Richard the Isolationist

The definition of isolationism is as follows: the policy or doctrine of isolating one's country from the affairs of other nations by declining to enter into alliances, foreign economic commitments, international agreements, etc., seeking to devote the entire efforts of one's country to its own advancement and remain at peace by avoiding foreign entanglements and responsibilities.

America generally adhered to such practices predating WWI, but the clash of super powers drew us into the conflict and forever changed the scope of foreign affairs in our country. There were negative results that are directly linked to our isolationist practices, I am well aware of that, but I believe the gains far outweigh the losses. Before anyone cries out that "isolationism brought on the great depression" we have to admit that their were many factors that went into one of the darkest periods in US history, not simply our policy of seclusion.

Also understand I am not talking about Libertarian Isolationism that calls for uninhibited free trade. I want a 1000 foot high wall built around our country to keep them out and us in. If we can't build it, grow it, raise it, or invent it then we don't need it. I know there will be draw backs (Like how will we meet the rice demands), and we may have to make sacrifices, but to be honest I would rather drink homemade sassafras tea from a pottery bowl then deal with the countries of Eurasia. This is not a rant just because China is kicking our collective behinds in the Olympic medal count, because medals for pistol shooting and weigh lifting in the women's 48 kilo class shouldn't count anyway.

There are a few factors that have pushed me to this extreme political position, and the first of which is illegal immigration. In Oklahoma things have gotten better, but I still see the strain that is placed on our public assistance programs to take care of the families that are here illegally. I completely understand individuals wanting a better life for themselves, but you must play by the rules, and lets all agree a 1000 foot high wall would remove a lot of temptation to enter our country illegally. There is so much more that could be hashed over in a post about illegal immigration, but I will leave it for another time.

There also seems to be this world wide obligation to assist nations or people who have experienced trouble or disaster with no regard to a countries disposition toward the U.S. Just let some place have a mudslide, volcanic eruption, rioting chickens filling the streets armed with toothpicks and those tiny umbrellas that come from mixed drinks and here comes the U.S.A. with millions of dollars in aid and assistance. I'm sure our officials want to help, but it is the fact that most of these European and Asian countries think we are the enemy yet they expect us to help in times of trouble. I say let the chickens riot and leave them to their own devices.

After we send the aid, and all hold hands on on the beach covered in volcanic ash or mud from the slide and sing Kumbaya, or Hara Krishna, or "Allah loves me this I know" and rub Buddhas belly we go home and they all go back to hating us and calling us the great Satan or infidels. Does this seem okay to anyone else.

Finally I feel we have become so reliant on the products and services other nations provide we have ceased to manufacture and work out problems for our selves. We let China produce it, or Japan invent it, or Korea manufacture it when we are capable of producing and manufacturing the same things. I'm not against shipping jobs overseas, I'm really not - we send a $8.00

an hour manufacturing job to Zimbabwe, and Korea sends $18.00 per hour jobs for LG over here, the trade has been okay. We ship about 14% of all manufacturing jobs overseas or to Mexico, but we import 18% of the worlds higher income electronic and technical jobs so I'll take the trade in our current political model. This is not a economic thing, it is an Independence thing. Lets build our wall and severe the transatlantic phone lines, we will ride bikes, eat lentils, and wear homespun frocks and live happily ever after. Let the chicken riots begin. RLR

Some things I learned from Vacation

It is my final evening of vacational bliss, tomorrow in the AM we will be heading back to hot as hades Oklahoma and our normal lives. While here in cool and temperate, and beautiful might I add, Colorado I have had some time to ponder life, and the pursuit of happiness ( Liberty kind of left out of this post, Sorry) and have come to some interesting conclusions.
The first of which is that I am not as young as I used to be. Driving through the night and on into the next day used to be a snap, no problemo, now not so much. On the way to Colorado Springs on the 1st day I decided to pull an all nighter. It didn't go so well, I pulled in at a rest stop at about 3 in the morning and promptly fell asleep, I was just planning on resting my eyes really, at 6 AM a very non threatening man walking a poodle woke we up to inform me lights had been on for 3 hours. I didn't take the key out of the ignition due to my desire to leave quickly, but I didn't leave quickly and my battery was dead. The not scary old guy jumped me and we were on our way. On a side note the reason I have been referring to the guys non scariness is because when he woke us up my wife literally whimpered like a scared puppy and nearly crawled through the top of our SUV. He was 80, from Cali, and walking a poodle - not really a threat. The point is the 30 year old me is a much more tired version of the 22 year old me.
The second thing I learned is that fat people and extremely high altitude do not go well together. We rode up the Cog railway(expensive but worth it) to the top of Pikes peak, at about 12,000 feet I began to feel light headed, at 13,000 feet I was also short of breath, when we got to the top (14,110) I was ready to just jump off the top and end it all. My wife was fine, my kids were bouncing around like pin balls running right to the edge, the big fat lardo they call dad was in the john expelling everything in his system before going back out into the 40 degree air and begging God to end his misery. Other than the 30 minutes in the middle when we were so high I loved it, and so did the fam.
Another thing I noticed is that I like to eat, no I mean a lot - and on vacation you can find so many cool places to grub - The Sagebrush (had a Buffalo Brat, NICE), The Mason Jar, Denver's Downtown Aquarium Restaurant, The Vega ( it was on the roof of a 4 story building), and several others. I may have gained a few pounds on this little adventure, but again well worth it.
I also realized the Resort living and mountain living in general agree with me. On the way to Estes Park and on the way to Winter Park we stayed at some crummy Day's Inn's, but once we arrived at the Worldmark by Wyndham in Estes or The Pines @ Meadowridge in WP life was good. 2 Bedrooms, 2 full baths, full kitchen with all the extras. Fireplaces, stocked with what you need - Grills, picnic tables, pool, hot tubs, video rentals, and the Big Thompson River about ten feet from our front door. The pines wasn't as new or nice as Worldmark, and we liked the town of Estes Park better than WP but all of it was awesome. The snow capped mountains, the glacial rivers, the lakes and hiking trails, the water falls. It was all so entrancing that I find myself at a loss for words. I may try more later, but that is not the point of this post.
Finally I know now more that ever that the whole experience was made so much more exciting by the presence of my wife and kids. Hiking up to Alberta Falls my middle girl Morgann is holding my hand, she turns and looks at me with a gap toothed smile and says "Dad this must be the best vacation ever". When we were at the aquarium in Denver and my boy wants me to help him pet a sting ray I just plunged him completely in the tank to snag a feel of the little miscreants, I was worried how he would respond, he emerged smiling from ear to ear proclaiming victory. He had finally touched the elusive sting ray, and then proclaims " Dad, I am all wet". I got to sit on a rock with Taylor and fish in Sprague Lake long after all my other kids lost interest, we caught nothing but as she laid her head on my shoulder and we watched her bobber stay disgustingly above the water I was completely content. On the same trip to Alberta falls Raegann rode on my shoulders the whole way down and when we would get precariously close to the edge and look down to the white water hundreds of feet below us she would get scared and cover my eyes calling out, "scare me to death". I was also able to step back and watch my wife as she continually cared for, dressed, educated, navigated, and elevated our whole family. It's a shame it took a trip to the mountains to remind me how wonderful my family really is, but against such a majestic backdrop all else paled in comparison to my wife and kids. So I suggest you go to the Rockies, see the Garden of the Gods, The children's Museum of Denver, Focus on the Family HQ, and Rocky Mountain National Park. Fish, Hike, Grill Out, and relax, but do it all with your family. After while Crocodile. RLR

Getting ready for Vacation

The Robertson clan is making preparations for the ever popular family vacation. We are heading to Colorado Springs for a day, then on to Denver for a day, followed by 10 days in Estes Park, CO. We will take in Pikes Peak, the Royal Gorge, Cripple Creek, and of course Whit's end before we relax for a week and a half fishing and hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park. We have been planning this vacation for a year, the place we will be staying is unbelievable (Worldmark Resort @ Estes Park), and I sooooo need to get away for a little while.
The interesting thing about all this is the preparation that goes into a venture such as this. We are installing a new stereo in the Suburban so that my iPod will hook up in the glove box and the satellite radio will be hard wired in as opposed to that stupid little receiver stuck to my windshield. Then I need three portable dvd players (still cheaper than having them installed in my headrests) because the single unit with double screens that I bought a few years ago is a matter of contention. My son wants a movie with stuff that explodes, Taylor wants princesses, and Morgie wants whatever the other two do not. I figured buying three with separate headphone will cure this one dilemma. Then I have to get someone to feed and water the dogs to keep our investments alive and puppies on the way. I have to go to the pet store and get time release fish food that will keep our 5 aquatic buddies bubbling happily along. Then is is off to Hibdon tire for an oil change and a new spare tire because I just don't want to deal with any major problems along the way - so I will be preemptive in this area.
After all this is accomplished we still must send all the netflix stuff back so we can get two new videos for the road, run to the library for our Nancy Drew, Junie B Jones, and Hank the Cowdog fixes as well as a little HP audio for late night driving. We have to purchase a laptop so my wife can do her homework while we are not at home through the wi-fi connection in our resort.
Then when those tasks are complete all we have left is to fill a few coolers with groceries (tip to the traveler - when going on Vay K you should by some groceries before you leave such as catsup, mustard, and mayo. Maybe the soda and chips, but we have found main courses such as beef and pork are usually of uniform price wherever you go, but the other stuff fluctuates wildly between the local Reasors and the tourist trap minimarts.), get somebody to preach for me while I'm gone, and pack all our earthly belongings into the back of my newly detailed SUV.
I'm sure I've left out some stuff we have to do, but the point is I will do so much getting ready to go I might be to exhausted to enjoy myself while I'm there. Everyone please be good while I'm away. RLR

Going to the grocery store

I bought two new dogs this week, and the purchase of these little brindle beauties gave me cause to go and get an extra bag of dog food, new collars, and some leashes. This may not seem like a major development to you, and at the time it wasn't a big deal to me either, but it turned into an evening of unanswered questions concerning some deep social issues. I hopped in the truck and headed toward our local SuperTarget, this is my favorite grocery store slash get what ya' need place to go. As I was cruising down 33rd W. ave I noticed the clock read 9:14. Now the bad thing with the ST is it closes at 9 (what a bad idea). I was faced with two options, neither of which suited my fancy, I could a) continue past ST and go to Wal-Mart, or b) turn around and go to the Warehouse market close to my house. Gasoline being a zillion dollars a gallon, I chose to go to the Warehouse Market. I knew I couldn't get the collars or the leash, I'd get them later at Petsmart, but I could get some Kibble and fix the little girls some dinner.

I try to avoid Warehouse Market because it seems to attract dirt, grime, and undesirable individuals, but I was just going in for a moment, and I needed dog food. It was here that I had a disturbing revelation - the class system of the ancient times is alive and well, and it is nowhere more evident than in our grocery stores. I am hard pressed to explain why the seemingly lower income individuals shop at a place where the prices are twice as high, the floors and isles are dirty and the employees seem as if they would rather rob you than ring up your $4.00 gallon of milk. It seems like people wold migrate to the cleaner, larger, and better priced places like Reasors, Food Pyramid, or even the ST. You would find it easy to believe that the upper and middle classes have a bias, or even prejudice against the lower income families of America, but I propose a different theory. I think the bias goes both ways. The only logical reason to go to such a (pardon me for being so blunt) trashy grocery store is open rebellion against upper/middle class. Individuals get in their cars and make a conscience decision to shop somewhere that costs them more, and looks much worse. This just speaks further of the division among people in our supposedly tolerant and understanding modern society. We don't want to admit it but cultural lines are drawn everywhere, I literally felt dirty shopping at this place, but others perused the shelves with indifference to their surroundings. It was an eye opening experience for me because I looked at these people with disdain for being grossly overweight ( I am with them on this one point), horribly dressed, decidedly under bathed, and an all around disheveled mess. I fancy myself above that type of thinking, but I found out I wasn't.
The assumption I wanted to make is; that I feel if they would come to my ST and see me shopping with my family they would have a lot of the same types of thoughts about us, stuck up, over dressed, self-absorbed, so on and so forth. Maybe they are right, maybe I am, whose to say? The point is we have come along way it society, but we still have a long way to go. In Tulsa you've got your Westsiders with their mobile homes, home made Koi ponds, and cars on blocks - then there is the South Tulsa crowd in their gated communities, and driving their BMW's sharing the city limits but that's about it. The bad news is with all our divisions and differences I see little hope for ever rectifying the problem of the class system. The good news is I got the Kibble, got it home and gave Boxie and Princess Blaze their first meal in the Robertson family. Someone remind me not to go to the store any time soon, it's to disturbing. RLR

Small Town USA

I recently took a trip home to visit my father in the hospital. While I was there I took the scenic drive out Hwy 45 to my grandparents home. Traveling through the "S" curves and 90 degree turns between Bloomington and Unionville my mind began to wander to my childhood and the little town of my youth. As I reminisced further I began to see such value in a place like Unionville. I drove down Bethel lane where the trees arc high over the road and join each other above the oncoming traffic like a covered bridge. In autumn when these change colors the reds, yellows, and oranges are amazing. I turned left on 45 and immediately on my right is Lakeside IGA. It is the quintessential little country store. The owner, Phil Fisher, and Elden the guy in the meat market all my life, both make excellent lunch meat sandwiches, everybody should have a cold cut sandwich from Lakeside. I passed houses where I knew the families, Fishers, Mobleys, Chitwoods, Smiths, Frileys, Richardsons, Moores, Fleeners,Durnals, and many more. I realized we all knew each other - our hardships were shared, our sorrow, or triumph. We were a community where values and Faith mattered.
I passed the Danny Smith memorial park where some of the greatest evenings of my life were spent. Baseball games, free snow cones if you retrieved a foul ball, 202 to center - that was every boy sluggers favorite place. I even bounced a ball off the concession stand roof in my final little league game. The may pole, the horse shoe pits, and the shelter house all played big parts in all of us Unionvillers small town lives. We played, laughed, and cried but we did it together.
If you continue on past my grandparents place you will pass Tunnel Road, it has a real tunnel under it that is a great place to spend time as an adolescent boy, unless there is a bum living in the little alcove then it gets a little scary. Trust me I know! You continue past Brenda Mullis' beauty parlor, which might really be her garage, where my mom got her hair done for her work banquets. On we go to Lynn Stephens barber shop, probably one of my favorite places on earth. You can go get a glass bottle of Coke and sit and talk with Lynn and the UPS guy, who is strangely always around, about life, politics, and basketball. Then you can talk about basketball, and after that did I mention we could talk a little while about basketball. In the middle of it all you can get a great haircut from an even better guy. Next door the fire station and the basketball goal where I spent about a quarter of my childhood,back in the day if you were lucky Lynn may bring his high school hall of fame game outside and beat you badly. Later in life, when I was 17 I beat him one on one and I realized I had arrived into adulthood a year early. It was one of the best days of my life. Years later some grumpy old woman in town office had the goal removed and a little part of me went with it. I cried that day, as a full grown, out of shape adult I realized that the next generation would miss out on what I had experienced.
When I arrived at my grandparents home I was greeted by a manicured lawn, beautiful flower beds and the houses on property all built by my grandfather. My grandma was quilting, my uncle and grandfather were studying a 100 year old tool deciding how it would best be used or sold. While I'm there I'm not Pastor Robertson or the Operations Manager @ VRI I am just one of the family. My grandma fixed me dinner and my grandfather and I discussed politics, family history and believe it or not basketball. They aren't famous or rich, but the people that know Max Leroy and Phyllis Gene Robertson are lucky indeed. My grandpa can fix anything, build anything, and knows just about everything there might be to know. If I turn out half the man he is my family will be lucky indeed. My grandmother is all a boy could ask for as a teacher, cook, disciplinarian, nurturer and friend. I spent so much time with her as a boy I attribute a lot of who I have turned out to be to her care. Oh, by the way she knows even more than my grandpa just ask her. They are wonderful people and I have been blessed to know them.
As I flew back to the city where it is all concrete and steel, where there aren't many small town grocers or barbers left, and community means so little I realize Unionville will always be a big part of who I am.
Small town America and the lessons it teaches ought to be known to all. In our town we knew and needed one another. When someone was sick people cared for and helped meet the needs. When folks died, we grieved and helped the grieving. When people rejoiced we joined right in with the celebration. Faith was important, not necessarily where you went to church or exactly what you believed but that we were governed by our beliefs and faith. People left their doors unlocked and their welcome mats out. Eventually Lakeside IGA will close down in favor of another Wal-Mart, and my son gets his hair cut at Supercuts instead of at Lynn's. Max and Phyllis ,or mamaw and papaw as I call 'em, will eventually pass from the scene but never be replaced. When that happens we will truly be the losers. The mold has been broken, not just for these types of small town heros but for that way of life.
Now I'm back home and the kids are on the Internet playing Webkinz, I have a Wiccan priest that lives down the street and 14 meth labs in our neighborhood. We are worried about getting to the Apple store and the Coach store ( Apple for me, Coach for my wife) and carrying on the regular hustle and bustle of our busy lives. All the while I wish I could shuttle back in time for one more game of round ball at the fire station with my buddies (even if we are infected with TRS) and drive the winding road of old Hwy 45. I wouldn't trade my wife and kids for anything in the world, but what I wouldn't trade to take 'em all back, away from the internet, away from the meth labs, and from the Wiccan priest and into a small town I call home.RLR

Let the Revolution Begin

As I was sitting at Cracker Barrel with my family last week one of the happiest moments of my life took place. I saw my 19 month old little angel scribbling with a crayon (blue in color) with her left hand. I have been waiting with baited breath during the development of each child to find out their dominant hand. Oh, for the joy of just one lefty in the group. When it happened my heart leaped within me, the heavens rolled back and an angel choir began to sing Handel's' Hallelujah Chorus. During my time of great joy my darling wife looks over and proclaims, "Oh, no I'm going to make her write with the right hand (meaning that the left hand is the incorrect hand) we want her to be normal." I was shocked, appalled, broken hearted, such a feeling of melancholy overtook my being that it completely ruined my Mama's french toast in which I paid a dollar extra to get the sugar cured ham. I could only bring myself to drink 2 glasses of sweet tea. Two glasses! I normally drink about 18, my night was ruined. That is when I began to notice the conspiracy. The world hates left handed people. Don't believe me? Just try using a pair of scissors with your left hand, I'll pause here while you go get some...................... Okay now try to cut something, I'll pause again.........................Hurts your thumb doesn't it? See what I mean, tools, musical instruments, and even household items are all crafted for the "normal" right handed person.

We in America have had many civil and social rights movements. Our country as a whole started when folks fled GB to come to the new world to have religious freedom. Then we had an entire revolution based primarily on discrimination between settlers and Torrie's, taxation without representation and all that jazz. Then there was the war between the states concerning states right and the oppressive North, the emancipation of the slaves, the women's suffrage movement, the civil rights movement of the 60's, the cry for tolerance to all people groups beginning in the 80's, and even the gay and lesbian agenda of recent note. All the things have the cry of equal rights for all. Anytime you see Our Flag or a church, when we remember Honest Abe or Susan B. Anthony, when we hear anyone say "I Have A Dream" for that matter when we see an Indian casino we are reminded that people can effect change concerning equality in our great nation.

All this being said I ask you, where are the equal rights for the southpaw, I realize we can buy special scissors, but I want more than that. I am not a weirdo or oddball. Equality for all lefties, liberty for all southpaws. I am not ashamed of my paw orientation, I am lefty hear me roar. RLR

The Most Exciting Moment in Sports

There has long been an argument in the sporting realm as to the most exciting moment in a given sport or the sporting world as a whole. This argument has been around as long as people have been leaping to their feet in appreciation of some tremendous accomplishment on court, field, or in arena. As many less qualified individuals have pondered the topic so shall I.
1. The walk-off home run
This probably gets my vote for a few reasons, it is one on one batter against pitcher for all the marbles. The fact that it comes at a time when the flame throwing closer has entered the game makes it all the more exciting. It is also over quickly plays that develop in other sports that take much longer don't give you the quick adrenaline pumped "Wahoo!" that the long ball does.
2. The hole in one
Golf should probably not be on a list of articles in which the first one included the word adrenaline, but I have none the less. The difficulty factor elevates this above most others, I have gotten off my can for a well placed 6 iron before and so have many others. It deserves a place on this list.
3. Kick off/Punt Return
Improvisation, great blocking, and sheer unadulterated speed. This is what it is all about, taking it 97 yards for the score on determination, desire, and some great jukes. I love the run back.
4. Hail Mary
I guess this is the most publicized of all the great sporting moments and one of the most exciting to watch. Doug Flutie as well as a number of others have made this famous, but the reason it is so exciting is that it so rarely works. The few times a guy does come down with the ball it is a very memorable moment.
5. Last Second Buzzer Beater
This I believe is a little to common for it to rank, but the shot that M.Chalmers of Kansas hit this week puts it in new perspective. That .7 seconds the ball is on the air and 30,000 people stare at it rotate (or not rotate if you shoot like Tim Hardaway) through the air, and then the joy of victory or the agony of defeat as if falls through the net. It is still very nice.
Honorable Mention
The Suicide Squeeze - if you have been the pitcher, catcher, or the runner you know just how adrenaline laced this play really is.
Let the discussion begin, please feel free to add to the list. RLR