Have Parents Made It Too Easy?

   This is a follow-up on my previous posting. After writing it, I had to ask myself, could we also be part of the reason the young in this country are tilting left? I have to ask this because in trying so hard to make it easy for our kids, have some of us gone too far? Have our children come to expect everything  to come easily and want to be taken care of by us then the government?
   Ponder this, when most of us were young, we didn't get an allowance. We wanted spending money, we got jobs and earned it. That was how we got cars and date money. We learned about economics from practical application and not in the abstract from some professor that never did anything but teach theory.
  But look at  a lot of today's kids. We have them given so much , that we in essence have taken from them. They have no work ethic, no sense of accomplishment. We have killed their competitive drive by allowing every kid to have a trophy, instead of the winners. We have have given them the things that we wanted and had to work for with no effort on their part. How are they supposed to function an economy that is fragile at best with no survival skills? I think this in part is what has made it so easy for them to accept the false promises of our President. They are so used to getting it for free and being taken care of, it seems only natural to them that the government should pick up where we leave off.
   I know that some kids do have what it takes. Look at the enlistment rate of the kids coming right out of school and the average age of the young men and women in our armed forces. They are willing to do what it takes to get the job done. Yet, so many that I see and talk with have no idea what is in store for them once they are out of school. They have this embedded notion that  we as a society owes them something. They think it will be just like in school where they can skate along just getting by with out having to worry about anything. If you have read "The Time Machine" , then you will get what I'm saying; we have turned a lot of this generation into the Eloi and the government has become the Morlocks. Long story short, in the book, the Morlocks take care of the Eloi, feeding them, clothing them, and taking care of them from cradle to the time that they eat them.
  To me, that's the problem. Our kids don't realize that they are nothing but fodder for a government that's lost control of  itself and if they don't wake up; they're going to be eaten.

And They Call it Football?

   I used to think that the "Europeanization"(my word) or Liberalization of America would come from either the government ot all the libreal educators in this country. Boy was I wrong! It's coming on all the soccer(football?) fields across the country.
   I have tried and tried to wrap my head around this game. forget the strategies and nuances, I can't even grasp the basics. I mean my gosh, I have no idea what's going on. Guess I'm too old and set in ways to  understand a game that a miss is cheered.
   So, in order to see if I might understand the game better, I thought I'd note all the diferrences between soccer( sorry, I can't bring myself to call it football) and football. Now mind you I'm talkin bout kids playin' here so bear that in mind.

• The Basics (as I see it): In football, you run a set of plays to move the ball. In soccer  the team runs  up and down the field kicking to one another will-nilly.
• Uniforms: In football, you wear pads and everbody has the same uniform. In soccer, the  team wears shorts  and the goalie has on a diferent shirt?
• Team names: Football- Rams, Lions, Raiders, Bears, Etc. Soccer- Wind, Breeze, Storm, Etc.
• Player Nicknames: Football- Hacksaw, Moose, Bubba, Etc. Soccer( I swear to God I'm not making this up)- Pookie, Boo-Boo, Sweetie, Baby and there wasn't a girl on either team!
• The Field: Football has an endzone and goalposts. Soccer has a net.
• Football: receiver drops a pass inn the endzone and coach might yank him. Soccer: player makes a kick on goal and misses and everybody cheers?

   It seems like soccer is kinda for lack of a better word,"wimpifyin' " our younger generation.  The coaches don't seem to emphasize winning along with the basics of the game. To me, that should go hand in hand. Why practice and work hard to learn the skills then be told it's not important who wins?
To me, that just drives home what I'm trying to say about all this... soccer is a game for Liberals,where intentions matter more than results. And, if you don't have to worry about losing, then how will you ever know how it feels to win?

Friday Nights Are Back

  Lions, Tigers, Bears.... No it's not the Wizard of Oz; It's football time in Texas again. Bright lights, bands playing, cheerleaders and flag teams rousing the fans and exhorting the team on to victory. Not since the days of Rome and the Colesseium has such a spectacle been seen!
 For the unfortunate many who have never experienced Texas football, I feel for you. Around mid August the fever begins to build across the state with the opening practices under the Texas sun which can reach temps of over 100F by 10am. This rite of passage into the high school warrior class is known as " Two-a-Days".  This is a winnowing process, for the weak and unwilling must be purged and this time honored practice is guaranteed to accomplish it. Only the most willing and the most able will be allowed to set foot on that hallowed ground known as the "Field".
 Practices are run like boot camp. Strict discipline and conditioning are the norm. Conditioning, both physical and mental  are needed to play football in September when temps are still on the 90's.
 As the practices continue, folks come from all around to watch them. Some come to see how the team is progressing, some come to relive their past glories. Whole towns get into the spirit of it. Team colors are worn, schedules are posted in in every business. All talk is about the team and the coach.  There is but one subject in all this, can he take the team to the very end and if not, who can they hire to replace him? All eyes are on the prize; the State Championship, or as we say in Texas,"Winnin' State".
   As you may or may not know,Texas is a mixture of both urban and rural.  For the small towns, football is about all they have since the "oil bidness" petered out and farming has gone into the tank. I have seen whole towns load up to go watch their team in the playoffs, with police volunteering from neighboring towns to watch the town while its deserted. It's a good thing and yet sad in a way. You see  for some boys, this will be the high point of their lives. They will peak at eighteen and this will be all they have. Not much to look forward to 'ceptin a job and a family.
  But, for a magical few months, Texas, on Friday night is lit up with lights in stadiums from Beaumont to El Paso, from Dalhart, to Brownsville. With team names like Eagles, Tigers, Cougars, Longhorns and yes even Kangaroos and Jackrabbits, towns all over Texas are in the spirit and it will build to  fever pitch culminating in that quest for that first rung on the ladder: District Champs... Stadiums will be overflowing with family and fans cheering the home team on with no quater asked or none given. Age old rivalries will be fought on that 120 yard battlefield... memories will be made and dreams shattered. It is an  unforgettable experience. It truly can't be described... But one thing is common to every team in Texas... Each September is the start of a new season and new dreams.

When Did I Grow Old ?

  It occured to me today (not the first time mind you) as I looked in the mirror shaving that I had suddenly gotten old! So, later, as I sat in my den ; I looked back to try and figure when it happened.

It certainly didn't happen that Christmas I got my first pair of boots. Shoot all I could think of then  was when do we eat again and I think I need some  jeans .



I don't think it was in the 4th grade when our only worries were who was going to choose who for sides in baseball. I think there might have been some thoughts about girls during all that. Such as why would any guy want anything to do with them.

It still hadn't happened when I was 15.  It was my freshman year and mainly all I worried about was trying figure a way to drive my algebra teacher crazy and lamenting the fact freshmen are lower than pond scum and no girl wants to be seen with them.

Dont think it was when I turned 18 and had the world by the tail. I was so smart then. A head  full of knowledge and  a mind of mush and no idea what was in store for me. But who cared? Plenty of time in life right?

I don t think it was in the Navy. Nineteen and ready to see and take on the world.

Little did I realize just how big and unforgiving the world can be.  But still  young and bullet proof.

Looking back I don't think it happened when I was rodeoin'. though there were some days I felt real old after a rough night in the arena and a rougher night at the dance after! Not  quite as young, but I realized I  was only average in talent and that could get me hurt bad. Getting smarter, not older.

Might have started happening in my thirties. Seems like as the hair got thinner, the waist got thicker. Age does have a way of creeping subtly upon us when we least expect it. That knee I got from football would pain me some, but it was easy to walk off. But not as easy as it used to be.

Now the forties did have me showin' some wear and tear and feelin' it, too. But it wasn't nothing I couldn't handle. More grey in the hair ( what was left of it), but I could still do all the physical stuff I enjoyed doin, from riding a bike to doing a hard day"s work in the plant. I could still walk a field hunting all day and crush the hand of any of the football players my daughter brought home for me to meet.

Well, I'm in my mid-fifties and  things are still very good. I have had some problems and medical issues, but was fortunate and by Grace of God to have caught them early. I don't run as fast as I used to, but  I have learned running just gets you there a little quicker and walkin' lets  me see more. As I think back on it, I have gotten older. But I still don't think of myself as old. I think if you fight aging, specially the mental part, then you may age without getting old. And, isn't that what we all want to do? In the  words of that Toby Keith song, " I may not be as good as I once was, but I'm as good once as I ever was". Well said, Toby.

They Say a Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. How many tears have these cost?

Did Our President Actually Say Things Might Look Bad for Democrats?

  Mama, don't tell me this is a dream, but did Obama truly say things might not go well in November? Surely that has to be some kind of joke the media is playin' on us! After all he's promised and all that Congress has rammed down our throats (among other places), that he might have gotten the message?
  I don't think so; you see, one must be in touch with the pulse of America to know how people are really feeling right now. and ideologues rarely have any idea of what goes on around them.
So if i might illuminate the "Annointed One", here's what we're upset about:

• Blame Bush Syndrome: Com'on Mr. President, surely after nearly two years why are still blaming GW? Might I enlighten you a little? The economy was growing steadily until 2007. Does that year strike a chord? It was the year the Democrats won control of both the House and the Senate.
• Promising a clear and transparent government, then using backroom deals and last minute votes to push forward your Leftist Agenda.
• Being the American "Apologist" instead of the President. Sir, we know America isn't perfect, but that's no reason to apologize and denigrate our way of life to anyone that will listen.
• Appointing "Czars" accountable to no one but you. Seems like you have manged to grab control of a lot of power in this manner. I think you'll pay dearly for that.
• Losing the trust of our closest Allies while trying to make friends with people who want to destroy our way of life.
• Telling us how you're going to ease the burden on the Middle Class yet adamantly refuse extend the Bush tax Cuts.
• Obamacare. Nothing more need be said
• Filing suit against Arizona. This isn't about Immigration. It's about usurping the power of the States.

  Mr. President, those are just a few things that have Democrats avoiding you like the plague as the days wind down to election. Ponder this, if what you're doing is so good for America, Why are Democrat candidates conveniently away whenever you show up? Might I cite a few instances? Bill White was indisposed when you came to Texas and brushed aside Governor Perry's greeting and letter. Russ Feingold was away when you were in Wisconsin rambling on about how things were getting better. Why are people in your own staff literally throwing you under the bus to save their own reputations? How does it feel to wear tire tracks for once?
Senior Democrats in both houses are retiring; why is that? It's because they don't want to be in on the coming election when every thing you stand for gets thrown back in your face and they have nothing to run on thanks to your heavy handed way of doing things.
  I truly think this mid-term election is going to  be a bellwether one way or another for the United States. I pray to God it goes the right way.

Remembering the Duke

Wow, so much to remember... He was a box office star... An Oscar winning actor of great range...And an American of the First Order.

I remember nearly every line of every John Wayne Movie... As kids we would be so excited when we heard a new John Wayne movie was coming to town.. We even got to stay up late if one was on TV.




I guess if it came right down to it, I can't pick any one of his movies that I could call my favorite. I can't for the life of me think of any movie I've seen of his
that I could truly say I didn't like. Oh he made some that didn't do well and some he did to finance his Production company; but, all in all, he made some real good movies.




The things I like about the Duke's movies were the fact that most of them were cut and dried; good vs evil, right vs wrong. And of course never let it be said he couldn't make a funny movie... Nothing too slapstick but he did have a great sense of humor and it was spot on in his timing and delivery... in fact I cant think of many movies that didn't have some humor in it.



As for being a great American,just look at the characters he portrayed. They were the personification of the way he saw America: strong, independent, willing to do the right thing no matter the cost, and not perfect but human.




Take some of his greatest roles: Sgt. John Stryker, Ethan Edwards, Tom Donovan, and of course, Rooster Cogburn. they were just men, doing what they thought right; each with his own demons that they also had to battle, whether it be alcohol or just having time pass them by.









But, in all honesty, it's his politics and stances that made him my hero. In an era of turmoil and Hollywood swinging even further to the left, Duke stood fast in his beliefs. He didn't hide them as some Hollywood Conservatives did. He went out and told the country what he stood for. He went his own way, even making a movie honoring our Special Forces at a time our servicemen and women were being spat on by their peers as they returned home from serving in Viet Nam. The Duke loved his country; the country that gave the opportunity Marion Morrison to become John Wayne. And as John Wayne, he died as he lived, his own man. Sounds kinda like his role as JB Book in last movie, The Shootist.



God Bless Ya, Duke! America and the World will never forget you