Mike Huckabee's Former Classmate Talks about Mike's Character and Personality

Have you been checking the Huckabee website today about the Vertical Day? If not, start now. On the blog page I found a really cool post by Dr. Larry Sitzes. He talks about what type of kid Mike was growing up and about Mike's character.

• What can I say about Michael Dale Huckabee that you don't know?
• Depends on how well you know him. I don't find any unbiased person whoknows Mike saying anything negative about him. Mike is truly the sametoday as he was yesterday, last year, 40 years ago.
• Mike doesn't have a preacher face, a politician face, a hunter andfisherman face or a marathon runner face. He is just Mike all of the time.
• Does he like to have fun? Oh, we had lots of that in grade school,junior high, high school and college. Having Mike in your classroommade the time pass faster. He and his friends were famous for doing original and witty things. I don't remember ever doing anything to hurt anyone's feelings purposely. We did have some fun at ourteacher's and school administrator's expense though. Mike is very good at impressions!
• We had so much fun radio broadcasting high school football andbasketball games. Mike found ways to make it entertaining for thelisteners even if the game was a little dull.
• Looking back to high school I really don't remember our fellow students being considered as rich, poor or whatever. With Mike we werejust all the same. Mike encouraged that attitude by his actions,setting the example for everyone.
• What have I seen him NEVER do? Lie. Never, ever, ever. Even when it would have been easy to tell a"white lie". I'm sure this characteristic came from his family's influence. I still dare anyoneto prove that Mike has told a lie. There's been no takers, anywhere,anytime.
• Do you know Mike Huckabee? I hope you do. If not, I hope you cansomeday. He is the real deal, every day.
• Dr. Lester Sitzes III
• Best Friend then, now and later.
• Hope, AR

Book Report Intro

Like I said I would work on a book report for Character Makes a Difference. I did start reading it last night. For my first report I will set up the seen.

The book was originally published as Character is the Issue in 1997. It has been updated to include Hurricane Katrina and other current affairs. Even though it was originally wrote a few years ago it is still relevent. Character is the same yesterday, today and tomorow. He wrote it in 3 parts; Part 1: Character in the Furnace, Part 2: The Need for Character, Part 3: Selected Speeches & Commentary.

Mike starts off with an introduction about character. The first paragraph goes like this, "Responding to questions regarding his personal character, President Bill Clinton once told his audience that 'character isn't the issue.' Yet our character defines the world we live in. Our government, welfare programs, schools, and everything else in our lives are shaped and directed according to our character. It's claimed that 'you can't legislate morality,' but, in fact, every law in the country is a reflection of our moral values. We have laws against murder and stealing because we believe they are morally wrong. We used to have laws against abortion in most circumstances. When our moral values changed, the laws changed with them."

He goes on to talk about the character of those we elect. My favorite quote from the Introduction is, "And their character depends on you." He gives great encouragement to those who are bummed about the direction of the character and morality in the country, that there is something that can be done.

Truly, his story about how he got into politics is amazing. He was a Baptist preacher who felt God giving him direction to enter the political arena. Yet, he was a Republican living in a highly majority Democrat state. His reasoning for getting into politics was that he had the same values and character as his fellow Arkansans. Many of these Arkansans felt disillusioned that government didn't care about them.

He gives an explanation to the different sections in the book. The first is how character can overcome many crisis'. The second part is about why character is important and how both good and bad character can have positive and negative impacts in one's personal life. Then the third part is his previous speeches that show how character is directly related to public policy.

He ends off the Introduction inspiring readers to use their character in everyday aspect of one's life. Then he inspires his readers to be proud to proclaim their faith.

I will be blogging more on this book report within the next few weeks. So pull up your chair to the fireplace and get cozy as I make a virtual cup of coffee or hot chocolate for you. And enjoy the reading and atmosphere. And God Bless from the Upper Peninsula in Michigan!

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Received my Book!

I interrupt this blog with a special announcement. I have received the Mike Huckabee book "Character Makes a Difference." As previously promised, I will be working on a chapter by chapter book report. Thank you, you may continue to your life.