Please, Mr. Blue, help a poor sinner!, Jul 19 2004

For some reason, I have the feeling he bases the character of Larry Wyler on himself as he makes fun of his arrogance and self-sufficiency as he leaves home to take on the big Apple, New York City. The wife Iris is obviously Mary Guntzel to whom he praises her memory as a friend of the helpless. We need more MGs in today's world.

Some of this novel is hilarious and so much like his public radio program 'A Prairie Home Companion' with all the drama and strangeness he finds in the towns where he is appearing. In a way it is funny; though, even though I like him for his humor, I think I might take offense if he came to Pulaski and made fun of the KKK.

I think the winters are rough in Minnesota so he has to come up with something besides alcohol to keep himself warm. His attempts to be an advice columnist has much to be desired, but so do most of the legitimate ones. I did like Ann Landers and her sister, Abby.

Everything in Lake Wobegon is small and drab, I'm sure, after being in large towns like Knoxville, cities like Nashville, and even L.A. Now, he has fourteen books published, past the unlucky number. I think it would be hard to love a man who makes fun of just about everything and everybody, especially Democrats -- and I do tend to vote for them! What would he have to say about Al Gore and the way the election was taken away from him? If he is Republican, he would of course deny it!

Final is a permanent state of mind., Jul 18 2004

The thing I liked about this book is its white binding. You don't see many in white, more so in black. White is for purity. Pure is what this book is not about.

Betty had her own pickup truck in this tale. There is a black Buddha who is good enough to buy Milo a drink. He, like my son Geoffrey complains of a bad back, but it doesn't slow down his pace or actions.

The final country is supposedly Texas, that big state which thinks it is a country of its own. Or it could be Montana, according to John Steinbeck in TRAVELS WITH CHARLEY. He seems to think that Paris is the new 'country' where he might just end up, but I'm not taking bets on that happening.

Using voodoo hit close to home, as did B. L.Brammer's description of it as the boondocks. I know first hand about living in the boondocks and the possibility of having the curse of voodoo alive and thriving in today's world.

The author, a college English teacher who gets his kicks out of writing crime novels,has previously had seven books published. He puts me in mind of Larry McMurtry who wrote a novel, SUTTREE, about my hometown of Knoxville, TN. He, too, is touted by the publishers as a good writer. I know someone here who has met him in a bar on Gay Street and appreciates him as a fellow drinker and writer.

The Children Will Carry On., Jul 17 2004

I think perhaps my favorite is "Night Train to Memphis" or could be "The Love Talker." This one follows Ms. Peabody and entourage again to Egypt. She not only explores antiquities in strange places, she is also a Master Investigator which gets her in 'hot water' on occasion.

Like me, she indulges in the daily horoscopes. The title for this Peabody/Emerson episode comes from an ancient Egyptian horoscope: "The day of the children of the storm. Very dangerous. Do not go on the water this day."

This is the 15th published "journal" of Amelia encompassing three generations of an amazing family saga (35 yrs. of turbulent history) including a diary of son Ramses, named after a pharaoh.

Amelia was called by the natives, "Lady Doctor" while Emerson was "Father of Curses." Ramses accompanied his uncle Sethos as a secret agent because of his use of disguises and fluency in languages.

Justin had tormented Charla, young daughter of Ramses who'd waited to talk until she got ready, like her dad. Like Eric. Ms. Peters who loves cats almost as much as I do, educated at the University of Chicago like my son Geoffrey, never ceases to amaze me with her knowledge.

This is another page turner, always an exciting "adventure" in store. You are kept in suspense about the happenings until the danger is at hand. She is just plain marvelous with her writing abilities and subject matter.

Is it fun or profitable to sin?, Jul 16 2004

This world has been at war since the beginning of recorded history and before. According to this web page, "these industries are nearly recession-proof." They will continue to experience 'significant capital appreciation' during good and bad markets. Why not invest in vice?

He touts these illustrious sin stocks as being in Gambling, Alcohol, Cigarettes, Aerospace & Defense, and Adult Entertainment (movies, live, massage parlors, and even porn on the computers). At a local computer lab, you can't sit down in peace to check email without porn popping up.

His version of defense is not creating weapons to invade, conquer, and destroy other nations. What about homeland defense from terrorists from the places living in the 'old ages'?

Alcohol is a thriving thing in this town and has a history of moonshiners and illegal consumption throughout the years. It is touted as a highly profitable business. It definitely is here, as all the men of Knoxville think they must drink as much as they can, to drown their sorrows. Ahrens claims that our very first US President George Washington was a drinker (of malt!) -- I like malted milk, so I guess I am a drinker, oh my.

Lincoln is quoted as saying, "no vices have very few virtues." I'd suggest he read William Lee Miller's LINCOLN'S VIRTUES (An Ethical Biography). What we need more in this world are ethics.

With its lighthearted and simple approach to the vices he concentrates on for financial reasons, this is the ultimate defense in these 'trouble times' -- why not just get drunk, play the lottery (which is real big here at this time), look at naked women, smoke,smoke,smoke that cigarette, and play war games.

An Opinionated Account of Government Corruption., Jul 16 2004

Heading the list compiled by a former speech writer for Nancy Reagan (does that make her a specialist of some sort?) is Jane Fonda. She also worked on the campaign of Jack Kemp for president -- who's Jack Kemp?!

Certainly he is no Al Gore. Just because she is a t.v. commentator on CNN (MY, that used to be Ted Turner's property, and he was once married to Jane Fonda!) doesn't give her any valid reason to call anyone "idiots."

I am not a liberal or left wing politically, but I believe the Rosenbergs were railroaded and lost their lives as a coverup for corruption of others. Ethel was guilty only of being a dedicated wife. Whittaker Chambers, it has been proven beyond a doubt, lied to save his own skin. He kept his distance from McCarthy because of his guilt and Communist inclinations.

Alger Hiss, a high-ranking state department official, was much maligned and made a scapegoat, destroying his reputation. All for what, I ask. She lays blame where history has declared none existed. Restoring old, hurtful rumors only brings us all down.

If Al Gore is a liberal, then I must be one as I believe in him. When Lott was called a racist, I told others I am more racist than he could ever be. How much intelligence does it take to be a secretary to a First Lady, I wonder.

And to blaspheme Ed Asner is going too far. Maybe that Capital Gang has influenced her to be snobbish toward Democrats or people superior in education and knowledge. Even with her index of sources, this is not factual, nor is it history in the making.

Who developed the Atomic Bomb?, Jul 15 2004

This 18-yr-old rescues wounded birds (good for her), develops an interest in nurclear missile silos, and organizes her own group of girls against the atomic bomb at St. Ursula's School. She seemed to be obsessed with Stalin and Hitler, plus the Nurenberg trials. She is sent to discuss her concerns with the guidance counselor and they fall in love.

So, what else is new? I married my college lit teacher. But this little book brings things to today's world, how the privileged don't have enough to do with all their wealth and must find 'causes' to satisfy their yearnings.

She won an award in 1999 for her fiction in Indiana and has had some of her writings published in various literary magazines. I feel we have a new talent here and will look forward to her next endeavor.

What It Is Really Like In Middle East!, Jul 15 2004

This is nothing like Jimmy Carter's novel, HORNET'S NEST; however, they are both about war. So many years apart, these wars but atrocious just the same. In Carter's novel, we read about scalpings, now we know of beheadings going on in Iraq in this modern age. Have times changed? Not much. There are still uneducated savages leading others just as ignorant.

I will always remember the first atom bomb with the mushroom; USA developed and used the first one! Amazing! And I thought we were educated and erudite here.

This Mr. Intrepid is able to survive over there because of his fluent use of their language. He was educated at Stanford University in America. He should win some kind of award for endurance and survival in such turbulent times.

Michael At His Best!, Jul 15 2004

The red Baldwin was a good touch. In Knoxville, we have a bright red with gold trim organ in the newly renovated Tennessee Theatre which would complement this piano. I've suggest that MF bring it to our thriving downtown to show people here what good music is! His singing of today is as good as it gets; he just keeps getting better and better in everything he does.

Thanks for Including Michael Feinstein!, Jul 15 2004

He plays a mean piano, like my favorite performer Michael Feinstein. They collaborated on a CD along about the time MF did his whimsical PURE IMAGINATION. It has the same rhyme and rhythm and Mike was in good vocal form. He's mellowed some now but at the top in every way. His favorite of Jerry Herman is 'I Won't Send Roses' which he included on others of his CDs.

Thanks, Jerry, for everything!

The performers in theWhite House., Jul 12 2004

Mainly this book, compiled by Alan Schroeder (has quite a lengthy index of sources he used), relates the influence of show business on politics from the top on down. Harry Truman played piano passably and had a talented daughter, Margaret; he is shown performing with Jack Benny on the violin.

Richard Nixon also played the piano and even performed on the Grand Ole Opry stage in Nashville, TN He invited Elvis Presley to the White House. Bill Clinton played the saxophone somewhat and was the butt of jokes on several t.v. shows. He promoted Barbra Streisand because she was a favorite of his dear Mother's. He also invited United Artists' producer Mike Medavoy to the White House and allowed him to sit in the chair there in the Oval Office and he and his wife spent the night there.

Ronald Reagan should have the title of "celebrity" pres. but I think the title really goes to John F. Kennedy. He went all out to seduce movie stars with the assistance of his brother-in-law, actor Peter Lawford. He had an association with Frank Sinatra at the same time Sinatra was sharing a mistress with a Mafia leader. Politics are indeed strange bedfellows.

Dwight Eisenhower welcomed Robert Montgomery and the pianist, Liberace, to the White House as he did his favorite (and mine) singer, Eddie Fisher, who sang 'Count Your Blessings.' Eddie also sang with a group of other male celebrities, 'Together' to JFK, as did his favorite, Marilyn Monroe.

Gerald Ford, the non-President, only one to not be voted in by the populace, favored comedians off t.v. shows and John Wayne who narrated a fabulous collaboration to America and her people. He also like Carol Channing for some reason.

Jimmy Carter, the scholar and chaste one, is shown with John Travolta who went on many years later to play a Presidential candidate in the movies.

The moviedom out in California have always had a say in politics of this great nation. Hearst who built that marvelous mansion along Route 1 for his movie star, Marion Davises, owned the newspapers which could make or break a candidate.

These are interesting ancedotes naming some big names. The photos are good. My favorite was of the thirty-two Hollywood stars who posed with Eleanor Roosevelt in 1940. Have things changed? Is L.A. still a dominant influence on the nation's politics and our leaders who must represent all states, not just one.