My Soap Box

A president is like the ornament, visibly riding on the hood of a very complicated car. Every four years we replace the hood ornament, but the car remains largely the same. We vote for one or the other thinking we have changed something. Sadly, the lobbyists are still in charge, slinking about the... Sign in to see full entry.

It is late in the day as the sun sags toward the horizon. It has seen enough freeways jammed full of cars with one person in them. It has seen enough of people being cruel to people simply because they worship a different God. It has seen enough of a nation that goes by the name of United, but very... Sign in to see full entry.

With the election now a mere 4 days away, the din from the ads is almost overbearing. Check that, not almost, it is overbearing. From all reports this is one of the most hotly contested races in a long time and not just on the presidential level. But that is the one race that troubles me most. I am... Sign in to see full entry.

The issue of gay marriage vs. civil unions in this year’s election has set my mind in motion. I remember a couple that lived not far from us, just across the alley in fact. In the evenings we’d be out in the garden and almost every time we would hear the bellering begin. He was bellicose, she was... Sign in to see full entry.

You’re thinking this is a stupid question, but I wager your answer blue is wrong. It is the answer we all prefer but the other night I came to the conclusion, the sky is blue less than any other color. I’m right and here’s why. Half the day is daylight and half the day is dark. So at best the sky is... Sign in to see full entry.

Puyallup Washington schools have banned witch costumes because they many “offend members of the Wicca religion.” I heard it on the radio news at least twice today so I am going to assume I heard a legitimate story. Is this political correctness gone horribly wrong or is that really a big problem... Sign in to see full entry.

In one of those ways life has of throwing a person curves, my trusty GMC has decided not to be so trusty anymore. It now sits in the garage surrounded by parts. Both heads had to come off. The first one suffered a stuck valve and a bent pushrod. The second came off just because at this point it... Sign in to see full entry.

The new Hatfield’s and McCoy’s of voter galvanization is the increasingly toggle switch mentality that surrounds this election. Some would believe Bush has designs on taking over the world. Others fear Kerry would convert the U.S. to communism. First, neither of these men operates in a vacuum.... Sign in to see full entry.

No, but it once was, way back when and it was called Tejas. We visited the Bob Bullock Texas History Museum in Austin last week. One thing I realized is in those days it was all about conquest and military struggles. What went on there makes Iraq look mild by comparison. What made Texas seek... Sign in to see full entry.

Fall colors abound, most notably black. Since when is black a fall color? Since college students bent of partying at exponential levels are dropping like the proverbial flies. When did it get to be a part of our higher education system to do the one thing that any education should teach us not to... Sign in to see full entry.