An amazing song and video by rising country artist Josh Thompson. Thompson is a Wisconsin native and has many great songs on his first album. Check it out. “Way Out Here” just might be the best song in country music in at least the past five years…in my opinion.

This is an interesting little article. In a new unauthorized biography Rush Limbaugh refers to Bill O’Reilly as Ted Baxter – a character from the Mary Tyler Moore Show. The character was a vain goon newscaster type. Now I like Bill, and I’m a major fan of Rush Limbaugh as you all know. But I do think that Bill tries way too hard to “call it down the middle” and “lookin out for the folks”. He can also be a bit cheesy – check out some of his wonderful Factor gear – the Factor tote bag, even a welcome mat. All wonderful items I’m sure. But really the only person I can think of who needs a tote bag regularly is my grandmother on long distance trips. And a welcome mat? I’ve never understood them. Isn’t it kind of demeaning to wipe your shoes on something that you support?

Another note in the article is how Rush views his “competition”. He considers Hannity and Levin to be protégés. But considers none of them to be in his league, Glenn Beck included. Though in the past he has defended Beck, and Beck has even had Rush on the show at least once. (Phony Soldier fiasco) I know some people will think of Rush as having a huge ego, being full of himself, the usual stuff we hear. But that said the man is at the top of his game…still. He was the pioneer that paved the road for everyone else in talk radio. He continually puts out a quality product and brings in the most listeners and largest amount of advertising. Whether or not he has a big ego, he is telling the truth. He’s in a league of his own. There is Rush Limbaugh and then there’s everyone else. That’s not to detract from everyone else either. It’s just the way it is. I would say that there are a few levels below him. That second tier of broadcasters (on the conservative side) are Beck, Hannity, Levin, Ingraham, Savage, and I’d even put Andrew Wilkow in that group. The next level is Michael Reagan, Mike Church, Mike Gallagher, Rusty Humphries, Bill Bennett, Dennis Prager, Michael Medved, and Hugh Hewitt. And even another level, Bill Cunningham for example I’d put in the bottom tier of the nationally known broadcasters.

We also get a peak into how Rush spends his money. Details about his lavish estate north of Palm Beach, Florida. Sounds pretty sweet! Critics will once again blab about how much money this guy has, as if it’s any of their business what he does or does not do with it. Most of these people probably don’t realize how much Rush gives away. His yearly telethon for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is an example of that. There’s been at least one occasion where a caller had fallen on hard times and Rush made arrangements to buy her a new vehicle. There’s all sorts of stories like this. What we don’t hear about is what he gives that is kept private, which I imagine is considerable.

So here’s another example where someone will be smeared because of their success, when instead we all ought to take a lesson from Rush – hard work, ambition, dealing with failure, refining your talents, striving to be the best, endurance and perseverance, overcoming your faults. That’s success.

Rush Limbaugh is an AmeriCAN.

http://shine.yahoo.com/event/financiallyfit/5-secrets-of-self-made-millionaires-1370279/

We could use more short articles like this one found this morning on Yahoo.com. It suggests there’s five common secrets to reaching that elusive millionaire title. Or is that elusive? A million dollars doesn’t go as far as it used to, and more Americans than ever have attained income over that magic mark. In fact the number of millionaires in the United States has doubled in the past 20 years. This article does say that those who are getting rich are getting richer. I’m not the knee jerk type who says this bad. To the contrary – it’s a good thing. More rich, and those who are rich are becoming more wealthy. Now how one acquires wealth and what they do with it is another question – but even then, as long as it’s legal it’s none of our business. That’s a matter for the wealth holder and God. My point is that we simply need more written about success and achieving it and less about being a victim, bailing out businesses, sticking it to the haves, parading the have-nots for political fodder, and demonizing success.

Here’s the 5 Secrets detailed in the article:

1. Set your sights on where you’re going.

2. Educate Yourself.

3. Passion pays off.

4. Grown your money.

5. No guts, no glory.

And finally it suggests one major component – stop spending!

Maybe those in DC could use this advice more than us in the private sector?

Those waters also feed the Roots that run deep in the soil here. The magnificent trees, green grass, and crops are fertilized with Blood and Sweat, providing us a bountiful harvest. Our Farms are the best and the Backbone of the Society. We enjoy the Fruits of our Labor and any Surplus is sent out on rail via the Work Ethic line. We keep our city, land and water Beautiful and Clean because we know we are Blessed. We Recognize those blessings and our Dreams and Toil in a Celebration of Thanksgiving each year. Every year we also mark our Founding and Independence  with fireworks and much rejoice!

The Citizens make a living through Responsibility and are kept updated by the local paper named Freedom of Speech. The crime rate is low because the People exercise their Right to Keep and Bear Arms. People Worship as they please. Our bank operates by Free and Fair Trade. Our Business people travel the skies above on a plane named Vision. Our Communications allow us to be more connected to each other than of anywhere beyond our walls. Our scientists are sought world around for their Inventions and contributions to Technology. Our artists are the best and most imitated because they Inspire us. Our doctors are the best and most accessible for they are allowed to practice simply because they Care. Our poor and sick receive Charity as needed, but are not allowed to accept discomfort for long. We pull ourselves up by the bootstraps and charge into any Challenge. We respect and value the Individual. Their Hope is in God, the future and our people. Our Leaders govern through Our Consent with Honor and Duty. They govern the most Diverse populous ever known. All are Created Equal and Our Rights are recognized and not infringed upon, nor abused, because we hold true to Justice that says we are Innocent until Proven Guilty.

Our children are Educated in a building named Heritage. Our city’s Foundation is built on Family. We strive for Peace but we will Protect our Rights, Way of Life and Defend the Weak. We are not afraid to express our Strength and Might. Our Soldiers and Law Enforcement act when needed, armed with Bravery and Courage. We Remember and Respect our Veterans and Fallen. The walls around us form a fortress called Faith. We are loved and loathed for everything inside those walls.

In our Pursuit of Happiness we became blind. Our Industrious ways led to a lifestyle of excessive leisure lacking real relaxation and recreation, but rather sloth and apathy became the norm. We neglected our God given responsibilities and rights. We allowed the destruction of all we built, our school, voting booth, workplace, media, and even our church, allowing traitors, looters, liars and laziness to make it over the top, from underground, and even walking right through our gates circumventing our city in a hostile takeover.

Now we are awaken and they shall not advance any further, they will not be allowed to burn this City of Liberty to the ground, they will not be allowed to turn what we built into ashes and ruble, they will not destroy us from outside or within, they will not rule us because we value Life. Our Monuments and Symbols stand tall and proud and we will fight for what they stand for. We Believe in a Higher Power, in each other, and what we have built. Our Way of Life will not be transformed or destroyed like the ruins of the failure that liter the past.

We have learned from history and we know what we need to do now to protect the next Generation. The Future is up for grabs. We have the right to it, they do not, it is not theirs to take. Work needs to be done. Roll up your sleeves. We need all prayers. Your voice needs heard. We need your thought and hand. The Great Restoration has began.  -Brandon James Benson

Before the puck dropped at the winter games the team takes their lumps. They get past old rivalries from college days, getting stomped by the Russians three days before the opening ceremony, learning to work as a team and coming to realize they represent something bigger than each of themselves as individuals – the United States of America. As the team practices Brooks stops periodically and asks each player to introduce themselves, who they are, where they’re from and who they play for. One of my favorite scenes takes place after a bad performance in Norway. During the game the players are more focused on the cute girls in the stands. They manage to tie Norway in a lackluster effort. Brooks doesn’t let the team leave the ice. He has them line up and skate sprints until they’re falling over. Just when they can take no more Mike Erurizone gets it and in an exasperated voice he belts out, “Mike Erurizone, Worcester, Massachusetts”, there’s a pause and Brooks replies, “Who do you play for son?”, Mike answers, “United States of America!”

This sets a new direction and tone for the team. They practice harder, take in the instruction of their coach, play focused and disciplined, and even refer to themselves as a family. Brooks tells the team that he knows a way to beat the Soviets, “Their weapon is intimidation. They know they’re going to win. You don’t defend them. You attack them! You take their game and shove it back in their face. The team willing to finally do this will defeat them.”

After getting past the jitters of the first encounter with the Russians the US team advances to the medal round of the Olympics. Their first match is against Russia. Before they take the ice Brooks gives a talk to the players saying, “Their time is over. This is your time!” and “Great moments are born out of great opportunity.”

Great moments are born out of great opportunity. Compare that to the wisdom of Rahm Emanuel saying “Never let a crisis go to waste.” Throughout the movie we’re shown glimpses of the attitude of Americans at the time. We’re told of the events taking place, Iranian Hostage Crisis, inflation, gas prices, and we even hear Jimmy Carter’s infamous “Crisis of Confidence” speech. While we were watching this time around we couldn’t help but to compare it all to today. It’s almost allegorical.

The intimidation of the elites no longer works. The progressive era is ending. It’s our time! We have been presented with a great opportunity. We can make it a great moment. Glenn Beck has said for a while now to be prepared for amazing miracles. As Al Michaels said as the final seconds ticked off the clock that day in Lake Placid, “Do you believe in miracles?!”

If this sounds like you – I want to hear from you. Your story could be featured here!

Are you proud to be an AmeriCAN?!