Holiday Wishes for My Readers

As we approach the end of 2013, I want to take a moment to wish my readers a Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas and a Healthy and Prosperous New Year.  May you be surrounded by loved ones, family and friends to share the joy of the season.

Again this year I have included, for your entertainment, one of my favorite holiday videos, Beware of the Doghouse.  Take a few moments to enjoy it, and have a great holiday season!

Words of Wisdom for Your Children

Although Bill Gates really didn't say this (It was really the work of Charles J. Sykes, author of the 1996 book, Dumbing Down Our Kids: Why American Children Feel Good About Themselves But Can't Read, Write or Add), it is right on the mark! Check it out and forward it to your children and grandchildren.  If they follow this advice they will be head and shoulders above their peers as they start out in life.

[My thanks to Art Storey for forwarding this]

30 Second Brain Test: Right or Left Brained?

Psychologists say that the side of your brain that is dominant determines many of your personality traits.  Simply put, left brain dominant people are rational, logical and detail oriented, while right brain dominant people are creative, intuitive and chaotic.

Check out this short, entertaining test and see which side of your brain dominates you.  Click on the brain or the link below to start.

The 30 Second Brain Test

Veterans Day Tribute 2013

Veterans Day is upon us once again.  On Monday we remember and honor those who have served and those who still serve our country.  You've heard it before.  These men and women put themselves in harm's way and put their lives on the line to defend our country and keep us safe.  They have given up the comfort of their warm homes to go to the ends of the earth.  Many suffered serious injury and death in the performance of their duties.

As the conflicts in the Middle East wind down and our troops return home, thousands remain in harm's way, scores have paid the ultimate price, and hundreds have returned home with life changing injuries.  Once again I would like to extend a challenge to all of my readers to make a donation to one of the many organizations that help our Veterans in need.  The Disabled American Veterans and Wounded Warrior Project are just two.  I continue to donate funds to veterans organizations and contribute monthly to the Wounded Warrier Project to help those veterans who need our help.  I hope you will do the same.

Again this year I have included, for your entertainment, my favorite video honoring the men and women of our armed forces.  It honors them in an exciting and upbeat way that will have you on your feet!  To date it has been viewed over 53,000 times and continues to receive rave reviews.  Turn up your volume, select full screen and take a few moments to enjoy it.

Humor: Democrat, Republican, or Southerner?

Are you a Democrat, a Republican or a Southerner?  Here is a little test that will help you decide.  The answer can be found by posing the following question: 

You're walking down a deserted street with your wife and two small children.

Suddenly, a Terrorist with a huge knife comes around the corner, locks eyes with you, screams obscenities, raises the knife, and charges at you...

You are carrying a Kimber 1911 cal. 45 ACP, and you are an expert shot. You have mere seconds before he reaches you and your family. What do you do?

THINK CAREFULLY AND THEN SCROLL DOWN:

DEMOCRAT'S ANSWER:
Well, that's not enough information to answer the question!
What is a Kimber 1911 cal. 45 ACP?
Does the man look poor or oppressed?
Is he really a terrorist? Am I guilty of profiling?
Have I ever done anything to him that would inspire him to attack?
Could we run away?
What does my wife think?
What about the kids?
Could I possibly swing the gun like a club and knock the knife out of his hand?
What does the law say about this situation?
Does the pistol have an appropriate safety built into it?
Why am I carrying a loaded gun anyway, and what kind of message does this send to society and to my children?
Is it possible he'd be happy with just killing me?
Does he definitely want to kill me, or would he be content just to wound me?
If I were to grab his knees and hold on, could my family get away while he was stabbing me?
Should I call 9-1-1?
Why is this street so deserted?
We need to raise taxes, have paint & weed day.
Can we make this a happier, healthier street that would discourage such behavior.
I need to debate this with some friends for a few days and try to come to a consensus.
This is all so confusing!

REPUBLICAN'S ANSWER:
BANG!

SOUTHERNER'S ANSWER:
BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!
BANG !
Click.... (Sounds of reloading)
BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
Click

Daughter: 'Nice grouping, Daddy!  Were those the Winchester Silver Tips or Hollow Points?!

Son: 'Can I shoot the next one?!'

Wife: 'You are NOT taking that to a Taxidermist!

[My thanks to Jennie Montoya for forwarding this article]

USAFA Class of '17 Honor Seminars & Basic Training

Ed Montgomery, Class of '59, Addressing Basics

This year, for the third time, I was privileged to participate in the Honor Seminars led by Air Force Academy Graduates with the Class of '17 during their basic training in Jack's Valley.  This outstanding program provides time for grads to have informal discussions with the new cadets and future officers on the importance of character, honor and integrity in their careers and lives.

The young men and women I met with have been well raised with a strong sense of character, honor and integrity; values which will be built on and refined during their tenure at the Air Force Academy.  My hope for the future of our country has, once again, been renewed with the hope that these young men and women, and others of their generation, can reverse the trend of decay that consumes our society today.

I posted photos and videos of this year's experience on my Picasa Website.  The three videos at the end show "Pugil Stick" competition, "Obstacle Course" finals and the "Recognition Parade" which culminates in the basics' acceptance into the Cadet Wing.  Check them out by clicking the link, below.

USAFA Class of '17 Honor Seminars & Basic Training

My First Wedding Anniversary

Today is the first anniversary of my wedding to the girl of my dreams.  It took me 60 years to do it, and it was the first (and only) wedding for both of us.  But Loretta was worth the wait!

I included two videos below.  The first contains a slide and music show of the wedding and reception.  The second shows Loretta and me singing "All I Ask of You" from Phantom of the Opera to each other as a second set of vows.  Check them out and relive our special day with us!

Memorial Day Thoughts 2013

Memorial Day is once again upon us. As we pause to remember those who gave their lives, those who served and those who continue to serve, please remember those who served and now need our help. After 11 years of war in the Middle East, thousands of these brave men and women have returned home with life changing injuries. This Memorial Day I ask you to make a donation to one of the many organizations that help our Veterans in need. The Disabled American Veterans and Wounded Warrior Project are just two.

Take a few moments to view the video below. Afterward, please remember to lend a hand to our heroes in need at home.

Black Leaders Speak Out Against Gun Control

Here's something you didn't see on the major news networks.  The Second Amemdment enjoys considerable support in the African American community.  And that support dates as far back as the Dred Scott Decision during the Civil War.

Recently, the Center for Urban Renewal and Education (CURE) hosted a group of prominent figures at the National Press Club to speak out against gun control legislation currently being considered on Capitol Hill. CURE is the largest black conservative think tank in the nation and is headquartered in Washington, D.C.

[My thanks to Charlie Castelli for forwarding this video]

College Students Create Incredible Coke Machine

Recently, Coca-Cola asked engineering students at Purdue University to come up with the most outrageous way to share a coke.  The enthusiasm and initiative of these self-proclaimed "nerds" will lift your spirits.  Our college kids are still the best and brightest!  Check out this short, fun video.

[My thanks to Don Klein for forwarding this video]

Gun Control for Dummies

As efforts increase on Capitol Hill to limit the types of firearms and the number of rounds a citizen can own and carry, it becomes vital for Americans to understand why our Founding Fathers felt so strongly about our right to bear arms.  They were very fearful of a Federal Government that could take away its citizens' right to bear arms and drafted the Second Amendment to ensure it would never happen.  If we understand what is at stake should we lose that right, we can be vocal and strong and let our elected officials in Washington know that we will not stand for any impingement on the rights guaranteed to us under the Second Amendment.  The dangers and threats to our freedom if we let this happen are very serious.

The video below gives an explanation of the Second Amendment to the Constitution in the context of the entire Bill of Rights and lessons from history.  There is much more to the Second Amendment than hunting, target shooting and personal defense.  You see, an oppressive government needs to disarm its citizens and make them defenseless.  The need for the citizens the United States to be able to protect themselves from a tyrannical government dates back to our very experience with Britain that led to the American Revolution.  Be wary of any attempts by the Federal Government to impinge on your Second Amendment rights.

[My thanks to Tom Nick for forwarding this video]

Gun Control: The Australian Solution?

As Americans search for ways to prevent the repeating of violent crimes like those that occurred in Aurora, Colorado and Newtown, Connecticut, we must be careful not to choose the wrong solution.  Restricting the right of Americans to bear arms is not the answer.  In fact, a well intended attempt in Australia in 1997 had the exact opposite effect.  The result was a frightening increase in violence and crime.

In the 1997 attempt to curb crime and violence, the Australian government required its citizens to turn in semiautomatic and assault weapons and created requirements for private citizens to keep their remaining weapons unloaded and locked up in their homes.  The result was a staggering 69% increase in armed robberies, 28% increase in assaults with guns, 19% increase in gun murders and 21% increase in home invasions.

As I write this article, Vice President Joe Biden is heading up a commission to find ways to curb gun violence.  In his first public statement today, Mr. Biden stated that the White House could take "unilateral action on gun control."  Executive action by the President would completely circumvent the Congress, and President Obama has been trying to erode our Second Amendment right to bear arms since he took office.

The video, below, gives chilling testimony to the Australian attempt gone wrong.  Don't let this happen in the United States.  Protect your Second Amendment rights.  Join or donate to the National Rifle Association, and write your congressmen.  Our right to bear arms is seriously under attack.

[My thanks to Leslie Pellegrino for forwarding this video ]