This morning I got word from my mom that a friend of mine, Matthew McCully, was walking home from work Tuesday night and was hit and killed by a drunk driver.
Matt was an aspiring writer and artist with a lot of talent. He was a smart man, creative, inventive and I consider it a privilege to have known Matt for several years.
He was a great guy and his passing is our great loss.
Anytime somebody tells you "I want to apologize for what you are about to hear" you can bet that you're not going to like what you hear next. This just makes common sense. And if you've read much of this blog, you can easily tell that I'm (sorta) paying attention to this year's politics.
Now (in the way of context), I have been very blessed to have a lot of people that I consider friends in my life. Some of these friends are very close to me. And I have had more than one disagreement with a close friend and we have remained friends. Being able to "agree to disagree" with someone is an important part of any relationship that is more than superficial.
With that in mind you can see why I was so surprised to hear on the radio Wednesday afternoon that Rev. Jesse Jackson was apologizing for "crude and hurtful remarks" that he made "in a private conversation" in front of a "hot mic". You know how radio commentators will say "Today [politician] said '' blah blah blah" and then the politician will say "No, that's not what I meant - you misquoted me", etc, etc? As I was driving down the road I kept waiting for the quote - nobody ever said what *exactly* his remarks were.
Then it hit me. Are we talking "FCC violation" crude? Holy cow, Jesse, what did you say this time?! After some searching, a video snip from "The O'Reilly Factor" turned up. You can see the video for yourself here. This is not the full clip and it is not an "FCC violation". Apparently Jesse also made some racist remarks against white people. But this is just the part that would offend B. Hussein Obama.
NOT my idea of friendship.
Do your neighbors "lean to the left"?
Do you want a more "distinctive" yard?
Does your lawn need a slightly more "patriotic" look?
Well, friend, I can solve your problems! For a mere $15.95 (less than the cost of a large pizza) you too can proudly display one of these yard signs and help spread the word about our Second Amendment rights as American citizens!
There is the ever popular "I'm the NRA and I vote" (commonly seen as a window sticker on pickup trucks and automobiles throughout the nation)
Or, if your neighbors have trouble understanding what is at stake... 
Or you can tell it like it is in vibrant blue and orange...
And lastly, a lovely new addition inspired by a gaffe of presidential candidate B. Hussein Obama...
One question, will they really make my shrubbery look this good?
The other day while talking with a friend I stated "I know that should not be done because it violates 'Rule 8'." I was wrong - the law I was thinking of is Title 4, Chapter 1, Section 8.
As penance for my misquotation, here, in its entirety, is Section 8 of Chapter 1 of Title 4 of the United States Code. And one question - does letter "f" apply to a header in a pickup truck?
TITLE 4--FLAG AND SEAL, SEAT OF GOVERNMENT, AND THE STATES
CHAPTER 1--THE FLAG
Sec. 8. Respect for flag
No disrespect should be shown to the flag of the United States of America; the flag should not be dipped to any person or thing. Regimental colors, State flags, and organization or institutional flags are to be dipped as a mark of honor.
(a) The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.
(b) The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water, or merchandise.
(c) The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free.
(d) The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery. It should never be festooned, drawn back, nor up, in folds, but always allowed to fall free. Bunting of blue, white, and red, always arranged with the blue above, the white in the middle, and the red below, should be used for covering a speaker's desk, draping the front of the platform, and for decoration in general.
(e) The flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored in such a manner as to permit it to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way.
(f) The flag should never be used as a covering for a ceiling.
(g) The flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing of any nature.
(h) The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.
(i) The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever. It should not be embroidered on such articles as cushions or handkerchiefs and the like, printed or otherwise impressed on paper napkins or boxes or anything that is designed for temporary use and discard. Advertising signs should not be fastened to a staff or halyard from which the flag is flown.
(j) No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform. However, a flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations. The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing. Therefore, the lapel flag pin being a replica, should be worn on the left lapel near the heart.
(k) The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.
(Added Pub. L. 105-225, Sec. 2(a), Aug. 12, 1998, 112 Stat. 1497.)
