A group of 40-year-old buddies discuss and discuss where they should meet for dinner. Finally it is agreed upon that they should meet at Gasthaus Gutenberger restaurant because the waitress's there have low cut blouses and nice breasts.
10 years later, at 50 years of age, the group meets again and once again they discuss and discuss where they should meet. Finally it is agreed upon that they should meet at the Gasthaus Gutenberger because the food there is very good and the wine selection is good also.
10 years later at 60 years of age, the group meets again and once again they discuss and discuss where they should meet. Finally it is agreed upon that they should meet at the Gasthaus Gutenberger because they can eat there in peace and quiet and the restaurant is smoke free.
10 years later, at 70 years of age, the group meets again and once again they discuss and discuss where they should meet. Finally it is agreed upon that they should meet at the Gasthaus Gutenberger because the restaurant is wheel chair accessible and they even have an elevator.
10 years later, at 80 years of age, the group meets again and once again they discuss and discuss where they should meet. Finally it is agreed upon that they should meet at the Gasthaus Gutenberger because that would be a great idea since they'd never been there before.

I hate so badly I can relate to this. But it’s this morning’s Small Town Soap Box

Johnstown, PA: Local and state police scoured the hills outside rural PAN>Johnstown, Pennsylvania, after reports of three animal rights activists going missing after attempting to protest the wearing of leather at a large motorcycle gang rally this weekend. Two others, previously reported missing, were discovered by fast food workers "duct taped inside several fast food restaurant dumpsters," according to police officials.
"Something just went wrong," said a still visibly shaken organizer of the protest. "Something just went horribly, horribly, wrong." The organizer said a group of concerned animal rights activists, "growing tired of throwing fake blood and shouting profanities at older women wearing leather or fur coats," decided to protest the annual motorcycle club event "in a hope to show them our outrage at their wanton use of leather in their clothing and motor bike seats." "In fact," said the organizer. "Motorcycle gangs are one of the biggest abusers of wearing leather, and we decided it was high time that we let them know that we disagree with them using it... Ergo, they should stop."
According to witnesses, protesters arrived at the event in a vintage 1960's era Volkswagen van and began to pelt the gang members with balloons filled with red colored water, simulating blood, and shouting "you're murderers" to passers by. This, evidently, is when the brouhaha began.
"They duct taped me to a tree!"
"I.. I was trying to show my outrage at a man with a heavy leather jacket. and, he... he didn't even care. I called him a murderer, and all he said was, 'You can't prove that.'
Still others claimed they were forced to eat hamburgers and hot dogs under duress. Those who resisted were allegedly held down while several bikers "farted on their heads."
Police officials declined comments on any leads or arrests due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, however, organizers for the motorcycle club rally expressed "surprise" at the allegations.
"That's preposterous, " said on high ranking member of the biker organizing committee. "We were having a party, and these people showed up and were very rude to us. They threw things at us, called us names, and tried to ruin the entire event. So, what did we do? We invited them to the party! What could be more friendly than that? You know, just because we are all members of motorcycle clubs does not mean we do not care about inclusiveness."
When confronted with the allegations of force feeding the activists meat, leaving them incapacitated in fast food restaurant dumpsters,' the organizer declined to comment in detail.
"That's just our secret handshake," assured the organizer.

SC politician's welfare comments called `immoral' SEANNA ADCOX, Associated Press Writer (edited) COLUMBIA, S.C. – When things looked their darkest for Gov. Mark Sanford — when he was in danger of being impeached for running off to Argentina to see his mistress — his best insurance policy may well have been South Carolina's lieutenant governor, Andre Bauer. Lawmakers knew if they removed Sanford, they would end up with Bauer, a fiercely ambitious Republican with a reputation for reckless and immature behavior. Now Bauer has folks shaking their heads again, after he likened government assistance to the poor to feeding stray animals. At a town hall meeting Thursday, Bauer, who is running for governor in his own right now that Sanford is term-limited, said: "My grandmother was not a highly educated woman, but she told me as a small child to quit feeding stray animals. You know why? Because they breed! You're facilitating the problem if you give an animal or a person ample food supply. They will reproduce, especially ones that don't think too much further than that." Democrats and others railed at him. "I am disgusted by these comments." said state Sen. Vincent Sheheen, a Democrat who is also running for governor. "His comments were immoral and out of line." South Carolina schools Superintendent Jim Rex, another Democratic candidate for governor, called Bauer's comments "reprehensible" and said he should apologize. Bauer said Monday that he regrets his choice of words but that government should expect welfare recipients to try to better themselves. He wants to require them to take drug tests and attend parent-teacher conferences if they have children in school. "Do I wish I'd used a different metaphor? Of course I do," the 40-year-old said. "I didn't intend to offend anyone." Bauer has long been a love-him-or-hate-him figure in South Carolina politics. A nonstop campaigner and self-described workaholic, he was the youngest elected lieutenant governor in the country when he first won the in 2002 at age 33. Bauer almost ascended to the top office last summer, after Sanford disappeared from the state for five days to be with his mistress. But the Legislature stopped short of impeachment. At least three other Republicans and five Democrats have said they are running for governor. Neal Thigpen, a political scientist at Francis Marion University, said Bauer tends to speak so fast and enthusiastically ("It's almost like a Gatling gun") that he sometimes "gets his mouth in place quicker than his head." But as for the June Republican primary, "don't count him out. The kid's got a fanatical following," Thigpen said. "They're going to forgive him almost anything and stick to him like glue." Winthrop University political scientist Scott Huffmon said Bauer's overall message about government dependency and personal responsibility will appeal to his evangelical Republican base.

$5.37, That's what the kid behind the counter at Taco Bueno said to me. I dug into my pocket and pulled out some lint and two dimes and something that used to be a Jolly Rancher. Having already handed the kid a five-spot, I started to head back out to the truck to grab some change when the kid with the Emo hairdo said the harshest thing anyone has ever said to me. He said, "It's OK. I'll just give you the senior citizen discount."
I turned to see who he was talking to and then heard the sound of change hitting the counter in front of me. "Only $4.68" he said cheerfully. I stood there stupefied. I am 48, not even 50 yet?" A mere child! Senior citizen?
I took my burrito and walked out to the truck wondering what was wrong with Emo. Was he blind? As I sat in the truck, my blood began to boil. Old? Me?
I'll show him, I thought. I opened the door and headed back inside. I strode to the counter, and there he was waiting with a smile.
Before I could say a word, he held up something and jingled it in front of me, like I could be that easily distracted! What am I now? A toddler?
"Dude! Can't get too far without your car keys, eh?" I stared with utter disdain at the keys. I began to rationalize in my mind. "Leaving keys behind hardly makes a man elderly! It could happen to anyone!"
I turned and headed back to the truck. I slipped the key into the ignition, but it wouldn't turn. What now? I checked my keys and tried another. Still nothing. That's when I noticed the purple beads hanging from my rearview mirror. I had no purple beads
hanging from my rearview mirror.
Then, a few other objects came into focus. The car seat in the back seat.Happy Meal toys spread all over the floorboard. A partially eaten doughnut on the dashboard.
Faster than you can say ginkgo biloba, I flew out of the alien vehicle. Moments later I was speeding out of the parking lot, relieved to finally be leaving this nightmarish stop in my life.
That is when I felt it, deep in the bowels of my stomach: hunger! My stomach growled and churned, and I reached to grab my burrito, only it was nowhere to be found.
I swung the truck around, gathered my courage, and strode back into the restaurant one final time. There Emo stood, draped in youth and black nail polish. All I could think was, "What is the world coming to?" All I could say was, "Did I leave my food and drink in here?"
At this point I was ready to ask a Boy Scout to help me back to my vehicle, and then go straight home and apply for Social Security benefits.
Emo had no clue. I walked back out to the truck, and suddenly a young lad came up and tugged on my jeans to get my attention. He was holding up a drink and a bag. His mother explained, "I think you left this in my truck by mistake." I took the food and drink from the little boy and sheepishly apologized.
She offered these kind words: "It's OK. My grandfather does stuff like this all the time."
All of this is to explain how I got a ticket doing 85 in a 40. Yes, I was racing some punk kid in a Toyota Prius.. And no, I told the officer, I'm not too old to be driving this fast.
As I walked in the front door, my wife met me halfway down the hall. I handed her a bag of cold food and a $300 speeding ticket. I promptly sat in my rocking chair and covered up my legs with a blanky.
The good news was I had successfully found my way home.

P.S. Save the earth.. It's the only planet with chocolate.

OK…let’s see if this makes any sense…a number of states in this land of ours have lowered their standards for students to qualify for graduation from high school. The folks running our schools have adopted the attitude that school is ‘just too hard’ on many students and if strengthened would result in the failure of many students to make the transition from high school to college. Say what? Listen to this quote by one of these school officials who is trying to defend their policy: “In 2008, state officials in Alabama , Arizona and Washington delayed the start of the exit exam requirement and lowered standards after seeing that many students, including a disproportionate number of minorities, would fail the tests. Many states have faced lawsuits over the proposed requirements amid accusations that the tests are unfair to students with disabilities, non-native speakers of English and students attending schools with fewer educational resources.” So, the new method of coping with a problem such as this is to lower the testing standards so as not to embarrass the poor student and perhaps cause a blow to his or her self esteem. To me that makes as much sense as it does to chop your hand off because you have a hangnail. You solved the problem but at what cost? If anyone thinks the schools in this country are equal and fair, they have another think coming. They aren’t. But we all know this and yet nothing gets done about it. Those who can afford to send their children to private schools are doing so at a steadily growing rate. Private schools currently educate 11% of all of our students from kindergarten through high school. This figure is expected to grow in spite of the fact that sending children to private schools is not only more expensive but still requires the property owner to pay school taxes for services not being utilized. In spite of billions of dollars being poured into the school systems around the country, test scores and educational levels are on the decline. In 2005 (last time I could find data) the United States ranked ninth in the world among industrialized nations with adults in the 25 to 34 year range who had high school diplomas. Twenty years earlier we were ranked as number one. Of course even if we consider the ownership of a diploma as a milestone for our young citizens, if there isn’t basic education behind it to support the diploma, what good is it for use in worldwide economic competition? It may be alright for us to wink, wink, nudge, nudge and allow little Johnnie to believe that 2+2=5, but the kids growing up in China and India know that the correct answer is 4. We may not wish embarrass the poor darlings because they haven’t mastered the basics by the time they get to the 12th grade, but are we really doing them a favor by tossing them out into the world where it will be almost impossible for them to obtain any real employment that doesn’t include the phrase… ‘would you like fries with that?’ It isn’t the fault of the child. Perhaps in some cases the student refuses or is unable to learn, but it is the failure of the school systems that are not doing their jobs by utilizing better resources for each student to ensure that they understand what is expected of them when they are passed along into the real world. In my mind this becomes an issue of national security, the education of our young Americans is what will keep this nation strong and competitive. Shouldn’t our tax dollars go towards better facilities and more qualified and yes, dedicated teachers than on wasteful programs to measure the sexual habits of the Titmouse or other nonsense programs?. We as a country spent almost a trillion dollars on education in 2009, twenty years earlier the cost was closer to 280 billion. So we have tripled the budget and amount spent over the past 20 years with the result that our educational levels have dropped. Throwing more money at a situation without having a clear definition of what the result should be is shear madness or runaway government.

Ronda Roaderick…..Proud Wife of Sgt. Frank Roaderick U.S. ARMY
the 1/108th is coming home in March, and I’m going to be there if my schedule allows.
She sent me today’s Small Town Soap Box

I never wore the uniform,
no medals on my chest.
The band it doesn't play for me,
I am not among the Best.
I do not march in cadence,
I do not rate salute,
I stand among the silent ranks,
our devotion absolute.

If you've not worn my shoes,
you do not know my story.
I live a life of sacrifice,
my reward a private glory.
I've wept many silent nights away,
and I've kept the home fires burning.
I've worried and I've waited,
as world events were churning.

I've moved more times than you could fathom,
left more people than you've known.
I've planted gardens round the world --
Very few that I've seen grown.
I've grieved with new-made widows,
and had my share of scares --
when a ship or plane or man was down,
and all I had were prayers.

I'm not asking for your sympathy,
(although appreciation can be nice)
I did it quite on purpose though --
I chose to sacrifice.
I'll tell you a secret now,
one you'd never guess.
About the one glory that is mine,
it's just enough, no more, no less.

When you and I stand together
as our national anthem plays,
I'll fill with reminiscences
of how I spent those days.
I'll know the pain and joys again,
I'll know that freedom isn't free,
I'll know I've helped to pay the price
and that the anthem plays for me.

God bless the dedicated spouses of the American military

American Idol Show Last night's auditions took place in Orlando. Theo Glinton the Road Warrior Drag Queen ... she/he sang "Heartbreaker" It’s not PC to say, clowns like that are funny, but they’re also freaky. It doesn’t BOTHER me any, and it shouldn’t. Some people are all into being freaky, and that’s their right. But they want to get all offended when you say they’re freaks….Oh well, it’s their right to feel that way, just as it’s my right to say how I feel about it. That stuff is freaky, and my children will be raised knowing that’s my opinion about it. If you’re offended by that, easy fix. Stop being freaky. You have the right to do it, granted, but that doesn’t lessen my rights to tell you, you’re a freak. My rights didn’t end because of your freaky liberation. And I don’t believe that God made any mistakes with Gender Assignment. It’s my right to believe that, too. Got it? Cut off ever which part of yourself you think was the mistake, but don’t blame our Christian God, and understand folks are gonna talk about you when you do it. I told one of those folks once that I didn’t at all mind tolerating those of that mindset, but they told me, they didn’t want tolerance, they wanted acceptance. I told them, no that tolerance could be legislated, & I as fine with that, and feel that they have every right to be here, and to dress & behave however they see fit. But acceptance was an attempt to control my thoughts, values, and emotions, and those things were parts of me that they had to learn to tolerate.
Now if these freaky folks can find it in themselves to tolerate me when I’m just exercising my rights, then we can get along just fine. I doubt I’ll have them over to the house for supper, and I doubt that I’ll be invited to theirs, but we can all live here with all our differences, and simply tolerate each other’s the right to live as we chose.

Think back to when you met that man/woman that you just knew would be the one.
Remember when you realized/admitted to yourself that you loved him/her.
Now remember how much you wanted to act like you were in a movie and yell to everyone in the football stadium 'I love (fill in the name)!'
You told family and friends how perfect he/she was; he/she was just what
you were looking for.
Well, I told THE LORD that I love Him today.
And He said to me, 'How much do you love me?
You haven't told anyone how good I've been to you.
You haven' t shared how perfect my love is.
You haven't spread the good news that I am always there to listen to your problems.
You haven't told your family how I helped you pay your bills when you didn't have a high paying job, or how I got you a better one.
You haven't shared with anyone how I took away that addiction that would have cost you not only your job, but also that man/woman that was just what you were looking for.
So how much do you really love me?'
So I said I would share with my friends and family (for starters) just how wonderful, perfect, understanding, patient, loving, unselfish, considerate and forgiving GOD really is.
He has blessed me with a family that loves me and friends that I can confide in.
But even more than that, He has saved me from destruction I couldn't even see coming..
He gave to me the peace of knowing Him and He has never broken a promise.
Truly, He is the best thing that has ever happened to me.
And I stand in my stadium today to tell all of you,

'I DO LOVE THE LORD WITH ALL OF MY HEART!'

As far as I Know this is the first time we’ve ever had a Soap Box that was written by a PHD.
Mr. Moby;
As an old educator and business man with many letters behind my name…I was always taught that having good manners is the proper way of showing others how much we care for them. Therefore; improper manners shows the lack of proper child rearing by parents, a great disdain for their fellow man and a lack of education on the person who does not recognize that we are all judged by others on how politely we conduct ourselves in public. I applaud your kindness and your concern to take the time to teach our younger generation the proper etiquette on addressing adults with the proper respect and décor that will always be demanded of them in public communication. It is known in psychology that there is a theory named the “The Looking Glass Self” … and it simply states … that we are as others perceive us to be … in short; we are judged by others by how we present ourselves to them. In Conclusion; good manners will give others the perception that we are polite, well educated and a good communicator. I hope that the illiterate plebeians that disagree with you are only showing their ignorance and their disdain for their fellow man which discounts them greatly in any civilized society.
Best regards,
John David Pickering Sr. PhD

You’ve heard me speak of Dry Creek bloodhounds, and the pup they wanted to give me that Mary Beth wouldn’t let me have.
Dry Creek Oscar, named after my papaw, will go to the Habersham Co Sherriff’s office on January 30th, and yes, Papaw would have loved that dog.
Last Friday before I left the studio I got this email from Tony & Deanna at Dry Creek.
This morning, as the sun chased the frost from the fields and roof tops, we here at Dry Creek Bloodhounds had a visitor from the highest. This sunny morning the precious lord from above cane to our kennel and took back to the heavens with him the most loving and special little puppy that we have ever had. Loving referred to as Runtus, this little girl born with a heart murmur was from the start of her life destine for a struggle. Her loving big heart out grew her god given little body. You would have never known it to see her, she was the prettiest, most outgoing and affectionate rascal out of the bunch. Never did you go to tend their needs that she wasn’t the first one there tail wagging and wanting nothing more than your unconditional love. For reasons not always accepted by us, the good lord in heaven took her home to be by the sides of all of those that have went before use. I am positive that right now papaw Oscar has a hound by his side looking down and saying that she is in good hands. I rest assured that he is sharing all of that puppy love with everyone else’s papaw’s and nana’s, mom’s and dad’s, and sons and daughters that share that glorious place that awaits us all.

Grandma, some ninety plus years, sat feebly on the patio
bench. She didn't move, just sat with her head down staring at her
hands.
When I sat down beside her she didn't acknowledge my presence
and the longer I sat I wondered if she was OK.
Finally, not really wanting to disturb her but wanting to check on her at the same time, I asked her if she was OK. She raised her head and looked at me and smiled. "Yes, I'm fine, thank you for asking," she said in a clear voice strong.
"I didn't mean to disturb you, grandma, but you were just
sitting here staring at your hands and I wanted to make sure you were OK," I explained to her."Have you ever looked at your hands," she asked. "I mean really looked at your hands?"
I slowly opened my hands and stared down at them. I turned
them over, palms up and then palms down. No, I guess I had never
really looked at my hands as I tried to figure out the point she was
making.
Grandma smiled and related this story: "Stop and think for a moment about the hands you have, how they have served you well throughout your years. These hands, though
wrinkled shriveled and weak have been the tools I have used all my
life to reach out and grab and embrace life.
"They braced and caught my fall when as a toddler when I crashed upon the floor.
They put food in my mouth and clothes on my back. As a child, my mother taught me to fold them in prayer. They tied my shoes and pulled on my boots. They held my husband and wiped my tears when he went off to war. "They have been dirty, scraped and raw , swollen and bent.
They were uneasy and clumsy when I tried to hold my newborn son. Decorated with my wedding band they showed the world that I was married and loved someone special.
They wrote my letters to him and trembled and shook when I buried my parents and spouse.
"They have held my children and grandchildren, consoled neighbors, and shook in fists of anger when I didn't understand. They have covered my face, combed my hair, and washed and cleansed the rest of my body. They have been sticky and wet, bent and broken, dried and raw.. And to this day when not much of anything else of me works real well these hands hold me up, lay me down, and again continue to fold in prayer..
"These hands are the mark of where I've been and the ruggedness of life.
But more importantly it will be these hands that God will reach our and take when he leads me home. And with my hands He will lift me to His side and there I will use these hands to touch the face of Christ." I will never look at my hands the same again.
But I remember when God reached out and took my grandma's hands and led her home.
When my hands are hurt or sore or when I stroke the face of my children and husband I think of grandma. I know she has been stroked and caressed and held by the hands of God.
I too, want to touch the face of God and feel His hands upon my face.

When I was a little boy, my mom liked to make breakfast food for dinner every now and then. And I remember one night in particular when she had made breakfast after a long, hard day at work. On that evening so long ago, my mom placed a plate of eggs, sausage and extremely burned biscuits in front of my dad. I remember waiting to see if anyone noticed! Yet all my dad did was reach for his biscuit, smile at my mom and ask me how my day was at school. I don't remember what I told him that night, but I do remember watching him smear butter and jelly on that biscuit and eat every bite!
When I got up from the table that evening, I remember hearing my mom apologize to my dad for burning the biscuits. And I'll never forget what he said: "Baby, I love burned biscuits."
Later that night, I went to kiss Daddy good night and I asked him if he really liked his biscuits burned.. He wrapped me in his arms and said, "Your Momma put in a hard day at work today and she's real tired.. And besides - a little burnt biscuit never hurt anyone!"
You know, life is full of imperfect things......and imperfect people I'm not the best housekeeper or cook. What I've learned over the years is that learning to accept each other's faults - and choosing to celebrate each other's differences - is one of the most important keys to creating a healthy, growing, and lasting relationship.
And that's my prayer for you today. That you will learn to take the good, the bad, and the ugly parts of your life and lay them at the feet of God.
Because in the end, He's the only One who will be able to give you a relationship where a burnt biscuit isn't a deal-breaker!

[T]here are some things that you just can't do without suffering-very literally and profoundly-casualties; and our job is one of them.
You can't race cars without crashes, you can't dig mines without cave-ins, and you sure as hell can't send Marines and soldiers out into the streets of a violent society without violent deaths.
Our fallen brothers knew that and did it anyway-as we all do or have done. ........ Their friends will tell you they did the job because they loved it, and any of us who can't say that should envy them for it. At least they died as rare and precious people: doing what they loved to do, and doing it for the noblest of reasons....Our Freedom..... That is something we can never explain to those that have never stared death in the face.
You see, you can't be a good Marine, soldier, cop or firefighter simply because you couldn't get another job. You can only be good because you want it. And there is an answer as to why they died, something I learned half a world away many years ago as a young Marine, preparing to face an enemy in combat for the first time. It was then that my sergeant explained that, like it or not, there are only three rules in war:

Rule Number One is "YOUNG MEN DIE"
Rule Number Two is "YOU CAN'T CHANGE RULE #1"
Rule Number Three is "SOMEBODY HAS TO WALK THE POINT"

You see, when soldiers advance, knowing the enemy is near, there is
always one man way out in front of everyone else. His duty is to look and listen and sense that first contact; to spot the enemy, pinpoint the ambush, fire that first shot, and as a consequence, take those first shots.
It offends the logical mind and denies the instinct for survival. It ages and saddens and wizens, and frequently kills those who take their turn "Walking the Point". But it must be done, or there would be no protection for the rest of the team, just more bloodshed, and more grief. For the "Point Man" is there to save lives, even if he gives his own in the process.
Society may not be a company of soldiers, but it certainly has (and needs) somebody "Walking the Point", just like Jesus did for us thousands of years ago. It may be that street cop, fire fighter, Marine or soldier.
If I could say something directly to the people in our society, it would be this. I know some of you will remember our fallen brothers, but that's not good enough. I want you to honor them for what they did for you- that which they needn't have done. I mean what they did for you day after day, in darkness and light, rain or shine, on holidays and on their loved ones' birthdays, without ever expecting even a "thank you" in return.

They volunteered to "Walk the Point".
Semper Fi' "Pappy" USMC

 Mr. Moby, I wanted to personally thank you for what you have done for service members. Over the past 3 months, I have turned allot of ears to you, seeing as how we can stream you live everyday! Could you please send out a Hello to everyone from us here at Camp Taji Iraq?! I would love to just be able for the people back home to hear a Thank you and Hello, a roll reversal, from the service people that I am deployed with. The support of the American people is what makes coming over here, even that much more special. Again, Thank you for all that you have done, do and will continue to do in the future!!! Petty Officer 3rd Class Jason Turner and All of the Navy personnel with Boots on ground in Iraq!
What a great start to the weekend for me, Jason. Thank you for that.
I can't tell you how much I'd like to be on AFN and be heard live by the dedicated personnel sworn to defend my country and constitution, and spread freedom globally.
I'm not at all a fan of the pseudo-concept of Global Warming, but the thought of globally spreading the warm glow of friendship & freedom to those that have never known it, I am a fan of.
The Moby Show on AFN won't work, because I'm too opinionated. I'm not a fan of much of anything coming out of DC these days, least of all Emperor Obama.
I just hope our fought and bled for republic can survive the remaining three years of the worst administration in American history.
With that opinion, AFN wouldn't welcome me, or my show. Screw 'em.
You guys can listen on the stream, and I'm happy with that.
As I've said many, many times before, "Those of us that haven't served America in uniform, owe a debt of gratitude that can never be fully paid to those that have served, are currently serving, or plan to serve America."
If you'd be so kind, do the "time math", and let me know a time window when not only will those back home hear the greeting I'll enthusiastically do, but you & your comrades will hear it, too.
Stay safe, my brother, and come home to those that love and respect you as soon as your honor and sense of duty will allow.
We're all praying for you in this Christian based nation of our founders.
Yeah baby,
MOBY

We have come to a point in this country where someone needs to stand up for what the overwhelming majority want. It seems that in public, everyone is so afraid that they won’t be "politically correct" that we basically tell God we don't want him or need him. But yet, every time you speak to just one or two people, they have the same values that we do. Well I'm NOT going to do it anymore. Someone might kill me for doing it but I will die for what I know to be true and right in the eyes of the Lord. When the leader of our nation allows a "Gay Transvestite" to be displayed on an ornament of the White House CHRISTmas tree!!!!!!!!!!!! I say NO MORE!!!! This has gone way too far. Maybe I need to be a politician and put my values to use. How can anyone, Especially the President, say that we are no longer a Christian nation and then defame our most sacred holiday in such a vile and disgusting way? I think he (the President) knows that America IS a Christian nation but that we are so vulnerable because of the lack of leadership that we are "ripe for the picking" I believe he is going to do everything that he can to overthrow and undermine any and all Christian beliefs that are left in this Nation. I truly believe that he wants to make America as weak as possible so that the people will allow a dictator to rule this country. Yes, I think Obama could be the Hitler of this Century. It only took Hitler 10 years to become a dictator and he started from a prison cell, not a seat in the Senate!! You say it can’t be done? If I told you 3 years ago we would have a president that would go to Europe and stand before the WHOLE WORLD and say that America was NOT a Christian nation, would you have believed me? This country is on the cusp of something so huge that no one could predict what could happen. Our country is at a fork in the road just like the song that Lance sang at the Living Christmas Tree a few days ago. "Down the one road is all this world can offer" "Down the other just a Man with nail scars in his hand" Only you and I can make the choice. I choose Jesus!

Yeah Baby!!!
GOD BLESS AMERICA
Larry J Peacock (USN Ret.)

I'm passing this on as I did not want to be the only old fart receiving it. Actually, it's not a bad thing to be called, as you will see. Old Farts are easy to spot at sporting events; during the playing of the Star Spangled Banner, Old Farts remove their caps and stand at attention and sing without embarrassment. They know the words and believe in them.
Old Farts remember World War II, Pearl Harbor, Guadalcanal, Normandy and Hitler. They remember the Atomic Age, the Korean War, The Cold War, the Jet Age and the Moon Landing. They remember the 50 plus Peacekeeping Missions from 1945 to 2005, not to mention Vietnam .
If you bump into an Old Fart on the sidewalk he will apologize. If you pass an Old Fart on the street, he will nod or tip his cap to a lady. Old Farts trust strangers and are courtly to women.
Old Farts hold the door for the next person and always, when walking, make certain the lady is on the inside for protection.
Old Farts get embarrassed if someone curses in front of women and children and they don't like any filth or dirty language on TV or in movies.
Old Farts have moral courage and personal integrity. They seldom brag unless it's about their children or grandchildren.
It's the Old Farts who know our great country is protected, not by politicians, but by the young men and women in the military serving their country.
This country needs Old Farts with their work ethic, sense of responsibility, pride in their country and decent values.
We need them now more than ever. Thank God for Old Farts!
I was taught to respect my elders. It's just getting harder to find them.

I'm passing this on as I did not want to be the only old fart receiving it. Actually, it's not a bad thing to be called, as you will see. Old Farts are easy to spot at sporting events; during the playing of the Star Spangled Banner, Old Farts remove their caps and stand at attention and sing without embarrassment. They know the words and believe in them.
Old Farts remember World War II, Pearl Harbor, Guadalcanal, Normandy and Hitler. They remember the Atomic Age, the Korean War, The Cold War, the Jet Age and the Moon Landing. They remember the 50 plus Peacekeeping Missions from 1945 to 2005, not to mention Vietnam .
If you bump into an Old Fart on the sidewalk he will apologize. If you pass an Old Fart on the street, he will nod or tip his cap to a lady. Old Farts trust strangers and are courtly to women.
Old Farts hold the door for the next person and always, when walking, make certain the lady is on the inside for protection.
Old Farts get embarrassed if someone curses in front of women and children and they don't like any filth or dirty language on TV or in movies.
Old Farts have moral courage and personal integrity. They seldom brag unless it's about their children or grandchildren.
It's the Old Farts who know our great country is protected, not by politicians, but by the young men and women in the military serving their country.
This country needs Old Farts with their work ethic, sense of responsibility, pride in their country and decent values.
We need them now more than ever. Thank God for Old Farts!
I was taught to respect my elders. It's just getting harder to find them.

My good friend Curtis Doyle sent: Gubmint & How Gubmint Works
Once upon a time the government had a vast scrap yard in the middle of a desert. Congress said, "Someone may steal from it at night." So they created a night watchman position and hired a person for the job. Then Congress said, "How does the watchman do his job without instruction?" So they created a planning department and hired two people, one person to write the instructions, and one person to do time studies.
Then Congress said, "How will we know the night watchman is doing the tasks correctly?" So they created a Quality Control department and hired two people. One to do the studies and one to write the reports.
Then Congress said, "How are these people going to get paid?" So They created the following positions, a time keeper, and a payroll officer, Then hired two people.
Then Congress said, "Who will be accountable for all of these people?" So they created an administrative section and hired three people, an Administrative Officer, Assistant Administrative Officer, and a Legal Secretary.
Then Congress said, "We have had this command in operation for one Year and we are $18,000 over budget, we must cutback overall cost."
So they laid off the night watchman.
NOW slowly, let it sink in. Quietly, we go like sheep to slaughter.
Does anybody remember the reason given for the establishment of the DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY.... during the Carter Administration?
Anybody? Anything? No? Didn't think so!
Bottom line. We've spent several hundred billion dollars in support of an agency...the reason for which not one person who reads this can remember! Ready?? It was very simple...and at the time, everybody thought it very appropriate.The Department of Energy was instituted on 8-04-1977. TO LESSEN OUR DEPENDENCE ON FOREIGN OIL! Hey, pretty efficient, huh??? AND NOW IT'S 2010 -- 33 YEARS LATER -- AND THE BUDGET FOR THIS "NECESSARY" DEPARTMENT IS AT $24.2 BILLION A YEAR. THEY HAVE 16,000 FEDERAL EMPLOYEES AND APPROXIMATELY 100,000 CONTRACT EMPLOYEES; AND LOOK AT THE JOB THEY HAVE DONE! THIS IS WHERE YOU SLAP YOUR FOREHEAD
AND SAY, "WHAT WAS I THINKING?" Ah, yes -- good ole bureaucracy. NOW, WE ARE GOING TO TURN THE BANKING SYSTEM, HEALTH CARE, & THE AUTO INDUSTRY OVER TO THE SAME GOVERNMENT?
HELLOOO! Anybody Home?

My good friend Curtis Doyle sent: Gubmint & How Gubmint Works
Once upon a time the government had a vast scrap yard in the middle of a desert. Congress said, "Someone may steal from it at night." So they created a night watchman position and hired a person for the job. Then Congress said, "How does the watchman do his job without instruction?" So they created a planning department and hired two people, one person to write the instructions, and one person to do time studies.
Then Congress said, "How will we know the night watchman is doing the tasks correctly?" So they created a Quality Control department and hired two people. One to do the studies and one to write the reports.
Then Congress said, "How are these people going to get paid?" So They created the following positions, a time keeper, and a payroll officer, Then hired two people.
Then Congress said, "Who will be accountable for all of these people?" So they created an administrative section and hired three people, an Administrative Officer, Assistant Administrative Officer, and a Legal Secretary.
Then Congress said, "We have had this command in operation for one Year and we are $18,000 over budget, we must cutback overall cost."
So they laid off the night watchman.
NOW slowly, let it sink in. Quietly, we go like sheep to slaughter.
Does anybody remember the reason given for the establishment of the DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY.... during the Carter Administration?
Anybody? Anything? No? Didn't think so!
Bottom line. We've spent several hundred billion dollars in support of an agency...the reason for which not one person who reads this can remember! Ready?? It was very simple...and at the time, everybody thought it very appropriate.The Department of Energy was instituted on 8-04-1977. TO LESSEN OUR DEPENDENCE ON FOREIGN OIL! Hey, pretty efficient, huh??? AND NOW IT'S 2009 -- 32 YEARS LATER -- AND THE BUDGET FOR THIS "NECESSARY" DEPARTMENT IS AT $24.2 BILLION A YEAR. THEY HAVE 16,000 FEDERAL EMPLOYEES AND APPROXIMATELY 100,000 CONTRACT EMPLOYEES; AND LOOK AT THE JOB THEY HAVE DONE! THIS IS WHERE YOU SLAP YOUR FOREHEAD
AND SAY, "WHAT WAS I THINKING?" Ah, yes -- good ole bureaucracy. NOW, WE ARE GOING TO TURN THE BANKING SYSTEM, HEALTH CARE, & THE AUTO INDUSTRY OVER TO THE SAME GOVERNMENT?
HELLOOO! Anybody Home?

Forever Young
By Linda Ellis, Copyright 2009

Though I’d planned to grow old beautifully
with grace, dignity and finesse,
as my brain remains suspended in time,
my body continues to progress!

I felt somewhat separated
and psychologically, detached
when I realized I’d surpassed the age
when my mind and body matched!

The years have continued to advance
with a slow, predictable rhythm
that apparently left my mind behind,
but took my body with ‘em!

As my heartless mirror reflects the years,
I’ve come to the realization…
that my attitude has opted
to join a younger generation!

Is this due to a lack of maturity?
Could I be completely wrong...
to think my body went and aged
without bringing me along?

It’s like my age and my maturity
have been running a race,
and if the latter could accelerate,
it would still be in last place.

Though they used to run together
and were the best of friends,
I guess in the middle of middle age,
is where this courtship ends.

I admit my youth has faded;
it just seems as though time TOOK IT,
but I do not intend to act my age...
just because I suddenly LOOK IT!!

Back in the 50's there was a well known radio Host/comedian/song writer in Hollywood named Stuart Hamblen who was noted for his drinking, Womanizing, partying, etc.
One of his bigger hits at the time was "I won't go hunting with you Jake, But I'll go chasing women.."
One day, along came a young preacher holding A tent revival. Hamblen had him on his radio show Presumably to poke fun at him.
In order to gather more material for his show, Hamblen showed up at one of the revival meetings.
Early in the service the preacher announced, "There is one man in this audience who is a big fake." There were probably others who thought the same thing, But Hamblen was convinced that he was the one the preacher Was talking about (some would call that conviction) But he was having none of that.
Still the words continued to haunt him until a couple Of nights later he showed up drunk at the preacher's Hotel door around 2AM demanding that the preacher Pray for him!
But the preacher refused, saying, "This is between you and God
And I'm not going to get in the middle of it."
But he did invite Stuart in and they talked until About 5 AM at which point Stuart dropped to his Knees and with tears, cried out to God.
But that is not the end of the story. Stuart quit drinking, quit chasing women, Quit everything that was 'fun.' Soon he began To lose favour with the Hollywood crowd.
He was ultimately fired by the radio station when He refused to accept a beer company as a sponsor.
Hard times were upon him. He tried writing a couple Of "Christian" songs but the only one that had Much success was "This Old House",
Written for his friend Rosemary Clooney.
As he continued to struggle, a long time friend Named John took him aside and told him, "All your troubles started when you 'got religion,'
Was it worth it all?" Stuart answered simply, "Yes."
Then his friend asked, "You liked your booze so much, Don't you ever miss it?" And his answer was, "No." John then said, "I don't understand how You could give it up so easily."
And Stuart's response was, "It's no big secret. All things are possible with God."

To this John said, "That's a catchy phrase. You should write a song about it."
And as they say, "The rest is history."
The song Carl Stuart Hamblen wrote was "It Is No Secret."

"It is no secret what God can do.
What He's done for others, He'll do for you.
With arms wide open, He'll welcome you.
It is no secret, what God can do...."

By the way . .. The friend was John Wayne.
And the young preacher who refused to pray for Stuart Hamblen?
....That was Billy Graham.