Whoa! Wait a minute…whose idea was it to take a poll on whether Prince Harry should serve in Iraq? And where was (D), the fourth option…”none of our business”?

I’m on my way home from work when the poll results were given on WGMD and, frankly, first I was stunned and then had to laugh at the audacity of at least the “77% respondents” who said he should. Why? Oh…because he is in the army, of course. That’s not too far from our usual patter of “YEAH! Send our military in there, get the job done…” while sitting on our rumps behind a desk, a counter or digging ditches. It’s okay for anyone to go as long as “it isn’t ME”.

So I’m going to nit-pick a little. First of all, please, please get it right. Harry isn’t a “Prince of England”. He is a prince of the United Kingdom…or Great Britain…or The British Isles, take your pick but England is ONLY England while being a member of the royal family makes him a prince of not just England but Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.

Secondly, is it any of our business to state such an opinion on another country? Isn’t that how we get ourselves in trouble, whiningly asking why aren’t we liked, time after time after time?

Three…while male members of the royal family have taken service in the armed forces as their obligation to their country and crown for multiple decades, few in direct line have ever fought in armed conflict (although in recent years Prince Andrew, Harry’s uncle, did serve in the Falkland’s during that debacle). There was a slight difference…Charles was direct heir…still is…and he did have his own heirs who follow suit if something should befall him. The queen is an octogenarian and, despite the fact that I can well see her matching her ancestor Victoria for years on the throne, should something happen to her in the near future, Charles will succeed but…he’s not that young, himself. William would be next…he is in the military and if something should happen to him, it would be Harry who would then succeed since William has no children…at least none that we know of. In other words, Harry is in the line of succession for the foreseeable future and the country probably would never agree to him being in a war zone. I suppose not too far removed from Senators and Congressmen…or a President…who advocate war, sends thousands of OTHER young men and women to fight it (and send them back for multiple tours!) but do nothing to ensure their own offspring…even once…go do what they are asking everyone else’s kid to do.

LOLOLOL!!! I’m still laughing…but I wish I knew why for what a sad lot we are. A discussion is ongoing as to why someone in THIS country…who cannot see anyone worth voting for in an election so wants to abstain…should have the right to be heard when voicing an opinion on political matters or, in fact, any matter affecting the nation. Apparently it’s believed such a person does not have the right to express such an opinion. Yet we can do so for a ruling monarch’s grandson, serving in his own…not our…country’s military? ‘Struth…give me strength

Finally, somewhere, a long-held wish of mine might just come true.

In 2000 I became sadly disenchanted by our election process following the farce in Florida. 2004 had no desire to vote for John Kerry the Vacillator and, if possible, even less for George Bush. No-one on the ballot worth my consideration but, more importantly, trust, and I decided to abstain. It wasn’t very satisfying, I must admit…so I didn’t go to the polls.

Other people don’t go for whatever reason…weather, no ride, ambivalence but for such as myself, it was none of these. I wanted to go, I wanted to check a box saying I wanted “this person” to be our CiC, run my country, that he had earned a country’s trust…into which we willingly and knowledgeably put ours and our children’s lives…and respect for at least the next four years but, since in all conscience I could not, then select the box abstaining from voting and why…my own protest, make a statement of conscience. Yes, I could “write-in” anyone…big deal. That didn’t say “You people need to get a grip and at least offer someone with integrity, honesty, stick-to-it-ivness if you want my vote.” When I listen to candidates I listen carefully…is it too much to expect that with their platform pronouncements, their campaign promises they don’t just pay lip service but mean what they say…or, at the very least, say nothing? I might not agree entirely with my chosen candidate but I will respect whomever it is so long as they believe what they say and continue to do so…then do what they’ve said they will, not do what they said they won’t. It’s not enough for others to tell me “Well, that’s the name of the game. That’s politics…” Yes, it is. But WHY? Why do we continue to accept this ? And by voting for someone who doesn’t or won’t stand by the words they speak, we allow it to continue. Let them know if and when we “choose not to vote” or abstain. Let them know why. And if it doesn’t win a race…that’s a start.

I hope this Bill succeeds. I hope it’s the forerunner for any and all of us to be able to formally make it known the “lesser of two evils is still evil”…n’est pas? And ‘none of you are worth a plug nickel’; that it isn’t apathy or laziness or weather or better things to do that keep many of us from the polls but that ’if you are all we’ve got…not good enough!’

And it’s long-overdue! The owner of a Chicago bakery/coffee shop has finally taken a stand against unruly and obnoxiously-behaved children in his establishment:

Certainly, he’s not the first or only to do so…a number of eateries, from N. Carolina to Massachusetts, to California have taken similar steps, Dan McAuley’s is the one making the news. I, for one, am happy about it and hope to see more follow in his footsteps, mostly to just get the message across to parents that children are not disliked or unwanted as THEY take responsibility for their offspring’s behavior when in a public venue. Sure, young Mums want to take a break while shopping, relax over a meal, cup of coffee…chat with a friend they’ve arranged to meet…but none of those involve abdicating parental duties to the annoyance and discomfort of other patrons. It’s not the fault of child. Respect, manners, knowing how to behave appropriate to surroundings aren’t heredity or genetic…children have to be taught those things.

It’s a tough call to make, too. When you get a two-year old hanging over a booth, chattering as you…the non-parent…are eating it’s impossible not to be engaged and charmed. For the first few minutes. One expects the parent to then have the child turn round and sit down but, in recent years, this hasn’t been happening but rarely. Now enough restaurateurs are taking a stand and parents are taking umbrage, claiming to “be treated as a two-year old, themselves”. Unfortunately, if this is their attitude then they deserve to be treated the age they are exhibiting. Having your young child join you over lunch, dinner or even a coffee-break is a great idea and excellent opportunity to teach them when and HOW to behave in a public place. Not only does it prevent personal embarrassment but, hopefully, instill a respect for the wishes of other diners.

A few weeks ago, a friend and I were seated for our usual Friday lunch. Directly behind me were two adolescents, one of whom had a cell phone with either downloaded game or music which he played, replayed and replayed back to back. We asked to be moved. We could have embarrassed the youths by asking them to turn it off…and probably been told what they thought of that idea in no uncertain fashion. That isn’t…wasn’t…our job to do. They were old enough to know how to conduct themselves in public. Being the age they were, it’s very possible that they had been taught but with no parent or adult around to remind them, they took advantage. On the other hand, it could just as easily have been they’d been allowed to run laps around a restaurant at two, crawl under another diner’s table at three and playing a game boy at seven. It’s difficult not to feel that such permissive parents feel they are entitled to relax whatever discipline they employ, ignore what their offspring are doing while enjoying their break. Perhaps other adults feel they have a similar entitlement which should be respected and if it takes the owner’s of an establishment to bring this to parents’ of young children’s attention, so be it. I say “Good for them”.

Tragedy, killing spree, “event” as some have named it…call it what you will. The horrific terror of 31 children…for they were children…being slaughtered and over half that number wounded. No-one can comprehend or even try to relate to the suffering in the hearts of their parents, families, friends and classmates. We talk glibly about when the healing process will begin…not for a very long time, if ever…for any of them.

As a good friend said yesterday, who really ever thinks when watching their child leave home to start their future in college, that they their safety and well-being could be in jeopardy? We send a child to school, to college…increase their independence, support their dreams, watch them get excited about becoming a full-fledged adult…and the life, in a short time, is snuffed out along with every iota of dreams and hopes and ambition. Countless lives are shattered and a nation’s thoughts, prayers…and sorrows…are with the families of the victims. It is very early days but there has been no mention of the gunman’s family other than we can presume they are South Korean. Seems as though no-one has given much thought to them and I have no doubt that some would wonder why they ought. But you see, I’m sure there is no different a loss to that young gunman’s parents, either. They are the forgotten ones in this and will remain so…they didn’t do it, surely had nothing to do with it and yet, could be for them it is even worse because they know it was their son who took those young lives before taking his own. My heart goes out to them every bit as much. He wasn’t born a killer, at five that wasn’t his “ambition” and at fourteen probably wasn’t even a thought, let alone a “dream“. Who knows what happened, there can be no logical explanation, no excuse whatsoever, But his parents will suffer as much as the parents of those kids whose lives he took…their lives just as much in tatters.

Perhaps, as we grieve for the many parents suffering today we can, in compassion, spare a thought and include his.

So, I’ve had trouble sleeping in the past in my life.. All throughout high school, I barely slept at all.. In my early twenties I was for all intent and purposes addicted to over the counter sleeping pills.. (you know the little blue ones…) — In fact I was up to a point where I was doubling and tripling the dosage on those.

I even went to the doctor when I was 25 about it.. They said “Jared, you’re having trouble sleeping because you’re bi-polar, instead of working on a diet or getting more exercise.. Here.. take loads of these… and these… – I’ve told this story to the Nth Degree on the radio.. I need new doctor stories..

Anyway, since my brief but memorable stay in the hospital and on my parents couch for a thousand days (wow.. just like my early twenties… got about as much accomplished too) my sleeping troubles have returned.. Possibly under the influence of my brother, who although he has a high profile very well paid job at a certain bank.. A bank right here.. A bank right here in America.. (Odd too.. because he never finished college.. he never got a BoA).. He gets up for work around 6 am.. But is never ever in bed before 2am.. He’ll fall asleep on the couch before he relents and goes to bed.. “Jody, go to bed, man.. You’ve been asleep since ten” — “What? I’m not asleep” — meanwhile he demands that you keep Battlestar Galactica on the TV.. Maybe he’s dreaming about it.. I don’t know..

So really long wordy non-story short.. My sleeping troubles have returned. Last night, by far one of the worst instances in quite some time, I maybe got 25 minutes of sleep.. Even though I went to bed at a reasonable time.. (I mean, the worst time where I attempted to sleep and couldn’t.. there’s been bad nights and worse mornings where I knew I had no chance of getting more that an hour of sleep..) [Go back to your WGMD audio archives to the 10/14/06 podcast someday] There I lay… listening to the wind tearing my trailer in two… listening to the soothing sounds of cats mating right next to my window.. (Jealous?) with my mind absolutely racing.. First I had a song stuck in my head.. Then I got to thinking about a new record that my band is going to record in June (available at fine stores everywhere).. Then I got to thinking about a recent failed attempt at a relationship.. Then I got into a huge dialog with The Big One.. Umm, I mean God..  School Shooting.. Social Interactions.. Lifelong Depression.. Work Politics.. Everything except John Atkins (ATKINS WATCH!) — (Hence today’s broadcast) — I could not quiet my mind.. So I never got to sleep.

After laying there for 112 hours.. I decided to get up and rummage through medications to see if there’s anything that can help me sleep.. The expired Tylenol 3 from 2001 seemed promising.. But, it smelled like my mom’s bathroom.. So I opted out like a Delmarva Power rate increase.

As I desperately rummage through old leopardskin pill boxes, I notice the half empty bottle of Diet Dr. Pepper I had been enjoying all night long as I worked on my computer. Then I got to thinking, the last time I had a real trouble sleeping I had also consumed large quantities of Diet Dr. Pepper.. So I decided to do some research on the caffeine content of said drink… Surprisingly.. Much more caffeine than both Diet Pepsi.. Diet Cherry Coke and even the tooth busting classic Coca-Cola Classic.. Here’s a table of the caffeine content of other sodas (pops).. Be forewarned.. Diet Dr. Pepper is like Raid to Mr. Sandman.

Diet Coke is surprisingly high though.. So here’s where everyone says: “oh, how trivial, Vivian.. Look what they’re blogging about now.” — Trust me, it’s a public service if you’ve indulged in too much diet dr. pepper and have the kind of night I had.

Atkins sent this letter to local papers and to The Dan Gaffney Show.  Sure sounds like a campaign letter to me!

Dear Editor,

 

            I wish to thank the many supporters and friends in Sussex County who have expressed their support and friendship over the last five years. I am proud of what we accomplished together over the last five years —not as Republicans , Democrats or Independents–  but as proud Sussex Countians.      Many of the projects undertaken were achieved because you, regular citizens and community leaders visited or called me, with ideas or pressing needs to make our towns better and safer places to work and live .Getting things done is what being an elected official is all about.  I was proud to work with you in getting some of the following accomplished during my service as your State Representative.

            In Millsboro, we funded equipment for the Millsboro Little League and paved the Millsboro Fire Company parking lot. We worked to improve public safety by funding a motorcycle for the Millsboro Police Department. I enjoyed working with Barbara Godwin and the Millsboro Women’s Civic Organization on many civic projects.

            In Dagsboro, we secured over $600,000 dollars from the 21^st Century Fund for the town during their water and sewer project. We also paved the Clayton Avenue job and Route 26 and the Townsend development.

In Frankford, when the fire hydrant problem occurred, we worked together with town officials to receive over $200,000 to make sure adequate fire protection was in place in the town limits.  We secured over $60,000 for town sidewalks when they were damaged in a snow storm for Selbyville.

In Gumboro, I learned that when I first took office that Gumboro was the only fire company in the state that had never received funding for the thermal imaging cameras used to locate people in the case of a smoke filled room in the event of a fire.  I strongly argued that a life in Gumboro was just as important as a life in the city of Wilmington. Needless to say, we now have that thermal imaging camera to save lives.  We also worked to fund projects with the Gumboro Community Center.

In Oak Orchard and Long Neck, we secured money for the Boys and Girls Club and cut through a lot of red tape to get the project moving. We worked to pave the roads in William Ritter Manor, Sherwood Forest, and Captains Grant. We are also in the middle of the huge paving job for the American Legion Post 28.

On the legislative front, I am most proud of our battles to support veterans, our farmers, and against state funded needle exchange programs. We worked fiercely to fund and build the State Veterans Home now, instead of the extended timeline Governor Minner had originally proposed. We worked to stand up to DNREC on the contentious deer control issue in support of the hard working, Delaware farmer. Lastly, I fought tooth and nail against spending your tax dollars to give free needles to drug addicts in Wilmington , and demanded safeguards and guarantees be in place to protect innocent children and the schools from this program.

There will always be important battles fought when some in government attempt to take away our rights.  I was proud to support those in the Indian River School District defending the right to pray in our local schools. I was consistently endorsed by the NRA because of my deep belief in our fundamental  freedom to bear arms, to hunt and to protect our families. And I was pleased to enact a law that lets every Delaware citizen fly an American flag, regardless of what any zoning or homeowner rule says you can do on your own property.

            It was an honor to serve you for five years in the House of Representatives. I enjoyed working with the good citizens and local leaders to better our communities. Thank you for everything you have done to help me in my service to you.

 

Sincerely,

 

John C. Atkins

Millsboro

           

 

Listening to a CD this morning there was a cut which, not for the first time, got me to wondering.

It’s Easter morning. Knock at the door and there stands Jesus. My great room is a disaster because we are in the throes of painting, replacing carpet, we have dogs and cats running around, there’s nowhere to sit comfortably. We just put a ham and a lamb roast in the oven which will be accompanied by baked sweet potatoes, corn on the cob, crusty bread and salad. We have a bottle of Pinot Grigio somewhere. When dinner is ready we can sit cross-legged at the coffee table…as we often do, anyway. So…I’d gladly shake his hand, welcome him in to please feel at home and invite him to stay for dinner.

First I’d ask how he found us and if he had a place to stay, offer him one if he didn’t. Depending upon how he was clothed, I’d ask if he would like a jacket, sweater or something warmer to wear. I’d have to bring him into the office to be assured of somewhere to be comfortable as we chatted. I would ask him what he thinks of what we have accomplished, done, wrought in this world during the 20+ centuries since he made history with his birth and death. Since opinions vary generationally, I’d also ask what his father’s opinion is. I’d tell him about our family…introducing each of them through a pictorial history. Perhaps turn on the television, visiting Fox News, MSNBC, CNN and ask him what he really feels about war, poverty, the death penalty, honestly sharing my own opinions about each. What did he think of Hitler, Gandhi, Mother Theresa, the Pope, Muhammad and Jerry Falwell.

I would ask if we are made in his father’s image, his father’s creation, yet we are all of varying hues, cultures, beliefs and, yes…sexual preference…who and which is “wrong”…and why. What does he think of the immigration policies. Does he see any of us treating our neighbors as he wanted us to…and what about religious differences creating so much hate and discontent. He was born a Jew yet he did not strictly adhere to Jewish laws and customs of the day. Not only that, after his death he has since been revered as a Christian. How did he feel that through history his legacy has been to revile anything and anyone not Christian whether or not they follow a spiritual path yet using his…and his father’s…name as a righteous banner for their words and deeds.

Of course this conversation would be interspersed with throwing a ball for the dogs, laughing at the bird’s attempt to join the discussion and enjoying the meal. If he chose not to stay we’d ask where we might take him next…too cold and too far to walk, would he like to have some food with him for his journey, how about a coat and some money. If he chose to stay and try his hand at painting, we’d give him a brush. He would leave, knowing his visit had been our pleasure and, hopefully, his and that he would be more than welcome any time.

If Jesus came to your door this afternoon…what would you do?

Have you ever witnissed something which tugged at your inner being to ‘get involved’ only to have your mind and the logic of 21st Century American life prevent you from acting?

I’ve been in line at the market while parents abuse their children verbally. I know this ‘verbal abuse’ line is much overused but sometimes it’s just true. I wanted to say, “Hey! You’re screwing up that childs mind! Cut it out! You call yourself a mother? A mother raises a child to become a healthy, helpful member of society… a person of great value! What do you want this child to grow up to be? A pathetic loser?” But no amount of editing my little intended speech would suffice or prevent me from some kind of harrassment lawsuit… so instead I grit my teeth and wait my turn in line.

I was driving into Milton (the town I love) a few months ago and I was behind a white car at the light on Route 1 at Route 16. The two men in the car were passing a marijuana cigarette back and forth as they waited for the green arrow. I was right behind them in a full-sized van and could easily see what was happening and they didn’t care. I grabbed my phone to dial 911 but stopped. First thing I thought was, “Is this an emergency?” 911 is for emergencies only. I’ve heard of people being fined or arrested for misusing 911. Second thought I had was, “I’m in a clearly marked van. This is my only income. If these guys get their pot taken away or arrested because of me, would they retaliate?” As I was going the same direction they were I waited to see where they went and sure enough they were headed to an apartment complex 3 blocks from my home and office. I didn’t call the Milton Police.

This has been eating at me since it happened. Then I wondered, do they (you know who “they” are, those other people) still have one of those anonymous Crime Tip Lines? Well, a little internet searching and voila! So for anyone else out there who struggles between knowing the right thing to do and going through life without a retaliatory home-invasion resulting in personal dismemberment.. I am supplying the info on Delaware’s Crimestoppers Tip Line! Please add this number to your cell phones and keep one by the home phone.

Their website says that they do NOT have caller ID. Here is more form their site:

Delaware Crime Stoppers is a Non-Profit Organization with a Federal Tax Exempt Status. Delaware Crime Stoppers is recognized by the Delaware Better Business Bureau and the United Way of Delaware.

Delaware Crime Stoppers receives funds from the State of Delaware, the Attorney General’s SLEAF fund, and by raising 20% of their budget with fundraising activities and contributions.

Delaware Crime Stopper’s major goal is to work with every law enforcement agency in the State of Delaware, in an effort to collect criminal information that will result in arrests and result in the solving of cases.

Delaware Crime Stoppers operates a 1-800-TIP-3333 Phone Line and a Cell Phone *TIPS line, and encourages people with information about a crime or criminal to call. The Hot Lines are toll free from any place in Delaware and Delaware Crime Stoppers makes two guarantees: 1. We will pay up to $1,000 in Cash Reward if the information in the Tip is substantial in an arrest being able to be made and, 2. You will not have to identify yourself when you call.

As of December 2004, Delaware Crime Stoppers has paid out in excess of $175,000.00 dollars in rewards. As a result of calls to Delaware Crime Stoppers, over 2000 arrests have occurred and over $3,000,000.00 in stolen property and drugs have been seized/or recovered.

Delaware Crime Stoppers has advertising posters in every public high school in Delaware. The theme, Drugs and Guns in School, That’s Not Cool. Since 1997, calls to our Hot Line in regard to School problems have resulted in several cases being solved. As a result of calls from our high schools, a serious arson was solved and drugs and weapons have been removed from our schools. We are now going to the Private and Middle Schools.

Delaware Crime Stoppers hosts a “Friends of Law and Order Golf Tournament” and proceeds go to provide college scholarships for three Del. Tech. students who want to become police officers.

So, while I do not want people calling the tip line for stupid mothers at the grocery store, I do think it is wise to be vigilant about crime in our own neighborhoods.