I am now 72 and a veteran of the Marine Corps from 1957, and I have seen many Presidents come and go but none apparently like this one. The only President he reminds me of is Nixon with his adoption of a so called enemies list. I cannot recall any President that was so averse to criticism from any source. I do not blame him for being thin skinned, but I do for his reaction to it.

No President or person has the right to go after critics with threats and or intimidation just to silence criticism. They can try and dissuade people from watching a certain television show by saying they are biased and slanted in their coverage of his administrations proposals and plans but, to go after a stations licenses to force their capitulation and silence them for speaking out, is almost criminal according to our Constitutions prohibition of free speech.

If the President wants to push his own point of view he has the bully pulpit at his disposal to make his views Known at any time. He has the right and ability to come before the American people at any time on television or news conferences to explain to the people what his proposals are and to explain them in detail if he wants to. Out of all our freedoms the one we must defend first and foremost is free speech. Once it is diminished by any factors either in government or outside of it we all lose and lose a lot.

Free speech is the cornerstone of all the other freedoms we strive to keep open and working for us. Without our ability to speak out about what we see as problems or issues, then we are unable to change them. If everyone that speaks out is afraid of retribution by government then we are heading for a dictatorship where criticism is followed by detention camps for dissidents.

Sound familiar? I believe the President has the perfect opportunity to create a website where every point of view of the President can be placed in front of America for discussion and information they can look over and either accept or reject. It seems as if this President is very thin skinned and wants to hit back for any person place or group that does not agree with his point of view or those that critisize him. Richard Nixon was also very thin skinned and drew up his now famous enemies list. His paranoia about enemies being everywhere around him eventually brought down his administration and sent many to jail

The web is the one place that must, at all costs, be kept free of censorship or control by any party or government agency that wants to place restrictions on its use by Americans from every walk of life. If we have that closed to anyone with a point of view to express either for or against any subject then we all lose. The world wide web has to be protected from any direction, no matter what the excuse or aim stated. The administration of President Obama has practically declared war on anyone or any group or source that dare to criticize him or his people around and those from his Chicago background.

I myself have no animosity towards the man but I do for his tactics. As President he has the full power and authority of the white house to do what he deems proper and lawful but this apparent fixation to try and force Fox News to back off on their criticism of the administrations policies by talk show hosts and opinion shows is illegal on the face of it and smacks of dirty tricks by Nixons minions trying to please him. I do remember that period very well as I watched the televised hearings about Presidents impeachment trial.

The web did not exist then as a place for ordinary people to go and voice what they saw unfolding. Personal computers were far in the future for American households. Cell phones did not exist at the time. This generation of young people does not know what it means to have a free and open news source at your fingertips. Back then it was all newspapers and What would they say if it were all gone or restricted to the point where they could not access the web as they wished. Back then it was mostly newspapers and the networks big three. CBS,NBC,ABC,and very few others at the time big enough to stand up to Washington.

Not many people growing up today remember Woodward and Bernstein of Washington Post fame back in the 70s. If it were not for investigative reporters like them on many newspapers at the time, we would never have found out about President Nixon with his dirty tricks and the subversive people he has around him. He secretly taped his own office in the White House, and that ultimately drove him from office when it he was forced to produce them and what they contained. He was paranoid about enemies all around him

The one place everyone can to go to for all the information they could want is WWW. and ask any question you like about any subject and you will find an answer. Their is an abundance of answers and it is sometimes easy to become lost and buried in more information than you can wade through towards your goal. The trick is to keep asking specific questions as you go. I can remember once it took me two hours to nail down my answer to a very specific point but I got there. Normally it probably should not take more than a few minutes.

The web is the one place you can find answers to almost any question and it also is the one place people of power want to be in control of. Ask for any quote the President has made or every promise he has given to the American people and its all there. Almost every family has a computer , or at least has access to one and can look up what they wish. If they gain control over access to the web then we are all lost. The days of newspapers and their investigative reporting are gone forever.

Television reporting is also a whipped dog and they are afraid to lose access to the White House if they are to critical. They put President Obama in the white House by soft pedaling everything he said and demonized the Republican candidates and especially Sarah Palin by Blasting her and invading their family looking for any kind of dirt. It was one of the dirtiest coverages of any election in memory. Their was practically no criticism of Mr Obama or anything he said,but they were all over Sen McCain and Gov Palin for anything and everything.

Wake up America and watch and read about the web and any and all measures to control or manipulate access to the web or regulations for taxing any part of it. That is the first step towards control. Next to be watched and worried about is the proposal for the so called " Fairness Doctrine " being proposed to regulate what commentators or talk show hosts can discuss or criticize. Can you believe that in this day and age the Obama administration wants to place gag orders on what they can say in the name of Fairness!. I would like to know why they are so secretive about everything they do.

Even now with the biggest program ever devised for health care, they are behind locked doors and blocking republicans from even having a say in formulating the basic plan. What kind of congress do we have?. Are they the Imperial legislators of old?. Don't they have to answer to anyone except the President?. They are breaking up the costs, projected for the plan, into several other bills and hiding them within other programs. As I keep saying, go to the web and ask questions and dig into government financing. You will find that the true cost of Obama care will be around one point eight trillion dollars at the finish.

If we as individuals do not keep our eyes open and questioning everything, we may lose our freedoms one by one and bit by bit. As I have said many times before and as I will keep saying: THE PRICE OF FREEDOM IS ETERNAL VIGILANCE. If people do not question what is going on around them and being proposed by government then when bad things happen we have no one to blame but ourselves. Another of my favotite sayings is: All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men ( and women ) to do nothing.

Watch the internet and television for signs of suppression or control trying to take over and silence critics or any talk show hosts singled out for retribution from the White house or anyone within it.

By: Paul Pajaken

For lots of us pre-boomers, this politically correct stuff seems contrived at best and plain stupid at worst. It has only been the past decade or so that those wanting to control what we think, by changing what we're allowed to say and do on a daily basis, have edged their way into the mainstream of American life.

Back when we pre-boomers were kids (those born between 1930 and 1945) everyone enjoyed the Christmas season. We had a Christmas play at school attended by parents. Throughout the several weeks leading up to Christmas we sang carols every day. There was always a pageant put on by the kids in the higher grades, and we were read "Christmas Story" from the bible at assembly in the auditorium. Each classroom had a tree and a party. Plus Santa made a visit to each room and every child received a small gift provided by the local merchants' association. No one complained in those days.

We celebrated Lincoln's birthday on February 12 followed less than two weeks later by Washington' birthday on the 22nd. We learned about both these great presidents in the classroom and always were entertained by a little performance attended by the entire school. It made the short month go even fasted. This was good because it would be another 6 weeks or so before we had any more time off from school.

Easter vacation was a welcomed break. The school activities were secular in nature with bunnies and egg decorating and usually a play about Peter Rabbit or the like. In the fall, we studied about Columbus but there was no show unless we did a portrayal in our classes. Thanksgiving was always celebrated with the "Story of the First Thanksgiving" with the participants playing the role of Pilgrims or Indians (there was no Native-American lobby in the '40s and '50s), and the kids wore those goofy black hats and bonnets or colorful head-dresses. It was fun as well as a learning opportunity.

Along the way the PC crowd decided our traditions are inappropriate. So the Christmas holidays are now "Winter Vacation" and the only entertainment kids are exposed to in school are symbols and songs that don't offend anyone. Carols are out because they allude to the religious aspects of Christmas, even though this is the reason behind this federal holiday. Santa, trees and decorations are banned from many schools as well.

"Spring Break" is the new name for Easter vacation. And there's talk of changing Columbus Day to "Fall Day," because the man who discovered America was harsh in the way he treated the Indians -- remember, he set out to find a new trade route to India. Unfortunately, most explorers were not gentle with the inhabitants of the places they claimed for their countries, and the natives weren't always happy to see them, but it is part of history. The PCs haven't attack Thanksgiving yet, but it's only a matter of time.

So, the only way our grandchildren and great grandchildren are going to learn about the traditions that were such a rich part of our lives is for us to tell them the stories from our childhood. They'll love it, and so will you.

By: Don Potter
Don Potter, a Philadelphia native, was born in 1936 and is a 50 year veteran of the advertising agency business. Now living in Los Angeles, he has written two novels in retirement, frequently writes on marketing issues, and has a blog dedicated to pre-boomers (those born between 1930 and 1945).

Read more articles for and about pre-boomers with thoughts, comments and opinions designed to spark thinking, foster discussion, and stimulate debate by logging on to http://www.pre-boomermusings.com

Every age has its special bit of fluff and nonsense. The eighteenth century ushered in the noble savage; whereas, the nineteenth century brought industrialization, the twentieth century exploded with the Atomic Age. The current century, though still young, has brought us the mass mind.

Standardization is the operative word in all aspects of our current world from automotive parts to the size of Krispy Kream donuts, to nuts and bolts, to one size fits all clothing. All kinds and types of packaged products must meet standard weight and size. Have you noticed the size of cereal boxes have diminished, yet the price has not?

Years ago, Russian author, Andrie Sakharov in his provocative book, Progress, Coexistence, and Intellectual Freedom, warned of the dangers of over standardization and the resultant stupefaction of western culture. It appears that the Sakharov warning has come true. We have mass amusements, mass production, mass transportation, mass information/disinformation, mass television and radio. One can travel from one side of the United States to the other and find the exact same stores, the same bargains, the same type of people buying the same type of products. Individuality is slowly but surely being replaced by mass sameness. Civilization has turned into a nice, warmed sterilized asylum where all the wear the same uniforms eat the same standardized food from standardized food chains, play the same games, and finally think the same thoughts. Don't believe me? Make a spot check for yourself. How many around you are wearing Levies, Reeboks, or Nike shoes?

This approach, this attitude, this mode of thinking is so completely imbued in our daily lives it underlies the writing and think of our times. You may not see it, but nevertheless, it gives shape to what you are and what you believe. If you deny it you will get the same response Galileo got when he stated the earth moved through the sky. You will be told to get real.

Don't believe me. Look at the crowds in the malls, airports, concert halls, sports arenas or your favorite hangout. Go to the movies, watch television, read the news papers, or thumb the magazines. When you travel to another country notice the disappearance of national ethnic dress. Lines of demarcation have faded. Scary as this is, this is not the scariest part of the development of the mass mind, global mind, global world.

Check the immense development in laws restring your individual liberties: seat belts, helmets for kids on bikes, knee pads for skateboarders. To give a sense of individuality colors and logs are introduced. Notice the standardization. Millions of people haunt the amusements centers and listen to the standardized spiel of bored guides. All nicely designed experiences to satisfy a mass mind. History, unfortunately, provides examples of travelogues from which you may learn of how various and delightful the world was in dress, music and dance, art, thought and individuality. Those days are gone.

By: Norman Wilson
Dr. Wilson has forty years experience in education at the junior high school, graduate school, and community college. He is the author and co-author of textbooks in literary criticism and in the humanities.

One of the things that I don't like about Christmas is the way some people spell it. By spelling Christmas as Xmas is not only demeaning and disrespectful it's simply lazy or ignorant spelling. Christ is in Christmas the same as egg is in eggnog.

I'm quite sure you wouldn't attempt to make eggnog without an egg so why do you attempt to enjoy and celebrate Christmas when you leave Christ out of it?

I seem to remember this spelling becoming common somewhere around the mid to late 60's. Perhaps it came about at that time because it became quite fashionable in Australia to call oneself an agnostic and many labelled themselves as atheists. That's their right to do so if they want to but that shouldn't mean they have the right to misspell Christmas for the rest of us. I really seriously dislike seeing so many signs in shops and newspapers advertising Xmas specials because it means something quite different to me and it's nothing related to anything Christmassy.

X is frequently used as an unknown factor in mathematical equations or philosophical discussions; or simply when something can't be quantified. So when I see signs that say "Xmas" special, it indicates to me that they are an unknown or unquantified product en mass. I'm sorry to say but that does not entice me remotely to buy. Would you buy an unknown product en mass?

I remember first seeing it written in Christmas cards and I'm sure it was probably used there long before it started appearing in our newspapers and on signs in our shops. People who had a lot of Christmas cards to write out probably started using it as a shorthand writing time saver. But in them saving themselves a few minutes they took the saviour out of Christmas. I wonder if any of them ever realized precisely what the outcome could be?

When Xmas is used by someone who calls themselves an agnostic and they use the spelling Xmas they are probably correct because an agnostic holds that there is nothing known about God. They believe that nothing is known or likely to be known about the existence of a God so when they wish you a "merry Xmas" they would probably be correctly writing their belief.

On the other hand if the wish comes from an atheist it would be pure hypocrisy because they would be wishing you something they don't believe exists.

Many people around the world celebrate Christmas because we believe that is the birthday of our saviour. We aren't insisting or demanding that you believe the same as us but we do ask you please to leave Christ in the spelling of our Christmas because to us that is the known event we are celebrating.

By: Jan Smith
Shop early for those personalized Christmas stocking fillers so you too can enjoy Christmas. For more ideas go to http://www.christmasstockingfillers.net

The rules were simple, but effective, when we pre-boomers were growing up. "Yes," meant "yes." "No," meant "no." "I'll think about it" was a qualified "maybe" that leaned toward "no" but could be "yes," depending on your actions and attitude leading up to dad's final answer. And, pushing for an immediate decision resulted in a certain "no." Have politicians forgotten these basic childhood lessons?

The public, in general, has shown its lack of enthusiasm for continued spending and the consolidation of more parts of our economy to be under government control. This is because we realize, from experience, that this combination will result in higher taxes. The polls, Town Hall meetings and the growing number of signatures on an endless number of petitions clearly indicate the people are saying "no."

Party affiliation is being trumped by the concern citizens have for their own financial situation and personal wellbeing and what the rising national debt means to future generations. Yet the administration insists a health care bill be passed as quickly as possible. Congress used this panic approach on the stimulus package. But, while the House applied the same kind of pressure on the cap and trade bill, it's having troubling clearing the Senate. Do-it-fast legislation is tantamount to asking your father for the car keys next Saturday night, and when he says "I'll think about it" you push for an immediate decision even though the answer is invariably "no."

Maybe this kind of arrogance is exhibited by the politicians because they think seniors won't remember how our wishes were ignored. Or, they believe the mid-term elections are more than a year away, and the mood of the constituency will be better by then. Or, their power has corrupted them to the point were they think nothing can stop them now, forgetting the fact that we put them in office to serve the people. Why won't they listen to us when we say "no?" Don't they realize this flagrant snub of the electorate may result in them sitting at home when the next congress is sworn in?

Let's refresh their memories a bit. Tell them how you feel about the job they're doing, or not doing. Remind them how important the senior vote is, particularly in off year elections. We represented nearly 30 percent of the turnout in 2006. I suspect the new seniors, pre-boomers (born between 1930 and 1945), will have a disproportionate say in who goes to Washington next time. This is true with state and local elections as well.

So, stand up and be counted. If you don't do it now, chances are you never will. And there's too much at stake to let someone else make decisions for you. Get together with your pre-boomer friends, join groups and organizations that demonstrate an understanding of your needs and share your concerns. Together we can and will make a difference, now and in the years ahead. This is one more reason pre-boomers are called "the can-do generation." We can all say "yes" to that.

By: Don Potter
Don Potter, a Philadelphia native, was born in 1936 and is a 50 year veteran of the advertising agency business. Now living in Los Angeles, he has written two novels in retirement, frequently writes on marketing issues, and has a blog dedicated to pre-boomers (those born between 1930 and 1945).

Read more articles for and about pre-boomers with thoughts, comments and opinions designed to spark thinking, foster discussion, and stimulate debate by logging on to http://www.pre-boomermusings.com

Our inalienable rights, guaranteed by the United States Constitution, have steadily become alienable. The actions of Congress and the States are restricting our freedom.

Years ago, with the advent of the automobile, when codifying this new means of transportation, states decreed that having a driver's license was a right. Today, having a driver's license is a privilege. It would be awkward, if not impossible, for the courts to penalize individuals by taking away their right to drive a vehicle.

In many states, you can be ticketed for not having a seat belt fastened when driving a vehicle or not wearing a helmet operating a motorcycle and riding a bicycle.

There are federal and state laws preventing smoking in certain prescribed areas. There are a multitude of rules and regulations dictating how businesses, professions, and manufacturing can be managed.

Politically correct speech, though not a formal law, is an incursion on our vocabulary. A subtle control on how we express ourselves.

Undeniably, some of these laws, such as requiring seat belts and helmets, are logical measures to lessen injuries if there are accidents. Non-the-less, if some people are foolish enough not to take these precautions, it is their constitutional right to make those choices. This philosophy of "the government knows what is best for you" leads to complete control of our lives. Big Brother telling us what to do is a Dictatorship not a Democracy.

Some of these controls and restrictions may be unconstitutional. Yet, there is no uproar by the passive public, which results in the further removal of our rights. One feature in the proposed national health insurance plan calls for mandatory insurance for all citizens.

The appeal and success of our Republic is based largely upon the freedom its citizens enjoy, unrestricted by authority. Let's not squander anymore of our constitutional rights to our control-seeking, elected officials. Vote the incumbents out of office to re-establish that they are our servants, not our masters.

By: A. Woodrow
Author, How to Make Your Vote Count
Founder, Democracy Conservator Foundation
"Preserving our democratic representative government through smart voting"
http://www.DemocracyConservator.org