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

I'd Celebrate That!! November 5 to 11: Saturday Is the 243rd Birthday of the USMC!!!

**  I'd celebrate that.

NOVEMBER 5, MONDAY--  American Football Day**  Doughnut Day**  Especially those Britt Donuts at Carolina Beach, N.C.

NOVEMBER 6,  TUESDAY--  Election Day**  I'll sure be celebrating the end of it.  It's been a long year and a half.   Nachos Day**

NOVEMBER 7, WEDNESDAY--  Job Action Day   Not sure what this is.   Hug A Bear Day**  Well, not the ones out in the wild, but those lil' cuddly teddy bears.

NOVEMBER 8, THURSDAY--  Cappuccino Day**  Especially pumpkin spice cappuccino,  99 cents for a large at Thornton's.  (I'll probably never know how to spell it without looking it up.    Parents As Teachers Day**   Let's hope parents are doing some teaching.

NOVEMBER 9, FRIDAY--  Scrapple Day**  Never had any, but I hear it is really good.

NOVEMBER 10, SATURDAY--   U.S. Marine Corps 243rd Birthday**  The best.  

NOVEMBER 11, SUNDAY--   Veterans Day**  Fly Those Flags.

Happy 243rd, Marines!!   --RoadDog

Won't Life Be So Much Finer After Tomorrow

Tired.  I am so tired of all this election mess.  I'm so tired.  And, it has been going on for two years.  That is much of what passes for TV and radio commercials today here in Illinois.  And, there are more signs by the roads than I ever saw.  Talk about your sign clutter.

Much money has been spent by both Democrats and Republicans.

If we are to believe these commercials, pretty much everybody running for office should be arrested immediately and thrown into jail.  We have reached a new low in mudslinging.  To hell with what a candidate believes, let's slam something their opponent did.

Democrats are saying their opponents have Trump connections and Republicans are tying Democrats to the much-hated Illinois Speaker of the House, Michael Madigan.

We have a major contest for Illinois governor going on.  Both men are extremely rich.  Bruce rauner, current governor is very anti-Union which we don't like.  J.B. Pritzer is Madigan's man.  Picking the lesser of the two evils, I'd have to say we'll vote for Brauner.

That Madigan Is Bad Medicine.  --RoadDog

IT'S ALL IN A  NAME:  From the July 1, 2017, Orange Peel Gazette.  Profession / Name:   Lawyer's daughter:  Sue

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

Ten Songs To Get Out the Vote "Won't Get Fooled Again"

From today's Bob Stroud Ten At Ten on Chicago's WDRV, 97.1 FM, the Drive.

STAR-SPANGLED BANNER--  Jimi Hendrix
CHICAGO (WE CAN CHANGE THE WORLD)--  Graham Nash
CHANGES--  Yes

ROLL WITH THE CHANGES--  REO Speedwagon
SPLIT DECISION--  Steve Winwood
CHANGES--  David Bowie
COOL CHANGE--  Little River Band

I'D LOVE TO CHANGE THE WORLD--  Ten Years After
CHANGE THE WORLD--  Eric Clapton
WON'T GET FOOLED AGAIN--  Who

Name That Tune (from above songs):  "So Your Brother's Bound and Gagged."  --RoadDog



"Chicago (We Can Change the World)"

Election Songs on Ten at Ten

In a short time, Bob Stroud will be devoting his Ten at Ten show on Chicago's WDRV, 97.1 FM show, 10 a.m. to the election.

It streams and can be heard again at 10 p.m..

Then you can cast your vote for the song you like the most.  At least that will be an enjoyable vote to cast, not like going to the real polling place.

www.wdrv.com

Sing me a Song, make Them Go Away.  --RoadDog

SIGNS AND NOTICES:  Seen while traveling in the Yucatan Peninsula:  "Broken English spoken perfectly."

And, We'll be Going Out to Vote in a Little While: Trump or Clinton?

Shortly, we will drive over to the polling station and cast our votes.  We are not happy with the choices.  Looks like the parties would be able to come up with better top candidates.

There are a few things I like about Donald Trump.  One of the biggest is that he is not a typical politician and prone to speak his mind.  Though, there are times he should have just kept his mouth shut and done the "political" thing.  One of the best things about him is that he can't be bought by the GRBs, Greedy Rich (Boys) and a big reason they don't like him.  The GRBs control far too many politicians.

But, Trump IS a GRB himself.  I also didn't like the fact that he hasn't paid taxes for all these years, even with making all those millions.  A real GRB thing if there ever is one.

Hillary Clinton, on the other hand, is just more of the same-old, same-old that we have come to expect in the Obama and Bush administrations.

Hard Choice, You Know.  --RoadDog

It's the Rauner Republicans Vs. the Madigan Democrats in Illinois

Thankfully, we have reached the last day of this horrific, mudslinging, nasty, dirty political season.  I am so tired of seeing the political ads on TV.

In Illinois, much of the contest has come down between attacks on what are called the Rauner Republicans, after Governor Bruce Rauner and his support for the Republican candidate for president.  That means every Republican he supports is also a Trump advocate.  The Republicans, on the other hand are attacking the Michael Madigan Democrats in an attempt to break his stranglehold on the Illinois House of Representatives.

I'm not a big fan of Rauner fan, not really trusting him because he is a GRB and generally against unions.  But Madigan has become very rich through his connections as Speaker of the House, essentially just as powerful as the governor.  He too, is a GRB.  Vote Madigan's big supporters out and hurt Madigan.  There is no way his district in Chicago would ever vote him out.

We tend to be more Democrat when voting, but we would never vote for a Madigan person.

But I Am really Getting Tired of M-D's and B-R's.  --RoadWeary

In case you're wondering, GRB stands for Greedy Rich (Boys).

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

One More Day of All Those Horrible Political Ads

The election is, thankfully, tomorrow.  This has been the worst-ever political campaigning in Illinois.  To hear the commercials, all candidates should be jailed for the horrible crimes they have committed against humanity.

And, the new Dirty Words are "Career Politician."  Man, if you're a "CAREER POLITICIAN" you are some kind of bad.

It is too bad that the candidates don't concentrate on what they plan to do instead of attacking their opponents.

As far as Illinois' two major jobs up for grabs this Tuesday, governor and U.S. Senator, I don't like any of them.  But, unfortunately, they are the only ones with a chance of winning.  I have to find the lesser of the two evils in each contest.  Perhaps they run their ads with that as the theme.  "I am not as bad as the other guy."

--RoadDog

Where Were You November 4, 1972?-- Part 4

DON'T DO IT--  BAND--  Charting a US Top 40 hit with a song originally done by Marvin Gaye back in 1964, an old Motown thing.  Their version coming off a great new double vinyl record called Rock of Ages.  Sung by the late great Levon Helm.
LIVING IN THE PAST--  JETHRO TULL--  brand-spanking new on this date.  (And remember, the first Grammy winner for heavy metal.)

MY DING-A-LING--  CHUCK BERRY--  Embarrassing himself all the way to the top of the charts.  Part of the London Chuck Berry Sessions.  (And, there was old Fred and myself singing on top of the table.)
I DIDN'T KNOW I LOVED YOU UNTIL I SAW YOU ROCK AND ROLL--  GARY GLITTER--  Follow up to "Rock and Roll."  (And sounding very similar.)

BEEN TO CANAAN--  CAROLE KING--  First single release from new album called Rhymes and Reasons.
AND YOU AND I--  YES-- From the new album Close to the Edge.  In the Top Ten.

BLACK AND WHITE--  THREE DOG NIGHT--  (Always reminds me of driving down the Lincoln Highway in Dekalb, Illinois.
ELECTED--  ALICE COOPER--  A very swift move to come up with something just in time for the elction.

KNIGHTS IN WHITE SATIN--  MOODY BLUES--  The #1 Song at this point in time was almost five years old.  it was released in late 1967 on Days of Future Past.  #1 in Chicago.  (And Liz's all-time favorite song.)

Cold-Hearted Orb That Rules the Night.  --RoadDog

Where Were You November 4, 1972?-- Part 2

Vote Early and Vote Often, That's the Way We Do It here in Chicago.  Sunday Mornings, We Rock Early and Rock Often with the Rock and Roll Roots Radio Program.

BURNING LOVE--  ELVIS PRESLEY--  The Reigning King of Rock and Roll  (And, one of my favorites by him.  Hey, "Hunka, Hunka.")
BEAUTIFUL SUNDAY-- DANIEL BOONE--  No, not THAT Daniel Boone, but a distant relative of...a one-hit wonder  (Definitely one you don't hear all that often, but a really fine little tune that gets in your head.)

FROM THE BEGINNING--  ELP-- On the WCFL All Hit Music Survey.
USE ME--  BILL WITHERS--  (One of the great songs ever written.  Humming it right now in my head.)

WITCHY WOMAN--  EAGLES--  One of the bug debut success story.  Their follow up to "Take It Easy."
OPERATOR--  JIM CROCE--  just debuted.  (My favorite Croce song.)

ROCK AND ROLL SOUL--  GFR--  (Before they dropped the Railroad.)
ROCKIN' PNEUMONIA AND A BOOGIE WOOGIE FLU--  JOHNNY RIVERS--  Covering an old 60s tune by Huey Smith and the Clowns.

VENTURA HIGHWAY--  AMERICA--  (Great cruising song.  Presently, I am picking the CDs I'll be listening to for my drive to NC.)
YOU OUGHT TO BE WITH ME--  AL GREEN--  Brand new.  It would go on to #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 Charts.

You Got the "Boogie Woogie Flu?"  Pop On an Old 45 and Go Forth and Play.  --RoadDog


MAXINE WONDERS:  If lawyers are disbarred and clergy defrocked, then, doesn't it follow that electricians are delighted, musicians denoted, cowboys deranged, models deposed, tree surgeons debarked and dry cleaners depressed?  What about 4-star generals?

That's What They Are Saying About Each Other

Thankfully, my listening to the Drive's "A to Z" has only been interrupted once by those incessant political commercials of the last two weeks.

Lots and lots and lots of mudslinging and it gets worse every time.

These are some disparaging words I've hear tossed back and forth to defame the other candidate.

Washington Politician
Springfield Politician
Blagojevich/ Blago

Madigan
Tea Party
Millionaires
Big Corporations

Tax Breaks for the above
Springfield Insiders
Springfield Gang

Taxes
Insider Information

A good anti-Madigan one said that Madigan and his cronies drove Illinois into its economic ditch and a comeback begins in the Illinois House if you vote Republican.

Like I Said Before, "Throw 'Em All in Jail."  --RoadDog

Election's Over, Congratulations President-Elect Obama

I watched the election returns off and on last night.

I was impressed with Senator McCain's concession speech which showed a lot of class. The poor man had a chance to win until the economy finally collapsed. Then, it was all over. Plus, he had the George Bush baggage to carry. A valiant effort.

As usual, President-elect Obama gave a great speech as well. No wonder he attracted so many of the young voters. He is charismatic.

Now, we will see how he intends to bring about the promised change. It will be a daunting task. This country is in its worst shape I've ever seen in my 57 years. And, I have seen some really bad times.

Hoping for the Best for Everyone Concerned. --RoadDog

Vote for the Millionaire of Your Choice, But Vote!!!

The other day, Yahoo had a news story about what our candidates are worth. It goes as follows:

$34.9 million-- Hillary Clinton
$54.7 million -- John Edwards
$52.2 million-- Rudolph Giulani
$1.3 million-- Barack Obama
$40.4 million --John McCain
$202 million-- Mitt Romney
$8.1 million-- Fred Thompson

I don't know about anyone else, but I have not made up my mind. I watched the New Hampshire debates last Saturday and, although generally impressed, still don't have an idea.

I kind of liked Richardson, the governor of New Mexico, from an experience standpoint and the fact that he was the "forgotten" person of the four Democratic candidates. Also, he is not on the above list.

These days, I have to admit that I don't much trust anyone with a lot of money or involved with business. They seem to be out just for themselves and to hell with the regular folks. Especially with the new age of CEOs and business.

Of the ones listed, I guess I'd have to go with Obama as he is worth the least.

Who to Vote For, Who to Vote For. --RoadDog