The Blame Game

Haven't even finished the oath of office and 'The Blame Game' begins. You saw this, right?

Here's how Tuesday's oath went:

Chief Justice: ... that I will execute the office of president to the United States faithfully ...

Prez elect: ... that I will execute ...

Chief Justice: ... the off -- faithfully the pres -- the office of president of the United States ...

Prez elect (at the same time): ... the office of president of the United States faithfully ...


It was reported that the oath was done again because the Chief Justice messed up. The way I read it, the Prez elect didn't finish the first line. It's right there. He didn't finish the line. Then the Chief Justice had to recover because he was expecting the Prez elect to do it right. He had to back peddle because he was ready to move on to the next line.

But the Chief Justice got the blame for screwing it up. Here we go folks, we're in for a fun ride!

How's your portfolio?

Inauguration plus 1.

Did you look at your investments yesterday? After all, the 'savior of the world' was inaugurated. They should have skyrocketed. They didn't though, did they? Nope, mine either.

You see when we base our 'salvation' on a man, we find very quickly that a *man* can NOT be our salvation. Salvation can only be found in the *perfect* man.

Your portfolio isn't your salvation either. It may pay some bills or get you a vacation somewhere, but it won't keep you from eternal agony. It won't get you to eternal joy.

Perhaps your portfolio will change, maybe it won't. Where is your security? Where is your future? Is it in the newly elected 'savior of the world'? It is in your portfolio?

I'm not happy to see my hard earned money dwindle either, but my security isn't there. If it was, I wouldn't be sleeping at night.

My security is in the perfect man. His name is Jesus. I hope yours will be too. Trust me, you'll sleep better.

What color was your vote?

Have you read the stories?

Have you heard the sound bytes?

"Why I voted."

People have a myriad of reasons for voting. "I hate the current administration." "I can't stand that candidate." "Throw the bums out." "Let's have change." "He was black." "I don't like her dress."

Wait a minute, hold the phone - "He was black?" Are you serious? You voted for a man solely because of the color of his skin? I thought I heard you say the other day that those white folks are racist. Doesn't it run both ways? Aren't you a racist if you take an action *solely* on the basis of the color of someone's skin?

It's absolutely amazing to me that one group of people can claim that another group of people are racist and then in the same breath admit that they voted for our new "savior of the world" because he was black. Sounds like racism to me.

I get it that some groups of people were treated horribly in the past. I get it that racism and lots of other isms are alive and well in our country. But can you look in the mirror and say that you are not a racist if you vote for someone because of his skin tone?

Do we really need to keep this battle of the skin shades alive by voting based on color?

Here's my take. I did not vote for the current Prez-elect. It had absolutely nothing to do with his hue. It had to do with his ideas, thoughts and plans for this nation. I don't like them. I don't trust them. I don't think they'll work. This time I was in the minority - more people voted for him than the other guy. And even though I don't like it, I accept it. It's called democracy. You can bet that I'll be working hard to see that guys (or gals) who have ideas, thoughts and plans that I do support will be victorious next time.

And I won't really care about the skin tone.

What a Mess!

I'll bet you thought I was going to write about a mess in our addition - gotcha.

I'm commenting on some of the political mess we find ourselves in.

Here at home in Minnesota we can't declare a winner in the Senate race. The reason we can't has nothing to do with either candidate. The reason we can't is because many Minnesotans (and Americans for that matter) are illiterate. Illiterate you say, how does that affect the election? Illiterate because they couldn't read the instructions on their ballots and fill them out correctly. If you are offended by the word illiterate, try the word stupid.

How hard is it to read the directions and fill out the ballot? You (if you're a tax payer, you paid part of the bill) spent a lot of money trying to figure out "voter intent." The intent is always very clear - they either filled it out correctly or they didn't. There are NO gray areas here. If you can't follow directions, your vote shouldn't count.

And then there's the "lost" votes or was it the "found" votes. Either way some election worker tried to stack the results in favor of the candidate they supported. It wasn't on purpose you say? Really? You believe that? Not a chance. Neither side is above doing stuff like this. How is it that the supreme element of democracy - voting - is handled so loosely? Because those in power don't care how they get there or who they step on to get there.

Are you still questioning this reasoning? Look a little further south to Illinois. You know, the home of our recently elected 'savior of the world.' You only need to look at the governor there to find out that power has it's price. Fortunately for us, his price should be prison.

And finally the Prez-elect. He hasn't even taken office and he's up to his eyeballs in drama. He wants to nominate Panetta for the CIA and the guy doesn't have one stitch of experience being a spook. Now there's leadership. Offer a job to a guy that isn't qualified for it. Oh wait the banking industry and the car makers already beat the Prez-elect to that one.

Not messy enough yet? How about that other governor - Richardson - the potential commerce secretary that had to say "thanks but no thanks." Turns out he's being investigated too. I guess you shouldn't try and give favors if you're a governor - of any state.

So let's recap:

-One senate race undecided due to illiteracy (stupidity for those who are offended)
-One senate seat unseated because our democracy really isn't for sale
-One CIA leader appointee who isn't qualified
-One commerce secretary appointee who can't accept the job (possible corruption you know)
-And finally one Prez-elect who hasn't been sworn in and is ready to spend money we don't have. Translation "stimulus package."

Add that up and you get - let's see 1+1+1+1+Billions = 1 BIG STINKING MESS.

Excuse me I have to go throw up. Of course I'll have to clean up my own mess which is more than I can say for our political leaders.

Look 'em in the eye

In a mere matter of days, we are embarking on an historic change in our country. We are getting a new Presidient. For some this comes with tears of joy while for others many fears loom at this prospect.

Regardless of the spectrum you are on, consider this. Our President-elect doesn't look straight ahead. Watch his speeches. Watch his head. He looks to the right. He looks to the left. He rarely if ever looks straight ahead.

Big deal you say? Not so. It has been said that we communicate more by our body language than we do with our words. When you have a one-on-one conversation with someone how do you feel if they don't look you in the eye? You feel as if they're not listening to you or aren't confident in themselves.

It's the same thing here. When the Prez-elect doesn't look straight ahead, he's saying that he lacks the confidence in what he's saying. When he moves from left to right without stopping in the center, he's saying that he wants to include *everyone* regardless of their beliefs or position on what he's saying. When you fail to stop, look America in the eye and stand up for something, you get policies and actions that mean nothing. Sure everyone feels good because they're included, but if the policies and actions stand for nothing, what value are they?

Think I'm blowing smoke? Look at other world leaders and past presidents. Watch how they look at the crowd and compare it to what they stand for.

As for me, I'll be waiting for our new leader to look me in the eye the next time he talks to me.

Friends and family

We all know how important friends and family are. Loneliness is felt by those that have no friends or family. Happiness is felt by those that have many friends and family.

I'm very thankful for our friends and family - especially during this holiday season. We've had an incredible Christmas break. Part of it is due to the fact that our children have been sleeping in - a rare treat. Most of it has been the times we've had to get together with friends (and family too) - from birthday celebrations to Christmas to New Year's Eve, we've had some great get-togethers.

Last night we hosted our first New Year's Eve party in many years. We had our new growth group from Constance come over. We had 30 people here! It was a great time for all ages.

In some ways it's a small thing - we had a party and people came over. But this year it meant a great deal more to me. Maybe it's my age, or maybe it's the fact we were able to share our addition. Maybe it's the simple fact that we were able to participate on a larger scale this year - I don't really know for sure.

In my ramblings here I'm trying to say that it's an extremely good feeling when the circumstances come together in a way where our entire family is able to join a group of friends in a celebration. There can be challenges in trying to join the celebrations when your children have vastly different needs/abilities than most of their peers. There can be excuses such as "I'm too tired." "It's too much work." "My kids won't have fun." etc. When we put away the excuses and work at solving the barriers, we got an opportunity like we had last night.

A very large HAPPY NEW YEAR to you all. I hope that you are able to make connections this year that bring meaning and fulfillment to your life.

My ticket

I've realized this year that my kids are 'my ticket.' 'My ticket' you say, what on earth are you talking about?

Over the years, I've met numerous MN Vikings, been to more sporting and theater events, been invited into the studio of a radio station, been to parties and celebrations all because of my kids!

Consider this year.

• I've met and spent time with Tony Hawk. My oldest son was shown by Tony Hawk how to turn around on a half-pipe. Our entire family traveled to Chicago to do this thanks to Make-A-Wish


• I've met and spent time with 'Go Fish'. My second oldest son sang on stage with them. Our family traveled to Sioux Falls thanks again to Make-A-Wish.


• I've been to a MN Wild game, several Twins games, to a few theater productions.


• And today I shook hands with Stephane Veilleux and Pierre-Marc Bouchard from the MN Wild because Vicki happened to be in the hospital.

All of this happened in one year!

Here I am simply doing what God asked me to do and He's giving me all these wonderful opportunities. By no means do I worship any one of the famous people I've met. However, I do consider it a great honor to have had a chance to be next to them for a moment. They lead such different lives as famous people, but each of them has taken time to give back and put a smile on the faces of my kids and myself as well.

It's interesting to me that if I had not taken these children into my home, I never would have had these experiences. When we set out to adopt kids, we weren't really counting on any benefits. It doesn't really enter your mind - 'Hey if we adopt so and so, then in 10 years we can meet Tony Hawk. OK, I'll take that one.'

Today's visit was a big treat for me. I had been with Vicki in the hospital since Thursday night when she broke her left femur. It had to be surgically put back together. She had been a trooper, but we were both very tired. We were working on going home. She was up in her chair and we were about to go for a walk. We heard a buzz and someone said there are hockey players in the building. My ears perked up - I love hockey. We were about to leave the room when someone asked if we'd like to see the players from the Wild. 'Sure' I said. Before I knew it Pierre-Marc Bouchard and Stephane Villeux were in the room introducing themselves to Vicki and me. They shook my hand and I asked if they would mind signing the dog (Hajik). They said sure. I introduced Vicki (I wasn't a complete fool) and they gave her a T-shirt, signed their cards, said Hi to her and were on their way.

It had to have been less than a minute. After they left, I was speaking to someone with them who I believe works for the Wild. I told him how important this is for the kids AND the parents. His response was excellent. He said that this was a terrible time of year to be in the hospital and visits like this bring us back down to earth and remind us what's really important. I heard a nurse say that they had a little boy down the hall who's been waiting ALL DAY to meet these two.

I had been exhausted from caring for my daughter. I spent less than 60 seconds with two of the best hockey players in Minnesota and my spirits were boosted. That little boy was recovering from whatever put him in the hospital. He met the players and his spirits were boosted too. To them, it's a simply autograph and a Hello. (I'm not saying the players take it lightly merely that they don't view it as being an imposition to autograph a card and say Hi to some kids in the hospital) To us, it gives energy to continue doing what we need to do.

What a treat for me at the end of a long ordeal. Thanks guys for taking the time.

I'm thankful for 'My tickets' to these cool opportunities. Thanks God.