Father's Day at Pocono

Unless you've been behind the wheel of a stock car, there is no way to appreciate what NASCAR drivers go thru weekly to earn their living. If you think these rednecks just like to turn left, you'd be as ignorant as you believe they are.

Yesterday I learned first-hand what it's like to sit behind the wheel of an 800 horsepower machine. Getting used to the power was the easy part. Having the nerve to drive it hard into turn one, slightly more difficult.

One goal was to maintain 4 car lengths from the car in front of you - a task much easier said than done. The other, no flags or warnings from the flag man atop the start/finish line. Mission there, accomplished. I maxed out at 8200 RPM, which equals roughly 162 MPH, on my final run down the front stretch.


I can't imagine too many ways to spend Father's Day, better than this one. Not a bad mid-life-crisis birthday gift from my wife either. Thanks honey!

My 7 year old got the picture of the day as her Daddy's number 25 screamed by. A budding photographer I have on my hands.

Many thanks to the guys at Stock Car Racing Experience.

A Good Man

NBC's Meet the Press host, Tim Russert, passed away today of a heart attack at the age of 58.

Tim was perhaps the best news anchor of this generation. While many reporters have become insincere and arrogant over the years, Russert remained a true professional.

Meet The Press was served well while Tim was at the desk.

Sowell Good

Thomas Sowell from National Review Online and one of the brightest commentators on issues of race, economics, and American culture, has zeroed in on the only issue relevant to this Presidential election - national security.

In this NRO article, Sowell gives his insights as to why neither Democrats nor Republicans are excited about their party's choice for Commander-in-Chief. While the media is focused on the historical aspect of the 2008 campaign, Iran is quietly building for war.

Sowell shows that much like 1930's America, so-called intellectuals and appeasers on the left are underestimating the determination of our enemies. They claimed Hitler wasn’t a threat; he could be reasoned with, they claimed.

The same ignorance the American left has today leaves some fool-hearty souls – like one Presidential candidate – believing charm and wit will bring radical Islam to their senses.

They were wrong then, they are wrong now.

Mr. Sowell is a Senior Fellow on Public Policy at the Hoover Institution and author of one of my favorite books, Black Rednecks and White Liberals.

He’s one man not impressed with the Messianic Obama.

Change? Or Same Old, Same Old

So you think Barack Obama represents a change from politics as usual?

It’s déjà vu, all over again…

Fete Accompli

The first full weekend in June is a popular date with Abington residents. Now in its 95th year, the June Fete and Village Fair is an annual fundraising carnival and horse show, benefiting Abington Hospital.

The Women's Board at Abington Hospital, established in 1913 - before the hospital opened, assembles a large volunteer group to pull off the weekend events. Led by Pam Brown, the Women's Board coordinates all the volunteer efforts of the 10 different auxilary groups and 1,100 volunteers Abington Hospital utilizes throughout the year. The horse show is the longest running event of its kind in the area, longer than the better-known Devon show.

The offspring and I spent last evening braving rides, dancing to music, and making a mess with cherry water ice. The crowd, with a few minor exceptions, was friendly despite long lines and stifling August-like heat.

No signs of a bad economy here, just another great summer night.

"...We Hail Cardinal Dougherty High!"

On the front page of today's Daily News is a story which shows how much things have changed. At 240 seniors in the 2008 class, Cardinal Dougherty graduates significantly less students than the 750 or so I graduated with, several years ago. Catholic High Schools in the city aren't as popular as they were with earlier generations.

The article explains how graduation ceremonies have turned into "shout-out" contests. As some students receive a diploma, parents feel obligated to ruin the moment by acting like they are at a homecoming game. Per the Daily News article, blow horns are sometimes used to celebrate some graduates' achievement.

It might be understandable if the ceremony were held at the old Convention Center where I graduated or Villanova'a basketball stadium as in years past. But recent graduations were held at the Basilica of St. Peter and Paul - a place where blow horns should never be used.

As usual these days, the parents have lost their minds. One parent thought about a class-action lawsuit against the school because they considered changing the graduation ceremony to only recognize honor students on stage. I can't imagine my mother thinking of legal action because her son couldn't walk on stage. Besides, at 750, we didn't even get the honor of hearing our names called - it just would have taken forever.

But in an American Idol age, this story shouldn't come as a surprise. The spoiled brats today's parents are raising (excluding my own of course) just aren't satisfied unless they get their own 15 minutes of fame.

Thanks to the Daily News, they surely have it now. Although not exactly as they had hoped.

Iraq Road Trip?

If Barack Obama goes to Iraq as John McCain suggested last week, what kind of country would he find? Are there any signs of success?

Seemingly buried in the Friday news cycle is this story from the Washington Post. The CIA is reporting it has Al-Qaeda on the ropes globally.

But what about Iraq? How dangerous is it in the country where success is rarely reported? Instead of risking sniper fire (like one Democrat Presidential candidate has), perhaps Barry could simply get a debriefing from the Eagles Cheerleaders.

Obama's campaign could only dream of such success...

Chaos in a Smoke-Filled Room

Hat tip to Dan Cirucci for this one. It's one very clear example of what Democrats are really thinking.

This classic meltdown reveals a major problem with the left. I'm not talking about the delegate dilema facing the Dems this summer. Instead, note how Harriet Christian views the African American community. Aren't Blue-State liberals supposed to be the open-minded ones?

And they want to portray Republicans as the racists?