PEERING INTO A NOT EXACTLY CLEAR CHRYSTAL BALL -- Just a Minute Radio for Tuesday 100928

Howdy once more… we’re batterer but not bowed… by the circumstances of our electronic marvels.

Yesterday, it seemed the world was full of stories about how we’re all going to have to watch what we say or send on the Internet lest we get overtaken by the thought police. Shades of George Orwell!

In these days of electronics and teeny-tiny TV cameras… including those disguised as cell phones – well you’d just better count on living straight and flying right… or somebody’s going to turn you in! Actually, if someone has a propensity to do evil… and are headed straight for it. There’s not much you and I can do except pray and get out of the way.

In the realm of international relations… it’s pretty obvious “being nice” to the North Koreans is *not* going to win you the Nobel Peace Prize… but then neither is carrying around a loaded 357 Magnum – you’re more likely to start a war.

Barbara and I happened upon a British murder mystery or TV spy story – and she began to squirm when it was apparent something bad was about to happen to the police… She asked me: “Why don’t they get out their guns?” I had to remind her that for the most part British policemen do not carry guns… at least not to the same degree American police do. It’s one of the cultural differences.

And I suppose there are lots of other less portentous differences between our British cousins than that… but apparently one culture feels more comfortable one way – and the other has a different standard for firearms. It’s something you grow up with I guess. – Well… I don’t know how we got off on this subject.

But I know one area in which we are slipping and sliding down the slippery slope… and that’s in being polite in our shared conversations. In my book, Bill O’Reilly is the worst offender. It appears to be a physical impossibility with him to let the other person say more than three syllables before he’s in on top of them saying what HE thinks. Neal Cavuto and Greta VanSusteren are much more polite… and others too I suppose… it’s the offenders that I notice.

Oh well… I’m getting more crotchety in my dotage… so … But at least I do try NOT to interrupt my wife or the children. Our “culture” otherwise is suffering badly.

But… nice to have you with us today … you’ve been very quiet and attentive. Oh yes… I spent the better part of two hours cleaning out the ‘comments’ box here on this page… I’ll see your remark posted there more readily if you care to leave one… or if you use the e-mail address at the bottom of the page I’m far more likely to pick it up sooner. God be with you today and we’ll look for you tomorrow!

Cordially, IN HIM

Jack Buttram

Delayed audio link:

http://www.wmuu.com/blog/category/audio/just-a-minute/

“JUST A MINUTE”

PEERING INTO A NOT EXACTLY CLEAR CHRYSTAL BALL

Just a Minute: -- Stephen Hayes, Senior writer at The Weekly Standard just wrote a profile piece about Sen. John Thune (Republican – South Dakota) appearing in the left-leaning Washington Post. Hayes examines Thune closely – Experienced politicians know you can’t beat somebody with nobody.

Observers take John Thune’s willingness to let Hayes do the profile as opening the door wide to the 2012 contest. Thune himself admits to ‘thinking about it.’ The Post’s political columnist, Chris Cillizza, (Chi-LIZ-ah) details Thune’s coming from a small down of Murdo, population 679, and that he won athletic fame in North Dakota. Thune went on to become a successful three term Congressman, plus serving a full term in the Senate after defeating Tom Daschle, the most powerful Democrat at the time. He shapes up at present as a very appealing “anti-Obama” – Which might be just the ticket the Tea Party ordered.

Anyway – it’s something to mull over in the 35 days ‘till November 2^nd.

<> I’m Jack Buttram.

(END)

Jebco Editorial Service

www.wmuu.com

e-mail n4zhk@arrl.net

Tuesday, September 28, 2010