Annie and Willie's Prayer

Annie and Willie's Prayer~

My Mom used to read this to me every Christmas eve...until I left the nest...Funny how I could forget this for so many years...

'Twas the eve before Christmas. "Good night," had been said,
And Annie and Willie had crept into bed;
There were tears on their pillows, and tears in their eyes,
And each little bosom was heaving with sighs,
For tonight their stern father's command had been given
That they should retire precisely at seven
Instead of at eight-for they troubled him more
With questions unheard of than ever before:
He had told them he thought this delusion a sin,
No such creature as "Santa Claus" ever had been.
And he hoped, after this, he should never more hear
How he scrambled down chimneys with presents each year.
And this was the reason that two little heads
So restlessly tossed on their soft, downy beds.


Eight, nine, and the clock on the steeple tolled ten,
Not a word bad been spoken by either till then,
When Willie's sad face from the blanket did peep,
And whispered, 'Dear Annie, is 'ou fast as'eep?"
"Why no, brother Willie," a sweet voice replies,
"I've long tried in vain, but I can't shut my eyes,
For somehow it makes me so sorry because
Dear papa has said there is no 'Santa Claus.'
Now we know there is, and it can't be denied,
For he came every year before mamma died;
But, then, I've been thinking that she used to pray,
And God would hear everything mamma would say,
And maybe she asked him to send Santa Claus here
With that sackful of presents he brought every year."
"Well, why tan't we p'ay dest as mamma did den,
And ask Dod to send him with p'esents aden?"
"I've been thinking so too," and without a word more
Four little bare feet bounded out on the floor,
And four little knees the soft carpet pressed,
And two tiny hands were clasped close to each breast.


"Now, Willie, you know we must firmly believe
That the presents we ask for we're sure to receive;
You must wait very still till I say the 'Amen,'
And by that you will know that your turn has come then."
"Dear Jesus, look down on my brother and me,
And grant us the favor we are asking of thee.
I want a wax dolly, a teaset, and ring,
And an ebony workbox that shuts with a spring.
Bless papa, dear Jesus, and cause him to see
That Santa Claus loves us as much as does he;
Don't let him get fretful and angry again
At dear brother Willie and Annie. Amen."
'Please, Desus, 'et Santa Taus turn down tonight,
And b'ing us some p'esents before it is light,
I want he should div' me a nice 'ittie s'ed,
With bright sbinin' 'unners, and all painted red;
A box full of tandy, a book, and a toy,
Amen, and then, Desus, I'll be a dood boy."

Their prayers being ended, they raised up their heads,
With hearts light and cheerful, again sought their beds.
Tley were lost soon in slumber, both peaceful and deep,
And with fairies in dreamland were roaming in sleep.

Eight, nine, and the little French clock had struck ten,
Ere the father had thought of his children again:
He seems now to hear Annie's half-suppressed sighs,
And to see the big tears stand in Willie's blue eyes.
'I was harsh with my darlings," he mentally said,
'And should not have sent them so early to bed;
But then I was troubled; my feelings found vent,
For bank stock today has gone down ten per cent!


But of course they've forgotten their troubles ere this,
And that I denied them the thrice-asked-for kiss:
But, just to make sure, I'll go up to their door,
For I never spoke harsh to my darlings before."
So saying, he softly ascended the stairs,
And arrived at the door to hear both of their prayers;
His Annie's "Bless papa" drew forth the big tears,
And Willie's grave promise fell sweet on his ears.
'Strange-strange-I'd forgotten," said he with a sigh,
'How I longed when a child to have Christmas draw nigh."
"I'll atone for my harshness," he inwardly said,
"By answering their prayers ere I sleep in my bed."


Ilen he turned to the stairs and softly went down,
Threw off velvet slippers and silk dressing gown,
Donned hat, coat, and boots, and was out in the street,
A millionaire facing the cold, driving in the sleet
Nor stopped he until he had bought everything
From the box full of candy to the tiny gold ring;
Indeed, he kept adding so much to his store,
That the various presents outnumbered a score.

Then homeward he turned. When his holiday load,
With Aunt Mary's help, in the nursery was stowed.
Miss Dolly was seated beneath a pine tree,
By the side of a table spread out for her tea;
A workbox well fitted in the center was laid,
And on it the ring for which Annie had prayed,
A soldier in uniform stood by a sled
"With bright shining runners, and all painted red.'
There were balls, dogs, and horses, books pleasing to see,
And birds of all colors were perched in the tree!
While Santa Claus, laughing, stood up in the top,
As if getting ready more presents to drop.
And as the fond father the picture surveyed,
He thought for his trouble he had amply been paid,
And he said to himself, as he brushed off a tear,
'I'm happier tonight than I've been for a year;
I've enjoyed more pure pleasure than ever before;
What care I if bank stock falls ten per cent more!
Hereafter I'll make it a rule, I believe,
To have Santa Claus visit us each Christmas Eve.'
So thinking, he gently extinguished the light,
And, tripping down stairs, retired for the night.
As soon as the beams of the bright morning sun
Put the darkness to flight, and the stars one by one,
Four little blue eyes out of sleep opened wide,
And at the same moment the presents espied;
Then out of their beds they sprang with a bound,
And the very gifts prayed for were all of them found.
They laughed and they cried, in their innocent glee,
And shouted for papa to come quick and see
What presents old Santa Claus brought in the night
(just the things that they wanted,) and left before light:


'And now," added Annie, in a voice soft and low,
'You'll believe there's a 'Santa Claus', papa, I know"-
While dear little Willie climbed up on his knee,
Determined no secret between them should be,
And told in soft whispers how Annie had said
That their dear, blessed mamma, so long ago dead,
Used to kneel down by the side of her chair,
And that God up in heaven had answered her prayer.
'Den we dot up and prayed dust well as we tould,
And Dod answered our prayers: now wasn't He dood?"
'I should say that He was, if He sent you all these,
And knew just what presents my children would please.
(Well, well, let him think so, the dear little elf,
'Twould be cruel to tell him I did it myself.")

Blind father! who caused your stem heart to relent,
And the hasty words spoken so soon to repent?
'Twas the Being who bade you steal softly upstairs,
And made you His agent to answer their prayers.

Pre-Bowl Thoughts - 2010 Orange Bowl

Like the man says, our line play hasn't been good. Iowa has a strong defense that get them the win.
My Big Ten expert tells me that Tech should win, he's usually right and is very familiar with the triple option dating all the way back to Georgia Southern.

Let's hope we win and can be called the best two loss team in the nation.

Pre-Bowl Thoughts - 2010 Orange Bowl: "The CFNers give their thoughts on the Iowa - Georgia Tech showdown"

More

Not Far From Home

This is a place where as a child, I played baseball, hockey, fished, water skied, picniced and parked.
Good memories along the river and in the swamps.
Happy New Year.

Thank you pjms.

More

My Senators' Recent Votes

The Senate passed this $871 billion health care bill. The bill's name is Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.  The House and Senate must now work out the differences between their versions of the bill in conference.  The vote tally was 60 to 39, with 1 not participating.

• Senator Saxby Chambliss voted NO
• Sen. Johnny Isakson voted NO

Thank you gentlemen.  To our Democratic foes, why should Congressional members and business units tied with the executive brach be excluded from the scope of those to be affected by the legislation? 

I am curious how our Republican Sanators would have voted had the situation been closer and opportunities for state perks were dangled in front of your noses.  To presume you have greater strength than some of the conservative Democrat  who folded would be presuming too much.  But we'll see. 

The Senate also passed legislation to permitting the increase of the federal debt limit to $12.39 trillion. The vote tally was 60 to 39, with 1 not participating.  The bill has been sent to the President, who only wishes it was more.

• Senator Saxby Chambliss voted NO
• Sen. Johnny Isakson voted NO

Thank you gentlemen, the libertarian in me always reminds, less money for the government, less money for the government.  Starve as fever, feed a cold.  Starve the damned goverment, let the people feed themselves.

On a brighter note, good to see you distinguished lawmakers working like the rest of us on the week leading into the holiday.

More

Wake Up Call

By way of the Jewish World Review, see Jeff Jacoby's reaction to the recent bombing atempt on Flight 253.
In disagreement with the current executive branch philosphy Jacoby explains the following points.
- Terrorism isn't caused by poverty and ignorance.
- The global jihad is real.
- Terrorists can always adapt to new restrictions.
- The Patriot Act was not a reckless overreaction.

Jeff Jacoby

Jacoby is a good columnist who writes cogent analysis in a in offensive way.

More

Things I Am Thankful For This Year

In 2009 these things made me happy....

• Marie just keeps chugging along, celebrating her 93rd birthday this past August.
• Mom helped select a new preacher for her church.
• My wife has arranged and assisted for the care of her mother in a way that less stressful.
• The bride and thoroughly enjoyed Katie's wedding in New Orleans LA.
• I enjoyed another Katie's wedding in Madison WI.
• My father has successfully emerged from his bout with collapsed lungs, has stopped smoking and is as vital as ever.
• My son remains a student in good standing at Georgia Tech.
• My mother enjoyed an extensive safari trip to Africa, with dad.
• Tyrus has managed to loose 85 pounds and now has the same pants size as me.
• My father built 20 folding Adirondack chairs for his church fundraiser.
• Scott had his daughter move in within him in Tampa.
• Samantha graduated high school and started college at Ohio State.
• My other brother and family has made the home in New Hampshire their own
• I bought my own present for my upcoming 50th birthday, a 1953 Chevrolet pickup truck
• Connie has won the battle with ATT, patiently waiting through lousy non-service.
• Hollis has beaten breast cancer.
• My son worked in my plant this past summer, hard physical labor, earning respect from a group that doesn't do so easily.
• Amy is beating breast cancer.
• Thomas grows every day to be more and more like his father.
• Connie and I enjoyed two trips to visit Jane at Nags Head and Virginia Beach.
• CB enjoyed her birthday present, a weekend trip to Elizabeth Pointe in Amelia Island.
• Connie enjoyed her weekend trip to NYC with Pat, Annie and Callie.
• Ted gave Connie the best Christmas gift possible.
• Annie has moved up to middle school, and is still manages to be patient with her brother.

This is longer than I thought it would be.

 

More

 

You white folks.....

When I born, I black.
When I grow up, I black.
When I go in sun, I black.
When I cold, I black.
When I scared, I black.
When I sick, I black.
And when I die, I still black.

You white folks.....
When you born, you pink.
When you grow up, you white.
When you go in sun, you red.
When you cold, you blue.
When you scared, you yellow.
When you sick, you green.
And when you die, you gray.
So who you callin' colored?

More

The Lives of Others

Months ago I found a list of the 5 best conservative movies.  The number one movie on this list was "The Lives of Others", produced in the German language, this movie's title is "Das Leben der Anderen", was released in 2006. 
Written and directed by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck, this movie is the successful first full feature length of his repertoire.  A complete sucess it was, winning the 2007 Won Oscar Best Foreign Language Film of the Year.
The movie is rated R for some sexuality and nudity, this is minor in nature. Language is not an issue because you understand the language anyway.
The players are all German, and even with the subtitles completely convey depression the is the result of an oppressive socialist system.

• Martina Gedeck plays Christa-Maria Sieland the most highly regarded actress on the East German stage.
• Ulrich Mühe play Hauptmann Gerd Wiesler, the Stasi operative, expert in interrogation and focal point of the movies transformation.
• Sebastian Koch plays Georg Dreyman, Christa's lover and writer of popular East German plays.
• Ulrich Tukur plays Oberstleutnant Anton Grubitz, Wiesler's superior and politcal animal.
• Thomas Thieme plays Minister Bruno Hempf , the politcal heavy of the movie.
• Hans-Uwe Bauer plays Paul Hauser, one of Georg Dreyman's writing associates.
• Volkmar Kleinert plays Albert Jerska, Georg Dreyman's good friend who has been blacklisted. 

The plot.

Set in the East Berlin of 1984, a couple of years before the fall of the Berlin Wall, East Germany's Stasi (secret police) had established complete dominance by way spying on its own citizens through direct observation and by informants supplying the rest.  The result was an atmosphere of oppression and fear.

Because Minister Bruno Hempf  wants to exclusively date Christa, he orders the surveillance of the couple.

Hauptmann Gerd Wiesler is an agent of the secret police, conducting surveillance on playwright, Georg Dreyman, and his lover Christa, he finds himself becoming increasingly enthralled by what can only be desribed as their expression of soul.

Hauptmann's code name HGW XX/7.

When Georg's good friend, Albert Jerska, a director who has been blacklisted, commits suicide, Georg is transformed and wishes to express his feeling about repression and suicide.  This cannot be done in East Germany, so he collaborates to smuggle his papers to West Germany.  These are anonomously published in the magazine Der Speilgel.

HGW XX/7 overhears all of the collboration, and within his own evolution, decides to obscure the findings to his superiors.  Pressured by the Minister tangential inquiries are made as to the author of the essays on East German suicide.  Christa is arrested for purchasing illegal prescriptions, by this forced to inform on the location of Georg's hidden typewriter.  The Stasi arrive at Georg's apartment, search for but cannot find the instrument.  Humiliated Christa leaves the apartment and walks in front of an oncoming truck, suicide.

Wiesler's superior suspects his man's interference and demotes him to the rest of his career steaming open letters in a basement.  Years later toiling in a basement, he hears that the Berlin Wall has fallen, he gets up and leaves the basement, forever.

Two years later Georg is enjoying a play in Berlin and happens upon the minister.  Georg asks the minister why he was never surveilled. Former Minister Hempf tells the playwright that he was, just check for wires in the light switches.  Georg then finds bugs all over his apartment.  This leads Georg to study newly public records of Stasi . He finds copious records and realizes that there were only a few moments between Christa's betrayal and the Stasi search, somebody besides Christa must have moved the typewriter.  Reading further he detemines that agent HGW XX/7 did not report the collaboration meetings and must have been the the one who hid the typewriter. Dreyman then searches for and finds Hauptmann Gerd Wiesler, who is now a mailman, but decides not to speak with him.

A couple of years after Dreyman has authored a book "Sonata for a Good Man", Wiesler on deliveries sees Dreyman's picture in the bookstore window. Goes in the book store, finds the new release and in the dedication sees thanks to HGW XX/7.  The mailman goes to the counter to purcahse a copy and when asked if the book needs to be wrapped says "it is for me" in English.

I give this movie a rating of 48 of 50. Awesome.

• Character Development, 10 of 10. Wiesler evolves from an autocrat to a soulful libertarian.
• Screenplay, 9 of 10. Difficult to assess, translated from German, the content was top notch.
• Acting, 10 of 10. German cast of experienced actors, some of whom were East German and had personal experience with the Stasi.
• Photography, 9 of 10. Filmed in Berlin using a dull blue and gray pallet. 
• Plot, 10 of 10.

More

Do The Math

Found this YubeTube clip by way of Digg. The young man has skills, but I doubt they'll get him far in the hip-hop biz.

More

Comments About Today's Capitol Lockdown

You have to go to this site to read the short article, then scan through the comments for a blizzard of humorous venting.

I want to add a comment something along the lines of "We've lured them into the open. Now, let's pick them off one by one, starting at the left of the herd. You have to aim low, because most of them are lemmings."

POLITICO: Source: 'False' report led to Capitol lockdown - Glenn Thrush - Source: 'False' report led to Capitol lockdown

More

What a Difference a Year Makes

At the web site American Thinker, author Ed Lasky gives us a less than glowing appraisal of our President.

In this he makes the bold statement:

Obama is a cynic wrapped in a hypocrite inside a bully.

And later quotes President Obama's audaciousness:

I think that I'm a better speechwriter than my speechwriters. I know more about policies on any particular issue than my policy directors. And I'll tell you right now that I'm gonna think I'm a better political director than my political director.

This is a quotation that tells me, contradicting opinions will not be considered.  Coupled with the protective Rahm Emanuel, there is no chance to pierce the wall of arrogance.

Go to the link below to read the article:
American Thinker: Obama's Image: What a Difference a Year Makes

I agree in principle and enjoy the article, but such things are dismissed in the greater public as over the top divisiveness.

Suggested by dgj.

More

Raucous Baukus

Had to look up "raukus" to make sure the spelling and definition were correct.
raucous: 1. hoarse, 2. loud and rowdy

Slurring words and repeating phrases, the Montana Senator is clearly impaired.  Pressured, pressured, pressure... totally, totally, totally... attack, attack, attack, attack.

This is the Democratic Senatorial champion of the health care bill.  The supposed primary author of the new health care bill.  A damned drunken fool.  Based on this display, Baukus could not have written the proposal himself, a drunk is not capable of writing coherently.
This behavior is embarring to watch as a C-SPAN record of our government at work.
For public drunkeness, and being a general dick, Max Baukus gets the nod as the newest winner of the Davis Cup.

• For those of you familiar with GOPU, the Davis Cup title is named for the classically inappropriate Robert Vernon Davis.
• Other names for the award are AR for Anus Rectum and Golden Toilet Seat.

In 2002 Senator Baukus drew national attention during his Senate campaign by implying that opponent Mike Taylor was gay.  Taylor withdrew from the race.  Imagine the clamor if the sitting Senator had been a Republican.

In 2005 Max Baukus was implicated in the Jack Abramoff public corruption probe.  The Senator had to return $18,892 in contributions.

In 2008 Baukus was re-elected the the Senate, after running a campaign for which 91% of the monies spent came from outside the state.

YouTube link was suggested by our friend dgj.

More

BO Poll

The best possible outcome for the Copenhagen Summit on climate change would be:

A sweeping new agreement for radical restrictions on greenhouse gas emissions.

No agreement, but a promise to pursue new joint ventures to stop climate change.

A complete collapse of the conference with angry finger pointing from all parties.

President Obama defects to Denmark.

A massive tsunami engulfs all of Copenhagen.

 

A sweeping new agreement for radical restrictions on greenhouse gas emissions (1 %)

No agreement, but a promise to pursue new joint ventures to stop climate change (5 %)

A complete collapse of the conference with angry finger pointing from all parties (27 %)

President Obama defects to Denmark (48 %)

A massive tsunami engulfs all of Copenhagen (17 %)

 

 

Don’t expect that this was a real poll. but thanks anyway for the fun, to dgj.

Ex-President Carter Makes Nice to Jews

In the following linked article President Carter is given credit for making ammends with the Jewish community.  Within he makes the statement:

"we must not permit criticisms for improvement to stigmatize Israel."

Now, what the hell does that mean.  It certainly does not read like an apology.  I would suggest that he is saying his criticisms should not be received in a way that makes the Jewish community feel aliented.  Which leads to the conclusion that if President Carter's suggestions were followed,  Isreal should just accept the criticism as constructive, informative, even as guidance.  Subsequently they could proceed with laying down in front of an uncivilized enemy.

I have recently come to the conclusion that Democrats, and to a lesser degree Repulican politicians lean in Isreal to make concessions because it makes for a good publicity, coupled with the reality that there is no chance that the enemy religious-states will make serious concessions. 

Ex-President Carter offers apology to Jews  | ajc.com

Posted using ShareThis

More

If There Is Enough Interest

Or enough profit to be had, somebody will fill the market void.  An unfortunate name, that could have been worsened only with a measurement feature named "GAYDAR".

The updated FAG Detector III is designed to record vibration with the purpose of assessing bearing condition.

In my business, industrial suppliers give away junk with the company logo.  Nobody ever wants FAG's stuff.

More

Don't Miss The Train

A mother was working in the kitchen listening to her son Johnny playing with his new electric train in the living room.

She heard the train stop and Johnny saying, "All of you sons of bitches who want off, get the hell off now, cause this is the last stop! And all of you sons of bitches who are getting on, get your asses in the train, cause we're going down the tracks."

The horrified mother went in and told Johnny, "don't use that kind of language in this house!! Now I want you to go to your room and you are to stay there for TWO HOURS. When you come out, you may play with your train, but I want you to use nice language."

Two hours later, Johnny came out of the bedroom and resumed playing with his train. Soon the train stopped and the mother heard her son say, "All passengers who are disembarking the train, please remember to take all of your belongings with you. We thank you for riding with us today and hope your trip was a pleasant one. We hope you will ride with us again soon."

She hears Johnny continue, "For those of just boarding, we ask you to stow all of your hand luggage under your seat. Remember, there is no smoking on the train. We hope you will have a pleasant and relaxing journey with us today."

As the mother began to smile, the child added....see comments

More

Engineer's Christmas Tree

If you click on the picture it will open as a JPG and the details can be read.

Sent to me years ago by sms.

More

Entries from a Michigan Diary

Haven't ever been to Michigan myself, and after this think that I need to wait until summer.  Sounds a lot like Minnesota.

December 8th - 6:00AM
It started snowing: the first of the season and the wife and I took our cocktails and sat by the window watching this beautiful soft flakes float placidly down all over the area. What a lovely sight to behold.

December 9th 
We awoke to a big beautiful blanket of crystal white snow covering the landscape. What a fantastic sight! Every tree and shrub was covered by a beautiful mantle. I shoveled snow for the first time in years and loved it. So exhilarating! I shoveled both the driveway and the sidewalks. Later a snow plow came by and covered our sidewalks and part of the driveway, so I shoveled it once again.

December 11th
The sun melted all of our lovely snow. Oh well, I am sure we will get some more before this lovely winter is through.

December 12th
It snowed 10 inches last night and the temperature dropped to 20 below zero. I went utside and shoveled the driveway and the sidewalks. The snow plow came through once again and did it's trick again.

December 13th 
It snowed another 8 inches late night. I went out once again to shovel. The plow came by again and you guessed it! So I shoveled again. Pondering the thought of selling the station wagon and getting a 4 x 4.

December 14th
Well it is still snowing. It snowed another 6 inches last night. I sold the station wagon today and bought a 4 x 4 Blazer so I now came drive in the snow. Bought snow tires for my wife's car.

December 16th 
It stopped snowing , now we have freezing rain. Went outside and fell on my ass on the driveway. All that was hurt were by feelings.

December 17th 
Stopped raining. The temperature is 28 below zero, and it is starting to snow again.

December 18th
Still colder than a "Well Digger's Ass" (22 below in the a.m.) and the icy roads make for tough driving.

December 20th 
We had another 14 inches of white shit last night. More shoveling in store for me today. The god damn snow plow came by twice today.

December 22nd 
We will be assured of a white Christmas because 13 more inches of that damn shit fell today and with the freezing f_ _ king weather it probably won't melt until August. I got all dressed up to go out and shovel (boots, longjohns, snowmobile suit, scarf, earmuffs, hat, goggles and gloves), then I got the urge to piss.

December 23rd 
I was going to go ice-fishing today but the f_ _ king worms froze and I didn't want the fish to break their teeth on my f _ _ king bait.

December 24th 
If I ever catch the son-of-a-bitch that drives that god damn snow plow, I'll drag his bare ass naked through the snow by his balls. I think the bastard hides around the corner and waits until I'm finished shoveling and then comes down the street at 100 f _ _ king miles per hour, just to see how far we can throw that white shit back on to my lawn and driveway.

December 25th 
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!! HO f _ _ king HO! The weather man predicts 20 more inches of this white Bullshit. I wonder if they know just how many f _ _ king shovels full of this white shit 20 inches really is? Assholes!!!! F _ _ k Santa, he doesn't have to bust his balls shoveling this shit. He has his f _ _ king elves do it for him. The show plow driver came by today and asked for a donation for Toy for Tots. I wrapped him so hard up side his f _ _ king head with my snow shovel, it will be f _ _ cking Christmas in July before the son-of-a-bitch remembers his name.

December 26th 
Guess who and the F _ _ k got 28 inches of snow last night? I think that I'm going blind or getting severe cabin fever because the wife is starting to look really fine to me!

December 27th 
It is so damn cold, the damn toilet froze last night. If you go outside don't eat the yellow or the brown snow.

December 28th 
It was so f _ _ king cold last night all the water pipes froze. I should probably sell f _ _kin' tickets to the neighbors so they can ice skate in my living room.

December 29th 
I set fire to the f _ _ kin' house, now I want to see that white bullshit cling to my roof!!!


thank you Mr. Dick Gehrett

More

Twas The Month Before Christmas

Twas the month before Christmas*


*When all through our land,*

*Not a Christian was praying*

*Nor taking a stand.*

*See the PC Police had taken away,*

*The reason for Christmas - no one could say.*

*The children were told by their schools not to sing,*

*About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.*

*It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say*

* December 25th is just a ' Holiday '.*

*Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit*

*Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!*

*CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod*

*Something was changing, something quite odd! *

*Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa*

*In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.*

*As Targets were hanging their trees upside down*

* At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found.*

*At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears*

*You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.*

*Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty*

*Are words that were used to intimidate me.*

*Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen*

*On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton !*

*At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter*

*To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.*

*And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith*

* Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace*

*The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded*

*The reason for the season, stopped before it started.*

*So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your 'Dream Tree'*

*Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.*

*Choose your words carefully, choose what you say*

*Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS, not Happy Holiday !*

Please, all Christians join together and wish everyone you meet during the holidays a MERRY CHRISTMAS.  Christ is The Reason for the Christ-mas Season!

More

Bubba Claus

I regret to inform you that effective immediately, I will no longer be able to serve the Southern United States on Christmas Eve. Due to the overwhelming population of the earth, my contract was renegotiated by North American Fairies and Elves Local #209. I now serve only certain areas of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan. As part of the new and better contract, I also get longer breaks for milk and cookies, so keep that in mind. However, I am certain that your children will be in good hands with your local replacement who happens to be my third cousin, Bubba Claus. His side of the family is from the South Pole. He shares my goal of delivering toys to all the good boys and girls. However, there are a few differences between us such as:

1. There is no danger of The Grinch stealing your presents from Bubba Claus. He has a gun rack on his sleigh and a bumper sticker that reads: "These toys insured by Smith and Wesson."
2. Instead of milk and cookies, Bubba Claus prefers that children leave an RC cola and pork rinds [or a moon pie] on the fireplace and Bubba doesn't smoke a pipe. He dips a little snuff though, so please have an empty spit can handy.
3. Bubba Claus' sleigh is pulled by floppy-eared, flyin' coon dogs instead of reindeer. I made the mistake of loaning him a couple of my reindeer, one time, and Blitzen's head now overlooks Bubba's fireplace.
4. You won't hear "On Comet, on Cupid, on Donner and Blitzen..." when Bubba Claus arrives. Instead, you'll hear, "On Earnhardt, on Wallace, on Martin and Labonte. On Rudd, on Jarrett, on Elliott and Petty."
5. "Ho, ho, ho!" has been replaced by "Yee Haw!" And you also are likely to hear Bubba's elves respond, "I her'd dat!"
6. As required by Southern highway laws, Bubba Claus' sleigh does have a Yosemite Sam safety triangle on the back with the words "Back off". The last I heard it also had other decorations on the sleigh as well. One is a Ford logo with lights that race through the letters and the other is a caricature of me (Santa Claus) peeing on the Tooth Fairy.
7. The usual Christmas movie classics such as "Miracle on 34th Street" and "It's a Wonderful Life" will not be shown in your negotiated viewing area. Instead, you'll see "Boss Hog Saves Christmas" and "Smokey and the Bandit IV" featuring Burt Reynolds as Bubba Claus and dozens of state police cars crashing into each other.
8. Bubba Claus doesn't wear a belt. If I were you, I'd make sure the wife and the kids turn the other way when he bends over to put presents under the tree. 
9. And finally, lovely Christmas songs have been sung about me, like "Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer" and Bing Crosby's "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town." This year songs about Bubba Claus will be played on all the AM radio stations in the South. Those song titles will be Mark Chesnutt's "Bubba Claus Shot the Jukebox"; Cledus T. Judd's "All I Want for Christmas Is My Woman and a Six Pack", and Johnny Paycheck's "If You Don't Like Bubba Claus, Shove It.

Sincerely Yours, Santa Claus (Member) North American Fairies and Elves Local #209

More

Christmas Time is Here

One particular Christmas season, a long time ago, Santa was getting ready for his annual trip ... but there were problems everywhere. Four of his elves got sick, and the trainee elves did not produce the toys as fast as the regular ones, so Santa was beginning to feel the pressure of being behind schedule.


Mrs. Claus told Santa that her mom was coming to visit. This stressed Santa even more. When he went to harness the reindeer, he found that three of them were about to give birth and two had jumped the fence and were out-heaven knows where. More stress. Then when he began to load the sleigh, one of the boards cracked and the toy bag fell to the ground and scattered the toys. So, frustrated, Santa went into the house for a cup of coffee and a shot of whiskey.

When he went to the cupboard, he discovered that the elves had hid the liquor and there was nothing to drink. In his frustration, he accidentally dropped the coffee pot and it broke into hundreds of little pieces all over the kitchen floor. He went to get the broom and found that mice had eaten the straw it was made from. Just then, the doorbell rang and Santa cussed on his way to the door. He opened the door and there was a little angel with a great big Christmas tree. The angel said, very cheerfully, "Merry Christmas Santa. Isn't it just a lovely day? I have a beautiful tree for you. Isn't it just a lovely tree? Where would you like me to stick it?" Thus began the tradition of the little angel on top of the Christmas tree.

More

Sweet Jane

Twenty years ago I was introduced to this band by NPR radio.  For the The Trinity Session album the Cowboy Junkies did a cover of the song Blue Moon, a favorite that has been done by many others including Elvis.

This is a cover of the Lou Reed, The Velvet Underground song Sweet Jane.

The Cowboy Junkies do a lot of covers, but with a unique bluesy style that make everything they do the best every. Take a walk on the wild side with Margo Timmins.

Other songs on The Trinity Session are:

1. Mining for Gold, written by James Gordon
2. Misguided Angel
3. Blue Moon Revisited, written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart
4. I Don't Get It
5. I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry, written by the esteemed Hank Williams.
6. To Love Is To Bury
7. 200 More Miles, written by Margo's brother Michael Timmins
8. Dreaming My Dreams With You, written by Allen Reynolds.
9. Working On A Building, a traditional song, author unknown.
10. Sweet Jane, written by Lou Reed, who at the time of penning was amongst Andy Warhol's gang of the odd.
11. Postcard Blues, written by Michael Timmins
12. Walkin' After Midnight, written by Alan Block and Don Hecht.  This the song that Patsy Cline immortalized.

More

Reference:
  Wikipedia - Cowboy Junkies
 
 

Early Dismissal

It is near the Christmas break of the school year. The students have turned in all their work and there is really nothing more to do. All the children are restless and the teacher decides to have an early dismissal.
Teacher: "Whoever answers the questions I ask, first and correctly can leave early today."
Little Johnny says to himself "Good, I want to get outta here. I'm smart and will answer the question."
Teacher: "Who said 'Four Score and Seven Years Ago'?"
Before Johnny can open his mouth, Susie says, "Abraham Lincoln."
Teacher: "That's right Susie, you can go home."
Johnny is mad that Susie answered the question first. Teacher: "Who said 'I Have a Dream'?"
Before Johnny can open his mouth, Mary says, "Martin Luther King."
Teacher: "That's right Mary, you can go."
Johnny is even madder than before.
Teacher: "Who said 'Ask not, what your country can do for you'?"
Before Johnny can open his mouth, Nancy says, "John F. Kennedy."
Teacher: "That's right Nancy, you may also leave."
Johnny is boiling mad that he has not been able to answer to any of the questions.
When the teacher turns her back Johnny says, "I wish these bitches would keep their mouths shut!"
The teacher turns around: "NOW WHO SAID THAT?"
Johnny snaps out the answer: comments

More

Treasonist Lawyer Finally Ordered to Jail

After being found guilty of crime in abetting a terroist, then sentencing adjustment in 2005, Lynne Stewart was ordered to begin serving time on 17-November. The current sentence to be served is 28 months.  On 19-Nevember Stewart surrendered to US Marshals in New York City.  Earlier this month, 2-December the sentencing judge scheduled a re-sentencing hearing for 22-April-2010.

We talked about this in an earlier post, where this rogue lawyer who has made a career out of defending high profile clients.  Stewart was convicted of obstructing justice in the case of her passing messages from Sheikh Omar Abdel-Rahman to his base cell.  To clarify as said in Wikipedia Stewart was accused of:

of passing Rahman's blessing for a resumption of terrorist operations to his fundamentalist Muslim terrorist cell in Egypt after cell members inquired whether they should continue to honor a ceasefire agreement with the Egyptian government

What I am wondering is, why hasn't this nasty traitorous woman already served her sentence?

Here we have a case where a person relayed messages to terrorists that approved the resumption of actions against the Egyptian government.  Let's just turn her over the the Egyptians, that's where her allegience is anyway.  See how that government would embrace this pig.

Mark my words, when the re-sentencing hearing is held in April, this woman will be releasd for time served.

• For those of you familiar with GOPU, the Davis Cup title is named for the classically inappropriate Robert Vernon Davis.
• Other names for the award are AR for Anus Rectum and Golden Toilet Seat.
• This is the second time Lynne Stewart has been proclaimed reviled winner of this award.

References:
   Lawyer Commits Treason, Sentenced to Only 28 Months  
   The Sheik's Apprentice
   Lynne Stewart
 

More

The Female Genie

While trying to escape through Pakistan , Osama Bin Laden found a bottle on the sand and picked it up.
Suddenly, a female genie rose from the bottle and with a smile said, "Master, may I grant you one wish?"
Osama responded,"You ignorant, unworthy daughter-of-a-dog! Don't you know who I am? I don't need any common woman giving me anything."
The shocked genie said, "Please, I must grant you a wish or I will be returned to that bottle forever."
Osama thought a moment, then grumbled about the impertinence of the woman and said, "Very well, I want to awaken with three American women in my bed in the morning. So, just do it and then, be off with you!"
The annoyed genie said, "So be it!" and disappeared.
The next morning Bin Laden woke up in bed with Lorena Bobbitt, Tonya Harding, and Nancy Pelosi at his side.
His peepee was gone, his knees were broken, and he had no health insurance.
God is GREAT!

Thank you pjms.

Send the ACLU a CHRISTMAS CARD!

Years ago a co-worker sent this to me.
I put it in my Outlook calender as a yearly reminder.
My card just went in the out going mail.
As they are working so very hard to get rid of the CHRISTMAS part of this holiday, we should all send them a nice, CHRISTIAN, card to brighten up their dark, sad, little world.
Make sure it says "Merry Christmas" on it.
Here's the Address, just don't be rude or crude.
It is not the Christian way to be nasty

   ACLU
   125 Broad Street
   18th Floor
   New York, NY 10004

Two tons of Christmas cards would freeze their operations because they wouldn't know if any were regular mail containing contributions.
So spend 44 cents and tell the ACLU to leave Christmas alone.

A Holly Jolly Christmas

Yesterday I said that "Blue Christmas" was my second favorite
carol. This is my most favorite.



"Kiss her once for for me."

More

Harry Reid Wins, Again

Here we have coverage of the Senate Majority Leader suggesting similarity between those who resisted ending slavery to those resisting National Health Care.  A tactic that suggests that if you cannot win on the merits, smearing the opposition may be the means to the desired end.
This dude needs to be deep sixed like Tom Daschle.
Go to the following link which is a post on TownHall.Com, in an article call "The Loft".

GOPUSA - The Loft

Posted using ShareThis

• For those of you familiar with GOPU, the Davis Cup title is named for the classically inappropriate Robert Vernon Davis. 
• Other names for the award are AR for Anus Rectum and Golden Toilet Seat.
• This is the third time Harry Reid has been proclaimed reviled winner of this award.

Senate Majority Leader Says Our Tax System is Voluntary

Senator Tries to Save Face

Greenville Coach with ALS Leads His Team to an Undefeated Season

This is another man who refuses to let the ravages of ALS change his goals.
I have no doubt that this man cames from a strong family.
I have no doubt that this man is used to fighting until things are complete.

Greenville rallies around Jeremy Williams - News - Ledger-Enquirer.com

Miss you brother.

More

Blue Christmas

Last night the bride told me that we are starting the 12 days of Christmas.
So, here is my second favorite Christmas song.



The laughter in the background has always reminded of a good friend from high school. Merry Christmas Mikey!

More

Schoolkids Kicking Jews

One or more of these children's parents taught them this prejudice. The fact that the school slapped them on the wrist is hardly a surprise. Schools are typically ineffectual unless the offended party is amongst the more media prominant.

I thought Naples was a nice place.

Caleb King Does Not Win the Heisman

Yes UGA did beat Tech this year and that allows them to make the claim that they have a better team.
Preseason predictions had Georgia's Caleb King ahead of Jonathan Dwyer.
Caleb King, he was not even the starter when the season began.
UGA recruits are often over-rated.
A load a crap the Heisman Trophy is, even if is named for the coach that put Georgia Tech on the map.
Mark Ingram is not as good a running back as Jonathan Dwyer, and did not have as good a year.
Not that I think Dwyer deserves the award, the kid from Stanford earned it.
Back to when Joe Hamilton was robbed, the award is crap.
If Dwyer leaves GT for this years draft I predict that he will be drafted ahead of Ingram.

Ingram delivers Alabama its first Heisman  | ajc.com

Posted using ShareThis

Gore Sounds New Alarm About Global Spinning

I should have read up on the genius of Al Gore long ago.
This Earth spinning out out of control thing explains why stuff keeps falling off my desk at work.
Scott Ott has a great sense of humor, go over and enjoy the parody.

Gore Sounds New Alarm About Global Spinning

Posted using ShareThis

Of course if you know your physics, things really would not fall off my desk because of the acceleration of the Earth.  But they might if that fat bastard Al Gore rumbled through.

Where Obama Is Not

Received this by email yesterday afternoon. You would never see this story in the common media, the behaviour does not comport with their portrayal of the man.

The email was accompanied by the text....

I didn't always like him but he sure is looking better now.
Subject: TRUE STORY - Nov. 7, 2009
In Dothan Alabama a man had a TV on in his office when the news of the Ft. Hood base shootings came on. The husband of one of his employees was stationed there. He called her into his office and the minute he told her what was going on, she got a text message from her husband saying, "I am okay." The cell phone started ringing right after that. It was an ER nurse. She said, "I'm the one who just sent you a text, not your husband." She thought the message would be comforting, but she immediately knew she had to let the wife know what was going on. She said, "I am sorry but your husband has been shot 4 times and he is in surgery."
The wife left Dothan and drove all night.
Miraculously, her husband will recover and was awake when his wife arrived. Here is a photo of them along with a couple who came by to visit with the wounded and their families privately. They had told the base commander to keep their visit secret as they wanted no press coverage. Guess that's why you didn't read about it. Class tells, doesn't it?

First of all, best wishes to the injured man, I hope his wife keeps all that she loves.  What happened at Fort Hood was terrible for many.  What will happen to the proponent of "The Religion of Peace" will be disappointing, signalled by the Joint Chief who seemed most concerned with how people might act out their anger on Muslims. 

Second of all, we have President Bush, with his bride, showing the love we all know he has for our servicemen.  He knows that he is no greater than the man who took the wounds and he is quietly proving it.

More

Amish Drunk

Before the bride and I were married, we spent a week in New Orleans. Since I was still courting, was obliged to take Miss CB on a carriage ride. Shortly after the ride began we found ourselves at the home of the buggy driver, he had to run into the house to refill his flask. At this point we suspected that we might be in some danger. This was confirmed when back inthe quarter, our driver began racing with another hack, eventually forcing the other carriage to stop in avoidance of crashing. Our carriage driver was friendly, funny and perfectly willing to describe all the watering holes.

The following story is similar in the sense that it involves drunken drivers and their horses....

Pa. police arrest Amish man in buggy for DUI - wtop.com

More

Cap and Evade

Congress has been wrestling with legislation for cap and trade. In this program the government would set a limit on emissions of green house gases. Then companies would exchange markers allowing excess emission. The government would sell these markers taking a profit, making manufacturers pay for worthless paper that legally allows them to spew more smoke than some arbitrary level some bureaucrat sets, or worse some international committee sets. Because of the lethargy, the EPA is threatening to impose the emission levels and simply fine the guilty. What they are after is money and to create a deterrent to industrial expansion. What they will get is industrial contraction in participating nations and industrial expansion in third world countries.

In the following YouTube we have Charles Krauthammer decribing this extra-contitutional threat and predicting revolution if it is enacted.



Reminds me the the Steve Earle song The Revolution Starts Now.



Here is a link to the lyrics.

I do believe that if the government goes this far to eviscerate to Constitution, perhaps its time to start considering real resistance. I called this entry "Cap and Evade" because if thepoliticians install the cap, we'll suffer the economic cost and the politicians that installed it better hide.

More

Science: Another Ice Age?

Time Magazine 35 years ago. Discussions and articles expressing concern over global cooling.  Much of the title story attribute variation in Earth's temperatures to nature, sunspot activity and global variations in thermal patterns. Thirty-five years ago the scientific society was worried about another ice age.  Excerpt from the linked article...

Whatever the cause of the cooling trend, its effects could be extremely serious, if not catastrophic. Scientists figure that only a 1% decrease in the amount of sunlight hitting the earth's surface could tip the climatic balance, and cool the planet enough to send it sliding down the road to another ice age within only a few hundred years.

Read more at this Time.com link.

I do not have scientific knowledge in this matter, but I do have significant statistical training and it is pretty clear that we have politicians and financially motivated pseudo-scientists, using small amounts of data to predict the future. Any mathematician knows that the bigger the sample size the more accurate the prediction. Apparently the current predictions of catastrophe are possible if the data source is small, obscure and secret. Politically the real objective is for global minded liberals to deconstruct industrialized nations, allowing third world and expansionist nations to profit filling the void. Evidence of unscrupulous data manipulation has been exposed, but is not even being discussed in the Copenhagen meetings. What I read of these meetings reports is that this is all about how much money the European Union and the United States will pony up.

Don't kid yourself, this is all about money, who has it and who wants it.

Any politicians that seek to make my lifestyle less affluent, less protected or colder deserve to live in the world they are bound to create. Not the unacheivable world of utopian safety they talk about, the one they stumbing towards with their destructive policies. I will resist in any manner I can imagine.

Science: Another Ice Age?

More

DOCTOR ZERO: The First Sign of Corruption

A simple statement that I could not agree more with.
Perversion of principle is inevitable with all politicians.
Go to the site MISSOURAH.COM to enjoy....
DOCTOR ZERO: The First Sign of Corruption
Then follow the link to HOTAIR.COM to read the original article...

More

Incoming Fire Has the Right of Way

Clint Smith, Director of Thunder Ranch, is part Drill Instructor, and part stand up comic. Here are a few of his observations on tactics, firearms, self defense and life as we know it in the civilized world.

"The handgun would not be my choice of weapon if I knew I was going to a fight....I'd choose a rifle, a shotgun, an RPG or an atomic bomb instead."

"The two most important rules in a gunfight are: Always cheat and Always win."

"Every time I teach a class, I discover I don't know something."

"Don't forget, incoming fire has the right of way."

"Make your attacker advance through a wall of bullets. I may get killed with my own gun, but he's gonna have to beat me to death with it, cause it's going to be empty."

"If you're not shootin', you should be loadin'. If you're not loadin, you should be movin', if you're not movin', someone's gonna cut your head off and put it on a stick."

"When you reload in low light encounters, don't put your flashlight in your back pocket... If you light yourself up, you'll look like an angel or the tooth fairy...and you're gonna be one of 'em pretty soon."

"Do something. It may be wrong, but do something."

"Nothing adds a little class to a sniper course like a babe in a Ghilliesuit."

"Shoot what's available, as long as it's available, until something else becomes available."

"If you carry a gun, people will call you paranoid. That's ridiculous.. If I have a gun, what in the hell do I have to be paranoid for."

"Don't shoot fast, shoot good."

"You can say 'stop' or 'alto' or use any other word you think will work but I've found that a large bore muzzle pointed at someone's head is pretty much the universal language."

"You have the rest of your life to solve your problems. How long you live depends on how well you do it."

"You cannot save the planet. You may be able to save yourself and your family."

"Thunder Ranch will be here as long as you'll have us or until someone makes us go away and either way it will be exciting."

More Excellent Gun Wisdom.......The purpose of fighting is to Win!

There is no possible victory in defense. The sword is more important than the shield, and skill is more important than either.

The final weapon is the brain. All else is supplemental.

Don't pick a fight with an old man. If he is too old to fight, he'll just kill you.

If you find yourself in a fair fight, your tactics suck.

I carry a gun cause a cop is too heavy.

When seconds count, the cops are just minutes away.

A reporter did a human-interest piece on the Texas Rangers. The reporter recognized the Colt Model 1911 the Ranger was carrying and asked him 'Why do you carry a 45?' The Ranger responded, 'Because they don't make a 46.'

An armed man will kill an unarmed man with monotonous regularity.

The old sheriff was attending an awards dinner when a lady commented on his wearing his sidearm. 'Sheriff, I see you have your pistol. Are you expecting trouble?' 'No ma'am. If I were expecting trouble, I would have brought my rifle.'

Beware the man who only has one gun. He probably knows how to use it!

'The true Soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because He loves what is behind him.' - G. K. Chesterton

A people that values its privileges above its principles will soon lose both.

"Those who hammer their guns into plows will plow for those who do not." ~ Thomas Jefferson

"A general dissolution of principles and manners will more surely overthrow the liberties of America than the whole force of the common enemy." ~ Samuel Adams

"How fortunate for governments that the people they govern don't think." ~ Adolph Hitler

Jobs Summit

Spent the last day travelling from Fayettville North Carolina.  The radio, set to mainly news shows, droned endlessly about President Obama's jobs summit in Pennsylvannia. A summit that specifically excluded the Chamber of Commerce, and the Association of Manufacturers.
This after two or three months of pressing policies that are universally (excluding the executive branch) presumed to apply more drag on employment.
I've said it before the actions of president's don't affect the positive and negative flows of economy.  They can and do install their pet mechanisms the merely serve to phase the results, not change the outcome. 
Billions of dollars were to be pumped into the economy in the last year. The result was non-existent, no different thatn I expected.  It has been easy for the goverment to collect money, the banks are not significantly loaning money.  The government has no competition selling their notes.  This is for the moment ok, but when business becomes more expansion minded there will be more competition for those dollars, interest rates are going to increase, and drag will be applied to the growth by excess cost for interest.
Back to the start, here we have discussion about creating jobs that does not include parties that represent small business or the manufacturing sector.   So in this meeting we have, what Democrats, Unions and academia?  I hate to be cynical, but this group reminds me of the three monkeys, one with the eyes covered, one with the ears covered and the last with the mouth covered.
They weren't there to create new ideas or even hear new ideas, they were there to show that they cared.  I have no doubt that they care, but I also have no doubt that they have no freaking idea of how to create jobs.
Here is my idea, said before, change the tax code to a flat or FairTax style.  The system reboot would permit real cost to value analysis of monies spent and remove the repressive tax system that when combined with high US labor rates makes new part manufacturing in America very difficult.  If manufacturing is not encouraged by revised taxation, new jobs will only be developed in the service type industries.

More

Husband Store

A store that sells new husbands has opened in New York City , where a woman may go to choose a husband. Among the instructions at the entrance is a description of how the store operates: You may visit this store ONLY ONCE! There are six floors and the value of the products increase as the shopper ascends the flights. The shopper may choose any item from a particular floor, or may choose to go up to the next floor, but you cannot go back down except to exit the building! So, a woman goes to the Husband Store to find a husband. On the first floor the sign on the door reads: Floor 1 - These men Have Jobs She is intrigued, but continues to the second floor, where the sign reads:  Floor 2 - These men Have Jobs and Love Kids. 'That's nice,' she thinks, 'but I want more.'  So she continues upward. The third floor sign reads: Floor 3 - These men Have Jobs, Love Kids, and are Extremely Good Looking. 'Wow,' she thinks, but feels compelled to keep going. She goes to the fourth floor and the sign reads: Floor 4 - These men Have Jobs, Love Kids, are Drop-dead Good Looking and Help With Housework. 'Oh, mercy me!' she exclaims, 'I can hardly stand it!' Still, she goes to the fifth floor and the sign reads: Floor 5 - These men Have Jobs, Love Kids, are Drop-dead Gorgeous, Help with Housework, and Have a Strong Romantic Streak. She is so tempted to stay, but she goes to the sixth floor, where the sign reads: Floor 6 - You are visitor 31,456,012 to this floor. There are no men on this floor. This floor exists solely as proof that women are impossible to please. Thank you for shopping at the Husband Store.  PLEASE NOTE: To avoid gender bias charges, the store's owner opened a New Wives store just across the street. The first floor has wives that love sex.. The second floor has wives that love sex, have money and love beer. The third, fourth, fifth and sixth floors have never been visited. Thank you pjms for this humorous comparison.