The man in the picture above is my Dad. I have more to say about this wonderful man in the 10/1/07 ARTIS BLOG posted below. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAD.
PUBLISHER'S NOTE, 11/2/07: Thank you for all of the E-mails and notes of congratulations on the birth of my Grandson. The baby was supposed to be a girl. We've been buying girls clothes for the past 7 months, lots and lots and lots of girls clothes. It looks like it's yard sale time. But, that's fine. God is good and He has blessed me once again.
Being a Grandfather is great. Just call me G-Daddy. (Hey, it worked for Puffy.) Lil'Man, (my Grandson) and I were listening to George Clinton today: P-Funk, uncut funk, the bomb, coming to you directly from the Mothership. Yeah, he's only 2 weeks old, but, I've got to make sure this boy is raised right. Anyway, Lil'Man had a big smile on his face during the song "Atomic Dog." Lil'Man was either thinking that the music was great or he was thinking, "What is this crazy man doing to me? Where's Momma?!!!!!"
Anyway, I'll be back with new stuff on Nov. 7'th. For those of you who have elections this year, don't forget to vote on November 6'th. If you don't vote, don't complain. Gotta go. Lil'Man is calling me. See you on the 7'th. Take it easy.
Jeff Artis, Publisher www.jeffartis.com
THE ARTIS BLOG
10/22/07
* I'm going to be attending to family business for the next couple of weeks as I have just become a grandfather for the first time. My new grandson is named Rodney Theodore Johnson III. I'll post pictures of "R3", that's my name for my new grandson, next month. This will be the final ARTIS BLOG for October.
* I'll be adding two new features to jeffartis.com in November. The first feature will be called, "THE MAN PAGE." The second feature will be called, "BEING A DAD." Both features will be informative and funny as jeffartis.com takes a look a being a man in the sissified world of American society on "THE MAN PAGE" and being a father on "BEING A DAD."
* Mr. Mac McCadden will be my guest on "THE SCLC RADIO SHOW" on 10/25/07 to talk about his campaign for the Virginia House of Delegates. McCadden is running against Del. Onzlee Ware in the Nov. 6 Virginia General Election. The show will air at 4 P.M. on WTOY Radio, 1480 AM. I hope you tune in.
* I sent a written invitation to Del. Ware asking him to appear on "THE SCLC RADIO SHOW" on WTOY Radio. I gave Del. Ware the option of appearing on 3 dates, Oct. 18, Oct. 25 or Nov. 1. Del. Ware e-mailed me back saying because of his busy schedule, he would not be able to appear. I wanted to ask Del. Ware a couple of questions.
* I wanted to give Del. Ware a chance to explain his anti-civil rights voting record over his last two terms. Ware supported, some say introduced, legislation making it easier for local governments to take private property under "eminent domain." Ware lead, supported and participated in the creation of a new Roanoke, Va. "Democratic Caucus," an organization that effectively neutralized Carolyn Word, a Black woman, in her duly elected leadership position in the Roanoke, Va. Democratic Committee. Ware's man, who is White, lost to Word in an election for the leadership of the Roanoke City Democratic Committee. Instead of supporting Word, Ware and his boys formed another Democratic organization instead.
Ware did not support the initiative for an apology for slavery in the Virginia legislature. Ware then stood up for Republican Del. Frank Hargrove, who opposed the slavery apology, after Hargrove said, "our Black citizens should get over it (slavery)."Are we going to force the Jews to apologize for killing Christ?"
* I wanted to ask Ware why he refused to vote for the removal of an incompetent Republican judge, Judge Dean W. Sword, Jr. of the Portsmouth Circuit Court. Some say Sword is racist. Some say Sword is sexist. Republicans admit Judge Sword is a problem on the bench. When the time came for the vote to remove Sword from the bench, Ware was nowhere to be found. During that day, Ware voted on items before the Sword vote. During that day, Ware voted on items after the Sword vote. I wanted to ask Ware why he was AWOL when it came to remove a bad judge from the bench.
* I also wanted Ware to explain his flip-flop on the Hershberger Road methadone clinic controversy. At first, Ware said a methadone clinic didn't need to be near our schools. Since then, it has been alleged that Ware has accepted a trip to Vegas and campaign contributions from CRC Healthgroup, the company that owns the Hershberger Road methadone clinic. Plus, a close personal friend of Ware is in charge of the Hershberger Road clinic. Also, is Ware running interference for the Hershberger Road methadone clinic to keep the clinic open in spite of alleged problems at the clinic, some of which have been confirmed off the record by law enforcement personnel? Did Ware sell the community out? Again, I wanted to give Ware a chance to defend himself, to correct any misinformation that may be out there about him on this issue.
* I wanted to ask Del. Ware several other questions. Why is he refusing to support legislation regulating the "payday loan" industry? Why does he receive such a large amount of money in campaign contributions from the "payday loan" industry? Why did he support Virginia's "abusive driver's" fees knowing that it was bad legislation? Why does he support raising the gas tax? What is the real reason Ware ended up on the Appropriations Committee in the Virginia General Assembly? As a member of the Appropriation Committee, why has the percentage of the money coming to Southwest Virginia for the arts decreased?
I wanted to ask Del. Ware why he ran a newspaper ad in "The Roanoke Tribune" newspaper where such a large number of the names listed in the ad live outside of Ware's district? Did he have permission to use all of the names in that ad? Is it true that Rev. Word, Rev. Burton and Rev. Keeton did not give Ware permission to use their names in that ad?
Did Ware use his influence to force "The Roanoke Times" newspaper to sit on a story about him for over two years? What is the real reason why he can't practice law in North Carolina? Is he or is he not a convicted felon in North Carolina? Was he a police informant in North Carolina?
What's the truth about the Las Vegas controversy? Did Ware go to Vegas on a trip paid for by CRC Health Group, the owners of the Hershberger Road methadone clinic, during a General Assembly session when then Gov. Warner needed his vote on an important budget issue? Did the Governor need to send a plane to Vegas for Ware, at tax payer's expense, to fly Ware back to Richmond for that vote? If any of these allegations are true, why was this information kept from the voting public?
Most of these issues have been written about on "THE ARTIS BLOG." Again, I simply wanted to give Del. Ware a chance to defend himself and to give the community an explanation for his actions. As an elected official, the voting public has a right to know.
* My sources tell me "The Washington Post" and "The Roanoke Times" newspapers will be doing stories on Virginia House of Delegate Onzlee Ware. I understand that both newspapers will be writing about what some of us in the Northwest community have heard and known about Del. Ware for years. Maybe these articles will answer some of the questions about Del. Ware. Maybe not. After all, when it comes to Onzlee Ware, "The Roanoke Times" is as weak as well water.
SEE YOU IN NOVEMBER.
KEEP THE FAITH, BABY!
THE ARTIS BLOG
10/19/07
What's in a picture? Dr. Richard Chubb, a life member of the Roanoke SCLC, has asked that his picture be removed from jeffartis.com. Dr. Chubb was pictured on two pages of jeffartis.com. He is pictured on "THE ROANOKE SCLC" page and "THE ROANOKE SCLC ARCHIVE" page marching in last year's Roanoke SCLC Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Youth Day Celebration. Dr. Chubb's picture was posted on the "REMEMBERING BLOODY SUNDAY" page of jeffartis.com giving remarks at that event.
I cropped the image of Dr. Chubb from the picture on "THE ROANOKE SCLC" page or "THE ROANOKE SCLC ARCHIVE" page of jeffartis.com. I did not remove the picture entirely. I did remove Dr. Chubb's picture from the "REMEMBERING BLOODY SUNDAY" page of jeffartis.com.
For the record, all pictures posted on jeffartis.com are approved before I post them. I do this as a courtesy, although I don't have to. For pictures that are taken in the public domain and/or at public events, no permission is needed before they are posted on any website. That's the law. However, out of my respect for Dr. Chubb, I honored his request. I've always considered Dr. Chubb a mentor. He is a man that I have a great deal of respect for. I've had that respect for Dr. Chubb for over 20 years.
However, I find it interesting that Dr. Chubb asked me to remove his pictures from jeffartis.com at this time. After all, the pictures in question have been on jeffartis.com since February. They have also appeared in the Roanoke media in different forms and are currently on a DVD.
In my humble opinion, the problem with the picture on "THE ROANOKE SCLC" and "THE ROANOKE SCLC ARCHIVE" pages of jeffartis.com is this. It's an election year. Mac McCadden is running against Onzlee Ware for Ware's Virginia House of Delegate seat. Mac McCadden is in the "offending" picture with Dr. Chubb. Ware is running scared. Ware doesn't want it to appear that Dr. Chubb is supporting McCadden. So someone in the Ware campaign, maybe Ware himself, maybe a member of The Onzlee Ware Fan Club, put a bug in Dr. Chubb's ear that it would help Ware if the picture(s) were removed.
Oh well, that's the silliness of politics. And with anything having to do with Ware's campaign, silliness has been taken to a new level. But, that's Ware. Kiss his "ring" and everything's cool. Don't kiss his "ring" get ready for a lot of crying. And Ware's not afraid to get in touch with his feelings. Ware's running scared. He should be. Maybe Ware should buy a dog. Better yet, Ware should improve his anti-civil rights voting record.
But, I've gotta tell ya, I'm flattered. It's flattering to know that jeffartis.com is now a political force in Roanoke, Va. To think, a member of the Virginia House of Delegates is afraid of a picture on jeffartis.com. That's heady stuff. I've come a long way. Two months ago a member of The Onzlee Ware Fan Club told me that jeffartis.com was "a little website that would never amount to anything." From nuttin' to somethin'. Yeah, that's heady stuff.
SEE YOU MONDAY
KEEP THE FAITH, BABY!
THE ARTIS BLOG
10/15/07
If you are a regular reader of "THE ARTIS BLOG," you know that I believe in personal responsibility and accountability. I believe that many of the solutions to the problems we face as a society are hiding in plain sight. That said, I don't believe in self-victimization. I believe in the family. I believe a man should take care of his children. I believe if more men would simply do their j.o.b. as a father, we'd be much better off as a society, especially as it pertains to the Black community.
In 1994, I wrote an op-ed piece in "THE ROANOKE TIMES." I was raked over the coals for my comments. That's fine. Now, as then, I stand by what I wrote in 1994.
"Over the past twenty years, the definition of Black manhood has changed in American society. There was a time when Black manhood meant taking care of your family, getting a good job and being a positive force in your home and in the community. Today, Black manhood is too often determined by the number of babies you can make by as many different women as possible, a gun and the ability to bash someone's head in."
As a society, we are suffering greatly from the changes in the meaning of Black manhood. In order to get our house in order, it's up to Black men, especially Black fathers, to set the tone for the next generation. Black fathers need to step up. Black fathers need to do their j.o.b.
Most important, Black fathers need to stop being quiet. We need to speak out against babies having babies, babies making babies, gang violence, gun violence, Black on Black crime, dropping out of school, the lack of government accountability when it comes to racism, poverty and a host of other issues. That's our job as fathers.
We are the protectors. As fathers, we are supposed to have big mouths; the bigger, the better. However, we must attack the real issues facing us, not the fashionable ones. For example, it's o.k. to speak out against rap lyrics. However, if fathers were fathers, the influence of rap lyrics wouldn't be an issue. If we were doing our j.o.b. as fathers, our children would still listen to 50 Cent. But, our children would be trying to live up to our example of what a real Black man really is.
I hope you got to see the NBC program "MEET THE PRESS" yesterday morning featuring Bill Cosby and Dr. Alvin Poussaint. These men talked about the need for Black fathers to do their j.o.b. The following link is to a transcript of the show. As I've said before and will say again, Bill Cosby is right. And he has many supporters.
To read the transcript for the 10/14/07 "MEET THE PRESS" program, please click on the following link.
* There are times when you just know the "fix" is in. I'm not at all surprised that Tim Workman was not found "not guilty" in his second trial for the shooting death of Keith Bailey, in February, 2002. For more information about this verdict, please click on one of the following links. The Roanoke Times and WDBJ 7 did an excellent job of reporting this trial.
* As a child, I was taught a number of things when it came to being Black, (Negro then), and growing up in America. I wasn't taught these things because my family disliked White people. I was taught these things because my family wanted me to survive.
* I was a young child growing up during the Civil Rights Movement. I was 6 during the "March on Washington" where Dr. King gave his "I Have A Dream speech." I knew what was going on in the South. I saw the violence on television. I saw how my family members were treated. I saw my Grandfather not making eye contact with White people who called my Grandfather, "Boy," because it wasn't the smart thing to do. I knew my aunt, who was light skinned, lost a well paying job when her boss found out she was Black, not White. There were places I couldn't go because of segregation. I also knew that there were things I'd better not do or better not try to do because as a Black child, certain things were off limits for me.
* In spite all of this, I was taught there were good White people in the world. I was taught that the White on Black violence that I was seeing on television was the exception, not the rule, when it came to White people. I was taught that most White people had a good heart. I was taught that one day, maybe, just maybe, we would one day live equally as brothers and sister in America as Dr. King preached.
* I was also taught another very important lesson. I was taught that when it came to racism and discrimination one doesn't have to necessarily worry about White people. I was taught to worry more about "the System." I was taught that "the System" was America's biggest problem area when it came to race, discrimination and racism. Someone I looked up to during these times put it told me, "Jeff, it's not White people who are the problem. It's "the System." "The System" doesn't even care about poor White people. Why is "the System" going to give a damn about you?"
* Yes, "the System." "The System" says that when it comes to matters concerning the police or to matters concerning the friends of the police, the police win and you lose, especially if you are Black. "The System" says that White cop plus dead minority equals White cop going free. "The System." The first Workman trial ended in Workman being found guilty. However, the jury in the first trial reduced the charges against Workman from murder to voluntary manslaughter. "The System." Knowing "the System" like I do, after the first Workman trial, I said, "The man will never see the inside of a jail cell."
* "The System." "The System" allowed Workman to work in the Middle East as a private contractor making big bucks while his "guilty" verdict was being appealed. "The System" allowed Workman to get a second trial after it became known that someone "heard," not saw, "heard" that Keith Bailey's friend, who was there when Bailey was murdered, had a gun on him that night.
* Yes, the fix was in. "The System."
* Let me ask you a question. You get into a fight with someone. You are carrying a gun. The person you are fighting doesn't have a gun, but, his friend does, maybe. You see the friend pull his gun. Who are you going to shoot? Are you going to shoot the person you are fighting who is unarmed or are you going to shoot that person's friend who has a gun?
Let me ask you another question. If you shoot someone, how long are you going to wait until you tell the police you shot the person because there was another gun involved? Most people are going to tell the police about the other gun right away. Workman didn't. Workman told the police about the other gun an hour later.
Let me ask you a third question. If you are on a jury hearing a trial, who are you going to believe? Do you believe the witnesses who were actually at the crime scene or a jail house snitch who said he "heard" something from somewhere else?
Here are some other questions. If Bailey's friend had a gun on him the night Workman killed Bailey as Workman claims, where is the gun? If Bailey's friend had a gun on him that night, why didn't Bailey's friend shoot Workman after Workman shot Bailey? If Bailey's friend had a gun on him that night, why did Bailey's friend leave the scene after Bailey was shot and killed?
* I'll give it to Workman. The man put on an Academy Award winning performance during his trial. He looked sad. He cried on the witness stand. He gave his best tortured James Dean impression. And it worked.
* "The System" let Tim Workman walk for killing an unarmed Black man. Why? Because according to "the System," the life of a Black man isn't worth a warm bucket of spit, especially when it comes to a drunk, off-duty DEA agent, who violated DEA policy while killing an unarmed Black man.
One other thing about "the System." "The System" now expects people not to be outraged by the verdict in the Workman trial. According to "the System" and those who work in "the System" we are supposed to move on and put this behind us. Yeah, right. I feel like I'm in Mississippi and it's the 1960's all over again.
I'LL SEE YOU AGAIN ON OCTOBER 15'TH.
KEEP THE FAITH, BABY!
THE ARTIS BLOG
10/5/07
* Don't forget to check out this week's webcast of "THE SCLC RADIO SHOW." This week's guest, Ms. Shanna Flowers, columnist from THE ROANOKE TIMES. To listen to this week's webcast or other webcasts of "THE SCLC RADIO SHOW," please click on the "SCLC RADIO" link posted above.
* You know, sometimes, you've just have to laugh at the silliness some people have when they refuse to believe the truth and instead believe a lie. But, that's Roanoke, Va.
* I got called a "sell out" the other day. I was called a "sell out" for not speaking out on the Workman Case which I talked about in the 10/3/07 edition of "THE ARTIS BLOG" posted below. I had to laugh, not because of what the person said wasn't true. I had to laugh because the person who made this accusation is such an idiot; a person who does nothing but hang out with "sell outs." There I go with the truth again.
* This isn't the first time I've been called a "sell out." Nor will it be the last time I'll be called one.
* I've been called a "sell out" for marrying a White woman. Now, it doesn't matter to these folks that in the eyes of God, there is no difference between Black, White, red or yellow. And, that in the eyes of God, we are all the same and are all members of the same race, the Human Race. This doesn't matter to the small minded people who pay more attention to their own form of racism than to the teachings of love, brotherhood and equality of God Almighty and of his son, my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
To me, pleasing God and following the teachings of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, is far more important to me than paying attention to the views and attitudes of bigots and racists who have problems with inter-racial marriages.
Plus, I think it upsets people that my wife and I have been married for 21 wonderful years, have three wonderful children and don't hide out in the basement because of the makeup of our family. We won't and we don't apologize for what we have. If anything, we wish others were as happy as we are. Good marriages and good families are hard to come by in today's America.
* I've been called a "sell out" for other things, too. I've been called a "sell out" for fighting against gang violence, for exposing crooked politicians, for saying Black children are 10 times smarter than we give them credit for, for saying Black men need to be better fathers, for saying young girls, especially Black girls, need to stop having children they can't take care of and for preaching the concepts of personal responsibility and accountability. The nerve of me.
* Funny thing, though. I've actually been given plenty of opportunities to sell out. I could have gotten some big bucks for turning my head, closing my eyes and keeping my mouth shut. Yeah, I could have gotten some big money if I would have played the game the way minorities are supposed to play the game in Roanoke, Va.
* While trying to get an appropriate landmark in Roanoke, Va. named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., I was approached by a local politician who represented a group of wealthy Roanokers. I was told that I could get a couple of projects of mine fully funded, AND I MEAN FULLY FUNDED, if I gave up on trying to name something in Roanoke, Va. after Dr. King. Of course, I refused. Why? I don't sell people out.
* When I ran for the General Assembly in 1995, I was told I could get some big bucks, AND I MEAN SOME BIG BUCKS, for my campaign if I made a 5 minute appearance at a Republican fundraiser featuring Oliver North here in Roanoke. In fact, I was told if I came to the fundraiser, my campaign for the Virginia House of Delegates would not have to worry about money at all. I refused. Why? I don't sell people out.
* During the Hershberger Road methadone clinic controversy, detailed on the "PLAN SHUT IT DOWN" page of jeffartis.com, I was told I could get big bucks if I'd agree to let the Hershberger Road methadone clinic open without a fight. AGAIN, BIG BUCKS. Again, I refused. Why? I don't sell people out. Why? It's wrong.
* I don't get angry for being called a "sell out." Whenever I'm called a "sell out," I just look at that person and think, "Obviously, homey doesn't have his facts straight." If he only knew.
HAVE A NICE WEEKEND.
KEEP THE FAITH, BABY!
THE ARTIS BLOG
10/3/07
* OCTOBER IS "DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH." Any man who hits a woman is not a man.
* Check out "THE SCLC RADIO SHOW" on WTOY Radio, 1480 A.M., Thursday, 4:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M. This week's guest, Ms. Shanna Flowers, Columnist from The Roanoke Times.
* The Supreme Court is now in session. There are 5 key cases to pay attention to involving: 1) requiring a photo id to vote in general elections, 2) Guantanamo Bay detainees gaining access to the Federal courts, 3) the legality of gun control laws and the Second Amendment, 4) a review of lethal injection, 5) sentencing disparities between crack dealers and cocaine dealers. It will be an interesting Supreme Court session. For more information on the Supreme Court, please click on the following link.
* I hope you got to see last Sunday's "60 Minutes" fluff piece on Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. I didn't know "60 Minutes" did fluff pieces. I guess I was wrong. Anyway, Justice Thomas is promoting a book. And while I don't agree with Thomas, I do respect him. To read more about Thomas' book, please click on the following link.
* Sen. John McCain got into trouble last week for saying that America is a Christian nation. Well, McCain spoke the truth. America is a Christian nation.
* The Religious Right is talking about forming a third party to run a "real Conservative" candidate in next November's Presidential Election. If this happens (and it won't), Hillary Clinton becoming the next President of the United States will become a reality.
* Republican candidates for running for President are refusing to debate in front of Black audiences. What a bunch of sissies.
* So you think you're a good American and you know what's what about American government. Click on the following link to take a test to find out. If you're scared, buy a dog. Oh, I got 100.
* The following links are to a story of a White, off-duty DEA agent killing a Black man here in Roanoke, Va. I can't comment on this story at this time. The defense attorney in the case is looking for any excuse to move the trial out of the Roanoke, Va. courts. I investigated the case for the family after the incident happened. I know the facts of the case and I don't want to open my mouth and give the defense attorney in this case the opportunity to have the case moved to another jurisdiction. To see what I'm talking about, please click on one of the following links. You won't be disappointed.
* I'm in the wrong business. Let me see if I've got this straight. A Roanoke, Va. government agency gets funny with the Federal Government's money and is told by HUD that they may have to repay the Federal Government almost $2.5 million. HUD then reduces the repayment to $1.9 million, and later reduces that repayment to $588,656. Yeah, I'm in the wrong business. But, that's the Roanoke Redevelopment and Housing Authority for you, the most corrupt government agency in Roanoke, Va. To read more about this miscarriage of justice, please click on the following link.
* The man in the picture posted above is the person who helped teach me how to be a man, my Dad, Luther R. Manus, Jr.
* You may wonder about the differences in our last names. By blood, my father is named Jesse Artis. My father was a nice guy, not much of a father. No, I'm not bitter. It's just the way it was.
* In reality, Luther Manus is my Dad. He considers me his son. I consider myself lucky. A day doesn't go by when I'm not thankful for all he has done for me and for all that he taught me.
* Dad reinforced all that my Mother taught me; the importance of education, the importance of personal responsibility and accountability, the importance of honor, the importance of taking care of your family, respect for self, respect for others, and never, never allowing yourself to become a victim, no matter the circumstances.
* According to some, I should have become a statistic. I was born to a single Mother, in the "Colored" section of the Winchester Memorial Hospital in Winchester, Va. in 1957. My Mother was never rich. But, somehow, she was able to stay one step ahead of the bill collector.
Story has it that my father, Jesse Artis, was a numbers runner for Biggie Smalls, the gangster, not the rapper, in Baltimore, Md. Whether the Biggie Smalls story is true or not, my Mother and father never married. Nor did my father help us out financially. I had no idea what child support was when I was growing up. And as the song says, "Papa Was A Rolling Stone." I found out I had two older sisters when I was about 25. I found out that I may have other brothers and sisters in North Carolina and in Washington, D.C. at my father's funeral.
* I remembering meeting my father for the first time when I was 6 when I joined my Mother in Baltimore. I had been living with my Grandparents for a while. He came around for couple of months before disappearing. I saw him again from time to time over the next 3 1/2 years until my Mother and I moved back to Winchester, Va. Then I'd see my father whenever we visited Baltimore. In all, I'd say I saw my father maybe 10,15 times before he passed away several years ago.
I spent more time waiting for my father to fulfill the promises he made to me than I actually spent with him. My father was good at telling me he'd send me things and good at telling me he thought about me, but, when it came to following through on things, it just didn't happen. I don't remembering him telling me he loved me, though, to be honest, it wouldn't have meant anything to me if he did. We did come to an understanding right before he died. Like I said, my father was a nice guy. I actually liked him. But, as a father, he just wasn't there.
* My Dad came into my life when I was in the 4'th grade. His influence and his guidance are responsible for making me the success that I have become. No, I do not have a large bank account. However, I have things that are much more important. I consider myself a lucky man. I have a wonderful wife and 3 wonderful children that I know how to treat and next month I'll be a Grandfather. I try to make the community I live in a better place to live. I have a college degree. I have goals. I have values. I have no fear. I don't cut corners. I know the difference between right and wrong. I know how to be a real man. I know how to be a real Dad. All of these things are things I learned from the guidance of my Dad.
* Even during those days when I went down the wrong path, when I was trying my best to become a negative statistic, I came back to the right path because of the guidance of my Dad. No, during my knucklehead days, he wasn't around. However, I straightened up because I didn't want to be a disappointment, because I had responsibilities, because it was the right thing to do, because of what he had taught me.
* No, my Dad isn't a blood relative. And he didn't have to do the things for me that he did. That's why he is so special to me. That's why I love him so much.
* Happy 80'th Birthday, Dad. And thank you for helping me become the man that I am. I couldn't have done it without you.
