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Diatribe: “Street Newspapers”
I support fundraising efforts of many organizations but I have little tolerance for beggars. Fundraisers that are organized, advertised and have a purpose are always more successful than panhandlers...
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Ovation: Vice President Biden Is “Absolutely Comfortable” With Marriage...
It appears that the Obama administration’s views on marriage equality might be “evolving” a little more quickly than in the past. In the last few days, two high-ranking officials have publicly...
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Diatribe: Tigers In A Petting Zoo? Really?!
As a child, I was always fascinated by petting zoos. Frequently, my folks would give in to what I’m sure was incessant whining and pleading and allow me to pet some goats. I was intrigued by the...
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Ovation: Sugar-Free Slurpees!
When I was young, there was a small market in my hometown named White Hen Pantry. It was close enough to be a destination whenever we went on a “bike ride” and they had a ICEE machine. It was a big...
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Ovation: Observe A Moment Of Remembrance At 3:00 p.m.
In accordance with the “National Moment of Remembrance” resolution, which was passed in 2000, all Americans are asked to, at 3:00 p.m. local time, voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a...
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Diatribe: Bank Gives Counterfeit Bill To Customer And Won’t Take It Back.
Once upon a time, back in the olden days before debit cards and magnetic stripes, I worked in management in a movie theater. We had four big screens and a big lobby area with a somewhat large...
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Diatribe: Has Flag Day Been Forgotten?
In my hometown, most houses had a little metal bracket on their front, usually near the mailbox, that was used to display the American Flag. On special occasions, namely patriotic holidays like...
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Diatribe: Ten Independence Day Facts To Think About.
1) Technically, Independence Day should be August 2, 1776. That’s when a majority of the signers of the Declaration of Independence (50 of the 56) actually put pen to paper. 2) This year, Americans...
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Ovation: Harry Nelson Sets His Own Olympic Record … For Attendance.
Growing up, I was rarely absent from school. My mother saw to it that I was dressed appropriately, fed and out the door with my sack lunch regardless of how much whining and protesting I forced her to...
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Ovation: Honoring America’s Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Familes Act...
Like most people, I hate funerals. For me, the period of mourning leading up to a funeral service is particularly grueling time. “Up North”, where I was raised, we called this occasion a “wake”. In...
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Ovation: Presidents’ Day.
Presidents’ Day is celebrated on the third Monday in February. Originally established in 1885 in recognition of President George Washington’s birthday on February 22 (it’s is still officially called...
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Ovation: Granny Nannies.
Have you ever had to move a loved one to a nursing home? For some older people, this move is a wonderful opportunity to receive around-the-clock care that they need. Many seniors, however, do not...
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Diatribe: Starving California Sea Lions.
One of my favorite vacations was an impromptu trip to Portland, Maine. Like many beautiful old cities in the northeastern United States, there is a lot of history to be found. The Atlantic coastline...
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Ovation: The Chestnut Tree Outside Anne Frank’s Attic Will Live To Promote...
Some of the best adventures of my childhood took place in my grandparents’ back yard. Their property bordered along a golf course and it was always so exciting to hunt for lost golf balls in the...
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Diatribe: Six (Sad) Reasons People Might Not Wear Seatbelts.
I don’t start my car until I fasten my seat belt In fact, I generally won’t set the vehicle in motion until all of my passengers are “buckled in”, too. Sure, I have airbags and tons of safety...
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Ovation: Fifty Nifty United States On Flag Day.
In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation that officially established June 14 as Flag Day. In August 1949, National Flag Day was established by an Act of Congress. One year in the early...
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Diatribe: Sometimes It’s Best To Say Nothing At All.
I’m not one for keeping my thoughts to myself. In fact, those who know me (or follow this blog) will probably agree that I don’t have a filter between my brain and my mouth. Occasionally, my...
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Ovation: The Star-Spangled Banner.
Today, the United States of America celebrates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, when the original Thirteen Colonies separated from Great Britain. The federal holiday is...
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Ovation: GUEST POST – The Internet Has Made Things Cheaper.
I am a guy who well and truly existed before the internet pervaded our lives. Back then when I first got my email address, my parents didn’t think I required a computer at home. Neither did I. After...
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Diatribe: Are Your Representatives At The Gym While You Try To Figure Out How...
I was laid off once. It was the most stressful time of my life. After twelve years with the same company I had worked my way into a comfortable position at a reasonably young age. I enjoyed my job...
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Ovation: CNN Poll Indicates Majority Believe Most Republicans In Congress Do...
I guess people have been paying attention after all. Throughout the partial U.S. Government shutdown that all but crippled the nation’s economy during the first half of the month, it seemed that...
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Diatribe: Halloween Is On October 31st … Even If It Rains.
Last summer, during the first week of July, there was a series of what felt like never-ending thunderstorms. The ground was quickly saturated and creeks and streams quickly filled to unusually high...
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Diatribe: GUEST POST – Is There Any Hope For The Schools?
It seems that every September, as the schools prepare to open, we hear new discouraging reports about the state of America’s education. Each study seems to have another perspective on why our nation...
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Diatribe: The Mugger Who Wouldn’t Steal The Cell Phone.
Some folks are too frightened to walk down the street alone. I’m generally not afraid of people unless or until they give me a reason to feel concerned. I’ve learned that the best way for me to...
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Ovation: The Beginning Of LA’s Plastic Bag Ban.
There used to be a time when we had dozens of plastic grocery bags in our house. We found them handy for many different uses. Eventually we found that with each trip to the supermarket we found...
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