Exceptionalism

I am a firm believer in American Exceptionalism. I believe that good men (as good as humans CAN be) founded this nation according to standards laid down in God's Word, the Bible. In other words, the United States is an EXCEPTION to other countries and cultures as God has uniquely guided and had His Holy Hand on us. We, as a nation used to welcome Him, but years ago, at the protesting of one, single Atheist woman, we DIS-invited him first in our schools, and now there are those who wish to remove His Majesty from every public expression. Strange, for a nation who's motto was "No King but CHRIST the King" just after the Revolutionary War.

We have more than one generation that has been indoctrinated into another school of thought. One that the only Europeans who are worthy are the one's there currently, but the one's who founded this country were somehow evil, greedy people. We are facing a greater tyranny today than the original Tea Party participants (all those years ago in Boston) faced and yet we do not hear the cries of outrage. Make reference to any of them of the Mayflower Compact and they will look at you like a mule looking at a new gate!

That is a whole different subject than the one I am writing about here. The exceptionalism of which I speak is the idea that rules exist for everyone ELSE. There is a type of person who reads, "Fire Lane" and interprets it "Special parking for me and mine!"

An African American friend of mine once said that there is a school of thought quite prevalent in his world that laws are "white man's laws" and only apply to them. This would explain some bizarre behavior I've witnessed. Before you start thinking this is a criticism of a particular race, let me hasten to say that many "crackers" act in this same way about different things. The computer in front of which I sit says "QUIET ZONE...*NO* CELL PHONES" and yet I continually hear them go off and people loudly say, "HELLO" with impunity. My eyes wander to the librarians who ignore this behavior. I can just hear them saying "We're not babysitters!" No doubt, but you certainly have some babies here. One of my teachers used to say "lack of maturation."

Many speak of culture and simply have none. People in the words of Robert W Dunburg, my 6th grade teacher , 7th grade Art and Senior year Art teacher, they are "rude, crude and unattractive!" Why people are so in love with remaining on this planet is a mystery to me. I'm ready for Calgon (read that JESUS) to take me away!

Can it be said enough? Yesterday I saw a group of Sheriff's Deputies having lunch and walked over and said, "Not to interrupt your lunch, gentlemen, but I just wanted to thank you for all that you do." To my surprise, one of the Deputies was a friend of mine I didn't recognize initially.

I don't think we can thank these brave, selfless individuals enough for their service, whether they be in law enforcement, of the military, they deserve our gratitude.

Yes, there are many who have made politics and government a "career" choice and that is not what was originally intended by our Founding Fathers. But today, there still exists, just as it did when my Dad was working a civilian job for the Federal Government a few true civil SERVANTS.

This is a salute to them!

Things Heaven Will Have to be Better Than

Heaven will have to be better than that feeling I'd have when I'd come home from delivering potato chips and my son would run up and say "Daddy's home on his big ole truck!" I tell you, that kid made me feel like a KING!

Heaven will have to be better than that.

It will have to be better than that feeling when you're cuddling on the couch with the love of your life watching some sentimental movie or a music video and don't have to say a word.

It will have to be better than that feeling when my big sister was nursing my neck, when I hanged myself on the ropes riding my bicycle up to where they were trying to keep people away from the bowling alley that had collapsed under the weight of the snow. I knew my big sister loved me.

It will have to be better than the feeling of acceptance I had when my cousin defended me to his friends who called me names.

It will have to be better than that feeling when my dad skipped the first part of church with me to walk across the street and share a Dr Pepper. "You want the first half, or the second?" I took the first. He kept saying, "Drink a little more. That's not quite half." It had shivers of ice in it. The Geeze and I shared so very much.

It will have to be better than the feeling when it seemed the world wanted me hung out to dry for some infraction of their stupid way of doing things and Mom let me know I messed up without condemning me because she didn't want to give those who would the satisfaction. A Mom's love.

Heaven, I know, is better than all of this. So worth being determined to get there!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

No, 'Bama...Wrong AGAIN!

The President says in his Thanksgiving Proclamation that "... we reflect on the compassion and contributions of Native Americans, whose skill in agriculture helped the early colonists survive, and whose rich culture continues to add to our Nation's heritage."

No Sir! We pause, as they did those centuries ago to thank ALMIGHTY GOD for His provision! You can attempt to re-write history just as you attempt to shred the US Constitution that is based on His Holy Word and is in that regard, divinely inspired, but it will not work on this unindoctrinated beneficiary of the free enterprise system you, as a Marxist Socialist so disdain.

No, Barack, we are not the Evil Empire. That was Russia and is alive but propped up by Capitalism in RED China. Cuba and a host of other nations doing the Socialist/Communist experiment are failing miserably as will the US if your misguided agenda continues.

If you don't have hatred for the United States and all that it stands for, you surely could have fooled me, MISTER Obama!

HIS Love

Today I receive an email from my Sunday School teacher since 1978...Ronald Clark Butler in response to a poem I recalled having written and sent to him...AGAIN. This prompted Ronald to commission a poem on the series we're doing on God's Love. I agreed, IF the creative juices would flow. Here is the result:


His love was at Creation
He knew that we would fall
His love caused Him to send His Son
Salvation, free to ALL

His love was there when Abraham
Took Isaac up that hill
And drew his sword to sacrifice
But this was not God's will

His love in fiery furnace
With Hebrew children, three
The fourth one that they saw inside
Showed up to set them free

His love was there when Jesus wept
At Lazarus' tomb that day
COMMANDS his friend to come forth
He suffered not decay

His love is there each time I fail
I stumble, and I fall
Extends his Holy, nail-scarred hand
To catch us one and all

His love's Name is Jesus
Who came not to condemn
But make atonement for the one's
Who's hearts invite Him in

His love is why He patiently
SEEMS not to return with haste
But His return is right on time
Not one soul His will to waste

To Sir, with Love

Dear Paul,

Your idiot, Marxist band mate, John, who embarrassed you often, hanging out with small "C" communistic radicals, some of which are an "inspiration" to Obama, came to live in this country and benefit from the low taxes of the free enterprise system. Your OTHER band mate, George, came the closest to describing what this nation is subjected to by the likes of Barack Obama, when he wrote the song, "Taxman" and said, "There's one for you, nineteen for me."
You would be struggling, even with your earnings in Great Britain were it not for the fact that as one who has been "Knighted" you do not have to pay the taxes of a fellow commoner. So don't come over here telling us to "lay off" of Obama. It's unbecoming!
By the way, you are correct in one regard, IF the goal is the dismantling of our fair Republic, Obama IS doing a good job.

On This Memorial Day Weekend

Ever notice the number of people who come to this country from nations with European-style Socialism? Why do you suppose they come, it it's so wonderful under that system? It amazes me and is the height of hypocrisy for one such as John Lennon, leaving Great Britain where as his fellow Beatle George Harrison said, *"there's one for you, nineteen for me." Lennon could keep more of what he earned in the United States than he could in England. The hypocrisy is that once he got here and enjoyed our Nation's benefits, he spouted Marxist Socialism as though it "made sense." Lennon and his wife Yoko Ono, were the poster children for PSEUDO-intellectuals.
There is, despite it's failure across the board, a push by the likes of the current President, Speaker of the House and Senate to bring this failed system to in effect, overthrow the Government.
What the Evil Empire, spoken of by Ronald Reagan could not do, the enemy from within is winning a battle with. But a battle does not make the entire war.
I cannot fathom the absolute hypocrisy of one who can stand and keep a straight face, and take an oath to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States and then work to disregard and dismantle it in every way possible. Impeachment is not adequate enough to correct this wrong.
Where is the cavalry to come rescue our Republic? WE are that cavalry. "The only thing necessary for evil to flourish is for good men (and women) to do nothing." (Edmond Burke)

*"Taxman"

Insanityby Definition

It is said that the definition of insanity is repeating an action and expecting a different result. We've certainly seen that with the Obama regime trying socialist and even Marxist tactics and being in denial that they are destroying the company. After all, socialism has not worked...ANYWHERE. Even the Chinese Communists are using some capitalist concepts in order to survive. But this post is not about politicians...they'll NEVER learn. Rather it's about people.
Eastern ways of thinking call it ying/yang. It is salt to pepper...mustard to mayonnaise...or cream to coffee. Intelligent people learn and use this concept. I miserably fail to do so.
Paul McCartney is a good example of using this wisely. When he was writing the song "Getting Better," showing the other lads (the Beatles) his demo, John Lennon, who co-wrote with Paul, began to sing sarcastically "It can't get no worse."
The result was a very positive song on the surface, but a deeper inspection reveals the balance.
Often times we're tempted to "try again" in a relationship that has ended, forgetting the hurtful and negative things that caused us to end that relationship.
One of the things I'm trying to learn, is to make use of this resource in my life.

Kiddie Karaoke & the Family Friendly Dream

Thank GOD, I'm not hosting so called "kiddie" karaoke. It's difficult to endure. This week, a friend who works at a box store commented about the store where she works not being a forest and calling for parents to not let their children act like monkeys. I'm afraid I have some of that spirit in me. Parents develop an ability to tune out bratty behavior. I was guilty to some extent myself, when my son was that age, thinking, after all, they've been made to stay quiet all day at school. Why not let them blow off some steam? We blew ours off outside until the street light came on. Kids today are not familiar with the out of doors.
My mother would see some of this ape-like behavior, especially children being rude and cutting in front of the paths of adults and whisper to me, "I should have tripped him up!" I love you, Mom. No, I think they may well break their necks on their own!
Then there's the little girl or boy singing a karaoke song three notes off all the way through the song. Nope, I have just enough Simon Cowl in me that I couldn't lie to her and say, "Give her some LOVE!" and then tell her she needs to go to Nashville right away. Well, Nashville, MAYbe, judging by what passes for Country these days. But that's another story for another time.

Ch CH CH Changes

A name is important to a person, but is insignificant to me, with regard to a business. So, even though the recent change of Garner Ale House to CHARACTERS QUARTERS is not one I'd go with and to me, not marketable, they've really invested in it, with bottle covers, tee shirts and hats with the new logo on it.
Acquiring Tony Stone for their Tuesday and Friday night karaoke host was a plus. At first, the atmosphere there was pretty cold, the wait staff appearing to wish that customers would go home, rather than see the increase in tips they represent.
I haven't had any food there that wasn't really good and now the staff seems to "get it" with regard to at least LOOKING and ACTING like a patron is welcome. That goes a long way to building a loyal clientele, ie, regulars.
I am coming closer and closer to falling into that category.
Another place I will always love, is struggling with some issues. All I can do is give my input and hope they make good decisions. Some recent trial nights have been less than desirable. I speak of Locked & Loaded that is what it is, not because of one person or group of people. L&L has a rich tradition to build upon and to carry on. Sunday afternoons are always pleasant experience at L&L. I miss the days when I could go there for lunch, because they have great daily specials. I have recommended some great karaoke hosts to them, one of which, bailed out for some unknown reason.
Honestly, karaoke has suffered at both places, despite bravado by both, as far as attendance goes. It is what it is...a work in progress. Glad it is not my decision alone as to what to eventually do!

Be Careful What You Say...THINK Before You Speak

There are certain people who will say something about someone, just to illicit a response from you so they can to to that person, twist your words and cause problems. To me, these are the lower than low human beings. Like satan himself, they will pretend to be your friend and stab you in the back.

Like Mom, Like Elvis?

One thing we are blessed to know is that we will never know an Elvis any older than 42 years of age! But today, had he lived, he would have been 75. Difficult to imagine.
One characteristic I've inherited from my mother is a lack of patience with egotistical people. I've seen it when I was in rock bands and see it in them today, and I definitely see it in a lot of wannabes I run across in karaoke circles. One HAS to have a degree of confidence in order to get up and sing in the first place, but an over-sized ego is one of the most unattractive traits in a human being.
Such was Jimmy Dean, the singer of the one-hit wonder song, "Big John."(Okay, "PT 109" got some air play, but how many people remember it?) He was about as good a singer as he was an actor and you can witness that on the old "Davey Crocket" Disney-produced tv series. Quite wisely, he got into the sausage business. The sausage ain't half bad!
To his credit, before there was the Muppets, Dean brought a young Jim Hinson to the network and used his "Hound Dog Buddy Rolf" on his tv show.
Mom never had much use for Jimmy Dean and once when I was in a Northern Virginia restaurant where Dean was "politiking" walking to each table shaking hands with people saying, "Hi, I'm Jimmy Dean!"
When he got to my Mom, she said, "Congratulations!" quite sarcastically. That was NOT Mom's normal way of treating people, but it was quite appropriate.
So, you ask, "How does this tie in with ELVIS?" Glad you asked. At about that same time, around 1956, Elvis appeared on WMAL-TV, channel 7 in DC on Dean's variety show and visited at his house on Roosevelt Street in Arlington, Virginia. So Elvis and Dean became acquaintances.
In George Klein's new book, he relays a story he told on cable tv yesterday about an occasion where Dean was hitting on a starlet Elvis was dating and Elvis pulled a gun and put it to Dean's head and said, "If you don't stop bothering her, I'll blow your head off."
Dean, tried to make a joke of it, but Elvis did not say it with a smile on his face. Jimmy Dean backed down and stopped pestering the young starlet, according to Klein, Elvis' lifelong friend since the days at Humes High School.
I've had occasions like that lately, but don't think to carry a pistol with me, but I can relate to the emotion of obnoxious people, believe me!