I'm a lifelong Republican and more times than not I vote for the Republican candidate. However, on some occasions I tend to vote the opposite party when I see a conservative Democratic candidate.
Generally speaking a Republican usually takes-a-stand for smaller government, less taxation, and generally tends to defend traditional American values like opposite sex marriages, pro gun rights, and pro-life positions.
So when a candidate comes along and professes to be a conservative. . . most true Republicans believe they should vote along the lines drawn by our Conservative values. That's why I have questioned Ehrlich's judgement while he was elected as Maryland's Governor. Here are some pertinent facts:
Under Ehrlich we had:
1. Highest increase in State portion of Real Property Tax - even despite the Revenue Cap for Wicomico County.
2. Highest increase in tag fees for Maryland residents ever. Almost 400% higher than Delaware.
3. Flush tax imposed on our citizenry.
4. Highest increase in electricity rates -(72%)- for Constellation residents - in the entire Country.
5. Virtually no renewable energy policy for Marylanders . . period. . . while our sister state of Delaware is setting a national standard envious for the rest of the world.
So when I see someone like Ehrlich endorse a candidate - Harris - for the House of Representatives I tend to perceive the candidate with a high degree of skepticism. Surely, the same scenario must exist for other brethren Republicans in light of what has transpired under his former leadership as Governor.
Now I voted for Andy Harris, but, I must admit that I had some reservation about doing this because Ehrlich's endorsement.
What I believe we need here on the eastern shore is a 'NEW BREED' of Conservatism that will 'walk the talk' and reflect the traditional core conservative values. I know that is easier said than done but with all that has transpired under the Republican party's domination is an abomination to say the least.
The Republican party's new leadership needs to be bold, stern, and not waffle on issues of increasing taxation, larger government no matter what the consequences. I've have often said that a good Conservative candidate that 'walks the talk' will also earn the respect of his fellow Democrat if he'll just adhere to his primary conservative philosophies.
What we have witnessed at both the Federal and State levels is Republican Conservatism wandering way-off its traditional core course.
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Thursday, November 06, 2008
Strabbing At WalMart?
This just in.......
"just heard that there was a stabbing in the lawn and garden center at walmart.. not sure which location ..but i'm guess N. Salisbury."
"just heard that there was a stabbing in the lawn and garden center at walmart.. not sure which location ..but i'm guess N. Salisbury."
Why The Eastern Shore Voted Like They Did & What Should We Expect To Hear About Kratovil/Harris
OK, I have been asked numerous times why the numbers on the Presidential Race ended up so high for the Republican Presidential Party, yet so low for Republican Congressional Party here on the Eastern Shore, (Wicomico County). I'll tell you why but you're just going to have to face facts and accept what I tell you.
First of all, Frank Kratovil labeled himself from the Eastern Shore and traditionally, (obviously) in this District this is no secret that Eastern Shore people have owned this position. I firmly believe that since Frank aligned himself with that he did a good job in doing so. Andy was labeled someone from the "Western Shore" therefore we always knew all along this was going to be a difficult territory for him to succeed in and you can't say we didn't give it our all to get people to realize he was a good man.
So you then say, well why did so many people on the Eastern Shore vote in such high numbers for the Republican Presidential Race then? Well, that's quite simple Folks. There was no way the Eastern Shore was going to vote a Black Man into Office, plain and simple. It is what it is, you have been asking me for days now why things turned out like they did and that is my own personal opinion as to why things turned out like they did.
Now, what do "I" think is going to be the final outcome of the Kratovil/Harris Race. I think Kratovil is going to pull this off and win. Look, going into the absentee ballots Kratovil was already up some 950 votes. That's one hell of a lead and there's no way Andy is going to pull off a win in Kent County or Queen Anne County. He may do well in Anne Arundel County but if things go the same way as most voters voted in Wicomico County, this thing is over.
Like it or not, it is what it is and it is how "I" feel. Everyone knows my hope is still with Andy Harris but the numbers just aren't convincing me that he'll be able to pull this off. The 1st District is in good hands with either Candidate and we're certainly far better off than we were with Gilchrest. DON'T SHOOT THE MESSENGER!
I Do Not Believe We're Going To Have Any Answers Today On Kratovil/Harris
I'm told here in Wicomico County that they're only going to count 2,500 of the ballots today and the balance tomorrow. So if you're on the edge of your seat, relax for a while.
I also heard Harris is doing really well in Anne Arundel County. I'll keep you posted as the information comes in.
I also heard Harris is doing really well in Anne Arundel County. I'll keep you posted as the information comes in.
Red States vs Blue States
"Dear Red States:
If you manage to steal this election too we've decided we're leaving. We intend to form our own country, and we're taking the other Blue States with us. In case you aren't aware, that includes us (California), Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois and all the Northeast. We believe this split will be
beneficial to the nation, and especially to the people of the new country of
New California.
To sum up briefly: You get Texas, Oklahoma and all the slave states. We get stem cell research and the best beaches. We get the Statue of Liberty. You get Dollywood. We get Intel and Microsoft. You get WorldCom. We get Harvard. You get Ole' Miss. We get 85% of America's venture capital and entrepreneurs. You get Alabama.
We get two-thirds of the tax revenue, you get to make the red states pay their fair share.
Since our aggregate divorce rate is 22% lower than the Christian Coalition's, we get a bunch of happy families. You get a bunch of single moms.
Please be aware that Nuevo California will be pro-choice and anti-war, and we're going to want all our citizens back from Iraq at once. If you need people to fight, ask your evangelicals. They have kids they're apparently willing to send to their deaths for no purpose, and they don't care if you don't show pictures of their
children's caskets coming home. We do wish you success in Iraq, and hope that the WMDs turn up, but we're not willing to spend our resources in Bush's Quagmire.
With the Blue States in hand, we will have firm control of 80% of the country's fresh water, more than 90% of the pineapple and lettuce, 92% of the nation's fresh fruit, 95% of America's quality wines, 90% of all cheese, 90% of the high tech industry, 95% of the corn and soybeans (thanks Iowa!), most of the U.S. low-sulfur coal, all living redwoods, sequoias and condors, all the Ivy and Seven Sister schools plus Stanford, Cal Tech and MIT.
With the Red States, on the other hand, you will have to cope with 88% of all obese Americans (and their projected health care costs), 92% of all U.S. mosquitoes, nearly 100% of the tornadoes, 90% of the hurricanes, 99% of all Southern Baptists, virtually 100% of all televangelists, Rush Limbaugh, Bob Jones University, Clemson and the University of Georgia.
We get Hollywood and Yosemite, thank you.
Additionally, 38% of those in the Red states believe Jonah was actually swallowed by a whale, 62% believe life is sacred unless we're discussing the war, the death penalty or gun laws, 44% say that evolution is only a theory, 53% that Saddam was involved in 9/11 and 61% of you crazy bastards believe you are people with higher morals then we lefties.
Finally, we're taking the good pot, too. You can have that dirt weed they grow in Mexico.
Peace out,
Blue States"
If you manage to steal this election too we've decided we're leaving. We intend to form our own country, and we're taking the other Blue States with us. In case you aren't aware, that includes us (California), Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois and all the Northeast. We believe this split will be
beneficial to the nation, and especially to the people of the new country of
New California.
To sum up briefly: You get Texas, Oklahoma and all the slave states. We get stem cell research and the best beaches. We get the Statue of Liberty. You get Dollywood. We get Intel and Microsoft. You get WorldCom. We get Harvard. You get Ole' Miss. We get 85% of America's venture capital and entrepreneurs. You get Alabama.
We get two-thirds of the tax revenue, you get to make the red states pay their fair share.
Since our aggregate divorce rate is 22% lower than the Christian Coalition's, we get a bunch of happy families. You get a bunch of single moms.
Please be aware that Nuevo California will be pro-choice and anti-war, and we're going to want all our citizens back from Iraq at once. If you need people to fight, ask your evangelicals. They have kids they're apparently willing to send to their deaths for no purpose, and they don't care if you don't show pictures of their
children's caskets coming home. We do wish you success in Iraq, and hope that the WMDs turn up, but we're not willing to spend our resources in Bush's Quagmire.
With the Blue States in hand, we will have firm control of 80% of the country's fresh water, more than 90% of the pineapple and lettuce, 92% of the nation's fresh fruit, 95% of America's quality wines, 90% of all cheese, 90% of the high tech industry, 95% of the corn and soybeans (thanks Iowa!), most of the U.S. low-sulfur coal, all living redwoods, sequoias and condors, all the Ivy and Seven Sister schools plus Stanford, Cal Tech and MIT.
With the Red States, on the other hand, you will have to cope with 88% of all obese Americans (and their projected health care costs), 92% of all U.S. mosquitoes, nearly 100% of the tornadoes, 90% of the hurricanes, 99% of all Southern Baptists, virtually 100% of all televangelists, Rush Limbaugh, Bob Jones University, Clemson and the University of Georgia.
We get Hollywood and Yosemite, thank you.
Additionally, 38% of those in the Red states believe Jonah was actually swallowed by a whale, 62% believe life is sacred unless we're discussing the war, the death penalty or gun laws, 44% say that evolution is only a theory, 53% that Saddam was involved in 9/11 and 61% of you crazy bastards believe you are people with higher morals then we lefties.
Finally, we're taking the good pot, too. You can have that dirt weed they grow in Mexico.
Peace out,
Blue States"
Question of the Day, Thur 11/6
It's been almost a week since the kids filled the house with candy from trick-or-treating. Joe called me with a wonderful question, which I cannot ignore. I know Joe's answer, but I'd still like for him to answer. So, inquiring minds want to know. . .
Are you a biter or a sucker? of candy. When you have a sweet tooth after dinner and go hoard the kids' Halloween basket . . . and you get that lollipop or piece of candy, do you savor it in your mouth . . . or do you just chew it and swallow?
Are you a biter or a sucker? of candy. When you have a sweet tooth after dinner and go hoard the kids' Halloween basket . . . and you get that lollipop or piece of candy, do you savor it in your mouth . . . or do you just chew it and swallow?
Gannett Freezes Pay
Moments ago Gannett Co., Inc, - (The Daily Times parent Co.) - announced pay cuts for all CEO's. One executive editor of the Arizonia Republic publication announced he is voluntarily cutting his pay by 17%.
This news comes on the edge of their stock value's continuing decline today. It presently is hovering just above its all-time record low and is presently trading at $10.53/share.
http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2008/11/03/daily48.html
This news comes on the edge of their stock value's continuing decline today. It presently is hovering just above its all-time record low and is presently trading at $10.53/share.
http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2008/11/03/daily48.html
A Comment Worthy Of A Post
This just in... Stand by America.
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/11/06/news/ML-Iran-Obama.php
Iran leader offers Obama landmark congratulation
The Associated Press
Thursday, November 6, 2008
TEHRAN,Iran: President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has congratulated Barack Obama on his election win — the first time an Iranian leader has offered such wishes to a U.S. president-elect since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Ahmadinejad sent a message to Obama in which he congratulated the Democrat on "attracting the majority of voters in the election."
The text of the note was carried by the official IRNA news agency on Thursday.
In the message, Ahmadinejad also says he hopes Obama will "use the opportunity to serve the (American) people and leave a good name" during his term in office.
Iran and U.S. have no formal diplomatic relations since 1979 and the hostage drama when militant Iranian students held 52 Americans captive 444 days.
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/11/06/news/ML-Iran-Obama.php
Iran leader offers Obama landmark congratulation
The Associated Press
Thursday, November 6, 2008
TEHRAN,Iran: President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has congratulated Barack Obama on his election win — the first time an Iranian leader has offered such wishes to a U.S. president-elect since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Ahmadinejad sent a message to Obama in which he congratulated the Democrat on "attracting the majority of voters in the election."
The text of the note was carried by the official IRNA news agency on Thursday.
In the message, Ahmadinejad also says he hopes Obama will "use the opportunity to serve the (American) people and leave a good name" during his term in office.
Iran and U.S. have no formal diplomatic relations since 1979 and the hostage drama when militant Iranian students held 52 Americans captive 444 days.
Salisbury Police Department Press Releases
On November 4, 2008 at approximately 1:15 am, Officers of the Salisbury Police Department received a call to respond to the area of Emory Court for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, the officers located one (1) male victim who had suffered a gunshot to the side. The victim was transported to the Peninsula Regional Medical Center for treatment and remains in stable condition. Witnesses advised that the victim and suspect had been involved in an argument which led to the single suspect producing a handgun and firing the weapon at the victim, striking the victim. The suspect was described as a black male, medium height, young, and “skinny”. Prior to the shooting, the suspect had been located in a baby blue SUV type vehicle. The investigation is continuing.
If anyone has any information concerning this incident, they are asked to contact the Salisbury Police Department at 410-548-3165, or to contact Crime solvers at 410-548-1776.
CC # 200800040839
On November 3, 2008 at approximately 10:04 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police Department received a call to respond to the area of E. Lehigh Avenue for the report of a burglary in progress. Upon arrival, the officers learned that the below listed suspect had been observed by the victim and witnesses pushing his way into the victim’s residence, and taking two (2) cellular telephones. The victim and witnesses knew the suspect from a past association. The officers were able to locate the suspect a short distance away and following a short foot chase, were able to take the suspect into custody. The suspect was still in possession of the stolen cellular telephones, which were recovered.
ARRESTED: Hughland Edward Ivey, 33 years of age Salisbury, Maryland
CHARGES:
First degree burglary
Fourth degree burglary
Theft (under $ 500)
DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking
CC # 200800040817
On November 3, 2008 at approximately 11:22 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police received a call to respond to the three hundred (300) block of Washington Street for the report of a domestic dispute. Upon arrival, the officers were advised that following an earlier argument, the below listed suspect had forced his way into a residence and had assaulted the occupant. The suspect had been given an earlier trespass notice concerning the residence. During the transport from the area, the suspect assaulted the transporting officer and became disorderly.
ARRESTED: Daniel Nathan Elliott, Sr. 48 years of age Salisbury, Maryland
CHARGES:
First degree burglary
Third degree burglary
Fourth degree burglary
Second degree assault (3 counts)
Disorderly Conduct
Resisting arrest
Trespassing on private property
DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking
CC # 200800040831
If anyone has any information concerning this incident, they are asked to contact the Salisbury Police Department at 410-548-3165, or to contact Crime solvers at 410-548-1776.
CC # 200800040839
On November 3, 2008 at approximately 10:04 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police Department received a call to respond to the area of E. Lehigh Avenue for the report of a burglary in progress. Upon arrival, the officers learned that the below listed suspect had been observed by the victim and witnesses pushing his way into the victim’s residence, and taking two (2) cellular telephones. The victim and witnesses knew the suspect from a past association. The officers were able to locate the suspect a short distance away and following a short foot chase, were able to take the suspect into custody. The suspect was still in possession of the stolen cellular telephones, which were recovered.
ARRESTED: Hughland Edward Ivey, 33 years of age Salisbury, Maryland
CHARGES:
First degree burglary
Fourth degree burglary
Theft (under $ 500)
DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking
CC # 200800040817
On November 3, 2008 at approximately 11:22 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police received a call to respond to the three hundred (300) block of Washington Street for the report of a domestic dispute. Upon arrival, the officers were advised that following an earlier argument, the below listed suspect had forced his way into a residence and had assaulted the occupant. The suspect had been given an earlier trespass notice concerning the residence. During the transport from the area, the suspect assaulted the transporting officer and became disorderly.
ARRESTED: Daniel Nathan Elliott, Sr. 48 years of age Salisbury, Maryland
CHARGES:
First degree burglary
Third degree burglary
Fourth degree burglary
Second degree assault (3 counts)
Disorderly Conduct
Resisting arrest
Trespassing on private property
DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking
CC # 200800040831
Absentee Ballots
I know many of you are wondering what is going on today but I'm NOT going to deliver hour by hour results. I think the best thing to do is sit back and wait for the results and in due time we'll know who our next Congressman is.
I'm told Joe Holloway, Stevie Prettyman and Gail Bartkovitch are here in Salisbury counting ballots. I just thank GOD that Bubba Comegys isn't counting anything because we all know how the Bubba Math goes!
I'm told Joe Holloway, Stevie Prettyman and Gail Bartkovitch are here in Salisbury counting ballots. I just thank GOD that Bubba Comegys isn't counting anything because we all know how the Bubba Math goes!
Do You Enjoy A Good Cigar?
Tonight a group of us are getting together at 300 W. Main Street to enjoy a Cigar and Fellowship between Friends. If you'd like to join us, come on out, sit back, relax and enjoy a fancy and or cheap cigar, we don't care. We'll even have some celebrities here from Princess Anne. We'll be gathering at 6:30 PM. Come see what we've done with the place.
Main Street Gym Fundraiser
Joe
Main St Gym's second annual Longaberger Basket Bingo fund raiser will be tonight at the Salisbury Moose. The proceeds will go to help complete the new Main St Gym facility being built on Northwood Dr.
Doors open at 5:30 pm
Entry fee Call ahead reserve $20 or $25 at the door
Games begin at 7:00 pm
Longaberger Baskets are filled
Main St Gym's second annual Longaberger Basket Bingo fund raiser will be tonight at the Salisbury Moose. The proceeds will go to help complete the new Main St Gym facility being built on Northwood Dr.
Doors open at 5:30 pm
Entry fee Call ahead reserve $20 or $25 at the door
Games begin at 7:00 pm
Longaberger Baskets are filled
Be VERY Careful Where You Buy Gift Cards This Holiday Season
STORE CLOSINGS AND LAYOFFS
If you have gift cards, hurry up and use them!!
Ann Taylor closing 117 stores nationwide. A co mpa ny spokeswoman said the company hasn't revealed which stores will be shuttered. It will let the stores that will close this fiscal year know over the next month.
Eddie Bauer to close more stores. Eddie Bauer has already closed 27 shops in the first quarter and plans to close up to two more outlet stores by the end of the year.
Cache closing stores. Women's retailer Cache announced that it is closing 20 to 23 stores this year.
Lane Bryant, Fashion Bug, Catherines closing 150 stores nationwide. The owner of retailers Lane Bryant, Fashion Bug, Catherines Plus Sizes will close about 150 underperforming stores this year. The company hasn't provided a list of specific store closures and can't say when it will offer that info, spokeswoman Brooke Perry said today.
Ta lbots, J. Jill closing stores. About a month ago, Talbots announced that it will be shuttering all 78 of its kids and men's stores. Now the company says it will close another 22 underperforming stores. The 22 stores will be a mix of Talbots Women's and J. Jill, another chain it owns. The closures will occur this fiscal year, according to a company press release.
Gap Inc. closing 85 stores. In addition to its namesake chain, Gap also owns Old Navy and Banana Republic. The company said the closures - all planned for fiscal 2008 - will be weighted toward the Gap brand.
Foot Locker to close 140 stores. In the company press release and during its conference call with analysts today, it did not specify where the future store closures - all planned in fiscal 2008 - will be. The company could not be immedia te ly reached for comment.
Wickes is going out of business. Wickes Furniture is going out of business and losing all of its stores, Wickes, a 37-year-old retailer that targets middle-income customers, filed for bankruptcy protection last month.
Goodbye Levitz & BOMBAY - closed already. The furniture retailer, which is going out of business. Levitz first announced it was going out of business and closing all 76 of its stores in December. The retailer dates back to 1910 when Richard Levitz opened his first furniture store in Lebanon , PA. In the 1960s, the warehouse/showroom concept brought Levitz to the forefront of the furniture industry. The local Levitz closures will follow the shutdown of Bombay ..
Zales, Piercing Pagoda closing stores. The o wner of Zales and Piercing Pagoda previously said it plans to close 82 stores by July 31. Today, it announced that it is closing another 23 underperforming stores. The company said it's not providing a list of specific store closures. Of the 105 locations planned for closure, 50 are kiosks and 55 are stores.
Disney Store owner has the right to close 98 stores. The Walt Disney Company announced it acquired about 220 Disney Stores from subsidiaries of The Children's Place Retail Stores. The exact number of stores acquired will depend on negotiations with landlords. Those subsidiaries of Children's Place filed for bankruptcy protection in late March. Walt Disney in the news release said it has also obtained the right to close about 98 Disney Stores in the U.S. The press release didn't list those stores.
Home Depot store closings. &a mp; nbsp;(E. Brunswick, Rt 18 just put up their closing sign), ATLANTA - Nearly 7+ months after its chief executive said there were no plans to cut the number of its core retail stores, The Home Depot Inc. announced Thursday that it is shuttering 15 of them amid a slumping U.S. economy and housing market. The move will affect 1,300 employees. It is the first time the world's largest home improvement store chain has ever closed a flagship store for performance reasons. Its shares rose almost 5 percent. The Atlanta-based company said the underperforming U.S.stores being closed represent less than 1 percent of its existing stores. They will be shuttered within the next two months.
CompUSA (CLOSED) clarifies details on store closings. Any extended warranties purchased for products through CompUSA will be honored by a third-party provider, Assurant Solutions. Gift cards, rain checks, and rebat es p urchased prior to December 12 can be redeemed at any time during the final sale. For those who have a gadget currently in for service with CompUSA, the repair will be completed and the gadget will be returned to owners. http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9834177-7html
Macy 's - 9 stores closing.
Movie Gallery & Hollywood Video - 160 stores as part of reorganization plan to exit bankruptcy. The video rental company plans to close 400 of 3,500 Movie Gallery and Hollywood Video stores in addition to the 520 locations the video rental chain closed last fall.
Pep Boys - 33 stores.
Sprint Nextel - 125 retail locations New Sprint Nextel CEO Dan Hesse appears to have inherited a company bleeding subscribers by the thousands, and will now officially be dropping the ax on 4,000 employees and 125 retail locations. Amid the loss of 639,000 postpaid customers in the fourth quarter, Sprint will be cutting a total of 6.7% of its work force (following the 5,000 layoffs last year) and 8% of company-owned brick-and-mortar stores, while remaining mute on other rumors that it will consolidate its headquarters in Kansas. Sprint Nextel shares are down $2.89, or nearly 25%, at the time of this writing.
J.C. Penney, Lowe's and Office Depot are scaling back.
Ethan Allen Interiors - the company announced plans to close 12 of 300+ stores in an effo rt to cut costs.
Wilsons the Leather Experts - 158 stores.
Pacific Sunwear will close its 154 Demo stores after a review of strategic alternatives for the urban-apparel brand. Seventy-four underperforming Demo stores closed last May.
Sharper Image - the company recently filed for bankruptcy protection and announced that 90 of its 184 stores are closing. The retailer will still operate 94 stores to pay off debts, but 90 of these stores have performed poorly and also may close.
Bombay Company - (Freehold Mall store closed) The company unveiled plans to close all 384 U.S.- based Bombay Company stores. The company's online storefront has discontinued operations.
KB Toys - posted a list of 356 stores that it is closing around the U nited States as part of its bankruptcy reorganization. To see the list of store closings, go to the KB Toys Information web site, and click on Press Information.
Dillard's to close more stores. Dillard's Inc. said it will continue to focus on closing under-performing stores, reducing expenses and improving its merchandise in 2008. At the company's annual shareholder meeting, CEO William Dillard II said the company will close another six underperforming stores this year.
If you have gift cards, hurry up and use them!!
Ann Taylor closing 117 stores nationwide. A co mpa ny spokeswoman said the company hasn't revealed which stores will be shuttered. It will let the stores that will close this fiscal year know over the next month.
Eddie Bauer to close more stores. Eddie Bauer has already closed 27 shops in the first quarter and plans to close up to two more outlet stores by the end of the year.
Cache closing stores. Women's retailer Cache announced that it is closing 20 to 23 stores this year.
Lane Bryant, Fashion Bug, Catherines closing 150 stores nationwide. The owner of retailers Lane Bryant, Fashion Bug, Catherines Plus Sizes will close about 150 underperforming stores this year. The company hasn't provided a list of specific store closures and can't say when it will offer that info, spokeswoman Brooke Perry said today.
Ta lbots, J. Jill closing stores. About a month ago, Talbots announced that it will be shuttering all 78 of its kids and men's stores. Now the company says it will close another 22 underperforming stores. The 22 stores will be a mix of Talbots Women's and J. Jill, another chain it owns. The closures will occur this fiscal year, according to a company press release.
Gap Inc. closing 85 stores. In addition to its namesake chain, Gap also owns Old Navy and Banana Republic. The company said the closures - all planned for fiscal 2008 - will be weighted toward the Gap brand.
Foot Locker to close 140 stores. In the company press release and during its conference call with analysts today, it did not specify where the future store closures - all planned in fiscal 2008 - will be. The company could not be immedia te ly reached for comment.
Wickes is going out of business. Wickes Furniture is going out of business and losing all of its stores, Wickes, a 37-year-old retailer that targets middle-income customers, filed for bankruptcy protection last month.
Goodbye Levitz & BOMBAY - closed already. The furniture retailer, which is going out of business. Levitz first announced it was going out of business and closing all 76 of its stores in December. The retailer dates back to 1910 when Richard Levitz opened his first furniture store in Lebanon , PA. In the 1960s, the warehouse/showroom concept brought Levitz to the forefront of the furniture industry. The local Levitz closures will follow the shutdown of Bombay ..
Zales, Piercing Pagoda closing stores. The o wner of Zales and Piercing Pagoda previously said it plans to close 82 stores by July 31. Today, it announced that it is closing another 23 underperforming stores. The company said it's not providing a list of specific store closures. Of the 105 locations planned for closure, 50 are kiosks and 55 are stores.
Disney Store owner has the right to close 98 stores. The Walt Disney Company announced it acquired about 220 Disney Stores from subsidiaries of The Children's Place Retail Stores. The exact number of stores acquired will depend on negotiations with landlords. Those subsidiaries of Children's Place filed for bankruptcy protection in late March. Walt Disney in the news release said it has also obtained the right to close about 98 Disney Stores in the U.S. The press release didn't list those stores.
Home Depot store closings. &a mp; nbsp;(E. Brunswick, Rt 18 just put up their closing sign), ATLANTA - Nearly 7+ months after its chief executive said there were no plans to cut the number of its core retail stores, The Home Depot Inc. announced Thursday that it is shuttering 15 of them amid a slumping U.S. economy and housing market. The move will affect 1,300 employees. It is the first time the world's largest home improvement store chain has ever closed a flagship store for performance reasons. Its shares rose almost 5 percent. The Atlanta-based company said the underperforming U.S.stores being closed represent less than 1 percent of its existing stores. They will be shuttered within the next two months.
CompUSA (CLOSED) clarifies details on store closings. Any extended warranties purchased for products through CompUSA will be honored by a third-party provider, Assurant Solutions. Gift cards, rain checks, and rebat es p urchased prior to December 12 can be redeemed at any time during the final sale. For those who have a gadget currently in for service with CompUSA, the repair will be completed and the gadget will be returned to owners. http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9834177-7html
Macy 's - 9 stores closing.
Movie Gallery & Hollywood Video - 160 stores as part of reorganization plan to exit bankruptcy. The video rental company plans to close 400 of 3,500 Movie Gallery and Hollywood Video stores in addition to the 520 locations the video rental chain closed last fall.
Pep Boys - 33 stores.
Sprint Nextel - 125 retail locations New Sprint Nextel CEO Dan Hesse appears to have inherited a company bleeding subscribers by the thousands, and will now officially be dropping the ax on 4,000 employees and 125 retail locations. Amid the loss of 639,000 postpaid customers in the fourth quarter, Sprint will be cutting a total of 6.7% of its work force (following the 5,000 layoffs last year) and 8% of company-owned brick-and-mortar stores, while remaining mute on other rumors that it will consolidate its headquarters in Kansas. Sprint Nextel shares are down $2.89, or nearly 25%, at the time of this writing.
J.C. Penney, Lowe's and Office Depot are scaling back.
Ethan Allen Interiors - the company announced plans to close 12 of 300+ stores in an effo rt to cut costs.
Wilsons the Leather Experts - 158 stores.
Pacific Sunwear will close its 154 Demo stores after a review of strategic alternatives for the urban-apparel brand. Seventy-four underperforming Demo stores closed last May.
Sharper Image - the company recently filed for bankruptcy protection and announced that 90 of its 184 stores are closing. The retailer will still operate 94 stores to pay off debts, but 90 of these stores have performed poorly and also may close.
Bombay Company - (Freehold Mall store closed) The company unveiled plans to close all 384 U.S.- based Bombay Company stores. The company's online storefront has discontinued operations.
KB Toys - posted a list of 356 stores that it is closing around the U nited States as part of its bankruptcy reorganization. To see the list of store closings, go to the KB Toys Information web site, and click on Press Information.
Dillard's to close more stores. Dillard's Inc. said it will continue to focus on closing under-performing stores, reducing expenses and improving its merchandise in 2008. At the company's annual shareholder meeting, CEO William Dillard II said the company will close another six underperforming stores this year.
Joe The Blogger For Halloween?
Today while I was visiting Mardela High I spoke with one of the parents who informed me that kids were dressing up for Halloween as Joe Albero, the Blogger. Now isn't that just too cool! Thanks Kids, I'm honored.
Local Gas Prices
OK, the Shore Stop in Laurel, DE. is $2.07 a gallon and there are TWO Gas Stations right on Rt. 50 in Mardela selling gas for $2.10 a gallon. Sam's Club is $2.12 a gallon and Gordy is $2.19 a gallon.
Rumors At Mardela High Cleared Right Here And Now
Multiple phone calls started coming in referencing a man with a gun at Mardela High threatening to kill black kids. NOT TRUE! The next rumor was a bomb threat. NOT TRUE!
Here's the real dealio. Two students got into a heated discussion yesterday, (they are friends) about the election results. The next thing you know, rumors started spreading throughout the School and today things growing to a point in which kids were using cell phones saying there were bomb threats, a man with a gun and things got completely out of hand.
The Sheriff's Deputy that is normally on duty there called in sick today but there was a replacement and when I arrived there were an additional two Deputies there to calm the storm.
Parents were showing up like there's no tomorrow pulling their kids out of School for the day. Some were even saying the Principal wasn't there today and that too is not true.
So relax Parents, things are perfectly fine. There were no such threats and everything is cool. Remember, you heard it here first, including photos.
City Of Salisbury Record Retention
They, (the City) are destroying meeting tapes and much, much more. Brenda Colegrove
is quoted in the paper this morning and the claim for meetings is that minutes will take the place of the tapes. The minutes don't provide a clue about how we arrived at a decision.
This will serve those like Gary Comegys who make false claims about why someone voted
one way or another very well to have all of the actual "right from their mouths" records destroyed. Not to mention records that could be needed in litigation in the future.
Are the Citizens going to rise up and challenge this, or are they going to sit back and allow this to happen. It's not my job, it's yours.
is quoted in the paper this morning and the claim for meetings is that minutes will take the place of the tapes. The minutes don't provide a clue about how we arrived at a decision.
This will serve those like Gary Comegys who make false claims about why someone voted
one way or another very well to have all of the actual "right from their mouths" records destroyed. Not to mention records that could be needed in litigation in the future.
Are the Citizens going to rise up and challenge this, or are they going to sit back and allow this to happen. It's not my job, it's yours.
The Death Of The American Ideal
On November fourth, the Year of our Lord two thousand and eight, the majority of the American electorate consciously chose to reject the vision of the founders for a constitutionally limited government whose sole responsibility was the protection of the rights we had been endowed with by our creator. Instead, we the people elected a man and a party that believes what you earn does not belong to you and if you think it does, you are selfish and deluded. We chose leaders who openly advocate using the power of the government to restrict the opposition’s right to free speech and everyone’s right to keep and bear arms. The majority of the people did not care that the winning party engaged in electoral practices like phony registrations, cheating and intimidation, activities accepted in third world dictatorships, not in the supposedly civilized West. To the majority of Americans, it did not matter that their president elect absorbed the rantings of an anti-American hate monger for twenty years, launched his political career in the home of a domestic terrorist or heaped praise on a man who thought it a good idea to kill as many Jews as possible. We have chosen a man who voted for infanticide and has been endorsed by terroists and thugs. We did not care that our president elect promised to bankrupt an American industry and cause our own electricity bills to skyrocket. We have chosen a president who believes unabashedly in the Marxist formula of the redistribution of wealth and has promised to use the legislature and the courts to accomplish that goal. We have empowered a party that thinks it a good idea to emasculate the military at a time when our enemies are seeking to destroy us. We have elected a man who believes our foundational document is fatally flawed because its primary focus is on prohibiting the government from doing things to us instead of empowering the government to do things to and for us. In this election the majority of the American people consciously choose a man and a party who reject the principles of the founders of our great country and openly embrace European socialism. We the people have put the final nails in the coffin of American exceptionalism. We have formally rejected liberty and responsibility and have chosen the warm embrace of the nanny state. Will president Barack Hussain Obama, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid be able to accomplish all they desire? I hope not. But the majority of the people in our great country believe they should and respect for the limiting power of our founding documents is gone. Today the majority are celebrating at the funeral of the American ideal. God help us all.
Patrick Samuels
www.patricksamuels.com
Author of “Memoirs of a Former American”
Patrick Samuels
www.patricksamuels.com
Author of “Memoirs of a Former American”
How About That Muir Boda
Not long after Mrs. Debbie Campbell announced her run for Re-Election in District 2 for Salisbury City Council, out of nowhere comes a man named Muir Boda stepping up to plate to challenge her seat.
OK, let me start with this. I have NEVER seen this man ANYWHERE. He has never come to a Council Meeting and he's a Wireless Department Manager at WalMart. Last go around it was a Pizza Delivery Man running for Mayor and now someone from WalMart, (both honorable jobs, mind you) want to tell us how to manage millions upon millions of the City's money.
I'll assume the Daily Times asked decent questions about what background this man has. You see, with a ton of experience and wisdom to replace Mrs. Campbell. about his experience. If they did their job, they certainly had nothing to tell us in their article though.
"I'm really concerned about taxes and spending" Boda said in the Daily Times article. Duh, if you're going to challenge Debbie Campbell, are you suggesting she doesn't care about those issues? Are you stating she hasn't represented her constituents her District 2 over those issues?
Usually when someone challenges an incumbent, they're doing so because they're not pleased with their performance. Nevertheless, this is certainly his right to do so but I still expect Lynn or Don Cathcart to throw in their names into this race as well.
Boda also stated that in preparation for March's primary he is setting up a Bank account and a website. Allrighty then. Preparation, (to me) would be visiting Council Meetings, meeting Department Heads and requesting as much information as possible to get a novice up to speed. That is, if he really wants to consider himself a challenge.
OK, let me start with this. I have NEVER seen this man ANYWHERE. He has never come to a Council Meeting and he's a Wireless Department Manager at WalMart. Last go around it was a Pizza Delivery Man running for Mayor and now someone from WalMart, (both honorable jobs, mind you) want to tell us how to manage millions upon millions of the City's money.
I'll assume the Daily Times asked decent questions about what background this man has. You see, with a ton of experience and wisdom to replace Mrs. Campbell. about his experience. If they did their job, they certainly had nothing to tell us in their article though.
"I'm really concerned about taxes and spending" Boda said in the Daily Times article. Duh, if you're going to challenge Debbie Campbell, are you suggesting she doesn't care about those issues? Are you stating she hasn't represented her constituents her District 2 over those issues?
Usually when someone challenges an incumbent, they're doing so because they're not pleased with their performance. Nevertheless, this is certainly his right to do so but I still expect Lynn or Don Cathcart to throw in their names into this race as well.
Boda also stated that in preparation for March's primary he is setting up a Bank account and a website. Allrighty then. Preparation, (to me) would be visiting Council Meetings, meeting Department Heads and requesting as much information as possible to get a novice up to speed. That is, if he really wants to consider himself a challenge.
Yogi Berra's Friends?
If you ever feel a little bit stupid, just dig this up and read it again; you'll begin to think you're a genius.
(On September 17, 1994, Alabama's Heather Whitestone was selected as Miss America 1995.)
Question: If you could live forever, would you and why?
Answer: 'I would not live forever, because we should not live forever, because if we were supposed to live forever, then we would live forever, b ut we cannot live forever, which is why I would not live forever,'
-- Miss Alabama in the 1994 Miss USA contest .
'Whenever I watch TV and see those poor starving kids all over the world, I can't help but cry. I mean I'd love to be skinny like that, but not with all those flies and death and stuff.'
--Mariah Carey
'Smoking kills. If you're killed , you've lost a very important part of your life,'
-- Brooke Shields, during an interview to become spokesperson for federal anti-smoking campaign .
'I've never had major knee surgery on any other part of my body,'
-- Winston Bennett, University of Kentucky basketball forward .
'Outside of the killings, Washington has one of the low est crime rates in the country,'
--Mayor Marion Barry, Washington , DC .
'That lowdown scoundrel deserves to be kicked to death by a jackass, and I'm just the one to do it,'
--A congressional candidate in Texas .
'Half this game is ninety percent mental.'
--Philadelphia Phillies manager, Danny Ozark
'It isn't pollution that's harming the environment. It's the impurities in our air and water that are doing it.'
--Al Gore, Vice President
'I love California . I practically grew up in Phoenix .'
-- Dan Quayle
'We've g ot to pause and ask ourselves: How much clean air do we need ?'
--Lee Iacocca
'The word 'genius' isn't applicable in football. A genius is a guy like Norman Einstein.'
--Joe Theisman, NFL football quarterback & sports analyst.
'We don't necessarily discriminate. We simply exclude certain types of people.'
-- Colonel Gerald Wellman, ROTC Instrutor .
'Your food stamps will be stopped effective March 1992 because we received notice that you passed away. May God bless you. You may reapply if there is a change in your circumstances.'
--Department of Social Services, Greenville , South Carolina
'Traditionally, most of Australia 's imports come from overseas.'
--Keppel Enderbery
'If somebody has a bad heart, they can plug this jack in at night as they go to bed and it will monitor their heart throughout the night. And the next morning, when they wake up dead, there'll be a record.'
--Mark S. Fowler, FCC Chairman
Feeling smarter yet?
(On September 17, 1994, Alabama's Heather Whitestone was selected as Miss America 1995.)
Question: If you could live forever, would you and why?
Answer: 'I would not live forever, because we should not live forever, because if we were supposed to live forever, then we would live forever, b ut we cannot live forever, which is why I would not live forever,'
-- Miss Alabama in the 1994 Miss USA contest .
'Whenever I watch TV and see those poor starving kids all over the world, I can't help but cry. I mean I'd love to be skinny like that, but not with all those flies and death and stuff.'
--Mariah Carey
'Smoking kills. If you're killed , you've lost a very important part of your life,'
-- Brooke Shields, during an interview to become spokesperson for federal anti-smoking campaign .
'I've never had major knee surgery on any other part of my body,'
-- Winston Bennett, University of Kentucky basketball forward .
'Outside of the killings, Washington has one of the low est crime rates in the country,'
--Mayor Marion Barry, Washington , DC .
'That lowdown scoundrel deserves to be kicked to death by a jackass, and I'm just the one to do it,'
--A congressional candidate in Texas .
'Half this game is ninety percent mental.'
--Philadelphia Phillies manager, Danny Ozark
'It isn't pollution that's harming the environment. It's the impurities in our air and water that are doing it.'
--Al Gore, Vice President
'I love California . I practically grew up in Phoenix .'
-- Dan Quayle
'We've g ot to pause and ask ourselves: How much clean air do we need ?'
--Lee Iacocca
'The word 'genius' isn't applicable in football. A genius is a guy like Norman Einstein.'
--Joe Theisman, NFL football quarterback & sports analyst.
'We don't necessarily discriminate. We simply exclude certain types of people.'
-- Colonel Gerald Wellman, ROTC Instrutor .
'Your food stamps will be stopped effective March 1992 because we received notice that you passed away. May God bless you. You may reapply if there is a change in your circumstances.'
--Department of Social Services, Greenville , South Carolina
'Traditionally, most of Australia 's imports come from overseas.'
--Keppel Enderbery
'If somebody has a bad heart, they can plug this jack in at night as they go to bed and it will monitor their heart throughout the night. And the next morning, when they wake up dead, there'll be a record.'
--Mark S. Fowler, FCC Chairman
Feeling smarter yet?
Another Record Breaking Day On Salisbury News
Yesterday brought yet another new record day for Salisbury News with a 18% increase over our best day. Once again, thank you! Although our Posts are a bit slow this week, once I get back into the Office I'll be able to deliver more information daily.
I'm told Joe Biden and Barack Obama will be in Georgetown, Delaware today at Return Day. I've never attended this before and I'm not positive I'll actually make the trip but it's on my schedule and that may slow down Posts for the day as well.
If you hadn't noticed, comments were well above 300 comments for the day yesterday as well. There were some that were over the top language wise and or personal attacks that have nothing to do with the subject at hand, so they were deleted. However, I hope everyone is pleased to see the comments are back to normal.
I'm told Joe Biden and Barack Obama will be in Georgetown, Delaware today at Return Day. I've never attended this before and I'm not positive I'll actually make the trip but it's on my schedule and that may slow down Posts for the day as well.
If you hadn't noticed, comments were well above 300 comments for the day yesterday as well. There were some that were over the top language wise and or personal attacks that have nothing to do with the subject at hand, so they were deleted. However, I hope everyone is pleased to see the comments are back to normal.
It's Time To Get Back To Blogging
I'm still at home but I'll be heading into the Office in about an hour to get things rocking and rolling on this Blog once again.
You have NO IDEA just how god I feel this morning. You see, today, the Daily Times has finally CUT OFF my subscription. That's right, I'm no longer getting tat rag but I did look at yesterday's price tag and a daily paper is now $ .75 cents a day!
You and I both know, this brought a ton of people over the top and thousands of people recently cancelled their subscriptions. Lack of news, quality of information AP stories all over the place, it's not a local paper any more anyway.
That being said, I feel relieved knowing this winter I'll no longer have to track down that long driveway in the cold only to find out they didn't deliver the paper anyway.
Give me some time Folks because things are going to get back to normal very soon.
You have NO IDEA just how god I feel this morning. You see, today, the Daily Times has finally CUT OFF my subscription. That's right, I'm no longer getting tat rag but I did look at yesterday's price tag and a daily paper is now $ .75 cents a day!
You and I both know, this brought a ton of people over the top and thousands of people recently cancelled their subscriptions. Lack of news, quality of information AP stories all over the place, it's not a local paper any more anyway.
That being said, I feel relieved knowing this winter I'll no longer have to track down that long driveway in the cold only to find out they didn't deliver the paper anyway.
Give me some time Folks because things are going to get back to normal very soon.
Veterans Day Program At Mardela High School
VETERANS DAY PROGRAM
MARDELA HIGH SCHOOL
MONDAY, NOV. 10 7PM
PUBLIC IS WELCOME TO ATTEND
REFRESHMENTS SERVED
VETERANS HONORED
Guest Speaker : Mr. James Adkins, Secretary of Veterans Affairs
PLEASE CALL MRS. ANNETTE HENRY (CHAIRPERSON) 410-883-3525
Thank you,
Sharon Harcum,
VP- PTA, Mardela High School
MARDELA HIGH SCHOOL
MONDAY, NOV. 10 7PM
PUBLIC IS WELCOME TO ATTEND
REFRESHMENTS SERVED
VETERANS HONORED
Guest Speaker : Mr. James Adkins, Secretary of Veterans Affairs
PLEASE CALL MRS. ANNETTE HENRY (CHAIRPERSON) 410-883-3525
Thank you,
Sharon Harcum,
VP- PTA, Mardela High School
Final Election Layout
Here is a great link to a map. It not only shows the USA but you can click on each state and it will give you the results on each county in that state.
http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/results/president
Quote Of The Day
"Socialism is the philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance and the gospel of envy. The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of blessings. The inherent vice of socialism is the equal sharing of miseries. Some regard private enterprise as if it were a predatory tiger to be shot. Others look upon it as a cow to be milked. Few realize it for what it is - the horse that pulls the whole cart."
-Winston Churchill
-Winston Churchill
Dear Fellow Americans
Subject: My Changing View On America & A Call To Reason With Each Of You Date: Tuesday – Nov. 4, 2008 21:34:40 –0500
My Fellow Americans,
If the politics has done anything I hope you remain open while you read this as it is a part of me and others that often remains, almost ashamedly, hidden inside our dark hearts and closed church doors.
I do say in advanced I will watch, participate and remain watchful as this new leadership begins to shape our country and it’s people.
I've been thinking all wrong! I've been wondering who America is and what America has become, trying to find a national destiny if one even existed any more. America is not the America of my grandparents...not by a long shot. Did you ever see a Norman Rockwell painting of an African American family on vacation at the beach? How about an Asian American family with the grandmother in the back of a Woody heading for the north woods? Or what about a Mexican American boy looking godly-eyed at his Arab American girlfriend over ice cream sodas in the corner drug store. Or how about a Caucasian husband, carving knife and fork in hand, practically drooling over a Thanksgiving turkey his ebony wife is lowering onto the holiday table surrounded by their mixed race children with black grandparents and white grandparents grinning and looking on with delight?
Who are we? What are we? Can anyone tell?
I have made the mistake...and I'm just realizing it...in believing that America's identity lies in its past somewhere where things and people were better, but that is a fallacy. There has been trouble and evil all through history in every culture and civilization, and America is no different. It just hurts more because America has had an opportunity to be a nation of promise, hope and freedom and is using that freedom to make itself nominal. We are Rome. We are Greece. We are Good. We are Evil. But no nation has done better. Many have done worse. America is becoming what it is to be.
I have, until today, been frustrated by the mixing of cultures (notice I did not say "races") that, to my mind, erodes the spiritual bedrock upon which America was founded. But today, for the first time, I saw what America truly is...and I was alarmed at my hardness of heart, lack of understanding and selfish, short-minded thinking. Instead of a confusing mass of people with nothing in common generally, I saw today a glimpse of Heaven. And, even though Sunday morning is still the most segregated hour in America, this melting pot we call The United Sates of America is surely a representation of heaven with its diversity of men, angels and creatures; a diversity that makes us complete, not separate. It is love that is missing in America, not the right political party or candidate. Yes common decency towards each other.
Every time we say to others, or ourselves "If so and so gets in office it will mark the beginning of the end," we should step back and lecture ourselves on how to trust God again. The Lord won't allow great things to go amiss in our country if his people seek him. At the same time, we can't change the direction of our country by simply voting for a particular presidential candidate, we must influence our country's direction more by becoming involved in life at a local level, at a heart level. Instead, however, many take the lazy approach and only get amped up about the major elections, skateboard parks and the like. It is similar with Christians who go to church and prophesy or preach or teach or simply complain and yet don't do anything outside the walls of the church. This “outside the walls” way of thinking has been implanted in me by God and is now more vital than ever.
Think of what we are really saying when we argue over politics. Are we suggesting that a particular political party is more godly than another? Is there not great fault among us all? And how can we ever change the world through politics? Obviously the platforms represented by politicians can change society, but do the platforms change the hearts of those in the society?
Christians have benefited from the political environment created in the United States but perhaps to their own detriment. We are not the new Israel. Our nation is not simply a piece of geography on the North American continent. Our home is not of this world, it is a spiritual kingdom. Are we really any earthly good according to how God measures goodness? We're really good at becoming indignant, and we're very accomplished at threatening with God's judgment, but how good are we at living life the way Jesus and the prophets have laid it out?
We should vote. We should have opinions...strong ones, but we should not fear for the future because a particular candidate gets in office. That reveals a lack of trust in the Lord. He is in control and will have his way in the earth. And although we may speed his will with our obedience, or delay his will with our rebellion, His will, as always, will be done. God's works are more evident in hard times, so why should we dread them? He says he can work better through the weak than through the strong, so why should we fear not being as powerful as another nation? He says we should pray for our enemies, so why don't we?
The next time we are tempted to become animated over politics, we should ask ourselves when was the last time we committed an act of charity? Have we changed the world around us? Made an impact on a neighbor? What will change for the better in our spiritual lives if our candidate gets in office? Pray for America and our leaders. Pray that we will come to repentance as a nation without having to endure terrible hardship. Pray that God will show his love to our enemies, for if we can't do this, there is no hope for us at all. And if we do, the Lord will truly be glorified through us his most precious possessions!
Your Fellow American,
Old Fisherman
My Fellow Americans,
If the politics has done anything I hope you remain open while you read this as it is a part of me and others that often remains, almost ashamedly, hidden inside our dark hearts and closed church doors.
I do say in advanced I will watch, participate and remain watchful as this new leadership begins to shape our country and it’s people.
I've been thinking all wrong! I've been wondering who America is and what America has become, trying to find a national destiny if one even existed any more. America is not the America of my grandparents...not by a long shot. Did you ever see a Norman Rockwell painting of an African American family on vacation at the beach? How about an Asian American family with the grandmother in the back of a Woody heading for the north woods? Or what about a Mexican American boy looking godly-eyed at his Arab American girlfriend over ice cream sodas in the corner drug store. Or how about a Caucasian husband, carving knife and fork in hand, practically drooling over a Thanksgiving turkey his ebony wife is lowering onto the holiday table surrounded by their mixed race children with black grandparents and white grandparents grinning and looking on with delight?
Who are we? What are we? Can anyone tell?
I have made the mistake...and I'm just realizing it...in believing that America's identity lies in its past somewhere where things and people were better, but that is a fallacy. There has been trouble and evil all through history in every culture and civilization, and America is no different. It just hurts more because America has had an opportunity to be a nation of promise, hope and freedom and is using that freedom to make itself nominal. We are Rome. We are Greece. We are Good. We are Evil. But no nation has done better. Many have done worse. America is becoming what it is to be.
I have, until today, been frustrated by the mixing of cultures (notice I did not say "races") that, to my mind, erodes the spiritual bedrock upon which America was founded. But today, for the first time, I saw what America truly is...and I was alarmed at my hardness of heart, lack of understanding and selfish, short-minded thinking. Instead of a confusing mass of people with nothing in common generally, I saw today a glimpse of Heaven. And, even though Sunday morning is still the most segregated hour in America, this melting pot we call The United Sates of America is surely a representation of heaven with its diversity of men, angels and creatures; a diversity that makes us complete, not separate. It is love that is missing in America, not the right political party or candidate. Yes common decency towards each other.
Every time we say to others, or ourselves "If so and so gets in office it will mark the beginning of the end," we should step back and lecture ourselves on how to trust God again. The Lord won't allow great things to go amiss in our country if his people seek him. At the same time, we can't change the direction of our country by simply voting for a particular presidential candidate, we must influence our country's direction more by becoming involved in life at a local level, at a heart level. Instead, however, many take the lazy approach and only get amped up about the major elections, skateboard parks and the like. It is similar with Christians who go to church and prophesy or preach or teach or simply complain and yet don't do anything outside the walls of the church. This “outside the walls” way of thinking has been implanted in me by God and is now more vital than ever.
Think of what we are really saying when we argue over politics. Are we suggesting that a particular political party is more godly than another? Is there not great fault among us all? And how can we ever change the world through politics? Obviously the platforms represented by politicians can change society, but do the platforms change the hearts of those in the society?
Christians have benefited from the political environment created in the United States but perhaps to their own detriment. We are not the new Israel. Our nation is not simply a piece of geography on the North American continent. Our home is not of this world, it is a spiritual kingdom. Are we really any earthly good according to how God measures goodness? We're really good at becoming indignant, and we're very accomplished at threatening with God's judgment, but how good are we at living life the way Jesus and the prophets have laid it out?
We should vote. We should have opinions...strong ones, but we should not fear for the future because a particular candidate gets in office. That reveals a lack of trust in the Lord. He is in control and will have his way in the earth. And although we may speed his will with our obedience, or delay his will with our rebellion, His will, as always, will be done. God's works are more evident in hard times, so why should we dread them? He says he can work better through the weak than through the strong, so why should we fear not being as powerful as another nation? He says we should pray for our enemies, so why don't we?
The next time we are tempted to become animated over politics, we should ask ourselves when was the last time we committed an act of charity? Have we changed the world around us? Made an impact on a neighbor? What will change for the better in our spiritual lives if our candidate gets in office? Pray for America and our leaders. Pray that we will come to repentance as a nation without having to endure terrible hardship. Pray that God will show his love to our enemies, for if we can't do this, there is no hope for us at all. And if we do, the Lord will truly be glorified through us his most precious possessions!
Your Fellow American,
Old Fisherman