Space

A few months ago, one of my favorite actors, John Spencer, died. Today, in the paper, I read of another John Spencer who was the subject of an AP story out of Los Angeles (Muesli City - the land of flakes, fruits, and nuts) about his Space Tourism Society. He may actually be the ghost of the actor, because few sentient beings have had any sillier ideas. He has convinced 80 "founders" to put up big money for a chance to travel in space. Mr. Spencer says, "Without them, we have no business." Duh.

As if this weren't enough, there are two other such groups - Virgin Galactic and Space Adventures. The former group, the idea of Sir Richard Branson, says, "The money is refundable if flights. . . never take off." Riiight.

The picture accompanying the story ahows Buzz Aldrin, one of the stars of the l969 moonwalk movie.

Chicago Strikes Again

There are no Wal-Mart stores within the city limits of Chicago. Don't fret though, you can still buy cheap Chinese-made stuff in more than 40 stores within 50 miles of the city. Of course, this has been inconvenient for the many poor people who most need inexpensive goods.

So, a while ago, in a moment of weakness, the City Council approved the first Chicago Wal-Mart, which was to open in September. Then, on Wednesday, the Council apparently changed its collective mind, and by a vote of 35-14, adopted an ordinance requiring mega-retailers with over $l billion in annual sales to pay workers at least $10 an hour in wages plus $3 in fringe benefits by mid-2010. (The current minimum wage in Illinois is $6.50 an hour.)

Because Wal-Mart spokesman John Bislo had said earlier, that if the measure passed, "we'd redirect our focus on our suburban strategy and see how we could better serve our city of Chicage residents from suburban Chicagoland," it looks like the poor will have to continue to find a way to get to Skokie.

Unlike the UN, Wal-Mart doesn't bluff.

Chicago

Even in the middle of this extreme heat, I must comment on the doings in the People's Republic of Chicago. The City Council in this Illinois community has decided it has the authority to interfere in everyone's life. It all started when the Smoke Nazis convinced them to stomp all over smokers' rights. Then they attacked cell phones by prohibiting their use by drivers, and they have outlawed the sale of goose liver (foie gras) at the urging of animal "rights" activists. Now they have proposed restricting fast-food chains from cooking with trans fat oils.

(AP)" . . . Critics, including the mayor, wonder if the City Council has suddenly deemed itself the behavior police.

"'We have children getting killed by gang leaders and dope dealers,' an angry Mayor Richard M. Daley said earlier this year. 'We have real issues here in this city. And we're dealing with foie gras? Let's get some priorities.'"

Notwithstanding the alleged merits of these actions, the question is: Do we elect people to tell us what to think, what to eat, and how to treat our own bodies?

Stay the Course

The death this week of Los Angeles newspaper and radio legend Bud Furrilo marks the end of an era when reporters could socialize with ballplayers and team owners, jot items on cocktail napkins, and schmooze with celebrities. Furillo, 80, was retired from the L.A. Herald Examiner and KABC radio. As Bud often said, "Remember, fans, nothing is less important in life than the score at halftime."

We might be well advised to apply this principle to the war on terrorism.

A Man of His Word

Once again, President Bush has shown real class by keeping his promise and vetoing the controversial bill which would have given government funding to embryonic stem cell research. He did it on ethical grounds, and that strong morality stands him in good stead. Whether you agree with him or not, you have to admire his strength of character.

Riddles

What am I missing here? Only U.S. citizens can vote in American elections. Aliens must learn English to pass the test to become citizens. Why do we need to print voter information and ballots in other languages?

How about this one? How can people who oppose the death penalty see nothing wrong with killing unborn babies?

What kind of a person is so afraid of God that His image, or the mere mention of His name, or even a cross sends him/her into a paroxysm of rage?

Why is it that so many politicians will do or say anything to get elected? Is it for the money, or is it a power grab? It certainly doesn't appear to be for the benefit of us citizens.

Finally, for today, what is the state of mainstream journalism? Observe the situation at the Santa Barbara News-Press where the OWNER, Wendy McCaw, has prompted several staff resignations with her "unwillingness to let editors and reporters 'flavor the news with their personal opinions.'" Isn't that what news reporting is supposed to be, unflavored?

Do Bogart That Cigarette

The Smoke Nazis have struck again. The San Diego City Council has banned smoking at its beaches and parks. But let me go back a ways.

I come from a time when a person could smoke pretty much anywhere. In fact, earlier, smoking had been advertised as being "good for you." I also remember that the only place an adult didn't smoke was in church, but I don't remember why.

The military was the first time I recall that my smoking was restricted. There, I was not permitted to smoke in classroms or during physical activities, except when, during a break, a superior officer said, "Smoke 'em if you got 'em."

Today, I don't smoke. Six years ago, a hospitalization curtailed my smoking, and when I got out, I demonstrated a little self-control and haven't smoked since. But I'm not holier-than-thou. My objection to people who persecute smokers is based on the violation of human rights.

Now, San Diego, among many other communities, is restricting smoking in the open air. At the beach, there's usually a gentle breeze which quickly dissipates the smoke, SO they point to the problem of cleaning up discarded cigarettes. What they are actually referring to are cigarette filters. If everyone smoked non-filter cigarettes, there would be nothing to clean up. (I never smoked filtered cigarettes because you just have to suck more of them harder.) When you throw out non-filters, the tobacco degrades and, eventually, the smidgen of paper does too. And at the ocean, the tide accelerates the process.

We have to watch how far we go to impose our will on others. Which one of YOUR rights will be restricted next?

Two Bits

At Harvey's Lake Tahoe, they are playing an off-Broadway production of "Debbie Loves Dallas - The Musical." Harvey's changed the title from the original "Debbie Does Dallas," as it was in the l978 porn flick, because, as Lisa Heyamoto says, "Debbie Does Dallas But Doesn't Actually, You Know, 'DO' Dallas would never fit on the marquee."

The guy who caught Barry Bonds' 715th home run ball was standing in line to buy beer at the time. That's how interested he was in the game. That's how much of a Bonds fan he was. Now he wants to auction the ball off. Why should he profit financially?

Po' pourri

In a nearby town, a 49-year-old woman died Saturday in a smoke-filled apartment. Officers determined the blaze was caused by a cigarette. The Smoke Nazis are jubilant - another reason to restrict smoker's rights.

Surprise! It looks like Wal-Mart could be in the unique position of being able to save the world from the latest nuclear threat. It is said that China is the key to curtailing North Korea's ambitions. We may put economic pressure on China to help. And who sells the most Chinese-made crap? It's unlikely, however, that Wal-Mart will help; it would spoil their plan to monopolize the world of retail.

Last week, on "Yahoo Answers," Stephen Hawking posed the self-righteous question, "In a world that is in chaos politically, socially,and environmentally, how can the human race sustain another 100 years?" Well, if a supposedly intelligent person puts it that way, how can we possibly survive?

The world is not in chaos. Political disputes will be resolved by reasonable men. Mr. Hawking, apparently sees social unrest (code words for racism and bigotry) behind every tree, and that supposition, in itself, is the problem. Finally, the environment is fine and improving, because the Smoke Nazis and the AlGores are on the job.

An Opening

Well, the Mexican election may be over, but the outcome is going to be in dispute for a long time. The apparent loser is pulling an AlGore, and there will be nasty confrontations.

Now is the time for the Strongman. He can flex his muscles, charm the army, and take over. Everyone understands strength. Saddam Hussein is available; he's only sitting around in his underwear eating Cheetos. Or, how does Hugo the Magnificent sound? And don't forget Kim Jung Il, everybody's favorite dictator.

What about someone from Norte California? We could spare Nancy Pelosi. Oh, I forgot, she's only a woman. Finally, how about Arnold? He's getting a little flabby in his old age, but he knows what "hasta la vista" means.

Turnips and Rutabaga

What should we do about a person who breaks the law and freely admits to it? I have the name of such a criminal: Michael Mellano, 67, a flower grower of Oceanside, California. As reported by Associated Press, he estimates that 60 percent of his workers are illegal aliens, but he has hired them in contravention of the spirit of the l986 federal law. He says anything that makes it harder to find or keep workers threatens his business. Is this a good excuse to break the law?

I love flowers as much as anyone, more than many. But I don't find Mr. Mellano's business to be an essential industry, and certainly not above the law. What about those growers of food products who also use the Mellano excuse to hire illegals? Of course, it's all about money, and not so much the grower's finances, but the cost of fruits and veggies in the supermarket. Pampered Americans are grousing about how much more they'll have to pay if growers increase wages to attract American workers.

I have listened to the specious argument that farm work is something "Americans won't do." It's time that those who are concerned about their food budgets encourage lawmakers to cut back "entitlements" so that able-bodied recipients are forced to work instead of collecting benefits for doing nothing. And if consumers don't want to pay a few dollars more at the supermarket, they might plant their own gardens. Actually, if nobody patronizes the produce department, the prices will "magically" come down. That's called supply and demand and it's an integral part of the U.S. economy.