A Cowboy

A Texas cowboy walked into a drug store and asked to talk to a male pharmacist. The elderly woman he was talking to said that she was the pharmacist and as she and her also widowed elderly sister owned the store, there were no males employed there.

She then asked if she could help the gentleman. The cowpoke said that it was something that he would be much more comfortable discussing with a male pharmacist.

The female pharmacist assured him that she was completely professional and whatever it was that he needed to discuss, he could be confident that she would treat him with the highest level of professionalism.

The old bronco-buster agreed and began by saying, “This is tough for me to discuss, but I have a permanent erection. It causes me a lot of problems and severe embarrassment, and I was wondering what you could give me for it.”

The pharmacist said, "Just a minute, I'll go talk to my sister.”

When she returned, she said, “We discussed it at length and the absolute best we can do is, 1/3 ownership in the store, a company car, and $3,000 a month, plus living expenses.”

Ghost Town – A Critical Movie Review of a Movie That Does Not Suck

Gadabout hadn’t heard much about Ghost Town before its release – not even a preview. We are treated to at least five previews each and every time cough up $20 for a big screen visit, and since I’ve never viewed one I have to guess it is because it didn’t need one. Ghost Town stands on its own and will be acclaimed for its lasting impression of living and learning in our narcissistic 21st century.

The film strikes at the heart with the force of the Holy Sacraments, yet is overtly secular. There is no mention of God (well maybe just a little near the end and it was surprising to take it in), there are no churches, or high priests and certainly no Jesus. There may be an absence of religion on screen, but the power of something greater than individualism ignites your spirit.

Ricky Gervais (A Night at the Museum) and Greg Kinnear take us on journey of love, discovery and altruism that is frightfully believable despite the presence of ghostly beings living amongst us. Gervais plays Doctor Bertram Pincus, DDS, whose near death experience leaves him with the unfortunate ability to commune with the dead. He is an unlikeable character detested for his treatment of others. The screenplay might be simplistic, and liberties taken to form plot turns, but the story never leaves us in play or tease us as easy marks. You will laugh out loud at least 10 times and you won’t be embarrassed to do so. But beware that even the strongest will feel the pressure to resist tears. When a movie can toss our emotions at will, tell a story of faith and redemption, and motivate us to live better and richer lives – then that film is a success. Ghost Town is that movie.

The critics haven’t published quite yet, and if they come in at C+ don’t listen to those elitists with an agenda. Listen instead to Gadabout the Titan. And one final word: men should not see this film with other men because it is too dangerous to hold back a misty eye in front of another. Fathers MUST NOT bring their sons!

Barack Obama meets Thomas Merton

“It is true, political problems are not solved by love and mercy. But the world of politics is not the only world, and unless political decisions rest on a foundation of something better and higher than politics, they can never do any real good for men. When a country has to be rebuilt after war, the passions and energies of war are no longer enough. There must be a new force, the power of love, the power of understanding and human compassion, the strength of selflessness and cooperation, and the creative dynamism of the will to live and to build, and the will to forgive. The will for reconciliation.” - From Introductions East & West. The Foreign Prefaces of Thomas Merton

“A Responsible, Phased Withdrawal
Barack Obama believes we must be as careful getting out of Iraq as we were careless getting in. Immediately upon taking office, Obama will give his Secretary of Defense and military commanders a new mission in Iraq: ending the war. The removal of our troops will be responsible and phased, directed by military commanders on the ground and done in consultation with the Iraqi government. Military experts believe we can safely redeploy combat brigades from Iraq at a pace of 1 to 2 brigades a month that would remove them in 16 months. That would be the summer of 2010 – more than 7 years after the war began.

Under the Obama plan, a residual force will remain in Iraq and in the region to conduct targeted counter-terrorism missions against al Qaeda in Iraq and to protect American diplomatic and civilian personnel. He will not build permanent bases in Iraq, but will continue efforts to train and support the Iraqi security forces as long as Iraqi leaders move toward political reconciliation and away from sectarianism.” From Barack Obama’s Homepage

Gadabout Jack does not sense an auspicious beginning and lasting relationship for our world’s newest democracy in Candidate Obama’s plan for the future. It is harsh and stale, and lacking the awareness that matters of war and peace cannot be determined from the eyes of destruction then abandonment. Perhaps the strategy should be of continued support, rebuilding and of peace.

Palin is Unfit for Duty -- just ask a democrat

News Flash -- Pelosi is unfit too!

Let me get this straight: Nancy Pelosi has five children and seven grand children and is considered fit and ready to lead the House of Representatives, but Sarah Palin is labeled a “freak” for abandoning maternal responsibilities? Really? Now that is interesting.

“For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” – Matthew 7:2

“Knowing it was out of envy that the chief priests had handed Jesus over to him.” – Mark 15:10

Gadabout believes it is about making judgments of others and envy that drive these sharp criticisms of VP Sarah Palin, and that those making these statements are surely going to hell. It is all about securing power for the left, regardless of Palin’s obvious popularity, that promotes such slander and ridicule. Seemingly neutral female individuals have found it quite comfortable to judge negatively based upon family values. Where are the feminists? If political party labels were redacted, would such vandalism of character continue? I think not. Unfortunately, Gadabout is but a mere male, and his words matter little in these matters of Devine Femininity.

Take heed that such negativism is not merely words; no, it is a sin and hell awaits.

The Greatest Play In Baseball - Rick Monday Saves U.S. Flag

Gadabout was recently forwarded this video from a close friend and I would like to take this opportunity to address the often neglected and tainted concepts of patriotism, citizenship and allegiance to moral standards. If you are at the office reading this, then you most likely will be blocked from watching the YouTube video I’ve posted above. In that case, go up Gadabout at home and watch it. The video is of Chicago Cub’s center fielder, Rick Monday, as he rescues the American Flag while playing at Dodger Stadium from a couple of punks in 1976 trying to set it afire. It is a mostly forgotten incident, but every time I view the clip I feel that swell of patriotism from hidden reaches deep inside that reminds me and reinforces the importance of doing the right thing whenever and wherever circumstances dictate.

Like most everyday citizens, I have passed such opportunities and learned life’s lessons the hard way – by turning a blind eye, realizing a mistake and vowing to be a better person henceforth. By the time we reach our teens, most of us know the difference between right and wrong and formulate moral fiber by our actions as we move through life. In 1972, Rick Monday made the right decision, and in those few moments captured on film we are offered a lasting gift; a lesson on patriotism and of right and wrong.

Once you watch the Rick Monday video and feel the pride of country (if you don’t feel it, then you are a lost cause), reminisce of how you felt when you watched Vice Presidential candidate, Sarah Palin, last night at the RNC convention. It has been a while since I felt truly proud to be an American. (And Gadabout is a 25 year navy veteran). I bathed in the feeling. It was comforting. It was welcomed. I was not expecting it, but Sarah Palin, out of center field, inspired me to “Man-up” and be proud of our beloved country. Thank you, Ms Vice President.