Captain Howdy

Most of you probably don't remember Mr. Doody, but those 48 freckles (one for each state) were the bright spot on NBC from the time we got a TV in January 1948 until Clarabelle finally talked and said, "Goodbye, kids" in September, 1960. I remember being glued to the screen as Buffalo Bob would ask, "Say kids, What time is it?" and we would all yell, "It's Howdy Doody time!" It was the politically incorrect Chief Thunderthud who brought us the Bart-jacked "Kawabonga."

Oh, those were happier times when we only had to worry about mutual atomic self-destruction, enlisting to die 5000 miles from home for an ego-driven cause to police the world, or the repression of any liberal ideas (like civil rights) by the return from the brink of hell caused by the first great depression and the second great war. A father could rule his house with an iron fist and mom's only release from the hellish normality was the liquor cabinet. Help us Billy Graham!

The power of Christ compels you...