goldenthroat's Blog

I can't stop laughing...

Judge Cicconetti gave these two knuckleheads busted for prositution what they deserved - public humiliation by wearing a chicken suit, standing on a street corner, and holding a sign with a message against prostitution!

This creative form of sentencing should be standard procedure by all judges but, unfortunately, we'll still have left-coast, bleeding-heart jurists who think this is going over the edge and feel this is cruel and unusual punishment.

So the one defendant lost his girlfriend as a result of this, huh? Hmmm - maybe this will send a loud and clear message that, when crimes are committed, others are affected by these actions! But, then again, this kind of common sense will happen when I see a pig fly past my window...stupid is as stupid does!  

God bless Judge Ciccconetti - keep up the good work!

An open letter to Mr. Rupert Murdoch,

It was announced that Fox 8, along with several other Fox affiliates around the country, is being put on the sales block by you so that you can add some leverage power in your quest to by Dow Jones.

Mr. Murdoch, this is a terrible decision. Why must you sacrifice viewers who have been loyal to your stations and cable network since the inception of Fox? Are you not one of the richest men in the world?  Are you telling us that you no longer care for the viewership that has been established?  I may not understand the world of business but this is doing nothing but biting the hand that feeds you.   

I would hate to see northeast Ohio lose Channel 8's Fox affiliation. It has been good for our area and only time would tell what might happen if such a transaction is finalized.

Over the years, this station has undergone many changes in ownership and programming.  But it was a blessing for Channel 8 to unload CBS for Fox years ago and gave Cleveland and northeast Ohio a fresh new network that is enjoyable to watch with excellent programming for everyone.  

Just like the Cavs, it's time for Cleveland viewers to 'rise up' for Fox 8. 

Mr. Murdoch, I hope you will reconsider your decision to sell Fox 8. It's too good of a station to lose.

I have to confess that Memorial Day is a bit emotional for me. I am the son of a World War II/Pearl Harbor veteran.  My father was in the Navy in battleship row on December 7, 1941 serving aboard the U.S.S. Maryland when the Japanese attacked America. He spent the rest of his Navy days aboard that magnificant battleship, taking only one thirty day leave throughout the entire war.

Thanks to his #2 son (me), Dad was often interviewed by area media about his Pearl Harbor experiences. He never once turned down an interview request and was a walking history book about the war.

What's more, Dad always stood for what was right, even if he were the only one standing for it. He had no use for those who bad-mouthed America and for what it stood for even when America was in the face of conflict.  He was able to take that stand - he had earned the right to be called a 'patriot' because he had been there.

Dad died on my 53rd birthday in 2004, less than two months shy of his own 89th birthday.  During the funeral service, the pastor of their church showed a fitting power point presentation of my dad's years in the service.  When, during that presentation, the Navy hymn "Eternal Father, Strong To Save" played as a montage of the battles my Dad was involved in appeared on the screen, I don't know when I had been more proud of my father than I was at that moment.

At the graveside service, a Naval Color Guard honored my father with a 18 gun salute - then taps were sounded for this Naval warrior who had so proudly served his God and his country.

This Memorial Day and those in the years to come, I will visit the grave where he and Mom are buried next to each other, she passing away only 18 days after he did. My two brothers and I have placed American flags at the corners of the grave marker along with the Navy flag. I will look at the date engraved in that marble monolith - October 19, 2004 - and be reminded for the rest of my life that God, in His mercy, gave me a birthday gift of calling my father home to Him on that day. I am proud that I was also given his name at birth.  

To all of our nation's military veterans - thanks for serving the greatest country in the world and defending our freedoms - because freedom never will be free.

Yes, Don Imus' comments on his nationally syndicated radio/TV show about the Rutgers University women's basketball team was irresponsible, out-of-line, and just plain stupid!  Should he be called on the carpet for it? Absolutely!

BUT - is it enough for Imus to be fired? Because if it is, then radio and TV talk show hosts around the country had better begin updating their resumes because many of them may be on the verge of losing their jobs.

LIstening to Bob Frantz on 1100 WTAM on the morning of April 12 is a perfect example. Bob, along with popular afternoon host Mike Trivisonno, are both getting skittish about what they say on their shows for fear of backlash.  Can you blame them?

But when I read that one of the Rutgers players said that, because of Imus' remarks, she would be 'damaged for life' - PUL-EEEEEZE!  If the comments of a radio has-been like Imus whose ratings are approaching the sub-basement can actually accomplish this then this young lady needs a major reality check!  My educated guess is that she is going to have a hard time holding down a job after she graduates because even the slightest criticism of her work will send her out the door in a huff.

However - much more is at risk here - our very right to express opinions in the public arena such as radio or TV talk shows,  letters to the editor in newspapers, et al, have now been placed in jeopardy.  This is not just an isolated issue anymore.

And -  has anyone noticed how little press is being given to  'Rev' Al Sharpton's irresponsible and inflamatory comments about the Duke rape case and the Tawana Brawley fiacso? Turn about fair play - or at least, it should be, especially if the Rev wants to rake Imus over the coals!

What's good for the goose is good for the gander - or it used to be until 'political correctness' went berserk! 

Whoops, I'll be getting a letter from the attorney for the goose and gander any day now...

The sad news of the death of four baseball players from Bluffton University as the result of a bus accident in Georgia hits home with me. My #2 daughter is a Bluffton alum and currently living in Virginia.  She has already emailed me to tell me she has been in touch with friends who work on the campus about the news. My heart goes out to her and the Bluffton University family and I  can only offer my prayers and support in this time of loss.

I visited this campus when my daughter graduated from there a few years ago. It is serene, quiet, picturesque, and a wonderful place for learning. Now these students will collectively learn how to deal with grief - the loss of close friends - and the lessons they will learn about life itself. They will be drawn closer together as a student body - aquantainces will become friends - friends will become closer friends -  instructors, administrators and staffers will re-dedicate themselves to the mission of Christian-based higher learning. And these student athletes whose presence will no longer grace the classrooms of Bluffton will be remembered as family. 

In an imperfect world, life is not fair. No one ever said it would be.  The Bluffton University family is grieving and all Ohio should grieve with them.  These young men were home-grown and it is not only Bluffton's loss - it is Ohio's loss. 

May God comfort their families during this time.   

Watch those claims regarding 'freecreditreport.com'`!  I recently tried to get a credit report from them.  I got suspicious when they asked for a credit card number just for 'account' purposes.  Instead of a 30 day 'free trial', I saw they had already charged my debit card on that day for the report! A phone call to them cancelled my account and refunded my money.

Word of advice to all: if you want a really 'free' credit report, go to www.annualcreditreport.com.  This one IS free and you can call up any or all the major credit reporting agencies and they will not charge you a dime. Nor will they ask for a credit card number unless you want additional reports or credit scoring information later on.

Duane "Dog" Chapman has now been cleared to be extridited to Mexico for apprehending an international fugitive!  This loser is serving 124 years in the slammer and the "Dog" is now being treated like the criminal!  This is  frightingly similar to the two border patrol agents who are now in jail for their bravery against illegal immigrants.  Living proof that no good deed goes unpunished!