"I'm rich..!" 'Marvin Gross' ( shared from the internet)

Marvin Gross a financial planner from the suburbs of Western N.Y. Is back blogging about being rich, Enjoy...

I'm rich!
Silver in the Hair
Gold in the Teeth
Crystals in the Kidneys
Sugar in the Blood
Lead in the Ass
Iron in the Arteries
And
an inexhaustible supply of Natural Gas.

I never thought I'd accumulate such wealth.                                

The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various authors and forum participants on this blog site do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Publisher of Dakinetalk the blog, but they could? ;D)

"Imagine instead of smart meters, we could initiate 'smart politicians!" 'Obama Da Dog'

"Many electric companies across the country want to install smart meters, to help them save time and money but many believe smart meters have ill effects one ones health..." http://stopsmartmeters.org/ /

Smart meters have been a hot topic in the  news the last couple of months especially on the Garden Island of Kauai.

Imagine instead of smart meters, we could initiate 'smart politicians!'

If we had smart politicians  there  would be no need for smart meters, since the  'smart politicians' would do their homework before installing thousand of devices that may not be safe.

I guess I am just fantasizing about smart politicians, somewhat of an oxymoron like jumbo shrimp.

Editor's note, Dakinetalk guest bloggers do not necessarily represent the opinions of dakinetalk. Guest bloggers are given space to express their beliefs and or opinions. We feel there are many roads and like to give people space to express their thoughts,after-all that's what dakine is...Aloha, James "Kimo" Rosen, Publisher.

"Ban cell phones while driving..!" 'Chester "Unc" Lau'

Chester Lau, aka "Unc" was  one of two cinematographer in the US Army who  filmed the 1952 summer Olympics in Helsinki,Finland for the military. He has walked amongst 40,000  on the Nude beach at Cape D'agde in the French Riviera in  1996 &1997 , and was one of  Jack Lords favorite crew members and camera-man on the original Hawaii Five O. "Unc" currently is retired on the Hawaiian island of Oahu. We see both sides of Unc today,  the serious and the not so serious, enjoy...

This blog originally appeared in the opinion section of the Honolulu Staradvertiser on 12-22-11 http://staradvertiser.newspaperdirect.com/epaper/viewer.aspx


I am for full ban on cellphone use while driving.

To save lives, the state should adopt a full ban and collect a hefty fine from lawbreakers to balance the state budget: $1,000 for the first offense; confiscate and sell the vehicle on the second offense.
In an emergency, one can park and call for help.

Dump the politicians who do not make enforceable laws to protect the public.

For more information on the danger of driving and cell phones check out the recent December 15, 2011 editorial in the Chicago Sun Times;" http://www.suntimes.com/opinions/9467105-474/story.html


Now for the not so serious side oif "Unc!"
Enclosed is "Unc's" seasons greeting card to all, see below!  ;D)

This man makes love to his wife almost every night... Almost on Monday, almost on Tuesday, almost on Wednesday..."  :D)

True Love

To All my cyber friends and a Special wish for my loving Kauai Mafias: @>----

I wish True Love and HAPPY EVERYDAY, FOR YOU !!! Better
than endless senseless WARS !!!! N'est-ce pas ?
From :Unc C the Oahu Godfadah >:-}

(Unc has studied french for many years and enclosed is another one of his season greetings in french...)
Chers Mes Amis @>----
Joyeux Noël et Bonne anné e
Meilleurs Voeux de fin d'année et que 2012 vous apporte á tous PAIX,
bonheur, succès, santé, prospérité, et bien plus encore  !

L'oncle Chester :-D


The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various authors and forum participants on this blog site do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Publisher of Dakinetalk the blog, but they could? ;D)

"To Mail or E-mail…that is the question..."'Judith Whitehead' (Inspirational Monday)

Judith Whitehead is back guest-blogging on this Inspirational Monday talking about good old snail mail verses our fast paced drive through mentality... Judith lives in Amherst N.Y.  She has worked in the ophthalmology field of medicine for almost 30 years...

To Mail or E-mail…that is the question…..

Recently, I read an article that was so disturbing and sad to this generation. The US postal service is in great financial trouble; they are millions of dollars in debt and could become obsolete some day.

What has this generation done to the mail service? Between e-mails, electronic payments, text messaging and face book we have begun to phase out a great part of our history. I can remember back when there were even no zip codes; back in the 1960’s our address would have a zone number such as Buffalo 23 New York. I remember the excitement when we had a full zip code that would get mail to us even faster than ever before. When my husband and I were dating, we lived miles away for several months. We would actually sit down and write letters to one another. Phone calls were too expensive and we would save that luxury for the weekend rates. Each day we would check our mailbox for a treasured letter from each other.

Does anyone even write letters anymore?? Now the preferred way to communicate is with e-mail or texting. Cell phones and computers have put the postal service out of business; something we tried so hard to make International in the 1950’s is about to become history in a matter of years. I know we all have to go along with progress, but I never thought that the U.S. mail would become a part of history that our young children will learn about only in history books.

I for one do still send real cards through the mail, not e-cards and like to pay my bills writing a real check at my desk. If computers all crash some day we will be s-o-l……Hang on to this piece of Americana and send a letter to someone once and a while. It may shock them and you may enjoy actually sitting down with pen in hand for a change.

The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various authors and forum participants on this blog site do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Publisher of Dakinetalk the blog, but they could? ;D)

"Why Jews eat Chinese food on Christmas..."‏ 'Obama Da Dog'

"Obama Da Dog wishes everyone a Joyous Holiday season and to remember that everyday is Thanksgiving even though today is Christmas..." Note; This blog also appeared as an opinion article this same day of Christmas in the Kaua'i Garden Island news; under the title;" A holiday tradition...." http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letters-for-saturday-december/article_a5e97f0c-2dfc-11e1-b984-001871e3ce6c.html

The big question this time of year is why do my people (Jewish people) eat Chinese food on Christmas?

 It's a tradition that started since most Chinese people are not Christian and do not celebrate the holiday, therefore those in the restaurant business stay open when literally everything form shopping malls, movie theaters, bowling alleys, sporting events, public libraries, public pools, even grocery and drug stores are closed on Christmas. 

On December 25Th, the United States is pretty much closed down, but 90 years ago, things were really closed . It was either church or family and friends at home. Therefore  Jewish people had nothing to do until they discovered Chinese restaurants were open.  
Chinese restaurant owners did not discriminate. They did not care whether they served blacks, Jews, Portuguese  or space aliens. They treated all their customers with due respect. This was unique at a time when a Jewish person could be turned away at the door of a restaurant since anti-semitism was a real thing. The Chinese restaurant owners didn't care and  the more people meant more  money.  
 
One obstruction for Jews to get over was that Chinese food was filled with non-kosher ingredients like shellfish and pork. Some just held their nose and ate it. In the late 1950s, there evolved this humorous concept of “safe treyf.” (non kosher food) Obviously, treyf (non-kosher food)is forbidden but “safe treyf” means it’s prohibited but OK. If you can’t see the pork in the won-ton soup stock, Or if the shrimp in the shrimp chow mein is chopped up into little tiny pieces  that you really can’t recognize then it’s OK.

 
The irony about all this hoopla of Jews having nothing else to do on Christmas is that Jesus himself was a practicing Jew and I would bet my matzo ball soup he would most likely had eaten kosher Chinese food on December 25Th with a message of peace and aloha to one and all.

 Merry solstice, Happy Christmas and rejoice in Chanukah!

Now as an encore or as in Hawaii we say Hana hou, enclosed is a poem and joke to go with today's blog!

"Twas the night before Christmas and there was hardly a sound,
As Jews jumped in their cars and drove to Chinatown.
Their orders were given to waiters with care,
In hopes that won-ton soup soon would be there.

The children finished their noodles and nestled in their beds,
While visions of fortune cookies danced in their heads.
Now, Moment takes an inquiring look,
At how this love affair with Chinese food took."—Nonna Gorilovskaya

A Chinese / Jewish Restaurant Joke

A Jewish man and a Chinese man were conversing. The Jewish man commented upon what a wise people the Chinese are.

"Yes," replied the Chinese man, "Our culture is over 4,000 years old. But, you Jews are a very wise people, too."

The Jewish man replied, "Yes, our culture is over 5,000 years old."

The Chinese man was incredulous, "That's impossible, he replied. Where did your people eat for a thousand years?    

Mele Kalikimaka & Haouli Makahiki Hou!

The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various authors and forum participants on this blog site do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Publisher of Dakinetalk the blog, but they could? ;D)

"The Truth about Santa Claus..." 'Douglas Dunn'

Guest blogger Douglas Dunn on the beach with his daughter JoAnn back in 1981. Doug is a regular commenter and guest-blogger on dakinetalk... Doug runs a small publishing consulting business in San Diego county and is a   certified American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter (for Deaf people),  last but not least he has been a Democratic Party media spokesperson and has had  the good fortune to work with Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. Doug also drives a Nissan Leaf !

Santa Claus and JoAnn Dunn back in 1977, "Yes there really is a Santa!" By the way JoAnn is now   married and a  Mom to two lovely granddaughters.

THE TRUTH ABOUT SANTA CLAUS

When my daughter JoAnn was eight years old, she came home from school one December afternoon, very upset. Some kids had been teasing her because she still believed in Santa Claus. Her Dad had told her there was a Santa Claus, and she knew that Dad would never tell a lie.

“Daddy,” she said, “I’m eight years old. I’m old enough to know The Truth. Is there really a Santa Claus?” Parents dread this question almost as much as, “Where do babies come from?”

But when a child asks for THE TRUTH, it is time to be straight with them.

“Okay,” I answered. “If you’re old enough to know The Truth about Santa Claus, then you’re old enough to know the truth about the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy as well.”

“I want THE TRUTH.”

“Well, your Daddy is really the Easter Bunny. And your Daddy is really the tooth fairy. [Pause] Santa Claus is real.”

Her eyes grew big and round. “Santa Claus really comes each Christmas Eve and leaves presents?”

I said, “The Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy are mythical characters, made-up for holiday fun. Santa Claus is real. He really lived and is based on a real person. But it is often difficult for very small children to understand about the real Santa Claus, so over the years a lot of make-believe and fantasy have been added to make it more fun.”

We talked about the historical figure, St. Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, who used to go out on Christmas Eve with gifts for poor children who would otherwise have no Christmas. But like all real human beings, he eventually grew old, and died at the age of 73 on December 6, 343. But after Nicholas, others took up the role. We read together stories from newspapers and magazines of people up to the present day who spread joy by giving Christmas gifts in secret. There are lots of them! Santa Claus is not only real, but alive and doing very well in the modern world.

“If you’re old enough to know THE TRUTH about Santa Claus,” I concluded, “maybe you’re old enough to BE a Santa Claus.”

“BE a Santa Claus?” she asked, brightening.

It was too close to Christmas to make extensive plans for the current year, but we talked about ideas for the next year.

The following year JoAnn and I contacted our local Post Office and arranged to receive letters that underprivileged children had sent, addressed to Santa Claus. We found that the Post Office believes in Santa Claus, too, and takes its role seriously, and does deliver letters from children in need to real Santa Clauses.

We were able to identify three needy families, and deliver a real Christmas to each one. Instead of random gifts through large organizations for “boy—age 9” or “girl—age 6,” we responded to specific requests from individual children. What fun we had shopping, wrapping, and planning a Christmas Eve delivery route — just like any real Santa!

We felt our adventure that first year was successful. All of the children we found were in difficult situations, and it appeared they would have had no Christmas without us. But much of our energy had been spent screening the letters to choose which children were most needy. We also considered that poverty alone is no indicator of whether or not a child will have Christmas. Many families, poor but loving, will make sure their little ones enjoy holiday magic.

The following year JoAnn and I tried a different approach. We located an agency that provides care for children who had been removed from their families on account of child abuse or neglect. A social worker helped us make arrangements to be Santa for six children in a group home who needed a Santa Claus. Over lunch, she told us about the personal stories of each one of these special children who had endured terrible experiences that few others can ever imagine. We learned that the real “truth” about Santa Claus is that the “naughty” and “nice” list is part of the fantasy myth. In reality, there are no “naughty” children; that problematic behavior only represents troubled pasts cured with compassion and caring, not further deprivation. The real Santa Claus gives unconditionally. The social worker gave us each child’s list, and told us what each child had requested from Santa. Again, we provided the items on their lists, and enjoyed our merriest Christmas ever. We were hooked. We continued this tradition for several years, adapting our routine when my wife Thelma joined our family, and trying different variations such as sponsoring “Santa Claus” for children at Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity orphanage in the Philippines.

I appreciate the lessons Santa Claus has taught my daughter, and the values he has shared with her. Our Christmases are celebrations of true joyfulness, and in the truest possible measure of true value. I do believe in Santa Claus! I especially appreciate the opportunity Santa Claus gave one father to pass on his values to a young daughter.

Note, epilogue; My approach to telling my daughter “The Truth about Santa Claus” was adapted from another true story that had inspired me several years earlier. It was an article in Reader’s Digest about a little Jewish boy who had grown up in New York City, feeling left out of Christmas, but felt he could not celebrate a holiday that might betray his religious and cultural heritage. But he did feel he could, in good conscience, give a gift to those who do celebrate it and BE a Santa Claus to children in need. I was so moved by the story of how he became a real Santa Claus, that I was inspired to hold it in my heart and, at the right time, do something similar. The pointed question -- demand! -- from my daughter for THE TRUTH gave me the opportunity to act on that. Just as those who come from a Christian background celebrate Christmas to remember the birth of a Jewish boy who grew up to become a great rabbi, my story about my daughter is also inspired by a modern Jewish role model.

The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various authors and forum participants on this blog site do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Publisher of Dakinetalk the blog, but they could? ;D)

"THE SHORTEST DAY OF THE YEAR " 'Michael Herr' (Aloha Friday)

Renowned author Michael Herr is back guest-blogging on this awesome Aloha Friday  about how he spends his time during the solstice time of year...  Make sure and check out Michael's website at http://www.michaelherr.com/

ALOHA FRIDAY

December 23

It's Aloha Friday and it's . . .

THE SHORTEST DAY OF THE YEAR

Aloha folks. For the shortest day of the year I'll try to write a short article.

I think I spend an inordinate amount of time reading "news" articles on the Internet. Some of what I read makes me laugh. Some of it makes me cry. So, for the shortest day, here's a brief roundup of what I've been fascinated by lately.

1) German scientists are growing new skin from the foreskins of circumcised babies. I imagine they'll get better and better until they can produce full human beings who are truly pricks.

2) A UFO spotted earlier being towed on a flatbed truck through a Kansas town may merely be an Air Force X-47B unmanned drone. Well that's good to know. But leaves unanswered the question, why are they always unmanned drones? Aren't there any unwomaned drones?

3) The Shroud of Turin turned up in the news with a report that it was possible made by a burst of ultraviolet light, like a laser. But there were no lasers back when it was made. So, space aliens you think?

4) Kim Jong Il died and the biggest problem with his death was that it screwed up a "30 Rock" subplot. How inconsiderate of him.

5) Two female Navy petty officers kissed when one of them returned from deployment . . . and no large group of hate-mongers was there to protest against them. Pretty amazing.

6) But the story of the past week that really got to me was the one about Gendercide in India. In that country boys are more highly prized than girls since if you have a girl you'll eventually have to pay an enormous dowry to marry her off. If you have boys you'll be hauling in those enormous dowries. So in India families work not to have girl babies, and abort millions of female fetuses each year. See the problem folks? With all those abortions there are fewer and fewer girls for all those boys to marry.

Anyhow, the shortest day is past and things are looking up. From now on each day gets just a little longer. I can already feel summer just down the road.

Okay folks, see you next week.

Aloha and good news. Michael's fifth book in the Kohala Coast Mystery series is now available for the first time "The Old Queen and the Maui Maiden" in paperback from  http://www.lulu.com/  or as a Kindle ebook from http://www.amazon.com/  Just type in the title either place.  The book took Michael 2 years to complete this highly anticipated sequel.

There's still time to order a complete set of Michael's Books for the Holiday's. Buy all 6 books for only 18.00 including P&H. The books make great stocking stuffers...
http://www.michaelherr.com  or order his new book "The Old Queen and the Maui Maiden" from www.lulu.com 
 
"Eat -- Sleep -- Golf -- Travel
           Write More Books !!
But Take It All One Day At A Time !!"   Michael Herr

The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various authors and forum participants on this blog site do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Publisher of Dakinetalk the blog, but they could? ;D)