GOIN' HOME!

Observation of the Day!

Today I depart Coronado for Eden Prairie and serving my two month winter sentence. The weather here has been spectacular, but what's new.

Here are a few observations about my October in Nirvana:

1. The weather has been spectacular all month. Even though it is routine in Coronado to have good weather, I am always amazed that is not taken for granted by the natives. When a day seems to be spectacular the still comment to everyone they meet, "What a great day." They must say this more than 250 times a year.

2. I suspect the economy will take its toll on the snowbirds. I told you the other day of a call from a realtor actually soliciting my business, and the town seems very quiet.

3. My friend Tom, a friend and regular wintertime visitor to Coronado had pretty much washed out this years trip for he and Konnie. However, I received an email from him saying that the weather in Minnesota was 20 degrees with 40 mph winds and that he was coming to Coronado. Economy be damned, he said he will worry about the financial rest of his life after they get back. Good for you Tom.

4. Thing are even slower at the golf course. The Coronado Golf Course does about 110,000 rounds a year. To make matters even worse yesterday, they were aerating the greens and most of the Men's Club either went someplace else to play or took the day off. The normal wait if you are walk-on at the course is anywhere from a half hour on a slow day to up to two hours on a busy day. Yesterday, I decided to just play nine as a farewell to my October visit. I went to the starter to put my name on the list. I was the only one on the list so I had to wait on the waiting list to add another player.

5. I find that my list of friends and acquaintances grows with every trip West. I probably have more friends here than I do in Minnesota. I have a regular golf foursome that I have so much fun playing with. Playing with them is what lousy golf is all about. Thanks to Paul, Hal and Bill for taking me in. Paul is our scorekeeper and rule maker of our rather complicated little golf gambling game. The three of us are grateful for Paul's service. If something unusual happens in a round he makes up a new rule. He also has secret rules that he brings out occasionally when it helps his cause. I have seen more that one player shake his head and asked what just happened, and finally give up and move to the next tee, still shaking their heads. Our game has renewed my interest in golf which was waning some last summer.

6. I went to the Rock Church three times. It is an evangelical church. I am not an evangelical, but I love the pastor and the young people of this church. His sermons are humorous and above all instructive and non-judgmental. It is a very young crowd. They have what I called a Christian rock concert before each service. My niece informed me it is not a "rock concert" but is called "Praise and Worship". They are not singing for the audience, they are singing for God, I was informed. I went to the Rock in company of two of my young female friends, Lindsay, Cece and daughter ,Chelsea. Lindsay had taken me the first time, and I took Cece and her daughter a week later because she was looking for a church that she hopes will help her daughter.

7. I made a new circle of friends through a friend from the Beach Club. I went to a Charger watching party and had a great time. A young crowd keeps me young.

8. I now must return to Minnesota. I am really looking forward to it, as strange as that may seem, but Carolina will be giving birth shortly to my fourth surrogate grandchild. The miracle of birth, as my friend Konnie's father passes away. Life goes on.

Have a great day, wherever you are.

Sammy C.

DRUM ROLL PLEASE!

The Vote !

I consider myself a right leaning centrist. I know because I took an internet test. On a ten point scale with 10 being extreme right and 1 being extreme left, I am a 6. I have looked closely at the election and am voting for those who fit my profile the best, whether popular or not. My biggest test is the test of bi-partisanship.

For President:

I am voting for John McCain. He has demonstrated bi-partisanship. He has reached across the aisle. McCain/Feingold, as an example. He has reached even as far across the aisle as Ted Kennedy. These were issues of campaign finance reform and immigration. Very tough issues. He didn't hide like the rest of Congress.

He has demonstrated character and mental toughness. He endured tortures most of us could not. He lived by the military code.

He believes life begins at conception. I do not think the abortion issue should be a litmus test. I believe it is not a political issue, it is a moral issue.

I believe Sarah Palin was a mistake and was made to please the extreme right. I think she has the potential to be a superstar, but not until she proves her chops on a more national level, she does not have the experience. Having said that I believe she can grow. I like her record in Alaska very much. I believe our greatest political strength is in most governorships.

McCain carries the burden of the Bush adminstration. George W. Bush is the worst President in my lifetime. Yes, I voted for him twice. I also voted for Jesse Ventura.

John McCain is old like me. I ain't dead yet.

For Minnesota Senate:

This has been a tough one for me. I have vacillated back and forth between Dean Barkley,the independent, and Norm Coleman, the Republican. I like Barkley, even though he was Jesse Ventura's campaign manager, but I believe Norm has acted more bi-partisan in recent times. He has shown leadership at times. He also has a history of being a political opportunist, but name me one politiian who isn't. I cannot believe the Star Tribune endorsed him. This is the first time the Star Trib has ever endorsed someone I support. If I were a man of total conviction, I would vote for Barkley however, I believe he would take more votes from Coleman giving the Democrats one more seat of a Super Majority.

For Congress:

This is an open seat, since Jim Ramstad is retiring. I looked very hard at the Democratic candidate. I liked his ads, but he didn't deliver in the debates. Also, it would move another seat closer to a super majority. I am voting for Eric Paulsen, but not with total conviction. Ramstad was a centrist and was just right for my congressional district in Minnesota.

Summary:

I believe Barack Obama will be elected. He has charisma, which some may believe superficial, but ability to communicate is a characteristic of good leaders. Compare john Kennedy to George Bush.

My greatest fear is not Barack Obama being president. I am willing to wait and see by performance. My greatest fear is a super Democratic majority in the Congress with Nancy Polosi and Harry Reed in charge. If Obama remains strongly to the left, we are on our way to European socialism. One of the key things to watch is what happens to the financial institutions with the government in ownership positions. When the crisis is over, will the banks remained nationalized. By the way, there is very little a president can do to affect the economy. Congress is the problem. Tax increases will kill the economy. Socialism has never worked, freedom and the free market place has.

So Let's all vote on November 4, for the candidate of choice. Itis still a free country.

God Bless America!

Samuel C. Arnold

Mayor of Einsteins Bagel Shop

TOUGH TIMES IN NIRVANA!

Observation of the Day!

Yesterday, I received a phone call from Shores Management Company soliciting my business for a winter rental. I rented the first five or so years through this company. This was the first I have ever received a sales call from a company that manages rentals at the Shores. I quit using this company because of a lack of follow through. I always had to call them and things sometimes didn't get done, including refunding my deposit in a timely manner. The basics of customer service in any business were slip shod at best.

What I believe is significant is that it is an indication of how bad things are in this economy. Coronado never seemed to have this problem in the nine years I have spent my winters in Coronado. You can also see it in the restaurants and convention business at the Hotel Del Coronado. It's quiet.

I know of at least two couples who have come ever winter to Coronado and are foregoing their trip to Nirvana. I feel for the retired people who had a nice nest egg that let them enjoy Coronado, but now must forgo this little luxury. They followed the rule book by which they were raised and still lost. They are still following the rules by forgoing their winter luxury.

All this because of the greed of Wall Street, instant gratification of the younger generation and the self serving empty suits in government.

God Bless us all!

Samuel C. Arnold

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT!

Observation of the Day!

I have a friend who says she watches almost no television. There are days the TV is never turned on. She does not watch the news. She doesn't read the newspaper much. I don't know if that is 100% true, but in asking her certain questions of common everyday news, she doesn't seem know much about an issue; and she is not embarrassed to say so. In an age where you can now get instant celebrity news alerts on your Blackberry, she is a rare person.

When you sort out the news of the day, how much is excessive overstated BS from pundits and opinionated commentators. The important news can be gathered in a five minute newscasts on radio. It is really all you really need to know for the time, and it is just statements of fact.

When you look at the state of regular TV programming, it is easy to dismiss most everything as drival for the masses. A show where people try to jump through a hole in the wall??? PLEEEEZE!

The thing that I do notice about my friend is she is the happiest most positive stress free person I know. Maybe she's on to something.

Have a nice day!

Sam

THIS JUST IN!

News You Need to know or Not!

The NFL Network reports that Goodell, when he reinstated Jones during the summer, told the player specifically to avoid alcohol.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones released a statement saying the team regrets and supports Goodell's decision, but left the door open to bring Pacman back after the suspension. "We move forward with a very clear knowledge as to what the process will be for a possible re-instatement," Jones said in a statement. "Adam is well aware of where he stands and what he has to do."

Jones told the AP he had spoken with Pacman and described the player as "devastated."

Sounds like Jerry still wants him back. He is a bad guy, but that doesn't matter in the NFL! Sorry you are devastated

*****

It's still a good time to be morally bankrupt.

The plunging Dow Jones and panicky investors are hardly a problem for the world's oldest profession, where business is still brisk.

"The market is down, business is down, but we feel it less," said Dylan, 24, a promotional model-turned-Manhattan prostitute. "We're still busy."

It sounds like a good investment.

*****

Madonna is speaking out at her Sticky & Sweet concerts about Sarah Palin. After saying at Saturday night's Meadowlands show that the VP candidate "can't come to my party," Madonna again attacked Palin at her Madison Square Garden show last night, reports Us Weekly.

During the song I Love New York, Madonna told the audience - including Diddy, Rosie O'Donnell and designer Michael Kors: "You know who can get off of my street? Sarah Palin! I'm gonna kick her ... if she don't get off of my street!" She then mocked the Alaska governor's accent, sarcastically telling the crowd, "I love her." What do you think?

Does anyone care?

*****

A gay chef murdered his lover, cut out part of his leg, seasoned it with herbs and fried it, a court has heard.

Anthony Morley, 35, chewed one of the pieces before throwing it into his kitchen bin.

Morley, a former holder of the Mr Gay UK title, then walked to a nearby takeaway restaurant and told horrified staff: 'I have killed someone, call the police'.

HE SERVED IT WITH FAVA BEANS AND A NICE CHIANTI!

*****

The plane was on the runway; the holidaymakers in good spirits.

And when the stewardess came down the aisle towards Jan Coupe and her husband, she thought the flight attendant was going to check their seatbelts.

Then came the moment Mrs Coupe wished the earth would open up and she could disappear.

Too heavy: Alan and Jan Coupe weighed too much for their plane to take off

For the stewardess had to tell the couple - who weighed 38st between them - that they were too heavy for the plane to take off.

As his wife cringed with embarrassment, 20st Alan Coupe moved to the front of the aircraft to help even out the weight.

While it was a scene they wouldn't have wished on their worst enemies, some good has come of it. They went on a diet.

You thought only Americans were obese. Lose it before you lose the seat on your next flight.

*****.

7-year-old breaks into zoo, feeds animals to crocodile

Squick alert from the AP: "A 7-year-old boy broke into a popular Outback zoo, fed a string of animals to the resident crocodile and bashed several lizards to death with a rock, the zoo's director said Friday." Here's the story.

The Sydney Morning Herald goes into more details: "A turtle, four western blue tongue lizards, two bearded dragons, two thorny devil lizards and a 1.8 metre adult female Spencer's goanna were fed or led into the jaws of a three-metre, 200kg saltwater crocodile named 'Terry'. "

The zoo's director is "now looking at suing the parents of the pint-sized terror," who cannot be charged even as a juvenile because he is younger than 10, the paper reports.

I am glad he doesn't live next door to me.

*****

Have a nice day!

Sammy Carl
Woman who erroneously received $2.6 million says she's no swindler

Walker gets nine months in the workhouse for cashing $2.6 million state check. Lawyer says the woman has managed to hang on to her home and has a job and will pay her debt.


For the first time since she erroneously received a $2.6 million check from the state and went on a spending spree that included cars and jewelry, Sabrina Walker told her story Thursday, tearfully saying she never imagined herself in court for a criminal sentencing.

"Indeed this was a mistake. I didn't create this," she said. "I didn't swindle the state. I didn't trick anyone. I have suffered greatly from the moment this has been done. My dreams have been shattered."
FORT MYERS, Fla. - Authorities say a Fort Myers man shot himself in the arm after his girlfriend refused to have sex with him.

The Lee County Sheriff's Office reports that 29-year-old Jonathon Guabello and his girlfriend returned home from a bar early Wednesday morning. The girlfriend told deputies that Guabello had wanted to get intimate, but she wanted to go to sleep.

When Guabello became irate, authorities say the girlfriend went to a spare bedroom, and several minutes later she heard two gunshots. She told deputies Guabello came into her room and threatened her. He then stumbled into the kitchen and knocked himself unconscious.

Guabello was charged with threatening violence and firing a weapon in an occupied dwelling. He was being held on $100,000 bail.

Whoa!

Have a nice day!

Sam

A PATRIOTIC PLACE!

Observation of the Day!

The Sun came over the mountains spreading across a tranquil bay and the day emerged with a high blue sky. Just another day in Nirvana. Across the bay from the Naval Amphibious base came the wake up sounds of reveille We were about the tee off on the 15th hole when we noticed the group in front of us were just standing there. Our Type A personalities immediately wondered what the hell they were waiting on. Then it dawned on us, they were standing still because the National Anthem was reverberating across the Bay. We promptly became silent.

Coronado is a very patriotic place. It is a Navy town, filled with those warriors both past and present.

God Bless America!

Have a nice day!

Sam

WOULDN'T IT BE LOVELY!

CAN'T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG?

IT'S HARD TO DO IN POLITICS, BUT

Keep your sense of humor, even if it hurts!

There are always gaffs in politics. I like the funny ones. These are two of my favorites this election season.

Joe Biden:

Joe was at a rally. Someone told him a state representative was in the audience who was running for reelection. Ever the politician Joe shouted out, "I understand Representative John Jones is in the audience. Stand up John and let us see you." Unfortunately, John was in a wheel chair. Joe rallied and recovered, but it was like an SNL moment.

Sarah Palin:

After Palin was introduced by McCain, she got into her speech and commented on Hillary. She complimented her on her campaign and on the dissatisfaction of Hillary's woman supporters, who were left behind. "Hillary left behind 18 million cracks in the ceiling." I still get a chuckle out of that.

Have a nice dy!

Are we there yet?

Sam

KISS THE FRIGGIN' PIG!

Observation of the Day!

Even when we are looking at the most important piece of legislation of our times, Congress still plays the Washington Old MacDonald's farm game. Oink! Oink! here Oink! Oink! there. Here an Oink there and Oink everywhere an Oink! Oink! If it looks like a pig, it's still rotten pork.

This are some of the hog crap tucked into the Bill. The special provisions include tax breaks for:

* Manufacturers of kids' wooden arrows - $6 million.

* Puerto Rican and Virgin Is- lands rum producers - $192 million.

* Wool research.

* Auto-racing tracks - $128 million.

* Corporations operating in American Samoa - $33 million.

* Small- to medium-budget film and television productions - $10 million.

Another measure inserted into the bill appears to be a bald-faced bid aimed at winning the support of Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska), who voted against the original version when it went down in flames in the House on Monday.

That provision - a $223 million package of tax benefits for fishermen and others whose livelihoods suffered as a result of the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill 19 years ago? - has been the subject of fervent lobbying by Alaska's congressional delegation.

They can't even make this life changing bill without trashing it up for purely pork barrel projects. Is there any wonder why our government is not working very well? Reform is needed. but hardly likely to ever happen. Somehow we need to keep legislation clean, so we know what they are voting for.

BTW. Wells Fargo acquired Wachovia today without government help. It works for them, why not all. The market can decide, sink or swim. Having said that I believe government must do something, but it pisses me off.

Have a nice day, if you can!

Samuel C. Arnold

HERE I AM AGAIN!

Observation of the Day!

Well, I'm baaaack. I arrived in Coronado for the month of October last evening. There is really not too much more I can say about this wonderful place. You've heard it too many times. BORING!

I am looking forward to golf and hanging out at the golf course.

My flight was on time. I flew Sun Country, which just cut the salaries of their employees in half. Sun Country gives hamburgers on their flights. They are really small enough to be sliders. I was worried I would only get a half hamburger. I didn't. I got a small ham and cheese sandwich.

The flight crew was poorer, but very pleasant. I like Sun Country. I hope they survive. The boss of the holding company just had FBI, Postal inspectors and IRS raid his offices. Seems they are going to charge him with fraud. Some kind of Ponzi scheme. Mr. Petters has always given away large sums to non-profits and universities. It seems he also he also borrowed money from them as well. He promised them 24% interest for a ninety day note. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. These people have absolutely no financial understanding. It makes you wonder what happens to your charitable giving.

What the hell, the sky is blue, the sun is warm. What more do I need? Maybe a better market I guess, so I can afford Nirvana.

Have a nice day!

Sam