By Mike Rockett

Believe it or not, PBS produces some pretty informative and well done programs. Recently, I devoured Truman, Nixon, Carter, Regan, The Kennedys, Amelia Earnhardt, and the Oppenheimer Trial. For the most part, I felt that they were non-bias, but you may feel otherwise, and I would be interested in hearing your comments following a viewing of these particular programs I mentioned.

You can view these and many more American Experience programs online via their web site or streaming and/or DVD at Netflix. I would encourage everyone to watch a few of these programs, as they are very interesting. For some of us they’ll be a refresher and for many of us a new experience.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/films/reagan/player

By Mike Rockett

Have you ever heard the term, “Kingmaker”? Per Wikipedia, Kingmaker may be used in some countries to “refer to those individuals with the ability to influence the selection of political leaders.” In a 1960′s LIFE publication on Franklin Delano Roosevelt, it stated that Louis McHenry Howe was FDR’s Kingmaker; however, many more sources boast that James Aloysius Farley was his Kingmaker with no mention of Mr. Howe.

Other Kingmakers:

• Dick Morris – President William Clinton
• David Axelrod – President Barak Obama
• Fred Malek – “GOP Kingmaker”

In a Washington Times article written by Ralph Z. Hallow, he mentioned that Donald Trump “was a man who fancies himself the new GOP kingmaker”. So, there you have it. In one week, I came across a term twice that I had never heard of. I thought I would pass along this knowledge just in case you’ve never heard of the Kingmaker.

By Mike Rockett

I read an interesting Washington Times article this morning by Ralph Z. Hallow and Seth McLaughlin that I wanted to share: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/jun/5/trump-cain-israel-fire-up-faith-freedom-crowd/

You can read my comments following the article, which are as follows:

I really like Herman Cain myself; however, conservative talk show hosts, such as Mark Belling – a popular late afternoon talk show host in Milwaukee and back-up host for Rush Limbaugh – states that Herman Cain is a “joke” with no real political experience and has a web site that screams amateur hour. In regards to experience in Washington, Cain has asked America, “How’s that working for you?” In my opinion, Herman Cain could pull this off, as other long shots have before him – but he will need to continue making smart moves and garner broader GOP support, money, and yes – give his web site a much needed facelift.. I like the other comments here in regards to his character, business sense, and speaking ability. Best wishes Herman Cain!

by Mike Rockett

On February 15, 1933, at Miami’s Baby Front Park, then Governor and president-elect Franklin Delano Roosevelt was shot by Giuseppe Zangara, a deranged” 5′ tall unemployed brick layer packing a .32 caliber pistol. Story has it that Giuseppe stood atop a wobbly metal chair and fired five shots each missing their mark, instead hitting Chicago Mayor Anton Cermak and four others.

Mr. Cermak died the following month, and Giuseppe Zangara was executed on March 20, 1933, after spending only 10 days on Death Row. Now who says justice isn’t swift? Of course, that was “old school” justice 78 long years ago – and it would seem to me that they certainly didn’t play around back then!

In 1981, John Hinckley Jr., attempts to assassinate the 40th President of the United States, wounding his “mark” and three others, including the Secretary to the President, James Brady, who was shot in the head! Recently, Hinckley was found to have “recovered to the point that he poses no imminent risk of danger to himself or others.”

In fact, in 1999 Hinckley was permitted to leave the mental hospital on supervised visits and eventually some unsupervised visits in 2000. In the spring of 2011, Hinckley was authorized additional family visits.

So let me get this correct: Zangara gets “old sparky” and Hinckley gets to play guitar, swim, attend daily therapy sessions, and visit friends & family outside the mental hospital on the taxpayers’ dime? And I can’t help but wonder how things might have played out if Taxi was never released or if Hinckley knew Jodie Foster was gay or if Giuseppe’s wobbly chair simply folded.