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Now, Here We Go Again Or Does Marjority Rule?
I
think I am going to cut down on my news intake because it seems to me like it’s going to the “Point of Obscurity.” Our democracy was built on these principles that the founding fathers introduced: life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. I  don’t know about you but I get the feeling that it’s not happening. “For the people, of the people and by the people shall not perish from the earth” made famous by President Lincoln sums up the American way. We live by that statement but things are changing.
Every day that President Obama proposes his agenda, it sounds less and less like a idyllic proposition and more like a letter of explanation. It smells like socialism to me. “We the people” seems like it is losing ground and conviction day by day. Look at Arizona and how the government is suing the state for laws the government should be enforcing. What about the health care bill and how it was rammed through Congress? Or how about the proposal to raise taxes including the capital gains tax cap?
The moratorium on drilling in the Gulf during the BP oil crisis is another example of how “the people are taking it on the chin.” I can site more examples but I think you get the picture. Is this history repeating itself? Mr. President, do you fully realize that you and your idealistic government are now acting like the British did prior to the American Revolution?
Isn’t one of America’s governing principles based on bending to the wishes of the majority of the people? It seems that the people of America are being completely ignored. Now, I know that the American Revolution was not represented by “the majority” when it grew as a democratic policy of life. But democratically it took shape, gathered its forces and built a country we are proud of. Remember “taxation without representation”? It was a major gripe eating the “majority” away daily—year after year—more and more.
Now, we are being force-fed medical insurance whether we want it or not. More taxes, licenses, filing fees and penalties are levied on everything depleting the money we earn on a week-to-week basis. Every one of us works hard to obtain the legal tender that supposedly drives our economy. Look at the “Tea Party” even if you don’t agree with their stance, you have to  admire their declaration of what they believe to be “American.” Majority rule doesn’t matter any longer.
Is history repeating itself? We all know what happened to the British back in 1776. Our current government seems to be saying “government knows best and the people are a pest.” This not what our founding fathers (and the Constitution, which is like no other in the world) had in mind. These principles have survived and guided us for close to 300 years and with the exception of few amendments. It gave birth to the country we all know and love, unaltered. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
Wake up America. We don’t have to fight another war with “the governing body” to bring things back to a level playing field. We can show the rascals the door in November and maybe, just maybe get back to “of the people and by the people.” I don’t mean to stand on a soap box but I can’t help but express my opinion. Give it some thought and make your own opinions. I’m just stirring the majority broth and letting it simmer.
WFAN—Thank You From Little Anthony
 I had so much fun sitting in with WFAN’s Boomer Esiason and Craig Carton on the 29th of July in New York. I was there to promote Rock Con but it morphed to be a day and interview I will always remember. I got to sing a parody song to my beloved Mets with their adaptation of “Tears Of My Pillow” and talk to Mookie Wilson. I had more laughs and fun with Boomer and Craig than I’ve had in years.
I loved meeting all the fans at Rock Con and seeing long-time industry friends like Tommy James, Johnny Farina, Mary Wilson, Al Jardine, Jay & The Americans, to name a few. But being on the Fan and talking on the phone to Mookie Wilson is a day that will be marked on my life calendar for ever more. Thank you Boomer and Craig—see you soon.
I don’t mind telling you, I was a bit tongue-tied talking to Mookie on the phone at first because Mookie is one of my baseball heroes. As you probably figured out, I am a lifetime New York Met fan and even in the midst of this miserable (Mets) season, I stand by them.
WFAN and the show’s producer, Al Dukes, I have to thank you too for not only having me as a guest but treating me so wonderfully. From the humor of Craig to the praise Boomer greeted me with at the studio it was a day to remember. Also, to all the WFAN office staff for making me so welcome. I signed baseballs and their station’s hospitality was well above and beyond.
Oh, by-the-way, WFAN’s version of “Tears On My Pillow” is much better than the original version. Back when I was 17 or 18, it was about a girl and love lost but today, over 50 years later, the “pain in my heart” is over The Mets. Like they say, there is “always next year.”
Like I said, it’s only my opinion and since this is my column, I have an online forum most are not privileged to have in life. I know how fortunate I am to be able to speak my mind in print. “Freedom of the press” is another principle we as Americans cherish and I plan to continue speaking my mind—just my opinion folks—just my opinion.
Rock Hall Of Fame Booklet
The Rock Hall Of Fame induction really is a gift that keeps on giving. While we were at Rock Con in New Jersey, someone showed us the booklet the Foundation put together to promote the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame and Museum in Cleveland. Full color and 20 pages long,  the booklet features cover photos of all our fellow inductees from 2009. There is an inset photo of The Imperials and I and we know we aren’t Metallica or Bobby Womack so just being included makes the guys and I thrilled all over again..
I don’t know if the booklet was sent to everyone but The Imperials and I love being included. Click on the rockhall.com and if you are anywhere close to Cleveland, do yourself and your family a favor and stop by the Museum. We have an exhibit there and we are so honored that they did that for us. Even long after we are not able to perform, the Little Anthony & The Imperials exhibit will carry on the legacy.
USA Today and The Return Of Nate Rogers—Rock Con
In case you missed it, on Thursday July 29th, USA Today did a feature on Rock Con written by Kristin McGrath. She called me on the phone and the half-page feature was incredible. Not just for me and other working Imperials, but for our long-time friend (and former Imperial) Glouster “Nate” Rogers. You see the photos that accompanied the feature on Rock Con were of Mary Wilson, formerly of The Supremes and a shot of us performing on the night of our Rock Hall Of Fame induction in April 2009.
I love seeing Nate’s photo there singing with us again. He was there in the beginning when we were kids from Ft. Greene and thanks to the Rock Hall Nate was not forgotten. No “Imperial was left behind”—Tracey, too. I would think that they could have easily overlooked them (and Sammy Strain, too) but they didn’t. It made me happy again.
If you stopped by our table on the closing day of Rock Con, you would have been able to get Nate’s autograph along with ours. We love you Nate and you will always be an “Imperial” for now and forever. That holds true for Tracey even though he passed years ago. I’ll bet you Tracey is fishing up in heaven—I can picture it.
Oh before I forget, Rock Con had a special ceremony on the Friday of the Weekend Of 100 Rock Stars where they presented their “Icon Awards.” George Dassinger, our veteran PR expert, did the introduction and it was so moving. He chronicled our whole career in a one-page tribute leading up to us being presented the “Living Legend Icon Award.” It was another unexpected aspect that made the whole weekend a classic.
The promoters of Rock Con took a lot of chances presenting the weekend show and it had to be costly—what isn’t nowadays? On behalf of the group, thank you USA Today, Rock Con, Linda and Brenda, friends like Tom, Julie, Isabel Dassinger and most of all our fans—whew I’m running out of thank yous!
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