CHARLTON HESTON

The first time I saw Charlton Heston he was 40 feet tall. He commanded the entire movie screen at the Majestic Theatre in my hometown of Fort Smith, Arkansas. In the Era of movie stars he was a MOVIE STAR.

Like me, when you first heard of his death, you were probably reminded of that fantastic 15 minute chariot-race in "Ben-Hur." Did you know it took five weeks to film and required 15,000 extras. Also, Heston was most proud that he did all of his own stunts in that race. I looked at it again last night and even on the small screen of my computer it is still unbelievably exciting.

Growing up in small-town mid-America I had that movie business all figured out. You see, they just made one copy and then sent it first to the big cities. Eventually it worked its way down to small towns for either a three day or four day run. Then, if you missed it, that was it. Your only chance.

If you were under 12 years old the movies cost 11 cents and for adults 12 years or older it cost 35 cents. There were no senior citizen cut-prices.
However sometimes the theatres gave you a kitchen dish when you left the theatre. The biggest bargain in Fort Smith was the New Theatre. On Saturday afternoon for one ticket you saw the double feature, a cartoon, a popcorn advertisement, a Pete Smith Speciality, and the on-going 13-Week Serial. (The forerunner of television.)

The other thing I remember about movies when I was growing up, was that we never got in at the start of the picture. If our date was at 7:30 we got into our seats at 7:40 and then when we recognized the scene, that's where we came in, so we got up and left and headed for the drive-in.

The movies were a major part of our lives. After all no television, no video tape, no VTR, no IPod, no Blockbuster, no NetFlex. And of all the MOVIE STARS I remember most is Charlton Heston, "The Ten Commandments," "The Greatest Show On Earth,""The Big Country,""The Greatest Story Ever Told,""Major Dundee,""Will Perry,""El Cid,""The Agony and the Ecstasy,""Khartoum,""Planet of the Apes," any of which would be a career for many of today's movie stars.

In 1998 Heston was diagnosed with prostate cancer. As a survivor of prostate cancer I had written a book containing many personal stories of cancer survivors. I mailed a copy to Charlton Heston, wishing him well. Three weeks later, I received the nicest letter thanking me for thinking of him and for sending my book. It was signed CHARLTON HESTON. It is one of my proudest possessions.

PETRAEUS FOR PRESIDENT

As I suspected, General David Petraeus, "Can't handle the truth."

Tuesday was his day. The perfect time to stand up and tell the American public that the Iraq War is not winnable, that the sooner we get out the better. That we have to stop this waste of lives and money. But no, the General had even more charts, that only he and George W. understand. They point out, he commented, that he can't comment, on any more withdrawals after summer. Until after a 45 day recess, this summer, to check his next set of charts. And, guess what, George W. will keep him until W. leaves office in January. That's all part of the plan.

If John McCain is the next president then look for Petraeus to be awarded his 5th STAR and continue to head up, not only the War in Iraq but all U.S. Military action, throughout the world. Don't forget, Generals are programmed to fight wars, that's their career.

However, if Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton is the next president then look for George W, to award Petraeus his 5th Star before he leaves office. You might say, Petraous hasn't had his 4th Star long enough to qualify for another one. Military rules or Constitutional law has never stood in the way of George W. If he wants to do it. Then he'll just do it. Petraous will then suddenly resign and immediately become the Republican's next candidate for President of the United States, circa 2012 or 2016.

Today is the day.

General Petraeus, was discovered by George W., was promoted to his 4th star by George W., keeps his job AND possible political future by what he reports to congress and George W., today.

He has to decide on telling the truth to the American public or telling the same GOOD NEWS that George W. wants to hear and at least keeps his job for nine more months. Then he'll have a new leader. Perhaps one who prefers the truth. Your career of a lifetime depends on what you say.

It all comes down to this. General Petraeus, "Can you handle the truth?"

This is a lifetime basketball game...

...One to save and savor.

Courtesy of CBS Sports. Click on the link below and enjoy!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZtU676jA_k

THE TWO BIG "B's"

I spent the last few days trying to figure out how in the world does the IOC, the International Olympic Committee pick cities for the future. Sometimes I believe they write down on slips of paper all of the upcoming "hot spots" in the world, shake them up in a leprechauns hat and then pull out the winner. CHINA, you've got to be kidding, CHINA. They need lots of work on their human relations and on their air quality. Already the talk of "B" Boycott is a whirlwind through Europe with almost daily disclosures that various heads-of-state will boycott...but boycott only the opening ceremonies. Which means they will miss a great photo opportunity. G.W,Bush is still going, He wants to have "Up close and personal...talks" with China's President Hu Jintao. Bush says he's going to ask about the factory workers, in China, who have been recently fired. The interpreters should have a field day with that one. The 1980 boycott by the American Team per Jimmy Carter only hurt the athletes of the American Team, no one else.

But there is another "B" problem in New England of all places. The 2008 Patriot football season is in PERIL, according to six bloggers plus a newspaper and god knows how many radio talk shows. The reason, All-World Quarterback Tom "B" BRADY, is missing the Voluntary workouts to vacation in Europe. Brady is the captain of the team, the leader in the clubhouse, the main man, the key to the Patriot machine, and he is missing the action. However, it was revealed that Tom is traveling through Europe on the arm of the very beautiful, model, Gisele Bundchen. "WAY TO GO TOM."