HPV Vaccine...Required: All The Rage & Causing Some Rage!
I have been reading about the movement among some politicos to make the HPV vaccine a requirement. It began in Texas with the Governor's proclamation. Now other states are making a move. However, the sentiment I found among several parents from whom I solicited responses (including some from our own children) is generally two-fold.
a) Their daughters WILL be immunized
b) They are absolutely opposed to "Big Brother" government getting into the picture
The need for the vaccine was definite for one mother of a girl entering the teens:
"I am completely for this. My Pediatrician put it into a different perspective......This is the 1st vaccine that will prevent cancer! I get angered when I hear people say it is pushing promiscuity. That is like saying condoms cause people to be sexually active. I have news for people.....It will be a rare child that isn't at some point, be it 16 yrs old, 20 yrs old, 23 yrs old, almost all kids experiment with sex and if there is a cure for the diseases that cause cancer let's give it!
Then came the response that parents, not government need to take responsibility:
"Required? Hell no! The Government has no authority to tell me how to raise my child. This is not a necessary vaccine. I feel a little bit different about other vaccines because they require a certain percentage of the population to have them in order to be most effective and they are life saving vaccines. this isn't. A clear violation of individual rights.
Yet another, more expansive view was given by this Texas mother who find politics to be involved:
"I have had several opportunities to think about and discuss this with some of my friends who are parents. This is speaking from the perspective of a Texas citizen, and all the political ramifications involved.
First off, I think the HPV vaccine is a wonderful breakthrough, I am very happy to see it. All the issues that I have are not with the vaccine itself, but with the legal issues, and forcing it on young girls.
The Merck lobbyist to the TX politicians used to be a very high ranking member of our governor, Rick Perry. Perry sent out an executive order requiring girls entering 6th grade to have the vaccine. I truly believe that the only reason he did it is because of the contributions Merck has made to his campaign. There is a legacy of shady practices or maybe even outright corruption on Perry's part. In fact, Merck has been viewed so negatively on this, that it has ceased lobbying for the vaccine to be required. He says it's to protect our girls and the state from future medic al costs associated with cervical cancer. First thing one must wonder, is just how much the state is spending on cervical cancer. I am sure its not rampant. Secondly, if he was so concerned with the health issues, and their associated costs, why are there no executive orders banning smoking or trans-fats? They are a far greater health risk, and carry exponentially higher costs than cervical cancer. Oh, I know, because no one from the tobacco or food industries are paying him to ban them...
Only 4% of the females included in the studies conducted to prove safety and effectiveness were young teenage girls. In my opinion, this is not enough to convince me yet that it is a good idea to force this on young girls. I am fortunate enough to be in a position to wait-and-see on this.
The 3 month course of this vaccine is about $360. News stories vary widely on information regarding health insurance coverage for this. In my discussions with others, the point was made that by requiring the vaccine, it will enable programs to be set up to assist low-income families to receive the vaccine. I have a couple issues with that. First off, these types of programs should be in place before the mandate, not as a reaction to it. Secondly, many area's vaccination programs are already strapped, particularly in areas with a lot of low-income families. While I think the HPV vaccination is important, I believe that a polio or measles vaccination is more important, and am loathe to put more important vaccines on a low priority for this one, especially since a woman can get the vaccine later. All she has to do is stay a virgin - oh no! Additionally, there are plenty of families that aren't considered low-income, that couldn't just sprout out $360.
Assuming that the vaccine is still considered safe and effective when Lauren reaches the appropriate age, I have every intention of having it for her, law or not. The activist in me says that I will go as far as to sign the affidavit opposing the vaccine, and then do it on my own ;) ".
Universal acceptance among my meager sample group; and, near-universal feelings of the liberal view of government interference once again in our lives.
I also found this quite interesting article addressing, state-by-state (excepting Texas) the current movements underway... from Medical News Today!
I find the entire situation to be a bit of grandstanding on the part of politicos. What sane person would not want to protect their daughter...given the where-with-all to do so. The question of just what this cervical cancer cost is to states remains a glaring item for me as I am not convinced it is a significant item!
Your comments are welcome!
Duke
Presidential Speculation!
O.K.! Everyone else has done it, so I feel quite comfortable adding my two cents worth (at this point, umpty months prior to the election, two cents is all any speculation is really worth!).
How about this?
Giuliani - Lieberman for the GOP?
Not likely, you say! I beg to disagree. Lieberman has lots of face-slaps still festering within himself left from the Democratic bailout on his last candidacy. He knows they only pander to him as the balance vote in the Senate...not because they like him or support him. Lieberman also knows he will NEVER be a candidate for President or Vice President on the Democratic ticket.
A move to the GOP side would make him a very viable candidate for the VP slot as he'd probably bring a lot of blue NE voters onto the bandwagon. The NE is not fully in love with Hillary...nor are they aboard with Obama.
As for Giuliani...he is moving ahead in the polls hourly. McCain is being perceived by many GOP stalwarts and middle-of-the-road folks as nearing identification as the John Kerry of the GOP...pandering to any and all, changing positions, changing statements, and continuing along a path of self-destruction. Giuliani, much like Lieberman, can reach across the line for many supporters...particularly in one of Hillary's bastions of strength...New York.
What's not to like about this duo? Even is you do not agree with a lot of Giuliani and/or Lieberman ideology, they CAN win, and they are likely the only team that can
UNLESS.....Condi moves to VP to replace an ailing Cheney, and then accepts a VP bid.
Now THERE is a wonderful thought!
See, even my thoughts are still at the stage of comfortable flexibility!
Duke
"What Now, DOW?" - FoxNews.com
The question on everyone's mind this morning.
Where does it go today?
The Duchess and I, newly retired, depend upon a continuation of our income stream from investments for our future well-being. Thus, perhaps more than casual or younger investors we will be watching the day's activities.
With fiduciary responsibilities for a local organization as well, I must be prepared to pull the funds from an investment to money market, if indicated.
I appears to me the media may be a bit overboard with this. The prime thing I have gotten from the various network experts, if there is actually such a group, is that the day today may bring a bit further intrusion, but will signal a lessening of the drop and perhaps late beginning of the recovery we all hope for.
After all, the markets have been GOLD for the past many months, and as experienced by the major bust in the "dot com" bubble, things can go awry. I am NOT in a position of believing we are near that 2,000 debacle brought on by blind belief that anything internet was going to be explosively positive. There is no such groundwork today. Most of what I see is based upon two items.....Perhaps risky loans in China...on a grand scale... and, housing slows in the USA. In Tampa this is perhaps magnified as we seem to be getting harder hit than other places.
For my part,
I'll be watching....not panicking! I keep in mind that 10% growth in short time periods cannot be the norm.
Duke
May Day!, May Day! - Democratic Plan Sinking!!!
Yeppers folks, the Democrats, in their usual rush to idiocy, have once again stepped into the giant cow pie!
Check out
Captain's Quarters where Capt. Ed has the story!If there is one thing on which we can depend the Dems to do, it is cut-and-run, but stepping in those field bombs enroute. It is just their nature.
Duke
Gore'd By His Own Bullsxxt, but Bush is GREEN!
Convoluted ideas here. President Bush IS the
GREEN PRESIDENT!Al Gore's Inconvenient Truth is he is an energy
HOG!The Truth shall set you free....but not according to the Main Stream (Antique) Media. They will NEVER print this entire story.
Seems Al & Tipper Gore devour electricity and natural gas in their mansion. Meanwhile President Bush's Crawford home is a model of green technology.
Read the details at
Wizbang!As for Gore's (Gollywood) claim of "offsets" They are bullshit completely. How can one offset gluttony? IF Gore was truly ready for ALL the people to drop their consumption, then he'd do likewise. You cannot atone for such huge consumption by planting a few trees. This is not an offset...it is a transparent attempt at deception. IF Gore was serious, he'd cut his own consumption....AND plant a lot of trees.
"All animals are equal, some are just more equal than others!" (paraphrased from Orwell's Animal Farm)Har Har - Gore foist on his own pitard.
Duke
Posting Pics from Cruise!
I am busy daily posting pictures of our last-week cruise to Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman, Cozumel, and Princess Cay at my pic site:
Tampa Town Review.
I'll be doing a new stop each day.....today: Adding Grand Cayman.
Duke
Univ. of Illinois - NCAA, et al!
My earlier posts on the University of Illinois capitulating to the insane desire of the NCAA (listed below) resulted in a post by a friend which sheds a different light on the subject, and one more directly shining on the actual problem...the NCAA and its dictatorial intrusion into 1st amendment areas.
My Friend Lynn's comment to an earlier post:
Speaking of a great place to put that money. How about going after the NCAA for capricious implementation of subjective policy that exceeded their (Ncaa"s) authority and resulted in the violation of first amendment rights. The damages to the reputation and image of the UICU as well depriving 10s of thousands of a meaningful tradition could be a beginning. Dan Maloney was deprived of his 1st amendment rights also. How to fund a Chief Legal defense fund? Easy, with the money from fans, alumni, students and faculty who have decided to withhold their money from the UIUC. (See for starters the 12,000+ petition of signatures of people pledging to do just that>) This would be a benefit on every front win or lose. If nothing else it would give empowerment to the Chief supporters who were totally disenfranchised in the decision process and let the UIUC and NCAA know that they will pay a price for such caving in to PC crowd in the future. It will also give us the opportunity to do what the administration of the UIUC were unable to do or chose not to do...provide a full and convincing defense of the Chief to the public. North Dakota and others may join in with us. Judging by the numbers and polls I doubt we will suffer from too little funding. We can contact the alumni clubs in the different states for help. The very possible and best result would be that we may see the Chief bursting out from the ranks of the Marching Ilini again to perform his honorable, dignified moving dance for his loyal fans. Lynn | 02.26.07 - 4:53 am |
Thanks Lynn for the comment and for bringing some clarity and focus to the problem!
My earlier posts on the Chief Illiniwek situation:
Univ of Illinois Funding Loss over Illiniwek
#Chief Illiniwek Is Dead - So Is U of I Funding!Duke
Are PORN Guns SAFE?
This one had me laughing aloud at my keyboard.....
I used Google to search for the specific wording:
"Guns for sale Tampa".....
I was looking for a place to begin searching to obtain a gun permit, and a weapon to carry in our motorhome.....
The results, in order, were:
Jack's Guns (Not your usual "weapon" site)
Liberty Safes ("Safe Sex?")
Arrowhead Archery Shop, which actually does sell guns.
Sometimes Google uses algorithms I am not too sure of!
Fun on the internet.
Duke
John McCain Gets His Campaign Slogan!
Michelle Malkin covers it, and I find it appropo for this fellow whose entire idea is "get elected" no matter what position one must take/change/modify/deny, et al.
Check it out
At Michelle's Place!Duke
Tampa Bloggers Meet Up for 3 Events!!!!
BE THERE!!!
Details over at Little Joe'sI am going to try and make the 27th and 5th events.....busy for the other.
Duke
Univ. of Illinois Funding Loss Over Illiniwek!
I did an earlier post on the loss of the Univ. of Illinois mascot, Chief Illiniwek.
Well, as I predicted, the University is losing money, and it looks to be huge.
In the case of my high school group (with a number of U of I Engineers) we have taken a great approach....We are all taking our money and forming a scholarship to U of I through our high school. Thus, we do NOT support U of I in its alumni association, but still get our kids off to this great school. Sofar about 30 of us are involved...and many are just Illinois folk, not grads of U of I...myself included.
It will be interesting to see where this leads.
Duke
"It's Your Wedding"
Son, Little Duke, who sometimes blogs here is opening the door to his new business in Jacksonville....and my pride in he and his new operation is huge!
Check the base website for
It's Your Wedding!The site is just being built.....he already has his entertainment business
DeLand Entertainment there doing about 200-250 weddings, parties, and Bar and Bat Mitzvahs annually with a staff of several. To see "Little Duke" just click on the
"Staff Profiles" button....he is down front in the middle.
His new concept is "one-stop wedding planning." They have a mall built with entertainment, limosine, catering, photographer, videographer, formalwear, and anything else you need....he leases space to all these businesses, and then "It's Your Wedding" coordinates the entire thing down to teaching the bride and groom special dances, etc.
& Yes, for the right price he has done weddings here in Tampa as well as Orlando, Miami, Gainesville, Savannah, GA, and others.
He is in the process of franchising the concept now, and will soon have his 1st franchise operation somewhere on Florida's East Coast.
Makes a father proud!
Duke
Illegals Kill More in USA Than We Lost In Iraq!!!!!
Read it and weep, oh ye of little caring about the illegals in this country....mostly from MEXICO!
Here is the story
of the killing by our "friendly" Mexican interlopers....Kind of puts a whole new spin on the Iraq and Illegal Alien problem does it not? Certainly does for me.....But then i have been opposed to the allowed continuation of the illegals flooding into the USA from day #1.
How about letting your elected officials know about your feelings on this?
Duke
He's Baaaccck!!!!!!!
Yep......full of vim, vigor.....too much food, too much drink, and with lots of stories and photos....
However, we are exhausted (particularly me)......
Drove our group of ten from Ft. Lauderdale back to Tampa today after the rigorous process of disembarking.....
Up at 6......breakfast at 7.......then to room for final carry-along stuff, and off to wait in the lounge while being exposed to the terrible CNN anti-USA coverage of everything....Off the ship at 8:35.......nine of us to the shuttle to our RV storage facility. One left behind to allow Princess to find his "missing" suitcase.
The nine get the RV loaded and ready; the luggage is found; the 10th shuttled to our RV, and off we go to Naples then North to Tampa.....arrival at 3pm.....
I, of course, did the driving while the others ate and drank their way home. I was also entering the 1st hours of a self-imposed diet with NOOOOOO Drinking.....
I am tired and getting ravenous as I skipped lunch completely.
More later folks!
Duke
Vay-Cay-Shun!
Duke and Duchess are off tomorrow morning for a long RV drive to Fort Lauderdale with 8 good friends where we will board the Star Princess for a 7 day cruise.
I'll try to be online in port, but not sure about it....
If I am, it will be to post at my RV blog
& Then I Bought an RV!Drop over there and take a look......
Later folks!
Duke
Chief Illiniwek Is Dead - So Is U of Illinois Funding!!
Sad, Sad day for the Illini.....
U. of Illinois Board President announced today that next Wednesday's final home basketball game will be the last official appearance at a sporting event for the 80 plus year mascot for the Fighting Illini.
This had been coming, despite alumni opposition, since the NCAA delved into areas in which they do not belong, and announced the appearances were not acceptable....thus no post-season events at U of I.
Now a number of my friends (U of I Grads all) have announced a campaign to halt all alumni giving to the school. there are apparently some numbers of alumni ready to join in....
Right on I say.
Political Correctness has gone way astray.....they damn near got FSU's Seminole, and are working on several others.
Idiotarians at work!!! I am firmly believing the NCAA should be abandoned by a good number of major universities....this would drive it into the death pit within a few years.
Duke
Valentine's Day & The Guys Hate Me!
O.K., I'll explain.....
14 years ago I initiated a new practice on Valentine's Day...and still to this day follow it. I create my own Valentine's card for the Duchess. 1 per day from February 1st thru today.
I find the creation process quite easy as I love the woman so very, very much. However, when we were working, the Duchess would tell co-workers and even those in our social groups. This upset the guys who felt I had set a standard to which they were not able/going to comply.
I do not do it, fellows, to show anyone up...or create a problem for you. I do it for my Duchess...and not for any other.
I love this woman.....
Duke
p.s. I also do this from October 1st thru the 8th (our anniversary) each year!
Border Control....Criminal Aliens? (Iraq?-USA?)
Neal Boortz, at his Nealz Nooze web page this morning has more good content on somewhat related issues.
Closing the Borders in Iraq....
"THEY'RE JUST DOING THIS NOW?
I read this morning that the Iraqi commander of the Baghdad security crackdown has decided to close the borders with Iran and Syria. Now help me out here. Just how long have insurgents been pouring into Iraq from Iran and Syria? And they're just now getting around to closing the border?
Oh wait. Of course! It must be too early and my mind isn't cranked up yet. The Iraqis are just taking their cues from the Bush Administration here! We're being invaded by Mexico! Criminal aliens by the hundreds of thousands ... not totaling as many as 20 million ... have been streaming into this country for decades, and we haven't closed our borders. Iraq has simply been following our lead. Now we need to follow theirs."In addition, he gets all over the terminology of those folks coming to the USA ILLEGALLY....a new term to offset the politically-correct Main Stream Media's wimp out term...
"CRIMINAL ALIENS? Yeah .. you heard me right. Though it will take me time to get my tongue trained .. I've decided to join the politically correct crowd when it comes to referring to the invasion force from South of the border. The politically correct left wants to call them "undocumented workers" or "immigrants."
I'm part of the politically correct right ... so the "undocumented" thing doesn't work for me. I was "undocumented" right up until the time I got my hideous Social Security number from the Imperial Federal Government.
They're also not "immigrants." Immigration is a legal procedure. The "immigrant" title is given to those who follow this procedure. The Mexican invasion force has decided not to follow the law. They come across the border illegally. They get jobs illegally. They remain here illegally. That's why we've been calling them illegal aliens up to this point. But when you think about it, what do we call people who violate our laws? What do you call people who engage in a pattern of continuing illegal behavior? Why, we call them criminals!
The gall of these people waving signs saying "I am not a criminal"! Why hell yes you are! You broke the law coming here. You're breaking the law staying here. You break the law by working here. You break the law .. .you're a criminal!
So ... to the extent to which I can remember .. from now on the Hispanic invasion force shall be known as and referred to as "criminal aliens" on the show and in my writings."
Right On Neal!
Time we stopped this political correctness before it destroys our country.
Duke
N. Korea 3 - USA Nothing!!!!
Another GRAND announcement of a settlement with North Korea to eliminate their nuclear capabilities....by The USA; Japan; China; et al......
However........
North Korea, alleged signee of the agreement has a different slant.....They are talking a "temporary" halt to their nuclear stuff.....
Here is the word as reported by
FOX.....
Amazing....The USA....same as under Clinton, offers platitudes re: the agreement and elimination of N. Korean nuclear capability.....BUT the North Koreans immediately offer that the deal is "temporary"!
Gosh, does that sound a bit like bait and switch????
You betcha....the question is how long will it take a gullible US of A to figure it out and out the NK crowd?
Probably WAY TOO LONG, given previous history!
What a bunch of idiots we (the USA; and the other 4 of the "big 6") are....
I learned more in grade school than the 5 major countries now exhibit!
Sad, sad, sad for the USA & our long list of failed negotiations....
Sad, sad, sad for the other 4 nations signing on to this idiocy!
Duke
624 vs 5 to 7 ????
The headline blares the fact of Playboy models who have been killed/died....etc.
The facts, despite their best efforts at presenting a thesis.....
624 Playmates have graced the pages of Playboy (YES, there were a FEW repeats)....
Of those 5 to 7 died of either murder; drug overdose; or some similar cause.
Let me see....the 1953-1960 models would probably be in the age group of 73 down.... given the fact they were probably 20 when they posed for the publication....
Many have probably died of natural causes....
5 to 7 of 624 dying by unusual means is probably a small number.....but it suffices to give the "Old Guard Media" (Main Stream Media) cause to yell and shout about the numbers.
Strange...but true in today's media....fact-challenged, but ever prolific!
Duke
Romney IN.....I am now a bit confused!
Mitt Romney has joined the 2008 GOP candidates.
This leaves me CONFUSED!
I am, currently, a Giuliani person......subject to input!
Duke
p.s. Do not we miss the possibility of Condi Rice????
I do!
Labels: Do not we MISS the possibility of Condi Rice?????
What the Hell Is Happening?????
Killings seem everywhere......
For instance:
TEEN GUNMAN KILLS 5Or try:
THREE KILLED, TWO WOUNDED!Perhaps you need to see:
MAN KILLS THREE!Is this world gone mad, or what!
I am actually a bit overwhelmed by the things on-going.
Duke
Professional Salaries....Comparisons!
O.K., not all professionals.......Surgeons and Law Professors.
Strange combo for comparison, I agree.
Glenn Reynolds, "Instapundit"....among the highest volume blogs in the sphere....was postulating on salaries for law profs and judges in
THIS PIECE.I, having long been involved in the medical field...as a non-medical person...began to wonder about medical vs law as professions.....
My email to Glenn:
"Your piece on salaries for law profs turned on my inquisitive nature. I have always, for whatever reason, felt that law professors and surgeons are the creme-de-la-creme of professionals (not to slight engineers, physicists, and of course psychiatrists.
Having been affiliated with the medical field for many years, I was interested in a comparison of salaries.In my mind, because of education, internships, asst. prof duty, etc. the climb to law prof must be about the same as the climb to surgeon.
Here is a chart of physician salary averages, plus lows and highs.....and including surgeons in major specialties.
Interesting to compare...... http://www.physicianssearch.com/physician/salary2.html
In addition there is the field of teaching-surgeon. As our hospital is affiliated with a medical school, this also comes into play and actually begins to compare apples to oranges in terms of the professors."
I am sure others in "professions" might feel left out....but.....oh well.!
Duke
"What Was In Anna Nicole's Fridge?"
I KID YOU
NOT!!!
That is the title of the 3rd headline currently up on FOXNews.com!
It is not a joke.
Apparently the major news of the day includes the contents of this dead woman's fridge?
Someone, somewhere, has lost any concept of
J-O-U-R-N-A-L-I-S-M !!!!Duke
Pandering 101
A POST FROM LITTLE DUKE:Excuse me… Excuse me class, would you all take your seats please? It’s been a busy weekend, so I’ll jump right in. My name is Ms. Rodum and I’ll begin with today’s Case Study.
Insurance Companies in Florida are charging different amounts for car insurance based on many factors, but including level of education. It seems that some are charged quite a bit more because they have no high school diploma. Sometimes three times as much compared to someone with a Graduate Degree. It seems that overall; there are more blacks than whites with no high school diploma. Now, who wants to take a crack at analyzing this case?
Johnny: “I think this could be another result of the To be successful is to be too white mentality that afflicts many of out predominately black neighborhoods. It’s the individual’s responsibility to see to it that they make the most of their opportunities.”
Ms. Rodum: Johnny … I’m giving you a zero for today. You need to go home and study Pandering very hard if you are ever going to pass this class. Someone else want to try?
Billy: Oh, Oh, Ms. Rodum, I know. It’s the fault of those big insurance companies, trying to take advantage of the Black community. While it might be true that those without high school diplomas are generally worse drivers, it’s still very disturbing that Blacks are hit the hardest. We need the Government to investigate.
Very Good, anyone else?
Hilly: It’s bigger than the insurance companies Ms. Rodum, its societies fault. All of that institutional racism is keeping Blacks down and then the insurance companies get together in a backroom and secretly agree to raise the rates on those that didn’t get their diplomas knowing that most of them would be black. It’s society’s fault!
Johnny: But wouldn’t someone else start a company to go after that market? Blacks make up approximately 12% of the population. If they are being targeted by the insurance companies out there now, why not start another company to go after that 12%? I know Businessmen that would run naked through a room full of angry bees to get a 12% market share out of the box.
Ms Rodum: NO, NO, no… The answer can never be the private sector. Government must always be the answer. What are you Johnny, some whacko Libertarian? You will never get anyone to vote for you unless you can show them they need you. What would they need you for if the private sector could solve their supposed problems?
Well class, that’s all the time we have today. Tomorrow, we’ll talk about that evil Glass Ceiling.
Little Duke
New Arizona Minimum Wage Hurts Teens!
Go figure! The State of Arizona imposed a nice hike in their minimum wage from just over $5 an hour to nearly $7. Net result?
The 30% of workers in that money range who are 16-19 years of age are losing out.
Jobs are going away, and hours are being cut.
The results seem to follow the predictions of those who say let the economy work....you cannot drive the economy politically!
Read details at
AZCentral.com The fact has been proven time and time again that imposed wage hikes cut jobs...and the folks who are the supposed target group for the hikes are not usually impacted as they already make more than the new minimum.
However, it sure sounds good to those who shill for Government controls on everything, and it does get the votes from the "gimme" set.
Duke
"I Pledge Allegiance....."
This is just a powerful thing you all need to read:
It is TRUE.....It is for all of US!
A Story told by John McCain......(& I am not his biggest fan, but this is awesome)
The story....
JOHN MCCAIN'S REMARKS ABOUT THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE!!!
In light of the recent appeals court ruling in California, with
respect to the Pledge of Allegiance, the following recollection from
Senator John McCain is very appropriate:
"The Pledge of Allegiance" - by Senator John McCain
As you may know, I spent five and one half years as a prisoner of war during the Vietnam
War. In the early years of our imprisonment, the NVA kept us in solitary
confinement or two or three to a cell. In 1971 the NVA moved us from
These conditions of isolation into large rooms with as many as 30 to 40
men to a room.
This was, as you can imagine, a wonderful change and was a direct
result of the efforts of millions of Americans on behalf of a few
hundred POWs 10,000 miles from home.
One of the men who moved into my room was a young man named Mike
Christian.
Mike came from a small town near Selma, Alabama. He didn't wear a
pair of shoes until he was 13 years old. At 17, he enlisted in the US
Navy. He later earned a commission by going to Officer Training School Then he
Became a Naval Flight Officer and was shot down and captured in 1967.
Mike had a keen and deep appreciation of the opportunities this
country and our military provide for people who want to work and want to
succeed.
As part of the change in treatment, the Vietnamese allowed some
Prisoners to receive packages from home. In some of these packages were
handkerchiefs scarves and other items of clothing.
Mike got himself a bamboo needle. Over a period of a couple of
months, he created an American flag and sewed on the inside of his
shirt.
Every afternoon, before we had a bowl of soup, we would hang Mike's
Shirt on the wall of the cell and say the Pledge of Allegiance.
I know the Pledge of Allegiance may not seem the most important part
of our day now, but I can assure you that in that stark cell it was
indeed the most important and meaningful event.
One day the Vietnamese searched our cell, as they did periodically,
And discovered Mike's shirt with the flag sewn inside, and removed it.
That evening they returned, opened the door of the cell, and for the
benefit of all of us, beat Mike Christian severely for the next
couple of hours. Then, they opened the door of the cell and threw him
in. We cleaned him up as well as we could.
The cell in which we lived had a concrete slab in the middle on which
We slept. Four naked light bulbs hung in each corner of the room.
As I said, we tried to clean up Mike as well as we could. After the
excitement died down, I looked in the corner of the room, and sitting
there beneath that dim light bulb with a piece of red cloth, another
shirt and his bamboo needle, was my friend, Mike Christian. He was sitting
there with his eyes almost shut from the beating he had received, making
another
American flag. He was not making the flag because it made Mike
Christian feel better. He was making that flag because he knew how
important it was to us to be able to Pledge our allegiance to our flag
and country.
So the next time you say the Pledge of Allegiance, you must never
Forget the sacrifice and courage that thousands of Americans have made
to build our nation and promote freedom around the world.
You must remember our duty, our honor, and our country
"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and
to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible,
with liberty and justice for all."
PASS THIS ON... and on... and on! You can even send it back to me, I
don't mind, because its worth reading againThe story is true......the ideal is ours.....the need is for our liberal friends to STOP ignoring the threats of the Islamofascist idiots and begin to realize we NEED patriotism....we NEED to salute the flag.....we NEED to recognize what has made us GREAT as a nation.....and it is NOT allowing extremists their platform to attack us.....
Duke
Elders Transmitting Disease Via S-E-X!
Whoa!!!!That one caught my eye....and probably yours too......
Seen those commercials recently....for "
The Villages?"I know I have.....until the recent tornado there anyway.
Now it comes out.....The "Lovers" of The Villages are spreading sexually transmitted disease at an
ALARMING RATE!
True, my friends....& Really, really scary.......
Read about it HERE & Be afraid....The Duke (Me) is 64....and he is not afraid....He is true to his Duchess, and has been for many, many years!
But this is something......I guess I need to go have a drink at a bar in
The Villages just to check out this phenomenon and then report back to my loyal readers.......
Don't Tell Duchess.....after all it is "investigative reporting!"
R-I-G-H-T.......
Oh wait, she reads this blog......
Hi Dear! Just kidding.....
Duke
Blogger 1 - Me Nothing!
O.K.
I said I'd post on the
"forced/coerced" transition to the
"New" Blogger.....
Guess what?
NO PROBS!At least so far....just a smooth one-time transition, and all seems working well. I have to give it to them....they seem to have taken out the earlier wrinkles experienced by several.....
Good Job Guys!Duke
I Refuse To Admit Paternity!!!!!
There, having said that, I am apparently tying myself to the minority!
Suddenly, Anna Nicole Smith's offspring has been sired by more people than I believed she had been with....but then...what the hell do I know!
This media circus is obviously circling about the fact that SOMEONE is going to get a baby & MILLIONS to go with the child. Guess the courts will be doing this gig as long as they have been playing about with the original Anna Nicole claim over her right to about a
GAZILLION dollars from the death of Anna's 2nd hubby, the 150 year old geezer with all the riches!
What astounds me more than anything else is the coverage......but then, here I am writing on the topic.
O.K.
I'll shut up and let the other media folk dance about crying out hysterically.
Plus, I had a vasectomy
more than 25 years ago.....guess that keeps me out!!!
Duke
Edwards Displays Ignorance to Following!
Mr. Edwrads, the fabulously-successful trial lawyer, cum-Politician/Senator....is reading a book no one else sees!
His choice for "blogger-supporters" is a pair of idiotarians who have in every way demonized the Christian folk in the blogosphere. However, Edwards finds it something he can cover by obtaining from the pair their compliance to a "we're sorry, and hoped to offend no-one" policy.
Edwards, thy name is IDIOT!
These two gals are WAY out-of-the-ordinary.....
Read about it
HERE!!!!Duke
"Doomsday Site?" - Global Warming ER????
You have to read this......I guess, as a backup...just in case the GW theory is correct, which it is not...this might be important.
Check it out @
HERE & Think about it!!!I find the project to have several applications.....not among them, however, is Global Warming. Mostly, I see it as a repository for the continuation of life (possibly) if we experience the much-more-likely meteor-strike! Another in the long line of things that have dictated life development on Earth!
That includes plans I do not see here.....plans such as extended life-perpetuation vis-a-vis people actually protected in the site as well....You know, like as against annihilation from such a devastating problem. This, I feel is MUCH more likely the scenario even given global warming.
I am among those who find the lack of realization by
ANY intelligent government source of the fragility of our Human Race by being in ONE place as actually stupid/short-sighted/ignorant/etc.
We are a true
"Mote in God's Eye!" If God blinks, and a meteor strikes.....the entire Human Race is
Ancient History!!!! A history never to be known by anyone, anywhere, anytime!
What a sad ending to a civilization which has achieved so much positive!
Feel insignificant? I do!
Duke
A Softer, Kinder Voice?
Today there seems to be so very, very much hostility.....mean-tempered responses to any political thought, etc. that I wonder what ever happened to normal open discourse...? There is no debate. Everything is about taking a post/comment/whatever and in one sudden slash of the cutting knife of editorial liberty, trying to KILL the others ideas. NOT address them logically, but KILL THEM!
Now a story of a family in disagreement, but still A FAMILY! They agree to disagree, but they cut out the
MALICE!!!!
How very refreshing, and they agree to disagree while still being a family!Knife thrusts do not solve problems....they create new ones.
BE NICE PEOPLE!Duke
"Surge" is Already Working!
The Surge is doing great things. I would not report this, except you WILL NOT see this story on the networks....except, possibly for FOX.
The Al Qaeda in Iraq are being
HAMMERED!!!!
True! Just check this report at Little Green Footballs!Amazing is it not that positive moves in Iraq are NOT NEWS! But, just you let one helo go down, or a bomb explode, and the MSM is ON IT!
No Bias there folks.......He He
Duke
Help(LESS) Support! - HP Style
Give me a break......Please!If the edges of this post are a bit singed it is my overheated cellphone, and the heat emitted by my overloaded brain!
I bought a new HP PC thru a vendor (Tiger Direct, one of my favorite places)....Then I added an extended 4 year "Care Pack" from HP...also thru the vendor.
Now I get an email telling me to register my "Care Pack"....
I go to the site online, insert the proper numbers/sn/model, etc.
I push the "Preview" button, and it sits there......I try everything...Nothing works. Time for PLAN B....call their helpdesk/support, et al.
In the space of just over 36 minutes I am given the grand tour of
FIVE different people.....
It went like this.... 1st guy named "Jim", but sounding amazingly like my Indian owner of the local drive thru liquor store (is that what he does in the little office on the phone?) He finally deduces that he is a printer person, and thus cannot help me.....2nd is "Ragman"??? who can understand as he sits in his office in India.....he is a computer man, but cannot help me as my model PC is a "Commercial" model which he deos not handle.....3rd, someone whose name has now escaped me completely.....he handles "Commerical PCs", but not registration of warranties.... for that I get 4th man who is breaking up on the phone because as he told me I have been transferred too many times and each call then forwards and makes the phone crazy.. or something similar. This guy handles PC warranty problems!!!!
He calls me back to "clear the line" and then sends me to the registration for my warranty... and I am disconnected.....!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I now, however have the # which guy 4 gave me, and I call back.....three times. Each time I click thru the various selections to the apparent proper department only to be in "queue" which the female voice tells me is only a minute.....firat two times I wait for about 30 seconds and the line disconnects. 3rd time, I wait FIFTEEN minutes and nobody answers, ever.
I love ya HP.....Really.....Is there a Dell salesman out there??????
I'll try again in the morning when I and my cell are cooler!
Duke
"Jimmah" Carter Goes Berserker on Israel
Yeppers, this out-dated relic has again attacked the folks he claims he has no bias towards....
Go Jimmy....tell it like it
is not!What an idiot!.......We elected this person to the Presidency?....makes me quake about 2008!
Here is the story
for all to read!It makes me sick we actually elected this person to the Presidency!!!!
Duke
STOP THE PRESSES....ER BLOGS!
This will shake your grates; make you shout
"WOW-SKIPPY", and give you cause for the pause!
There is an actual announcement of work toward
PEACE between Fatah and Hamas!Let me see, how do I count the times......20-30-40?????
Well anyway, here is the story from
SOMEONE at FOX!These folks have announced peace between themselves so many times I have to check a DAILY calendar of hours to insure I have the NEW announcement.
If this one is ever completed....and, if it lasts more than 10 hours, I'd be shocked, shocked I tell you!
Where is my lucky hat????Duke
Bad Day at RIAA!!!!
1st....they find Steve Jobs at Apple saying time for the dropping of protection for recorded songs...
Then the RIAA finds itself paying for the attorney of one gal they sued for infringement....and it might be the start of something bigger....
He He!
Read about it:
HERE!Just love it when the recording industry gets its due. They are idiotarian moguls on a rampage.....they feel BILLIONS in profit is not enough!
Duke
Labels: music industry, RIAA
I'm PO! - Thanks to Google!
FORCED Transition to NEW blogger!......That is what it amounted to.
How will it work.....Let you know in a few minutes!
Duke
"From Sail to Steam...In The Newsroom!"
It is apparent to all but the head-in-the-sand senior editors themselves that the Main Stream Media - Principally the print media, are in a reallllly steep decline. Readership shrinks, and believability drops like a rock. This process has been going on for more than a decade, but is accelerating.
Hugh Hewitt has the definitive story on the process....with lots of links, and a more-than-passingly-believable comparison to the switch from
sail to
steam by our Navy.
It is the usual fact-filled, and fun read from Hugh. Check out
Hugh Hewitt.I am not surprised by the sinking media. I am surprised by both their ignorance of the facts, and their reliance on old "spin" and "bias" pieces they still seem to actually believe the public will buy without reading their blogs where the story is refuted...almost before it is printed!
The MSM better get their
"steam" on track before their
"sails" rip to the point of obscurity for the ever-shrinking media giants of print.
Duke
The "Most Free" Countries....????
Columnist Walter Williams has a great piece over at Townhall.
It concerns a newly-produced map of the "most-free" countries in the world.
He explains that freedom & economic freedom are different items:
" The economic development lesson is clear: Have a system of economic freedom and grow rich. Extensive government control, weak property rights and government corruption almost guarantee poverty. A country's institutional infrastructure is critical to its economic growth and the well-being of its citizens. The most critical are protection of private property, enforcement of contracts and rule of law."
His piece goes much further, of course, and you might find it interesting as a map of
POVERTY-STRICKEN COUNTRIES!In case you did not read the link here is the surprise: USA is #4! Numbers 1 & 2 are Hong Kong (89%) and Singapore (86%)....#3 Australia (83%. The USA figure....only 82%!
The non-surprises include the bottom-feeders....North Korea at 3% (157th); Cuba at 30% (156th); followed by...Libya (34) Zimbabwe (36), Burma (40), Turkmenistan (42), Congo (43), Iran (43), Angola (43), and Guinea-Bassau (45).
Think it is sad we are #4? Thank the liberals who want government involvement/control of all aspects of our lives and businesses. It is time for a true Libertarian approach for the USA to halt the slide into lesser-freedom.
Duke
Ford Fires "Peashooter" In Car Wars!
In their race to reverse the inroads by Japanese, Korean, & European car makers Ford has developed a new strategy!
WOW....this is just so very, very indicative of what is
WRONG with the American car makers.....
Ford recently came out with a new car.....Ford 500. This sedan is upper mid-sized, and was announced and introduced with loud claims of wonderfulness from Ford. Sales since have been dragging!
Ford,in an marvelously inventive move, has found the cure......
RENAME THE CAR! They have decided to call it
"Taurus".....
Now, I ask you....do they seriously think renaming the car to the only model in recent history which was #1 will boost sales? Maybe they could just call it
"Rolls Royssss"!& American car manufacturers wonder why their sales are sliding ever-further down the tubes!
Any Questions class?Duke
Day-By-Day In Iraq!
NO, not a record of what is going on there....but perhaps a record in cartoon form of the truth of Iraq.
WHAT?
My fave cartoonist, Chris Muir whose strip is
Day-By-Day is currently in Iraq as a news embed. When he returns in a few weeks, I am sure his cartoons will be chock full of the biting satire for which he is known.
Until then his strip is re-running some of his earlier stuff.
By the way, Chris is one of the few cartoonists who openly admits he uses ideas from his readers....and usually credits them as well.
I look forward to his return.....be safe Chris.
Duke
Hillary's Hoof-In-Face Disease Grows!
One of Hillary's college profs noted she was a socialist.
Now, despite her handlers best efforts she has already laid out in plain sight notice of just how socialist she really is.
Exxon posted profits of 39T....Trillion last year. Hillary is aghast!
The fact that this is about a 10-11% profit margin (well below most people's perceptions of what a company should make for its shareholders...considered by most to be 20%) not just a magic figure one pulls down without explanation.
But....The Hildabeast sees ANY profit as belonging to the government....so she explains in this statement:
"The other day the oil companies reported the highest profits in the history of the world. I want to take those profits and I want to put them into a strategic energy fund that will begin to fund alternative smart energy, alternatives and technologies that will begin to actually move us toward the direction of independence." (Emphasis is mine)
Now before you kiddies who believe ALL the bullxxxt about profit being bad get your knickers in a giant wad, just stop to consider what is going on here.
Neal Boortz today addresses the issue....and just who would be hurt by the "taking" of profits!
"Where do we start with Hillary's comment? There are so many points that need to be brought up. First is Hillary's obvious belief that the profits of American corporations are the government's to take. This attitude shows a complete disdain for the concept of private property rights. Those profits belong to the shareholders of Exxon Mobile, not to government, and certainly not to Hillary Rodham.
And just who are the shareholders of Exxon Mobile? Who are the people that Hillary wants to punish by "taking" their earnings?
Here we have to battle the economic ignorance of the American people ... an economic ignorance fostered by our hideous system of government education. Most Americans believe that the Exxon Mobile shareholders are probably rich fat cats sitting on their yachts in the Bahamas or jetting around the world on their private jets when they aren't living in their multi-million dollar homes.
Wrong.
Some of the largest shareholders in Exxon Mobile are quite likely retirement funds. Teacher retirement funds, Police retirement funds. Fireman retirement funds. These funds invest their member's money in stocks of corporations likely to return a good annual dividend. The dividends are then used to write the monthly checks to retirees. This is the money that Hillary wants to "take."
Now Hillary knows this. She may be America's most dangerous politician (you're beginning to see why) but she most certainly is not stupid. She knows who those Exxon Mobile shareholders are. She also knows that most Americans buy the fat-cat scenario and that she can talk about "taking" corporate profits with virtual immunity. The people who she depends on to vote for her have no understanding how dangerous she is."
So now you can understand kiddies.....Hillary wants to take YOUR money....YOUR retirement money if you belong to one of the above groups. Or, if you are an investor....The Hildabeast just wants to take your money to use for other purposes.
Free Enterprise, my friends....It IS what makes America work. Without profit we have only a socialist nation....where nothing works or grows....Check out the socialist/communist countries for success stories.....Cuba, Russia, N. Korea, etc. All economic failures with no citizens making a good income or enjoying a good retirement...except their criminals.
We DO NOT need nor want a socialist for President.
Duke
DEMs Stopped!
Yeppers folks, the Dems have found NO ground for their theatrics!
The fact is they are less than successful, despite a
A MAJORITY!Yee Haw!
Duke
A "RUDY ROMP?"....
Some seem dedicated to this, although I am still a "border supporter".....
Check the
FACTS HERE!I guess we have a long road to hoe for 2008!
Duke
Good News/Bad News Out of Iraq!
The story is quite good....in terms of TRUTH!
Read about it
from Jules Crittenden!The Main Stream Media
(Read: OLD Media) have oft played this wrongly to suit their agenda....biased media coverage from the MSM is why they have a rating in believability of....
"OH SHIT!"
Damn glad to see the facts here!
Duke
Economy 101: DEM=Good, GOP=Bad!
Surprise, Surprise!!!!!
I have noted for a long time the fact that under a Democratic President the Main Stream Media (Read: OLD Media) always finds the silver lining.....and likewise under a GOP President the MSM sings the song of death!
It is fact! Not just my view......
In "The Politics of Bull and Bears", David Frum writes:
"Want to get rich in the American stock market? Here's some advice: Don't watch the news.I'm not being facetious here. One of the iron laws of U.S. news reporting is that the economy gets positive reviews under Democratic presidents and negative reviews under Republican presidents.In 2004, the Virginia-based Media Research Center (MRC) produced a stark summary of the disparity.In 1996, Bill Clinton ran for reelection as president. The U.S. economy was doing well at the time: unemployment down to 5.2%, inflation under control at 3%, and overall growth at 2.2%. And the press reported all this good news: According to the 2004 MRC study, 85% of all major economic stories on the economy in the summer of 1996 were positive.Eight years later, George W. Bush was running for re-election as president. The U.S. economy in 2004 did much better than in 1996: The economy grew at a 3.9% pace, while unemployment and inflation roughly matched their 1996 levels (5.4% and 2.7% respectively). Yet this time, 77% of all major media economic coverage was negative. (For the full report, see www.mediaresearch.org/realitycheck/2004/fax20041020.asp.) And since the 2004 election, the barrage of bad news has continued: reports of housing bubbles, warnings of an imminent collapse in the U.S. dollar, and so on."This is not the whole story......and if you'd like to read the rest.....just GO HERE!Our lovely "Old Guard, Old Media"....they still are standing around saying "The sky is falling" while we have the best economy for MANY years....but if, on January 2009 there is a DEM President sworn in, the economy will miraculously turn up....fact or fiction...it
WILL TURN UP!Damn the torpedoes of truth, full speed ahead with the liberal agenda!
& The NYT & LAT Wonder why their income is in shambles, and their believability factor is dropping like a rock....& It is already in the low 30% area!
Ya gotta love it!
Duke
"The Wonder Spot" & "Spook Hill!"
Two spots, more than 1200 miles apart that I have visited.....and spots which work hard to portend a defying of the laws of physics......One is going away.....
"The Wonder Spot"....located in Wisconsin was a place I visited in my youth in amazement, and later (30s) in understanding of the visual misconceptions which perpetuated its myth. It is being bought by a local city as a road site.....
Read about it
and know the mystique!Then I moved to Florida, and in my moving about became an officer of the county of Polk, and found the "Spook Hill" mystique....
Explore it HERE!It is equally, a visual deception, playing upon your mind and your eyes with perceptions not true.....but it is there and you can go do this to this day....
I had forgotten about it, but am now reminded.
Interesting stuff from an earlier part of my life!
Duke
Politics 101 - Who Said It?
1st Quote: "Let me be clear: Under no circumstances can Iran be allowed to have nuclear weapons. For years, the US hasn't done enough to deal with what I have seen as a threat from Iran.....To ensure that Iran never gets nuclear weapons, we need to keep ALL options on the table. Let me reiterate -- ALL options must remain on the table...."
2nd Quote: (In answer to question....Can we live with a nuclear Iran?)
"I'm not ready to cross that bridge yet. I think that we have lots of opportunities that we've ... We're not negotiating with them directly, what I just proposed has not been done. We're not being smart about how we engage with them. But I'm not ready to cross that bridge yet. And I think the reason people react the way they do -- I understand it, because, when George Bush uses this kind of language, it means something very different for most people. I mean when he uses this kind of language "options are on the table," he does it in a very threatening kind of way -- with a country that he's not engaging with or making any serious diplomatic proposals to. I mean I think that he's just dead wrong about that."
O.K. - Now who said these things.....can YOU figure it out?
Alright, it is a trick question........
BOTH were said by John Edwards. Presidential candidate. Kevin Drum, at the Washington Monthly caught the differences....and knows
WHY the two apparently different attitudes and beliefs.....
The 1st was before an Israeli group in Israel. The 2nd before a liberal group two weeks later (yesterday).
You should read Kevin's complete article to learn that Edwards has graduated from
POLITICS 101.
In this day and age of Google, and instant passage of statements around the blogosphere, I suspect we will find many, many more politicos with hoof-in-face-disease!
Duke
How The NFL Grinch Stole Super Bowl!
The NFL, in a fit of idiocy, has halted an Indiana church's plans to show Super Bowl to a crowd.....even though the church IS NOT CHARGING!
Grinch, thy name is NFL!
Read it
HERE & WEEP!The convoluted explanation about Neilson reporting is hog wash!
I fear for several local operations; clubs, etc. that i know are offering the game tied to some activity.....a chili cookoff; a meal at the halftime....etc.
Some organizations cannot seem to get REALITY into their head! Should be interesting to see the reaction grow in the blogosphere over this one....PR for the NFL, though not what I am sure they'd like to see. Maybe this will become the NFL's "Super Blackeye!"
Duke
88% of Population Say Islamic Terrorist Threat "Serious"!
Yes, that is the report of Fox News Channel......actually 64% say the threats are
"very serious"...with another 24% saying they are
"serious"You'll not see a lot of this story in the "other", "old media" networks....cause it does not match their agenda......
Fox has it
For your reading pleasure....Time for the political idiots; media folk (other than FOX); and assorted others to recognize that despite their best efforts at hiding the facts, the average American recognizes that Islamic terrorists are to be feared, and are seeking to obliterate us!
They are
NOT a small minority.....
Duke
2008 Comic Relief Arrives - Franken Announces Candidacy!
He has done it. The man who, almost single-handedly drove Air America (Liberal Radio) to near-extinction, and in the process gave himself an awesome salary...Al Franken...has announced his candidacy for Senate from the frozen State of Minnesota.
Not only is this going to provide comic relief, but huge volumes of fodder for the many Minnesota blogs which provide some of the top blogger-writing in the sphere.... including:
Captain's Quarters;
PowerLine;
Fraters Libertas; and a number of others...including
Hugh Hewitt....not in Minn., but always interested in the goings-on there.I am still concerned that Air America failed so miserably....financially and in listenership. While the two may be linked, they are different. The problem is, now that the network failed...even though it may be brought back by new owners in a different light...the Liberals in Congress will be trying any way they can to restrict/limit/destroy talk radio which is almost completely dominated by those pesky Conservatives!
Wonder why Conservative/Libertarian talk folks succeed?
IT'S THE LISTENERS STUPID! The conservatives listen, and support vis-a-vis advertising, their folk. The liberals do not have much of an audience once you get beyond the raving fringe.
I am eager to see the 1st poll results comparing Franken to incumbent Republican Norm Coleman in the Minnesota race.
Duke
