"Death makes strange bedfellows"

I won't make any comments specifically about the Terri Schiavo case because I don't know what to say, which is unusual for me.....What I do find interesting is that many on the right and many on the left are forming ranks with each other which points out the fact that we are neither always liberal nor always conservative. I heard one commentator expressing his sentiments that he couldn't understand why so many Republicans were in favor of replacing Terri's feeding tube when this should have been a "liberal" cause. Huh?
I hear quotes from the Bible or readings from great scholars that the proponents for each side spew out, trying to convince the opposition of what is right and what is wrong. I wish I hadn't damaged so many brain cells in my youth so that I could remember some of the platitudes that would sound "brainy" and I could prop myself up and say "here's the true answer". There is no true answer.
Is it wrong to simply go about my daily chores and let someone else make the decisions for me such as weekend emergency sessions of the government? Should I consult my minister and have him direct me to what is right and what is wrong? Or do I do some soul-searching and try to come up with the answer on my own? I can't. I'm like a lot of people who just want the problem to go away.
Our medical technology has advanced to the point where "life" can be sustained indefinitely. Life as we used to think of as life, that is.
I have been in several nursing homes in my association with the DMN. This requires me going into the bowels of the homes and assisted living centers, places that the general public doesn't get a chance to see. There are frail, elderly people lying in their beds, barely over 80 lbs., moaning, soiling themselves, calling out "help me, help me". They are medicated without any clue of their surroundings. I know I don't want that for myself....... I'm know I don't want to die in my sleep, because hell, that could happen tonight. Watch out what you wish for.
So here we are at a stalemate. Charges have been levied against both sides. No one knows who to believe. The U. S. Congress and President of the United States have stepped in. Anguished parents want to simply care for their daughter. A grief-stricken husband wants to go on with his life. And a poor woman lies in a vegetative state unaware, or perhaps aware, of what is going on around her. Is there no King Solomon who can gives us the right answer?
God, help us all.

"Reading instead of Writing"

There have been so many new blogs that I have found lately, I have been remiss in keeping this part of my life in order. Also, I have been working on a new on-line service that will be releasing in the coming weeks and have been trying to get as much information ready for that groundbreaker. In the meantime, I offer you this little wink of sunshine.

"I'd RATHER Not"

I tried, I tried, I tried, but I just can't let Dan Rather get away without one parting shot. Dan, these days you are simply just a talking head. That's it. No more, no less. And that goes for the rest of the "icons" out there. Anyone who has ever seen a live newscast, been on any kind of a set, around a radio booth, backstage in a theatre, knows these are just people. They put their pants on one leg at a time and they have the same bodily functions that you and I have. It doesn't come out in a paper bag. Don't get me wrong, I admire Dan for his work in the early years, much like I admire the thousands of other journalists who have risked life and limb to bring us the news. But it is the guys in the trenches, they're the ones who I respect. That's where Dan was at one time. When the curtain has fallen and the game is over. It's over. The anchors like all of the rest of the working stiffs in the world go home and live a real life.
After watching Bob Scheiffer during his first night. I think CBS might have a chance at getting their integrity back.

"The Vanishing Newspaper"

If you are involved in the newspaper industry or even simply read the newspaper, there is a chance to hear what the future holds for the traditional ink-on-print version of what has been the mainstay for the enlightenment of the masses. Today at 1:00 p.m. (CST) the Media Center at the American Press Institute will be broadcasting a webonair panel discussion of The Vanishing Newspaper . The panel will include the top dogs in the ever changing world of Journalism. Tim Porter, Jeff Jarvis, Philip Meyer and others should provide questions and answers to what I believe will help us decide whether we are staying or getting out of this facet of an evolving industry . Sound boring? Maybe. But, hey, I'd rather have a glimpse at my future instead of waking up one morning and not having something to read in the can!!

"Ten things I have done that I bet you haven't done"

I have to give credit to the Dallas Morning News Blog for this idea but it did make me think of some of the crazy antics and memorable moments I have had during my life. Please feel free to add your listings at the end of this post. They can be posted anonymously.

1.Threw a mattress out of 11th floor window of Adolphus Hotel after 67' Texas-OU football game.
2. Had personal tour of Spiro Agnew's (who?) Vice-Presidential airplane.
3. A year later smoked a pack of cigs that had V-P insignia because I couldn't find any others. The only memento I had kept.
4. Had exclusive interview with first Air Force Ace of Vietnam War.
5. Drained a 1/5 of Johnny Walker Black with Jim Brady, White House Press Secretary, months before he was shot.
6. Had access to hundreds of thousands of dollars in bank deposit box used for Congressional candidate in Oklahoma
7. Have never voted for a Democrat.
8. Cut umbilical cord of all three kids.
9. Saw a UFO.
10. Cleaned Chuck Norris's swimming pool.