I was raised in Tracy, CA at about the same time. I am four years older than you, and you hit it on the nail.

Vietnam, 1963. I was lucky to get there early and get out before the serious fighting started. I admire those who came after me.

I am not sure if I know, or anyone else knows, what they are protesting. As a symbol they are showing disrespect to America, our Flag, and our National Anthem. If they have something they want to say, they should say it outright. They are all rich athletes that could have a platform any day and any time. Say what you have a problem with. We will listen.

And a lot of MLB teams, after 9/11, started using "God Bless America" during the 7th inning stretch. Again, the protesters have a right to do what they are doing, but should they do what they are doing? All would be better served if they would protest on their own time and in a different venue. It's like giving the finger to America. They should grow up.

I am a Vietnam veteran and I fly an American Flag in front of my house everyday. I respect America, the Flag and the National Anthem. I understand it is the Constitutional right of all Americans to protest against our government. By kneeling, sitting or staying in the locker room they are showing their contempt for America, but they have a right to do this. However, I think they are being jerks. If the NFL owners don't want to hire Kapernick because he is a jerk, they are within their rights as well. If the NFL owners want to set standards, and fire those who aren't good citizens they have that right also. Who knows where this will end?

When the cruise lines shut down for the year the shops all try to get rid of their merchandise. That is when my wife loves to go. Great bargains for the shoppers. You just never know what the weather will be no matter when you go.

Technology has developed some amazing bats made of composition materials. We first had metal bats, then aluminum and titanium. Then double and triple walled bats. Now the bat of choice is the Mikan made of some strong, flexible material that has changed the game. MLB would never start using these bats, but they're fun for old softball players.

I used to play Senior Softball, and one of our trips was to England, Ireland and Wales. We play softball against the locals in each country. We used metal bats, not wooden.

I have used the high speed rail in Europe, and loved it, but I am totally against it in California. It could work in some places, but not here in California. We voted it in, but it was a bad idea. It is really over budget already, and would cost a tremendous amount to operate because it would not support it's self. Just not enough demand.

A few months ago I was trying to take pictures of the zebras near the Hearst Castle. Some idiot flew his drone toward the zebras and scared them all away. Spoiled it for me and the crowd of other people who either wanted to take pictures or just watch the zebras feed.

The problem is with the main stream media. Both sides have skin in the game, and won't work together. Obama knows that the media will blame the Republicans so he doesn't have to work with them. The Republicans are afraid they will lose votes if the government shuts down so it goes around and around and around, and we lose.

The fact that life in prison is less expensive than the death penalty should be false if the death penalty was administered correctly. Life in prison without parole eliminates a lot of the appeal process, and those who receive the death penalty spend years in prison without actually being executed. The system is screwed up for numerous reasons, but the main one is that it takes too long to execute someone like Manson who should have been given the death penalty and had the appeal process expedited.

Recently while watching the zebra's near the Hearst Castle in Cambria, CA, some jerk with a drone scared the herd away. There was a small crowd watching and photographing the zebra, but this guy with his drone chased them all away. I usually hate new laws, but something needs to be done to regulate these drones.

I have attended weddings with rental photo booths. They are fantastic. They even provide props for funny pictures. I am sure it would be a better alternative.

The Chapel of the Holy Cross and a nice estate below.

Chapel of the Holy Cross


View from the Chapel