A NEW PAGE - Just A Minute Radio -- January 1st, 2010

IT’S FRIDAY – AND A NEW DECADE AWAITS… Just like a field of newly fallen snow…

Unfortunately – we’re liable to tramp around in it and make a mess like was done to 2009… But we’ll give it a try – and do our best to be optimistic.

I’m not going to join the crowd that says Mrs. Napolitano, made a boo-boo. There are too many in that bull pen already. I’d say the last few days she’s been under fire to the point I can’t imagine why she would not love to be back in Phoenix where it’s just California stealing Arizona’s water she had to worry about. Oh yes and there’s the ongoing problem of the United States being the largest landowner in Arizona -- and paying the least taxes – like zero.

It’s just one of those problems the big area states have in the West. We don’t worry much about here in the East. But when Uncle Sam gets a sniffle… Arizona, Nevada, Utah, and some of the rest who have vast areas of their states *owned* and managed by the USA… but they pay no taxes to the States… they get pneumonia!

However, I’ve not found a great exodus on that account. In fact when I first worked for an elected representative from AZ… I’m pretty sure we had only two congressional districts in the whole state… now the Census people are projecting Arizona will get one or two more. Even small little South Carolina is possibly going to get another seat in the House of Representatives. How will that go down? Meanwhile the states in New England and even the Midwest are the ones likely to lose seats. If you look at a red vs blue map… it’s largely the red states due to get *more* representation. Will that make Senator ‘Searchlight’ Harry happy? Not likely – because it’s increasingly liable he’ll be sent back to Searchlight.

Well… let’s start off the new year with a less partisan note. How about taking the cap off the states which restrict Charter Schools? North Carolina, for instance, restricts Charter schools to one per county – which shortchanges population centers like Charlotte and Raleigh even tri-cities who could use and need more schools with less money spent and higher academic achievement. But behind the curtains are the NEA and the AFT who don’t want to let their grip on schools slip – at all. Never mind budget or achievement problems… the important thing is keeping “Union” control … right? Well… it’s not partisan but it sure does hold the kids down.

On a definite upbeat note – people *are* learning to save more, and get along with less. I was cheered to note there are many efforts being made to ‘recycle’ toys for some of the kids who’ve been shorted as their folks are having to cut back. For culture addicts… I’ll give you “Sweet are the uses of adversity.” – Shakespeare’s As You Like It. Act 2 Scene 1… I’ll let you look it up and tell me who said it and why… It’ll do you good!

Cordially, IN HIM – Happy New Year!

Jack

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“JUST A MINUTE”

“A NEW PAGE …”

Just A Minute – I’ve used Kathleen Wheeler’s verse on New Years Day before:

He came to my desk with a quivering lip – The lesson was done.

“Dear Teacher, I want a new leaf,” he said, “I have spoiled this one.”

I took the old leaf, stained and blotted, And gave him a new one all unspotted,

And into his sad eyes smiled, “Do better, now, my child.”

I went to the throne with a quivering soul. – The old year was done.

“Dear Father, hast Thou a new leaf for me? I have spoiled this one.”

He took the old leaf, stained and blotted, And gave me a new one all,

unspotted

And into my sad heart he smiled, “Do better now, my child.”

Here’s an even better bit of poetry for a new decade – It’s Psalm 32:8 “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go – I will guide thee with mine eye.”

My great desire is that you have blessed year from your Heavenly Father. <> <> I’m Jack Buttram

Jebco Editorial Service

http://www.justaminuteradio.blogspot.com/

e-mail n4zhk@arrl.net