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Small Town Soap Box Tuesday
Small Town Soapbox, Tuesday 9/2/2008
Dear Moby:
I was listening to your show and you mentioned not wanting to see a Vin Diesel movie again. I looked around on the internet. What was the unpatriotic thing he said or did. I was curious?
Sincerely,
Barry Colbaugh----Lula
Dear Barry,
Vin Diesel has, on more than one occasion refused to be photographed with the men of American Special Forces.
I?ll tell you one instance I heard about, and another I know for a fact to be true.
Vin Diesel traveled on what I believe was simply a P.R. trip to the combat zone in the middle east where our men and women were fighting for the liberty of a nation, and the security of America.
He would not take the time, in an area that had been secured by the very troops that were keeping him alive at that very moment, to put aside his pompous attitude, and pose with our weary, devoted troops for a photograph.
These brave heroes put it all on the line each and every day so pieces of tripe like him can play scripted roles, and pretend they have courage.
Personally I wouldn?t have found fault in a soldier that slapped the taste all out of his liberal mouth. Of course, none did. They?re very well trained in restrain among the many other things that make them the best.
I know of an instance, at a public display on the west coast where a brave hero from our special forces heard Vin Diesel voice his lack of respect for the very military that protects us all, and again his unwillingness to pose for a photo. That soldier looked Vin Diesel directly in the eye and said, "Careful, man. you're not on one of your movies sets here."
That soldier was (and remains) my very best friend.
This is the man, that if our world were falling apart, I'd gather my family and stand behind, because that he's one of our best & bravest, and he knows, I'm really not very brave.
My friend is not all that unique. There are legions with the same mind and body. There've been many before him & there'll be many more like him to come. They?ve done things that had to be done, and seen things we?d shudder to see. God bless them all for their service
Those are dedicated American soldiers that would give their life to protect us all. It's their duty & honor.
If Vin Diesel doesn?t understand and respect pride, honor, dignity, & duty, then the devil with Vin Diesel. No need to Snopes this, Barry. You wouldn't find it there anyway. You'll have to trust me on this one. I know it's totally true. I'm positive Vin Diesel is not a patriot or a friend of those that are patriotic.
I wouldn't go see a movie with Vin Diesel in it if they were letting folks in free, and giving away rasinettes....and I do love rasinettes.
God bless you & your family. And God bless America.
Thank you, Barry, for inspiring me to write this morning's Small Town Soap Box Yeah baby,
MOBY
Small Town Soapbox, Tuesday 8/19/2008
Second Independence Day
Each year I get to celebrate Independence Day twice. On June 30 I celebrate MY independence day and on July 4 I celebrate America's. This year is special, because it marks the 40th anniversary of my independence.
On June 30, 1968, I escaped Communist Cuba and a few months later I was in the US to stay. That I happened to arrive in Richmond on Thanksgiving Day is just part of the story, but I digress.
I've thought a lot about the anniversary this year. The election year rhetoric has made me think a lot about Cuba and what transpired there. In the late 1950's most Cubans thought Cuba needed a change, and they were right.
So when a young leader came along, every Cuban was at least receptive. When the young leader spoke eloquently and passionately and denounced the old system, the press fell in love with him. They never questioned who his friends were or what he really believed in. When he said he would help the farmers and the poor and bring free medical care and education to all, everyone followed. When he said he would bring justice and equality to all, everyone said "Praise the Lord." And when the young leader said, "I will be for change and I'll bring you change," everyone yelled, "Viva Fidel!"
But nobody asked about the change, so by the time the executioner's guns went silent the people's guns had been taken away. By the time everyone was equal, they were equally poor, hungry, and oppressed. By the time everyone received their free education it was worth nothing. By the time the press noticed, it was too late, because theye were now working for him. By the time the change was finally implemented Cuba had been knocked down a couple of notches to Third-World status.
By the time the change was over more than a million people had taken to boats, rafts, and inner tubes. You can call those who made it ashore anywhere else in the world the most fortunate Cubans. And now I'm back to the beginning of my story.
Luckily, we would never fall in America for a young leader who promised change without asking, WHAT change? How will you carry it out? What will it cost America? Would we?
Manuel Alvarez, Jr, Sandy Hook VA
Submitted by TJ Adams
Small Town Soapbox, Tuesday 8/12/2008
My Own Time
by Linda Ellis (2008)
As I stressed over growing older,
and the tally of years continued to climb,
I learned that worrying would never slow
the heartless hands of time.
I believe that youth is wasted on the young;
It is only briefly ours to hold.
And in my youth, I did not comprehend
that, I too, would grow old.
But now I face the days to come,
not with fear or hesitation,
armed with what my years have given me?
experience and inspiration!
I?ve learned to take whatever I should take
and give what I can give
because as far as I can see,
there?s only ONE alternative?
Though my vision is now slightly blurred,
I have begun to see things clearer
and I?ll no longer shun those wrinkles
that are reflected in my mirror.
I?ll not resent the lines I see today...
=nor the ones to happen after,
for they are remnants etched upon on my face
of smiles?and of laughter.
Yes, being young was wonderful,
and I have eagerly taken my turn.
=Now I'm left with cherished memories
of days that won't return.
But I'm not saddened by those memories,
nor grieving the loss of my youth...
for everyone has their own time
and I am comforted by that truth.
Many years may have come and gone,
but those left, have just begun
and I?ll embrace each day with which I?m blessed
until my own time here is done.
Small Town Soapbox, Tuesday 8/5/2008
YOU CHOOSE
Dear Moby:
I enjoy your show immensely and catch it as often as possible. I would like to share some poems I?ve written over the years with you and your audience. I?m sending a couple with my web address, hope you like them enough to share.
Yeah baby, Lee Battles, Jr.
YOU CHOOSE
THERE IS NO UP WITHOUT A DOWN
NO FRONT WITHOUT A BACK
NO SMILE WOULD BE BUT FOR A FROWN
NO LIE WITHOUT A FACT
NO SUNLIGHT BUT FOR DARKNESS KNOWN
NO STARS BUT FOR THE SKY
NO RIGHT COULD EVER BE SAVE WRONG
NO YOU EXCEPT FOR I
PERCEPTION IS THE MAGNET USED
ATTRACTING GOOD OR BAD
REFLECTION IS WHEN ONE'S REFUSED
AND THE OTHER'S HAD
LIKE A GLASS WHEN TURNED JUST RIGHT
YOU SEE OR FAIL TO KNOW
JUST 'CAUSE YOU FAIL TO SEE THE LIGHT
DON'T THINK IT DOESN'T GLOW
CLEAN YOUR GLASS AND CHECK YOUR AIM
WHAT SIGHT DO YOU PERCEIVE?
GOOD OR BAD-IT IS THE SAME
YOU CHOOSE WHAT YOU RECEIVE
Small Town Soapbox, Tuesday 7/29/2008
Sisters
A young wife sat on a sofa on a hot humid day, Drinking iced tea and visiting with her Mother. As they talked about life, about marriage, about the responsibilities of life and The obligations of adulthood, the mother clinked the ice cubes in her glass thoughtfully And turned a clear, sober glance upon her daughter.
?Don?t forget your Sisters,? she advised, swirling the tea leaves to the bottom of her glass.
?They?ll be more important as you get older. No matter how much you
Love your husband, no matter how much you love the children you may have, you are still going to need Sisters. Remember to go places with them now and then; do things with them.?
?Remember that ?Sisters? mean ALL the women?
Your girl friends, your daughters, and all your other women relatives too. ?You?ll need other women. Women always do.?
What a funny piece of advice!? the young woman thought. Haven?t I just gotten married? Haven?t I just joined the couple-world? I?m not a married woman, for goodness sake! A grownup! Surely my husband and the family we may start with be all I need to make my life worthwhile!?
But she listened to her Mother. She kept contact with her Sisters and made more women friends each year. As the years tumbled by, one after another. She gradually came to understand that her Mom really knew what she was talking about. As time and nature work their changes and their mysteries upon a woman,. Sisters are the mainstays of her life. After more than 50 years of living in this world, here is what I?ve learned:
THIS SAYS IT ALL:
Time passes. Life happens. Distance separates. Children grow up.
Jobs come and go. Love waxes and wanes. Men don?t do what they?re
Supposed to do. Hearts break. Parents die. Colleagues forget favors. Careers end.
But
Sisters are there, no matter how much time and how many miles are between you. A girl friend is never farther away than needing her can reach.
When you have to walk that lonesome valley and you have to walk it by yourself, the women in your life will be on the valley?s rim, cheering you on, praying for you, pulling for you, intervening on your behalf, and waiting with open arms at the valleys end.
Sometimes, they will even break the rules and walk beside you?Or come in and carry you out.
Girlfriends, daughters, granddaughters, Daughters-in-law, sisters, sisters-in-law, Mothers, grandmothers, aunties, nieces, cousins, and extended family, all bless our life!
The world wouldn?t be the same without women, and neither would I. When we began this adventure called womanhood, we had no idea of the incredible joys or sorrows that lay ahead. Nor did we know how much we
would need each other.
Each day, we need each other still.
Small Town Soapbox, Tuesday 7/22/2008
Back to the Simple Life
Dear Mr. Moby,
I listen to your show and just wanted to write concerning the prices at the grocery store. I went to Kroger's just this weekend. I finally got out of the store $190.00 later. I came home and started to unpack. This is the part I don't like. I proceeded to unpack staples, (or for those younger than I, necessary items) flour, meal, sugar, coffee, washing powders, peanut butter ($5.97) ridiculous, dry beans, meat, and toilet paper. Not found in my shopping were cookies, chips, pop, candy, or packaged food that I consider junk-food. This morning I am getting ready for canning season, as are many homemakers in our beautiful state. Washing my jars and getting them all ready to fill. On a Sunday drive most every home you see has a garden somewhere. Even in the towns people are plowing up a small portion of their yards to put in a few tomato plants or beans. Gardeners are incorporating that cucumber vine in with their flowers. Necessary, Yes! I have been in the country all my life. We raised 4 children in our little log cabin and my grocery shopping never changed then or now. I often wonder with the price of gas as high as it is how people are living in the concrete jungles of the city. How can they afford fuel and food? As I go downstairs to get my next load of empty jars in the cellar, I look at the jars full of tomatoes, beans, corn, sauerkraut, soup, chili, hot peppers, pickles, carrots, beets, and many jars of homemade jam and jelly, and I am thankful for the bounties of my labor. Gardening is hard work but the harvest in the end makes it all worth-while. This is how we live and this is what we love. People talk about going back to the simple life. I don't have to worry about that, I never left! Yeah Baby!
Love your show, Sincerely, Susan Brown
Small Town Soapbox, Tuesday 7/15/2008
A man and his dog and Heaven
A man and his dog were walking along a road. The man was enjoying the scenery, when it suddenly occurred to him that he was dead.
He remembered dying, and that the dog walking beside him had been dead for years. He wondered where the road was leading them.
After a while, they came to a high, white stone wall along one side of the road. It looked like fine marble. At the top of a long hill, it was broken by a tall arch that glowed in the sunlight.
When he was standing before it he saw a magnificent gate in the arch that looked like mother-of-pearl, and the street that led to the gate looked like pure gold. He and the dog walked toward the gate, and as
he got closer, he saw a man at a desk to one side.
When he was close enough, he called out, 'Excuse me, where are we?'
'This is Heaven, sir,' the man answered.
'Wow! Would you happen to have some water?' the man asked.
'Of course, sir. Come right in, and I'll have some ice water brought right up.'
The man gestured, and the gate began to open.
'Can my friend 'come in, too?,' the traveler asked
'I'm sorry, but we don't accept pets.'
The man thought a moment and then turned back toward the road and continued the way he had been going with his dog.
After another long walk, and at the top of another long hill, he came to a dirt road leading through a farm gate that looked as if it had never been closed. There was no fence.
As he approached the gate, he saw a man inside, leaning against a tree and reading a book.
'Excuse me!' he called to the man. 'Do you have any water?'
'Yeah, sure, there's a pump over there, come on in.'
'How about my friend here?' the traveler gestured to the dog.
'There should be a bowl by the pump.'
They went through the gate, and sure enough, there was an old fashioned hand pump with a bowl beside it.
The traveler filled the water bowl and took a long drink himself, then he gave some to the dog.
When they were full, he and the dog walked back toward the man who was standing by the tree.
'What do you call this place?' the traveler asked.
'This is Heaven,' he answered.
'Well, that's confusing,' the traveler said. 'The man down the road said that was Heaven, too'
'Oh, you mean the place with the gold street and pearly gates? Nope. That's hell.'
'Doesn't it make you mad for them to use your name like that?'
'No, we're just happy that they screen out the folks who would leave their best friends behind.'
Small Town Soapbox, Tuesday 7/8/2008
It's very rare our media prints something good coming out of Iraq. Anyone who knows me, knows that I am constantly saying everyone who is here is here because we believe in what we are doing here and the below story shows this without a doubt! I hope everyone had a great Independence Day!
Rob Kerns
SERVICEMEMBERS FROM ALL OVER IRAQ GATHERED IN THE AL FAW PALACE ROTUNDA AT CAMP VICTORY, BAGHDAD, TO REENLIST AND CELEBRATE INDEPENDENCE DAY.
ACCORDING TO THE U.S. ARMY WEBSITE, ALL 1,215 SERVICEMEMBERS CELEBRATED BY RAISING THEIR RIGHT HANDS AND PLEDGING TO CONTINUE DEFENDING THE "LAND OF THE FREE" IN WHAT IS THE LARGEST REENLISTMENT CEREMONY SINCE THE ALL-VOLUNTEER FORCE BEGAN IN 1973 ACCORDING TO COMMAND SGT. MAJ. MARVIN L. HILL, COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR, MULTI-NATIONAL FORCES - IRAQ.
GEN. DAVID PETRAEUS, COMMANDING GENERAL, MULTI-NATIONAL FORCES - IRAQ PRESIDED OVER THE CEREMONY AND LED THE AIRMEN, MARINES, SAILORS, AND SOLDIERS IN THEIR OATH TO DEFEND THEIR COUNTRY AGAINST ALL ENEMIES BOTH FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC ON THIS DAY OF CELEBRATION OF AMERICA WINNING ITS INDEPENDENCE.
ACCUMULATIVELY SERVICEMEMBERS PLEDGED MORE THAN 5,500 YEARS OF ADDITIONAL SERVICE TO THEIR COUNTRY.
THE REENLISTEES HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO FEEL PROUD ACCORDING TO PETRAEUS.
Small Town Soapbox, Tuesday 7/1/2008
More than half firearm deaths are suicides
ATLANTA, Georgia, (AP) -- The Supreme Court's landmark ruling on gun ownership last week focused on citizens' ability to defend themselves from intruders in their homes. But research shows that surprisingly often, gun owners use the weapons on themselves. Suicides accounted for 55 percent of the nation's nearly 31,000 firearm deaths in 2005, the most recent year for which statistics are available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
There was nothing unique about that year -- gun-related suicides have outnumbered firearm homicides and accidents for 20 of the last 25 years. In 2005, homicides accounted for 40 percent of gun deaths. Accidents accounted for 3 percent. The remaining 2 percent included legal killings, such as when police do the shooting and cases that involve undetermined intent.
Public-health researchers have concluded that in homes where guns are present, the likelihood that someone in the home will die from suicide or homicide is much greater.
Studies have also shown that homes in which a suicide occurred were three to five times more likely to have a gun present than households that did not experience a suicide, even after accounting for other risk factors.
In a 5-4 decision, the high court on Thursday struck down a handgun ban enacted in the District of Columbia in 1976 and rejected requirements that firearms have trigger locks or be kept disassembled. The ruling left intact the district's licensing restrictions for gun owners.
Suicide is the most selfish act a person can victimize his or her family with. It leaves a cloud and unanswerable questions that will haunt a family forever, but you can?t blame a gun for the taking of ones own life, although granted, it makes that selfish act easier.
But this just speaks of handgun deaths. What it neglects to address is the number of wounded felons that have gone from the crime scene to the hospital and then on to jail. It also neglects to report on the number of times in a defensive situation, a gun is produced, and the would be criminal sees the weapon and flees the scene.
Thank God the Supreme Court made the ruling in favor of the Constitution it made last week.
I wonder what the stats would be if we considered all the facts.
Small Town Soapbox, Tuesday 6/24/2008
This was written by a WW II vet & submitted by Susan & Bill Manning:
New Direction for any war: Send Service Vets over 60!
I am over 60 and the Armed Forces thinks I'm too old to track down terrorists. You can't be older than 42 to join the military. They've got the whole thing ass-backwards. Instead of sending 18-year olds off to fight, they ought to take us old guys. You shouldn't be able to join a military unit until you're at least 35.
Researchers say 18-year-olds think about sex every 10 seconds. Old guys only think about sex a couple of times a week, leaving us more than 28,000 additional seconds per day to concentrate on the enemy.
Young guys haven't lived long enough to be cranky, and a cranky soldier is a dangerous soldier. 'My back hurts! I can't sleep, I'm tired and hungry' We are impatient and maybe letting us shoot some butthead that desperately deserves it will make us feel better and shut us up for a while.
An 18-year-old doesn't even like to get up before 10 a.m. Old guys always get up early to pee so what the hell. Besides, like I said, 'I'm tired and can't sleep and since I'm already up, I may as well be up shooting at some fanatical son-of-a-gun.
If captured we couldn't spill the beans because we'd forget where we put them. In fact, name, rank, and serial number would be a real brainteaser.
Boot camp would be easier for old guys. We're used to getting screamed and yelled at and we're used to soft food. We've also developed an appreciation for guns. We've been using them for years as an excuse to get out of the house, away from the screaming and yelling.
They could lighten up on the obstacle course however. I've been in combat and didn't see a single 20-foot wall with rope hanging over the side, nor did I ever do any pushups after completing basic training.
Actually, the running part is kind of a waste of energy, too. I've never seen anyone out run a bullet.
An 18-year-old has the whole world ahead of him. He's still learning to shave, to start up a conversation with a pretty girl. He still
hasn't figured out that a baseball cap has a brim to shade his eyes, not the back of his head.
These are all great reasons to keep our kids at home to learn a little more about life before sending them off into harm's way.
Let us old guys track down those dirty rotten coward terrorists. The last thing an enemy would want to see is a couple of million old farts with attitudes and automatic weapons who know that their best years are already behind them.
If nothing else, put us on border patrol....we will have it secured the first night!
Small Town Soapbox, Tuesday 6/17/2008
Coincidence? I doubt it.........
You are aware, probably, that Barack Obama lost his bearings recently and said that he was going to campaign in all 57 states. You heard this? And everybody chalked it up to, "Well, he's tired."
Barack Obama says he's gonna go out and campaign in 57 states, he was just tired, you know, it's been such a long campaign, he's been so many places, he probably thinks there are 57 states.
Well, I have here a printout from a website called the International Humanist and Ethical Union. And here is how the second paragraph of an article on that website begins. "Every year from 1999 to 2005 the organization of the Islamic conference representing the 57 Islamic states presented a resolution to the United Nations commission on human rights called combating." And the title of the piece here is, "How the Islamic states dominate the UN human rights council," and there are 57 of them.
Obama said he's going to campaign in 57 states, and it turns out that there are 57 Islamic states. There are 57 Islamic states. So did Obama just lose his bearings, or was this a more telling slip, ladies and gentlemen?
Are we sure when he pledges allegiance, its to the 50 states of the United States of America?
Small Town Soapbox, Tuesday 6/10/2008
Hey, it?s the guy from Boston today, and I?ve got a tremendous e-mail I want to read to you.
The name of this e-mail is ?Harsh Laws?.
Here?s some of these ?Harsh Laws?
There will be no special bilingual programs in the schools
There will be no special ballots for elections
All government business will be conducted in our language
Foreigners will not have the right, no matter how long they are here; foreigners will never be able to hold political office
Foreigners will not be a burden to the taxpayers
No welfare, no food stamps, no health care, or other government assisted programs whatsoever
Foreigners can invest in this country but it must be the amount equal to forty thousand times the daily minimum wage
If foreigners do come, and want to buy land, that will be OK, but options will be restricted. You are not allowed to own waterfront property. That is reserved for citizens naturally born into this country.
Foreigners may not protest. No demonstrations, no waving of foreign flags, no political organizing whatsoever, no bad mouthing our president, or his policies. If you do, you will be sent home.
If you do come to this country illegally, you will be hunted down like a deer, and sent straight to jail.
Harsh you say, the above laws happen to be immigration laws of what country??
MEXICO
You know what America, Wake up and smell the coffee.
That?s right, MEXICO.
Their country sucks? WAKE UP. Harsh Laws?? I don?t know, I say fix America first, then help the citizens of America first, and throw out all these illegal aliens!!
Guy from Boston with another public service message. Remember you?re all thinking it, but I had the B____s to say it.
Harsh Laws? They got something on us.
_______________________________________
Thank you Joann Parks for transcribing
audio recording of this soapbox.
Small Town Soapbox, Tuesday 6/3/2008
A VIEW FROM THE OTHER SIDE
By Patrick Camunes
At first there was no place for us to go until someone put up that Black Granite Wall. Now, everyday and night, my Brothers and my Sisters wait to see the many people from places afar file in front of this Wall. Many stopping briefly and many for hours and some that come on a regular basis. It was hard at first, not that it's gotten any easier, but it seems that many of the attitudes towards that war that we were involved in have changed. I can only pray that the ones on the other side have learned something and more Walls as this one needn't be built.
Several members of my unit and many that I did not recognize have called me to the Wall by touching my name that is engraved upon it. The tears aren't necessary but are hard even for me to hold back.
Touch the Wall, my Brothers, so that we can share in the memories that we had. I have learned to put the bad memories aside and remember only the pleasant times that we had together. Tell our other Brothers out there to come and visit me, not to say Good Bye but to say Hello and be together again to ease that pain of loss we all share.
Today, an irresistible and loving call comes from the Wall. As I approach I can see an elderly lady and as I get closer I recognize her...It's Momma! I've looked forward to this day, but also regretted it because I didn't know what my reaction would be.
Next to her, I suddenly see my wife and immediately think how hard it must have been for her to come to this place and my mind floods with the pleasant memories of 30 years past. There's a young man in a military uniform standing with his arm around her...My God!...It's...it has to be my son. Look at him trying to be the man without a tear in his eye. I yearn to tell him how proud I am, seeing him standing tall, straight and proud in his uniform. Momma comes closer and touches the Wall and I feel the soft and gentle touch I had not felt in so many years. Dad has crossed to this side of the Wall and through our touch, I try to convey to her that Dad is doing fine and is no longer suffering or feeling pain.
I see my wife's courage building as she sees Momma touch the Wall and she approaches and lays her hand on my waiting h and. All the emotions, feelings and memories of three decades past flash between our touch and I tell her that it's all right. Carry on with your life and don't worry about me...I can see as I look into her eyes that she hears and understands. A burden is gone. I watch as they lay flowers and other memories of my past. My lucky charm that was taken from me and sent to her by my CO, a tattered and worn teddy bear that I can barely remember having as I grew up as a child and several medals that I had earned and were presented to my wife. One of them is the Combat Infantry Badge that I am very proud of and I notice that my son is also wearing this medal. I had earned mine in Vietnam and he had probably earned his in Iraq.
I can tell they are preparing to leave. I try to take a mental picture of them together, because I don't know when I will see them again. I wouldn't blame them if they were not to return and can only thank them that I was not forgotten. My wife and Momma near the Wall for one final touch and so many years of indecision, fear and sorrow are let go. As they turn to leave I feel my tears form as if dew drops on the other side of the Wall. They slowly move away with only a glance over their shoulder. My son suddenly stops and slowly returns. He stands straight and proud in front of me and snaps a salute. Something makes him move to the Wall and he puts his hand upon the Wall and touches my tears that had formed on the face of the Wall and I can tell that he senses my presence there and the pride and the love that I have for him. He falls to his knees and the tears flow from his eyes and I try my best to reassure him that it's all right and the tears do not make him any less of a man.
As he moves back,& wipes the tears from his eyes, he silently mouths, God Bless you, Dad...
God Bless YOU, Son!
Small Town Soapbox, Tuesday 5/27/2008
Hi Moby
Its just me little ole Pat,
I just wanted you to know, how much I enjoy your show in the morning, I especially like the small town soapbox segment. It used to be when I got up in the morning the first thing I did was to turn on the TV. Now I turn on the radio to the bear. During the Viet Nam, when my brother was over there, I wrote a poem called THIS LAND OF OURS. And I would like to share it with you for the small town soapbox segment. So here goes.
THIS LAND OF OURS
What do your ears hear? What do your eyes see?
When you look at our flag waving over our land so free?
Do you see the mountains so high, they seem to touch the sky?
Do you see the tall trees, so stately like soldiers standing by?
Do you see the diamonds shining in the grass so green?
And do you see the flowers of gold glittering after a spring rain?
Do you see the billowy white clouds in the heavens so blue?
Do you see the moon and the stars at night as they watch over you?
Have you seen the little ones making castles in the sand?
And have you seen the lovers walking hand in hand?
When you stand in awe at the beauty and splendor of our country so free,
Do you stop and think of our boys in Iraq fighting for you and for me?
Let us stop and say a prayer for our country to be at peace,
And for all the evil and the terrorist to cease.
Let us live together on a brotherly way,
And God will send His blessings down on us day by day.
Patsy A. Reckart 1968
Small Town Soapbox, Tuesday 5/20/2008
A Soap Box is supposed to be controversial. Well, here we go: Ellen Degeneres is a genuinely funny woman. On the occasions I've seen her show, she frequently makes me laugh out loud. I don't question her talent, timing, or comedic ability. If she wants to live her life with another woman, it's no business of mine. More power to her. That said, a few years ago when she announced that she was gay, the ratings fell away, and her show was canceled. Now on TV, they cheer, on a mainstream daytime show. This isn't progress. This is dangerous to the fabric of America. Our Daughters are seeing these things, and are being left with the concept that it is "normal." Well, it's not normal. We have to tolerate this behavior because it is America, and her personal life doesn't affect or deny me mine. So, regardless of my opinion, I'll tolerate her lifestyle. But I have a real difficult time with what I've heard demanded from her side of the street, and that's "acceptance". Acceptance would indicate that I think it's morally sound behavior, and I do not. I don't expect acceptance from that side of the street, but I do expect tolerance, because I'm as entitled to my opinion as any other American citizen is entitled to theirs. I'll not be denied my opinion because some might view it as politically incorrect. Marriage is the union of one man & one woman, I believe that. I'll stand by that. I'll not be denied my right to have that belief, and I'll fight to keep that the law of the land. I'm a flag waving, English speaking, God fearing, authority respecting American. I believe the founding fathers were inspired in the construction & composition of our nation, and I'll not sit quietly by while the nation they bravely provided is ripped into moral shreds by those who feel we must accept another doctrine. I personally don't give a hoot who they feel they're in love with if it's someone of the same sex or not, but a marriage is the union of a man and a woman, period. I'll not have my child raised to think that the definition of marriage can be anything else.
Small Town Soapbox, Tuesday 5/13/2008
Parents
It's funny the things we take for granted. Our parents are the two most influential people in our lives. We have always known them. We don't know what life is like without them. But as with other middle aged folks, we will be and are faced with our parents' inevitable mortality, and ultimately our own. This is a scary prospect to say the least. Which is kind of odd. Aren't we grown ups? Aren't we too old to be afraid of anything? If you think that, shame on you. The fear that we have of our parents leaving us is directly proportional to the love we have for them. I have said all of this because I am now facing my parents' mortality. My mom, who has type 2 diabetes, was recovering in a rehab facility from her 3rd major stroke when a severe infection was discovered in her right leg. The doctors had no choice but to amputate her leg from the knee down. I dealt with it ok, but mom has not. She has been severely disabled by her strokes and doesn't quite understand what's going on. My father, well, has a been a trooper through all of this. But his health has been poor as well. In the last 4 or 5 weeks we have been dealing with my mother's health issues, my father has been hospitalized once for pneumonia and once for a severe infection of the stomach. And if that wasn't bad enough, today my sister called to say that they had to rush my dad into ICU because he was having severe breathing difficulties. The doctors have since diagnosed him with emphysema. My dad never smoked a day in his life. But his father smoked a pipe. Right now, I am struggling. My 9 year old has noticed.
I have not told him of everything going on with his grandparents' health just because he has a hard enough job being a 9 year old. I do not know what God holds for my parents or for me in the days to come. But I know that God has a master plan and that he will not give me too tough of a task for Him to handle.
Remind your listeners to cherish your parents. They aren't perfect. They aren't supposed to be. They're supposed to love you - and I know mine have.
God Bless! And Yeah Baby!
Small Town Soapbox, Tuesday 5/6/2008
Good Morning Sir,
My compliments to you and the gang for the pro-American show you have in the mornings. Keep it up.
I wanted to respond to your question about the polygamist issue in Texas. You made this question/comment during the Tuesday morning show. You commented, or questioned, the reason for the raid and stated something to the affect that from what you could tell, there was no visible abuse. I understand that one of our freedoms in this great U.S. of A. is the freedom to practice religion. But here's the problem. These people are practicing a "religion" that is taking under aged girls (plural) for wives! There are laws in this country that sets ages for marriage, against statutory rape, and that prohibit polygamy. How twisted is it for an adult male to be able to have several under aged wives? And as those give birth to others, the young ones are brained washed to believe that this is "the way" they are supposed to be raised in. There's an never ending cycle of brainwashing, and not to mention unending supply of new women for those predators!
Example: Just because I raise my kids to believe the color red is white, in reality red will always be red, regardless of what I teach them! These men are practicing a self gratifying way of life at the expense of young women who have no other exposure to truth. That is abuse. That is a cult. How many adult, SOUND MINDED women do you think you could take from any city in the U.S. and offer them a CHOICE to share one husband, surrender their under aged daughters for breeding to the same man, and live an isolated life, and they'd volunteer for it? What do you think goes through the mind of a 14 yr old girl knowing she is about to consummate a forced marriage? If that is not abuse then what is ?
I'm not knocking you Moby. I'm just sending in a response to the honest question you had during your show. Thanks for the freedom you extend to people like me to express our views on your show. Yeah Baby!
God Bless America and Moby too!
Sincerely, RMV
Small Town Soapbox, Tuesday 4/29/2008
Good Morning Moby:
Your comments on gas prices are wrong.
Growing up in a family owned oil business, when the oil companies controlled the price of oil, prices would go up in the winter and come down in the spring. Never all the way back, but to cover increased costs and inflation. Somewhere along the way,
Our friends the Saudi's Expropriated all the assets of the oil companies, forced them to build a huge refinery and told them they could not take just crude, but had to purchase a percentage of finished product. At an increased cost.
Then a former Peanut farmer (God'l get him) made the fuels, gasoline propane subject to the Futures market. The futures market is little more than a lottery with a shot gun pointed at your head.
Plus add China who is taking a huge amount of diesel fuel and gasoline from the market. China has NO electrical infrastructure so they are running factories making stuff for us on huge diesel generators.
Then toss in the huge honest economy of India.
Then add EPA that caused 3 small refineries to close just last year, the president who disgraced Our White House who took additional Millions of Acres of our land out of even exploration. Then toss in the Brilliant members of Congress who won't let us drill or build refineries anywhere, then add the idjits who forced Corn Likker on us as a motor fuel and you have a disaster.
The gas prices are killing my wife and I. We live in the country and it is 11 miles just to the grub store.
But the oil companies did not cause the price of gasoline to be this high.
And don't forget the taxes the liberal AH's slammed on us. With more to come.
Sincerely,
Tommy Ray Hartwell Small Town Soapbox, Tuesday 4/22/2008 DISPATCHER'S PRAYER
Dear Lord, help me keep safe those who depend on me.
Give me healthy ears, for they are my link with those who need me.
Keep my mind sharp and alert, my fingers quick and nimble.
Grant that I never forget how to do ten things at once, and do them all equally well.
Bless me with patience Lord.
Patience to deal with the public, with the officers, with the firefighters,
and with everyone else who makes me want to grit my teeth and yell.
Give me nerves of steel;
That I may listen to a mother screaming for her child to live,
the man with a gun, the family watching their home go up in flames, or a request for backup or more equipment and not give way to panic.
Grant me empathy, that I may help the caller in need,
and not cause them more pain than they already have.
God, give me the ability to learn what I need, to remember it quickly,
and give me the wisdom to use the knowledge properly.
Bless my family Lord, for they will have to make sacrifices to shift work,
overtime, canceled plans and times when I just can't take on one more thing.
Help them understand the missed ball games, school programs and dinners for two.
Lord, give me courage. Courage to persevere when I feel undervalued,
unappreciated, overworked and unrecognized.
Courage to keep trying when I feel in my heart it's hopeless.
Last of all Lord, help me to never forget why I chose this job in the first place,
to never lose sight of what is important in the midst of the stress.
Help me to remember that I make a difference;
however small it may seem some days, and that I matter.
I am a dispatcher, Lord, grant me peace.
Small Town Soapbox, Tuesday 4/15/2008
The military wife~---- Author Unknown
The good Lord was creating a model for military wives and was into His sixth day of overtime when an angel appeared. She said, "Lord, you seem to be having a lot of trouble with this one. What's wrong with the standard model?"
The Lord replied, "Have you seen the specs on this order. She has to be completely independent, possess the qualities of both a father and mother, be a perfect hostess to four or forty with an hour's notice, run on black coffee, handle every emergency imaginable without a manual, be able to carry on cheerfully, even if she is pregnant and has the flu, and she must be willing to move to a new location ten times in seventeen years. And, oh yes, she must have six pairs of hands!"
The angel shook her head, "Six pairs of hands? No way.
" The Lord continued,? Don?t worry, I will make other military wives to help her. And I will give her an unusually strong heart so it can swell with pride in her husband's achievements, sustain the pain of separations, beat soundly when it is overworked and tired, and be large enough to say, 'I understand' when she doesn't and say 'I love you', regardless."
"Lord," said the angel, touching his arm gently. "Go to bed and get some rest. You can finish this tomorrow."
"I can't stop now," said the Lord. "I am so close to creating something unique. Already this model heals herself when she is sick, can put up six unexpected guests for the weekend, wave good-bye to her husband from a pier, a runway or a depot, and understand why it's important that he leave."
The angel circled the model of the military wife, looked at it closely and sighed, "It looks fine, but it's too soft."
"She might look soft," replied the Lord. "But she has the strength of a lion. You would not believe what she can endure."
Finally the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek of the Lord's creation. "There's a leak," she announced. "Something is wrong with the construction. I am not surprised that it has cracked. You are trying to put too much into this model."
The Lord appeared offended at the angel's lack of onfidence." What you see is not a leak," He said. "It's a tear." "A tear?" What is it there for?" asked the angel.
The Lord replied, "It's for joy, sadness, pain, disappointment, loneliness, pride and a dedication to all the values that she and her husband hold dear." Small Town Soapbox, Tuesday 4/8/2008 Letter from God to Women
When I created the heavens and the earth, I spoke them into being. When I created man, I formed him and breathed life into his nostrils.
But you, woman, I fashioned after I breathed the breath of life into man because your nostrils are too delicate.
I allowed a deep sleep to come over him so I could patiently and perfectly fashion you.
Man was put to sleep so that he could not interfere with the creativity.
From one bone, I fashioned you. I chose the bone that protects man's life.
I chose the rib, which protects his heart and lungs and supports him, as you are meant to do.
Around this one bone, I shaped you...
I modeled you. I created you perfectly and beautifully.
Your characteristics are as the rib, strong yet delicate and fragile.
You provide protection for the most delicate organ in man, his heart.
His heart is the center of his being; his lungs hold the breath of life.
The rib cage will allow itself to be broken before it will allow damage to the heart. Support man as the rib cage supports the body.
You were not taken from his feet, to be under him, nor were you taken from his head, to be above him.
You were taken from his side, to stand beside him and be held close to his side.
You are my perfect angel.....You are my beautiful little girl.
You have grown to be a splendid woman of excellence, and my eyes fill when I see the virtues in your heart. Your eyes......don't change them.
Your lips-how lovely when they part in prayer. Your nose, so perfect in form. Your hands so gentle to touch I've caressed your face in your deepest sleep.
I've held your heart close to mine. Of all that lives and breathes, you are most like me.
Adam walked with me in the cool of the day,
yet he was lonely. He could not see me or touch me.
He could only feel me. So everything I wanted Adam to share and experience with me, I fashioned in you; my holiness, my strength, my purity, my love, my protection and support.
You are special because you are an extension of me. Man represents my image, woman my emotions. Together, you represent the totality of God.
So man...treat women well. Love her, respect her, for she is fragile.
Small Town Soapbox, Tuesday 4/1/2008
Hey Moby I was wondering if you could help me out a little bit. I'm a student at Kennesaw University and I have been working on a project for my Sociology class. I came up with the topic of analyzing three different morning radio talk shows from three different genres (rap, rock, and country). For the country genre, I chose your station. Already a regular listener, I began to compare your show against the other two upon political, ethical, and racial viewpoints. I found that you display hardly any bias in broadcast with consideration to these aspects. I was wondering if you could share with me why you believe that you stay so popular without having to apply the shock factors or bias that other morning shows incorporate. And also what are your sentiments toward other morning radio stations in the local area?Thanks for you time, Brandon Tippens P.S. YEAH BABY
Hello Brandon,
I'm happy to share my thoughts about my morning show. My thoughts are these. We're all having our first cup of coffee together each day around a big imaginary table. Other than me at the table, there are moms and dads. There are grandmas & grandpas. Plus, there are precious children being molded into the future, and I want to be a good influence to them. I stand steadfast as to what I think are important morals, and values. I try to conduct myself and my show so each of the demographics around that table can be entertained, yet comfortable. I try to not embarrass any member of my beloved radio family. Patriotism is very important. Fear of God is vital. Respect for authority is essential. These three elements, mixed in with a fairly warped sense of humor all come together 5 mornings a week. Of course, we share deep emotions around this table. Folks that gather here love each other, and we're comfortable in each other's company. The morning shows that feel the need to be blue & shocking in their content are not entertaining the same group of people that are happy to gather around my table each day. By that same token, the people entertained by that type would probably be bored sharing coffee around my table. God made chocolate and vanilla so each of us can make a choice. Those that choose me are loved by me. I want them to feel respected, welcome, & touched in some special way. Is that what you were wanting to hear? I hope so, because that's what was on my heart to share.
Have a great day!!
Yeah baby,
MOBY
Small Town Soapbox, Tuesday 3/25/2008
Becoming a Mom will Change your Life
We are sitting at lunch one day when my daughter casually mentions that she and her husband are thinking of "starting a family." "We're taking a survey," she says half-joking. "Do you think I should have a baby?"
"It will change your life," I say, carefully keeping my tone neutral.
"I know," she says, "no more sleeping in on weekends, no more spontaneous vacations."
But that is not what I meant at all. I look at my daughter, trying to decide what to tell her.
I want her to know what she will never learn in childbirth classes. I want to tell her that t he physical wounds of child bearing will heal, but becoming a mother will leave her with an emotional wound so raw that she will forever be vulnerable.
I consider warning her that she will never again read a newspaper without asking, "What if that had been MY child?" That every plane crash, every house fire will haunt her.
That when she sees pictures of starving children, she will wonder if anything could be worse than watching your child die.
I look at her carefully manicured nails and stylish suit and think that no matter how sophisticated she is, becoming a mother will reduce her to the primitive level of a bear protecting her cub. That an urgent call of "Mom!" will cause her to drop a soufflé or her best crystal without a moments
hesitation.
I feel that I should warn her that no matter how many years she has invested in her career, she will be professionally derailed by motherhood. She might arrange for childcare, but one day she will be going into an important business meeting and she will think of her baby's sweet smell.
She will have to use every ounce of discipline to keep from running home, just to make sure her baby is all right.
I want my daughter to know that every day decisions will no longer be routine. That a five year old boy's desire to go to the men's room rather than the women's at McDonald's will become a major dilemma. That right there, in the midst of clattering trays and screaming children, issues of
independence and gender identity will be weighed against the prospect that a child molester may be lurking in that restroom.
However decisive she may be at the office, she will second-guess herself constantly as a mother.
Looking at my attractive daughter, I want to assure her that eventually she will shed the pounds of pregnancy, but she will never feel the same about herself.
That her life, now so important, will be of less value to her once she has a child. That she would give herself up in a moment to save her offspring, but will also begin to hope for more years, not to accomplish her own dreams, but to watch her child accomplish theirs.
I want her to know that a cesarean scar or shiny stretch marks will become badges of honor.
My daughter's relationship with her husband will change, but not in the way she thinks.
I wish she could understand how much more you can love a man who is careful to powder the baby or who never hesitates to play with his child.
I think she should know that she will fall in love with him again for reasons she would now find very unromantic.
I wish my daughter could sense the bond she will feel with women throughout history who have tried to stop war, prejudice and drunk driving.
I want to describe to my daughter the exhilaration of seeing your child learn to ride a bike.
I want to capture for her the belly laugh of a baby who is touching the soft fur of a dog or cat for the first time.
I want her to taste the joy that is so real it actually hurts
My daughter's quizzical look makes me realize that tears have formed in my eyes. "You'll never regret it," I finally say. Then I reached across the table, squeezed my daughter's hand and offered a silent prayer for her, and for me, and for all the mere mortal women who stumble their way into this most wonderful of callings.
Small Town Soapbox, Tuesday 3/18/2008
I pledge Allegiance to the flag. Do you really?
One nation Under God, indivisible. that's what started this land of
the free, and home of the brave. Under God. Our God. The God
of Thomas Jefferson. The God of George Washington. The God of
John Adams and John Hancock.
In my country, we all enjoy the freedom to worship God, who ever and
what ever we perceive him to be, but the nations business will be
conducted in English assuming God's blessings as we seek to
behave ourselves in such a way to deserve those blessings.
Blessings and guidance of the same God those men who framed
our republic humbly asked to direct us, as this greatest of all nations
was conceived, fought for, died for and won.
Listen to what was written shortly after our independence was won by one of our brilliant and visionary founding fathers.
One Nation Under God
In the beginning of our contest with Britain, when we were aware of
danger, we had daily prayer in this room for Divine protection.
Our prayers were heard and they were graciously answered. All of us
who were engaged in this struggle, observed frequent instances of a
superintending Providence working in our favor.
To the kind Providence we owe this happy opportunity of now
consulting in peace on the means of establishing the future
foundation of this nation.
And have we now forgotten this powerful friend?
Do we imagine that we no longer need His assistance?
I have lived for 81 years, and the longer I live, the more convincing
proofs I see of the truth that God governs in the affairs of man.
If a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable
that an empire can rise without His aid?
We have been assured, dear sirs, in the sacred writings that, Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it.?
I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without His aid, the results
of our effort in this political building will be no better than those of the
builders of Babel.
We shall be divided by our personal, local interests; our goals and
desires will be confounded; and we ourselves shall become a
disgrace to be forgotten in the future ages.
And what is worse, this could cause mankind to hereafter despair of
establishing government by human wisdom and leave it merely to
chance or to conquest. I therefore beg leave to move that henceforth
prayers, imploring the assistance of Heaven and its blessings on our
deliberations, be held in this assembly every morning before we
proceed to business, and that one or more of the clergy of this city
be requested to officiate in that service.
Benjamin Franklin
How dare the sensitive and politically correct challenge or have the
unmitigated audacity to rebut the very concept under which this
nation was formed. Those great men understood the concept or right
and wrong. This is right, and you have the right to not agree, but if
you do you are dangerously wrong, and part of the problem. I advise
us all; look to the words of the men who truly understood liberty, or
prepare to lose it. And if we do lose it, shame on us, and God take
pity on our children, because it wasn?t their fault it was lost, it was
ours.
Small Town Soapbox, Tuesday 3/11/2008
'YOU MAY BE A TALIBAN IF...'
1. You refine heroin for a living, but you have a moral objection to beer.
2. You own a $3,000 machine gun and $5,000 rocket launcher, but you can't afford shoes.
3. You have more wives than teeth.
4. You wipe your butt with your bare left hand, but consider bacon 'unclean.'
5. You think vests come in two styles: bullet-proof and suicide.
6. You can't think of anyone you HAVEN'T declared Jihad against.
7. You consider television dangerous, but routinely carry explosives in your clothing.
8. You've ever uttered the phrase, 'I love what you've done with your cave.'
9. You have nothing against women and think every man should own at least one.
10. You've ever had a crush on your neighbor's goat.
Small Town Soapbox, Tuesday 3/4/2008
DIRT ROADS
What's mainly wrong with society today is that too many Dirt Roads
have been paved.There's not a problem in America today, crime,
drugs, education, divorce, delinquency that wouldn't be remedied, if
we just had more Dirt Roads, because Dirt Roads give character.
People that live at the end of Dirt Roads learn early on that life is a
bumpy ride.
That it can jar you right down to your teeth sometimes, but it's worth
it, if at the end is home...a loving spouse, happy kids and a dog.
We wouldn't have near the trouble with our educational system if our
kids got their exercise walking a Dirt Road with other kids, from
whom they learn how to get along.
There was less crime in our streets before they were paved.
Criminals didn't walk two dusty miles to rob or rape, if they knew
they'd be welcomed by 5 barking dogs and a double barrel shotgun.
And there were no drive by shootings.
Our values were better when our roads were worse!
People did not worship their cars more than their kids, and motorists were more courteous, they didn't tailgate by riding the bumper or the
guy in front would choke you with dust & bust your windshield with
rocks Dirt Roads taught patience.
Dirt Roads were environmentally friendly; you didn't hop in your car
for a quart of milk you walked to the barn for your milk.
For your mail, you walked to the mail box.
What if it rained and the Dirt Road got washed out?
That was the best part, then you stayed home and had some family
time, roasted marshmallows and popped popcorn and pony rode on
Daddy's shoulders and learned how to make prettier quilts than
anybody.
At the end of Dirt Roads, you soon learned that bad words tasted
like soap.
Most paved roads lead to trouble, Dirt Roads more likely lead to a
fishing creek or a swimming hole.
At the end of a Dirt Road, the only time we even locked our car was
in August, because if we didn't some neighbor would fill it with too
much zucchini.
At the end of a Dirt Road, there was always extra springtime income, from when city dudes would get stuck, you'd have to hitch up a team and pull them out.
Usually you got a dollar...always you got a new friend...at the end of a
Dirt Road!
By Paul Harvey
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