What Went Wrong

This article explains in laymen's terms how we have arrived at the current financial crisis. 

The Drumbeat

Wow. I wish I had written this article.

President Bush's gaffes are numerous and well chronicled. However, the mounting number of gaffes committed by Barack Obama have garnered very little attention in the mainstream media (for obvious reasons). For instance, who knew that America has 60 states?



Not only do we have 60 states, but new ones are being created everyday! Have you ever heard of "New Pennsylvania?" Apparently Obama recently campaigned there.



President Bush has been ridiculed for years for misspeaking and mangling the language. I'm certainly not going to defend him for that. But, the growing number of gaffes by Obama have gone largely unreported. Wonder why?

Oh, one more thing, just wait until Joe Biden gets going. That guy is a pompous windbag and a gaffe machine. Get out your popcorn. This is going to be fun!

This is Just Too Funny

http://view.break.com/567077 - Watch more free videos

Wow. These people are weird.

22 Reasons

For the most comprehensive list (to date) of why I won't be voting for Barack Obama, see this article (and the photo to the left).

The Conventions

It's been a long time since I posted and there's no way I'm going to be able to catch up on everything. But, I thought I would just quickly give a few thoughts on the two recent political conventions. I didn't watch all of either of them, but I did see enough (I think) to get a flavor for what went down. Some thoughts:

Democratic convention:

Extremely well done. For the most part, very professional and aesthetically pleasing. Hillary gave a very good speech, hitting the right notes in an effort to reconcile those of her voters who are still angry about her treatment in the media and by the Obama campaign. At the end of her speech I got the sense that even Democrats who did not support Hillary's candidacy were disappointed she wasn't on the ticket.

Bill Clinton gave a very good speech, as he is certainly capable of doing. And, s

martly, he kept it relatively short (those that remember his speech at the convention in 1988 will know what I mean). There was a lot of "Clinton" in this convention, which was unavoidable.  But, the worry for the Democrats was that it would overshadow Obama. It didn't.

Joe Biden's speech was a typical VP nominee address, attacking the opponents. It was marginally effective. A fairly good speech from a completely arrogant gas bag. 

Obama gave a very good speech. It's no secret that he's an extremely gifted orator. The staging looked good, but the columns played into the "Messiah" theme, which I think is working against him a little. The energy and enthusiasm of the 80,000+ crowd was powerful. 

Overall, I thought it was an extremely good convention, although I don't think the bounce in the polls was as high as expected.

Republican convention:

The convention started during Hurricane Gustav and, therefore, most of the speakers and events of Day 1 were postponed. I watched a little of the second day. The address by Bush was stilted since he wasn't in the room, but I thought it was pretty good. I like Fred Thompson's address, but it wasn't memorable.

The big day was, obviously, Day 3. I missed the Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee addresses, although I did hear some excerpts today on talk radio. I'm not a huge Huckabee fan, but I thought he was very strong. I LOVED Rudy Giuliani. He did an excellent job of clearly contrasting the differences between McCain and Obama, using humor along the way. Lots of red meat for Republicans (which is one of the functions of conventions, to fire up the base). 

But what the convention-goers, and I think the country at large, wanted to see was Sarah Palin. After nearly a week of sexist attacks from the "mainstream" media, giving credence to the outrageous lie that she faked her pregnancy to cover for her own teenage daughter (who is now 5 months pregnant), and suggesting she was a bad mom for accepting the VP nomination with 5 kids, including a 5-month-old special-needs infant (the same media who hailed Biden for taking the oath of office after the sudden death of his wife that left two young sons without a mother), among other things, the country wanted to see if Governor Palin was up to the task of being the VP nominee on the Republican ticket. And under all that scrutiny and pressure...

...she knocked it out of the park.

Her composure was astonishing. She was relaxed as she introduced herself and 

her family to the nation. She was tough on Obama, pointing out his many inconsistencies and weaknesses with a smile.  She was dignified and remarkably poised, yet commanding. She refused to play the victim, despite the media belittling her, her hobbies, and her family. I thought her address was well balanced with some policy (particularly strong on energy), biography, and attack on the opponents. As you can tell, I was very impressed with Governor Palin.

Unfortunately for McCain, there was no following that. The last night of the convention was kind of weak. I thought Cindy McCain did a good job and I thought John McCain's acceptance speech was good, but not great. However, I liked his theme of being a servant of the people. That's always been a gripe of mine about politicians. It seems that when they get elected, they think that they are our rulers; but it's exactly the opposite. They are there to serve our interests. 

I thought it was very revealing when John McCain told the story of how his time as a POW was

transformative. While undergoing inhumane torture, he came to understand for the first time what it meant to sacrifice oneself to a cause greater than himself (e.g. encouraging his fellow captives with a grin and a thumbs-up after torture sessions, not allowing the enemy to score a propaganda victory by refusing early release prior to others whom had been there longer, etc.). I thought it was an effective way to show how the notion of "service to country" went beyond mere platitude, and actually became part of him. It lends weight to his claim that he is beholden to no special interest or party affiliation. 

Certainly, McCain hasn't been perfect in this regard. There's probably instances when he failed to live up to his own high standard. But, it was the first time in recent memory where I actually half-believed a politician wanted to put the country's interests above his own. Maybe I'm allowing myself to be naive. Who knows? But, it made sense to me that such a horrific life experience would leave an indelible mark on someone, and that it could be used for good.

Overall, I thought the Democratic convention was much better than the Republican convention in terms of energy and aesthetics. In terms of speeches, although Obama's was very good, I don't think anyone tops Palin's. She gave a superb speech that gave Republicans, who had been fairly glum for the past couple of month, something to cheer. 

At the end of the day, the conventions are useful to accomplish the technical aspects of nominating candidates for the President/Vice President, as well as rallying the faithful and being a very splashy TV advertisement. How much it influences undecided voters is hard to tell. I tend to think "not much" (I think the debates are more influential). And, it's certain that the people who like their preferred candidate are not going to be dissuaded from voting for them. 

So, it comes down to the next couple of months of campaigning, debating, organizing on the ground, etc. I think Obama has a decided edge in this year when the Republican brand is in the tank. But, 2 months is nearly a lifetime in politics and anything can happen.

More, Please

It was nice to read this well-researched article in the New Yorker about the ideological battle being fought between hardcore elements of the global jihadist movement and moderate figures within the Muslim world. It seems that some of these moderates are people who were responsible for the ideological underpinnings of terrorism employed by groups like al Qaeda. 

It is very encouraging to see this debate occurring. For so long, I've wondered, "where are the moderates and when will they speak up?" Well, it turns out that the most persuasive arguments against terrorism are coming from a man who was part of the original core of al Qaeda--a man who literally wrote the book that the terrorist organization used to indoctrinate recruits and justify its despicable acts. This man, who goes by the name Dr. Fadl, has apparently had a change of heart and is now attempting to refute the very religious and political arguments that he formulated, upon which the jihadists have justified their brutality.

This is a very hopeful sign. I hope and pray that the debate continues and the moderates prevail. While terrorism is unlikely ever to be completely eradicated, it is interesting to contemplate the affect it would have on the world if it was to be delegitimized as a means to political ends.

Thank You...

...to all the men and women who put their lives on the line to serve our country, and especially to all who have lost their lives protecting our way of life. We owe you a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid.

Odds and Ends

For the past several weeks I've been studying to pass my General Securities (Series 7) exam. Last week I took a crash course that built upon the foundation of the information I'd been studying up to that point. Although grueling (8-hour classes with 2-3 hours of homework each night), I'm really glad I took the class. The teacher was extremely knowledgeable (albeit slightly strange with a corny sense of humor), having worked in the securities industry, including at the New York Stock Exchange, for more than 30 years. Up until just a few months ago, she was also on the committee that formulated questions for the test. So, she was also helpful in defining a study plan that purportedly assists more than 90% of her students in passing the exam (which I think has a first-time pass rate of like 30%, or something).

I was excited to learn on Tuesday during a coffee break that my first client had invested money with me in an investment with my new firm, Westmoore Securities. Mostly I was glad that my friend/client would benefit from an excellent short-term investment opportunity--a note that is paying 5% a month! That was a highlight of the week for me.

The other highlight was driving home from class that same night (Tuesday) and talking to Cherie and Christian on the cell phone. In his first little league pitching outing Christian did great, striking out several batters. However, he had developed a slightly bad habit, which was related to his lack of confidence in his pitching delivery. We worked on it last Sunday and Christian was excited to tell me that he had struck out virtually everyone he faced (a 7-year-old striking out 9- and 10-year olds!). He has excellent command and a strong arm for his age. His performance helped out team (the Yankees) to beat the Padres, who had roughed us up pretty good in an earlier scrimmage before the season started. I was soooo proud of him. He was delighted and Cherie was, too. That was nice.

Christian didn't play baseball this weekend because he went to Glamis with his best friend, Michael, and his family. They had a great time, but I know the baseball team missed him (I feel a little guilty, like we let them down by not being there). Well, it was Christian's last desert trip for awhile, so I thought it would be okay for him to go.

Caley and Hannah had a choir performance last Thursday night that I was unable to attend due to my class. Our church, the Anaheim Vineyard, hosted the performance. Cherie said it went well, and the girls had a great time. Emma is still doing great at school and is such a silly girl. She is constantly cracking Cherie and me up.

Cherie is doing great. She got a new hair cut a couple of weeks ago and I love it. It's probably my favorite one. So, she's really happy about that.

Well, that's about all for now. I didn't sleep at all last night, so I'm hoping that tonight I sleep soundly. I have to take a benchmark (practice) examination tomorrow, which is supposed to simulate the real test. The results of the exam will reveal areas of weakness that I will need to shore up this week. So, one more week of study (hopefully) and I'll sit for the test.

Until next time...

That'll Leave a Mark

Taking Europeans to task for cowering in the face of radical Islam. It's a beautiful thing.

I'm Back

Something must have went haywire on Blogger because it would not let me log in for a few days. I realized tonight that I missed blogging, so I figured I give it another try and...bingo! I'm back in. Cool.

So much has transpired since I last blogged. I've left my old company, Syn-Mar Associates, for which I was a senior commercial real estate appraiser for 12 years. In mid-January I was offered, and I accepted, a new position as a securities broker for Westmoore Securities. Technically I'm not a broker until I pass the daunting General Securities Examination (AKA Series 7), which I intend to take in late March. It's reputed to be an extremely difficult examination with just a 30% pass rate on the first try. So, I have my work cut out for me.

I've been studying the exam material everyday for the past 2 weeks. Well, almost. Today I tended to my youngest daughter who has been suffering excruciating abdominal pain for the past couple of days. I called a friend who's mother is a nurse and the consensus of all involved was that it's probably just a bad case of gas. But it doesn't seem to be letting up.

If she wakes up tomorrow and is still suffering, I'll take her to the emergency room. It's awful when a precious little child is in pain and you are helpless to relieve them.

I've really enjoyed my new schedule--being home studying, having some time with my wife, and being there when the kids get home from school. But, I cannot relax until I've achieved my goal of passing the test. It's the only dark cloud on the horizon. Once that's behind me, I'm ready for the next chapter of my life to begin. It should be fun!

A Defense of Free Speech

This is a terrific defense of free speech delivered by Ezra Levant, during his interrogation by a Canadian "human rights commission." Levant was hauled before the commission for publishing the infamous Danish cartoons that caused outrage leading to rioting and killing in parts of the Muslim world. Below is Levant's opening statement to the bureaucrat leading the interrogation.

I also had to post the following exchange in which the interrogator, Ms. Shirlene McGovern, asks him about his intent in publishing the cartoons.



Levant's website has the details of the case for those interested in following the trial and for additional clips. 

Mark Steyn, a journalist and author who is also scheduled for interrogation by the "human rights commission," observes:

Ms McGovern's question reminds me of a passage from Melanie Phillips' book Londonistan:

Minority-rights doctrine has produced a moral inversion, in which those doing wrong are excused if they belong to a 'victim' group, while those at the receiving end of their behaviour are blamed simply because they belong to the 'oppressive' majority.

Ms McGovern, a blandly unexceptional bureaucrat, is a classic example of the syndrome. No "vulnerable" Canadian Muslim has been attacked over the cartoons, but the cartoonists had to go into hiding, and a gang of Muslim youths turned up at their children's grade schools, and Muslim rioters around the world threatened death to anyone who published them, and even managed to kill a few folks who had nothing to do with them. Nonetheless, upon receiving a complaint from a Saudi imam trained at an explicitly infidelophobic academy and who's publicly called for the introduction of sharia in Canada, Shirlene McGovern decides that the purely hypothetical backlash to Muslims takes precedence over any actual backlash against anybody else.

UPDATE: Ok, ok. I had to add one more clip. This guy was just on fire.

Jellyfishin'

My favorite band with the line-up I had the privilege of seeing in concert three times. Brilliance!

A Simple Thank You

...to all of those who have served in the military and their families, to those who've risked life and limb to defend our freedoms and way of life, and to the millions who've given their lives for our country. Your sacrifice has made it possible for me to raise a beautiful family and live a good life in peace. You have my deepest and most sincere gratitude.

Invested In Our Defeat

“Since retaking Congress in November 2006, the top foreign policy priority of the Democratic Party has not been to expand the size of our military for the war on terror or to strengthen our democracy promotion efforts in the Middle East or to prevail in Afghanistan. It has been to pull our troops out of Iraq, to abandon the democratically-elected government there, and to hand a defeat to President Bush.

“Iraq has become the singular litmus test for Democratic candidates. No Democratic presidential primary candidate today speaks of America’s moral or strategic responsibility to stand with the Iraqi people against the totalitarian forces of radical Islam, or of the consequences of handing a victory in Iraq to al Qaeda and Iran. And if they did, their campaign would be as unsuccessful as mine was in 2006. Even as evidence has mounted that General Petraeus’ new counterinsurgency strategy is succeeding, Democrats have remained emotionally invested in a narrative of defeat and retreat in Iraq, reluctant to acknowledge the progress we are now achieving, or even that that progress has enabled us to begin drawing down our troops there.”

Sounds like a Republican, but it's actually from a speech former Democrat (and current Independant) Senator Joe Lieberman from Connecticut gave to the Center for Politics and Foreign Relations/Financial Times breakfast at The Johns Hopkins University Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies.

Senator Lieberman also indicated, “…there is something profoundly wrong—something that should trouble all of us—when we have elected Democratic officials who seem more worried about how the Bush administration might respond to Iran’s murder of our troops, than about the fact that Iran is murdering our troops.

There is likewise something profoundly wrong when we see candidates who are willing to pander to this politically paranoid, hyper-partisan sentiment in the Democratic base—even if it sends a message of weakness and division to the Iranian regime.”

A Day In The Life

This video pretty much sums up a typical day for me (except for the Bud Lite part).

My Top 25 Favorite Beatles Songs

I don't remember the first time I heard The Beatles. It seems like their music has always surrounded me. As a child I remember being moved by the beauty and poignancy of "Yesterday." As a young teen, I remember playing "Day Tripper" on guitar with Wade on drums until his dad kicked us out of the garage at 10 pm. As an adult, I have come to appreciate not only their musical catalogue, but also the impact they have had on me and the music industry as a whole, including many of the bands and musicians I love to listen to today.

Ok, so I think Myke and I are like the only guys that remotely care about this list...but, still. It's meaningful to us in our own musician-nerd way. I've been procrastinating posting this list because it is so difficult to choose my favorites. I've loved different songs during different seasons for different reasons. I'm fairly certain that I'll feel completely different about the order of these songs within...oh, I don't know...about a week. But for now, here are my Top 25 Favorite Beatle Songs.

Yesterday -- See above.
Eleanor Rigby -- Two profiles in loneliness, a topic with which we are all well acquainted. Impeccable string section.
I Am the Walrus -- LOVE the psychadelic instrumentation and lyrics. Brilliant arrangement.
Hey Jude -- The anthem for all time.
Dear Prudence -- Simply beautiful. GREAT guitar work throughout.
Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds -- Wonderfully imaginative, Classic chord progression. Psychedelia at its finest.
Let It Be -- Almost feels like singing a sacred hymn when this song comes on.
Something -- Just gorgeous from start to finish. One of George's best guitar solos.
Here Comes the Sun -- A song of hope.
Hello Goodbye -- I don't know why, but this song always makes me happy. One of my favorite choruses.
Getting Better -- Another song of hope. Love John's contribution ("it can't get no worse"). Cool sitar in the third verse.
Come and Get It - Classic McCartney.
Strawberry Fields -- George Martin's brilliance shines through on this one.
A Day In the Life -- One of my faves in 7th grade. Remember singing it with a good friend who moved far away that summer.
All You Need Is Love -- Fused 7/8 time with a fantastic melody. One of the most memorable choruses of all time.
She Said, She Said -- Groovy.
The Long and Winding Road -- Some of the most beautiful string parts ever written. Gorgeous melody.
She’s Leaving Home -- This one is going to hit homefor me soon enough.
Happiness Is A Warm Gun -- Myke re-introduced me to it. Incredible verse melody.
I Want You (She’s So Heavy) -- What can be said about the ominous guitar riff? It...is...awesome.
Here, There and Everywhere -- Simple and lovely.
Penny Lane -- Catchy tune. Cool horn part. Another great melody.
We Can Work It Out -- "Life is very short..."
Mother Nature’s Son -- Makes me wish I was basking in the sun somewhere in the great outdoors.
Revolution -- John's vocal is sooooo cool in this song.

As I look at this list I am reminded that I could easily change a handful of these songs out with others, like "Fool On the Hill," "She Came In Through The Bathroom Window," "Paperback Writer," "Lady Madonna," "In My Life," "Helter Skelter, "Glass Onion, "Golden Slumbers, "For No One," and "Across the Universe." But, for now, this is it!

What are YOUR favorites?

The Rock 'n Roll Hall of Lame

Ok, Mike and I have been talking about making a Top Ten list of the most overrated rock bands/musicians. Mike is usually the Top Ten guru, but I think I'll take a crack at it. This list is intended only for critically-acclaimed artists that are widely considered to have acheived "legend" status. Here's my list:

1. The Grateful Dead -- This band tops my list because I can find absolutely no redeeming value in their music. It's as simple as that. If only they had quit taking acid long enough to realize how much their band sucked...

2. Santana -- Largely acclaimed for fusing latin rhythms into the rock genre, Santana had a couple of nearly-listenable songs in the early '70s. As a guitar player, I HATE his tone. Although his playing is proficient, I find it totally uninspired. I'm never moved, excited, or impressed in any way when listening to his crappy solos.

3. R.E.M. -- Has there ever been any other band so critically acclaimed that is so average? They have written a few decent songs. Nothing amazing. No brilliant musicianship. Michael Stipe's voice is marginal, and oftentimes irritating. And whenever I see interviews with them, they come off so pretentious -- clearly believing themselves to be deeply profound artists. So self-important...and so totally AVERAGE.

4. Bruce Springsteen -- I respect the amount of effort that he puts into his live performances, but I can't figure out how this guy has sustained a 30-year music career with the crap he puts out. Evidently the blue-collar thing appeals to a large segment of our society. I just find his music boring and predictable.


5. The Doors -- In a historical context, the Doors were significant. Their stage shows were wild and unpredictable, and Jim Morrison exuded a sexualty that was almost unparalled. In these ways, they personified the counter-culture of that era. But, Morrison was a freak and his poetry/lyrics, especially toward the end of his life, were so abstract as to be nonsensical. It was just drug-induced drivel. His untimely death catapulted him into "rock hero" status that was massively overstated and undeserved. The keyboards were one-dimensional, although cool on occasion (e.g. "Light My Fire"). While they had a few good tunes ("Hello, I Love You" rocks), their catalog of music, when viewed in its entirety, absolutely does not merit the adulation they have received in the annals of rockdom. Maybe their "greatness" will dawn on me someday, like it did with Hendrix in my early 20s. So far 30 years of listening hasn't done the trick.

6. The Clash -- During the punk era of the late '70s, critics labeled them "the only band that mattered." There's no question that they were trailblazers for that genre. But, I can't change the station fast enough when one of their songs comes on the radio.

7. Eric Clapton (1980s to present) -- As a guitarist myself, I feel like I'm commiting an act of sacrilege by saying this. But, everything Clapton put out after the 1970s is crap. These days, his guitar tone sucks, most of his recent songs are not memorable (save "Tears in Heaven"), and he no longer plays with the fire of his youth (to be fair, none of us do). Just compare his solo on the live version of "Crossroads" with anything he's put out over the last 20 years. There's no question that he deserves his legendary status for his work in The Yardbirds, John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers, Cream, and Derek and the Dominos. But beyond that, forget it.

8. Guns 'n Roses -- The first time I heard "Welcome to the Jungle" I knew this band would have an impact on the music scene of the day. Their first album had some songs that were decent--even refreshing, considering the crap put out by hair bands during that unfortunate era. But, Axl Rose is a friggin' ego-maniacal, self-important idiot (a trait he shares with several others on this list) with a grating voice that got worse (if you can imagine that) as his career progressed. Slash is a massively-overrated guitarist/drunkard. My most vivid memory of him was at a benefit concert in Santa Monica many years ago when he made a guest appearance with Great White (who sucks worse than ‘GnR’) and was so drunk he couldn't play. He got booed off the stage.

9. Pearl Jam -- Hailed by many as a premier grunge band, they were somehow able to "fool some of the people all of the time" with below-average songs, non-sensical lyrics, and a disheveled singer who sounded like he was trying to keep from swallowing a mouthful of cough syrup. Also, pick a melody and stick with it, for crying out loud. (Sorry, Myke)

10. Nirvana -- I struggled with this one a little bit. They wrote some good songs, ushered in the Grunge movement, and obviously had a huge influence on many bands that followed (way too much, in my opinion), which is why I think some of their accolades are deserved. But, like Jim Morrison, the mystique and prestige of Nirvana was elevated to mythic proportions after Kurt Cobain's death. There's no way to know for sure, but I believe it is highly unlikely that Nirvana would have garnered as much adulation had Cobain not taken his life. I'm not saying they weren't a cool band; just that they are highly overrated.

Dishonorable mention:

Blue-collar rock: John "Cougar" Mellencamp (sucked from Day 1)
Punk: Sonic Youth (trashy, sloppy, sucky)
Jam Band: Dave Matthews Band (quirky and unconventional can be cool; but, in the case, it just sucks).
EMO: The Smiths (one word: Morrissey)
Brit Rock: Oasis (a couple of great songs. But, how many different ways can you write the same song?)

That was pretty fun. I'll update If I think of more.

Grief For Another Life Lost

Christopher Hitchens writes about a young soldier from Irvine, California--just a few miles down the 55 Freeway from me--who died in combat in Iraq earlier this year. In it, Hitchens recounts his grief about the young soldier's death after learning that one of Hitchens' articles helped persuade him to join the service.

I don't exaggerate by much when I say that I froze [after reading the news report about the soldier's death]. I certainly felt a very deep pang of cold dismay. I had just returned from a visit to Iraq with my own son (who is 23, as was young Mr. Daily) and had found myself in a deeply pessimistic frame of mind about the war. Was it possible that I had helped persuade someone I had never met to place himself in the path of an I.E.D.?

It's an interesting and, at times, moving article.

Teach Your Children Well...

Many years ago, Al Capone virtually owned Chicago. Capone wasn't famous for anything heroic. He was notorious for enmeshing the windy city in everything from bootlegged booze and prostitution to murder.

Capone had a lawyer nicknamed "Easy Eddie." He was Capone's lawyer for a good reason. Eddie was very good! In fact, Eddie's skill at legal maneuvering kept Big Al out of jail for a long time.

To show his appreciation, Capone paid him very well. Not only was the money big, but also, Eddie got special dividends. For instance, he and his family occupied a fenced-in mansion with live-in help and all of the conveniences of the day. The estate was so large that it filled an entire Chicago City block.

Eddie lived the high life of the Chicago mob and gave little consideration to the atrocity that went on around him.

Eddie did have one soft spot, however. He had a son that he loved dearly. Eddie saw to it that his young son had clothes, cars, and a good education. Nothing was withheld. Price was no object. And, despite his involvement with organized crime, Eddie even tried to teach him right from wrong. Eddie wanted his son to be a better man than he was.

Yet, with all his wealth and influence, there were two things he couldn't give his son; he couldn't pass on a good name or a good example.

One day, Easy Eddie reached a difficult decision. Easy Eddie wanted to rectify wrongs he had done. He decided he would go to the authorities and tell the truth about Al "Scarface" Capone, clean up his tarnished name, and offer his son some semblance of integrity. To do this, he would have to testify against The Mob, and he knew that the cost would be great.

So, he testified.

Within the year, Easy Eddie's life ended in a blaze of gunfire on a lonely Chicago Street. But in his eyes, he had given his son the greatest gift he had to offer, at the greatest price he could ever pay. Police removed from his pockets a rosary, a crucifix, a religious medallion, and a poem clipped from a magazine.

The poem read: The clock of life is wound but once, And no man has the power To tell just when the hands will stop At late or early hour. Now is the only time you own. Live, love, toil with a will. Place no faith in time. For the clock may soon be still.

----------

World War II produced many heroes. One such man was Lieutenant Commander Butch O'Hare. He was a fighter pilot assigned to the aircraft carrier Lexington in the South Pacific.

One day his entire squadron was sent on a mission. After he was airborne, he looked at his fuel gauge and realized that someone had forgotten to top off his fuel tank. He would not have enough fuel to complete his mission and get back to his ship. His flight leader told him to return to the carrier. Reluctantly, he dropped out of formation and headed back to the fleet. As he was returning to the mother ship he saw something that turned his blood cold: a squadron of Japanese aircraft was speeding its way toward the American fleet.

The American fighters were gone on a sortie, and the fleet was all but defenseless. He couldn't reach his squadron and bring them back in time to save the fleet. Nor could he warn the fleet of the approaching danger. There was only one thing to do. He must somehow divert them from the fleet.

Laying aside all thoughts of personal safety, he dove into the formation of Japanese planes. Wing-mounted 50 caliber's blazed as he charged in, attacking one surprised enemy plane and then another. Butch wove in and out of the now broken formation and fired at as many planes as possible until all his ammunition was finally spent. Undaunted, he continued the assault. He dove at the planes, trying to clip a wing or tail in hopes of damaging as many enemy planes as possible and rendering them unfit to fly.

Finally, the exasperated Japanese squadron took off in another direction.

Deeply relieved, Butch O'Hare and his tattered fighter limped back to the carrier. Upon arrival, he reported in and related the event surrounding his return. The film from the gun-camera mounted on his plane told the tale. It showed the extent of Butch's daring attempt to protect his fleet. He had, in fact, destroyed five enemy aircraft.

This took place on February 20, 1942, and for that action Butch became the Navy's first Ace of W.W.II, and the first Naval Aviator to win the Congressional Medal of Honor. A year later Butch was killed in aerial combat at the age of 29. His home town would not allow the memory of this WW II hero to fade, and today, O'Hare Airport in Chicago is named in tribute to the courage of this great man.

So, the next time you find yourself at O'Hare International, give some thought to visiting Butch's memorial displaying his statue and his Medal of Honor. It's located between Terminals 1 and 2.

SO WHAT DO THESE TWO STORIES HAVE TO DO WITH EACH OTHER?

Butch O'Hare was "Easy Eddie's" son.

(h/t The Corner)