Monday Morning Rant 48

For those unfamiliar with Scott Ott, I have here an outstanding example of his continuing excellence in the field of satirical writing:

“McCain Backs Timeline to Get Obama Out of Iraq
by Scott Ott for ScrappleFace

(2008-07-20) — Republican presidential nominee John McCain today for the first time said he can now support a timeline to reduce the American presence in Iraq, specifically advocating the withdrawal from Iraq of Democrat presidential nominee Barack Obama, and several battalions of U.S. news anchors and reporters.

'It’s time to bring them home,' said Sen. McCain at a news conference attended by a journalism intern from the Des Moines Register. 'The surge has worked, and it’s time to redeploy.'

Sen. McCain said bringing Sen. Obama home would help to ensure that 'people in the U.S., who desperately need media attention, will get the help they deserve.'

'Our mainstream media forces are stretched too thin,' he said. 'If news should break here in the homeland, who’s going to cover it? We’re vulnerable.'"

Too Rich to Ignore

The purpose of the “rant” is to share with you, the readers, those items in the news and in life generally which I personally find irritating. As I get older I find such things seem to be reaching critical mass. Some have major importance and other things are just the response of a curmudgeon to minor bumps on the road of life. For example: have you noticed that sales people, when they arrive at a total, often say: “That will be $7.50!” My question is then: “When will it be $7.50?” How much is it now? Will it be delivered at a later date? Are we expecting a price reduction/increase in the next few seconds? My life expectancy is reducing by the day here on earth so I am far more concerned with the present than some nebulous “will be.” Have all those silver haired darlings who herded me through English classes gone on to their reward with no one left to keep us in the proper tense? When challenged on the matter, the sales people all seem to have a universal reply: “Huh?”

As I plough through the news daily (I am a news junkie) I am stricken with the audacity of some of our leaders. There is no limit to their “chutzpah.”

Representative Charles Rangel of Michigan became so concerned by the inequity of enjoying a collection of rent controlled apartments that he turned himself in to the house ethics committee. Is this then a “cue” for applause?

It has been revealed that officials of the Democrat National Committee have been in Denver preparing for their national convention. Rather than buying their fuel on the open market, they chose to be supplied from the city’s facilities, thus escaping the taxes imposed for the city and the state.. When it was discovered, the issue was brought before the Denver City Council.

Presidential candidate, Barack Hussein Obama, has traded in his Boeing 737 for the more spacious 757. That aircraft comes equipped with a huge American flag painted on the tail assembly. Not happy with that factory option, he has had the tail repainted with the Obama logo. One observer noted he did not replace it with his recently exposed “presidential seal” but could have saved some cash if he had just added the Obama “swoosh” to the flag.

The first item on the rant came with the advisory that it was satire. The rest are fact. We have time for one more outrage.

Even the most callous of legislators find the time to visit the young men and women at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. Those military people who have given a huge measure of devotion to their country are recuperating from a variety of war-related injuries. Bryan Whitman, who handles the arrangements at the Pentagon, has given assurances that any and all sitting legislators are given access and invitation to visit and bring those staff that are necessary. The Department of Defense does have some rules which they rightfully impose.
They restrict the party to only those aides which the visitor requires, not campaign staff, and, photographs and video are not allowed. The hospital is a place of refuge and recovery for our troops and their dignity and privacy are respected there.

Certain campaign officials claimed that they were barred from the facility. They implied that their senator was not welcome. The fact is that the senator and his aides were welcome but the officials at Landstuhl and the Pentagon were unwilling to turn it into another frivolous stop on the campaign trail for anyone. The senator decided to tour some German tourist sites instead. The Department of Defense wisely has declined the opportunity to use our injured heroes as mere pawns for anyone in pursuit of higher office.

Personal Update

A couple of weeks ago, in the “rant,” I mentioned that I was working on a new deck. The basic structure is now 90% complete with the exception of the covering. So far, I have used over 1,400 screws (2 ½” and 3 ½”) to assemble all the components. The best estimate is that I shall need at least another four or five hundred to complete the job. I promise a picture when the project is complete.

Right now is an appropriate time to take a moment to thank God for His assistance. He has provided the energy, the plan and the skills required. Unlike a previous effort, I have enjoyed His protection and not sustained any lasting injury. He has raised my awareness of the dangers inherent in all construction projects.

As I sit here at my computer I am situated so that I look out the window across the natural wood of the deck and it seems to blend in with the forest a few feet beyond. Past that, now barely visible because of the dense foliage lies the Spring River Valley. This fall, it should be a seamless vista. My intention is to suspend bird feeders along the roof line for their sustenance and my enjoyment.

Did ever a man have so much cause to rejoice in the gifts of the Almighty?

In His abiding love,

Cecil Moon