My Fathers name was "Pete"

Although my fathers name was Kenneth W. Rice. Everyone called him Pete. We have all wondered where he got this name. It obviously started with his immediate family. But it was this week, it became very clear. This week, I recieved this book of writings on the Rice and McMehen families. It is extensive, about 80 pages. Thank you Jonnie McMehen Wells. Here is an excerpt:
Felicia (Pus, a customary nickname for the oldest daughter of a Southern Family) was raised by a black mammy. It has been said that she was pampered and spoiled by the entire family and could not comb her hair or dress herself completely at the age of seventeen without the help of her black mammy. She was invited to a Gala Ball in Bolivar and it took four people and four horses to transport her to the party in grand fashion, not to mention the preparation prior to the journey.
Boone Chastain (Pete, a customary nickname for the oldest son of a Southern family) was raised in the grand tradition of the old south. It was customary to educate the oldest son to the finest fashion, to make certain he was well schooled in proper manners and etiqette and to prepare him for the responsibilty of his inheritance. (Aunt Nell Perry McMehen said Pete could preside at the table as a very capable host and gentleman, regardless of what was being served.)

So there you have it. My fathers Grandfather, Boone Rice, was named "Pete", and the name was then passed to my Father. Knowing my Pappy, he wanted to throw the old Southern tradition a curve, and named his youngest son "Pete", instead of the oldest son.

Employees Unionize at Chinese Wal-Mart

How does this work, Trade Unions in a Communist country. This process would leave many questions. Does the government tell Walmart what benefits the employee's get, or do the employees really get to vote on the benefits. I thought voting was not allowed. Do the employee's know how to vote? From a management point of view, one way to break the Union, would be to allow one of those communist forbidden benefits. What do the employees or Government do then? Maybe paid vacation is forbidden. I didn't know Chinese people get vacations.
You heard that Walmart sold all their Europeon stores. They, the Europeons, didn't like greeter's at the door, and did not like the smiles, and cashiers chanting "come back and shop walmart, have a good day". This culture, in all of Europe, is why there has been no modernation since World War II. They have never caught on to the phrase, "earlybird gets the worm".

Mel Smell's
Poor Mel Gibson said the wrong thing at the wrong time. He makes a statement about "all War's being started by Jew's", which we know is partially right. Even so, If he had not been drunk, and have not used the "F" word, he may have been ok. If he would have said this in a workplace, he would have been crucified. Yes, this is America, freedom of speech........well almost.....be careful what you say, or pay the consequences. I always found it easier to talk slow, so you can think about what your saying. So you don't say the wrong thing to offend others.............well except after a few Jim Beam's!!!

Castro
Fidel Castro is a man to be respected, especially now, he is in poor health, and may be close to his death. He has outlived eight U.S. Presidents. He brought the most powerful country, and the most powerful men in the world, to their knees in 1962. Cuba ranks third in the world to the most Doctors per capita, 530 doctors to every 100,000 people. Cuba has the finest cigars in the world. Castro has fought for over fifty years to keep the Cuban culture to which he grew up as a young man. After becoming a Lawyer, he put together a small Army to overthrow the old Batista Regime, and kick the old American Mafia and Casinos out of Cuba. I read in the news, like a bunch of rabid dogs, our Government is chomping at the bit to get back in there with our own culture and influence, and of course American Casino's.....ViVa Fidel!!!

The changing face of travel to Cuba

Eight wonders of Cuba

Reality Shows
I am sick of the reality shows. Not the concept, but the content. All of the shows are either singing or dancing. How bout: So you think your a fisherman? I might qualify. How bout: So you think you can cook a hamburger?. The one's with the meat, of course. Bridge Player Bonanza: The Brink's play Bridge.....let's get the camera out and see who win's. How bout singing in the shower, or Road Rage starring Mel Gibson as Mad Max. So you think you can manage a Dollar General Store? It is somewhat like Chess, thinking 10 moves ahead. There is alot of talent out there that is not being recognized. I for one am a pretty good singer in the shower.

Song of the Week
Listen to this going to work, and when you get there, you will be standing on your tiptoes ready for "High Fives".
New Radicals, "You Get What You Give".