Better late than never --- a sure sign you are doing a bit too much

I have had no time lately to BLOG which is sad in many ways (unless of course you dont like my blogging - in which case you might be happier if i never did).

So before i get too far, i must acknowledge and send the most heartfelt congratulations on successfully completing another year of living to my father .... FRANKLIN L HICKS, SR. Seventy-two years and still going strong (even better then the Energizer Bunny) ....

Next on the agenda is my review as required by contract of the latest movie attended, "JUST FRIENDS".

From the point of view of an objective movie critic and writer i give the movie 1.5 POCKET PROTECTORS on the "geek-o-meter" scale if you are older than 35; my rating for those from age 13-25 planning on attending is 3 POCKET PROTECTORS; for those between those ranges some of you will see and say "Yep ... it was barely worth the extra .5" while others will wonder why it didnt rate an extra .5 -- Oy Vey ..... just remember that i know that i can never please alla the people alla the time and keep on trucking.....

as a personal note on this movie should have been sub-titled "the Life and Times of L. S. Hicks ... talk about reliving your entire life well this was it. I HATED IT PERSONALLY but it was pretty funny sometimes ... WAY WAY WAY WAY WAY WAY too much dependence on physical fighting between the two brothers though .... i mean did it really have to happen in every scene? I dont think so ..... but again maybe thats just me reacting to seeing my life flash before me on the big screen.

Now to the Serious Stuff ......

WE MUST STAY THE COURSE .... as horrible as it is to hear daily of another life lost in Iraq, we must not lose sight of the even more disastrous effects that leaving too soon would have both there , here in America and around the world. If we cut and run no one not a single group trying to free themselves from terror or tyranny will EVER AGAIN trust us to keep our word. You think we are reviled now ... wait until no one can depend on us to stand unwaveringly beside them in the pursuit of freedom ....

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL ... law enforcement officers, fire-fighters, emergency services personnel, youth services volunteers, senior services volunteers, homeless shelter volunteers and EVERYONE else who during the next 6 or so weeks will be asking you to help them help others who are less fortunate then yourself.

Remember also that ours is not to question what they will do with our gift but only to be the giver ... remember also that at this time of year when we celebrate freedom and the giving of thanks for said freedoms that the GREATEST of all FREEDOMS was given to us free of charge and even more importantly without question even when we didnt care if we were FREE and especially if we didnt want to be FREE ....

So give generously not just of your money and time but also of your heart .... share a smile, give a policeman or fireman a hearty "THANKS"; if you know a service member or veteran, snap them a Perfect SALUTE .... it wont cost you anything but you will never be able to calculate in monetary terms the joy and good-will that your simple gift will give to them or how it will grow and spread from person to person ....

I have placed here on the pages of this a couple times before the original Presidential Thanksgiving Declaration of George Washington but it is fitting to do so again and often not just at thanksgiving itself but throughout the entire calendar ....

proclamation of National Thanksgiving

Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor, and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me "to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness." Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be. That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks, for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation, for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his providence, which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war, for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed, for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted, for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us. And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions, to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually, to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed, to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shown kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord. To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the encrease of science among them and Us, and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.

Go: Washington

May each one have a Happy Thanksgiving for no matter our personal beliefs each of us has much to be thankful for .... even in the most trying of times.

GOD BLESS YOU ALL and MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS AMERICA ....

"THE GEEK"