Well said, JH3. You are correct, kind sir or madam.

I'm so proud of you.
 
When I read one of your blogs, I see rock-solid political values. I think you're too close to your work to realize just how good it is.
 
The stories about your friends from Iran and Cuba -- they were brilliant in their exposition. By that I mean you offer up the lesson without condescending. It's what I call demanding the best from your reader.

I met, purely by chance, a memorable Laotian, whose family had been murdered as he watched from the treeline, at age 15. A CIA officer began watching over him, making sure he had what he needed. The officer later adopted the kid, and brought him to the U.S. His adopted mom, also a CIA officer, was later killed in the line of duty. His adopted dad was the last family he had on earth, and he lived in fear of losing him.
 
This man spoke more authoritatively of revolution (murder and racketeering) and socialist rule (spread the misery, because there is no joy to spread) than a thousand vacant-eyed movie-actor-worshipping punks. He was outraged that the American intelligentsia considered the CIA the moral equivalent of the KGB.
 
You do a wonderful job. Please try not to doubt that.
 
Thanks for reading that piece.
 
Regards,
 
Randall

Oh, I forgot to mention sump'n -- I'm working on a new song, but not the sort that any sensible person would like. However, for me, it's funny as HELL.
 
Briefly, it's in the traditional southern gospel style. It's a ballad in the truest sense of the word, since it's mostly a narrative from start to finish. It's written in first person, from the point of view of an atheist who gets a visit from a preacher.
 
It goes way downhill from there, and the lyrics could be (charitably) described as ribald. I was just sitting here going over them in my head, while working. They're rated PG 32. I just can't stop laughing over them, though.
 
And, by the way, how come you look like you're 23?
 
Take care of your wonderful self.
 
Regards,
 
Randall

Hi, again. Wonderful to hear from you. I've been here, and reading (you). I'm not seeing the muck. Are you struggling with other writing? Because I just see great stuff on the blog, very committed, well presented.
 
I've also been tied up (no, not by BAHNkee, although I wish). As you probably know, 1099s were due on Monday, February 1st, and there are always a couple of monkeys who just want to be late, as well. I had a total blowout with one client Friday afternoon. He's the designer I mentioned to you on another occasion. I swear, the guy is just as rude as he is dumb. He has one grandiose idea after another about how I could better serve his company.
 
Thanks for writing, and for writing me. I will leave you with a quote, which came from Human Person Junior, Jr., a few years back. It's about preachers:
 
"And though he toiled not in the vineyard, nor labored he in the field, and though he knew not his ass from a HOLE IN THE EARTH; yea, verily, though he couldst not find his own ass with BOTH HANDS, praise whatever, he prospered might-eh-lehhhhhhh, for he could talk that shit-tuh! Bumbalee umbalee bumbalee shay!"
 
Y'know, I could've been a preacher. I was almost a lot of things. I am just lucky, I guess.

Yea, verbally I say unto thee, curse ye and revile ye and rebuke ye the PHILISTINES and the warmist alarmists, for they shall lead the flock astray.

Thanks a million for reading and commenting, Michele. You are such a major talent! If you labeled me "adequate," I'd be happy, so you can imagine what your kind compliments do for me.

Thank you again. So noyce you are, so vurry vurry noyce.

I appreciate your remarks, more than you could guess. Yes, I did grow up in this environment (if one could truly say I've grown up). I lived it, and, in a way, I'm living it still. Thank you again. You're too nice to me! But please don't stop!

And, Michele, you couldn't be more correct about true capitalism -vs- crony capitalism. If you'll notice, lots of "progressives" point to crony capitalism and knock it down, as if they've done something wonderful. That's the classic straw-man maneuver, which, of course, doesn't work on me (nor would it on you), since that bastardized form of capitalism isn't worth our defending.

However, true capitalism is well worth championing. Business is a great thing, because, when it's done right, no one is required to overly trust anyone else and all parties in a transaction gain something they want. I just love business, even though my training was in music.

Thanks again. You're just terrific to say such nice things.

HumanPersonJuniorSquarePants is blushing!

Thanks so very much for the compliments and the incisive comment.

My favorite part: The term Progressive is like a running joke in a satirical movie like Airplane - except they are not kidding.

Jeezily crow! That is just plain excellent. Thanks for writing. You've really made my day. Remind me to tell you about the OPPOSITE reaction I got at another site, http://www.randi.org. Over there, they're skeptical about everything except climate change. They pretty much swallow the party line, and a couple of people gave me hell, after they followed my name/link back to this blog.

Oh, well. If they can't take the heat... (bad pun, I know).

Thanks again. You have made my day. Hell, my week, truth be known.

Noyce, vurry noyce.

Please don't reciprocate, though. I kinda like having just two readers, wait, three now, since I've run across you. I can feel it; I'm about to break the double digit mark.

Hang in there! There is reason to think things might be on the upswing. On the other hand, we don't dare get complacent. Thanks for writing.