NEW GOAL FOR APPROPRIATORS -- AIM DOWN, NOT UP -- Just A Minute Radio for Tuesday 101221

            It’s starting all over again… the change of seasons. Tonight at 6:38 PM according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac that comes to us all the way from Dublin, New Hampshire – where they have long winter evenings to think about such things – the sun passes its southernmost point in the sky and begins to change its apparent position moving back toward it’s northern position....

 

            Of course for you *experienced* astronomers, you know the sun doesn’t move, as we on earth think it does… [well, actually I’m not so sure about that some stargazers tell me the sun does have its own relatively small distances to travel – I don’t know about that] Galileo nearly lost his head over that notion… The story comes down to us that he finally had to disavow what he was sure was so just to convince the church authorities that he was not an heretic.  So… I’d better quit if I’m still ahead.

 

            What is encouraging – at least to me – is the information that comes to us from a publishing group called “Congressional Quarterly” – Roll Call. I think I’d better stay out of that weed patch too… But I think the publication began to supply people who follow Congress and what it does closely with the statistics they need to do their work. I suppose they only published it Quarterly…every three months.  Somewhere along the line there was a greater need for more info… and CQ – as it’s currently dubbed – has a daily newsletter that varies with the amount of information they deem necessary to get out… and they produce that overnight for congressional offices… media subscribers and whomever else can afford the subscription price. (I think it’s about two to three grand per year – but needless to say I’m unable to come up with that kind of cash for that purpose.)

 

            Anyway… I believe Roll Call was added a few years back but began as a separate publication … and if I’m not mistaken is part of a group… and the publish interim directories like right now, they are keeping track and publishing a list of staffers in the major posts within a Senator, or Representative’s office… plus Committees and sub committees and what ever else. It all is more than I need to know… and probably shows that the marketplace is a whole lot better and more nimble in doing the kind of record keeping working journalists and others who have a need to know will pay for.

 

            As I recall our Senate phone book came out in its official form something like four to six months *after* Congress had convened. Perhaps things have changed a lot since I worked and lived in Washington.

 

            Probably that illustrates too how complicated things can become… rather like an unweeded plot of ground. (Some around my back yard for example.) Things don’t seem to grow and develop in an orderly fashion… I think it’s the second law of thermodynamics that says things tend to move toward entropy rather than organization.  That – I am sure – is an oversimplification. If you ‘google’ you can get some really complicated definitions – and I suppose the more complicated they are the more they *tend* to accuracy. 

 

            Well… got to quit… I think I ran far beyond my tether when writing this… All the best.

 

            Cordially, IN HIM

 

            Jack Buttram

“JUST A MINUTE”

NEW GOAL FOR APPROPRIATORS – AIM DOWN, NOT UP

Just a Minute: -- Kerry Young, writer for CQToday – a publication aimed primarily at Capitol Hill workers -- says the new goals for the House Appropriations Committee, will be aiming down not up. Calling the shots for reduced spending targets will likely be a Congressman beginning his 16^th term, Republican Harold Rogers from Somerset, Kentucky.

The new targets will be a total change from decades of slicing up increasing amounts of discretionary spending. Chairman Rogers heretofore has a widely held reputation as the “Prince of Pork.” With the increased political weight of the Tea Party folks, it’s going to take a major change to keep them happy. The incoming chairman says his 2012 target for discretionary spending is about $1.028 trillion, or about $80 billion less than the fiscal 2011 outlined in the Senate appropriations bill.

Other members like Rep. Jack Kingston of Georgia, say they are going to have to be “thick skinned” because they may be at the center of controversy.  Let’s pray for their skin to become like shoe leather.

<> I’m Jack Buttram.

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MAJOR MEDIA TAKES US OFF THE TRACK -- JustAMinute Radio for Monday 101220

            Howdy there Padnuh… has th’ weather bin changeable enough for you?

           

            It has been for me. The poor thermostat on the interior hall wall doesn’t know what to make of the whole deal… but keeps on trying. In winter I set it to about three or four degrees cooler while we’re away at Sunday School and Church.  Then it comes back on in the afternoon when it’s nap time. (J)

 

            My difficulty is no matter how I cut my prep time and all that… I still am up burning the midnight oil – especially on Sunday night Monday morning – because so many new, news stories grow out of the weekend interview programs – and everybody’s trying to get the break on somebody else… it gets to be frustrating.

 

            On top of that… here we are just about a dozen days until the curtain comes down on the 111^TH Congress and we crank up the 112^th.  When this schedule was thought up – Congress only planned to be in session a few months of the year.  That tradition still hangs on in some States… (wise ones) where they have a budget session one year and a policy or legislative session the other… People can at least see how much it’s costing to keep the state legislatures in session. 

 

            But not so on the national level.  They’ve thrown caution to the winds… and think nothing apparently of this ridiculous practice of a ‘lame duck’ session where you have Congress-people who tend to be somewhat less ‘responsible’ for the taxpayer’s money than they are with their own – and here they are supposedly meeting on a Sunday afternoon – with only four living Senators in the chamber plus the presiding officer (who is a low person on the totem pole) sitting in the chair. I said ‘living’ to give due deference to some of the portraits that are in nearby rooms – and as far as I know none of them are still living.

 

            It really gets “far out” when we’ve got an irresponsible group of folks who acting irresponsibly – in my estimation -- are willing to expose their fellow legislators to ridicule by doing outlandish, foolish and greedy things.  [I guess if I feel that strongly about it I ought to write a book… that seems to be the only vehicle by which one can insert a thought – possibly – in the main stream of talk. But I better quiet down before I talk myself into a corner.]

 

            Anyway… I’m certainly hoping the rise of the Tea Party movement does result in some degree of sanity being re-imposed on Congress so respect may be regained. But we have to recall Will Rogers – who was one of the great grass-roots humorists of our nation I think – said something like: “Shucks – I ain’t no humorist. I just watch Congress and write down what I see.” (or some reasonable facsimile thereof.)

 

            Cordially, on a Monday… -IN HIM

 

            Jack

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“JUST A MINUTE”

MAJOR MEDIA TAKES US OFF THE TRACK

Just a Minute: I’ve heard a-plenty about DON’T ASK – DON’T TELL – so I’ve been looking for other “news items.” Here’s a couple:

The Washington Times – now says President Obama is considering U.N. assertions of indigenous people – indigenous as in; “people who were here before we were.” He’s withdrawn -- in a “non-binding way” America’s resistance to their claims of ‘prior ownership’ and apparently is willing for the U.S. to fork-over big bucks to the two-million or so ‘indigenous’ people estimated to be living here.  We must have been asleep when – Canada, Australia, and New Zealand – withdrew their objections -- leaving the U.S. the lone objector. Did you hear about it?

Another riveting story involves the royal engagement of Prince William and Kate Middleton. The Washington Post says she may be beautiful, graceful and fabulously rich, but she’s still a "commoner." This “pejorative” term, hangs over their wedding announcement after an eight year wait. She’s the 28 year old daughter of a former airline worker, and her great-great-great grandfather was a coal-miner. (draw breath)

Doesn’t that shake up your Monday? Finally I want to say Merry Christmas! And watch the ‘Grinches’ cringe when I didn’t say: “Happy Holidays.”

<> I’m Jack Buttram.

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WE'VE MET THE ENEMY -- HE IS *US*! -- Just A Minute Radio for Friday 101217

            Aren’t you pleased to be out on this lovely almost winter day…

 

            I mean we need the rain and coming snows… and cold, to kill the insect larva hiding under the tree bark and in your lawn… and all the other things we love about the coming winter?  Seems like it’s colder now than I remember it as a kid … but then I was never this old before. (J)

 

            The whirling vortex that spins tighter and with more anticipation in just about exactly a week – I remember it well.  When I was a kid awaiting an Erector Set… or a Chemical Set that Dad regretted he decided I was old enough to work with… Seems like I had a microscope too… but it was hard to work – not a great instrument, couldn’t see the microbes. With the chemical set I had more things to work with.

 

            All those things preceded the tinkering I did with the table model radio Dad let me put in my room after he bought a floor model Zenith that had a “magic” eye that aided the tuning… and we actually could hear international broadcasts the mighty Zenith pulled in with it’s wonderful band-changing mechanism… I could actually hear the dots and dashes … of the amateur guys… even though I didn’t know enough to decipher the Morse Code. It planted the seed… and later… I actually passed the 20 WPM Amateur EXTRA test… one of the proudest achievements of my mature life…

 

            Well… all that came after I learned how to run a paper route and deliver the Roanoke Times before dawn on winter days in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. I even get chill bumps just thinking about it. (L)

 

            But I guess it did me some good.  Seems like the winters were colder then though.  I guess we mark it up to Al Gore either inventing the Internet or identifying the Global Warming --  we wished would have happened on Sunday Winter mornings when we really had a load of newspapers to carry… Lots of memories – lots of stories in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia – on the trail of the Lonesome Pine.  You know the song?

 

            Better get on with what’s happening today… let’s pray the Congresspersons who have taken so many vacations they’ve left a lot of work to do right here before Christmas. I feel sorry for them don’t you… and especially the leaders.  Hmmmm.

 

            Have a great Sunday worshiping the Lord. I know you’ll have lots of good Christmas singing at church this coming weekend. God bless you and your family…

 

            Cordially, IN HIM

 

            Barbara & Jack wish you the best of Christmases … !

 

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“JUST A MINUTE”

WE’VE MET THE ENEMY – HE IS US!  Pogo Possum

Just a Minute: What a mess in Washington! Not just the snowy, slushy streets but the lack of backbone – also known as character – or dare I say principal!

It appears even Tea Party-ers surprise themselves.  Senator Mitch McConnell, was not sure at first he was *against* earmarks until he saw how his bread was being buttered.

 It’s not exactly “on point” but both the President and the soon-to-be Speaker of the House, have a smoking problem they can’t seem to shake. They do try to hide it but it illustrates the earmarking problem that tries to gnaw at the character of every responsible official.

            “Bringing home the bacon” – is secret language meaning securing ‘government money’ to help the folks back home and is grounded in greed -- Using someone else’s dollars. There’s no such thing as government money. It all comes from taxes or fees somebody has to pay.

            Thomas Jefferson said: “When citizens discover they can vote themselves favors out of the treasury, they will bankrupt the nation.”  He was right – look at us now!  That’s what the Tea Party wants to correct.

<> I’m Jack Buttram.

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BERNANKE'S BIG TIME SHELL GAME -- Just A Minute Radio for Thursday 101216

            Can’t stand out here in the cold much longer…

 

            Waiting for the bus is a most uncomfortable thing in weather like this. BUT… never fear, Winter is *coming!*… Just five more days! And IT has to get out of the way before we can get to Spring!  So be of good cheer.  Like some of the WWII veterans used to say to me when I got tired on a Boy Scout hike… “Don’t worry about it kid… It goes along like this for a while --- and then it gets worse!”  Apparently that was humor back in 1945 or so? 

 

            The longest time in my boyhood remembrance was believing I was going to get an electric train for Christmas – I had written a letter to Santa asking … and felt I had been – well not a *good* enough boy to guarantee I would get it… but that I hadn’t been bad  enough to knock me off Santa’s sleigh full of toys list… Not really good reasoning is it? 

 

            However… the brain slows down in cold weather – I’m sure of it.  I used to carry a morning paper route in Roanoke, Virginia. Our house was heated by a coal-fired hot air furnace… the grid where the hot air came up was in the floor between the dining room and living room… As a paper-boy about 5:30 on a cold winter morning… I can recall how wonderful heating up my long underwear was when standing over that warm grate… and on the really icy mornings when I couldn’t use my bike… OH.. I knew it was going to be a COLD time..

 

            But our house was about half way through the route.  I could pick up the papers – deliver them through the first half – come back in – warm up and go back and do the rest before walking to school.  I guess that’s what turned me against newspapering – although we used to get little encouraging printed papers in our delivery stack – telling us of the magnificent results young news boys attained by toughening themselves up on newspaper routes… Brrr… I still feel the chill.  (However in the Summer it was good – except for the days on which you had to ‘collect’.  Can you imagine – walking the same route eight times in a week… to earn maybe $.75 if everybody paid… and didn’t tell you to come back next week!

 

            My heart goes out to some farmers I know who still have the ‘chores’ of milking – although these days the ones I know milk a couple of goats or maybe just one cow for themselves.  Still… it’s a cold contemplation on a winter’s day like this one.

 

            The Capital however is hot enough… I would think the Senate and House together at this time of year would generate enough hot air to heat the whole of Northern Virginia and part of Maryland. But I digress.  Did you have hot oatmeal this morning?  Or Hot chocolate… just saying the words brings warm thoughts.

 

            I hope you have a beautiful day – and can truly say “This is the day the Lord hath made – we will rejoice and be glad in it. I trust you will too.  May God bless you and your family.

 

            Cordially, IN HIM

 

            Jack

 

 

 “JUST A MINUTE”

BERNANKE’S BIG TIME SHELL GAME

Just a Minute: Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, operates in the shadow of government but so much chaos is now in Washington -- the “Fed” is almost invisible. However, what are termed “Icky-leaks” occur – caused by new disclosure rules.

The Dodd-Frank Consumer Protection Act imposed disclosure rules startling the financial world, though for most Americans it’s generally unnoticed.  December first Chairman Bernanke grudgingly released reports demanded by Socialist Independent Senator from Vermont, Bernie Saunders.  The new rules reveal major banks got trillions more than media stories revealed. – How so? – Well arguments over the role of a  central bank go back to Madison and Jefferson – and Madison prevailed.

We now have the Federal Reserve System an ‘independent’, shadowy, quasi-government entity, Chartering ‘Federal’ Banks, setting rules, and interest rates set forth by the Board of Governors. The Chairman holds a seven year presidential appointment. He and the Governors are thus independent, by design.

A virtual financial oligarchy. Pray about it first… Sweat later.

            <> I’m Jack Buttram. (END)

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ANDY GITS A REVELATION -- Just A Minute Radio for Wednesday 101215

            We feel a little cold burned from the wind and the cold –

 

            And then we feel singed because yesterday was a LONG day at the polls here in Greenville County for a special election.

What it meant for Barbara and me was getting up a 4:45 AM on a Tuesday – getting some kind of breakfast and some of the daily medicine routine we have to have.

 

            Then driving cross town to get to an obscure location… and finding the key person to run the polling place had locked the keys to the area… inside the room… and there was a LOT of checking around and trying to catch up with that.  Not a good start on a moderately busy day.  We managed … but it wears out the brain cells. And when it comes time after midnight to write what goes along with the blog written and developed after a late and slimmed down supper… well the old machine starts to shut down whether you want it to or not.

 

            See… I mistyped about a dozen words in that last ‘graf’  I don’t know how it works… but we keep plugging sometimes doing things over and over just to get them right. 

 

            All of that to say… I’m sorry … I have to go to bed.  Otherwise I turn into a pool of butter and that’s going to ruin the carpet… not to say it couldn’t stand being ruined… because it would have gotten a clean bill. As it is I see the cardiologist tomorrow afternoon for my yearly checkup.  When do things start to wind down for good?

 

            I’m thankful to get to fellowship with you at least – from a distance. Please write or correspond in some way as you feel lead.  WE know that getting response isn’t enough… it really means lives changed in our own bodies… and those of the ones we meet. How blessed we are to have a grateful and good God who loves us enough to be on duties… and is diligently  looking after our healths… (dual – Barbara AND me…) fortunately the Lord graciously supplies the needs when needed.  HOW GREAT THOU ART!

 

            Cordially, IN HIM

       Jack

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“JUST A MINUTE”

ANDY GITS A REVELATION

 

BB: JUST A MINUTE: – Mr. Jack you member Andy Griffin’s funny record of

him ‘splainin’ futbawl?              

Jack: I sure do Billy… like to split my sides when I was in High School.

MizP: Is at th one where he tawked about th boys a wrestlin’ over a lil pig skin…?

BB Yeah at’s th one awl rite – but his mos latest ‘pearance done put him in trubble – 32 million

            dollars worth.

Homer: Ah wuz suprized ta heer hit…

MizP: Ah wuz too – mebbe’ hes jist a loosin’ his grip.

Homer: Seems like he din’t realize them spots he wuz a doin wif his git-tar an awl – He wuz a-doin fer Mr.OhhhBama… he was like bein’ a puppet fer the Presideint…

MizP: Tha’s BIG money….

Homer: He says he din’t know he wuz bein’ used.

BB: I kin gitcher a goode deal on  bridge ta Brooklyn!.

MizP: Air you fellers are down on Andy – everbody’s favorite hill- billy?

Homer: No more true than Sheriff Taylor’s sheriff badge is real.

Jack: That’s too bad… might just as well hired him rite out to do th’ spots.

MizP: Looks to me like he did!

Jack: It’s a tough time for Obama and the Democrats.

BB: Yeah… I reckon so… when they thank he’s not keepin’ his promises.

MizP: Whut kin we do about hit?

Jack: The first thing is to pray… and pray without ceasing – pray for our country and our leaders.

BB: Ah really don’t like a havin’ sumbody pull th’ wool over my eyes.

Miz:P: Me neither… messin’ up my vision…an my hair-do too.

BB: Well…jist remember – hit’s time ta be a wishin’ Merry Christmas. – ta Everbody…

MizP: Everbody is rite… Lets don’t be stupid… but let’s don’t be mean neither.

Jack: Spend your time thinking of some good you can do for somebody else.

¨     I’m Jack Buttram. (end)     

 

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THE MORE THINGS CHANGE ... SAME OLD SAME OLD? -- Just A Minute Radio for Tuesday 101214

            How ‘Bracing’ is this winter air --- Brrr… that’s the sound of me being braced.

 

            I look at the weather map and see Eden Prairie, Minnesota where we have a grandson, his wife and three great grand children  and I see the little print that says something like minus 16… and my chill-bumps rise automatically….

 

            Then when I see on TV the pile ups yesterday and the night before by cars, and eighteen wheelers…and ambulances (fortunately no patient in there…) on the Interstates  -- I believe the news story said they had assigned eight deaths due to traffic accidents in the snow and ice… and I think… This is a dangerous world we live in.

 

            But you know… here at Christmastime… I’ve gotten some of the most beautiful electronic Christmas cards… some of them are really just excellent photos of snow scenes… and all of it goes together…

 

            On satellite, a travelogue to “Baffin Island” up in the Canadian … whatever… it was a desolate looking place even in August… and a snowstorm came up… I guess it was late August.  So I must revise my mental pictures… The Lord God made it all… and HE also made the marine life … and the people hardy enough to be able to live there… Isn’t it all amazing?

 

            My wife was just reminding me as we saw one of those real TV snow storms like they have up North… “Just think… every one of those snowflakes is different – and the Lord God made them all.”

 

            I even heard the NPR book reader – and the book is something like “Wild River” – and the place where he was reading was about the steamboats that utilized the Mississippi – the hazards they endured… boiler blow ups… and ice floes breaking loose in the early Spring to play havoc with shipping where the rivers come together… Amazing… it all is part of God’s world – and we are in it.

Let us be thankful… and faithful to HIM…

 

            That’s about all for a cold day… we’re working the polls today … so don’t forget to vote if you live in Greenville County District 21… it’s your duty.  God bless us every one!

 

            Cordially, IN HIM

Barbara & Jack Buttram

 

“JUST A MINUTE”

THE MORE THINGS CHANGE… SAME OLD SAME OLD?

Just a Minute: There’s a lot of squawking and talking going on under the Capitol dome… but so far not much progress. Liberals want a hike in the death tax rate, and unfortunately there are partisans left and right adding their personal versions of "Christmas tree" decorations – looks like the old game again. Tea Partyites are unhappy.

Ethanol subsidies have so far survived the first cut – even Al Gore got in the act (not supporting but opposing it); grants for wind and solar power clutter up the place; tax preferences for NASCAR operators and subsidies for Rum from the Virgin Islands. Not very encouraging.  

They’re talking about requiring a 72 hour cooling off period for any proposed legislation… polling shows Americans in the hinterland think it’s better to have laws made correctly rather than instantly – if you haven’t read it, don’t vote on it.

Memories are short -- Republicans who go down the business-as-usual road may find the same GOP voters who dumped 60 plus house Democrats are indifferent to party labels.

            <> I’m Jack Buttram.

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MORE CONSERVATIVE THAN JEB BUSH? -- Just A Minute Radio for Monday 101213

            Excellent to see you made it today… we’re glad you’re on the team.

 

            I’ve checked the calendar today and the winter solstice arrives a week from *tomorrow* at 6:38 PM EST… And I thought it might bring a bit of cheer for you to know down south here compared to Boston for instance… we get about 50 minutes more daylight on the shortest day of the year than they do up there. Don’t you feel privileged? Every little bit helps. J

 

            Of course that turns around six months later and up there in “Bean Town” they get about 74 extra minutes of daylight during their longer summer days – nearer the north pole remember – than we do down here at say the mouth of the Savannah river where the sun goes down quicker than it does in Boston harbor.

 

            Well… there’s nothing we can do about that is there.  The news we bring today is Florida under their newly elected Governor will likely be leading the charge toward improving schools nationwide because Ms. Michelle Rhee – former Chancellor of Public Schools in D.C. is starting up a new organization called “StudentsFirst.org.” and let us pray she has great success with it. She’s able to get a lot more encouragement from the new Governor Rick Scott than Washington’s Mayor Adrian Fenty was able to offer once he lost his election in the Capitol city.

K-12

            One of the really sagging statistics in America is the score our American students are getting compared to students overseas.  The last figures I heard about put us down about 18^th on the inter-national scoreboard compared with much higher scores especially from Asia than in the U.S.

 

            What does that mean?  A lot of things – but mainly it means the educational unions are having a field day when it comes to their personal benefits and all that compared with the sagging scores of students – this despite the fact U.S. schools spend far more per-pupil than most overseas nations. How do we go about improving it?  The best way seems to be for parents to take enough interest in their children’s schooling… and where that is unsuccessful to make alternative routes to quality education more readily available for children in failing schools than it is now. Some years back when Daniel Patrick Moynihan was active in educational affairs and state scores compared with money spent became available to the general public – Moynihan…who later became a Senator from New York state said it looked as if the best policy for U.S. education to follow would be one of “benign neglect.”  That got a lot of laughs – but it looks as if the results are coming home to roost.

 

            The biggest gripes from the States seem to come from two areas… Education – and costs of medical care. Defense is costly in more ways than one – but think of the costs for experiencing defeat in any of these areas.  That’s why we need people of good character and quality – not leftist ideas.

 

            Cordially, IN HIM

            Jack

 

       PS – I have three present or retired pubic school teachers in my family.

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“JUST A MINUTE”

MORE CONSERVATIVE THAN JEB BUSH?

Just a Minute: Newly elected Florida Governor Rick Scott looks to match the conservatism of Jeb Bush in educational and economic reform. Mr. Scott is selecting an economic and education team that would be a credit to former governor Bush.

The most noted of the new names to Florida education is Michelle Rhee, most recently chancellor of the Washington, D.C. public school system. Although she served under Democratic Mayor Adrian Fenty, until he lost the recent election it looks as if she will not be serving as Florida’s education commissioner but she’s started up StudentsFirst.org, a grassroots organization aiming to encourage school reform nationwide.

Ms. Rhee has gained accolades among conservatives for her challenge to teacher’s unions, intent to close underperforming schools and ridding the system of tenure that hides poor performance of teachers. It looks like Governor Scott intends to make education and economic reforms keystones in his new administration. 

Welcome news!

            <> I’m Jack Buttram.

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GOVERNOR CHRISTIE: BULLY OR SAINT? - Just A Minute Radio for Friday 101210

            Thanks for dropping by on a Friday… it’s the END OF THE WORKWEEK… but it was not always so…

 

            And the Congress is finding out what ‘darlings’ they really are in the minds of the majority of citizens.

 

            I’ve begun to wonder if this is what things really sank (or should I have written ‘sunk’) to in the descending days of the Roman Empire?  Perhaps I really should read William L. Shirer’s book on the Rise and Fall of the Roman empire… I”d certainly be more educated and that would stand me in good stead perhaps in *these* days. 

 

            I look back on school days – high school AND college… I wonder just *why* I didn’t care for History much. Vaguely I remember… what I didn’t remember.  We were tested for dates and people and events… but somehow we missed the ‘story’ – These were things we really didn’t think we needed to know… what good was all of that old stuff now.  Well.. we didn’t know what we *would* need to know… We didn’t know how much we would like to know – or at least have known – later.  Why is there such nostalgia about things further back than we can reasonably remember? 

 

            How did historians come to know they were attracted to history enough to *want* to learn about it… or perhaps to put the question the other way around… If we were ‘punished’ in some fashion for not knowing (or not wanting to be bothered with knowing) the things the teachers thought we *ought* to know… what could have been done to ‘wake us up’ – to shake us by the shoulder and say… “Hey… look at this… I”ll bet you didn’t know this!” Are there teachers like that… did I just miss them all… I did have one teacher in HS… Mr. Avery I believe – and I got a glimmer of history from him.  But I was out of college before I got a *real* interest in American history… particularly the Civil War.  And I didn’t live very far from some of the famous battle grounds… but somehow we never visited them.  We did visit the battleground of Chattanooga TN… the battle above the clouds it was called… Lookout Mountain … I did remember that much…

 

            But Oh My… why am I not inculcating my grandkids… the great grands are too young … I guess.  Wow… I’d better wake up.

I guess I do remember more history if it has a ‘story’ in it… like Rip Van Winkle… or even David and Goliath. Hey … maybe I’ve stumbled on something valuable… I’d better write it down.

 

            Oh this is just a ramble of an old brain.  What good is it anyway?  Would somebody tell me?

 

            Cordially, IN HIM

 

            Jack

 

“JUST A MINUTE”

GOVERNOR CHRISTIE: BULLY OR SAINT?

Just a Minute: New Jersey’s Gov. Christie, is now a You Tube personality with his ‘truth grenades.’ His budget cuts tossed in town hall meetings, have created both fans and critics.

Opponents call it "hate speech." A Parsippany school teacher, Mr. Kevin Chaudruc, uncorked a tirade of complaints against the governor for favoring millionaires over low-income workers. – The teacher interrupted the Governor who said,: “OK...bring him on up here, let’s have a conversation.” – Which a State Trooper did.

Christie wagged his finger at Mr. Chaudruc: “Your wonderful increase in taxes would have killed jobs … You and I have different ideas of what being a Republican is all about because I'm not going to raise taxes."

The trooper escorted him off the stage. Mr. Chaudruc's reaction: "It's his playground; he holds the ball."

Doubtless the governor is engaging in ‘theater’ but also trying to rescue a flat- broke New Jersey. A summer poll asked if he’s a leader or a bully: 51% think leader: 39% say bully.

What do you think?

<> I’m Jack Buttram.

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          Drop me a line --- www.n4zhk@arrl.net – let me know what you think.  Thanks… Jack Buttram

 

 

 

  

GEORGE "H.W." JUST SAID -- 'READ MY LIPS.' -- For JUST A MINUTE RADIO Thursday 101209

            Wonderful to have you show up here to read messages from my chilly fingers…

 

            Between hustle-bustle and get Christmas things in mind… and my memory seeming to take a vacation – I spent most of yesterday getting lights to burn on our ‘pre-lit’ Christmas Tree. I thought was an extravagance seven years ago when we bought it locally. Grumbling and grousing about it… my wife said she was ‘tired’ of putting lights on a tree every year and she’d seen these trees and liked them… and wanted us to get one. So what’s a husband to do anyway?  Pick up his ax – which he broke the handle out of the head last summer…?  Buy a new ax to do something his wife doesn’t want him to do anyway…

 

            No… you stand firm… and do exactly what she wants!  THAT’S THE WAY to keep peace in the family. 

 

            But I have to admit… although I enjoyed feeling the lumberjack in me – and going to look out after a Charlie Brown scrub pine was NOT the most odious job in the world… still… it was nice to unpack the tree… once I got the hang of it… and it did look nice – even though there was a $300+ pain in my wallet. (Then when I was out looking for bulbs locally the other evening I saw a 10ft. + tree in a store not two miles from home for $800…. ) The pain in my wallet toned down a little.

 

            However... we were faced with the fact some of the strings of ‘pre-lit’ lights were not lighting….When I went to the local hardware supermarket without an inkling of what the specs of bulbs for our seven year old pre-lit were … 6volts… 25 watts what???

Turns out the super-duper hardware store about three miles away had sold out of the 2.5volt miniature bulbs the first week in December and were not able to order any more.  Arrgggh… Now what? … Over to another “toy” store that had lots of trees (see above paragraph) for lots of money and 50% off all Christmas decorations… but no bulbs.  It happened a lady was at the checkout putting her 50 % saving merchandise in bags… and had a box of lights she had purchased at *another* store… and the cashier agreed to ring it up on my bill… I skipped the $40 tester item supposed to make things easier off the Internet ad… because the ‘toy’ store had the *same* item for half the $$$.... Santa… I’m ashamed of you…

 

            Long story has gone on too long… we’ve spent part of three days getting the pre-lit tree in shape to be a part of our ‘easy’ decorations… Frankly the ‘parts’ haven’t cost a lot… just the effort and the time… BUT again… it’s CHRISTMAS… and I’m going to get in the swing of the season even if it makes me ill… which I’m sure it won’t. 

 

            The heat on the HILL – I mean Capitol Hill in D.C. – is getting spectacular… it just bears watching because *nobody* can figure out how it’s going to wind down.  Just think we now owe several TRILLION $$$ more than we did a couple of years ago… nothing like progress! 

 

            Look… let’s forget the Christmas tree problems… Have a blessed season Celebrating the Lord’s birth. He came to redeem us… and He certainly didn’t *have to* -- That’s what I’m thankful for.

 

            God bless you and your family and make it a really Blessed Christmas in the Lord.

 

            Cordially, IN HIM

 

            Barbara and Jack Buttram

 

Delayed audio link:

 

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

 

 

“JUST A MINUTE”

GEORGE “H.W.” JUST SAID – ‘READ MY LIPS…’

Just a Minute: Looks like the Democrats in the Senate have formed up their circular “firing squad” with The President squarely in the middle – but after they get all the ‘hot lead’ out of their system it’s likely to be disbanded.

After the ‘smoke had cleared’ the White House press room Tuesday afternoon – and the President had called his own troops summer soldiers and sunshine patriots in effect – I think we’ll see a significant drop in Democrat tempers.  Vermont Independent Social Democrat, Senator Bernie Saunders,  came close to frothing at the mouth on NBC last evening as he urged a fight to  defeat the legislation his President is proposing.

It’s been noted elsewhere, South Carolina’s Sen. Jim DeMint also plans to vote against the Obama measure – but of course for different reasons. Whoever coined the phrase – “Politics makes strange bedfellows.” – obviously had political experience and an inside track.

Virtually all the predictors and pundits I’ve heard from are scratching their heads over this “quackery” proposal in the ‘lame duck’ session.

            <> I’m Jack Buttram.

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Jebco Editorial Service

www.wmuu.com

e-mail n4zhk@arrl.net