The first Reality Checks column appeared in January 2005 in the St. Petersburg Post, the predecessor to the Tampa Bay Sun.  Since then a total of 84 columns have appeared covering a wide range of subjects.

One of the earliest columns described the UN “Oil for Food” scandal involving Saddam Hussein, Iraq and the UN.  Among the international predators was a Texas oil man who was a staunch opponent of George Bush 

and his presidency.  In fact he was a major contributor in opposing Bush in both of his elections.

He was recently sentenced to jail for his involvement in the scandal, but somehow the mainstream press never seemed to make the point that this was one Texas oil man who was not one Bush’s so-called Texas oil “buddies”.  That fact just didn’t fit in the agenda of the left wing’s attempt to undermine our efforts to get rid of Saddam Hussein. It was a real indictment of the UN gang of thugs, criminals and dictators who run the UN and that certainly didn’t fit the template of the one-worlders who control the mainstream press. How could they defend the bribes paid by Hussein to a gang of international bandits who made sure they got the money which was intended to purchase food for Iraqi citizens?  Hey, is it possible that’s one of the reasons why some of our European “friends” were not supportive of our efforts to get rid of Saddam? 

This column also covered the “Sunshine Patriots” on the left whose mantra was “We Support the Troops” – NOT!  There were multiple examples of this lie as evidenced most prominently by the conduct of politicians like Senators Dick Durbin, John Kerry and the despicable congressman, John Murtha, to name only a few of the lowlifes who defamed the U.S. Military in their efforts to score political points. They were joined in their reprehensible conduct by both Newsweek and Time magazines which proved beyond a doubt that their news reporting followed the “fake, but true” style of journalism.

We also suffered through the sad, sorry, shameless spectacle of Cindy Sheehan, who became a leftwing icon until she was discarded as soiled underwear by the left, which is how they treat their useful dupes.  The only question about this sad chapter in our political history is what took them so long?

Much of this three year period was defined by our successes and failures in Iraq, with the military never given a fair break in the coverage by the mainstream media.  However, and despite the disdain of leftwing politicos, under the leadership of General David Petraeus, the military has demonstrated the ability to turn around a frustrating and difficult challenge while creating a positive climate, which continues to look very promising for the Iraqis and the Middle East in general.

How do we know that’s true? Just notice the absence of the incessant drumbeat of negative news on the front pages of our most popular newspapers.  This is also evidenced by the Democrat Party presidential nomination battle between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama who are reduced to arguing about who would be better at answering the phone at 3 AM.  Good grief!

Today we’re still waiting for the Durbins, Kerrys and Murthas to apologize for slandering the Military. Maybe being so consistently wrong means never having to say you’re sorry.

What we have learned is that the majority of Americans are both patriotic and principled. They do support the brave young people in harm’s way while ignoring political gamesmanship, which proves that the U.S. is successful despite politicians and not because of them.

Meanwhile, problems in Florida continue to mount with property taxes still much too high and homeowners insurance a continuing burden for residents. Perhaps our absentee “governor of all the people” will find some time between his globetrotting and running for the vice presidential nomination to do the job we’re paying him to do.  By the way, have you ever seen someone in Tallahassee so self absorbed and egomaniacal as Charlie Crist?  He actually thinks he’s presidential material. Maybe one of his many sycophants will someday tell him the truth, but don’t count on him accepting it.

Locally it looks like the City of St. Petersburg is well on its way to replacing the Pinellas Board of County Commissioners as the center of corrupt activities based on their secret dealings with the carpet baggers who currently own the Tampa Rays.  Stay tuned for that one, it looks like a doozey. 

And now Reality Checks is taking a sabbatical for a period of time as yet unknown.  But there’s a book that needs to be written that will focus on the financial independence of average Americans. We know that the Social Security system is headed for a meltdown.  And that meltdown will only be accelerated by the entitlement known as Medicare, already on track to becoming the biggest burden ever placed on working Americans. 

So thanks to the many loyal readers who have voiced their opinions, pro and con, almost always politely and well intended.  Thank you and best wishes, it’s been fun.

And that’s a Reality Check.