Papa Frank

Just In Case

2011-01-13T01:24:00.001-06:00

Just in case ANYONE in the blogmosphere still remembers me I am alive. ;0)

Rest in Peace Dr. King

2010-01-18T09:12:00.001-06:00

New Court Ruling

2009-12-21T20:30:00.002-06:00

This just in from CNN..The Supreme Court has ruled there can't be a Nativity Scene in the United States Capital this Christmas season. Not for any religious reason. They simply have not been able to find Three Wise Men in Washington. The search for a Virgin continues. There wasn't any problem, however, finding enough asses to fill the stable.

Wisdom of a Common Man

2009-12-01T20:44:00.002-06:00

"Live in such a way that you would not be ashamed to sell your parrot to the town gossip." -- Will Rogers

It's About That Time Again!!!

2009-11-17T20:30:00.000-06:00

Thank You

2009-11-11T16:56:00.002-06:00

American troops are the strongest, bravest, and best anywhere in the world. They have never been afraid to meet any foe on any field of battle anywhere. I am humbled by the amazing sacrifices these people and their families have made for our country in general and for my family and I specifically. Thank you very much to all who have served or are serving.

For My Friend Z

2009-10-11T20:08:00.005-05:00

My thoughts and prayers are with you.

SNL May Be On To Something Here

2009-10-10T14:37:00.000-05:00

Newsflash

2009-10-09T17:14:00.003-05:00

This just in: Obama has just been named the winner of Survivor, So You Think You Can Dance, America's Got Talent, American Idol (I can see their point on that one), the Master's golf tournament, the Indy 500, the Preakness, and was given more gold medals than Michael Phelps. Phelps and Obama are now going to have a summit and share a bong on the Whitehouse lawn to reconcile.

Just For A Laugh

2009-10-03T00:56:00.002-05:00

Just In Case You've Grown Complacent

2009-10-02T20:22:00.000-05:00

Common Ground

2009-09-16T22:29:00.003-05:00

It seems that Papa Frank and Obama have finally found some common ground. When asked about Kanye West's latest outburst of idiocy Obama made the poignant observation that Kanye West is a jackass. For a small moment here I am proud of you Mr. President.

I Am Proud Of Our School District

2009-09-04T16:30:00.000-05:00

The Belton School District has received a number of inquiries regarding its plans for President Obama’s address to students on Sept. 8. In light of those inquiries, we have adopted the following plans.

The Belton School District will observe a normal school schedule on Sept. 8. No classrooms will view President Obama’s address live. The administration will view and tape the president’s address to American school children. The tape may be used in the future as a curriculum resource in appropriate classes. In that event, parents will be notified by teachers if they plan to use the tape in class. Parents may elect to remove their child during the viewing and discussion of the president’s talk. Students not participating will be assigned an alternative learning activity to cover the class objective for that day.

The tape of President Obama’s address will be available for parent check-out in every school library. Parents may check out the tape for home viewing with their children. If a group of parents would like to view the tape together with their children they may make arrangements to use a school library for that purpose.

The Indoctrination Begins September 8th

2009-09-02T22:39:00.002-05:00

Menu of Classroom Activities
President Obama’s Address to Students Across America
(PreK-6)

Produced by Teaching Ambassador Fellows, U.S. Department of Education

September 8, 2009

Before the Speech
• Teachers can build background knowledge about the President of the United States and his speech by reading books about presidents and Barack Obama. Teachers could motivate students by asking the following questions:
Who is the President of the United States?
What do you think it takes to be president?
To whom do you think the president is going to be speaking?
Why do you think he wants to speak to you?
What do you think he will say to you?
• Teachers can ask students to imagine that they are delivering a speech to all of the students in the United States.
If you were the president, what would you tell students?
What can students do to help in our schools?
Teachers can chart ideas about what students would say.
• Why is it important that we listen to the president and other elected officials, like the mayor, senators, members of congress, or the governor? Why is what they say important?
During the Speech
• As the president speaks, teachers can ask students to write down key ideas or phrases that are important or personally meaningful. Students could use a note-taking graphic organizer such as a “cluster web;” or, students could record their thoughts on sticky notes. Younger children could draw pictures and write as appropriate. As students listen to the speech, they could think about the following:
What is the president trying to tell me?
What is the president asking me to do?
What new ideas and actions is the president challenging me to think about?
• Students could record important parts of the speech where the president is asking them to do something. Students might think about the following:
What specific job is he asking me to do?
Is he asking anything of anyone else?
Teachers? Principals? Parents? The American people?
• Students could record questions they have while he is speaking and then discuss them after the speech. Younger children may need to dictate their questions.

After the Speech
• Teachers could ask students to share the ideas they recorded, exchange sticky notes, or place notes on a butcher-paper poster in the classroom to discuss main ideas from the speech, such as citizenship, personal responsibility, and civic duty.
• Students could discuss their responses to the following questions:
What do you think the president wants us to do?
Does the speech make you want to do anything?
Are we able to do what President Obama is asking of us?
What would you like to tell the president?

Extension of the Speech

Teachers could extend learning by having students:
• Create posters of their goals. Posters could be formatted in quadrants, puzzle pieces, or trails marked with the following labels: personal, academic, community, and country. Each area could be labeled with three steps for achieving goals in that area. It might make sense to focus first on personal and academic goals so that community and country goals can be more readily created.
• Write letters to themselves about how they can achieve their short-term and long-term education goals. Teachers would collect and redistribute these letters at an appropriate later date to enable students to monitor their progress.
• Write goals on colored index cards or precut designs to post around the classroom.
• Interview one another and share goals with the class to create a supportive community.
• Participate in school-wide incentive programs or contests for those students who achieve their goals.
• Write about their goals in a variety of genres, such as poems, songs, and personal essays.
• Create artistic projects based on the themes of their goals.
• Graph individual progress toward goals.

Rest in Peace Mary Jo Kopechne

2009-08-26T17:12:00.003-05:00

What's It To Ya?

2009-08-23T19:47:00.002-05:00

My family and I visited a new church this morning. The pastor there used a phrase in passing that stuck out to me. He said that something was a "blazingly beautiful experience." Those that have been around here for quite some time might recall that beauty is something that I hold dear. In fact I am in a never ending pursuit of the beautiful. Beauty is something that has not been talked about much on this blog lately and that is something that I am going to change. In that vein, I would like to ponder here what a "blazingly beautiful experience" would be to me. Beautiful is the word here that stands out to most and can be defined as: "delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration." Though this is the most commonly used word in the phrase it is also perhaps the toughest to nail down. By it's own definition it is the essence of subjectivity. So I say: why try?

What have I experienced that I would classify as blazingly beautiful? As with the pastor, the first thing that comes to mind is my experience as a child where I chose to place my life in the hands of an Almighty God. That experience is etched on my mind and is one that I will take with me as long as I have breath. The moment I stood with my wife in front of a large group of friends and family and professed my love for her and my desire to forever join my life with hers. That was a blazingly beautiful experience. The morning that I watched as my twin girls were brought into this world and I held them in my arms and stared at their beautiful faces and held their tiny fingers in my seemingly gigantic hands. That was a blazingly beautiful experience. These are earth shattering and life changing experiences. Easy to see how they could be blazingly beautiful. However, I would offer that the majority of blazingly beautiful experiences in my life are very quiet and unassuming. Things that may be easily passed over by an onlooker. Yet to me they are times of magnitude. Standing in my plain white sheet "ghost" costume as a child waiting to take my first breath of cold Michigan air and mutter the words "trick or treat." My father taking the time to walk around the neighborhood and just talk with me as a child. My mother laying me on her lap in the car and gently breathing warm air in my ear to soothe the pain of an earache. Staying up all night with my wife on accident. Sleeping in my chair while holding my daughters. Watching a child at that very moment when they "get it" and learn something. Sitting in the woods holding a gun and watching intently for anything through the mist of warm breath and cold air. A perfect meal. A sunset shared with my family. And a thousand things in between all these events.

What do you find to be a blazingly beautiful experience?

Obamacare - The Reality Of It

2009-08-09T16:39:00.003-05:00

Any Thoughts?

2009-08-06T18:44:00.002-05:00

Happy Birthday???

2009-08-04T17:06:00.003-05:00

I would like to wish our President a happy birthday today. Of course, since his birth certificate is still as elusive as Bigfoot we don't really know how old he is or if today is even his birthday at all. So Happy Birthday Mr. President.........maybe.

Red Stripe, Blue Moon, and the White House

2009-07-30T17:42:00.003-05:00

How many beers does it take to solve a dispute falsely labeled a race issue? If you find yourself in a dispute maybe you too can go drinking with the President of the free world. We'll just call it diplomacy for dummies (or drunks).

Car Allowance Rebate System

2009-07-29T18:31:00.002-05:00

First things first folks. My apologies for my disappearance. I offer no excuses just a simple apology. I'll try not to be gone so long in the future. Now on to the new post.....

By now you have certainly heard of the "cash for clunkers" legislation (or as it is actually called the Car Allowance Rebate System.) I have been saying for a long time now that the best way to help the American car companies was not to just hand them billions of dollars but to instead give that money to citizens in the form of a rebate for buying new cars. That way your money goes twice as far since you have helped the common consumer as well as got the needed revenue into the hands of the car companies. Not only that but you helped them while increasing their sales and not just "bailed them out" but did nothing to help the real problem which is the fact that they were not selling cars. Enter the new CARS legislation. This program would appear to be doing exactly what I thought would be a better idea. One little problem. The legislation and the program is not focused on helping the American car companies or you and I for that matter. Instead the main focus of the program is on continuing the agenda of so-called environmentalists. The government does not care if one single American car is bought. They only care that we get more fuel efficient vehicles on the road no matter who they come from. Here's a little excerpt from their FAQ section:

"I don't drive an American car but I would like to trade in my old car for a newer, more fuel efficient one. Is this program only for American cars?
No. You may trade in or buy a domestic or a foreign vehicle."

I hope the other countries of the world are grateful for our continued pursuit of minding their interest and not our own.

Sweet Land of Liberty

2009-07-03T23:59:00.002-05:00

My country,' tis of thee,
sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing;
land where my fathers died,
land of the pilgrims' pride,
from every mountainside let freedom ring!

My native country, thee,
land of the noble free, thy name I love;
I love thy rocks and rills,
thy woods and templed hills;
my heart with rapture thrills, like that above.

Let music swell the breeze,
and ring from all the trees sweet freedom's song;
let mortal tongues awake;
let all that breathe partake;
let rocks their silence break, the sound prolong.

Our fathers' God, to thee,
author of liberty, to thee we sing;
long may our land be bright
with freedom's holy light;
protect us by thy might, great God, our King.

God is Great...Beer is Good...and People are Crazy

2009-07-02T23:38:00.001-05:00

Moron of the Day

2009-07-01T17:36:00.003-05:00

I would like to award the Moron of the Day award to Rudy Clay, the mayor of Gary, Indiana. In his bid to persuade the Jackson family to bury Michael Jackson in Gary, Indiana he offered the following:

"I believe that his body will lie in state in Gary, Indiana. Now, it may not happen, but I believe it will." He added it will be: "a memorial that's fit for the prince of peace and a memorial that's fit for Gary, Indiana's favorite son, the greatest entertainer that ever lived."

I would like to inform the mayor of Gary, Indiana that the title of Prince of Peace is already taken. Unless, of course, he would like to push the person to whom that title belongs off His throne. You, sir, are a moron. Not a very good week for mayors. SHEESH!!!

Coup in Honduras

2009-06-28T10:57:00.002-05:00

Caracas, Venezuela, 28 June 2009. The democratically elected President of Honduras, Manuel Zelaya, has been abducted by the local Air Force from the government Palace at Tegucigalpa early this morning. The kidnapping took place on the very same day Honudurans would vote over a referendum call for a Constituent Assembly. Such political initiative caused opposition at some conservative cadress and the destitution of the Chief of the Honduran Army Romeo Vásquez Velásquez. The ongoing coup has been fueled by military sectors that opposed the attempt to change presidential terms by a Constittutional reform. Zelaya was initially supported by conservatives but then rejected once his government followed a left leaning agenda and established close ties with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and joined ALBA. Pro government supporters of President Manuel Zelaya have been protesting at the presidential palace and confronted military personnel. Power supply has been disrupted. Radio Station are unable to broadcast on the current crisis. Opposition led Honduran channel 11 has been broadcasting cartoons instead of reporting on the coup. The local governmental TV station - Channel 8 -has halted its transmission. Very few private stations are reoporting on the ongoing coup. Only two days ago, OAS had expressed concern over ottempts to ovewrthorow the democratically elected government in Honduras. During a Telesur interview with Hector Zelaya, son of the ousted President, unconfirmed information suggested the Head of State was taken out of the country. It is believed Zelaya is at Costa Rica or Guatemala. All other Minister- except Honduran Foreing Secretay Patricia Rodas- had been abducted too.

Michael Jackson Dead at Age 50

2009-06-25T17:12:00.003-05:00

Michael Joseph Jackson was born on August 29, 1958 and died June 25, 2009.

Just Sayin'

2009-06-22T20:44:00.000-05:00

Now what do we all know of that draws flies???

The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)

2009-06-21T10:17:00.002-05:00

Our family spent the last week on vacation in Kentucky and Tennessee. We had the pleasure of going to Mammoth Cave National Park and Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Much of what we enjoyed there was built with the blood and sweat of the Civilian Conservation Corps.

The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was a public work relief program for unemployed men, focused on natural resource conservation from 1933 to 1942. As part of the New Deal legislation proposed by U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR), the CCC was designed to aid relief of high unemployment stemming from the Great Depression while carrying out a broad natural resource conservation program on national, state and municipal lands. Legislation to create the program was introduced by FDR to the 73rd United States Congress on March 21, 1933, and the Emergency Conservation Work Act, as it was known, was signed into law on March 31, 1933. The CCC became one of the most popular New Deal programs among the general public and operated in every U.S. state and the territories of Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. While FDR is given credit for the idea of this program, in truth the suggestion came from Republican Senator James Couzens of Michigan, who was given the idea in a letter from a constituent, Archibald Sun of Detroit, Michigan.

The CCC put many young men to work doing worthwhile projects across the USA. The men were paid one dollar each day and were given three hot meals. This is the origin of the phrase "Another day, another dollar." This is part of what they accomplished:

* restored 3980 historical structures
* developed 800 state parks
* built 28,087 miles of trails
* built 38,550 vehicle bridges
* built 3116 lookout towers
* built lodges and museums
* worked on National Parks

Breaking News.......Literally!!!

2009-06-08T18:21:00.002-05:00

The White House says Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor has broken her ankle after an airport stumble in New York City.
Sotomayor fractured her right ankle Monday morning at New York's LaGuardia Airport before boarding a shuttle to Washington for an afternoon of meetings with senators.

The accident occurred when this man...

...decided to pull a childish prank and offered a...

...to Supreme Court nominee...

...Knowing full well that liberals are too stupid to walk and chew gum at the same time.

Wings Over Whiteman Air Show

2009-06-06T20:45:00.002-05:00

Today we had the privilege of attending the air show at Whiteman Air Force Base in Knob Knoster, Missouri. To say that we have the most awesome aircraft in the world is an understatement. Whiteman houses not one or two of the B-2 Stealth Bombers. They have ALL of them. Up close and personal they are even more intimidating than any pictures you've seen. And the F-22 Raptor is enough to make you tremble without even seeing it fly. When you add in the bravest pilots in the world there is no wonder that we enjoy air superiority across the globe.

Obama is Wrong as Usual

2009-06-05T19:28:00.002-05:00

Paul L. Williams, Ph.D.

Thelastcrusade.org

Speaking at the University of Cairo, President Barack Hussein Obama said that Americans are indebted to Islam for the great contributions Muslims have made to the history and development of the United States.

“I know that Islam has always been a part of America’s story,” Mr. Obama told the throng of unenlightened Muslims. “The first nation to recognize my country was Morocco. . . And since our founding, American Muslims have enriched the United States.”

Mr. Obama went on to say: “They [Muslims] have fought in our wars. They have served in our government. They have stood for civil rights. They have started businesses. They have taught at our universities. They’ve excelled in our sports arenas. They’ve won Nobel Prizes, built our tallest building and lit the Olympic torch. And when the first Muslim American was recently elected to Congress, he took the oath to defend our Constitution using the same holy Koran that one of our founding fathers, Thomas Jefferson, kept in his personal library.”

No one at the Egyptian University or the international media took issue with the President’s bizarre interpretation of American history, let alone his confusion of the Nation of Islam (the religion of Muhammad Ali and Malcolm X) that bears scant similarity to orthodox Islam. The Nation of Islam teach that Allah in the flesh was a bona fide nutcase named Wallace Fard and that Eli Muhammad, a conman with a tested IQ of 70 and not the Prophet Muhammad, was the true last prophet of Allah.

Let’s set the record straight once and for all.

Sorry, Barack Hussein, but there were no Muslims among the passengers on the Mayflower or the settlers at Jamestown. Muslims were conspicuously absent from the ranks of George Washington’s Army of the Revolution and played no role in the creation of the American republic - - save for the fact that the new country’s first declaration of war was against the forces of Islam in the form of the Barbary pirates.1

Despite popular folklore, few Muslims numbered among the 12 million black Africans who were shipped to the New World from the 17th to 19th centuries. The Muslims, in fact, were not the slaves but the slave traders. Senegalese educator Amadou-Mahtar M’Bow has written that in 1587 a shipload of Moriscos (Spanish Moors) landed in a coastal area of South Carolina. The Moors, he contends, migrated to the mountains of eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina where they established colonies.2 In reality, this is pure speculation. There is not a scintilla of archival or archaeological evidence to support this claim.

This is not to say that no Muslim slaves were transported to the colonies. Two such slaves - - Ayuiba Suleiman Diallo and Omar ibn Said - - were brought to America is 1731 but both were returned to Africa in 1734.3 In a Herculean effort to materialize at least one Muslim living in America before the Civil War, Muslims in America, an Islamic website, point to the name of Mahomet, the great grandson of Uncas, the founder of the Mohegan tribe, on a gravestone in Norwich, Connecticut.4 The name of this Native America, they argue, resembles that of the prophet, and, therefore, he must have been a convert to Islam.

In a similar example of straining at gnats, the compilers of The Collections and Stories of American Muslims, a non-profit organization, claim that Peter Salem, a former slave who fought at the Battle of Bunker Hill, must have been a Muslim since “Salem” bears an etymological resemblance to “Salaam,” the Arabic word for peace.5

For additional proof, the compilers turn to folklore, such as the story of Old Tom, a slave at a plantation in Georgia, who allegedly uttered, “Allah is God and Mohammed his Prophet” on his death-bed - - and the apocryphal tale of “Old Lizzy,” a slave from Edgefield County, who reportedly said, “Christ built His first church in Mecca.”6

Surprisingly, there is no record of any Islamic American among the enlisted and conscripted forces of World War I, let alone among the blue and grey armies of the Civil War. The great migrations that lasted from 1865 to 1925 brought 35,000,000 people to the New World: 4,500,000 from Ireland, 4,000,000 from Great Britain, 6,000,000 from central Europe, 2,000,000 from the Scandinavian countries, 5,000,000 from Italy, 8,000,000 from Eastern Europe, and 3,000,000 from the Balkans. But the number of Muslims who came here from the Middle East was statistically nil.7

In 1960, aside from the temples of the Nation of Islam, the only mosques in the United States were in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Dearborn, Michigan, and Washington DC (which opened in 1957) - - and all three professed less than 200 active members. Four other cities contained miniature mosques with less than fifty members.8

Oh, yes, Jefferson did possess a copy of the Koran which Keith Ellison, our first openly Muslim Congressman, used to make his oath of office. But what was Jefferson opinion of Islam? Did he believe the Muslim religion represented a salubrious influence in world affairs? Far from it. In 1786 Thomas Jefferson, then US ambassador to France, and John Adams, then US Ambassador to Britain, met in London with Sidi Haji Abdul Rahman Adja, the Dey’s ambassador to Britain, in an attempt to negotiate a peace treaty with the Barbary Pirates based on Congress’ vote of funding. To the US Congress these two future Presidents later reported the reasons for the Muslims’ hostility towards America, a nation with which they had no previous contacts.

“…that it was founded on the Laws of their Prophet, that it was written in their Koran, that all nations who should not have acknowledged their authority were sinners, that it was their right and duty to make war upon them wherever they could be found, and to make slaves of all they could take as Prisoners, and that every Musselman (Muslim) who should be slain in Battle was sure to go to Paradise.”
Jefferson had it right.

Obama has it wrong.

A Warning

2009-05-29T17:29:00.003-05:00

"The United States is not, and will never be, at war with Islam." These are our Presidents words to you Americans. However, let me remind you that many who practice Islam ARE MOST CERTAINLY at war with the United States. They hate us and everything we stand for. Even if our President's head is stuck in the sand we must never allow ourselves to be fooled again. We MUST remain vigilant.

Springfield XD 9mm

2009-05-26T20:05:00.003-05:00

Chuck Taylor's view of the Springfield XD 9mm:

In the category of small arms, the names of B. Tyler Henry, Hiram Maxim, John Browning and George Luger attained legendary status, as did Sam Colt, Daniel Wesson. John Garand, Eugene Stoner and Mikhail Kalashnikov cast huge shadows in the world of military rifle design, as does Gaston Glock in the world of handguns.

Yet, though on the surface, these men's achievements appear unrelated, they all share one thing in common – they took existing concepts and reshaped them into something whose time had come. And in so doing, they facilitated a quantum leap in technology that elevated the state of the art in their respective endeavors.

So it is with the Vukovic-led Croatian design team engineers who designed Springfield Armory's XD-9 9x19mm pistol. Although they're probably not aware of it, they created something significantly better than anything that came before. Incorporating the best of both Glock and SIG designs with a few new wrinkles thrown in for good measure, the XD-9 is a strong contender for the title of being the first true pistol of the 21st century.

Historically, the XD-9 began life as the HS-2000, which itself was an improved version of I.M. Metalworks (Karlovac, Croatia) HS-95 of 1995. But it actually first appeared as the PHP in 1991, though that particular pistol was fraught with a few quality control problems due to the ongoing Croatian civil war. Vukovic's design team continually refined the PHP and HS-95, correcting its design and metallurgical weaknesses, the final version being designated as the HS-2000. At this point, I'll forego further historic commentary because it would be redundant, since the HS-2000 was covered in detail in a previous issue of COMBAT HANDGUNS. Shortly thereafter, Springfield Armory acquired importation rights and re-designated the weapon as the XD-9.

Sorry Folks!

2009-05-24T19:58:00.002-05:00

I'm sorry folks. Sorry I haven't been keeping up posting here or getting around to visit all my blog friends. No excuses. I've just been a little lazy. That and I've been feeding my addiction to Mafia Wars on Facebook. I'll get back to normal soon. Thanks for your patience with me.

The Use of Deadly Force

2009-05-13T20:20:00.003-05:00

Take out a $100 bill. Let's make a bet. If I win the bet then I get your $100. If you win the bet then you get to keep your $100. Is that a good bet? That, my friends, is a gun fight. YOU RISK EVERYTHING AND YOU DON'T WIN ANYTHING. YOU JUST GET TO KEEP WHAT YOU HAVE. Gun fights should be avoided like the plague but if you find yourself in a gun fight then you will be happy that you have trained to win. It is not near enough to own a gun. The gun is only the tool. YOU must be the craftsman and know how to use that tool skillfully.

When is it justifiable to use deadly force?

You are universally justified in the use of deadly force when there is a reasonable fear of immediate or otherwise unavoidable danger of death or serious bodily injury to the innocent. All these factors must be present in order to justifiably use deadly force. Lacking any one or more of the key factors will result in a questionable use of deadly force and you will face the criminal and civil consequences.

REMEMBER: Gun fighting is risky business. You risk everything and you don't win anything. At best you just get to keep what you already have. Those of you out there who own guns and carry them for protection I would urge you to get out and train to win.

Focus on the Front Sight

2009-05-12T17:27:00.003-05:00

The name Front Sight comes from a shooting technique that focuses on just that. In this technique the most important thing to focus on is the front sight of your gun. As pictured above you should have the front sight completely in perfect focus while the target is blurry. This idea is coupled with learning to have a correct stance and correct grip on your gun. Once your stance and your grip are right you place the front sight on the center of mass of your target as your finger enters the trigger guard and begins to take the slack out of the trigger, align the sights perfectly as you transition your focus to the front sight. Establish a crystal clear focus on the front sight as you smoothly PRESS (not pull) the trigger until you receive a surprise break. For me the difference between me pulling the trigger and me pressing the trigger with an even pressure and letting the pressure build until a surprise break made an enormous difference in the accuracy of my shots.

Front Sight Institute

2009-05-11T17:56:00.005-05:00

I had the great privilege of attending Front Sight this past weekend. It is billed as the premiere school for gun handling instruction in the country and having attended a 2-day handgun defense class there I have no arguments with that assessment. Simply put it is an awesome campus with awesome instruction and awesome instructors and range masters. I'll go much farther into their philosophy and my experience there throughout the week.

Happy Birthday Ari and Jessie!!!

2009-05-07T05:58:00.003-05:00

Dom Deluise Dies at Age 75

2009-05-05T16:03:00.002-05:00

DeLuise generally appeared in comedic parts, although an early appearance (in the movie Fail-Safe as a nervous enlisted airman) showed a possible broader range. His first acting credit was as a regular performer in the television show The Entertainers in 1964. In the 1970s and 1980s, he often co-starred with Burt Reynolds; together they appeared in the films The Cannonball Run and Cannonball Run II, Smokey and the Bandit II, The End, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and All Dogs Go to Heaven. DeLuise was the host of the television show Candid Camera from 1991 to 1992.
TV producer Greg Garrison hired DeLuise to appear as a specialty act on the popular Dean Martin show. DeLuise ran through his "Dominick the Great" routine, a riotous example of a magic act gone wrong, with host Martin as a bemused volunteer from the audience. Dom's catch phrase in broken Italian dialect, No Applause Necessary, Sava to the End. The show went so well that DeLuise was soon a regular on Martin's program, participating in both songs and sketches. Garrison also featured DeLuise in his own hour-long comedy specials for ABC. (Martin was often just off-camera when these were taped, and his distinctive laugh can be heard loud and clear.)
DeLuise was probably best known as a regular in Mel Brooks's films. He appeared in The Twelve Chairs, Blazing Saddles, Silent Movie, History of the World, Part I, Spaceballs & Robin Hood: Men in Tights. Brooks' late wife, actress Anne Bancroft, directed Dom in Fatso (1980). He also had a cameo in Johnny Dangerously as the Pope, and in Jim Henson's The Muppet Movie as a wayward Hollywood talent agent who comes across Kermit the Frog singing "The Rainbow Connection" in the film's opening scene.
DeLuise exhibited his comedic talents while playing the speaking part of the jailer Frosch in the comedic operetta Die Fledermaus at the Metropolitan Opera. In the production, while the singing was in German, the spoken parts were in English.
An avid cook and author of several books on cooking, in recent years he appeared as a regular contributor to a syndicated home improvement radio show, On The House with The Carey Brothers, giving listeners tips on culinary topics.[4] He also wrote several children's books.

One Week Until Papa Goes Back to School

2009-04-30T19:07:00.001-05:00

WHO raises swine flu alert to 'pandemic level 5'

2009-04-29T15:22:00.003-05:00

The World Health Organization has raised its pandemic alert for swine flu to the second highest level, meaning that it believes a global outbreak of the disease is imminent.

WHO says the phase 5 alert means there is sustained human-to-human spread in at least two countries. It also signals that efforts to produce a vaccine will be ramped up.

WHO has confirmed human cases of swine flu in Mexico, the United States, Canada, Britain, Israel, New Zealand and Spain. Mexico and the U.S. have reported deaths.

WHO Director-General Margaret Chan made the decision Wednesday to raise the alert level from phase 4 — signifying transmission in only one country — after reviewing the latest scientific evidence on the outbreak.

"It is important to take this very seriously," Chan told a press conference watched around the globe on Wednesday.

As fear and uncertainty about the disease ricocheted around the globe, nations took all sorts of precautions, some more useful than others.

Britain closed a school after a 12-year-old girl was found to have the disease. Egypt slaughtered all its pigs and the central African nation of Gabon became the latest nation to ban pork imports, despite assurances that swine flu was not related to eating pork.

Cuba eased its flight ban, deciding just to block flights coming in from Mexico. And Asian nations greeted returning airport travelers with teams of medical workers and carts of disinfectants, eager to keep swine flu from infecting their continent.

In Mexico City, the epicenter of the epidemic, the mayor said Wednesday the outbreak seemed to be stabilizing and he was considering easing the citywide shutdown that closed schools, restaurants, concert halls and sports arenas.

Swine flu is suspected of killing more than 150 people in Mexico and sickening over 2,400 there.

Nearly 100 cases have now been confirmed in the U.S. across 11 states, and health officials reported Wednesday that a 23-month-old Mexican boy had died in Texas.

Across Europe, Germany confirmed three swine flu cases and Austria one, while the number of confirmed cases rose to five in Britain and ten in Spain.

WHO conducted a scientific review Wednesday to determine exactly what is known about how the disease spreads, how it affects human health and how it can be treated.

The U.S., the European Union and other countries have discouraged nonessential travel to Mexico. Cuba suspended all regular and charter flights from Mexico to the island but was still allowing airlines to return travelers to Mexico.

Egypt’s government ordered the slaughter of all pigs in the country as a precaution, though no swine flu cases have been reported there. Egypt’s overwhelmingly Muslim population does not eat pork, but farmers raise up to 350,000 pigs for its Christian minority.

In Australia, officials were testing more than 100 people with flu symptoms for the virus and the government gave health authorities wide powers to contain contagious diseases.

“(We can make) sure that people are isolated and perhaps detained if they don’t cooperate and are showing symptoms,” said Health Minister Nicola Roxon.

A Mistake? That's an Understatement!!!

2009-04-28T16:18:00.003-05:00

A photo-op over the Manhattan skyline that sent thousands of New Yorkers running for their lives has officials in Washington, D.C., running for cover.

Many New Yorkers on Tuesday were asking what the Obama administration could have been thinking when it authorized an Air Force One backup plane to fly over the city for photos capturing the presidential plane with the Statue of Liberty in the background.

The 747 plane, with an F-16 escort following close behind, circled the Statue of Liberty and the skyline near the World Trade Center site for about a half-hour. Offices were evacuated. Emergency call centers were inundated. Witnesses reported that the planes were flying dangerously low

The site evoked memories of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and left White House Military Office Director Louis Caldera accepting responsibility and apologizing late Monday for permitting the exercise that infuriated New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who had not been alerted to the flyover.

President Obama, who was meeting with FBI Director Robert Mueller and other senior officials at the FBI on Tuesday, called the photo-op "a mistake."

Just leave it to the sophomoric amateurs running the White House to pull an idiotic stunt like this one. Since they got a pass on all the blunders they have made overseas I guess they figured they would try making some huge ones here and see how they would play to the kool-aid drunk masses. And by the way, this little stunt cost you and me (the taxpayers) $328,000.

Are We on the Verge of a Pandemic?

2009-04-25T19:33:00.002-05:00

Published Date: 26 April 2009
By Kate Foster
THE World Health Organisation was last night trying to find a way to halt the spread of a deadly new strain of flu across the world.
After a crisis meeting following the deaths of up to 68 people in Mexico, WHO declared swine flu could turn into a pandemic.

More than 1,000 others are reported to have been infected by the virus in Mexico. Health officials believe at least eight schoolchildren in New York have the virus. In addition residents of Kansas, Texas and California have developed symptoms, raising fears the outbreak could hit thousands more.

In London, a British Airways cabin crew member was admitted to hospital yesterday after arriving on a flight from Mexico City.

The flu combines genetic material from pigs, birds and humans in a way scientists have not seen before. The fact that many deaths are among young adults is a hallmark of pandemic flu. WHO says 12 of the Mexican cases have been laboratory confirmed as genetically identical to the swine flu virus detected in the US.

The global health body has said that so far there is no evidence of similar outbreaks elsewhere in the world. But it has advised other countries to look out following the discovery of related strains on both sides of the Mexico-US border. Further measures, such as travel restrictions, may be put in place if the virus spreads.

The virus appears to cause flu-like symptoms that can develop into severe pneumonia. Swine flu is endemic in pigs, but unlike bird flu is able to pass from human to human. There have been three major outbreaks around the world in the past century, including the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918, in which the virus mutated into a human form in months, killing 50 million people worldwide.

A WHO spokesman said: "We are very, very concerned. We have what appears to be a novel virus and it has spread from human to human. It's all hands on deck at the moment.

"We do seem to have found incidents of the same illness on both sides of the border in various locations. We're not sure exactly of the transmission routes, where the initial infection came from, how efficient it is in transmitting."

WHO is also questioning why no one has died in the US so far, while there have been confirmed deaths in Mexico. Some parts of the Mexican capital, population 20 million, have ground to a standstill over the crisis. Most of the fatalities have occurred in the city. Mexican authorities have urged people to avoid hospitals unless they have a medical emergency. They also say the public should avoid customary greetings such as shaking hands or kissing.

At Mexico City's international airport, passengers were questioned to try to prevent anyone with flu symptoms from boarding aircraft and spreading the disease.

Mexico City officials said yesterday they are suspending all public events for another 10 days to try to contain the epidemic. A hotline set up the previous day fielded 2,366 calls from frightened city residents who suspected they might have the disease. The Mexican government has given the health department powers to isolate patients and inspect homes, incoming travellers and baggage.

The United Nations health agency has warned for several years that a new virus strain could spark an influenza pandemic that could sweep the globe, killing millions.

This outbreak is particularly alarming as deaths have occurred in at least four regions of Mexico and because the victims have not been vulnerable infants and elderly. The 1918 outbreak also first struck the young and healthy.

Scientists say the current seasonal flu vaccine is not believed to offer protection against this swine flu. But anti-viral drug Tamiflu appears to be fully effective against the H1N1 virus. However, WHO says it is too soon to advise drug firms to switch to producing a new vaccine.

What is a pandemic?

A pandemic is an epidemic of an infectious disease that spreads through populations across a region or across the globe. The criteria for a pandemic are that the disease is new, infects humans, like the swine flu virus, left, and causes serious illness and spreads easily. One major fear is that a virus will spread from birds or animals to humans, creating a new highly lethal strain.

Welcome Tyson Jackson to the Kansas City Chiefs

2009-04-25T18:24:00.002-05:00

Tyson Jackson (born June 6, 1986 in New Orleans, Louisiana) is an American football defensive end for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Chiefs with the third overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft. He played college football at LSU.

Tony Gonzalez Traded to the Falcons

2009-04-23T17:35:00.002-05:00

The Kansas City Chiefs have just traded the greatest Tight End of all time to the Atlanta Falcons for nothing but a 2nd round pick in next year's draft. This is a sad day indeed. Thank you #88 for all you have given to the fans here in Kansas City!!! You will ALWAYS be remembered as a Chief and I hope you choose to go into the Hall of Fame as a Chief. Farewell Tony G. You are the very best of the Chiefs and you will be greatly missed.

What Are Burnt Ends?

2009-04-21T16:48:00.004-05:00

As many people asked me what a burnt end was I figured I should enlighten everyone as to the goodness that is the burnt end. I had never thought that they were primarily found here in Kansas City. A word of caution to all you health nuts out there -- give it a rest for just one day. FAT IS FLAVOR!!! So here we go. What is a burnt end?

Burnt ends are flavorful pieces of meat cut from the ends of a smoked brisket. A traditional part of Kansas City Barbecue, burnt ends are considered a delicacy in barbecue cooking. They are traditionally a leftover result of smoked beef or pork brisket, but can also be made by returning pieces of the brisket to the smoker for further cooking. Burnt ends can be served alone (usually smothered in barbecue sauce) or in sandwiches, as well as in a variety of other dishes, including baked beans and gumbo.

That is a pretty good description of burnt ends but it does not go anywhere near close enough to describe the yummy, meaty goodness that is burnt ends. Think of burnt ends as the little bits of meat you stole from the roast that your mom just brought out of the oven. Or the tiny bits of the Thanksgiving turkey that never made it to the table. My sympathy goes out to anyone that has not had an opportunity to try a burnt end sandwich. If anyone comes to visit me here in Missouri I will certainly take you out for one!!!

Papa is One Year Older!!!

2009-04-19T18:27:00.004-05:00

The cake which my beautiful wife and girls made for me.

One of my gifts - a new flag for our flag pole.

Today is my birthday! I had the pleasure of spending the day with my family which is my favorite pastime. We went to a local BBQ joint here and had a wonderful feast of ribs, smoked pork, sausage, ham, burnt ends, brisket, baked beans, cole slaw, texas toast, and potato wedge french fries. After that we went to my sister's house for chocolate cake with cream cheese frosting and ice cream. I am a very lucky and extremely loved man/servant/son/husband/Papa. For that I am eternally grateful to God my Heavenly Father.

John Madden Retires

2009-04-16T21:39:00.002-05:00

NEW YORK - John Madden’s last game as a football announcer was a thrilling Super Bowl decided in the final seconds.

The perfect ending to a run as one of sports’ most popular broadcasters, now that Madden called it a career Thursday. Yet it didn’t fit Madden’s style to think about his retirement that way.

“I’m a grinder,” he said on his Bay Area radio show. “You just grind and get through it and when it’s all over, you think about it. You don’t rush into any decisions.”

Madden’s exuberance for football and blue-collar persona endeared him to TV viewers for three decades. Boom! As sudden as his signature call, he’s leaving midway through a six-year contract with NBC’s “Sunday Night Football.”

“I think his work ethic and passion and love for the game made him apart from everybody else,” said longtime broadcast partner Pat Summerall.

Madden said his health is fine, but at the age of 73, he wanted to spend more time with his family. His 50th wedding anniversary is this fall, and his five grandchildren are old enough to notice when he’s gone.

“The thing that made it hard is not because I’m second guessing: ‘Is it the right decision?’ But I enjoyed it so damn much,” Madden said. “I enjoyed the game and the players and the coaches and the film and the travel and everything.”

Cris Collinsworth will replace Madden, moving over from the network’s studio show, NBC Sports chief Dick Ebersol said. Collinsworth filled in when Madden took a game off last October.

Ebersol called Madden “the absolute best sports broadcaster who ever lived.”

Madden traveled by bus because of a fear of flying, and with the two Bay Area teams struggling and not hosting any Sunday night games, he would be on the road and away from his family the entire season.

Not that Madden expects to sit at home all the time. He’ll keep using the bus and stay busy with his many endorsements. His “Madden NFL Football” is the top-selling sports video game of all time.

Still, he noted this will be his first season away from the sport since he was a freshman in high school.

Madden was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006. He began his pro career as a linebacker coach at Oakland in 1967 and was made head coach two years later, at 33 the youngest coach in what was then the American Football League.

Party On!!!

2009-04-15T21:31:00.005-05:00

I could not make it to a TEA Party today. I got a call at work from my daughter's school saying that she was in the nurse's office and needed picked up from school. I got permission to leave work and went and picked her up and spent the day caring for her. My spirit was certainly with those who were attending one of the hundreds of parties around the nation though. But as always, family first.

Practical and Powerful Bravery

2009-04-13T21:03:00.004-05:00

Thank you very much to the good men who are fortunate enough to be called Navy Seals. We are glad that you are protecting the American people and we thank you for your bravery and expertise. Somali pirates - you are now put on notice. The MEN have arrived. America does not pay ransom in gold -- we pay it in lead!!!

The Old Rugged Cross

2009-04-10T04:24:00.002-05:00

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
the emblem of suffering and shame;
and I love that old cross where the dearest and best
for a world of lost sinners was slain.
Refrain:
So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,
till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
and exchange it some day for a crown.

2. O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
has a wondrous attraction for me;
for the dear Lamb of God left his glory above
to bear it to dark Calvary.
(Refrain)

3. In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
a wondrous beauty I see,
for 'twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
to pardon and sanctify me.
(Refrain)

4. To that old rugged cross I will ever be true,
its shame and reproach gladly bear;
then he'll call me some day to my home far away,
where his glory forever I'll share.
(Refrain)

Shuttin' Detroit Down

2009-04-09T18:11:00.001-05:00

John Rich (country) More CMT Music More CMT Music Videos

OK -- So I'm a Muppet Geek

2009-04-07T21:52:00.001-05:00

A Little Good Among the Dismal

2009-04-05T13:03:00.002-05:00

Jack Windolf, the CEO of Bollinger Insurance, recently gave his 434 employees a surprise gift: out of his own pocket, he paid each of them $1000. The bonuses, which Windolf called "a mini economic stimulus package," came from $500,000 in deferred compensation that he received when he sold 51 percent of the company last year. Rather than spend the money on himself, he chose to share it with his workers.

Disgusting!!!

2009-04-03T21:22:00.000-05:00

Is this our America?

Or is THIS our America?

I know which of these is the land that I LOVE. And I know which of these is the land of the free and the home of the brave. America bows to nobody. Especially not a Saudi king.

White House Endorses Phone Sex?

2009-04-02T17:49:00.004-05:00

This is going to be 4 years of comedy and sophomoric stunts. The amateur idiot administration now inhabiting the White House has done it again. As if nominating half a dozen people who haven't paid their taxes wasn't bad enough now we have this:

(CNN) – Journalists who dialed in to a White House conference call Thursday hoping for a media-friendly reception got a far friendlier response than they were counting on.

Instead of hearing Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and National Security Advisor Jim Jones on the other end laying out foreign policy and security threats, reporters were greeted by a recording on a phone sex line.

"Do you have any hidden desires? If you feel like getting nasty, then you came to the right place," said a suggestive-sounding woman.

The White House says an aide merely mistyped the 800-dial in number — a mistake not likely to happen again.

A Gift for the Queen

2009-04-01T19:23:00.003-05:00

What would be the best gift for the American President to give the Queen of England upon meeting her for the first time and knowing the bond our countries have shared? You guessed it:

Does Anyone Else Feel this is Overreaching for a President?

2009-03-30T18:38:00.002-05:00

The Obama administration asked Rick Wagoner, the chairman and CEO of General Motors, to step down and he agreed, a White House official said.

On Monday, President Barack Obama is to unveil his plans for the auto industry, including a response to a request for additional funds by GM and Chrysler. The plan is based on recommendations from the Presidential Task Force on the Auto Industry, headed by the Treasury Department.

The White House confirmed Wagoner was leaving at the government's behest after The Associated Press reported his immediate departure, without giving a reason.

General Motors issued a vague statement Sunday night that did not officially confirm Wagoner's departure.

"We are anticipating an announcement soon from the Administration regarding the restructuring of the U.S. auto industry. We continue to work closely with members of the Task Force and it would not be appropriate for us to speculate on the content of any announcement," the company said.

The surprise announcement about the classically iconic American corporation is perhaps the most vivid sign yet of the tectonic change in the relationship between business and government in this era of subsidies and bailouts.

Wagoner has been CEO for 8 years and at GM for more than 30. It is not yet clear who would replace him, or what role the administration would play in that process.

Snow Time Baby!!! WOOHOO!!!

2009-03-29T10:56:00.003-05:00

Spring Has Forsaken Us

2009-03-28T14:51:00.002-05:00

Spring has forsaken the Frank Family today and has confused our already budding trees. You've gotta love it!!!

We The People

2009-03-26T17:57:00.001-05:00

This video here is spot on!!! PLEASE take the time to view it. You won't be sorry.

The Colt Police Positive Special in .32-20

2009-03-25T19:27:00.004-05:00

I came across one of these at a gun store today. It caught my eye as I am a fan of older guns and guns that are chambered for an unusual caliber. This particular gun was in really great shape and I did a little research tonight on the history of it. Many people, like myself, who love guns are also very interested in history. Here's a little of what I found.

The Police Positive Special was an iterative improvement of Colt's earlier Police Positive model, the only differences being a slightly lengthened cylinder and elongated and strengthened frame to allow the chambering of the longer, more powerful .32-20 Winchester and .38 Special cartridges.[2] In the early 20th century the Colt Positive and Positive Special teamed with Colt's other admired model, the Official Police, to capture the lion's share of the law enforcement firearms market.[3] Very popular with law enforcement officers due to its light weight, the Positive Special went through a number of series or “issues”. The first issue ran from introduction to 1927 and had the early 1900-era distinctive Colt black hard rubber grips. The second issue introduced wooden grips which were smooth in the early years, later giving way to a checkered style, also the smooth topstrap was replaced with a serrated one. The Third issue began in 1947, and the Fourth issue in 1977 introduced a Colt Python-style shrouded ejector-rod housing. Production of the Police Positive Special ended in 1995.

The .32-20 Winchester, also known as the .32 WCF, was the first small-game lever-action cartridge that Winchester produced. It was initially introduced as a blackpowder cartridge in 1882 for small-game, varmint hunting, and deer. Colt produced a single-action pistol chambered for this cartridge a few years later.

NCAA Sweet Sixteen

2009-03-22T19:10:00.002-05:00

Congratulations to the MIZZOU Tigers Men's Basketball Team for beating the Marquette Golden Eagles and advancing to the Sweet Sixteen tournament!!! Next stop -- the Elite Eight.

A Prayer in Spring

2009-03-21T10:00:00.002-05:00

Oh, give us pleasure in the flowers to-day;
And give us not to think so far away
As the uncertain harvest; keep us here
All simply in the springing of the year.

Oh, give us pleasure in the orchard white,
Like nothing else by day, like ghosts by night;
And make us happy in the happy bees,
The swarm dilating round the perfect trees.

And make us happy in the darting bird
That suddenly above the bees is heard,
The meteor that thrusts in with needle bill,
And off a blossom in mid air stands still.

For this is love and nothing else is love,
The which it is reserved for God above
To sanctify to what far ends He will,
But which it only needs that we fulfil.

-- Robert Frost (1915)

Happy St. Patrick's Day

2009-03-17T17:45:00.001-05:00

Love the Change and Bipartisanship

2009-03-14T23:35:00.002-05:00

WASHINGTON (CNN) – President Obama took a lighthearted jab at Republicans Saturday after a nearly 35-minute press op with Brazilian President Lula da Silva in the Oval Office.

It came when a Brazilian reporter asked him whether he planned to visit the Amazon. Obama joked: "You know, I would love a trip to the Amazon. I suspect that the Republican Party would love to see me travel through the Amazon and maybe get lost."

Obama said he was looking forward to visiting Brazil, though no dates had been set.

"I will tell you that because I'm somebody who grew up in Hawaii, I felt it was very important that I at least go to Rio, where I understand the beaches are pretty nice."

A Sad Week

2009-03-11T18:22:00.002-05:00

Please join with me in praying for the families of those that were gunned down in both Alabama and Germany.

The Obama Deception - coming March 15th

2009-03-09T21:00:00.000-05:00

A Bit of Calm for Sunday

2009-03-08T10:22:00.001-05:00

Judges Given Power To Set Interest Rate AND Cost of Home

2009-03-05T21:52:00.003-06:00

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- Bankruptcy judges could cut the mortgage debt of homeowners in bankruptcy court as a last resort to avert foreclosure, under a bill approved by a 234-191 vote Thursday in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Seen by Democratic supporters as vital to stabilizing the crumbling U.S. real estate market, the so-called "cramdown" bill has been opposed by bankers, despite amendments to limit its scope, including one restricting it to existing mortgages.
The Senate was expected to consider its own version of the House bill soon, but chances of passage are uncertain.
The House bill has additional provisions meant to help homeowners in the worst housing market in decades, a slump that has helped pull the U.S. economy into a deepening recession.
Under present law, bankruptcy courts may reduce many forms of debt for struggling borrowers -- including a boat, car, vacation home or family farm -- but not a primary residence.
Changing bankruptcy law to allow this, say bankers and Republican opponents of the bill, would raise costs for everyone by diverting capital from the mortgage debt market.

Why are we allowing judges to decide not only what interest a house should be cut to but also to decide how much of the cost the owner should be responsible for? Pick the right judge and your $230,000 house may now only cost you $15,000 at 3% interest. That is IF YOU DIDN'T PAY YOUR BILLS IN THE FIRST PLACE. Sorry responsible person (read conservative) you are out of luck once again. By the way, make sure to leave your money at the door when you leave. We'll be redistributing that for you now.

A Call to Conservatives Everywhere!!!

2009-03-03T18:24:00.004-06:00

Conservatives, too long have we watched. Too long have we been quiet. Too long have we allowed those bent on hate and irresponsibility to define us. Too long have we stood for being called racists when we were the ones who bled and died for equality. We were the ones who kept this country together and did not allow it to be split. We were the ones who made sure that EVERYONE had the right to vote. And we were the ones who not only died for America but we are the ones who live for her as well. It's time that conservatives act a little more like our first and greatest hero:

Stimulus?

2009-03-02T21:53:00.002-06:00

DOW -299.64 -4.24%
6,763.29
NASDAQ -54.99 -3.99%
1,322.85
S&P 500 -34.27 -4.66%
700.82

I leave you with some bumper stickers I've seen lately.

A New Blog

2009-03-01T22:58:00.003-06:00

I would like to draw your attention to someone who just started a blog entitled Pastors and Church. His name is Tim Shockley and he is a good friend of mine in real life. He is honorable and trustworthy and an all around joy to hang out with. I told him that I would send some interesting people over to check his blog out. You can find him HERE

Paul Harvey Dies at 90

2009-02-28T21:06:00.002-06:00

"I'm a professional parade watcher who can't wait to get out of bed every morning and rush down to the teletypes to pan for gold."

Chiefs Acquire Matt Cassel and Mike Vrabel from Patriots

2009-02-28T15:50:00.002-06:00

The Kansas City Chiefs acquired quarterback Matt Cassel and linebacker Mike Vrabel from the New England Patriots on Saturday in exchange for a second-round pick (34th overall) in the 2009 NFL Draft.

The agreement is contingent on both players reporting and passing their physicals.

Chiefs GM Scott Pioli, who was hired in January to oversee the team’s football operations after nine seasons in New England, orchestrated the deal for two of his former players.

"I have a long history with both players," Pioli said in a statement. "Mike and Matt are men that I respect both personally and professionally. I look forward to having them as new members of the Chiefs family."

Cassel, a seventh-round draft pick of the Patriots in 2005, was a career backup until a breakout season in 2008 in relief of the injured Tom Brady. Cassel saw the first significant action of his career, taking over as the starter for Brady in Week 2 and starting 15 games, completing 63.4 percent of his passes for 3,693 yards and 21 touchdowns with 11 interceptions.

He was designated as the Patriots’ franchise player on Feb. 5, guaranteeing him $14.65 million next season.

"It is very easy to root for guys like Matt Cassel, who do everything the right way and flourish as a result," Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said in a statment. "As much as we would have loved to continue working with Matt, we wish him nothing but the best as he takes this next step forward in his career."

The 33-year-old Vrabel spent the last eight seasons in New England, where he was a part of three Super Bowl-winning teams. He started 14 games last season, registering four sacks and an interception.

Friday Funny

2009-02-27T21:00:00.003-06:00

"There is absolutely no STIMULUS in the EARMARK bill"

Blair Holt's Firearm Licensing and Record of Sale Act of 2009 -- BILL HR 45

2009-02-26T16:32:00.004-06:00

1/6/2009--Introduced. Sponsored by: Rep. Bobby Rush [D, IL-1]

Blair Holt's Firearm Licensing and Record of Sale Act of 2009 - Amends the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act to prohibit a person from possessing a firearm unless that person has been issued a firearm license under this Act or a state system certified under this Act and such license has not been invalidated or revoked. Prescribes license application, issuance, and renewal requirements.
Prohibits transferring or receiving a qualifying firearm unless the recipient presents a valid firearms license, the license is verified, and the dealer records a tracking authorization number. Prescribes firearms transfer reporting and record keeping requirements. Directs the Attorney General to establish and maintain a federal record of sale system.
Prohibits:
(1) transferring a firearm to any person other than a licensee, unless the transfer is processed through a licensed dealer in accordance with national instant criminal background check system requirements, with exceptions;
(2) a licensed manufacturer or dealer from failing to comply with reporting and record keeping requirements of this Act;
(3) failing to report the loss or theft of the firearm to the Attorney General within 72 hours;
(4) failing to report to the Attorney General an address change within 60 days; or
(5) keeping a loaded firearm, or an unloaded firearm and ammunition for the firearm, knowingly or recklessly disregarding the risk that a child is capable of gaining access, if a child uses the firearm and causes death or serious bodily injury.
Prescribes criminal penalties for violations of firearms provisions covered by this Act.
Directs the Attorney General to:
(1) establish and maintain a firearm injury information clearinghouse;
(2) conduct continuing studies and investigations of firearm-related deaths and injuries; and
(3) collect and maintain current production and sales figures of each licensed manufacturer.
Authorizes the Attorney General to certify state firearm licensing or record of sale systems.

This is a synopsis of the entire bill:
You will have to carry a photo ID firearms license.
A training class is required to be licensed.
Disclosure of your storage method is required for license.
A thumb print is required for license.
Every sale recorded by the federal government.
If you move, and don't tell the Attorney General within 60 days, you are a criminal.
If a firearm is stolen and you don't report it, you are a criminal.
There will be no grandfathered firearms.
If you do not obtain a license and report every firearm you currently own, you are a criminal.
There will be a license fee and a fee for the "services" provided at purchase time.
Licenses must be renewed every 5 years.

PLEASE CALL YOUR CONGRESSMAN AND YOUR REPRESENTATIVES AND PUT A STOP TO THIS BILL THAT WILL ANNIHILATE OUR GUN RIGHTS AND OUR RIGHTS OF PRIVACY. THIS BILL IS BEING DONE VERY QUIETLY AND VERY QUICKLY. DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH ON IT. IT IS BILL HR 45.

Behold The Tax Man Cometh

2009-02-25T19:23:00.003-06:00

For anyone who had the stomach to watch the state of the nation speech last night you will remember Obama making a grand and deliberate statement about how those making less than $250,000 will have absolutely no tax increase. Not only that but they will have a tax cut according to Obama. I would like to take this time to expose just one of the lies involved in these statements. What our President failed to mention is that he has ALREADY PUT IN PLACE an ENORMOUS tax hike for ANYONE who uses any form of tobacco in their daily lives. This tax is what is going to pay for the bill to expand the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). This tax will go into effect on April 1st, 2009. Here's the breakdown of the increases:

Cigarettes -- currently 0.39 tax per pack -- new tax 1.00 per pack -- increase of $0.61 per pack

Large Cigars -- currently 20.719% of price -- new tax 52.75% of price -- increase of 32%

Little Cigars -- currently 0.04 per pack -- new tax 1.00 per pack -- increase of $0.96 per pack

Pipe Tobacco -- currently 1.09 per pound -- new tax 2.83 per pound -- increase of $1.74 per pound

Chewing Tobacco -- currently 0.19 per pound -- new tax 0.50 per pound -- increase of $0.31 per pound

Snuff -- currently 0.58 per pound -- new tax 1.51 per pound -- increase of $0.93 per pound

Cigarette Papers -- currently 0.01 per 50 papers -- new tax 0.03 per 50 papers -- increase of $0.02 per 50 papers

With the new federal tax rates going into effect on April 1,2009 the SCHIP law also requires that retailers, wholesalers, and manufacturers pay a floor stock tax on cigarettes and all other tobacco products held in inventory at 12:01 A.M. on April 1, 2009. The floor stock tax equals the difference between the new rate of tax and the old rate of tax.

Now I am not an everyday smoker. I do, on occasion, like a good cigar or a nice pipe of tobacco. Usually when I am fishing. But the idea of taxing the heck out of one portion of the people in order to pay for your policies and then telling those same people that you WILL NOT raise their taxes is disingenuous to say the least. Maybe next year they will bow to the Goracle and tax carbon emissions. Or maybe they will up the taxes on alcohol. How about a tax on trans-fat? Or maybe they will put an extra tax on coffee? Who knows? Just because I am not a smoker does not mean that I think it is right to charge them ENORMOUS taxes in order to create bigger government. What's your opinion on this?

SMOKE 'EM IF YA CAN AFFORD 'EM!!!

How Much Did We Just Spend?

2009-02-21T11:43:00.007-06:00

I found this over at my friend Chuck's blog and thought I would help get the word out as well. Thanks Chuck!!!

2009 YEARS X 365 DAYS X $1,000,000 = $733,285,000,000
$54,000,000,000 less than what congress just wasted.

Just in case you're wondering what your share of the tax cut will be the answer is $7.69 a week. CONGRATULATIONS!!!
$400 a year tax break divided by 52 weeks of work = $7.69. Don't spend it all in one place.

Who Should Really Be Upset?

2009-02-19T16:36:00.003-06:00

This New York Post CHIMP comic has......

this New York CHUMP upset but......

if anyone should be upset it should be........

for being blamed for the most wasteful and useless piece of legislation in years.

For Those With Eyes to See

2009-02-17T15:41:00.003-06:00

DOW -297.81 -3.79%
7,552.60

NASDAQ -63.70 -4.15%
1,470.66

S&P 500 -37.67 -4.56%
789.17

Of course, the duckling will say this has nothing to do with us throwing $787,000,000,000 into the rancid winds of change today. It's interesting to me that this is how the market reacts to EVERY major step in Barack Obama's presidency.

The Opportunity of Crisis

2009-02-15T20:11:00.005-06:00

It is no secret that this so-called stimulus bill, which was just voted in without ever being read, is just a grab bag of big cash for liberal proposals that have long been under dust in a file cabinet somewhere. The question is how is it that our elected officials would be so callous and uncaring as to saddle this gargantuan debt on our children and their children. People are indeed hurting right now. People are losing their jobs and America is losing good businesses. Every time Obama does anything noteworthy the market responds to his socialist ideas by tanking in a big way. Our government grows larger and larger by the day. Seriously.....every single day. The stimulus bill itself contains some 200 NEW federal programs. These are suppose to be "temporary" but history teaches us different about NEW government programs.

I, myself, was told this week that the district I work for will be freezing our pay and cutting 10 days off of my contract next year. And I'm very fortunate right now to have some sort of security in my job. So how is it that the democrats dare cram unneeded spending and pork down our throats as we barely tread water? For a bill said to be aimed at spending in hope to stimulate our economy why is it that far less than 200 billion of the 789 billion will even be spent in the next YEAR? And some of the money won't even be spent until 2019!!! The answer to this is the fact that it is exactly the intention of Obama and of his crony Rahm Emanuel to use this unsettling time to force this piece of smoking dung legislation down the throats of starving America. To them our bad fortune is their "opportunity of crisis."

Happy St. Valentine's Day

2009-02-14T10:49:00.001-06:00

Now that Chicago politics have come to Washington DC let me remind you to watch your backs.........literally.

Even Fools Can Become Poetry

2009-02-13T22:14:00.001-06:00

Life is a song we must sing with our days
A poem with meaning more than words can say
A painting with colors no rainbow can tell
A lyric that rhymes either heaven or hell
We are living letters that doubt desecrates
We're the notes of the song of the chorus of faith
God shapes every second of our little lives
And minds every minute as the universe waits by

CHORUS:
The pain and the longing
The joy and the moments of light
Are the rhythm and rhyme
The free verse of the poem of life

So look in the mirror and pray for the grace
To tear off the mask, see the art of your face
Open your ear lids to hear the sweet song
Of each moment that passes and pray to prolong
Your time in the ball of the dance of your days
Your canvas of colors of moments ablaze
With all that is holy
With the joy and the strife
With the rhythm and rhyme of the poem of your life
With the rhythm and rhyme of the poem of your life

I Must Be a Fool

2009-02-12T20:07:00.002-06:00

Seems I've imagined Him all of my life
As the wisest of all of mankind
But if God's Holy wisdom is foolish to men
He must have seemed out of His mind

For even His family said He was mad
And the priest say a demon's to blame
But God in the form of this angry young man
Could not have seemed perfectly sane

Chorus
We in our foolishness thought we were wise
He played the fool and He opened our eyes
And we in our weakness believed we were strong
He became helpless to show we were wrong
And so we follow God's own fool
For only the foolish can tell
Believe the unbelievable
Come be a fool as well

So come lose your life for a carpenter's son
For a man who had died for a dream
And you'll feel the faith His first followers had
And you'll feel the weight of the beam
So surrender the hunger to say you must know
Have the courage to say I believe
For the power of paradox opens your eyes
And blinds those who say they can see

Chorus

So we follow God's own Fool
For only the foolish can tell
Believe the unbelievable, come be a fool as well

1 Little 2 Little 3 Little Traitors......

2009-02-11T17:57:00.003-06:00

Senator Susan Collins of Maine

Senator Olympia Snowe of Maine

Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania

How Much More "Stimulus" Can We Take?

2009-02-10T22:34:00.002-06:00

DOW 381.99 -4.62%
7,888.88

NASDAQ 66.83 -4.20%
1,524.73

S&P 500 42.73 -4.91%
827.16

A Tribute to Papa

2009-02-10T16:00:00.002-06:00

if you want to see a tribute to jason, check it out at MYSTIC MINSTREL

51st Grammy -- Best Performance of the Night

2009-02-09T16:53:00.000-06:00

Those Who Ignore History......

2009-02-07T21:45:00.003-06:00

In 1929, the Soviet Union established gun control. From 1929 to 1953, about 20 million dissidents, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.
------------------------------

In 1911, Turkey established gun control. From 1915 to 1917, 1.5 million Armenians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.
------------------------------

Germany established gun control in 1938 and from 1939 to 1945, a total of 13 million Jews and others who were unable to defend themselves were rounded up and exterminated.
------------------------------

China established gun control in 1935. From 1948 to 1952, 20 million political dissidents, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.
------------------------------

Guatemala established gun control in 1964. From 1964 to 1981, 100,000 Mayan Indians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.
---- ------------- -------------

Uganda established gun control in 1970. From 1971 to 1979, 300,000 Christians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.
------------------------------

Cambodia established gun control in 1956. From 1975 to 1977, one million educated people, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.
-----------------------------

Defenseless people rounded up and exterminated in the 20th Century because of gun control: 56 million.

Another Obama Employed Criminal -- Anyone Surprised?

2009-02-07T19:29:00.002-06:00

(CNN) –The street artist who created the ubiquitous red, white and blue Obama "Hope" posters was arrested Friday in Boston on outstanding graffiti charges, police said.

Shepard Fairey, 38, was arrested en route to an opening party for his first solo art exhibition on two outstanding warrants for property damage by graffiti, Boston police said.

Officer James Kenneally said the instances of graffiti involved images of the late wrestler Andre the Giant — Fairey's tag.

The Friday arrest represents Fairey's second legal tangle this week.

Earlier, the Associated Press accused him of copyright infringement, saying the iconic "Hope" portrait of the president is based on an April 2006 photograph of Obama taken by AP's Mannie Garcia.

Todd Haley New Head Coach of the Kansas City Chiefs

2009-02-06T20:12:00.002-06:00

By DOUG TUCKER –-

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Whenever conversation at the Haley family dinner table turned to football, it was more than just talk.
It was education. While Dick Haley was personnel director at Pittsburgh and helping craft the great Steelers dynasty of the 1970s, Todd Haley was taking it all in.
Todd Haley rose to prominence this year as offensive coordinator for the NFC champion Arizona Cardinals and on Friday, just weeks shy of his 42nd birthday, was introduced as head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs.
"I would not be where I'm at right now without my father, or without having the father that I did," said Haley.
He replaces Herm Edwards, who was fired at the end of a 2-14 season, and fills the NFL's last remaining head coaching vacancy.
Dick Haley was personnel director at Pittsburgh from 1971-90 before going on to other front office jobs in the NFL.
"He knew what good was," Todd Haley said. "And I've just always believed that was a big asset of mine, the fact I grew up in personnel, went to bowl games with him, went to practice with him, watched tape on the wall with him."
One of the people who worked under the elder Haley in New York was Scott Pioli, who was hired as Chiefs general manager last month. Pioli became friends with his new head coach when the two were with the New York Jets.
"I worked for Todd's father, Dick, who's probably one of the finest personnel men in the history of the National Football League," Pioli said.
"Todd has a very unique background, and something I told (Chiefs owner) Clark (Hunt) was important was finding a head coach who not only understands personnel, but understands scouting, understands football players. I think Todd brings a very unique background in the sense that he grew up in a football family. His father was a personnel director and one of the best ever."
Haley inherits a team that lost all but two of its past 25 games and is joining a franchise that hasn't won a postseason game since an aging Joe Montana was quarterback in the 1993 season.
"Todd is very bright," Pioli said. "He's extremely dedicated and very strong-willed. Those are the qualifications I was looking to partner with, Clark was looking to partner with, and we really feel Todd is the right guy and is going to do a heck of a job here."
Edwards was considered a players' coach by the Chiefs, but Haley can be combative and sometimes clashes with players. During the NFC championship game against the Eagles, he had a first-half argument with quarterback Kurt Warner, then a short blowup in full view of television cameras with wide receiver Anquan Boldin. He also had a spat with Terrell Owens when he was receivers coach in Dallas.
"It's part of how I coach," Haley said. "It's part of how I motivate, and I like to think I've had some success doing it. But obviously, you've got to keep things in check. It's something I'll turn to if I need to. But I'll do my best to keep from losing control."
Haley helped shape an offense that carried the Cardinals to an improbable NFC West title and came within seconds of beating Pittsburgh in the Super Bowl.

Why Letterman's the King of Late Night

2009-02-04T19:38:00.001-06:00

$9718.49 For Each Of Us -- Just Don't Expect to Ever See It

2009-02-02T18:32:00.002-06:00

To arrive at that figure, CNNMoney.com took the total of the bank bailout, $700 billion, and added that to the proposed stimulus spending in the House of Representatives bill, $819 billion. That totals $1.519 trillion.
We then divide that number by 156.3 million, which was the total number of U.S. filers in 2008.

So: $1.519 trillion divided by 156.3 million equals $9,718.49 per U.S. taxpayer.

Paying My Debt

2009-02-01T22:08:00.004-06:00

Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. This year I lost. That's the bad news for me. But the good news for me is that all of you out there are losers right along with me. My apologies in advance for the images that will surely be burnt into your minds now. Yes, Daniel, you won and I have lost. Caution for those who dare to go any further in this post.

Since Nanc twisted my arm here's last year's pictures:

Superbowl XLIII

2009-02-01T09:06:00.004-06:00

AND THE WINNER IS:

A Friendly Wager -- Year Two

2009-01-31T16:28:00.004-06:00

As most of you already know, last year my good friend Daniel and I put a wager on the outcome of Superbowl XLII. We left the wager up to the blog readers here and Brooke came up with the bet that the loser would have to put on their wife's dress and post pictures on the winner's blog. As I KNEW that the NY Giants were going to put a hurtin' on the cheating Patriots I gladly accepted the wager and the terms.

This year we are going to reprise our bet as I am equally convinced that the Arizona Cardinals are going to put the hammer down on the Pittsburgh Steelers (sorry Elbro). Big Ben is going to be chopped down to size and Larry Fitgerald is going to make a mockery of what the Steelers call "defense." So get your "terrible towel" out to wipe up your tears, Daniel. And start picking out a nice dress from your wife's closet. Maybe matching shoes and a beaded necklace this year to really complete your ensemble. Everyone else -- stay tuned. One request. Could someone please put ex-lax in Troy Polamalu's breakfast tomorrow?

Michael Steele -- New Head of RNC

2009-01-30T20:57:00.002-06:00

"For so long, we've allowed the Democrats to define us, we've allowed the media to define us, and so it's important for us to begin to establish with clarity who we are, what we believe as we begin to go out and take, I think, a brand new message to the American people."

188 Thank You's

2009-01-28T17:26:00.006-06:00

Thank you House Republicans for standing as ONE and ALL voting against throwing $819,000,000,000 more into the foul smelling winds of change. It's too bad that the money will be spent anyhow. Another huge debt burden for the shoulders of our children to carry. We are trading their future to continue on the path of irresponsibility in the here and now.

The Capitol Building

2009-01-26T20:19:00.006-06:00

Last Tuesday my girls were at school and just like elementary children all around our country they were watching the inauguration. This was not because of who was being inaugurated but rather because our country was inaugurating a new President. In the course of the inauguration their teacher was talking about the different buildings and areas that they were showing. She talked about the Lincoln Memorial, the White House, The Washington Monument, and the Capitol Building. Afterwards she asked if there were any questions. My Arianwyn raised her hand and in perfect kindergarten fashion asked:

"WHERE'S THE LOWER CASE BUILDING?"

Always keep in mind that life is all about perspective.