...a way for god to bless America.

If I'm god, and a god with a sense of humor, here's what I'd do. I'd make John McCain president of the United States. Then shortly after his inauguration, I'd bring him home. To heaven. That would make it possible for Sarah Barracuda to ascend to the presidency. Yes, America's first woman president. When mere mortals used to think that it would really be Hillary Clinton. Instead, it turns out to be a female barracuda. Yes, that would be a way for god to bless America. A hilarious way, too. --Jim Broede

Anything a man can do, this barracuda can do better.

Yes, I saw it with my own eyes. That's why I believe it. Our Republican vice presidential aspirant Sarah Palin has a throw rug on her sofa. Yes, a rug made out of a grizzly bear skin, complete with head. I'm wondering if she personally banged it. After all, she brags about having field dressed a moose. And she's handy with a firearm and a member in good standing of the National Rifle Association. And she was a basketball star known for her aggressive play, earning her the nickname Sarah Barracuda. Could be that anything a man can do, this barracuda can do better. --Jim Broede

...the dumbing down of America.

I think political campaigns in a democracy such as the U.S. have become manipulations. Clever ways to influence minds. And outcomes. With sound bites. With key words. Yes, we are being turned into a nation of robots. Non-thinkers. In essence, we are being told we don't have time to think. To ponder. To reflect. Because we are so busy. With other things. The candidates have become a product. Like a laundry detergent. Or a car. Or a breakfast cereal. Yes, they are being sold to us in advertisements. Often 30-second commercials. With slogans. Often, we are being sold on a personality. Rather than a bona fide issue. The idea is to make contrasts. Black and white. Conservative and liberal. Good and bad/evil. Anyway, I'm sickened by it all. I'm disillusioned over the dumbing down of America. --Jim Broede

...a good & decent attitude.

Isn't life wonderful? I'm up at 6:30 in the morning. Daybreak here in Minnesota. Went to bed around 1:15 a.m. So, I don't have in my 8 hours of sleep. But still, I feel good. No dreams. No nightmares. Just nice thoughts. So I decided to get up. Enjoy the early morning. And ponder the blessing of being in love. Thinking more about what goes right in life. Rather than wrong. And also reminding myself that I can't fix the world. Only myself. I have absolutely no control over most world events. So, I have to keep learning acceptance. And to do what I can to have a reasonably good & decent attitude. --Jim Broede

I'm alive and well and happy.

About once a week, I peek in and read a woman's blog. A woman that seems to me feels sorry for herself. She's in depression. Admits it, too. And she has a chronic illness. I sort of feel sorry for her, too. I'll send her a note now and then. To try to console her. Doesn't always work. Sometimes, I may do her more harm than good. She doesn't think I understand depression. Could be she's right. Because I try to avoid depression. Just the thought of it makes me depressed. So I switch gears immediately. And start to think happy thoughts. Remind myself that I'm in love. With someone. But if I'm not in love with someone, I'm still in love with life. So far, that has pulled me through. May not forever. I don't like the thought of falling ill and dying a slow, lingering death. That might depress me. But I try not to think about it. Instead, I focus on today. And at the moment, I'm alive and well and happy. --Jim Broede

I don't cry any more. I just laugh.

The game of baseball, and especially the Chicago Cubs, fascinates me. For almost all of my life. I'm 72. And I remember listening to the Cubs play in a World Series. In 1945. When I was 10. Yes, the last time the Cubs were in a World Series. And they lost in 7 games to Detroit. The last time the Cubs won a World Series was in 1908. The Cubs have had a good season so far, despite a current 6-game losing streak. They still lead the National League Central Division by 4 games, with 21 left to play. Yes, the Cubs could still blow it. Because they are playing their worst baseball of the season now. And Lord knows, they've been known to fold before. They have a reputation as loveable losers. So, I'm used to pulling for a team of losers. But still, I find it fascinating. Just before the Cubs went on this losing streak, they had won 7 straight. Had the best record in baseball. Yes, maybe the best team. Yet, they could fade out of the picture, and not even make the playoffs at the end of the month. Unlikely. But still quite possible. If it happens, that will go down in Cubs lore. As another example of what may be the most ill-fated team in baseball. I used to get upset when the Cubs let their fans down. After high hopes. But I don't any more. I'm used to this sort of stuff. It happens. Time and again. And that is what fascinates me. How something always happens to dash the hopes of Chicago Cubs fans. I don't cry any more. I just laugh. --Jim Broede

...the unnecessary war on terror.

I think the terrorist threat to the U.S. is exaggerated. Largely by politicians. Such as George Bush. I don't even think a so-called war on terror is necessary. Oh, there should be police action. Attacks by terrorists are crimes. Yes, 9/11 was a crime. But to go to war over it? Give me a break. Those responsible for the planning of it should be rounded up and brought to trial and justice. By international police action. Not by war. The terrorists gave Bush an excuse to make political hay. To even invade a country (Iraq) that had nothing to do with 9/11. Bush just wanted an excuse to try to change the nature of the Middle East. He miscalculated a bit. Got us bogged down in a costly and senseless war. One that's doing far more harm than good for America. In terms of lost lives and lost money. We taxpayers are going to pay trillions for that debacle. We've played right into the hands of terrorists. And the planners of 9/11 are still free. Meanwhile, we Americans have lost many of our freedoms. All in the name of the war on terror. Yes, an unnecessary war. --Jim Broede