Tuesday, December 1, 2009

WW II Battleship sailor tells Obama to shape up or ship out !



This venerable and much honored WW II vet is well known in Hawaii
for his seventy-plus years of service to patriotic organizations and causes
all over the country. A humble man without a political bone in his body,
he has never spoken out before about a government official, until now.
He dictated this letter to a friend, signed it and mailed it to the president.
Dear President Obama,
My name is Harold Estes, approaching 95 on December 13 of this year. People meeting me for the first time don't believe my age because I remain wrinkle free and pretty much mentally alert.
I enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1934 and served proudly before, during and after WW II retiring as a Master Chief Bos'n Mate. Now I live in a "rest home" located on the western end of Pearl Harbor , allowing me to keep alive the memories of 23 years of service to my country.
One of the benefits of my age, perhaps the only one, is to speak my mind, blunt and direct even to the head man.
So here goes.
I am amazed, angry and determined not to see my country die before I do, but you seem hell bent not to grant me that wish.
I can't figure out what country you are the president of.
You fly around the world telling our friends and enemies despicable lies like:
" We're no longer a Christian nation"
" America is arrogant" - (Your wife even
announced to the world," America is mean-
spirited. " Please tell her to try preaching
that nonsense to 23 generations of our
war dead buried all over the globe who
died for no other reason than to free a
whole lot of strangers from tyranny and
hopelessness.)
I'd say shame on the both of you, but I don't think you like America, nor do I see an ounce of gratefulness in anything you do, for the obvious gifts this country has given you. To be without shame or gratefulness is a dangerous thing for a man sitting in the White House.
After 9/11 you said," America hasn't lived up to her ideals."
Which ones did you mean? Was it the notion of personal liberty that 11,000 farmers and shopkeepers died for to win independence from the British? Or maybe the ideal that no man should be a slave to another man, that 500,000 men died for in the Civil War? I hope you didn't mean the ideal 470,000 fathers, brothers, husbands, and a lot of fellas I knew personally died for in WWII, because we felt real strongly about not letting any nation push us around, because we stand for freedom.
I don't think you mean the ideal that says equality is better than discrimination. You know the one that a whole lot of white people understood when they helped to get you elected.
Take a little advice from a very old geezer, young man.
Shape up and start acting like an American. If you don't, I'll do what I can to see you get shipped out of that fancy rental on Pennsylvania Avenue . You were elected to lead not to bow, apologize and kiss the hands of murderers and corrupt leaders who still treat their people like slaves.
And just who do you think you are telling the American people not to jump to conclusions and condemn that Muslim major who killed 13 of his fellow soldiers and wounded dozens more. You mean you don't want us to do what you did when that white cop used force to subdue that black college professor in Massachusetts , who was putting up a fight? You don't mind offending the police calling them stupid but you don't want us to offend Muslim fanatics by calling them what they are, terrorists.
One more thing. I realize you never served in the military and never had to defend your country with your life, but you're the Commander-in-Chief now, son. Do your job. When your battle-hardened field General asks you for 40,000 more troops to complete the mission, give them to him. But if you're not in this fight to win, then get out. The life of one American soldier is not worth the best political strategy you're thinking of.
You could be our greatest president because you face the greatest challenge ever presented to any president.
You're not going to restore American greatness by bringing back our bloated economy. That's not our greatest threat. Losing the heart and soul of who we are as Americans is our big fight now.
And I sure as hell don't want to think my president is the enemy in this final battle.
Sincerely,
Harold B. Estes

When a 95 year old hero of the "the Greatest Generation"
stands up and speaks out like this, I think we owe it
to him to send his words to as many Americans as
we can.
Semper Fi, Master Chief

Friday, November 27, 2009

FW: DON'T BOTHER WATCHING THE OSCARS ON MARCH 7th . . .

Bo and Joe have already won for BrokeBank Mountain!





Q: What's the deal about Obama Jokes?
A: His fans don't think they are funny,
No one else thinks they are jokes!

Sunday, November 22, 2009

"Going Rogue" by Sarah Palin


"At its most basic level, conservatism is a respect for history and tradition, including traditional
moral principles".

"I an a conservative because I deal with the world as it is--complicated and beautiful, tragic
and hopeful. I am a conservative because I believe in the rights and responsibilities and
the inherent dignity of the individual".
Sarah Palin

I just finished Palin's book "Going Rogue" It is outstanding!
Everyone should just give it an honest read.
She and her family come across as real, genuine people.
Hard working blue collar workers with a true sense of family values and what work ethic means. She is a smart, commonsense person with a real grasp of Ronald Reagan/Margaret Thatcher Conservatism.
Bill


Thursday, November 19, 2009

While the Commander-In-Chief Dithers..


"Buck up Guys. The President said he would make a decision
on reinforcements any week now".

STARNER JONES, MD,A Primer on Health Care.


Starner Jones, MD is a seventh generation Mississippian and wanted to come back to Mississippi after going somewhere else for college and medical school. His extracurricular interests are golf, hunting, fishing and college football.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Sirs:


"During my last night's shift in the ER, I had the pleasure of evaluating a patient with a shiny new gold tooth, multiple elaborate tattoos, a very expensive brand of tennis shoes and a new cellular telephone equipped with her favorite R&B tune for a ringtone.. Glancing over the chart, one could not help noticing her payer status: Medicaid. She smokes more than one costly pack of cigarettes every day and, somehow, still has money to buy beer.

And our Congress expects me to pay for this woman's health care? Our nation's health care crisis is not a shortage of quality hospitals, doctors or nurses. It is a crisis of culture - a culture in which it is perfectly acceptable to spend money on vices while refusing to take care of one's self or, heaven forbid, purchase health insurance. A culture that thinks "I can do whatever I want to because someone else will always take care of me". Life is really not that hard. Most of us reap what we sow.

Don't you agree?

STARNER JONES, MD
Jackson , MS


Wednesday, November 18, 2009

It's a-comin'

Three strangers strike up a conversation in the passenger lounge in the Bozeman , Montana airport, while waiting for their respective flights...

One is an American Indian passing through from Lame Deer, another is a Cowboy on his way to Billings for a livestock show and the third passenger is a fundamentalist Arab student, newly arrived at Montana State University from the Middle East .
Their discussion drifts to their diverse cultures. Soon, the two Westerners learn that the Arab is a devout, radical Muslim and the conversation falls into an uneasy lull.

The cowboy leans back in his chair, crosses his boots on a magazine table, tips his big sweat-stained hat forward over his face, and lights a cigarette. The wind outside is blowing tumbleweeds around, and the old windsock is flapping; but still no plane comes.

Finally, the Ame rican Indian clears his throat and softly he speaks, 'At one time here... my people were many... but sadly, now we are few.'


The Muslim student raises an eyebrow and leans forward,
'Once my people were few,' he sneers, 'and now we are many. Why do you supposethat is?'



The cowboy removes his cigarette from his mouth and from the darkness beneath his Stetson says in a smooth drawl . . ..


'I reckon that's 'cause we ain't played Cowboys and Radical Muslims yet,
But I do believe it's a-comin'.'

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

"Let's Thow All of 'em OUT"


According to the Trustees for the Social Security Administration,

" THERE WILL NOT BE A COST OF LIVING INCREASE FOR THE NEXT
TWO YEARS IN SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS. ADDITIONALLY THEY
WILL RAISE YOUR CO-PAY FOR YOUR RX MEDICARE BENEFITS " !


They, the Congress ( BOTH " REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRATS TOGETHER ") say no increase is warranted because of the losses in gross national product and other cute things..

NOW HERE SPORTS FANS THIS IS THE ONE THAT WILL FLIP YOU OUT!! --

THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION IS FUNDING TWENTY FOUR
MILLION DOLLARS-- LET ME REPEAT THAT AMOUNT... SO YOU
UNDERSTAND IT $ 24,000,000.00 DOLLARS FOR NEW ELECTRONIC
MEDICAL RECORDS PROCESSING FOR OUR CONGRESSMEN AND SENATORS !!

THEY ARE OBTAINING THESE FUNDS and I QUOTE DIRECTLY FROM THE SOCIAL SECURITY WEBSITE................

" THIS MONEY WILL BE COME FROM THE SAVINGS TO BE
GENERATED FROM WITHHOLDING " COST OF LIVING INCREASES FOR
2010 & 2011 in SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS FOR THE ELDERLY
AND A $2.00 INCREASE ON ALL MEDICARE RX BENEFIT CO-PAY"


Please excuse my FRENCH, But do the words "BULL CRAP" ring a bell ?

Please pass this to ALL your friends and have them "PROTEST TO THE IDIOTS WE ELECTED TO CONGRESS " who by the way, have just voted themselves ANOTHER 3% SALARY INCREASE!!!

We must put a stop to this outright thievery! It is THE CONGRESS AND THE SENATE, BOTH REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRATS, WE CAN'T FIRE THEM, BUT WE SURE AS HELL CAN NOT RE-ELECT THEM, and WE CAN IMPEACH THEM or DEMAND RECALL ELECTIONS !!! HOW ABOUT WE ALL GET TOGETHER AND DUMP THESE CLOWNS.

Just watch. They will spend this money and find the software doesn't work, dump the whole thing and go back to the old steam driven system just like they did with air traffic control
lers several years ago. Don't worry though, they've got health care all worked out.

So here is what we CAN do....
All I ask is that you consider the suggestion here.

The entire Congress of the United States is corrupt. And I mean both Houses and I mean both major parties.

I realize that a few Members of each House are trustworthy, but, as a group
they are absolutely the most corrupt bunch to ever disgrace our Nation.

In November of 2010 the entire House of Representatives
will stand for re-election; all 435 of them. One third of the Senate, a total of 33 of them, will also stand for re-election. Vote every incumbent out.

And I mean every one of them. No matter their Party
affiliation. Let's start all over in the House of Representatives with 435 people who have absolutely no experience in running that body, with no political favors owed to anyone but their own constituents. Let's make them understand that they work for us..

They are answerable to us and they simply have to run that body
with some common sense.

Two years later, in 2012, vote the next third of the
incumbents in the Senate out.

We can do the same thing in 2014 and, by that time we will
have put all new people in that body as well.

We, the People, have got to take this Country back and we
HAVE to do it peacefully.

That's what the Framers of our Constitution envisioned.

I am also suggesting term limits on the NEW BUNCH --8 YEARS FOR REPRESENTATIVES AND
12 YEARS OF SENATORS. NO EXCEPTIONS. THE LONGER THEY STAY IN OFFICE THE MORE POWER THEY GET AND THEY LOVE IT AND WILL DO ANYTHING TO GET RE-ELECTED.

WE HAVE TERM LIMITED THE PRESIDENT -- NOW LET'S TERM LIMIT THE LEGISLATORS.

Please, if you love this Country, send this (as I have done)
to absolutely everyone whose email address appears in your address book..

This thing can permeate this Country in no time. Let's make it happen.**

VOTE THE POWER ABUSERS OUT........LET'S TAKE AMERICA BACK !!!!!!!!!

IF YOU LIKE THE WAY THINGS ARE GOING IN OUR COUNTRY, THEN DO NOTHING.........
"How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak & the strong; because, someday in life you will have been all of these".


Thursday, November 12, 2009

Commander Jerry Wilson

An article From Naval Aviator, Commander Jerry Wilson: We lived in
California during the winters of 2007 and 2008. We became addicted to
Fox News and watched O'Reilly and Hannity and Colmes every night.. When
we got back home, we upgraded our cable to get Fox. I watched the
Presidential campaign very closely. Initially because I thought the
Democrats would nominate Hillary Clinton and then in astonishment when
they chose an even more hard-left candidate. All of last year I told
everyone that Obama was not a Democrat, he was a Marxist. He is far to
the left of any European leader and even far left of the NDP.
I read Saul Alinsky when I was in University. I studied him and his
writing carefully. When Bill Ayers and his wife were bombing and killing
people at random in the Weather Underground, Weather Underground and the
Black Panthers were closely allied. I read David Horowitz's account of
changing from a Marxist to a conservative after seeing that the
government was afraid to prosecute members of the Panthers for murdering
his personal assistant. He suddenly understood the evil that Marxism
really was. After the student radicals failed in creating a Marxist
revolution in the United States by violent means, they embraced Alinsky.
You would be wise to read "Rules for Radicals" because it outlines how
Hillary and Obama planned to get into power, and what they intended to
do when they got it.
Socialism is not the correct descriptor for what Obama and the Democrats
are doing. They are going to be much more far reaching than anything
Sweden has ever been able to do. Obama is following Alinsky's plans,
those set out in "Rules for Radicals" and his other writing. The
Democrats are attempting to create one party rule in the U.S. and in
achieving that, will create crisis after crisis by their own actions and
use those crisis to nationalize the means of production in the U.S. You
are in the middle of a communist revolution and few in the U.S. can
actually see it for what it truly is.
The U.S. is now on the path of financial destruction. The Constitution
has been shredded and individual human rights are being trampled. In
less than 8 months Obama has used a recession to take over the two
largest industries in the U.S. He will debase the Dollar and is on the
road to creating an incredible energy shortage that will allow him and
Congress to take over the energy industry.
But by and large I think that by the 2010 elections, the Democrats will
have gerrymandered electoral districts to the point that it will be
impossible for them to lose control of both houses of Congress. The
incredible increase in the money supply is going to create Zimbabwe and
Venezuela style inflation, and with it, controls on the currency and the
amount of money that can be taken out of the country.
I love America, I cannot believe how the ignorance of the American
public has created a situation whereby they are going to lose their
Republic and slip into an age of repression and tyranny
I may be nuts, but so far I have been 100% in my predictions of what
Obama was going to do, because I merely had to look at "Rules for
Radicals" to see what was coming next. I read Glenn Beck's book, "Common
Sense" and in it re-read Thomas Paine’s pamphlet with the same name. I
recommend the book.
When the storm finally hits (and it will) those of you who supported the
Obama administration will be affected as well. It won't just be us gun
owners or Flat-Taxers, or Pro-Lifers that get hit. You'll be right there
next to us.

You all thought the Conservatives were nut cases. You know - all of us
who believe in God, small government, the Second Amendment, etc. You
thought you could just go back to sleep after the election was over. In
your world, America will continue as before. You'll still have the same
rights, the same nice house, the same big screen television. After all,
your high school football team won and the other team lost - go team!
Even if you have bothered to look up from the daily grind since Nov 4th,
you dismissed everything that has occurred as "politics as usual--the
same old stuff".
In the end, it'll all be OK won't it? Not this time. There are a growing
number of citizens in the US that are ready to fight to shut down the
government's grab of personal freedom, its blatant abuse of the
constitution, and its attempt to replace the American way of life with
socialism. You have to listen carefully to hear them, but they are
there. I won't start that fight, but when it goes down I will join it.
As for you? You'll be shocked because you didn't see it coming. And
eventually you'll be saddened when you see that we have truly lost the
way of life with which you grew up. You'll be saddened that your
children and grandchildren live in a socialist, government-controlled
gulag where their every movement from cradle to grave is tracked by the
government. But most of all, you'll be saddened by the death of friends
and relatives who are brave enough to fight and die for something they
believe in.
You know, McCain wasn't much of a candidate. I'll give you that.. He was
the lesser of two evils for most of us. I don't blame you for not voting
for him since, at the time, you didn't know what we all know now. But at
least John McCain was an American. He was a supporter of the American
way of life and he understood that you can't negotiate with terrorists.
He understood and appreciated the sacrifice made by my father and other
members of the Greatest Generation.
Mark my words friends. All across America, groups are forming. They are
forming out of anger and out of desperation at the thought of losing
America. They're not militia groups, terrorists as the Department of
Homeland security would have you believe; they are Americans, loyal to
the constitution. They are mothers and fathers and grandparents. They
belong to groups like the Minutemen Civil Defense Corps, the Peaceful
Resistance, the Constitution Party, the Young Conservatives, the 9/12
Project, TEA Parties, and Grassfire. Right now they are fragmented, each
focused on their own cause. But sometime in the next two years, our
government is going to do something really stupid and these groups will
come together. Watch for it, Wait for it. Get ready. It will happen.
When that event happens, whatever "it" is, our great country is going to
plunge into chaos for a while. I pray to God that we make it through
that time and emerge a stronger, smarter country.
Signed -- Naval Aviator, Commander Jerry Wilson







Wednesday, November 11, 2009

The Bill Cosby Platform....

I HAVE DECIDED TO BECOME A WRITE-IN CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT IN THE YEAR 2012..

HERE IS MY PLATFORM:

(1). Any use of the phrase: 'Press 1 for English' is immediately BANNED!!!. English is the official language; speak it or wait outside of our borders until you can.

(2). We will immediately go into a two year isolationist attitude in order to straighten out the greedy big business posture in this country. America will allow NO imports, and we'll do no exports. We will use the '
Wal-Mart 's policy, 'If we ain't got it, you don't need it.' We'll make it here and sell it here!

(3). When imports are allowed, there will be a 100% import tax on it coming in here.

(4). All retired military personnel will be required to man one of the many observation towers located on the southern border of the United States (six month tour). They will be under strict orders not to fire on
SOUTHBOUND aliens.

(5). Social Security will immediately return to its original state If you didn't put nuttin in, you AIN'T gettin nuttin out. Neither the President nor any other politician will be able to touch it.



(6). Welfare. -- Checks will be handed out on Fridays, at the end of the 40 hour school week, the successful completion of a urinalysis test for drugs, and passing grades.

(7). Professional Athletes -- Steroids? The FIRST time you check positive you're banned from sports ... for life.

(8). Crime -- We will adopt the Turkish method, i.e., the first time you steal, you lose your right hand. There is no more 'life sentences'. If convicted of murder, you will be put to death by the same method you chose for the victim you killed: gun, knife, strangulation, etc.

(9). One export of ours will be allowed: wheat; because the world needs to eat. However, a bushel of wheat will be the EXACT price of a barrel of oil.

(10). All foreign aid, using American taxpayer money, will immediately cease and the saved money will help to pay off the national debt and, ultimately, lower taxes. When disasters occur around the world, we'll ask The American People if they want to donate to a disaster fund, and each citizen can make the decision as to whether, or not, it's a worthy cause.

(11). The Pledge of Allegiance will be said EVERY day at school and every day in CONGRESS.

(12). The National Anthem will be played at all appropriate ceremonies, sporting events, outings, etc.


My apology is offered if I've stepped on anyone's toes ...... nevertheless...



GOD
BLESS AMERICA !


Sincerely, Bill Cosby



AMERICA NEEDS A CANDIDATE WITH THIS PLATFORM!!



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4 Attached Images

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Supreme Court Rules.....

The Supreme Court has ruled that there cannot be a Nativity Scene in the United States Capital this Christmas season.
This isn't for any religious reason. They simply have not been able
to find Three Wise Men in the Nation's Capitol.
A search for a Virgin continues..

There was no problem, however, finding enough asses to fill the stable.

Saturday, November 7, 2009

U.S. BORDER CROSSINGS


Let me see if I understand all this...?????
IF YOU CROSS THE NORTH KOREAN BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU GET 12 YEARS HARD LABOR.
IF YOU CROSS THE IRANIAN BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU ARE DETAINED INDEFINITELY.
IF YOU CROSS THE AFGHAN BORDER ILLEGALLY, YOU GET SHOT.
IF YOU CROSS THE SAUDI ARABIAN BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU WILL BE JAILED.
IF YOU CROSS THE CHINESE BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU MAY NEVER BE HEARD FROM AGAIN.
IF YOU CROSS THE VENEZUELAN BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU WILL BE BRANDED A SPY AND YOUR FATE WILL BE SEALED.
IF YOU CROSS THE CUBAN BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU WILL BE THROWN INTO POLITICAL PRISON TO ROT.

IF YOU CROSS THE U.S. BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU GET A JOB, A DRIVERS LICENSE, SOCIAL SECURITY CARD, WELFARE, FOOD STAMPS, CREDIT CARDS, SUBSIDIZED RENT OR A LOAN TO BUY A HOUSE, FREE EDUCATION, FREE HEALTH CARE, A LOBBYIST IN WASHINGTON AND IN MANY INSTANCES YOU CAN VOTE.
_________________________________________________________________

Friday, November 6, 2009

"WE NOTICED" Mr. President


This was written by Sherry Hackett, Buddy Hackett's widow........


President Obama:

Today I read of your administrations' plan to re-define September 11 as a National Service Day. Sir, it's time we had a talk.........

During your campaign, Americans watched as you made mockery of our tradition of standing and crossing your heart when the Pledge of Allegiance was spoken. You, out of four people on the stage, were the only one not honoring our tradition.

YES, "We noticed."

During one of your many speeches, Americans heard you say that you intended to visit all 57 states.
We all know that Islam, not America has 57 states.

YES, "We noticed."

When John McCain leaned over at Ground Zero and gently placed a flower on the memorial, while you nonchalantly tossed your flower onto the pile without leaning over.

YES, "We noticed."

Every time you apologized to other countries for America 's position on an issue we have wondered why you don't share our pride in this great country. When you have heard foreign leaders berate our country and our beliefs, you have not defended us. In fact, you insulted the British Crown beyond belief.

YES, "We noticed.."

When your pastor of 20 years, "God-damned America " and said that 9/11 was "America's chickens coming home to roost" and you denied having heard recriminations of that nature, we wondered how that could be. You later disassociated yourself from that church and Pastor Wright because it was politically expedient to do so.

YES, "We noticed."

When you announced that you would transform America , we wondered why. With all her faults, America is the greatest country on earth. Sir, KEEP THIS IN MIND, "if not for America and the people who built her, you wouldn't be sitting in the White House now." Prior to your election to the highest office in this Country, you were a senator fromIllinois and from what we can glean from the records available, not a very remarkable one.

YES, "We noticed."

All through your campaign and even now, you have surrounded yourself with individuals who are basically unqualified for the positions for which you appointed them. Worse than that, the majority of them are people who, like you, bear no special allegiance, respect, or affection for this country and her traditions.

YES, "We noticed."

You are 9 months into your term and every morning millions of Americans wake up to a new horror heaped on us by you. You seek to saddle working Americans with a health care/insurance reform package that, along with cap and trade, will bankrupt this nation.

YES, "We noticed."

We seek, by protesting, to let our representatives know that we are not in favor of these crippling expenditures and we are labeled "un-American","racist", "mob". We wonder how we are supposed to let you know how frustrated we are. You have attempted to make our protests seem isolated and insignificant. Until your appointment, Americans had the right to speak out.

YES, "We noticed."

On September 11, 2001 there were no Republicans or Democrats, only Americans. And we all grieved together and helped each other in whatever way we could. The attack on 9/11 was carried out because we are Americans.

And YES, "We noticed."

There were many of us who prayed that as a black president you could help unite this nation. In six months you have done more to destroy this nation than the attack on 9/11. You have failed us.

YES, "We noticed."

September 11 is a day of remembrance for all Americans.. You propose to make 9/11 a "National Service Day". While we know that you don't share our reverence for 9/11, we pray that history will report your proposal as what it is...a disgrace.

YES, "We noticed."

You have made a mockery of our Constitution and the office that you hold. You have embarrassed and slighted us in foreign visits and policy.

YES, "We noticed.."

We have noticed all these things. We will deal with you. When Americans come together again, it will be to remove you from office.

Take notice.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Dinner with Obama - a Parable


Dinner with Obama - a Parable



Once upon a time, I was invited to the White House for a private dinner
with the President. I am a respected businessman, with a factory that
produces memory chips for computers and portable electronics. There was
some talk that my industry was being scrutinized by the administration,
but I paid it no mind. I live in a free country. There's nothing that
the government can do to me if I've broken no laws. My wealth was earned
honestly, and an invitation to dinner with an American President is an
honor.
I checked my coat, was greeted by the Chief of Staff, and joined the
President in a yellow dining room. We sat across from each other at a
table draped in white linen. The Great Seal was embossed on the china.
Uniformed staff served our dinner.
The meal was served, and I was startled when my waiter suddenly reached
out, plucked a dinner roll off my plate, and began nibbling it as he
walked back to the kitchen.
"Sorry about that," said the President. "Andrew is very hungry."
"I don't appreciate..." I began, but as I looked into the calm brown
eyes across from me, I felt immediately guilty and petty. It was just a
dinner roll. "Of course," I concluded, and reached for my glass. Before
I could, however, another waiter reached forward, took the glass away
and swallowed the wine in a single gulp.
"And his brother Eric is very thirsty." said the President.
I didn't say anything. The President is testing my compassion, I
thought. I will play along. I don't want to seem unkind.
My plate was whisked away before I had tasted a bite.
"Eric's children are also quite hungry."
With a lurch, I crashed to the floor. My chair had been pulled out from
under me. I stood, brushing myself off angrily, and watched as it was
carried from the room.
"And their grandmother can't stand for long."
I excused myself, smiling outwardly, but inside feeling like a fool.
Obviously I had been invited to the White House to be sport for some
game. I reached for my coat, to find that it had been taken. I turned
back to the President.
Their grandfather doesn't like the cold."
I wanted to shout- that was my coat! But again, I looked at the placid
smiling face of my host and decided I was being a poor sport. I spread
my hands helplessly and chuckled. Then I felt my hip pocket and realized
my wallet was gone. I excused myself and walked to a phone on an elegant
side table. I learned shortly that my credit cards had been maxed out,
my bank accounts emptied, my retirement and equity portfolios had
vanished, and my wife had been thrown out of our home. Apparently, the
waiters and their families were moving in. The President hadn't moved or
spoken as I learned all this, but finally I lowered the phone into its
cradle and turned to face him.
"Andrew's whole family has made bad financial decisions. They haven't
planned for retirement, and they need a house. They recently defaulted
on a subprime mortgage. I told them they could have your home. They need
it more than you do."
My hands were shaking. I felt faint. I stumbled back to the table and
knelt on the floor. The President cheerfully cut his meat, ate his steak
and drank his wine. I lowered my eyes and stared at the small grey
circles on the tablecloth that were water drops.
"By the way," He added, "I have just signed an Executive Order
nationalizing your factories. I'm firing you as head of your business.
I'll be operating the firm now for the benefit of all mankind. There's a
whole bunch of Erics and Andrews out there and they can't come to you
for jobs groveling like beggars."
I looked up. The President dropped his spoon into the empty ramekin
which had been his creme brulee. He drained the last drops of his wine.
As the table was cleared, he lit a cigarette and leaned back in his
chair. He stared at me. I clung to the edge of the table as if were a
ledge and I were a man hanging over an abyss. I thought of the years
behind me, of the life I had lived. The life I had earned with a
lifetime of work, risk and struggle. Why was I punished? How had I
allowed it to be taken? What game had I played and lost? I looked across
the table and noticed with some surprise that there was no game board
between us.
What had I done wrong?
As if answering the unspoken thought, the President suddenly cocked his
head, locked his empty eyes to mine, and bared a million teeth,
chuckling wryly as he folded his hands.

"You should have stopped me at the dinner roll," he said.