Lady Karma and America's Future as a Country of High Moral Standards

I am glad to see that Douglas Schoen, a Democrat Party strategist, come out on Sunday to rescind his endorsement of Hillary Clinton. I will tell you that when I used to watch Fox News, I always found him to be a reasonable voice for the Democrats, as opposed to the shrill and angry voices of Bill Burton, Leslie Marshall and so many others who argued against the Republican counterpoint person in these mini-debates.

I also saw an Op-Ed article in the liberal Chicago Tribune call for Democrats to demand that Hillary Clinton step aside, since she is now nuclear. You and I know that she is so narcissistic, she would NEVER put the good of the country, or her party, above her own peevish and selfish interests.

Now would be a good time for the Washington Post, the New York Times, Newsday on Long Island and so many other print, digital and electronic media entities to revisit their endorsements of a potentially indicted person for her violation of America's national security and other trust factors. If they don't, and she is convicted of felonies against this country, how would they be viewed by reasonable people in the future as respected entities whose views and judgements we could trust?

Not very much, in my view. Unless, of course, you want to read through the puppy poop the papers will be good for going forward.

And for all of you who will still blindly support and vote for Hillary Clinton, with all this potentially criminal action swirling  around her, I want you to answer this, at least, to the person in the mirror: How do you square justifying this action by Hillary with your denigration of Richard Nixon for his actions?

If you say that it is only circumstantial evidence against Hillary, well guess what? It was also only circumstantial evidence against Nixon as well, since he was never convicted of any crime. Nor, by the way, was he even impeached. He resigned, never admitting guilt, ever. We assumed he was guilty because of the overwhelming CIRCUMSTANTIAL evidence. And with that logic, folks, so is Hillary.

It is ironic that just last Monday, Tim Kaine, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Red and so many other Democrat establishment elites were quoted as saying that there was no one in government better than James Comey, that he was an honest and forthright, independent, public servant, doing the people's business.  Today, he has become worse than scum to these same people. When Obama hired him to be the FBI Director, he did so because he felt that he admired Comey's independent character when Comey was George Bush's FBI Director. Hmmmm. Not so much now, Barry?

And, finally, how does all that egg look on the faces of the entire Bush family, John Kantor, Jimmy Carter, Colin Powell and all the others who feel that Hillary Clinton is the greatest thing since sliced bread? They sold out their American principles for the sake of the Bildeberg and look what you get for that? Association, even if only by presumption, with a potential resident of Ft Leavenworth.

It is amazing how Lady Karma plays her game, isn't it? When you least expect it, thinking you will actually get away with your schemes, she throws it all right back at you, in this case, with the worst possible means: through the actions of a known and admitted sexual predator, who was sexting with a fifteen year old girl, on the same computer that your most trusted aide stored 650,000 of your emails, which you thought were to be deleted and erased for all time. Uhm... NOT!!!

So, as I said on Saturday in James Comey's Epiphany and Another Hillary Scandal - Surprised? , these last few days "will be none like we ever saw. Hang on tight and don't let go!" If you do, you will be certainly left behind with the confluence of all these last minute events.

And how will YOU vote when the dust clears?

James Comey's Epiphany and ANOTHER Hillary Scandal - Surpised?

It was July 2 when FBI Director James Comey was preparing to release the results of at least a year-long investigation into the infamous Hillary Clinton deleted emails. And then, because his boss and the then-presumptive Democrat nominee's husband met on an airplane in Arizona just before Independence Day, he didn't.

Instead, on July 5, he chose to stick his evidence and his b@||$ up his @$$, hoping no one would notice.

Oops.

Then, since that time, he has dawdled and danced to avoid stepping on the land mines he himself threw out there. Until, surprisingly, he had no choice but to blow himself up on Friday in order to save his and his beloved FBI's reputations by making a statement that "new evidence" was just revealed in the Clinton email mess.

As a sidebar to this latest debacle, the Lame Stream Media has finally, FINALLY reported on this scandal at length, at least on Friday and again, on Saturday morning. I venture to think it won't last, though, because they need to report on the latest Khardashian narcissistic event, in order to keep us distracted from what is really happening in America.

Back to Comey and Clinton.

It was revealed that since July 5, Comey has received an inordinate number of resignations, mostly from the men and women who worked tirelessly for months to uncover the evidence he ultimately suppressed for political reasons. Also, many of his agents have avoided talking to him unless absolutely necessary. Instead, they walk right past him with barely even a nod.

Now, with these new revelations, he has re-opened the case on his own, without even letting his boss, Loretta Lynch, know that he was about to countermand her orders from July. I guess his b@||$ were starting to hurt. Or maybe, he went back and re-read his oath of office. Who's to say? But the man had an epiphany.

Clinton thinks, by her demanding now that the evidence be released publicly, that by doing so, people will come to her side and support her more so. But, as Ms Clinton knows, as even an attorney whose license was suspended, Comey cannot reveal the evidence until the investigation is completed, or any released evidence would be inadmissible in court, should she be indicted.

And of course, James Comey is in the proverbial "stuck between the rock and a hard place" position. He is damned by Hillary supporters because he released his statement that "new evidence" came to light and jeopardized her chance for election, and he would have been damned had he not mentioned it until, say, a month from now, Hillary ended up being elected, and then having to recommend indictment on one or more charges of criminal, and potentially, treasonous behavior.

Either way, he was in a "no-win" position, all because he lacked the guts to do his job in July. Talk about a lesson learned!

But, ultimately, I believe he did what was right, not expedient, by providing reasonable doubt in the minds of Americans. At least, the voters will be able to make an informed decision to know Clinton tried, once again, to gain election under questionable circumstances, by deception and by playing the system to her own advantage.

As a footnote, although the evidence hasn't been released as of this writing, speculation by many includes a belief that sextist Anthony Weiner, Huma Abedin's estranged husband, is the smoking gun in this latest pile of evidence, and that he could actually be the catalyst to bring down the entire Obama Administration, Hillary and Huma, and even his mentor, Senator Chuck Schumer. His self-proclaimed alias, Carlos Danger, might just be perfectly attributed.

These last ten days of the 2016 election cycle will be none like we ever saw. Hang on tight and don't let go!

History on the Baseball Diamond... or Is It Football Field?

After my last two commentaries, I knew I had to dial it down a notch or two. So, today is not about politics, the election or any other controversial/emotional subject.

Instead, let's talk baseball.

I know I have written a lot about baseball, and history, this month. But as many of you know, I look at just about everything through the prism of history. After all, lots of lessons are learned that way.

The World Series is now tied, one game each for the Indians and the Cubs. This makes the remainder of the Series a best three of five. The Series moves to Chicago, where the Cubs have been practically unbeatable over the last couple of years.

The Indians, though, had a winning road record this season. So, it isn't a walk in the park for either team.

As you know, my team is the Orange and Blue team which plays in Flushing Meadow Park, home of the 1939 and 1964 World's Fairs. And I have bled those colors since 1962. But, friends, this IS history and there is nothing better than that to pique my interest. In another year, I would be, admittedly at best, a casual watcher. But I want to watch History being made.

There is no way that either team will win three straight in Wrigley. It is a tough job under the best of circumstances in the middle of the summer. And, now, because of Charles Finley, owner of the A's in the 60s and 70s, who insisted on night baseball for the playoffs and Series, baseball is going to be played, at night, on Lake Michigan, in the middle of the football season.  BRRRRRR.

So, put on your longjohns, a skully cap, your winter coat and get ready for baseball like it has never been played before: in 20 and 30 degree wind chills. At the end of the weekend, it will be a three to two Series, heading back to Lake Erie for a history-making finish.

And maybe put some Captain Morgan in your hot cocoa to help you stay warm. YUM!

Hypocrisy of the Media and the Sins of Hillary Clinton

Last week, Newsday, Long Island's newspaper, rightly called for Republicans Ed Mangano, Nassau County Executive, and John Venditto, Oyster Bay Town Supervisor, to resign because of the alleged corruption charges against them. Even though a person is innocent until proven guilty, it would behoove both men to step aside so that the people's business at both the county and town levels could be done without the distraction of an investigation and a potential trial. That would be what a good public servant would do.

In the same edition, and on the same editorial page, this paper's editorial board chose to overlook the scandals and investigations which are still ongoing and endorsed the Queen of Corruption, Dissembling and Deceit, Democrat Hillary Clinton for President. I was amazed and appalled by the flagrant hypocrisy demonstrated by yet another bastion of liberal BS, as long as the goal to move the posts further to the left is accomplished.

Any semblance of honesty and decency by this paper, only good enough now for training puppies, is gone forever. They are in the tank, drinking the kool-aid and ignoring their own admonitions of Mangano and Venditto by kissing Hillary Clinton's @$$. A sad day for Long Island, and America, indeed.

My point is this: if a paper or other media source chooses to take a position and admonish someone for his or her indiscretions or worse, then the word "consistency" needs to be applied to ALL public figures. Otherwise, the media outlet loses its credibility to be an objective source to be respected as fair and impartial, at least to this observer.

Newsday, the New York Times, the Washington Post and so many other papers of alleged high repute have, in this election cycle, proven themselves to be anything else except fair and impartial. Each of these papers have criticized public figures for many of the things they are now willing to overlook as they have endorsed Hillary Clinton.

We all know of the many incidents that Ms Clinton has been involved in which are questionable at best, including but not limited to the following:

- Clinton's Private Email Server & the Espionage Act Violations
- The Clinton Foundation Scandals and Accepting Funds Quid Pro Quo With and From Other Countries
- Clinton's Support for the Iran Nuclear Deal
- Clinton Helping Russia Gain Control of 20% of All U.S. Uranium
- The Benghazi Debacle, and Clinton's Role in Arming Jihadists in Libya and Syria
- The Radical Islamist Affiliations of Clinton's Closest Aide, Huma Abedin
- The Deadly Consequences of Clinton's Absurd Fictions About Islam & Terrorism
- Clinton's Role in the Rise of ISIS and the Stratospheric Growth of Worldwide Terrorism
- Clinton's Role in Squandering America's Victory in the Iraq War
- Clinton's Horrible Judgment Regarding Islamic Terrorist Enemies
- Clinton's Empty Talk Regarding Russia and China
- Clinton's Reprehensible Treatment of Israel
- Clinton Turning Libya into a Terrorist Hell Hole
- Clinton's Plan to Import 65,000 Syrian Refugees into the U.S. As Quickly As Possible
- Clinton Explicitly Favoring Amnesty, Sanctuary Cities, and “Open Borders” 
- Clinton's Opposition to Gun Rights
- Clinton's Plans to Expand Obamacare into a Government-Run, Single-Payer System
- Rejecting School Vouchers for Poor Minority Children in Failing Urban Schools
- "Criminal Justice Reform”: Going Soft on Crime, and Filling America's Graveyards
- Fighting Voter ID Laws As “Racist” Schemes to Disenfranchise Minorities
- Clinton’s View of the Supreme Court and Its Purpose
- The Threatening of Women Who Accused Her Husband of Sexual Improprieties, Knowing Full Well They Were Telling the Truth
- Being Fired From the Watergate Investigation By Her Democrat Boss for Unethical Behavior and Lying About It

I could go on, but you get my point. She has nothing of any value to claim she is the most experienced person in public life, unless you count these failures in her character and riding on Air Force One as accomplishments. It is so sad that her followers and these papers would turn a blind eye on her behavior, but were the first to rightly call for Richard Nixon's impeachment for less treasonous and immoral acts.

Virtually all electronic, digital and print media sources have called for the election of Ms Clinton to President. If there were any integrity left in these entities, they would, instead, be calling for her arrest and conviction of high crimes against the people of the United States. But they won't because they are afraid of her and would rather screw the American people than to stand up for truth and justice.

Please, people. Open your eyes and see what is happening right in front of us. Otherwise, if this criminal is elected President, then on November 9, you can say good-bye to the America we once knew and were proud of. There will be no returning to the America that once was.

I pray that the polls are wrong and that, instead, Americans will hand Hillary Clinton a loss for the ages. We can only hope.

Why I Will Be Voting AGAINST Hillary Clinton

So many subjects to talk about with only two weeks to go in, probably, the most divisive, angry, mean-spirited, and generally, pitiful Presidential election cycle in American history. Even the election of 1860 was not as bad as this one.

I have considered myself a person who appreciates a good debate between honest and decent people. But there has been nothing but vitriol and bitterness between the candidates. There is a lot of lying going on by both candidates, but no matter what Donald Trump says, or does, nothing can compare to being the person who left four Americans to die for no good reason in Benghazi, and then lied about it for political expediency.

That, my friends, is a truth which any decent and honest American can admit should disqualify Hillary Clinton from being elected President.

No person deserves the vote to be our leader if that person hides behind a lie, and then, tries to blow it off with the statement, "what difference, at this point, does it make", to a Congress who wanted a reasonable explanation for why four Americans died, when they could have been saved as the attack was just starting. After all, our base in Aviano in northern Italy is just an hour away and our base in Sigonella in Sicily is less than thirty minutes from Tripoli and Benghazi on Libya's shoreline. That person has no business to expect our vote.

I certainly will not be voting for her for just this reason alone. But this is my main reason, and that is my feeling. I don't care who her opponent would have been. I would be voting against her. Not for her opponent. But against her.

I am but one person and in the scheme of voting in America, my one vote doesn't mean all that much. But if sixty five million of my fellow Americans vote as I will, chances are that Hillary Clinton WILL NOT BE ELECTED President of the United States.

This was the number of votes the current occupant of the Oval Office received against his opponent in 2012, to easily win re-election, sixty five million to sixty million.

For those people who sincerely want a woman for President, I agree it is well overdue. But this is not the person we would want to fill that place in history. There are other more eminently qualified women in this country, who DID NOT NOR WOULD NOT LEAVE Americans to die in an embassy under attack for political expediency and then lie about it.

So, my friends, please join me two weeks from today to vote against the one person in this country who has no business being elected President, Hillary Clinton. She should be, instead, running for Trustee of cell block six in Fort Leavenworth. That is where she belongs.

She is undeserving and definitely unqualified to be elected President of the United States.

Could It Be Possible?

The first half of a potential historic World Series was completed yesterday, with the Cleveland Indians winning the ALCS over the Toronto Blue Jays, four games to one. Congrats to the Indians!

And congratulations to the Blue Jays, too. They put up a valiant fight, but the Indians had destiny on their side.

After two lackluster losses in games two and three, the Cubs came roaring back to take game four, 10 to 2. They were a different team, playing once again like they did throughout the regular season.

The NLCS has now become a best two out of three series, with the advantage to the Cubs, since the final two games will be in The Friendly Confines of Wrigley Field. The Dodgers need to win tonight, or they will face elimination on Saturday.

But as I said in my commentary of October 14 called Baseball History in the Making?, this could be an historic World Series if the Cubs face the Indians, since it has been a looooong time since either team has won the Fall Classic. We have to wait to see if the Cubs can pull out an NLCS win to complete the other half of history. Oh, and when the Series opens on Tuesday in Cleveland, that will be historic, too. In neither of their World Series appearances in 1920 or 1948, did the Indians host the opener.

But if it happens, well, as a baseball fan, it will be fun to watch.

Hey Grandma! Where is the Cat Food?

Good news for Social Security recipients! You will be getting an increase for 2017, which is a lot more than you did in 2016. The average increase will be... hold on to your seat... a whopping $5 a month!!

Now you will be able to get those two cans of Progresso soup you wanted or an extra loaf of bread each month. Yay for you!!

But wait! If you are a Medicare Part B Supplemental participant, your insurance could increase by $20 and if you have Medicare Part D, your premium could increase by as much as $15. So your net loss of income will be $30 a month from 2016 to 2017, but Michelle Obama's mother will get $160,000 a year for the rest of her life to take care of her grown grandchildren.

Seems fair to me, yes?

There is something seriously wrong when our low and middle income elderly citizens are going to be worse off next year because we are living longer, but the rich and powerful need not worry about their next meal or doctor visit. Thank God a sexual predator like Anthony Weiner will continue to get his full Congressional salary as a pension and full taxpayer paid health benefits for the rest of his life, leaving him more time to lay around the house, take pictures of his junk and tweet them to unsuspecting, innocent teenage girls.

Do you see where I am going here?

How about the illegals and the refugees who are here will now get full medical benefits and social security, who never paid a nickel into the fund, but your parent or grandparent who worked his or her entire life and paid into the fund with every check they earned, gets to live on cat food because, somehow, the rules were changed to tie increases of social security benefits to the Consumer Price Index and inflation rate, factoring in DECREASES to items which are commodities like gasoline, but not accounting for the huge jump in essentials like food costs, creating the illusion that the economy is better. In in case you were wondering, I am not siding with either the Democrats or Republicans on this issue. They are both guilty of screwing our seniors.

Is any of this fair?

I dare even one Member of Congress in either party and in either House to call for a salary increase of only .3%, that's three tenths of one percent, annualized, for the next year to the current $178,000 minimum annual Congressional salary. Not one will have the b@||$ to do so. He or she would be censured and a vote to evict him or her for even thinking of such a treacherous and anti-"good ole boy" thought.

Ah, yes. America, Land of Opportunity - for the rich, powerful and special interest groups. Seems like a fair deal, at least for these people.

But, a big and loud Fook You to America's disenfranchised senior citizens.

Parties and Politics (But Not What You Think)

I went to a friend's 70th birthday party this past weekend. It was a bit of a wake-up call for me as I have past the high point between 60 and 70. I guess I have peaked and am starting the downhill run to another milestone.

Anyway, it was a good time, good food, good music and good company. The food was Italian, which ALWAYS works, the music was from the 60s and 70s, which hits my stride, and the company was diversified and happy, all of which made for the good time I mentioned.

The people at my table were very nice, but near the end, one of them wanted to talk politics. Normally, I would be ready to roll, but since this was a birthday party, I felt it was not the time nor place. The person showed her views immediately and I even said, in a joking manner, hoping she would get the hint that I was not going to fall into the trap and be the cause of ruining the party.

She persisted, so I got up and politely said good night to her and the rest of the table. She was stunned that I would be so abrupt, but I just smiled, walked away and said good night to my friend's daughter.

My point is this: there is a time and place to talk politics, or religion, or other controversial subjects. But a birthday party, or anniversary party, or other celebratory event isn't it. Why don't people understand this? And what part of "I don't think this is the place" do people not yet understand?

When I am at an event like this, I don't even mention that I write blogs and commentaries on issues of the day. If another friend mentions it, I won't deny it and I then just mention my site, with a chuckling comment that the person should read my commentaries and their comments, pro or con, are welcomed.

As you, my loyal readers know, I learned long ago from my friend, Mayor Ed Koch, to just thank the person for reading my views and sharing theirs. I don't get into a debate to justify my point of view. I already said what I wanted to say and explained my viewpoint in the commentary. No need to repeat it.

So, the next time you invite me to a party, just know I won't be the one who would ruin it by talking politics or religion. But, I WILL talk sports or something else which is not controversial. And I will be gracious if another of your guests decides to go down that forbidden path.

Your guest will not change my view nor will I change his or hers. And certainly, a party of any kind is not the place to try.

In this trying and difficult election cycle, it is the least any of us can do.

That Magical Time

Sixty eight days from today will be Christmas Day. In the United States, this is not only a religious holy day, but also a State and Federal holiday.

It is also one of those days which is a family day, like Thanksgiving, where families and friends gather to enjoy each other's company, sharing stories, eating, drinking and giving presents to each other. For some, Christmas Eve is also a celebration of family and friends. For others, some people need to swill extra-spiked egg nog or other "holiday" beverage to help them cope with the season to be merry.

Starting, generally, with Thanksgiving, especially after Santa closes the parade, we will hear Christmas songs on the radio, watch Christmas movies on TV, and perhaps, go to the movies to watch this year's major motion picture release of a new story which tries to inspire us with a message involving kindness, love for each other and general good cheer. By now, the shopping channels have been holding weekend Christmas purchasing specials and other "unscheduled" gift events to remind us it won't be long now.

Some cable channels have begun pulling popular Christmas movies from their libraries and showing them several times a week. This past week, Elf, Miracle on 34th St, Family Christmas and the first two Home Alone movies were on. And I watched them.

It seems to me that Christmas is the one time each year that we all seem to go that extra little bit to show each other the part of us which knows, deep inside, that we want peace on earth and good will to all. It is too bad the feelings we have in December are not with us throughout the year. That is the meaning of good will to all.

In years past, I was one of those people who had the lights on the house by Halloween weekend. By Veterans Day, the front yard was just about done and on Thanksgiving Eve, the lights went on for the first time. I actually enjoyed the time I used to do this. It was therapy, an opportunity to clear my head of all the banking stuff rolling around up there. But because I did this, I also was able to gain clarity on those issues which were puzzling me at my desk, and go in on Monday with renewed vigor.

Many of us have begun shopping for presents to give our loved ones, and by so doing, that act helps us get into the Christmas spirit. And understand this about me, when I say Christmas rather than holiday, it is not only a religious belief of mine, but it is also a spiritual more that makes me who I am. "Holiday" is too politically correct and sterile for me and I choked on the term "Happy Holidays" when I was in banking. Instead, I say Merry Christmas or Happy Hanukkah or Joyous Kwanzaa as the term fits the person I am addressing. There is nothing wrong in greeting and wishing the appropriate term for a specific holiday.

So, in closing, I hope you, too, will enjoy this festive time of the year as you rush through the stores or shop online for the perfect gift for your special someone. It isn't a chore; instead, if you start at least thinking about what to get him or her or them, by the time you are ready to purchase, the hard part is done and you won't be one of those people shopping at 8pm on December 23 and panicking because the next day is Christmas Eve.

Then you will be able to enjoy the Most Wonderful Time of the Year with nary a worry bouncing inside your head.

Baseball History In the Making?

The NLCS starts on Saturday and the ALCS begins tonight. The ALCS will feature the Indians v the Blue Jays, Canada's only baseball team, while the NLCS will showcase the Cubs v the Dodgers, a team which seems to be charmed in the World Series ever since they left Brooklyn almost sixty years ago.

As you well know, I am a long-time and long-suffering Mets fan, whose boys made it to the National League Wild Card game this year as the defending National League Champions, but fell short in their one game playoff. It's OK, because on August 11, I was beginning to think about football. Now that my Jets are 1 and 4, I actually may be forced to follow the Knicks and the Islanders this month.

Back to baseball. As a baseball fan, I would love to see a Cubs - Indians World Series, because no matter who wins, history will be made. The last time the Cubs won a Pennant was in 1945 and the World Series in 1908. The last time the Indians won a Pennant was in 1997 and the World Series in 1948.

The only other World Series wins for either team was in 1920 for the Indians and 1907 for the Cubs. That's a lot of history to overcome.

I am partial to a Cubs victory for three reasons: they have the longest period since their last World Series win, I have many friends in the Chicago area, and I used to go to Wrigley when I went to Chicago on business. I know, superficial. But that's how I feel.

But if Cleveland won, it would be OK by me, too. I don't have a vested interest in either team's fortunes, as I said, because my team plays in Citifield. But I am a baseball fan since before I began playing Little League in 1959. Although it is a slow-moving game compared to football, hockey or basketball, it has the number one sports position in my heart. I LOVE baseball.

The only complaint I have about the last few World Series is that the seventh game of the World Series is scheduled to end in November, as it was the last few years. This year, the Series could actually be baseball's version of the Ice Bowl, since both the Cubs and Indians play in open-air stadiums on the Great Lakes, and the games are at night. BRRRRR.

So bundle up, folks. It will be interesting and historic, as well as COLD, if these two proud franchises make it all the way to the Big Show.

October baseball - nothing like it at all.

Who's a Poet and Finally Knows It?

It was announced today that Bob Dylan, one of the pioneers of the rock era, was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature. You know what? Good for him!

The man could not sing, not in the classic sense, but his lyrics (and his music, too) were and are poetry in motion. His songs were sung by so many diverse performers, from the Byrds, to Peter, Paul and Mary, to John Denver and even George Harrison and Roy Orbison.

John Lennon, who I believe was the genius and the talent of The Beatles, loved Dylan and called him a genius. As the story goes, it went something like this:

John Lennon met Bob Dylan for the first time at the Delmonico Hotel in New York City. So, basically, Dylan walks up to Lennon and says,

“Yo John… Enough of this teenybopper crap! “Help!” is a real cry for help! Show me you have a pure heart, show me you have something to say.”

Lennon admired Dylan. And now, when they finally meet, Dylan pours some tough love on Lennon. It was harsh, but honest.

But Lennon took it to heart. And became…

Fooking John Lennon.

Years later Lennon gave a shout out to Dylan,

“[Back in the day] I wrote songs for the meat market, and I didn’t consider them, the lyrics or anything, to have any depth at all. It was Dylan who helped me realize that.”

The influence that Dylan had on so many songwriters back in the 60s and since then is revealing by the depths the great songwriters went to release their souls to us to "tell it like it is", or at least, how it should be. Dylan was a master of this.

I could go and provide a list of his greatest songs, but it would be a mini-series. Suffice to say, my favorites have always been, Blowin' In the Wind, Like a Rolling Stone, The Times, They Are A-Changin', Positively Fourth Street, Mr Tambourine Man, It Ain't Me, Babe, and Lay Lady Lay. There are so many more but these are my tops. 

And, although he may have sung them too, other artists made some of them the big hits they became, and made those artists better than they would have been, otherwise.

So, Congrats to one of the greatest poets America has produced. You waited long enough for your day in the sun, Robert Allen Zimmerman. You paid homage to Dylan Thomas, another great poet, years ago by changing your name to Bob Dylan. And now, finally you get your proper recognition as probably the greatest poet ever, at least since the advent of the rock era.

Like a Rolling Stone, indeed!

What Is DOG Spelled Backwards?

A friend of mine asked us to watch their dog while they went away for the weekend to visit family. As you know, I love dogs, so yes was the operative answer.

They have a nice, older and stately home on Long Island's North Shore, which overlooks the Long Island Sound. It is so tranquil and peaceful, and the view from the house is outstanding. It stands so high on the bluff. On a clear day, you can even see across the Sound to Connecticut.

My friend’s dog is a large, male mix of Rhodesian Razorback hound and I think pit bull. But he is so gentle and he must think he is a lap dog, because he loves to lay across my lap as I sit on the couch watching TV.

So, I took him out on Tuesday and we walked the entire perimeter of the five acre property. Afterwards, he was just so tired that he lay at my feet as I wrote this.

He is also a tease, as he takes his toy, puts it on my lap, but doesn't entirely let go. When I reach for it, he pulls it away, much like I would have done to him, had I had the toy first. He has a sweet and loving personality.

He was a RESCUE by our friends, and I believe dogs who are rescued instinctively know that. I am sure a dog psychologist might disagree, but I have had several rescues in my life. And they all acted the same: with appreciation and love.

I think having a dog, and more importantly, rescuing a dog, is one of the greatest acts of humane kindness humans can demonstrate, because by rescuing a dog, you extend the life of an animal which would otherwise be put down because of over-population and nowhere to keep them.

And two other things a dog can do are to teach a child how to care for another living being and to give a senior citizen living alone purpose and companionship in a world which could easily become empty and lonely.

So, if you have space in your home and love in your heart, rescue a dog today. Both will grow at least ten-fold the day you bring him or her home.