The Year-End Meanderings of a Wanna-Be Journalist

I know it has been weeks since I wrote a new commentary on the events encompassing our country and the world at large. But, for a while my life has been in a state of flux. Many things have been ongoing and still seem to engulf my every waking minute.

However, I did not want to allow the year end without expressing my thanks for your readership loyalty, and of course, the benefit of your friendship.

I am endeavoring to get myself back on track but it isn't easy. Trust me, for those of you who follow me on Twitter or are friends with me on Facebook, I manage to share other writers' commentaries and/or graphics. And if you really know me, I am sharing at least 95% of what I agree with. Having said that, by the time my day finally winds down to a time where I can write, my brain is exhausted.

Hence, I share the things I (mostly) agree.

To my liberal friends, if you are truly paying attention, I really am not the "right-wing blogger" some of you have personally told me I am. To my conservative friends, I am not the "whack-a-doo lefty" you have called me. Instead, I am a free-thinking American, who believes in the Constitution of the United States, as written, word for word, with all the Articles and all the Amendments in place.

I have written that we need to amend the Constitution, by using Article V if necessary, to institute term limits on the Members of Congress; to repeal the XVI Amendment, and by so doing, dissolve the IRS, at least in its present form; to limit Executive Powers  by forcing the Congress  to do its job; and to reduce dramatically the size of the United States government.

I have written on issues of the separation of church and state, especially as it relates to mandatory health care and the violation of people's rights to choose whether they want to pay for services they do not believe in; about Pope Francis and his belief that he understands the sexually of man/woman and same sex relationships, stating he has no right to judge; about the need for medical Marijuana and my own epiphany to legalize it for recreational purposes, as well.

I have written on issues involving race, and that racism is not solely a white fault; the Unrev Al is a racist, too. Sadly, the President and the Attorney General give this bigot way too much leeway and access. But I do agree this is an issue which still needs to be addressed. Too bad Dr King's message seems now to have died with him. No one is listening to each other anymore.

And when did the entire police force in the United States become the criminals? And by whose standards? The leftist media and its righteous indignation? After what happened last night in New York City, it is time for the left-wing panderers to stop their cop hate-speech and cheering on the racist who thinks he is a minister of God. Are you hearing me Barry, Eric and Billy D?

But, I digress. As you see I have much to say and much that I believe. I pray (yes I do that, too) that 2015 will be better, for us personally, for us as a Nation and for us as an integrated and diverse world population. I know that it is difficult but all in all, we are perseverant as a species. I pray for world peace and I pray that the killing of people in the name of God will stop. THAT is what is meant by taking the Lord's name in vain.

So. Finally, I come to the end. As a spiritual man, I wish you all a Blessed Holiday Season, no matter what your belief or unbelief is; I am not prosthelesizing; instead I am wishing you good cheer and happiness at year-end and for the New Year, much like has been celebrated by the Romans during the Saturnalia and others through the millennia.

I hope to be back in full force in January, when we will again debate the issues of the day, as  reasonable people at a few decibels lower than what 2014 was set.

Thanks, once again, for your loyalty and your friendship. Have a safe and Happy New Year!

Christmas 2014

So…  Christmas Time is Here.  Happiness and cheer. Fun for all that children call their favorite time of year.

I think anyone born before last week knows this opening line to one of the most treasured of all Christmas stories – “A Charlie Brown Christmas”. If your heart is not warmed by the message that little children, albeit cartoon characters which have spanned over 60 years, have delivered every Christmas season since 1965, then You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.

This is the Most Wonderful Time of the Year, don’t you think? Lights and festive scenes have been st up in New York City and elsewhere in this great country of ours since the beginning of October. Shoppers have hustled and bustled throughout the malls, the city streets and even online since probably mid- summer, even if they were just browsing.

T’is the Season to be Jolly, right? After all, it is not just a Christian time, is it? Menorahs are lit, as well as Kinara with Mishumaa Saba. Why? Because it joyful. It is wonderful to see Christian and Jewish children join in singing festive songs like Santa Claus is coming to Town and Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel. Dreidel Made of Clay.

So, Christmas isn’t just a religious holiday. It is a moment of time, where we try to live the words spoken that first Christmas, 2,000 years ago, Peace on Earth, Good Will to Men (and women). I don’t believe the angels were speaking only to believers of Jesus Christ, but rather to all people at that time and to the billions who would follow.

Having said this, I am republishing my commentary from last November 25, 2013, called Is It Christmas or Holiday? for you to consider. Enjoy!

And for all the loved ones of our military, I say, Merry Christmas Darling. We’re apart that is true. But I can dream, and in my dreams, I am Christmasing with you.

Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown!

 

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Is It Christmas or Holiday?

It's the evening of November 25 as I write this, and what is the significance of that? It's Christmas Day in 30 days from today. Yes, that's right, CHRISTMAS DAY.

Today's modern society is either afraid or ashamed to say Christmas. Yet retailers depend on this time to get their books into the black after being in the red all year. Hence, Black Friday. And this year, because Hanukkah is so early, the Christmas sales will really be the sole driver of the "holiday" shopping season.

When you hear the word "holiday", which holiday comes to mind? Fourth of July? Martin Luther King Day? How about Valentine's Day? Or, why not Fathers Day? These are all holidays of a sort, after all.

Let's face it, friends. It's the Christmas shopping season. What else are we shopping for? Beethoven's birthday on the 16th? I don't think so!! We are shopping to give our loved ones CHRISTMAS presents, not holiday presents, right?

So then, why are we afraid to say CHRISTMAS? Is it because there is the religious implication? It is the day we, as Christians, celebrate Jesus Christ's birthday. You know, Christ's mass. And for my non-Christian followers, it's ok to recognize the existence of Christ, the man. Just like Christians recognize Moses, Buddha, Muhammed, Vishnu, Confucius and so many other founders of great theological philosophies.

Christians carry on the tradition the Magi began, by bringing Jesus gifts which would symbolize his life and death; gold for royalty, frankincense for body fragrance and myrrh as an anointing oil. Today, of course, we give none of that. I mean, myrrh? What would we do with that? Instead, we give DVDs, CDs, clothes, toys, romantic gifts to loved ones and friendship gifts to acquaintances. We love to give.

To sum up. It's really ok to say Christmas. The PC police can't prevent you from saying it. Even our Federal government recognizes Christmas as the legal name for this day. We don't say "Mithras Day" even though it's his birthday, too, according to the ancient Roman calendar. The legal holiday is Christmas, since the mid-1800s.

So, friends, there is no need the cringe when someone wishes you a "Merry Christmas". It isn't so greeting to prothelysize you or convert you to the dreaded (?) faith. Instead, you can take it as a warm greeting of joy and friendship, much like the man who gave the name to us. And, quite frankly, Jesus Christ, as a Jewish carpenter, was probably known as Joshua Bar Joseph, which meant he had a traditional Jewish name and upbringing. His name is a cacophony of Latin and Greek, Joshua becoming Jesus and Christ as the anointed one. His divinity is accepted only by Christians, but his human attributes of kindness, warmth and understanding of his contemporaries' feelings should be society's guiding principles.

Let me be one if the first, if not the first, to wish you and your loved ones a Very Merry Christmas. I will take your greeting back into my heart and cherish it always.

Merry Christmas!!!!

A Blessed Thanksgiving to All

To my loyal readers:

I know I haven’t published lately, but I have been on a whirlwind with several events dominating my life. I have been as involved as you with all that has happened since Election Day, but since today is Thanksgiving, I will save them for another day.

I wish all of you a God-Blessed and bountiful day, as this day traditionally signifies.

In honor of the day, I am sharing my commentary from a year ago called Thanksgiving Thoughts.

Enjoy the read, and most of all, enjoy your day!

 

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Thanksgiving Thoughts

This commentary will be the last one until Tuesday, December 3. I am taking a few days off and taking a weekend jaunt for the Thanksgiving Weekend. Taking a few days off from time to time is good for recharging the batteries.

I know that on Friday many of you will fall into the trap set up by the media to highlight the pluses or minuses of retailers Black Friday sales. I have commented on the fact that some retailers plan to open Thursday, to try and get a head start on the Christmas shopping season. As if opening at 8 pm will make that much of a difference.

Black Friday, of course, is the day retailers hope to put their books into the "black", a very cogent and professional accounting term which describes the financial condition of the business. Before this, they had been working in the "red", or negative  position, where they were losing monies from their bottom line.

Now that we have dispensed with the Accounting 101 class, let's realize that this weekend will be very busy in the malls, the highways and byways leading to the malls, and the restaurants and diners, where shoppers will go to take that break between Macy's and Sports Authority.

Home improvement stores like Lowes, Home Depot, Menards, etc, will also be busy in their seasonal and garden departments, selling trees, wreaths, roping, poinsettia and other flora necessary to decorate our homes for Christmas. Of course, the items necessary to complete the look like lights, lawn ornaments, nativity scenes and so forth will also be walking out the doors with the Christmas trees.

Stores like Wal*Mart, K-Mart, Sears and other big box store retailers will do their best to compete with Macy's, Bloomingdale's, Best Buy, PC Richards, etc, to sell comparable products at reduced, more affordable prices. And don't forget that Costco, BJ Wholesale and other member warehouses will be equally busy.

All weekend, at extended hours.

Home shopping channels will be vying for those limited disposable consumer dollars with Christmas-themed items interspersed with their usual products. Christmas sets will abound even as backdrops to every stage. And hosts will hawk all of this by mentioning Christmas or holiday at every opportunity. And, of course, liberal return policies will be mentioned as a final hook, which brick and mortar retailers cannot possibly offer.

And, finally, on Monday, the Internet gets to join the party. Internet sales for electronics of all stripes are expected to surpass last year on Monday, as more people each year have decided not to fight the crowds and the traffic.

So, enjoy today as you prep for the big feast. Many pies and breads will be made to be enjoyed with your turkey, lasagna, stuffing, mashed potatoes and all the other fixings which will complete your meal. The cooks and bakers will need help, like wash the dishes and pans, wipe the tables, take out the garbage, or pour them a cup of coffee. But, DON'T think you are going to do the main work involved. Remember, too many cooks....

Tomorrow is the family day, so when you get up remember that the parade starts at  9 am and football starts at noon. But don't forget to be involved with your family. And, after dinner, you can't blame your nap on just the tripophan in the turkey. There were more than just a couple of pounds of carbs on your plate that you ate, too.

Enjoy your weekend, friends, as I will enjoy mine. Please be safe and smart as you travel out and about. For those of you traveling long distances to be with loved ones, whether you are driving or flying, please keep an eye on the weather and plan to leave early if you can, should difficult weather conditions be forecast.

And let me say something to my faithful readers, who have grown in numbers since I started this commentary. Thank you for your loyalty, friendship, respect and kindness. I truly appreciate you and your feedback, whether you agree or not with my views. I am thankful to you that you take an interest in reading mine and trust me, I read yours, as well. You have helped me grow in this world of blogging, teaching me a few things as I try to reach out to you and make you think of things which you may have thought not possible. Thank you.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving, my friends. See you next week!

Why Veterans Day

Today is Veterans Day. In England and elsewhere, it is known as Remembrance Day. In 2014, with all the corruption surrounding the Department of Veterans Affairs, we need to remember why our most important citizens are our veterans.

We must shore up the VA to take better care that those men and women who fought to preserve our liberties are properly cared for, not treated as third-class health care recipients. I am amazed that this President cares more about those who are here illegally, making certain they get quality health care, while those who put it all on the line do not.

There is an old expression, "actions speak louder than words." He can blabber all he wants about how he cares for our military; his actions say he cares not a lick.

Last year, I wrote a commentary called "Veterans Day 2013" where I reviewed the history of this solemn day.  I have republished it here today, to remind us all why this day must be cherished.

Once you have read this, please take the time today and always, to thank a veteran for his or her service, and for preserving your and my freedoms and liberties. Pray that the men and women now in harm's way will come back safely.

And pray that the next President, whoever she or he may be, will have more respect and genuine feelings for those who suffer physically and psychologically from the damage incurred on our behalf, than the current one does.

Please enjoy

Veterans Day 2013

November 11, 2013

U.S. President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed Armistice Day for November 11, 1919. In proclaiming the holiday, he said:

"To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country's service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations."

The United States Congress passed a concurrent resolution seven years later on June 4, 1926, requesting that President Calvin Coolidge issue another proclamation to observe November 11 with appropriate ceremonies. A Congressional Act (52 Stat. 351; 5 U.S. Code, Sec. 87a) approved May 13, 1938, made the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday: "a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as 'Armistice Day'."

The name changed officially from Armistice Day to Veterans Day in 1954, due to the efforts of Raymond Weeks, who was honored by President Reagan in 1982 for his efforts. For a time, from 1971 to 1978, Veterans Day was celebrated on the last Monday of October, in accordance with the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. In 1978, it was moved back to its original celebration on November 11. While the legal holiday remains on November 11, if that date happens to be on a Saturday or Sunday, then organizations that formally observe the holiday will normally be closed on the adjacent Friday or Monday, respectively.

Today, we need to pay homage and thanks to our veterans, both living and deceased. Without their sacrifice, we would not enjoy the liberties and freedoms we so much take for granted.  

Remember that this is not another reason for retailers to hold another sale. Instead it is about  commemorating, even for a moment or two of silence the memory of those  who either have come back wounded, which they all do in some way, or gave the ultimate sacrifice.

Thank a Veteran for your liberties, and freedoms. You really will be glad you did.

From Dumbest To Smartest

Vice President Joe Biden, a man who sometimes suffers from "foot in mouth disease", will probably be the man who saves President Obama from his own path of self-destruction.  It is the Vice President who has had the savvy and the foresight not to have burned the bridge to what will be a Republican Congress.

In his own inimitable way, he has incurred the wrath of Barry by suggesting that immigration reform be delayed until the next Congress convenes on January 3. Barry, of course, has for months threatened to go it alone on this issue. In fact, he subtly announced on Wednesday, the day after the election, that it would happen in the next few weeks.

Of course, this prompted an immediate reaction from Speaker Boehner that "when you play with matches" the result is not a good one.  Ironically, it was the Vice President, a man of allegedly not so keen intellect who got the message.

For years, I admit that I called him the "dumbest man in the White House". For that, I now apologize to the Vice President and his many supporters. If Barry goes through with this threat to unilaterally and unconstitutionally change our immigration policy without the consent of the Congress, he will prove he is dumber than a box of rocks.

If Barry were so passionate about immigration reform, why did he not present this to a Democrat-controlled Congress in 2009? Was he afraid it would not pass even then? Was he afraid a loss in the Congress would tarnish his gilded luster? I wonder. And now, he wants to bypass the Congress? Is he looking to be a complete failure, lumped in with Richard Nixon or Andrew Johnson as a Constitutional violator? Is that to be his ultimate legacy?

Is he betting that Boehner and McConnell won't stand up to him? Is he that much of a megalomaniac? Trust me, if he does go through with this, I believe they will shut off the money spigot and it will be he who caused the government to shut down. All because he thinks he still has the people on his side.

Hey Barry, here is a news flash: other than Chris Matthews, Al Sharpton and the other fools on MSDNC, who have no independent journalistic integrity, everyone else, including your Vice President, understands that you LOST the election. Even your DNC chair, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, in her own way gets it.

And while there isn't enough votes to convict you, today, in the Senate, if you violate your Constitutional oath to take care that the laws, ALL OF THEM, are faithfully executed,  again, Cogent Joe is warning you to not do anything stupid. He should know; he has a true sense of the Senate, more than anyone else in Washington.

On this, if I were you, I would listen to him.

If you don't, you may be writing your memoirs from the inside of another Federal facility, one with towers and bars and gunneries. In the heart of America. You know, Fort Leavenworth. With no lifetime pension or decent health care. That would be the worst of all possible legacies.

Even Nixon, in the end, understood that.

Listen to the most reasonable man in Washington; he is doing you the favor of a lifetime.

On this, Joe Biden is now the “smartest man in the White House”.

And Then They Came For Me

I found out something this week with a couple of my commentaries. Liberals can say whatever they want and post to whatever groups or sites they wish because their views are egalitarian and "righteous". But if you are a Libertarian like me, or worse, a Conservative, which they perceive me to be, quick, it is time to scream that my views have no place on those sites.

Their reason? Why, the group is about creative expression, trying to share views which are supposed to be about creative writing, a specific philosophy, freelance writing or whatever else soothes their souls. Non-believers need not share.

Here is a news flash for you: you are all self-righteous censors.  Those of you, who had the audacity to chastise me, remember that the censor might just someday come for you.

I thought all these groups on LinkedIn, and elsewhere, were created for the free expression of ideas, there to share thoughts and philosophies not necessarily with those we agree. Especially the ones which have to do with writing.

And to those fools who need an education on what philosophy really is, understand that political thought, theology, and other beliefs which exist contrary to our own belief systems, well, all thought process is philosophy. You may not have to agree with it, but you should respect it. I don't agree with the thought process each person has, but I agree with and respect your right to express yours. I only ask that you respect mine.

Trust me. I don't want to preach to the choir (oh my, a religious reference! Quick - ban that violator!) and I don't need that choir to preach to me. I would much rather have a discussion with someone who DOES NOT agree with me. Perhaps, I can learn something, even one thing, which will give me something to consider.

I don't prosthelesyze.  And if you notice, if someone responds to my commentaries, for or against, I never comment back. Why? It is very simple. I said what I had to say on a topic. I respect your view, pro or con. I might learn something from you if you can say it rationally. I don't engage in a yelling contest. Nothing is gained from that.

You know who you are Ken and Ruth and Ron and so many others. You are all self-righteous censors because something was written that you don't agree with and are using some perceived group basis now to throw me out of your groups. All because you are pompous, "free-thinking" buffoons.

So much for your free-thinking. Just know, I have your names, as you have mine. If I am somehow banned from your precious sites, I will be writing another commentary exposing all of you for the hypocrites you are.

In the end, remember this:

"First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me." (Martin Niemoller and the American Holocaust Museum)

I hope the censor doesn't come for you.

An Important Vote This Tuesday

This Tuesday, two more states, Oregon and Alaska, as well as the District of Columbia, will vote on the issue to legalize marijuana for recreational purposes. Two years ago, Coloradans and Washingtonians took that first, bold step to change our views of recreational usage.

In Wednesday's New York Times, it was revealed that the success of that program in Colorado has exceeded expectations. And Washington is not that behind in its successes, either.

As you know, I have been a proponent for years to legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes. I have told you that I used marijuana after one of my chemotherapy treatments, and I can assure you that although I pressed for its legalization based on information I read and second/third-hand feedback, after partaking a few tokes, I was convinced it was the right thing to do for truly sick people.

New York finally came on board earlier this year, with certain caveats, to allow special classes of truly sick people to have access to marijuana's medicinal benefits. I am sure New York will liberalize its policies once the program proves successful.

I hope the voters in Alaska, Oregon and DC overwhelmingly vote to legalize marijuana for recreational purposes.  The tax return will be phenomenal to those bases, not to mention the better use of the law enforcement and the criminal justice systems. 

It is the Libertarian thing to do.

The Poll That Matters - First Tuesday in November

Next Tuesday, the first Tuesday in November, all the drama, all the speculation on who will control the Senate for the next two years will be settled. All the polling done by this entity, or that one, will finally be put to rest.

Maybe.

The powers that be in the media are now reporting that run-offs will be forthcoming in all the toss-up states. Here is a news bulletin for the left-wing propagandists, who are trying to spin the election their way with wishful thinking: The poll that matters is the one on Election Day.

I wrote the following commentary on April 21 and I still believe in the integrity of polls. But I have no faith in those, left or right, who want to spin the numbers to tell their biased story.

Election Day is the poll that matters. Thank God it will finally shut all the “not so Intellegencia” up. In the end, all that matters is that the PEOPLE have spoken. Case Closed.

Enjoy “The Poll on Polls”.

 

The Poll on Polls

April 21, 2014

Here is a surprise. Well, not really. Reason/Rupe did a poll and found that 62% of all Americans favor a flat tax, most of whom feel that 15% would be a fair assessment. In addition, 67% feel that private enterprise, not government, should be the way to go to resolve income inequality.

The Reason/Rupe poll is attached for your review.

Here is the thing about polls. As much as anyone, if the results of the poll discussed counters my agenda or the result is contrary to my wish, I don't want to put creedence in the outcome. For example, if the XYZ POLL showed President Obama at a 57% approval rate on the economy, I would not want to believe the result.

 But here is the thing about polls: While a small sampling of people are used to question about a subject, say 1,000 voters, mathematically the results are fairly accurate, within a plus or minus margin of error of 3%. Since the 1930s, when George Gallup took the first one, the calculations have become better and the outcomes more accurate.

In addition, many news organizations have joined assets and work together to make certain the poll is more fair, as well. For example, ABC News, a liberal organization and the Wall Street Journal, a more conservative newspaper, is a common poll whose results are well-respected by just about anyone who looks at the poll or reports the results. Another well-respected poll is the one done by Quinnipiac University.  

So you understand how this particular poll is conducted, I have provided the logic and procedures for the methodology used. It actually is quite fascinating.

This poll began in 2011 when the forces of Reason Foundation and the Arthur N Rupe Foundation came together to explore what Americans really think about government and other major issues.

The bottom line is that polling has become a necessity in today's society for all of us to get a pulse on what others think about important issues, if only to validate our own opinions.

I know that the only poll that matters is the one taken on Primary Day or  Election Day. But not all polls are about candidates, right? Issues of the day probably in the long run, matter more. It is the issues which influence our feelings about a candidate, how he or she measures up to our own values. 

And while this is a rhetorical question, how did the poll discussed in the first paragraph measure up to your own opinions? I have discussed the flat tax before, so you know I believe this would be the fairest way to go.

If you are lucky enough to someday take part in a poll, remember that the rest of us are counting on you. No pun intended. 

More Democrat Hypocrisy

I was listening to two women debate on Sunday, a Republican and a Democrat. The Democrat said that there is still a "war on women", trying to blame Republicans for that war, in support for the women candidates running for office.

But it was the Democrat candidate for governor in South Carolina, a man, who called Governor Nikki Haley, a Republican WOMAN a whore.

Read and listen for yourself from Red State.

And then, the liberal media decided to tear apart Bristol Palin and the entire Palin family for their dysfunctional behavior, as if none of our families have ever displayed weird behavior. The female anchor on CNN thought it was hilarious, as shown in the video, that she was called what I feel is the most vile word you could call a woman. Shame on her!!

I don't recall anyone on Fox, or any Republican calling a Democrat woman any vile, disgusting names, do you?

And the other issue which galls me is why abortion is a matter of Women's Health.  I thought it was a choice, like a man choosing to get a vasectomy is a choice. I understand that there are reasons why a woman may CHOOSE to have an abortion, and that is her right, without interference from anyone else. But not at taxpayer expense.

Oh, and birth control pills being a women's health issue?  Why must we pay for them via Obamacare, but Viagra is not covered by Medicare, because it is a recreational drug? Aren't birth control pills also recreational, so that the person taking them can enjoy sex without fear of getting pregnant? As an older man, I would think Viagra is a drug for my psychological well-being, and therefore, should be equally covered as a Men's Health issue.

So, when you go to the polls next Tuesday, remember that all is not what the left-wing, liberal, discriminated media wants you to believe. Think for yourself and realize that you are being duped by the protectors of Barry, Nancy, and the others to believe that liberal big government knows best for you.

And then remember why we exist as a nation in the first place: King George was the 18th century epitome of Big Government.  And look what happened because of THAT!

Obama's Silence on Religious Persecution - His Failure of Moral Leadership

I wonder what our media would say if the injustices being perpetrated against Christians in Pakistan, instead were directed toward Muslims here in the United States.  And, I wonder what the Muslim in the White House would say?

He and the media are eerily silent on the religious persecution ongoing in Pakistan and elsewhere toward Christians and Jews. I have to congratulate the Washington Post for its article which appeared in Saturday's online edition called "In Expansive Pakistan, Christians Struggle to find Land for Cemeteries".

But that is not the end of if it. Christians are treated, as the article suggests, as second and third class citizens to get food, housing and other basic necessities, that Christians, Jews, Atheists AND Muslims in this country can freely take for granted.

Why is that?

Oh, yeah. Freedom OF Religion is protected by the Sacred Document called the Constitution of the United States. This is found in the First Amendment. Interesting that the Founders thought that Speech, Religion, Press and Assembly were co-equal rights to be protected first and foremost.

Yet, the Muslim in the White House thinks that in this case, he finds it more important to take a "hands off" position when religious minorities are being persecuted in Muslim countries. Hmmmmm. Did his pen run out of ink? Did his phone service get cancelled?

What a frigging hypocrite Barack Hussein Barry Soetoro Obama is! Is this man that shallow, that prejudiced against Christians and other religious minorities in Muslim countries? All throughout the world, he has a lot to say about the sanctity of Islam. But about persecution of Christians and Jews in Muslim countries? Not a word. 

You know what, Barry? Unless you have some equal opportunity criticism to dish out to your Muslim brothers with their "Nazi-like" repression against other human beings, you really are no better than Adolf Hitler. The only difference between Hitler and you is that you don't speak German. 

And in case you have forgotten this, in your quest to appease other Muslim dictators, the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IS A JUDEO-CHRISTIAN COUNTRY. This is NOT a Muslim country, but unlike Pakistan, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Iraq, where Jews and Christians are not welcome, Muslims ARE welcome here, free to practice their faith, without prejudice or persecution.

Why? Because that pesky document, the one I and many others like me consider the Sacred Document, guarantee them that right under what again? Oh yeah, the FIRST Amendment.

You and your @$$ kissers claim you are a Constitutional Law Professor. Where? In Libya? Indonesia?  Malaysia? Pakistan? You certainly don't know anything about MY Constitution, you know, the one you swore to uphold, but instead try to shred at every turn.

And the media? NBC, CBS, ABC, CNN and their affiliates, subsidiaries and cable stations? They are your waterboys, your lackeys, your spindoctors,  covering up your failures and your illegal actions with as much fervor as they reported and exposed Richard Nixon's. Hypocrites, for sure; no longer journalists, at least not like Cronkite, Chancellor or Reasoner. Or, Edward R Murrow.

But it is ok, right, that the Christians in Pakistan are persecuted? At least in the mind of the Muslim in the White House.

A Jets Fan's Plea

Some of you know I am a passionate sports fan, almost as passionate as I am with politics and history.  I love my hapless Mets; it is not the players fault they can't win, it is the cheap, inept ownership that is the cause for the team's misfortune.  

While I think Terry Collins is an apologist for the team's nightly performance, he can work only with what the GM and by extension, what the ownership will spend money on to obtain. The Wilpons have had ownership of the team in some degree since 1981 and we have two World Series wins and a couple of other lesser titles to show for it.

So much for caring for the fans.

But nothing can compare with the inept ownership that my Jets have endured since Sonny Werblin sold the team. Sonny was the guy who brought Joe Namath to the team and that action led to the greatest upset in American football history when the underdog Jets, eighteen point underdogs by the way, beat the  immortal Johnny Unitas and the Baltimore Colts, coached by the great Don Shula in a 16-7 upset on January 12, 1969 in the Orange Bowl.

Since then, nothing. We have suffered through years of darkness with a just a few days of sun peaking through the horizon. We thought six seasons ago we were finally going to get there again, but the team thought if you were ahead after 2 1/2 quarters in the AFC Championship game, the game was won. Oops.

Since the early 70s, we have not had a coach as good as Weeb Ewbank. Kotite? Walton? Edwards? Hell, no. Not even Parcells was as good as Ewbank.  Maybe because he had quarterbacks at the end of their careers. But that isn't an excuse. That is a cop-out.

But nothing is as bad as what is coaching the Jets now. When Woody Johnson fired GM Mike Tannenbaum, kept Rex Ryan as Head Coach and brought in an inept John Idzik, it was a disaster in the making.

And now? The Jets are the Titanic, the Mt St Helens of the NFL. A real disaster. Rex has no idea what he is doing out there, week after week. He is looking over his shoulder, waiting for Woody to finally administer the prescription from his pharmacy to put Rex out of his misery.  He would be doing Rex and the rest of us a favor, quite frankly.

Rex is in the final year of his contract and I am sure he is anxious to move on. And so are we.

It is time, once again, to rebuild this sad excuse of a once great franchise. Like the Mets, the Jets ownership can't be fired. But perhaps if the fans stopped going to the games and buying the licensed jerseys and other products, by hitting Woody in the wallet, he would get the message that it is the fans that matter. Without us, he has nothing.

As much as I bleed Orange and Blue, I also bleed Green and White. I am a loyal fan to the team. I ache with each loss, and celebrate each win.

Sadly, this season is done for the most part. I will still watch with anticipation that perhaps this week will be the week it gets turned around. But then, I slap my head and realize as a football fan, we are playing the great Tom Brady, four days after we played the great Peyton Manning. Talk about a 1 - 2 punch to deflate the season even more.

I can't wait for the bye week. Maybe by then, we will be saying "bye" to Rex and Idzik and Vick and Geno. Give the ball to Matt Simms. He can't do any worse than what we have watched since 2010.

And maybe, just maybe, we will watch the sun rise on this great franchise again. It certainly can't hurt. 

Columbus Day - The Whys and Wherefores

Schools, banks, post offices, and the federal, state and local governments are all closed Monday. Why? It is Columbus Day!

Why should this matter? Well, for starters, we all know that Columbus didn't discover America; instead, he discovered Hispanola, today's Haiti and Dominican Republic. Actually, the continents of North and South America were discovered by many others before Columbus, though they did not know it, nor get credit for it.

What makes Columbus' journey so remarkable were several issues. He truly believed the Earth was round and convinced Ferdinand and Isabella to fund his journey. They were willing to risk a fortune on him, right after they drove the Moors from the Iberian Peninsula. He and his brave crew embarked on the journey in the middle of the hurricane season but did not know it. And finally, as his crew was ready to mutiny, good fortune or divine providence intervened and showed there was land ahead.

Yet, this year, the PC police are out of their minds about Columbus Day. They want to change the name to Indigenous People Day. Hey, all you dumb heads! There ARE NO indigenous people who can trace their heritage exclusively to the Western Hemisphere. Everyone here now has ancestors who came from someplace else.

That's right. Native Americans are not native to here. Their ancestors crossed the Bering Land Bridge. South Americans? Japanese and Koreans sailed across the Pacific and landed in Peru, Ecuador and Chile. This is pretty common knowledge if you deign to watch The History Channel.

But I digress.

Understand that eventually, someone would have landed here and would have gotten the good press Columbus got. Leif Erickson landed in Martha's Vineyard but did not get the attention Columbus did. 

Why is that?

And, by the way, how did we get our name? It was another Italian, Amerigo Vespucci, who landed on the mainland of North America. Hence, the name. Good press again.

So let's stop this nonsense and leave well enough alone. In 1492, Columbus and his crew were brave enough to sail the ocean blue.  And lived to do it several more times. If he didn't, where do you think you would be? Certainly not here, the best country in the world, where you can spew your stupidity with abandon.

Stop and think about it before you decide to show off your dumb brain to smarter people than you. Sometimes it is just better to be quiet and let others THINK you are stupid, than open your mouth and remove all doubt.

In the meantime - Happy Columbus Day!

It Was a Very Good Year

Was it really that long ago? It seemed like only yesterday we were walking in the courtyard to Pomp and Circumstance. The Senior High Chorus sang You'll Never Walk Alone, Principal George Allen gave his farewell address to us and finally, FINALLY, we went back to the Auditorium to take off the gowns, return the caps and pull off the tassels to say good-bye.

Fast forward to this past Friday night. Deb, Susan, Ray, Vicki, Walt, Phyllis, Jack, Ruth, Brian, Joyce, Joe, Alice, Janet, Teray, Toni, Pete, Carole and so many others joined me for our 45th Reunion since we graduated from "Good Old" Floral Park Memorial. Maybe it is good that so many more of us wear glasses now, but honestly, it seemed like we didn't age a bit.

For some, it was the first time we were back. For me, this was only my second. Still others have come back for all of them. But it didn't matter. It was great to see such a great turnout.

Some traveled from Florida, or North Carolina, or Ohio, or Jersey, or from upstate. Others came from parts of the Island we have never left. And some came from our old hometown. But we all made the effort to be there because we knew it could be the last. And those who couldn't were there in spirit, sending regrets and truly meaning it.

Since that wonderful day those many years ago, we lost so many. Kenny was the first that November.  Since then, we lost Artie, and Kathy, and Mary Lou, and Dennis, and Vinny, and Eddie. I know there are more who are, hopefully, in a better place. But they are always in our hearts.

Some of us went off to college and others went into the military. Some never finished and others have their doctorates. No matter. For this one night, we were 17 or 18 again, happy we could share a bit of ourselves with each other and happy to see that after 45 years we still looked pretty good, all things considered.

I came late to the "committee" to help arrange such a great time. Others did so much more, especially Sue and Sue and Deb and Debi and Alice and Ginger. If I missed anyone, my sincerest apologies.

To my regular followers on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and all the blogsites I appear in, including Front Lines, The Minority Report, iCaucus,  The Bold Pursuit and my own site, Frankmchalesviews.blogspot.com,  this one time, I beg your indulgence. This was a special night I wanted to share. And I wanted to let all my classmates know how much it meant to me to see them.

So... to sum this all up... I actually can't wait until 2018 to do this again. But I know this. Between now and then we will all somehow get together in smaller groups, this time not losing the connections we made on Friday.

And, by the way. If you went to OLV in Floral Park and graduated in 1965, we get to celebrate that 50th NEXT YEAR!!! So reach out and let Sue D, Teray, Joyce T, Jack B, Toni T or me know your thoughts and help us get THAT reunion done. It certainly will be fun!

1969 - it WAS a very good year! No... it was THE BEST!!!