Ronald Reagan, A Great American

The Greatest President of  My Lifetime

I couldn't let the day pass without mentioning the 40th President of the United States, Ronald Wilson Reagan. President Reagan would have 100 years old today. Ronald Reagan was a man who came along when his country was in desperate need of a leader after the travesty that was the Carter Presidency. Ronald Reagan believed in the exceptionalism of the American people and he reminded us of that on a near daily basis. Because of this great man's optimism, the United States once again became a proud country. When the bad guys, like Russia, felt like they could jack with the US, Reagan was quick to remind them that we would kick their ass if it was necessary to the plot. "If you can't make them see the light, then make them feel the heat". Our adversaries around the world knew that Reagan meant business and the President's resolve was never questioned by those who would do us harm.

I was lucky enough to see the President make a speech at a layover in Roswell, New Mexico in 1982 (I think). There were hundreds of ordinary Americans on hand to hear what an extraordinary man had to say to us on that day. He did not disappoint. He told us how lucky we were to live in the greatest country in history, and then he reminded us that it was men and women just like us who made this country the envy of the world. Ronald Reagan had a knack of motivating ordinary citizens to do extraordinary things.

I could go on and link to all kinds of sources that would back up what I am saying here, but it's not really needed when talking about Ronald Reagan. We knew him and he knew us. He was us and we were him. I will link to one speech that clearly shows that Ronald Reagan was a man ahead of his times. If you can listen to this incredible oratory and not feel proud of this country, then I'll buy you a bus ticket to Canada or Mexico. 

"A Time for Choosing".  Download it and save it. You'll thank me later.

God bless Ronald Reagan and may God continue to bless the United States of America.

Best of Three States Plus One

This was first posted on August 20, 2010. And it's still damn funny. 

Toby 

A couple of days ago I wrote about impending doom a much overdue visit from my Mother-in-Law. As it turns out, there is a God!!!!, she had to postpone her trip by the Grace of The Almighty  due to car trouble. This turn of events caused  me to do cartwheels my wife great sadness and despair. I thought I was safe from all that is evil and wrong with the world. I.Was.Wrong. My weekend of sloth and gluttony has turned into The Weekend From Hell. I know you married guys are wondering, "How could a nice weekend of sloth and gluttony turn into a weekend from hell, when your Mother-in-Law is 200 miles away having car trouble and can't come to torture and degrade you visit?" Let me 'splain. Although I'm happier than a stoned fat kid at a McDonald's all you can eat buffet saddened my M-I-L can't make it, a fate worse than paying alimony to an ex-wife that married a plastic surgeon has befallen me. I.Have.To.Go.Back.To.School.Shopping.! But wait! There's more! I am (or should be) committed... to attend a baby shower! Don't get me wrong, as a father of four (ages 3-31, God help me), I love kids, I really do (especially with a little salt and mustard....rimshot). But, less than a month before my 54th birthday, I thought my days of going to baby showers were over! At least until my own daughters had babies. But my wife threatened me with unspeakable acts of violence asked me nicely to go, so I said OK. Upon further review, I never thought I'd miss my Mother-in-Law, but I do. Go figure. Anyway...posting will be sporadic, at best, today for the previously mentioned reasons. Rummage through the archives because there's lots mof stuff in there and I'm sure you'll find something that'll make you say to yourself, "That's 10 minutes of my life I'll never get back". But it's Friday, what a better way to kill time at work than to read some worthless drivel potential Pulitzer Prize-winning social commentary? Here are a few of my popular posts from the recent past:

•  Texas Tidbits : Fort Worth - Ah Luv Yew
• Plus One :Tennessee - The Volunteer State 
• Maine Minutiae : Fat Guy Convention, Sardine Drop, Bingo & Ed McMahon
• Colorado Chronicles : Colorado Springs