Free Auto Insurance, National Denial, and Alouette!

Yes, I know I've been on a commercial kick lately. But in my defense, most commercials and ads give a lot of fodder for questioning from those who find them usually so ridiculous.

Major auto insurance companies continually put in their commercials how changing to their policies saves you $400 or $500 a year from the other guy. On a television commercial, Jerry Newman left State Farm and his agent Jessica to save money at the 15 minute place [Geico]. He crashed his car through the brick wall of his house and wants to go back to State Farm. [Personally, I wouldn't cover him for anything. He's a bad risk.] And Jessica gives Jerry the spiel how he could save $400 or $500 by switching to State Farm from Geico. Now, think about that. If all these claims are accurate, a driver could switch a couple of times and come out with no cost insurance! Saved $400 in fifteen minutes by switching from State Farm to Geiko. Now he can save another $400 by switching from Geico back to State Farm Then, he can save $400 more by switching from State Farm to 21st Century, ad infinitum. How long before you reach a zero cost policy!
**

During a Press Conference in 2008, Barack Obama was asked by General Bill Ginn [USAF ret'd] '...why he doesn't follow protocol when the National Anthem is played...?'

"...The General also noted for the Senator that according to the United States Code, Title 36, Chapter 10, Sec. 171... During rendition of the national anthem when the flag is displayed, all present except those in uniform are expected to stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. At the very least, "Stand and Face It..."

[Remember, Barack Obama was running for the Presidency of the United States]

"As I've said about the flag pin, I don't want to be perceived as taking sides...There are a lot of people in the world to whom the American flag is a symbol of oppression. And the anthem itself conveys a war-like message. You know, the bombs bursting in air and all. It should be swapped for something less parochial and less bellicose. I like the song 'I'd Like To Teach the World To Sing...If that were our anthem,then I might salute it. We should consider to reinvent our National Anthem as well as to redesign our Flag to better offer our enemies hope and love. It's my intention, if elected, to disarm America to the level of acceptance to our Middle East Brethren. If we as a Nation of warring people, should conduct ourselves as the nations of Islam, whereas peace prevails. Perhaps a state or period of mutual concord between our governments. When I become President,I will seek a pact or agreement to end hostilities between those who have been at war or in a state of enmity, and a freedom from disquieting oppressive thoughts. We as a Nation have placed upon the nations of Islam an unfair injustice. My wife disrespects the Flag for many personal reasons. Together she and I have attended several flag burning ceremonies in the past, many years ago. She has her views and I have mine...Of course now, I have found myself about to become the President of the United States and I have put aside my hatred. I will use my power to bring CHANGE to this Nation, and offer the people a new path of hope. My wife and I look forward to becoming our Country's First Family. Indeed, CHANGE is about to overwhelm the United States of America."

Of course, the mainstream media buried this comment. And enough people out there still voted for him. And we have a total mess in this Country because of his policies and profligate spending. I don't suggest anyone ask him about the Constitution this time around. And let's hope our voter friends learn their lessons and vote for 'anybody but Obama!.' Except, of course, the Ron Paul chaos.
**
Target's recent commercial is backed by a 1958 recording of 'Alouette' by the Delta Rhythm Boys. Sounds great.
**

MyLowes, on the other hand, has chosen a more modern setting for its flying, swirling paint colors. The song is 'Colors', and it's written and sung by April Smith and the Great American Picture Show. I searched the group, and I'll be purchasing and downloading their album with the full version of colors. During my search, I also came across a duet named Secret Sisters. They remind me of the old duo Patience and Prudence. Their first album [late last year] has Sinatra's 'Something Stupid' on it, and I like the sound. I may be buying and downloading that one too.
**
Airoptix has a new set of Lenses 'for people who sleep in their lenses.' I don't know about you, but I sleep in my pajamas and a bed. I've never seen a lens big enough to sleep in. And I certainly wouldn't want it in my eye.
**
And finally, we have the Pizza Hut Dinner Box where the announcer enthusiastically states: "Best of all, the $10 dinner box is only ten bucks!" I wonder if the guy who thought that one up got a raise? "Remember, our nickel cigar is now a buck!" Instead of the Clio, these guys should be getting the asp.

Stupid Is as Stupid Does

Are we stupid in general? or do only some of us lose control of our brains at times?

As first found in the 'Stupid' books of Leland Gregory [but shortened and re-worded except where quoted]:

*According to the AP in 2004: a "Norwegian motorist is slapped with parking ticket while stuck in traffic jam." [Must be a new source of income for the City.]
*In 1996 according to a police report: a school bus driver and his friend were charged with child endangerment because they told scary stories to five and six year old passengers. [Overheard in prison: "I'm in this dump for mass murder, meat. What did you do?" "I told scary stories to my bus passenger children."]
*In 1991, Japan had its biggest traffic jam in history. After a typhoon, about 15,000 vehicles were at a standstill over 94 miles of road! [And no port-a-potties!]
*In 1993, a traffic commissioner dismissed a speeding ticket because the issuing cop's motorcycle was the wrong color. ??? It was painted blue and white instead of the required black and white. [The uniform, helmet, siren, chase, and stop apparently didn't give the motorist a clue---because black isn't blue! Give me a break!]
*A newspaper ad: "Mixing bowl set designed to please a cook with rounded bottom for efficient beating." ['nuff said.]
*Warning found on a Korean kitchen knife: "Keep out of children." [Good advice for the continuation of the families.]
*A sign outside a furniture store in Virginia: "Antique tables made here daily." [Must be a distressed business.]
*An instruction sign on a camera back a few years ago: "This camera only works when there is film inside." [I guess air is not a good photographic medium.]
*Newspaper ad: "Christmas sale. Hand made gifts for the hard-to-find person." [Too many people playing hide-and-seek.]

In Middle English, the word 'balded' meant white. Ultimately, the word was shortened to 'bald,' and the American Eagle---with its white-feathered head---became known as a 'bald' eagle. [Despite the book title, I wouldn't say this fact is stupid. It's a factual explanation of something most of us glide over.]
****
Television commercials:
*In an ad for a Lawyers' Firm, a supposed client says: "...He was more than a lawyer. He was a human being..." [as opposed to, say, a shark?]
*Attend the MMI tech school and learn about motorcycles: "...I get up every day, and I love what I do..." [I love getting up every day also. It means my obituary won't be the morning's newspapers.]

Our children are currently being represented as dumb instead of smart, and the ad writers are as asinine as usual. Dumb down the population so you can sell more product. There's a Totino commercial making the rounds on television. Two boys are standing in front of a freezer [with no back, by the way] and calling Mom on the cell phone. "Mom, we're dying!" "No you're not. You're just hungry." They're at the freezer with the door wide open---and I always thought to die you had to stick your head in an oven. Staring them in the face is a bright yellow box of Totinos. They can't see it. Mom has to direct them to turn their gaze a few inches to the left where the yellow box is quite apparent. Okay they say. Thanks Mom. The boys grab the box, put the phone in the freezer, turn away while leaving the door wide open. At the table is a plate of Totino's exuding cigarette smoke to make you think they're hot and fresh. That's really something you would expect from Doug Hefernan or Arthur Spooner and Carrie. By the way, anyone remember: energy shortages? fatty fast food? education levels? common sense?

Lawyers in Sharkskin Suits

It's really getting ridiculous on TV with the attorney ads. The latest editions have suggested how the legal staffs prepare for them. As you know, medical literature describes all medications in detail, right through the chemistry. It tells you how the medication works and what organs it affects---Then, it gives you detailed information on side effects and warnings. "Don't take this medication if you have..." Do not exceed...pills in a 24-hour period. "Discuss with your doctor if you suffer from..." The information details go on aud nauseam about the dangers of the stuff. And, because of these sue-happy lawyers, any medication ad spends more time listing side effects than it does talking about the medication itself. Notice the magazine ads with two pages of medical information?

Lawyers Approaching the Bench by Jeff Leedy

Back to the commercials. Apparently, the attorneys' staffs read about the side effects and other important information about a drug, make an ad misleading the listener based on that information, and frighten them into shunning the medication in the first place. This causes needless suffering, but the lawyers catch a client or two from the many who call them trying to cash in on something. Is there any wonder why sharks are pictured in the dictionary at the description of attorney/lawyer? Anything to promote their business, eh?

In their defense, however, I'll say that on occasion they do a service---such as the recent commercials about the trans-vaginal mesh. There's a lot of controversy about the mesh's use, though the ad never mentions the health damage of doing nothing in the first place. A conundrum.

Talk to your doctor about medications you are prescribed. They all have side effects. They use the liver or kidneys to be processed after their medical applications, and then they leave, usually through the urine. Find out about interactions between drugs you're taking. Overdoses are generally where most of the problems are, followed by prior-medical problems and drug interactions. Every medication on the market has side effect, and the providers go into the necessary details about them.

I have gout in a big toe and arthritis in my hands. The only medication [other than habit-forming amounts of narcotics] that helps is the OTC Aleve aka Naproxen Sodium. Taken for a few days provides welcome relief. But the medication is removed via the kidneys, and because of diabetes, I only have a third of my kidney function left. So, the doctor told me not to take it more than once or twice a week---if I had to. If I took it more, I might end up with a complete kidney failure, and the lawyers would be crowding at my door for me to sue someone. There's nothing more scary than to wake up with a haze and see the grinning shark teeth of a lawyer 'there to protect my rights.'

Lawyer in a Sharkskin Suit painting by Ryan Berkley

I wonder about these attorneys, though. I'll bet you even money that they use some of the same products they're railing against. You don't think an attorney is going to take an aspirin or a Tylenol for a headache? Is he concerned about liver failure? What about the other drugs they rail against: Avandia or insulin for diabetes; ? How do they treat or cure their afflictions---and they do have afflictions like other humans [as the woman said in one regularly televised ad "...he treated me well. He's more than a lawyer; he's a human being..." thus leading us to understand that the average lawyer [not in that firm] is not a human being]? What species is he?
***
According to a recent commercial, H & R Block is opening up millions of offices in your homes. Does that mean you reap the benefits of rent, insurance, cleaning, telephone, Internet access, profit sharing and the like? Does Block have to pay extra taxes for all those offices? There must be truth and more details in advertising.

From Gold to Insanity

"Look closely at history in the making..." begins the announcer for another 'gold' coin rip-off. He describes in detail a real coin before craftily crossing over to what he is actually selling: a coin 'proof' [not a real 'proof' in coin collecting] that is not a coin of the realm but a slug with 24karat gold 'cladding.' "...price can only be guaranteed for 7 days..." He slyly indicates that the 'coin' has 14mg of pure, 24 karat gold. But, at a $1,500 per troy ounce market value of gold, this clad 'coin' has only 68 cents worth of gold on it. So, the claims of the gold price skyrocketing, or the original 'coin' value rising don't mean anything. For every $100 increase in the market value of an ounce of gold, this 'proof' increases in value by 4-1/2 cents. Besides, the ad has been running for months, and the price never changes. This buffalo 'proof' isn't a coin, so it has no inherent value among collectors. And it only has 68 cents of gold applied over the unnamed base, thus it would cost too much for you to retrieve and use the gold. This 'proof' has no real value there either. [If the price of gold ever explodes to $5,000 per ounce, then this 'proof' will increase $1.58 in value.] I'm not aware of any secondary market for these things, and I doubt there's any market for the filmy gold because it costs more than the value of the gold to get it off the slug. If there was, the price for the entire unit would probably be around $1. If you need to spend ten dollars, you'd be better off buying a roll of quarters.

***

Any Conservatives or Republicans out there who are careful who they use for important services and protection should know that the Peter B Lewis [son of the founder and currently chairman of the board] of Progressive Insurance is a die hard Liberal/Democrat activist in the manner of George Soros. In fact, he contributed millions in cooperation with Soros to advertise for the legalization of marijuana. The billionaire is also a card carrying member of the ACLU and a rumored heavy marijuana user. Requiring matching funds from George Soros, Lewis gave $millions more to Liberal organizations such as MoveOn.org, Democracy Alliance, America Coming Together, and Media Matters. Thus some of your insurance premiums pay for this activism either through Progressive itself or the activities of the chairman. Lewis greatly improved his inherited wealth through Capitalism. He enlarged his company, has a nice ad campaign, and takes money regularly from Conservatives through his advertising at Conservative sites and organizations---and spends it on anti-Capitalist Liberal causes.

["...In 2009, Progressive was accused of ordering [...its...] advertisements off the air during the show broadcast of Glenn Beck on the Fox News Channel over comments made about U.S. President Barack Obama. Progressive stated that [...it...] never authorized [...its...] ads to be aired during Beck's program, and they aired in that time-slot due to Fox's error..."]---that's a typical answer from a Liberal-led corporation.

So, as much as I like the 'Flo' character, I'll pass on Progressive. I'm not helping any millionaire Loony Liberal damage the Country even more with his money.

***

Intelligent people are not surprised anymore with the utterances of Barack Obama. But....he did warn us. Yes he did! Back in 2008, he was very specific about his present and future plans.

[From Sunday's 07 Sept. 2008  11:48:04 EST,  Televised 'Meet the Press']

General Bill Ginn' USAF (ret.) asked Obama to explain WHY he doesn't follow protocol when the National Anthem is played.
 
The General stated to Obama that according to the United States Code, Title 36, Chapter 10, Sec. 171..."During rendition of the national anthem, when the flag is displayed, all present (except those in uniform) are expected to stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. Or, at the very least, 'Stand and Face It.'"

Obama answered. "As I've said about the flag pin, I don't want to be perceived as taking sides". [Being an American is 'taking sides?'] "There are a lot of people in the world to whom the American flag is a symbol of oppression.." [Ask the European Countries who were under siege from the NAZIs or the Asian Nations under siege from the Japanese back in the middle of last Century.] "The anthem itself conveys a war-like message. You know, the bombs bursting in air and all that sort of thing."

Obama continued: "The National Anthem should be 'swapped' for something less parochial and less bellicose. I like the song 'I'd Like To Teach the World To Sing'.  If that were our anthem, then, I might salute it.  In my opinion, we should consider reinventing our National Anthem as well as 'redesign' our Flag to better offer our enemies hope and love.  It's my intention, if elected, to disarm America to the level of acceptance to our Middle East Brethren.  If we, as a Nation of warring people, conduct ourselves like the nations of Islam, where peace prevails - - - perhaps a state or period of mutual accord could exist between our governments ..." [Islamic nations are peaceful?? Our Nation's loss of lives for others and spilling blood in defense of freedom don't count in Obama's vision---those things were Bush's fault.]

Obama then, doesn't understand American History, dislikes our flag, dislikes our anthem, wants to disarm America until the Muslims like it, and believes that peace prevails in the Middle Eastern Muslim nations. Seeing how he's stuck close to his plan, we can't afford any more time with him in charge. He's dismantling our security and forcing us into socialism and communism. All while he takes numerous taxpayer-paid vacations and golf trips. God help us!

Christmas 1907-2011

This is a poem of 100 years ago. The
reference to 'central' is to the telephone exchange at
the time. There were no button or even dial phones
in those early years. Hello Central? Give me the
drugstore---but not if Mr. Gower's alone.

Twas the night after Christmas in Santa-Claus land
And to rest from his labors St. Nicholas planned.
The reindeer were turned out to pasture and all
The ten thousand assistants discharged till the fall.
The furry great-coat was laid safely away
With the boots and the cap with its tassel so gay,
And toasting his toes by a merry wood fire,
What more could a weary old Santa desire?
So he puffed at his pipe and remarked to his wife,
"This amply makes up for my strenuous life!
From climbing down chimneys my legs fairly ache,
But it's well worth the while for the dear children's sake.
I'd bruise every bone in my body to see
The darlings' delight in a gift-laden tree!"
Just then came a sound like a telephone bell—
Though why they should have such a thing I can't tell—
St. Nick gave a snort and exclaimed in a rage,
"Bad luck to inventions of this modern age!"
He grabbed the receiver—his face wore a frown
As he roared in the mouth-piece, "I will not come down
To exchange any toys like an up-to-date store,
Ring off, I'll not listen to anything more!"
Then he settled himself by the comforting blaze
And waxed reminiscent of halcyon days
When children were happy with simplest of toys:
A doll for the girls and a drum for the boys—
But again came that noisy disturber of peace
The telephone bell—would the sound never cease?
"Run and answer it, wife, all my patience has fled,
If they keep this thing up I shall wish I were dead!
I have worked night and day the best part of a year
To supply all the children, and what do I hear—
A boy who declares he received roller-skates
When he wanted a gun—and a cross girl who states
That she asked for a new Victor talking machine
And I brought her a sled, so she thinks I am 'mean!'"
Poor St. Nicholas looked just the picture of woe,
He needed some auto-suggestion, you know,
To make him think things were all coming out right,
For he didn't get one wink of slumber that night!
The telephone wire was kept sizzling hot
By children disgusted with presents they'd got,
And when the bright sun showed its face in the sky
The Santa-Claus family were ready to cry!
Just then something happened—a way of escape,
Though it came in the funniest possible shape—
An aeronaut, sorely in need of a meal,
Descended for breakfast—it seemed quite ideal!
For the end of it was, he invited his host
Out to try the balloon, of whose speed he could boast.
St. Nick, who was nothing if not a good sport,
Was delighted to go, and as quick as a thought
Climbed into the car for a flight in the air—
"No telephone bells can disturb me up there!
And, wife, if it suits me I'll count it no crime
To stay up till ready for next Christmas time!"

-- Anne P. L. Field c1907

A very Merry Christmas to all!

Local Vocals

Excerpted from ‘Name That Sound’ a biographical essay:
During the week we’d often see a funeral, and sometimes on Saturday or Sunday a wedding. One of the joys of being an altar boy was being called to serve at a funeral during school hours. I don’t mean the funeral was a joy---we were properly respectful. We were just happy to feel important enough to be called from class and spend a few hours away from education and the nuns. The weekend wedding was a real perk, and living across street led to my being called for the services quite often. A wedding [one server,] unless it was a mass [two servers,] didn’t take long, and the best man usually paid us altar boys a stipend. That extra cash meant a lot to us kids of the cloth.
With a Catholic bride and a Catholic groom, we opened the altar gates and the service was performed at the foot of the altar. With the Mass, the bride and groom had prie-dieus to kneel on also at the foot of the altar.

For a mixed marriage---Catholic and non-Catholic---the service was performed at the altar rail. It was just as solemn and joyous for the participants. Sometimes, the bride went over to the side altar to pray to Mary while ‘Panis Angelicus’ [Food of the Angels] or ‘Ave Maria’ [Hail Mary] was played by the organist.

In the 1960s we had a fifth Mass early Sunday afternoon [about 1 pm or 2 pm.] It was for the Spanish-speaking parishioners, with the homily in their language. Since I never attended one, I don’t know whether the Mass was conducted in Latin or Spanish---probably the latter.

On holydays, such as Easter and Christmas, the traffic near our house was unbelievable. I watched the action for each Mass: Chevy Bel Air and Coupe, Chevrolet Styleline Sedan; Ford Edsel, Ford Custom, high-flowered hats; compact hats; Ford Crown Victoria, Ford Fairlane 500; Fedora; Packard Clipper, Packard Hawk; Easter dress with a fancy hat; Nash Metropolitan, Nash Ambassador, Nash Statesman; billowing scarves; Plymouth Belvedere, Plymouth Suburban; Dodge Coronet, Dodge Regent, Dodge Sierra; lush overcoats and wind-blown faces; Oldsmobile Super 88, Oldsmobile Firestar; Pontiac Starchief; Studebaker Champion, Studebaker Commander, Studebaker Golden Hawk, Studebaker Lark; laughing families; Buick Roadmaster, Buick Special, Buick Riviera; Hudson Jet, Hudson Commodore, Hudson Hornet; Mercury Sun Valley, Mercury Monterey, Mercury Voyager; DeSoto Adventurer, DeSoto Power Master; Caddie, or Lincoln; Frazer Manhattan; Kaiser-Frazer Henry J---but rarely a foreign car.

We were a hard-working parish. The really rich people, except for the Nowns Sisters must have gone to Church somewhere else. Some people who kept away from Sunday Mass all year showed up on Easter and Christmas. Services during Holy Week were also well attended. We had lengthy services on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. I remember attending everything, even when I wasn’t serving as an altar boy.

Holy Week started on Palm Sunday. We had the passing out of blessed and dried palm fronds as a symbol of Christ’s entry into Jerusalem. We were also read the Passion from the gospel. I didn’t like this as a kid because it was so long and only a repetition from the previous year. In the early fifties, everyone had to stand during the reading. Later on, the parishioners could sit---a deterrent to fainting spells.

We saw the reverence of Holy Thursday and the black sadness of Good Friday. And the anticipation and joy of Holy Saturday. These feelings led to the majesty of Easter Sunday. That morning with the lilies and other flowers represented the glorious feeling among us all, though I know as a little kid, I was more interested in the various treats of the day. The wafty flower aroma from the Easter Lilies was all about the church and added to the freshness of the Mass and ceremonies. We celebrated the rising from the dead of Jesus over two thousand years ago.

All through the fifties we had the same three elderly women as our church choir. [They may not have been elderly in the 1950s, but they sounded like it.] Mrs. Hallinan, Mrs. Hegewald, and another whose name I’m sorry to say I don’t remember. The third also played the organ. They sang in tune, but their assumed ages showed in their voices. They sounded dark and ominous and were well suited for funerals. I only wish we had had some younger singers to brighten the wedding and other joyous ceremonies, or some sinners of any age to appreciate the dark singing.

But there in the fifties, the ‘triumvirate’ had a stranglehold on the Church singing rights. I doubt anyone could have joined or replaced them. It would have been a heresy. No singers need apply. Perhaps their most annoying moments were their cranking out litanies during high Mass. As is often quoted: ‘A voice which could shatter glass!’

To be perfectly honest, I preferred and still prefer the old Latin, or Tridentine, Mass to the modern one in the vernacular of the parishioners. I go to a Latin Mass whenever and wherever I can find one, and I watch Midnight Mass from the Vatican every Christmas Eve instead of watching another version of ‘A Christmas Carol.’ Neither one however, is like the Masses I remember---although the St Peter’s mass comes close. By using the vernacular as mandated by the Vatican II council, a lot of mystery and ceremony seems lost.

The ‘numinous’ [inborn religious sense] has to fight an uphill battle to remain on an even keel. Protestant theologian, Rudolf Otto in his 1923 book ‘The Idea of the Holy’, discussed this concept. He has good, if somewhat dense, arguments and discussions of the presence of God and holiness. A mysterious aura is very important to a person’s belief. Take it away, as with the demise of the Latin Mass, and you create Catholics of convenience and the modern day, certainly not with the same devoutness as in the past.

In the Latin Mass, we didn’t shake hands and wish each other peace as we do in the vernacular Mass. After the service [or prayer; Mass is actually considered a prayer,] we made the effort to treat our neighbors with respect and courtesy every day. That’s what we were taught, and that was a most important attitude. ‘Love thy neighbor as t

Application Form for Candidates for the Offices of Representative, Senator and President of the USA

This test must be completed by the candidate [not a staff member] at one time, at a controlled location, without staff around, and with independent proctors. Answer the questions clearly, completely and without evasion or misleading statements. Time limit is two hours. The candidate must go through an airport-type full body scan before answering the essay questions. Appropriate official documents must be included with each test. The test will be signed at the end to indicate the candidate's true beliefs are presented within, and he/she will not be permitted crib notes, televisors, or other assistance in answering. All cell phones will be confiscated for the duration of the exam. The answers and documents will be reviewed by an independent group. All answers and copies of documents will be released to the public. Proctors for this monitoring must be thoroughly vetted by the FBI and CIA.

1. Where were you born? Under what circumstances? Who were your grandparents? Answer in detail. Did you go to college? Where and for how long? Did you graduate? [submit a transcript and copy of your diploma; submit an official Birth Certificate, and not a certificate of birth that doesn't mean anything.]

2. What is your view on abortion? Do you believe in infant life or death? Do you blame an innocent child for the circumstances surrounding its conception? Expand your answer and give details. How would you respond to the following?: Abortion is not the murder of a human being. Abortion is the murder of a human being. Euthanasia and assisted suicide are viable actions for a modern society.

3. What is your view on the size and scope of the Federal Government? Give details. Do you believe in unlimited taxes on Americans to finance Congressional mandates? How much is enough for a Federal Debt? Where do you draw the line? How can we best reduce the debt and annual deficit and should we? How do you view pork and earmarks? What is the relationship between the States and the Federal Government?

4. Are you a Socialist or Communist or Liberal or Progressive or Conservative or Libertarian or other term? Give examples of your political experience that shows what your ideology really is and why you believe in it. Provide examples of political positions you have held.

5. What are your qualifications for this office? Be specific in your giving of details. What is your prior political or management experience? How does this qualify you for this new elected office you want? Do you believe that judicious bribery is needed to complete political ends? Where would you be comfortable with such an action.

6. Do you take an oath to protect the Constitution as it is written or as you want it to be? Please be specific and expand on your answer. What are your views on Constitutional amendments?

7. Do you support all parts of the Constitution---including the amendments---as written? What part[s] of the Constitution are you against and not likely to protect? Please expand your answer and give examples. For example, the second Amendment to the Constitution reads: "A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed." How do you understand and support this?

8. What is your position on welfare? Will you help rein in the costs? Will you hold fathers responsible for providing support and not disappearing into the sunset? Will you deny persons the collecting welfare when they don't need it? What is your position on ILLEGAL immigration? [Don't confuse it with legal immigration.] Will you support the necessary protection of our borders and reduce illegal immigration logically?

9. Do you support our troops in all ways at all times? [Disregard what their civilian orders are.] How have you shown your support in the past? What is your total view on the military? Please expand your answers with specific examples.

10. Our founding fathers were religious, and they included God in their writings and documents. They only guaranteed rights in the Constitution. They didn't create them. Do you support God or Atheism in government? The 1st [read: predominate concern] Amendment to the Constitution reads: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances." Provide explanations of your beliefs in regard to this Amendment. How does removing crosses from public places, prohibiting school prayer, or banning the use of the word 'God' in political discourse mesh with this 1st Amendment? How do such actions not run afoul of it?

I _________________________ declare that the above answers are true to my beliefs and ideology and make no excuses for them. I have not equivocated or evaded any answer, and I have not simply answered them to best serve my purposes in the upcoming election. And I promise to resign any office I might be in if I ever deviate from this philosphy.

_______________________________________ The signature must be notarized.

________________________________

Please Note for the Journalists:
The Attitude of candidate when completing the essay questions.
The Length of time taken to complete the essay questions.
The Amount of sweat coming from each candidate.

The Privilege of Explaining Privilege

I've become tired of hearing the term 'privilege' bandied about by the Liberals in their class warfare efforts. Like so many other terms from the building of America, Liberals and minority groups have taken perfectly good words and bastardized them into another meaning, thus taking the terms out of our general discourse.

According to the online dictionary: "Privilege: a. A special advantage, immunity, permission, right, or benefit granted to or enjoyed by an individual, class, or caste. b. Such an advantage, immunity, or right held as a prerogative of status or rank, and exercised to the exclusion or detriment of others." The important word here is 'granted.' This indicates a 'grantor.'

According to Wikipedia: "A 'privilege' is a special entitlement to immunity granted by the state or another authority to a restricted group, either by birth or on a conditional basis. It can be revoked in certain circumstances. In modern democratic states, a privilege is conditional and granted only after birth. By contrast, a right is an inherent, irrevocable entitlement held by all citizens or all human beings from the moment of birth."

The sense of 'privilege' in general society is one that indicates favors for one among other equals. Having wealth or being successful takes a person out of the norm and no longer makes him 'privileged' but in a different strata based on work or luck or both. 'Privilege' comes from relatively equals in ability and success. It does not logically compare people of different success and wealth. The term 'privileged' has been misused for years, mostly by Liberals wanting to set one group of people against another---or else the Liberals are just stupid, a logical conclusion.

Merriam-Webster states: 'Good health care should be a right and not a privilege.' It should be neither. We have not been endowed with any right to force others to take care of us! Nor should others have an inherent right to not take care of us---we all being of the human persuasion! Health care should not be a privilege, but a need for a service easily given by others for just recompense. Who pays for that service can often be an event of contention, but it doesn't change definitions. [See a long definition of 'money' and 'wealth' somewhere.]

'We had the privilege of being invited to the party.' This is true. Among reasonably equal people, it is a privilege to be given something [an invitation] for nothing.

'I had the privilege of knowing your grandfather.' Another true statement. Again, among reasonably equal people, knowing a specific individual and profiting from him or her is indeed a privilege.

'He lived a life of wealth and privilege.' Not true. Wealth differentiates people, thus one group having more wealth, mostly from more personal success, would naturally have more valued items. And it's constituents would be able to purchase goods and services above and beyond what the members of another group can purchase. Thus, it is not 'privilege' any more than being smarter makes a person 'privileged.'

The next time you want to complain about the so-called 'privileges' of others, make sure you know the meanings of the terms.

So Near an Oak [1]

So near
An oak stood I,
And heard soft rustle from
Zephyr-kissed leaves…O, sweet, relaxed
I was!

Drowsy
Sense persuaded
Me to lie at oaken
Trunk, and smiling midst scents of wild…
I slept.

Peaceful
Visions floated
Through my eager mind, and
I dreamt of she I knew…yet know
Not now?


Beheld
I a union
Of true beauties, and it
Was mysterious to me, for
I have

Seen her,
And now I see
Her not. Unturned face with
Unseen eyes; unheard voice…yet I
Knew her.

For, I
Knew her, though time
Advance us both…still, one
Past was with me: ethereal
Moments

Recalled;
Good times and bad;
Smiles, tear; world's end of song;[2]
And sad reality leading
Apart.

And they
Will not cease for
Me. These wispy phantoms
Coalesce to a sun-kissed One,
Known for

Wind-blown [3]
Name…now clad in
Rich crimson gown 'neath soft, [4]
Silver beams flickering ghostly
Lattice

Webs of
Shadows dancing;
Amid whispering leaves
Fresh fallen, I hear her tones
Once more…

But ne'er
In dreams, for there
She remains silent and [5]
Elusive where e'er I go. Yet,
I have

Glimpsed deep-
Souled orbs reflect
Bright-hued, scented blooms of
Orchid, Reddened Rose, Violet…
Lilac… [6]

A sweet -
Perfumed luster
Amid dewy tints…a
Rainbow scene steeped in starlight
Twinkle.

In dreams
I find her, she [7]
Turns, and as her long-lost
Visage begins to meet the light
My heart

Quickens
At nearness sight…
But ne'er success to be,
For dreams do fade at unwished times. [8]
Sadly

Did mine
Eyes awake to
Darkness still, but now were
Wild scents welcoming my senses;
Now were

Scarlet
Streaks amid blue
Gray sky etching ebon
Hills across painted scene. I sat [9]
Me up

And watched
Day's dying flame
Settle West, as Gale in [10]
Life would see anon: we'd share same
View…though

Displaced
Time doth delay.
Chill wind reminds me; off
To home, where dreams will e'er fall short…
Success

Denied
But yearnings
Return…as will I to
Oaken shade on morrow pre-eve [11]
To dream

Again.
Yes, dream again
With hopeful change of sweetened
Vista in thoughts ephemeral
To last

'Til life
responds: contact
real and view so true will [12]
end our wondering minds' unease.
I sleep

Again
In wooded copse
And dream with hope to find
Rare soul. To reunite for hour?
Or Day?

Ever?
Near oaken trunk,
I lay again to dream,
Not to wither my soul's growth
In one

Narrow
Plane. Does Gale dream
As I? Do our dreams join
As One in mysterious ways?
Do our

Hearts guide
Us in same or
Different directions?
Will flowing time reveal melody [13]
Unchained?

Or tunes
Apart? I shall
Consider answers and
Hope for beauty return…now and
Ever.

Paper
Hearts and cyber
Streams…all sincere…can ne'er
Supplant Erato-'spired discourse
For Gale.


***
[1] The poem is dedicated to Gale
[2] Our song was Skeeter Davis's 'End of the World'
[3] Her name is Gale, like the wind condition
[4] The strongest memory I have of her is being in a red dress
[5] She remains silent in all my dreams
[6] Her---and mine---favorite bloom is the Lilac
[7] I dream of her often
[8] I sometimes wake up in the middle of a dream
[9] I had slept thru to twilight
[10] Gale lives in California; I live in Connecticut
[11] I wanted to return to the oak tree the next afternoon
[12] I wanted to get together with her again
[13] A reference to Unchained Melody, from our teen years

New Format

Dear Friends:

As we age, we all slow down a certain bit---what with normal wear and tear, disease, and accident. Well, I've been laid up with a repaired umbilical hernia and several diseases and degenerations and other things you don't want to know about. Consequently, my energy has led to reduced writing efforts.

As a result, I'm combining all my blogs into one. So, political, personal, and literary blog entries will all appear on the same blog. I will combine them all on the Notes for Ramey site: http://notesforramey.blogspot.com/ I will also be adding a few older entries that you may have missed. This blog will be a real find for you now. Please visit as often as you can. Tell your friends! Subscribe! Comment! Send me emails! tnmccoy@comcast.net I'll have it going within the week after I chase all the nurses away.

Thanks to all: TNM

Carmina and the Vonage Commercial

*So many commercials and movies today are using Carl Orff's music 'Carmina Burana' these days, that one would assume it's modern. It isn't. According to Wikipedia: "Carmina Burana..., Latin for 'Songs from Beuern' ..., is the name given to a manuscript of 254 poems and dramatic texts from the 11th or 12th century, although some are from the 13th century. The pieces were written almost entirely in Medieval Latin; a few in Middle High German, and some with traces of Old French or Provençal. Carl Orff 1895-1982
Many are macaronic, a mixture of Latin and German or French vernacular...Between 1935 and 1936, German composer Carl Orff set 24 of the poems to new music, also called Carmina Burana." --- From my study of other sources, I know this to be correct. This music, complete with eerie voices, is what has been used in numerous commercials and movies where they want a grand or eerily majestic aura around their words. Selections from the Carmina Burana include: O FORTUNA [Oh Fortune]; FORTUNAE PLANGO VULNERA [I Mourn the Blows of Fortune]; VERIS LAETA FACIES [A Spring Song]; and OMNIA SOL TEMPERATA [the Sun Pure and Gentle]; among others. Enjoy!

*I must be losing my hearing. The other day, in watching a commercial on TV, I thought I heard "Hi! I'm a T-Mobile Orgy!" After several times watching the commercial, I realized that the statement was "Hi! I'm a T-Mobile 4G." I always thought my hearing was pretty good until a few years ago when I heard a commercial with music "...I believe in mail call..." Later I found out it was "I believe in miracles." Modern musicians and advertisers pick lousy spokesmen. They elide too much, and they mispronounce words all over the place. And this is progress?

*Speaking of ads. I saw one hilarious effort from France about Perrier. It shows a pair of woman's hands caressing a small bottle of Perrier. While she continues this, the bottle morphs into a liter bottle. There's more, but not for this blog. You have to see it for yourself. It's on You Tube, just check for French Perrier commercials and watch Culture Pub's Best Water Commercials. It's at the end. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWqtWRL5Hm8&feature=fvst

*And finally, I sent an email to Vonage [which didn't get an answer] about one of it's new commercials. I told Vonage that 'Sucker Shmala' may be a good Indian or Pakistani name to show their World-Wide diversity, but it wasn't a good idea in the states for a commercial. It makes you think of 'small sucker', not a confidence inspiring moniker. Well, as I said, Vonage didn't answer me or hire me to write Vonage commercials, but the commercial noted in my email was taken off the tube and replaced with one with a less International flavor in the names. I wonder how many heads rolled due to my simple email?

*Is it just me, or does Paul McCartney look like an old woman? I mean I liked the Beatles when I was growing up, and the four of them looked okay back in the '60s. But he seems now to be an aging granny. Sad to see. I wonder if great wealth and renown make you look like that?

*It's a sign of aging when I see a film I never heard of, with a cast of people unknown to me, and cameos of people I never heard of. And the movie was absolutely terrible, yet it was given so great build-up by the station that you'd think it was an Oscar winner.

*Back on May 22 [the day after the end of the World], Baseball Hall of Famer Gary Carter announced that his MRI a day or two previously indicated three brain tumors. He'll have another [MRI] later this week. I sympathize with Gary and wish him well. Let's hope they're benign and non-growing. He then stated that he wanted privacy while he determined the extent of the tumors with his doctors and family. Well, if he wants privacy, why did he make the announcement? It's not like the ferreting press was going to find out about it soon. He's long retired, and he wasn't a superstar. Privacy means you keep your trap shut. He could have done that. Consequently, I don't think he wants privacy. He wants the World to know and sympathize with him.

Only the Names Were Changed to Protect the Unknown

I've found a fascinating diversion in Genealogy. I started off with the simple premise of finding my Family Tree back to the 19th century or a little earlier, if possible. But I got carried away. Following certain branches of the family, I've visited fourteenth century Italy [through France], fifteenth century Sweden, tenth century France, and eleventh century England---pretty much branching out all over the place. And all this background comes from three members of the family. They form gateways, so to speak. And what gateways! Royalty, nobility, and known scientists and thinkers. But then, if my family had normal antecedents, I wouldn't have so much information to find. I couldn't go back too far directly in Italy or Ireland because of the information sources petered out. Besides, I've discovered that any data earlier than the 19th century are often questionable or confusing. I found early age marriages of course. And young deaths. These were from the middle ages when the life expectancy wasn't so great.

But you must be careful about dead ends. It was popular in the first part of the 2nd millennium among the nobility to trace their Family Trees back to the beginning of mankind. Thus I found one branch tracing back via Popes and Saints and Apostles and gods and goddesses to Adam and Eve---no dates of course. So, watch yourself.

Count Baldwin of Flanders and his descendants.

And I came across marriages between people far different in ages---with children! On recorded father was only 14! That might be believable, but a mother aged 7? I think I'll doubt that one. I found at least one instance where the child was born before the parents! I'll doubt that one too. But it's all a good lesson in people and history. I suggest you try it as well. Most of my sources were free, with the notable exception of Ancestry.com. But I only pay for the latter month by month as I need it. It's surprising how much information is available for free on the web. But you have to think about it as you find it. Other amateur genealogists are often wrong or confusing, and sources vary in their accuracy. Some intelligent guesswork is necessary, but the whole process is still intriguing. I'm pretty sure my tree is substantially correct. But I rely on other people---I can't use original documents because I can't pay to do so, and I can't read most foreign languages.

I figure that in my whole body, I might have a nanogram or two of royal blood. Maybe I should appoint myself a Knight [Knight Owl?] and have people call me Sir all the time: Yes Sir! What can I do for you Sir?---After all, I was called Sir in the Navy! [I was called a number of other things too, but that's beside the point.]

I've always thought of the name 'Bertha' as an old fashioned one, especially since I never found anyone young with the moniker. But I found a few in my Tree. 'Bertha' is variously pronounced 'Ber-ta' and 'Bur-tha.' Per Behindthename.com, Bertha was "Originally a short form of Germanic names beginning with the element 'beraht' meaning "bright, famous". It was borne by the mother of Charlemagne in the 8th century, and it was popularized in England by the Normans. It died out as an English name after the Middle Ages, but was revived in the 19th century. The name also appears in southern Germanic legends (often spelled Perchta or Berchta) belonging to a goddess of animals and weaving.

One of the other interesting ancestor names is Massy Roads, though I could find out
nothing except her name, her husband, and her date of marriage. Picot de Saye was there as well. He was the son of Robert FitzPicot and married Adeloia. Then I delved further and came up with Manasses de Ghesnes.

My grandfather in the early 20th Century. He died in 1922.

'Manasses': "Masculine - Usage: Biblical (Variant), Biblical Latin, Biblical Greek - Other Scripts: Μανασσης (Ancient Greek)" From Behindthename.com: "Other Scripts: מְנַשֶּׁה (Ancient Hebrew) - Pronounced: mə-NAS-ə (English) [key] - Means "causing to forget" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament this was the name of the oldest son of Joseph and the ancestor of one of the twelve tribes of Israel."

In any case, I haven't come across anyone with that name in my lifetime. My Manasses de Ghesnes was married to Emme de Arques. As is often the case with female spouses, I have no other information about her.

Other interesting names I came across were Gerberge de Bourgogne [who was not a trash collector]; Fulbert of Falaise who married Doda of Falaise, and who had a daughter named Herleva de Falais; Tostig of Gonwidson; Cunigunde of Altdorf; and Poppa de Envermeu---but no John Smith.

Such are the efforts of the genealogist. I urge you to work on your own Family tree. You'll never be bored, and it can keep you busy for many hours and days at a time. Even if---like me---many members of the family just aren't interested in it, there will be enough to make the job worthwhile.

The Atlas Coffee and Bean Company's Untold True Story

*Opening soon is the movie 'Atlas Shrugged Part I' from the novel of Ayn Rand. I probably won't get to see it in a theater, but I look hopefully to an early television/cable showing. The story is just as pertinent now as it was in 1952 when the book was published. The book itself is rather lengthy, so the producers expect to make three parts of the movie story. Although I believe much of the objectivism of Ayn Rand, I don't agree with her religious views. She's an atheist. And I can't understand people who take the atheistic view of life. It's so sad and dreary. And it offers no real hope for anything. Might as well be a rock on the ground.

*A Vonage commercial includes a, supposedly, real customer to spout praises for its Internet phone service. But do you think identifying these people is a good idea? The first one says his name is Sucker Shmalla. That's probably a fine Indian name, but proudly declaring you are Sucker [and a small one at that] doesn't do Mr Shmalla or Vonage much good, does it? Don't the advertisers check these things out before using them?

*Why it's not a good idea for judges to become humorously creative. -- "A lawyer defending a man accused of burglary tried this creative defense: 'My client merely inserted his arm into the window and removed a few trifling articles. His arm is not himself, and I fail to see how you can punish the whole individual for an offense committed by his limb.' 'Well put,' the judge replied. 'Using your logic, I sentence the defendant's arm to one year's imprisonment. He can accompany it or not, as he chooses.' The defendant smiled. With his lawyer's assistance he detached his artificial limb, laid it on the bench, and walked out." [GetAmused.com] -- Usually it's the criminal who acts stupidly, isn't it?

*More from GetAmused.com - "Steven Richard King was arrested for trying to hold up a Bank of America branch without a weapon. King used a thumb and a finger to simulate a gun, but unfortunately, he failed to keep his hand in his pocket. --- In Redondo Beach, Calif., a police officer arrested a driver after a short chase and charged him with drunk driving. Officer Joseph Fonteno's suspicions were aroused when he saw the white Mazda MX-7 rolling down Pacific Coast Highway with half of a traffic-light pole, including the lights, lying across its hood. The driver had hit the pole on a median strip and simply kept driving. According to Fonteno, when the driver was asked about the pole, he said, 'It came with the car when I bought it.'" --- You can tell what I was reading this afternoon.

*A Lyrica ad has a women declaring that she just found out that we have nerves connecting with the brain and sending pain signals. Huh? Doesn't every first grader know that? Just how dumb do these advertisers think the average American is? I'd fire that ad firm post haste if I was Lyrica.

*it just occurred to me. Questions and answers on 'Family Feud' are supposedly based on 'nationwide surveys.' Any of you souls out there ever participated in these surveys? I know I haven't. I don't know anyone who has. So, I wonder whether they ever occurred. Or were they made up?

*Speaking of coffee [we were?], 90% of coffee around older Western movies and television shows seems to spontaneously generate on the set. We rarely see anyone making it. But it always seems to be there. Another thing, while we're at it. Dry beans require at least a day soaking in water before being cooked. Of course, you can also pre-boil them to get them tender, but even that takes three or four hours. I can almost see that happening with a chuck wagon cook, but not the cowboy on the trail. There are always beans available to have with his meat and bread. Bread? Another anomaly.

*'The Conspirator' in the movies is said to be based on an untold true story. Eh? The Civil War has been over 146 years, and no one ever heard the story? Sorry, I don't buy it. Nobody can keep a secret for 146 years only to reveal it in 2011 for a movie. Many people can't keep a secret for more than an hour without spilling the beans. This 'untold true story' had to have been related in a bar scene some place, at some time. Many bartenders have some very tricky secrets under their vests. We find out about them after bartenders' conventions.

*Why do so many people in the movies give up so quickly when they have a gun pulled on them, especially by a known killer? I recognize the unpreventable panic, but in most cases they're going to be killed anyway; so why not give it a last try to forestall it? Another happening in the movies is the chase. Whether it's a monster, an animal, or the bad guys, the chasee always runs in a straight line. Why? Usually, there're woods or houses or somethings to the left or right. He/She can go there. This is especially advisable when being chased by someone in a plane or car. Why get run down. Now I know that Cary Grant had to go in a straight line. There was nowhere else to go on the flat and bare area surrounding him---though in his case, I would have run toward the plane. [But then it wouldn't be cinematic history, n'est pas?]

But if you zig and zag and go at right angles, it seems to me that you'd have a better chance of survival. And for crying out loud, don't stop and look behind you. You know there's someone[s] chasing you. Turning around just lets them close the gap some more.

So, run like hell, don't keep looking behind you, and run into the woods if necessary. In keeping with W C Fields, don't give the sucker [pursuer] an even break.

Great Caesar's Ghost oh Astronomer!

* All my life, I thought Superman boss, editor Perry White, had originality with his constant plaint "Great Caesar's Ghost!" I now know better. The term comes from the title of a Newspaper comic strip 'Great Caesar's Ghost!..and Great Caesar's Goat' by A E Hayward back in the 1910s. It consisted of a comic Julius Caesar living in Rome [by name only; the city had a mix of Roman buildings and modern structures, complete with lamps etc...] and getting his daily lumps from 1910 life and wife.

Julius wears modern clothes over his obvious toga. Some other characters are dressed the same way, and some are in modern [1910] clothes. Anachronisms abound, such as a cigars, watches, alarm clocks, glass windows, mirrors, cuckoo clocks, glass fish bowls, telephones, seltzer bottles, etc... In one Sunday panel, a well dressed little guy comes into Julius's throne room. He claims to represent the 'Rome Law and Order Society' led by Antony Comstockus. They have some 'requirements.' Among other things, they want "...Our chief, Antony Comstockus, says as how you got to drape all the statues on the Boulevards...the legs of the all dining tables must be covered and..." Julius is aghast. His reply [while jumping up and down] to this: "...What? Dictate to me? Who's runnin' Rome!"

Not only is Superman's Perry White unoriginal, but the grappling fingers of pc-ism in 1910 Comic-land is quite apparent. It's also very funny.

*Those TV ads are still trying to trick you into buying ersatz gold coins. The latest is an ersatz nickel that is based on a 99% gold larger denomination coin---which the ad praises for considerable time as if it's the perfect coin. But this copy only has 14 milligrams of gold. As you'll remember from my prior entries, that isn't very much. Thus, the advertised 14milligrams is only worth 63 cents [based on $1,400 per troy ounce of gold.] So, for $9.95, you get an unusable plug nickel with 63 cents of gold on it in a very thin layer. And the ad has the effrontery to claim the price can only be guaranteed for 7 days. One order per customer. [The ad has been spouting that for months---with the same price.] Even Vince's 'Sham Wow' is a better deal.

*Noted during last August: I heard recently the beginning of the NASCAR Martinsville Race. It began with a spiritual invocation, and it led to the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance by a group of school kids. The kids then went on to sing the National Anthem---correctly, by the way. Most professionals don't know the words, the song, or the meaning. They're mostly neck singers anyway [instead of singing from the gut and diaphragm], and they're just at the race with the hope of sparking their professional careers and putting their own vocal spins on the Anthem. While it's deplorable having some of those 'celebs' out there 'singing', it's too bad no other sport allows normal American expression from regular people. They all seem to be worried about ACLU and Liberal critics. So much for freedom of speech. I would expect NASCAR has some financial interest in these singers trying to sing.

As an update, I heard another Grammy winner sing the National Anthem today [3/27/11] before the Race in Fontana CA. He did a terrible job. His voice is weak, and without amplification and a lot of noise accompanying him [everyone sings a Cappella], he can't hack it. And people buy records from Amazon starring this guy?

*In today's game [3/24/11] between the LA Dodgers and Colorado Rockies, I make note of the Rockies pitcher, Michael Marbry. Firstly, he's obscenely young from my point of view. [He was born in 1984.] Arggh! I was getting old even back then. Secondly, he has an earned run average this year of 135! Today, he allowed five runs in 1/3 of an inning. Don't get me wrong. I like all this. I've been a Dodger fan all my life. Today, the Dodgers were behind 5 to 0 in the bottom of the ninth inning with only their last three outs to work with. They proceeded to score seven runs and win the game. As Kermit would say with mouth and body language, "Yeaaaaaa! Yeaaaaaa!"

*Per the AP in December in an article entitled: Scientists Find 200 Sextillion More Stars in the Sky

"A study suggests the universe could have triple the number of stars scientists previously calculated...The study questions a key assumption that astronomers often use: that most galaxies have the same properties as our Milky Way. And that's creating a bit of a stink among astronomers who want a more orderly cosmos...The study that offers the new estimate on stars is led by a Yale University astronomer." [Pieter van Dokkum] [The prior estimate was 100 sextillion; the new one is 300 sextillion]

"'For the past month, astronomers have been buzzing about van Dokkum's findings, and many aren't too happy about it', said astronomer Richard Ellis of the California Institute of Technology...Van Dokkum's paper challenges the assumption of "a more orderly universe" and gives credence to 'the idea that the universe is more complicated than we think,' Ellis said. 'It's a little alarmist.'"

Tell me the truth, now. Do you know how much 100 sextillion is? Or 300 sextillion? The latter is a 3 followed by 23 zeroes. Does it make a difference to you how many stars there are from these poor estimates? What if the estimate is off by a few tens of sextillions? Are you alarmed at these numbers? Want to count the stars in the observable Universe? After all, no one knows how big the Universe is, so these estimates are all done with smoke and mirrors---rather like weather forecasting. How simple do you want the Universe to be? Is this what astronomy has come to? Counting stars with varying assumptions and then arguing about them? Why don't they do something useful like estimating or counting the number of baseballs used by all the Major League Baseball teams for an entire year? Or how much mud is used to rub them?

And why is the larger number of stars classified by Ellis as 'alarming.' Does he expect a few sextillion UFOS to arrive from all the possible planets among the additional stars? Is he privy to the real size of the Universe? Or does he just enjoy being contrary? I remember the arguments in the past between those promoting the Big Bang theory and those promoting the steady state theory [constant creation of matter from nothing in space.] Big Bang finally won out, but the steady state guys are still trying to promote it under certain circumstances. You've got to admire their tenacity---just like those members of the Flat Earth Society.

As for me? Well, the number of stars in the Universe is not as important as the number of asteroids and meteors on collision courses with the Earth or Moon. Those frighten me more than a few sextillion UFOs.

The Chickens, the Scary Words, and the Scientists

* Burger King is promoting a 'buy one and get one free' deal on one of its chicken sandwiches. The ad doesn't say, but is there an extra processing and handling fee for the doubling? There is on all those TV commercials that double your order: Start whisper - "Just pay separate processing." - End whisper. Some say there's no such thing as a free lunch, but Burger King comes close with this deal.

* Notice the State Farm commercial with the smarmy salesman planted in front of a news stand? Try reading some of the magazine titles. You can't. Most of the titles are covered or have a generic title like 'Women.' You can't read titles on most others because they're all defaced with decorations. Apparently, State Farm is afraid to show real magazines lest it be sued for unapproved use or else it doesn't want to provide free advertising. All this from the Insurance Company that wants to 'tell it straight.'

* I have a problem about those 'animal adoption' or 'saving' commercials with the tear jerking music and overrated celebrity begging you for help. These words and posed pictures could easily be applied to little babies, born and unborn. But where are they? Doesn't a figure of 10 million abortions and hundreds of thousands of child abuse cases mean anything each year? I suggest these TV waylaid humans spend their energy on their own species in preference to pets. If they did, our cultural life will suddenly gain new meaning and show some life of its own. I'm all for treating animals properly and with love, but I'm also for treating human life the same way---wait, such treatment should be better. One precious human life is worth more than a million pets.

*Be prepared to run when you hear these phrases. They augur danger and their purpose is to separate you from your money: 'Hello! I'm from the government, and I'm here to help you.' - 'But wait, we'll double your offer for free. Just pay separate shipping and processing.' - 'For a limited time only.' - 'Call in the next five minutes and .....' - 'Special offer for the next 24 hours only.' - 'A $200 value, all yours for $10.' - 'A collector's edition. - 'A Limited edition.' - 'You don't have to do anything. Just take our pill and your fat will simply melt away.' - 'Original price set at $49.95. Now yours for $19.95. Clad with 15mg of pure gold.' [about 66 cents at today's price] [or 50mg, about $2.20 at today's price]

*I keep hearing self-professed thinkers and our scientific community about the possibility of another life in the Universe. For most of them, it's the claim that the Universe is so large, there must be other life. How can life form on a tiny planet around an insignificant sun in a far corner of the Universe and be the home of the only intelligent life in the Galaxy? Such is life. Billions of dollars are spent looking for alien life throughout the portion of Universe we can reach; signals are sent; ears are kept open. Eyes search for signs; infrared and x-ray astronomy look as well. Millions more dollars are spent dealing with UFO claims. People clamor to find an alien explanation for the Bermuda Triangle, the Egyptian Pyramids, the Aztec Pyramids. Books are written about the mysterious goings-on around the World.

And from it all comes---nothing! There's no proof anywhere or in any way that another intelligent life exists in the Universe! Nothing but imagination. We may not be perfect, but I think we're unique.

*Scientists today, as shown on the Science Channel all the time, are trying their best to explain life, the Big Bang and other astronomical and biological miracles in terms of chance encounters, physical interactions, and time. They notably leave out God in all their discussions. I believe that the entire span of life of the Universe was decided by God before He created the Big Bang. Everything that happened after that was guided by God's created physics, chemistry, biology, astronomy, etc. Creating and giving mankind the freedom of will and action, however, was a deviation from the original plan. He wanted us to be free to do what we wanted and develop the faith to believe in Him and His works. I've been reading books and articles on astronomy, physics, chemistry, sociology, biology,religion and numerous other areas for fifty years. And my faith is still strong. Mankind has deviated from what could have been for happiness and security for all, and he has divided his thoughts and actions between good and evil. We still suffer from the evil part. When the scientists finally admit that God was the prime mover in creation, they'll probably work on trying to discover who or what created God.

*Honda is showing some mysterious commercials. It claims that it's new Accord is the longest lasting car in it's class. What? This is a new car. How could they determine longevity? Another dimension? They also claim it has the best resale value in it's class. What again? This is a new car. Are their dealers selling them as used already? Do other makes of cars do the same thing?

CHRISTMAS SONG

Though this is over 100 years old, I like in this
modern World. May all my readers have a
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

--T N McCoy

Why do bells for Christmas Ring?
Why do little children sing?
Once a lovely, shining star,
Seen by shepherds from afar,
Gently moved until its light
Made a manger-cradle bright.
There a darling baby lay
Pillowed soft upon the hay.
And his mother sang and smiled,
“This is Christ, the holy child.”
So the bells for Christmas ring,
So the little children sing.

-- Lydia A C Ward c1907

And then I came across this strange combination:

***
SPECIAL NEWS ITEM

Extra…Extra…Extra…Extra…Extra…Extra…Extra


New Haven, CT…December 19, 2010…Unsigned

…Begin

Poets Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and Steven P. Turi today published their first collaborative effort, Christmas 2010, amidst mixed shock and threats.

“How rare indeed,” mused a renowned literary critic found fishing at a local watering hole. “Such an effort fascinates the imagination and attests to the concept of concise circumlocution with charming meet her…err…---especially from that new fellow, Turi. Beertender! Pease mix me for another dree martiny!”

Mr. Turi was on the floor by his computer stack looking for a transmission, but we did listen to the lengthy message on his rarely used answering machine. Mr. Longfellow, on the other hand, has been dead for the past hundred and twenty-eight years.

Copies of Christmas 2010 were fortunately limited in number and are no longer available. Consequently, this news item has not been written or released---and therefore does not exist.

…End


Christmas 2010

By Steven P. Turi and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Introduction: by the New Fellow

My Christmas now as Christmas then
Is filled with color bright of hue.
But all my green be numbers low,
Hence humble words result for you.

Two poets, though far their years apart,
Join palettes brushing words of taste,
To speak of past or now to be,
Brought forth in peace and hope encased.

Christmas Bells by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play.
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on Earth, good will to men!

And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along
The unbroken song
Of peace on Earth, good will to men!

Till, ringing, swinging on its way,
The World revolved from night to day
A voice, a chime,


A chant sublime
Of peace on Earth, good will to men!

Then from each black, accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South
And with the sound
The carols drowned
Of peace on Earth, good will to men.

It was as if an earthquake rent
The hearthstones of a continent,
And made forlorn
The households born
Of peace on Earth, good will to men!


And I despair I bowed my head:
“There is no peace on Earth,” I said.
“For hate is strong
And mocks the song
Of peace on Earth, good will to men!”

Then peeled the bells more loud and deep,
“God is not dead; nor doth He sleep”
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on Earth, good will to men!

Postscript by the New Fellow again

Alas! I mourn this year of scanty fare
Which brought no sign nor proof of wealth.
Yet, heart still beats the meter strong
To wish long life, peace, hope, good health.

Merry Christmas to you with whom I share
Email and voice, rare use of pen.
To join the he and she we are
For peace on Earth, good will to men!

The real end.

Easy Feet and the Fushigi Ball

These are the days that try our souls, for we're torn between the commercial and the religious aspects of Christmas. I'm not going to give a dissertation on the religious meanings here, but I can tackle some strange 'deals' in the market place.

*First though, I'll make a casting call. I think a movie producer [probably MGM] should quickly sign Connie Talbot or Jackie Evancho for a remake of the Wizard of Oz---since they're closer in age to the storybook Dorothy. And let's hope they'll make more movies of the same type. To go further, let's also hope they keep there heads about them and don't turn into more Lindsay Lohans. And when they grow up, we don't need more stars who want to shed their 'good girl' images and pose nude to make them acceptable to the Hollywood community.

*It's the mad mad mad mad Christmas buying season again. And the advertisers are on TV in force. My ears are getting tired from the bombastic claims of these guys. As a public service, then, I'll share some thoughts on advertising with you. These admen are overselling products at high prices. So, be careful with what you buy. Do you really need two of an item? It'll cost you. These two-for-one deals are tricky, especially since you have to go searching for the actual shipping and handling [processing] fees. And I wish you'd have the opportunity to reject the second, doubling offer.

*'Get Easy Feet.' Only $14.99! [Plus S/H $7.99.] And get another for only the handling fee [$7.99] Actually, they call it a 'processing' fee when advertising. So, your purchase of two 'Easy Feet' will cost $30.97 [plus applicable tax.] Well now, the foot object may do a cleaning job if you're really lazy---though it only cleans the bottom with any assurance. But notice the advertisement, where the women is constantly pouring some liquid soap on the foot piece for cleaning? By the time the shower is over, you've used up half a bottle of the stuff. So, add that cost to your foot cleaning. Another thing is that the 'Easy Feet' people say it will attach to the tub bottom just like other anti-skid items for the tub. But, modern tubs and shower already have that sort of thing built into them. So how are the feet supposed to attach? These are good only for the older tubs and showers. But then, they'll probably slide like the anti-skid feet you can buy at most stores making a foot cleaning hazard at best.

My suggestion is to buy a bathtub brush for $1.99, and use it to clean your feet. You can stand up and lean on the wall, thus minimize your leg bending. And the versatile brush allows you to wash the sides and tops of your feet as well. And you can continue using your soap in bars or on strings or what have you. They'll soap up your brush nice and easy.

*'Fushigi Ball' goes for $19.99. The company doesn't double the order, but it does send you a DVD with examples of how to use the ball. [Just pay the processing.] Total cost for the mandatory package? $19.99 + $6.99 + $6.99 = $33.97. While the ball appears fascinating, I'm not sure the cost is. Why isn't the DVD included with the ball automatically. That extra $6.99 is unnecessary.

*'Total Pillow' asks for $19.99. Shipping and Handling? $7.95 Total cost for the mandatory package of two pillows? $19.99 + $7.95 + $7.95 = $35.89. Pleasant sleeping. At least it's better than the Ancient Egyptian stone head rest for sleeping.

'My Free Smoothie' is an interesting offer. 'Feed your body right!' 'The weight falls right off!' You get two flavors for your 21 day free trial. But you can only open one container. The other can be opened only after you purchase the products---including the one in the free offer. If you're tempted [and that's why it was sent to you], you might sample the second one. And then you can't return it. You bought everything! Go to rightsizeonline.com to see what the nutrition is, though you still aren't told whether the mix goes with milk or water. Individually, the mixes go for about $55---or buy a case for $464! Or you can buy thirty bottles of flavored water for $42 [$1.40 each] Your choice!

You know, it's not like you can go down to the corner store and buy these things for $1 or $2 as you want them. But for those of you attracted to Jennie Craig or one of the other organizations of weight loss heaven, the Free Smoothie totals above compare closely to the usual $300 to $400 you have to shell out for them---though you don't get food only smoothies.

Here it is in their own words at the bottom of the web page:

Legal Disclaimer:
Terms of 21 day trial: Please read terms and conditions for complete details. Your 21 day trial starts at delivery. The two cans you select represents a full order. One can is to open and try as often as you like for 21 days. The other can is to remain sealed until you are satisfied with the product. If we do not hear from you by the end of the 21 day trial period, we will complete your order for $119.80 using todays payment method. If you wish to cancel the trial call 1-888-xxx-xxxx for a return authorization code to return the sealed can. You are free to keep your trial can with our thanks for trying RightSize. Shipping and handling is non-refundable and product returns are at customer expense.

I have no idea whether or not this stuff helps you to lose weight, but I judge advertisers and their products by what they hide and don't tell me.

*'Depilsilk' depilatory; spray no size indicated, facial pen; cotton towel; bathrobe; hair cap -- no sizes given for anything.
$10 = 6.99 + 6.99 = 23.98 plus $3 for Canada = $26.98 less $5 if you order online. Hair today, gone tomorrow. [Sorry. I just had to get that in this paragraph!]

Or you could buy products like these: VEET online: supreme essence; easy spray; hair removal cream; 5.1 oz; $7.99; EPYLLIS depilatory gel; 16oz; $18.99; NAIR; 6.1 oz; pomegranate; lotion; $7.99; SPRING ESSENCE; 5.4oz;$7.99; gel cream; SPRING ESSENCE; 9oz;cocoa buffer;$5.79.

*'Cami Secret', a type of camisole; 6 pieces; light weight breathable fabric [what kind of fabric is that?] $10. + $6.99 + $6.99 + $2.99 for some states and territories; total $23.98 to $26.97. I'm not totally familiar with the problem these things solve, so you'll have to decide this one. The website mentions a camisole---an item worn underneath a sheer bodice to conceal the underwear; a straight jacket with long sleeves. They may do the job, but you should know the cost.

*'The Little Red Chef' is selling for $10, maybe. Add two s/h of $6.95, and you have a total of $23.90. On TV it seems to work, but if it's so great, why would a cook need two of them? Besides, I would expect one or two turns around the chop container would give me carpal tunnel syndrome. I find a chopping block with a good knife and a mini food processor do the jobs well and are more satisfying. The knife and block have been around forever, and the processor cost me about $10.

*'Yoshei Blade' is a ceramic knife for $19.99. But your shipping is $9.99 and $6.99, or $36.97 plus $3 if you're in Canada. Although not very clear in the ads, the blade is about 5" long, the same as a boning knife---only you can't use a ceramic blade for boning. It's too brittle.

Ceramic knives are interesting. They are hard, sharp, and they stay sharp for a long time. They are lightweight and don't give food a taste. [Though I've never had that problem with metal knives.] They are brittle, and if struck with or on hard objects, they'll break. [Don't drop them on the floor!] They have to be handled very carefully and with a special type of sharpener when they lose their edges. If they have plastic handles [as is most likely in this offer], they won't last as long as wooden ones. Plastic is cheaper as well.

I'd rather pick one good, wooden-handled ceramic knife from a reputable kitchen store with my $37.

*My baby can read, so how about yours? 'Your Baby Can Read' too? Just pay $14.95 for a 30 day risk-free trial. Free shipping and handling. It's hard to find, but the total cost of the program is $199.95. Per the small print "Upon shipment [of your risk-free trial] [note that it's not a free trial], your credit card account will be charged $199.95 plus tax. If you are not completely satisfied within 30 days of receipt, contact our customer service at 888-xxx-xxxx to arrange for a return authentication and a refund. Your return must be post-marked within 7 days of receiving return authorization...Processing and return shipping charges are non-refundable."

So friends, make sure you have a lot more credit on your credit card than $14.95 for your "risk-free" trial.

I don't know about all this. My parents taught me to read before I went to school and quizzed me occasionally about what was in the local newspapers. It didn't cost them anything. But, I think toddlers should be let alone to toddle. We take too much away from childhood as it is. Give them a break.

*'Park Bills' provide you two $2 bills with printed, color details on them, one of the Grand Canyon and the other of Yellowstone National Park. For this, you'll be charged $21.95. Imagine that? Take some $2 bills, run them through an overprinter, and charge the public $11 for each one. That's some deal. If you want pictures of the Grand Canyon and the Yellowstone National Park, you can find some great ones on the Internet. You can buy $2 bills at the bank for $2 each. You'll have fewer problems if you need to spend them.

Remember, whenever an offer includes a free doubling, don't believe it; you're going to pay for it. The ubiquitous 'shipping and handling' or 'processing fee' are simply going to pay for the item. I mean, how much trouble is it to take an item off the shelf and throw it in a box with packing material? I've seen these fees range from $6.95 to $11.80---the latter fee for a bottle of pills. Merry and Careful Christmas!

Sweet Ad-of-Mine!

*If ITT Tech is so great, why does its ads include the statement that school 'credits are unlikely to transfer.' To a regular college that is. If they can't transfer to a run-of-the-mill college, what good are they? And what respect can graduates expect to find in real life? What should be better taught to high school students is the importance of a college degree---and from a school whose credits CAN transfer if necessary.

*It isn't enough that modern toilets have flushes with too little water, but now Scott is advertising that their free items will reduce the use of water each time the toilet is used. Great. Pretty soon, somebody will be espousing the use of only three squares of toilet paper per visit---wait! Hasn't Sheryl Crowe already suggested that? Does she practice what she preaches? If so, I wouldn't shake hands with her.

*And now a Twixt commercial consistently and in all it's variations, condones lying and infidelity. Caught with your pants down? Caught lying? Caught by your spouse getting a message from your girl friend? Eat a Twixt to give you a moment to come up with a flimsy excuse.

*By the way, if you purchased a 1933 Double Eagle clad proof for $23.95 when gold was $800 an ounce [troy], your gold would have been worth 81 cents. With gold now at a record $1,340 per troy ounce, that same coin's gold is worth a whopping $1.34! Talk about investing in gold. Stick to the real things and you'll be in a much better position---even if you sell it off before you it hits peak value.

*World's Best Cat Litter---made from whole kernel corn. Does anyone believe that those two mental giants in the advertisement are really tasting cat litter? If so, I have some building property in the modern Okefenokee Range for you. Real cheap. And another WBCL commercial has volunteers smelling cat urine. Now what has that got to do with anything? I hope WBCL pays the actors well. I wonder what it'll be in the number 2 commercial?

*The Elevator Speaketh - While riding my elevator down to the main floor to pick up a UPS delivery, the speaker started. In seconds, my friend and I were listening to a telemarketing call to reduce our heating costs. Besides the fact that by HUD regulations, heating is included in our rent, how is it that we receive a call in an elevator? And I couldn't shut her up. She went on and on with her spiel. When she took a breath, I told her this was an elevator. It didn't phase her. She kept on with her marketing. When we left the elevator, she was still spieling on.

*In the 'yuck' Department: does anyone else out there think that 'post nasal drip' sounds like the name of a new cereal? I know. Too much Harry Potter influence, I guess.

*I heard recently the beginning of the NASCAR Martinsville Race. It began with a spiritual invocation, and it led to the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance by a group of school kids. The kids then went on to sing the National Anthem---correctly, by the way. Most professionals don't know the words, the song, or the meaning. They're mostly neck singers anyway [instead of singing from the gut and diaphragm], and they're just at the race with the hope of sparking their professional careers and putting their own vocal spins on the Anthem or just for publicity. It's too bad no other sport allows such normal American expressions. They're all worried about ACLU and Liberal critics. So much for freedom of speech.

*I wondered about the new card seller, Moon Pig. I suppose the powers-that-be think it's sales idea is funny and modern. Nope on both accounts. It's just another attempt to make a profit by misleading the buyer by not saying things. These cards may be easy for the 'active' or 'bored' individual, but they are very impersonal. Everything's printed, and of course, the buyer has no opportunity to write anything personal or even sign the card. Emailed cards aren't any better. Remember: anything entered into the Internet never goes away. So that should warn you about anything personal in the cards.

The cards are $3.99 to $7.99 plus, depending on size. I visited the site and looked around. Maybe I'm getting old, but I didn't find much real humor in their humorous cards. Some were dumb, some were insulting, and some made little sense. For the 'Saints' category: St Patrick; Ireland; almost all about drinking; St George, St David, and St Andrew: secular.

The Christmas cards are invariably secular. A few, under the category of traditional design, show some Saints and the Virgin Mother, but they either have 'Season's Greetings' or nothing on the card. As per the site's reason for being, you have to supply the sentiment.

All in all, though, there are a few good cards. But I doubt I'll be using this impersonal site for cards. I don't even think those e-cards are quite the choice either. Take the time to go out and buy one. Buy a few. My Uncle John's sister, Sophie, used to keep a pile of them in her dresser drawer along with many small gifts all wrapped up. When you visited, if there was a birthday or anniversary to celebrate, Aunt Sophie had just the thing, leading you to believe that she bought it just for you.

*Want younger-looking eyes? Want to be in the Hydrolyze test? An offer that will last only 24 hours? Don't worry too much about it. The same commercial has been running for weeks. That's a lot of 24 hour periods, isn't it? Besides, it isn't free. You'll get charged for something, probably the infamous 'shipping and handling' or 'separate processing fee.' In any case, the company makes a profit with the S&H or SPFee. They don't lose a penny. This is just a selling ploy. It's not like the jar contains molten gold or anything. It probably cost 50 cents to make.

Or you could try Instant Effect, as long as you have a credit card number to give them for security. With IE, you must act within five minutes of the start of the commercial. This commercial also gets countless showings.