Just a word of caution, that while my philosophy is never to censor anyone, I will exercise my option to keep this blog focused on the issues being put on the table. If anyone decides to use this for their own personal fun and games, then that's as far as we go. After all, this is my blog. So please let's stay on point, and give me a break.

Dear Linda, you really had me going today. I picked up this e mail on my I phone and I am trying to figure out what I said to make you so upset, and from what you wrote, rightfully so. I haven't done a piece on the environment, nor do I think I've been unkindly criticizing our President. Okay, I am a full service blogger, and having been the target of much bashing when I was the General Manager of WKMG-TV, I had "deja vu". At channel 6, many times I would go crazy trying to figure out what some viewer was talking about, only to eventually discover that their issue was with another station, not mine. So, in the spirit of making sure your comments are directed at the right person, I looked through the paper and found your targets in the Letters section (which you properly addressed at the beginning of your comments). Bingo, there was Diana P, and Mark B, the two objects of your ire. So, I am relieved that even though you addressed your comments to me, and sent them to my blog, I am not guilty of your accusations. So to all who read your comments, THEY WERE NOT DIRECTED AT ME. But, let me tell you that I am flattered that maybe you have the confidence in me to deal with your concerns, thank you. Okay Linda?

Thank you Harry, thank you songweaver and a special thank you to my avenging angel, gimmeabreak. To Harry, you are right, every now and then we should put our assumptions and presumptions to a stress test, it is surprising how much of "reality" out there changes when we're not looking, and how much the little things in life can really mean a lot. Songweaver builds on it by reminding us that one little contact with a stranger can make a big difference, one way or another, to your company, to you, and to that person. He also points out that it is many times that lowest paid employee, who may make the contact that makes a difference to the big picture. And gimmeabreak, I very much appreciate our dialog, as you see this "small stuff" resonates with people in bigger ways than you think BUT I get your drift, and even though a "blog" is open to whatever tickles my fancy, we must and we wll deal with the "big" issues very often. But every now and then, it's the small things, the seemingly inconsequential things that are attracting my attention, maybe retirement does that to you. So, I appreciate your advice, and I appreciate our dialog. Thanks to all of you.

Dear UCF93, I did get the point and I very much appreciate the support. I believe we have got to have a brave vision of the future, and be uncompromising about what we want and need. Reality will always takes care of itself, but we've got to start by thinking big.

Thank you gimmeabreak for your contribution above. For those who need some reference points: a "Neo-Con" is technically a Neo Conservative, and the PNAC are initials for the "Project for the New American Century", neither is as simple as they sound. Look them up on the internet and prepare to get dizzy.

Dear gimmeabreak, on the piece about the value of gold, you can access the original entry with its comments at http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/orlando_opinionators/2009/05/gold-what-is-it-good-for.html and again I am miffed, am I the "educated (full of themselves) person with little grounding in reality", or are you referring to the good professor. In any case, I appreciate your interest, and if you read the other comments you'll see that the "bloviating" on this subject is not new, and real "educated" people have been considering the Paradox of Value way before the two of us.

Dear Chris, I fully agree with both of your comments. My point is that when fear enters the equation, all logic is turned inside out, and even rational people behave irrationally, and that is a common human reaction to fear. While I agree that the chances of dying from a terrorist attack are minimal in the US, what were the chances that you perceived your life very differently and more in jeopardy on the evening of September 11, and that since then many American have acted "irrationally" due to fear. That is the difference between theory and reality, the credibility gap created between principle and fear. Thanks for your comment.

Thomas, thanks for your insight and for your welcome. This Paradox of Value has always haunted me. The toughest jobs should get the highest pay. Sanitation workers have a really tough job, and one which must be very difficult to enjoy;on the other hand movie stars have a job they love, with incredible perks. We can do without the latest star of the week, but we cannot get along with our garbage piling up in the driveway. And one other paradox that has always bugged me, why is it that the rich and famous, who can afford anything, get all the free stuff, and the average citizen, who's is always struggling, pays for everything. After almost 40 years in television, I am still shocked at how all sorts of free stuff is thrown at my colleagues, and they come to expect it. My pals would rarely think of "buying" a ticket to the theatre, they just make a phone call and it will be waiting for them at the box office for FREE. Yes, Thomas, it is a paradox.

Richard, thanks for you comment. First let me make it clear that I think the result of this approach is a good one: education gets some support it so badly needs. Where I am critical is the mechanism itself, which creates in essence a "carte blanche" , a blank check, saying, here take taxpayers' money when you feel you need it. That puts educators in the business of levying taxes and is open to potential abuse. Legislators have got to come to grips with the crisis in our education system, and they have to come up with real solutions and stand by them. While this seem to be a very creative solution for the times, something just doesn't sit right with me.

Dear "gimmeabreak", if you read closely you will notice that the quote you are referring to is attributed to a College Phd, so I will not take it personally that you make the mistake of referring to me as a "moron", but I will pass it on to the good professor, whose point is exactly what yours is, that is what the meaning is of the term "circular", re-read and you will see. Just a curious question to you, how much gold does it actually take for your girlfriend to do "nice things for you"?