Sad day in Mayberry, R.F.D.

Clicking on the title link above will take you to a video endorsement of Barack Obama by some of our Television Icons of the past. Now, Opie and Fonzie, I understand being liberal but Andy Griffith? The world has turned upside down!!!

Then of course, there's that word again. "Change." Obama represents change about as much as me standing in a parking Lot, calling myself a Car, makes me a Car. I might believe it. I might make others believe it but at the end of the day, I won't be a Car.

Something is wrong with America. I will grant you that. We are probably going to elect a man as President that wouldn't even qualify to be one of his own Secret Service agents. That's right. Obama would be disqualified for a job with the Secret Service or with the FBI because of his past association with this Ayers fellow. But oh, we want Change!

There are some things that really dishearten me about this particular Election. While I won't be voting for Obama in this lifetime, I am upset at those that are rejecting him simply because he is Black. Oh, I'm not saying vote for him in the least way. But the reason should have nothing to do with the Color of his skin. One thing this election has shown me is that we still have much work to do in destroying the ignorance of racism. It has also shown me that racism is not relegated just to one race because just as much as there are those that won't vote for Obama because he is Black, there are those that will vote for him, simply because he isn't White. We need to grow up and quit being stupid about our Future.

The last thing that is bothering me goes back to the link in the Title. I'm really sick of Hollywood attempting to throw their influence around. But as much as it sickens me, I have to honestly look and say the we are to blame.

What we should have done, when people like Alex Baldwin and Barbara Striesand threatened to move to Canada if Bush were elected, was to help them Pack. Maybe if they didn't have the influence of the American dollars that we give them, just maybe they would understand that their influence ends at Entertainment. Besides, maybe in the socialized government of Canada, Baldwin could get some subsidized acting Lessons? :<)

I'm not suggesting a Boycott. I don't really like them. But maybe we could use a re-prioritizing of our own Values. Maybe we shouldn't support with our Dollars, the actions of those that we are diametrically opposed to in Life?

But my, oh my, we do like our Opie Movies, don't we?

One Hill at a time

Back in April of this year I began running again. I run at a Forest preserve called Johnsons Mound. Johnsons Mound is basically a 50 foot high Hill out in the middle of a rolling Prarie. I have really enjoyed running there because it is a peaceful place, filled with beauty and solitude. The road I run is about 1 mile long and the Hill portion of it is at a fairly steep angle.

When I started running there, I was a 45 year old man that weighed about 217 pounds. I couldn't run 1/4 mile without having to stop and walk on that first day. But I was persistent and continued my torture on what I have since dubbed, "Hell Hill."

As the Summer progressed I got to where I could run the flat portions with no trouble but the Hill was a Bear. I would go determined to top the Hill without having to stop and walk and time after time I would fail. I ran until my Lungs would scream but still, no summit! I would get as close as 25 yards from the top but would just not be able to continue. But I'm a fairly persistent individual, so I just kept coming back. I would run as far as I could and then walk until I caught my breath and then run again. I got to where I was running/walking 3 to 4 laps at a time, 2 to 3 times a week but still---NO HILL!!!

Today was a GREAT day! I ran from the Start and reached the Hill, feeling pretty good. I got past the half way point, which I had done many times before but this time I felt different. I reached the 3/4 mark with plenty of Gas left in the tank. Oh, I was huffing and puffing but I just kept going. Finally, the day I've been waiting for all Summer came. I reached the summit without stopping!

I was somewhat in shock because when I left the House, I really didn't feel like going. I had a sore calf muscle and I was tired but did I mention that I'm fairly persistent? I did stop and walk for awhile after reaching the summit but I had a determination to top the Hill again, so once more around I went and I topped that Sucker one more time. There ain't no stopping me now!!

As the events of the day unfolded, I felt God beginning to deal with my heart. (not the one that was screaming at me) In life we are faced with many things that become difficult to us. There are times when we feel like giving up or quitting all together but we have to press on. There is a goal ahead of us. There is a Hill to climb and we can't get there setting on our Duffs complaining about how steep the Hill is.

The funny thing is that I have had a remarkably frustrating summer. I've dealt with some things that I would never have thought I would have to deal with. I've had "friends" that let me down in a most disappointing way. The Church has been through some garbage that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. For all the pain that Johnsons Mound cost me this year, it was a respite, a Shelter in the storm and a place of peace. Topping that Hill was a victory for me. It was then that I felt God speak, "One down, one to go!"

A few years back my Uncle Don reminded me of a saying that my GrandFather use to say. "A steady knock, breaks the rock." I'm not sure who all this is for but let me encourage you by saying, keep climbing that Hill! There is a victory ahead.

Is it just me?

Is it just me or does Kim Jong what's his name, look like a bad Elvis impersonator?

Of course that leads me to this. Is it just me or are there really any "good" Elvis impersonators?

Is it just me or does anyone else think that our "bailout" should be funded by the Golden Parachutes of the Jerks that ran the Financial institutions into the ground in the first place?

Is it just me or does anyone else wonder when our bailout is coming?

Is it just me or can anyone else hear both McCain and Obama promising our bailout if they are elected?

Is it just me or is anyone else thinking about voting for Walt Disney's "Goofy" because after this political campaign you are convinced he is qualified?