John Edwards: "There Are Two America's"

"Today, under George W. Bush, there are two Americas, not one: One America that does the work, another that reaps the reward. One America that pays the taxes, another America that gets the tax breaks. One America - middle-class America - whose needs Washington has long forgotten, another America - narrow-interest America - whose every wish is Washington's command. One America that is struggling to get by, another America that can buy anything it wants, even a Congress and a president."

What a great speech! What soaring rhetoric! When John Edwards made this speech, back in 2004, we in North Carolina were laughing our asses off. We saw the fraud, which Mr. Edwards turned out to be, early on when he didn't even show up to vote in the Senate. While the rest of America was urging him forward, we were looking to get back Lauch Faircloth. At least we knew the ineffective leader which we had. Compared to the brazen, and unqualified Mr. Edward's, Senator Faircloth was an "honest" crook.

But the two America's Mr. Edwards lamented so loudly, is serving him well. Reportedly, the deal he was offered was a Misdemeanor, with the possibilty of maybe 6 months jail time for stealing $950,000, give or take a bit. Actually, that's the part of America most of us would like to live in. No restitution of the money required. It was a good deal for a bad man. He should have taken it. But he wanted a halfway house, or weekend release to be with the family he destroyed. He also wanted to be our President.

The culture of two America's does exist. Just look at Lindsay Lohan, who just traded a $3,200 necklace for an ankle bracelet and 35 days under house arrest in her mansion.Not a bad deal. You, or I, would go to jail and be forced to make restitution.

How about Kyle Busch, clocked at 128 miles an hour, driving his Lexus, in a school zone, which is a felony and an arrestable offense. Penalty? Improper equipment and a small fine. You, or I, would have gone immediately to jail, and would have had to post bond. We would have lost our license to drive.

But John wouldn't take the deal. He has, instead, circled the legal wagons of that other America, marshalling behind him all the forces that his money can buy, in an effort to defeat the charges of violating the Campaign Finance Laws that governed the use of his campaign contributions. He will attempt to prove, through a very small loophole, that he is innocent of the charges against him. The Prosecution will, no doubt, argue "intent", rather than the "letter" of the law. You, and I, would have to make do with a Public Defender.

So, yes, there are two America's; and John Edwards is about to join that half to which he truly belongs.

Coachella Valley Insurance Services - Hackers

This is an example of disrespect. This outfit, Coachella Valley Insurance Services, located at 78401 Highway 111, Suite S, in La Quinta, CA 92253 feels that they have the right to advertise, for free, anyplace that they feel like it. They are an example of the bane of the internet, unwanted spam.

Honestly, does anyone really think that I would respond to this advertising technique with anything but anger? I have called the firm at the number they have provided in their "comments" on my April 2010 piece concerning the Battle of Lexington and Concord. The shame of an organization placing advertisements on things in the name of some phony patriotism disgusts me.

This is a non-advertising site. I have no paid sponsors, nor do I want any. Please phone or fax these people to let them know how you feel abut their phony patriotism.
The numbers below were provided by Patricia Meyers, for Coachella Valley Insurance Services when she invaded my site with her unsolicited advertisement for this firm. I urge all readers of my blog to phone/boycott this firm.

Office: (760) 347-5552
Fax: (760) 347-2858

"Midnight Dreary" By John Evangelist Walsh

What could be more perfect than a mystery about the man who invented the genre? I read this book in 1998 when it first came out. Seeing it on the shelf at the library was like bumping into an old friend. We just had to get together again.

Poe was traveling from Richmond to New York by steamboat and landed in Baltimore when he disappeared for several days in late September and early October of 1849. He was found on the morning of October 4th badly in need of medical attention and dressed in old rags which were surely not his own.

What happened in the last days of his life is an eternal mystery. There are several versions, the most prevalent being that he was given drink and "cooped" with several of Baltimores lower inhabitants the night before Election Day in October, 1849. That he was found in the 4th Ward and outside Ryan's Tavern gives creedence to this version. It has always been the one that I have adhered to. He was stupified with drink and taken from polling place to polling place to vote the ticket he was instructed to.

But Mr. Walsh explores other avenues, while not entirely dismissing the Election night version. For instance, he has identified the mysterious "Reynolds" whom Poe called out for in his last hours. There was a Henry R. Reynolds present at Ryan's Fourth Ward in the Gunners Hall section of Baltimore in the days preceding the election and coinciding with Poes absence. But there was also a Jeremiah Reynolds, who was one of the leading characters in Poes longest work, the 180 page mini novel "The Strange Adventures of A. Gordon Pym, Late of Nantucket." Which Reynolds was Poe calling out to in his delerium? The fictious Reynolds, or the Ward Heeler?

A fascinating read no matter what your opinion is of Poes disappearance and subsequent death. The book captures the city in the mid 1800's flawlessy and delves into areas not usually associated with the great writers death. For fans of Poe this is the JFK of it's time. And like the mystery in Dallas, I hope they never solve it. The speculation is simply too much fun.