How Stupid is You?

THOUGHT OF THE DAY

2011-06-05T06:46:00.000-07:00

Wouldn't it be nice if our elected officials spent as much time and energy trying to solve the problems we have been facing these past few years, as they do blowing off hot air in front of the TV cameras. We have a president who flies around the country giving promising campaign speeches instead of spending time in Washington trying to find a solutions. As for the members of congress, the Republicans blame the Democrats and the president for the fix were in. On the other hand the Democrats claim they inherited this mess. I guess it's a lot easier to blame someone else for the problem then to go out and find solutions......

I'M BACK

2011-06-02T10:09:00.001-07:00

I'm back to where I started, with all my bad grammar and punctuation that make my wife cringe. I enjoyed talking to the people I have known for some time, but greatly appreciate the new friends I have met through Face Book. It was nice to light a fuse and get some great feed back, but in the world of Face Book, frivolous and inane posts garnered the greatest response.

Now I can sit back and poke fun at the younger generation at length. Laugh at them as they think that they have discovered newer and better ways to do things; without a clue that us old farts have been there and done that many times over.

I will try to put a humorus twist on my out look on many of headlines of today and those of the past. I just hope some will visit and enjoy the musings of an old fart.

MAY BE WE COULD LEARN FROM THE CANADIENS

2010-02-28T18:14:00.000-08:00

A minor glitch occurred during the opening ceremonies for this years Winter Olympics. It appears one of the arms for the Olympic flame malfunctioned and caused a slight delay. So what do they do about it? Simple, they incorporate it into their closing ceremonies and made it a comedy routine. In other words, they were able to laugh it off, and poke a little fun at themselves.

Now if this incident had occurred in the United States, FOX, CNN and MSNBC news channels would be tripping over each other to see who would garner the most experts, to give their versions on how something like this could have occurred. Every person in the stadium would be interviewed, as to how their lives were dramatically damaged forever by this event. Lawyers would be scrambling to see who would be the first to file the thousands of lawsuits, that would be sure to follow.

Congress would try to calm a distraught nation by having hearings in both houses to access blame. The reverends Al and Jesse would work to find a racial aspect to the incident to get their few minutes of TV time. All the other made for TV reverends, would be telling us how God had caused the arm to malfunction, to punish the Olympics, for allowing gays to participate.

Thousands of books would be written as everyone from aliens to terrorists would be blamed for the few minutes delay. Conspiracy groups would claim government cover ups; forcing the president to call for an independent investigative body, all to squelch all the rumors that were spreading via the Internet.

Rush and Beck would be screaming at the top of their lungs blaming the president and the democratic party. While at the Huffington Post, the blame would be laid at the feet of Bush and Cheney, with claims that the malfunction was inherited from the previous administration.

The only thing good that would come out of all of this is that South Park would be able to air a few episodes of this disastrous situation.

I apologize to all the people that I omitted that would get their five minutes of fame, by making ludicrous claims, on why and how it happened.

Thank you Canada for showing us how adults handle minor calamities.

HOW TO QUICKLY ELIMINATE OUR NATIONAL DEBT.

2010-02-05T09:17:00.000-08:00

Enough of all this dire talk about our ever increasing debt. I have found the solution that will have congress dancing in the aisles with exuberant joy. They will be able to spend to their hearts content, as they pad bills with unlimited pork projects and hand out lucrative government contracts to their big donors. I have found a way, that the more they spend, the lower the deficit would go.

The skeptics may think I have gone off the deep end, but hear me out. All we have to do is use the same math that they do in tallying the unemployment numbers. It appears that the more people, that lose their jobs, the lower the unemployment percentage rate goes. Why just today, it was reported that 20,000 more people lost their jobs., and miraculously the unemployment rate dropped from 10% to 9.07%.

If we started using this new math, we would soon be on the road to prosperity.

HIGH SPEED RAILROAD OR HOW TO SPEND BILLIONS AND NOT ACCOMPLISH ANYTHING

2010-01-31T08:56:00.000-08:00

The president received a standing ovation as he spoke about spending billions to build high speed rail in several parts of the country. According to him, this will stimulate the economy by creating jobs while improving our rail transportation system.

It did sound good, until the facts and figures got in the way of this ambitious plan. It appears we won't be breezing trough the country side at break neck speeds, as they do in other parts of the world; 170 plus m.p.h. at maintained speeds during the journey.

Here, we will increase it to 110 only for stretches; that will increase average speeds from 53 to 62 m.p.h. Billions spent and only 9 miles gained. I wouldn't call that a wise way to invest our tax dollars. Besides, these so called high speed trains will continue to share the same rails with freight trains, so that even tho they may hit 110,they still have to pull over for the frieght trains. The average will remain the same as before because freight trains have the right of way over passenger trains.

Instead of wasting money on a quick fix, that will only benefit another big corporation by having the rails fixed at tax payers expense; find out if America is ready to give up their love affair with the auto and airplane as their basic mode of travel to switch to rail as an alternative method.

Only then should we invest in high speed rail. However, not the ones they are proposing now, but the ones that are traveling 200 plus around the globe. Invest in ones that make a profit for the investors; rather than sucking up tax dollars as Amtrak does now.

A new phenomena has occurred in this country, as we now throw money at ideas that only sound good to us, rather then ideas that are really good for us. Govenmeant has perfected this to an art form, since they spend billions before realizing they have made a mistake.

WHY DID IT HAPPEN??????

2009-12-27T08:02:00.001-08:00

In the wake of the latest terrorist attempt, more silly-assed regulations are being implemented to thwart these attacks; and by doing so our traveling experience is becoming even more miserable.

Why make the general public suffer these inconveniences? As it is well known that most of these terror attacks are committed by the terror group know as AARP, with their secret training bases in Florida and Arizona; from this day on, let's take every senior citizen that is traveling by air and have them go through secondary searches. As a senior myself, I feel so much safer when I and others in their upper years, are pulled aside and searched.

We continue to pull seniors from the line and subject them to fruitless searches; all for the sake of not offending certain people. Offending the very people who don't seem to have a problem with blowing themselves up along with a plane load of innocent people does seem to smack a little bit of Un-American Activity.

So wonder no more on why these terrorists slip by, just increase your scrutiny of these seniors and the problem will be solved.

AFGHANISTAN

2009-12-19T12:25:00.000-08:00

Maybe if the president looked at the war in terms of a football game, he wouldn't have agreed to send an additional thirty thousand troops to Afghanistan. You may ask, how does a war compare to a football game?

The answer is very simple. Take our side which has been on offense for the past eight years. Over sixty thousand strong in man power; with fire power and resources galore; and with leadership that is the finest West Point can produce, we have what it takes.

Now for their defense; I will be generous and give them ten thousand in man power, with minimal fire power, and half arsed leadership.

This would be the same as a full squad of eleven on offense, with the best equipment, training and coaching available; going against a defense equal to two defensive players, wearing leather helmets, and little or no training, much less a coaching staff.

In eight years we haven't been able to score a touchdown, much less a safety or a field goal. With an advantage of eleven to two, plus all the other pluses and still no score; I think the odds are not very favorable for a score...

... even if we increase our offensive team to seventeen and theirs remain at two.

This same game was played upon our own shores as a mighty team from Brittan was defeated by an under manned, under armed and under coached team during the Revolutionary War.

We are great at beating other top-tiered teams, but we get our ass kicked by the sand lot ones.

Let's learn from history; from the Brits, the Russians, the French...oh, and let's not forget a little place called Vietnam ...

YOU JUST CAN'T BEAT A SCRUFFY TEAM FIGHTING FOR AND ON THEIR HOME FIELD!

LETS GET RID OF THE WELFARE QUEENS

2009-11-20T06:17:00.000-08:00

Governing bodies whether it be local, county or state are all crying over the deficits they are all facing. The leaders are crying about the shortfalls in the budgets, and thus vital services will have to be cut off. I am always happy to hear that the first cuts proposed are always the unnecessary services such as health and education; then followed by fire and police protection, rather than the essential, ever growing fat of cronyism.

Well I have a great solution for all of these cry babies that will balance the budget and while at the same time cut taxes and thus ensure their reelection. Just stop spending on these lazy, good for nothing WELFARE QUEENS.

No, I am not talking about single mother's with kids, no matter how many kids they have. In spite of what people think of them; they pale in comparison to the real welfare queens that are growing out of control.

Who are these parasites that are gobbling up our taxes at an alarming rate? Simply put, they are family, friends and contributors of the so called inner circle. Made up jobs with astronomic salaries, plus benefits and pensions galore.

We read in our daily paper how this inner circle is double and triple dipping their grubby fingers into the pie; collecting pensions while earning huge salaries at other government jobs created just for them. Eventually they collect higher pensions than what they earned in original salaries. If they run out of job titles to give these queens, they then fall back on the old "consultant fees" that run into hundreds of thousands and even millions of dollars; without any oversight.

Then there are those phantom jobs, which are so super secret, that even if someone employed in one these positions, decided to report for work, wouldn't know where to go. And don't forget to count those never ending million dollar studies; the one's that always seem to go to family members, for projects that never seem to get off the ground. Amazing how so many lucrative contracts always seem to find companies that just happen to employ a relative in a highly paid executive position. Of course we all know they are highly qualified.

I am not naive and know this has been going on since the beginning of time; that public officials like to tip the till. But now our officials have taken a page from Wall Street, and no longer have a set limit on their greed, as they find more clever ways to tax us to continue to spend at will.

It's just that now these queens are bringing us to financial destruction; not health and education that they are so are so quick to blame for our financial crisis.

Quit your whining and crying and start acting like adults and do the job you were elected to do. While you are at it look back at all those promises you made during the campaign. You know the ones about lowering taxes and cleaning up government.

Would not that be refreshing?

YOU HAVE TO LOVE THE FTC

2009-10-05T12:49:00.000-07:00

I just saw where the Federal Trade Commission, is going after the blogs, to declare freebies and payments, made about products they may have commented on.

So why isn't the FTC, going after our elected officials for all the freebies and payments they are receiving, for the legislation they pass favoring all those special interest groups? At least this way we may begin to understand why you vote the way you do.

And to make it simple for our feeble minded elected officials, all the FTC has to do is make it mandatory for all them to wear NASCAR drivers suits with all those sponsor logos plastered all over them. Would make it easy for all of us.

GET A FRICKING LIFE

2009-09-30T17:11:00.000-07:00

Get a large cooler, fill it with fermented, distilled and brewed beverages and place it on your front porch. Then go beat on your neighbors doors and bitch and moan until they and their kids come outside and help you dispose of it. Let the kids play and smell some fresh air, as you dispose of all those beverages.

Get them away from their TV sets and computers, and enjoy the waning days of summer. Your probably wondering why I am going on this rant?

I just got off my wife's face book page. Yes I go on it, hoping one of my kids posted some new pictures of my grand kids. Not to get my wife in trouble I am ranting on my blog instead of face book to the things I read from these hopeless souls.

I don't want to read about your head ache, or that you can't sleep. Nor do I care if life sucks and you don't feel like going to work. We all get head aches, can't sleep and don't like going to work. it's called life so stop bitching and live with it.

I don't care that you took one of the quizzes and found out that your a Yugo instead of a Cadillac or a Lexus. If your dumb enough to take the quiz, live with the results. No I am not going to help you fight mafia wars, nor will I help you with your farm. I along with many farmers down here in Central Illinois, are worried that the soy beans and corn won't dry out before the first frost hits and a years crop will be lost.

It's bad enough that so many people bitch about little petty things. It's even worse that people agree and console them as if they were a two year old, instead of booting them in the ass and telling them to get a life.

I don't care that there are numerous grammatical and punctuation errors, since I have never been mistaken for a Rhodes scholar, I eventually get my point across. All I know is, I am about enjoying life instead of bitching about its little pit falls.

SOME FREE ADVICE TO FREE SPENDERS

2009-09-14T04:50:00.000-07:00

If our elected representatives be it local, state and federal started to look at debt from a different perspective may be we wouldn't have these financial disasters they are all crying about.

Stop all of this borrowing and spending like there is no tomorrow, and look at how much you pay out in interest every year on that borrowed money, and it is a staggering amount of money, even by your standards.

See how much more you could hand out to your friends and cronies instead of paying interest to banks, who are more then happy to lend it to you.

I apologize for my stupidity, the bankers are your friends and cronies, and it is another way you have figured out to spend my hard earned money.

I and the many people I know are getting fed up as you use us as your personal piggy bank. We are not stupid and realize a little graft keeps the government machine running smoothly. What used to be a small trickle from the faucet has turned out to be Niagara Falls as no amount of money seems to be enough.

STUPID QUESTION OF THE DAY???????

2009-08-09T07:29:00.000-07:00

Why is it when you drive through some of the most dangerous neighborhoods in America, your chances of getting robbed, shot or killed are greatly increased; yet the streets, playgrounds, and parks are packed with people and children, enjoying the summertime?

However, as we drive through the safest communities on the face of this earth, people are barricaded inside their homes, in fear of untold bogey men and demons. Even on the nicest days, these neighborhoods look like ghost towns, as no one is seen on the streets. Children are locked away and can not even go outside to enjoy expensive swing sets that dot their back yards without strict adult supervision.

Who are the fools and idiots????

CHILD ABUSE 101

2009-06-24T15:10:00.000-07:00

Last night I looked at photos of children playing in a jumping jack at my granddaughters 1st birthday party. They were all smiling and laughing, having the times of their lives. In other words, they were doing what kids are supposed to do, enjoying being kids without adult interference.

In my youth this was common place, as we would go outside and play all day. We learned how to play baseball, football and basketball, and those that were good enough went on to play in high school and college.

We had fun as we played at our own pace and enjoyed every minute of it, no one telling us when and where to play. Younger kids learned the games from older and more experienced ones. Trial and error and the joy of learning to run, catch and throw at a leisurely pace. You didn't mind sitting on the side lines watching, as you knew your time would eventually come as you got older and better.

This joy was taken away by modern day parents, who wanted to take away this natural process that had been going on for ages. The old uniform of shirts and skins was soon replaced by modern major league looking uniforms. Vacant lot fields, with card board bases were replaced with major league looking, manicured fields. A tattered glove, a bat held together with nails and tape and a ball wound up with electrical tape were prized possesions. Now new equipment has to be purchased every year.

Now we have four and five year olds who can't run, throw, catch or field, being yelled at by adults, and the kids have no clue as to why they are yelling. Heaven forbid one of them swings the bat and the ball hits it, or as he stands their, with the glove up, and a miracle occurs as the ball lands in the glove, and stays there. This unlucky kid just kissed away his childhood, as the parents begin to search for special instructors and training camps, for this future major leaguer.

It's not only baseball, as kids spend their most enjoyable years in a car going from one practice or game to another, treated as robots and not kids.

Don't abuse your kids by taking away this precious time when they get to dream and pretend and to play all those silly games. To soon they will be teenagers and they can make these decisions on their own.

I know what your thinking, it's an old fool who is ranting and raving and showing his age and doesn't understand how things are today. Just do me one favor, look at the children's faces as they practice or play. You won't see them laughing or smiling and enjoying themselves. The only time you will see that is when the game is over and they are getting those treats for playing and amusing the adults.

Do yourself and your children a big favor. Go outside and meet your neighbors and talk to them, let the kids meet and play their games and enjoy the laughter that will soon fill the air as the kids run around and do things kids were always meant to do.

WHAT'S WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE

2009-06-08T20:14:00.000-07:00

We turn on the three major news networks, which consist of CNN, FOX and MSNBC to get our fill of comedy; and we turn to Comedy Central to get a realistic look at the news. Shouldn't it be the other way around?

It just goes to show how far we have advanced in this country. And we wonder why we are the laughing stock of the world.

STUPID QUESTION OF THE DAY?????

2009-05-19T18:19:00.000-07:00

Even tho the ring tone isn't even remotely close to theirs, why do so many idiots check to see if it's their phone that is ringing???? Isn't that why people go to such great lengths to get distinct ring tones, so to know it's their phone that is ringing, and not some one elses?

STUPID QUESTION OF THE DAY?????

2009-05-08T11:16:00.000-07:00

Recently I canceled my land line with AT&T after getting into a confrontation over charges on my phone bill. Instead of receiving a final bill, I received a refund check, which meant I was paying for services in advance.

So how can I and countless others receive late charges for services that we have not yet received ?????? Shouldn't we be receiving interest payments instead????

THE BAND IS BACK TOGETHER AGAIN

2009-04-30T05:32:00.000-07:00

As the famous proprietor and chef of Fozzie's world re noun restaurante would say 'let's get the band back together again".

Well the band is back together, and ready to hit the road toward Louisville, Kentucky and the Kentucky Derby.

This is our second trip to the Derby, but there have been countless trips to the Breeder's Cup every October.

Each trip is filled with hundreds of memories, but with each one, there is always one that stands out, and is laughed and talked about for years to come. Even tho none of us are spring chickens, we all act like we were twenty-one again.

How can you not have fun when the band includes Gene Gene the dancing machine, Whiteyy AKA The Claw, Fozzie the famous chef and bartender, and yours truly the Grumpy Old Man.

Sometimes we get lucky and win a few dollars, and sometimes we just contribute to the well being of our equine friends. But be sure fun and laughs will be a plenty.

I DON'T UNDERSTAND THIS UPROAR OVER AIG BONUSES

2009-03-24T05:38:00.000-07:00

A word of advice for all the people who are out protesting over the bonuses given out to AIG executives. Don't just dip your toes in the pool, jump in all the way, at the deep end.

Doesn't make much sense to just protest the fools who insured these worthless pieces of paper. How about tossing a bit of all this indignation against the idiots that got this financial mess rolling?

I agree, it is wrong to collect a bonus after fouling up. But why all this anger over a small word such as Bonus. Why not direct some of that ire toward two big words such as Excessive Compensation. What about the big bankers, that bundled up all this worthless paper. and spread it around the globe? Amazing how indignant they get when someone dares question them regarding their salary, and how it is structured. The thing I find even more amazing, is how our so called elected officials, back away, not wanting to incur their wrath.

Bonuses probably pale in comparison to excessive compensation, yet we hear nary a word about it. Yes I am speaking about all those bankers, that are receiving billions in TARP money, and are still reaping outlandish salaries. As long as it is called compensation, and not a bonus, it appears that it's OK to steal as much as one can, of the tax payer's money.

So to all of you protesters, take a page out of their play book, and bundle up all these thieves in a neat package, and give them all equal hell.

"THE JUNGLE" BY UPTON SINCLAIR

2009-02-28T10:09:00.000-08:00

I had planned to go into a long narrative as to why every American should be made to read this book; but there are not enough words to describe what it meant to me. Maybe after reading it, people would cease identifying 9/11 and Katrina as the greatest disasters that the world has ever had to endure.

As you read these words, you feel the heat, the cold, and the stench these immigrants had to endure. You experience what is was like to work at the speed they had to, just to make a few pennies. Consider if you could have endured for a full day what these people did for years; always being taken advantage of with no one to complain to.

After reading what these immigrants survived, we should be so grateful for what they did for us; and so thankful that we haven't even come close to such bad times. As terrible as 9/11 and Katrina, and whatever is waiting for us due to the economic meltdown, reading this book puts things in perspective.

SO WHY IS IT???????

2009-02-26T18:00:00.000-08:00

We have been told on a daily basis to insulate our homes, use energy efficient bulbs, drive fuel efficient cars and many other things to conserve energy and save our planet.

Now that many of us did our best and spent all that money to conserve; why is it we are being punished by the energy companies for our good efforts? After not meeting their profit expectations, these same energy companies are asking for an increase in rates!

WHAT IS IT ABOUT BANKER'S

2009-02-12T05:13:00.000-08:00

Why is it that when the CEO's of the Big Three auto makers appeared before Congress, for the first time, it appeared as if Congress was acting the way they were elected to do? They belittled, humiliated and demanded every sort of concession from these three; for a few billions of dollars of cash infusion.

Yet when the Wall street bankers appeared before them. who have received hundreds of billions, and are to receive hundreds of billions more; they were let of the hook by being allowed to give vague and evasive answers. We didn't see the outrage over bonuses, excessive pay, or lavish parties.

Why is it, an industry that benefits Main Street America, by employing thousands,, at reasonable wages is taken to the wood shed by congress? On the other hand, Wall Street which has all ready squandered three hundred billion, is being treated with kid gloves?

Makes one wonder, who they really represent, and worry about.

PLEASEEEE BRING BACK THE GOOD OLD DAYS, OR THE TIME THERE WAS INTELLIGENT LIFE ON EARTH

2009-01-31T09:41:00.000-08:00

Boys and girls I know you won't believe me, but in the not too long ago past, there was intelligent life on earth. Go ahead and shake your heads in disbelief; but it is true. For my wife, who likes to contradict everything I say, with her over used statement of "site your source", I have plenty of fodder for this one.

Back in the early 70's when I was a snot nosed rookie policeman, I worked for some of the greatest watch commanders imaginable. There would be a moron or two scattered about, but the majority used their heads for something besides a hat rack.

By the time I had a few hash marks on my sleeve, a new trend emerged. The morons who were once the minority, seemed to be gaining ground as the old guard, with balls the size of watermelons, retired or died off.

Where's your proof you may ask? All you have to do is look at a previous post about a 14 year old police wanna be. If this incident occurred back in the 70's, the watch commander would have booted the lad in the ass, had us call his mother, and after a profanity laced tirade about what a terrible mother she was; would have sent the lad home with her.

The next day, roll call would again be filled with wild profanity, as we found out where the captain thought our intelligence level stood. By the end of the day the incident would have been forgotten. Case closed and filed away with the thousands of other stupid things that would occur on an almost daily basis. Something to laugh about at watch parties that occurred every three months, after a few cocktails.

Fast forward to the year 2009. The 14 year old trick or treater is arrested as a police impersonator, and given the status of an Al Capone. It became a major news story for a week in both Chicago papers as well as the news stations. Now even the Secret Service is being brought in to check this "BREACH OF SECURITY". The police superintendent feels that the department "DODGED A BULLET". Of course then we always have to have that "INTERNAL INVESTIGATION" to lay blame on someone and suspend them. And where would we be if one of the moron's on the city council didn't call for "HEARINGS" on this dastardly act.

With each passing day we see so many non-stories reach epic proportions; and you wonder why I question if there is any intelligent life left?

HE WHO LAUGHS LAST

2009-01-28T06:30:00.000-08:00

The younger generation was laughing at their parents and grandparents, when they stuffed their meager savings in mattresses, coffee cans or received a free toaster for depositing their money at a small local bank with low interest rates.

Why do something so stupid, when there were so many financial advisers and large banks that offered double digit returns, if you invested with them? Why work like your parent's did into their sixty's, when those fancy brochures promised that you would be able to retire by the time you reached thirty-five? Your parents and grandparents would only live comfortably on their paltry savings, while you would be cruising around your luxury yacht, skiing and vacationing in exotic locales. You would have as many homes as they had rooms in their modest bungalow, that they had lived in most of their life.

Who is laughing now, as a day doesn't go by, that we don't here of another one of these advisers that had scammed hundreds of thousands of investors out of every penny they had invested. Even if you managed to avoid the con artists, you still saw the bottom drop out of the hundreds of other investment gimmicks dreamed up by all these financial guru's.

So forgive them when they laugh, while they are at their bingo games. They are secure in knowing they can easily withdraw any amount, at any time, from their mattress. You on the other hand can't figure out if you should laugh or cry while holding all those worthless statements, filled with untold promises, in your hand.

FOR WANT OF A BADGE

2009-01-26T18:32:00.000-08:00

The times I visited my friend Fozzy at the police district he worked at, I was always tempted to ask all those so called police men and woman if their mothers knew that they were dressed up and playing like the "real police".

According to today's news media, I guess I should have. It appears that a 14 year old police wanna-be, dressed up in a police uniform and walked into a police district, managed to sign out a ticket book, walkie- talkie, etc. and fooled a veteran policeman for five hours while they drove around and answered calls.

I pulled many a young looking officer's chain as I threatened to take them home to their mommies when we worked midnights because it was after curfew. Now it seems they just assign them a car and let them work with no questions asked.

If the lad would have somehow obtained a badge, he could have pulled this off for the next 30 years! The only thing that gave him away was that missing badge.

I know I am going to go to sleep tonight feeling a lot safer.

BRITTNEY LINDSEY PARIS and now OBAMA

2009-01-17T10:32:00.000-08:00

I didn't think that I would ever yearn for our print and electronic news media to return to the days when the infamous trio's every high jink was a breaking news event. A serious contender has ensured that the Three Musketeers antics are buried away for a minimum of the next four years.

Your soon to be the President of the United States, wants his Blackberry like some two year old who needs his blankie. If the Secret Service says no to your possessing a BlackBerry, so be it. Stop worrying about some silly electronic gadget and get down to more serious issues.

And you might ask, what got my dander up today? It was a lengthy story about the retrieval by the Secret Service of the president-elects BlackBerry when it hit the airport's tarmac while emerging from his vehicle. Because of this heroic action the instrument suffered no ill effects and continues to perform its functions.

If however, a mysterious demise befell this BlackBerry during the mass hysteria and confusion as it lay unguarded on the tarmac; I would then truly consider the Secret Service an elite law enforcement agency.

In those few seconds they could have eliminated all the arguing over a grown man's toy. More importantly, we could return to another asinine story about the unholy trio.

.

BULL SHIT AND HOW EASILY WE SWALLOW IT

2009-01-11T08:32:00.000-08:00

It is amazing how easily we are duped into believing all the garbage that flows out of Washington. Very few of us sit back and realize that our chains are being pulled and that all those speeches and promises are only meant for the chosen few and not for the masses at large.

At the beginning of this financial crisis, billions of dollars were thrown in haste toward millionaire CEO's. What we were fed was the danger of allowing credit to dry up. They were right; credit drying up did further hurt the economy - and they let it - using the bailout instead to continue the flow to their outrageous salaries! All those billions were thrown away and nothing changed, except that the rich got richer.

Even more amazing was how these supposed brilliant minds, failed to attach a few strings; not even a portion of the the rigorous reporting and auditing structure required of social agencies who are given only a few thousand dollars. The promise not to waste this money was completely forgotten, and never really in the cards. As for the rest of us, the lip service and promises continue while nothing is done about it, and many people are suffering losses through no fault of their own.

And so it goes with many praising the new stimulus package. Let us hope it is so. Yet it still seems to be only a stimulus package for some; and is it for those that really need it? Makes perfect sense to lay off workers by the thousands now, when you know the new president is promising to give you thousands in tax breaks for hiring new workers once he is sworn in. Is this just another creative way they find to funnel our tax dollars to those who don't need any more?

As someone who has been around for a while let me tell you; in all my years the bullshit and promises made, usually greatly outweigh the truth and promises kept.

LOAN SHARKS

2009-01-01T09:32:00.000-08:00

Why is it when loans were made by No Neck Vito, Joe Bananas and Three Fingered Louie no expenses were spared to arrest and prosecute these entrepreneur's? Both local and federal authorities worked hard to abolish these local business men as they were considered the scourge of the community. Legislators worked round the clock to drive them out of business by enacting criminal laws to hasten their demise.

Skip ahead and change all those colorful names to bland ones such as Visa, Master Card and Discovery and suddenly those usurious rates become legal, and the lenders are pillars of our society. Now it is fashionable for our politicians to mingle with these lenders and to pass legislation to increase already out of control percentages and fees, in order to increase those almighty profits. There are many more with other acceptable names such as pay day loans, title loans and let's not forget H&R Block, who keeps dreaming up new ways to shrink people's tax returns.

Today's lenders are able to take an arm and leg in penalties and fees whenever you're late; not like the past when just a lump or two on the head sufficed.

Maybe it's time we brought Vito, Joe and Louie out of retirement. But alas we can't, since they are all either in jail or deceased. I guess that is the penalty you pay when you charge fair and reasonable rates with no excessive fees.

SO MUCH FOR CHANGE

2008-12-27T13:12:00.000-08:00

During the campaign all we heard was how things were going to change. I guess the old adage "the more things change, the more they remain the same", is still at work. I am referring to the pick for Secretary of the Treasury, who happens to be one of the old Washington guard.

Now if the president elect would have picked my daughter or someone like her, I would have been very impressed. She happens to be married to a school teacher, and they have two children. She and her husband decided that she should be a stay at home mom while the children were young.

I marvel at how she has managed to stretch the meager salary of our underpaid teachers. She and her husband purchased a nice home and my two granddaughters are well fed and are always well dressed.

They never buy things they can not afford, but rather save up before they purchase something. They even manage to save a few pennies for a rainy day, so as not to be caught off guard when a catastrophe hits.

Imagine someone like her in charge of the nation's purse strings. We would have a congress that had to live within its means. Millionaire bankers would be told, "Sorry, you made the mess, now clean it up or live with it". There would also no more frivolous spending sprees on bridges to nowhere.

We don't need any more Ivy League rs continuing to lead us in the same directions that caused this mess; we need the real change of someone who can clean this mess up - a housewife and mother.

WHY ME??????

2008-12-14T09:37:00.000-08:00

I just don't understand it. I am older then dirt according to my son, and I don't kick puppies or dogs. My grand kids love me, and other children don't run from me with terror-filled eyes.

Never smoked those funny hand made cigarettes, and the strongest medication I take is aspirin. I dress conservatively and rarely wear sunglasses or hoodies.

So why is it every time I fly, I am pulled aside for an extra search and I find those little notes inside my luggage informing me that it has been searched also?

Just like while I was on the police department, I was always the lucky one picked for peeing in the bottle to test for drugs. I was always told that it was done randomly by a computer.

If I am so lucky to be chosen so often for the tests and searches; why doesn't the same thing happen with the lottery or drawings for prizes?

STUPID QUESTION OF THE DAY

2008-11-09T16:38:00.000-08:00

Why are so many people enthralled when a group of the so called brightest in the academic, financial and business community are brought together to solve problems that are facing our nation?

Aren't these the same clowns that seem to get us into these catastrophes; without a clue on how to solve them?

Yet I do agree with gathering them together and keeping them together for quite some time. This way we can keep an eye on them and prevent them from doing any further harm.

NOBODY LISTENED

2008-10-02T13:58:00.000-07:00

On the 26th of February I wrote about having found a solution to our energy problems. At the time I wrote that everyone should convert their vehicles from using gas to methane.

At the time I didn't realize how correct I would be in my prediction. The amount of shit that has been dished out, by the boys and girls on Capitol Hill, in the past two weeks about the dire consequences that would occur if we didn't bail out Wall Street could power us into the next century.

Not only that, they would pay us to drive, to help rid the vast piles of it. Our factories would be powered by it cheaply, as well as farmers who would save by applying organic fertilizer instead of chemical.

On second thought, forget this magnificent plan of mine, as it has one big draw back. We would probably be invaded by a mid eastern coalition for our vast supply of methane as oil became worthless.

OFFICIAL END OF SUMMER

2008-10-01T14:59:00.000-07:00

To me the first sign of spring in Central Illinois is the arrival of a loan hummingbird in late April. As the weeks pass the numbers increase and by late July I have well over two dozen feeding and frolicking at my three feeders. For the past few weeks I have watched them pack their bags and and fuel up the RV's for the trip to warmer climates.

Just as in the spring, only one hummingbird remains to keep me entertained, and soon he will also be gone. So to me this loan bird signals the end of summer. Now it's going to be a long wait till the end of March as the radio station I listen to begins there daily humming bird migration report. Then I will hang up the one feeder and wait for the leader of the pack.

So now I switch from buying 5 lb bags of sugar to 20 lb bags of bird seed as the cardinals and woodpeckers will dazzle me with their colors as they come to the feeders. Goodbye summer and hello fall and winter.

GET AWAY FROM THE CAMERAS AND GO TO WORK

2008-09-29T12:03:00.000-07:00

I was going to start out by saying, quit acting like kids, and get this financial mess resolved. But being a parent and and now a grand parent, I feel like I am giving our elected representatives to much credit.

Trough out the years I have watched my kids and now my grand kids have an untold amount of spats among themselves and their friends. I was always amazed at how quickly things were always resolved without my intervention, and they were back playing together as if nothing had happened.

Today I watched as supposedly grown and well educated adults, that are supposed to represent us, showboat in front of TV cameras as they point fingers and try to asses the blame. Not me mommy, it's all Johnnies fault, is repeated by both sides, way to many times.

I got news for you. This glass of milk wasn't spilled yesterday, a month ago or even a year ago. This has been going on for years as you were to busy stuffing your campaign coffers as well as pockets to try and correct it.

Try something different and act like adults and do the job you were elected to do and fix this mess as well as many others. No more fancy speeches or slogans, just get the job done. On second thought, maybe I should send my grand kids to Washington. They would get this mess resolved quickly and could then go back to playing stuff your pockets. Never known, a few of those dollars might even trickle down to me.

And while we are at it, I and many of my friends had our days off cancelled whenever an emergency arose. It didn't matter wether it was a holiday or we had plans, the crises had to be handled first. So no days off. Handle this mess, and handle it right.

FREE ADVICE

2008-09-22T07:35:00.000-07:00

I love watching how this money crisis is playing out. A bright neon sign is staring them in the face with the solution, yet all these politicians and financial gurus are to stupid to see it. They want to follow the lead of idiot sports team owners, who haven't learned the lesson that throwing bundles of money around wont win them championships, just as it will not solve this crisis.

They keep repeating the words on a daily basis, yet pay no attention to them and no one dare mention it. The same thing applies to this money crises as did to the fall of Rome, the USSR and many other empires. THEY GOT TO BIG and could not be managed successfully, leading to there failure and collapse.

The regional and local banks as well as credit unions don't seem to be affected by this problem as they are quite a bit smaller and easier to manage. They also tend to be geared to serve there customers rather then hell bent on making double digit returns; not only to satisfy investors, but to also justify the outrages salary's of the CEO's.

We don't need all this talk of oversight and new regulations. As with most things that come out Washington these days, all they will do is put a fox in charge of the hen house, and things will remain the same.

So let's break up these giants that have become to big, to be allowed to fail. Like our parents used to tell us, don't bite off more then you can chew. In this case it seems to fit perfectly.

MY WHITE PRIVILIGED ASS!!!!

2008-09-15T11:12:00.000-07:00

I am officially fed up with this campaign and the road it's taking. I received one of those garbage filled smear emails geared toward Palin and McCain. I hate receiving them as much as I do the ones regarding Obama and the wild allegations about him. I might not be the brightest bulb on the chandelier, but stuff like this will not sway me one way or another.

I'm tired of being called a Racist and a Redneck, just because I don't care to cast my vote for Obama. I may read Fairy Tales to my grand kids, but it doesn't mean I believe in them. I have been around for two thirds of a century and have truck loads of promises from politicians and a change purse full of fulfillment's. So when I don't vote for him, it could be, because I believe he is not qualified. Contrary to popular belief I have voted for black candidates. Not because they were black, but because I believed they were more qualified for the job.

What has me riled up is that this particular email was titled WHITE PRIVILEGE. The only privilege this Lilly white ass and his family received in all these years, is the right to come to this country in 1950 and make something of ourselves.

We got here on a Saturday. On Sunday they had a welcome party for us, and on Tuesday my father and a lot of other legal immigrants were hard at work in the Chicago Stock Yards . My mother was also working in a laundry room of a hospital in a short time. They didn't look for a hand out, just a chance to work. They went looking for work, instead of sitting around and waiting for it to come to them. No special programs, no entitlements.

Even tho he had only a third grade education and worked hard in the stock yards, my father found the time to go to night school and learn the language so he could become a citizen. No excuses, just hard work and they achieved the American dream. A free ticket to the States and night school were the only things my parents received. Everything they achieved was through hard work. try it some time, it builds character.

Now comes the good part and all the privileges I received for being white. Working two, three and sometimes four jobs to have my own home and send my kids to good schools. I made the kids breakfast and packed their lunches. This white privilege didn't seem to include free breakfasts and lunch for my kids. Nor does it include a hundred and one after school programs. An office wasn't set up for my kids to find after school jobs, as they had to pound the pavement in search of them.

As a privileged white boy I was punished for having been instilled with the work ethic. So for working all those jobs I was told I made to much when it came time for scholarships, and other opportunity's for my kids. All I got out of it was paying more taxes and higher tuition's.

I wasn't happy, but gave up my seat on the bus and moved further back in that bus for the past thirty years as this so called playing field was leveled for all those that didn't have all this white privilege. I saw less qualified people put ahead of me on promotion exams, even though I and others scored higher.

I didn't mind making the sacrifice all those years, so that my kids could also play on that level playing field. But when I see my son also have to pay for the privilege of being white I am getting a bit ticked off. He was passed over for advancement even though he was highly qualified , so a minority quota could be filled. Why does he have to pay?

I'm sorry, but if you haven't been able to take advantage of all these quotas, set asides and other programs in the past 30 plus years, then you are slow and will never catch up. And it's not my kid's and grand kid's fault for being white that they should have to pay for your failures.

Yes I know this post is full of grammatical errors, and I really don't care. Just like I don't care when you try and lay that racial guilt trip on me. Everything I have is not because I am one of those priviliged, it's because I have worked my ass off.

WHY OBAMA AND HIS MANIAC FOLLOWERS SCARE ME

2008-08-28T14:57:00.000-07:00

A very scary incident occurred last night as I tuned in to listen to Milt Rosenberg on Ext 720 on WGN radio. Mr Rosenberg was astonished that in all the years that he has been in broadcasting and with his guest list running the gamut from A to Z; never has he had a response such as he had that evening, even before the show had aired.

It seems that Obama backers had flooded the station with phone calls and e-mails decrying the appearance of a guest on his show before even one word was uttered. The guest in question was Stanley Kurtz a Senior Fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center and a contributor to the National Review.

It seems he had the audacity to look into the Annenberg Challenge Archives at the University of Illinois at Circle campus library and see what the connection was between Obama and William Ayers a 60's radical connected to the Weathermen, a known terrorist group. It seems that Obama dismissed this connection to him as only someone who just lived on the same block and nothing more. The findings seemed to prove otherwise.

We allowed his connection to Rezko to be waved of as someone who he went to for advice in purchasing his home. And how dare anyone question why there was such a huge savings in the purchase of this home.

Obama's office was contacted and informed of the appearance of the guest, and given the opportunity to send someone to rebut any comments made by him. Granted, it was during the Democratic convention, but instead of being told that they would not be able to do so because of a conflict, the producer of the show was hung up on.

It scares me how fast the word spread to flood a station with calls and e-mails. Is this what the text mail technology that the Obama's campaign is introducing (text messaging has been around for along time, it is not being introduced, you old goat!) going to be used for: to stifle free speech? It is one thing to disagree with someones comments and another to try and take away someones right to free speech. Calling someone a racist because he happens to search for facts and doesn't agree with the anointed one is not change. For the last eight years we have seen what has occurred when free speech is squashed and only one opinion is allowed.

ENOUGH ALREADY

2008-08-17T17:24:00.000-07:00

Granted, winning 8 gold medals is quite an accomplishment! Yet like junk yard dogs, these news announcers, after biting into the story; don't know when to let go. The amount of time that they have been devoting to this story would make one believe that instead of swimming across the pool; Phelps actually walked across it. Then, after getting to the other side, he turned the entire pool into a fine vintage Merlot.

It's time to let it go, focus on the other events, and while you are at it: a bit less about Farve would be greatly appreciated too.

MAY BE WE SHOULD GO BACK TO THE 3 R'S

2008-08-03T08:05:00.000-07:00

When I was a youth I would march on down to the local quarry several days before school started and pick up a couple of stone slates, a sharp chisel and a hammer, as these were all the supplies I needed for the start of a new school year.

It's not far from the truth as my mother would give me a couple of dollars which was used in the purchase of a few pads of note book paper, some pencils, an eight pack of crayons and maybe a new ruler at the local 5 & 10 cent store. And best of all, there was enough change from those two dollars to stop at the corner drug store and purchase a milk shake.

Now mothers load kids into their large SUV's so that they are able to return home in one trip with all of the items they now purchase. I couldn't believe at the amount offered in the Sunday sale papers, as page after page was devoted just to school supplies. A safari to Africa or an expedition to climb Mount Everest travels lighter then most kids off to their first day of a new school year.

With the barest of supplies we learned how to read and write and to solve math problems without the use of calculators. Problems were solved with the use of the brain, not a computer. We led the world, as America's public education system was deemed to be the best in the world, as we put men on the moon.

With all these tons of new supplies, calculators and computers and innovative new names for various types of education and schools; we are falling further behind, as the rest of the world is quickly passing us by.

May be we should go back to the old system of reading, rigthing and rithmatic. Studies have shown that the old system worked just fine, until once again to many innovators tried to fix a system that worked efficiently and was in no need of repair.

A war is being waged to fight obesity by informing people to exercise and stay away from fattening foods. Yet we don't do the same for the brains of our children as we let computers and calculators do their thinking and their brains stagnate from lack of exercise. And then we wonder why we are falling behind.

I HAVE A SOLUTION...

2008-08-02T09:18:00.000-07:00

I have a solution for these over paid, over pampered pre mo donas we refer to as our professional athletes. A day doesn't go by that we don't hear from one of them about the harsh conditions they have to work under, or how they are disrespected by management and fans. Then the ever so popular, how underpaid they are and question how they are to feed their families for a mere $12 million a year. All these sacrifices they have to make to practise their craft and be adored by multitudes.

With my solution they will gain respect and still get to work in front of thousands. Their opinion will be sought and will frequently be asked for advice and direction. All this and they still will be paid in order to feed their families. Now they will be right in the starting line-up and play the whole game; no longer will they have to serve time on the bench. No more worries about being traded as they will get the choice of the city they want to play in. No longer will they have to worry about travelling on chartered flights or staying at five star hotels, since all games will be played on their home field.

Just call Wal Mart and tell them to apply for a job as a greeter at the store of their choice. I am positive that Wal-Mart will bend over backwards to accommodate their every request. Besides that, they get to wear that neat blue vest, and as an added incentive, bonus points will be awarded for every shopping cart retrieved in the parking lot for extra savings at the check out counter.

STUPID QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

2008-07-22T09:18:00.000-07:00

The Republicans and their backers are screaming drill, drill, drill for new oil sources. On the other hand the Democrats and all their backers are just as loud in telling us it wont help us at the gas pumps today and that it will take ten years to bring this new oil on line.

So who is right and who is wrong? My question is, if we don't do anything today as they toss this political football around without action from either side; then what will happen ten years from now when we have to wait another ten years to bring it on line?

Isn't that how we got into this mortgage mess? Everyone just looked at their low payments for a year or two, and made no provisions for the day when they would skyrocket up in the future.

Can't these two parties set politics aside and do something that would be beneficial for you and I?

NEITHER A DEMOCRAT NOR REPUBLICAN OR EVEN AN INDEPENDANT, JUST AN OLD FART WHO KNOWS BETTER

2008-07-19T19:22:00.000-07:00

I just love this blog world. There are many that make you think, laugh and are even informative. But the trend in the political ones have this old guy shaking his head. They all remind me of my grammar school days when the teacher's pet was left in charge when the teacher left the room, to snitch on those who misbehaved.

On a daily basis when you look at a liberal blog, it's "teacher, teacher look at what the Republicans did today". The little stoolies at the conservative blogs do the same as they blame everything on the Democrats. Then like kids on a play ground, they find idiots who know less then they do, and after they print their comments it is taken as the gospel truth because they agree with the blogger's point of view.

And it's considered treason to agree with the opposite party, even tho it may be the best plan ever. And so the little game is played as both sides bicker and nothing is accomplished. Our elected officials throw us little bones that all these dyed in the wool Democrat and Republican backers fight over.

Never see any of these blogs complain that it's always partisan politics when it concerns matters that effect us in our daily lives, yet how easily party lines are crossed in Washington whenever big business or the politicians are the ones to gain.

They promise us a health care plan you can't make heads or tails of. Wouldn't it be nice if someone asked the candidates why we can't have a plan like members of congress? If it's good enough for them, why isn't it good enough for us? And it took them ten years to raise the minimum wage, while they got how many raises?

Stop the bickering and stop salivating at these bones they throw us. Just join forces and demand a bit more from those fools in congress.

WHY THE RICH GET RICH AND POOR GET POORER

2008-07-15T17:58:00.000-07:00

I was surprised at the results of a study conducted by a research firm regarding the use of money savings coupons. According to the research, manufacturers offered 302 billion coupons at an average face value of $1.28 each. The number of coupons redeemed? A mere 2.6 billion or less than 1 percent.

What was really surprising, was who were the most avid users of these coupons. It wasn't the people who could use these savings the most, but rather well educated women with a bachelor or masters degrees. Also it was households with income levels of $150,000 or more.

Many people were exhilarated at receiving the one time $600 stimulus check from the government. But by using those coupons they could average anywhere from $600 to $900 every year in savings.

And what do the poor fools do? They spend days on end waiting in line to get the latest bell or whistle that comes out on the market, paying top dollar, unable to wait a month or two until the prices drop drastically. Then we wonder why we have such a disparity between the haves and have nots?

I could ramble on, but I have to fill out and mail a coupon for $10 I received after having the oil changed in my car yesterday. I might not have that bachelors or masters degree, but I am smart enough to take that ten dollar savings they are giving me and use it.

A SIMPLE SOLUTION

2008-07-15T12:24:00.000-07:00

There was a tragic article in the Chicago Tribune this past Sunday about the alarming increase of kids injured and killed by family members who were backing out of their driveways.

Naturally the usual culprits were to blame for this increase. We need to keep better statistic, enact new laws, the increase of SUV's and there poor visibility in backing up.

Blame it on anything but the driver. I guess it's to much to ask that some caution be used before backing up. It seems the parent profiled in the article saw two out of the three kids on the lawn, yet he still backed up. I know everyone is complaining about the fact that our days have been shortened to 22 hours and they don't have enough time to do anything. But come on, we can't sacrifice a few seconds out of the day and ensure our kids are kept out of harms way.

ONE STOP SHOPPING

2008-07-13T18:38:00.000-07:00

Drive by any Wal-Mart store parking lot and it is jam packed with shoppers who are swayed to shop there by the so called low prices. But are they the lowest prices in town, or just a gimmick to part fools with their money?

I stopped at a local Wal-Mart store to pick up a few things, since it was on the way to where I was headed. Having been at a local grocery store the previous day, I decided to compare the prices on the items I had purchased.

Granted they do have some low prices on an array of products, and you would save if you only purchased those items; but this is a super center that traps you into One Stop Shopping and you end up paying higher prices that offset those super savings.

My day was made when I found that I would have paid more had I purchased them today. I then checked further and to no surprise found that a wise shopper will not fall for those catchy company slogans and assume that everything is as promised.

WHEN IS IT GOING TO STOP???????

2008-06-23T09:33:00.000-07:00

The other day as I perused the newspaper an article got my blood boiling. It was in regards to several Internet companies who were thinking about raising prices for the high volume users of the Internet. They were thinking of following the mobile phone companies policies as they sell various packages with allotted minutes of use, with added fees for going over the time limit.

Another way to squeeze some more money out of us, and the sad part is that none of us will even give a second thought as we except it.

Every day we look at our bills, and another fee appears and we are still mum. Existing fees are reaching astronomical proportions and nobody cares. We shrug our shoulders and do nothing about it as we pay up. Seeing that we accept these increases without a whimper, even the things that were free, now come with a charge as corporations pad there bottom line.

Haven't we learned from department stores, that when we don't purchase there products at inflated prices, they soon go on sale and we save hundreds of dollars. So maybe if people purchased a few less Lottie's per week, the price may dramatically drop and I may be tempted to try one, to see what all the fuss is about.

Everywhere we turn prices are outrageously high, but with so many people willing to pay them, they continue there upward spiral.

Look at the auto companies and the deals you get when people stay away from the showrooms. The dollar deals that appear at fast food franchises whenever profits fall. Or best of all how quick the price drops as you cancel a service you have been overpaying for, now that they want you to stay on as a customer.

If we sacrificed the luxuries we have become accustomed to for several months and put the squeeze on the squeezers, I do believe we could gain the upper hand. We have so little to loose, and so much to gain.

WHY I AM SO LUCKY

2008-06-13T15:19:00.000-07:00

All one has to do is go to my wife's blog which is HUMMINGBIRDHILL.BLOGSPOT.COM to see why I am the luckiest guy in the world. No only do I have a great wife, but I have been blessed with my 9th grandchild a cute baby girl. No wonder I stay so young with all these young chicks around me. Hugh Hefner eat your heart out.

BOYCOTT McDONALD'S AND KFC

2008-06-08T19:13:00.000-07:00

You read it right, I am all for boycotting these two giant franchises. Not only are they hell bent on polluting our highways and byways with their outrages steroid induced signs, but now they took it upon themselves to ruin my travels to Lithuania and Ireland.

I was smacked in the face with a four story high "M" as I stepped out the front doors of the Vilnius airport. Later as I entered Lithuania's second largest city, again in neon that "M" was flashing away. Century's old cities, marred by corporate greed.

Then a week later, Ireland's pristine beauty was defaced by the towering greasy fingered chicken bucket and the insidious "M", as I approached old towns, that will now be forever spoiled by the antiseptic cookie cutter sameness.

It's bad enough that our cities and towns all look like large NASCAR logo plastered cars, now our main export is to destroy what little beauty is left in this world, as these corporations play the my logo is bigger then yours. So boycott them and make America and the rest of the world beautiful again.

I'M BACK

2008-05-29T18:07:00.000-07:00

Thank you for all the votes. I gave up on the continental look. The sun glasses didn't want to sit on top of my head, the pointy Italian shoes hurt my feet and that big buckle color coordinated belt made me look a bit feminine.

These European designers don't want us mature, athletic bodied men to wear their hip hugger clothing. Besides I would have to trim my hair and shave the mustache off. The long hair is a new look, but the mustache has been around a long time and I would hate to part with it for the sake of a new look.

I will sit and enjoy a cocktail at sidewalk cafes, but it will be in the clothing I am comfortable in. Come and join me, and I might even buy the first round.

LET THE VOTING BEGIN

2008-05-15T13:33:00.000-07:00

Being on the other side of the pond I have quickly adapted to this life style of sitting at sidewalk cafes as I sip my amber brew and watch the world go by. In doing so I decided to get the Continental look. So I ask the two readers I have of this post to help me select the look that would best fit me. And if a stray reader should happen to stumble upon this space, your vote would be appreciated also. Try and keep the laughter down to a minimum, that means you Whitey and Fozzy.

Number 1

Number 2

Number 3

Numbers 4,5,6, or 7 ?

Accessories to include pointy toed Italian loafers with no socks, a fashionably draped scarf around the neck, and the large buckled color coordinated belt.

COLONEL SANDERS STRIKES AGAIN

2008-05-01T18:05:00.000-07:00

Two things I enjoy about the spring is the return of my hummingbirds and waiting for the brood of geese to hatch and to watch them float around my pond.

Two weeks ago the hummingbirds did return and the two geese were floating on the pond with four goslings in tow who had just recently hatched.

Enter Colonel Sanders, the Darth Vader of the poultry world, and his quest for corporate profits and unending quest to meet or surpass earning expectations. A family unit is disseminated as four young lives are snuffed out, leaving Mother Goose and her mate to mourn their loss.

A multitude of kids and grand kids will miss seeing these goslings as they float around the pond until they reach maturity and fly off to destinations unknown. Joe C who comments on my posts at times, will probably blame it on some colossal squid, that he is trying to convince me is inhabiting my pond. The rest of us know better.

Doesn't matter if it's regular or crispy, the next time you bite into that piece of chicken, ask yourself, could it be one of Pete's geese your chomping on?

TWO MORE WEEKS

2008-04-28T17:22:00.000-07:00

Just two more weeks and I will spend a week in the land of my birth, and a few days on the emerald island.

A cousin is getting married in the town I was born in, a few short years ago. It's Vilkaviskis, Lithuania where some of the fiercest fighting occurred between the Germans and Russians during WWII. I was only 1 year old when my father packed all of our earthly possessions that he could in a baby buggy and buried the rest as we set out for parts unknown with my 5 year old brother and mother in tow.

I do have fond memories of growing up in displaced person,s camps in Germany before our trip to the country whose streets were paved with gold.

It was quite an adventure when I returned there two years ago for the first time in sixty years. I got to see a house my father and his brothers built before the war. The greatest thrill of all was hearing stories told about my father. My father has always been larger then life in my eyes, and I marveled at the stories that are still told about him. I found it hard to believe how such a quiet and simple man made such an impact on so many lives.

Then it's a stop in Ireland for a few days before returning home. I am glad that I got to see it a few years ago with my wife. She gave me a tour of a land where time and people move at a leisurely pace. The old Ireland that is slowly fading as the economy rises and the old ways disappear. The yuppie latte and wine sipping crowd is causing an old main stay of Ireland, the pub, to fall by the wayside.

As you can see I will be enjoying myself in two short weeks.

HUMMING BIRDS

2008-04-20T16:59:00.000-07:00

All is well with the world on Sunday the 20th at 11:40 AM as I glance out my picture window here in Central Illinois and see the long awaited return of my first Humming Bird. It always amazes me, how such a small creature, can bring so much joy.

But then again those eight little munchkins I call my grand kids, always know how to melt this old grizzly guys heart.

JUST THE FACTS....

2008-04-19T08:32:00.000-07:00

I was listening to a talk radio show the other day. The hostess of the show had three callers on line to get their opinion about an article she was going to read from the New York Times. It was in regards to how our economic ship has sprung leaks, and was listing to the side. According to the article the rate of delinquency in loan payments was the highest since 1992. This included auto, home and credit card payments.

She asked the callers to guess what they thought the percentage of these delinquencies were. The numbers ranged from 35% to 60%. Not being an alarmist and wanting to play the game my guess was in the 15 to 20 percent range; because of all the recent headlines.

The facts? To mine and the callers' surprise, this outlandish number was 2.7% versus the 2.5% in 1992. We all know that each year some people lose their homes due to foreclosures. So what are the other facts? How many more is it now than before? Is it really a crisis or just a way of selling papers, making headlines and manipulating the market?

The same goes with this "housing crisis". Is there a slow down in the demand for homes, or did the builders over construct and outpace the demand for these homes? What are the facts?

Just give me the facts and let me decide. I don't want all these experts with their million and one opinions deciding for me. They are at best wrong, or at worst opining with a hidden agenda.

And what about all those lead- based painted toys? How much is harmful? As kids we chewed on lead pencils and played with lead soldiers. How about the mercury in our seafood? We also enjoyed breaking open thermometers and playing with the mercury; watching it as we rolled it from hand to hand. I and the rest of my generation have survived, and have led somewhat normal lives, even tho we indulged, by today's standards, in these horrific, life-threatening activities.

What are the facts about these dangers? Deaths, illness, stomach flu?????

Kids survived roaming freely in the back seats of cars as they played and bounced around. Now they are restrained and encased more securely then astronauts going into space. Is it one child that died, or was there carnage on our highways? What has been the benefit in restraining the kids versus the risk of self-limiting the number of kids per family by the size of your car?

So enough of these headlines! Gives us real facts, and let us decipher what is really going on. We have been so conditioned to reacting to those breaking news stories, many of us have forgotten how to think and just let others make all the decisions for us. Or at least "the others" think we have forgotten how to.

Just the facts, mam.....

THE ULTIMATE STUPID QUESTION???????

2008-04-15T11:44:00.000-07:00

I have been listening to the many pundits trying to explain what Barack Obama really meant in this latest furor over his remarks about Rural America.

According to them, all he was saying is that those living in rural areas are not as well educated, since most had not attended college and are not atuned with the rest of the country.

My stupid question is, aren't these well educated, Ivy League whiz kids the ones that have gotten us into this war as well as most wars in the past? The same ones that have gotten us into this financial mess we are in now, as well as dozen more things that ail this country?

In my view, it should be these gun toting, bible thumping, uneducated hicks who should be looking down their noses at the well heeled elitists who have gotten us into this mess.

A NOT SO UNTRUE FAIRY TALE

2008-04-05T05:39:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time, a big CEO decided to lay off several thousand employees. The market mavens were thrilled as the immediate cost of doing business decreased and thus the price of the stock skyrocketed. The CEO was reward with higher compensation and large bonuses.

Seeing this, the other whiz kids of industry followed suit and also laid off workers. They all watched their stock prices rise and a new craze of down-sizing ran the gamut. Everyone was happy except those unemployed workers. Whatever, they had nothing to lose anyway.

With the flow of income interrupted, these (foolish) laid off workers stopped consuming the products they once purchased. Although the profits continued, they were not at the level the CEOs expexted... HORRORS!!! However, instead of riding out these hard times and finding creative ways to keep people employed so they keep on purchasing; these brain dead wonders go back to the tried and true formula of downsizing again. Heaven forbid a quarter should go by where double digit profits did not occur.

With so many unemployed, the "Morons of Madison Avenue" can't figure out why the economy is slowing down; why people are not spending like they had been.

Hey dummy read my lips "unemployed workers don't have any money to spend". Try hiring some of them back and see the economy improve.

And to think I didn't charge a large consulting fee for this simple solution to such an overwhelming problem.

A SONG AND A DANCE

2008-04-03T09:04:00.000-07:00

When will the American public wake up. On a daily basis we hear congress is holding another hearing. Pick a topic and they will hold a hearing. Oil executives are quizzed about obscene profits, CEO's and their excessive salary's, as well as the faith of the economy.

They try to outdo each other with their indignation and fanciful oratory. Yet at the end of the day, nothing changes and things remain the same; as oil and gas prices climb, the executive packages keep rising and the economy is taking a dump.

So we get the old song of "We are working to fix things", while they are dancing to the tune of "Cash registers ringing" as they fill their pockets and empty ours.

HERE COME THE VULTURES

2008-03-24T15:59:00.000-07:00

The assets of millions of Americans were devoured by the large banking system. Greed at its finest preyed on people's dreams of owning a home. New types of loans were created weekly to ensure no victim would escape these predators.

Every gambit was used to lure the unsuspecting victims. A few made millions in profits, while millions will be losing everything. Even the many on the sidelines, that played by the rules, have seen the value of their homes drop in value, in order that the few could enjoy tidy bonuses.

As if that wasn't bad enough, the vultures are circling over head and picking the bones clean of these victims. Hopes were raised, that homes would be saved; only to be dashed, as what little money these people had was sucked up by these vultures, and the homes pulled out from under them. The vultures on the other hand are a protected species.

Where are all these agencies that are supposed to protect these unsuspecting souls? If we can throw yachts to save the drowning bankers, can't we at least throw inflatable vests to save the rest?

BUYER BEWARE

2008-03-19T11:37:00.000-07:00

I have some news for all of those that keep talking about what a great orator Barack Obama is and how inspirational his speeches are.

I guess that is how most of the people felt about the lenders who had them sign up for all the low prime, no down payment and interest only loans to buy a home. Those lenders must have sounded fantastic to get so many to sign up. And now we can see the financial mess this country is in, after falling for all those fancy promises of owning homes, they couldn't afford.

And what is the common response we hear from those that have been taken to the cleaners by a con man? He looked and sounded so good, we can't believe he cheated us out of our life's savings.

DUCK DUCK GOOSE

2008-03-15T19:14:00.000-07:00

I watched all day as a power struggle ensued over territorial rights of our pond. No weapons of mass destruction, no beating of war drums. Nor was there any vocal oratory from either side. No military complex was brought up to full capacity. No Haliburton representative was in sight to profit from another conflict. Even the news media were caught off guard with their resources severely strained. All their equipment were deployed, as Paris, Brittaney and Lindsy struck on the same day. Nor was the peace and quiet disturbed by politicians from either side debating whether to finance this fracas or not.

The combatants in today's battle were a newly arrived pair of mallard ducks; a male and female dressed in full color so as to distinguish the sexes. On the other side were two Canadian geese, whose sex could not be determined, due to their drab dress. But I do believe they are a male and female, since in the past five years they have produced an armada of goslings that patrolled our lake and pond.

The female mallard was clearly the aggressor as she bravely swam into the face of the enemy which was noticeably larger then she. Menacingly, not far behind, the male was there to enter the fray if hostilities escalated. This swift and silent attack into the face of a far superior force, left the geese in disarray with no choice but to retreat to the safety of the slopes above the pond.

For the rest of the day the mallards kept a wary eye on the enemy, as they inspected their newly won territory. To my great joy, I was left to dine at a local fish fry instead of having roast duck or a suckling goose.

Not all wars have casualties.

JUST ANOTHER STUPID QUESTION

2008-03-15T08:51:00.000-07:00

Every time I hear someone defending excessive CEO pay and perks, I hear the same old tried and true refrain. "To get the best and brightest CEOs, we have to lure them with high salaries and big compensation packages".

So boys and girls, here is my stupid question of the day. Since we are paying them these absurd amounts of money, and supposedly they are the best of the best; why then are so many corporations losing billions of dollars and our economy is taking a dump?

I do believe they are so busy sitting on each others boards, raising each others pay packages, there is very little money or time left to do what they were hired for.

The same also holds true for government workers and athletes. As pay scales go up, service and performance seem to wane.

Let's try something different. Drop salaries drastically, and watch our economy rebound while services and performances increase. Bring them back to the real world, and have them live like the rest of us.

ASS KISSERS

2008-03-13T16:34:00.000-07:00

Did you ever wonder why our congress never gets anything done, and why so many things die once they are sent to committee for further review?

Wonder no more. I have solved this little dilemma while watching our so called elected leaders in action as they probed steroid use in baseball. It was no different when questioning CEO's about excessive salaries, or increasing H1B visas where Bill Gates was the star witness.

They used up most of their allotted time ass kissing and acting like star struck groupies with the array of ball players and over payed execs. So grow up and get your lips off of those pampered asses, and do the job you were elected to do. Go to a rock concert if you want to swoon and drool.

WHERE IS THE PLAYGROUND MONITOR

2008-03-07T12:11:00.000-08:00

I would love to see the playground monitor, step forward, and tell the three candidates to leave the playground and stop playing, "I want to be president". They need to grow up, and quit acting like spoiled kids. As a matter of fact we should write a note to their parents to keep them home until they can act like grownups. Better yet, tell them all we will just find someone to replace them; someone who will act like they are running for president.

No more comedy shows, yelling sprees or crying jags; you're running for president, not comedian of the year.

Stop the hand clapping, slogans and cheers; this isn't a high school pep rally. It may work with the clueless, but not with me.

Stop this insane fund raising. It isn't who has the most marbles that will make the best president.

Stop this childish, he said/she said. I'm no fool, and I know that all "snippets" are well planned and thought out blurbs meant to get out into the media; no matter how much you deny it or apologize for it. You will do anything to have the media go into a feeding frenzy.

Until I can pay my bills or purchase something with it, stop with all this hope and inspiration. If I want that, I will go to church.

If you're going to pitch all this bullshit, have the courtesy of buying me some hip waders.

There are a thousand and one things, that are going wrong with this country. I don't want fancy oratory, but rather solutions to these problems.

There is more to fear on our streets then guys wearing towels wrapped around their heads. None of you have even come close to addressing these problems.

It's easy to talk about lost jobs, when you have some of the best paying jobs in the world, with benefits galore. Talk to me about health benefits, when you have the same coverage as I do; talk to me about senior citizens when you have the same pension and social security as I do; and not the coverage for life, that congress has.

I'm not voting for you to make history, no matter what color or gender you are, if your not going to put this country's interests before your own.

Five year olds act with more maturity, then our candidates.... and we wonder why we are the laughing stock of the world.

I HAVE SOLVED THE ENERGY PROBLEM

2008-02-26T11:26:00.000-08:00

I have a solution that would not only solve the energy problem, but would also decrease the trade imbalance plaguing this nation. I may even be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, thanks to this brilliant plan.

All we have to do is convert our oil and natural gas guzzling autos and factories to use methane gas. Since there is an ever increasing number of mega hog and cattle farms, the supply would be plentiful and endless.

The genius of my plan, is that there will always be an abundant supply, as well as large quantities for export; since the USA has one of the largest methane reserves in the world.

And where is this reserve located, you may ask yourself. None other then Washington D.C. With all the shit they shovel each day, we would have a never ending supply. The best part of my plan is that every time there is a national election, the supplies would go up, and we could all get a rebate check as we sell this overabundance of shit to foreign nations, to power their economies.

And if world wide demand began to increase, we could fall back on our reserves, and utilize the same shit from our local, county and state legislators.

The plan also helps in protecting this planet. There would no longer be pollution from fossil fuels, and a way of disposing this over abundance of shit, that is now building up. The icing on the cake would be the joy you experience as you watch the big oil companies fall like dominoes each quarter, rather than reporting obscene profits.

BARACK OBAMA

2008-02-20T18:15:00.000-08:00

I am a firm believer in the old adage. if it's to good to be true, it isn't. So when it comes to Barack Obama, I don't instinctivly fall on the sword, and blindly follow him.

I can understand, the millions who fall for his praise the lord and pass the collection plate rethoric. It's easy to get enthusiastic in a crowd, as hand clapping and chanting, drown out what is really said.

A million promises made, with no guarantees, that any will be fofilled. All these slogans, won't repair the economy, or end the war.

One question keeps bothering me, as I listen to him speak about cleaning up the old ways of doing buisness in Washington. The old ways have got to go, according to him. So why is it that these, merchants of menace, that he is going to sweep out of Washington, so hell bent on supporting him?

Could it be, that he is selling his soul to the devil, just to make his mark on history?

AM I CRAZY OR WHAT?????

2008-02-08T12:37:00.000-08:00

I'm not one of those conspiracy nuts. I don't wrap myself in aluminum foil, so the governament can't get at my thoughts. Nor do I think the boogey man is lurking under my bed or in the closet to get me. Tho at times, I do talk back to those strange voices in my head.

But of late, I have begun to wonder and question, why is it that every time oil falls below $90 a barrel; and gasoline below $3 a gallon, we always seem to have a mysterious refinery fire, or incident to drive those prices back up.

Since big oil wouldn't do something like that, I guess I will slip into that designer jacket, that the men in white coats are holding up.

BATTERIES NOT INCLUDED

2008-02-05T20:26:00.000-08:00

It’s bad enough that the mental midgets now being hired as police are given uniforms and guns; but now police departments have begun issuing them new toys to play with. Just as problems arise when kids are left unsupervised while they play, problems arise with the “new police” as they abuse these new toys. As a retired police officer I shudder at the thought that many departments issue these toys for all to enjoy without supervision or consequences.

Some of the abuse incidents hit the news, but many go unreported.

One of the toys I am referring to are the new taser guns. How these juvenile delinquents do love to use them. Someone I know was a recent recipient, of not one, but two bursts from this new toy. After reading the police report, I shook my head in disbelief.

Instead of an arrest being made and charges approved, these so called police officers should have been taken out to the shed, spanked, their uniforms taken away, and then told they could never play policeman again.

There were a total of four officers on the scene. If four of them couldn’t handle a simple domestic disturbance involving an average sized male; they have no business handling these new toys. They should not be in their possession. The taser only helps escalate a situation.

Even at our advanced ages, my partner Whitey and I could handle most situations in which these new toys have been used with common sense and verbal confusion. This new breed should be treated like the Barney Fifes they are; give them guns without bullets and tasers without batteries.

SUPER TUESDAY

2008-02-01T16:51:00.000-08:00

A gentle reminder for those amongst us that are not the sharpest tacks on the bulletin board:

If you reside in a state that will be voting this coming tuesday; it will not be to determine who survives till next week on American Idol. Rather you will be determining who could possibly be the president of your country for the next four years.

ENOUGH OF DREAMS AND FAIRY TALES

2008-01-31T08:21:00.000-08:00

Now that the Kennedy's have endorsed Barack Obama, and anointed him as the second coming of JFK, do we really want and need another Kennedy look alike?

Many are comparing the two coming from the same mold. No experience and great orators. Having lived through those years, my visions of history, differ quite diffrently from those that portray this era as the time of milk and honey.

The Bay of Pigs, escalation of the Vietnam war, Berlin Wall and how close we came to a nuclear war, always seem forgotten.

Rather we are fed a steady diet, of what is now refered to as the first and only American Royal Family. Yes it was Camelot, as the masses relished in watching the Kennedy clan frolic with the rich and famous. It was a great time for THEM.

I along with millions of other American citizens, must of had those invitations, lost in the mail. You know the ones, promising us a full share of these American dreams. Salaries, that would ensure only one spouse working, a college education for our kids and not worrying about catastrophic medical bills.

Slogans and chants, along with hand clapping might get the morons all enthusiastic. But there are some of us that can think, and want more then all this well packaged bullshit. No wonder the politicians have that patented smile; it keeps them from a full blown laugh at how easily the garbage they feed us is swallowed.

SOMETHING TO PONDER

2008-01-26T10:30:00.000-08:00

In our two party system, we are told the well heeled tend to lean toward the Republican party, while the downtrodden masses favor the Democrats.

The Democrats tell us how the other side panders to the rich, while ignoring the poor. If they didn't, they would lose their base and flounder as a party.

The Republicans tell us how the other side panders to big government, stealing the money from the elite. If they didn't, they would lose their base and flounder as a party.

It appears the Democrats promise to raise our lot in life; providing better education and higher paying jobs, the Garden of Eden for all. If they keep their promises, would we then all need to turn to the Republicans; to sustain this new found lifestyle?

So maybe there is a method to the madness, as the rich get richer, and the poor get poorer. We sustain the two party system.

STIMULUS PACKAGE

2008-01-24T16:20:00.000-08:00

I love getting money, even when it is my own, from the government. But I am totally against this quick fix solution, that is being hailed by everyone as a godsend to fix our ailing economy.

There are many people out there, that can use it desperately. But how many will use it wisely and pay down debt, or better yet save it for a rainy day. I'm afraid that quite a few will treat it as a gift, and spend far more then they receive; putting them in further debt.

The only ones to benefit from this joke being foisted on the public, are the mismanaged big corporations, and the politicians.

If the politicians really want to fix this economy, hold meaningful investigations; then close all the loop holes that allowed all this predatory lending, leading us into this mess. Finally instead of looking for ways to bail them out, start prosecuting, and send them off to jail, where they belong.

ATTORNEYS OR THIEVES?????

2008-01-23T16:00:00.000-08:00

I was just notified, that as a settlement of a class action law suit, I am entitled to part of it. Visions of yachts, massive estates, and Ferrari's danced through my head. I finally hit the jackpot.

I will not keep you in suspense, and will divulge my massive refund, that will propel me into a higher income tax bracket. I'm just glad that I will get it in one lump sum, instead of structured payments. I just hope I live long enough to spend the grand total of 25 dollars.

Yes, 25 dollars, is my share of a 336 million dollar settlement against the major credit card companies in a currency conversion fee lawsuit, incurred while traveling overseas.

No big deal you may say. But the following numbers I will present, is what is wrong with this country and needs to be fixed.

Those ever popular attorneys, will make out like bandits. Visa and Master Card have agreed to pay them almost 36 million in fees and expenses. Quite a hefty sum, and most people would be quite satisfied with this total. But lets not forget we are dealing with lawyers.

From this settlement a total of 23 million will be taken for expenses for administrating this fund, and of course, we have to add interest to the fees they will be receiving for litigating this law suit.

Yes boys and girls, there is more. They are requesting 27.5% of the remaining 313 million in the fund for investigating, litigating and resolving the case. Not to look greedy, they are asking for reimbursement of expenses, NOT to exceed 5 million.

I will not be to fast in spending my windfall. Knowing lawyers, they will find a way, to get a part of it also.

HOT AND COLD

2008-01-21T07:28:00.000-08:00

As far back as I can remember, there have always been some very hot days during the summer, and bone chilling days in winter. Back in my youth no one gave a second thought to this phenomena.

It was common knowledge, what we had to do to stay cool or warm, after hearing the weather forecast. If not, a mother was always around, to make sure we would survive the heat or cold.When it was hot, people spent most of their time outdoors, drinking cooling liquids, opening windows, and turning on fans to create a breeze.

On the other hand, during the winter we dressed warmly, had hot soup and turned up the thermostat. People survived, and weren't dropping by the thousands.

A few short years ago, mass hysteria began to set in once the temperature hit 90 or above, as well as dipping down to the single digits. News headlines began blaring of doom and gloom. Thousands of reporters brave the elements to give us a blow by blow description, with every rise or dip of a degree in temperature. City officials, experts and doctors all have their say, on how to survive a climatic disaster.

A forecast of an inch or two of snow and store shelves are stripped bare of food, clothing and snow removal paraphernalia. People are interviewed, about how they will survive this catastrophic event. Families tell stories about how they fear they will starve before stores are restocked, in a day or two. Schools are closed, and a hundred and one experts telling us how to keep the children entertained during this one day hiatus, to be sure they are not traumatized for life.

During a hot spell, we are told of global warming, while the next ice age is around the corner, with a few days below zero.

There are some really good things about living in the good old days, when people were able to think for themselves and act accordingly.

NONE OF THE ABOVE

2008-01-15T16:26:00.000-08:00

I am willing to wager a few dollars that if NONE OF THE ABOVE was a choice on ballots in the primaries; the voter turn out would be enormous. People would finally have a voice, being able to choose candidates they prefer. Not the ones with the most money, or anointed by the news media.

AT ONE TIME

2008-01-12T08:13:00.000-08:00

Why is it I am less informed now that we have three 24 hour a day news stations, and countless sports networks? Casts of thousands on our sports and news networks give us less information now, then when a total of three kept us fully informed on local and national news, as well as weather and sports in a mind boggling time of thirty minutes.

Do I really need to know every fifteen minutes about the latest antics of Britney or Lindsey, or that Hillary cried, Barack walked on water, or about that haircut that cost $400? Every story is then followed by consultants, advisers, experts, editors, contributors and a flock more to explain what we are apparently too limited to understand.

Every sensational news story, now needs a news conference as well as commentaries from anyone that had at least a minute contact with the person or lived within a fifty mile radius. Now even the kindergarten teachers are being asked for their opinions.

Additionally, all of us at one time or another have spent a day outdoors when it was quite windy; so we don't need weathermen standing outside in a middle of a hurricane to demonstrate the strength of the wind.

And do we need all these ex jocks spewing their same old drivel week in and out? They dress like Bubbles The Clown, trying to out loud each other with their clothes, rather then concentrating on what they are paid for.

And what about the debacle in New Hampshire. Instead of just admitting they were wrong, suddenly sexism, racism and any other ism were suddenly thrust into the lime light to absolve them of any blame.

So in reality we are just getting buried with bull rather then informed. Perhaps a blast from the past needs to make a come back once more.

IS THERE A DOCTOR IN THE HOUSE????

2008-01-02T06:10:00.000-08:00

My wife will never realize how proud I am of her in attaining her DOCTORATE IN NURSING. She worked long and hard for the past year and a half. She stayed up late many a night and labored hard on weekends to reach her goal.

So here is a toast to a great wife, mother, grandmother, nurse and finally a doctor. We are all so proud of you.

FOZZY BEAR'S BAR & GRILL

2007-12-29T09:21:00.001-08:00

It has become a tradition for me to make the trek to Fozzy Bear's Bar & Grill every Christmas Eve . It's a modest place on the South side of Chicago, and I have known the proprietor of the establishment for quite a few years now.

On Christmas Eve he dons many a hat, as host, chef and mixologist. His trademark breaded shrimp and fish I look forward to all year, to savor, along with his world renown Italian sausage. Chefs the world over would kill to get his recipe, for those shrimp. And I even get to tote some home, guarding them with my life. Fearing for their safety, I end up devouring most of them on the way home.

As for pouring drinks; the man has no equal. He knows the perfect combination of water to Scotch. He is the most skilled of all, in pouring this fine elixir of the gods.

It would have been a perfect evening of food, drink and fine companionship. There was only one thing missing. That was Scooter and his patented laugh, that lights up a room whenever he enters. We both missed him, and we silently toasted to his health.

Don't ask me for directions, to find this bar & grill. It's only open one night a year; and is by invitation only.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

2007-12-24T09:55:00.000-08:00

One fantastic wife
Six wonderful kids
Eight outstanding grand kids plus one in the oven
A couple of great friends and a wonderful family
Numerous acquaintances
Forty acres of pure heaven in Central Illinois
Lets not forget the half full bottle of MACALLAN 18year old Scotch to warm the insides

With all this bounty, there is nothing that little fat guy in a red suit can bring me to top it, except maybe another full bottle of those aged spirits. So, to all a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year.

LETS GET RID OF MOMMIES

2007-12-18T07:06:00.000-08:00

I am all for getting rid of this new breed of mommies, and bringing back the good old fashioned Mom. You know what I am talking about. These micro managing, over informed, I know what's best for my kids mom's, instead of the old fashioned mom who was there only when you needed her.

Everyone is on the edge of their seats, wondering, what got the old goat's dander up this time. I wont keep you in suspense. It's these health crazed mommies, who want to destroy their kids school Christmas parties; by serving health foods, instead of the decadent cupcakes and cookies.

Cupcakes and cookies are being replaced with wheat bread, iced with low -fat cream cheese and decorated with sliced veggies, such as shredded carrots, mini broccoli or cut up red peppers. I can just see the kids jumping up and down with glee at seeing all that nutrition they will be gobbling up. The fun is being taken out of parties, over worry about ever expanding waist lines. But your the same idiots that were for banning tag from school lots, where kids burned off those calories by chasing each other around.

You enjoyed stuffing your face with all those goodies, so why deprive your kids of the same joy. So screw all of these nutritionists. As a matter of fact, the more of these people that appear on the scene, with all their facts and figures, the fatter we get.

GOING BACK IN TIME

2007-12-12T03:16:00.000-08:00

I can remember a time gone by, when adults would gather on front porches and talk to one another; and as the children played, everyone enjoyed the outdoors. Neighbors knew one another by their first names.

In those days people parked on the street and would greet their neighbors as they parked their cars and walked into the house. Now with side drives and garage door openers, people pull in and walk directly into the house, not even knowing who lives next door.

Not to long ago, people would lean on chain link fences and converse with one another in the back yard. Then privacy became the big issue, and a war ensued to see who could build the bigger and more secure fence; to isolate us from one another.

Kids were able to play outside, since there was always a watchful eye to see that they were safe from any predators and themselves.

At one time you enjoyed the company of your neighbors, and their stories. They were always more then willing to give you a helping hand with your kids, or to fix something around the house.

We discarded these people, and now give our undivided attention to Oprah, Judge Judy and alike. Call one of them and see if they will keep an eye on your kids for an hour or two as you run some errands.

So the next time you see your neighbor, say hello. Start a trend, and who knows, your neighborhood may be as exciting, if not more so, then the one on Desperate Housewives.

POLITICS 101

2007-12-09T17:47:00.000-08:00

I know there is going to be an election in November of 2008. Now, however, with the entry of Oprah and rock bands in the Obama campaign this weekend, it begs the question; are we going to vote for a president, or the next American Idol?

The media does refer to him as a rock star, rather then a presidential hopeful. As a result, issues have taken a back seat to glitz and glimmer. The corn in Iowa will grow twenty feet tall with the amount of bull shit that has been spread around the state for all these months.

I have yet to see Obama take a stand on any real issue. From the many sound bites from him and his supporters; I gather that I should be taking guitar lessons. It seems the message is that once he is elected, we will all sit around large camp fires, singing Kumbya My Lord, roasting marshmallows, and```` all our problems will be solved.

EDUCATION

2007-12-05T16:18:00.000-08:00

Two news stories in the past week really struck me. Tho they were unrelated, they both showed where our priorities are when it comes to education.

The first was on Bryant Gumbel's Real Sports. It was a story of an alumni, Boone Pickens a Texas oil billionaire. It seems that he has donated $165 million dollars to Oklahoma State University. Every one of those dollars going toward the state of the art athletic facilities and the improvement of the football stadium; so that the best football talent would be drawn to the university.

The other was a short news item on a radio station, that we now rank 23rd in the world, when it comes to math and science.

We constantly read stories of school districts, cutting educational programs, for lack of funding. But funds are always readily available for athletic programs. Students are short changed, while athletes are treated to first rate facilities.

Teachers pinch pennies, to survive, with the meager wages they receive. Yet multi million dollar contracts for coaches are the norm.

Page upon page is devoted to athletic endeavors in our daily papers. But academic achievements are relegated to a line or two on the obituary page.

As long as the football and basketball teams are winning, who cares if Johnny can't read or write. No wonder the world is passing us up, and the only jobs Johnny is qualified for are flipping burgers and those ever popular high paying Wal-Mart jobs.

FAHRENHEIT 451

2007-12-03T14:31:00.000-08:00

Sometime back, while browsing through the many sections of a book store, and as the title of this post would indicate; a book I once enjoyed came to mind. I began hoping for a big bonfire; fueled by many of the books around me . No, I am not advocating any form of censorship. All I am trying to do is save a few trees, and eliminate these mega book stores.

The first to go would be all those diet books, which raise a false hope in millions of people. The only thing they ever seem to lose by purchasing these books is their money. I compare the writers of these books to the old medicine peddlers, from years gone by; as they sold bottles of their magic elixir to an unsuspecting public.

Next would be all those cook books. This new trend for everyone with a cute gimmick is to write a cook book. We can't pronounce the names of most of the ingredients, much less have them around the kitchen. That well worn, red covered Betty Crocker book has everything you need to know; besides anything cooked from that book is guaranteed to be eaten.

The expose' or tell all books would follow. If you are such a sleaze, and bite the hand that once fed you; how can you be trusted in anything you have to say. Enough said on these books.

In the next episode we will continue to build this bonfire, as we bring the book store back to its normal size; a place that serious book enthusiasts can once more enjoy.

HEY STUPID! IT'S MY MONEY YOUR SPENDING

2007-12-03T07:41:00.000-08:00

I don't know about anybody else, but I am getting mighty pissed at all the politicians from local to federal; like vultures, picking my bones clean. They have forgotten, that they are elected officials, and not royalty.

Hey elected official....

Those are "My" tax dollars, and not yours. These dollars were intended to provide you with an equitable salary and benefits. The rest was to provide services for us, the tax paying public.

In the past I didn't mind your skimming a few dollars off the top to enhance your life style, and that of a few friends. But now as time goes on, you have gotten greedy. No longer is it a dollar here, a dollar there; now its just back up the dump truck and load it up.

What got his dander up, you may wonder? Relax and I will tell you. These past few months the mayor and president of the county board have been crying poor mouth, and finding new ways to fleece us. Taxes upon taxes are charged in order to hire friends and family at exorbitant salaries, for do nothing jobs, with do nothing employees.

I am ready to march on city hall and all the other bastions, after reading an article in the local paper. The interim police superintendent will retire in January with a $130,000 a year pension, and, after retiring, will be handed a $100,000 plus a year job as a head of some Human Relations commission. He is not the first; just the latest of an ever growing list of jobs created to waste my tax dollars.

This double and triple dipping has got to stop! If you can't get by on that meager pension, GET A REAL JOB, and don't sponge off my hard earned dollars.

TELEPHONE

2007-11-28T16:21:00.000-08:00

Alexander Bell labored long and hard to invent a contraption to convey voices over great distances. Note the key word voices. So why do we abuse his invention by using it as a teletype machine and send text messages.

Isn't it easier to call and simply converse and get an an immediate response, instead of waiting for another text message reply?

If I want to read something, I will pick up a book or newspaper and not my phone; and when I do, I will be talking, and using it as it was intended.

THERE SHOULD BE A LAW

2007-11-26T17:53:00.000-08:00

There should be a law enacted that if you are influenced to vote for a candidate because of Oprah's endorsment; you are automaticaly labeled a moron, and are never again allowed to vote.

BANK ROBBERIES

2007-11-26T06:58:00.000-08:00

I was just wondering. Why is it, when someone robs a bank, everyone is up in arms to capture the culprit? Local and federal law enforcement agencies go into over drive to ensure that he be taken off the streets and incarcerated for as long as possible. They loose nothing, since they are covered by insurance.

But when banks, trough creative financing laws, rob millions of people of their life savings and homes; to ensure huge profits, nary a peep is heard about this injustice. The thing we do hear, is how are we going to help the banks out of the mess that they have created.

So I guess the old adage is true. "THE PEN IS MIGHTIER, THEN THE SWORD".

REWARD FOR FAILURE

2007-11-21T05:58:00.000-08:00

Once again it is bonus time on Wall Street. And again the rich get richer, and the poor get poorer. Even tho the bonuses were excessive last year, I could in part understand them, since investors also made some gains.

This years bonuses will total 38 billion dollars, even tho investors will end up loosing over 74 billion dollars. Rewards for incompetence have become the trend. One CEO after another was reward with multi million dollar severance packages, after driving their companies into near ruin. We sit back and do nothing. Yet we allowed them to scream and holler, and do everything in their power, to try and keep the minimum wage down.

We are chastised by sports announcers for booing, when over paid athletes give half hearted performances. How dare we complain when they strike out or drop a ball. We hurt their feelings. For the amount of money they make, the should never strike out or drop that ball. I am quite willing to be booed, and for a quite less amount of money. Even tho we do get lack luster performances, the stands are filled and products purchased in support of them.

If we fail to live up to expectations at our work place we are fired. We walk away empty handed without a peep. They fail, and are rewarded, as they are chauffeured by limousine to another company or team that is willing to spend more millions to reward them for their failure.

WHY CAN'T WE HAVE LEADERS LIKE THAT???

2007-11-14T14:47:00.000-08:00

Two different nations, but one single goal. Dubai an oil rich nation, is planning ahead, and Norway who also has struck it rich with oil in the North sea is following suit.

Leaders of both nations know that eventually these oil assets will run dry. Dubai is investing the money in construction, to make it a world class resort area, which will attract tourists from around the globe, ensuring a money flow into its economy for years to come.

Norway on the other hand, takes part of the money and provides for better education and health care for its citizens. They have also set up a fund to ensure that future generations will be able to benefit from the oil profits.

And what do our leaders do, besides stuff their own pockets? Speeches and promises. They promise us rose gardens, but all we ever seem to get is the thorns.

FEAR

2007-11-12T07:23:00.000-08:00

Just sit back and think about this small four lettered word, and how it has changed our lives. And sad to say, none for the better.

From the minute we wake up, government and big business makes sure that we are in a constant state of fear. It is used to control us, and to sap us of our hard earned money.

There is nothing sacred. We are made to fear everything. Stroll down a store aisle and pay close attention to the labels on most of the products. One food product is healthier for you then the next. Cleansing products deodorize and disinfect, and eliminate germs. Shampoos will do everything but comb your hair, as we fear those split ends and unruly hair. Let's not forget the fear of that dreaded body odor, and purchase all those sprays and roll ons. And that fear of someone smelling what we had for supper. Deodorize and disinfect the house.

What happened to mothers holding new born's in their arms and the rest of the kids unrestrained in the back seat of autos? They weren't dying by the thousands. But the fear mongers entered the picture, and we spend small fortunes to ensure their safety. We spend hours strapping and buckling them in for a ten minute trip. A simple game of tag, once played by millions of kids, eliminated for fear of someone getting hurt. A million and one products to ensure their safety, and yet they still manage to get sick and hurt.

Traveling was fun as we stopped at hotels and enjoyed a dip in the pool. The fear of drowning
either has eliminated these pools or turned them into places where only our ankles get wet.

Local governments have installed cameras and initiated road blocks, as they work the fear factor. Not for safety's sake, but rather to enrich the coffers. Our liberties are trampled on, and yet the streets aren't safer then they used to be.

And our federal government eliminates our civil rights one by one by waving that fear flag around. Not to make us safer, but to have better control over us.

We need to learn from football. A game that was once played with minimal protection, seemed to have less injuries. Now with the latest in technology to ensure safety, the injuries are more numerous and severe.

Look around and see if we are any safer? My wife puts it in the best perspective. "Look at what we are giving up for the illusion of safety"; or as President Roosevelt said, "we have nothing to fear, but fear itself".

LET THEM BE KIDS III

2007-11-11T06:53:00.000-08:00

I was enjoying the Sunday morning paper along with a good cup of coffee until I began to read the business section. There was a story about an Arizona based chain that will open in Urbana, Illinois; that will get dimwitted parents to part with their hard earned money.

And what was it that got my dander up so early in the morning? It was a story about a gym. Not an ordinary one, but "The Little Gym". It's for kids up to 12 years of age. It will focus on motor skills, agility, coordination and muscle development, as well as boosting confidence and social skills.

If it is in fact a chain, that means there is an endless supply of fools willing to part with their money. No expense will be spared in turning these tykes into Greek Gods.

Parents spend hundreds of dollars on electronic toys that keep kids sedintary and in the house. Now they will spend hundreds of dollars, as they transport them to get needed exercise.

Wouldn't it be a lot easier and cheaper, just to open the front door, boot them in the ass and have them try something kids have done for thousands of years? It's called playing outside. By doing so, they will develop all of those skills mentioned above on their own. Not only that, they will learn to laugh and enjoy themselves.

GLOBAL WARMING

2007-11-07T06:19:00.000-08:00

No more studies are needed, nor should people worry about global warming. I have researched this subject and have solved this dilemma.

It's all the methane gas released from the large quantities of daily bullshit we are fed by the sports and news media. For the past two or three weeks we were bombarded daily, on the game of the century, to be played between the Colts and Patriots. Led by two gods who walk on water, and one coach from heaven and the other from hell. This was supposed to be this years Super Bowl.

Except for a few minutes of excitement, the game of the century was just another game; already forgotten, awaiting the hype for the next week's game of the ages.

And so it is with our politicians; they shovel the shit making promises by the truck load to get elected; but once elected, we sit and wait for those promises to be fulfilled. Just like the girl who awaits the promised phone call after an amorous filled night; it never happens.

WHERE DID WE GO WRONG?????

2007-11-01T17:41:00.000-07:00

There are some mysteries in life and this happens to be one of them. I will use pseudonyms (eat your heart out La Sirena, I know some big words to) to protect the innocent. For my thirty plus years on the police department I worked with a great partner whom I will refer to as Whitey.

For the first eighteen years we worked together in what is referred to as a fast district. We learned quite a bit in those years about police work. Trough hard work and dedication we were promoted to be Evidence Technicians (CSI for the less informed).

We went to a new district and after some time, we were together again, working midnights. We alternated days being ET's, and on the alternate day we worked the desk, lockup or a beat car.
Then a young and naive officer (whom we will refer to as Dennis) transferred into our district and watch. The Captain, who was old and wise took pity on this lost soul. He asked us to take him under our wings, and impart some of our infinite wisdom on this lad.

We soon realized that he threw us a challenge, and as hard as the task was, we began to mold him like a piece of clay. The work was hard and tedious, but Whitey and I refused to fail. To our surprise Dennis started to become a fine officer under our tutelage.

Then he broke both of our hearts, as he informed us that he was going over to the dark side. He was going to become a Sargent. How could he do this to us. All that hard work, and he would be on managements side.

Needless to say we pondered hard and long, over both distilled and brewed beverages; using all our police expertise to solve this mystery, on where we went wrong.

TWO STUPID QUESTIONS FOR THE PRICE OF ONE

2007-11-01T17:02:00.001-07:00

If the two minute drill works so well before the half or end of the game; why don't the teams use it trough out the whole game?

On the other hand, the normal defense has worked all game, why go to the prevent defense which almost never works?

BRIDGES FOR SALE

2007-10-31T07:20:00.000-07:00

According to an MSNBC poll, on who won the Democratic debates, the results as of this morning were Obama 30%, Clinton 20% and Biden 18%.

I will be busy this morning printing up deeds for bridges, as well as swamp land that I will have no problem selling. I have such as vast list of idiots to choose from, seeing the results of the poll.

The two leaders of this poll should have been partners on Dancing With The Stars, since they would have won hands down; as they danced around at every question posed to them. After listening to those two, I for one wouldn't buy a used car from either one, much less vote for them to be president.

So to those who voted for these two, please call 1-800-111-1111. Operators are standing by, you wouldn't want to miss out on the prime lots or bridges. There are so many of you, they will be going fast.

LEMON ADE

2007-10-27T06:46:00.000-07:00

My father always looked on the bright side of things, something I fail miserably at times. I loved his view on why he never attempted to go trough an intersection whenever the light turned yellow, and he would always stop. Why follow all that traffic, when I can be the first one when the light turns green, and I have a free and clear road ahead.

One day I was looking at my pay check stub, after I had worked quite a bit of overtime. I complained to him how much they had taken out in taxes. He quickly burst my bubble. Why are you looking at the part your paying out, you have no control of that, rather look at how much more you are making and bringing home.

Then one day he was stopped by a policeman for making an improper turn. I implored him to plead his case that this was the first time in the neighborhood and he did not see the sign. With the policeman standing there and waiting to see his license. He simply stated, look how many times I probably broke the law and never got caught. So now I did, and it's time to pay the piper. I am way ahead of the game. Not in those words exactly, but rather in his broken English sort of way. The policeman after looking at his license, didn't have the heart to give someone that wise and honest a ticket.

Then their was the time I was wondering why he was taking the same road home from work, when on the previous day it was quite congested. He simply explained, that many of the frustrated and impatient drivers would look for alternate routes and that they would be fill the other routes. Needless to say he was right as we sailed along on a traffic free street.

So no matter how many lemons fell into my father's life he always managed to make lemon ade out of it. If the rest of us managed to look at life trough his eyes, we would have a wonder full life indeed.

HOW STUPID IS YOU

2007-10-24T19:23:00.000-07:00

When I applied to join the Chicago Police Department, the first step in the process was to take a test. After passing the test, a list was posted of those who passed it. Then as needed, people were called, and after passing a physical, you would enter the academy.

This was done for years before I entered and a few years afterward. Then those who couldn't pass the test, began to file civil suits. Every excuse imaginable was used. And our judicial system, and I use the term loosely, always sided with the complainants. Not only were they allowed to join the police department, in most cases, monetary compensation was awarded.

In it's infinitive wisdom, the police department initiated a new system. They now gather all the applicants in a large auditorium. Then someone from the higher echelon of the department enters the rear of the room, and yells out "hey moron". Those that turn around, are ushered into a separate room; where their names are taken, and they are placed on the list. All others are sent home, having failed the test.

On today's news there was a story of a policeman whose approximately 500 DUI cases will probably be overturned. His transgression was to by pass many of the procedures used in processing these defendants, while affirming that he followed them. This was done, while having not one, but two States Attorneys as ride alongs watching him work.

Not only did the attorneys file a complaint, they did so two years ago. Why has it taken so long for the police brass to act? It's because so many of them entered the department under the moron system.

WHEN WILL THIS INSANITY STOP???????

2007-10-23T10:51:00.000-07:00

The damage parents are doing to kids these days is total insanity. We see every Christmas, at what lengths they will go, to purchase the latest fad to hit the market, so that the precious bundle of joy, will not be disappointed.

And so it goes with the latest craze, as parents are paying anywhere from several hundred to several thousand for concert tickets to Hannah Montana. And how many of these parents can really afford to pay those prices?

Take my word for it, a simple NO will work. They may hold their breath and stomp their feet. But they will grow up to be normal if you use it often enough.

WHO IS RUNNING THE ASYLUM??????

2007-10-22T11:47:00.000-07:00

When will all this insanity stop or at least slow down? I am speaking of school authorities and their "Zero Tolerance". With each passing day you think that the pinnacle has been reached, only to find out that they are getting more outlandish. It seems common sense has been cast aside, to be replaced by sheer stupidity.

A student innocently packs a pairing knife with her lunch, to cut up items she was to consume at lunch. You would think she had a machete and was threatening the entire student body, as she is suspended from school.

Another passes an aspirin to a friend who is feeling ill. A dent in the drug war is made as she is treated as the head of a drug cartel and suspended.

Then on today's news a boy of about ten gets suspended for a crude drawing of someone holding a squirt gun. No signs of violence or dead bodies. Just a picture, drawn by school boys for ages.

Another story quickly followed the previous one. This one I could understand why they were suspended. It was a group of kindergarten kids who were playing Cops and Robbers. They made a serious mistake by choosing to use "Weapons of Mass Destruction". The weapons they chose to use were their FINGERS. Luckily no one was injured or killed from this hail of imaginary bullets flying around the playground. And many people wonder why the trend toward home schooling.

LET THEM BE KIDS II

2007-10-14T07:39:00.000-07:00

With Christmas fast approaching, kids are being told to start on their toy lists. Soon aunts and uncles, along with grandparents will be getting these lists.

In the past these wish lists were short and sweet. A doll, an inexpensive game, or a model plane to build. Now the lists need to be deciphered, with a thousand calls made to parents, so that the correct items are purchased. The prices of some of these toys exceed the military budgets of many countries.

Then the big day comes, as one expensive toy after another, with all the bells and whistles on it, are opened and cast into a huge waste pile; for many of these toys will only be touched to move them aside in search of others to play with. There is no interest in these toys after a few minutes, it was just to see how big the pile would be.

Then a tragedy occurs. One last present to open. It's from an old uncle or aunt living on a fixed income. The present is from the past, a small inexpensive, metal or wooden car or train. It was found in a trunk in the attic, or bought in a second hand store. Suddenly the child's eyes light up. It's a strange toy indeed. No bright colors, no lights and it doesn't make any noise at all. Last but not least, no batteries needed to propel this strange new toy.

Now it's the adults turn to be disappointed. Realizing the credit card bill will soon be in the mail and that toy laying in the pile will have to be paid for in instalments; while that simple toy gets all the undivided attention from all of the kids around.

Just watch the kids as they have fun with empty large boxes, or blankets draped over chairs. Let them float around in that magical land of let's pretend. Or would you rather have them in a zombie state as they sit and stare at a toy that robs them of all that is magical to be a child.

Give a child one of these new fan dangle toy that does a thousand and one things with a press of a button; and watch them get bored with it after a few minutes. But give them a simple large cardboard box, and they will play for days, or until it is finally destroyed from over use.

There is even a greater tragedy in all of this. By the time most of these kids reach five or six, they can rival Donald Trump with all the toys they have; that they don't play with.

LET THEM BE KIDS

2007-10-11T06:11:00.000-07:00

I had to watch my two granddaughters this past Tuesday, as my daughter had things to do that day. We conversed at how many mothers were shocked, that my daughter was letting her kids lead a normal childhood.

Mothers couldn't believe that the only organized activities that my four year old granddaughter participated in were a once a week dance class and an hour at the local library.The rest of the time was spent playing with her two year old sister.

It seems that your not a good parent these days, if your not enrolling your kid in a thousand and one organized activities from the day a child can walk. Mothers are driving the kids from one activity to the next. Organized sports started in seventh or eight grade when I was younger; now we even have races for kids that are crawling as mothers scream on the sidelines for their child to win.

Summers aren't for play anymore, as kids are sent off to specialized camps, to improve their skills. Not one camp, but rather dozens for whatever activity's they are in.

So it was a pleasure for me to watch kids at our annual Fall Frolic down on the farm. They were doing things that kids did in the past. That is running around and laughing. Chasing each other, letting their imaginations run wild. The only time their fun was ruined was when a parent interfered.

Pay close attention the next time your at your four or five year old baseball or basketball game. They are going to be the terrified ones standing around not knowing what to do. Your the one who will be yelling and screaming at him or her to run, catch, throw or shoot the ball. This is supposed to be fun for them, but is it, as they stand around like zombies.

Its amazing to see how much kids learn on their own, without parental or adult interference. And what a feeling of accomplishment on their part when they do. Look at your child's face the next time they learn do something new, and then tell you "I did this by myself'. Why are you so hell bent of depriving them of this joy?

Some of the best athletes did not come from forced organized activity's, but rather honed their skills as kids on play grounds, with other kids. Some times the trial and error method is the best teaching tool around.

So let them enjoy their childhoods. It's their turn, not your's.