Just down the road or around the corner.
Some day my life's journey will be ended but it's up to my Lord when that will be. Faith in Him will make the traveling easier, till He lifts up my burdens and sets me free.
Maybe all the news lately hasn't been bad but it seems to me that too much of it has been. Record snowfall in the northeast, crops freezing in Florida and flooding in the west. Of course it has all been blamed on global warming. I don't know how long they have been keeping records on global temperatures but I can remember when our temperature here in Tennessee would be over a hundred degrees on several days every year. Remember 1980 when it was almost 110 degrees for over a week? According to some (experts), whatever happens now is caused by "Global Warming".
Then, because of global warming, we are having below normal temperatures which, in turn, is causing our heating bills to sky rocket and oil prices to rise. Some, so called, experts are now predicting gasoline prices to go over $4.00 a gallon in 2011 and near $5.00 by the end of 2012.
I just don't know how much more of this global warming I can stand. I guess we just didn't save enough of our money when we were working at little more than minimum wages and paying for educating two sons.
The trouble is, as bad as that sounds, it is just the tip of the iceberg. Our National Debt is now threatening to destroy, if nor our country, then certainly our way of living. It has been said, again on television, that every person's share of the national debt grew more than ten thousand dollars this year and is still growing.
A few days ago Congress passed a bill that was to provide healthcare for the volunteers who rushed into the aftermath of the collapse of the Twin Towers, which was about 9 years after the fact. Better late than never but being late is what usually defines the actions of our Federal Government in such situations.
More than sixty years ago that same Government (different players) began experiments to determinme the effects of radiation from atomic (nuclear) bombs on humans. These experiments, using mostly military service members as human guinea pigs, began shortly after World War Two and extended through the most of the Nineteen - sixties. At this time very little has been done to help those guinea pigs through their sicknesses (cancer, etc.) and early deaths. Maybe a simple "Thank You" would have been a help but even that hasn't happened.
If you don't really want to know, then don't ask and if you detect a note of bitterness, just let it pass. My country right or wrong, I must love it for only God and family goes above it.
On that note I will end this before too much disappointment shows through. Thanks for your time and input. Stay tuned - William
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Christmas Passed
Just in time too
Christmas Time
When it's all over and everyone's gone but me / and there's not one single thing left under the Christmas Tree / I sit down and think it over and now Lord I'm asking Thee / is Christmas Time the Holy Time that it was meant to be.
From neccessity, this will be a shorter post than usual. Come to think of it, my postings have been getting shorter each week, running out of things to say, I guess. Christmas was yesterday and we didn't see anyone buy talked to most of the family by phone. North Carolina is expecting snow but not for Christmas. As the ex Governor of Arkansaw, Mike Huckabee, said I probably didn't get as much as I wanted but more than I deserved. I probably got enough books to last me through the winter.
There is still a lot in the news about Wal-Mart wanting to build in New York City and create thousands of good paying jobs. If they can do that why haven't they done it in Small Town, U.S.A. instead of bringing in cheap (inferior) merchandise from China and forcing our small businesses out? When they no longer have competiition they raise their prices. But, on the other hand, maybe New York deserves them.
It's still too close to Christmas to get too riled up so I'll let it go for today and get back on it later. I don't know when that will be but until then, thanks for listeninhg and your input. Stay tuned - William
Christmas Time
When it's all over and everyone's gone but me / and there's not one single thing left under the Christmas Tree / I sit down and think it over and now Lord I'm asking Thee / is Christmas Time the Holy Time that it was meant to be.
From neccessity, this will be a shorter post than usual. Come to think of it, my postings have been getting shorter each week, running out of things to say, I guess. Christmas was yesterday and we didn't see anyone buy talked to most of the family by phone. North Carolina is expecting snow but not for Christmas. As the ex Governor of Arkansaw, Mike Huckabee, said I probably didn't get as much as I wanted but more than I deserved. I probably got enough books to last me through the winter.
There is still a lot in the news about Wal-Mart wanting to build in New York City and create thousands of good paying jobs. If they can do that why haven't they done it in Small Town, U.S.A. instead of bringing in cheap (inferior) merchandise from China and forcing our small businesses out? When they no longer have competiition they raise their prices. But, on the other hand, maybe New York deserves them.
It's still too close to Christmas to get too riled up so I'll let it go for today and get back on it later. I don't know when that will be but until then, thanks for listeninhg and your input. Stay tuned - William
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Christmas in Tennessee
About 1937 - 1940
Having been born during the Herbert Hoover Presidency and growing up in what is known as the "Great Depression" I now know that we were poor but at that time everyone we knew must have been poor too. There was no "trying to keep up with the Joneses" because they didn't have much either. My earliest memories of Christmas are expressed in the following poem and, I dare say, many others about my age can relate to it.
"Our Christmas Tree
It was a scrawny little thing that Papa brought in to us / but it was the very best that he could find / we didn't have the money to buy them like the rich folks / in fact we were broke most of the time / so we set it in the corner and we put some things upon it / mostly they were all the homemade kind / we knew that when we'd finished it wouldn't look much better / but how the tree would look wasn't what was on our mind .
We used some strings of popcorn and tinsel covered gumballs / with little bits of ribbon to give it a different hue / how we hurried to get finished for we had so much to do / and in a few more hours old Santa would be due / on the top we put an Angel that was made of cardboard / and colored with a water color set / we knew it wasn't much but when you don't have any money / you learn to get along on whatever you can get.
Yet when we had finished it was still a little scrawny / and bare spots showed through despite our loving care / Yes, I still remember as though it was only yesterday / how love was the only thing that we had to share / but I still have fond memories of the days of my youth / and still in my mind I can see / my Father and my Mother with my sisters and my brothers / as we all gathered around that scrawny little tree."
It's almost Christmas time so I'll quit with that. Thanks for your time and input. Stay tuned, - William
Having been born during the Herbert Hoover Presidency and growing up in what is known as the "Great Depression" I now know that we were poor but at that time everyone we knew must have been poor too. There was no "trying to keep up with the Joneses" because they didn't have much either. My earliest memories of Christmas are expressed in the following poem and, I dare say, many others about my age can relate to it.
"Our Christmas Tree
It was a scrawny little thing that Papa brought in to us / but it was the very best that he could find / we didn't have the money to buy them like the rich folks / in fact we were broke most of the time / so we set it in the corner and we put some things upon it / mostly they were all the homemade kind / we knew that when we'd finished it wouldn't look much better / but how the tree would look wasn't what was on our mind .
We used some strings of popcorn and tinsel covered gumballs / with little bits of ribbon to give it a different hue / how we hurried to get finished for we had so much to do / and in a few more hours old Santa would be due / on the top we put an Angel that was made of cardboard / and colored with a water color set / we knew it wasn't much but when you don't have any money / you learn to get along on whatever you can get.
Yet when we had finished it was still a little scrawny / and bare spots showed through despite our loving care / Yes, I still remember as though it was only yesterday / how love was the only thing that we had to share / but I still have fond memories of the days of my youth / and still in my mind I can see / my Father and my Mother with my sisters and my brothers / as we all gathered around that scrawny little tree."
It's almost Christmas time so I'll quit with that. Thanks for your time and input. Stay tuned, - William
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Did Someone Blink?
Or was the heat turned up?
Did Harry Reid blink, could he not stand the heat so he got out of the kitchen? I'll admit that I was wrong this time. I really thought that Reid and the Democratic Party cared so little about the opinion of the majority of voters that they would force a vote on the "Omnibus Spending Bill" (substitute budget) so that if it failed they could cause a government shut down, as was done in 1995, and blame it on the Republicans again.
The extending of the Bush era tax cuts has also been in the news lately with practically everyone saying it will mean borrowing almost a trillion dollars to cover revenue lost by extending them. Again, I think that New York and Washington crowd is unusually stupid or think the rest of us are. Except for the cut in the payroll tax, which is okay if they will stop blaming Social Security and Medicare for all the budget problems, there will be no less money collected by the IRS unless the recession worsens. In fact, there will be more money collected in Estate Taxes and if, as some predict, the extension of the Bush tax cuts strenghtens the economy and creates more jobs there will be an increase in taxes collected.
What too many people fail to see or don't want to see is that the bill that was passed, extending the Bush era tax cuts, is not a cut in taxes for the rich. The rich, whoever they are, will pay as much or more to the IRS next year as they will this year. Any extra money borrowed by our national treasury next year will be for extra spending, not from the loss of revenue caused by, what some want to call, a tax cut for the super rich. To me, this borders on President Obama's call for the redistribution of wealth. Are we ready for socialism?
A few days ago there was a discussion, by a group of people, on television centering around Wal-Mart and their negotiation with the construction unions to build stores in New York City but the argument almost always came back to praising the Waltons for providing all of us with an outlet for Chinese goods as opposed to United States made. It is my opinion, apparently mine alone, that Wal-Mart has done more to cause the exportation of Americn jobs than any other single entity. When Sam Walton was alive he bought local made merchandise whenever possible but now his super rich descendants have turned his beloved "Wal-Mart" into a waystation for China and other Asian countries. I still don't believe in boycotts but why can't we all make a New Year's resolution to buy at least a few things labeled "American Made"? Just try it - you might like it.
Have you noticed that I havent mentioned "Wildblue Satelitte" today? That's because I try not to think about it. It's still not working. Maybe next time but for now thanks for listening. Stay tuned, - William
Did Harry Reid blink, could he not stand the heat so he got out of the kitchen? I'll admit that I was wrong this time. I really thought that Reid and the Democratic Party cared so little about the opinion of the majority of voters that they would force a vote on the "Omnibus Spending Bill" (substitute budget) so that if it failed they could cause a government shut down, as was done in 1995, and blame it on the Republicans again.
The extending of the Bush era tax cuts has also been in the news lately with practically everyone saying it will mean borrowing almost a trillion dollars to cover revenue lost by extending them. Again, I think that New York and Washington crowd is unusually stupid or think the rest of us are. Except for the cut in the payroll tax, which is okay if they will stop blaming Social Security and Medicare for all the budget problems, there will be no less money collected by the IRS unless the recession worsens. In fact, there will be more money collected in Estate Taxes and if, as some predict, the extension of the Bush tax cuts strenghtens the economy and creates more jobs there will be an increase in taxes collected.
What too many people fail to see or don't want to see is that the bill that was passed, extending the Bush era tax cuts, is not a cut in taxes for the rich. The rich, whoever they are, will pay as much or more to the IRS next year as they will this year. Any extra money borrowed by our national treasury next year will be for extra spending, not from the loss of revenue caused by, what some want to call, a tax cut for the super rich. To me, this borders on President Obama's call for the redistribution of wealth. Are we ready for socialism?
A few days ago there was a discussion, by a group of people, on television centering around Wal-Mart and their negotiation with the construction unions to build stores in New York City but the argument almost always came back to praising the Waltons for providing all of us with an outlet for Chinese goods as opposed to United States made. It is my opinion, apparently mine alone, that Wal-Mart has done more to cause the exportation of Americn jobs than any other single entity. When Sam Walton was alive he bought local made merchandise whenever possible but now his super rich descendants have turned his beloved "Wal-Mart" into a waystation for China and other Asian countries. I still don't believe in boycotts but why can't we all make a New Year's resolution to buy at least a few things labeled "American Made"? Just try it - you might like it.
Have you noticed that I havent mentioned "Wildblue Satelitte" today? That's because I try not to think about it. It's still not working. Maybe next time but for now thanks for listening. Stay tuned, - William
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Back to Earth
Back to Netzero
That Wildblue Internet hookup (from last posting) lasted about two hours, then it was gone again. Worked good while it lasted though, maybe it will wake up and let me back on line again in a few days or weeks but meantime I'll plug along on Netzero, which is slower but surer.
Most of the news on television and in the papers has to do with extending the tax cuts put into place by ex-president Bush, the passing of a budget, two months or more late, and the Virginia judge ruling that parts of the Obamacare law is not constitutional. Our Democrat Congress, (Senate and House), in their infinite wisdom, spent so much time behind closed doors while using every trick in their book (of trickery) so as to pass a healthcare law that the majority of us didn't want, that they didnt have time for regular business such as passing a budget.
In my blog posting dated November 21, 2010 and titled "Better Times Ahead" I wrote; "Remember when a Republican Congress passed a budget which didn't contain everything President Clinton wanted, he vetoed it, they passed a continuing resolution, he vetoed it, shut the government down, blamed the Republicans and they caved in, gave him what he wanted even though they had already been branded as the villans? Watch out it may happen again." Keep watching, it is getting closer.
I wish I had a dollar for every time I have heard the words entrepreneur or entrepreneurship in conjunction with small bussiness owners when explaining how their taxes would be raised if the, so-called, Bush era tax cuts were allowed to lapse on January 1, 2011. My dictionary defines an entrepreneur as; "One who organizes a business undertaking, assuming the risk for the sake of profit." Wouldn't that mean that an entrepreneur would probably be a small business owner?
It is being forcast that the world economy, which is now controlled by the United States, Europe and Japan will continue to shift to China and India and by 2050 those two countries will control, at least, fifty percent of it. It should have been apparent to anyone, who cared enough to take a good hard look, that we have been on that road for years when we allow stores, like Wal-Mart, to buy most everything from China or other Asian countries and then go to those stores and buy, buy, buy. I am not now, nor have I ever, advocated a boycott of those stores but I will suggest that we hold our future in our own hands. We might try making our New Year's Resolution to buy everything we can that is made in America. That would be a small first step to taking back our economy by creating more jobs here. We can never have a strong economy here if we won't buy our own products even when imports are a few cents cheaper. We can not rely solely on exporting out merchandise to countries which have a much lower standard of living, that is, having less money to live on. Think about it, start small and work up to the point that can and will bring jobs back to America.
Thanks for taking time out of yor busy schedule to read this and give your opinion. I may take a few days off after Christmas but until then, thanks and stay tuned. -William
That Wildblue Internet hookup (from last posting) lasted about two hours, then it was gone again. Worked good while it lasted though, maybe it will wake up and let me back on line again in a few days or weeks but meantime I'll plug along on Netzero, which is slower but surer.
Most of the news on television and in the papers has to do with extending the tax cuts put into place by ex-president Bush, the passing of a budget, two months or more late, and the Virginia judge ruling that parts of the Obamacare law is not constitutional. Our Democrat Congress, (Senate and House), in their infinite wisdom, spent so much time behind closed doors while using every trick in their book (of trickery) so as to pass a healthcare law that the majority of us didn't want, that they didnt have time for regular business such as passing a budget.
In my blog posting dated November 21, 2010 and titled "Better Times Ahead" I wrote; "Remember when a Republican Congress passed a budget which didn't contain everything President Clinton wanted, he vetoed it, they passed a continuing resolution, he vetoed it, shut the government down, blamed the Republicans and they caved in, gave him what he wanted even though they had already been branded as the villans? Watch out it may happen again." Keep watching, it is getting closer.
I wish I had a dollar for every time I have heard the words entrepreneur or entrepreneurship in conjunction with small bussiness owners when explaining how their taxes would be raised if the, so-called, Bush era tax cuts were allowed to lapse on January 1, 2011. My dictionary defines an entrepreneur as; "One who organizes a business undertaking, assuming the risk for the sake of profit." Wouldn't that mean that an entrepreneur would probably be a small business owner?
It is being forcast that the world economy, which is now controlled by the United States, Europe and Japan will continue to shift to China and India and by 2050 those two countries will control, at least, fifty percent of it. It should have been apparent to anyone, who cared enough to take a good hard look, that we have been on that road for years when we allow stores, like Wal-Mart, to buy most everything from China or other Asian countries and then go to those stores and buy, buy, buy. I am not now, nor have I ever, advocated a boycott of those stores but I will suggest that we hold our future in our own hands. We might try making our New Year's Resolution to buy everything we can that is made in America. That would be a small first step to taking back our economy by creating more jobs here. We can never have a strong economy here if we won't buy our own products even when imports are a few cents cheaper. We can not rely solely on exporting out merchandise to countries which have a much lower standard of living, that is, having less money to live on. Think about it, start small and work up to the point that can and will bring jobs back to America.
Thanks for taking time out of yor busy schedule to read this and give your opinion. I may take a few days off after Christmas but until then, thanks and stay tuned. -William
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Right Priorities
Or the right to be wrong
On a previous posting I mentioned the song which contained the line "Some days are diamonds and some days are stones" and how it related to my journey, at least, trying to use this world wide web. I haven't seen many diamonds lately but the stones keep piling up. But on the other hand, I read an article in the paper yesterday as to how a major league baseball pitcher had been offered over $i40 million to sign a seven year contract with the New York Yankees. I know times are bad but I didn't know it had gotten that bad. How can any self-respecting ball player accept such a paltry sum of money? What are their priorities?
On various occasions over the past several months, I have, seen on television or read in the newspapers, stories about a person or an organization instituting programs to benefit our wounded warriors from either one of our current wars. Being a veteran of the "Korean Conflict" era, knowing what it was like for veterans at that time and how it got really bad during the war in Virtnam, it certainly surprises me, to the point of amazement, how so many organizations have taken it upon themselves to make sure our disabled veterans are taken care of. In my opinion, the men and women in our armed forces deserve a lot more than they are getting. After all, they are risking their lives for us.
I guess the real question today is whether or not principles and priorities can co-exist? At this time, I can't see much evidence that it is happening. Could it be that our principles have been sacrificed on the altar of success, that success becoming the priorities? It is far past time for us all to re-evaluate both our principles and our priorities. The first thing, in my opinion, we should do is go back to following the "Golden Rule" and do unto others as we would have them do unto us. You know, that just might work.
It is very cold here today (about 14 degrees at 7:00 AM) so I'll leave you with this short jingle, "Come Spring".
"Sometimes there doesn't seem to be enough love to go around / when winter is approaching and the leaves are turning brown / but then the snow is melting and the sun will warm the ground / and life will go on as usual or it does in my home town".
I started this posting on my laptop computer and now am finishing it up on wildblue. It wouldn't work when I started and hasn't worked in about 16 days but apparently decided it was about to become obselete and had better get back to work. Must have been on vacation. Thanks for your time, stay tuned. - William
On a previous posting I mentioned the song which contained the line "Some days are diamonds and some days are stones" and how it related to my journey, at least, trying to use this world wide web. I haven't seen many diamonds lately but the stones keep piling up. But on the other hand, I read an article in the paper yesterday as to how a major league baseball pitcher had been offered over $i40 million to sign a seven year contract with the New York Yankees. I know times are bad but I didn't know it had gotten that bad. How can any self-respecting ball player accept such a paltry sum of money? What are their priorities?
On various occasions over the past several months, I have, seen on television or read in the newspapers, stories about a person or an organization instituting programs to benefit our wounded warriors from either one of our current wars. Being a veteran of the "Korean Conflict" era, knowing what it was like for veterans at that time and how it got really bad during the war in Virtnam, it certainly surprises me, to the point of amazement, how so many organizations have taken it upon themselves to make sure our disabled veterans are taken care of. In my opinion, the men and women in our armed forces deserve a lot more than they are getting. After all, they are risking their lives for us.
I guess the real question today is whether or not principles and priorities can co-exist? At this time, I can't see much evidence that it is happening. Could it be that our principles have been sacrificed on the altar of success, that success becoming the priorities? It is far past time for us all to re-evaluate both our principles and our priorities. The first thing, in my opinion, we should do is go back to following the "Golden Rule" and do unto others as we would have them do unto us. You know, that just might work.
It is very cold here today (about 14 degrees at 7:00 AM) so I'll leave you with this short jingle, "Come Spring".
"Sometimes there doesn't seem to be enough love to go around / when winter is approaching and the leaves are turning brown / but then the snow is melting and the sun will warm the ground / and life will go on as usual or it does in my home town".
I started this posting on my laptop computer and now am finishing it up on wildblue. It wouldn't work when I started and hasn't worked in about 16 days but apparently decided it was about to become obselete and had better get back to work. Must have been on vacation. Thanks for your time, stay tuned. - William
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Another Day With NetZero
Down on the Farm
I'm sure many people who have Wildblue satellite internet service must be satisfied with it and that must mean that they get better service than we do or rather we did here. For us, it was great when it was working the way it should have but as the weeks passed that time became less and less frequent. We would still, very much, like to keep using Wildblue and there is no doubt that we will continue to pay for it over the next eight months but it has become so undependable that today it is virtually useless.
At this point in time, after struggling to get on line and stay there, I have given up and resigned myself to the use of a dial-up internet service. The only real drawback is the tying up the telephone while on line but I don't sleep much and I can do what I need to do early in the morning or late at night. As the old saying goes, "there's no need to cry over spilt milk" (or something like that) so we'll just have to get over it and get used to it.
The last sixteen months has been a journey, in and of itself, and I wish I could truthfully say that I have enjoyed it but I can't because I didn't. There is an old song with lines something like this; "Some days are diamonds and some days are stones, some days the bad times won't leave me alone." That just about describes my relationship with Wildblue over those months.
I don't really know how to go from today's subject to the following story so I'll just jump right into it. The title is "The Sound of Distant Thunder".
"I can feel my heart beating in my chest / and I sit in silent wonder / as lightening lights up this old sinful world / there's the sound of distant thunder.
The moon was rushing to get behind the clouds / the stars were running too / lightening was flashing off in the northwest / a storm was beginning to brew / I sat at my window which faced to the west / and listened as the thunder rolled / and wondered could it be what I've often heard / the sound God makes when He bowls.
It often sounds violent and that worries me some / could God be angry with us all / as the pins in His ally come crashing down / could this world be the next one to fall.
Now I can feel my heart beating in my chest / and I sit in silent wonder / as lightening lights up this old sinful world / there's the sound of distant thunder / the sound of distant thunder."
If you've got this far, thanks for your time and input, stay tuned. - William
I'm sure many people who have Wildblue satellite internet service must be satisfied with it and that must mean that they get better service than we do or rather we did here. For us, it was great when it was working the way it should have but as the weeks passed that time became less and less frequent. We would still, very much, like to keep using Wildblue and there is no doubt that we will continue to pay for it over the next eight months but it has become so undependable that today it is virtually useless.
At this point in time, after struggling to get on line and stay there, I have given up and resigned myself to the use of a dial-up internet service. The only real drawback is the tying up the telephone while on line but I don't sleep much and I can do what I need to do early in the morning or late at night. As the old saying goes, "there's no need to cry over spilt milk" (or something like that) so we'll just have to get over it and get used to it.
The last sixteen months has been a journey, in and of itself, and I wish I could truthfully say that I have enjoyed it but I can't because I didn't. There is an old song with lines something like this; "Some days are diamonds and some days are stones, some days the bad times won't leave me alone." That just about describes my relationship with Wildblue over those months.
I don't really know how to go from today's subject to the following story so I'll just jump right into it. The title is "The Sound of Distant Thunder".
"I can feel my heart beating in my chest / and I sit in silent wonder / as lightening lights up this old sinful world / there's the sound of distant thunder.
The moon was rushing to get behind the clouds / the stars were running too / lightening was flashing off in the northwest / a storm was beginning to brew / I sat at my window which faced to the west / and listened as the thunder rolled / and wondered could it be what I've often heard / the sound God makes when He bowls.
It often sounds violent and that worries me some / could God be angry with us all / as the pins in His ally come crashing down / could this world be the next one to fall.
Now I can feel my heart beating in my chest / and I sit in silent wonder / as lightening lights up this old sinful world / there's the sound of distant thunder / the sound of distant thunder."
If you've got this far, thanks for your time and input, stay tuned. - William
Sunday, December 5, 2010
On Line Choices
Wildblue or NetZero
On January 28th of this year I began my journey as a web surfer, the attempt at creating a blogspot and writing short postings on subjects which I may or may not know anything about. At that time I was using a computer (not mine) which was connected to a satellite on-line service called "Wildblue". Today I embark on another phase of that journey by changing my on-line service to "NetZro which is dial-up, as opposed to satellite.
It took about five minutes to get to the point of actually starting writing this posting which to some would be an eternity but when compared to the problems encountered with Wildblue it was like a walk in the park. On a good day Wildblue satellite service would be much faster but it has been several days since I have been able to even get it on line. Even that wouldn't have been as bad if we could get anykind of help with the problems but the best answer we could get was that they would come out and check it for a ninety-five dollar service charge. We thought that was excessive since it is their equiptment. They will still be taking more than fifty dollars a month for service we don't get.
Several years ago I knew a man who loved to hunt and fish. He thought nothing about missing dinner for a chance at either one. This could be the story of his life and is titled "Catfish Fishing Man."
"I work every day, make a living all right / then I head for the river on Friday night / I'd rather go fishing than to run around / so I'll be on that river before the sun goes down / for I'm a Tennessee River, catfish fishing man / yeah, I'm a Tennessee River catfish fishing man.
I can hardly wait for Friday, time passes so slow / I've got everything packed and ready to go / I break all the laws when I go through town / but the cops all know I'm river bound / for I'm a Tennessee River, catfish fishing man / yeah, I'm a Tennessee River catfish fishing man.
I don't have much time to get my fishing done / if I'm going to catch any fish then I've got to run / I don't use that artificial minnow with a treble hook / and what I know about fishing didn't come from a book / for I'm a Tennessee River, catfish fishing man / yeah, I'm a Tennessee River catfish fishing man.
Now I've fished that river from line to line / and I've never seen a no fishing sign / I don't know what I'll do when the summer is through / I can't sit at home with nothing to do / for I'm a Tennessee River, catfish fishing man / yeah, I'm a Tennessee River catfish fishing man."
But, of course, everyone who knew him also knew that he wouldn't be sitting around doing nothing in the winter time. There was always deer hunting,'coon hunting and rabbit hunting. That was enough to keep anyone busy after work. Thanks for your time and imput, stay tuned. - William
On January 28th of this year I began my journey as a web surfer, the attempt at creating a blogspot and writing short postings on subjects which I may or may not know anything about. At that time I was using a computer (not mine) which was connected to a satellite on-line service called "Wildblue". Today I embark on another phase of that journey by changing my on-line service to "NetZro which is dial-up, as opposed to satellite.
It took about five minutes to get to the point of actually starting writing this posting which to some would be an eternity but when compared to the problems encountered with Wildblue it was like a walk in the park. On a good day Wildblue satellite service would be much faster but it has been several days since I have been able to even get it on line. Even that wouldn't have been as bad if we could get anykind of help with the problems but the best answer we could get was that they would come out and check it for a ninety-five dollar service charge. We thought that was excessive since it is their equiptment. They will still be taking more than fifty dollars a month for service we don't get.
Several years ago I knew a man who loved to hunt and fish. He thought nothing about missing dinner for a chance at either one. This could be the story of his life and is titled "Catfish Fishing Man."
"I work every day, make a living all right / then I head for the river on Friday night / I'd rather go fishing than to run around / so I'll be on that river before the sun goes down / for I'm a Tennessee River, catfish fishing man / yeah, I'm a Tennessee River catfish fishing man.
I can hardly wait for Friday, time passes so slow / I've got everything packed and ready to go / I break all the laws when I go through town / but the cops all know I'm river bound / for I'm a Tennessee River, catfish fishing man / yeah, I'm a Tennessee River catfish fishing man.
I don't have much time to get my fishing done / if I'm going to catch any fish then I've got to run / I don't use that artificial minnow with a treble hook / and what I know about fishing didn't come from a book / for I'm a Tennessee River, catfish fishing man / yeah, I'm a Tennessee River catfish fishing man.
Now I've fished that river from line to line / and I've never seen a no fishing sign / I don't know what I'll do when the summer is through / I can't sit at home with nothing to do / for I'm a Tennessee River, catfish fishing man / yeah, I'm a Tennessee River catfish fishing man."
But, of course, everyone who knew him also knew that he wouldn't be sitting around doing nothing in the winter time. There was always deer hunting,'coon hunting and rabbit hunting. That was enough to keep anyone busy after work. Thanks for your time and imput, stay tuned. - William
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Cyber Monday
Record Sales.
Extra, extra, extra, read all about it! Today it was announced on television that sales on "Cyber Monday" were much larger than they ever have been before. They may not have been stupendous but probably helped the Chinese economy grow by a point or two. Our own economy, or lack there-of, dominates the news today just as it has for about a year but nobody seems to know what to do about it. In my opinion, for whatever it is worth, there are too many different opinions and while that is not necessarily a bad thing it does tend to slow thing down a bit.
Because everything that needs to be said about Black Friday and Cyber Monday has already been said, this posting will probably be shorter than usual. With unemployment so high and the economy so low it is amazing how much money was spent in the last four or five days. Too many people seems to have lost their way. Much of what was bought will probably turn out to be useless.
Speaking of something being useless reminds me of those little books of paper matches, used for advertising, that back in my younger days were called "Gofer Matches" because, when it was windy, you would strike one and go fer (for) another. Thus the title of this story is "Gofer Matches".
"I was all alone in the middle of the night / with not a single star in sight / and the wind was howling through the blackberry patches / and all I had to find my way / Lord I'll never forget that day / was my own two eyes and a book of gofer matches / well I'd strike one and try to look around / It'd go out and I'd throw it down / and start right in to cuss the day that it was made / now you may think that it's not right / to stand there cussing in the middle of the night / but I was taught to call a spade a spade.
Now you know gofer matches are a useless thing / just like a sponge out in the rain / neither one will do the job that it was meant to do / did you ever walk through briers at night / even when you had a light / and could see those thorns before they got to you / for those thorns are roughy I'm here to say / I've got the scars unto this day / to prove that I was out the whole night long / and when that sun came up on me / I was down upon my knees / prayin that those thorns would be gone.
Now you know gofer matches are a useless thing / just like a sponge out in the rain / neither one will do the job that it was meant to do ------."
With that I'll close these thought for the day. Thanks again for your time and imput. Stay tuned - William
Extra, extra, extra, read all about it! Today it was announced on television that sales on "Cyber Monday" were much larger than they ever have been before. They may not have been stupendous but probably helped the Chinese economy grow by a point or two. Our own economy, or lack there-of, dominates the news today just as it has for about a year but nobody seems to know what to do about it. In my opinion, for whatever it is worth, there are too many different opinions and while that is not necessarily a bad thing it does tend to slow thing down a bit.
Because everything that needs to be said about Black Friday and Cyber Monday has already been said, this posting will probably be shorter than usual. With unemployment so high and the economy so low it is amazing how much money was spent in the last four or five days. Too many people seems to have lost their way. Much of what was bought will probably turn out to be useless.
Speaking of something being useless reminds me of those little books of paper matches, used for advertising, that back in my younger days were called "Gofer Matches" because, when it was windy, you would strike one and go fer (for) another. Thus the title of this story is "Gofer Matches".
"I was all alone in the middle of the night / with not a single star in sight / and the wind was howling through the blackberry patches / and all I had to find my way / Lord I'll never forget that day / was my own two eyes and a book of gofer matches / well I'd strike one and try to look around / It'd go out and I'd throw it down / and start right in to cuss the day that it was made / now you may think that it's not right / to stand there cussing in the middle of the night / but I was taught to call a spade a spade.
Now you know gofer matches are a useless thing / just like a sponge out in the rain / neither one will do the job that it was meant to do / did you ever walk through briers at night / even when you had a light / and could see those thorns before they got to you / for those thorns are roughy I'm here to say / I've got the scars unto this day / to prove that I was out the whole night long / and when that sun came up on me / I was down upon my knees / prayin that those thorns would be gone.
Now you know gofer matches are a useless thing / just like a sponge out in the rain / neither one will do the job that it was meant to do ------."
With that I'll close these thought for the day. Thanks again for your time and imput. Stay tuned - William
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Shoppers "Black Friday"
Not "Stock Market Crash"
I very much dislike belaboring a point even though some of our elected officials, if not already there, are fast approaching the point of no return when the subject turns to the financial state of Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid, therefore my intention is to turn this posting to a less controversial topic if that be possible.
Thanksgiving has passed and Christmas will be here before we, at least most adults, are really ready for it. The day after Thanksgiving is known as "Black Friday because it is thought to be the biggest shopping day of the year and probably dictates whether or not a business will make a profit or suffer a loss for the year. Thus black ink as opposed to red. But in this age of computers and shopping on line, some believe that tomorrow, "Cyber Monday" will be even larger.
Our philosophy, for about the past fifty years, has been to stay as far away from places such as Wal-Mart as possible. If we are forced, by circumstances beyond our control, to go to those establishments we always go as early as possible and stay no longer than necessary. According to what few reports that I have heard or read this year's "Black Friday" was somewhat of a success. Spending was up some but not as much as some businesses had anticipated or hoped for. If you look on the bright side, if that is the right choice of words, anything is better than nothing. I don't know what that says about the state of our economy especially after reading that almost twenty percent of people polled still had credit card debt from last Christmas' shopping. Maybe it means that "if China makes it America will buy it."
The following story probably isn't altogether true but does, in my opinion, reflect on the state of affairs in this hi-tech world today. It is titled "Joker's Wild",
"Off down the road a mile or two / in a run down shack that the wind blows through / once lived a man that we all knew as Joker / he lived alone with his dog and cat / wore patched overalls and an old straw hat / with a rag tied around his neck like a choker / well living alone must have affected his brain / or maybe it was the feel of the snow and rain / that came in through the holes he never mended / for he took to the woods with his old hound dog / built them a nest in a hollow log / and left his run down shack there untended / now Joker's gone, Joker's gone / he left his shack and he ain't coming back / and now Joker's gone - old Joker's gone.
He was taking his living from the land / roots and berries all gathered by hand / and it seemed that Mother Nature was singing his tune / for he's lived out there more than a year / and if you listened at night you could hear / him calling to his dog that was howling at the moon / but then last week in the dead of night / with the North Star shining cold and bright / old Joker started acting kind of strange / I ask him twice what had gone wrong / why Mother Nature had changed her song / but both times he was already out of range / now Joker's wild, Joker's wild / he lived alone, made the woods his home / and now Joker's wild - old Joker's wild."
For me, it is getting harder and harder to make sense out of today's state of affairs. I guess that is the way it is meant to be. Thanks for you time and imput, stay tuned. - William
I very much dislike belaboring a point even though some of our elected officials, if not already there, are fast approaching the point of no return when the subject turns to the financial state of Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid, therefore my intention is to turn this posting to a less controversial topic if that be possible.
Thanksgiving has passed and Christmas will be here before we, at least most adults, are really ready for it. The day after Thanksgiving is known as "Black Friday because it is thought to be the biggest shopping day of the year and probably dictates whether or not a business will make a profit or suffer a loss for the year. Thus black ink as opposed to red. But in this age of computers and shopping on line, some believe that tomorrow, "Cyber Monday" will be even larger.
Our philosophy, for about the past fifty years, has been to stay as far away from places such as Wal-Mart as possible. If we are forced, by circumstances beyond our control, to go to those establishments we always go as early as possible and stay no longer than necessary. According to what few reports that I have heard or read this year's "Black Friday" was somewhat of a success. Spending was up some but not as much as some businesses had anticipated or hoped for. If you look on the bright side, if that is the right choice of words, anything is better than nothing. I don't know what that says about the state of our economy especially after reading that almost twenty percent of people polled still had credit card debt from last Christmas' shopping. Maybe it means that "if China makes it America will buy it."
The following story probably isn't altogether true but does, in my opinion, reflect on the state of affairs in this hi-tech world today. It is titled "Joker's Wild",
"Off down the road a mile or two / in a run down shack that the wind blows through / once lived a man that we all knew as Joker / he lived alone with his dog and cat / wore patched overalls and an old straw hat / with a rag tied around his neck like a choker / well living alone must have affected his brain / or maybe it was the feel of the snow and rain / that came in through the holes he never mended / for he took to the woods with his old hound dog / built them a nest in a hollow log / and left his run down shack there untended / now Joker's gone, Joker's gone / he left his shack and he ain't coming back / and now Joker's gone - old Joker's gone.
He was taking his living from the land / roots and berries all gathered by hand / and it seemed that Mother Nature was singing his tune / for he's lived out there more than a year / and if you listened at night you could hear / him calling to his dog that was howling at the moon / but then last week in the dead of night / with the North Star shining cold and bright / old Joker started acting kind of strange / I ask him twice what had gone wrong / why Mother Nature had changed her song / but both times he was already out of range / now Joker's wild, Joker's wild / he lived alone, made the woods his home / and now Joker's wild - old Joker's wild."
For me, it is getting harder and harder to make sense out of today's state of affairs. I guess that is the way it is meant to be. Thanks for you time and imput, stay tuned. - William
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Wake Up America
And smell the manure
On my hill here in Tennessee, the stench has become almost unbearable. Through a truly bi-partisan effort the Washington crowd, elected and non-elected - going back twenty years or more - has hi-jacked our Social Security Trust Fund and spent the money which was paid in by hard working Americans through the FICA (payroll tax) in an effort to insure themselves help in their retirement years. That money has been, and probably still is, used in what amounts to a high stakes slush fund. A law passed in 1990 plainly states that any surplus payroll tax money was to be invested in Special Government Bonds and kept seperate from income tax (Etc). money and was not to be counted as part of our National Debt.
According to the "Social Security Trust Fund's Annual Report for 2010" which was signed by the trustees of the Trust Fund - Secretary of the Treasury, Timothy Geitner; Secretary of Labor, Hilda L. Solis; Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius and Commissioner Michael J. Astrue - The payroll tax showed a surplus of seventy-seven billion dollars in 2010 which would be added on to the almost three trillion dollars surplus at the end of 2009 and the trust fund surplus would grow to about four trillion, two hundred billion dollars by the end of 2024. The break even point (when the income from the payroll tax and the out-go in the form of Social Security checks and payments for Medicare and Medicaid) will be about that time. After that happens the Federal Government will have to borrow more and more money, to replace the hi-jacked and spent Social Security funds, leading to higher and higher deficits. I don't know if the powers that be are brain washed, don't have a brain to be washed or are trying to brain wash us but as long as they are allowed to blame Social Security for all the budget problems the smell will only get worse.
In an attempt to cover up what has been going on in Washington for too many years, most of the politicians and many in the news media are desperately trying to divert attention, confuse the issues and place all the blame on the most vulnerable American Citizens, the seniors who are still living and get Social Security and Medicare. Their only power is at the ballot box.
Make no mistakes, there are problems to be solved, the long-term financial challenges facing Social Security and those that remain for Medicare and Medicaid should be addressed soon. If action is taken sooner rather than later, more options will be available and more time will be available to phase in changes so that those affected have adequate time to prepare.
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day and my prayers are that most people are truly thankful for what we have here in America and will find the courage to defend it. Remember, if you're not old enough to get Social Security now you may be someday if we don't let it be destroyed. I will close this posting with a poem about "Thanksgiving Days;"
"Time, as they say, may be my greatest ally / Hundreds of years have passed since my birth / Answering a call that was born in freedom / Now nothing can ever take away from my worth / Keeping the faith of our founding fathers /Some may say that it's not worth it all / Groping for a better way to be thankful / If into every life a little rain must fall / Vows are sometimes made before the feasting / In as much as that's what it's all about / None of which can be recalled on the morrow / Gorged upon the turkey there's no doubt.
Do we know what it is to be thankful / Are we just happy it's another holiday / Yielding to the pleasures of the moment / Surely we can find a better way."
If you made it this far you have surely guessed that I am not happy with any politicians of either party. We'll find out what the newcomers from the Tea Party can or will do but I won't hold my breath. Thanks for listening, stay tuned. - William
On my hill here in Tennessee, the stench has become almost unbearable. Through a truly bi-partisan effort the Washington crowd, elected and non-elected - going back twenty years or more - has hi-jacked our Social Security Trust Fund and spent the money which was paid in by hard working Americans through the FICA (payroll tax) in an effort to insure themselves help in their retirement years. That money has been, and probably still is, used in what amounts to a high stakes slush fund. A law passed in 1990 plainly states that any surplus payroll tax money was to be invested in Special Government Bonds and kept seperate from income tax (Etc). money and was not to be counted as part of our National Debt.
According to the "Social Security Trust Fund's Annual Report for 2010" which was signed by the trustees of the Trust Fund - Secretary of the Treasury, Timothy Geitner; Secretary of Labor, Hilda L. Solis; Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius and Commissioner Michael J. Astrue - The payroll tax showed a surplus of seventy-seven billion dollars in 2010 which would be added on to the almost three trillion dollars surplus at the end of 2009 and the trust fund surplus would grow to about four trillion, two hundred billion dollars by the end of 2024. The break even point (when the income from the payroll tax and the out-go in the form of Social Security checks and payments for Medicare and Medicaid) will be about that time. After that happens the Federal Government will have to borrow more and more money, to replace the hi-jacked and spent Social Security funds, leading to higher and higher deficits. I don't know if the powers that be are brain washed, don't have a brain to be washed or are trying to brain wash us but as long as they are allowed to blame Social Security for all the budget problems the smell will only get worse.
In an attempt to cover up what has been going on in Washington for too many years, most of the politicians and many in the news media are desperately trying to divert attention, confuse the issues and place all the blame on the most vulnerable American Citizens, the seniors who are still living and get Social Security and Medicare. Their only power is at the ballot box.
Make no mistakes, there are problems to be solved, the long-term financial challenges facing Social Security and those that remain for Medicare and Medicaid should be addressed soon. If action is taken sooner rather than later, more options will be available and more time will be available to phase in changes so that those affected have adequate time to prepare.
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day and my prayers are that most people are truly thankful for what we have here in America and will find the courage to defend it. Remember, if you're not old enough to get Social Security now you may be someday if we don't let it be destroyed. I will close this posting with a poem about "Thanksgiving Days;"
"Time, as they say, may be my greatest ally / Hundreds of years have passed since my birth / Answering a call that was born in freedom / Now nothing can ever take away from my worth / Keeping the faith of our founding fathers /Some may say that it's not worth it all / Groping for a better way to be thankful / If into every life a little rain must fall / Vows are sometimes made before the feasting / In as much as that's what it's all about / None of which can be recalled on the morrow / Gorged upon the turkey there's no doubt.
Do we know what it is to be thankful / Are we just happy it's another holiday / Yielding to the pleasures of the moment / Surely we can find a better way."
If you made it this far you have surely guessed that I am not happy with any politicians of either party. We'll find out what the newcomers from the Tea Party can or will do but I won't hold my breath. Thanks for listening, stay tuned. - William
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Better Times Ahead
Or maybe not
A treaty signed, last April, by President Obama and the President of Russia, calling for the reduction in the number of nuclear weapons which each country could hold in their arsenal, suddenly became top priority seven months later. The Democrats, with huge majorities in both Houses of Congress, apparently made no effort to bring that treaty up for ratification until the eleventh hour and now are pushing the Republicans to get it done. Who knows what is in that treaty? Is it like the Health Care Bill, about which Nancy Pelosi said, "We'll have to pass the bill before you will know what is in it?" After all the fallout from that bill can we really take a chance on rushing that nuclear treaty through without debating the issues? That could be extremely dangerous especially when we are dealing with Russia. I say, "take your time, try to get it right."
On January 4, 2011 the Republicans will not only take back control of the House of Representatives but will have made significant gains in the Senate. What will that mean for the next two years? It will probably mean that nothing of any importance will be passed. After all, the budget for this year hasn't been passed yet, only a continuing resolution which will need to be done again by December so as to provide authority to pay the bills. I guess passing a budget bill wasn't as important as the Health Care Bill, the bail outs, and the so-called "Cap and Trade Bill" which, it is claimed, would reduce our carbon emissions (footprint) along with raising our fuel cost to a level never before seen.
Do you remember when a Republican Congress passed a budget which appropriated less money than President Clinton ask for, he vetoed it, they passed a continuing resolution, he vetoed that too, shut the Government down, blamed it all on the Republicans, they caved in and gave him what he wanted even though they had already been branded as the villans? Watch out, it may happen again.
What about all this ado about full body scanners said to be equal to a strip search and the enhanced pat downs which some are referring to as professional "Groping" and/or examining your private parts before you can board an airplane here in the United States. I haven't even been on a plane in more than twenty-five years and I don't intend to ever be on one again so why should I care what they do in airports now? I probably wouldn't except that it makes me wonder what will be next. We should all worry even if it doesn't affect us directly.
In 1949 George Orwell wrote a novel titled "Nineteen Eighty-four" (sometimes written as "1984") which was about "Life in the Oceanian Province of Airstrip One in a world of perpetual war, pervasive government survellance and incessant mind control. The individual is always subordinated to the state, and it is in part this philosophy which allows the party to manipulate and control humanity. (Wikipedia) Could it be that we are on that path to the establishment of a "Big Brother" society?
Some who claim to be Constitutional experts say that the use of the full body scanners and enhanced pat downs are dis-allowed by the constitution but in my opinion it isn't. Think about it, you don't have to fly and that is the same arguement used to force us to buy licenses for automobiles (and so forth) and to stop smoking in public places. You aren't forced to use those places and things. Thanks for listening, stay tuned - William
A treaty signed, last April, by President Obama and the President of Russia, calling for the reduction in the number of nuclear weapons which each country could hold in their arsenal, suddenly became top priority seven months later. The Democrats, with huge majorities in both Houses of Congress, apparently made no effort to bring that treaty up for ratification until the eleventh hour and now are pushing the Republicans to get it done. Who knows what is in that treaty? Is it like the Health Care Bill, about which Nancy Pelosi said, "We'll have to pass the bill before you will know what is in it?" After all the fallout from that bill can we really take a chance on rushing that nuclear treaty through without debating the issues? That could be extremely dangerous especially when we are dealing with Russia. I say, "take your time, try to get it right."
On January 4, 2011 the Republicans will not only take back control of the House of Representatives but will have made significant gains in the Senate. What will that mean for the next two years? It will probably mean that nothing of any importance will be passed. After all, the budget for this year hasn't been passed yet, only a continuing resolution which will need to be done again by December so as to provide authority to pay the bills. I guess passing a budget bill wasn't as important as the Health Care Bill, the bail outs, and the so-called "Cap and Trade Bill" which, it is claimed, would reduce our carbon emissions (footprint) along with raising our fuel cost to a level never before seen.
Do you remember when a Republican Congress passed a budget which appropriated less money than President Clinton ask for, he vetoed it, they passed a continuing resolution, he vetoed that too, shut the Government down, blamed it all on the Republicans, they caved in and gave him what he wanted even though they had already been branded as the villans? Watch out, it may happen again.
What about all this ado about full body scanners said to be equal to a strip search and the enhanced pat downs which some are referring to as professional "Groping" and/or examining your private parts before you can board an airplane here in the United States. I haven't even been on a plane in more than twenty-five years and I don't intend to ever be on one again so why should I care what they do in airports now? I probably wouldn't except that it makes me wonder what will be next. We should all worry even if it doesn't affect us directly.
In 1949 George Orwell wrote a novel titled "Nineteen Eighty-four" (sometimes written as "1984") which was about "Life in the Oceanian Province of Airstrip One in a world of perpetual war, pervasive government survellance and incessant mind control. The individual is always subordinated to the state, and it is in part this philosophy which allows the party to manipulate and control humanity. (Wikipedia) Could it be that we are on that path to the establishment of a "Big Brother" society?
Some who claim to be Constitutional experts say that the use of the full body scanners and enhanced pat downs are dis-allowed by the constitution but in my opinion it isn't. Think about it, you don't have to fly and that is the same arguement used to force us to buy licenses for automobiles (and so forth) and to stop smoking in public places. You aren't forced to use those places and things. Thanks for listening, stay tuned - William
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Ear Marks
Pork or Beef
The big stir in the Washington, if not national, news has to do with the "Tea Party" and their push to ban ear marks, the attaching of money for pet projects to "must pass" legislation without any kind of hearings or debate. Undoubtedly, some of those projects are worthy of funding but many are frivolous and can not withstand the light of day
At first some of the Republican establishment opposed the ban (later called a moratorium) on the grounds that it wouldn't save any money and since the money was already in the budget to be allocated by themselves or some un-elected Washington bureaucrat not under their control, they should be the ones to do it. The question is, why is that money in the budget at all? Leave it out and save several billion dollars. We've got to start somewhere.
In the earlier centuries of this country, even before and certainly after the Revolutionary War, landowners, operating under the Free Range Laws , cut a series of notches in the ears of their hogs, for identifing purposes, and let them forage for themselves from spring until fall. Then they were brought in and pent or penned up for the winter.
Now compare that with the way our present day Congress operates. The Reigning Monarch of each House of Congress allows their subordinates to affix a request for money to fund some project in their home district or state to one of those must pass bills in exchange for an ear mark. Then when the really controversial bills come up for a vote those Reigning Monarchs will call in those ear marks and force their subordinates to vote for something they might not want. Like selling your soul for a bowl of pottage,but us minions are the ones who, in one way or another, will pay the bill.
But then, on the other hand, things could be worse or that's what I've heard. A man I once knew very well for more than twenty years was fond of saying that "a poor man has no more business with his head above ground than a mole" and maybe he was right. For "A man I knew up where I worked wore a fancy cowboy shirt and borrowed money so that he could go. Once when he was down on his luck, I let him have a buck. Why a hundred years from now I'll never know." That's just life.
When it has all been said and done, we at that point may realize that no matter what we try to do, the past we can't revise. Sometime in the distant past Mary A. Ford wrote a poem titled "A Hundred Years From Now." The first verse of that poem should be a lesson taken seriously. It is;
The surging sea of human life forever onward rolls, / and bears to the eternal shore its daily freight of souls; / though bravely sails our bark today, pale death sits at the prow, / and few shall know we ever lived a hundred years from now."
Remember the commercial where the elderly lady said (loudly) "where's the beef"? Sorry folks, there ain't none, except as in complaining. Thanks for listening, stay tuned. William
The big stir in the Washington, if not national, news has to do with the "Tea Party" and their push to ban ear marks, the attaching of money for pet projects to "must pass" legislation without any kind of hearings or debate. Undoubtedly, some of those projects are worthy of funding but many are frivolous and can not withstand the light of day
At first some of the Republican establishment opposed the ban (later called a moratorium) on the grounds that it wouldn't save any money and since the money was already in the budget to be allocated by themselves or some un-elected Washington bureaucrat not under their control, they should be the ones to do it. The question is, why is that money in the budget at all? Leave it out and save several billion dollars. We've got to start somewhere.
In the earlier centuries of this country, even before and certainly after the Revolutionary War, landowners, operating under the Free Range Laws , cut a series of notches in the ears of their hogs, for identifing purposes, and let them forage for themselves from spring until fall. Then they were brought in and pent or penned up for the winter.
Now compare that with the way our present day Congress operates. The Reigning Monarch of each House of Congress allows their subordinates to affix a request for money to fund some project in their home district or state to one of those must pass bills in exchange for an ear mark. Then when the really controversial bills come up for a vote those Reigning Monarchs will call in those ear marks and force their subordinates to vote for something they might not want. Like selling your soul for a bowl of pottage,but us minions are the ones who, in one way or another, will pay the bill.
But then, on the other hand, things could be worse or that's what I've heard. A man I once knew very well for more than twenty years was fond of saying that "a poor man has no more business with his head above ground than a mole" and maybe he was right. For "A man I knew up where I worked wore a fancy cowboy shirt and borrowed money so that he could go. Once when he was down on his luck, I let him have a buck. Why a hundred years from now I'll never know." That's just life.
When it has all been said and done, we at that point may realize that no matter what we try to do, the past we can't revise. Sometime in the distant past Mary A. Ford wrote a poem titled "A Hundred Years From Now." The first verse of that poem should be a lesson taken seriously. It is;
The surging sea of human life forever onward rolls, / and bears to the eternal shore its daily freight of souls; / though bravely sails our bark today, pale death sits at the prow, / and few shall know we ever lived a hundred years from now."
Remember the commercial where the elderly lady said (loudly) "where's the beef"? Sorry folks, there ain't none, except as in complaining. Thanks for listening, stay tuned. William
Sunday, November 14, 2010
The Budget
One way to balance it
The commission, appointed by President Obama, to come up with ways to balance the budget and lower the National Debt announced, this past week, parts of their recommenditions as to how it could be done. In my opinion, to much stress was placed upon what to do about the, so-called, entitlements which include Social Security and Medicare, never mind the fact that they are paid out of the Social Security Trust Fund which in turn is financed by the "FICA or payroll tax." At this time the Social Security Trust Fund has a surplus of several trillion dollars and is still paying its own way so that no money comes out of the National Treasury to pay Social Security checks or Medicare but Medicaid is partly financed by income tax money. By law, that Trust Fund money is not to be used for funding other programs or paying down the national debt.
Even though the money payed in through the payroll tax is invested in "Special Government Securities", which go into the lockbox, that money has already been spent in order to reduce our deficits but not counted as part of that debt. That, in turn, raises our real national debt several trillion dollars. The pols are not telling us the whole truth. Do you know, even one, who will admit that this is true or have facts to dispute it?
Yesterday I sent an e-mail to a number of differen people who hang around the news rooms in New York and Washington, outlining a proposal which, I believe, could both shore up the Social Security Trust Fund and drastically reduce our national debt but it would take a courageous bi-partisan effort to persuade the majority of voters that it would be in their best interest.
Most of the politicians and some news people on televison are trying to figure out how to balance the budget and reduce our debt and they seem to blame us seniors on Social Security and Medicare for the bulk of the problem. Our e-mail, in part, is below.
"My wife and I have a combined income from Social Security of almost $1500.00 each month after the $96.50 (each) deduction for Medicare. Out of that we pay about $500.00 for Medicare Supplemental Insurance and one drug card. The rest we can use to party all month. We also get about $300.00 a month in retirement benefits from our factory work which we use to pay other bills.
Our plan to cut the national debt and save Social Security and Medicare is to cut Social Security checks by 1 to 5 percent with the money saved to stay in the Social Security Trust Fund for the benefit of future generations "IF" all federal employees (should include state workers too) will (or can be forced to) take a pay cut of the same percentage which would go into the treasury to pay down the national debt, and not to be used for any other spending. No doubt, many of our politicans would try to hi-jack those funds to be used for their own agenda therefore laws would have to be passed designating their use.
Of course, we don't think anyone in New York or Washington will have the courage to push such a proposal but we can say that, at least, we tried. No, we are not members of the Tea Party. In fact we were tea party before tea party was cool."
As I sit here in my home I've been thinking / about a way of life I can't understand / it's so hard to stand up for what I believe in / but if I don't then I'm much less a man. Thanks for listening, stay tuned. - William
The commission, appointed by President Obama, to come up with ways to balance the budget and lower the National Debt announced, this past week, parts of their recommenditions as to how it could be done. In my opinion, to much stress was placed upon what to do about the, so-called, entitlements which include Social Security and Medicare, never mind the fact that they are paid out of the Social Security Trust Fund which in turn is financed by the "FICA or payroll tax." At this time the Social Security Trust Fund has a surplus of several trillion dollars and is still paying its own way so that no money comes out of the National Treasury to pay Social Security checks or Medicare but Medicaid is partly financed by income tax money. By law, that Trust Fund money is not to be used for funding other programs or paying down the national debt.
Even though the money payed in through the payroll tax is invested in "Special Government Securities", which go into the lockbox, that money has already been spent in order to reduce our deficits but not counted as part of that debt. That, in turn, raises our real national debt several trillion dollars. The pols are not telling us the whole truth. Do you know, even one, who will admit that this is true or have facts to dispute it?
Yesterday I sent an e-mail to a number of differen people who hang around the news rooms in New York and Washington, outlining a proposal which, I believe, could both shore up the Social Security Trust Fund and drastically reduce our national debt but it would take a courageous bi-partisan effort to persuade the majority of voters that it would be in their best interest.
Most of the politicians and some news people on televison are trying to figure out how to balance the budget and reduce our debt and they seem to blame us seniors on Social Security and Medicare for the bulk of the problem. Our e-mail, in part, is below.
"My wife and I have a combined income from Social Security of almost $1500.00 each month after the $96.50 (each) deduction for Medicare. Out of that we pay about $500.00 for Medicare Supplemental Insurance and one drug card. The rest we can use to party all month. We also get about $300.00 a month in retirement benefits from our factory work which we use to pay other bills.
Our plan to cut the national debt and save Social Security and Medicare is to cut Social Security checks by 1 to 5 percent with the money saved to stay in the Social Security Trust Fund for the benefit of future generations "IF" all federal employees (should include state workers too) will (or can be forced to) take a pay cut of the same percentage which would go into the treasury to pay down the national debt, and not to be used for any other spending. No doubt, many of our politicans would try to hi-jack those funds to be used for their own agenda therefore laws would have to be passed designating their use.
Of course, we don't think anyone in New York or Washington will have the courage to push such a proposal but we can say that, at least, we tried. No, we are not members of the Tea Party. In fact we were tea party before tea party was cool."
As I sit here in my home I've been thinking / about a way of life I can't understand / it's so hard to stand up for what I believe in / but if I don't then I'm much less a man. Thanks for listening, stay tuned. - William
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Of Elections Past
And the Aftermath
A week ago today the results of the election began to soak in at the Whitehouse. Up until the polls closed in most of the states it appeared that many of the Democrats were still in denial. Some were still predicting that they would win both Houses of Congress and that their agenda would proceed as planned. They were almost half right, They held the senate by a narrow margin.
But here it is, one short week later, and the Republicans are already fighting over the spoils. It sure makes me glad that I am an Independent and not bound to vote for any of them in the next election - if I should live that long.
Surprise, surprise, a few days ago I heard on the news that AARP, which lobbied hard for that health care bill while it was being rammed through the Senate, had announced that it is raising practically everything (cost, deductables, etc.) concerning their insurance and blaming it on Obamacare. Apparently what's good for the geese isn't good for the gander.
Even after a record amount of money being spent and what turned out to be somewhat like a game of musical chairs being played, I predict that there will be very little change in Washington. It always comes down to politics and politicians. Why should it be any different this time?
An oak tree stands near the crest of the hill, gnarled and battered and old / a few shriveled leaves are all it has left to shiver when the winds blow cold / on a limb near the top some birds built a nest and raised a family last spring / but now they have moved to a much younger tree with more protection about which to sing.
Inside a hole in the trunk two squirreld made a home and stored up enought food to get through / for winter is coming and that brings the snow but then about April they'll be moving on too / A woodpecker worries a knot on one side, searching diligently for a new food supply / for whatever it's worth it is still being used and looks back over its life with some pride.
Old friends have all gone, deserted the ship that once gave them shelter from the cold / an oak tree is standing over the crest of the hill, gnarled and battered and old.
For some time now I have been feeling somewhat like that tree and the feeling intensives as time passes on especially the part about "old friend have all gone."
Tomorrow is the 11th of November, Armistice Day, now known as Veterans Day. If anyone who reads this is a veteran, I want to say "THANK YOU AND I TRULY APPRECIATE YOUR PATRIOTISM AND YOUR WILLINGNESS TO RISK YOUR LIFE TO PROTECT US ALL. YOUR DEDICATION IS WHAT KEEPS AMERICA GREAT, NOT THE POLITICIANS IN WASHINGTON."
Thank for you time and effort, stay tuned. - William
A week ago today the results of the election began to soak in at the Whitehouse. Up until the polls closed in most of the states it appeared that many of the Democrats were still in denial. Some were still predicting that they would win both Houses of Congress and that their agenda would proceed as planned. They were almost half right, They held the senate by a narrow margin.
But here it is, one short week later, and the Republicans are already fighting over the spoils. It sure makes me glad that I am an Independent and not bound to vote for any of them in the next election - if I should live that long.
Surprise, surprise, a few days ago I heard on the news that AARP, which lobbied hard for that health care bill while it was being rammed through the Senate, had announced that it is raising practically everything (cost, deductables, etc.) concerning their insurance and blaming it on Obamacare. Apparently what's good for the geese isn't good for the gander.
Even after a record amount of money being spent and what turned out to be somewhat like a game of musical chairs being played, I predict that there will be very little change in Washington. It always comes down to politics and politicians. Why should it be any different this time?
An oak tree stands near the crest of the hill, gnarled and battered and old / a few shriveled leaves are all it has left to shiver when the winds blow cold / on a limb near the top some birds built a nest and raised a family last spring / but now they have moved to a much younger tree with more protection about which to sing.
Inside a hole in the trunk two squirreld made a home and stored up enought food to get through / for winter is coming and that brings the snow but then about April they'll be moving on too / A woodpecker worries a knot on one side, searching diligently for a new food supply / for whatever it's worth it is still being used and looks back over its life with some pride.
Old friends have all gone, deserted the ship that once gave them shelter from the cold / an oak tree is standing over the crest of the hill, gnarled and battered and old.
For some time now I have been feeling somewhat like that tree and the feeling intensives as time passes on especially the part about "old friend have all gone."
Tomorrow is the 11th of November, Armistice Day, now known as Veterans Day. If anyone who reads this is a veteran, I want to say "THANK YOU AND I TRULY APPRECIATE YOUR PATRIOTISM AND YOUR WILLINGNESS TO RISK YOUR LIFE TO PROTECT US ALL. YOUR DEDICATION IS WHAT KEEPS AMERICA GREAT, NOT THE POLITICIANS IN WASHINGTON."
Thank for you time and effort, stay tuned. - William
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Point'n & Pitch'n
Pitch,n in the river
Born in 1903, my Dad was of the old school, if something needed doing, then do it, no matter what it was. That "doing" ranged from the everyday chores of farm life to carpentry, hewing crossties for the railroad, sharpening saws and, from necessity, a good bit of mechanics. Back in the mid to late nineteen-forties I spent many an hour on one end of a two man crosscut saw. One of his "sayings" which I heard quite often was "I don't mind your riding the saw if you just don't drag your feet," When filing a crosscut saw he paid particular attention to the pointing (sharpening the cutting teeth) and pitching ( getting the right angle on those same cutting teeth) and making sure the drags were not too long. From that came the term "pointing and pitching" which referred to sharpening a saw. Dad used that in his own saying when referring to something that was about worn out or otherwise almost useless, that "all it needed was pointing and pitching, pointing at a gully and pitching in." From that saying, altered somewhat, came the following poem.
"Point'n and Pitch'n
I've traveled this old world over, a million miles or more / tramped down all the back roads till my feet are becoming sore / looking for a way of life that can't be found today / lost what was left of my self respect somewhere along the way / listened to other people's troubles till my nerves are wearing thin / now all I need is point'n and pitch'n, point'n at the river and pitch'n in.
Now my footprints are in the sands of time, my name is on the pages / of the book that records our life, our birth, our death, our ages / but like some fools who've gone before I fear I've lived in vain / for today I walk a lonely road, trying to forget the pain / and I haven't had much peace of mind since I can't remember when / and all I need is point'n and pitch'n, point'n at the river and pitch'n in.
All it needs is point'n and pitch'n, point'n at the river and pitch'n in."
Another one of his sayings was in response to our not finding whatever he sent us after. When he easily found that object he would say, "Gradpa could have found that with his walking stick and he's blind." When we were working in the field in near 100 degree heat and take a short break in the shade, when it was time to go back to work Dad would say "it's hard but it's fair." I knew it was hard but I never could see anything fair about it. Thanks for your support, stay tuned. - William
Born in 1903, my Dad was of the old school, if something needed doing, then do it, no matter what it was. That "doing" ranged from the everyday chores of farm life to carpentry, hewing crossties for the railroad, sharpening saws and, from necessity, a good bit of mechanics. Back in the mid to late nineteen-forties I spent many an hour on one end of a two man crosscut saw. One of his "sayings" which I heard quite often was "I don't mind your riding the saw if you just don't drag your feet," When filing a crosscut saw he paid particular attention to the pointing (sharpening the cutting teeth) and pitching ( getting the right angle on those same cutting teeth) and making sure the drags were not too long. From that came the term "pointing and pitching" which referred to sharpening a saw. Dad used that in his own saying when referring to something that was about worn out or otherwise almost useless, that "all it needed was pointing and pitching, pointing at a gully and pitching in." From that saying, altered somewhat, came the following poem.
"Point'n and Pitch'n
I've traveled this old world over, a million miles or more / tramped down all the back roads till my feet are becoming sore / looking for a way of life that can't be found today / lost what was left of my self respect somewhere along the way / listened to other people's troubles till my nerves are wearing thin / now all I need is point'n and pitch'n, point'n at the river and pitch'n in.
Now my footprints are in the sands of time, my name is on the pages / of the book that records our life, our birth, our death, our ages / but like some fools who've gone before I fear I've lived in vain / for today I walk a lonely road, trying to forget the pain / and I haven't had much peace of mind since I can't remember when / and all I need is point'n and pitch'n, point'n at the river and pitch'n in.
All it needs is point'n and pitch'n, point'n at the river and pitch'n in."
Another one of his sayings was in response to our not finding whatever he sent us after. When he easily found that object he would say, "Gradpa could have found that with his walking stick and he's blind." When we were working in the field in near 100 degree heat and take a short break in the shade, when it was time to go back to work Dad would say "it's hard but it's fair." I knew it was hard but I never could see anything fair about it. Thanks for your support, stay tuned. - William
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Yet Another Election
Has Gone Into the Books
"The election is over, the results are known / the will of the people has clearly been shown / so let's get together and show by our deeds / that we're all behind ----and will do what he needs / let's forget our differences, let bitterness pass / I voted early but my man still came in last."
I first heard the above poem, worded some what differently, just after the 1952 presidential election and was called, at that time, "Harry's Parting Poem." Anyone who remembers President Harry Truman can probably figure out that original last line.
When they get past the election, which is not often, there is talk in the news today about another stimulus (an incentive) package. If this election, with its record amount of money spent by all the candidates combined, didn't give a few incentives I don't know what it will take. One woman spent 140 million dollars of her own money in her campaign and still lost. On the surface it appears that the most of the first stimulus package was either wasted or stolen. It's hard to tell which. Do we need another one to fill the same pockets?
The next few days will probably be filled with, so-called, breaking news about the election but then everything will likely settle down and we'll get back to the economy and more jobs especially higher paying jobs. I know everyone needs a job that pays a living wage but even those will be hard to come by as long as we buy imports instead of American made. Again, I know that we can't completely quit buying imports but we do need to balance it out some and buy "America" now and then even if it cost a little more. You might be surprised how much difference it would make in our economy if everyone worked together on it.
I'll end this today with the question; "How Much Are You Willing To Give,"
"Up in the morning before the sun rises / off on the job all day / he'll still be working two weeks after he dies / that's what I heard someone say / but I believe that a man who is able to work / should depend not on his neighbors to live / for it's not what you get out of life that will count / but how much you are you willing to give?
Jesus gave it all that day on the cross / how much are you willing to give / before everything gained is counted for loss / how much are you willing to give / yes, Jesus gave it all that glorious day / when He died that we all might live / now He is waiting with His arms open wide / so how much are you willing to give?"
It's a rainy, dreary day here and there is nothing on TV but the results of yesterday's election which is the makings of a long day. Thanks for staying with me on this, stay tuned. - William
"The election is over, the results are known / the will of the people has clearly been shown / so let's get together and show by our deeds / that we're all behind ----and will do what he needs / let's forget our differences, let bitterness pass / I voted early but my man still came in last."
I first heard the above poem, worded some what differently, just after the 1952 presidential election and was called, at that time, "Harry's Parting Poem." Anyone who remembers President Harry Truman can probably figure out that original last line.
When they get past the election, which is not often, there is talk in the news today about another stimulus (an incentive) package. If this election, with its record amount of money spent by all the candidates combined, didn't give a few incentives I don't know what it will take. One woman spent 140 million dollars of her own money in her campaign and still lost. On the surface it appears that the most of the first stimulus package was either wasted or stolen. It's hard to tell which. Do we need another one to fill the same pockets?
The next few days will probably be filled with, so-called, breaking news about the election but then everything will likely settle down and we'll get back to the economy and more jobs especially higher paying jobs. I know everyone needs a job that pays a living wage but even those will be hard to come by as long as we buy imports instead of American made. Again, I know that we can't completely quit buying imports but we do need to balance it out some and buy "America" now and then even if it cost a little more. You might be surprised how much difference it would make in our economy if everyone worked together on it.
I'll end this today with the question; "How Much Are You Willing To Give,"
"Up in the morning before the sun rises / off on the job all day / he'll still be working two weeks after he dies / that's what I heard someone say / but I believe that a man who is able to work / should depend not on his neighbors to live / for it's not what you get out of life that will count / but how much you are you willing to give?
Jesus gave it all that day on the cross / how much are you willing to give / before everything gained is counted for loss / how much are you willing to give / yes, Jesus gave it all that glorious day / when He died that we all might live / now He is waiting with His arms open wide / so how much are you willing to give?"
It's a rainy, dreary day here and there is nothing on TV but the results of yesterday's election which is the makings of a long day. Thanks for staying with me on this, stay tuned. - William
Sunday, October 31, 2010
An Upside Down World
Or Just Politics as Usual
Yesterday I sent an e-mail to one of my Senators asking him to tell me the truth as to the status of the Social Security Trust Fund. Does it, in fact, have a surplus of almost three trillion dollars, and still at this time rising, as stated by the Social Security Trustees or is it an unfunded liability as claimed by some politicians and most of the news media? In response to e-mails sent to one prominent business news anchor, he answered by saying that all who had e-mailed him that Social Security was self-funded were wrong, that all the Trust Fund money had been spent and Social Security was broke. His attitude also suggested that seniors are selfish if they don't agree to take a cut in benefits and allow those savings to be used to pay down the national debt. For years we have advocated reforming Social Security and Medicare with the hope that it would be solvent for our future generations, even to the point of taking a small cut in our benefits but not to use the savings as part of the budgit to pay some unfunded liability. One of the biggest problem with living, largely, on Social Security is their continuously raising the deductables. That almost forces the insurance companies to raise their rates. Retirees are always the losers. I'll leave it at that today and wait to hear back from my Senator. Of course, he may be just like the majority in Washington. We'll see.
This posting is being deliberately left shorter than usual because I have been writing on the same subject for a while and I don't know much more about it now than when I started. One thing, I believe, that I have learned is that too many people who should know better will lie to you or, at least, try to confuse the subject. With that I will quote a poem that I believe is appropriate for this occasion.
"A Six Pack To Go
If we could bottle up the Bible, label it God's Own Holy Word / Send it out to all the world, let His message there be heard / Plant the seeds of righteous, contentment all around us sow / Then go to church on Sunday and get a six pack to go.
One could be His judgement, two might be His love / Then there is His Saving Grace, dispensed from up above / Another could be compassion and joy should be there too / For life wouldn't be worth living if God wasn't blessing you.
The bottles could be rather small, an ounce or two in each / A sermonette is what we'd get when we let one out to preach / There's one for each day of the week when our life to Him we yield / Then go to church on Sunday and get them all refilled.
One could be His judgement, two might be His love / ----."
Yesterday there was a "Tea Party" rally in our local City Park but I didn't go. I went to one of their first meetings but learned from it that their agenda was almost exactly the same as what I had been trying to promote for years but had been ignored, even by some of those present that day. I was "Tea Party" before Tea Party was cool. Thanks for your time. Stay tuned - William
Yesterday I sent an e-mail to one of my Senators asking him to tell me the truth as to the status of the Social Security Trust Fund. Does it, in fact, have a surplus of almost three trillion dollars, and still at this time rising, as stated by the Social Security Trustees or is it an unfunded liability as claimed by some politicians and most of the news media? In response to e-mails sent to one prominent business news anchor, he answered by saying that all who had e-mailed him that Social Security was self-funded were wrong, that all the Trust Fund money had been spent and Social Security was broke. His attitude also suggested that seniors are selfish if they don't agree to take a cut in benefits and allow those savings to be used to pay down the national debt. For years we have advocated reforming Social Security and Medicare with the hope that it would be solvent for our future generations, even to the point of taking a small cut in our benefits but not to use the savings as part of the budgit to pay some unfunded liability. One of the biggest problem with living, largely, on Social Security is their continuously raising the deductables. That almost forces the insurance companies to raise their rates. Retirees are always the losers. I'll leave it at that today and wait to hear back from my Senator. Of course, he may be just like the majority in Washington. We'll see.
This posting is being deliberately left shorter than usual because I have been writing on the same subject for a while and I don't know much more about it now than when I started. One thing, I believe, that I have learned is that too many people who should know better will lie to you or, at least, try to confuse the subject. With that I will quote a poem that I believe is appropriate for this occasion.
"A Six Pack To Go
If we could bottle up the Bible, label it God's Own Holy Word / Send it out to all the world, let His message there be heard / Plant the seeds of righteous, contentment all around us sow / Then go to church on Sunday and get a six pack to go.
One could be His judgement, two might be His love / Then there is His Saving Grace, dispensed from up above / Another could be compassion and joy should be there too / For life wouldn't be worth living if God wasn't blessing you.
The bottles could be rather small, an ounce or two in each / A sermonette is what we'd get when we let one out to preach / There's one for each day of the week when our life to Him we yield / Then go to church on Sunday and get them all refilled.
One could be His judgement, two might be His love / ----."
Yesterday there was a "Tea Party" rally in our local City Park but I didn't go. I went to one of their first meetings but learned from it that their agenda was almost exactly the same as what I had been trying to promote for years but had been ignored, even by some of those present that day. I was "Tea Party" before Tea Party was cool. Thanks for your time. Stay tuned - William
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
The Trust Fund
Deficit and Election
Six days and a few more hours from now another election, my twenty- eighth, will have entered, literally, into the record book. Some of the records that will have been broken are - most money spent by all political parties combined, most money spent in a single contest by all parties combined, most money spent by any one candidate and I believe we are close to a record on how much mud was thrown by all political parties. I know it is pretty deep and is still rising.
Several e-mails have gone out, in the last ten days, to various news anchors protesting the way so many people on television, and other so-called news media, try to blame Social Security and Medicare/Medicaid for the most of our budget deficits. They usually call Social Security and Medicare an unfunded liability even though most retirees have worked for more than half of their lives and paid into the Social Security Trust Fund through the "Federal Insurance Contribution Act" (F.I.C.A.) commonly known as the payroll tax. Their employers also contributed to that fund in their names. Social Security and Medicare is an insurance that was set up to "help" take care of seniors in their times of need.
The following e-mail, as an example, was sent to a fairly well known business news anchor in response to one of her guest asserting that; most of our budget problems are caused by Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. He said something like, "We must cut Social Security and Medicare back to a manageable level. Please tell him that The Social Security Trust Fund still has a surplus of several trillion dollars. By law, passed in 1990, that trust fund can not be used for lowering the deficit or spent as part of the general fund. If we took that surplus, which is invested in Special Government Securities, and put it in "Al Gore's Lockbox" there would be enough money to run Social Security/Medicare/Medicaid for several more years. Reform Social Security and Medicare, by all means, but quit blaming us for the budget problems.
One of the political problems with talking about Social Security is that no one wants to admit that all the money in the Social Security Trust Fund has been invested in Government Securities which, if turned into cash and put into a lockbox (figuratively speaking), would force our Government to borrow even more money, causing a larger deficit. Al Gore might not have been as stupid as some people thought. At least our money problems would have been brought out into the open.
This poem was written more than thirty years ago but is just as true now as it was then. "If love, as they say, makes the world go around / then I wonder what kind of love it could be / is it the love that I have for the things that are mine / or the love for the things that I see / love for a neighbor is one thing I know / that keeps this old world spinning round / for if you love someone else more than you love yourself / you have a love that won't let you down / but if you love things in life even though they cause strife / that's not the kind of love that we need / and if you really want to know what love is about / just get out your Bible and read.
If love, as they say, makes the world go around / then I know what kind of love that it is / it's the kind of love God has for His own / and we are all children of His / It's the kind of love Jesus has for us too / to die on the cross for our sins / now Heaven must be full of that same kind of love / and it's a place I'll be proud to be in."
The title, of course, is "Love". Thanks for your time,stay tuned - William
Six days and a few more hours from now another election, my twenty- eighth, will have entered, literally, into the record book. Some of the records that will have been broken are - most money spent by all political parties combined, most money spent in a single contest by all parties combined, most money spent by any one candidate and I believe we are close to a record on how much mud was thrown by all political parties. I know it is pretty deep and is still rising.
Several e-mails have gone out, in the last ten days, to various news anchors protesting the way so many people on television, and other so-called news media, try to blame Social Security and Medicare/Medicaid for the most of our budget deficits. They usually call Social Security and Medicare an unfunded liability even though most retirees have worked for more than half of their lives and paid into the Social Security Trust Fund through the "Federal Insurance Contribution Act" (F.I.C.A.) commonly known as the payroll tax. Their employers also contributed to that fund in their names. Social Security and Medicare is an insurance that was set up to "help" take care of seniors in their times of need.
The following e-mail, as an example, was sent to a fairly well known business news anchor in response to one of her guest asserting that; most of our budget problems are caused by Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. He said something like, "We must cut Social Security and Medicare back to a manageable level. Please tell him that The Social Security Trust Fund still has a surplus of several trillion dollars. By law, passed in 1990, that trust fund can not be used for lowering the deficit or spent as part of the general fund. If we took that surplus, which is invested in Special Government Securities, and put it in "Al Gore's Lockbox" there would be enough money to run Social Security/Medicare/Medicaid for several more years. Reform Social Security and Medicare, by all means, but quit blaming us for the budget problems.
One of the political problems with talking about Social Security is that no one wants to admit that all the money in the Social Security Trust Fund has been invested in Government Securities which, if turned into cash and put into a lockbox (figuratively speaking), would force our Government to borrow even more money, causing a larger deficit. Al Gore might not have been as stupid as some people thought. At least our money problems would have been brought out into the open.
This poem was written more than thirty years ago but is just as true now as it was then. "If love, as they say, makes the world go around / then I wonder what kind of love it could be / is it the love that I have for the things that are mine / or the love for the things that I see / love for a neighbor is one thing I know / that keeps this old world spinning round / for if you love someone else more than you love yourself / you have a love that won't let you down / but if you love things in life even though they cause strife / that's not the kind of love that we need / and if you really want to know what love is about / just get out your Bible and read.
If love, as they say, makes the world go around / then I know what kind of love that it is / it's the kind of love God has for His own / and we are all children of His / It's the kind of love Jesus has for us too / to die on the cross for our sins / now Heaven must be full of that same kind of love / and it's a place I'll be proud to be in."
The title, of course, is "Love". Thanks for your time,stay tuned - William
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Halloween Festivities
Trick or Treats
Halloween (or Hallowe'en) is an annual holiday observed on October 31st. It has roots in the Celtic "Festival of Samhain" and the Christian holiday "All Saints' Day", but today it is largely a secular celebration. (From Wikipedia)
The Celtic holiday of "Samhain", the Catholic Hallowmas period of "All Saints' Day" and "All Souls' Day" and the Roman festival of "Feralia" all influence the modern holiday of "Halloween". In the nineteenth century, Halloween began to lose its religious connotation, becoming a more secular community-based children's holiday. The Celts who lived 2000 years ago in the area that is now Ireland, the United Kingdom and Northern France celebrated their new year on November 1st. This day marked the end of summer and the beginning of the dark, cold winter. The Celts believed that on the night before the new year, the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred and allowed the ghost of the dead to return to earth and they would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off these roaming ghost. (From History.org)
Except for a few years, early on in their live's, our children never cared much for the kind of festivities surrounding this holiday which took place in the small community where we lived. Although it may be deemed harmless for small children to make believe, it definitely should be left behind with childhood. As a leftover memory from those days gone by, this poem was written many years ago as a spoof of that holiday.
"In the Dark of Night"
"They gathered there in the dark of night / like a Coven of Witches in a glen / the moon was bright in a cloudless sky / but not a ray of its light filtered in / A pot was set up, the wood was laid out / but no flame to the kindling was set / they rocked to the tunes from a musical dog / and howled every chance they would get / in the eerie glow of a single black light / it looked like a scene from Macbeth / that brought back memories of stories long ago / of trials and torture and death.
They gathered there in the dark of night / like a Coven of Witches in a glen / there in the home of their Kindergarten teacher / to re-enact Halloween in her den."
There has been two more items of news, as seen on TV, that probably deserve to be written about here. The first was the firing of Juan Williams, by "National Public Radio", all because he admitted to being a little anxious or nervous when he saw muslims in traditional dress getting on a plane that he was boarding. I have never been a big fan of Juan's but his firing for expressing his feelings in this matter was not right in any shape, form or fashion. The other, and most important, was the report that a young woman is now in legal trouble for posting a note on her Church Bulletion-board asking for a Christian room-mate. Apparently she has been told that she was discriminating against other religions by asking for a Christian. This world, it seems, has been turned upside down and it will take a mighty effort by all right thinking people to get it back on course. Thanks for your time, stay tuned. William
Halloween (or Hallowe'en) is an annual holiday observed on October 31st. It has roots in the Celtic "Festival of Samhain" and the Christian holiday "All Saints' Day", but today it is largely a secular celebration. (From Wikipedia)
The Celtic holiday of "Samhain", the Catholic Hallowmas period of "All Saints' Day" and "All Souls' Day" and the Roman festival of "Feralia" all influence the modern holiday of "Halloween". In the nineteenth century, Halloween began to lose its religious connotation, becoming a more secular community-based children's holiday. The Celts who lived 2000 years ago in the area that is now Ireland, the United Kingdom and Northern France celebrated their new year on November 1st. This day marked the end of summer and the beginning of the dark, cold winter. The Celts believed that on the night before the new year, the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred and allowed the ghost of the dead to return to earth and they would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off these roaming ghost. (From History.org)
Except for a few years, early on in their live's, our children never cared much for the kind of festivities surrounding this holiday which took place in the small community where we lived. Although it may be deemed harmless for small children to make believe, it definitely should be left behind with childhood. As a leftover memory from those days gone by, this poem was written many years ago as a spoof of that holiday.
"In the Dark of Night"
"They gathered there in the dark of night / like a Coven of Witches in a glen / the moon was bright in a cloudless sky / but not a ray of its light filtered in / A pot was set up, the wood was laid out / but no flame to the kindling was set / they rocked to the tunes from a musical dog / and howled every chance they would get / in the eerie glow of a single black light / it looked like a scene from Macbeth / that brought back memories of stories long ago / of trials and torture and death.
They gathered there in the dark of night / like a Coven of Witches in a glen / there in the home of their Kindergarten teacher / to re-enact Halloween in her den."
There has been two more items of news, as seen on TV, that probably deserve to be written about here. The first was the firing of Juan Williams, by "National Public Radio", all because he admitted to being a little anxious or nervous when he saw muslims in traditional dress getting on a plane that he was boarding. I have never been a big fan of Juan's but his firing for expressing his feelings in this matter was not right in any shape, form or fashion. The other, and most important, was the report that a young woman is now in legal trouble for posting a note on her Church Bulletion-board asking for a Christian room-mate. Apparently she has been told that she was discriminating against other religions by asking for a Christian. This world, it seems, has been turned upside down and it will take a mighty effort by all right thinking people to get it back on course. Thanks for your time, stay tuned. William
Thursday, October 21, 2010
This and That
Now and Then
[This], the first thing to be addressed today, is an addition to or extension of last Sunday's posting which dealt with Social Security and Medicare/Medicaid. On Fox News Sunday, Chris Wallace questioned one political candidate as to what she would do about Social Security and Medicare which, according to him, are two of the three largest budget items and therefore causing most of our deficit. To even suggest that our current retiree's Social Security and Medicare payments are from an unfunded liability is simply ludicrous and an insult to seniors. Just as our younger generations are working and paying their dues at this time, the senior retirees began paying into the Social Security System soon after its inception in 1936 and in 1965 for Medicare and Medicade.
[And] now, to have some politicians and most of the news media constantly harping on the subject of reforming Social Security and Medicare by cutting payments for future retirees or raising the retirement age for Social Security and cutting Medicare payments to doctors and hospitals, is vexing to say the least. If not for the illegal use of the Social Security/Medicare/Medicaid Trust Fund money the budget deficit would be much larger.
[That] anyone could ever understand what is going on in Washington (or Nashville for that matter) would be a miricle within itself. At 11:00 AM on October 19, 2010 our debt clock, as shown on the internet, indicated that our, year to date, income from the payroll/FICA tax at 867 billion, 770 million, 631 thousand, 8 hundred and twenty dollars with payments to Social Security retirees of 783 billion, 841 million, 543 thousand, 5 hundred and 70 dollars. Payments for Medicare/Medicaid were 696 billion, 423 million, 356 thousand and 99 dollars. Total payments would be 1 trillion, 480 billion, 264 million, 899 thousand, 6 hundred and 69 dollars. That leaves a shortfall of a little over 611 billion dollars which would come out of the Social Security Trust Fund, not out of the general fund, but as we already know, our government has spent the Trust Fund money leaving no other recourse but to take it from the general fund.
[Now] if I may, I want to change the subject back to the recently passed Healthcare Law and the section which will, more than likely, allow taxpayer funded abortions. Some of you may think that President Obama's "Executive Order" will take care of that but, in my opinion, that Order is somewhat less than useless.
[And] what, you may ask, is wrong with that Order as signed by the President? Let me count the ways but first "Section 3", of that Order titled "Community Health Center Program". "The act establishes a new Community Health Center (CHC) fund within Health and Human Services (HHS) which provides additional Federal funds for the Community Health Center program. Existing law prohibits these centers from using Federal funds to provide abortion services (except in cases of rape or incest, or when the life of the woman would be endangered), as a result of both the Hyde Amendment and longstanding regulations containing the Hyde language. Under the act, the Hyde language shall apply to the authorization and appropriation of funds for Community Health Centers under section 10503 and all other relevent provisions. I hereby direct the Secretary of HHS to ensure that Program Administrators and recipients of Federal Funds are aware of and comply with the Limitations on abortion services imposed on CHCs by existing law. Such action should include, but are not limited to, updating Grant Policy Statements that accompany CHC grants and issueing new interpretive rules."
[Then] we come to final arguements, the point being that this Executive Order is much less than what it appears to be on the surface. In this case, I believe, it is all in the timing. Representative Bart Stupak, and others, refused to vote for the Healthcare Bill as written because of the abortion language until President Obama promised to sign an "Executive Order" asserting that no taxpayer money could be used to pay for abortions except in certain cases. His Order states that: "I hereby direct the secretary of HHS to ensure that program Administrators and recipients of Federal funds are aware of and comply with the limitations on abortion services imposed on CHCs by EXISTING LAW." The question is, what is the law? The Healthcare Bill was passed on May 21, and signed into law on May 22, 2010. The Executive Order was signed by President Obama on May 24, 2010. At that time "existing law" was the newly passed Obamacare which funds organizations that provide or promote abortions. There are other flaws but they can wait. In the meantime thanks and stay tuned - William
[This], the first thing to be addressed today, is an addition to or extension of last Sunday's posting which dealt with Social Security and Medicare/Medicaid. On Fox News Sunday, Chris Wallace questioned one political candidate as to what she would do about Social Security and Medicare which, according to him, are two of the three largest budget items and therefore causing most of our deficit. To even suggest that our current retiree's Social Security and Medicare payments are from an unfunded liability is simply ludicrous and an insult to seniors. Just as our younger generations are working and paying their dues at this time, the senior retirees began paying into the Social Security System soon after its inception in 1936 and in 1965 for Medicare and Medicade.
[And] now, to have some politicians and most of the news media constantly harping on the subject of reforming Social Security and Medicare by cutting payments for future retirees or raising the retirement age for Social Security and cutting Medicare payments to doctors and hospitals, is vexing to say the least. If not for the illegal use of the Social Security/Medicare/Medicaid Trust Fund money the budget deficit would be much larger.
[That] anyone could ever understand what is going on in Washington (or Nashville for that matter) would be a miricle within itself. At 11:00 AM on October 19, 2010 our debt clock, as shown on the internet, indicated that our, year to date, income from the payroll/FICA tax at 867 billion, 770 million, 631 thousand, 8 hundred and twenty dollars with payments to Social Security retirees of 783 billion, 841 million, 543 thousand, 5 hundred and 70 dollars. Payments for Medicare/Medicaid were 696 billion, 423 million, 356 thousand and 99 dollars. Total payments would be 1 trillion, 480 billion, 264 million, 899 thousand, 6 hundred and 69 dollars. That leaves a shortfall of a little over 611 billion dollars which would come out of the Social Security Trust Fund, not out of the general fund, but as we already know, our government has spent the Trust Fund money leaving no other recourse but to take it from the general fund.
[Now] if I may, I want to change the subject back to the recently passed Healthcare Law and the section which will, more than likely, allow taxpayer funded abortions. Some of you may think that President Obama's "Executive Order" will take care of that but, in my opinion, that Order is somewhat less than useless.
[And] what, you may ask, is wrong with that Order as signed by the President? Let me count the ways but first "Section 3", of that Order titled "Community Health Center Program". "The act establishes a new Community Health Center (CHC) fund within Health and Human Services (HHS) which provides additional Federal funds for the Community Health Center program. Existing law prohibits these centers from using Federal funds to provide abortion services (except in cases of rape or incest, or when the life of the woman would be endangered), as a result of both the Hyde Amendment and longstanding regulations containing the Hyde language. Under the act, the Hyde language shall apply to the authorization and appropriation of funds for Community Health Centers under section 10503 and all other relevent provisions. I hereby direct the Secretary of HHS to ensure that Program Administrators and recipients of Federal Funds are aware of and comply with the Limitations on abortion services imposed on CHCs by existing law. Such action should include, but are not limited to, updating Grant Policy Statements that accompany CHC grants and issueing new interpretive rules."
[Then] we come to final arguements, the point being that this Executive Order is much less than what it appears to be on the surface. In this case, I believe, it is all in the timing. Representative Bart Stupak, and others, refused to vote for the Healthcare Bill as written because of the abortion language until President Obama promised to sign an "Executive Order" asserting that no taxpayer money could be used to pay for abortions except in certain cases. His Order states that: "I hereby direct the secretary of HHS to ensure that program Administrators and recipients of Federal funds are aware of and comply with the limitations on abortion services imposed on CHCs by EXISTING LAW." The question is, what is the law? The Healthcare Bill was passed on May 21, and signed into law on May 22, 2010. The Executive Order was signed by President Obama on May 24, 2010. At that time "existing law" was the newly passed Obamacare which funds organizations that provide or promote abortions. There are other flaws but they can wait. In the meantime thanks and stay tuned - William
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Healthcare 101
A new beginning
On Monday, October 18, 2010 the, so-called, "Healthcare Bill" that was passed by the House of Representatives, then manuvered through the Senate by breaking their own rules, will be involved in a hearing before a Federal Judge in Virginia. On Thursday October 14, 2010 a Federal Judge in Florida ruled that the case challenging the constitutionality of that same Healthcare Bill, by twenty States, can go forward. Last week a similar case was thrown out by a judge in Michigan but, in my opinion, it can be revised and refiled. That probably won't be necessary because the Virginia and Florida cases will, in all likelihood, eventually be decided by the U.S. Supreme Court. That will probably take about 2 years.
The United States Congress and President Obama base their right to force everyone to buy insurance on what is commonly called "The Commerce Clause" which is found in "Article 1, Section 8, Clause 3" of our Constitution. It is; "The congress shall have power to regulate commerce with foreign nations and among the several states, and with the Indian Tribes"; At this time we will skip to "Article 10" of the Constitution which states; "The power not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people." The Commerce Clause (Article 1, Section 8, Clause 3), in my opinion, DOES NOT give the Federal Government the right to force individual citizens to buy something they don't want.
The argument has been made that, by requiring drivers to have valid drivers licenses and license plates on their vehicles, the Federal Government already has a foot in the door but except for over the road commercial vehicles etc., which use Federal Highways, the right to require licenses is left to the several States as outlined in "Article 10" of our Constitution. They should not, in any way, be allowed to USURP the people's rights. We must all stand together or we will all fall.
To me, the most important revisions that could have been made to healthcare in the United States would have been (listed in no specific order as to importance); (1) What in commonly referred to as "Tort Reform", that is, capping the dollar amount collectable in mal-practice cases. In some cases this has surely gotten out of hand, driving up mal-practice insurance premiums and causing most doctors to practice defensive medicine. (2) The allowing of Insurance Companies to sell insurance across state lines, certain companies are licensed in several states but that doesn't create the competition needed, (3) Set up guide lines on pre-existing conditions that would be fair to all concerned, and last but not least, (4) No taxpayer money going to any organization that provided or promoted abortion except in cases of rape, incest or to save the life of the mother, with strict enforcement. I have heard it said that the Insurance Companies are, figuratively speaking, making a killing off their policy holders and will do even worse in the future. I don't buy into that theory because most states have a Department of Banking and Insurance (or something equivalent) which is supposed to regulate insurance rates. If they aren't then we should find out why not.
There is much talk about how the Republicans, if they regain control of the House and / or Senate, will repeal the Healthcare Bill but you can take that with a cup of salt. It takes two thirds of the votes in each House of Congress to over-ride a Presidental Veto and it takes almost that to even bring it to a vote in the Senate. That is not even possible in less than two years and not probable even in your lifetime. Only by stopping funding for parts of the bill can Congress do anything for the next few years but the court cases (above) may bring us back to a new beginning. I am not advocating an outright repeal but a re-tweeking of what we have.
We will have a fairly busy schedule for the next few days and I may not have time to write for a while but I'll try to get back at it soon. Meanwhile, thanks for your time and support. Stay tuned. - William
On Monday, October 18, 2010 the, so-called, "Healthcare Bill" that was passed by the House of Representatives, then manuvered through the Senate by breaking their own rules, will be involved in a hearing before a Federal Judge in Virginia. On Thursday October 14, 2010 a Federal Judge in Florida ruled that the case challenging the constitutionality of that same Healthcare Bill, by twenty States, can go forward. Last week a similar case was thrown out by a judge in Michigan but, in my opinion, it can be revised and refiled. That probably won't be necessary because the Virginia and Florida cases will, in all likelihood, eventually be decided by the U.S. Supreme Court. That will probably take about 2 years.
The United States Congress and President Obama base their right to force everyone to buy insurance on what is commonly called "The Commerce Clause" which is found in "Article 1, Section 8, Clause 3" of our Constitution. It is; "The congress shall have power to regulate commerce with foreign nations and among the several states, and with the Indian Tribes"; At this time we will skip to "Article 10" of the Constitution which states; "The power not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people." The Commerce Clause (Article 1, Section 8, Clause 3), in my opinion, DOES NOT give the Federal Government the right to force individual citizens to buy something they don't want.
The argument has been made that, by requiring drivers to have valid drivers licenses and license plates on their vehicles, the Federal Government already has a foot in the door but except for over the road commercial vehicles etc., which use Federal Highways, the right to require licenses is left to the several States as outlined in "Article 10" of our Constitution. They should not, in any way, be allowed to USURP the people's rights. We must all stand together or we will all fall.
To me, the most important revisions that could have been made to healthcare in the United States would have been (listed in no specific order as to importance); (1) What in commonly referred to as "Tort Reform", that is, capping the dollar amount collectable in mal-practice cases. In some cases this has surely gotten out of hand, driving up mal-practice insurance premiums and causing most doctors to practice defensive medicine. (2) The allowing of Insurance Companies to sell insurance across state lines, certain companies are licensed in several states but that doesn't create the competition needed, (3) Set up guide lines on pre-existing conditions that would be fair to all concerned, and last but not least, (4) No taxpayer money going to any organization that provided or promoted abortion except in cases of rape, incest or to save the life of the mother, with strict enforcement. I have heard it said that the Insurance Companies are, figuratively speaking, making a killing off their policy holders and will do even worse in the future. I don't buy into that theory because most states have a Department of Banking and Insurance (or something equivalent) which is supposed to regulate insurance rates. If they aren't then we should find out why not.
There is much talk about how the Republicans, if they regain control of the House and / or Senate, will repeal the Healthcare Bill but you can take that with a cup of salt. It takes two thirds of the votes in each House of Congress to over-ride a Presidental Veto and it takes almost that to even bring it to a vote in the Senate. That is not even possible in less than two years and not probable even in your lifetime. Only by stopping funding for parts of the bill can Congress do anything for the next few years but the court cases (above) may bring us back to a new beginning. I am not advocating an outright repeal but a re-tweeking of what we have.
We will have a fairly busy schedule for the next few days and I may not have time to write for a while but I'll try to get back at it soon. Meanwhile, thanks for your time and support. Stay tuned. - William
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
More Questions
Fewer answers
On July 31, 1965 the Medicare Bill was signed into law, by President Johnson, as an amendment to Social Security. To pay for this new program a new tax was added to the "Federal Insurance Contributions Act" (F.I.C.A.). At this time the F.I.C.A. tax rate stands at 6.2 percent for Social Security and 1.45 percent for Medicare, for a total of 7.67 percent on both employer and employee.
The "Social Security Trust Fund" is the means by which the Federal Government accounts for the "excess contributions" made by workers and their employers to the Social Security System that are not required to fund current benefit payments to retirees, survivors and the disabled or to pay administrative expenses. These surpluses are invested in "Special United States Government Securities." This Trust Fund, which oversees both Social Security and Medicare, is "Off Budget" and treated seperately, in certain ways, from other Federal spending.
From the U. S. Code: " Exclusion of Social Security from all Budgets Pub. L 101-508, Title XIII, Sec. 13301(a), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388-623, provided that notwithstanding any other provision of law, the receipts and disbursements of the Federal Old-age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund shall not be counted as new budget authority, outlays, receipts, or deficit or surplus for purposes of (1) the budget of the United States Government as submitted by the President, (2) the Congressional budget, or (3) the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985."
What does that say? To me it tells the Federal Government, in no uncertain terms, hands off all Social Security and Medicare Trust Fund money except to pay retirees, survivors (of retirees) and the disabled or to pay administrative expenses. (This also includes Medicare payments). As to the so-called "Health Care Bill" which was passed earlier this year and the government's right to take money saved by either cutting out waste and fraud or by cutting payments to doctors and hospitals and using it to either cut the deficit or to start some other scheme, such as public option insurance: According to the law as stated in the U.S. Code (above) they can not do that. I spent some time on the internet trying to find information as to exactly how much money is in those trust funds but ended up more confused than when I started. Do you suppose that could be the intention of our Government? No, of course not, they want us to be well informed. Don't they??
While looking out the windows or going outside and seeing how the leaves are changing colors and the weather getting cooler I am reminded that Autumn is really here so I'll leave you with this.
Autumn Means
Autumn means Jack-O-Lantern pumpkins, kids playing trick or treat / the sound of drying leaves as they crunch beneath your feet / the butterflies have left us, looking for a warmer clime / wild geese ready to fly south, they'll be leaving any time / Jack Frost has made his visit and left his calling card / now a friend is busy raking the leaves up from his yard.
Autumn means the days are getting shorter, ole Sun's not up so long / bull frogs singing in the night a lonesome sounding song / squirrels out gathering acorns to hide in hollow trees / Blue Jay's always quarreling with everything he sees / the icy winds of winter are just two doors away / and the world is out rejoicing while it's warm enough to play.
All opinions given here are mine,statistics came from various internet sites. Thanks for your time whether you agree or not. Stay tuned - William
On July 31, 1965 the Medicare Bill was signed into law, by President Johnson, as an amendment to Social Security. To pay for this new program a new tax was added to the "Federal Insurance Contributions Act" (F.I.C.A.). At this time the F.I.C.A. tax rate stands at 6.2 percent for Social Security and 1.45 percent for Medicare, for a total of 7.67 percent on both employer and employee.
The "Social Security Trust Fund" is the means by which the Federal Government accounts for the "excess contributions" made by workers and their employers to the Social Security System that are not required to fund current benefit payments to retirees, survivors and the disabled or to pay administrative expenses. These surpluses are invested in "Special United States Government Securities." This Trust Fund, which oversees both Social Security and Medicare, is "Off Budget" and treated seperately, in certain ways, from other Federal spending.
From the U. S. Code: " Exclusion of Social Security from all Budgets Pub. L 101-508, Title XIII, Sec. 13301(a), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388-623, provided that notwithstanding any other provision of law, the receipts and disbursements of the Federal Old-age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund shall not be counted as new budget authority, outlays, receipts, or deficit or surplus for purposes of (1) the budget of the United States Government as submitted by the President, (2) the Congressional budget, or (3) the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985."
What does that say? To me it tells the Federal Government, in no uncertain terms, hands off all Social Security and Medicare Trust Fund money except to pay retirees, survivors (of retirees) and the disabled or to pay administrative expenses. (This also includes Medicare payments). As to the so-called "Health Care Bill" which was passed earlier this year and the government's right to take money saved by either cutting out waste and fraud or by cutting payments to doctors and hospitals and using it to either cut the deficit or to start some other scheme, such as public option insurance: According to the law as stated in the U.S. Code (above) they can not do that. I spent some time on the internet trying to find information as to exactly how much money is in those trust funds but ended up more confused than when I started. Do you suppose that could be the intention of our Government? No, of course not, they want us to be well informed. Don't they??
While looking out the windows or going outside and seeing how the leaves are changing colors and the weather getting cooler I am reminded that Autumn is really here so I'll leave you with this.
Autumn Means
Autumn means Jack-O-Lantern pumpkins, kids playing trick or treat / the sound of drying leaves as they crunch beneath your feet / the butterflies have left us, looking for a warmer clime / wild geese ready to fly south, they'll be leaving any time / Jack Frost has made his visit and left his calling card / now a friend is busy raking the leaves up from his yard.
Autumn means the days are getting shorter, ole Sun's not up so long / bull frogs singing in the night a lonesome sounding song / squirrels out gathering acorns to hide in hollow trees / Blue Jay's always quarreling with everything he sees / the icy winds of winter are just two doors away / and the world is out rejoicing while it's warm enough to play.
All opinions given here are mine,statistics came from various internet sites. Thanks for your time whether you agree or not. Stay tuned - William
Sunday, October 10, 2010
So Many Questions
So few answers
A few days ago I heard someone on television ask the question; How long will it be before America goes broke? It appears to me that the question should have been; When did America go broke? At this time we are operating, to a great extent, on borrowed money and in my opinion (for whatever it is worth) it will only get worse.
At ten minutes after ten o'clock on the tenth day of the tenth month of the year twenty-ten our National Debt Clock was showing our debt to be about thirteen trillion, five hundred and seventy billion, seventy-five million, six hundred and forty-two thousand, seven hundred and seventy-five dollars. The reason I said about is that our debt is rising so rapidly it is hard for my eyes and my brain to calculate an exact number at any given time.
The above figures may include what is usually referred to as the "Social Security Trust Fund" and the "Medicare Trust Fund" which, at this time, are probably more than three trillion dollars when combined. If congress passed a law to take those trust fund's money out of the general fund and put it in "Al Gore's lock box" (that is a seperate account) our government would have to borrow that much more money. I don't know if that would add to our national debt or not because I don't know if the Social Security and Medicare payments that have been used in the general fund to pay as we go was counted in our thirteen plus trillion dollar debt. May know more on that later. Today, not surprisingly, Social Security announced that there would not be a cost of living raise for Social Security recipients for the second year in a row. That would be okay if Medicare wouldn't raise the deductables so as to give the insurance companies cover to raise their rates. Obamacare will get us one way or another.
Going back to the National Debt, as calculated by Washington, of a little more than thirteen and a half trillion dollars and dividing it between all citizens of the United States, it would burden each one with a debt of forty-three thousand, seven hundred and eleven dollars or each taxpayer with a debt of one hundred twenty-one thousand, nine hundred and one dollars.
Another big question is; Should the Bush tax cuts be extended for everyone or should the very rich pay more taxes? I have never been a fan of multi-million dollar contracts for ballplayers (that's why I don't watch many ball games) or the bonuses some CEO's get for running a business into the ground but I must say that there is no doubt that those people with lots of money are the ones who create most of the jobs, one way or another, and there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that they can spend their money more wisely than the government, either democrat or republican. As for those who say; make them pay more taxes so we can get more good paying jobs here in America, there is only one way to do that. Don't buy everything from China and other Asian countries. We need to balance our buying between imports and American made. That is what will bring back jobs.
The last few days has been a very trying time for my household and I had been thinking about skipping this posting because when I started I didn't have too much of an idea what I would write about. I hope it hasn't been too boring. Thanks and stay tuned - William
A few days ago I heard someone on television ask the question; How long will it be before America goes broke? It appears to me that the question should have been; When did America go broke? At this time we are operating, to a great extent, on borrowed money and in my opinion (for whatever it is worth) it will only get worse.
At ten minutes after ten o'clock on the tenth day of the tenth month of the year twenty-ten our National Debt Clock was showing our debt to be about thirteen trillion, five hundred and seventy billion, seventy-five million, six hundred and forty-two thousand, seven hundred and seventy-five dollars. The reason I said about is that our debt is rising so rapidly it is hard for my eyes and my brain to calculate an exact number at any given time.
The above figures may include what is usually referred to as the "Social Security Trust Fund" and the "Medicare Trust Fund" which, at this time, are probably more than three trillion dollars when combined. If congress passed a law to take those trust fund's money out of the general fund and put it in "Al Gore's lock box" (that is a seperate account) our government would have to borrow that much more money. I don't know if that would add to our national debt or not because I don't know if the Social Security and Medicare payments that have been used in the general fund to pay as we go was counted in our thirteen plus trillion dollar debt. May know more on that later. Today, not surprisingly, Social Security announced that there would not be a cost of living raise for Social Security recipients for the second year in a row. That would be okay if Medicare wouldn't raise the deductables so as to give the insurance companies cover to raise their rates. Obamacare will get us one way or another.
Going back to the National Debt, as calculated by Washington, of a little more than thirteen and a half trillion dollars and dividing it between all citizens of the United States, it would burden each one with a debt of forty-three thousand, seven hundred and eleven dollars or each taxpayer with a debt of one hundred twenty-one thousand, nine hundred and one dollars.
Another big question is; Should the Bush tax cuts be extended for everyone or should the very rich pay more taxes? I have never been a fan of multi-million dollar contracts for ballplayers (that's why I don't watch many ball games) or the bonuses some CEO's get for running a business into the ground but I must say that there is no doubt that those people with lots of money are the ones who create most of the jobs, one way or another, and there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that they can spend their money more wisely than the government, either democrat or republican. As for those who say; make them pay more taxes so we can get more good paying jobs here in America, there is only one way to do that. Don't buy everything from China and other Asian countries. We need to balance our buying between imports and American made. That is what will bring back jobs.
The last few days has been a very trying time for my household and I had been thinking about skipping this posting because when I started I didn't have too much of an idea what I would write about. I hope it hasn't been too boring. Thanks and stay tuned - William
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Climbing Mountains
One more to climb
On October 5, 2010 there was a statement on Fox News Ticker by former President Bill Clinton asserting that if the Israeli - Palestinian conflict could be solved it would take away half the motivation for terriorism in the whole world. One of the benefits he listed was that Iran would probably give up its quest for a nuclear bomb. I can't believe that would ever happen because too many signs point to the beginning of a push by Islam to take over the world. I say; Wake up America before it is too late. With that said I'll move on to the subject that I had half-way planned for today.
The first 9 months of this year has not been easy for either one of us, with, probably, more time spent in hospitals and doctor's offices than in the preceding 10 years combined. Needless to say, that brings on an awareness that our time on this earth is surely drawing to a close. That awareness brought to mind a poem that was written several years ago in anticipation of that time.
"Lord Now Take My Hand"
"Some day I'm going to climb up on that mountain / look out over God's Kingdom stretching wide / cross on across that mighty Jordan River / and enter into Heaven on the other side / I want to follow in the footsteps of Jesus / share all the love that he gives to me / and knowing that He walked upon the water / gives me the courage to brave the raging sea.
Lord now take my hand, make the world understand / that You're the one to take their troubles to / when the days are dark as night and it's hard to tell the wrong from right / I know Your guiding light will see me through.
Some day my life's journey will be ended / but it's up to my Lord when that will be / faith in Him will make the traveling easier / till He lifts up my burdens and sets me free / then I'll go on to walk on ground that's Holy / singing praise to Jesus throughout eternity / for all the things He's done down through the ages / but especially praise to Him for loving me.
Lord now take my hand, make the world understand / that You're the one to take their troubles to ---."
But until that day comes, "I'll play the hand that was dealt me / and Lord I'll do my best not to complain / I'll enjoy all the sunshine that You send me / then I'll bow my head and walk on through the rain. / When I meet someone on the street and they say, how are you / help me to say fine and I hope you are the same / for everyone in this world will have their problems / they'll have to bow their heads and walk on through the rain."
In my last posting I attempted to point out some parallels between the Vietnamese war and our present day war in Afghanistan. One thing that may not have been clear is the fact that Osama bin Laden was a major player in the "Mujahadeen's" resistance that caused the Soviet Union to pack their bags and pull out of Afghanistan. That war lasted between 9 and 10 years. Now Osama bin Laden is a major planner in the resistance by the Taliban and Al-Qaida against NATO forces in our war in Afghanistan. How long has this war been going on? When do we pack our bags and leave?
I don't know what I will write about next but with the way the world is changing every day and each day's news seeming to be worse than the day before it shouldn't be hard to find some subject to either agree or disagree with. Until then, stay tuned. Thanks - William
On October 5, 2010 there was a statement on Fox News Ticker by former President Bill Clinton asserting that if the Israeli - Palestinian conflict could be solved it would take away half the motivation for terriorism in the whole world. One of the benefits he listed was that Iran would probably give up its quest for a nuclear bomb. I can't believe that would ever happen because too many signs point to the beginning of a push by Islam to take over the world. I say; Wake up America before it is too late. With that said I'll move on to the subject that I had half-way planned for today.
The first 9 months of this year has not been easy for either one of us, with, probably, more time spent in hospitals and doctor's offices than in the preceding 10 years combined. Needless to say, that brings on an awareness that our time on this earth is surely drawing to a close. That awareness brought to mind a poem that was written several years ago in anticipation of that time.
"Lord Now Take My Hand"
"Some day I'm going to climb up on that mountain / look out over God's Kingdom stretching wide / cross on across that mighty Jordan River / and enter into Heaven on the other side / I want to follow in the footsteps of Jesus / share all the love that he gives to me / and knowing that He walked upon the water / gives me the courage to brave the raging sea.
Lord now take my hand, make the world understand / that You're the one to take their troubles to / when the days are dark as night and it's hard to tell the wrong from right / I know Your guiding light will see me through.
Some day my life's journey will be ended / but it's up to my Lord when that will be / faith in Him will make the traveling easier / till He lifts up my burdens and sets me free / then I'll go on to walk on ground that's Holy / singing praise to Jesus throughout eternity / for all the things He's done down through the ages / but especially praise to Him for loving me.
Lord now take my hand, make the world understand / that You're the one to take their troubles to ---."
But until that day comes, "I'll play the hand that was dealt me / and Lord I'll do my best not to complain / I'll enjoy all the sunshine that You send me / then I'll bow my head and walk on through the rain. / When I meet someone on the street and they say, how are you / help me to say fine and I hope you are the same / for everyone in this world will have their problems / they'll have to bow their heads and walk on through the rain."
In my last posting I attempted to point out some parallels between the Vietnamese war and our present day war in Afghanistan. One thing that may not have been clear is the fact that Osama bin Laden was a major player in the "Mujahadeen's" resistance that caused the Soviet Union to pack their bags and pull out of Afghanistan. That war lasted between 9 and 10 years. Now Osama bin Laden is a major planner in the resistance by the Taliban and Al-Qaida against NATO forces in our war in Afghanistan. How long has this war been going on? When do we pack our bags and leave?
I don't know what I will write about next but with the way the world is changing every day and each day's news seeming to be worse than the day before it shouldn't be hard to find some subject to either agree or disagree with. Until then, stay tuned. Thanks - William
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Afghanistan War -- Part Two
Will we stay the course?
After centuries of rule by the likes of Mahmud, Genghis Khan, Tamerlane, Ahmad Shah Durrani and then Abdur Rahman, who reigned from 1880 to 1901, the Russians and British officially established the boundaries of what would become modern day Afghanistan, with the British retaining control over Kabul's (Afghan capital city) foreign affairs.
Habibullah, Abdur Rahman's son and successor, was assassinated in 1919. His third son, Amanullah, regained control of Afghanistan after launching the third Anglo-Afghan war with an attack on India in that same year (1919). During the ensuing conflict the war-weary British gave up their control over foreign affairs by signing the "Treaty of Rawalpindi" in August of 1919. In commemoration of this event, Afghans celebrate August 19 as their "Independence Day."
In December of 1978 the Soviet Union (Moscow) signed a bilateral treaty of "Friendship and Cooperation" with Afghanistan, and the Soviet "Military Assistance Program" increased significantly, the Afghan Government's survival increasingly depended upon Soviet assistance as insurgency spread and the Afghan Army began to collapse. By October 1979, however, relations between Moscow and the Afghan government were tense because the Afghan rulers refused to take Soviet advice. On December 24, 1979, large numbers of Soviet Airborne Forces invaded Afghanistan. After being bogged down in Afghanistan for almost 10 years, with the loss of 14,500 Soviet and about 1 million Afghan lives, the Soviets withdrew in 1989.
In 1979, maybe even before the official invasion of Afghanistan, our CIA was recruiting what would become known as "Freedomfighters or Mujahadeens" in or around Afghanistan. "Osama bin Laden" was one of the first of those recruits. In 1980, shortly after that invasion, Dan Rather who would later become the anchor on CBS News,while filming a piece for CBS's "60 Minutes" was seen on camera wearing a traditional Mujahadeen headdress and garment. The report claimed that he was near the front lines but there have been some who disputed that. At any rate, these excursions earned him the nickname of Dan "Gunga Dan" Rather.
Shortly after the withdrawal of the Soviet's the Taliban began their rise to power in reaction to the anarchy and warlordism that arose in the vacuum left by the leaving of the Soviet forces. By the end of 1998, the Taliban occupied about 90% of the country and sought to impose an extreme interpretation of Islam - based on rural tribal codes - on the whole country and committed massive human rights violations particularly against women and girls.
After the Soviet withdrawal, Osama bin Laden and his Mujahadeen's had no war to fight and was no longer useful to our CIA and therefore became expendable. From the mid 1990s the Taliban provided sanctuary to bin Laden and other terrorist organizations. In return, bin Laden provided both financial and political support to the Taliban. Bin Laden and Al-Qaida have claimed responsibility for the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks against the United States. There are some (including myself) who believe that Osama bin Laden turned against the United States because of the first Gulf War. Although Dan Rather denies ever having a relationship (whatever that means) with Osama bin Laden and I have not, as yet, found proof otherwise, my memory keeps trying to tell me that one of those excursions through the Afghan Mountains was with Osama himself. Any help out there?
Now, regardless of what our government and others try to tell us, neither the Korean Conflict nor the Vietnamese War can truthfully be considered a win. Our present war in Afghanistan appears, in too many ways, to be paralleling that war in Vietnam where a peace treaty was signed but as soon as our troops were out of Saigon the Communist took over South Vietnam. It is my belief that within the next two years our government will have negotiated a cease fire with the Taliban (and Al-Qaida) and, at least, be in the process of withdrawing all forces from Afghanistan. Will it turn out to be another Vietnam and our withdrawal later be referred to as a "Cut and Run." Let's all pray that it won't happen that way. Thanks for your time, stay tuned - William
After centuries of rule by the likes of Mahmud, Genghis Khan, Tamerlane, Ahmad Shah Durrani and then Abdur Rahman, who reigned from 1880 to 1901, the Russians and British officially established the boundaries of what would become modern day Afghanistan, with the British retaining control over Kabul's (Afghan capital city) foreign affairs.
Habibullah, Abdur Rahman's son and successor, was assassinated in 1919. His third son, Amanullah, regained control of Afghanistan after launching the third Anglo-Afghan war with an attack on India in that same year (1919). During the ensuing conflict the war-weary British gave up their control over foreign affairs by signing the "Treaty of Rawalpindi" in August of 1919. In commemoration of this event, Afghans celebrate August 19 as their "Independence Day."
In December of 1978 the Soviet Union (Moscow) signed a bilateral treaty of "Friendship and Cooperation" with Afghanistan, and the Soviet "Military Assistance Program" increased significantly, the Afghan Government's survival increasingly depended upon Soviet assistance as insurgency spread and the Afghan Army began to collapse. By October 1979, however, relations between Moscow and the Afghan government were tense because the Afghan rulers refused to take Soviet advice. On December 24, 1979, large numbers of Soviet Airborne Forces invaded Afghanistan. After being bogged down in Afghanistan for almost 10 years, with the loss of 14,500 Soviet and about 1 million Afghan lives, the Soviets withdrew in 1989.
In 1979, maybe even before the official invasion of Afghanistan, our CIA was recruiting what would become known as "Freedomfighters or Mujahadeens" in or around Afghanistan. "Osama bin Laden" was one of the first of those recruits. In 1980, shortly after that invasion, Dan Rather who would later become the anchor on CBS News,while filming a piece for CBS's "60 Minutes" was seen on camera wearing a traditional Mujahadeen headdress and garment. The report claimed that he was near the front lines but there have been some who disputed that. At any rate, these excursions earned him the nickname of Dan "Gunga Dan" Rather.
Shortly after the withdrawal of the Soviet's the Taliban began their rise to power in reaction to the anarchy and warlordism that arose in the vacuum left by the leaving of the Soviet forces. By the end of 1998, the Taliban occupied about 90% of the country and sought to impose an extreme interpretation of Islam - based on rural tribal codes - on the whole country and committed massive human rights violations particularly against women and girls.
After the Soviet withdrawal, Osama bin Laden and his Mujahadeen's had no war to fight and was no longer useful to our CIA and therefore became expendable. From the mid 1990s the Taliban provided sanctuary to bin Laden and other terrorist organizations. In return, bin Laden provided both financial and political support to the Taliban. Bin Laden and Al-Qaida have claimed responsibility for the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks against the United States. There are some (including myself) who believe that Osama bin Laden turned against the United States because of the first Gulf War. Although Dan Rather denies ever having a relationship (whatever that means) with Osama bin Laden and I have not, as yet, found proof otherwise, my memory keeps trying to tell me that one of those excursions through the Afghan Mountains was with Osama himself. Any help out there?
Now, regardless of what our government and others try to tell us, neither the Korean Conflict nor the Vietnamese War can truthfully be considered a win. Our present war in Afghanistan appears, in too many ways, to be paralleling that war in Vietnam where a peace treaty was signed but as soon as our troops were out of Saigon the Communist took over South Vietnam. It is my belief that within the next two years our government will have negotiated a cease fire with the Taliban (and Al-Qaida) and, at least, be in the process of withdrawing all forces from Afghanistan. Will it turn out to be another Vietnam and our withdrawal later be referred to as a "Cut and Run." Let's all pray that it won't happen that way. Thanks for your time, stay tuned - William
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Afghanistan War -- Part One
Another Vietnam?
In 1887 French Indo-China, which consisted of Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, was established. On March 9, 1945 Japanese forces over-threw the French and restored independence to Vietnam. Shortly thereafter the "Army of the Republic of Vietnam" (ARVN) was organized. At the time of President John F. Kennedy's inauguration in 1961 there was 600 military advisers (to the ARVN) in Vietnam, which indicates that President Eisenhower was partly responsible for the debacle which was to follow, but that number grew rapidly and at the time of President Kennedy's assassination it was about 16,000. The situation detoriorated rapidly during this period, with Ho Chi Minh leading a communist insurgency against the newly independent nation.
"Gulf of Tonkin Incident" - The first Gulf of Tonkin Incident which took place on August 2,1964, less than a year after President Johnson replaced the assassinated President Kennedy, was the sea battle between the North Vietnamese Navy's Torpedo Squadron 135 and the destroyer "USS Maddox" but from most all later accounts the second attack on August 4, 1964 never happened. Whether it was abnormal weather conditions which caused a radar malfunction, a figment of someone's imagination or a hoax perpetrated by our own navy is still not clear but the mere report of a second attack was enough to convince President Johnson to go on television and request authority to undertake a military response. On August 7, 1964 congress passed a Joint Resolution which granted President Johnson authority to conduct military operations in Southeast Asia without the benefit of a declaration of war. In 1965 President Johnson commented privately; "For all I know, our Navy was shooting at whales out there."
"The Tonkin Gulf Resolution" was the resolution by both houses of congress in response to the North Vietnamese attack on the USS Maddox on August 2, and the phantom attack on the night of August 4, 1964. The vote in the House of Representatives was 416 to 0 and in the Senate it was 98 to 2. (opposed by Senator Morse (D-Oregon) and Senator Grueing (D - Alaska) - Senator Morse on constitutional grounds) At the time this resolution was passed the Democrats held a total of 66 seats in the Senate and picked up two more in the November election. In the House of Representatives the Democrats held a 259 to 176 lead and picked up 36 more in the November election.
During the next 8 years things got progressively worse in a very unpopular war in Vietnam where it seemed that the only news was bad news. Demonstrators marched on Washington demanding that we withdraw from that "unjust and unwinnable war". As a result of what was fast becoming the "voice of America" President Nixon was left with little choice.
In a nationally televised address on January 23, 1973, President Richard Nixon announced that the United States had reached an agreement to end the war in Vietnam. The agreement established a cease fire throughout Southeast Asia (Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos), stipulated that the U.S. would withdraw its remaining troops from Vietnam, and that the American prisoners of war would be returned. It also recognized that the South Vietnamese Government under President Thieu would remain in power but permitted North Vietnamese troops to remain in the south.
The fall of Saigon was the capture of Saigon, the capital of South Vietnam, by the North Vietnamese Army on April 30, 1975. The capture of the city was preceded by the evacuation of almost all American Civilian and Military Personnel remaining in Saigon. (Note)Remember in President Nixon's address (above) he stated "It also recognized that the South Vietnamese Government under President Thieu would remain in power." Also while the United States was withdrawing from one side of Saigon the North Vietnamese were attacking from the other sides. Almost immediately Saigon was renamed Ho Chi Minh City. That's why many people still remember it as a "cut and run" or "the last one out turn out the lights."
Again, some of this information came from the internet but part of it (I am old enough to remember the war) came from my memory. Yes, I know the title of this posting is "Afghanistan War" and nothing in this posting even mentions Afghanistan but in my next posting I will try to point out many similarities between Vietnam and Afghanistan. Until then, thanks and stay tuned - William
In 1887 French Indo-China, which consisted of Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, was established. On March 9, 1945 Japanese forces over-threw the French and restored independence to Vietnam. Shortly thereafter the "Army of the Republic of Vietnam" (ARVN) was organized. At the time of President John F. Kennedy's inauguration in 1961 there was 600 military advisers (to the ARVN) in Vietnam, which indicates that President Eisenhower was partly responsible for the debacle which was to follow, but that number grew rapidly and at the time of President Kennedy's assassination it was about 16,000. The situation detoriorated rapidly during this period, with Ho Chi Minh leading a communist insurgency against the newly independent nation.
"Gulf of Tonkin Incident" - The first Gulf of Tonkin Incident which took place on August 2,1964, less than a year after President Johnson replaced the assassinated President Kennedy, was the sea battle between the North Vietnamese Navy's Torpedo Squadron 135 and the destroyer "USS Maddox" but from most all later accounts the second attack on August 4, 1964 never happened. Whether it was abnormal weather conditions which caused a radar malfunction, a figment of someone's imagination or a hoax perpetrated by our own navy is still not clear but the mere report of a second attack was enough to convince President Johnson to go on television and request authority to undertake a military response. On August 7, 1964 congress passed a Joint Resolution which granted President Johnson authority to conduct military operations in Southeast Asia without the benefit of a declaration of war. In 1965 President Johnson commented privately; "For all I know, our Navy was shooting at whales out there."
"The Tonkin Gulf Resolution" was the resolution by both houses of congress in response to the North Vietnamese attack on the USS Maddox on August 2, and the phantom attack on the night of August 4, 1964. The vote in the House of Representatives was 416 to 0 and in the Senate it was 98 to 2. (opposed by Senator Morse (D-Oregon) and Senator Grueing (D - Alaska) - Senator Morse on constitutional grounds) At the time this resolution was passed the Democrats held a total of 66 seats in the Senate and picked up two more in the November election. In the House of Representatives the Democrats held a 259 to 176 lead and picked up 36 more in the November election.
During the next 8 years things got progressively worse in a very unpopular war in Vietnam where it seemed that the only news was bad news. Demonstrators marched on Washington demanding that we withdraw from that "unjust and unwinnable war". As a result of what was fast becoming the "voice of America" President Nixon was left with little choice.
In a nationally televised address on January 23, 1973, President Richard Nixon announced that the United States had reached an agreement to end the war in Vietnam. The agreement established a cease fire throughout Southeast Asia (Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos), stipulated that the U.S. would withdraw its remaining troops from Vietnam, and that the American prisoners of war would be returned. It also recognized that the South Vietnamese Government under President Thieu would remain in power but permitted North Vietnamese troops to remain in the south.
The fall of Saigon was the capture of Saigon, the capital of South Vietnam, by the North Vietnamese Army on April 30, 1975. The capture of the city was preceded by the evacuation of almost all American Civilian and Military Personnel remaining in Saigon. (Note)Remember in President Nixon's address (above) he stated "It also recognized that the South Vietnamese Government under President Thieu would remain in power." Also while the United States was withdrawing from one side of Saigon the North Vietnamese were attacking from the other sides. Almost immediately Saigon was renamed Ho Chi Minh City. That's why many people still remember it as a "cut and run" or "the last one out turn out the lights."
Again, some of this information came from the internet but part of it (I am old enough to remember the war) came from my memory. Yes, I know the title of this posting is "Afghanistan War" and nothing in this posting even mentions Afghanistan but in my next posting I will try to point out many similarities between Vietnam and Afghanistan. Until then, thanks and stay tuned - William
Sunday, September 26, 2010
A New Pacemaker
I traded in a clunker
My posting today, out of necessity, will be shorter than usual due to tenderness in my right shoulder muscles which, in turn, hampers my typing and my limited expertise in that field does not need any hampering. This story should begin shortly before December 6, 2002 when my doctors decided I needed a pacemaker to keep my heart rate above 60 beats a minute. On that December 6, 2002 I went, as an outpatient, into the hospital and had a pacemaker installed, if that be the right phrase. My "Owners Manual" stated that it was guaranteed for five years but it lasted almost 8 years.
On the morning of September 24, 2010 Norma and I got up early, didn't eat any breakfast (not even coffee), and drove the 20-25 miles to the hospital. We checked into the outpatient waiting room about 6:30 AM. I got all my pre-op work done and was ready for surgery about 8:00 AM but an emergency held things up for a while. About 10:00 AM, or a little before, I was taken into the operating room and about 30 minutes later I had traded in my old 2002 model for a brand new shiny, I guess, 2010 model pacemaker. All that's left to show for it is about a 3 inch incision held together with what looks and feels like 10 to 15 staples. I'll know more about that when I go back to the EKG Department at the hospital in 2 weeks to get those staples out. Maybe that won't be too bad.
Now, as I work on this posting, it has been about two days since the surgery and there is still some swelling and some pain if I move my arm very much but there has never been enough pain that a tylenol wouldn't take care of it.
That should take care of today and give me a little more time to get well and think of something to write about. Sometimes, while watching the news, I think of many things that needs to be wrote about but I've already written about some of them and anyone reading this blog wouldn't want to hear it again so until later, thanks and stay tuned. - William
My posting today, out of necessity, will be shorter than usual due to tenderness in my right shoulder muscles which, in turn, hampers my typing and my limited expertise in that field does not need any hampering. This story should begin shortly before December 6, 2002 when my doctors decided I needed a pacemaker to keep my heart rate above 60 beats a minute. On that December 6, 2002 I went, as an outpatient, into the hospital and had a pacemaker installed, if that be the right phrase. My "Owners Manual" stated that it was guaranteed for five years but it lasted almost 8 years.
On the morning of September 24, 2010 Norma and I got up early, didn't eat any breakfast (not even coffee), and drove the 20-25 miles to the hospital. We checked into the outpatient waiting room about 6:30 AM. I got all my pre-op work done and was ready for surgery about 8:00 AM but an emergency held things up for a while. About 10:00 AM, or a little before, I was taken into the operating room and about 30 minutes later I had traded in my old 2002 model for a brand new shiny, I guess, 2010 model pacemaker. All that's left to show for it is about a 3 inch incision held together with what looks and feels like 10 to 15 staples. I'll know more about that when I go back to the EKG Department at the hospital in 2 weeks to get those staples out. Maybe that won't be too bad.
Now, as I work on this posting, it has been about two days since the surgery and there is still some swelling and some pain if I move my arm very much but there has never been enough pain that a tylenol wouldn't take care of it.
That should take care of today and give me a little more time to get well and think of something to write about. Sometimes, while watching the news, I think of many things that needs to be wrote about but I've already written about some of them and anyone reading this blog wouldn't want to hear it again so until later, thanks and stay tuned. - William
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
A New Hero
After 42 Years
On Tuesday, September 21, 2010, President Obama was on television (now that's a real news flash) and this time I watched him (I usually don't) because he was presenting, posthumously, our nation's highest award, the "Medal of Honor," to our latest "true American Hero" only 42 years after the fact. The recipiant was Chief Master Sergeant Richard Etchberger who lost his life, while on a top secret mission in Laos during the Vietnam War, more than 40 years ago.
Even though he had little or no combat training he, not only, held the enemy at bay throughout the night but called in airstrikes on their positions. After daylight, when the rescue helicopters arrived, while under fire from the enemy, helped his three wounded comrads to and into the sling which lifted them to safety. After his wounded comrads were aboard the helicopter he was lifted aboard but was hit by enemy fire and died before they reached the necessary medical help.
Because it was not legal for the United States to cross the border into Laos (we were not officially at war with Laos) this mission remained secret for all these years but finally this true hero was recognized. Better late than never!
In no way is this an attempt to diminish or to take anything away from Sergeant Etchberger but there is a very large group of ex-service men who have been forgotten for fifty years and more. They are the so-called "Atomic Warriors" of the 1940s through the 1950s and into the 1960s when they were subjected to large doses of radiation, without their knowledge, during our early atomic bomb test, at first in naval test and then at the Atomic Proving Grounds in Nevada.
When soldiers arrived at Camp Desert Rock, Nevada to participate in "Operation Buster-Jangle" in Autumn of 1951, they knew little about what they were in for. The army booklet handed to the first nuclear (atomic) soldiers at the Nevada test site did not discuss atomic bomb radiation hazards. It did discuss possible hazards from indigenous reptiles and poisonous insects.
Introduction to the bare facilities at the Nevada test site came partly from an "Information and Guide" booklet distributed to incoming GIs. "The officers and men of this operation share with you the hope that your visit to Camp Desert Rock will prove an informative and revealing experience which you will always remember," read a sign by U.S. Army Major General W.B. Kean. (That it did) Every page bore the inscpiption "Restricted", and the booklet was replete with injunctions against talking too much.
"To assist in maintaining security of "Exercise Desert Rock" it is desired that you maintain secrecy discipline regarding classified information observed here. Everyone will want to know what you have seen" ---- don't even write home about it.
These GIs participated in the series of atomic test over a period of several weeks, with the largest nuclear explosions coming from bombs dropped by aircraft. Several thousand men watched from about seven miles away as a brilliant atomic light flashed across the desert; some were marched to within a half mile of ground zero where they inspected vehicles and gun emplacements for damage from the blast.
The Pentagon eagerly assessed behavior of GIs as they responded to orders soon after the half dozen nuclear detonations, which totaled 72 kilotons. The more intimate and more lasting consequences, apparently, were not of great concern to the military brass.
Former Army Sergeant Cecil G. Dunn, an "Operation Upshot-Knothole" veteran, recounted from his home in Pensacola, Fl., "After the blast, they marched us to ground zero. I will never forget the smell after that shot. I have no idea how much radiation was there. I know of no film badges. I don't remember seeing any of the men wearing any. I know I never had one." Recalling subsequent chronic headaches lasting for years, followed by nosebleeds, a nervous breakdown, festering spots on his legs and dizzy spells, Dunn said; "I feel like I am drunk all the time, but I don't drink. I tire very easily now --- all I have ever ask is to live like other people. But I cannot help blaming the Government for subjecting me to nuclear testing without warning me of the potential consequences and I will always wonder why it happened."
Part of the above information on the "Atomic Warriors" came from the inter-net and part from memory. An earlier posting recounts part of my experience. Many of those "Warriors" have already departed this life and for far too many of them the cause was cancer. Pray for all of us and also the ones who made the decisions to use us as "human guinea pigs." Until next time, thanks for your time and stay tuned. -William
On Tuesday, September 21, 2010, President Obama was on television (now that's a real news flash) and this time I watched him (I usually don't) because he was presenting, posthumously, our nation's highest award, the "Medal of Honor," to our latest "true American Hero" only 42 years after the fact. The recipiant was Chief Master Sergeant Richard Etchberger who lost his life, while on a top secret mission in Laos during the Vietnam War, more than 40 years ago.
Even though he had little or no combat training he, not only, held the enemy at bay throughout the night but called in airstrikes on their positions. After daylight, when the rescue helicopters arrived, while under fire from the enemy, helped his three wounded comrads to and into the sling which lifted them to safety. After his wounded comrads were aboard the helicopter he was lifted aboard but was hit by enemy fire and died before they reached the necessary medical help.
Because it was not legal for the United States to cross the border into Laos (we were not officially at war with Laos) this mission remained secret for all these years but finally this true hero was recognized. Better late than never!
In no way is this an attempt to diminish or to take anything away from Sergeant Etchberger but there is a very large group of ex-service men who have been forgotten for fifty years and more. They are the so-called "Atomic Warriors" of the 1940s through the 1950s and into the 1960s when they were subjected to large doses of radiation, without their knowledge, during our early atomic bomb test, at first in naval test and then at the Atomic Proving Grounds in Nevada.
When soldiers arrived at Camp Desert Rock, Nevada to participate in "Operation Buster-Jangle" in Autumn of 1951, they knew little about what they were in for. The army booklet handed to the first nuclear (atomic) soldiers at the Nevada test site did not discuss atomic bomb radiation hazards. It did discuss possible hazards from indigenous reptiles and poisonous insects.
Introduction to the bare facilities at the Nevada test site came partly from an "Information and Guide" booklet distributed to incoming GIs. "The officers and men of this operation share with you the hope that your visit to Camp Desert Rock will prove an informative and revealing experience which you will always remember," read a sign by U.S. Army Major General W.B. Kean. (That it did) Every page bore the inscpiption "Restricted", and the booklet was replete with injunctions against talking too much.
"To assist in maintaining security of "Exercise Desert Rock" it is desired that you maintain secrecy discipline regarding classified information observed here. Everyone will want to know what you have seen" ---- don't even write home about it.
These GIs participated in the series of atomic test over a period of several weeks, with the largest nuclear explosions coming from bombs dropped by aircraft. Several thousand men watched from about seven miles away as a brilliant atomic light flashed across the desert; some were marched to within a half mile of ground zero where they inspected vehicles and gun emplacements for damage from the blast.
The Pentagon eagerly assessed behavior of GIs as they responded to orders soon after the half dozen nuclear detonations, which totaled 72 kilotons. The more intimate and more lasting consequences, apparently, were not of great concern to the military brass.
Former Army Sergeant Cecil G. Dunn, an "Operation Upshot-Knothole" veteran, recounted from his home in Pensacola, Fl., "After the blast, they marched us to ground zero. I will never forget the smell after that shot. I have no idea how much radiation was there. I know of no film badges. I don't remember seeing any of the men wearing any. I know I never had one." Recalling subsequent chronic headaches lasting for years, followed by nosebleeds, a nervous breakdown, festering spots on his legs and dizzy spells, Dunn said; "I feel like I am drunk all the time, but I don't drink. I tire very easily now --- all I have ever ask is to live like other people. But I cannot help blaming the Government for subjecting me to nuclear testing without warning me of the potential consequences and I will always wonder why it happened."
Part of the above information on the "Atomic Warriors" came from the inter-net and part from memory. An earlier posting recounts part of my experience. Many of those "Warriors" have already departed this life and for far too many of them the cause was cancer. Pray for all of us and also the ones who made the decisions to use us as "human guinea pigs." Until next time, thanks for your time and stay tuned. -William
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Poets & Poetry
nothing modern
I believe I left my last posting with a, somewhat less than subtle, hint that I really didn't much care for our, so-called, modern poetry. Continuing on in that vein, today's writing will be about poets and their poetry from an era before you had to be educated to understand the meaning of the written word. As a case-in-point, several years ago there was an article in a newspaper (Probably The Commercial Appeal) pertaining to the winner of a poetry contest which was sponsored by some Federal Agency. The author's name has slipped my mind but that winning poem will stay with me forever. The entire poem consisted of seven letters which were; "LIGHGHT". If you missed it, here it is again; "LIGHGHT". Surely there is someone, somewhere who can compete with that writer but the biggest problem would probably be with the judges.
With that out of the way, let's move on to a few of the better known and therefore more famous of our, mostly 19th century, poets. Below I will list a few of my favorites along with a short excerpt (2 or 3 verses) from one or more of their poems.
When we think, if we even think, about Edgar Allan Poe (1809 - 1849) we usually remember him as the writer of "The Raven" but my favorite of all his writings is "Annabel Lee". Two verses below;
"It was many and many a year ago, in a kingdom by the sea, / That a maiden there lived whom you may know / By the name of Annabel Lee; / And this maiden she lived with no other thought / Than to love and be loved by me.
I was a child and she was a child, /In this kingdom by the sea; / But we loved with a love that was more than love. / I and my Annabel Lee. -------."
John Greenleaf Whittier, born December 17, 1807 - died September 7, 1892, was an influential American Quaker poet.One of my favorite Whittier poems is "In School Days"; and I'm including the last three verses here;
"I'm sorry that I spelt the word, / I hate to go above you / "Because" - the brown eyes lower fell - / "Because, you see I love you"
Still memories to a gray-haired man / That sweet child-face is showing / Dear girl! The grasses on her grave / have forty years been growing.
He lived to learn, in life's hard school / how few who pass above him / Lament their triumph and his loss / Like her - because they love him."
Another Whittier poem that really needs to be mentioned here is "The Barefoof Boy". The first 10 lines are;
"Blessings on thee, little man / Barefoot boy with cheek of tan! / With thy turned up pantaloons, / And thy merry whistled tunes; / With thy red lips redder still / Kissed by strawberries on the hill; / With the sunshine on thy face, / Through thy torn brim's jaunty grace; / From my heart I give thee joy, - / I was once a barefoot boy."
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, born in 1807 - died 1882, taught French, Italian, Spanish and German at Harvard but preferred to write poetry. Probably his most famous poem was "Evangeline", written in 1847, a fictional, epical saga which chronicles Evangeline's search for her lover Gaberiel(from whom she had been seperated) after the Acadians were exiled from Canada in 1755. Since that poem has hundreds of verses and is much too long to get any sense of its meaning in a few verses, I picked an alternate named "The Village Blacksmith". The first two verses are:
"Under a spreading chestnut tree / The village smithy stands; / The smith, a mighty man is he, / With large and sinewy hands; / And the muscles of his brawny arms / Are strong as iron bands.
His hair is crisp, and black, and long, / His face is like the tan; / His brow is wet with honest sweat, / He earns whate'er he can, / And looks the whole world in the face, / For he owes not any man."
Sam Walter Foss, born June 19, 1858 and died Februry 26, 1911, was a librarian and poet whose work included one of my all time favorites, especially in my senior years, "The House by the Side of the Road" along with "The Coming America" and "Toil's Sweet Content". The first two verses of "The House by the Side of the Road",written in 1897, are quoted here;
"There are hermit / souls that live withdrawn / In the peace of their self-content / There are souls, like stars, that dwell apart, / In a fellowless firmament; / There are pioneer souls that blaze their paths / Where highways never ran; - / But let me live by the side of the road / And be a friend to man.
Let me live in a house / By the side of the road, / Where the race of men go by - / The men who are good and the men who are bad, / As good and as bad as I. / I would not sit in the scorner's seat, / Or hurl the cynic's ban;- / Let me live in a house by the side of the road / And be a friend to man."
It is my hope that someone who might accidentally stumble on this blog would be curious enough to seek out these old poets and their poetry. You'll be glad you did. I may revisit this subject in the future with more of our female poets from yesteryear. Until then, thanks and stay tuned - William
I believe I left my last posting with a, somewhat less than subtle, hint that I really didn't much care for our, so-called, modern poetry. Continuing on in that vein, today's writing will be about poets and their poetry from an era before you had to be educated to understand the meaning of the written word. As a case-in-point, several years ago there was an article in a newspaper (Probably The Commercial Appeal) pertaining to the winner of a poetry contest which was sponsored by some Federal Agency. The author's name has slipped my mind but that winning poem will stay with me forever. The entire poem consisted of seven letters which were; "LIGHGHT". If you missed it, here it is again; "LIGHGHT". Surely there is someone, somewhere who can compete with that writer but the biggest problem would probably be with the judges.
With that out of the way, let's move on to a few of the better known and therefore more famous of our, mostly 19th century, poets. Below I will list a few of my favorites along with a short excerpt (2 or 3 verses) from one or more of their poems.
When we think, if we even think, about Edgar Allan Poe (1809 - 1849) we usually remember him as the writer of "The Raven" but my favorite of all his writings is "Annabel Lee". Two verses below;
"It was many and many a year ago, in a kingdom by the sea, / That a maiden there lived whom you may know / By the name of Annabel Lee; / And this maiden she lived with no other thought / Than to love and be loved by me.
I was a child and she was a child, /In this kingdom by the sea; / But we loved with a love that was more than love. / I and my Annabel Lee. -------."
John Greenleaf Whittier, born December 17, 1807 - died September 7, 1892, was an influential American Quaker poet.One of my favorite Whittier poems is "In School Days"; and I'm including the last three verses here;
"I'm sorry that I spelt the word, / I hate to go above you / "Because" - the brown eyes lower fell - / "Because, you see I love you"
Still memories to a gray-haired man / That sweet child-face is showing / Dear girl! The grasses on her grave / have forty years been growing.
He lived to learn, in life's hard school / how few who pass above him / Lament their triumph and his loss / Like her - because they love him."
Another Whittier poem that really needs to be mentioned here is "The Barefoof Boy". The first 10 lines are;
"Blessings on thee, little man / Barefoot boy with cheek of tan! / With thy turned up pantaloons, / And thy merry whistled tunes; / With thy red lips redder still / Kissed by strawberries on the hill; / With the sunshine on thy face, / Through thy torn brim's jaunty grace; / From my heart I give thee joy, - / I was once a barefoot boy."
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, born in 1807 - died 1882, taught French, Italian, Spanish and German at Harvard but preferred to write poetry. Probably his most famous poem was "Evangeline", written in 1847, a fictional, epical saga which chronicles Evangeline's search for her lover Gaberiel(from whom she had been seperated) after the Acadians were exiled from Canada in 1755. Since that poem has hundreds of verses and is much too long to get any sense of its meaning in a few verses, I picked an alternate named "The Village Blacksmith". The first two verses are:
"Under a spreading chestnut tree / The village smithy stands; / The smith, a mighty man is he, / With large and sinewy hands; / And the muscles of his brawny arms / Are strong as iron bands.
His hair is crisp, and black, and long, / His face is like the tan; / His brow is wet with honest sweat, / He earns whate'er he can, / And looks the whole world in the face, / For he owes not any man."
Sam Walter Foss, born June 19, 1858 and died Februry 26, 1911, was a librarian and poet whose work included one of my all time favorites, especially in my senior years, "The House by the Side of the Road" along with "The Coming America" and "Toil's Sweet Content". The first two verses of "The House by the Side of the Road",written in 1897, are quoted here;
"There are hermit / souls that live withdrawn / In the peace of their self-content / There are souls, like stars, that dwell apart, / In a fellowless firmament; / There are pioneer souls that blaze their paths / Where highways never ran; - / But let me live by the side of the road / And be a friend to man.
Let me live in a house / By the side of the road, / Where the race of men go by - / The men who are good and the men who are bad, / As good and as bad as I. / I would not sit in the scorner's seat, / Or hurl the cynic's ban;- / Let me live in a house by the side of the road / And be a friend to man."
It is my hope that someone who might accidentally stumble on this blog would be curious enough to seek out these old poets and their poetry. You'll be glad you did. I may revisit this subject in the future with more of our female poets from yesteryear. Until then, thanks and stay tuned - William
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Heroines of Yesteryears
to be remembered
Oliver Cromwell was born in England in 1599 and died there in 1658. After a long and bloody civil war the newly crowned king "Charles II", in 1651, named Cromwell "The Great Protector or Lord Protector" of England and he remained in that position until his death.
Rose Hartwick Thorpe was born in Indiana on July 18, 1850, she was raised in Michigan and died in San Diego on July 19, 1939. In 1867 she wrote the poem "Curfew Must Not Ring Tonight" which was set in England during the time that Oliver Cromwell was Lord Protector. It in turn was based on an article, "Love and Loyalty" written by "Lydia Sigourney" and published in "Peterson's Magazine" in 1865. The story, in this poem, involves Bessie a young woman whose lover, Basil Underwood, has been arrested, thrown in prison by the Puritans and sentenced to die that night when the curfew bell rings. Knowing that Lord Cromwell will be late in arriving, the young woman begs the old sexton to not ring the curfew bell . When he refuses, she climbs to the top of the bell tower and heroically risk her life by stopping the bell from ringing. The first two verses of that poem follows:
Curfew Must Not Ring Tonight
"Slowly England's sun was setting over the hilltops far away, / Filling all the land with beauty at the close of one sad day; / And its last rays kissed the forhead of a man and maiden fair, / He with steps so slow and weary; she with sunny, floating hair; / He with bowed head, sad and thoughtful, she with lips all cold and white, / Struggling to keep back the mumur, curfew must not ring tonight!"
"Sexton", Bessie's white lips faltered, pointing to the prison old, / With its walls tall and gloomy, moss-grown walls dark, damp and cold, / I've a lover in the prison, doomed this very night to die, / At the ringing of the curfew, and no earthly help is nigh. / Cromwell will not come till sunset; and her lips grew strangely white, / As she spoke in husky whispers, curfew must not ring tonight!"
Some untold years later an unknown poet, apparently with too much time on his, or her, hands wrote the following parody of Ms. Thorpe's poem and titled it:
"Towser Shall Be Tied Tonight"
"Slow the Kansas sun was setting o'er the wheat fields far away, / Streaking all the air with cobwebs, at the close of one hot day; / And its last rays kissed the forheads of a man and maiden fair, / He with whiskers short and flowzy, she with red and glistening hair; / He with jaws shut stern and silent, she with lips cold and white, / Struggling to keep back the murmur, "Towser shall be tied tonight."
"Papa, slowly spoke the maiden, "I am almost seventeen, / And I've got a real lover, though he's rather young and green; / But he has a horse and buggy, and a cow and thirty hens, / Boys that start out poor, dear Papa, make the best of honest men; / But if Towser sees and bites him, fills his heart with sudden fright, / He will never come again, Pa; Towser must be tied tonight"
"Daughter," firmly spoke the farmer (every word pierced her young heart / Like a carving knife through chicken, as it hunts a tender part). / I've a patch of early melons, two of them are ripe today, / Towser must be loose to watch them, or they'll all be stole away. / I have hoed them late and early, (in dim morn and evening light), / Now they're grown I must not lose them, Towser won't be tied tonight."
"Then the old man ambled forward, opened wide the kennel door; / Towser bounded forth to meet him, as he oft had done before. / And the farmer stooped and loosed him from the dog chain short and stout; / To himself he softly chuckled: "Bessie's fellow must look out." / But the maiden at the window saw the cruel teeth show white; / In an undertone she murmured, "Towser must be tied tonight."
"Then the maiden's brow grew thoughtful, and her breath came short and thick, / Till she spied the family clothesline, and she whispered, "That's the trick." / From the kitchen door she glided with a plate of meat and bread; / Towser wagged his tail in greeting, knowing well he would be fed. / In his well worn leather collar tied she then the clothesline tight, / All the time her white lips saying; "Towser must be tied tonight."
"There, old doggie," spoke the maiden. "You can watch the melon patch, / But the front gate's free and open when John Henry lifts the latch, / For the clothesline tight is fastened to the harvest-apple tree. / You can run and watch the melons, but the front gate you can't see." / Then her glad ears heard a buggy, and her eyes grew big and bright, / While her young heart said in gladness; "Towser, dog is tied tonight."
"Up the path the young man saunters, with eyes and cheeks aglow, / For he loves the red haired maiden, and he aims to tell her so. / "But Bessie's roguish little brother, in a fit of boyish glee, / Had untied the slender clothline from the harvest-apple tree; / Then old Towser heard the footsteps, raised his bristle, fixed for fight. / "Bark away," the maiden whispers. "Towser, you are tied tonight."
"Then old Towser bounded forward, past the open kitchen door; / Bessie screamed and quickly followed, but John Henry's gone before. / Down the path he speeds most quickly, for old Towser sets the pace, / And the maiden, close behind them, shows them she is in the race. / Then the clothesline-can she get it? And her eyes grow big and bright, / As she springs and grasps it firmly. "Towser shall be tied tonight."
"Oftentimes a little minute, forms the destiny of men. / You can change the fate of nations by the stroke of one small pen. / Towser made one last long effort, caught John Henry by his pants, / But John Henry kept on running, for he thought that his last chance; / But the maiden held on firmly, and the rope was drawn up tight -- / But old Towser kept the garments, for he was not tied tonight."
"Then the old man hears the racket, with long strides he soon is there, / While John Henry and the maiden, crouching, for the worst prepare. / At his feet John tells his story, shows his clothing soiled and torn; / And his face, so sad and pleading, yet so white and scared and worn, / Touched the old man's heart with pity, filled his eyes with misty light, / "Take her, boy, and make her happy. Towser shall be tied tonight." "
As far as I know the writer is still unknown and if still living probably wishes to remain "Anon." but I would have loved to meet him or her because it is the kind of poetry I like. I don't understand this so-called modern writing but who am I to say anything except what I like and don't like. Thanks, stay tuned - William
Oliver Cromwell was born in England in 1599 and died there in 1658. After a long and bloody civil war the newly crowned king "Charles II", in 1651, named Cromwell "The Great Protector or Lord Protector" of England and he remained in that position until his death.
Rose Hartwick Thorpe was born in Indiana on July 18, 1850, she was raised in Michigan and died in San Diego on July 19, 1939. In 1867 she wrote the poem "Curfew Must Not Ring Tonight" which was set in England during the time that Oliver Cromwell was Lord Protector. It in turn was based on an article, "Love and Loyalty" written by "Lydia Sigourney" and published in "Peterson's Magazine" in 1865. The story, in this poem, involves Bessie a young woman whose lover, Basil Underwood, has been arrested, thrown in prison by the Puritans and sentenced to die that night when the curfew bell rings. Knowing that Lord Cromwell will be late in arriving, the young woman begs the old sexton to not ring the curfew bell . When he refuses, she climbs to the top of the bell tower and heroically risk her life by stopping the bell from ringing. The first two verses of that poem follows:
Curfew Must Not Ring Tonight
"Slowly England's sun was setting over the hilltops far away, / Filling all the land with beauty at the close of one sad day; / And its last rays kissed the forhead of a man and maiden fair, / He with steps so slow and weary; she with sunny, floating hair; / He with bowed head, sad and thoughtful, she with lips all cold and white, / Struggling to keep back the mumur, curfew must not ring tonight!"
"Sexton", Bessie's white lips faltered, pointing to the prison old, / With its walls tall and gloomy, moss-grown walls dark, damp and cold, / I've a lover in the prison, doomed this very night to die, / At the ringing of the curfew, and no earthly help is nigh. / Cromwell will not come till sunset; and her lips grew strangely white, / As she spoke in husky whispers, curfew must not ring tonight!"
Some untold years later an unknown poet, apparently with too much time on his, or her, hands wrote the following parody of Ms. Thorpe's poem and titled it:
"Towser Shall Be Tied Tonight"
"Slow the Kansas sun was setting o'er the wheat fields far away, / Streaking all the air with cobwebs, at the close of one hot day; / And its last rays kissed the forheads of a man and maiden fair, / He with whiskers short and flowzy, she with red and glistening hair; / He with jaws shut stern and silent, she with lips cold and white, / Struggling to keep back the murmur, "Towser shall be tied tonight."
"Papa, slowly spoke the maiden, "I am almost seventeen, / And I've got a real lover, though he's rather young and green; / But he has a horse and buggy, and a cow and thirty hens, / Boys that start out poor, dear Papa, make the best of honest men; / But if Towser sees and bites him, fills his heart with sudden fright, / He will never come again, Pa; Towser must be tied tonight"
"Daughter," firmly spoke the farmer (every word pierced her young heart / Like a carving knife through chicken, as it hunts a tender part). / I've a patch of early melons, two of them are ripe today, / Towser must be loose to watch them, or they'll all be stole away. / I have hoed them late and early, (in dim morn and evening light), / Now they're grown I must not lose them, Towser won't be tied tonight."
"Then the old man ambled forward, opened wide the kennel door; / Towser bounded forth to meet him, as he oft had done before. / And the farmer stooped and loosed him from the dog chain short and stout; / To himself he softly chuckled: "Bessie's fellow must look out." / But the maiden at the window saw the cruel teeth show white; / In an undertone she murmured, "Towser must be tied tonight."
"Then the maiden's brow grew thoughtful, and her breath came short and thick, / Till she spied the family clothesline, and she whispered, "That's the trick." / From the kitchen door she glided with a plate of meat and bread; / Towser wagged his tail in greeting, knowing well he would be fed. / In his well worn leather collar tied she then the clothesline tight, / All the time her white lips saying; "Towser must be tied tonight."
"There, old doggie," spoke the maiden. "You can watch the melon patch, / But the front gate's free and open when John Henry lifts the latch, / For the clothesline tight is fastened to the harvest-apple tree. / You can run and watch the melons, but the front gate you can't see." / Then her glad ears heard a buggy, and her eyes grew big and bright, / While her young heart said in gladness; "Towser, dog is tied tonight."
"Up the path the young man saunters, with eyes and cheeks aglow, / For he loves the red haired maiden, and he aims to tell her so. / "But Bessie's roguish little brother, in a fit of boyish glee, / Had untied the slender clothline from the harvest-apple tree; / Then old Towser heard the footsteps, raised his bristle, fixed for fight. / "Bark away," the maiden whispers. "Towser, you are tied tonight."
"Then old Towser bounded forward, past the open kitchen door; / Bessie screamed and quickly followed, but John Henry's gone before. / Down the path he speeds most quickly, for old Towser sets the pace, / And the maiden, close behind them, shows them she is in the race. / Then the clothesline-can she get it? And her eyes grow big and bright, / As she springs and grasps it firmly. "Towser shall be tied tonight."
"Oftentimes a little minute, forms the destiny of men. / You can change the fate of nations by the stroke of one small pen. / Towser made one last long effort, caught John Henry by his pants, / But John Henry kept on running, for he thought that his last chance; / But the maiden held on firmly, and the rope was drawn up tight -- / But old Towser kept the garments, for he was not tied tonight."
"Then the old man hears the racket, with long strides he soon is there, / While John Henry and the maiden, crouching, for the worst prepare. / At his feet John tells his story, shows his clothing soiled and torn; / And his face, so sad and pleading, yet so white and scared and worn, / Touched the old man's heart with pity, filled his eyes with misty light, / "Take her, boy, and make her happy. Towser shall be tied tonight." "
As far as I know the writer is still unknown and if still living probably wishes to remain "Anon." but I would have loved to meet him or her because it is the kind of poetry I like. I don't understand this so-called modern writing but who am I to say anything except what I like and don't like. Thanks, stay tuned - William
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