She's Alive!!

My Sweetieheart has once again decided to take (electric) pen in hand *grin*. If you like to read the views of a feisty woman who is not afraid to call it like she sees it. Go take a look. She has a way with words, and is much better looking than I am (ok, I am biased, but head over any how).

A Response to Mr Rivkin, And A Reminder to Read The Whole F'ing Thing

Well it would appear I put my foot into it over here. Lord knows that wasn't the intent..and it will teach me a sharp lesson about "reading the whole f-ing thing". I don't want to hog the good Curmudgeon's webspace, so the views brought up over there will be broung up here.

Fran had posted about this bit of poofery by Robert Rivkin.

And I am in complete agreement with Fran, Connie, and others who responded that there is no way in hell we should see an increase of any sort in our taxes to support this. And I also agree it would set a very troubling precedent.

Where I was trying to say...and had I read Fran's post completely I would have commented a bit differently... was as follows.

1. We are the greatest nation of the face of the earth. Our wealth, generosity, and power have no equal. IRT that, what would be the problem if we did *divert* a small part of taxes already collected and send it to the areas effected by one of the greatest calamities nature has sent the world.

Assuming our total federal intake of taxes is something along the line of the 2002 level of $2,000,000,000,000. that's 2 trillion dollars. Let's say one tenth of one percent of that is skimmed off the top. That would be 200 million (if my poor attempt at math is correct). This also does not figure in the amount in dollars it costs us to send over a Carrier and various other ships and manpower to assist in the clean up and emergency medical, food, and infrastructure needs we are also addressing. Or even half that much (again not accounting for the direct aid provided by our armed services) still sends a couple of messages.

• This country, and its government in particular, is not, nor has it ever been *stingy*. We have traditionally been the first to offer food, medical aid, monitory aid, and comfort to all corners of the earth, whenever the need arises.

• The rest of the world is on notice, we not only are quite capable of waging a war against the evils of the world. (And do that in the gentlest way war has ever been fought in the history of warfare!) But we are able to extend help *as a nation* just as readily.

Finally, we have given out all sorts of foreign aid, and as our needs and wants dictate, we will probably continue to do so. Would this be no different? Again, you may argue we need to redress our national policy regarding this. That giving money to countries specifically to improve the lot of their population without expecting the country involved to be actively working on improving the opportunities for its own people is tossing money down the drain. And I would agree. To also presuppose the American people should be burdened with an additional tax in order to support rebuilding of other nation-states when our national interests/security is not directly effected does not border on socialism, it is. And at that point we ironically become that very thing the bleeding hearts would paint us as, even now, an Empire.

So, to Francis, again please accept my apologies. To Mr. Rivkin, please take your socialist smoke and mirrors act somewhere else, we don't want or need that in this country. Our GNP and continued spirit of entrepreneurship don't need any more ham stringing then they already have. Indeed Mrs. Du Toit is quite correct in stating there are more then enough private contractors out there who would benefit from getting work in rebuilding the area (in a long term program). And to you my readers, who ever you are....remember RTWFT! I am off to go wipe the egg from my face.

And It Came To Pass...

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year
to all of you from all of us here at Snugg Harbor.

(go to the link to see what the holiday is "really" all about)

Best Wishes For The Season

As promised here are a few "wishes and thanks" as we come to the end of the year.

To All who have visited my little piece of the web...."Thank you!!" I hope in some small way you found something of interest or of value. For those who left comments (good or ill) "Thank you!" Feed back is a good thing and if nothing else lets your humble blogger know he has stirred up your emotions/passions enough to spend the energy to agree or disagree with what was written.

To those I have come to know and have come to know me, Thank you for initially stopping by, and for continuing to visit and comment, and e-mail. I have made a number of new acquaintances since taking part in the "blogging family" and thanks to Mike, Mark, Bob, Kim, Connie, Allan, Francis, Vilmar, Eric, Rob, SondraK, Claire, Rodger, DeDoc, Kate, "the Kate", Misha, Todd, AJ, Jim, Riverdog, "Bug", and a host of others. You have all enriched my life, and I am a better person for it. Somehow "thank you" just doesn't seem to be words enough.

To Capt Ed, Wretchard, SDB, Bill Whittle, Hugh Hewlett, and others (yet again). Thank you for giving of your time, energy, and thoughts. And for willingly sharing your insights to life, the human condition, and world around us all. To have made yourselves so readily available to the "net public at large" via your marvelous way with words...is a gift far greater then gold. And "we" are all the better for you doing so.

To my sons both "by blood" and "by marriage". Thank you ....for asking questions and for having the courage to follow your dreams. I hope in some small way I can direct you toward the answers you seek. And I am honored you think enough of me to be willing to ask in the first place. May you each in your own way and fashion come to understand my greatest wish is for your future success and happiness in all that you strive for in your lives. And that I am able to prevent you from landing in some of the many pitfalls I have stumbled into not only during my "misspent youth" but as an adult as well. Know you are loved and appreciated for the individuals you are either developing into...or have finally arrived at.

Finally, to my better half, "my sweetie-heart", thank you for sharing this ride with me. It hasn't been all that many years, and with luck, we will see many more together. I know I haven't told you often enough how proud I am of your writing ability and your clarity of thought. It has been said; "Behind every man who seeks to make his fortune, or who seeks greatness, there is a strong woman." You, for some reason known only to yourself and God, have chosen to cast your lot in standing by me. For that reason alone, I can never say thank you or I love you enough. I am the richest of men.

Now what are my "wishes"?

1. Mankind will recognize there is good and evil inherent in all. That sometimes we need to address the evil when it manifests itself. Be it a despot who enslaves his countrymen, or a cancer that grows within a faith, a people, or even a nation. That we can find peaceful solutions to removing same, but failing that have the courage of our convictions to know some times a scalpel is the only tool left in removing malignancies from the world.

2. Regardless of your personal faith, or moral code, we each in our own fashion will work toward promoting and practicing the better part of our collective nature. I know that is a very broad statement, and is not meant to be saccharine in intent. If we each promote honest discourse between fellows...and follow the golden rule...there has got to be some sort of mathematical effect....to were individual acts of a positive nature if nothing else get rid of the damn *grey areas* and leave us with a more honest appraisal of our fellow men. To this end if there is less and less grey areas....then it becomes very much harder for evil to take root and *hide*. If our intent and actions are clear cut and straight forward....would not those of less than honorable intent be forced to show their hand. Allowing us to remove the malignant cell(s) before they pose a greater danger or cause greater harm?

3. May you all have the blessings, honor, and intent of this Christmas season showered upon you. May your pockets and purses be well filled. May your hearts be lightened and filled with happiness that comes from sharing, with family, with those whom you share a special love, with friends you hold dear. May those of you with family and friends who answered their countries call, find them back in your arms safe and whole.

4. And my one selfish request/wish....May my Chicago Cubs finally arrive at that little bit of seven game magic this coming Oct. And Santa baby..please stuff the Bears stocking with a much improved offensive line AND a first class quarterback.

That is my thank you and wish list for this year. I will have one more post for tomorrow...which will (baring unforeseen events) remain on top until the New Year arrives.

From all of us here at Snugg Harbor Merry Christmas and the Happiest of New Years!!

The Best Christmas Present Ever

Went on a job interview today. With any luck at all I could be employed within the next few weeks. More about with whom and doing what if the end result is a steady paycheck. And to each and every one who happens to visit here may you have the Merriest of Christmases and the Happiest of New Years.

With any luck at all I will post my list of Christmas and New Years wishes and "thank yous" tomorrow.

The Dead Pool

Here are my 15 nominations for this years cavalcade of corpse counting, otherwise known as Laurence Simon's "Dead Pool". You can agree with my selection of those soon to be worm food, or make your own list and submit it here. Just follow the directions provided at the top of the main page and you'll be good to go.

Now on to the "nearly departed".

Dick Clark:(b)November 30, 1929 He ended '04 with a mild stroke. Before we usher in '06 he will be interviewing Hendrix on the Heavenly Bandstand.

Gerald Ford:(b)July 14, 1913 His time is coming, and the only man ever to not be elected into the vice presidency and then the oval office, will soon be trading golf tips with Bob Hope on the great driving range beyond.

Pope John Paul II:(b)May 18, 1920 I have to agree with others here. He is not going to make it to '06. And as some have suggested will the next Vicar of Rome be it's last?

Chief Justice William Rehnquist:(b)October 1, 1924 He is going to make a slight recovery, but by early next fall, will be on his way to the real "supreme court".

Hugh Hefner:(b)April 9th, 1926 He will be having a date with a real angel before years end.

Ed Asner:(b)Nov 15, 1929 He was everybody's favorite newsroom editor on the old Mary Taylor Moore show. And was quite the activist in the 70's/80's But now that Nancy Pelosi is working toward San Francisco becoming a *gun free zone*, perhaps Ed will be up there doing some theater in the round...and take a round from some punk or another who feels the *gun free laws* should not be applicable to them.

Paris Hilton:(b)February 17, 1981 Ok, this is a long shot...but there has to be either a stalker, a crazed religious fanatic, or lslamofascist (yes, she is one of the reasons why they *hate* us), or perhaps a real nutcase who is all the above. He will rid the world of this empty headed piece of plastic.

Kerry Wood(b)June 16, 1977 or Carlos Zambrano(b)June 1, 1981: This is nothing against either of these gents...really...it's not! What I am saying is the Cubs have a strong starting pitching rotation ..it is perhaps the biggest thing they have going for them and could result in their making it at long last to the World Series. But fate will not be that kind....if it looks like they are going all the way this upcoming season, look for any one of their five starters to be called up to the *real Angels* dugout. I hope not...but this is the Cubs.

Zsa Zsa Gabor:(b)February 6, 1917 Yes darling, she of the many husbands will check outdo here this year and only her sisters know where she'll be checking in.

Carlton Heston:(b)October 4, 1924 Moses will finally get to cross the river Jordan this year.

Kirk Douglas:(b)December 9, 1916 Will take it on the chin and also head across the Styx.

Barbara Billingsley:(b)December 22, 1922 Is finally going to "leave it to beaver", as in "her last will and testament".

Walter Cronkite: (b)November 4, 1916 Heads to the other side to have a face to face with Edward R. Marrow..And that's the way it is.

Arthur C Clarke:(b)December 16, 1917 Begins his "Space Odyssey" as he heads for the heavens.

Come this time next year, we shall see who has had the clearest look at the grim reapers roster for '05.

Update: Ya know sometimes you can spell check too much...sorry about some of the weird last names...seems the spell checker never heard of Moses or Leave It To Beaver...or CBS news for that matter. I want to also state here again, that these are NOT people I necessarily would take any sort of joy in their passing...just a list based only on *The Miss Cleo School of Prognostication*. So figure the odds of me being right. I have noticed in the comments folks are of the opinion I want to see these folks sent quickly on their way to the after life. Nothing could be further from the truth. ~The Management~

Eco-sails In The Sunset

Received an e-mail from Mike and Wendy over at American Dinosaur (they are good people go check em out). They sent me an article about an environmentally friendly power source/system, which if all goes right, should be in production and going into sailing craft sometime in the not too distant future.

Now I am not a tree hugger, but I do believe if there is a cleaner, cheaper way to do things and the end result helps to improve the overall environment, then good on ya. And yes I am all for it.

I don't buy, for the most part, the eco-agenda/propaganda being spewed forth these days. And I didn't buy the doomsday scenarios posited back in the early 70's, (anyone remember "The Population Bomb"?) which brought about movies like "Soylent Green". Though Michael Moore would sure make a "primo" batch of that stuff wouldn't he??

Fact is, the planet has gone through some hard times due mainly to nature and the occasional cosmic interruptions. This little bit o' rock, sky, and water, for the most part, came through it all fairly well. And perhaps man's self important ego is what drives those who look and judge his efforts at sullying the planet and the long term effects of same. Giving them a much greater importance then they really warrant (the proposed scientific *facts*, as well as those presenting/supporting same).

Having said that, I would add, if we *can* do it better, cheaper, and cleaner, then we are to some degree morally obligated to do so. If only for future generations 'Cause its the right thing to do. But, please, lets leave the "junk/biased/agenda driven" science out of it, shall we.

Mrs. Jesus?

Sometimes you read or hear about things and wonder what's the world coming to. Kate sinks her venomous fangs into a subject of pious and profane debate, brought again to light by such books as "The Da Vinci Code". And the subject would be, was Jesus married.

Save yourself a trip to the musty corner of a large library or spending time with learned men be they priest, rabbi, or minister...for Kate indeed has the final answer to that question.

Don't believe me? Go read for yourself...the truth shall set you free. Oh, and set your coffee or coke down before doing so!

A Blogburst Is Coming

January 2005 is just around the corner. A month which begins with reflection as the New Year begins, a month given to a potent reminder of our cherished form of government in the culmination of the electoral process in the witnessing of a presidential inauguration.

This January also brings something different to the table. On the 27th, it will be a time of remembrance. For on this date, 60 years ago, the site of one of man's greatest inhumanities to his fellow man, was liberated. The gates to Auschwitz were opened...and the world allowed to see the Nazi's "final solution".

On the 20th of this month, only two years before that, in a fashionable section of Berlin, the major leaders of the Nazi party (both military and "state"), charged with dealing with the "Jewish problem", met, in what was forever after called "The Wannsee Conference". At this meeting, the "final solution" was openly addressed and discussed.

60 years ago...a much different time and place....a different world.
60 years ago...not long after that a phrase was starting to be heard "Never Again!!"

60 years ago...is not taught or talked about all that often in our schools and places of worship (it is not just a "Jewish thing", Catholics, Jehovah Witnesses, and others died as easily as did those of Jewish faith and lineage). And those who either lived through the hell of Auschwitz or saw the horror within it's gates, are themselves passing from our lives.

60 years ago...would those same people who bore witness to the evil have even hazarded a guess their grandchildren and great grandchildren would be witness to a rebirth of the same mindset which brought about those horrors. It is going on right now people, and not just in the twisted minds of Arab and Palestinian terrorists. But grows anew in Europe, and other parts of the western civilized world as well.

So even more than ever before it falls to men and woman of good conscience, Jew and gentile alike, to teach and instruct not only our fellows...but our children too.
And to this end Israpundit announces a Blogburst. Go to his page, add your name, your blog, to his efforts. Help to make this more, much more, than a cry into the wilderness. Rather it should become a reminder, a call to remember...so none may forget...

"Never Again!!"

Illegal Immigration Not A Problem?

So, you think allowing our borders to be wide open to any and all, regardless of their status,isn't really all that big of a problem? After all *they* are taking the jobs nobody else wants...right? And it really isn't *hurting* anyone....right??? And if they were not allowed in who would take the jobs? (MY GOD MUFFY, DADDY ACTUALLY SUGGESTED I GET OUT AND DO SOME MANUAL LABOR!!! OH THE HORRORS!!).

Well here is a newsflash for you. Go here and read the whole damn thing. Cause it can happen to you when you least expect it. And this is not the first person to have such a thing happen, and most likely (and sadly) it won't be the last. Unless we write to the powers that be (your congress critters and senatescum) and let them know there needs to be a real and dramatic change. Illegal immigration is not something new, but it is something that needs to be addressed and some credible solution found.

Oh, and for you bleeding hearts out there who say we should just let the Mexicans in (not to pick on hispanics but they are if not the largest, one of the largest groups to cross the border on a regular basis), think about what they would do to YOU if you went into their country with out the proper papers and no discernible means of support. If you guessed they would send you back across the border after perhaps, a quiet stay in one of the local cross bar hiltons, you would be correct. And as for the folks coming into Mexico from the south of their border, well if they are lucky, they are allowed to continue to breath and are sent back...many are not so lucky and are sent back in the non-breathing state. What I am saying is the border to the south is not an *open* border, in the sense you can enjoy all the rights and freedoms you have here in the "states" down there. But they *expect* us to provide more and more concessions to those who illegally cross our border. Sorry folks, that don't wash.

Either we enforce existing laws and beef up the INS/Border Patrol in men, money, and machinery/technology to do the job that is needed. Or we could always make Mexico the 51st State (if only for the tourist dollars and oil that might not be a bad idea). But something has got to be done.

So, here is a couple of things you can do.
1) Get your local federal political types ear and give him/her a blast.
2) Think about the other types who are able to cross the border (terrorists....naaa they would *never* think of doing that (/sarcasm) )
3) Last but not least, go to Barking Moonbats and wish Allen a speedy and complete recovery.

Now go and carry out the Plan of the Day.

A Good Book

Just getting back into the swing of things here. But thought I would share what else has been taking up my time, since being away from the blogger side of the house.

As with my better half True Bluegal, I dusted off the old copies of "Neverwinter Nights ™ " and ran through the game and extensions. Played 'round with a couple of other odds and ends as well. This all helped in recharging the blogging batteries, but the best way I found to do so, was to revisit some old friends. This was touched on in the last post, however there was another series of books about the same planet but with a much different take. Edgar Rice Burrough's Mars series.

For those who are just curious or you haven't the room for yet another couple of books (perish the thought!), you can read all of them here along with many of his other works. In fact, if you are looking for any number of long lost friends (Holmes, Dr Watson, Scrooge, Tiny Tim, The Three Musketeers, White Fang, Alice, The White Rabbit, Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz, to name a few) if you go back to the main page of the above site, you will find them all accounted for.

Books have always had the marvelous ability to draw me deep inside their world. So much so, even the phone ringing next to my desk may often go unanswered...for I cannot hear it while fighting along side John Carter, the Warlord of Mars, on Barsoom's adventurous soil. Calls to dinner or to attend some chore or errand will go wanting as Lazarus Long may have greater need of my attention. Nearby coffee grows cold and even chocolate lays untouched (I know the last is near heresy...but such is the power of a good book, and the friends inside). "Killer" McCoy, Travis McGee, Ishmael, Frodo and Samwise, Farfard and Grey Mouser, Mike Hammer...and the list goes ever onward. All these good (and sometimes not so good) people in their time and fashion call to tell their tales (and oft times re tell the same).

They may serve to remind us of all that is good and decent in the human condition or what it takes to rise above that which is not so good. To paint pictures of events that could have been, or are yet to be. Who hasn't at one time or another wanted to be a knight in shining armor saving the maiden fair...or at some later point in life , reflected as has Travis McGee, that his armor is a bit rusty, his horse a tad swayback, and wondered if he hasn't become more like the dragons he slays then the knight he once tried to be.

And on a cold winters eve.....with the world around mired in madness, a nation not yet willing to bring the minority of *children* in its charge out behind the woodshed for a proper attitude adjustment (though we appear to be at least thinking about heading in that direction), and the rampant commercialism of the one season of the year which seeks to teach or at least re-enforce the lesson most needed by the world at large, "Peace on Earth Good Will to (ALL) Men", a good book filled with old (or new) friends is as good a place to find oneself as any.

Wonder who will be calling to me next.... and who calls to you?

Of Small Towns And Mars

I do believe the haze may finally be lifting. The urge to scribble here is starting to bubble to the surface again.

I met up with an old friend the past couple of days. Not in flesh and blood, rather one of his books called to me. The call was happily answered. He has written about what it is like to grow up in small town America, the textures and flavors of a time long past. Of dandelion wine, medicine for the melancholy, carnivals that embrace evil, and a man tattooed with the good and ill of human nature past, present, and perhaps, future.

But the particular book which called to me talked of another of man's ventures, (actually, it also deals very much so with mans humanity ... and inhumanities)one that we may finally be attempting to bring from fantasy to reality. The mission(s) of sending men to our nearest planetary neighbor, Mars.

The book is "The Martian Chronicles" by Ray Bradbury. If you have had the pleasure of reading it sometime in the past, take the time to do so again. There are some parts which are dated and IMHO don't hold up will over time. The chapter on the south and the mass exodus of black America to the red planet as well as the frankly stereo -typical take on southern men /life in the south is the most glaring of these. The rumors of world war and ultimate holocaust on Earth at the same time we reach for the stars, on the other hand, along with the direction we may be heading as a (western) civilization, may be much closer to real life events now and in the not too distant future.

To be sure, there is not enough breathable air to have us populate our neighbor in space in quite the fashion Bradbury describes, but our need to expand our reach and to "go beyond the next hill" to see what may exist there, has always been the way of western man. And this trek will be no different. As technology brings the cost of transporting men and materials within the realm of acceptability the explorers will blaze the trail and the engine of capitalism will develop the tools and transport to get the rest of us there. The age of sail allowed for the new world to be populated, the age of steam, opened up the vast expanses of the American west. Will there be a real "age of spaceflight" (or some other technological advance, yet unnamed) which ushers in our beginnings of an exodus beyond the confines of Earth?

Bradbury was not the first, or the only one to envision man slipping the surly bonds of Earth. Wells, Verne, Asimov, Clark, Heinlein, Burroughs, hell you could list at least ten times that many, and still the list would beg for completion. But he was one of the first to stoke the coals of my own sense of wonder, many years back. I think it was as much the pictures he painted about growing up in small town USA, and the bittersweet hint of childhoods end which flavored a number of his stories, as much as it was rockets, the men who flew them, and even the "Wonderful Ice Cream Suit".

I hope Bradbury gets to see men land on Mars. And maybe, maybe, just this once could the great god of physics and science be wrong. Could we, in fact, find out our first robotic visitors to the red planet were wrong...find not only canals, great dead seas and cities....but that there *is* enough breathable air...perhaps if only to bring a twinkle to the eyes of the 12 year old boy who is well into his 80's. The same gentleman who created a Mars out of different cloth than Burrough's Barsoom, but every bit as alive.

Amazing what one thinks of on a blustery autumn eve.