Bye Bye Naughty Noughties

Dear Citizens:
I tried to sleep the long winter's nap to 2010 but I woke a few days short of my goal. With a day or two to spare I put together a list of helpful don'ts for the future.  
(It is somewhat an old tradition to bemoan the passing decade and hope for a new and better next ten years.)

1. Please do not Catch-Phrase an event, an idea, a program, a group or an Administration.   e.g. Wingnuts, Obamacare, Bushleague, monicagate.
        Please call by its real name. Catch-Phrasing only demon-izes. Watergate was enough--make the press work.  This includes Fox News and The Wall Street Journal.
2. It is bad form to call the President of the United States Obama.  Acceptable are the following: Mr. President, President Obama or The President.  Insist on it for all presidents. Using only a last name diminishes the office and sounds like a slur.  This applies to Senators and Congressmen also.
3. If a phrase fits on a bumper sticker it is not necessarily true.  e.g. Mission Accomplished. It is just catchy and short or just short.  Although, I kinda like: Jesus would not own a gun or vote Republican.
4. With the number of firearms in our society it is best to speak civilly especially in a public forum.  If you call someone a liar on the street you might get shot.  Sorry, change that to will be shot.
5.  Screaming "Give me back my Country!" at a catch-all rally makes no sense.  Please explain further.
6. This nation, although founded on many Judeo-Christian principles, is not a Christian country and we Christians have no more rights or privileges than the friendly neighborhood Atheist down the street.  Sorry.
7. If number six bothers you, someone has been feeding you a bill of goods--please read up on your history.
8. Read the Constitution, you will notice that the phrase "Life, Liberty and The pursuit of Happiness." does not appear and the Declaration of Independence has no Amendments to it.
9. Be nice.
10. Play fair.
And be well
A Journeyman

Ho Ho Ho

Twas the days before Christmas and all thru the House

Not a creature was stirring, not even ol' Joe the mouth.

But in the Senate there arose such a clatter,

I sprang to the internet to see what was the matter.

Good Lindsey was fussing, Senator Reid said "Now, now!"

A vote was due soon on whether health-reform They'd allow

Some said "to stop this" will come down to prayer

Others chimed "to the many uninsured we must be fair!"

The Capitol was digging its way out of snow

While Senators had their say--such a blow

When what on my old Lap-top then would appear

But an old Senator with a voice quite clear

He was wheeled into the Chamber, he looked quite able

The prayers, "Oh No, the've helped," God is Good! Teabaggers moaned to Fox Cable

The spirits of two Teddy's then helped him say AYE

Bless you Senator Byrd, I'll save you some mince pie

But I heard someone exclaim thru all that pall mall

"Happy Christmas to all and to All be well."

The World overrun by Oysters?

"I insist upon your dining with us. It will be ready in half an hour. I have oysters and a brace of grouse, with something a little choice in white wines.–Watson, you have never yet recognized my merits as a housekeeper.”
Sherlock Holmes (The Sign Of Four)


Dear Citizens:
To celebrate the new Sherlock Holmes Movie.
This Recipe is for Mark from the U.K. and Quincy, just around the corner.  No wine for Quincy.
Oysters: Altheney Jones
1. Poach 1 large jar of Oysters -1Qt- in their juices. (Quincy-dump the Oysters and their juices into a frying pan and heat) When the Oysters start to curl on the edges remove them and clean and slice up some big mushrooms.
2. Alternate on a metal skewer Oysters and Mushrooms.
3. Drizzle the mess with melted butter and Italian bread crumbs --grill under the broiler.
Eat up and be well
A Journeyman .

Christmas Cheer

Photo by Mandel Ngan

Dear Citizens:
This is the second of two recipes for this festive Christmas season and is dedicated to the Slugg and the Wasterhead.
Although not as famous as Senate Bean Soup the White House Eggnog recipe has more variations.
Thirty years ago, while working at the White House and after asking for the recipe, I was invited to watch the stewards prepare this concoction.  (The printed recipe given out at that time takes one hour or so to prepare--this recipe takes five minutes.)
1. 1 Gal. Eggnog Ice Cream partially defrosted in a big bowl.  The stewards used Sealtest brand.
2. Add to the Ice Cream and mix --Bourbon, Rum and Brandy. One variation says 2 1/2 cups Bourbon, 1 2/3 cups Rum and 1 2/3 cups Brandy.  Note to Slugg and Wasterhead I said cups not bottles.  The stewards made it to taste --but always (approx.) twice as much Bourbon as the other spirits.
3. Serve in punch cups with a grating of Nutmeg on top.
This is an acquired taste so you must have more than one.  You will notice after three you will really enjoy this eggnog.  I did.
Be well
A Journeyman

Bean Soup

Dear Citizens:
To help insure comity in the Senate and among my friends, at this festive season, I will submit to you in the next few days three especial recipes. Today the U.S. Senate's Bean Soup.
This recipe is for Kevin.
1. Soak two 1lb. bags of Navy Beans overnight in enough water to cover them.
(You don't have to watch the beans soak but if you want to please be my guest. I suggest reading a novel (Hound of the Baskervilles) or Senator Reid's Senate Heath Care amendment.---If time is a factor--less than 72 hours to make the soup--bring the beans to a boil, turn off heat, cover and in an hour you are ready to proceed.
2. Add more water to cover soaked beans and add 1 to 11/2 pounds of ham bones with plenty of meat on them.  (Country ham bones give the soup a slightly more spicy taste.)
3. Cover and simmer slowly approx. 3 hours --stir the soup frequently.
4. Saute a chopped onion, add to soup.
5. Correct seasonings.
Serve hot this recipe will feed 1/10 th of the Senate.
Some folks say there are mashed potatoes in the soup--but that is only done to the soup when served in very large quantities--and you will never taste them.  Trust me on that point.
Tomorrow for the Slugg and the WasterHead--White house Egg Nog.
Be Well Citizens
A Journeyman

Christmas Retiever Fever PT II

The promised day of joy came but there were only two, Paul and

 I and Mollie. Mr. Barnes, not terribly pleased at 

the small turnout, was kind enough to cajole

 his wife into cooking us a sumptuous breakfast

 and at 6 AM, on the dot and in 

the dark, we were motoring out at 

an obscene rate of speed on a skiff that might 

have last seen service on the Mekong delta, 

into the far reaches of 

Currituck sound.  

The blind was located southeast of 

Swan Island on the Atlantic flyway.

  The blind, like the hunting lodge, 

was built initially by Mr. Barnes’ father 

after WWI and was continually maintained 

and updated by father and son.  

Mr. Barnes son continues on with this legacy.   

Approximately twelve foot by five the blind was 

supported above the water 

by six logs and contained three stools,

 all the comforts of home-- if you were

 a surf in the middle ages, 

well, I take that back, it did not have a roof.  

The ply board walls were five foot high and 

this entire oblong box 

plus an extension that contained the Mekong 

flyer was covered with pine boughs. 

To any flying creatures on the Atlantic Flyway 

it must have appeared festive, indeed!

Dawn’s rosy fingered-glow illuminated the 

bay and cloudless sky while 

Mollie slept and Mr. Barnes set out decoys. 

(What rosy finger Dawn used I know not but after

 encountering very few 

in-season birds I could hazard a guess.) 

Decoys, as the name implies,

 are set randomly next to the blind in a vain hope 

of attracting live waterfowl.  

Just like putting a rubber duck in the bath water 

to attract all the neighborhood

 one year olds for their nightly cleanings.  

Both theories seem sound 

at the time but as we stood in that blind 

more work in welcoming waterfowl 

needed to be done.

As if answering my unsaid request 

Mr. Barnes sang  forth, (read bellowed),

 a number of vociferous duck sounds which, 

coming from behind and 

three inches from my left ear, 

scared the absolute poop out of me and 

awoke Mollie who thought we were facing 

the wrath of Duckzilla and 

tried to bound from our cover into the sound. 

 From somewhere out to the east came a 

halfhearted response and then silence. 

We were in for a dreaded “bluebird day”.

We encountered some birds just not any 

we were allowed to shoot.  

A large flock of what Mr. Barnes called

" Canadian Geese”, 

landed near by. I suggested we shoot a 

few and check passports—If we

 found American Geese we would keep them 

and let the Canadians wing it away. 

No one laughed.  A number of fish ducks 

paid us a call and black ducks followed by 

cormorants or “Watermelon Geese” honked a hello.  

Alas, they were all off limits. 

Our day went by with alternate long periods 

of tranquility and brief 

moments of panic, Mollie slept and I 

drank coffee.  Once in a great while 

we would all stoop down while Mr. Barnes 

called to an errant stray on 

the horizon to come over for a visit.  

Shots welcomed the newcomers but 

all was in vain. We missed.  A theme was 

starting to play out in my mind but I 

kept my council.  Finally in a moment of 

frustration I vowed that the next five ducks

would be allowed to pass our post unmolested.  

The Mr. Barnes and Paul both 

laughed and claimed they would make 

no promise of that sort.  

During that discussion five buffleheads, 

fair game, flew over our little 

cuckoo’s nest and on into the west. 

Guns were brought up, too late, 

but then duck with a black streak around the 

eyes appeared and landed 

between the farthest decoys.  Paul and Mr. Barnes 

blasted away but the shot 

patterns were too broad.  The shot fell all around him. 

 The duck defiantly stared 

at us, raised a wing as if to say ‘is that rain/’ 

and then flew away into the setting sun.

“Who was that masked Duck?” I thought Paul said.

“The Lone Widgeon.”  I said.

Mollie growled at me and the other two

become uncommunicative.

Later Mr. Barnes tried to console us. 

“Sorry, no ducks,” He said, “But I can tell-- you’ll be back.”

Mollie glanced at Paul with that -next time just you and I, look.

I pretended not to see Paul’s nod.

Report to the Commissionaire:

The Great Dismal Dawgs Retrieving and Foul Water Hunting 

Alliance successfully completed its first Annual Muddy Creek 

Mollie Invitational Duck Hunt on the brilliant Saturday 

following Thanksgiving.

You may of heard that all did not go as planned but nothing 

could be further from the truth.  

Trust me, it happened this way.

If you remember Mollie’s initial Hunt Test was sponsored by 

the Knotts Island /Back Bay

 Hunt Club at least 150 Miles from Knotts Island and the 

Back Bay. 

(Knotts Island/Back Bay Hunt Club, indeed, so many of 

these Clubs have affectatious monikers, don’t you think?) 

Well, I was curious as to where Knotts Island 

and the Back Bay were, why a Hunt Club so named tested its

 dogs far from its native environs 

and whether there was even hunting in said locality?  

In short I’m nosey, or maybe just curious, 

and you know what they say about curiosity...

I can tell you one thing I learned from that weekend, 

curiosity never killed a Duck!  But I digress, I googled 

Knotts Island on my trusty computer and found 

the Barnes Hunting Lodge and its phone number.

A grand plan, inspired by an hunter’s oil painting, had 

been shaping itself in the recesses of my brain 

since Mollie’s first attempt to win a ribbon.  

I would hunt ducks with Mollie far from the artifice and 

pretense of an AKC Hunt. 

 Man and his trusty companion facing and 

triumphing over elemental forces of nature, 

hunters from the far reaches of the country would 

join me, ducks would fall from heaven 

like feathered manna and Mollie would retriever every 

last one of them.  

She would redeem herself and me.  

I called the number to the Hunting Lodge 

and spoke to a lady named Kay.

“No, Mr. Barnes is not here.”

“He might be here next week, call back.”

“He only takes out parties of six hunters.”

I sensed it Kay’s job to dissuade me from bringing 

the grand plan to fruition but my soul and my dog’s 

heart were pure so I called back and then ventured 

forth to Knotts Island to set up the hunt.  

(Finding Knotts Island on a map and actually 

getting there are two completely

 different endeavors.  

I found my innate sense of direction stymied and finally 

admitted defeat, stopped and asked directions

 of three ladies in a town called Pungo.  

(How they carried on with winks and sly looks. 

You would think those three women in the Pungo Deli 

had never given directions to a man before.)

I met Mr. Barnes at his hunting lodge and finalized 

arrangements. 

 Four to six hunters, all lined up, would make the party with 
guides and food, ducks and Mollie.  

All things bright and beautiful, we would have a 

superb end to a holiday weekend.

But sometimes, as Burns penned,

The best-laid schemes o' mice an' men

Gang aft agley,

An' lea'e us nought but grief an' pain,

For promis'd joy !


More to come...

Christmas Retriever Fever

Dear Citizens:

While I shop furiously for gifts this season I thought you might enjoy a holiday story about my Chesapeake Bay dog. This happened a few years ago.

The Education of Mollie

Report Part I

see above

Be Well
A Journeyman

Coffee in a Grand Cup

Dear Citizens:
This morning I made the coffee and instead of drinking it from a mug I poured it into my classiest china cup.  I used its saucer also. They were remembrances from the wait staff after a bit of tom foolery on my part with them during a superb breakfast at the prestigious Grand Hotel in Oslo, Norway.  That morning I also received a silver sugar spoon and a kiss. Of course, I drink from this cup on special occasions only.
Coffee in hand, I turned on the TV and watched the President's Nobel Lecture.
He was a reluctant recipient, like Wilson, and controversial, like Roosevelt, but he explained his reluctance with grace and aplomb.  And he spoke of war.
"Still, we are at war, and I am responsible for the deployment of thousands of young Americans to battle in a distant land. Some will kill. Some will be killed. And so I come here with an acute sense of the cost of armed conflict - filled with difficult questions about the relationship between war and peace, and our effort to replace one with the other."
(Alfred Nobel worried about these same issues when he instigated the peace price through his will.)
It is interesting to note that only once during today's lecture did it receive applause..
"Where force is necessary, we have a moral and strategic interest in binding ourselves to certain rules of conduct. And even as we confront a vicious adversary that abides by no rules, I believe that the United States of America must remain a standard bearer in the conduct of war. "
Is it not sad that this speech will garner no political points at home with Democrats or Republicans?  It comes from the heart and it makes much sense.
Be well Citizens
A Journeyman

Peace on Earth only 'Cept

Dear Citizens:
It will surprise no one that before blogs etc. I ranted and raved--sometimes not very civilly.
Here is a letter I wrote ten years ago to the News Leader, a local Staunton, VA paper, when I lived in that western Virginia community.  Clearer heads prevailed and it was not published but it was my first rant that I made a conscientious attempt to be civil.

It was beginning to look and feel a lot like the holidays as I walked up Lewis Street that crisp Tuesday after Thanksgiving.  The message board aside the Second Presbyterian Church proclaimed “Christmas Peace,” holiday lights were already in place on a nearby bank, the downtown was decked out for the season and Staunton’s Christmas parade was history.  All this accomplished before December 1st. Our city was prepared for the holidays a week before Hanukkah and three and a half weeks before Christmas.

The residents of the city played their part also placing candles at the windows and seasonal greenery about those lovely old homes. All the symbols for our many varied holiday celebrations of peace and light seemed in place. Staunton does like its holiday lights.

At the crest of a hill rested an old anti-bellum style home. It sat high above the sidewalk and back in trees, the bushes around it’s porch trimmed in festive lights and a small decorated evergreen presented holiday joy to passersby.  For me the decorations so epitomized this sense of  “peace on earth, good will toward all”  that I turned back to view them one last time. It was then I noticed flying from the porch a large Confederate battle flag. Now this interested me.

I will admit that, frequently, I walk downtown and back home.  It is a time consuming indulgence but the walk is good exercise. More than that, it slows me down, gives me time to think and since I am new to Staunton observe the city close up. My excuse for doing so was that I needed coffee.  That day I had bought two pounds of my favorite, The General’s Blend. Named for Washington and Lee, this potent aromatic mixture of light and dark beans is roasted and blended in Lexington and sold here.

As I walked home Tuesday, my coffee under my arm, I wondered if the residents of that lovely old home considered the mixed signals that Christmas trees and Confederate battle flags presented together sent to many of our citizens?  How do the members of the nearby Churches view the house on the hill?

In tandem could those symbols be viewed--”Peace on earth, ---”only ‘cept”?” The caveat of “only ‘cept,” always bothers me. The “only cepts” get in the way of the peace statement, don’t they?  What about “Good will towards all”? When we display holiday symbols that mean “Peace” and “Goodwill” don’t we accept a small measure of responsibility to make it happen? 

I would inquire.  I called the owner.

Unfortunately, I presented my case rather badly to the resident putting him on the defensive, and for that I am sorry. To his credit he was more generous than he needed to be with his explanation but he informed me: I had my opinions and he had his.  At some point I recall the words "Damn Yankee" being used.  End of conversation.  I received a good history lesson about "our hallowed ancestors" and even better civics lesson concerning the 1st amendment of our Constitution.  I love history, thank the Good Lord I did not point out his beloved Ancestors fought to be free of our Constitution, and I understand that the symbols for peace and war can get easily mixed especially in a state that celebrates a Lee, Jackson, King Holiday. I had no axe to grind, no agenda to present to the resident. I just wanted his viewpoint.

But, now, I have an observation.  We celebrate our wars more than our peace. If this continues our past will cloud our future more than it now does our present. General Lee was right when overlooking the Union's preparations, before the battle of Fredericksburg, he said, “It is well that war is so terrible -- we should grow too fond of it.”

I would suggest we take a moment and reflect during this holiday season on the symbols we use to represent ourselves to others. Could we not engineer a flagless Armistice during the holiday 
season? Would that not be the best way to honor all our ancestors? Staunton, the birth place of President Woodrow Wilson, our own Nobel laureate for Peace, deserves it-- And if we do come together to talk about it, let me bring the coffee. 


Be well
A Journeyman
 

Black Friday

Good Morning Citizens:
A little humor for you on this day of big sales.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSPGJ5-XAcM

Be well
A Journeyman

Happy Thanksgiving

Dear Citizens:
Thursday we celebrate one of our truly American Holidays or should I say a truly North American holiday although Canada's Thanksgiving is a few weeks earlier.  Well no matter, the idea of giving thanks is not new to the world,  but the American spirit has truly embraced while refining the concept of thankfulness to include all citizens in all parts of the country.
It is our oldest and most inclusive holiday regardless of who, the Jamestown settlers or Plymouth Pilgrims, Native Americans or Vikings, get bragging rights for initiating the celebration.  Thanksgiving transcends citizenship, religion, race, national origin or creed and isn't that nice?  For close to four hundred years Americans all have given thanks for what we have and what we have survived.
While sitting around a bounteous table with family and friends it is hard to be less than bounteous in our thoughts and deeds at least for one day.  It is hard to quote Ayn Rand when two linemen unselfishly have opened  a hole for the running back to score and almost impossible to fuss about your government taking money from your pocket when the government has blessed you with "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness" and in many instances a job and the monies in your pocket.
We can get back to fussing next week and I am sure we all will. Take the rest of this week off from criticizing anything but the feast and remember what a former President once said.
This country will not be a good place for any of us to live in unless we make it a good place for all of us to live in.  ~Theodore Roosevelt

Have a happy day and be well
A Journeyman

Hello Senator

Dear Citizens:
Many years ago the best mid-west steak was prepared and served at the Stockyards Inn located in the "back of the yard" neighborhood of Chicago.  As you walked in the host and your waiter would come up to you and say "Hello, Senator."  First timers either would be flattered or put off by the attention.  Regardless of their reaction or yours the servers would continue to refer to all as Senator.  All were treated with deference and the staff expected to be treated the same way.
There is something very special about being treated in that manner and soon your manners and speech reflect it.  No cursing, no loud speech, no dehumanizing of an opponent or their thoughts just a restful repast with friends or colleagues.
Last Saturday evening the Senate of The United States of America took a vote on whether to debate the Affordable Health Choices Act now before them.  The vote passed.  The Senate will now debate this bill.
Since the founding of our republic the Senate's deliberations have been characterized as a cooling saucer.
“Why did you pour that coffee into your saucer?” George Washington asked. “To cool it,” Jefferson replied. “Even so,” Washington declared, “we pour legislation into the senatorial saucer to cool it.” 
We have come to the time of cooling debate not raucous overheated name calling.   At an earlier time in our country name calling and insults were settled on a field of honor.   As a nation we have grown beyond that.
Lets prove it with a debate that cools rather than inflames.  The coffee is already much too hot.
Be well Citizens
A Journeyman  

Opportunities

Golf is the closest game to the game we call life. You get bad breaks from good shots; you get good breaks from bad shots - but you have to play the ball where it lies.
- Bobby Jones
Dear Citizens:
Before I was out of my teens I was offered a rare opportunity which, in my infinite collegiate wisdom, I turned down.  To put myself through University I had taken a job as student cook at the athletic training tables. One day, in passing, a defensive back on  the football squad asked me if I would carry his golf clubs, at certain times, while he practiced and played a few rounds of his minor sport.  In payment he offered to teach me Golf.  I answered no and that I was very busy with music and had my own practicing to do.  Looking back I will admit I was offended that a football player asked me to be his caddy.  He only asked once and I missed the opportunity to learn Golf  from Hale Irwin.
Twenty years later I had the chance to take up the game again this time from a Episcopal priest who was a scratch golfer.  This time I jumped at the chance.
Now I should be honest at this point and explain I am a "duffer" at the game of Golf and sometimes at life also. But I keep coming back to both and hope at the start of each round and each day to play and not pass on important opportunities.
Be well
A Journeyman
Golf is the loneliest sport. You're completely alone with every conceivable opportunity to defeat yourself. Golf brings out your assets and liabilities as a person. The longer you play, the more certain you are that a man's performance is the outward manifestation of who, in his heart, he really thinks he is.
- Hale Irwin 

November 11, 2009

Have a happy day !

March along, sing our song, with the Army of the free.
Count the brave, count the true, who have fought to victory.
We’re the Army and proud of our name!
We’re the Army and proudly proclaim:
First Chorus:
First to fight for the right,
And to build the Nation’s might,
And The Army Goes Rolling Along.
Proud of all we have done,
Fighting till the battle’s won,
And the Army Goes Rolling Along.
Refrain:
Then it’s hi! hi! hey!
The Army’s on its way.
Count off the cadence loud and strong;
For where’er we go,
You will always know
That The Army Goes Rolling Along.
Second Chorus:
Valley Forge, Custer’s ranks,
San Juan Hill and Patton’s tanks,
And the Army went rolling along.
Minute men, from the start,
Always fighting from the heart,
And the Army keeps rolling along.
Refrain:
(same as above)
Third Chorus:
(slower, more freely)
Men in rags, men who froze,
Still that Army met its foes,
And the Army went rolling along.
Faith in God, then we’re right,
And we’ll fight with all our might,
As the Army keeps rolling along.
Refrain:
Then it’s hi! hi! hey!
The Army’s on its way.
Count off the cadence loud and strong; (two! three!)
For where’er we go,
You will always know
That THE ARMY GOES ROLLING ALONG! (keep it rolling!)
And THE ARMY GOES ROLLING ALONG!

WTUD

Dear Citizens:
When Congressmen and Senators misstate the Pledge of Allegiance and misquote the Constitution.
When those same lawmakers refuse to read legislation and offer critiques based on their judgement.
When seemingly rational people worry about death panels and the loss of their constitutions and demand the "return of the country", what ever that means...
When all this happens, the world turns upside down for me and I take time off for a week of golf at Hilton Head.
 I seek solace and advice from good conservatives on the Golf course.  My fact finding trip to the bastion of conservative fairways and dog-leg rights, helps me in two ways: First, I receive the loyal opposition's political views and in so doing I ruin their games and second, well, it is pleasurable to bask in a world so devoid of reality and common sense.
See you in a week
Be well
A Journeyman Citizen, but still a duffer on the course

The Day after

Dear Citizens:
Election day always follows Halloween, All Saints Day and all Souls Day and there are reasons for that.  Tricks and treats are followed by prayers for the departed, the living, and then the candidates.
Please God let my candidate win!  or the subtle variations on that theme: "Please vote for my Dad",  "Hi, Remember Virginia vote your conscience.",  "I am voting for the person who brought my child into this world."
During the run up to the election we heard the candidates described as too weak, too strong, too conservative--Taliban Ticket, too liberal-- and he stutters,  Too Slick, Not Slick enough, and on and on.
The following groups have helped me decide who to vote for.
Move-Back.org and the ClubYourGrowth.  Thanks folks for all your help.
Recently the conservative radio host, John Batchelor went on a rant about the right wing even I couldn't dream up.
"All together, these potentates constitute a right-wing nihilism made up of charming or churlish older males who come down from their gated neighborhoods in Olympus now and again to preach their giddy “I’ve got mine!” libertarian cant to the meek of the Earth and threaten mayhem against the Republican Party if it does not obey a Busby Berkeley kick-line of billionaire cranks. Before the concoction of the Club for Growth, a right-wing political group that advocates limited government and lower taxes and invented the "RINO Watch" list, in the last moments of the Clinton presidency, it was possible to ignore the carping of the rich and insufferable. Yet since the toxins of the Bush presidency rendered the party a taxidermist’s exhibit in the North and West–anywhere outside of the Confederacy or the Mormon Tabernacle—the Club for Growth crowd has learned to enjoy a sadistic sport—harassing anyone in the GOP who does not kiss the hem of His Rt. Hon. Tax Cut or who has fresh thoughts outside of a looped reel of Life with Father."
That is a worthy rant--a little election humor for both parties --Wow I need to find a quote like that for Move-On.Org.
BUT and here is the small print ---The bottom line comes Tomorrow, the day after the elections, who ever wins still has to find the funds to run our state government and both candidates said no to new taxes.  Promises neither can keep the day after!


Be well
A Journeyman

Happy Halloween

Dear Citizens:
I love All Hallow's eve and
I want to wish all a worry free happy Halloween.
Please don't worry about your candy, it is safe to eat.  Devils and Demons didn't pray over it as certain religious leaders claim.  Those religious leaders want all the candy for themselves and they will say anything to get it.  Besides most of them don't believe in All Hallows day so why are they fussing about its eve.

If you dress up like a Republican Senator or Congressman only say "No!" once to the young ones that come a rapping at your chamber door.  Then you can grudgingly give out the candy.  Stay in character.

Carve a smile into your pumpkin.  Trust me, you will feel better.

Don't grouse if someone comes around trick or treating for UNICEF.  This is not a fiendish one-world-government-plot.  The few pennies you donate will not help, in the least, the funding of the UN's secret black helicopter fleet. On this point Glen Beck and I agree.  FYI: the funding for that is already set aside.

OK, enough silliness, here is my little treat of a trick for you!
http://www.princeton.edu/~hammett/CardTrick/html/trick.html

Be well and Happy Halloween
A Journeyman

Trick or treat

Dear Citizens:
So many years ago- I don't remember, a small politically astute possum from the Okefanokee swamp debuted in the papers.  A few years later he made a statement that is as valid today as it was in those times.

First used in 1970 on an Earth Day poster

It fits well with Health Care Reform also

As the argument against health reform comes down more and more about the defeat of one man and not the health and welfare of a great nation's citizenry we must all examine, gentle citizens, who wants all health reform to fail.

The headlines always start something like this:

I don't care how sympathetic you are to those that don't have health insurance, and on and on-- 

and they end---We Just can't afford it!


Doesn't sound like someone who wants any Health Care reform, does it?


This just in:  Sen. Pat Roberts (R-KS) offered a defense of Bunning’s amendment by arguing that the 72-hour provision was critical because it provides time 
for senators to consult with health insurance lobbyists.
And this:
QUESTION: Will the Republicans put their alternative online for 72 hours as well?
BOEHNER: Uh, we’ll uh, we’ll have our ideas ready. Don’t worry.
Why won’t Bohner post the GOP plan? Because he doesn’t have one. Later in the press conference, this minor detail was revealed when a reporter pressed Boehner for a GOP alternative plan:
QUESTION: Is it your plan to have one Republican alternative that you all would get behind and endorse?
BOHNER: We have a number of ideas that we would like to proffer in this process, and we’re not quite sure 
how the majority intends to proceed. And so until we understand how they intend to proceed, 
it’s pretty difficult for us to have a solid plan.

It is easy to demonize Health Care Reform if those in opposition call it Obamacare or something else because they can still say they wanted Health Care: just not Obamacare.  It will be a nice trick if they can pull it off.  And the treat?  Well, you will get that on your insurance bill next year.  Better save up.

Be well citizens

A Journeyman

Scary times

Dear Citizens:
I have to take a quick trip to the western part of the state To converse, hob nob, and otherwise communicate with my fellow.....well you got the picture.
I will worry about some of my older readers (over 18) while I am gone and because of those worries I am setting forth a few reminders and responding to a few rumors.  I should be back in a few days.
First: if you are planning to go trick or treating -dressed as a "Tea-bagger" and asking your neighbors not to raise your taxes-- be warned it is rumored-- this conduct, in many areas, is illegal. 
Second: If any one approaches you dressed as a tea-bagger and demands: that you not raise his or her taxes or begs you to return his or her country.  Please treat them gently* and ask for a, one time only, agreeing fee ( 1%, of their gross income).  Send the collected fee to the US treasury and mark on the envelope, National debt reduction contribution.
Note to any ultra Tea Pots out there--So you will feel better in these difficult and scary times may I recommend Mr. Elwood Dowd's admonition.
"Harvey and I sit in the bars, have a drink or two, play the jukebox. And soon the faces of all the other people turn toward mine and they smile. And they’re saying, “We don’t know your name, mister, but you’re a very nice fellow.” Harvey and I warm ourselves in all these golden moments."


Be well citizens --I will be back soon
A Journeyman


*Remember: Never tease a weasel because weasels do not like it and teasing isn't nice.

Walk in the Park III

Continued from Sunday
"Would you explain more about your theories of  government, Colonel?"
" Dee-lighted, but my ideas were none too popular with the business community then and not much better received now.  I can tell you that."  He stared straight ahead at some distant point. "One leader of industry wrote to the New York Times that the rights and interests of the laboring man would be protected and cared for, not by labor agitators, but by the good Christian men that God had put in charge of the property interests of the country.  What unmitigated nonsense. You see -every man of power is capable of causing trouble to his neighbor."  He stopped and looked at me straight in the face and forcefully said,  "I told a group of veterans if they were good enough to shed blood for the country they were good enough to be given a square deal afterwards."  He chuckled to himself,  "And then, everyone in the country wanted a square deal and why not?" 
"It sounds a bit like now." I said hoping to calm the gentleman down.
"No, no," He spit out, "In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.  That is what many are doing now--nothing."
"I think those many are worried about the cost of government programs."
"A typical vice of American politics is the avoidance of saying anything real on real issues."  He laughed and I laughed.
"Hi, what's the joke?" Three high school age runners passed me on the trail and eyed me suspiciously.
Mollie and I were very much alone.  The Colonel and his dog were gone.
"An old joke," I called out to them.  "Have a good run."
They waved in acknowledgement and vanished into the mist.
Be well
A Journeyman