The Tale of the Watchman

Once upon a time the government had a vast scrap yard in the middle of a desert.

Congress said, "Someone may steal from it at night." So they created a night watchman position and hired a person for the job.

Then Congress said,

"How does the watchman do his job without instruction?" So they created a planning department and hired two people, one person to write the instructions, and one person to do time studies.

Then Congress said,

"How will we know the night watchman is doing the tasks correctly?" So they created a Quality Control Department and hired two people. One to do the studies and one to write the reports.

Then Congress said,

"How are these people going to get paid?" So They created the following positions, a time keeper, and a payroll officer, then hired two people.

Then Congress said,

"Who will be accountable for all of these people?"

So they created an administrative section and hired three people, an Administrative Officer, Assistant

Administrative Officer, and a Legal Secretary.

Then Congress said,

"We have had this command in operation for one Year and we are $18,000 over budget, we must cutback overall cost."

So they laid off the night watchman.

NOW slowly, let it sink in.

Quietly, we go like sheep to slaughter.

Does anybody remember the reason given for the establishment of the DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY....

during the Carter Administration?

Anybody?

Anything?

No?

Didn't think so!

Bottom line. We've spent several hundred billion dollars in support of an agency...the reason for which not one person who reads this can remember!

Ready??

It was very simple...and at the time, everybody thought it very appropriate.

The Department of Energy was instituted on 8-04-1977.

TO LESSEN OUR DEPENDENCE ON FOREIGN OIL.

Hey, pretty efficient, huh???

AND NOW IT'S 2010

-- 33 YEARS LATER --

AND THE BUDGET FOR THIS "NECESSARY" DEPARTMENT IS AT $24.2 BILLION A YEAR. THEY HAVE 16,000 FEDERAL EMPLOYEES AND APPROXIMATELY 100,000 CONTRACT EMPLOYEES; AND LOOK AT THE JOB THEY HAVE DONE!

THIS IS WHERE YOU SLAP YOUR FOREHEAD AND SAY, "WHAT WAS I THINKING?"

Ah, yes -- good ole bureaucracy.

AND, NOW, WE ARE GOING TO TURN THE BANKING SYSTEM, HEALTH CARE, AND THE AUTO INDUSTRY OVER TO THE SAME GOVERNMENT?

HELLOOO! Anybody Home?

A REPLY to an earlier post ......................

TartanMarine has left a new comment on your post "From a man, Robert A. Hall, who is tired!":


Thank you for posting my piece, "I'm Tired." Please note I am NOT the actor, Robert D. Hall, on CSI. Someone attached his photo and bio and forwarded.

People who wish to comment on it can find it on my blog: www.tartanmarine.blogspot.com under February of 09. If you liked it, you may also like the posts below, or my almost daily political digest. ~Bob

I’m Tired

http://tartanmarine.blogspot.com/2009/02/robert.html

This I believe

http://tartanmarine.blogspot.com/2009/03/this-i-believe.html

The Coming Collapse of the American Republic

http://tartanmarine.blogspot.com/2010/03/essay-coming-collapse-of-american.html

Economic Facts of Life

http://tartanmarine.blogspot.com/2009/08/economic-facts-of-life.html

Why I’m a Republican

http://tartanmarine.blogspot.com/2010/01/why-im-republican.html

Change that would fix America

http://tartanmarine.blogspot.com/2010/03/change-that-would-fix-america.html

I’m dying

http://tartanmarine.blogspot.com/2010/05/im-dying.html

Global Warming Articles

http://tartanmarine.blogspot.com/2010/03/global-warming-articles.html

Historical figures look at the stimulus bill

http://tartanmarine.blogspot.com/2009/02/historical-figures-look-at-stimulus.html

Agent Orange Fact Sheet

http://tartanmarine.blogspot.com/2009/12/agent-orange.html

E-mail courtesy and techniques

http://tartanmarine.blogspot.com/2010/06/e-mail-courtesy-and-techniques.html

A Religion of Peace?

http://tartanmarine.blogspot.com/2009/04/religion-of-peace.html

Angry Liberals

http://tartanmarine.blogspot.com/2008/11/angry-liberals.html

When the guardians fail

http://tartanmarine.blogspot.com/2008/11/when-guardians-fail.html

Reading list for the war on Terror

http://tartanmarine.blogspot.com/2008/11/reading-list-for-war-on-terror.html

The Next Terrorist attack on America

http://tartanmarine.blogspot.com/2009/09/essay-next-terrorist-attack-on-america.html

Includes my 1998 column predicting 9/11

Why the Future Looks Bleak

http://tartanmarine.blogspot.com/2009/10/why-future-looks-bleak.html

Helping Obama

http://tartanmarine.blogspot.com/2009/10/helping-obama.html

From a man, Robert A. Hall, who is tired!

This is not mine, but I could have written it, if I wasn't so tired ......

Robert A. Hall is the actor who plays the coroner on the tv show "CSI". This should be required reading for every man, woman and child in the United States of America .

"I'm 63 and I'm Tired"

by Robert A. Hall

I'm 63. Except for one semester in college when jobs were scarce and a six-month period when I was between jobs, but job-hunting every day, I've worked, hard, since I was 18. Despite some health challenges, I still put in 50-hour weeks, and haven't called in sick in seven or eight years. I make a good salary, but I didn't inherit my job or my income, and I worked to get where I am. Given the economy, there's no retirement in sight, and I'm tired. Very tired.

I'm tired of being told that I have to "spread the wealth" to people who don't have my work ethic. I'm tired of being told the government will take the money I earned, by force if necessary, and give it to people too lazy to earn it.

I'm tired of being told that I have to pay more taxes to "keep people in their homes." Sure, if they lost their jobs or got sick, I'm willing to help. But if they bought McMansions at three times the price of our paid-off, $250,000 condo, on one-third of my salary, then let the left-wing Congress-critters who passed Fannie and Freddie and the Community Reinvestment Act that created the bubble help them with their own money.

I'm tired of being told how bad America is by left-wing millionaires like Michael Moore, George Soros and Hollywood Entertainers who live in luxury because of the opportunities America offers. In thirty years, if they get their way, the United States will have the economy of Zimbabwe , the freedom of the press of China , the crime and violence of Mexico , the tolerance for Christian people of Iran , and the freedom of speech of Venezuela .

I'm tired of being told that Islam is a "Religion of Peace," when every day I can read dozens of stories of Muslim men killing their sisters, wives and daughters for their family "honor"; of Muslims rioting over some slight offense; of Muslims murdering Christian and Jews because they aren't "believers"; of Muslims burning schools for girls; of Muslims stoning teenage rape victims to death for "adultery"; of Muslims mutilating the genitals of little girls; all in the name of Allah, because the Qur'an and Shari'a law tells them to.

I'm tired of being told that "race doesn't matter" in the post-racial world of Obama, when it's all that matters in affirmative action jobs, lower college admission and graduation standards for minorities (harming them the most), government contract set-asides, tolerance for the ghetto culture of violence and fatherless children that hurts minorities more than anyone, and in the appointment of U.S. Senators from Illinois.

I think it's very cool that we have a black president and that a black child is doing her homework at the desk where Lincoln wrote the Emancipation Proclamation. I just wish the black president was Condi Rice, or someone who believes more in freedom and the individual and less arrogantly of an all-knowing government.

I'm tired of a news media that thinks Bush's fundraising and inaugural expenses were obscene, but that think Obama's, at triple the cost, were wonderful; that thinks Bush exercising daily was a waste of presidential time, but Obama exercising is a great example for the public to control weight and stress; that picked over every line of Bush's military records, but never demanded that Kerry release his; that slammed Palin, with two years as governor, for being too inexperienced for VP, but touted Obama with three years as senator as potentially the best president ever. Wonder why people are dropping their subscriptions or switching to Fox News? Get a clue. I didn't vote for Bush in 2000, but the media and Kerry drove me to his camp in 2004.

I'm tired of being told that out of "tolerance for other cultures" we must let Saudi Arabia use our oil money to fund mosques and mandrassa Islamic schools to preach hate in America , while no American group is allowed to fund a church, synagogue or religious school in Saudi Arabia to teach love and tolerance.

I'm tired of being told I must lower my living standard to fight global warming, which no one is allowed to debate. My wife and I live in a two-bedroom apartment and carpool together five miles to our jobs. We also own a three-bedroom condo where our daughter and granddaughter live. Our carbon footprint is about 5% of Al Gore's, and if you're greener than Gore, you're green enough.

I'm tired of being told that drug addicts have a disease, and I must help support and treat them, and pay for the damage they do. Did a giant germ rush out of a dark alley, grab them, and stuff white powder up their noses while they tried to fight it off? I don't think Gay people choose to be Gay, but I damn sure think druggies chose to take drugs. And I'm tired of harassment from cool people treating me like a freak when I tell them I never tried marijuana.

I'm tired of illegal aliens being called "undocumented workers," especially the ones who aren't working but are living on welfare or crime. What's next? Calling drug dealers, "Undocumented Pharmacists"? And, no, I'm not against Hispanics. Most of them are Catholic, and it's been a few hundred years since Catholics wanted to kill me for my religion. I'm willing to fast track for citizenship any Hispanic person, who can speak English, doesn't have a criminal record and who is self-supporting without family on welfare, or who serves honorably for three years in our military.... Those are the citizens we need.

I'm tired of latte liberals and journalists, who would never wear the uniform of the Republic themselves, or let their entitlement-handicapped kids near a recruiting station, trashing our military. They and their kids can sit at home, never having to make split-second decisions under life and death circumstances, and bad mouth better people than themselves. Do bad things happen in war? You bet. Do our troops sometimes misbehave? Sure. Does this compare with the atrocities that were the policy of our enemies for the last fifty years and still are? Not even close. So here's the deal. I'll let myself be subjected to all the humiliation and abuse that was heaped on terrorists at Abu Ghraib or Gitmo, and the critics can let themselves be subject to captivity by the Muslims, who tortured and beheaded Daniel Pearl in Pakistan, or the Muslims who tortured and murdered Marine Lt. Col. William Higgins in Lebanon, or the Muslims who ran the blood-spattered Al Qaeda torture rooms our troops found in Iraq, or the Muslims who cut off the heads of schoolgirls in Indonesia, because the girls were Christian. Then we'll compare notes. British and American soldiers are the only troops in history that civilians came to for help and handouts, instead of hiding from in fear.

I'm tired of people telling me that their party has a corner on virtue and the other party has a corner on corruption. Read the papers; bums are bipartisan. And I'm tired of people telling me we need bipartisanship. I live in Illinois , where the "Illinois Combine" of Democrats has worked to loot the public for years. Not to mention the tax cheats in Obama's cabinet.

I'm tired of hearing wealthy athletes, entertainers and politicians of both parties talking about innocent mistakes, stupid mistakes or youthful mistakes, when we all know they think their only mistake was getting caught. I'm tired of people with a sense of entitlement, rich or poor.

Speaking of poor, I'm tired of hearing people with air-conditioned homes, color TVs and two cars called poor. The majority of Americans didn't have that in 1970, but we didn't know we were "poor." The poverty pimps have to keep changing the definition of poor to keep the dollars flowing.

I'm real tired of people who don't take responsibility for their lives and actions. I'm tired of hearing them blame the government, or discrimination or big-whatever for their problems.

Yes, I'm damn tired. But I'm also glad to be 63. Because, mostly, I'm not going to have to see the world these people are making. I'm just sorry for my granddaughter.

Robert A. Hall is a Marine Vietnam veteran who served five terms in the Massachusetts State Senate.

Another view ..... same result

As a follow up to my last BLOG, this is an interesting read, same result, different viewpoint.

Could it be true????????????

I received this, in part, as an Email,, I omitted some of it that I thought was not relevant. The premise is as it was written, it certainly is something to think about. It is difficult to disagree with, and scary. IF TRUE, it explains a lot. REMEMBER, in the Koran, it is written ... "will take over from within." This theory certainly goes along with that.

Barack Obama is no fool. He is not incompetent. To the contrary, he is brilliant. He knows exactly what he's doing. He is purposely overwhelming the U.S. economy to create systemic failure, economic crisis and social chaos -- thereby destroying capitalism and our country from within.


As Glenn Beck correctly predicted from day one, Obama is following the plan of Cloward & Piven, two professors at Columbia University. They outlined a plan to socialize America by overwhelming the system with government spending and entitlement demands. Add up the clues below. Taken individually they're alarming. Taken as a whole, it is a brilliant, Machiavellian game plan to turn the United States into a socialist/Marxist state with a permanent majority that desperately needs government for survival ... and can be counted on to always vote for bigger government. Why not? They have no responsibility to pay for it.

-- Universal health care. The health care bill had very little to do with health care. It had everything to do with unionizing millions of hospital and health care workers, as well as adding 15,000 to 20,000 new IRS agents (who will join government employee unions). Obama doesn't care that giving free health care to 30 million Americans will add trillions to the national debt. What he does care about is that it cements the dependence of those 30 million voters to Democrats and big government. Who but a socialist revolutionary would pass this reckless spending bill in the middle of a depression?

-- Cap and trade. Like health care legislation having nothing to do with health care, cap and trade has nothing to do with global warming. It has everything to do with redistribution of income, government control of the economy and a criminal payoff to Obama's biggest contributors. Those powerful and wealthy unions and contributors (like GE, which owns NBC, MSNBC and CNBC) can then be counted on to support everything Obama wants. They will kick-back hundreds of millions of dollars in contributions to Obama and the Democratic Party to keep them in power. The bonus is that all the new taxes on Americans with bigger cars, bigger homes and businesses helps Obama "spread the wealth around."

-- Make Puerto Rico a state. Why? Who's asking for a 51st state? Who's asking for millions of new welfare recipients and government entitlement addicts in the middle of a depression? Certainly not American taxpayers. But this has been Obama's plan all along. His goal is to add two new Democrat senators, five Democrat congressman and a million loyal Democratic voters who are dependent on big government.

-- Legalize 12 million illegal immigrants. Just giving these 12 million potential new citizens free health care alone could overwhelm the system and bankrupt America. But it adds 12 million reliable new Democrat voters who can be counted on to support big government. Add another few trillion dollars in welfare, aid to dependent children, food stamps, free medical, education, tax credits for the poor, and eventually Social Security.

-- Stimulus and bailouts. Where did all that money go? It went to Democrat contributors, organizations (ACORN), and unions

-- including billions of dollars to save or create jobs of government employees across the country. It went to save GM and Chrysler so that their employees could keep paying union dues. It went to AIG so that Goldman Sachs could be bailed out (after giving Obama almost $1 million in contributions). A staggering $125 billion went to teachers (thereby protecting their union dues). All those public employees will vote loyally Democrat to protect their bloated salaries and pensions that are bankrupting America. The country goes broke, future generations face a bleak future, but Obama, the Democrat Party, government, and the unions grow more powerful. The ends justify the means.

-- Raise taxes on small business owners, high-income earners, and job creators. Put the entire burden on only the top 20 percent of taxpayers, redistribute the income, punish success, and reward those who did nothing to deserve it (except vote for Obama). Reagan wanted to dramatically cut taxes in order to starve the government. Obama wants to dramatically raise taxes to starve his political opposition.

With the act s outlined above, Obama and his regime have created a vast and rapidly expanding constituency of voters dependent on big government; a vast privileged class of public employees who work for big government; and a government dedicated to destroying capitalism and installing themselves as socialist rulers by overwhelming the system.

Add it up and you've got the perfect Marxist scheme -- all devised by Barack Obama using the Cloward and Piven Plan.

WOW, I got to see it ................

The three-day Wimbledon contest is finally over, with American John Isner taking the fifth set 70-68 to beat France's Nichoas Mahut in the longest tennis match on record.

Well, I watched it .... I have seen many great sports moments in my time.

Martina when she won that tournament years ago when she was in her last days of competition.

I've seen Jordan play, seen Cousey, watched Nicklaus and Palmer. Recently, Usain Bolt, when he won the hundred in the Olympics, and coasted toward the end of the race. I thought that was the greatest event in sports I had ever seen.

But, today, I saw the greatest sports moment I have ever seen.

Isner won a first round match at Wimbledon, and it took three days, it was something to see. A record breaking match that set all sorts of records that will NEVER be broken, ever.

The only thing I could not figure out was why the Queen left before that match. Maybe she couldn't get a seat.

I hope you all got to watch it, a pleasure to see history made.

Wimbeldon Tennis, a match for all times

I enjoy tennis, not a huge fan, but prefer tennis to a lot of other shows, but, this thing going on over there now is beyond being just a tennis match. I was on the computer yesterday and saw something about the "marathon match," immediately got in on TV and have been glued since.

I watched it till the end yesterday, and actually woke up early this morning  so I wouldn't miss anything, and now sitting here in from of the TV, just waiting. For what, you ask?

"It all started quietly and without fanfare. Over nearly two days and 10 hours of play, the Wimbledon match between Frenchman Nicolas Mahut and American John Isner has become a record-breaking and fan-captivating battle. And it is not over yet. The longest match in Grand Slam history continues today -- the player's third in a row as they attempt to break their historic 59-59 tie. "

The Queen even showed up today for this event. Everyone is there and the eyes of the world are glued to their sets ready to watch this historic event. Martina, one of my sports heroes,  is there, many of the tennis greats of yesteryear, and I imagine a lot of "celebs" will be there, if they can get in.

I hope the match goes on for a little while. Someone will have to win, but I think that both players will be remembered for this match.

I am watching another match, not really paying attention to it, most of the commentary by the announcers pertains to things they have heard that have or are happening because of the "super" match.

The world is paying attention, I hope you are.

I guess I still have a couple of hour wait for it to begin, will get some more coffee.

Interesting Choice ...

Interesting that Obama names David Petraeus to replace McChrystal

....as senator, Obama termed his Itaq surge plan a failure while H Clinton and H Reid called him a liar

...and remember Moveon.org ad about "General Betray-Us?"

I was so clever

Can you really imagine anything worse than this sign to hang over a restaurant.

I look back on this and wonder why my family didn't have me committed when I decided to do that. I momentarily thought I was being so clever, "Eat under the Golden Arch."

I could envision people lined up to eat at our place. I forget the TV show that was on then, but they loved things like this. So I sent them this picture, they never got back with me.

Looking back, I have to wonder just why, someone didn't bring to my attention as to how inappropriate the sign was, over the door of a little family restaurant, in a little rural community.

I even did some ads using the term, "Arc De oro" or something like that. We had a French teacher who ate at Dooley's, and I asked her about it, she gave me the French translation, and I used that in a newspaper ad. I had hoped I would get used by McDonald's, for the publicity, but nothing happened.

I have done a number of stupid things in my life, this sign rates near the top.

I remember the sign painter from Granville, when I told him what I wanted, he asked me, "Are you sure that is what you want?" No doubt in my mind, it was a great, clever idea that would have a great impact on the business. We were in business for a couple of years or so. That's about my ADD time limit though.

Monday Morning, June 21, 2010

I look out the window, the sun is shining, very little movement in the trees, a perfect Summer morning in Ohio. I wonder how far you have to get away from my window view. until that view changes.

I know things are not well in Louisiana, and now spreading to Florida. I have to wonder WHY? was no one aware of the equipment owned by Kevin Costner, and available, not used. No one seems to care about that though.

The World Cup. I must admit I don't know how that stands, and I guess I really don't care. Those "horns" and that noise keep me from watching, that and a complete lack of interest in the sport.

Wars still are waging around the world, men are still dying, and terrorists are still a major problem around the world..

Some stories have appeared that the Obama administration is heading for a Dictatorship, and no one seems to really care. The economy is spiralling out of control, and the news media does nothing to report about it.

The world just keeps on spinning.

I think I am a lot like the rest of the country, if not the world. I know all of this is going on, but there is not enough interest there to write anything about it. Do you think they are putting something in our water, or some invisible gas we are breathing. There are few to no ripples on my pond of life. The country and the world is going to hell, but that doesn't affect my pond, for some reason.

We just let the machine answer all the 800 calls, don't worry about the bills, shop at Walmart, eat at Cracker Barrel, or sometimes just eat at Walmart, great chicken dinner, potatoes and a side, great price. We live  "Better for Less" at Walmart.

I hope to write something in the future that will really be of interest.

Saturday Morning, June 19, 2010

Where are we today?

The Lakers won the NBA Championship and I could care less. Like they needed more money. They can all get new tats during the off season.

Kevin Costner has a machine that will help with the oil spill cleanup. What took him so long? Maybe he was on location and didn't know about it.

Obama flew into Columbus, Ohio yesterday, to give a ten minute speech about how his stimulus money is working. The construction crew was given the day off, they lost a ton of money. He said "his" new road caused expansion of Children's Hospital. Someone should tell him it all started under the Bush Administration. He's a lot like Gore, takes credit for everything.

His trip cost the taxpayers a bundle of money. Wonder what his trips have cost us since he got in office.

World Cup Soccer is underway. I'm glad the rest of the world is excited. Watching it is bad enough, but that background noise is annoying.

Tiger is playing this week, I guess I should say playing golf. The networks will be happy if he makes a comeback and is up there near the top today and tomorrow. I will probably watch if he is.

Nothing earth shattering today, just bland reading. I need more coffee.

I grew up watching basketball

I grew watching basketball. My brother was good, he was 12 years older, but I remember watching him in Jr. High School, then high school and some in college and even when he was in the Navy, saw him play once.

I spent many a weekend at the old Coliseum at the Fairgrounds in Dayton, Ohio watching touring teams that came to town. The House of David, the Globetrotters, Caterpillar Tractors, Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons, the Dayton Mets. Saw Cousey and some of the early big men. I watched a lot of basketball.

Last night, I watched the opening of the Championship game, Lakers and Celtics then went to something else. Watched part of the 4th quarter when it was getting close, but turned the TV off and listened to the radio when I went to bed. I didn't even know the outcome till later on the next day, and, I have to admit, I really didn't care who won. The network had it go to seven games, the Celts jumped out to a lead, then TV wanted it close, probably wanted the Lakers to win. More to talk about if then won. All the coaches victories, more of a story, so they won, just like the network wanted.

All the players and coaches made their millions, the owners got rich, the network got rich, the advertisers were happy, a great tournament, just like the script called for.

I was an avid fan, when it was two teams competing, honestly, not just for the millions.

The LA fans are happy, a lot of BIG names .... wonder what it cost them?

Pampered Pets

Pampered Pets is now open in Newark, Ohio

Pet Boarding  -  Pet Bathing  -  Pet Grooming

Just SHUT the HECK UP .....

"Oh, how could they let their sixteen year old sail around the world?"

How could they let their sixteen year old become a downhill skier, when one instant stop could end her life.?

How could they let their sixteen year old run away from home and become a hooker?

How could they let their sixteen year old become a hang glider?

WELL, because their kid is sixteen and wants to do it. A sixteen year old today has a mind of their own. My guess is the press had nothing much to say so they decided to start a controversy .... "Hey, let's put the blame on the parents."

Tomorrow, let's do a survey, I will call ten people, you each call ten, have them call ten, etc., etc., and let's find out what all the sixteen year old girls are doing tomorrow ............ then, all those BITCHERS will probably have more to BITCH ABOUT ........... call your evening news broadcasters and let them know, they will be happy having something to talk about.

The Pilgrim Monument on Cape Cod

We visited here on our trip to Cape Cod, thanks to Debra and Lisa and Brad and his new bride, Bernie.  My middle name is Bradford, and I am a descendant of William Bradford who came over on the Mayflower. I reluctantly mentioned this to them because I didn't want to create an uproar, but I finally mentioned it to one of the workers. I offered to sign autographs for the visitors, for a nominal fee, or perhaps do "stop and shoots," he didn't seem impressed. He did take notice when I mentioned that if we checked back, I might even own the land the monument stood on. He looked me straight in the eye and said, "I am a Bourne." I asked about his "Identity." Then we sat and watched as others climbed to the top.

The Pilgrim Monument was founded in 1892 as the Cape Cod Pilgrim Memorial Association—Cape Cod’s oldest not-for-profit organization. Its purpose is to commemorate the Mayflower Pilgrims’ first landing in the New World in Provincetown, in November 1620. Here the Pilgrims spent 5 weeks exploring the tip of Cape Cod, before they sailed on to Plymouth. They also drew up and signed the Mayflower Compact, which established the rule of law for the new land.

The Cape Cod Pilgrim Memorial Association built the Pilgrim Monument to honor the Pilgrims’ first landing in Provincetown. President Theodore Roosevelt laid the cornerstone in 1907. In 1910, President William Howard Taft dedicated the finished 252-foot tower. In 1910, the Cape’s first building built to house a museum opened at the base of the monument, to educate the public about Provincetown’s role in Pilgrim history and American history.

Today, Millions of visitors and generations of local residents have admired and climbed the 252 foot granite Pilgrim Monument for almost 100 years.

Some interesting facts:

•The Pilgrim Monument was built between 1907 and 1910 to commemorate the first landing of the Mayflower Pilgrims in Provincetown on November 21, 1620.

•The tower is 252 feet, 7.5 inches (77 meters) tall and rises 350 feet above sea level!

•The heart-healthy walk to the top on 116 steps and 60 ramps only takes about 10 minutes at a leisurely pace.

•The Pilgrim Monument is the tallest all-granite structure in the United States. The granite came from Stonington, Maine, and each stone is the thickness of the wall. The design is patterned after the Torre Del Mangia in Siena, Italy.

•During your climb, you'll see many interior stones that were donated by cities, towns and organizations from all of the United States. See if your city or town is here.

•President Theodore Roosevelt laid the cornerstone on August 20, 1907.

•President William H. Taft led the dedication ceremony after the Pilgrim Monument's completion on August 5, 1910.

•The Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum is Cape Cod's oldest non-profit and cultural institution.

The Would, Highland, New York

Debra Dooley


"In the high-stress world of work, work, work, it is more important now than ever for our guests to truly enjoy an evening out. I want them to leave satisfied."

Who better to run an incredibly seasoned restaurant than by someone who is incredibly seasoned in all shapes of life?

Debra Dooley was born and raised in California. She moved to this area to complete college and set her career in a new, unfamliar area. Within a short period of time, Debra became the first woman ever accepted into the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 631 of Newburgh, New York, in 1979. Desiring to learn more with a hands on approach, she became involved in Construction and Property Management, which soon led her to the grounds of The Would Restaraunt. After taking over the restaurant with Claire Winslow, Debra quickly transformed The Would into a world of its own. With local artists' works on the walls and a warm glow in the dining room, Debra has created what many call the epitome of "casual elegance."

Debra has had an assertive handle on every aspect of the restaurant. Her relationship with her staff has created a family-type setting, where each member feels more at home at the end of the night than anything else. When she hostesses she greets guests with a smile and takes time to sit and chat with them while they eat. Her dedication to each facet of the restaurant even goes into The Would's Wine Cellar, which, with over 150 wines, has won the Wine Spectator Magazine's Award of Excellence every year, since 1994. And her own words: "I've developed a passion for the business...I want to learn all that I can," shows that Debra will continue to commit her efforts to The Would, so that it can bring her guests an amazing dining experience

Looking for a vacation home?

I was talking with my daughter, Debra Dooley, about vacation homes, and she gave me some interesting information I thought I would pass along.

A great way to have complete rest and relaxation is to own a second or vacation home in one of your most visited holiday destinations. This is very ideal, as you do not have to worry about booking hotel because you have your own home to spend your entire vacation in. You also get to explore the natural beauty of your desired destination anytime you want. A vacation home is really beneficial especially if you have chosen a home which is not only situated in an awesome location but also a low cost property. Buying a fantastic vacation home is not at all elusive if you know the basic guidelines.


There are specific qualities that every buyer is considering before deciding to buy a vacation home. These qualities that you look for in a home may make the entire process of property hunting a bit difficult if you do not know how to start with it. You may even be disappointed especially if there is one quality that is lacking. This is why flexibility is really important as this can narrow down your search. You can give up one quality if it is not that necessary. Find a home that suits your budget and made of high quality materials so you don't have to make any big changes to it.

Great property deals are also a practical way of looking for a vacation home. However, do not just base the property on price. Be keen enough to inspect the entire house and make sure that you do not have to resort to any major home improvement projects just to increase the market value of the house. It should have a rental potential as you will not be using it all the time.

Debra Dooley

Debra specializes in helping people with their Real Estate needs.

As a real estate professional and member of the National Association of Realtors, her focus has always been on building strong relationships with her clients and growing a client data base with continuous referral and repeat business. Her goal is to provide her clients with exceptional service  that exceed their expectations.

Finding and purchasing a home that will fit your needs is a significant and often stressful time. Debra Dooley will help to make your transition as smooth as possible. She is an expert in the area, and once she learns what it is that you are looking for, finding your dream home can become a reality.


Before you start looking for a home you should ask yourself a few questions. Where do you want to live? Are there particular neighborhoods or communities that you like? What kind of house would you like? Are you looking for a particiular style? How many bedrooms and bathrooms do you want? Do you want a yard, pool, views, privacy? Searching for your home can be a time consuming experience. Debra will make the process much more efficient.


DEBRA DOOLEY

134 Main Street, New Paltz, New York
Phone: 845-475-4248
Fax: 845-501-3005
Email: debra@westwoodrealty.com

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The Wedding - Brad and Bernie

I have had good days in my life, some good times, some events  that stand out, but last weekend, the wedding of Brad Dooley and Bernie Colon, is very high in the top ten list. I cannot imagine a wedding, or any event for that matter, that was so perfect.

Sure, I was partial, my young son, getting married, but I just cannot imagine anything going off so perfectly.

The weather was great, not too hot, and a nice breeze.

The Place, The Would, in Highland, New York.

The Setting, an outside, covered area, was originally a boccie ball court, flooring put down, decorated impeccably.

The Minister, Arlene, a Methodist, with a sense of humor, who had the infinite ability to make us smile, at the right time, and be serious, when it was called for. She involved the families and the audience in the wedding, not just the bride and groom. And then, at just the right appropriate moment, pulled out her guitar and sang. She was not restricted by accepted norms, and her interpretation was extraordinary. I wish I lived in New York, I would attend her church.

The Best Man, long story. My son, Brad, did not grow up with Debra as a sister. He met her later on in life, briefly, but apparently, the blood line merged them together. Brad decided many years ago to leave his home in Ohio and move to New York, and spend time with his new found sister. Brad selected her, to give him away. Dad swelled with pride at the decision. Actually, Dad cried when he heard of the decision.

The Bride, looked lovely and they maintained some old traditions, which were nice. Bernie looked lovely. It was apparent that Bernie and Brad were in love, and that the union of the two came about after some thorough soul searching and thought. Bernie was carrying a heavy family load, Brad was aware of it, and chose to accept the responsibility. I am so proud of my Son, he has truly become, a Man.

The entire day was perfect. The Dooley family also fell in love with the Colon family and her relatives, and I think they felt the same way.

It was a perfect wedding, in all respects, from start to finish.

A Toast, please, to the couple, for a long life, good health and  prosperity.

Our world of "loved ones"' has been greatly expanded.

It's all a crock

Watching the news about the oil spill is disheartening. Nothing said about the lack of response, only the comment from the president .."those responsible will .................." Wouldn't it be neat if those investigating would put the blame on him for not responding sooner?

I have talked recently with people from Florida, some good Liberals, who are furious with obama. They are talking more negatively about him than devout Conservatives.

I really don't see the good of placing blame when the event is still happening. Like  trying to convict someone for murder when the victim is still alive. I am sure obama is doing that to try to focus on someone else and remove his name from the list. He will eventually come out of this, I think, looking like a hero. He and his people are good at that sort of thing.

I have talked with many this weekend, some good liberals, who are adamant that he will only be a one term president. I disagree. Those who orchestrate his life are smart. Here is my reasoning.

He could not beat old Hillary.

He could not win the election.

He could not get his health bill passed.

BUT HE DID!

I cannot see where anyone or anything is happening to see that he does not win the next election. Look at the results of the last one ....  he won  or just did ............. what had to be done to get elected. Why not in three years.

I got in some deep discussions, with good Democrats  who predicted his ouster in three years. I told them they were wrong. They mentioned the "oil" thing and other reasons why he would not be elected. I just told them to remember me after the next election.

I'm  sick of it all. We all seemed to agree though that everyone was living with their head up their butt, and seemed to be content that way, and just let the world pass them by.