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BLOWING SMOKE RINGS
Let me take you back perhaps 25 years when it seemed to me that almost everyone smoked cigarettes. Cigarettes require fire at their tips. The fire may be provided by a cigarette lighter, or by a kitchen match, and it can also be provided by matches contained in a small packet that fits precisely in…
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WHEN IT IS ASS-KICKING TIME ALONG THE POTOMAC
My efforts recently have been consumed by writing a song, which is the title of this essay. Sometimes the song seems to be a lullaby and at other times it becomes a dirge. But with the President now in the ass-kicking mode, perhaps it becomes a march or a patriotic song, such as “America the…
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ANOTHER NATION OF IMMIGRANTS
If I were an observant Muslim, I would add the phrase “Blessed be His name” after saying something about Prophet Mohammed. But as most of you know, I am not an observant Muslim and I suspect the Muslims would regard me as nothing more than a pagan. But be that as it may, the point…
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ASKING AND TELLING
I have no intention of misleading the readers of Ezra’s Essays into believing that this essay has anything to do with the current law that forbids members of the military services from disclosing their sexual preferences. Quite to the contrary, this essay has to do with Miss Chicka, my wife, and with blindness. Apparently…
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BACKWARDS IT HAVE I
This morning I was amazed to hear that Levi Johnston and Bristol Palin have announced their engagement. I know that my age is approaching that of Methuselah, and there are those who would accuse me of having antediluvian ideas. But I always thought that the way to romance had to do with a boy and…
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AMERICAN MILITARY MUSIC
In 1970, a book written by Robert Sherrill was published with the title, “Military Justice is to Justice as Military Music is to Music.” More than anything else, Robert Sherrill had few things complimentary about justice in the American military system. As a matter of fact, he excoriated what is called the justice system in…
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ANOTHER CLOWN STORY
After Tony Hayward finished his grueling testimony before a House committee, he flew back to England, most likely in a private jet that BP owns. Some time on Friday or Saturday, Hayward was told that he had been replaced on the Gulf of Mexico oil spill by a Mississippi State graduate who formerly was his…
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THE AL GORE SEPARATION
In recent weeks Al Gore, the former vice-president, and his wife Tipper announced that they are going to be separated after 40 years of marriage. This has set the news hawks and news hens to digging for details as to why the Gores are ending their marriage after such a long time. I will have…
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ABIDING CONCLUSIONS
The title to this essay is a very practical one. The “abiding” part has to do with some thoughts that have remained in my brain for the better part of 80 years. The “conclusion” part has to do with these statements which allow no room for debate. And, finally, you will be surprised to know…
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A PROUD SAXON
From January 1936 until January of 1940, it was my duty to attend the Clayton High School in pursuit of a diploma. At that time, Georgia Walker was the director of vocal music. George Best was the director of instrumental music. For the four years that I attended Clayton High School, one of the mainstays…