Home of Today's Common Sense

Rock and Roll update
St. Paul Foundation presents
FRANKIE VALLI & THE FOUR SEASONS
8:00 PM SATURDAY OCTOBER 16, 2010
at the Majestic Theatre – Dallas

Published Brownsville Herald Aug 30, 2010

On last Monday my wife got a call asking her to substitute teach. Then it hit me school is back in session.
When I checked my Web site in preparation for this column I noted, as you would expect, that taxes, education and taxes and education were the issues most read. Though not very surprising it is heartening to see that those issues are read and re-read more than twice as often as any other. Most folks are truly interested in seeing their children have more opportunities for education and the benefits that can result.
I submit that striving for better education is the one thing that we all can agree on; the problems begin however, with differing views in how the education is accomplished.
On one side, we are told that there is a crisis in education and only more tax money and the government will solve it. On another we need alternatives to the present system so as to provide a choice and competition to the system in order to encourage accountability. Some blame the teachers for holding low expectations of certain groups of students, having a lack of ability to motivate students or worse; and others blame the parents for lack of interest and support in the educational process. I have often blamed the school administration for not adequately maintaining a good learning atmosphere. There may be some truth in all of these things but that is not the whole problem. More »

The 2011 Oldies Malt Shop Cruise the second such event for Carnival Cruises is scheduled aboard the Carnival Sensation, May 8 – 12, 2011 from Port Canaveral, Florida to Nassau, Bahamas. The Malt Shop Memories Cruise will be five days of music, dancing and fun.
Artists joining the cruise this year on the floating Malt Shop include Chubby Checker, Little Anthony and the Imperials, Shirley Alston Reeves: original lead singer of The Shirelles, The Crystals, The Original Drifters, The Tymes, The Skyliners, The Del Rays, The Devotions, and The Fireflies. Since there may be additions of other exciting artists check with Carnival. http://www.maltshopcruise.com/

Published Brownsville Herald August 16, 2010

Some of readers will remember Superman on television in the late 1950’s and the motto at the beginning “Truth – Honor and “The American Way”. These became the seeds of the “Boomer” belief system though they were not always followed faithfully. They were certainly the ideals that we strived for.
A widely touted part of “Today’s American Way” is the “rule of law” which is often pointed to as of supreme importance. Unfortunately, it is found important only when it is convenient.
As one example just look at the immigration debacle! Decades of political interference in existing law and regulation, as well as the ways laws were applied, has resulted in a supremely unworkable system that threatens the one most important job of government – that of ensuring peace and order. We have neither today. More »

I almost never post other articles but the following tribute to President Obama, by Gary Hubbell a realtor in Hotchkiss, CO needs to be read. It was originally published in Aspen Times Weekly in February 2010.
Barack Obama is the best thing that has happened to America in the last 100 years. Truly, he is the savior of America’s future. He is the best thing ever. More »

Published August 2, 2010

The advancement of the modestly priced transportation choices between North America, Central America and South America that I have described will do more to improve the Western Hemisphere cohesion and stability than any other single thing that could be done.
Just for a moment, picture yourself with a small 3 ship ferry operation at the point in history when relations normalize with Cuba. –serious profits and expansion- Also envision the evolution of a cohesive Hemispheric logistics system with central distribution points in Cuba and ferries of different sizes and purposes steaming off like a compass star. It would permit immediate transportation systems to develop using current and older equipment, trailers, rail cars etc. It would also require that countries get along better to work out equipment interchanges, uniform vehicle licensing, safety requirements, etc. What I have been discussing could conceivably be the basis of stability in our part of the world.
As President Regan said, “There he goes again”. As much as I try to distance myself and retire, the passion still exists. More »

Published July 19, 2010

In the last column I described the rationale for and the beginning of a car passenger ferry between South Texas and Central America as well as the concept described as the Pan American Maritime Highway.
The reasons that supported the project ten years ago are still valid today and the demand has more than doubled as indicated by the large increases in vehicle exports registered at the U.S. Customs Port at Los Indios, Texas.
Further, In 2006, The IDB “Pan America Maritime Highway Feasibility Study” commented: “We conclude that a US–Honduras service based on a conventional ferry and geared toward the Transmigrantes hold promise. The US–Honduras service based on a conventional ferry could be expanded to include a Mexican call, once demand from US adventurers, campers, and residents develops.” More »

Published Brownsville Herald July 4, 2010

The vision for a car-passenger ferry service between the southern United States and Central America began in Brownsville, Texas in 1994 while I was assigned as a Supervisory Customs Officer at the new Free Trade Bridge in Los Indios, Texas.
I observed that during just a few months the number of expatriate Central Americans crossing into Mexico en-route to their homes in Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, etc. grew exponentially.
I also, found that the government of Mexico, in an effort to limit foreign vehicles being sold illegally in Mexico had designated the new bridge as a primary crossing point for those in transit.
The Central Americans, ”Transmigrantes”, made arrangements for vehicle entry permits, posted security bonds and a place in an officially accompanied caravan through agents located on the U.S. side.
After interviewing a number of these “Transmigrantes” I found that the trip, of more than five days, was difficult and hazardous, as well as costly in unexpected official fees and repairs.
There were 21,153 Transmigrantes exporting vehicles during 1993, which more than doubled to 50,409 by 1994, when I retired. More »

Published Brownsville Herald June 21, 2010

I am frequently confused at how the players in our political society want to define us and our wants and needs in terms of what we look like or how we think.
We describe ourselves a certain way only to find that we have many similarities and when others do it, it becomes racism. Some even have the idea that if one gets an education, is creative and works hard he can succeed, it is a bad thing.
It even seems that the current goal of government is that everyone is the same; no one is different and should not be treated differently. Still we like to think of ourselves as individuals, Irish American, African American, Filipino American, Mexican American, Hispanic American, etc. I think of myself as an American and then as having Irish descent. However the brand of Celts I came from originated from Portugal and North West Spain. Does that make me of Hispanic origin. How about the Mexicans near Monterrey of Italian descent, what kind of hyphen do we use?
The law recently passed I Arizona, in frustration that the Federal government seems to have failed miserably in protecting the borders there. It is sad aspecially when it is a genuine Constitutional responsibility that should take priority over other functions where there are genuine arguments. More »

Saturday, August 7th, 2010 at 8:00 PM 1 month away
Dick Fox’s Golden Boys featuring Frankie Avalon, Fabian, and Bobby Rydell
Silver Legacy Resort Casino
407 North Virginia Street, Reno, NV

Paul Revere & the Raiders with The Comets
Moon River Theatre – Branson, Mo
Starting June 4 check schedules for dates and times

http://www.bransontourismcenter.com/shows/info/paul-revere-comets

Paul Revere & the Raiders have been together since 1958. Revere surrounds himself with the finest talent, some of whom have been with him more than 30 years. Paul Revere & the Raiders had 25 consecutive hit singles. Louie Louie, (remember all the controversy!) Steppin Out, Good Thing, Like Long Hair, Great Airplane Strike, Indian Reservation…timeless, unforgettable songs!
Featuring all five of the surviving members of Bill Haley and the Comets, these legendary performers will knock your socks off when they perform such beloved hits as “Rock Around the Clock,” “Shake Rattle & Roll,” and “See Ya Later Alligator,” as well as exciting all new material.

Also in Branson this summer

The Platters

http://www.bransontourismcenter.com/shows/info/platters

Ray Stevens

http://www.bransontourismcenter.com/shows/info/ray-stevens

The Welk Resort Theatre from September 15th thru October 23rd. With over 14 million singles, albums and videos sold in his career, Ray Stevens brings all of his hits to the Welk Resort stage: from the hilarious “Ahab the Arab”, “It’s Me Again Margaret”, “Mississippi Squirrel” and “The Streak” to his new hit “We The People” and the classic “Everything Is Beautiful”.

Righteous Brothers Bill Medley

http://www.bransontourismcenter.com/shows/info/bill-medley

Saturday, September 25th, 2010 at 8:00 PM 3 months away
Fall Doo Wop / Bobby Rydell, Jimmy Beaumont & The Skyliners, Jay Siegel And The Tokens, Earl Lewis & the Channels, Jimmy Gallagher & The Passions, Johnny Farina, Lenny Dell and the Demensions, Chris Montez North Fork Theatre at Westbury
960 Brush Hollow Road, Westbury, NY
More »

Published Brownsville Herald June 7, 2010

Like most retirees my income has not increased and my cost of living continues to increase especially taxes. More so when I feel the community is being badly mistreated by the taxing authority. We are being taxed by Texas Southmost Community College and it exists only in name. The University has another Campus that unlike any of the others we must pay for.
I recently got my new property tax statement, my home was appraised at a value ten percent higher than last year and the Texas Southmost College tax rate is now $0.161924.
In these difficult times find it problematic to financially support a nonexistent entity and any politician that continues to maintain, what appears to me, to be a fraud on the community. Especially, when you consider that it is where a large percentage of its members cannot afford the university rates currently in force.
Perhaps, a few of you will remember a column I wrote, that appeared in September of 2004. It was conceived in response to a proposed bond issue and a presentation that the University and Texas – Southmost College officials provided at St. Marys Church. I went there with preconceived notions that were dispelled to some extent by Dr. Tony Zavaleta’s discussion and forced me to rethink my position. More »

Published Brownsville Herald May 24, 2010

Many of you will remember the January 12,1997 story in the Brownsville Herald Ferry gets ready to sail on Gulf waters that went on to say “The Regal Voyager, a ferry that will ply the waters between Port Isabel and Puerto Cortes, Honduras, is a unique ship — part cargo vessel, part Loveboat.
It boasts luxury cabins, a discotheque, a gift shop, and two hot tubs. It can carry up to 450 passengers and up to 360 cars or 60 tractor trailers.”
That was the realization of a dream for me. All my education and career experience pointed towards pioneering such a venture and here it was.
Things did go very well for awhile as another article as late as December 28, 1997 in the Herald on would indicate. SHIP AHOY! Business is booming for Regal Voyager “the Regal Voyager has been full during the past four weeks – About 200 people have made reservations for this trip,” More »

Published Brownsville Herald May 11, 2010

Over the last few weeks I have been heartened by the rapid rise and broad support of the “Tea Party” movement. It advocates the same principles, I have harped on, in these columns – less government involvement in our lives, less taxes and the resulting freedom to live my own life.
Some of my acquaintances often ask; don’t you have a life?
Of late though I have been limited by my health, I do have a number of interests, some of which include, an obsession with old movies, a passion for early Rock and Roll and Rhythm and Blues music from which Rock came.
Additionally, my hobbies, during my adult life, have included designing and building my own computers, specifically to meet my needs.
Recently, because I am not very mobile, I needed a way to access my collection of music videos and movies.
I found a new implementation of big office computer servers for the home. This concept has only been out for a couple of years and already four or more major computer companies are starting to support it.
With the right software, it can do most anything in the home from managing heat and cooling, as well as lighting and controlling security cameras as well as maintaining the videos. More »

Saturday, September 25th, 2010 at 8:00 PM 4 months away North Fork Theatre at Westbury, NY
Fall Doo Wop / Bobby Rydell, Jimmy Beaumont & The Skyliners, Jay Siegel And The Tokens, Earl Lewis & the Channels, Jimmy Gallagher & The Passions, Johnny Farina, Lenny Dell and the Demensions, Chris Montez

Also don’t forget

Saturday, June 19th
The Beach Boys Silver Legacy Resort Casino – Reno, NV

Saturday, August 7th
Frankie Avalon, Fabian, and Bobby Rydell Silver Legacy Resort Casino – Reno, NV

Published Brownsville Herald April 26, 2010

I was discouraged with the Bill Clinton op-ed column “What We Learned in Oklahoma City” which linked the patriotic Tea Party movement to “one of the worst terrorist attacks in United States history.
He creates the perception that the patriotic “Tea Party folks” are justifying violence or worse, similar to what drove “McVeigh” and company.
It seems, these political advocates are merely encouraging us all to rethink our views, agreeing or not with prevailing ideas.
President Clinton is obviously trying to head off a major shift in the political climate.
The political landscape is changing!
Now we see that the changes to Texas education “TAKS”, appear to provide the foundation to a new understanding of the traditional and a future with active Tea Party advocates.
It may well be needed as would be indicated by a recent comment that appeared in The Brownsville Herald entitled “Textbook changes disappoint teacher”. The letter included the following: More »