Greetings from the Editor

We earnestly tried to publish a complete FCP issue with all the favorites, but couldn't complete the necessary research, writing and editing in time. Our previously published update indicated that our next issue would include a current Inane Asylum^™, a hard-hitting commentary on our booming economy according to Wall Street despite very serious indications to the contrary, a "biting editorial" on the Foley/page scandal and commentary on the deteriorating conditions in North Korea, Iran, Afghanistan and Iraq, but will include these in our next issue. We'll also bring back Pet Advice and the Mediocre Housekeeper^™. This issue does include six features including Hidden Stories and Chapter Two of a Bedtime Story for People of All Ages and my Back Page Essay - Learning to Walk in J.C.'s Shoes. It discusses my broken ankle and the rediscovery of the hidden heroes in our daily lives. Also included are entries in Pure Humor, Politics and Government and a humorous commentary on a current business trend.

We are in the final days of Election 2006. Races on both national and local levels are full of acrimony and antipathy and piles and piles of campaign contributions. Even in those races for state representative and senate seats in my home state, Oregon, record amounts of campaign contribution have been raised, which causes me to question, Why? Why raise a million dollars to win a parttime legislative job that provides minimal compensation in a state that doesn't trust its legislators' judgment and decisions - even when the GOP is in control - and relies on ballot initiatives - to decide important issues?

Our solons in Washington, D.C., as well as our state legislators, have done virtually nothing to stem excessive political gift giving and abuses. How can even the most naive voter believe these gifts from lobbyists and major special interest groups are not tied to prospective legislator considerations?

Are we off our proverbial rockers? Something seems to be greatly askew.

We are not in the business of predicting political races; I never received a degree in advanced soothsaying - I flunked out. It seems to me that a lot of incumbents, mostly GOPer's but democrats as well, are tainted with the appearance of being on the take, or are actually on the take or grossly incompetent or involved in political chicanery. We'll soon see, won't we? Please vote with intelligence and knowledge; our country can no longer afford elected officials who shoot from the hip, tackle issues that don't need to be considered, and avoid meaningful oversight of the major issues confronting us - the deficit, immigration, health care, the environment, continuing costs in lives and money of wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and vacillate on the threats from North Korea and Iran, among others.

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Inside this Issue:

Politics & Government

Page 2 A Bedtime Story for People of All Ages: The Tale of the Texas Bull Called Iraq and Econ, the Cow - Chapter 2. We bring you the second chapter of this bedtime story. Follow the tribulations of Rancher George Bramble, his ranch hands Dick and Don, and the person they hired to care for Iraq, Halli Burton, as Iraq continues to give them trouble.

Page 3 An Interview with Darrell Duplicitous; the Double Talk Man. Jim Penn's Wonderful World brings humor to the serious business of government and politics. Darrell Duplicitous, double talk man, reveals the real truth about mixed messages.

Pure Humor

Page 4 Welcome to the Adult Amusement Park: BusinessFunLand, from the Wonderful World of Jim Penn. Again, Jim Penn conjures up the adult answer to those theme parks created for children and their parents. His creative BusinessFunLand takes grown-ups through the worlds of insurance, taxes and law. This exciting Horrorland should get you in the Halloween spirit.

Business

Page 5 Downsizing and Freelancing: History and the Present. Jim Penn is at it again with his commentary on reorganizations and outsourcing. He gives you the "skinny" on the origins of freelancing and connects this history with today's business world.

Thought Provoking

Page 6 Hidden Stories, By Bernard Levy. This issue's Hidden Stories cover Afghanistan: the cost of our involvement in Afghanistan, Iraq and military base security; the digging of a security trench around Baghdad; the shoddy construction performance of a major contractor in Iraq; and the cost of disposing the nuclear waste generated by our power plants. All heady stuff.

Back Page.

Page 7 Learning to Walk in J.C.'s Shoes, By Bernard Levy. How an unexpected medical emergency forced our editor to reexamine life priorities and reevaluate his social awareness.

Follow the Articles : Page 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7

 

    Stella, the Secretary Bird, hard at work on the next issue. Please click the link at top left to make us your home page and you won't miss another exciting issue!