Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Rise and Shine

Good Morning Wall Street watchers and the rest of us who have to work every day!

So the bail out plan failed in the House yesterday. There will undoubtedly be another plan some time this week. It will probably end up passing in some form. Be sure, though, none of that money will help us who are in the hole every day trying to dig out.
By the way, maybe John McCain should have stayed in Washington instead of going to that debate Friday night. It couldn't hurt his poll numbers.
Enough about bail outs, though, there are more important things on the horizon.
Like the Phillies playoffs.
Sitting watching the end of Saturday's game when the Phillies beat the Nationals to clinch the N.L. East sent the memory part of the brain in motion.
It's been 30 years since the Phillies have repeated as division champs. The years between 1978 and 2008 have been mostly lean. Sure, there was the World Series championship in 1980, by then we were tainted. We expected the Phillies to win. When they reached the playoffs in 1980 after finishing out of the money in 1979, there wasn't the same sense of dread as in 1977 or 1978. We had Pete Rose, Mike Schmidt, Steve Carlton. Sure, it was a heart-wrenching series against the Astros. Once over that hill, though, the World Series was a forgone conclusion.
There was the 1983 and 1993 run to the World Series, but those teams really were winning with smoke and mirrors. Sure, we would take a title, but, looking back, it would have been a miracle.
I was 9-years old when the Phillies first made the playoffs in 1976. I remember getting caught up in baseball for the first time. I remember jumping around when the Phillies clinched the division and were going into the playoffs.
Flash to this year and I saw the same look on another 9-year old boy. Much like the children of the 70s, the young ones of today are seeing a Phillies team that can win. They are expected to win.
Sure, history shows the tide will turn, but now is the time to join the ride. I'm glad I can come along.


If you have any cool links or photos, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com

Monday, September 29, 2008

Rise and Shine

Good Morning fellow owners of Wall Street!

That's right. It appears the $700 billion bail-out package is going to streamline through the government today.
Somebody much smarter than me forwarded an e-mail that broke down what really should be done with all this money (this breakdown when the talk was just the $85 billion for AIG):

To make the math simple, let's assume there are 200,000,000 bonafide U.S. Citizens 18+.
Our population is about 301,000,000 +/- counting every man, woman and child. So 200,000,000 might be a fair stab at adults 18 and up...
So divide 200 million adults 18+ into $85 billion that equals $425,000.00.
The plan is to give $425,000 to every person 18+ as a We Deserve It Dividend.
Of course, it would NOT be tax free.
So let's assume a tax rate of 30%.
Every individual 18+ has to pay $127,500.00 in taxes.
That sends $25,500,000,000 right back to Uncle Sam.
But it means that every adult 18+ has $297,500.00 in their pocket.
A husband and wife has $595,000.00.
What would you do with $297,500.00 to $595,000.00 in your family?
Pay off your mortgage - housing crisis solved.
Repay college loans - what a great boost to new grads.
Put away money for college - it'll be there...
Save in a bank - create money to loan to entrepreneurs.
Buy a new car - create jobs.
Invest in the market - capital drives growth.
Pay for your parent's medical insurance - health care improves.
Enable Deadbeat Dads to come clean - or else!
Remember this is for every adult U S Citizen 18+ including the folks who lost their jobs at Lehman Brothers and every other company that is cutting back. And of course, for those serving in our Armed Forces.
If we're going to do an $85 billion bailout, let's bail out every adult U S Citizen 18+!


So there you have it. I actually sent a version of this to U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak (D-7 of Edgmont) as well as Senators Arlen Specter and Bob Casey. Of course, none of them even took the time to answer my e-mail.
I forget, is this an election year or not?


If you have any cool links or photos, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com

Friday, September 26, 2008

Rise and Shine

Good Morning everybody hoping for a bailout of their own!

First and announcement: I am suspending my presidential campaign until the bad weather passes. Once the rain stops and the sun comes back out, I will feel the time is right to resume my campaign. Until then, there is a lot of work to do. I have to find an umbrella, dry out the dogs and use the window wipers on the car. There is much work to be done here.

This is as good a time as any to thank John McCain for giving us a brand-new excuse to change things up when our poll numbers are down.
Just think of the possibilities:
n I am suspending my bill paying until I build up enough money to pay such bills. Until that time, there is work to be done and that can't involve writing checks.
n I am suspending driving to work until gas prices go down to a 1980 level. Paying $3.55 a gallon is way too much for me to continue going to work.
n I am suspending my responsibilities to get out of bed. The rain is falling and there's no better place to be than under the covers. I will emerge once the rain stops.
n I am suspending the goal of eating healthy. In these times, it's a lot easier, and yummier, to eat doughnuts and cookies all day. Until the tide changes, the consumption of vegetables must stop.
n I am suspending my exercise regime. Until the doughnuts run out, exercise is just an effort in futility.
n I am suspending my driving habit of actually stopping at stop signs. If nobody else in Delaware County is going to follow the rules, why should I.
n I am suspending my drinking of tequila. Um.... never mind.
Really, this can work with everything. So, thank you John McCain, you may not be a future president, but you are already acting like one.
By the way...


If you have any cool links or photos, send them along to mailto:onlinedelco@gmail.com

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Rise and Shine

Good Morning and get that rain gear ready!

So, has there ever been a more blatantly bad political move than the one pulled by John McCain yesterday.
Now, truth be told, I am still a bit undecided on the November election. We need to move away from the current administration, but I'm not sure which candidate is the better one right now. And, no, I'm not voting for the vice president, so those candidates don't matter.
What exactly is McCain going to do when he 'suspends his campaign' and goes back to Washington, strong arm the rest of Congress? Maybe he'll give them the short-arm, thumb's up and tell them to keep up the good work.
Look, neither McCain or Democrat Barack Obama are on the committee working on this ridiculous buyout plan. The only thing happening here is not a 'suspension of the campaign,' but a political move to bolster poll numbers.
Here's an idea, let's here from both candidates on how they would fix the mess. Everything else is just more rhetoric.
By the by, I still can't believe that the only way to save the economy is to give a small amount of people more money while the rest of us sharpen pencils.
Why do I get the feeling our President is just trying to take care of his buddies.
"Fellow citizens, we must not let this happen."
By the way, the more things change the more they stay the same:


If you have any cool links or photos, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Rise and Shine

Good Morning Wednesday and let's keep the rain away!

So, despite warnings to the contrary, it appears the government is pushing ahead with its $700 billion bank bail-out plan.
Here's another idea: Take that $700 billion and pay off all the mortgages for everybody in the country making less than $300,000 a year.
That way, there would be more money to buy useless things and thus boost the economy as we head into the end of the year.
Imagine the gifts, big-screen TVs, cars, cameras clothes and food we could all buy if mortgage payments weren't taking us all down.
Suddenly, there would be a major influx of money into the system. Little companies wouldn't be struggling. The vacation industry would see a major uptick. All those who have been laid off thanks to the catch-all 'tough economic times' excuse would get their jobs back.
Hey, if our grandkid's grandkids are going to have pay for this folly, why can't we all benefit.
We would be a nation of happy people instead of people who are just fighting to get through every day.
We would be happy. Our children would be happy. Our businesses would be happy.
It's a win-win for everybody. I can't believe it hasn't been talked about down in Washington.
Tell you what, the political party that starts to push this plan would get a lot of votes. After all, that's what it's all about anyway.
By the way, here is some exclusive video of those big business CEOs after convincing the Government of its dire straits:


If you have any cool links or photos, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Rise and Shine

Good Morning crazy school boys and girls and those who have to do a full day's work just getting them ready for school!

So, how about some straight talk?
The circus left town last night. Rest assured, if you missed it, another circus will certainly come through between now and November.
They shut down Media yesterday to get ready for the circus. The show went on, the performers walked on and then off the stage. Just wondering, though, if the McCain-Palin ticket makes it to the White House, does the bus go up on e-bay.
The next circus doesn't have any set dates, but a stage will be built somewhere in the county over the next few weeks. The performers, either the same or different ones, will get out of their vehicles. Sign some autographs and then move to the next town.
How's that for a whoop-de-doo review?
By the way, did anybody else find it ironic that when George W. Bush campaigned in Media four years ago he was relegated to the back of the courthouse. There was no stage, just a few hundred people.
Now, the television media reports when the candidates go to the bathroom, how many socks they own and if they clean the wax out of their ears.
We've come a long way... or maybe not.


If you have any cool links or photos, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com

Monday, September 22, 2008

Rise and Shine

Good Morning Summer and Good Afternoon Autumn!

That's right, Summer officially ends around noon today, when Autumn officially takes over. Nowadays, though, the seasons all seem to blend together, so the big 'Kick Off Autumn' parties can wait until the weekend.
That is, unless you are treking out to Media some time today. Then again, it's probably not a good idea to trek out to Media unless you want to get stuck in traffic and the crush of John McCain/Sarah Palin supporters.
Took a drive out there Sunday evening to do some food shopping and swung around near the courthouse to see what was happening.
Tell you what, McCain and Palin can joke all they want about Barack Obama's stage during the Democratic National Convention (Yes, it was gaudy, but what about this election isn't gaudy?), but it from the amount of steal and stage being built on the courthouse steps, you would think Van Halen or Bruce Springsteen was playing this afternoon.
It appears this whole election thing is all a rock concert with stars standing on a stage. Here's hoping they can entertain as much as Van Halen or Springsteen.
By the way, in case you were wondering, Ron Reagan made a stop in Media during his march to re-election in 1984. Here's what it looked like:






If you have any cool links or photos, send them along to onlindelco@gmail.com

Friday, September 19, 2008

Rise and Shine

Good Morning and welcome to the weekend!

Well, almost, but Friday's seem to have a little more traffic on the road a little earlier, so at least we have that.
By the way, I have requested a government bailout similar to what is going on Wall Street today. I contacted the offices of Sen. Arlen Specter, Sen. Bob Casey and U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak with my request.
I haven't heard back from any of them, which is surprising, this being an election year and all. Of course, they don't need our votes, right?
Speaking of Wall Street, after hearing all day yesterday how we were in for an epic crash, all of sudden the numbers jumped up 400 points.
So, I'm going to start a new side career as a market analyst. Wait a second while I check out my stats (which means get out a quarter).
OK, it came up tails which means a moderate upswing on the day. Let's see if I have what it takes.
Meanwhile, had to trek out to that annual right of fall last night. That's right, Back to School Night.
No offense to anybody, but is there a bigger waste of time?
Over at Garretford Elementary, the principal talked for a few minutes (mostly about testing), had the home and school lady talk then somebody else gave a presentation. We were then rushed off to the classrooms where the teachers had about 10 minutes to give a presentation that is supposed to preview the entire year.
So, the teacher rushes through the presentation, then they rush everybody out.
Then again, maybe that's better. We don't, you know, want to know too much about school. That way we have more time for this:


If you have any cool links or photos, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Rise and Shine

Good Morning Wall Street and everybody else getting our money!

So, even though the government has bailed out another Wall Street firm to the tune of $85 billion, the numbers sunk to new lows Wednesday.
Thanks a lot.
Now, not only do those of us who work every day and struggle to make it from check to check have to pay the bill for bad management at AIG, but our stocks are also bleeding money.
So, we get two shots at once. First the shot to the head, then to the gut.
Meanwhile, the head of these firms are taking home millions a day then complaining about our 'economic situation.'
According to reports, AIG CEO Robert Willumstad will lose his job over this. Of course, he won't have to give back the nearly $20 million in bonus money he made this year. He will also get a pretty sweet severance, although nobody is talking what that may be. You can be pretty sure, though, Willumstad won't be working in the local Wawa any time soon.
Here's a quick question: If AIG is so far in the red it was going to collapse until the bailout, where is the money coming from to pay off the executives? I have a better idea, make them pay back everything and go from there.
All of this stock market turmoil comes down to one thing: greed.
There was a relatively small group of companies who grabbed the opportunity to climb on the back of consumers and make billions. They made it easy to get loans, credit cards, mortgages, then used high interest rates and strong-arm tactics to strangle the average person.
We didn't pay attention to the warnings and let these few run us down.
Now, they are sending jobs overseas and many are losing their homes.
Hope they enjoy the view.
Or, how about we give them a view. Divest from the stock market. Take the money away from these companies. We might be mad as hell, but until we don't take it any more the only way to go is down.
Make them sweat.
After all, they are sitting in the ivory tower telling us to eat cake.


If you have any cool links or photos, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Rise and Shine

Good Morning and welcome to another Wednesday!

Phillies Hall-of-Fame third baseman Mike Schmidt once said in Philadelphia you can experience the thrill of victory and the agony of reading about it the next day.
Schmidt, until he was at the tail end of his career, was no friend of the media. Much like other superstars, he hid after games, rarely talking.
Schmidt wouldn't be able to leave his house if he played today. The proliferation of sports talk radio has taken the fun out of the games. You can just watch the game and enjoy it for what it is, a break from normalcy. The next day, though, don't turn on the radio unless you want to hear about how bad it really was. Had it on in the car for about five minutes Tuesday and actually heard one of the hosts say the Phillies should cut or trade Ryan Howard in the offseason because he's no longer helping the team.
As someone says, 'Genius.'
Speaking of genius, how about the government giving $85 billion to AIG so the insurance company can stay afloat.
While we on the ground struggle with food prices, heating prices and the general overpricing of everything, these big companies are getting bailed out.
How about if I petition the government for money so I can remain solvent?
By the way, AIG's CFO Steven J. Bensinger took home a salary of $2.1 million last year. Meanwhile, former CEO Martin J. Sullivan got a $4.7 million severance package when he was forced out last year. Current CEO Robert Willumstad, who is rumored to be on his way out after the buyout, got an annual salary of $1 million, but took home a reported $21 million in bonuses and stock options once worth $36 million.
They need saving? How about this, instead of bailing out these companies make the greedy execs reinvest their money until the company becomes solvent. That's the way it works in the real world.


If you have any cool links or photos, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Rise and Shine

Good Morning everybody who stayed up to watch the Eagles-Cowboys game and everybody else who's a bit smarter!

Yes, the Eagles lost to the Cowboys on Monday Night Football last night. Yes, it was an exciting game that ended with a frustrating play. Yes, it was on way too late, though not as late as it used to be. Yes, times have changed.
I remember staying up way too late to watch Monday Night Football with a bunch of people a case of beer and a couple of pizzas. The games, back in the old days, wouldn't start until 9 p.m. and they would stretch until 1 a.m.
For the most part, the games would be boring, but it was more about getting together and having a little fun. Every once in a while, something exciting would happen on the television screen.
The turnaround didn't seem too bad back then. Of course, time changes all that.
I learned to hate Monday Night Football (and, by association, Hank Williams Jr.) when I started working in newspapers. Now, Monday Night Football wasn't about pizza, beer and people, it was about waiting forever until the game ended. Then waiting again for a quick story, then waiting again until a longer story came through.
It was bad enough during a 'normal' week. When the Eagles were playing, though, it was pure hell.
An Eagles Monday Night Football game meant being in the office sometimes until after 2:30 a.m., most of the time spent waiting and waiting and waiting.
Now, the games are over at a relative decent time of midnight and I don't have to wait for the story.
Still, when the alarm goes off at 4 a.m., midnight isn't such a good idea.
Hey, at least there was a reason to laugh last night:


If you have any cool links or photos, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com

Monday, September 15, 2008

Rise and Shine

Good Morning and welcome to Monday Night Football!

Well, that seems to be all anybody is talking about this morning. The Eagles play the Dallas Cowboys on the big stage tonight. Never mind that the stock market is about the fall apart.
Never mind that thousands are out of power and/or missing in Texas. Never mind that Tina Fey is actually running for vice president.
No, it''s Eagles-Cowboys. Monday Night Football.
Whoopee.

Speaking of excitement. I met Darth Vader Saturday afternoon. That's right, the real Darth Vader.
Apparently he didn't die at the end of 'Return of the Jedi.' In fact, he apparently is a good guy now.
That's right. Back in the 70s and early 80s there was nobody more evil than Darth Vader. Nobody wanted to be Darth Vader. He was the scourge of the galaxy, hellbent on taking over us all.
Now, though, thanks to some revisionist history and the need for George Lucas to make millions more, Darth Vader is a sympathetic character.
So, with the help of a 9-year old, 6-year old and 3-year old, I was able to stand in line at the King of Prussia mall all day Saturday to meet Darth Vader. We even got an autograph.
So, thanks Darth for teaching us all we can change our stripes.
By the way, he can dance:
See more funny videos at Funny or Die


If you have any cool links or photos, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com

Friday, September 12, 2008

Rise and Shine

Good Morning and welcome to the last day before the weekend (whatever that means)!

Well, we've gone and done it again.
'Travel + Leisure' magazine's survey of the American cities ranked Philadelphia last for attractive people. Now, apparently we have great monuments(No. 3) and museums (No. 4), but we are ugly and have no style (No. 25, last as well).
Then again, this poll was probably taken during and Eagles game...
So, revel in it. We may not have any championship teams to celebrate. We may not be a hot vacation spot. We may not be able to offer speedos and bikinis (Miami was ranked No. 1), but we are ugly. Then again, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Here is the complete list, by the way

Speaking of ugly, despite a small break yesterday, it appears this presidential campaign is going to get uglier by the day.
Right now, it might be better if Barack Obama, John McCain, Joe Biden and Sarah Palin just go home, sit in their kitchen and eat Ben 'n Jerry's until November.
Every little comment on both sides is being taken apart. Sound bites are all over the place. One calling the other names. The other faking some kind of outrage. The television media buying into it all.
Let's wait until after the World Series, at least, before we get back to the rhetoric. Really, is any of this changing votes.
Probably not, but maybe this will.
See more funny videos at Funny or Die


If you have any cool links or photos, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Rise and Shine

Good Morning and welcome to another Thursday!

Well, it's been seven years since airplanes piloted by terrorists slammed into the Twin Towers in New York, the Pentagon and a field outside of Pittsburgh.
Do schools cover this material during social studies class or is it still too new for everybody?
In those seven years, the world has changed all over. We are locked in a couple of unending wars and many more are wondering where their jobs went and how to pay the bills.
Still, think back seven years and most people probably remember what was happening.
It was a nice, sunny day, not unlike today. There was a leak in the car and I was standing out back with the hood up while a 2-year old was running around.
A neighbor came out his back door and said something like, "I was listening to Howard Stern and he said there is something happening in New York."
OK, I thought, some kind of stupid radio joke thing. Then the phone rang:
"Have you seen what's going on?"
No. I was outside. Wes said something about Howard Stern.
"Turn on the news. NOW!"
So, I gathered up a 2-year old who just wanted to stay outside. Ran up the steps and saw what was happening. Planes were crashing into buildings. There were reports of others in the air. All flight was grounded. Really, in those first few moments, nobody knew what was going on.
The rest of the day is kind of a blur. Eat lunch, drive to work. Everything was shut down. Suddenly, the 'normal' things were not so normal.
Even if you didn't know anybody killed in New York or Washington or Pennsylvania, you have been changed.
Now, seven years later, nothing is 'normal.' Sure. We've moved on. We've gotten back to our lives. We've fought, loved, played. Maybe that's the best way we can remember. Try to make our world better every day.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Rise and Shine

Good Morning readers and listeners!

All right, we are sick of politics. Sick of Phillies loses. Sick of hearing about the economy. Sick of hearing about the housing market. Sick of hearing about layoffs. Sick of hearing about 'Change.' Sick of hearing about FoxNews, CNN and MSNBC. Sick of hearing blowhards yell over us when you have a different opinion. Sick of high gas prices. Sick of hearing about all the violence. Sick of listening to the President talk about "winning in Iraq." Sick of computers that don't work or are outdated. Sick of seeing all the traffic on the roads. Sick of the high prices for groceries. Sick of hearing about how the Eagles are Super Bowl-bound. Sick of hearing how the Cowboys are Super Bowl-bound. Sick of being sick.
So, we need a reality check, which, of course, comes from a 9-, 6- and 3-year old.
Well, saying to the 6-year old, it's been a long day, what did you do in school today?
"The toilet overflowed," the 6-year old said.
Huh?
"The toilet overflowed," he was saying once more with emphasis.
OK. So, you spent the whole day at school and the only thing you can remember is the toilet overflowed?
"Yeah, but it was all over!"
Um. OK. What else did you do today.
"Can I tell you something?"
Sure.
"The toilet overflowed."
I can see where this is going. So, saying to the 9-year old, what did you do in school today?
"Nothing."
You spent the whole day in school and did nothing?
"Not really."
Not really? Did you just sit there all day? Did the teacher just sit at her desk?
"We did stuff." Pause. Laughing. "What happened when the toilet overflowed?"
I don't know, turning attention to the 3-year old. What did you do in school today.
"Princesses."
Princesses?
"Toilet."
Well, to all those who clean up our messes, I leave with this:


If you have any cool links or photos, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Rise and Shine

Good Morning everybody who forgot their umbrellas and those who carry them all the time!

Maybe it's because my mind always flows in 17 different directions at the same time or maybe its because I don't watch a whole lot of television any more, but I could win a gold medal in a remote control Olympics.
For instance, I give you Monday night.
After throwing a load of laundry in the washer, I sat down expecting to watch the Phillies-Marlins game. When I clicked on the television, the Packers-Vikings football game was on.
So, I checked the Phillies score, then went back to the football game. Well, that lasted about two minutes before I checked the food channel and watched about five minutes of 'Unwrapped.' Then it was back to the Phillies game for two pitches and to the Monday Night Football game for about three plays. OK, let's check to see what else.
Well, about three minutes of 'Alexander' on AMC was about enough before heading back to the Food Network. Then back to the Phillies, then a rip through all the channels, a check on the football score. Five minutes of CSI-Miami and back to the Phillies, where I managed to sit while Brad Lidge finished off the Marlins.
If you are wondering how anybody could follow all this, well, you can't. The biggest reason for all the switching: There are too many darn commercials. Every couple of minutes there seems to be a break with some annoying people talking about Cheerios or wanting our vote for president.
By the way, what is more annoying: Food commercials or election commercials.
I think we should merge them. Have Barack Obama lauding Trix, while John McCain does a spot for Uncle Sam's. Then we can cut down on the commercials and save the batteries in the remote.
Wait, they've already appeared together in a commercial hawking breakfast:


If you have any cool links or photos, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com

Monday, September 8, 2008

Rise and Shine

Good Morning Monday warriors and all those who wish the weekend was longer!

After that bit of rain Saturday, the weekend turned out pretty nice. Even if one day is a washout at least Sunday gave us a beauty and we could enjoy being outside.
Speaking of outside, took in the Green Philly event Sunday on 2nd and South. It was interesting to see all the environmentally friendly products and services we can use. Even if you are one of those who believe the global warming phenom is made up, you can't argue that using things without chemicals is better for you and your family.
Right next to the Green event was Sunday's weekly farmer's market. Whether the market be in Lansdowne, Havertown, Philadelphia or wherever, the allure of a farmer's market can't be beat. Fresh vegetables, tasty baked goods and a lot of people enjoying it all.
All in all, it made for a fun day, if not a little hectic.
Fun, that is, until you have to get involved with SEPTA. Despite all the government money and big talk, SEPTA still has a lot to be desired.
It's undoubtedly better to use the trains than drive everywhere, but SEPTA does not make it easy. When the packed people on top of people after the Live 8 concert a few years ago then claimed everything went well, I started to doubt it was the best way to travel.
After trying again Sunday, I am starting to have even more doubts. Try buying a subway token during the weekend. Unless you have exact change for the machine, forget about it. I was looking for one token Sunday and only had a $10 bill. There were workers in each of the booths at the 2nd and Market stations, but neither would help. One wouldn't even look up when I asked if I could get one token. The other told me to buy $10 worth.
Luckily, I was able to scratch up $3 in change for the machine. Sometimes I wonder if they really want you to use the trains.
Here are the only trains you can rely on:


If you have any cool links or photos, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com

Friday, September 5, 2008

Rise and Shine

Good morning hurricane watchers and everybody else ready to swim!!

Well, the week started with a storm and is ending with a storm, but at least the political conventions are finished.
Now, we can get down to the nitty gritty and find out where these political candidates really stand. There will still be plenty of rhetoric coming out of both sides, but there are some one-on-one debates coming down the pike. That means the scripted talks and friendly crowds will be gone. Let's find out how these people will really help us all out, then make a decision.
By the way, it appears this election is drawing pretty serious lines in the sand. Too many people have their favorites and refuse to hear from the other side. Too many believe if they talk louder, their point will win out.
Somebody once said never to talk politics or religion because it always ends badly. That's unfortunately true. If you support the Democrats, anybody who listens to the Republicans is 'stupid,' 'uninformed,' or 'should just shut up.' If you support the Republicans, those that listen to the Democrats are 'un-American,' 'more concerned about yourself,' 'want the terrorists to win,' or 'hope we are invaded by a foreign power.'
There are good points on both sides. Live with it. Really, when you look at it, these parties are just the different sides of the same coin. It's still a dime, no matter if it's heads or tails.
Maybe Hillary and Bill can run on the Clinton ticket and put this all to rest.


If you have any cool links or photos, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Rise and Shine

Good Morning Sept. 2 and welcome to the other side!

Since politics has become the fifth major sport, it can be somewhat entertaining to see the spin masters do their work. Much like a great pitcher (one who doesn't use steroids) unfurl a masterpiece or a great quarterback lead his team back from certain defeat, the good spinners can turn anything around.
Your candidate played craps on the street? He knows what it's like to be a real person.
Your candidate was once in the Communist party? She cares deeply about workers.
Your candidate spent most of his youth in a detention center? He was misunderstood, but that kind of history only makes him stronger against lobbyists.
Your candidate listened to rap music? She has her hand on the pulse of the young.
Your candidate smokes marijuana? He didn't inhale.
Your candidate roots for the Temple Owls football team? Sorry, he's dropped out of the race.
A friend of mine from college got into politics after graduation. He worked for the Clinton campaigns. He engrossed himself in Washington. Somehow, the road took him to Wisconsin, where last year he ran for Secretary of State.
I told him if he ever runs for President, he better send me a 'care' package because I can give the spin doctors plenty of work.
Speaking of Spin Doctors:


If you have any cool links or photos, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com

Monday, September 1, 2008

Rise and Shine

Good Morning and Happy Labor Day!

So today is Labor Day, the unofficial end to summer. Sure, the temperature will push back up into the 90s at some point over the next couple of weeks. Sure, there are still opportunities to hit the beach or take a short trip, but Labor Day is some kind of bookmark.
All of a sudden, there seems to be more pressure, there is more to do, the roads get busier (as if that's possible) and we break out of a mental slumber.
It probably goes back to all those years in school. Once Labor Day hit and the picnics were over, it was time to get back to the books. We had to pack our book bags, get the pencils sharpened and get back on the bus.
There weren't any more late nights watching television or staying outside as the moon dominated the sky. Starting the next day, we HAD to get up early. We weren't ready to go by 6 a.m., because, well, there was only school ahead. That meant work, not play.
Mentally, it's tough to break out of that mode even all these years later. Even when work is year-round. Even when there really is no different between July 10 and Sept. 10 and Oct. 10.
There's always a little bit of sadness on Labor Day. It's time to get back to the real world.
So, since there is still today, here you go:


If you have any cool links or photos, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com