Definition of Opinion:  A belief or conclusion held with confidence but not substantiated by positive knowledge or proof.

Please be respectful to others with differing opinions. 

Jim Coats

I may have told this story before.  If so, sorry for the double-dip.

During my freshman year of college (1966), I worked at a little boutique-like men's store at Uptown Plaza at Central and Camelback called Ken Flowers Men's Store.  Ken was a little bald and rotund man who had made his store a favorite of some of the upper-crust(y) men in Phoenix.

One day, to my amazement, Paul Fannin, previous AZ Governor and current Senator, came in with Barry Goldwater.  Mr. Flowers was in the back, so I "leaped" on the two dignitaries with all the panache I could muster at 19 years of age.  They were VERY nice.  I don't remember some details, but they both picked out sweaters and I was checking them out at the register.  This was back in the day when (I think) sales tax was 5% and I could do the math in my head.  I didn't look at the price tags, because I was "familiar" with them.  About then, Mr. Flowers came out and began his normal genuflecting dance reserved for muy importante customers and he glanced at my (hand written back in those days) sales ticket.  Welllll...... as Paul Harvey would say, this is the rest of the story.

It turns out that we had two levels of sweaters that looked to me, identical.  One was much more expensive than the other.  Made of virgin unicorn wool, I think.  The "shoppers" had picked out the expensive sweaters which I mistook for the ones made of earthly yarn and I was charging them for the less expensive models.  Mr. Flowers, almost (quietly) apocalyptic, "took over" the check-out and charged them the correct (more expensive) prices with again, much genuflecting tossed in.  As I recall, Messr's. Fannin and Goldwater were very understanding because they probably saw me as a potential voter.  All was well.

If I had just remembered my Dad's admonition:  "Measure twice, cut once."  I spent the rest of the school year checking price tags twice.  The End.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL....and for those who are flying....AND TO ALL A GOOD FLIGHT.

P.S.  Bill Rihs.  Re: #12030.  A-men!

David Rainwater

I'm watching my five-year-old granddaughter open up a pile of packages bigger than her (we're have an early Christmas).  I still remember the frustration and anxiety for my brothers and me while we waited for my parents to wake up Christmas morning.  Best wishes to all (in two days :).

Mike Lorts

Jim's story about Goldwater and Fanniln brought back fond memories of Barry Goldwater. He was an unapologetic ultra conservative politician. I disagreed with most of his policies but I never doubted his love of this country, especially this state. He walked/hiked every inch of Arizona. He was respected on both sides of the isle.

Frank Wiley

One of the best things I love about Christmas is all the Carols and songs.  Songs like, "We Three Kings" and "What Child is This" support my BELIEF in Jesus Christ.  I also believe the witnesses in the New Testiment especially the first hand observations of the Appostles.  Although their testimonies vary a little bit, they are pretty consistent.  We are celebrating the Birth of Jesus right now and as I have said before, the gift that God gave me, his Son is the BEST Gift I have ever received.  God Bless All of You and Merry Christmas!!

Bill Kaehler

Lorts and Deshong re:12005 and 12008.  

I really do not want to write a term paper here, so to give you an idea of how I interpret conservatism, I will just use some key words and names. When I think of conservatism, words like conservationist, traditionalist, limited government, fairness, honesty, integrity, tax transparency and a belief in God,  come to mind. People like Barry Goldwater and William F. Buckley Jr. come to mind initially, then come people like Milton Friedman and Thomas Sowell from an economic principles point of view. Then comes Ronald Reagan. In this presidential election cycle, I often think of Nikki Haley and Tim Scott.

And we still don’t know if AOC and “The Squad” are people included in your definition of progressive.  And at this point, I really do not care. This particular conversation has come to an end.

Michael Wetzel

Frank, 

 AMEN............

Bill, 

Good choice..........

Michael Kelly

Mary Powers  Yes, Spielberg's genius was certainly demonstrated with "The Duel" which road I have traveled many times over 22 years. That area of Soledad Canyon is on the Sourth Side of Parker Mountain, and the Mountain has in its upper reaches a fair amount of Mu;le Deer and the occasional Mountain Lion. It also has quite a few springs of Fresh Water and at one time had a Forest Service Station with a Tower to early detect forest fires.

Michael Kelly

Lorts Very good comment  12036, and Frank W. very good Comment AMEN on 12037, likewise Bill Kaehler on 12038. I drove around the area where Spielberg filmed The Duel, and just a few  miles west on Soledad Canyon Rd. I remember that the  entire Movie at least the Ocean scenes for the Titanic Movie were filmed. A paving Contractor named Pohlson had 160 acres of land, and multiple sources of water from underground Springs, and in 1998 he use a Caterpillar Dozer to dig a large hole which was probably 3 acres or more in size, lined it with a blue plastic Liner, filled it with water from his Wells, and the Moviie Titanic was filmed there that entire Summer. They used Klieg Lights mounted on large Towers approximately 150 feet high and worked at night filming the Movie. i lived close by. When I saw the Movie I was most curious to see if the artificial nature would show but as I remember it was not obvious.

Frank Wiley

Sunday(and Christmas Eve) Funnies--1. I just finished a book about the World's Greatest Basement--------it was a best cellar!  2. In my first week working at the bicycle factory they made me their-------spokesman!               3. My Laptop has a bad cold, I guess because I left Windows open?  4. I thought swimming with Dolphins was expensive but then I went swimming with Sharks.  It cost me--------------an arm and a leg!  5. Horses have lower divorce rates because they're in------------stable relationships.  6. 90% of Bald People still own a Comb.  They just can't----------Part with it!   Yes I know they're Groaners but Feel free to use them tomorrow at 🧑‍🎄Christmas Dinner.

Jim Coats

Bill Kaehler.  Re: #12038.  And there you have it.  So simple.  So clear.  No vitriol.  Just honesty.  Good job.  Merry Christmas, Bill.

Frank.  Thanks for the Funnies.  I read 'em and enjoyed them.  Thanks for your humor at just the right time.  Semper Fi and Merry Christmas.

Ho, ho, ho!  MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND FELIZ NAVIDOG (for the dog owners).

Bill Kaehler

Wishing everyone on this forum a very Merry Christmas or Happy Hanukkah and a happy and healthier New Year!

Patty Meyers (Anderson)

Feliz Navidad to all...

Michael Wetzel

                        MERRY CHRISTMAS 

                                      &

                       HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!

                                           TO ALL ...........

P.S.--GREAT COMMENTS......                                                           

DeWitt Bacon

Mike L. I applaud your comments on Barry Goldwater. (AUH20 for all you chemistry fans.) When he ran for president, he was criticized by the left as being a warmonger. I'm sure you remember the campaign ads featuring a little girl counting down as she plucked the petals from a sunflower. followed by a nuclear blast. I sometimes wonder if Goldwater had been elected, we may not have gotten so involved in the Vietnam War and that some of our classmates may still be around today. We will never know, but it's a thought. 

Jim Coats

Brian lives in San Luis Obispo, California. He was sick of the world, sick of COVID, Trump, the "My Pillow" guy, Russia, China, global warming, street crime, fentanyl, illegal immigrants, racial tensions, and the rest of the disturbing stories that occupy media headlines.

Brian drove his car into his garage and then sealed every doorway and window, as best he could. He got back into his car, wound down all the windows, selected his favorite radio station, started the car and revved it to a slow idle.

Five days later, a worried neighbor peered through his garage window and saw him in the car. She notified the emergency services and they broke in, pulling Brian from the car. A little sip of water and, surprisingly, he was in perfect condition, but his Tesla had a dead battery.

Brian is a registered Democrat.

Laugh people.  This is funny!

P.S.  He was wearing a mask.

Greg Watkins

Dennis Moran

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE,

may you be blessed with a fantastic time for all.

Dennis.

Michael Wetzel

Jim,

I dig it, still laughing...........

Jim Coats

We attended a wonderful church service last night with 4 friends from the "hood."   Lots of singing...traditional, un-modernized Christmas carols....which we love and prefer, and a dear message about the birth of Jesus.  As Bill Rihs said, it brought into full focus the "Reason For The Season."

The message resonated with the packed house and that was love and peace.  Can't argue with that.  I guess I for one needed the re-charge.  

MERRY CHRISTMAS to all my old....and new friends on this Forum.  You mean the world to me.

Richard Deshong

One of my favorite memories of Christmas was watching the Bob Hope specials when he was entertaining the troops. Here are just a few of the memorable jokes he told over the years:

ON TURNING 70
'I still chase women, but only downhill.'

ON TURNING 80
'That's the time of your life when even your birthday suit needs pressing.'

ON TURNING 90
'You know you're getting old when the candles cost more than the cake.'

ON TURNING 100
'I don't feel old. In fact, I don't feel anything until noon. Then it's time for my nap.'
 
ON GIVING UP HIS EARLY CAREER, BOXING
'I ruined my hands in the ring. The referee kept stepping on them.'
 
ON NEVER WINNING AN OSCAR
'Welcome to the Academy Awards, or as it's called at my home, 'Passover.'
 
ON GOLF
'Golf is my profession. Show business is just to pay the green fees.'
 
ON PRESIDENTS
'I have performed for 12 presidents but entertained only six.'
 
ON WHY HE CHOSE SHOWBIZ FOR HIS CAREER
'When I was born, the doctor said to my mother, Congratulations, you have an eight pound ham.'

ON RECEIVING THE CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL
'I feel very humble, but I think I have the strength of character to fight it.'
 
ON HIS FAMILY'S EARLY POVERTY
'Four of us slept in the one bed. When it got cold, mother threw on another brother.'
 
ON HIS SIX BROTHERS
'That's how I learned to dance. Waiting for the bathroom.'
 
ON HIS EARLY FAILURES
'I would not have had anything to eat if it wasn't for the stuff the audience threw at me.'
 
ON GOING TO HEAVEN

'I've done benefits for ALL religions. I'd hate to blow the hereafter on a technicality.'

On his death bed they asked him where he wanted to be buried.

His answer was, "Surprise me."

Jim Coats

Richard.  Great quotes from one of my favorites, Bob Hope.  I watched a 1 hour show of him recently when he was entertaining troops.  He was beloved.  I wish I could have seen him....and Raquel Welch....and Joey Heatherton....and so on.  Thanks for the memories.

I don't think I ever missed him at the Academy Awards or one of his Christmas specials.

Merry Christmas.

Bill RIHS

Richard, we have something else in common, love for Bob Hope and his Christmas show for the troops.

Jim, I think most of us needed a recharge.

Nancy Scott (Nicoll)

Merry Christmas to all on this post!  

Richard, loved all  of Bob Hopes quotes! We always watched his Christmas shows too!     

Wanted to update many of you who responded to my news that my grandson (20), was starting boot camp. He has graduated, did exceptionally well, became a sharp shooter and scored 4th in his platoon for physical fitness.  He had few difficulties and it seems he and the Army are a good match!  After Christmas break of 10 days, he will begin Medic training in San Antonio for 18 weeks, then go to Air Borne jump school. He has lofty goals, and is very happy with his decisions. He is now a PFC. We are very proud of him and were blessed to go to his graduation at Fort Jackson, SC.   I read all your encouraging comments to him before he left in Sept.. Thanks again for those!!
 

i know many of you have posted about your faith and I will add on this Christmas Day that the greatest gift of my life has been receiving Jesus.  My husband and I have asked many times, ' where would we be without Christ in our lives?"  
 

My best to all!   
Nancy Scott Nicoll

Jim Coats

Nancy.

Great to hear about your son.  Medic AND Jump School.  WOW!  That's impressive.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

P.S.  I actually "joined" the Marines and went through my "physical" at Ft. Jackson, SC in 1967.

Bill Kaehler

Nice news to hear, Nancy!

Wishing you the best for the New Year!