OBAMAMANIA

A friend sent me an interesting clip from the net. Check it out.
I am grateful for a country that can overcome it's past and elect a candidate such as Barack Obama. As a child I remember the surprise when John Kennedy was elected. Listening to the adults discuss the future with him in office was enlightening. The adults of that day were not amazed that a man of Kennedy's political beliefs made the oval office. They were surprised that a catholic got voted in. Different days, different biases.
That said; president elect Obama has already boosted one small section of our economy.
Gun sales. The numbers are astonishing, some gun categories have reported a 400% increase in sales since November 2nd. Basically, in fear of losing their constitutional rights, thousands are beating down the doors of gun shops. Stocking up on weapons that they fear will be unavailable in the future.
Crazy paranoia of a bunch of gun nuts? Not likely. We've been there folks, during the Clinton administration we let our gun ownership rights be whittled away. We traded a misplaced desire for safety for the right to defend ourselves.
Did violent crime decrease? No it did not, in fact, in some areas it increased.
When the new legislation steps onto the floors of the senate and congress there will be agendas waiting to come to fruition. Do not blame the new president if you lose one of the rights our founding fathers thought so important that they made it a constitutional right.
It is the senate and congress that should truly represent our interests. this will only happen if we hold them accountable for their actions or inaction's. Our own inaction will be the tool those in office find most useful. Our apathy will provide fuel for their freight train.
Let gun control be, there are already enough laws on the books to keep honest folks honest. We don't need more laws, just enforce those already in place.
Let's focus on our nations real problems. Poverty, hunger, and education are what we, as a nation, need to fix.
Ask hard questions, demand real answers.
Peace Ya'll.

Do ya think I'm that far off base?

My handful of readers may think that my stance on BLACK FRIDAY is just another disgruntled rant. Today, sadly, my point is made.
Check out this story on newsday.com.. The sad fact is that even after this horrific event occurred, shoppers were actually walking in and around the EMT's as they tried to save this poor mans life. I hope the savings were worth it.
Jdimytai Damour lost his life, under a stampede of shoppers who, truly, lost their sense of priorities.
Peace to you Mr. Damour, peace to your family.
Thanks to Ish for the link to the story.
Monday is Cyber Monday folks. The latest version of today's corporate driven shopping madness. Sit on your hands, send a message, do the right thing.
'Nuff said.
Peace ya'll
G.

Black Friday Redoux

I said it last year and I still believe it's true.
So click the title link and peruse my post from one year ago.
Do the right thing.
Peace ya'll
G.

Thank you for today and every day.

Following on the path of the mighty Ishmael
My short list of thanks.
Thanks to Mom for having me.
Thanks to Mom for keeping me.
Thanks to Dad and both father-in laws, for teaching me.
Thanks to the two women in my life that brought my children into this world.
Thanks to my children for making my world beautiful.
Thanks to the wonderful people of this island for accepting me.
Thanks to all the soldiers around the world for keeping us safe.
Thanks to God for making all this possible.
If you get some down time, cruise the blogoshpere and check out what thanks are out there. You might be surprised at how much we all have in common.
Over at I Eat Gravel the president -elect speaks and an original poem follows. Good stuff.
As I leave for dinner I'll leave ya'll this.
From Tecumseh.
Give Thanks
When you arise in the morning,
give thanks for the morning light, for your life and strength.
Give thanks for your food and the joy of living.
If you see no reason for giving thanks,
the fault lies in yourself.

Peace ya'll

A life well lived

In my last post, I dedicated my rant to John. John Strahle was my father-in-law, and he left this world Tuesday. Why would I dedicate such a rant to him?
Besides being a husband, father and grandfather he dedicated a large portion of his life to protecting the resources so many take for granted. A Korean war veteran, former fish and game officer, he ended up as a career agent for the National Marine Fisheries Service. Not the folks most of us deal with. He was an active investigator. The kind most folks do not encounter. Protecting the migrating whales from do-gooding green peace activists. Busting the folks trying to smuggle illegal and unsafe ocean species into an unsuspecting American marketplace.
That was his professional life.
I knew him as "Jack". A man who loved the life up here. A man whose name I could mention in several areas of the country and hit an accord with another agent. You see in my previous life, the agency I worked with interacted with the NMFS on a regular basis. We would fly them around and count on their expertise to recognize a vessel that broke the fisheries laws of our nation. Almost every time we hauled an agent, I could mention my father-in -law and the agent on board would know him, or know of him.
That was our professional overlap. In my personal life, John ended up in a place I never imagined would happen. I know that he had his misgivings when his baby daughter told him of her plans to marry a young Coastie. He gave me fair measure and trusted his baby girls judgement. Now, as a father of three girls married, I understand how difficult that can be.
Sixteen years ago and three years into our marriage, my father passed on. Over time John became the closest thing I had to a father. Many miles separated us, but our visits together were priceless. The conversations on the phone often helped me over the inevitable bumps in the road life provides.
I met you when I was sure that I was a grown man. I learned that I still had a fair amount of growing to do. Now, I still realize that I am not fully grown. I learned from you, that each stage in our lives teaches us more, and therefore we are forever growing. Thank you for that.
Thank you for your daughter; that I married. She is a blessing in my life. Our children are a blessing threefold.
Rest well, my friend you have earned it. You never met my father, or my first son. I hope they are there to greet you on your new journey. I will see you again.
Good night John, Dave S., Robin,Dave B. Dwayne, Tom, Tim, Dad, & Cory.
Peace Ya'll

Sea Kittens

This one's for John.
Now that the political circus is winding down, I'd like to point out the latest lame attempt of one organization to alter the way we live.
That would be People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals; PETA for short.
It would appear that they have recruited at least one web guru to help them start a new, insidious campaign.
Sea Kittens.
This new approach is comparing fish to the adorable kittens that so many homes have. The website offers stories, some cute, some horrifying, that try to show that fish are the same, and as loving as that fuzzy little kitten we have all had at one time.
It also is filled with medical reports showing that eating fish is not only morally wrong, but dangerously unhealthy.
Over the years, PETA has tried to convince us that eating any animal is wrong. The majority of us realize that this group is just slightly off center.
Now their approach has taken a new twist. In some lame attempt to shape future generations, they are targeting our children. I would go on, describing this web site, but you should see it for yourself to realize the potential it has.
Therefore; I offer PETA this.
Your facts are gleaned from thousands of studies that disagree with your stance. Granted, the beauty of the I-net is that you are capable of providing only the opinions that support your particular cause. I respect every individuals right to their beliefs and opinions. However; I draw the line at any attempt to recruit children in some lame hope that they will convert to your ideals.
That said.
YO PETA, put your money where your mouth is.
You want to save the planet by saving everything that breathes? Think about this.
Science has proven several times that plants respond to speech and music. Does that not insinuate a form of sentience? So the next time you're chomping down on that handful of sunflower seeds try not to choke on the hypocritical fact that you have devoured a beautiful and planet improving species.
Do you have a lawn? Do you realize that a lawn is an unnatural and hard to sustain environment for grass. Actually a lawn is the horticultural equivalent of a caged chicken farm. Never mind the horror of that mower you run across it every couple of weeks. Oh yeah, what about the thousands of species that contributed to the fuel, gas or electric, that powers that death machine.
So, now you can't or won't eat meat. If you're being just, you can't eat plants either. What's left?
Water, that's what.
Wait a minute, every drop of water is filled with living organisms from several phyla, so I guess that is out of the question also.
Here is my challenge then. Either be fair and just, thus protecting all living things, or accept your place in the food chain & accept the fact that Human Beings are omnivores.
If you choose the latter, then I won't have to worry about your whining histrionics. Should you choose the former; well then your generation will come to a slow lingering end.
BTW the next time you want to swim with the "Sea Kittens", may it be a beautiful tiger kitty. Tiger shark that is; and then you will realize your place in the food chain.
AAHH, I had me fill and run me rant.
I will explain why this one is for John later folks. Suffice to sat another great soul has moved on.
Do the right thing tomorrow, no matter how hard it is.
Peace Ya'll.
Griff

What a great week.

I normally do not take any pleasure in another persons mistakes. However that is not the case when it comes to meteorologists and their shamanistic predictions. Over at the Devils Club and the mighty KoKon there is drooling and howling about the beautiful moon lit nights we have been experiencing. I could not agree more with their attitude.
This time of year it is the hunters moon I love, nights when a flashlight is a comfort, but not needed. The wilderness is at its most seductive beauty on nights like that. I am drawn, entranced, into the blue night of the snow reflecting the moons robust fullness.
It is no wonder that I have often compared my beautiful bride to the moon. Her beauty is the same gentle light that not only illuminates, but smooths and beautifies everything around her. I am drawn to her side, seduced over and over again, by her beauty.
Oh, but I wander. My better half is far away and I miss her. She has been down to the West Coast spending time with two of the daughters and welcoming the latest addition to our clan. Yup, as of Nov. 12th, we have a new Grandson. Korben Gabriel is his name and he is as beautiful as his mother. That brings our total grandchild count up to 4 and another is due any day now. So lets see, 4 kids, 4,(soon 5), grand kids, and we haven't even hit the big 50 yet! Maybe my family needs more hobbies.
BTW today is AMERICA RECYCLES DAY, so get out there and do it! Besides providing a great service, Rick down at threshold provides employment for a bunch of challenged folks, that might otherwise be sitting around. Did you know that two Saturdays ago the Saint Mary's Saints basketball teams had their annual Kodiak Clean up day? It is an annual event that raises money for the boys and girls teams to go to the ACSSA tournament. So about 25 kids got sponsors and in 3 hours picked up 140 bags of trash and 4 bags of recyclables for a total of 2620 lb.s of refuse. Not bad huh? Man I love those kids.
It's not to late to show your appreciation for these hard working 6,7, & 8th graders. Contact Saint Mary's school if you want to donate to the basketball traveling fund. My many thanks to all the sponsors and parents that helped out this year.
Found a great new website, if your interested in Native American history check this one out.
Summing up: Great weather, Veterans Day caught up with me old buds, new grandson, one night and one day out in the woods with the girls(our dogs).
What a great week. I am grateful.
Do the right thing ya'll, and not just for yourself.
Peace.

Thank you

After reading the latest entry from Ish at the mighty KoKon, I happened on this at You Tube.
Wonderful.
Peace

Famous Veterans speak.

After reading an excellent piece over at T.K.P., I wanted to put some of my favorite quotes made by some famous Veterans. Some were republicans, some Democrats, and some whose only political affiliation was being American.
Here they are.
George Washington:
"Observe good faith and justice toward all nations.
Cultivate peace and harmony with all."
OR
"If we desire to avoid insult, we must be able to repel it; if we desire to secure peace, one of the most powerful instruments of our rising prosperity, it must be known, that we are at all times ready for War."
Patrick Henry:
"Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery?
Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!
John Paul Jones:
"An honorable Peace is and always was my first wish! I can take no delight in the effusion of human Blood; but, if this War should continue, I wish to have the most active part in it."
Theodore Roosevelt:
"A man who is good enough to shed his blood for his country is good enough to be given a square deal afterward."
Dwight d. Eisenhower:
Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies, in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and not clothed. This world in arms is not spending money alone. It is spending the sweat of its laborers, the genius of its scientists, the hopes of its children. This is not a way of life at all in any true sense. Under the cloud of threatening war, it is humanity hanging from a cross of iron.
Douglas MacArthur:
"I have known war as few men now living know it. It's very destructiveness on both friend and foe has rendered it useless as a means of settling international disputes."
George Patton:
"Wars may be fought with weapons, but they are won by men. It is the spirit of men who follow and of the man who leads that gains the victory."
Colin Powell:
"War should be the politics of last resort. And when we go to war, we should have a purpose that our people understand and support."

There are a great many more great quotes out there. Read, Ask hard questions, and demand real answers.
Peace ya'll
G.

A Day of Thanks

Tuesday, November 11th is Veterans day. It is also one of the few national holidays that has not been trivialized by morphing it into a 3 day weekend. It stands alone, as it should.
As a nation we have Memorial Day to honor those fallen in service to our country, in September we have Patriots day to remember those fallen on September 11, 2001. Both the victims of the attack and the public safety professionals & volunteers who gave their lives.
Veterans day is different folks, it is the chance we all have to give reverence and thanks to all who have served. This is your chance to thank a living individual who chose service above self. Take advantage of this!
Tomorrow, find a vet. Take the time to shake their hand and thank them. I am a veteran, but tomorrow I will take the time to find the vets that made my younger life safe and possible. I will thank them for that.
I am not talking about some long diatribe about why you are grateful.
Just shake their hand and say thank you. Believe me they will know what you are saying with a simple expression of thanks.
When tomorrow passes, remember that every time you stand for the national anthem, or pledge allegiance to our flag, you are fortifying the beliefs those vets chose to defend.
To defend our constitution against enemies both foreign and domestic, is the oath every one of those veterans took and lived.
'Nuff said. Take a moment tomorrow and be grateful.
Peace ya'll
Griff

Now you can double wrap your fish!

Just kidding folks, there is a new paper 'round town and I love it.
The journalism class at our own KHS has started /revived the school paper. Hats off to the folks at the Mirror for printing it up. Sure this new paper probably is not going to put our beloved daily out of business, but in a one paper town any addition is welcome. Judging by the content and thickness of the Friday Mirror I think the interaction with youthful journalists might have revived some of that good old journalistic giddy-up we have needed.
The next edition of the Necessity is rumored to hit the street any day now. so give the kids a buck,(that's the going rate), and help support the newest endeavor of Ms. Heitman and her crew.
I listened to the debates thanks to our own KMXT, the other night. I think they were better than the nationals, maybe because I feel more affected by the local election than the national. Still, I need to ponder some more before I mark the block on Tuesday. These may be the toughest election decisions I have ever made. It makes me wish we could add "none of the above" as an actual choice. That we could get a Mulligan and maybe some candidates of substance would step forward.
Wanna have some fun? Monday night watch one of my favorite movies. It is called Wag the Dog, and is still so relevant today it is scary. If you do watch it make sure you read all the special info at the end.
Anyways folks, I really don't care if you agree with my choices or political views. Just get out there and vote! They have made it so accommodating this time, that I anticipate taxi service next time around. Oh, wait I think that was tried before and it ended badly for the candidate that provided the rides.
Do the right thing tomorrow folks, no matter how hard it may be.
Peace