His dream continues

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."

-  Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

AUBURN, Maine - My mother was listening to the radio while performing the mundane chore of ironing on a Thursday evening. The announcer mentioned that Martin Luther King, Jr. was about to leave his hotel room in Memphis, Tenn.

I was eight years and I wasn't really sure who Martin Luther King was or why he was in Tennessee. It was my birthday, April 4, 1968, and my new toys and bouncing around the parlor floor were my only concerns.

I watched my mom barrel through a pile of clean clothes with her hot iron. She loved listening to radio and thought television was a big waste of time.

It still is!

The radio was her ear to the world, and of course, there was her music, which I grew to love later in life.

For some reason, and I can't explain it to this day, I also turned my attention to the radio for one historical moment when the announcer, in a panicked-stricken voice began reporting that King was shot in the face. I looked at my mother. She appeared frightened.

A few moments later I learned that King was gunned down on a balcony at the Lorraine Motel. I couldn't understand why anybody would want to shoot him. I didn't know or care that he was black. I was an eight year old who suddenly felt sad that somebody was murdered.

I don't remember the rioting that followed after King's assassination. For the next several days, this eight year old listened to the grownups talk about his death. It would be years before I would come to fully understand what a remarkable man Martin Luther King truly was and appreciate his personal sacrifices.

King was one of the iconic and charismatic leaders who was cut down along John and Robert Kennedy during of the tumultuous 1960s. I was too young to comprehend how one man rallied people of all colors through his writing, peaceful marches and rousing oratorial skills.

Ever read some of his writings? 

His "I have a dream" speech is remarkable until you read his writings from "Where do we go from here" or the "Lincoln Memorial Address." These are outstanding works that raised the level of debate about equality and injustice in a nation that was coming apart over the Civil Rights movement and the Vietnam War.

Fast forward to my son who had just entered the fourth grade at Washburn Elementary School. Anthony is a reader, and one day he pulled a book about Mr. King from the shelves of his school library. His class was studying King's accomplishments, but Anthony went further to learn more about this role model. I was impressed with my son who has always thought outside the box when it comes to research.

But what was equally impressive was that a man who gave his life to help stamp out inequality and racism in a nation that believes: "all men are created equal" was still inspiring young people since his death nearly 40 years ago.

Something new

An optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves.”

— Bill Vaughn

AUBURN, Maine — I am hoping this New Year won't be the same old, same old.

There are no guarantees and there will be no resolutions from me. The universe is a funny place and the cosmos makes no promises and could give a damn about you and me!

Resolutions are a crock of ... well I won't use that word because this is a family blog even though I could give the late Harry S. Truman a run for his money when it comes to firing off a round of vulgarities. I admit I am no stranger to the F-word, but I do try to use it sparingly. I know this raunchy word offends people, but as an adjective, it is second to none.

While the rest of humanity was celebrating 2012 with rum and vodka, I spent the evening putting out a major daily metropolitan newspaper about — you guessed it — 2012. Of course, there are many people (please stay away from me) who believe the human race is at the end of its rope because the Mayan calendar expires this year.

For those of you who think 2012 is our epilogue, find a good shrink and ask for those little green pills that will make you happy again. Better yet, get a life.

There are at least dozen ways humans will go the way of the typewriter, but basing armageddon on a group of people who lived hundreds of years ago and sacrificed thousands of their fellow men to deities is simply absurd.

Knowing the show will go on and I remain above ground, I have made goals for this year. There are still many things I want out of life, but many remain out of my reach.

I would like to make more money, but I don't strive to be rich. The almighty dollar is not my Holy Grail. I am already a wealthy man who is married to woman who possesses beauty and brains. My son excels in his academics and is a gentleman who understands why please and thank you might just take him to the top. That makes him priceless. I have three sisters who I consider assets despite our skirmishes.

I want to use the cash to buy experiences, not things. I want to travel more, fix up the house, and pay off the nefarious banks which own the note on my house. I want to make credit cards obsolete — and I am not giving a dime to any politician.

I also realize all the money in the world will not rescue my mother from eternity. Money can't buy back Louise's love and understanding. That also goes for Dorothy Millett — my mother-in-law, who was buried the day after Christmas. I miss her cooking and common sense.

If I had the cash, I would invest in finding a cure for Alzheimer's, which, at this moment, is stripping my father's brain of his precious memories. I am losing bits and pieces of a proud man whose integrity and loyalty seems outdated in a world enveloped in greed, corruption and indifference.

If I could use the money to step back in time, I would intervene on behalf of two acquaintances who committed suicide over money woes brought on by a bad economy.

I figured the quickest and devious way to make money is run for Congress. I like the perks that come with a job, where special interest money comes rolling in and health insurance is guaranteed for life. The job requirements are simple: Promise your constituency everything but give them nothing, and ignore the Greater Good.

I wouldn't mind giving world peace another shot. But I doubt that will happen. The human race seems to enjoy fighting over religion, resources, pride, the Red Sox, the damn Yankees or those sneaky Canadiens. I like peace, and it's cheaper than war.

I am also hoping for no major health emergencies. My wife has had to endure two serious operations. Enough, already!

I am growing a bigger garden this year. Grocery shopping is traumatic. Food prices are ridiculous and the amounts are shrinking even though you are paying more for cereal.

I would like to purchase a car that runs on hot air. There's a huge untapped supply in Washington D.C., and its renewable, too.

What I really want out of this New Year is peace of mind. It's something money can't buy and it isn't asking for too much.