LAST BLOG OF 2011: A Record Breaking Year!

WALT WRITING FIRST BLOG

My first blog was written on September 21, 2008 when I was a guest of my son, Mark, and his wife, Mary Kay, at a beach side vacation in the Outter Banks, NC.  The original purpose of the blog was to keep in touch at home during a planned bike ride across the country.  According to my "statistics" I have since written a total of 438 blogs.  (I only count 436).

In 2011 I have written a record 180 blogs!

2008 -  051

2009 - 112

 2010 - 093

 2011 - 180

During these three and a quarter years my blog has been read 30,103 times in 64 countries.

Until March of 2011, the blog was read around a 1,000 times a month.  Since March of this year the readership has tripled to over 3,000 times a month.  As could be expected, the blog is read mostly in the United States.  For the life of the blog, the readership has been led by the U.S. followed by the United Kingdom, Germany and the Ukraine.  In the current months it is the U.S. followed by Russia, the UK and Japan.  My Profile has been read by 1,516 readers.

The most read blog has been "IT'S SPRING: I Must Be At The Lake" followed closely by "ONE OF 2010 EXCITING PLANS: Can You Say Shanty Boat".  Those two blogs have been read 1,357 and 1,145 times.  



The readership tripled after my son, Mark, my blogging mentor, added the above book to the families Kindle library for my sake.  Thanks, Mark!  I NEVER GAVE MUCH THOUGHT TO WRITING A BLOG, I JUST WROTE!  I learned so much in this book.  The blog color, foremat and print was completely changed for the better.  I identified WHY I was writing the blog.  Obviously it was no longer to communicate with the family while I was on a cross country bike ride.  I decided I write the blog for four reasons;

"To share how I manage to live such a good life"

"To share the wisdom of a long life in many leadership positions"

"To express my personal political views"

and

"To lighten life's burdens with a bit of humor"

In the last two months 43,7% of the blogs have been on the Good Life, 22.0% on Wisdom, 18.7% on Political and 14.5% on Humor.  I did not plan it that way, that is just the way it worked out.  I am satisfied with this mix, however.

I AM STILL LEARNING BY TRIAL AND ERROR!

Thinking people might be getting down emotionally with all the political bickering, I tried writting a JOKE-A-DAY in November.  I stopped that after 10 days.  It was one of those great ideas that did not work.  No one was reading the jokes.

Trying to increase feedback, I ended each blog for a month with a question.  Another good idea that didn't work.  I still get about the same feed back as before.

  I LEARNED SO MUCH DOING BLOG RESEARCH



I knew the seagoing, fleet tug, USS YUMA ATF94, laid anchor bouys at Iwo Jima in 1951.  I was the Radioman aboard at the time.  I did not know until I did research for the blog that she, along with the USS ZUNI, ATF95, were present at the Battle of Iwo Jima.  They pulled the stranded landing craft off the black sand beaches.  The above picture is of the USS ZUNI broached herself in that treachous sand.  I would imagine the USS YUMA pulled her off? (Uh, this was all done under fire, and Atty. Gen. Holder called we Americans cowards?)

I MET FAMILY MEMBERS I DIDN'T KNOW I HAD

Through the blog, I met four distant cousins I did not know I had.  All knew they were related to Indivan Pierce, my great grandfather, but didn't know me.  One of the cousins, Cheryl living in Charlottsville, Virginia has become a close friend as well as a cousin.  We have had some great times together comparing family.  I knew things about her family that she didn't know.

I'VE RENEWED RELATIONSHIPS WITH HIGH SCHOOL CLASSMATES

 Through the blog, I am enjoying, on an ongoing basis, relationships with classmates from high school days now long gone.  I have plans to visit one of these friends in California in the late spring.

THANK EACH ONE OF YOU FOR READING MY BLOG.  IN THE YEARS TO COME, THE GOOD LORD WILLING AND THE CREEK DON'T GET TOO HIGH, I HAVE HOPES OF ACTUALLY MEETING SOME OF YOU IN PERSON AS I TRAVEL AROUND THE COUNTRY AND THE WORLD.  

SEE YOU IN 2012
May you be blessed with a Safe, Happy and Prosperous New Year

God Bless You and Yours

GOD BLESS THE USA

BETTER OFF THAN MOM AND DAD? Yep!

WILLIAM AND LEVIA PIERCE, AGED 64 & 60
Am I Better Off FinanciallyThan They Were?
SUBSTANTIALLY SO!
Are My Children Better Off Than Me
YES!

Gallup asked in a national poll, "Think of your parents when they were your age.  Would you say you are better off financially than they were, or not".

BETTER - 74%

 WORSE  - 23%

Four in five Americans aged 65 and older say they are better off financially than their parents were while those of an younger age say the same.

BETTER      WORSE

Aged 18-29                                       64%                   36%

Aged 30-44                                       70%                   28%

Aged 45-64                                       67%                   30%

Aged 65+                                          78%                    20%

High-income Americans are significantly more likely than those with lower incomes to say they are doing better financially than their parents were when they were the same age.  Still, even a majority of lower-income americans say they are better off financially than their parents were.

                                                     BETTER       WORSE

Less than $30,000 per year             52%                         47%

$30,000 - $74,999 per year             69%                         29%

$75,000 or more per year                80%                         18%

I FIND THESE POLLS TO BE VERY BELIEVEABLE!

Things not at all related to the polls which you might find interesting is that my parent's oldest and youngest, Henry and I, have our mother's looks and personality.  The two middle children, Ray and Elizabeth, definitely had Dad's looks and personality.

The picture above is of Hambric Chapel, deep in the hills of West Virginia, up a narrow road miles from the Southside of the Great Kanawha River.  My great grandparents, Indivan and Elizabeth Pierce were married here and are buried in the church graveyard.  The church which I attend today is not much different.

Indivan, who has an American Civil War tombstone, may have had more than I do.  I have a copy of his obituary.  It said that "He was a Christian and that he owned two farms".  Yes, obituaries were a bit differnent in 1910.  While I do not own even one farm, Julie and I live in a  home we own, and used to rent out, own a lakeside retreat and have an ongoing lease on a beach front, penthouse suite just south of Myrtle Beach, SC.  We plan to winter there after another year.  I have two meaningful pensions and social security at age 80.  Julie still works and earns far above average income.  Indovan had a civil war pension.  How do we measure up?  I'm not sure. 

Down through the generations, finance not withstanding, our's is a disposition to a fun loving life.  I have often heard my Grandmother, Sarah Elizabeth Pierce, 1857-1946, say that she was the best shodisher in Frazer's Bottom.  I also love to dance, I have taught dance classes and I call square dances.  This is a picture of my son, Mark, and his daughter, Jillian dancing at her wedding.  Their wedding waltz was truly beautiful and they received a resounding round of applause.  

Dad never owned a new car, never had a car really until late in his life.  Dad was so proud of me when I bought my first new car in 1959.  He would be amazed that today we own two cars and a van.  He would have loved my Lincoln Town Car pictured below.



I seriously doubt that my Grandmother, Betty Pierce, ever traveled more than 50 miles from where she was born.  My parents together probably never got more than 250 miles from where they were born.  I'm a world traveller, and am planning a round-the-world trip before I die, hopefully.  My daughter, Kimberly, has already bought me a back pack for the trip. In addition to loving my Town Car, Dad would be amazed at my high tech Terra Trike on which I am at this very moment planning another attempt at a cross country ride, backed up with a van this time around.  The picture below, not a very clear one, is of my wife, Julie, and I heading to the Grand Ball in Vienna, Austria.

MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL, THE BEST YARDSTICK TO MEASURE WHO WE ARE IS NOT FINANCIAL.  From the youngest to the oldest, we are the Pierce's, a loyal, honest, hard working, fun loving group.  We are getting together in a couple days for Christmas.  I can assure you of two things: (1) The good times will roll, and (2) the truth will not get in the way of a good story.  No Way Hosea!   Doesn't get any better than that, money not with standing!

May God Bless You and Your Family

GOD BLESS THE USA 

LA FHEILE STIOFAN: St. Stevens Day in Ireland

FATHER CHRISTMAS IN IRELAND

Nollaig Shona Dao'ibh, (NO-lihg-HO-nuh-JEEV), "You have a happy Christmas" would be behind you in Ireland the same as in the USA.  Today it is La Fheile Steiofan (St. Steven's Day) or La an Dreoilin (Day of the Wren).

In the UK and Canada the day following Christmas is tradionally known as BOXING DAY.  It was the day when wealthy people would give a box containing a gift to their servants.

SHOPPING MALL IN DUBLIN, IRELAND

   In America this year, December 26th is expected to be the 3rd busiest shopping day of the year, edged out only by BLACK FRIDAY and the Saturday before Christmas.  It is anticipated that 60% more shoppers will hit the stores this year than last year.

In a tradition of many years standing, my wife, Julie, will meet with her son, Randy, his wife, Jennifer, friends, Marty and Renee at the same Cracker Barrel at 6:00AM for breakfast.  There, they will plan their shopping strategy for each of them before they reassemble for lunch.  THEY GET SO EXCITED DOING THIS!  Jammed escalators and stores is just part of the fun.  Not for me!  It is so quiet in the house, time for me to join my friend here for my first nap of the day.  Hmmmmm!

I prefer to remain in this peace and quiet of home, safe and sound.  How do I know I'm safe?  Why, my giant schnauzer is on guard right behind me in the doorway of my office.  Uh, yes, he is sound asleep with his rawhide treat.  Should push-come-to-shove, Gunner has agressively demostrated many times his instant willingness to put himself between me and what he considers danger.  The only question this morning, what would he protect first, me or his rawhide treat?  You know what?  He can do both quite efficiently!

My blog has only been read twice in Ireland and that is just recently.  I would love to have more Irish readers.  ACTUALLY, IT IS ONLY 8:15AM HERE  AND SO FAR TODAY MY BLOG HAS BEEN READ 23 TIMES IN JAPAN COMPARED TO ONLY 22 TIMES IN THE USA.  I sincerely appreciate my Japanese readers and all you other readers everywhere.

   May God Bless You One And All

GOD BLESS THE USA

T'WAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS: Have You Been Good?

As they would say down home.....

HE'S A'COM'N

Yes, he is!

THERE IS NOTHING ABOUT CHRISTMAS THAT I DO NOT LIKE!  Yes, I have been out in the crowds.  I did "my" Christmas shopping yesterday evening.  I sat through three green lights before the intersection cleared for me to pass.  BIG WHOOP!  

I was to meet Julie at Sam's Club at 4:00PM.  She called to say she was hopelessly tied up in traffic.  I quickly made the purchases for her to open Christmas morning and headed for the car.  Out of all those, maybe thousands of cars, Would you believe we ran right into each other as she drove into the parking area.  Yes, she saw me and knew I had something, but she didn't see what it was.  I put it in my car and returned to the store.

As we do every year, Julie and I went to the Christmas Eve services at the Easton United Methodist Church, where we are members.  It was the most beautiful Christmas Eve service I have ever enjoyed.  Every family in the church had a part in the service.  I was the first of six scripture readers, Julie was one of many who lighted candles.  Our dear friend, Carla Ludwig, programed the service.


As happens in healthy churches, the people did not want to leave.  I inquired of one friend what she and her husband were getting for Christmas.  She said that they had stopped exchanging Christmas presents years ago.  THAT STILL MAKES ME SAD!  I told Julie and she agreed.  (With this couple it has nothing to do with money).  Julie and I look forward to two or three small gifts to open on Christmas morning, then, after the holidays when prices are greatly decreased, we each treat ourselves to a major purchase.

Late on Christmas Eve, we enjoy special food.  It is mostly a part of what Julie takes to her daughter's home for dinner tomorrow.  For many, many years we left that daughter's home immediately after dinner to drive to West Virginia to spend time with my Brother Henry and his wife, Cookie.  We lost my brother in 2005 and Cookie now resides in Myrtle Beach, SC with her daughter.  I am a little sad at this change in our Christmas experience.

A FUNNY STORY, GOTTA HAVE A FUNNY STORY.  Julie baked a ham for Irene, a friend from our church who recently suffered from multiple, compound fractures of her right arm.  I was told that Carla would pick the ham up at 2:30PM to take to Irene.  At 2:15PM old Gunner, my giant schnauzer, told me someone was at the door.  I thought Carla was early.  No, it was another friend, Ken.  He handed me a festive plate of home made cookies.  I thanked him and wished him a Merry Christmas as he left.  I immediately scarfed down about four of those wonderful cookies.  When Julie came home I told her about Ken and Sandy's generosity and how good the cookies were.  JULIE SAID "YOU DIDN'T EAT THOSE COOKIES!"  I ASSURED HER THAT I HAD ONLY EATEN MY HALF.

  SHE SAID "THOSE COOKIES ARE FOR IRENE"

Julie knew.  Ken knew.  No one told me.

Yes, we replaced the eaten cookies.

My family will celebrate Christmas at my daughter, Kimberly's, home on the 29th.  Last year Aaron, a doctor at the University of Virginia Hospital could not come.  This year Jessi, a nurse and Respiratory Specialist at a children's hospital in Columbus, Ohio can not come.  Otherwise, we'll all be together for what always turns out to be the best of times.

I look forward to church tomorrow morning, Christmas Day.  Julie will not be going, she will be cooking from very early in the morning.  As you would expect in a small country church, dress is quite casual.  For special ocassions like Christmas Eve services, the folks dress a bit better.  Tonight I was very festive in a green sports coat, white shirt and red tie.  Tomorrow morning I will change the green coat and necktie for a green sweater and a red bow tie.  I'll take a bit of ribbing for the bow tie.  I love it!  WHAT FUN! 

Not to forget the reason for the season,

 I am most thankful for the birth of the Christ Child.

Mark, Amy, Dottie, Maude, Cheryl, Kathy and all of my other readers around the world

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

May all of your wishes come true!

God Bless You and Your's

GOD BLESS THE USA   

OBAMA'S ATTORNEY GENERAL: Covering Up Adminstration's Failure With Race Card.

PRESIDENTIAL CANIDATE HERMAN CAIN

Blacks in America are so desperately in need of leadership, people like the Honorable J. C. Watts or Herman Cain.  Instead, they have President Obama's adminstration playing the race card and insisting upon continuing to keep Blacks dependent upon the government.

Review my blog entitled BLACK VS WHITE VIOLENCE:  The Statistics, written on October 24, 2009.  Read the feedback comment on that blog.  Blacks are 7 times more likely to commit murder, 39 times more likely to commit violent crime and 139 times more likely to do robbery.

Blacks are also plagued with single parent families, high drop out rates, a high rate of unmarried pregancy, drug related violence and crime, failure to maintain property all with terrible spending habits with a total lack of savings.

BLACKS FIGHTING TO PAY $180 FOR A PAIR OF BASKETBALL SHOES

NIKE JORDANAIRS

Across the nation, New York to San Francisco, north to south, east to west, total chaos has just happened over a new basketball shoe.  A $180 A PAIR BASKETBALL SHOE.  (I have on a $24 pair of "basketball" shoes from Sam's) 

Primarily among blacks, there have been stabbings, gun shots, and general mayhem.  Police have had to resort to pepper spray to break up fights, between 20 people in Seattle.


A young black mother was arrested and led away by police after she abandoned two small children in her car to go into a mall and fight for a pair of $180 shoes.

Teenagers who should have been in bed long ago were up all night participating in this melee.  Is it any wonder that Blacks are 7 times more likely to end up in prison?

I just wrote a blog about the discipline given to Ohio State University.  I did not think the punishment fit the crime--others will certainly disagree.  BY FAR THE GREATEST WRONG, HOWEVER, IN MY OPINION, WAS THE LACK OF LEADERSHIP BY THE OFFENDING QUARTER BACK, TERRELLE PRYOR.  He did wrong.  Unlike his team mates who accepted the suspensions, came back and played for their team, this individual, who more than any other, perhaps, was responsible for the wrong, totally disregarded his obligation to the team and turned pro for big bucks.  HE HAD SUCH A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO BE A MODEL TO YOUNG BLACKS WHO LOOKED UP TO HIM.  His message?  You can do wrong and get by, go for it!

U. S.  ATTY. GEN. ERIC HOLDER

Appearing before a Congressional Hearing

The angry denials, the high dudgeon, the how-dare-you-accuse-us bleating from Eric Holder's Justice Department for months was all a lie.  The first thing he did in his first hearing was to tell a lie, which he was caught up in and had to recant.  SORRY, MR. ATTORNEY GENERAL, FAST AND FURIOUS AIN'T GOING AWAY!   BTW, didn't Scooter Libby go to prison for lying to Congress.  Will Holder prosecute himself?



NEW BLACK PANTHERS AT PHILADELPHIA POLLING PLACE


THERE WAS CLEARLY VOTER INTIMATION!

Can you imagine what would happen, AND SHOULD HAPPEN, if the Ku-Klux-Klan showed up at a polling place in Mississippi in their white sheets with a cross to burn?



THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT DID NOT PROSECUTE. 

Holder told Congress that this was nothing compared to what "HIS PEOPLE" had to endure over the years.  WHOA, NELLIE!  "His People" is each and every American!  He is not the "black" Attorney General, he is the United States Attorney General, right?

HE SAID "AMERICANS ARE A NATION OF COWARDS". 
You know, I don't recall anyone by the name of Holder on board when I sailed in a darkened ship through the mine fields in Korea.  No Obama's either, for that matter.  Don't recall my brother, Henry, mentioning any Holders aboard his tanker ship when he was repeatedly straffed in Malta by the Nazi planes.. Cowards Mr. Holder?

He said that all this criticism of the Obama Adminstration was because of the fact, "You know, the fact that we're both African-American".  TAIL CAUGHT IN THE WRINGER, PLAY THE RACE CARD.  Careful thar, Walt, that might be a racial slur!

My and my wife's black friends far exceed the black-white ratio in our community.  We want the very best for them.  The blacks need leadership, examples, education and equal opportunity.  

FRIENDS, WE SIMPLY MUST REPLACE THIS ADMINSTRATION.

I'll certainly do my part.  Will you please do yours?

Plan to vote!

God Bless You and Yours

GOD BLESS THE USA

FAITH! Defend It Or Have It Destroyed By Those Who Have None

Knowing this that the trying of your faith worketh patience but let patience have her perfect work.

James 1:3-4 KJV

In my kitchen quite early this morning, this scripture came to mind as I was frying potatoes with onions.  Usually in a hurry, I will just dice potatoes, zap them 4 minutes in the micro wave, brown them for 4 minutes in butter and call them "fried" potatoes.

THERE IS A DIFFERENCE, A BIG DIFFERNCE!

Having lots of time before calling Julie at 6:30AM, I took the time to peel and slice the potatoes, and onions.  After many years of "trial",  I heat the same iron skillet that my Mother used to fry potatoes when I was a child, sprayed with non-stick Pam with a wee bit of olive oil.  Then I layer potatoes, salt and pepper them, add onions and another layer of potatoes, salt and pepper them and add more onions.  I then cover the skillet, adjust the fire to medium and set the timer for 20 minutes.  By "faith" I will not peek.

In 20 minutes, I stir the crusty, browned potatoes off the the bottom of the skillet, replace the lid for another 10 minutes, stir again and the potatoes are ready to eat.  My faith is justified, I have a perfect work!  Don't you think so?  Yummy good!

This simple homily was triggered by a Gallup Report I received this morning.  The poll reported that Christianity is still the most prevalent religion in the United States with 78% of American adults identifying with some form of the Christian religion in 2011.  There are 15% who do not have a religious identity, less than 2% are Jewish and less than 1% are Muslim.

MY FRIENDS, WE ARE ALLOWING LESS THAN 1% OF THE PEOPLE TO LEAD THE REST OF US AROUND BY THE NOSE!

Saturday Night Live did a skit about Tim Tebow and Jesus Christ.  Now, I really never appreciate anything that shows disrespect to Christ, but this doesn't worry me.  THE ROMANS COULDN'T WIPE OUT CHRISTIANY WITH LIONS!

COULD YOU IMAGINE, HOWEVER, THE UP ROAR THAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED AROUND THE WORLD IF IT WOULD HAVE BEEN MOHAMMED INSTEAD OF CHRIST?  They would literally have the National Guard out to protect SNL.

Airport security strip searched this 110 pound, 84-year-old grandmother in a wheelchair.  Actually made her remove her pants and underwear.  Yet we cannot profile those who are obviously Muslims?  GO FIGURE!

AM I A-GONNA FLY WITH MY METAL HIP?  HMMMM! WAKE UP, AMERICA! 

The 9-11 bombers were Saudi Arabians.  Still and yet, we are giving $millions in foreign aid to the Saudis, who are among the world's richest, using money borrowed from China. We do this while the Saudi state controlled schools teach not only hatred of the Jews but also that all infidels must be killed, and that women are subhuman,  TO THEM, THEY CONSIDER ALL BUT 1% OF AMERICANS TO BE INFIDELS AND HALF ARE WOMEN! 

ONE MORE TIME, WAKE UP AMERICA!
      

78% of us, less than 1% of them!
.

WE MUST TURN THIS COUNTRY AROUND.  LETS START NOVEMBER 2012!

Really, my friends, it is up to us the voters.

God Bless You and Yours

                                                GOD BLESS THE USA

CHRISTMAS AT OUR HOUSE: Let Me Give You A Tour!

Julie and I thouroughly enjoy the seasons, halloween in this picture, in the relatively small, by today's standards, 107 year old house that we at one time rented out.  The taxes, insurance, maintainance costs  and utilities are all low, wonderful in my 20+ years of retirement.  We can, and often do, seat 16 comfortably for dinners.  We had the house professionally decorated to our taste of warm and welcoming.  PERHAPS OUR FAVORITE SEASON OF ALL IS CHRISTMAS.  Let me take you for a tour.

Once you have worked your way across the front porch with it's lights and various Christmas cheer, you will be inside our front door.  Don't worry about the slush on your boots.  There is a small tiled area for you to leave them until you leave.  I'll take your coat.

Wanting a warm, country look, we chose dark pine furniture from Ethan Allen.  We particularly like thie dry sink just inside the front door.  It is filled with two of our seven sets of china and, of course, it is decorated for whatever holiday, in this case, Christmas.  Oft times it will hold drinks or maybe dessert with the dessert plates and coffee cups at the ready.  The country drapes, which you can see a bit of here, were hand made by the Amish.

Everywhere you look in the dining room you will be dazzled by Christmas, the dead head tree, which I recently blogged about when Julie decorated it, dominates the room.  This entry way, as seen in a picture from 2010, leads into the living room and the main Christmas tree.

  

Every decoration on the main Christmas tree has a special meaning.  There is a section representing my outdoor activities, there is a section on star war craft and characters which have audio.  Julie and the adult boys love these, all valuable collector items now. There are decorations hand made by the children and grandchildren over the years.

Perhaps none recall our romantic days more that this Norman Rockwell decoration.  I swore to Julie that I'd rather "spoon" than fish.  Nah, she didn't believe me.  

After thirty plus years, I don't do enough of either.

 Somewhere along the line, Julie and I stopped giving large gifts on Christmas morning.  We each do exchange a few small gifts, mostly the same year after year.  After Christmas, when prices are drastically reduced, we'll take a bit of money and buy one another a major purchase.  The year I gave her this huge Santa, which she wanted but could not bring herself to spend that much money, I sure hit the ball out of the park.  Today, he is the anchor of the living room.

As it should be, much of the house is decorated for the wee ones.  I would guess that there are at least a dozen sets of carolers and maybe as many nativity sets and push button toys galore.

You will want to take care coming down our stairway.  A hundred years ago they tended to make the stairs steep and short.  If you make it down the stairs safely, this will be waiting for you at the bottom.

This letter on our fridge is the January 7th progressive dinner announcement to our dining group.  The six couples starts at our house with hors d'oeuvres, soup and salad.  I DEEPLY REGRET THAT ALL OF YOU READERS FROM AROUND THE WORLD CANNOT ALSO VISIT OUR HOME IN PERSON.  NONE-THE-LESS, WE WISH YOU EACH AND EVERYONE A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR.

God Bless You and Yours

GOD BLESS THE USA 

WINTERS HERE! How Do We Think We're Doing In America Today?



IT'S WINTER TIME

Brrrrrrrr Already!

My cell hone sounded with and Email received at 4:13AM.  I was awake so I got up to read the mail.  It was a Gallup Report.  As I do the first thing every morning, I crossed the day off the calendar and today I noticed in the fine print that it said that Winter Begins.

In 2011, an average of only 17% of Americans said they were satisfied with the way things are going in the U.S.  Most often cited was the economy, jobs, the deficit, and the job elected officials are doing as the most important problems.  Although dismal, the 17% is a bit of an uptrend.

  

ABOUT WHAT ARE THEY DISSATISFIED?

26% ECONOMY IN GENERAL

25% UNEMPLOYMENT/JOBS

16% DISSATISFACTION WITH GOVERNMENT/POLITICIANS

12% FEDERAL BUDGET DEFICIT

06% ETHICAL/MORAL DECLINE

05% HEALTHCARE

05% POVERTY/HUNGER/HOMELESSNESS

04% LACK OF MONEY

04% EDUCATION

04% LACK OF RESPECT FOR EACH OTHER  

IMPLICATIONS

Americans continue to express low levels of satisfaction with the way things are going in the United States, rivaling the lowest Gallup has measured in the past 30+ years.  That dissatisfaction probably reflects American economic anguish and the prospects for considerable improvement in satisfaction are not great unless the economy greatly improves.

HOW'S THAT HOPE AND CHANGE WORKING OUT?

 Well, it is time for me to put on the coffee and get Julie's and Gunner's breakfast.  I don't think it is time for Americans to start "Throwing Tea in the Harbor" yet, but it's getting close.  One thing for certain, come November 2012 it really is time for a change.  The good Lord willing and the krick don't get too high, I'll do my part.  I trust you feel the same?

God Bless you and Yours

GOD BLESS THE USA

LATINI NOXIAEA POENA PAR ESTO: Let The Punishment Be Equal With The Offence

Caendum est ne major pena quam culpa sit;

et ne iisdem de causis alii plectantur,

alii ne apgeltentur quitem

(Care should be taken that punishment does not exceed the guilt;  and also that some men do not suffer for offences for which others are not even indicted.)  CICERO

I AM NOT ABSOLUTELY SURE THAT I KNOW WHY THE LAW IS IN LATIN.   

I am certain that those who made the decisions on Ohio State University's punishment

should take a refresher course on Cicero.

OSU COACH JIM TRESSEL

Every living OSU fan, and there are a lot of us, dearly love Coach Tressel.  He has a restriction on taking another college coaching job until he is age 64.  He made unwise decisions and will pay dearly for those decisions.  Paid in excess of $4 million a year for the last decade, he will be alright.  I wish him the very best.

A number of players were suspended for several games and took their suspensions in stride and returned to finish out their careers as Buckeyes.  They have my utmost respect!  They have paid their just dues and it should now be behind them.  IT IS NOT!

URBAN MEYER, NEW OSU FOOTBALL COACH

Urban Meyer, the new OSU football coach, has done no wrong.  The 2012 OSU football team has done no wrong.  Yet, they are being seriously penalized for the next three years.  Uh, isn't that a bit in violation of Cicero's standard?

NOT TO WORRY!

OSU WILL COME BACK, BIG TIME!
GO BUCKS!

 

TERRELLE PRYOR, OAKLAND RAIDER

How about the guy most responsible for all the trouble in the first place, QB Terrelle Pryor, he who took money for audiographs, sold his championship ring, so-on-and-so-forth, what happened to him?  He received a $591,000 signing bonus and a $2.36 Million four year contract with the Okaland Raiders, according to John Clayton of ESPN, leaving OSU in the lurch with an untried freshman quarterback.

Yes, Pryor was a good QB for OSU with a 31-4 record.  He was MVP in two bowl games.  But, don't forget, he received a $150,000 of free education and expert instruction in becoming the athlete he became, not at all insignificant.

 
WHERE IS THE JUSTICE WHEN OUR GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES ARE STILL IN OFFICE AFTER IT WAS FOUND OUT THAT THEY HAD PAID $16.00 FOR MUFFINS USING TAXPAYER DOLLARS?

Yes, these are the same people who are openly and blatantly proposing using Social Security funds for a tax reduction and to extend unemployment benefits to those who will not take available jobs.

WHERE IS THE JUSTICE WHEN 25 LITTLE GIRLS LOSE THEIR GIRL SCOUT TROOP BECAUSE THE MOTHER OF THIS LITTLE BOY DECIDES TO DRESS HIM AS A GIRL AND INSISTS THAT HE BE ACCEPTED AS A GIRL SCOUT?  He is a boy, even his Mother refers to him as a he or him.  This just happened in Covington, Louisana.  We must stop allowing a small minority to tell the rest of the country what they can and cannot do.  MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Certainly, there is much wrong in the world.  Thankfully, there are some things upon which you may depend.  When my giant schnauzer, Gunner's, internal clock tells him it is time for Julie to come home from work, he will patiently sit in front of the back door for an hour to wait for her.

WHAT INJUSTICE HAS YOU UPSET?

Share it with me and my readers.

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God Bless You And Yours

GOD BLESS THE USA