I am reposting a series of essays I wrote prior to the 2008 elections. You may find them interesting.
10/23/2008
There has been a lot of talk this election regarding the role of
Government in our lives. I will try to speak in general terms when
discussing this issue and use the generic term Liberal and Conservative
to label the various viewpoints. Using the political party labels is
difficult as the Republicans and Democrats reversed positions on the
roll of Government during the 1890s.
For the purpose of this discussion, Liberals
will be those persons who believe in a strong Federal Government and an
increased role of all levels of government in the social, political,
and economic policies of the Republic. They believe man needs to be
governed. Conservatives will be those who believe in a limited
Government, firm believers in the policy of the Government that governs
least, governs best".
To understand the Constitution we must take
a quick side trip in history to the time of Enlightenment and the
changing roll of Government and The Church in Europe. Some people decry
the Eurocentric historiography of America, but in reality the
foundations of our Nation and its government come from Europe. In
particular the lawyers and printers and educated class of Colonial
America came primarily from England. These are the men who crafted our
founding documents and designed our Nation's political system.
Stop
stop stop (insert braking sound here). To get a complete understanding
of this subject we are going to have to go back and discuss the
religious, political and economic evolutions over about three centuries.
We will have to delve into the Crusades, the Magna Carta, Martin
Luther, Charles Martel and then tackle Locke and Columbus, Cortez, and
Hudson. The reigns of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I. This is going to take
about 20 posts and 5 hours of reading for you. Before I go much further I
will have lost 79 of my 80 regular readers. My last reader at that
point, GuyK, will be skimming since he already knows the history.
As
a compromise I am going to ask you to take my word the Founders
believed certain things, they were educated in a certain way. If you
have further questions or doubts I will be glad to answer your specifics
directly or point you in which direction to do your research. Besides,
this should have been covered in school. Unfortunately most text books
cover these subjects but never tie them in. Historians often think the
non-historian can make the connections or is even interested enough to
try. Most people cannot and are not. The teaching of history is a
completely different bug up my ass we will discuss at a later date.
By
the early 1700s farmers comprised only a little more than 1/3 of the
workers in Great Britain. As a heavily populated island nation, Britain
depended on her colonies to supply raw materials and foodstuffs. The
American colonies were among the chief suppliers. At the same time
nearly 80% of the American colonists were involved in agriculture. Few
in Europe were land holders, an astonishing 90+ percent of colonists
owned land. Americans enjoyed significant freedoms not allowed in
Britain. A century and a half of what has been termed "benign neglect"
from the Crown of England saw the colonies develop their own political
system, including local and "state" governments and courts. None of
these were sanctioned by the King or Parliament, but the appointed Royal
Governors used them to efficiently run the colonies. As long as the
colonies made money for English merchants and caused no trouble, they
were left alone.
As part of a greater European War (The Seven
Years War), the Colonies and their British Sovereign found themselves
embroiled in a war with France in the 1750s and early 1760s. The theater
of war that occurred in North America was the so called French and
Indian War. You may have a vague recollection of this -- it was covered
in the first weeks of 8th Grade history. This war was one of the root
causes of the Revolution.
The Treaty of Paris settled the
conflict and Great Britain came into possession of most of what is now
the US and Canada east of the Mississippi. as a result if the War, the
Crown was heavily in debt. As we know from Iraq, wars are uncommonly
expensive. Without boring you with details -- that is not our purpose
here -- the interest on the debt alone consumed about 70% of the gross
revenues of the Royal Treasury. The people of great Britain were already
among the heaviest taxed in Europe and the King was looking for
additional revenue. He turned his eye westward to his rich American
Colonies.
Stick with me. In the next post we will get to how this
led to the Revolution, The Declaration of Independence and the
Constitution. We will examine the politics that leads to modern Liberal
and Conservative thought.
October 29, 2012
October 28, 2012
A Localized Rant
Who is the idiot of an urban planner who thought it a good idea to put bike lanes along Allisonville Road on Indianapolis' north east side? This is one of the most congested areas in the city and encouraging any more traffic, especially bicycle traffic, in the area around Castelton Mall is beyond stupid.
This is is the green agenda thrust in all of its idiocy in our faces. There is no reasonable person who thinks adding a bike lane to SIX lanes of traffic is not a recipe for disaster, death and accidents. This is the certainly case at Allisonville and I-465.
The only thing dumber than the bike paths along Allisonville Road in the Castelton area is the moron who would ride his bike on them.
This is is the green agenda thrust in all of its idiocy in our faces. There is no reasonable person who thinks adding a bike lane to SIX lanes of traffic is not a recipe for disaster, death and accidents. This is the certainly case at Allisonville and I-465.
The only thing dumber than the bike paths along Allisonville Road in the Castelton area is the moron who would ride his bike on them.
October 27, 2012
Days of Future Past - the end
We come at last to the end of our tale. The historically acute might have captured a few clues I sprinkled in the last installment. This tale is not fiction. nor is it an apocalyptic vision of my own creation. Rather is is a cliff notes version of a Reader's Digest condensation of the end of the Roman Republic. The dear Leader was Mithridates. The group seeking Roman citizenship were the Italian peoples who lived outside Rome. The real events unfolded very similar to my descriptions.
It took just over two centuries for Rome to grow from a regional economic poser to a dominate superpower that controlled much of the civilized world. Culturally, militarily and economically they had no equal. We think of the power of Rome during the Empire, but the growth and hegemony really took place during the days of the Republic. They defeated their only rival, Carthage, in a series of trade wars writ large, and the borders stretched from Britain to Egypt, from the Danube to modern Iraq.
The events I described took place in the century before the death of Christ. I intended to continue the tale a little further to describe how each succeeding politician subverted the Constitution in an effort to "save the Constitution".Other politicians spouted the same words to save the people from tyranny only to assume the mantle of power themselves. Finally Octavius was declared Consul for life and ultimately Emperor by the Senate. and as Augustus Caesar ruled the Roman Empire. Amazingly, the Romans continued to hold Senatorial elections for the next four hundred-plus years, pretending the republic continued to function.A Roman of 130 AD, would certainly claim his government was a republic.
Why did I waste your time with this tale? I have opined often that history never repeats, but human behavior does. I was studying the last days of the Roman Republic and saw many comparisons to our modern situation. Of course we can always find patterns if we try hard enough. You can find a similar path during the French Revolution -- reform, republic, chaos, empire, tyranny. America has proved one of the few historical aberrations; revolution did not lead to chaos and dictatorship of one kind or another. There is still time. The Roman Republic made it about four hundred years before Caesar Augustus was declared Emperor.
We must always be vigilant. Freedom is a precious thing. In Roman times the power of the government increased incrementally. Those who hunger for power can always rationalize their excesses by claiming to solve "emergencies". Taking away our freedoms in the wake of 9/11 is no less dangerous than twisting the meaning of the commerce clause to support a "health care crisis".
Two thousand years later the faint scratchings of VVV still marks the walls of various cities and towns who found themselves under the boot of Roman Repression. Do not fool yourself for one moment by thinking it cannot happen to you.
It took just over two centuries for Rome to grow from a regional economic poser to a dominate superpower that controlled much of the civilized world. Culturally, militarily and economically they had no equal. We think of the power of Rome during the Empire, but the growth and hegemony really took place during the days of the Republic. They defeated their only rival, Carthage, in a series of trade wars writ large, and the borders stretched from Britain to Egypt, from the Danube to modern Iraq.
The events I described took place in the century before the death of Christ. I intended to continue the tale a little further to describe how each succeeding politician subverted the Constitution in an effort to "save the Constitution".Other politicians spouted the same words to save the people from tyranny only to assume the mantle of power themselves. Finally Octavius was declared Consul for life and ultimately Emperor by the Senate. and as Augustus Caesar ruled the Roman Empire. Amazingly, the Romans continued to hold Senatorial elections for the next four hundred-plus years, pretending the republic continued to function.A Roman of 130 AD, would certainly claim his government was a republic.
Why did I waste your time with this tale? I have opined often that history never repeats, but human behavior does. I was studying the last days of the Roman Republic and saw many comparisons to our modern situation. Of course we can always find patterns if we try hard enough. You can find a similar path during the French Revolution -- reform, republic, chaos, empire, tyranny. America has proved one of the few historical aberrations; revolution did not lead to chaos and dictatorship of one kind or another. There is still time. The Roman Republic made it about four hundred years before Caesar Augustus was declared Emperor.
We must always be vigilant. Freedom is a precious thing. In Roman times the power of the government increased incrementally. Those who hunger for power can always rationalize their excesses by claiming to solve "emergencies". Taking away our freedoms in the wake of 9/11 is no less dangerous than twisting the meaning of the commerce clause to support a "health care crisis".
Two thousand years later the faint scratchings of VVV still marks the walls of various cities and towns who found themselves under the boot of Roman Repression. Do not fool yourself for one moment by thinking it cannot happen to you.
October 26, 2012
Days of future past -- part four
The nation had emerged from a bloody civil war. Hundreds of thousands of dead on both sides had finally brought agreement on the reforms the people wanted. The Senate looked at the vast new voting blocks that had come into existence and knew their days of power were numbered. They began to scheme and plot.
They elites knew the elections would bring new populist representatives that would enact the economic reforms promised. To thwart the reforms the new citizens were broken into strangely shaped voting districts, their power diluted by the old-time conservatives. Each district lacked enough of the populists to win an election. The vote was held and the old senators and local representatives returned to office. The promised reforms died for lack of support. The people were outraged.
One of the Senators, a supporter of the reforms, decided the Constitution had been compromised; the people cheated. He and several supporters took over the Senate. An armed mob backed him in his revolution. In short order the conservative senators were brought to trial for their "crimes". Some were banished from The Republic. Many were executed in the Public Forum. Those who tried to escape were hunted down and executed for crimes against the people. Entire families were hanged, beheaded and killed. Some of the oldest names in the history of Republic were destroyed. As always happens, this reign of terror began to consume its own, as individuals used the trials to eliminate rivals for power. Chaos ruled the land, especially in the Capital.
At this point the army returned from the war with the Dear Leader. The Generals were not pleased with the state of things. General Sulla had made his reputation fighting in the various wars of The Republic. He was a hero. He had retired to public life serving in the government. he was from an old conservative family. he was a strict Constitutionalist. He had come back to the Army to fight in the social wars. he was the general in charge of the campaign against the Dear Leader. his soldiers were loyal to him to a fault..
General Sulla saw his only duty was to restore order in The Republic. He undertook a action never before dreamed of in the long history of The Republic. He broke centuries of tradition. Always the military had been directed by civilians. Sulla determined the civilians were no longer serving The Republic, but themselves. He vowed to restore order..
He marched his army on the capital.
Society was faced with a new paradigm. The Constitution was subverted to save the Constitution. Is there rule of law when rule of law is used to further an agenda? Despots since time immemorial have used just such logic to leverage their way into power.
They elites knew the elections would bring new populist representatives that would enact the economic reforms promised. To thwart the reforms the new citizens were broken into strangely shaped voting districts, their power diluted by the old-time conservatives. Each district lacked enough of the populists to win an election. The vote was held and the old senators and local representatives returned to office. The promised reforms died for lack of support. The people were outraged.
One of the Senators, a supporter of the reforms, decided the Constitution had been compromised; the people cheated. He and several supporters took over the Senate. An armed mob backed him in his revolution. In short order the conservative senators were brought to trial for their "crimes". Some were banished from The Republic. Many were executed in the Public Forum. Those who tried to escape were hunted down and executed for crimes against the people. Entire families were hanged, beheaded and killed. Some of the oldest names in the history of Republic were destroyed. As always happens, this reign of terror began to consume its own, as individuals used the trials to eliminate rivals for power. Chaos ruled the land, especially in the Capital.
At this point the army returned from the war with the Dear Leader. The Generals were not pleased with the state of things. General Sulla had made his reputation fighting in the various wars of The Republic. He was a hero. He had retired to public life serving in the government. he was from an old conservative family. he was a strict Constitutionalist. He had come back to the Army to fight in the social wars. he was the general in charge of the campaign against the Dear Leader. his soldiers were loyal to him to a fault..
General Sulla saw his only duty was to restore order in The Republic. He undertook a action never before dreamed of in the long history of The Republic. He broke centuries of tradition. Always the military had been directed by civilians. Sulla determined the civilians were no longer serving The Republic, but themselves. He vowed to restore order..
He marched his army on the capital.
Society was faced with a new paradigm. The Constitution was subverted to save the Constitution. Is there rule of law when rule of law is used to further an agenda? Despots since time immemorial have used just such logic to leverage their way into power.
October 25, 2012
Days of future past -- part three
When we left off our tale The Republic was involved in a civil war. reform-minded people were in an armed struggle with the Federal government and its powerful army.
Far away in the East the Dear leader saw his chance. Now he knew his tiny country could not hope to take on the powerful Republic. Even fighting a civil war at home, one or tow divisions could destroy his army in weeks. he had a plan. On the edges of the world were many counties like his. Together they could win. he began secret negotiations to put aside long-time petty differences to ban together to fight the evil that held tyranny upon them all --The Republic. he said the wealth and power was there for the taking. he told his fellow leaders The Republic had internal problems and was weak, an immoral hollow shell. he told those who would listen that the destruction of the evil empire was prophesied. The time was now.
Agreements were reached. A plan was set. On a certain date people all over the world attacked the Republic everywhere. The far-flung bases came under assault. Ordinary citizens of the Republic working and visiting abroad were killed. Republican businesses were taken over and the Republic bank funds were confiscated.
Now The Republic noticed.
In many families the siblings will fight among themselves constantly. They will declare enmity and battle daily. But when an outsider threatens one of the family, all join together in defense. Over 300,000 people had died in the civil war. That was a lot of blood to get past. The Government knew it had to repair the internal strife to meet the outside attacks. the leaders went first to the larger cities and towns not yet in revolt, but who did not support the Republic either. The Feds offered those cities and states the reforms they wanted, if they would rejoin The Republic. Citizenship was granted, land reform was enacted. Next they went to the areas defeated and secured already. The Republic offered the same terms, if armed resistance and guerrilla warfare would stop. Those cities and states also agreed. Finally, the last remaining areas in revolt were offered the same deal. With most of the nation now arrayed against them, they agreed.
At that point most of the world's nations considered their options and chose not to join the Dear Leader in his war. The Dear Leader had envisioned the death of The Republic through a thousand cuts. Instead he scratched the beast just hard enough to make it really, really angry. The Dear Leader and his allies were crushed in just a matter of weeks and months.
At home, the politicians and the powerful did what they always do, they worked the system for their benefit.
Far away in the East the Dear leader saw his chance. Now he knew his tiny country could not hope to take on the powerful Republic. Even fighting a civil war at home, one or tow divisions could destroy his army in weeks. he had a plan. On the edges of the world were many counties like his. Together they could win. he began secret negotiations to put aside long-time petty differences to ban together to fight the evil that held tyranny upon them all --The Republic. he said the wealth and power was there for the taking. he told his fellow leaders The Republic had internal problems and was weak, an immoral hollow shell. he told those who would listen that the destruction of the evil empire was prophesied. The time was now.
Agreements were reached. A plan was set. On a certain date people all over the world attacked the Republic everywhere. The far-flung bases came under assault. Ordinary citizens of the Republic working and visiting abroad were killed. Republican businesses were taken over and the Republic bank funds were confiscated.
Now The Republic noticed.
In many families the siblings will fight among themselves constantly. They will declare enmity and battle daily. But when an outsider threatens one of the family, all join together in defense. Over 300,000 people had died in the civil war. That was a lot of blood to get past. The Government knew it had to repair the internal strife to meet the outside attacks. the leaders went first to the larger cities and towns not yet in revolt, but who did not support the Republic either. The Feds offered those cities and states the reforms they wanted, if they would rejoin The Republic. Citizenship was granted, land reform was enacted. Next they went to the areas defeated and secured already. The Republic offered the same terms, if armed resistance and guerrilla warfare would stop. Those cities and states also agreed. Finally, the last remaining areas in revolt were offered the same deal. With most of the nation now arrayed against them, they agreed.
At that point most of the world's nations considered their options and chose not to join the Dear Leader in his war. The Dear Leader had envisioned the death of The Republic through a thousand cuts. Instead he scratched the beast just hard enough to make it really, really angry. The Dear Leader and his allies were crushed in just a matter of weeks and months.
At home, the politicians and the powerful did what they always do, they worked the system for their benefit.
October 24, 2012
Days of future past -- part two
It is a strange thing, but almost every culture and religion has a prophecy about a leader who will arise in the east and lead the oppressed people in revolt against the evil controlling the world. The Dear Leader knew that was his destiny. His nation was tiny. It was located in the harsh lands far from the Mediterranean and south of the Black Sea. His people were poor, and the culture of The Republic was changing life in ways he found unacceptable. He blamed The Republic for the lack of wealth. He blamed The Republic for the lack of education. Every speech was filled with demagoguery, and the Dear Leader assured his people he could lead them to the greatness they had know in ancient times if only the evil yoke of oppression was thrown off. He blamed The Republic for stealing the fruits of their labors. And the people listened.
The dear Leader's little country was so far away and of so little consequence The Republic did not even notice his rise to power. Does the elephant pay attention to a gnat? Does the blue whale notice the tiny crab crawling on the ocean floor?
The Republic had problems of its own. Elections were coming and a man of the people was leading a charge to reform. The main plank of his platform was the granting of citizenship to the growing populace of non-citizens inside the borders. He promised higher taxes. He vowed to take property and money from the wealthiest few and spread the largess to the people. He proposed a cap on wealth, arguing the millionaires could afford it. He said it was a crime in a nation so wealthy that anyone should go hungry. The Reformer shouted that change had to happen for the good of all.
The day finally came for election, and it looked like the reformer was a clear winner. As the vote was counted election irregularities began to appear. The old-line status-quo candidate was declared the winner. The reformer and his supporters were aghast. The Senate confirmed the results. The people exploded in mass protest.
In the hinterlands far from the Capital, in the farmlands, in the smaller cities and towns, the outrage was palpable. Ordinary citizens took up arms, the tax collectors and governmental functionaries were arrested, beaten and even killed. The Republic was in an uproar. For the first time in history, the army was sent forth to quell an uprising of the citizens. Hundreds of thousands would die in the process, on both sides. This was a civil war of a different type. It was citizen against non-citizen, liberal reformer against conservative old line thinking. It was neighbor against neighbor.
As the Republic focused on internal problems, the Dear Leader saw his opportunity.
The dear Leader's little country was so far away and of so little consequence The Republic did not even notice his rise to power. Does the elephant pay attention to a gnat? Does the blue whale notice the tiny crab crawling on the ocean floor?
The Republic had problems of its own. Elections were coming and a man of the people was leading a charge to reform. The main plank of his platform was the granting of citizenship to the growing populace of non-citizens inside the borders. He promised higher taxes. He vowed to take property and money from the wealthiest few and spread the largess to the people. He proposed a cap on wealth, arguing the millionaires could afford it. He said it was a crime in a nation so wealthy that anyone should go hungry. The Reformer shouted that change had to happen for the good of all.
The day finally came for election, and it looked like the reformer was a clear winner. As the vote was counted election irregularities began to appear. The old-line status-quo candidate was declared the winner. The reformer and his supporters were aghast. The Senate confirmed the results. The people exploded in mass protest.
In the hinterlands far from the Capital, in the farmlands, in the smaller cities and towns, the outrage was palpable. Ordinary citizens took up arms, the tax collectors and governmental functionaries were arrested, beaten and even killed. The Republic was in an uproar. For the first time in history, the army was sent forth to quell an uprising of the citizens. Hundreds of thousands would die in the process, on both sides. This was a civil war of a different type. It was citizen against non-citizen, liberal reformer against conservative old line thinking. It was neighbor against neighbor.
As the Republic focused on internal problems, the Dear Leader saw his opportunity.
October 23, 2012
Days of future past
In the pantheon of nations this one came to power rather quickly. The Republic was based on representative democracy and strong economics. Over the course of a few generations and a couple of World Wars it rose to be the dominant superpower in the world.
Nations all over rose and fell with The Republic's economy. The Republic was fabulously rich and its farms and manufacturing and consumers were the engine that powered the global economy. It wasn't just as a military superpower and economic superpower that the nation exerted its influence over large parts of the world. The very culture was emulated. Clothing, language, even the coin of the realm was used by other nations. The Republic was loved and hated as are all empires; despotic, friendly, and accidental.
The Republic's military was powerful beyond belief. There was not an opponent that could stand up to the technology and fighting spirit of the soldiers of the Republic. Her warships prowled the oceans. The Republic destroyed their remaining superpower rivals a few generations before, and held hegemony over the other nations. There were no major wars, but the armed forces found themselves caught up in small skirmishes all often. Radical elements and rogue nations were always trying to disrupt the peace and economic engine that drove the Republic. Usually these skirmishes were guerrilla wars -- small units sniping and nipping at the heels of the Republics powerful army in their midst. Many an aspiring politician stirred up hate in his own country by using The Republic as the bogeyman. The Republic was blamed for the smaller nation's economic ills, for destroying their culture. Often The Republic was painted as evil itself.
Things were not all roses in the homeland, however. The gap between the richest and poorest of the society was growing at an ever expanding rate. The political class was becoming increasingly powerful, passing laws that seemed innocuous at the time, but secretly increased the politicians power and wealth.
More and more ordinary citizens were on the welfare, depending on the State for food, while the richest lived in lavish style. The education system was in shambles, rich and poor alike complained their sons were not getting the education they deserved. There was a large segment of the population pushing for a return to traditional values. These folks were concerned the loose morals and lack of respect for religion was damaging the very fabric of The Republic.
Inside the nation's borders there lived a large and growing population of non-citizens. These people paid taxes, worked, served in the army. But they were not granted the right to vote. They had no say in government.
Every decade or so a reformer, a man of the people, appeared pushing to fundamentally change society. The reforms were wildly popular among the masses. Limiting wealth, taxing the rich at a higher rate, spreading the wealth appealed to the downtrodden. The rich and powerful, the conservative-minded in the legislature, successfully blocked every attempt at reform.
The Republic faced endless wars in far-off places with no goal or end in sight, especially in the Middle East. At home the economy was slowing. Public debt was mounting and taxes were already high. A few years of drought drove food prices upwards. the rich were getting richer. The non-citizen birthrate far outpaced that of the citizens and unrest grew. The wisest of political observers knew a crisis was coming, but lacked the vision or power or desire to solve the problems that faced the country.
Life in the Republic was like a pot of water on the stove, and things were about to boil over.
Nations all over rose and fell with The Republic's economy. The Republic was fabulously rich and its farms and manufacturing and consumers were the engine that powered the global economy. It wasn't just as a military superpower and economic superpower that the nation exerted its influence over large parts of the world. The very culture was emulated. Clothing, language, even the coin of the realm was used by other nations. The Republic was loved and hated as are all empires; despotic, friendly, and accidental.
The Republic's military was powerful beyond belief. There was not an opponent that could stand up to the technology and fighting spirit of the soldiers of the Republic. Her warships prowled the oceans. The Republic destroyed their remaining superpower rivals a few generations before, and held hegemony over the other nations. There were no major wars, but the armed forces found themselves caught up in small skirmishes all often. Radical elements and rogue nations were always trying to disrupt the peace and economic engine that drove the Republic. Usually these skirmishes were guerrilla wars -- small units sniping and nipping at the heels of the Republics powerful army in their midst. Many an aspiring politician stirred up hate in his own country by using The Republic as the bogeyman. The Republic was blamed for the smaller nation's economic ills, for destroying their culture. Often The Republic was painted as evil itself.
Things were not all roses in the homeland, however. The gap between the richest and poorest of the society was growing at an ever expanding rate. The political class was becoming increasingly powerful, passing laws that seemed innocuous at the time, but secretly increased the politicians power and wealth.
More and more ordinary citizens were on the welfare, depending on the State for food, while the richest lived in lavish style. The education system was in shambles, rich and poor alike complained their sons were not getting the education they deserved. There was a large segment of the population pushing for a return to traditional values. These folks were concerned the loose morals and lack of respect for religion was damaging the very fabric of The Republic.
Inside the nation's borders there lived a large and growing population of non-citizens. These people paid taxes, worked, served in the army. But they were not granted the right to vote. They had no say in government.
Every decade or so a reformer, a man of the people, appeared pushing to fundamentally change society. The reforms were wildly popular among the masses. Limiting wealth, taxing the rich at a higher rate, spreading the wealth appealed to the downtrodden. The rich and powerful, the conservative-minded in the legislature, successfully blocked every attempt at reform.
The Republic faced endless wars in far-off places with no goal or end in sight, especially in the Middle East. At home the economy was slowing. Public debt was mounting and taxes were already high. A few years of drought drove food prices upwards. the rich were getting richer. The non-citizen birthrate far outpaced that of the citizens and unrest grew. The wisest of political observers knew a crisis was coming, but lacked the vision or power or desire to solve the problems that faced the country.
Life in the Republic was like a pot of water on the stove, and things were about to boil over.
October 22, 2012
ObamaCare and your waiter
My son is a struggling musician. He makes ends meet by waiting tables, a well-trodden alternate career path of many artists. He works hard and is very good at his job. He toils at a national chain. My son is one of the longest-tenured servers at his location and gets the best tables, best hours and best tips.
That last bit is important. You may not be aware, but most servers work for tips. If they exceed around $2.00 per hour in tips, they are NOT usually paid an hourly wage. Those of you who fail to tip a reasonable portion of the bill asked your waiter, waitress and busboy to work for free. Those of you who hang around for hours after you eat, shooting the breeze, are taking money from your server, they cannot get another table until you are done.At many restaurants servers who fail to make a certain threshold in tips are fired. Fact.
This post is not about the hard life of a food service worker. My son chose this job (there are not a lot of options these days) because it fits with the schedule he needs in order to try and make his way in the music business. This post is about the effects of ObamaCare on the very people it is designed to "help".
Under Obamacare any employee who works more than 30 hours a week must be offered health insurance or the employer faces fines. My son must either pay for his employer-offered health insurance or buy it from an exchange. Thus in one fell swoop my son is faced with two decisions -- lose hours he desperately needs, or spend 30% of his wages on health insurance or pay a fine. There is no other option.
My son has chosen his current economic situation to a degree. He is willing to sacrifice for his dreams. He does not make much money, some days he might make $20, if the night is slow. Waiting tables in a college town is feast or famine. He qualifies for food stamps, and probably housing assistance, and heat assistance. He takes no welfare. I help him out a little from time to time. He pays his rent and his student loans and has very little left at the end of the day. Now Big Brother is telling him he has to spend money he does not have on a service he does not want, all while getting his hours cut.
This is what happens when the Government interferes in our lives. This is the face of Obamacare, more ominous than the death panels This is what happens when you compel people to buy something. As Reagan quipped, the scariest words in America really are "I'm from the Government and I'm here to help". ObamaCare is the poster child for the accuracy of that statement.
This is not about good intentions, it is about power, and your waiter is a mere pawn, used up and thrown away by the Democrat Party. Go ahead and vote for Obama one more time, then go look your waitress in the eye as you have a celebratory dinner. Make sure you throw in an extra large tip her way. She's gonna need it, thanks to your vote.
That last bit is important. You may not be aware, but most servers work for tips. If they exceed around $2.00 per hour in tips, they are NOT usually paid an hourly wage. Those of you who fail to tip a reasonable portion of the bill asked your waiter, waitress and busboy to work for free. Those of you who hang around for hours after you eat, shooting the breeze, are taking money from your server, they cannot get another table until you are done.At many restaurants servers who fail to make a certain threshold in tips are fired. Fact.
This post is not about the hard life of a food service worker. My son chose this job (there are not a lot of options these days) because it fits with the schedule he needs in order to try and make his way in the music business. This post is about the effects of ObamaCare on the very people it is designed to "help".
Under Obamacare any employee who works more than 30 hours a week must be offered health insurance or the employer faces fines. My son must either pay for his employer-offered health insurance or buy it from an exchange. Thus in one fell swoop my son is faced with two decisions -- lose hours he desperately needs, or spend 30% of his wages on health insurance or pay a fine. There is no other option.
My son has chosen his current economic situation to a degree. He is willing to sacrifice for his dreams. He does not make much money, some days he might make $20, if the night is slow. Waiting tables in a college town is feast or famine. He qualifies for food stamps, and probably housing assistance, and heat assistance. He takes no welfare. I help him out a little from time to time. He pays his rent and his student loans and has very little left at the end of the day. Now Big Brother is telling him he has to spend money he does not have on a service he does not want, all while getting his hours cut.
This is what happens when the Government interferes in our lives. This is the face of Obamacare, more ominous than the death panels This is what happens when you compel people to buy something. As Reagan quipped, the scariest words in America really are "I'm from the Government and I'm here to help". ObamaCare is the poster child for the accuracy of that statement.
This is not about good intentions, it is about power, and your waiter is a mere pawn, used up and thrown away by the Democrat Party. Go ahead and vote for Obama one more time, then go look your waitress in the eye as you have a celebratory dinner. Make sure you throw in an extra large tip her way. She's gonna need it, thanks to your vote.
October 20, 2012
October 19, 2012
Debating the debate
I suspect you are wondering why I have not put forth brilliant and insightful political commentary and debate analysis yet. Certainly you are all waiting on my opinion, right? Right?
I did not watch the debate. My mind is made up. Nothing either candidate says will change the facts. I read some analysis the next morning. What did this intrepid reporter do in lieu of immersion in hot political melodrama? I chilled in a hotel room in not-so-beautiful Rockford, Illinois. I read, I dozed, I watched some baseball, I channel surfed and dozed a bit more. Then I climbed into my bed and slept some more.
I woke in the dark of night. I don't know why. I checked my phone for the time. The phone was dead. I don't know why, the battery was on about 50% when I set the alarm. I got up, found the plug and plugged in the phone. Then I worried if the alarm would go off or not. I had an appointment for the first thing in the morning and late is not an option in my business world. I finally got up around six. I breakfasted in the Hampton Inn lobby, met with my customer on time and made the long and oh-so-boring drive through central Illinois and Indiana to home. I arrived around supper time. What a life.
I did not watch the debate. My mind is made up. Nothing either candidate says will change the facts. I read some analysis the next morning. What did this intrepid reporter do in lieu of immersion in hot political melodrama? I chilled in a hotel room in not-so-beautiful Rockford, Illinois. I read, I dozed, I watched some baseball, I channel surfed and dozed a bit more. Then I climbed into my bed and slept some more.
I woke in the dark of night. I don't know why. I checked my phone for the time. The phone was dead. I don't know why, the battery was on about 50% when I set the alarm. I got up, found the plug and plugged in the phone. Then I worried if the alarm would go off or not. I had an appointment for the first thing in the morning and late is not an option in my business world. I finally got up around six. I breakfasted in the Hampton Inn lobby, met with my customer on time and made the long and oh-so-boring drive through central Illinois and Indiana to home. I arrived around supper time. What a life.
October 18, 2012
The echoes of emptiness is making me crazy
Hello ? Hello?
Did someone shut down the blogging world and forget to tell me?
Is there anyone out there?
Did someone shut down the blogging world and forget to tell me?
Is there anyone out there?
October 17, 2012
Perpetual Change
The babysitter lived just a few doors down the street. I worked at a management trainee job for little pay, the wife toiled at a bank. We didn't want to put the kid into daycare, but economics has a way of dictating life choices. I was usually off by 3:00, so I picked up my daughter from the babysitter each afternoon.
Hand in hand we crossed the street, my daughter and I, and walked home. If the weather was nice we would go to the park in my backyard. Yes, a real city parked was just beyond my meager property line. I did not mind not having much lawn. Acres of tennis courts, fields and playground equipment were just feet away. I would push my daughter in the swing for what seemed like hours to my exhausted body. Twelve hour days, every day, do not give you energy to chase a two year old around the park. I loved every minute of it.
I still find it amazing that you can buy a lawnmower, a coffeemaker, a cheap skillet from WalMart and every package contains operating instructions. Directions to care for a plain white undershirt are stenciled right under the Fruit of the Loom logo. But you go to the hospital, watch a baby slide from your wife's most private of spots, and presto-chango you are a parent! There is no manual in English and Spanish and French with unfathomable blow-up diagrams to direct you in the care and upbringing of a child. It is the toughest job I ever had. Put Tab A into Slot B. That was the easy enough. The next18 20 40 60 years is the hard part.
Even after picking up two more kids at the hospital I was still winging it as a parent. Even though all three of my children think they are grown up, I am still waking up a dad every day. As they too face struggles and life's challenges sans instruction book, I try and help and guide as best I can. I confess I still don't know what the Hell I am doing.
Life was much easier when all I had to do was make sure my daughter made it across the street on the trip home from the babysitters. I long for simple times when I could push her in a swing, when her biggest challenge was getting a drink from the lion's head drinking fountain in the park behind my little house.. That hurdle I could help with. Now I watch my daughter and sans enter life's boxing ring on their own. I know how Mick felt when Rocky battled Creed.
Or my own Parents, watching me.
Hand in hand we crossed the street, my daughter and I, and walked home. If the weather was nice we would go to the park in my backyard. Yes, a real city parked was just beyond my meager property line. I did not mind not having much lawn. Acres of tennis courts, fields and playground equipment were just feet away. I would push my daughter in the swing for what seemed like hours to my exhausted body. Twelve hour days, every day, do not give you energy to chase a two year old around the park. I loved every minute of it.
I still find it amazing that you can buy a lawnmower, a coffeemaker, a cheap skillet from WalMart and every package contains operating instructions. Directions to care for a plain white undershirt are stenciled right under the Fruit of the Loom logo. But you go to the hospital, watch a baby slide from your wife's most private of spots, and presto-chango you are a parent! There is no manual in English and Spanish and French with unfathomable blow-up diagrams to direct you in the care and upbringing of a child. It is the toughest job I ever had. Put Tab A into Slot B. That was the easy enough. The next
Even after picking up two more kids at the hospital I was still winging it as a parent. Even though all three of my children think they are grown up, I am still waking up a dad every day. As they too face struggles and life's challenges sans instruction book, I try and help and guide as best I can. I confess I still don't know what the Hell I am doing.
Life was much easier when all I had to do was make sure my daughter made it across the street on the trip home from the babysitters. I long for simple times when I could push her in a swing, when her biggest challenge was getting a drink from the lion's head drinking fountain in the park behind my little house.. That hurdle I could help with. Now I watch my daughter and sans enter life's boxing ring on their own. I know how Mick felt when Rocky battled Creed.
Or my own Parents, watching me.
October 16, 2012
I'm gonna take this right foot...
I watched Billy Jack the other night. I first saw the film back in 1971 when it hit the theaters. Billy Jack caused me broken bones and no end of pain. Honestly. This scene caused it all:
If you have not seen the movie, it is about a school, located on an Indian reservation, run by the ultimate Hippie. The school is a non-violent creative wonderland where you can be "you", and learn whatever you want.The Man puts no limits on your creativity, your soul. The nearby town is stocked with cartoon conservative Neanderthals who only want to discriminate against anyone who is not a WASP, shoot wild animals to extinction, and use their wealth to influence the local politics.. Evil Righties clash with good Lefties and only the ex-Green Beret, half-Native American, right-minded (in a lefty way) Billy Jack can save the poor progressives.It is for the Children, you see.
Billy does all of the wrong things -- violence, guns, and fighting -- for all of the right reasons, so all is OK with crazy hippie fanatic Jean and the school kids. Billy Jack is a metaphor for the violent fringe lefty groups of the time like the Weather Underground. Violence and death is OK as long as your underlying motivations are "good" (read progressive) and punishes evil rich conservative white guys.The Utopia will come when the bad people are re-educated or eliminated.
Tom Laughlin, who wrote, directed, and stars as the title character, is as much a Native American as Elizabeth Warren, so his believability factor is a little low. Plus, the mixing of several native American cultures and traditions, like combining the traditions of the Hopi Snake Dance with the Ghost Dance perpetuated by a Paiute and popularized by the Sioux of the 1890's is a little confusing. By the end of the movie I start to hate every character except Billy Jack, and he wears a little thin.
But damn, I love this movie.
Here is a Tuesday dose of Friday Hippie music, because I am a sharing kind of guy: Plus the video pretty much captures the film without having to see the whole thing.
If you have not seen the movie, it is about a school, located on an Indian reservation, run by the ultimate Hippie. The school is a non-violent creative wonderland where you can be "you", and learn whatever you want.The Man puts no limits on your creativity, your soul. The nearby town is stocked with cartoon conservative Neanderthals who only want to discriminate against anyone who is not a WASP, shoot wild animals to extinction, and use their wealth to influence the local politics.. Evil Righties clash with good Lefties and only the ex-Green Beret, half-Native American, right-minded (in a lefty way) Billy Jack can save the poor progressives.It is for the Children, you see.
Billy does all of the wrong things -- violence, guns, and fighting -- for all of the right reasons, so all is OK with crazy hippie fanatic Jean and the school kids. Billy Jack is a metaphor for the violent fringe lefty groups of the time like the Weather Underground. Violence and death is OK as long as your underlying motivations are "good" (read progressive) and punishes evil rich conservative white guys.The Utopia will come when the bad people are re-educated or eliminated.
Tom Laughlin, who wrote, directed, and stars as the title character, is as much a Native American as Elizabeth Warren, so his believability factor is a little low. Plus, the mixing of several native American cultures and traditions, like combining the traditions of the Hopi Snake Dance with the Ghost Dance perpetuated by a Paiute and popularized by the Sioux of the 1890's is a little confusing. By the end of the movie I start to hate every character except Billy Jack, and he wears a little thin.
But damn, I love this movie.
Here is a Tuesday dose of Friday Hippie music, because I am a sharing kind of guy: Plus the video pretty much captures the film without having to see the whole thing.
Today's head scratcher
Imagine solar panels covering the broad expanse of grassland that was the site of Pickett's Charge at Gettysburg. Maybe you can envision windmills dotting the landscape of Valley Forge?
Is lining the runways of Ford Field at Pearl Harbor with solar panels any less obscene?
16 years of no global warming and it is time to abandon the green energy/global warming onslaught. I am for saving the environment and reducing the use of fossil fuels where it makes sense, but at some point the cost is too high. There is no more efficient, cheaper alternative to fossil fuels available today. Except maybe nukes, and the environmentaltards are never going to allow more nuke plants to open.
I am not sure when it started, but the Government has turned the military, especially the navy, into a big social experiment. Much to our peril, I think. To paraphrase Clausewitz, the purpose of the military is to project through force a nation's political will. In other words, to break stuff and kill people. I am aware I never served and lack the bonafides to comment on military matters. But it does not take years of service to know the role of the navy is to protect America's interests at sea, not to be a poster program for green energy.
To destroy one of our nation's key historic sites to propagate a fad is beyond the pale. We might as well mount windmill blades on the Washington Monument.
Is lining the runways of Ford Field at Pearl Harbor with solar panels any less obscene?
16 years of no global warming and it is time to abandon the green energy/global warming onslaught. I am for saving the environment and reducing the use of fossil fuels where it makes sense, but at some point the cost is too high. There is no more efficient, cheaper alternative to fossil fuels available today. Except maybe nukes, and the environmentaltards are never going to allow more nuke plants to open.
I am not sure when it started, but the Government has turned the military, especially the navy, into a big social experiment. Much to our peril, I think. To paraphrase Clausewitz, the purpose of the military is to project through force a nation's political will. In other words, to break stuff and kill people. I am aware I never served and lack the bonafides to comment on military matters. But it does not take years of service to know the role of the navy is to protect America's interests at sea, not to be a poster program for green energy.
To destroy one of our nation's key historic sites to propagate a fad is beyond the pale. We might as well mount windmill blades on the Washington Monument.
October 15, 2012
But you and I will be dead
I love being right. Acknowledgement of my rightness is music to my ears.
Future historians will look back on the Obama foreign policy regarding the Mideast in much the same light modern historians view Chamberlain and his policies toward Hitler. Remember, at the time the world thought Chamberlain was a genius. We now know his every action was exactly wrong.
We will look at Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State in much the same light - a total disaster. The Obama policies will fare the same historical analysis.
Time will prove me dead on in this historical prediction. Perhaps future generations will discover my genius and save the collected works of this blog as proof. Likely the words and phrases will dwindle and die a meaningless and forgotten death in the interwebz. I will be dead and worm food, no doubt.
I will still be right.
Future historians will look back on the Obama foreign policy regarding the Mideast in much the same light modern historians view Chamberlain and his policies toward Hitler. Remember, at the time the world thought Chamberlain was a genius. We now know his every action was exactly wrong.
We will look at Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State in much the same light - a total disaster. The Obama policies will fare the same historical analysis.
Time will prove me dead on in this historical prediction. Perhaps future generations will discover my genius and save the collected works of this blog as proof. Likely the words and phrases will dwindle and die a meaningless and forgotten death in the interwebz. I will be dead and worm food, no doubt.
I will still be right.
October 14, 2012
And so it goes...
I am reading Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut. It is one of two books by that author living in the electronic bowels of my Kindle. I grabbed them for free or practically free sometime in the near distant past. Vonnegut wrote Breakfast of Champions when he was fifty. Since I turned the magic half-century mark earlier this year, I thought I would give it another read.
In the halcyon days of my youth I read voraciously. I read a lot now, but in those days I could knock of a book almost every day. Then, as now, I got onto reading jags. I would get on an author or subject and consume everything I could find by/about it. For instance I spent more than a year reading about nothing except the Zulu Wars. My Civil War kick was legendary among family and friends. I read straight through (twice) the works of Patrick O'Brian and then went right after the 20+ books of the Sharpe series by Cornwell. You get the idea. In my early twenties I embarked on a Hoosier author quest. I read up McCutcheon, Charles Major, Booth Tarkington, Dan Wakefield and of course, Vonnegut.
At the time, in the fresh bloom of my youth, I found the writings of old Kurt funny and insightful in a cool way. I took another stab at him a decade or so later and found him juvenile and economically illiterate. Just a chapter or two into Breakfast of Champions my opinion remains similar to my last reading. It is juvenile. I find Vonnegut's style reminiscent of how some people talk to dogs, or to a particularly slow-witted child. There is in the book a smarmy, condescending undertone I find repulsive. Fifty-year old me is not enjoying Fifty year old Vonnegut at all. But I will keep at it. Perchance the genius will appear later, like a great and powerful wizard skulking behind a literary curtain.
It is quite possible that I just do not get it. Time dampers our intellectual capacity. I lost my French language abilities after not using them for decades, and it is possible I am incapable of finding the 'art' in the writings. It is also quite possible I find the author's disdain for America and its foundations disgusting. Do you want to know what the average American liberal thinks about you and America as a whole? You do not have to listen to the political leaders, spend days in the Democrat Underground, or Occupy a spot of dirt in the local park. Read the preface to Breakfast of Champions. Make no mistake, Kurt Vonnegut saw more than his share of tragedy. He was a child of the Depression, a POW in WWII, his mother committed suicide. He also spent his life in wealth, as a child and as a successful author. He circled with the New York elites while he pretended to be on the side of the everyman. Disparaging your ambition, your success, your life. your dreams, he castigated the masses for capitalism, for America. All the while viewing the common folk from the window of his apartment overlooking Central Park.
And so it goes, indeed.
In the halcyon days of my youth I read voraciously. I read a lot now, but in those days I could knock of a book almost every day. Then, as now, I got onto reading jags. I would get on an author or subject and consume everything I could find by/about it. For instance I spent more than a year reading about nothing except the Zulu Wars. My Civil War kick was legendary among family and friends. I read straight through (twice) the works of Patrick O'Brian and then went right after the 20+ books of the Sharpe series by Cornwell. You get the idea. In my early twenties I embarked on a Hoosier author quest. I read up McCutcheon, Charles Major, Booth Tarkington, Dan Wakefield and of course, Vonnegut.
At the time, in the fresh bloom of my youth, I found the writings of old Kurt funny and insightful in a cool way. I took another stab at him a decade or so later and found him juvenile and economically illiterate. Just a chapter or two into Breakfast of Champions my opinion remains similar to my last reading. It is juvenile. I find Vonnegut's style reminiscent of how some people talk to dogs, or to a particularly slow-witted child. There is in the book a smarmy, condescending undertone I find repulsive. Fifty-year old me is not enjoying Fifty year old Vonnegut at all. But I will keep at it. Perchance the genius will appear later, like a great and powerful wizard skulking behind a literary curtain.
It is quite possible that I just do not get it. Time dampers our intellectual capacity. I lost my French language abilities after not using them for decades, and it is possible I am incapable of finding the 'art' in the writings. It is also quite possible I find the author's disdain for America and its foundations disgusting. Do you want to know what the average American liberal thinks about you and America as a whole? You do not have to listen to the political leaders, spend days in the Democrat Underground, or Occupy a spot of dirt in the local park. Read the preface to Breakfast of Champions. Make no mistake, Kurt Vonnegut saw more than his share of tragedy. He was a child of the Depression, a POW in WWII, his mother committed suicide. He also spent his life in wealth, as a child and as a successful author. He circled with the New York elites while he pretended to be on the side of the everyman. Disparaging your ambition, your success, your life. your dreams, he castigated the masses for capitalism, for America. All the while viewing the common folk from the window of his apartment overlooking Central Park.
And so it goes, indeed.
October 13, 2012
October 12, 2012
A little honesty
Ask yourself a question. You do not have to confess in the comments. You know what is in your heart.
If the whole Benghazi bullshit cover-up happened under say G W Bush, what would your reaction be? Does the whole affair not have some shades of Watergate? Where is the Democrat willing to stand up and ask What did you know, when did you know it?
Does the whole sleazy affair and the associated assault on free speech not leave you a little queasy? There is a guy in solitary confinement in prison right now because the President and Sec of State blamed the whole thing on a movie.
Lies upon lies.
How do you feel?
If the whole Benghazi bullshit cover-up happened under say G W Bush, what would your reaction be? Does the whole affair not have some shades of Watergate? Where is the Democrat willing to stand up and ask What did you know, when did you know it?
Does the whole sleazy affair and the associated assault on free speech not leave you a little queasy? There is a guy in solitary confinement in prison right now because the President and Sec of State blamed the whole thing on a movie.
Lies upon lies.
How do you feel?
Friday Hippie Music
For occasional commenter Hey Teacher. We may not agree on the roll of unions, but we do agree on good music.
Remember to vote against Tony Bennett in the upcoming elections. Yes, Dear Reader,, i will be voting for a Democrat come November.
October 11, 2012
Looking forward through the past
I went back and read the posts I wrote regarding Obama back in 2008. I was right about him.
Sadly, that gives me very little satisfaction.
Sadly, that gives me very little satisfaction.
October 10, 2012
This is how it starts
I embrace technology. I may not understand how it works, but I like the gadgets and buy them when I can afford to.
But this, I don't know. I am no science fiction fan, but even my less than fertile imagination can play out the scenario. Store the DNA in a machine. Use the DNA to drive said computer. DNA comes alive, and gives "life" to machine. Machines try to wipe out man; a Cro-Magnon vs Neanderthal redux, with me and mine caught up in a Terminator-like future.
I think I am in the midst of a Guy Fawkes moment.
October 9, 2012
Five foreign policy intitaives
You know what we need on this Tuesday afternoon? We need some 80's music chicks. Trust me, we do, if for no other reason than to remind ourselves the fashions of the 1980's suck big time.Future fashionistas should never try to foist the overalls, baggy pants, or leg warmer bullshit on us again.
You know I am right.
The new poll tax redux.
Perhaps we need an intelligence test before people can vote? This Barbie wannabe is as distressing as the morons who were interviewed outside the polls after voting for Obama in 2008. Proof no political party has a monopoly on idiots.
Next we will vote for a candidate based on the color of his skin!
h/t EOB
edit it is a put-on
October 8, 2012
A mental Octoberfest
WHEN THE FROST IS ON THE PUNKIN
They's something kindo' harty-like about the atmusfere
When the heat of summer's over and the coolin' fall is here
Of course we miss the flowers, and the blossoms on the trees,
And the mumble of the hummin'-birds and buzzin' of the bees;
But the air's so appetizin'; and the landscape through the haze
Of a crisp and sunny morning of the airly autumn days
Is a pictur' that no painter has the colorin' to mock
When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder's in the shock.
--James Whitcomb Riley
Early autumn always brings this poem to mind. As a young Hoosier in high school English class we were always subjected to reading Riley. I find him much more tolerable, in fact downright entertaining, if you read him out loud. Riley captures in his poems a natural sense of a dying Hoosier dialect. The tone and voice is exactly what my great grandparents spoke, and sometimes that phrasing and intonation seeps into my speech patterns. Strange enough, my brother rarely exhibits the same "hickness".
We had a hard freeze last night and frost still coats the grass in the house shadow outside my office window. The air was clean and crisp when I went to get the paper in the predawn darkness.
Fall is one of my favorite times of year. I can walk the neighborhood without finding shirt and shorts soaked in sweat. I love the crunch of fallen leaves beneath my feet and the blaze of orange and red in the trees. I miss the smell of burning leaves, a smell like no other and always associated with fall in my brain.
The Christmas tree display already up at WalMart is a sad commercial reminder the first days of flying snow and permanent chill are not far away. The flashing on my computer screen reminds me I need to join a conference call.
Have a great Monday.
October 7, 2012
Politics and Chip Dip
I have been giving some thought to the recent debates. I have to be honest, I though Obama was lost, Romney boring. There could not be much give and take on policy issues. Obama cannot run on his policies, only that Romney's are not sound. It only takes a few minutes of listening to your kids argue in the backseat to understand that is what we saw on a national stage: "He touched me". "Did not". turns easily into "He's going to tax the middle class." "Am not". Yawn. What channel is SportsCenter?
Obama could not very well argue in favor of his Presidency, only against Romney. The economy is not really a lot better. Fewer Americans are working than in any time in recent history. Unemployment stays high. Gas is double the price since he took office. Foodstuff, heating oil,. electricity, all are much higher in price. Even the President's signature achievements are not winners among the voting public. ObamaCare remains very unpopular, and the taxes and costs that kick in next year will only make it worse. The stimulus is viewed as a failure, and most Americans realize the government cannot continue to spend at the current rates. Many of us have no idea what to do about it, but the spending spree must stop, and the Stimulus has become the poster child of out of control spending.
Macroeconomic issues like the relationship of the Euro, the Greek and Spanish debt crisis and the changing value of the Yuan are beyond most peoples' understanding. There remains a lack of confidence in the economy. President Obama can only restore that confidence by convincing the general public that his policies will work, given enough time, or that Romney will make things worse. Romney only has to point to the past four years and say "See -- want more of the same?".
Class warfare only works with a small segment of the population. Liberals think the president has not gone far enough, but moving left will alienate a large chunk of middle America. We won't even discuss foreign policy.
The President looked out of sync and lost for a very good reason. All he can offer positive is "more of the same" That resonates with his base, but undecideds have not supported the President this election for a reason. They are leery, uncertain and looking for a reason to vote for the President. All Obama can hope is he throws enough reasons not to vote for Romney to those people.
Romney just has to give reason to believe he is a better alternative. Obama's lack of new policy initiatives only helps Romney. Undecided voters are like the guy in the grocery staring at the chips. Ruffles or Lays, he wonders. He just needs someone to tell him that Ruffles scoop up sour cream and onion dip better than Lays.
That reminds me, I need to get to the store before the football game...
Obama could not very well argue in favor of his Presidency, only against Romney. The economy is not really a lot better. Fewer Americans are working than in any time in recent history. Unemployment stays high. Gas is double the price since he took office. Foodstuff, heating oil,. electricity, all are much higher in price. Even the President's signature achievements are not winners among the voting public. ObamaCare remains very unpopular, and the taxes and costs that kick in next year will only make it worse. The stimulus is viewed as a failure, and most Americans realize the government cannot continue to spend at the current rates. Many of us have no idea what to do about it, but the spending spree must stop, and the Stimulus has become the poster child of out of control spending.
Macroeconomic issues like the relationship of the Euro, the Greek and Spanish debt crisis and the changing value of the Yuan are beyond most peoples' understanding. There remains a lack of confidence in the economy. President Obama can only restore that confidence by convincing the general public that his policies will work, given enough time, or that Romney will make things worse. Romney only has to point to the past four years and say "See -- want more of the same?".
Class warfare only works with a small segment of the population. Liberals think the president has not gone far enough, but moving left will alienate a large chunk of middle America. We won't even discuss foreign policy.
The President looked out of sync and lost for a very good reason. All he can offer positive is "more of the same" That resonates with his base, but undecideds have not supported the President this election for a reason. They are leery, uncertain and looking for a reason to vote for the President. All Obama can hope is he throws enough reasons not to vote for Romney to those people.
Romney just has to give reason to believe he is a better alternative. Obama's lack of new policy initiatives only helps Romney. Undecided voters are like the guy in the grocery staring at the chips. Ruffles or Lays, he wonders. He just needs someone to tell him that Ruffles scoop up sour cream and onion dip better than Lays.
That reminds me, I need to get to the store before the football game...
October 6, 2012
Saturday, and I'm not in the park
I am a little late hitting the old blog this morning. I slept in to almost 8:00! That is very late for me. I read the paper and ate some Corn POPS before logging on. It is all about priorities, dear reader.
After some heavy rain yesterday evening and night we are greeted by a sunny, crisp fall day. Perfect football weather for those of you into college sports. It brings me on a stroll down memory lane, where life is all lollipops and good times. I think of walking down the streets around little old Wabash College, shoes crushing the fallen leaves, laughter leading the way as we trekked toward the football stadium. Cold beers in hand and belly, we are ready to enjoy life to its fullest. The trivia cares of study and tests and research papers are forgotten in a weekend of sport, of booze, and lust. Ah youth. Too bad it was not all as we remember it.
In the present, we are going to meet up with some friends today. The wives plan on a little shopping while the he-men women haters club enjoys some fine hand-rolled tobacco from a small Caribbean or Central American nation and a cold beer or two. I guess my life has not really changed much in the intervening quarter century plus since my college days.
My coffee grows cold. Have a great weekend.
After some heavy rain yesterday evening and night we are greeted by a sunny, crisp fall day. Perfect football weather for those of you into college sports. It brings me on a stroll down memory lane, where life is all lollipops and good times. I think of walking down the streets around little old Wabash College, shoes crushing the fallen leaves, laughter leading the way as we trekked toward the football stadium. Cold beers in hand and belly, we are ready to enjoy life to its fullest. The trivia cares of study and tests and research papers are forgotten in a weekend of sport, of booze, and lust. Ah youth. Too bad it was not all as we remember it.
In the present, we are going to meet up with some friends today. The wives plan on a little shopping while the he-men women haters club enjoys some fine hand-rolled tobacco from a small Caribbean or Central American nation and a cold beer or two. I guess my life has not really changed much in the intervening quarter century plus since my college days.
My coffee grows cold. Have a great weekend.
October 5, 2012
Stuff I wish I had said
Gore-blames-denver-altitude-for-obama-debate-performance--James Old Guy
I guess when you have had your head up your ass for four years breathing at altitude might be a problem.
Laughed my ass off.
Friday Hippie Music
Since most of you could not follow Obama's rambling mumbling piss poor debate performance, I have taken it upon myself to summarize his policies. Behold, Ten Years After put it to music.
October 4, 2012
Banana peels and egg shells
I made a pot of chili last night. And some cornbread. I love cornbread. I am not real fond of chili. The wife is, and I am that kind of guy. I picked out the beans and manage to eat a bowl or two. The hot air i pumped later in the evening was almost equal to 1/1000 of the hot air spouted in the debates. After about an hour I had to change the channel. I watched me some DVR'd episodes of Chopped (the best show on TV).
I managed to convince a potential customer to let me quote their widget needs. She sent me a spreadsheet of about 250 part numbers. She sent about 125 pages of chart drawings to quote from. The part numbers on the spreadsheet are NOT tied to the chart drawings, so I have about 2,000 lines to try to sort and match to part numbers. Then we have to try to interchange based on dimensions before we can quote. In case you don't know what a chart drawing is, it is a long listing of part numbers and dimensions. Think of it as a narrow listing of part after part. This means I have to go through 125 pages of part listings, sometimes 50 or more lines per page, on different drawings, to find about 250 different part numbers. Let me put it this way, it is like trying to find a certain word in your morning paper. Now do that 250 times.
I am not getting this done wasting my time blogging.
I managed to convince a potential customer to let me quote their widget needs. She sent me a spreadsheet of about 250 part numbers. She sent about 125 pages of chart drawings to quote from. The part numbers on the spreadsheet are NOT tied to the chart drawings, so I have about 2,000 lines to try to sort and match to part numbers. Then we have to try to interchange based on dimensions before we can quote. In case you don't know what a chart drawing is, it is a long listing of part numbers and dimensions. Think of it as a narrow listing of part after part. This means I have to go through 125 pages of part listings, sometimes 50 or more lines per page, on different drawings, to find about 250 different part numbers. Let me put it this way, it is like trying to find a certain word in your morning paper. Now do that 250 times.
I am not getting this done wasting my time blogging.
October 3, 2012
Reader Challenge
I want you to think about something. I know, you didn't come here to get homework. Well knock It off before I give you something to whine about.
As the debates are finally upon us, it is time to think about your vote. I have stated for me this election is once again an exercise in voting against a particular candidate. I am looking for reasons to be for some one.
If you are an Obama supporter, why are you voting for him? What policies of his do you support. Now here is the kicker, you cannot give reasons why not to vote for Romney. I am looking for reasons to vote for Obama.
You Romney folks do not get off here. I submit your challenge is harder. Why vote for Romney. You cannot list the reasons you think Obama sucks, only the positive attributes for Romney.
Have at it in the comments.
As the debates are finally upon us, it is time to think about your vote. I have stated for me this election is once again an exercise in voting against a particular candidate. I am looking for reasons to be for some one.
If you are an Obama supporter, why are you voting for him? What policies of his do you support. Now here is the kicker, you cannot give reasons why not to vote for Romney. I am looking for reasons to vote for Obama.
You Romney folks do not get off here. I submit your challenge is harder. Why vote for Romney. You cannot list the reasons you think Obama sucks, only the positive attributes for Romney.
Have at it in the comments.
October 2, 2012
I'm back, I'm nationwide
Greetings on this cloudy/misty/rainy Tuesday. I returned just a bit ago from Freddieland, and I am feeling fine. No I did not see Freddie ( I would not know her if I saw her anyway), but I did have a good business trip.
I mentioned in a previous post I was up in Muncie over the weekend. I am not the only one that enjoyed my son's band, Fossil generation. Read this article from the Ball State Daily News.
Pretty high praise indeed.
I mentioned in a previous post I was up in Muncie over the weekend. I am not the only one that enjoyed my son's band, Fossil generation. Read this article from the Ball State Daily News.
Imagine what a modern day Jimi Hendrix would sound like, mashed together with the Mars Volta, and sandwiched in with musical characteristics similar to that of Muse, Radiohead and sometimes Tool. This is the live sound of Fossil Generation.
Pretty high praise indeed.
October 1, 2012
September 30, 2012
How to carve a standing rib roast
As you probably have guessed I am working on a book. It is going nowhere. Like most of my writing it starts off not too bad and then kind of fizzles. I have a notebook dating back more than thirty years filled with story starts (and believe it or not, Jean, a few poems of the worst variety.). My kids can throw the notebook and the printed pages of the crap I have published here away when I finally take the dirt nap.
We found ourselves in the heart of downtown Muncie last night for the Muncie Music Fest. The boy's band played a great set. This was the best I have ever heard them play. The band was tight. A random young man standing next to me muttered after the fourth song, "Man, they are in a zone"..The band is heading to record a new album in a couple of weeks. My oldest son has the artistic talent I wish I had. He can draw, paint and is an excellent song writer and musician. I think these abilities are often present in an ambidextrous person. Tomorrow is his 24th birthday.
Now to really confuse you, today is my son's birthday. You read that right. My oldest son will be 24 tomorrow and my youngest son is 19 today. Can you believe it? When I started this blog the little one was playing Little League and elementary school football. Now he is a freshman in college. Geez,where did the time go?
We found ourselves in the heart of downtown Muncie last night for the Muncie Music Fest. The boy's band played a great set. This was the best I have ever heard them play. The band was tight. A random young man standing next to me muttered after the fourth song, "Man, they are in a zone"..The band is heading to record a new album in a couple of weeks. My oldest son has the artistic talent I wish I had. He can draw, paint and is an excellent song writer and musician. I think these abilities are often present in an ambidextrous person. Tomorrow is his 24th birthday.
Now to really confuse you, today is my son's birthday. You read that right. My oldest son will be 24 tomorrow and my youngest son is 19 today. Can you believe it? When I started this blog the little one was playing Little League and elementary school football. Now he is a freshman in college. Geez,where did the time go?
More? Are you kidding me?
It is your lucky day. You should run right out and buy a lottery ticket. I am going once again present an episode of my fictional coming of age story. Rest assured I am under no delusions about my storytelling skills. As Clint once mumbled, "a man's got to know his limitations". If you are a glutton for punishment you can get the previous episodes here here and here.
Four
After the de-pantsing incident I was pretty down in the dumps. Back at school I was feeling sorry for myself. Instead of sweeping my eyes ahead and behind, looking for danger I was moping around depressed.. Lack of situational awareness is a good way to suffer in the junior high jungle.
It was Ash Wednesday, so out of respect for the Catholics we were subjected to a meatless lunch. I was walking across the cafeteria oblivious to the stares and snickers of the student body. I was focused on the divided sections of my melamine lunch tray trying to decide what was more unappetizing, the congealed gray and orange mass of macaroni and cheese or the limp green beans. There was a chunk of strawberry cake with white icing that did not look too bad.
High on her euphoria of my humiiation the previous week, Lynn Taylor decided to attack me herself. I was caught completely unaware as her foot expertly slipped in between my stride sending me stumbling across the floor, the contents of my tray flying in slow motion to hit Nancy Montgomery in the back. My first thought was "Damn, that cake looked good". My second thought: "Oh Shit, that hit Nancy Montgomery!"
Nancy was big, ugly, and raw boned. She was the only girl in a family of uncountable boys. The Montgomery's lived in a rambling old farmhouse with a sagging porch just west of town. High grass provided camouflage for rusting cars and engines on hoists. Cats and dogs almost outnumbered the kids. The Montgomery's were mean fighters and had no qualms about taking you on in a pack. But usually one Montgomery was enough to win any fight.
Nancy was as tough as any of her brothers and I was more than a little afraid of her. I saw her knock out John Davies the year before with one punch after he teased her about something. She just turned around and laid him out as he walked down the bus steps. Nancy usually wore her brother's hand me downs -- Converse high tops, boys jeans and a shapeless flannel shirt.
Except today. On this Ash Wednesday Nancy sported an ill-fitting and unattractive white dress and an ash mark on her forehead that pulsed with anger as she turned to stare at me. She looked over her shoulder and glared at the macaroni stuck to her backside and back at me. She slowly shifted her glare to Lynn Taylor.
"Look what you did, you Twerp" shrieked Lynn. I could only gape, mouth open. Shock and fear left me speechless.
"Nope. Look what you did" said Nancy in a low rumble, her finger pointed accusingly at my tormentor. "You did it, always pickin' on this here boy". Nancy had been in my class since second grade. That was the most I had ever heard her speak. "Ahm tellin' you now, leave him alone. If I was you, Taylor, I'd find a place to be today besides PE You're gonna pay for ruinin' my new dress".
Twin emotions fought in my trembling frame -- humiliation in that I needed a girl to protect me and relief that same girl did not beat the shit out of me.
Four
After the de-pantsing incident I was pretty down in the dumps. Back at school I was feeling sorry for myself. Instead of sweeping my eyes ahead and behind, looking for danger I was moping around depressed.. Lack of situational awareness is a good way to suffer in the junior high jungle.
It was Ash Wednesday, so out of respect for the Catholics we were subjected to a meatless lunch. I was walking across the cafeteria oblivious to the stares and snickers of the student body. I was focused on the divided sections of my melamine lunch tray trying to decide what was more unappetizing, the congealed gray and orange mass of macaroni and cheese or the limp green beans. There was a chunk of strawberry cake with white icing that did not look too bad.
High on her euphoria of my humiiation the previous week, Lynn Taylor decided to attack me herself. I was caught completely unaware as her foot expertly slipped in between my stride sending me stumbling across the floor, the contents of my tray flying in slow motion to hit Nancy Montgomery in the back. My first thought was "Damn, that cake looked good". My second thought: "Oh Shit, that hit Nancy Montgomery!"
Nancy was big, ugly, and raw boned. She was the only girl in a family of uncountable boys. The Montgomery's lived in a rambling old farmhouse with a sagging porch just west of town. High grass provided camouflage for rusting cars and engines on hoists. Cats and dogs almost outnumbered the kids. The Montgomery's were mean fighters and had no qualms about taking you on in a pack. But usually one Montgomery was enough to win any fight.
Nancy was as tough as any of her brothers and I was more than a little afraid of her. I saw her knock out John Davies the year before with one punch after he teased her about something. She just turned around and laid him out as he walked down the bus steps. Nancy usually wore her brother's hand me downs -- Converse high tops, boys jeans and a shapeless flannel shirt.
Except today. On this Ash Wednesday Nancy sported an ill-fitting and unattractive white dress and an ash mark on her forehead that pulsed with anger as she turned to stare at me. She looked over her shoulder and glared at the macaroni stuck to her backside and back at me. She slowly shifted her glare to Lynn Taylor.
"Look what you did, you Twerp" shrieked Lynn. I could only gape, mouth open. Shock and fear left me speechless.
"Nope. Look what you did" said Nancy in a low rumble, her finger pointed accusingly at my tormentor. "You did it, always pickin' on this here boy". Nancy had been in my class since second grade. That was the most I had ever heard her speak. "Ahm tellin' you now, leave him alone. If I was you, Taylor, I'd find a place to be today besides PE You're gonna pay for ruinin' my new dress".
Twin emotions fought in my trembling frame -- humiliation in that I needed a girl to protect me and relief that same girl did not beat the shit out of me.
September 29, 2012
September 28, 2012
I wonder, wonder
Rumors of a YouTube trailer of a movie no one had ever seen set off a firestorm of protest among the perpetually pissed off Muslims in the middle east. Riots led to attacks on our Embassies. Four Americans died.
So what will happen when a movie about the cold-blooded killing of martyr and freedom fighter Osama Bin Laden hits the mainstream later this year? Since the Obama administration gave classified info to the filmmaker and are cooperating with the project, Hillary and Obama will not be able to claim the US had nothing to do with the film.
Think Obama will lie and blame his incompetent and impotent foreign policy failures on the pesky First Amendment when the predictable riots and attacks occur? Will the Government find a way to arrest the film maker?
So what will happen when a movie about the cold-blooded killing of martyr and freedom fighter Osama Bin Laden hits the mainstream later this year? Since the Obama administration gave classified info to the filmmaker and are cooperating with the project, Hillary and Obama will not be able to claim the US had nothing to do with the film.
Think Obama will lie and blame his incompetent and impotent foreign policy failures on the pesky First Amendment when the predictable riots and attacks occur? Will the Government find a way to arrest the film maker?
Friday Hippie Music
The past few weeks I have featured hippie tunes I enjoy. This week, not so much. In fact, I hate this damn song.
September 27, 2012
Blacktop Blues
In the last century, in the days just after the dinosaurs ceased to wander the continent and the ice retreated northward I was a young impressionable schoolboy. In those halcyon days of the late 1960's the nation was in turmoil, protests rocked the very foundation of the political process. Hippies and flower children tuned out and turned on, and hundreds of thousands of Americans found themselves on the far side of the world fighting little brown men under rules very similar to the prevent defense used in the NFL. I roamed the halls of Samuel P. Kyger Elementary oblivious to it all.
Occasionally the teacher wheeled in the big projector and threaded an educational film to pass the afternoon. One of my favorite films was a documentary of indiscriminate age detailing a trip down legendary highway US 1 from Maine to Florida. I think the filmmakers were searching for a way to cash in on the popularity of Route 66, looking for a way to insert highways of every stripe into the fabric of the national consciousness.. Why not, in just a few short years Sports Illustrated would trace the sporting history of US 421. Good ideas never die.
Anyway, I loved that movie. I think my fondness for travel was born in the flickering 16mm images of the winding path of US 1 through the heart of the East Coast to its terminus in Key West.
This week I found myself traveling the back roads of the northernmost of the Carolinas. I traveled from south of Charlotte to Greenville, a trip from the southwest corner to the eastern portion of the state. The GPS sent me across US 74 and up US 1 towards Raleigh. Imagine my excitement to travel the famous US 1! I have driven portions of the highway in Florida and Pennsylvania, but here I would travel through the hinterlands on the highway of my youth. Alas, the highway has altered course, it is a four lane limited access highway cutting across the rural lands of the Tarheel state..A fine drive, mind you, but not the twisting route through forgotten cities and towns I hoped for.
One of the fun parts of my job is to drive the state highways and old US routes through the country. Dying towns, roadside attractions and lonely motels mark time; a blurred and aged vision of post war travels across America. The interstates are great to get you where you are going. But the dying towns hugging the old highways speak to me in ways I cannot describe.
Occasionally the teacher wheeled in the big projector and threaded an educational film to pass the afternoon. One of my favorite films was a documentary of indiscriminate age detailing a trip down legendary highway US 1 from Maine to Florida. I think the filmmakers were searching for a way to cash in on the popularity of Route 66, looking for a way to insert highways of every stripe into the fabric of the national consciousness.. Why not, in just a few short years Sports Illustrated would trace the sporting history of US 421. Good ideas never die.
Anyway, I loved that movie. I think my fondness for travel was born in the flickering 16mm images of the winding path of US 1 through the heart of the East Coast to its terminus in Key West.
This week I found myself traveling the back roads of the northernmost of the Carolinas. I traveled from south of Charlotte to Greenville, a trip from the southwest corner to the eastern portion of the state. The GPS sent me across US 74 and up US 1 towards Raleigh. Imagine my excitement to travel the famous US 1! I have driven portions of the highway in Florida and Pennsylvania, but here I would travel through the hinterlands on the highway of my youth. Alas, the highway has altered course, it is a four lane limited access highway cutting across the rural lands of the Tarheel state..A fine drive, mind you, but not the twisting route through forgotten cities and towns I hoped for.
One of the fun parts of my job is to drive the state highways and old US routes through the country. Dying towns, roadside attractions and lonely motels mark time; a blurred and aged vision of post war travels across America. The interstates are great to get you where you are going. But the dying towns hugging the old highways speak to me in ways I cannot describe.
September 26, 2012
September 25, 2012
Urgent Update
So much to say, so little desire to put metaphoric pen to paper. I am cognizant my ramblings are not that coherent or well written, but I spend more time than you imagine composing the stuff that passes for posts around here. I know, it is sad all that work produces such lackluster results. In any case, maybe later. Maybe tomorrow.
Doesn't the title to this post remind you of your local news station?* It is all panic, all of the time. StormTeam/ScareTeam weather gives breathless updates. My God, it is RAINING!!! We must report on it. There is actual THUNDER!!!! And then there is the Breaking News!!!: A person was just killed on the near North side!! We have a reporter on the scene, let's go to ace reporter David-there-is-no-story-too-small.
David: "We just arrived on the scene. We have no details as to the victim, and police are not saying how he died. We don't even know how many people are involved. We will keep you updated as more details emerge". David is bummed he does not have a cute prop to make his story more interesting.
In a similar manner, I suggest you check back often to see if I have posted anything new.
* it certainly fits the one I watch in Indy.
Doesn't the title to this post remind you of your local news station?* It is all panic, all of the time. StormTeam/ScareTeam weather gives breathless updates. My God, it is RAINING!!! We must report on it. There is actual THUNDER!!!! And then there is the Breaking News!!!: A person was just killed on the near North side!! We have a reporter on the scene, let's go to ace reporter David-there-is-no-story-too-small.
David: "We just arrived on the scene. We have no details as to the victim, and police are not saying how he died. We don't even know how many people are involved. We will keep you updated as more details emerge". David is bummed he does not have a cute prop to make his story more interesting.
In a similar manner, I suggest you check back often to see if I have posted anything new.
* it certainly fits the one I watch in Indy.
September 24, 2012
Sculpting Dog Poo into a Political Work of Art
I will be so glad when this election is over. I am serious, does a politician lose all sense of self-respect when he runs for office? How can anyone honestly argue with a straight face that Romney is a liar and "cheat" when he over-payed his taxes? We can argue if the tax rate is fair and equitable going forward, but how can we castigate someone who followed the law as written today? No matter your political beliefs, we should celebrate anyone who gives a third of their income to charity.
"Gotcha" stories of political statements someone made 20 years in the past are just as stupid. As much as I made fun of Obama for his "evolving" political beliefs, we all think about issues differently as times change. When I was 40 I laughed at the juvenile and naive political beliefs of 20 year-old me. When I am 60 I will have different political priorities than I did at 40.
Thank goodness I do not live in a swing state where I would be subjected the political ads 24/7. The local and state-wide ads are tiresome enough.
BTW, how do you feel about the State Department using your tax dollars to buy ads in Pakistan denouncing the idiotic Mohammad movie trailer? The United States should never apologize for guaranteeing the inalienable right of free speech. That act alone should make you think twice about returning anyone in this administration to public office. Loss of the First Amendment will affect those who often vote Democrat -- actors, writers, NOW, LGBT advocates, and artists all would suffer first and most grievously under Sharia Law. Our freedoms are held most dear to all Americans, and we should protest loudly and aggressively when any President and Secretary of State offer anything less than unequivocal support for our Constitution. This issue is not about politics, it is about freedom.
"Gotcha" stories of political statements someone made 20 years in the past are just as stupid. As much as I made fun of Obama for his "evolving" political beliefs, we all think about issues differently as times change. When I was 40 I laughed at the juvenile and naive political beliefs of 20 year-old me. When I am 60 I will have different political priorities than I did at 40.
Thank goodness I do not live in a swing state where I would be subjected the political ads 24/7. The local and state-wide ads are tiresome enough.
BTW, how do you feel about the State Department using your tax dollars to buy ads in Pakistan denouncing the idiotic Mohammad movie trailer? The United States should never apologize for guaranteeing the inalienable right of free speech. That act alone should make you think twice about returning anyone in this administration to public office. Loss of the First Amendment will affect those who often vote Democrat -- actors, writers, NOW, LGBT advocates, and artists all would suffer first and most grievously under Sharia Law. Our freedoms are held most dear to all Americans, and we should protest loudly and aggressively when any President and Secretary of State offer anything less than unequivocal support for our Constitution. This issue is not about politics, it is about freedom.
September 23, 2012
A rambling post about anything but politics
It appears to be a fine Sunday morning. The sky is a brilliant blue as seen from my west facing office window. I would call it Prussian Blue if I had to choose a color from the Crayola box. I don't think the big 64 color Crayola box contains Prussian Blue anymore, "Prussian" likely offends someone's sense of decency and taste. Whatever the color, the sky is brilliant this morning.
It is chilly, but not cold in the house. Hot days, cool nights marks this time of the seasons. I am drinking my coffee from a stained Cubs coffee mug. Life is good.
We went to my daughter's yesterday to help paint her living room/dining area/kitchen. My son-in-law had already done the trim work around the ceiling, so the task was not too bad. The humidity was low, despite the rains of Friday night, and there was a stiff breeze, so the walls dried enough to get in a second coat before dinner. The room looks very nice. I am somewhat stiff this morning. Sore is not the right word, but I am not my usual creaky self either. I can feel the muscles in my arms and back mildly protesting the work.
The whole family gathered Friday night to celebrate birthday season. All three of my kids have birthdays within a two week period from mid-September through October 1.. I know what you are thinking, January must have been a special time around the old homestead back in the day. I say nothing in return. We had a great time. Everyone was in a fine mood. The restaurant served a leisurely meal allowing for talk and laughter and reminiscing and good-natured teasing. I sat at the head of the table basking in the glow of family, secure in the knowledge I was picking up the hefty check.
The youngest is home for the first time since school started in mid August. It is nice to have him back in the house. We have to take him back to college today. There is not much more on tap, a little reading, a little football perhaps. we shall see what fate puts before us.
Have a good Sunday.
It is chilly, but not cold in the house. Hot days, cool nights marks this time of the seasons. I am drinking my coffee from a stained Cubs coffee mug. Life is good.
We went to my daughter's yesterday to help paint her living room/dining area/kitchen. My son-in-law had already done the trim work around the ceiling, so the task was not too bad. The humidity was low, despite the rains of Friday night, and there was a stiff breeze, so the walls dried enough to get in a second coat before dinner. The room looks very nice. I am somewhat stiff this morning. Sore is not the right word, but I am not my usual creaky self either. I can feel the muscles in my arms and back mildly protesting the work.
The whole family gathered Friday night to celebrate birthday season. All three of my kids have birthdays within a two week period from mid-September through October 1.. I know what you are thinking, January must have been a special time around the old homestead back in the day. I say nothing in return. We had a great time. Everyone was in a fine mood. The restaurant served a leisurely meal allowing for talk and laughter and reminiscing and good-natured teasing. I sat at the head of the table basking in the glow of family, secure in the knowledge I was picking up the hefty check.
The youngest is home for the first time since school started in mid August. It is nice to have him back in the house. We have to take him back to college today. There is not much more on tap, a little reading, a little football perhaps. we shall see what fate puts before us.
Have a good Sunday.
September 22, 2012
Weekend Funny
On a completely unrelated note, please join me in wishing my big brother, Otter, a happy birthday today.
September 21, 2012
3761
Blogging is not easy. Many have read the opinions and rantings and stories written by bloggers and muttered, "I could do that". You can. We all think we have something to offer to the general education, discourse and entertainment of our fellow man. Keeping it up is the hard part. Make no mistake, I make no pretense as to quality around here. But in the blogging world I have stuck around for a while.
My six years plus is small potatoes compared to some. I read bloggers who have been at this hobby well in excess of a decade. I also know of many who did not make it a year. My blogroll is filled with fine folks who have found other outlets or hobbies . The list of former daily reads who have moved on is massive. Throwing yourself out there on an almost daily basis is difficult. It takes discipline. It takes a bit of creativity. This is post number 3,761. I also have more than 100 in draft status I did not bother to publish for various reasons. Some posts I have written were a waste of time for you to read and me to create. Lots of my posts fall into that category. I am proud of some of my musings. Still, I have no illusions. There is no interwebz version of the Pulitzer in my future. On the other hand, you are reading my words at this moment. Isn't that the point of the entire exercise?
I was cruising through my blogroll and noticed there are so many blogs who have not posted for a long time. Some of my favorites are gone forever. I am not casting aspersions, nor castigating anyone. It is a damn hobby. Life intrudes. Facetwit has sucked the life from the blogoshere. My daily hits are half of what they were a few years ago. That's OK. I never sought to become famous anyway.
There is no point to be made here. You could argue this post is a microcosm of the blog itself. It is mere keyboard ditherings for my entertainment. That you bother to read is just a cherry on my life's sundae.
Introspection is boring. It is Friday. What say we knock of early for the weekend?
My six years plus is small potatoes compared to some. I read bloggers who have been at this hobby well in excess of a decade. I also know of many who did not make it a year. My blogroll is filled with fine folks who have found other outlets or hobbies . The list of former daily reads who have moved on is massive. Throwing yourself out there on an almost daily basis is difficult. It takes discipline. It takes a bit of creativity. This is post number 3,761. I also have more than 100 in draft status I did not bother to publish for various reasons. Some posts I have written were a waste of time for you to read and me to create. Lots of my posts fall into that category. I am proud of some of my musings. Still, I have no illusions. There is no interwebz version of the Pulitzer in my future. On the other hand, you are reading my words at this moment. Isn't that the point of the entire exercise?
I was cruising through my blogroll and noticed there are so many blogs who have not posted for a long time. Some of my favorites are gone forever. I am not casting aspersions, nor castigating anyone. It is a damn hobby. Life intrudes. Facetwit has sucked the life from the blogoshere. My daily hits are half of what they were a few years ago. That's OK. I never sought to become famous anyway.
There is no point to be made here. You could argue this post is a microcosm of the blog itself. It is mere keyboard ditherings for my entertainment. That you bother to read is just a cherry on my life's sundae.
Introspection is boring. It is Friday. What say we knock of early for the weekend?
September 20, 2012
September 19, 2012
Any excuse
There was a story on the radio news this morning claiming adult obesity will hit above 50%. I don't doubt it. The nanny-staters interviewed in the story claimed it was because there are not enough "healthy options". I call bullshit. Even in my crappy town the grocery is filled with fresh produce and aisles of healthy products.
Federal do-gooders insisted years ago we put nutrition information on every food product sold in the grocery. People still buy Twinkies and Mountain Dew. Putting the caloric information on a Big Mac will not make it less tasty. I am willing to bet my next paycheck if we were to put out a display of Ding Dongs and carrots, 99 out of 100 people, skinny and obese alike, will identify the carrots as thee healthier snack.
We know what is good for us. We just don't want to do it.
Back in the 1920's cigarettes were called "coffin nails", people knew smoking was bad for you. Even putting warning labels on packs and cartons back in the 1970's stopped few from lighting up a Marlboro. Smoking is down because it has become remarkably inconvenient and the cost has sky rocketed. People are going to do what they want.
Prohibition did not stop the booze from flowing and banning Big Gulps will not force anyone to lay off the soda. Liberals the nation over rally to the cry of "stay out of my vagina!". I say "the man" should stay out of my belly.
Federal do-gooders insisted years ago we put nutrition information on every food product sold in the grocery. People still buy Twinkies and Mountain Dew. Putting the caloric information on a Big Mac will not make it less tasty. I am willing to bet my next paycheck if we were to put out a display of Ding Dongs and carrots, 99 out of 100 people, skinny and obese alike, will identify the carrots as thee healthier snack.
We know what is good for us. We just don't want to do it.
Back in the 1920's cigarettes were called "coffin nails", people knew smoking was bad for you. Even putting warning labels on packs and cartons back in the 1970's stopped few from lighting up a Marlboro. Smoking is down because it has become remarkably inconvenient and the cost has sky rocketed. People are going to do what they want.
Prohibition did not stop the booze from flowing and banning Big Gulps will not force anyone to lay off the soda. Liberals the nation over rally to the cry of "stay out of my vagina!". I say "the man" should stay out of my belly.
Trimming Goat Hooves
The calender says it is still the waning days of summer, but there is a distinctive feel of fall in the air around the Hoosierland. Temperatures dipped in to the upper 30's last night. The wife was cold, so apparently that means I wanted a blanket thrown over me as well. That is how stuff works around here. I woke up sweating in the predawn and kicked the blanket off.
Companies across America are heading into the busy season. No, not the upcoming Holidays, but rather business planning time. Employees at every level are gazing intently at their crystal balls to see what the distant and not so distant future brings. If only we knew what Congress will do about the massive tax increase facing the Nation in a few short months.
I sat through some discussions on the economy last week, including a presentation from a former Fed official. One thing is clear, the coming tax increases will destroy the fragile underpinnings of the economy and likely will push us back into a recession, deeper than the last one.
My life these next few weeks will be visiting customer to see if they have Cassandra-like future reading skills and subsequent number crunching to appease the bosses above me.
And I need to mow the lawn.
Companies across America are heading into the busy season. No, not the upcoming Holidays, but rather business planning time. Employees at every level are gazing intently at their crystal balls to see what the distant and not so distant future brings. If only we knew what Congress will do about the massive tax increase facing the Nation in a few short months.
I sat through some discussions on the economy last week, including a presentation from a former Fed official. One thing is clear, the coming tax increases will destroy the fragile underpinnings of the economy and likely will push us back into a recession, deeper than the last one.
My life these next few weeks will be visiting customer to see if they have Cassandra-like future reading skills and subsequent number crunching to appease the bosses above me.
And I need to mow the lawn.
September 18, 2012
Open Mouth, Insert Foot
Lucky you. I was supposed to be working my way to the west suburbs of the Windy City this rainy, gloomy morning. But the customer had better stuff to do and cancelled our previous arrangement. Such is life. Instead of cursing the Tri-State Tollway traffic, you get a dose of my amateurish punditry.
Romney is an idiot. He commented in a recent fundraiser that he does not expect those who live off the sweat of others in this nation will likely not vote for him. He said the 47% who get public dole will not vote for anyone who wants to reduce their largess. People do not like to be exposed to the blatant truth about their lives.
Those of us who live in 'flyover country' who go to church and keep guns in their house did not like it when Obama said we "cling to our guns and religion". Sorry to break it to you, but those who make up the red state voting block in the hinterlands do cling to their guns and religion.
By the same token, those who take welfare in its various forms are not going to vote for a guy who wants to take some of that away. As a kid which grandma did you like better, the one who gave you gum and pie and candy or the one who wanted you to com over and mow the lawn?
I don't like my shortcomings pointed out to me. You don't either. More people are on food stamps than ever. More Americans are on disability than ever. Almost half of Americans pay NO federal income tax. Those are facts. A majority of those people are not going to vote for Romney. He is being skewered by the left for telling the truth. Those people are not going to vote for Romney. Why are we outraged by the truth?
Romney should just double down. reiterate his comments in a "Father Knows Best" tone. Explain the concept behind his remarks further. Tell the 47%ers that he knows they don't want to hear what he says. Tell them how he is going to help them earn their own way, how he is going to float every ship in the harbor as the tide rises. Explain how the Obama Economy is what is preventing them from living a better life. Explain the unsustainability of the Democrat spend, spend, spend agenda. Most will not listen, a few might.
Romney won't. His pollsters on staff will do the typical GOP run and hide act.Those in charge of the GOP are a spineless bunch. These comments will become a liability instead.
Romney is an idiot. He commented in a recent fundraiser that he does not expect those who live off the sweat of others in this nation will likely not vote for him. He said the 47% who get public dole will not vote for anyone who wants to reduce their largess. People do not like to be exposed to the blatant truth about their lives.
Those of us who live in 'flyover country' who go to church and keep guns in their house did not like it when Obama said we "cling to our guns and religion". Sorry to break it to you, but those who make up the red state voting block in the hinterlands do cling to their guns and religion.
By the same token, those who take welfare in its various forms are not going to vote for a guy who wants to take some of that away. As a kid which grandma did you like better, the one who gave you gum and pie and candy or the one who wanted you to com over and mow the lawn?
I don't like my shortcomings pointed out to me. You don't either. More people are on food stamps than ever. More Americans are on disability than ever. Almost half of Americans pay NO federal income tax. Those are facts. A majority of those people are not going to vote for Romney. He is being skewered by the left for telling the truth. Those people are not going to vote for Romney. Why are we outraged by the truth?
Romney should just double down. reiterate his comments in a "Father Knows Best" tone. Explain the concept behind his remarks further. Tell the 47%ers that he knows they don't want to hear what he says. Tell them how he is going to help them earn their own way, how he is going to float every ship in the harbor as the tide rises. Explain how the Obama Economy is what is preventing them from living a better life. Explain the unsustainability of the Democrat spend, spend, spend agenda. Most will not listen, a few might.
Romney won't. His pollsters on staff will do the typical GOP run and hide act.Those in charge of the GOP are a spineless bunch. These comments will become a liability instead.
That's what she said
I had another post all ready to go live this morning. The hell with it.
Read this instead.
I have nothing to add, no pretense I could say it better.
Read this instead.
I have nothing to add, no pretense I could say it better.
September 17, 2012
Ignorance on parade
This quote is from a comment to my smart-assed post below.
Anonymous said...
- To bad you couldn't get an illustrator to do a portrait of Mohammed eating those ribs. That would have show them or maybe gotten a marine or two killed in a backlash.
Anonymous said...I lack the vocabulary to adequately express my scorn for this Anon E. Mouse's sentiment. I suppose this Mouse would teach his/her kids to just cough up their lunch money to the school bully. No lunch is better than the alternative, I guess.
This comment exhibits a startling ignorance of history and human nature. I advise the commenter to spend a few hours at the local public library looking up 'appeasement' in the history section. Hell, even a few minutes in Wikipedia will help. Here, I'll do half of the work for you. This bit of research will be like throwing a shovel of dirt into the Grand Canyon when it comes to filling in the gaps in your intellect, Dear Commenter, but we have to start your education somewhere.
Oh, and if my response upsets you, just send me five bucks and I won't make fun of you anymore.
September 16, 2012
Islamic rage
I am starting to think everything pisses off the Muslim World.
Here is my contribution:
How about this one:?
Rage away Islamist asshole. Look, he is GOD, if he is offended he has the Power to mete out punishment ot us puny humans. He doesn't need your help.
It is time we quit making excuses for these terrorists. They have one goal -- you and I must convert or die. It really is that simple.
UPDATE:
Here is something that should leave every American, regardless of political stripe, outraged. This was no routine police matter. He embarrased The Obama and will pay the price. Remember how the President expressed wishes for a civilian force equal in power to the military?
Here is my contribution:
 | ||
| http://www.bronxgrill.com/menu/ribs/ |
It is time we quit making excuses for these terrorists. They have one goal -- you and I must convert or die. It really is that simple.
UPDATE:
Here is something that should leave every American, regardless of political stripe, outraged. This was no routine police matter. He embarrased The Obama and will pay the price. Remember how the President expressed wishes for a civilian force equal in power to the military?
September 15, 2012
September 14, 2012
It's my body I can do what I want to
That post title is pretty much the liberal mantra these days. The just-ended Democratic Party Convention was a paean to abortion. "Stay out of my twat" is the way a commenter at another site summarized her position.
I find it amazing that the progressive/liberal/Democrat types are very concerned about individual body rights as long as it involves abortion, but are not too interested in body rights otherwise. The Liberals see no issues with sex without consequences, but are very concerned about the consequences of everyone else's vices and whims. After all, when you have an abortion it is just another human that pays the price. If you drink big ole' cups of Coke, you must be stopped.
Do you want your french fries fried up in a big tub of melted beef lard, the way God intended? Nope, we know what is best, say the progressives. Do you smoke cigarettes -- not in our city. Perhaps your vice is a fine hand rolled cigar? You must be regulated, despite the fact there is no study linking cigar smoking to lung cancer, the FDA wants to regulate the product just like cigarettes. In fact a recent European study concluded cigar smokers have a lower incidence of cancer than non-smokers! I bet you did not read about that one in the biased media did you? Put on your seat belt, buy the kind of car we think is best, by gosh, keeping score in junior league soccer is just plain evil! Welcome to the do as I say, not as I do Nanny State.
So really, the Democrats are the party of tolerance, as long as what you want meets with their approval. Muslims go ape-shit and destroy stuff and kill people and we should appreciate and respect their religion claim the leftists. Yet, the owner of Chick-fil-A happens to disagree with same-sex marriage and he should be run out of business.
I would like to say the hypocrisy leaves me stunned and speechless. Unfortunately, I am not surprised at all. The "we are all equal" socialist believers the world over have this attitude. The power brokers dictate to the masses while they live in exclusive homes, have well-stocked private stores and get special lanes for their own use on the highways.
I find it amazing that the progressive/liberal/Democrat types are very concerned about individual body rights as long as it involves abortion, but are not too interested in body rights otherwise. The Liberals see no issues with sex without consequences, but are very concerned about the consequences of everyone else's vices and whims. After all, when you have an abortion it is just another human that pays the price. If you drink big ole' cups of Coke, you must be stopped.
Do you want your french fries fried up in a big tub of melted beef lard, the way God intended? Nope, we know what is best, say the progressives. Do you smoke cigarettes -- not in our city. Perhaps your vice is a fine hand rolled cigar? You must be regulated, despite the fact there is no study linking cigar smoking to lung cancer, the FDA wants to regulate the product just like cigarettes. In fact a recent European study concluded cigar smokers have a lower incidence of cancer than non-smokers! I bet you did not read about that one in the biased media did you? Put on your seat belt, buy the kind of car we think is best, by gosh, keeping score in junior league soccer is just plain evil! Welcome to the do as I say, not as I do Nanny State.
So really, the Democrats are the party of tolerance, as long as what you want meets with their approval. Muslims go ape-shit and destroy stuff and kill people and we should appreciate and respect their religion claim the leftists. Yet, the owner of Chick-fil-A happens to disagree with same-sex marriage and he should be run out of business.
I would like to say the hypocrisy leaves me stunned and speechless. Unfortunately, I am not surprised at all. The "we are all equal" socialist believers the world over have this attitude. The power brokers dictate to the masses while they live in exclusive homes, have well-stocked private stores and get special lanes for their own use on the highways.
Friday Hippie Music
In retrospect I might have been a less-than-perfect parent. It was generally my job to give the toddlers their bath. Like many parents, I sang along with my kids while they played and soaped and washed..
Quick fact interlude: It is a proven scientific fact that everyone sings like a trained profession in the bathroom. Do not doubt me on this science stuff -- I am a liberal arts graduate. I do not understand why most recording studios do not feature a shower for voice recording.
Anyway, instead of proper kiddie songs like itsy-bitsy spider or Baby Beluga (eat me Raffi) I sang classic rock songs to my impressionable children. My youngest knew the words to this song and could sing it perfectly by the time he was three. He still calls it the bath song.
September 13, 2012
The proper response is
Nothing more needs be said, especially an apology to the ignorant masses that we should not be responsible for the acts of a single individual. We owe no explanations of individual liberty to anyone.
I'm going to watch The Wind and the Lion to get a refresher on how a real President would respond to this kind of nonsense.*
update. This pinhead is actually teaching your children! Perhaps she should spend a few minutes actually reading the Constitution. Does she not understand she is on the wrong side of freedom here?
* even if the Marine charge is fictional.
I wish you were here (instead of me)
Alas, no Tanto is at hand. Only lack of tools keeps me from ritual Seppuku. That is how bored I am. Meetings drone on and on and on and on and on...
I have stabbed myself in the arm with my pen, just to stir my slowing beating heart. My brain is so catatonic I have to remind myself to breathe.
The presenter's soporific mutterings leave me daydreaming of beating him senseless with an aluminum alloy Louisville Slugger. A video of the proceedings would turn any jury in my favor, providing they could stay awake long enough to reach a verdict.
The heat in the room is unbearable. I wish I was hungover. At least then I could vomit all over the table and have an excuse to leave the room.
Is it tempting fate to hope for a mild cardiac infarction?
I have stabbed myself in the arm with my pen, just to stir my slowing beating heart. My brain is so catatonic I have to remind myself to breathe.
The presenter's soporific mutterings leave me daydreaming of beating him senseless with an aluminum alloy Louisville Slugger. A video of the proceedings would turn any jury in my favor, providing they could stay awake long enough to reach a verdict.
The heat in the room is unbearable. I wish I was hungover. At least then I could vomit all over the table and have an excuse to leave the room.
Is it tempting fate to hope for a mild cardiac infarction?
September 12, 2012
Learn something today
The heck with Susan B Anthony or Gloria Steinem or the Seneca Falls Convention, the women of this country should be praising Mary Phelps Jacob.
September 11, 2012
Who are you?
Apologies to the Who. Sometimes I amuse myself to no end on other people's blogs. Apologies to you too. I wrote some of these thoughts at Rita's blog on a post lamenting faux web personalities. I hate to break it to you, but the personality on display around here is a caricature of the real me. In the non-cyber world I am much better looking, brighter and far, far more articulate. In real life I am a bit less tenacious, pugnacious and sarcastically combative. OK, that last sentence is a lie. I am every bit of those things, I am just a bit more judicious in their employ around the genpop. My sense of humor isn't for everyone. Although it should be. But none of this answers the true riddle of the average Joe that strives to entertain you on a near-daily basis around these parts. Since no one who actually knows me (except occasional visits from my dear brother) reads this bit o'crap, you have to take my word for it --.I am the ultimate WYSIWYG.
I am not real. I am the dreams, nightmares, and fantasies that swirl in your brain late at night. I am the right wing whiteboard that helps you organize your thoughts. I am the thunder in the distance, the flash of a summer lightening bug. I am the warm blanket you pull up to your chin, the rich velvety hot fudge on your ice cream. I am the spark shooting into the summer sky from a pine log fire, the soft snowflake melting on your eyelash. I stretch like taffy, compress like rubber and am strong as tempered steel. I am an exceptional man, an average Joe. I make up the top ten percent of the median. I am an enigma, a question mark, the guy next door. I am a Boy Scout, a reprobate, the penultimate environmentalist litterbug. I am a staunch meat eating vegan. Women want me, men want to be me. I am the shyest exhibitionist you have never seen. I am legend in my mind, yet when you see me on the street you exclaim "I know that guy!". I coached your kids, mentored your kid brother and fed your Mom false information. I have been described as the north end of bi-polar disorder. I troll the interwebz from the non-existent basement of my two story ranch located deep in the heart of the inner-city suburbs.I am a progressive right-winger, dispensing political truth in measured doses. Your only required prescription is an open mind. Indeed, despite older claims to the contrary, I am the walrus. I am a blogger, make of me what you will.
Who are you?
I am not real. I am the dreams, nightmares, and fantasies that swirl in your brain late at night. I am the right wing whiteboard that helps you organize your thoughts. I am the thunder in the distance, the flash of a summer lightening bug. I am the warm blanket you pull up to your chin, the rich velvety hot fudge on your ice cream. I am the spark shooting into the summer sky from a pine log fire, the soft snowflake melting on your eyelash. I stretch like taffy, compress like rubber and am strong as tempered steel. I am an exceptional man, an average Joe. I make up the top ten percent of the median. I am an enigma, a question mark, the guy next door. I am a Boy Scout, a reprobate, the penultimate environmentalist litterbug. I am a staunch meat eating vegan. Women want me, men want to be me. I am the shyest exhibitionist you have never seen. I am legend in my mind, yet when you see me on the street you exclaim "I know that guy!". I coached your kids, mentored your kid brother and fed your Mom false information. I have been described as the north end of bi-polar disorder. I troll the interwebz from the non-existent basement of my two story ranch located deep in the heart of the inner-city suburbs.I am a progressive right-winger, dispensing political truth in measured doses. Your only required prescription is an open mind. Indeed, despite older claims to the contrary, I am the walrus. I am a blogger, make of me what you will.
Who are you?
Fact
If you need to be reminded of the significance of this day you probably should spend your time reading other blogs.
September 10, 2012
Yep
What a fabulously confident and ingenuous-seeming political narcissist Ms. Fluke is. She really does think—and her party apparently thinks—that in a spending crisis with trillions in debt and many in need, in a nation in existential doubt as to its standing and purpose, in a time when parents struggle to buy the good sneakers for the kids so they're not embarrassed at school . . . that in that nation the great issue of the day, and the appropriate focus of our concern, is making other people pay for her birth-control pills. That's not a stand, it's a non sequitur. She is not, as Rush Limbaugh oafishly, bullyingly said, a slut. She is a ninny, a narcissist and a fool.
And she was one of the great faces of the party in Charlotte. That is extreme. Childish, too. source
NFL Thought of the day
Do you think at some point, say around 11:00 Eastern last night, that Jim Irsay, owner of the Indianapolis Colts, watched Payton Manning and the Denver Broncos and muttered, "Holy Crap, what have I done?"
Dear Democratic Party
When the most popular politician in your party (and your best speaker at your convention) is a demonstrated liar and perjurer, it says quite a bit about you, doesn't it?
September 9, 2012
Well, that was different
If you have read at this poor excuse for a blog for any length of time you know I dig movies. New, old, I don't care. As we do frequently, the wife and I went to the theater last night to get our dosage of life escape, Hollywood style.
We saw a black comedy called Killer Joe. This is a black comedy of the blackest sort. We are talking Harold and Maude level black comedy. On steroids. Here is an example from one of the opening scenes:
Chris, played by Emile Hirsch is pounding on the windows and doors of a double wide in a driving rainstorm. Finally, his step-mom, Sharla (Gina Gershon) opens the door. She is wearing a t-shirt and nothing else. Her naked girl parts are staring Chris in the face.
Chris: Jesus, Sharla, put on some pants.
Sharla: I didn't know who it was at the door*
Mathew McConaughey (Joe) demonstrates some very real acting ability in this film and Juno Temple is simply outstanding as Dottie.
I tend to prefer light comedies, and there is no doubt Killer Joe is heavy dark stuff. Strange, violent, sad, humor is the best description I can offer. As the film ended and the lights came up, much of the audience was still in their seats. One lady a few rows away summed up the movie experience perfectly, "Well, that was different".
*I tried without success to get the wife to re-enact that scene when we got home.
We saw a black comedy called Killer Joe. This is a black comedy of the blackest sort. We are talking Harold and Maude level black comedy. On steroids. Here is an example from one of the opening scenes:
Chris, played by Emile Hirsch is pounding on the windows and doors of a double wide in a driving rainstorm. Finally, his step-mom, Sharla (Gina Gershon) opens the door. She is wearing a t-shirt and nothing else. Her naked girl parts are staring Chris in the face.
Chris: Jesus, Sharla, put on some pants.
Sharla: I didn't know who it was at the door*
Mathew McConaughey (Joe) demonstrates some very real acting ability in this film and Juno Temple is simply outstanding as Dottie.
I tend to prefer light comedies, and there is no doubt Killer Joe is heavy dark stuff. Strange, violent, sad, humor is the best description I can offer. As the film ended and the lights came up, much of the audience was still in their seats. One lady a few rows away summed up the movie experience perfectly, "Well, that was different".
*I tried without success to get the wife to re-enact that scene when we got home.
September 8, 2012
Hater
I am a live and let live kind of guy. I am a small "L" libertarian., a conservative through and through.
But there is one group of people I really, really, dislike, and my distastealmost borders on hate. Who are these degenerates, these barbarians in the world of Joe (a place we all agree would be a fine place to live)? I have no use for brown-nosers, suck-ups, teacher's pet types. At one blog I frequent there is a commenter that is so over the top in her fawning boot-licking that it is nauseating. The ass kissing is so blatant it comes across as a sixth grade crush. It makes me want to puke up my Capt'n Crunch.
I hated those ass kisser suck up types when I was a kid, and my tolerance is nil these days.
I have equal disdain for the fawning news media. I have little doubt my failure to achieve the highest levels of success can be directly traced to my refusal to brown-nose my way to the top. I can live with that. At least I can look in the mirror each morning without shame.
But there is one group of people I really, really, dislike, and my distaste
I hated those ass kisser suck up types when I was a kid, and my tolerance is nil these days.
I have equal disdain for the fawning news media. I have little doubt my failure to achieve the highest levels of success can be directly traced to my refusal to brown-nose my way to the top. I can live with that. At least I can look in the mirror each morning without shame.
September 7, 2012
NIAFPHFPPW
Fruit Pizza. Sugar cookie crust, cream cheese mixture "sauce" various fruits and an orange glaze.No "There" in that speech.
I am certain The Obama stirred up and encouraged those voters who were going to vote for him anyway.
Much like Romney's tepid effort a week ago, I am not sure he swayed any undecideds.
But then if you are still undecided at this point I have serious doubts about your capacity to process and evaluate choices. No doubt you carry instructions penned in ink on the back of your hand reminding you to breathe.
September 6, 2012
I was wrong. Example 11.
Why Joe, there are no socialists in the Democratic Party. You have no idea what you are talking about.
Example 1,114 of a demonstrable need for sarcasm font.
h/t Hot Air
Coincidence
Over the course of his various campaigns, weird stuff happens to Barack Obama's opponents. A couple of times sealed court records and divorce records have mysteriously become public knowledge. In both cases it turned public opinion and Obama won the election.
After Candidate Obama was embarrassed by accidentally offering a candid view of his economic policies by Joe the Plumber in 2008, Joe's private records mysteriously were released to the press.
Rumors of an illicit affair (is there any other kind?) surfaced about John McCain in 2008.
This morning we are greeted to news that hackers/intruders reportedly have copies of Romney's past tax returns. The Republican candidate has offered the most recent year or two of returns, and his refusal to offer more remains a bone of contention for the Democrats.
I am certain President Obama is not responsible, but weird stuff often happens to his opponents.
After Candidate Obama was embarrassed by accidentally offering a candid view of his economic policies by Joe the Plumber in 2008, Joe's private records mysteriously were released to the press.
Rumors of an illicit affair (is there any other kind?) surfaced about John McCain in 2008.
This morning we are greeted to news that hackers/intruders reportedly have copies of Romney's past tax returns. The Republican candidate has offered the most recent year or two of returns, and his refusal to offer more remains a bone of contention for the Democrats.
I am certain President Obama is not responsible, but weird stuff often happens to his opponents.
September 5, 2012
Say it ain't so
I am at a loss for words.
Those stinking, racist, evil Democrats are doing all they can to suppress support at their convention.
I cannot believe they demand photo ID to enter the convention floor.
STOP THE HATE!
Plus, is there no Democrat that sees the irony of celebrating Ted Kennedy at the Convention dedicated to stopping the war on women?
Seriously? That is like hosting a seminar on child molestation at the Penn State football locker room and celebrating Jerry Sandusky.
IS THERE NO SHAME? What the fuck is wrong with you people?
Those stinking, racist, evil Democrats are doing all they can to suppress support at their convention.
I cannot believe they demand photo ID to enter the convention floor.
STOP THE HATE!
Plus, is there no Democrat that sees the irony of celebrating Ted Kennedy at the Convention dedicated to stopping the war on women?
Seriously? That is like hosting a seminar on child molestation at the Penn State football locker room and celebrating Jerry Sandusky.
September 4, 2012
Now Hope and Change just means more of the same
The Democratic Party Convention kicks off today. Watch for the secret racist code words that will be sprinkled throughout the speechifyin' like "Golf" and "Chicago" and "Welfare".
Last week we heard about stupid shit issues that face our nation like unemployment, debt, gas prices, the housing market, and defense. Now we will discuss stuff that is really important like getting free contraception for 30-year old college students, abortion and more windmills and electric cars.
I will spoil the fun and give you a musical version of The Obama's speech scheduled for Thursday:
Tax the rich, Feed the poor. Spend, spend, spend till daddy takes the credit card away.
Last week we heard about stupid shit issues that face our nation like unemployment, debt, gas prices, the housing market, and defense. Now we will discuss stuff that is really important like getting free contraception for 30-year old college students, abortion and more windmills and electric cars.
I will spoil the fun and give you a musical version of The Obama's speech scheduled for Thursday:
Tax the rich, Feed the poor. Spend, spend, spend till daddy takes the credit card away.
Movin' on here, Boss
I have more installments of my coming of age story that leaped into my brain while I was getting in windshield time last week.
I think I will spare you. I can be mean, but I am not into torture.
I like writing fiction, but the blogging format does not work too well for short stories.
That is OK, I am sure most of you took a look at the posts and gave a silent TLDR anyway.
I think I will spare you. I can be mean, but I am not into torture.
I like writing fiction, but the blogging format does not work too well for short stories.
That is OK, I am sure most of you took a look at the posts and gave a silent TLDR anyway.
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