My Fellow Americans

Last night I recorded the Letterman Show because I thought the Betty White segment might be funny. After watching her present her "Top Ten Ways to a Long Life", I was ready to switch channels when Admiral Michael Mullen came on. I thought this was going to be a real yawner and it was until, Dave asked him about his early life. Well this guy was a number one Goof Off. His time at Annapolis and early naval career made my wasted youth look like time spent in a mountaintop abbey somewhere in the Himalayas. This guy bumbled his way through The Naval Academy graduating in the BOTTOM third of his class and went on to become The Chairman of The Joint Chiefs of Staff. Now, three of the guys that helped me Goof Off my way through high school went on to fair heights in the military, one a Colonel in the Army (ours) another, I think, a Commander in the Navy (again ours) and the other has never admitted to me how high he went while serving in the armed forces. Although I have almost (not any) military experience, I do have extensive Goofing Off experience. Does this qualify me for a high level government post? I think so! In today's world it seems like indiscretion and poor judgement are essential to holding high level political positions. Here again, I'm sure that, if that is what it takes, I can be as indiscreet as the next guy and, poor judgement, did you ever see some of those outfits I wore in the Sixties? With some major elections coming up soon, watch for campaign flyers and commercials pushing for my election. In the mean time I'll be working on as many indiscretions that time will allow by studying up up on Tom Jefferson, Tricky Dick Nixon, Billy Clinton, that Edwards guy and "Home Photography for Fun and Profit" by Senator Tony D'Weiner. I will appreciate your votes and promise to live up to the standards set those who (or whom) served before me!
(for a humorous peek at Admiral Mullens, check out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YLsETCKd7Y&feature=related)

How Grand

Last January Newsweek listed Grand Rapids, Michigan as one of the top ten cities in decline. I lived in Grand Rapids for a few years working for a couple of ad agencies. Actually, we packed up our "62 Beetle with our treasured possessions, along with daughter Elaine and baby Derek, and left our downtown Chicago apartment for the call of the wild North. Now GR is no NY, NY, but it has its charm and its own brand of excitement. Amway is just one town away, Holland MI with its tulips is a short distance in the other direction, Lake Michigan beaches are fairly close and former President Jerry Ford came from GR. (It even sports a museum bearing his name) At one time GR was probably the "Office Furniture Capital of the US and SteelCase Corp, is still located there. (I think) At any rate, GR, undoubtedly had its hackles hackled by the Newsweek article and have replied with what Roger Ebert called "The greatest music video ever made". Even though I was never madly in love with GR, I did enjoy living there and met some wonderful folks, some of who are friends to this day. After watching this video I what a nice place it really was and how I hope that their spirit will keep it off of Newsweek's (or anybody else's dying town lists. What makes this video even more incredible is that it was (supposedly) shot in one take. Take a look at a "dying town".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPjjZCO67WI