THANKS FOR YOUR ENCOURAGEMENTS
I truly appreciate the many complimentary comments I've received relative to my co-hosting of the Wake-Up Call on WFTW-AM, 1260 on the dial each morning Monday through Friday from 6 to 9. The station management has been impressed with the publicity Ken and I received in the Daily News and over WEAR-TV. I owe those two organizations a big "Thank You" for letting the information out. Even the Florida Times Union in Jacksonville picked up the story as did the The Sun. Remember each of you can call in any morning and ask questions or make comments on any subject. I can assure you that we'll respond and we don't mind speaking our minds. The phone number is 664-12260 or #1260 on the Alltel Cellular. I would appreciate any feed back you want to give me to make the program even better. Let me know what you like, what you don't like, and what you suggest.

A GREAT LESSON CAN BE TAUGHT
How would you have reacted had you been the teacher in this class?

A group of students were asked to list what they thought were the present "Seven Wonders of the World." Though there were some disagreements, the following received the most votes:
1. Egypt's Great Pyramids:
2, Taj Mahal:
3. Grand Canyon:
4. Panama Canal:
5. Empire State Building:
6. St. Peter's Basilica: and
7. China's Great Wall.

While gathering the votes, the teacher noted that one student had not finished her paper yet. So she asked the girl if she was having trouble with her list.

The girl replied, "Yes, a little. I couldn't quite make up my mind because there were so many."

The teacher said, "Well, tell us what you have, and maybe we can help"

The girl hesitated, then read, "I think the "Seven Wonders of the World are:"
1. to see:
2. to hear:
3. to touch:
4. to taste:
5. to feel:
6. to laugh: and
7. to love."

The room was so quite you could have heard a pin drop. The things we overlook as simple and ordinary and that we take for granted are truly wondrous!

A gentle reminder - that the most precious things in life cannot be built by hand or bought by man.

I really like this one and hope you will pass it along to others.

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT
Former Reagan Press Secretary Lyn Nofziger is quoted as saying: "There are those who think (Alabama) Judge Moore is an extremist and he may be but it should be pointed out that moderates never accomplish anything; it is the extremists on either end of the spectrum who change the world. The American Revolution was won by extremists. Extremism, as Barry Goldwater pointed out, is no vice when it is exercised in defense of liberty. Judge Moore apparently agrees with that assertion. He may lose this battle but in the process he may rally enough troops, persons who ordinarily sit on their hands, to win the war. It wouldn't be the first time." (What do you think of this one?)

WHAT ABOUT THIS?

A plan for a computerized screening program that would allocate every airline passenger a terrorist-threat rating (CAPPS 11) is the subject of a congressional inquiry - and will not be funded unless it passes muster.Critics claim it would violate travelers' privacy and Fourth Amendment rights.

It's becoming increasingly apparent," said David Keene of the American Conservative Union, "that (Homeland Security Secretary Tom) Ridge and his colleagues are behaving like any other bureaucrats, trying to expand their responsibilities and their power over citizens as far as they can.

Conservative activist Grover Norquist concurred, calling CAPPS 11 "a bad idea which will collapse into bigger, worse ideas." Former Rep. Bob Barr, Georgia Republican, said the plan will do "irreversible damage to the Fourth Amendment protection against unreasonable searches."

HISPANICS BECOMING MORE MILITANT IN CALIFORNIA
A bill that would allow undocumented immigrants to obtain drivers' licenses, an issue that has worked its way into the debate surrounding the attempt to recall Gov. Gray Davis in California, passed the California state Assembly last Tuesday. In a debate in English and Spanish, Republicans and Democrats argued about whether the bill would harm or help public safety before approving it by a 44-30 vote and sending it back to the Senate for consideration of amendments.

The legislation, by Sen. Gil Cedillo, D-Los Angeles, would help undocumented immigrants get drivers' licenses by allowing them to submit a federal taxpayer identification number or some other state-approved form of identification to the Department of Motor Vehicles instead of a Social Security number. The U.S. Internal Revenue Service issues taxpayer identification numbers to tax filers who cannot qualify for Social Security numbers, which authorize a person to work legally in the United States.

Governor Davis has vetoed two similar bills since he became governor, citing law enforcement's concerns about the legislation. After he vetoed the bill last year, the Legislature's Latino caucus refused to endorse him for re-election. Last month, at an anti-recall rally in Los Angeles, the governor said he would sign the latest bill "in a heartbeat" if it reached his desk.

I LIKE IT
My good friend, Nellie Bogar has furnished me with information on the Florida Community Coalition sponsored "Family Day" 2003. This is a campaign to increase awareness of Family Day, September 22. Family Day is observed nationally and in many states to recognize the link between families eating dinner together and lower teen drug use. In fact, studies show teens who rarely eat dinner with their parents are 72% more likely than the average teen to use drugs, drink, and smoke. So, plan your dinner now with the entire family on September 22. For more information go to the web site: http://www.myfloridaeducation.com/familyday).

QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"In California, the fabulously rich support the poor with government jobs, paid for by the middle class - which is now living in Arizona." Ann Coulter

QUESTION OF THE WEEK
Should the U.S. seek approval of a Resolution in the United Nations asking for assistance from other countries in the rebuilding of Iraq?

Comments should be sent to:  jmelvin@gulf1.com