To all my Facebook friends are relatives:  Clearly Mr. Snowden has touched a nerve.  The US is hot on his trail.  Why?  Aren't we all obliged to reveal actions that may cause harm to others?  Take for instance the post WWII convictions of Nazis who claimed they were only following orders.  That was insufficient defense.  Now we learn that not only does the Fed feel it necessary to defend the citizens of our country against those who would destroy our way of life (?) but also uses outsourcing to do so.  BenjaminFranklin stated that those who would surrender their rights in order to be safe don't deserve either rights or safety (paraphrase). Remember that Snowden worked for a private company, not the Fed.  He was given top security clearance (?).  Our tax dollars paid Mr. Snowden and the company he worked for.  He didn't just sit there and blindly accept that his employers were doing harm to Americans.  He did not follow orders, instead he manned up.  Now we demand that the Chinese, who we are spying on, turn him over.  Then we demand that the Russians turn him over.  Surely there is no way he would ever gain his freedom, or possibly, his life ever again.  The NSA actions clearly violate the 4th Amendment in assuming that we are ALL guilty of something or else why are they listening?  Obama laughingly says the government is not listening.  Of course he can lie since it is the private corporations such as Booz, Google, Yahoo, Facebook (yes), et al that are doing it for the Fed.  Plus the US and Great Britain have agreements which circumvent the laws of each country and allow spying reciprocally.  
WAIT, who is that knocking on my door?  
OH, Freedom of speech?  Unless someone thinks otherwise.
UH OH, who just checked my FB page?
UM, why is my online banking...

I'M MAD AS HELL AND...

It no longer matters whether you are Democrat or Republican.  We tend to forget that both political parties are private entities that exist to get their candidate elected.  Neither party exists for the benefit of the constituents that their candidate purports to represent.  We lost representation long ago.  Perhaps it was when the number of representatives in the House was cut off at it's present level rather than expand to fit the population.  Or maybe it was when Senators were handed over to popular vote rather than being responsible, and chosen, by state legislators to whom they would directly report.  Or maybe it was when corporations were designated as though they are individuals given equal status to an American voter.  I have said this over and over and it is more true than ever, "This is not the America I grew up in."  It has been handed over to corporate liars, cheaters, scammers, banks that are too big to fail, the NSA, and on and on.  My despair for the future I hand directly to Mr. Obama in whom I saw so much promise that I voted for him twice.  He has disappointed me to the point that for the first time in my life I am considering never voting again.  He was sworn in to uphold the Constitution.  He has supported domestic spying, claiming it has saved lives.  This is a pitiful attempt to gain support for a policy that is at the very least unconstitutional and as a Constitutional lawyer he knows this is a smoke screen that we should not fall for.  He wants to send arms to Syrian rebels while we still have Americans in need of aid after hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, etc.  WHY?  Keep the money you would spend on aiding people around the world who hate our guts and SPEND IT ON AMERICANS WHOSE MONEY IT IS IN THE FIRST PLACE!!!  My goodness, what are they thinking????  Had Obama spoken the truth prior to the election I never would have voted for him, or probably not voted at all.  Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, well the Dems, whom I've supported since first voting for Hubert Humphrey back in the day, can kiss my, er kiss my vote goodbye.  

I wonder...do those who believe that evolution is a liberal myth ever look at the world and see it as it is, or just how they think it should be.  Do they ever walk on the beach and truly think it's just a few thousand years old?  Do they think those huge bones on display at the Franklin Institute are from some sort of steroid induced chicken?  Do they think that if you think evolution is a fact that you don't believe in some higher power?  Or is it just that you MUST think the way they think or else you are just a gay supporting, liberal, Obama supporting freeloader abortionist?  What ever happened to using one's brain?

The NRA promotes the idea that if everyone is armed then everyone would be safe.  So, if this little old lady in line at Walmart pushes her cart into your butt you just empty a couple of rounds in her face.  There are far too many people in our society that are on the edge, and arming them is ultra dangerous.  What we need is serious regulation.  I don't believe that your average citizen should be permitted to carry a weapon, period.  And our DC politicians need to read Federalist Papers #29 which is Alexander Hamilton explaining the thinking behind the Second Amendment.  The intent was not to arm the citizenry but rather to arm a militia in time of need.  The NRA has, in recent years, distorted the intent on the Founding Fathers.

Teachers with guns???

My daughter is about to enter 9th grade in high school.  If her teachers were permitted to have access to a weapon I would home school her.  I don't believe that this is something any civilized people would allow.  Does anyone really believe that a person out for revenge would even think twice just because a teacher may have a weapon?  Does that stop anyone?  Haven't we learned that even the threat of the death penalty does not inhibit a killer?  How about just having a trained officer at every school?  We have one at the local middle school even in our sleepy town.  This makes sense, as he is trained to handle any type of crisis.  Teachers have enough to do, and are under enough pressure, without having to worry about anything as preposterous as this.

It always surprises me when we as Americans react with shock when countries and regimes such as Iran and North Korea threaten us with their nuclear arsenal.  Look at a map of the world and it will reduce your amazement.  These two in particular are not in the most comfortable position.  But let's take the latest threat from NK.  First of all, they are now led by the third generation Kim dictatorship.  But he is under thirty years old and being, supposedly, under the influence of his military and trying to establish his own credentials.  What better way than to threaten war with South Korea and the US?  That's the easy part, be a bully who threatens another (US) bully.  The problem for Kim is how to get out of this and what to get out of it.  If you make these threats you better have some way to back it up or you lose credibility with your own military.  So, with the war games in South Korea and the US flying overhead he waves the nukes in our face.  But there is surely more to come.  I don't think an all out war is too likely, but a skirmish off some small island just to show they mean business is a distinct possibility.  Then there is the second possibility for Kim, which is to untie the noose around NK's neck.  They can not do business with any nation other than China and Iran.  Forget Iran.  But China has a common border and fears a huge influx of refugees should a hot war begin.  That would be the camel that breaks China's back as they don't exactly relish the idea of feeding millions of starving North Koreans.  The NK regime is basically surrounded and their only weapon is nuclear.  Our allies in South Korea and Japan will not tolerate more threats and military gesturing without having the ability to not only defend themselves but also the support of the United States, the UN, and the rest of the world community.  The last thing the US needs is another Iraq.  So in my opinion the best thing we can do is see this as something to not exactly ignore, but to remain calm politically, not to threaten back, and for China to step up their political and financial pressure on the NK.  Having been to the north of China, Shenyang to be exact, I know personally how close to the situation the citizens of this area are, and how they must be threatened by the fear of a mass influx from NK.  Calm heads on this side of the fence are needed.  The NKs need the outside world.  They need food.  They need money.  They don't know how to get it other than how they have proceeded since the end of World War II and the Korean War.  They have built up the weapons while their people are starving.  How long can this last without the end of this 60 year stalemate?  We all hope that it ends soon and peacefully.

Hall of Fame voters turn away!

Here's an interesting(?) comparison.  Two great pitchers from age 31:

Age 31   9-7   2.85   3-1   1.73
Age 32 10-5   4.18  16-11 1.72
Age 33 10-13 3.63  27-14 1.91
Age 34 21-7   2.05  15-13 3.39
Age 35 20-6   2.65  16-13 3.63
Age 36 14-10 4.60  22-12 3.19
Age 37 13-8   3.70  12-5  3.03
Age 38 20-3   3.51  15-11 3.39
Age 39 13-6   4.35  12-10 3.05
Age 40 17-9   3.91  21-10 2.52
Age 41 18-4   2.98  16-9   3.36
Age 42 13-8   1.87  9-8     3.89

Pitcher A won 178 games post age 31 with an uptick at age 34 and age 38.  Pitcher B won 184 games post age 31 with three bumps at ages 33, 36, and amazingly at age 40.  Both were considered washed up at least twice in their careers, A at ages 33 and 40 and B at ages 31 and 39.  One is in the Hall of Fame, the other cast aside due to questions about how he could maintain his ability at an age when most power hurlers are done.

A is our friend Roger Clemens.
Can you guess B?  His wins by age 30 are 190, with a 94-35 record from ages 28 to 30.

If you guessed Grover Cleveland the 22nd and 24th POTUS you are wrong.  If you guessed Grover Cleveland "Pete" Alexander you are CORRECT!!!

Pete was considered washed up after he was gassed during service in WWI.  The Sillies, er Phillies, dumped him off to the unwitting Cubs along with his batterymate Bill Killefer for two future greats: Pickles Dillhoefer (get the nickname?) and Mike Prendergast.  Oh, and a cool $50,000.  Pete was far from washed up, though he struggled with the bottle as is well known.  Plus he had numerous other health issues.  He was elected in 1938 (HOF not POTUS!) on 212 0f 262 ballots.  I doubt that anyone questioned those career bumps.

We live in a different and much more suspicious time.  I'm not pro or con Clemens, just pointing out that if the only reason Clemens is not voted in are his numbers late in his career, then that is bogus.  It does happen, and Ol'Pete is just one example.

The headlines are filled with the likes of Lance Armstrong, Manti Te'o, gun control, people pushed into subway trains, and Honey Boo Boo. It reminds me of how important it is for parents to be role models for their kids. Not just role models, but the best role models we can possibly be. I am repulsed by the Armstrong getting so much attention by being on Oprah to tell the world that he's a liar and despicable man. Hey, go away dude. Some place where we never have to see or hear from you again. It's time that parents, all parents, teach our kids that athletes are not great role models, at least most of them. To get to the top they, like Donald Trump and every other "financial wizard," had to push everyone out of the way. Trample friend and foe under foot to get there. Lie, cheat, and steal. Not that every jock is a creep, hardly, but as role models they leave much to be desired. Want a role model? Read about John Quincy Adams. In fact, read about John Adams, Abigail Adams, Henry Adams, and the entire Adams family. They are true role models.

Today's Baseball Hall of Fame announcement raised many questions. One was that some players knew of the cheating by Bonds, Clemens, etc and said nothing. I can't go along with the "said nothing" because sports at any level just doesn't lend itself to exposing a fellow athlete. Lance Armstrong is just one example. Next, "said nothing" really does not apply because there was no testing for most of the time that Bonds, Clemens, et al played. No testing, no penalty, no nothing. Next, baseball in general, owners and players and stadium workers and EVERYONE benefited when McGwire, Sosa, Bonds, Clemens and who knows who else brought a new level of HR records and Cy Young awards to the game. Blind eye! So, though they were never accused nor was there ever a sniff of guilt, the likes of Biggio, Bagwell, and Piazza did not gain entry because of some suspicion or rumor of use, or in your thinking because they knew what was going on. It reminds me of going through an airport. TSA assumes everyone is guilty because of 9/11. Have we forgotten innocent until proven guilty? True these are ballplayers, but Congress chose to indict and foolishly threw away tax payer money and in addition, without naming names, cast a shadow of doubt over every player from that era. Just not fair. My last argument has to do with PEDs. What exactly is a Performance Enhancing Drug? If Barry Bonds twisted his ankle and got a Novocaine shot so he could perform, isn't that a PED? Where do we draw the line? If you wake up with a severe headache and take a few Advil so that you can do your job, haven't you enhanced your performance? I won't even go into Viagra! I'm not in favor of just allowing Bonds et al into the HOF carte blanche. Some determination makes sense as far as acknowledging the era. But unless they are proven to have cheated then the likes of Biggio and Bagwell and Piazza should be enshrined without an asterix. Let's not even go into "integrity." Do some reading on Cap Anson, Charlie Radbourn, Ty Cobb and many others already enshrined. Not good example of "integrity", to say the least.

• Recommended reading: "George Washington" by Ron Chernow; also by Chernow "Alexander Hamilton;" Harlow Unger's "James Monroe;" also by Unger "John Quincy Adams;" Kevin Gutzman "James Madison and the Making of America." Two volumes on the life of Thomas Jefferson by Alf Mapp. Read "THe Federalist Papers" to get a full eyewitness account into the Constitution. Especially important is the account by Madison in #10 as to freedom of Religion and #29 by Hamilton on the meaning of the Right to Bear Arms. Politics in the 18th and 19th Centuries was quite as contentious as it is today. The battle ro ratify the Constitution was down and dirty and makes "Liberty's Blueprint" by Michael Meyerson a good read.

  
  
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