Wilmette's 2010 Memorial Day Parade

Luckily, the Wilmette, Illinois 2010 Memorial Day Parade started early enough to avoid the rain. Following a police car with flashing lights, the first to march were the flag bearers.

After the flag, a convertible followed with the local VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) officials.

While a number of World War II vets watched the parade, two cars of World War II veterans rode.

The second car had only one veteran, but the car was notable for its cuteness.


Of course, elected officials marched, too.

A large contingent of children rode in their Radio Flyer wagons. We were quite taken by this Prairie Schooner model.

The Cub Scouts marched in the Memorial Day Parade.

And the Boy Scouts marched, too.

The parade ended with a fine display of Wilmette Fire Equipment just as the first raindrops started to fall.

Hope you are having a very nice Memorial Day, and thanks to all our veterans and their families.

A Message That is Loud and Clear

"I have a message, a message from the tea party, a message that is loud and clear and does not mince words: We've come to take our government back." -Rand Paul

It's not hard to figure how Rand Paul won his U.S. Senate primary in Kentucky--mainstream values. Quotes which once would have sounded boring and trite now sound new and fresh in an age of Washington-imposed leftism. How many politicians are willing to say the following?

"America can prosper, preserve personal liberty, and repel national security threats without intruding into the personal lives of its citizens."

"Like other areas of the economy where the federal government wields its heavy hand, health care is over-regulated and in need of serious market reforms."

"Long term incumbency leads to politicians who seem to care more about what is best for their career than what is best for their country."

"Lowering taxes gives working men and women the ability to take control of their own lives. It allows business owners to invest in their companies, pay their employees, and create new jobs."

"With our national debt over 12 trillion dollars, the deficit spending by Washington DC continues to mortgage fruits of our future labor to fund federal programs we don’t need and cannot afford."

"Babies"--a Film You Should Go See

All the ladies in the family decided to go see the film Babies on Mother's Day. We loved it. The movie is a 75 minute documentary about the first year of four babies: Ponijao (pictured above) from the Himba tribe in Namibia; Mari, from Tokyo; Hattie, from San Francisco; and Bayar, from Mongolia. There isn't any plot except the cuteness of babies and maybe the brotherhood of man, and there isn't any dialogue, either, except some people randomly talking in the background.

None of us are what you would call "baby lovers," so don't think you have to be one of those people who never misses the chance to chuck a baby under the chin to enjoy the film. (If the trailer interests you, you will love Babies, too.) In addition to babies, the film features domestic and farm animals who interact with the babies including the prettiest rooster you have ever seen. Because all of the babies are pictured in their families' homes, the film is also a great travelogue.

I imagine Babies will win the Academy Award for a documentary next year because the film is a winner on all levels. Since I think Babies is more stunning on the big screen than it will be on your TV at home, I would make the time to go see this film now. We all plan to go see it a second time!

Immigration Battles in Arizona no Joking Matter

After passing a law that enables Arizona law enforcement to proceed against undocumented immigrants, some people would have you think that Arizona is working day and night to discriminate against Mexican nationals in a very hateful manner. The fact is, friendly Mexico is becoming filled with warlords tied to the drug trade and exporting its citizens rather than solving its crime problem. This is wrong and will destroy Mexico, and maybe the US next.

Do your part to help. Don't buy drugs. Don't consume drugs. Shun people who buy or consume drugs. Let people know that innocent people are dying and this is no joke.

Free Cell Phone and Minutes for Food Stamp Users

Sit down.

It was a little over a year ago that Americans were shocked by a man with a fancy cell phone at a Washington, D.C. homeless shelter taking a picture of Michelle Obama serving up food. Shocked, because people assumed the man was homeless and most of America thinks cell phones are a luxury item. Think again! Now it turns out that there is a government program--delivered through a subsidiary of Sprint--for people to get a free cell phone and 200 free minutes per month. Medicaid eligibility or food stamps will likely bring one your way--if you are in one of the four states where the program has been rolled out--Michigan, North Carolina, New York, Tennessee, and Virginia. The program will give only one free phone with free minutes per household.

GM: The Loan they Paid Back, but Not Really

This wonderful GM spoof ad on Youtube showed up in my inbox, carefully explaining just how GM paid back the government loan, but not really.