tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-308024442024-03-13T18:08:57.807-05:00gabbygeezerA fully mature adult writes about whatever strikes his fancyDick Kladehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11793395712483278104noreply@blogger.comBlogger453125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30802444.post-90435909998207182452018-02-18T16:43:00.000-06:002018-04-28T13:13:40.875-05:00It Is That TimeThere is a time for everything . . . so we are told.<br />
<br />
The man who some 50 years ago was my favorite supervisor during my long career in writing and publishing also was one of the best communicators I've ever known. One day when he was sharing his thoughts on public speaking, he presented a small list of keys to success in that field. The last one was, "When you've said what you needed to say, stop."<br />
<br />
Since celebrating my 82 birthday a few weeks ago, I've started writing several posts but stopped with the realization that I had told that tale before on this blog. Really, I've nothing more to say. So, with fond memories of contacts with readers over the past 11 years, this is the time to stop.<br />
<br />
I've enjoyed the journey. May yours be equally satisfying.Dick Kladehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11793395712483278104noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30802444.post-54384846432855783842017-09-26T04:48:00.000-05:002017-09-26T04:48:39.462-05:00Now That's Optimism<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lo5WZRgMEgA/WcohbhGHWBI/AAAAAAAADTA/SdIOCIbNlrQWzHC24pJFnLD8u9Ai15SwQCKgBGAs/s1600/hourglass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="601" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lo5WZRgMEgA/WcohbhGHWBI/AAAAAAAADTA/SdIOCIbNlrQWzHC24pJFnLD8u9Ai15SwQCKgBGAs/s200/hourglass.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
Beautiful wife Sandy recently invested a few dollars in a new calendar. Nothing unusual about that, except that Sandy is enjoying her 75th year on this planet. And she bought a five-year calendar.<br />
<br />
As one who is a half-dozen years older than her, I hurried to share the optimism by making a few entries in the Year 2022 section.Dick Kladehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11793395712483278104noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30802444.post-79186703897115743562017-07-21T06:49:00.001-05:002020-09-12T12:56:11.221-05:00Way Too Much Pay For Play<div class="MsoNormal">
My how salaries of American professional football players have changed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins recently turned
down a long-term contract offer of $53 million. In 1924, the Green Bay Packers
payroll for the entire team was $12,000. The 1924 team consisted of 18 players.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ah, but inflation changes the picture. Yes, but the 1924
dollars are equivalent to only $171,530 in 2016 dollars. That would be about $9,530
per player, hardly a living wage. Of course, the 1924 salary money was not
divided equally. Curly Lambeau was the Packers' player-coach that year, and he
certainly got a bigger share than most, of not all, of the other players.
Players in those days had to have other sources of income to survive.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We don't know the details of Cousins' $53 million contract
offer, except that both he and the team have said the money was guaranteed, and
not dependent upon performance or other factors. We do know that top star quarterbacks in the
National Football League are paid in the $10 million to $15 million per year
range. Although Cousins has shown considerable potential, he is not yet an
established top star. So let's assume his offer was for 5 years. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Is Cousins, or any athlete, worth $10.6 million
per year?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Those who contend that professional football players are
worth their huge compensation packages point out that careers can be cut short
by injury at any time and the players cause teams to make the huge profits that
enable them to pay top dollars to compete for talent. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hogwash. Pay for professional football players has become
ridiculous. Although some top surgeons in the <st1:place w:st="on">U.S.</st1:place> can earn $1 million per year,
average earnings for doctors in family practices, who strive to help rather
than hurt others, are in the $200,000 per year area. The salary of the president
of the <st1:country-region w:st="on">United States</st1:country-region>
is $400,000 per year.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1XDnOqX6k8I/WXHrhr5IG0I/AAAAAAAADQA/vKBSX-TBlgUeh4GYjSjud7ERfAT0tRaYwCLcBGAs/s1600/niEoER6iA.gif" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="586" data-original-width="490" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1XDnOqX6k8I/WXHrhr5IG0I/AAAAAAAADQA/vKBSX-TBlgUeh4GYjSjud7ERfAT0tRaYwCLcBGAs/s320/niEoER6iA.gif" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Racing toward self-destruction?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A large share of the income of professional football teams
is revenue from television contracts. Nevertheless, game ticket prices have
soared to levels as exorbitant as player salaries and costs for food and drink
in stadiums are likewise elevated.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There is mounting concern in this country about inequality
in incomes between the rich and all others. A start at correcting the situation
could be made in pro sports by winding down salaries of wealthy players and
using the savings to reduce the costs for Joe Fan by lowering outrageous prices
for tickets, hot dogs, and beer.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
The current salary situation is well on the way to making me
an ex-fan, and declining attendance figures for some teams indicate many
already have become former supporters. Pro football is on a path of
self-destruction if drastic changes are not made .</div>
Dick Kladehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11793395712483278104noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30802444.post-71883994487923929912017-05-31T14:20:00.003-05:002017-06-09T10:45:31.633-05:00Will Had Words For It<div class="MsoNormal">
I recently was given a small volume of Will Rogers' sayings,
and it proved to be a gem in several ways. Of course, it was fun to once again
be entertained by the words of one of <st1:country-region w:st="on">America</st1:country-region>'s most beloved humorists.
But of more interest, I thought, was how applicable many of <st1:place w:st="on">Rogers</st1:place>'
sayings are to today's political and social situations.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The old <st1:state w:st="on">Texas</st1:state> cowboy
started his career in 1902 touring with a Wild West Show and then a circus in South Africa , <st1:country-region w:st="on">Australia</st1:country-region>,
and <st1:country-region w:st="on">New Zealand</st1:country-region>.
He performed in <st1:country-region w:st="on">U.S.</st1:country-region>
theaters for three decades, appeared in 70 movies, and published his
observations on just about everything in some 400 newspapers until he died in
1935.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<st1:city w:st="on">Rogers</st1:city>
wrote all of his own material. He was an unusual comedian in that he wanted his
humor to make a point, to say something true. I think he succeeded often. See
if you agree after reviewing selected quotes in various categories from the
small collection I read:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>On Female Inequality</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You can't pass a park without seeing a statue of some old
codger on a horse, it must be his bravery, you can tell it isn't his
horsemanship. Women are twice as brave as men, yet they never seem to have
reached the statue stage.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>On Civilization</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There ain't no civilization where there ain't no
satisfaction and that's the trouble now. Nobody is satisfied.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>On the Pace of Life</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have never yet seen a man in such a big hurry that a horse
or train wouldn't have got him there in plenty of time. If fact, nine-tenths of
the people would be better off if they stayed where they are instead of going
where they are going. No man in <st1:place w:st="on">America</st1:place>
if he didn't get where he is going would be missed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>On American Prosperity</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We'll show the world we are prosperous, even if we have to
go broke to do it. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>On Taxes</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I don't see why a man shouldn't pay inheritance tax. If a
country is good enough to pay taxes to while you are living, it's good enough
to pay in after you die. By the time you die you should be so used to paying
taxes it would almost be second nature anyway.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>On High Food Costs</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Got a wire today from an old boy in Parsons, Kansas, and he
wanted me to enter in a hog-calling contest; you know I used to be an awful
good hog caller when hogs were cheap, but the way hogs have gone up in price
it's changed the whole system of calling 'em. It would take Henry Ford
hollering with his check book to get one to come to you nowadays. I hollered
all morning just for three slices of bacon and it didn't come, so there ain't
much use of me howling my head off to try and get a whole hog to come.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>On the Criminal Justice System</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are two types of larceny, petty and grand, and the
courts will really give you a longer sentence for petty that they do for grand.
They are supposed to be the same in the eyes of the law, but the judges always
put a little extra on for petty, as a kind of a fine for stupidness. "If
that's all you got you ought to go to jail longer."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>On Characteristics of Politics</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Common sense is not an issue in politics; it's an
affliction. Neither is honesty an issue in politics. It's a miracle.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>On Political Parties</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If we didn't have two parties, we would all settle on the
best men in the country and things would run fine. But as it is, we settle on
the worst ones and then fight over 'em.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>On Congress</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We have the best Congress money can buy.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>On Foreign Relations</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Several papers have asked, "What would <st1:place w:st="on">Europe</st1:place> do if we were in difficulties and needed
help?" So this is in reply to those inquiries: <st1:place w:st="on">Europe</st1:place>
would hold a celebration.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>On Communism</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Communism is like Prohibition; it's a good idea but it won't
work.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>On International Travel</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A bunch of American tourists were hissed and stoned
yesterday in <st1:country-region w:st="on">France</st1:country-region>,
but not until they had finished buying.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>On Cars and Driving</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The trouble with us is <st1:country-region w:st="on">America</st1:country-region> is just muscle bound from
holding a steering wheel; the only place we are callused from work is the
bottom of our driving toe.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>On War and Peace</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If we can just let other people alone and do their own
fighting, we would be in good shape. When you get into trouble five thousand
miles away from home you've got to have been looking for it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>On How He Wanted to be Remembered</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I die, my epitaph or whatever you call those signs on
gravestones is going to read: "I joked about every prominent man of my
time, but I never met a man I didn't like." I am so proud of that I can hardly wait to die so it can be
carved. And when you come to my grave you will find me sitting there, proudly reading it.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iK1p4Gvm6D4/WS8WjtnM0CI/AAAAAAAADMo/LImwn0y_lyULz9lm4fr9EIVgfLZMh_jjwCKgB/s1600/will_rogers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="462" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iK1p4Gvm6D4/WS8WjtnM0CI/AAAAAAAADMo/LImwn0y_lyULz9lm4fr9EIVgfLZMh_jjwCKgB/s320/will_rogers.jpg" width="246" /></a></div>
Dick Kladehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11793395712483278104noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30802444.post-70970338770694919812017-05-19T14:05:00.000-05:002017-05-23T13:12:14.115-05:00A Poetic Guide to Good Living<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Some of us who reach a certain age become convinced we've
seen, read, or heard just about everything--at least everything of any
importance. Then along comes a bit of impressive
wisdom that had completely escaped our notice.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That happened to me last weekend. As a part of the prelude
to a talk by a local Rabbi at my church, a program coordinator read part of the
poem "Desiderata" by Max Ehrmann. A fellow geezer stopped me after
the program and asked if I had heard of Desiderata. I said no, and he said,
"We ought to check it out, that reading was wonderful." So I did.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JHzPtOtuiY4/WR8_oKqL8zI/AAAAAAAADLY/koHzRGKylvYeZDlhGNJ-_w3o1ulVIReAwCKgB/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JHzPtOtuiY4/WR8_oKqL8zI/AAAAAAAADLY/koHzRGKylvYeZDlhGNJ-_w3o1ulVIReAwCKgB/s320/download.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The background was interesting. Ehrmann was a lawyer and
poet who lived in <st1:state w:st="on">Indiana</st1:state>.
He wrote Desiderata in 1927, but only circulated copies locally and the poem
was largely unknown during his lifetime. Because a clergyman in <st1:state w:st="on">New York</st1:state> included it in
an array of writings he mislabeled, some who did learn of it thought it was centuries-old
philosophy. When Adlai Stevenson, an <st1:state w:st="on">Illinois</st1:state>
politician who unsuccessfully ran for president of the <st1:country-region w:st="on">United States</st1:country-region>
against Dwight Eisenhower, died in 1965 a copy of the poem was found on a night
stand beside his bed. We are told that Desiderata then became hugely popular
with counter-culture people in the late 60s and early 70s.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It seems reasonable that I would have heard of any bit of
philosophy that was "hugely popular" for a decade or more during
prime years of my lifetime. However, I definitely was not part of any
counter-culture movement and also have never been much of a fan of poetry. I thus missed inspiring advice on what is desirable for those striving to
live a good life, and some powerful words of hope during trying times. I think it is worth sharing:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Desiderata<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Go placidly
amid the noise and haste,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
and
remember what peace there may be in silence.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As far as
possible without surrender</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
be on good
terms with all persons.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Speak your
truth quietly and clearly;</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
and listen
to others,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
even the
dull and the ignorant;</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
they too
have their story.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Avoid loud
and aggressive persons,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
they are
vexations to the spirit.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you
compare yourself with others,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
you may
become vain and bitter;</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
for always
there will be greater and lesser persons then yourself.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Enjoy your
achievements as well as your plans.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Keep
interested in your own career, however humble; </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
it is a
real possession in the changing fortunes of time.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Exercise
caution in your business affairs;</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
for the
world is full of trickery.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But let
this not blind you to what virtue there is;</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
many
persons strive for high ideals;</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
and
everywhere life is full of heroism.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Be
yourself.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Especially,
do not feign affection.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Neither be
cynical about love;</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
for in the
face of all aridity and disenchantment</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
it is as
perennial as the grass.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Take kindly
the counsel of the years,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
gracefully
surrendering the things of youth.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nurture
strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But do not
distress yourself with dark imaginings.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Many fears
are born of fatigue and loneliness.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Beyond a
wholesome discipline,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
be gentle
with yourself.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You are a
child of the universe,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
no less
than the trees and the stars;</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
you have a
right to be here.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
# # #
# # </div>
Dick Kladehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11793395712483278104noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30802444.post-88146409692725277122017-04-27T14:31:00.000-05:002017-04-28T13:41:34.664-05:00Lady Luck Smiled On a Low Roller<div class="MsoNormal">
Beautiful wife Sandy and I consider ourselves to be quite
expert at playing deuces wild poker on slot machines. We practiced for years
during short vacation trips to <st1:city w:st="on">Wendover</st1:city>, <st1:state w:st="on">Nevada</st1:state>, from our long-time home in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Ogden</st1:city>, <st1:state w:st="on">Utah</st1:state></st1:place>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Of course, we didn't need many trips to learn the golden
rule of slot playing--stay there long enough and you will lose. Casinos are not
charities, and the odds are not in your favor. I also learned the hard way that
my father's advice about gambling in general was wise counsel. "Never play
any games you don't thoroughly understand, and don't risk a penny you can't
afford to lose," he said.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
We developed our strategy in the days when casino visits
could be quite pleasant. Excellent buffet meals for a couple of dollars and the
famous ninety-nine cent breakfasts were nice benefits. Dropping real coins into
slots was fun and occasionally needing hand-washing breaks stretched the time
one could play with a small stake. Slot players actually had pleasant conversations
with each other. Noise levels were far below those of today when greedy casino
managers cram together as many slots with outrageous musical accompaniments as possible.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zeuPmTrzUh4/WQIF1BmFl8I/AAAAAAAADKM/i1p-iXVtiY4c1xUnOmVXbxQ9Y34dsxlqACPcB/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zeuPmTrzUh4/WQIF1BmFl8I/AAAAAAAADKM/i1p-iXVtiY4c1xUnOmVXbxQ9Y34dsxlqACPcB/s200/images.jpg" width="160" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Those good old days are long gone, but an occasional 15-mile drive to
an elegant casino operated by a local Indian tribe provides exceptional meal
offers to seniors like us and has a few slots we enjoy playing. So we go there
about once a month to savor the food and risk a bit of surplus money.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our gambling strategy is simple. We start with equal small
cash stakes. We play only deuces wild poker on machines that accept nickels,
because we know how to play them well to improve the odds a little, and at
worst our stakes will last quite a while. We play only five nickels at a time, although messages on most machines strongly encourage playing ten. We establish
a time when we will leave no matter what. If one of us loses the stake, he or
she simply waits for the other to lose or the departure time arrives. If we
happen to hit a substantial jackpot, we cash it out as it happens and go home
with the proceeds.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We are the ultimate low rollers. But sometimes we leave with
a profit. Yesterday was one of those times. The biggest deal of the day was
when <st1:city w:st="on">Sandy</st1:city>
broke our rules by accident.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Four deuces popped up on <st1:city w:st="on">Sandy</st1:city>'s machine, and the jackpot bells
started ringing. I knew that was a $50.00 winner for her quarter investment, so
was amazed when the total went higher than that. "What's going on?" I
asked.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She laughed and said, "I made a mistake. I looked over
at a lady who was acting strangely a couple of machines away and hit the ten
nickel bet button instead of the five."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
The $50.00 win thus became $100.00. Sometimes disciplined
play is not the best way. Our expert was hardly embarrassed at all as she took
that hundred home.Dick Kladehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11793395712483278104noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30802444.post-27494837875162155852017-04-14T08:13:00.000-05:002017-04-15T07:31:06.180-05:00New Attacks Target Newspapers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Just as President Trump seems somewhat distracted by world
events from his war against news media, far right and alt-right Republicans are
launching new assaults on the press, especially newspapers that serve small
communities. My hometown newspaper in <st1:state w:st="on">Wisconsin</st1:state>
published an appeal to readers to "oppose proposals to eliminate legals
from newspapers" by contacting elected officials.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Old-style progressive Republicans such as "Fighting
Bob" LaFollette, once powers in the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Badger</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">State</st1:placetype></st1:place>,
must be turning over in their graves. As in many states, progressives led the
way in pushing adoption of legislation requiring openness in local government
operations and some private matters such as settling estates and debt
collection. Some key features were requirements to print notices of bid
invitations, election sites and hours, government employment opportunities, and
proposed regulation changes in a "newspaper of public record." These
"legals" or "legal ads" not only have long supported democracy
by helping to make government activities transparent, they have been important
sources of revenue for community newspapers.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I did a bit of calculating just how important legals can be
to a small newspaper by measuring ads in my local weekly paper, a modest
journal that usually publishes eight pages per issue. The number and sizes of
ads seemed normal. Of the 197 total
column inches of advertising, 74 or 37.6 percent were legal ads. A small
newspaper simply cannot survive if it loses a third of its advertising revenue.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XmoAlsqDxpQ/WPDJEEp60zI/AAAAAAAADA4/3fpZ3NPDHVgIEov8p5VfnFC3sW0IZAsxACPcB/s1600/6a00d8341c85cd53ef01b8d263bdfd970c-800wi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="100" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XmoAlsqDxpQ/WPDJEEp60zI/AAAAAAAADA4/3fpZ3NPDHVgIEov8p5VfnFC3sW0IZAsxACPcB/s400/6a00d8341c85cd53ef01b8d263bdfd970c-800wi.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Printed publication of legal notices shines light on democratic processes. Moves to rescind state legislation requiring publication of "legals" threaten many newspapers, especially small community publications.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Newspapers, generally, have taken heavy hits in the last two
decades. Many closed, consolidated with others, or made moves into internet
publication to stay in business. Advertising revenues plunged. In the <st1:country-region w:st="on">U.S.</st1:country-region>, print
display advertising revenue dropped 45 percent. Revenue from classified ads
went down 75 percent, with declines in real estate ads leading the way. Revenue
from just two forms of advertising--paid obituaries and legal notices--stayed
relatively stable.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Losing legal ad revenue would be a crushing blow to many
community newspapers. Wisconsin is not the only state where moves are afoot to
eliminate laws designating "newspapers of record" and requiring legal
notices be placed in them. In <st1:place w:st="on">New
Jersey</st1:place>, where governor Christie has had numerous
run-ins with the press, legislation to curtail legals has been introduced
several times and is said to have a good chance of passing this year.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The reasoning of proponents is simple, and difficult to
argue against. They claim cities, counties, and townships would save
considerable costs. Legal announcements could be made available just as well
through the internet. Opponents say there are undefined but substantial costs
in setting up and maintaining web pages to post legals. They also decry a loss
of openness in public affairs without state laws requiring traditional
publication of legals.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Unfortunately, I think those who would strip newspapers of
their monopoly on publishing legal notices will prevail eventually. Printed
community newspapers are destined to succumb to financial pressures and be
replaced by some form of internet news media. What the effect on democratic
processes will be is unknown, and that is frightening.</div>
<br />Dick Kladehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11793395712483278104noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30802444.post-57940567302850879252017-03-24T15:52:00.000-05:002017-03-25T10:04:07.692-05:00Finding An Honest Man<div class="MsoNormal">
Greek philosopher Diogenes is said to have strolled about in
broad daylight carrying a lamp as he looked for an honest man. Legend has it he
found only rascals and scoundrels in the human race.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I found an honest man this week without searching.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Following our last winter snowstorm about two weeks ago,
roads were icy in places. One especially treacherous stretch was a curved
section near our driveway on the entry road to our community. Our
home is set back far enough from the road so we seldom hear any traffic noises
when we are inside.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In mid-afternoon, I answered the door and met Jim Beebe. To
my surprise he said, "My 16-year-old son came home and told me he slid off
the road onto your property. He grazed your mailbox and ran across part of the
lawn. I do home improvement and repair work for a living, and want you to know
we will take care of all damages."<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mr. Beebe handed me a
business card and said I should call him to get the work done when the
snow was gone and I had a change to assess the situation. He thought the
mailbox was OK, but knew there would be some work needed on the lawn. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The first day of spring brought good weather, and beautiful
wife Sandy and I checked things out. Big chunks of sod were gouged out of the lawn in three
places. At first I thought the mailbox was a little wobbly, but probably would
be all right. <st1:city w:st="on">Sandy</st1:city>
thought otherwise. As usual, she was right. The plastic parts that</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FNOlxGvQG30/WNV1sXkR7EI/AAAAAAAAC8w/04n6QQHXR_M0QSLtjcD7hK0zwTZ2YqvzwCPcB/s1600/675px-Diogenes-statue-Sinop-enhanced.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FNOlxGvQG30/WNV1sXkR7EI/AAAAAAAAC8w/04n6QQHXR_M0QSLtjcD7hK0zwTZ2YqvzwCPcB/s320/675px-Diogenes-statue-Sinop-enhanced.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diogenes failed, but I found an honest man.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
supported
the box were broken in two places, not just cracked as I thought, and we decided
the box was inadequate. I could see no good way to make repairs. I thought,
however, that we might get an argument about the need for a new unit. Similar replacements cost about $65.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I phoned Mr. Beebe. He said he and his son would be over
that afternoon to take care of things. Kenny Beebe rang our doorbell at about 3
p.m. He said we should buy a mailbox, we would be reimbursed, and he and his
father then would be over to install it and repair the lawn.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
About an hour later we spotted Mr. Beebe and son working on the lawn damage. I
told Mr. Beebe we thought the work would be done after we got a mailbox. He
said, "I told Kenny that's not good enough. When we've done with this,
we're going shopping for a box. When we have one, we'll ask you to approve it
before I install it."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Two hours later, the Beebes reappeared with a mailbox that
proved to be an updated version of the one that was damaged. They said they
visited three stores to find just the right one. We agreed they had succeeded. Mr.
Beebe did a beautiful installation job, and the result was a unit superior to
the one it replaced.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Had Kenny Beebe simply driven away and not
told his father about the accident we would have had no way to know who caused
the damage. I told Mr. Beebe that his son seemed like a fine young man.
"Not quite," he replied. "He should have told you right away,
not gone home to tell me. I've straightened him out about that."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I think there will be more than one honest man in the Beebe
family if Jim has his way. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Dick Kladehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11793395712483278104noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30802444.post-47753443890788233942017-02-18T06:54:00.000-06:002017-02-18T06:58:24.104-06:00A Stress Buster<div class="MsoNormal">
These are stressful times as Americans and others vitally
interested in American government policies ponder the damage caused by
pronouncements emanating from the White House and quiver at thoughts of what is
yet to come.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Responding to the excessive worry, experts in the workings
of the human mind have produced hundreds of words of advice on how to cope
with stress. Ideas range from hugging your puppy to taking a strenuous run
through the park. So far, only a few I've read have suggested a hearty laugh.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yet laughter can be good medicine in trying times. It was
years ago when I was one of about 100 college students taking the final exam in
Psychology 101. The multiple-choice test would determine a full half of our
grade for the course. The lecturer was a newly appointed PhD who brought lots
of enthusiasm to his task. He was serious about his work and had presented a ton of information. No one thought the final would be
a snap.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sure enough, there was dead silence in the lecture hall and sweat
popped forth on more that a few foreheads as we started work on the problems.
But after about 20 minutes a few snickers were heard. Then mild laughter filled
the hall, followed finally by raucous guffaws.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Most of the students had reached the tenth question:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"10. The Fallopian tubes are:"</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
And read the third choice:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Subways in Rome."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Arrivederci, stress.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Yb-g2AUAf04/WKhDnWl_rZI/AAAAAAAACpQ/hBEaB2ej8-4PR1qjBfEtRuuDdYLxJQ1EACLcB/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Yb-g2AUAf04/WKhDnWl_rZI/AAAAAAAACpQ/hBEaB2ej8-4PR1qjBfEtRuuDdYLxJQ1EACLcB/s320/images.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Dick Kladehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11793395712483278104noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30802444.post-52181392500126722562017-01-29T16:37:00.003-06:002017-02-25T09:59:05.560-06:00Trump Started a War He Cannot Win<div class="MsoNormal">
On Friday, Donald Trump once again lashed out at the news
media, this time for no apparent reason. He endorsed a comment by his chief
strategist, Stephen Bannon, that the media are "the opposition party in
many ways."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Trump added, "I'm not talking about all of them . . .
but a big portion of the media, the dishonesty, total deceit and deception. It
makes them certainly partially the opposition party, absolutely."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That garbled prose seems to indicate that Trump is slightly
narrowing the number of his journalistic enemies. Earlier, he exempted no one
in a talk at the Central Intelligence Agency. There he said, "I have a
running war with the media. They are among the most dishonest human beings on
Earth, right?"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I'm a journalist. I've never considered myself to be a
dishonest person, let alone one of the most dishonest on the planet. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By coincidence, two of the most principled people I've ever been
acquainted with, both journalists, died recently. Their passing and Trump's
assaults on the profession caused me to spend some time recalling my hundreds
of encounters with journalists both as a newsman and as an information
specialist in government and private industry. How many individuals do I
remember practicing "deceit and deception?" Exactly two.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One was a young television reporter who interviewed me about
a Forest Service program. Before he turned on the camera, we agreed that he
would not ask questions in one area. To my amazement, his </div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4U2fjmygweQ/WI4qmY8rGII/AAAAAAAACn0/qliSQ2L-eSkneHV2DTe2Mldhg1EV7qVoQCPcB/s1600/royalty-free-rf-newspaper-clipart-illustration-by-bnp-design-studio-stock-sample-1129313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4U2fjmygweQ/WI4qmY8rGII/AAAAAAAACn0/qliSQ2L-eSkneHV2DTe2Mldhg1EV7qVoQCPcB/s320/royalty-free-rf-newspaper-clipart-illustration-by-bnp-design-studio-stock-sample-1129313.jpg" width="243" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trump will be scrutinized as no other has been</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
second question hit directly
in that area. I learned from others at his station that he was totally
dedicated to advancing his career, and sometimes bragged about using questionable
tactics to enhance his stories. How did that work out for him? Several months
after he embarrassed me, he disappeared from the airways and never was seen on
television again. Apparently his supervisors did not endorse deception.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The other miscreant was a reporter for a small radio
station. He taped a speech I gave at a luncheon following the announcement of
the closing of a <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Job</st1:placename>
<st1:placename w:st="on">Corps</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Center</st1:placetype></st1:place>
operated by RCA where I served as public relations coordinator. I was astounded
to hear his broadcast that evening. The tape of my talk had been edited to
completely reverse the meaning of what I said. That reporter merely was running
true to form. He was opposed to the Job Corps as part of his personal political
ideology, and took every opportunity to show the program in a negative light. Certainly,
there are people like him associated with media in small and large markets, but
I believe their numbers are relatively small.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It's only one person's experience, but two bad apples in a
barrel with hundreds may indicate there is little reason to disparage the
entire group.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Above all, journalists who follow the code of ethics that guides
the profession attempt to be objective. They often fail. Humans develop biases
and it is difficult, perhaps impossible, for anyone to completely set theirs
aside when reporting events or selecting which items to include in print or programs
and how to present the stories. Nevertheless, the true professionals strive for
personal integrity in their work and balance in the products.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When anyone, especially a person who frequently displays his
own lack of integrity, accuses journalists of deliberate dishonesty he is making
a big mistake. I take Trump's remarks along those lines as a personal insult, and
I've been out of the workaday information business for a long time. You can bet
many in the media are going to have more than the usual struggle to keep their anti-Trump
biases under control. They will try to treat him fairly, but they also will be
extra diligent in their responsibilities to serve as watchdogs over government,
and they will pull no punches in their reporting.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mr. Trump can expect to see a whole lot of reports such as
the one that appeared in the January 24 <i>New
York Times</i> under this headline: "Trump Won't Back Down From His Voting
Fraud Lie. Here Are the Facts." An editor who had not been insulted by the
major player in the story might have created a more kindly label, yet it is not
"dishonest and deceitful." </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Trump's assaults on the media ensure his activities will be
scrutinized as no other president's have been. Every move will be reported, and
not kindly. Who will win this "war"? We might get a clue from an historic figure
who participated in many wars: </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Four hostile newspapers are more to be feared than a
thousand bayonets."--Napoleon Bonaparte</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Dick Kladehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11793395712483278104noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30802444.post-57121023145057772092017-01-16T14:25:00.000-06:002017-01-17T12:42:15.207-06:00Let's Do Lunch--Got Three Dollars?<div class="MsoNormal">
It's mid-January, and much of the annual bad economic news
for retired geezers is in. The meager cost-of-living increase in my annuity and
social security payments was eliminated by increases in medical insurance
premiums. Gasoline prices and our annual auto registration fee soared, courtesy
of hefty tax increases imposed by our <st1:state w:st="on">Michigan</st1:state>
legislature. Property taxes also increased. Yes, state and my local governments are under
complete Republican control. Those are the same guys who preach, when running
for election, that they will spare no effort to cut taxes.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lesser items not subject to political control also increased
in cost, or are projected to do so. What's a poor retiree to do? Of course,
it's the American way to combat bad news by ingesting a heavy dose of comfort
food. That's just what I did, although to feel completely comforted I had to
hold the cost to a minimum to blunt effects of the rising costs of just about
everything else. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Aided by some advance actions, my net cost was $3.18 (including
sales tax) for a very satisfying (and</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z5jl07y8JRw/VYBOdsTZfeI/AAAAAAAAB8E/GqEanZ3DIcAWD56Ql_j5RZhE96-ZtfA0gCPcB/s1600/search.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z5jl07y8JRw/VYBOdsTZfeI/AAAAAAAAB8E/GqEanZ3DIcAWD56Ql_j5RZhE96-ZtfA0gCPcB/s320/search.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What made America fat--hard to resist at any price.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
quite unhealthy) midday meal at the local Burger
King. The lunch featured a Whopper sandwich (regularly priced at $4.48), french
fries, and a good-sized coffee blended to my specification.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Normally, that meal would have cost nearly $7.00. How did I
get it below half price? First, I spent about five minutes filling out an
online customer satisfaction survey after a previous visit to Burger King. That
got me a coupon for a free Whopper. Then I used a gift card bought online at
a 13 percent discount to pay my tab. Next month, I'll knock another 1 percent
off the meal cost because I paid for the low-cost gift card with a credit card
for which I always get at least 1 percent off all purchases by paying my balance every
month.<br />
<br />
I had to visit a store right next to Burger King for a necessary
purchase, so no transportation costs were involved in getting to my comfort
luncheon. And, on the way out I picked up a free copy of the local weekly newspaper, courtesy of Burger King. It costs 75 cents at the supermarket next door. So we might say my net luncheon cost really was less than $2.50. But that's a bit of a stretch, so let's stick with $3.18.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Don't worry, I'm not going to reduce my life span by changing to a diet dominated by burgers and
fries, even at three bucks a meal and no matter how tasty the comfort food is. I'll keep my healthy standard items on the
menu--tuna or chicken chef salads. Now where can I find discounted gift cards for tuna and chicken? </div>
Dick Kladehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11793395712483278104noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30802444.post-26113357579829512982016-12-09T11:16:00.001-06:002016-12-14T10:38:23.133-06:00Our Holiday TraditionsSeasons greetings from Dick and Sandy Klade. As we get ready to usher out
2016 our activity review shows we stayed pretty much with old but good things. Among them were a couple of holiday traditions.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dick continued a Klade family tradition that dates back nearly 150 years when he celebrated his 80th birthday on January 1. Dick's
grandfather Friedrich C. Klade and father Fred J. Klade both were born on Christmas Day. Our New Years guy
somehow picked the wrong holiday to arrive (his mother always joked that he was
stubborn), but for us it is a special day nonetheless.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mc-DY0Q00iY/WErhaElDBqI/AAAAAAAACkk/66uUPc7eDhc3qfxt0G9WMa6xr8cl47WoACLcB/s1600/Cover_v07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mc-DY0Q00iY/WErhaElDBqI/AAAAAAAACkk/66uUPc7eDhc3qfxt0G9WMa6xr8cl47WoACLcB/s400/Cover_v07.jpg" width="293" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We more than a half century ago began carrying on family traditions when decorating our Christmas tree. Here we chatted before a completed tree while son Lee rode "Blaze." Blaze was a gift from his Grandfather Ed Steinmetz. Our matching sweaters were gifts knitted by Sandy's Mom, Vannie Steinmetz.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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We've just finished an annual task that has been a family tradition
for decades. Both Dick and <st1:place w:st="on">Sandy</st1:place>'s parents decorated their Christmas trees in silver and blue every year, and we
adopted an identical practice more than 50 years ago in our first year of
marriage.</div>
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The tree decor always has
featured only blue ornaments. Until it became impossible to buy good quality
tinsel, family members meticulously placed tinsel strips in every available
space, a process that took many hours. We now maintain the silver look with strips of glass and snow flakes.<br />
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The blue glass ornaments we bought during our first year
together have faded a bit with age, but all have survived a half dozen moves in
their original thin cardboard boxes and many annual unpackings<br />
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and repackings.
They bring us joy year after year.</div>
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May you enjoy happiness continuing the good things in your
life in 2017 and many years beyond.</div>
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Dick Kladehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11793395712483278104noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30802444.post-73148157951193470112016-11-14T08:42:00.000-06:002016-11-16T07:20:13.300-06:00Second-Class Vets Get the CallAnother Veterans Day has passed, and it's once again time to
thank those who so generously thanked me for my service. And once again, it's
time to point out that in the <st1:country-region w:st="on">United
States</st1:country-region> not all veterans are created equal.<br />
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Thank you, Applebees, for a delicious dinner. The place was
packed with veterans. This year, the brewers of Sam Adams provided a free beer with my
complimentary meal. Thanks, Sam.</div>
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We wanted to replenish our dog and bird feed supplies and
pick up several hardware items. Our local Tractor Supply store was the place to
go, and they gave a 15 percent discount to vets. Thanks, Tractor guys.</div>
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A surprise gift showed up the day after Veterans Day. We went
shopping for several exotic holiday gift items at World Market. At the checkout
stand was a sign offering vets a 25 percent discount throughout the weekend.
Thanks, World Market.</div>
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My local newspaper marked the day with a feature story about
Veterans of Foreign Wars posts in the area recruiting honor guard members. The
honor guards traditionally present a flag to the family of diseased vets and
fire 21-gun rifle salutes at burial sites. Seems several posts can't come up
with enough members who can shoulder a rifle to handle the duties, so they now
seek members of the American Legion and even honorably discharged vets who are
not members of the VFW or Legion to serve in honor guards.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They want us to help honor Legion vets who don't honor us.</td></tr>
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I served two years in the U.S. Army, and was honorably
discharged on May 19, 1960. I don't qualify for VFW membership because all my
service was stateside and VFW members served overseas. I have no problem
whatever with that. However, I think it
is reprehensible that many honorably discharged veterans are ineligible for
American Legion membership.</div>
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Overseas service is not required by the American Legion. Members
need only honorable service during seven "war eras," defined by
arbitrary dates. Because my service dates don't fit into an "era," I
am a second-class veteran not eligible for Legion membership, even though some
of my less fortunate fellow soldiers were being dispatched to <st1:country-region w:st="on">Viet Nam</st1:country-region> as
"advisors" during my service time. Strangely, if I had served for
just one day in the "era" that began nine months after my discharge,
I would be welcomed as a Legionnaire.</div>
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Thousands, perhaps millions, who served honorably in the Army, Navy, Marines, and Air Force are with me in the ranks of second-class
veterans. </div>
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It seems the ultimate irony that we now are being invited to
join honor guards to shoulder a rifle and fire a salute to fellow veterans
whose largest organization bars us from membership. Perhaps those
"patriots" in the U.S. Congress, some of whom never gave a day of military service to their country, could act to give
second-class veterans first-class status. The American Legion operates under a
Congressional charter.</div>
Dick Kladehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11793395712483278104noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30802444.post-22368111375528354382016-11-03T14:31:00.002-05:002016-11-06T02:49:57.967-06:00What Price Vanity?I'm tired of complex numbers. Every news source the geezer
follows has been crowded with a variety of poll outcomes, complicated analyses, and sometimes just plain wild guesses regarding the
presidential election. The only big numbers I want to fill my head with in the
immediate future are the results that will start appearing Tuesday
night.<br />
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Those numbers will tell us whether our nation will be led
for the next four years by a responsible, experienced person with a reasonable
set of goals--Hillary Clinton--or an unbalanced, racist, egomaniac--Donald
Trump. I voted several weeks ago with an
absentee ballot, something permitted by the State of <st1:state w:st="on">Michigan</st1:state> for all people over 65. All the complex
numbers tell us the election will be close in <st1:state w:st="on">Michigan</st1:state>. Here's hoping we'll arise
Wednesday morning to welcome our first woman president.</div>
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To stay away from the complicated numbers games, I decided
to make this post about single digits, one displayed on my garage wall, the
other adorning a luxury auto on the other side of the world. </div>
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Early last month, Balwinder Sahani, an Indian businessman,
paid $9 million at an auction in <st1:city w:st="on">Dubai</st1:city>
for a one-digit auto license plate. It seems unique plates have become a fad in
the glitzy <st1:country-region w:st="on">United Arab
Emirates</st1:country-region>. Auctions for them are held every
two or three months, and millions of dollars are at stake.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Balwinder Sahani proudly displaying his D5 license plate (equivalent to No. 9)</td></tr>
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About 300 bidders and observers crowded the auction hall
when Sahani acquired the D5 plate. He said he will attach it to one of his
Rolls-Royces. I don't understand Arabic or Indian mathematics, but apparently
"D5" equals the numeral 9.</div>
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"I like number 9 and D5 adds up to nine, so I went for
it," Sahani said. "I have collected 10 number plates so far and I am
looking forward to having more. It's a passion."</div>
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I acquired a number 9 auto license plate in 1972. It had
nothing to do with passion, and everything to do with luck.</div>
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I was registering our old Chevrolet shortly after we moved
to <st1:state w:st="on">Idaho</st1:state>.
When my turn came, the clerk looked around at boxes of plates behind him and
said, "How'd you like a really nifty number?"</div>
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"Sure, why not," I said. With that, my clerk and
three others made a dive for one box. My guy came back clutching No. 9, which
he promptly issued to me. He explained that <st1:state w:st="on">Idaho</st1:state> had a license plate pecking order. The
governor got No. 1, the lieutenant governor received No. 2, and so on down the
political ladder. The line ended at No. 8 with the secretary of state. So by
possessing No. 9, I had the lowest plate number a common citizen could get.</div>
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My number 9 didn't cost nine million dollars. As I recall,
the vehicle registration fee in 1972 was just $12 or so.</div>
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We got a lot of comments and questions from folks who
noticed our distinctive tag. One was from my supervisor, Ed Maw. Ed had many
political contacts, and he was proud of his status in the community. He
appeared to be miffed that I had the low number when he believed he deserved
any such honor. I played the game. "Ed, it's all in who you know," I
told him.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My No. 9 currently graces our garage wall.</td></tr>
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It was fun while it lasted, but it didn't last long. About
four months after my registration <st1:state w:st="on">Idaho</st1:state>
changed to a whole new plate design and numbering system. I got an unimportant
replacement number just like the rest of the common people.</div>
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I kept <st1:state w:st="on">Idaho</st1:state>
9 as a souvenir. It now graces my garage wall. Since Mr. Sahani could well afford
the gesture, I hope he'll send one of those Rolls my way. I'll be pleased to
drive it around displaying No. 9 for all to see.</div>
Dick Kladehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11793395712483278104noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30802444.post-92104697952169007822016-10-20T10:20:00.000-05:002016-10-25T08:27:04.918-05:00No Place Better<div class="MsoNormal">
We could take a plane or a train to enjoy the magnificent
colors this weekend as <st1:place w:st="on">New England</st1:place> hardwoods
prepare for winter. Or, we could hop in our car and take a four hour
drive into the heart of <st1:state w:st="on">Michigan</st1:state>'s Upper Peninsula to view similar woodsy splendor.</div>
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Or, we could simply look out our living room windows . . . .</div>
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Dick Kladehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11793395712483278104noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30802444.post-53201218329768111492016-10-11T14:03:00.000-05:002016-10-27T06:07:51.204-05:00Gd Gd Almighty, It Is Grand<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Four summers ago, the Geezer posted the following lament with the full expectation that words here would have no impact on the highway gurus in Lansing. Does the restoration of Grand to our signage signify the power of this blog to carry a message, or simply the dawn of common sense? I think the latter.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; letter-spacing: inherit; margin: inherit; padding: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Thursday, August 09, 2012</span></span></h2>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Were I in charge of the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce, I would be irate and demanding change in the way the name of my city is routinely butchered by the Michigan Department of Transportation. MDOT consistently replaces Grand with Gd.</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="3897385945178642683"></a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Yes, they could sneak "ran" in</span></td></tr>
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Grand Rapids deserves a full ID. It is known for several, admittedly not overly important, things. Grand Rapids is Michigan’s second largest city. Grand Rapids is the birthplace of former President Gerald Ford. Grand Rapids is a leading producer of office furniture. More important to me, the city has two really good Mexican restaurants. </div>
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How demeaning is a contrived Grand abbreviation? Can you imagine a sign saying: Gd Canyon--27 miles? </div>
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Could MDOT put the “ran” back in Grand as a practical matter? Of course it could. Possibilities include compressing the type, enlarging signs a bit, moving arrows, and changing the shape of arrows.</div>
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Because I am not the head honcho at the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce, the strange signage is of no personal concern. Anyway, it is starting to pop up all over, so Gd may be making a move toward supplanting Grand in common usage. A recent Google travel search yielded this instruction: Turn <b>right</b> to merge onto <b>US-131 N </b>toward <b>Gd Rapids</b>.”</div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lo and behold . . . This summer MDOT decided to make things right. At least a dozen signs in our area suddenly pointed the way to GRAND Rapids! Included was the one I photographed back in 2012. Here it is today. The picture was snapped from a slightly different angle because a tree limb had grown to block part of the sign from the original camera viewing point.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Isn't it grand?</span></div>
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Dick Kladehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11793395712483278104noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30802444.post-1991459453912031962016-09-30T05:58:00.001-05:002016-09-30T12:54:26.774-05:00A True Spartan Sportsman<div class="MsoNormal">
Amid all the sordid news about bad conduct by athletes and
coaches throughout the sporting world, it is good to note there have been many instances
of true sportsmanship. Two recent unrelated events caused me to recall one
of my favorite positive sports stories.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Last Saturday, I watched the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Michigan</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">State</st1:placetype>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">University</st1:placetype></st1:place> football team
in action because they were hosting my Wisconsin Badgers. The next day, Arnold
Palmer died. Palmer dominated professional golf for years, first on the regular
tour and later as a participant with other older stars in the Legends of Golf
tournament and similar events.</div>
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Throughout the 1980s and 90s I played golf many Saturday
mornings at a course near our home in Ogden, Utah, with a group of men who jokingly referred
to themselves as the "Local Legends." Some of us were as old as
Palmer and the rest of the real "legends," but none of us came
anywhere close to their skill level. It was easy to join our group; anyone who
wanted to play could.</div>
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By the luck of the draw, one Saturday I wound up in a
foursome with a newcomer named Jones who was a professor at <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Weber</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">State</st1:placetype>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">University</st1:placetype></st1:place>. Dr. Jones was
a big man who hit golf balls a long way, but not terribly accurately. </div>
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It was fall, and the chit-chat in our foursome naturally
turned to football. "Did you ever play?" Jones was asked.</div>
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"Oh yeah," he replied, I was a defensive tackle for a couple of years at a
small west coast school."</div>
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"Which small school?"</div>
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"Stanford."</div>
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That exchange got some laughs, and also led to a question
about Jones' experiences on the gridiron. He said only one was memorable.</div>
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"We played <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Michigan</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">State</st1:placetype></st1:place>. They had a lot of
talent that year; we were pretty lousy. They beat up on us every which way.</div>
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"After we took our licking, we were sulking in our
locker room when the Spartan coach knocked on the door. He asked our coach if
he could speak to us. No one I know ever heard of an opposing coach doing that.</div>
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<o:p> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7RnCYR8NN1M/V-4_C36GZiI/AAAAAAAACXA/k5NvLMJbI_sFkLfTokWxiaoTcFZWlC4eACPcB/s1600/imgres.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7RnCYR8NN1M/V-4_C36GZiI/AAAAAAAACXA/k5NvLMJbI_sFkLfTokWxiaoTcFZWlC4eACPcB/s320/imgres.jpg" width="243" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daugherty earned many well-deserved honors</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></div>
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"Duffy Daugherty stood in the middle of the room and
told us we had nothing to be ashamed of. He said even though we were
over-matched, we had played our best to the very end, and he was impressed. He told us it had been an honor to coach against us that day. He said if
we lived the rest of our lives with the perseverance we had shown, we would
always have reason to be proud of ourselves."</div>
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Although he didn't specify the contest, Jones probably was
referring to a game in 1961 when the Spartans beat Stanford 31-3. That year
MSU's record was 7-2; Stanford went 4-6.</div>
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Several years later, Daugherty's <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Michigan</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">State</st1:placetype></st1:place>
team was named national champions in a poll of coaches. Dr. Jones' story led me to believe coach Daugherty was
one of the true champions we sorely need today in sports. </div>
Dick Kladehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11793395712483278104noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30802444.post-91434347238792785512016-09-13T13:21:00.003-05:002016-09-19T15:19:22.109-05:00Back to Blogging<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">It’s that time of year—back
to school, back to work, back to leaf raking. So why not back to blogging? On
June 14, I started a summer break from posting stories here. My thoughts at the
time included the possibility of never returning. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Serious writers know that
the act of frequently coming up with a new thought and developing it into a
coherent story is mildly stressful at best and difficult most of the time. The reward
for writing is not found in the act itself, it is in the good feelings authors
experience when readers make their presence known. And readers generate great pleasure
for writers when they say they liked what was written.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">In my 80<sup>th</sup> year, it was becoming
harder to come up with new material, and anything that smacked of “work” was
increasingly distasteful. Although my blog readership statistics continued to
increase, the number of comments had been static for some time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Reader reactions were
bittersweet during the first weeks of my hiatus from blogging. It was
gratifying to hear from friends old and new who said they hoped my summer would
be enjoyable and they looked forward to my return. On the negative side, some
people who I care greatly about showed they care very little about my work by
not even noticing the absence of posts. Happily, the positive reactions were
much more numerous than the negative.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Two anniversaries played
the biggest parts in convincing me to return. The most important happened less
than two weeks ago. Beautiful wife <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Sandy</st1:place></st1:city>
wrote on Facebook: “55 years ago today on September 2, Dick and I were married.
WOW! It doesn’t feel like that long ago. It’s been a fun and adventuresome
ride. . . looking forward to many more!”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Presiding over this blog
has been part of the “fun and adventure” for me for a long time. The blog's
tenth anniversary was July 11. During our traditional anniversary dinner, Sandy
and I agreed that ten more anniversaries are quite likely in our future.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">So how is an octogenarian
to spend another decade? Embark on entirely new activities? Minimize all activity and concentrate on pure rest and relaxation? Stick with the
activities that were part of the fun and adventure of the previous half
century? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">I crossed the last item off
my bucket list last year. New adventures are not on my horizon. I'm still feeling good, mentally and physically, so doing nothing at all would drive me batty. So, it's back
to blogging with no guarantees about frequency or quality. Seeing how that
works out should serve to generate some fun while continuing to pursue an old
adventure</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;">. </span>Dick Kladehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11793395712483278104noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30802444.post-44740951243946895142016-06-03T13:48:00.000-05:002016-06-03T13:48:51.587-05:00Graduation Gifts to the UnworthyIt's graduation time once more accompanied by a spate of news stories on various aspects of the educational rituals. A few focus on the costs of speakers. The Associated Press did that on May 25, just as the commencement ceremony season was getting under way.<br />
<br />
We did a brief survey within our small family. Not a single person could remember who was the featured speaker at their high school or college graduation ceremonies. To be definitive, a broader survey surely would be needed, but our little sampling seems to question the truth of statements by college leaders that paying for celebrity speakers serves to impress alumni who make donations and causes potential students to take an interest in their campus.<br />
<br />
A representative of Kean, a small public university in New Jersey that paid two speakers $80,000, claimed it was a reward for the graduates: "It makes their commencement just that much more memorable." Well, not if the grads don't even remember who the speaker was, much less what was said.<br />
<br />
Do you remember who spoke and what they said at a graduation ceremony honoring your class?<br />
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Regardless of the validity for doing it, paying stars to perform at college graduations has come under some heavy fire in recent years. Of course, private colleges and universities can do what they please. The questions involve public institutions, whose leaders constantly complain that they are receiving inadequate taxpayer funding. If they speak truth, why are taxpayer dollars being devoted to activities that are not directly related to educating students or performing important research?<br />
<br />
The good news is that the practice seems to be declining, according to AP data from 20 public universities that were asked about paying notable speakers to perform, including providing travel expenses. As part of the study, a large speaker booking agency was questioned. A representative said the firm was getting fewer requests for paid graduation speakers. Growing criticism of the practice was thought to be the cause. Of the 20 universities responding to AP's request, 16 said they aren't paying speaking fees this year.<br />
<br />
The bad news is some universities have joined the payola group in recent years, and some fees are a bit startling. Rutgers made its first payment in 2011, rewarding author Toni Morrison with $30,000 for her talk. The University of Houston paid astronaut Scott Kelly $35,000. The University of Oklahoma paid television personality Katie Couric a whopping $110,000 back in 2006.<br />
<br />
Last year, my school, the University of Wisconsin, paid Ms. Couric $3,100 for first-class flights from New York to Madison to speak at commencement. I don't object to paying travel costs, but couldn't she have flown coach or business class? And why not travel on her own dime? Wikipedia says Katie Couric is worth about 75 million dollars.<br />
<br />
The Couric engagement brings up another concern. She certainly is a successful person, and therefore qualified to deliver in inspirational message. But she is a graduate of the University of Virginia, not Wisconsin. Every issue of the Wisconsin alumni magazine carries stories about highly successful graduates in many fields. One would think the school could sign up any number of graduation speakers without any cost simply by offering an honorary degree, or perhaps even without the degree offer. Most grads would consider it a high honor. Wouldn't you?<br />
<br />
There was no problem this year finding a Wisconsin grad who is both famous and successful. Russell Wilson did the honors. He graduated six years ago with a liberal arts degree after quarterbacking the Wisconsin football team for two outstanding seasons. He has gone on to a successful professional career with the Seattle Seahawks.<br />
<br />
Some, of course, would question the selection of an athlete when successful graduates in more important venues were available. However, I listened to Wilson's speech and it was terrific. He did a marvelous job of relating how he overcame serious obstacles to succeed at what he chose to do, and linked those experiences to some good advice to the grads. The selection committee must have strongly considered the message and the speaker's ability to deliver it.<br />
<br />
Perhaps members of the UW Class of 2016 won't long remember who spoke or what he said, but if some do, the memory will be of a message from a fellow Badger. And the taxpayers didn't have to pick up a hefty tab to make it happen.<br />
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Dick Kladehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11793395712483278104noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30802444.post-85385228235635552802016-05-13T11:30:00.001-05:002016-05-18T07:51:13.359-05:00UW Punished Sexist with Co-ed MonumentSome strange things have been known to happen in Madison at the University of Wisconsin, sometimes referred to as "Berkeley East." Pranksters and student rebels have long called the campus home.<br />
<br />
I thought I'd heard about all the weird happenings at my alma mater until a recent newsletter explained how a sexist university president continues to get his comeuppance to this day.<br />
<br />
Paul Chadbourne, the newsletter says, was an inspiring leader and teacher who helped the university thrive after the Civil War. However, his activities did not extend to supporting equality for women. He was notorious for opposing co-education at Wisconsin. A "normal school" to train teachers opened on campus in 1863 and 76 women were enrolled. However, that's as far as Chadbourne was willing to go. The normal school was segregated; only women could attend, and they were not allowed to take other UW classes.<br />
<br />
Chadbourne died in 1883 before co-ed proponents completely reversed the institution's policies, but his name lives on at UW in a strange way. Dean Edward Birge apparently was one of Chadbourne's major adversaries. In 1897, the school opened Ladies Hall, its first women's dormitory, Birge insisted it be renamed for President Chadbourne. He said, "I thought it was only fair that Dr. Chadbourne's contumacy (stubborn perverseness) regarding co-education should be punished by attaching his name to a building which turned out to be one of the main supports of co-education."<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XycYqPhJoXc/VzXlpsJ8pAI/AAAAAAAACNM/3qotd6X1tqY-jM4I4ctgNvAD_oAT34SCQCKgB/s1600/%2524%2528KGrHqV%252C%2521o0FIt6QZ5GGBSQyeB4fCg--60_35.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XycYqPhJoXc/VzXlpsJ8pAI/AAAAAAAACNM/3qotd6X1tqY-jM4I4ctgNvAD_oAT34SCQCKgB/s400/%2524%2528KGrHqV%252C%2521o0FIt6QZ5GGBSQyeB4fCg--60_35.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The original Chadbourne Hall looked somewhat like this when I passed it on the way to classes. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The original Chadbourne Hall stood until 1957. I trudged past it many times for four years oblivious to its history. It was a weather-beaten building, not in the best repair, and about the time I graduated it was demolished and replaced by a modern structure carrying the same name.<br />
<br />
My, how things have changed. Although male students outnumbered women (except for World War II years) at UW until 1995, enrollment has been near 50-50 since then. Women have been successful students in every discipline. Chadbourne Hall, known to students as "The Chad," how houses male and female students as well as UW classrooms where courses are open to all.<br />
<br />
Paul Chadbourne might turn over in his grave. If he did, he could possibly catch a glimpse of a towering continuing monument to his perversity.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rYoQHUN5TlM/VzYAxYjJLzI/AAAAAAAACOA/Wd9yITSWSsc7CWLhEVXLtljJXRyA9kUYwCLcB/s1600/64ca54a5cfcb16a6bcd3acb65df4963d%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rYoQHUN5TlM/VzYAxYjJLzI/AAAAAAAACOA/Wd9yITSWSsc7CWLhEVXLtljJXRyA9kUYwCLcB/s400/64ca54a5cfcb16a6bcd3acb65df4963d%255B1%255D.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The University of Wisconsin's monument to Paul Chadbourne now is modern and co-educational.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Dick Kladehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11793395712483278104noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30802444.post-50035972311124976822016-05-06T12:18:00.001-05:002016-05-13T12:02:56.132-05:00Presidential Campaigns--the Bad and the UglyMy borrowed title statement actually starts with "The Good," but since George Washington's initial presidency, and possibly Dwight Eisenhower's runs for office in the 1950s (it was hard not to "like Ike"), it has been difficult to find a lot of goodness and civility in contests for our chief executive office.<br />
<br />
Many pundits now are saying a Trump-Clinton contest will set a record for nastiness. Possibly, but history gives us any number of unpleasant campaigns for comparison.<br />
<br />
As "father of our country" and military hero, Washington was extremely popular. He was swept into office for two terms without serious opposition. He belonged to no political party, and in fact often cautioned Americans about the evils of parties. After Washington declined to run for a third term, parties appeared, and sure enough the mud-slinging began.<br />
<br />
In early elections, proxies carried on the nastiness. Candidates did not campaign at all. They quietly let potential supporters know they were available for nomination. Gaining that, they sat back and let rabid supporters define platforms and frequently slander opponents in media and by starting whispering campaigns.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jefferson:Some bad with the good?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Describing the change in "Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power," historian Jon Meacham said, "However different in form presidential contests were, one feature has been constant from the beginning: They have been rife with attacks and counterattacks."<br />
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The 1800 campaign pitting President John Adams against Vice President Jefferson provides a standard for nastiness that Trump-Clinton may find hard to top. We hear every Fourth of July about the wonderful friendship between the two founding fathers, both of whom died on the same Independence Day after exchanging hundreds of cordial letters throughout the last years of their lives.<br />
<br />
We seldom are reminded that the men who sat side-by-side while Jefferson's draft of the Declaration of Independence was being reviewed and adopted, and who worked closely together as diplomats in Europe, were so antagonized by statements during the 1800 presidential campaign that they refused to speak to each other for more than a decade.<br />
<br />
In the campaign, Adams' supporters characterized Jefferson as a cowardly weakling. They also branded him an atheist, a very serious charge at the time. The atheist assertion was a complete falsehood. Jefferson's surrogates fired back with charges that Adams was an overbearing monarchist who sought to establish a "King's Army" to keep the American people in line (sound familiar, Mr. Obama?). They criticized Adams' character in detail, and very little of that criticism has survived the scrutiny of historians.<br />
<br />
Although Jefferson eventually achieved great popularity as a president who championed individual rights and freedom and engineered the Louisiana Purchase, a huge land acquisition that was key to making America "great," he was not immune from criticism while in office. One critic published a scathing report of Jefferson's sexual relationship with a slave, Sally Hemings. That bit of nastiness, denied for years by Jefferson admirers, now is accepted as fact by most modern historians.<br />
<br />
Among thousands of documents preserved by Jefferson was this brief letter from an anonymous writer in 1808: "You are the damdest fool that God put life into."<br />
<br />
So it goes in American political life.<br />
<br />
Will the Trump-Clinton contest be the nastiest ever? I think it is far too early to reach that conclusion. However, there is absolutely no doubt that Donald Trump is the nastiest individual ever to become the nominee of one of our major parties. He exhibits a whole lot of "bad and ugly" and very little "good."<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Dick Kladehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11793395712483278104noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30802444.post-46365170530307843482016-04-30T15:47:00.000-05:002016-05-08T06:56:00.348-05:00Elevator Ups and Downs (Sometimes)Two recent news stories brought elevator incidents to mind. In the first, a group of football heroes grossly exceeded a load limit and spent considerable time in limbo before help arrived. In the other, a group of police officers got stuck, only to be rescued by firemen who had lots of fun maximizing the cops' embarrassment by taking selfies that made it onto the internet.<br />
<br />
Years ago, beautiful wife Sandy and I were in an elevator at the Salt Lake City airport when it stalled between floors. It's an eerie feeling. We were in close quarters in total darkness. Everyone except one man stayed calm until maintenance people got the elevator moving. That man lost it to the extent of screaming and thrashing around in the confined space. However, when we got out, he appeared to revert quickly to normal behavior.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OUr4sjq5r7s/VyUOwbqHVKI/AAAAAAAACK8/8kasU_0w6TkYV1_Q-1AQ8pAf_jAHoPtUACKgB/s1600/e9830251-91d7-444e-83f7-568961e10dd9_medium-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="303" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OUr4sjq5r7s/VyUOwbqHVKI/AAAAAAAACK8/8kasU_0w6TkYV1_Q-1AQ8pAf_jAHoPtUACKgB/s320/e9830251-91d7-444e-83f7-568961e10dd9_medium-.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I didn't know that!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
My other elevator incident happened a few years later. I was sent to Albuquerque on Forest Service business. My neighbor's son had just built a new home there. He invited me to an early evening golf game, and his wife tacked on a dinner invitation. I brought my putter along with an eye to having at least one familiar club to buoy my confidence on a strange course.<br />
<br />
My friend planned to pick me up at the hotel where our meeting was held and I was staying. He urged me to be prompt. We would try to get in 9 holes at University Course-North. Tricky winds were known to come up there in late daylight hours, so we would have to start play promptly to finish our game in calm conditions.<br />
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Unfortunately, my meeting dragged on beyond the appointed closing time. When we finally adjourned, I rushed through the lobby waving to my friend, zipped up to my 12th floor room in the elevator, changed shirts, grabbed my putter, and ran back to re-board the elevator. I was fairly close to being on schedule.<br />
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But at the first stop, a hotel maintenance lady got on. She squirted the control panel with cleaner and wiped it vigorously with a large cloth, hitting every button. The result was an immaculate button panel, but we stopped at each remaining floor--all 10 of them. I thought about getting off and running down the stairs, but that wasn't appealing following so closely on my frantic efforts to get up to my room.<br />
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We were just finishing the third hole on the North Course when a gust of wind blew my ball off the green. Further play was impossible.<br />
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Had I known about the advice with the control panel illustration shown here, I could have enjoyed a complete golf game. Oh well, the dinner was both complete and enjoyable.<br />
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<br />Dick Kladehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11793395712483278104noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30802444.post-14493041002948482382016-04-07T05:45:00.000-05:002016-05-13T17:59:32.648-05:00Careful What You Wish For, SenatorsToday, President Obama is speaking at the University of Chicago, where he taught constitutional law for 12 years early in his career. It's a sure bet the thrust of his remarks will be pointed criticism of Republicans who have refused to consider his nomination of Merrick Garland for the current Supreme Court vacancy.<br />
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Obama's appearance will be just another salvo in the attacks on Republican obstructionism that are part of the Democratic Party election campaign strategy. What the GOP leadership is doing is perfectly legal, but criticism about stalling by Congress does resonate with many voters. Nevertheless, we can be sure that the president's message today will have no influence on Republican legislators.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EcJmtPGyUB4/VwY0KKgJsXI/AAAAAAAACJk/hUQdXSIXgmYemeOBwrNdsAP87e3tT4AXg/s1600/way-uneven-scale-th.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="143" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EcJmtPGyUB4/VwY0KKgJsXI/AAAAAAAACJk/hUQdXSIXgmYemeOBwrNdsAP87e3tT4AXg/s200/way-uneven-scale-th.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The GOP stall might not be smart</td></tr>
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What would strike terror into GOP hearts would be a surprise hint by Obama that he might have some interest in Supreme Court service. After all, he is an expert on constitutional law as his Chicago Law School appearance reminds us. If Hillary Clinton wins the presidency, which appears the most likely scenario at the moment, what's to stop her from withdrawing the Garland nomination and appointing Barack Obama?<br />
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Were I a GOP senator, I might be pushing hard for a quick opening of hearings on the Garland candidacy. He seems likely to be much more conservative than at least one of the alternatives.<br />
<br />Dick Kladehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11793395712483278104noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30802444.post-4823279952906027712016-03-22T13:48:00.000-05:002016-03-22T13:57:59.417-05:00Keep on SmilingAfter an anchor tooth for a bridge ruptured and associated problems indicated the future of my remaining upper teeth was bleak, my dentist and I decided the best way to go was to do some extractions and equip me with a full upper plate of false choppers.<br />
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My plastic teeth are performing rather well only three weeks into our get-acquainted period, but one bit of advice has not worked at all for me. Dental assistants, various internet sites, and product pamphlets all emphasize that the inconveniences of having to rely on false teeth are far outweighed by a big positive--users will bask in the glory of their beautiful new smile!<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-htwKn_3J3HQ/VvGLhv06kJI/AAAAAAAACI8/IENTEabuQVocHldgPbff0mNLmX9ENRgCQ/s1600/th.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-htwKn_3J3HQ/VvGLhv06kJI/AAAAAAAACI8/IENTEabuQVocHldgPbff0mNLmX9ENRgCQ/s1600/th.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If I only could.</td></tr>
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How wonderful is that? Probably very for many, but it's just a tooth fairy tale for me. I've spent more than 50 years compensating for somewhat crooked teeth stained by excess tobacco and coffee use. The situation was compounded by several dentists years ago who were not skilled with color matches when they installed crowns on a couple of front teeth.<br />
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I compensated by training myself always to smile with my mouth closed. Now with a set of perfectly proportioned and color-matched uppers to show off, I find I am unable to change. My acquaintances will just have to continue to settle for a little grin and a twinkle in my eye.Dick Kladehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11793395712483278104noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30802444.post-15159114574808344542016-02-15T11:51:00.000-06:002016-03-22T08:49:05.780-05:00Robotic RobberyIf you've eaten out lately at a casual restaurant such as Applebee's or Olive Garden, an electronic gadget probably was a guest at your table. Language on its small screen cheerfully invites you to play a game, order extra items, or speedily pay your bill.<br />
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At first we thought the machines might be a tricky way for management to replace waiters and waitresses. But no, they don't allow you to order your main course, just add-ons. And at Applebee's, the server arrives at your table to slide your credit or gift card at bill paying time.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iE_z26sgMfU/VsIGyiZCvWI/AAAAAAAACIM/uZUnDbumxxM/s1600/patt5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iE_z26sgMfU/VsIGyiZCvWI/AAAAAAAACIM/uZUnDbumxxM/s400/patt5.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That automatic bill printer may deliver unwelcome surprises</td></tr>
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We've learned that the little machines actually are kin to the infamous "one-armed bandits" familiar to casino patrons who enter with high hopes and leave with lighter pocketbooks. Our first hint was when we accepted the invitation to play a computer game on the device. It was fun, but our bill came with a surprise $1.99 charge included for the game. We don't do the games anymore.<br />
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We usually tip 15 percent at restaurants, and go to 20 for extra-good service. When an image of your bill pops up at Applebee's as your server stands at your table, it automatically shows a 20 percent tip. The server then points to the total and advises you may push buttons to increase or decrease the amount. It's hard to imagine a customer mean enough to go for a decrease with the server watching you make the adjustment. Although tempted once, I've been unable to bring myself to retreat to my 15 percent comfort level.<br />
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The advent of robotic service at some of our favorite places so far has been only slightly annoying. We must remember that progress has its price. Let's hope this is not the start of bigger cost increases as technology advances.<br />
<br />Dick Kladehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11793395712483278104noreply@blogger.com13