Chip's Blog

This evening God looked favorably on our family and took our son to Boston with his girlfriend's father, and our daughter to a friend's house overnight.  I called my wife and we decided to meet at the restaurant in town for dinner.  After dropping off our daughter, I got to the restaurant considerably earlier than she would be arriving.  I went in the lounge, sat by the fire and ordered a Diet Coke.  At the table in front of me were two people in uniform, a man and a woman.  I drank my Coke, watched people and a bit of the sports on the TV.

The woman in front of me got up, leavng the man in uniform (BDU's).  I tried to see his rank insignia.  They've put it in a different place since my days....and saw "three up and three down".  But I saw something else.  In my usual forward way, I asked him, "Is that a diamond stuck in there?"  He smiled and said, "Yes it is.  You have previous service?"  I acknowledged I had " a hundred years ago", and told him it was along time since I had been in the presence of a "Sar-Major"..  He pointed out that, in fact I had been in the presence of TWO!!

"My wife has something in the middle of hers too." he said.  Being my usual fresh self, I said, "So who's the boss?"  "She is." he said.  I smiled and said, "Back in the day, it was if the boss was a Major or a Lt. Col...."  He said, "No, she's really the boss."

When she returned, I looked at her insignia...it held a STAR in its center.  I was now in the presence of both a Sergeant Major AND a Command Sergeant Major.  She indeed WAS the boss....and the highest ranking enlisted person in the United States Army.

They introduced themselves, and as we were exchanging pleasantries, their bill was brought over by the waitress.  I grabbed it and said I'd buy them dinner.  Both protested. "Sir, you don't have to do that."  "I know I don't.  I want to; it is my privelege, not my duty."

"I want you to understand how deeply appreciative I am for what you are doing for my family.  I ask only one thing in return.  Please tell your troops that we love them, and appreciate what they are doing for us.  And let them know an "old guy" wants them to know this because they are beginning to read in the papers things he used to read so many years ago."

"Yes sir.  We don't learn from history well, do we?  I'll tell them that.  They will appreciate it."

They thanked me and said they hoped to see me again in that restaruant...they were from he next town.  When my wife arrived, I told her the story.  When I said I bought their dinner, her smile couldn't have been more radiant.  "Good"  I was proud of my wife, and proud of my country....and I'm still shaking my head....I need to catch up...

She was the boss....

I have been following closely the story out of Bridgewater regarding the Level 3 sex offender who was fired after a woman informed the manager of his status.  As a mental health professional, I am keenly aware of a few things.  First off, the treatment of sex offenders is difficult.  There is a growing "technology" of treatment tools.  However, these tools are not as effective as many others we have.  However, the notion that sexual deviance is totally untreatable is outdated.  Secondly, the "Sex Offender Registry" and its public activities have been put into place to allow individuals access to the identity of certain sex offenders who pose a risk of re-offense.  It is designed to be used by individuals to use knowledge to protect themselves and their families from potential predators.  Thirdly, the "Registry" expressly is not allowed to be used to otherwise lower the quality of life for sex offenders who are released from prison after completing their sentences.

But beyond these facts, there are others that have to do with protecting the public from sexually based offenses.  Let me give you a few facts culled from pertinant empirical research.  There are behavioral and social predictors to re-offense.  What does that mean?  It means that there are certain things that, if a sex offender doesn't deal with, he is dramatically more apt to commit another sexually based offense.  These factors include the consumption of alcohol (extremely high risk behavior and legally presumptive evidence of high risk of re-offense), failure/resistence to seeking specialized treatment,  untreated co-morbid mental illnesses, lack of healthy social outlets, poor/inadequate housing and economic stressors.

I stressed these last three, not because they are more important than those that preceded them, but because they explain the legal uses and the illegal uses of the "Sex Offender Registry".  Essentially, the legal prohibition to using the contents of the Registry website to discriminate or create economic hardship addresses just these points.

Don't get me wrong.  I experience the outrage everyone else does over sex offenders in general and pedophiles in particular.  My heart says, "Hang 'em from the highest tree..."  But my head tells me we have to base our actions not on our hearts, not on our outrage, but on doing those things we KNOW reduce the potential for others to be harmed.

Given these facts, I ask you this:

Is a sex offender, behind the counter of McDonalds, supervised by a manager (McDonalds never runs a shift without one) more hazardous than an unemployed sex offender, living in inadequate housing, collecting money from the government?

I think the "unemployed sex offender, living in inadequate housing, collecting money from the government" is simply less visible.  And I think, based on empirical data, that less visible is more dangerous.

In this mornings New York Times, a story appeared about Duh-val Patrick's ongoing problems with the legislature in Massachusetts.  Whether of not one agrees that Duh-val is "on the ropes" (I don't...to be "on the ropes", one has to have "gotten off the canvas"...), his difficulties with the Massachusetts House raises interesting questions about Democratic Party politics, and draws into question Obama's fate were he elected.

Let me start out by telling folks that I am not a Duh-val fan.  I campaigned against him, I've been openly and consistently critical of him on the blogs, and, in the absence of dramatic change in the very near future, I believe he will become simply the worst Governor in my lifetime.  I also want to state, unequivocally, that this has nothing to do with his race, but it has everything to do with his message.  I've just never liked politicians who promise everything to everybody.  They damned near always deliever nothing to anyone...but themselves.  Duh-val is right on track toward proving me right again.

But I'm watching the response he is getting from Sal DiMasi and the House.  He's not even getting an "audience" to say nothing of a debate.  I opposed the casino plan, but was shocked it received so little debate and consideration.  His attempts to assist communities with tax burdens was shot down without a word.  We could go on.  It would be very easy for me to write this off as "dumbassed Duh-val" activity.  And I'd enjoy doing so....but for one problem.

I have come to the realization that the reception he has recieved on "the Hill" by his fellow Democrats is racist.  You see, I have been studying Democratic Party philosophy for a year now.  I have watched how Democratic Party policy, most especially "entitlements" have enslaved again minorities.  Now, I'm watching a Democratically controlled State House of Representatives not even give his ideas the time of day.  The disrespect is palpable.

Here's what I think.  I do not think the Democratic Party in Massachusetts is vastly different than the national Party.  What I'm thinking is that not only will Obama take Duh-val's words as his own, but will inherit his political fate.  He will simply be politically emasculated by the same Democratic Party leadership who is trying to serve up to Hillary the delegates and popular votes from Florida and Michigan.  And I think that is because he is black.

I have been watching a scandal brew for some time now in the community to my west.  I work in that community.  It is alleged an employee of the public school system had recently been fired for inappropriate sexual behavior with a male student.  If what has "bled out" of this brewing scandal is valid, this individual was working directly with students in the special education department.  The student, who was not a special ed student, who he "befriended" was receiving sexually oriented emails from this staff person.  The emloyee was fired and warned by the parent about further contact with his son.  It is my understanding that this man then purchased a cell phone for the boy, and was involved in sending sexually oriented explicit text messages to the youth.

Now, the cynical amounst us might say, this is despicable but certainly not at the level of being a scandal.  Inapproriate activity caught by a school district and dealt with approriately.  Inappropriate activity caught by a parent and dealt with appropriately.  Here's where the problem lies.

This man has been doing this for nearly twenty years in a small community that has known about it in the past.  He was the talk of students who are now parents.  I direct you to a letter to the editor of the local paper....and I urge you to read it in its entirety.  This letter is simply one of the most courageous acts I have witnessed in my life.

http://www.atholdailynews.com/main.asp?SectionID=9
&SubSectionID=9&ArticleID=31218&TM=22339.16

Then I ask....why isn't this a big deal in this town?  Then I ask....why did a school district hire this man when it should have been aware of the fact that he had to leave another municipal position under a cloud of suspicion?  Then I ask...why did this victim allegedly have to work so hard for his letter to even be printed?  Then I look back at the interscholastic sports event I attended last year, and remember seeing him there in an official capacity....and I ask myself...why didn't I call the Superintendant...I know him....

And then I ask...Is there  journalist out there whose mother works in this school?  But I keep going back to the question...why didn't I call?.....

I took by truck to the dealership this morning...my 4 WD was not working.  I left it there for repairs, and was offered a ride to work three towns away.  I happily agreed, and a minivan marked "Patterson Chevrolet Courtesy Van" pulled up.  I got in the passenger seat next to a young man with skin darker than mine, two earrings and a ball cap.  He asked where I was going with a thick accent.

As we politely passed the time on our drive, he mentioned the Dominican Republic.  I asked if he was Dominican, and he said yes.  Chip being Chip, I asked him how hard it was for him to come here with a green card.  He looked at me with a proud smile and said he had worked hard for 8 years ot get here.  He siad his parents had preceded him.  He spoke of loving his job and the dealership he worked for.  "They treat us like family,"  Unable to resist asking , I asked him how he felt about illegal aliens.  He became indignant.  How dare these people not follow the rules.  "How could they so disrespect America as to come without permission."  We talked about this issue for a bit.

I asked him if he intended to apply for citizenship.  He proudly told me he was and was studying now.  He then said some things that humbled me...truly and sincerely humbled me.  He went on to tallk about the opportunitites he was afforded here. He said that all you had to do was to work hard and you could get anything you wanted.  He proudly said he had a nice car and a nice apartment.  He talked of pride in the job he did as Pattersn Chevrolet's "detailer".  And he spoke with  pride of his desire to be an American citizen......

I told him he was an inspiration.  I told him that he had more appreciation for our great country than most naturally born citizens.  And I didn't say one thing I thought...because for one brief moment I was ashamed of my country.  I was ashamed for two reasons:

1.  We discriminate against folks like him...not me and maybe not you, but way too many of us.  This man IS America...in its finest form.

2.  I was ashamed that we had a Presidential candidate whose wife is not as proud of the opportunities we afford men like him.

I wanted two things...for Michelle Obama to have the honor of spending a half an hour with this young man like I did.  I would do her good.

Secondly, you can be damned sure I'll be taking my truck to Patterson for detailing when the snow is off the ground.  I will support this young man in any way I can...and be humble in my service.

"...I am proud of my country."

Michelle Obama, wife of Presidential Candidate Barack Obama on 2/19/08

Although I'm listening to the apologists, VB Goudie included, for Michelle Obama, I also know that NO ONE in a competent campaign gives an "off the cuff speech".  This was not a mis-speak by the ditzy wife of a Presidential candidate.  This is the professinally written and officially approved text of a speech given ON PURPOSE.  This is a belief held at the core of the Obama campaign.  WE DO NOT LIVE IN A COUNTRY THAT WE SHOULD BE PROUD OF.

Maybe we could list for Barack some of the things that We are proud of:

1.  Our national response to 9/11.

2.  Our role in the non-military dissolution of the Soviet Union.

3.  The fact that, in the last administration (Dubya), three minorities held top level Cabinet posts, Condy Rice, Colin Powell, and Alberto Gonzales

4.  A Constitution that has lasted 225 years and has given us incredible freedoms compared to any other country on the planet.

Anyone else want to offer their "national pride"?

Maybe we can package them and send them to Michelle....and she can have more "hope".

After much debate, and not so little mud slinging, the first statistics are coming in regarding the efficacy of the State's new mandatory healthcare law.  And those results are favorable.

In the last year, visits to Emergency Rooms by folks who are uninsured have decreased by 28%.  Why is this important, you might ask.  Simply, this was one of the hallmark promises of mandatory healthcare.  Folks who are not insured, who go to the doctors office, are reqired to pay for their visit.  However, if the person walks into the Emergency Room, their care is covered under "free care".  Part of free care is absorbed by the state, and some of it is amortised over the healthcare costs of everyone who is insured.  In short, either way, YOU pay for SOMEONE ELSE'S healthcare.

Now, here's the telling statistic.  The number of folks who have healthcare has RISEN by 28%.  Hmmmmmm......a 28% reduction of uninsured visits coupled with a 28% increase in insured people....

Folks, no matter what the rhetoric you hear is....no matter how much those who have to buy their insurance whine....no matter how much hogwash you hear from political candidates about what Mitt Romney DIDN'T do as governor, I'm here to tell you that the statistics, offered by the Massachusetts Hospital Association tell a different story.

Mitt did y'all one big favor.

Is anyne else as outraged as I am that a key aide to Governor Duh-val Patrick was arrested in Florida for having sex wth an underage boy?  Aparently, a key aide to Governor Duh-val Patrick was recently placed on unpaid leave from the Governor's staff after being arrested in  Florida for allegedly having sex with a teenaged boy.

My questions revolve around what degree of due diligence was used in the background checks of the Governor's office staff.  Duh-val has the complete investigative power of the Massachusetts State Police to check the backgrounds of folks who are appointed to high level state jobs.  That is routine practive for all past governors.  It is both routine and simple.  Send the name to the State Police...wait for the report.  The details given do not need to pass the legal tests that would be required for evidence in court.

Now, when you add to this that there is virtually NO chance that this is the first time that this man has taken an interest in children, the hair should go up on yur neck further.  I'm here t tell you that folks don't "catch pedophilia from a toilet seat."  And I'm also here to tell you that it wouldn't take a seasoned State Police investigator a lot of effort to "sniff out" that sort of history....maybe not enough to convict, but enough to decide not to employ!!!

Ladies and gentlemen, I have to say...this is simply the worst in a seemingly never ending series of major mistakes in the short, yet disgusting career of Governor Patrick.

I have been watching the Boston news with just a bit more than a shade of dismay.  In my view, my Fox25 reporters (ya, ya, I like youse guys...even if I "bust 'em here) have missed a golden opportunity to both report facts and do a public service.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I'm here to tell you , today, that the rally and voting are not mutually exclusive, nor are they conflictual.  In fact, with a little support frm the free press, they could be mutually compatible.  Even better, damned near symbiotic!!

First, as a loyal Patriots fan and season ticket holder for more than a decade, I'd like to say that this is no situation for a "Jinx".  Frankly, how about Boston hold a "Rolling Rally" if they "win, lose or draw"?  They certainly deserve our support for what they have done so far.  I know I owe them for a wonderful season and some wonderful times at Foxboro.

Now on to the "meat and potatoes" of my idea here:  With the enthusiastic assistance of the press, the City of Boston can leverage the supoort  of the "Rally" as a tool to increase voting turnout.  When Menino gets together with Bill Galvin, the Secretary of State, and brings in Tom Brady and Bob Kraft, we culd see the perfect "public service announcement" for voter turnout.  "Patriots Fans Vote"  Heck, Fox25 could run a slogan cntest for voter turnout and raise ratings.

Stories could be done abut peak voting times for the elderly....convenient voting times for the disabled.  Advocacy groups could be brouight in to help.  The list of creative and positive solutins is probably endless....and yet it ended before it began in a sea of negativism on my TV.

To Douglas Goudie I say:  Inspect your conscience.  Was it realy responsible t say that peoples' votes didn't matter?  VB, in ever instance a person's vote matters because it is a celebration of our freedom.  It is like the saying Grace before dinner, or the Lord's Prayer before bed.  It is like remembering both fondly and sadly your parents' birthdays after they have passed.  It is like seeing yur child's face for the first time at the moment of their birth.  It matters both because it sets us apart from the less fortunate, and because it honors those who died securing that right for us.  VB, you had the opportunity to be a role model this morning.  And just like ball players and steriods, or Michael Vick and dogs, you betrayed that obligation. 

With fame and fortune comes responsibility.  If your face hits that screen, the words that come from it need to be positive and uplifting.  Even in tragedy, you should find value.  And this ain't even close to tragedy.

So folks, love your Patriots.  And vote on Tuesday.  ONe is an honor, the second is a right given to you with blood.  Both should be a joy.

I read this morning about Duh-val Patrick's auspicious new plan for housing the homeless in Massachusetts.  He touts it as the solution to homelessness in Massachusetts.  However, his plan is conceptually, theoretically and practically flawed...in fact, it is ultimately historically flawed.

For the aged amoungst us (like myself), you will remember another liberal Democratic Governor, Michael Dukakis.  In the '80's he decided to do away with similar problems.  With the Legislature's help, he passed sweeping increases in welfare benefits that made the poor's lives much better.

It also did something else.  It created a "welfare magnet" that attracted the poor from surrounding states. (Credit for the term "welfare magnet" goes to Gubernatorial hopeful John Silber, then president of BU.)  I remember it well.  We found many more cars with New York plates in poor neighborhoods.  Our welfare roles skyrocketed.  Our taxes were raised to pay for entitlement programs. 

And the poor stayed poor.

Now, we have another liberal Democratic Governor, Duh-val Patrick who, in all good faith I'm sure, want no one to be without a home.  His first mistake was not reading the history books.  His plan would increase the number of shelter beds to ensure that no one slept without a roof over their head.  He is coupling that with an augmented housing voucher system, to get those folks placed in homes.

Sound familiar?  Let's wait for 6 months after our tax dollars are invested in this program.  Wanna bet me how many folks will "migrate" here for housing and subsidies?  Naw, don't take that bet....

Ya see, here's the problem. This plan, like Mike Dukakis' plan, fails to understand that the only solution to poverty is to work harder.  This plan does nothing to stimulate initiative in the homeless population.  It sure does a boatload to encourage the homeless from surrounding states to migrate here.

I have a better idea, if you are going to use the "give them a fish" theory.  Why don't we pay for homeless shelters in surrounding states?  Won't we give housing vouchers to the homeless in surrounding states to find homes in their own states?

Or, even better, why don't we find a program that stimulates work ethic and requires initiative?  Doesn't that make more theoretical and historical sense?

Now that we have beaten mandatory drug testing for firefighters half to death, and watched a politically opportunistic, but less than ethical, Mayor attempt to blame a union who OFFERED testing gratis to the city, let's ask an equally as interestng question?

"Should teachers, who look after our CHILREN at least six hours a day, be required to undergo mandatory and random drug and alcohol screens?"

I have blogged and responded extensively to the issue of illegal aliens.  I oppose any proposal that gives amnesty, por that allows, in any way, foriegn national from coming into this country in illegal fashions.

However, over the weekend, I was educated in what it is like to be a legal alien, and the restrictions and the regulations they must follow.  Now, I'm not arguing that we shoul dnot have restrictions, nor am I arguing that we should not have regulations.  The regulation of immigration is both sensible from an economic and national security perspective.

What smacked me in the face was how stupid we are, as a country, in our different treatment of illegal and legal aliens.  OkieDokie and I took a collegue of hers and his friend to the playoff game on Saturday in Foxboro.  Both of these gentlemen are Indian nationals (I'm talkin' India here, folks...).  They are here legally, with valid "Green Cards".  They did all the things they had to do legally to get here.  They both work daily, in responsible jobs.  They pay taxes to both the Federal government and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  They pay Social Security tax in spite of the fact that they, if their status stays the same, cannot collect it.

Neither of these men complains about this, and both are in the process of seeking citizenship.  I'd be proud if these men were "Americans". 

Me being me, I had to ask....":How do yo feel about all of this talk about illegal aliens?"  Now, understand that I have talked politics with "Girish" before.  He is a conservative man in every way but his stance on "the war", or for that matter, "war in general".  "Remember Chip, I come from India, where Gandhi drove the British out with firing a shot."

This highly intelligent, soft spoken man of kindness' face hardened.  Spittle formed at the corner of his mouth.  He went on and on.  He even interjected a few "four letter words", spoken in perfect, yet accented English.  I wondered if Gandhi ever swroe....certainly this man doesn't frequently.

He told us of how unfair it is.  I pulled out of him; he is a humble man; how hard he worked to get here.  The two years of waiting, the endless paperwork.  The "finding a job where people could wait" for his Green card to come through.  He spoke of the taxes he paid, not from a perspective of resentment at our government, but from a deep resentment that he paid taxes, the benefits of which he doesn't receive, that illegals are tapping into.  This is a responsible, honest, hardworking gentleman, who owns a home and two cars.  He has a pregnant wife and a young son.  They speak English in their home, and thses two Indian gentlemen speak English to each other.  He spoke of the insulting interview with the consulate in Bombay, where his wife was told, "We don't think your marriage is real.  We think you are lying to gain entry."  But mostly he spoke of honesty, of the value of rules, and the requirement that good men behave legally.

And when he realized that both OkieDokie and I respect him both for his work coming here, and his values while here, he told us the truth....the sad, heart-wrenching truth about America.  We punish the legal immigrants and allow the illegal ones to get off scot-free.  Because he is registered;because he went through the paperwork to get here,because there is a record of his immigration, his behavior here is monitored.  His "Green Card" allows him to work here, but requires him to leave if he loses his job.  If he leaves his job, for any reason, he must find another within 10 days, or face deportment.  He cannot tap into unemployment, in spite of the fact that he paid in.  This man has paid state and federal taxes since the day her arrived.  He owns a home and two cars.  He pays property taxes and excise tax.  But gone he'd be.

Here's my question: How dumbassed is it to treat the folks who follow your rules worse than you do those who break them?  If you even begin to wonder why we are in the mess we are in, just go speak to legal aliens!  They are just plain more sophisticated.....

I have been anguishing over the Hillary Clinton victory now for a couple days.  I have been sitting in my living room, listening to my wife, who like her less than I do.  And I have been listening to, and reading here and other places, about the impact Hillary's tears had on her victory.

I have to be honest.  I was not swayed one iota by her tears.  But let me continue to be honest.  I wouldn't have been swayed by free Club Seats to the Patriots or a new Polaris Dragon (it's a fast snowmobile for the folks who do not share our love for driving fast on snow....).  In fact, I wouldn't have been swayed by eternal life, or a "never ending bag of mulligans"!!

But folks, you've convinced me.  Her tears swayed the New Hampshire Primary.  And I'm so frightened.  Are tears under pressure a valued qualification for our nations top office?  Let's rewind history a few times and inspect if based on this assumption:

1.  Pearl Harbor has just been bombed by the Japanese Navy.  Ships are smoldering in the water; dead US sailors are floating in the harbor.  Our President Franklin Roosevelt comes on TV (I know this is the use of a bit of "poetic license...) and says, with tears in his eyes, "This is personal to me...."  Do you feel safe in your home?  Will you rest well knowing that your children's future is safe?

2.  The Soviet Union has shipped nuclear missiles to Cuba.  The Communist dictator has assembled them and pointed them at the United States, a scant 40 miles away.  Our President, John Fitzgerald Kennedy comes on TV (closer to reality!!) and says, with tears in his eyes, "This is personal to me..."  Do you feel safe in your home?  Will you rest well knowing your children's future is safe?

3.  It's 9/11/2001.  Two jetliners, full of unsuspecting passengers, piloted by suicidal Al Quaeda extremists collide with each of two of the "Twin Towers" of the World Trade Center.  Three thousand American civilians die in an inferno of burning jet fuel and collapsing metal and cement.  Our President, George W. Bush comes on TV and says, with tears in his eyes, "This is personal to me...."  Do you feel safe in your home?  Will you rest well knowing your children's future is safe?

Are these three events less significant, or less"personal" than Hillary's concerns" for the future of our country"?  Not by a damned sight.  Had any of the three of these men behaved in even close to the fashion Hillary did the other day, our populace would have impeached them.

I ask you this: Why has crying become a qualification for President?  A whole mess of folks must have thought that if the pundits on the news are right that her tears swayed the vote count.

Here's my perspective:  Crying publically in a crisis is the sign of weakness.  Resolve, decisive action and visible strength are the qualification one needs to be the "Learder of the Free World".

You've convinced me.  Her tears were real.  And, under the circumstances that they were shed, and in the fashioin they were shed, and at the time they were shed, disqualifies her for the Presidency.

For those of you who have blogged here for a while, you will remember my wife and my son Greg.  He has been the grist of blogs and blog responses, both because of our unmitigated pride in him, and in his accomplishments, and because his accomplishments have come with some degree of difficulty.  You see, Greg has "special needs".  Greg has ADHD.  In the fourth grade, Greg couldn't read at all.  He was tested and retested.  We were told all sorts of things.  I suspected ADHD, but worked with/went with the school folks.  He worked his little butt off.  He had a horrible time in grade school, and a worse time in Middle School.  Sure he passed.  Really passed.  But it was pure torture for him.  I remember one particualr afternoon when he was banging his head on the dining room table crying, saying, "I'm stupid!"

Oh, and didn't we, as parents, have a horrible time with the teaching staff.  This is where my antipathy for the Teachers Union was spawned.  The union stepped in and squashed daily communication via phone or email with us, becuase it was not in the contract, and couldn't be mandated.

Well....that's the sad part.  For those of you who remember, he left the middle school, and went to the regional voc/tech school.  He had begun treatment for ADHD, and with the enthusiastic teachers, and Greg's willingness to work, he steadily improved.  Remember my stand in favor of MCAS?  Know why?  Greg taught me that is was a tool that a kid could use to validate his own success.  He passed it first time through.  Sure the school helped him.  He went to a "Summer MCAS Camp" they held free of charge.  And yes, it was actually FUN!!!  He volunteered for the second sessions....

And, yes, he made the honor roll...his mother cried.  I have been so proud of him, not because of the successes, but because he has had to work so much harder for them than I ever did.  In so many ways, he is a better man than I am, with my degrees, because it came easy to me.  He worked.

This fall, he went to a "college fair" at his school.  He brought home materials but was unconvinced.  "I just don't want to do it anymore, Dad."  "Son, leave your options open.  I know how hard you've worked, and how alot of school stuff has been unpleasant, but college might be different.  Remember, they have programs where you do mostly stuff you're interested in, not what they make you learn."

A few days later...."Hey Mom, hey Dad, Quinsigamond Community College has a "Basic Engineering Program".  How much do you think that would cost?"  Answer in unison: "Nothing you'd have to pay.  If you go to college, and keep up good grades, it's on us!"

A few days later, "Hey Dad, can you help me with this application.  I'm afraid I'm gonna mess it up."  "Sure, you do it and I'll stay right here if you have questions."  25 worried questions later...."Can one of you mail this for me?"

Two weeks later, letter in the mail.  "Please forward your high school transcript."  "Greg, have your guidance counselor fax it today."   Done.

In this morning's mail:  "Dear Gregory:  Congratulations!  It is my honor to accept you into the Basic Engineering Program...."

High fives, bear hugs, and more parental tears than I shed at a funeral....His mother and I are so proud!  And I have been humbled by a 17 year old.  I'm so damned proud of him.....he's really a better man than I am....

Thank you Santa, for the greatest present of all....children with character.  We are just so Blessed....