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I WAS WRONG TO HAVE BEEN SO MAD AT President Gerald Ford. I was mad that for the first time in our country, we had an unelected President. For that reason, I celebrated the Bicentennial on July 4, 1978 and not July 4, 1976. I viewed those two years as an aberration in our democracy. And like most Americans who were alive in 1974, was mad as hell that Ford had pardoned Nixon. But, I've come to think that Ford did the courageous thing - to pardon the crooked Nixon. The nation was better off moving on to more important matters.
AND WHAT I LOVE MOST ABOUT FORD NOW is THE TAPE he left behind. On THE TAPE, he stated that it was wrong to have attacked Iraq, and strongly ctiticized the present adminstration.
"...And I just don't think we should go hellfire damnation around the globe freeing people, unless it is directly related to our own national security."
The Washington Post story is here.
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A few days ago, I started to write this but got distracted, as always and did not get to post. I had a long rant about the bigotted Virgil Goode who fears an influx of Muslims and the widespread use of the Koran in the U. S. I feel sorry for his daughter, Catherine, as one cannot choose one's parents and when dad is the new and best nationally-known bigot, it must be awful.
My big question was this - WHAT WILL COME FIRST - the 3,000th dead American in Iraq or the 1,000th Jesus trademark? I know the answer without researching (the Fox TV Bill O'Reilly method of research). And the answer is......
3,000 DEAD AMERICANS IN IRAQ. The actual count is (now I'll do my research):
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There are 941 records of Jesus at the U. S. P. T. O. Obviously Jesus is a hot commodity and is great at selling stuff. I think there might be a passage in the bible in which Jesus does not care for the marriage of God and the bottom line. Only 59 Jesus marks to go!
There have been 2,980 Americans killed in Iraq.
I guessed that we would have 3,000 dead in Iraq by January 3 and 1,000 Jesus trademarks by April 3. It is so regrettable that anyone is dying in Iraq because of our reckless and immoral invasion of a country that had not done anything to us.
On that day, a few days ago, in Iraq we surpassed the number of people killed in the U. S. on September 11, 2001. George Bush should be ashamed but instead he is George Bush - the politician, liar and soulless flip flopper (Bush wants to be a uniter not a divider, Rumsfeld would be with him until his last day in office, etc.).
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This morning, December 29, we now have 2,992 dead. This always was an unwinnable war, and one that made my country one of the most hated throughout the world. I know how angry I get when a large country invades another country for dishonest reasons.
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IT IS ALWAYS HARD TO LEAVE MANHATTAN but it was made easier because I have great friends in Nashville, a gigantic house with rooms and closets everywhere and a non coin-operated washer and dryer that does not require clothing and an elevator to access, and Radnor Lake.
I had three days in Nashville post NY and went to Radnor on two of those days. The first day at Radnor I took the northern route around the lake. Within one minute, I saw five deer. It is odd that five deer would be making their way to the visitor center and western parking lot but I was just lucky. The next day, I took the southern route as I wanted to do the bigger climbs in order to make my workout tougher. This time I saw five deer again and again this took place at the beginning of my walk. Great stuff!
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Boston has been excellent, except for traffic and shoppers. The Big Dig is improving as that killer stretch of tunnel has been reopened.
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I am concerned about the potentially bad news that the New York Yankees might be able to partially rectify one of their arrogant deals. The Yankees might be able to trade their 6' 10" nasty mean spirited bad washed up over the hill bitter bad sport, Randy "The Big Eunuch" Johnson to another team. This is sad for Red Sox fans as getting rid of Johnson would help the Yankees and anything that is good for the Evil Empire, The NY Yankees. is bad for everyone else. I love it when the arrogant Yankee owner George Steinbrenner pays large amounts of money for old divos in the twilight of their career as watching George lose his cool has been a centuries old favorite pastime here in Boston - think back to kings of England named George.
Now comes the great news yesterday that the best available pitcher, Barry Zito, signed with the SF Giants and will not be on the Yankees! The Evil Empire did not rid themselves on Johnson fast enough so I, like thousands of other Red Sox fans, have been jubilant for the last 22 hours.
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Yesterday was the 23rd anniversary of Dennis Wilson's drowning death. It was so strange that the only Beach Boy who could surf, drowned.
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The next big question..... Will I get to blog again before Saddam Hussein is hanged?
I leave for Nashville in a few hours. To be continued.....
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