More about the deficit

Both major political parties are WRONG and grossly negligent in the current deficit reduction squabble. In the first place, we should not be talking about deficit reduction, but DEBT reduction, which means we would have to run substantial surpluses for a long time.

Democrats don't care about the deficit; they only care about having enough to spend on their programs. Republicans don't care about the deficit; they only care about keeping taxes low for business.

The truth is that we are going to have to maximize revenue and minimize costs for a LONG time to pay the debts that we have incurred. And we are morally obligated to pay our debts - but no one seems to be in the least concerned that we do.

Speak loudly

It is interesting to listen to the speech of someone who lives with a person who is hard of hearing. Generally at a high volume.

Generally speaking, to learn about famous people is to learn about sleeze in one form or another. There are exceptions, but not enough to notice.

Toyota

Toyota. We Americans tend to pronounce it TOY-OTA, but I am guessing that with the Japanese it is TO-YO-TA.

Jack Benny and the Colmans

Two of the all-time funniest Jack Benny episodes were the one where he goes to eat at the Macombo (sp?) with the Ronald Colmans, and when he is sick and the veterinarian comes to see him. In both cases Frank Nelson is the "opponent," and their exchanges were hilarious.

I don't know who did the band arrangements for the later Sinatra songs, but they were outstanding. Good examples are "New York, New York," and "I've Got You Under My Skin." Frank's voice had taken on a deeper, rougher tone, and it fitted the gutsy, belting arrangments just right.

Interesting Gunsmoke comparison from a message board

"It is a very tough call between Dragnet and Gunsmoke, but I guess the incredible sound effects and the high quality writing, along with the talented cast of regular and guest supporting actors give Gunsmoke a decided edge in my own humble opinion. William Conrad had such a wonderful voice for radio and he also was a better actor in every respect than James Arness. Conrad's only drawbacks to playing Marshal Matt Dillon in the television version of Gunsmoke were his height and especially weight. Many people probably don't even know that he was a fighter pilot in World War II. He made the role of Matt Dillon his own on radio and I don't think Arness could ever have held a candle to him. I have watched the t.v. series many times for years before ever hearing the radio version and I definitely think the radio version is far superior in every respect."

Parley Baer

Parley Baer (Chester on the radio Gunsmoke and the mayor on Andy Griffith) was evidently a regular on the Tales of the Texas Rangers radio show playing the sheriff. Since the scene changed each week, he was a different sheriff each week, but he and Joel McCrea (Ranger Jase Pearson) were a standard team on the show.