On this night when Barack Obama officially became the presidential nominee of the democratic party I'm going to send him a letter. This letter contains an idea that has been rolling around in my mind for the past few months. If this idea appeals to you, then join me and write to the Senator.
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Dear Senator Obama:
In as much as you have spoken out against the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, I would appreciate your consideration of this idea.
When you are elected our next president, I would like you to PUT A HOLD on all of the celebrations in Washington, on inaugural day. That hold to last until our troops have come home from the wars. Then, and only then, will we hold a HUGE CELEBRATION all over this great country.
What would you do the rest of the day after your inauguration? Announce at the end of your speech, that you are headed to the Oval Office for a meeting with your commanding officers to start the process of bringing these terrible wars to a close. When that happens, church bells will ring throughout the land, and we will all celebrate.
Sincerely, Charlie Jones
Comments welcomed...Please click on the "Comment" link just below and let us know what you think - CJ.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Sunday, June 1, 2008
FOR GRADUATES ONLY
This is that special time of the year known as graduation. From Kindergartens to Universities this is both an end and a beginning. Here is my graduation present for you.
On my first day as a 17 year old freshman at the University of Southern California my first class was Speech 101. I arrived early and grabbed a seat in the fourth row on the far side of the room, away from the door. There was a lot of talking, when suddenly the door swung open, but no one was there. The room became very quiet. Next I heard a scrapping-sliding sound, but I had no idea what was happening. Some of the students in the middle of the room stood up to see what was going on and they completely blocked my view.
Then from behind the podium in front of the class, like Phoenix rising from the ashes, this tall gaunt, ageless woman appeared. She dramatically raised her right hand. Paused. Then she spoke for the first time. "Dare to be different."
Those four words, from this wonderful teacher, who crawled into our classroom on her hands and knees, 60 years ago, have meant more to me than all the schools, all the classes, and all the diplomas. I give them to you. Guard them well.
And always,"Dare to be different."
Comments welcomed...Please click on the "Comment" link just below and let us know what you think - CJ.
Friday, May 30, 2008
LET HIM RUN
The Court of Arbitration For Sport has ruled that Oscar Pistorius can run in the Beijing Olympics in August. They over turned the IAAF, the ruling body of International Track and Field. The South African can now participate in the 2008 Games providing he is able to post a time at least equal to the Olympic standard of 45.00 in the 400 meters, (Oscar's best time so far this year is 46.56), or be chosen by the South African's for their Olympic team.
Why is this such a big deal? And trust me, this is a big deal.
Oscar is known as "the fastest man on no legs." He was born, 21 years ago without fibulas - the long, thin outer bone between the knee and the ankle -and was 11 months old when his legs were amputated below the knee. Oscar runs on "blades," Cheetah Flex-Foot carbon fibre transtibial artificial limbs.
A true athlete, in high school he played tennis, water polo, wrestling, and rugby. In fact "Oz" was introduced to running, four years ago, while recovering from a rugby injury, and "he never looked back." In the 2006 Paralympic World Championships, he won gold in the 100, 200, and 400 meter events. Now he wants to run against the "World's Best," in the 2008 Olympics.
His personal motto is, "You're not disabled by the disabilities you have, you are able by the abilities you have." Sounds a lot like the Olympic Motto.
p.s. We received our first comment. A very nice one on our blog titled MEMORIAL DAY. Many thanks to Anonymous.
Comments welcomed...Please click on the "Comment" link just below and let us know what you think - CJ.
Why is this such a big deal? And trust me, this is a big deal.
Oscar is known as "the fastest man on no legs." He was born, 21 years ago without fibulas - the long, thin outer bone between the knee and the ankle -and was 11 months old when his legs were amputated below the knee. Oscar runs on "blades," Cheetah Flex-Foot carbon fibre transtibial artificial limbs.
A true athlete, in high school he played tennis, water polo, wrestling, and rugby. In fact "Oz" was introduced to running, four years ago, while recovering from a rugby injury, and "he never looked back." In the 2006 Paralympic World Championships, he won gold in the 100, 200, and 400 meter events. Now he wants to run against the "World's Best," in the 2008 Olympics.
His personal motto is, "You're not disabled by the disabilities you have, you are able by the abilities you have." Sounds a lot like the Olympic Motto.
p.s. We received our first comment. A very nice one on our blog titled MEMORIAL DAY. Many thanks to Anonymous.
Comments welcomed...Please click on the "Comment" link just below and let us know what you think - CJ.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
"IT'S OUT OF HERE"
Sometimes "it's out of here." Sometimes "it's out of here, but not really out of here". Sometimes "it's not out of here, but it really is out of here." Sometimes "it's fan interference," or no, but it looked like "fan interference". Other times it's either "fair" or "foul," take your choice. It's all up to the men in blue and it's politically correct to say the umpires are right 99% of the time. (Or 85%, or 77%, or maybe it's a 50-50 proposition.)
Recently the four umpires working all Major League Games are having serious trouble with the home run. Does it hit the yellow line on top of the fence, does it hit below the yellow line, or does it clear the fence?Sometimes, your guess is as good as theirs. But, the replay doesn't have that problem. TV time after time makes the right call. But the umpires can't use the television replay.
Baseball is "the grand old game", because it is "grand" and it is "old". With few, very few, exceptions baseball has not changed since the turn of the century. Not the more recent century, the one 108 years ago. So don't hold your breath.
Think back, way back when the NFL finally decided to allow just a few calls on the field to be overturned be the replay. Then each year they modified it, added to it, took away, until they have almost got it right. The officials are now a part of the process and if their call is overturned it doesn't effect them. They pride themselves on making sure it's the right call.
Major League Baseball can start with the replay of the Home Run. Then next spring check out calls at home plate. Hey that works. On to first base. Why not include the fans at home. What replay do they want to see?
Onward, and upward, "It's out of here." It just might work.
Comments welcomed...Please click on the "Comment" link just below and let us know what you think - CJ.
Recently the four umpires working all Major League Games are having serious trouble with the home run. Does it hit the yellow line on top of the fence, does it hit below the yellow line, or does it clear the fence?Sometimes, your guess is as good as theirs. But, the replay doesn't have that problem. TV time after time makes the right call. But the umpires can't use the television replay.
Baseball is "the grand old game", because it is "grand" and it is "old". With few, very few, exceptions baseball has not changed since the turn of the century. Not the more recent century, the one 108 years ago. So don't hold your breath.
Think back, way back when the NFL finally decided to allow just a few calls on the field to be overturned be the replay. Then each year they modified it, added to it, took away, until they have almost got it right. The officials are now a part of the process and if their call is overturned it doesn't effect them. They pride themselves on making sure it's the right call.
Major League Baseball can start with the replay of the Home Run. Then next spring check out calls at home plate. Hey that works. On to first base. Why not include the fans at home. What replay do they want to see?
Onward, and upward, "It's out of here." It just might work.
Comments welcomed...Please click on the "Comment" link just below and let us know what you think - CJ.
Monday, May 26, 2008
MEMORIAL DAY
It seems that each year we grow further away
from the true meaning of Memorial Day. It is the
one day of the year that is set aside to remember
and be thankful for all of the men and women who
have fought and died to preserve our freedom.
My memory always returns to 1942 when Camp
Chaffee was in full operation outside my hometown
of Fort Smith, Arkansas. Camp Chaffee was the
home of the 5th Armored Division. Later to be the
main tank division of the famous Battle of the Bulge,
on the drive to Berlin.
That was a time when every Sunday morning after
church, almost everybody in town would drive down
Garrison Avenue in the heart of Fort Smith and stop
at any street corner and ask two or three soldiers to
join them at their home for Sunday Dinner.
For many soldiers this was their first time to be
away from home. For us, in addition to 25 cent stamps
we saved up, to buy $25 War Bonds, gas stamps, gas
rationing, and weekly alarm drills, this was about all
we could do for the war effort. Naturally at 12 years old I hoped the war would last
long enough for me to join up. Until then, we practiced
marching in Kelly Draper's backyard. After all his dad
had graduated from the Naval Academy.
As we got to know some of the soldiers from Camp
Chaffee, they became part of the family. Mom and Dad
set up six canvas cots in the upstairs hallway with plenty
of sheets and blankets, so that when they got a weekend
off they had a place to go. And then slowly they left for
the war in Europe and the house became very empty.
Mother stayed in contact with all of them by v-mail,
but as the fighting got heavier and causalities multiplied
their letters became further and further apart.
Then one day a beat up package arrived for me from
Staff Sgt. Stanley LeLauren, from an APO address with
all kinds of postage all over it. Inside was a shining, brand
new, Bowie Knife, just like the one he carried that I had
so admired. There was no note but I didn't need one. This knife
was part of the special bond that existed between a
12 year old boy and a tall Texan Army Sergeant who
commanded a tank.
Every Memorial Day I take out that knife and make sure
it shines. Then I close my eyes and I see Stanley, Billy, Phil, Bobby, Dan, and Frank. And I remember what Memorial Day really means and I remember those special weekends, oh, so long ago.
from the true meaning of Memorial Day. It is the
one day of the year that is set aside to remember
and be thankful for all of the men and women who
have fought and died to preserve our freedom.
My memory always returns to 1942 when Camp
Chaffee was in full operation outside my hometown
of Fort Smith, Arkansas. Camp Chaffee was the
home of the 5th Armored Division. Later to be the
main tank division of the famous Battle of the Bulge,
on the drive to Berlin.
That was a time when every Sunday morning after
church, almost everybody in town would drive down
Garrison Avenue in the heart of Fort Smith and stop
at any street corner and ask two or three soldiers to
join them at their home for Sunday Dinner.
For many soldiers this was their first time to be
away from home. For us, in addition to 25 cent stamps
we saved up, to buy $25 War Bonds, gas stamps, gas
rationing, and weekly alarm drills, this was about all
we could do for the war effort. Naturally at 12 years old I hoped the war would last
long enough for me to join up. Until then, we practiced
marching in Kelly Draper's backyard. After all his dad
had graduated from the Naval Academy.
As we got to know some of the soldiers from Camp
Chaffee, they became part of the family. Mom and Dad
set up six canvas cots in the upstairs hallway with plenty
of sheets and blankets, so that when they got a weekend
off they had a place to go. And then slowly they left for
the war in Europe and the house became very empty.
Mother stayed in contact with all of them by v-mail,
but as the fighting got heavier and causalities multiplied
their letters became further and further apart.
Then one day a beat up package arrived for me from
Staff Sgt. Stanley LeLauren, from an APO address with
all kinds of postage all over it. Inside was a shining, brand
new, Bowie Knife, just like the one he carried that I had
so admired. There was no note but I didn't need one. This knife
was part of the special bond that existed between a
12 year old boy and a tall Texan Army Sergeant who
commanded a tank.
Every Memorial Day I take out that knife and make sure
it shines. Then I close my eyes and I see Stanley, Billy, Phil, Bobby, Dan, and Frank. And I remember what Memorial Day really means and I remember those special weekends, oh, so long ago.
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