Commentator vs Newsperson

There is some confusion about the difference between a news person and a commentator, to the point that a ridiculous question is asked in a poll about Sean Hannity. Hannity is a COMMENTATOR and as such gives his opinion. That's his job. He will re-enforce political things with which he agrees and attempt to disprove those with which he does not. I've said many times that journalism is a lost art and rare these days.

The so called "main stream" media that I refer to as DINOSAUR is so slanted to the left, that a truly balanced approach would appear to be right wing, simply because from the left the center is to the right.

I have seen times when Sean Hannity has gotten obnoxious on his shows both on radio and televison, but I have to hand it to him, he DOES bring in people with differing opinions. Were it not for talk radio and Fox News Channel Americans would be under the impression that most everyone disagreed with them, because this view of things is the majority. The left is afraid of that. A left-slanted talk show can only exist in the land of taxpayer-funded broadcasting because it's been eliminated for the most part in the free market of ideas.

I've yet to totally make up my mind about NPR, which is under new scrutiny. I will admit, that I pretty much wrote it off as yet another leftist media outlet, so when the Congress began to examine whether to continue to fund it, I began to listen more often. I do not rely on any one single source for information, but I can identify a lie when I hear it, because they are usually repeated ad nauseum.

Even this latest poll, which I took but twice now have received one of those famous 404 messages when trying to send it, is asked in such a way as to slant the outcome dishonestly.

For now, I will continue monitoring NPR (National Public Radio) and let you know my opinion.

Nearly Missed

Okay, so my distance vision has deteriorated to the point that last night, I was headed out of L&L lr Trivia and I swore I saw a friend of mine at the end of the bar and didn't have a chance to go over and bug her, so when I was leaving there she was (I THOUGHT) on this bench outside and I walked over and just as I went to tweek her cute little nose, WHOOPS! It wasn't her!. It was this other incredibly delicious looking woman and her boyfriend was very understanding--thus, I'm still alive to tell this tale. Just as I connected I said, "Oh, my GOSH it's not you! I thought you were (mind blank)" couldn't even think of her name. Trying to save the situation I looked at her and said, "You think he bought it?" She said, "Yeah" I wen "Shew! GOT to be moe careful!" and made it safely to my car, looking back occasionally for fear of getting a can of whomp- "butt" opened on me.

Southern Accent: A Thing of the Past?

I don't mind Southern accents unless they're too extreme and just sound like the person's purposely trying to sound ignorant. They swear they can't help it, but when their mouths have to contort to say certain words, it would be much more simple just to talk and forget about the "hey, Andy!"

Mom "hailed" from Goldsboro and was given grief for in her words, "putting her best foot forward." I know another lady in my church who's like that and that's what I call true Southern Belles. Ladylike with no trace of "fiddle dee dee!"

On the other end of the spectrum is the "ebonic" accent, yom sane? Why do people want to sound ignorant? Beats me. All you have to do is listen to the content of my speech some times to give away my flaws. I surely don't need to add a weird accent to it.

Of course, as a kid, spending my summers and every other weekend in Wilson (NC) I would pick up the accent and kids back in Falls Church would say, "Why are you talking funny?" I guess it comes with being a mimmick. You start off doing a character voice and wind up just speaking that way.

In radio, when I started, it was a "non-regional" sound they were looking for. Johnny Dunn, a deejay on then, WRNC in Raleigh told me I didn't have a regional accent and that would be in my favor. To me, deep southern accents only work on like a bluegrass show or something. But a local talk show co-host woman has a pretty thick accent and when she laughs, my Lord, she sounds like the Wicked Witch of the West!

Then you get these guys like her partner who has no bottom to his voice so he grunts to try to make up for it. Sound's ridiculous.

I hope the charming, southern accent never dies, and the Gomer Pyle thing goes the way of television re-run syndication. Shizzayam!

Must Have Been...

When Josh Turner accompanied (Turner fans will get the pun) Scotty McCreery to Garner for the concert Saturday, it must have been quite a dream come true for the lad. I could just imagine, (and still do) if I'd made it as a recording artist and had had Elvis come. I really share his enthusiasm. Just hope the machine doesn't make him do too much of what he doesn't want to do.

In a sense, becoming an on air disc jockey playing someone else's songs was a sell out for me. But, then again, so was playing top 40 songs in a couple of the bands I fronted. It's difficult to find anyone who completely does not sell out. But if Scotty can sing a good number of things that are true to himself, he'll be fine. That's MY definition of success. You can sell all the records in the world, and fill the largest venues and still be empty, if you feel like you're selling out. Karen Carpenter wanted to be a rocker, but I can't imagine that. But what she did was nothing to be ashamed of.

I don't figure I need to be voting on American Idol even though there's a place inside me that hopes this kid does well. You wouldn't believe the number of people from Garner who've told me their version of "I knew him when." Well, we ain't past when just yet, but it sure looks like we're going to be.

Everyone knows I'm just not an American Idol fan, even though against all odds I have to admit they've produced some real talent. They've also produced something far less.

Good luck, kid

(picture Scotty at Garner Saturday courtesy A Scott Honeycutt)

Tipping...Yesterday and Today

The practice known as "tipping" came from "to insure PROMPTNESS." But the law allows owners of restaurants, bars and the like to pay something less than minimum wage and servers, waitstaff, bartenders, etc., are then expected to be paid tips ACCORDING TO HOW THEIR SERVICE is. Minimum service-minimum tip. Excellent service-excellent tip is the way it is supposed to go.

But over the years, it's become customary for patrons to be expected to pay fifteen percent regardless. Some people, we'll just call them SKUMBAGS don't tip at all. Some folks OVER tip for a variety of reasons. (everything from trying to impress the waitress to older guys with the dream of a one night stand)

One trend I found really interesting, was the practice of leaving a penny face up when one gets terrible service. The message to the wait person is "FACE UP" to what you did. You stunk.

I used to be told by wait staff at a certain Holiday Inn in Fairfax when a non-tipper was around. Sometimes I would "accidentally" spill a drink on them. I'm not proud of that.

Happy 63rd, Israel!

Actually, Israel has been for millinia. It was occupied by surrounding Arabs for two thousand years, but was freed once again in 1948. This should be on trivia. The word Palestine comes from the ancient Phillistines of which, there are no decendants as they were wiped off the face of the earth. The Brits labeled those Arabs who occupied Israel "Palestinians" and the land, "Palestine." But that's just a political term, and not based in any kind of historicity.

Israel is Israel and always will be.

Some weeks back I shared my experience with Freeda Roos Van Hessen, the holocaust survivor and Dutch Jewish lady.

A friend of mine was sharing some stuff about another survivor who's son is in a famous rock band, who himself came to this country from Israel...one Gene Simmons. I forget his actual name.

Shalom

Believer vs. KNOWer

I had the privilege of hanging out with Barry McGuire who recorded "Eve of Destruction" some time ago. He was doing Christian music at the time and was telling about people who come up and say, "Oh...you're one of those BELIEVERS, aren't you?"

Barry said he replied, "No! See a believer just believes something. Like if there was a marshmallow toasting championship and all these guys are sitting around competing and a guy's marshmallow falls into the fire and he thinks, I can reach in really quick and get it out and save it. But the champ over there knows better and tells him not to try it. Well, having the learn the hard way, the challenger reaches in and burns himself."

Barry said, "At that instant, the challenger stopped being a believer and became a knower."

I've tried a lot of things in my short life, and have run into a lot of dead ends. You can't always convince people that what they're doing in the long run is fruitless, and of no value, except lessons learned the HARD way.

God's Word (the Bible) puts it THIS way: * "There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death."

All you can do at that point is pray that they'll see what's happening and turn around

(*New King James version)

Mom's Day

This is from last year, but it still fits:

Miss You Much, Mom

She was the mother I didn't deserve, but the one God in his infinite wisdom and mercy gave me. She represented Him well from the day I was born, to the day He called her Home. Hope to see you soon, Mom!









Her birth certificate read:"Baby Girl Howard" and they called her Annie Bayull (Annie Belle) When she got her SS Card she corrected all that as she could choose what she pleased. It read "Annabelle" and she was one in multiple trillions! Thanks, Mom!

Definition

Liberal: (progressive) a person who at some point has at least emotionally signed a declaration of dependence on government.

Through a slow, steady process of indoctrination, the American spirit of "I can" is replaced by a victim's mentality of a difficult childhood, based on anything from race, to bad parents. The indoctrinators sense the weakness and apply "the you poor thing" principle. " Government is your friend and will take care of you," they are told. This is all to cultivate a generation as dependent on government programs, as an addict is on heroin. Manufactured dependency to produce voting blocks of "world citizens" who believe NOT in American exceptionalism, but a global utopia. Patriots are noted NOT for their greatness, while their human imperfections exagerated are emphasized.

This is how we got to where we are in the United States today. Government has taken over tasks that are done inefficiently by a bureaucracy, that private enterprise and faith communities would handle more efficiently. This is done not out of compassion, but rather to enslave. The nanny state operates only to cement the elitists who designed it into permanent power

National Day of Prayer

Psalm 91:2 says "I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in Whom I trust"

I have learned to really believe in prayer. I've seen my mother's life extended by forty-one years by the strength of God's people praying for her. I have witnessed in in my life. There's nothing special about my prayers in particular. When I worked in "Christian" radio, people would call in like I had some sort of hotline to God. Fact is, we ALL do, if we'll just call on Him. He's standing by to work in our behalf. He's a loving God and He's not mad at you and not mad at me. (Although I know I do things to irritate Him)

My sister's pastor came up with a concept I really believe in called "Stop-Drop-and Pray!" Often we forget to pray for someone when asked until they come back and thank us and we realize...ooops.

I have people across the country who love to pray as well and I get them to pray for people who ask me to pray for them. We've seen God do some pretty cool things. So keep that in mine, Okay?

Being Real (Transparent, Maybe)

In many ways, a new concept to me, although I've been told that I am way too open and honest. What you see is what you get, but first impressions can come back to bite you. Many say I look like a biker, but in fact, never been on anything other than a Honda 50 I rented one summer at Morehead City. I DID get a ride from a cop as a pre-schooler.

Late last night when I should have more wisdom as to writing things as posts that come to mind I made reference to a desire for the US Military to splatter muslims with pig guts or something to that effect. Which was followed immediately by an apology to my Lord for not having His patience.

Every moment on this earth is a manifestation of God's amazing grace. You may wonder why it took so long for Bin Ladin to be found. You may even take that as an opportunity to bash George Bush or even Obama, but Scripture says it is APPOINTED unto a man to die and after that, the judgement. Only ONE makes that appointment and He is full of grace and truth. He, the Lord loves Osama and wants what is best for him. THAT and that alone, is why it "took so long."

Whether Bin Ladin accepted the Truth is between him and the Lord God Almighty.

Culture of Conspiracy?

*When the press failed to expose John F Kennedy's dirty tricks toward Nixon it was nothing new. Nixon was even labeled by the press as being paranoid. More on that later.

The media never told the public that Franklin D Roosevelt was wheel chair bound. That's just the way things were back then. Kennedy's numerous affairs went unreported. Far be it for anyone to tarnish Camelot.

Remember Dan Rather's lies about George W Bush's military record? That was okay, but anyone wishing to know details that every other President has disclosed about Obama is labeled either "racist" or some other label. Why is it okay for Obama not to reveal his health records, grades and the circumstances under which he supposedly attended Oxidental College? What did he major in? What was his grade point average? What does this guy have to hide? Maybe, just maybe he can get more mileage hiding things than by putting it out there. But is that fair? Shouldn't every Presidential candidate regardless of party be vetted? Isn't that the job of a so called "free press?"

Now, they're quite selective of who they vet and who they do not. This has given birth to sometimes healthy and sometimes not so healthy skepticism, whether it's the magic bullet that the Warren Commission swears killed Kennedy or the unexplained suicide of a Clinton aide, those who wish to look into things are labeled "conspiracy nuts."

Obama made the most of this, withholding his birth certificate with impunity until a sideshow clown named Trump demanded its release.

This week people who swear that "Dubyuh" was behind the fall of the Twin Towers ("It was a demolition! A demolition, I tell ya! Buildings don't do that!")and the Pentegon (despite tapes of a conversation of a woman on that plane to her husband) were rejoicing at the death of Osama Bin Ladin. What were they so happy about? Wasn't he innocent? A "good" Muslim?

I guess we all choose now days what we believe and what we think is horse radish. I know I'm as guilty as anyone.

I've seen a lot of anger from folks making it a point to show that it was US SOLDIERS who killed Bin Ladin and not Obama.

Listen, even a broken watch gets it right twice a day.

Politics is and always has been somewhat of a shell game

*It is well documented that (John F Kennedy's trick while running for President against "Tricky Dick" was getting a hold of Richard Nixon's letter head and sending racist letters to black communities and letters expressing that blacks would get their just dues sent in areas where white folks weren't so fond of blacks. Not the first dirty trick) If I had been Nixon after that, I'd have been looking for more dirty tricks just as he did.

Johnson was elected largely by people who were deceased. FDR had his skeletons, too. Like the book says, it didn't start with Watergate (by Victor Lansky)