Anybody out there remember Zig Ziglar?

Zig Ziglar was one of the most popular motivation speakers on the U.S. convention circuit during the 70's and early 80's. He was enthusiastic, full of energy, and could work a crowd of dispirited sales folks up in no time at all.
His coined catch phrases included such as "Don't be caught up in 'Stinkin' Thinkin'! If you ain't feelin' great in this wonderful world then maybe you need a "Check-up from the Neck-up'!

I thought of ole' Zig today when I read this downer of an Associated Press release .... \
Everything seemingly is spinning out of control
By ALAN RAM and EILEEN PUTMAN, Associated Press WritersSat Jun 21

Is everything spinning out of control?
Midwestern levees are bursting. Polar bears are adrift. Gas prices are skyrocketing. Home values are abysmal. Air fares, college tuition and health care border on unaffordable. Wars without end rage in Iraq, Afghanistan and against terrorism.

Horatio Alger, twist in your grave.

The can-do, bootstrap approach embedded in the American psyche is under assault. Eroding it is a dour powerlessness that is chipping away at the country's sturdy conviction that destiny can be commanded with sheer courage and perseverance.

The sense of helplessness is even reflected in this year's presidential election. Each contender offers a sense of order — and hope. Republican John McCain promises an experienced hand in a frightening time. Democrat Barack Obama promises bright and shiny change, and his large crowds believe his exhortation, "Yes, we can."

Even so, a battered public seems discouraged by the onslaught of dispiriting things. An Associated Press-Ipsos poll says a barrel-scraping 17 percent of people surveyed believe the country is moving in the right direction. That is the lowest reading since the survey began in 2003.

An ABC News-Washington Post survey put that figure at 14 percent, tying the low in more than three decades of taking soundings on the national mood."

From this point on - the column got plumb negative - china earthquakes - disease and worse. I wouldn't waste the electronic ink to place it here! I have grown used to the AP assaulting the Republicans and Conservatives, but now I reckon they want to drive us all into the dirt. I figure their editors tell their writers (I wouldn't deign to call 'em journalists) 'good news is not news'! Bad news is what attracts folks.... so spew out the bad news, page after page! I wouldn't be surprised to find nation destroyers like George Soros and his ilk influencing this trash.

Has the world got problems? Sure. Do we in this great land have problems? Sure. Have we over come them before and will we overcome them again! ABSOLUTELY!!

But not with 'STINKIN' THINKIN'' !! Every interview I've watched from the flooded areas of the Midwest have shown folks pullin' themselves up. "We still have our lives!" "We lost most everything, but we're gonna replace it and rebuild!" "It ain't the end of the world, it's happened before and it'll happen again'! None of that Katrina cradle to grave victim status for these folks, they may want a hand but they shore don't want a hand-out! We could all take a lesson from these strong Americans in the flyover states.

And so could those pencil necked, pointy-toed, naysayers on the East and West Coasts who would rather beat folks down, instead of lifting them up! Now there are some folks who really need; 'A CHECK-UP FROM THE NECK-UP!"
Meanwhile, check out one of Zig Ziglar's books, he's still writing 'em and active in motivation programs....