A DAY IN THE LOUNGE - Mondays 'IN' The Undergroundrailroad 9/15/03

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In Memoriam







John Ritter
1948 -- 2003




Johnny Cash
1932 -- 2003



Governor Frank O'Bannon
1930 -- 2003


Over the past several days, we have mourned the deaths of three exceptional individuals who have made important contributions in the entertainment world and in politics. Today, with my fellow DUers, the Undergroundrailroad will pay tribute to actor/comedian John Ritter, singer/actor Johnny Cash and Governor Frank O' Bannon.

I think the *one* quality that each of these individuals had in common was their ability to make us smile and they were, as my grandmother would say, 'good people'. I couldn't agree more. Their lives and legacies will continue to live on in our hearts and minds forever.

Today, I invite my fellow DUers to the Undergroundrailroad to share stories, memories or anything you want to say about the exceptionable lives and careers of John Ritter, Johnny Cash and Governor Frank O'Bannon. With that said,





Welcome to Mondays 'IN' the Undergroundrailroad where we meet, greet, answer questions of the day and jump-start the week ahead.

Today I will serve Ultra Chocolate Layer Cake. As usual we will have our our Brass Coffee Service and nice tall glasses of cold milk to accompany that moist chocolate cake!

Once again, Welcome to Mondays 'IN' the Undergroundrailroad for September 15, 2003. Grab your cake, coffee and let's go check out the daily.

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JOHN RITTER

John Ritter left this world leaving behind his beautiful smile. There is no mystery to John Ritter's appeal. People just liked John Ritter and his success came from that likability. He had a personal charm that worked to his advantage, often playing characters that we could relate to in our everyday lives. John Ritter currently had a sitcom on ABC, 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter. For younger viewers and their parents, he was the voice of Clifford the Big Red Dog in the PBS series. But mostly his success came from his emmy award winning performance of the lecherous Jack Tripper on Three's Company, still shown in rerun on TV Land. Nick at Nite will carry episodes of Three's Company from 9 p.m. Monday to 6 a.m. Tuesday.

He was also part of a show-business dynasty, as the son of singer Tex Ritter and the father of Jason Ritter, a co-star in the upcoming CBS drama Joan of Arcadia.

For more on the life of JohnRitter.


JOHNNY CASH

Johnny Cash *IS* an American legend. NO other artists has touched the world of music quite like Johnny Cash. His very name is synonymous with the fight for the rights of the poor, the downtrodden and the image of "The Man In Black" is as deeply American as the stars and stripes themselves. Johnny Cash was a fighter even beginning his career as an outlaw to the Nashville establishment, defining country music over the last 40 years. His unique mix of blues, gospel and country music has made him one of the most remarkable musicians of the twentieth century. NO other artist has touched the world of music like Johnny Cash. He is the only person to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, AND The Songwriter's Hall of Fame. His image will go on to become the *ULTIMATE* mythic hero of all time.

For more on the life of Johnny Cash.


GOVERNOR FRANK O' BANNON

Frank O'Bannon, parlayed down home southern Indiana charm and consensus-building ability into mixed success as his state's Governor since 1997, died in office Saturday. He was 73.

The last governor to die in office was Missouri's Gov. Mel Carnahan, who was killed in a plane crash in October 2000 while campaigning for the U.S. Senate.

O'Bannon's tenure began brightly with the economic boom of the late 1990s. Indiana built a record $2 billion surplus, and O'Bannon cut taxes by $1.5 billion, put 500 more police officers on the streets, and won increasing funding for schools and universities. Shortly into his second term, the economic good times soured into a recession. Indiana lost 120,000 jobs, and tax revenues flowing into state coffers slowed to a trickle, forcing tax increases and cuts in social services and other agencies while largely sparing education.

In an April 2002 interview, O'Bannon acknowledged the state's worst fiscal crunch in two decades would help shape his legacy.
"It will certainly be a part of it. But I don't even think of my legacy. I just look at things I can get done,"

Frank O'Bannon, indeed, got the job done. His folksy image and his lifetime of devotion as a public servant and a Democrat is what he will be remembered for. He cared about people and was dedicated to the residents of Indiana.

For more on the life of Governor Frank O'Bannon
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Shout Out to Leon Harris!



Just saw Leon Harris on CNN LIVE TODAY. Did Leon have a change of heart? Will Leon Harris stay on with CNN?
Leon, all I can say is your looking real good today in that anchor chair!!

For those who want to contact Leon Harris or provide feedback to CNN. In the meantime Leon, what ever you do, good luck with your career pursuits.

Stay Cool
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The Boondocks by Aaron McGruder



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1. What is your favorite Johnny Cash song and why?

2. What is your favorite cold breakfast cereal?

3. Whole, 1%, 2% or Skim milk? What to you use over that cold cereal?

4. When traveling on an airplane, hungry, how many packs of peanuts or pretzels to you request? What is your airline beverage of choice?

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OK Gang, I'm OUTTA. If you wanna drop me a pm with questions or comments, please feel free to hit me. See you next Monday 'IN' The Undergroundrailroad.



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