Yeah, politics is important, as our elected leaders can have a significant on our lives and especially our pocketbooks.
However, sometimes they pale in contrast to whats really important.

1) I lost a college-friend Friday. Dr. Sam Hsu was crossing a street in Philadelphia on Thursday when he was struck by a car. He was rushed to Hahnemann Hospital for emergency brain surgery, but the damage was too great. The family gave permission to halt life support Friday afternoon, and he died. Sammy was a truly gifted pianist and instructor. Whenever people heaped praise on him, he reminded them that he was simply a sinner saved by Grace.

2) Local ( Baltimore) radio talk show host, Ron Smith is quickly dying. Ron is a Conservative/Libertarian who has hosted various time slots over the past 30 years or so. While not a personal friend, I've probably spent more time in his presence over those 30, or so, years than anyone else. Thru his radio show, I've come to know Ron, and his wife June. Some years ago, a local newspaper columnist derisively called him, " The Voice of Reason." The moniker stuck, and he proudly wore that title. A few months ago, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, did one day of chemo and halted that treatment. Last week he announced his "retirement". He said that in view of what was going on he really had no desire to discuss politics. He probably won't live to see the new year.

Not looking for any sympathy, but I thought it might be good to explain why my attention around here may be spotty for a while. OD is just not real high on my priority list right now. So, if I fail to respond to anyone's counter-arguments, on some thread or other, please understand. There will be time for all that, later.
There is a time for everything, a time to be born, a time to die, a time to scatter, and a time to gather, This is just not the time for political arguments--at least for me.

__________________
1982 300SD " Wotan" ..On the road as of Jan 8, 2007 with Historic Tags

Sorry to hear about your friend.

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

MS,

Boy, do I feel your pain.

Like you, I listened to Ron Smith on a daily basis, even here in retirement in SC via the internet.

You can have a very different point of view from others without treating them with disrespect. Ron would have very liberal guest on his show (Senator Cardin comes to mind) and they would engage in lively conversation but it never got personal. He always treated his callers and guests with respect, no matter how idiotic they were.

Beware of unintended consequences. Ron was dead set against the US invasion or Iraq, warning that this would lead to great troubles down the road. He angered a lot of his listeners but he stuck to his beliefs and explained what would happen. He was spot on.

Ron was offered nationwide syndication several times but always turned it down, saying he felt more comfortable in his community, commenting on national issues with a local flavor.

He was a well read historian and his comments and positions were always founded on solid historical evidence. If he did not know an answer to an issue, he would tell you so and then research it and comment later.

Ron is a friend to so many people although most have never met him in person. He talked to you on the radio like he knew you personally. He loved his listeners and they returned the sentiment. He had a great wit and a dry sense of humor.

Ron was a golfer, an Orioles and Ravens fan. When he did a voice-over commercial, you wanted to run right out and buy the product he was advertising. His commercials for the Oregon Grill made you think you had a martini and a prime piece of beef sitting right in front of you. I would run in to him occasionally at a local cigar shop where he would hold court and discuss issues with the patrons, just as he did on the radio. He always had a smile on his face and that twinkle in his eye.

Like you, I feel like I am loosing a member of my family. Not tuning in to Ron at 9AM each day seemed like an impossibility. My wife thinks I am crazy because every time I think of Ron, I start tearing up.

Ron Smith made people think...actually he FORCED them to think....my world was a much better place with him in it. I will truly miss him very much...VERY much!

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"Life is tough...it's even tougher if you're stupid." John Wayne


Dave
Pawleys Island, SC

'79 300CD

Another testimonial to Ron from TownHall
As He Lay Dying: The Most Important Column I Will Ever Write - Matt Towery - Townhall Conservative

__________________
1982 300SD " Wotan" ..On the road as of Jan 8, 2007 with Historic Tags

Yes, we get wake up calls, from time to time. I've had several in the last two years or so.

Hang in there and please post here when you can and when you feel like it.

Merry Christmas,
Larry

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2001 SLK 320 six speed manual
2014 Porsche Cayenne six speed manual

Annoy a Liberal, Read the Constitution

My sympathies on the losses you're experiencing, both personal and profound.

This year, since just before Thanksgiving, I've been struck by the sheer number of my friends who have lost someone close to them, with a couple of more who are on the verge of passing. And it seems like the holidays just make it that much more painful, and often those losses color the holidays for years to come.

Sometimes the best we can do is to let those important to us know their importance regularly. And if you have time, send a note along to people like Ron Smith and let them know you've appreciated their contribution to your life over the years.

But speaking as someone who is not a fan of politics and tends to regard politicians much the same as P.J. O'Rourke, I hope you find a balance and are able to enjoy what remains of this holiday season; just around the corner is a holiday season (of sorts) for politics. In such arenas, fanfare and folderol seem always more important than substance and reason.