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

Time marches on and another year is almost history. I am trying to get in the Christmas mood.

With my grandson gone for the third Christmas in a row it makes me think of all our service people who will be away from their loved ones. It's hard for me to see the big picture as to why this great country is so bogged down.

While on the way to Finleyville to pay our respects to a dear friend who passed away last week, I took the Route 66 toll road that bypasses Greensburg.

At Exit 9 is a sign that directs you to the Bushy Run Battlefield. I had never heard of the Battle of Bushy Run, so I looked it up.

In the spring of 1763, North American tribes staged an uprising against the British and were led by Pontiac, (inset) an Ottawa chief. The Indians were tired of being lied to by the British about not letting any more settlers west of the Alleghenies.

Today, at Bushy Run State Park in Westmoreland County, there's a battle re-enacted on the first weekend in August.

Going back to the death of our friend, Marylou lived in the house where she was born in on the Mingo Church Road. A large part of the Whiskey Rebellion took place in this area. In 1794, this uprising came to a head and General George Washington had to bring in the troops to get it settled.

Parkinson Ferry, later named Monongahela City, was a hot spot where this rebellion got its start. The whole flap was caused by an excise tax put on the whiskey. It caused the local folks to break out the muskets to get it removed.

There is so much history in the state of Pennsylvania and so little of it covered in our schools.

There is an old song that

relates to the rye whiskey made in that area:

"Rye whiskey, rye whiskey, rye whiskey, I cry.

If I don't get rye whiskey, I think I will die.

If the ocean was rye whiskey and I was a duck,

I'd dive to the bottom and never come up."

Some alky must have penned that ditty. I remember the "Old Overholt" distillery where they made rye whiskey there. It is now a nursing home. I wonder if there are any of the old alcoholics living there.

When the troops get really fed up with that war and return home, maybe they will lead us in some kind of rebellion where we can reclaim our country.

It won't be a Whiskey Rebellion,

as we don't raise

enough grain to make whiskey.

I was never a big fan of Wal- Mart but I am beginning to have second thoughts. I stopped at the Wal-Mart in Belle Vernon last Saturday, as I had forgotten my toothpaste.

It was so crowded that I could hardly get in the door. I took a long look at the people who were shopping there and then like a bolt of lightning it hit me: this is what sustains the middle class.

In another 10 years you will be lucky if you can claim middle class status. With so many corporate giants moving to other countries, the only work that will be available will be in the health field or some other high-tech industry. The illegals will have all the other jobs.

With the Iowa Caucuses coming up, the only thing on the major news channels is the standings of the candidates.

I guess the war in Iraq is on hold until this election takes place. The mudslides, storms and other disasters aren't important because we have to find out how Oprah's latest love is doing with his campaign. And the Republicans are worried about Hillary . . .