Mark Warde

It has been said that polls are for strippers and cross-country skiers. The late humorist Erma Bombeck spoke with disdain of them, saying, “I haven’t trusted polls since I read that 62 percent of women had affairs during their lunch hour. I’ve never met a woman in my life who would give up lunch for sex.”

Editor’s Note: The end portion of Mr. Warde’s column was omitted in error in the previous edition, so it is running this week in its entirety.

It was 1984, a decade after graduating from high school in Delray Beach, Florida. My first-born, a son, was the high-point in my life, though his arrival was not my best of days.

What would transpire in that hospital room in Livonia, Michigan on June 2 would prove exactly what toughness means, and who had it. My wife at the time, Debbie, from Wisconsin, knew in advance that he was going to be a big’un. And we were prepared.

Cheating. It was former pro wrestler Eddie Guerrero who once said, “If you’re not cheating, you’re not trying.” On the other hand, if it weren’t for cheating, there’d be no country music.

When it comes to cheating in elections, while often mentioned, it is rarely proven. Crying foul was screamed by Democratic presidential candidate Al Gore in 2000. Though he narrowly won the popular vote, he came up just short in Florida. As a result, their 25 electoral college votes were awarded to Republican candidate George W. Bush, who had just enough to win the race.

Domestic terrorism has become a term that recently has been tagged on some questionable targets, chief among them being parents of students who disapprove of either policy or teaching curriculum.

Parents? Yep. Soccer moms, PTA members, cupcake makers? That’s them, but this group sees a bigger picture, and understand the process involved about curriculum. They are aware of how traditional values are gradually being replaced with a mindset that is ripe for upheaval.

Some of them are teachers or homeschoolers. They’re educated. And they don’t take dictation.