As far as “a BILLION thumbs up” goes … it is taking all my strength and discipline to restrain myself from making a terrible barb and joke about two men that we all know and despise. But in the interests of civility for Mike’s blog, I will restrain myself and just say the joke involves all those thumbs inserted into someone’s private space – more precisely … UP into their private space.

A BILLION+ thumbs up Skyler….all so true.

Mike has bared his inner most thoughts & PAIN & take FULL RESPONSIBILITY for public viewing . No one could do more then that.

Frankly, from the standpoint of age, I completely agree with you. I do think its time for some young blood. At least young-ER. Because there are so many in the 18-35 demographic who cannot relate to either of these two. But, having said that, and given the current overall situation, then, I’d be voting for my neighbor’s smart border collie over…ok, let’s stop. I don’t want either of us to get deleted. Mike has been understanding and I don’t want to push him over the brink. We can always vent about this sort of thing at Tony’s!

Al Capone’s biggest mistake … he never bothered to blackmail the IRS into receiving 1st amendment protections like the Church of Scientology did … is why he ended up at Alcatraz.

So, if you want to legally scam people and commit other abuses and crimes, you need to incorporate yourself as a church and extort the IRS first.

Mike, please allow me to be so presumptuous as to give you some advice that you never asked for.

You take most every opportunity to tell the people you have wronged that you are sorry and you show them your true feelings.

There is nothing more you can do – at least not that I can imagine. Also, what you do is more than almost everyone else ever does. I know you are smart enough to take comfort in that. IMO, you deserve to take comfort in that.

You are acting like a fine man and for that, you deserve all the best in your life. Just ask Balletlady!

Thanks very much Mike. Duh! I should have known that.

Ah, right. Thanks for replying! I figured that that claim had been exaggerated somewhat.

Hello dear Aqua,

SIT IN THE CORNER, HUH? Better make sure it’s an expansive corner as many of us will be joining you.

What I find mind boggling is that in this great nation of ours & with ALL the availability of college & obtaining BS…BS…Masters….& Phd’s….all kinds of education, job experience, world travel, military experience,……these two elderly mem are the BEST we can come up with?

Sorry Mike….delete this if you need to! Best Wishes!

Thank you Skyler……it comes from the heart.. MOST of us (outside of still ins) can see the deep pain Mike lives with every day. Yes, his brightest spots are Chris & those darling little boys who fill his heart with delight. Yet for each piece of joy he feels….the pain of the past haunts him.

Sometimes when we carry such a heavy burden of guilt & pain…we think there is no way to put it down & move on. I hope that one day Mike can find true peace in his heart & soul.