Many years ago some people of ill repute were branded with what was known as the “Scarlett Letter.” The purpose was to shame them before their neighbors. The shame was to be their punishment. Some were put into “stocks” as a display of their shame. Many of our laws were based on the idea that if a perpetrator were shamed by his action, that shame would also serve as a part of his punishment. When I was growing up, my mother often used words like “Shame on you,” and “Aren’t you ashamed of yourself?” Those were cutting words and they were effective.
I bring this up because of the recent revelations in the news about Congressman Anthony Weiner. You all know the story about his exchanging lewd photos and messages with people in cyberspace not knowing whether he was sending them to women, men, children, or possibly even vice cops. All this while he was a married man and a sitting Member of Congress. When discovered, he tried to cover up the mess by lying, but to no avail. I watched as he “apologized” to every one in the world as well as his wife. In all his stammering monologue however, I did not hear anything about his shame. How could one put on a press conference in light of these accusations and not be so ashamed that he would be unable to speak?
Just a few years ago in Japan, he would have been forced by tradition to commit “Hari Kari.” Even here in America he would have been laughed off the stage. He certainly would not have had a job to return to. What has happened to us as a country?
I saw a poll that was just conducted in New York whereby 51% of the respondents think he should not have to resign. What? Has this sort of activity become so common that it is acceptable with elected representatives? Do we not expect more of our so called leaders?
Bill Clinton, instead of becoming a problem for the Democrats, has become their standard bearer. Charlie Rangel was re-elected by a landslide. Elliott Spitzer now has a TV show. While I am naming Democrats, Republicans also have their share of idiots and morons. From Nevada’s Ensign to California’s Governator as well as countless others, it seems shamelessness is no respecter of political affiliation.
We have all heard the standard excuses that people in power have extreme appetites. They are also described as gregarious and egotistical. I have my own descriptions. How about arrogant? How about the belief that they are above the law? Another thought that comes to mind is maybe they are just plain stupid.
You may ask, “If Weiner’s constituency is willing to accept his misdeeds, why should I care?” That is a fair question. My answer would be that, while he does represent a small number of New Yorkers, his actions as a Congressman affect all of us. As a proven liar, he is not trustworthy. He should not have a security clearance. He should not have access to State Secrets. Simply stated, he cannot be trusted.
Finally he has become a big problem for the Democrat party. That doesn’t bother me but it should bother that group as they face an uphill battle to just exist as well as try to grow their numbers in the Congress. Weiner should be shamed out of Congress for the good of the country and all future such incidents should be dealt with in a similar fashion.
Ron Scarbro June 8, 2011
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Sunday, June 5, 2011
OBSERVATIONS FROM OUR NEW HOME
Well, we have arrived in our new home on St. Simons Island, Georgia. I thought I would share with you some observations as we have noted them.
First, on our arrival our daughter and a friend brought us a house warming gift. The gift consisted of a bouquet of flowers and a basket including a fly swatter and a can of Raid ant and roach killer. There seemed to be a message here. Apparently this is the home of red ants. Now these are not like normal ants. No, they swarm and they bite. I am told it is a very painful experience. Secondly, the roaches are also different from what you might expect. Some of them can be saddled and ridden. When you discover them they don’t scurry away. No, they want to stand and fight. They seem to dare you to take them on. They are referred to as “Palmetto Bugs.” How quaint. I will have more to report on that issue later as I experience them.
Some of you may remember that I had previously reported on the language of the South. For example, I reported that the plural of the term y’all is all y’all. I have now learned that the possessive form of this term is y’all’s and all y’all’s. Y’all can and does refer to as few as one individual or to many individuals. Also, a new word I have learned is “n’” as in shrimp n’ grits, or biscuits n’ gravy. We are confident that we will learn these new words as well as others. It is important to learn the language of a new place. We don’t want to look conspicuous.
How about the weather? Of course one of the main considerations to us in moving here was the weather. I read in the paper the forecast for the weekend. It read hot and hotter. No temperatures, no numbers, just hot and hotter. As it turns out, they were right. We are supposed to be in the middle 90s with corresponding high humidity. That is going to take a little getting used to. This winter though, when you are in the single digits or lower, we should be in the 60s and 70s. I’ll let you know.
The main reason for our move, however, was not the language or the weather, and certainly not the bugs or snakes. No, the main reason was to be closer to our family, mainly our grandchildren. They live an hour away. Linda and I look forward to spending more time with them, especially holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas. It is our opinion that we need that and we believe that our grandchildren need that. I have Grandpa things to teach and share with them. They surely have grandkid things to share with me. We look forward to watching them grow up and become adults. We hope to be a positive influence in their lives. I think today’s world is difficult. There are many challenges to young people. While we don’t have all the answers, it is just possible that we may have had some experiences that might help our kids through a difficult situation. Otherwise, failing that, we may just take a picnic to the beach and talk about it. At any rate we will have the opportunity to try and be helpful.
I will continue to comment as time goes on. My columns will return to the politics of the day as we go forward. I hope the fishing is getting better for all y’all as the weather improves, oh, and watch out for snakes and ants.
Ron Scarbro June 5, 2011
First, on our arrival our daughter and a friend brought us a house warming gift. The gift consisted of a bouquet of flowers and a basket including a fly swatter and a can of Raid ant and roach killer. There seemed to be a message here. Apparently this is the home of red ants. Now these are not like normal ants. No, they swarm and they bite. I am told it is a very painful experience. Secondly, the roaches are also different from what you might expect. Some of them can be saddled and ridden. When you discover them they don’t scurry away. No, they want to stand and fight. They seem to dare you to take them on. They are referred to as “Palmetto Bugs.” How quaint. I will have more to report on that issue later as I experience them.
Some of you may remember that I had previously reported on the language of the South. For example, I reported that the plural of the term y’all is all y’all. I have now learned that the possessive form of this term is y’all’s and all y’all’s. Y’all can and does refer to as few as one individual or to many individuals. Also, a new word I have learned is “n’” as in shrimp n’ grits, or biscuits n’ gravy. We are confident that we will learn these new words as well as others. It is important to learn the language of a new place. We don’t want to look conspicuous.
How about the weather? Of course one of the main considerations to us in moving here was the weather. I read in the paper the forecast for the weekend. It read hot and hotter. No temperatures, no numbers, just hot and hotter. As it turns out, they were right. We are supposed to be in the middle 90s with corresponding high humidity. That is going to take a little getting used to. This winter though, when you are in the single digits or lower, we should be in the 60s and 70s. I’ll let you know.
The main reason for our move, however, was not the language or the weather, and certainly not the bugs or snakes. No, the main reason was to be closer to our family, mainly our grandchildren. They live an hour away. Linda and I look forward to spending more time with them, especially holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas. It is our opinion that we need that and we believe that our grandchildren need that. I have Grandpa things to teach and share with them. They surely have grandkid things to share with me. We look forward to watching them grow up and become adults. We hope to be a positive influence in their lives. I think today’s world is difficult. There are many challenges to young people. While we don’t have all the answers, it is just possible that we may have had some experiences that might help our kids through a difficult situation. Otherwise, failing that, we may just take a picnic to the beach and talk about it. At any rate we will have the opportunity to try and be helpful.
I will continue to comment as time goes on. My columns will return to the politics of the day as we go forward. I hope the fishing is getting better for all y’all as the weather improves, oh, and watch out for snakes and ants.
Ron Scarbro June 5, 2011
Friday, May 6, 2011
MEMORIES OF MY MOTHER
This is the story of Granny June as she was to become known in her later years. Like all mothers she touched many lives in her time on earth. Her life and her story were simple but at the same time profound.
She married as a young teenager. Barely more than a child herself, she had three babies by age twenty-two. All three were boys with me the middle one. She went on to have a daughter a few years later. She was a country girl with a very limited education. Very soon all three of her sons towered over her. That didn’t matter though because size did not matter. She ruled with an iron fist. Had she lived, she would have been ninety-two this month.
As I contemplate this Mother’s Day, my thoughts go back to the simpler time in my parent’s home. While it was many years ago, it truly seems like just the other day. My hope is that this column brings back memories of your mother on this special day.
She made sure that we were in church every Sunday morning and evening as well as Wednesday night prayer meeting. There was never any liquor in our house or even beer for that matter. Off color language was forbidden.
She was a marvelous cook. In fact you might even say she was a magician in the kitchen. That was good because we were definitely dirt poor. Her magic was to take a little and make a lot out of it. You may remember the Bible story of the loaves and the fishes? I think of that when I remember how she would take a scrawny little fryer chicken and make a chicken pot pie that was about two feet in diameter. The strangest part of that was that everyone who ate the pie actually thought they had eaten chicken. That pot pie would feed at least six starving people, four of whom were growing kids with hollow legs. I can still taste the cobblers and cakes she would create. What great memories.
She taught me to read well before I ever attended school. She taught me to drive a car at a very early age. She also insisted that I learn to cook for myself because, as she used to say, she didn’t want me to starve.
All of this while she was pretty much a child herself. In fact you could say that we all grew up together.
While she died a few years ago, I still see her face when I look at my daughter and my granddaughter. My hope is that I have left for them some of the values that were left for me.
As we recognize this Mother’s Day, I ask that you cherish your time with your mother if you still have her with you. If, like me, she has passed on, cherish the memories of her. I know today, whatever I have become as a man, is the direct result of a precious mother who gave her all, did her best, and always expected the absolute best result.
Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers out there and a special Happy Mother’s Day to my late mother.
Ron Scarbro May 2, 2011
She married as a young teenager. Barely more than a child herself, she had three babies by age twenty-two. All three were boys with me the middle one. She went on to have a daughter a few years later. She was a country girl with a very limited education. Very soon all three of her sons towered over her. That didn’t matter though because size did not matter. She ruled with an iron fist. Had she lived, she would have been ninety-two this month.
As I contemplate this Mother’s Day, my thoughts go back to the simpler time in my parent’s home. While it was many years ago, it truly seems like just the other day. My hope is that this column brings back memories of your mother on this special day.
She made sure that we were in church every Sunday morning and evening as well as Wednesday night prayer meeting. There was never any liquor in our house or even beer for that matter. Off color language was forbidden.
She was a marvelous cook. In fact you might even say she was a magician in the kitchen. That was good because we were definitely dirt poor. Her magic was to take a little and make a lot out of it. You may remember the Bible story of the loaves and the fishes? I think of that when I remember how she would take a scrawny little fryer chicken and make a chicken pot pie that was about two feet in diameter. The strangest part of that was that everyone who ate the pie actually thought they had eaten chicken. That pot pie would feed at least six starving people, four of whom were growing kids with hollow legs. I can still taste the cobblers and cakes she would create. What great memories.
She taught me to read well before I ever attended school. She taught me to drive a car at a very early age. She also insisted that I learn to cook for myself because, as she used to say, she didn’t want me to starve.
All of this while she was pretty much a child herself. In fact you could say that we all grew up together.
While she died a few years ago, I still see her face when I look at my daughter and my granddaughter. My hope is that I have left for them some of the values that were left for me.
As we recognize this Mother’s Day, I ask that you cherish your time with your mother if you still have her with you. If, like me, she has passed on, cherish the memories of her. I know today, whatever I have become as a man, is the direct result of a precious mother who gave her all, did her best, and always expected the absolute best result.
Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers out there and a special Happy Mother’s Day to my late mother.
Ron Scarbro May 2, 2011
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
BITS AND PIECES FROM THE NEWS
The state of Georgia has passed a new law that makes the Arizona immigration law look weak. Did you hear anything in the news about this? If you are in Georgia illegally and you are stopped by the police for any reason, you had better have available identification showing that you are in fact an American citizen or at least in this country legally or you are in trouble. If you are an employer in the state of Georgia and you employ anyone, they had better be legally able to be in America or you are in trouble. Did you hear anything about this in the national media? Probably not. Several other states are also working on similar legislation.
What you probably heard was that President Obama brought together a group of individuals who were purportedly gathered for the purpose of finding a solution to the illegal immigration problem. The group did not include any of the border state Governors who are directly affected by the illegal entry of people from all over the world. No, it was a group of liberal apologists who seemed to be looking for a way to grant amnesty to these illegals without bringing down the wrath of the American people. For some reason one political party seems to think that if illegals are granted immunity they will suddenly become voters for that party. What do you think? As for the big conference, nothing new seems to have come from the event. I think this is called kicking the can down the road.
Meanwhile Senator John McCain traveled to Libya and pronounced that the anti-government rebel fighters were his heroes. He also proffered the opinion that we should further arm them and help in their fight against Moammar Gaddafi. I hope he knows something that the rest of us haven’t learned yet. Like who are these people and who is financing them and what is their ultimate objective? I think a little skepticism might be in order until we know more.
In the rest of the Middle East rebellion is breaking out almost as if by magic. Egypt, Yemen, Libya, and now Syria. Who knows what is next? Are these legitimate freedom fighters or are these groups who will bring about a bigger problem than exists now?
Of course we all will know more as this continues to develop. I hope it is legitimate. I hope their objective is honorable. I hope that the Middle East joins the twenty-first century. If so, the world will be a safer place. Time will tell.
Let’s talk about gasoline prices. Four dollars a gallon and headed higher. Do you think Obama and Biden are in cahoots with the big oil companies? The media decided that during the Bush administration high gasoline prices were the work of the Bush/Chaney/Big Oil cartel. The press now seems strangely quiet on the issue. Does that seem odd to you? Regardless of the reason, the price of everything is headed up and by a lot. Fossil fuel moves everything in this country and will continue to. This current administration needs to understand this, skip the fantasy, and get on with drilling. Perhaps someday other forms of energy will take the place of oil but for now the reality is we must have an increased supply. Deal with it. Meanwhile, social security recipients will not get an increase because the head of that agency doesn’t think prices have increased. Really? I am not making this stuff up.
Finally, sixteen states have sued the Government over Obamacare. The cases will ultimately be in the Supreme Court for final judgement. I believe the law will be found unconstitutional and will be invalidated. Until then states will spend millions preparing for a situation which will be overturned by the Court. No reading of the Constitution could find any other way.
Sometimes I wish I was making this stuff up, but facts are facts. I report, you decide.
Ron Scarbro April 26, 2011
What you probably heard was that President Obama brought together a group of individuals who were purportedly gathered for the purpose of finding a solution to the illegal immigration problem. The group did not include any of the border state Governors who are directly affected by the illegal entry of people from all over the world. No, it was a group of liberal apologists who seemed to be looking for a way to grant amnesty to these illegals without bringing down the wrath of the American people. For some reason one political party seems to think that if illegals are granted immunity they will suddenly become voters for that party. What do you think? As for the big conference, nothing new seems to have come from the event. I think this is called kicking the can down the road.
Meanwhile Senator John McCain traveled to Libya and pronounced that the anti-government rebel fighters were his heroes. He also proffered the opinion that we should further arm them and help in their fight against Moammar Gaddafi. I hope he knows something that the rest of us haven’t learned yet. Like who are these people and who is financing them and what is their ultimate objective? I think a little skepticism might be in order until we know more.
In the rest of the Middle East rebellion is breaking out almost as if by magic. Egypt, Yemen, Libya, and now Syria. Who knows what is next? Are these legitimate freedom fighters or are these groups who will bring about a bigger problem than exists now?
Of course we all will know more as this continues to develop. I hope it is legitimate. I hope their objective is honorable. I hope that the Middle East joins the twenty-first century. If so, the world will be a safer place. Time will tell.
Let’s talk about gasoline prices. Four dollars a gallon and headed higher. Do you think Obama and Biden are in cahoots with the big oil companies? The media decided that during the Bush administration high gasoline prices were the work of the Bush/Chaney/Big Oil cartel. The press now seems strangely quiet on the issue. Does that seem odd to you? Regardless of the reason, the price of everything is headed up and by a lot. Fossil fuel moves everything in this country and will continue to. This current administration needs to understand this, skip the fantasy, and get on with drilling. Perhaps someday other forms of energy will take the place of oil but for now the reality is we must have an increased supply. Deal with it. Meanwhile, social security recipients will not get an increase because the head of that agency doesn’t think prices have increased. Really? I am not making this stuff up.
Finally, sixteen states have sued the Government over Obamacare. The cases will ultimately be in the Supreme Court for final judgement. I believe the law will be found unconstitutional and will be invalidated. Until then states will spend millions preparing for a situation which will be overturned by the Court. No reading of the Constitution could find any other way.
Sometimes I wish I was making this stuff up, but facts are facts. I report, you decide.
Ron Scarbro April 26, 2011
Sunday, April 3, 2011
IS SOCIAL SECURITY AN ENTITLEMENT?
I have been in Florida for the past few weeks and the news is out. Social Security expects to increase by a paltry 1.2% for the next year. The problem is, the cost of medicare will rise above that amount which means for the third year in a row there will be no increase in benefits to the millions of seniors who depend on their checks for survival. Here in Florida where the average age is considerably higher than the rest of the country, the news has been devastating.
Just last week the head of the Social Security Administration described the reason there would be no increase. His conclusion is that there is no inflation. His belief is that prices are not really going up. Apparently the rising cost of fuel, food, medical care, clothing, services, transportation, and all of the other things you and I spend money on is just our imagination. He seems to believe that Social Security recipients are in better shape today than they have ever been. I have a question. What planet is this moron living on? Does he go to the grocery store? Does he buy his own gasoline? I find that virtually everything my wife and I buy is going up and not by just a little but by a lot.
Social Security is called an entitlement. I believe that calling it that makes it easier for our elected leaders to treat it as some sort of welfare. As I have written before, Social Security is a contractual debt owed by the Federal Government to me as well as all those who have paid into this fund and have reached the age where that payment is due. It is not a gift to be doled out and treated as if it were some sort of privilege. It is instead a debt owed to the recipients just as cost of living increases are owed by the government. We never had a choice of whether or not to invest in Social Security. Our wages were hijacked by the government. Now the debt is called and payment is due. Don’t fall for the notion that senior citizens are some sort of dependents waiting with hat in hand for the largess of the plantation owner to take care of us. Nonsense. We are creditors and we demand to be paid our just and proper return.
I learned that the Social Security Administration has until the end of September to determine whether or not there will be a COLA increase for this year. You and I need to make sure our employees, our Congresspeople, hear our thoughts and know clearly where we stand regarding this debt owed by the government. They need to understand that we will not be passive any longer. It is not welfare. It belongs to us. Past congresses have raided and stolen from our funds and now the chickens are coming home to roost. The reality is that many seniors are living an entire year on less than just the raise Congress voted for themselves. Our elected representatives should be ashamed. Imagine, if you will, how different this all would be if Congresspeople had to follow the same rules as everybody else.
If Congress insists on calling Social Security an entitlement then know this. Entitlement means I own title to this fund. I bought it and therefore I own it, just like you do. Having reached the age whereby that fund has to start paying me back for my lifetime of investing, I expect no less than precisely that.
Ron Scarbro April 4, 2011
Just last week the head of the Social Security Administration described the reason there would be no increase. His conclusion is that there is no inflation. His belief is that prices are not really going up. Apparently the rising cost of fuel, food, medical care, clothing, services, transportation, and all of the other things you and I spend money on is just our imagination. He seems to believe that Social Security recipients are in better shape today than they have ever been. I have a question. What planet is this moron living on? Does he go to the grocery store? Does he buy his own gasoline? I find that virtually everything my wife and I buy is going up and not by just a little but by a lot.
Social Security is called an entitlement. I believe that calling it that makes it easier for our elected leaders to treat it as some sort of welfare. As I have written before, Social Security is a contractual debt owed by the Federal Government to me as well as all those who have paid into this fund and have reached the age where that payment is due. It is not a gift to be doled out and treated as if it were some sort of privilege. It is instead a debt owed to the recipients just as cost of living increases are owed by the government. We never had a choice of whether or not to invest in Social Security. Our wages were hijacked by the government. Now the debt is called and payment is due. Don’t fall for the notion that senior citizens are some sort of dependents waiting with hat in hand for the largess of the plantation owner to take care of us. Nonsense. We are creditors and we demand to be paid our just and proper return.
I learned that the Social Security Administration has until the end of September to determine whether or not there will be a COLA increase for this year. You and I need to make sure our employees, our Congresspeople, hear our thoughts and know clearly where we stand regarding this debt owed by the government. They need to understand that we will not be passive any longer. It is not welfare. It belongs to us. Past congresses have raided and stolen from our funds and now the chickens are coming home to roost. The reality is that many seniors are living an entire year on less than just the raise Congress voted for themselves. Our elected representatives should be ashamed. Imagine, if you will, how different this all would be if Congresspeople had to follow the same rules as everybody else.
If Congress insists on calling Social Security an entitlement then know this. Entitlement means I own title to this fund. I bought it and therefore I own it, just like you do. Having reached the age whereby that fund has to start paying me back for my lifetime of investing, I expect no less than precisely that.
Ron Scarbro April 4, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
ARE WE INVOLVED OR ARE WE COMMITTED?
You may have heard this analogy before. We used it back years ago in business during sales meetings. The question was, “Are you involved with the problem, or are you committed to its solution?” The analogy is the bacon and egg breakfast. In such a breakfast the hen has an involvement, but the pig has a commitment.
I think of this when I consider our bombing of Libya. Are we just involved or do we have a commitment? It’s a fair question when one considers our current use of military forces in two on-going wars. Wars which have been going on for more than ten years now as we have previously reported. Ten years and no end in sight. Are we in those wars as just an involvement or are we committed?
War, by its only definition is an all out affair. It is an unlimited act. For us to be involved must mean that we are committed to win. There is no other reason to bomb and kill thousands of people.
Where Libya is concerned, we are now being told that our commitment is over. We took out Gadhafi’s ability to fight so we can wrap up and go back to other wars. We are told that we will not send in ground troops. I hope that is true.
So, where is this discussion headed? What do you think is going on? Is it an accident that virtually the entire Middle East is rising up and attempting to throw off the oppression of their dictatorial leaders and live as democracys? Is that what we are seeing? I hope so, but I am a bit skeptical. Why, after thousands of years, are the people suddenly demanding freedom? Who is behind all of this? Is this a religious uprising or is this truly an uprising of people wanting to be free? Who is financing this? Where and when will it all end? Will a new Middle East come out of this unrest with a desire to join the twentieth century, participating in the modern world? Again, I hope so.
Even with all the questions, we still have serious interests in the Middle East. Primarily oil. Since we refuse to drill for our own oil and produce our own energy in our own country, we continue to need the oil of the Middle East. It is in our interest that oil continues to flow. In my view that is the reason for our involvement not only in Libya or Afghanistan, but all over the Middle East.
It should be clear to even the most devout liberal that our liberal President Obama has to keep the oil flowing. It is not a choice, it is a requirement. If that means bombing countries like Libya, then so be it. Reasons and excuses will be offered but the real reason is oil. Our economy, and for that matter the economies of the world, depend on oil. They have it and we need it. Imagine how much simpler this all would be if we just got off our duffs and drilled and produced our own oil, but I digress.
So, are we involved, or are we truly committed? Do we have the will and the stomach to face reality and produce our own energy? Do we have the will and the stomach to end our wars in the Middle East, or will we just continue to be involved? As I have said before, the only way a war can end is with a winner and a loser. What we are doing now is just spending military forces and millions of our treasure to keep the game going. We need a commitment. We have the ability. We have the weaponry. The question is, do we have the will?
Are we the chicken or are we the pig?
Ron Scarbro March 29, 2011
I think of this when I consider our bombing of Libya. Are we just involved or do we have a commitment? It’s a fair question when one considers our current use of military forces in two on-going wars. Wars which have been going on for more than ten years now as we have previously reported. Ten years and no end in sight. Are we in those wars as just an involvement or are we committed?
War, by its only definition is an all out affair. It is an unlimited act. For us to be involved must mean that we are committed to win. There is no other reason to bomb and kill thousands of people.
Where Libya is concerned, we are now being told that our commitment is over. We took out Gadhafi’s ability to fight so we can wrap up and go back to other wars. We are told that we will not send in ground troops. I hope that is true.
So, where is this discussion headed? What do you think is going on? Is it an accident that virtually the entire Middle East is rising up and attempting to throw off the oppression of their dictatorial leaders and live as democracys? Is that what we are seeing? I hope so, but I am a bit skeptical. Why, after thousands of years, are the people suddenly demanding freedom? Who is behind all of this? Is this a religious uprising or is this truly an uprising of people wanting to be free? Who is financing this? Where and when will it all end? Will a new Middle East come out of this unrest with a desire to join the twentieth century, participating in the modern world? Again, I hope so.
Even with all the questions, we still have serious interests in the Middle East. Primarily oil. Since we refuse to drill for our own oil and produce our own energy in our own country, we continue to need the oil of the Middle East. It is in our interest that oil continues to flow. In my view that is the reason for our involvement not only in Libya or Afghanistan, but all over the Middle East.
It should be clear to even the most devout liberal that our liberal President Obama has to keep the oil flowing. It is not a choice, it is a requirement. If that means bombing countries like Libya, then so be it. Reasons and excuses will be offered but the real reason is oil. Our economy, and for that matter the economies of the world, depend on oil. They have it and we need it. Imagine how much simpler this all would be if we just got off our duffs and drilled and produced our own oil, but I digress.
So, are we involved, or are we truly committed? Do we have the will and the stomach to face reality and produce our own energy? Do we have the will and the stomach to end our wars in the Middle East, or will we just continue to be involved? As I have said before, the only way a war can end is with a winner and a loser. What we are doing now is just spending military forces and millions of our treasure to keep the game going. We need a commitment. We have the ability. We have the weaponry. The question is, do we have the will?
Are we the chicken or are we the pig?
Ron Scarbro March 29, 2011
Friday, March 18, 2011
VISITING THE SMALL TOWN CAFE
My wife and I are currently on a road trip. We often travel to the south to visit our daughter and our grandchildren. From time to time we try to find new routes to travel so that we may see and experience new territory. We try always, however, to stop in South Beloit, Illinois. Our primary reasons are, number one, it is about as far as we like to drive in one day and the second reason is a little cafe known as Mary’s Place. We accidentally found this gem several years ago on just such a trip south.
Mary’s is a small town cafe where everybody knows everybody. The food is wonderful and the prices are very reasonable. From our first experience, we enjoyed the place. It seems the same people are always there. The customers get up and help the waitresses. They help bus the tables and refill coffee cups. The conversation is never ending. Whenever any person comes in, it seems everybody greets them. Large gatherings occur as tables are pulled together. You overhear discussions about politics, national issues, local issues, and of course gossip about whomever might not be there. You hear about someone who is sick. You learn about their children and all they are facing. In other words, you hear Americana.
There are probably many such cafes and restaurants like Mary’s across this country, but I think they are a dying breed. The customers for such cafes seem to be older. People come for more than just the food. They come for the visits. They come to learn the latest gossip. They come because such cafes are friendly places where everybody feels at home. They also come to share their lives with their friends and neighbors. I know we have always felt welcome.
This column is not a commercial for Mary’s Place or for any other restaurant however. No, this is about what appears to be a disappearing part of American life.
Today’s young people seem to go to coffee shops and they bring their computers with them. They have ear phones in their ears. Their focus is never off their computer screens. They never talk with anybody else. All communication is electronic. They have thousands of on line “friends” whom they have never met. Inter-personal relationships are gone. All they know about these “friends” is what that individual has told them from the privacy of their own space.
Now I don’t want to be critical of this new social interchange, but I wonder if there isn’t something missing from such an arrangement. Is this new way the best way? Are these relationships as satisfying as face to face contact? Can true friendships be forged this way? As these young people age and mature will they not miss out on the companionship that our older generation has experienced? To me it seems a little sad. I wonder if, in the future, will a friend cry when a friend dies? I wonder.
In the meantime, we will continue to visit Mary’s Place whenever we are in South Beloit and we will continue to try to find other such cafes and restaurants across this great country in our travels. We will rejoice in the camaraderie we witness. We will continue to look for Americana and wonder if it will all change. I believe it would be sad if it disappears.
Ron Scarbro March 16, 2011
Mary’s is a small town cafe where everybody knows everybody. The food is wonderful and the prices are very reasonable. From our first experience, we enjoyed the place. It seems the same people are always there. The customers get up and help the waitresses. They help bus the tables and refill coffee cups. The conversation is never ending. Whenever any person comes in, it seems everybody greets them. Large gatherings occur as tables are pulled together. You overhear discussions about politics, national issues, local issues, and of course gossip about whomever might not be there. You hear about someone who is sick. You learn about their children and all they are facing. In other words, you hear Americana.
There are probably many such cafes and restaurants like Mary’s across this country, but I think they are a dying breed. The customers for such cafes seem to be older. People come for more than just the food. They come for the visits. They come to learn the latest gossip. They come because such cafes are friendly places where everybody feels at home. They also come to share their lives with their friends and neighbors. I know we have always felt welcome.
This column is not a commercial for Mary’s Place or for any other restaurant however. No, this is about what appears to be a disappearing part of American life.
Today’s young people seem to go to coffee shops and they bring their computers with them. They have ear phones in their ears. Their focus is never off their computer screens. They never talk with anybody else. All communication is electronic. They have thousands of on line “friends” whom they have never met. Inter-personal relationships are gone. All they know about these “friends” is what that individual has told them from the privacy of their own space.
Now I don’t want to be critical of this new social interchange, but I wonder if there isn’t something missing from such an arrangement. Is this new way the best way? Are these relationships as satisfying as face to face contact? Can true friendships be forged this way? As these young people age and mature will they not miss out on the companionship that our older generation has experienced? To me it seems a little sad. I wonder if, in the future, will a friend cry when a friend dies? I wonder.
In the meantime, we will continue to visit Mary’s Place whenever we are in South Beloit and we will continue to try to find other such cafes and restaurants across this great country in our travels. We will rejoice in the camaraderie we witness. We will continue to look for Americana and wonder if it will all change. I believe it would be sad if it disappears.
Ron Scarbro March 16, 2011
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