Nero Fiddled While Rome Burned....

Recently, the Mormon Times reported "James Dobson's Focus on the Family ministry has pulled from its CitizenLink Web site an article about talk show host Glenn Beck's book "The Christmas Sweater" after some complained that Beck's LDS faith is a "cult" and "false religion" and shouldn't be promoted by a Christian ministry."

I posted the following on the Focus on the Family website. My purpose is not to confront James Dobson or other Evangelicals on their doctrines. I hoped to challenge them to realize the danger of in-fighting and alienation of those who share family and other conservative values. Just after the election, I posted regarding the failure of conservatives to win any significant victories. I believe this event with Glenn Beck's book interview, is evidence that conservatives may as well give up and turn our lives over to secularist and social engineers, unless we are willing find and exploit good, wholesome, common purposes, and leave the disagreements on doctrines to another day and another forum. Even if it were true that Mormonism is a cult, everyone that knows the LDS Church, realizes it champions the family, marriage, and moral decency. All of these are central to Mr. Dobson's organization as well. Has evangelical Christianity amassed a sufficient body of supporters and string of moral successes, that it does not welcome more strength on these key issues? Do not all God-fearing people need the support and strength of other like-minded believers?

I had hoped that the recent presidential elections would have taught all conservatives and Christians, that we need to spend more time working together on common-ground issues. It is clear to me that without this cooperation, conservatism will be destroyed by factions and single-issue agenda groups. If your goal is to only work with people that agree with you on 100% of the issues, you will NEVER find enough support to defeat those who wish to destroy our constitution and religious freedoms. Your decision to remove Glenn Beck's interview from your website because of his being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, is a very disappointing and ultimately self-destructive act. Your bigotry and bias is a classic example of the reason Christians and conservatives failed to make in-roads during the presidential elections. Squabbling, arguing points of doctrine and methods of worship, will destroy from within.

Even the best of elected officials cannot, and will never, agree on 100% of their colleague's personal or political beliefs. However, for the good of the nation, they work together on common-ground issues, to which they can agree. Our democracy was created with the understanding that compromise and cooperation are required to run the affairs of the Nation. Democrats and liberals have shown they are willing to "hold their nose" on some issues, in order to further their general agenda. If Christians and conservatives don't learn to do the same, we will be just a 'sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal' back in some obscure, forgotten corner of the political landscape. We will be powerless to fend off even more daring and despicable legal maneuvers by evil and wicked men and institutions.

Your organization has repeatedly made it clear that you strongly disagree with doctrines of the LDS church. However, you were perfectly agreeable to the support of thousands of LDS members and the Church on the Proposition 8 battle in California. Is this an example of your integrity? When times are tough you'll take the help, but once the battle is won, you'll turn on your allies? Glenn Beck has been a champion of family, country, and liberty. His being a member of the LDS church, shouldn't be a justifiable reason to remove his interview from your website.

One thing I learned in the recent elections is that many people showed their true colors. The sheep's clothing was removed and the wolves were revealed. Did the Glenn Beck interview do the same for Focus on the Family and its blatant bigotry and hatred for others who don't exactly believe as you do? I hope not, but it appears to be so.

It's Just a Flesh Wound...

Like so many others, I’ve been thinking about the current state of our economic and political situation. It’s difficult to avoid, as we are bombarded with news and commentary from every side. Lately, an interesting thought hit me—regarding the motivations driving our national elected officials to make some of the choices they are making.

Ever since I was little, I always wanted to know “why.” This often got me into trouble as a youth. It was never good that my parents told me to accomplish some task. Instead of doing the task immediately, I made the mistake of demanding to know WHY it had to be done. I’ve not been cured of this aliment. Why do supposedly smart, intelligent adult US Representatives and Senators, make some of the decisions they are making? Why do they insist on doing things that have proven to be, or appear, by experience or common wisdom, to be stupid? Why do politicians end up getting arrested for graft and corruption? Why do we sometimes elect and re-elect these same people? As I pondered these things, something struck me....

In many ways, I have views that would be classified as Libertarian. Though I do not align myself with them, I do agree with the tenant of minimal government. When I see the power-grabbing and control that Congress is gleeful about assuming these days, I begin to ask “why?” I want to believe that those in the hallowed halls of the Legislative Branch, are motivated by altruism and servant-leadership. Unfortunately, what I see and sense, is they are acting out of something more self-serving and small. I think Congress needs us to need them. Or at least, they need to have attention. Wait, isn't there a psychological condition that is strangely similar?

“Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy…a mental illness in which a person [Congress] acts as if an individual [Country] he or she is caring for has a physical or mental illness [economic woes] when the person is not really sick [or bad as it seems].
MSP most often occurs with mothers [politicians] …who intentionally harm or describe non-existent symptoms in their children to get the attention given to the family of someone who is sick. A person with MSP uses the many hospitalizations [dire financial melt downs] as a way to earn praise from others for her devotion to the child’s care, often using the sick child as a means for developing a relationship with the doctor or other health care provider.”
People with MSP might create or exaggerate the child’s [our Nation’s] symptoms in several ways. They might simply lie about symptoms, alter diagnostic tests (such as contaminating a urine sample), falsify medical records, or induce symptoms through various means, such as poisoning, suffocating, starving, and causing infection .
Certain characteristics are common in a person with MSP:
Often is a parent, usually a mother [politician]
Might be a health care professional [Experts]
Is very friendly and cooperative with the health care providers
Appears quite concerned (some might seem overly concerned) about the child”
{From my.clevelandclinic.org/disorders/factitious_disorders/hic_munchausen_syndrome_by_proxy.aspx}
[bracketed items added by me]

Is this fair or a good analogy? Probably not, but it does make me wonder...just a little!

Upside-Down and Inside-Out

I know we are in tough times. Go anywhere, listen to any radio, TV, or friends in the office, and you hear the doom and gloom of our times. So much so, that I often don't even want to listen to the news. I used to play cops and robbers, cowboys and indians, and even pirates. Just a few months ago, I would not have believed that many adults in the world are actually still playing these games, they are called politicians, and they are getting paid to act like idiots! Of course something is a bit different than when I played the game-- roles have been turned upside-down; cops are the robbers, indians are putting the cowboys on reservations, and the pirates are winning!

I have to grab myself by the scruff of the neck and remember that the micro-currents of present events, is just that. Micro. We have so much access to information today that everything is magnified, examined, and deconstructed in excruciating details. Are things really as bad as the gleeful press describes? Or do they have a vested interest in exaggerating this bad news? Are they just reporting, or are they, perhaps, stirring the proverbial pot?

I don't know who said it, but there are moments when I agree with the little ditty "stop the world, I want to get off!" Of course, that will come to all of us, eventually, and permanently. I certainly don't want to hasten my time, but there are times when the crazy antics of the world's "adults" just astounds me!

No matter how dire the circumstances seem, they are NOT as bad as the news wants us to believe. We must not be taken in by the doom and wo that is being preached out there. Life is very, very good, especially for us, Americans. We need to step back, turn the binoculars around, and look through the wrong end for a little while, so we can reset our perspective, and be less negative, more grateful, and positive.

Onward Christian Soldiers

Warning, this post is full of biblical and religious references.

You know, too often, we Christians forget that ours is a world in which evil thrives. We don’t want to admit it because the nature of Christianity is to focus on the bright, beautiful, good, and joy that is in this world and the world to come. We are taught to be positive, hopeful, and loving to all that surrounds us. We are encouraged to see the good and divine in all of God’s children. However, along with the promise of blessings, are the warnings against evil, sin, darkness, and the author of all wickedness.

The Master said to Peter “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:” Paul told the Ephesians, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Don’t get me wrong; I’m not placing this at the feet of any particular person or organization out there today. I am suggesting that for too long, conservatives, including Christians, have been slow to recognize the impact of the open warfare that is being waged by evil. Yes, we can hate the sin, and still be able to love the sinner. When it is our neighbor, colleague, co-worker, children’s teacher, or family member who is engaging in destructive behavior, or supporting those who do, it becomes even harder to fight against sin, and still love the sinner. Many of us, will acquiesce and ‘accept’ or ‘tolerate’ the persons behavior, thinking we are loving the sinner.

Terrible things have happened through history, because some individuals with no morality, went unchecked by the moral and religious majority, until it was very late. Why does this happen? I’m not a professional sociologist, but my theory is that most good, decent people are unable to accept that others are capable of doing these unimaginable things. We see what happens, in all of its horrific splendor, but, instead of taking it for face-value, we say, “that just can’t be, no one would do that, we must have misunderstood what they said, or did; that would never happen here; we’re too good/strong to every let that happen.” When we hesitate, evil surges forward, setting up a new battle position. Then one day we realize that evil has been running around having its way. We find things like marriage being threatened to the core. These things didn’t happen overnight. They started with a little event, small happening, often many years ago, when good, moral people said “that just can’t be, and no one would do that…”

We’ve become victims of inaction, like the anecdote about how to boil a frog. Throw the frog in boiling water, and the frog will jump out. But, put the frog in a pot of cool water, and slowly heat it, and the frog will cook. Why? Because the change in temperature was so slight that it never was drastic, and the frog became adjusted to each change with little discomfort. The conservatives have stood by and watched the core values of the Republican Party be sacrificed on the altar of cooperation, political correctness, bi-partisanship, and intellectualism. While liberalism saw it as weakness, lack of resolve, and mixed messages, and showed Americans how unstable Republicans were. To liberals, compromise means agreeing with them. To liberals, cooperation means doing their way. Liberals agree with free speech, as long as that speech supports their position.

John McCain is an honorable man. John McCain is a victim of the current Republican Party leadership that believes the other side really wants the same things our side does. I find it amazing that in this last election, the party that believes in a strong military, clear, tough tactics, uncompromising international policy and practice, was unable to exercise that same process in an election campaign. While on the other hand, the party that is opposed to war, and wants to talk with the enemy, was able to run a campaign like a military machine—clear objectives, lightening strikes, propaganda, unapologetic aggressiveness toward the goal, and winning the hearts of the people.

It is time to put on “the armor of God” and join the ideological war, with a vengeance. We are behind, yet it is not too late. Californian’s passing of Proposition 8 proved that conservatives could win a tough battle. Make no mistake, it was a battle, at times it was open warfare on anybody that supported Prop.8. We have to be prepared for that kind of hate, anger, and vitriol when we stand up for truth and conservatism. The fiery darts are physically and spiritually real.

We can't have weak stomachs. We must not shrink away when the battle gets bloody. The other side will not give up. They have patience. They can wait 5, 10, or 30 years, winning little victories, here and there: Remove prayer from schools; Take the 10 Commandments from public squares; No more nativity on public grounds; Call a baby a fetus; A fetus is just a lump of the mother’s body; Its not killing, it’s a mother’s choice; Not assisted suicide, its quality of life; Socialism?. No, its fairness; Homosexuals were born that way, they can't help it; I know homosexuals that are better parents than normal couples. These are the arguments that distract and confuse us. The enemy can beat us before we begin the war, if we can be distracted, confused, or discouraged! We can't win the war by continuously giving territory to the enemy as an act of good will. They will gladly accept every time, and never reciprocate. Why should they? They're getting exactly what they want, without firing a shot!

Conservatives, including Christians have to put up or shut up. If this is a war, we need to start acting like it is a war. We need to select our generals, train the troops, plan, prepare, execute, and tough it out. We don’t give the enemy our battle plan. We do maintain our standards, honor, and integrity. We can be tough and take the offensive. In their face? If necessary. Apologize for the truth? Never. Refuse to be intimidated by accusations of bigotry, bias, and intolerance? Yes. One good thing about loosing this election: closet liberals and intellectuals in the Republican Party who value their positions more than the party, showed their cards. Time to clean the inner vessel! Raise your banner high. Sound a clear trumpet.

It is with mixed emotions, I sit here, and wonder.

I wonder how much of the campaign rhetoric will become reality. I wonder how much people will use this opportunity to assess what a blessing it is to be an American. Will the Republican Party have the fortitude to look itself in the mirror, and change the things which caused it to loose the way? Will the Democrat Party realize it still must serve all Americans? Will all national officials remember their oath of office is to support and defend the Constitution of the United States, not their party, not lobbies, not even the individual citizens of a particular generation.

I also wonder, and marvel, at the magnificence of this process where we can change an entire administration, in the blink of an eye. There’s no national strike, or military taking over the government. It’s a peaceful, respectful, and honorable transition. Not too many societies throughout history can make that claim!

I worry about citizens that believe it is fundamentally acceptable for the state to confiscate another’s property in the name of ‘fairness.’ I’m concerned that many Americans worry more about what other countries think about the US, than what their fellow citizens think and feel. I’m worried the election results will embolden some to demand reparations, ‘payback’ or some other form of penance of the many to the few, for past wrongs and perceived injustices. I worry that the special interest organizations will continue to see the United States through the lens of their limited perspective on a few issues or causes.

We have always been a nation of cultures, ideas, traditions, and religions, which don’t always agree, but could sit down at the table of ideas and eat, drink, and discuss. Have we lost that ability? Has the trend to call names, threaten, investigate past foibles, shout-down, and humiliate those who differ from our opinions, become the only way we can communicate?

There are many Americans who feel wronged, cheated, demeaned, forgotten, or abandoned. Their feelings are legitimate. Their perception may be accurate, at least in a few instances. But, very few things fit the broad accusations of “always” or “never” or “everyone.”

One of the sentiments that came out in the post-election interviews was the ‘relief’ and ‘amazement’ that we are seeing an African-American person elected President. It is an historical moment! But many of those expressed this sentiment because they come from a paradigm that painted it impossible for a black man to be elected at this time in the American experience.

This surprised me! Perhaps its because I come from a life of relative plenty and blessings where I was taught to judge people by the content of their character. Perhaps its because I spent many years in the military where my most respected leaders were of various ethnicities, age, and gender. As a matter of fact, of my most admired commanders is a woman, who become a General. No big deal? It is a big deal, but only in proving our country has been ready for a woman, African-American, Hispanic, etc president for longer than we give credit. If not, we would not have elected one yesterday.

Let’s take some time and count the blessings of being in the “greatest nation on God’s green earth” which is held as the “last best hope” of the world by many other citizens of the planet. Just ask those who continue to risk their life to come here any way they can.

What it would be like if we remembered our greatness came from working hard, taking responsibility for our own actions, expecting nothing from others, but being grateful for their helping hand, lending that same hand to others, protecting the innocent and vulnerable, disagreeing without hating, and thanking God for the privilege.

I wonder.

History Repeats

This was an historical weekend. Not that we made history, but we touched it, a little. My wife and I, along with another couple, attended a Civil War re-enactment; specifically, the replaying of the Battle of Perryville. Fought in October 1862, Perryville is said to be a tactical victory for the Confederacy, but a strategic loss for the South. Of the combined 38,000 soldiers, Union casualties totaled 4,276 (894 killed, 2,911 wounded, 471 captured or missing). Confederate casualties were 3,401 (532 killed, 2,641 wounded, 228 captured or missing). Of course, the re-enactment featured only a small representation of the numbers in the original battle, but the effect was profound. Observing techniques and tactics, and watching how such battles were conducted, gave me a much stronger appreciation for the sheer brutality of life and war in earlier times.

The other brush with history was about a time a few hundred years earlier, in England this time. No, we didn’t travel there, rather we watched a movie about Oliver Cromwell. Through his leadership and single-handed focus, the English people rose up in revolt, culminating in the be-heading of its king, Charles Stuart, in 1649. Oliver’s goal was for Parliament, elected by and representing the people, would rule under a democratic framework. To achieve this, he eventually replaced the aristocratic generals leading his side, and became general of the rebel military. As such, he quickly defeated the king’s armies.

Post-king parliament, was so befuddled by how to govern without the monarch, that they asked Cromwell to be king. Oliver refused, and challenged Parliament to step up to the challenge, and rule. It took only a short time, and Parliament had turned to nepotism, arrogance, and self-serving policies. Cromwell literally shut down Parliament, sending them all home. As he brought troops into the failed and despotic post-king Parliament, and sent them home, he accused “weeds and nettles, briars and thorns, have thriven under your shadow, dissettlement and division, discontentment and dissatisfaction, together with real dangers to the whole.” He then became the Lord Protector of England for a few years. In his attempts to build a democracy, he realized that it takes a moral leadership for democracy to survive and thrive.

As I heard that accusation, I thought of our own Congress, and how these same accusations could be leveled. We need elected officials who see themselves as servants of the people, not the other way around. We need leaders who truly put “country first”. So far, I’ve seen little of that, lately. Interesting how over 350 years have passed since Cromwell’s efforts shifted the tide of English governance, yet some of the same complaints about leaders are found. Morality and accountability are essential for the survival of our Constitution. That morality and accountability must originate in the individual citizens.

We, the people, must accept the burden of freedom and democracy. That is to say, we must choose, act, and accept the consequences of our actions. When we demand that someone else take responsibility for the consequences of our actions, we loose the right to be a democratic society. Our government was established to create synergy and efficiency in the things that a society needs, but would be redundant for every citizen or state to duplicate—armies, money, trade rules and measures, etc. In the rest, we should be fiercely independent. If we have complaints about our Congress or President, perhaps we should look at ourselves, first. In the context of the quality of our government and elected officials, this is one of the few times I agree with the Hollywood crowd, when accused of producing garbage for entertainment. Their claim is they are only giving the people what they want. Perhaps our government and elect officials are only giving us what we are asking for.

Another view on the Flag

Sometimes you and your friends don't see eye-to-eye when you are talking over things. We have run into that here on the Front Porch from time-to-time.

I didn't really see a problem with US Olympic athletes carrying our flag after they won a medal. Likewise, I didn't have an issue with them using the flag as a cloak.

I agree 100% that the flag is a sacred symbol of our nation and it must be treated with respect.

The athletes at the Olympics represented our country. When they won, they won for themselves and for us. Therefore, I didn't mind if they wrapped themselves with the flag, sweat and all. In fact, I kind of liked it. Though I am not an athlete, I feel a chill when our national anthem is played after winning a gold medal.

I am glad that the Olympic athletes felt enough pride and patriotism to show the flag. I think it shows that there is something special about representing your country on the global stage and at the pinnacle of athletics. In other words, maybe when the athletes say that it is special to represent their country it isn’t just a platitude.

One more thing. If you look around, may times our flag is flown in ways that do not meet all the standard rules. It bothered me at one time. However, when you travel overseas, you don't see national flags flown nearly as often as you see Old Glory in the US. I think it good to see our flag outside car dealers and restaurants, even if the flag is a little faded and tattered, or left flying in the rain. In a small way, it shows a special pride. Maybe it is because America is more of an idea than just territory or where you are born.

What’s So Special About the Flag, Anyway?

I watched some of the Olympics. Not as much as some, but enough to notice something very disturbing. Since when did it become fashionable or acceptable for winning American athletes to wrap themselves in the US Flag?

It is disgusting, arrogant, disrespectful, and boorish.

This flag represents the grand ideals, principles, and spirit of freedom gained by many who lost their lives for the Nation. This flag is reverently placed on the caskets of our fallen dead who gave all, literally. This flag is the symbol of hope and encouragement to emigrants from the world over, who sacrificed family, friends, and fortune to become one of the ‘huddled masses.’

With all of the accolades, honor, and adulation these athletes receive, is it really necessary for them to dishonor the flag by wearing it for a victory cloak? Shame on the US Olympic Committee for not discouraging this practice! Shame on NBC for broadcasting the images!

We live in a society that has difficulty showing reverence for noble and sacred things. Repeated scenes of victorious athletes wrapping their sweaty bodies in the flag, will now give young athletes around the country permission to do the same—turning the flag into just another athletic uniform.

Are You an Olympian?

I remember a line from a movie or cartoon “may I be excused, my brain is full.” Something is bothering me but I can't explain what, exactly. It’s feels similar to looking at distant, faint stars at night. You know the ones--those that you can only see when you don’t look directly at them. So you look at another nearby area of the sky to actually see your target. Then the frustration, as you attempt to show someone else the constellation—you tell them not to look at the place they need to look, to see the place you want them to see.

I suppose it’s the atmosphere of extremes that surrounds us in the world today. The Olympics is a case in point. Who isn’t amazed by the impossible drive, training, and accomplishments of these athletes? These people have achieved extraordinary accomplishments. Yet, the Olympics tend to make me very uncomfortable. I’m sure it’s partially out of personal jealousy. I’ve never felt the desire to narrow my focus on one activity for so long that I could come close to the dedication, determination, and resulting phenomenal performance of these gladiators of athletics. But, for me there is also a very real sense that we are setting ourselves up for constant disappointment, if we pattern our daily life after the Olympians’.

First of all, not everyone will excel at something, just because they want to, have a positive attitude, and work really hard at it! I know I just contradicted the entire self-help community in one broad stroke of the pen. However, no matter how hard a 5 footer practices, he’s not going to play basketball in the NBA. There are just some things that can’t be overcome with a positive attitude.

Secondly, how many of us have the will, means, or time to drop nearly every other thing in life and dedicate years to running, jumping, swimming, or throwing something? Most of us living a ‘normal’ life are routinely choosing to compromise with the extreme opportunities of life. We take that job because it doesn’t require us to travel away from family so much, even though the other job pays more. We pick a home because the schools are better, but the taxes are higher than in the other county, or it is farther away from parents.

Please don’t assume I’m suggesting we accept mediocrity. Quite the contrary! I know we were intended to be great, successful, and joyful. I worry that we are using the wrong rulebook and scorecard to measure greatness, success, and joy. Certainly, money has shown itself to be a deceitful, merciless master. If wealth and fame bring happiness, then why are there so many miserable, addicted, and insecure superstars? Why do we reward a sports personality with the accolade of ‘hero’ and lavish attention and wealth on him, while the schoolteacher is an afterthought in our society; poorly paid, and barely respected. Which one contributes more to societal success?

Let’s not even talk about ‘beauty’. Our society is paranoid schizophrenic. We tell ourselves not to be vain and superficial, yet we spend $ billions on creams, pill, injections, diets, exercises, clothes, and surgery, in a feeble attempt to turn back time, or change our physical condition to match some mysterious definition of beauty. Wrinkles and sagging are a natural part of life. Sure that old guy on the infomercial looks 20-something. And yes, that woman has the smoothest skin ever. No, a wrinkle will not ruin your life, or cause your husband to leave you. Your balding and/or graying head will not cause your wife to be ashamed—if you married some one who has not been fooled by the false scorecard. Yes, you have a responsibility to stay healthy—proper exercise, diet, and sleeping. Chasing the extremes will only bring exhaustion, disappointment, and poverty.

Let’s learn to find happiness in sitting on the porch watching a sunset, in addition to the occasional expedition to bungee jump from a perfectly good bridge. It can be just as memorable to ride a canoe down a local river, as it is to take a cruise in the Caribbean. It’s not wrong to do the big spectacular things. It’s also not right to believe the big things will bring us joy. Perhaps this is the reason so many marriages crumble—the expectations of a steady, unending environment of blissful, trouble-free, existence. If not, well something must be wrong with my spouse, our vacation choice, our job, neighborhood, friends, children, lack of children, parents, grandparents, in-laws, church…. Could it be we’ve lost sight of the accomplishment in overcoming a challenge together, learning to compromise, looking for reasons to be happy, instead of searching for flaws?

We won’t all be Olympians. In fact, very few ever will. We can be champions in life, family, profession, and relationships. Throw away the extreme games of life and search for a friendly pickup game, and have fun! By the way, next time you’re out at night, show someone the constellation Pleiades.

Do They Think We Are That Dumb?

If you listen to many political analysts (a.k.a. pundits) and some of the political class, they think the American public is very short sited and very self-centered. Some pundits seem to believe that Americans will only support things that provide an immediate, self-serving benefit. I think these people are selling the American people short and doing us a disservice. Their drive to be important and to get their voices heard results in sophistic, short sited solutions to problems, and a generally divisive social climate.

What started this tirade?

The discussion by pundits and politicians about expanding drilling in the US and off our coasts is what fired me up most recently. Just before Nancy Pelosi and the rest of Congress has returned home for the summer recess (the “Summer District Work Period” according to the calendar on the House website (http://www.house.gov/house/House_Calendar.shtml)), they were attacking drilling because it wouldn’t show a benefit for 10 years or more.

It seems like some pundits can’t realize that we can understand the key points of an issue and make a choice that isn’t immediate self-gratification. I think the vast majority American people realize that you can’t instantly drill for oil. We realize that it will take time to find the oil, build the platforms, build the infrastructure to transport the oil, etc. We may not appreciate all the details, but we know this oil won’t be available tomorrow, next year or maybe not for 20 yrs.

Yet the pundits and some politicians seemed to be amazed and puzzled that we generally still favor more drilling within the boundaries of the United States. To me, this reaction and amazement says good things about people and typical things (unfortunately) about the political class, punditry and the news media.

We have major issues facing this country and expanding oil production is really just a small part of it all. In an ideal world, the pundits that were selling us short would sit back, look at this as a case study, realize that Americans can forestall gratification today for a better tomorrow, and then adjust their behavior accordingly. Sadly, that won’t happen.

PV Podcast

Better late than never! Podcast #3 is now available. Please click on the link for PhotoVoltaics Podcast, when you get to the site, click on download. Carl does a great job of telling us about the bright future of PV technologies!

A Bright Future of Hope and Opportunity!

Okay, I don’t know about all y’all, but I’m kind of weary, worn out and tired! Not so much physically, but mentally, and emotionally. Here’s the deal.

First, it’s this presidential campaign. Will it ever end? I mean, really, the stumping, rhetoric, accusations, and discussion feel perpetual. And for now, they are short on substance, and long on emotional manipulation. I’ve always prided myself on being relatively immune to the manipulation aspect, but, for some reason, this time around it is really abrasive. I’m not even talking about the actual issues of either campaign, it’s mood and methods. We can devote another post to the candidates’ issues, but not today.

The next thing I can consciously put my finger on is the frenzy about world energy and pending global environmental collapse due to carbon levels. Yes, oil prices are high; yes, we need to conserve resources; yes, we are experiencing dramatic increases in food prices! All these are happening, but I don’t get the panic and despair mentality. It doesn’t resolve anything to wander around the world bemoaning our circumstances, and complaining when others don’t bemoan with us. It only adds to fear, despair, and eventually apathy. When people feel helpless often the only way to deal with it is to ignore it. It also makes us more willing to accept just about anything that looks like an attempt at a solution; this can lead to poor and ill-advised actions in the long-term view!

What is the solution? Perhaps, I’m not qualified to say with certainty, yet I have a few thoughts about it. When people are presented with a tough problem to solve, they are inclined to attack it with energy, if they believe there is some type of reward upon defeating the obstacle. Hope! We need to recognize our situation, but also look back and see that we have solved many tough, challenging problems already, and are just as smart and capable (perhaps more so) to do it now. The world and people are resilient! Look at the monumental achievements throughout history. I’m not talking Pollyanna, here, but a realistic, eyes open optimistic enthusiasm to tackle challenges with energy, drive, and balance--avoiding, panic, despair, and desperation. This will require cooperation, moderation, and even some realistic compromise from the extreme views on all sides.

Our nation was founded on the concept that given an opportunity to control their destiny, people will most often achieve greatness. Many times they will surpass expectations. We need to regain that optimism for opportunity, and responsibility for our actions—good or bad! Blaming our neighbor, the church, or the government, shifts our energy away from the individual, and drives away creativity and determination. Allowing ourselves to be told we are not responsible for our actions, because somewhere in our past—near or very distant—some injustice was inflicted on us or our family, makes us exempt from tapping into the personal hope and energy that can take us away from the negative situation.

Of course, I believe at some point along this path, we cannot have a complete hope, until we acknowledge God in our sojourn here on earth. All things are His, and he can help us solve problems we create for ourselves, but He generally won’t act unless we request it!

The Dark Knight Smashes the Box Office!

I admit, I saw it! Everything I heard about the great acting and special effects, did not disappoint me. As a matter of fact, I think that Heath Ledger will receive an Academy Award nomination, and likely the Award. He was a very convincing mad-man. And Michael Caine, well, he’s Michael Caine.

So by now, you’ve determined that I loved the movie; wrong. Believe it or not, despite the superb acting, the excellent special effects, the cool bat-toys, I came out of the movie a bit frustrated! Why? I’m not entirely sure, but I think it has to do with my own personal vision of who Batman is; what he represents. I admit, I never read the original Batman comics, so I don’t know where they took him. I did grow up with the Batman from TV, so perhaps that is where my basis of comparison originates.

Just like everyone said, it is very dark—the lighting, the setting, the mood. Another objective masterfully achieved by the director. I guess, this is where my frustration lies. The film was done so well, that Batman is going to be defined by a new persona, going down a new path, a path I don’t want to see him travel!

The characters infer he's a ‘necessary evil.’ I’ve always, and continue to wish for Batman to be bigger than life; in the ‘toys’ he own, in the bad-guys he catches, in the girls that like him, and in the moral character he displays. With him now being allowed to let the ends justify the means, I get lost in the moral dilemma created. Okay, so I’m an idealist!

But, don’t you think we have enough real-life examples of bigger-than-life ‘heros’, that turn out to have significant vices, personality defects, or character flaws? We don’t have to look far to find examples in sports, business, politics, and even some religious figures. By making Batman more like these, we take away some of the hope that there is reward in being moral, good, and virtuous. Perhaps the message of the film is that we live in a dark world, and the only way to combat darkness, is to use the same tools, but for the right reason, of course. That concept is disturbing and discouraging to me.

In the end, we are talking about a mythical figure from a comic book, made into a feature movie by some extremely talented people. But, IT'S ONLY A MOVIE! I don’t see the social fabric of society being torn away by such a production. However, it does make me wonder if this movie’s success in someway indicates our perceptions about society and morality, or just plain optimism and hope. Something to think about.

Help! We Need a New Name.

Well, all good things must come to and end. We have to close down The Front Porch! What? you say. Yes, it's true, we were so proud of our Blog that we failed to notice that the idea and name of Front Porch, and variations abound out there--in the blogosphere, the internet etc. So for the sake of our pride, and to avoid offending some already-using-the-name-front-porch webmaster, we are looking for a new name. One that continues to capture the spirit of the front porch, but lets us have our own name. It's time to move out of grandma's basement, and get a house with a porch of its own.

That's where you come in. Please help us by submitting suggestions for our new name. We're small, so the only prize we can offer is to feature you, or a topic you suggest, in our first post under the new name! Wow! Can't beat that!

A Second Podcast!

NEWSFLASH!!! The highly anticipated, wildly acclaimed, second podcast for the Front Porch is now "in the can" as 'they' say.

We didn't say it would be quick, or pretty, but just that we'd get it done. Please take a listen, by clicking the link on the Battle of Sullivan's Island under the "In the Neighborhood" sidebar. It's about 48 minutes long. Though most of it is about John's topic, Carl and I add a little 'color' to keep it interesting. I have to admit, before I met John, I was not really very interested in the details of the American Revolutionary War. But his enthusiasm, energy, and genuine fascination with it has made a fan of me!

So you want to dip your toe in the wide podcasting ocean? I'd like to tell the story of our journey in to the podcasting seas. The concept of podcasting is pretty simple, as things go. However, concepts and details often are not the same. The devil, as they say, is in the details!

'What is a podcast', you ask?. Let me tell you. A podcast is basically a recording of a person or people talking about something important to them. This recording is saved in a specific format that can be put on an internet site. Once it is 'published' on an internet site, anyone who knows the address, or has a link to the webpage where it is published, can go there and listen. For example, our second podcast is hosted on a site called archive.org. See I told you it was easy!

OK, not so easy, those pesky details. Unlike the first podcast, where I sat up all night (literally) with a headset plugged into my computer, and talked. We wanted to have three microphones attached, so we could all be in the same room and talk, you know, have a conversation...on The Front Porch. This is where the world started spinning on a different axis. Plugging three mics into one computer, is not a simple chore. What kind of sound card do you have? Is it high quality to handle all that input? Poor quality card? You can bypass your sound card with a USB mic, but USB can only handle one mic at a time! There are separate boxes (mixers) that you can use to plug multiple mics into, then combine or 'mix' them with music, drums, airplane sounds, etc then feed it all into your computer. But, oh wait, most of these are designed to go into the computer through the sound card!

Yes, they do make mixers that plug into the USB ports of the computer, bypassing the sound card. However, these are out of our budget, for now. Somewhere in this fog of confusion, we decided to purchase a higher quality USB mic, and take our chances sitting around and all talking into it. I hope you'll agree, it turned out pretty well.

By the way, recording was the easy part, and that took about 3 hours. After recording, someone (me this time) goes through the entire recording editing out the long pauses, dropped stuff, loud laughter, snorts, chortles, flushing toilets in the attached bath, and each of our favorite pauses such as 'and um', 'and', 'uhhh', etc. Oh, you want to spice it up with some background music? Editing. The software we use to do this is very easy to use, it's just a tedious task. I am pleased with the finished product. It is not perfect, but we had fun, learned something about a great battle, and learned to put together and record a podcast.

I don't want to forget. After the edits and being saved, it has to get onto the internet--somehow. Easy! Just upload it to our blog webpage, right? Uh, not so much. For many reasons, most blogging websites, don't allow podcast files on their site. The files are big and take up storage space. These large files can also slow down access to the website, especially if thousands of people want to listen to the podcast. (hint, hint). We finally found an inexpensive (read: free) site, that allows us to upload our podcast file and "host" our file. The only thing left, is linking to that site, and presto change-o, podcasting to the masses!

If you are interested in doing your own podcast; DON'T DO IT! Actually, it is quite fun, and we would be glad to help you if you want to try. We're just rank amateurs, but would love to help. Just like that friendly neighbor who always loans you the weed eater!

Action Speaks Louder Than Words

As the diddy goes, uncle Jed was simply hunting for food, when he discovered something much more interesting, "Oil that is, black gold, Texas tea." Ever since that fateful day, we have become increasingly more dependent on the stuff, so much so, that we need to import about 70% of what we consume. T. Boone Pickins has nothing in common with uncle Jed, except his wealth and connections to the oil industry, and energy trading.

Mr. Pickins is in his 80's and doesn't appear to be slowing down. His current company is purchasing land and building a wind farm that will be the largest in the world when completed: generating over 4 Gigawatts of electricity; enough for 1.3 million homes! Why is he doing this? Money, you say? Perhaps, but he has about $4 Billion already, so he's not exactly, strapped for cash. Believe it or not, Mr. Pickins appears to be genuinely concerned about the future of this country. While he could just sit back and count his money, in his (truly) golden years, he's chosen to rally a grass roots "army," as he calls it, to create a national wave of concerned citizens. The purpose: get the next President, and Congress to do something, really do something. He even makes it easy for them, he has a rational, realistic plan.

This isn't one of those crush-every-car-and-ride-a-bicycle plans. Simply put, he proposes that we shift the fuels we use for electricity generation and transportation. This involves natural gas and wind-generated electricity. In the US today, we create electricity from several kinds of fuel. Of that, 22% of electricity is made by burning natural gas. Picken's plan would have us replace that 22% with electricity created by wind generators. It happens, that the center section of the USA is one of the top places in the world for wind conditions conducive for steady, consistent wind power. It's even been called "The Saudi Arabia of Wind Energy."

As the natural gas is freed from generating electricity, it can be used to power vehicles. This is not a new technology, but there are few cars that run on, an places that sell natural gas in the USA. There would have to be some effort and money spent to get the infrastructure built up, and the vehicles manufactured. But the effort would be worth it; in places where it is available today, natural gas for vehicles is priced at about $1/gallon. The Pickens Plan requries the "army" of grass roots folks from across the country, to band together, and insist that the next President, and Congress get off their cushioned chairs, stop talking, and DO! Implemet this plan or a variation, before any other law is passed. It could mean a 30% reduction of oil imports, $300 billion that stays in the US, and create thousands of real, meaningful jobs. Oh, did I mention tax revenues ?

The plan is not perfect, but it is much more viable and immediate than any other proposal out there, from anywhere! It makes sense. It is not partisan, political, or damaging to the environment. There isn't any conflict with religion, class, race, or education. I encourage you to take a look at the sidebar link "An Interesting Idea" and see for yourself.

I applaud Mr Pickins for not retiring from society, but instead becoming a general, and commanding an energy army of concerned, tired, frustrated, cynical, slightly frightened, and hard-working citizens. This could be the answer. It won't solve our long-term energy needs, but it can bridge the gap, giving time for other forms of energy to mature. Who knows, perhaps we won't even use oil for fuel in 50 years!

The Battle of Sullivan's Island, South Carolina

Did anyone go to the beach over the Fourth of July? Maybe still there? Maybe want to still be there, but staring at the four walls in the old cubicle again? We have a lot of nice beaches here in the U.S. My wife and I went to Seaside, FL, last year, and that was fantastic. I highly recommend it, with its emerald waters and beautiful cottages. I grew up visiting the beaches of South Carolina, primarily. From Myrtle Beach down to Hilton Head, South Carolina has some beautiful stretches of sand, and they know how to meet the customer's needs. There are boardwalks, large fishing/walking piers, wide beaches, waves good enough for surfing, loads and loads of shopping venues (even one completely on the water called Barefoot Landing), great golf, universities, and of course, amazing history.

Some of the history of the South Carolina Lowcountry is very overt, and some of it is hidden beneath it all. For instance, Blackbeard the pirate blockaded the Port of Charleston in the 1700's, and the U.S. Civil War had its first major engagement here between two organizations that still exist today: The U.S. Army and the South Carolina Corps of Cadets. That was the bombardment of Fort Sumter, and it was one of several battles over the forts that helped to secure Charleston Harbor. It was not the first battle that those forts were used in, and many were used up through World War II.

In June of 1776, the Revolutionary War was in full swing in the northern colonies. The British knew that there was a lot of sympathy for the Crown in the southern colonies, and prepared to move in that direction to gather support and set up strongholds to keep the flames of revolution from raging out of control as they had in the north. Charleston was a key city to take if the British were to have control in the south. By early June, they had moved just outside of the harbor with 2,200 troops and 9 warships. To land on the peninsula that Charleston sits on, the warships had to navigate the sandbar-laden harbor. Look it up on Google Earth and follow along. There are several islands that line the entrance, and on Sullivan's Island, on the north side of the harbor, the Continental Army decided to build a fort to protect the city. COL William Moultrie commanded the 2nd South Carolina Regiment of the Continental Army, and he assembled a host of interesting personalities to help build the fort and defend against imminent attack. He had been building the post since March, but had not completed it by the beginning of June.

Some of the officers that joined COL Moultrie at Fort Sullivan were Major Francis Marion, the future legendary figure known as "The Swamp Fox," and Thomas Sumter "The Gamecock." Others were famous in their day for leading troops against the Cherokee in an earlier conflict, and General Washington even sent General Charles Lee to oversee the preparations, as this was an extremely important post for the colonies to hold (I'm referring to it as "the colonies" because the Continental Congress would not declare independence for another week or so after the battle ended.).

The British strategy was a two-pronged attack on the fort: heavy bombardment from the sea to knock down batteries from the main walls in the front, circle around to the north of the island and fire into the fort over the lower walls in its rear, fire large mortars from the ship Thunder into the fort itself, and to attack by land from Long Island (now the Isle of Palms) to the north. The U.S. Army consisted of about 480 in the fort, and just under 800 to prevent a land attack outside of it. There was no U.S. Navy to protect the fort, only a few support boats to move personnel and supplies. Fort Sullivan, as it was named, had 31 guns to the superior firepower of 300 guns on the man-of-war vessels bearing down on them.

The forces are ready, the match is set, and the battle is ready to begin on a hot summer day in the calm Charleston Harbor.

If you wargame this one, even in your head, you will almost always come up with the same result.

You're going to be amazed at the reality. Listen in to the American Front Porch podcast this weekend for a full account of a battle that we cannot afford to forget.

Ratatouille

Several blogs ago, I introduced our attempts to grow a vegetable garden. In spite of ineptitude, and inexperience, (in the words of Herr Frankenstein) IT LIVES! This little botanical experiment has already surpassed our expectations. It is astounding what nature can do with just a modicum of assistance from mere mortals, like us.

Today, we became the beneficiaries of this miracle. We harvested three zucchini and 5 yellow squash. Though this is a very modest harvest, we danced with excitement as our treasures were whisked into the house. These were quickly dispatched into a most delightful dish, made famous by a recent Pixar movie, Ratatouille! Yes, we actually attempted, successfully, to create this delicious dish. Perhaps the best way to eat squash!

The wonders of a growing garden, the majesty of the open ocean, or the expanse of the cosmos, always overwhelms me with incredible awe, curiosity, and gratitude. In this season of remembering--the seeds of freedom sown into the rugged soil of a few determined visionaries--it is intensely appropriate to be thankful. Thankful for the order of the universe, from subatomic to galactic. We are the recipients of gifts, blessings, and wonders so magnificent, so precise, that nearly all of them remain unknown and undiscovered by human hands and minds!

This Nation and the principles that guide it, are as amazing and miraculous as the complexity of a nebula. Let’s remember to be grateful. When we eat from an elaborate buffet or a simple dish of Ratatouille, let’s take some time for amazement and gratitude. Gratitude for daily miracles like a perfect atmosphere on the third planet from the sun, a sun of just the right size, and rain, and seasons, that allow us the opportunity to pick squash from a small, insignificant vegetable garden.

I'll Gladly Stand Up

These days, you can hear them just about everywhere; those who want to make us feel guilty for being Americans—citizens of the greatest nation, ever. Yes, we do consume more energy per capita than other nations. But the abundance that we’ve created for ourselves, and the rest of the world is breathtaking. Grains of all varieties, finished goods from electronics to Egg McMuffins, seeds of freedom and self-determination, have infused the whispers of hope and prosperity into every nation, culture, and neighborhood.

In the immortal words of a well-worn Sinatra tune, “Regrets, (we’ve) had a few; but then again, too few to mention. (We) did what (we) had to do And saw it through without exception.” Sure, this country has stumbled a few times. But when, in the history of the world, has there been a conquerer, that consistently gave back the captured land; just walked away, and expected the conquered to behave? Has it been done perfectly? No. Did we stay some places too long after the clouds of war wisped away? Probably. Have we ransacked, pillaged, and enslaved the nations we’ve ‘conquered?’ Hardly.

The irony of it all, is we have become so accustomed to this perspective, we don’t recognize the monumental generosity that is the United States of America, to the rest of the world. We start to feel guilty for consuming ‘too much.’ We continually challenge ourselves, looking inward for ways to improve. At times it backfires; our small, inconsequential errors, seem like the objects in the rear view mirror ‘larger than they appear’.

This nation should never cease to refine, reassess, and review our actions, at home and abroad. Arrogance will lead to weakness and disintegration. But the opposite can be just as destructive. Undue self-flagellation, will tear us down, and snuff that spark that burns deep. “Yes there were times, I'm sure you knew, When (we) bit off more than (we) could chew, But thru' it all, when there was doubt, (we) ate it up, and spit it out. (we) faced it all and (we) stood tall, and did it (our) way.”

It is time to be grateful, not guilty for this land "made for you and me." Hope not hysteria. Dialogue and debate, not dissention and divisiveness. There are divergent points of view, there always have been. Rancorous elections are not new. Anger and hatred are older than the nation. True greatness comes when we are able to respect all points of perspective, and find a solution that, at least, considers the minority voices.

I’m sorry Rev. Wright, God bless America, is the only dictum we have the right to muster, the rest is in His hands! Perhaps we should read, sing, and listen to all of the versus of the National Anthem, here is the last:

Oh, thus be it ever when freemen shall stand. Between their loved home and the war's desolation: Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land Praise the Power that has made and preserved us a nation. Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just. And this be our motto: "In God is our trust". And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave, O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Price of Gas

Everyone is aware that gas prices are very high, and rising. There is a lot of angst about the impact of oil-related products on our entire society. Look around and practically everything we use is either directly or indirectly linked to a petroleum product. Gas for our cars; asphalt for the roads those cars roll on. Diesel fuel for shipping; shipping for EVERYTHING we use. Many homes, especially on the East Coast, are heated by fuel oil. Our military forces use jet fuel and diesel for nearly every tank, truck, airplane, and ship they operate. Plastics are everywhere in our life; yep, petroleum based!

On the other hand, there is a growing cacophony of voices, a din of ominous predictions shouting about Global Over-Warming of the earth due to, you guessed it, burning carbon-rich petroleum products. The culprits include the internal combustion engine, in its various forms. These voices warn us that we are killing the earth, and ourselves—that we must use electric cars, change all of our light bulbs, and stop consuming anything that creates carbon dioxide! This could get out of hand, and fast!

You do realize, every breath we exhale introduces CO2 into the atmosphere. With this panic mentality, I won’t be surprised when some well-meaning-but-insanely-irrational politician out there proposes a ‘exhale’ tax. It will never happen, you say? This country has done some interesting things, in the name of national security.

History has shown the “ready-fire-aim” approach to solving problems generally introduces additional, unanticipated negative consequences. If the prognostications of the Global Over-Warming crowd are true, we’re doomed; its too late, almost.

I do agree that we should be better stewards of our natural resources. We should not waste things. We need to be more aware of the simple, easy things we can do to conserve these resources. To consume, simply because we can, is not responsible. Let’s discuss the impacts of our efforts on the climate. But, let’s also admit that we don’t really have a very good understanding of the Earth’s ecosystem. Like mom used to say, just because all of your friends are doing it, doesn’t make it right, or okay for you to do!

The Revolution Lives!

This blog originates in Louisville, Kentucky. Many families from Kentucky vacation in various coastal cities in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. Many of them drive to these destinations as a family. Along the way, they pass through several different cities with rich histories, depending on which route they take. Parents sometimes try to point out interesting things for the rest of the family to look at. It’s a long drive, and weariness can become crankiness, so having something to discuss isn’t a bad idea when traveling that direction. If a family takes the primary interstate route through Tennessee and then into South Carolina, they cross Interstate 85. Just before crossing close to Spartanburg, they pass within only a few miles of a tiny place known as the “Cowpens.” In 1781, this was the site of a small battle that resulted in a major victory for the United States. Daniel Boone’s uncle, Daniel Morgan, led the U.S. troops here. We’re on I-26 now, heading toward Columbia and then to Charleston.

This area was heavily traversed by militias, regular professional soldiers from both sides, independently financed “legions” of cavalry and infantry, and some of the characters that later had cities, streets, and parks named after them. One of the most interesting things about it all to the casual observer is the fact that so many well-known names fought in the Revolutionary War, and that there is so much information out there about it. It didn’t happen that long ago, actually, and that is one of the most fascinating things for me to toss and turn about when I’m trying to fall asleep. For instance, if I may make take us slightly off the immediate topic, the last Revolutionary War veterans died in the 1860’s. That’s the decade of the War Between the States. The last Civil War veterans died in the 1950’s. That means that many of those alive today quite possibly remember seeing or even meeting a Civil War veteran in a parade or some other event of remembrance. The chain is only a few links long between the Revolutionary generation and us. Thomas Jefferson and John Adams died in 1826. There are people alive today that knew people, at a very young age, of course, that lived while Jefferson and Adams were alive. I know that this sounds pointless to some, because how could that possibly have any meaning for us? Well, the ideas and the solutions that created this great experiment, the United States, were enacted by people that we can almost reach across a divide and touch. I have one question to pose: What answers would the Founding Fathers have for us today? They faced unbelievable odds in the 1770’s. They had a pre-written sentence of death from King George. If the experiment failed, they couldn’t order a fake passport off of the internet, transfer funds to a Swiss bank account, and have their money meet them at their new estate in Namibia! This was a total commitment by a group of human beings, and they got so many people to follow them that they formed an army, foreign alliances, and created a working body to govern a very large and very unsure new nation.

Okay, that’s the rant. Let’s get back in the car on I-26 and keep driving to the South Carolina coast. There were forts built all along northern South Carolina, intending to cut the American Army in two parts and support the British movements. There were leaders that stepped up to take this on in the south, and they represent the tremendous efforts that made up the southern campaign of the American Revolution. I intend to focus primarily on this campaign and the people who fought it in upcoming blog posts. We’ll discuss leaders like the architect of the American campaign, Nathaniel Greene, the incorporated guerilla fighters like Francis Marion “The Swamp Fox,” leaders of independent legions like “Light Horse” Harry Lee, the father of Robert E. Lee, and fierce warriors that really created the conditions for victory on the field, like William Washington, cavalry leader that covered a lot of ground and turned the tide for the American Army in some critical situations. The stories are great, so go to the library or bookstore, get a book like “Devil of a Whipping,” “The Road to Guilford Courthouse,” or “Another Such Victory,” and start reading up. In the future, I’ll even jump into the War fought in the north, like fortress West Point and Washington’s escape from Long Island. One of the most fascinating parts of the beginning of the war is how Washington chose his primary staff. If you haven’t read “1776,” go get the illustrated version for your library, as it is set up like you sat down with the great historian himself and he is presenting his collection of primary sources. It’s really a terrific read. I’ll try to figure out how to add links to make it easy for our readers to find these books.

Next time, we’re going to review the types of units on both sides that fought in the south, who the primary commanders were, and where they operated. This will be a lot of fun, and key to understanding the southern campaign. To hold you over, go get one of the books mentioned above, or for a much more in-depth, scholarly journal on the subject, visit www.southerncampaigns.org. I hope this is an interesting subject for the American Front Porch, as it certainly dominated the household discussions of the Revolutionary period. I think it should play a large part of ours today, too. Post your comments to let me know if you’re a fan of the topic because it makes you think, sounds exciting to explore, or helps you get to sleep in the blink of an eye. I’ll see you next time.

Driving with Brights On

I'm getting a little older, not much, but, yes, its happening, I actually leave my turn signal on after executing a turn! I know this can be annoying, and perhaps, at times, dangerous. However, like the human I am, I will excuse myself by pointing at other peoples' mistakes, which by default, make mine less offensive, right? No matter, on with my rant.

What is it with the high-beams anyway? I comprehend the need to drive with them on at night, but in the words of my friend 'come on!' What's up with the high-intensity, 5-million-watt-shoot-the-enemy-aircraft-down-in-a-blizzard high beams! These new uber-bright nuclear explosions of blinding light are just plain obnoxious, not to mention dangerous. It would be tolerable, if those using them would have the decency to switch to low-beams when on-coming cars, trucks, and low-flying aircraft, and Bambi approach. Alas, these are probably the same people who believe that traffic rules like merging at construction zones, and tailgating, are for the mortal pigmys that entangle their othewise royal life. Rules, those are for the weak, not the privileged.

I have to admit here, I have actually forgotten to turn my brights down a few times! I never intended for that other guy to drive into the ditch, to avoid my high-beams. At least I don't have those obnoxious super-bright, ultra-blue, deer-killing, laser-beam head lights that have been known to blind a double-eyelid Vulcan, instantly! Remember what happened to Spock? These things are worse. Its all true, I read it on the internet! Perhaps, I'll just drive with my sunglasses on all the time.

Entry

All right...
My story is actually on my blog but I'll put the link here so you can read it. Its not exactly a story about home or anything, but its my best story to date. I think it is a fun one to start this story-telling out with.
Read "Cupcakes and Kindergarteners" at http://kimberlysgetaway.blogspot.com/
There's my first submission. I will try to think of some other good stories, but for now, this is it. :)

Contest

We are looking for your experiences on the front porch. Stories from a grandparent, that time your date brought you home and you lingered at the door, as the family peered through the window, watching a flaming sunset in the late Spring, snowball fights in the Winter. You name it, tell us your memories of the front porch!

You'll Never Know Until You Try...

Well, let's just say corn should not be transplanted once it's been in the ground for a few weeks! We had waited too long to thin our corn--it is about 10" tall. So a few days ago, we decided it was time; of course, I couldn't stand the thought of all those 'unlucky' stalks being so rudely plucked and tossed away. The next best thing was the try and save a few by transplanting the loosers into an open row we had saved for later plantings. By the next day, most of those newly transplanted whelps were bent over and loosing their vibrant green color. Perhaps all is not lost, we should know the verdict by the weekend.

On a brighter note, I found a very good insecticide for the garden. Some web browsing turned up a naturally derived compound called Neem oil, a trifecta of garden defenses. Its an insecticide, a fungicide, and a miticide. Originally, I needed something to knock back the White Mildew on my summer squash plants. I also applied it on the green beans, cucumbers, watermelon, and cantelope (all these, minus the beans, are from the same family and have a susceptibility to White Mildew). Current indications are the stuff works wonders! Fairly inexpensive as well. I even found the concentrate version at my local Wally World. (That's Walmart).

I promise that the 'Garden Corner' will soon give way to other Front Porch topics soon. I'm a bit weary of politics right now. Perhaps oil, alternative energy, leadership and careers, or even some revolutionary war tidbits, will surface soon.

Vegetable Garden

This is the first time in many years, that we have actually planted a full-sized vegetable garden! From scratch, we plowed part of a fallow field, and began the exciting, and exasperating, task of planting seeds and seedlings. Much of the time has been occupied with the great battle of the weeds. It seems the weeds grow 4 to 5 inches a day, while the vegetables seem frozen in time! Yesterday, we finished planting the last open spots, with three varieties of potatoes; a blue-flesh, pink-flesh, and white-flesh variety.