Oh yeah...my kids

As so often happens, when faced with personal issues, we often forget to think of those other than ourselves. There is was...Father's Day and I heard from all three of my great kids, and didn't acknowledge them. Sorry.
I'm so proud of my children.
I remember when Curt was born, he peed on the doctor and the MD said, "OUTDOOR PLUMBING!" He's grown up to be a superstar in his old Dad's eyes. How great it is that he had such a great mother in Cheryl.
When my dear sweet Casey Corinna Corinna was born, I couldn't believe the size of her MOUTH! Little did I know her most prominent feature would be her FEET! (They call her "Thumper") She's tall, slender, beautiful, smart, blond, funny and friendly. She and her man Chris are a great couple about whom I'm also proud.
Charles, the youngest of the pack, is a computer graphics artist working hard to help a struggling company become top of the rung. He's a serious, understated young man with a huge sense of humor and great insight. The first time I saw him, (seconds after exiting the birth canal,) I was awed by those big brown eyes which seemed to perceive far more than a ten-second old baby should.
I think of them and live for them every moment. Without their love and support, I can't imagine who the heck I would be.
I've never done anything as important as somehow allowing their entrance into this world.
Thanks kids. You can't imagine HOW MUCH you are loved.

Father's Day 2007

Since last we spoke, many things have happened. Most changes have been inconsequential, but some of a huge magnitude.
Jeff Gordon has won four Nextel Cup races this season. He's leading today's race from Michigan.
The war in Iraq is proving to be as stupid an idea as many thought when we went marching in. I was one of the Hawks...I stood with Bush. I hang my head at our foreign policy. I am embarrassed by our Commander in Chief. I'm not embarrassed for him...but by him. Let him find the brains to realize what a debacle his Cowboyism has gotten us.
My wife and I have seperated. She lives far away. My dogs, boy and I are in Fargo. This new life is no picnic. But, when you have a picnic...you get ants.
I went shopping today. I got a new belt and three shirts for $22.00. I bought the stuff at Target and none of their products are from U-S manufacturers. Again, my head is hung in....uh...greediness.
The Blue Angels are in town. Or, should I say, above it. What a thrill to see those warbirds soaring overhead again. There are some A10's, (wart hogs) doing their tricks too.
A special hello to Troupe and Joe, without whom my funk of the past few weeks may never have ended.

Dear Folks, sorry I haven't written lately...

Not that it matters much, but, I've had a dearth of ideas for this blog. But, because I've had friends mention that I've been a slug....Here goes.
Our new owners at KFGO are great people for whom to work. Jim Ingstad is the man. He's hired a woman named Nancy to be our Chief Operating Officer. She's very positive and helpful as we try to re-establish our on-air authority at KFGO. The new owner and she have put a great deal of emphasis and cash into PROGRAMMING. That's unusual and it'll pay off big time.
We've designed a new logo for KFGO. It's sort of like when NBC changed "the peacock." Not everyone is in love with it, but that just because it's something new.

It looks like next winter the KFGO Adventure with Jack and Sandy will be to Manzanillo Mexico. Details are being worked out.

Mom is doing well at Bethany Homes. She's more forgetful than I'd like, but, she's in good spirits for the most part and is well liked by the residents and staff. Her sense of humor is sharp and her wit is keen. I'm so proud of her.

I work out every morning from 5:30-7pm. My buddy, the great philosopher Larry and I have a great time. I think companionship in the gym is necessary for me to keep going. I imagine I'd go without his friendship, but, it'd be a bitch to do it with the same enthusiasm.

I played in the statewide Bismarck North Dakota pinochle tournament last Saturday and Sunday. My partner Dennis and I were 5th among 200 teams after the first day. We slunk out of town on Sunday with our tails between our legs. We won't not a penny.

George Bush is still a lunatic despite showing he has a sense of humor last night at the Correspondents dinner in D-C. He either has sense of humor of better writers than in year's past.

Northern Gleaner, sorry I haven't read your blog lately. Julie Neidlinger, your blog is still the best. Pete, keep on railroading amigo. Family and friends, thanks for being there despite the fact that I, often, am not.

What's wrong with that guy?

Ann Coulter, the conservative whatever, has stepped into a big pile of political doo-doo. He said that John Edwards is a faggot. For those uninitated, that is a negative term referring to homosexuals.

Coulter made her comment in Washington during an address to the 34th annual meeting of the Conservative Political Action Conference, during which she gave her opinions about the Democrats' slate of presidential hopefuls
"I was going to have a few comments on the other Democratic presidential candidate, John Edwards, but it turns out that you have to go into rehab if you use the word 'faggot,' so I'm - so, kind of at an impasse, can't really talk about Edwards, so I think I'll just conclude here and take your questions," said Coulter, whose comment was followed by applause..

So, what's with that guy, Ann Coulter, saying such mean things?
Don't you think he's (Ann)a homosexual?
I just KNOW A-C is a male.
Females don't have Adam's Apples.
Yet, IT does.
And, if HE is wearing a dress, (short silky sexy ones for primetime TV,) he may be homosexual. So, accepting that Ann is a male, (as I do,) isn't he a pot calling the kettle black? (That is how that saying goes, right?)
No matter his sexual preferences, or gender, I very much dislike the person called Ann Coulter. If he was my son, I'd be very disappointed in his point of view.
But, he's not my son...so, screw him.

Rick Stenerson and Modern Man

I ran into a column in Sunday's Forum about my buddy Rick Stenerson and his friend Modern Man. Rick is a regular on our radio show. He's connected to a local video store and watches the new movies in time to review them on KFGO. He also does other stuff, (stuff that makes him a living for instance.) One of his lifelong buddies is a local artist named Modern Man.
I've known Mod for fifteen or so years and admire him greatly. His is truly the lot of an artist. His pot to piss in may improve if Rick has his way as he tries to get Modern's work in galleries around the country. His work is often startling and always unique. I wish him well.

Photo courtesy of In-Forum

Cover Story

Sandy and I made the cover of the High Plains Reader! We've "been together" for fifteen years as an on-air team. The folks at HPR thought it worthy of a story.
Check it out here.

Doug, Bob, Jack and Jurgie puffin' on a stogie from Fidel

This pic of some of the boys in Jamaica slammin' down a Cuban cigar reminds me of when Kinky Friedman visited the White House. He offered President Clinton a Cuban Cigar. The President, embarrassed and in front of many others, reminded the Kinkster that Cuban Cigars are illegal in the U-S. Kinky looked Bill in the eye and told him "..don't think of it as bolstering their economy; think of it as 'burning their fields.'"

Super Sunday. How shallow can I be? I dig Prince!?

Prince is just fine.
I'm rooting for the non-Chicago Bears team. Go whomever you are.
My wofe and I saw Prince at the Fargodome some years back. He was great. For a short guy, he's sensational. For a tall guy, he'd be just as good. I wonder if he'll ever age? How old is that purple little cat? I'd pay good money to see him at his new venue in Vegas.
It was a fine halftime show.
I'm on three boards and am ahead $0 at halftime.
Stay tuned.

Uploaded pics from Jamaica. The things you see alongside the road at 9 MILE, (Bob Marley's birth and resting place.)

Brrr

Here is is Super Bowl Sunday and once again my arse is frozen. Baby, it's cold outside. Minus 22 or something like that. You can see your breath! But, as I've heard a thousand times in the past week, "..that's why we live here!" And, I've heard, "...we've seen colder days." Yeah, right.

Jack and Sandy are now working the 10:30am-2pm shift at KFGO. It's an old time slot for us and we've been successful there in the past. I hope it works out this time around. We did well in the latest ratings. Our daypart was up in adult numbers. KFGO was up overall. Larry Ristvedt is back with Tom Wynn in the mornings. Ed Schultz is back at 8:30am until 10:30am. We expect he'll do well in the ratings.

I have no plans for Superbowl XLI. I've been invited to Dennis and Bernies to play cards. I'd love to do that but doubt I will. Loretta doesn't play cards and it's likely she'll want to do something today. I'm on three Superbowl boards! I don't know how I can avoid winning some money. Something will surely come my way...

A week ago...it looked like this...in Jamaica

And on the reverse side of oceans encroaching on Jamaican soil, comes a real OMG!

Tell me again Mr. Bush why you don't believe in global warming? Is it because you too will see yourself stranded on thawing ice in the Arctic Ocean?

There is so much to say.
We arrived in Jamaica at 1pm, Sunday. We were in our rooms by 2pm and with luggage by 3. Then it was exploring to discover the pools, food areas and bars. The bars were discovered first and the pools and food on Monday.
I was up at 6am, with a cloud of smoke covering the resort. They were fogging the flying creatures that inhabit the area. It worked. Few bugs. Some small ants.
No big deals.
I escorted a group of KFGO listeners on a "canopy tour" near Anchovy Jamaica, about 45-minutes out of Mo-Bay. (Montego Bay.)
It involved holding onto a cord while fliding down a rope across the abyss. Our longest traverse was 1070-feet, 210-feet above the forest floor. We were secured by two pulley and a safety cord. Somehow, the safety standards of Jamaica were remarkable. Each jump was accompanied by a guide double-checking each cinch, tug and fastener. What a rush! I can't explain how exhilerated I felt with each jump. Stepping off a platform 200-feet above the ground is exciting to say the least.
Each crew member that accompanied us was a great person. Each one was honest, happy and enthusiastic. I didn't have enough money to tip them what they were worth. Far more than the customary 15%. (That is customary isn't it?)
Tomorrow we go to The Bob Marley House and his final resting place. I'm very excited about it. I've been told that they tourguides treat it very solemnly, with great reverance and respect. If one were take the time to check out Bob Marley, you'd know why his was the largest funeral in the history of Jamaica.
I'm in an internet cafe in our resort. There are three people in line behind me and I should go. There's so much to say, but so little time in which to say it.
Something I must ask and try to respond to, is, "what can we learn from the Jamaicans?" They are so friendly, kind, respectful, cheery and deprived. We, proud, hardworking Americans, who have so much, are so often down and depressive. The poor and oppressed people of Jamaica are so up and happy. How does that happen? Are they in denial? Are they ignorant of their condition? Or, does the Ganja help that much?
by the way, our driver, Barry, today, when asked which "football" team he prefers...said...not New England. Not Chicago. He said..."Jamaica. But, really, I LOVE Team Italia."
Kinda' like me and The Twins...but, I LOVE The Yankees. Sorry about that.
The keeper of the cafe is looking anxiously my way.
I must leave.

Hey Mon', it's Jamaica!

We wing our way to Jamaica at 7am tomorrow. We arrive at noon. That means we'll be at the hotel by 1. We won't be allowed into our rooms until 3. It sounds like a couple of hours on the beach with a foo foo drink featuring a little bamboo umbrella, slices of pineapple and a bit of Jamaican rum.
I think I'll arrive at the airport in shorts, flowered shirt and sandles. That'll save me the hassle of changing into something more comfortable when I get there.
Loretta has us all packed and ready to roll. Char is going to stay with the dogs. He'll also give us a ride to the airport at 4am. (We haven't told him yet.)
I'll be posting comments about our adventure here.

My card-playing pardner, Bernie, wife of a man selected to be one of my pallbearers if and when that time arrives, has suffered a loss. Her precious cat has "stepped on a rainbow" and has been bugled back to the baby Jesus.
Kitty died.
I'm sorry for the cat, for Bernie and for all those that lose those precious pets. It surely does hurt.
Kinky Friedman is my guru and favorite author. He may be the greatest living author today. Here's what he wrote about losing his "Cuddles."

E P I L O G U E

On January 4, 1993, the cat in this book and the books that preceded it was put to sleep in Kerrville, Texas, by Dr. W.H. Hoegemeyer and myself. Cuddles was fourteen years old, a respectable age. She was as close to me as any human being I have ever known.

Cuddles and I spent many years together, both in New York, where I first found her as a little kitten on the street in Chinatown, and later on the ranch in Texas. She was always with me, on the table, on the bed, by the fireplace, beside the typewriter, on top of my suitcase when I returned from a trip.

I dug Cuddles' grave with a silver spade, in the little garden by the stream behind the old green trailer where both of us lived in the summertime. Her burial shroud was my old New York sweatshirt and in the grave with her is a can of tuna and a cigar

A few days ago I received a sympathy note from Bill Hoegemeyer, the veterinarian. It opened with a verse by Irving Townsend: "We who choose to surround ourselves with lives even more temporary than our own live within a fragile circle ......

Now, as I write this, on a gray winter day by the fireside, I can almost feel her light tread, moving from my head and my heart down through my fingertips to the keys of the typewriter People may surprise you with unexpected kindness. Dogs have a depth of loyalty that often we seem unworthy of. But the love of a cat is a blessing, a privilege in this world.

They say when you die and go to heaven all the dogs and cats you've ever had in your life come running to meet you.

Until that day, rest in peace, Cuddles.

mmmmmmm.....

Moorhead American Legion Monday NIght Pinochle stats

CLICK ON THIS TO ENLARGE IT.
The team on which I play is "The Aces." We are mired in the middle of the pack this week I think. We didn't play well last Monday and should drop below our third-place standing.

Dennis Huber and his lovely, bright bride Bernie WON thousands of dollars in the West Fargo VFW Tournament earlier this month. My partner, Jody and I were "out of the money" by a couple of hundred points. She and I also stopped at The M&J Saloon and Steakhous in W-F on the way home. I ordered a Bloody Mary which was a very, very pale red. More vodka than tomato juice for sure. But, remarkably, Jody had a can of tomato juice in her purse, (?) and saved the day. We reddened it up, drank 'er down, and headed to Duffy's for a decent drink.

A week from today, Loretta and I fly from Fargo to Montego Bay Jamaica. We stay at the Sunset Beach Resort, in case you want to stop by and say "hey mon." We leave at 7am and arrive at 12n. That's fast. I have two Kinky Friedman books to delve into while there. I laugh aloud at the Kinkster. I admire his love of animals and his wry sense of life.

Another resolution

Beginning tomorrow, (Tuesday,) I'm going to go directly from my workout to work. That means I'll be showering at Meritcare Cardiac Rehab instead of coming home to do so. That means I'll be using a public shower, (which I'm sure is clean.) Should I wear flip flops? This means too, that I'll have to shave before I go to workout. Or do I bring my shaving kit and do it at the gym? Do I carry a suit bag since I wear a sports jacket, khaki's and dress shirt most days? How about my shoes?
Man, I'm hatin' 2007.

J. Edgar Hoover wore a dress. And was paranoic.

Ruining Your Holiday....Why the FBI Thought "It's A Wonderful Life" was a Subversive Film
Franklin & Marshall Professor uncovers the "dark side" of Capra classic

LANCASTER, Pa. -- "It's A Wonderful Life" is one of the most popular and heartwarming films ever made. Long regarded as the definitive Christmas movie, "It's A Wonderful Life" tells the tale of a man's life that is recognized as wonderful and truly rich after he suffers through many hardships and trials.


Yet in 1947, the FBI had some very different ideas about this holiday classic. In fact, the FBI branded "It's A Wonderful Life" and seven other films, including "The Best Years of Our Lives" as subversive.


To add insult to injury, the film's producer and director, Frank Capra, was reported to have "associated with left-wing groups and, on one other occasion to have made a picture which was decidedly socialist in nature--'Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.'"


"The FBI tried to analyze the content of movies in order to find evidence that Hollywood communists were trying to put propaganda into movies," explained John Noakes, F&M assistant professor of sociology. "They had been keeping Hollywood under surveillance for several years, keeping track of people's affiliations, who ate lunch with whom, and who was sympathetic to communist causes. Their reasoning was that if you were either a communist or known to consort with communists, then you might put communist propaganda into your films."


In searching for subversive frames in Hollywood films, the FBI set up three categories of "common devices that were used to turn non-political pictures into carriers of political propaganda." These devices included smearing values or institutions judged to be particularly American, such as wealth, free enterprise and the profit motive; glorifying values or institutions judged to be particularly anti-American, such as failure or the triumph of the common man; and making casual references to current events that belittled American political institutions.


"According to the FBI, "It's A Wonderful Life" fit into the first two categories," said Noakes.


The casting of Lionel Barrymore as a "scrooge-type" resulted in the loathsome Mr. Potter becoming the most hated person in the film. According to the official FBI report, "this was a common trick used by the communists."


And, the triumph of George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart) represented the triumph of the common man, thus satisfying the second condition.


"What's interesting in the FBI critique is that the Baileys were also bankers," said Noakes. " and what is really going on is a struggle between the big-city banker (Potter) and the small banker (the Baileys). Capra was clearly on side of small capitalism and the FBI was on the the side of big capitalism. The FBI misinterpreted this classic struggle as communist propaganda. I would argue that 'It's a Wonderfil Life' is a poignant movie about the transition in the U.S. between small and big capitalism, with Jimmy Stewart personifying the last hope for a small town. It's a lot like the battle between Home Depot and the mom and pop hardware store."

I found that piece HERE

My Hometown, Firth Idaho