Original Articles. Constant-Content.
I feel the shame! Several of you have emailed me about my ineptness at keeping this blog up to date. Mea culpa, mea culpa!
My life has become a cauldron of conflicting schedules. The article writing must continue in order to keep the wolf from our door, and the newspaper columns are a commitment. In addition, my third book is well underway since the interviews I had at the WWA conference in June.
Needless to say, that all leaves little time for the blog, which is purely for pleasure, not profit. Thank you for your interest, though, and I will - again - try to do better.
The Western Writers conference in Knoxville was a great experience. Several of the authors I have read for years were there and I managed to get autographed books, and even got some to sign my hat!! We had a great time and learned a lot.
Two publishers expressed interest in the new book, and it is well under way. The plan is get it submitted to Kensington this month. If - (Oh No) - it should be rejected, then it will be submitted to the next.
Audio books liked the concept, but could not handle a first person book. The next will be a third person account so they may be in line also. This story just came to me through the eyes of Jonathon, the main character, so I wrote it that way. Oh, well... next time maybe.
Keep in touch and check back - I'll try to be more available as soon as this book is finished. Until the next one, that is. (big smile)
Live, laugh, love... and keep an eye on those who don't! Roger
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Lesson learned?
This is a long post, but worth the read fi you care about the future of America.
Free Home
I was in my neighborhood restaurant this morning and was seated behind a group of jubilant individuals celebrating the successful passing of the recent health care bill. I could not finish my breakfast. This is what ensued:
They were a diverse group of several races and both sexes. I heard the young man exclaim, "Isn't Obama like Jesus Christ? I mean, after all, he is healing the sick." The young woman enthusiastically proclaimed, "Yeah, and he does it for free. I cannot believe anyone would think that a free market would work for health care. They are all crooks and thieves and don't deserve all of that money." Another said, 'The stupid Republicans want us all to starve to death so they can inherit all of the power. Obama should be made a Saint for what he did for those of us less fortunate." At this, I had had enough.
I arose from my seat, mustering all the restraint I could find, and approached their table. "Please excuse me; may I impose upon you for one moment?" They smiled and welcomed me to the conversation. I stood at the end of their table, smiled as best I could and began an experiment.
"I would like to give one of you my house. It will cost you no money and I will pay all of the expenses and taxes for as long as you live there. Anyone interested?" They looked at each other in astonishment. "Why would you do something like that?" asked a young man, "There isn't anything for free in this world." They began to laugh at me, as they did not realize this man had just made my point. "I am serious, I will give you my house for free, no money what so ever. Anyone interested?" In unison, a resounding "Hell Yeah" fills the room.
"Since there are too many of you, I will have to make a choice as to who receives this money free bargain." I noticed an elderly couple was paying attention to the spectacle unfolding before their eyes, the old man shaking his head in apparent disgust. "I tell you what; I will give it to the one of you most willing to obey my rules." Again, they looked at one another, an expression of bewilderment on their faces.
The perky young woman asked, "What are the rules?" I smiled and said, "I don't know. I have not yet defined them. However, it is a free home that I offer you." They giggled amongst themselves, the youngest of which said, "What an old coot. He must be crazy to give away his home. Go take your meds, old man." I smiled and leaned into the table a bit further. "I am serious, this is a legitimate offer." They gaped at me for a moment.
"I'll take it you old fool. Where are the keys?" boasted the youngest among them. "Then I presume you accept ALL of my terms then?" I asked. The elderly couple seemed amused and entertained as they watched from the privacy of their table. "Oh hell yeah! Where do I sign up?" I took a napkin and wrote, "I give this man my home, without the burden of financial obligation, so long as he accepts and abides by the terms that I shall set forth upon consummation of this transaction." I signed it and handed it to the young man who eagerly scratched out his signature. "Where are the keys to my new house?" he asked in a mocking tone of voice. All eyes were upon us as I stepped back from the table, pulling the keys from pocket and dangling them before the excited new homeowner.
"Now that we have entered into this binding contract, witnessed by all of your friends, I have decided upon the conditions you are obligated to adhere to from this point forward. You may only live in the house for one hour a day. You will not use anything inside of the home. You will obey me without question or resistance. I expect complete loyalty and admiration for this gift I bestow upon you. You will accept my commands and wishes with enthusiasm, no matter the nature. Your morals and principles shall be as mine. You will vote as I do, think as I do and do it with blind faith. These are my terms. Here are your keys." I reached the keys forward and the young man looked at me dumb founded.
"Are you out of your mind? Who would ever agree to those ridiculous terms?" the young man appeared irritated. "You did when you signed this contract before reading it, understanding it and with the full knowledge that I would provide my conditions only after you committed to the agreement." Was all I said. The elderly man chuckled as his wife tried to restrain him. I was looking at a now silenced and bewildered group of people.
"You can shove that stupid deal up you're a** old man, I want no part of it" exclaimed the now infuriated young man. "You have committed to the contract, as witnessed by all of your friends; you cannot get out of the deal unless I agree to it. I do not intend to let you free now that I have you ensnared. I am the power you agreed to. I am the one you blindly and without thought chose to enslave yourself to. In short, I am your Master." At this, the table of celebrating individuals became a unified group against the unfairness of the deal.
After a few moments of unrepeatable comments and slurs, I revealed my true intent. "What I did to you is what this administration and congress did to you with the health care legislation. I easily suckered you in and then revealed the real cost of the bargain. Your folly was in the belief that you can have something you did not earn; that you are entitled to that which you did not earn; that you willingly allowed someone else to think for you. Your failure to research, study and inform yourself permitted reason to escape you. You have entered into a trap from which you cannot flee. Your only chance of freedom is if your new Master gives it to you. A freedom that is given can also be taken away; therefore, it is not freedom." With that, I tore up the napkin and placed it before the astonished young man. "This is the nature of your new health care legislation."
I turned away to leave these few in thought and contemplation and was surprised by applause. The elderly gentleman, who was clearly entertained, shook my hand enthusiastically and said, "Thank you Sir, these kids don't understand Liberty these days." He refused to allow me to pay my bill as he said, "You earned this one, it is an honor to pickup the tab." I shook his hand in thanks, leaving the restaurant somewhat humbled, and sensing a glimmer of hope for my beloved country.
Use reason,
Clifford A Wright
Note: Many small businesses have decided they would rather pay the small tax the government will impose, rather than offer coverage to
their employees. It's far less expensive for them, and they don't like the fact that the government now dictates the terms of the coverage, which
can wildly affect their costs.
This means millions of workers currently covered will be forced into purchasing their own insurance to comply with the new law. They have no choice except to, themselves, be fined if they don't. Many will be forced onto Medicaid rolls, increasing the costs to the fed, and the states, for cost share and administration. Inevitably, this will lead to higher state and fed taxes.
The 'free' care will only be for the very poor, who are already eligible, and immigrants. Anyone with the 'ability' to pay - determined by the feds - will have to do so. The 'benefits' don't kick in until 2014, so people are being told to stop calling their congressman, hospitals, and doctors to request their 'free' care. It seems they didn't really understand the law, and just thought they were getting something for nothing.
Pres Obama recently said he would not take the VAT (Value added tax) idea off the table. A VAT, of course, equates to a national sales tax, as high as 29% in some countries. Such a tax would seriously affect the purchasing power of ALL Americans...especially those with low incomes.
Sounds like the possibility of another tax on the less fortunate, doesn't it? Oh, the promises of campaigning.
Free Home
I was in my neighborhood restaurant this morning and was seated behind a group of jubilant individuals celebrating the successful passing of the recent health care bill. I could not finish my breakfast. This is what ensued:
They were a diverse group of several races and both sexes. I heard the young man exclaim, "Isn't Obama like Jesus Christ? I mean, after all, he is healing the sick." The young woman enthusiastically proclaimed, "Yeah, and he does it for free. I cannot believe anyone would think that a free market would work for health care. They are all crooks and thieves and don't deserve all of that money." Another said, 'The stupid Republicans want us all to starve to death so they can inherit all of the power. Obama should be made a Saint for what he did for those of us less fortunate." At this, I had had enough.
I arose from my seat, mustering all the restraint I could find, and approached their table. "Please excuse me; may I impose upon you for one moment?" They smiled and welcomed me to the conversation. I stood at the end of their table, smiled as best I could and began an experiment.
"I would like to give one of you my house. It will cost you no money and I will pay all of the expenses and taxes for as long as you live there. Anyone interested?" They looked at each other in astonishment. "Why would you do something like that?" asked a young man, "There isn't anything for free in this world." They began to laugh at me, as they did not realize this man had just made my point. "I am serious, I will give you my house for free, no money what so ever. Anyone interested?" In unison, a resounding "Hell Yeah" fills the room.
"Since there are too many of you, I will have to make a choice as to who receives this money free bargain." I noticed an elderly couple was paying attention to the spectacle unfolding before their eyes, the old man shaking his head in apparent disgust. "I tell you what; I will give it to the one of you most willing to obey my rules." Again, they looked at one another, an expression of bewilderment on their faces.
The perky young woman asked, "What are the rules?" I smiled and said, "I don't know. I have not yet defined them. However, it is a free home that I offer you." They giggled amongst themselves, the youngest of which said, "What an old coot. He must be crazy to give away his home. Go take your meds, old man." I smiled and leaned into the table a bit further. "I am serious, this is a legitimate offer." They gaped at me for a moment.
"I'll take it you old fool. Where are the keys?" boasted the youngest among them. "Then I presume you accept ALL of my terms then?" I asked. The elderly couple seemed amused and entertained as they watched from the privacy of their table. "Oh hell yeah! Where do I sign up?" I took a napkin and wrote, "I give this man my home, without the burden of financial obligation, so long as he accepts and abides by the terms that I shall set forth upon consummation of this transaction." I signed it and handed it to the young man who eagerly scratched out his signature. "Where are the keys to my new house?" he asked in a mocking tone of voice. All eyes were upon us as I stepped back from the table, pulling the keys from pocket and dangling them before the excited new homeowner.
"Now that we have entered into this binding contract, witnessed by all of your friends, I have decided upon the conditions you are obligated to adhere to from this point forward. You may only live in the house for one hour a day. You will not use anything inside of the home. You will obey me without question or resistance. I expect complete loyalty and admiration for this gift I bestow upon you. You will accept my commands and wishes with enthusiasm, no matter the nature. Your morals and principles shall be as mine. You will vote as I do, think as I do and do it with blind faith. These are my terms. Here are your keys." I reached the keys forward and the young man looked at me dumb founded.
"Are you out of your mind? Who would ever agree to those ridiculous terms?" the young man appeared irritated. "You did when you signed this contract before reading it, understanding it and with the full knowledge that I would provide my conditions only after you committed to the agreement." Was all I said. The elderly man chuckled as his wife tried to restrain him. I was looking at a now silenced and bewildered group of people.
"You can shove that stupid deal up you're a** old man, I want no part of it" exclaimed the now infuriated young man. "You have committed to the contract, as witnessed by all of your friends; you cannot get out of the deal unless I agree to it. I do not intend to let you free now that I have you ensnared. I am the power you agreed to. I am the one you blindly and without thought chose to enslave yourself to. In short, I am your Master." At this, the table of celebrating individuals became a unified group against the unfairness of the deal.
After a few moments of unrepeatable comments and slurs, I revealed my true intent. "What I did to you is what this administration and congress did to you with the health care legislation. I easily suckered you in and then revealed the real cost of the bargain. Your folly was in the belief that you can have something you did not earn; that you are entitled to that which you did not earn; that you willingly allowed someone else to think for you. Your failure to research, study and inform yourself permitted reason to escape you. You have entered into a trap from which you cannot flee. Your only chance of freedom is if your new Master gives it to you. A freedom that is given can also be taken away; therefore, it is not freedom." With that, I tore up the napkin and placed it before the astonished young man. "This is the nature of your new health care legislation."
I turned away to leave these few in thought and contemplation and was surprised by applause. The elderly gentleman, who was clearly entertained, shook my hand enthusiastically and said, "Thank you Sir, these kids don't understand Liberty these days." He refused to allow me to pay my bill as he said, "You earned this one, it is an honor to pickup the tab." I shook his hand in thanks, leaving the restaurant somewhat humbled, and sensing a glimmer of hope for my beloved country.
Use reason,
Clifford A Wright
Note: Many small businesses have decided they would rather pay the small tax the government will impose, rather than offer coverage to
their employees. It's far less expensive for them, and they don't like the fact that the government now dictates the terms of the coverage, which
can wildly affect their costs.
This means millions of workers currently covered will be forced into purchasing their own insurance to comply with the new law. They have no choice except to, themselves, be fined if they don't. Many will be forced onto Medicaid rolls, increasing the costs to the fed, and the states, for cost share and administration. Inevitably, this will lead to higher state and fed taxes.
The 'free' care will only be for the very poor, who are already eligible, and immigrants. Anyone with the 'ability' to pay - determined by the feds - will have to do so. The 'benefits' don't kick in until 2014, so people are being told to stop calling their congressman, hospitals, and doctors to request their 'free' care. It seems they didn't really understand the law, and just thought they were getting something for nothing.
Pres Obama recently said he would not take the VAT (Value added tax) idea off the table. A VAT, of course, equates to a national sales tax, as high as 29% in some countries. Such a tax would seriously affect the purchasing power of ALL Americans...especially those with low incomes.
Sounds like the possibility of another tax on the less fortunate, doesn't it? Oh, the promises of campaigning.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Media Madness
Howdy Folks, Sorry I've been remiss in posting (again) but life sometimes takes control of our best intentions.
My rant today? Why the hell would ANYONE choose to get their "news" from msnbc, nbc, the NYT, or any of the so blatantly biased news orginizations?
You never get the full story, seldom get the truth, and are expected to just sit there and listen to their leftist propoganda. Their hypocracy amazes me, but they continue to fall in ratings while offering up the same old crap.
Tea Party folks are a microcosm of America. I've seen young and old, black and white, dems and reps, and, mostly, independent voters who just don't want to lose the freedoms we have earned at such a high cost.
Yet, the lamestream media continues to demonize them while totally ignoring any story that paints the leftists in a bad light. They accuse Tea Partiers of violence, racism, and anti-Americanism, when, in actuality, it's the left that most times resorts to violence and beats down anyone they don't agree with.
Educate yourselves, Folks, before you decide to swallow the progessive pill. While you may not agree with him, I challenge you to record and watch Glenn Beck for just one week. He highlights what is REALLY going on in YOUR country. I dare you!!!
Have a great day! Roger
My rant today? Why the hell would ANYONE choose to get their "news" from msnbc, nbc, the NYT, or any of the so blatantly biased news orginizations?
You never get the full story, seldom get the truth, and are expected to just sit there and listen to their leftist propoganda. Their hypocracy amazes me, but they continue to fall in ratings while offering up the same old crap.
Tea Party folks are a microcosm of America. I've seen young and old, black and white, dems and reps, and, mostly, independent voters who just don't want to lose the freedoms we have earned at such a high cost.
Yet, the lamestream media continues to demonize them while totally ignoring any story that paints the leftists in a bad light. They accuse Tea Partiers of violence, racism, and anti-Americanism, when, in actuality, it's the left that most times resorts to violence and beats down anyone they don't agree with.
Educate yourselves, Folks, before you decide to swallow the progessive pill. While you may not agree with him, I challenge you to record and watch Glenn Beck for just one week. He highlights what is REALLY going on in YOUR country. I dare you!!!
Have a great day! Roger
Saturday, March 6, 2010
At last! Offices are done and we've moved everything in. I was amazed at the amount of 'junk' accumulated in the last 5 years. :)
Most of it was tossed, and the rest again resides in my cabinet, where it will probably languish another 5 years before I clean it out again.
The link above, and on the left, are supposed to take you to my articles on constant-content. Hope it works this time. Bear with me while I get these things working.
If you haven't yet, go to www.rogerhaley.com and get my books. You owe it to yourself to see what the fuss is about. Have a great day, all! Roger
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Almost There!
Well, it shouldn't be long now before I get to work in my new office. Whew! At least the framing, flooring, and drywall are done, so it's quieter, but I went to investigate today and stepped in a big pile of drywall mud that had been dropped on the floor. Hard to get off your shoes!
Things are going well with the books. Had some sales, and the husband of a very famous author bought KIAMICHI TRAIL, and emailed me about it. That was interesting, to say the least.
More news!! I'm now a member of Western Writers of America! My info should come up on their website soon, and it's a real honor to join the best western writers in America in this prestigious group.
My plate is full, and my cup runneth over, but I'm in the beginning stages of a new project which (I hope) will be huge. More on that as it develops.
The widget I mentioned before did not work! I messaged the web admin, and hope they can correct the problem so I can get it posted. Have a wonderful day!
Things are going well with the books. Had some sales, and the husband of a very famous author bought KIAMICHI TRAIL, and emailed me about it. That was interesting, to say the least.
More news!! I'm now a member of Western Writers of America! My info should come up on their website soon, and it's a real honor to join the best western writers in America in this prestigious group.
My plate is full, and my cup runneth over, but I'm in the beginning stages of a new project which (I hope) will be huge. More on that as it develops.
The widget I mentioned before did not work! I messaged the web admin, and hope they can correct the problem so I can get it posted. Have a wonderful day!
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