Smoking in Public

There seems to be a new push to ban smoking everywhere. Texas is considering a bill to ban smoking in all public places. Many localities have already done this but this takes it a giant step forward.

To begin, I am a life-long non-smoker and proud of it. I enjoy smoke-free restaurants and will not tolerate it in my house, car or business. It is a nasty habit and it fowls the air of everyone around. There are cafe's in small towns that I will not patronize because they allow smoking in a manner that is offensive to me.

That being said I vehemently oppose such intrusions in the private property rights of businesses. It is another attempt by the big nanny government to dictate to everyone how to live their lives and run their businesses. I believe the free market, i.e. my avoiding restaurants that allow smoking, will control how businesses are run. Obviously there are people that still patronize these businesses and the smoke doesn't bother them. I do, however, make it a point to tell the employees, before leaving the establishment, that I will not be back due to the smoke. Then he has a choice whether he wants my business. He doesn't need the government making those decisions for him!

The End of the Honeymoon

I expected for Obama, Pelosi, and Reid to gather in a circle and sing Cum-by-yah. (I am sure Obama expected the same thing) A funny thing happened on the way to the inauguration. Seems that there is something that the congress likes more than spending money: the power to spend it. Obama naively proclaimed that he wanted the stimulus package on his desk by January 20th, fully expecting it. Next he said he wanted it by President's Day. In political speak his buds in congress told him that wasn't happening. They aren't about to rush this thing through without each of them getting their time on C-Span making one glorious speech after another. In the end he will likely get most of what he wants but they must have the opportunity to take credit for it.

A New Year

I look forward each year to January 1st. Having spent much of my work life in the accounting profession there was always something exciting about the start of a new year. While it usually meant additional working hours it also meant we could close the book on the just-ended year and start afresh. If the previous year was particularly bad January 1st was a good day to reflect what went wrong and how we could avoid the same mistakes in the new year. Conversely, if it was a great or even good year we could plan how to make it better. Regardless, it is a time that wise men take stock and try to do better.

Every year I make resolutions and generally I do pretty well on them. With notable exceptions, of course. This year is no different but I am very optimistic this year for some reason. I expect that this will be a very good year for me and I am excited about the prospects. These are some of the things driving me on this January 1st:

I refuse to participate in the recession, depression, or whatever you want to call it. In any dire situation there is opportunity for which I am constantly looking. This last political season took a toll on our national confidence level and I am on a one-man mission to restore it!

I work in a field most people couldn't and look forward to going to work each day. That is not to say that there are not challenges and disappointments but that they are minor compared to the satisfaction I receive from my efforts.

I have a grandson due any minute and I can't wait for his arrival!

I have a wonderful wife that has been my partner in every way for over 34 years.

Last, but certainly not least, I owe all of the above to my God and the guidance he have given me throughout my life. It seems my most troubled times were when I was farthest from him.


I suggest that each of you sometime this day take a few moments to reflect on the year just ended, the year just begun, and the positive things in your life. I believe this will help to make 2009 a great year for you.

Happy New Year