JUST SOME POSTS

A reprint of a post I have now used every July 4th since 2009. I actually have requests for this one. If you like - please pass the link on. If not - hey, it is a free country! I am an American. Like the majority of those living in this country, I was born here as were my parents and their parents. Like the great majority of those living in this country, my ancestors were not born here. A direct decendent on my paternal side immigrated here in 1789 from England. However, I am not an English-American or even a European-American. It bothers me to see people described (by self or others) as Irish-American, African-American, Asian-American, or any other hyphenated American. Hyphens do nothing but separate us from what we truly are: Americans.  Like my father and his father before him; I speak English. In the not so distant past, every immigrant that came to this country learned to speak English. It was a point of pride for them to master one of the most difficult of languages. Since this

I am constantly amazed at the clamor for new laws regulating and/or "preventing" activities that are running contrary to political correctness or just not compatible with polite societies. Unfortunately, laws do not solve anything. Lawlessness and disregard for societal boundaries are the problem. The old pro-gun statement of "make guns illegal and only criminals will have guns" is true. It works for almost anything. Remember Prohibition? The war on drugs? How about something simple like texting and driving? All are or were illegal. None were ever prevented.  Gun control is something that is very well legally boxed in. There are thousands of gun laws on the books. We do have a large gallimaufry of overlapping, obsolete, and active gun laws. Enforcement and application of these laws is not always performed adequately, but why do we think more laws would help that? I am a firm believer in the intent and meaning of the second amendment in providing a Constitutiona

Battleground We've all fought so many battles We tend to count the ones we lost. Trying to build upon our failures Never adding up the cost. The big ones seem to be remembered Fallen soldiers tossed aside. Forgetting all the minor battles We should be counting up with pride. Good days adding to the memories And the bad days taking toll. We need to light our way from darkness Live our lives, not just play a role. Happiness sure can be elusive Especially the perfect kind. We've got to grab onto the goodness And capture it in our mind. “THE” 5/31/14

I actually got a few comments via email on the post about the Supreme Court and their ruling on affirmative action. In case you do not follow this blog or keep up with the Supremes and their rulings - late last month they ruled that affirmative action (the conscious process of admissions where candidates are admitted to a school based on race/ethnicity vs qualifications, for the purpose of diversity) was not constitutional. I agreed with the ruling. I am not going to repeat my words - look back a few posts. On race relations, bigotry, and discrimination I have an observation. Any of you that have kids and allow them to play freely at a public park know this. I just got back from an afternoon out with two of my grandchildren. A girl 8 1/2, and a boy 6. After a gourmet meal at McDonald's we went to a city park with a playground that was nearby. There were four or five children that were already there when we got there, playing on the slides, see-saw, swings, etc. These kids were of

If you ask almost any adult in the United States if a person should be denied something due to the color of their skin (their race in case you don't follow), they would say emphatically "No!". Yesterday the Supreme Court of the United States made a ruling that helps keep this from happening. However, the civil rights "leaders" are and will continue to present this decision as "racist and bigoted". The ruling and case I am referring to is the Michigan affirmative action ruling. Very basically it was to rule if a college can use affirmative action (discrimination) to enroll more minorities. The Supremes said "No". You cannot exclude a qualified candidate for the color of their skin. Affirmative action is nothing more than racism sanctioned by the government. Two wrongs do not make a right. Discrimination is just that, even if it is used for "good" purposes. To exclude a more qualified applicant to increase minority participation i

I wanted to do a post to ask you all to help me with a farewell to a friend - John D Colbert. John's life is being celebrated today by family and friends from far and wide. John passed away suddenly Tuesday March 18th at the young age of 54. John was a hard working, hard playing man that loved his work and family. He was a loving son, husband, father, and grandfather; as well a a good friend to all that wished it. John was particularly good to me in offering an ear when my wife died in 2011 and in many subsequent conversations. I know he loved his family greatly because in those discussions he made it very clear. I know he loved his work because I worked beside him on many occasions. Please take a moment to offer thoughts, prayers, and wishes of peace and solace to his wife Deb, daughter Amy, grandson Andrew, brother Bert, and sister Maggie and any of the other multitude that will miss him. Oh, if you find yourself coming upon a sporting event (especially football) and the Tenn

This is one that has be "a-brewin'" in by feeble mind for a while. I wanted to address the idea of income inequality and opportunity. (not exactly right, but I am at a loss of words - read on and see) First, your lessons for the day - there are many posts on this site which cover this, so look around if you don't understand or want more -   1) There is no government money. If you have questions on this point, I have many posts here where I expound upon this thought. Just suffice it to say that ultimately all money comes from the public (you and me). 2) Corporations and businesses do not and cannot pay taxes. Same comment here - lots of posts explaining this. Bottom line - only people pay taxes. Businesses just get the taxes by raising prices on their customers (you and me again). 3) Term limits are critical to any meaningful changes to be made in our government. This includes the bureaucracy that exists today in Washington that holds a lot of the real power. N

Before we get started let's do the lessons - (again) 1) There is no government money. If you have questions on this point, I have many posts here where I expound upon this thought. Just suffice it to say that ultimately all money comes from the public (you and me). 2) Corporations and businesses do not and cannot pay taxes. Same comment here - lots of posts explaining this. Bottom line - only people pay taxes. Businesses just get the taxes by raising prices on their customers (you and me again). 3) Term limits are critical to any meaningful changes to be made in our government. This includes the bureaucracy that exists today in Washington that holds a lot of the real power. In Part 1 I had two suggestions: 1. I suggested that we raise the voting age to 21. To encapsulate it succinctly - I cannot believe that any sane person thinks it takes more maturity to decide to drink an alcoholic beverage than to decide who will govern us. 2. I also suggested we consolidate