"Something Significant"

What a great week... for those who believe in dreams anyway. For those who read my previous blog, I wish I could say that "something significant" made itself evident this week. Well, something significant did happen, but not for me.

You'd have to have spent the week in a cave if you do not recognize the name: Susan Boyle. This middle-aged woman has gone from Scottish nobody to YouTube sensation. Once Ms Boyle went viral, she appeared on US morning shows and was reported on by Charles Gibson on World News Tonight. Why? Because this nobody can sing.

And that brings me to the reason for this post. You see, as I said in my last blog, not all dreams are dashed upon the rocks of reality. When Susan Boyle stepped onto the stage of Britain's Got Talent, the immediate response, from everyone, was one of mocking and laughter. If I had been in her shoes (certainly not her dress), I would have been tempted to exit stage left. But Ms Boyle knew something that nobody else did... she had a dream and she knew it was in reach, because she could sing. The first few notes from her mouth silenced the crowd and made immediate believers out of everyone in the hall.

There are two important things to note about this very intriguing event. First, everyone there, both judges and audience, judged Ms Boyle by her looks. She looked very average at best and admittedly was from rural Scotland. What stellar performer could possibly come from such a plain background? Second, the song Ms Boyle chose to sing was: "I Dreamed a Dream" from Les Miserables. Such irony there. Ms Boyle lives her dream by singing a song about a woman, Fantine, whose own dreams had died: "life killed the dream [she] dreamed."

"Something significant"? Yes, for Susan Boyle... and I applaud her for it. I hope it leads her to humble fame and fortune. Why? Because if "something significant" can happen to the Susan Boyles of the world, it can happen to anyone... including some Basicguy.

Dreams Dashed on Rocks of Reality

As I woke up Easter morning I became aware of a dream I had been dreaming. I like dreams that have some meaning to them. They provide a little mystery in life... leaving one to wonder if there is something prophetic about the dream (or is that pathetic?!). In this case, I was sitting somewhere at a grassy park writing in my journal. The entry read: "Something significant is about to happen in your life." At that point in the dream, people kept interrupting my revere. I was unable to ponder just what "something significant" might mean. I awoke before I had a chance to find out.

As with many dreams, they don't often get fulfilled in a timely manner... at least as soon as mere mortals would like. So here it is a couple of days later, and still nothing on the horizon that looks "significant." It won't be long and the mere mortal in me will forget all about the dream... probably until "something significant" does happen. But then again, there are many kinds of dreams, and experience has taught that most are unfulfilled... and, of course, the reality of it is that we're better if they aren't.

With all this as background, I got a call from my daughter. She was really excited to share some news. She explained she had been to a fair the week before and had entered some drawings. Well, her dream had come true. A person called to tell her she had won a trip to one of 25 different locations for 3 days and 2 nights! Imagine that... a free trip... right.

Well, having had a large number of such calls in my own life, I wasn't quite as excited as she was. She didn't understand my sarcasm and wondered why I wasn't sharing in her luck. Realizing that I wasn't doing much to cheer my daughter on, I turned the phone over to my wife... who told me later that I had squelched my daughter's enthusiasm. Is that what dad's are for?

I suppose that I've had enough dreams dashed upon the rocks of reality, that real life got the upper hand in this case... unfortunately, for my daughter. I should have just shared in her joy and let life handle it. Well, we live and learn... or should.

Now, just because I'm a Basicguy doesn't mean that I believe that dreams come from travel and condo outfits. My daughter's dream had nothing to do with business, just the luck of the draw and a wonderful chance to see some cool and exotic place. I think a whole lot of people can relate to that. I also believe that not all dreams are dashed upon reality's rocks. At least I hope they aren't... I'm waiting upon "something significant" myself.

Kicking the Dog

So it was our date night (as each Friday is) and when we hit the button on the garage door opener, our Beagle darted out of the garage yelping and running back and forth. By the time we all get into the house, her yelping and darting continued. She ran from one room to another and back again... all excited to see her master.

Boy, do I feel loved. Dog's can do that to you. I could have kicked her before I left and she would have acted the very same way when I got home. All is forgotten... just glad I'm home. She was so excited tonight that I thought she might have a heart attack. Soon she was out of breath... and energy. It left me feeling pretty self-conscious. Do I deserve such devoted attention? But after I threw her a bone, I decided that I did.

As I pondered this experience, it reminded me of conversations I had heard earlier in the day on talk radio. Some of the most outrageously bad political and economic news in decades has hit this country. We have never had four straight months of record unemployment numbers. The stock market has plunged over 3,000 points since Election Day. Huge stimulus bills have been passed after bitter political battles in congress. And yet President Obama enjoys stellar approval ratings.

Mr. Obama has been less than perfect. Some of his executive decisions have been contrary to what he promised during the campaign. Many of his appointments have been tax evaders. His stimulus package has been proved mired in earmarks. He has been caught in lies. In essence, he kicked the dog on his way out of the house, and yet when he returns, Americans, like my dog, yelp and dart back and forth in joyful ecstasy to celebrate his return. And Mr. Obama throws a bone.

What is it? Why such Clinton-esque teflon? Now, I'm just a basicguy, but it all seems to border on worship to me. I once wrote that Mr. Obama's victory was more historical than anything else. People had captured the history of the moment. The first black man (well, half black anyway). Fairly young. Considered articulate. Cool and with it. But now that two months have passed, along with horrendous economic woes and obvious missteps, and still his approval ratings soar. I'm left with one explanation. Some Americans worship Mr. Obama.

As for me, I'd say this is very dangerous ground for this country. When one is worshiped, and that person knows it, the temptation to get away with anything your heart desires is real. And so Mr. Obama is getting away with anything he chooses to do. So, how long will the dog let himself get kicked before he finally bites the hand of the master? I hope it's not long. The future of America as we know is at stake.

This Goose is Cooked!

Have you heard of the old proverb: "What's good for the goose is good for the gander"? These days I'm kind of liking the idea. If the goose represents the Federal Government and the gander represents the American people, we could be on to something really wonderful. Think of it, whatever the government does, we can do! If the government can print money... so can we! If the government can live beyond its' means... so can we. If the government can make expensive purchases and pass it on to their children's-children's-children... hey, why not us? Pretty exciting, huh? Gosh, I thought I didn't want the promised "change" that was coming. Unfortunately, this goose is cooked. What of the gander?

As I read the news and try to get my mind around the unfathomable proposals being made by the Obama administration, I am reminded of a passage in the Old Testament:

"The princes of Zoan are become fools, the princes of Noph are deceived; they have also seduced Egypt, even they that are the stay of the tribes thereof" (Isaiah 19:13).

In Isaiah's day, Egypt was a world military and financial power. Zoan (Tannis) and Noph (Memphis) were capital cities of Egypt at different times in it's history. The princes are those who ruled. Does any of this sound familiar? In light of what is developing in this country, I hear an ancient echo... and a modern prophet saying:

"The politicians of Washington are become fools, the politicians of state-houses are deceived; they have also seduced America, even they that are descended from America's origin."

Can you hear the echo? I think we need to listen up and do something crazy. You know, like... care--care about what's happening all around us. Let's not only care about what's in it for us, but what's in it for our children, and their children, and their children. Let's be wiser than the fools in Washington who think they can establish a budget on money that does not, and never will, exist. Let's support wiser politicians who are trying their hardest to stand in the way of Obama's "Fool's Express."

Now, I know I'm just a basicguy, but sometimes I wish that everyone was a bit more basic... especially the fools in Washington.

The Last Train to Pottersville

I don't know how many people I said it to, but I swear it was a million! I don't know how many times I heard a conservative say, "Maybe it's best that McCain loses so the Democrats will fail. We'll win in four." Each time I screamed within: "Are you kidding me?" Then out loud: "I think that we'd be better off with four years of McCain than four years with Obama."

Well, I hate to say it, but I told you so. Conservatives felt betrayed! I know, I'm one of them. But I think I'd deal far better with hurt feelings than with the mess the Obama train is plunging this country into. The unapparent transparent President has conducted his train to "Pottersville" of "It's a Wonderful Life" fame. With the help of Dumb and Dumber (Pelosi and Reid), his train rocketed through the congressional country-side with hardly a stop. No one knows what's on this train... there are over a thousand cars... and you and I are left paying for the trip.

All along this journey, Obama has made conservatives and Republicans look like the bad guys. He was the one who reached across the isle. He took the high road and offered cabinet positions to Republicans. He is the one who took a stand for Main Street Americans.

You know, Obama did finally point out that he's also the one... who won! That's right... that's what he said. He pointed out to Republicans that he is the one who won the election. I guess that makes his word unapproachable. Mr. Obama can't be challenged. He's not just above the law, he is the law. Well, I'm sorry, but that's not now things work. We need to remember that 47% of Americans did not vote for Mr. Obama.

Notice something else Mr. Obama said:

"You can't just listen to Rush Limbaugh and get things done. There are big things that unify Republicans and Democrats. We shouldn't let partisan politics derail what are very important things that need to get done."

Republicans are guilty of partisan politics because they listen to Rush Limbaugh. I wonder what it is when Democrats blindly listen to Mr. Obama? Mr. Obama wants Republicans and Democrats to set aside partisan politics and work together. By the way Democrats rushed the unstimulating "Stimulus Package" through their congressional fairyland; I'm beginning to understand just what Mr. Obama means by non-partisan. Repbulicans (like Snow and Spector) become non-partisans when they come to Obama's socialist table and eat, drink, and be merry.

That's right... we need another party--just like the Democratic Party. Of course, a one party system! That's genius Mr. Obama. That's sure to send the country even more swiftly to Pottersville. Gosh, if I hurry, maybe I can get one of those run down shacks in Potter's field!

Conspiracy Anyone?

It's been a long time since I heard anything about conspiracy theories. Those who used to write and talk about them were rejected as idiots or malcontents. They were mocked and laughed at... until no one took them seriously. Societies that grew up around such theories have now been put in their place. Where have all the anti-UNers gone to? What ever happened to those who exposed the tri-lateral Commission or the Council on Foreign Relations for what they really are?

Are you done laughing yet? See, I brought back some memories for you. But before you fall off your chair in a humorous fit, you might want to consider this little insight written Sunday, February 15th, 2009. It was a lengthy piece written by Joan Swirsky, an award winning author. Ms. Swirsky wrote:

This leads me to only one conclusion, which I wrote about in a former article: “Obama: The Trojan Horse.” My theory is that President Obama’s narcissistic charm, even temperament, skill with words (teleprompter included), hunger to please, radical agenda, and subterranean rage at the “unfair” American system have been brilliantly exploited by powerful leftist radicals and Marxists in the United States, who for decades have plotted America’s path to socialism. He is their pawn, totally dispensable but handy while the “aura” lasts.

Now, I'm just a Basicguy, but that sounds an awful lot like a conspiracy theory to me. Does that make Ms. Swirsky one of those crazies we used to mock? I assume there will be those who will try to characterize her as such. However, if there is any truth to what she is saying (and her article lays out a very nice case for her position), that would be sad indeed, especially if we allowed ourselves to be kept from the truth by preferring the believe those who point a mocking finger. Notice what else Ms. Swirsky wrote:

These “handlers” saw in Obama the ideal blank slate on which to actualize their agenda, and they made sure the slate remained blank by concealing (or destroying) any evidence of his past, including his birth certificate, Selective Service record, visa(s), school transcripts, and other vital documents. All of which is costing his moneyed backers – including America-loathing billionaire George Soros – multimillions in lawyers’ fees to fight the proliferating lawsuits that seek the truth about this stealth president.

Would you like to see more? How about this:

It is clear that Obama and his fellow radicals are restive. In the less-than four weeks of his presidency, the new president has taken volumes from the Marxian handbook, which dictates that the stupid masses be blitzed with an overload of information, hollow press conferences, appointments, dismantling of formerly effective national-security programs, et al., in order to set the stage for a massive, Soviet-style takeover of our government, including a civilian national security force that Obama has said should be “just as powerful, strong and well-funded as the U.S. military.” Echoes of Nazi Germany in 1938, anyone?

Am I a conspiracy theorist? I don't think so. I certainly do not see a conspiracy behind every action. However, I think it would be hard to argue (as some would have us believe) that there have never been, or will ever be, conspiracies. I think there are extremes to each side of the argument.

Still, there seems to be something shady about the whole Obama rise to power. I have had my suspicions all along. But how can we possibly see through all the lies and seeming secrets... a vast web of deceit hidden behind locked doors? One thing is for sure, one day, everything will come to light. I just hope when it does it isn't too late.

Un-American or Un-God?

I was a little peeved last week when Tom Hanks accused the Mormons of being "un-American." I wanted to write something then, but held back because of some really good articles that hit the Internet the very next day. Of course, Mr. Hanks apologized... though it seemed a bit half-hearted.

Then Samuel L. Jackson came to the rescue. It seems that Mr. Hanks was wrong, the Mormons aren't "un-American," they're just "misinformed." Now that feels better doesn't it? What reasonable person can fault the Mormons for putting up a political fight in California on an issue that is central to their theology? By its very nature, their action is very much American as established by our Founders.

But what about being misinformed? Is it logical to think that all those married Mormons with larger than average families are misinformed about what should be established as traditional marriage? I suppose that in the eyes of non-traditional Hollywood, the Mormon position might appear to be "misinformed." If that's the case then so be it.

However, I wonder if the real issue isn't whether the Mormons are "un-American" or "misinformed," but rather that Hollywood is "un-God" or "spiritually ignorant." Now, I'm just a basicguy, but if I had to vote... I'd vote for the latter.