Thanksgiving — the way it was in the ‘30s [from my novel] The doorbell rang and she opened the door to be greeted by a quaint Baseball with little legs, and a lad dressed in baggy pants and a ragged cardigan; he wore a Brooklyn Dodger cap. “Anything for Thanksgiving?” shrilled the Baseball th...
There is little doubt that school “uniforms” portray a school in good order. Students think twice about having a scuffle in the school yard in such treasured threads. In class, since there are no fashionable surprises or distractions, they might very well be more attentive, though perhaps uncomfortable, at least until accustomed to the apparel. Still, dress does not make a better student and unless the school itself aims for scholastic excellence, the student will not wear the uniform p...
Emancipation is ostensibly the freedom of the mind to think rationally: modern society evidently is not yet emancipated. To suggest that elections are decided by the ability to raise funds, strikes a reasonable person as blasphemous but true. In viewing beer and fast food commercials is there any wonder obesity is in the news? If a blue dress can incite impeachment what does bloody fatigues from a wanton war incite? Conservatives were once of mind to temper politics; it i...
Those who condemn materialism should at least acknowledge that it helped bring along sanitary plumbing. … It’s a cheap shot to fault Bush for continuing to read the goat story; give him credit for being into it since he seldom reads anything. … Hello? … What rich kid doesn’t get preferential treatment? … If the French are so bad why don’t we ship back the Statue of Liberty? … Democracy is in its infancy in Russia, so we should take a wait and see position on Putin’s clamping down, after all,...
Turkey of the wild met by the roaring musket became the first feast. Stacked hay and pumpkin companions under the skies warm the vagrant's heart. The children from art made pilgrim hats and wore them over thankful eyes. Mom sweetens the yams, Grandma whips the potatoes And Gramps carves the bird. In feasting too much and the tummy aches, give thanks for alka-seltzer.
Copyright © 1999 Richard R. Kennedy All rights reserved. Revised: November 9, 2003 Santa seemed on every block. Life, color, light were everywhere belying the evening's dark, heavy sky. Caroling floated on snow flakes. Smiling shoppers were eying decorated windows as children were pressing against panes flaunting busy toys. Last minute shoppers were rushing into stores while others were rushing out on the way to the many things left to do at home. A thin young woman clu...
Johnny Damon will probably be sent back to Bean Country for refusing to cut his hair under the Yankee appearance code .… Seems if they couldn’t get it right on Sept.11 and on WMDs in Iraq what makes Republicans so sure that the CIA and NSA will get it right this time listening in on all of America? … Most youth are secular, as only natural, since their parents brought them up that way, notwithstanding this vast majority that attends religious services. So why not trust our youth, despite their...
Does the NRA support Hezbollah’s right to bear arms in Lebanon?… I have no qualms about the FBI issuing a NSL [National security letter] but I resent their right to snoop into my financial records what with identity theft on the rise. Surely, there must be a better way to monitor suspects rather than randomly including average citizens.… According to David Broder, Ohioans couldn’t care less about the economy, scandals, or lukewarm over Katrina, but they’re obsessed with the abysmal ...
If indeed woman is the fair sex that must mean the counterpart is foul. Only through Jesus can the soul be saved implies that billions of souls are out of luck. The Big Bang theory and Creationism cannot coexist unless one believes Adam banged Eve. When I die I hope first responders are on alert to put the fire out. Until Frances the only good thing about hurricanes is that they would not overstay their visit. Marriages used to last longer until cheating became the “c...
Arlington National is the epitome of ultimate sacrifice that kept us free; we weep, but seldom vote in honor of those who sleep there. The self is measured by what it can procure at the other’s expense. If there’s one thing I can’t stand it is a gutless war. What idiot in the Pentagon ordered from China those abominable “republican guard” black berets and mock our fighters of freedom? I stopped ordering the US flag postage stamp for fear I would inadvertently paste it up...
How is it the pundit volume goes up significantly when hard working full time toilet cleaners who nevertheless need government assistance in variable forms, while criticism of profitable large and corporate farms receiving subsidies is on mute? Could it be that most farmers, with the exception of their hired hands, are long standing white male citizens as opposed to the presumption that toilet cleaners of America are black or Hispanic of whom a good share are women? I suppose, decibels of cri...
Teaching to some is a manufacturing job, in which only the face of the product changes each year. Missing from politics is the poetry of true passion. In my youth, the girl most cherished was content with a 15 cent movie, an ice cream soda and a kiss at her front door. Those who pray the loudest must think God is hard of hearing. True prayer is unvarnished verse. What this country needs is simply a damn good thinker in the White House. True wealth is measured by ...
If Bush is such a damnably nice guy, how is it the adage “nice guys finish last” does not apply to him — or will it? For a superpower to unite a world it must first unite its country. To be a conservative one must first believe in his own superiority. The volunteer armed services are now considered sacrosanct to those against conscription. Virtue is a continuing process of the mind, don’t presume its handed to you by God. One who states that the Patriot Act “needs fix...
The late inning — here again Whence spirit’s bullpen Treads the player “J” To close the disarray Human errors cause By blinding hurrahs, And zeros on the board So wilfully ignored. Copyright © 2003 Richard R. Kennedy All rights reserved. Revised: December 10, 2003 .
[sample; available in full] Copyright © 1993 Richard R. Kennedy Prologue Long ago was unrecorded distant land by the sea. Its southern terrain was mostly rolling hills and dales while a smaller section to the north was mountainous. The tallest mountain loomed high above a cliff along the shore. On the other side it faced a vast valley rich with vegetation. At the base of this mountain, the top of which was partially blown off before the dawn of man, there had ...