Paul W. Smith

Remember sacrifices made for our freedom

Happy 233rd Birthday America!

Please take a moment to reflect on the incredible sacrifice made by so many to gain our independence and to keep the very freedoms we unfortunately take for granted and, some would say, are disappearing in a way and at a speed not seen in the previous 233 years.

Though I am not in the habit of quoting former President William Jefferson Clinton, I am compelled to now ... with my own caveat: "There is nothing wrong in America that can't be fixed with what is right in America."

Still true.

But let's add: "Let no one (president on down) destroy what is right in America for any reason."

No matter how "right" they think or claim their "cause" is.

• Some 467,000 of our fellow Americans lost their jobs last month. The national unemployment rate rose to 9.5 percent. If you or someone you love has just lost his or her job, the next statistic will lack meaningful or soothing impact.

The employment rate stands at about 90 percent.

In the words of Wachovia Corporation Chief Economist John E. Silvia, "The stimulus has probably stabilized income, but it has not moved the economy forward. It's a finger in the dike. But in terms of getting the economy going, there's no evidence of that yet."

• The very sad Michael Jackson circus-saga continues, and will for a very long time. Eerie to hear Quincy Jones tell the story of the time Lisa Marie Presley said she always thought Michael would die like her father. Don't yet know if that is true. Jones went on to say, even though he was very aware of the psychological demons and the stolen childhood M.J. grappled with, "... there is a 'statute of limitations' on childhood traumas ..."

If you get away from all of the media noise, and listen very carefully, you can actually hear one of Michael Jackson's big hits from the still elusive grave:

"Leave Me Alone."

Paul W. Smith is host of "The Paul W. Smith Show" on WJR (760 AM) from 5:30-9 a.m. Monday-Friday.