Diane: Thanks for visting my blog, and for your kind words about it. I hope you like "I'm OK." If you do, it's because I'm a genius. If you don't, it's because I listened to too many people telling me what it SHOULD be, and then wrote it in about three weeks. So we'll see.

I've been feeling a nostalgia similar to yours this 4th of July weekend. I'm always thankful to be an American and always an optimist but, among other things, the callousness and lack of critical thinking of which I see examples daily can depress me. I think a little depression is a healthy thing though. Without it, we'd probably never indulge in the important and enjoyable exercise of nostalgic reverie.

This is the first time I've seen your blog and I'll be back. I also look forward to reading your book, "I'm OK-You're Not." I'd seen it written up somewhere on the web, but now that I've had a taste of your ideas, I'm interested. Now if only I could find my junior high English teacher, Mr. Rathgeb.

Diane L. Harris
http://www.steppingintothelight.net

You lie. You know you're muchily delicious.

But wow! What a lot of kind things you've said here! Thank you so much! That's really sweet of you. Thanks.

I think the next photo I'll post of Rick will be an older one I have of him in which he's wearing a bright red miniskirt, stilleto heals and fishnet stockings. But I thought I'd show him that photo before I posted it, just on the off chance that he has enough money to persuade me not to.

Wait. Did you say you sensed CYNACISM in any of my posts? Oh. Shoot. Well, now tomorrow I'll have to accidentally push you off the roof of your building. Bummer. But what can I do? Don't you know I'm the funny, LIGHTHEARTED guy??? I hope you'll think about that tomorrow as you're plumetting downward toward the top of a bus.

Thank you for not remembering how I actually look and asserting that I'm pretty darn cute. It's safe to say though, that no matter what I do, I will never look as cute as my remarkable father-in-law does in a dress, as the photo you so graciously posted attests.

I love reading your posts. Thank you for your comic, optimistic cynicism. You are likely the most cheerful and positive curmudgeon in the world, and I respect that.

I'd also like to say about Sam's comment: "yeah, what he said."

David

It's unfortunate that the first black president will be a far left inexperienced political hack who makes nebulous speeches about hope and change and on occasion thinks we have 57 states. And he'll probably win because numerous white voters will believe that voting for him is act of virtue on their part. Jimmy Carter redux.

For me Alan Keyes, JC Watts, Shelby Steele qualify as black politicians that would actually be good for the country.

What makes America great in my opinion is such God-honoring residents as your teacher Rick and you who strive to show God's love and peace to others in abundance.

What would make America greater in my opinion is a renewed social conscience seeking justice for all in way that lifts up and empowers both the poor and poor in spirit.

The civil rights movement can never be considered "over" until all men are civil toward one another.

-Sam