Well here it is that time of the year once more. Normally all of us go out of our way to make lists of things we intend to do in the forthcoming year. These are called New Year’s  Resolutions.

Another name for them would be … “the best of intentions.”

All of us vow to lose weight, exercise more, be kinder to others, save more money, eat better foods and on and on. Health clubs do a booming business for about the first ninety days of the year and then the members get tired and fall back into their evil ways. The cycle then begins to repeat itself by us forgetting our resolutions and sinking back into the depths of depravity by sucking down those cola’s, eating chocolate and ‘forgetting’ our workout clothes which keeps us from going to the gym. So much for good intentions.

It’s not that we’re bad, we’re just human.

In my younger days, I was often compared in looks to Alan Ladd. Then it was Robert Wagner….then Tim Conway. Last week it was Burl Ives. This is the end of the road for me. 2009 is going to be the new year for me. I am committed to losing weight and getting into better shape. Burl Ives , indeed! The person telling me this had to be at least eighty years old…perhaps his eyesight was failing. Who knows, but I can’t take a chance.

My last three columns have been written about bad things that have happened in this country and I promised to write something positive before Christmas, so here it is.

Last week a friend of mine had to opt out of playing Santa at a local church so he conned me into going in his place. Having the vision of Burl Ives freshly planted in my head, I decided to accept, knowing that this is the last year I would be able to play the part without extra padding. My golden retriever was very surprised to see me in a Santa suit. I think it dawned on her who I was and that she might get her wish for thumbs or a can opener.

What Happened to America (Part Three)

I know I promised I would write something positive for the holidays and trust me, I will. I just had to finish out this series. Before Christmas I’ll get one out that is more on the upbeat.

But, first I have to tell you about this.

Last week, a man in Florida came forward and told the police a horrible story. It seems this man had been in a reform school in Florida back in the 50’s. During the time he was incarcerated, he witnessed a number of abuses to other kids including murder. According to his report, there are about 32 unmarked graves on the reform school property.

This man, now in his 60’s, located three of his former ‘classmates’ via the internet and the four of them , now called the White House Boys, decided that enough time had passed and they reported the abuses to the authorities. Florida officials are now looking into the matter and trying to decide if any crimes had actually occurred and if so what can or should be done about it.

What Happened to America? (Part Two)

Last week, I wrote a column about a nineteen year old boy in Florida who committed suicide on the internet and only one of the thousands who were watching this take place bothered to call the police. Oh, and did I mention that the young man posted his name and address? What a shame.

This week I wanted to write something about the upcoming holiday season and try to be in a more upbeat festive mood, but things just keep getting in my way. I really did have good intentions.

So what am I going to discuss this week?

Holiday shopping at its worst.

The day after Thanksgiving, up in someplace called Valley Stream, New York a Wal-Mart employee was trampled to death by the crowds rushing in to buy their on sale Christmas items. The police had been called to the store at 3:30 in the morning to help with crowd control. By 5:30 am the crowd was out of control and had become what one observer called a ‘rabble’. Wal-Mart workers tried to calm the crowd down but had no success. The glass to the doors shattered from the force of the 2,000 customers and as the mob made its way into the building, one 34 year old Wal-Mart worker was crushed to death as the ‘holiday’ crowd rushed over him.

I trust your holiday was joyful. Now that you’ve had your fill of pie and cakes and have drifted off into a sugar high state of mind, I’m going to bring you back into the world of reality.

No, I’m not going to talk about the upcoming holiday season and all of the pretty lights and parties that occur this time of the year. I’m not going to talk about some wonderful Christmas cruise or vacation someone is taking.

What I’m going to talk about is simple.

What happened to America?

Last week, there was a story making its way around concerning a young nineteen year old boy who hooked himself up to the internet and then committed suicide while people watched. This young boy posted a note about what he was going to do along with a link to his website and camera. He was using a blog site from some body building forum.

Here it is Thanksgiving again and as usual everyone will still be trying to figure out the best way to cook a turkey. You’d think by this time in our lives we would have figured it out, but since we only cook one a year, I suppose it’s only natural to forget. Do they even sell turkeys in July? I’ll have to check next summer.

I know we are thankful for one thing. The election is finally over. Now we can have peace and quiet for at least another six months before the mid term campaigning starts up. I know that thrills you to think about what is coming in the next eight or nine months. I really think a lot of money could be made if we had a couple of Campaign Channels on the tube. Just show campaign speeches and fund raising 24/7…..oh, wait …I forgot we have that now.