What a Long Strange Election This Has Been

And, it seemed like it started ten years ago.  I have never seen America so divided over this one.  Even my wife and I voted differently for the first time ever, thus cancelling our votes essentially.

I sure won't miss all the political ads on TV and the radio.  Every year they get nastier and dirtier.  I am now of the opinion to vote for any candidate not using the smear tactics.  If you believe them, then every politician should be imprisoned.

This is also the first time we voted by mail because of you-know-what.

If I had my rathers, I would vote for Lauren Underwood and Joe Biden, but unfortunately, they are Democrats and that party scares me even more that Donald Trump with their blind allegiance to the BLM movement in an effort to have Blacks sweep them to victory.  I voted for Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama in the last two presidential elections.

But, I can't do that this year.

Plus, there is the Democratic efforts (along with BLM) at Confederadication, the removal of all things Confederate from U.S. history.

Well, Regardless, I sure will be happy when all this is over.

How Soon Can Tomorrow Get Here?  --RoadTired

JSIS: Democrats Behaving Poorly-- Just Mercy-- Congrats Kansas City

JSIS--  Just Some Interesting Stuff

1.  DEMOCRATS BEHAVING POORLY--  I watched the Presidential State of the Union Address, or should we have called it, "Democrats Behaving Poorly."  They hit a new low.  A bunch of petulant children.  Had they been in my classroom, especially the one sitting behind the President, they or she would have been sent to the principal's office.  And, both Liz and I did not vote for Donald Trump in the last election.  Maybe not this year, and we'd really like to vote against him again.

2.  "JUST MERCY"--  I just saw this movie this week and in my opinion should have had Best Picture, Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor nominations.  This movie really moved me and perhaps there is something to Blacks saying they don't get proper credit in the film industry.

3.  CONGRATS KANSAS CITY CHIEFS--  What a game!  One of the best Super Bowls ever.  What a comeback!!  Liz and I were pulling for the Chiefs since they are Midwest and win about as often as Chicago.  Loved the Bill Murray Jeep commercial.  We also were pulling for the 49ers with the local connection of quarterback Tony Garappalo from local Arlington heights and EIU, Jimmie Ward from NIU and Robbie Gould from Da Bears.

Well Have to See.  --RoadDog

World Leaders Honor D-Day Veterans-- Part 1: "The Wartime Generation - My Generation - Is Resilient"

From the June 6, 2019, Chicago Tribune by Danica Kirka and Jill Lawless, AP.

Queen Elizabeth II and world leaders, including President Trump gathered Wednesday on the south coast of England to honor the troops who risked and sacrificed their lives 75 years ago on D-Day.  It was a triumphant turning point of World War II

Across the English Channel, Allied paratroopers dropped into northwestern France, scaled cliffs by Normandy beaches and charged ashore this day.

It is exceedingly sad that the number of veterans who were there and who fought in the war is dwindling so fast.  Several hundred men who took part in D-Day were there.  All are now in their nineties.  The Queen herself is now 93 years old and a member of that Greatest Generation.

She served as an army mechanic during the war and said that when she attended the 60th anniversary event many thought it might be the last time it was held  "But the wartime generation -- my generation -- is resilient,"  she said.

JSIS: Two NIU People Killed in Aurora-- Alabama Omits Lincoln-- Super Snow Moon

JSIS--  Just Some Interesting Stuff.

1.  TWO NIU PEOPLE KILLED IN AURORA--  As if Valentine's Day isn't bad enough fot Northern Illinois University, because of the five murders 11 years ago, but the day after it this year, two people with NIU connections were murdered by another gunman,  Trevor Wehner was starting his internship in preparation for his May graduation and alumnus Clayton Parker were both killed.

2.  ALABAMA OMITS LINCOLN--  Monday was Presidents' Day and Alabama did not include Abraham Lincoln.  Some called it racism, but it was actually a Yankee thing.  By the way, I didn't know Presidents' Day was a day to honor all presidents, not just Washington and Lincoln.

3.  SUPER SNOW MOON--  The last two nights were almost as bright as daylight because of it.  No sneaking through the blockade these last two nights.

Thinking About Millard Fillmore.  --RoadDog

I'd Celebrate That!!! Feb. 18-19: Iwo Jima Day Today

FEBRUARY 18

CRAB-STUFFED FLOUNDER DAY--**   Two of my favorite things together?  You kidding me?

NATIONAL DRINK WINE DAY--**  Drinkin' wine spo-de-doh.  I remember those college days with Ripple and Annie Green Springs.  Actually, Liz was given a bottle of Kenny Reid's home-made wine last month and we'll be drinking to his memory.  Miss you Kenny.

PRESIDENTS DAY--**  I was of the opinion this was to honor Washington and Lincoln, but now learn it is to honor all presidents.  Since I just mentioned Millard Fillmore being buried in Buffalo, New York's Forest Lawn Cemetery in my War of 1812 blog, I will honor him.

THUMB APPRECIATION DAY--**    Imagine life without 'em.  Much more difficult.  I came close to losing my right one back in 2008.


FEBRUARY 19

NATIONAL LASH DAY--  Eye lashes that is. What's with the gals with those two-inch-long lashes?  Weird if you ask me.  But, when they bat their lashes, at least you can get a nice breeze on a hot day.

INTERNATIONAL TUG-OF-WAR DAY--**  Few things more fun than this, especially if there is a big ol' mud puddle between the teams, but only if you're on the winning team.

IWO JIMA DAY--**  Today marks the beginning  of it back 74 years ago.  I'll put up my flags.

NATIONAL CHOCOLATE MINT DAY--**   Candy!!  Good!!  Frango Mints and Andy's Nibts and those Girl Scout chocolate mint cookies.  Order me a box.

--RoadDog

SAILOR QUESTIONS  (From the Wassup Magazine):  Which sailor appears in the "Arabian Nights" stories?

Answer:  Sinbad

This Past Weekend: Nov. 29 to Dec. 1: Movies, Bars, Band, and Two Sad Days

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29

Movie day for me.  I saw the movies "Creed II" and "Bohemian Rhapsody."  I always try to see at least 52 movies every year, one for every week.  Today's movies were #42 and #43.  The music in "Bohemian Rhapsody,"  Wow!!!

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30

We had more snow  Went to Meijer and ate at Steak 'N Shake.  We met Kevin and Kelly at the Legion and watched the last few exciting minutes of the MAC Championship.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1

Today was the anniversary of a very sad day in Chicago history, the Our Lady of the Angels fire which took the lives of 92 students and 3 nuns.  Liz knew some of the students.  Also sad to hear that former President George H.K. Bush died on Friday.

Went to the Fox Lake American Legion and had a great time listening to Joe Kadlec in the afternoon.  Then we went to Sunnyside and watched the Northwestern and Georgia Big 10, 11,12,13,14 and SEC championship games.  Sadly, both lost.

--RoadDog

Death of President George H.W. Bush

Yesterday I watched the coffin of our 41st president taken from the U.S. Capitol building to the National cemetery for his funeral service.

It was a service befitting someone of his great stature and with much military formality.

It was interesting to see all the living presidents in attendance.  Bill Clinton seemed to be talking Michelle Obama's ear off.  That is, until Donald and Ivanna Trump came in.  The Clintons looked straight ahead and did not acknowledge the Trumps.  I thought that was more than a bit petty.  This is not the time to do that.

I was happy to see that the Obamas did greet the Trumps.

The eulogies were wonderful and son George Bush's especially hit home.  I don't know how he didn't break down before he did.

Yesterday afternoon we went to some of our favorite watering holes and I was trying to think what I could wear to honor President Bush.  I settled on my USA baseball cap.  But when we got to Sunnyside, my buddy Mark came in wearing a USS San Jacinto tee shirt and a USS George H.K. Bush hat.

His father served on the USS San Jacinto with George Bush during World War II and Mark had given me a USS San Jacinto hat.  I didn't think about it, but wore it today.

My Vietnam War Experience-- Part 1: The War That Wouldn't End

This past May and June I wrote about different Vietnam War veterans giving their reminiscences of that war.

Well, for me, it wasn't an experience in South Vietnam.  The war ended before I graduated from college.  But, I was fairly sure the war would be going on even now with the way we were fighting it.  Had it continued past 1973, I was going to be there.

I really wasn't so much against the war in junior high and part of high school. The war started when I was in junior high at Winston Park in Palatine, Illinois, and went all the way through those two years.  Then it continued all the way through high school at Fremd and Palatine.  Surely it has to end at some point.  No war goes on forever, or so I thought.  But no, it didn't and was only showing signs of escalating instead of coming to an end.

I always felt that the war might have ended in the 1964 election had Barry Goldwater been elected.  I know the North Vietnamese must have been afraid of him when he said he would begin bombing Hanoi.  President Johnson in the election didn't say what he was going to do as far as bombing.  Johnson won in a landslide and soon began bombing Hanoi.

--RoadDog

Congratulations Donald Trump, Now, Pay Your Taxes

That was some surprise.  I really thought Hillary Clinton was going to win easily.  Donald Trump scared far too many people, including us.

But, at least we have a president who is not the same-old, same-old brand of politician that we normally get.  he is not afraid to speak out.  But hopefully this campaign has taught him a few things about his mouth.

And, even better, now he just might pay some taxes.  The government can sure use it.  maybe he will even go back and back-pay them.

--RoadDog

Interesting Presidents in the Last 36 Years.

First we had the second-ever Father-Son presidents with the George Bushes.  (The first were John Adams and John Quincy Adams.)

Then, we had the first black president with Barrack Obama (although he is half white).  Now, we have the first-ever woman nominated by a major political party and possibly the first-ever Husband-Wife presidents.

Maybe even the first-ever First Man (or would that be First-Husband?)

--RiadDig