This is a look at St. Patrick’s Day and the Irish community of Tipperary Hill, located on the west side of Syracuse, New York. The area has the world famous working traffic signal with green on top and red on the bottom.

Read more: http://authspot.com/poetry/storm-of-the-new-millenium/#ixzz1mlpfcVOe

Well, we’ve seen the candidates and we’ve heard their self promoting speeches and thankfully, we’ve watched many drop by the wayside. Now the field of stellar, high moral, right thinking, and neoconservative contenders has been narrowed to four real honest to goodness Americans.

Gone from the race for president, but not forgotten are characters like the following:

Herman Cain. “Michele Bachmann… I’m not going to say it. I’m not going to say it…. Tutti-frutti. I know I’m going to get in trouble!” “The more toppings a man has on his pizza, I believe the more manly he is…. Because the more manly man is not afraid of abundance…. A manly man don’t want it piled high with vegetables! He would call that a sissy pizza.” “I’m ready for the ‘gotcha’ questions and they’re already starting to come. And when they ask me who is the president of Ubeki-beki-beki-beki-stan-stan I’m going to say, you know, I don’t know. Do you know? And then I’m going to say, ‘How’s that going to create one job?”

Rick Perry: “Is it the Mitt Romney that was on the side of — against the Second Amendment before he was for the Second Amendment? Was it — was before — he was before the social programs from the standpoint of — he was for standing up for Roe v. Wade before he was against first — Roe v. Wade?” “I don’t think the federal government has a role in your children’s education.” “I will tell you: It’s three agencies of government, when I get there, that are gone: Commerce, Education and the — what’s the third one there? Let’s see. … OK. So Commerce, Education and the — … The third agency of government I would — I would do away with the Education, the … Commerce and — let’s see — I can’t. The third one, I can’t. Sorry. Oops.”

Michele Bachmann: “I don’t know how much God has to do to get the attention of the politicians. We’ve had an earthquake; we’ve had a hurricane. He said, ‘Are you going to start listening to me here?’ Listen to the American people because the American people are roaring right now. They know government is on a morbid obesity diet and we’ve got to rein in the spending.” “Why should I go and do something like that? But the Lord says, ‘Be submissive wives; you are to be submissive to your husbands.” “I wish the American media would take a great look at the views of the people in Congress and find out: Are they pro-America or anti-America?” “Carbon dioxide is portrayed as harmful. But there isn’t even one study that can be produced that shows that carbon dioxide is a harmful gas.”

Okay, exhale everyone because at least those named above are off the ballot, but when you look at what we’re left with it becomes even scarier and creepier than one can even imagine.

Ron Paul: “Believe me, the next step is a currency crisis because there will be a rejection of the dollar, the rejection of the dollar is a big, big event, and then your personal liberties are going to be severely threatened.” “Capitalism should not be condemned, since we haven’t had capitalism.”  “Of course I’ve already taken a very modest position on the monetary system, I do take the position that we should just end the Fed.” “Our country’s founders cherished liberty, not democracy.” “ You wanna get rid of drug crime in this country? Fine, let’s just get rid of all the drug laws.” Wow, we could actually have legalized drugs and no government to enforce any laws. How cool is that man?

Rick Santorum: “If the Supreme Court says that you have the right to consensual (gay) sex within your home, then you have the right to bigamy, you have the right to polygamy, you have the right to incest, you have the right to adultery. You have the right to anything.” “The most dangerous place for an African American is in the womb.” “Isn’t that the ultimate homeland security, standing up and defending marriage?”  “My feeling is, well, if it’s my money, I have a right to judge.”  Okay, to recap, if you’re gay, too bad and if you want or need an abortion, too bad and finally, if you’re poor too bad because if Ricky has the money then he has the right to judge. Holy moral fiber Wonder Woman there goes your rights down the drain.

Newt Gingrich: “I’m not a natural leader. I’m too intellectual; I’m too abstract; I think too much.” “If the Soviet empire still existed, I’d be terrified. The fact is, we can afford a fairly ignorant presidency now.” “The problem isn’t too little money in political campaigns, but not enough.” “I have enormous personal ambition. I want to shift the entire planet. And I’m doing it. I am now a famous person. I represent real power.” “Gingrich – Primary mission, Advocate of civilization, Definer of civilization, Teacher of the rules of civilization, Leader of the civilizing forces.” “We should replace bilingual education with immersion in English so people learn the common language of the country and they learn the language of prosperity, not the language of living in a ghetto.” “It is tragic what we do in the poorest neighborhoods, entrapping children in child laws which are truly stupid…These schools should get rid of unionized janitors, have one master janitor, pay local students to take care of the school.” Newt has said he would appoint Sarah Palin (Yup, you heard it right) to a high level cabinet post if he was elected president. Maybe it should be Ambassador to Russia so her commute will be close to her back porch. Newt also has said any government employee that doesn’t agree with his line of thinking should be fired. Oh, oh, I guess those married and believing in fidelity better start looking for other work.

Mitt Romney: “I’m not a big-game hunter. I’ve made that very clear. I’ve always been a rodent and rabbit hunter. Small varmints, if you will.” “We should double Guantanamo!” “I’m happy to learn that after I speak you’re going to hear from Ann Coulter. That’s a good thing. I think it’s important to get the views of moderates.” “Corporations are people, my friend… of course they are. Everything corporations earn ultimately goes to the people. Where do you think it goes? Whose pockets? Whose pockets? People’s pockets. Human beings, my friend.” “I should tell my story. I’m also unemployed.” Mitt, Mitt, Mitt me thinks you are so out of touch with the people you theoretically want to rule in your Kingdom you just don’t get it. Do you really, honestly, sincerely, believe the President of the United States of America should have his wealth hidden in off shore accounts? How patriotic is it when your own money is kept out of the country you supposedly love?

So, without mincing words and for the most part simply quoting the candidates at large, I present the roster of 2012 GOP presidential wannabes. Good luck America!

Written By: Dennis L. Page

As humans we consider ourselves superior over all other living creatures. However, I am confused by what drives others to exercise man’s inhumanity to man. Is it egotism, narcissism or pride and prejudice that propel some to inflict so much pain and suffering on others?

Benevolence is defined as someone doing or showing goodwill and doing good deeds. A compassionate person is one who exhibits an awareness of the stress and problems of another and has sympathy for them. A person is considered civil if they are formal, courteous or polite. If a person outwardly shows characteristics of virtue, honesty, principles and rules of conduct, then we may infer they are of good moral fiber. Then there is the evilness that lurks in the hearts of mankind. It has been there since the very beginning and it remains even today.

In Genesis we learn of Adam and Eve’s children, Cain and Abel. Cain being the eldest sibling became a tiller of the land and Abel, the youngest became a shepherd. Abel was in God’s favor because of his offerings to the Lord and Cain had fallen out of God’s respect and he slew his only brother Abel. Evilness was present then and it remains with us even in the year 2012.

From 433 to 453 the world was introduced to the armies of Attila the Hun. Attila’s forces were ruthless as they plundered everything in their paths. Because of his unmerciful and cold blooded actions, the Romans referred to Attila the Hun as the “Scourge of God.” Now fast forward approximately 700 years to Mongolia and Genghis Kahn who started amassing his army at the age of 20 in the year 1175. With the callousness of a heavy hand, Kahn’s forces went on their marches and conquered new lands. A shaman had declared Genghis Kahn supreme god of the Mongols and to disregard Kahn was the same as defying God. Kahn had been known to boast, “I am the flail of God. If you had not committed great sins, God would not have sent a punishment like me upon you.” At the time of his death in 1227, the Mongolian Empire was like no other in the world.

Coincidentally, the same year Kahn died was also the year Pope Gregory IX began his rule which lasted until 1241. Pope Gregory IX legacy refers to him as the “Father of the Inquisition.” The Inquisition has left a stain on world history like no other. The persecution of those accused of heresy or sorcery ruled the day. Thousands of people were mutilated, tortured, burned at the stake, murdered and driven from their lands. Any attempt to construe a personal glimpse of God which conflicted with church dogma resulted in a sentence of being burned at the stake without pity or mercy. Of course, this also brings us to England and the phrase, “Hanged, drawn and quartered.” Once charged and convicted of High Treason a person was tied to something similar to a fence, dragged through the streets, hung by the neck, yet cut loose before death, laid out on a wooden table where they were systematically disemboweled, decapitated and castrated.

Then, out of the very flames of hell on earth, the world was introduced to the pure evilness of Adolf Hitler. Genocide was given a whole new meaning with the Beelzebub of modern times. Men, women, children, and the elderly were exterminated simply for being Jews, Communists, Gypsies or Homosexuals. Our globe lost 11 million lives during the Prince of Demons reign of terror. Millions died in gas chambers, death camps, of malnutrition and disease.

Charlie Company of the U.S. Marines made their presence known to the village of My Lai in South Vietnam on March 16, 1968. While being led by Lt. William Calley and after suffering heavy injuries and loss of life by the Vietcong, the massacre of over 300 men, women and children commenced. There were reports of children being raped and then killed. Women were executed by being shot in the back of the head while praying, and old men were bayoneted. Yet, not one My Lai villager showed or fired a weapon at the Marines. Although convicted of murder, Lt. Calley was released from prison in 1974 and pursued a career in the insurance industry.

Finally, we have been introduced to despicable images of U.S. Marines urinating onto Afghan corpses. In spite of the utter shock and disgust associated with American military men behaving so dishonorably, there are still those who defend their actions. Although there are those who find this outward sign of machismo behavior acceptable, I think it is deplorable and devoid of acting within the realm of a moral compass.

As someone who is admittedly a newshound always thirsty for information on current events from around the world, I am also the recipient of observing inhumane acts on innocent victims. “Haven’t we gotten better than this?” is my standard question of the day. Just now, in the process of putting down these words, I observed on TV 8 boys chase down another child and without mercy, ganged up on him, stomped him, kicked him and beat him without mercy. Why? What is the anger and viciousness all about? Our planet is jammed with children killing other children and parents murdering their offspring or men and women slaying each other or suicide bombers or serial killers or capital punishment that still executes innocent prisoners and other countries opening fire with live ammunition upon their own dissenting citizens and on and on the list of immoral acts goes.

It’s amazing how I was heading in one direction when I started out on this expose’ and it has somehow taken on a life of its own. In summary, it is safe to say that pure unadulterated evilness has been around as long as humans have walked this land. Oh sure, the majority of us may be kind, compassionate, caring, benevolent, civil and yes, even have a strong moral code of conduct and it is this majority that needs to join forces and fight back the satanic actions of others. A levee system of goodness needs to be constructed around the flood waters of evil in an ongoing effort to reject the rising tide of hate and incivility that continues to exist. I’m building my levee. Are you?

Written By: Dennis L. Page

Dennis L. Page

1021 Holly Lane

Endwell, NY 13760

(607) 757 0131

January 17, 2012

To: Mr. David Patak, President/CEO

Sr. Kathleen Natwin, Board Chair

Seton 3 Nursing Unit

On Friday January 6, 2012, I arrived at Lourdes via ambulance and was subsequently admitted. My wife who has taught in the Catholic School System for over 38 years, made the decision to send me to your facility and I must say I couldn’t have chosen a better place to receive care and treatment.

Although I do not remember much about my Emergency Room visit, I do know my pain was excruciating and debilitating. The entire ER personnel, including Doctors Santini and Rahman addressed the concerns at hand and took all appropriate actions to put me on a safe road to recovery.

I would be remiss in not acknowledging the entire staff of Seton 3 Nursing Unit. While arguably not the easiest person to control, my transition of temporary lost freedoms were made easier by the empathy, kindness and all around sincerity of the staff. I tip my hat to Dr. Hassig, every nurse who attended me including, but not limited to Lana, Cheedem, Cheryl, and Carol. Also, I want to say how thankful I am to all of the assistants, housekeeping personnel, those who transported me to radiology, the women who worked in radiology, food services and Julie the dietician. Lourdes Hospital should hold their head high in the realization of hiring and keeping a staff of exceptional professionals and you should be proud to call them your employees.

Too often we go about our daily lives without thanking those who have actually made our lives easier and today my thanks goes to everyone at Lourdes.

Sincerely,

Dennis L. Page

It all started so innocently. I had been nursing a lung and upper respiratory infection for a couple of weeks, but was on the mends. The miracle drug Prednisone had finished its 14 day run and the healing had begun while feeling stronger and better day by day. Then the enemy of the past barged back into my life and a war long thought concluded 44 years ago was now going strong once again.

Adolescence is a time of growing and exploring all that life has to offer. Potato chips, ice cream, soda, French fries, onion rings, hamburgers and hot dogs were foods of choice for most teenagers when I was growing up and I seriously doubt things have changed a whole lot from the 1960s until now. However, for me things did change around the time I turned 15 years old. For you see, that is when I was first diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease. No one really knows for sure why this disease rears its ugly head, but it does and it can be quite serious in nature.

Lucky for me I didn’t get sick in Junior High School and therefore, I was able to be in gymnastics, track and run the hurdles. However, by the time High School rolled around I was physically too ill to participate in sports. I had rapid weight loss, chronic diarrhea (certainly not a topic a teenager wants to discuss) and unrelenting, debilitating abdominal pain. Instead, I turned to art and drama classes as a way to cope with the void in my life and they served me well. Of course there were hospitalizations, due to severe malnutrition and at one point my parents were informed this disease had the potential of being fatal. That was all the news my dear mother needed to hear and off to the Lahey Clinic in Boston we went for several extensive days of testing. The exams were grueling and although my mom had only my interest at heart I recall how livid I was with her for making me endure the barium enemas and painful colon, rectal and intestinal scoped exams. I was so exhausted after these medical screenings that I slept on the plane from Boston to New York City and on to Syracuse Hancock Airport where my mom had to awaken me on our arrival home.

So for the remainder of my teenage years I was advised to avoid all fried food, only eat ice cream if I let it melt in my mouth, drink several glasses of warm water per day and on and on went the restrictive behavior. Oh, and also back when the legal drinking age was 18 I was told to avoid alcoholic intake. Well, I learned at an early age rules were made to be broken and I proudly broke every single restriction placed on my activities. Did I pay a price? I sure did, but it was worth every savory tidbit I nibbled on or ice cold beer I drank. I also worked like other teenagers as a dishwasher, busboy, and car hop and in retail at our Sears & Roebucks. Then, as mysteriously as Crohn’s appeared, it vanished. I was rid of the menace and that is how my life remained until Thursday evening….44 years later.

It was not unlike any other evening at home. We had my homemade spaghetti sauce and meatballs and garlic toast. I had a small bowl of popcorn after dinner and around 9:00 P.M. a slice of blueberry pie. By midnight I was in complete distress. My stomach was bloating faster than filling a water balloon and the pain was excruciating. From the left side to the right side to the upper and then lower abdomen, it was as though everything was twisting and turning in slow motion. The bloated stomach and severe pain became so uncontrollable the ambulance was called and off to the hospital I went where the emergency room admitted me on Friday at 6:30 A.M. Crohn’s has come back as my nemesis and the war is on once again. What happened to our truce? Who crossed the line? It makes no difference who caused the battle because the assault is on and I am bound and determined to win it once again, even if several decades have passed since our last confrontation.

Written By: Dennis L. Page

Image via Wikipedia

It’s no secret that Dancing with the Stars (DWTS) loads their pot each season with forgotten, irrelevant, despised, mediocre or just plain dull individuals, all in an attempt to boost their ratings and those of the celebs. Gazing into the wonderment of my crystal ball I proudly announce the slate of contestants for next year’s side show…oops, I mean television show. My bad.

Yes, DWTS viewing audience brace yourselves because you are going to be in for an entertaining song and dance 2012 season that…well…you haven’t seen since the GOP debates. I eagerly look forward to embracing the foibles of the upcoming cast members, knowing in advance the controversies, scandals, missteps and falls from grace that are surely to occur. It is as if famed astrologer Jean Dixon has taken over my mind as I see clearly into the future. Accordingly, I am pleased to offer my predictions for DWTS 2012.

Unfortunately for Herman Cain, he was not able to get past the interviewing process. First he bought free Godfather pizzas for only the female employees, then offered rent free apartments to several of them, groped a few more, tried to set up another in business and when confronted simply said, “Hey, we’re just friends.” Mr. Cain was escorted off premises screaming, “NINE, NINE, NINE.” He has since shuffled off into oblivion.

Rick Perry became the first contestant voted off DWTS. Although costumed in a lovely white ruffled and lace shirt, his chest was bloated and his movements rather rigid. It was if someone had stuck a steel rod up his derriere, if you know what I mean. Anyway, even though the blouse was nice, Mr. Perry forgot the third dance step and he is now back in Texas, doing whatever it is Texans do in Texas.

Ron Paul, I’m sad to say, walked off the show because he claimed too many regulations and organization involved for his liking.  Mr. Paul is now president of the John Birch Society.

Rick Santorum wasn’t able to last very long on DWTS either. Being a man of strong moral values he refused any body contact with his female handler. Cough, cough. Rick repeatedly refused to wear leotards, proclaiming they showed too much of his “package,” if you catch my drift. Mr. Santorum is now at Olan Mills capturing the mechanical Eric Cantor canned smile.

Newt Gingrich was also voted off the acclaimed TV show for a variety of reasons. “Give Newt the boot,” was the roar of the audience due to a lackluster performance. Although, Newt felt he was far more talented than any other dancers, the fact he resembled a yard gnome in his costumes, simply gave too many people the creeps. One problem for the Newtster was the fact his people forgot to tell others to watch and vote for him. Epic fail on his part for sure. Upon exiting the show Mr. and Mrs. Gingrich took a private jet to New York City where he promptly bought his wife a $1 million sapphire and diamond necklace at Tiffany’s.

Michele Bachmann was able to last to the very end of DWTS, yet she still didn’t take home the coveted 1^st place award. Big hair and a petite body with pearly white teeth, certainly made Michele the more attractive of contestants. However, claiming God was guiding her every step of the way, turned off to many voters on the show. Another handicap for her was fighting off the mental image of the night she caught her husband in the “set, hike” position with Bruce the hairstylist. Mrs. and Mr. Bachmann are now back at their own clinic, gleefully counseling each other on the evils of homosexuality. Oh those two silly savages.

Mitt Romney proudly proclaimed victory as the 2012 DWTS winner. It’s no secret; Mitt was the better looking of all the other dancers. Personally, I think it was the red flamingo suit, with feathered cap that cinched his win and the fact that no one on the show could change costumes quite as fast as Mitt. After winning, Mr. Romney brought his team into ABC and under a hostile takeover, bought all of their shares and fired half the staff. Now how is that for wealth…oh, oh…I mean job creation?

So there you have it. The egos will be as enormous as the lies, half truths, affairs, and mega wealth of the losers in the 2012 presidential election who opted for just one more chance of fame on DWS. Enjoy the show!

Written By: Dennis L. Page

I can’t take the stupidity anymore. Ignorance is rampant and for crying out loud it is happening in the country I love. Where is the sanity in politics today? People are fawning over damn near illiterate candidates and it makes my stomach turn ad nauseam. Remember, when reading this article, the nuts and bolts are the words of other people and not my own.

Let’s start my rant with none other than Herman Cain. “Michele Bachmann… I’m not going to say it. I’m not going to say it…. Tutti-frutti. I know I’m going to get in trouble!” “The more toppings a man has on his pizza, I believe the more manly he is…. Because the more manly man is not afraid of abundance…. A manly man don’t want it piled high with vegetables! He would call that a sissy pizza.” “I’m ready for the ‘gotcha’ questions and they’re already starting to come. And when they ask me who is the president of Ubeki-beki-beki-beki-stan-stan I’m going to say, you know, I don’t know. Do you know? And then I’m going to say, ‘How’s that going to create one job?”

Rick Perry: “Is it the Mitt Romney that was on the side of — against the Second Amendment before he was for the Second Amendment? Was it — was before — he was before the social programs from the standpoint of — he was for standing up for Roe v. Wade before he was against first — Roe v. Wade?” “I don’t think the federal government has a role in your children’s education.” “I will tell you: It’s three agencies of government, when I get there, that are gone: Commerce, Education and the — what’s the third one there? Let’s see. … OK. So Commerce, Education and the — … The third agency of government I would — I would do away with the Education, the … Commerce and — let’s see — I can’t. The third one, I can’t. Sorry. Oops.”

Michele Bachmann: “I don’t know how much God has to do to get the attention of the politicians. We’ve had an earthquake; we’ve had a hurricane. He said, ‘Are you going to start listening to me here?’ Listen to the American people because the American people are roaring right now. They know government is on a morbid obesity diet and we’ve got to rein in the spending.” “Why should I go and do something like that? But the Lord says, ‘Be submissive wives; you are to be submissive to your husbands.” “I wish the American media would take a great look at the views of the people in Congress and find out: Are they pro-America or anti-America?” “Carbon dioxide is portrayed as harmful. But there isn’t even one study that can be produced that shows that carbon dioxide is a harmful gas.”

Rick Santorum: “If the Supreme Court says that you have the right to consensual (gay) sex within your home, then you have the right to bigamy, you have the right to polygamy, you have the right to incest, you have the right to adultery. You have the right to anything.” “The most dangerous place for an African American is in the womb.” “Isn’t that the ultimate homeland security, standing up and defending marriage?”  “My feeling is, well, if it’s my money, I have a right to judge.”

Ron Paul: “Believe me, the next step is a currency crisis because there will be a rejection of the dollar, the rejection of the dollar is a big, big event, and then your personal liberties are going to be severely threatened.” “Capitalism should not be condemned, since we haven’t had capitalism.”  “Of course I’ve already taken a very modest position on the monetary system, I do take the position that we should just end the Fed.” “Our country’s founders cherished liberty, not democracy.” “ You wanna get rid of drug crime in this country? Fine, let’s just get rid of all the drug laws.”

John Huntsman:  Quite frankly, I don’t have any inane quotes from this candidate.

Newt Gingrich: “I’m not a natural leader. I’m too intellectual; I’m too abstract; I think too much.” “If the Soviet empire still existed, I’d be terrified. The fact is, we can afford a fairly ignorant presidency now.” “The problem isn’t too little money in political campaigns, but not enough.” “I have enormous personal ambition. I want to shift the entire planet. And I’m doing it. I am now a famous person. I represent real power.” “Gingrich – Primary mission, Advocate of civilization, Definer of civilization, Teacher of the rules of civilization, Leader of the civilizing forces.” “We should replace bilingual education with immersion in English so people learn the common language of the country and they learn the language of prosperity, not the language of living in a ghetto.” “It is tragic what we do in the poorest neighborhoods, entrapping children in child laws which are truly stupid…These schools should get rid of unionized janitors, have one master janitor, pay local students to take care of the school.”

Mitt Romney: “I’m not a big-game hunter. I’ve made that very clear. I’ve always been a rodent and rabbit hunter. Small varmints, if you will.” “We should double Guantanamo!” “I’m happy to learn that after I speak you’re going to hear from Ann Coulter. That’s a good thing. I think it’s important to get the views of moderates.” “Corporations are people, my friend… of course they are. Everything corporations earn ultimately goes to the people. Where do you think it goes? Whose pockets? Whose pockets? People’s pockets. Human beings, my friend.” “I should tell my story. I’m also unemployed.”

Well, there you have it in a nutshell. The above are the words of your 2012 GOP candidates. Good luck in making your picks in the up coming election and remember, all I did was quote those who are running. Now it is your turn to figure this whole mess out.

Dennis L. Page

pOur guest blogger is Anthony Swift, policy analyst for the Natural Resources Defense Council. One of the most important facts that is missing in the national debate surrounding the proposed Keystone XL tar sands pipeline is this — Keystone XL will not bring any more oil into the United State for decades to come. Canada [...]/p

via Fact Check: Keystone XL Would Ship Foreign Oil To Foreign Lands.

We’re so lucky | ViewsHound.