As I observe politics in Washington and the reaction of the throngs of people flocking to both of the major party candidates like they are the messiah, I am discouraged by the direction our nation is taking. Our government has grown almost totally out of control. Even worse, all of the rhetoric and spin from the messianic Democrat and Republican candidates for President suggests to me that they offer no real ideas for improvement and only stand to maintain the status quo and tow their respective party line to preserve their power hold in government.
Well, not to disappoint any of you, but I HAVE looked long and hard at EVERY issue and found a candidate that has our freedom and prosperity in mind on every single one of them.
I'm supporting Bob Barr, the Libertarian nominee for President, and I hope you'll at least check him out and maybe even join me. Visit www.BobBarr2008.com and take a look at the issues. Once you actually read the Libertarian position on the issues you'll rethink your decision about your chosen candidate.
Obama people... you want "Change"? This is your chance.
McCain people... you want to preserve economic freedom and prosperity? This is your chance.
Here's the official blurb about Bob, taken from his official bio.
Bob Barr spent eight years in Congress as a Representative from Georgia. His intellect and leadership skills were quickly recognized. He rose to prominence as a result of his courageous commitment to principle. Bob Barr was and is a strong defender of your civil rights. He will fight to protect our privacy against "big brother" and he'll defend our right to keep and use firearms. Bob will cut government spending, and taxes. And, he'll balance our budget. Bob's plan to tackle our national energy crisis includes embracing new technologies and conservation - but also, more domestic production and refining.
Remember there is no reward without risk...
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Mom's Obit
Today we had to write Mom's obituary. Here is the text as it will appear in the Dayton Daily News and Cincinnati Enquirer:
KIGER, Kathleen, (nee Havlish) age 62, of Kettering, formerly of Cincinnati, passed away Monday, August 04, 2008 in Dayton, OH. Kathleen was a member of Ascension Catholic Church and a graduate of the College of Mount St. Josephs in Cincinnati with a degree in Elementary Education. After dedicating herself to raising her family for 17 years, she worked as a bookkeeper for Friendly's.
She is still adored by her family: Terry L. Kiger, her husband for 41 years; daughters, Mary Ann (Erik Rogers) Kiger of Kettering and Debbie (Chris) Hicks of Xenia and granddaughter Helen Kiger Rogers. Everyone who had the pleasure to meet Kathy is richer for the experience. One never left her house hungry and she left a trail of love everywhere she went.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday August 7, 2008 at 10:30 am at the Church of the Ascension, 2025 Woodman Dr. Kettering immediately followed by burial in Valley View cemetery. Her family will receive friends on Wednesday August 6, 2008 from 4-7pm at Routsong Funeral home 2100 E. Stroop Rd., Kettering. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Dayton (www.hospiceofdayton.org) or The Livestrong Foundation (www.livestrong.org). Condolences and other remembrances may be sent to the family at www.routsong.com.
KIGER, Kathleen, (nee Havlish) age 62, of Kettering, formerly of Cincinnati, passed away Monday, August 04, 2008 in Dayton, OH. Kathleen was a member of Ascension Catholic Church and a graduate of the College of Mount St. Josephs in Cincinnati with a degree in Elementary Education. After dedicating herself to raising her family for 17 years, she worked as a bookkeeper for Friendly's.
She is still adored by her family: Terry L. Kiger, her husband for 41 years; daughters, Mary Ann (Erik Rogers) Kiger of Kettering and Debbie (Chris) Hicks of Xenia and granddaughter Helen Kiger Rogers. Everyone who had the pleasure to meet Kathy is richer for the experience. One never left her house hungry and she left a trail of love everywhere she went.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday August 7, 2008 at 10:30 am at the Church of the Ascension, 2025 Woodman Dr. Kettering immediately followed by burial in Valley View cemetery. Her family will receive friends on Wednesday August 6, 2008 from 4-7pm at Routsong Funeral home 2100 E. Stroop Rd., Kettering. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Dayton (www.hospiceofdayton.org) or The Livestrong Foundation (www.livestrong.org). Condolences and other remembrances may be sent to the family at www.routsong.com.
Monday, August 04, 2008
Priorities
I was all set to write about my gig last weekend, a post game extravaganza with Steven Curtis Chapman, and yet another miserable experience in Atlanta (the Detroit of the south). Rain, bad crew, hotel disasters, trucking woes... the gig was rife with blog fodder. Things changed a few minutes ago. As I sat in my couch clicking away the keystrokes that detailed my adventure the phone rang. I usually ignore the house line. Anyone who wants to contact me knows it's my cell phone or nothing. My house phone is for my convenience and no one else's so the number is rarely distributed.
Hospice, where my mother-in-law has been attempting to regulate her pain from chemo and radiation therapy, has my home number and called early this morning. I saw the callerID and immediately knew what the call was about and I didn't want to answer the phone. My wife was asleep so in the split second it took me to walk across the room to get the phone these were my thoughts.
1. Oh shit, mom died.
2. Mary Ann is asleep, I have to wake her up to tell her mom died.
3. Helen will be waking up soon and she is too young to understand why the house is so sad.
4. Does dad know yet?
5. What happens next?
I have been out of the loop since June 1. For most of the summer, I have been doing gigs all over the midwest and not part of the process of planning for the inevitable. So I get up and answer the phone with more than a little trepidation. The kind voice on the phone informs me of what I have already deduced and asks to speak to Mary Ann. When I got to the room, she snapped awake and knew before picking up the phone what the content of the call was going to be. (Here's where I'm a terrible husband. I could have given the news. I could have thanked Hospice for the call, hung up, and gently woke my wife and somehow found a kind way of telling her that her mother just died, but nope... I took the easy way out and let Hospice tell her. I'm such a pussy.)
My mother-in-law was the heart and soul of that side of my family. She was the one who kept everyone's schedule, reminded us of every reason to celebrate (birthday, anniversary, graduation, whatever...) She was the one making sure to accommodate my funky schedule when planning family events (including bringing thanksgiving dinner to me once when I was working the holiday shift as a producer at a local radio station). She was an educated woman never forgot anything and was interested in everything. From my brother-in-law's experiences in the world of corporate IT to my adventures in the roadie world; mom would listen intently, ask questions and offer insight. Mom was the loving mother, grandmother and friend every family should have. She adored her granddaughter and visited Helen daily for the first 3 months and weekly thereafter until going into the hospital (where we brought Helen to visit her instead). Mom knew my family history and understood the rocky relationship I have with my parents. She welcomed me into her family without reservation and loved me regardless of my stupid antics; she became the mom that I needed and was happy to do so. My mother-in-law was a great person who will be missed and thought of daily.
I'll tell you about Atlanta some other time.
Hospice, where my mother-in-law has been attempting to regulate her pain from chemo and radiation therapy, has my home number and called early this morning. I saw the callerID and immediately knew what the call was about and I didn't want to answer the phone. My wife was asleep so in the split second it took me to walk across the room to get the phone these were my thoughts.
1. Oh shit, mom died.
2. Mary Ann is asleep, I have to wake her up to tell her mom died.
3. Helen will be waking up soon and she is too young to understand why the house is so sad.
4. Does dad know yet?
5. What happens next?
I have been out of the loop since June 1. For most of the summer, I have been doing gigs all over the midwest and not part of the process of planning for the inevitable. So I get up and answer the phone with more than a little trepidation. The kind voice on the phone informs me of what I have already deduced and asks to speak to Mary Ann. When I got to the room, she snapped awake and knew before picking up the phone what the content of the call was going to be. (Here's where I'm a terrible husband. I could have given the news. I could have thanked Hospice for the call, hung up, and gently woke my wife and somehow found a kind way of telling her that her mother just died, but nope... I took the easy way out and let Hospice tell her. I'm such a pussy.)
My mother-in-law was the heart and soul of that side of my family. She was the one who kept everyone's schedule, reminded us of every reason to celebrate (birthday, anniversary, graduation, whatever...) She was the one making sure to accommodate my funky schedule when planning family events (including bringing thanksgiving dinner to me once when I was working the holiday shift as a producer at a local radio station). She was an educated woman never forgot anything and was interested in everything. From my brother-in-law's experiences in the world of corporate IT to my adventures in the roadie world; mom would listen intently, ask questions and offer insight. Mom was the loving mother, grandmother and friend every family should have. She adored her granddaughter and visited Helen daily for the first 3 months and weekly thereafter until going into the hospital (where we brought Helen to visit her instead). Mom knew my family history and understood the rocky relationship I have with my parents. She welcomed me into her family without reservation and loved me regardless of my stupid antics; she became the mom that I needed and was happy to do so. My mother-in-law was a great person who will be missed and thought of daily.
I'll tell you about Atlanta some other time.
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