what if?

Irreplaceable

Are fathers becoming passe?  Some seem to think so.

Others of us, however, believe quite the contrary. 

Not long ago, my 6 year old son Noah (pictured top left), had a Daddy's Day at school. On this day, all the Dads were to come for lunch and eat with their kids and hang out with them. I was a few minutes late arriving at the school and when I got there, the children had already been seated in the cafeteria with their Dads at the tables. I walked in and began looking for my son. I spotted him before he spotted me. He was looking for me too. He was sitting at the table, scanning the room, on the lookout for me. It was the look on his face as he searched anxiously for sign of his Dad that I haven't forgotten since: a look of worry and concern, maybe even the beginnings of fear, that his Dad was not going to be there for him, that maybe he had been abandoned. It was a look that told me that while this was perhaps just an inconvenient interruption of my workday for me, that for him it was a big frikking deal. It mattered to him big time. It made a difference to him if I was there or not. I waved to catch his attention as I strode forward to join him, like a giant through a crowd of elves. For a moment, all I thought was 'let me banish that look from his eyes right now'. When he saw me, his face lit up like the brightest strobe light you've ever seen (my son has a wonderful smile). He hollered 'Daddy' as I came into his view and instantly his demeanor changed from fearful and worried to happy and carefree. We had a wonderful time. But in that moment before he knew I was there, when he was 'looking for Daddy', I learned something about how very real and important my presence is to him.

Many times I have said:  "I have the best dad in the world."  And although I know countless others have made this statement, too - in my case, it's the truth.

With Father's Day soon approaching, I continue to thank my lucky stars about having my dad in my life.  As far as I am concerned, dads are as unnecessary as food and oxygen!

"Never Mind"

As Emily Litella would say, "Never mind."

All that stuff Al Gore told you about man made global warming?

NEVER MIND!

More than 31,000 scientists have signed a petition denying that man is responsible for global warming.

The academics, including 9,000 with PhDs, claim that greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane are actually beneficial for the environment.

The petition was created in 1998 by an American physicist, the late Frederick Seitz, in response to the Kyoto Protocol a year earlier.

It urged the US government to reject the treaty and said: "The proposed limits on greenhouse gases would harm the environment, hinder the advance of science and technology, and damage the health and welfare of mankind."

It added: "There is no convincing scientific evidence that human release of ... greenhouse gases is causing or will, in the forseeable future, cause catastrophic heating of the Earth’s atmosphere and disruption of the Earth’s climate. Moreover, there is substantial scientific evidence that increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide produce many beneficial effects upon the natural plant and animal environments."

Save The World

How can we best help the planet?

Ferget Kyoto.  Instead - tackle the items on this list.

Snow

No, once we get to the end of May, it really does not snow in the Twin Cities. 

Nevertheless, the front of my home almost looks as if it is nestled under a thin blanket of snow.  And, indeed it is - but this "snow" isn't cold and crisp.  The crab apple tree we planted 17 years ago has grown.  Every spring, for only a few days, it bursts forth with thousands of white perfection petals. 

Then, a rain storm or windy day begins to denude the blossoms.  Soon, we arrive at where we were today:  petals spread across the driveway and evergreens, coating all in gentle, fragrant whiteness.

I was about to "tidy it all up."  But it was too pretty, just as it was.

What Really Matters

Tired of all the political squabbling, negative reports about the economy and the plain old ugliness of some people?

If so, then read this story and watch this video.

This is what really matters in life.

Pro-Marriage

I've always thought that conservatives should be in favor of gay marriage - not against it.

Here are some reasons why this is so.

Back and "Aack!"

Early Tuesday morning, I returned to Minneapolis.  Although I had a thrilling and chilling time in Raleigh, frankly I was exhausted and disappointed after my trip.

Although my team put up a good battle against the eventual winners of the Trials, and although 2/3 of our team had never previously played in this competition, and although ending up 3/4th was better than only playing two days - true competitors always play to win.  I know that I personally could have performed better on more than a couple hands - and I am disappointed that I did not play up to the top level of my ability.

Nevertheless, I have also learned that dwelling in the past - particularly on the negative past - is not a productive nor fun venture.  I am grateful for the experience, for a partner who is talented, and teammates who were supportive and never gave up.

Maybe next time....

The Last 32

As many of you know, I have been in Raleigh, NC since Wednesday evening, competing in the Women's Trials of Bridge.  This event selects a representative of the U.S. to compete internationally.

Our first two days of play, two teams played 6 sets of 8 hands each day, to winnow the field of 7 to only 3.  My team finished 2nd out of this competition, so yesterday and today, we played a head-on match against one of the other two teams, plus another team who had a bye to this phase.

In this part of the competition, we play four sets of 16 hands the first day, then two sets the second day.  My team is behind by 39 points; not a tiny disparity, but certainly a margin that can be overcome.

The event is exhausting, frustrating - and exhilarating!  Playing against the best competition is the keenest way to improve, and the most rewarding.

Thirty-two more hands - and I sure hope our ladies get more of 'em "right" than the other team!

My First

Posting should be quite light for a few days, at minimum.  Currently, I am in Raleigh, NC, competing in the Women's Team Trials- the bridge competition that determines which women's team will represent our country in the next international tournament.  Eight teams are battling away, all experienced, successful women bridge players.  A combination of good judgement, luck, partnership camaraderie, fatigue, and the like will be the ultimate factors that select the winning team.

My team is in second place after two matches.  But - to say that there is a long way to go is a major understatement!

I hate to admit it - but - with travel, real estate work on the side and such, I am already a bit tired!

The only good news is that we're all human.  No one is immune from the perils of competition and daily life.

This is my first Trials.  Although I of course hope that my team is "the one" - no matter what, it will be an exciting and important bridge experience.

How Do You Report Success in Iraq?

Easy.

You don't.

Everything for Everyone

My liberal friends think one of the primary flaws facing our nation today is that we are not taxed enough.

I believe that one of our primary flaws is that we think the government should be all things to all people.

"Entitlement spending" will be the death of us.  For alternatives, read this.

While Congress will have a partisan debate over the federal budget this week, there is a growing, bipartisan consensus about the greatest threat to our nation's long-term economic prosperity: the explosion of entitlement spending. Unfortunately, Washington is not planning to address that problem this week, or any time soon. By doing nothing, we are shackling our future with unsustainable debt and taxes.

According to the Congressional Budget Office, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and the rest of government will consume nearly 40% of the economy by the time my three young children reach my age (38). This will require more than doubling the average tax burden of the past 40 years just to keep the government afloat. Continuing down this path will eventually strangle our economy.

Count Your Blessings

Maynard the Cockatoo is whining about a lack of squeezing and a paucity of bird toys.

Does he not realize that there are starving cockatoos in Armenia who never receive any squeezing or toys?

In other recent developments, Mr. Mollo has spent the better part of a day entirely ensconced in a discarded Kleenex box.  The small segment of tail feathers is about the only section of Mr. Mollo that has been exposed to the light of day since early morning.

I might add that this strange behavior is by Mollo's choice.  Go figure.

Beginning of the End?

So many issues and attitudes regarding government and how we choose to live face free nations every day.  What services should our government provide - and how much?  What system of taxation should we use?  How do we provide welfare to those in need?  And so on and so forth.

Yet no matter where you are on each of these issues, and so many others like them, none seem to rise to the level of important as one issue in particular:  our freedom of speech.

Thus, when I read this today at Shrinkwrapped, I shuddered.

A Dutch political cartoonist was arrested this week on suspicion of insulting people because of their race or religion through his work, authorities said Friday.

The cartoonist, who works under the pseudonym Gregorius Nekschot, was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of violating hate speech laws and held overnight before being released, a spokeswoman for his publisher Uitgeverij Xtra said.

"He was arrested with a great show of force, by around 10 policemen," the spokeswoman said.

Bravo New York Times

It isn't often that I agree with New York Times editorials.  But check your moon; today the Times' is right on target!

Congress has approved a $307 billion farm bill that rewards rich farmers who do not need the help while doing virtually nothing to help the world’s hungry, who need all the help they can get.

President Bush should keep his promise to veto it and demand better legislation.

The bill is an inglorious piece of work tailored to the needs of big agriculture and championed by not only the usual bipartisan farm state legislators but also the Democratic leaders, including Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Every five years we get a new farm bill, and each time we are reminded that even reformers like Ms. Pelosi cannot resist the blandishments and power of the farmers.

The bill includes the usual favors like the tax break for racehorse breeders pushed by Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the Senate minority leader. But the greater and more embarrassing defect is that the bill perpetuates the old subsidies for agriculture at a time when the prices that farmers are getting for big row crops like corn, soybeans and wheat have never been better. Net farm income is up 50 percent.

The legislation preserves an indefensible program of direct payments amounting to about $5 billion a year that flow in good times and bad. It raises support levels for wheat and soybeans, while adding several new crops to the list in a way that will make it easier for farmers to raid the federal Treasury even when prices go up.

Bill's Comments

My friend Bill is one wise fellow.  Is he correct about the upcoming election and what it portends?

Currently we are justifiably angry with the Republicans. They have done far worse than Bush I and his "read my lips". They have completely betrayed all the principles the Republicans supposedly stand for. As a consequence we will throw out all the Republicans that we can. In fact, I will do so as well, voting against Senators DeWine and Voinivich at any opportunity.

The only downside is that they will be replaced by Democrats who are unabashedly tax and spend, government power types. However, when none of their policies correct what is wrong with the country and are perceived as making things worse, they in turn will be thrown out. That is the point at which things could become better. Just like a boil which has to come to head to be lanced and healed, so the festering of 60's activism must finally come to a head and be removed from the political stage.

The process of doing this will be very painful. We will see joblessness increase greatly, major gains by Jihad, erosion of savings' value, cost of living sky-rocket, mostly over fuel costs, and retirements being postponed for lack of means to support them. We will see morality and principle come under severe attack under the guise of political correctness. In the name of freedom from being offended, our freedom of speech will be curtailed. To see what is coming, simply look at Canada or Great Britain.

I hope Bill is wrong; I fear he is right.

Nevertheless, I agree with Bill that even if we have to suffer under this scenario, in the long run, we may right the course.  I only hope that the "long run" is not that terrifically long!  A lot of damage may be incurred along the way...

One

 Need but one reason to vote for John McCain in November?

This would be it.

Compassion and Complexity

If you read Megan McArdle's tales and perspective about poverty at The Atlantic, you may rail at at the disincentives, lack of rationality - and lack of compassion - in our nation's system of welfare assistance.

If you read the comments following this post, you may reconsider your original reaction - or be dismayed at the small mindedness of some.

Should you visit the Wall Street Journal's comments from readers, you could read this from Dave Bowers:

Why is it that many seem to believe that there must be economic equality among all Americans? This is the land of opportunity, not the land of entitlement nor guaranteed success.

I am a business owner. I started with nothing 20 years ago and now have a very successful business with over 40 well-paid employees. Yet the media and the politicians wish to demonize me, and others like me, for having played by the rules and achieved success.

I have worked many, many 100 hour weeks and taken great financial risks, endured stress and uncertainty, yet I am the "bad guy" because I am in the top 1% of income earners. Rather than support me and encourage me to build my business and employ additional people at good wages, the government wishes to tax me at a higher rate and provide NO incentives to continue.

I love my work and my employees, but frankly I can't wait to retire and be done with the talking-head politicians that wish to slam me, disrespect me and make a mockery of the diminishing group of hard work and risk taking entrepreneurs that drive the majority of job creation in this country.

The Robin Hood mentality of the politicians and Washington in general is what is driving job-creators away and driving companies overseas. After all, the general population wishes to have more income and a better life - this is why entrepreneurs take risks and work 100+ hour weeks. If that incentive is removed, why take the risk and work so hard - everyone will be financially equal when the government takes from people like me and redistributes my wealth to those that have made different choices in life.

Unfair and un-American. Washington WAKE UP to the people who are creating jobs - help us to employ more people and stop telling us we must accept and be happy about more taxes on our success. Fed up !!

The Healthy Lifestyle

  Scrambled eggs with tomato, mushrooms and a dash of Virginia ham plus whole wheat toast, artfully served on the senior housing advertising section of the Star Tribune.

It just doesn't get any better than this!

Red Roaver, Red Roaver

If you are a prehistoric dinosaur like myself, then the phrases "Red Roaver," "Mother May I," "Tag", "Hopscotch," "Jump Rope" and a host of others are meaningful.  If you are a child - you are probably wondering if I am speaking in tongues.

When I was a child, as this column aptly describes, we just walked outside and played.  In addition to all of the above games, we roller skated and biked throughout the neighborhood and arranged ball games.  During summer, we'd walk or bike over to the local pool or Lake Michigan.  In the winter, our moms would schedule sleepovers and parties in their rec rooms.  I remember taking the bus to the movies on weekends, and for real treats, jumping on the elevated to oogle all the downtown Chicago sites.  Adventuresome souls like my little sister tackled the backyard slide.

Today, I'm not sure if any "responsible" parent would allow their child to walk three blocks to a friend's home.

For most middle-class American children, "going out to play" has gone the way of the dodo, the typewriter and the eight-track tape. From 1981 to 1997, for instance, University of Michigan time-use studies show that 3- to 5-year-olds lost an average of 501 minutes of unstructured playtime each week; 6- to 8-year-olds lost an average of 228 minutes. (On the other hand, kids now do more organized activities and have more homework, the lucky devils!) And forget about walking to school alone. Today's kids don't walk much at all (adding to the childhood obesity problem).

Increasingly, American children are in a lose-lose situation. They're forced, prematurely, to do all the un-fun kinds of things adults do (Be over-scheduled! Have no downtime! Study! Work!). But they don't get any of the privileges of adult life: autonomy, the ability to make their own choices, use their own judgment, maybe even get interestingly lost now and then.

America's Dodo Bird?

You do not need to be a birdie Einstein to know that the Republican Party has been having its troubles.  At times, these difficulties loom so large, one wonders if even survival is in jeopardy.

Some good advice for those who aren't quite ready to succumb to the national health-care, MM global-warming, multi-culturalist crowd.....

Republicans desperately need to cook up some new ideas and craft an attractive agenda to have any chance of success. Former Massachusetts governor and presidential candidate Mitt Romney says it should be a modern edition of Newt Gingrich’s “Contract With America.”

“It’s critical that our candidates have a very clear set of principles,” Romney says. “If we are ill-defined or, worse, if we’re defined by the failures of the administration or the failure of Congress in the last eight to 10 years, then we’re going to lose.”

The name of the agenda doesn’t matter, but the substance does. Voters no longer think lean government, smart and strong defense, and good old-fashioned family values when they think Republican. They think reckless spenders, misguided war and hypocrisy. Republicans “don’t have a vision,” says former House Majority Leader Dick Armey (R-Texas). “Their behavior is being governed by a bad political model, and we’re losing races.”

Republicans need to focus on cutting taxes, slashing spending and rediscovering their edge on national security matters. More important, they need to jump ahead of Democrats in thinking anew about entitlement programs, health care, technological innovation, global trade and new energy plans.

Bill Frist, the former Senate majority leader and now a visiting professor at Princeton University, also recommends the “big idea” approach. His prescription: “Take on health care in a way that focuses on consumer-driven health,” providing “a contrast to the big government of Democrats.”