2001: President Bush signed The Patriot Act

It's amazing but The Patriot Act has been around since 2001:

"On this day in 2001, President George W. Bush signs the Patriot Act, an anti-terrorism law drawn up in response to the attacks on the Pentagon and World Trade Center onSeptember 11, 2001.The USA PATRIOT Act, as it is officially known, is an acronym for "Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism." Bush hoped the bipartisan legislation would empower law enforcement and intelligence agencies to prevent future terrorist attacks on American soil."

It's always tough in an open society to give this much power to the state.   However, I think that The Patriot Act has protected us and that was its original intent.  

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9-11 is about heroes!

We are a bit surprised to read this:

"The Obama administration and its progressive allies have launched a secret initiative to "rebrand" the events of 9/11, conservatives warn, turning it into a more Democratic-friendly day of national service and discarding the "Patriot Day" memorials promoted by the Bush administration." (David A. Patten)

What genius came up with "re-branding 9-11"? Could it be the same one who hired Van Jones?

Let's be very clear:

We remember our fallen heroes.

We remember the widows and orphans.

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Our # 2 son remembers 9-11 and 7th grade

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Our # 2 son remembers 9-11 and 7th grade 09/10 by Silvio Canto Jr | Politics Conservative Podcasts:

We mark another anniversary of 9/11, the most significant day of our generation.

My biggest “9/11 morning memory” was thinking about my wife, three sons in school and everybody else in the family.

I remember watching the second plane hit the tower around 8 A.M. central time.  It was absolutely stunning to watch two passenger planes hit the World Trade Center.  By the way, I had been in those building for business calls several times.  I recall the stunning views from an office in one of the upper floors.

A few minutes later, my wife walked in from taking the boys to school.

I told my wife that something bad was happening and that we should be prepared for picking up the kids in school at a moment’s  notice.

Like most fathers, I was concerned that there were other attacks pending and specially in a major city like Dallas.  We have lots of tall buildings and a nuclear plant in the area.

It was a very scary day and one that brought a lot of families together.  It certainly made us appreciate each other and the value of human life.

My worst memory of that day was watching people jump to their deaths.  It was heartbreaking to watch human beings choose between jumping from the 90th floor or burning to death.  

9/11…. it seems like it was just yesterday!

Last but not least, we were very lucky that day that President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney were at the helm.  I believe that their reaction and commitment to defending the homeland were superb.

 P.S.  You can listen to my show.  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

Another Father’s Day and so many kids without fathers around

As we celebrate Father’s Day, I thank God that I had a mentor in my life, the kind of man who understood what it means to be a father.  Not everyone is so lucky.  So let’s chat about the “father crisis” in many communities in the U.S.

Ten years ago, I cut out this article from the Wall Street Journal paper edition.  I saved it and look at it from time.  It was written by Juan Williams, author and Fox News contributor.  It is “The Tragedy of America’s Disappearing Fathers“:

The extent of the problem is clear.

The nation’s out-of-wedlock birth rate is 38%.

Among white children, 28% are now born to a single mother; among Hispanic children it is 50% and reaches a chilling, disorienting peak of 71% for black children.

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, nearly a quarter of America’s white children (22%) do not have any male in their homes; nearly a third (31%) of Hispanic children and over half of black children (56%) are fatherless.
This represents a dramatic shift in American life.

In the early 1960’s, only 2.3% of white children and 24% of black children were born to a single mom.

Having a dad, in short, is now a privilege, a ticket to middle-class status on par with getting into a good college.

Kids suffer without a father, no matter their color or last name.

Father’s Day is here.  Let’s remember a simple truth: we need men to be responsible fathers.

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"Cinco de Mayo" is not Mexico's July 4th!

(My new American Thinker post)  

Today we celebrate “Cinco de Mayo” in Dallas, Los Angeles and elsewhere.   Your favorite Mexican restaurant will be all dressed up and ready to serve a delicious round of nachos, enchiladas and beer.    "It sells a lot  of beer" as my Filipino friend who owns a Mexican restaurant likes to boast.  He doesn't really know anything about "Cinco de Mayo" but the sound of the register makes him happy.  

So what’s the big deal about “Cinco de Mayo”?  Why is everyone so happy and festive?

Allan Wall, who lived in Mexico, wrote a good summary for those of us who are not Mexican or studied Mexican history in school.   

Here it is so read it before your beer & nachos:     

Cinco de Mayo, Spanish for “May the 5th,” is the holiday celebrating the Mexican victory over the French army on May the 5th, 1862, at Puebla, east of Mexico City.

The city of Puebla holds a big annual celebration on the anniversary of the battle. But in most of Mexico, Cinco de Mayo is not really an important holiday. It’s mostly a bank holiday and a day off from school. But this year it’s on a Saturday so my students don’t even get a break for it!

In the United States however, Cinco de Mayo has become, in recent years, the major Mexican – American celebration. Throughout the Southwest, and in other parts of the U.S., there are various Cinco de Mayo celebrations – parades, mariachi music performances, and exhibitions of Mexican dancing, etc.

Washington D.C. has an annual Cinco de Mayo Festival and President Bush is known for Cinco de Mayo celebrations in the White House. Cinco de Mayo is also a big beer-drinking day, with Mexican beer brands doing 5-10% of their U.S. sales for the occasion.

“Cinco de Mayo” means "Fifth of May".

In the U.S., especially in the Southwest, “Cinco de Mayo” has turned into a day of celebrating Mexican heritage.  

Down in Mexico, “Cinco de Mayo” is about a battle around Puebla, or south of Mexico City.  Up here,  it is one big excuse for taking a longer lunch.

So another "Cinco de Mayo" is here.  Up here, we will eat some good Mexican food.  

Down in Mexico, they will ask again:  "Why are those gringos suddenly so crazy about Mexican food"?

Enjoy your Mexican food.  We all need an hour off from inflation, gas prices and leaks.

P.S.  You can listen to my show.  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

Happy "5 de Mayo" to all of our Mexican friends

(My new American Thinker post)  

Today we celebrate “Cinco de Mayo” in Dallas, Los Angeles and elsewhere.   Your favorite Mexican restaurant will be all dressed up and ready to serve a delicious round of nachos, enchiladas and beer.    "It sells a lot  of beer" as my Filipino friend who owns a Mexican restaurant likes to boast.  He doesn't really know anything about "Cinco de Mayo" but the sound of the register makes him happy.  

So what’s the big deal about “Cinco de Mayo”?  Why is everyone so happy and festive?

Allan Wall, who lived in Mexico, wrote a good summary for those of us who are not Mexican or studied Mexican history in school.   

Here it is so read it before your beer & nachos:     

Cinco de Mayo, Spanish for “May the 5th,” is the holiday celebrating the Mexican victory over the French army on May the 5th, 1862, at Puebla, east of Mexico City.

The city of Puebla holds a big annual celebration on the anniversary of the battle. But in most of Mexico, Cinco de Mayo is not really an important holiday. It’s mostly a bank holiday and a day off from school. But this year it’s on a Saturday so my students don’t even get a break for it!

In the United States however, Cinco de Mayo has become, in recent years, the major Mexican – American celebration. Throughout the Southwest, and in other parts of the U.S., there are various Cinco de Mayo celebrations – parades, mariachi music performances, and exhibitions of Mexican dancing, etc.

Washington D.C. has an annual Cinco de Mayo Festival and President Bush is known for Cinco de Mayo celebrations in the White House. Cinco de Mayo is also a big beer-drinking day, with Mexican beer brands doing 5-10% of their U.S. sales for the occasion.

“Cinco de Mayo” means "Fifth of May".

In the U.S., especially in the Southwest, “Cinco de Mayo” has turned into a day of celebrating Mexican heritage.  

Down in Mexico, “Cinco de Mayo” is about a battle around Puebla, or south of Mexico City.  Up here,  it is one big excuse for taking a longer lunch.

So another "Cinco de Mayo" is here.  Up here, we will eat some good Mexican food.  

Down in Mexico, they will ask again:  "Why are those gringos suddenly so crazy about Mexican food"?

Enjoy your Mexican food.  We all need an hour off from inflation, gas prices and leaks.

P.S.  You can listen to my show.  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

Another February to remember President Lincoln

As every school boy or girl can tell you, this is Pres Lincoln’s birthday. He was born in 1809.

He lived an incredible 19th century life:  born in the frontier, faced all of the adversity of the time, became a very successful attorney and eventually ran for president.

He also raised a family with Mrs Lincoln. They had 4 sons but only Robert, Willie & Tad survived. 

Historians regard George Washington and Abraham Lincoln as our two greatest presidents.

It’s hard to argue against Washington. He was the first president and the man who kept the nation together at the very beginning. Washington did the incredible of walking away from power after two terms as president.

Lincoln had a different path. He fought to preserve the union and paid a tremendous price for it.

We remember Pres Lincoln today and hope that school children always remember him every February.

P.S.  You can listen to my show.  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

We remember Bob Forsch (1950-2011)

We remember Bob Forsch, who was born in Sacramento on this day in 1950.  

Bob broke with St. Louis in 1974 and turned into a very steady pitcher in the National League.    He won 168 games with a 3.76 ERA over 19 seasons and pitched in the 1982, 1985 and 1987 World Series.     Forsch threw a no-hitter in 1978 against the Phillies and in 1983 against Expos. 

Bob died in 2011.   His brother, Ken, was also a major league pitcher.

P.S.  You can listen to my show (Canto Talk).  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column. 

2001: Bush officially won the Electoral College

The 2000 election was eventually decided on this day in 2001.     

Like VP Nixon in 1961, who lost the very close election of 1960, it was VP Gore who presided over the official Electoral College vote, i.e. 271-267 in favor of Governor Bush.

By the way, I believe that the same thing happened in January 1969, or when VP Humphrey, the 1968 Democrat nominee, presided over the vote that made Mr. Nixon the 37th president of the US.

After 30-something days of recounts, hysterical accusations and even the pathetic use of the
"race card", the counting was finally over and President elect Bush was able to concentrate on governing the US.    

What it mess it was!

P.S.  You can listen to my show.  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.