From Me, To You...

Christmas Fun for the Kids & Some Personal Thoughs

This Christmas is going to be extra special for me, as it is going to be the first one for my little boy, Jacob. Yes, I became a daddy in January this year, and I've got to say, being a daddy has been the BEST experience in my entire life! While I've always liked kids, I never thought having one would change me so much.

My little man has done more good for me than he will ever know. Along with making me a kinder, more understanding person, he has managed to banish the Grinch and return Christmas spirit to my soul that has been missing since my parents divorce when I was 11. I'm looking forward to all the festivities, and starting a few of my own.
If you have children that are still of the Santa age, you'll get a kick out of this. Every year for over 50 years, NORAD (the North American Aerospace Defense Command) had tracked Santa. It started via radio, and has now moved to the Internet. Just click the link to the website and this might become one of your families favorite new Christmas traditions! Here it is:

http://www.noradsanta.org/en/default.php

Did I Miss Something?

I've been working a lot lately, traveling around the state, etc... but, I didn't think I was this out of touch with reality. Taken from the Department of Homeland Security website @

http://www.dhs.gov/xinfoshare/programs/Copy_of_press_release_0046.shtm

Either I've been living under a rock, or, this is taken so NOT SERIOUSLY by the american public and the meida that no one gives a damn anymore:

Current Threat Level

December 20, 2006

The United States government national threat level is at Code Yellow, or Elevated.
The threat level for all domestic and international flights is at Code Orange or High; banning most liquids, aerosols and gels in carry-on baggage.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has instituted 3-1-1 for Carry-ons:

• 3 ounce or smaller containers of liquid or gel
• 1 quart-size, clear plastic, zip-top bag holding 3 ounce or smaller containers
• 1 bag per traveler placed in the security bin

Recommended Activities

All Americans, including those traveling in the transportation systems, should continue to be vigilant, take notice of their surroundings, and report suspicious items or activities to local authorities immediately.

Everybody should establish an emergency preparedness kit as well as a communications plan for themselves and their family, and stay informed about what to do during an emergency situation.

Trading "The Hammer" For A Pen

Well, I think I've seen it all now. The New York Times had an article the other day about former Texas Congressman Tom Delay and his attempt to return to the national stage as a power broker through his blog. tomdelay.com is the address in case you're interested in a half-amusing fictional read.

Yes good friends, it takes all kinds of us to make up the world of the blogger, including single celled pond scum like Delay. Newt Gingrich can't be far behind...

The Next President of the United States - It's His to Loose

I got a chuckle over the weekend watching the various polls and features come in with who the "heavies" are for the next presidential election cycle. But lets face it, while the Democrats won big this year, the Grand Old Party has plenty of big names to gun for the top office in the land. But head and shoulders above all stands Sen. John McCain and both parties should agree, this is HIS election to loose.

McCain has masterfully changed his public persona from a member of the "Keeting 5" to respected, and outspoken statesmen that can move mountains in his party. While he has been a major pain in the side to the Bush 43's Administration, that could very well prove to be one of his biggest campaign points. "Hi, I'm John McCain, and I'm NOT George Bush!" Now that would be one heck of a campaign slogan. But...it could get even better.

McCain, the former POW, the son of two Navy Admirals, solder, patriot, ranking Republican member of the powerful Senate Armed Services committee will bring and end to this quagmire in Iraq with his secret weapon. Former General of the Joint Chief's of Staff Colin Powell, who also distanced himself as Secretary of State from the Bush Administration and finally, to avoid getting the stink on him, resigned his cabinet post. If you think a McCain for President campaign would rock the house, just add the General and see what you get...a train that almost can't be stopped.

Hmmmm...catching a theme here? Republicans who are not BUSH Republicans have a great chance. To be honest, that's the campaign the Democrats need to be running..."We're NOT George Bush."

Speaking of Democrats, just who will lead the charge? You think the answer is obvious, but believe me, it's a question that needs to sink past skin deep. Here's the short list of what we have in our stable:

1. Hillary - - - Half love her, half hate her. Bad choice.
2. Obama - - -Yeah he's a rising star, but he's African American and just to be honest with you, I don't think our country is mature enough in it's makeup to take the step and elect him because of that. So many say they are not racist but behind the curtain of the ballot box, that's not true. Also, his lack of international experience doesn't help. Wait another 20 years, and he's gold.
3. Gore - - - - Lockbox this guy for another 10 years. Too many bad vibes.
4. Kerry - - - -MUZZLE!! MUZZLE!!
5. Edwards - -Still too wet behind the ears. Give him another 4 and he'll smash in the door.

So, we're out of the running...

Any good suggestions should be sent to the chair of the Democrat Party, Howard Dean. Oh God...we are SO HOSED!!!!

Spaciously Absent or I Should've Gone Fishing!

Every once in a while, it seems like I hit a dry spell. I guess we all go through them from time to time. Days and dates, and obligations, and people can seem to blur together. That's been this past week for me. I think I'll blame it on the holidays!

I love fishing. Can't get enough of it actually. It acts kind of like a counter balance to the hectic portion of my life. I don't care if I catch anything or not, it is soothing to the soul. Come to think of it, that sounds pretty good. Now, where's my rod n reel...

Tacky? Yes. Funny? I'm STILL Laughing!

I love things that make me think. When it's time for me to relax, I'll watch television or more likely, stick my nose in a good book. But my television consists of the History Channel and anything political I can ingest. Books range from Ozarks Folklore, to humor, to history to current events, to biographies and autobiographies, to politics. Yes, I'm a heavy reader.

However, I LOVE funny stuff. Good funny stuff. Stuff that will make you pee your pants because you're laughing so hard. Dear friends, have I got a treat for you! Sit back, turn up your speakers, click on the link below, and prepare to laugh so hard, you'll almost pee your pants, cross your eyes, and forget your name for 30 minutes! Thanks for sending this to me, Colonel. You made my day!

http://www.americanangst.com/dingfries.html

Making this even funnier, I have never actually seen a Burger King this well kept!

It's Official: Baker Report Says "Stay the Course" is..Well, You Know...Full of You Know What!

After 9 months of work, the bi-partisan Baker Report was released to the public today. In a nutshell, it says that the United States needs to do something different where Iraq is concerned.

Due to the wonders of the internet, all of us geopolitical junkies can download the report, read it, and draw our own conclusions. I encourage all of you to do so, and then call your respective Senators and Congressmen. Hopefully, the outcry will bring this national tragedy to a close once and for all and we can get our men and women in uniform back home.

You can download your copy of the report from this link:
http://www.usip.org/isg/iraq_study_group_report/report/1206/index.html

Good Luck to a Great Guy

I've been halfway around the world and I've seen a lot of sights, but, each day reminds me just how lucky I am to live here in the Ozarks. One of the things I hold near and dear to my heart is my vast network of friends. Some are closer than others of course, but I've spent a lifetime acquiring these friendships, and I wouldn't trade them for anything, including cash money.

I received an email early yesterday afternoon, and its contents were confirmed last night, that one of my friends will be leaving to start a new phase in his life. KY3 anchor Jerry Jacob is off to work for Uncle Sam and has joined the Army. Yes, it surprised me. After Tony Beason left the anchor job, Jerry seemed to have it locked in until such time as he decided he didn't want it. That time came a lot sooner than I thought it would.

I have enjoyed his jokes, his charisma, and his wit. For the most part, Jerry is the same person off the air, as he is in front of the camera. That's a rare trait in the broadcasting industry. I hope I'll get to sit down and have a beer with him before he leaves for basic. Good luck, Jerry. Thank you for your sacrifice for our liberties, and for believing in something so strongly, that you had to be a part of it. I know we'll keep hearing from you.

Television Just Isn't Worth It

It's been a long time since I've gotten addicted to a television show, and that's by design. See, I would find something I really liked, get hooked on it, and miss half the episodes. Yes, I could have recorded them, but, I had to remember to record them in the first place! Sad to say, but I do have that short an attention span at times. I also hated the dreaded "To Be Continued..." episodes because I would without fail, miss the follow up.

Enter the DVR and my life became a little easier. Set it once, and it's done. No tapes, no fuss, no muss.

Ok, back to the story. I've gotten addicted to the series "HEROES." I'm not going to say it stimulates the mind like an early series of "West Wing" did, but the "what the hell is going on here??" factor is still great. So far, it's got few slow spots, clipping along at a brisk pace and keeping the mind busy with a good set of intricate story lines. The latest episode closes and I wait for the trailer for the next episode...that starts January 22nd.

What? What the hell? January 22nd?? Oh no there jack, you've got to be KIDDING! Its well before Christmas and the networks have decided that television will now come in the form of TWO mini-seasons instead of ONE. When did that happen???? What kind of laziness are the masters of the airwaves trying to pawn off on me?

In the end, I will stew about this until after the first of the year, I will watch the show, and I will be ticked the entire time that I have been trapped, by the marketing wizards of network television. When this season is over, I will make the pact with myself once more...never again.

I just wonder how many others are ticked with this same situation...