Through An 'Old Timer's' Eyes
By Howard 'Mac' McDonald

The middle class is fading fast and the greed that seems to have a hold on big business will help wipe away the middle class. Look what happened to the price of gas in just a

Birthdays come only once a year, but one time I got to celebrate two in one year.

I was stationed at Dover (Del.) Air Force Base and was scheduled for a trip to Southeast Asia. We left on July 17, 1968, with stops in Alaska, Japan and Vietnam.

On my birthday, July 19, the enlisted crew members threw a big party for. Our rest time ended at about 3:00 a.m. on July 20.

Within hours, we were ordered to roar into the wild blue and head back to Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. We crossed the International Date Line and -- you guessed it -- it was July 19 again.

Some birthday cards are mushy, some are funny, and some hit the nail right on the head.

I got one from a good friend that read: "You know you are getting older when everything hurts and what doesn't hurt doesn't work."

The second line says, "You feel like the morning after, and you didn't go anywhere the night before."

The third line really makes sense: "Your knees buckle, but your belt won't."

Then, one that really gets me: "You can only burn the midnight oil until 9 o'clock."

For that matter, my back goes out more than I do!

Believe me, these golden years and the kind of birthday cards that they bring are just a big joke.

I heard our President say that he was giving $190 million to the Palestine government.

A brick outhouse may have to fall on those dummies before they realize that we have no friends in those countries.

Do you think the new type of government for the county will be put up for a vote? I hope the people don't let the politicians bamboozle them.

Sometimes it seems like the only type people we get in public office anymore are those that have an ax to grind.

July is rapidly going by and soon it will be Labor Day, when we honor the working class. It would not surprise me if they change its name. couple days.

U.S. News & World Report devoted most of a recent edition to reporting on hospitals. Readers learned the best places to go if you need special treatment. What they didn't say was how much it would cost to get this special treatment.

That reminds me of the two old guys who met at the local tavern. The one old guy asked, "Where have you been, Bill?"

Bill answered, "I was at the funeral home to see Joe, and he sure looked good."

His pal said, "He ought to; he just got out of the hospital."

The Rotary Picnic is coming up on Wednesday, Aug. 15. This is the social function of the year.

If you want some good food and drink, don't miss it. You will be surprised at the friends you will meet there.