On The Road with Dave

"Sunday Thoughts"

2009-07-19T13:32:00.000-05:00

"I can't imagine a person becoming a success who doesn't give this game of life everything he's got."

--Walter Cronkite

"And Walter Cronkite Was There"

2009-07-17T22:59:00.003-05:00

Shortly after 9PM tonight, a cable news program alerted me to the news that Walter Cronkite, once hailed as "The Most Trusted Man in America" had passed away at the age of 92.

It struck me as regrettable that Cronkite had missed the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon landing occurring later this week. Walter Cronkite had covered the Space Exploration program for CBS News from the very beginning. I was also saddened to learn his cause of death had been cited as complications from dementia. Losing a father to those same complications, I felt a great empathy for Cronkite's family.

Over the next few days, a casual reader of the news sources available, will see broadcasted tributes to the legendary newsman on every newscast and commentary show and will read countless printed tributes to the man. I'm sure I could do no better than these esteemed colleagues and peers of the man.

I read that Cronkite had began anchoring the CBS Evening News in 1962. Many of the journalists who will be offering their tributes will no doubt say they, and much of America, grew up with Walter Cronkite and the evening news. Since I was born in 1962, and remember Mr. Cronkite on our family TV every evening when I was a kid; I, too, feel like I grew up with Mr. Cronkite.

While I do not remember Cronkite's emotional announcement in 1963 of the assassination and death of John F. Kennedy, I still have faint memories of the CBS News coming on in my living room each evening on Channel 4 and hearing the teletype machines in the background and Walter shuffling papers on camera as each reporters' name and evening's location was typed on the screen. I also recall an announcement of the number of soldiers in Vietnam dead and wounded during the day.

Of course, Walter's tagline of "That's the way it is" ended each newscast. I can't say I remember actually hearing him say it, but I do remember every comedian and impersonator of the time, using it on comedy and variety shows. It was part of the national vocabulary.

For me, as a kid growing up with Walter Cronkite, he had another more memorable tagline. Besides being a solid newscaster and journalist, Walter was also an educator. His fame for me lay in the Saturday morning children's programming of CBS.

After cartoons had finished for the day, Walter came on TV for kids. Reviving a 1950's radio program, Walter Cronkite and a team of reporters covered events in US history as reenacted by television and movie actors. No reporters were at the Alamo when Texians fell to Santa Anna's army in 1836; nor were there TV cameras on Howland Island in 1937 awaiting a missing Amelia Earhart. But CBS brought those events alive through Walter Cronkite and reporters covering the "stories" as if "You Are There"

The following video contains the opening and the closing for that television show....

.... ending with Walter Cronkite's other famous tagline:

"What sort of day was it? A day like all days, filled with those events that alter and illuminate our times...and you were there."

Walter Cronkite was there for all of us. Good night, Mr. Cronkite.

Lift Off, Apollo 11--40 Years Later

2009-07-16T21:10:00.004-05:00

"First, I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to the earth. No single space project in this period will be more impressive to mankind, or more important for the long-range exploration of space; and none will be so difficult or expensive to accomplish. We propose to accelerate the development of the appropriate lunar space craft. We propose to develop alternate liquid and solid fuel boosters, much larger than any now being developed, until certain which is superior. We propose additional funds for other engine development and for unmanned explorations--explorations which are particularly important for one purpose which this nation will never overlook: the survival of the man who first makes this daring flight. But in a very real sense, it will not be one man going to the moon--if we make this judgment affirmatively, it will be an entire nation. For all of us must work to put him there."

Special Message to the Congress on Urgent National Needs
President John F. Kennedy
Delivered in person before a joint session of Congress
May 25, 1961

"We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win, and the others, too."

--John F. Kennedy; September 12, 1962

40 years ago today, that mission--that dream, of JFK's became a reality with the lift off of Apollo 11, the first manned mission to the moon. You can follow the entire mission at the interactive website, We Choose The Moon. I have to say I have spent a great deal of time at the site today, reliving the past and re-experiencing the inspiration.

No One Is "Speaking Of Amway"

2009-07-14T21:55:00.005-05:00

I don't write much about the Amway Global company anymore, because I'm no longer affiliated with the company and its products. But I still stop by and read the numerous blogs on the "Internets" that keep up with the happenings at the Amway corporation and the activities of its Independent Business Owners(IBOs).

Sadly, my main resource for Amway controversy and discussion, Quixtar Blog, has sat dormant for many months; although I recently checked in at the Quixtar Blog Discussion Forum and found that conversations are still being carried on, despite Quixtar Blog's owner, Eric Janssen's absence.

Recently, I tried to pay a visit to the "Speaking Of Amway" site ran by IBO, Chuck Lia. Chuck had written and moderated the Speaking Of Amway" blog for about a year when I left Quixtar/Amway. I had maintained a link to the blog under the MLM section of my "Links I Like" in my sidebar. Chuck had been kind enough to link back to "On The Road With Dave" at his blog.

Chuck always opened up his blog entries with "Speaking of Amway"....and then he would include a question about that entry's topic.

Shortly, after I had dropped out of the daily Amway conversations, Chuck had been inviting guest columnists to write at his blog. It would appear that the site is now dead. Links to the site turn up a "Page Can Not Be Found" message and searches for the site only reveal cached pages with just text, minus any template style.

I suppose I could have missed the last entry announcing the site's demise, but a short search of other Amway-related blogs turned up no evidence that the end of "Speaking Of Amway" was covered by any of the other usual bloggers on the subject.

Chuck...if you are still out there....I want you to know you had a good site that gave voice to both advocates and critics of Multi-level Marketing and Amway and I'll miss ya. But, I also understand the challenges of keeping up a site on those subjects. It takes a lot out of you and takes you away from other things, even when you didn't want it to.

I'll be removing the link to the site, here at my blog. If "Speaking Of Amway" re-launches at some point in the future; let me know and I'll be sure to let my readers know.

"Speaking of Amway...who will take its place?"

See Mobile, Alabama With Renee

2009-07-13T15:35:00.004-05:00

The above lovely feet belong to my lovely wife. Those waves lapping over them are from the Gulf Coast waters of Dauphin Island Beach. A day at the beach is the subject of my lovely wife's first blog entry at "See Mobile Alabama".

After 5 years of putting up with a husband that blogs and lives on the Internet, Renee has decided to provide a service to vacationers, tourists, and local residents in Mobile, Alabama on the subject of "what is there to do here".

FROM "SEE MOBILE, ALABAMA"

"Since I moved to Mobile several years ago I have repeatedly heard the locals complain that they hate living here because there is nothing to do. Really? Nothing? I have lived in towns where there is truly nothing to do and Mobile is not one of them. I'm guessing that these people just don't know enough about our community to know where to go for fun....In fact, there's always something to do in Mobile and a lot of it won't cost you a dime. Join me as I give an honest critique of the best and worst of what the area has to offer for our entertainment."

Of course, you've already guessed, I'll be putting "See Mobile, Alabama" under my "Links That I Like".

Good Luck, Renee with your blogging efforts and one more thing..."It took you long enough!"

"Sunday Thoughts"

2009-07-12T07:45:00.000-05:00

"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are."

--Theodore Roosevelt

No Blog Award

2009-07-07T18:52:00.004-05:00

At the end of May, I asked local readers of "On The Road With Dave" to vote for my blog as Best Blog or Website in Mobile, Alabama for Lagniappe Magazine.

Lagniappe sponsors the "Nappie" Awards annually and I really thought I had a shot at the award. Besides, my article here at the blog, I also contacted people on Twitter, MySpace and Facebook. I received some feedback from many of my readers that had indeed voted for "On The Road With Dave" as Best Blog in Mobile, Alabama.

Next week, an awards show will be held at the historic Saenger Theatre, but unfortunately, I won't be attending the festivities and picking up an award.

It seems that there was a flaw in the published ballots. I contacted Lagniappe Editor, Rob Holbert, and was informed that the printed ballots published in the magazine did not include the "Blog" category this year, even though the online ballot did include the category. It had been decided to drop the category from this year's awards.

In response to an email I sent to Mr. Holbert, Rob apologized for "the snafu" and informed me that they will,

"definitely re-include it again next year as
we try to keep up with the growing number of blogs and Web sites."

So, I'll try again try next year. If you happened to have voted for me at the online ballot, thank you very much for the effort. It was still much appreciated.

And congrats in advance to all of this year's winners. The winner's issue of the magazine will be published in the next few weeks; be sure to pick up a copy of the newspaper free at local Mobile and Baldwin county newsstands every other Wednesday.

"Sunday Thoughts"

2009-07-05T07:32:00.000-05:00

"Babies don't need a vacation, but I still see them at the beach... it pisses me off! I'll go over to a little baby and say 'What are you doing here? You haven't worked a day in your life!'"

--Steven Wright

4th Of July From Mobile, Alabama

2009-07-04T06:21:00.001-05:00

As you read this, I'm on Dauphin Island off the coast of Alabama enjoying a day at the beach, and awaiting a 4th Of July fireworks display later on tonight.

After a day of picnicking, swimming, digging in the white sand, and most likely getting a tad bit sunburned; my family and I will watch a patriotic display of fireworks celebrating our country's 233rd birthday while enjoying a cool nighttime ocean breeze and the sound of waves lapping at the beach.

I hope your Independence Day celebrations will be just as pleasant, wherever you are.

"All we have of freedom, all we use or know -
This our fathers bought for us long and long ago."

--Rudyard Kipling

USS Alabama, Mobile Bay, Mobile, Alabama
photo courtesy of pixe_annie

"Sunday Thoughts"

2009-06-28T07:34:00.001-05:00

"I find myself at the extremity of a long beach. How gladly does the spirit leap forth, and suddenly enlarge its sense of being to the full extent of the broad, blue, sunny deep! A greeting and a homage to the Sea! I descend over its margin, and dip my hand into the wave that meets me, and bathe my brow. That far-resounding roar is the Ocean's voice of welcome. His salt breath brings a blessing along with it."

--Nathaniel Hawthorne

From Chip Martin: YouTube Replaces Traditional Web Site

2009-06-24T19:29:00.005-05:00

Chip Martin, over at "Chip Martin's Blog" mentioned "On The Road With Dave" in his latest blog entry.

A few weeks back I suggested a new website to Chip that I thought he'd find interesting. He did. It's for an advertising agency, BooneOakley, and the entire site is done via YouTube

Go read what Chip has to say.

"Sunday Thoughts"

2009-06-21T07:10:00.000-05:00

"When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much he had learned in seven years."

--Mark Twain

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

Five Years Of Dave

2009-06-17T23:18:00.009-05:00

Last Sunday sped past me without any thought, but the date, June 14th is significant for more than just Flag Day. Five years ago on that date, "On The Road With Dave" began.

And they said it wouldn't last.

A special thanks to all my loyal, semi-loyal, and occasional readers over the years.

You are appreciated.

I Pledge Allegiance

2009-06-14T12:18:00.001-05:00

I pledge allegiance to
the flag of the United
States of America and
to the Republic for
which it stands, one
nation under God,
indivisible, with
liberty and justice
for all.

Flag Day 2009

"Sunday Thoughts"

2009-06-14T09:54:00.000-05:00

"It is often easier to become outraged by injustice half a world away than by oppression and discrimination half a block from home."

--Carl T. Rowan

New Error 404 Page

2009-06-07T21:38:00.005-05:00

Seems like everybody is trying to get away from the standard 404 error pages that you get when you type in something wrong at a website and you get that message that says that Your Browser Can Not Display The Page.

So, I did some tinkering and came up with one for "On The Road With Dave". I hope this is the only time you see it.

YOU'VE RAN OFF THE ROAD!!!!

THIS IS A REAL 404 ERROR PAGE!

I'M SORRY BUT YOU HAVE WOUND UP HERE BY SOME MISTAKE THAT WAS PROBABLY YOUR FAULT IN THE FIRST PLACE!

BUT IF YOU WANT TO ARGUE ABOUT IT, THEN WRITE ME AN EMAIL AND TELL ME AT DAVE@ONTHEROADWITHDAVE.COM

BUT YOU PROBABLY JUST ENTERED THE WRONG URL, TRY TYPING IT AGAIN OR GO ON BACK TO THE HOME PAGE AND MAYBE SEARCH THE ARCHIVES.

"Sunday Thoughts"

2009-06-07T10:21:00.000-05:00

ATTICUS FINCH: LAWYER - HERO

"Lawyers, I suppose, were children once." These words of Charles Lamb
are the epigraph to Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird, a novel about
childhood and about a great and noble lawyer, Atticus Finch. The legal
profession has in Atticus Finch, a lawyer-hero who knows how to see and to
tell the truth, knowing the price the community, which Atticus loves, will pay
for that truth. The legal profession has in Atticus Finch, a lawyer-hero who
knows how to use power and advantage for moral purposes, and who is
willing to stand alone as the conscience of the community. The legal
community has in Atticus Finch, a lawyer-hero who possesses the knowledge
and experience of a man, strengthened by the untainted insight of a child.

Children are the original and universal people of the world; it is only when
they are educated into hatreds and depravities that children become the
bigots, the cynics, the greedy, and the intolerant, and it is then that "there
hath passed away a glory from the earth." Atticus Finch challenges the legal
profession to shift the paradigm and make the child the father of the man in
dealing with the basic conflicts and struggles that permeate moral existence.

Symbolically, it is the legal profession that now sits in the jury box as
Atticus Finch concludes his argument to the jury: "In the name of God, do
your duty."

PLACED BY THE ALABAMA STATE BAR - 1997

Coming Monday--"To Kill A MockingBird" Trip

2009-06-06T19:09:00.002-05:00

It's kinda late on a Saturday night but the wife and I made a trip today to Monroeville, Alabama, home of author, Harper Lee, of "To Kill A Mockingbird" fame. Another one of my infamous travelouges appears here Monday.

And tomorrow's "Sunday's Thoughts" features another photo from the trip--complete with the day's thought.

"Sunday Thoughts"

2009-05-31T17:22:00.000-05:00

"Before I can live with other folks I've got to live with myself. The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's conscience."

--Harper Lee

Mobile, Alabama Vote For Dave

2009-05-26T12:13:00.000-05:00

I'm a fan of Mobile, Alabama's bi-weekly newspaper called Lagniappe. I was even interviewed by the paper back in March of 2007. Regular sections in Lagniappe are Commentary, Cuisine, Music, Style, Arts, and Classifieds.

Since 2003, Lagniappe has featured the annual "Nappie Awards", where favorite local people, places, and things are chosen by readers' votes. The next two issues of Lagniappe feature the ballot for the 2009 Nappie Awards.

One particular category--MEDIA: Best Local Website or Blog; is my interest.

If you are a reader of "On The Road With Dave" and live in the Mobile area. Please fill the ballot out listing all your local favorites and include www.ontheroadwithdave.com as your favorite blog.

If you don't want to mail in a paper ballot, you can submit the online version at Annual Lagniappe Nappie Awards Ballot.

Lagniappe is published every other Wednesday and is available free per person at over 300 locations in southwest Alabama, including Mobile County and Baldwin County.

Don't Forget--Vote For "On The Road With Dave.Com" Best Local Website/Blog.

And as they say, Thank You For Your Support!

Fallen; Not Forgotten--Memorial Day 2009

2009-05-25T08:04:00.000-05:00

"If other eyes grow dull and other hands slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of life remain in us."

From General Orders No. 11 Proclaiming Memorial Day, dated May 5, 1868

"Sunday Thoughts"

2009-05-24T16:01:00.000-05:00

"I have never been able to think of the day as one of mourning; I have never quite been able to feel that half-masted flags were appropriate on Decoration Day. I have rather felt that the flag should be at the peak, because those whose dying we commemorate rejoiced in seeing it where their valor placed it. We honor them in a joyous, thankful, triumphant commemoration of what they did."

--Benjamin Harrison

The Graduate

2009-05-19T18:49:00.005-05:00

It doesn't seem like it's been that long, but today my last child, my youngest--has graduated high school.

Congratulations son!

"Sunday Thoughts"

2009-05-17T13:36:00.001-05:00

My third and youngest child graduates high school on Tuesday. In his honor, I offer not one, but three thoughts on this Sunday.

"The fireworks begin today. Each diploma is a lighted match. Each one of you is a fuse."

--Edward Koch

"Graduation is only a concept. In real life every day you graduate. Graduation is a process that goes on until the last day of your life. If you can grasp that, you'll make a difference."

--Arie Pencovici

"At commencement you wear your square-shaped mortarboards. My hope is that from time to time you will let your minds be bold, and wear sombreros."

--Paul Freund

"Sunday Thoughts"

2009-05-10T07:57:00.000-05:00

"Getting down on all fours and imitating a rhinoceros stops babies from crying. (Put an empty cigarette pack on your nose for a horn and make loud "snort" noises.) I don't know why parents don't do this more often. Usually it makes the kid laugh. Sometimes it sends him into shock. Either way it quiets him down. If you're a parent, acting like a rhino has another advantage. Keep it up until the kid is a teenager and he definitely won't have his friends hanging around your house all the time."

--P.J. O'Rourke