Presidential New Year's Message

New Year's Day, 2006

The New Year is a time of hope as we reflect on the past and prepare for the future.

The great strength of our Nation lies in the hearts and souls of the American people. This past year, Americans responded with an outpouring of compassion to help the people of the Gulf Coast region recover from one of the most devastating natural disasters in our Nation's history. We remember the victims of the past year's hurricanes and give thanks for the millions of people who opened their hearts, homes, and communities to those in need.

In the past year, we continued our work to spread freedom and peace. In 2005, Iraqis three times exercised their right to vote in free elections, and the Afghan people conducted successful parliamentary elections. In the coming year, America will continue to stand beside these young democracies and lay the foundation of peace for our children and grandchildren.

We appreciate the brave men and women in uniform who protect our country and advance freedom around the world. We are grateful to their families for their support and sacrifice, and we pray for all those who have lost loved ones in freedom's cause. Our Nation will always remember the heroes who have given their lives to protect us all.

As we celebrate the New Year, we give thanks to God for His blessings and ask for His guidance. We look with hope to the year ahead and the many new opportunities the future will bring.

Laura and I send our best wishes for a happy New Year. May God bless you, and may God continue to bless America.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

It's 2006. The last year went by soooo fast. My mother always said time would start to fly once I reached "a certain age". She never did tell me what that age was, but I think I passed it five or ten years ago.

2005 had it's good times and bad, more good than bad, I think. It could have ended on a better note. My Other Half had some disturbing medical news, but it's not as bad as it could be. And this is not the time to go into it.

For my readers, I hope that each and everyone of you have a wonderful 2006. I hope for good health, wealth, and a great year for each of you.

Unbelievable!

Just frickin' unbeliveable. Another tropical storm. Didn't Mother Nature get the memo that hurricane season is over? Not just over, but o-vah!

The Twelve Days of Christmas

On the Seventh day of Christmas my true love sent to me...

Six geese a-laying
Five gold rings
Four calling birds
Three french hens
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree

Camp Katrina

I'd like to introduce you to a new (to me) blog. Camp Katrina was started by Spc. Phil Van Treuren and his friends to highlight stories about the humanitarian efforts of the U.S. Military. After taking a look at CK, I was impressed. It's well-written, interesting, and fun. If you want to read about what's right with the military, here's a place to start. Use the link above or on the sidebar.

And, ladies...take a look at Spc. Van Treuren's pic. I can understand why he won the Cutest Blogger of 2005 award.

Coming Up Next

With the Christmas season all but over, my self-imposed moratorium on politics will end. So I will begin writing about the FairTax, immigration, and Social Security once again.

That being said, I rather enjoyed concentrating on a single theme and since the Olympics are coming up, I will devote most of my blogging time in February to the Olympics. As with Christmas, a good deal of what I post will not be original (to me) content, but I will give appropriate credit as I always try to do.

I'll have something to post for New Year's and Martin Luther King day in January.

In February, in addition to the Olympics, I'll be writing about the Day of Love and Romance, Valentine's Day. President's Day also falls in February, so you can expect to see something on George Washington and Abe Lincoln.

I hope you enjoyed the Christmas theme as much as I did and hope you will enjoy what I have to offer over the next couple of months.

A Few Rules to Live By

With the New Year looming ever closer, many of us make resolutions, most of which don't last a week. Here are a few suggestions I received in email that may make our lives better and really aren't that hard to achieve.

1. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.
2. Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, their conversational skills will be as important as any other.
3. Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.
4. When you say, "I love you," mean it.
5. When you say, "I'm sorry," look the person in the eye.
6. Be engaged at least six months before you get married.

7. Believe in love at first sight.

8. Never laugh at anyone's dream. People who don't have dreams don't have much.

9. Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the only way to live life completely. 10. In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.

11. Don't judge people by their relatives.

12. Talk slowly but think quickly.
13. When someone asks you a question you don't want to answer, smile and ask, "Why do you want to know?"

14. Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.

15. Say "bless you" when you hear someone sneeze.

16. When you lose, don't lose the lesson.

17. Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others; and responsibility for all your actions.

18. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.

19. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.

20. Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice.
21. Spend some time alone.

A History of the New Year

The celebration of the new year on January 1st is a relatively new phenomenon. The earliest recording of a new year celebration is believed to have been in Mesopotamia, c. 2000 B.C. and was celebrated around the time of the vernal equinox, in mid-March. A variety of other dates tied to the seasons were also used by various ancient cultures. The Egyptians, Phoenicians, and Persians began their new year with the fall equinox, and the Greeks celebrated it on the winter solstice.

Early Roman Calendar: March 1st Rings in the New Year

The early Roman calendar designated March 1 as the new year. The calendar had just ten months, beginning with March. That the new year once began with the month of March is still reflected in some of the names of the months. September through December, our ninth through twelfth months, were originally positioned as the seventh through tenth months (septem is Latin for “seven,” octo is “eight,” novem is “nine,” and decem is “ten”).

January Joins the Calendar

The first time the new year was celebrated on January 1st was in Rome in 153 B.C. (In fact, the month of January did not even exist until around 700 B.C., when the second king of Rome, Numa Pontilius, added the months of January and February.) The new year was moved from March to January because that was the beginning of the civil year, the month that the two newly elected Roman consuls—the highest officials in the Roman republic—began their one-year tenure. But this new year date was not always strictly and widely observed, and the new year was still sometimes celebrated on March 1.

Julian Calendar: January 1st Officially Instituted as the New Year

In 46 B.C. Julius Caesar introduced a new, solar-based calendar that was a vast improvement on the ancient Roman calendar, which was a lunar system that had become wildly inaccurate over the years. The Julian calendar decreed that the new year would occur with January 1, and within the Roman world, January 1 became the consistently observed start of the new year.

Middle Ages: January 1st Abolished

In medieval Europe, however, the celebrations accompanying the new year were considered pagan and unchristian like, and in 567 the Council of Tours abolished January 1 as the beginning of the year. At various times and in various places throughout medieval Christian Europe, the new year was celebrated on Dec. 25, the birth of Jesus; March 1; March 25, the Feast of the Annunciation; and Easter.

Gregorian Calendar: January 1st Restored

In 1582, the Gregorian calendar reform restored January 1 as new year's day. Although most Catholic countries adopted the Gregorian calendar almost immediately, it was only gradually adopted among Protestant countries. The British, for example, did not adopt the reformed calendar until 1752. Until then, the British Empire—and their American colonies—still celebrated the new year in March.

Time's Man of the Year

Time kind of fooled me this year. I wasn't expecting three people to be named. Bill and Melinda Gates joined rocker Bono as the winners of this year's award. The Gates are notable philanthropists and Bono is known for his work in reducing world debt and improving world health.

Congratulations to all. These endeavors can only help to make the world a better place for all.

Poll Is Now Closed

The poll question was "Which is your favorite Christmas/holiday special?" The choices were: A Charlie Brown Christmas, Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Santa Claus is Comin' to Town, Frosty Returns, Rugrats Chanukah Special, Rudolph's Shiny New Year, and other.

The results are in and Charlie Brown wins 4 to 1. Other received one vote. I wonder what that choice would be?

Maybe next year I'll have another poll that includes seasonal movies as well.

The Twelve Days of Christmas

On the Sixth day of Christmas my true love sent to me...

Five gold rings

Four calling birds

Three french hens

Two turtle doves

And a partridge in a pear tree

Happy New Year's Across the World

Language.................................................. Happy New Year!

Afrikaans...............................................Voorspoedige nuwe jaar
Arabic................................................... Kul 'am wa antum bikhair
Basque.................................................. Urte Berri on
Bengali ................................................. Shuvo noboborsho
Chinese (Cantonese).............................. Sun nien fai lok
Chinese (Mandarin)................................ Xin nian yu kuai
Czech.................................................... Stastny Novy Rok
Dutch.................................................... Gelukkig nieuwjaar
Esperanto.............................................. Bonan Novjaron
Finnish.................................................. Onnellista uutta vuotta
French................................................... Bonne année
German................................................. Ein glückliches neues Jahr
Greek.................................................... Eutychismenos o kainourgios chronos
Hawaiian................................................ Hauoli Makahiki hou
Hebrew.................................................. Shana Tova
Hungarian.............................................. Boldog uj evet
Indonesian (Bahasa)............................... Selamat Tahun Baru
Italian..................................................... Felice Anno Nuovo or Buon anno
Japanese............................................... Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu
Korean................................................... Sehe Bokmanee Bateuseyo
Laotian (Hmong)..................................... Nyob Zoo Xyoo Tshiab
Latin....................................................... Felix sit annus novus
Nigerian (Hausa)..................................... Barka da sabuwar shekara
Norwegian.............................................. Godt Nytt År
Philippines (Tagalog)............................... Manigong Bagong Taon
Polish..................................................... Szczesliwego Nowego Roku
Romanian................................................ La Multi Ani si Un An Nou Fericit
Samoan.................................................. Ia manuia le Tausaga Fou
Spanish.................................................. Feliz año nuevo
Swahili.....................................................Heri za Mwaka Mpya
Swedish................................................. Gott Nytt År
Vietnamese............................................ Chuc mung nam moi
Welsh.................................................... Blwyddyn Newydd Dda

Pronounciation is up to you!

Auld Lang Syne

You can amaze your friends and relatives when the New Year's Ball drops by singing Auld Lang Syne, and singing the actual words! Most of us know the the first verse and the chorus, but all too few of us know the rest of the song. So, here it is, as recorded by Robert Burns:

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne.

CHORUS:

For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll tak a cup of kindness yet,
For auld lang syne!

And surely ye'll be your pint-stowp,
And surely I'll be mine,
And we'll tak a cup o kindness yet,
For auld lang syne!

CHORUS

For auld lang syne, my dear
For auld lang syne,
We'll tak a cup of kindness yet,
For auld lang syne!

We twa hae run about the braes,
And pou'd the gowans fine,
But we've wander'd monie a weary fit,
Sin auld lang syne.

CHORUS

For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll tak a cup of kindness yet,
For auld lang syne!

We twa hae paidl'd in the burn,
Frae morning sun till dine,
But seas between us braid hae roar'd
Sin auld lang syne.

CHORUS:

For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll tak a cup of kindness yet,
For auld lang syne!

And there's a hand my trusty fiere,
And gie's a hand o thine,
And we'll tak a right guid-willie waught,
For auld lang syne.

And please note, I didn't use spell-check here, it would have driven me completely around the corner. What you see is the spelling as is from Robbie Burns himself

Here is a bit of the history of Auld Lang Syne:

The most commonly sung song for English-speakers on New Year's eve, "Auld Lang Syne" is an old Scottish song that was first published by the poet Robert Burns in the 1796 edition of the book, Scots Musical Museum. Burns transcribed it (and made some refinements to the lyrics) after he heard it sung by an old man from the Ayrshire area of Scotland, Burns's homeland.

It is often remarked that "Auld Lang Syne" is one of the most popular songs that nobody knows the lyrics to. "Auld Lang Syne" literally translates as "old long since" and means "times gone by." The song asks whether old friends and times will be forgotten and promises to remember people of the past with fondness, "For auld lang syne, we'll tak a cup o' kindness yet."

The lesser known verses continue this theme, lamenting how friends who once used to "run about the braes, And pou'd the gowans fine" (run about the hills and pulled up the daisies) and "paidl'd in the burn/Frae morning sun till dine" (paddled in the stream from morning to dusk) have become divided by time and distance—"seas between us braid hae roar'd" (broad seas have roared between us). Yet there is always time for old friends to get together—if not in person then in memory—and "tak a right guid-willie waught" (a good-will drink).

But it was bandleader Guy Lombardo, and not Robert Burns, who popularized the song and turned it into a New Year's tradition. Lombardo first heard "Auld Lang Syne" in his hometown of London, Ontario, where it was sung by Scottish immigrants. When he and his brothers formed the famous dance band, Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians, the song became one of their standards. Lombardo played the song at midnight at a New Year's eve party at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City in 1929, and a tradition was born. After that, Lombardo's version of the song was played every New Year's eve from the 1930s until 1976 at the Waldorf Astoria. In the first years it was broadcast on radio, and then on television. The song became such a New Year's tradition that "Life magazine wrote that if Lombardo failed to play 'Auld Lang Syne,' the American public would not believe that the new year had really arrived."

The Twelve Days of Christmas

On the Fifth day of Christmas my true love sent to me...

Four calling birds
Three french hens
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree

The Twelve Days of Christmas

On the Fourth day of Christmas my true love sent to me...

Three french hens
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree

The Twelve Days of Christmas

On the Third day of Christmas my true love sent to me...

Two Turtle Doves
And a partridge in a pear tree

The Twelve Days of Christmas

On the Second day of Christmas my true love sent to me...

And a partridge in a pear tree

Security System

Now that Christmas is over, and you've opened all those really great gifts, especially those ... (cough)... expensive gifts, you might want to consider installing a security system.

Well, if you are like most people, you shot your wad on Christmas gifts and don't have a lot of money for a security system. Here's your answer...the Poor Man's Security System, presented here complete with instructions.

How To install a poor-man's security system:

Go to a second-hand store and buy a pair of men's used work boots (a really big pair). Put them outside your front door on top of a pile of Guns and Ammo magazines. Put a dog dish beside it; a BIG dog dish. Leave a note on your front door that says something like,

Bubba, Big Mike and I have gone to get more ammunition.

Be back in a 1/2 hour.

Don't disturb the Pit bulls; they've just been wormed.

Heck, it would keep me away!

Update: Reader Charlie on the PA Turnpike offers this from his George Carlin page-a-day calendar:

I have a very inexpensive security system. If someone breaks into my house, I run next door and throw a brick through my neighbor's window. That sets off his alarm, and when the police arrive I driect them to my house.

And I like that idea even better!

Thanks Charlie!

Paul Harvey and Prayer

Paul Harvey says: I don't believe in Santa Claus, but I'm not going to sue somebody for singing a Ho-Ho-Ho song in December. I don't agree with Darwin, but I didn't go out and hire a lawyer when my high school teacher taught his theory of evolution.

Life, liberty or your pursuit of happiness will not be endangered because someone says a 30-second prayer before a football game.

So what's the big deal? It's not like somebody is up there reading the entire book of Acts. They're just talking to a God they believe in and asking him to grant safety to the players on the field and the fans going home from the game.

"But it's a Christian prayer," some will argue.Yes, and this is the United States of America, a country founded on Christian principles. According to our very own phone book, Christian churches outnumber all others better than 200-to-1. So what would you expect-somebody chanting Hare Krishna?

If I went to a football game in Jerusalem, I would expect to hear a Jewish prayer.

If I went to a soccer game in Baghdad, I would expect to hear a Muslim prayer.

If I went to a ping pong match in China, I would expect to hear someone pray to Buddha.

And I wouldn't be offended. It wouldn't bother me one bit. When in Rome...

"But what about the atheists?" is another argument.

What about them?

Nobody is asking them to be baptized. We're not going to pass the collection plate. Just humor us for 30 seconds. If that's asking too much, bring a Walkman or a pair of ear plugs. Go to the bathroom. Visit the concession stand. Call your lawyer!

Unfortunately, one or two will make that call. One or two will tell thousands what they can and cannot do. I don't think a short prayer at a football game is going to shake the world's foundations.

Christians are just sick and tired of turning the other cheek while our courts strip us of all our rights. Our parents and grandparents taught us to pray before eating; to pray before we go to sleep.

Our Bible tells us to pray without ceasing. Now a handful of people and their lawyers are telling us to cease praying.

God, help us.

And if that last sentence offends you, well, just sue me.

The silent majority has been silent too long. It's time we let that one or two who scream loud enough to be heard ... that the vast majority don't care what they want.

It is time the majority rules! It's time we tell them, you don't have to pray; you don't have to say the pledge of allegiance; you don't have to believe in God or attend services that honor Him. That is your right, and we will honor your right. But by golly, you are no longer going to take our rights away. We are fighting back. And we WILL WIN!

God bless us one and all .. especially those who denounce Him.

God bless America, despite all her faults. She is still the greatest nation of all.

God bless our service men and women who are fighting to protect our right to pray and worship God.

May 2005 be the year the silent majority is heard and we put God back as the foundation of our families and institutions.

(this is obviously from last year, but I believe the sentiment is the same - ed.)

Presidential Christmas Eve Radio Address

Good morning. On this Christmas Eve, Laura and I send our best wishes to families across America as you gather in your homes to celebrate the holiday. Christmas is a time of joy and peace, and we hope the holiday season brings all of you happy reunions with families and friends, and time to rest and reflect as you look forward to a new year.

At Christmas, we give thanks for the gift of the birth of Christ, and for the blessings that surround us every day of the year. In this great and prosperous land, we have so much to be thankful for, and Christmas reminds us of our obligation to share these blessings with others. There are many among us who are hurting and require a helping hand. In the new year, I hope Americans will look for ways to volunteer your time and talents where they are needed most. By reaching out to a neighbor in need, we make our nation a more just and compassionate place.

This Christmas, we remember our fellow citizens who suffered from the hurricanes and other disasters that struck our nation this past year. We pray for their strength as they continue to recover and rebuild their lives and their communities.

During the holiday season and throughout the year, we think with pride of the men and women of our Armed Forces, who are keeping our nation safe and defending freedom around the world. In Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere, they are protecting our liberty by spreading liberty to others, and all Americans are grateful to our troops for their courage and commitment.

We're also grateful to their families. Staying behind when a family member goes to war is a heavy burden -- and it's particularly hard at Christmas. We pray for our military families; we ask Almighty God to bestow His protection and care on their loved ones as they protect our nation from grave dangers.

We also remember the heroic men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation's freedom. We pray that God will comfort the loved ones they left behind. The sacrifices of these brave troops have rescued millions from lives of tyranny and sorrow, and made America more secure. We will always cherish the memory of each of our fallen servicemen and women, and count it a privilege to be citizens of the country they served.

The times we live in have brought many challenges to our country. And at such times, the story of Christmas brings special comfort and confidence. Christmas reminds us that we can trust in God's promise of peace on Earth and goodwill toward men. On a night more than 2,000 years ago, an angel of the Lord brought good tidings of great joy: the God of Heaven had come to Earth, and He would be with us always.

Thank you for listening, and Merry Christmas.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

GOD BLESS US, EVERYONE!!

Dear Lord,

I've been asked, nay commanded, to thank Thee for the Christmas turkey before us... a turkey which was no doubt a lively, intelligent bird... a social being... capable of actual affection... nuzzling its young with almost human- like compassion.

Anyway, it's dead and we're gonna eat it. Please give our respects to its family...

- - - Berke Breathed

If you see a fat man...

Who's jolly and cute

wearing a beard

and a red flannel suit

and if he is chuckling

and laughing away

while flying around

in a miniature sleigh

with eight tiny reindeer

to pull him along

then, friend, let's face it...

Your eggnog's too strong!

~author unknown~

REMEMBER THIS AT CHRISTMAS TIME...

According to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, while both male and female reindeer grow antlers in the summer each year, male reindeer drop their antlers at the beginning of winter, usually late November to mid-December. Female reindeer retain their antlers till after they give birth in the spring.

Therefore, according to EVERY historical rendition depicting Santa's reindeer, EVERY single one of them, from Rudolph to Blitzen, had to be a female.

We should've known... Only women would be able to drag a fat man in a red velvet suit all around the world in one night and not get lost.

From email...Merry Christmas!!

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

from the film Meet Me In St. Louis

Hugh Martin, Ralph Blane 1943

Have yourself a merry little Christmas,
Let your heart be light
From now on,
our troubles will be out of sight.

Have yourself a merry little Christmas,
Make the Yule-tide gay,
From now on,
our troubles will be miles away.

Here we are as in olden days,
happy golden days of yore.
Faithful friends who are dear to us
gather near to us once more.

Through the years we all will be together
If the Fates allow
Hang a shining star upon the highest bough.
And have yourself a merry little Christmas now.

The Twelve Days of Christmas

On the First day of Christmas my true love sent to me...
A partridge in a pear tree

O Little Town of Bethlehem

by Phillips Brooks

O little town of Bethlehem,

How still we see thee lie;

Above thy deep and dreamless sleep

The silent stars go by.

Yet in thy dark streets shineth

The everlasting light;

The hopes and fears of all the years

Are met in thee tonight.

For Christ is born of Mary;

And gathered all above,

While mortals sleep, the angels keep

Their watch of wondering love.

O morning stars, together

Proclaim the holy birth;

And praises sing to God, the King.

And peace to men on earth.

How silently, how silently

The wondrous gift is given!

So God imparts to human hearts

The blessings of His heaven.

No ear may hear His coming,

But in this world of sin,

Where meek souls will receive Him, still,

The dear Christ enters in.

O holy Child of Bethlehem,

Descend to us, we pray;

Cast out our sin, and enter in,

Be born in us today.

We hear the Christmas angels,

The great glad tidings tell;

O come to us, abide with us,

Our Lord Emmanuel.

The Story of Christmas

Here is the way it is told by Saint Luke:

And she brought forth her first born son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone around about them; and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them,

"Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."

We Wish You A Merry Christmas

We wish you a merry Christmas
We wish you a merry Christmas
We wish you a merry Christmas
And a happy New Year.

Glad tidings we bring
To you and your kin;
Glad tidings for Christmas
And a happy New Year!

We want some figgy pudding
We want some figgy pudding
We want some figgy pudding
Please bring it right here!

Glad tidings we bring
To you and your kin;
Glad tidings for Christmas
And a happy New Year!

We won't go until we get some
We won't go until we get some
We won't go until we get some
So bring it out here!

Glad tidings we bring
To you and your kin;
Glad tidings for Christmas
And a happy New Year!

We wish you a Merry Christmas
We wish you a Merry Christmas
We wish you a Merry Christmas
And a happy New Year.

Glad tidings we bring
To you and your kin;
Glad tidings for Christmas
And a happy New Year!