The World Is Safer - But Politicians Dare Not Say It

There’s one foreign policy fact that President Obama and Mitt Romney dare not mention this election season. No American general will speak of it. Nor will it displace the usual hot topics at Washington’s myriad foreign policy think tanks.

Measured by most relevant statistics, the United States — and the world — have never been safer.
Obama says terrorist networks remain the greatest threat to the United States. “We have to remain vigilant,” he warned recently. But global terrorism has barely touched most Americans in the decade since Sept. 11, 2001, with 238 U.S. citizens killed in terrorist attacks, mostly in war zones, according to the National Counterterrorism Center’s annual reports. By comparison, the Consumer Product Safety Commission found that 293Americans were crushed during the same stretch by falling furniture or televisions.

Tamaqua 12 Marian 0 - Raiders Win the Anthracite League Title

The Tamaqua Blue Raiders easily handled in-town rival Marian Catholic 12-0 to complete an undefeated championship season. The game just finished at 9:30 PM on Saturday night. This will be the first time Tamaqua had an undefeated untied season since 1927. In 1962 - the Blue Raiders finished with 10 wins - no losses - but one tie.

Unfortunately - Pennsylvania now has state playoffs - so almost everyone ends the season with a loss.

We were able to listen to the game in Tallahassee FL on our computer - using the Internet.

We Just Spent An Evening With President Bill Clinton

My photo of President Clinton

On the way home from Disneyworld we heard that President Clinton was speaking on the FSU Campus at 8 PM. We got home at 7 - and went on line to check out the facts. Lucky for us the President was speaking at 9 PM - we had time for a shower and supper.

At about 8:30 we drove the Vespa scooter to campus. We parked where we usually park for a football game. The speech would take place right in front of the statue of Osceola. Thousands of students were assembled - Lulu and I laid down on our woolen blanket and waited. We did not have to wait long.

His voice was cracking but he spoke for 45 minutes.

Al Lawson - running for Congress - introduced Bill.

A crowd of thousands on Langford Green.

Doak Campbell Stadium - Chief Osceola on Renegade - and Bill Clinton - the first black president.

Electric Model T Ford on Ebay

This remarkable 1920 Ford Model T runs on electricity. According to the seller, who has been a collector for more than 45 years, it’s the only electric Model T he has ever seen. Ford originally built the vehicle to run as a conventional gas-powered vehicle, but sometime in the past few decades, the original engine was disconnected from the drive shaft (but left in place). “Someone has skillfully installed what appears to be a 36-volt golf cart motor behind the rear of the engine,” wrote the seller.

500 Pound Giant Pennsylvania Pumpkin at the Hilton Hotel

500 Pound Pennsylvania Pumpkin in lobby of Our Hilton

We are staying at the Hilton Bonnet Creek Hotel in Disneyworld. In the lobby is a beautiful autumn display featuring giant pumpkins from Pennsylvania. The sign is not specific  exactly where in Pennsylvania it came from.

The FAME Convention at Disneyworld - We're Going to Disneyworld!

This is the pool at the Hilton Bonnet Creek - picture taken from our hotel room on the 14th floor. Around the edge is a lazy river - water temp is 85.

Every fall the Florida Association of Media Educators has a convention - usually in Orlando. This time it is held at Hilton - Bonnet Creek - right on the Disney property. Disneyworld has gotten so big - you need to use your GPS to get around.

Back in the 1970s - Lulu and I used to bring my students down here in a bus. Lulu and I got chauffeur's licenses and we would drive 20 hours straight to get here from Tamaqua PA. It was about 1050 miles each way. In those days - our bus got 10 MPG - and it took 100 gallons of gasoline each way. My bus had 2 large 40 gallon tanks so we could almost make the whole trip without refueling. 

New Volkswagen Camper

This conversion van is built in England. It doubles the space in a VW van. It weighs 285 pounds - and takes 45 seconds to fully set it up.

This one is a blue one - just like my buddy George Dawson's VW.

Lunch At Wilderness Lodge in Disneyworld

Disney Hotel and Electric Cars

Plug your Nissan Leaf or Chevy Volt Here

Today Lulu and I drove our Prius from Tallahassee to Orlando. We are staying at the Hilton Hotel Bonnet Creek in Disneyworld.

Lulu has a convention here of FAME - Florida Association of Media Educators.

We had a nice ride down - taking I-10 to I-75. We took a little side detour toward Tampa. At the intersection of I-75 and Route 50 - we had lunch with Carl and Marylou Zimmerman. Then we took Route 50 - Route 27 - and Route 192.

The Zimmerman's are our friends from Tamaqua that have a winter home at Wesley Chapel. Carl is my cousin and Marylou is one of Lulu's best friends. They just drove down from Tamaqua yesterday. They were greeted to Florida with a 12-day baby sitting job. Their daughter lives nearby - and her 3 kids will be with the grandparents while Christa and her husband are going on a cruise to Barbados.

With all the stops it took us 6 hours to get to Disneyworld from home.

While parking our car in the hotel parking garage - I noticed electric car outlets. If you drive a plug-in car - full electric or plug in hybrid - free fuel.

Our Old Honda Van is Back in Pennsylvania

Two years ago - we traded our 2004 Honda Van for a 2008 Toyota Prius on Craigslist. While checking the new owner's Facebook page - I found this picture. They are back in Pennsylvania for a visit with family. Note the autumn leaves and how full the Honda is.

They had listed their Prius on Craigslist for sale. They had a baby and another one on the way. They wanted $18,000 for the Prius. I agreed to buy it. When I asked them what they were going to drive - they said they wanted to buy a mini-van. I suggested that they take mine for a drive. 

We settled on a trade plus cash. I gave them the Honda plus $9000. The Honda had 150,000 miles on it. The Prius had 20,000 miles on it.  

Today the Prius has 35,000 miles on it and it is going to Disneyworld today. I wonder how many miles are on the Honda now. It was a great deal for both parties.

The President Who Seems Not To Care

By Richard Cohen, Published: October 29 copied from the Washington Post Today

One of the more melancholy moments of the presidential campaign occurred for me in a screening room. The film was Rory Kennedy’s documentary about her mother, Ethel — the widow of Robert F. Kennedy. Much of it consisted of Kennedy-family home movies, but also film of RFK in Appalachia and in Mississippi among the pitifully emaciated poor. Kennedy brimmed with shock and indignation, with sorrow and sympathy, and was determined — you could see it on his face — to do something about it. I’ve never seen that look on Barack Obama’s face.

600 Miles Later - at 17 Years Old - Florida Van Gets First Taste of Snow

It is official - the Florida van is a snowbird - now living in Rural Retreat VA. Rural Retreat is on I-81 in the Appalachian Mountains. 

Jack and Tami made the 600 mile trip home in their new van. Jack said it performed flawlessly. They were greeted to the state by snow from Hurricane Sandy. Tami said - let's move to Florida.

Bobby Bowden and His Bentley Signing Books at the Mall Friday - and Sally

Bobby was signing books at the mall on Friday. I could have sworn this was my Coal Cracker friend - Sally Bair from Schuylkill County.

Bobby Bowden - 3 years about his "Forced Retirement" still does not attend FSU football game.

Do not even get me started about how rudely Florida State has treated this man. Tallahassee and FSU were unknown to the world until Bobby coached the football team to 32 straight winnings - 2 national championships - 19 bowl games - and 15 straight finishes in the Top 4 in the nation. A season with more than one loss was considered a down year. Yes Bobby is a millionaire - but he made billions of dollars for FSU. Rant over.

On Friday Bobby was at mall about 1 mile from our house signing his new book. There was a long line waiting for him to sign items. If you bought a book for $15 - he personalized it - along with another item you bought at the store.

Lulu and Her Dodge 600 Were in the Homecoming Parade

Here is Lulu in her classic 1986 Dodge 600 Convertible in the Homecoming Parade.

What a beautiful sunny Florida fall day for riding in a convertible and having a Homecoming Parade. FSU's colors are garnet and gold - perfect autumn colors - even in Tallahassee the leaves turn a little bit. 

The parade started at 2 PM and barely went a mile - but lasted about 90 minutes.

Lulu and Dodge Classic chauffeured David Bottoms - the Distinguished Writer Award Winner. Our neighbor Wayne was a member of the committee to choose award winners.

My job was  to hustle along trying to get a decent picture or three.

This is the Garnet and Gold flag of the Seminole Nation.

The is FSU's famous mascot Osceola riding Renegade.

This is Tony Sanchez - the real chief of the Seminole Nation. He also runs casinos.

These prisoner followed Renegade.

President Eric Barron and his wife have a golf cart.

This is an award winning float.

Someone put a flag over the radiator of her classic 1986 Dodge  - completely covering its personality. You could not tell what kind of car is was.

Our neighbor Wayne in the parade.

There Goes Jackie and Tami in Their New/Old Van

Harry with Jackie & Tami - right before they left for home in Virginia

About 5 months ago - I bought an old van. When Lulu's brother Jackie saw it - he asked me to find him a similar one. Although I did not think he was serious - I went on the hunt for another.

Because the price of gasoline is going up - it is not hard to find old vans - but it is hard finding nice ones. But about a week later I got one. The guy wanted $3700 but I convinced him it was only worth $2600. Negotiations went quickly.

Duke Is At Doak Today At 3:30

We have two sets of guests at our house for today's game.

Jackie and Tami flew down yesterday to take home  their (17 year old) new van. Lulu has used this chance to have a tailgate party. I was lucky enough to land a numbered parking pass right next to the stadium - so we will be going over early to party at 12:30.

To make matters worse - a hot Jaguar buyer is bringing his wife to see the Jag at noon. It is his second visit so I am hoping he will buy it.

Finally - the flu bug bit me yesterday - my head is like a balloon to see the Dukies.

Good luck to Duke and the Noles!

Home From 5 Days in Richmond

Drew and family bought a home in Richmond.

I had 5 great days with the kids.

My 2 flights home were just as good as the 2 flights up. Everything was on time. It was a free flight paid for by frequent flyer miles.

Drew and I spent some time doing improvements around the house.

In 2 weeks - Lulu and I are both going to visit. We are also going to see the Seminoles play Virginia Tech and Maryland on that trip.