..........Halloween funny.

"Nun of This For You"................

A cabbie picks up a nun. She gets into the cab, and notices that the VERY handsome cab driver won't stop staring at her. She asks him why he is staring. He replies. "I have a question to ask you but I don't want to offend you."She answers, "My son, you cannot offend me. When you're as old as I am and have been a nun as long as I have, you get a chance to see and hear just about everything. I'm sure that there's nothing you could say or ask that I would find offensive."Well, I've always had a fantasy to have a nun kiss me."She responds, "Well, let's see what we can do about that: #1, you have to be single and #2, you must be Catholic."The cab driver is very excited and says, "Yes, I'm single and Catholic!""OK" the nun says. "Pull into the next alley."The nun fulfills his fantasy with a kiss that would make a hooker blush. When they get back on the road, the cab driver starts crying."My dear child," said the nun, "why are you crying?""Forgive me but I've sinned. I lied and I must confess, I'm married and I'm Jewish."The nun says, "That's OK. My name is Larry Craig and I'm going to a Halloween Party."

..........Homeland Security Secretary, Michael Chertoff always enjoys a good teeth cleaning before going out for "Tricks or Treats."

.........."Bush the Decider" is related to "Vlad the Impaler"???

Happy Halloween out there in Blogland!!! Here's a little Halloween trivia for you......

Following the revelation that Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL), Vice President Dick Cheney and President George W. Bush are distant relations, the New York Post decided to report on some of Bush's other relatives.
Most of Bush's ancestors came to America in colonial times, and through them he -- like tens of thousands of other Americans -- is related to a large number of earlier presidents, as well as to both Dick Cheney and John Kerry.

Bush also turns out to be related to Vlad the Impaler -- the medieval tyrant who was one of the inspirations for the fictional Count Dracula. Some critics might say that Bush has certain things in common with Vlad, who is still honored by many Romanians for having saved their country from invasion by the Muslim Ottoman Turks. Vlad was a paranoid and bloodthirsty despot, however, who ruled through torture and murder. The apple appears not to fall far from the tree.

According to Crime Library, "During his tenure, he killed by the droves, impaling on a forest of spikes around his castle thousands of subjects who he saw as either traitors, would-be traitors or enemies to the security of Romania and the Roman Catholic Church. Sometimes, he slew merely to show other possible insurgents and criminals just what their fate would be if they became troublesome. A pamphlet published in Nuremburg, Germany, immediately following his death in 1476, tells of his burning beggars after allowing them free food at his court. 'He felt they were eating the people's food for nothing, and could not repay it,' the broadside explains."

CNN reported at the time of the 2004 election that "Bush has closer ties to Dracula [than John Kerry], going back 32 generations to the former ruler of Transylvania and what is now southern Romania. Kerry has to go back 34 generations in the family tree."

On a lighter note, Bush is also a relative of such celebrities as Brad Pitt, Hugh Hefner, and Marilyn Monroe, plus, more distantly, Madonna, Celine Dion, and Tom Hanks.

..............."don't mess with Romania - err, ah, that's Texas!!!!"

..........'wanna hear a good joke?

An Indian walks into a cafe with a shotgun in one hand, and pulling a male buffalo with the other. He says to the waiter: "Want coffee." The waiter says, "Sure, Chief. Coming right up." He gets the Indian a tall mug of coffee. The Indian drinks the coffee down in one gulp, turns and blasts the buffalo with the shotgun, causing parts of the animal to splatter everywhere and then just walks out. The next morning the Indian returns. He has his shotgun in one hand, pulling another male buffalo with the other. He walks up to the counter and says to the waiter,"Want coffee." The waiter says "Whoa, Tonto! We're still cleaning up your mess from yesterday. What was all that about, anyway?" The Indian smiles and proudly says, "Training for position in United States Congress: Come in, drink coffee, shoot the bull, leave mess for others to clean up, disappear for rest of day."

..........being PC.

I like to watch the Glenn Beck show on a semi-regular basis. Glenn often expresses views that I agree with; as well as, making me so mad I can't stand it. Glenn makes it no secret how he hates the politically correct atmosphere that our media puts us through on a daily basis. I have to agree with him on this one. We spend so much of our time attempting not to offend special interest groups, that we let the real issues pass right by us. This morning I was drinking my coffee and watching Headline News. The report came over the air about a college team having until 2010 to change the name of their mascot from the Fighting Souix, lest they pay fines to the NCAA and the Souix nation. This takes time on Headline News? There is no telling how much time was taken in courts, etc. just so someone got some attention. Heck, they should be honored that the Souix warrior is worthy as a school mascot. At any rate, what a ridiculous waste of time, and for what? Being politically correct is not about offending someone. It's about people drawing attention to themselves and seeking recognition.

Schools are often targets for the whole PC argument in many subject areas; one of which is the celebration of holidays. I'll always refer to the break we take from classes in December as "Christmas Break"; as well as, our annual "Easter Break". These holidays come at a time of the year that Ameriacan Christians celebrate the life, teachings, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In predominately Jewish communities, the Jewish holidays are celebrated and recognized as well. It doesn't bother me at all that religious symbols are displayed at these special times of the year. There's nothing wrong with the recognitions of these faiths in our public institutions; until someone wants to draw attention to themselves. Christmas trees have been banned in the school where I teach; and I never thought I would see that day! I directive was sent to that effect last year. Why? Was someone offended; or, are we beginning to run from the controversy before it becomes an issue?

Speaking of being offended by other religious celebration, I found this statement by actor, Ben Stein. I enjoyed what he had to say:

The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning
Commentary.

My confession:

I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees Christmas trees. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are: Christmas trees. It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, "Merry Christmas" to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu . If people want a crche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away. I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat. Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship Nick and Jessica and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where Nick and Jessica came from and where the America we knew went to. In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking. Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her "How could God let something like this happen?" (regarding Katrina) Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, "I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?" In light of recent events...terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found recently) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK. Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said OK. Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves. Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with "WE REAP WHAT WE SOW." Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace. Are you laughing? Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.

My Best Regards. Honestly and respectfully,

Ben Stein

..........being "under the knife"!

Until yesterday, I have never been a patient in a hospital in my life! I had an umbilical hernia repair done, and am currently healing at home. Needless to say, I was a little nervous on the morning of the surgery; never having experienced this before. I went to my pre-op/admission on Tuesday afternoon. On Wednesday, I went to the hospital at 8:00 AM, they put a plastic bracelet on me, and sent me upstairs for the final prep. I'm getting more nervous as the time grows nearer and nearer. They asked a few more questions upstairs, and then sent me to my room. I got into the infamous gown without a backside and waited. My nurses were the next ones to come in. Now, I'm really getting nervous! The nurses made me immediately feel at ease with the whole thing - it was incredible! They joked around a little and just talked to me. Nurses are really the unsung heroes of the healthcare industry. Sure, we couldn't pull it off without the doctors, but the nurses are with you before, during, and after all is said and done. The anestesiologist was next, followed by a brief visit by the surgeon (who we know from church). I had my IV put in and started with an antibiotic and fluids. The next step was getting onto the gurney and off to the operating room. After you teach high school in a community for 24 years, you run into a lot of people you know in a hospital. In the operating room area, I met a band parent from years ago who also made me feel at ease. I was rolled into the operating room, crawled over onto the operating table, and put my arms out onto the supports. The anestesiologist commented that he was going to now administer the happy juice - the next thing I remember was waking up in post-op. Wow, what a breeze! I went back up to my room, where Lisa and my mom were waiting. I had some ice water, soda, and a popcicle. I asked if I could go use the bathroom. The nurse said; "sure, and as soon as you do, you can go home." No problem - 10 minutes later I'm getting dressed and on my way into the hall for the wheelchair exit. I was in the car and on my way home at 12:00 PM! I really received great care at our little local hospital. Everyone was so very professional and nice to me. While I hope I never have to have more surgery, I'm glad I know a little more about it. You hear lots of horror stories about hospital experiences, and that's what one remembers. I had a great experience (as surgery goes). I'm missing three straight days of school right now. I don't know if I've ever missed that many consecutive days in my career - I don't like being away. There's so much to get done, and nobody can do it but me. I'm pretty sore right now, and I know I couldn't do a great job if I were there. In fact, I just took two Hydrocodone tablets to ease the pain. I'll be back to work on Monday, and all will be well. For now, I'm watching the thirteen part Winds of War/War And Remembrance DVD series. This was a made for TV mini-series in the 1980's about the beginning, during, and and end of WWII. It took me a few years to finally get the series. It stars Robert Mitchum and quite a few of the 1970's/1980's big actors. I'll have plenty to keep me busy. It's supposed to rain all day and it feels great just to sit and rest. Nothing to do and glad of it!!!

.........."Mommy, Grandpa says he's my Daddy."

.........."at last, I'm the most stylish woman in the room."

..........again, I do battle with sports!!!

Yeah, and once again, I won't stand a chance. Let me give you some background. Several years ago, the NCHSAA expanded the NC state athletics playoffs to include more teams in the first round. We have seven teams in our conference. There will be four teams from this conference going to a state playoff game! That is ridiculous! The decision to expand was only for more revenue. When a major change like that occurs, you have a ripple effect of different things occur. It changes schedules and abilities to participate in things for a great number of other high school events. In my case, the ability to participate in Saturday band events. Is it not enough that the high school sports world takes every afternoon and evening Monday - Friday? Do they have to take Saturday's too? It would seem so. By adding the additional teams, the seasons are also lengthened if you are one of the good teams that will go on to higher playoff rounds. The first round always pits some 4 wins, 6 losses team against another team who is 8 and 2 in their conference. The result - a real pounding for someone, and a bunch of kids who are down on themselves; not to mention the additional injuries caused by a poor team being beat to death by a good one. Now back to the band. I still believe that we should not make our high school kids choose to take either the athletic trac or the music trac specifically in the middle school/high school years. With cooperation and a little thinking outside of the traditional box, a kid could do both and be a more well-rounded individual. The sports world doesn't think that way. We have organized leagues for every sport beginning with 4 yr. olds! What a ridiculous state of affairs! Four year olds need to be in the backyard learning how to play with their peers on their own terms; and not with a sports obsessed adult barking out orders for the correct way to play a game. At any rate, I'll never win my battle with sports. I will; however, be a thorn in their side until I retire from my position as band director. My kids like to do both, and I'll continue to allow it in our program. I'll have to continue to make modifications in our group for those who are in athletics, but it won't be without providing some wear and tear on some narrow minded sports types. One of my kids got a real "tongue lashing" from her volleyball coach yesterday after practice. The volleyball team has the first round of state playoffs on Saturday (the same day as our scheduled contest). The kid was informing the Reich Minister of Volleyball that she chose to go to the band contest (I did not influence that decision at all - the kid did all of this on her own - I never gave her any type of ultimatum). The usual coach "guilt trip" strategy was used with failure. Score one for the band!!!!

..........Lou Dobbs on our current president.

Here's a commentary by CNN's Lou Dobbs on the legacy of George W. Bush. The sad part of this piece is that it's pretty accurate. Even the most loyal of Republicans; excuse me, Conservatives; like Glenn Beck, are saying many of the same things in this commentary. My question is this; "what now?" Do we elect another Republican to carry on this legacy? Do we risk a Democrat who whats to change things drastically? America is at a scary crossroads, and direction is questionable at best. The truly disturbing thing about this piece is the fact that the Iraq war is not our major problem. Don't read this as a Conservative or a Liberal - try thinking as an American.

NEW YORK (CNN) -- Diehard GOP faithful, the dwindling number of Bush loyalists and political pundits of every stripe and medium seem obsessed these days with defining or discerning the "legacy of George W. Bush."

Lou Dobbs says President Bush has diminished a great nation and may diminish it further.

Frankly, I spend more time worrying about whether or not the United States can survive the remaining 15 months of his ebbing presidency.
There is little mystery about what future historians will consider to be the legacy of the 43rd president of the United States. Those historians are certain to describe the first presidential administration of the 21st century with terms such as dissipation and perversion.
Bush campaigned for the Republican Party's nomination eight years ago, styling himself as a compassionate conservative. He's amply demonstrated that he is neither.
Although many conservatives refuse to accept the reality, George W. Bush is a one-world neo-liberal who drove budget and trade deficits to record heights while embracing faith-based economic policies that perversely require only blind allegiance to free markets and free trade, without regard for consequence.
This president pursues a war without demanding of his generals either success or victory and accepts the sacrifice of our brave young men and women in uniform while asking nothing of our people or the nation at a time of war.
Sadly, this president has diminished a great nation and may diminish it further.
President Bush has pressed hard for the Security and Prosperity Partnership, the first step toward a North American Union that will threaten our sovereignty. This administration has permitted American businesses to hire illegal aliens, encouraged the invasion of 12 million to 20 million illegal aliens and has given Mexico and corporate America dominion over our borders and our immigration policy.
Were it not for an outraged public, the Bush administration would have been happy to cede control of our ports to a Dubai government-owned company.
The assault on our national sovereignty continues: At a time when public approval of the White House and Congress is near historic lows, the president is urging the Senate to act favorably on our accession to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
One hundred fifty-five nations have ratified the Law of the Sea Treaty, which essentially codifies into law detailed rules about freedom of the seas and the extent of territorial waters. The treaty also establishes an international bureaucracy to regulate deep-sea mining.

..........look, it's the Republican version of "take your grandaughter to work" day.

..........may the circle be unbroken.

Taking time from their busy schedules, the VP and Senator pause to celebrate family ties.

.........."what up, cuz?"

Okay, so who has been in who's woodpile. It seems that Lynn Cheney, in the course of doing research for her recent book, found that the VP is an eighth cousin to Senator Obama; or should I call him Anikan Skywalker? Many felt that Senator Obama would bring balance to The Force. Beware of the power of the Dark Side - fool you it will!!!

..........is a caption really going to be necessary?

..........taking a self-examination.

No, it's not what your thinking; but, rather a reflection of who I really am. This will be a manifesto of who I am and how I think. Sure, you can leave the site now. Anyway, I want to examine happiness and myself. I had a teacher workday yesterday; which gives me time alone to think about things. I spend a lot of time by myself; and as a result, I think a lot; probably too much for my own good. I often think what other people see when they look at me as an individual. I bet I will be pretty close to the truth when I explain it here.

I think people see me as a mainly negative person. That's not really the idea I want for people to get of me, but I think I'm accurate. I feel quite a bit of that negativity comes from my work. Being a high school band director is a challenge in the very best senario. I am constantly working on solving performance problems, dealing with working around who is not here or who hasn't done the work necessary for the group to prosper, etc. Too much problem solving can lead one to seem more negative than he really is. I also teach a subject area that no one really cares about; which makes me very defensive. I'm always defending our right to even exist in the whole school picture. When I say that people really don't care about the band program, I truly mean it. I go to the football games every Friday night, and there are all the school administrators watching, talking to the players, and hailing the coaches as gods. No one ever comes over to my kids and wishes them well before the show performance, or congratulates them after a job well done. In fact, our school leaders never even talk to me about the band kids unless they want us to show-up for something and provide some entertainment, of fill some dead space. Do they even know how long it takes to prepare a ten minute field show? I'm sure they don't. It literally takes me ten weeks to prepare an acceptable field show. That's a lot of rehearsal hours that very few people appreciate. This lack of recognition in my work makes me rebellious and bitter towards other things. I know that's not the right attitude to have; but I can't stop it. I'm a renegade towards this line of thought about my program and my band kids. Just this morning, a coach asked me; "how did your band thing go on Saturday?" I guess I should be impressed with the fact that he asked; but, the way it was asked suggested how he really felt about it - that "band thing". It's not a damn thing - it's a band competition! Does anyone ever ask about how that baseball thing went over the weekend? No, because it's a baseball game! I have pretty much devoted my life to teaching band. It's a highly unappreciated thing in high school, and I'm offended that my life's professional efforts are going without notice. My gosh, I've gone to college for five years, spent countless hours (without pay) going to special clinics and performances, and giving students the opportunity to express themselves in an amazing art form; and it's called a "band thing"! Okay, so you get the point - I resent how others view what I do with the better portion of my life, and I'm defensive about it. I think that does breed some negativity.

Another facet of me is my desire to be competitive. Oh, how I wish I could shake being so competitive. I have the worst time accepting failure. Now, here we have to examine what is failure, because failure is definitely one of those things that is on a sliding scale. Failure to me is anything below the best possible outcome! What a horrible attitude to have! We finished third in our class of six bands at the Appalachian State University Marching Band Contest this past weekend. The ASU contest is usually a real bloodbath competition, and I knew that going into it. The level of competition is high and we would be competing aganist strong bands. The other part of the equation is a reflection of my personality. I don't do "artsy fartsy" type shows. We usually play some harder hitting music that lends itself to some excitement; which is what I feel marching band should really be. I've been around long enough in this business to witness the rise of the drum and bugle corps. In the early 1980's, the marching band movement was one where directors who liked marching band tried desperatly to make it a legitimate art form. That meant bringing music of the classics onto the field. Most of the top directors both at the college and high school levels, viewed marching band as nothing more than loud music with little or no educational value. The drum and bugle corps movement of the 1980's began our move toward bringing traditionally concert oriented music to the field, to show that marching band could be just as eduational as the traditional concert group. I never bought this stupid theory, and I never will. Again, I'm a renegade when it comes to my music selections. At the ASU contest, we saw shows entitled, "The Seasons", "The Music of Imagination", and even George Gershwin's, "Rhapsody in Blue" (they brought a grand piano onto the field). No doubt that some of these shows were performed well; but is it marching band? Not in my book; and I'll never fold to the pressure that the drum and bugle corps put on groups and judges to play this garbage - yes, garbage! If I see another expressive show of original compositions based on the sounds of the seasons, I pray that you all hide the sharp objects from me. Well, back to me. These shows beat us all the time and I resent that. I get great comments from the ASU professors, the crowd response is outstanding, and we finish third because "it just isn't musical enough". No doubt that this affects my overall attitude a great deal; but, as stated before I can't bring myself to do that stuff. I can't even imagine selling a classical type show to my students or my hometown crowd. With all this being said, I guess one of the biggest reasons that I seem negative is that I know that my band director peers don't respect my work. That bothers me because I try so very hard to achieve and be respected as a professional. I just can't seem to get there. Yes, I do think a large part of the problem is feeling inferior to my fellow band directors, and I am so scared that I'll be viewed as one of those guys who really doesn't know what he is doing professionally. Do other musical professionals laugh at what I do? Do they use what I do as an example of what not to do? I really don't know, but I think it's a possibility. Does anyone in the business really respect what I do with my bands? That's a good question; and one that I really don't have the answer for. I just know that I try hard to build a program that the kids will benefit and learn from.

I like nice, neat, tidy endings to situations. There's probably a disorder that describes the way I am in that respect. Yesterday, on my teacher workday, I put together a couple of storage units which allowed me to get some stuff in the uniform/flag room off the floor; I wrote some letters of recommendation for a few students, I organized the room, and I planned our band trip for the weekend. Everything had a nice, neat, tidy ending to the task. I hate open-ended situations!

Another side of me is the competitive nature of my soul. I seem to never be satisfied with things. I think that I'm afraid that I will cease to exist if I'm not always trying to be better. This is a circle of events that will take us back to the band competition thing again. I love competition and I love to win. I get the biggest satisfaction out of winning when we really shouldn't. What I mean there is winning aganist higher odds. This lack of satisfaction goes into almost every part of my life as well. I just can't sit back and relax if I know it can be done better. You don't know how much this huants me, and I wish that I could think differently.

Yet another part of me wants to analyze too many situations. Have you seen the move, "The Four Seasons"? If not, you have to. Alan Alda actually plays me in the movie! No, not really; but his character reminds me so much of me! In the movie, Alda's character is always driving everyone crazy as he tries to "get to the heart of it all". Yep, that's me in a nutshell. I know that I need to let many thoughts alone and just forget about it, but the thought of a loose end drives me nuts! I like resolution in everything.

I really do have high hopes for my life. I look forward to things on the horizon, and I gain so much happiness in doing so. The real joy of my life is spending time with my wife and children. Right now, I'm looking forward to our annual Disney World trip. Some of the happiest times of my life have been there with them. I love to see my kids in the different activities in which they participate. I love to go out on dates with my wife. I love the fact that I have a very personal relationship with God. I really never do feel completely alone. None of the happy things have involved my professional life. What's the deal with that? I do get joy and happiness in my career, but it seems too far and in between. Maybe that can change with some effort.

So, there it is - me! Should I see a shrink? Probably so, but I know what the doctor would say - "so, how does that make you feel?" There would be a crime committed at some point with conversation like that. It's no doubt to me as to why many people view me as negative, and why I don't really have any friends that enjoy being around me. I often hear that to improve yourself, you first have to accept that there is a problem. Well, I just admitted to that. There are lots of problems with my personality, and I guess I'll try to work some of it out myself. Accepting things for what they are and just doing my best is the obvious answer. It's going to be a tough road for me, but I have to try. By the way, if you read this entire post; I thank you from the bottom of my soul. In fact, you probably deserve some type of reward for doing so.

..........ticket, please!!!!

The mere thought of this ticket should strike fear into the hearts of anyone who is currently running for President of the United States. This is the one Democratic combo that could beat anything that Hillary or the Republicans could throw at them. Like 'em or not, it could win.

..........going out on a limb.



Here is another one of those "not so typical" posts of mine. I've been listening to a lot about socializing the health care system to the point that no one in America is left without health insurance; but, I have to admit, while I like the idea that no child would be without basic health care, I also see another side. In a very rare instance, I do agree with President Bush by his not signing the child health bill into law. There are too many opportunities for things to go wrong with a more socialized health care system, and I'm not ready to take the personal risk. Do I think everyone should be covered? Yes, and I think Americans need to realize that themselves and do something about it themselves. My wife and I went to public school, graduated, went to college, graduated, and chose a profession that has health care options. While the cost of our health care rises every year, we choose to pay that amount and keep our family insured. In fact, we chose the highest cost option on our plan to give us the best coverage. There are many reasons that people don't have health care in this nation, and one of them is their priorites. I have relationships with several people who work in the social services, and they often speak of visiting the homes of those whom they serve. They also talk of many who live in a horrible broken down trailer with a new truck parked in the driveway. There are people who have a very difficult time making ends meet in their fiancial lives; but, what really drives me crazy is to see someone beefing about no health care, and how expensive it is, and there they are paying for two cars, an ATV, and smoking cigarettes. It is often a matter of priorites, and many Americans have failed at putting the needs of their families first in the equation. Wow, that sounds radically Republican, doesn't it? I told you that I agree with things on both sides of the isle. In my opinion, a great society has citizens who take care of their young and old. It also takes more money to take care of these young and old citizens. Families must re-learn how to take care of themselves. It is an American priorites issue, plain and simple. There is another cause for our plight. I bet, in fact, I know that you can directly link this health care, low income problem situation to a person's choice to receive a good education. Many of these people come from a household where education is not viewed as important. You will see a high number of these people being high school dropouts, and very few college degrees. If you want to succeed in this country, you will. I've seen many who did not have the finacial means, succeed in higher education because they applied themselves. You can work hard and go to college if you want to do so. It is a choice and a priority. Americans are loosing their ability to take advantage of the many things that our society provides. That, in itself, is a slap in the face to "The Greatest Generation"; who got us through the Great Depression and WWII. Now, back to those uninsured folks. Yes, I know there are some special situations, but you have to do your homework when choosing a profession and planning your family. Don't take on more than you are planning to handle. The Democrats are going to make health care for everyone a priority in the upcoming election. It may be their undoing rather than the saving grace that they're hoping for. For the record; BOTEITG is aganist socialized medicine. Read it and weap Hillary!

..........Friday Funnies.

"President Bush, for some reason, has vetoed the Child Health Insurance Plan. I believe his comment was, 'Childrens do get sick, but childrens do get better again.'" --Jay Leno"

This morning on Capitol Hill ... four bathroom fires broke out inside the Senate office building. Inside one bathroom, three big, burly firemen broke the door down, kicked in the stall, and Senator Craig said, 'My dreams have come true.'" --Jay Leno

"They are turning the movie 'Brokeback Mountain' into a broadway musical. Auditions will be held at the Minneapolis airport men's room" --Jay Leno

"The airport bathroom where Senator Larry Craig was arrested is now being renovated to make the stall dividers go all the way down to the floor. When he heard this, Craig said, 'While you're at it, can you put in some mood lighting?'" --Conan O'Brien

..........you have to try this!!!

Alright, that last post was a little too deep and controversial. Here's a winner no matter what side of the fence you're on. Try this over the weekend.....

Outback Steakhouse Grilled Shrimp on the Barbie

This recipe makes the same size appetizer serving that you get in the restaurant. That's only six shrimp. Just double it, etc., if you want to make more.
Special note: Make the Remoulade Sauce well ahead of time (about 6 hours, or even the day before) to allow the flavors to meld together. When you first make it, there will be too much of a mayonaise flavor. A few hours will make the difference.

Remoulade Sauce:

.....just mix all of this together and put it in the fridge.
1/2 cup mayonaise
1 tablespoon stone ground mustard
2 teaspoons milk
1 1/4 teaspoons prepared horseradish
1 teaspoon minced celery (fresh)
1 teaspoon minced white onion (fresh)
1 teaspoon minced green bell pepper (fresh)
1 teaspoon chopped green onion (fresh)
1 teaspoon chopped pickle
1/4 teaspoon white vinegar
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
pinch of salt

Shrimp Seasoning

.....again, just mix it together.
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon granulated sugar
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
dash of ground allspice

.....now, get your shirmp ready.

I used the large jumbo shrimp.
- remove the shell. Keep the last segment of the shell and the tail.
- take out the black vein that runs down the back of the shrimp.
- stick a skewer (pre-soaked in water so it won't burn on the grill) through the middle of each shrimp. Push them together on the skewer so that they are "spooning" each other

.....get the grill ready.

Preheat your grill to high heat.

.....final prep and cooking.

- melt some butter in a small bowl.
- squeeze some fresh lemon or lime juice over the shrimp.
- brush each shrimp with some of the melted butter.
- put some crushed garlic (just a little) on the shrimp.
- sprinkle the shrimp with the shrimp seasoning.
- place the shrimp on the hot grill.
- after three minutes or so, the face down side of the shrimp should be browned and showing some light charring. Flip the shrimp over and grill for an additional two to three minutes.
- remove the shrimp from the grill and slide them off the skewer onto a slice of garlic butter coated bread. Sprinkle with a pinch of fresh flatleaf parsley.

This is really a good clone recipe. I think you'll enjoy it. If anyone trys it, I would love to hear how it goes and your opinion. Let me know if anything added works better. Enjoy!!!!

..........being "elite".

This is a little unlike most of my posts; but, I was actually thinking about serious issues today, when I started looking at those who think they are elite, and how they are worshipped in our society. What is it with being elite? It almost seems like a mental drug that keeps us going. It's a foundation for our egos to grow upon. Whenever you hear about military operations, you almost never hear about the common ground troop; it's always the "elite 5th Special Forces Group", or some such. Why do we feel that we all should strive to be elite? Is it a crime to be common? Is it a crime to be moderate? Serious political talk and religion exposes elite feelings better than anything I know. It's impossible to have all the answers in either scenario. To say you do have all the answers is to be wrong and misguided. Let's begin with politics. There are a couple of different "phobias" of thought in American politics - conservative and liberal. One claims upholding standards, while the other suggests that we let people prosper with very few rules in place. I will admit that I lean to the liberal side, but I can't stand totally with them. I see the need for standards in our society. Everyone can't do their own thing and still expect to have some order exist. By the same token, you can't dictate what is right and wrong and expect everyone to follow your lead. Americans love to think "outside of the box". I guess this gets me back to where I've always claimed to be - a moderate. I agree with some of both. I guess I want to have my cake and eat it, too. Could a moderate President of the United States govern effectively? That's a good question, and I don't have the answer. What about my other "hot topic" - religion. I view a person's religion as a relationship that is unique, but guided by established theology. For instance, many Christian churches exist; and just like the number of denominations, so do the opinions of what is right and wrong. Some churches serve wine during Communion, while others use juice. Just as politics have a conservative and liberal wing, so do the Christian church denominations. Our religion is our faith based. We have faith in what we have been told in the Holy Bible and by our religious leaders. At the risk of sounding scientific, I can't really tell you that everything I've been told in church is the absolute truth, or the way it really happened at all. I believe because I have faith that it is so. I didn't see it happen, and I'll just have to wait to see if it was really so or not. Please don't hate me for saying that - I have a strong faith, and I don't question what I have learned as the truth. I'm merely stating that I can't really prove any of it as the absolute truth, and that there may be some other part of the story that I'm unaware of. Wow, that sounds really liberal. I also feel myself backing slowly into a theological corner that has no exit. I tend to avoid any church or political thought that says they have all the answers. I guess my original point is confusion and resentment of the feeling and desire that people have to feel elite in their beliefs and having all the answers. In the end, we'll have to follow our "gut". It's my strong belief that bits of several sides will be the right answer. Must we always commit ourselves to one or the other? Is anyone or any group so elite that they have all the answers?