ROUGE REVIVAL

Stupak Blagoes His Vote

noreply@blogger.com (Jimmy Lewis) — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 12:54:00 +0000

Stunned!

In the words of former baseball broadcasting legend Jack Buck: "I don't believe what I just saw!"

After watching the fiasco that took place, yesterday in the sacred house chambers, I am proposing today that we, as a nation, change the term "Representatives" to "Individualists."

As the feds prepare their case to throw former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich in jail, on charges that he schemed to sell or trade the Senate seat once held by President Obama, as well as, used his power to illegally pressure political campaign donors ... many Democrats from Bart Stupak all the way up to (and including) Obama have in essence committed the same crime.

The list of those confirmed to have made some sort of "deal" to sell their yes vote to Obamacare continues to grow. Here is just a sampling:

Ben Nelson, NE

Mary Landrieu, LA

Bart Stupak, MI

Gary Peters, MI

Allen Boyd, FL

Suzanne Kosmas, FL

John Boccieri, OH

Peter DeFazio, OR

Here in Michigan, I have made it my mission throughout the remainder of 2010, to donate much time and money toward securing the defeat of Bart Stupak. I urge others, both here and across this country, to do the same.

To those interested, Dan Benishek will be running against Stupak this November. You can contact his campaign directly at:

Benishek for Congress

802 Pentoga Trail

Crystal Falls, MI 49920

Email: BenishekforCongress@gmail.com
Phone: 906 265-0272

SARAH PALIN - THEY JUST DON'T GET IT

noreply@blogger.com (Jimmy Lewis) — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 13:44:00 +0000

They have not only attacked her personally; they have attacked her husband, her children, her values, and her beliefs with far more slings and arrows than any political figure has ever had to endure. Yet through it all, she remains above the fray in representing the heart and soul of the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave.

"They" include the mainstream media, the left (I know that's being redundant), and even some within her own party. "They" sense a unifying force; "They" see a renewed hope; "They" hear inspiration; and so "They" feel threatened!

"They" include:

Andrew Halcro - who lost the 2006 gubernatorial race to her: "If she is thinking that leaving her term 16 months early is going to help her prepare to maybe go on to bigger and better things on the political stage, I think she's sadly mistaken. You just can't quit."

Larry Sabato - Director of the University of Virginia Center for Politics: "I think it eliminates her from serious consideration for the presidency in 2012."

John Weaver - former senior strategist for John McCain's presidential bid: "If this is her launching pad for 2012, it's a curious move. She has no real accomplishments as governor."

Phillip Elliot - Associated Press: "Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's abrupt and unscripted holiday resignation is an odd way to launch a potential presidential bid and certainly no help for a party battered by scandal and fighting for relevancy."

The New York Times - A liberal rag: "We can't get over how she convinces a general election audience how quitting on her constituents is a good thing."

The Daily Kos - A Radical Web Site & unOrganization: "You have proven yourself an able contortionist, twisting circumstances to your convenience and naively believing that your self-serving yelps of success will drown out the shocking volume of your ineptitude."

The Huffington Post - An Internet Newspaper: "Palin's vision of politics is so profoundly radical that even performing the duties of office becomes unimportant."

Bill Maher – HBO Political Host and former comedian: “She’s nothing more than a Retarded Flight Attendant.”

ABC News - Obama's State Run Television News Bureau: "If she thinks she’s had it so tough … two words … ‘Hillary Clinton’. Mrs. Clinton has been savaged with nasty criticism.”

To all of those listed above, as well as to the far too many more of you to list, I offer this shiny most recently released State Quarter and advise you to:

"BUY A CLUE!"

Where was all the scrutiny, not to mention the on-going vicious personal attacks, on Hillary Clinton? And we're not talking about her (in the words of country singer Patty Lovelace): lying, cheating, cold dead beating, two timing double dealing, mean, mistreating husband.

Mrs. Clinton, with no experience as a politician other than being married to one, ran a popularity contest for Senator of the very "blue" State of New York ... and wins. In her eight years as Senator the majority of her time was spent laying the blueprint and planning her run at the Presidency of the United States. Her entire second term was spent, largely, on the road in setting up her campaign strategies, personnel, offices, support, etc.

For her entire last two years as Senator, Mrs. Clinton devoted 99% of her time to becoming President, with no serious dedication to the tax payers of New York who paid her salary.

Sarah Palin was no longer going to allow the false accusations and attacks, as well as her future political aspirations and travel, hurt the state and people she loved. Sarah Palin truly cares about the State of Alaska, its citizens, and its future. As much as she cares about the United States of America.

With Hillary Clinton it was all about her, the Democrat Party, and most importantly power. With Sarah Palin it is absolutely about practicing what she preached (as she did throughout her brief run for the Vice Presidency): "Country First."

As radio talkshow host Rush Limbaugh commented over the weekend: "When you have so many establishment types; inside the Beltway elites and media, be it Republican, Democrat ... it doesn’t matter, just so eager to destroy this woman ... it means they’re still scared to death of her."

And rightly so.

DISTINCTION, VALOR & CHARACTER

noreply@blogger.com (Jimmy Lewis) — Tue, 12 May 2009 22:51:00 +0000

A recent news article I read told the story of how in March 2006, a group of soldiers (from the 101st Airborne Division) with their faces concealed and wearing black long underwear, descended upon a farmhouse some 20 miles south of Baghdad. Once inside they gang-raped a teenage girl, shot her in the head, then killed her younger sister and their parents as well. The soldiers then tried to burn the bodies by setting fire to the house. One of the soldiers was recently convicted of the crime and could face the death penalty for his actions.

Unfortunately, many reading this same news account will wrongly assume that this is a common occurrence during warfare. Nothing could be further from the truth!

As a United States Army Chaplain, I served in Iraq from 2006 through 2007 during the time of extreme IED (Improvised Explosive Device) activity throughout the Al Anbar region. Enemy activity was at its zenith. There were over 160 attacks, per month, on U.S. soldiers.

One night, I was approached by my executive officer and was asked if I would fIy, by helicopter, to one of the Army outposts near the Syrian border to minster to a unit which had just lost two of their men in a firefight with the enemy.

Early the next morning I boarded a Navy Sea Stallion chopper and arrived at the outpost. I was greeted by the commanding officer and was given the details of the horrific battle that occurred the day before.

I was asked to minister to four men who survived the encounter. These men were no strangers to warfare. They had been in Iraq before and the sights, smells, and sounds of battle were commonplace.

All of the men were deeply grieving the loss of their friends and questioning why they had survived while their friends had died. In particular, the platoon sergeant of this unit, was having a most difficult time processing the death of these two soldiers. I came to discover that one of the slain soldiers was a very close personal friend of this platoon sergeant.

I also learned that, once the firefight had ended, he was part of the team that had captured the aforementioned insurgents who had inflicted the mortal wounds upon their friends.

The platoon sergeant told me: “Chaplain, I had those two guys on the ground and my weapon was pointed at the back of their heads. For just a moment, I saw the face of my friend and the faces of the wife and children he left behind. Part of me wanted to pull the trigger and end the miserable existence of these two bastards and yet another part of me knew that such actions were wrong.”

After listening to him relate the awful events of that day, I told him that he had done the right thing and that his honor was still intact. This soldier could hold his head high knowing that he had acted morally.

This is not an isolated incident. Our combat forces face these kinds of moral dilemmas daily. I can attest to you the truth that the vast majority of our servicemen make the right choices and perform their duties with distinction, valor, and character.

I am so very proud to serve with troops like these.

This Blog Post provided by: Chaplain (MAJ) Daniel Petsch

The Day The Music Died - 50 Years Ago

noreply@blogger.com (Jimmy Lewis) — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:47:00 +0000

In the early hours of February 3, 1959, a Beechcraft Bonanza aircraft carrying Buddy Holly, along with, The Big Bopper (J.P. Richardson), and Ritchie Valens, who had all been performing at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa, took off from the local runway in nearby Mason City, on its way to the next show. The plane crashed soon after takeoff, killing all aboard.

This event was later eulogized by folk singer Don McLean in his famous song, "American Pie", in which the death of these '50s icons serves as a metaphor for greater changes within American society as a whole.

What most people may not know is that country music legend Waylon Jennings' act of kindness that fateful night, saved his life.

"The Winter Dance Party" was a tour that was set to cover 24 midwestern cities in three weeks. A logistical problem with the tour was the amount of travel, as the distance between venues was not a priority when scheduling each performance. For example, the tour would start at venue A, travel 200 miles to venue B, and travel back 170 miles to venue C, which was only 30 miles from the original venue A. Adding to the disarray, the tour bus used to carry the musicians was ill-prepared for the weather (its heating system broke shortly after the tour began).

Drummer Carl Bunch developed a severe case of frostbitten feet while on the bus and was taken to a local hospital. As he recovered, Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens took turns with the drums.

The Surf Ballroom in Clear City, Iowa was never intended to be a stop on the tour, but promoters, hoping to fill an open date, called the manager of the ballroom at the time and offered him the show. He accepted and the date of the show was set for February 2nd.

By the time Buddy Holly arrived at the ballroom that evening, he was frustrated with the tour bus and told his bandmates that, once the show was over, they should try to charter a plane to get to the next stop on the tour, in Moorhead, Minnesota. According to those close to the tour, Holly was also upset that he had run out of clean undershirts, socks, and underwear. He needed to do some laundry before the next performance, and the local laundromat in Clear Lake was closed that day.

Flight arrangements were made with Roger Peterson, 21, a local pilot who worked for Dwyer Flying Service in Mason City, Iowa. A fee of $36 per person was charged for the single engine Beechcraft Bonanza B35 (Registration N3794N). The Bonanza could seat three passengers in addition to the pilot.

Richardson had developed a case of the flu during the tour and asked one of Holly's new bandmates, Waylon Jennings, for his seat on the plane. Jennings, feeling sorry for the Big Bopper, kindly agreed to give up the seat. When Holly learned that Jennings wasn't going to fly, he said, "Well, I hope your ol' bus freezes up." Jennings responded, "Well, I hope your ol' plane crashes." This exchange of words, though made in jest at the time, haunted Jennings for the rest of his life.

Ritchie Valens had never flown in a small plane before, and asked Holly's remaining bandmate on the plane, Tommy Allsup, for the seat. Tommy said "I'll flip ya for the remaining seat." Contrary to what is seen in biographical movies, that coin toss did not happen at the airport shortly before takeoff, nor did Buddy Holly toss it. The toss happened at the ballroom shortly before departure to the airport, and the coin was tossed by a Allsup near the rear entrance to the hall. Needless to say Valens won a seat on the plane.

Dion DiMucci of Dion & The Belmonts, who was the fourth headline performer on the tour, was approached to join the flight as well; however, the price of $36 was too much. Dion had heard his parents argue for years over the $36 rent for their apartment and could not bring himself to pay an entire month's rent for a short plane ride.

The plane crashed at 1:06 a.m. Central Time on February 3, shortly after it took off from Mason City Municipal Airport. Around 1:05 a.m., Jerry Dwyer, the owner of Dwyer Flying Service, could see the lights of the plane start to descend from the sky to the ground. At the time, he thought it was an optical illusion because of the curvature of the Earth and the horizon.

The pilot, Roger Peterson, was expected to file his flight plan once the plane was airborne, but Peterson never called the tower. Repeated attempts by Dwyer to contact his pilot failed. By 3:30 AM, when the airport at Fargo had not heard from Peterson, Dwyer contacted authorities and reported the aircraft missing.

Around 9:15 a.m., that morning, Dwyer took off in another small plane to fly Peterson's intended route. A short time later Dwyer spotted the wreckage in a cornfield belonging to Albert Juhl, about 5 miles northwest of the airport. The manager of the Surf Ballroom, who drove the performers to the airport and witnessed the plane taking off, made the positive identification of the performers.

George W. Bush - Thank You!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Jimmy Lewis) — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 14:22:00 +0000

Dear President Bush,

Thank you for all you have done to preserve, protect, and defend me, my family, and my fellow countrymen from terrorism.

It has been over seven years since we were attacked and three thousand of my fellow Americans were killed. I am truly grateful for the way you have handled one of the most profound crises my country has ever faced. As commander-in-chief, I could not have felt more secure with anyone other than you at the helm.

The events of September 11, 2001 changed the face of America forever. Immediate decisions had to be made, addressing every aspect of securing our land and its people. It's beyond shame that hardly anyone has ever given you the credit deserved for having to have made those incredibly difficult decisions.

You have somehow endured the slings and arrows of the mainstream media, along with, many of those that swallowed their propaganda. All the while as you led the way on national progress, not for ideology, fame, or votes. You found compromises that would move the nation in constant step with our Constitution - which is exactly how it should be done in a democracy. You did not play dictator and force everyone to conform. You were a man of faith and always of your word.

I will miss your wisdom, and your conviction of faith, which will be all the more painful given all the reminders of those that now surround us and lead the national debates.

Thank you for being a man of integrity and an inspirational leader. America is safe because of you. May God bless you and Laura.

Jimmy Lewis
St. Clair Shores, Michigan

You Know You’re From Michigan If …

noreply@blogger.com (Jimmy Lewis) — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 13:55:00 +0000

You consider it a sport to gather your food by drilling through 18 inches of ice then sitting there all day hoping that the food will swim by.
Your local Dairy Queen is closed from November through March.
You have worn shorts and a coat at the same time.
Your town has an equal number of bars and churches.
'Vacation' means going up north on I-75.
You measure distance in hours.
You know several people who have hit a deer more than once.
You often switch from 'heat' to 'A/C' in the same day.
You can drive 55 mph through a foot of snow, during a raging blizzard, without flinching.
You see people wearing camouflage at social events (including weddings).
You install security lights on your house and garage and leave both unlocked.
You carry jumper cables in your car and your wife knows how to use them.
You design your kid's Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit.
Driving is better in the winter because the potholes are filled with snow.
You know the 4 seasons as: almost winter, winter, almost spring, and road construction.
Your idea of creative landscaping is a statue of a deer next to your blue spruce and birch.
You were unaware that there is a legal drinking age.
Down south means Ohio.
A brat is something you eat.
You go out to a fish fry every Friday.
Your 4th of July picnic was once moved indoors due to frost.
You have more miles on your snowmobile than your car.
You find 0 degrees 'just a little chilly.'
You drink pop and bake with soda.
Your doctor tells you to drink Vernors and you know it's not medicine.
You can actually drink Vernors without coughing.
You know what a Yooper is.
You know that UP is a place, not a direction.
You know it's possible to live in a thumb.
Your neighbor throws a party to celebrate his new pole barn.

Senator Retract - Harry Reid

noreply@blogger.com (Jimmy Lewis) — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 16:13:00 +0000

I decided to take a break, over the long Christmas holidays, from all social and political commentary. Although the new year brings with it much hope and transformation (I know you all can't wait for the 'change'), I am not surprised, as I return to the world of news and blogging, to find the same old Harry Reid at it again.

Just two days after Harry Reid proclaimed to the world that "His" senate would never ever sit Illinois Senate designate Roland Burris, Reid pulled an about face by actually allowing Burris inside the sacred front door of the United States Senate chamber.

Harry Reid has totally caved. Dick Durbin has totally caved. On Sunday and Monday of this week they were clearly stating that the Senate and only the Senate will determine a solution, and further more, that they were not seating him. Ah ha ... and then something strange happened on Tuesday.

People began to focus on the racial aspects. The press strategically photographed Burris as this poor, bedraggled black guy surrounded by attorneys, barred from the U.S. Senate, an all-white men's club, and then giving the appearance they forced him out into the rain.

You add to that the situation with the secretary of state in Illinois, Jesse White, who said: "I'm not signing this, I'm not signing the paper necessary to make this happen," then you really do have a problem.

So what does Reid do, amongst the mounting pressure, he retracts his statement by saying: "We have nothing to do with this. This is all about the secretary of state of Illinois. The secretary of state of Illinois has to sign the certification form here." So Reid is pretending that he never, ever said anything about not letting Burris into the building or even sitting him for that matter.

Are you surprised? You shouldn't be, but in case you are, let me remind you of some of Reid's top retractions:

Just recently Senator Retract stated that "I don't work for Obama," and added "Democrats must be “very, very careful” to avoid overreaching and will not rubber-stamp President-elect Obama’s policies." He later retracted by saying he didn't work for and with Obama until the 20th of January.

And what about the long running State of Minnesota Senate Side Show (Al Franken v. Norm Coleman)?

"Coleman will never ever (there's those words again) serve," stated Reid in arguing that Norm Coleman’s career in the Senate is finished. “Norm Coleman will never ever serve [again] in the Senate. He lost the election. He can stall things, but he'll never serve in the Senate.” These statements have been made in light of the growing facts that there is substantial evidence of voter fraud and a lawsuit pending.

Reid has fretted over how fossil fuels like coal 'makes us sick.' Never mind that life expectancy, largely, fueled by industrialization and its accompanying higher living standards, continues to climb. In each case, the consequences to Reid's political career have apparently been minimal.

And who can forget this past fall when Reid said that visitors to the Capitol "stink!"

"My staff tells me not to say this, but I'm going to say it anyway," said Reid in his remarks. "In the summer because of the heat and high humidity, you could literally smell the tourists coming into the Capitol. It may be descriptive but it's true."

Recently, Senator Retract announced that a 'major insurance company' is on the verge of bankruptcy. His comments caused life insurance stocks to plummet. For example, MetLife (NYSE: MET) fell by more than 15% and Hartford Financial Services (NYSE: HIG) fell by approximately 35%. He retracted his statement by claiming he had been led to believe that, under the current financial climate, it could happen soon, but that he was not actually aware of any company being in danger of bankruptcy.

And the hits just keep on coming ...

Remember when he attacked our troops and General Petraeus, telling them they can't win and that the war is lost? He retracted those statements by stating he meant that if the Bush policies continued as they were. Hmmmm, didn't the President's policies include the successful surge in Iraq? And now Senator Retract tries to make himself out to be a super patriot. It's not flying, Senator.

And let's not forget these other two things about Senator Retract, when he told schoolchildren in Nevada that George Bush, the commander-in-chief, was a loser. Then he essentially called Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas illiterate. He was asked what he thought about Thomas, and replied: "He's not very good; his opinions don't make any sense; they're not written very well,"

Then there was that infamous Senator Retract statement during the height of the debate on Illegal Aliens. "We will hopefully bring to final passage a comprehensive bill that will strengthen our border security and bring 12 million undocumented Americans out of the shadows." Undocumented Americans, are you kidding me?

Senator Harry Reid, majority leader of the United State Senate, is actually the head of a party which cannot survive on the basis of its ideas. Liberalism cannot triumph openly in the arena of ideas. It can only triumph by destroying, via character assassination and other things, its opponents. They don't dare come join us in the arena of ideas for open debate on issues. And if they do, it will soon descend into personal assaults and attacks.

That is of course until they retract those assaults and attacks.

GOOD IS BAD

noreply@blogger.com (Jimmy Lewis) — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 17:05:00 +0000

It appears that Separation of Church and State, in essence means, the Separation of Human Kindness and Medical Professionals.

As of last Thursday, if you're in a serious car accident, or your stuck inside your home as it catches on fire, or perhaps your choking on some food at a local restaurant, then don't expect help from a Good Samaritan.

The California Supreme Court decided last week that if you choose to be that Good Samaritan, by trying to do the right thing, you can be sued. It was ruled that a young woman who pulled a co-worker from a crashed vehicle isn't immune from civil liability because the care she rendered wasn't medical.

The divided high court appeared to signal that rescue efforts are the responsibility of trained professionals. It was also thought to be the first ruling by the court that someone who intervened in an accident in good faith could be sued.

http://www.latimes.com/features/health/medicine/la-me-good-samaritan19-2008dec19,0,6547898.story

What ever happen to the Good Samaritan? It’s roots trace back to a parable which appeared in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 10, verses 25–37.

"A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead with no clothes. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him.

He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'

Jesus asked: "Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him."

Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."

It appears that those on the California Supreme Court, instead of following the lesson of the Good Samaritan, chose to follow the jackass.

Schwarzenegger's Green Challenge

noreply@blogger.com (Jimmy Lewis) — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 14:39:00 +0000

This month, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (of Kali-fornia) warned of financial Armageddon, as California faced a potential $40 billion deficit that threatened jobs, roads, schools and public safety. At the same time, he's pushing some of the world's toughest environmental laws to make California a leader on (get ready for the new buzz word, since 'Global Warming' continues to be proven for the hoax that it is) "climate change."

When Schwarzenegger announced to the UN delegates, gathered in Poland at the The Climate Group's second annual States and Regions Climate Leader Summit, that he would lead the "Green Challenge", I actually thought it was a promotional gimmick for a new movie entitled:

"The Terminator vs The Hulk."

As it turns out, the Governator was referring to Green rules and regulations in which he personally feels will help both the climate and the economy.

"States and provinces have long been at the forefront of developing green technologies and protecting our economy so that they are setting great examples for our federal counterparts."

I'm sure what he meant to say was that: "States and provinces have long been at the forefront of misleading people, that is, those that are very green when it comes to reality, as to the history and true condition of our environment and planet."

His audience was international environment ministers and regional government leaders from around the world, who were in Poznan for the annual United Nations climate conference. They are negotiating a successor agreement on curbing greenhouse gas emissions to the Kyoto Protocol, which expires in 2012.

Ah, you remember the Kyoto Protocol, don't you? Oh sure you do. The Kyoto protocol is nothing more than the world's attempts to get its hands into our wallets.

Even the "self proclaimed" environmentalist experts and scientists have conceded that Kyoto will have no impact. Yet they believe in Kyoto, despite the fact the green groups (at a past U.N. climate summit in Buenos Aires) once called President Bush immoral and illegitimate for not supporting Kyoto, the groups themselves concede the protocol will only have a symbolic effect on climate ... because ... they believe Kyoto's too weak.

Kyoto is an international treaty which seeks to limit greenhouse gases of the developed countries by 2012. The problem is that China's exempt from it and China is on its way to becoming the #2 greenhouse gas producer. If China's exempt, then tell me what Kyoto is all about. And then it is claimed that Kyoto will have no impace. The key phrase is that "it will only have symbolic effect."

'The Symbolic Effect' is all that liberals (and RINOs or Republicans In Name Only) are interested in for terms of persuading people. We are never to ask the results of their work, only their intentions. We're never supposed to dig deep to find out how their ideas work or fail.

It's always about the "Greenhouse Gases".

So let’s talk about greenhouse gases. Water vapor is earth's most effective and abundant greenhouse gas, accounting for 95% of the greenhouse effect. In terms of weather, we refer to water vapor as humidity. Depending on where you reside, many of you know the effects of high humidity. On a warm, humid summer day, you can't move about outdoors without beads of perspiration breaking on your brow. On those same nights the water vapor laden air seems heavy and the temperature has a difficult time dropping to comfortable sleeping levels. This is because humid air tends to hold its temperature. What you are witnessing is the greenhouse effect doing what it's supposed to do. Retain Heat!

Without the greenhouse effect, the earth would be a ball of ice void of life. It's astounding how today this life-dependant atmospheric factor has become the environmental bad guy. We are always told that "Greenhouse gases are killing us,"

Curiously, research I’ve gathered from the Department of Energy fails to list water vapor as a greenhouse gas. This is incredibly disingenuous, given that, in reality, water vapor is the 600 pound gorilla in the greenhouse. After water vapor, the remaining five percent of the greenhouse gases are, in order of concentration: CO2, methane, nitrous oxide, and a variety of other minor gases, including ozone, carbon monoxide, and chlorofluorocarbons.

However … and stay with me on this one … it must be noted that methane is 21 times more potent than CO2 when it comes to retaining the sun's heat, and nitrous oxide is 310 times more effective than CO2. Carbon dioxide is actually a part time (on the sidelines) player in the greenhouse game.

Since the Department of Energy and other government climate gurus choose to ignore the mighty greenhouse effect of water vapor, for the sake of the following proposition, then so shall I.
Let's eliminate water vapor from the equation for a moment and focus only on the remaining five percent of greenhouse gases. Human contribution to the amount of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere is realized primarily through the burning of fossil fuels, but also through important processes like manufacturing cement (the chemical reaction necessary to its production releases CO2) and even farming (plowing a field exposes microscopic organic matter in the soil, causing the carbon-laden organisms to die, thus releasing CO2 into the atmosphere).

Accounting for the individual concentrations and potencies of the other greenhouse gases (minus water vapor), the contribution of carbon dioxide emissions created by human activity accounts for only 2.33% of the earth's greenhouse effect. Now, when we reconsider water vapor into the math, humankind's carbon-dioxide footprint is reduced to .117% of the greenhouse effect (that reads one hundred seventeen thousandths of a percent).

To say we're being handed a line of green bull is an understatement.

There is no planetary emergency caused by an abundance of carbon dioxide. And even if the CO2 created by our activities was an issue, the earth has mechanisms in place to accommodate. Just like the water vapor that eventually returns to earth as precipitation, working its way into a deep ocean or subterranean aquifer, airborne carbon dioxide is absorbed by large repositories called "sinks" which include everything from the atmosphere itself to the oceans to the plants, rocks and dirt.

If anyone is in denial, it's those who still believe in global warming.

Now how about it Hollywood … The Terminator vs The Hulk?

Attention Al Gore: The World Has Awakened

noreply@blogger.com (Jimmy Lewis) — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 14:30:00 +0000

Al Gore using a flame thrower to expedite melting of polar ice caps

Al Gore, creator of the Internet and Founding Father of the Higher Order Religion on Global Warming, has done everything humanly possible to prove that G.W. (no, not George W.) will lead to the extinction of Planet Earth.

Well it appears as if the Holy Gore may have to relinquish both his Nobel Peace Prize and his Oscar, for that Science Fiction thriller "An Inconvenient Truth".

Apparently someone high up at CNN, in wisely spending some of their limited advertising dollars, has finally decided to buy a clue.

The attached video below was an exchange between CNN's Lou Dobbs, their top Meteorologist, and a scientific expert on the Global Climate. Please watch and sing along:

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas!

EXTRA EXTRA, BLOG ALL ABOUT IT ...

noreply@blogger.com (Jimmy Lewis) — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 14:20:00 +0000

The Detroit Media Partnership announced today a first-of-its-kind plan in the struggling U.S. newspaper industry — emphasizing more online delivery of news and information and cutting back home delivery days.

The Partnership, which runs the business operations of both the Detroit News and the Detroit Free Press, will be eliminating home delivery on all but their most lucrative days, which are Thursday, Friday and Sunday.

Printed "Express" issues will still be available at newsstands daily, but will be trimmed back from their current size, and the papers will encourage readers instead to check out daily digital editions available on their web sites.

The two papers, which are run through a joint operating agreement, are looking to save money on print and delivery costs, which have shot up over the past year with the rise in ink and gas prices. At the same time, circulation and advertising have dried up nationwide, and that’s been especially true in Detroit, home of the Big Three automakers who are seeking a federal bailout to continue operation in the midst of a devastating recession.

The Free Press, which is owned by Gannett, and the News, which is owned by MediaNews Group, have already bought out dozens of workers over the past two years. Circulation at the papers has plummeted by double-digit percentages since 2003.

This next step is a drastic one, and it’s unclear whether it will work. After all, the internet has been one of the main culprits in the decline of American newspapers, who have yet to figure out how to leverage new media advertising in an effective manner. Forcing readers online to get the paper could turn out to be a foolish strategy.

One of the advantages of paid newspapers has always been home delivery, a fact the free Examiner chain has recognized and used to its great advantage, giving it the ability to sell a more upscale demographic to its advertisers.

The print retreat will be a defeat that would alienate older readers, a key demographic for newspapers, who are unlikely to go online or even to the local newsstand to get their daily read.

Despite the amount of time I spend on line, researching and blogging, I still enjoy having the newspaper delivered to my door every morning. There's something therapeutic in enjoying your morning cup of coffee along with the daily news and sports. It's an American tradition that dates back to the days of Benjamin Franklin.

Starting now, my current subscription to the morning Free Press, will arrive each day in my email mailbox in the form of a password. With that daily password, I will then be able to link to the Free Press site where I can then access the digital paper.

So what happens when, one morning, the password misses the mailbox and lands in the bushes?

That'll be one call, to the circulation department. I can't wait to make.

Chucked Shoes - Sail To The Chief

noreply@blogger.com (Jimmy Lewis) — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 22:19:00 +0000

A foul plan was afoot in Iraq today as an Iraqi Journalist hurled his shoes and an insult at President George W. Bush, causing the Commander In Chief to 'bob and weave' like a prize fighter. The President managed to dodge the podiatridic projectile, but not the insult, nor the foul odor.

Just after setting foot in Iraq earlier this morning, Bush side-stepped the issue on troop withdrawel, choosing to toe the line on the success of the surge. He then leaped into discussions on running a tighter command. He also skipped questions on his reason for jump starting soul searching meetings with arch rival leader Nuri al-Malikihis immediately.

After a short hike from the airport to the Iraqi leaders offices (which of course were a mere hop, skip and a jump away), the two leaders began their joint press conference, echoing Bush's earlier comments, while adding that "the time had come to heal."

The Iraqi Journalist, Muntazer al-Zaidi, then took matters into his own hand. Two size ten matters that is, or as Ed Sullivan would say, they were 'really big.'

Soles of shoes are considered the ultimate insult in Arab culture. After Saddam Hussein's statue was toppled in Baghdad in April 2003, many onlookers beat the statue's face with their soles.

Keeping in-step with proper protocol, some Iraqi journalists stood up to apologize to Bush. The President replied: "Thanks for apologizing on behalf of the Iraqi people." Playing down the incident, the president later added: "I don't know what the guy's cause is, but I didn't feel the least bit threatened by it."

The incident may very well sum up the George W. Bush presidency in one sentence:

"If the shoe fits ... wear it!"

Two Messiahs Birth In Question

noreply@blogger.com (Jimmy Lewis) — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 13:28:00 +0000

Even though the U.S. Supreme Court turned down an emergency appeal from a New Jersey man (who says the President-Elect is ineligible to be president because he was a British subject at birth), serious doubt and legitimate concerns continue regarding the actual birthplace of the Chosen One, Barack Hussein Obama.

At the time of his birth, his mother (the Virgin Ann), was American and his Kenyan father at the time was a British subject. There appears to be evidence that the President-Elect was indeed born in Kenya, then moved to Hawaii. Other reports indicate that the Messiah Obama may have been born in Indonesia.

The U.S. Constitution, Article 2, “Executive Branch”, Section 1, “The President”, clearly states the following: ‘No person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty-five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States.’

Fuel to the fire came from Obama’s campaign, during his run for the Presidency, when it was proven that the birth certificate document presented (claiming he was born in Hawaii), was indeed a forgery. According to many legal scholars, although the U.S. Supreme Court chose not to take the case, Obama still may face serious challenges.

Meanwhile, in a related story it appears that a team of researchers, headed by Australian astronomer Dave Reneke, claim that a bright star which appeared over Bethlehem 2,000 years ago pinpointed the date of Christ's birth as June 17 rather than December 25.
The researchers claim the 'Christmas Star' was most likely a magnificent conjunction of the planets Venus and Jupiter, which were so close together they would have shone unusually brightly as a single "beacon of light" which appeared suddenly.

The team used complex computer software to chart the exact positions of all celestial bodies and map the night sky as it would have appeared over the Holy Land more than 2,000 years ago.
It revealed a spectacular astronomical event around the time of Jesus's birth. Reneke says the wise men probably interpreted it as the sign they had been waiting for, then followed the 'star' to Christ's birthplace in a stable in Bethlehem, as described in the Bible.

Generally accepted research has placed the nativity to somewhere between 3BC and 1AD.

Using the St Matthew's Gospel as a reference point, Mr Reneke pinpointed the planetary conjunction, which appeared in the constellation of Leo, to the exact date of June 17 in the year 2BC.

Mr Reneke, who is editor of Sky and Space magazine, said: 'We have software that can recreate the night sky exactly as it was at any point in the last several thousand years”, and adds, 'We are not saying this was definitely the Christmas star - but it is the strongest explanation for it of any I have seen so far.”

Following the release of this incredible historic finding, a brilliant proclamation was made by members of the Faculty of Astrological Studies in London, when they concluded that: “If the Australian team is correct, it would mean Jesus was a Gemini, not a Capricorn as previously believed.”

Lessons Learned - Lest We Forget

noreply@blogger.com (Jimmy Lewis) — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 09:08:00 +0000

While the sitcom “Welcome Back Carter” prepares itself for it’s premier on January 20, 2009, even as we all got a sneak preview yesterday in Chicago, there is an urgent need for two critical issues to remain front and center.

The fear is that, as in the days of Jimmy Carter, critical decisions that will affect the very existence of this country well into the future, will either be completely ignored or grievously miscalculated.

As we head into a new administration, the fear is that the entire issue of open borders and Illegal immigration will once again fall off the radar.

Reforming immigration policy fell to Ronald Reagan after fumbling attempts at reform by Carter. “This country has lost control of its borders. And no country can sustain that kind of position” claimed Reagan at the start of his Presidency.

However, nearly 27 years later, uncontrollable numbers of illegal aliens continue to pour into this country at an alarming rate. There have been far too many examples, most recently with the terrorist attack in Mumbai, India, where we have failed to take advantage of lessons learned.

We can only hope that President Elect Obama, and the Democrat led Congress, react to the opinion of 84% of ‘We The People’, and seal up our borders, now!

The second critical issue, as we discussed briefly here yesterday, has to do with rising fuel prices and the absolute need to refocus our energy on America’s own natural resources.

Opening up more land and off shore sites for exploration is the answer to decreasing our dependence on foreign oil. The outer continental shelf, ANWR, and similar places should have never been placed off limits in the first place. That was national economic foolishness in order to appease tree huggers who want us to revert to a nineteenth century way of life.

We need to ‘drill here and drill now!’ Do it responsibly and hygienically, but do it yesterday. And by the way, just because an oil company has a lease on land doesn’t mean there is oil there. Stop with the smoke and mirrors rhetoric. Congress needs to get out of the way and let the professionals decide when and where to drill.

Leave the strategic oil reserve alone. It is for real emergencies, not false ones created by extremists who purposefully decreased our oil supply by making it harder to get and refine our own crude oil.

And real emergencies with nations who hate us are coming due to this Congress backstabbing President Bush and our troops in a time of war, and thus emboldening our enemies.

So what does Congress do? They pass legislation to force higher mileage standards for cars and trucks? That does me and my neighbors no good when we can’t afford these new vehicles. Any savings at the pump are eaten up by a big car payment. Besides, these new vehicles will be more dangerous because they will have to be small and light weight to meet the new mileage standards. As a home owner, I have to haul things all the time. How is a battery-powered car going to haul around anything besides two skinny liberals?

What about having stuff delivered? OK, that means added cost and we are back to needing oil to power more diesel engine delivery trucks that can deliver heavy loads. Is there anything even remotely on the horizon of technology that will ever replace the internal combustion engine for hauling heavy loads? I seriously doubt it.

Just take a look at the Nancy Pelosi led Congress three bullet points regarding their accomplishments on this very issue:

1. “Took action to investigate price gouging and ensure that retailers aren’t artificially inflating the cost of gas.”

What about government at all levels gouging us with ever increasing taxes on energy? What about government farm subsidies that artificially inflate the cost of food? I still can’t get over the notion that government forces me to pay taxes and then turns around and gives that money to farmers so that they will alter their actions in a way that drives up the cost of my groceries.

2. “Passed investments in renewable and alternative energy and reduced taxpayer subsidies for oil companies.”

What about getting rid of the stupid ethanol subsidies that are driving food prices higher? Oh that’s right, because ethanol subsidies buy the Democrats more votes from the Corn Belt farmers. So my taxes go to prop up a failed alternative energy source, making my grocery bill higher just so Democrats get more votes.

Wind and solar power are unpredictable. What will we have as backup energy on windless and cloudy days? Besides, they are a visual blight to our countryside. I thought you Democrats cared about the "pristine" environment.

But no, you will throw up these ugly wind generators and solar panels everywhere in the lower 48 states before you will drill for oil in a barren, uninhabitable, desolate place such as ANWR that is in darkness most of the year.

Why not invest in more nuclear and hydro-electric energy generation? France has been generating electrical energy with nuclear power safely for many years now. And the last I checked, the water cycle of rain and rivers is about as renewable as you can get. We need to build more nuclear reactors and hydro-electric dams for power. That will help us bring down the cost of our electric utility bills.

3. “Passed a Farm Bill that makes a historic investment in Bio-fuels made from crops other than grain.”

Oh great, what other food sources are you going to subsidize with my taxes, making less of it available to eat thus driving up our grocery bill further and starving the worlds poor just so you get more votes?

How do you power ambulances, freight trains, and airplanes on carrot juice? Maybe some day alternative energy that doesn’t have to be subsidized, will not visually pollute our landscapes, and will not lessen food sources (and drive up prices) will be available. Until then, we need more of our own oil out of the ground and refined here and now to keep the American economic engine rolling. Let’s do it cleanly and safely, but let’s do it now. Stop wasting our time and money trying to synthesize cheap, magic pixie dust so we can all fly around like Peter Pan.

The Truth About ANWR

noreply@blogger.com (Jimmy Lewis) — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 08:58:00 +0000

The Artic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) is the secret that Democrats in Washington don’t want the American people to know: This is a treasure trove of energy that will yield a lot with only minimal intrusion.

For far too long, Americans have been told by the environmentalist left that drilling in Alaska would hurt the abundant wildlife and natural resources there. This is simply not true. ANWR is a small part of the Arctic Circle in northern Alaska. Energy exploration would be limited to a small 2,000-acre lot within ANWR. That is comparable to a postage stamp sitting on a football field.

Exploration of ANWR revealed that almost no wildlife exists in the 2,000-acre area proposed for drilling. It is flat arctic tundra with absolutely no trees in view. Alaskan Caribou and wildlife were nowhere near the possible drilling sites.

Furthermore, we know that nine months out of the year this area is hidden under snow and ice and three months out of the year the area is covered in complete darkness.

The Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimates that there are 10.4 billion barrels of recoverable oil in ANWR. And these estimates are based on exploration done in the 1970s. Federal moratoria on these lands have restricted even modern technological investigation of what oil reserves may be available for tapping. Imagine what modern surveying techniques might show. It gets better; the EIA has also stated that the production of this oil would create an estimated 750,000 American jobs. At a time when our nation is hurting because of rising food and gas costs, more domestic energy and new jobs would give the economy a much needed boost.

The fact of the matter is that Congress is standing in the way of $1-2 per gallon gas (as the rule, instead of the current exception). As mentioned, in yesterday’s article, don’t be fooled by the $44 per barrel today. Planned cuts in production (see Jimmy Carter era) will force supply and demand strategies to once again drive up prices, and as early as February 2009.

It is Speaker Pelosi and the House Democrats who are refusing to let commonsense energy legislation come to the floor. The American people are hurting and gas prices will continue to spiral out of control. But Congress continues to turn a deaf ear.We have the resources available in areas like ANWR, Colorado, California, and off-shore, to lower oil costs and decrease our dependence on foreign oil.

Drill Here, Drill Now, Pay Less!

Give The Gov. A Hurrumph - UPDATE!

noreply@blogger.com (Jimmy Lewis) — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 20:23:00 +0000

Illinois Gov. Blagojevich meeting with Obama earlier this year.

CHICAGO – Illinois Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich and his Chief of Staff, John Harris, were arrested today by FBI agents on federal corruption charges alleging that they and others are engaging in ongoing criminal activity: conspiring to obtain personal financial benefits for Blagojevich by leveraging his sole authority to appoint a United States Senator; threatening to withhold substantial state assistance to the Tribune Company in connection with the sale of Wrigley Field to induce thefiring of Chicago Tribune editorial board members sharply critical of Blagojevich; and to obtain campaign contributions in exchange for official actions.

As stated in my column on our beloved State Governors, just last week: "... and the hits just keep on coming!" http://rougerevival.blogspot.com/2008/12/give-governor-hurrumph.html

U.S. Atty. Patrick Fitzgerald said today that federal authorities arrested Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich today because the governor went on "a political corruption crime spree" that needed to be stopped.

We discussed the corruption in the State of Illinois politics. William Ayers, Tony Rezko, former Gov. George Ryan, Jeremiah Wright, Barack Obama (oh no, wait a minute, he somehow snuck under the radar). The list, however, of Chicago 'thug' politicians, and associates, is long.

And here we go again.

Fitzgerald said secret tape recordings showed Blagojevich was attempting "to sell the U.S. Senate seat" that President-elect Barack Obama recently vacated. Fitzgerald said, "We make no allegations" that Obama was aware of any alleged scheming by Blagojevich."

No allegations yet! The governor has the sole power to pick Obama's replacement under the state constitution. You can't tell me that Obama wasn't making his own recommendations.

"The conduct would make Lincoln roll over in his grave," Fitzgerald said, quoting Blagojevich as saying the Senate seat is "a bleeping valuable thing. You just don't give it away. ... I've got this thing and it's bleeping golden." Fitzgerald called the corruption charges against Blagojevich "a truly new low."

Blagojevich wasn't against the corrupt deal for the Senate seat, he was against "being stiffed in the corrupt deal," Fitzgerald said. The remarks came at a news conference to discuss charges against Blagojevich and his chief of staff, John Harris. Blagojevich and Harris are scheduled to appear in court at 1:30 p.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Nan Nolan.

As Bob Parks correctly stated this afternoon, on his daily 'Black and Right' blog: "After three hours of wall to wall coverage, today on CNN, the coverage included the dismay, disgust, and disappointment of the anchor, the host, and guests. But can any of you tell me the one word I didn't hear ... the one word purposely not spoken?

'Democrat.'

I guess we should be appreciative of the fact that CNN saw no reason to interject politics into this sorry chapter in American politics."

And then you had Robert Grant, FBI special agent in charge of the Chicago office, characterizing Illinois' place in the pantheon of political corruption. "If it isn't the most corrupt state in the United States, it's certainly one hell of a competitor," Grant said. "Even the most cynical agents in our office were shocked."

Shocked? Oh Really! As we clearly stated in our article, from earlier today (see below), Robert Grant, the FBI, CNN and all of the liberal mainstream media need to: "buy a clue!

Despite $44/Barrel, We Still Need To Drill Here

noreply@blogger.com (Jimmy Lewis) — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 18:45:00 +0000

Sometimes I wonder where liberals come up with their ridiculous notions about life in America. Right here in Michigan we are surrounded by misguided left wing loonies, who desperately are in need for all of us conservatives, to send them each one shiny ‘State of Michigan’ State Quarter.

Maybe then, they’ll buy a clue!

Leading the pack is Queen Loon herself, Obama Economic (pause for laughter) Guru & Prognosticator (I’ll wait), Gov. Jennifer Granholm.

But I’ve picked on the governor enough already this week. It is time we take a look at one of our great leaders (pause for laughter) in Washington - Senator Debbie Stabenow - who claimed earlier this year that rising gas prices were being "fostered" by President Bush and Vice President Cheney because of their former ties to the oil industry. Sen. Stabenow and her Senate colleagues only needed to look in a mirror to find the real culprits.

She has voted against all proposals for new oil drilling. There's tons of oil out there we cannot touch because the environmental movement owns the Democratic Party. Of course, the mainstream media gives these people a pass, but the facts bring out the truth.

Gasoline was high, this past summer (near $5 per gallon) because the world market for oil has been growing, while the Oil supply is static.

Sen. Stabenow and her colleagues are more responsible for the rising price of oil than the oil industry, the president, the vice president, his relatives, their friends, my friends, and your friends combined.

Drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), could have had an impact stabilizing the world price for a barrel of crude. Since the environmental movement owns our great State Senator, she had to vote against it.

I believe Stabenow knows many Americans are ignorant about economics and do not understand the law of supply and demand, so she makes ignorant statements and gets away with it. (It also amazes me how illiterate the mainstream press corps is about economics).

Sen. Stabenow wanted the public to put pressure on the Republicans when actually, the public needed to put pressure on the Democrats. They control Congress. They could have slowed or even put a halt to the rising price of oil if they would have opened up the Coast of California and ANWR to oil drilling.

Some say that any chance of her approving such a plan, came to a screeching halt, when she learned last spring that her husband, Thomas Athans, had done a little ‘off-shore drilling’ of his own.

Now that a barrel of oil has fallen to under $45 a barrel, it is no time to even think for a moment, that we are out of the woods.

Prices have dropped significantly based on the pressure from President Bush lifting the ban on drilling in U.S coastal waters, mixed with, the current economic slowdown which has forced many to cut back on fuel consumption.

Economic lesson #1: This is a temporary solution. Production will soon be cut forcing ‘supply and demand’ (look it up libs) to rule the day. Although we may not get back to the $5 per gallon levels (for now), we could be up around $4 per gallon by February 2009.

Happy New Year!

Sen. Stabenow does not agree with that assumption and once again needs to desperately by a clue.

Senator! You need a reality check to exorcise the Pelosi demons from your thought processes. Speaker Pelosi led you astray on the successful Iraq war military surge and now she is leading you astray on energy. The only reason I am taking time to try to help you is that you represent the state I love, which in turns represents the country I adore.

You have been quoted to have said: “The skyrocketing cost of gas is hurting families, already struggling from the automotive crisis here in Michigan. Fuel costs are making it more difficult for families to pay the bills, for community groups to feed the hungry and for local businesses to thrive and create jobs.”

Yes, and Democrats, especially the controlling liberal factions, and environmentalist extremism have played a very large role in creating these circumstances. By placing ‘off limits’ to drilling areas where we know there is oil, you increase our dependence on (what will soon be again) costly foreign oil. Through over regulation, your party has made it ever more difficult to build new refineries. By passing huge agriculture bills full of taxpayer funded subsidies for grain farmers, you continue to drive up the cost of our food. Your party and its supporters are largely responsible for this mess.

In tomorrow’s column, we will discuss here, why places like ANWAR hold the key to our future dependency issues, and why, liberals like Stabenow are attempting to sell us on her, Environmentalist friend’s driven, talking points.

For now, there are two things you can do now to fight back.
First, call or email your Senator and Representative, and tell him or her to “Drill Here, Drill Now!”

Second, please visit americansolutions.com/drillnow and sign the “Drill Here, Drill Now, Pay Less” petition.

The Day The Music Died - December 8, 1980

noreply@blogger.com (Jimmy Lewis) — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:54:00 +0000

The day the music was born, for me personally, was on that Sunday evening, February 9, 1964. At nine years old, having just watched the Beatles perform on the Ed Sullivan Show, I told my father that I wanted to be like Lennon and play the guitar. Even after 44 years, you can find me most any night, either strumming the guitar or playing the piano, singing the songs of the Beatles and John Lennon.

What was so special about John Lennon and how do you explain it so many years later? To sum it up, there was nobody like him. He said exactly what was on his mind and never feared the consequences because he spoke the truth from his heart and everybody knew it.

Lennon captured me without even trying. His poems, his lyrics, his unique way to turn a phrase, his unforgiving British wit and sacrcasm. And his music was simply irresistable.

John Winston Ono Lennon was born in Liverpool, England on October 9, 1940. This English rock musician, singer, poet, songwriter, artist, actor, and peace activist gained worldwide fame as one of the founding members of 'The Beatles.'

Lennon along with Paul McCartney, formed one of the most influential and successful songwriting partnerships and wrote some of the most popular music in rock and roll history. What else is there to say about the Beatles, which included George Harrison and Ringo Starr, that hasn't been said.

When he sang I almost felt his voice coming from my own chest and throat. That was how my voice should sound. His songs were my songs, where I could share his feelings and he could feel mine. A lot of us felt that way. Rarely does a popular artist speak to and for a generation. The Beatles reflected their times but they also had the largest influence in shaping those times. They went from a simple tight little bar band writing catchy ditties to serious musical artists blending many musical forms and creating new ones.

Along with his second wife, Yoko Ono, Lennon used their honeymoon at the Amsterdam Hilton, in March 1969, as a "Bed-in for Peace" that attracted world-wide media coverage. At the second "Bed-in" in Montreal, in June 1969, they recorded "Give Peace a Chance" in their hotel room. The song was sung by a quarter million demonstrators in Washington D.C. at the second Vietnam Memorial Day on 15 October 1969. When Lennon and Ono moved to New York City in August 1971, they befriended peace activists Jerry Rubin and Abbie Hoffman.

Lennon performed at the "Free John Sinclair" concert in Ann Arbor, Michigan on December 10, 1971. Sinclair was an antiwar activist and poet who was serving ten years in state prison for selling two joints of marijuana to an undercover policeman.

In 1972, the Nixon Administration tried to have Lennon deported from the U.S., as Nixon believed that Lennon's support for George McGovern could lose him the next election. Republican Senator Strom Thurmond suggested, in a February 1972 memo, that "deportation would be a strategic counter-measure" against Lennon. The next month the Immigration and Naturalization Service began deportation proceedings against Lennon, arguing that his 1968 misdemeanor conviction for cannabis possession in London had made him ineligible for admission to the U.S. Lennon spent the next four years in deportation hearings.

While his deportation battle continued, Lennon appeared at rallies in New York City and on TV shows, including a one week hosting of the Mike Douglas Show in February 1972, where Jerry Rubin and Bobby Seale appeared as his guests.

On 23 March 1973, Lennon was ordered to leave the U.S. within 60 days, while Ono was granted permanent residence. In response, Lennon and Ono held a press conference at the New York chapter of the American Bar Association, on April 1, 1973 to announce the formation of the conceptual state of "Nutopia"; a place with "no land, no boundaries, no passports, only people", and all of its inhabitants would be ambassadors. The Lennons asked for political asylum in the U.S. while waving the white flag of Nutopia; two white handkerchiefs.

In June 1973, Lennon and Ono made their last political statement by attending the Watergate hearings in Washington, D.C.

Lennon's order of deportation was overturned in 1975,. After Lennon’s death, historian Jon Wiener filed a Freedom of Information request for FBI files on Lennon. The FBI admitted it had 281 pages in its files on Lennon but refused to release most of them, claiming they were national security documents. In 1983, Wiener sued the FBI with the help of the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California. The case went to the Supreme Court before the FBI settled out of court in 1997; releasing all but 10 of the contested documents.

The story is told in the documentary The U.S. vs. John Lennon, by David Leaf and John Scheinfeld. The final 10 documents in Lennon's FBI file were released in December 2006.

In 1976, Lennon's U.S. immigration status was finally resolved favorably, and he received his green card. Nixon's successor, Gerald Ford, showed little interest in continuing the battle. When Jimmy Carter was inaugurated as president on 19 January 1977, Lennon and Ono attended the Inaugural Ball.

On the night of December 8, 1980, Mark David Chapman shot Lennon in the back four times (the fifth shot missed) in the entrance hallway of the Dakota Apartents in New York City. Lennon had autographed a copy of his Double Fantasy album for Chapman earlier that same evening. Lennon was pronounced dead on arrival in the Emergency Room at Roosevelt Hospital at 11:15 p.m. On the following day Ono issued a statement: "There is no funeral for John. He loved and prayed for the human race. Please pray the same for him. Love, Yoko and Sean.

Chapman pleaded guilty to second degree murder and sentenced to 20 years to life. He is still in prison, having been denied parole five times.

Two days after his death, Lennon's body was cremated at the Ferncliff Cemetery in Hartsdale, New York. The whereabouts of Lennon's ashes are known only to his wife Yoko and son Sean.

On 14 December 1980, millions of people around the world responded to Ono's request to pause for ten minutes of silence to remember Lennon: Thirty thousand gathered in Liverpool, and the largest group—over 100,000—converged on New York's Central Park, close to the scene of the shooting.

Lennon continues to be mourned throughout the world and has been the subject of numerous books, movies, memorials and tributes. Principal among these is New York City's Strawberry Fields, a memorial garden area in Central Park across the street from the Dakota building. Shortly after Lennon's death Ono donated $1 million for the memorial's maintenance. It has become a gathering place for tributes on Lennon's birthday and on the anniversary of his death, as well as at other times of mourning, such as after the September 11th attacks.

On 9 October 2007 (what would have been his 67th birthday and his son Sean's 32nd birthday) the Imagine Peace Tower in Videy Island, Iceland (off the coast of Reykjavik) was lit for the first time . The idea for the monument was originally conceived by Yoko Ono in 1965 and construction began in 2006. The tower is lit annually from October 9th, Lennon's birthday, to December 8th, Lennon's date of death. The words "Imagine Peace" are carved into the tower in 24 different languages.

John's life had been hard from the beginning. He had no father and an estranged mother who was run over by a drunk driver when he was ten. He came from nowhere and rose to the heights of the material world, yet his success did not kill him. He went beyond the pleasures of the flesh and into the realm of spiritual values. He may have been sarcastic and skeptical at times, but he wasn't ultimately mean.

He was a seeker, a thought-provoking Shaman Troubadour. He affected millions of us and left us some great memories. There won't be another one like him. I recently saw a twenty-something-rocker on Politically Incorrect who said "I think pop music has sucked for the last twenty years."

Perhaps it's been twenty-eight years ago today ... the day the music died.

A Day of Infamy - A Lifetime of Taciturnity

noreply@blogger.com (Jimmy Lewis) — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 04:24:00 +0000

As the United States slowly recovered from the great depression of the 1930s, there were few more exciting opportunities for a young man than a career in the United States Military. It offered a stable income, warm meals, a semi-comfortable bed, and the chance to "See The World!" Exotic ports of call awaited those who chose to spend a few years of their youth serving their country.

Pearl Harbor in the territory of Hawaii was the homeport of the Army Air Corp (AAC 7th AF) and the Navy Pacific Fleet, a wonderful "home away from home" for the men who preserved America's interests abroad. Though the European continent found itself embroiled in a bitter world war in the latter days of the 1930s, in the Pacific there was no hint of trouble. American ships and planes made routine patrols, practiced drills that most men thought would never be needed, and then returned to Pearl Harbor for periods of rest, relaxation, and recreation.

Although AAC personnel were still referring to themselves as the Army Air Corp, in fact, effective June 20, 1941, the ACC had then become known as the combat wing of the AAF (Army Air Force). Then just a few years later, on September 18, 1947, the United States Air Force (as we know it today) was born.

Hickam Field was completed and officially activated on Sept. 15, 1938. It was the principal army airfield in Hawaii and the only one large enough to accommodate the B-17 bomber. In connection with defense plans for the Pacific, aircraft were brought to Hawaii throughout 1941 to prepare for potential hostilities. The first mass flight of bombers (21 B-17Ds) from Hamilton Field, California, arrived at Hickam on May 14, 1941.

The B-17 was one of the major offensive weapons of WWII with the G model playing the major role in Allied bombardment. By December 1941, the AAC Hawaiian Air Force had been an integrated command for slightly more than one year and consisted of 754 officers and 6,706 enlisted men, with 233 aircraft assigned at its three primary bases (Hickam, Wheeler, and Bellows). During the war years, these bases played a major role in pilot training and aircraft assembly work, in addition to seeing as a supply center for both air arid ground troops. Hickam served as the hub of the Pacific aerial network, supporting transient aircraft ferrying troops and supplies to and evacuating the wounded.

The weekend of December 6 and 7, 1941, promised to be a great time for all Airmen, Marines, Soldiers, Sailors, Coast Guards, as well as the crews and support personnel. There wasn't the slightest hint of trouble; even the weather seemed to be smiling on the tropical port. However, for ten days prior to that weekend, Hickam Field was on full alert. It seemed as though they were expecting something to happen. No one was allowed to leave the base during this alert. Suddenly, for some unknown reason, on Saturday, December 6, 1941, the alert was lifted. Saturday night a wealthy Japanese banker held a big party for the officers at the Hickam Officer’s Club. Looking back, it appears as if that party were all part of a bigger plan.

When the sun rose that fateful Sunday morning, a 21 year old Military OCC Airplane Maintenance Technician from the State of Michigan, had little opportunity to be homesick; there was too much to see and do.

Lloyd Walter Grieve (Born: January 2, 1920 - Died: September 10, 1996) was called out early that morning, due to extensive morning drill exercises and maneuvers planned for the fleet of B17 Bombers stationed at Hickam.

Technician Grieve reported to Hickam Field on March 9, 1941, upon completion of his preliminary round of Mechanics and Maintenance Technician Training, at McChord Field near Seattle, Washington.

He joined up with the 880th Bomb Squadron, 383rd Bomb Group, and became a certified technician for most of the big bombers utilized by the AAC in WWII, including the B-17 and B-29 Bombers.

Glamour of the Air Corpe is usually consigned to flight personnel, but the fact is, it takes seven ground crew men to keep even pursuit ships in flying shape. Although the Bomber/Fighter Mechanics were little known or generally appreciated, it is their responsibility to maintain the power, accuracy and deadliness of each plane in the air forces' rapidly expanding armada. Though short on glamour, these men are long on what it takes to keep'em flying. For most, but unfortunately not for Lloyd Grieve, there was limited duty on this beautiful tropical Sunday morning, which was affording ample opportunity for most of the men to enjoy their brief stay in Paradise.

Out on the airstrip, the mighty B-17 Bombers that remained at Hickam Field, were being rolled out for preparation of the day's activities. And that is precisely why Grieve was already gathering his equipment for the day, at the break of dawn, while others were either sleeping in, preparing for Sunday service, breakfast, an early morning softball game, or simply to go down to the beach for a glimpse at the sunrise.

Like many who served in World War II, Grieve loved his country, respected his job, but never regarding himself as especially brave. Years later, whenever anyone would ask what had he done to receive so many commendation medals, Grieve would jokingly reply: "For being a damn fool!"

Grieve had, at one time or another, worked on many of the aircraft that were on hand at Hickam that morning, whose inventory included:

33 Douglas B-18 Bolo 2-engine standard bombers

12 Boeing B-17D Flying Fortress 4-engine bombers

13 Douglas A-20A Havoc 2-eng attack bombers

2 Douglas C-33 (DC-2) 2-engine fighters

* One of Hickam Field's Hangers on Dec. 6, 1941

A half mile away from Grieve's location, in the harbor, there were ninety-six ships that morning and no reason to expect any trouble. After all, the Honolulu Advertiser, that very morning, stated how Japanese Ambassador Nomura was going to meet with Secretary Cordell Hull in Washington that very morning to talk about peace.

As the hour 8 o'clock hour neared, just moments from the raising of the colors, all was peaceful and relaxed. On the USS Nevada the band was beginning the first strains of the National Anthem for the hoisting of the flag. The USS Tennessee reported very slight wind ripples on the water, and winds from the NE at 12 mph. The USS Oklahoma reported clear skies with "intermittent moving fleecy clouds."

It was now exactly 7:53 A.M. and events were about to unfold that would propel the United States into a World War that would ultimately cost more than a quarter-million American men and women their lives. On this day alone more than 2,400 men, women and children would die in Paradise.

Back at Hickam, Grieve was now on the Airfield, methodically reviewing his checklist prior to inspection and applying whatever adjustments were required. The ground crew was readily preparing for the arrival of the remaining B-17s which spent the previous days flying reconnaissance throughout the Pacific theatre.

Grieve and the others heard the distant roar, assuming the boys were now returning. Coming in at about 10,000 feet, those on the field could begin to see the shadows of a tremendous number of aircraft. This was the first sign that something was seriously wrong.

Just as that thought was sinking in, a black object could be seen exploding from the lead plane. As Grieve watched it turn its wings up, he then realized, these were not the B-17s. In seconds, the Rising Sun could be clearly seen on the side of the planes, indicating they were under attack from the Japanese.

The men couldn’t remember that they’d ever had any training on what to do in case of air raid. Some of the guys ran across the street into the parking lot. One was shot in the rump and, strangely, later died. The Squadron Commander Major Laverne G. “Blondie” Saunders, who was overseeing the preparation by the mechanics, came running from the officers quarters and slid under the belly of one of the B-17s, alongside the barracks, just as a Jap plane strafed him. He yelled to anyone that could hear him to get to the ‘flight line’ and to “get those planes airborne!”

A M/Sgt., in the 26th Bomb Squad, ordered his men to line up in formation to march to the hanger, but a Jap plane dropped a ‘Frag’ bomb and splattered many of them onto the walls. Immediately the 23rd Bomb Squad guys took off running on their own. As it was now, throughout Pearl Harbor, there was mass chaos everywhere.

At precisely 8:08 a.m. a searing flash and tremendous blast could be seen, heard and felt as one of the Jap planes fired an armor-piercing bomb, which detonated in the forward magazine
of the USS Arizona. The ship crumpled and sank, with nearly a thousand men trapped below, including Rear Admiral Isaac Campbell Kidd and the Arizona Captain Franklin Van Valkenbergh.

Like many others, Grieve had taken cover under the belly of one of the B-17’s, however, anything that resembled a plane or a hanger was now under fire by the Japanese attackers.

Somehow, despite numerous bullets and bombs, Lloyd Grieve found himself alive but buried up to his neck in the debris. Above all the noise and confusion, he could make out T/Sgt. “Shanty” O’Shea (who was hiding in the concrete bombsight vault, just outside the radio shack near the airfield, drunkenly yelling: "The Flag's Still Flying Fellas!"

Two of the mechanics, Bill Hamilton, and Lee Benbrooks, managed to dodge the fire and debris, and headed back to the barracks for pistols and helmets. They each grabbed a .30 caliber machine gun and ammo from the armament shack and ran out to install them in dispersed B-17’s. Lee got his gun going first and, not having tracer rounds in his ammo belt, was firing at Jap fighters without drawing return fire. But when Bill opened up with tracer fire, the Japs dove on them, and a bullet went thru the fuselage right between Lee’s legs.

The low-level attack eased up, but then silver planes, coming in over the mouth of the harbor, starting their bomb-drop at the far end of Hickam’s Hanger Row. They hit every hanger down the line including the 31st Bomb/4th econ squadrons’ hanger. The bombs meant for the 23rd and 72nd Squad’s hanger drifted off toward the barracks. Consequently the 23rd only had seven men killed during the raid.

Suddenly a plane came zooming down the line from the direction of the mountains. It was a P-40 fighter from Wheeler Field and was completely silhouetted by a hail of tracers from machine guns on top of the Marine Barracks at Pearl. The pilot kept dropping down, trying to keep the buildings and trees between him and those guns, until he was 10 feet off the ground. Some of those bullets fell around Grieve, still buried under the debris, on the airfield.

When it seemed the attack was over, Grieve was pulled out, and assumed KP duties, serving much needed nourishment to those who survived. Others were given permission to go back to the barracks. The Mess Hall in the center of the barrack wings had been hit by bombs and many died there.

By late morning, rumor had spread throughout the Harbor, that the Japs were mounting a follow up attack and that some planes had actually landed. For fear of hand to hand combat, orders were given to start digging fox holes. For Lloyd Grieve, his KP duties were abruptly ended for the time being as he joined the many others in the big dig.

The men stayed hunkered down in those fox holes for three days. They were instructed to 'shoot at anything that moved!'

It was intended as a preventive action to keep the U.S. Pacific Fleet from influencing the war, which Japan was planning to wage in Southeast Asia against Britain, the Netherlands, and the United States. The attack consisted of two aerial attack waves totaling 353 aircraft, launched from six Japanese aircraft carriers. These attacks sank four U.S. Navy Battleships (two of which were raised and returned to service late in the war) and damaged four more. The Japanese also sank or damaged three cruisers, three destroyers, and one minelayer, destroyed 188 aircraft, and caused personnel losses of 2,402 killed and 1,282 wounded. The power station, shipyard, maintenance, and fuel and torpedo storage facilities, as well as the submarine piers and headquarters building (also home of the intelligence section - which they did not appear to have too much of this day - were ironicially not hit). Japanese losses were minimal, at 29 aircraft and five midget submarines, with a mere 65 servicemen killed or wounded.

Hickam suffered extensive property damage, aircraft losses, and personnel casualties totaling 139 killed and 303 wounded. The bombing and strafing of Hickam Field was an important objective, because the success of the Japanese attack on the Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor was dependent on eliminating air opposition and precluding US planes from following their aircraft back to their carriers and bombing the task force. Once the threat was confirmed to be over, Grieve was approached by his superiors, who handed him a gun and told him to “start practicing son, we need a Tail Gunner and you’ve got the job!”

For the remainder, of the conflict in the Pacific, Technician Sgt. Lloyd Grieve assumed the position of Tail Gunner, on first the B-17s, and then later on the amazing Flying Fortress of the B-29s (which were introduced two years later). The B-29 Superfortress bomber was the single most complicated and expensive weapon produced by the United States during World War II.

The Tail Gunner's prime purpose was defending against enemy fighter attacks from the rear, or "tail", of the plane. For Tech. Sgt. Grieve, there was no time for extensive studies, his would be purely on the job training. As a gunner, he operated a flexible 1x20 mm cannon, or a 0.50 inch M2 Browning mounted machine gun emplacement, at the tail end of the aircraft, with a generally unobstructed view.

Over the next three and one-half years, Grieve would see duty as a gunner in some of the wars most famous battles, which includes: the Battle of Midway (1942) and the Solomon Islands campaign (1942-45).

It was a well known phenominom that the same complete crew never went up twice, due to one or more of the crewmen being killed. On one particular bombing mission, Tech. Sgt. Grieve was using an empty amunition crate as a seat situated at his Tail Gunner position. This particular battle had been intense and Grieve, as he was that December day on the airfield at Hickam, once they landed realized that he was lucky to be alive. The very crate, he had been using as a seat, now contained bullet holes, mere inches from Grieve 'buying the farm.'

As to his having survived all of the incredibly intense missions he flew on, as well as, the two near-death experiences, his surviving wife Barbara claims today that "it just wasn't his time!"

In early May 1945, while the most famous of the B-29 Bombers, was being testing and prepared for its maiden voyage to North Field, Tinian, in the Pacific, Tech. Sgt. Grieve, along with seven others, was originally named to the crew of this historic plane.

However, just two weeks later, Grieve was placed on sick call and sent back to Pearl Harbor for observation and treatment at Tripler General Hospital at Fort Shafter.

It was on June 4, 1945, just two days prior to allied troops storming the beaches at Normandy, that the decision was made, based on a undisclosed injury/llness and 'demobilization' , to end his distinguished military career.

Meanwhile, on August 5, 1945, somewhere in a Top Secret location in the Pacific, the Little Boy (Ll1) Atomic Bomb was being loaded onto the very same aircraft to which Tech. Sgt. Grieve had been assigned just three month previous. After 'Little Boy' was fully loaded, the name 'Enola Gay' was painted onto the nose of that B 29 Bomber.

And as they say the rest is history!

August 6: First Atomic Bomb dropped on Hiroshima, Japan
August 8: Soviets declare war on Japan
August 9: Second Atomic Bomb dropped on Nagasaki, Japan
August 14: Japanese agree to unconditional surrender
September 2: Japanese surrender, VJ Day
September 8: Japanese forces in China surrender
September 12: Japanese forces in southeast Asia surrender
October 24: United Nations officially comes into existence
October 25: Technician Sgt. Lloyd Walter Grieve is presented with a complete and honorable discharge.

When the war ended Lloyd W. Grieve was honored with a multitude of decorations and medals; which included:

* 4 Overseas Bars
* Silver Star Medal 23976
* GO #4
* Good Conduct Ribbon
* American Defense Service Ribbon
* 1 Battle Star
* Distinquished Unit Badge
* DFC GO #79 HQ USAF ISPA
* Lapel Button Star # 80 HQ USA
* DB Air Medal GO 13 USAF ISPA
* Among many others

He shall forever be remembered as a Great American, a Patriot (having been honored as part of the World War II Memorial in Washington D.C.), and he also just happens to be my beautiful wife Andrea (Andy's) father.

Throughout his entire life, Lloyd Grieve would never talk about the events of that dark day in Pearl Harbor. One can only imagine how horrific and traumatic it truly was.

Any chance at obtaining a complete account, from his perspective, was taken to the grave with him on September 10, 1996. He was survived by his wife Barbara (who resides in the City of Au Train in Michigan's upper peninsula); his sons Russell, Jeffrey and James; along with his daughters Andrea and Sheila. His memory has been blessed with many grandchildren and a growing list of great-grandchildren.

The research gathered for this rememberance, and tribute, was based on the limited information his wife Barbara and children have learned over the years, as well as, from accounts of those who were there that day, either as a Mechanic (who probably knew, and was working beside him) or crewmen at Hickam Field. I also utilized many military and army web sites which provided a vast knowledge of fact and information verification, including his missions throughout the Pacific Theatre, as well as his Enola Gay assignment.

In addition, as an important footnote, his son Jeffrey Grieve proudly served in the capacity of Search and Rescue for the U.S. Navy. And just like his father, Jeff was stationed in Hawaii at the Kaneohe Marinecorp Air Station at Kaneohe Bay, which just happens to be on that same island of Oahu.

While Lloyd's oldest son Russell (who himself proudly served in the U.S. Air Force) saw his own son enlist in the Army a few years back. Tony Grieve has now proudly servced in both Bosnia and Iraq (two tours of duty). Tony, like his grandfather, is a Mechanic for the Kiowa Aerial Recon & Attack Helicopters. At this time, he is considering making the military his career. He is now assigned to Military Police. We all thank Tony for his dedicated service to our country; asking for 'God's Blessings' and to keep him safe.

One final important and historical note regarding Tony, as he too was stationed in Hawaii, at the Wheeler Army Air Field, on the island of Oahu.

As we remember the events of 67 years ago today, I present this article and testament, on behalf of the entire Grieve family, in the loving memory of Lloyd Walter Grieve. And he would be so very proud to know that three generations of the Grieve Family, have now been stationed in Hawaii, with the sole purpose of protecting and defending these United States of America.

But only with, just maybe, a slight hint of feeling a 'damn fool!'

The Gregoirinch That Stole Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Jimmy Lewis) — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 08:16:00 +0000

Within the past week, we here at the Rouge Revival Blog have posted two articles pertaining to: 1. An attempt by Atheist to undermine Christmas, as well as yesterday’s piece on; 2. The sad state of our nation's state governors.

It appears that one huge story, coming out of the State of Washington, unfortunately covers both topics and provides us with today’s update.

Governor Christine Gregoire (D), has insulted Christians all over the world by allowing Atheists to invade the state’s traditional holiday display, which features a Christmas tree and the Nativity scene (perfectly appropriate since the Christmas Federal and State holiday celebrates the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem).

“But what to my wandering eyes did appear?” Standing alongside the baby Jesus is a giant placard designed by atheists that reads, "There are no gods, no devils, no angels, no heaven or hell. There is only our natural world. Religion is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds."

Those words are not sugar plums dancing in your ears, no-no, you’ve read the sign correctly. The governor of Washington State has permitted an attack on religion to be displayed in her State Capital Office Building as part of a ‘Christmas’ presentation.

Would somebody please get Andy Williams back in the studio. He needs to record a new secular middle eight to his holiday classic: “The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year.”

“There'll be gay pride for hosting

Terr-o-rists for toasting

And Atheists out in the snow

There'll be Supreme Court stories
That’ll kill all the glories of
Christmases long, long ago”

Democrat Christine Gregoire’s election to the ofice in 2004 over Republican Dino Rossi was the closest gubernatorial race in American history. Rossi led after two machine counts by 261 votes and 47 votes, respectively, before losing a final manual count by 129 votes. One can only imagine how many homeless, illegal aliens and dead people provided Gregoire the authority to mock and marginalize the United States Christmas tradition.

Fox News TV personality Bill O'Reilly called the display "political correctness gone mad" and urged viewers to call Gov. Christine Gregoire's office to complain. If you are interested in doing so, I have included her contact information, at the end of this article.

Gregoire spokesman Pearse Edwards says the office has been getting about 200 calls an hour, as well as e-mails. The Capitol has had a holiday tree, provided by the Association of Washington Business, for 19 years. In 2006, it was joined by a menorah sponsored by a Seattle Jewish group. That prompted a lawmaker from Spokane to stage a protest at the Capitol, demanding the holiday tree be called a "Christmas tree." It also led a local real estate agent to sue the state to allow the nativity display depicting the birth of Jesus.

Governor Gregoire and Attorney General Rob McKenna put out a joint statement Wednesday noting that the federal lawsuit led the state to create a policy allowing groups to sponsor a display "regardless of that individual's or group's views." And added: "The U.S. Supreme Court has been consistent and clear that, under the Constitution's First Amendment, once government admits one religious display onto public property, it may not discriminate against the content of other displays.”

Hmmm, “one religious display" … lets take a look at Webster’s definition of the word ‘religion’ … shall we?!

Re⋅li⋅gion - Pronunciation [ri-lij-uh n] –noun
1. set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.
2. a specific spiritually fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects: the Christian religion; the Jewish religion.
3. the life or state of a monk, nun, etc.: to enter religion.

Atheism is the antithesis of religion. A religion requires a strong faith in a belief system, and atheism repudiates both faith and belief. In religion, faith is a virtue. To an atheist, skepticism is the virtue.

“ … it’s the most con-fu-sing timmmmme, of the year!”

Write Governor Gregoire a Letter:

Governor Chris Gregoire, Office of the Governor, PO Box 40002, Olympia, WA 98504-0002

Give Governor Gregoire's Office a Call:

Governor's Office 360 902-4111 (for the deaf or hard of hearing, please dial 711)

Fax Governor Gregoire a Letter:

Governor's Fax Number 360 753-4110

Give The Governor A 'Hurrumph'

noreply@blogger.com (Jimmy Lewis) — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 17:25:00 +0000

On Wednesday they held the National Governor’s Conference in the City of Brotherly Love, however, Governor Ed Rendell (D) of Pennsylvania inadvertently chose not to spread that love to one of his fellow Governors.

Unaware of an open microphone (how many times have we heard that one), Governor Rendell made, in what he felt was off the record, the following gaffe in speaking about Barack Obama's Homeland Security Secretary pick, Arizona Governor. Janet Napolitano: "Janet's perfect for that job … because for that job, you have to have no life. Janet has no family, perfect. She can devote, literally, 19 to 20 hours a day to it."

Now I’d love to take this opportunity, as a red blooded conservative, to jump all over the liberal Governor, however, while some are insinuating the remarks to be “sexist”, I believe the Governor did not mean for his remarks to sound the way it came off. Although his point was a good one, he just chose a poor way of making it.

There are plenty of Governors to rake over the coals these days, nothing mind you in comparison to the likes of former Governors Eliot Spitzer (D-New York) and Bob Wise (D-West Virginia), but some legitimate questions and concerns.

Speaking of Janet Napolitano … aside from her stance (or lack thereof) on Illegal Immigration, (and correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t she help pave the way for an Illegal alien passing lane on highways that runs from the Mexico/Arizona border through her home state?) … seems I recall a number of questionable moral and ethics violations. But none more memorable then her advising and corroborating on the Anita Hill farce.

You remember, the theatrical storyline, that is, that Ms. Hill had been sexually harassed by her boss, Clarence Thomas. When Susan Hoerchner originally testified that she heard Hill's account of being harassed during a time period that turned out to be before she ever worked for Thomas. Hoerchner’s testimony not only didn't corroborate Hill, it undermined her. But in the middle of this testimony, Napolitano (who was advising Hill) took Hoerchner off the record, and a few minutes later, return to the hearings and testified that she couldn't remember the timing. As David Brock put it in ‘The Real Anita Hill’, “Hill’s attorney Janet Napolitano asked to go off the record, and Hoerchner came back suddenly struck with amnesia.”

I’m afraid that now Barack Obama, and those on the left, have the case of amnesia.

Then there is the case of Governor Ted Strickland (D) Ohio (beginning to notice a trend here?) Seems Governor Strickland has a plumber problem. Specifically, ''Joe the Plumber,'' aka Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher. And if Strickland is not careful, his plumber problem could undermine everything he wants to do in the remaining two years of his term.

In late November, Ohio Inspector General Tom Charles opened his own inquiry into the matter. In addition State Republicans are seizing on the issue, and why not? Strickland set the ethical bar high for his administration when he ran for governor in 2006, and Democrats have justifiably criticized President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney for not respecting privacy rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution.

The pressure applied led Strickland to place Helen E. Jones-Kelley, director of Ohio's Department of Job and Family, on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. The governor also issued an executive order to all state agencies to review and report back within 30 days on their policies regarding access to private data.

"In the absence of credible evidence of fraud or a reliable accusation of delinquency, no Ohioan should be subject to a 'witch hunt' on the whim of a public official,'' State Rep. Bill Batchelder (R) says in his open letter to Strickland. Governor Strickland has tried, unsuccessfully, to convince Ohioans that he had nothing to do with the background checks on Wurzelbacher. And now he faces legal challenges from Joe the Attorney.

Sure hope the governor realizes that it was the cover-up, not the crime that forced Richard Nixon to resign from the highest office in the land.

And from the department of ‘Last But Not Least’, one of my favorite Governors for taking to task, Governor Jennifer Granholm (D) Michigan. It seems that the Cato Institute, a Washington D.C. based and well respected organization nationally, recently took a crack at analyzing the fiscal situation in all 50 states.

The Cato study found that Governor Granholm has presided over one of the slowest-growing states in the nation, “and her tax increases have not helped matters.” The biggest tax change in recent years was to the Michigan Single Business Tax. The tax was generally hated by businesses, and there was wide agreement that it should be repealed.

Michigan’s economy, next to Massachusetts, continues to be the worst in the country. Even so, Granholm continues to drive small business away, as well as, many of its citizens.

In the words of Governor William J. LePetomane (Mel Brooks character from the movie ‘Blazing Saddles’):

'The affairs of state take precedent over the affairs of state.'

A Father To His Son - Happy Birthday Luke

noreply@blogger.com (Jimmy Lewis) — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 15:57:00 +0000

Twenty Six years ago today I inherited, what I consider to be, the most responsible and greatest title a man could ever have bestowed upon him. On December 3, 1982, I forever became known as “Dad.”

And so today I pause, not only to wish my son, Luke James Lewis, a Happy 26th Birthday (Hey! That means you’re now embarking on your second quarter century my son … and you call me “Old Man!”), but I also reflect and give honor to Our Father in Heaven, the founding Father’s of the United States of America and my greatest hero, Herbert H. Lewis … my Dad!

We all know the lessons of the Founding Fathers. The hardship, the battles, the great vision, fortitude, and the incredible qualities, character, perseverance, and brilliance it took to create this great country.

Those are the lessons that my grandfather learned and passed on to my father. Those two generations paved the way, and brought us, some of the greatest inventions known to man. They fought World Wars to protect and secure our freedoms. It was a day when a 40 hour work week was considered part time.

My father and mother raised us in a close-knit Catholic community, where doors were left unlocked at night; backyard were flooded for makeshift hockey rinks in winter; front yards became baseball diamonds in the summer, and the streets were commandeered as touch football fields in the fall.

I never heard my father complain nor utter one single curse word. I’m afraid that’s something my son Luke can never claim about his father. He taught his children to appreciate the values of self-discipline, of respect, and of loyalty to friends and family.

The lessons my Father passed down to me, and I in turn instilled upon my son, were based upon those core principles. They were based upon the same values, preparation, discipline and accountability.

Unfortunately the Baby Boom Generation, which I am a part of, began to take our freedoms and these principles for granted. I saw how hard my father worked and sacrificed for the sake of his family. I began to look at all the things that I could of, and should of, had. I knew how much I missed my father while he was off working, even though he provided me, as well as, my five siblings so much of his very limited and precious time and hard earned dollars.

So even though I passed these lessons on to my son Luke, as well as, my daughter April, and my step daughters Jessica and Amanda, I sometimes ended up being (at times) more a friend than a father. I was way too lenient and bought them far too much. But I did also hug them a lot and, always, told them that I loved them. I realize that I was much more emotional with my son (and daughter), because I knew how much I missed that when my Dad was off working.

Even still, I always set the example of ‘work hard and play hard’. My 30 years, of mostly 50 plus hour work weeks, in corporate America, mixed with playing music on weekends as a second income, all while continuing to be involved with the children’s schooling and activities, were my lessons in action. Which leads me to one of my favorite sayings, as well as, a very important lesson ...

Talk is cheap and action speaks louder than words.

When my son was preparing to join the U.S. Air Force in 2002, I asked him to name for me three main principles, he had learned, that will carry him forward into a successful future. His response brought a tear to my eye, because he nailed it:

“Work and Study Hard, Laugh Often, Keep Your Honor!”

Today, I am also reminded of Tim Russert, who passed away this past June. Russert wrote “Big Russ and Me”, an important book about his father, that opened up a flood of feelings for sons who have fathers who have played an important role in their lives.

His follow up book “Wisdom of Our Fathers” was evidence of the nationwide connection between his experience with his father and so many sons who cherish their relationship with their father. His third book was written about himself as a father and his son Luke.

All three books are worth the read and I recommend them wholeheartedly to everyone.

Now my son Luke has his own son and a long road ahead to pave. Dylan Jacob Lewis, although just over two years old, is already beginning to learn these lessons.

Today, however, they’re calling em “Time Outs!”

If my father were alive today, he’d have a good belly laugh over that one … and then ... in one motion, while whipping off his belt, he’d surely say: “I’ve got a timeout for you!”

Happy Birthday Son!

It has been an eventful and deeply satisfying journey!

Jack Morris - Belongs In Cooperstown

noreply@blogger.com (Jimmy Lewis) — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 15:13:00 +0000

I have been a life long fan of the Game of Baseball; from the moment my Father first took me and my brother to see the Detroit Tigers in 1962. That very first moment we walked into Tiger Stadium and I took in the sights, the sound, the smell, the feel … and oh that bright green grass, the golden brown dirt infield, the clean white bases and chalk line … my senses became more alive then they had even been during my previous eight years on earth. I was hooked!

So it goes without saying, while watching ESPN's "Mike & Mike in the Morning" this morning, that my ears perked up when they announced the official 2009 ballot for the Hall of Fame.

It’s been 20 years since the Baseball Writers' Association of America has elected a left fielder into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. The 2009 ballot that was released Monday features some prominent left fielders who may very well end that drought. For Rickey Henderson and Jim Rice, there is a case of the first and the last. Henderson is among 10 newcomers to the Hall of Fame ballot. Rice, one of the 13 holdovers from the 2008 ballot, is getting his final opportunity for election by the writers.

There is no question that Henderson, not only deserves but, will be inducted into Cooperstown in 2009. But for one Hall of Fame hopeful, the annual debates begin again.

Jack Morris spent fourteen of his eighteen seasons with the Detroit Tigers. However, he was still able to pick up three World Championship rings on three different teams: the Tigers in 1984, the Twins in 1991, and the Blue Jays in 1992. And despite an illustrious career, that included Morris becoming the winningest pitcher in the Major Leagues during the decade of the 1980’s, plus throwing a no-hitter, 5 All Star appearances, and being named a World Series MVP, he has been unsuccessful in gaining enough votes to win Baseball’s highest honor.

To this life long fan of the game ... it’s a no brainer! The numbers speak for themselves:

The Numbers:
254 Wins (40th All-time); 3.90 ERA; 2478 Strikeouts (31st All-time); 3824 Innings (49th All-time); 527 starts (35th All-time); 175 Complete Games; 28 Shutouts; 1 No Hitter.

The Awards:

World Series MVP; 5 All-Star Appearances; Received MVP votes in 5 seasons; Received Cy Young votes in 7 seasons.

Top Ten Finishes:

Wins - 12 Times (Led league in ‘81 & ‘92); ERA - Five Times; Strikeouts - 8 Times (Led league ‘83); Innings - 9 Times (Led league in ‘83); Starts - 11 Times (Led league in ‘90 & ‘91); Complete Games - 10 Times (Led league in ‘90); Shutouts - 8 Times (Led league in ‘86); Winning Percentage - 5 Times.

All these great statistics aside … for me, it comes down to one memorable night in 1991 at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minnesota … in what many consider to be, the greatest post season performance of the modern era. It was Sunday, October 27, 1991, Game 7 of the World Series. Jack Morris of the Minnesota Twins vs. John Smoltz of the Atlanta Braves.

The pitching duel lived up to the hype, with neither team scoring through the first seven innings. But in the top of the eighth inning, the Braves mounted a challenge. With veteran speedster Lonnie Smith on first base and 1991 National League Batting MVP Terry Pendleton at the plate, Braves skipper Bobby Cox called for the hit-and-run. Pendleton drove the ball into the gap for a double. Smith hesitated while rounding second base, however, and ended up on third instead of scoring.

Morris then settled down and worked out of the jam, getting the final two outs as Atlanta first baseman Sid Bream grounded into a double play, stranding Smith on third in what turned out to be a huge missed opportunity by Atlanta.

Smoltz was removed from the game in the bottom of the eighth inning after scattering just six hits and striking out four, and more importantly, keeping the score knotted at 0-0.

Morris soldiered on as the game remained scoreless through the ninth. As the game entered the top of the tenth inning (which was the third game of the Series to reach extra innings), Jack Morris returned to the mound and set the Braves down in order. The 18-game winner had now thrown, unbelievably, 10 innings without giving up a run. But he'd thrown 126 pitches on just three days rest. The odds of him continuing for an 11th frame were mighty slim.

He wouldn't need to. In the bottom half of the tenth inning, Twins' left fielder Dan Gladden doubled off Atlanta reliever Alejandro Pena to lead off the inning. American League Rookie of the Year Chuck Knoblauch then bunted Gladden over to third. Bobby Cox then moved the outfielders in, hoping that they could field a short fly ball and throw out Gladden if he tried to tag up. But pinch-hitter Gene Larkin launched a shot over the drawn-in outfield. Gladden jogged home and jumped on the plate as he was stormed by his teammates.

The game and the Series were over. The Twins had won the World Championship and Jack Morris had completed his second win of the series, with a 10 Inning shutout. A masterpiece of Herculean proportions.

That’s the stuff that legends are made of. Although it is merely one reason that Morris belongs in the Hall of Fame, as documented above, the career speaks for itself.

Gone are the days of 300 win careers. With five-man rotations, pitchers just won’t start enough games to reach that plateau anymore. If the voters can’t look past Morris not reaching that mark, maybe they need to realize that starting pitching, in the future, will go the way of the dinosaur in terms of the Hall of Fame. There has to be more to it than just a magic (300) number. If someone is a top five pitcher for over a ten year period, with a history of big games in the postseason, and the winningest pitcher in the 1980s, with unmatched durability ... if he just happened to be from an east coast team (i.e.: Yankees or Red Sox), the Chicago White Sox, Cubs, or the L.A. Dodger, he would most certainly had already been enshrined.

Jack Morris is a Hall of Famer in my book.

The official box score for Game 7 of the 1991 World Series:
http://www.baseball-almanac.com/box-scores/boxscore.php?boxid=199110270MIN

References:

Baseball-reference.com and The Baseball Page

2009 Hall of Fame Candidates:

Harold Baines• Jay Bell• Bert Blyleven• David Cone• Andre Dawson• Ron Gant• Mark Grace• Rickey Henderson• Tommy John• Don Mattingly• Mark McGwire• Jack Morris• Dale Murphy• Jesse Orosco• Dave Parker• Dan Plesac• Tim Raines• Jim Rice• Lee Smith• Alan Trammell• Greg Vaughn• Mo Vaughn• Matt Williams

Boys Will Be Boys

noreply@blogger.com (Jimmy Lewis) — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 19:30:00 +0000

If you think that picture is a bit scary ... and in the spirit of humor as we make the turn into the home stretch at Christmas Time ... then you should find it truly amazing regarding all of the interesting things you’ll learn, when you have your own son(s) ,,, like the following:

1.) A king size waterbed holds enough water to fill a 2000 sq ft house 4 in. deep.

2.) If you spray hair spray on dust bunnies and run over them with roller blades, they can ignite.

3.) A 3-year old Boy's voice is louder than 200 adults in a crowded restaurant.

4.) If you hook a dog leash over a ceiling fan, the motor is not strong enough to rotate a 42 pound Boy wearing Batman underwear and a Superman cape. It is strong enough, however, if tied to a paint can, to spread paint on all four walls of a 20x20 ft. room.

5.) You should not throw baseballs up when the ceiling fan is on. When using a ceiling fan as a bat, you have to throw the ball up a few times before you get a hit. A ceiling fan can hit a baseball a long way.

6.) The glass in windows (even double-pane) doesn't stop a baseball hit by a ceiling fan.

7.) When you hear the toilet flush and the words 'uh oh', it's already too late.

8.) Brake fluid mixed with Clorox makes smoke. Lots of it.

9.) A six-year old Boy can start a fire with a flint rock even though a 36- year old Man says they can only do it in the movies.

10.) Certain Lego's will pass through the digestive tract of a 4-year old Boy.

11.) Play dough and microwave should not be used in the same sentence.

12.) Super glue is forever.

13.) No matter how much Jell-O you put in a swimming pool you still can't walk on water.

14.) Pool filters do not like Jell-O.

15.) VCR's do not eject 'PB&J' sandwiches even tho TV commercials show they do.

16.) Garbage bags do not make good parachutes.

17.) Marbles in gas tanks make lots of noise when driving.

18.) You probably DO NOT want to know what that odor is.

19.) Always look in the oven before you turn it on; plastic toys do not like ovens.

20.) The fire department in Detroit, Michigan has a 5 minute response time.

21.) The spin cycle on the washing machine does not make earthworms dizzy.

22.) It will, however, make cats dizzy.

23.) Cats throw up twice their body weight when dizzy.

24.) 80% of Women will link this to all of their friends, with or without kids.

25.) 80% of Men who read this will try mixing the Clorox and brake fluid.

* Author Unknown, Submitted via Email: 12/01/08

Mumbai - A Reminder To All of Us

noreply@blogger.com (Jimmy Lewis) — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 01:24:00 +0000

The death and devastation brought about in the Mumbai, India terror attacks, should serve as a reminder, to us all, of this global threat that continues to be knocking on our nation's door.

While we mourn those lost and pray for their families, as well as those injured, it is time we (as a nation) step back and realize that there is one major reason it was not us. That there is absolutely one major reason we have not been hit since September 11, 2001.

George W. Bush.

Let us stop the bashing and give this man his due!!!