Archive for February, 2008
Obama Dances with Ellen
Son, We are living in a new age of politics. The vast electronic media brings candidates into our living rooms throughout the day. Check out Obama dancing with Ellen Degeneres: [wp_youtube]RsWpvkLCvu4[/wp_youtube] Dad
29Feb2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Obama Dances with Ellen | ContinuedThe Personal Presidency of George W. Bush
Son, The history of leadership is couched in government structure. Monarchy, Parliamentary, Republic, Dictator, or pure totalitarianism. Our country, The United States of America is a Republic – ruled by law. Laws are constructed by a Congress that answers to the people. Thus the idea that the people rule the country. George W. Bush has […]
28Feb2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on The Personal Presidency of George W. Bush | ContinuedWilliam F. Buckley- dead, but not gone
Son, The country has lost one of the great minds of the 20th Century. William F. Buckley has died. Mr. Buckley was a prolific writer, journalist, commentator, debate host, and educator. I remember about twenty years ago, before laptops were functional, Buckey reported that he had eight computers. One for everywhere he would find himself […]
27Feb2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | 1 comment | ContinuedObama Clinton Ohio debate, 2-26-2008
6:30 PM CST at Cleveland State University. The debate should be interesting. We will open with a brief synopsis of the past few days and then have a running commentary during the debate – the post will be updated every 15 – 20 minutes, the first update at about 8:20 PM CST. I sit at […]
27Feb2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | 2 comments | ContinuedObama and McCain, Vice President options
Son, The Washington Post is my favorite place to go for news and dialogue. They have produced a couple of compelling interviews in video form that are informative and interesting. I am compelled to share this information. These are good demonstrations of viable candidates for Vice President. Dad
27Feb2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Obama and McCain, Vice President options | ContinuedLewis Black defends Huckabee
Son Leave Mike Huckabee alone! Lewis Black is an outrageous comedian who does this superb spoof of Huckabee’s campaign supporters. Not exactly in the mold of Chuck NOrris – but entertaining never the less. Black’s ‘Root of All Evil’ series premieres March 12th on Comedy Central. [wp_youtube]kGSoqfHfcL0[/wp_youtube] Dad
27Feb2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Lewis Black defends Huckabee | Continuedvouchers and the public school dilemma
Dad, The debate about public school systems and what to do with them is complicated and seeped in emotion and personal experience. The program of offering vouchers has as broad a mix of public opinion as any of the publicly debated issues today. I have my own thoughts and feelings, and they are conflicting and […]
26Feb2008 | bryan | 4 comments | ContinuedPandemics: Colds, The Flu, and Individualism
Dad, The cold and flu season is in full swing, and my family and I are in the thick of it. My daughter has ear infections in both ears, I have a sinus infection, my son is coughing and sniffling, and my wife is congested but is limited in the medicines she can take because […]
26Feb2008 | bryan | 1 comment | ContinuedSchizophrenic Politics – a Penrose Triangle
The observation of politics is a science and an art. The Love/Hate relationships of candidates create that schizophrenic confusion that befuddles ordinary people. The triangles of relationships is unsettling. Obama and McCain challenge each other – but what is the context? We can follow an argument, or debate if you will, along logical lines – […]
26Feb2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | 1 comment | ContinuedMcCain’s 100 year war
Son, John McCain has said, probably regretfully, that we may have to have troops in Iraq for a hundred years. He was at a town hall meeting today and tried to clarify his comments. McCain reminds us that we have had troops in Germany and Japan for over sixty years, and in Korea for over […]
26Feb2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on McCain’s 100 year war | ContinuedJon Stewart at Oscars, on McCain
Son, Jon Stewart makes perfectly good sense to me. There are times when we need humor to best articulate the feelings and mood behind our thoughts. As Stewart mocks the Iraq War and John McCain’s positions on the war there is some resonance with truth. It is this ability to connect at the gut level […]
25Feb2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Jon Stewart at Oscars, on McCain | ContinuedMike Huckabee on SNL
Son, I don’t know what Mike Huckabee is trying to accomplish. He has certainly become a national figure – but…. What I one say – he has a good sense of humor, if not a good sense of politics… [wp_youtube]xvSXpM5qGmg[/wp_youtube] I watched this clip with mixed feelings. This is a former Governor, a good man […]
24Feb2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Mike Huckabee on SNL | ContinuedRalph Nader is a Beetle
Son, Ralph Nader is running for President – again. Well, he is not actually running for President – he is running for wackiest looney to have ever achieved notoriety. His sad story began with legitimate consumer safety studies that changed the way people view transportation. He changed the world of auto making – and in […]
24Feb2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | 1 comment | ContinuedBest Picture Oscars, 1928 – 2005
Son, I am no film critic. But John Wayne once said, “My critics are the people who go see my movies.” He was not worried about the tabloid criticism of his work. These videos of reminders of the ‘best pictures’ and best actor and actresses brought back some fond memories for me. 1960, Jack Lemmon […]
24Feb2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Best Picture Oscars, 1928 – 2005 | ContinuedBoone Pickens – Money blowing in the wind
Included in this post are excerpts from a previous post. Added here are commentary from T. Boone Pickens on CNBS discussing the economics of energy. We can check the video and then discuss the harmony of wind energy with nature. [wp_youtube]ylI4iQ-5iXg[/wp_youtube] Pickens speaks economically of the great wind corridor stretching from Texas to Canada. I […]
23Feb2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | 5 comments | ContinuedObama, faith, and Isaiah 40:31
Son, Isaiah 40:31 – but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. I was reminded of this verse of scripture as I watched the debate in Austin, Texas, last evening. Hillary […]
23Feb2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | 1 comment | ContinuedThe Lockhorns and the Clintons
Son, I was reading about the Lockhorns today, and I was thinking of the parallels with the imaginary home life of the Clinton Family . Check this caricaturization: It’s four o’clock in the morning, Leroy(Bill), when will you concede? Leroy (Consider Bill): Loretta’s loudmouthed leering husband, Leroy is brash, opinionated and abrasive, but you can’t […]
22Feb2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on The Lockhorns and the Clintons | ContinuedMore Bush Humor
Son, The American People are going to miss George W. Bush. This Presidency has been the source of some really fine humor. Here are a couple of videos. This is a play on the Abbott and Costello ‘Who’s on First’ routine: [wp_youtube]NymAL4_okyQ[/wp_youtube] Here is that great Bush impersonator on Comedy Central with Jeff Foxworthy: [wp_youtube]x-2c6GTXoHE[/wp_youtube] […]
22Feb2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on More Bush Humor | ContinuedLeno, Bush Impersonator – Obama or Osama
Son, How is it that serious issues, couched in impersonation and silliness, become so darn funny? This Jay Leno video from 2004 is almost prophetic. The Bush impersonator refers to the ‘new Senator from Illinois as Osama.’ Check it out and get a good laugh. [wp_youtube]ql1MLMhBIyg[/wp_youtube] This guy would probably vote for George Bush forever […]
22Feb2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Leno, Bush Impersonator – Obama or Osama | ContinuedClinton, Obama Debate in Austin 2-21-08
This will be a running commentary: Beginning at 7:00 PM CST. The debate is on with Hillary Clinton making the first opening remarks. Senator Clinton does not have Obama’s speaking style – but she always strikes me as charming and sincere. Senator Clinton put on a face of confidence. Senator Obama chose to speak second, […]
22Feb2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | 2 comments | ContinuedLynching O’Reilly by Olberman
Son, Bill O’Reilly stepped across the line – The line of decency that most of us outside of FOX News lives by. Lynching was a horrific practice of murder and intimidation to demonstrate to other African-Americans that they have no power – that we have all the power. O’Reilly used several phrases, ‘lynching,’ ‘tracking down,’ […]
22Feb2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | 3 comments | ContinuedMcCain is a Mall Walker – Letterman
Son, David Letterman really took off on John McCain. Is this a sign of things to come? Are the comedians going to make fun of old people, or just John McCain? Does humor have boundaries? Not in this case. McCain has put himself out there – knowing as an experienced politician that all thing are […]
21Feb2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | 3 comments | ContinuedDeclaring Independence from Politics as Usual
Son, This is truly an exciting election. I have said Revolution, and the numbers continue to support that conclusion. Wisconsin is important. This state represents a string of victories for Barack Obama – with a two week break before the next big primaries in Texas and Ohio. But are there any other demographic changes from […]
20Feb2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Declaring Independence from Politics as Usual | ContinuedAmerica – Hope, or Prozac Nation
Son, When Columbus left Portugal over five hundred years ago it was with the hope of finding a water route to Eastern trade. He found a new land. When the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock, it was with the hope of freedom of religion. When Jamestown was founded in 1608 it was with the hope […]
20Feb2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | 2 comments | ContinuedAmerica – Hope or Prozac Nation
Son, When Columbus left Portugal over five hundred years ago it was with the hope of finding a water route to Eastern trade. He found a new land. When the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock, it was with the hope of freedom of religion. When Jamestown was founded in 1608 it was with the hope […]
19Feb2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on America – Hope or Prozac Nation | ContinuedJesus, Lindsay Lohan, and Family
Son, When did Christianity go crazy? History suggests it was about twenty minutes after Jesus returned to heaven. The flirtation with sanity continues, but a reluctant populace defies the message. Reluctant in many ways. “I’ll give you my problems Jesus, but first we have to properly prepare them. Problems are things we have to work […]
19Feb2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Jesus, Lindsay Lohan, and Family | ContinuedFidel Castro Resigns, Bush Responds
Son, Fidel Castro has resigned as whatever he was in Cuba. Twenty years ago this would have been world news. Today it is another footnote in the shifting sands of world politics. Our President, George W. Bush, has his typical cowboy response. “I believe that the change from Fidel Castro ought to begin a period […]
19Feb2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Fidel Castro Resigns, Bush Responds | ContinuedBush – War is good for the Economy
Son, I am in stunned disbelief. Our country is spending over 10 Billion dollars a month on the war in Iraq and President Bush thinks this is a good thing. I will let him speak for himself. Imagine what 10 Billion dollars a month would do for America’s roads and bridges and our sewer systems, […]
19Feb2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | 1 comment | ContinuedInternet Stalking on Digg and other Social Networks
Son, As you are aware, we have been assaulted by an internet stalker. This one person has left 600 messages on our site, has left over 6000 messages on Digg, with about a hundred on Digg directed at me personally. This person has an obsessive-compulsive personality disorder and directs his attention to the interactivity of […]
19Feb2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Internet Stalking on Digg and other Social Networks | ContinuedAnimal Cruelty and Torturing Humans
Son, The FDA has closed a ‘slaughter house’ for cruelty to animals. Actually, the cruel treatment of animals prevented FDA inspectors from performing complete inspections. We could be talking about the Guantanamo prison for ‘enemy combatants.” I put ‘enemy combatants’ in quotes because we really don’t know who is being held at Gitmo. Without representation, […]
18Feb2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Animal Cruelty and Torturing Humans | ContinuedWhat is the job of President?
Son, This election year, or years, has brought out the best and worst in the candidates. But this is an important process. Each of the candidates, skilled and experienced in the ways of government, are trying to articulate their merits in light of being the President of the United States of America. At this late […]
18Feb2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | 1 comment | ContinuedAn American Pie Story – and video
Son, I was in my late teens, sitting on a Missouri River levy. There were three of us, drinking Kansas beer. 3.2 Alcohol. We were too young to drink in Missouri. My 56′ Chevy was parked on top of the levy, we were sitting on the bank of the river. The doors on my Chevy […]
17Feb2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on An American Pie Story – and video | ContinuedReligion – General or Particular
Son, We talk about faith. We talk about religion. We talk about Church. But when you and I talk we are on different plains. I usually speak of religion, even Christianity, in general terms. You have a commitment to a particular church and their doctrine. You and I represent the fundamental debate of faith – […]
16Feb2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Religion – General or Particular | ContinuedObama: Inertia Wins the Race
Dad, Barack Obama has, and is gaining, momentum. There is a physical reality here that goes deeper than health care or immigration. Those things are important and we should evaluate them and make sound decisions about how to proceed in the best interest of our nation and our world. But the inportance of those issues […]
15Feb2008 | bryan | Comments Off on Obama: Inertia Wins the Race | ContinuedLincoln – Less Gettysburg
Son, “Ask not what your country can do for you, as what you can do for your country.” Remember that? Everyone knows who said it. Most of us remember that comment led to the Peace Corps. Most of us remember that John Kennedy’s leadership united the country behind the space program – a program that […]
15Feb2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | 1 comment | ContinuedIndiana Jones Movie Trailer –
Son, The inspiration of Indiana Jones reminds me of the inspiration of Barack Obama – listen to the music and think of the Epic adventure that is unfolding in American politics… [wp_youtube]v7Gqi2IeIL0[/wp_youtube] If Obama is not the nominee the election will be difficult to follow. But Indiana Jones always prevails. Dad
14Feb2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Indiana Jones Movie Trailer – | ContinuedKevin Spacey as Mike Huckabee
This election cycle is so dramatic. It seems as though, no matter who wins or how it plays out, the 2008 elections would be a prime candidate for a made-for-TV movie. First of all, I think that Mike Huckabee’s character would be played by Kevin Spacey. Spacey could totally play the over-anxious, yet uncannily cool […]
14Feb2008 | bryan | 1 comment | ContinuedVacuum the votes – but not in a Vacuum
Son, We are having fun trying to understand the candidates in this 2008 election process. Obama is young and vibrant, Clinton has the bet grasp of issues, McCain is a moderate Republican, Huckabee wants to replace the constitution. In the nominating process we like to look at the political Parties. Who is conservative enough, liberal […]
14Feb2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Vacuum the votes – but not in a Vacuum | ContinuedGoofy Hillary Clinton Video
Son, The Clinton campaign has this horrible video. I don’t know who made it but it has all of this upbeat music and people dancing against the backdrop of war and global warming and homelessness. I don’t know about campaigns but there are rules in Art. Like consistency. Color should follow form, form should follow […]
14Feb2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | 4 comments | ContinuedRoger Clemens on Steroids
Son, I live in the Kansas City area – so that might tell knowing sports fans what I think of Major League Baseball. But the Royals aside – there is something terribly wrong in Baseball. The use of steroids by some players is now evident. Several have been tested and found positive. Several have come […]
13Feb2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Roger Clemens on Steroids | ContinuedAn American Epic – the Election of 2008
Son, Pay attention. Don’t blink. We are watching history unfold. We are seeing voters showing up for Party Primaries in numbers that are unprecedented. The Democratic Party is drawing twice the number the Republicans are drawing. We see a black man, a woman, and aging war hero, and an evangelical Christian minister in the […]
13Feb2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on An American Epic – the Election of 2008 | ContinuedObama and Momentum
Son, Momentum is a buzz word in sports and politics. Obama has won a string of State victories since Super Tuesday. He is winning again today. So what does this mean? Not much. Obama shocked the nation when he won Iowa – took the big momentum into New Hampshire and soundly lost to Hillary […]
13Feb2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | 1 comment | Continued3 etiquette tips for discussing dreams:
Dad, How many times has someone told you about a dream, and half way through their in depth analysis of what happened while you were sound asleep, you realize that you are just not interested? You weren’t there, you aren’t talking about anyone that you know, and you aren’t even talking about a real place. […]
13Feb2008 | bryan | 2 comments | ContinuedSkipjack Politics
Son, The Chesapeake Bay separates the DelMarVa Penninsula from the rest of the world. The folks on the Eastern Shore have always had their own ideas about the world. With the power on independent thought they changed the world. And these folks vote just like the rest of us. In was on the Choptank River […]
12Feb2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Skipjack Politics | ContinuedRon Paul and thefiresidepost.com
Son, One writer on our magazine staff has contributed twelve articles on Ron Paul. This writer does not agree with Ron Paul and has been open and honest in his appraisal. But the Ron Paul supporters have been belligerent and mean spirited in their attacks. The Editorial Board of thefiresidepost.com have graciously agreed to allow […]
11Feb2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Ron Paul and thefiresidepost.com | ContinuedMcCain looks to Rove
Son, The ultimate in betrayal. The turning on one’s followers. The lost hope. John McCain was once the hope of the Republican Party. McCain was the man who was to bring the Party back from the wacko fringe of Rush Limbaugh and Ann Coulter. He was the man who was to restore the Reagan Revolution. […]
11Feb2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on McCain looks to Rove | ContinuedObama, “We Can Win Virginia” speech
Son, Barack Obama gains strength every time he gives a speech. The confidence of victory resonates in his words, tone, and general presentation. He has taken the lead and now need to close the deal – It looks like he is ready. Dad
10Feb2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | 1 comment | ContinuedBottled Water analysis by Penn & Teller
Son, I have never been a fan of bottled water. I have used it. It is a convenient item when watching high school soccer on hot August and September days. But is it better than tap water? Watch this video and make your own judgment. [wp_youtube]XfPAjUvvnIc[/wp_youtube] Well? I guess it is important to some people […]
10Feb2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Bottled Water analysis by Penn & Teller | ContinuedPenn & Teller – Magic of the Bible Video
Son, I think these commentaries on the Bible are sometimes less than academic – but they are also not restricted to unerring faith. There are a few minor distortions – but these folks are correct in what they report. Here s the problem – the Bible was not intended to be a book of history […]
10Feb2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Penn & Teller – Magic of the Bible Video | ContinuedGeorge Carlin on Ten Commandments
Son, How about a little humor at the expense of Christian Religion. Ten sounds official – it sounds important – good humor by a master. Carlin reduces the Ten down to more manageable terms. Carlin is a master at examining situational ethics. Check him out. [wp_youtube]SyWEBbFwU1o[/wp_youtube] Carling is much more intuitive than he realizes. He […]
10Feb2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | 1 comment | Continued