Friday, April 27, 2007

National Arbor Day - Plant A Tree...

...if you today if you can, or if not maybe do it tomorrow. I have not already done so today, but I will plant one or two on my small backyard this weekend. There is no better time to do it than National Arbor Day, which happens to be today, as far as I am concerned. Although I have to point out I am not a tree hugger per se, I do love seeing nice trees growing. As far as I am concerned they are wonderful in many ways, I guess producing oxygen, and giving shade being among two of my favorites reasons to love trees. I also like: to listen to the leaves rustle in the breeze, to smell the sroma of their flowers or cones, to sit up against one when I hunt, to sleep up against one (also when I hunt), to see kids haiving fun climbing in their branches, to see the birds and hear then sing while flitting about in their branches, to spot a bird's nest high up, to see all the other critters that use trees as home or food, to feel the warmth supplied by a nicely burning camp fire on a cool night in the forest, to read a real book made out of paper, to eat nuts, to use a toothpick, to have a roof over my head, to have the forest as a place of repose, toknow that if we do it right trees are a totally renewable resource that can be used again and again throughout our eternity, to see my one male dog lift his leg and leave his scent on them (yes they are good for all sorts of things), and on and on. Even though I usually cannot tell an Oak from a Sycamore, I can say without a doubt, Trees Are Wonderful.

No I am not an environmentalist kook. I am a man who likes some outdoor pursuits like hunting, fishing, hiking, camping (the few times I ever get a chance any longer), gardening; and being a man who likes the useful products that come from trees; I guess it comes natural that I like trees too. So to all of you out there, who also enjoy trees for whatever reason, and in whatever way, I say to you: Happy National Arbor Day. Now get off your butts this weekend and plant a tree somewhere.

All the best,
Glenn B

PS: My uncle Ken would probably like this post if he read it!

The So Called Republicans...

...who are in the running for the presidency of the USA have just gotten a little bit more of competition for their own party's nomination. Jim Gilmore, the former governor of Virginia, and a proclaimed staunch conservative has joined the ranks of those seeking the Republican nomination as explained in Gilmore Declares Presidential Candidacy in Online Announcement, over at FoxNews.com

So whom among potential Republican candidates do we have to choose from now:

Sam Brownback (in the race)

John Cox (in the race)

Jim Gilmore (in the race)

Rudy Giuliani (in the race)

Newt Gingrinch (potential)

Chuck Hagel (potential)

Mike Huckabee (in the race)

Duncan Hunter (in the race)

John McCain (in the race)

Ron Paul (in the race)

Mitt Romney (in the race)

Condoleezza Rice (hopefully a potential)

Tom Tancredo (in the race)

Fred Thompson (potential, or is he already in it?)

Tommy Thompson (potential)

I liked Tancredo, and still do, quite a bit; but I must admit that his lack of campaigning in the public eye (or would that be lack of media coverage) leaves him out in the cold somewhat if only because not many are familiar with him. I can only hope that he has some matches and tinder to start the fire blazing.

If Tancredo does not start gaining some steam, and start talking about something other than Immigration (which is is probably already doing, but my bet is that the other talk is just ignored by the media who want to show true conservatives as one issue sort of guys), well then I guess I may have to look elsewhere as to cast my vote in the primaries (no I never carried out on my desire to withdraw from the Republican party, although I thought about it long and hard). I definitely would consider casting my vote in the primary for a few of the other candidates. Of course before casting my vote for any of them, they would have to be in it at primary time. Hopefully Tancredo will still be there, and then my decision will probably be an easy one for me. Just in case he will not be there, well I am starting to do my homework by taking a good look at these others. I can only hope that the likes of the most popular candidates at the present time fail to make it to the primaries as I can not imagine Giuliani, McCain or Romney as our president, at least not without dire results for our country.

The candidates, whom I would consider voting for in the primary, as things stand right now, and should they still be in it, are:

Sam Brownback (in the race)

Jim Gilmore (in the race)

Newt Gingrinch (potential)

Mike Huckabee (in the race)

Duncan Hunter (in the race)


Condoleezza Rice (hopefully a potential)

Tom Tancredo (in the race)

Fred Thompson (potential, or is he already in it?)

Time will tell what will happen, but I suggest that before you know it, it will be time for the primaries. Therefore you ought to do your homework now. You can find a breakdown of some of the candidates ideas on the issues at: HUMAN EVENTS 2008 Presidential Voting Guide, and at the various web sites of the candidates, among other places.

All the best,
Glenn B