My Manifesto

After another hiatus, this one lasting two years, I'm at it again.  It's time to get back to the keyboard and maybe even the microphone.  What will I talk about?  Well, let's talk about sports, life and the things that are important to me.  Hopefully, some of them are important to you as well, or at least are entertaining.

Before we get started, it's time for a re-introduction.  My name is Duke Frye. I’ve worked in radio and television most of my adult life. For a few costly years, to my deep financial regret, I owned a food service business. But that’s another story for another time.

Today, I’ve come to re-post my manifesto on the doors of this site much like Martin Luther did in 1517, but I doubt the pope will be as pissed at me as he was with him. You may or may not agree, I really don’t care, but at the least we’ll have a starting point from which to begin our conversations. What I originally posted three years ago, I still believe in. I've just added a few more thoughts.

I believe many American’s have lost their sense of humor. There’s a difference between laughing at the expense of others and being able to laugh at ourselves. We’ve got enough serious issues. Remember to laugh.

I believe that despite the fact we had a contentious election, the American people have spoken and we need to get on to the business at hand. Either that or it's time to push some politicians off that fiscal cliff.
I believe we went to war in Iraq and Afghanistan for the wrong reasons. I also believe our servicemen and women there and in other foreign countries deserve our support and respect for the great things they do protecting our freedoms. I don’t believe dissent is unpatriotic. It’s our duty to speak up against our government, if we feel strongly about it. It doesn't mean we have to scream in each other's faces though.  That freedom to speak is what makes America unique in the world.  Ask the Iranians or the Syrians or the North Koreans for that matter. I also believe corporations shouldn't have the same rights as people, particularly when it comes to elections.

I have no plans to burn an American flag any time soon, but I believe that it’s my right to do so, given to me by the people who framed the Constitution. While they may not have gotten everything correct, I have no doubt their reasoning for allowing me that right is much sounder than the fools in our government who clamor for a constitutional amendment banning my right to do so.

I believe that a person can believe in evolution and creation and have absolutely no conflict in doing both. I do. I also believe that evolution is based on scientific fact and should be taught as such, while creation should be taught in history and religion classes.

My wife and I sent our children to public school be exposed to the real world, science, religion and other kids driving sixty thousand dollar BMW’s while they drove a twelve year old Suzuki Samauri that backfired from time to time. From that education, they learned life isn’t fair and we don’t all look alike, but that’s okay. We don’t all think alike either, but that’s a very good thing. Most importantly, they learned to make informed decisions for themselves. Something we’re proud of and the rest of you should be thankful for.

Speaking of making their own decisions, I have three daughters and a granddaughter. I believe in a woman's right to choose.  Those who like to defend the constitution talk extensively about personal freedom. No one should be able to tell any woman what she has to do with her body.
I believe few things beat a warm summer night spent watching a baseball game, drinking a cold beer and enjoying a hot dog with friends, no matter how bad your favorite team is and mine is still bad (the Kansas City Royals), but there's hope.

I believe, as a nation, we have to learn that politics is compromise. We have a lot of politicians holding court both my state of Kansas and the nation’s capital claiming only they know what’s best for you and me. What we have very few of is legislators. People who can disagree with each other, but who know in the end, they must compromise and meet in the middle somewhere for the betterment of the country. A true legislator knows cramming my beliefs, or yours, down the throat of every other American is what is wrong with our country today. In the end we must converse and compromise.

I have been witness to the miracles of science and love in the past year.  A wife who received a kidney transplant and a daughter who so generously gave one of hers so that her mom could live the type of life she's supposed to live.  I now have a perspective on life that has changed and changed for the better.

I believe having a family is one of life's greatest gifts and family comes in many forms.  Ours includes three daughters and a granddaughter, but there's more coming in the form of grandchildren and son-in-laws and it's a joy to watch.  I may not have won the country's largest Powerball this week, but I'll be fine anyway.  Just give me some time to spend with family, visit the beach and get a day fly fishing now and then and I'll be happy.

I also believe I met the love of my life 38 years ago and she remains that today. That, I believe is enough for this man.