RA1

Expat- Thanks for your reply. HJ may have been correct about her resistance to the VN conflict but she did little for the US attidtude about same. Unfortunately, I have too many friends who served in VN and cannot forgive her for her input. She approved of an enemy of the US and therefore deserves my scorn evermore. I am willing to forgive and forget but, AFTER she is dead and gone. Best regards, RA1

Caeron- I did not "enjoy" your post but identified with the sentiments and facts contained therein. Thanks. Frankly, I did not enjoy the reference to Hanoi Jane regarding the Tower. She can retire from public life and leave the rest of us alone as far as I am concerned. Again, thanks Caeron. Best regards, RA1

A lot of folks could and have made "average" game show hosts but few have had the staying power of such as Trebek. I think it takes a certain kind of personality and "interest" to not get bored or "lured" away. It also might take a little "less" of the "Hollywood" ego to do this long term. No one comes immediately to mind but I will be pondering this for a while. Best regards, RA1

I wonder how many Democrats feel the same way? Plenty of reasons for members of BOTH parties or so it seems to me. Best regards, RA1

Cute, and amusing. Is that a gay attitude? Best regards, RA1

Today, should we celebrate with a Marguerita to celebrate the Mexican holiday or with a Mint Julep to celbrate the Kentucky Derby? Personally I am betting on the 5th horse in the Derby and drinking Tequila with mint to honor the occasion. Best regards, RA1

Gay guy, meet a "real" pussy. Best regards, RA1

Dodging the excise tax is a benefit to the customer not the airline. The airline merely acts as a tax collector and it is a pass through. It is not a tax on profits. An anomaly to this occurred a couple of years ago when Congress allowed the FET to expire for a couple of months. The airlines continued to "collect" this amount of money and considered it a temporary increase in the price of the ticket. They should have decreased the price of the ticket during the interval when the FET was not in force but they did not. Apologizing because of negative publicity is the right result for the wrong reason. Best regards, RA1

Sorry but I have not read the blogs listed above. However, surely you do not think that silliness or even insanity is limited to the pols who "infest" TN? There seems to be plenty of this in most every state in the union. Therefore, I have to ask, why does anyone think that TN or CA or NY or any of the other states have a "lock" on perverse maneuvers? Surely, no one state is immune or the "leading" exponent of same. Please, first look at your own state before accusing another of malfeasance. There seems to be plenty to go around. Finally, I am not about to defend the TN pols any more than I will defend any other pols. They all are to blame in one way or another. Best regards, RA1

I write my editor, columnists, elected officials, the local radio talk host and most everyone I either agree with or disagree with. That includes this MB. Virtually all of them answer; some with considered comments, some with "standard" position replies, etc. but at least someone among their official retinue did read what i wrote, very often the addressee. None of that means I am spending "all" of my time writing letters but it does make me feel like I am participating in our "grand" experiment aka the USA. This "experiment" is a living thing and continually is going in new and sometimes odd directions. It is up to "us" to nudge it in the "proper" direction as best we can and as often as we can. Best regards, RA1

Does any of that make past figures or more current figures more or less relevant? I think neither one. All of them have "feet of clay" so to speak and NOW we can try to make value judgements that more or less seek to "balance" their relative attributes vs. their negative aspects. What it seems to mean is that human beings are human and that we need to "adjust" our thinking to allow for same. Not necessarily so easy if hero worship is foremost in one's mind, is it? However, it is interesting to contemplate how past fugures would have dealt with current media. No doubt they would have learned quickly and done "well". Best regards, RA1

Interesting that two posters have chosen public figures that lived before TV and "modern" media. The absence of modern media gave "their" public ample time to read and digest whatever they had to say. A real benefit. Today it seems we must read and digest "instant' ideas and respond accordingly. Not so simple or appropriate or so it seems to me. Who among us would not have changed their opinion (or did do so) after a seemly period of time after acquiring whatever "facts" seemed to pertain? I just read an editorial piece about voters needing to "increase" their IQs. I did not necessarily agree with the conclusion but we all need to know more about whatever our opinions might rely, don't you think? Best regards, RA1

I would have to agree this a significant influence. If not, what possibly could have influenced you more? Who among us has consistently done anything (other than have sex) for 40 years? As a minor issue and statement, I have been influenced by aviation and various members thereof for the approximate same length of time but that does not denigrate Charlie PSP's account. Best regards, RA1

Isn't a will the most auspicious and appreciated form of communication after death? Best regards, RA1

I agree merchants should be prudent but credit cards can be over extended and checks bounced. My friends in the charter business could be put out of business with one bad deal. They operate on a razor thin margin and the money is spent immediately on fuel, etc. They could be broke before the plane hits the ground and not know it I take your point about "subsidizing" a candidate that you might like but that is not to what I am referring. Just because candidates have ended up with campaign debts before does not make it right. Best regards, RA1

Charlie PSP- What you said is undoubtedly true and is ONE reasons I deplore politics "as usual". To slightly change the subject and perhaps "slightly" hijack the thread, I have several friends who have extended credit to such as Gingrich but not to single him out, several other pols, and have been screwed by not having the "committees" pay for whatever they contracted for. I think this is a little known or appreciated aspect of American politices and one which I personally abhor. Best regards, RA1

lookin- LOL. I guess I cannot either be "made or broken" by social media because I do not participate in any of it. Our current society MUST be terribly bored to spend all that time writing what the dog ate, the baby did, the weather or whatnot. One day I might add texting to my cell phone but not any time soon. Best regards, RA1

McDonald's did not use frozen french fries when the franchise first came to Memphis about 1959. I distinctly remember seeing potatoes soaking in the kitchen sink at that time. They DID use "extreme" recipe control of everything else that I now remember. 3 dots of catsup, two pickles, etc. Their milk shake recipe was so awful that only one local producer would make it and only reluctantly. My friends in the business thought their products so awful the franchise could not possibly succeed. They did not take into account the "business plan" which originally had little to do with the quality of food, only quantity and price point. And, of course, my friends were wrong. However, I personally have not been into a McDonald's this century. The last time being 1999 and that only to take some friends who insisted. I didn't eat anything. Best regards, RA1

Why not? Most of the states are not only trying to make it legal to carry fire arms but almost make it mandatory. It is my considered opinion that many folks now engage in sex and if sex work were to be made legal a new and vigorous source of revenue would ensue. OTOH, look at how they have handled tobacco. One doesn't know if they are trying to ban it or tax it to death. Similar would be dreadful for sex, don't you think? Best regards, RA1

Lookin' I tried to give you a postive vote regarding this post but I got a message saying that I have reached my quota of votes today which is odd because I have never before tried to give such a vote. Perhaps TY will explaing this oddity. Best regards, RA1

IAE- CBS and others repeated the "massive heart attack" description during follow-up stories regarding what and why DC was being treated. Being treated for BPH seems an "unglorious" way and reason to die. The simple answer is it was his "time". Best regards, RA1

As I recall, Den Mothers are Cub Scout leaders. However, your comments about the BSA are valid, sorry to say. Boys and others, need outdoor activities that include learning about Ma Nature. Their activity schedule is good; their personal philosophy is not. Best regards, RA1

Whenever I see a thread like this, I wonder if I am a guilty party but then I think, if I am wondering about it, likely I am not. This is similar to musing about one's sanity in that if one IS wondering, likely one is sane (or nearly so). Best regards, RA1

She is an amazing talent and someone I have tried to "figure out" several times in the past. I have concluded she is as "messed up" as I am but with more money (and more talent) Best regards, RA1

Now, if they could just figure out a way to tax sex, other than the "marriage tax", the venue would be complete. Best regards, RA1