-American. I think it distracts from saying that they are an American...first and foremost. We, as citizens, should be Americans FIRST. In the current political climate, some might also add in Democrat-American or Republican-American! But, no matter what party affiliation, what ever religion (or none at all) one practices, what color they are, what gender they are, or where their family originated from ... if we are citizens, the we MUST be Americans FIRST!

As a nation, we can not risk a division that makes us appear fragmented and weak. Our differing views are part of what also makes us great, but to not appear as Americans first, is hurting us. Despots, like Chavez, come here and take advantage of such weaknesses and divisions and lure many into doubting who WE are... as Americans first.

Real Americans don't burn OUR own flag. Americans DO voice differing opinions and protest wrong doings and poor policies. Americans DO disagree and DO vote to make changes. But as Americans, WE need to be ONE NATION.

I liken America like a large bickering family. A family that may argue at gatherings, disagree on how to run the family farm, even fight among themselves. But let someone outside the family take a punch at any one family member.... and look out... the whole family will kick that outsider's ass! Right or wrong, that family will join in and get'r done! (The family will usually sort out the right or wrong in a later family fight!)

We need to be like that large bickering family. We need to argue, even vigorously, those things that are important to us. But when any outsider takes a shot at ANY of us, we ALL need to take the fight to them. And when we do it, we ALL need to be waving OUR Flag in unity. (Another posting about OUR Flag later!)

Be proud of where you came from. Be proud to be an American. But in any case, be an "American 1st!"

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

If you choose to live here, as a citizen, with all the benefits America and our Constitution has to offer, then that Pledge must be a commitment and should be in your heart. If anyone has ANY allegiance to another country over America, then they need not be here! To them, I will say......GO HOME!

Be an AMERICAN 1st and above ALL others, or get the hell out!

Don't Feed the Bears

If you know anything about wildlife, then you know that humans should not feed them. And some wildlife, such as bears, can get downright deadly when you stop feeding them, and they're still hungry! (What is Dan writing about now? Keep reading.)

There are many issues to consider with regard to feeding wildlife, and all well documented. For example -

* When young wild animals are taught to depend on a human-provided food source, they may not fully develop essential foraging skills. Animals who are raised relying on humans for food may struggle to survive in the absence of that artificial food source when they disperse from their parents' territory.

* A constant, human-provided food source may attract many more wild animals to the area than would normally be found there. Who doesn't like a free meal? When food is readily available, animals will gather in abnormally large numbers.

* Often, the wild animals can become an incredible nuisance and people want to kill or remove them. Many people do not think about the neighborhood impact when they start feeding wildlife. Wild animals do not usually discriminate between one person and another, and will often start pestering neighbors. The animals may also cause damage to homes and property because they expect to be fed and have lost their fear of people.

* The best thing you can do to care for the wild animals, is to give them habitat, not handouts.
....................................
(Here it comes.)
Well, as we can see from today's news, the "wild animals" in Great Britain, don't like having their food (and other free shit - handouts) stopped. Never mind the tax-payers can't afford it any more. It seems to me, that the welfare state of giving people stuff, has spoiled many, and now, they are demanding, by way and violence and destruction, to have their way.

The USA is in danger of the same thing. Our welfare state (and growing socialist ways), have caused far too many people to EXPECT the handouts, and they don't care who's pocket it comes from! When we can't afford it any more, what will our own citizens do?

Oh ... By the way. Those business owners and citizens in the UK, could only rely on the vastly out-numbered and over-whelmed Police, because those citizens are NOT permitted to own firearms, even to protect themselves or their property. Thank God, and our Forefathers, for OUR 2nd amendment!

Separation of Church and State

What a topic! Today, Governor Perry (of Texas) is drawn into that fray.

Not long ago, I was listening to a radio talk show, and this was the general topic. On the air, was someone representing the Freedom From Religion Foundation. They profess to be protecting the constitutional principle of the separation of state and church.

Now, as I often will do, I offer this disclaimer: I am NOT a constitutional or historical scholar. So with that, take what you wish from my words and viewpoints.

Being the simple man that I am, I tend to look at this subject in a simplistic way, trying to imagine what our forefathers were wanting to accomplish with our most precious national document. I also think we should not stray from the principles of that document, and instead, find ways in our modern world to go back and really apply those ideas and principles to our country today.

So, just what does the Constitution say about the so-called, "separation of church and state"? Well, as it was written, it states, "Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

"Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; ..." Well, I do not see today, anywhere, that our Congress (or Governor Perry) has established a religion. Where is it that the "state", by way of Congress, has established a religion? Where is it, that Congress, or any state or city, has established a religion? Does a prayer, establish a religion? Do the words, In God We Trust, establish a religion? And, who has been denied ANY governmental services, or even protection, because they were not of a particular religious persuasion?

If you look at the word, establish", one can easily find as part of the definition,
1 : something established: as a : a settled arrangement; especially : a code of laws b : established church
Wouldn't a government who would "establish" a religion (like the "church of England"?), have that same religion as part of some established order and cause its people to acknowledge their religion, before receiving some part of the government's graces in services, protection, or other benefits?

It would also seem to me, that there should be some kind of "harm" that such inferences to God in a public prayer, aside from just being offended, should be shown in a measurable way, before demanding that the inference be removed. The 1st Amendment does NOT protect people from being offended. And that, my friends and readers, is what this is really all about. Some people don't want religion in any public view and it offends them that God might be somehow lurking around, watching them! The fact is, no one has been harmed. No one has been denied ANY services or protection, because God somehow is mentioned in the public arena.

Our Founders, knew that men are weak and subject to corruption. Our Founders knew that it could only be by the guidance of a higher power, of a higher power of conscience of right and wrong, that people might....MIGHT....keep that higher power in mind when conducting ourselves with out fellow citizens. And our Forefathers WERE religious men. Not perfect or flawless, but believers of a Divine guidance. Where would we have been in that day, if their crafting of this nation, were not guided by some sense of a high power?

But my point is this. For over 235 years, there has been NO government established religion. NO ONE, is required in any way, to follow any particular religion, and NO ONE has been denied services or protections, or any of their constitutional RIGHTS, by anyone leading in a prayer, the mention of God in a public place, or the word God on our currency and landmarks. Sorry if that offends anyone, but if it does, then you offend me. But you have a right to follow no religion, if you wish. And for that, you WILL NOT be denied any of your constitutional rights. NONE!

Before I conclude, I will say that "I" DO NOT want our government to dictate what religion (or no religion) I must follow. We sure don't need a religion or government that dictates that we cut off your head for following some other religion. Or be denied rights, because we didn't follow some government supported religious doctrine. We can see that in bombings elsewhere! Our government has not, and should never, dictate a religion to follow. THAT would be an establishment!

As it stands today, if Governor Perry wishes to "invite" people to join him in prayer, isn't that HIS right? Does his holding of a government office preclude HIS right?

God Bless You!
Dan 

The Debt and the Jobless rate

Seems to me, the only jobs Obama and friends care about, are their own.

From my point of view, all the new debt added by Obama and buddies, could have been used better to actually help businesses add more workers and inspire real jobs. But more entitlements, and to major businesses and banks DID NOT add real jobs. Money handed out, with basically NO conditions set on the use.

Just how many real jobs ...in the USA ...could a TRILLION dollars created? Or even that first $700 BILLION?

The man has NO idea what he's doing. None.

Squirrel hunting with Patrick

On this warm summer day, Patrick was busy with ending his day's chores. His wife was tending to the children, and he was dreaming of all the possibilities a new world could bring with it. But that dream was yet to be born in real life, but there were those who struggled each day to bring that to the land.

As Patrick sets his work tools away, he considers a bit of hunting before sunset. From his work shed closet, he pulls out his most recent acquisition, an affordable used rifle with impressive new features. Patrick marvels at the rifle, and is anxious to take it out. He knows that some of his brethren have also purchased new rifles, some newer and better than his, but Patrick had a budget, and a family, to consider.

Patrick slings to his shoulder his rifle, leaving behind the older .36 caliber he had been using. This one was a smaller caliber, but he knew the newer advantages would prove useful in the field. Patrick also picked up some ammo and headed to the nearby woods.

After Patrick settles into a nice shaded spot beneath an oak tree, he watches  for sign of squirrel. Not long to wait, Patrick sights in on gray squirrel, fat for the eating he thinks.

As Patrick began his slow pull on the trigger, he heard a snap of a twig behind him. Peering behind the tree, he sees his friend and neighbor, Bart. Bart by now comes up on Patrick and whispers, "Patrick, we need you to come down to the cross roads. It's time. They are already headed to the munitions storehouse"

Patrick knew. He knew that talks had failed, and it would be no time before the King's army would come to take control of them, and their guns.

Quickly, Patrick picked up that little M1 carbine, and the extra magazines he had, and went with Bart. Bart too was armed with his own rifle, some kind of AR something or other. As  they got closer to the crossing, they saw their neighbors also armed and ready. Too late to get the militia's arms from the storehouse now. If you didn't have your own gun, it was too late. The Red Coats had already raided the storehouse and destroyed or collected all the guns in there. Good thing for Patrick, he had already purchased his rifle. It wasn't a big gun, but it could help fend off the Red Coats until more of his neighbors arrived. ..................................

As you have read the above, I ask, is that so out of the imagination that if our forefathers had such access, they wouldn't own such guns? Do you not think they would have armed themselves, for sport, hunting, or protection, with what could have been available if it were today? Or do you think they would have by-passed the M1 Carbine or AR-15, and just bought the .36 caliber, single shot, black power single shot muzzle loading squirrel rifle?

The 2nd Amendment - it ain't about hunting.  And just because it was over 235 years ago, doesn't mean there will never be tyrants here again. I happen to believe they're just around the corner!

Congress shall make no law ...

U.S. Constitution - Amendment 1
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

Religion has always been under attack. And of late, more attacks, and more attempts to remove all mention God in public. I DO NOT want my government to "establish" any religion. Even if it was to be the Christian faith, I don't want the government to dictate what religion we must practice, and make any "law" to do so.

And guess what. Since it's ratification in 1791, this government, OUR government, HAS NEVER made any LAW which has "established" a religion...any religion!

It is my general understanding, that to "establish" a religion, the government would have made one religion THE one that all must follow. I would also expect that if we were "establish" something, like establishing rules to play by, then we would expect to follow those established rules, or risk forfeiting a game, or rights, or benefits. With that thinking, it is a fact that our government has not done anything like that, and NO ONE has been denied any government benefits or other rights under the constitution, because of the lack of practicing any one religion. If anyone would have been so denied, then redress should be made.

So ... What's the deal with all the law suits and protests over the word "God" on money, signage, or anything else in local, state, or federal government? In all these years, about 220 years, NO ONE has been made to practice any one, any "established", religion. NO ONE has been denied their rights. And I can not imagine ANY harm that has come from such mentions. (As a point to be made here, one of my co-workers is a Muslim, and it doesn't bother him in the least. He has told me that he knew our country was founded on Christian principles, and his family moved here anyway.)

It looks to me, that the only real issue with such objections, is that there are those who HATE God and/or religion, and don't want to see it anywhere. It is simply an attack on ALL of us who practice a religion. And I dare say, it is almost exclusively Christianity that is being attacked.

And I'll add this, other than a few religious zealots, most of us DO NOT go around attacking their, the non-believers, right to NOT believe in a religion. I'm not harmed by their non-belief. Their non-belief has no effect on my life. So to those who want to wipe God off everything, I say ....give it up! YOU have not been harmed or denied anything because of MY belief, or the word God on our currency, or the Ten Commandments on the building of the Supreme Court. And don't deny MY right to the free exercise thereof, by trying to attack my faith at every turn.

Pay attention on this one: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion..." And, NO LAW has been made to establish a religion. NONE. Nadda.

Bring back the WPA

Many years ago, back in 1935, the government enacted the Works Progress Administration (WPA), which was a relief measure for the millions who were out of work. With some changes in the 8 years the program ran, some 8,500,000 different persons had been put to work on over 1,400,000 projects, which included over 600,000 miles of highways, roads, and streets; constructed or improved more than 120,000 bridges, over 120,000 public buildings, with 8,000 plus parks, and 800 or more airport landing fields. (Google WPA , http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Works_Progress_Administration )

During those 8 years, the government spent about $11 billion in wages to all those people eligible for work. At today's dollar, that would be about $180 billion. But that, in my view, would be a far cry better way to spend the money, and getting people to work, than just giving money out. It's a dang sight less that $800 billion too!

This was done to give people a way to "earn" the money the government was giving out. With that, the idea that people would retain more self respect at having "earned" the money, than sitting by and having it just given to them.

Have we lost that? I think so. I think our social programs have enslaved some people to rely on the government for all their needs. I think so many of those folks, have lost all respect for themselves and their homes, and their stay in life. They may rant and rave about other people (often conservatives) not respecting them, but they do nothing, or very little, to improve themselves. Why should they? The government has been taking care of them, in some cases for a couple generations!

I think we need to go back to a similar worker program. I can't tell you how to do it, but with the sharp minds in the country, I'm sure it could be devised and implemented.

But we NEED to get people to working to "earn" their money. If they refuse to work, then food kitchens and public shelters for them. NO car, no house/apartment, no cell phone. Just food and basic shelter.

I expect for some, they would quickly find a better job that THEY choose, instead of a government worker program. At least, they will work harder at finding a better job.

So I say, bring back the WPA. Get people off welfare and back to earning their way. While some will never change, most will find that earning their money, is far more personally rewarding, than taking hand-outs.

Happy Children's Day

On this Father's Day, I am wishing my kids, a Happy Children's Day. Without the children we help bring into the world, we wouldn't be dads.

I am a proud ... a very proud ... dad. NO greater title I've ever had, has meant so much. And with that, so much responsibility.

Lord knows, I've made plenty of mistakes in my life, and as a father. But for the most part, I've done okay. And my kids ... Well, they are very productive, hard working, honest and respectful kids. While I had a hand in that, as well as their mother, I really have to hand it to my kids for taking all they learned, the good and the bad, and doing well with it.

I know other dads too, who have done so much for their kids, and their kids honor them with being good citizens. What a gift back to us, the dads. Happy Father's Day to all you Dads out their.

There are those, who aren't involved. Or those who misdirect their kids in such harmful ways. It's tough being a kid, when those all around you, specially their own dads, are cheating them out of all the chances they should have for better lives. There are those too, who don't want their kids to have better, or who bring such pain upon their own children. I can't wrap my head around that at all. Even for kids I don't know, my heart hurts for them. They deserve better, much better.

But this annual acknowledgment of fatherhood, this Father's Day, marks for me a renewed thankfulness for my kids. I'm am honored, every day, to be their dad. They make me look better than I am, by being the good citizens they are.

I will enjoy in my Father's Day. But I rejoice at being my kid's "Dad". Thank you! And thank you God, for such Blessings.

To my kids, with all my fatherly love,
"Dad"

I Swear

All men (and women) are flawed. We are all subject to mistakes and bad judgement. While many of try hard to retain our honor, we will have times where we fail in some way.

But, we place some men and women in positions of public trust, and we hold them to a higher standard. A case in point -

You happen to be at the scene of a crime. You're an on-looker only. You don't know the victim, nor any of the Police Officers. But, what you do see, is one of the Police "pocket" an expensive wrist watch, and walk away. You weren't the only one who saw it, and later on, the Police Department was asked about the Officer's actions. The Dept. stuck by the Officer, because the Officer said he didn't take anything.

No long after, that same Officer had gone back to the store, and returned the watch, and asked the store owner to keep it under his hat.

That didn't happen. In stead, the word got out, and the Dept. and the Officer were pressured into coming clean during a new press conference, but stating that the watch was returned, and it was a mistake that was fixed. Asking forgiveness, the Officer kept his job.

Months later, you were called for jury duty. During the trial, the same Officer you had seen steal the watch, sat down to testify, after taking an oath to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. In your mind, you know that the Office also took an oath when he was sworn into duty. And he lied. Will he lie now? Can you believe all that he testifies to?

This is why Officers get let go (if not criminally charged) for such acts. Their word....their oath...is  no longer worth anything. They lied, and that demeaned the public trust. and don't we want to hold them to a higher standard? Isn't that reasonable? I expected that when I was behind a badge.

So shouldn't we expect to hold those in public trust, to a higher standard? In the current news, New York Representative Anthony Weiner, had been sexting sleazy pictures of himself. He sent them to women he says he didn't know. (Hope none of them were juveniles. That could be a whole new issue!) Then, he lied, on the air, in front of all of us, and even demeaned those who were making the accusations and asking the questions. Deny....deny...deny.

Then, the indisputable truth comes out, and it was all a bad mistake. He's sorry and confesses his wrong doing. But he wants the people to keep him in office.

Can Weiner EVER be trust again? Will we even REALLY know of what he will do or say?

He should resign. If he doesn't resign, he should be impeached and removed from office. And with that, we should EXPECT the higher standard from those placed into public trust.

Oh, and for those who say it is a largely private matter between him and his family? Wrong. If it were private, we wouldn't have know about it. The moment he sexted to a stranger, an unknown (to him) woman, then it was no longer private. HE made it public.

Weiner ... Time to go back home and call it a career.

An Argument FOR Concealed Carry

Why is the 2nd Amendment important? Among all the important reasons of a free America, and a free citizen, is that of simple self protection.

There are those who are totally against gun ownership by private citizens. And there are those who sorta support the second amendment, but not Concealed Carry. In the minds of some, "let the police do it", would be their response. That last thought it where I'm headed with this.

Just this past week, a woman in our office building was out for her walk over lunch. She walks around the sidewalk that surrounds the building. She walks each day the weather is nice, and at just before noon. On this day, it was a beautiful day, sunny,warm temps, and perfect for walking. There were plenty of people coming and going in and out of the bank building. No one would expect this to involve any danger.

While she was walking, near the underground garage entrance, a man approached her, pandering for money. When she tried to back away, he grabbed her by her arm. Fortunately, she was able to pull away and run to the building for help. At that time, one of the building maintenance men saw what happened and went toward the man. The man then pulled out a box cutter and lunged at him. He was able to dodge the thrust and the man then took off. (It was later learned that after those assault, he tried to assault another woman a block away.)

9-1-1 was immediately called. A second call was made. And the wait began. And more wait, After about 35 minutes .... yes, 35 minutes .... the police arrive. Once they began getting the story, the building security told them that the suspect was ON CAMERA, almost two blocks away, drinking a beer. The police then were able to go grab the guy and haul his ass to jail.

35 minutes. If you're a victim of a violent crime, "3" minutes is alreay way to long. But "35" minutes, is a lifetime. A frustrating and anxious time to "wait for the police". Had that event turned deadly, someone would have bled out and a chalk outline would be there after the body is taken away!

In this case, it was very fortunate that no one was injured. THIS TIME, with THIS CASE, no one was injured. But it very easily could have turned out differently. And no one around, could have stopped it. (Security for the bank, who are armed, can not [and should not] leave their posts inside.)

I am not advocating that every citizen be armed. I AM advocating that ANY citizen, who can legally own and carry a firearm, and who will take the required course to do so, should be permitted to carry. And should be permitted to carry most everywhere, for violent crime happens everywhere.

As I have said and written about before, for all the desire of the police to get to a scene BEFORE a violent incident happens, the fact is that they don't even know it's happened until someone calls it in. That means a VICTIM has already be made and the crime has already happened, at least in part. Waiting for the police to do handle it, is great for the response and investigation, but is almost always too late for the victim.

I want MY opportunity to protect myself and my family. And I don't want anyone to tell me I can't have that right. I totally get the training and background check being required, and the expectation (legally and morally) of being responsible for my own actions. But I should, an in my view, have the right to protect my family and myself. One man with a knife, or 4 men with bats, is defendable against with a good handgun!

Are You Anti-Gun?

The world is not always a friendly place. With our wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and the constant threat to our very existence by terror groups, the world scene is scary enough. Throw in the drug wars just across our southern border, as well as the day-to-day victimization from hoodlums, it can be down right deadly right here at home.


So, with all that potential, let's say all hell did brake loose. A nation on our highest alert. Emergency services pushed to their limits. An attack has caused major black-outs of electricity. People panic and start looting the stores. Police are swamped with calls for emergencies. Cell phones quit working. Gas pumps won't work (no electricity), so leaving the city is not an option. ATM's can't work, so you can't get your cash out. City services, including water and sewer, stop working. Food is gone off the store shelves. Human predators start walking the streets, looking to take what they want from others, be it their property, or their lives.
(If you prefer - Just consider a major earthquake or Katrina-like disaster, if that helps you get the idea.)

You are now in fear for your family's safety. Police are NOT available. EMT's aren't available. Gangs of hoodlums are a block away, and you hear breaking glass and people screaming for help. Hordes of hoodlums comb the streets, carrying baseball bats, pieces of steel rebar from a nearby construction site, and knives, and they are coming your way. Your spouse has fear in her/his face. The kids tremble with fear. They are all looking to you ... someone ... to protect them.

Next door to your left, is a very out-spoken anti-gun neighbor, who has always been very adamant about gun control. "It's the Police's job to protect us, people don't need to own guns," has been a common chant of his.

The other neighbor to your right, has NRA stickers on his car windows. In past days, you've smiled and shook your head, as you've often seen him, the "gun nut", leave for the range each week, carrying his cased AR-15 and assorted other firearms, and ammo. You recall one of your conversations with him, an old Vietnam Vet and sport shooter, whom you had just told that you didn't think anyone needed an "assault weapon", and you "weren't interested in joining the NRA".

You don't own a firearm. And now, you have no chance to go buy one, practice with one, or show your family the safe uses of one. So, now ... what are YOU going to do? Are you going to run to the anti-gun neighbor, and hope the "Gun Free Household" sign on his door will protect you?

Or will you be going to your "gun nut" NRA member neighbor to the right, and ask if he could help protect you and your family?

I don't advocate firearms ownership for everybody. Some people will not be responsible enough to learn proper use and care of one. Some too, are simply not able to pull the trigger on another person, even if their own life depended on it. For those people, get a good dog.

Otherwise, I am a firm believer that each of us are our own "first line of defense", and should be prepared to act in the face of threat to your family or yourself. And I highly recommend joining the NRA. The NRA is our single most important advocate for the 2nd amendment, and for personal protection.

By the way, it doesn't take such a dire set of circumstances for that need to protect your family. Victims are made every hour of every day. If nothing else, know this - For all their desires to do otherwise, the Police respond to a call AFTER there has already been someone victimized. For that victim, it is often too late. THAT is where murder trials start from.

If you choose to not own a firearm, that's okay by me. But don't try to impose YOUR choice on me.

The Economy and the Easy Button

What a mess we're in...the nation, that is. Nationally, we don't have a balanced budget. I'm not even sure we can balance it, the way we're blowing our nation's wealth.

In Wisconsin, that Governor has chosen a tough road, that is drawing bitter lines among that state's population.

And the partisanship seems to have prevented real rational voices for real answers, to be lost on those in power to listen.

But this simple guy sees it this way. Its usually the wrong choice to make, that is easiest. And the right choice, is often the hardest to make. Folks, their ain't no easy button for this problem.

The easy thing to do, to sooth nervous citizens and weak-kneed politicians, would be to keep on printing money, throwing money at the real problems, and just keep on building debt.

The hard thing to, is to stop the spending every where we can. We also need to make cuts, for everything that doesn't involve our security. Everyone needs to expect cuts. That also means that every corporation in America, needs to trim their budgets of fat and greed, and apply as much as possible to job growth.

EVERYONE needs to expect, and accept, cuts. And if we cut everywhere, maybe then, none of the cuts will hurt as much. But, short of national security matters, and that of emergency services and responders (who should still cut their fat), we can no longer yell, "Not me", and protest cost saving cuts for one, while expecting it for everyone else.

And during this time of cutting, if ONE politician votes for even a 1/2 % raise, they should be hung from a yard iron!

Corporate boards - If you have laid people off, but voted huge bonuses and raises for management and above .... shame on you, and I hope to know who you are, and I will not spend one dime on your product or services.

Lastly, while hard to find in stores anymore, as much  - BUY AMERICAN. While some things aren't even made here anymore, when given a choice, choose American made, even if it costs bit more. (I've been guilty too, and will be watching my own purchases.)

Time to tighten America's budget, and balance same.

Should America Be Feared?

Yes! But let me explain where I'm coming from.

From my early childhood days, I feared many people and things. I feared my parents. I feared my school principals. I feared the police. I feared some bullies. I feared what Cuba might do. I feared the moonless night on a Kentucky farm. I feared those things (and more) for different reasons.

As for my parents, school principals, and police officers - I feared them IF I did wrong. I feared the wrath that would come, if I did wrong. I didn't fear living with them, or going to school, or seeing the police drive down the street. But I respected them, for who they were and what they each stood for.

Bullies were another matter. I feared getting beat up, for NO reason. I feared crossing their paths, because I knew they needed no reason for coming after me. But I had NO respect for them.

I feared the moonless night on my great uncle's Kentucky farm, because I didn't know what might be "out there" in the dark. Respect played no part of it, I was just scared of the unknown.

Cuba, as well as Russia, were a threat to our nation, and I feared destruction from their missiles. Our nations were at odds, and I had no control over what might happen, but knew that Dayton, my home town, was a target. And I had no respect for those countries.

It seems to me, that America is no longer feared, and barely respected. We used to be both. And I see it this way. One can be both feared, and respected. And I think America should be both.

We should be feared. Feared that if another country, or even any group of people, would try to do us harm, a world of hurt would come down upon them. Come down hard, fast, and survivability in extreme doubt. With that, we should use all degrees of force needed, plus one, to defeat those who would attack us.

As for respect? Respect, in that for all others in the world, we can be counted on for aid of all kinds, in times of natural calamities, and hostile threats. If you are not our enemy, then expect our friendship. In turn, we should respect the sovereignty and laws of other nations, and expect our laws to be respected when others visit us.

America leads the world in aid. Our military is almost always first on the scene for some nation in times of natural disaster. American taxpayers have provided untold billions in relief and support. Too much in some cases, as we've given money to countries who only betray us later, or betray their own people.

To the countries around the world, I would say this - If you need and want our help and friendship, we're here for you. But if you mean us harm, militarily or otherwise, then don't hold your hand out for anything other than a slap-down. If our aid, comes with conditions you don't like, then simply don't ask or take our help. There are other countries out there who might help, so talk to them. But the days of holding a hand out for help with one hand, while holding a gun to do us harm in the other, should be forever laid to rest. Pick one, but not both!

Our Pledge of Allegiance

The Pledge of Allegiance and the Flag, and what it means to me -

What do those things mean to you? What do they mean to those who come here, legally or not? I don't know those answers, but I can tell you what they mean to me.

Our Pledge of Allegiance is an interesting oath -

“I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

I see this oath, not one to take precedence over God, or a pledge to obey any "god", but as an oath to keep an allegiance to America over all other nations. "America" and the "Flag" represents ALL citizens of this great nation. It was never meant to me to be loyal to any one political party, President, or other entity. America - What a wonderful and beautiful word - is a word that, to me, stands for freedom. As too does the "Flag of The United State of America". And our Pledge of Allegiance is TO America.
As for the "under God" part... I've never felt that meant I must believe in "God", or that I must be a Christian follower, but is a simple acknowledgment that America was founded on the Christian beliefs of conduct toward our fellow man. There are many, many quotes from texts and letters of our Founding Fathers that prove this out. It is a FACT that one of the guiding forces behind their drive toward a new nation of freedom, was their Christian beliefs. And, at no time in modern history, has any man, woman, or child, been denied justice and/or freedom, because he or she wasn't a Christian or didn't believe in God, or was a follower of any other religion.
I pass my thoughts on - and forgive me for being so bold to do so and think you might value them - so that anyone, citizen, or wannabe citizen, might consider them. IF you choose to live here (excluding legal visitors), if you want to live here as a free citizen of The United States of America, as an American, then I suggest that you take an allegiance to America above ALL other countries. Otherwise, what ever country anyone wishes to hold some allegiance to, go there and live.

This IS America. The citizens of The United States of America have historically invited people from all over the world to come here and share in our freedoms and opportunities. But hear this, IF anyone's true allegiance is to ANY other country, don't come here, and if you are here already, don't stay. Forget politics. Forget foreign policy when it comes to my point here. Make those changes from within, as active and participating citizens. But to hold ANY allegiance to any other country, is UN-American, and such a person doesn't belong here.

As for flying the Flag - Untold hundreds of thousands of men and women fought, and died, for this country and the flag they fought under. Please, what ever your protest, don't burn our Flag or fly her upside down. Those who served before, those serving now, and those who will serve tomorrow, deserve to have the Flag of their country treated in a respectful way. Burn all the likenesses of elephants and donkeys you want, but not our Flag. Yes, a citizen would be free to do so. But having a "right" to do it, doesn't make it "right" thing to do. It isn't.

This is America, the United States of America. While I won't say, "Like it or leave it", I will say, "Pledge allegiance to the United States of America above all other nations, or leave it." There are things that may need changing. There may be things you don't agree with or don't like. I'm fine with that, so long as you get involved to help make it better. But if anyone holds ANY allegiance to another country over America, LEAVE NOW. If you want to be a free American citizen, then come on in and help us be better, and take the Pledge of Allegiance to The United States of America.
America. I hate the politics, but I love my country. Land of the free. Home of the brave.

Immigration - One man's view

Jobs, the economy, and immigration. With some debate, I expect those are a few the top US issues of the day. But it seems that "immigration" may bring more heated debate than most the others. I know I have strong opinions on the subject, and some of those may surprise a few folks.

I'll say right here and now - I DO NOT blame those illegals who come to make for a better life for their families. If I were in their shoes, I'd do what ever I could to get my family away from any bad situation, be it in Mexico, Columbia, Iraq, China, or where ever I was. You wouldn't?

But, I would expect several things to apply to my situation, and this is where I feel we need to focus.

1.  I would expect to find and use the legal avenues available to get into the country I chose to enter. I can't help my family if I'm dodging the authorities, or in jail.
2.  I would want to assimilate into my new country, as soon as I could. That means learning the language and laws.
3.  If my "homeland" was so bad that I had to leave, then I would also expect to re-align my allegiance to my new country. ("I pledge allegiance to the flag .....")
4.  I would do all I could to pay my own way, and not be a new burden to my new country.

There is another element to the illegals that need addressed. And that is those who only wish to come in for seasonal work. I expect them to "use the door" too. That is, use the Ports Of Entry, provide identification, and be subjected to a criminal background check.

But for any of that to happen, legally, we DO need practical immigration change. We do NOT need an open border, or amnesty. Here is what I would propose -

A.  Close the borders...TIGHT. (Bring some of military home from other world settings, to man the border.)
B.  Streamline our alien entry to permit anyone to enter, with a temporary, and easily renewable, visa. Visas,
while easily renewable, can only be renewed after the foreign national returns to their own country for at
least 30 days. A criminal background checks would be done.
C.  For seasonal workers, a worker visa would be issued with a shorter visa time period, and then, only with a sponsor employer, who also had to get a permit to employ such workers. (No permit? HEAVY fines!)
D.  For those wishing to become US citizens, they must attend classes to help them assimilate into the
country, and MUST swear an allegiance to their new country.
E.  Lastly, the issue of anchor babies,  i.e. those born in the US when the parents are foreign nationals. I suggest a change in the law that would change this situation, and any baby being born in the US, who's parents are NOT US citizens, would NOT gain US citizenship.
Weather it's Ellis Island, or Douglass, Arizona, I expect those wishing to become American citizens to use the door. Not sneak in through the back door or window, like a thief in the night.

To those who would call those of us against ILLEGAL immigration "racists". Kiss my butt. Get it through your very thick head, that isn't about LEGAL immigration. It's all about ILLEGAL immigration. And it's time to FIX the problem.

The Drug Violence at the Border

I'm just pissed off. And it isn't just about the Drug Violence south of the border, and that which is growing within our own border. (see past post from Wed., March 31, 2010)

What just pisses me off to no end, is this -
The Headlines should read, "Americans continued taste for cocaine and other illegal drugs, is paying for death and destruction."

We can read on any given day, the death of government officials, Mexican Police Officers, Mexican Military figures, Mexican Mayors, and such. We can read about the Americans, killed in ambushes on the roads, or even on a border lake. Most recently, a woman was murdered. She and her husband have been building churches and such in Mexico for nearly 30 years. They killed her for their truck. A truck they no doubt wanted to rig up to haul dope TO AMERICA!

I know ... I know ... "Just Say No" was just too laughable to many. But, the focus was not laughable. It was to have been, to get people to not only "just say no" to the dope themselves, but for ALL OF US to say NO to those who use! Friends, family, associates ... anyone we know in every day relationships of all kinds, where we either stand by while they use, or partake "a little" themselves ... ARE GUILTY of feeding the money grab by Mexican Drug Cartels.

FOLLOW THE MONEY (yes, I'm yelling!). About 80% of the dope from Mexico, is for the American drug habit. How shameful. The war south of the border is for MONEY. DRUG MONEY. And every ass-hole in America who buys, uses, sells the dope, contributes to the death and destruction in Mexico, and in America.

I know we can't expect everyone to turn in their friends and family. But we DO have influence on them. If nothing else, DO NOT stand by and be an enabler for their use and abuse. If they WILL NOT help themselves, then tough love them out of your life. Shun them. Point the finger of shame at them. Speak loudly to them, that what they are doing is wrong. And it ain't right at any Hollywood party, or poker game, or outside the some college dorm. It's wrong, and we need to openly and LOUDLY say it is. We need to quit condoning it, by our lack of shouting it down.

Lets also not forget, to use such drugs, is a FELONY. And, they CHOOSE to commit a felony to start with. (Who, besides career criminals, CHOOSE to commit felonies?) That first hit, snort, shot of what ever, is a CHOICE someone makes to commit a felony. That FIRST time, they CHOOSE. Sadly, I think we, as a nation, have let that slide and lost the focus on what that CHOICE really is. IT'S A STINKIN' FELONY!

Personally, I would fine the crap out of every one caught using. Sell, and go to jail. Sell again, and STAY in prison. It isn't JUST about the drugs, it's about contributing to terrorists, the drug cartels, and the murder they commit. Narco-terrorism is REAL. We now prosecute, understandably so, anyone contributing to International Terrorists, such as al-Qa'ida, will get one arrested and tried. Why shouldn't contributing to Drug Cartels, Narco-terrorists, draw the same consequences?

Finally, if it really IS a war on drugs, then it should be a WAR. If Mexico can't rid the ass-hole cartels out of Mexico, then if it were up to me, I'd activate Delta and every other Special Black Ops team, to hunt them down and kill them. They have become every bit an enemy to the USA, as any other terrorist organization.

Yep ... I'm pissed. And all I can do is write!

Free speech..unless you don't agree

I find it humorous, that a liberal I know, has been heard saying that he wants FOX News taken off the air. There are those in Washington who also want that.

Don't like FOX News? Don't watch it! Oh ... I see, you don't like what they say and report? And you don't want people listening to them? So, because the that, and the size of their audience, you want them off the air.

It would seem to me, that part of that 1st amendment would also involve MY freedom to listen and read what I want. If that is true, then you want to restrict MY 1st amendment right. I think that is "censorship", isn't it?

I bet you are also upset that programs, such as the past radio program Air America (BTW - I never complained about that being on, and never called for it to be taken off the air.), got dropped from the radio airways. Gee ... could it be that their ratings ...the number of people who listened ... couldn't support the cost to produce and air such programs?  Guess what people, that's the way it works in TV and Radio. If their isn't enough people watching or listening, their isn't enough rating points to support advertiser buys, and THAT is what pays for the airtime.

This liberal I know wants FOX News off the air. He wants ONLY those news outlets HE deems worthy of watching. Excuse me dickhead, but I think I'll make up my own mind. No censorship for me thanks. For those in Washington who want that same thing - IT'S ABOUT THE CONSTITUTION, and MY RIGHTS. (And they wonder why the Tea Party growing.)

Being a "Dad", re-post

First, I want to apologize if some think I am beating this horse too much, but in my job, I see so many very poor examples of bad fathers, I just need to write and vent.

I've written before about fatherhood (you can see that post on this blog). And let me say that I am NOT a perfect dad, and have made plenty of mistakes myself. But this isn't about being a perfect dad, it's about being the best you CAN be, and know that what you do, will have some kind of effect on your children.

I work in a capacity, where every day, I see bad examples of fathers (mostly, but not exclusively). I see every day, where fathers are skirting their responsibilities to their children. In some cases (too damn many), I see fathers, fathering multiple children, with multiple mothers. And they are not taking care of ANY of them! These are not even MEN. These are sperm donors on legs.

By the way...those "moms", bare a great deal of responsibility too! Wanting the love of a man, who makes babies with multiple women, is NOT the love women need.

But to those men...those sperm donors on legs...YOU are NOT "men". Making babies is NOT manly. Mice can do that! But to help bring a baby into the world, then caring for that child, nurturing that child, providing for that child, financially and emotionally, IS what real men do.

There isn't a class on fatherhood that most men can take. Most men, learn their fathering from their own fathers, or someone else who has been something of a father figure to them. And that means good, and bad, fathering. If a man has had bad fathering, Lord hope they've had good mothering to help make up for it. Otherwise, that new father, will likely fall back on the only example they had to follow.

All that said, there are those, who consciously recognize the bad fathering they had, and work to overcome those examples and work hard at being good father. To those men, I applaud you.
We ALL make mistakes. We can ALL do, or have done, better. I am right there. But with all my mistakes, I have tried to be a good father. I think I have been a good father, and love my children more each day. Mine are grown and off on their own life adventures, but I miss them every day. I have some regrets though. And it is that I didn't spend as much time with them as I could have. I can not get that back.

Women - If you're looking for a "man", make sure he is a REAL man. Don't go for some flash in the pan dude with a good line and moves that move you. Look at "the man", and how he treats his mother, what his own father is like and treats his wife, and if that dude has multiple women and children.

Men - If you think being a man is about bringing multiple kids into the world, with multiple women, and caring for none of them....then I have a deal for you! I am offering my services to help you have all the fun you want, and none of the long term responsibilities. .... Oh... My "services"? Castration. I have sharp knives and if you just can't help yourself because you have less control than a mouse, then I can arrange for a little cut here, and little tug there, and snip snip, and you're good to go!

REAL MEN - Stand up for your women and your children. Be counted, and be counted on. And enjoy that real gift of being a DAD! It the best title I've ever had!!

Officer Down, Code Three

Office Down ...Code Three - Words no Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) wants to hear come over the radio. Yet, in 2010, a staggering number of deaths occurred (162) in the ranks of those wearing the Badge, working to protect us here at home. While every death is sad, the last LEO death in 2010, and the first in 2011, were those of Arlington (TX) Police Officer, Jillian Michelle Smith, and Clark County (OH) Sheriff's Deputy Suzanne Waughtel Hopper, as specially heart breaking. Officer Smith on Dec. 29, 2010, and Deputy Hopper on Jan., 1st, 2011. Both killed by gunfire.


(Before I go further here, I will provide the following Disclaimer: I am a former Police Officer, having served as a patrol Deputy Sheriff, and as a small town Police Officer. I was no super-cop and no hero, and was just a regular Cop on the street. I do not profess to be an expert on the subject. I am only offering my own insight, and food for thought to anyone who reads this.)

Two things strike me with the two LEO deaths noted above -

1.  The Arlington PD Officer, had responded to a call of a domestic dispute, that was believed to be "over", and she was there taking a report. While not a "routine call", most often, we think of these calls as one where the  incident has ended, and the other party has left the area. In this case, while Police Officer Smith was obtaining the information from the Reporting Party (RP), the suspect returned and surprised the Officer, and opened fire on the Police Officer and the girlfriend. It should also be noted, that as the gunman opened fire on Police Officer Smith, Smith shielded an 11 year old girl who was also in the house.

But to my point - This LEO "thought" the incident was over. Everyone "thought" it was over. She was then going about collecting information, when killed by the assailant.

2.  In the case of the Ohio LEO death (As of this writing, many of those circumstances are yet to be made public.), one report indicated that the Deputy was trying to take a photograph of a footprint. She wasn't "confronting a suspect", but rather investigating some incident that may have already occurred. The murderer ambushed Dep. Hopper while she was otherwise distracted. (How many times do LEOs get tunnel vision and miss a sign of impending danger? I sure as hell had, too many times!)

Again - This LEO "thought" the incident was over, at least for that moment, and she was "gathering evidence".

Our men and women in Uniform, wearing their respective Law Enforcement Badges, take a risk EVERY TIME they leave their homes and start their shifts. There isn't a "routine" call. And as we see from the past two LEO deaths, "incidents" aren't always over when they arrive to a call.

For those who have never served in such a capacity, let me ask - Have you ever thought some "Cop" was being a bit too "serious", when you've seen him approach you, or someone else, with their gun-hand at the ready? Have you watched, as LEO's were responding the "another false alarm" at some store or bank you know, and you thought they were being ridiculous? Have you seen and heard them being a bit "over the top", when they authoritatively order people to move back away from a scene or crowd? Ever think they were "badge heavy" arriving at a scene of some disturbance? Have you ever thought that their very life could be at risk, if the right set of circumstances such evolve?

Their training, experiences of other LEOs, or their own person experiences, have taught them that they can't take any circumstance, or person, for granted. Their very lives could be in jeopardy at ANY moment. A LEO must remain constantly vigilant to the "what ifs". Even sitting down in a restaurant to eat their meal, could be their last. Think I'm being over-dramatic? (I'm no longer carrying a badge, and I still try to sit with my back to the wall!) They know, all too well, that sometimes, THEY are the target of someone wanting to take a Cop's life. And that person, could be ANYBODY they meet. ANY BODY. Try living a "normal" life, acting carefree and casual, with that knowledge and experience. The trick in their line of work, is to be THAT vigilant, and not have YOU know it. TO remain "politically correct", while doing all they can to protect you, and themselves!

Next time you get "stopped" by a Police Officer or Deputy, just politely do what the Officer asks you to do. Don't try to be their friend, just be polite and follow their instructions. When approaching a stopped Police car, slow down and give them some space. Most the time, any contact by a LEO goes without incident. Most the time, how any such contact goes, is up to the citizen during contact with a LEO.


We've sure started 2011 off in the worse possible way. The families of those LEOs lost deserve our prayers and condolences. Those who serve us each day, deserve our thanks, our prayers, and our cooperation.

Lastly, try to remember this - Law Enforcement Officers are not paid for what they do. They are paid for what they might have to do. And honestly, it isn't near enough.

For what it's worth, from this ol' broken-down ex-Cop. - Dan

PS. To those who do wear the Badge, if you haven't read it, read the book by Pierce Brooks, Officer Down, Code Three. May you go home, every day.