1968 Senior Class President Prank Was Actually A Microcosm Of Political Life

Highlands High School

In 1968 when I was in the sophomore class at my high school, the seniors who were in charge of the student government decided it would be a great prank to nominate the nerdiest and scrawniest senior boy as this year's class president. By doing this, they were collectively thumbing their noses against the establishment.

In those days it was a great honor to be the Senior Class President, and usually reserved for the schools’ sports champion, or honor student.

Vietnam War - Tet Offensive 1968

But in 1968 the United States was fighting the Vietnam War, the unpopular US President was Nixon, and 18 year old boys were facing The Draft aka Selective Service for mandatory military conscription.

Riots in Cincinnati at
Rockdale Ave 1968

This was also a year of racial riots and tensions.  So peaceful protesting, and not-so-peaceful protesting, and fighting authority was in vogue and my school was taking up the banner.

Steve For Class President

Posters and handbills were printed for this candidate, and students were encouraged to vote for “Steve”. A big debate was staged in the school’s auditorium and attended by the entire student body.

1968 Seniors

The legitimate opposition candidate gave a speech expressing what she would do to improve school spirit and the student body. Then a nervous Steve was ushered out to give his speech, which had been written for him by some of the other boys that were promoting his nomination.

1968 Class President?

I have no recollection of what the fellow said, but his words were cheered on by the entire student body, although we all knew he was put there as a joke. The teachers and administration were all shaking their heads, but the seniors had come up with a legitimate way of appointing their man, much to the dismay of those in power. And the administration was powerless to stop it.

I really felt bad for the guy, as did many of my friends. But I wonder if Steve felt the same way, or perhaps this the greatest thing that ever happened to him up to this point in his life. Steve readily won the election and served his term, though I don’t recall any changes to the school.

At the time I thought this whole prank was just awful, but I have come to the realization this was a microcosm of life. This was how politics in the United States works. The 1968 Senior Class was ahead of their time. Hat's off to you!

Political Puppets

Those in power create a puppet they can control, put him in front of the public, put words in his or her mouth, and create a media blitz to let the citizens and the world know to "Vote For Our Candidate" and defeat the man in power. (We can't control him.)

Biden for Puppet President

Joe Biden is this year's puppet. He is 2020's "Steve".  Biden has been in politics for over 50 years, and has accomplished very little. His biggest accomplishment was becoming vice president.

Hunter Biden and His Father

Even in that position he screwed the pooch by using his nepotism to get his son a cushy and lucrative job, by promising secured government loans to The Ukraine.




Joe Biden claims in recent television ads to have cured Ebola, but the Obama administration's dealings with diseases did not go well.

In 2009 the world experienced a viral pandemic of the H1N1 Influenza that had started in Mexico. President Obama made a speech and declared a national health emergency.

Biden 2009

Joe Biden went on The Today Show and advised that people should not fly in an airplane or ride the subway. This angered the airline industry, and by 4 pm that same day White House officials held a press conference backing off Biden and Obama's words.

During these days there were vaccine shortfalls, and political fights over funding.

In October of 2015, the Obama administration deployed medical and military personal to West Africa to help contain the spread of Ebola, and treat those affected. The 3000 personal were withdrawn at the end of April 2016.

Ron Klain and Joe Biden 2009

Joe Biden's claim to have cured Ebola amounts to his appointment of former Vice Presidential Chief of Staff, Ron Klain as Ebola Czar to oversee health security in the United States and help stem the outbreak of the disease in West Africa. As far as his claim that he saved millions of lives from Ebola, Brietbart News states this claim is FALSE.

Creepy Joe

Biden has also been photographed touching and kissing women and girls in inappropriate manners. All this is swept aside by the puppet masters. We are distracted from any negativity generated by the man. Just watch the puppet.

Joe Biden Struggling To Speak

Perhaps the saddest thing is the obvious signs of Joe Biden’s mental deterioration. I do not know if he has onset Alzheimer s disease, or some other brain issue, but when he talks in public his sentences are incoherent.

Essentially Biden is this years puppet, and is controlled by those in power in the Democratic Party.

The media asserts he is winning in the polls, and will definitely be the next president.

If this is true, God help us!

Can 2020 Get Anymore Stupid? My Opinion

Can 2020 get anymore stupid? If the past is an indicator of the future, I suppose the answer is yes.

2020 Persian Gulf Crisis

In January we were experiencing ‘The Persian Gulf Crisis due to military tensions between the United States and Iraq. President Donald Trump approves the targeted killing of notorious Iranian general Qasem Soleimani and Iraqi paramilitary leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis in Baghdad, Iraq, without the consultation of Congress. These two evil men were responsible for killing US military troops, and their own people. Many thought this would lead to WWIII. It did not happen. Does anyone think Congress would have given the OK to take them out?

In response Iran launches a ballisitic missile attack on nearby US military bases injuring at least 60 service men. The Democratic response is to hold a Presidential debate with six candidates posturing ridiculous goals and promises.

What A Pervert Looks Like

The media concentrates on the pervert Harvey Weinstein.

116th Democratic Congressional Leaders

The Democratic Congress goes in a tizzy passes a ‘non-binding’ resolution limiting the Presidents war power. President Donald Trump meets with Chinese President Liu to hammer out a trade deal since the Chinese have been stealing technology and undercutting America for decades.

The Gang of Four

Four days later, Pelosi, Schumer, Schiff, Nadler, and their minions began the Impeachment of President Trump. Meanwhile Trump is busy creating a Human Trafficking office at the White House, to curtail the practice of sex slavery that has been ignored.

2020 Iowa Caucus

By February the famous Iowa Caucus is held and becomes a joke when the voting system becomes broken. President Trump, while being impeached, delivers the State of the Union Address to Congress, and gives Rush Limbaugh the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Janitors are called in to clean up the fecal matter on the Democratic floor of the House.

Trump Acquitted

President Trump is acquitted of all charges by February 5th. We may never know how much tax money the Democratic held Congress has spent for this sham impeachment. We will also never know how much money the victims of those unfortunates the were investigated by this tribunal have incurred in legal expenses to save their necks.

Hunter and Joe Biden

In my opinion perhaps the worst that has come out of this trial is that Presidential hopeful Joe Biden allowed his son to be entangled in running Burisma, a Ukrainian gas company due to his influence as the vice president under President Obama. His son's employment was linked to United States loan guarantees to the country.

Princess Cruise Ship Evacuated

And now Corona Virus makes it’s entry when 300 Americans are evacuated from the Princess Cruise ship. 14 people have come down with the disease. Thus begins the global pandemic. Later in the year, Princess Cruise lines, a foreign business, will ask the United States for monetary assistance due to their lack of business.

Wells Fargo Scandal

Financial firm Wells Fargo pays a 3 billion dollar fine due to being caught opening fake accounts for it’s customers in order to generate bonuses for managers. Within days the Dow Jones Average plunges almost four and a half percent due to Corona virus fears.

The Democratic caucus are held, but the Republicans cancel their caucuses.

Mayor Catherine Pugh Sentenced

The liberal mayor of Baltimore is sentenced to three years in prison for corruption.

Trump signs a peace deal with the Taliban while his impeachment continues.

Good-bye Tom and Pete

Democratic presidential candidate Tom Steyer, and total idiot Pete Buttigieg suspend the campaigns due to lack of public interest in either man.

Bernie Wins Democrats Abroad 

Socialist candidate Bernie Sanders handily wins the Democrats Abroad Primary causing J. Edgar Hoover to spin at 90,000 rpm’s in his grave.

March 6th and 7th is when all hell hits when the first cases of COVID-19 aka The Virus Formerly Known As Corona occur in Florida, West Virginia, the West Coast, and Washington DC. Festivals announce they are closing for this year.

Officer Kenneth Walker - Breonna Taylor

Breonna Taylor is shot to death when police in Louisville respond with a ‘no-knock’ narcotics investigation warrant to her apartment and her boy friend fires his gun at police.

Millions of workers are sent home as business close due to the pandemic. President Trump signs into law the Families First Coronavirus Response Act into law and announces he will invoke the Defense Production Act to improve U.S. medical resources.

He also directed the Housing and Urban Development Department (HUD) to suspend evictions and foreclosures until the end of April. He also announces the temporary closure of the Canada–United States border; cross-border trade will continue.

2 Trillion Dollar Stimulus

Trump signs a Two Trillion dollar stimulus package giving eligible US citizens $1200 each to supplement income of lack of.

By the end of March there are more than 163,000 and more than 3,000 deaths from COVID-19 in the United States.

President Trump depoys anti-drug Navy Ships and AWAC planes near Venezuela to slow drug trafficking from this country.

Republican West Virginia Governor is sentenced to pay a fine of $5 million for mine violations found in mines that he owns.

Bernie Sanders Quits Presidential Race

Although experiencing robust support from fans, and ‘The Bernie Bro’s”, presidential candidate and Socialist liberal Bernie Sanders suspends his campaign once again due to extreme arm twisting tactic by Democratic party leaders. This leaves Joe Biden, who does seem to be able to complete a coherent sentence, and is very distasteful of ‘yellow dog pony soldiers’ as the default Democratic choice for the Presidency.

Michigan Governor Charged

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer faces two federal charges of violating citizens Constitutional rights during the COVID lockdown. Water in the Michigan city of Flint is still undrinkable and not fit for washing, but this largely goes unnoticed.

By now 22 million Americans file unemployment claims because of the COVID lock down and business closures. President Trump signs a $483 billion dollar law into effect to rescue small businesses.

US Economy Shrinks

The Department of Commerce reports that the U.S. economy shrank by 4.8% in the first quarter of 2020, its most severe contraction since 2008. This is due to business closure and the COVID pandemic.

Giant Murder Hornet

In early May, the United States faces and invasion of giant murder hornets. The media goes wild.

General Michael Flynn Cleared

The Department of Justice drops it's investigation of former Trump Security Advisor General Michael Flynn citing the fact, "Oh we were just messing around. Sorry for everything. Have a nice day". Democrats purchase more Depends to contain themselves, but pursue investigating the investigators.

George Floyd being restrained

By the end of May Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin is caught on camera restraining George Floyd, who is Black, by kneeling on his neck. Floyd repeats that he cannot breath, but this goes unnoticed.

Minneapolis Rioting and Burning

Floyd soon afterward dies and a result, and havoc and rioting ensue across the United States. Shop windows are broken and looting occurs. Public statuaries are vandalized and destroyed. Buildings, even police stations are set on fire. Churches are vandalized. Officer Chauvin and other officers involved are arrested and charged with murder.

Rayshawn Brooks struggles with police

Another incident occurs in Atlanta when Rayshawn Brooks, who is Black, passes out at a Wendy's drive-thru. He is asked to get out of his car by police officers and given a field sobriety test, which he fails. When the officers attempt to restrain him by putting on handcuff, Brooks becomes belligerent and combative fighting with the officers. He gains control of a TASER and fires it at one of the officers. Brooks then runs, and is shot dead by the other officer. This causes more rioting, the police chief of Atlanta hands in his badge and resigns. The officers are charged with murder.. Riots erupt in Atlanta, as does vandalization of property and buildings.

Seattle's Idiot Zone

The governor of Seattle allows an autonomous zone to be established by a bunch of filthy depraved rioters.

When the Police are Defunded

The outcry of "Defund the Police" is echoed throughout the Country. This of course is a genius idea, especially when there is a crime or accident and you need protection or help. Two shootings and deaths occurred in Seattle's autonomous zone and police were not allowed to intervene.

Washington DC rioters

A similar autonomous site is at this time being attempted in Washington DC, where vandals are vandalizing churches and monument, even the Vietnam Memorial Wall. They are trying to pull down and destroy National landmarks.

In my opinion those protesting have forgotten the original cause they are rebelling for, and just in it to wreak havoc. It has been proven that many of these participants are from radical left wing groups who want a revolution.

President Trump Tulsa OK Speech

President Trump held a rally in Oklahoma, and the turnout was less than expected. But view of the event on television was estimated at over twenty two and a half million viewers.

Joe Biden remains at home in his basement as of this writing.

The Masked Singers

Singing in Church is now a real problem based on CDC guidelines that suggest aerosol saliva could contaminate choir members. The Governor state of California is said to have issued an outright ban on the practice.

If you wear a mask when you sing, I’m not sure if that contains the ‘aerosol’, but what do I know?

Couple Arrested

In other California news, a White couple was arrested and charged with a hate crime after they painted over a Black Lives Matter mural that they claimed was offensive to them. They can each receive a year in prison.

People Not Arrested

Excuse me, but are we not continuing to see statues vandalized with BLM painted on them, being torn down, and stores looted because people found they were offensive? Is there a dual standard?

Diocese To Receive $8 Million 
From Federal Government

Closer to my home, it was reported this week that many religious organizations received millions of dollars in federal aid for the payroll protection act. Most of these institutions have schools they run. I hear these institutions, especially the local diocese sounding the “separation of church and state” claim when it comes down to criminal acts committed by priests. “We’ll take care of this in house.”

I guess separation of church and state only applies if it doesn’t come to receiving money.

Hillary Could Have Saved Us!

Hillary Clinton tweeted last week that she could of prevented the pandemic deaths if she was president.

May I remind you that Hillary could not prevent four deaths Bengazi, and besides she lied about the cause of that tragedy.

My Wife Linny - Angiography Goes Wrong In 2019

My wife, Linny O’Hara, was scheduled for an angiograpy on Friday, October 11th, 2019.

A cardiologist who has been in practice for at least 30 years performed this procedure. He said that he cleared an 80% blockage in a stent that had been placed in her heart in 2016.  The stent had been clogged with plague and naturally occurring tissue.

He also found another blockage, and used a catheter with a balloon to enlarge and remove that blockage.

SHE WAS AWAKE DURING THE ENTIRE PROCEDURE, DESPITE BEGGING TO BE ANESTHETIZED!

After the procedure, the doctor came into the waiting room and told us he had intended to insert the cardiac catheter into Linny's radial artery, but she went into spasms. He had to instead insert the catheter into her femoral artery, which caused the procedure to be extended.

At that time she nor I were not aware of several things. One was, why did she not have anesthesia. We did not know the other issue either, which was in removing the catheter, the guide wire the physician was using had apparently punctured her femoral artery, and this puncture caused bleeding into her the rear of her abdominal perineum to occur.

Apparently doctor was not aware of the fact that he had punctured her artery.  He sent her to cardiac care for overnight observation before releasing her to go home. Which is the routine procedure.

That morning the nurses in the cardiac care unit monitored her blood clotting factor for the next four hours, before removing 'the plug'. This procedure required two nurses to perform. A blood sample from the site was taken and placed on a slide on the electronic device. This occurred multiple times prior to removing the plug.

Later that evening, Linny was still feeling weak and bad. A couple of nurses asked her if she could walk to the bathroom. She made it to the toilet, where she fainted and passed out. An emergency Code Blue was called.

At least 20 doctors, nurses, and lab technicians came running down the hall and into her room. They lifted her off the floor, revived her, and to make a long story short, much lab work was ordered.

After I pointed out that Linny's pain was radiating from her groin, above the incision one of the nurses yelled, "damn, she is bleeding!". As the nurse applied manual pressure to her groin, and it was noted that her blood pressure immediately improved. The head nurse put in a call to the cardiologist. An emergency CT scan was then ordered. That was when the site of the bleeding was discovered.

The order was placed for her to be immediately moved to cardiac ICU. And a vascular specialist was called in for possible emergency surgery. I overheard the nurse's phone conversation. It was late in the evening and he DID NOT want to come in to the hospital. Eventually he relented and showed up.

Over the phone this vascular doctor ordered an unusual tourniquet called a ‘Femostop’. The nurses had to call several different units before one was finally discovered. It was placed on her in the cardiac care unit, prior to her being moved to Cardiac ICU.

This Femostop device was placed around her lower abdomen. It consists of a plastic frame that has a large plastic ball on one side of it, with straps that go around the groin which can be tightened by inflating a manometer similar to that on a blood pressure cuff.   The ball was squeezed into the site in her groin where the cardiologist had made the large incision to insert the heart catheter into the femoral artery. This gave substantially more pressure than a nurse could manually apply.

After being transported to Cardiac ICU, Linny had to wear this device for over 3 hours. By the time I was allowed into the ICU, I found her screaming in absolute agony, and she was out of her mind in pain.

Weeks later, after later reading the literature, I do not believe the device was used following manufacture directions. The manometer was to be inflated to the systolic pressure and gradually deflated. In the ICU, the deflation occurred only after the 3 hour period had ended. Many institutions no longer use this device. However it appeared the hole in her femoral artery developed the desired blood clot.

Late that same evening a male nursing assistant and two male RN's made three unsuccessful attempts to put a 'straight' urinary catheter into her bladder. One RN even announced, "I cannot find the hole". This was not just embarrassing and painful, but intrusive for any woman. And due the trauma caused by the Femostop, and the blood loss made the cauterization incident much worse for Linny. She later developed a urinary tract infection, which was healed by medication.

The next morning a female nurse placed a Foley catheter in Linny without any problems. This achieved the desired results, and the container immediately filed up with almost 5,000 cc's of urine.

All night Friday and most of the day and night on Saturday she was in and out of consciousness. Around 4 am on Sunday morning she was given 2 units of blood, and then she began to perk up. Why did they wait so long?  We will never know.

The next day she was visited by another doctor in the cardiologist practice. Instead of apologizing, he explained that ‘it seemed the guide wire used by the doctor may have punctured her femoral artery. The was a known complication that occasionally occurs’. 

He did not explain anything about us incurring additional medical bills for her extended stay in the intensive care unit caused by the cardiologist error, or why little or no anesthesia was used during the procedure.  Why did that physician say, "You don't need it!"?  Seeing my wife in her semi-conscious state, I was too much in shock when I spoke with this man to ask him the questions that I later should have asked him.

She was released from ICU late on this Sunday afternoon, and moved to a step-down cardiac care unit where she was on Sunday evening October 13th. At that time, we were told a doctor has ordered another CT scan for October 14th, to check that all bleeding has stopped.

But the CT scan was later cancelled and we were told that "It was an expensive, and unnecessary test since her blood pressure is back to normal now, and her blood work shows that she is no longer low on blood". It was just assumed that the bleeding has stopped.

A different doctor visited her on Monday,  October 14th and released her from the hospital later that afternoon. He admonished her to "just take it easy".

On Wednesday, October 16th, that cardiologists office called our home to ask if she was feeling any better. She let them know that she was not, and was unable to do much other than sleep, and it was  now hard for her to breath. They ordered her to go the the emergency room right away.

She arrived at Saint Elizabeth Edgewood's emergency room around noon.  X-rays and blood work were ordered. We overheard a doctor in the hall ask someone, "I'm not going to get involved in a hornets nest for treating her?".  That doctor arrived about an hour later with the results, and stated that Linny had pulmonary embolism in both lungs. She was immediately put on blood thinner. He indicated this was an extremely terrible situation, and it was probably caused by the 'retro-peritoneal' blood that had pooled in her body, which was being absorbed.

Linny spent almost eight hours in the emergency room on intravenous blood thinner, and fluids. She was then transferred to a coronary step-down unit. She was released five days later on Sunday October 20th.

About a week later she was asked to come into the cardiologist office at 380 Centre View Blvd., Crestview Hills, KY 41017 to see Dr. Kami Tehrani. He seemed unaware of the situation. He reviewed her chart, examined her and noted that her blood pressure was very low. He reduced the amount of Carvedilol that she was taking, and suggested that she monitor her blood pressure. She already does this routinely.

Linny was put on Eliquis. The first month was free. However as she is on Medicare, any manufacture discount does not apply. This medicine, with her prescription health insurance would cost around $240 a month, which I was set to pay.  She was seen by our family doctor, Gigi Tcheng in mid-November. Dr. Tcheng had enough samples of Eliquis to give Linny a two month supply. We are very grateful.

Not only was my wife's life almost prematurely ended by some physician malfeasance, but I had to take off work for over two weeks, without pay, to take care of her.  On October 11th, 2019, I noted on the surgical procedure board in the outpatient waiting room for the Cauterization Lab well over 60 patients that were having procedures done. I doubt if any of those other patients were injured.

I am grateful that my wife is now on the mend. For anyone reading this, please keep her in your prayers.

Larry Norman's Funeral (A Remembrance)

Larry Norman April 8, 1947 - February 24, 2008

I originally posted this on March 2nd, 2008. Larry had passed away a week earlier on February 24th, 2008. This was from an article posted by Dave Hollandsworth on the Yahoo Jesus Music board on March 1st, 2008. He wrote "Someone (Greg from Portland) just sent me this... "

Larry Norman

"What a gathering! Perhaps 500 (?) of us poured into a church in Salem, Oregon this morning to pay our respects to Larry.

The Program

As we entered we were handed 'circus programs' (instead of a boring pamphlet) that read:

Admit One Ticket to
 Larry's Going Away Party

"Larry Norman Presents: A Going Away Party." We were also handed an "admit one" ticket, a sheet of paper on which we were to write notes to Larry's family, most notably any future grandchildren.

Only Visiting This Planet
 In Another Land

Also, depending on which door you entered by we were given an  Only Visiting this Planet CD,  an album that was Inducted Into The Gospel Music Hall Of Fame, the 2001 version or In Another Land,  the 30th Anniversary Edition CD. It was a gathering of friends, family and fans alike.

Inside of The Program

As people caught up with one another organ music filled the air. Then, all of a sudden...

SCREEEEEEETCH! It was the sound of a record player needle ripping across vinyl.

And then his voice that brought to mind these words he wrote:

"I ain't knocking the hymns, 

Just give me a song that has a beat. 

I ain't knocking the hymns, 

Just give me a song that moves my feet." 

The organ music was designed to be a "funeral march". So much so that I commented on it to a friend who attended the service with me.

The screech was followed by Larry's voice singing:

"I don't like none of those funeral marches I ain't dead yet!" 

Larry's Mother

What followed was a wonderful montage of music, photographs, and videos of Larry throughout his life. Friends and family spoke and there were a few performances.

After it was all over we ate hot dogs, popcorn and Cracker Jacks and M and;M's. A party! Just like Larry wanted.

Larry's Family

Thanks to Charles and Kristin for your efforts! I'm thinking of you.

There were few industry people there. I recognized Alex McDougal (drummer on Larry's 1979 tour) and Dan the keyboard player from his 1986 tour. Donnie and Michael Gossett from Salvation Air Force were also in attendance. I also saw one reporter.

Larry's Sister and Mother

Some of the most memorable moments for me were: A pastor from Portsmouth who started his first speaking segment with a word given to him by the Lord: phenomenal.

"Larry was phenomenal because he served a phenomenal God. He also sang (he was the first to admit that he doesn't sing well) the first song he heard Larry Sing "Sweet, Sweet Song of Salvation."  He encouraged us to join him on the choruses.

An old school friend of Larry's, said, "...that we live life as a dash. When you look at a gravestone you see the birth year and year of death separated by a dash. The years are not important, it's the dash that is important. Larry had a great dash."

Larry Norman Obituary

Kristin Norman (Charles' wife) and her musical partner in the Fjord Motor Company sang a few Norwegian folk songs that Larry enjoyed accompanied by a saw player and later Larry's brother, Charles Norman.

Larry's sisters, Nancy and Kristi sang a song that Larry wrote about a trip to the circus to end the tributes.

The pastor from Portsmouth closed the speaking moments off reminding us that we need to live our lives out loud.

After this, we got to do a karakoke (following a bouncing ball until the guitar solo) to "The Rock That Doesn't Roll".  Everyone was singing, and a few tears were flowing as well.

The closing photo and video montage was amazing. "The Sun Began to Rain" was played over photos of a Larry up to about age five.

Then a photo of a  slightly older Larry was backed by one of Larry's rare songs, I can't recall the title.

This was followed by "Looking for the footprints" backed late teens/late 1960s photos.

Then the seventies and eighties and photos and video footage began. The photo that they left us with was one taken from behind Larry during a performance, from about where the drum kit should have been.

Larry Norman

It was black and white and all you could see was spotlight on Larry and Larry standing with his guitar. I suspect it was from the seventies but could have been any time early in his career.

See you there Larry.