©C.R. Hovey, 1974, all rights reserved I finally went to the local VA Hospital for help. My mind was near the breaking point, sleep was a luxury and most thought my behavior was strange to say the least. I slept on the hard floor and roamed the farm pasture at night spooking our dairy herd-at last they gave more milk! The county sheriff, a family friend, had brought me down from the local city water tower twice in the past 30 days and suggested a check-in with the local VA Hospital would b...

Today is Memorial Day. A time to reflect on those who gave their lives in service to this nation. Its a twenty-four hour period which normally finds me hold up in my place, withdrawn, thinking about those friends that died in Vietnam, suicide or later due to lack of adequate VA medical treatment-politics of the living. This is not a political rant, but rather from the heart as it should be on this day. Here's my list of some thought of: Dick Westberg -always remember playing footbal...

So, in my best Irish broque, I say, tell me it isn't so!! The President of the United States George W. "Pointer George" Bush is now into real estate. He stated today that billions would be save with the closing of these bases, but was he really honest? I'm not a financial whiz, but his statement reaks of disbelief. Its like telling someone its all right to have venereal disease when all the pain and suffering is over. It is going to cost millions of dollars to transport troops, logistic a...

I spent about 3 years, 9 months, 2 days, 47 minutes and 32 seconds in the service of my country during the Vietnam War. Too many months had been spent in places where killing was regarded as natural as breathing and some had to choose the difference. Good friends, brothers, were lost and I didn't know what for when I returned-that is, my physical being returned, but my mind was still back there. You will find some writings I accomplished on this blog for the next 2-3 days; the first time they...

Recently had the opportunity to converse with a Soldier of God! He was down from the Colorado Springs, Colorado, official headquarters for a few days with some other Soldiers of the Deity looking for new candidates. Fortunately, my college attendance has let to interesting discussions with Holy Hubert, Brother Jed, Sister Disco Cindy and a myriad of others trying to convince us all college womens were whores and guys weren't much better. Of course, if we accept their hands on words, provide ...

Millions of American children are green with envy over President Bush's method of handling mistakes when caught. They watch him closely and imitate his style of passing the responsibility off, blame the opposing ideology or the press. Its that easy and then if a problem arises, simply attack the Fourth Estate for stating it regardless-accuse of vileness, a lack of patriotism, an agenda or more control is needed. Regardless, these are great role models for our children to follow and learn fro...

Scott McClellan, White House press secretary, learned a very valuable lesson recently>he press honeymoon is over. Mr. McClellan was challenged numerous times while attempting to drive the final nail into Newsweek's coffin and probably wished Jeff Gannon were still there lobbing softball questions. Alas and alack, he couldn't come up with believable answers to simple questions like explaining why the President was not notified for 47 minutes after the emergency evacuation began; why the sudd...

Inevitably, the unavoidable and equally unpleasant task(s) of admitting error happens during our life. Doing so, according to my upbringing, contributes to wisdom and cleanses the conscience. There are others, however, who equate mistake admission as lessening manliness and is to be avoided at all costs. Paraphrasing Richard Nixon, former president, who once stated the commission of a crime is not as bad as being caught. He, of course, was caught and was forced to resign the presidency leavin...

I have come to admit several bloggers who put out an excellent product: Kos, The Rude Pundit, and many more. I am learning as I go along and do a lot of reading to improve the quality of this production. That is, technical reading as opposed to my normal bibliophilic tendencies to go through everything my hands are placed on. Here's a listing of books being read and completed this week: The President of Good and Evil by Peter Singer Chance and Circumstance by Baskir and Strauss Mad...

Should any political party attempt to abolish social security, unemployment insurance, and eliminate labor laws and farm programs, you would not hear of that party again in our political history. There is a tiny splinter group, of course, that believes that you can do these things. Among them are a few Texas oil millionaires, and an occasional politician or businessman from other areas. Their number is negligible and they are stupid . – President Dwight D. Eisenhower Once again, remi...

Satire With A Special Touch A Cessna penetrated the Washington D.C. flight zone causing great concern while simultaneously displaying flaws in the emergency reaction plan. It was found not everyone was evacuated (ironically, all Democrats except Sen. Lieberman), few knew how decisions were made or who made them and who shoots down what. President Bush was bicyling the Maryland countryside and was notified 40 minutes later of the evacuation. Officials weren't sure whether he was c...

MISMASH Sitting at the table watching Dune and wondering if Washington D.C. needs a larger portion of spice. Read an article that 10 bases on the prior military closing list rated most toxic polluted status. Well, that stands to reason since a great amount of coffee were dumped during all those necessary breaks. EPA states it doesn't have enough money to clean them up to recent Bush cutbacks, but the President signed another bill yesterday providing Iraq and Afghani military operation...

I was a child during the 1950s, but vividly remember the Army-McCarthy televised hearings. The black and white only telecast added to the drama already unfolding on the small screen. Let me briefly recap for those of you who don't recall this not so glorious period in American history. The post-WWII period was one of great anticipation, readjustment and then fear. Anti-communist fears were honed for public consumption and Russia took the top spot as evil purveyor. Politicians tripped over ...