The Two Sides of Tammi

First there is the funny. This, I feel is the quote of the year; or at least the month!

Finally back at the office we’re finishing up one of the reports in my office. Now, I’m right on the street side. Every damned semi that drive by sounds like it’s coming THROUGH my window. One time, it was particularly loud and my guy jumps.

Him – Damn….that’s annoying as hell.

Me – yeah…figures. Only I would be given an office with a vibrator.

It was at that point I announced it was time for everyone to go home. I had completely lost my ability to think or speak clearly….

via Tammi’s World: Tidbits.

Then there is the completely serious and quite sad, of Tammi.  It is the story of how Tammi lost her Dad. I read this originally in 2005, when Tammi first posted it. I nearly lost it then and I still get misty-eyed when I read it. Tammi’s a tough lady; she’s been through royal hell. She has my respect.

It just shows you how someone, who has been through hell and back, can have a good sense of humor. I God Bless her for that. 🙂

Director John Hughes dead at 59

As you all know, I am a child of the late early 1970’s and grew up in the 1980’s. So, this one is kind of personal.

John Hughes, who captured the zeitgeist of 1980s teen life as writer-director of “The Breakfast Club” and “Sixteen Candles” and produced and scripted family hits such as “Home Alone,” died Thursday of a heart attack in Manhattan while taking a walk. He was 59.

After an impressive string of hits — “Home Alone” is one of the top-grossing live-action comedies of all time — Hughes, who never won a major show business award, stopped directing in 1991 and virtually retired from filmmaking a few years later, working on his farm in northern Illinois.

The filmmaker, whom critic Roger Ebert once called “the philosopher of adolescence,” was a major influence on filmmakers including Wes Anderson, Kevin Smith and Judd Apatow, who told the L.A. Times last year, “Basically, my stuff is just John Hughes films with four-letter words.”

“I feel like a part of my childhood has died. Nobody made me laugh harder or more often than John Hughes,” said Apatow in a statement.

Bruce Berman, who was VP of production at Universal and president of production at Warners when Hughes made several films with those studios, told Daily Variety, “He was one of the most challenging relationships an exec could have, but one of the most fun, most talented and gifted.” Berman said that although Hughes was one of the fastest writers in the biz — “He could write a draft over a weekend — he didn’t like to be rewritten.”

Born in Michigan, Hughes used his high school town of suburban Northbrook, Ill., as a location for many of his films. He got his start as an advertising copywriter in Chicago and started selling jokes to performers such as Rodney Dangerfield and Joan Rivers. Hired by National Lampoon magazine after submitting his short story “Vacation ’58,” he wrote his first screenplay, “Class Reunion,” while on staff at the magazine, and it became his first produced script in 1982. His next, “National Lampoon’s Vacation,” based on his short story, became his first big hit and spawned several sequels.

Hughes’ first film as a director was 1984’s “Sixteen Candles,” starring Anthony Michael Hall, John Cusack and Molly Ringwald. The teen romance introduced several of the actors who would make up Hughes’ “stock company” of thesps, several of whom became known as the Brat Pack.

In 1985, “The Breakfast Club” became the era’s iconic and influential high school film. It starred Ringwald, Emilio Estevez, Ally Sheedy, Hall and Judd Nelson as teens who must learn to get along when thrown together during Saturday detention.

Hughes wrote and exec produced Ringwald starrer “Pretty in Pink,” which felt of a piece with his directing projects, then directed “Weird Science,” starring Hall, and “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” starring Matthew Broderick. He also wrote “Some Kind of Wonderful” and “She’s Having a Baby,” heartfelt adolescent stories that both bore his stamp.

He branched out with 1987’s more grown-up “Planes, Trains and Automobiles,” starring Steve Martin and John Candy, then directed just two more films, “Uncle Buck” and “Curly Sue,” his eighth and final film as helmer.

via Director John Hughes dies at 59 – Entertainment News, Film News, Media – Variety.

His films were the basically the soundtrack of my life. At some port or another; I have most likely seen them all. Not much when they first came out mind you. At that time, I was still totally wrapped up into the whole Pentecostal Christan thing. Something that I sometimes feel stole my childhood from me.  My parents are not to blame; I am. I was never forced to do anything at all. I wanted to be where I was and what I was involved in. Because I thought it was right. Looking back however, I tend to believe that what I went through was nothing more than glorified brain washing.

Hughes films captured the 1980’s, in all its splendor. The whole innocence of being a kid in that era. It was a magical time to grow up; a Republican was in the White House. The Republican Party was a force to be reckoned with, Liberals tried and failed to change the course of the Country.  Reagan brought optimism back to America and it trickled out of the White House and on the silver screen.  Hughes channeled that whole era into film, for people like me to relive, time and time again.

I hope the man knew God, May he rest in peace.

Update: A very good Blog posting from fan of Hughs.

Some Sad News

Jim Hoft over at Gateway Pundit has lost his mother. 🙁

I realize that none of the words, that I can type on this blog can ease the pain that Jim is feeling right about now. So, I will just skip usual flower speech and just remind everyone, that life is too short; and that maybe everyone should go call Mom and Dad, and tell them how much you love them. If she’s close, go give her a hug.

When you’re done; Go on over and say a few kind words to Jim.

Politics is one thing, but real life is another. Sometimes, when getting caught up in the daily Blogosphere, we forget about that.

More Sad News: Libertarian Blogger Mark Yannone Found Dead

I was just over at Freedom’s Phoenix, some sad news to report:

Steve Yannone (no relation – close friend) steveyannone at aol.com (reports):

Will provide more details when family comes to town. Close friends can contact Steve for more details. It is 001-0720140919-Mark_Yannone3believed that he died from an epileptic seizure that he regularly suffered from. Sometime between Friday afternoon and Saturday morning. We’ll have more details as they become available.

Many of us have known Mark since the mid 90’s as a very principled and active libertarian. He was expected to be heavily engaged in the coming election cycle again. He will be missed.
Ernie

Mark’s Blog is here; Mark also run on the Libertarian ticket, that website is here.

What a sad loss for the Freedom Movement! :-((

Sad News: Radio Host, Author, Writer, and Christian; Alan Stang dies at 80

Some sad news to report:

Author and radio host Alan Stang, a longstanding champion for conservativism and outspoken opponent of communism in the U.S., died yesterday. He was 80 years old.

Stang began his career in communications as an editor for Prentice-Hall before moving on to radio at NBC in New York City. The award-winning journalist also worked as one of Mike Wallace’s first writers before Wallace became a fixture of “60 Minutes” and went toe-to-toe in the ratings against Larry King, when the two hosted competing radio shows in Los Angeles. Stang boasted that despite broadcasting on a station of significantly less power, his program drew twice as many listeners as King’s.

Most recently, Stang hosted “The Sting of Stang” show on the Republic Broadcasting Network.

“My dad spent his whole life fighting for this country,” Stang’s son Jay told WND. “He saw something to fight for, just like every one of us. He never gave up, even when he had to fight for his own life instead. His treasure was truly in heaven. He loved Jesus Christ with all his heart, and he loved his family. He was able to hold his first two grandchildren in his arms and look them in the eye. He is happy now and has no more pain or sorrow. He is with his savior.”

via Author, radio host Alan Stang dies at 80 – WorldNetDaily

I will admit it, I did not always agree with this man. In fact, there were times, when I would read his stuff and I would cringe at some of the things he said. But, then I’d smile and think to myself; he reminds me; of myself. Stang’s writings were a mixture of Conservatism, Conspiracy Theory and Christianity. Some of it, I enjoyed, and some; I just read.

May Brother Allan rest in the Peace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Lord Jesus be with his fine family.

Rest in Peace Allen; Me, Chuck Baldwin, Freedom’s Phoenix and everyone who stands for Freedom….. We will take it from here.

You can read Mr. Stang’s writings here.

Walter Cronkite KB2GSD has died

….and that is the way, that it was….

America has lost it’s uncle.

Walter Cronkite has died.

Here’s a report via the AP: (H/T to Allan Combs, yes, that Allen Combs…)

Here is the CBS NEWS Special Report on it: (H/T to Freedom’s Lighthouse and thanks to Free Republic)


The Story via NYT:

Walter Cronkite, who pioneered and then mastered the role of television news anchorman with such plain-spoken grace that he was called the most trusted man in America, died Friday, his family said. He was 92.

From 1962 to 1981, Mr. Cronkite was a nightly presence in American homes and always a reassuring one, guiding viewers through national triumphs and tragedies alike, from moonwalks to war, in an era when network news was central to many people’s lives.

He became something of a national institution, with an unflappable delivery, a distinctively avuncular voice and a daily benediction: “And that’s the way it is.” He was Uncle Walter to many: respected, liked and listened to. With his trimmed mustache and calm manner, he even bore a resemblance to another trusted American fixture, another Walter — Walt Disney.

Along with Chet Huntley and David Brinkley on NBC, Mr. Cronkite was among the first celebrity anchormen. In 1995, 14 years after he retired from the “CBS Evening News,” a TV Guide poll ranked him No. 1 in seven of eight categories for measuring television journalists. (He professed incomprehension that Maria Shriver beat him out in the eighth category, attractiveness.) He was so widely known that in Sweden anchormen were once called Cronkiters.

Yet he was a reluctant star. He was genuinely perplexed when people rushed to see him rather than the politicians he was covering, and even more astonished by the repeated suggestions that he run for office himself. He saw himself as an old-fashioned newsman — his title was managing editor of the “CBS Evening News” — and so did his audience.

My Parents raised me with this sort of a philosophy; if you do not have anything good to say about the dead, say nothing at all.

On a personal note, Mr. Cronkite was a Amateur Radio operator. He held the Novice class license.  QRZ.COM has a entry up and Hams from around the world; including yours truly, are remembering him.

As a political blogger, I do not celebrate his politics. As someone who has always admired the news business, I admired him. He hearkens back to era, when there was still an ounce of integrity in journalism itself. Some may disagree with that, but I do not care. It is my opinion and that’s that.

Here’s the memorable footage of him, announcing the death of President John F. Kennedy:

cronkite

Rest in Peace old man; you have earned it.

Memeorandum has the roundup

Robert S. McNamara – RIP

Some Sad news via The Washington Post:

Robert S. McNamara, the former secretary of defense whose record as a leading executive of industry and a chieftain of foreign financial aid was all but erased from public memory by his reputation as the primary architect of U.S. involvement in the war in Vietnam, died early this morning at age 93.

Diana McNamara said her husband died at his home in Northwest Washington. She did not give a cause of death.

McNamara was secretary of defense during the presidencies of John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson. In that capacity he directed a U.S. military buildup in Southeast Asia during the critical early years of a Vietnamese conflict that escalated into one of the most divisive and bitter wars in U.S. history. When the war was over, 58,000 Americans were dead and the national social fabric had been torn asunder.

Before taking office as secretary of defense in 1961, McNamara was president of Ford Motor Co. For 13 years after he left the Pentagon in 1968, he was president of the World Bank. He was a brilliant student, a compulsive worker and a skillful planner and organizer, whose manifest talents carried him from modest circumstances in California to the highest levels of the Washington power structure. He was said to have built a record of achievement and dedication in business, government and public service that few of his generation could match.

After his retirement from the bank in 1981, he maintained an exhausting schedule as director or consultant to scores of public and private organizations and was a virtual one-man think tank on nuclear arms issues.

But more than 40 years after the fact, he was remembered almost exclusively for his orchestration of U.S. prosecution of the war in Vietnam, a failed effort by the world’s greatest superpower to prevent a communist takeover of a weak and corrupt ally. For his role in the war, McNamara was vilified by harsh and unforgiving critics, and his entire record was unalterably clouded. For the rest of his life, he would be haunted by the Vietnam ghosts.

No matter one’s opinion of the war. It is no doubt that this man carried the burden of that war with him. He later admitted that he was wrong. But by then, it was too late. He wrote a memoir, that only enraged his critics the more.

I was raised in the tradition that one does not speak evil of the dead. Just bury ‘em and remember the good about them. Mr. McNamara. rest in peace sir. May you find it in death.

RobertSMcNamara

His Book:

Update: Taki’s Magazine has an excellent entry on this subject.

Sad News: Hanna Garman has died

This comes via Michelle Malkin.

A little angel has left the sundry bounds of this world to take her rightful place among the angels.  Hanna Garman has lost her battle with cancer. Her Father posted this message on Hanna’s CaringBridge:

Tonight at 5:45 Hannah went home to be with Jesus. She was surrounded by family & passed peacefully. Right now I’m pretty exhausted. It’s been a long day. Please pray for the family & me over this tough time.
Darin

hanna

May she forever rest in the peace of God.

Fly on little wing…

Rest in peace dear lady. You’ve earned it.

Football Star and Former V.P. nominee Jack Kemp dead at 73

Some sad news, that I put off blogging about until now. I was not going to even blog about it. Namely because I did not know a thing about the man. So, I won’t pretend that I do.

Here’s a round up of comments about the passing of Jack Kemp:

“Jack Kemp was a leader – whether it was in a football huddle, a national political campaign or a policy discussion about the Austrian school of economics.

“I first met Jack nearly 40 years ago, during his freshman year in Congress. When he introduced The Jobs Creation Act – a major legislative advance of supply-side economics – I knew I had found an ally. That ally soon became my friend

“Jack was a ‘bleeding-heart conservative.’ He wanted to make it possible for every American to succeed and eagerly worked with people of all races, colors and creeds toward that end.

“Across-the-board tax cuts and ‘enterprise zones’ for blighted neighborhoods are now common economic prescriptions – especially during these hard times. But to make these ideas respectable, Jack had to fight for them constantly during his years in Congress, as Housing and Urban Development secretary, as chairman of a national tax reform commission, and during his presidential and vice presidential campaigns.

“He won those fights, and millions benefited. The tax cuts that Jack helped engineer in the 1980s gave Americans unprecedented prosperity for decades. His commission also boldly proposed a national flat tax. Those policies also helped spread freedom around the world.

“I remember standing with him in Moscow’s Red Square in 1990. The Cold War was starting to thaw, but few even suspected that the Soviet Union’s days were numbered. Jack knew. As we stood on the square, in view of the Kremlin, he pointed out an astonishing sign: The line for the new McDonald’s restaurant was longer than the line for Lenin’s tomb.

“Many people will remember Jack as a great football player – and rightly so. But he was also a great player in the world of ideas, with a mind as strong as his arm. I will miss his strength and friendship greatly.” —Edwin Feulner -President -Heritage Foundation

***

For those of us who came of age politically after Reagan was President, Jack Kemp was, if not Reagan, then the next best thing. He was arguably the most consequential and electric conservative between Reagan and Newt. Had Kemp run for President in 1996, I would have been his first volunteer (I missed ’88). Of course, Kemp’s contributions to the cause of freedom long predated that time, having helped Reagan break the grip of an oppressive marginal tax regime. —Patrick Ruffini – Founder – The Next Right

***

The “Kemp-Roth” tax cuts were at the cornerstone of Ronald Reagan’s early legacy as president and his brand of fiscal conservatism and innovative ideas to spur the entrepreneurial spirit were a huge part of the Republican Party of my formative period.  By 1996, when he ran with Bob Dole, has was becoming an outlier in the party because of his relative moderation on social issues like affirmative action (thus the “bleeding-heart” descriptor). – James Joyner – Outside the Beltway

***

As the nation struggles with the trillion-dollar deficits and promises from Democrats to increase the role of government—the very government that got us into this hole in the first place—the ramparts of the free market will not be manned by Jack Kemp. – No Sheeples Here!

***

Jack Kemp, in my mind, was the premier Republican on race relations in American politics. No one spoke to the power of markets and opportunity to empower black Americans as he did. His agenda as HUD Secretary in the first Bush administration would still be light years ahead if its time if applied today. We need more conservatives like him. What a wonderful man, and a great loss to the nation. – Donald Douglas — American Power

***

“A successor to Ronald Reagan who himself has not had a successor. When his cancer was announced earlier this year, Jeff Lord wrote movingly about him and the greatness he had in him. I remember him from several live moments. Once at an American Spectator gala dinner right after the fall of Communism. “Wlady, did you think Vaclav Havel would be president of Czechoslovakia?” he asked from the podium. We always forget what a champion of freedom he was not just at home. Bob Tyrrell had introduced Jack as a perfect specimen of “sound body, sound mind.” Was he ever. I remember him on the floor of the San Diego convention in 1996. He was the announced vice-presidential nominee, basking in adulation and adoring fans. But he shut everyone up around him at that moment, his eyes rapt in attention directed at the podium, where Rep. J.C. Watts was delivering that evening’s keynote. You didn’t mess with Jack when he was in charge. Everyone quickly got quiet and paid attention to Watts too. Jack’s football position was quarterback — but in fact his position was leader. Even at the small Saturday Evening Club dinner he once attended as our guest, where he felt called upon to tell other guests when to come to the table and where to sit. He couldn’t help himself. Wherever man still wants to breathe freely, his memory will remain cherished. Jack Kemp in all his splendid energy will be terribly missed.” —  Wlady Pleszczynski – The American Spectator

***

“He was a true gentleman and a great sportsman” – Charles Johnson – Little Green Footballs

***

Kemp had the courage to move beyond the usual issues for conservatives, choosing to work on poverty and housing issues, and challenging his fellow conservatives to make conservatism work across the board.  It’s one of the reasons why Kemp will be missed. — Ed Morrissey – HotAir

****

Didn’t agree with him on many core issues, but he was a GOP institution with a wonderful family. – Michelle Malkin

***

At a time when conservatives are trying to find their way ideologically and rhetorically, they would do well to emulate this most happy and principled warrior. He will be greatly missed. — Jennifer Rubin – Commentary Magazine’s Contentions

***

Kemp and those around him liked to explain his political outlook in part by reference to his encounters with racial segregation while a professional football player.  Kemp found it stomach-turning that his black teammates were denied whites’ accommodations in the South simply on account of their race.  In this, as in much else about him, there is a great deal to admire.  It helps to account for the fact that in the 1980s, many were happy to consider ourselves Kemp supporters—and thought him far the best candidate for president in 1988. — Kevin R. C. Gutzman – Taki’s Magazine

So, there you have it. The round up of voices on the man. May He Rest in Peace and My Prayers to the family.

Update: Right on Schedule, The far lefty loons are attacking this man with fury. See here and here. I guess they had to sleep it off first. But, there you go…. The tolerance and civility of the Democrat Party. You see now, why I’ll never vote for another Liberal Democrat? Amazing. 🙄