Time to look twice at American vehicles

The most unlikely best car ever.


Most of us have long understood that should we treat an automobile as well as we would a good dog; the vehicle will go farther, last longer and do both with little trouble.


It's weird!
There is no correlation between what one spends on a vehicle, and what we get out of it.

ACR has gotten this rather homely minivan to 224,864 miles.





This inexpensive Ford has been every bit as durable and reliable as a Hobart commercial dishwasher; which is undoubtedly the most reliable device ever designed by man.
(Ask anyone who worked in restaurants during high school or college.)

Like the Hobart - parts have been readily available on the occasion they've been required, fairly priced (or so cheap as to be a surprise) and service has been both straightforward and more than affordable.

After nearly a lifetime of playing with cars far more expensive, some even exotic; this 1998 Ford Windstar has actually been the best vehicle I've ever known.......and the biggest surprise.

The Windstar cost me under $5,000 inclusive of all maintenance (save for oil changes) and the initial price
(Yes! - it was a cheap set of wheels.)
I've never been a `Ford Man' - but I think that's changing.

It's time to take a second or even a third look at American cars.
More jobs stay here, and best of all, more money stays in your pocket.

Two Defining Forces

Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you:








Jesus Christ











One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.






The American G. I.





U.S. Army Rangers then & now
World War II veteran John Long of San Diego salutes while standing with U.S. Army Rangers at the memorial at Pointe du Hoc in Normandy, France on Sunday, June 6, 2004.
Photo credit: Laura Rauch, AP

We have not, and can not ever properly thank our fathers for their service in World War II, though the website linked below does offer them the finest tribute we've seen on the `net.

Take the link, read the story and we encourage you to share the site with others.
Before You Go

Happy Easter,

-ACR

Thanks to Steve Pintarich of the American Legion, for the quote this posting is based on; and G.M Richardson, Jr. for the original link to "Before You Go".

Counting Chickens

Hope springs eternal for many Democrats.

This optimistic post we ran across over at Connecticut Local Politics is a perfect example.

"If Obama wins the nomination as it appears he will, Democrats will have a big win in Connecticut. At a minimum, Democrats should pick up another 2-3 seats in the Senate and 7-10 in the House."


Uh...how many chickens do you see in this photo?

A well oiled machine.

Thumbs up!



Connecticut
Republican State Central
staff & management.






Seems that since Chris Healy took charge of the state committee; things in general seem to go right.


Certainly the most important of those "things" has to be *winning* and that we are. Russo in the 22nd makes 3 special elections in a row.

We enjoy a superb hard working, cooperative, and every bit as friendly as a pack of Dale Carnegie Course graduates staff. Further they as a group enjoy Mensa level IQ's coupled with a work ethic rarely seen with any regularity.





I'm not sure if Healy is putting something in the water cooler or what - but our staff works tirelessly.




Heath, our Executive Director, writes prolifically, and with eloquence.
Those that haven't included The Everyday Republican in their daily reading list should do so immediately. A permanent link can be found in the column to the right.


Lynn is well connected, can handle constituent issues with ease; and is a lot more than a lady with a nice voice. Further, she is as gracious and charming in person as she sounds on the phone.



Mike handles necessary details and keeps us out of all sorts of trouble; he does more heavy lifting than he's credited with.





We don't seem to be running out of fund raising events (God Bless you Liz!) nor are we annoying any of our donors. Liz is POLITE and is so to a fault. Any state central members that haven't watched this young woman work, should go to the trouble of paying her a little attention.
Like Heath, Liz is some sort of Whiz Kid

Gary get stuff "handled" - and more of it than anyone outside of headquarters realizes unless one goes to a little trouble to observe. (I have done so - and I'm more impressed than I can readily articulate.)


In short our State Central Headquarters is running like a well oiled machine; and is working more closely with both the Republicans at the Capitol and our town committees than at any time I can recall in over 30 years of involvement.

Certainly those named above will deny that, due to the massive amount of work they produce daily it surely must seem like absolute bedlam to them most of the time.

Our management & staff deserves our unqualified support and probably cash bonuses as well.

Brighter (and richer!) State Central members as well as rank & file Republicans, should help us figure out how to reward these people, and we would appreciate any help in doing exactly that.

I'm Doug Hageman from the 16th District, and I am an
Authentic Connecticut Republican

Meanwhile....next door in New York....

Eliot Spitzer.

Paul Hemberger

An Authentic Connecticut Republican

A class act, a good man, a true pillar of the community.

Paul H. Hemberger, 88, died peacefully at his home in Cotuit, Mass., on Monday, March 3, 2008, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born in Irvington, N.J., and was the son of Henry and Anna (Ellmer) Hemberger. He was a professional engineer having received his B.S. from Newark College of Engineering and his M.S. from Boston College. He was employed by Northeast Utilities as a branch manager and industrial power consultant for over 20 years and also was a part-time instructor at what is now the University of Hartford. He was a World War II veteran who enlisted and served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy; he fought in the Pacific campaign. Paul was a long-time resident of Southington, and an active member of St. Aloysius Church. He was a Eucharistic minister and a member of both the Holy Name Society and the Knights of Columbus for many years. He also taught the eighth grade confirmation class for 28 years.
He was very generous with his time and volunteered many hours in his community.

He was chairman of the Southington Water Board and also served on the Southington Zoning Board of Appeals. Paul was a member of the Southington Library Board and was instrumental in the planning of the current town library. He also was a member of the Republican Town Committee.

Paul loved the outdoors and never missed a chance to ice skate in the winter, sail in the summer, or bike all year round. In addition, he was passionate about his vegetable garden and enthusiastically began planning it at the first sign of spring. He particularly enjoyed sharing these activities with his family and friends. Everyone who knew Paul Hemberger knows he was a man of strong convictions and integrity; he remained true to his convictions throughout his life.

Paul was devoted to his wife, Priscilla (Nolan) for over 50 years until her death in 2003. He leaves behind five children, Karl and his wife, Dorothy of Essex, Mass., Nanci and her husband, William Biglow of North Potomac, Md., Stephen and his wife, Ellen also of Cotuit, Mass., Allen and his wife, Cindy of Plymouth, Mass., and Chris and his wife, Ellen of Hebron; he leaves behind nine grandchildren Christopher, Paul, Alex, Ian, Patrick, Jacob, Madelyn, Nolan, and Andrea; also leaves behind one sister, Irene Maier of Wisconsin; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by five brothers; and one sister.

Visitation and Mass will be held on Saturday, March 8 in St. Jude's Chapel at Christ the King Catholic Church in Mashpee, Mass. Visiting hours will begin at 11:30 a.m. with Mass at 1 p.m., immediately followed by burial at Mosswood Cemetery in Cotuit, Mass. In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations be made in Paul's memory to Hospice and Palliative Care of Cape Cod, 765 Attucks Lane, Hyannis, Mass 02601.