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
Friday, November 27, 2009
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
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
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
Monday, November 23, 2009
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
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
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
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
- 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
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
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!
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!
Friday, November 6, 2009
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
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
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
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
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
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