The Way We Are

When I was a young boy growing up, I was well protected from the ways of the world by my parents and relatives. I will admit that there were times as a young man where I wished in hind sight that I might have learned more about things growing up. The world can be an ugly place with dangers around every corner. I don't know why it can be that way, maybe it's our built in mechanism to protect ourselves or our survival instinct, but in spite of ourselves, we can manage to hurt others and push them away. It's just The Way We Are, I guess. I have noticed that this Holiday Season people have seemed to be nicer to each other. There could be a glimmer of hope out there. In the last few weeks, I have seen people opening doors for each other, helping load cars with gifts, saying nice things to each other, and in general being well behaved. This is one of the reasons that I love this time of the year so much...It seems to bring out the best in people. I would love to see people act this way all year long...but we will take a little at a time for now! This holiday season I would like to see everyone try something new...if you think it will be appreciated---do it. If you think someone needs a kind word---say it. If you think it will offend---keep it to yourself. If someone is in need of it---give it. If someone is going to be alone---invite them over. If someone is going to be hungry---feed them. If someone is going to be cold---clothe them. If someone is feeling unloved---love them. I know it goes against our nature....but it won't hurt much....I promise!!!

Our Thanksgiving Holiday

December 4th, 1619: 38 English settlers arrived at a trac of 8000 acres called the Berekeley Hundred on the James River in Virginia. The groups charter required the day to be observed annually as a day of Thanksgiving to God. During the Indian Massacre of 1622, about one third of the entire population of the Virginia Colony were killed! Definately not a good Thanksgiving that year I guess! Anyway, the early settlers of the Plymouth Colony (the Pilgrims) had a better go of it with Squanto, the Grand Sachem Massasoit, and the Wampanoag People during annual feasts beginning around 1621-1622. National Thanksgiving Day is to proclaim our thanks for God's Blessings in the events of our Great Nation during the year. This was brought about by President George Washington and Congress in 1789. It is my understanding that good ole George W. Bush will be giving the Thanksgiving address from the Berekeley Plantation this year...who knows, maybe the Indians will go on the war path again....(Just Kidding) wink-wink! From My Family To Yours: HAPPY THANKSGIVING AND HAVE A GREAT HOLIDAY SEASON.

Christmas Shopping At All Time Low

Predictions are that this may be the worst Holiday Season for retailers in over 30 years. No one seems to know the reason. Could it possibly be the rising fuel costs. Hummmmm, I wonder. Soaring fuel costs are driving up the prices of all the living necessities. Believe me when I say that everyone out there is going to take care of their needs first and their wants later. According to the Government inflation is only up .03% over the last couple of months. There is no way that I am going to swallow that bunch of bologna!!! Gas prices in my area are now above $3 a gallon. This time last month they were $2.77 a gallon. This time last year they were $2.23 a gallon. Have you noticed that everything makes the price of oil jump??? The Middle East tensions, the weather, any disaster, too hot, too cold, supply, demand, OPEC decisions, Oval Office decisions, the war on terror, and the lists go on and on!!! What the @#%? It's enough to make a preacher cuss. The increases in fuel prices have the same effect on everything. IT ALL GOES UP! People are not shopping this year because they are afraid they will have to choose between gasoline, food, or medicine in the not too distant future. Unfortunately some folks have already been making this type of choice. Something has to be done soon! With family incomes not going near as far, the retailers had better brace themselves for a slow Holiday Shopping Season this year. I guess we really shouldn't be too worried though, every other day I see President Bush on T.V. saying that prices are not inflated and the economy is good, and we should all just try to use less gasoline...ect!!! I wonder how much he has cut back, don't you??? Who knows, maybe the people in the oil business will by enough shit this year to make up the difference!

Defining A Friend

Webster's definition of a friend is: One who cherishes kind regard for another. An intimate and trustworthy companion.
When I look back over my life, I realize that I can count the good, loyal, trustworthy, long term friends I've had on both hands with some fingers left over! Boy, it is really hard to find a good friend in life. Most of mine have been people I've met in my career. I have two friends from school, three friends from my law enforcement career, and four friends from my military career that I stay in contact with. They know who they are and how much I value their friendship. What has happened to the rest??? I really don't know. They have went out and faded into life. We all get busy with our lives and lose track of each other I guess. When you have a true friendship that last through the years it is a real blessing! Be sure to stay in contact with your true friends just to see how they are doing. They will appreciate it! You never know about life, it is uncertain at best and your voice may be just what they need to hear.

Advice For The Chinese

This article is related to the article that I wrote on losing our jobs. I have some much needed advice for the Chinese....GET OUT OF THE PET CARE AND TOY MAKING INDUSTRIES!!! Every other week we are getting poisoned!!! How much longer is this going to be allowed to continue? Have you ever heard of such a thing? Can't we make toys and pet care products here in the good ole U.S.A. Anyone that would buy something made in China now has got to be nuts! What's the Government thinking? (Oh, they made a boo boo, let's give them one more chance.) There is no reason that we cannot make these things in America. Is our trade relations so important that we will sacrifice peoples children and pets to keep it going??? All of you out there can do what you want......you will anyway.....but as far as me, my family, and friends; we are through buying anything made in China. I will take a long look at buying any foreign made product ever again. I'm really having a hard time understanding why we are not doing more about this problem. If anyone out there has a good excuse for this, I would love to hear it!!!

Terms With Myself

I will be real with what I expect from myself and others; I will respect the people around me cherish their thoughts and opinions.
I will live with God in my life and not be ashamed.
I will not ask people to be burdened by my problems and will face them the best I can.
I will live my life with a strong sense of integrity and meaning. Try to live everyday like it may be my last...because who knows it just might be!
I will not air out my problems or fight in front of people, especially children. I will not allow children to deal with adult problems.
I will take care of myself so that I can take care of my loved ones.
I will not resort to physical violence in my life unless it is in self defense or in the defense of a loved one...I can honestly say that I set these terms in my life long ago and every now and then I have to revisit them. We have to expect the best from ourselves so that we can give the best to others when needed. We grow up...whether we want to or not. We grow old...whether we want to or not. We have an affect on others...whether we want to or not. We are all connected...whether we want to be or not. Every now and again I have to remind myself of this. I can find no absolution in my rational point of view.
Maybe some things are instinctive, but there's one thing you could do.
You can try to understand me....And I can try to understand you.

The Jobs and Careers are Leaving

When we were growing up and getting started out there in the big world...there was so much opportunity. You could get a good job or career and work at that place until you retired. This was in the time when we made things in America, when we exported more than we imported, and when American products were sought after the world over. The economy was booming and things were solid. What has happened? Now it seems we care more about people overseas having jobs and careers than we do our own people. The amount of jobs that we have lost overseas in the past decade or so because of corporate greed is unacceptable. Because they now have the right by law to move companies overseas at will to increase profits, most companies are doing this. They say it raises the standard of living in these countries and it gives them opportunities that they would not have otherwise and this may be true...but which reason do you believe is true? What about the opportunities of our youth? Where can they go to get a job out of high school or college? India? China? Pakistan? Mexico? America is becoming a service country that does not make anything! I am concerned about this type of thing. We need these jobs and our young people need these jobs. We do all these things in addition to providing all kinds of aid money to these countries and where are they when we need help? Where were they during the severe storms and tornadic activities in the mid west this spring that leveled cities? Where were they during the recent wildfires in California? Where have they been during the massive hurricanes we have each year? But America is always there for them in their time of need...the military is quick to assist people in need all over the world, the American Red Cross, and countless other aid agencies supported by Americans!!! We always do alot and get back so little!

Fuel Prices Are Crazy

The price of a gallon of gasoline in my area jumped 22 cents in the last 8 days. This is as crazy as it gets. I have heard all kinds of reasons for the increase but it boils down to one thing...GREED!!! This is going to increase the price of everything from groceries to heating your home this winter...and just in time for the Holiday Season. If we were not cutting it close enough this season...here comes the good ole folks in the oil business to help us out!!! Don't worry about the oil folks though...they are enjoying record profits and they will have a great Holiday Season this year. The Government says that it is worried about inflation and people losing their homes in the great mortgage caper of the 2000's....but don't you believe a word of it! You can always depend on one thing...the Government cares just about as much for you and your family as they always have...lol...lol...lol! I know people personally in my area that can barely afford gasoline to drive to and from work...trying to hold down full time jobs and not even having enough money to feed their families. If the Government cared about the American Families disposable income, the powers that be would put a freeze on the oil prices and get this crazy greed under control. We need to just shut down the country for about 3 days....that's right...everyone just take 3 days off and don't go no where. Companies, Factories, trucking, general labor, chain stores, Mom and Pop stores, manufacturing, and every other occupation....just simply take 3 or 4 days off and watch what would happen to the oil prices when they think they are going to have to drink it! We would have done this back in the 70's and 80's....when I was growing up my parents and their friends would have done it....to boycott these prices. The problem today is we don't have enough guts to do something like that...we are use to being taken care of and don't know how to take a stand anymore. So they will raise the prices and we will pay it....God help us all!!!