I have never watched Fox news. But they make the news here all the time, because they talk about invading the commie nation to the north and that makes our news. None of think that will ever happen, but if it did it would turn into the grand-daddy of all wars, I cannot think of many countries who wouldn't turn up to help.

I cannot fathom the lack of health care. More is spent per capita in the US. I'd be broke and dead or both without it, so much crap is wrong. I cannot imagine having a gall bladder go south and having to die over it, or becoming destitute. I don't view that as socialist, it's a human rights issue in my book.

I refuse to get into American presidents arguments, I know so little about politics south of the border, but I did find it cool that any small town can have a parade, and the politicians pay to be in it and they give the money to bands to play. I swear 70 percent of that parade I was in every year in Romeo MI was politicians. Here the mayor expects a convertible to ride up front and maybe 2 others will be in the parade, and were 400,000 compared to what 15k in Romeo, and that parade was twice as big.

To bad the closed the border up so tight we canceled all 9 American parades, somedays it took 2 to 3 hours of trying to get past the M16's and that was less time than it used to take to go over spend some cash and come back. More Canadians are going to Cuba now than go to the US. Over 1 million will visit this year alone. 3 direct flights a day from my city, and 2.5 hours and you are on a beach. I wanted to rent a car in Miami and for the wife and I the cost of the flights and car rental was 2,000 for 2 weeks. no food, no lodging, no drinks. Two weeks all inclusive to Varadero was 900 each.

Here's hoping everyone has a nice holiday, and stays well. I'm probably making my last 2 mile hike on snowshoes into the cabin for christmas, although getting off the paved streets, sidewalks and hard surfaces seems to make my feet and legs feel way better.

John Conley
Musica est vita