That was a debate?

It was supposed to be a debate in which Republican candidates for president informed us about their plans to  heal the economy from the damage Obama inflicted on us.  Sponsored by CNBC and moderated  by financial wizards, the debate became a fight between the candidates and the moderators.

It became plain from the start that the moderators were interested only  in making the debaters fight each other.  Instead the candidates turned on the moderators and pointed out the unfairness and sometimes the silliness of the questions.

No Halloween in Israel

With Halloween just a few days away, I am reminded of how Jessica as a small child enjoyed that observance even more than Christmas.  She especially liked donning a costume and acting a part in the Boy Scout haunted house. Jessica is in Israel now and I am sad to say any violence there will be the real thing. 

    (What you can do is visit Basilica of the Sepulcher, Notre Dame Center by Dormitron Abby in Jerusalem.)

Our inluence is dying with us

President Bush the first is upset at what is happening to the United >States and especially the Republican Party.  Bush is 91 and like me and the World War II veterans we are unhappy at the direction  many  people are taking us.   Bush  mentioned Trump's insult of McCain who spent five years as a prisoner of war.  Once that would have shut Trump up but many laugh at Trump because he is a clown.

Yes, I still hate the phone

Look no further -- I'm the guy who threw the phone through  the window. I have taken all I can stand.  During the past four days I have limped my way to answer our  land phone at least 40 times. Of those calls three or four were meaningful while about 40 were political calls, asking for votes and money.

We have cell phones and most of our friends and relatives know the numbers and call us on them.  I can answer those calls while sitting.

Some of you know I have a deep  hatred of the phone that goes back to when I edited a newspaper.

Politics hot as fire today

Think about it -- several months from today you go to the polls to vote for president and you have just two options --Hillary Clinton and/or Donald Trump.
                                                    -o

       I did not intend to be writing about presidential politics this early but this week is electric -- Joe Biden announces he will not seek the Democratic nomination for president but adds that he  will stay involved.
Today the long awaited testimony of  Hillary on Benghazi is in progress.        

I missed Lowe reunion

The Lowe reunion was observed Saturday, October 10, at  Lakeview church in Minden.   I was unable to attend, which I regret very much.

The reunion is of descendants of T. T. Lowe, although most of those attending do not carry that name.

The observance is no  longer politically correct since Lowe fought for the Confederacy during the War Between the States.

What's ahead for the economy?

A journalist asked Janet Yellen, Federal Reserve chairman, if  this time of no interest might go on forever.  Her reply was yes, it may.

Now among other skills I lack  -- I am no economist.  I remember when Japan fell to a zero interest rate economy.  I could not believe it could happen here but we all know it has.  You can read about and see promoted all types of products and schemes to protect against a collapse of the stock market. None of them give me confidence or calm my nerves.

The only thing I can do is be alert and pray.

Elderly being ripped off

For the third time the elderly are not receiving COLA  (cost of living adjustment).  That, the administration claims, is because gasoline costs less.  It seems the elderly are driving  their expensive sports cars up and down the interstates.  To compensate and make sure the old folks behave, Part B of Medicare will take more money from everyone.  Michelle and Obama can spend millions on travel and vacations while old folks pay even higher medical and drug costs.  Obama and his friends  seem to say if the elderly are unhappy, they should not have lived so long.

Israel interferes with Palestine worship

Israel continues to deliberately provoke Palestinians by interfering with their religious services.  In one mosque only men older than 40 are allowed to worship; in another the ages allowed to worship are men over 50 and boys 12 or younger.

We are distubed by fighting in Jerusalem.

Violence is escalating in Israel, which worries us very much.  Jen and Josh are safe at home, but we are concerned about Jessica.  Most of the  troubles are in a part of Jerusalem.  an area Jessica is avoiding at present.

Palestinians involved are mostly teenagers armed with rocks.  Israeli troops and policemen respond with gunfire.

Rembering Noumea

       'Did you go to  Noumea,   New Caledonia for a purpose other than recreation?"  My brother Jon surprised me with this question because the history of our ship,  the  Pickens, says  we went to get some material and bring it back to Saipan.  Whatever,  it was a deserved few weeks of recreation. 

Jon said I bought a knife in Noumea, something I did not remember. He said we were fishing on Dorcheat  Bayou when I dropped  a knife and said "There goes the knife I bought in Noumea.'  I do not remember that although I  clearly remember   acting the agent to buy an Eiesonhower jacket for a British seaman.

Nazareth visited

Our crew in   Israel has avoided the unrest and violence that has been taking place.  They have avoided visiting some sites and have been fortunate in leaving others before trouble began.

They have visiting Nazareth , Tiberias, Capernaum, Mount of the Beatitudes and nearby sites. They were able to return to the apartment for rest and sleep.

They are scheduled to return to Jerusalem today.  That worries me.

Vitsits to holy and unholy sites

With the help of a tour guide, the Louisiana visitors continued to visit holy sites, with Saturday spent in the Bethlehem area where their tour included visiting three refuges (more like concentration camps).  They were shocked  to learn that some Palestinians  still hope to be restored to their homes that were in their family for hundreds of years.

This is me talking now. Americans should let Israel know we are tired of Israel  claiming  to be persecuted. They have imprisoned Palestinians in hell holes like the Gaza strip where they are deprived of food, fuel, energy and  hospital supplies.  When Israel drops bombs on schools and hospitals,  the Israelis have the nerve to say the victims should not have taken refuge in such places.

When the roll is called

The travelers  (Jen and Josh) arrived in Tel Aviv safely and began their journey to see every holy site in Jerusalem and area.  They spent Thursday walking and seeing churches, some of which  were having services.  Celebrants in one church were ssinging "When the roll is called up Yonder" in a language that sounded like Japanese.

The area was crowded with visitors, many there to celebrate the Feast of the Tabernacles.  This is a  harvest fest to be marked with great rejoicing.  This is not only a Jewish holiday but is also Christian/