Purple Cow

I attended a pretty cool strategy session on ways to grow a radio show.  To make his point, the moderator told us about a cow, a purple cow.  There, in the field, mixed with the plain old brown cows. Hey, wait, wasn’t that a candy when I was growing up?  Or a chocolate drink?  Anyway, I digress, where was I?  Oh, that’s right, in a field of dung, dumbfounded and astonished by a fluke of nature.  “Darrell, “ the boss man said, “If you want to number one in the ratings—forever, be purple.”  Or something like that.  If this were the TV show Kung Fu I would be asking the bald dude in the dress, “But, Master, what does he mean?”  Since it’s real life I don’t need the Dali lama or a pipe of peyote–I understood—and the lesson applies to each of us.  We will stop to look at, take pictures with and forever remember the purple cow.  Because the bovine stands out amongst his peers.  Do that if you’re looking for work and do that if your trying to keep the job you have—stand out in a distinct but positive way and you’ll move to the head of the pack.  Of course if the pack is being loaded into a truck for a one-way trip—forget everything I just said.  Ankarlo’s Take is written for broadcast.  You can hear it here or live weekdays at 7:20 during Arizona’s Morning News on News/Talk 92.3 KTAR.

Losing the Fight

President Barack and VP Joe—guys, I know it’s your show and you’ll run it as you see fit but come on, give our military a break.  They’ve had a difficult bunch of years.  You both, along with Uncle Harry “I lost my mind years ago” Reid declared our devastating loss in Iraq more than a year or so ago and we see how wrong you were there.  Now, both of you have told the world that we are losing in Afghanistan.  Just stop it.  Kurt Warner didn’t quit with two minutes left in the Super Bowl to remind fans we were losing.  He knew the score and stepped up his game and a cheering stadium almost gave him a win.  Would you two leaders of the free world notice that our military is mighty and can get any job done and invite those of us at home to scream our lungs out for them?  Could ya?  I realize you are playing the “we can’t win card” so you can beg the killer terrorist Taliban members to help stabilize things.  But ask any negotiator and he will warn you never to bargain from a position of weakness.  And never, ever give up. 

Ankarlo’s Take is written for broadcast.  You can hear it here or live during Arizona’s Morning News at 7:20 on News/Talk 92.3 KTAR.

No Need for God?

24% of Americans are either agnostic, atheist or deist, the most significant change in American religious practices in the history of this country.  Church attendance; down.  Denomination affiliation; down.  The only increase in this study of 54,000 citizens was how many claim they have no need for religion.  That’s huge for a country that was founded not just on religious freedom but on a majority of Christians who fled England to worship Christ without government review.  Those wanting to argue my facts, first do what I did and read the original documents provided by the Library of Congress.  Anyway, get this, atheists and agnostics have tripled since 1990.  Tripled.  That tells me a few things:  1, today’s church is failing at the task of displaying Christ’s message of love and redemption and the people with their butts still occupying pews don’t believe the message enough to openly demonstrate it.  The only positive thing about today’s troubled times like high unemployment and a wrecked economy, those numbers will soon change for the better.  Kind of funny how we have no need for God until the waters get a little choppy.  My Marine son told me once, “I didn’t see any atheists as we walked into enemy fire in Fallujah.” 

Ankarlo’s Take is written for broadcast.  You can hear it here or live during Arizona’s Morning News at 7:20 on News/Talk 92.3 KTAR.

Morality in Government

This morning http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2009-03-08-obamastem_N.htm in Washington, America inched a few steps closer to the edge of the cliff as the government once again enters the morality business by approving the use of embryos to harvest stem cells. http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSTRE5271UK20090308  There ‘s no doubt a lot of hurting people, who are holding out hope for anything that might be their cure, from howling at the moon to coffee ground enemas will applaud the president’s reversal of current federal laws.  A couple years ago scientists said they could harvest the cells without hurting the embryo—though they have yet to prove it. http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=embryos-survive-stem-cell-harvest  On the other hand, some of the most important doctors of our time have told me that stem cells harvested from umbilical cords and taken from healthy living donors are as good as or better than those from embryos—little humans—created to be killed so the living can live better or longer or with fewer medical issues.  Look, if my loved one could walk or fight off Parkinson’s with the help of stem cells I would run to sign up.  When the doctor explained that another human, who had no say in the matter, would create the opportunity by paying the ultimate sacrifice I think I would be haunted every day for the rest of my life.  Which is how it should be.  Ankarlo’s Take is written for broadcast. 

You can hear it here or live during Arizona’s Morning News at 7:20 on News/Talk 92.3 KTAR.

Reap What You Sow

Before I get to my meaty point—that will get me in a bit of trouble, my heartfelt disclaimer first:  I am who I am because I had a few great teachers who believed in me and if we can pay football players 23 million bucks—we should pay great educators much more than they get.  Okay, now for the trouble—hundreds of teachers and their union rallied yesterday for more financial resources–which got me to thinking.  Classrooms in our country have some of the most liberal people any where at their lecterns, supported by the most liberal union in the nation.  On the whole, the liberal agenda has always supported bigger government, higher taxes and freebies galore so in essence, many of the teachers and union reps asking for the cash on Wednesday helped to cause their financial strains in the first place—kind of a create a problem so others can solve it.  This doesn’t apply to every teacher—many are saviors but I don’t think I’m wrong regarding the others. 

Ankarlo’s Take is written for broadcast.  You can hear it here or live during Arizona’s Morning News at 7:20 on News/Talk 92.3 KTAR.

Greedy Kurt?

I’m a little shocked at some of the angry emails streaming through my inbox lately.  The vitriol is palpable, but thank the Lord they’re not aimed at me.  Instead, some of you need a voice and believe I’ll provide it as you curse and scream at—ready for this—Kurt Warner!  Yep, there’s outrage at the guy who just a few weeks ago could walk on water while hitting Jesus Himself with a 10 and out bullet.  Why the anger?  Because #13 now wants a two-year $23 million deal. Judy writes, “I’m struggling to keep my lights on and this guy is crying over millions.  How dare he?”  Hang on a second Judy; don’t we all try to negotiate more money, an extra day off or better opportunities?  You bet we do.  Sure, Warner is out of our league but since that’s the way things are done in the NFL, shouldn’t we be cheering him on—as one of our own?  Pete writes, “…But now I can’t afford tickets.”  Because Kurt wants more money?  I don’t think so.  If our top dog QB were gone, the NFL, Cardinals and other forces would figure out a way to keep ticket prices high so let’s at least use it to keep our hopes for another playoff alive and well.  Now that’s hope I can believe in. 

Ankarlo’s Take is written for broadcast.  You can hear it here or live during Arizona’s Morning news at 7:20 on News/Talk 92.3 KTAR.

Cooper’s Son

Back during the Super Bowl I made note of the special relationship between channel 12 sportscaster Bruce Cooper and his NFL son Marquis as they messed around in Tampa Bay.  “The father and son have a great bond,” I thought.  Now, we all wait to see if “Coop’s” boy has been taken from him—swallowed up by an ocean that has never played favorites.  If the Oakland raiders’ player and two other friends drowned, after hanging on since Saturday night http://www.abc15.com/content/sports/stories/story/1-of-4-missing-men-found-clinging-to-boat-off/gThGGBSHKkGahljlCyD02A.cspx) , there is little doubt the grief and tears will create a mini tsunami of their own, and that is perfectly normal.  The question I asked myself, “Have I done all that I can for my kids and do they know it?”  I’m hoping a lot of you dads and moms will do the same thing.  We get so darned busy with our jobs, struggles for bigger and better and general tasks of the day that our most cherished possessions, our families, often go wanting.  I’m sure Coop has walked past a picture of Marquis, perhaps picked up one of his high school trophies from not-that-many years ago and reminisced.  He is basking in the memories of a strong tie to his son.  And though this story may very well have a sad ending—yours is still being written.  Dad—mom—the pen is in your hand so write your script wisely. 

Ankarlo’s Take is written for broadcast.  You can hear it here or live during Arizona’s Morning News at 7:20 on News/Talk 92.3 KTAR.

Global New Deal

On Sunday, England’s Prime Minister Gordon Brown shocked more than the citizens of his country when he said, “universal action to prevent the crisis spreading, to stimulate the global economy and to help reduce the severity and length of the global recession.”  The “action” he’s seeking is a global new deal—http://history.howstuffworks.com/american-history/new-deal.htm straight from the FDR playbook—on steroids. (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/guest_contributors/article5821821.ece) Brown’s remarks were in advance of this week’s meeting with President Obama and included a lot of shared history between the nations including wars against fascism, Hitler and a few other common interests.  People here who already want open borders will no doubt love the concept but when will we get to the heart of the global new deal–how much it will cost America?   http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article5822265.ece .  And no doubt America would have to give up a lot!   Since Obama’s belief that the well-off should pay for the poor, wouldn’t that translate to rich nations covering for poor ones in this proposed global economy—which leads me to believe this may be a new idea but it’s certainly not a deal.  Not for us anyway. 

Ankarlo’s Take is written for broadcast.  You can hear it here or live during Arizona’s Morning News at 7:20 on News/Talk 92.3 KTAR.

Bogus Budget

Some surprising news on the budget front:  Looks like there is some creativity in DC after all.  Hidden in the fine print:

All persons living on welfare for more than a month will be kicked off the rosters.   Anyone using food stamps to buy brand name products or deserts will lose all access.  Moving up the chain, anyone making up to $35,000 a year must now give at least $20,000 to charity or be taxed at a rate of 45%.  Married couples making up to $95,000 must agree to volunteer at least 25 hours per week or lose housing deductions and face a tax rate of 43%.  Lost benefits for the poor and higher taxes for the working and middle class—huge hikes–all right there in the budget.  45% income tax rate if you make 95 thousand.  Wow!  How many of you feel this is not right—completely unfair and plan to call congress?  Before you do–a confession.  I made that stuff up.  Just wondering why you would be mad about those changes and not the unfair attacks on Americans who have worked hard and now make enough money to live or hire other people?  By the way, their tax hike, after adjustments will be about 42% and people are not outraged?  This is called class warfare and it will destroy us. And now you know what’s wrong with America! 

Ankarlo’s Take is written for broadcast.  You can hear it here or live during Arizona’s Morning News at 7:20 on News/Talk 92.3 KTAR.

Obama Over-Under Game

On Wednesday’s show I told you that I was going to start an over/under betting game in Vegas based on the content of President Obama’s speech.  Though he had the cheerleading ingredients the nation needs right now, his plans were just an elaborate sales presentation for another trip into our wallets.  So I said he would ask for more money in less than six months and if I could set up the gambling deal I’d be rich because it was a sure thing.  I didn’t know how much of a sure thing it was because on Wednesday he asked for $634 billion and his thugs in the Capitol Okayed an additional $410 billion.  If you’re keeping score Obama is near the two trillion dollar mark in spending—in less than six weeks.  At first I thought I was feeling bad that that I had missed my Vegas opportunity but then it struck me—I can set up a new version of the game anytime I want because something tells me, Obama and his gang will be back for my wallet whenever they darned well please.  And, in case you’re wondering, yes your odds are much better in Vegas than they are in Washington. 

Ankarlo’s Take is written for broadcast.  You can hear it live during Arizona’s Morning News at 7:20 on News/Talk 92.3 KTAR.

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