The Original Wayward Ramblings

She Almost Had It All

2012-02-11T23:33:00.002-05:00

The jam session in heaven gained an angelic voice today.

Whitney Houston - Dead at 48

SICK!

2012-02-08T00:59:00.004-05:00

Fox News has been reported that Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania has installed a vending machine in its health center that dispenses the "Morning After Pill" aka the abortion pill to students for $25 a pop. Is this what it has come to in America? Are we really this sick as a nation that we cannot see the harm we are doing in our tacit approval of the destruction of a culture that respects, supports and protects innocent life? This is a PUBLIC university!

I read this story with a heavy heart:

Vending Machine at Pennsylvania College Dispenses "Morning After Pill."
by Joshua Rhett Miller / Fox News

Students at a public Pennsylvania university can buy the "morning after" pill from a campus vending machine, though the school's minister is working to get the dispenser off of school grounds.

The vending machine at Shippensburg University's Etter Health Center that provides Plan B emergency contraceptive pills for $25 was installed after a survey found that 85 percent of student respondents supported it, according to Peter Gigliotti, the university's executive director for communications and marketing. The machine also dispenses condoms and pregnancy tests.

"We value student input on matters that directly pertain to their health and safety so these results were an important part of the decision-making process," Gigliotti said in a statement emailed to FoxNews.com. "We are not the first one to make this available so this is not unique to us or to public higher education. This decision was also made in consultation with our medical staff.

Plan B is available without a prescription to anyone 17 or older. Gigliotti said that all current students at Shippensburg -- a public school of roughly 8,300 students in central Pennsylvania -- fit that criteria.

"Any student who wants to discuss Plan B may do so at any time," Gigliotti's email continued. "In addition, medical information is provided with the Plan B for purchasers to read before its use."

The machine -- the only one on the school's campus -- is in a private room within the health center and is accessible only by students, Gigliotti said.

Father David Hillier, pastor of Our Lady of the Visitation Roman Catholic Church and Shippensburg's campus minister, told FoxNews.com he "actively" opposes the availability of the contraceptive on campus.

"We have and will continue to work to see the decision of this state university reconsidered and overturned," Hillier wrote in an email.

The drug, which is isn't covered or subsidized by the school, is sold at the school's cost to the pharmaceutical company. The $25 price is less than the pill sells for at off-campus pharmacies, the Associated Press reports.

Allyson Oppman, a junior at Shippensburg studying criminal justice and a member of its Newman Association, said she thought the vending machine is a good idea.

"Sometimes, in certain situations, it's really needed," she told FoxNews.com. "And most people do not want to go to a pharmacy. It's more embarrassing to go to complete strangers."

Keisha Burns, a senior majoring in art at the university, said she thought it was acceptable for the pill to be offered on campus, but questioned the method of distribution.

"It's ridiculous that it's in a vending machine because it doesn't send the right message," Burns told FoxNews.com. "You can get a soda and potato chips in a vending machine, so it lightens the situation."

Burns said she would rather students be given the pill by a physician on campus.

"The way it's being presented to me is the issue," she said.

In a statement to FoxNews.com, Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life, said it would be a "much more productive" use of funds if universities partnered with local pharmacy resource centers where students can get help.

Calls seeking comment by the university's Student Senate were not immediately returned.

LINK TO ARTICLE

Buck And Don Foolin' Around

2012-02-07T03:59:00.003-05:00

Here's a classic by the incomparable Buck Owens and His Buckaroos featuring Don Rich - the man and the band that made "The Bakersfield Sound." Enjoy!

Finally! A Worthy Batch Of Luminaries To Crash Jann Wenner's Private Party

2012-02-06T23:43:00.022-05:00

Regular readers of Wayward (Okay, we know it's the same guy who's been sitting in front of the computer in his basement wearing only his jockey shorts)know that we have sometimes been critical of the nomination process and induction ceremonies at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the last few years.

What started as a unique and thrilling induction ceremony highlighted by incredible impromptu jam sessions and so many deserving performers has degenerated somewhat throughout the years with lackluster performances (or no performance at all) by the inductees; glaring omissions (Rush, Kiss, Neil Sedaka... don't get me started); long winded, ego driven introductions by other performers; exclusive bashes open only to select industry types; no start to finish broadcast on any major cable channel since VH1 stopped airing a chopped up, poorly edited version a week or two after the fact, etc.

This year, the event will be held in Cleveland and the list of inductees is the most comprehensive since 2003 and 2004. They're also letting some of the commoners in for a reasonable fee. Not bad.

Keeping all this in mind, here are the 2012 inductees-

Guns N' Roses

Red Hot Chili Peppers

Donovan

Laura Nyro (AT LAST!)

The Small Faces/The Faces

That's all, folks! Should be fun. Below is one of our favorite jam sessions from George Harrison's induction. Prince delivers one of his greatest one off performances ever. Watch as Dhani Harrison smiles in amazement while Prince puts on his show. Brilliant!

Mushmouth On Hallucinogens

2012-02-06T20:36:00.001-05:00

Just Say No!

If The Presidential Election Were Held Today...

2012-02-06T20:23:00.003-05:00

...and based soley on the best looking couple, Romney would win by a landslide! Ann was quite a looker!

World Turning

2012-02-06T20:16:00.001-05:00

Superb version of classic Fleetwood Mac circa 1976. Enjoy!

Will The Real Murderous Dictator Please Stand Up?

2012-02-06T19:24:00.011-05:00

Would you buy a nuclear warhead from this guy?

"Our nuclear program is peaceful! Really! We only wish to extinguish the Jewish state! Is that so wrong?" - MA

Why do you suppose Israel is considering a unilateral strike against Iran? Hmmmm. Let's take a pregnant pause to ponder that one. Could it be that Israel has long been forced into having the best intel and anti-terrorist government in the free world due to the fact that they have been surrounded by enemies since they became Israel?

In an article from AP earlier today you will read the following:

"Iran insists its nuclear pursuits are for peaceful civilian purposes, not a bomb.
Iran's regime says it wants to extinguish the Jewish state..."

Those two sentences are in context folks! It's time to put the democracies of the world on "Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader!" On second thought, better not - they'd lose.

It is painfully obvious that Iran is building a bomb. To see BHO hem and haw about this grave danger on the big three "news" shows should be proof enough for the American voters and our allies and enemies alike that he is not qualified, nor was he ever qualified to be the leader of the free world.
LINK TO STUPID ARTICLE THAT COULD HAVE BEEN WRITTEN BY A 5TH GRADER.

This Is A Frightening Endorsement

2012-02-06T12:05:00.003-05:00

The most maniacal enemy of the United States makes a startling statement:

Wayward Ramblings does not support or endorse any specific candidate for president.

What's Wrong With The World?

2012-02-06T12:00:00.002-05:00

Could It Be That Allen West Simply Speaks The Truth?

2012-02-02T02:22:00.003-05:00

We think so. Judge for yourself:

Gingrich Very Clear On Baby Killing

2012-02-02T01:53:00.003-05:00

Speaker Gingrich very clearly defines his position on abortion as well.

What film was Newt introducing? The provocative documentary hosted by Mike Huckabee. Here is the trailer to "The Gift Of Life."

Find the film here. Watch it and you will be moved to tears that this country, the greatest nation in the world, allows the barbaric procedure of abortion to continue unabated.

Romney's Official Stance On Infanticide

2012-02-02T01:26:00.002-05:00

As 3500 lives are taken legally in the United States each day by abortionists, some voters may still consider the issue quite important in the 2012 election. We already know BHO's position - remember? It's above his pay grade! What a moronic thing to say about human life. He should have been kicked off the stage right there and then.

Because it is painfully obvious that many Americans have incredibly short memories, and the attention spans of a hummingbird on meth, here is a reminder from our current Abortionist-In-Chief:

Mitt Romney, the front runner of the GOP is choosing to focus on the economy as the primary issue of his campaign and rightly so. However, in 2011, Governor Romney wrote the following opinion in National Review Online:

My Pro Life Pledge
by Mitt Romney
June 18, 2011 12:50 P.M.

I am pro-life and believe that abortion should be limited to only instances of rape, incest, or to save the life of the mother.

I support the reversal of Roe v. Wade, because it is bad law and bad medicine. Roe was a misguided ruling that was a result of a small group of activist federal judges legislating from the bench.

I support the Hyde Amendment, which broadly bars the use of federal funds for abortions. And as president, I will support efforts to prohibit federal funding for any organization like Planned Parenthood, which primarily performs abortions or offers abortion-related services.

I will reinstate the Mexico City Policy to ensure that nongovernmental organizations that receive funding from America refrain from performing or promoting abortion services, as a method of family planning, in other countries. This includes ending American funding for any United Nations or other foreign assistance program that promotes or performs abortions on women around the world.

I will advocate for and support a Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act to protect unborn children who are capable of feeling pain from abortion.

And perhaps most importantly, I will only appoint judges who adhere to the Constitution and the laws as they are written, not as they want them to be written.

As much as I share the goals of the Susan B. Anthony List, its well-meaning pledge is overly broad and would have unintended consequences. That is why I could not sign it. It is one thing to end federal funding for an organization like Planned Parenthood; it is entirely another to end all federal funding for thousands of hospitals across America. That is precisely what the pledge would demand and require of a president who signed it.

The pledge also unduly burdens a president’s ability to appoint the most qualified individuals to a broad array of key positions in the federal government. I would expect every one of my appointees to carry out my policies on abortion and every other issue, irrespective of their personal views.

If I have the opportunity to serve as our nation’s next president, I commit to doing everything in my power to cultivate, promote, and support a culture of life in America.

LINK TO ARTICLE

It seems clear to me that Mitt Romney will protect the lives of the unborn.

Stark, Riveting Version Of His Spiritual Classic

2012-02-02T00:26:00.003-05:00

I walked out of a Kris Kristofferson show halfway through several years back because he would not stop spewing his liberal nonsense and just sing the songs most of his fans paid good money to hear. It's a big problem with some entertainers.

However, there is no doubting his talent and I have been a fan since the first time I listened to "The Silver Tongued Devil And I."

Here is a brilliant performance of his beautifully simple spiritual, the oft covered "Why Me Lord." One of my all time favorites. Enjoy!

Okay, one more -

Wayward's Greatest Hits - Latest Update On The Mass Murder Story - 3500 Killed In Last 24 Hours!

2012-02-01T19:14:00.004-05:00

From the archives of Wayward Ramblings, the most viewed blog post of the 4th quarter of 2011.

Here is the latest news on the 3500 innocents that were butchered in the last 24 hours.

Wayward Ramblings has learned that the situation is very grave indeed and much worse than we could possibly imagine or get our minds around.

We now know for a fact that over 3500 innocent children were butchered to death since 1:45 PM EST yesterday. The grisly facts keep pouring in. We have learned that these children were killed right here in the United States in hospitals and clinics throughout the land. To make this nightmare even more goulish, the killing goes on unabated and it is being done legally.

Some of the GOP candidates are speaking out against this horrific genocide taking place right under our noses, but their voices are almost silent when compared to the blaring 24 hour a day cycle of the noise made by the political machine driver of the "look good - say whatever will get you elected" variety.

Of course, we all know that our current Socialist president believes this issue is "above his pay grade." While in a sense he is correct - the entire presidency has proven to be above his pay grade, we all know that his sheepish response is code for "let the killing continue."

When will this terror end? Good question. At this rate, since Roe v. Wade became the law of the land on January 22nd, 1973, America has murdered more children than Hitler, Stalin, Pol-Pot and the Imperial Japanese Army in the Rape of Nanking - COMBINED. Hard to believe? Research it for yourself.

This insanity will begin to stop when Americans unite, the world unites and says "enough is enough." In the meantime, if you are as disgusted by this murder of the innocents as we are you can make a difference. Write all of your local, state and federal politicians and demand that judges stop legislating from the bench and that new laws are written to stop the murder. Get involved with your church. Most traditional churches have a very strong anti-abortion stance and support outside organizations that help pregnant women with resources, adoption, etc. Write the editors of your local papers with basic statistics like the ones I just gave you. Blog on this topic. Discuss it with your friends. Donate money if you can to worthwhile non-profits that seek to end abortion. Above all, fight the pro-abortion movement with rational facts, a cool head and never with ramped up rhetoric or violence. We must sound the clarion call, but we must do it in a responsible manner. Remember the words of the great Mahatma Ghandi - "An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind."

At the bottom of this post, I will list several good websites that can point you in the right direction.

The brilliant National Geographic documentary, "In The Womb," clearly informs the viewer that LIFE BEGINS AT CONCEPTION. Watch it free online here.

On a final note, do you know how many happy, well-adjusted couples want to adopt in this country but have waited for years or have gotten so frustrated trying to cut through the red tape that they become disheartened? Don't ever let anyone tell you that if we stop aborting babies in this country that there will be some sort of "glut of humanity" and we will not have the resources to deal with it. This is simply untrue.

Here are three websites to get you started:
Abort 73
Jill Staneck
The Center For Bio-Ethical Reform

BELOW YOU WILL SEE GRAPHIC PHOTOS AND VIDEOS AND HEAR VIOLENT AND GRAPHIC LANGUAGE WHICH MANY WILL FIND DISTURBING. WAYWARD RAMBLINGS POSTS THESE PHOTOS AND VIDEOS AS REMINDERS OF THE BRUTAL REALITY OF THIS SUBJECT MATTER AND THE DARK TRUTH OF WHAT IS HAPPENING EVERY DAY HERE IN THE GREATEST NATION ON EARTH. PLEASE CONTINUE ONLY IF YOU FEEL YOU CAN FACE THE TRUTH.

Hmmm- even You Tube took these videos down because of "their policy on shocking and disgusting content." Was that truly the reason? Or was it that these two videos simply showed the truth about some crazed liberals and their views of abortion.

WARNING: GRAPHIC AND VIOLENT LANGUAGE

Dead From Self Inflicted Gunshot To The Head - R.I.P. Mr. Soul Train

2012-02-01T13:16:00.006-05:00

A trailblazing producer of the first program of it's type to celebrate soul music and a staple of 70's television, Mr. Don Cornelius was found dead in his Sherman Oaks home from an apparent suicide. Rest in peace, brother.

Don Cornelius
September 27, 1936-February 1, 2012

Link to USA Today Article

Missed It By That Much - A Zombie George Washington That Is

2012-02-01T01:47:00.004-05:00

Definitely filed under "Believe it or not," here is the story of how the first Capitol architect wanted to reanimate George Washington's corpse!

Link to story on Yahoo

Double Dip From Still Bill

2012-02-01T01:31:00.002-05:00

"Friend of mine" Still Bill Withers testifies on these two fine classics. Enjoy!

Catholics, Other Religious Leaders Push Back Against BHO's Pro Infanticide Mandate In Healthcare Boondoggle

2012-02-01T01:09:00.004-05:00

From CBN News

Churches and other religious organizations are pushing back against President Barack Obama's new health insurance policy mandate for birth control.

The measure would require religious employers to cover contraception and abortion as part of preventive care.

Many religious groups say the rule forces them to go against their convictions.

Now, a movement is underway to repeal the law -- especially among Catholic leaders.

"We believe it is a violation of the first fundamental right: freedom of religion," Catholic Diocese of Cleveland Robert Tayek said.

The new requirement includes coverage of emergency contraception like Plan B, a drug many conservatives call the abortion pill.

"It's the first time the federal government ever put out a mandate that asks people to violate their conscience," Tayek said.

"Where does it end?" Ohio resident and Catholic Joanne Gibbon asked. "If you cross the line and allow a little bit, I mean where does it end?"

Florida GOP Sen. Marco Rubio, who said the law violates religous liberties, is sponsoring a bill to repeal the mandate.

"This is a common sense bill that simply says the government can't force religious organizations to abandon the fundamental tenets of their faith," Rubio said in a statement.

"The Obama administration needs to be really careful with taking such extreme positions that marginalize religious freedoms," Hannah Smith, legal counsel for the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, added.

Smith is leading a lawsuit against the Obama administration on behalf of a Belmont Abbey College.

"We are challenging the mandate on several grounds, constitutional grounds," she explained.

"Also a federal rights statute called the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which prohibits the federal government from imposing a substantial burden on religious groups," she said.

The government claims the mandate will provide greater access to birth control, which will in turn reduce unwanted pregnancies and abortions.

But church leaders disagree. They call the law simply discrimination.

Link To Article

Romney To BHO "Get Out Of The Way"

2012-02-01T01:01:00.002-05:00

Here is Mitt Romney's Florida Primary Victory Speech - he is coming to life and is defining his leadership more in the last month than he has since his run in 2008.

Smokin' Joe - Gone But Never Forgotten

2011-11-08T11:41:00.005-05:00

The world of sports lost an iconic man yesterday. Smokin' Joe Frazier, dead at 67.

Link to Time Magazine article.

Ali's official statement: “The world has lost a great champion. I will always remember Joe with respect and admiration. My sympathy goes out to his family and loved ones.”

Hit The Road Jack!

2011-10-29T14:16:00.000-04:00

Does this video need a commentary? It would simply be superfluous to say anything other than - ENJOY!

What Governor Huckabee REALLY Thinks About The Tea Party!

2011-10-29T14:06:00.000-04:00

Below you will find a message from Governor Mike Huckabee. Well, actually it is a shameless plug on his behalf from Wayward Ramblings.

Because I like the guy.
Because our country is losing it's grasp on teaching history to our kids. Most middle school kids have absolutely NO idea about the real stories of U.S. or World History. This is because of the liberal claptrap that flows like a steady stream of manure from the mouths of liberal public school teachers and the revisionist history that the curriculum forced upon impressionable minds by a huge liberal teachers union treats real events that shaped our great nation like a big PC playground.
Because Mike Huckabee is putting together a great series of DVD's for younger kids to help them get a grip on historical reality!

FROM HUCK:

If it weren't for the Tea Party, we might be a different country!

Help your children understand why the Tea Party-and the whole American Revolution-is so important to the world we live in today...

“Don’t Tread On Me” is the famous motto that’s emblazoned on a bright yellow flag, just below an image of a fierce rattlesnake that’s ready to strike. Simple and direct, this historic flag represents the fight against big government.

And that’s likely the main reason this flag has enjoyed a renaissance as an adopted symbol of the Tea Party movement, making its appearance at recent Tea Party rallies all across the country. Designed by and named after American General Christopher Gadsen, it was the first flag ever carried into battle by the United States Marine Corps during the American Revolution.

When I think about today’s Tea Party, I can’t help but be reminded of the brave and defiant stance our founding fathers took against the British government as they levied taxes against the colonists to pay for British debts incurred during the French & Indian War. Discontent over taxes on everyday necessities like sugar and tea, to taxes on legal documents, currency, newspapers and even playing cards infuriated the colonists and led to the establishment of organizations such as the Sons of Liberty and the Daughters of Liberty—organizations that I suppose you could compare to today’s Tea Party.

Speaking of the Tea Party, the original event—that is, the Boston Tea party—is just one of the many subjects your children and grandchildren will get to learn about in the latest DVD from the Learn Our History series. The DVD, entitled “The Birth Of A Revolution,” helps kids understand everything that the founding fathers and colonists endured as they struggled for religious freedom and independence from Great Britain and King George III.

Beginning with the many demonstrations at the infamous Liberty Tree in Boston all the way through to the Boston Tea Party and beyond, young viewers will learn how the colonists came together in protest of over the British government’s actions. And even though they’re watching a story that’s over 200 years old, they’ll be learning important concepts and ideals about a fair government that are still relevant to this day.

James Otis is probably best known for saying “taxation without representation is tyranny.” In “The Birth Of A Revolution,” children will learn what that means and how big government is often unjustly imposing. Besides the many taxes forced onto the colonists, the Intolerable Acts instituted by the British government only served to strengthen the colonists’ resistance. For children, “The Birth Of A Revolution” DVD reinforces the importance of standing up for what is right and voicing one’s opinion, even in the face of adversity. And because it’s set to an entertaining storyline that features the adventure-loving kids from TimeCycle Academy, your children will love to learn about the American Revolution.

Your kids and grand kids will discover all the major players who contributed to the Revolution including Samuel Adams, John Adams, John Hancock and Patrick Henry, to name a few. They’ll learn how the colonists were inspired by biblical events and how they broke with England to form a new democratic republic unlike any before in history.

Children will discover the fascinating story of Paul Revere and his midnight ride and how he alerted the colonists to approaching British forces, just hours before the ‘shot heard ’round the world’ at Concord and Lexington which marked the start of the Revolutionary War.

Here is the link to the site where you can get the videos.

Below is a sample:

Forging

2011-10-24T16:24:00.006-04:00

Around the turn of the twentieth century, a bar of steel was worth about $5. Yet when forged into horseshoes, it was worth $10; when made into needles, its value was $350; when used to make small pocketknife blades, its worth was $32,000. when made into springs for watches, its value increased to $250,000. What a pounding that steel bar had to endure to be worth this much! But the more it was shaped,, hammered, put through fire, beaten, pounded, and polished, the greater its value.

May we use this analogy as a reminder to be still, silent, and long-suffering, for it is those who suffer the most who yield the most. And it is through pain that God gets the most out of us, for His glory and for the blessings of others.

Our life is very mysterious. In fact, it would be totally unexplainable unless we believed that God was preparing us for events and ministries that lie unseen beyond the veil of the eternal world - where spirits like tempered steel will be required for special service.

This devotion is from "Streams In The Desert," by L.B. Cowman

Personal note from The Wayward Rambler - Please pass this devotion along to anyone you know who may be going through a pounding right now. Many people are. Some understand the process, but there are a host of others who don't, and the forging process scares them. What this devotional most reminds me of is that God is not punishing me when I am being forged. He is preparing me. Not punishing - preparing. Big difference! Why would God punish someone who he loves so much and has covered through the New Covenant of Grace in Christ Jesus? How could such a thing be possible? God is actually honoring me when the forging process is taking place in my life. If I can remember that, and in return honor Him through glorifying Jesus, in whom God laid all the sins of mankind, and covered in Grace eternally if the sinner would only believe, than I will KNOW beyond any shadow of doubt that God is continuing a mighty work in me! God Bless you and have a great day!

A Leader Who Knew How To Deal With "Organized Labor"

2011-10-22T14:21:00.009-04:00

Let me begin by stating that I believe the term "organized labor," is a misnomer. The movement would better be described as "The somewhat dis-organized band of bullies, crybabies and thugs who want more for less, demand what they don't deserve, vote like sheeple at the bequest of their no-nothing leaders and are ruled over by Mafioso style dictators that extort 20% of their earnings in exchange for their right to do and say whatever they want and still keep their jobs."

Whenever I hear Mr. Thug Trumpka open his mouth it fills me with a sudden urge to go into a frenzy of projectile vomitting.

The real unprotected workers in our great country are the salaried employees and the small business people. The salaried employees because they get the same wage and benefits even though they are expected to work many more hours and often 6 or 7 day work weeks and the small business owners because they put it all on the line, are the backbone of American ingenuity and commerce and if they fail, it often means personal bankruptcy. Their failure is often due to government regulation or stupidity.

There was a man who knew how to deal with the shenanigans of a certain union that thought it had our country by the short hairs. Below you'll find his democratic way of handling the situation.

Wayward's Greatest Hits - Mr. Legal VS. Mr. Illegal

2011-10-22T14:09:00.004-04:00

From May 3, 2010, we bring you the ever popular "Mr. Legal VS. Mr. Illegal" post which still draws significant hits a year and a half later. Enjoy, but please pay close attention. We are losing our country to lawbreakers. PERIOD!

You have two families: "Mr. Legal" and "Mr. Illegal".Both families have two parents, two children, and live in California.

Mr. Legal works in construction, has a Social Security Number and makes $25.00 per hour with taxes deducted.Mr. Illegal also works in construction, has NO Social Security Number, and gets paid $15.00 cash "under the table".Ready? Now pay attention...

Mr. Legal: $25.00 per hour x 40 hours = $1000.00 per week, or $52,000.00 per year. Now take 30% away for state and federal tax; Mr. Legal now has $31,231.00.
Mr. Illegal: $15.00 per hour x 40 hours = $600.00 per week, or $31,200.00 per year. Mr. Illegal pays no taxes. Mr. Illegal now has $31,200.00.

Mr. Legal pays medical and dental insurance with limited coverage for his family at $600.00 per month, or $7,200.00 per year. Mr. Legal now has $24,031.00.Mr. Illegal has full medical and dental coverage through the state and local clinics at a cost of $0.00 per year. Mr. Illegal still has $31,200.00.

Mr. Legal makes too much money and is not eligible for food stamps or welfare. Mr. Legal pays $500.00 per month for food, or $6,000.00 per year. Mr. Legal now has $18,031.00.

Mr. Illegal has no documented income and is eligible for food stamps and welfare. Mr. Illegal still has $31,200.00.

Mr. Legal pays rent of $1,200.00 per month, or $14,400.00 per year. Mr. Legal now has $9,631.00.Mr. Illegal receives a $500.00 per month federal rent subsidy. Mr. Illegal pays out that $500.00 per month, or $6,000.00 per year. Mr. Illegal still has $ 31,200.00.

Mr. Legal pays $200.00 per month, or $2,400.00 for insurance. Mr. Legal now has $7,231.00.
Mr. Illegal says, "We don't need no stinkin' insurance!" and still has $31,200.00.

Mr. Legal has to make his $7,231.00 stretch to pay utilities, gasoline, etc.
Mr. Illegal has to make his $31,200.00 stretch to pay utilities, gasoline, and what he sends out of the country every month.

Mr. Legal now works overtime on Saturdays or gets a part time job after work.Mr. Illegal has nights and weekends off to enjoy with his family.

Mr. Legal's and Mr. Illegal's children both attend the same school. Mr. Legal pays for his children's lunches while Mr. Illegal's children get a government sponsored lunch. Mr. Illegal's children have an after school ESL program. Mr. Legal's children go home.

Mr. Legal and Mr. Illegal both enjoy the same police and fire services, but Mr. Legal paid for them and Mr. Illegal did not pay.

Do you get it, now?
If you vote for or support any politician that supports illegal aliens...You are part of the problem!

The Incomparable Jimmy Smith

2011-10-18T17:07:00.002-04:00

"Walk On The Wild Side" from 1961. Most assuredly, the greatest jazz organist of all time, Jimmy Smith. Enjoy!

The State Department Finally Admits The Truth!

2011-10-18T15:54:00.006-04:00

The US State Department has finally come clean to admit that the Mexican Drug Cartels should be classified as terrorists. Excuse me for a second - DUH!

Regular readers of Wayward - yeah, we know who you are, that one guy out there in cyberspace - will know that for two years now, we have been sounding the Clarion Call on these cartels, but more importantly on the lax attitude toward the laws already in place and the liberal approach to free and open borders with Mexico.

I have gone so far as to say that war should be declared against Mexico until the situation stabilizes, and have drawn out several significant reasons why this should happen.

As usual, the very branches of our government that are supposed to be protecting us from these psychopathic mass murderers, are always the ones hemming and hawing and dragging their oafish feet. Still, they will only go so far as to admit that the behavior of these gangs of maurading thugs is only "consistent with terrorism." Give me a break! I want a job at the State Department so I can teach these dummies all they need to know about terrorism in one course. It's entitled "Terrorism For Dummies."

Here is the story from CNS written by Edwin Mora -

(CNSNews.com) – Actions by Mexican drug cartels are “consistent” with what the
U.S. would consider to be “terrorism or insurgency” in other parts of the world,
a State Department official told lawmakers on Thursday.

“I do
acknowledge that many of the facts on the ground, the things that are being done
by those organizations, are consistent with what we would call either terrorism
or insurgency in other countries,” William Brownfield told a House Foreign
Affairs Committee hearing on emerging threats and security in the western
hemisphere.

Brownfield, assistant secretary at the Bureau of
International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, was responding to a
question from Rep. Connie Mack (R-Fla.), chairman of the Foreign Affairs western
hemisphere subcommittee.

“If the cartels in Mexico are offering health
care, if they’re trying to displace the government, isn’t that a political –
isn’t that politically motivated? Mack asked. “[G]oing into these communities
and putting on barbecues or picnics and trying to win the support of the public
so the public will listen to the cartels and not the government, isn’t that a
political motivation?”

Following Brownfield’s response, Mack remarked,
“It is clear that an insurgency is happening in Mexico.”

Asked by Mack
about difference between Mexican drug cartels and the Revolutionary Armed Forces
of Colombia (FARC), Brownfield contended that while the Colombian group “claims
to have a political, philosophical, and ideological philosophy” the Mexican
organizations do not.

Last March, Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas),
chairman of the Homeland Security subcommittee on oversight, investigations and
management, introduced legislation directing the State Department to designate
Mexican drug cartels as “foreign terrorist organizations” (FTOs).

FTO
designation would place the gangs in the same category as organizations such as
FARC, al-Qaeda and Hezbollah. It would allow the U.S. government to freeze the
cartels’ monetary assets and prosecute anyone providing them with material
support or financial resources.

Administration officials argue that
McCaul’s initiative is unnecessary, on the grounds there are already enough laws
on the books to deal with the drug gangs.

“We have to look through just
the [FTO] label and think through what the implications of the label would be,”
Brownfield said during an Oct. 4 joint hearing of Foreign Affairs and Homeland
Security subcommittees.

“What is the implication of us making this
determination?” he asked. “What
does it give us that is more than what we
already have?”

Below is video on Brownfield's earlier testimony on the threat in Central America (video clip of Rep. Mack questioning Brownfield can be found here. )

Ultra-Rare Interview!

2011-10-17T17:27:00.002-04:00

Greta Van Susteren Of Fox News sits down with Billy Graham for a very rare interview.

Just Mere "Sounds?" - HORRIFYING

2011-10-17T16:54:00.004-04:00

This is Representative Sheila Jackson-Lee, who represents the people of the the 18th District in the great state of Texas. She believes that the living heartbeat from a child in the womb that the Almighty God created, are just "sounds." You may contact her in protest to her remarks at the debate and her voting record by going here.

Ms. Shelia Jackson-Lee should be run out of office for her continued assault on the unborn children of America and the world. Unfortunately, this political nightmare has been re-elected already, but it should bring shame to every living soul in her district of the great state of Texas if she were to be nominated for another term.

Here is the story as reported by Eric Sheiner of CNS news:

(CNSNews.com) - During the House floor debate on the Protect Life Act last week, Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D- Texas) defended abortion as a “needed action” and referred to the heartbeat of a fetus as a “sound”.

Voicing her opposition to the measure on Thursday, Jackson Lee referenced a previous Texas law, “Just as the courts ruled unconstitutional and upheld the provision of the Texas law that required a doctor to talk first to a woman seeking an abortion and to allow or force them both to listen, uh, to sounds that, uh, might discourage this needed action, this is going to be held unconstitutional. This is not a law that can pass,” Jackson said.

One Of The Best You Will Ever See!

2011-10-17T16:47:00.002-04:00

This is the definitive live performance of one of the most famous brazillian influenced jazz standards of all time. Enjoy as (among others) the exquisite Astrud Gilberto on vocals, Stan Getz on sax, and the incomporable Cal Tjader on vibes, deliver this note perfect, once in a lifetime performance.

If You Can Find A Better Solution Please Contact Us Immediately!

2011-10-15T15:05:00.001-04:00

The contact email is: Waywardramblings@hotmail.com

There is only one way to deal with the many problems that currently plague our great nation. GOD. Please read on.

God has given us all a choice and we cannot delay in making up our minds about it. To delay means more heartache, terror and chaos in this broken world but more importantly, the confusion of the mind, the sickness of the soul will get worse. But there is a solution!

We need GOD. Not ten minutes from now, not tomorrow, not next week, next month or next year, or when we can get around to it. We need GOD now. While there remains beauty all around us in God's creation, there is an ugliness that is growing ever stronger by the day. It is all around us. Mayhem, destruction, terrorism, murder, drugs, hate, violence of every sort. Riotous living, promiscuity, immersion in the 7 Deadly Sins and a breaking of all of the 10 Commandments are commonplace in our country and have brought our nation to the brink of disaster. Secularists, although clearly in the minority squeak so much that the rest of the world believes the USA is a godless society.

God has been taken out of our schools, our government and many aspects of our military. We will pay the price as a nation for allowing this to happen. God is a loving god, but He is a just God. We will reap what we sow as a nation, a culture, a people.We MUST reintroduce GOD into our daily lives now and keep Him there! If we don't, the corrupting evil of the enemy will continue to baffle, confuse, terrorize and destroy.

Please take a brief moment to read this post and think about it. It will only take a few minutes out of your day.

Have you made a covenant with Almighty God by agreeing to His terms and conditions and accepting Jesus Christ as your personal Savior?

I'm not a bible thumper or a religious freak. I'm just a normal man. A simple man. A Sinner. Just like all men I know. God has a plan.We can't ignore it any longer.This world is a mess and anyone reading this knows it!How can you deny it? Watch the news!We cannot be blind or ignorant any longer. We all need the simple and free gift of salvation. Once again, it's simple and it's free.

God loves you personally and desires a relationship with you. As sinners, we don't deserve a relationship with the Creator of the universe. But God has set up a way for us to all be reconciled to Him.

He did it by taking on human flesh and descending to earth almost 2000 years ago. He came to us by way of immaculate conception through a simple virgin woman named Mary, who was betrothed to a regular Jewish man named Joseph.

Don't believe it? Do you believe in UFO's? Do you believe in your president? Do you believe in the power of electricity? Do you believe in astrology? Do you believe in dinosaurs? How about evolution? Do you believe your spouse loves you? Do you believe what you read in the newspaper or magazines? Health Care Reform? Do you believe politicians? Do you believe in your mom and dad? The theory of relativity? The law of gravity? Mathematics? Do you believe in the seasons? How about our sun and simple astronomy? Do you believe in whatever hang up you have?Do you believe in booze, drugs, cigs, porn, overeating, workoholism? Do you believe your car will start when you turn the ignition? Do you believe in following the law? Do you believe the autobiographies you read, world and American history? Do you believe that you will still have a job tomorrow? Do you believe in the things that your money can buy?If you can believe in any of these things, then surely you believe in God and the simple plan of salvation he has laid at your feet! Either Jesus Christ is what He said He was, or He isn't. Either He is the Son of God, or He isn't. What is your choice to be? Can you afford to live another minute without truly finding the answer to that question?

Listen, it's YOUR life. But how much is your one, true life worth? Would you rather go through life without believing in God and Jesus and then die and find out He really was what He said he was?!? Or would you rather go through life believing and knowing the truth and find out when you die that your eternal soul is safe and sound? It sounds like a very simple proposition to me. The Living Christ must be encountered. You have to do something with Him!

You can either face the Truth now, while there is still time or face the truth when you die and there is no time left. The inescapable Christ must be dealt with! Jesus said "I am the Way the Truth and the Life. Nobody comes to the Father but through me." I didn't say it, He did. Read about it in the most widely read, widely published book in the History of the world, the Holy Bible.You can read all about it in the book of the New Testament called John. The exact chapter is John 14.How much longer can we as humans deny the TRUTH. No other man in the History of recorded time has ever declared to His peers and the men of his day that HE IS THE EMBODIMENT OF THE TRUTH.

Do some research on the subject. Either Jesus was who He claimed he was or He is the greatest fraud, liar and charlatan of all time. They tried to stop Him and lock him away and brand Him as a fool, heretic, crazy man and so forth. Even the people closest to Him denied knowing Him.Even Pontious Pilate and Herod both declared that Jesus had done nothing wrong! Pilate literally washed his hands of guilt over condeming Christ to die on a Roman cross. These events were recorded in many sources studied by the greatest scholars of our time.

It's undisputed as true by historians separate and apart from the Holy Bible! There are many other historical figures of that time. They either corroborated it, or committed some part of the factual occurrences in other documents.Yet how can unbelievers still deny it?Please re-examine things. Take another look at it all from a different perspective. Jesus doesn't care if you're not perfect. Guess what, none of us are! That's the great thing about it! He meets us right where we are! Are you worried about that? Don't! Are you worried that you won't be able to have any more fun? Don't! Let Him worry about that! He's GOD!

Aren't you tired? Tired of doing things you're own way? Doesn't the endless cycle of violence, lies, war and destruction bother and confuse you? It sure does confuse me! Some days, I can't take it anymore. But I know the TRUTH, so I know how the game ends.Are you worried about your stuff? Listen, have you ever seen a funeral procession on the way to the graveyard to bury someone? Have you ever seen the hearse pulling a U-Haul trailer with all of that person's worldly possessions in it? Neither have I!

Are you worried because you have a lot of money? Don't worry about that, just do the right thing with your money. Share it! Paul, the greatest saint said that it was the "LOVE of money that was the root of all evil." Let Jesus show you what to do with your dough.Concerned about hypocrites that go to church? Don't worry! There's always room for one more! Worried about greedy liars who steal money from true believers to line their pockets and get rich? What can you do about it? Let God deal with them, just like He'll deal with you. And me, and every soul to have ever lived. He is a very just and righteous God. He judges fairly, but He does judge. So don't forget it.

He loves you! He made you in HIS image! You were joyfully created!The GOSPEL means Good News! Why not start reading the most positive piece of literature ever written! The Bible! People talk about positive thinking all the time. Want some positive thinking? Read the Gospel folks! Forget Dr. Phil and Oprah and Deepak Chopra and Obama. Can they save your soul? Can your new car, motorcycle, surfboard or water craft save your soul? Can your spouse save your soul? Can your kids? Nope. But Jesus can and He will!

Isn't that the coolest thing you've ever heard?It is the greatest gift of all and it's simple, easy, and free.

Here is a great link at Billy Graham Evangelistic Association called "Steps To Peace," that details God's simple plan for us. Please check it ou

It's that simple! Then just find a good church that talks about the Bible and worships God and go! Why not? What is an hour or two a week out of your busy schedule? Isn't it better than watching porn or getting loaded or arguing with your spouse?Just TRY it. The only people who scoff at redemption or salvation or Jesus are just uninformed. That's true! If someone says they don't believe, ask them if they ever tried sincerely. If they say yes, then know that they are lying. No one who gives their life to Jesus regrets it.

Jesus answers anyone who comes to Him in truth, humility and sincerity. All you're missing out on is the greatest love of all.

Have you ever had your heart broken? How does that feel? It sucks. You know why that happens? Because we put our faith in people. People will always let us down.Name one person who has NEVER let you down. Go ahead.... Still waiting..... You can't honestly name one. Why? Because we all let each other down. We're human, we can't help it! But God will NEVER, EVER, let you down. I promise.But don't listen to me! Listen to HIM. He tells us about it John 3:16.Give up the fight of this world. Sooner or later, everything passes away. Only God lasts forever.

The game of life is just like the game of Monopoly. You can play a really long game or a short one. You'll have fun. Sometimes you'll win the game, sometimes you lose it. But guess what? When the game is over, all the stuff goes back in the box! Don't chance it. Don't chance your life like you were playing Monopoly. Let me know how things turn out. Waywardramblings@hotmail.com.

GOD LOVES YOU! NOW AND FOREVER!

Peace and God Bless You

Don't Think I'll Be Tuning In

2011-10-15T14:29:00.005-04:00

I hear tell of a big "to-do" tonight entitled "A Decade Of Difference - A Concert Celebrating the 10 Years of the William J. Clinton Foundation." Big time movers and shakers will be entertained by the likes of Lady GaGa and Usher.

While his foundation has indeed saved millions of lives and improved the lives of millions more, and his fundraising work alongside both George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush must be commended, Wayward believes that Bill Clinton should just try his hardest to live out the remaining years of his life here on earth in humility. But, I suppose, for a man like "Slick Willie," humility is an impossible virtue for him to even aspire to.

Here is why I think Mr. Clinton should just do his work and shut up.

He owes this world a debt he can never repay for all of the moral shenanigans his name was tied to during his time in public office.

He is one of only two presidents in our history to be impeached - the other being Andrew Johnson. While Johnson was guilty of breaking a law that prohibited dismissing office holders without senate approval, it could be argued that he was acting in what he believed to be the best interests of the country at that time.

Clinton however, was impeached under much uglier and disgusting circumstances. Just the act of having sex with Ms. Lewinsky in the White House was shameful enough, but he lied about it straight faced, under oath to the entire country. This is to say nothing of the many other various and sundry sex scandals that this "great humanitarian" was involved in.

Unfortunately, it appears that in an era when the moral compass of our great nation continues to lose its magnetic attraction to true north and our values get flushed away at an ever increasing and alarming rate, some folks still wish to celebrate stupidity, lewd and piggish behavior, and men who lie, cheat and steal while holding the highest office in the land.

Either that, or we have a nation of people with very poor memories.

Probably both.

Enjoy the show! Maybe Lady GaGa will reenact the infamous "Lincoln Bedroom affair" as part of her show tonight. I'm sure the audience will love that!

No Crap Shooters Or Midnight Ramblers

2011-10-15T12:44:00.011-04:00

Johnny, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins, the nucleus of the early Sun Records stable in an amazing rendition rendition of "This Train." The performance was done during Cash's 1977 Christmas special in tribute to Elvis Presley who had died earlier that year. Casual Elvis fans never knew that Elvis sang and recorded more Gospel music than any other genre or style.

For a dynamic and unique perspective on this "other" side of Elvis Presley, I highly recommend the DVD
Elvis Presley: He Touched Me - The Gospel Music of Elvis Presley, Vol. 1 & 2

Children, Go Where I Send Thee!

2011-10-15T12:39:00.002-04:00

One great performance by Johnny Cash and gang. This is a wonderful song, and Cash's arrangement from his popular variety show that aired in the 70's each week from the Ryman Auditorium in downtown Nashville is a real toe tapper. Enjoy!

Amazing! Come Sing Along!

2011-10-05T15:05:00.002-04:00

How many stars can YOU spot on this ultra rarity from a 1959 Dinah Shore show? I'll give you a head start: The Kingston Trio, Johnny Cash, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, Minnie Pearl, Phil and Don Everly, Ernest Tubb... ENJOY!

Latest Update On The Mass Murder Story - 3500 Killed In Last 24 Hours!

2011-10-05T13:46:00.014-04:00

Here is the latest news on the 3500 innocents that were butchered in the last 24 hours.

Wayward Ramblings has learned that the situation is very grave indeed and much worse than we could possibly imagine or get our minds around.

We now know for a fact that over 3500 innocent children were butchered to death since 1:45 PM EST yesterday. The grisly facts keep pouring in. We have learned that these children were killed right here in the United States in hospitals and clinics throughout the land. To make this nightmare even more goulish, the killing goes on unabated and it is being done legally.

Some of the GOP candidates are speaking out against this horrific genocide taking place right under our noses, but their voices are almost silent when compared to the blaring 24 hour a day cycle of the noise made by the political machine driver of the "look good - say whatever will get you elected" variety.

Of course, we all know that our current Socialist president believes this issue is "above his pay grade." While in a sense he is correct - the entire presidency has proven to be above his pay grade, we all know that his sheepish response is code for "let the killing continue."

When will this terror end? Good question. At this rate, since Roe v. Wade became the law of the land on January 22nd, 1973, America has murdered more children than Hitler, Stalin, Pol-Pot and the Imperial Japanese Army in the Rape of Nanking - COMBINED. Hard to believe? Research it for yourself.

This insanity will begin to stop when Americans unite, the world unites and says "enough is enough." In the meantime, if you are as disgusted by this murder of the innocents as we are you can make a difference. Write all of your local, state and federal politicians and demand that judges stop legislating from the bench and that new laws are written to stop the murder. Get involved with your church. Most traditional churches have a very strong anti-abortion stance and support outside organizations that help pregnant women with resources, adoption, etc. Write the editors of your local papers with basic statistics like the ones I just gave you. Blog on this topic. Discuss it with your friends. Donate money if you can to worthwhile non-profits that seek to end abortion. Above all, fight the pro-abortion movement with rational facts, a cool head and never with ramped up rhetoric or violence. We must sound the clarion call, but we must do it in a responsible manner. Remember the words of the great Mahatma Ghandi - "An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind."

At the bottom of this post, I will list several good websites that can point you in the right direction.

The brilliant National Geographic documentary, "In The Womb," clearly informs the viewer that LIFE BEGINS AT CONCEPTION. Watch it free online here.

On a final note, do you know how many happy, well-adjusted couples want to adopt in this country but have waited for years or have gotten so frustrated trying to cut through the red tape that they become disheartened? Don't ever let anyone tell you that if we stop aborting babies in this country that there will be some sort of "glut of humanity" and we will not have the resources to deal with it. This is simply untrue.

Here are three websites to get you started:
Abort 73
Jill Staneck
The Center For Bio-Ethical Reform

BELOW YOU WILL SEE GRAPHIC PHOTOS AND VIDEOS AND HEAR VIOLENT AND GRAPHIC LANGUAGE WHICH MANY WILL FIND DISTURBING. WAYWARD RAMBLINGS POSTS THESE PHOTOS AND VIDEOS AS REMINDERS OF THE BRUTAL REALITY OF THIS SUBJECT MATTER AND THE DARK TRUTH OF WHAT IS HAPPENING EVERY DAY HERE IN THE GREATEST NATION ON EARTH. PLEASE CONTINUE ONLY IF YOU FEEL YOU CAN FACE THE TRUTH.

WARNING: GRAPHIC AND VIOLENT LANGUAGE

2012 GOP Platform Is MIA On One Critical Issue!

2011-10-05T13:33:00.003-04:00

So Christie is not running for POTUS - big deal. There is a much greater issue at hand regarding the 2012 GOP race and the current group of candidates which the Fourth Estate have boldly declared are now "locked in."

Nothing is locked in until we get a front-runner who places at the top of his or her platform, one simple issue: We must begin to trudge the road that will lead our country and its governance back to God. Not "Allah" or some other fad, cult, new thought or secular-driven cult of personality. Every single important document, law or philosophy that helped build this, the greatest nation in the world, was based in the fundamental belief in the Almighty God of the Christian faith as taught to mankind through the Holy Bible. This includes the acknowledgement of Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the only path to God through salvation, repentance, and a genuine desire to strive to live life as an authentic Christian. That is to say, following the commandments of Jesus to the absolute best of one's ability.

Wayward Ramblings endorses no candidate for president in 2012, but when the primary hits my state, I will only pull the lever for a candidate that has no shame about their faith and leads from behind, with God calling the shots.

Mission: Impossible

2011-10-04T15:07:00.001-04:00

One of the all time greatest soundtracks for a television show - the "Mission: Impossible" theme performed live by the Prague Symphony Orchestra and the man himself - the composer, legendary Lalo Shifrin. One of the things I really enjoy about this video is watching how much fun the musicians are having playing the piece. For fun, you'll find the original opening at the bottom of the post. Enjoy!

The Government Can ---- NOT!

2011-10-04T14:55:00.003-04:00

Here is a video we like to post every few months as a funny reality check. This parody video by Tim Hawkins is spot on. Mr. Hawkins is a fine comedian and it's worth checking out his site if you enjoy good, clean fun. Tim Hawkins Comedy can be found here.

Christie Makes A Wise Decision

2011-10-04T14:50:00.000-04:00

Today Chris Christie announced that he will not run for POTUS in 2012. Wayward thinks that this is the best not only for Christie and the GOP candidates that have declared, but also for the great state of New Jersey.

Let him finish what he has begun as Governor of NJ and hopefully, he will continue to sharpen his skills and be ready in eight years - assuming that a Republican wins election and the country has fully awakened from its coma, regained its common sense and seen enough destruction after only 2 1/2 years of BHO's utter incompetence.

If you think Chris Christie is a force to be reckoned with now, give him another eight years!

While debates would have been more lively, and his entrance into the race would have brought another carnival like dimension to the field, the entertainment value simply does not match up with what we have to win and lose as a nation right now.

Is There Still A Superpower? An Interview You Cannot Miss!

2011-10-03T15:35:00.007-04:00

People long with sentiment back to the good old days when America was seemingly the strongest, most dominant super power in the world. Sane and rational people, not the uber left of course, cherished this position of power, not so that we could impose our will throughout the world, but more because we could control our own destiny here at home. Alas, those days seem to be long gone, and one has to wonder "Did we cherish our role enough?" Apparently not, because we let it sift through our hands as quickly as fine sand.

Here is some very good news! Not only do we still have the power, but it really has never left us. As I have stated many times in this blog, what is happening to us right now is very real, and based in the reality of the every day events that are drowning us in chaos with disaster upon disaster. But, the power shift and all of its spin-driven daily bombardment of nonsense is in a large part illusory! I have referred to the "Three Card Monte," "The Tail Wagging The Dog," "The Man Behind the Curtain Syndrome," and of course, the fake power of the "The Fourth Estate," as phrases to describe the phenomena of what is happening not just to our country, but to the world at large.

Think for a moment. What inside you has changed? If you're reading this post, chances are that you would describe yourself as a conservative, maybe independent or libertarian, and most likely you have a belief in God.

So please think about the way that this administration has changed you in the last couple years. Think about the positives and the negatives, because your power base is derived from both places. We effect more clear change from the positive, that is true. But we also many times are motivated by the negative things unless we allow those things to destroy us. You've heard the expression "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger." I very much believe in that philosophy because I've lived it!

If you are the average United States citizen, who truly cares about your country, I'm certain that many of you would describe the past two years as a time that you have undergone deep, jugular change in virtually every area of your life. You have probably become more proactive in your political and ideological stances. I'm sure that most of you have become much more sensitive to what is being told to you by our government and the media. You have probably erred on the side of discernment more often than not. I could go on, but I'm sure you get the idea.

Many of us believe in the power of political change. We are seeing both the positive and negative effects that political change can have on us as individually, as a nation of people, and our world - our cosmic home where we are forced to share our stewardship with that of many whose motives in life we cannot relate to or understand.

The power of the press is a power that if you were passively or subtly aware of prior to the massive sea change that took place in 2007-2008, you are most certainly top minded about in 2011. It got a president elected while many of us weren't paying attention!

So the power of politics and the power of the press are both very influential powers that at some times seem to have a vice grip on us collectively and individually.

However, as I stated at the top of this post, I have very good news for you about another type of power. The power of prayer.

The power of prayer is greater, and more powerful than any inward our outward power we as individuals possess or can use effectively to create dynamic change not just in us but around us. Prayer is a gift that the God who created us all gave us mortals as a way to communicate with Him. Can you think of any greater power than that? I cannot. What power is there that can possibly be greater than the power to communicate with the Creator of the universe?!? Can you name one that even comes close? I cannot.

I have lived a bountiful life on this planet earth and I have yet to encounter a mightier way to express destiny, love, forgiveness, compassion and repentance that nears the power of prayer. Hundreds of thousands of books have been written about it, including the most popular book of positive power in the history of the world, the Holy Bible. More people have talked about this power than any other subject since the dawn of mankind in the way of sermons from the pulpit.

Millions upon millions of people are feeling the direct power of prayer right at this second as I write this post.

I have attempted to incorporate prayer into everything I do, because the people that I most admire in this world, both dead and alive have lived their lives by this principle, and I am trying my best to emulate them. But more importantly, because the living Christ has given me this personal interview. This personal dialogue. This form of communication that is available to me 24 hours a day, every day of my mortal life.

Ponder this for a moment. If you received a call from the White House this evening, and it was David Axelrod, and he told you that out of a pool of people, the President had selected you for a private meeting next Monday at 7:00 for one hour to discuss anything that was of importance to you, would you decline? Not likely. I don't care what your politics or world view, you would NEVER say, "sorry, Axelrod, I'm too busy that day. I have to download several of the latest applications for my i-phone, stop by the Starbucks for my $5.00 Frappacino and get on with the business of daily living. There's the kids, work, my never-ending list of chores, and of course, my social life. Would you please tell the president to forget about it? Thanks anyway."

No I'm sure that your stomach would immediately go into permanent butterfly stage, you would hardly sleep between now and next Wednesday preparing yourself for the meeting. You would tell all of your friends and loved ones about the meeting and its great importance to you. You would certainly begin preparing your physical body with a visit to the hairstylist or barber. If you're a woman, you might shop for hours for that special outfit. If you are a man, you would be certain that your very best suit had visited the cleaners and your favorite tie was without blemish. Why, you might even get a pedicure or manicure, right? Yes, you would be in rare form for your meeting with the President of the United States.

What if the agent for your favorite music star or actor called and said "We know what a huge fan you are of Mr. Springsteen," or "Ms. Streep," or whoever it might be, "and they would like to have dinner with you next Wednesday evening at 9:00 for an exclusive private meeting in the banquet room of their favorite upscale restaurant in your town. Can I put you down for a yes?" What would your response be? "Well, I'd love to meet with The Boss, but I have a such a busy schedule that Wednesday. I've got to get the kids to bed and I have to hit the rack early that night anyway. I'm always exhausted by 9:00 pm, and I won't be able to wait for my head to hit the pillow." Or maybe you might have this response for Ms. Streep's agent. "You know, she has always been one of my all time favorite actresses, but the fact is, she hasn't been in anything lately that I really like. If she starts to be more prominent, or picks better roles, I would consider it. But not at this time."

I doubt you would have any of theses replies. You would be sure that your digital camera was all charged up and your memory card was empty. You would most likely have something ready for them to sign. You would hardly be able to keep from talking about the impending meeting until the moment it arrived and the stretch Hummer stopped at your door to pick you up.

Let's say that you received a call from your best friend's spouse. Your best friend recently had to move away to another part of the country, and when they first moved you were talking with them every day on the phone, but the calls came fewer and farther between because life had become so busy. Then came this call. "I just wanted you to know. We received a pretty hard blow today. Nancy hasn't been feeling up to par lately so we've been to the doctor quite a bit. Today we got the news. It's untreatable cancer, very advanced, very aggressive. I'm afraid there's only a few days remaining. She requested that I call you right away. She'd like to see you one last time before she dies." What would your response be? I doubt that you would say, "I'm sorry, I just can't make it. I'm shocked to hear of this terrible turn of events, but I just need to catch up with my social networking. My Facebook and Twitter accounts have been so neglected lately. Please tell Nancy it's been nice knowing her. Thanks for letting me know"

You would never think to give such a reply. You would be on the next flight, praying every minute that they hold on long enough until you can get there. You'd drop everything. You'd cancel every plan, no matter what the cost. Your life would be forever changed by a one minute phone call.

Are you starting to get my point?

Now please think about this. You have an appointment, an interview with the Almighty God! The creator of everything around you and in you! It cannot wait or be postponed! You are honored and humbled to have the opportunity to meet with the One who breathed the breath of life into your lungs! The One who knows everything about you. Who loves you with the greatest and most important love of all. This appointment must be kept. It's called prayer. The power of prayer is the greatest power you now possess or will ever possess. The power of prayer moves the hands that rule the entire universe. You cannot evade this, your greatest meeting, another minute. God is waiting to hear from you! What will your answer be?

Will He Or Won't He?

2011-10-03T15:28:00.000-04:00

Despite his enormous popularity as Governor of the great state of New Jersey, Chris Christie may still have some very big hills to climb if he wishes to run on the GOP ticket for POTUS. Already, conservatives like Herbert Cain are calling Christie "too liberal" and has begun defining many of Christie's positions on critical conservative issues as not compatible with the traditional Republican platform.

Yesterday Cain called Christie “too liberal” for the party’s base -- a preview of the main talking point his GOP rivals will try to utilize against him.

“He’s going to turn off a lot of conservatives,” Cain said on “Fox News Sunday.”

Cain charged that Christie’s stances on gun control, global warming and immigration don’t match up with primary voters’ views.

“I believe that a lot of conservatives, once they know his positions on those things, ... they’re not going to be able to support him,” said Cain, the first Republican to take a shot at the governor.

Still, we at Wayward Ramblings believe that a candidate who is willing to take the hits to stand up for what he or she truly believes in, and can back their talk up by "walking the walk," deserve attention. Chris Christie is the type of politician who fits this model.

He most certainly is not afraid to stand up to ANYBODY, and speaks his mind decisively and with authority. If you took a good hard look at all of the current GOP candidates, and seriously reviewed their platforms and records, you would definitely find areas of contention and aspects of their overall political approach that you absolutely did not agree with. In this regard, the argument made by Cain against Christie is just typical, weak political gamesmanship.

Our belief is that candidates and the opposing party tend to pounce early on those they fear the most. Although Christie will not make a formal announcement until Wednesday at the earliest, he will continue to get a lot of buzz until then!

Governor of New Jersey, Chris Christie

Currently deciding on possible 2012 run

Wayward Ramblings does not support or endorse any candidate in the 2012 Presidential election.

Is NPR Making A Serious Course Correction Or Speaking Code?

2011-10-03T14:52:00.000-04:00

Mr. Gary Knell - New NPR President

The ACLU, under the guise of "civil liberty" is one of the greatest censorship defenders in the world. In the last few years, NPR, publicly funded by United States tax dollars from every day citizens is becoming a close second.

After Vivian Schiller, the recently deposed head of NPR best known sticking her big foot in her big mouth by calling the Tea Party Racist, and also for the unceremonious hatchet job on Juan Williams, a long time NPR contributor and liberal, for an innocent remark he made about Muslims that probably 90% of Americans are thinking, but don't dare say for fear of being arrested by the thought police, NPR has selected its new head honcho, Gary Knell.

Mr. Knell will begin his reign at the politically correct driven NPR beginning December 1, 2011. So what's the big hubbub, bub? Well, Mr. Knell has stated that he wishes to change the "perceived" image of NPR. It is Wayward's opinion that the image of NPR as liberal is not perceived at all, but an observation of fact based on years of hard broadcasting evidence.

In an interview with the AP on Sunday, Knell stated among other things that he plans to "depoliticize" NPR.

"I think NPR needs to do a better job of telling a story," Knell said. "It's about journalism, it's about news. It's not about promoting one political agenda or another."

Wayward will cautiously take Mr. Knell at his word. In the meantime, we will continue to watch NPR closely, for we know that among the organization as a whole, the liberal mentality abounds, there are many wolves in sheep's clothing, and YOUR tax dollars are continuing to be used to front and push for a left-leaning political agenda.

The Wall That Heals Continues It's Trek Across America

2011-09-30T16:05:00.000-04:00

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, the organization that is responsible for the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington DC, has for some time now been bringing a replica of this beautiful and healing memorial to cities and towns across America. They need your help to continue to do their great work.

"The Wall That Heals" landed in Sanford, North Carolina yesterday and will be on display through October 2. It then moves on to Scranton, Pennsylvania where it will be displayed from October 6th through October 9th.

Please check out the link above and learn more about this great organization that honors the "forgotten" heroes of the Vietnam War. Thanks.

Ms. Lang Does Mr. Cohen

2011-09-30T15:52:00.000-04:00

In our humble opinion, the greatest cover of Leonard Cohen's classic, Hallelujah.

ENJOY!

GREATEST HITS - The Official Wayward Obesity Study

2011-09-30T15:42:00.001-04:00

From June 23rd of this year - one of our reader's all-time favorites!

Here is the long awaited report from The National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine on how to raise less fatty kids. The report was aimed primarily at stupid parents.

All kidding aside, childhood and adult obesity is a problem in our country and should be addressed.

Here are the report's main recommendations :

Limiting young children's television and other media use,

Requiring child-care providers to promote healthy sleeping practices,

Educating parents about age-appropriate sleep times and good sleep habits,

Requiring child-care providers to provide opportunities and environments that encourage physical activity,

Increasing efforts to promote breast-feeding,

Requiring child-care facilities and preschools to follow the meal patterns established by the U.S. Child and Adult Care Food Program.

The Original Wayward Ramblings has conducted an independent study on the obesity problem. Here are the study's main recommendations:

Stop stuffing crap in your pie hole continuously!

Go outside and play!

Wayward's study was based on growing up in the 70's. Do you know how much sugar we ate back then? On some lucky Saturday's my two major food groups were Lick-M-Aid and Pixie Stix! I'll bet half the people who read this post don't even know what those two beautiful inventions were! They were the equivalent to a steady diet of crack cocaine for kids.

Do you know how much sugar you had to add to a regular packet of Kool-Aid to make it taste good? About half a pound! And that's what your MOM put in! When we made it ourselves, it was a miracle that none of us went into a diabetic coma! So why were we all skinny as rails? There was the occasional "fat kid," sure - but this was in the day when we had a cartoon favorite named "Fat Albert!" And he was black! Not only were there no "Food Police," there were no "PC Police!" Fat Albert even poked fun at kids with speech impediments and learning disabilities! Remember "Mushmouth" and "Dumb Donald?"

So how did we stay thin? For starters, our moms kicked us out of the house every chance they had. We rode our bikes everywhere, played tackle football on asphalt parking lots, skateboarded, ran around a lot because we were so amped from the sugar highs and hung out as much as possible at that long lost temple of youth recreation, romance and music - The Roller Skating Rink! Do you know how many calories a 12 year old can burn skating non-stop for three hours? About 1,250! In wintertime, we spent the entire day climbing huge hills in layers of winter clothes and sledding back down them. Over and over again. Until someone hit a bump too fast going backwards and broke a limb or ran their sled saucer directly into a tree and knocked themselves unconscious, or God forbid someone had an old fashioned steel rail sled and mowed some kid down during his ascent back up the hill. Those wonderful wintery days a kid could easily sweat off two or three pounds and burn away another couple thousand calories!

Then, when we got a little older, we all started smoking Marlboro Reds which kept our metabolism high until we finally grew up and if we were lucky, kicked the habit. That's when we gained 30 or 40 extra pounds and needed an idiotic study to tell us how to lose weight.

Anyway, folks, it's common sense! What has happened to it? Well, for those of you who actually need some fancy 10 year study that costs taxpayers millions of dollars to tell you why your kid is chubby, here are some blasts from the past that might shock some reality into you!

One of the greatest morons in cartoon history - our favorite - Dumb Donald
Dumbest quote ever from "The Donald" when asked why he won't take off his hat-
"Because I don't have a face!"

Cartoon legend with the best speech impediment of all time - you know him, you love him - the one and only Mushmouth!
Greatest Mushmouth quote: "Heyba! My hebba hurts!"

A Simple Dedication

2011-09-29T17:03:00.002-04:00

A beautiful song - dedicated to a friend of mine. Enjoy!

Peace With God

2011-09-27T14:05:00.002-04:00

Please check it out...

We Are Back!

2011-09-27T13:49:00.000-04:00

The Original Wayward Ramblings has been on a much needed hiatus from sounding the clarion call and presenting the world with all the information you never needed to know. We have returned and are working on several new projects so we hope that you can stick around for some of the fun. It won't be boring.

A Beautiful Love Letter From A Father To His Child - Not To Be Missed!

2011-07-01T19:06:00.000-04:00

A Collection Of Glen Beck's "Top Ten"

2011-07-01T18:27:00.003-04:00

Readers of The Original Wayward Ramblings know that we have a love/hate opinion of Glen Beck. He has many glaring shortcomings as a broadcaster. Every person does. It's just easier to spot those of the figures who live in the public eye.

The most insidious shortcoming of Beck, in my opinion, is his freewheeling and wanton use of historical revisionism to suit his agenda. Almost unforgivable at times, just plain silly at others, it overshadowed my ability to see him in a truly objective manner, especially toward the second half of his time on FOX News.

Beck also has many characteristics that define him as a very unique and talented personality. The greatest of those, in my opinion, is his ability to use delivery, emotion and technique to "unpack" the issues of the day so that people can easily grasp the main points of the topic and then go on to learn more from other resources if they so choose.

There is no doubt that Beck's TV show on FOX was in a category all to itself.

Time Magazine has put together a collection of "Top Ten Glen Beck Moments." While Wayward Ramblings neither endorses or agrees with this collection, we certainly found it entertaining:

The Colbert Report
Get More: Colbert Report Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,Video Archive

Malaguena

2011-07-01T17:53:00.002-04:00

Though he led a personal life that was sometimes marred by controversy and tragedy, in his long and prolific professional career, Stan Kenton is regarded by jazz historians, many of his peers and fans of jazz as nothing short of genius.

He was responsible for launching the careers of a respectable list of jazz superstars. He played with a virtual who's who of jazz greats throughout his career that can be matched only by a handful of legends.

He dabbled in a variety of jazz styles and mastered many. Stan Kenton is often under-appreciated and overlooked by casual fans of the genre. Here is a superb rendition of Bill Holman's arrangement of the instrumental version of Malaguena, performed in 1962 on the 1962 American TV show, "Jazz Scene USA", by the Stan Kenton Orchestra.

Wayward's Thursday Morning Sweet Soul Revue

2011-06-30T04:47:00.003-04:00

100 Days - 100 Nights

2011-06-30T04:38:00.002-04:00

HOT! - BreakingNews AT 11:35 EDT - Very Serious Problem With The Federal Reserve

2011-06-29T11:33:00.009-04:00

Well, I can honestly say that I never in my wildest dreams thought this day would come. This is a dark day indeed for our economy. The Federal Reserve Bank, in collusion with the Executive Branch of our United States government has in earnest, begun to roll out a devious portion of an overall plan that they claim is even bigger than the largest "stimulus" plan we have seen since BHO has been in office. This is scary stuff, people! Have you been hearing the scattered reports this morning, mostly from reliable sources from European countries, that are detailing something called the "NUC?" - The acronym stands for "New Universal Currency." Just in the four minutes since I began this post an image of this "NUC" has been produced.

This is bad... and I don't find it in any way coincidental that this rumor of the "NUC" comes on the very same day that Governor Jerry Brown has announced that California will be issuing a very similar "universal" documents only these are Universal Driver's Licenses/Encrypted ID cards in an apparent attempt to allow illegal immigrants the privilege to legally purchase a vehicle, legally operate the vehicle in the state and legally obtain insurance!

These are frightening times we are living in fellow citizens! We NEED to stop all of the neo-socialism NOW! Before it's too late!

Wayward has just obtained screen shots of both the proposed NUC and the planned California State Universal DL/ID. This is a very fluid story!

Beautiful Rendition Of A Song With A Very Interesting Back Story

2011-06-29T04:56:00.006-04:00

Yes, it's true that this poignant storytelling song, popularized by one of the greatest folk groups ever, Peter, Paul & Mary, is song about love and a somber morning when one person who dearly loves the other is leaving to someplace unknown, never revealed in the lyric to the listener, for an unspecified amount of time. We discover that the person leaving is confident that one day they will return to marry the lover they are leaving behind. The person that is going away is ready to take a cab to the airport to take a jet plane to their destination. This is the simple tale that is expressed in the song.

Well, as with most simple narratives, poems, or songs about love and leaving, there is more here than meets the eye.

For one thing, the song was composed by a shy, bespectacled, and boyishly fresh faced songwriter by the name of Henry John Deutschendorf, Jr., who was only 23 years old when he penned this song that was destined to become an American classic.

The original title of the song was "Oh Babe I Hate To Go." However, Deutschendorf's manager at the time convinced him to change title to "Leaving On A Jet Plane.

In 1965 Deutschendorf was still an unknown singer/songwriter playing folksy tunes at tiny basement clubs around L.A. when he had an opportunity to join a moderately successful folk band called The Chad Mitchell Trio, when the band's leader and namesake left. The new formation of the trio promptly recorded an LP with Reprise in 1967 entitled "Alive!" which included Deutschendorf's song "Leaving On A Jet Plane."

Later in 1967, "Spanky and Our Gang" recorded their cover of the song on their debut album that included two hits for the group - "Lazy Day," and "Sunday Will Never Be The Same," but "Leaving on a Jet Plane," was still not considered a hit.

By the time Deutschendorf's former manager gave the song to Peter, Paul and Mary in 1967 for their album entitled "Album 1700," the song had been recorder and released three times by three different bands in 1967. It still was not a hit.

That year Deutschendorf had embarked on a solo career under the stage name that he would be known by throughout the remainder of his very successful career until his death in in 1997 - John Denver.

In 1969, Denver recorder his first solo album for RCA, "Rhymes and Reasons," which was the 4th time in two years the song had been recorded, but it still was not a hit.

Finally, in 1969, Peter, Paul and Mary gave the tune one more chance and recorded a new version and released it as a single. Finally, the song scored. And it scored in a big way. It became a #1 hit on the Billboard charts for the folk trio and would remain as the only #1 hit for them in their career.

Now, after all the twists and turns we have now made with the song since it's genesis - it is time to reveal what the true meaning of the lyrics are. John Denver wrote the song in 1966 about a year after the first combat troops arrived in Vietnam as the "conflict' had drifted into a full scale war. In April of 1965, the United States had of combat presence of 60,000 troops with boots on the ground in South Vietnam. By the end of 1966 troop presence in Vietnam had swollen from 60,000 only 18 months earlier, to 385,000 strong plus an additional 60,000 sailors stationed offshore. More than 6,000 Americans were killed in 1966, and 30,000 have been wounded. America was now deep into all out warfare in Vietnam.

The World War II draft expired in March 1947, but conscription was revived in 1948 and for more than two decades of intermittent peace and limited war it became an established American institution.

For its manpower needs, because of low pay scales the military relied on a combination of volunteers for the Navy, Marines and Air Force, and the draft plus volunteers for the Army. Every year from 1950 to 1970 the Selective Service system drafted from 100,000 to 300,000 18-year old men for 24 months of active duty in the Army. The peaks came during the Korean War (525,000 drafted in 1951) and the Vietnam War (382,000 drafted in 1966). In all Selective Service drafted about 25% of all young men for two-year tours; an even larger number volunteered for three years in the Navy or Air Force, where conditions were better.

The protagonist in "Leaving On A Jet Plane," has been drafted to serve in Vietnam. On the somber morning that he is shipping out by catching that cab with the impatient cabbie blowin' his horn, for the long and lonely drive to the airport, he is having a tender, parting dialogue with his sweetheart after waking her up at daybreak to say goodbye. And then our young soldier departs on a jet plane. It is left to the listener's imagination as to just how the story ends. I like those kind of songs.

Don't pay any mind to all of the "20 Something," know nothings on internet song sites who claim it's just a sad traveling song. They remember it from that crappy Ben Affleck movie "Armageddon." These youngster's wouldn't know proper poetic innuendo if it climbed out of their I-Phone and bit them on their backsides.

I consider myself to be slightly obsessive compulsive about almost all aspects of popular music from around about the time that Elvis inked a deal with Sam Phillips at Sun Studios in Memphis, TN through the mid 90's sometime when most rock and pop dove into a permanent suck phase that it has yet to pull out of. In other words, I am a walking encyclopedia of useless musical knowledge. A musical "idiot savant," with the emphasis on the idiot part. Country music, jazz and some popular stuff is hanging in there, but the four decade party has basically come to an end, I'm afraid.

After another three decades of a dynamic career which saw John Denver as one of the great singer/songwriters in the 70's, he never wavered in his unique style of living his life to the fullest. He was a real Renaissance Man, a polymath, who approached each of his long list of endeavors and political and social causes with great enthusiasm and who possessed a wide array of talents and interests that included being a champion of the true conservation movement, an altruistic supporter of many fine causes, a talented painter and photographer, an accomplished pilot who was obsessed with both deep sea exploration and space exploration. He worked with NASA, which garnered him his most cherished of a long list of awards and recognition, when NASA awarded Denver with the coveted Exceptional Public Service Medal for his dedicated work in helping bring into being the “Citizens in Space” program. The award usually is restricted to spaceflight engineers and designers. Also in 1985, Denver passed NASA’s rigorous physical exam and was in line for a space flight, a finalist for the first citizen’s trip on the Space Shuttle in 1986. He was not chosen. After the Challenger disaster with teacher Christa McAuliffe aboard, John dedicated his song “Flying for Me”, to all astronauts, and he continued to support NASA.

Denver even a stint as a pretty good actor, his most notable role was playing the mortal grocery store manager who is chosen to spread a message of love on behalf of an old man claiming to be God, played to a tee by the legendary George Burns in the lighthearted comedy "Oh, God!"

Among his several Grammy Awards, Country Music Awards and other notable awards he was inducted into the Songwriter's Hall Of Fame in 1996.

Denver's life came to a tragic end at the age of 53, on October 12, 1997 when he crashed his Experimental Rutan Long-EZ plane, aircraft registration number N555JD, into the Pacific Ocean near Pacific Grove, California.

Quite a back story for a guy whose illustrious career and full, adventurous life was launched in many ways by a simple little love song he composed way back in 1966 that ended up being the first song written about the war in Vietnam to be a huge #1 hit for another group at the close of the decade in which America's most controversial war began.

As for Peter, Paul & Mary,they never matched their success of the song penned by an obscure folk singer named Henry John Deutschendorf, Jr. Shortly after the success of "Leaving On A Jet Plane," Peter Yarrow was charged and convicted of having sex with with a 14 year old fan. He served three months in prison for his crime which probably would have wound up eclipsing his musical achievements had one of the worst Presidents of the United States - you guessed it - Jimmy Carter not granted him clemency for being "Uncle Peter Perv." By today's standards, Yarrow would be considered a sex offender and be required to register himself as such.

Anyway, enjoy this rare performance of classic song. Hey, who's that kid seen in video singing along with PP&M? Could it be? Why I do believe it is none other than Henry John Deutschendorf, Jr. himself! Live and in person! The way it was meant to be.

Perfectly Edited Composition Of Several Diiferent Performances

2011-06-29T00:54:00.004-04:00

Yes folks, in addition to about 100 other innovations they either discovered, started or created in the history of popular music, the lads also pioneered the modern music video.

Here is an example of one such video that first appeared on The Beatles Anthology documentary which premiered over the course of three nights on the ABC television network in November of 1995. It was later released on VHS and the DVD along with four multi-disc CD packages of outtakes, alternate versions, novelty songs and a bounty of previously unreleased material, along with their "new" songs "Free As A Bird," and "Real Love," which they recorded using the framework of two John Lennon compositions that he never finished but had recorded parts of. It was the closest the greatest band in modern popular music would ever come to a "reunion."

After a lot a research I've never been able to say with certainty who created this brilliantly edited version. It was painstakingly pieced together by someone who knew their way around a sound board and who was a very talented and creative editor with a vast knowledge of the band's archival footage. Most likely it was a collaborative effort of some combination comprised of Kevin Godley, Jeff Lynne, Neil Aspinall or Paul McCartney. I can say with certainty that it was not George Martin as he had begun to lose his hearing at the time the Anthology project was being created. If anyone knows for sure, please email me at waywardramblings@hotmail.com.

The final video that you see here is comprised of several lip synched and live performances of the song "Twist and Shout."

"Twist and Shout" was a big hit by the soulful Isley Brothers who hailed from Cincinnati, Ohio and Teaneck, New Jersey - USA. But the song was composed by Phil Medley and Bert Russell and first recorded by a band called the Top Notes. The Beatles covered many American R & B and rock bands in their early releases. This is perhaps the most well known Beatles song that was a cover version of a hit made famous by another band.

What is so remarkable about this video montage is the seamless transitions of of several versions. The song flows and comes together effortlessly in what can only be described as a modern piece of video artwork. The timing is so close to perfection that even Ringo's fills seem "live."

It is beautifully restored in high definition clarity and digital remastering of the original Mono analog track.

"Twist and Shout" was the final track on the Beatles first Parlaphone LP, "Please, Please Me." They always had to close the show with it, because John would strain his vocal chords to such an extent that if it was placed anywhere else in the set, his voice would be shot for the rest of the show.

I hope you enjoy this rare gem. I could not believe that I ran across such a high quality version on You Tube. The internet is an incredible journey!

Okay Wallace - The Gloves Are Off! Wayward Is On A Mission To Reveal You And Your Ilk For Who You Truly Are!

2011-06-28T18:22:00.009-04:00

The more I stewed about Chris Wallace's pathetic insult of the classy Representative from Minnesota, Michele Bachmann on his sorry excuse for a show on Sunday, the more the fire burned in my belly to come out swinging in defense of not only Bachmann, but also of her female counterparts that seem to be on the ascendency of political power more and more.

I am completely fed up and disgusted by the FLAGRANT hypocrisy, double-standards, lame and smug remarks and out and out misogyny that these female politicians have to deal with every day. No man would ever think to treat a strong male political leader in the manner in which some of these morons talk down to certain female political leaders today. It's coming from both liberals and so-called conservatives. And the fact is that the dolts who participate in this behavior aren't fit to drink sludge from sweaty old tennis shoes of the women they are so blatantly disrespectful to!

Now I am Fighting mad and the gloves are off!

I have re-tailored a post I wrote last night to better edify the reality of the situation and to give these knuckleheads a taste of their own medicine!

Wayward Ramblings is mad as hell! And I'm not going to take it anymore!

RE-TAILORED POST FOLLOWS. READ ON!

Following a great video montage of BHO's several stupid blunders addressing the American people about everything from visiting "57 states" to "Navy CORPSEMEN", Bachmann got on a roll on the Hannity show tonight about how she will be the GOP candidate and why she can defeat BHO and his attacks - "I have a titanium spine!" Beautiful. This woman is a serious contender. Now we're reviewing Chris Wallace's moronic accusation that Representative Bachmann is a "flake." I'm done watching his show. How disrespectful. She nailed Wallace right back, though, telling him straight up how insulting that comment was.

Wallace is a total knucklehead. He comes across as a spineless little bug compared to this smart, bold, classy candidate.

Bachmann patronizes "The Bug" on his own show and outclasses him by a thousand times. Don't forget, "The Bug" is Mike Wallace's son. Mike Wallace was just a bigger bug than his kid. Mike Wallace's politics made Walter Cronkite look like Archie Bunker.

Wallace invented the "gotcha-bomb" interview tactics that made the favorite smear machine of CBS, "60 Minutes," infamous. He'd catch the poor dope getting hammered in the interview with dozens of outlandish, "lose-lose" questions, until he had the most legitimate of his hapless victims tongue tied and utterly confused.

Then his socialist pal, producer Don Hewitt, aka CBS' "Minister of Propaganda," would chop the whole thing up with a hundred cuts from a "left" handed scissors until the editing room floor was an inch thick with little bits and pieces of film. Minister Hewitt would then paste the whole thing back together to suit his own agenda and create a segment that rarely resembled anything close to the original interview.

So many people, including well known celebrities and erstwhile respectable politicians and world figures complained of being taken completely out of context on that show. That is, after they recovered from the massive cardiac arrest many of them suffered from watching the finished product. Charges of slander and threats of lawsuits were routinely leveled at "60 minutes" by a virtual who's who from the show's hey day.

Chris Wallace probably grew up in the CBS studios from the time he was just a tiny tyke bug, learning his worldview from all the kooky "journalists" at the most liberal network of that era, who ended up at CBS because they escaped the McCarthy Commie Hunts and J. Edgar Hoover's "naughty list" unscathed. Is it any wonder "the bug" waits until the very end of the interview to lay a completely misogynistic and unfounded "comment-question" on one of the smartest candidates in the race?

The uneducated Representative Bachmann holds only three degrees - a Bachelor of Arts Degree; what amounts to a PhD in the science of Law called a Juris Doctor Degree or D.Jur Degree; and some slip of paper that's framed and hanging in her office to cover a stain on the wall. That thing is called an L.L.M. or Master of Law Degree from some "flaky" version of a little known start up Law University... let's see.. what was the name of that poor excuse for a community college? Um... Oh yeah, now I remember! I think it's called William & Mary or something like that. Anyhow, it doesn't matter, because nobody has heard of that stupid university or any of its no-name, flaky, alumni.

So let's see, Bachmann holds three degrees. Wallace holds none.

After graduating in 1988 from on of the most respected and the oldest Law Universities in the land with her third degree Bachmann landed a trite and meaningless position as a U.S. Treasury Department attorney in the US Federal Tax Court located in St. Paul. Where she worked until 1993 successfully prosecuting tax cheats in hundreds of cases both civil and criminal.

Chris Wallace was accepted into Harvard Law School, but being the leftist youth who came of age in the tumultuous close of the hippy dippy decade, he chose the more honorable path of a TV News "talking head." He did attend Harvard University for a spell, where he got his love for gabbing into a microphone from "reporting" news for the school's student radio station. He got his real start in life as a broadcaster of mumbo-jumbo at a local Chicago CBS TV affiliate. And he's been bugging out ever since!

Michele Bachmann is a Christian, conservative member of the Republican Party who has successfully launched and operated one of the earliest charter schools in Minnesota that was faith based. Bachmann and her husband started and own a mental health care practice in Stillwater, MN. She also owns a stake in a large family farm.

The Bug, Chris Wallace is a registered Democrat, who has started... um... he has started - well, he started trouble on his crappy, Sunday news show version of "60 minutes," where he and his political views fly stealthily under the radar as a "closeted liberal," and is nothing more than your average, leftist, secularist Jew, and misogynistic blabbermouth with the snottiest "holier than thou" smirk on broadcast television. Yes, The Bug's babyish facial expressions make fellow misogynist Charles Gibson's famous sneering, peering, glasses on the tip of his nose, expression when he deliberately attempted to embarrass, malign, and berate Sarah Palin on National TV, look prettier than that million dollar smile of Farrah Fawcett (God rest her soul) on the biggest selling poster of all time.

And by the way, I have heard several conservative talkers, especially those directly and indirectly associated with FOX News sheepishly come to The Bug's defense since last night, by saying things like "he's really a nice guy," and "I respect him as a solid and fair journalist." This is claptrap and I'm getting disgusted by it. The plain and simple fact is that as these high profile female politicians who seemed to be over the top popular with the citizens, which is the only group of people whose opinions of them should matter are getting shot down left and right, day after day. It was bad enough when the loopy, liberal, leftists began to openly declare war on these women, but now it's the martini-swilling, so-called conservative, Beltway Boys
who are doing the most damage.

You conservative clowns know who you are, and you ought to be ashamed of yourselves. But I know what your trouble is. You are intimidated like frightened little schoolboys by these powerful, intelligent, beautiful, and popular women on the rise. The transparency of your issues is like seeing your brains through saran wrap. Like most insecure, misogynistic middle-aged men, you never grew out of the "phallic" stage of your lives, which most regular men were done with by first grade. This causes your basic sissified intellectual baby-man to feel like emotional Eunuchs when in the presence of these liberated women.

Regular men are not threatened by these women! Many are attracted to them and admire their strength! How can you not be? They have it all! Just from the standpoint of physical attractiveness, women like Sarah Palin who is 47, Michele Bachmann who is 55, and Niki Haley who is 40, make most women half their age pale in comparison. Add to that the "X-Factor," of power, savviness, intellect, success and confidence and you have the potion for the type of a woman that red-blooded American males cannot resist!

Which brings me to my final point while the gloves are off. I am still waiting for the parade of so-called feminists, bra-burners and liberated women to come out in defense of these female politicians who DEFINE a modern, liberated, American woman! Where are all of you? Strangely silent, even when it comes to defending strong liberal women in power. While I'm no fan of hers, the BASHING Hillary Clinton took in the 2008 campaign by the same style of wussy man and the eery and complicit non-defense of Hillary Clinton her by feminist "allies" was also flagrant and stupid. I guess you were all too busy falling all over themselves for BHO, and getting tingly sensations up your leg that overtly displayed your "man crushes!" Yes, I mean you, Chris Matthews!

"Blah, blah, blah," goes the little Washington bug. Watch his meek apology.

Michele Bachmann on Hannity June 27, 2011:

One Of My Political Heroes

2011-06-27T21:59:00.006-04:00

The Honorable Chris Christie slams another loopy, liberal, leftist by putting her in her place and then driving the point home. I love this man! At first, when people began to suggest he should run for POTUS in 2012, I thought "No way! He's a political fad that is trending!" Well, I sure don't feel that way anymore. Can you imagine the fun we would have with this man leading our nation? UPDATE - I have now watched this video at least 50 times. This guy is great. I would love to have a Commander-in-Chief who addressed our global enemies and the nutjobs in the neo-socialist party with the same candor, facts and the presence of mind to BACK IT UP as he does with these lightweight kooks in Jersey! This guy walks the talk. He and Bachmann are a refreshing change from the hum-drum status-quo and I hope and sincerely pray that this is just a sign of things to come. I think I'm going to collect as many soundbites and videos of this great leader, The Honorable Chris Christie, for a good old-fashioned Wayward Ramblings mega-montage! Look for one soon on these very pages!

And The Loopy, Liberal, Leftists Have the GALL To Pounce On Bachmann's Slip?

2011-06-27T21:36:00.003-04:00

Give me a break!

Here are a few reminders of the genius-in-chief's command of history, the language, protocol, facts and figures, etc. Please note the air of sarcasm in the preceding statement.

Is that enough? Or should I post more? There are hours of material to choose from!

Bachmann Delivers Best Line Of Campaign So Far On Hannity

2011-06-27T21:08:00.007-04:00

Following a great video montage of BHO's several stupid blunders addressing the American people about everything from visiting "57 states" to "Navy CORPSEMEN", Bachmann got on a roll on the Hannity show tonight about how she will be the GOP candidate and why she can defeat BHO and his attacks - "I have a titanium spine!" Beautiful. This woman is a serious contender. Now we're reviewing Chris Wallace's moronic accusation that Representative Bachmann is a "flake." I'm done watching his show. How disrespectful. She nailed Wallace right back, though, telling him straight up how insulting that comment was.

Wallace is a total knucklehead. He comes across as a spineless little bug compared to this smart, bold, classy candidate.

Bachmann patronizes "The Bug" on his own show and outclasses him by a thousand times. Don't forget, "The Bug" is Mike Wallace's son. Mike Wallace was just a bigger bug than his kid. Mike Wallace's politics made Walter Cronkite look like Archie Bunker.

Wallace invented the "gotcha-bomb" interview tactics that made the favorite smear machine of CBS, "60 Minutes," infamous. He'd catch the poor dope getting hammered in the interview with dozens of outlandish, "lose-lose" questions, until he had the most legitimate of his hapless victims tongue tied and utterly confused.

Then his socialist pal, producer Don Hewitt, aka CBS' "Minister of Propaganda," would chop the whole thing up with a hundred cuts from a "left" handed scissors until the editing room floor was an inch thick with little bits and pieces of film. Minister Hewitt would then paste the whole thing back together to suit his own agenda and create a segment that rarely resembled anything close to the original interview.

So many people, including well known celebrities and erstwhile respectable politicians and world figures complained of being taken completely out of context on that show. That is, after they recovered from the massive cardiac arrest many of them suffered from watching the finished product. Charges of slander and threats of lawsuits were routinely leveled at "60 minutes" by a virtual who's who from the show's hey day.

Chris Wallace probably grew up in the CBS studios from the time he was just a tiny tyke bug, learning his worldview from all the kooky "journalists" at the most liberal network of that era, who ended up at CBS because they escaped the McCarthy Commie Hunts and J. Edgar Hoover's "naughty list" unscathed. Is it any wonder "the bug" waits until the very end of the interview to lay a completely misogynistic and unfounded "comment-question" on one of the smartest candidates in the race?

The uneducated Representative Bachmann holds only three degrees - a Bachelor of Arts Degree; what amounts to a PhD in the science of Law called a Juris Doctor Degree or D.Jur Degree; and some slip of paper that's framed and hanging in her office to cover a stain on the wall. That thing is called an L.L.M. or Master of Law Degree from some "flaky" version of a little known start up Law University... let's see.. what was the name of that poor excuse for a community college? Um... Oh yeah, now I remember! I think it's called William & Mary or something like that. Anyhow, it doesn't matter, because nobody has heard of that stupid university or any of its no-name, flaky, alumni.

So let's see, Bachmann holds three degrees. Wallace holds none.

After graduating in 1988 from on of the most respected and the oldest Law Universities in the land with her third degree Bachmann landed a trite and meaningless position as a U.S. Treasury Department attorney in the US Federal Tax Court located in St. Paul. Where she worked until 1993 successfully prosecuting tax cheats in hundreds of cases both civil and criminal.

Chris Wallace was accepted into Harvard Law School, but being the leftist youth who came of age in the tumultuous close of the hippy dippy decade, he chose the more honorable path of a TV News "talking head." He did attend Harvard University for a spell, where he got his love for gabbing into a microphone from "reporting" news for the school's student radio station. He got his real start in life as a broadcaster of mumbo-jumbo at a local Chicago CBS TV affiliate. And he's been bugging out ever since!

Michele Bachmann is a Christian, conservative member of the Republican Party who has successfully launched and operated one of the earliest charter schools in Minnesota that was faith based. Bachmann and her husband started and own a mental health care practice in Stillwater, MN. She also owns a stake in a large family farm.

The Bug, Chris Wallace is a registered Democrat, who has started... um... he has started - well, he started trouble on his crappy, Sunday news show version of "60 minutes," where flies stealthily under the radar as a "closeted liberal," and is nothing more than your average, leftist, secularist Jew, and misogynistic blabbermouth with the snottiest "holier than thou" smirk on broadcast television. Yes, The Bug's babyish facial expressions make fellow misogynist Charles Gibson's famous sneering, peering, glasses on the tip of his nose, expression when he deliberately attempted to embarrass, malign, and berate Sarah Palin on National TV, look prettier than that million dollar smile of Farrah Fawcett (God rest her soul) on the biggest selling poster of all time.

And by the way, I have heard several conservative talkers, especially those directly and indirectly associated with FOX News sheepishly come to The Bug's defense since last night, by saying things like "he's really a nice guy," and "I respect him as a solid and fair journalist." This is claptrap and I'm getting disgusted by it. The plain and simple fact is that as these high profile female politicians who seemed to be over the top popular with the citizens, which is the only group of people whose opinions of them should matter are getting shot down left and right, day after day. It was bad enough when the loopy, liberal, leftists began to openly declare war on these women, but now it's the martini-swilling, so-called conservative, Beltway Boys
who are doing the most damage.

You conservative clowns know who you are, and you ought to be ashamed of yourselves. But I know what your trouble is. You are intimidated like frightened little schoolboys by these powerful, intelligent, beautiful, and popular women on the rise. The transparency of your issues is like seeing your brains through saran wrap. Like most insecure, misogynistic middle-aged men, you never grew out of the "phallic" stage of your lives, which most regular men were done with by first grade. This causes your basic sissified intellectual baby-man to feel like emotional Eunuchs when in the presence of these liberated women.

Regular men are not threatened by these women! Many are attracted to them and admire their strength! How can you not be? They have it all! Just from the standpoint of physical attractiveness, women like Sarah Palin who is 47, Michele Bachmann who is 55, and Niki Haley who is 40, make most women half their age pale in comparison. Add to that the "X-Factor," of power, savviness, intellect, success and confidence and you have the potion for the type of a woman that red-blooded American males cannot resist!

Which brings me to my final point while the gloves are off. I am still waiting for the parade of so-called feminists, bra-burners and liberated women to come out in defense of these female politicians who DEFINE a modern, liberated, American woman! Where are all of you? Strangely silent, even when it comes to defending strong liberal women in power. While I'm no fan of hers, the BASHING Hillary Clinton took in the 2008 campaign by the same style of wussy man and the eery and complicit non-defense of Hillary Clinton her by feminist "allies" was also flagrant and stupid. I guess you were all too busy falling all over themselves for BHO, and getting tingly sensations up your leg that overtly displayed your "man crushes!" Yes, I mean you, Chris Matthews!

"Blah, blah, blah," goes the little Washington bug. Watch his meek apology.

STS-135 Celebrating And Honoring NASA And The End Of It's Longest Manned Space Program

2011-06-27T20:22:00.020-04:00

Some fantastic videos from NASA regarding the final mission of the Space Shuttle Program are featured in this post. In addition you will find a vast archive of earlier missions of the Shuttle Program and other footage in honor of our manned space programs. Very impressive. Look for the link at the bottom of this post for some dynamic interactive features about the Space Shuttle Program's final mission, timeline, crew, etc.

In my life I have been fortunate enough to witness the latter half of the Apollo Program's moon landing era , even though I was pretty young when America was glued to their black and white TV's as the grainy images of the Apollo 11 landing were transmitted to a captive audience of proud Americans. I vaguely remember watching at my Great Grandma's house. The adults were very excited and animated.

Although I can't remember watching the Apollo 16 mission, I remember a teacher talking about it in school. I was only in first grade. Even though I don't remember seeing any pictures or television of the mission, here is a really cool video of Commander John Young saluting the "Stars and Stripes." Wow!

I sure do remember with much more clarity watching parts of the Apollo 17 lunar landing. We got to see the LRV, aka the "Moon Buggy" rolling across the surface of the moon. That second link under "Moon Buggy" has the official NASA specs on one of the most ingenious vehicles ever designed, including the full, unclassified operations handbook. So cool! Can you tell I grew up in the space age?

Even as my mom assured me that what we were watching was really happening, I thought it was a movie! How could it be? Even my active imagination had a hard time understanding the importance of what would become our final mission to the moon.

I was witness to the dawning of a new era in space exploration when the Shuttle Program began with the launch of Space Shuttle Columbia from Kennedy Space Center, Fla., on April 12, 1981, at 6 a.m. CST. Here is a spectacular PDF File of the Official Press Kit for STS-1. It does not get any better than this! 51 pages of more information than you could ever want to know about the first shuttle mission.

Columbia touching down at Edwards AFB, April 14, 1981

I witnessed many of the Shuttle Program's milestones and I also witnessed the two horrible tragedies live on TV as they occured.

I include several of the videos here not to sensationalize the tragedies, but to mark two defining points in the history of the Shuttle era of space exploration that will never be forgotten and should never be forgotten by our nation; our educators; our historians; and the generations of explorers to come. We cannot write these events from our history. We learned many inestimable pieces of information about the spacecraft itself from each disaster that helped us to continue on with further missions - gathering even more new scientific data; marking even more tremendous milestones; and paving the way for future missions that are yet to come.

I also post these visual accounts in mournful rememberance of the brave men and women who gave their lives in the name of science and American ingenuity on those two infamous days. Seeing these historic events, as horrifying as they are, one cannot escape the resolute and steadfast dedication every single one of the brave explorers we call Astronauts have displayed with EACH mission that has ever been undertaken by our Space Program. Seeing the tragedies unfold, one also gains a perspective on how truly wonderous, majestic, and scientifically complex & fragile exploration of mankind's final frontier truly is.

Raw amatuer video of the launch of Space Shuttle Challenger from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, on January 28, 1986 at 11:38 EST. This is Space Shuttle Mission STS-51L:

Broadcast live on CNN:

Footage that records reactions of NASA personnel:

President Reagan addresses the nation on the tragedy. Footage from the Reagan Library. It is in this speech that President Reagan delivers one of the most memorable and poignant quotes is the history of the office, penned by Reagan speech writer Peggy Noonan - "The crew of the space shuttle Challenger honored us by the manner in which they lived their lives. We will never forget them, nor the last time we saw them, this morning, as they prepared for the journey and waved goodbye and slipped the surly bonds of earth to touch the face of God." :

The President and his staff watch stunned as Challenger disintigrates.

On February 1, 2003, Space Shuttle Columbia began its entrance into earth's atmosphere. This was Space Shuttle Mission STS-107.

At 8:59 AM CST, NASA's Mission Control lost all communication and data transmissions from the crew of the Space Shuttle Columbia. The final telemetry signal was received by Mission Control at 8:59:32 AM CST.

At 8:59:37 AM CST, hydraulic pressure, which is required to move the flight control surfaces, was lost at which time the Master Alarm would have sounded for the loss of hydraulics and the crew would have become aware of a serious problem.

At 9:00:18 AM CST, videos and eyewitness reports by observers on the ground in and near Dallas, Texas revealed that the Orbiter had disintegrated overhead, continuing to break up into more and smaller pieces, and leaving multiple contrails, as it continued eastward. In Mission Control, while the loss of signal was a cause for concern, there was no sign of any serious problem. Prior to orbiter breakup at 9:00:18 AM CST, the Columbia cabin pressure was nominal and the crew was capable of conscious actions.

At 9:05 AM CST, residents of north central Texas, particularly near Tyler, reported a loud boom, a small concussion wave, smoke trails and debris in the clear skies above the counties east of Dallas.

At 9:12:39 AM CST, upon hearing of reports of the shuttle being seen to break apart, the NASA flight director declared a contingency (events leading to loss of the vehicle) and alerted search and rescue teams in the debris area. He made a call to the Ground Controller: "GC; flight, GC; flight. Lock the doors." Two minutes later Mission Control put contingency procedures into effect. Nobody was permitted to enter or leave the room, and flight controllers had to preserve all the mission data for later investigation.

Here is official NASA TV footage of the Mission Control recordings as Columbia began its descent and ultimately, disintigrated as it entered Earth's atmosphere:

Rare footage of the Columbia crew from inside the cockpit just prior to the tragedy:

AP News Report:

President Bush somberly addresses the United States on the disaster:

July 26,2005 at 10:39 AM EDT, Space Shuttle Discovery successfully launches from Kennedy Space Center. This is Space Shuttle Mission STS-114 known as "The Return To Flight."

CNN's live coverage of Discovery's return to flight:

STS-114's mission, aside from its successful launch and return to earth, was highlighted by three successful EVA's which were performed by Astronauts Steve Robinson and Soichi Noguchi. The EVA performed by Specialist Steve Robinson was a milestone for The Space Shuttle Program and NASA. It was remarkable in that it was the first ever to perform an in-flight repair of the Space Shuttle. Astronaut Robinson was sent to remove two protruding gap fillers from Discovery's heat shield, after engineers determined there was a small chance they could affect the shuttle upon re-entry. Robinson successfully removed the loose material while Discovery was docked to the International Space Station. A stunning photo of the spacewalk is seen below. You will note the landmass in the backdrop of the photograph. It is the Bari region of Somalia on the continent of Africa.

Fast forward to 2011. Because I could ramble on about, NASA, space exploration and its history until we colonize Mars.

STS-135, the final mission of the longest manned Space Pogram in the history of NASA will launch Space Shuttle Atlantis on July 8, 2011 for a 12-day mission to The International Space Station.

STS-135 Interactive Site - The Space Shuttle's Final Mission

The Space Shuttle Experience - 30th Anniversary

God bless NASA, our Astronauts, and STS-135!

Wayward's top three favorite Hollywood movies about space travel and NASA in order from best to third best:

The all-time greatest movie about America's Space Program and in my opinion one of the best 25 films in history - "The Right Stuff." Stellar, ensemble cast, great acting and story line and thrilling depictions of real life events.

My second favorite movie about the Space Program, although not even close to the masterpiece of number one, was the unique, funny, suspenseful and touching Clint Eastwood film, "Space Cowboys." Again, we have a great cast of characters in your standard feel good movie about a bunch of old fart ex-test pilots on one last mission. This one probably passed most people by, but I loved it.

Third, was the Ron Howard film, "Apollo 13." - Yet another great cast in a well acted thriller that kept me in suspense even though I knew how it turned out.

Honorable mention for one of the best portrayal's of a whacky, booze-swilling, former Astronaut who shows us in the end that he really has a heart of gold goes to Jack Nicholson for one of his best roles as Astronaut Garrett Breedlove in the wonderful, award winning film "Terms Of Endearment." His performance won him the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor and it was well deserved. One of my all-time favorite movies of the 80's.

Wayward's top three favorite non-fiction books about the Space Program in order of favorite to third favorite are:

"Failure is not an Option: Mission Control from Mercury to Apollo 13 and Beyond," by one of the most storied figures of the early Space Program, the crew-cut sporting, genius flight director for the most important years of space exploration, the iconic American hero, Gene Kranz. A riveting account of Kranz's career with NASA that presents several examples of how the team of NASA engineers, Astronauts and other key players lived up to the creed that makes up the title of this great autobiography from a man consistently ranked as one of the greatest "Space Heroes," of all time, even among all those heroic Astronauts.

My second favorite Space Program book of all-time is "We Seven." - the incredible story of the legendary "Mercury Seven," as told by all seven of the maverick, larger-than-life Astronauts who lived to tell the tale of the birth of manned space flight for our country, NASA's Mercury Program. This is one of those "once in a lifetime" books that proves that true "historical hinges in history" are far better tales than anything that could be dreamed up in the imagination of the greatest of fiction writers. An interesting side note about "The Mercury Seven" - they accomplished even another astonishing achievement that will never be repeated - they are the only astronaut group with members that flew on all classes of NASA manned orbital spacecraft of the 20th century: Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, and ending with John Glenn's flight on the STS-95 Space Shuttle mission. Unbelievable!

My third favorite, although it really is in a class by itself is the greatest account of the most famous NASA mission of all - "Apollo," by Charles Murray and his wife Catherine Bly Cox. This is the best and most complete biography of the Apollo Program. It presents the enormous undertaking of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to earth in the span of one short decade, from every possible angle. This thoroughly and exhaustively researched book also has the most unique style of narrative I have ever read about the Space Program. Though a little beyond my grasp of science in some parts, still the book is a great read and is considered to be the best written of any other book on the subject, by most of the people (including the Astronauts themselves) who experienced it.

So there you have it! Wayward Rambling's take on the end of one of America's greatest eras of exploration. I hope you enjoyed it.

Did Ya Have A Nice Safari?

2011-06-27T20:08:00.002-04:00

I sure hope so, because as millions of struggling Americans are dealing with unemployment, inflation, disasters and fears about their economic futures, once again, Mrs. Obama and BHO's administration have demonstrated an utter disregard for the people of this country. Her and the girls' adventures on the "Dark Continent" cost taxpayers over half a million bucks.

I hope she got some snapshots of all the African poachers who kill the many unique and beautiful animals that are on the endangered species list and exist nowhere else on the planet - or the crazy sects of muslim gangs who hack women and children to death each day - or the corrupt tribal leaders who steal medicine and food from their own countrymen as they die slow and painful deaths from starvation and disease at an alarming rate. Now that would be a realistic safari! Did she at least bring back some ivory? We should get something for our money besides sore hiney's!

STORY HERE

A Little Late For Father's Day But It's The Thought That Counts!

2011-06-27T19:11:00.004-04:00

A seven-year-old Michigan boy who had to stand up to reach the gas and brake pedals while driving was pulled over by police on Monday morning after traveling more than 20 miles in his stepfather's car.

The boy, who lives with his mother and stepfather 100 miles northeast of Detroit, was barefoot and wearing pajamas when police caught up with him, the New York Daily News reported.

"He was crying and just kept saying he wanted to go to his dad's," Caseville Police Chief Jamie Learman told The Associated Press. "That was pretty much it. He just wanted to go to his dad's."

The boy drove the red Pontiac Sunfire as fast as 70 mph, according to the Daily News, and veered onto the shoulder several times.

The boy's mother, who works a late shift, was sleeping when the youngster got behind the wheel.

The Department of Human Services and the Huron County Prosecutor's Office have not determined if any charges will be filed, although Tim Rutkowski, the county's prosecutor, said on Wednesday that there is no evidence that the boy was taught how to drive.

911 Call

And Three Parting Shots Of Rock And Roll's Most Loved Tandem

2011-06-27T18:20:00.012-04:00

The Dynamic Duo of 3 1/2 hour blistering live sets. Pals, onstage foils, with joyful antics who created a soulful sound together that was as much of a revival as it was a rock and roll concert. Their thousands of hours playing music together for the sheer love of the songs and the love they had for their millions of fans worldwide will never be matched. A few terrific shots of some of the "unseen" Eric Meola photos of the "Born To Run" album art.

Hurry up and check 'em out before I get sued.

Seriously - please, please, please visit Mr. Meola's incredible online gallery at Snap Galleries and buy some of his stuff. Also, buy his book "Born To Run - The Unseen Photos."
While your at it, pick up a copy of "India In Word and Image," and and why not complete the set
with "Last Places On Earth." This man really is a true master of his craft.

Mr. Meola, I'm just a small time blogger who is a big fan of your work and a dedicated fan of E Street who was fortunate to see 43 of those sets - from Vancouver to Madison Square Garden and just about everywhere in between. Thanks for helping me to remember these two just like this. Thanks for letting me share these three brilliant photographs with folks who may not otherwise have seen them! Thank you for all of your sublime photographic masterpieces. You are the man!

Of Course The Other Weekly Archive Does Not Exist

2011-06-27T17:31:00.008-04:00

Newsweek, the weekly magazine that long ago tried competing with Time and actually reported what could be considered "news" (hence the title) has now decayed into such a liberal propaganda rag, that the only use I would have for it in my home is if I ran out of toilet tissue. So after seeing the bountiful gift that the Time archives presented, I went on the hunt for a similar database from the once somewhat respectable Newsweek. Of course, no such archive exists. All I was able to find was the home page for the rag, er, mag and the top story was the passage of the gay "marriage," law in New York. I'd rather read the Weekly World Sun Issue with the feature article on "Bat Boy" 1,000 times in a row while chewing on a wad of tinfoil than read anything Newsweek publishes in 2011.

So I had to go to a Springsteen fan site to snatch a shot of the cover of Newsweek with The Boss that appeared the same week as Time's cover. Wouldn't you know it, the Newsweek shot sucks big time. It doesn't even compare to the classy pop-art Warhol style Time cover. But, if you want to force a gander at it - here it is:

Might as well read the article while you're at it:

Springsteen: Making of a Rock Star

Newsweek Cover Story , 10/27/1974

The movie marquee in Red Bank, N.J., simply said "HOMECOMING" because everyone knew who was home. Out in the audience was Cousin Frankie, who taught him his first guitar chords. So were the guys from Freehold High who played in his early rock 'n' roll bands. They did not have to be hyped on Bruce Springsteen. This was the scruffy kid they had seen for years in the bars and byways of coastal Jersey. But Bruce was suddenly big time. The rock critics, the media, the music-industry heavies all said so. And in Red Bank, Bruce showed them just how far he had come. With Elvis shimmies and Elton leaps, Springsteen re-created his own electric brand of '50s rock 'n' roll magic. He clowned with saxophonist Clarence Clemons, hustled and bumped his way around the stage and gave a high-voltage performance that lasted more than two hours. When he leaned into the microphone, ripped off his black leather jacket and blasted, "Tramps like us, baby, we were born to run," the Jersey teeny-boppers went wild. After four footstomping encores they were ready to crown Bruce Springsteen the great white hope of rock 'n' roll.

The official investiture took place last week in Los Angeles at Springsteen's carefully staged West Coast debut, at the Roxy Night Club on Sunset Strip. At the kind of opening-night event that defines hip status for at least six months, new Hollywood and rock royalty embraced Bruce Springsteen as one of their own. In a rare ovation that lasted a full four minutes, Jack Nicholson, Ryan and daughter Tatum O'Neal, Wolfman Jack and Neil Diamond seconded Cousin Frankie and the boys from Freehold High in Red Bank. Bruce Springsteen was a superstar.

Bruce who? He is still not exactly a household name across America. In San Mateo, Calif. last week, his 13-year-old sister Pam said, "Only one girl at school has his record." The bus driver's son -- who bears a striking resemblance to Dylan, sports black leather jackets like Brando in "The Wild One" and wears a gold hoop earring -- was known to only a small coterie of East Coast devotees a year ago. But since the release last August of his highly professional third album, "Born to Run," which rocketed to a million-dollar gold album in six weeks, 26-year-old Bruce Springsteen has exploded into a genuine pop-music phenomenon. He has already been compared to all the great performers -- Elvis, Dylan and Mick Jagger. And rock critic Robert Hilburn of The Los Angeles Times called him "the purest glimpse of the passion and power of rock 'n' roll in nearly a decade." Springsteen's own insistence on performing in small halls and clubs has created a kind of cult hysteria and his emergence as one of the most exciting live acts in rock today has only added to the mystique. Springsteen buttons, T shirts, decals, key chains and three different kinds of wall posters are currently the hot rock paraphernalia. In fact, Bruce Springsteen has been so heavily praised in the press and so tirelessly promoted by his record company, Columbia, that the publicity about his publicity is now a dominant issue in his career. And some people are asking whether Bruce Springsteen will be the biggest superstar or the biggest hype of the '70s.

In a $2 billion industry that thrives on smash hits, the artist who grabs the public's emotions the way Elvis or the Beatles once did is the fantasy of rock critics and record-industry pros alike. Springsteen's punk image, his husky, wailing voice, his hard-driving blues-based music and his passionate, convoluted lyrics of city lowlife, fast cars and greaser rebellion recall the dreams of the great rock 'n' roll rage of the 1950s:

Well now I'm no hero
That's understood
All the redemption I can offer,
girl Is beneath this dirty hood.

But he also injects the images with a new sophistication:

The highway's jammed with broken heroes
On a last-chance power drive
Everybody's out on a run tonight
But there's no place left to hide

Some critics, however, find Springsteen's music one-dimensional, recycled teen dreams. "Springsteen's lyrics are an effusive jumble," music critic Henry Edwards wrote in The New York Times, "his melodies either second-hand or undistinguished and his performance tedious. Given such flaws there has to be another important ingredient to the success of Bruce Springsteen: namely, vigorous promotion." Even some of his champions like disk jockey Denny Sanders of WMMS in Cleveland agree on that point. "Columbia is going overboard on Springsteen," he says. "He is the only unique artist to come out of the '70s, but because the rock 'n' roll well is really dry, they are going crazy for Springsteen."

As the real world has caught up with the record world, the penny-pinched economy has begun to erode the record industry. Album sales are down (Warner Brothers, for one, is off by nearly 20 per cent), the albums going to the top of the charts are getting there on fewer sales while advertising budgets are being drastically slashed. "Unless an act has a great potential for sales," says one record-company executive, "the companies won't spend the big dollars."

Too often, the companies have gotten burned when they spent their money on the sizzle and forgot the steak. Bell Records dished out more than $100,000 last year in parties to promote an act nobody ever heard of -- Gary Glitter -- and people are still asking who he is. Atlantic bankrolled the rock group Barnaby Bye for an estimated $200,000 but failed to turn up any album sales. MGM decided to promote a singer-songwriter named Judi Pulver. They sent her to a Beverly Hills diet doctor, created a Charles Schulz "Peanuts" ad campaign, rented a Boeing 720 to fly journalists to her opening in San Francisco and even got astronaut Edgar Mitchell to go along for the ride. When the evening was over, the inevitable truth set in. Judi Pulver just couldn't carry the hype. MGM's $100,000 experiment bombed.

Everyone in the industry is aware of the pitfalls of The Hype and insiders think that the current Springsteen mania might inflict damage on his career. "All the attention Bruce is getting now might hurt him later on," says Hilburn. "What I'm afraid of is that while Springsteen has all the potential everyone says he has, it's still chiefly potential. I just hope he's strong enough to stand up under the pressure." Warner Brothers Records president Joe Smith appreciates the "tumult" Bruce is creating for the industry but is dubious about the extent of his ultimate influence on the development of music. "He's a hot new artist now," says Smith, "but he's not the new messiah and I question whether he will establish an international mania. He's got a very long way to go before he does what Elton has done, or Rod Stewart or The Rolling Stones or Led Zeppelin."

Bruce himself is concerned about the effect the publicity campaign will have on his creative equilibrium. "What phenomenon? What phenomenon?" Springsteen asked in exasperation last week while driving up from Jersey to New York. "We're driving around, and we ain't no phenomenon. The hype just gets in the way. People have gone nuts. It's weird. All the stuff you dream about is there, but it gets diluted by all the other stuff that jumped on you by surprise."

Springsteen is experiencing superstar culture shock. He has never strayed far from his best friends like Miami Steve Van Zandt and Gary Tallent, who are in his E Street Band. He has spent hours hanging out on the boardwalk at Asbury Park, N.J., and listening to the barkers tell their tales. For gigs, he used to hitchhike to New York to play his guitar in Greenwich Village. In both places, he found the cast of characters who people his lyrics -- Spanish Johnny, the Magic Rat, Little Angel, Puerto Rican Jane. They inspired him but they didn't corrupt him. Springsteen rarely drinks, does not smoke, doesn't touch dope and never swears in front of women.

"I'm a person -- people tend to forget that kind of thing," he says. "I got a rock 'n' roll band I think is one of the best ones. I write about things I believe that are still fun for me. I love drivin' around in my car when I'm 26 and I'll still love drivin' around in my car when I'm 36. Those aren't irrelevant feelings for me." The feelings usually find their way to vinyl. "The record is my life," says Springsteen. "The band is my life. Rock 'n' roll has been everything to me. The first day I can remember lookin' in the mirror and standin' what I was seein' was the day I had a guitar in my hand."

Throughout his unconventional career, Springsteen has found people who felt he was born to star. From the moment he and his abrasive new manager, Mike Appel, walked into Columbia Records in 1972 to audition for the legendary John Hammond -- discoverer of Billie Holiday, Aretha Franklin and Bob Dylan -- Springsteen was the object of high-pressure salesmanship. "I went into a state of shock as soon as I walked in, says Springsteen. "Before I ever played a note Mike starts screamin' and yellin' 'bout me. I'm shrivelin' up and thinkin', 'Please, Mike, give me a break. Let me play a damn song.' So, dig this, before I ever played a note the hype began."

"The kid absolutely knocked me out," Hammond recalls. "I only hear somebody really good once every ten years, and not only was Bruce the best, he was a lot better than Dylan when I first heard him." Within a week, Springsteen was signed to Columbia and although he and Appel had little previous recording experience, they insisted on producing their own album -- the uneven "Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J." released in January 1973. At the time Bruce had no band; he sang alone with an acoustic guitar. And because of the originality of his lyrics -- and perhaps the familiarity of their cadence -- he was compared to Dylan.

Oh, some hazard from Harvard
Was skunked on beer playin' Backyard bombardier
Yes and Scotland Yard was trying Hard,
they sent some dude with a Callin' card
He said, "Do what you like but don't do it here."

The comparison was so tantalizingly close that Columbia promoted the first album with ads announcing they had the new Bob Dylan. The cover letter on the records Columbia sent to the DJ's flatly stated the same thing. But the hard sell backfired. "The Dylan hype from Columbia was a turnoff," said Dave Herman, the early-morning DJ for WNEW-FM, the trend- setting pop station in New York. "I didn't even bother to listen to it. I didn't want Columbia to think they got me."

Without radio airplay -- the single most important ingredient in any hit -- a record dies. Though the Springsteen campaign was a special project of then Columbia president Clive Davis, who personally read Springsteen's lyrics on a promotional film, and even though Bruce got good notices from important rock publications like Crawdaddy, only a handful of the 100 or so major FM stations across the country played him. The record sold less than 50,000 copies. "He was just another media hype that failed," said Herman. "He was already a dead artist who bombed out on his first album."

Springsteen's personal appearance at the Columbia Records convention in the summer of 1973 was his biggest bomb. "It was during a period when he physically looked like Dylan," says Hammond. "He came on with a chip on his shoulder and played too long. People came to me and said, 'He really can't be that bad, can he, John?'"

That fall, Springsteen's second album, "The Wild, The Innocent & the E Street Shuffle," was released. Again it got some terrific reviews -- Rolling Stone later named it one of the best albums of 1974 -- but it sold even less than his first LP. This time, accompanying a stack of favorable reviews, the DJ's got a letter from Springsteen's manager Appel saying "What the hell does it take to get airplay?" Meanwhile, Springsteen had a disastrous experience playing as the opening act for the supergroup Chicago on tour, and he refused to do what most new rock acts must do to get exposure -- play short, 45-minute sets in huge halls before the main act goes on.

Columbia began to ignore Springsteen because he couldn't make a best- selling album or hit-single. But Springsteen was getting better in his live performances and was starting to build followings in towns like Austin and Philadelphia, Phoenix and Cleveland. "The key to Bruce's success was to get people to see him," says Ron Oberman, a Columbia staffer who pushed hard for Springsteen's first album within the company. After a concert in Cleveland, says local DJ Sanders, "Springsteen was a smash, and requests zoomed up. We had played him before but now the requests stayed on."

ln April 1974, Jon Landau, the highly respected record editor of Rolling Stone, caught Bruce's act in Boston, went home and wrote an emotional piece for the Real Paper stating, "I saw rock and roll future and its name is Bruce Springsteen." Landau's review was the turning point in Springsteen's faltering career -- for the artist as well as the company. "At the time," says Springsteen, "Landau's quote helped reaffirm a belief in myself. The band and I were making $50 a week. It helped me go on. I realized I was gettin' through to somebody." Columbia cannily used the blurb in marketing Springsteen's second album and other critics began to take notice. It was the first time a record label used the prestige of a rock critic to push an artist so hard.

"His first two albums' not selling was the best possible thing for Bruce," says the 28-year-old Landau. "It gave him time to develop a strong identity without anyone pushing him prematurely. For twelve years he has had time to learn how to play every kind of rock 'n' roll. He has far more depth than most artists because he really has roots in a place -- coastal Jersey, where no record company scouts ever visit."

One month after the Landau review, Springsteen, alone with Mike Appel in a sparsely equipped studio in upstate New York, began to record his third album -- his last chance to make it. It took three months to record the title song, "Born to Run," and Columbia immediately sent it out to some key people to review for singles potential. The word came back: It's not top 40, forget it, it's too long. Then the ever-assertive Appel released a rough mix of the song to a handful of stations that had played Springsteen.

The response was overwhelmingly positive. The stations wanted the record. But the potential superstar was in the studio for the next six months unable to finish his masterpiece. "He told me he was having trouble getting the sound he heard in his head on record," says Landau. In April 1975, a year after his review, Landau became an adviser on the album and quit his job at Rolling Stone to be come co-producer. He moved them into a better studio, and helped shape the album into a heavily produced wall of pulsating sound.

Last June, a group of Columbia executives heard a rough cut of the album and decided to launch an unprecedented campaign. Building on the Landau quote and $40,000 worth of radio spots on FM stations in twelve major markets, they promoted the first two dud albums, mentioning a third was on the way. It worked. Sales for the first two LP's climbed back on the charts, more than doubling their original sales.

Columbia knew it had a winner; the question was how to showcase the act. Appel, without consulting Springsteen, thought big. He asked a booking agent to get 20,000-seat Madison Square Garden for an artist who had never sold more than 150,000 records. He finally settled on the 400-seat Bottom Line club in Greenwich Village for the week before the release of the third album last August. The tickets sold out in three and a half days, with Columbia picking up 980 of the 400O tickets for the media "tastemakers." "Columbia put it on the line," said DJ Richard Neer of WNEW-FM, "They said, 'Go see him. If you don't like him, don't play him -- don't write about him'." With the tickets so limited in number, the ensuing hysteria created more press coverage and critical acclaim for Springsteen -- who delivered topnotch shows -- than any recent event of its kind. "It was a very intelligent use of an event," says Stan Snadowsky, co-owner of the Bottom Line. "Columbia got all the right people down there." DJ Dave Herman, who refused to even play Springsteen's first album because of the hype, was completely won over. The next day he apologized on the air. "I saw Springsteen for the first time last night," he told his audience. "It's the most exciting rock 'n' roll show I've ever seen."

Orders for the new album, which had been given an initial press ordering of 175,000, came in at 350,000. The LP has sold 600,000 so far, and Columbia has spent $200,000 promoting it. By the end of the year they will spend an additional $50,000 for TV spots on the album. "These are very large expenditures for a record company; we depend on airplay, which cannot be bought," says Bruce Lundvall, Columbia Records' vice president. "What the public does not understand is that when you spend $100,000 on an album for a major artist, your investment is not so much on media as on the number of people you have out there pushing the artist for airplay." Now, for the first time, a Springsteen single, "Born to Run, has broken through many major AM stations, where the mass audience listens.

The stakes are enormous, since a hot album can earn up to several million dollars for the record company in a matter of a few weeks. Today Bruce Springsteen is still a promising rookie. Nobody knows whether he can sell like Elton John or even lesser publicized groups like Earth, Wind & Fire -- a group that will ship more than 750,000 initial orders with the release of its new LP. Because of his enormous build-up, Springsteen now has the awesome task of fulfilling everyone's fantasy of what a new rock hero should be. And most of the country -- which isn't even aware of Springsteen yet -- may or may not agree that he is born to succeed. "Bruce is undergoing a backlash right now," says Irwin B. Segelstein, President of Columbia Records, "but even his critics are treating him importantly."

Springsteen himself has not yet seen any big bucks. He keeps 22 people on his payroll. He maintains sophisticated sound and lighting equipment for his shows and has a video crew following him everywhere. He only plays small halls where he can barely cover his expenses, but that hasn't put a crimp in his style. He has just moved into his first home, a sparsely furnished cottage overlooking the ocean -- about a 10-minute drive from the Asbury Park boardwalk. His girl friend, 20-year-old Karen Darbin, a Springsteen fan from Texas, lives across the Hudson River in Manhattan. In Bruce's garage stands his prized possession -- a '57 yellow Chevy convertible customized with orange flames, the same color as his first guitar.

On the eve of his West Coast debut last week, Springsteen seemed to be down. "People keep telling me I ought to be enjoying all this but it's sort of depressing to me." He riffled through his beloved '50s records -- Elvis and Dion -- from stacks of albums on the floor, which also included Gregorian chants, David Bowie and Marvin Gaye. "Now this," Bruce announces in a faintly Jimmy Durante delivery, "is the sound of universes colliding." The room fills with Phil Spector's classic production of the Ronettes' "Baby I Love You." Springsteen swoons. "Come on, do the greaser two-step," he says, beginning to dance.

Although Springsteen is a German name, Bruce is mostly Italian, and he inherited his storytelling ability from his Neapolitan grandfather Zirili. "In the third grade a nun stuffed me into a garbage can under her desk because she told me that's where I belonged," he relates. "I also had the distinction of being the only altar boy knocked down by a priest on the steps of the altar during Mass. The old priest got mad. My Mom wanted me to learn how to serve Mass but I didn't know what I was doin' so I was tryin' to fake it."

He finally saved $18 to buy his first guitar -- "one of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen in my life" -- and at age 14, Springsteen joined his first band. He was originally a Rolling Stones fanatic but gradually worked back to early rock. "We used to play the Elks Club, the Rollerdrome and the local insane asylum," he says. "We were always terrified at the asylum. One time this guy in a suit got up and introduced us for twenty minutes sayin' we were greater than the Beatles. Then the doctors came up and took him away."

Springsteen's parents moved to California when he was 16, but he stayed behind scuffling in local bands. A year later he drove across country -- someone else had to shift because Bruce did not know how to drive -- to play a New Year's Eve gig at the Esalen Institute. "I've never been outta Jersey in my life and suddenly I get to Esalen and see all these people walkin' around in sheets," he says. "I see someone playing bongos in the woods and it turns out to be this guy who grew up around the corner from me." "Everybody expected Bruce to come back from California a star," says his old friend "Southside Johnny" Lyon who used to play with Bruce at the Stone Pony bar in Asbury Park. But according to Bruce, "nobody wanted to listen to a guy with a guitar."

They do today. Onstage Springsteen projects the same kind of high school macho and innocence that many young male fans, for whom glitter is dull, strongly identify with. Women think he's sexy and it's likely he'll end up with a movie contract. "He's able to say what we can't about growing up," said John Bordonaro, 23, a telephone dispatcher from the Bronx who traveled to Red Bank to see Bruce in concert. "He's talking about hanging around in cars in front of the Exxon sign. He's talking about getting your hands on your very first convertible. He's telling us it's our last chance to pull something off, and he's doing it for us." "The peace and love movement is gone," chimed in his friend, Chris Williams. "We have to make a shot now or settle into the masses."

The question is will Bruce Springsteen be able to reach the masses? "Let's face it," says Joe Smith of Warner Brothers Records. "He's a kid with a beard in his 20s from New Jersey who happens to sing songs. He's not going to jump around any more than Elton. His voice won't be any sweeter than James Taylor's and his lyrics won't be any heavier than Dylan's."

Springsteen's promoters would disagree, but they don't think it matters. "The industry is at the bottom of the barrel," declares Springsteen's manager Mike Appel, 32, as he paces around the Manhattan office once occupied by Dylan's manager, Albert Grossman. "We've got people scratching around for new talent. There's an amazing paucity of talent because there hasn't been anyone isolated enough to create a distinctive point of view." He whispers dramatically, "What I'm waiting for, what Bruce Springsteen is waiting for, and we're all waiting for is something that makes you want to dance!" He shouts, "Something we haven't had for seven or eight years! Today anything remotely bizarre is gobbled up as the next thing. What you've got to do is get the universal factors, to get people to move in the same three or four chords. It's the real thing! Look up America! Look up America!" Appel sat down. Hypes are as American as Coca-Cola so perhaps -- in one way or another -- Bruce Springsteen *is* the Real Thing.

Maureen Orth, Janet Huck, Peter Greenberg

The Backstreet Phantom of Rock - This Is REALLY Cool

2011-06-27T17:01:00.001-04:00

I found this super nostalgic blast from the past while perusing one of Wayward's Web Picks Of The Moment (look over there to your left, it's our newest feature). It's the Complete Time Magazine Archives From 1923-Present.

A fan of culture or history could get lost for days at this site. The covers unlock the entire body of that issue and vice versa. Cooler still is that you can download your favorite covers and link to the articles. Another outstanding feature is that you can purchase any cover framed starting at $15.95, which is a bargain for some of these iconic images from the last 77+ years. Browsing from year to year or subject to subject is a breeze. There is only one small downside. There is a lot a splash advertisements that can get annoying if you're really on a tear through the site. But it really is a small downside to have access to this vault of Americana.

So naturally, one of the most famous covers of the 70's was of Springsteen. Not just because Landau was launching his career into the stratosphere, but also because Newsweek featured a cover of him that very week.

With the recent passing of the great Clarence Clemons, it was a true stroll down memory lane reading this feature article on Bruce and the band and seeing that cover again. I hope you enjoy this great website and this awesome article and cover like I did.

The Backstreet Phantom of Rock

Bachmann Officially Makes It Official - Officially

2011-06-27T16:20:00.001-04:00

Power Mad Enemy Of The US Is Determined To Destroy Our Way Of Life

2011-06-27T12:55:00.006-04:00

The Original Wayward Ramblings has long known about one of the most evil influence peddlers in the world. We have written about him and his devious plot to undermine the very principles that have defined the greatest nation on earth, the United States of America. Some examples of more recent posts are:

More Damning Evidence Of Mad Socialist Genius

The Biggest And Most powerful Anti-American Radical In The World

Once again, while reviewing today's headlines, we encounter yet another report of a diabolical scheme by this megalomaniac to manipulate the very backbone of the United States Judicial System. What foreign enemy of the United States could be hatching such a power hungry conspiracy? Well, first of all, he is a naturalized United States citizen and has been since 1961. He has a permanent residence in one of the most affluent areas of New York.

Do you think that the superlatives we use to describe this traitor are unnecessary? Think again!
Read the two posts above and follow the networks. Then read the following report from FOX News that was released today. Finally, do your own research. Don't take my word for it. Don't rely on my wordy opinions of the man. Draw your own conclusions based on FACTS. And then you can suggest even more nasty adjectives to describe this nut so we can include them in our next post.

Billionaire George Soros Trying To Stack the Courts, Critics Say
By Maxim Lott
Published June 27, 2011
FOX NEWS

Billionaire George Soros spends tens of millions each year supporting a range of liberal social and political causes, from drug legalization to immigration reform to gay marriage to abolishing the death penalty.

But a less well-known Soros priority -- replacing elections for judges with selection-by-committee -- now has critics accusing him of trying to stack the courts.

Most non-federal judges around the country are selected by voters in elections. But some states use a process called “merit selection” in which a committee – often made up of lawyers – appoints judges to the bench instead.

Soros has spent several million dollars in the past decade in an attempt to get more states to scrap elections and adopt the merit method. Supporters say it would allow judges to focus on interpreting the law rather than on raising campaign funds and winning elections.

“Merit selection would end the money race and get judges out of the fundraising business,” Lynn Marks, executive director of Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts -- a group that has received money from Soros’ Open Society Institute -- told FoxNews.com.

But critics say that if judges are picked by committee -- often, a committee of lawyers -- that will give left-wing judges the upper hand.

“The left can’t get their agenda through the legislatures anymore … so they think they can get their agenda through by taking over the courts,” attorney Colleen Pero, author of a new report titled "Hijacking Justice," told FoxNews.com.

Pero’s report found that Soros, through his Open Society Institute fund, has given $45 million over the last decade to “a campaign to reshape the judiciary.” But that number is hotly contested by Justice at Stake, the group that got the most Soros money.

“It’s a horrendously bogus distortion of numbers,” Charlie Hall, a spokesman for Justice at Stake, told FoxNews.com. Hall said the $45 million figure included groups that dealt with legal issues but had no position on merit selection. He added that he could only identify $2 million from Soros that went to groups that actively support replacing elections with “merit selection.”

In an analysis of the Open Society Institute's tax returns from the last ten years, FoxNews.com found more than $5 million was explicitly earmarked for projects about either "merit selection" or "judicial selection."

For example, OSI reported giving $90,000 to Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts in 2007 to "expand and grow a coalition in support of merit selection." It also reported giving $50,000 to Justice at Stake in 2006 to support "public education regarding merit selection."

OSI gave another $7 million-plus to Justice at Stake, or to partner organizations with specific directions to support JAS's activities.

Some recipients of Soros' money were eager to defend “merit selection,” and said they only wished Soros would give more money to the cause. "We are very grateful for their support of our efforts," Marks said. Her group received more than $500,000 over the last decade, but has not received money from OSI since 2008.

Elections, she added, discourage competent lawyers from becoming judges just because they aren’t good politicians. “They don't put their name in for nominations because they think they don't have the political connections or access to dollars.”

And judges, she said, should be kept apart from political forces. “Judges should resolve disputes based on evidence -- they're not supposed to be responsive to public pressure.”

But Pero pointed to a study by prominent law professors that found elected judges were, if anything, more independent and took on larger workloads than judges appointed by committee.

"We began this project with the assumption that the data would demonstrate that appointed judges are better than elected judges," the authors note, adding that after looking at their result: "It may be that elected judges are, indeed, superior to appointed judges."

And, Pero says, “merit selection” is inherently undemocratic.

"It would be a handful lawyers who would select judges… with elections, the people actually have a say."

Marks said it is wrong to call the merit selection un-democratic.

"Merit selection requires a change in the Constitution, so a bill must... go before the public. So when people say, ‘oh, you're changing the way we vote’ -- yes, but only if the people want to change the way we vote."

LINK TO ARTICLE

Prayers Going Out To The Fine Citizens Of Minot, N.D.

2011-06-27T11:40:00.004-04:00

In 1992 a category 4 hurricane named "Iniki" slammed directly into the Hawaiian island of Kauai. It was the worst hurricane to strike the islands in recorded history. At the time it was one of the costliest hurricanes to hit the United States and when adjusted to dollar values in 2011, it remains one of the costliest hurricanes in US history. Iniki virtually destroyed Kauai. It was years before the infrastructure of the island returned to normal and the visitors began to return. Insurance companies went under. Some residents in remote areas of Kauai went without electricity for months.

So why am I recalling Hurricane Iniki in a post about the flooding in Minot, North Dakota? I call it the "Natural Disaster Weariness Factor."

Three weeks prior to Iniki's wrath, Hurricane Andrew made landfall on the coast of Florida. Andrew made major headlines. It was a category 5 storm that caused a significant loss of life and at the time was the costliest hurricane in US history.

When Iniki wiped out an island three weeks later, it was hardly a blip on radar of national news coverage. Iniki had been eclipsed in every way by Andrew and the focus of the nation was still on the destruction caused by the larger storm.

2011 has seen an unprecedented amount of natural disasters that I consider to be of cataclysmic proportions. Not just in the United States, but worldwide. If you go back a full year or so, and include the BP oil spill, it has been one devastating disaster after another. Unlike anything I have witnessed in my lifetime.

So here is what is happening now in Minot, North Dakota. Over 12,000 people have been forced to evacuate their homes. The entire population of Minot is 40,900 people. Almost a third of the entire town have been forced to leave their homes.

So far, the costs to repair roads, parks and other public works from damage caused by the flooding is estimated to be well over $90 million. This does not include any damage to private property, which cannot even be calculated at this time because with the ongoing melting snow and ice packs that feed into the Souris River, even though experts are now saying the crest has peaked, there will still be record flood levels through at least next weekend. This is a disaster of epic proportions and the good folks of Minot need our prayers.

And if you can lend a helping hand, even if it's just a few bucks, I'm sure they would be grateful. You can visit the North Dakota chapter of The Red Cross here.

For comprehensive coverage that is updated regularly, along with some staggering statistics and unbelievable photos, visit The Minot Daily News.

One Final Tribute

2011-06-27T10:10:00.003-04:00

For years now, People Magazine has run a regular feature in its pages simply entitled "Heroes Among Us." These are profiles of ordinary folks that lead extraordinary lives through service, love, compassion and selflessness. A treasure trove of archived stories from this special feature can be found here.

Thanks for taking some time out of your day to witness and read about the people all around us who don't need to bum rush innocent people in mobs to get attention.

They are just living out their lives, humbly honoring the true American spirit by rising above their circumstances, responding in a split second to danger, and risking their own safety to help another soul.

When we put it in perspective, it kinda makes those mobs look more pitiful than terrifying.

Man Rushes Into Flash Flood To Save Driver

2011-06-27T10:06:00.000-04:00

Female Bystander Plucks Toddler From The Middle Of A Gun Battle

2011-06-27T09:54:00.001-04:00

A gun fight broke out between two men in Lexington Kentucky today in an otherwise normally quiet suburban neighborhood. A mother holding her child was wounded. Also wounded were both men involved in the fight. One man is believed to be the father to the wounded womans child, the other man her current boyfriend. The young girl seen in this video was there as this fist fight turned into a gun fight. As it unfolded she was pleading for the men not to shoot. Several shots were then fired when this brave and clear thinking young lady personally removed the child from the wounded mothers arms and a very dangerous situation.

Brave Teens Save Two Lives

2011-06-27T09:49:00.000-04:00

Ordinary Citizen Pulls Dying Child From Blazing Inferno

2011-06-27T09:45:00.002-04:00

Even as firefighters battle this blaze in the Bronx, an "average joe" leaps into action. Unbelievable footage.

I'm Not A Hero...

2011-06-27T09:43:00.002-04:00

...says this man who saved a suffocating child in the nick of time and brought him back to life.

Monk Saves Cop From A Bad Ending

2011-06-27T09:40:00.000-04:00

The Miracle On The Hudson

2011-06-27T09:26:00.002-04:00

Switching Gears From Hell To Heroes

2011-06-27T09:04:00.005-04:00

Now that we've overdosed on the modern day reality of the putrid urban warfare carried out by thugs and punks that are trying to take over our streets let's do a 180 and celebrate some stuff. Let's expose the everyday heroes that are just like you and me. They may be one of your neighbors; one of your kid's friends; a commuter trying to get home from a long day at the office; an airline pilot; a waitress.

Here's the deal - there are way more good guys in this country than bad guys. That's a fact. Yes, there is pure evil. It exists. But there are so many more citizens who define the characteristics of a hero. They are among us. So let's have a look into some examples of what is right with our population and our great nation. We outnumber the thugs. It just seems like we're being overrun by the punks and hoodlums, because we've been desensitized by the violence and trained by the 4th Estate of tabloid voyeurism that reports the steady stream of mayhem as "news."

Okay, here we go. Follow me...

Houston City Councilmember Jolanda Jones and her son pulled a teenage driver from the rubble of a fiery crash. The driver's car plunged 100 feet off a freeway overpass in plain sight of Jolanda and her young son. Jolanda and her son ran to the car, disentangled the young woman and Jolanda carried her to safety seconds before the explosion.

Hell Hath No Fury Like A Crazed Flash Mob FINALE

2011-06-27T07:45:00.002-04:00

Enough of this already! Do you get the point America? We have a big problem here. Somebody has to say that the violent, hate driven, thieving flash mobs are not Caucasian kids - or Hispanic kids - or Asian kids. They're black kids! The black community leaders and politicians must stand up and do something before this gets WAY out of hand.

Flash Mob Robberies Not A Rare Occurrence in DC: MyFoxDC.com

St. Paul Stores Suffer ‘Mob Thefts’: MyFoxTWINCITIES.com

Hell Hath No Fury Like A Crazed Flash Mob Part 5

2011-06-27T07:35:00.003-04:00

Suspected Flash Mob Rips Off Upper Darby Sears
By LINDA REILLY
Daily Times Correspondent

UPPER DARBY — A mob of about 40 people stormed into the Sears department store on 69th Street Thursday, and in a flash stole thousands of dollars worth of merchandise, officials said.

Police were able to round up 15 juveniles and one adult, 19, all from West Philadelphia.

“They came in on the El train and hit Sears,” police Superintendent Michael Chitwood said. “They stole sneakers, socks, watches, whatever they could get their hands on, and left.

“Imagine the guts of this gang of young hoodlums. One was 11 years old. The others arrested ranged from 12 to 16 years old. They planned this out earlier in the day on a social networking site. It was pre-planned. They got on the El, got off at 69th Street Terminal and walked up the hill to Sears.”

Kyree Marsh, 19, of the 5500 block of Spruce Street, Philadelphia, was arrested and charged with retail theft, conspiracy to retail theft and corruption of minors.

Police recovered some of the stolen sneakers and socks that were in the backpack of one of the individuals arrested and in the pockets of others taken into custody.

According to the affidavit, the Sears loss-prevention officer saw the mob enter the store at 7:09 p.m. on Thursday.

The group then began taking merchandise off the shelves.

“He watched the group enter the store together from the 69th Street entrance,” Chitwood said. “It was fast. They ran out, leaving empty shoeboxes and store tags behind. Fortunately, no customers or store employees got hurt.

“Due to the quick response by police, we were able to grab them up. They were heading back to the El train.”

According to Chitwood, the juveniles received citations for retail theft and will answer charges before the county’s juvenile justice system.

“The parents should be held accountable,” Chitwood said. “And where were the parents of the 11- and 12-year-olds when their children were riding into 69th street with a mob of teenagers? If I could, I would charge the parents. Certainly, this is unacceptable behavior. It was intentionally planned earlier in the day to gather and go to Upper Darby to rob and pillage. There has got to be consequences, and I don’t mean a slap on the wrist. The county has got to send a strong message. This was a (pack) attack and will not be tolerated.”

LINK TO ARTICLE

Hell Hath No Fury Like A Crazed Flash Mob Part 4

2011-06-27T07:31:00.001-04:00

VIDEO OF PHILLY MOB

Hell Hath No Fury Like A Crazed Flash Mob Part 3

2011-06-27T07:29:00.001-04:00

Gee, the local CBS affiliate devoted five miniscule paragraphs to this juvenile prank by a mob of 50 black teens. But hey, the upside is that Chicago's finest nabbed three out of the 50. So the Magnificent Mile is safe again!

Teen Mob Hits Walgreens On The Mag Mile

Hell Hath No Fury Like A Crazed Flash Mob Part 2

2011-06-27T07:15:00.002-04:00

Beating may spur swift action on curfew - Crime & Courts - TheState.com

LINK TO GALLERY - WARNING! GRAPHIC PHOTOS

Hell Hath No Fury Like A Crazed Flash Mob

2011-06-27T06:52:00.005-04:00

What on earth is going on with the black youths, their stupid phones and portable media devices, and the frightening riots, looting, beatings and overall mayhem that seems to be "trending" in many cities, but most recently throughout Illinois? This is pure insanity and we (citizens, law enforcement, politicians) must address this issue and find a way to put an end to it NOW.

Here is the latest from Peoria, Illinois as reported in the Peoria Chronicle, which is currently unavailable online (surely due to the PC Police). There also seems to be a bit of a media blackout regarding fair and balanced reporting on the growing problem in the state of Illinois - there have been several high profile flash mob terror attacks in the last week -presumably due to the extreme black vs. (insert other race of choice here) racism and terror.

This eye-witness account is from Paul Wilkinson, president of the Altamont Park Neighborhood Association:

Tonight, around 11 p.m., a group of at least 60-70 African American youth marched down one of the side streets (W. Thrush) to the 4 lane main drag (Sheridan). They were yelling threats to white residents. Things such as we need to kill alll the white people around here. They were physically intimidating anyone calling for help from the police. They were surrounding cars. Cars on the main drag had to slam on their brakes to either avoid the youth blocking not only all four lanes, but a large section of the side street as well. fights were breaking out among them. They were rushing residents who looked out their doors, going on to porches, yelling threats to people calling the police for help.

Cars were doing U turns on the streets just to avoid the mob, mostly male. One youth stated his grandfather was white and several assaulted him on the spot. One police officer answered the call. The youth split into two large groups, one heading north, the other south. They were also yelling racial threats to the police officer but he was outnumbered. Another police car did not show up until after the youth finally dispersed and the patty wagon (van) also eventually showed up.

Residents are very shaken, both black and white alike. This is the fifth large mob action in about a month with smaller groups of 10-12 are out threatening children and adults a few evenings a week or later into the night. The times vary, even occuring during the day. In talking to the police officer, they are short staffed. Residents were advised to simply keep inside and to lock their doors. In other words buckle down, it’s not even safe to sit on your porch or go into your yards.

A Refreshing New Addition To The Blogroll!

2011-06-26T18:18:00.002-04:00

While bouncing around the blogs today, I chanced upon this very intriguing new blog. My opinion is that this blogger has great promise and I am looking forward to regularly reading his posts. Please visit the newcomer for what looks to be a stimulating diversion from the standard Blogosphere fare. Enjoy!

Mexican Illegals Continue Their War Against The United States

2011-06-24T05:07:00.002-04:00

Michelle Malkin tells the story of an "outed" and proud illegal Mexican knucklehead who is fragrantly breaking the laws of the United States.

Michelle Malkin
The Reckless Folly Of the "Undocumented Immigrant"
6/24/11

With great fanfare and elite media sympathy, Jose Antonio Vargas publicly declared himself an "undocumented immigrant" this week. "Undocumented" my you-know-what. In the felony-friendly pages of The New York Crimes -- er, Times -- the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist turned illegal-alien activist spilled the beans on all the illegal IDs he amassed over the years. He had documents coming out of his ears.

The Times featured full-color photos of Vargas' fake document trove -- including a fake passport with a fake name, a fake green card and a Social Security card his grandfather doctored for him at a Kinko's. He committed perjury repeatedly on federal I-9 employment eligibility forms. In 2002, while pursuing his journalism career goals, an immigration lawyer told him he needed to accept the consequences of his law-breaking and return to his native Philippines.

Following the rules would have meant a 10-year bar to reentry into America. Making false claims of citizenship is a felony offense. Document fraud is a felony offense.

Vargas, who frames himself as a helpless victim, freely chose instead to secure yet more dummy documents. He used a friend's address to obtain an Oregon driver's license under false pretenses. It gave him an eight-year golden ticket to travel by car, board trains and airplanes, work at prestigious newspapers, and even gain access to the White House -- where crack Secret Service agents allowed him to attend a state dinner using his bogus Social Security number.

At least Vargas tells the truth when he says he's not alone. Go visit a 7-11 in the D.C. suburbs. Or the countless vendors in MacArthur Park in East L.A. Or any of the 19 cities in 11 states from Massachusetts to Ohio to Kentucky where a massive, Mexico-based "highly sophisticated and violent" fraudulent-document trafficking ring operated until February 2011. "Undocumented workers" and "undocumented immigrants" have plenty of documents.

The persistent use of these open-borders euphemisms to describe Vargas and countless millions like him is a perfect illumination of the agenda-driven, dominant progressive media.

They're as activist inside their newsrooms as Vargas is out in the open now. Bleeding-heart editors were hoaxed by a prominent colleague, exposed to liability, and yet still champion his serial subversion of the law. San Francisco Chronicle editor Phil Bronstein bragged that he was "duped" by Vargas, but endorses his "subterfuge" because Vargas' lobbying campaign for the illegal-alien student bailout known as the DREAM Act "just might lubricate the politically tarred-up wheels of government and help craft sane immigration policy."

Who's insane? The Vargas deceit is not an object lesson about America's failure to show compassion. It's another stark reminder of America's dangerous failure to learn from 9/11.

Time and again, security experts have warned about how jihadists have exploited lax immigration and ID enforcement. Driver's licenses are gateways into the American mainstream. They allow residents to establish an identity and gain a foothold into their communities. They help you open bank accounts, enter secure facilities, board planes, and do things like drive tractor-trailers carrying hazardous materials.

It's been nearly 10 years since several of the 19 9/11 hijackers operated in the country using hundreds of illicitly obtained fake driver's licenses and IDs. Most states tightened licensing rules, yet Vargas easily obtained a driver's license not only in Oregon, but more recently in Washington State. He again used a friend's residence to pass muster. Washington State's licensing bureaucracy still does not check citizenship. The man sitting in the White House campaigned to keep driver's license laws as loose as possible for the open-borders lobby. He appointed illegal-alien lobbyists to top federal immigration positions. His head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement just signed a memo pushing the DREAM Act through by administrative fiat. And the privacy of illegal aliens still trumps national security.

I ask again: Who's insane?

Vargas believes his sob story is an argument for giving up on immigration enforcement and passing a mass amnesty. It's a sob story, all right. Homeland security officials across the country should be weeping at the open mockery Vargas and his enablers have made of the law.

Please visit Ms. Malkin's archive at Townhall.
Also, please browse over to Ms. Malkin's blog.
Thank you!

Last space shuttle crew practices for July launch - Washington Times

2011-06-24T04:03:00.001-04:00

It will be the end of a prolific era of exploration, science and technology.

NASA'S pioneering Space Shuttle program will end its 30 year mission with a final launch scheduled for July 8, 2011. Wayward Ramblings enthusiastically supports space exploration by all freedom seeking nations of the world and believes that the United States has made a critical error in judgement when it effectively handcuffed active exploration of space by severely cutting NASA'S budget and relegating it to some "peace on earth" initiative that was thought up in the imagination of our failed president, BHO, or one of his misguided "czars."

Our government's inexplicable move to end space exploration in any way for any extended period of time is akin to halting the Lewis & Clark expedition before it began; like sinking Magellan's fleet as it sailed into open oceans; forbidding Jacques Cousteau from obtaining a diving permit or Captain's license and forever dry-docking Calypso; equal in historic magnitude to erasing forever from the history of mankind, John F. Kennedy's 1961 mission statement to the United States Congress and to the entire world that this nation would successfully land a man on the moon and returning him safely to earth before decade's end.

It is a poke in the eye to our heroes and explorers who dedicated their lives to the science of discovering the secrets of the last frontier; it is a disgusting smear on the legacy of the noble Astronauts who gave their lives for their mission; it is a loud declaration to a globe of scientific mavericks still intent on going as far and as deep as they can into our solar system that the United States is giving up on the greatest conquest of all - leaving our allies and, in most cases, competing nations, to capture the glory in the magnificent accomplishment of colonizing space.

In order to rebuild our country, we must begin to look at monumental undertakings such as the scientific exploration of the cosmos in a new and exciting way. Economic, social and spiritual rejuvenation await those who dare to dream beyond the confines of our planet earth. But, as BHO himself has declared, that he prefers to lead from behind. When it comes to a true global perspective and a responsible pro-active approach toward the next 100 years, the Obama doctrine of "leading from behind" is appalling in its sheer stupidity, lack of imagination, historical ignorance and short-sightedness.

We can only hope and pray that the awe inspiring spirit of men like Galileo, Copernicus, Hubble, Bessel and hundreds of others are cheering us on and not rolling over in their graves.

Last space shuttle crew practices for July launch - Washington Times

Congressional Medal of Honor: Perpetuating a Legacy of Courage, Sacrifice, and Patriotism

2011-06-24T02:11:00.002-04:00

A MUST READ! Ways to Curb Childhood Obesity Outlined in U.S. Report

2011-06-23T23:57:00.010-04:00

Here is the long awaited report from The National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine on how to raise less fatty kids. The report was aimed primarily at stupid parents.

All kidding aside, childhood and adult obesity is a problem in our country and should be addressed.

Here are the report's main recommendations :

Limiting young children's television and other media use,

Requiring child-care providers to promote healthy sleeping practices,

Educating parents about age-appropriate sleep times and good sleep habits,

Requiring child-care providers to provide opportunities and environments that encourage physical activity,

Increasing efforts to promote breast-feeding,

Requiring child-care facilities and preschools to follow the meal patterns established by the U.S. Child and Adult Care Food Program.

The Original Wayward Ramblings has conducted an independent study on the obesity problem. Here are the study's main recommendations:

Stop stuffing crap in your pie hole continuously!

Go outside and play!

One of the greatest morons in cartoon history - our favorite - Dumb Donald
Dumbest quote ever from "The Donald" when asked why he won't take off his hat-
"Because I don't have a face!"

Cartoon legend with the best speech impediment of all time - you know him, you love him - the one and only Mushmouth!
Greatest Mushmouth quote: "Heyba! My hebba hurts!"

Take That Lightbulb Police!

2011-06-23T23:54:00.001-04:00

First Madison - Now Organized Labor Takes A Big Hit In Trenton

2011-06-23T23:26:00.004-04:00

Last week, Wisconsin's State Supreme Court upheld Governor Scott Walker's controversial Spending Reform Law which will greatly help the state's financial woes, and in fact help to improve public education in Wisconsin because now local school boards will be able to dedicate their resources to student needs instead of labor union costs. Education will become more student-based rather than labor-based.

But to hear the selfish, greedy, crybaby teacher's union tell it, you would think that Walker's wise budget move was putting them all out of work and boarding up every school in the state. Whine on!

Meanwhile, as Michigan, Ohio and Massachusetts have either passed similar legislation or are drafting legislation to redefine state employee unions collective bargaining rights, today, New Jersey passed landmark legislation that will require state employees to pay considerably more for their pension and health care benefits. You better believe Governor Chris Christie was all smiles.

Here's the skinny from the AP -

NJ Assembly OKs bill hiking benefits costs
The New Jersey Assembly passed landmark legislation Thursday that requires public employees to pay sharply more for pension and health benefits, driving a wedge through the Democratic caucus that controls the chamber but was deeply divided on the bill.

The 46-32 vote followed hours of often bitter closed-door debate among Democrats, then hours of emotional public speeches on the Assembly floor. Uniformed state troopers escorted several people from the gallery for disrupting the debate with cheers and jeers.

The measure was fast-tracked through the Legislature after Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican, struck a deal with Democrats and Republicans who lead both houses. Just 14 Democrats voted in favor of the measure, with 32 opposed. All Republicans who were present voted for it.

The Senate passed the measure Monday, also without a majority of Democrats backing it. Christie is expected to sign it soon.

"I am going to guarantee you when it's finished (it) will become a national model and will be hailed across the country as an example of bipartisanship that the president and the Congress can only aspire to," Christie said of the legislation.

About 8,000 union protesters jammed the street outside the Capitol before debate got under way. It was their third Statehouse rally since the bill was introduced 10 days ago. On Thursday, they staged a New Orleans-style funeral procession, complete with a brass band and a black hearse with a sign draped on it reading "The Soul of Democratic Party."

"We're going to keep fighting," said Andrea Rastello, who teaches second grade in Wayne. "We are dedicated in our opposition, but we're going to have to make a lot of sacrifices in our families."

Rastello said she has already started looking for tutoring jobs to augment her income, and she will have to scramble to find family members to replace paid child care once she's forced to pay more for benefits.

Most Democrats opposed the bill because it imposes new health care contributions on a half-million government workers through legislation and suspends collective bargaining over health benefits. Opponents called the bill union-bashing; proponents insist higher contributions from workers are needed to shore up the state's retirement systems, which are underfunded by $110 billion. The bill is meant to bring public employee benefits more in line with the private sector, then restore bargaining after a four-year hiatus.

Assembly Democratic Leader Joe Cryan said the bill "ignores the collective conscience of the majority" by trampling on collective bargaining and ramming through legislation in 10 days. He said the outcry over a provision in the original bill restricting access to out-of-state doctors and hospitals was so widespread that two amendments have since been offered. The Assembly voted to strike the restriction, sending the amendment back to the Senate for a vote Monday.

"You want to know why this is wrong? This is wrong because you don't do health care changes in 10 days," Cryan said.

But Declan O'Scanlon, the GOP's Assembly budget officer, said the bill restores fiscal sanity to runaway retiree health and pension costs.

Without the changes, he said, New Jersey's retiree costs would rise so dramatically that it would be impossible for the state to continue to aid public schools, provide property tax relief to the elderly and disabled or fund health clinics for the poor.

"Without reform to bring our system to full funding, we will need a tax increase on every household in New Jersey of $2,500 _ that's not one time, that's every year for the next 30 years," he said.

The bill requires 500,000 teachers, police, firefighters and other public employees to pay a portion of their health care premiums based on income. An employee earning $60,000 who now pays $900 toward health insurance would see their yearly costs rise to $2,056 for single coverage or $3,230 for a family plan, after a four-year phase-in.

People who are already retired, and those with at least 20 years of service, would continue to get free health care in retirement. Collective bargaining over health care would resume in four years.

Workers' pension contributions would also rise by at least 1 percent of salary immediately; some workers would see an additional increase phased in. For example, teachers would see their pension contributions increase from 5.5 percent to 6.5 percent of salary now and by an additional 1 percent over seven years. Police and firefighters' contributions would increase to 10 percent, from 8.5 percent, immediately.

Retirees' cost-of-living adjustments would be suspended.

A Kaiser Family Foundation survey last year found that workers with employer-sponsored health plans paid 19 percent of the premium on average for single coverage and 30 percent for family coverage. State and local government workers paid the lowest percentage of their premiums _ an average of 9 percent for single coverage and 25 percent for a family plan.

Other states have also been seeking to force public employees to pay more for benefits and limit collective bargaining rights. A GOP-led effort in Wisconsin calls for public workers to pay more for health and pension benefits beginning in late August unless a lawsuit by a coalition of unions is successful.

In Ohio, Gov. John Kasich in March signed a law limiting bargaining rights, which has yet to go into effect. And in Michigan, the Republican state Senate has passed measures to require most public employees to cover at least 20 percent of the cost of buying their health insurance coverage, with some flexibility for local bargaining units.

The Massachusetts House passed a bill in late April stripping public-sector unions of the right to bargain over health care.

They Serve - We Live Free

2011-06-23T22:28:00.005-04:00

Leroy Arthur Petry, Sergeant First Class, United States Army to become only the second living recipient of The Congressional Medal Of Honor for actions occurring since the Vietnam War at a ceremony scheduled for July 12, 2011.

An Army Ranger who lost his right hand and suffered shrapnel wounds after throwing an armed grenade away from his fellow Soldiers will be the second living Medal of Honor Recipient from the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

On July 12th, President Barack Obama will award Sgt. 1st Class Leroy Arthur Petry, with the Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry. Petry will receive the Medal of Honor for his courageous actions during combat operations against an armed enemy in Paktya, Afghanistan, May 26, 2008.

Petry now serves as part of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Benning, Ga.

“It’s very humbling to know that the guys thought that much of me and my actions that day, to nominate me for that,” said Petry, on learning he had been nominated for the medal.

At the time of his actions in Afghanistan, Petry was assigned to Company A, 2nd Bn., 75th Ranger Regiment at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. Petry’s actions came as part of a rare daylight raid to capture a high-value target.

On the day of the actions that would earn Petry the Medal of Honor, he was to locate himself with the platoon headquarters in the target building once it was secured. Once there, he was to serve as the senior noncommissioned officer at the site for the remainder of the operation.

Recognizing one of the assault squads needed assistance clearing their assigned building, Petry relayed to the platoon leader that he was moving to that squad to provide additional supervision and guidance during the clearance of the building.

Once the residential portion of the building had been cleared, Petry took a fellow member of the assault squad, Pvt. 1st Class Lucas Robinson, to clear the outer courtyard. Petry knew that area had not been cleared during the initial clearance.

Petry and Robinson, both Rangers, moved into an area of the compound that contained at least three enemy fighters who were prepared to engage friendly forces from opposite ends of the outer courtyard.

The two Soldiers entered the courtyard. To their front was an opening followed by a chicken coop. As the two crossed the open area, an enemy insurgent fired on them. Petry was wounded by one round, which went through both of his legs. Robinson was also hit in his side plate by a separate round.

While wounded and under enemy fire, Petry led Robinson to the cover of the chicken coop. The enemy continued to deliver fire at the two Soldiers.

As the senior Soldier, Petry assessed the situation and reported that contact was made and that there were two wounded Rangers in the courtyard of the primary target building.

Upon hearing the report of two wounded Rangers, Sgt. Daniel Higgins, a team leader, moved to the outer courtyard. As Higgins was moving to Petry and Robinson’s position, Petry threw a thermobaric grenade in the vicinity of the enemy position.

Shortly after that grenade exploded — which created a lull in the enemy fire — Higgins arrived at the chicken coop and assessed the wounds of the two Soldiers.

While Higgins evaluated their wounds, an insurgent threw a grenade over the chicken coop at the three Rangers. The grenade landed about 10 meters from the three Rangers, knocked them to the ground, and wounded Higgins and Robinson. Shortly after the grenade exploded, Staff Sgt. James Roberts and Spc. Christopher Gathercole entered the courtyard, and moved toward the chicken coop.

With three Soldiers taking cover in the chicken coop, an enemy fighter threw another grenade at them. This time, the grenade landed just a few feet from Higgins and Robinson.

Recognizing the threat that the enemy grenade posed to his fellow Rangers, Petry — despite his own wounds and with complete disregard for his personal safety — consciously and deliberately risked his life to move to and secure the live enemy grenade and consciously throw the grenade away from his fellow Rangers, according to battlefield reports.

As Petry released the grenade in the direction of the enemy, preventing the serious injury or death of Higgins and Robinson, it detonated and catastrophically amputated his right hand.

With a clear mind, Petry assessed his wound and placed a tourniquet on his right arm. Once this was complete, he reported that he was still in contact with the enemy and that he had been wounded again.

After the blast that amputated Petry’s hand, Roberts began to engage the enemy behind the chicken coop with small arms fire and a grenade. His actions suppressed the insurgents behind the chicken coop. Shortly after, another enemy on the east end of the courtyard began firing, fatally wounding Gathercole.

Higgins and Robinson returned fire and killed the enemy.

Moments later, Sgt. 1st Class Jerod Staidle, the platoon sergeant, and Spc. Gary Depriest, the platoon medic, arrived in the outer courtyard. After directing Depriest to treat Gathercole, Staidle moved to Petry’ s position. Staidle and Higgins then assisted Petry as he moved to the casualty collection point.

Higgins later wrote in a statement, “if not for Staff Sergeant Petry’s actions, we would have been seriously wounded or killed.”

Petry is the ninth servicemember to have been named a recipient of the Medal of Honor for actions in Afghanistan and Iraq. Of prior recipients, all but Petry and Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta were awarded the honor posthumously.

Included among those recipients are Spc. Ross A. McGinnis, Sgt. 1st Class Paul R. Smith, Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael A. Monsoor, and Marine Corps Cpl. Jason L. Dunham, all for actions in Iraq. Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta, Staff Sgt. Robert Miller, Sgt. 1st Class Jared C. Monti and Navy Lt. Michael P. Murphy were awarded the Medal of Honor for actions in Afghanistan.

Petry currently serves as a liaison officer for the United States Special Operations Command Care Coalition-Northwest Region, and provides oversight to wounded warriors, ill and injured servicemembers and their families.

He enlisted in the United States Army from his hometown of Santa Fe, N.M. in September 1999. After completion of One Station Unit Training, the Basic Airborne Course and the Ranger Assessment and Selection Program — all at Fort Benning, Ga. — Petry was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment. Petry has served as a grenadier, squad automatic rifleman, fire team leader, squad leader, operations sergeant, and weapons squad leader.

He has deployed eight times in support of the War on Terror with two tours to Iraq and six tours to Afghanistan.

Petry and his wife Ashley have four children, Brittany, Austin, Reagan and Landon.

White House Press Release:

On July 12th, President Barack Obama will award Sergeant First Class Leroy Arthur Petry, U.S. Army, the Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry. Sergeant First Class Petry will receive the Medal of Honor for his courageous actions during combat operations against an armed enemy in Paktya, Afghanistan in May, 2008. He will be the second living, active duty service member to be awarded the Medal of Honor for actions in Iraq or Afghanistan. Sergeant First Class Petry’s wife, Ashley, and other family members will join the President at the White House to commemorate his example of selfless service.

PERSONAL BACKGROUND:

Leroy Arthur Petry was born on July 29, 1979. He is a native of Santé Fe, New Mexico and enlisted in the United States Army in September 1999. He attended Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Benning, Georgia. Sergeant First Class Petry is currently assigned to the 75th Ranger Regiment and attached to Special Operations Command (SOCOM) with duty at Joint Base Lewis McChord as a liaison for the SOCOM Care Coalition where he tracks and monitors injured Rangers returning from the Theater of Operations to the initial place of care to home station care.

Sergeant First Class Petry has completed multiple combat tours to Afghanistan and Iraq totaling 28 months of deployment.

His military decorations include: two Bronze Stars, a Purple Heart, three Army Commendation Medals, two Army Achievement Medals, National Defense Service Medal, three Army Good Conduct Medals, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Combat Star, Iraq Campaign Medal with Combat Star, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, to name a few.

The Congressional Medal Of Honor Society
Heroes 2011 - Published By Stars And Stripes

Gary Who?

2011-06-23T20:50:00.004-04:00

Okay, I finally started to dig a little on the "unknown candidate" today after actually making a live sighting of him on TV. Remember the "Gong Show?" There was a guy on there, actually a comedian named Murray Langston, who had a bit where he put a bag over his head and told stupid jokes.

In case you have forgotten, or if the classic "Gong Show" was a bit before your time, here's a clip of Unknown at his best/worst. The first is a brief clip from the actual "Gong Show" starring the great Chuck Barris. By the way, read up on that guy - truth is stranger than fiction - I know, I worked for Chuck Barris Productions in the mid 80's at Sunset Gower Studios in Hollyweird, California, USA - you don't know the half of it and you wouldn't believe me if I told you! The second clip is a little longer with more material from a show called "Norm Crosby's Comedy Shop." The second bit is actually pretty good.

Back to the "Unknown Candidate." His name is Gary Johnson and he is a former two term governor from New Mexico. So get this - you think Ron Paul is a RINO? The "Unknown Candidate" makes Paul look like Barry Goldwater! I'm not kidding, either. Here are some of "what's his name's" positions on important conservative issues:

He does not attend church so we can draw the assumption that if he has any faith at all, it is meager and based on his own ideas.
He is pro-choice. He believes in government sanctioned infanticide.
He is pro-immigration, which in and of itself is good if it is legal immigration. But if you catch him during the right interviews, you can clearly hear his soft defense of an illegal immigration workforce and amnesty programs.
He believes that drugs should be legalized or decriminalized. That's all we need right now.
His foreign policy is that he has no foreign policy. Pacifist, isolationist, appeaser. Hard to pin him down on that one.
He is very open minded on social issues and civil liberties that are of concern to "family values" conservatives.

Six major bullet points there. And this guy is on the GOP ticket based on... based on... well, he does believe in defending the Constitution, but like Paul he can be defined as a strict Constitutionalist. He likes to veto. While governor of New Mexico, he vetoed 750 separate pieces of legislation to keep government from growing. Sort of a slash and burn approach to state spending. Not sure how many legitimate programs or laws suffered because of that approach.

Here's an idea. Let's bust up this two party system we have. The so-called mainstream Republicans of 2011 can be likened to the conservative Democrats of a few decades back. The mainstream Democrats are just big government tax and spenders. The real left are Neo-Socialists, plain and simple. Don't take my word for it. Jot down a few names of the "Democrats" that were featured at the Netroots Nation pow wow in Minneapolis last week and then research their voting history, their associations, their platforms, etc. Finally just do some objective research on Socialism. Connect the dots. There you have it!

Now to complicate matters we have the Tea Party. Don't get me wrong, but trying to figure out what a person who defines themselves as a true blue "Tea Partier" really wants from their president is murky at best.

Maybe we should have six major, organized political parties in the U.S. -

The Conservative Party (Sarah Palin, Chris Christie, Rick Perry fit here)
The Republican Party (Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum fit here)
The Democrat Party ( John McCain, Lindsey Graham fit here - seriously)
The United States Socialist Party (BHO, Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi fit here)
The Tea Party (Michelle Bachmann, Herman Cain, Allen West fit here)
The Unknown Comic Party (That Gary guy, Ron Paul, Ross Perot, Ralph Nader fit here)

I know, I know. It will never come to pass. So why don't we just stand up and unite as American conservative citizens; stewards of the greatest nation on earth; reject guys like Ron Paul and their goofball ideas out of hand while demanding that if they wish to affiliate with the GOP they ought to damn well stand for the basic tenets of the majority of the party; Stand neo-socialism down as a loud, but very small fringe element of our society and reveal it by speaking the truth at every opportunity; and take back all elements of leadership and power from the failed big government "machine" called the Democrat Party once and for all and never surrender it again.

Then there will be no need for these kooky politicians who really should have bags over their heads. Like Gary, the "Unknown Candidate."

Your Highness, It's For You!

2011-06-23T17:56:00.003-04:00

Please visit Gary Varvel's page at Townhal l for all of his excellent political cartoons. Thanks!

Republican Insider Says Perry Will Run

2011-06-23T17:49:00.003-04:00

This just in from Tip Sheet's news hawk Katie Pavlich at Townhall:

According the the Wall Street Journal, Texas Governor Rick Perry is running for president but Perry's people are remaining mum on the issue.

A Republican campaign veteran tells us that Texas Governor Rick Perry has decided to run for President, though the official word from Team Perry is still a definite maybe.

Our normally reliable Republican source reports that Mr. Perry has surveyed the field and decided to get in the race later this summer, perhaps around the time of the national prayer meeting that Mr. Perry is hosting on August 6 at a Houston football stadium. Our source also reports that Mr. Perry is aiming to compete in the Iowa Straw Poll, even though it occurs just a week later, on August 13. The thinking is that apparent front-runner Mitt Romney "does not reflect the Republican Party" and is therefore vulnerable to a credible challenge from the right, especially after Mr. Romney's recent squishy remarks on global warming.

As Guy reported last week, Perry has an impressive when it comes to job growth in the Lone Star State, and with the terrible economic news continuing to add up with unemployment climbing higher, it's prime time for the governor to jump into the race.

This Man Defines The Word "Ambition"

2011-06-23T16:59:00.004-04:00

See for yourself! One thing that is certain about our planet earth. We will never exhaust the endless parade of fascinating human beings. This man being one of them!

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Brilliant Retort To Glenn Beck's Routine Character Assasination

2011-06-23T15:41:00.004-04:00

Although the retort comes from beyond the grave it is fitting, especially since Beck will no longer be rewriting history each weeknight on FOX News.

I have had a love/hate relationship with Mr. Beck since I first heard him on talk radio several years ago. While there is no doubt he is brilliant, cares deeply about his country, and has brought light to many dark and nasty issues that a lot of loopy, liberal, leftists would rather he never had, Beck had a constant failing that to me, defined his time at FOX on "The Glenn Beck" show. He routinely used cheap verbal parlor tricks, smoke and mirror style grandiosity, and political & social themes taken way out of context to reconstruct aspects of history to suit his "theory du jour." Once in a great while, it worked - he pulled it off. And when he did, he did it in spectacular fashion. However, most of the time he failed miserably. His gimmick only goes so far when flying in the face of FACTS.

One of Glenn Beck's favorite presidential targets (Woodrow Wilson being the obvious frontrunner) was the great Theodore Roosevelt. Using terms like "progressive" as though the intended definition and meaning was the same at the turn of the 20th century as it is in political science in the new millennium, cheapened and slandered Roosevelt's legacy. Beck would purposely distort Roosevelt's political ambitions toward the end of his life as a proper characterization of T.R.'s entire career of public service.

Beck purposely overlooked the voluminous achievements in almost every area of Roosevelt's life in order to satisfy some stupid point he was trying to make that had no historical bearing on presidential history and was never based in the factual biography of one of the greatest presidents to hold the office in our history. This along with his coincidental omissions of the hundreds, even thousands of monumental contributions Roosevelt made to our country when he wasn't even president, became so transparent that any interested party who had even a slight knowledge of Theodore Roosevelt's life on planet earth would turn the channel to MSNBC when Beck began his fabricated rants.

Indeed, Roosevelt was born a blue-blooded child of privilege - but in the end he proved himself to be one of the greatest self made men in American history, overcoming personal adversity that would have motivated a lesser man to put a gun to his head and squeeze the trigger many times over. He overcame health issues and turned them into assets in a unique way unlike any other president in history.

Teddy Roosevelt is consistently rated as one of the five greatest presidents this land has seen, even by many of his critics. Yet Beck always found a way to paint him as an unscrupulous, political nincompoop who did little more than pave the way for Wilson - who, by the way, was also unfairly portrayed in many of Beck's neo-history monologues.

Okay - so I guess you know where I stand on Theodore Roosevelt. But don't take my word for it. Read the volumes of well researched biographies of this fascinating political figure and draw your own conclusions. I could type from now until August without running out of notable achievements and accomplishments of T.R. both in and out of public service.

Now, as Beck takes his final bow on FOX News, the platform that allowed him to drag a great man such as this through the mud, a young New York Assemblyman, makes an eloquent statement that I will throw at Beck as T.R.'s retort for two years of Beck's crapola. And here it is:

"I am a Republican, pure and simple, neither a 'half breed' nor a 'stalwart'; and certainly no man, nor yet any ring or clique, can do my thinking for me." - Theodore Roosevelt circa 1883

You had a good run for awhile, Glenn. But allow me to send you on your merry way with that defining quote as a sharp stick poking you in your smart ass as it prods you out the door. Good luck! And if you ever need some quality history lessons (and believe me, you do), feel free to give me a call on my little red phone!

Anthropology - Alive And Well In The Americas In 2011

2011-06-23T14:42:00.006-04:00

This amazing story was reported by the AP on June 21, 2011. It seems that there are still humans in these Americas that are getting along just fine without us! Hard to believe! As we cope with the day to day intricacies and challenges of modern life, 200 or so individuals, hitherto unknown by "civilized" populations, are thriving deep in the heart of the southwestern Amazon rain forest in Brazil. At times, the arrogance of science is smacked in the face by the simplicity of life.

Brazil government identifies uncontacted tribe
By JULIANA BARBASSA AP - Tue Jun 21, 6:48 pm ET

RIO DE JANEIRO – The Brazilian government confirmed this week the existence of an uncontacted tribe in a southwestern area of the Amazon rain forest.

Three large clearings in the area had been identified by satellite, but the population's existence was only verified after airplane expeditions in April gathered more data, the National Indian Foundation said in a news release Monday.

The government agency, known by its Portuguese acronym Funai, uses airplanes to avoid disrupting isolated groups. Brazil has a policy of not contacting such tribes but working to prevent the invasion of their land to preserve their autonomy. Funai estimates 68 isolated populations live in the Amazon.

The most recently identified tribe, estimated at around 200 individuals, live in four large, straw-roofed buildings and grow corn, bananas, peanuts and other crops. According to Funai, preliminary observation indicates the population likely belongs to the pano language group, which extends from the Brazilian Amazon into the Peruvian and Bolivian jungle.

The community is near the border with Peru in the massive Vale do Javari reservation, which is nearly the size of Portugal and is home to at least 14 uncontacted tribes.

"The work of identifying and protecting isolated groups is part of Brazilian public policy," said the Funai coordinator for Vale do Javari, Fabricio Amorim, in a statement. "To confirm something like this takes years of methodical work."

The region has a constellation of uncontacted peoples considered the largest in the world, said Amorim. In addition to the 14 known groups, Funai has identified through satellite images or land excursions up to eight more tribes.

That adds up to a population of about 2,000 individuals in the reservation, Amorim said.

Their culture, and even their survival, is threatened by illegal fishing, hunting, logging and mining in the area, along with deforestation by farmers, missionary activity and drug trafficking along Brazil's borders, Amorim said.

Oil exploration in the Peruvian Amazon could also destabilize the region, he said.

In spite of the threats, most of Brazil's indigenous groups maintain their languages and traditions.

Many have long fought for control of land in which they've traditionally lived on. They won legal rights to reclaim that territory in Brazil's 1988 constitution, which declared that all indigenous ancestral lands be demarcated and turned over to tribes within five years.

So far, 11 percent of Brazilian territory and nearly 22 percent of the Amazon has been turned over to such groups.

LINK TO ARTICLE