"The Best Of Bob 2006"
On sale now, while supply lasts for just $11.90 By demand, it's a C-D collection of Bob Chase Commentaries that aired during Fort Wayne's Morning News in the year just passed. All proceeds benefit the Penny Pitch collection for Big Brothers-Big Sisters of Northeast Indiana. To get yours, just stop by the WOWO Studios, 2915 Maples Road , Fort Wayne, during regular business hours, M-F 8am - 5am

LISTEN EVERY TUESDAY & THURSDAY AT 8:50am DURING "FORT WAYNE'S MORNING NEWS WITH CHARLY BUTCHER."

IF YOU'D LIKE TO REPLY TO A COMMENTARY YOU'VE HEARD, OR READ ON THIS PAGE, JUST CLICK HERE. YOUR REPLY MAY BE PUBLISHED ON THIS WEBPAGE FOR GENERAL VIEWING.

5-20-08

THE FORT WAYNE KOMETS SET TEAM AND LEAGUE RECORDS THIS PAST YEAR NEVER BEFORE EXPERIENCED IN THEIR 56 YEAR HISTORY. THEIR RECORDS INCLUDED ATTENDANCE, PERFORMANCE AND ACHIEVEMENT. THEY WON THE REGULAR SEASON TITLE GOING AWAY, AND FOUGHT TOOTH AND NAIL FOR THE TURNER CUP AND WON IT IN SEVEN GAMES WITH THE FINAL GOING TO THREE OVERTIMES. THEY HAD THE MAJORITY OF THE OUTSTANDING PLAYERS IN THE IHL, AND WERE RECOGNIZED FOR THEIR TALENT. ONLY ONE ENTITY MISSED THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENTS...THE CITY OF FORT WAYNE. THEY COMPLETELY IGNORED THE MOST SUCCESSFUL SPORTS TEAM IN CITY HISTORY.

THERE WAS A TIME WHEN CITY OFFICIALS DID REALIZE THE VALUE OF THE KOMETS IN THE OVERALL PICTURE. IN PAST YEARS WHEN THE K'S WON LEAGUE HONORS, THEY WERE DUELY REWARDED WITH AT LEAST A PROCLAMATION FROM THE MAYOR'S OFFICE OF THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO THE IMAGE OF FORT WAYNE ON THE INTERNATIONAL SPORTS SCENE. THEY EVEN HAD CHAMPIONSHIP PARADES, COMPLETE WITH FIRETRUCKS CARRYING KOMET PLAYERS ENDING UP AT CITY HALL. THEY EVEN PROCLAIMED ONE KOMET COACH AS MAYOR FOR A DAY, AND THE TEAM CAPTAIN HONORARY POLICE CHIEF FOR THE DAY. THAT SORT OF RECOGNITION HAS INCREDIBLE MEANING FOR TEAM PLAYERS AND FANS ALIKE. THIS YEAR, IN THEIR FINEST HOUR EVER, THE KOMETS GOT ZILTCH IN RECOGNITION BY THEIR HOME TOWN.

THE KOMETS HAVE PUT THE NAME OF FORT WAYNE IN MORE CITIES THAN ANY OTHER TEAM IN CITY HISTORY. NOT ONLY IN THE USA, BUT CANADA, EUROPE, SCANDANAVIA, RUSSIA...WHEREVER HOCKEY IS PLAYED, THE NAME FORT WAYNE IS PUBLISHED AT LEAST WEEKLY. FOLLOWING THE KOMETS' TRIUMPH THEY ALSO RECEIVED RECOGNITION FROM THE NHL DURING THEIR NATIONALLY TELEVISED STANLEY CUP GAMES. LOCAL TV, RADIO AND NEWSPAPER COVERAGE WAS ALSO SUPERB, SO IT'S HARD TO UNDERSTAND HOW CITY BIG-WIGS COULD MISS THIS SPORTS ACCOMPLISHMENT. SHAME ON YOU FORT WAYNE. THIS IS MUCH BIGGER THAN THE INDIANAPLIS COLTS FOR US. YOU SURE WENT OVERBOARD FOR THEM. WHAT DO THEY CONTRIBUTE TO OUR LOCAL ECONOMY? ZERO...THE SAME MARK YOU RECEIVE FOR NOT HONORING THE BEST SPORTS TEAM IN FORT WAYNE HISTORY. I'M BOB CHASE.

RESPONSE TO BOB'S COMMENTARY FROM FORT WAYNE KOMETS PRESIDENT MICHAEL FRANKE

There is no more solid human being or person that cares about Fort Wayne more than Bob Chase. I am confident, as would be the case with all of bob's commentaries, that they are well thought out, as Bob has always done his homework. The Komets would like to thank all of their tremendous fans that attend Komet games year in and year out, and our large group of corporate sponsors that make Komet hockey a Fort Wayne tradition for 56 years.

The Komets are very proud of the recent Turner Cup Championship and the sellout crowd that saw the team win the championship in triple overtime. The Komets are also very thankful for the great media coverage that the team receives as Fort Wayne's oldest sports franchise. We look forward to showing off the Turner Cup to the city of Fort Wayne at the Three Rivers Festival parade in early July, as the festival is another great aspect of Fort Wayne.

We'll see everyone back in the Jungle on October 18th.

1-31-08

NOT LONG AGO I READ A COLUMN BY LOS ANGELES TIMES SPORTS WRITER BILL DWYRE THAT I COULD HARDLY COMPREHEND. IT DEALT WITH A UCLA RECRUIT HAVING CONTACT WITH THE PATRON SAINT OF COLLEGE BASKETBALL, JOHN WOODEN. THE YOUNG MAN AND HIS PARENTS WERE ON A RECRUITING VISIT TO UCLA, AND WHILE THERE, HAD THE CHANCE TO MEET AND CHAT WITH THE GREAT COACH WOODEN. THE ENCOUNTER ELICITED THE COMMENT FROM THE YOUNG RECRUIT THAT COACH WOODEN MAY HAVE BEEN THE SMARTEST MAN HE HAD EVER MET. BEAUTIFUL PRAISE FOR A BEAUTIFUL MAN, RIGHT? WRONG.

THE COMMENT GOT A LITTLE PLAY IN SOME PUBLICATION, WHICH PROMPTED EITHER A FAN OR AN OFFICIAL OF ANOTHER SCHOOL TO SEND A COMPLAINT THE NCAA. SAID ORGANIZATION SENT A LETTER TO UCLA TO INVESTIGATE THE ALLEGATION. UCLA HAD LITTLE TROUBLE WITH THAT, AS WOODEN, A PAID CONSULTANT OF THE SCHOOL IS PERMITTED TO MEET WITH RECRUITS. THE BRUINS COMPLIANCE OFFICER SENT HIS FINDINGS TO THE NCAA OFFICES IN INDIANAPOLIS. THEY ARE APPARENTLY SIFTING THROUGH THE INFORMATION, AND HAVE NOT YET GIVEN THEIR RESPONSE.

THE LOGICAL PREMISE...EVEN IF COACH WOODEN HAD NOT BEEN A PAID CONSULTANT OF UCLA, WHO IN THEIR RIGHT MIND WOULD PASS UP A CHANCE TO MEET THIS WONDERFUL HUMANITARIAN? EVEN THOSE WHO ARE QUESTIONING ANY INFLUENCE WOODEN MAY HAVE HAD IN THE YOUNG MANS DECISION TO ATTEND UCLA ON A BASKETBALL SCHOLARSHIP WOULD PROBABLY KILL FOR THAT CHANCE. COACH WOODEN ALSO KNOWS HIS RESPONSIBILITIES IN THIS MATTER, AND HE WOULD NEVER HAVE JEOPARDIZED EITHER THE RECRUITS CHANCES OR THE REPUTATION OF THE UNIVERSITY.

THIS IS A PRIME EXAMPLE OF THE LACK OF LOGIC IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE NCAA, AND ALL THE BUREAUCRATS TO RUN THE OUTFIT. MAYBE WE SHOULD THROW OUT ALL THIS GOBBLE-DE-GOOK AND ADOPT THE NAIA HANDBOOK, WHICH ADRESSES THE FACTS AND THE RULES IN ABOUT FORTY PAGES WHILE THE NCAA MANUAL MUST HAVE AT LEAST 4 THOUSAND. I GUESS THAT'S HOW THEY JUSTIFY THEIR EXISTENCE, OR...IT'S POLITICS AS USUAL. I'M BOB CHASE.

1-29-08

I HAD TO HAVE A COOLING OFF PERIOD BEFORE DOING THIS COMMENTARY. THE SUBJECT OF MY REMARKS...A HEINOUS MURDER THAT HAPPENED IN INDIANAPOLIS JANUARY 15TH. TWO YOUNG WOMEN AND THEIR INFANT CHILDREN SHOT TO DEATH BY TWO MEN, YET UNACCOUNTED FOR, MULTIPLE TIMES. THE YOUNGEST CHILD…FOUR MONTHS OLD. WHAT COULD POSSIBLY JUSTIFY THIS CRIME FOR ANY REASON? TWO YOUNG WOMEN AND THEIR INFANT CHILDREN SHOT DOWN IN COLD BLOOD, EACH WITH MULTIPLE GUNSHOT WOUNDS.

WHATEVER MOTIVATES THESE CRIMES? IT HAS TO BE DRUGS TO START WITH...THE CRAZED MINDS THAT WILL GO TO ANY LENGTH TO OBTAIN MONEY TO SUSTAIN THEIR ILLEGAL DRUG HABITS. AND A GROWING TOTAL DISREGARD FOR LIFE ITSELF. TO ME, THIS OVERSHADOWS MILITARY DEATHS IN WAR ZONES. AT LEAST SERVICE DEATHS, NOT CONDONED IN ANY WAY, CAN BE ACCEPTED DUE TO THE RISKS OUR ARMED FORCES ARE CONSTANTLY EXPOSED TO. DEATH IS NOT AN OPTION...IT'S A REALITY WHEN THEY ENLIST. THOSE DEATHS IN INDIANAPOLIS WERE COLD BLOODED MURDER…EXECUTIONS IN FACT.

A VITAL NEED IN SOLVING CASES OF THIS TYPE...COOPERATION OF THE CITIZENS OF THE COMMUNITIES INVOLVED. AS LONG AS INDIVIDUALS ABSTAIN FROM IDENTIFYING THESE MENACES TO SOCIETY, THIS TYPE OF KILLING WILL CONTINUE. ONCE CITIZENS UNITE AND BRING THESE PERPETRATORS TO JUSTICE, IT WILL SERVE NOTICE THAT WE WON'T TOLERATE SUCH WANTON ACTS. IF YOU HAVE TO LIVE IN FEAR IN YOUR OWN HOME, IS IT WORTH IT? YOUR LACK OF CONCERN COULD LEAVE YOU VULNERABLE. YOU MAY BE THE NEXT VICTIM, WHEN YOU COULD HAVE HELPED TAKE THESE MURDERERS OFF THE STREETS OF YOUR CITY. BECAUSE SUCH CRIMINALS ARE GUTLESS...DON'T YOU BE. THE LIFE YOU SAVE COULD BE YOUR OWN. I'M BOB CHASE.

1-24-08

IT'S 2008, AND THE PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARIES RUMBLE ON. IT'S STILL TOO EARLY TO HAVE ANY DEFINITE PATTERNS ON WHO THE CANDIDATES WILL FINALLY BE FOR THE GREAT ELECTION OF 2008. THE REPUBLICANS ARE SCRAMBLING, AND NO FAVORITE HAS EMERGED. MCCAIN, HUCKABEE, AND ROMNEY ALL HAVE THEIR MOMENTS…THE REST ARE FADING FAST. FOR THE DEMOCRATS, IT SEEMS TO BE OBAMA AND CLINTON THE FORERUNNERS. THIS COULD HAVE A VERY INTERESTING FINISH. THIS ONE WILL REALLY GET DIRTY BEFORE IT'S OVER IF HILLARY BEGINS TO LOSE HER POSITION. MY LITTLE THEORY HAS IT...IF OBAMA IS THE NOMINEE FOR THE DONKEYS, THEY HAVE A CHANCE. THERE IS STILL PLENTY OF TIME FOR MOVEMENT THERE. IF HILLARY WINS THE NOMINATION, I FEEL THAT REGARDLESS OF WHO THE ELEPHANTS CHOSE TO HEAD THEIR TICKET, THEY WILL WIN THE PRESIDENCY.

THIS PREMISE IS NOT BASED AS MUCH ON THE FACT THAT THIS NATION ISN'T READY FOR A WOMAN PRESIDENT. THE PROBLEM IS NO ONE REALLY KNOWS AND TRUSTS MRS. BILL CLINTON. NOW IF "MURPH"…THAT'S MY WIFE…WAS RUNNING I'D VOTE FOR HER IN A HEARTBEAT....FOR TWO REASONS. FIRST OF ALL, I KNOW WHAT SHE STANDS FOR, WHICH IS VITALLY IMPORTANT TO GET MY VOTE...AND IF SHE COULD RUN THE COUNTRY AS WELL AS SHE ADMINISTERS OUR HOUSEHOLD, THINGS WOULD TURN OUT A-ONE.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOUR POLITICS ARE AND REALLY DONT CARE THE ONE AREA THAT RAISES CONCERN FOR ME IS THE CARTE BLANCH ACCEPTANCE TOO MANY VOTERS HAVE JUST BECAUSE A CANDIDATE IS EITHER A REPUBLICAN OR A DEMOCRAT. PEOPLE WHO HIDE BEHIND THEIR PARTY ESPOUSING THEIR PARTY LINE, COME HELL OR HIGH WATER, ARE NOT WORTHY OF CONSIDERATION. MAKE THESE CANDIDATES EARN YOUR VOTE AND HOLD THEM TO IT. TRUST THE PERSON YOU ARE VOTING FOR, NOT THE PARTY. THIS IS GOING TO BE THE MOST IMPORTANT ELECTION YOU HAVE EVER BEEN A PART OF...TREAT IT THAT WAY. GOOD LUCK. I'M BOB CHASE.

1-22-08

I NORMALLY DON'T TALK TOO MUCH ABOUT MY BIRTHDAY, BUT TODAY IS JANUARY 22^ND, AND THAT'S THE DAY I ARRIVED BACK IN 1926. THAT MAKES ME 82 TODAY, DOESN'T IT? I AM NOW THE SECOND OLDEST MALE IN MY FAMILY TREE. ONLY UNCLE CHARLEY HAD MORE YEARS...93. MY LIFE HAS BEEN ALL I COULD ASK FOR. AN INCREDIBLE WIFE, FOUR INCREDIBLE KIDS, FOUR INCREDIBLE GRANDKIDS, AND THREE INCREDIBLE GREAT GRANDKIDS...AND AN INCREDIBLE JOB IN AN INCREDIBLE CITY.

MY LIFE HAS SPANNED SOME OF THE MAJOR CRISES OF OUR NATION. THE GREAT DEPRESSIONIN OF THE 30'S, THE WPA, AND THE NRA…THE CCC...PROJECTS THAT WERE INSTITUTED TO BRING OUR ECONOMY OUT OF DEPRESSION AT A TIME OUR NATION COULDN'T RUB TWO NICKELS TOGETHER FOR OUR NEXT MEAL.

WORLD WAR II...THE "BIG WAR" THAT AGONIZED THIS NATION FOR FIVE STRAIGHT YEARS, AS WE SUFFERED FIVE MILLION CASUALTIES. THAT TURNED OUT TO BE JUST THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG FOR WARS...THE COLD WAR, KOREA, VIETNAM, DESERT STORM IRAQ, AFGANASTAN…ALL TRIALS BY FIRE TO TEST THE RESILIENCY OF OUR NATION.

THE EMERGENCE OF OUR HI-TECH WORLD NOW LEAVES LITTLE TO OUR IMAGINATION. WE'VE BECOME LAZY MINDED, COMPLACENT, AND SMUG. AS AMERICAN'S WE'VE CHANGED DRASTICALLY, AND NOT ALL FOR THE BETTER. THINGS COME TOO EASY ANY MORE. FOR MY KIDS, GRAND, AND GREAT GRANDKIDS, I'M HAPPY. GROWING UP WITH ALL THE ADVERSITY I'VE EXPERIENCED, I'M GLAD I WAS BORN ON JANUARY 22ND, 1926…FOR ALL THE ABOVE MENTIONED EXPERIENCES. I WISH MORE OF YOU COULD HAVE HAD SOME OF MY LIFE EXPERIENCES. THIS IS MY BIRTHDAY CAKE. I'D LOVE TO SHARE IT WITH YOU. BE MY GUEST…I'M BOB CHASE.

1-17-08

IS IT ANY WONDER THAT WE ARE BECOMING HARD CORE SKEPTICS? DOES ANYONE EVER TELL THE TRUTH ANY MORE, REGARDLESS OF WHAT AREAS OF LIFE WE WISH TO LOOK AT?

IT'S OBVIOUS THAT POLITICS HAS BECOME THE ABILITY TO BEND THE TRUTH AS FAR AS POSSIBLE WITH0UT BREAKING IT. INUENDO HAS BECOME AN ART FORM IN THE POLITICAL FIELD. SOMETHING ONCE SAID IS TOUGH TO RETRACT, AND SOME OF THOSE INNOCENT REMARKS HAVE A POWERFUL IMPACT ON THE PUBLIC. IF THERE ARE RETRACTIONS THEY NEVER APPEAR IN PRINT AS LARGE AS THE INITIAL COMMENTS. OUR WORLD IS BECOMING A MASS STATE OF CONFUSION. JUST WHO CAN YOU TRUST FOR ANYTHING ANY MORE?

SPORTS AND STERIODS HAVE BECOME SYNONOMOUS WITH FALSEHOODS. THE ACCUSERS HAVE THE ADVANTAGE. THEY ARE THE ONES MAKING THE INITIAL STATEMENT. THE ACCUSED MUST DEFEND THEMSELVES IN ANY MANNER POSSIBLE, AND THAT'S A TOUGH ORDER IN MOST CASES. THE LATEST TO BE INDICTED BY INUENDO IS ROGER CLEMENS, AS HIS FORMER TRAINER TALKED, TO AVOID PROSECUTION, AND RECEIVED IMMUNITY IN THE DRUG INVESTIGATION ON MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL. THE MITCHELL REPORT ALREADY HAS NUMEROUS FLAWS TO THE POINT IT'S BECOMING DIFFICULT TO ACCEPT IT WITH CREDIBILITY.

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL MADE A HUGE MISTAKE TO ALLOW THE MITCHELL REPORT TO BECOME PUBLIC BEFORE BASEBALL ITSELF EXAMINED AND DIGESTED THE CONTENTS. IF EVERYTHING IN THE REPORT IS TRUE, FINE…BUT I DOUBT IT. WHAT THIS REPORT HAS DONE IS CAUSE MLB IRREPARABLE DAMAGE, TRUE OF FALSE. I''M NOT SAYING IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN CENSORED, BUT DAMAGE CONTROL IS ESSENTIAL IN SUCH PUBLIC, NATIONAL CASES. WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO JUSTICE IN THIS COUNTRY? IT USED TO BE INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY. NOW, IT'S JUST THE OPPOSITE, AND THAT'S DANGEROUS. WE MUST GET BACK TO OUR CONSTITUTION, IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE. WHAT'S HAPPENING IN SPORTS IS THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG FOR OUR ENTIRE SOCIETY. IT'S BECOMING DANGEROUS, AND I DON'T LIKE IT. I'M BOB CHASE.

1-10-08

POLITICS IS BEGINNING TO GET INTERESTING. POSTURING IS BECOMING MORE IMPORTANT, AS THE PRIMARYS CONTINUE TO REVEAL, IN THEIR OWN WAY HOW THE VOTING PUBLIC PERCEIVES THE CANDIDATES IN THE PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY RACES. I ALWAYS QUESTION THE VALIDITY OF PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARIES. JUST LISTEN TO THE DRIVEL EMANATING FROM THE CANDIDATES IN BOTH PARTIES, TRYING IN ANY WAY POSSIBLE TO INFLUENCE VOTERS TO MAKE THEM THE CHOSEN ONES. NO ONE COULD CONCIEVEABLY PERFORM TO THE STANDARDS THEY ARE PROFESSING TO REPRESENT IN THEIR QUEST FOR THE PRESIDENCY

ONE MAJOR AREA THESE PRIMARIES ARE REVEALING IS THE GRIDLOCK IN TODAYS POLITICAL WORLD. EVEN THE INFIGHTING AMONG CANDIDATES IN THE PARTY HAS GOTTEN SO FAR OFF THE MARK, THE REAL ISSUES AREN'T BEING ADDRESSED WITH ANY SINCERITY OR FRANKNESS. THAT'S BEEN THE HANGUP IN OUR LEGISLATIVE EXERCISES IN WASHINGTON FOR A LONG TIME. IT'S TIME SOMEBODY ADDRESSED THE ISSUES THAT CONFRONT OUR COUNTRY TODAY.

CONCERNS HAVE MOUNTED, AND AT THIS TIME THERE IS A MOVEMENT TO FORM A THIRD PARTY HEADED BY NEW YORK MAYOR MICHAEL BLOOMBERG. THERE IS A SCHEDULED MEETING NEXT WEEK WITH DOZENS OF DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS TO FORCE THE CURRENT MAJOR PARTY CONTENDERS TO SPELL OUT THEIR PLANS FOR FORMING A "GOVERNMENT OF NATIONAL UNITY" TO END THE GRIDLOCK IN WASHINGTON. SOME VERY POWERFUL POLITICAL FIGURES WILL BE REPRESENTED IN THIS POSSIBLE MEETING, BOTH REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS. MAYBE IT'S TIME FOR A THIRD PARTY WITH MORE PURITY AND POLITICAL PURPOSE TO CONTINUE TO MOVE THIS NATION FORWARD. IF THEIR PLATFORM IS TO KEEP AMERICA FIRST, AND THEY COULD PROVE TO ME THEY REALLY MEAN IT, I'D VOTE FOR THEM IN A HEARTBEAT. MY COUNRY MEANS MORAE TO ME THAN ANY PARTY WHO WOULD MISREPRESENT IT. THAT'S HOW I FEEL…HOW ABOUT YOU? I'M BOB CHASE.

1-03-08

THERE ARE SO MANY INSTANCES WHERE WE GO THROUGH LIFE KNOWING OF GREAT ASSETS SURROUNDING US, BUT NEVER HAVING THE CHANCE TO REALIZE HOW WONDERFUL THEY REALLY ARE.

CASE IN POINT…METHODIST AND RILEY HOSPITALS IN INDIANAPOLIS, JOINED AT THE HIP AS ONE OF THE FINEST MEDICAL CARE UNITS IN THE NATION. WE RECENTLY EXPERIENCED A LIFE-THREATENING CRISIS INVOLVING OUR GREAT GRANDSON. FOUR WEEKS AGO, ON A SATURDAY NIGHT HE WAS SUFFERING DISCOMFORT, AND COULDN'T KEEP FOOD DOWN, SO MOM AND DAD TOOK HIM TO ONE OF THOSE QUICKIE CLINICS. THE MEDICS GAVE HIM SOME MEDICINE TO SETTLE HIS STOMACH DOWN, AND SENT HIM HOME, WHICH WAS THE WORST THING THEY COULD HAVE DONE. THE YOUNGSTER HAD EXHIBITED SYMPTOMS OF DEHIDRATION THAT THEY TOTALLY IGNORED. THE FOLLOWING AFTERNOON, HE SPIKED A TEMP OF OVER 103, PROMPTING THE PARENTS TO HEAD FOR THE PEDIATRICIAN MONDAY MORNING ASAP. THE YOUNGSTER WAS IMMEDITELY HOSPITALIZED AND WAS ALMOST COMOTOSE AT THE TIME, SUFFERING FROM A SERIOUS CASE OF PNEUMONIA.

IT WAS A SCARY TWO WEEK RIDE THAT ENDED UP AT METHODIST AND RILEY HOSPITALS WHERE THEIR SPECIALISTS STABILIZED THE YOUNGSTER AND BROUGHT HIM BACK TO HEALTH. HE'S NOT OUT OF THE WOODS YET. HAS DAILY MEDICATIONS ADMINISTERED TO CONTROL FLUID IN HIS LUNGS, BUT HE IS HOME. WITHOUT RILEY AND METHODIST HOSPITALS WE COULD HAVE LOST THIS PRECIOUS LITTLE MAN.

NOT ONLY DID THEY MINISTER TO HIS NEEDS AND RECOVERY, BUT THEY ALSO WENT MANY EXTRA MILES TO MAKE HIM FEEL AT HOME. HE WAS TREATED BY THE ENTIRE STAFF AS IF HE WAS ONE OF THEIR CHILDREN. THE HELICOPTER PILOTS, UPON LEARNING OF HIS LOVE FOR THE CHOPPERS, CAME TO HIS ROOM, TOOK HIM TO THE LANDING PAD, TOOK PICTURES OF HIM WITH THE AIRCRAFT, AND GAVE HIM A MODEL OF IT FOR HIS VERY OWN...ONE EXAMPLE OF THE MANY COURTESIES THEY PERFORMED.

TO THE DOCTORS, NURSES, CHOPPER PILOTS AND THE ENTIRE THOUGHFUL STAFF AT METHODIST AND RILEY HOSPITALS IN INDIANAPOLIS, A PRAYER FILLED THANK YOU FOR THE RECOVERY OF MY GREAT GRANDSON CHASE. OUR ENTIRE FAMILY WILL BE ETERNALLY GRATEFUL. GOD BLESS YOU ALL. I'M BOB CHASE.

1-1-08

I'VE NEVER BEEN ONE TO MAKE NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS. TO ME, IT'S A CASE OF GUILT COMPLEX...SOMETHING YOU SHOULD HAVE DONE ANYWAY, BUT PROCRASTINATED, AND NOW ARE CONFESSING YOUR SHORTCOMINGS.

IT'S 2008. 2007 WAS A TOUGH ONE, BUT WE ALL SURVIVED. NOW, IT'S A POLITICAL YEAR, AND WE'RE ALL GOING TO BE TOTALLY FED UP WITH RHETORIC LONG BEFORE WE GO TO THE VOTING BOOTHS TO SELECT EITHER OUR CANDIDATE, OR THE LESSER OF THE TWO EVILS, DEPENDING ON WHAT TRANSPIRES. RIGHT NOW THE LATTER SEEMS TO BE THE ALTERNATIVE.

AT A TIME OUR NATION NEEDS AN ISSUE-ORIENTED SLATE OF CANDIDATES, THEY'RE SPENDING THEIR TIME IN CHARACTER ASSASSINATION. WE'RE ALSO BACK TO THE ROMAN TIMES…THE CHRISTIANS FACING THE LIONS, AND THE CHRISTIANS ARE LOSING AGAIN. THIS ELECTION SHOULD NOT BE POLARIZED BY THE CHOICE OF EITHER A MAN OR WOMAN. IF IT'S EVEN POSSIBLE, LET'S SELECT THE PERSON WHO CAN MOST HONESTLY AND EFFICIENTLY LEAD OUR NATION AT A TIME IT CRIES FOR LEADERSHIP.

THIS ELECTION WILL BE THE MOST CRUCIAL WE HAVE HAD TO THIS DATE IN HISTORY. TOO MANY POLITICIANS ARE TRYING TO GIVE OUR COUNTRY AWAY...WANTING TO INTERNATIONALIZE OUR TRADE, OUR CURRENCY, OUR IMMIGRATION POLICIES, EVEN OUR ARMED FORCES. IF WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO BE THE GREAT COUNTRY WE PROFESS TO BE, UNLESS WE CHOOSE TO ELECT AMERICA-FIRST CANDIDATES, WE'RE HEADING FOR THE SCRAP HEAP. MAKE THESE CANDIDATES EARN YOUR VOTE, PARTIES BE DAMNED. LET'S WAKE UP AMERICA, NOW. THERE IS NO TOMORROW. I'M BOB CHASE.

10-02-07

WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO THE DISCUSSION ABOUT ENFORCING THE CELL PHONE USE WHILE DRIVING VEHICLES? THAT ENFORCEMENT IS NON-EXISTANT. THE OTHER DAY WHILE DRIVING NORTH ON SPY RUN I COUNTED IN THE COURSE OF TWO BLOCKS DURING HIGH TRAFFIC TIME, ELEVEN DRIVERS TALKING ON THEIR CELL PHONES WHILE TRYING TO NEGOTIATE TRAFFIC, WHICH WAS VERY HEAVEY AT THE TIME.

MY ATTENTION WAS AROUSED INITIALLY DUE TO BEING ALMOST HIT ON THE SPY RUN CURVE JUST OVER THE BRIDGE GOING NORTH BY THE FORT AS A CAR IN THE RIGHT LANE DRIFTED LEFT AND ALMOST HIT ME. THE DRIVER WAS TALKING ON HER CELL PHONE AND DIDN'T EVEN SEE ME, BEFORE OR AFTER. THAT WAS BAD ENOUGH, BUT TO ADD TO THE PROBLEM, THE DRIVER ON MY LEFT WAS ALSO ON THE PHONE. I KNEW THIS AS I CHECKED TO SEE IF I MIGHT MOVE LEFT A LITTLE TO AVOID THE AFOREMENTIONED DRIVER ON THE RIGHT. THAT DRIVER DIDN'T KNOW HOW CLOSE WE'D ALL COME TO A POSSIBLE COLLISION EITHER.

I WAS A LITTLE UPSET, SO I BEGAN CHECKING CARS ON BOTH SIDES OF ME WHILE SAFELY CONTROLLING MY OWN VEHICLE IN THE MIDDLE LANE. FROM THAT POINT, ALL THE WAY TO ELIZAZBETH STREET I BEGAN COUNTING DRIVERS WITH CELL PHONES TO THEIR EARS, AND I COUNTED NINE MORE, AND PROBABLY DIDN'T SEE THE REST OF THEM.BY THE TIME I GOT TO THE STATE STREET TRAFFIC LIGHT, WHICH WAS RED.

THE FIRST OFFENDER HAD MOVED ALL THE WAY TO THE LEFT LANE AND WAS STILL TALKING ON THE PHONE AT THE STOP LIGHT. WHEN THE LIGHT CHANGED SHE MUST HAVE HELD UP TRAFFIC FOR 20 SECONDS BEFORE SHE REALIZED SHE SHOULD GET GOING.

I THINK CELL PHONES ARE REALLY CONVENIENT APPLIANCES, BUT THEY SHOULD BE USED RESPONSIBLY. I CANNOT COMPREHEND THAT ANYTHING IS SO COMPELLING THAT THE PHONE SHOULD BE USED IN DRIVING TRAFFIC SITUATIONS. MURPH AND I BOTH HAVE CELL PHONES, WHICH WE USE RESPONSIBLY, WHICH DOES NOT INCLUDE WHILE DRIVING A CAR, IN TRAFFIC SITUATIONS.

IF THE LAW WON'T TEMPER CARELESS USE OF THESE INSTRUMENTS, MAYBE WE SHOULD EACH..PERSONALLY TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR OUR ACTIONS. TRY BEING A LITTLE CONSIDERATE...YOU'LL BE SURPRISED AT THE WARM FEELINGS THIS WILL ELICIT.

THANKS...I'M BOB CHASE.

9-27-07

SHOULD COLLEGE ATHLETES BE PAID ADDITIONAL MONIES FOR THEIR SERVICE ON THEIR UNIVERSITY SPORTS TEAMS, OR IS THE SCHOLARSHIP AMOUNT ADEQUATE REMUNERATION FOR THEIR EFFORTS TO GENERATE FUNDS FOR THEIR ATHLETIC PROGRAMS?

IT'S A PRETTY CRAZY LINE TO DRAW FOR MANY REASONS. HOW WOULD YOU DETERMINE WHICH ATHLETES MAKE NOW MUCH OF AN ALLOWANCE WHILE PERFORMING WITH THEIR TEAMS? SHOULD THE QUARTERBACKS GET THE SAME MONEY AS THE TACKLES...OR THE SECOND AND THIRD TEAM ATHLETES BE PAID LESS THAN THE VARSITY?

SAME GOES FOR ALL SPORTS. HOW MUCH MORE WOULD THE STARS BE PAID THAN THE SUPPORTING CAST? NOT AN EASY DECISION.

IF THAT WERE THE CASE, I WOULD CARRY THE CONTRACT ONE STEP FURTHER..AND IF THEY WOULD GET PAID, THERE SHOULD BE A CONTRACT TO DEFINE THE CONDITIONS AND AMOUNTS. I WOULD ALSO ADD A CLAUSE THAT ALL ATHLETES WHO SIGN PRO CONTRACTS ARISING FROM THEIR PLAY FOR THEIR UNIVERSITIES, SHOULD BE TITHED FOR AN AMOUNT..MAYBE TEN PERCENT FOR THE FIRST FIVE YEARS OF THEIR PRO CAREERS.

THIS WOULD HELP RESTORE THE BUDGET TO CONTINUE TO PAY FUTURE ATHLETES AND ALSO ADD MONEY TO THE PROGRAMS FOR ADDITIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS. LET'S FACE IT...MANY ATHLETES USE THESE SCHOLARSHIPS TO PREP FOR THEIR PRO CAREERS.

IN THESE DAYS OF THE MULTI MILLION DOLLAR CONTRACTS IT, SURE WOULD BE A SHOT IN THE ARM TO THOSE SCHOOLS AFFECTED. THE PREMISE FOR THIS THESIS ARISES FROM THE THOUGHT THAT COLLEGIATE ATHLETES GENERATE HUGE SUMS OF MONEY FOR THEIR PROGRAMS, THEREFORE ALLOW THEM TO SHARE IN THE REVENUE.

THE NEGATAIVE SIDE..IT SURELY WOULD DETRACT FROM THE FAIRLY PURE ARRANGEMENT NOW ACCEPTED BY STUDENT ATHLETES TO PLAY FOR THEIR CHOSEN SCHOOLS. IT WOULD BE TOUGHER TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OVER PERKS TO LURE PROSPECTS TO ANY UNIVERSITY, AND THOSE WITH THE BIGGEST WALLETS WOULD DOMINATE THE RECRUITING FIELD.

I LIKE IT THE WAY IT IS. ATHLETES SHOULD BE MADE TO WORK FOR THEIR FUTURE, LIKE THEY DID IN THE OLD DAYS. THAT WAY THEY'LL APPRECIATE REAPING THE FRUITS OF THEIR DEDICATION THAT MUCH MORE.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THAT?

I'M BOB CHASE.

9-25-07

WHEN TIMES GET HARD AND MONEY GETS SCARCE, STRANGE THINGS EMERGE ON THE CREDIT SCENE. TRANSLATED....THERE'S ALWAYS SOMEBODY WHO WILL LEND MONEY TO ANYONE. SOMETIMES WHEN FINANCIAL WOES HAVE YOU AT THE END OF YOUR ROPE AND YOU'RE GRASPING AT ANY STRAW, DON'T REACH FOR THOSE SLICK VEHICLES THAT SAY, "DON'T WORRY.WE'LL SOLVE ALL YOUR CREDIT PROBLEMS WITH ONE SIMPLE CONSOLIDATION LOAN. JUST ONE PAYMENT..AND YOU'LL BE BACK IN THE GREEN AGAIN."

ALL THOSE CONCERNS THAT ARE EXPRESSED BY THESE INSTITUTIONS IS NOT OUT OF COMPASSION...IT'S BECAUSE THEY HAVE A BETTER MOUSE TRAP. THEY'LL TAKE EVERYTHING THEY CAN FROM YOU, NO CONSCIENCE DISPLAYED AT ALL.

ONE OF THE WORST FINANCIAL DEALS OF ALL...THOSE PAYDAY LOANS. COME ON IN, WE'LL GIVE YOU THE MONEY. WHEN YOU GET PAID, BRING IN THE CHECK AND WE'RE EVEN AGAIN....REALLY. IF YOU HAVEN'T READ THE FINE..FINE PRINT, IT'S TOO LATE. INTEREST CUTS IN BIG TIME, UP TO TRIPLE DIGIT INTEREST MAKING IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO GET THE DEAL PAID OFF...AND YOU GET DEEPER AND DEEPER IN DEBT. NOW, RATHER THAN LOSING ONE ENTITY THAT YOU COULDN'T AFFORD IN THE FIRST PLACE, YOU'RE GOING TO LOSE THE WHOLE FARM. ONCE THEY GET THEIR HOOKS INTO YOUR COLLATERAL, THEY'VE GOTCHA.

CREDIT HAS ALWAYS BEEN A DANGEROUS ADVENTURE, ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE UNSUSPECTING FOLKS WHO KNOW LITTLE ABOUT HOW IT WORKS. MANY SUCH VICTIMS HAVE NO OTHER RECOURSE AS THEIR CREDIT STANDINGS PRECLUDE THEIR WORKING WITH BANKS OR MORE CONVENTIONAL LENDING INSTITUTIONS. THERE ARE LITERALLY MILLIONS OF CREDIT VICTIMS IN OUR COUNTRY WHO WILL LIVE IN DEBT FOR THEIR LIFETIMES.

IT'S TOO BAD IN THESE CASES THERE ISN'T SOME GOVERNMENT AGENCY THAT COULD AFFORD PROTECTION TO THESE FOLKS. IT'S THE POVERTY LEVEL FOLKS THAT ARE BEING PRAYED UPON...AND THEY HAVE LITTLE RECOURSE, EXCEPT TO SUFFER THE ECONOMIC DISTRESS OF WELFARE, AND MAKE DO WITH WHAT LITTLE IS AVAILABLE. IT'S NOT A HAPPY PICTURE.

IF YOU CAN'T AFFORD IT..DON'T BUY IT. KIND OF A STRANGE EXPOSE TO BE DELIVERED IN THE LAND OF MILK AND HONEY, ISN'T IT? THIS IS A REALITY THAT EVEN THE SOCIAL CORRECTNESS FREAKS WON'T COPE WITH, BUT THEY SHOULD. HERE'S A SPOT WHERE THEY COULD DO SOME REAL, POSITIVE GOOD.

I'M BOB CHASE.

9-20-07

EVERY TIME I THINK I'VE SEEN OR HEARD IT ALL, ALONG COMES ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF STUPIDITY. SOCIAL CORRECTNESS AND CONCESSION. THIS ONE REALLY STEAMED ME. SURPRISINGLY ENOUGH IT COMES FROM THE SOUTH WHERE PATRIOTISM STILL HAS A PLACE, BUT NOT THIS TIME.IN HOBBTON, NORTH CAROLINA. STUDENTS AT ONE HIGHSCHOOL WERE NOT ALLOWED TO WEAR CLOTHING WITH AN AMERICAN FLAG. THIS HAPPENED SEPTEMBER 11TH, DURING THE 6TH ANNIVERSARY OF 9/11.

THE NEW SCHOOL RULE STASTES STUDENTS AST HOBBTON HIGH SCHOOL ARE NOT ALLOWED TO WEAR ITEMS WITH FLAGS, FROM ANY COUNTRY, INCLUDING THE UNITED STATES. THE NEW RULE STEMS FROM A CONTROVERSY OVER STUDENTS WEARING SHIRTS BEARING FLAGS OF OTHER COUNTRIES. ONE PARENT SAID HER DAUGHTER WAS TOLD TO REMOVE HER STARS AND STRIPES T-SHIRT. AND HERE'S THE PIECE DE-RESISTANCE...THE SUPERINTENDANT OF SCHOOLS IN SAMPSON COUNTY CALLS THE SITUATION UNFORTUNATE, BUT SAYS EDUCATORS DIDN'T WANT TO BE FORCED TO PICK AND CHOOSE WHICH FLAGS SHOULD BE PERMISSIBLE.

COME ON NOW....THAT'S THE BIGGEST NO-BRAINER I'VE HEARD IN A LONG TIME. SOCIAL CORRECTNESS DECISIONS HAVE REALLY OVERSTEPPED THEIR BOUNDS. IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, THERE IS ONLY ONE FLAG THAT SHOULD BE ACCEPTED IN OR OUT OF SCHOOLS...THE AMERICAN FLAG...THE STARS AND STRIPES. THE MOST BEAUTIFUL FLAG IN THE WORLD THE WAY I SEE IT.

WHO WOULD WANT TO DISPLAY FLAGS FROM OTHER COUNTRIES AT ANY TIME...IN OUR SCHOOLS IN OUR COUNTRY...THE U.S.A.

IF ANYTHING, MAYBE THEY SHOULD HAVE A WEEKLY "FLAG DAY" WHEN ALL STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO WEAR A T-SHIRT WITH THE AMERICAN FLAG PROMINENTLY DISPLAYED. TO RE-ACQUIANT THE YOUTH OF AMERICA WITH THEIR FLAG.

THEY'VE SUCCESSFULLY REMOVED GOD FROM PUBLIC SCHOOLS, ARE THEY NOW TRYING TO REMOVE THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA FROM PUBLIC SCHOOLS TOO. A FEW MILLION OF US HAVE PAID THE PRICE TO PRESERVE THE PRIVILEDGE OF FLYING OR DISPLAYING THE AMERICAN FLAG ANYWHERE IN THIS NATION, AND ESPECIALLY IN SCHOOLS AND PUBLIC BUILDINGS. I'M GLAD I DON'T LIVE IN HOBBTON, NORTH CAROLINA, OR I'D HAVE BEEN KNOCKING ON SOME SCHOOL DOORS TO KICK A LITTLE BUTT.

I'M BOB CHASE.

9-13-07

THE KOMETS ARE BACK FOR THEIR 56TH CONSECUTIVE SEASON AND LOOKING GOOD. SEASON TICKET SALES UP. SHOULD ALSO BE A GOOD TEAM...LOTS OF OFF SEASON WORK SHOULD BEAR FRUIT. FORT WAYNE FUSION, TOTAL CONFUSION, .HEADED FOR DEFUSION I'M AFRAID, UNLESS AN INFUSION OF CASH IS FOUND WITHIN THE NEXT FEW MOMENTS...AND AFTER THE TRACK RECORD OF INDOOR FOOTBALL IN THIS CITY, MAYBE IT'S TIME TO PUT THIS SPORT TO REST.

THE MAD ANTS...NEWCOMERS TO THE SPORTS SCENE, BUT NOT THEIR PRODUCT. MINOR LEAGUE PRO BASKETBALL HAS ALSO HAD A SHAKY PAST. MUCH OF THEIR PROBLEMS...SHAKY OWNERSHIP. WILL THIS NEW ENDEAVOR, WTH NBA BLESSINGS, BE DIFFERENT? IT MAY BE THE BEST CHANCE OF SUCCESS OF ALL THE AFOREMENTIONED TRIES. IT SURE WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE A SOUND ROUNDBALL GROUP HERE AGAIN.

AND THE FORT WAYNE WIZARDS, POISED TO REVEL IN THE ATMOSPHERE OF A NEW DOWNTOWN BALL PARK. HOW WILL THEY PROSPER IN NEW SURROUNDINGS? LET'S HOPE WIZARDS OWNERSHIP DOESN'T LOSE SIGHT OF WHAT BASEBALL FANS WANT...A SOLID TEAM. THAT COULD BE SOMETHING RELEGATED TO LESS THAN A TOP PRIORITY. REMEMBER THEY'RE GOING TO BE BUILDING ALL THAT LUCRATIVE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT, AREN'T THEY...SURELY WORTH THE SMALL INVESTMENT IT TOOK TO BUY THE BALL TEAM...THE FOOT IN THE DOOR INSTRUMENT FOR DOWNWTOWN DEVELOPMENT.

FORT WAYNE IS..THE BEST MINOR LEAGUE SPORTS TOWN IN AMERICA, THIS YEAR AT LEAST. HOW LONG CAN OUR CITY KEEP PROVIDING SUCH A LUCRATIVE PLATFORM FOR MINOR LEAGUE SPORTS? THE KOMETS LEARNED MANY YEARS AGO, YOU JUST CAN'T THROW YOUR HAT INTO THE MEMORIAL COLISEUM AND EXPECT SUCCESS. CONSISTENCY AND CONSIDERATION FOR BOTH THE FANS AND THE COMMERCIAL INTERESTS OF OUR COMMUNITIES ARE MAJOR KEYS TO SURVIVAL, AND THE KOMETS ALSO HAVE THE PERSONNEL THAT KNOW HOW TO DO IT, AND THEY ARE DEFINITELY LOCAL OWNERSHIP WITH LOCAL CONCERNS.

THAT'S WHAT REALLY KEYS SUCCESS...I'M BOB CHASE.

9-11-07

TODAY MARKS SIX YEARS SINCE THE 9/11 ATTACKS ON NEW YORK CITY AND WASHINGTON D.C. MOST OF US WATCHED IN SILENT DISBELIEF AS TERRORISTS SPAWNED DEATH AND DESTRUCTION ON OUR NATION, WITHOUT A SHOT BEING FIRED IN RETALIATION AT THE MOMENT OF DISASTER.

9/11 LAUNCHED US ON ANOTHER ROAD TO A NO-WIN ACTION THAT CONTINUES TO BE THE MAJOR POLITICAL FOOTBALL OF THE UPCOMING ELECTIONS. SINCE WORLD WAR II WE HAVE WON FEW BATTLES CONVINCINGLY, AND HAVE NOT WON A WAR WE HAVE BEEN ENGAGED IN, DUE TO POLITICAL CONCILIATORY ATTITUDES.

THE STARK REALITY OF IT ALL...WE STILL HAVEN'T LEARNED OUR LESSON. WE'RE MAKING THE SAME MISTAKES YET. NOT AGAIN. POLITICAL RHETORIC IS CAUTIOUSLY CREDITING OUR TROOPS WITH ABILITY AND SACRIFICE, WHILE EXPRESSING MANY DOUBTS ABOUT THE CONDUCT OF THE WAR IN IRAQ. WITH GENERAL PETREAUS ABOUT TO TESTIFY ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE CURRENT SURGE, MOST OF THE DEMOCRATS ARE ALREADY DISCREDITING HIS REPORT, FEELING HE WILL TAINT THE FACTS IN FAVOR OF PRESIDENT BUSH'S PROJECTIONS OF SUCCESS IN THIS LATEST OPERATION. THIS IS THE ATMOSPHERE PETREAUS WILL EXPERIENCE EVEN BEFORE HE GETS A CHANCE TO DOCUMENT THE PRESENT CONDITIONS...AND IF THEY'RE POSITIVE, HE WILL BE PORTRAYED AS UNTRUTHFUL POSITIVE NEWS FROM IRAQ, NOT TO BE ACCEPTED.

UNFORTUNATELY, AGAIN, POLITICAL INTERJECTION HAS PRECEEDED ACTUAL TESTIMONY. THE JOHN KERRYS, THE TED KENNEDYS, AND OTHER ANTI-WAR ACTIVISTS HAVE ALREADY DEALT THE COMBAT TROOPS A NEGATIVE BLOW IN SPITE OF THEIR SUCCESSES IN THE FIELD.

TO ADD TO THE CONFUSION, OSAMA BIN LADEN HAS RECEIVED UNANIMOUS COOPERATION FROM U.S. AND WORLD MEDIA TO PUBLISH HIS LATEST DIATRIBE AND ULTIMATUMS. HOW CAN THIS VIRTUAL ILLITERATE DOMINATE WORLD OPINION WITHOUT SOME CHALLENGE? JUST ANOTHER PIECE OF THE CONFUSION PUZZLE THAT I CAN NOT COMPREHEND.

UNTIL WE DECIDE TO CUT LOOSE AND KICK SOME MAJOR BUTT IN A MAJOR MILITARY FASHION, WE'LL NEVER BE RID OF THESE WHINING, SNIVELLING DETRACTORS AND THEYU WILL CONTINUE TO IMPEDE A FINAL SOLUTION TO A VERY BAD SITUATION.

9/11/01 WAS SIX YEARS AGO TODAY. LET'S CONTINUE TO REMEMBER IT FOR WHAT IT WAS...A SLAP IN THE FACE O FAMERICA. LET'S GO GET 'EM AND FINISH OFF THE DEBACLE, NOW. I'M BOB CHASE.

8-30-07

BECOMING THE MAYOR OF FORT WAYNE, INDIANA SURE MUST BE A LUCRATIVE POSITION, EVEN MORE THAN MOST FOLKS HAD THOUGHT. SEEKING THAT SPOT HAS COMPROMISED ONE CANDIDATE, WHO AT EACH OUTING SEEMS TO FURTHER MUDDY THE WATERS AND HIS REPUTATION.

MY DADDY ALWAYS TOLD ME, BUCCO, AS LONG AS YOU TELL THE TRUTH, YOU'LL HAVE NOTHING YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER. IT WILL ALWAYS BE THE SAME WHENEVER YOU RECALL IT. THAT HAS BEEN PART OF MY CREED ALL MY LIFE. POLITICAL CANDIDATES ARE NOT THE ONLY FOLKS WHO DISTORT OR ALTER THE TRUTH TO FIT THEIR CONVENIENCE, BUT OF ALL FOLKS WHO DO PRACTICE THIS LITTLE GAME, THEY HAVE THE MOST TO LOSE.

EVERY DISCLOSURE IS A MATTER OF PUBLIC RECORD, AND IT'S VERY EASY TO DISPUTE CLAIMS AND STATEMENTS IF THEY'RE NOT CONSISTENT. LOCALLY, WHAT BEGAN AS AN EXCITING COMPETITION FOR THE HONOR OF BEING MAYOR OF FORT WAYNE HAS TURNED INTO A VERY LARGE SMUDGE ON THE FACE OF AND THE CONSCIENCE OF THIS CITY. BOTH THE VIOLATIONS AND THE TIMING OF THOSE FINDINGS HAS MADE IT NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE TO CHANGE THE BALLOT...AND THE CANDIDATE LEGALLY...AND THE ELECTION COULD FURTHER CLOUD THE POLITICAL SCENE DEPENDING ON THE OUTCOME.

FOR A CITY THAT HAS JUST RECEIVED THE RECOGNITION FOR BEING THE NUMBER ONE MINOR LEAGUE SPORTS MARKET IN THE UNITED STATES, WE MIGHT ALSO BE IN LINE TO SHARE THE TITLE OF MOST EMBARRASSING POLITICAL CLIMATE IN THE U.S.

IF, IN THE COURSE OF CONDUCTING A CAMPAIGN FOR PUBLIC OFFICEA CANDIDATE HAS A MEMORY THAT HAS LAPSES THAT ARE LEGITIMATE, THAT'S NOT GOOD, BUT IT'S ACCEPTABLE.

IF THOSE LAPSES ARE BORN OF CONVENIENCE, THAT'S A HORSE OF A TOTALLY DIFFERENT COLOR. WITH EACH SUCCEEDING DAY IT NOW BECOMES MORE AND MORE IMPORTANT THAT VOTERS BECOME EVEN MORE AWARE OF THE CANDIDATES THEY CAST THEIR VOTES FOR. PARTY LINES ARE MUCH LESS IMPORTANT THAN THE LACK OF INTEGRITY OF A CANDIDATE. YOUR VOTE ALLOWS HUMAN BEING TO REPRESENT YOU IN THE STEWARDSHIP OF YOUR CITY.

IF YOU VOTE YOUR CONSCIENCE RATHER THAN THE PARTY, EVERYTHING WILL WORK JUST FINE. THAT'S WHAT I INTEND TO DO....I'M BOB CHASE

5-29-07

HAVE YOU PURCHASED ANY STAMPS LATELY? WE ARE USING THE FOREVER STAMPS RIGHT NOW...DON'T HAVE THE REGULAR 41 CENT ONES ON HAND. I WONDER HOW LONG THE FOREVER STAMPS WILL BE CURRENT. NOT FOREVER, THAT'S FOR SURE.

FOR SOME TIME I'VE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THIS RATE-RAISING EXERCISE BY THE POSTAL DEPARTMENT. HOW COME ALL OF US HAVE TO PAY THE PRICE WHILE THE POOR POSTMAN CONTINUES TO DELIVER TONS OF COMMERCIAL MAIL DAILY TO YOUR AND MY MAILBOXES THAT WE REALLY DON'T WANT TO SEE IN THE FIRST PLACE? JUNK MAIL...AT A GREATLY REDUCED RATE FROM WHAT WE PAY FOR AN ORDINARY LETTER. BULK MAIL PRIVILEDGES THEY CALL THEM. IF ANYBODY SHOULD BE PAYING HIGH PRICES FOR THEIR MAILINGS, IT SHOULD BE THOSE FOLKS.

THE ORIGINAL SYSEM WASN'T DESIGNED WITH THE JUNK MAILERS IN MIND. HAD THIS HAPPENED IN THE PONY EXPRESS DAYS THAT STUFF WOULDN'T HAVE EVEN BEEN DELIVERED. IF WE GET ONE OR TWO LETTERS A DAY AND THREE OR FOUR BILLS, THAT'S WHAT WE EXPECT IN OUR MAILBOX. THE PROBLEM IS SORTING THROUGH ALL THE JUNK MAIL TO FIND THE FEW PIECES OF MAIL THAT COUNT. IT'S DISGUSTING, AND I'M SURE THE MAILMAN FEELS THE SAME WAY...AND NOW THEY'RE CHARGING US EVEN MORE.

I SAY GIVE US THE LESSER AMOUNT PER LETTER AND JACK UP THE PRICE OF THAT TRASH WE'RE GETTING EACH DAY. MAKE 'EM PAY. THEY CAN'T SEEM TO FUNCTION WITHOUT THAT STUFF. GIVE WE CITIZENS A BREAK FOR A CHANGE.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THIS ONE? YOU KNOW THE POSTAL DEPARTMENT MUST HAVE ANTICIPATED THESE DEALS. THEY'RE PRODUCING STAMPS WITH ADHESIVE ON THE BACK SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO LICK THEM ANYMORE. THAT GLUE TASTED AWFUL ANYWAY, AND IN THIS CALORIE-CONSCIOUS WORLD THEY'RE THINKING OF US I GUESS. THE ONLY PROBLEM…WE'RE STILL TAKING A LICKING ON THE POSTAL RATES, AND I'M COMING UNGLUED ABOUT THAT. LET'S STAMP OUT JUNK MAIL. I'M BOB CHASE.

5-24-07

SOMETIMES BIGGER IS NOT BETTER. BEGINNING IN MAY OF 1954 I SPENT ALMOST 40 YEARS EACH MAY AT THE INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY. WHEN I FIRST BEGAN COVERING THAT EVENT IT WAS A MONTH LONG ORDEAL, BUT GREAT FUN AS CREWS AND OWNERS BROUGHT THEIR CARS TO THE TRACK, TWEEKED THEIR EQUIPMENT, AND GOT READY FOR THE MEMORIAL DAY RACE…AND THAT RACE WAS ON MEMORIAL DAY, REGARDLESS OF WHICH DAY OF THE WEEK THE DATE FELL.

ROGER WARD, BILL VUKOVICH, DUKE NALON, BOB VEITH, A.J. FOYT, DON BRANSON, EDDIE SACHS, PARNELLI JONES, JIM HURTIBISE, JIMMY CLARK, WILBER SHAW, TONY BETTENHAUSEN, BOBBY MARSHMAN AND ON AND ON THEY WENT.

BOB WILKIE, J.C. AGAJANIAN, ANDY GRANATELLI¸J. WATSON....JUST A FEW OF THE NAMES OF CAR OWNERS WHO BROUGHT MULTIPLE ENTRIES TO THE TRACK. THEY WERE ALL FRONT ENGINE CARS IN THOSE DAYS…OFFENHAUSER ENGINES ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY UNTIL FORD BEGAN THEIR V-8 APPLICATIONS TO THE TRACK AND REAR ENGINE CARS BECAME THE WAY TO GO. THE "OFFIE" ENGINE WAS A FOUR CYLINDER CREATION THAT COULD REALLY PUT OUT THE HORSES ON THE STRAIGHTAWAYS BUT COULDN'T DO WELL IN THE CORNERS. THEY WERE SO POWERFUL THEY'D TEAR THEIR TRACTION LOOOSE WHEN DRIVERS PUT THEIR FOOT INTO IT COMING OUT OF THE CORNERS. THE V-8'S WERE SMOOOTHER…RAN HIGHER RPMS ALL THE WAY AROUND THE TRACK. GRANATELLI OWNED THE INFAMOUS NOVI RACERS, THE MOST POWERFUL CARS TO EVER NAVIGATE THE TRACK…BUT THEY WERE KILLER CARS THAT NO ONE WAS ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY CONTROL TO WIN RACES. IN 1952 FREDDIE AGABASIAN PUT AN ALLISON DIESEL RACER ON THE POLE BUT COULDN'T WIN THE RACE. THE CAR WAS SO STRONG THEY KEPT TEARING TIRES OFF THE WHEELS ALL RACE LONG UNTIL THEY RETIRED THE CAR LATE IN THE RACE.

CROWDS WERE PHENOMINAL, AND FROM YEAR TO YEAR THE TRACK WAS SOLD OUT. ALL THE RACE TEAMS WERE PRIVATELY OWNED WITH NO CORPORATE SPONSORSHIPS AND THE RACING FRATERNITY STUCK TOGETHER LIKE GLUE. THE ONLY CORPORATE EFFORTS OF NATIONAL PROMINENCE WAS THE TIRE COMPETITION BETWEEN FIRESTONE AND GOODYEAR. THE RACE WAS NEVER BIGGER. THEN CAME THE CORPORATIONS CONTROLLING EVERYTHING, DEMANDING EXCLUSIVITY AT EVERY TURN, AND THE PERSONALITY OF THE SPORT COMPLETELY CHANGED AS THE RACE WAS TAKEN FROM THE PUBLIC AND IT LOST ITS CHARM. THE SAME THING IS NOW HAPPENING AT NASCAR AND THEY TOO ARE LOSING THEIR APPEAL TO THEIR FANS. THE MORAL...BIGGER IS NOT ALWAYS BETTER. THE HUMAN ELEMENT IS VITAL TO THE SUCCESS OF MOTORSPORTS AND THEY'D BETTER BRING IT BACK.

NOSTALGIA STILL HAS IT VALUES, AT LEAST TO THIS OLD CODGER. I'M BOB CHASE.

5-22-07

INTEGRITY IS BEING CHALLENGED AND UNDERCUT FOR POLITICAL GAIN. THE TOUGH PART OF THIS STATEMENT...FORMER MILITARY LEADERS ARE YIELDING TO POLITICAL PRESSURES, AND ARE NOW HELPING UNDERMINE THE EFFORTS OF OUR OPERATIONS IN IRAQ AND AFGHANASTAN. SEVERAL RETIRED GENERALS ARE JOINING THE ANTI-WAR GROUPS, RECORDING SPOTS AGAINST THE VERY PEOPLE THEY COMMANDED, FURTHER JEOPARDIZING THE IMAGE OF THOSE TROOPS STILL IN HARM’S WAY IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND AROUND THE WORLD.

PONTIFICATE AS MUCH AS YOU LIKE, BUT THE GRUNTS…THE BOOTS ON THE GROUND ARE THE ONES BEING FURTHER PUT IN HARM’S WAY AS THEY TRY TO PERFORM THEIR DUTIES AS THE BEST-ARMED FORCES IN THE WORLD. THE MAJORITY OF THEM BELIEVE THEY ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE AND FEEL THAT FROM THEIR PERSONAL EXPERIENCES IN THE FIELD. ALTHOUGH WE DON'T WANT THEM IN HARM’S WAY AND DETEST WHAT IS GOING ON, WE MUST NOT SHOW OUR NEGATIVITY IN THE PUBLIC ARENA IN THE MANNER WE ARE NOW DOING. IN THE LEGISLATIVE HALLS IS WHERE THERE SHOULD BE MEANINGFUL DIALOGUE...NOT IN THE PUBLIC ARENA WHERE THE WORLD BECOMES THE JUDGE AND JURY.

I'M NOT SURPRISED ABOUT SOME OF THE REACTION OF THOSE RETIRED GENERALS. IF YOU DIDN'T KNOW, PROMOTION AT THE HIGH BRASS LEVEL IS PREDICATED IN MOST CASES BY THE NUMBER, THE RANK YOU GRADUATED WITH IN YOUR CLASS AT THE ACADEMIES. SOMETIMES THOSE HIGHER NUMBERED FOLKS ARE BYPASSED FOR EITHER POLITICAL REASONS OR EFFICIENCY PERFORMANCES, AND THOSE WHO GET LEFT IN THE DUST BECOME DISGRUNTLED AND THIS IS THEIR WAY OF GETTING EVEN. TO DO IT AT THE COSTS OF TROOPS THEY FORMERLY COMMANDED IS NOT VERY MORAL TO MY WAY OF THINKING, PROVING TO ME THAT MAYBE THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE RIGHT STUFF AFTER ALL.

I'M BOB CHASE.

5-15-07

BARRY BONDS HIT HOME RUN NUMBER 745 TUESDAY NIGHT. IT WAS THE ONLY RUN FOR THE GIANTS WHO LOST THE GAME 4 TO 1. WITH EVERY HOMER BONDS HITS, THE CRESCHENDO HEIGHTENS ON WHY BONDS SHOULDN'T BE RECOGNIZED FOR ATTAINING A NEW HOME RUN PLATEAU REPLACING HANK AARON, IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

THIS ENTIRE REVOLUTION HAS BEEN CREATED BY THE MEDIA. BONDS HAS BEEN AROUND FOR A LONG LONG TIME. HE IS A HUMAN BEING, AT LEAST WAS THE LAST TIME I SAW HIM. IN SPITE OF THE STEROID CONTROVERSEY BONDS IS A PRETTY GOOD ATHLETE IN HIS OWN RIGHT. IT STILL TAKES THE HAND-EYE COORDINATION TO LAY THE BAT ON THE BALL AND HAVE THE POWER TO GET IT OUT OF THE PARK. BONDS HAS NEVER ACCOSTED ANYONE NOR SHOT ANYONE...HE'S JUST CATCHING HANK AARON IN THE HOME RUN DERBY.

THE GUY WHO OWNED THE RECORD BEFORE AARON, GEORGE HERMAN RUTH WAS A REAL ROUNDER OF THE FIRST ORDER...A MEAN GUY WHO DRANK TO EXCESS AND HAD LITTLE RESPECT FOR ANYONE INCLUDING HIS TEAMMATES. IN FACT MANY OF THE "OLD" MAJOR LEAGUE HERO'S WEREN'T THE BEST OF CITIZENS BUT WHAT THEY DID ON THE BALL FIELD WAS HOW THE RECORD BOOKS RECORDED IT.

I CAN BE A TRADITIONALIST AT TIMES. AFTER SPENDING SIXTY YEARS COVERING SPORTS AT ALL LEVELS AND ALL VENUES, I HAVE SEEN QUITE A BIT. DON'T FORGET I STILL FEEL PETE ROSE MUST BE IN THE BASEBALL HALL OF FAME EVEN THOUGH HE BROKE THE RULES. PRIOR TO THAT TIME..HE ALSO BROKE THE RECORD ON THE FIELD WHERE SUCH RECORDS ARE MADE. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS FOOTNOTE THE RECORD SAYING THAT EVEN THOUGH PETE ISN'T THE HALL HIS ALL-TIME HITS RECORD IS. IT HAS TO BE...IT REALLY HAPPENED. THE SAME GOES FOR BARRY BONDS. ALL THOSE HOME RUN BALLS ACTUALLY FLEW OUT OF THE PARK. THERE ARE WITNESSES, AND I'LL BET EVEN SOME OF THEM TOOK A FEW ENHANCERS IN THEIR TIME. ALL WE NEED IS JUST THE FACTS....JUST THE FACTS FOLKS. GO GET 'EM BARRY...I'M BOB CHASE

5-10-07

WHERE DO NEWS COVERAGE AND DIGNITY CROSS PURPOSES? AFTER WATCHING THE PRYING EYES OF TELEVISION AT VIRGINIA TECH FOR MORE THAN A WEEK, I BECAME UNCOMFORTABLE WITH THE INTRUSIONS INTO THE EMOTIONAL LIVES OF THE VICTIMS, THEIR FAMILIES, FRIENDS, AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS. WHATEVER IT TOOK TO FILL THE TIME…BARE THE EMOTIONS OF THOSE SCARRED BY THE TRAGEDY, REKINDLE THE HORROR OF THOSE MOMENTS. THEY DID. REPETITION, REPETITON, REPETITION, AND MORE REPETITION. SEEING PHOTOS AT 8 IN THE MORNING AND SEEING THE SAME FOOTAGE AT 8 IN THE EVENING BECAME SICKENING. ALL THE NEWS OUTLETS USED THE SAME STUFF. WHERE WAS THEIR CREATIVE GENIUS, THEIR ABILITY TO ORIGINATE THEIR OWN IMAGES? AND THE REPORTERS, WITH THEIR AFTER-THE-FACT WISDOM…WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD THIS WOULD BE BY THEIR STANDARDS BASED ON HINDSIGHT.

IT'S SAD THAT THE FODDER TO FEED THE FRENZY OF TV NEWS NETWORKS IS ALWAYS TRAGEDY. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME A "FEEL-GOOD" STORY MADE NATIONAL HEADINES. FROM NOW THROUGH NOVEMBER 2008 ADD TO THIS MINDSET..."POLITICS". OF COURSE THAT TOO IS TRAGIC. THE ONLY HUMOROUS ITEM THUS FAR IS THE 400 DOLLAR HAIRCUT FOR MR. EDWARDS WHICH IS TURNING OUT TO BE A HEADLINE STORY, PARDON THE PUN, AT A TIME REAL ISSUES ARE BEING PROSTITUTED IN THE NAME OF WANNABE NATIONAL LEADERSHIP.

WHEN YOU REALIZE THE HUGH FINANCIAL INVENTORY ALL THE MAJOR CANDIDATES HAVE AMASSED, DON'T TELL ME NO PATRONAGE IS EXPECTED IN RETURN, AND THESE WAR CHESTS ARE ONLY FOR THE PRIMARY AND NOMINATING PROCESSES. WAIT TILL THE REAL THING COMES ALONG. THE BUYING AND SELLING OF AMERICA ...OUR AMERICA...CONTINUES. WE ARE BEING CONNED RIGHT OUT OF OUR BRITCHES FOLKS, AND DON'T CARE ENOUGH TO STOP IT. WE MUST QUIT ALLOWING THE OTHER GUY TO PROTECT OUR ISSUES, AND BEGIN TO ASSERT OURSELVES...ALL OF US...OR AMERICA WON'T BE OURS MUCH LONGER. IF YOU'RE GOING TO HELP ME, LET'S GET STARTED RIGHT NOW. THE ONLY WAY TO GET TO KNOW YOUR CONGRESSMAN OR SENATOR IS TO CALL HIM...AND HE WILL LISTEN. TRUST ME. I'M BOB CHASE.

As published in The News-Sentinel on Thursday, June 1, 2006:

A guest column by Bill Griggs

WOWO’s Bob Chase deserves his stature as a legend and treasure of broadcasting

Recently I heard Bob Chase doing a segment on ESPN radio. I could not help but think how remarkable this man is and how he has contributed to our community. To the younger generations, he is the hockey icon who began broadcasting Komet hockey before their parents were born. While it’s true he is recognized as the finest play-by-play man on any level in hockey, he has been – and is – much more than that to our community.

Though I have never met Bob, he has been a welcome guest in my home since his WOWO, 1190-AM, debut in 1953. It would be pointless to recount his broadcasting accomplishments and awards. Nearly everyone is already aware of them. In addition to the God-given powerful, dulcet voice that he still possesses, Bob has a gift that separates him from his fellow broadcasters. Bob is able to project his personality and enthusiasm through that voice. Bob could make reading the phone book must-listening.

Bob’s contributions go well beyond hockey. He joinedWOWO in 1953 and almost immediately established a reputation shared only by fellow icon Hilliard Gates. In the late ’50s, when high school basketball was at a fever pitch, three of Fort Wayne’s four radio stations broadcast the sectionals. WGL, 1250-AM, employed Len Davis, the voice of local high school sports, WKJG the legendary Hilliard Gates, and WOWO Bob Chase. It is doubtful any other community had three better sportscasters, but I chose to listen to Bob Chase. He was the best of the best. Big Ten football, Indianapolis 500 racing and any other endeavor he chose were done with equal skill.

Bob was a vital part of one of the most successful radio stations in broadcasting history. He handled his other broadcasting duties with the same aplomb with which he broadcast Komet hockey. WOWO’s 50,000-watt signal blanketed the eastern part of the United States and Canada. Thousands of people knew about Fort Wayne through Bob Chase and Komet hockey. Untold numbers of Canadians followed their local hockey heroes’ exploits through word pictures painted by Bob Chase. His words were worth a thousand pictures.

Unlike many, he has never enhanced his own reputation at the expense of others with broadcasting or commentary solely designed to incite controversy and thrust himself into the limelight at the expense of a second party. If there is ever a hall of fame for broadcasting integrity, visitors will have to pass the statue of Bob Chase to gain admittance.

There is probably no person who has brought more pleasure to more people over a longer period of time or has more greatly enhanced the reputation of Fort Wayne than Bob Chase. For this reason it seems fitting that on Jan. 21, Bob’s birthday, or another suitable day, such as the anniversary of his first WOWO broadcast, Fort Wayne be renamed Bob Chase City for a 24-hour period.

On second thought, maybe it isn’t really necessary to rename our metropolis Bob Chase City. We could merely rename it “Excellence.” Both names would be completely synonymous.