ALITO FINALLY CONFIRMED

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2006
ALITO HAS BEEN CONFIRMED
COMMON SENSE IS UNCOMMON NOWADAYS. MY FIRST BLOG ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2005 CALLED FOR THE CONFIRMATION OF JUDGE ALITO. 3 MONTHS HAVE ELAPSED. EVERY OBFUSCATING AND PREDICTABLE TACTIC OF THE DEMOCRATS WAS EMPLOYED SHORT OF A FILIBUSTER ( THE GANG OF 14 PREVENTED THIS) TO DEFEAT HIM. VICTORY IS BITTERSWEET. A STRICTLY PARTISAN VOTE, 58 TO 42, PUT JUDGE SAM ALITO ONTO THE BENCH OF THE SUPREME COURT. FINALLY! NOTHING ABOUT THE PROCESS WAS SWIFT AND SURE. MOSTLY IT WAS A PUNISHMENT TO ALITO AND OUR SENSE OF CIVILITY.

I MENTIONED THAT I WAS DRAGGED, KICKING AND SCREAMING, INTO POLITICS LATER IN LIFE. ONLY MY HUSBAND'S DELICIOUS SENSE OF HUMOR APPLIED TO THE SHENANIGANS OF POLITICIANS AND THE MEDIA CONVICED ME TO THROW MY HAT INTO THE CIRCUS RING. SINCE RETIREMENT, I'VE RACKED UP A PERFECT ATTENDANCE RECORD FOR VOTING IN ELECTIONS AND FOR OBSERVANCE OF ELECTION DEBATES AND PRESIDENTIAL SPEECHES. I ANTICIPATE PRESIDENT BUSH'S STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS TONIGHT. UNFORTUNATELY GEORGE, UNLIKE HARRY TRUMAN, WILL PROBABLY REFRAIN FROM GIVING 'EM HELL.' 'EM' ARE LIBERAL COMBATANTS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE LINE OF CONSERVATISM IN THE PRESENT TUG O' WAR GOING ON IN CONGRESS, IN THE COURTS AND ACROSS THE NATION. OUR PRESIDENT, OF COURSE WILL BE DIPLOMATIC. AS EDMOND ROSTAND (THE AUTHOR OF THE PLAY, CYRANO DE BERGERAC, DESCRIBES IT, HE WILL BE SKILLFUL IN THE WAY HE HIDES HIS CLAWS. KNOWING THE DEMOCRATS, HOWEVER, THEIR RESPONSE FOLLOWING OUR PRESIDENT'S SPEECH WILL UNSHEATH SHARP WORDS OF DISAPPROVAL.

ECONOMICS LESSON

SMART PEOPLE DISPLAYED NO MORE COMMON SENSE IN THE 'OLD DAYS' THAN THEY DO TODAY. NOR DOES WISDOM INEVITABLY COME WITH AGE. FOR EXAMPLE, IN THE PAST DEBTORS WERE IMPRISONED IN DEBTORS' PRISON UNTIL THEY PAID THEIR DEBTS. HOW COULD THEY REPAY DEBTS IF THEY WERE IMPRISONED? OF COURSE. THE RICH AND IMPORTANT TRADITIONALLY MANAGE TO MAINTAIN THEIR CREDIT AND LIFESTYLE INSPITE OF UNPLEASANT JAILTIME. THE MODERN MISUNDERSTANDING OF MARKET ECONOMICS IS SIMILARLY BASED UPON MISGUIDED THOUGHT. WHETHER ONE IS YOUNG AND 20, 30 OR 40 SOMETHING, A 50'S BABY BOOMER, A SENIOR CITIZEN OR JUST AGED, MOST AMERICANS DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT CRITICIZING THE PROFITS OF COMPANIES AND SIMULTANEOUSLY DEMANDING THAT COMPANIES BE PROFITABLE IS AN OBVIOUS CONTRADICTION. HOW LONG HAVE TOBACCO COMPANIES BEEN BEATEN UP FOR THEIR PROFITABILITY YET THEIR PROFITABILITY AND THE PENALTIES RELATED TO IT, ARE ANTICIPATED AND RELIED UPON TO FILL LOCAL AND STATE COFFERS.

SHAREHOLDERS WHO INVEST IN AN OIL COMPANY, FOR EXAMPLE, WANT IT TO MAKE MONEY. IT MAKES NO SENSE FOR THE PROFITABLE OIL COMPANY TO THEN REDUCE PRICES, PAY EXTRA TAXES TO THE GOVERNMENT OR DISTRIBUTE ITS PROFITS TO AN AUTO COMPANY THAT IS LOSING MONEY. BY THE WAY, STATISTICALLY, BANKS, PHARMACEUTICALS, REAL ESTATE, HEALTH CARE AND SOFTWARE COMPANIES' PROFITS (BANKS WITH A RATIO OF 3 TO 1 !) EXCEED OIL AND GAS COMPANIES. OIL AND AUTO COMPANIES ALIKE DEPEND ON THE FREE MARKET TO MAKE OR BREAK THEIR BOTTOM LINE WITH A PROFIT OR LOSS. WITH THE OIL COMPANY THE PRICE OF OIL IS DETERMINED BY THE GLOBAL MARKET, AT PRESENT DOMINATED BY CHINA AND INDIA GOBBLING UP HUGE QUANTITIES OF OIL. ADDITIONALLY, THE PRICE OF GAS AT THE PUMP IS INFLATED BY FEDERAL AND STATE TAXES. THE SUCCESS OR FAILURE OF THE OIL COMPANY ALSO DEPENDS TO A LARGE EXTENT UPON PROPER MANAGEMENT, THAT IS, UNCORRUPTED. THE AUTO COMPANY, LIKEWISE, DEPENDS UPON CUSTOMERS DRIVING THE GLOBAL MARKET FOR CARS BECAUSE THE CUSTOMER, WE KNOW, IS ALWAYS RIGHT. THE PROFITABILITY OF THE AUTO COMPANY IS ALSO DEPENDENT UPON INTELLIGENT MANAGEMENT, THAT IS, UNCORRUPTED.

TWO EXAMPLES MAY NOW BE INTERJECTED. THE FIRST RELATES TO ENRON. ENRON'S CULTURE OF GREED WHICH CAUSED THE DOWNFALL OF ENRON NOT ONLY FOSTERED CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR, BUT BETRAYED ITS STOCKHOLDERS AS WELL AS THE GENERAL PUBLIC. THE SECOND EXAMPLE RELATES TO EASTMAN KODAK, A COMPANY HEMORRHAGING WITH FINANCIAL LOSES FOR YEARS. SHOULD A SUCCESSFUL COMPANY LIKE NOKIA TAKE MONEY FROM THEIR SHAREHOLDERS TO SAVE A FAILING COMPANY LIKE KODAK (AND ITS EMPLOYEES' JOBS) BECAUSE IT CONTINUES TO MANUFACTURE PRODUCTS THAT DON'T SELL? ENRON'S FAILURE, KODAK'S FAILURE, THE AUTO COMPANY'S FAILURE - ANY FAILURE DOES NOT RELATE TO OR NECESSITATE PENALIZING A SUCCESSFUL COMPANY.

IF THE CORRUPTED AND SHORT-SIGHTED AUTO COMPANY COULD NOT SUSTAIN ITS PROFITABILITY BECAUSE OF AN OVERLY GENEROUS UNION-SPONSORED, MEDICAL BENEFIT AND RETIREMENT PACKAGE, IT SHOULD HAVE CHANGED COURSE. THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT IF AN INVESTOR DOES NOT HOPE TO MAKE MONEY WITH AN INVESTMENT, WHY WOULD HE OR SHE INVEST? KARL MARX OVER A CENTURY AGO DOOMED CAPITALISM, BUT THE SYSTEM LIVES ON. EXTRACTION FROM ONE VEIN AND INFUSION INTO ANOTHER ONLY WORKS WITH GENUINE BLOOD. DRAINING PROFITS FROM A HEALTHY COMPANY AND INFUSING THEM INTO A DYING ONE WILL RESULT IN TWO ANEMIC PATIENTS. WITHOUT INVESTMENTS, SHAREHOLDERS, RISK-TAKERS AND ENTREPRENEURS PARTICIPATING IN A GLOBAL MARKET ECONOMY, WHERE WOULD AMERICA BE TODAY? IN DEBTORS' PRISON WITHOUT A PRAYER?

5th COLUMN II

ON THE DAY BEFORE THE VOTE ON JUDGE ALITO'S NOMINATION TO THE SUPREME COURT MY THOUGHTS ABOUT AMERICA'S 5TH COLUMN RE-EMERGE. OUR DOMESTIC INSURGENTS, OUR EXTREME LIBERAL JIHADISTS COMPRISE A 5TH COLUMN DEDICATED TO THE DESTRUCTON OF AMERICA FROM WITHIN. THE 5TH COLUMNIST WAS A TERM ORIGINALLY APPLIED BY GENERAL MOLA TO A COLUMN LED BY GENERAL FRANCO'S SYMPATHIZERS WITHIN THE CITY OF MADRID IN 1936 AS OPPOSED TO THE 4 ARMED COLUMNS ATTACKING FROM OUTSIDE. TODAY'S 5TH COLUMNISTS SABOTAGE OUR COUNTRY FROM WITHIN TOO. THEY DESCEND FROM SYMPATHIZERS WITH COMMUNIST INFILTRATORS IN THE 1920'S AND FROM EXTREME, LEFTIST, LIBERAL CHAMPIONS OF THE 60'S COUNTER-CULTURAL AND POLITICAL REVOLUTION. THEY ARE PUBLIC FIGURES, POLITICIANS, WRITERS, ENTERTAINERS, WEALTHY ENTREPRENEURS AND UNIVERSITY PROFESSORS; THEY ARE AIDED AND ABETTED BY THE MEDIA. IRONICALLY, MOST 5TH COLUMNISTS, BEING ELITISTS, BENEFITED MOST FROM OUR AMERICAN SYSTEM OF DEMOCRACY, OUR REPUBLICAN EMPIRE WHICH THEY SO VEHEMENTLY DENOUNCE. YET THEY DON'T EXPATRIATE. THEY COMPLAIN; THEY OBSTRUCT. THEY ARE ANTI-AMERICAN SECULAR SABOTEURS. THEY OUGHT TO BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES WITH THEIR FALSE SENSES OF SELF-ESTEEM AND RIGHTEOUSNESS AND THEIR POLITICAL CORRECTNESS WHICH THEY APPLY TO OTHERS WITH WHOM THEY DISAGREE. AT THE RECENT ALITO HEARING THEY OUTDID THEMSELVES IN SMUG INCIVILITY.

WHAT DO THESE WIMPY WARRIORS OF THE LEFT FIGHT FOR OTHER THAN WITHDRAWL FROM IRAQ? VERY LITTLE OTHER THAN FOR NEGATIVITY. THEY BASICALLY OPPOSE THE MILITARY AND MILITARY SUCCESS. THEY GLORIFY OUR TERRORIST ENEMIES. THEY RE-DEFINE SUCCESS AS AN ACCOMODATING DEFEAT. THEY EXPOSE GOVERNMENT SECRETS AND CLASSIFIED INFORMATION IN THE NAME OF PATRIOTIC DUTY ( AS IN THE REVEALING OF THE WIRETAPS OF TERRORISTS). THEY TRIVIALIZE MURDEROUS ENEMIES, COURAGE AND THE SACRIFICES OF OUR SOLDIERS. THEY APPEASE EVIL. THE NEWS MEDIA SPINS FACTS AND NEWS FOR THEIR BENEFIT BECAUSE IT IS IN CAHOOTS WITH THEM. WHY DOESN'T MORE WELL-EARNED AND WELL-DIRECTED SPIT FLY AT THESE EXTREME IDEOLOGUES FROM THEIR OPPONENTS? OBVIOUSLY REPUBLICANS AND CONSERVATIVES HAVE MORE CLASS.

I WILL LIST FAMILIAR NAMES OF AMERICANS WHO WANT TO SEE AMERICA TO 'GO DOWN' OVER THE HORIZON OF WORLD OPINION. PROTESTORS AND NAY-SAYERS ARE THEY ALL. WHEN JUDGE ALITO COMES UP FOR A VOTE TOMORROW, EACH WILL WISH HIM ILL BECAUSE THE QUALIFIED APPLICANT TO THE BENCH STLL REPRESENTS THE CHOICE OF THE DEVIL, GEORGE W. BUSH AND IS GUILTY BY ASSOCIATION.

HARRY BELAFONTE - A HAS-BEEN ACTOR WHO CALLED BUSH THE 'GREATEST TERRORIST ON THE WORLD' AND COMPARED THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURTIY TO THE NAZI GESTAPO.WARD CHURCHILL - A PROFESSOR WHO SAID VICTIMS OF 911 WERE JUST 'LITTLE EICHMANS' DESERVING OF THEIR DEATHS.
MS. MEDIA BENJAMIN - AN ACTIVIST WHO THINKS THAT CUBA IS 'HEAVEN.'
BEN COHEN - CEO OF BEN AND JERRY'S ICE CREAM WHO SUPPORTS ANY ANTI-AMERICAN CAUSE.
OLIVER STONE - A DIRECTOR WHO CALLED CASTRO 'ONE OF THE GREATEST MEN IN HISTORY.'
MICHAEL MOORE - THE FILMMAKER WHO DISTORTS REALITY TO FURTHER HIS AGENDA.
SEAN PENN - AN ACTOR WHO THINKS SADDAM HUSSEIN IS A 'GREAT MAN.'
NOAM CHOMSKY - A LINGUIST WHO SPEWS HATE TO CHEERING, HOODWINKED CROWDS.
JOAN BAEZ - A SINGER WHO IS A CHARTER MEMBER FROM THE 1960'S.
JANE FONDA - AN ACTRESS WHO IS UNREPENTENT IN HER EFFORTS TO PUT AMERICA INTO DISREPUTE.
SEYMOUR HERSH - A REPORTER OF SLANTED, HATE-MONGERING.
JEREMY RIFKIN - AN ACTIVIST FROM THE CENTER FOR SCIENCE IN PUBLIC INTEREST WHOSE SOLE INTEREST IS GOVERNMENT SPONSORED, POLITICALLY CORRECT CAUSES, MASQUERADING AS EFFORTS TO HELP THE POOR OF THE 3RD WORLD.
PAUL KRUGMAN - A ECONOMIST WITH INBRED EUROPEAN, SOCIALISTIC, SYMPATHIES.
CINDY SHEEHAN - A MOTHER OF A FALLEN SOLDIER WHO IS TOTALLY DUPED BY AND MISGUIDED IN HER LIBERAL VIEWS, EVEN COLLABORATING WITH AMAERICA'S ENEMY CAESAR CHAVEZ OF VENEZUELA.
DAN RATHER - A REPORTER WHO WOULD RATHER LIE THAN SWITCH TO REASON.
NANCY PELOSI - HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE MINORITY LEADER WHO SHAMES HER RELIGION BY HER HYPOCRITICAL BELIEFS AND MISSES NO OPPORTUNITY TO GRANDSTAND FOR THE WHINY 5TH COLUMN.
JOHN MURTHA - A HOUSE REPRESENTATIVE STRIDENTLY PREACHING DEFEATISM AND IMMEDIATE WITHDRAWL OF TROOPS FROM IRAQ.
DICK DURBIN - A SENATOR WHO LIKENS OUR TROOPS TO THE MURDERING SOLDIERS OF HITLER AND CAMBODIA'S POL POT.
HARRY REID, JOHN KERRY, TEDDY KENNEDY AND HILLARY CLINTON - SENATORS WHOSE SHAMELESS, SPINELESS, WILL-O'-THE-WISP GRANDSTANDING EFFORTS ENCOURAGE AMERICA'S DESTRUCTION.
E.L. DOCTOROW, TONY KUSHNER AND VICTOR NAVASKY - A NOVELIST, PLAYWRIGHT AND FORMER EDITOR OF THE NATION RESPECTIVELY, WHO OPENLY SYMPATHIZED WITH RUSSIAN SPIES.

5TH COLUMNISTS HAVE, AND OTHERS WOULD IF THEY COULD, WILLINGLY REDUCED JUDGE ALITO'S WIFE TO TEARS AT THE PUBLIC JUDICIARY MEETINGS, BY THEIR INSULTS. THEY MIGHT, WITH PHILOSOPHICAL JUSTIFICATION, SEND DR. LAURA SCHLESSINGER, A WELL-KNOWN WRITER, COUNSELOR AND CONSERVATIVE TALK SHOW HOST WITH A SON IN THE MILITARY, AN E-MAIL SAYING, "I HOPE YOUR SON DIES." ACTUALLY ONE SICK, ANONYMOUS WACKO DID JUST THAT. SCARY.

THE 5TH COLUMNISTS SCARE ME BECAUSE TO EACH OTHER THEY MAKE PERFECT SENSE. TO A RATIONAL, TRADITIONAL AMERICAN, THEY ARE INSANE TERRORISTS AND TRAITORS TO THE CAUSE.

THE PERFECT MAN

JUST AS THERE IS NO PERFECT WOMAN, THERE IS NO PERFECT MAN, BUT MEN FOR ME HAVE GENERALLY COME CLOSER TO A PLATONIC IDEAL, WHICH EMBODIES A PERSONA THAT CAN "GROAN AND GROW." ONE TACTIC TO CLARIFY THIS CHOICE IS TO CONTRAST TWO TYPES OF MEN. THE FIRST IS THE SURVIVOR. TODAY, JANUARY 28TH MARKS THE DAY IN 1945 THAT ELIE WIESEL'S FATHER DIED IN A GERMAN DEATH CAMP NEAR THE END OF WORLD WAR II. FATHER, UNTIL HIS END, INSPIRED HIS SON TO FIGHT TO LIVE. ELIE LOST AND REGAINED HIS SOUL IN THE NIGHT OF CONCENTRATED HELL, BUT HE SURVIVED TO LEAD A PRODUCTIVE LIFE AS A WRITER AND HOLOCAUST AWARENESS ADVOCATE, EVEN EARNING THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE. HIS WAR EXPERIENCES MIMIC IN THEIR HORRIFIC ORDEALS THOSE OF AMERICAN POW'S ON JAPANESE DEATH MARCHES AND JAPANESE DEATH SHIPS. MOST OF THESE SOLDIERS WHO RETURNED HOME ALIVE ALSO RE-ESTABLISHED MEANINGFUL LIVES.

IN CONTRAST, IS THE ECO-TOURIST. THIS MAN PAYS $200 A NIGHT PER PERSON (IMAGINE THE COST TO A FAMILY) TO EXPERIENCE NATURE FROM A COTTAGE ON STILTS (TO PROTECT THE FOREST FLOOR) ON A TROPICAL ISLAND. HE HAS FLOWN 2700 MILES FROM HOME ON A PLANE THAT USED UP 65 GALLONS OF JET FUEL ( CERTAINLY ECOLOGY FRIENDLY ) PER AIRLINE PASSENGER. HE DABBLES INTO THE IDYLLIC ON DOMINICA, AN ISLAND IRONICALLY TRANSLATED AS THE LORD'S LAND FROM THE LATIN WOULD GOD BE PROUD?

THE LATTER TRAVELER, MAKES ME GROAN. THE FORMER SHOWS ME HOW REAL MEN GROAN AND GROW UPWARDS. THE CHOICE IS NO CHOICE AT ALL. AMERICA SHOULD KEEP MOTHERHOOD ON ITS PEDESTAL, BUT IT . SHOULD ALSO KEEP REAL MEN AT THEIR EQUALLY IMPORTANT PLACE AT THE TOP. NO NATION CAN EXCEL IN THE FUTURE WITHOUT STRONG, COURAGEOUS, UN-GIRLY MEN.

WASTING MONEY

I CAN IDENTIFY YUPPIES, SOLVE THE NEGATIVE RATE OF SAVINGS IN THIS COUNTRY AND GUARANTEE A CUTBACK IN GOVERNMENT SPENDING AS A RESULT OF ANALYZING A REGULAR FRIDAY FEATURE IN THE WALL STREET JOURNAL'S WEEKEND EDITION. I CAN 'KILL OFF ' THESE THREE BIRDS WITH ONE UMBRELLA. IN THE FRIDAY FEATURE. A SHOPPING COMPARISON IS MADE BETWEEN COMPETING BRANDS FOR THE BEST PRODUCT. SUBJECTS DIFFER, BUT FOR ME, THE NONSENSE FACTOR REMAINS CONSTANT. TODAY, THE 'WINDPRO FLATWEAR VENTED AUTO UMBRELLA', THE 'WIND DEFYING 44" COMPACT AUTO-OPEN UMBRELLA', THE 'MICRO MINI UMBRELLA,' THE SHEDRAIN MINI UMBRELLA', AND THE 'TOTES MICRON UMBRELLA' RANGED IN PRICE FROM $20 TO $25. PLUS SHIPPING AND HANDLING. I COULD PURCHASE A UTILITARIAN 'RAIN SHADE' FROM A LOCAL DOLLAR TREE, DOLLAR GENERAL, FAMILY DOLLAR, GOODWILL INDUSTRIES OR VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA FOR $1.00. MY UMBRELLA WOULD UNIVERSALLY HAVE THE CAPABILITY OF CREATING A MUSHROOM CLOUD THAT WITHSTANDS THE RAIN WHEN HAND-HELD ABOVE MY HEAD. WHETHER AT A LIBERAL PROTEST RALLY OR A CONSERVATIVE FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION, ITS JOB DESCRIPTION WOULD BE THE SAME.

SINCE THIS PRODUCT'S PRICE IS, PRACTICALLY SPEAKING, INFLATED ALMOST 20 TIMES I KNOW ITS PERCEIVED VALUE CATERS TO CONSUMERS WHO ARE STATUS CONSCIOUS OR WHO POSSESS DISCRIMINAING TASTES. THESE ARE SO-CALLED, YUPPIES WHO I FIRST SHOOT DOWN WITH COMMON SENSE.

THE SECOND BIRD I KILL OFF IS WASTEFUL SPENDING. AMERICA, A NATION OF CARD-CARRYING, LIBERAL AND LIBERATED CONSUMERS, COULD INCREASE ITS SAVINGS RATE BY SIMPLY SAYING YES TO REASON BY SAVING OR INVESTING THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN $1.00 AND $20. THAT IS $19 ON THE LIBERATION FRONT ON ONE ITEM.

THE THIRD BIRD I KILL OFF IS BIG GOVERNMENT. THE WSJ ANALYSIS ASSUMES THAT ONLY THE ULTRA RICH OR THE ULTRA FOOLISH WILL ROUTINELY OR SELECTIVELY BUY A PRODUCT, THAT FOR EXAMPLE IN TODAY'S CASE, IS PRICED ALMOST 20 TIMES OVER ITS PRACTICAL WORTH. MY PRINCIPLE IS VALID EVEN IF THE NEWSPAPER TARGETS CEO'S WHO ARE PAID 400 TIMES THE SALARY OF THE AVERAGE WORKER. IF THE RICH, WHO NEED NOT SAVE MONEY, WOULD CONTRIBUTE IT TO CHARITY, THE GOVERNMENT'S SPENDING ON WELFARE WOULD GREATLY DIMINISH.

I REJECT THE YUPPIES AND THEIR UMBRELLA OPTIONS. I CHALLENGE THOSE WHO WASTE MONEY TO INSTEAD SAVE IT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR FUTURES. IF MONEY OVERFLOWS THE MATERIAL BOUNDS OF THE WEALTHY, I URGE THEM TO PUT IT TO HUMANITARIAN USE.

THE IMPOSSIBLE DREAM

THE ADVICE TO "FOLLOW YOUR DREAM" IS NOT NECESSARILY GOOD. I HAD - I THINK - TWO DREAMS. WHEN ONE FAILED, IT BROKE MY HEART. THE OTHER'S FULFILLMENT WAS BOUGHT AT TOO HIGH A PRICE. TODAY, I UNWILLINGLY FOLLOW MY NIGHTMARES, WHICH I'VE DECIDED ARE JUST TRANSMOGRIFIED DREAMS.

SOME DREAMS, OF COURSE, ARE EVIL AS WHEN HITLER AND AMIN AL HUSSEINI HOPED TO ELIMINATE THE JEWS OR NAPOLEON HOPED TO RULE AS KING OF A EUROPEAN EMPIRE OR MUSLIM JIHADISTS HOPE FOR A CALIPHATE. SOME DREAMS MAY BE BETRAYED AS WHEN JOAN OF ARC TRIED TO RESTORE THE DAUPHIN TO THE THRONE OF FRANCE. SOME DREAMS ARE UNATTAINABLE AS WHEN MARTIN LUTHER KING JR'S FOLLOWERS HOPED THAT A BLACK AND WHITE UTOPIA COULD BE CREATED. SOME DREAMS DISGUISE THEMSELVES AS HARD WORK AND PERSEVERENCE. FOR EXAMPLE, THE 3RD MOST LISTENED-TO RADIO TALK SHOW, WILL NOW BE SEEN ON PRIME TIME T.V. FULFILLING GLENN BECK'S DREAM. MR. BECK EXPRESSED SURPRISE WHEN HE SAID, "I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M DOING. " I AM SURE, HOWEVER, TO USE A MR. BECK WORD, HE 'FRIGGING' DOES.

FOR MOST PEOPLE, PURSUING ONE'S DREAM, PRACTICALLY SPEAKING, SHOULD BE OFF LIMITS. A DREAM PER SE IS UNREAL. EVERY HUMAN BEING IS NOT CUT OUT TO CAPTURE SOME SPECIAL GOLDEN GLORY IN AN IDEALIZED WORLD. A FALSE PERCEPTION OF REALITY CAN UNDO SUCCESSFUL LIVING. IT CAN UNDO AWARENESS, APPRECIATION AND RESPONSIBILITY OF DAY BY DAY EXISTENCE. I PREFER TO DEFINE A DREAM AS "WALKING THE LINE" OF A NECESSARY, YEARLY ROUTINE. IF UNDERTAKEN AND MAINTAINED IN A DUTIFUL AND POSITIVE MANNER, WHEN THE WALK HAS BEEN COMPLETED, THE TRAVELER WILL KNOW THAT HIS OR HER JOURNEY HAS BEEN A LEGITIMATE SUCCESS. HE OR SHE WILL HAVE ACHIEVED HAPPINESS. IS THIS NOT THE MEANING OF 'FOLLOWING YOUR DREAM"?

THE PERFECT WOMAN

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS THE PERFECT WOMAN UNLESS YOU SUBSCRIBE TO THE ANCIENT GREEK PHILOSOPHER PLATO'S BELIEF IN A PLATONIC FORM, AN IDEAL BEING, ABSTRACT FROM REALITY, BUT NEVERTHELESS REAL. IN THIS LIFE, SPECIMENS ARE IMPERFECT. WE CAN ONLY SET CRITERIA OR GUIDELINES FOR THE IDEAL WOMAN. WHETHER SHE CHOOSES MOTHERHOOD OR A SINGLE LIFE, I BELIEVE THE 'PERFECT' WOMAN SHOULD SHINE OUT WITH A CHARACTER THAT CAN 'GROAN BUT GROW.' WOMEN KNOW THAT LIFE IS TOUGH, BUT WOMEN SHOULD GROW, IN SPITE OF LIFE, IN STRENGTH, IN LOVE AND IN GRACE. I BELIEVE IDEAL IS A PERFECT AS IS POSSIBLE AND WHAT SHOULD BE SOUGHT.

PERHAPS THEY ARE LIKE THE SHINING STARS THAT CARL SCHURZ REFERENCED IN 1859. THE FUTURE CIVIL WAR GENERAL AND STATESMAN SAID, "YOU WILL NOT SUCCEED IN TOUCHING THEM (THE STARS) WITH YOUR HANDS, BUT LIKE THE SEAFARING MAN ON THE DESERT OF WATERS, YOU CHOOSE THEM AS YOUR GUIDES, AND FOLLOWING THEM YOU REACH YOUR DESTINY." AMERICA'S DESTINY HAS HINGED UPON THE QUALITY OF ITS WOMEN. THEY HAVE USUALLY OPENED OR CLOSED THE DOOR OF AMERICA'S GREATNESS. YET TODAY'S MORAL ANALYSTS OFTEN SPEAK TO THE TRUTH THAT SOMETHING IS TERRIBLY WRONG WITH OUR CULTURAL CLIMATE THAT DOES NOT ENCOURAGE 'PERFECT WOMEN.'

A CONTEMPORARY OF CARL SCHURZ, FORMER PRESIDENT THEODORE ROOSEVELT, BELIEVED THE ROLE OF MOTHERHOOD TO BE ONE OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE. I ECHO T.R.'S CALL FOR A WOMAN WITH A NORMAL SEX DRIVE WHO DOES NOT COMPLAIN OR COWER BEFORE THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF LIVING. GRANTED ROOSEVELT'S IDEAS ARE ROOTED IN HISTORICAL TIME, BUT HIS MESSAGE IS TIMELESS.

I CAN'T RESIST QUOTING T.R. FURTHER. " THE ATROPHY OF A HEALTHY SEXUAL INSTINCT IS IN ITS EFFECTS EQUALLY DESTRUCTIVE WHETHER IT BE DUE TO LICENTIOUSNESS, ASCETICISM, COLDNESS, OR TIMIDITY; WHETHER IT BE DUE TO CALCULATED SELF-INDULGENCE, LOVE OF EASE AND COMFORT, OR ABSORPTON IN WORLDLY SUCCESS ON THE PART OF THE MAN, OR, ON THE PART OF THE WOMAN, TO THAT KIND OF SHRIEKING 'FEMINISM', THE ANTITHESIS OF ALL WORTH CALLING WOMANLY, WHICH GIVES FINE NAMES TO SHIRKING OF DUTY, AND TO THE FEAR OF DANGER AND DISCOMFORT, AND ACTUALLY EXALTS AS PRAISEWORTHY THE ABANDONMENT OR SUBORDINATION BY WOMEN OF THE MOST SACRED AND VITALLY IMPORTANT OF THE FUNCTIONS OF WOMANHOOD. IT IS NOT ENOUGH THAT A RACE SHALL BE COMPOSED OF GOOD FATHERS, GOOD WORKERS, AND GOOD BREEDERS; BUT, UNLESS THE QUALITIES THUS INDICATED ARE PRESENT IN THE RACE FOUNDATION, THEN THE SUPERSTRUCTURE, HOWEVER SEEMINGLY IMPOSING, WILL TOPPLE."

AMEN. WHAT A CHARACTERIZATION OF AMERICA'S CHARACTER FLAWS IN 2006. GRANTED AMERICA IS AT HER DYNASTIC ZENITH, AT THE PEAK OF HER IMPERIAL POWER. BUT IS IT ALL DOWNHILL NOW BECAUSE OUR 'PERFECT' WOMAN, THE MOTHER, HAS ALREADY FALLEN FROM HER PEDESTAL? IT STILL TAKES A FAMILY TO KEEP A COUNTRY ON TOP.

GEORGE AGONISTES

POOR GEORGE AGONISTES, SUBJECTED TO THE AGONY OF REPORTERS' QUESTIONS AND ANTAGONISTIC POLITICIANS WITHOUT THE CONCOMITANT ECSTACY OF TRIUMPH OVER THE VANQUISHED. BUT I HAVE A FEW SUGGESITONS FOR OUR COMMANDER- IN- CHIEF FOR HIS REBUTTALS TO ACCUSATIONS HURLED AT HIM. HERE'S HOW KING GEORGE, AS SOME LIBERAL BOOB PUT IT, SHOULD RESPOND.

DID YOU SEE BREAKBACK MOUNTAIN, MR. PRESIDENT?
NO, BECAUSE I HAVE MY OWN HETEROSEXUAL LOVER WAITING FOR ME BACK AT MY RANCH.

WHY ARE YOU OUTSOURCING OUR DEFENSE, MR. PRESIDENT?
BECAUSE I WANT TO. MAY I POINT OUT TO YOU THAT I AM ALSO OUTSOURCING OUR DEFENSE IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN? IF OUTSOURCING IS BAD, YES, I GUESS I AM BAD TO THE BONE.

WHY HAVE YOU ILLEGALLY SPIED ON OUR CITIZENS, MR. PRESIDENT?
EXCUSE ME, SPYING ON THE ENEMY IS NOT ILLEGAL, JUST ASK YOUR FELLOW, PAST DEMOCRATIC LEADERS HOW IT IS DONE. YES, I KNOW MANY OF THEM LIKE F.D.R. ARE DECEASED.

BUT, MR. PRESIDENT YOU HAVE ILLEGALLY LISTENED TO PHONE CONVERSATIONS OF INNOCENT CITIZENS.
I HAVE HERE A BOOK WITH THE NAMES OF EACH AND EVERY YOUNG PERSON'S CELLPHONE CONVERSATION THAT I PERSONALLY HAVE TAPPED. SHOULD I READ THEM ALOUD? THIS COULD TAKE A WHILE, TURNING ALL OF THESE EMPTY PAGES?

WILL YOU UNILATERALLY STAND UP TO IRAN, MR. PRESIDENT?
UNILATERAL, MULTILATERAL, MAKE UP YOUR MIND. UNI, REMEMBER, MEANS ONE; MULTI MEANS MANY. IT'S LIKE E PLURIBUS UNUM.

PLEASE EXPLAIN WHY YOUR MEDICARE DRUG BENEFIT PROGRAM DOES NOT HELP THE WORKING POOR, MR. PRESIDENT?
YOU EXPLAIN IT, I CAN'T. MAYBE YOU WHO SPECIALIZE IN OBFUSCATION ( I KNOW IT'S A BIG WORD) CAN CLARIFY OR FIX IT?

WHY ARE YOU PACKING THE SUPREME COURT WITH CONSERVATIVES, MR. PRESIDENT?
HOW MANY CIGARETTES ARE IN A PACK? I DON'T KNOW I DON'T SMOKE, BUT I HAVE ONLY HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO NOMINATE TWO JUDGES. THAT'S A FAR CRY FROM A PACK. I'LL BE DEAD AND GONE BEFORE I CAN PACK THE COURT. I UNILATERALLY GIVE YOU PERMISSION TO CELEBRATE NOW RATHER THAN LATER.

WHY HAVE YOU TAKEN US INTO AN ILLEGAL WAR, MR. PRESIDENT?
WHY HAVE YOU THE CONGRESS AUTHORIZED IT?

WHAT ABOUT MORE MONEY FOR EDUCATION, MR. PRESIDENT?
I DON'T KNOW I HAVE SPENT TOO MUCH ALREADY. YOU ARE ALWAYS ACCUSING ME OF NOT READING. AS AMERICA'S LEADER I SET THE AGENDA, SO WHY NOT JUST ELIMINATE BOOKS AND READING? I SAY LET THE KIDS JOG LIKE ME.

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE, MR. PRESIDENT?
I AM GOING TO DOWN A STIFF TODDY AFTER THIS PRESS CONFERENCE.

MR. PRESIDENT, HOW DO YOU PROPOSE TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF ILLEGAL ALIENS CROSSING OUR MEXICAN BORDER?
THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION. I HAVE ALWAYS ASKED MYELF WHY THE IGNORANT POOR PEOPLE RISK THEIR LIVES TO ENTER AMERICA WHEREAS THE EDUCATED, ELITE DO NOT RUSH TO LEAVE IT? ANY ANSWERS TO THIS CONTRADICTION?

MR. PRESIDENT DO YOU BELIEVE IN TORTURE OF DETAINESS , FOR EXAMPLE AT GUANTANAMO?
OF COURSE NOT. IT HURTS. IF YOU'LL EXCUSE ME, I'LL END THIS SESSION BECAUSE I NEED TO TAKE SOME MEDICAL MARIJUANA. THANK YOU.

THE SUPER BOWL

I CHOOSE TODAY AS THE DAY TO ADDRESS THE UNAVOIDABLE - SUPER BOWL XL - WHICH I WILL AVOID LIKE THE PLAGUE AS IT IS DESCENDING ON AMERICAN HOUSES. FORTY YEARS AGO, WITH A SMALL SCREEN IN FRONT OF ME AND A COMFORTABLE CHAIR UNDER ME I CHEERED FOR OUR FAMILY'S FAVORITE FOOTBALL TEAM - I FORGET WHO - AT THE 1ST SUPER BOWL. THEN I WAS ARMED WITH A COMPLETE UNDERSTANDING OF THE RULES OF ENGAGEMENT. YOUNG AND NAIVE; ENTHUSIASTIC AND ENGAGED, I DUG IT. BUT MUCH WATER HAS RUSHED UNDER THE BRIDGE OF SANITY SINCE THE HEYDAY OF THE GRIDIRON. I DON'T CARE THAT THE SEAHAWKS ARE NOT ACTUAL BIRDS, NOR DO SEAHAWKS EVEN EXIST, BUT THE ALLITERATIVE NAME CARRIES THE TEAM'S SPIRIT. I COULD CARE LESS IF THE PITTSBURGH STEELERS WIN EVEN THOUGH I HAVE MORE FAMILIARITY WITH THE NAME AND PLACE HAVING VISITED THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH ITSELF A FEW TIMES AND EXITED WITH FOND MEMORIES. I HAVE NO CLUE TO THE STATUS OF THE TEAMS OR TO WHICH LEAGUES THEY BELONG. DO NFL OR AFL PERSIST? I REJECT NOT ONLY THE SUPER BOWL, BUT ALSO THE SUMMER AND WINTER OLYMPICS. ALSO MAJOR, MINOR AND LITTLE LEAGUES AND ANY INDOOR OR OUTDOOR EXERCISE. I REJECT ANY EXTREME EXERTION BECAUSE IT PROVIDES AN EXCUSE TO OR SUBSTITUTION FOR ALTERNATIVE THOUGHTS. A POLL ABOUT SPECTATOR SPORTS' ENTHUSIASTS ONCE REVEALED THAT NOT HALF OF AMERICA IS AS SPORTS CRAZY AS THE MEDIA AND ADVERTISEMENTS DEPICT. WHETHER THIS IS TRUE OR CONSEQUENTIAL, INTEREST IN SPORTS STILL WASHES OVER ME AS WATER OVER THE DAM OF SANITY. READ MY LIPS - I HAVE NO INTEREST IN OR USE FOR SPORTS EXCEPT FOR ONE. OH THAT ONE. I WAITED UNTIL THE FINAL DAY AT SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA'S 2004 SUMMER OLYMPICS TO WITNESS THE FINAL, FEW, TELEVISED MINUTES OF THE FINAL, TRIUMPHANT EVENT AT WHICH THE QUINTESSENTIAL OLYMPIAN ATHLETE KICKED ASS. YES, I REFER TO THE GRAND PRIX HORSE, THE GREATEST ATHLETE, RIPPLING OVER THE OBSTACLES FLIPPING HIS FLYING TAIL, AS I A MERE MORTAL, WITNESSED TOUCHDOWNS THAT QUALIFIED AS POETRY IN MOTION.

ROE V WADE

SEARCHING FOR AN APPROPRIATE SENTIMENT TO COMMEMORATE THE DEAD AND CASTIGATE
THE LIVING WHO SUPPORT THE ROE V WADE DECISION, I FOUND THESE WORDS: "THE JOY
OF LIVING IS HIS WHO HAS THE HEART TO COMMAND IT." OUR FORMER PRESIDENT, THEODORE ROOSEVELT, WHO MADE THIS OBSERVATION, WOULD NEVER HAVE CONTESTED THAT THE MOMENT OF CONCEPTION IS THE BEGINNING OF LIFE OF A CHILD. A SELF-MADE MAN, AN ADVENTURER, A FATHER, A PRESIDENT AND AN AUTHOR, MR. ROOSEVELT WILLED FOR HIMSELF A FULL, JOYFUL LIFE. HE KNEW THAT HIS HEART BEAT FOR ONE PURPOSE ONLY - TO "SUCK THE MARROW OUT OF LIFE." THESE WORDS, FIRST PENNED BY HENRY DAVID THOREAU IN 'WALDEN', TOOK ON A LITERAL MEANING ON THE OPERATING TABLE WHEN ON JANUARY 22, 1973, THE SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES ARGUED IN FAVOR OF LEGAL MURDER.

CHURCHES AROUND THE COUNTRY TOMORROW WILL HOLD SERVICES AND SAY MASSES FOR THE REPOSE OF ABORTED SOULS AND THE ENLIGHTMENT OF ABORTED MORAL CONSCIENCE. THOUSANDS ALSO WILL TRAVEL TO WASHINGTON D.C. TOMORROW TO HOLD A PRO-LIFE RALLY TO PROTEST THE ANTI-LIFE DECISION OF ROE V. WADE. THE YOUNG WOMAN WHO INITIALLY BROUGHT FORTH THE LAWSUIT WHICH RESULTED IN THIS DECISION MIGHT BE AMONG THE ATTENDEES BECAUSE YEARS AFTER HER ABORTION SHE PERCEIVED THE UNJUSTNESS AND IMMORATITY OF HER CAUSE AND 'FLIPPED' TO A PRO-LIFE STANCE. SHE HAS COURAGEOUSLY BEEN SPEAKING OUT FOR LIFE EVER SINCE. SHE KNOWS THAT IT IS NOT THE POOR WHO CHOOSE DEATH PLEADING POVERTY; RATHER IT IS PRIVILIGED AND SPOILED WOMEN WHO OPPOSE AN INCONVENIENT BABY. DISTURBING IS POLLING DATA THAT HALF OF AMERICA OPPOSES ABORTION BUT HALF OF AMERICA IS PRO-CHOICE.

WHO TODAY HAS GUTS TO THINK BEFORE ACTION? WHO HAS A MORAL COMPASS THAT POINTS TO LIFE? WHO HAS A HEART THAT COMMANDS ALL LIFE BE A JOY? OFTEN IT IS THE HANDICAPPED, DISABLED, HELPLESS, MARGINALIZED OR ELDERLY THAT SHOW US HOW TO APPRECIATE LIVING. FOR EXAMPLE, THE LATE CHRISTOPHER REEVE AND THE GREAT ASTROPHYSICIST STEVEN HAWKING. THOSE WHO HAVE HAD THE HEART TO COMMAND DEATH IN ORDER TO ENHANCE THEIR LIFE, HAVE IT WRONG. BECAUSE ROE V. WADE IS LEGAL DOES NOT MAKE IT RIGHT. "THE JOY OF LIVING IS HIS WHO HAS THE HEART TO COMMAND IT."

LOSS OF INTEGRITY

THE WOMAN WHO, STUPID AND CRIMINAL, PUT THE PIECE OF HUMAN FINGER IN THE CHILI CLAIMS SHE 'LOST HER MORAL COMPASS' WHEN SHE WAS CRIMINALLY CONVICTED OF TRYING TO SHAKE DOWN A RICH CORPORATION FOR MONEY. HARRY BELAFONTE, THE HAS-BEEN ACTOR, HAS LOST HIS MORAL COMPASS BY CALLING OUR LEGIMATELY ELECTED PRESIDENT, 'THE GREATEST TERRORIST IN THE WORLD.' THOSE WHO AWARDED HIS SPEECH WITH A STANDING OVATION BECAUSE HE REFERENCED THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY TO THE GESTAPO, HAVE ALSO LOST THEIR MORAL COMPASS. STUDENTS WHO CHEAT IN SCHOOL HAVE LOST THEIRS. TEACHERS AND PROFESSORS WHO HAVE 'MADE IT LEGAL' TO CHEAT HAVE LOST THEIRS. TELEVISION PRODUCERS WHO PUSH THE ENVELOPE OF PROFANITY, OBCENSITY AND BLASPHEMY EACH YEAR IN THEIR SITCOMS HAVE LOST THEIRS. STUDENTS CONTENT TO GRADUATE COLLEGE WITHOUT BASIC SKILLS IN READING COMPREHENSION AND PRACTICAL MATHEMATICS HAVE LOST THEIRS. THESE FEW EXAMPLES IN ONE DAY IN THE LIFE OF AN AMERICAN WOULD CRIPPLE HOPE IN ANY HEALTHY BODY POLITIC.

WHAT CRITERION MUST BE SET AND WHAT LOSS MUST BE RETRIEVED FOR SUCH A DISHONORABLE CONDITION TO BE RECTIFIED? THE CRITERION IS INTEGRITY. SENATOR JOHN MCCAIN, CO-AUTHOR OF 'CHARACTER IS DESTINY', ENDED HIS BOOK WITH THE APPROPRIATE INSIGHTFUL ANSWER. AS A FORMER PRISONER OF WAR IN VIET NAM HE AND OTHER SOLDIERS WERE TORTURED NOT ONLY TO BETRAY OTHER INMATES, BUT ALSO TO REPUDIATE AND BETRAY THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT AS A SET PROPAGANDA PIECE FOR THE LISTENING WORLD. NO OTHER SOLDIER, NO AMERICAN AT HOME OR NO ENEMY WOULD KNOW WHEN OR IF MR. MCCAIN, FROM UNBEARABLE PAIN OR SELF-PRESERVATION, LOST HIS INTEGRITY AND LIED. BUT AS MR. MCCAIN SAYS, "I KNEW. I KNEW." AS LONG AS HE WAS SANE, HE KNEW.

SO THE LIE TO ONESELF, DELIBERATE OR CALCULATED SADDENS ME ABOUT AMERICANS TODAY. THE FAKE EXCUSE FOR A CRIME, TREASONOUS CLAIMS WITHOUT PROOFS, THOSE WHO APPLAUD OUTRAGEOUS CLAIMS, TEST GRADES DISHONESTLY EARNED, UNJUSTIFIED INSULTS TO MORAL SENSIBILITIES DISGUISED AS ENTERTAINMENT, MONEY AND TALENT WASTED ON SCHOOLING, WASTE OF TIME AND TALENT ASSISTED AND ACCEPTED BY EDUCATORS - ALL THESE REALITIES SCREAM, "I DON'T WANT TO KNOW. I DON'T WANT TO KNOW." WITH INTEGRITY, PEOPLE WOULD KNOW. THEIR CONSCIENCES WOULD KNOW. THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO HEROICALLY ECHO WHAT MR.CAIN KNEW. BETRAYAL OF SELF, LOSS OF INTEGRITY.

BOOK TV

WE PATRONS OF BOOK T.V., WITH AGE AT BAY
ARE SLOW-GOING BUT EAGER, BALDING OR GREY.
GIVE US A 'B', GIVE US AN 'O', GIVE US AN 'O', GIVE US A 'K',
ON TAPE WITH C-SPAN SO OUR MINDS WON'T DECAY.

OSAMA'S CASTING CALL

CASTING CALL! CASTING CALL! THIS IS A CASTING CALL FOR SUGGESTIONS FOR NEGOTIATORS TO VISIT OSAMA BIN LADEN WHO IS OFFERING A 'TRUCE WITH FAIR CONDITIONS' FROM A 'NATION THAT GOD HAS FORBIDDEN TO LIE AND CHEAT.' IF YOU BELIEVE THAT ONLY AMERICA AS A NATION FITS THE LATTER CONDITIONS YOU ARE RIPE FOR OSAMA'S PICKING. IF YOU WISH TO PLUNGE INTO THE FRAY - AND SPEAK - VOLUNTEER NOW. IF YOU BELIEVE THAT THIS MESSAGE TO AMERICA REALLY WAS MEANT FOR AMERICANS TO HEAR, AND NOT AS A PROPAGANDA PIECE FOR THE MUSLIM WORLD, YOU MAY RISE TOO TO VOLUNTEER. WHAT IS NEEDED IS A FEARLESS MAN OR WOMAN WITH GUTS IN THE TRADITION OF TEDDY ROOSEVELT NEED BECAUSE THERE IS A HIGH PROBABLITY THAT THIS MISSION ONLY REQUIRES A ONE-WAY TICKET. THIS JOB CALLS FOR A BUFFOON WHO THINKS HE OR SHE KNOWS WHAT IS BEST FOR AMERICA AND WHO WON'T BE MISSED IF OSAMA RENEGES ON HIS PROMISES. LIKE THE TRUTH-TELLING AND TRUSTWORTHY TERRORISTS, WHOEVER APPLIES SHOULD NEVER HAVE HIS OR HER BRAIN ENGAGED BEFORE THE MOUTH IS PUT INTO MOTION. TO DO SO WOULD NEGATE THE VALIDITY OF THE MEETING. SO SIGN UP, BRASH AND UNPATRIOTIC SOULS! SENIOR CITIZENS AND RETIREES INDEED HAVE FREE TIME. THE YOUNG AND IDEALISIC HAVE THE MOTIVATION. THE GAY OF EVERY CONVERSION HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE BECAUSE THEY ARE PERSECUTED HERE AT HOME AND WILL LIKEWISE BE PERSECUTED OVER THERE IN ALLAH'S LAND. COMMON FOLK, REGULAR PEOPLE AND NORMAL THINKERS - ALL WHO PRACTICE COMMON SENSE - SHOULD STAY AT HOME.
LET'S BEGIN WITH MY SUGGESTIONS, BUT ANY PERSON FOLLOWING A LEFT-WING OR LIBERAL WACKO PHILOSPHY OF LIFE IS QUALIFIED.

FORMER PRESIDENT JIMMY CARTER
FORMER VICE-PRESIDENT AL GORE
PRESENT HEAD OF UNITED NATIONS KOFI ANON
PRESENT ACTIVIST AND FORMER ACTRESS JANE FONDA
PRESENT ACTIVIST AND ACTOR SEAN PENN
PRESENT FILMMAKER AND PROTESTER MICHAEL MOORE
PRESENT SENATOR AND PACIFIST HARRY REID
PRESENT REPRESENTATIVE NANCY PELOSI
FORMER PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE AND PRESENT SENATOR JOHN KERRY
PRESENT SENATOR AND PACIFIST TEDDY KENNEDY
PRESENT SENATOR AND PACIFIST JOHN MURTHA
PRESENT ACTIVIST, PACIFIST, PROTESTER AND RICH PERSON GEORGE SOROS
PRESENT ACTIVIST, PACIFIST, PROTESTER AND KOOK CINDY SHEEHAN

WE NEED NOMINEES. VOTE NOW IN COMMENTS SECTION
tcminc.blogspot.com

A DAY OF DEATH

EVERY DAY IS A POTENTIAL D-DAY IN THE UNITED STATES - A DAY OF DEATH. A POPULAR, RADIO TALK SHOW HOST, GLENN BECK RETOLD THE TRAGIC STORY OF THE RECENT BEATING DEATH OF A 7 YR. OLD GIRL IN NEW YORK CITY. THE SITUATION INVOLVED A PATTERN OF ONGOING ABUSE, TORTURE AND STARVATION AT THE HANDS (LITERALLY) OF HER STEP FATHER. DEATH FOR THIS SUFFERING ANGEL WAS A HEAVENLY RELEASE. BLAME WAS NOT THE NAME OF THE GAME. THE MURDERER DID NOT TAKE THE BLAME UPON HIMSELF NOR DID THE MOTHER. YET, DIABOLICAL FUN AND GAMES WERE ROUTINELY PLAYED OUT AGAINST THIS INNOCENT VICTIM. UNLIKE ONE DAY, D-DAY, JUNE 6TH, 1944 WHEN APPROXIMATELY 3000 U.S. SOLDIERS WERE KILLED IN BATTLE AGAINST AN EXTERNAL, EVIL ENEMY, EACH DAY IN THE U.S. AN INNOCENT CHILD COULD DIE AT THE HANDS OF AN EVIL PERPETRATOR WHO HAS NOT DESTROYED HIS OR HER ENEMY WITHIN. WHY?

WHY DO WE NEED COURSES IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM OF BULLIES? WHY DO WE NEED A EUPHENISM FOR SUCH BEHAVIOR, "RELATIONAL AGGRESSION?" OUR CULTURE IS APPARENTLY LOCKED INTO INCIVILITY AND SIN WHEREBY AMERICA GIVES TRUE AND NEW MEANING TO THE WORD BYSTANDER BECAUSE IT STANDS BY AND LETS THESE ATROCITIES OCCUR AND IT STANDS BY A CULTURAL SYSTEM THAT IS INEFFECTIVE AGAINST THEM. THE MOTHER OF THIS CHILD SAID THAT IT WAS NOT HER FAULT. SHE DIDN'T KILL HER CHILD. SHE HAD CHILDREN BY THE MURDERER AND FROM ANOTHER MAN. SHE ALLOWED THIS PREVIOUSLY ARRESTED, VIOLENT MAN TO ENTER HER LIFE, HER BODY AND HER SOUL. SHE ALSO EVENTUALLY DESTROYED A CHILD. THE MURDERER, OF COURSE, ALREADY HAD CUT A DEAL WITH HELL. BUT WHY ARE RIGHT AND WRONG BLURRED, FUSED, CONFUSED AND YES, ABUSED?

BULLYING IS A TELL-TALE SIGN OF THE TIMES. AGGRESSION IS NATURALLY RESERVED FOR WAR. IS AMERICA SO SPOILED OR IGNORANT THAT IT HAS NOT ONLY EXCUSED BULLYING BUT ALSO USED IT AS IF THEY WERE A WAR? SUCH BEHAVIOR IS INDICATIVE OF A SICKNESS DURING WHICH LIFE IS MEANINGLESS. NOT JUST YOUNG PEOPLE BULLY EACH OTHER. MODERN ART, MUSIC, FILMS, TELEVISION, EDUCATORS AND WRITERS, POLITICIANS, SCHOOLS, UNIONS, ACTIVISTS, JUDGES, LAWYERS, DEMOCRATS IN CONGRESS AND PRO-CHOICE LIBERALS, EXTREMISTS OF EVERY PERSUASION AND GUTLESS HUMAN BEINGS OF EVERY COLOR AND CREED, BULLY OTHERS. SOME WOULD SAY THAT GOD WOULD BE SAD OR ANGRY ABOUT THIS SITUATION. IF DEATHS LIKE THE DEATH OF A 35 LB., 7 YR. OLD. GIRL, MENTIONED ABOVE, WON'T WAKE UP SOCIETY TODAY, WHAT WILL?

GAY GLOBES

AMERICA HAS BEEN DEBASED AND PORNIFIED; AMERICANS HAVE SIMPLY ACQUIESCED. MULTIPLE GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS TO THE FILM 'BREAKBACK MOUNTAIN' PROVIDE THE PROOF. ALSO, ADDITIONAL BACKSLAPPING TO 'TRANS AMERICA.' THERE ARE NO VICTIMS HERE. IT IS NOT RISIBLE (LAUGHABLE); IT IS TRUE. WE ALL KNOW THE LIBERAL AGENDA OF HOLLYWOOD AS PORTRAYED ON THE SILVER SCREEN IS ONE OF HOMOSEXUALITY AND TRANSEXUALITY AND LESBIANISM. HERE! HERE! CHEER! CHEER! PUTTING JOKES ASIDE, AT THE GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS, 2006, A SERIOUSLY FLAWED APPROACH TO LIFE, LOVE AND MORALITY WAS FRONT AND CENTER (SO TO SPEAK). WHEN IT COMES TO MOVIES AND TELEVISION PROGRAMS, HOLLYWOOD IS COUNTING ON THE PUBLIC TO ATTEND MOST OF THEIR OFFERINGS; VIEWERS COOPERATE. HOLLYWOOD COUNTS ON WILDLY POPULAR FILMS TO PAY FOR THEIR UNSETTLING, INDECENT, 'PET PROJECTS.' VIEWERS CAN BE COUNTED ON TO CONSISTENTLY THROW AWAY THEIR DOLLARS FOR 'ENTERTAINMENT', PERHAPS EVEN RATIONALIZING IN THE PROCESS THAT THE 'LIBERAL' AGENDA OF HOLLYWOOD JUST REPRESENTS PROGRESS OR FUN. HOLLYWOOD IS INDOCTINATING THE VIEWERS; VIEWERS ACQUIESE. HOLLYWOOD IS BRAINWASHING AMERICA; AMERICANS SIT IDLE IN MOVIE THEATERS OR ON COMFORTABLE, LIVING ROOM SOFAS AS SELECTED BILGE PROGRAMS THEM. I REPEAT, THERE ARE NO RAPES HERE. AMERICANS HAVE BEEN DEBASED AND PORNIFIED AND LIKE PROSTITUTES THEY CONSENT. HOLLYWOOD PROSTITUTES TO THE PUBLIC; THE PUBLIC RECIPROCATES.

PERHAPS LIKE ME, YOU DO NOT PATRONIZE TELEVISION, CABLE, SATELLITE, FILMS ON DVD'S OR MOVIES IN THEATRES. MORE LIKELY YOU RESEMBLE A COUPLE OF RADIO COMMENTATORS REPORTING ON THE RESULTS OF THE GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS. IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT EACH MAN DID NOT FULLY PARTAKE OF THE OFFERINGS IN THE MODERN WORLD OF ENTERTAINMENT, BUT JUST THEIR SNICKERING, THEIR RUNNING COMMENTARY AND THEIR OCCASIONAL LAUGHTER REFLECTED NO PERSONAL CRITICISM OF, OR REPULSION AGAINST, THE FLOTSAM AND JETSAM FROM THE TITANIC OF IMMORATITY WE TODAY KNOW AS HOLLYWOOD.

A GREAT LEADER

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. WAS AN INSPIRED AND INSPIRING LEADER. HIS DECENCY IN THE PUBLIC FORUM, HIS UPLIFTING VISION AND HIS PASSIONATE RHETORIC ABOUT EQUALITY IN OUR SOCIETY ECHOED IN HIS LIFE. HIS WRITINGS AND SPEECHES WERE ELEGANTLY CRAFTED FROM DEEP, REASONED THOUGHTS. MR. KING'S CITY OF BIRMINGHAM IN 1963 WAS PERCHED UPON A HILL OF PREJUDICIAL SEGREGATION - AS WAS MOST OF THE SOUTH. BUT HE DID NOT ABANDON HOPE. HE PERSISTED IN THE STRUGGLE FOR A SHINING CITY ON THE HILL IMAGINED BY ONE OF OUR FIRST PILGRIMS, JOHN WINTHROP OF MASSACUSETTS, AND CELEBRATED BY OUR NOW DECEASED, FORMER PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN. BUT NO STRUGGLE IS WON QUICKLY. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR'S, NO EXCEPTION. I AM REMINDED OF ANOTHER BLACK AMERICAN HERO, WILMA RUDOLPH, WINNER OF 3 GOLD MEDALS AT THE OLYMPICS AND CALLED THE "FASTEST WOMAN... ON EARTH" IN 1960. HER DIFFICULT CHILDHOOD, HER STRUGGLE FOR EXCELLENCE, HER TRIUMPH OVER LIFE'S UNFAIRNESS REMIND US OF THE SIMILAR UPHILL BATTLE OF MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.'S "LETTER FROM THE BIRMINGHAM JAIL" WAS ADDRESSED TO THE CLERGYMEN OF HIS CITY IN 1963, ENTREATING THEM TO DO THEIR DUTY AND NOT SUPPORT SEGREGATION BY THEIR SILENCE. THE WHOLE OF AMERICA (AND MUCH OF THE WORLD), WOULD EVENTUALLY HEAR OR READ THE THOUSANDS OF WORDS IN HIS AWESOME LETTER. FOR EXAMPLE, HE PENNED THAT IT WAS A TIME, "WHEN THE CUP OF ENDURANCE RUNS OVER, AND MEN ARE NO LONGER WILLING TO BE PLUNGED INTO THE ABYSS OF DESPAIR." HE EXTENSIVELY REFLECTED NOT ONLY UPON THE STRUGGLE FOR EQUALITY, BUT ALSO ON A DREAM OF A BETTER TOMORROW.

MS. RUDOLPH, MR. KING AND I HAVE SIGNIFICANT DATES IN COMMON. THE CHAMPION RUNNER WAS BORN IN THE SAME YEAR AS I, BUT SADLY, SHE IS GONE. THE GREAT LEADER WAS IN JAIL, UNHAPPILY, IN THE SAME YEAR OF MY GREATEST HAPPINESS, MY MARRIAGE. HE IS GONE TOO. BUT WHAT WILMA RUDOLPH AND MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. LIVED AND DREAMED AND WHAT I AND OTHER AMERICANS TAKE WITH US AS WE GO FORWARD, IS THAT VISION OF AMERICA THAT MR. KING SO ELOQUENTLY DESCRIBED FROM HIS BIRMINGHAM JAIL CELL. HE DREAMED OF A DAY WHEN AMERICA FOLLOWED "THE SACRED VALUES IN OUR JUDEO-CHRISTIAN HERITAGE, THEREBY BRINGING OUR NATION BACK TO THOSE GREAT WELLS OF DEMOCRACY WHICH WERE DUG DEEP BY THE FOUNDING FATHERS."

LET US TOAST WITH A COOL DRINK TODAY, TO A GREAT MAN.

SAVED BY AN OBITUARY

WHY IS THE MOST UPLIFTING READ IN MY SUNDAY NEWSPAPER AN OBITUARY? THE QUICK ANSWER IS THAT POLITICALLY CORRECT POLITICS, HUMAN INTEREST FEATURES AND BLOODBATH REPORTS HAVE BECOME PREDICTABLE AND BORING. THE BALANCE OF PRINT IS FILLED WITH ADS AND ADVICE ON NUTRITION AND DIET, USUALLY WITH SELF-EVIDENT OR MISINFORMED CONTENT. DEEP INTO MY SUNDAY PAGE TURNINGS, I RESTED MY EYES AND TREATED MY MOUTH TO A 'HOOT' WHEN IT CAMES TO THE POPULAR SUBJECT OF FOOD. FOOD IS OF KEEN, PERSONAL INTEREST TO ME. I INTUITIVELY NOTICE SILLY COMMENTARIES. SOME EXAMPLES. NOWADAYS EVERYONE NEEDS A PERSONAL TRAINER, NOT COMMON SENSE EATING PATTERNS, TO STAY FIT. WITHOUT ONE ( A PERSONAL TRAINER) COUNTRY SINGER MIRANDA LAMBERT SAID SHE CAN'T EAT "GOOD FOOD...NOW AND THEN." NOWADAYS EVERYONE NEEDS TO EAT SMART, THAT IS, HEALTHY, BUT RECIPES FROM FOOD EXPERTS INCLUDE LARGE DOSES OF HEAVY CREAM OR REPULSIVE GRAINS. NOWADAYS EVERYONE SHOULD EAT A VEGETABLE (OR FRUIT) SIDE DISH, BUT IN SCHOOL CAFETERIAS AT LEAST, BOTH END UP AS DISCARDS TO BE RE-CYCLED WITH THE HOMELESS ( WHO I PRESUME, ALSO GIVE THEM A PASS). I NOTICED ONE RECIPE FOR A TASTY CARMELIZED VEGETABLE, BUT THE INGREDIENTS WERE MISSING BROWN SUGAR, BUTTER OR SHERRY WHICH I THOUGHT WERE ESSENTIAL TO THE BURNT SUGAR GOODNESS. NOWADAYS EVERY FOOD GURU SUGGESTS MEALS THAT ARE IMPOSSIBLE IN THE REAL WORLD AND HYPOCRITICAL IN THE IMAGINED. WHAT IS HEALTHY, LIKE FISH, ISN'T AFFORDABLE, WHAT IS LIGHT, LIKE FAT-FREE, ISN'T TASTY, WHAT IS PRACTICAL ISN'T POSSIBILE. A PHILOSOPHER OF THE PAST REMINDED ME THAT INCONSISTENCY IS A HOBGOBLIN. AUTHORS OF COOK BOOKS AND FOOD COLUMNS SERVE UP HEAPS OF NONSENSICAL AND CONTRADICTORY MISCHIEF. HAVING LEARNED TO COOK WITHOUT CULINARY EXPERTISE, I AM NOT ABOUT TO SURRENDER MY STUPIDITY NOW. AS IT TURNED OUT THE UPLIFTING OBITUARY WAS FOR THE DEATH OF A PATRIOTIC AMERICAN, A 75 YR. OLD BLACK AIR FORCE VETERAN WHO SERVED GOD, COUNTRY, FAMILY AND SOCIETY.

TO MY LOVER

MY CAUSE NEEDS NO OMBUDSMAN.
MY APPEAL IS MORE THAN MY EYES.
SINCE I LACK AN ANIMAL AROMA,
FORGET THE BATH TO DEODORIZE

OR SPRITZ FROM A PERFUMED VIAL.
JUST BURY YOUR NOSE IN MY FUR,
AND INHALE MY ANCIENT ATTRACTION,
AS WE TRANSFUSE OUR MUTUAL PURR.

MONEY & BRAINS

WHO SAID 'MONEY SHOULD NEVER BE MISTAKEN FOR BRAINS?' FROM WHERE I'M PERCHED, I CAN VERIFY THIS FACT BECAUSE THE EVIDENCES OF EMPIRE BUILDING SPEAK LOUDER THAN ANY WORDS. DID YOU KNOW THAT OVER 60 RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES IN THE UNITED STATES NOW MARKET FOR OVER $30 MILLION DOLLARS? ONLY A HANDFUL EXISTED A FEW YEARS AGO. TALK ABOUT PROGRESS IN TERMS OF GREENBACKS - AND I SEE ALOT OF GREEN FROM MY VANTAGE POINT. THE SUPER RICH IN AMERICA FLAUNT THEIR WEALTH, BUT IS THIS THE SMARTEST WAY TO LIVE? WHO ARE THESE PRIVILEGED ANYWAY? COMMUNITY AND PRIVATE REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS, CEO'S (CERTAINLY EXTRAVAGANT OPERATORS ), ACTORS, MUSICIANS, SURGEONS AND SPORT CELEBRITIES. AND WHAT DO THEY SELL? UPWARDS OF $30 MILLION DOLLARS MIGHT BUY A TURN OF THE CENTURY HOME THAT HAS BEEN RENOVATED, A COUNTRY ESTATE NEWLY CREATED, A DONALD TRUMP SPECULATON, AN OCEAN FRONT PROPERTY, A PENTHOUSE OR PERHAPS A 6TH FLOOR SUITE IN A PRIME LOCATION. THE POSH TRAPPINGS OF ADVANCED CIVILIZATION ARE WITHIN THE WALLS OF THE MANSION ON WHICH I PERCH. PROSPECTIVE BUYERS COME AND GO BELOW ME. DO THE RICH AND FAMOUS EXPECT LONGEVITY AS A TESTAMENT TO THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS? I SUSPECT HISTORY WILL REPEAT THE ADVICE OF PERCY BYSSHE SHELLEY IN HIS GREAT SONNET, 'OZYMANDIAS' : "LOOK ON MY WORKS, YET MIGHTY, AND DESPAIR." I REMEMBER THAT CONNIE FRANCIS SONG, 'WHERE THE BOYS ARE.' I AM WHERE THE BIRDS ARE. ONE FIREPLACE OR FURNACE'S CHIMNEY IS GOOD, BUT 12 SOURCES FOR WARMTH AND SOCIALIZATION AMONG KINDRED FEATHERS ARE BETTER. I SAY BRING ON THE EDIFICES OF MODERN MAN, SMART MAN, RICH MAN, MAN WHO, UNLIKE ME, MUST TOIL AND REAP, MAN WHO HAS NOT A CLUE AS TO WHAT TRUTH OR WHICH BEAUTY TRULY ENCAPSULATES HAPPINESS. NOW WHO ARE THE BIRD BRAINS?

LIBERAL SUNNI

OUR LIBERALS ARE THE SUNNI OF AMERICAN POLITICS. MY OBSERVATIONS ABOUT THIS LIBERAL 20%, ARE INSPIRED BY A COMMENT OF THE GURU OF CONSERVATIVE TALK RADIO, RUSH LIMBAUGH. 4 DAYS INTO WASHINGTON'S TRAVESTY CALLED THE ALITO HEARINGS, MR. LIMBAUGH STATED THAT THE EXTREME LIBERALS, A MINORITY TODAY, HAD POWER SO LONG IN CONGRESS IN THE PAST, THAT THEY STILL FEEL THEY ARE 'ENTITLED' TO POWER FOREVER. YET THEY REPRESENT ONLY ABOUT 20% OF THE POPULATION. BUT THEIR POWER IS FADING. AS JUDGED BY THE TELEVISED HEARINGS, THAT'S GREAT BECAUSE WHATEVER IS 'LEFT' OF THEIR INFLUENCE, IS SHAMEFUL AND VAINGLORIOUS. THEIR VERBAL ORGY IS LIKE A REVIVAL OF MCCARTHYISM CONDUCTED THIS TIME BY DEMOCRAT DEMAGOGUES. I CONTEND THAT THE LIBERALS ARE THE AMERICAN SUNNI. THOUGH A MERE 20% OF AMERICANS, THEY RESEMBLE THE 20% OF IRAQIS FROM THE SUNNI SECT. BOTH ARE DETRIMENTAL TO DECENCY. THE LIBERALS WHO IMITATE THEIR EASTERN COUNTERPARTS, RESORT TO 'TERROR' AND HARRASSMENT OF CONSERVATIVES. UNLIKE THE SUNNIS WHO THROW REAL BOMBS, THE LIBERALS LOB METAPHORICAL ONES AT THEIR ENEMIES. ANOTHER MINORITY IN THIS COUNTRY, PERHAPS AGAIN 20%, ARE THE YUPPIES, THE YOUNG, URBAN PROFESSIONALS (YUP). I SUSPECT MOST OF THEM LEAN LEFT TOO. THEY THROW THEIR DISPROPORTIONATE WEIGHT BEHIND MANY LIBERAL CAUSES. THEY PROTEST AGAINST WAL-MART AND MCDONALD'S BUT FAIL TO SEE THAT THEIR SWEET, SYRUPY, STARBUCKS COFFEE MIMICS THE TASTES OF THE MASSES NOT THE ELITE THAT THEY PROFESS TO BE. ONLY ABOUT 20% OF AMERICANS CAN APPRECIATE A STRONG, FLAVORFUL, UNADULTERATED CUP OF COFFEE OR A GOOD CIGAR. AT MY BLOG SITE, tcminc.blogspot.com MY UNCOMMON SENSE OCCASIONALLY RUNS WILD AND INTO AREAS WHERE ONLY 20% OF PEOPLE WOULD DARE TO GO

A TENOR'S VOICE

GREAT MINDS THINK ALIKE . RUSH LIMBAUGH, THE NUMBER 1 RADIO TALK SHOW HOST AND I SHARE AN APPRECIATION FOR. AS HE SAID, "EXCELLENCE ON DISPLAY." RUSH GUSHED OVER JUDGE SAM ALITO'S PERFORMANCE AT THE SENATE HEARINGS FOR HIS NOMINATION AS SUPREME COURT JUSTICE. I FIND PURE PLEASURE IN WITNESSING TENORS WHO HAVE MASTERED THEIR CRAFT. RUSH LIMBAUGH CREDITS MR. ALITO'S LEGAL MIND; I CREDIT A TENOR'S VOCAL CRAFT.

ENVY OF THE TRUTH OF SUCH BEAUTY IS JUSTIFIABLE, BUT A GUILT TRIP IS UNNECESSARY TO APPRECIATE A GREAT, HIGH, MALE VOICE. JOHN KEATS PENNED IN HIS "ODE ON A GRECIAN URN", THAT "BEAUTY IS TRUTH, TRUTH BEAUTY - THAT IS ALL YE KNOW ON EARTH, AND ALL YE NEED TO KNOW." MODERN TENORS IN THEIR PRIME VOICES STIR ME UP LIKE A MICK JAGGER GROUPIE HOPING FOR SOME 'SATISFACTION' BUT , IN MY CASE, THERE IS ARTISTIC JUSTIFICATION. MODERN TENORS LIKE ANDREA BOCELLI, LUCIANO PAVAROTTI, JOSE CARRERAS, PLACIDO DOMINGO, MICHAEL CRAWFORD, JOHN MCDERMOTT, RONAN TYNAN, FINBAR WRIGHT OR ANTHONY KEARNS, OR PAST TENORS LIKE ENRICO CARUSO, JOHN MCCORMACK OR ROBERT WHITE, OR A NEW, POPULAR, YOUNG TENOR LIKE JOSH GROBAN, AS WELL AS A LESSER KNOWN ARTIST, CAN FILL ME WITH AWE. LILTING, SOULFUL OR PONDEROUS SCORES RENDERED WITH CONTROL AND CLARITY AT BOOMING, HIGH DECIBELS, TRANSFIX ME. I ASK MYSELF, "HOW DO THEY DO THAT? " THE BRILLIANCE THEY DELIVER I RECEIVE. LYRICS ARE UNNECESSARY BECAUSE A TENOR'S CONTROLLED INSTRUMENT IS VESSEL ENOUGH TO FILL ME WITH AURAL PLEASURE OR PAIN. MY FORMERLY RATIONAL BEING IS ENVELOPED WITH IRRATIONAL FEELINGS OR REFLECTIONS, AT TIMES ACCOMPANIED BY TEARS OR TREMORS. FOR ME - AND OTHER LISTENERS LIKE ME - ENCHANTING MUSICAL STRAINS EVOKE UNIVERSAL THEMES OF SUFFERING, LOSS, DEATH, REGRET, HOPE FOUND, A LOVE TREASURED, WHATEVER. A WAVE OF BEAUTY OFTEN WASHES OVER ME.

THE PASSING OF A GREAT VOICE IN A SWEET MAN LIKE FRANK PATTERSON, AN IRISH TENOR, A FEW YEARS AGO, GAVE ME PAUSE. THOUGH SAD, I REALIZED THAT FOLLOWING THE LOSS OF SOMEONE'S MUSIC OR THE VERBAL POETRY OF AN EDGAR ALLAN POE OR A WALT WHITMAN OR A WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE, WHOSE LIKES WILL OBVIOUSLY NOT COME AGAIN, SOME NEW, INSPIRED VOICE WILL RISE TO FILLTHE VOID OF THE FALLEN.

NEVERTHELESS, WE HAVE RECORDS, TAPES AND CD'S FOR RECALL. IF I COULD BUT TURN MARIO LANZA'S HEAVENLY VOICE SEDUCING ME WITH 'ONE NIGHT OF LOVE' INTO ONE PERPETUALLY, PLEASURABLE DAY ON EARTH, WHAT WOULD HEAVEN BE FOR?

THE ENEMY WITHIN

THE ENEMY IS AT MY DOORSTEP, THE ENEMY IS HERE AT HOME, THE ENEMY IS WITHIN. DO I NEED TO CHOOSE BETWEEN THESE THREE ENEMIES? LOCAL NEWS IS ATWITTER OVER THE SOLICITATION OF TOYOTA TO BUILD AN AUTOMOTIVE PLANT IN A NEARBY TOWN. GLORY HALLELULAH! 2,000 THOUSAND JOBS MAY BE GAINED. HOW COULD THE BEARER OF GLAD TIDINGS, BEING INTERVIEWED, BE AN ENEMY OF PROGRESS WHEN HE WITHHOLDS INFORMATION FROM THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE LOSS OF TAX REVENUE BECAUSE OF ABATEMENTS OFFERED TO THE SAVIOR FROM THE LAND OF THE RISING SUN? TO THIS ELECTED OFFICAL, THE SOLUTION TO ANY SHORTFALL OF FUNDS WHICH WOULD RESULT FROM SUCH AN OVER-INVESTMENT WOULD COME IN FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN THE FORM OF GRANTS, SUBSIDIES OR LOANS. THE CONVERSATION SEGUED FROM FACTORY JOBS TO THE LOSS OF EMPLOYMENT TO FOREIGN WORKERS IN THE MANUFACTURING AND CLOTHING INDUSTRIES. NOW THE ENEMY REARED ITS ILLOGICAL HEAD. THE INTERVIEWED GUEST SAID THAT LOOKING AT APPAREL LABELS (INDICATING GARMENTS MADE ABROAD) MADE HIM "CRINGE." WOW! THIS SAME MAYOR WHO BELIEVED FOREIGN INVESTMENT WOULD SAVE HIS COMMUNITY, NOW EXPRESSED HIS REPULSION AND DISAPPROVAL OF FOREIGN FREE-MARKET COMPETITION AND LOWER PRICES BECAUSE THEY PREVENT GOOD JOBS AT HOME. I HEAR A LIBERAL DEMOCRAT TALKING, BUT NOT THINKING. WHY IS IT THAT THE ENEMIES OF COMMON SENSE ARE CLOSER THAN YOU THINK?

PRESSED TO DEATH

Who or what is being pressed to death? Ohio is soliciting a Toyota auto plant to the tune of $30 million dollars in tax abatements, to secure approximately 2000 jobs. Do the math. Workers would cost $15,000 each in lost state revenue before they put in one day of work. Who 'foots this bill?" Who have $30 million dollars drained from their pockets? Will the Toyota hirelings pay back the $15,000 it took to get them there because they are obviously already overpaid. The answer of progressives (liberal is a discarded nomenclature) is you, you the people. Not we the people, because an elitist never contributes what he says the 'other' rich person should. A progressive goal is to level out the hills and valleys of income in our society and press them into a 'fair and balanced' plateau. They can't see that a landscape of a "uniform and high quality" income distribution - or public education - is an oxymoron. What causes ups and downs in the first place? Talent and its pursuit. From whence does talent arise? The mind. Who, if we are Creationists or believers in Intelligent Design, or what, if we are followers of evolutionary biology, is being pressed to death by progressive opponents of freedom, is the human mind - and it is a terrible thing to waste.

TAKING ON T. FRIEDMAN

FEARLESS, BECAUSE I HAVE NOTHING TO LOOSE BUT MY CHAINS OF DISSENT, I WILL TAKE ON THE FORMIDABLE PULITIZER-PRIZE WINNING WRITER, THINKER AND COLUMNIST, THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN, IN HIS COLUMN OF JANUARY 8TH. HE IS FIXATED ON OUR ADMINSTRATION'S ENERGY POLICY WHICH HE CLAIMS IS THE "BIGGEST THREAT TO AMERICA... TODAY." WHAT A GUSH OF FANTASY. ACTUALLY, HE IS SIMPLY AGAINST THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION. ONE LUCKY STRIKE AGAINST HIM AND IN MY FAVOR IS THAT HE WRITES FOR THE NEW YORK TIMES, A SURE SIGN OF SOME LOGICAL AND REALISTIC DRIFT. ANOTHER FORECAST OF MY SUCCESS IS THAT HE EMPLOYS LEFT-LEANING, UNPROVEN ALLEGATIONS. WHERE DOES MR. FRIEDMAN PROVE IN HIS BLANKET INDICTMENT OF BUSH'S DEMOCRATIZATION POLICY IN THE MIDDLE EAST THAT IT " WASTES TIME, MONEY AND ... THE LIVES OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE" AT HOME?

HE AND I CAN AGREE THAT OIL PRICES ARE $60.00 A BARREL. WE CAN AGREE THAT REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRAT LEGISLATORS ALIKE SHARE A LOVE FOR PORK, FOR PATRONIZING SPECIAL INTERESTS AND FOR WASTING TIME, ENERGY AND MONEY ON PET PROJECTS. BUT WHY THEN IS NOT A BIPARTISAN EFFORT BEING MADE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS? WE AGREE THAT "PETROLISM", HIS TERM, IS A THREAT TO DEMOCRACY, BUT BLAMING OUR GLUTTONY FOR ENERGY IS NOT THE CAUSE. REMEMBER THAT THE HIGHEST PERCENTAGE OF OUR FOREIGN OIL COMES FROM CANADA, FOLLOWED BY MEXICO. THEN SAUDI ARABIA AND VENEZUELA. IRAQ PROVIDES ONLY 1/3 THE NUMBER OF BARRELS AS THE TOP 5 SUPPLIERS. WHAT BIPARTISAN EFFORT IS BEING MADE TO MAKE US LESS DEPENDANT ON FOREIGN OIL? THE DEMOCRATS VOTED AGAINST DRILLING IN ANWAR, BUT FOR BIOFUELS WHICH GUZZLE UP MORE OF A NATURAL RESOURSE LIKE CORN (ALTHOUGH IT IS ABUNDANT). "GOING GREEN", AS MR FRIEDMAN SUGGESTS, WOULD PUT GREEN PROJECTS INTO THE RED BECAUSE.THEY ARE NOT COST-EFFECTIVE. COLORLESS, NATURAL GAS AND BROWN, ALASKAN CRUDE ARE RAW ENERGIES THAT SHOULD BE EXPLOITED BECAUSE IT IS SAFE, DOOABLE, AVAILABLE, RENEWABLE AND PRACTICAL - UNLIKE WIND, SOLAR OR BIOFUELS.

MR. FRIEDMAN CALLS FOR A HALT TO "THE BUSH-CHENEY NONSENSE ABOUT CONSERVATION, ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND ENVIRONMENTALISM THAT WE CAN'T AFFORD." WHAT WE CAN'T AFFORD, IS TO PUT ANY CREDENCE INTO LIBERAL GENERALITIES ABOUT WASTING THE LIVES OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE. SPOILED YOUTH, THE YUPPIES AND THE BABY BOOMERS, ARE WASTING WATER, ELECTRICITY FUEL AND HEAT AT A FAST CLIP. YET I AM WILLING TO BET THEY ARE OPEN TO DRILLING FOR OIL ON A POSTAGE STAMP IN ALASKA IF IT GAINS US BILLIONS OF BARRELS OF OIL UNATTACHED TO FOREIGN, BAD REGIMES. I BET THEY WOULD APPRECIATE A REALISTIC DISCUSSION ABOUT MARKET FORCES THAT ACTUALLY CONTROL THE PRICE OF OIL ALONG WITH HIGH STATE AND LOCAL TAXES.

THE PRESIDENT'S PRIMARY GOAL IS TO KEEP AMERICANS SAFE AT HOME. WHERE DOES MR. FRIEDMAN SHOW A CAUSE AND EFFECT BETWEEN AN ENERGY POLICY AND NATIONAL SECURITY? ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTALISM IN FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC POLICY ARE NOT THE "MOST IMPORTANT ISSUES." THE "TIGHT FISTS" IN MR. FRIEDMAN'S DESCRIPTION OF U.S. ENERGY POLICY SHOULD BE RAISED AGAINST THE TERRORISTS WHO ARE OUT TO KILL US, NOT AGAINST THE SUV'S AND IMAGINARY PETROL THEIVES. HE CANNOT SEE, DESPITE HIS VISION IN HIS BOOK THAT THE WORLD IS FLAT, THAT WE MUST ELIMINATE OUR DEPENDENCE UPON FOREIGN OIL NOT BY GOVERNMENTAL INTERFERENCE WITH A GASOLINE TAX AND INCENTIVES FOR CONSERVATION AT HOME AND RENEWABLE ENERGIES, BUT BY PURSUING NEW AND CHEAPER SOURCES OF ENERGY. IF A $40 A BARREL PRICE INCREASE OF OIL DOESN'T INSPRIRE CONSERVATION WHY WOULD A GASOLINE TAX, A PRICE CONTROL SOLVE A GLOBAL PROBLEM. HIS CONSERVATION IS LIKE PIDDLING IN AN OCEAN.

"REAL PATRIOTS ...OF DEMOCRACY," MR. FRIEDMAN, DO NOT LIVE "GREEN." THEY LIVE IN THE 'REAL WORLD' OF SCIENTIFIC DATA, INNOVATION AND OPEN MARKETS WHICH ENCOURAGE AMERICA'S PROGRESS.
I THINK EACH POLITICIAN, DEMOCRAT OR REPUBLICAN, SHOULD TAKE A PERSONAL SIT TEST, SPECIAL INTEREST TEST, TO DETERMINE HOW MUCH BIAS BASED ON PERSONAL AGENDAS OBSTRUCTS PROGRESS IN ENERGY INDEPENDENCE. LIBERAL JOURNALISTS LIKE MR. FRIEDMAN, MIGHT TEST THEMSELVES TOO. FAILING GRADES WOULD BEFALL THE ENEMIES OF COMMON SENSE AND COST EFFECTIVENESS IN ENERGY POLICY.

GET A GRIP

IT'S ALL IN THE GRIP,
NOT OF A GOLF CLUB,
OR HANDLEBARS,
OR A STEERING WHEEL,
OR ON A LOOSE FEELING,
BUT OF WHAT MY
PERPETUALLY PERPLEXING,
PRE-75 DEGREES,
COOL, HANDS CRAVE -
THE RIGID, RIDGED,
DEPENDABLE, OLD-FASHIONED
WATER-FILLED RADIATOR.
DISREGARDING HIS GURGLES
APPRECIATING HIS PRESENCE,
SOAKING UP HIS WARMTH
THROUGH PALM AND FINGERTIPS.
WRAPPING AND CARESSING,
GRIPPING AND GRIPPING,
I CAN GET, "NO NEARER MY GOD TO THEE."

DEATH PENALTY

GOVERNOR MARK WARNER OF VIRGINIA PLAYS POLITICS WHEN HE REQUESTS TESTING OF STORED DNA FROM A MAN EXECUTED IN 1992. HIS EXPRESSED PURPOSE IS TO PROVE THE KILLER'S INNOCENCE, BUT HIS UNEXPRESSED HOPE IS TO SUCKER CONSERVATIVE CHRISTIANS INTO HIS CAMPAIGN, LIKE A JIHAD OF JUSTICE FOR JESUS, FOR ABOLITION OF THE DEATH PENALTY AND HIS RUN FOR THE WHITE HOUSE. LIBERAL POLITICS IS ALWAYS TRANSPARENT. I MUST OBSERVE THAT THIS MURDERER'S DEMISE WAS NOT QUICK AND ECONOMICALLY EFFICIENT FOR THE TAXPAYERS, OCCURING A DECADE AFTER HIS CONVICTION. DNA SAMPLING, ADVANCED AS IT HAS BECOME, CAN BE ROUTINELY USED TODAY TO FACILITATE IDENTIFICATION AND CONVICTION OF MURDERS AND VINDICATE THE INNOCENT.

IT IS CLEAR THAT I, A CHRISTIAN, SUPPORT THE DEATH PENALTY AS A DETERRENT, A SOCIETAL PUNISHMENT AND TO SATISFY JUSTICE. THOSE WHO DISAGREE LACK FAITH IN DIVINE JUSTICE. LET ME CLARIFY. THOSE WHOSE HEARTS BLEED BLUE FOR 'ALLEGED' KILLERS, WHO DEMAND NO DEATH ROW MISTAKES, DENY THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE ERROR OF AN INNOCENT DEATH, WILL OR WILL NOT ULTIMATELY BE RECTIFIED BY A HIGHER POWER CALLED GOD. THOSE WHOSE HEADS ARE FED WITH RED BLOOD FOR EXECUTION OF DANGEROUS MURDERERS, ADMIT THE POSSIBILITY OF ERROR TOO, BUT IF A RARE MISTAKE IS COMMITTED, THEY AFFIRM THAT GOD WILL ULTIMATELY CORRECT IT. THE FORMER POSITION IS A WIN FOR CRIME AND MAN'S MERCY (NOT GOD'S ) AND A LOSS FOR SOCIETY AND GOD. THE LATTER IS A WIN FOR SOCIETY AND A WIN FOR GOD.

AS ONE WHO WILL NEVER ACCEPT A COMMON ERA BEFORE OR AFTER CHRIST, I FIGURE EVERY WASTED YEAR ON DEATH ROW, LIKE EVERY VICTIM'S LAST GASP, IS ULTIMATELY RESOLVED IN THE YEAR OF THE LORD.

SCHOOL BULLYING

THE LAW OF UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES HAS REARED ITS UGLY HEAD TO WAG ABOUT WASTEFUL PUBLIC SCHOOL PROGRAMS, ONE OF WHICH I LEARNED ABOUT FROM AN EDUCATOR. SHE ENTHUSED OVER THIS NEW YEAR'S MANDATORY COURSE ON BULLYING FOR K-5 PUPILS. BULLYING AT HOME, IN SCHOOL AND ON-LINE ON THE COMPUTER. ENCOURAGING THE USE OF THE COMPUTER IN SCHOOL AND AT HOME CREATED THE UNEXPECTED RESULT OF LESS STUDYING, MORE SOCIALIZING AND PREDATORS AND BULLIES CRUISING THE INTERNET FOR 6 TO 12 YR. OLDS, OFTEN WITHOUT THEIR PARENTS' KNOWLEDGE. I CAUGHT SOME REFERENCE IN THIS INTERVIEW TO AN 'ISEEYOU' INTERNET SITE (FROM THE SCHOOL SYSTEM ?) WHICH WAS DESIGNED TO INFORM AND PROTECT OUR YOUTH ABOUT BULLYING. YEARS AGO A SMACK TO THE SIDE OF MY CHILDISH HEAD WOULD HAVE DETERRED ME FROM BULLYING, HAD THE URGE ARISEN. IN ADDITION TO THE BOXING EARS SOLUTION, I LIKE AL FRANKEN'S SIMPLE RULE. I CAN'T BELIEVE I AM QUOTING A LIBERAL FOR WHOM BUSH-BASHING IS CENTRAL TO HIS STAND-UP COMEDY. ANYWAY, AL SAID, "BE JUST AND GOOD." I BET THIS IS WHAT THE BULLYING COURSE IN GRADE SCHOOL IS TRYING TO TEACH. THE NEED FOR THIS COURSE SPEAKS WITH A PLANGENT VOICE ABOUT THE LOSS OF PARENTING. BECAUSE FAMILY RESPONSIBILITY HAS BEEN WASHED OUT TO SEA, SCHOOLS TRY TO SALVAGE WHATEVER DECENT BEHAVIOR THEY CAN FROM THE STUDENTS STRANDED ON SHORE. I AM EVER GRATEFUL THAT MY FORCED EDUCATIONAL INDOCTRINATION, BOTH MENTAL AND PHYSICAL, PRECEDED TODAY'S WISHY-WASHY WORLD.

A SECOND PROGRAM ANTICIPATED AT THIS LOCAL K-5 SCHOOL INVOLVED AFTER-SCHOOL ASSISTANCE. A MILLION DOLLAR GRANT (READ FREE MONEY STOLEN FROM YOU AND ME AS TAXPAYERS) FOR MATH AND READING WOULD IMPLEMENT AFTER SCHOOL CLASSES FROM 3:30 TO 6:00 P.M, FOUR DAYS A WEEK. WHAT I DIDN'T NEED TO HEAR WAS THAT THIS GRANT WAS SHARED BY A NUMBER OF LOCAL AGENCIES INCLUDING HEALTH CLINICS AND ART SEMINARS. WHY IS THIS PROGRAM NEEDED IF EFFECTIVE TEACHING ALREADY OCCURS BETWEEN 8 A.M. AND 3 P.M. EACH DAY? AFTERSCHOOL ACTIVITIES ( ART, MUSIC, TUTORING) AND EXTRA-CURRICULAR ATHLETIC PROGRAMS (ENCOURAGED, OF COURSE, TO DISCOURAGE OBESITY), TAKE AWAY FROM HOME STUDY TIME. I DID NOT FEEL REASSURED WHEN REMINDED THAT TEACHERS DID "NOTHING" BUT PREPARE FOR THE MANDATORY GRADE LEVEL TESTS. "YOU JUST CAN'T MAKE THIS STUFF UP," AS RUSH LIMBAUGH OFTEN OBSERVES OF LIBERALS' NON-SEQUITORS AND CONTRATEMPS.

THIS RADIO INFOMERCIAL FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL COMPETENCE CONCLUDED WITH ADVICE TO PARENTS AND STUDENTS ALIKE, "READ, READ, READ." READ AT HOME BEFORE BEDTIME, READ IN THE GROCERY LINES, READ AT THE DINNERTIME, READ EVERY CHANCE YOU GET, THIS PRINCIPAL ADVISED. TO REPHRASE AL FRANKEN , IT WOULD BE 'JUST GOOD' IF SOMEONE, SOMEWHERE, SOMETIME TODAY, TONIGHT OR TOMORROW WOULD HEED THIS MANTRA FOR SUCCESS. I KNOW THAT REALITY SHOUTS THE AWFUL TRUTH ABOUT PUBLIC EDUCATION. THE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCE OF SO MUCH GOVERNMENT-SPONSORED HELP IS HELPLESSNESS AT THE 'HANDS' OF BULLIES.

GOOD WRITING

I HAVE NO USE FOR MODERN, POPULAR ART, MUSIC OR SPORTS, BUT GOOD WRITING IS NOT ONLY USEFUL BUT PRICELESS. YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN OR WHERE THE LITERAL OR METAPHORICAL LYRICISM OF PROSE WILL EMERGE FROM THE HAZE OF PHONEY LITERARY OBFUSCATION. A YOUNG PERSON MAY BE THE CREATOR, SOMEONE WHO SOMEHOW HAS INTERNALIZED THE VALUE OF READING AND THE VALUE OF SPEAKING AND WRITING CLEARLY. THIS YOUNG WRITER SURELY WILL INFORM AND ENTERTAIN SIMULTANEOUSLY WITHIN THE CONFINES OF A CRAFT. ANYWAY, I RECENTLY READ A MARVELOUS PASSAGE THAT LIFTED ME OUT OF AND BLASTED MY RESERVATIONS ABOUT POPULAR LITERATURE. CHECK THIS OUT:

"THE WIND WAS OUT OF THE SOUTH AND HAD TEASED UP A 3-FOOT SEA. BATTALIONS OF WAVES PARADED BY, HEADING NORTH. I COULD NOT SEE WHERE THEY STORMED THE BEACH, BUT IMAGINED IT MIGHT BE JUST ABOVE THE PEBBLY SPIT OF MONEY POINT. SOME OF THE OFFICERS ON HORSEBACK NODDED SHOCKS OF WHITE HAIR WHILE MASSES OF LOWER-RANK SAILORS KEPT EYES FORWARD AND STERNLY MARCHED IN THE MOST REHEARSED FASHION TO THE WIND THAT GUSTED AND RELAXED WITH THE BEAT OF SOME PATRIOTIC SONG. I COULD NOT HEAR THE TUNE BUT FELT THE RHYTHM OF BOOTED FEET HITTING OCEAN FLOOR. THE TREES LINING THE SHORE WAVED LIKE SPECTATORS, SOME WITH CHILDREN ON THEIR SHOULDERS. SOME OF THE OLD GUARD EVEN SALUTED."

IT IS IRREFUTABLE FROM HER DESCRIPTION IN THE LOBSTER CHRONICLES THAT LINDA GREENLAW OBSERVED, HEARD, FELT AND YES, INTERNALIZED, WATER MARTIALLY ADVANCING TO A SHORE SOMEWHERE IN MAINE. HER SIMPLE METAPHORS TRANSLATE WITH SIMPLE WORDS. THE WAVES, SOLDIERS, THE WHITE CAPS, ELDERLY LEADERS. THE NOISY REPETITIVENESS, FEET POUNDING, THE TREES, ONLOOKERS. IT REMINDS ME OF A PAINTING DEPICTING WITH A DIFFERENT METAPHORICAL INTERPRETATION OF SURF AS WILD, WHITE HORSES. THANK YOU LINDA, FOR A COMPLICATED, SPARKLING AND STIRRING PICTURE. A PURE PLEASURE TO READ.

DEATH OF A HORSE

MAN IS INEXTRICABLY LINKED TO THE HORSE. AFTER EOHIPPUS LOST HIS TWO TOES AND GREW UP INTO A BEAUTIFUL, IRRESISTIBLE BULK, A PERMANENT STRUGGLE, UP HILL AND DOWN, LOOMED BETWEEN MAN AND BEAST. BEAST'S BEAUTY COMMANDED RESPECT AND AWE, BUT IT ALSO PORTENDED TRAGEDY AND DEATH. THE GRAND HORSE IS PORTRAYED FROM THE CAVE PAINTINGS IN LASCAUX, FRANCE TO BRONZE STATUES WITH TRIUMPHANT RIDERS IN PUBLIC SQUARES. REVERENCED, YES, BUT ONCE MEN'S LEGS GRIPPED FLESH BEHIND STRONG WITHERS AND FOUND IT EXHILARATING, THE HORSE WAS DOOMED TO BE SERVANT AND SACRIFICIAL VICTIM TO THE MARCH OF CIVILIZATION. WILD AND WOOLLY PONIES WERE DRIVEN BY HUNS ACROSS THE STEPPS; TATOOED RUNNERS WERE WHIPPED BY NATIVE AMERICANS ACROSS THE AMERICAN PLAINS. CAVALRY CONTRIBUTED TO ANCIENT AND MODERN WARS. NEITHER ALEXANDER ON BUCEPHALUS NOR NAPOLEON MOUNTED ON HIS BELOVED MARENGO COULD SAVE THE THOUSANDS OF MANGLED, BLEEDING AND SUFFERING WARRIORS OF THEIR MILITARY CAMPAIGNS AT THE END OF A DAY OF BATTLE. INTO THE SHADE OF NIGHT, SCREAMS OF PAIN FINALLY CEASED AND MOUNDS OF DEAD HORSEFLESH, UNLIKE THE HUMAN BODIES, WOULD BE LEFT TO THE ELEMENTS. THE LAST GREAT CAVALRY CHARGE IN 1917, IN THE SINAI DESERT DURING WORLD WAR I, 1917, TOOK THE AUSTRALIAN HORSE BRIGADE THROUGH SHELLFIRE AND INTO THE HISTORY BOOKS.

MEN AND WOMEN HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED, CELEBRATED, CHERISHED AND EXPLOITED EQUINE INTELLIGENGE, LOYALTY AND ABILITY OVER THE YEARS. A HORSE MAY BE DEPRAVED RENEGADE THAT MUST BE TAMED BY A HORSE WHISPERER OR AS SMART AS A PERFORMER LIKE THE 'INCREDIBLE JIM KEY.' HE MAY BE CROWNED AS A GOD BY A MAD CALIGUA OR WREATHED WITH FLOWERS LIKE SECRETARIAT AFTER A SPECTACULAR RECORD-BREAKING BELMONT STAKES RACE IN 1973. HE MAY BE MOURNED IN DEATH LIKE TWO CHAMPION FLAT RACERS, PHAR LAP, MURDERED IN 1932 OR MAN O' WAR , THE 'BIG RED' OLD MAN. THE SOUL OF THE HORSE, IT SEEMS TO ME, IS PERSONIFIED IN THE RAGS TO RICHES TALE OF 'BLACK BEAUTY'.

THE MAN/HORSE CONNECTION LIKE THAT OF A CENTAUR, IN SPITE OF HEARTBREAK, WILL NOT DIE. THIS NEW YEAR, 2006, BEGAN WITH A DEVOTED 'BLACK BEAUTY' PULLING A CARRIAGE IN NEW YORK'S CENTRAL PARK, A TOKEN OF HIS DUTY TO EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY AND TO MAN. A TRAGIC ACCIDENT ENSUED. IT RESULTED IN THE DRIVER'S SERIOUS INJURY AND IN THE DEATH OF THE HORSE. THE BODY OF ANOTHER FAITHFUL SERVANT WAS MUTILATED AND SMASHED AGAINST MAN'S MECHANICAL INVENTION, A STATION WAGON. UNIKE THE 'HIGHWAYMAN' IN ALFRED NOYES' FAMOUS POEM, THIS TIME IT WAS THE HORSE, "SHOT DOWN LIKE A DOG ON THE HIGHWAY.' SOME TEARS OF REGRET AND RESPECT ARE IN ORDER.

WERE YOU BORN IN A BARN

"SHUT THE DOOR, WERE YOU BORN IN A BARN?" SEEMS TO ME THAT UNCOMMON SENSE OF OUR ANCESTORS HAS BECOME UNCOMMON. WHERE HAS ENERGY CONSERVATION GONE? TO POOR PIONEERS, WASTE WOULD HAVE BEEN ANATHEMA. NO SELF-RESPECTING PEASANT, HOMESTEADER, SQUATTOR, SELECTOR, COLONIST, NATIVE, SETTLER, PLEB, PEON, PROLETARIAN, NOMAD, VAQUERO, TATTERDEMALION, HUN OR NEANDERTHAL WOULD HAVE LEFT THE FLAP OPEN ON HIS OR HER TENT (OR ANY DWELLING) WHEN THE CHILL OF THE EVENING DESCENDED UPON THE HUMBLE ABODE. NOR WOULD PREDECESSORS OF ANY PEOPLE BENT ON A COMFORTABLE SURVIVAL IN THE BIG, BAD WORLD.

JIMMY CARTER, NOTWITHSTANDING HIS SILLY SIMPLICITIES IN ALL OTHER AREAS OF EXISTENCE, SUGGESTED PROPER, SENSIBLE AND CONSERVATIVE METHODS FOR ADAPTING TO LIVING CONDITIONS. FOR EXAMPLE, PUT ON A SWEATER, KEEP THE THERMOSTAT AT 68 OR 70 DEGREES, CLOSE THE DOORS AND WINDOWS TO "CAN THE HEAT" AND PRACTICE RESPECT FOR, NOT WASTE OF, NATURAL RESOURSES.

IN CONTRAST, SPOILED CITIZENS IN RICH, DEVELOPED NATIONS CRANK UP THEIR THEMOSTATS, DRESS FOR SUMMER YEAR ROUND AND DELIBERATELY NEGLECT OPEN WINDOWS OR DOORS WHICH DRAIN HEAT. THEY ALSO HYPOCRITICALLY DECRY THE DESTRUCTION OF NATURAL RESOURCES BUT INDULGE IN DAILY SHOWERS, WASTING WATER AS IF IT WERE "GOING OUT OF STYLE." ONE MILLION CANS OF WATER, FROM DONORS INCLUDING COCA COLA COMPANY TO VICTIMS OF KATRINA, WERE RECENTLY DESTROYED. 18 TRUCKLOADS OF DRINKING WATER DRAINED. AT LEAST THE CANS WERE RECYCLED. THIS ACTION OCCURRED WHEN ASSAULTS WERE HYPOCRITICALLY HURLED AGAINST FEMA FOR ITS INEFFICIENCY! CAN YOU NOT HEAR THE ECO GOD SOBBING UNCONTROLLABLY SOMEWHERE, WHEREVER HE REIGNS?

MY '51 FORD

MY NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION INVOLVES REGRET. I RESOLVE TO FINALLY PUT THE REGRET OF DISPOSING OF MY '51 FORD BEHIND ME . THEY CAN'T RECREATE A COUPE LIKE MY FIRST, PALE GREEN MACHINE ITS LIGHT PAINT JOB PROMISED MY YOUTHFUL OWNERSHIP A SPRINGTIME OF PLEASURE. IT SPORTED HEAVY CHROME BUMPERS, WIDE WHITEWALL TIRES, A HEAVY METAL FRAME, STICK-SHIFT ON THE STEERING WHEEL, FABRIC SEATS, A STATE OF THE ART RADIO WITH 2 DIALS AND OPTIONAL OVERDRIVE. THAT OVERDRIVE INSPIRED ME TO GET "GUTS" AND TAKE IT TO 80 MPH ON THE OPEN EXPRESSWAY. AT THAT SPEED I WAS AIRLIFTED ALONG, QUIET AND SILENT AS A MOTORIZED PEGASUS, GLIDING WITH APPARENT WEIGHTLESSNESS ABOVE THE PAVED LANES. AT NIGHT MY FORD GUIDED ME WITH ROUND, BRIGHT EYES. I THINK I LOVED MY '51 FORD, OR , AT MOST, I HELD IT DEAR. MECHANICALLY IT NEVER FAILED, NEVER LET ME DOWN EVEN IN THE BLIZZARD OF THE '60'S. WHY THEN DID I PUT IT DOWN AFTER A MINOR FRONT-END BUMPER CRUMPLER? DISPOSAL OF IT WAS AKIN TO CONSIGNING A MAIMED ANIMAL TO THE SLAUGHTERHOUSE. IF YOU WERE EVER IRRATIONALLY EXUBERANT, PERHAPS YOU CAN FATHOM MY REASONING BACK THEN. I CAN'T. I INHERITED MY USED '51 FORD FROM MY PARENTS. THEIR PRECEDING CAR WAS A 30'S COUPE IN WHICH I SAW BITS OF THE " U.S.A." IN OUR "CHEVROLET." AS MY HUSBAND GUIDED HIS GREY '64 CHEVY THROUGH OUR NEWLYWED YEARS, I DROVE MY '51 FORD UNTIL THE ACCIDENT. THAT BEGAT A SUCCESSION OF VEHICLES. ALL POSSESSED MUSCLES THAT I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND AND APPOINTMENTS, INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR, I IGNORED. "TAKE YOU THERE AND GET YOU BACK," WAS HALF OF MY HUSBAND'S PHILOSOPHY OF CARS. THE OTHER HALF WAS HIS BELIEF IN CASH UP FRONT. WITH BOTH HALVES I CONCURRED. WHAT FOLLOWED FOR ME WAS A VINTAGE ROYAL BLUE '48 CHEVY WITH MAG WHEELS. NEXT I PURCHASED A NEW, RED FORD FALCON AND MY SPOUSE BOUGHT A BURGUNDY MERCEDES BECAUSE OUR JOBS PAID WELL. EVENTUALLY, USED WORKHORSES ACCOMPANIED MARRIED LIFE WITH CHILDREN. THE ORANGE FORD SUBURBAN, BEATUP FORD STATION WAGON, BLUE VOLKSWAGON BEETLE AND BROWN '77 PLYMOUTH VOLARE WAGON CARRIED OUR FAMILY THROUGH TOUGH (BUT EXCITING) YEARS. WE SPLURGED ON A USED SILVER JAGUAR AND NEW BLUE FORD VAN WHEN A BUSINESS VENTURE BOOMED. WE PURCHASED PICKUP TRUCKS. LIKE DRAFT HORSES THEY MADE ME FEEL TALL, SAFE AND IMPORTANT CHUGGING DOWN COUNTY ROADS. OUR '65 "BIG RED" WORK TRUCK FAINTLY REMINDED ME OF MY '51 FORD. IT PERFORMED FAITHFULLY UP TO 25 YEARS OF AGE UNTIL ITS BROKEN FRAME CONSIGNED IT TO THE AUCTION LOT. THREE FORD PICKUPS , TWO USED, TAN AND BLUE, AND ONE, NEW, A BURGUNDY, ALL WITH KING CABS CARRIED ON. WE PREFERRED FORDS FOR OUR TRANSPORTATION BECAUSE THEY WEATHERED ABUSE. ALL MAKES WERE GAS-GUZZLERS. THE CHECK LIST OF CAR PROBLEMS, SOLVED AND UNSOLVABLE WAS LONG: A VAPOR LOCK, A BROKEN DRIVE SHAFT, OIL LEAKS, A CATALYTIC CONVERTER FIRE, STALLING IN WET WEATHER, REPEATED FLAT TIRES AND BLOWN TRANSMISSIONS. THE JAG WAS A CONVICT, HAVING BEEN PREVIOUSLY STOLEN. THE BENZ WAS A LEMON SUCKING MONEY DOWN AN UNREPAIRABLE DRAIN. NO VEHICLE WAS TRADED IN; IT WAS JUST SOLD-OFF OR JUNKED. OTHER SUNDRY CARS AND TRUCKS, THAT BELONGED TO OUR OFFSPRING, SOME WITH CHROME WHEELS, BOOMING WATTS OF BASE, LIFT BEDS OR OUTRAGEOUS STRIPES, CAME AND WENT. THESE ACQUISITIONS WERE TITLED, TOTALED, BOUGHT AND SOLD OVER TIME. ONE, TRAGICALLY, WAS DESTROYED BY A DRUNK DRIVER BEHIND THE WHEEL OF HIS LETHAL WEAPON. IS OVERPRICED PLASTIC WORTH THE INVESTMENT FOR SAFETY TODAY WHEN QUALITY AND SOLIDITY OF MATERIALS ARE GONE AND STYLES HAVE CHANGED? AT MY LAST CAR SHOW, EONS AGO, SEXY WOMEN AND SHINY 4-WHEELED STEEDS WITH MANLY ALLURE WHIRLED ABOUT ON PLATFORMS. THOSE WERE THE GOLDEN DAYS WHEN MY '51 FORD WAS TOP STALLION.