Oral Fuquay

Growing up in a "dyed in the wool" Pentecostal Holiness family, I was BOUND to hear talk of the career of "Brother Oral" as he was known, Oral Roberts that you associate with the Tulsa, Oklahoma University that bears his name and his now famous, "God will take me" proclamation if he didn't raise millions of dollars. I know, bless his heart, right?
Every successful man has stories of early failures and in an exerpt from a book I found on line, there is a reference to the future televangelist's early days in Fuquay Varina, North Carolina, then known as Fuquay Springs.
Maybe it was Oral's part Cherokee blood that brought him to this town originally known as Sippihaw by the Indians ("native Americans") But Brother Oral broadcast on WRAL radio, which is my alma matre. Of course, the A.M. became WRNC and now WPJL! I can picture the young twenty-something evangelist in the now quaint studios on Bart Street in Raleigh. It was probably a little drive in those days from Fuquay.
Roberts pastored a church referred to only as "the Tabernacle" there and made a brave go of it and the book, "Oral Roberts An American Life" puts the best face on it possible. Oral is described as driving around Fuquay with a loud speaker on top of his car, finding a busy intersection, playing music and then preaching the gospel for all to hear. He also was involved in street ministry.
I THINK I know the building that was the "Tabernacle" but I cannot swear by it ("Peenycawstal-Holeness" folks don't do that, anyway)
For less than four bucks I can secure a copy of the book from Amazon. But I was really only interested in the Fuquay connection, so unless I find it in a yard sale or something, or someone gives me a copy, I won't exert the energy.
"Our crowd" looked down its nose at Roberts long before his dumn remark that was so controvercial or his son's little escapades. Years ago, Oral quietly left the PH ranks to become Methodist (which is the movement our denomination branched out of in the first place)
So, read the book, if you want a somewhat slanted view of "the REST of the story" as Paul Harvey would say.

An Amazing Christmas

Okay, this year Christmas didn't begin until late evening for me. There were other "priorities." Were I to hear of someone getting up Christmas morning and being alone until the late afternoon/evening, I would conjure up sympathy for that person. But as it turns out, God used this set of events to further familiarize me with the Parakleet, the One Who comes along side, the Third Person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit of God.
Now, I'm not speaking of a Shambach miracle revival, speaking in tongues, "wave both hands and shout hallelujah, somebody" kind of thing. Just a quiet day hanging out with THE Friend Who stays closer than a brother, even as close as our very breath. And I am richer, much richer, spiritually for it.
God used two friends of mine, a church planter and a former co-worker to invite me to a litergy on Christmas Eve.
To a kid brought up "dyed in the wool" Pentecostal Holiness ("Peenie Cawstal Hole-ness) the thought of a litergy is rather yawn, to say the least, but still, something (someONE) compelled me to go. And my friends, even though there were responsive readings and even though we stood and were seated, stood and were seated much like a Catholic Mass, I felt Him. My Friend, in my heart, in that little business complex chapel, worship space, reminding me, "You're My son and I LOVE YOU!" Oh, how often I forget. Sometimes, we have to get quiet enough to hear our Father, but He always wants to love us, give us a spiritual hug, as it were, to build us up and to amaze us at how the Creator of the Universe, really cares for us. (Like sending Jesus to the Cross to die isn't enough) but you know, we're human. We get distracted and we forget. Or at least I do!
That service and that good bit of fellowship amongst the hurry and scurry all those people were pausing from, was like taking me to a spiritual oasis and my taking a good, satisfying drink from the River of Life. But it didn't end there.
National Geographic Channel was on a campaign to disprove Jesus of Nazareth as a myth by considering every heathen doctrine and totally ignoring the GOOD News, the Gospel. But you don't keep your TV on channels that spread lies, do you? Not unless you are well armed with the truth and can spend the entire time rebuking satan's lies which, by the way abound on "Nat Geo!"
But one channel, as badly as the left in this country wants to label it as "right wing" was using a lot of energy to honor our Savior and lift Him up. Well, what did He say, he said, "If I'll be lifted up, I'll draw ALL men (kind) to Me!" FoxNews Channel was definitely lifting Him up.
Again, in the solitude of my otherwise lonely, ghetto apartment, the Holy Spirit and I were hanging out. More than once I came to tears. I'd watch news anchors share their faith ("the NERVE of them!" cried the secular "progressive") and then I'd switch over to EWTN, the Roman Catholic channel, where they'd have a drama about Christmas and because of this, I sit here restored, reinvigorated and ready to meet what 2009 will bring, because I have a new sense that "I can do ALL things through Christ, Who strengthens me!" Bless His Holy, Righteous, Wonderful Name!

When Christmas was Such a Joyous Time...

Originally, Christmas was a time for receiving loot. It was difficult to hear any other message. My birthday falls during the Christmas season. I had an aunt who was born Christmas Day and my sister was born on New Years Day. I've heard sad stories of people who felt ripped off because they didn't cash in because their birthdays fell close to Christmas. This was NOT the case with me. My quite generous parents made sure my birthday and Christmas were events!
Secondly, Christmas meant being with the closest person I've had to a brother, my cousin, Herb. mom never got accustomed to Northern Virginia and we averaged two trips a month to Wilson, North Carolina or so it seemed.
It was rare for us to spend a Christmas in Falls Church, which made it even more of an event.
I do recall one Christmas when there was a snow storm and my Uncle Bill, according to my cousin Herb, trudged through the snow for the journey from Wilson to Falls Church.
Little by little, Christmas heartaches began to come into play. There was the first Christmas with my sister in Kansas City, and the hollowness that Christmas was without her being around.
And just a few, painful years later, my cousin Herb had married and moved away.
What a selfish little joker I was and sometimes, still am. Little by little we realize that it's not all about me. I'm a very late bloomer in that department.
Tradition is not a hallowed thing either in society and especially in the era of the mega Church!
I endured thirty some years of Christmas Cantata after Christmas Cantata. The motive was good, after all, it's the time of year the "heathens" actually darken the door of the church. May as well give them the plan of salvation while they're there.
But here, in the infamous "Bible Belt" they've belted down so much Bible that they've ignored the timeless and essential message which really is Christmas.
Santa, gifts, holly, lights, tinsel...all these things are fun and great. And the FAMILY DOES wish to pass on our traditions. After all, the new mother wants her three-year-old hellion to have the memories SHE had of Christmas and feels guilty if she can't shower him with gifts. Then she's disappointed when junior is more interested in playing with the wrappings and box the present came in than the toy inside.
There is, however, a joy that change cannot take away, no matter how it strikes. It is the joy that came to the world when the Son of God, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords made a human appearance in a little manger in Bethlehem. The long awaited Messiah had come. Some were aware from the beginning. Others of us didn't understand that this child would be born for one purpose...to die. To pay the price for our sin. But the glory is that He didn't remain on the cross...he didn't rot in that cave...He rose from the dead and has returned to the Father in Heaven to prepare a PLACE for us not built with hands. And His Name shall be called Wonderful Couselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace and there shall be no end to His eternal reign. And because He lives, we, too can live eternal life with no more pain, nor sorrow, nor LONELINESS, no sickness or disease, no more missing someone who should be there.
So, when you're sitting thinking of how Christmas USED to be...remember how it's GOING to be!
Father, thank You for Your Dear Son Jesus. Bless His Holy Name!

Virus?

Tuesday night was a typical karaoke night except I felt really really bad, but recouped after a few karaoke songs. It's not the first time that singing has drowned out my symptoms. But then Wednesday night I went to Pastimes for karaoke and had to leave after the second song feeling as though I was about to DIE!
The symptoms are strange. No fever, nor sniffles and no sore throat, but body aches to beat the band. I thought quite literally I was losing my mind as I was having horrible terrorizing nightmares. When I medicate to sleep in certain ways, I tend to have nightmares, so I purposely haven't done that. Last night I thought, since I'm having them anyway, why not enhance the sleep?
I'm not at all over it yet, but this evening I HAD to go out to get some half price wings and to see another human being. I haven't even had the strength to talk on the phone. You can hear it in my voice.
Just when I thought maybe this was a nervous breakdown, I was talking with a pal who had the same symptoms for about a week...exactly the same symptoms. What a relief it is to know that I still am operating well on the few brain cells I have left.
So if you begin to ache all over and have nightmares and negative thoughts, chances are it's this dad blamed virus. As Mom used to say, "This too, shall pass!"

I Miss Her Every Day...

...but she went to be with Jesus four years ago today.

ROEBUCK, the Band Update

Great night of karaoke tonight. Two very dear people were celebrating birthdays and I sang "Birthday" by the Beatles in their honour. Holland Marie was there and she's wanting her band to learn "Promised Land," the Chuck Berry penned song, based on the "Walbash Cannonball" that Elvis improved immensely. Tony found it for me and I opened the evening with that. Then for my friend, Steve, I did "Gimme Shelter," the Stones' classic.
Maybe your heard that my son, Josh is moving back down to North Carolina and has agreed to be the drummer for "ROEBUCK, the Band," and we'll begin the process of finding guitarists, a keyboardist and someone on bass.
There were members of a band that plays a lot in the area in house and the bass player told me that he was already in two bands, but that if we ever got in a bind and needed someone to play bass to give him a hollar.
Does a soul good. He was very kind and said, my song was excellent and that I "sang it rather than got up there and went through the motions."
I'm feeling pretty good tonight.

New Office

I will not attempt to be guilty of behaving like the YELLOW DOGS and be constantly criticizing the President elect even before he takes office. The man has done some things I agree with that seem to be wise in my non-expert estimation and he's done some predictable of a Marxist. I wouldn't want the job and in SOME ways for anyone to want it at this particular time, puts into questions one's sanity!
I suspected that certain liberal...excuse me PROGRESSIVE (ha!) pipe dreams would die pretty quickly in the light of the President elect being briefed and finally knowing the FACTS!
Some how, though, a new office has materialized. Is it an actual office, or just SPIN in an era of Democrat Party euphoria? We're seeing signs that read, "The OFFICE of the President Elect." Really, now? How pretentious can you get?
This noon my otherwise pleasant lunch was rudely affected by some twenty-five or so Obamites gloating at their hero's victory. After having loud-mouthed, rude, members address the group and ruining the possibility of my hearing the discussion of my two friends joining me for lunch, they then blocked the exit and sidewalk outside. One yo yo had a C-SPAN sort of duffle bag. I guess there wasn't enough funding left in the budget for them to spare the rest of us their loud comments. One guy literally stepped on my friend's toe...THREE TIMES!
If this had been a Sunday School group the Evangelical-eze expression to describe this was "BAD WITNESS!" They set a poor example of their wannabe "messiah."
One car was painted with "I (heart) Obama!"
Well, I love Obama, too and told my friend that I wish I had a bumper sticker that said so for my car. Another nice one would be "JESUS loves Obama." But I confess, I only love him as Jesus ALLOWS me and enables me to. I hope he turns out to be a great President. No use in wasting another inevitable holiday on yet another idiot.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Will the Dream Be Realized in 2009?

Pics: Me guest singing with Stage Left and Josh playing acoustic


All my life I've had the dream of having my own band. I mean I've fronted a number of bands where "democracy" was the goal, but I have the vision I revealed earlier this year for ROEBUCK, the Band. My son plans to move down from Virginia and we've discussed bringing the dream into reality. Basically now we have the drummer, Josh and the vocalist, me.
We want to do oldies and classic rock that you don't hear these days. The core will be Doors, Hendrix, Cream (Clapton), Steppenwolf, Beatles, Skynrd and the like with only a song or two from Elvis and building with some Creed, and other newer stuff, but we'll concentrate on songs that the radio and the karaoke circuit hasn't worn out.
If you know anyone who can play withing this frame work, we're looking for a keyboard, bass and guitar player.
I wan't to be clear. We will concentrate on the classic rock as a priority because it is woefully lacking in the Garner/Clayton circuit.
Some examples of a beginning playlist would be:

The Doors'

"Peace Frog"
"You Make Me Real"
"My Wild Love"
"Five to One" and much more

Jimi Hendrix

"Manic Depression"
"Dolly Dagger"
"All Along the Watchtower"

Clapton

"Bad Love"
"Running on Faith"
"Wonderful Tonight" (to make Josh happy)

Steppenwolf

"Sookie, Sookie"
"Monster"
"Snow Blind Friend"

Beatles

"Everybody's Got Something to Hide"


Well, you get the idea. We don't want to play the same ole same ole!

I Now Believe in Purgatory! (in a Musical Sense)

Reports coming out now that a judge is punishing people with having to hear (YUCK) Barry Manilow! He has the nerve to have released yet another cover album (pitch-adjusted, of course!)
He's the epitome of the lounge lizard, repeat all the bad habits. Exceeded in grossness only by Ear (Clay) Aiken.
But Purgatory for me, is not even that, as bad as it is, but having to hear poor renditions of Bon Jovi and Journey. You can hear overdoses of them on VH-1 "Classic." The "classic" in that USED to stand for classic ROCK, but now represents classic "pop," or crass commercialization, the poster children for music going corporate.

Chilling Days in November

It was a typical November day in Mr Dunburg's class at Mt Daniel Elementary School. A voice comes over the intercom: "Mr Dunburg?"
"Yes"
"Would you like some news?"
"Certainly."
"The President has been shot."
Much of the following days are a blur. I recall their bringing a television into the classroom as we watched CBS News coverage that JFK had been shot in Dallas, Texas.
I believe we went home from school early.
At home, we were glued to the television, watching as Walter Cronkite gave updates and confirmed to America that indeed, John F Kennedy had died as a result of a gunshot in Dallas, Texas.

I'm told it was a Monday when President Kennedy was taken to his resting place. A slow, sad, procession came down the street. Dad had taken me over to DC to witness history. I saw the flag draped coffin go by, the horse missing the rider and countless limousines, strange, long Cadillacs. In one of them, I saw a familiar face. I was quite a fan of the show "The Thin Man" on television and the star, Peter Lawford, the brother-in-law of the slain President came into view. Breaking protocol, in my youthful excitement of seeing my television heror, I said, "Hay!" and waved at Mr Lawford. In return, I got a wink and a wave from Mr Lawford.
In the midst of all that confusion and sadness, this little kid received a lifetime memory.
Some time later, Dad took me, with my new camera to the National Cemetery to visit the grave of the slain leader.
Yeah, I know. You didn't think I was all that old.

YUCK Ola!

Last night, for dinner a group of us went to Rockola in Garner. My son was sporting his new Locked & Loaded long sleeve tee. The manager came over and commented on the number of cars there and that he had to come and check it out. The wait staff at Rockola was more like the WEIGHT staff. They were courteous, but there was not the asthetic of Locked & Loaded. I joked to my son, that maybe if this guy would hire some waitresses who didn't look like they were eating up the profits, HE could have a parking lot full as well. You know, guy talk, not trying to be mean.
I was unfamiliar with the menu at Rockola. After last night, I will UNfamiliarize myself with it further. A member of my family Friday night missed out on Locked & Loaded's Chicken Quesadillas, choosing to eat at Rockola instead.
My plate came and on it were some chicken wings. When I bit into them, it tasted like a mouth full of rancid lard! The wings were not only overcooked, but had the flavor chicken has when it has been warmed over, which does not appeal to me at ALL.
I couldn't continue with the wings and immediately my stomach was registering its protest against the culinary agression.
To put it plainly, DON'T EAT THE WINGS AT ROCKOLA!
This incident far from ruined my weekend. There will be other meals and my time with my family and the joy thereof far outweighed the unpleasant experience.

Gaining a Different Perspective: Karaoke Revisited

Last night I gained a different perspective on the karaoke. My son was down from Virginia and he fell in love with my friends and it was interesting to see his and my daughter-in-law's reaction to the amazing Tony Stone as a karaoke host, having seen ME host it before and their priceless reactions to an assortment of "Egos on a Stick" who think they're "all that and a bag of chips."
Actually, they didn't see so much of the latter last night. The real KINGS of ego didn't show up last night, but still, there were a few.
After all, I must admit that at times I even forget it's karaoke, for crying out loud!
It's always fun to watch reactions to the Tone Deafians. They really should start a union.
I know I prolly embarrassed them introducing them to friend after friend after friend, but that's one of the pleasures of being a Dad. Lord KNOWS, my OWN Dad used to embarrass ME, but it also further endeared me to the Geeze, because, after all, he was actually proud of me (why, remains a mystery)

That Sting in Your Eyes is Wool!

Dead ON, Mr Reagan. Well...there they go again!

For those of you who voted for change on November 4th, the joke's on you! Yes, you did replace "Dubyuh" who was already leaving with an unknown and a hidden in the Senator from Illinois.
Trivia question: What party would you have voted for, if you wanted to vote for the party of Rev Dr Marin Luther King, Jr? Stay tuned for the answer!
It's true. George W Bush's approval rating is at an all time low. But guess what? This is out there, but buried in the left wing media rhetoric. The approval of Congress and the Senate is EVEN LOWER. And YOU, or dummies LIKE you voted every single one of the scoundrels back into office. You wanted change, you said (or more accurately, fell for the hype) You GOT, same ole same ole!
Incidentally, the concept of "Change" being the theme for the '08 Presidential Election cycle originated with who? Some flaming yellow dog Dem? NO! None other that Newt Gingrich. The joke is SO on you, in today's youth vernacular.
Now, what was the political party of the Rev Dr Martin Luther King, Jr?

He was a REPUBLICAN! as were MOST "African Americans" at that time.

It's not a sweater, my change-loving friend. It's just pure unadulterated WOOL you've had pulled over your eyes. Now I have at least four years to remind you of it. And remind you of it, I WILL!
HA...HA...HA!!! SO THERE! (that's all the school yard expressions I can think of)

Okay, that was fun. Now, on a more serious note. Anyone would have to be a FOOl to deny the sense of history and pride in a sense that the US has elected its first "multiracial" President.
It's a dad gummed SHAME that it's not Alan Keyes, who could actually represent CHANGE!

Hundred Day "Honeymoon"

We just lived through what seemed like the longest Presidential campaign and election season ever.
A very well meaning friend of mine, who did NOT vote for Obama has made a plea to all via Email to cease and desist from sending political cartoons and the like about the "President Elect."
I shall honor his request and will not send any of the wonderful and truthful items I daily recieve that expose this Marxist for the clown he is, but I am not ABOUT to wait until March 31st to speak my mind about him when I believe he's wrong, or when I believe he's right. (Even a broken clock is correct two times a day)
The voice of Truth, Justice and the REAL American Way is in excile in this country and make no mistake, the Marxist movement of Obama will take every advantage to attempt to silence any opposition.
Misters Reagan, Bush 41 and Bush 43 were fought tooth and nail from day one. Those of us who stand for freedom can do no less!

Before You Even THINK About it!

People generally put together a Christmas "wish list," of things that they'd like to receive under the tree. I'm starting the reverse, a list of things I do NOT want for Christmas. Should have thought of this years ago, after receiving ties, underwear and endless plaid shirts I wound up giving away and never wearing. Shirts were always the wrong size. Plaid shirts were often received with double pockets over the chest that looked like large, insane "X's"because those who "designed" them didn't think to match the material pattern to make it look more acceptable. I never was ungrateful, I just don't like cruddy gifts. I don't know why people bothered.
This year, at the top of the "No Thanks" list is a CD put out of Christmas duets with Elvis Presley.
The Presley brand is now under of the control of the parent company that brings us American Idol, in many ways, a tasteless bunch that is prostituting the greatest entertainer of all time!
Poor Elvis has no say in the matter, nor does Col Parker.
To me, and to any self respecting fan of Elvis, there simply IS no one worthy of singing duets with recordings of Elvis on this planet, with the exception of Lisa Marie herself. I can think of a very few I would PERSONALLY select, but then, I have enough sense to know it is not up to me.
Last year I noticed the same ridiculous approach taken to Dean Martin. It's all pretty sad, but people will buy and fall for anything when they don't stand for anything. There should be standards. It's not up to ANYONE to say, "I think Elvis would have thought it was great!" Maybe. Maybe NOT!
Bocephus' duets with his late Dad, Hank Williams SENIOR and Natalie's with her famous dad are great and they're certainly entitled to do them, but Elvis with Amy Grant? Give me a break! And I know, some of you think Amy's the "cat's pajamas", but I don't and I'm offended by it and all I'm saying is PLEASE, DON'T GIVE ME THIS HORSE MANURE FOR CHRISTMAS. OKAY?!

Song Based on a Vivid Dream

Just before awakening, I dreamed that I was hosting a network television show and Elvis was still alive. The gross part was that my co-host for the week was Wynona Judd (GROSS!) I don't care for her AT ALL. But Elvis was to introduce a new song he'd just recorded called "Black Silk Bandana" loosely based on the legend of Zorro! The stage was set in black silk and tan, and if I blew the introduction, producers were going to give the honor to the Judd woman.
Anyway, I've written a song in an Elvis-Mexican flavored style based on that dream and had it copyrighted:

Black Silk Bandana

Up on the rooftop a figure appears
To ring in justice and calm to their fears
They celebrate when his name hits their ears
He wears the Black Silk Bandana

Way back in time where the legend begins
A man in black with a cape enters in
The evil ones will now pay for their sins
Thanks to the Black Silk Bandana

The senorita has romantic dreams
The Comondante has nightmares and screams
He knows the "Z" carved on his stockade means
Man with the Black Silk Bandana

Some call him Zorro a name for "the Fox"
They've tried so hard to put him in a box
Seargeant Garcia one comical ox
Thanks to the Black Silk Bandana

How Seniorita has longed for the day
Man of her dreams comes to take her away
But as for now she will just have to pray
For man with the Black Silk Bandana

--copyright 2008 John H. Roebuck

Rich Heritage!

Much of this, I did not know. I received this as an Email:

Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

On the rear of the One Dollar bill, you will see two circles. Together, they comprise the Great Seal of the United States.

The First Continental Congress requested that Benjamin Franklin and a group of men come up with a Seal. It took them four years to accomplish this task and another two years to get it approved.

If you look at the left-hand circle, you will see a Pyramid.


and.... Who was Hayim Solomon?





Notice the face is lighted, and the western side is dark. This country was just beginning. We had not begun to explore the west or decided what we could do for Western Civilization. The Pyramid is uncapped, again signifying that we were not even close to being finished. Inside the capstone you have the all-seeing eye, an ancient symbol for divinity. It was Franklin's belief that one man couldn't do it alone, but a group of men, with the help of God, could do anything.

'IN GOD WE TRUST' is on this currency.



The Latin above the pyramid, ANNUIT COEPTIS, means, 'God has favored our undertaking.'
The Latin below the pyramid, NOVUS ORDO SECLORUM, means, 'a new order has begun.'
At the base of the pyramid is the Roman Numeral for 1776. (MDCCLXXVI)

If you look at the right-hand circle, and check it carefully, you will learn that it is on every National Cemetery in the United States It is also on the Parade of Flags Walkway at the Bushnell, Florida National Cemetery, and is the centerpiece of most hero's monuments. Slightly modified, it is the seal of the President of the United States, and it is always visible whenever he speaks, yet very few people know what the symbols mean.




The Bald Eagle was selected as a symbol for victory for two reasons: First, he is not afraid of a storm; he is strong, and he is smart enough to soar above it. Secondly, he wears no material crown. We had just broken from the King of England Also, notice the shield is unsupported. This country can now stand on its own. At the top of that shield you have a white bar signifying congress, a unifying factor. We were coming together as one nation. In the Eagle's beak you will read, ' E PLURIBUS UNUM' meaning,'one from many.'

Above the Eagle, you have thirteen stars, representing the thirteen original colonies, and any clouds of misunderstanding rolling away.
Again, we were coming together as one.

Notice what the Eagle holds in his talons. He holds an olive branch and arrows. This country wants peace, but we will never be afraid to fight to preserve peace. The Eagle always wants to face the olive branch, but in time of war, his gaze turns toward the arrows.

They say that the number 13 is an unlucky number.
This is almost a worldwide belief. You will usually never see a room numbered 13, or any hotels or motels with a 13th floor. But think about this:

13 original colonies,
13 signers of the Declaration of Independence,
13 stripes on our flag,
13 steps on the Pyramid,
13 letters in, 'Annuit Coeptis,'
13 letters in 'E Pluribus Unum,'
13 stars above the Eagle,
13 bars on that shield,
13 leaves on the olive branch,
13 fruits,
and if you look closely,
13 arrows.

And finally, if you notice the arrangement of the 13 stars in the right-hand circle you will see that they are arranged as a Star of David. This was ordered by George Washington who, when he asked Hayim Solomon, a wealthy Philadelphia Jew, what he would like as a personal reward for his services to the Continental Army, Solomon said he wanted nothing for himself but that he would like something for his people. The Star of David was the result. Few people know that it was Solomon who saved the Army through his financial contributions but died a pauper.

I always ask people, 'Why don't you know this?' Your children don't know this, and their history teachers don't know this. Too many veterans have given up too much to ever let the meaning fade. Many veterans remember coming home to an America that didn't care. Too many veterans never came home at all.

Share this page with everyone, so they can learn what is on the back of the

UNITED STATES ONE DOLLAR BILL,
and what it stands for!

I Couldn't Agree More!

Got this, giving credit to the original author in the form of an Email:

An Obituary written by Lori Borgman

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has
been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since
his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be
remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:
Knowing when to come in out of the rain;
Why the early bird gets the worm;
Life isn't always fair;
and maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more
than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in
charge).

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but
overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy
charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended
from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for
reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job
that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children.

It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent
to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student; but could not inform
parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and
criminals received better treatment than their victims.

Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a
burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to
realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her
lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and Trust, by his
wife, Discretion, by his daughter, Responsibility, and by his son, Reason.

He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers;
I Know My Rights
I Want It Now
Someone Else Is To Blame
I'm A Victim

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you
still remember him, you may wish pass this on.

Catching Up with an Old Friend

Yesterday was a day of wonderful memories for me. This past week has been. The seventh was my son's twenty-seventh birthday, the eighth, I USED to refer to as National Whoops Day, as it would have been my thirty-third wedding anniversary, had we stayed married, but it WAS the fifth anniversary of two good friends of mine, Tim and Lisa. And the ninth would have been my precious Mother's eighty-ninth birthday, so it's been a season of memories all around.
Well, a couple days ago I came across a mother load of photographs. Fifty-six in total and no doubt will be sharing some of them from time to time on this blog.
Most were family pictures, but amongst them, were photos taken at the short-lived WRDT, a heathen radio station that Mortenson Broadcasting bought, cleaned up, de-smoked and nearly had to have a exorcism over!
It was the former WYNA, Raleigh's first Country Station, but an African American paper had bought it and aired some quite rebukable "music" and I recall their having a woman on air in the late eighties, early nineties who tried to mix the gospel with astrology. At the time Mortenson bought it it was WLLE.
WIth its new lease on life, and Christian programming, the station calls were changed to WRDT! How's that for confusing, Raleigh Durham?
Eddie Thomas and I got in on the ground floor of automating the station and airing Evangelical programs.
We no sooner got started and money bags Don Curtis came in and as he typically does, promised not to change anything, but changed everything, including three changes of the format and two changes that I KNOW of of the call letters. It's now part of the Curtis monopoly, which should not be, but that's another story.
For a couple of years there, we had a unique, truly Christian station and Eddie Thomas and I who had worked together at WPJL had a good time doing what we felt the Lord was pleased with. There was enormous potential there for ministry. Jack brought in a figure head manager, Randy Jordan just before Curtis' bags of money could be heard jingling our way.
Alas, Mr Jack Mortenson took the money and ran.
What's left are memories of a wonderful experience. I've emailed pictures, some of which are above to Randy and Eddie. Haven't heard from Randy, but it was nice catching up with old "ET!"Over the years, I've worked with some wonderful people in broadcasting.

Miss Her MUCH

The most wonderful, beautiful person I ever knew personally...my Mom. She would have been eighty-nine today. Miss you much, Mom. I love you!

The Vault and the Clubhouse

The picture is actually of me a couple Tuesday nights ago at Locked & Loaded Grille.

In late 2003, when I tended to stay home with the "woe is me" syndrome, a neighbor of mine from Alabama used to come over and we'd exchange war stories about playing in rock bands. I saw a video of his and he heard a cassette tape of one of mine, saying, "Is that really you?" Come to thinki of it, when I saw the hair on the drummer, I said the same to HIM. He is now bald.
My OTHER neighbor and I frequented a restaurant at the time called O'Brian's. There was this delightful little waitress there who said she was starting up a band.
One night they showed up at this little dive called Loop Road Bar, which was the very first place I ever sang karaoke. It was this little waitress and an older guy who looked as though he'd found her and said, "Stick with me, Kid, and I'll make you a star." He was a legend at least in his own mind and she could sing and was learning bass, but hadn't quite synchronized them yet. She looked way younger than him, let me tell ya.
So last night, wanting some nourishment, I slipped over to Locked & Loaded and they had the thirty-five cent wings. That and a salad is a MEAL!. So I'm socializing and munching and doing a little flirting when I notice with woman with camo pants lugging in a lot of equipment...I mean a lot. Even more than the room would ever need. I commented that all I ever got from my wife at the time was, "Is that band playing AGAIN!?" when we had Parusia.
A band called "The Vault" was scheduled to play and I really didn't want my ear drums blown away, so the plan was to eat and skeedoo on home. Then I got a call from a friend to come to some place where there was karaoke, so I changed my plans. On my way to the men's room I asked the woman setting up, "Didn't you used to work at a restaurant on 64?" It was, indeed her, so I stayed around long enough to catch part of the first song, which was a cover of the Black Crowe's "Hard to Handle." Needless to say, the synchronisity has kicked in and the gal has learned to chew gum and walk er uh, play and sing at the same time and quite well, I might add.
But as it will always be, when faced with either singing or being sung at, I'll take the chance to sing EVERY TIME!
So off I go to the 40/42 area of "Garner" near the Cleveland School area to find this place "behind the Food Lion." I made one sweep through quite literally, behind it and swung around, fired up the cell phone and called Tim and Lisa back. Again, he said,"Behind the Food Lion." As I was about to ask which way to turn on this little road that runs behind there, Tim said he'd be in the parking lot waving his hands. I looked straight forward and there he was.
The place is called "The Clubhouse" and karaoke was set up at the front door. There was a short list and I put in a song, starting with Elvis' "Kentucky Rain," then the Doors' "Roadhouse Blues" a duet with Lisa from Kenny Rogers and Dottie West called "Every Time Two Fools Collide" then, back to Elvis with "In the Ghetto" and I closed out the show with "Break on Through to the Other Side" by the Doors.
It was good to hang out with Tim and Lisa and turned out that national whoops day, which WOULD have been my thirty third anniversary, was Tim and Lisa's fifth anniversary.
Today, which would have been my Mom's eighty-nineth birthday, their little Grandson will be Christened.
So now, I've found a Saturday night karaoke venue! Yay!
On the way home, I ducked into Locked & Loaded and the band was still rockin' their final song.

Assasination Attempt

If you have a tolerance for it, listen to dinosaur media and hear the leftists attempting an assassination. The assassination of the Character of Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin. It is, as is so much of the left, despicable! That is bad enough, but what's even worse, is the scrutiny a private citizen endured for asking "messiah" Obama a simple question that they didn't have the intestinal fortitude to ask themselves.
Now we know more about "Joe the Plumber" than we do (except for the few of us who dug for the TRUTH) about Obama.
They attempt to assassinate Palin's character because they are "sore afraid." And they need to be.
Because once the public takes that inevitable look at the man behind the curtain, they'll find that Oz is just a wimpy little pitiful man.
And a straight thinking, common sense hero will arrive on the scene to clean up the Obamanable MESS!

I Wanted to Hug Her

I purposely didn't stay home and watch the returns on election night and in a sense, didn't fully witness the travesty that took place. Yes, enough people were hoodwinked that bought into the empty rhetoric of Obama. Now, those who hated George W Bush from the beginning and fought him tooth and nail for the last eight years are saying that now is a time for unity and that Obama will be OUR President. You cannot have it both ways. One yo yo asserted that we are governed best, when we have different political parties in different branches of government, and in true, Wrong Wing hypocrisy, still voted for Obama, helping to put one party in charge of all branches. Typical speak one way, act in another.
Obama spoke of bipartisanship, just as he promised to take public funds. He, like those who fell for his horse dung, is a specialist of saying one thing and doing another. Promises, pledges are but a joke to these Marxists who will do anything and say anything to further their hollow agenda.
Friday night, shortly after Obama was declared the winner, someone requested "In the Ghetto." I sang the song, but made real sure that people knew it was NOT dedicated to the so called "President Elect."
Okay, you guys, you refused to accept W's legitimacy. Don't be surprised when we, the non-Marxists refuse to accept the legitimacy of Obama. He is quite simply a Charlatan as Lawrence Eagleton said, and a fraud!
One Dem recently spoke of things that only someone who was actually in the Oval Office would know for sure about as though they were a fact at how, it was not Bush, but Chaney who called the shots. I bit my tongue to refrain from saying, "Oh, and I suppose you were there?"
Until we can secure polling places from the terrorism of Black Panther thugs and the counting of votes from illegal aliens and other non-citizens, all claims of legitimacy in elections remains doubtful at best.
If ignorance was bliss, there'd be a large percentage of blistered people.
I've never seen Fox News on a screen at karaoke, but THAT night, two showed the play by play, drowned out by the singers and the host's attempts at humor.
When I looked over and saw Governor Sarah Palin fighting back tears, I never wanted to hug someone so much in my life!
The USA survived James Earl Carter, who has proved himself to be the anti-Semite he is with the coming of Ronald Reagan.
We didn't have a Reagan after Carter II, otherwise known as Slick Willie, Bill Clinton,(the only reason why things were as good as they WERE during the Clinton years was Clinton's co-oping of Republican principals) but many of Mr Reagan's policies gave us six years of improvement.
Then, along came Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid and in less than two years, the economy went in the toilet!
John McCain warned them, but dispite their approval rating below that of the much publicized George Bush, the hard-headedly, caused the problems that we're now faced with.
Sarah Palin was described by one of my friends as "Ronald Reagan in a Skirt." It's going to take that IF we don't become a larger, less friendly version of Castro's Cuba!
In a sense, the United States of America perished in a bloodless coup this past Tuesday.
If there weren't so many Christians honoring God with their lips but not with their lives, perhaps God's wrath wouldn't have fallen on our Nation. For years, it's been the prayers of little grannies in non-urban areas who have preserved what freedom we've had. Let us, then, join them and beginning in 2010, turn back the tide of Marxism that Tuesday night's fiasco represents!

United States of America: 1776-2008

REST IN PEACE!

I TOLD YOU SO!

Punk Black Panthers are trying to intimidate voters at polling places across the country! We cannot tolerate this! One voter threatened with a night stick by a Panther as he attempted to vote. This voter called the police and the Obama Nazi was removed. This is just the beginning. Buy ammo while you still can. This may get ugly! We're dealing with low-life Marxists!

Doling it Out

There's a big stink going on in North Carolina politics because of an Elizabeth Dole ad that points out that her opponent, Kay Hagan, attended a SECRET meeting to receive a contribution from a group that refers to itself as "Godless." It wouldn't be the first time a politician received money from a Godless person or entity. It probably wasn't the wisest tactic for Dole, because now the focus is not on what Hagan promised the people who would remove God from public discourse, from our currency and from the Pledge of Allegiance, but with the aid of a biased, and largely Godless media, Hagan claims to be insulted.
Apparently, Hagan is a Presbyterian and says she has taught Sunday School and admonished Dole not to "bear false witness on a fellow Christian." But more importantly, she is suing Dole over this matter. So Hagan, missed the part in the Bible where a believer is not supposed to take another believer to court. Selective Scripture. The cafeteria approach to doctrine.
The Dems have perfected the art of calling others, "mean spirited," etc, but it is they who after having supported "Ted Agnew" when he ran for office in Maryland and then referred to him with their left-leaning media as "Spiro T," a subtle way of pointing out Agnew's Greek heritage and very racist. True to form, knowing that Senator Dole goes by Elizabeth and does not like to be called "Libby" the Democrat commercials use the despised knick name. It's all very childish.