DocWard

Been reading Born Fighting; How the Scots-Irish Shaped America again? Or, if you haven't, I think you would enjoy it. Don't get me wrong, I am not denigrating "hillbillies." I'm personally somewhat proud of my ancestry. Heck, I recently went searching for the graves of my fifth and fourth Great Grandfathers in Offutt, Kentucky. I'm simply pointing out Vance isn't quite as much a hillbilly as he may claim or seem.

He is less of a hillbilly than I am. We were both born in the rust belt, of Scots-Irish, Appalachian ancestry. His grandparents on both sides moved to Ohio from Kentucky. On the other hand, my parents moved to Ohio from Kentucky. Oh, and there are no "ex" Marines. Ask any Marine veteran. As for the rendition of the National Anthem, it was strictly "meh." People like to sing along, to feel that they're a part of it. That can be done even with those who "make it their own" if they don't have the long dramatic pauses and syncopation as this one did.

That sounds like when a dog drags its hind quarters along the floor or something.

Now I’m trying to picture Utah Bob “Diddy bopping,” whatever that is.

I've long said this rendition is the best and the worst thing to ever happen to the National Anthem. Best, because it was exactly what we needed at the time it was performed. Given the circumstances, with war looming, it was powerful, motivational and sung with an energy not usually heard in the Anthem. Worst, because ever since, singers have been trying to top it. in regard to the original post, I have to quote my Dad, who would have said she couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket.

We've bought our last two-three if you count my daughter-cars from the same salesperson at the same dealership. She, and the dealership, make the process as painless as possible, which I greatly appreciate. I hope sales people don't disappear entirely, because a good one, while hard to find, makes life much easier.

A caveat to #4: If your host (or other) insists, to decline becomes rude. I won't comment on the second part of #17.

I was going to post this one, but was running short on time: I offer my sincere apologies for thinking otherwise. You're right, there are cars that you would think nobody could like, but they have a following. I always thought the later model Javelins had a cool, futuristic look to them. Not quite my cup of tea, but I can see why someone would like them. The AMC Pacer, now... I have a veteran who is a car salesman who does the same part time thing now, just his long time customers, and a couple of referrals. Although when we last spoke, he didn't think he was going to do it much longer. You're right, a dying breed.

Double entendre noted, and I've been called worse by better. Oh, that should be 'an ass..." The Mustang II had great styling lines, reminiscent of the original cars of the '60s, and much better than the bloated behemoth the Mustang had become for '71-'73. It was certainly better looking than the Box, I mean Fox Bodied Mustangs that followed, that had no discernible visual connection to the earlier Mustangs. Yes, performance was down compared to earlier and later years, but that is due in large part to the energy crisis and the development of new ways to deal with it. Essentially, the Mustang II was, mechanically, a lab rat for what would become the new performance era starting with the Fox Bodies. Even then, the Mustang II can be made to perform surprisingly well, handling and speeds that would astound many from that time. Yes, if I could get my hands on a Cobra II in good condition, I would take it in a second.

I would love to have one in good condition like that.

That should be "HOW Marvelous" And yes, in my head I could hear Count Rugen saying it.

Oh, right, my daughter "borrowed" it all.

I once had one of our judges try to catch me with the "Louisville" bit. Since my parents were from Kentucky, and I have a bit of a soft spot for the state, I just gave him a mock confused look and said "Frankfort," but the city on the Ohio is "LUU-uh-vul." Some other fun Kentucky names (I've spent a fair amount of time in and around Inez):

Hmmm... Let me think... Places in Ohio... Rio Grande, pronounced Rye-oh Grande Bellefontaine, pronounced BELL fountain, Cadiz, pronounced CAD-is Houston, pronounced HOUSE-tun Versailles, pronounced vur-SALES And my personal favorite, Russia, pronounced ROO she

Not something I had ever heard. But then, I wasn’t into motorcycles as much as some. I just thought Otto had struck again.