we will fight for the right..."

On November 28, 2007 reporters were invited to watch the city of Cleveland destroyed more than 421 guns at ArcelorMittal Steel. It's the eighth "gun burn" this year, Mayor Frank Jackson said in a news release. The guns were turned over to or confiscated by Cleveland police. That will bring the number of guns destroyed this year to 3,000.

The event began on November 11 with a line of cars stretching three city blocks in downtown Cleveland while people waited to swap their guns for money. More than 350 people went to the Convention Center to exchange handguns for a $100 gift card to BP or Dave's Supermarket. As part of the program, officers did not ask questions about the guns during the five-hour event.

Officials said they weren't surprised by the big response because the city has not held a gun buyback for about 10 years. Deputy Chief Lester Fultz said officers distributed about 300 of 450 gift cards in the first 90 minutes. Those who turned out, he said, were moms, dads and grandparents trying to make the streets safer. The police destroyed the weapons after entering their serial numbers in a national database to determine if the guns were stolen. ArcelorMittal Steel donated about $35,000 to purchase the gift cards and teamed with Slavic Village Development Corp. to sponsor the buyback.

Last year Boston's "Aim for Peace" program netted 1027 weapons turned in during a month-long run offering a $200 gift card. $100,000 worth of Target vouchers were given in exchange for collected guns — $25,000 of which was donated by the city, the rest by Target, the Boston Red Sox, and other contributors. Rifles, shotguns, non-functioning guns, and some others were not eligible for the reward.

The New Haven police department removed more than 230 guns from the streets during their gun buyback program in August 2006. Springfield, IL collected 526 guns at their buyback on October 27, of this year. The Lake County (Illinois) Sheriff's office collected more than 200 firearms in their first buyback program in December 2001 offering a mere $50 gift certificate They repeated the program in 2002. The best program to date has been with the District of Columbia. Between August 1999 and December 2000, the Metropolitan Police conducted three separate gun buybacks collecting 6,253 firearms and paying out approximately $528,000. New Haven had tried a buyback program with a cash reward, not gift cards. Critics saw the cash reward as an opportunity for gun-totters to upgrade weapons such as buying new Glocks.

At this rate how many guns could be eliminated from circulation? 2002, the last year figures were given, reported an estimated 192 million privately owned firearms in the United States with 65 million of those being handguns. That same report said the there were 30,708 firearm related deaths in the U.S. in 1998. I don't think the National Rifle Association has anything to worry about; they should be more concerned that 17,504 of those deaths were suicides. What did Charleston Heston, former NRA president say? "I'll give up my gun when they pry it from my cold dead hands."

K.


11:56

Christmas 2003

It was just days before Christmas 2003 and I was sitting in the waiting room of my favorite auto repair facility (it used to be called a garage). I was chit chatting with a gentleman sitting near me. "It was sixty years ago today, "he reminisced, "that I was traveling across the North Atlantic." "It was cold," he continued, "I never could get warm." "You were in the Navy?" I asked. "Yah, I was in a U-boat." It dawned in me that Christmas 1943 was during World War II and that my friend, with an unmistakable accent, had served aboard a German submarine. "We were always looking for Allied shipping." He went on to described the hardships of a very young German seaman far from his beloved farm community being tossed about in an overly cramped metal tube that was called "home." They were on the surface to charge batteries and send communications; the balance of the time they were under the surface prowling and waiting for the convoy of ships to enter their sights.

Another customer came in for service and sit down on the only remaining chair across from us. My friend went on to say, "Spending Christmas on the North Atlantic in 1943 was not very pleasant for me." Our newly arrived acquiesce now took keen interest in our conversation. "You were in the big one too, World War II? I was on the Queen Mary crossing the North Atlantic on Christmas 1943; there were many solders on that ship. We were pretty well filled up"

"Mr. Mueller your car is ready," the manager called out. My friend began to get up to get his keys, "Yah we tried to get her, but the Queen Mary was much too fast for us." Our newly arrive acquaintance also noted the accent, "You were in the…." "German navy, U-boats, almost the entire war," Mr. Mueller said, finishing the sentence.

The once talk filled room was now awkwardly silent as the two former adversaries looked at each other with greater scrutiny. It was only skill of the captain and helmsman that kept these two former enemies from killing each other. A lucky torpedo from the U-boat would have quickly sunk an unarmored, unarmed ocean liner converted to troop transporter. Now their paths had crossed once again. The recent arrival watched Mueller walk toward the exit door; they both said it almost simultaneously "Sixty year was along time ago." Each turned to the other. "Merry Christmas" said the former solder. "Fröhliche Weihnachten" replied Mueller.

Wishing you, your family and loved ones far away from home, whether in college or the military, a very blessed and joyous Christmas Season and a most Happy New Year. God bless us everyone.

K.

Is "New and Improved" really worth it?

We as American, have a certain passion for new items. Whether it's a puppy, new house or car. It has to be something never owned by anyone else, ever. At Christmas time, auto dealerships make a point of showing cars with monstrous red bows adorning the top of the shiny paint job (where do you purchase those great big bows?). Who would have ever thought of hearing someone brag they bought their true love something old as a gift. I don't mean an antique because in most cases that means refurbished or restored. "I bought my wife a 1953 Commander Starliner; in a couple of months we'll have restored it and it will be as (and here is the kicker) good as new." I have personally seen people buy an old house, knock it down because it something they didn't like and put up a new structure. The new house may or may not have been superior to the old. But it was brand new.

Some people exclaim that they only buy new because they don't want to assume other peoples' problems. New means fresh, insullied but it also means untried, and unproven. So why is there this obsession? Why is the city Building Department and the Historical & Preservation Society at logerheads? Can we have both new and old coexisting at the same time? Some recommend keeping the old exterior while gutting the inside and bringing it up to modern standards; a compromise which really doesn't maintain the character of the inside of the building. Others say even the renovation paint must be of a type that mimics the old style. New is "bad" and old is "good."

Somewhere there is a middle ground that is exceptable to all. An area were all can come to an accord and can agree as to what can be done to keep our historical structures for future generations to see.

K.

Christmas--"Blah humbug" or "God bless us everyone?"

Have you started writing your Christmas cards yet? I'm sure you know which of your friends will be the first to have a card in your mailbox. You know which one will send you the long detailed list of things they've done during the past year—called the Christmas Letter. You may wish to call it "Sing your own praises." Mrs. K and I are procrastinators. We send ours out so late they're into the beginning into the New Year; they're called "Epiphany Epistles."

The Christmas card started out in Victorian England in 1843. It was helped along by the development of the public penny post and the speed with which the new railroads could deliver mail. They started out as a kind of stationery. Sir Henry Cole, a British Postal Service employee, together with John Callcott Horsley, an artist, created the first card. This early card showed Christmas scenes in three panels. The center panel had children, parents and grandparents seated at a table, with some raising their glasses for a toast. It caused controversy because it showed a small child drinking wine. The side panels showed acts of Christmas charity: the left panel feeding the hungry; the right, clothing the naked. Underneath was the familiar phrase " A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You."

Early English cards rarely showed winter or religious themes, instead were pictures of flowers, fairies and other fanciful designs to reminded us of the approach of Spring. Humorous and sentimental images of children and animals were popular, as were increasingly elaborate shapes, decorations and materials

In Germany, manufactured Christmas cards boomed in the 1860s. The earliest known Christmas card posted in Finland dates from 1871. In 1875, Louis Prang became the first printer to offer cards in America. Advances in printing techniques added to the popularity of Christmas cards as they made their real breakthrough in the 1920s.

So you really don't need to mail out Christmas Cards, as the tradition is not that old. You can call up your friends and wish them Season Greetings or you can Email them—like I just did. From Mrs. K. and I to you and your household "A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You."

K.

"...'cause no matter how far away you roam."

Taking the two statements “there’s no place like home for the holidays,” and “you can’t go home again,” seem to be contradictory. Yet both are very true and can easily coexist. Thanksgiving has come and gone, people have returned home and Christmas 2007 is yet to be. Although we would very much like to go home for the holidays, the home we would to return to really doesn’t exist anymore—it is but a memory locked in our minds. Each of us has preconceived notions about the things we liked best; and one of them is the holidays. The camaraderie, the excitement, the people we’ve met and loved, the whole aurora of the moment, exists only for a single day and then is filed away until it is brought our again the next time.

Yet that very brief time is what each of us lives for, ask the military personnel stationed away from home. Years later that same solder, airmen or sailor will recall that moment way from his loved ones with some fondness especially if they were with companions enjoying that same event. Whether it’s Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukah, or Fourth of July, it is the moment of happiness and togetherness we crave, After all, are we not social creatures accustomed to being with others of our own kind? The most difficult times are during the holidays. Suicides and depression increase; in some cases, the people who are suffering these experiences are surrounded by other people (in most case not of their own choosing).

With all that in mind, it is extremely important to remember others this holiday season e.g. distant relatives and friends and military people far from home. Email, write, phone or text message letting them know that you are thinking of them and that they are still in your thought and minds.

Have a very blessed Holiday Season and Happy New Year from Mrs. K. and myself.

K.

Taking the two statements “there’s no place like home for the holidays,” and “you can’t go home again,” seem to be contradictory. Yet both are very true and can easily coexist. Thanksgiving has come and gone, people have returned home and Christmas 2007 is yet to be. Although we would very much like to go home for the holidays, the home we would to return to really doesn’t exist anymore—it is but a memory locked in our minds. Each of us has preconceived notions about the things we liked best; and one of them is the holidays. The camaraderie, the excitement, the people we’ve met and loved, the whole aurora of the moment, exists only for a single day and then is filed away until it is brought our again the next time.

Yet that very brief time is what each of us lives for, ask the military personnel stationed away from home. Years later that same solder, airmen or sailor will recall that moment way from his loved ones with some fondness especially if they were with companions enjoying that same event. Whether it’s Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukah, or Fourth of July, it is the moment of happiness and togetherness we crave, After all, are we not social creatures accustomed to being with others of our own kind. The most difficult times are during the holidays. Suicides and depression increase; in some cases, the people who are suffering these experiences are surrounded by other people (in most case not of their own choosing).

With all that in mind, it is extremely important to remember others this holiday season e.g. distant relatives and friends and military people far from home. Email, write, phone or text message letting them know that you are thinking of them and that they are still in your thought and minds.

Have a very blessed Holiday Season and Happy New Year from Mrs. K. and myself.

K.

Why?

Why does your favorite shirt, pants, jacket or what have you, tear, get a stain on it or become damaged long before its appointed time to wear out? By the same token, why do work shirts, pants, etc. things you could care about the least, seem to last forever? Why does the good car, the one you care for the most, get parking lot dings and scratches while the secondary car, the "beater," suffers nothing? We call it the "buttered side bread falls down and lands on the buttered side" theory. If it fell the other way I wouldn't be writing this—it always seems to fall it that manner, making it completely useless.

So how do we combat this, if we could? Always butter your bread at the table your going to eat at? Don't get attached or favor anyone or anything for fear of what is going to happen to it? Show no emotion? Impossible! And we can't build barriers around everything or everyone we love or cherish. Life isn't that simplistic. Life can be cold and harsh as well as warm and loving; both can even coexist at the same time in the same environment. In our consumable society, today's most desirable car or must have item will be tomorrows used, tossed out castaway. The car gets sold to someone else who will cherish it until it too looses it's appeal and will be sold to its third owner until eventually it's scrapped. My trash may become someone else treasure.

Don't pin all of your expectations, hopes or pride on your possessions for you may become disappointed. Cherish the moment, bask in the pleasure this object of your attention goes you. The moment of your possession is fleeting, so be aware of its fragile nature or you may be disillusioned.

K.

On time, any time, all the time

I attended the wedding reception of a neighbor's son. Also in attendance were many other neighbors, some of which I hadn't seen in over twenty-one years. Had it really been that long; where had the time gone? It didn't seem all that long ago when they moved away. I then came to the realization that "time" can be based upon the age of the individual who is doing the comparison. To a twenty-one year old, it was their entire life; to a sixty-three year old, it only represented a third of their life. Thus time is relative. The interval of time remains a constant; a week is seven days. It doesn't grow any longer or become shorter it only seems long or short to the person experiencing the interval.

We've all heard the expressions, "time and tide wait for no man" or "time marches on." To the person waiting for a one-week vacation, making the preparations, getting the tickets, etc. a week in advance may take an eternity. The actual one-week of vacation may "fly by" while the record of this vacation may last indelibly etched in our minds forever aided by photographs or digital cameras. The actual interval of time never changed only our perception of it.

Another example would be the person falling asleep or trying to fall asleep. The really exhausted individual will fall asleep as soon as their head "hits the pillow." The period of sleep will seem to be extremely short when they awaken in the morning, especially if they haven't had enough sleep. However if they are insomniacs, unable to sleep because of too much caffeine, excitement or a medical condition, the period they're awake will seem to last forever. tossing and turning in their bed. In this case the urgency of time will prevail. We are creatures of our environment, or our own creation, and of our experiences. Time will tell

K.

Brig. Gen. Paul W. Tibbits, dies, "I only did my duty"

Brigadier General Paul W. Tibbets USAF (retired) died this past November 1, 2007. Tibbits was the commanding officer in charge of dropping the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan, which forced the Japanese warlords to begin to seriously consider unconditional surrender. A second bomb dropped on Nagasaki, Japan brought them to the surrender table. Much has been written about whether we should have dropped to bomb on the homeland islands or have invited the Japanese to witness the destruction of a less inhabited piece of land. Much has also been written on our moral right to killed non-combatants in this atomic carnage.

Some modern day Japanese, and a few Americans, have conveniently forgotten that Japans warlords had global conquest in their sights when they attacked China in July 1937. Japanese solders bayoneted, machine-gunned, or beheaded 300,000 innocent civilians during their Rape of Nanking 1937-1938. These same modern apologists forget the Bataan Death March of April 1942 in which approximately 18,000 Allied solders were executed or left to die as they fell behind the forced march. To the militaristic Japanese, the idea of surrender was totally foreign; those that give up were considered to be less than human and were treated accordingly with utter disdain and contempt.

With that cultural viewpoint, the Japanese would never have yielded to defeat. It was only when faced with total destruction did the Japanese relent and do the unthinkable and submit to unconditional surrender. Who knows where Japan would have gone if not stopped.

K.

Life with Father

I spent the last several days with my father in the hospital. He is eighty-six. He has always been an independent person, he believes in doing things for himself. He would not even consider assisted living. Dad was building shelving in the garage. His grandson's brother-in-law was assisting him, measuring the pieces that were needed, giving Dad the measurements. Dad was cutting a long narrow piece from a much more wider one about thirty inches long. He had about a quarter inch to go. He stopped and was going to get another piece to help shove it though to be safe. What made him change his mind neither he nor I will ever know. "I can do this without that safety stick," he thought and proceeded to go ahead, unassisted.

I got a call at the office from the sister to the young man helping my Dad, my daughter-in-law. "Grandpa is in Emergency; he cut his hand—badly." The words instantly snapped my mind to attention. "I think he lost some fingers," she continued. I didn't wait; I checked out of the office and drove to the hospital and asked about Dad. The nurse assigned to him called me aside, "Before I take you inside to see him," she said "you should know that he thinks your going to yell at him for being careless." How could I scold my father at a time like this? I found Dad lying on gurney in Room One; the name was very fitting. They were unable to help Dad at that hospital so he was transfer to Cleveland's top-rate Cleveland Clinic. There a doctor specializing in hand surgery reattached one finger to his left hand. Two were still missing. Dad was awake during the entire operation, holding his hand still so the doctor could stitch together with whatever was available. The word used was "viable."

Dad talked about going home the next day to resume his standard schedule. He was disappointed when he didn't. He has a pacemaker with a built in defribulator for when his heart rate drops too low. He lives by himself; he's eight-six. But he is determined; he has goals, he looking forward to getting out. He has more going for him than this "minor" set back will deter him. I'm proud of him, proud of his spunk, proud of his determination. I'm proud he's my father.

K.