It always surprises people to find out I actively support both Republicans and Democrats in Elections and have voted in every election since I was 18 years old which I figure gives me the right to my opinion. In this particular case I am backing Greg Zeoller for Indiana Attorney General because I feel he is the best man for the job. I supported him against Jon Costas from Valpo for a few reasons one has to do with Elder Law and it seems my opinion on that got used on many Republican blogs.
In this case I have an issue on Linda Pence's statement on a NW Indiana RICO case.
"Pence also pledged to pursue public corruption but said she would need to examine the East Chicago case before pledging to continue that fight."
Since Ms. Pence was the attorney for one of the defendents she knows the case well:
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
NORTHERN DISTRICT OF INDIANA
SOUTH BEND DIVISION
APPEARANCE
STATE OF INDIANA )
and the CITY OF EAST CHICAGO )
)
Plaintiffs, )
)
v. ) CAUSE NO. 3:04-CV-0506-AS
)
ROBERT A. PASTERICK et al., )
)
Defendants. )
To the Clerk of this court and all parties of record:
I, the below-signed, state that pursuant to N.D. Ind. L.R. 83.5(g), I have read and will abide by the Local Rules of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, including Appendix B: Standards for Professional Conduct Within the Seventh Federal Judicial Circuit. I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.
Enter my appearance as counsel in this case for Rieth-Riley Construction Company, Inc.
Date: November 17, 2004 s/ Linda L. Pence
Linda L. Pence Atty. No. 13198-98
SOMMER BARNARD ATTORNEYS, PC
One Indiana Square, Suite 3500
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Telephone: 317/713-3500
Facsimile: 317/713-3699
Email: lpence@sommerbarnard.com
Ms. Pence if you want my vote then don't BS me....just the facts mam just the facts. So please tell me what it is she needs to examine?
PEACE DUDE
Sunday, June 08, 2008
Saturday, June 07, 2008
Another My Man Mitch Deal
Here in Indiana Our Man Mitch leased out the toll road to an Australian Company. While there are many ways to debate whether this was good or not the folks up in Northern Indiana are still pretty miffed about it. Now that it's re-election time for Our Man Mitch, the toll road lease company sent FREE toll road I-pass units to all the Indiana Legislators. And they said it was part of the contract. Hmmm well maybe it was put into the contract by Our Man Mitch but hey this is Our Man Mitch that suspended a $9.00 an hour state park worker for accepting a hot dog and a baseball cap from a contractor. Give me a break.....here is the story.
June 7, 2008
Legislators offered free ride
Most decline toll road firm's device for using 'I-Zoom' lanes at no cost
By Mary Beth Schneider
mary.beth.schneider@indystar.com
Only days after cash tolls nearly doubled on the Indiana Toll Road, the private company that manages the road had a money-saving offer for state lawmakers: a free ride.
Most legislators said no thanks.
In fact, a few said they threw out the free transponder that would allow them to use the "i-Zoom" lanes without paying any tolls on the 157-mile highway across Northern Indiana.
"I'm not going to drive along paying no tolls while other people are driving along paying more," said Rep. Scott Pelath, D-Michigan City. "There's no way it could pass the mirror test."
Julia Vaughn, policy director for the citizens lobbying group Common Cause/Indiana, agreed.
"It's just stupid from a political perspective to accept this," she said.
Pelath was one of the 38 Northern Indiana legislators who were sent the free transponders by the Indiana Toll Road Concession Co. The firm manages the Toll Road for the Australian-Spanish consortium that won a 75-year lease in 2006 from the state for $3.8 billion.
Matt Pierce, director of communication and government relations for the Toll Road, said the firm sent letters offering the transponders to the rest of the state's lawmakers. The letter was dated April 18, a little more than two weeks after the tolls on the road nearly doubled.
Pierce refused to say whether any of those legislators whose districts do not include the Toll Road accepted the offer, and refused to divulge the names of any lawmaker who was sent the transponder.
Legislators, Pierce said, get many questions about the Toll Road and often have to travel it while going about their duties. The hope, he said, is that lawmakers will use the electronic tolling system and tell constituents how much easier it is than having to hand change to a toll booth operator.
"We want them to be champions for us," Pierce said.
The toll for passenger vehicles on the road from the Ohio border to the Illinois border increased April 1 to $8 from $4.65.
The lease that sets out such toll increases also freezes tolls at $4.65 for 10 years for motorists who obtain transponders for $50, which includes a $10 deposit for the transponder and $40 in prepaid tolls. The deposit is refundable if the transponder is returned in good condition.
Lawmakers are supposed to use the perk when they are on official business, Pierce said -- though the letter lawmakers received doesn't specify that.
Pierce said the firm believed the Toll Road lease required free passage for legislators. It includes a section stating that no tolls would be charged to vehicles used in firefighting or law enforcement; ambulances; vehicles with diplomatic plates; or vehicles owned or operated by the state "or any department or agency thereof."
Most lawmakers said they had never heard of such a perk, though a couple said they believed that had been done in the past. Still, the two dozen lawmakers contacted said they either pay their tolls -- or, like House Speaker B. Patrick Bauer, D-South Bend, avoid the road out of continuing anger over the lease, a deal sought by Gov. Mitch Daniels.
The House approved the lease 51-48 in March 2006, and the Senate followed suit that same month by a vote of 31-19.
With the Toll Road deal still a hot political issue, particularly in Northern Indiana, where many motorists opposed the lease, several legislators said they shouldn't be treated differently from their constituents.
"I can't imagine anyone wanting to use that," Rep. Tom Dermody, R-LaPorte, said of the free transponder. "With gas prices at $4 and the lack of jobs -- and all of a sudden you've got legislators driving for free?"
Besides, he said, if the legislature were to vote again on any aspect of the Toll Road, he didn't want questions raised about whether he was influenced by not having to pay tolls like other folks.
"I don't even know what they were thinking," Rep. Jackie Walorski, R-Lakeville, said of the Toll Road's offer. "I was so taken aback. I sent it back and said, 'Thanks, but no thanks.' "
Other lawmakers said they sent their transponders back, too. A couple said they accepted them -- but only after telling the Toll Road they wanted to be charged the same terms as other motorists.
A few of the lawmakers, though, said they either had accepted or expected to accept the offer.
Rep. Dick Dodge, R-Pleasant Lake, said he had not used the "i-Zoom" yet but planned to. Asked if he had any qualms about taking a free ride while his constituents paid, he said: "I don't think so. No."
It just isn't that big a deal, he said.
Rep. Chet Dobis, D-Merrillville, also said he planned to activate his device. Although he initially thought there would be a charge, he said he might still use it. But, he added, he seldom uses the Toll Road except to go to Illinois -- and under the terms of the Toll Road's offer to legislators, they still must pay normal tolls in other states.
Sen. Marvin D. Riegsecker, R-Goshen, said he had planned to use his transponder until a reporter asked what his constituents would think.
"Hmmm. Yeah, if you pose the question that way, I guess I'd have concerns," Riegsecker said. He said he might reconsider.
Vaughn thinks any lawmaker taking the deal should reconsider, too.
"The Toll Road is still an extremely hot topic up in the north," she said.
And, Vaughn said, the tolls are becoming steep.
Vaughn, who does not have an "i-Zoom," said she drove the Toll Road recently on a trip to Chicago and "was really struck" at the cost. She took a different route back to Indianapolis to avoid the Toll Road.
"Kudos to those legislators who recognize how inappropriate it would be to accept this gift," she said.
PEACE DUDE.....
June 7, 2008
Legislators offered free ride
Most decline toll road firm's device for using 'I-Zoom' lanes at no cost
By Mary Beth Schneider
mary.beth.schneider@indystar.com
Only days after cash tolls nearly doubled on the Indiana Toll Road, the private company that manages the road had a money-saving offer for state lawmakers: a free ride.
Most legislators said no thanks.
In fact, a few said they threw out the free transponder that would allow them to use the "i-Zoom" lanes without paying any tolls on the 157-mile highway across Northern Indiana.
"I'm not going to drive along paying no tolls while other people are driving along paying more," said Rep. Scott Pelath, D-Michigan City. "There's no way it could pass the mirror test."
Julia Vaughn, policy director for the citizens lobbying group Common Cause/Indiana, agreed.
"It's just stupid from a political perspective to accept this," she said.
Pelath was one of the 38 Northern Indiana legislators who were sent the free transponders by the Indiana Toll Road Concession Co. The firm manages the Toll Road for the Australian-Spanish consortium that won a 75-year lease in 2006 from the state for $3.8 billion.
Matt Pierce, director of communication and government relations for the Toll Road, said the firm sent letters offering the transponders to the rest of the state's lawmakers. The letter was dated April 18, a little more than two weeks after the tolls on the road nearly doubled.
Pierce refused to say whether any of those legislators whose districts do not include the Toll Road accepted the offer, and refused to divulge the names of any lawmaker who was sent the transponder.
Legislators, Pierce said, get many questions about the Toll Road and often have to travel it while going about their duties. The hope, he said, is that lawmakers will use the electronic tolling system and tell constituents how much easier it is than having to hand change to a toll booth operator.
"We want them to be champions for us," Pierce said.
The toll for passenger vehicles on the road from the Ohio border to the Illinois border increased April 1 to $8 from $4.65.
The lease that sets out such toll increases also freezes tolls at $4.65 for 10 years for motorists who obtain transponders for $50, which includes a $10 deposit for the transponder and $40 in prepaid tolls. The deposit is refundable if the transponder is returned in good condition.
Lawmakers are supposed to use the perk when they are on official business, Pierce said -- though the letter lawmakers received doesn't specify that.
Pierce said the firm believed the Toll Road lease required free passage for legislators. It includes a section stating that no tolls would be charged to vehicles used in firefighting or law enforcement; ambulances; vehicles with diplomatic plates; or vehicles owned or operated by the state "or any department or agency thereof."
Most lawmakers said they had never heard of such a perk, though a couple said they believed that had been done in the past. Still, the two dozen lawmakers contacted said they either pay their tolls -- or, like House Speaker B. Patrick Bauer, D-South Bend, avoid the road out of continuing anger over the lease, a deal sought by Gov. Mitch Daniels.
The House approved the lease 51-48 in March 2006, and the Senate followed suit that same month by a vote of 31-19.
With the Toll Road deal still a hot political issue, particularly in Northern Indiana, where many motorists opposed the lease, several legislators said they shouldn't be treated differently from their constituents.
"I can't imagine anyone wanting to use that," Rep. Tom Dermody, R-LaPorte, said of the free transponder. "With gas prices at $4 and the lack of jobs -- and all of a sudden you've got legislators driving for free?"
Besides, he said, if the legislature were to vote again on any aspect of the Toll Road, he didn't want questions raised about whether he was influenced by not having to pay tolls like other folks.
"I don't even know what they were thinking," Rep. Jackie Walorski, R-Lakeville, said of the Toll Road's offer. "I was so taken aback. I sent it back and said, 'Thanks, but no thanks.' "
Other lawmakers said they sent their transponders back, too. A couple said they accepted them -- but only after telling the Toll Road they wanted to be charged the same terms as other motorists.
A few of the lawmakers, though, said they either had accepted or expected to accept the offer.
Rep. Dick Dodge, R-Pleasant Lake, said he had not used the "i-Zoom" yet but planned to. Asked if he had any qualms about taking a free ride while his constituents paid, he said: "I don't think so. No."
It just isn't that big a deal, he said.
Rep. Chet Dobis, D-Merrillville, also said he planned to activate his device. Although he initially thought there would be a charge, he said he might still use it. But, he added, he seldom uses the Toll Road except to go to Illinois -- and under the terms of the Toll Road's offer to legislators, they still must pay normal tolls in other states.
Sen. Marvin D. Riegsecker, R-Goshen, said he had planned to use his transponder until a reporter asked what his constituents would think.
"Hmmm. Yeah, if you pose the question that way, I guess I'd have concerns," Riegsecker said. He said he might reconsider.
Vaughn thinks any lawmaker taking the deal should reconsider, too.
"The Toll Road is still an extremely hot topic up in the north," she said.
And, Vaughn said, the tolls are becoming steep.
Vaughn, who does not have an "i-Zoom," said she drove the Toll Road recently on a trip to Chicago and "was really struck" at the cost. She took a different route back to Indianapolis to avoid the Toll Road.
"Kudos to those legislators who recognize how inappropriate it would be to accept this gift," she said.
PEACE DUDE.....
Thursday, June 05, 2008
Indiana Article 7
Yesterday Indiana's Department of Education approved the new article 7 regulations with out any changes. Parents around the state testified about the change in parent consent and placement all to no avail. Bob Marra, Asst Superintendent for Special Education explained to the board, "on this issue of placement and consent parents just don't understand the language, it will all be just fine". I also thought is was interesting that the board referred to Article 7 the Indiana Law for IDEA which is CIVIL RIGHTS legislation as "Bob's little rule" and Superintendent Reed joked "that would be a great name for a children's book" I am appalled at the lack of respect we received in this meeting yesterday. Every board member should be replaced today!
Find it all hard to believe? Here is the link to the video of yesterday's meeting. It's long but worth the watch.
http://media.doe.in.gov/sbe/2008-06-04.html
Now I better get this copied before the edit it.
Peace Dude.
Find it all hard to believe? Here is the link to the video of yesterday's meeting. It's long but worth the watch.
http://media.doe.in.gov/sbe/2008-06-04.html
Now I better get this copied before the edit it.
Peace Dude.
I thought this was so very well said!
Commentary: Obama nomination gives 'goose bumps'
Story Highlights
Bishop T.D. Jakes: "I congratulate Sen. Obama on this historic accomplishment"
Jakes: "Not just a victory for African Americans, it is a victory for democracy"
Jakes: Nomination "proves that our country provides possibilities for all people"
Jakes congratulates "the country on this landmark event"
By Bishop T.D. Jakes
Editor's note: Bishop T.D. Jakes is founder and senior pastor of The Potter's House of Dallas, Texas, a multiracial, nondenominational church with more than 50 outreach ministries.
(CNN) -- Last night, I like most Americans of all stripes, watched with visible goose bumps as history was made. I sat with my 13-year-old son and looked from the screen to his eyes as Sen. Barack Obama became the first African American in history to lead a U.S. major-party ticket when he claimed the nomination for the Democratic Party for president of the United States.
I congratulate Sen. Obama on this historic accomplishment. I thank him for accepting the torch that was lit by our forefathers and proudly carrying it through the darkness of our struggles, trials and tribulations, bringing light and hope to a new generation, and for facing all those who said "No" and "You can't win," or "It will never happen," and firmly, proudly, defiantly saying, "Yes I can!"
However, what I really hope people take away from that night is that this is not just a victory for African Americans, it is a victory for democracy that proves that our country provides possibilities for all people. It is also a sign that a metamorphosis is in progress. Today we saw that Americans respect experience, but are interested in change. I hope that we can somehow merge the best ideas of our differences and emerge with a president who epitomizes our highest and best ideals. While it remains unclear where we are going, last night proves that we as a people have moved beyond business as usual.
I congratulate not just Sen. Obama on his victory, but the country on this landmark event that has shattered a past all too often filled with reasons to separate us as opposed to a voice of reason to unite us. The victory cup does not rest on the shoulders of the senator alone, but to all those who have been able to lift the conversation from petty racism, antiquated cut-throat politics, and fear-based campaigns to the larger issues of how we would like to see our country led into the future and ultimately how our country will be remembered.
As the days and discussions of this political season continue, it is my sincere hope and prayer that we do not sink back into the abyss of political pettiness that has plagued our country and our lives for so many years. I am grateful to Sen. Hillary Clinton for giving, through this campaign, a chance for my daughters to see that their femininity is not a liability. Today both my sons and daughters came to understand that their ethnicity isn't viewed by progressive Americans as a limitation or a liability.
For me it was almost déjà vu as I sat with my son. I remembered a little over 40 years ago watching the famous King speech with my dad. Similarly, I watched with my youngest son last night as a historical moment unfolded. He and I saw the dreams of slaves come true as the sons of slaves and the slave owners clapped their hands in one progressive sweep. As I drifted into sleep, all I could see was the twinkle in my son's eyes. His eyes were illuminated with possibilities, and his heart was filled with the potential of what is attainable for qualified, competent people of all types who prepare themselves intellectually and are well vested with a divine sensitivity to the "fierce urgency of now!"
Congratulations Sen. Obama.
Story Highlights
Bishop T.D. Jakes: "I congratulate Sen. Obama on this historic accomplishment"
Jakes: "Not just a victory for African Americans, it is a victory for democracy"
Jakes: Nomination "proves that our country provides possibilities for all people"
Jakes congratulates "the country on this landmark event"
By Bishop T.D. Jakes
Editor's note: Bishop T.D. Jakes is founder and senior pastor of The Potter's House of Dallas, Texas, a multiracial, nondenominational church with more than 50 outreach ministries.
(CNN) -- Last night, I like most Americans of all stripes, watched with visible goose bumps as history was made. I sat with my 13-year-old son and looked from the screen to his eyes as Sen. Barack Obama became the first African American in history to lead a U.S. major-party ticket when he claimed the nomination for the Democratic Party for president of the United States.
I congratulate Sen. Obama on this historic accomplishment. I thank him for accepting the torch that was lit by our forefathers and proudly carrying it through the darkness of our struggles, trials and tribulations, bringing light and hope to a new generation, and for facing all those who said "No" and "You can't win," or "It will never happen," and firmly, proudly, defiantly saying, "Yes I can!"
However, what I really hope people take away from that night is that this is not just a victory for African Americans, it is a victory for democracy that proves that our country provides possibilities for all people. It is also a sign that a metamorphosis is in progress. Today we saw that Americans respect experience, but are interested in change. I hope that we can somehow merge the best ideas of our differences and emerge with a president who epitomizes our highest and best ideals. While it remains unclear where we are going, last night proves that we as a people have moved beyond business as usual.
I congratulate not just Sen. Obama on his victory, but the country on this landmark event that has shattered a past all too often filled with reasons to separate us as opposed to a voice of reason to unite us. The victory cup does not rest on the shoulders of the senator alone, but to all those who have been able to lift the conversation from petty racism, antiquated cut-throat politics, and fear-based campaigns to the larger issues of how we would like to see our country led into the future and ultimately how our country will be remembered.
As the days and discussions of this political season continue, it is my sincere hope and prayer that we do not sink back into the abyss of political pettiness that has plagued our country and our lives for so many years. I am grateful to Sen. Hillary Clinton for giving, through this campaign, a chance for my daughters to see that their femininity is not a liability. Today both my sons and daughters came to understand that their ethnicity isn't viewed by progressive Americans as a limitation or a liability.
For me it was almost déjà vu as I sat with my son. I remembered a little over 40 years ago watching the famous King speech with my dad. Similarly, I watched with my youngest son last night as a historical moment unfolded. He and I saw the dreams of slaves come true as the sons of slaves and the slave owners clapped their hands in one progressive sweep. As I drifted into sleep, all I could see was the twinkle in my son's eyes. His eyes were illuminated with possibilities, and his heart was filled with the potential of what is attainable for qualified, competent people of all types who prepare themselves intellectually and are well vested with a divine sensitivity to the "fierce urgency of now!"
Congratulations Sen. Obama.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Pick your battle's!
I always tell other parents and myself on many issues that you have to pick your battles. I have done an ok job of livng by that rule but not all the time. I got pretty agravated about the changes that Indiana was making in our First Steps Program (IDEA Part C). I went and testified a couple of time but found the administration did not care, they were going to move forward with out concern for families. I tried to rally the troops on the re-authorization of IDEA starting in 2004. We made a little progress but not enough parents really cared to stand up and make our voices heard. SO IDEIA 2004 ( The improvement act) became the first CIVIL RIGHTS legislation in the history of this country to be rolled back. Then our state farmed out medicaid service eligibility determination to a Texas company that still can't get it right in Texas and people are losing thier benefits around the state due to no fault of thier own. Now they are about to take parents rights away with the New Article 7 rules about to be approved in Indiana. We had tried to get parents to testify and we had some success but they have not listened and are going ahead with their plan.
Ladies and Gentlemen in the Great State of Indiana they no longer want you invovled in your childs education. They want you to do what you are told and shut up. Then when they go on TV to be interviewed they will blame it on lack of parent involvement. Oh and when the miss NCLB numbers or ISTEP it's the fualt of those special ed kids.
ENOUGH...I am done. I have had too many calls and emails from Parents getting beat up by schools. And now we have Dr. Tony Bennett running for school board who's staff does not even know what IDEA or Article 7 are.
The answer my friends is politics. I don't care what your politics are you MUST read what your electied officials think of IDEA, NCLB, Article 7, inclusion, Services for adults, employment and the overall cost of services to individuals with disabilities. And you need to VOTE accordingly!!
There are so many things wrong in our country right now and I can't fight all the battles out there that need to be fought right now and you are damn right I have an opinion on them. But right now it's disability issues for me.
Now off to call some elected officials.
Ladies and Gentlemen in the Great State of Indiana they no longer want you invovled in your childs education. They want you to do what you are told and shut up. Then when they go on TV to be interviewed they will blame it on lack of parent involvement. Oh and when the miss NCLB numbers or ISTEP it's the fualt of those special ed kids.
ENOUGH...I am done. I have had too many calls and emails from Parents getting beat up by schools. And now we have Dr. Tony Bennett running for school board who's staff does not even know what IDEA or Article 7 are.
The answer my friends is politics. I don't care what your politics are you MUST read what your electied officials think of IDEA, NCLB, Article 7, inclusion, Services for adults, employment and the overall cost of services to individuals with disabilities. And you need to VOTE accordingly!!
There are so many things wrong in our country right now and I can't fight all the battles out there that need to be fought right now and you are damn right I have an opinion on them. But right now it's disability issues for me.
Now off to call some elected officials.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
I have been tagged! "Some Background"
My good friend Michelle over at Elliot's Expeditions has tagged me. Thanks Michelle and I will give this a try....
What was I doing 10 years ago: Well in 1998 I was living in North west Indiana in a cabin on 15 wooded acres. I was running a small packaging machinery company and spent about as much time on a plane or in another state as I did in Indiana. I had not yet met Jan and that did not happen until August of 1998. So with that said I was still invovled in my series of one date wonders. I had a process as I was getting older, I wanted to have children and I did not have much time for bs. So the rule was that if a date could not keep my interest in a conversation thru dinner there was no second date. The very few that a second date worked for me or her their schedule and mine usually let things dwindle from there. But hey that all worked that way for a reason as I soon met Jan and had to answer all these interenet questions but that is a story unto itself. Then on our first date she was 2 1/2 hours late and for those that know me personally know I have no patience and do not wait on anyone but in this instance I did....Well Nash is proof that it was worth the wait.
5 things on my to do list today: Hmm...well this is a tough one for me as I rarely do daily to do lists. My lists are bigger picture and have to do with lofty goals ect. But if I had a list for today it would be wishing Jan and my Mom a happy Mothers Day. Clean the kitchen and the rest of the house. And do the laundry for Jan. Oh and probably watch a laid back movie or two....something soothing like let me see...."Brave Heart" or "Boiler Room".
Things I would do if I were a Billionaire: Well I guess the above list of lofty goals and things I selfishly want would be filled. They would include adding on to our house. A H1 Hummer and Prevost Motor home and would probably have to own a stake in an oil company. I new Full Dresser, a 1993 perfect condition "Cow Glide" and if I have to explain what that is you would not understand. And probably a few other toy's for the whole gang. Oh, let me see I bet you were looking for some lofty idealistic "I am gonna change the world thing"? Ok, well I have my ideas on that. I would start two organizations. One would be a parent run organization that focused on houseing and employment. We spend millions every year at the University level, Federal and State government level and provider level and that still can't get it right. We as parents need to take the system back. With that said I would also start a national legislative organization that brought all the parent groups to the table. We would only work on the 80% of items we can all agree on and we would show Washington together the disability world is the largest minority group in the county. Wow, now that would be some fun.
3 Bad Habit's: Hmm, lack of patience, I cuss to much and I smoke cigars.
5 places I have lived: Let's see. Yorktown Indiana, Findlay Ohio, Laporte Indiana, Uppingham Leicestershire in the UK, Stuart Florida.....guess that is 5 but can still add Chicago, Indianapolis and Noblesville.
5 jobs that I have had: Him well let's see. I was jack of all trades in my fathers restaraunts. Bartender, saleman, VP and President and CEO. I have done many things and have been successful and most. Now if I can just figure out what I want to be when I grow up.
I always enjoy getting tagged but always feel guilty tagging others. So if you read my blog I Challenge each of you to answer the questions.
PEACE DUDE!
What was I doing 10 years ago: Well in 1998 I was living in North west Indiana in a cabin on 15 wooded acres. I was running a small packaging machinery company and spent about as much time on a plane or in another state as I did in Indiana. I had not yet met Jan and that did not happen until August of 1998. So with that said I was still invovled in my series of one date wonders. I had a process as I was getting older, I wanted to have children and I did not have much time for bs. So the rule was that if a date could not keep my interest in a conversation thru dinner there was no second date. The very few that a second date worked for me or her their schedule and mine usually let things dwindle from there. But hey that all worked that way for a reason as I soon met Jan and had to answer all these interenet questions but that is a story unto itself. Then on our first date she was 2 1/2 hours late and for those that know me personally know I have no patience and do not wait on anyone but in this instance I did....Well Nash is proof that it was worth the wait.
5 things on my to do list today: Hmm...well this is a tough one for me as I rarely do daily to do lists. My lists are bigger picture and have to do with lofty goals ect. But if I had a list for today it would be wishing Jan and my Mom a happy Mothers Day. Clean the kitchen and the rest of the house. And do the laundry for Jan. Oh and probably watch a laid back movie or two....something soothing like let me see...."Brave Heart" or "Boiler Room".
Things I would do if I were a Billionaire: Well I guess the above list of lofty goals and things I selfishly want would be filled. They would include adding on to our house. A H1 Hummer and Prevost Motor home and would probably have to own a stake in an oil company. I new Full Dresser, a 1993 perfect condition "Cow Glide" and if I have to explain what that is you would not understand. And probably a few other toy's for the whole gang. Oh, let me see I bet you were looking for some lofty idealistic "I am gonna change the world thing"? Ok, well I have my ideas on that. I would start two organizations. One would be a parent run organization that focused on houseing and employment. We spend millions every year at the University level, Federal and State government level and provider level and that still can't get it right. We as parents need to take the system back. With that said I would also start a national legislative organization that brought all the parent groups to the table. We would only work on the 80% of items we can all agree on and we would show Washington together the disability world is the largest minority group in the county. Wow, now that would be some fun.
3 Bad Habit's: Hmm, lack of patience, I cuss to much and I smoke cigars.
5 places I have lived: Let's see. Yorktown Indiana, Findlay Ohio, Laporte Indiana, Uppingham Leicestershire in the UK, Stuart Florida.....guess that is 5 but can still add Chicago, Indianapolis and Noblesville.
5 jobs that I have had: Him well let's see. I was jack of all trades in my fathers restaraunts. Bartender, saleman, VP and President and CEO. I have done many things and have been successful and most. Now if I can just figure out what I want to be when I grow up.
I always enjoy getting tagged but always feel guilty tagging others. So if you read my blog I Challenge each of you to answer the questions.
PEACE DUDE!
Monday, May 05, 2008
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Well it may surprise many of you that I like Rush Limbaugh!
And sometimes I agree with him. Here is his conversation on Mitch Daniels:
We Will Not Reject Reaganism
April 21, 2008
Listen To It! WMP RealPlayer Audio clips available for Rush 24/7 members only -- Join Now!BEGIN TRANSCRIPT
RUSH: Mark in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, welcome to the EIB Network, sir. Hello.CALLER: Hello, Rush. First-time caller.
RUSH: Thank you.
CALLER: With the success of Operation Chaos and with the media helping picking McCain for us, whether he wins or loses, will the Republicans be smart enough to learn from history and close their primaries in the future, or make 'em on the same day as the Democratic ones?
RUSH: That's something I couldn't begin to tell you. In fact, I'm going to use your call to transition to the story I referenced earlier about the governor of Indiana, Mitch Daniels, former member of the Reagan administration, and a conservative. He was in the Bush administration, too, I think, early on, as budget director or some such thing. At any rate, your question has as its premise that the Republican Party is unhappy with the primary process that chose Senator McCain, and I don't think the Republican Party is unhappy about it at all. I think there's a battle going on in the Republican Party to push conservatives out of it or to diminish their role and influence. The latest bit of evidence -- and I've chronicled much of it for you during the course of the recent months -- the latest bit of evidence is this story about Mitch Daniels. The Indiana governor "elicited several hushed gasps and raised eyebrows late last week as he lectured a conservative crowd that it was 'time to let Ronald Reagan go.' The governor delivered his remarks to a room full of fellow red-staters at the Fund for American Studies' annual conference and donor retreat at the Newseum," in Washington. "'Nostalgia is fine and Reagan's economic plan was good,' Daniels said. 'But we need to look towards the future rather than staying in the past.' Daniels added that the GOP needed to work on uniting behind Sen. John McCain instead of constantly comparing the Arizona senator with the Gipper. While he prefaced his remarks with the disclaimer that his thoughts were 'somewhat controversial,' he hoped that he 'would not be misunderstood.' Incidentally, applause was somewhat less enthusiastic as he left the stage than when he began by poking fun at Barack Obama." Now, this, sadly, is a symptom of what is happening in the Republican Party at large. The country club, blue-blood Rockefeller Republicans -- and there are lots of them in the Republican Party, they were not happy with Reagan when he was in office. They didn't like Reagan. They were embarrassed because they thought he was a dunce and an idiot and he didn't come from their stock, and even when he was winning two landslides. He brought with them these Reagan Democrats, conservative evangelicals -- and that brought abortion, and that really embarrassed the hell out of them.And just like Obama and his crowd is embarrassed with small town hicks, there are a lot of country club blue-blood Republican elitists who are embarrassed of their hicks: NASCAR, you name it; pro-lifers. Yet they can't win elections without them. Have you ever heard a Democrat say, "We need to get over John Kennedy or FDR?" Have you ever heard a Democrat go to a microphone at a liberal conference and say, "You know what? We gotta move past FDR. We gotta leave the past behind. The future is the future. We gotta forget all about this. We gotta forget about JFK. We gotta let him go." Have you ever heard this? You don't hear it. There are no mavericks in the Democrat Party. If they pop up, they get thrown out. Zell Miller and Joe Lieberman come to mind. Hey, Mitch? Governor? Governor Daniels? Should we get over Lincoln, too? He's in the past. We just gotta get over Lincoln. This is so contrary to conservative thought. For me, on the wrong day, this could be tough to take. We're supposed to learn from our past. We are supposed to build on that which works. This is part of conservative thought! I'll tell you what. Let's just get over the founders. The founders of the country are in the past, too. Let's get over them.
If people really went back and found out what the founders thought, that'd embarrass a lot of Republicans. Let's just get over that. Let's just look to the future, Governor Daniels. Forget about the founders. Forget about Lincoln. Let's throw Reagan overboard finally, so none of you get compared to him -- and the reason is that none of them can compare to him! They don't like people referring to Reagan because none of the current crop is anywhere near in his league, and they care about the future, and they don't want to be thought of as a lesser to Ronald Reagan. Why would we "get over Reagan," unless we reject the core principles of the party and the nation? For that matter, why should we do that? I think a lot of these politicians who are suggesting that Reagan's old news and we've chronicled all of them that have said it. Newt said it. "The era of Reagan is over." I don't think they can attain the status of a Reagan. Maybe that's why they insist we get over him and by implication I suppose all great conservatives. We should get over Bill Buckley and we should get over Milton Friedman. "Those guys, that's the past, Rush. That's right! You're absolutely right, Rush. We should get over these people." So you have Governor Daniels, and he's not alone, dumping on the very people who made conservatism a viable political option. In fact, it set the stage for his election as a governor: running as a Reagan economic conservative. So now they want to take the party and the movement, wherever. They're going to take it down, but they don't see that. They think they're taking it to a new direction; one where they won't be plagued by yapping chatterboxes like me being critical of them because there won't be enough of us to matter. That is their hope. So we're supposed to close ranks. We're supposed to get over Reagan. We're supposed to shut up. We're supposed to get over all of these great traditions that made us who we are in our movement and our country and close ranks behind their favorite Republican and Republican candidates, while they trash the most successful policy-wise and politically conservative in a century or more, the most successful Republican in fact. Sadly, it seems to me that the people that want to get rid of Reagan and want us to get over Reagan, leave him back there in the past; these are people like a lot of libs who cannot compete in the arena of ideas. They are lousy at communication. They can't compete with the successful political politics of Reagan, so they insist that we reject him as a standard. So we have to embrace much less, dumb down thinking, a loser political mentality. They want to control the political debate. They insist that they're the only realistic alternative to the Democrats. What we're seeing here with this, with the support of some pseudoconservatives, is the rise of the country club Republican. He's back. Name is Rockefeller. The Rockefeller Republicans are back. We're going to have serious electoral defeats, the odds are -- and where we win, we're going to have policy setbacks. This is the kind of thing that's frustrating. So when you ask me if the Republicans next time around will learn the lesson and have their primaries on the same day Democrats do and close 'em off to Democrats, no. Sadly, Republican Party has made its decision. Republican Party has cast its die, and that is they can't win without Democrats and liberals crossing over to vote with us. They can't win. They don't want to win without Democrats -- and, by the way, they don't want to bring these Democrats in as converted Republicans or conservatives. They're happy to have them come in as liberals and independents or what have you. I think losing big will not change their mind. If they lost big, this would not change their mind. "Well, we're remaking the party. Of course, Barry Goldwater was defeated in a landslide, too." Or they'll come up with some other excuse. The thing is, the odds are the Republican Party is going to win big in November. Big, folks. At least the White House, the presidential... I don't know about Congress and the Senate. That's looking bleak. But when we win, what have we won there if the agenda is going to be set in Congress?
We Will Not Reject Reaganism
April 21, 2008
Listen To It! WMP RealPlayer Audio clips available for Rush 24/7 members only -- Join Now!BEGIN TRANSCRIPT
RUSH: Mark in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, welcome to the EIB Network, sir. Hello.CALLER: Hello, Rush. First-time caller.
RUSH: Thank you.
CALLER: With the success of Operation Chaos and with the media helping picking McCain for us, whether he wins or loses, will the Republicans be smart enough to learn from history and close their primaries in the future, or make 'em on the same day as the Democratic ones?
RUSH: That's something I couldn't begin to tell you. In fact, I'm going to use your call to transition to the story I referenced earlier about the governor of Indiana, Mitch Daniels, former member of the Reagan administration, and a conservative. He was in the Bush administration, too, I think, early on, as budget director or some such thing. At any rate, your question has as its premise that the Republican Party is unhappy with the primary process that chose Senator McCain, and I don't think the Republican Party is unhappy about it at all. I think there's a battle going on in the Republican Party to push conservatives out of it or to diminish their role and influence. The latest bit of evidence -- and I've chronicled much of it for you during the course of the recent months -- the latest bit of evidence is this story about Mitch Daniels. The Indiana governor "elicited several hushed gasps and raised eyebrows late last week as he lectured a conservative crowd that it was 'time to let Ronald Reagan go.' The governor delivered his remarks to a room full of fellow red-staters at the Fund for American Studies' annual conference and donor retreat at the Newseum," in Washington. "'Nostalgia is fine and Reagan's economic plan was good,' Daniels said. 'But we need to look towards the future rather than staying in the past.' Daniels added that the GOP needed to work on uniting behind Sen. John McCain instead of constantly comparing the Arizona senator with the Gipper. While he prefaced his remarks with the disclaimer that his thoughts were 'somewhat controversial,' he hoped that he 'would not be misunderstood.' Incidentally, applause was somewhat less enthusiastic as he left the stage than when he began by poking fun at Barack Obama." Now, this, sadly, is a symptom of what is happening in the Republican Party at large. The country club, blue-blood Rockefeller Republicans -- and there are lots of them in the Republican Party, they were not happy with Reagan when he was in office. They didn't like Reagan. They were embarrassed because they thought he was a dunce and an idiot and he didn't come from their stock, and even when he was winning two landslides. He brought with them these Reagan Democrats, conservative evangelicals -- and that brought abortion, and that really embarrassed the hell out of them.And just like Obama and his crowd is embarrassed with small town hicks, there are a lot of country club blue-blood Republican elitists who are embarrassed of their hicks: NASCAR, you name it; pro-lifers. Yet they can't win elections without them. Have you ever heard a Democrat say, "We need to get over John Kennedy or FDR?" Have you ever heard a Democrat go to a microphone at a liberal conference and say, "You know what? We gotta move past FDR. We gotta leave the past behind. The future is the future. We gotta forget all about this. We gotta forget about JFK. We gotta let him go." Have you ever heard this? You don't hear it. There are no mavericks in the Democrat Party. If they pop up, they get thrown out. Zell Miller and Joe Lieberman come to mind. Hey, Mitch? Governor? Governor Daniels? Should we get over Lincoln, too? He's in the past. We just gotta get over Lincoln. This is so contrary to conservative thought. For me, on the wrong day, this could be tough to take. We're supposed to learn from our past. We are supposed to build on that which works. This is part of conservative thought! I'll tell you what. Let's just get over the founders. The founders of the country are in the past, too. Let's get over them.
If people really went back and found out what the founders thought, that'd embarrass a lot of Republicans. Let's just get over that. Let's just look to the future, Governor Daniels. Forget about the founders. Forget about Lincoln. Let's throw Reagan overboard finally, so none of you get compared to him -- and the reason is that none of them can compare to him! They don't like people referring to Reagan because none of the current crop is anywhere near in his league, and they care about the future, and they don't want to be thought of as a lesser to Ronald Reagan. Why would we "get over Reagan," unless we reject the core principles of the party and the nation? For that matter, why should we do that? I think a lot of these politicians who are suggesting that Reagan's old news and we've chronicled all of them that have said it. Newt said it. "The era of Reagan is over." I don't think they can attain the status of a Reagan. Maybe that's why they insist we get over him and by implication I suppose all great conservatives. We should get over Bill Buckley and we should get over Milton Friedman. "Those guys, that's the past, Rush. That's right! You're absolutely right, Rush. We should get over these people." So you have Governor Daniels, and he's not alone, dumping on the very people who made conservatism a viable political option. In fact, it set the stage for his election as a governor: running as a Reagan economic conservative. So now they want to take the party and the movement, wherever. They're going to take it down, but they don't see that. They think they're taking it to a new direction; one where they won't be plagued by yapping chatterboxes like me being critical of them because there won't be enough of us to matter. That is their hope. So we're supposed to close ranks. We're supposed to get over Reagan. We're supposed to shut up. We're supposed to get over all of these great traditions that made us who we are in our movement and our country and close ranks behind their favorite Republican and Republican candidates, while they trash the most successful policy-wise and politically conservative in a century or more, the most successful Republican in fact. Sadly, it seems to me that the people that want to get rid of Reagan and want us to get over Reagan, leave him back there in the past; these are people like a lot of libs who cannot compete in the arena of ideas. They are lousy at communication. They can't compete with the successful political politics of Reagan, so they insist that we reject him as a standard. So we have to embrace much less, dumb down thinking, a loser political mentality. They want to control the political debate. They insist that they're the only realistic alternative to the Democrats. What we're seeing here with this, with the support of some pseudoconservatives, is the rise of the country club Republican. He's back. Name is Rockefeller. The Rockefeller Republicans are back. We're going to have serious electoral defeats, the odds are -- and where we win, we're going to have policy setbacks. This is the kind of thing that's frustrating. So when you ask me if the Republicans next time around will learn the lesson and have their primaries on the same day Democrats do and close 'em off to Democrats, no. Sadly, Republican Party has made its decision. Republican Party has cast its die, and that is they can't win without Democrats and liberals crossing over to vote with us. They can't win. They don't want to win without Democrats -- and, by the way, they don't want to bring these Democrats in as converted Republicans or conservatives. They're happy to have them come in as liberals and independents or what have you. I think losing big will not change their mind. If they lost big, this would not change their mind. "Well, we're remaking the party. Of course, Barry Goldwater was defeated in a landslide, too." Or they'll come up with some other excuse. The thing is, the odds are the Republican Party is going to win big in November. Big, folks. At least the White House, the presidential... I don't know about Congress and the Senate. That's looking bleak. But when we win, what have we won there if the agenda is going to be set in Congress?
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Bitter?? hmmmmmmmm
Quite the battle going on here in Indiana for the first time in 40 years. Folks are actually having to campaign here in the Hoosier state. Lots of flurry this weekend over Barack Obama saying this...
"It's not surprising then they get bitter, they cling to their guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations," Obama said.
Then junior New York Senator Clinton responded...
At a morning event before about 400 workers at Allison Transmission in Indianapolis, Clinton slammed Obama's words as "elitist and out of touch. They are not reflective of the values and beliefs of Americans."
Now let me be very clear here, Past President Bill Clinton who was impeached and has made millions from his so called consulting gig's and his millionaire wife the Junior Senator from New York are calling Senator Obama an "elitist and out of touch"????? PLEASE!!!
If anything it is the other way around. If anything the word bitter was an understatement. If you have paid any attention to the jobs issue, the immigration issues, jobs going overseas or the price of gas I would say people are...let me see...
1. Pissed off?
2. Mad as hell and are not going to take it anymore?
I hate to say it but the more I see right now the more I am afraid that the Democrats lead by the Clinton's will do anything to get Obama out. I for one will not support Senator Clinton for President. I will support Senator Obama till the end, but if he is not the nominee I think I will support...hmmm let me see..... I hear Gov Jesse Ventura is thinking about getting in..
That's it Jesse and Arnold....that's the ticket!
PEACE DUDE!
"It's not surprising then they get bitter, they cling to their guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations," Obama said.
Then junior New York Senator Clinton responded...
At a morning event before about 400 workers at Allison Transmission in Indianapolis, Clinton slammed Obama's words as "elitist and out of touch. They are not reflective of the values and beliefs of Americans."
Now let me be very clear here, Past President Bill Clinton who was impeached and has made millions from his so called consulting gig's and his millionaire wife the Junior Senator from New York are calling Senator Obama an "elitist and out of touch"????? PLEASE!!!
If anything it is the other way around. If anything the word bitter was an understatement. If you have paid any attention to the jobs issue, the immigration issues, jobs going overseas or the price of gas I would say people are...let me see...
1. Pissed off?
2. Mad as hell and are not going to take it anymore?
I hate to say it but the more I see right now the more I am afraid that the Democrats lead by the Clinton's will do anything to get Obama out. I for one will not support Senator Clinton for President. I will support Senator Obama till the end, but if he is not the nominee I think I will support...hmmm let me see..... I hear Gov Jesse Ventura is thinking about getting in..
That's it Jesse and Arnold....that's the ticket!
PEACE DUDE!
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Question for you all...
Tell me about your vacations. Specifically tell me about your vacations with your family member with a disability. Did your location have everthing you needed? Was the room set up appropriate for your family? If you went to a resort and they had a program for children, were they welcoming to include your child with a disability? Did they have trained staff to work with your child?
I am looking for real feedback here on vacations and resorts gang, so please send everyone you know to drop me a comment.
Thanks
Jeff
I am looking for real feedback here on vacations and resorts gang, so please send everyone you know to drop me a comment.
Thanks
Jeff
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
I know I have been quiet!
Hey Everyone'
I know I have not posted much of late but I think the weather and the arthritis have taken it's toll on me lately. I have a strong desire of late to feel the sand between my toes. Something about the idea of telling Nash, "let's eat our dinner and then go for a walk on the beach before bed" seems to be calling my name.
All I can say is that I think there is a beach in our future.
Peace Dude!
Thursday, February 28, 2008
My Early Election Choices!
Ok gang here are my choices for the offices I have researched and decided on to this point. Now I could still change my mind before election day so if you are running and not on the list give me a call and convince me. You will notice that my choices are not a straight ticket. While to many peoples dismay I have gone from a Reagan Republican to a Democrat but I still vote for the person not the party as you will see.
1. President of the United States - Barack Obama, if you read my blog you will see why.
2. United States Representitive District 5 - John McGoff - I have met John and he seems like a good guy that will work hard for the district. Bottom line on this one is Dan Burton needs to go play golf.....well let me re-phrase that...Dan Burton needs to play golf but no longer on the taxpayer's dime. Bye Bye Dan!
3. State Senate District 30 - Luke Kenley - this may surprise people but I respect Senator Kenley for many reasons. While I may not always agree with him he is the single best person for the job bar none. The R's in Hamilton County especially on the Council and Commission seem to have it out for him but I think he will do just fine.
4. State Representitive District 29 - Kathy Richardson - Well I also respect Kathy I was a bit surprised that she is running unopposed. I know Kathy is the hometown lady but she needs to defend some of her decesions at the State House. Maybe next election..
5. I will not go into the Judge and other county offices that don' have a challenger.
6. Judge of Circuit Court - I need to do more research on this one.
7. County Commissioner District 2 - I think Steve Dillinger is a good guy that does a good job. He has some challengers and I am looking for some good things from Jeff Curtis but it will be tough. I will hold my choice at this time.
8. County Commissioner District 3 - Steve Holt - Good guy but have some issues with decesions made by he an Commish Altman.
9. County Council - At Large - Elect 3 - Chris Brown and Ford Hebner I hope will be the two new guys and I will cast my third vote for Brad Beaver. The others needs to go and we will see how Brad does over the next term.
10. Noblesville School Board.....hmmm this is interesting..I need to do much more reseach on this one and this will include a few posts between now and May.
That is all for now gang......
But no matter whethere you agree or not....support your persone and get out and vote.
1. President of the United States - Barack Obama, if you read my blog you will see why.
2. United States Representitive District 5 - John McGoff - I have met John and he seems like a good guy that will work hard for the district. Bottom line on this one is Dan Burton needs to go play golf.....well let me re-phrase that...Dan Burton needs to play golf but no longer on the taxpayer's dime. Bye Bye Dan!
3. State Senate District 30 - Luke Kenley - this may surprise people but I respect Senator Kenley for many reasons. While I may not always agree with him he is the single best person for the job bar none. The R's in Hamilton County especially on the Council and Commission seem to have it out for him but I think he will do just fine.
4. State Representitive District 29 - Kathy Richardson - Well I also respect Kathy I was a bit surprised that she is running unopposed. I know Kathy is the hometown lady but she needs to defend some of her decesions at the State House. Maybe next election..
5. I will not go into the Judge and other county offices that don' have a challenger.
6. Judge of Circuit Court - I need to do more research on this one.
7. County Commissioner District 2 - I think Steve Dillinger is a good guy that does a good job. He has some challengers and I am looking for some good things from Jeff Curtis but it will be tough. I will hold my choice at this time.
8. County Commissioner District 3 - Steve Holt - Good guy but have some issues with decesions made by he an Commish Altman.
9. County Council - At Large - Elect 3 - Chris Brown and Ford Hebner I hope will be the two new guys and I will cast my third vote for Brad Beaver. The others needs to go and we will see how Brad does over the next term.
10. Noblesville School Board.....hmmm this is interesting..I need to do much more reseach on this one and this will include a few posts between now and May.
That is all for now gang......
But no matter whethere you agree or not....support your persone and get out and vote.
An Open Letter to Steak and Shake
Many of you may have never heard of our homegrown hamburger chain but some of you I am sure have had a Double Steakburger with Cheese and a Chocolate Shake at some time in your life and they are really awesome.....well at least they use to be.
Steak and Shake has been in the news of late with hostile investors trying to get on the board, firing their CEO and conference calls that in all honesty blame their problems on everything under the sun except them selves. Well they don't need Wall Street, Mega investors or 20 MBA's to come in and fix it for them. The board needs to load them selves up in a van and make a little trip.
No they don't have to go far. They need to drive up to the Noblesville Dairy Queen. A recent trip to the ice cream wonderland got me thinking about Steak and Shake...here is what they need to notice.
First as you walk in a seasoned Ice Cream Parlor manager says Hi, Welcome to Dairy Queen. He is dressed in a ironed White shirt and tie. His name tag says he is the manager but my guess is he is much more. After his welcome he asks if he can take our order or if we have any questions...hmm. Well this particular DQ does not serve burgers so that is a bit different then Steak and Shake but they do serve Hot Dogs and Shakes and Ice cream. He treated Nash with respect as he did all his customers asking him "What would you like young man?" he took all our orders. We sat down to wait and I started noticing a few more things.
1. The DQ had not had an overhaul in a long time and looked just like a DQ from when I was much younger. But with that said there was not a single thing in that DQ that needed repaired or replaced. It was in almost perfect condition.
2. It was spotless!!! From the floors, tables, walls, windows, restrooms to the cooking and preparation area it was spotless. I mean I looked under the fountain coke dispenser and you could see your reflection in the stainless steel.
3. The other thing I noticed as the manager and one of his school age employee's made the ice cream treats that had been ordered is that they were not slapping them together as fast as they could. They where actually taking their time to offer us not only our favorite item but that is was an artistic masterpiece at the same time. And they tasted really good to. Nash and I went through more napkins then need to be shared in this post.
4. And you know what, when we were done and leaving the manager leaned over the counter and said thank you for visiting us gang and come back and see us real soon.
Well growing up in the biz, I can tell you I don't get my expectations blown away often but they sure did a great job of impressing me.
Well I am sure neither Steak and Shake or all the Wall Street Wonders that can tell you how you should run your business will visit the Noblesville Dairy Queen or will the seek my advice.
BUT THEY SHOULD AND THEY SHOULD DO IT NOW!!!!
Anyway, as for me...... Hey Nash, let's go to Dairy Queen!
Steak and Shake has been in the news of late with hostile investors trying to get on the board, firing their CEO and conference calls that in all honesty blame their problems on everything under the sun except them selves. Well they don't need Wall Street, Mega investors or 20 MBA's to come in and fix it for them. The board needs to load them selves up in a van and make a little trip.
No they don't have to go far. They need to drive up to the Noblesville Dairy Queen. A recent trip to the ice cream wonderland got me thinking about Steak and Shake...here is what they need to notice.
First as you walk in a seasoned Ice Cream Parlor manager says Hi, Welcome to Dairy Queen. He is dressed in a ironed White shirt and tie. His name tag says he is the manager but my guess is he is much more. After his welcome he asks if he can take our order or if we have any questions...hmm. Well this particular DQ does not serve burgers so that is a bit different then Steak and Shake but they do serve Hot Dogs and Shakes and Ice cream. He treated Nash with respect as he did all his customers asking him "What would you like young man?" he took all our orders. We sat down to wait and I started noticing a few more things.
1. The DQ had not had an overhaul in a long time and looked just like a DQ from when I was much younger. But with that said there was not a single thing in that DQ that needed repaired or replaced. It was in almost perfect condition.
2. It was spotless!!! From the floors, tables, walls, windows, restrooms to the cooking and preparation area it was spotless. I mean I looked under the fountain coke dispenser and you could see your reflection in the stainless steel.
3. The other thing I noticed as the manager and one of his school age employee's made the ice cream treats that had been ordered is that they were not slapping them together as fast as they could. They where actually taking their time to offer us not only our favorite item but that is was an artistic masterpiece at the same time. And they tasted really good to. Nash and I went through more napkins then need to be shared in this post.
4. And you know what, when we were done and leaving the manager leaned over the counter and said thank you for visiting us gang and come back and see us real soon.
Well growing up in the biz, I can tell you I don't get my expectations blown away often but they sure did a great job of impressing me.
Well I am sure neither Steak and Shake or all the Wall Street Wonders that can tell you how you should run your business will visit the Noblesville Dairy Queen or will the seek my advice.
BUT THEY SHOULD AND THEY SHOULD DO IT NOW!!!!
Anyway, as for me...... Hey Nash, let's go to Dairy Queen!
Monday, February 18, 2008
Seven Years!
It is very hard for me to get my hands around the fact that 7 years ago Saturday Nash arrived into my world. Seven years ago today I was still trying to get my hands around the label Down syndrome. Someday's I still am.
As I think back, those memories of Nash being born and then being told he has Down syndrome are as clear as yesterday and at the same time seem 100 years ago. We have come a long way since that day.
As a family we are involved in every aspect of his life. And you know all the things I thought would be a challenge 7 years ago had to do with Nash. Today all the challenge's seem to be with the so called professionals. You know the group, School Corporations, Administration, Principals, Teachers, State Government, Department of Education, Professors, Elected Officials ect.
You know I hear all day long on radio, television and in the newspapers that the problem with schools is parents are not invovled. Then when it is us pesky parents of children with disabilities that qualify for Special Education Supports and Services and that have acutally educated ourselves, then we are just greedy and want everything under the sun. No we just did what you asked us to do, be educated and involved in our kids education and have actually read the law and kept up with the changes that have been made to IDEA. And they just really hate the fact that we understand our rights about that law passed in 1975 that they are still trying to figure out.
Here is a hint folks: Treat us with a little respect. Understand that we have put in many hours of education ourselves on this issue and we want to work with you for the best results. Don't play games with us about who is coming and who is not to the case conference. Don't try to double speak about best practices and staffing. Just treat us with fairness and respect and we will make progress that everyone will be happy with.
Ya, you guessed it our case conference is next week and everytime I try to go in being positive and everytime they try to treat me like I don't know anything and piss me off......ok breathe deep..lol.. I will be fine by next week but really just needed to vent.
So thanks for letting me vent....
I am amazed at the things Nash has done over the last 7 years and I have no doubt the next 7 are going to be even more amazing....I am so proud of you Buddy...
Anyway, sorry I have been AWOL but it has been a busy time around here and I think I bored many of you with my shift toward politics. So I think the Tales will be dedicated stricktly to family, Down syndrome and disability issues and I will start a new blog for politics....
What do you think?
Peace Dude!
As I think back, those memories of Nash being born and then being told he has Down syndrome are as clear as yesterday and at the same time seem 100 years ago. We have come a long way since that day.
As a family we are involved in every aspect of his life. And you know all the things I thought would be a challenge 7 years ago had to do with Nash. Today all the challenge's seem to be with the so called professionals. You know the group, School Corporations, Administration, Principals, Teachers, State Government, Department of Education, Professors, Elected Officials ect.
You know I hear all day long on radio, television and in the newspapers that the problem with schools is parents are not invovled. Then when it is us pesky parents of children with disabilities that qualify for Special Education Supports and Services and that have acutally educated ourselves, then we are just greedy and want everything under the sun. No we just did what you asked us to do, be educated and involved in our kids education and have actually read the law and kept up with the changes that have been made to IDEA. And they just really hate the fact that we understand our rights about that law passed in 1975 that they are still trying to figure out.
Here is a hint folks: Treat us with a little respect. Understand that we have put in many hours of education ourselves on this issue and we want to work with you for the best results. Don't play games with us about who is coming and who is not to the case conference. Don't try to double speak about best practices and staffing. Just treat us with fairness and respect and we will make progress that everyone will be happy with.
Ya, you guessed it our case conference is next week and everytime I try to go in being positive and everytime they try to treat me like I don't know anything and piss me off......ok breathe deep..lol.. I will be fine by next week but really just needed to vent.
So thanks for letting me vent....
I am amazed at the things Nash has done over the last 7 years and I have no doubt the next 7 are going to be even more amazing....I am so proud of you Buddy...
Anyway, sorry I have been AWOL but it has been a busy time around here and I think I bored many of you with my shift toward politics. So I think the Tales will be dedicated stricktly to family, Down syndrome and disability issues and I will start a new blog for politics....
What do you think?
Peace Dude!
Sunday, February 03, 2008
Super Bowl
Ladies and Gentlemen.....Character and class does still matter.....
Congratulations to the New York Giants for winning the Super Bowl with character and class.
Enough said.
Peace Dude.
Congratulations to the New York Giants for winning the Super Bowl with character and class.
Enough said.
Peace Dude.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
We can fix our economy!
Well another day of doom and gloom in the economy. Stock Market down, foreclosures up, property tax's out of control. Well we created this problem now let's fix it cause it's all about JOBS!
The problem with our economy today is that the middle class that has carried us for 100 years is gone. Those coveted factory jobs at GM, Ford, Chrysler, GE and others are not going away folks they have just been moved. They have been moved to other countries like Mexico. Other good jobs in manufacturing of items like toys, and extension cords and household products and electronics are gone to China and other countries. Good paying customer service call center jobs sent to India where class's are held to give the workers American accents.....give me a break.
Let's fix it and fix it now.....let's bring that Made in America pride back! I hear this argument that those jobs went away because our market demanded lower prices. Well GM has been building vehicles in Mexico for awhile now and I don't see the price's of cars going down. I don't see companies that use to make toys here that are now made in China lowering prices. Well I will be the first to say that Profit is good...really good. But good ole American greed driven by the whiners on Wall Street is going to break us. It may be great to have the cheapest product with the highest margin but if people can't buy it because they are losing their house....well what is the point? So here are some ideas.
1. Cancel NAFTA and CAFTA - Free trade has helped everyone but the American middle class who lost their jobs. Kill it!
2. We need to impose a Tariff on all products manufactured outside this country for a period of 5 years. It needs to be reasonable to make American Made products competitive again but not high enough to stop all imports. Remember Toyota and Honda and others make many products here now and that is great. But the other stuff coming in needs to have a tariff for 5 years. Now before you go nuts and call me a socialist let me remind you if it where not for the Tariff's imposed on motorcycle imports for a short time by President Reagan, Harley Davidson would not exist today.
3. During this 5 year period we should offer a tax credit to all business investment in capital manufacturing operations in the US that will increase that companies US work force.
4. We must create corporate tax penalties for moving jobs from the US to other countries. And create tax incentives for moving jobs from overseas to the US, as long as that company did not benefit from moving the jobs overseas to begin with.
5. We need to cap mortgage rates to go no higher then 8% for 4 years. We also must cap credit card interest rates at 15% for 6 years to allow the American public to get out of debt and start saving again. Again nothing wrong with profit but when the Feds make rates 3.5% and the top interest rate is 30% on credit cards....hmm nothing wrong with profit but that again sounds like greed created by Wall Street analysts.
6. We need to allow anyone that wants to move to this country legally to be able to join us just as our families did before us. But we need a central processing point (remember Ellis Island) and we must stop the flow at our borders. No if ands or buts on this one.
7. To help control the problem we need to fine and take away the license to do business of any company convicted of hiring illegal immigrants. This fine needs to be $250,ooo for each illegal in employment and the license and or tax id suspended for 2 years. To help even the playing field we should pay a $10,000 reward to anyone that turns someone into the local prosecutor that leads to a conviction ( and yes this needs to be a local issue) Everyone should be welcome to come to America as long as they do it right. And all illegal immigrants in our prison system should be deported to their country of origin along with a bill to their country. If the US happens to owe that country money or aid...take it off the tab.
8. The last item would be a complete overhaul of our education system.....that next.
PEACE DUDE!
The problem with our economy today is that the middle class that has carried us for 100 years is gone. Those coveted factory jobs at GM, Ford, Chrysler, GE and others are not going away folks they have just been moved. They have been moved to other countries like Mexico. Other good jobs in manufacturing of items like toys, and extension cords and household products and electronics are gone to China and other countries. Good paying customer service call center jobs sent to India where class's are held to give the workers American accents.....give me a break.
Let's fix it and fix it now.....let's bring that Made in America pride back! I hear this argument that those jobs went away because our market demanded lower prices. Well GM has been building vehicles in Mexico for awhile now and I don't see the price's of cars going down. I don't see companies that use to make toys here that are now made in China lowering prices. Well I will be the first to say that Profit is good...really good. But good ole American greed driven by the whiners on Wall Street is going to break us. It may be great to have the cheapest product with the highest margin but if people can't buy it because they are losing their house....well what is the point? So here are some ideas.
1. Cancel NAFTA and CAFTA - Free trade has helped everyone but the American middle class who lost their jobs. Kill it!
2. We need to impose a Tariff on all products manufactured outside this country for a period of 5 years. It needs to be reasonable to make American Made products competitive again but not high enough to stop all imports. Remember Toyota and Honda and others make many products here now and that is great. But the other stuff coming in needs to have a tariff for 5 years. Now before you go nuts and call me a socialist let me remind you if it where not for the Tariff's imposed on motorcycle imports for a short time by President Reagan, Harley Davidson would not exist today.
3. During this 5 year period we should offer a tax credit to all business investment in capital manufacturing operations in the US that will increase that companies US work force.
4. We must create corporate tax penalties for moving jobs from the US to other countries. And create tax incentives for moving jobs from overseas to the US, as long as that company did not benefit from moving the jobs overseas to begin with.
5. We need to cap mortgage rates to go no higher then 8% for 4 years. We also must cap credit card interest rates at 15% for 6 years to allow the American public to get out of debt and start saving again. Again nothing wrong with profit but when the Feds make rates 3.5% and the top interest rate is 30% on credit cards....hmm nothing wrong with profit but that again sounds like greed created by Wall Street analysts.
6. We need to allow anyone that wants to move to this country legally to be able to join us just as our families did before us. But we need a central processing point (remember Ellis Island) and we must stop the flow at our borders. No if ands or buts on this one.
7. To help control the problem we need to fine and take away the license to do business of any company convicted of hiring illegal immigrants. This fine needs to be $250,ooo for each illegal in employment and the license and or tax id suspended for 2 years. To help even the playing field we should pay a $10,000 reward to anyone that turns someone into the local prosecutor that leads to a conviction ( and yes this needs to be a local issue) Everyone should be welcome to come to America as long as they do it right. And all illegal immigrants in our prison system should be deported to their country of origin along with a bill to their country. If the US happens to owe that country money or aid...take it off the tab.
8. The last item would be a complete overhaul of our education system.....that next.
PEACE DUDE!
Sunday, January 20, 2008
In rememberance!
Just thought I would share with you this powerful speech today. If it were not for the progress made by Rev. Martin Luther King Jr the rights granted to individuals with disabilities under laws like ADA and IDEA would not be possible.
Thank You.
I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation.
Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of their captivity.
But one hundred years later, the Negro still is not free. One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination. One hundred years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity. One hundred years later, the Negro is still languishing in the corners of American society and finds himself an exile in his own land. So we have come here today to dramatize a shameful condition.
In a sense we have come to our nation's capital to cash a check. When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked "insufficient funds." But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation. So we have come to cash this check — a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice. We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quick sands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God's children.
It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment. This sweltering summer of the Negro's legitimate discontent will not pass until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality. Nineteen sixty-three is not an end, but a beginning. Those who hope that the Negro needed to blow off steam and will now be content will have a rude awakening if the nation returns to business as usual. There will be neither rest nor tranquility in America until the Negro is granted his citizenship rights. The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges.
But there is something that I must say to my people who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice. In the process of gaining our rightful place we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred.
We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force. The marvelous new militancy which has engulfed the Negro community must not lead us to a distrust of all white people, for many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny. They have come to realize that their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom. We cannot walk alone.
As we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead. We cannot turn back. There are those who are asking the devotees of civil rights, "When will you be satisfied?" We can never be satisfied as long as the Negro is the victim of the unspeakable horrors of police brutality. We can never be satisfied, as long as our bodies, heavy with the fatigue of travel, cannot gain lodging in the motels of the highways and the hotels of the cities. We cannot be satisfied as long as the Negro's basic mobility is from a smaller ghetto to a larger one. We can never be satisfied as long as our children are stripped of their selfhood and robbed of their dignity by signs stating "For Whites Only". We cannot be satisfied as long as a Negro in Mississippi cannot vote and a Negro in New York believes he has nothing for which to vote. No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.
I am not unmindful that some of you have come here out of great trials and tribulations. Some of you have come fresh from narrow jail cells. Some of you have come from areas where your quest for freedom left you battered by the storms of persecution and staggered by the winds of police brutality. You have been the veterans of creative suffering. Continue to work with the faith that unearned suffering is redemptive.
Go back to Mississippi, go back to Alabama, go back to South Carolina, go back to Georgia, go back to Louisiana, go back to the slums and ghettos of our northern cities, knowing that somehow this situation can and will be changed. Let us not wallow in the valley of despair.
I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal."
I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.
I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
I have a dream today.
I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification; one day right there in Alabama, little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.
I have a dream today.
I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.
This is our hope. This is the faith that I go back to the South with. With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.
This will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with a new meaning, "My country, 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrim's pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring."
And if America is to be a great nation this must become true. So let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire. Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York. Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania!
Let freedom ring from the snowcapped Rockies of Colorado!
Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California!
But not only that; let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia!
Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee!
Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi. From every mountainside, let freedom ring.
And when this happens, when we allow freedom to ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, "Free at last! free at last! thank God Almighty, we are free at last!"
Thank You.
I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation.
Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of their captivity.
But one hundred years later, the Negro still is not free. One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination. One hundred years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity. One hundred years later, the Negro is still languishing in the corners of American society and finds himself an exile in his own land. So we have come here today to dramatize a shameful condition.
In a sense we have come to our nation's capital to cash a check. When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked "insufficient funds." But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation. So we have come to cash this check — a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice. We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quick sands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God's children.
It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment. This sweltering summer of the Negro's legitimate discontent will not pass until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality. Nineteen sixty-three is not an end, but a beginning. Those who hope that the Negro needed to blow off steam and will now be content will have a rude awakening if the nation returns to business as usual. There will be neither rest nor tranquility in America until the Negro is granted his citizenship rights. The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges.
But there is something that I must say to my people who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice. In the process of gaining our rightful place we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred.
We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force. The marvelous new militancy which has engulfed the Negro community must not lead us to a distrust of all white people, for many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny. They have come to realize that their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom. We cannot walk alone.
As we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead. We cannot turn back. There are those who are asking the devotees of civil rights, "When will you be satisfied?" We can never be satisfied as long as the Negro is the victim of the unspeakable horrors of police brutality. We can never be satisfied, as long as our bodies, heavy with the fatigue of travel, cannot gain lodging in the motels of the highways and the hotels of the cities. We cannot be satisfied as long as the Negro's basic mobility is from a smaller ghetto to a larger one. We can never be satisfied as long as our children are stripped of their selfhood and robbed of their dignity by signs stating "For Whites Only". We cannot be satisfied as long as a Negro in Mississippi cannot vote and a Negro in New York believes he has nothing for which to vote. No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.
I am not unmindful that some of you have come here out of great trials and tribulations. Some of you have come fresh from narrow jail cells. Some of you have come from areas where your quest for freedom left you battered by the storms of persecution and staggered by the winds of police brutality. You have been the veterans of creative suffering. Continue to work with the faith that unearned suffering is redemptive.
Go back to Mississippi, go back to Alabama, go back to South Carolina, go back to Georgia, go back to Louisiana, go back to the slums and ghettos of our northern cities, knowing that somehow this situation can and will be changed. Let us not wallow in the valley of despair.
I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal."
I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.
I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
I have a dream today.
I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification; one day right there in Alabama, little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.
I have a dream today.
I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.
This is our hope. This is the faith that I go back to the South with. With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.
This will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with a new meaning, "My country, 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrim's pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring."
And if America is to be a great nation this must become true. So let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire. Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York. Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania!
Let freedom ring from the snowcapped Rockies of Colorado!
Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California!
But not only that; let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia!
Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee!
Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi. From every mountainside, let freedom ring.
And when this happens, when we allow freedom to ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, "Free at last! free at last! thank God Almighty, we are free at last!"
Saturday, January 12, 2008
American Mortgage crisis!
Well you can't turn on a single news story or financial show right now and not hear about the American Mortgage crisis. Home loans are going south all over the place and banks and mortgage companies are taking huge financial write off's. Let me make some observations on this subject and also ask some questions. Now I am not an Economist with more degree's then wall space but just a good ole boy from the banks of the Buck Creek....but..
I grew up in a pretty decent area along the Buck Crick and those houses were owned my the parents of many of my friends. I was thinking about that the other day and some of those parents owned their own business's and many others worked in the auto industry at places like Fisher Body, Warner Gear, Chevrolet and others.
Today many of those folks would not be able to own those houses because those jobs are gone. Moved to another location or down south to Mexico.
As I was listening to the radio on the way home they were discussing a bank that was getting ready to write off the largest amount loss in their long history and it was all mortgage related.
Well I challenge the markets on this one. I don't think we have a mortgage crisis in this county we have a job crisis. The jobs that supported the middle class that owned their homes and bought a new car every 4 years are gone. Their is no middle class anymore. At least no jobs to sustain a middle class.
Another question. I thought when bank foreclosed on a property they become the owner of the property? What are they taking the charge on? Just the paper of the loan while the newly gained asset shows up on a different part of the balance sheet to be dealt with as profit later?
Well bottom line is I really feel sorry for Wall Street and the banks....not.
We have to quit sending everything we make in America overseas to be made and then shipped back to us because if we keep this up we will not have any jobs or money to buy them.
Enough! We need to bring back that American Made Label. You re-focus on that and we can fix the economy and the mortgage crisis.
In my next post I will tell you how we can do it.
Have I gone way to political on all of you? The comments have stopped. Do I at least have you thinking?
PEACE DUDE!
I grew up in a pretty decent area along the Buck Crick and those houses were owned my the parents of many of my friends. I was thinking about that the other day and some of those parents owned their own business's and many others worked in the auto industry at places like Fisher Body, Warner Gear, Chevrolet and others.
Today many of those folks would not be able to own those houses because those jobs are gone. Moved to another location or down south to Mexico.
As I was listening to the radio on the way home they were discussing a bank that was getting ready to write off the largest amount loss in their long history and it was all mortgage related.
Well I challenge the markets on this one. I don't think we have a mortgage crisis in this county we have a job crisis. The jobs that supported the middle class that owned their homes and bought a new car every 4 years are gone. Their is no middle class anymore. At least no jobs to sustain a middle class.
Another question. I thought when bank foreclosed on a property they become the owner of the property? What are they taking the charge on? Just the paper of the loan while the newly gained asset shows up on a different part of the balance sheet to be dealt with as profit later?
Well bottom line is I really feel sorry for Wall Street and the banks....not.
We have to quit sending everything we make in America overseas to be made and then shipped back to us because if we keep this up we will not have any jobs or money to buy them.
Enough! We need to bring back that American Made Label. You re-focus on that and we can fix the economy and the mortgage crisis.
In my next post I will tell you how we can do it.
Have I gone way to political on all of you? The comments have stopped. Do I at least have you thinking?
PEACE DUDE!
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Government Run Healthcare
Question for everyone!
If as many of the candidates say the United States does not want or need Government run health care why have none of them come out for abolishing Medicare?
Just a question.
Peace Dude!
If as many of the candidates say the United States does not want or need Government run health care why have none of them come out for abolishing Medicare?
Just a question.
Peace Dude!
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
New Hampshire
Well folks it looks like it's going to be a dog fight to the end. Congrats to Senator McCain and Senator Clinton.
Now it's off to the South and the West for the Obama Machine.
YES WE CAN!
PEACE DUDE!
Now it's off to the South and the West for the Obama Machine.
YES WE CAN!
PEACE DUDE!
Obama on Individuals with Disabilities
Well if you read this blog you know my passion for the rights of Individuals with intellectual disabilities. I thought it only appropriate that If I am going to support Senator Obama in his race for the White House that I post his thoughts on the issue.
Please click the link below to be directed to that information.
http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/awdplan
Share your thoughts Gang.
Peace Dude!
Please click the link below to be directed to that information.
http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/awdplan
Share your thoughts Gang.
Peace Dude!
Sunday, January 06, 2008
Leadership!
In a recent debate Senator Obama was criticized by his counter parts for being naive based on commenting that he would meet with our enemies face to face.
Here is Senator Clinton's comments"
Obama's toughest Democratic primary competition in the race for the White House, Sen. Hillary Clinton, criticized Obama earlier this year for saying he would meet with Ahmadinejad during a debate, called his comments irresponsible and attacked the Illinois senator for being inexperienced.
Many other folks on both sides marked this off to inexperience...Interesting.
Let me share this with you.
"Interest in forming personal bonds was especially distinct in his meetings with world leaders. He chafed at the layers of communication that he felt complicated international relations. In the diary, we see him searching for a way to improve his contact with the successive general secretaries of the Soviet Union: Brezhnev, Andropov, Chernenko and Gorbachev. While Reagan was always guarded in his attitude toward the Soviets, he believed that progress would be made if he could communicate directly with them - by letter, telephone or in person. And he was right."
This quote is taken directly from the introduction of a book edited by Douglas Brinkley.
The Book?
The Reagan Diaries.......hmmmm well what they are calling inexperience and naive is what President Reagan used to end the cold war...
PEACE DUDE!
Here is Senator Clinton's comments"
Obama's toughest Democratic primary competition in the race for the White House, Sen. Hillary Clinton, criticized Obama earlier this year for saying he would meet with Ahmadinejad during a debate, called his comments irresponsible and attacked the Illinois senator for being inexperienced.
Many other folks on both sides marked this off to inexperience...Interesting.
Let me share this with you.
"Interest in forming personal bonds was especially distinct in his meetings with world leaders. He chafed at the layers of communication that he felt complicated international relations. In the diary, we see him searching for a way to improve his contact with the successive general secretaries of the Soviet Union: Brezhnev, Andropov, Chernenko and Gorbachev. While Reagan was always guarded in his attitude toward the Soviets, he believed that progress would be made if he could communicate directly with them - by letter, telephone or in person. And he was right."
This quote is taken directly from the introduction of a book edited by Douglas Brinkley.
The Book?
The Reagan Diaries.......hmmmm well what they are calling inexperience and naive is what President Reagan used to end the cold war...
PEACE DUDE!
Saturday, January 05, 2008
The Time Has Come!
Well ladies and gents the holidays are over and it's time to take our country back and get it headed in the right direction.
The Iowa Caucuses on Thursday night proved that America can ignore the media and the establishment and use their brains all on their own. Congrats to Gov Mike Huckabee for surprising everyone on the Republican side. Way to go Frater Mike!
Well for the first time in my life I have come out publicly for a candidate in a presidential campaign. I am supporting Barack Obama! I will share more in upcoming posts as to why. But let's just say I have done my homework and I feel he is someone that will take us in the right direction.
It's time to focus on politics on the Tales for a bit so I hope I don't bore you all too much.
I hope each of you will take the time to research your choice and make an educated decision. Please feel free to share your thoughts on here as I love a good, fact based Civil debate! That is what this country is built on.
Peace Dude!
The Iowa Caucuses on Thursday night proved that America can ignore the media and the establishment and use their brains all on their own. Congrats to Gov Mike Huckabee for surprising everyone on the Republican side. Way to go Frater Mike!
Well for the first time in my life I have come out publicly for a candidate in a presidential campaign. I am supporting Barack Obama! I will share more in upcoming posts as to why. But let's just say I have done my homework and I feel he is someone that will take us in the right direction.
It's time to focus on politics on the Tales for a bit so I hope I don't bore you all too much.
I hope each of you will take the time to research your choice and make an educated decision. Please feel free to share your thoughts on here as I love a good, fact based Civil debate! That is what this country is built on.
Peace Dude!
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
Wow, a huge honor bestowed from accross the Pond!
I have been honored by my good friend Kim Ayres with the Rambling Beard Award -2007. Click on the highlighted areas to the blog or the award page to read for yourself.
I have been reading Kim's blog for a long bit now and always enjoy checking in to see what's going on in Scotland.
Thanks for the award mate and a Happy 2008 to all.
Peace Dude!
Hijacking Jeff's Blog.....Happy Birthday Honey!
To the New Years Baby of the family:
May all your dreams, wishes, and needs come true this year, as you certainly deserve it.
You are the best husband and Dad anyone could ask for! I hope you get lots of birthday well wishes!
Lots of love,
the wife, Mauzy , Nash and Seger too
May all your dreams, wishes, and needs come true this year, as you certainly deserve it.
You are the best husband and Dad anyone could ask for! I hope you get lots of birthday well wishes!
Lots of love,
the wife, Mauzy , Nash and Seger too
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Dear Santa
Dear Santa'
I hope you are enjoying loading your sleigh and getting ready for your big trip tomorrow night.
I know it's kinda late but I thought I better get my letter to you fast.
I know you are busy right now but hope you can remember a few things for the Big Dawg this year.
1. Give everyone the ability to believe in your magic for another year.
2. Give Nash the gift of continuing to believe in his abilities and to dream big audacious dreams and to achieve them all.
3. May those that are sick feel better.
4. May those that frown again smile and let loose a deep belly busting laugh.
5. Give me the strength to be a better Dad, husband and person.
6. Give our nation the belief again that all men are created equal.
7. Give the power to those that are not with us anymore the ability to watch over us on Christmas morning and know they are still loved and remembered.
8. And finally Santa let everyone that reads this note know that WE BELIEVE and hope all their Christmas wishes come true.
Your Humble Elf
Jeff....aka - Big Dawg...aka - Nash's Daddy
P.S. Have a safe trip Santa and when you are relaxing in Key West next week beware my brother in law will be there.
PEACE DUDE!
Friday, December 21, 2007
Happy Birthday Dave
It's Dave's birthday over at Chewing the Fat. You can click on his blog on the left side of my blog.
It's a great place to read awsome tales of individuals making a difference. And if you go over please take the time to read...So This is Christmas.....
Peace Dude!
It's a great place to read awsome tales of individuals making a difference. And if you go over please take the time to read...So This is Christmas.....
Peace Dude!
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Life!
Well it has been quite a week or so around the BigDawg ranch. Dealing with the loss of our good friend Annette, sorting out travel plans for Mauzy, my schedule while Mauzy is out of town and now thoughts and prayers needed for my Step Dad who is in the Hospital.
Well today Life got put back in alignment for a few hours anyway.. I was one of the parents that attended Nash's 1st grade field trip to the Indianapolis Childrens Museum. We are very lucky to have one of the best Children's Museums in the United States right here in Indy.
Well the delight and thrill of 1st graders playing in the museum today reminded me about what is important in life. A few hours of fun, knowledge, excitement and friendship. It was the most fun I have had in awhile.
Peace Dude!
Well today Life got put back in alignment for a few hours anyway.. I was one of the parents that attended Nash's 1st grade field trip to the Indianapolis Childrens Museum. We are very lucky to have one of the best Children's Museums in the United States right here in Indy.
Well the delight and thrill of 1st graders playing in the museum today reminded me about what is important in life. A few hours of fun, knowledge, excitement and friendship. It was the most fun I have had in awhile.
Peace Dude!
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Update!
Our dear friend Annette passed away early this morning. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and her friends.
Interesting that as I wright this blog entry Meet the Press is on with Mit Romney talking about Religion. Well here is what I want to know today.....
Why a loving god would allow a lady who never smoked to get lung cancer and die at such a young age leaving a great husband and two wonderful young boys behind. I always here the same answer.....he has a better plan, he knows best.....
Well somebody explain that one to me because I can assure you today that makes absolutely now damn sense.
Annette we will miss you deeply.....
Peace Dude!
Interesting that as I wright this blog entry Meet the Press is on with Mit Romney talking about Religion. Well here is what I want to know today.....
Why a loving god would allow a lady who never smoked to get lung cancer and die at such a young age leaving a great husband and two wonderful young boys behind. I always here the same answer.....he has a better plan, he knows best.....
Well somebody explain that one to me because I can assure you today that makes absolutely now damn sense.
Annette we will miss you deeply.....
Peace Dude!
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Indiana has lost a patriot of civil rights issues including those with disabilities!
I was lucky enough to meet with Congresswoma Carson and her staff on the Hill. I can assure you she and her staff were always welcoming and prepared on your issues whether in person or on the phone.
1938 - 2007
Congresswoman Julia Carson dies
By Mary Beth Schneider
marybeth.schneider@indystar.com
December 15, 2007
U.S. Rep. Julia Carson died at home this morning following a battle with lung cancer. She was 69.
Carson’s death comes just weeks after she announced the cancer, which she had beaten before, was back with “terminal vengeance.”
Two days later, she said she would not seek re-election to a seventh term in 2008, saying her time away from Congress would be “a time to weep and a time to laugh,” and she added, “a time to heal.”
But Carson, who was first elected to Congress in 1996, never healed.
“Who knows the future, who knows god’s will,” she said in the statement announcing her decision not to run again. “I want very much to return to Washington and continue representing the good people of Indianapolis with my vote. I can only request your prayers that I might gain the strength to continue my service.”
Gov. Mitch Daniels' office said tentative plans were under way to have Carson’s body lie in state at the Rotunda in the Indiana State House. Daniels ordered that flags be lowered today until sunset on the day of her burial. Calling was tentatively scheduled for Friday, with the funeral service on Saturday.
Former U.S. Rep. Andy Jacobs, who was Carson’s friend and mentor, said he was called about 9:45 this morning and notified she had died at her home about a half-hour earlier.
“I loved her and she loved me,” Jacobs said, his voice cracking. “She was my sister.”
He last saw his friend Friday, he said, and was able to kiss her goodbye.
About a week ago, Jacobs said, “when she still recognized me, she started silently signalling with her right hand, waving it toward her. I bent down — closer, closer, closer — till I was next to her face. And for the first time ever, she reached up and kissing me warmly on the cheek. I knew exactly what she meant. She was kissing me goodbye.”
Now, he said, people will realize the contributions she has made that she never boasted about before, and what he called “a really prodigious career of that huge brain in that cranium.”
“She was a pretty modest person,” he said. “She didn’t say much about her enormous accomplishments.”
Among those accomplishments, he said, were welfare reforms as Center Township trustee, before she succeeded him in Congress.
“Her welfare reforms did not break one child’s heart,” he said.
Instead, he said, she teamed up with former U.S. Attorney Virginia Dill McCarty and “when she found a welfare cheat, she didn’t just take off the rolls. She sued them to get money back for the taxpayer.”
Daniels called Carson “a lioness.”
“There was determination, and resolve, and genuine conviction in Julia, but never meanness. And she was such fun. It was rare to leave her presence without a smile. And after the sadness fades a bit, we’ll still have that. I know I’ll think of her often, and always with a smile.”
U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., said Carson “overcame much and accomplished much, and devoted her life to helping other people do the same.”
“She was elected to important public offices, but never forgot who she was, where she came from or who she was there to serve. She had a great sense of humor and a great sense of style, both of which are all too often lacking in public life.
“She has left a great legacy and I will miss her.”
Sarge Visher, who ran Carson’s first campaign for Congress and had worked with her since, said Carson was “proud of every single person she was able to help, even a little bit. Those were almost invisible, but we’d hear about them over the years. I don’t think she was interested in building monuments to herself, but instead doing things fundamentally Christian.”
Before heading to Congress, Carson served in the Indiana House of Representatives for two terms and was then elected to the Indiana Senate, where she served until 1990. Carson then filled the post of Center Township trustee until she went to Washington.
A steadfast Democrat, Carson opposed President Bush’s request for authority to wage war in 2002. In 1999, she won enactment of a measure that awarded the Congressional Gold Medal to civil rights figure Rosa Parks.
In 1991 and 1974, she was named by The Star as Woman of the Year.
Carson’s death comes after she took a medical leave from Congress in September after complaining of leg pain and fatigue.
In her last public interview broadcast on Nov. 5 on the WTCL-AM program, “Afternoons with Amos,” Carson expressed frustration over her health problems. “I’m breathing and I feel fine,” she said. Her voice did sound shaky, though, and she had coughing spells during the interview.
“I’ve got bronchitis real bad now and I hope to get over it,” she said, “but you don’t ever know.”
Her health had been an issue almost from the day she was first elected to Congress.
In January of 1997, she took her oath of office at Methodist Hospital where she was recovering from a double-bypass surgery.
The surgery kept her at home during the early days of the 105th Congress and she missed 41 of the 640 floor votes that year.
After winning her sixth term last year, she proclaimed, “People thought I was too sick to run. I’m not too sick for anything.”
A special election would be held to choose Carson’s successor.
Potential Democrats who might run for her seat include Andre Carson, who is Carson’s grandson. Republicans who have said they will run for the seat include state Rep. Jon Elrod and probation officer Wayne Harmon.
1938 - 2007
Congresswoman Julia Carson dies
By Mary Beth Schneider
marybeth.schneider@indystar.com
December 15, 2007
U.S. Rep. Julia Carson died at home this morning following a battle with lung cancer. She was 69.
Carson’s death comes just weeks after she announced the cancer, which she had beaten before, was back with “terminal vengeance.”
Two days later, she said she would not seek re-election to a seventh term in 2008, saying her time away from Congress would be “a time to weep and a time to laugh,” and she added, “a time to heal.”
But Carson, who was first elected to Congress in 1996, never healed.
“Who knows the future, who knows god’s will,” she said in the statement announcing her decision not to run again. “I want very much to return to Washington and continue representing the good people of Indianapolis with my vote. I can only request your prayers that I might gain the strength to continue my service.”
Gov. Mitch Daniels' office said tentative plans were under way to have Carson’s body lie in state at the Rotunda in the Indiana State House. Daniels ordered that flags be lowered today until sunset on the day of her burial. Calling was tentatively scheduled for Friday, with the funeral service on Saturday.
Former U.S. Rep. Andy Jacobs, who was Carson’s friend and mentor, said he was called about 9:45 this morning and notified she had died at her home about a half-hour earlier.
“I loved her and she loved me,” Jacobs said, his voice cracking. “She was my sister.”
He last saw his friend Friday, he said, and was able to kiss her goodbye.
About a week ago, Jacobs said, “when she still recognized me, she started silently signalling with her right hand, waving it toward her. I bent down — closer, closer, closer — till I was next to her face. And for the first time ever, she reached up and kissing me warmly on the cheek. I knew exactly what she meant. She was kissing me goodbye.”
Now, he said, people will realize the contributions she has made that she never boasted about before, and what he called “a really prodigious career of that huge brain in that cranium.”
“She was a pretty modest person,” he said. “She didn’t say much about her enormous accomplishments.”
Among those accomplishments, he said, were welfare reforms as Center Township trustee, before she succeeded him in Congress.
“Her welfare reforms did not break one child’s heart,” he said.
Instead, he said, she teamed up with former U.S. Attorney Virginia Dill McCarty and “when she found a welfare cheat, she didn’t just take off the rolls. She sued them to get money back for the taxpayer.”
Daniels called Carson “a lioness.”
“There was determination, and resolve, and genuine conviction in Julia, but never meanness. And she was such fun. It was rare to leave her presence without a smile. And after the sadness fades a bit, we’ll still have that. I know I’ll think of her often, and always with a smile.”
U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., said Carson “overcame much and accomplished much, and devoted her life to helping other people do the same.”
“She was elected to important public offices, but never forgot who she was, where she came from or who she was there to serve. She had a great sense of humor and a great sense of style, both of which are all too often lacking in public life.
“She has left a great legacy and I will miss her.”
Sarge Visher, who ran Carson’s first campaign for Congress and had worked with her since, said Carson was “proud of every single person she was able to help, even a little bit. Those were almost invisible, but we’d hear about them over the years. I don’t think she was interested in building monuments to herself, but instead doing things fundamentally Christian.”
Before heading to Congress, Carson served in the Indiana House of Representatives for two terms and was then elected to the Indiana Senate, where she served until 1990. Carson then filled the post of Center Township trustee until she went to Washington.
A steadfast Democrat, Carson opposed President Bush’s request for authority to wage war in 2002. In 1999, she won enactment of a measure that awarded the Congressional Gold Medal to civil rights figure Rosa Parks.
In 1991 and 1974, she was named by The Star as Woman of the Year.
Carson’s death comes after she took a medical leave from Congress in September after complaining of leg pain and fatigue.
In her last public interview broadcast on Nov. 5 on the WTCL-AM program, “Afternoons with Amos,” Carson expressed frustration over her health problems. “I’m breathing and I feel fine,” she said. Her voice did sound shaky, though, and she had coughing spells during the interview.
“I’ve got bronchitis real bad now and I hope to get over it,” she said, “but you don’t ever know.”
Her health had been an issue almost from the day she was first elected to Congress.
In January of 1997, she took her oath of office at Methodist Hospital where she was recovering from a double-bypass surgery.
The surgery kept her at home during the early days of the 105th Congress and she missed 41 of the 640 floor votes that year.
After winning her sixth term last year, she proclaimed, “People thought I was too sick to run. I’m not too sick for anything.”
A special election would be held to choose Carson’s successor.
Potential Democrats who might run for her seat include Andre Carson, who is Carson’s grandson. Republicans who have said they will run for the seat include state Rep. Jon Elrod and probation officer Wayne Harmon.
Friday, December 14, 2007
Need your Help Gang!
Ok for those that know me or read my blog know this is an unusual post. But I am asking anyway....
If you read my post below you know I talked about friends. Well I have these really neat friends from Canada. They are the best people you could ever meet. Some of you may know who I am talking about. My friends have a blog but I am not asking you to go there. I am only going to ask you to take 1 minute for me today....I don't care what your religion is or if you don't have one.....I am going to ask you to do what you need to.
I am asking each of you to take one minute to send as much energy as you can to Tom and Annette. Annette has just returned home from the hospital and does not have much time left with us on this earth. They have two amazing boys and one happens to have Down syndrome. Yep, if it was not for that pesky extra 21st we would probably not know and love these dear friends.
So, whether it's a prayer, a thought, a chant, a toast or a comment on this blog...please take just a moment and send as much strength and energy you can spare the way of my friends so Annette will have the energy to sit with her men and hold them and love them until the time comes. May we give Tom all the strength and energy we can to get through today, tomorrow, next week, next month and next year.
I know I am asking allot of you for folks you may or may not know but just do it. Send that energy they need it right now and it will be that one Christmas gift you can give just because.
Ask all your fellow bloggers to help
Thanks
Peace Dude
If you read my post below you know I talked about friends. Well I have these really neat friends from Canada. They are the best people you could ever meet. Some of you may know who I am talking about. My friends have a blog but I am not asking you to go there. I am only going to ask you to take 1 minute for me today....I don't care what your religion is or if you don't have one.....I am going to ask you to do what you need to.
I am asking each of you to take one minute to send as much energy as you can to Tom and Annette. Annette has just returned home from the hospital and does not have much time left with us on this earth. They have two amazing boys and one happens to have Down syndrome. Yep, if it was not for that pesky extra 21st we would probably not know and love these dear friends.
So, whether it's a prayer, a thought, a chant, a toast or a comment on this blog...please take just a moment and send as much strength and energy you can spare the way of my friends so Annette will have the energy to sit with her men and hold them and love them until the time comes. May we give Tom all the strength and energy we can to get through today, tomorrow, next week, next month and next year.
I know I am asking allot of you for folks you may or may not know but just do it. Send that energy they need it right now and it will be that one Christmas gift you can give just because.
Ask all your fellow bloggers to help
Thanks
Peace Dude
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Christmas Meme
My wife the infamous Mauzy just reminded me that I was supposed to Tag four people to answer the questions...
But hey it's Christmas....as my gift to you my reader...
YOU ARE TAGGED!
Peace Dude
But hey it's Christmas....as my gift to you my reader...
YOU ARE TAGGED!
Peace Dude
Tagged with a Christmas Meme
My good friend Kei has tagged me. It's a good thing Kei and Robert are such very good friends or I would not grant them a bye for being Patriot Fans.....
So here we go.....
What is your favorite thing about the Holiday Season?
My favorite thing about the Season is watching Nash really be into Christmas. He totally is into Santa now, he gets the whole Baby Jesus story, and when he woke up the other morning and we had 4" of snow on the ground....he yelled up the stairs as he run up that it had snowed. He came to my side of the bed and said Daddy, get up it snowed....Daddy get up Santa was here I have to open toys.....you gotta love it.
What is your favorite Holiday Memory?
Favorite Holiday Memory....hmm...Ok there are a few. My favorite childhood memory was Christmas at my Grandparents house. When I was little I thought their house was huge. My grandparents had 4 boys but one died in a farm accident so it was my dad and my two amazing uncles. From those three boys my grandparents has 16 grand kids. So every Christmas we all went to their house on Christmas day. Some how we all packed into that house and it never seemed crowded. We ate and played and laughed and the best thing was my grandfather always got a case of Coke in the little glass bottles and it was on the front porch. What a treat it was to get an icy cold little Coke from the porch. Then before we new it the red car pulled up and here came Santa to pass out the gifts. I could not believe he was so happy after such a long nights work but was always so thirsty. He had to head to the kitchen every few gifts for a sip thru a straw of a big glass my grandfather had for him. I was about 13 when I realized the glass was full of Bourbon and Seven-Up. How I wish Nash could have experienced one of those Christmas days....but my grandparents are gone, but every time I get the chance to drive by their little tiny farm house I chuckle and wonder how we got all those people in that damn house...
Another favorite memory was the first time I spent Christmas in California with my Mom and Step Dad. I needed to go get something for them so I drove my Step Dads car with the sunroof open and the windows down as it was in the mid 70's and thought to myself now this is the way Christmas was meant to be....but now I am glad to be back in Indiana.
Another Favorite was when I lived in England. I lived in the small village of Uppingham, which is about 2 hours north of London. I was never their for Christmas as I always flew home before the big day. One night a year they had late night shopping where all the store keepers dressed in Dickens era clothing. The streets were filled with Carolers and vendors were selling things like jacket potato's (baked potato's to us yanks) and when everyone was done we met and closed down The Vaults...The BEST PUB IN ALL OF ENGLAND! Jon I hope you somehow get wind of this and know the picture of the Vaults still hangs proudly in my den and I am sure you have never recovered the financial loss of my moving back home.... Cheers Mate!
And last, now my favorite memories change every year as I watch Nash enjoy the season.
What is the best gift you ever gave?
I am not sure about that.... but I am sure my family could answer that one better.
What is the best gift you ever received?
I get them every year when I receive cards from friends from years gone by that I hardly ever see. I hope each of them know how much their friendship still means. And now to add to that we get all these cards from our friends in the DS community and the T21 board and sometimes I have to ask Jan....who the hell is this...lol
What is your secret Holiday Wish for this year?
My secret wish for this year is that everyone in the world would learn to once again dream....to believe in the power of Santa....and know that the power of belief in a dream can change the world. And I believe in the dream that some day Nash will believe in his Dreams and accomplish everyone of them....and instead of people saying wow....look at what that young man with Down syndrome has done...They would all smile and say...I had no doubt Nash would accomplish that.....
And if the Carpenter from Nazareth had written this I believe he would close with...
PEACE DUDE!
So here we go.....
What is your favorite thing about the Holiday Season?
My favorite thing about the Season is watching Nash really be into Christmas. He totally is into Santa now, he gets the whole Baby Jesus story, and when he woke up the other morning and we had 4" of snow on the ground....he yelled up the stairs as he run up that it had snowed. He came to my side of the bed and said Daddy, get up it snowed....Daddy get up Santa was here I have to open toys.....you gotta love it.
What is your favorite Holiday Memory?
Favorite Holiday Memory....hmm...Ok there are a few. My favorite childhood memory was Christmas at my Grandparents house. When I was little I thought their house was huge. My grandparents had 4 boys but one died in a farm accident so it was my dad and my two amazing uncles. From those three boys my grandparents has 16 grand kids. So every Christmas we all went to their house on Christmas day. Some how we all packed into that house and it never seemed crowded. We ate and played and laughed and the best thing was my grandfather always got a case of Coke in the little glass bottles and it was on the front porch. What a treat it was to get an icy cold little Coke from the porch. Then before we new it the red car pulled up and here came Santa to pass out the gifts. I could not believe he was so happy after such a long nights work but was always so thirsty. He had to head to the kitchen every few gifts for a sip thru a straw of a big glass my grandfather had for him. I was about 13 when I realized the glass was full of Bourbon and Seven-Up. How I wish Nash could have experienced one of those Christmas days....but my grandparents are gone, but every time I get the chance to drive by their little tiny farm house I chuckle and wonder how we got all those people in that damn house...
Another favorite memory was the first time I spent Christmas in California with my Mom and Step Dad. I needed to go get something for them so I drove my Step Dads car with the sunroof open and the windows down as it was in the mid 70's and thought to myself now this is the way Christmas was meant to be....but now I am glad to be back in Indiana.
Another Favorite was when I lived in England. I lived in the small village of Uppingham, which is about 2 hours north of London. I was never their for Christmas as I always flew home before the big day. One night a year they had late night shopping where all the store keepers dressed in Dickens era clothing. The streets were filled with Carolers and vendors were selling things like jacket potato's (baked potato's to us yanks) and when everyone was done we met and closed down The Vaults...The BEST PUB IN ALL OF ENGLAND! Jon I hope you somehow get wind of this and know the picture of the Vaults still hangs proudly in my den and I am sure you have never recovered the financial loss of my moving back home.... Cheers Mate!
And last, now my favorite memories change every year as I watch Nash enjoy the season.
What is the best gift you ever gave?
I am not sure about that.... but I am sure my family could answer that one better.
What is the best gift you ever received?
I get them every year when I receive cards from friends from years gone by that I hardly ever see. I hope each of them know how much their friendship still means. And now to add to that we get all these cards from our friends in the DS community and the T21 board and sometimes I have to ask Jan....who the hell is this...lol
What is your secret Holiday Wish for this year?
My secret wish for this year is that everyone in the world would learn to once again dream....to believe in the power of Santa....and know that the power of belief in a dream can change the world. And I believe in the dream that some day Nash will believe in his Dreams and accomplish everyone of them....and instead of people saying wow....look at what that young man with Down syndrome has done...They would all smile and say...I had no doubt Nash would accomplish that.....
And if the Carpenter from Nazareth had written this I believe he would close with...
PEACE DUDE!
Saturday, December 08, 2007
DADS Update
Hey Everyone'
Sorry about the post below and the links not working. Not sure what I did but can't seem to fix it by editing the post. Instead I am going to add all the links to the side of the page so they are always there and update as needed.
Peace Dude.
Sorry about the post below and the links not working. Not sure what I did but can't seem to fix it by editing the post. Instead I am going to add all the links to the side of the page so they are always there and update as needed.
Peace Dude.
Sunday, December 02, 2007
USC Football
Well if you know me you know I am a Notre Dame fan, so if I am putting up a link and a post about University of Southern California Football is must be damn good.
Check out USC's Special Assistant to the Head Coach..
Coach Carrol you are a good man. Now hire this young man as a fulltime member of your staff and lead the way on creating employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
This may be the only time you will ever hear me say...GO TROJANS!
Peace Dude
Check out USC's Special Assistant to the Head Coach..
Coach Carrol you are a good man. Now hire this young man as a fulltime member of your staff and lead the way on creating employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
This may be the only time you will ever hear me say...GO TROJANS!
Peace Dude
Monday, November 19, 2007
Update on DADS!
As many of you know I am one of the founding members of DADS. Dads Appreciating Down Syndrome is the group we started just 6 years ago. We have 14 chapters in the US and 3 overseas. That is at least what we know of, they keep popping up everywhere.
Our Mission is to assist and support thru fellowship and action, the fathers and families of people with Down syndrome.
Here are some link to some of our chapters. Take a look. If you would like info on starting a chapter in your area please email me.
Founding DADS- D.A.D.S of Indiana
Virginia D.A.D.S
D.A.D.S of Minnesota
D.A.D.S OK- forming
D.A.D.S NSW Australia
Middle Tennessee looking for DADS
Miami Valley Ohio DADS
D.A.D.S Illinois
Madison Wisconsin D.A.D.S
Peace Dude
Our Mission is to assist and support thru fellowship and action, the fathers and families of people with Down syndrome.
Here are some link to some of our chapters. Take a look. If you would like info on starting a chapter in your area please email me.
Founding DADS- D.A.D.S of Indiana
Virginia D.A.D.S
D.A.D.S of Minnesota
D.A.D.S OK- forming
D.A.D.S NSW Australia
Middle Tennessee looking for DADS
Miami Valley Ohio DADS
D.A.D.S Illinois
Madison Wisconsin D.A.D.S
Peace Dude
Nothing like a football story!
Saw this article today about Jordan Kidder and thought I would pass it on so everyone can read it. Just click on Jordan's name see the article. The story was written by Mitch Albom of "Tuesday's with Morrie" fame.
Thanks for sharing Mitch.
Thanks for sharing Mitch.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Wow
Sorry I have been so missing from updates. I promise to get back on track in the next few days.
It was not that long ago that one of our fears was Nash would not get invited to many birthday parties because he was born with Down syndrome.
Well on top of everything else in my schedule keeping me from posting, I am off to take Nash to birthday party number 2 or 4 this month.
Peace.
It was not that long ago that one of our fears was Nash would not get invited to many birthday parties because he was born with Down syndrome.
Well on top of everything else in my schedule keeping me from posting, I am off to take Nash to birthday party number 2 or 4 this month.
Peace.
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Time Flies!
Thursday night I took Nash to a party. It was at this new place here in town that has those huge bounce houses and slides. I think all the boyz had a really good time.
At one point I was watching Nash go flying up this ladder like thing up to the top of one of the bounce houses and then fling himself down the slide with the rest of his buddies.
It was about then that I got a shit eating grin on my face. Ok now admit it you all know exactly what kind of grin that is. It's kinda proud, kind silly but must of all it's kind of a "I told you so" smile. Why the grin?
Well I was thinking back to when Nash was born and all of the fears I was filled with. All the medical info saying he could not do this and that. I spent much time wondering if Nash would be able to do this or that. He had to have Physical Therapy for low tone and all this stuff to help him with his delay's. I worried....would my son ever be able to hold himself up, walk, run, jump, play ball. Would he this or that....would his x-ray be ok so he could ride a horse...oh it was...ect. Many of you know what I am talking about.
Back to the grin....The grin came from the standpoint that Nash physically is doing great. He walks, he runs, he jumps, he tackles and some things he is not supposed to do. But more importantly he had played T-ball and just finished flag football within the regular leagues.
And this party was the celebration of the end of Flag Football Season. It was Nash and the rest of the GUYS from the team. They were running, jumping, flipping, climbing and more. There were no be carefuls, Nash can't do this or Nash can't do that and no looks from any parents....you see he had won them all over during the season. I mean hey he completed one of the three completed pass's all season and loves playing center and can even long snap.
So here was inclusion at it's finest....Nash was having a great time and Down syndrome was never brought up....he was just one of the guys! And no one paid attention one way or another.
How damn cool is that.
Peace Dude.
At one point I was watching Nash go flying up this ladder like thing up to the top of one of the bounce houses and then fling himself down the slide with the rest of his buddies.
It was about then that I got a shit eating grin on my face. Ok now admit it you all know exactly what kind of grin that is. It's kinda proud, kind silly but must of all it's kind of a "I told you so" smile. Why the grin?
Well I was thinking back to when Nash was born and all of the fears I was filled with. All the medical info saying he could not do this and that. I spent much time wondering if Nash would be able to do this or that. He had to have Physical Therapy for low tone and all this stuff to help him with his delay's. I worried....would my son ever be able to hold himself up, walk, run, jump, play ball. Would he this or that....would his x-ray be ok so he could ride a horse...oh it was...ect. Many of you know what I am talking about.
Back to the grin....The grin came from the standpoint that Nash physically is doing great. He walks, he runs, he jumps, he tackles and some things he is not supposed to do. But more importantly he had played T-ball and just finished flag football within the regular leagues.
And this party was the celebration of the end of Flag Football Season. It was Nash and the rest of the GUYS from the team. They were running, jumping, flipping, climbing and more. There were no be carefuls, Nash can't do this or Nash can't do that and no looks from any parents....you see he had won them all over during the season. I mean hey he completed one of the three completed pass's all season and loves playing center and can even long snap.
So here was inclusion at it's finest....Nash was having a great time and Down syndrome was never brought up....he was just one of the guys! And no one paid attention one way or another.
How damn cool is that.
Peace Dude.
Friday, October 12, 2007
Quick Update
Hey Everyone
Sorry I have been missing in action. Life has been hectic with re-joining the for-profit world...ahh how I missed it.
And then to top it all off it's Buddy Walk weekend here in Indy. We have somewhere in the neighborhood of 30 people here tonight and 70 some tomorrow. Many from the blogger world. Oh the stuff my bride gets me into.
More to come later...
PEACE DUDE!
Sorry I have been missing in action. Life has been hectic with re-joining the for-profit world...ahh how I missed it.
And then to top it all off it's Buddy Walk weekend here in Indy. We have somewhere in the neighborhood of 30 people here tonight and 70 some tomorrow. Many from the blogger world. Oh the stuff my bride gets me into.
More to come later...
PEACE DUDE!
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Follow up post
Ok, one of my readers discoverd the answer to my top ten list by using Google.
It was simply the top 10 countries with the highest per capita rate of firearm related murders. I was more then a little surprised with the company we keep and those that seemed to be way down the list.
That was all just an interesting statistic to ponder.
PEACE DUDE!
It was simply the top 10 countries with the highest per capita rate of firearm related murders. I was more then a little surprised with the company we keep and those that seemed to be way down the list.
That was all just an interesting statistic to ponder.
PEACE DUDE!
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Anybody want to guess?
Anyone want to guess what the following top 10 list is about. Take a long look at the countries and the statistics and make a guess.
#1 South Africa: 0.719782 per 1,000 people
#2 Colombia: 0.509801 per 1,000 people
#3 Thailand: 0.312093 per 1,000 people
#4 Zimbabwe: 0.0491736 per 1,000 people
#5 Mexico: 0.0337938 per 1,000 people
#6 Belarus: 0.0321359 per 1,000 people
#7 Costa Rica: 0.0313745 per 1,000 people
#8 United States: 0.0279271 per 1,000 people
#9 Uruguay: 0.0245902 per 1,000 people
#10 Lithuania: 0.0230748 per 1,000 people
Follow up post to explain in a few days.
PEACE DUDE!
#1 South Africa: 0.719782 per 1,000 people
#2 Colombia: 0.509801 per 1,000 people
#3 Thailand: 0.312093 per 1,000 people
#4 Zimbabwe: 0.0491736 per 1,000 people
#5 Mexico: 0.0337938 per 1,000 people
#6 Belarus: 0.0321359 per 1,000 people
#7 Costa Rica: 0.0313745 per 1,000 people
#8 United States: 0.0279271 per 1,000 people
#9 Uruguay: 0.0245902 per 1,000 people
#10 Lithuania: 0.0230748 per 1,000 people
Follow up post to explain in a few days.
PEACE DUDE!
Friday, September 21, 2007
Who would have thought!
Sorry its been awhile since I have posted anything. Life just got in the way of blogging... But sometimes that is a good thing. As I reflect on the last couple of weeks there are some interesting things that have happened.
1. Notre Dame lost.
2. Michigan lost.
3. Bill Belichick was caught cheating.
4. The Colts Win
5. Notre Dame lost.
6. Michigan lost.
7. Hillary says she is not a Lesbian.
8. Nobody is sure if Barack Obama is black enough or white enough.
9. I think Barack is just perfect and exactly what we need.
10. Nash lost another tooth, this one right in front.
11. I left Janus to return to the for-profit world.
12. Notre Dame Lost AGAIN.
13. Michigan won and my two favorite teams are ND and who ever is playing Michigan.
14. Charlie Wies can't call a play that the defence can't tear apart.
15. Maybe Charlie needs some of Bill's video tapes.
16. I started my new life at Conor-Patrick.
And as usual I am happy with my decesions and have no regrets.
Who would have thought!
PEACE DUDE
1. Notre Dame lost.
2. Michigan lost.
3. Bill Belichick was caught cheating.
4. The Colts Win
5. Notre Dame lost.
6. Michigan lost.
7. Hillary says she is not a Lesbian.
8. Nobody is sure if Barack Obama is black enough or white enough.
9. I think Barack is just perfect and exactly what we need.
10. Nash lost another tooth, this one right in front.
11. I left Janus to return to the for-profit world.
12. Notre Dame Lost AGAIN.
13. Michigan won and my two favorite teams are ND and who ever is playing Michigan.
14. Charlie Wies can't call a play that the defence can't tear apart.
15. Maybe Charlie needs some of Bill's video tapes.
16. I started my new life at Conor-Patrick.
And as usual I am happy with my decesions and have no regrets.
Who would have thought!
PEACE DUDE
Saturday, September 08, 2007
The Return of Subliminal Advertising!
Well I was sitting on the couch last night watching Hannity and Colmes on Fox News which seems to carry more pharmaceutical company ads then any other network on television....hmmmm...opps I digress....anyway.
As I am sitting there I see the second ad for a drug that has taken on a new side effect that I heard for the first time on another ad over the last couple of weeks. It really got me thinking.....sorry Kei I know I am going to make your head hurt on this one.
Well I have figured out the whole damn thing......
You see the advertising folks that Big Pharma are using are dressed up hippies from the 60's. If finally makes sense....subliminal advertising at it's finest.
As you all know if drives me crazy that the FCC and the rest of our government won't let us see TV ads for Wild Turkey, Beefeater's Gin, Jose Cuervo Tequila and Marlboro Lights...but they will let us see the names if they produce a malt liquor or we are welcome to see an ad from every drug company.
But what really gets under my skin is what I determined to be these Ad's marketing lines to the side effects they had to tell you about.....I mean who wants to sign up for a drug that.....causes
Nose bleeds, high blood pressure, dry throat, dizziness, vomiting and diarrhea?
Not me.....well the dressed up hippies got wise and said "Hey Dude, let's bring back subliminal advertising"..... the hippies will get it and head to the doctor....
you are thinking but Big Dawg what do you mean.....
let's look....
Erectile Dysfunction : Two people sitting on a mountain side in two old cast iron bath tubs looking out over the sunset holding hands.... At home Hubby stands up yells into the kitchen: "Hey Moon Baby look they are promoting an ACID trip, look at those colors.....
But wait there is more.... what use to be my favorite: " if you have an erection lasting more then 4 hours please call your doctor". Now this time Hubby sits down and thinks about Woodstock and free love and tried to remember if Moon Baby was there"....but hey I better get some of that....
But I have a new winner......they have topped themselves. I first heard this a couple of weeks ago and laughed out loud but now I have heard it for the second time on another drug ad. It has to do with two drugs for restless leg syndrome. Now I am not going to name the companies or the drug cause they would love that but you can find them on Google.
But this is what really got me......in the side effects that they always run thru at the end of the ad they say....."if you get desires for compulsive gambling or sexual activities please contact your doctor". What! I was amazed the first time but shocked the second.....
But now I have it all figured out......it's the dressed up Hippie thing....
Cause you see when the old hippie husband saw the ad.....he stood up and yelled " Hey Moon Baby.....gotta run by the doctor in the morning and then we are going to Vegas Baby"......
So we have come full circle....no more drinking a little whisky, smoking a little weed or doing a line from the weekends gone by....just stop by the doctor and pick up your totally legal and television advertised recreational drug...
Now this really just cracks me up!
PEACE DUDE!
As I am sitting there I see the second ad for a drug that has taken on a new side effect that I heard for the first time on another ad over the last couple of weeks. It really got me thinking.....sorry Kei I know I am going to make your head hurt on this one.
Well I have figured out the whole damn thing......
You see the advertising folks that Big Pharma are using are dressed up hippies from the 60's. If finally makes sense....subliminal advertising at it's finest.
As you all know if drives me crazy that the FCC and the rest of our government won't let us see TV ads for Wild Turkey, Beefeater's Gin, Jose Cuervo Tequila and Marlboro Lights...but they will let us see the names if they produce a malt liquor or we are welcome to see an ad from every drug company.
But what really gets under my skin is what I determined to be these Ad's marketing lines to the side effects they had to tell you about.....I mean who wants to sign up for a drug that.....causes
Nose bleeds, high blood pressure, dry throat, dizziness, vomiting and diarrhea?
Not me.....well the dressed up hippies got wise and said "Hey Dude, let's bring back subliminal advertising"..... the hippies will get it and head to the doctor....
you are thinking but Big Dawg what do you mean.....
let's look....
Erectile Dysfunction : Two people sitting on a mountain side in two old cast iron bath tubs looking out over the sunset holding hands.... At home Hubby stands up yells into the kitchen: "Hey Moon Baby look they are promoting an ACID trip, look at those colors.....
But wait there is more.... what use to be my favorite: " if you have an erection lasting more then 4 hours please call your doctor". Now this time Hubby sits down and thinks about Woodstock and free love and tried to remember if Moon Baby was there"....but hey I better get some of that....
But I have a new winner......they have topped themselves. I first heard this a couple of weeks ago and laughed out loud but now I have heard it for the second time on another drug ad. It has to do with two drugs for restless leg syndrome. Now I am not going to name the companies or the drug cause they would love that but you can find them on Google.
But this is what really got me......in the side effects that they always run thru at the end of the ad they say....."if you get desires for compulsive gambling or sexual activities please contact your doctor". What! I was amazed the first time but shocked the second.....
But now I have it all figured out......it's the dressed up Hippie thing....
Cause you see when the old hippie husband saw the ad.....he stood up and yelled " Hey Moon Baby.....gotta run by the doctor in the morning and then we are going to Vegas Baby"......
So we have come full circle....no more drinking a little whisky, smoking a little weed or doing a line from the weekends gone by....just stop by the doctor and pick up your totally legal and television advertised recreational drug...
Now this really just cracks me up!
PEACE DUDE!
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
So why is it?
Well let's have some more fun with why....
Why does my dog pee in the woods but poop in my front yard?
Why is it the company never loves you until you leave?
Why if there is only one god are there so many religions?
Why is it if you are supposed to go to bed and night and get up in the morning I always want to stay up and night and sleep in the morning?
Why is it a company can have its best quarter of overall growth and revenue but because it did not meet the expectations of some 32 year old MBA Wall Street analyst who has never had to make payroll the stock goes down?
Why is it I prefer Diet Mt Dew over Diet anything?
Why does football mean one thing here and something totally different in the rest of the world? How are we ever going to sort out the whole world if we can't get this straightened out?
Why do we think we can bring peace to a region that has been at war for centuries?
Why is it we have never ever seen a news anchor come on the nightly news and say...Everything in the entire world was great today, have a nice evening and join us tomorrow?
Why do we really need 500 channels on cable?
Why do American companies build cars in Mexico?
Ok enough...my head hurts.
one last question...
When will we live in a world where people are only judged by the content of their character?
PEACE DUDE!
Why does my dog pee in the woods but poop in my front yard?
Why is it the company never loves you until you leave?
Why if there is only one god are there so many religions?
Why is it if you are supposed to go to bed and night and get up in the morning I always want to stay up and night and sleep in the morning?
Why is it a company can have its best quarter of overall growth and revenue but because it did not meet the expectations of some 32 year old MBA Wall Street analyst who has never had to make payroll the stock goes down?
Why is it I prefer Diet Mt Dew over Diet anything?
Why does football mean one thing here and something totally different in the rest of the world? How are we ever going to sort out the whole world if we can't get this straightened out?
Why do we think we can bring peace to a region that has been at war for centuries?
Why is it we have never ever seen a news anchor come on the nightly news and say...Everything in the entire world was great today, have a nice evening and join us tomorrow?
Why do we really need 500 channels on cable?
Why do American companies build cars in Mexico?
Ok enough...my head hurts.
one last question...
When will we live in a world where people are only judged by the content of their character?
PEACE DUDE!
Monday, September 03, 2007
Why can't we talk politics anymore?
There are more political shows on television and radio then ever before. With all this TALK why is it no one can talk anymore? All we do is see who can YELL over the top of the other.
How will we ever accomplish anything in this country if we can't have a conversation about both sides of an issue without yelling, screaming and name calling. It happens at all levels of politics today.
Why is it if you don't agree with the Bush Administration you are Un-American or a traitor?
Why is it the Democrats have gotten the power they wanted so bad in Washington DC yet they have accomplished nothing other then getting on TV for more name calling?
Why is it that if you are on the left George Bush is Satan?
Why is it if you are on the Right all liberals are America Haters?
Why is Ann Coulter famous?
Why are Rudy and Arnold Republicans?
Why is it the Senator responsible for the most bi-partisan legislation in the history of the Senate is Ted Kennedy?
Why is Rush Limbaugh right?
Why is it cool to talk about global warming and tell us all what we should do while running around the world in Suburbans and private Jets?
Why is it ok to still not have children with disabilities included in their home school classrooms since IDEA mandated it in 1975?
Why do we think our form of government that is not working real well here right now is what every place in the world should duplicate or be isolated or invaded?
Why is the country split almost 50/50 on abortion yet 90% of prenatal tests resulting in a positive for Down syndrome terminate? Are they all abortion rights left wingers that get the test? Hmmmm....I don't think so.
Why is it Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels can make comments like the Indiana Legislature has "Car Bombed" his agenda and no one is outraged?
Why can Indiana outsource a $1Billion contract for Services to Mitch Roob's (Secretary of FSSA) old company and everyone says there is no conflict of interest?
Ok....that is my list of Whys for today. I look forward to your thoughts.
PEACE DUDE!
How will we ever accomplish anything in this country if we can't have a conversation about both sides of an issue without yelling, screaming and name calling. It happens at all levels of politics today.
Why is it if you don't agree with the Bush Administration you are Un-American or a traitor?
Why is it the Democrats have gotten the power they wanted so bad in Washington DC yet they have accomplished nothing other then getting on TV for more name calling?
Why is it that if you are on the left George Bush is Satan?
Why is it if you are on the Right all liberals are America Haters?
Why is Ann Coulter famous?
Why are Rudy and Arnold Republicans?
Why is it the Senator responsible for the most bi-partisan legislation in the history of the Senate is Ted Kennedy?
Why is Rush Limbaugh right?
Why is it cool to talk about global warming and tell us all what we should do while running around the world in Suburbans and private Jets?
Why is it ok to still not have children with disabilities included in their home school classrooms since IDEA mandated it in 1975?
Why do we think our form of government that is not working real well here right now is what every place in the world should duplicate or be isolated or invaded?
Why is the country split almost 50/50 on abortion yet 90% of prenatal tests resulting in a positive for Down syndrome terminate? Are they all abortion rights left wingers that get the test? Hmmmm....I don't think so.
Why is it Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels can make comments like the Indiana Legislature has "Car Bombed" his agenda and no one is outraged?
Why can Indiana outsource a $1Billion contract for Services to Mitch Roob's (Secretary of FSSA) old company and everyone says there is no conflict of interest?
Ok....that is my list of Whys for today. I look forward to your thoughts.
PEACE DUDE!
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