Life
Huckabee, Morning Joe, and Matthew 25
Son, Mike Huckabee is a theologian running for President. It happens. He is an educated Christian Minister, well versed in theology. He is a former Governor, well versed in legislative and executive business. He is well spoken, charming, energetic, and has a healthy sense of humor. But my take is that his ambition overrides his […]
14Jan2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Huckabee, Morning Joe, and Matthew 25 | Continued
Tim Russert plays the gender card
Son, Tim Russert was ‘interviewing’ Hillary Clinton on Meet the Press this morning. His line of questioning suggested his chauvinism rests just under the surface. Russert asked of Hillary, “What was the moment of greatest adversity for you?” Hillary’s answer, “We all know the answer to that.” Yes we do – and so did Russert. […]
14Jan2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Tim Russert plays the gender card | Continued
Hillary Clinton with Tim Russert
Son, Tim Russert played his cards at the table of a master. He came up short. But that is why Hillary Clinton is busy running for President and Tim Russert is busy sucking up to his buddy Chris Matthews and the corporate bosses who manage the media. One can almost see Russert thinking, “Oh Boy, […]
13Jan2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | 1 comment | Continued
Trash Talk – the elixir of life
Son, Trash talk is the elixir of life, the stimulus of humanity, the foreplay of debate, a ceremonial dance before the big event. Trash Talk is the spirit of politics, sports, scientific innovation, and even religion. Minus Trash Talk, nothing is left. Did you ever notice two boxers at their weigh-in. One might think it […]
13Jan2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Trash Talk – the elixir of life | Continued
Brett Favre – 50 is the new 40
Son, Dennis Hopper does a commercial on television for old people. The commercial proclaims that ’50 is the new 40,’ suggesting that this generation is fundamentally more healthy than in the past. Brett Favre is a good example. Favre has proven to be the most resilient football player in history. He has the longest consecutive […]
12Jan2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Brett Favre – 50 is the new 40 | Continued
Jack Del Rio and mechanized Belichick
Son, History is being made in the NFL. The game tonight, Saturday, January 12, will be a milestone. The New England Patriots have a perfect season, that is to say that they have not lost a game. But tonight they are facing Jack Del Rio. He is the coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Del Rio […]
12Jan2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | 1 comment | Continued
Guantanamo Bay Cuba and the ACLU
Son, I received the following email encouraging an email or on-line petition. I added the italics: “January 11, 2008 will mark six years since the first 20 prisoners arrived at Guantánamo Bay Cuba. Since then, 775 prisoners have passed through the gates and no trials have been completed. As a symbol of freedom and democracy […]
12Jan2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Guantanamo Bay Cuba and the ACLU | Continued
Tucker Carlson and John Edwards
Son, I was cooking supper and watching Tucker Carlson on the kitchen television. I don’t why I do this to myself. Tucker has a limited intellect and is removed from the real world by hanging to much with Chris Matthews. Tucker was interviewing a John Edwards supporter, I don’t remember who it was. Tucker asked, […]
12Jan2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Tucker Carlson and John Edwards | Continued
The value of political polls
Son, I have had my own telephone for about forty years. I all that time I have been contacted about two times by political pollsters. I either live in the wrong neighborhood or they don’t care about my demographic. Either way, they have not created many problems for me personally – except when they miscalled […]
12Jan2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on The value of political polls | Continued
Responding to Pollsters
Son, I have had my own telephone for about forty years. I all that time I have been contacted about two times by political pollsters. I either live in the wrong neighborhood or they don’t care about my demographic. Either way, they have not created many problems for me personally – except when they miscalled […]
12Jan2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Responding to Pollsters | Continued
The paradox of Steve Jobs
Son, I have written several posts on Steve Jobs and Apple, Inc. Some people take offense – that is only healthy. Steve Jobs is a real study in innovation, technology, business, and personality. All of these combine to produce a final product. If Steve Jobs had been more flexible as a business man in 1979 […]
12Jan2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | 1 comment | Continued
Countrywide and Bank of America
Son, Good news and bad news. Countrywide is a mortgage lender that has gotten into trouble with greedy lending practices. The economy caught up with them. Now the Bank of America is reportedly buying Countrywide for a ba-zillion dollars. That sound like good news – like maybe the mortgage lending fiasco may be coming to […]
11Jan2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Countrywide and Bank of America | Continued
Apple Computer – failure of marketing
Son, As you know I have worked in technology since 1969. I remember in the early 80’s when I was working in Health Care Information Systems. We used mainframe computers – but could not deny the emerging world of the personal computer – the PC. Notice how easy that was to write, PC – Personal […]
11Jan2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | 1 comment | Continued
The Enigma of Wal-Mart
Son, You and I are of different generations – how obvious is that. What is less obvious is what it means to be of different generations. I am a baby-boomer, you are a nut case child of the seventies. Such is the case with labels. But the cultural influences and differences of our lives are […]
11Jan2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | 2 comments | Continued
Apple Computer and the real world
Son, I watch television and movies and commercials – all the nonsense stuff that entertains me and distracts me from the seriousness of life. One of the things I note is the use of computers and the clever promotion of Apple. All of the movies have laptops that can access any information that might conceivable […]
11Jan2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | 20 comments | Continued
CES: Wireless, Wireless, Wireless
Dad, I have been watching some of the reporting from abc.com about the Computer Electronics Show. I like to see what is out there, though I still have the 20 inch television with the A/V cables that hang out of the front auxilary jacks. What I notice about almost all of the new products is […]
11Jan2008 | bryan | Comments Off on CES: Wireless, Wireless, Wireless | Continued
Republican Debate – 1-10-08
Son, Who are these guys? Where did they come from? John McCain is the only legitimate candidate in this field. Fred Thompson is campaigning for vice-president, hoping to return the position to one of ceremony and afternoon naps. Mike Huckabee is seeking the office of Witty Spiritualist. Rudy Giuliani hopes to be Chief Bomb Sniffer. […]
11Jan2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | 1 comment | Continued
as we inch closer with Iran
Dad, I am one of the many with grave concerns about the direction that our country is headed with respect to Iran and our broader foreign policy. In the midst of our election frenzy, the idea that America is and always has been a Christian nation continues to shape the discussion. I am not convinced […]
11Jan2008 | bryan | 1 comment | Continued
Bloggers are Parasites
Son, There is a big dog casting a shadow across the world. His name is Internet. Bloggers are fleas on the dog, looking for a warm nest in the forest of hairy information. Some of us are on the head, some on the tail, some under the tail, but we are all parasites. We are […]
11Jan2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Bloggers are Parasites | Continued
Political endorsement, any value?
Son, There is an old axiom in local politics, “When someone or some group endorses you, you get all of their enemies and none of their friends.” Who knows? We do know that politicians actively seek endorsements. Readers – what do you think – are endorsements valuable? Dad
11Jan2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Political endorsement, any value? | Continued
fear and change in politics
Dad, There is a discussion brewing on our post,” Leader or Expert: Choosing a President.” This election is charged with political, social, and religious fervor. All parts are being played, and the audience is large and diverse. One of the comments strikes a chord that I think represents a large slice of the Evangelicval and […]
11Jan2008 | bryan | Comments Off on fear and change in politics | Continued
Faith, Obedience, and Mercy – in Iraq
Son, President George W. Bush is not God. I am not Abraham, and the children of America are not to be thoughtlessly sacrificed on a mountain in the Middle East. Faith, obedience, and mercy are noble virtues. But are there no boundaries? Bob Dylan said it well: “God said to Abraham, go kill me a […]
11Jan2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Faith, Obedience, and Mercy – in Iraq | Continued
Animal Rights vs Wildlife Management
Son, We live in a crowded world. There are many lifeforms competing for the same land, water, and air. But we happen to be humans – so get out of the way other lifeforms. That has been the human motto for thousands of years. But I think we have pushed too hard. Wildlife is now […]
10Jan2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Animal Rights vs Wildlife Management | Continued
Workplace Etiquette
Son, The last fifty years has seen a great economic shift in this country. Many of our factories have moved to China. Technology has proliferated, creating new jobs in the white collar world. The service industry is expanding, creating jobs. All of this translates into a fundamentally different culture for many American workers. A culture […]
10Jan2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Workplace Etiquette | Continued
Clinton and Obama expose Media Bigots
Son, This election is probably shaping up to one of the most important ever for understanding our ‘good old boy media.’ All of those old men are harping on race and feminism. It is as if they cannot grasp issues of charisma, or hope, or ideas, or anything of substance. Pat Buchanan was just on […]
9Jan2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Clinton and Obama expose Media Bigots | Continued
Chris Matthews, Racist, Chauvinist
Son, The star of Chris Matthews has risen. Now we can see who he really is. And it is not pretty. Clinton scored a huge comeback in New Hampshire. Matthews explanation – “…the New Hampshire voters lied to the pollsters. They lied about voting for a black man because they were embarrassed… Hillary did not […]
9Jan2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | 8 comments | Continued
Hey Hillary – You go Girl!
Son, It is a great night for Democrats. The pollsters and pundits, including me, guessed wrong on New Hampshire. Hillary Clinton has pulled off a win that leaves the Democratic Party in a healthy position to continue this race. John Edwards is saying that he will continue through the convention. Barack Obama has great strength. […]
9Jan2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Hey Hillary – You go Girl! | Continued
Old Time Vote Counting
Son, I was a Democratic Committeeman before you were born. In the old partisan elections we Party Committee people appointed election judges and clerks. Usually five Democrats and five Republicans at each precinct. I did all of the despicable political stuff – even appointing your great-aunt as a clerk because she needed something to do […]
9Jan2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Old Time Vote Counting | Continued
Ron Paul and inexperienced voters
Son, You gotta give it to Ron Paul – or someone should. We are seeing huge voter turnout in Iowa and New Hampshire. What does that mean? It means that even apathetic folks who have not participated in years are so disgusted with George Bush that they will bother to come out to vote. The […]
9Jan2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | 2 comments | Continued
John McCain wins New Hampshire
Son, I am relieved. John McCain is the best chance the GOP has of getting my vote. No – I don’t support the war in Iraq – but I like to think of myself as a multi issue voter. He has won New Hampshire in spite of Mitt Romney spending a small fortune. Ronmey’s loss […]
9Jan2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on John McCain wins New Hampshire | Continued
Take That! Al Sharpton
Son, I am so tickled at Obama’s success. He has demonstrated that Black leaders are not just loud mouthed buffoons with a shallow and selfish agenda. Of course, I am speaking of Al Sharpton. Barack Obam is a poke in Al Sharpton’s bigoted eye. Even setting Imus aside, Sharpton runs around the country, as he […]
9Jan2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Take That! Al Sharpton | Continued
Obama fulfills Martin Luther King’s Dream
Son, Win or lose, Obama has fulfilled the dream of Martin Luther King, Jr. I will quote some of that famous mastery or oratory here: “…I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident; that […]
9Jan2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Obama fulfills Martin Luther King’s Dream | Continued
Chris Matthews and Dee Dee Myers
Son, Chris Matthews has made a fool of himself again – he will never admit it – but that is what he does. Dee Dee Myers, the press secretary under Bill Clinton, said that one year ago Hillary Clinton was not billed as the front runner. She claimed that the success of her campaign put […]
9Jan2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | 3 comments | Continued
The Fresh Innocence of Obama
Son, What is it about Obama that has stirred the populace. Certainly he is young and handsome and well spoken. He is charming and he understands how to draw the crowd in. But the other candidates continue to point out his relative inexperience. My notion is that the other candidates inadvertently promote him in a […]
9Jan2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on The Fresh Innocence of Obama | Continued
Evangelicals and Israel
Son, I am so disgusted with American Evangelicals. They speak of ‘The security of Israel.’ Perhaps they should read the Old Testament. There are a number of biblically documented times when Israel was conquered, defeated, defiled, and the people exiled. Why? In each case it was because the folks there were not following the rules […]
9Jan2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Evangelicals and Israel | Continued
actions and impact
Dad, I have been considering the impact that our words have on others, both in conversation and in this online magazine, and trying to figure out how much we should evaluate our words and actions out of respect for others. I have been attending the School for Lay Ministries with the Methodist Church for a […]
8Jan2008 | bryan | 1 comment | Continued
Bambi Obama
Son, Barack Obama has been anointed. Personally I am happy for him and for our country. But when a super star rises and the people rally – objective politics is endangered. Who wants to shoot Bambi? Dad An afterthought – I wrote the above post with on a whim. It had already been posted when […]
8Jan2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Bambi Obama | Continued
New England Patriots – love or hate
Son, The New England Patriots have completed the regular season with a perfect 16 – 0 record. Congratulations. But like many things in life – people have an emotional response. Football is a sport that requires talent on the field and emotion in the stadium. My emotions say, please don’t win it all. The only […]
8Jan2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | 3 comments | Continued
Bush – the Jimmy Carter of Republicans
Son, We should thank George Bush. He is the Jimmy Carter of Republicans. People talk about the Reagan Revolution – it was really the anti-Carter Revolution. Bush has led this country to a new revolution. His hard line on everything has highlighted the fundamental problem with being hard line. He has highlighted the fundamental problem […]
8Jan2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Bush – the Jimmy Carter of Republicans | Continued
For Whom The Bell Tolls
Son, No demographic is an island, intire of it self; every demographic is a piece of the Continent, a part of the maine; if a Clod bee washed away by the Political Parties, American is the less, as well as if a promontorie were, as well as if a Mannor of thy friends or of […]
8Jan2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on For Whom The Bell Tolls | Continued
General Mood versus Individual Issues
Son, Statistics rule. The current political campaign for President highlights this truth. All of us pundits have been somewhat befuddled. But not as befuddled as the candidates themselves. Hillary Clinton has the most exhaustive list of issues and answers to the issues – yet she is struggling for support. Romney has taken traditional and well […]
7Jan2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on General Mood versus Individual Issues | Continued
Death Penalty Politics
Son, Government has many responsibilities. The preamble to the constitution mentions ‘domestic tranquility” as one. What does that mean – generally we think of maintaining order in a civilized manner. And we maintain order with the rule of law. The rule of law is much better than the rule of Monarchy or dictatorship, or no […]
7Jan2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Death Penalty Politics | Continued
Leader or Expert – Choosing a President
Son, Mitt Romney claims that leadership is more important than expertise on topic. “They are looking for judgment, wisdom, willingness to reach out to others, gaining the right information to make choices… Instead of asking who has the most expertise we should be asking who has the most executive leadership experience…. ” Very interesting points. […]
7Jan2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | 3 comments | Continued
Prose and Poetry in Politics
Son, Art and science are different but compatible. These two disciplines must each be mastered by presidential candidates. There is a science to politics, but good politics rises to an art form. The successful candidate will be the person who best masters the art. The science can be hired out. Art is a […]
7Jan2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Prose and Poetry in Politics | Continued
Representing US to the World
Son, We live in a Republic. Our government represents us. Taxes, infrastructure, social justice, law, common defense – all of that traditional stuff. Stuff that is defined in the preamble to our constitution. But we live today in a global community. Someone has to represent us to the world. That someone is the President. […]
6Jan2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Representing US to the World | Continued
Obama Rising
Son, Success is often dependent on understanding environment, on understanding culture, being willing to take a chance, and having a little patience. Success requires paying attention and being nurturing. Success requires purposeful deliberation. Barack Obama has these qualities. A good chef knows that his product is dependent on all of these qualities. So does a […]
6Jan2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Obama Rising | Continued
Sculpting with Trees
Son, The past three years I have planted seven Redbud trees. They were all about a foot tall when first planted. I like Redbuds because they grow pretty fast – and that suits my need to sculpt them. They are now about twelve fee tall. Every winter, when the leaves are gone and the sap […]
5Jan2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Sculpting with Trees | Continued
A Personal Understanding of Racism
Son, I grew up in a segregated America. My parents would have qualified as third generation hillbillies who came to town to work. We lived in a mixed race neighborhood in an inner city. Those were days when a fist fight on the corner was just that – no one pulled out a knife or […]
5Jan2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | 1 comment | Continued
New Hampshire Gender Factor
Son, I don’t believe it. Not this time. Not in 2008. The pundits are trying to analyze the prospects of the candidates in terms of old ideas. Statistically, which means historically, demographics help predict outcomes. Not this time. Tim Russert was on NBC News tonight – preaching the same old stuff. “…New Hampshire has […]
5Jan2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on New Hampshire Gender Factor | Continued
An American Revolution – 2008
Son, We are in a time of flux. This is a difficult time for statisticians. The Media Pundits are dissecting the Iowa statistics, trying to make sense of demographics and results. Some say Obama is about generational issues. Clinton is about gender. Edwards about populism. Huckabee about evangelism. This is not a time when these […]
4Jan2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | 3 comments | Continued