Goodby Uncle Henry

06037.....that is where my recently departed uncle lived since 1961. He died this past Monday. I once had 15 uncles and now I have none. My favorite uncle was Henry and the last to go. A good man a veteran of WWII , navel air corps , a U-Boat hunter in the Atlantic. He also had time for his family. I received some of that time.....it was important time. He taught me such skills from how to clean fish to how to drive to what kind of a woman I should look to wed. That generation is all most gone now. We are I believe more the poorer for it. That generation that nurtured my generation and sometimes put up with alot from us is all most gone from the earth. A generation that stopped a great darkness from descending upon our earth and came back to build an unheard of economic rise from the ashes of a difficult first half century. But you know what I will miss the most and remember at his funeral this Thursday? His humor. He kept his good humor. So , to you Uncle Henry , thanks for the guidance , the patience , the humor that was you. Part of the good that I am is a result of you. I needed it and you supplied it. Peace.

My Daughter The Actress

I must admit it is is weird feeling seeing my daughter Whitney on television. Be it only so far in extra roles. Whether it be a Beatle chasing teen in Pan Am or walking by Tom Selick in his new police drama . I can't quite get used to it. Some pride and to be honest a faint wish she would make more money and help to start paying off her college loans. Saint Lawrence University was not cheap. But youth has it's moments , like trying out a very different career path. So I swallow hard and wish her well as she heads again for New York City to audition. For her birthday she wants money to join one of the actors unions , and folks that ain't cheap. So anyway.......here is to the arts may they have mercy on her and her Dad's soul.

Ayn Rand Rises From The Dead

Dateline NYC: Rumors persist that Ayn Rand has risen from the dead. People checking out grave yards in Queens and Brooklyn. Poor people being scorned on street by old woman covered in one dollar bills. Grave of William F. Buckley and Chris Hitchins being guarded by mysterious people who look like son of W.F. Buckley and M.K. Rowley. Southern Baptists reportedly having visions where they are being told it was fine with Jesus that she did not believe he existed and it is now ok to hate the poor and Democratic party members. They are as bad as homosexuals in the military according to these visions. Senator Rand Paul rumored to feel in raptured mood as of December 7th of this past year. More as events warrant.

A Kinder and Gentler Christianity

I was out shopping for Christmas this morning and early afternoon. Other than a Muslim store clerk wishing me a Merry Christmas I stopped by the Salvation Army kettle. The young bell ringer sang me a song he had made up to thank people who donated. These two acts I must admit warmed my heart. In four days I have a grandchild due , so perhaps I am in a more receptive mood. But then I come home , watch the news , and the same crap comes over my TV. God , what a nasty political season , coming from candidates who profess their spiritual credentials often. Got to get those conservative votes. Not quite the sound I remember from my childhood memories of church. Ones that spoke of love & tolerance and the ever elusive peace. So , for Christmas I wish one thing for my fellow citizens..........A KINDER AND GENTLER CHRISTIANITY for the coming year and oh what the hell coming decade for that matter.

Somewhere on the Verge of a New Era

Somewhat of a pompous title for this blog. But last night when I got up because I could not get to sleep something glanced past my mind as I addressed a couple of Christmas Cards. Things seemed so out of whack....our economy , our politics both overseas and domestic seems so angry and unable to find solutions. News reports how broke The Salvation Army is and how great their requests for assistance. Maybe my mind came up with something.....just maybe we are at a tipping point. The time when something new is being arranged within society. This years TIME Man of the Year was The Protester whether the Middle East or downtown London or near the financial district in NYC people demonstrated just how pissed off they are at the current status of our civil and corporate lives. People in the so called Tea Party actually would agree with some of the agenda of the Occupy Movement. Something may be happening but what I am not quite sure. Whether it leads to a betterment or a more bitter society I do not know. What I do know is I want a few more years to see where this past year may lead to. Be Seeing You.

RIP: Chris Hitchens

We lost an acid tongue pundit today. I saw him speak at the 72nd Y a couple of years ago. Though an original Brit he became a comfortable American as far as being here atleast. I read many of his political articles , saw him on W.F. Buckley's show and Chris Matthews show. He was as much a showman as political commentator. Direct and entertaining. Though I am sure The Royal Family with not be sending condolences many on both the left and right are this morning. Whether he spoke of Iraq or what he called the cult of Churchill his view was welcome in my home. He was not a cheap pundit the way so many are today. Oh and by the way he was equally at home talking Hamlet or PG Wodehouse. That is now a rare commodity. So to end with a quote from a favored TV series of his from the sixties......BE SEEING YOU.

Winston Churchill : Birthday Today

Today marks the birthday of Winston Churchill. Born in 1874. When I think of England the Beatles come to mind or the BBC or James Bond. So why do I bring up Sir Winston. Perhaps it stems from a simple fact that modern politics is so often a race to the bottom. Bad mouthing the poor for fun , profit and political advantage is so common a theme in American politics as an example. Where is the thinking behind a great or important decision. Probably does not poll well to seem to smart in a campaign , dim witted , gets more votes , atleast it appears that way in America and maybe even places like London. So for a man who had a difficult time in school , Winston thanks for continuing to learn and make those difficult decisions. It really matters. Also thanks for that great quote.....never give up , never ever ever ever give up.