A FEW THOUGHTS

THE THREE R'S - RESPECT FOR SELF
RESPECT FOR OTHERS
RESPONSIBILITY FOR ACTIONS

THE POOR HOT DOG - Last week a group in New Jersey went to court in an attempt to have hot dog package labels carry a warning indicating "hot dogs can cause cancer".

As a resident of the "peoples republic of New Jersey", which is on the brink of bankruptcy, has some of the highest taxes in the nation, a Governor who did not wear a seat belt, a number of mayors and clergy in jail for accepting bribes, laundering money and selling body parts. I resent my tax money being wasted on tying up the court system with such a ridiculous suite

Hot dogs make no health claims, clearly state their ingredients and nutritional information and frankly are not good for you, but they will not kill you. As with anything, eaten in moderation will have little effect on your health. If a person ate 10 hot dogs a day for an extended period, they would get sick. The same can be said for almost any food.

Whoever this group of weirdo's are, I sincerely hope that they drop the case. If they do not, they should find a suitable replacement to go with apple pie and Chevrolet, to eat at ball games and to barbecue. LETS GET TOGETHER TO SAVE THE WIENER!!!!!!!!

LETS GET SERIOUS

The most recent "crises" which needs "immediate" attention is HEALTH CARE.

Realistically, the health care, medicare and medicade systems need to be looked at. 90% of Americans ARE insured, assuming a total population of 320M +- that leaves about 32M (not 45M) uninsured - miss speak.

Of those who are presumed to have no insurance about 40% can afford it but choose not to purchase insurance. That leaves about 16M uninsured (est.) many of who are not in the country legally. IS THERE REALLY A PROBLEM?

Never the less, there will be some type of bill that will/could dramatically change the way we are taken care of!

I have not read all 1100+ pages, but I have read enough to know that there is NO PROVISION to cap or control frivolous law suits. Controls on "torte" would dramatically reduce the cost of services as well as the need for additional testing.

The most disturbing part of the massive bill was the insertion of Q.A.R.Y. What is Q.A.R.Y. you ask - QUALITY ADJUSTED REMAINING YEARS, this is the system of determining whether a patient should receive surgery or other services based on their "remaining years of quality years". In effect, a board of political "hacks" will be deciding whether a person will live comfortably or in some cases live at all.

IF BARACK TAKING LESSONS FROM JOE?

Wednesday nights Presidential press conference was as boring as usual, 11 questions in 57 minutes. The average answer was 5+ minutes in length. This was more like another campaign speech than a Presidential press conference.

Vice President Bidens perpencity for idiotic statements seems to be rubbing off on the President. The hi lites of the evening were:

DOCTORS MAKE DECISIONS BASED ON PAYMENT. It's a good thing that the President has a personal physician. It is fair to say there are not many doctors who want this type of patient.

THE CAMBRIDGE POLICE ACTED STUPID - The chief law enforcement official in the nation, degraded a police force while admitting that he DID NOT have all of the facts. Whether the police were right or the involved perpetrator was right is not relevant. A President and supposed leader should not act in such an aggorant manner.

WHAT A DAY

TIME FLIES LIKE AN ARROW - FRUIT FLIES LIKE APPLES.

DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE WOMAN WHO WAS ENGAGED TO A MAN WITH A WOODEN LEG? SHE BROKE IT OFF!

JUNE 2O, 1968 was a day like no other. After years of watching serials at the movies featuring space cadets, flying around in rocket ships. Fighting aliens, always winning and returning home safe and sound. This it was for real.

In 1969, color television was still in it's infancy. In order to get color the screen had to be demagnetized. A technician would visit your home and run a strange looking machine over the screen and "POW" you had color.

Millions of Americans, myself included bought color sets just to see man walk on the "real" moon". We sat around the set as the count down to landing continued. 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2- we all held our breath 1 - THE EAGLE HAS LANDED. These words are not a famous as some others, but they set the country on it's ear.

Smiles, laughter and tears, the entire gamut of emotion ran through all of us. Truly a dream come true.

It is unfortunate that today's generation(s) do not really appreciate the event, it's enormity and the bravery of those who made it happen. I get the feeling that today's generations somehow would find something to complain about this marvelous event. Too bad, they will never know what they missed.

The "THRILL OF VICTORY" followed in later years by the agony of defeat.

As with the day JFk was killed, the shuttles blew up and the buildings fell, those who saw it will always know where they were on July 20, 1969.

More later in the week.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY USA

READING WHILE YOU SUNBATHE CAN MAKE YOU WELL RED.

IS A WILL A "DEAD GIVEAWAY"?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY USA

We celebrate far too many holidays in this countries. It seems like we pay people "not to work" for a day in celebration of almost anything. Soon we will have take your mailman to lunch day, treat your landscaper to drinks day, bring your homeless friend to work hour, and the ever popular avoid the Acorn census taker marathon.

In my opinion, there are three truly celebratory occasions in this country. Memorial Day, Thanksgiving and Independence Day.

Lets start with a visit to The Constitution Center on your next visit to the Philadelphia area. There is no better place to learn how we grew from a "rag tag" group of rebels to the most powerful, most democratic and the free est nation in the world. After the visit you will understand the blood, sweat and tears that it took to build this great nation.

Independence Day 2009, will be different than most. we are not yet broke, but we are well on the way. Unemployment, spending and arrogance by the government are at record highs. Citizens in many cities will again peacefully demonstrate against impending record tax increases. Yes, tea parties just like we had in the Boston Harbor 200 years ago.

We are still at war in the Middle East, and facing threats from North Korea, Iran and possibly Russia and even Venezuela. Our "footing" has moved from aggressive to passive. This year our government appears to be more interested in owning banks and auto companies than in standing up for freedom.

With all of the "doom and gloom" that we are fed by the desperate press (many are bankrupt), politicians, former vice presidents (global warming had made Al Gore $100 M). Lets light the grills, dip the chips, drink lemonade, iced tea and perhaps adult beverages, enjoy the fireworks and Thank GO_ that we live in this country - THE BEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD, BAR NONE.

ENJOY THE DAY.

WHAT A WEEK

MEANINGLESS FACT - A woman's heart beats faster than a man's! Frankly, who cares?

Why is there a light in the refrigerator and not in the freezer

THE WEEK THAT WAS

People come and people go, but this week three very familiar names left for good.

ED MC MAHON - I remember Ed when he did local TV work in Philadelphia. In those days, Ed and the late Ernie Kovacs and "Uncle Pete Boyle" appeared on the old black and white 12" screen and brought sunshine to the day.

Ed went on to gain fame with Johnny Carson before falling on hard times. Ed led the perfect life and earned it.

FARRAH FAWCETT - Beautiful, talented and seldom controversial. She played the weakest (typical blond) on Charlie's Angels. Farrah brought warmth and charm to all of her professional endeavors. The world could use more people like her.

MICHAEL JACKSON - Maybe the greatest entertainer of our times, bar none! I recall taking my then 8 year old daughter to see The Jackson's at the Silver Dome in Pontiac Michigan. As we entered this massive facility all that I could see were youngsters, dressed like Michael down to his signature white glove, hair curled and all. What I saw was 'a rock and roll model".

Michael's life took numerous dramatic turns, health, physical appearance, law suits, financial disaster. I will not look back to the foibles that he was accused of. Rather I choose to remember the tremendous talent who "tripped the light fantastic" that night in Pontiac Michigan.

CAP AND TRADE

Since returning to this site, I have chosen to avoid the present political, economic and foreign affairs positions that the US finds itself in. However the most recent attempt to pick the pockets of all Americans must be addressed.

CAP AND TRADE - Under the guise of working towards a green world, to stop global warming (if there is global warming) and reduce our reliance on foreign oil. The present administration is attempting to enact the largest tax increase in history.

This bill is 1300+ pages in size (has no pictures) and is impossible to understand. What we do know is, ALL means of energy will be taxed, end of story. Rich poor, Caucasian, Negro, Asian, Hispanic, legally in the country or not, old or young, employed, unemployed or retired, man or woman. WE WILL ALL PAY TO USE ELECTRICITY, FUEL ETAL.

Manufacturers will be forced to pass the costs on to their customers, leave the country or close their doors. ENORMOUS INFLATION IS ON THE HORIZON

I AM SICK AND TIRED OF HEARING THE FLAGELLANTS BEING SPEWED BY THIS ADMINISTRATION UNDER THE GUISE OF "HELPING US". If they want to help us, I suggest that they leave us the He_ _ alone!

Have a great week end.

I AM REALLY STIMULATED!!!!!

Have you ever wondered why people eat natural foods, when many people die of natural causes?

WHAT THE STIMULUS PACKAGE WILL BRING TO ME!

Now that I have had an opportunity to completely read the stimulus package (the first one that is). I am really excited to have the following services provided.

I CAN GET TATTOOS REMOVED FOR FREE - Of course I do not have any "tatts".

I CAN JOIN A BRAND NEW YMCA THAT WE ARE PAYING TO BUILD IN MICHIGAN. What happened to the separation of church and state?

I CAN SLEEP WELL KNOWING THAT THERE WILL BE A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM OF HOG ODOR IN THE MID WEST.

I CAN TRAVEL THE SENATOR BYRD HIGHWAY TO NOWHERE IF I EVER GO TO WEST VIRGINIA.

I CAN FEEL SAFE IF I EVER TRAVEL OVER A 100 YEAR OLD BRIDGE IN KANSAS THAT IS CLOSED.

I CAN ENJOY THE BUFFALO BILL MUSEUM NOW THAT IT WILL BE DIGITAL.

My car lease is up in a year, I can't wait to buy a new Cadillac or Chrysler. Oil changes will be done by Barney Frank, washes and detailing by Charlie Rangle, financing with the help of Chris Dodd. and insurance made possible by Timothy Geitner.

Frankly, would you trust any of the above with your trash, let alone your money and safety?

It's been a while

After numerous e-mails, post cards, smoke signals, phone calls and water balloons, demanding my return. I'm back. Modern technology has forced me to take a new address which is smo1942@blogspot.com.

DRIVING A PICK (ME) UP TRUCK

I recently had the need to drive a pick up truck for a day. Having been raised in the "city", having no idea why anyone would ever need such a vehicle let alone one with large tires which made it necessary to have a step ladder to get in.

Prior to this adventure, I thought that it would make sense to add accrudaments to the vehicle as well as my wardrobe in order to get the true experience. Hard as it is to believe, I could not rent a gun rack for the back window, fuzzy tails for the rear fenders, a "rebel" license plate or a washable tattoo that said MOM with a big red heart.

So here I go, wearing a dress shirt, tie, winged tip shoes and plaid pants, sitting 10 feet off the ground, starting the journey.

The first thing that I noticed were the interesting things "stored" in the drivers area (I guess that's called the cab). First an exciting assortment of almost empty soda cups from an assortment of fast food establishments. It was obvious that many were well aged, after all "Gino's" .15 hamburgers has been gone for at least 30 years and I can barely remember the Hot Shoppe. The soda containers were accompanied by a number of empty beer cans, you would thinf that they wouls have been redeemed for the deposit.

Apparently, if you spend a lot of time driving one of these, you need extra clothes. On the floor was a lively assortment of colorful sets of underwear. I still can't understand why there were both men's and woman's sets? Either I'm just naive or they got the truck from Bill Clinton.

Behind the seats were an assortment of well used, soiled rags. Some had catsup and mustard stains, others oil and grease stains and others were, to say the least "non descript".

I will say that you meet the most interesting people when you drive one of these, many of them wave at you using just one finger, others just yell out of their car (or pick me up) windows. The nicest person that I met worked at the gas station. You see, we could not find the gas tank and the attendant could not communicate in English. He just stood there and smiled, maybe it was the plaid pants.

Well, now I can remove drive a pick (me) up truck off of my "bucket list".

WELCOME BACK!