NBC

Well so much for the left wing media, and MSNBC being a Democraric party outlet. For almost eight years George W. Bush, or more accurately, Don Rumsfeld, John Aschcroft etc., have subverted our Constitution, not taken care of the VA, or our many brave wounded veterans from Iraq (another Viet Nam) afe neglected, and we've understaffed and under supplied our brave troops in Afghanistan - where the real battle is to be won. We need at this time of the year to remember we can not win - without winnig the Hearts and Minds of our adversaries. We elect a man who understands this - and what do we do, complain because he made suggestions for his replacement in Illinois to a Governor who seems to be a throwback to every back room deal maker both parties have always made. If we are going to nitpick details where there is no substance, than we must clean both the Senate and the House of every person who has some dealing with a lobbyist to get themselves elected - that's everyone folks. Campaign finance reform, ethics reform, will come when the American public gets angry enough. But let's pick proper targets!
The VA - NBC - go for it, ABC listen up - and Fox please protect our troops. Dr. Phil gets it! Great show. As Barry Goldwater once said, if we're not going to fight to win - get out. My take is, if we're can't feed, arm, protect within reason, and set proper goals, and treat our wounded with due respect and care - then end the wars NOW.
Nitpik Pakistani and Saudi Arabian diversions from help on the terroist front.

Eli Stone - Boston Legal, next Life on Mars?

I personally volunteer to take over programming at ABC - all I want is to re-program Prime time. Somebody is letting some of the most creative shows EVER to die.
Stick these shows over on ABC family at 10 PM.
Whoever chooses these shows in the first first place is to be commended.

Other shows from various networks - Jehrico, Stargate Atlantis, The 4400, etc. have just been killed off.

This is not about ratings, or a generational change - I'm 63 and my generation really screwed up on many fine shows. (But we generally gave them time - not Star Trek, that just took on a life of its own after NBC crushed it - but the fans did not let it die.

So what will occur - well Elvis Presley 30 #1 hits has been repackaged in the new SD format - strange idea when SD cards are so cheap now- but RCA Special Porudcts keeps pushing Elvis...I love El, but he's been gone since 1977.
If the record companies, or Elvis, had listened to an idiot at the Grand Ole Opry our world in music, film, civil rights, Gospel music etc. would be much different.
All I ask is tolerance - put these great shows in different time slots - if you don't want to air them - shoot them as a new format DVD - SDHC Card, but include adverting targeted at audiences that will be sold in multiple markets, with ads for specific markets.
Run Eli Stone online - convergence is coming full tilt anyway. ABC is pushing standard TV over the edge. Convergence with make the Web 2 defcto television. Then Google can track every viewer (if allowed), and TV is dead.
Art should survive - the networks will blend into the Internet after February - and we have a new ballgame in let's say 5 years.
Save Eli Stone. And let Life on Mars find an audience or I'll sic Harvey Keitel on your offices.

Boston Legal

By Denny and Alan. Have a happy marriage. You shall be missed, this level of intelligence in Primetime network TV is so very rare.
The talent of this cast just leaves me speechless...almost, thank you all!

Auto Bailout

As much as I dislike the executives at GM - I am more exasperated by the bailout of AIG etc. - with not a bit of explanation that the car makers had to go into - and the UAW, got beaten up again, most of these fine workers are not paid an amout that would push them out of the middle class. (And they are made to make concessions.) I have blue collar friends of mine beating up the UAW, have the union made errors, sure, ask some of the workers, without unions sweat shops would be back. I could go on about how some major non-union firms treat their employees, but I have Republicans friends boycotting them.
As I've said before go to www.twochocolates.com and read the post that Penny put up from Al Feldstein - I'd nationalize the industry myself, and do just what Al says.

Brenden Foster - a GIFT to us all!

I agree with my friend Penny Ronning on Brenden. Please go to www.TwoChocolates.com
and please listen to Penny, you world will change! Don't take that as hyperbole - just read and ingest her spirit.
When I saw Brenden speak I was amazed by the depth that this young man had.
We live in an era when "Shock and awe" is used to describe a mission in a war.
Brenden shocked me, and I am in awe of him. What a loss, but what an insight into what might be going on here - this was an old, wise soul - trapped in an ill body of a gentle boy. God had a special purpose for this child. Religions outside the Judeo-Chrstian, and Islamic traditions have views on reincarnation.
Physicists are discovering that there may well be parallel universes.
I remember a 7 year old child dying of cancer many years back, I was watching her and my Uncle Jack, 89, both fighting and losing their battles with cancer in the hospital. Both showed amazing grace and understanding.
Well all neeed to understand - there must be peace and understanding one day.
Start today! Love to all - Dale

Time to Change Course

I've been involved in politics since 1956 as a vounteer (handing out literature at 11 years old on a street corner), assistant campaign co-ordinator, poll worker, and other positions in the Democratic Party in both New Jersey and Florida.
I am dismayed by the turn this campaign has taken in tone. Senator McCain has very wisely defended Senator Obama in recent days - this is the John McCain, my fellow officer from the Viet Nam era, that I always respected. He really isa maverick and for many years stood up to element of his party he didn't agree with, and did work with many notable democrats to acheive his goals. All well and good.
Today we get Gov. Palin and a terrible hatchet job on Sen. Obama. The "swift boat" lie machine is going full tilt. Enough.
Vote for Senator Barck Obama and Sen. Joe Biden.
Filter out the lies and vote.
I ask you - is there a choice? Thank you!

Captain Dale R. Shack
US Army, Retired
Silver Star, Bronze Star and Purple Heart

Bob Hartlen

Bob Hartlen is a man in Nova Scotia who has brought so many families together, that were split apart at birth at the Ideal Maternity Home in East Chester , Nova Scotia. These innocent women who came to put their children up for adoption the this center never knew that they we're being pulled into the Butterbox Baby scandal. Many, many babies dies for many arbitrary reasons.
I am a survivor of this horror and Bob Hartlen has helped me reunite with my birth family by connecting me with leads and ideas to make my wish come true. Due to his efforts, and the helping hand of my dear friend Jesse Hammer I was reunited with my birth mother and that side of my family.
I bring this up as Bob has been ill for awhile (he just got a good test result), thank god.
Bob does so much to honor the survivors, reunite families, it is truly remarkable how he can endure the emotional roller coaster. When I worked with him a few years back on my story of reuniting with my family, I got to really understand the pain some of mt fellow adoptees had been through.
Google "Butterbox Babies" and you will be able to see the work he has done.
I have a friend that I recently called a workaholic angel, Bob is another one of these people among us that have worked so hard for others.
Say a prayer for Bob hartlen, but just as important "Carpe Diem" - "Sieze the Day" - live like there is no tomorrow, help those who can't help themselves, relieve pain wherever possible. Think globally, act locally - and smile through these times of strain.
Love,
Dale

Seven words

Dear George,
These are the 7 words I never wanted to hear on TV -
George Carlin has died at seventy one.

While in college one of my drama professors started a class by just yelling out the word -f**k!
This was 1966 and the class was in shock, I had a smirk on my face. The power of language, the more we overuse a word or phrase the more we reduce it's power. George Carlin was a part of our comic and philosophical American fabric. He will be missed greatly. Sheer genius. Go back and listen - carefully.
Sorry I edited a word, but words still seem to scare people, amke them categorize you. diminish people's view of you (even when used to make a great point)...I think my edit makes Mr. carlin's point.

My regards to fellow fans and my sincere condolences to the family.

Lillian's Story - Part One

June 3, 1911 - Lillian Goldstein was born.
My mother who adopted me when I was 6 months old and brought me to the United States from Nova Scotia, Canada in 1946.
Louis Goldstein was a tough father for her to deal with, he was abusive to his wife Dora, a strong, but gentle woman. He hit her at times. Usually Jewish men would not do this, if they did it was never mentioned. As mom got older she told me about this side of my grandfather. There was a lingering bitterness between my mother and grandfather. Dora passed away when I was very young.
Before I was adopted a pattern of sadness started early on for Lil, toughening her up, and making her independent and a leader, in a time where this was very hard for women.
Besides seeing her father being abusive, her younger brother Sol passed away at 16 from pneumonia. This took a hard emotional toll on her. She still had her younger brother Jack, a tall handsome man. Lil was a beautiful woman. (Strawberry blonde with freckles).
In Central High School in Newark, NJ. she formed a sorority with a group of women that would later become a huge influence in my life - god love them all and may they rest in peace. For most of the time I knew the sorority sisters, she was either President of the group, or oranized the sorority functions. She was a born leader. Lil went on after high school to attend Drake Business College, I have her diploma from her graduation, of which she was so proud. She became an Executive Secretary for Dorn and Kirschner Music, in Newark, NJ. Another big influence in my life, her love of music and dancing. (I got force fed dance lessons with my mothers before my Bar Mitzvah. It was sort of fun). I grew up exposed to a great variety of musical styles. My mother also got involved in social causes of the times, I saw pictures of her and her sorority sisters visiting with poor black families in the late 30's. She always tried to help those she felt were mistreated, or with some disability. All her life she gave to charities and worked for charities. She was a very Liberal Democrat and made sure I knew how one should give back and help those who needed help.

At 18 Lil was told that if she didn't quit smoking she could die. I don't know all the details, but she quit, but was still quite ill. She had to have a hysterectomy and of course was unable to have children. A hard blow to endure for anyone.
Lil married Harry Shack, and became a part of a family with more women, Harry was the baby of the family and the only boy. His sisters would become another major influence in my life.
Aunt Katy (my Godmother - always pinched my cheek and hugged and kissed me), Aunt Sarah - warmth and wisom, I spent a lot of time with her - always there to help, Aunt Clara (sweet to me, encouraged me), Aunt Rose (warm, always friedly, I didn't spend as much time with her.
Here's the rub. Lil and Harry could not have children and it was hard to adopt in 1945. Lil and Harry went to Nova Scotia, Canada to arrange for my adoption from the Ideal Maternity Home.
I don't know what they actually had to pay - but it ranged from $5,000 to $10,000. I had Strawberry Blonde hair and frekles, I looked just like Lil, (and I also look like my birth mother).
I had Chiken Pox and had to wait until I got better before I could come to the US. I was very lucky tat Lillian came and got me, for I was a Butterbox Baby, and easily could have been left to die if I hadn't been a cute baby that was wanted by an American. (Please see list of links below for more info on the Butterbox Babies. This had been documented in at least 4 books, and one feature film.) Please read this as it will give you an great insight into the Right to Choose/Pro-Life debate. (There is NO right or wrong, there's horror and fear on both sides of the issue. I am Pro-Choice, only because it's not my body, my life or my business to tell any woman to make that decision. Personally, if Abortion were legal at the time I was born, I might not be here. Lil and Fran, my mothers, thanks to you both for your wisdom and thought. The violence over this issue must end, most angry arguments either way are spurious, it is a very hard personal issue. Kindness, thought, and guidance from caring people is needed. I am pro-adoption and would hope women would choose this option, but I do not want the government to legislate this. This is where good religious leaders in each faith should focus their efforts, birth control does not need medication, but it is always there as an option. Guidance and thought, contemplation. There is help out there, there are Lillian's waiting to ameliorate their own pain and help young women with their fear and pain. No it isn't easy at any level.

In Memorium again - TooYoung - goodbye Tim

I just watched a video that my friend Penny Ronning posted on her site, see below - go visit - it is about the unadulterated, outright, outrageous, undignified, uncalled for, superemely sexist campaign that Senator Hillary Clinton has had to endure. Michelle Obama has also been treated in a similar maner. Shame on all of you, both men and for Gods' sake women. Are you women too ignorant to realize that you are defeating your own future by a woman treating another woman as chattel, meat or a commodity rather than intelligent beings that have changed the world for the better. A quick aside - how many of you know that nuclear fission was proven to exist and work by a woman, when asked to help develop the atomic bomb she refused. (Watch the PBS special on Einstein's life and theories. Many very important women are discussed in detail. It is a revelation. A Jewish German woman changed the world and was treated horribly, in fear for her life, and not treated with respect by her colleauges. I apologize for not remembering her name, but I will watch the special again, order the DVD, and show my daughter what some women did to try and save the world.)

Chris Matthews go suck an egg and while you're at it, eat it raw, get Salmonella poisoning and feel some of the pain you have casually foisted upon women as a group. If I were Senator Clinton I could not be as gracious as to let you get away with your many sexist comments. YOU ARE NOT FUNNY! And I'm someone that used to enjoy your commentaries. Don't you realize what effect comments like these have on a campaign. Your dredging up every stereotype you could meekly and inepty bring up does effect the vote. Shamefully true.
Senator Clinton made an error in timing, and also trying to play a "mans' " game early on in the campaign. If she had been the real Hillary from day one and let the people see her as she really is through the whole campaign, Senator Obama, as good a person and candidate as he might be, could not have beaten Senator Clinton. What a geat loss we have just suffered.

On suffering a loss, I looked carefully to see if Tim Russert had beaten up on Hillary Clinton in a sexist way, the only spot I saw was Tim laughing at something Chris Matthews said. We will miss Tim Russert greatly. He was fair and tough on everyone. I heard someone say that he really questioned how some of our politicians got to where they are, they were so inept. I heard him described as a Ronald Reagan Democrat. (Ronald Reagan cut his political teeth on the side of FDR, as did LBJ. They really tried to appeal to the average American, and do what they though was good for the people - I didn't always agree with them, but they were hardcore true believers that government could make a difference.) I think Tim Russert cared so deeply for the American people he really tried to be neutral and fair, he just wanted answers to questions to be addresed with some modicum of intelligence. I will miss him, and America will notice our loss.
We need more journalists of this quality - not the garbage that has been spewed against Hillary Clinton by other psuedo-journalists. Rest in Peace Tim, you will be missed. I remember when you knew Hillary could not win, but you were fair - that's all I ask, fairness and decency. Anyone who worked in NY with the great politicians you trained with could ever ask why you were so incisive and demanding for honest answers from everyone. Thank you so much.