Death of Bin Laden

We must all understand that the death of Osama Bin Laden is only the closing of a chapter...not the end of the book. The ten year relentless pursuit of this horrible terrorist proves the tenacity of the American spirit and the strength of American integrity. However...the hatred will continue...the misguided Islamic Jihadist will make Bin Laden into a martyr...scream about retaliation (as if Bin Laden's death was not justified retaliation by the US)...and continue their scorched earth policy of killing as many innocent people as possible under the guise of a religious war. It is not a true religious war...it is out and out hatred of anyone who does not agree with them. These are hateful, vengeful people who will continue to inflict suffering. I, personally, do not think this war will ever end. It will take a total worldwide awakening and realization that these zealots are out for world domination, and it will take the world to stop them. I do think that these past ten years have been filled with fear and uncertainty for the now departed Osama Bin Laden. As each day, week, month, and year passed and he saw more and more of his top Lieutenants and advisers either killed or captured he must have come to realize just how much he had underestimated the will, determination and spirit of the American people...and that the inevitable would someday fall upon him...and it did. He died as he lived...hate-filled and violent. The world is better off...but, not really any safer.

Barack Obama and Ron Zook

After watching the complete lack of American influence in the current crisis in Egypt, I began to think back over the past two years and came to realize that Barack Obama has a lot in common with Ron Zook. When Zook took over the reins of the Florida Gators from Steve Spurrier, the Gators were a top 5, nationally ranked team. It only took Ron Zook seven games to take the Gators completely out of the top 25. In much the same way, in the past two years Obama has completely removed the United States of America from it's position as the major influence in world affairs to a place that must list us somewhere in importance with the also-rans such as Finland and Estonia. Obama's world wide apology tours and constant criticizing of the past American policies did nothing but raise eyebrows around the world as to what is going on with this once great and proud nation. Then...by bowing to every head of state that carried a title of President...Czar...Dictator...Sultan...or whatever, sealed the deal that America now pictured itself as just like the rest and not quite as good as most. Respect and influence took a dramatic downturn in the world political caucus. I guess that when you elect someone to the most important job in the world who has absolutely no administrative experience...and then surrounds himself with nothing but Chicago political hacks...this is what you get. Can it all be turned around in the next two years? I don't think so...too much damage has been done. It looks like it is going to take a fresh start in 2012 with a new, more experienced leader to take the greatest nation on earth back to the respected and influential level that is deserved.

Costa Rica

A nation that rightfully prides itself on its rain forests and beautiful landscapes. With over 109 inches of rain annually they say that they have two season in Costa Rica...the rainy season and the more rainy season. However, on this day that we were ashore, it was a beautiful, sun filled day. We took a ride through some of the many waterways that penetrate the rain forest and were exposed to multiple examples of wildlife...from iguanas to many species of water fowl to more than one species of monkeys and sloths. In addition we visited the Del Monte banana packing farm and factory. I found it quite interesting to see how the bananas are harvested, sorted, packed and shipped to the correct destination based solely on how old the bananas are when picked so that they don't ripen until they arrive in the appropriate country. Fascinating! A lovely, lush country that still has a preponderance of poverty even though the literacy rate is 90%. We did not see the beautiful resort areas of the country that are becoming so popular with Americans. Around Limon, where our ship docked, there was much squalor and poor living conditions. A beautiful country that is pushing ahead to make life much better for all who live there.

Panama Canal

Without a doubt the Panama Canal is one of the great engineering and technical masterpieces in history. When you think of the technology available when the canal was dug and how it has operated the last hundred years just as it did when it opened in 1914 is absolutely amazing. As you pass through the locks and realized that when it was built the Panama Canal was the largest concrete structure in the world you begin the appreciate the fact that 26,000 people lost their lives in the construction of this passageway. Most of those who died were killed by disease...malaria and yellow fever...before anyone discovered that these deadly diseases were transmitted by the simple mosquito. Today about 40 vessels a day pass through the six locks and 50 miles of waterways from one ocean to the other. Crossing the Panama Canal is roughly like shooting TV show or movie...brief moments of action and excitement followed by lengthy periods of tedious boredom. However...I would not trade the experience. It is like watching an elephant dance...never criticize the technique, just marvel that they can do it.

Curacao

Curacao is a much larger and more tropical island than Aruba, however there are not nearly as many nice, public beaches. More jungle...less beaches. Interestingly, the usable beaches are privately owned. We wandered around the capital city of Willemstad and found it much more alluring than Oranjestaad, Aruba. Multi-cultural with upscale shops as well as the "birds and beads" stores aimed at the tourists. There is a floating, pontoon bridge that gets you from one side of town to the other. The bridge swings open when it is necessary to let boats into the port area and while the bridge is open they use ferries to take people across. We were lucky enough to use both...just another "island adventure, mon!" It was fun...but...we have now been there, done that...and...I got the tee shirt!

Aruba

Aruba is a very interesting island. It is basically a pile of volcanic rock that will grow absolutely nothing except tourists. The only valuable plant, fruit or vegetable that will grow there is aloe...and aloe products are, believe it or not, the only export the island has. Everything must be be shipped in...including the tourists...which are the main industry of this very pleasant island. There are many beautiful seaside hotels and resorts. The island is only nine miles long and six miles wide...but, the water is magnificent. There are coral reefs and shipwrecks for scuba divers and snorkelers. There is also miles and miles of soft sandy beaches that make for very relaxing vacations. I was surprised to hear that 75% of the tourists come from the US. Just as long as you stay away from the Vandersloots, you could have a great time here.

Half Moon Cay

First of all, right up front, let me say...we love this ship! Now...a lot of that is our wonderful cabin. We were lucky enough to be upgraded to a mini-suite and it is large and spacious with all of the conveniences of home...plus a whirlpool tub. The balcony is twice the size of the others we have had and the "extras" are really, really nice. In addition, the service is great and the food is wonderful. The ship itself is so well laid out and very, very nice. It just couldn't be better. Today we spent the day at the Holland America's Bahamian island of Half Moon Cay. It is not quite as tricked out as Disney's Castaway Cay, but all-in-all is was very nice and the water was absolutely gorgeous...a crystal blue and perfectly clear. We only waded in the water but loved every step. Also, notice in the picture the para-sailing happening in front of the ship. I failed to mention that we are on the Zuiderdam and currently sailing toward Aruba.

Christmas 2010

I love Christmas!!! I love everything about it! I love that "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." I love that a world pauses to reflect upon this eternal promise that began its fulfillment 2000 years ago in a stable in Bethlehem. I love that, somehow, even the hardest of hearts seems to melt just a little during this time of year. I love that people seem more gentle and kind and considerate. I love shopping for my wife. I love the look in her eyes when she opens one of my presents and genuinely likes it. I love my family as we gather around the dinner table and partake in one of the best meals of the year that includes laughter, joy and love. I love driving around and looking at all of the decorations that so many put up to celebrate the season. I love getting up early each morning and turning on the lights of our Christmas tree that stays lit all day...it really gets my day off to a wonderful start. I love reading the Christmas story in Matthew and Luke. What I don't like...is when it all ends and we take everything down. Let the Christmas spirit fill us all, all year long.

Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays, and I have been saddened to see how we, as a nation, have just let it slip into relative unimportance. The commercial establishments long ago just decided to jump straight from Halloween to Christmas because nobody gave gifts on Thanksgiving, so, why in the world should anybody promote a time when they can't make a buck or two. I'll tell you why...because everyone in this country needs to stop and remember that we live in the "land of the free" for a reason. That, like it or not, we are "one nation under God" and like those brave people who risk all to travel to a new land where they could worship as they pleased and knew it was by the provincial hand of God that they survived and offered up their thanks in the only way they knew how. It was not until 1863 that President Abraham Lincoln declared that our entire nation needed a day to stop and thank God for His hand of blessing on our nation and our people. He did not proclaim a day of "food and football"...he said: "It is the duty of nations as well as of men to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God; to confess their sins and transgressions in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon. We have been recipients of the choicest bounties of heaven...But we have forgotten God. We have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray. I do therefore invite my fellow-citizens...to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of Thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens." Let us all think about these words...let us all stop and reflect on all of our blessings...and, let us all truly celebrate a day of Thanksgiving!!!!

Good News and Bad News!

The mid-term elections are finally over! I think everyone has seen and heard all of the political commercials we need to deal with for a while...thank goodness we finally get a break. As the dust begins to settle and we all sit back and take a deep breath and try and figure out exactly what happened...a few things seem to rise to the top of awareness. What we have is good news and bad news. First the good news...it seems that all across the country (with the exception of California) Americans began to realize that the "hope and change" that was being implemented by the Obama administration, was not the "hope and change" they had voted for: this seemingly steady march toward Euro-socialism is not what made America great. Socialism has never worked..anywhere at any time. Free enterprise and personal accountability separated the United States of America from everyone else and the ingenuity and creative power of the people who knew they had a chance to succeed or fail kept the flame glowing. No one was promised a safety net and Americans accepted the challenge and thrived. As has been pointed out over and over again this shift in power of more than 60 seats in the House of Representatives is the largest move since 1938. Why is this important? Because the HR is the ONLY branch of government that has to stand up to scrutiny and approval every two years...and this year the citizens said loud and clear that their Representatives had not been doing the will of the people. To paraphrase something I read from an Iowan...it's "We the People"...not..."We the Congress." Arrogance and condescension is being exposed and replaced. Now...will the new Republican majority do any better? Time will tell...and if they don't respond to the will of the people in two years a new group will be given a chance. I don't think that America is again going to lapse back into the coma and lack of attention that brought an unprepared and extremist teleprompter reader into the most powerful office in the world. Accountability is the new watch word. The other good news is that the people of central Florida rose up and overwhelmingly got rid of the vile and vitriolic knucklehead, Alan Grayson. Arrogant doesn't begin to describe his total disregard for truth and civility..I'm not sure what word would describe his embarrassing campaign that, apparently, figured that all central Floridians were stupid and gullible...not so, huh Alan! Now for the bad news...Harry Reid will be back as Senate Majority Leader and is still as misguided as he has been for the last two years. Also...Barney Frank is back, but luckily this time he will not be chairman of anything and hopefully will not be able to lead us down the road to financial ruin as has been the case for the last four years. Also, I guess the people of California were too engrossed into whether to legalize pot than really look at the state of their state and elected Barbara Boxer and Jerry Brown. Unbelievable! Two tired and worn out free spending liberals leading the weak and clueless. We can all just wait for their cry to Washington to bail them out. So there we have it...a chance for a small step back to sanity. The liberals still control two thirds of the government...but, we can only hope...and prepare for 2012.

Fantasy Football

Considering how much I really enjoy watching football games, I guess it is a little unusual that this is the first year that I have waded into the stormy waters of...Fantasy Football!!! Why in the world did it take me so long...this is so much fun (even if my team is 0-2) Right off the bat let me say that FF totally changes the way you watch professional football. No longer are you rooting for a team (the Dolphins in my case) you are literally screaming for 8 individual players and 1 team defense that make up your team for that particular week. Of course, your team usually changes a little each week depending on how everyone plays...which makes it so much fun. I happen to be in a rather small league...there are only six of us...a daughter, two grandsons (who I discovered can be rather cut-throat when it comes to drafting players) and two friends of the grandsons. We all had a real hot and sweat producing draft night that gave all of us something to cheer about...and something to complain about. Al in all we did manage to survive and since our family gathers at our house on Sunday afternoon after church I get to watch the games (we have Directv Sunday Ticket) with daughter and grandsons...and let the smack talk begin!!! This past week my team played my oldest grandson who took great delight in his beat down of old grandpa. But...as we say as we lick our woulds...we'll get 'em next week...besides I just picked up Jahvid Best...be afraid...be very afraid!!!

The Times They Are A Changin'

Great American poet...and somewhat competent singer...Bob Dylan once said: "The Times They Are A Changin'." That could very well be the theme song for the upcoming mid-term elections in November, 2010. Back in 2008 when a disgruntled electorate went to the polls and elected Barack Obama as President, little did they know about this man they had just made the leader of the free world. Now...two years later...and much to the chagrin of a large portion of those who voted for him, the country is beginning to realise that they should have dug a little deeper into the background and thought process of this smooth talking man with the natural gift of reading a teleprompter. Little did they realize that when he said that he wanted to "fundamentally change America" that he really meant that he intended to "FUNDAMENTALLY CHANGE AMERICA!" Suddenly lights went on, "uh-ohs" were uttered and the stark realization set in that America has always been and will always continue to be a center-right, more conservative than liberal nation, and one that values the founding principles of this great nation more than the current hula hoop of political correctness. People began to realize that the very essence of this great nation was under attack by a hugely biased liberal media and political control by a dominant left leaning Democratic Party who were following a President with a very radical agenda. As this realization began to awaken the usually quiet and passive majority of voters, a new awareness of the inalienable rights of all Americans began to appear and real voter unrest began to galvanize into a movement to restore those ideals and principle that the original Founding Fathers envisioned when they wrote and signed the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States of America that now...supposedly...governs our country. As radical judges and uncaring politicians have taken direct aim at these foundational principles, the people are ready to take the political process into their own hands and try and restore the country back to "One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." I, for one, hope they do.